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Calabash is an Afro-Caribbean and Jamaican restaurant, market, and bar in Uptown Oakland. It is a place of global innovation and a true community gathering square, where bold flavors and good vibes blend seamlessly with the cultural roots of Chef Nigel and a collective of creative local chefs and producers, bringing their cultures and flavors to The Town.
Hours
| Friday | 4:30–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2300 Valdez St Ste A, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 844-4631
Website: https://calabasheats.com/
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Related Web Results
Calabash (@calabasheats) · Oakland, CA – Instagram
Calabash is an Afro-Caribbean & Jamaican restaurant & bar! Wed & Thur Dinner 4:30-9pm Fri Dinner 4:30-10pm | Sat 11-10pm | Sun 11-3pm.
Calabash Uptown – Order Online
… scheduled orders. Calabash Uptown. 2300 Valdez Street, Oakland, CA. Delivery. Pickup. Pickup from 2300 Valdez Street, Oakland, CA. Schedule your order for later.
Calabash | Oakland, CA
Like its namesake, Calabash is an Afro-Caribbean & Jamaican restaurant, market, and bar in Uptown Oakland! It is a place of global innovation; …
Reviews
Chie B.
Went to watch a comedy show. The show was nice, not all comedians were funny tho. But regardless, we had some laughs. The place has a nice ambiance. Clean kitchen, clean bathroom. It’s quaint and it is good for date night, girls out, family get together. We had oxtail, salad and ribs. They were all good and tasty and flavorful. Unfortunately, the cocktails weren’t as good. Would definitely go back for the ambiance and food though.
… moreAlison M C
Cool, spacious place w great music. Upscale but casual. I’m still dreaming of the oxtail and rice dinner that I had with my friend. Spicy chicken appetizer was sticky & delicious. Portions are pretty big so don’t be scared to share. $6 Red Stripes made me want to come back for Friday karaoke nights or comedy night on a Saturday. Sparkling clean unisex bathrooms with separate individual rooms appreciated. I wish everywhere had these!! Can’t complete a review without mentioning the genuinely friendly service. Our server last night really made us feel welcome and had great menu suggestions. We’ll be back!
… moreKendall Harden
Calabash is an absolute gem in Oakland, serving up bold and flavorful Afro-Caribbean and Jamaican dishes that leave a lasting impression. I had the 10-hour braised pulled beef sandwich, and it was nothing short of incredible—tender, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth like butter. Every bite was packed with deep, savory flavor.
I also tried the jerk chicken sandwich, which was equally delicious and came topped with perfectly fried plantains—adding the perfect touch of sweetness and crunch. Speaking of plantains, I ordered them as a side too, and they were crispy, golden, and addictive.
Calabash truly brings the taste of international comfort food to the Bay Area. If you’re craving a hearty, soulful meal with Caribbean flair, this spot is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu!
… moreI also tried the jerk chicken sandwich, which was equally delicious and came topped with perfectly fried plantains—adding the perfect touch of sweetness and crunch. Speaking of plantains, I ordered them as a side too, and they were crispy, golden, and addictive.
Calabash truly brings the taste of international comfort food to the Bay Area. If you’re craving a hearty, soulful meal with Caribbean flair, this spot is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu!
brian casey
What makes this restaurant super great is their exceptional staff. They deserve to me mentioned with Oakland’s finest; hospitality and classiness are off the charts. Proud / unique Jamaican culture adds charm and taste – the menu reflects that as well. Nigel brings uniqueness, kindness and Calabash represent everything great about downtown Oakland.
… moreCharlise N
I really wanted to like Calabash, went in with an open perspective despite negative reviews I’ve seen online – unfortunately for me, Calabash lived up to their reputation and provided a lackluster experience to say the least !
If I could give them zero stars, I would. This place has become infamous for all the wrong reasons — poor service, low-quality food, and completely unprofessional management.
My friends recently hosted an event here; providing not only the crowd of ample patrons but also music and vibes; the result – a terrible experience from start to finish. The food came out inconsistently, had no flavor, and the kitchen clearly couldn’t get it together. The service was slow, scattered, and almost felt like an afterthought.
But the real issue? MANAGEMENT.
Instead of running the business, ensuring customer needs were met, the owners spent the night talking loudly over the music and cutting in on the DJ set with announcements to push bar sales. Meanwhile, they completely ignored the guests and the people who actually brought them business.
To make matters worse, Calabash has a pattern of not paying content creators, promoters, and DJs what they are owed. In our case, management literally said they would “just take the hit” of people blasting them online rather than honor their agreement. That is wild!! They did the same thing to others — there are screenshots floating around online because this isn’t a one-off situation.
This place is untrustworthy, unprofessional, and not worth your time or money. Oakland deserves better than this.
… moreIf I could give them zero stars, I would. This place has become infamous for all the wrong reasons — poor service, low-quality food, and completely unprofessional management.
My friends recently hosted an event here; providing not only the crowd of ample patrons but also music and vibes; the result – a terrible experience from start to finish. The food came out inconsistently, had no flavor, and the kitchen clearly couldn’t get it together. The service was slow, scattered, and almost felt like an afterthought.
But the real issue? MANAGEMENT.
Instead of running the business, ensuring customer needs were met, the owners spent the night talking loudly over the music and cutting in on the DJ set with announcements to push bar sales. Meanwhile, they completely ignored the guests and the people who actually brought them business.
To make matters worse, Calabash has a pattern of not paying content creators, promoters, and DJs what they are owed. In our case, management literally said they would “just take the hit” of people blasting them online rather than honor their agreement. That is wild!! They did the same thing to others — there are screenshots floating around online because this isn’t a one-off situation.
This place is untrustworthy, unprofessional, and not worth your time or money. Oakland deserves better than this.
Raehann Bryce-Davis
I got the tofu with rice and peas and it was very flavorful. Coconut met spice in the perfect intersection for the rice and peas. I do wish the combo came with plantain like the meat options do, it could have used the sweet to balance the heat but alas. I was a bit disappointed there didn’t appear or sound to be any Jamaicans working there but they do have a sign that says “Black-Owned so perhaps the owners are.“ (Not to confuse ethnicity and race…) In any case, it was a delicious meal.
… moreYoung Rob
Every dish was great, from the oxtail stew with rice & beans, to the jerk chicken wings, ribs and chicken salad. Packed with flavor and perfect texture, the chocolate cake was a great finish for a great meal.
Service was friendly and fast, especially appreciate the pay online solution for less hassle. General atmosphere was also relaxing and nice.
… moreService was friendly and fast, especially appreciate the pay online solution for less hassle. General atmosphere was also relaxing and nice.
Jim W
-made reservations and called before going
-decent location
-the sorrel/hibiscus drink is great
-greatly flavored patties
-authentic fresh cut sweet potato fries, lightly seasoned to perfection
-you get your money’s worth
-the server was intuitive
-the food came out at reasonable times
-the Jamaican music is pretty chill and at a moderate volume
-love the simplicity and style of the interior
-i think oakland residents are sleeping on this place
-black owned
-they sell spices inside
-brunch on Sundays only; however, the Saturday menu is pretty good
-good portion sizes
… more-decent location
-the sorrel/hibiscus drink is great
-greatly flavored patties
-authentic fresh cut sweet potato fries, lightly seasoned to perfection
-you get your money’s worth
-the server was intuitive
-the food came out at reasonable times
-the Jamaican music is pretty chill and at a moderate volume
-love the simplicity and style of the interior
-i think oakland residents are sleeping on this place
-black owned
-they sell spices inside
-brunch on Sundays only; however, the Saturday menu is pretty good
-good portion sizes
Lisha Shaw
We had a 1:15 reservation time yet it’s 3:10 and we have yet to receive our food we only had one drink each and it was only 5 of us. The serving staff was great without food
… moreSylvia Johnson
I love the location the food and service was awesome, and the atmosphere was great. I had Jamaican jerk oxtails with red beans and rice and fried plantain.delicious!
I will return to get the Lamb Salad. I saw someone with this meal and it looked goooood!
… moreI will return to get the Lamb Salad. I saw someone with this meal and it looked goooood!