

Hours
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Monday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–12 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5484 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Phone: (415) 865-9523
Website: https://oakland.monkskettle.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
A remarkably dynamic selection of beers, foreign and domestic, are served in complementary glassware. If you enjoy your beer as much as I do, you’ll appreciate this level of, well… appreciation.
The fare is outstanding as well. *Try the special*
Go to Oakland, to a gastro pub, for a lunch with an old friend?
YES – go here, it’s fantastic.
1. Parking. Noon on a Thursday afternoon I lucked out and parked on College Ave., just 50 feet from the front door.
2. Service. Greeted as I walked in by a friendly staff person (who was also our waitperson). She was knowledgeable and patient and took our order (2 to stay, and 1 to go) by memory and got it all correct.
3. Food. My buddy and I got the same thing: Pub burger (medium) on brioche bun with gruyere cheese and grilled onions along with a side of kale salad (also could have had chips or fries). Excellent burger although I removed the top bun and ate the burger with a knife and fork. The shocker was the kale salad – no stems, mixed with root vegetables, and dressed with an interesting umami-ish vinaigrette: fantastic. So good, a ordered a full size kale salad to go for dinner later.
4. Dessert. Out of curiosity, I asked for a black coffee, and “do you have any cookies?” thinking maybe some big Costco oatmeal monsters. But, no – they have an in-house cookie plate (a long wooden cutting board with three hand-made cookies: gingerbread chocolate chip, light lemon bar, and a snicker doodle. Hand made by a staff person off premises – wow, really good, fresh, and perfect with robust black coffee.
My buddy and I had a beautiful lunch and sat for awhile talking and enjoying an Arnold Palmer, a black coffee, and cookies – a great mid-day break.
5. Summary: I haven’t been to Oakland since the the G.S. Warriors left, but Monk’s Kettle is a perfect reason to go back.
The atmosphere feels refined without losing the comfort of a neighborhood pub. The interior blends warm wood tones, an organized bar lined with taps, and a dining room that encourages both casual drinks and full meals. The environment feels lively but still relaxed, making it a comfortable place to settle in for an evening.
The beer program is clearly a central part of the experience. The tap list typically features a well-curated selection of craft beers spanning different styles, including local California breweries as well as Belgian and European influences. The variety makes it appealing for both casual drinkers and serious beer enthusiasts who enjoy exploring different brewing traditions.
The food elevates the typical gastropub model. Dishes go beyond standard bar fare, focusing on well-executed comfort foods that pair naturally with beer. Items like burgers, hearty sandwiches, and shareable plates are prepared with attention to quality ingredients and balanced flavors.
Service during the visit was attentive and knowledgeable. Staff were comfortable discussing beer styles and offering pairing suggestions, which adds an extra dimension to the dining experience.
From a global travel perspective, The Monk’s Kettle reminds me of modern gastropubs found in cities such as Brussels, London, and Portland where strong beer culture and carefully crafted pub food intersect.
When I walked in, the place was empty but it was fairly early (before noon). Cute rustic feel with lots of tables, booths, and a nice corner bar. Wouldn’t say that I was greeted warmly, but I was greeted. The lady who helped me wasn’t rude but she wasn’t friendly.
Skipped the beer since this was a work lunch but opted for an iced tea and the smash burger. The food prices are actually in line with many of the other burger spots on the block which is convenient. The smash burger was just okay. They use a soft potato bun which has a tendency to disintegrate when there’s sauce on it. It got soggy and messy super fast. A crisper bun would be ideal for this kind of burger in my opinion. Burger patty has nice flavor and it was juicy. The fries were super salty but still good.
The service is where this place is failing. Not once did my server come back to check in on me to see how I was doing. She waited until I was mid bite to ask me if I wanted anything else and all I could do was nod my head no since my mouth was full. Then she left the check on the table as I was still chomping.
I guess I didn’t get my card out fast enough for her because next thing you know, she comes back to my table with a tablet and says that I can just tap my card to pay. What if I was paying with cash? There were literally only 3 other parties in the restaurant and it wasn’t busy at all. What’s the rush? I definitely felt like she was trying to get me out of there fast.
So yeah… first impression was not a good one. This should really be a 2 star review, but given the ambience and also the fact that I didn’t try any of the beer here yet, I’ll round up to 3. At the point, I have no plans on returning. I’ll just stick to my old and faithful Ben N’ Nicks down the block and keep it moving.
The food was really good and hit the spot. We ordered the mac n’ cheese and the black bean burger, and both were excellent. The mac n’ cheese was rich, comforting, and flavorful, and the black bean burger was one of the better ones I’ve had, well seasoned and satisfying.
The beer selection is also a big highlight. There’s a solid variety to choose from, making it a great spot whether you’re a craft beer fan or just looking to enjoy a good drink with your meal.
The atmosphere makes it easy to hang out and enjoy your time without feeling rushed. It feels like a place that works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a longer visit.
Cool place, great food, and an excellent beer selection. I’d highly recommend stopping in, especially if you’re in the area and looking for a relaxed, quality lunch spot
Ordered the charred octopus on the recommendation of the waitress, and it was an excellent suggestion. The octopus was tender and full of flavor.
The waitstaff was attentive, if a bit overeager, but it’s awesome to have a place like this open late. I’m sure their burger or chicken sandwich would be perfect after a night out.
We lived just two blocks away from The Monk’s Kettle in the Mission and were regulars there, so we were sad to see it close earlier this year. Coincidentally, we moved to the East Bay just a couple of months after they closed the Mission location, so we were excited to see them reopen in Rockridge and finally made it in for dinner.
The new spot has a similar cozy vibe but was packed, which is great to see. It feels like they’ve found a better fit here with a more family-friendly crowd and a great location. The back patio looks charming—we sat at the bar this time but will definitely try it next time.
As for the food, it was solid but didn’t fully capture the magic of the Mission menu. I got the bricked chicken sandwich, which was flavorful and had some of the familiar tastes we loved, but I really miss the fried chicken sandwich from the old location. My girlfriend had the Monk’s Burger, which tasted just as good as we remembered.
The fries, though, were a bit disappointing. These are denser, skinny fries—likely the same as their Terra Linda location—and don’t compare to the amazing Kennebec hop salt fries they had in SF. The bartender explained their fryer situation is smaller here, which might explain the change, but we really miss those fries.
It’s great to see them thriving in this new home, and we’ll definitely be back. Still holding out hope that the fried chicken sandwich and those perfect fries might make a comeback someday!