Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar is a modern neighborhood restaurant, that has secured a place on the SF Chronicle’s top 100 list and has been honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. We serve an eclectic mix of rustic made-from-scratch dishes, celebrating the wonderful textures that make up our neighborhoods. We offer a mingling of small and large plates, meant to be shared, always nuanced and inspired by what we harvest from our neighboring small farms. Our food is approachable, eschewing complicated names, and bohemian in spirit as we are nonconforming and unconventional—sophisticated only in the way we can weave different ethnic influences and ingredients together.
A light-filled neighborhood venue for seasonal, family-style dishes with an international flair.
Liann Amagan
Was meeting up a friend for a Saturday brunch and looked up places in San Leandro. Found a lot of reviews on this spot so I easily made a reservation on OpenTable for a Saturday for 2 at 12:00pm and it wasn’t too busy. I wasn’t sure where to park but there is street parking up front and it’s also located residentially but also very close to the freeway and there’s some parking nearby. Service was great, there were paper menus as well as a QR code to order on your phone. I asked the server for some suggestions. Since it was a weekend brunch we went with the rice paper rolls, grits and fried egg, banh mi bread pudding, and focaccia. The portions at first seemed small but it was a lot for 2 of us. I had to try their Vietnamese egg custard coffee and it was so strong and good. They definitely have unique fusion Vietnamese dishes and the egg and grits had a nice spicy kick to it if you like spice! Their focaccia was so nice and warm too. Overall it’s a nice vibe inside, variety of things to order for the entire family.
… moreBrandon Ynayan
Just solid food all around! A pleasant surprise in San Leandro. The food is phenomenally curated. To me it’s sort of wine bar-ish food with Asian inspired ingredients but with western technique. We ordered the tissue bread, halibut tartare, oxtail, mushroom course, beets and rice cakes. The rice cakes were my favorite. Service was great. Savan was really helpful. Indoor outdoor space with nice bar seating. Would most definitely come back.
… moreRose Thomas
Wow, wow, wow! This place is amazing! We had 6 dishes and every one of them were superb. The seasonings were perfect, the ingredients combinations were creative and the plating was picture perfect. The service is top notch. The ambience is warm, eclectic, modern and inviting. Seating options both inside and out. Definitely worth a drive. You won’t be disappointed!
… moreSonya
I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant. Once seated I was instructed on how to order. You scan a QR code and place your order on an app. I had the savory doughnuts as an appetizer. If they had more bacon they would have been perfect.
For my main dish I ordered the grits with a fried farm egg. It was delicious. The vegetables on top were cooked perfectly and the chilli oil gave it a nice kick.
For dessert I had the lemon ricotta zeppole with the Earl Grey chocolate ganache and the lemon curd omg it was good. The Earl Grey chocolate was so good. I have not tasted anything like that before.
I had a very good experience at Top Hatters. I would definitely go back.
… moreFoodie Traveler
There’s a little bit of magic tucked into downtown San Leandro and it goes by the charming name Top Hatters. Every visit feels like slipping into a favorite story: relaxed, welcoming, and just a touch whimsical. The moment you walk in you’re greeted by warm lighting, upbeat chatter, and a friendly tone—it’s the kind of place where you immediately sink into your seat and let the day slow down.
The food is comfort with a wink. Plates arrive looking cheerful and smelling even better—crispy edges, bright herbs, and sauces that invite more bread. Whether you’re there for a leisurely brunch or an easy weeknight dinner, the menu balances familiar favorites with little creative twists that keep things interesting. Portions are generous in the best way: satisfying without feeling heavy. The desserts are the kind you’ll happily split and then secretly hope there’s enough left for a second helping.
Service here feels personal, never rushed. The staff seems genuinely glad you showed up—attentive, friendly, and ready with a recommendation if you’re wavering. Drinks are mixed with care, from morning coffee that actually wakes you up to cocktails that pair perfectly with a relaxed conversation. If the weather’s good, snag an outdoor seating.
Top Hatters is the kind of neighborhood gem that turns a usual meal into an event. It’s where you bring friends who are new to town, or come alone with a book and stay long after your plate is cleared. For me, it’s always a treat coming here—and I’m already looking forward to the next visit. If you want cozy vibes, good food, and no fuss, this place has it all.
… moreForrest Spellman
Recently tried Top Hatters and was impressed with the food and service. We came for lunch on a sunny day, so enjoying that outside on their patio was excellent. Cocktails were creative and visually appealing, but it was really the food that impressed me. We tried the grilled oysters, donuts, vermicelli bowl, dumplings… really enjoyed the buttery finish on the oysters and would recommend getting pork with the vermicelli bowl. Those savory, and smokey flavors really added to the dishes. The dumplings were pretty great though the strong sausage-esque ground pork eliminated some of the more subtle flavors in the broth and spices. I also thought that the donuts could do with a bit more savory notes, such as though they have bacon I couldn’t pick up the taste in each bite. Perhaps a nice sauce to pair alongside them would have been great. Also, the service was excellent, checking in and ensuring the food was to our liking and our drinks were full. Thanks had a great meal here.
… moreEllis Ott
The food here is so impressive! This quiet neighborhood farm to table is San Leandro’s hidden gem. The cuisine focuses on fresh, hand harvested produce from a local farm, so dishes are ever changing with the seasons. There is a lot of Vietnamese influence going on.
They started doing brunch on the weekends and I gotta say everything I’ve tried was delicious!
Chef DanVy loves her work and it shows.
… moreJ. Bea.
My family and I went here on a Sunday, so we got the weekend menu. My favorites among appetizers and entrees we ordered are: Grilled Galangal pork skewer, Pork Belly with peasant rice, Rice Vermicelli bowl, Grilled Chipolata. They have unique blend of spices and seasoning. Best of all, they are a fusion of different tastes from different countries… It satisfies your taste buds without making your stomach feel too full/ heavy… that’s what I like… Cory, our server, as well as the other servers are all nice and friendly. The place has a relaxing atmosphere… they have big clear glass windows at the front, so the place gets lit by natural lighting from outside… the place is also decorated with beautiful plants… they also have patio at the front… I give 5 stars for this restaurant… Thank you Top Hatters
… moreVivian Huang
A hidden gem in San Leandro. A cute restaurant with amazing food! Prices are reasonable, taking into account the creativity and freshness of their food. They sat us even though we arrived the minute they were closing to prep for dinner time.
… moreGlenn Reynolds
Three of us had dinner on a week night. They have a reputation for stunning cocktails and they exceeded expectations. Food presentation is beautiful. We were seated immediately and the staff was excellent at explaining and making recommendations. What sets this restaurant apart are interesting dishes that are perfectly executed. The quality of the food was excellent. The flavor contrasts And blending really hit the mark. The seating both inside and out is charming and welcoming. I found the actual temperature to be on the cold side so bring a sweater. We paid $60 per person.
… more