Food to bring on your Lake Merritt picnic

Check out from hectic city life when you check in for a lounging session at the oldest official wildlife refuge in the United States. Whether you’re walking the full 3-mile curvaceous stretch of Oakland’s signature Lake Merritt or you’re stopping by to visit just one spot along the tidal lagoon, the natural scenes will steal your senses from the surrounding urban bustle.

But you’ll want to bring more sit-down rewards to enjoy in addition to the water and wild ducks. Since the lake is a short walk from both 19th Street/Oakland and Lake Merritt BART stations, you’ve got your choice of these convenient places to fuel your picnic.

Looking for more to do near Lake Merritt? Check out this urban hike, go bird watching or this list.

Minutes from 19th St./Oakland Station await French fries with kimchi aioli, arugula and Asian pear salads, pork belly tacos, and burgers with house-marinated patties.

Belly Uptown

19th St. Oakland

Lago Grill has veggie burritos wrapped in spinach tortillas, super nachos, shrimp burritos and the whole slew of savory and quick Mexican foods.

Lago Grill Taqueria

Lake Merritt (Oakland)

“Sandwiched” in between Lake Merritt Station and Lake Merritt sits Mo’ Joe cafe and its straightforward cache of breakfast sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Mo’ Joe Cafe

Lake Merritt (Oakland)

The Halal Guys supply Uptown Oakland with an easy fix for when you’ve got the Mediterranean munchies.

The Halal Guys

19th St. Oakland

by Linda Koffman

Linda Koffman is an SF-based freelance writer and editor. Also a beginner gardener by day/performing songwriter by night, she feels grateful to live a life of extremes balancing plenty of contemplative silence with rocking out in a band. When not writing, she keeps her hands busy (and dirty) with old guitar strings and soil, and enjoys engaging with the Bay Area’s diverse environmental and cultural beauty. She loves puns to a fault and shamelessly laughs at her own jokes.

Places to grab food from for Lake Merritt lounging