The laid-back island city of Alameda has always been an appealing day trip for its beaches and waterfront breweries, but often, its dining scene gets overshadowed by Oakland and Berkeley. That’s changing fast.
Ever since Indonesian-Texas barbecue restaurant Fikscue opened in 2023 and gained national acclaim, culinary momentum on the island has been building. Now, the East Bay city is experiencing a full-blown bakery boom.
Oakland favorite Bake Sum opened a second outpost in May, followed closely by Castro Valley’s Ones Café & Bakery in July — just blocks apart on Park Street. Add in a stellar weekend doughnut program at Moxie, plus an upcoming brick-and-mortar from farmers market staple Night Heron Bread, as well as existing bakeries Crispian Bakery, Firebrand Bread and Donut Petit, and the island has become a destination in its own right.
I took a walk down Park Street to see what the buzz is all about…