What's Happening

Updated August 2... Downtown Alameda restaurants are open with care for outdoor service. If you’re looking to meet up with a friend in your “social bubble” for dinner and drinks, or enjoy a meal out with the family, check out these favorite downtown spots:

Recently opened, Spinning Bones has created a new socially-distanced outdoor dining area for small groups to enjoy their take-out food and drinks. Located across the street from their restaurant, The Boneyard offers food, drinks, family, fun, sun,… all in one space. The outdoor space is open Wednesday through Sunday, weather permitting.

Known for its German take on Alameda, Speisekammer provides a rotating menu that might include Schweinebraten, Sauerbraten, or Poached Salmon. Accompany a traditional dish with a light lager and you’ll feel like you’re in another land without traveling far. Speisekammer’s patio is open Tuesday to Sunday. Pickup and delivery is also available.

The outdoor patio at Cinema Grill is open for dining every night. Order a specialty pizza, burger, or daily special. Cinema Grill also continues to offer a Curbside Takeout menu with to-go specials that feed four and happy hour drinks. And don’t forget the popcorn!

Outdoor seating is now available at Ole’s Waffle Shop. Ole’s entire menu is available as well as wine from Wine & Waffles. The best part is it’s dog friendly so you can bring your furry friends and enjoy some great food and sunshine.

“The Gardens at the Tavern” (pictured above) is an outdoor oasis in Downtown Alameda. You’ll find the inviting dining area set up in the parking lot next to The Park Street Tavern. Come gift your tastebuds with made-from-scratch Greek & Italian inspired cuisine!

Alameda Island Brewing Company has a new outdoor dining area and beer garden. So grab a meal and pair it with a locally crafted beer. Favorites include Hef-D, Island Hazy, Sea Haggis, and a plethora of rotating flavors. Meal options are provided by Monkey King at the Brewery and Thai Noodle House of Alameda. (Note: A meal purchase is required to drink onsite.)

Other favorite spots ready for outdoor dining: American Oak, Angela’s Restaurant, Asena, Dragon Rouge, Hobnob, La Penca Azul, McGee’s, and The Star on Park.

View a running list of restaurants ready to serve you for outdoor dining, takeout, or delivery: https://downtownalameda.com/open-for-business/

Please be patient as our restaurants navigate the new rules with customer and staff safety top of mind. Check with individual businesses for their current schedules. And please remember that masks are still required while not eating. ⁣❤️

COVID-19 is changing most aspects of our lives, including how people are doing business and visiting our downtown. The City has been working throughout the pandemic to help keep our community safe and support the well-being of our downtown businesses. Last month, the City Council approved the launch of the Commercial Streets Program to create more space in our business districts for people to shop and dine. 

As part of the new Commercial Streets program, the City recently expanded pedestrian space by reducing a portion of Park Street from 4-lanes to 2-lanes. Restriping from Encinal Ave to Lincoln Ave was completed July 10.

Here’s how the lanes on Park Street are being repurposed to benefit pedestrians and downtown shoppers:

• The existing parking lane in the repurposed area is now an extension of sidewalk space for pedestrians and for customers to line up — this provides for more room for safe passage on the sidewalk.

• The current outer traffic lanes is now pick-up and drop-off parking only — this makes it even easier to order take-out and other items in advance by providing plenty of convenient, short-term parking spaces.

• The two inside lanes remain open for vehicles and bicycles to travel in each direction.

Over time, various portions of the curbside lane may also be used for outdoor dining, retail activities, and other commercial uses. Additionally, “parklets” in the former parking spaces will provide convenient seating areas thanks to businesses like Daisy’s. New bike racks will also be added in select former parking spaces. 

The reconfiguration of Park Street will be monitored and evaluated, and then modified as needed. The new layout is expected to remain through early November. 

Many thanks to the City of Alameda for their assistance in developing this new program, which will support the health of our businesses and the entire community. Our businesses are open with care!

June 19 Update: Retail stores can now be open for in-store shopping. Check with individual shops to see if you need to make an appointment.

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Did you hear the good news? The County issued a new health order on Monday, May 18 that allows retail stores to open for curbside or storefront pickup! 🙌🏻⁣

Shops like Books_Inc. have missed you and are excited to finally see you again — from a safe distance, of course. It’s easy to order books online and request safe, curbside pickup.

Lauren’s Closet doesn’t have a website but owner Lisa Cross is happy to send pics. She’ll even wrap items if it’s for a gift. View products on Facebook, look in window, or call for suggestions.

Some of the greatest toys on Earth can be purchased on Toy Safari‘s website. Or, the next time you’re downtown, take a look at their window display and order via text — numbers are posted on each item to make identification easy.

View a running list of businesses ready to assist you with new clothes, home accessories, gift items, meals, groceries, health care, and more: https://downtownalameda.com/open-for-business/

Check with individual businesses for their current pickup guidelines. Please remember to still be vigilant about wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing when out of the house.

(Photo credit: @loveourisland)

The City recently launched a new Alameda Strong Campaign to raise money for Alameda businesses, residents, and non-profits who make Alameda the truly awesome city that it is.

The goal is to raise over $1 million for grants that can help our local businesses and others recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19. If you are in a position to do so, please help fund the emergency relief grants by making a tax-deductible donation to the “Alameda Strong” community fund today. Donations are being accepted online through The East Bay Community Foundation.

Alameda’s small businesses, nonprofits, and low-income renters need our support. Please donate today at www.alamedastrong.org.

(Donations can also be submitted by check. Make the check payable to: “Alameda Strong Fund” and mail it to: East Bay Community Foundation; Attn: Alameda Strong Fund; 200 Frank Ogawa Plaza; Oakland CA 94612)

Please help get the word out about this campaign — the grant is dependent on community donations.

We were absolutely blown away by @girlcancook451’s participation in the ABCs of Park Street Game. She completed the full alphabet and even got creative by including her son and signing their way together through downtown. Check out a few favorites! www.instagram.com/p/CAqxmNGh03p

(B is for the @alamedaballetacademy, while they dance in their rooms. M is for movies at the iconic @alamedatheatres. W is for waffles from the one and only @oleswaffleshop.⁣⁣)

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ABCs of Park Street Game

What is your favorite #downtownalameda business? Join us for the ABCs of Park Street Game and THREE of you could win a $100 gift card to the Park Street business of your choice! 🥳⁣

To participate, simply: ⁣
1. Post a photo of a Park Street business on Instagram or Facebook and caption it with the corresponding letter of the alphabet. For example, “A is for the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex.” The photo can be a picture you take while you’re out for a social distancing walk, a picture you take of your takeout meal back at home, or a drawing by one of your kiddos. Feel free to get creative! 🤗⁣
2. Tag your photo with BOTH #downtownalameda and #abcsofparkstreet.⁣