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Popoca, Oakland, CA

Popoca

4.8
4.8
44 Reviews
$30 and under
Latin American

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
Booked 14 times today
  • Innovative
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Charming
Popoca is a Salvadoran-inspired restaurant in the heart of Oakland. Popoca means “to emit smoke” in Nawat, the language of native people of El Salvador who stoked wood fires to prepare food over a comal for their families. Revered as more than just a means of cooking, smoke represents a prayer or offering to the spirits.

Popoca is a mix of heritage and play. Our food is driven by preserving past, creating something new and uniquely Oakland.

After years of pop-ups, Popoca has its own digs in the Old Oakland neighborhood, where the pupusas, chicken with fermented pineapple sauce, and other Cali-Salvadoran specialties are happily devoured.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Latin American
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu 5:15 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:15 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (510) 457-1724
  • Website
    https://www.popocaoakland.com/
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

Menu

At present, we do not have menu information for this restaurant. Please see their website or wait to visit the restaurant to learn more.

What 44 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • East Bay

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Popoca delights with "fantastic and creative" cuisine and "unique cocktails." The vibrant atmosphere and attentive service create a welcoming experience. Notable dishes include the "delicious pupusas" and "exquisite crab apple salad." Some mention smaller portions and noise levels, but overall, Popoca is a "delightful culinary adventure" with flavors that impress.

44 Reviews

  1. Jannelly

    VIP

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We waited at the bar while our friends came since they were late for our ressies but we enjoyed cocktails that were tasty. I had the ahumarindo which is basically a tamarind margarita. It was so good everyone else ordered it as their second drink. Their pupusas are delicious, we also had the carne asada, crab, apple salad and guacamole. Everything tasty and well presented. We left stuffed and happy. For dessert we had the dessert cake that was like a cheese quesadilla, I didn't taste that cause I can't have gluten but it was gone quickly so clearly good. I did enjoy the sipping chocolate with the chain spices even though it would of been nice if it was a thicker consistency. But that's my personal preference. It was more like spiced cacao water, delicious flavor but I think of sipping chocolate being more creamy.

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  2. ConnieC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a beautiful space and delicious place. Favorites are the salvi side plate and the friend chicken. Have now been three times and can’t wait to go back!

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  3. Dustin

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service, atmosphere, food were all fantastic. Highly recommended the chefs prix fixe!

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  4. Gautam

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service and ambience! We were a little disappointed in the quantity of food and the wait time for the food to come out. We still felt hungry after spending hundreds of dollars and 3+ hours at the restaurant.

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Jesse

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was fabulous ingredients fresh and flavors on point. Can’t wait to go back and try the regular menu.

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  6. Joseph

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    The food was good but overpriced. We sat outside which might be nice in a summer evening but no so great this time of year even with the heat lamps.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Marcilie

    VIP

    San Francisco

    37 reviews

    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great all around! Don’t skip the pupusas! The apple celery salad also quite a treat! I will return.

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  8. Taylor

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Got the tasting menu and it was amazing! Will definitely be back. I know it’s hard to be consistent when you’re a hot new restaurant but the team at Popoca delivers.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Erin

    VIP

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    PERFECT!! Everything from tip to toe was fantastic. I am gluten intolerant & they have great options that taste FAB, which is very hard to find

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  10. BONITA

    New York City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The decor is beautiful with green tiles around the bar and stained glass at the entry. The food is fantastic and creative. Cocktails were unique and delicious. We had a great time.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Popoca is rated 4.8 stars by 44 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 p.m.
Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Popoca

906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Oakland
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu 5:15 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:15 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Latin American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
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