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Popoca, Oakland, CA

Popoca

4.8
4.8
58 Reviews
$30 and under
Latin American

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
11:30 p.m.
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • 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
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 58 people are saying

Popoca reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Bay

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Popoca is a vibrant Oakland gem known for its "authentic and delicious" pupusas and inventive dishes. Guests rave about the "amazing" tasting menu, creative cocktails, and "friendly" service. The ambiance is cozy with a lively vibe, making it perfect for group dining. Highly recommended for flavorful, unique experiences.
58 Reviews
  1. Marshanette

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic restaurant. Delicious and whole food. Some of the best fired chicken I’ve ever had and wonderful fully flavored dishes overall. Will certainly be back!

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  2. Karen VIP

    San Francisco55 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The Host and the waitress were very friendly and professional. The food was delicious and the flavors were a layering of sweet, savory and sometimes had a bit of gentle heat. They sent us a delicious passion fruit flan for our anniversary. My only suggestion would be for the restaurant to expand their limited wine list. It appears that their vibe is more of a cocktail type of atmosphere.

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  3. elena

    Chicago12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Every time I come here, I wonder why we don't come more often - the food and cocktail program are phenomenal, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the vibe is easy-going neighborhood restaurant with some of the most interesting seasonal menus in Oakland. And they are super family friendly; my toddler is always happy with the Salvi side plate + some handmade tortillas, but he also steals bites of everything else.

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  4. Adrian

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The drinks were unique and delicious. The food was incredible. The pupusas were authentic and delicious, as was the pork belly and flan desert. Highly recommend Popoca!

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  5. Laura

    San Francisco4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had a great meal here.Everything was very flavorful and so different from most American restaurants.The pupusas are fantastic.The Yuca con pepescas are not to be missed.Nice vibe and good wait staff.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The dishes were inventive and delicious. I want to go back to try the other things on the menu!

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  7. Debbie VIP

    San Francisco20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner with friends before a show. It was fun watching the chef do his thing on the open fire right there among the diners and the food was good across the board. It’s a limited menu but honestly enough choices for everyone to choose items they wanted. We ate tapas style. The crab was amazing by the way (be ready for a mess). Service was wee bit slow but hey, you’re meant to enjoy and they responded quickly when we said we needed to get going.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Ivan

    San Francisco10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Great experience. Did the tasting menu and almost everything was a hit. I would probably not order the pollo en chicha again in the future. Good sauce, but chicken thigh and legs needed to be cooked more. the lengua pupusa was amazing. The salvi side plate was so flavorful and delicious. The yuca was amazing! Really loved pretty much everything.

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  9. Anonymous

    San Francisco14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, service and ambiance. The pupusa and other grilled items are outstanding. Interesting cocktails. Highly recommend.

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  10. Cynthia VIP

    San Francisco14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious and creative food. Pleasant dining room. Lovely staff. An Oakland gem.

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FAQs

Popoca is rated 4.8 stars by 58 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation


Booked 7 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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