Popoca

4.7

22 Reviews

$30 and under

Latin American

Make a booking

2 people

8 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 36 times today

Charming
Innovative
Lively

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

Location
906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
Area
Oakland
Parking details
None

What 22 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

East Bay
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Popoca dazzles with its "exceptional food" and "superb cocktails," creating a "completely delightful experience." Diners rave about the friendly staff and cozy ambiance. The menu offers a "fun modern take on Central American food," with standout dishes like pupusas and pork chops. While some note limited vegetarian options, the restaurant remains a "complete gem" in Old Town Oakland.

22 Reviews

B
Beth
VIP
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dishes had layers of flavor and were varied. We had the tasting menu and it was delicious from first to last. Service was excellent. The place was hopping on a Tuesday night. I’m definitely going back!
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F
Fatima
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a great time. Always great food and service.
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CM
ClaudiaM
VIP
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had a lovely evening at Popoca. The food was delicious and service was outstanding. All-around great dining experience!
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M
Maria
Los Angeles
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was amazing along with their cocktails! I can’t wait to bring my Salvadorian mama here! Plus, Andres, our waiter, was so welcoming! Thanks for yummy food with an amazing experience.
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P
Paolo
San Francisco
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on 22 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Fun casual service. Staff is knowledgable and passionate about the dishes and will offer recommendations. The food was a fun modern take on Central American food. N.A. beverage options and an interesting cocktail list.
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D
David
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 22 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Completely delightful experience. Great food filled with pleasant surprises. Beautiful reuse of space. A complete gem.
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VT
VT03
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 14 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding food & cocktails. Cozy vibe. Friendly staff.
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J
John
VIP
San Francisco
15 reviews
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on 7 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Came here for first time for a birthday celebration with five. We really enjoyed ourselves. Great high energy atmosphere. With the place entirely full on. Friday night it was pretty loud inside but not impossible. We especially liked the pork chop which was one of the best we have ever tasted, guacamole and sweet potatoes. The chicken was good also—not amazing. Papusas were good also. We tried two of the craft cocktails. The martini was ok; the tequila with coffee notes was pretty much undrinkable. We would not order either of these again. An Argentinian red blend wine was excellent. The gin mocktailss our group tried were outstanding and we would order again. Really nice spot in Old Town Oakland and we hope it does well there.
1 person found this helpful
I
Ileana
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 5 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service! Exceptional food, amazing flavors!! Superb cocktails! Lovely indoor and outdoor ambiance!
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A
Ally
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a large group, 11 people, and it was super fun to share the Taste of Popoca. We all cheered for the dessert at the end!
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FAQs

Popoca is rated 4.7 stars by 22 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

8 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 36 times today

906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Dining areas

Additional information

Area
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

Website
https://www.popocaoakland.com/
Phone number
(510) 457-1724

Popoca

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 22 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

How is Popoca restaurant rated?

Is Popoca currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information