Assemble Marketplace/Riveter Bar

Pre-pandemic, Assemble restaurant in the Craneway Pavilion was a favorite lunch/brunch spot. The industrial-style interior, partially preserved from the Craneway’s past as a Ford assembly plant, which manufactured jeeps and tanks during WWII, is unique. The restaurant closed shortly after the pandemic started, but reopened, and now includes expanded outdoor seating as part of The Riveter Bar, according to director of beverage Calvin Young. Enjoy the bay breeze and views while sipping a Summer Sangria (Bacardi Rum, fresh citrus, pinot noir, splash of elderflower), Watermelon Martini (Grey Goose Essences, fresh watermelon, lemon, hint of mint), Richmond Sling (Bombay Gin, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, Grey Goose Vodka, pineapple juice, tophat daisy, hibiscus, maraschino, pinot noir, touch of coriander and nutmeg) or the favorite Ford Point Bloody Mary. Tommy’s BBQ Co., Brezo and the Rocky Island Oyster Co. inside also provide food for outside dining during most of the same opening hours.

Noon-7pm, Thurs.-Sat. 1414 Harbour Way S., Richmond. 510-215-6025. assemblemarketplace.com

East Brother Beer Company

This local brewery has been a destination of choice for craft beer lovers since founders Chris Coomber and Rob Lightner opened the taproom in 2017. It has always featured outside seating, which obviously has become even more popular. East Brother has developed a national following, and its Bo Pils was on Beer & Brewing Magazine’s 2020 Top Ten list. On tap now, among others: Pre-Pro Lager, Oatmeal Stout and Bo Pils. Fall will mark the return of the very popular Festbier, a pale German lager with strong malt and light hops. Take a load off while taking ease outside, order from the food truck and maybe make some new friends.

4-9pm Wed-Fri, noon-9pm Sat, noon-8pm Sun. 1001 Canal Blvd., Richmond. 510-230-4081. eastbrotherbeer.com

Armistice Brewing Company

Find Armistice in Richmond’s Marina District. The sibling founders note that, “When you visit our taproom, you’ll notice it has a lot more in common with the old idea of the public house than with modern brewery taprooms.” That is, if the traditional pub has a large outdoor beer garden, and an on-site food truck, which Armistice does. Take a seat and enjoy one of the constantly changing offerings, perhaps the English-style Befugged Bitter, German-style Rich City Pils or—raising money to support the trans community—The Gay-est-Best Coast IPA. Armistice will celebrate its five-year anniversary on IPA Day on Aug. 6 with a “massive block party,  live music, DJ, tons of food vendors, beer and extremely good vibes!”

Noon-9pm Mon-Thurs and Sun, noon-10pm Fri-Sat. 845 Marina Pkwy. #1, Richmond. 510-230-4966. armisticebrewing.com

The Factory Bar

First, major props for having the cojones to open during the pandemic, which the eagerly awaited Factory Bar did. It’s been a bustling success, and its lovely outdoor patio seating is in high demand, so reserve if planning to take advantage of it. (Friendly dogs are welcome out there as well.) Heating lamps keep one warm during often-chilly Richmond evenings, while imbibing one of the many wines, beers and specialty cocktails, such as La Fresca (Lunazul, strawberry/hibiscus syrup, lime juice, orange juice, garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel hibiscus) and Betty’s Gin and Tonic, named for local hero Betty Reid Soskin. Every purchase of the Awayuki strawberry gin, house tonic, lime juice, topped with soda water, garnished with cucumber swirl, strawberry and mint cocktail donates $1 to Betty’s favorite charity, the NIAD Art Center. The new Boozy Brunch on Sunday mornings pairs local chefs and caterers with a special cocktail menu. And the venue celebrates its second birthday on Aug. 7 with specials, giveaways, food vendors and a mural reveal.

Patio hours: 4-10pm Mon-Fri, 2-11pm Sat-Sun. 12517 San Pablo Ave., Richmond. 510-778-1079. thefactorybar.net

Black Star Pirate BBQ

Things to know about Black Star Pirate BBQ: It’s insanely busy because of mega-media coverage when the former Nobilis site reopened. It’s only open Fri-Sun. The drive to Point San Pablo is over a windy, steep road. There is a lot of very cool Burning Man art there. And people are really going for the food, not for an extensive beer-wine-cocktail menu. But—the outdoor patio overlooks the bay, there’s usually live music and the vibe is as groovy as co-owner/chef Tony’s beard. Nuff sed.

11am-7pm Fri-Sun. 1900 Stenmark Dr., Richmond. 510-680-1221. blackstarpig.com

Readers’ Picks

Best Bakery
Market Hall Bakery

Best Dining Value
Pomella

Best Cider
Far West

Best Hot Dog
Top Dog

Best Beer Selection
The Good Hop

Best Brunch
Shakewell Bar & Kitchen

Best Wine List
minimo

Best Italian Restaurant
Belotti Ristorante E Bottega

Best Small Restaurant
Belotti Ristorante E Bottega

Best Butcher Shop
Marin Sun Farms

Best Taqueria
Taqueria Sinaloa

Best Burger
Lovely’s

Best Local Winery
Riggers Loft Wine Company- R&B Cellars

Best Middle Eastern
Pomella

Best Breakfast
Sequoia Diner

Best Microbrew
East Brother Beer Company

Best Distillery
St. George Spirits

Best Wine Club
Bay Grape

Best American Restaurant
Wood Tavern

Best Thai
Daughter Thai Montclair

Best Server/Restaurant
Saucy Restaurant

Best Farmers Market
Grand Lake – Oakland

Best Irish Pub
Slainte

Best Ethnic Market
Koreana Plaza

Best Dive Bar
Hotsy Totsy Club

Best Hotel Restaurant Bar
Limewood Bar & Restaurant – Claremont Hotel

Best Restaurant with a View
Lake Chalet

Best Vegan Menu
Lion Dance Cafe

Best Margarita
Nido’s Backyard

Best Latin American
Cholita Linda

Best Mediterranean
Zaytoon

Best Wine Tasting Room
Broc Cellars

Best Mexican
Nido’s Backyard

Best Cheese Shop
Market Hall Cheese Counter

Best Southern Food
Souley Vegan

Best Desserts
La Farine

Best Cajun Restaurant
Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen

Best Seafood
Hapuku Fish Shop

Best New Restaurant
Bombera

Best Happy Hour
Somar Bar & Lounge

Best BBQ
Horn BBQ

Best Filipino
FOB Kitchen

Best Fried Chicken
Aburaya

Best Microbrewery Food
Drake’s Dealership

Best Sandwich Shop
Modigliani Cafe

Best Greek
Ikaros

Best Micro Distillery
Wright & Brown Distilling Co.

Best Craft Cocktails
North Light

Best Restaurant
Mägo

Best Beer
Label Faction

Best Cuban/Caribbean
Kingston 11

Best Wine Shop
Paul Marcus Wines

Best Indian
Ajanta

Best Salads
Market Hall Foods

Best Japanese/Sushi
Kirala

Best Family Restaurant
Zachary’s

Best Chinese
Shan Dong

Best Outdoor Dining
Nido’s Backyard

Best Pizza
Zachary’s Chicago Pizza

Best Donuts
Colonial Donuts

Best Pearl Teas
Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea

Best Korean
Bowl’d BBQ

Best Locally Made Food Product
Lucky Dog Hot Sauce

Best Cafe/Coffeehouse
Highwire Coffee

Best German Restaurant
Brotzeit Lokal

Best Cocktails
Nido’s Backyard

Best Poke
Hashtag Poke

Best Tea Shop⁄Cafe
Asha Teahouse

Best Take-Out
Comal Next Door

Best Hot Sauce
Lucky Dog Hot Sauce

Best Kava Bar
Melo Melo Kava Bar

Best Bartender
Zach Edwards — North Light

Best Craft Beer Selection
The Good Hop Bar & Bottleshop

Best Chef
Nelson German – alaMar Kitchen & Bar

Best Pho
Monster Pho

Best Sports Bar
Oakland Athletic Club

Best Bagel Shop
Boichik Bagels

Best Craft Canned Beer
Faction

Best Lunch Value
Oakland Grill

Best Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream
Curbside Creamery

Best Local Coffee
Roaster Red Bay Coffee

Best Vegetarian
Millennium

Best New Bar/Club
Palmetto

Best Burrito
Rico Rico

Best Wine Label
Dashe Cellars

Best Hawaiian
iLava Hawaiian BBQ

Best Bar
Somar

Best Caterer
Market Hall Caterers

Best Independent Coffeehouse
Timeless

Best Fried Chicken Sandwich
Bakesale Betty

Best Food Truck
La Santa Torta

Best Ramen
Ramen Shop

Best British Pub
Commonwealth Cafe

Best Craft Brewer
Drake’s

Best Business Lunch
Lake Chalet

Best Gluten-Free Menu Option
Mariposa

Best Vietnamese
Co Nam

Best Dining after 10pm
Copperspoon

Best Diner
Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe

Best Patio
Lake Chalet

Best Wine & Food Experience
Chez Panisse

Best LGBTQ Bar
The White Horse