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Popoca, Oakland, CA

Popoca

4.8
4.8
49 Reviews
$30 and under
Latin American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 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
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

What 49 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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Bay

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Popoca offers a vibrant dining experience with "fantastic and creative" food and unique cocktails. The atmosphere is "warm and welcoming," and the service is consistently praised as "outstanding." Standout dishes include the "delicious" pupusas and fried chicken, while the apple and celery salad is a refreshing treat. A must-visit!

49 Reviews
  1. Anonymous

    San Francisco14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    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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  2. Cynthia VIP

    San Francisco14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    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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  3. Justin VIP

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice place would good again, the food was a little pricey but overall good time!

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  4. Nathan

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent dinner and drinks. 2nd time here and haven’t had anything remotely subpar.

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  5. Jannelly VIP

    San Francisco25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    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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  6. Michelle

    San Francisco33 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food and the spot far exceeded our expectations! Unassuming on the website, but inviting and very interesting compositions: the fried chicken wind was off the charts (app), as was the plum and pumpkin seed app...absolutely delicious! One miss were the popusas...too greasy for my taste. The apple and celery salad was a perfect finish. The hood here was a discovery for us...definately happening and safe! We went to a concert at the Paramount about a mile away and were really happy we came here. We will return!

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  7. ConnieC

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 20, 2025

    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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  8. Dustin

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 19, 2025

    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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  9. Gautam

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    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

  10. Jesse

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    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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FAQs

Popoca is rated 4.8 stars by 49 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today
Google Map for Popoca

906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    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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