Plank
Jack London Square, Oakland
Restaurant in Oakland, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Plank is a practical Oakland choice for casual celebrations, mixed groups, and waterfront-adjacent plans where easy logistics matter more than a tightly defined culinary point of view. Choose it for atmosphere and convenience; cross-shop more food-specific Oakland venues if the meal itself is the main event.
About Plank
Plank is an Oakland venue with daily hours and a casual dress code. The schedule is 11 AM to 9 PM from Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 12 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 9 PM on Sunday.
Better for simple planning than for a highly specific dining brief
Use Plank as a direct Oakland option for a casual venue that is open every day and stays open later on Friday and Saturday. If you need a meal built around a particular cuisine, chef, award signal, or menu format, compare it with venues that make those details clearer.
For comparison, consider Hesher's Pizza & Taproom, Souley Vegan, Noka Ramen, Buttercup Grill, or Everett & Jones Barbeque, depending on the kind of outing you are planning.
Use it when the basics match your plan
Plank makes the most sense when the decision depends on Oakland location, casual dress, and hours rather than on cuisine, price, accolades, or a named chef. The later Friday and Saturday closing time may be useful for evening plans, while the 11 AM opening time applies every day of the week.
For a first Oakland pass, use the full Oakland restaurants guide to decide whether this is the right kind of stop. City planning can also pair it with Oakland bars or other Oakland options. Diners comparing named alternatives can also look at Buttercup Grill, Hesher's Pizza & Taproom, Noka Ramen, Plank, Souley Vegan, and Everett & Jones Barbeque.
Planning details
- Location
- 98 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
- Website
- plankoakland.com
- Phone
- +15108170980
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Plank sits on Jack London Square’s reinvented waterfront and reads as a roomy, casual node in a stretch defined by large-format entertainment. It leans into the convivial, group-oriented side of the city’s hospitality ecosystem rather than the intimate counter-seat culture found elsewhere in Oakland. Evenings feel programmed and social—designed for gatherings that pair food with other activities—so expect a waterfront-backed, energetic scene where the emphasis is on sharing plates and timing a night around communal fun rather than quiet, contemplative dining.
Best For
Plank is best for group outings and social evenings where food is part of a larger itinerary—think teams of friends, after-work crowds, and celebratory get-togethers that want food paired with activity. Its placement on the Jack London waterfront and its orientation toward event programming make it a natural pick for parties that prioritize atmosphere and scale over intimate service. While it also fits brunch and casual hangouts, the venue shines when you’re planning to arrive with a group and treat the meal as one element of a lively night out.
Ordering Tips
Share-focused plates work well here: the menu’s signature items—Italian Hot Honey Pizza, Prime Rib Sliders, and Smoke Shack BBQ—read as high-impact, easy-to-pass-around choices that suit group dining. Order a mix of finger-friendly mains and a pizza to keep the table moving, and expect a lively environment when the crowd comes for evening programming. Because the concept favors scale and communal visits, plan on sharing dishes rather than ordering solo entrées; bring a group to sample multiple signatures and to make the most of the venue’s social energy.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual, fun atmosphere with indoor/outdoor spaces, sports viewing, games, and lively waterfront beer garden setting.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Very Large
Signature Dishes
- Italian Hot Honey Pizza
- Prime Rib Sliders
- Smoke Shack BBQ
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 98 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Planning details
Location
Also consider
If Plank is not the right fit
Choose Souley Vegan if the group wants a more defined plant-based meal, or Everett & Jones Barbeque if barbecue is the reason for gathering. For a casual beer-and-pizza alternative, Hesher's Pizza & Taproom is the cleaner cross-shop.
Restaurant context
How Plank compares in Oakland
Plank is the easiest fit for a broad group plan: casual, social, and better suited to birthdays or team outings than a quiet dinner. Hesher's Pizza & Taproom is the cleaner choice when pizza and beer are the brief, while Buttercup Grill reads more like a dependable everyday meal than a waterfront hangout.
For a more cuisine-led decision, Souley Vegan is stronger when plant-based comfort food is the priority, Noka Ramen is better for a focused ramen craving, and Everett & Jones Barbeque is the better call when barbecue is the point. Plank wins on group flexibility and setting; the others win when the food category is already decided.
Explore Oakland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Plank guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Plank
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Plank | Oakland | No published awards |
| Hesher's Pizza & Taproom | Oakland | No published awards |
| Buttercup Grill | Oakland | No published awards |
| Souley Vegan | Oakland | No published awards |
| Noka Ramen | Oakland | No published awards |
| Everett & Jones Barbeque | Oakland | No published awards |
How Plank Oakland compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Plank?
Plank is in Oakland and has a casual dress code. Its hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 12 AM Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 9 PM Sunday.
Is lunch or dinner better at Plank?
Plank opens at 11 AM daily and closes at 9 PM most nights, with later hours until 12 AM on Friday and Saturday. Choose the time that best fits your schedule. Buttercup Grill is another option to compare if you are deciding between named venues.
What should I order at Plank?
Choose from the current menu based on your group’s preferences. If you want to compare it with other named options, Souley Vegan, Noka Ramen, Hesher's Pizza & Taproom, or Everett & Jones Barbeque may be useful to review.
What is Plank known for?
Plank is a casual Oakland venue with daily hours, including later Friday and Saturday closing times.
