The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar and Grill Reviews

Very nice location, however, service was just about the worst I have ever experienced. We were seated promptly, but it took about 30 minutes for anyone to acknowledge that we were there. Several servers and staff passed by our table but did not bring water or ask for a drink order. Ordered soup and lobster roll, which came out at the same time. Finished the meal, without being contacted for a second drink. After the meal, no one brought the check so we had to go up to the bar to try and pay. Very disappointing experience.

The best staff ever. Food rocked too. We went for my daughter's birthday. They treated her like a Rockstar.

The food was ok and the service was really slow. The view from the deck, however, was nice. But still probably not nice enough for me to go back.

Good food. Folk's there for family/group parties. Also can find quiet - private tables. Service was helpful and very friendly. Great for visitors and locals.

What an amazing experience and view! My salmon was perfect. Staff so nice and professional. +++

Great food. Great view. Great happy hour. Watch the game or go on a date. This place is great!

Outside on the docks for appetizers and a brew late afternoon was wonderful!

I stopped in on my way to the airport (work travel). I wanted a relaxing hour before leaving town. Unfortunately I sat on the patio for 10 minutes with no one offering even a glass of water. I was not the only customer not being attended to. All of us eyeing the servers. I moved to the indoor bar and was finally served. Food was okay, oysters didn't poison me.

Great atmosphere for a drink-- either on the lake deck or in the bar inside overlooking Lake Merritt.
To be honest the food I've eaten here has not been memorable but I support the establishment nevertheless.

A very pleasurable experience by the water, with nice staff and a wide variety of choices on the menu.

One of the most disappointing places in Town. It's such a great setting and the place has so much potential, but in my experiences they have always fallen short. The food is mediocre at best and service is painfully slow and often incompetent - servers not knowing what's on the menu, forgetting to bring sides, etc. I've heard good things about the other Chalet restaurants - let's hope these folks get their act together some day.

Lake Chalet has everything it needs to be the hottest spot in Oakland. Great location, nice decor and a good menu. Unfortunately, none of that can ever make up for the poor management and incredibly rude staff. This has been the case for quite a few years which is probably why they have a very high management/employee turnover rate. So sad. :/

Great place, excellent appetizers, ok entrees, rather slow service

It is a beautiful location and the food was exceptionally good. Sunday afternoon there was live music.

I wish i could give stars based on food vs speed of service. This is a great venue but man was the wait long to get our food. The restaurant was not particularly busy. The food was good. Oysters were fresh and my fish and chips were delicious.

The cocktails were delicious and well as the food. The service was a bit lax, but being on the water made up for most of that!

We ve been twice to this location now recently: the week before Christmas, and then again just after New Year s. We initially stopped after a performance at the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple right across the street; most recently, we stopped by while taking care of some business in the area. The drinks are very good (great Happy Hour deals) for the most part generous and nicely priced. The Happy Hour nibbles and drink menu is a great way to go. The regular dinner service menu is also broad and diverse enough, and prices are appropriate for quality and good serving size. We ve had two very nice experiences here now both times at the bar. A lovely setting right on Lake Merritt. Recommended for dates, a nice dinner or drinks and apps with family or friends. We ll be back!

Went on St Patrick's Day around 1130am. Ordered a drink from the Holiday drink menu... 1st drink ordered...waitress goes to the bar, comes back...they ran out. 2nd drink ordered...waitress goes to the bar...comes back...they ran out...settled for water

This place is beautiful. Right on lake Merritt -- it's the perfect place to grab a cocktail on a warm sunny day with the lively red umbrellas adding vibrant color to the scenery as the lake laps along the lengthy dock. Such an oasis in the urban Oakland jungle.
I just returned from Mexico where I didn't have one taco in the resort we stayed in and had a great hankering for tacos so we came for Taco Tuesday. It worked out very well for me -- two corn meal dusted fish tacos and a chicken taco later, I was very satisfied -- especially since each taco was $3.50!
The strawberry guava margaritas weren't bad but I did come for the tacos.

Had a wonderful sit down brunch for mother's day weekend. Their service was awesome.

It's all about the view and good drinks - an iconic Oakland establishment. Great for two or for large groups, this place is generally palletable for all. Enjoy the lake!

Wonderful place to stop by if you are walking the lake for exercise.

Wait staff was totally inattentive 1st 15-20 minutes or so, then our server, who was pretty great, had to keep returning to say our requests were unavailable. The meals were decent.

We sat outside with a relaxing and beautiful view of lake. The service was excellent. The Brioche French Toast with Lavender syrup was yummy. It was great to walk around the lake (3.3 miles) to walk off the delicious calories.

Food great. Service slow but very good. Server had no problem with problems large groups can have.
Valet parking but had to go get my car. Initial valet man was very helpful and kind. The weather was heavy rain. Different guy at end who after a wait came and gave me keys but my group had already headed for the car to get out of the rain.
Want to say again the food was delicious. Kudos to the chef. Real nice experience.

Amazing! Oysters were delicious. Drinks were delicious. Staff was friendly. Food presentation was pretty. Great views.

Terrific location. Best when the piers are available for food service.

The better the view, the worse the place, or so the saying goes. This place is beautiful. The amount of work they did to fix the place up is mind-boggling. But the food is OK and the beer/drinks are OK. Only time I ever go back is for happy hour when the prices are good.

Beautiful bayside setting! Foods OK. Expected better. Services reasonably good which I expected, could be improved

Service was great. Sliders and fries were tasty. Pretzels were a tad disappointing

Can't beat the location. Brunch on the lake side on a beautiful day, with great food.

Beautiful view and delicious food. Top notch service!!!

My friend and I came here for a drink one night (hours said they didn't close until 10pm and we were there way earlier than that). The dock bar was closed apparently. That's fine. Whatever. But the lady who told us didn't have to be so rude about it. We should've taken that as a red flag, but we went to the bar on the other side anyway; we sat down and had drinks chosen from the menu, but no one came to help us. We were ignored the whole time, despite trying to catch the staff's attention, and despite the fact that there were multiple people working at the bar that day, and despite other customers being served. Shortly after, we just left and went somewhere better. "Eek! Methinks not" is right.

Nice place with good views. The food was excellent the service was okay.

Taco Tuesdays are a must at Lake Chalet. I always go 2 streak 2 fish under $15!

A great place for dinner on the Lake, beautiful atmosphere great short ribs.

What a beautiful brunch spot. Will always come back. Great food. Great service!!!

Happened upon this establishment on a whim, walking around Lake Merritt. Decided to check it out and happy I did. Sat at the bar and had a strawberry spritz and garlic fries...mmm. The space was clean, beautiful surroundings and a good bartender (I forgot her name). Seems like a great place for a date night (opt for the seating outside by the lake)

Very good live music through September Friday night's and Sunday brunch. Great food! Service was why only 4 stars. Could go down to three for it.

Wait staff was Excellent! The service was awesome! And the food was great!

The lake view and outside dining are a great plus during the stressful COVID-19

Always happy to have been here. Food always good, atmosphere best in Oakland

Wow what an improvement in the food since my last experience! We had the seafood deviled eggs, the crispy Brussels sprouts, the corn fritters and the sweet potato fries and it was all really good! Go with the valet parking. Reasonable. Who needs the headache?

Great view. Food wasn't great and the service spotty. This place survives by location only, take your business elsewhere.

The atmosphere and location are excellent. Food, drink selection and service good. Was expecting more from the food but not something that would stop me from coming back again.

Friendly staff, wonderful view of Lake Merritt, rich menu. Everything we ordered was delicious. Recommended for a weekend lunch, but not only

Lobster Mac was good. The season was just right and the view of the water was nice with the sun out.

Service was good. I had the Veggie Benny, which was soooo tasty! The eggs were cooked perfectly. Served on polenta cakes instead of English muffins. Such a good idea. Disappointed in the seafood pasta, $28, the portion was great but the flavors left you hanging. The cornbeef hash was very good. Savory and satisfying took some home since the portion was large.

The view and atmosphere are fantastic! Quite pricey for what they offer. Delicious food but service was a bit slow. Granted, they were pretty accommodating considering our large and rather rambunctious party. Would definitely return! Definitely worth a visit.

Food was good, it was very busy when we went and we ended up sitting at the bar. Ordered the fried chicken sandwich, corned beef hash

Can't beat the ambience/views. Dock service could be better but while you wait you can enjoy the lake/hill views

Prices are pretty up there, but the drinks are good and service is superb. The view of the lake is also perf. 5 Stars.

Came for the incredible view and nice building...left because our food was forgotten and we were treated poorly by bartenders and wait staff.

Great view and nice atmosphere. Attentive staff, no wait on a Sunday. Food is a bit pricey, but the trout was great.

Good food, if they added more salt it would have gotten a 4 star

If you re there for breakfast or brunch, ask for the patio seats for the lake view!

Food and service are top-notch. I would gladly recommend Lake Chalet to my family and friends.

One of my favorite restaurants for happy hour. Great calamari! Fantastic views on the dock.

Beautiful patio seating on the lake. The drinks were good and strong recommend the lavender lemon drop. The fried calamari was delish!

The civeche was delicious and the atmosphere on the deck was wonderful. Every seat has a beautiful view of the lake.

Lovely spot on the lake. Great service. Don't miss out on the brussel sprouts!

The food was good and staff friendly, but service was slow. The atmosphere is sophisticated, trendy and comfortable, but the service was slow.