RIDE Bar — Restaurant in Oakland

The most excellent oat milk chai ever! (5/5 Green Stars). This was a very brief visit while I waited for a friend to go for a walk around Piedmont Cemetery on a sunny Friday afternoon. What better way to spend a Friday afternoon? I’m so glad that I stopped in at the Ride Bar because it was a very pleasant experience. I asked for an oat milk chai and have to say that it’s probably the best chai that I’ve ever had – certainly top three. I think that it’s homemade since the mix was in a jug (rather than a package) in their fridge. It was actually the barista’s first time making a chai, so a great success all round. I also bought an apple and that’s also noteworthy: almost the only time I’ve ever bought a piece of fruit at a café. They coaxed me over to the healthy side with their cunning omission of pastries from the menu. Their main food offerings are fruit/granola bowls (yes, including acai) and oatmeal. They are focused on smoothies, but don’t ignore their killer chai. Nice counter spaces with Wi-Fi and power outlets and also some outdoor seating.

I’m giving Ride Bar 5/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on the following:

• Almost all plant-based. Vegans: just check for honey. • Almost all made from scratch (down to the nut butter). • Coffee from Highwire and tea from Blue Willow • The menu says “Organic and Woman Owned” at the top but it wasn’t clear which ingredients are organic (besides the oats which are listed as organic on the menu). Would be good to get some clarity on that as it’s a prominently displayed selling point. Giving the benefit of the doubt for now ;) • Woman-owned business. • Waste reduction: they have mason jars prominently displayed at the counter, on sale for $3 each.

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So Ride Bar is this perfect little smoothie spot that just gets everything right. The staff, especially Nina who’s absolutely amazing, are actually happy to see you. The smoothies are legitimately good - like, someone who knows what they’re doing made this and didn’t just dump frozen fruit into a blender and call it a day.

The whole place has this warm energy where people are genuinely having fun. It’s what you want a neighborhood spot to be - friendly, unpretentious, just a good time.

Compare that to Berkeley Bowl, where ordering a smoothie becomes this whole production with passive-aggressive staff making drinks that taste like they hate you personally. It’s like they’re doing you a favor by taking your money for something that tastes like grass clippings.

But Ride Bar? Nina and the crew are just happy you’re there. Good smoothies, good vibes, good people. Sometimes the simple things are the best things, and this place nails all of...

Absolute neighborhood gem! The owner and all of the employees are so nice and welcoming. It’s clear there is a community base of repeat customers. Top notch Highwire coffee and delicious smoothies are going to be calling to me every morning now that we’ve discovered this bright spot. We had the “Tap this back” and the double time smoothies plus a latte. Our friends raved about the avocado toast and golden milk as well. Can’t wait to go back and try more! There is indoor and outdoor bar seating and located on Piedmont Ave so great to walk around after or while enjoying...