Venga Paella

Address:	229 Brush St, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
Phone:	+1 510-628-0018
Site:	vengapaella.com
Rating:	4.2

Location

Photos 20

Reviews 13

Ka Wong

From a 7x7 review: West Oakland’s warehouse district rocks a new joint called Venga Paella , where chef-owner Eduardo Balaguer creates paella and tapas in a cozy taverna setting. There’s cava, local craft beer (note Linden Street is but a few blocks away) and a tightly edited wine list to keep things lively. Venga’s Friday happy hour is becoming a thing and this space seems tailor made for just that. Balaguer is of Catalonian descent and worked in his family’s paella restaurant in Valencia, Spain. He does offer something for traditional paella fans in the form of a seafood-laden paella with clams, prawns, calamari, mussels, red bell peppers and toothsome Prather Ranch chorizo. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to miss the Arroz Negro paella, a sexy and equally hearty dish with seafood generously bathed in silky black squid ink. At $12, this is a value meal in itself and the vegetarian paella version is $10; all paella orders come with a nice salad to keep things balanced. Intriguing starters include tortilla Española, stuffed piquillo peppers with creamy goat cheese; and fresh Gambas al ajillo.

Shirell B.

Really, really, good paella. We visited during Restaurant and week and ordered the Prix Fixe menu. Instead of one appetizer, we received a sampler plate which was great, and the dessert was good. I ordered the Mousse de chocolate. But the true hero was the paella. I had the traditional paella, and it tasted great. the rice was cooked perfectly, and it has the right amount of moisture... Not too wet, not too dry. And the flavor was perfect. There was a little bit of a wait that evening, but it was well worth it.

Adele Mendelson

I had a great time at a flamenco event last night. The atmosphere was relaxed and intimate, like a party but with really good professional-level food and drink, which was not expensive. I loved the music and the people who stood up from the audience to sing and dance. This place will be one of my go-to spots.

WC Schnitzer

Excellent food, service, and overall dining experience. The seafood Paella was superb and we had 9 dishes from the menu (one we re-ordered because it was so good) and ate like kings. So reasonable, and will go back again as well as take other foodies! Worth every penny as the food was delicious

Brian Hageman

If you are going to serve one thing, you have to really nail it. Both of the paella dishes that I tried were disappointing. No crunchy crust on either. The squid ink pasta had a single small slice of chorizo! It is located in the middle of nowhere, but I wouldnt go back if I lived next door.

James B

Good food. Absolutely horrible service. Watched bartender as he hung out with patrons and was drinking as the waitress told me bar was busy. Took almost as long to get sangria which is pre made and only requires pouring into glass as it did the food

Eric Roudabush

We stumbled by and tried it. The place was empty, which was lucky and great for us, as it was earlyish. Food was excellent. Waitress was friendly, helpful, and good at her job. well be going back with friends.

Heather Shaffer

So yummy! Tapas, paella and Spanish wine shared among friends before a show in JLS. We literally tried (and loved) one of everything on the menu. Lots of ooh, yumm, mmm yes coming from our table.

Kyla Gruen

Love them so much that we had them cater our company holiday party. Have to say, the presentation was amazing with the unveiling of the 3 large paella woks. Yummy, yummy!

Katy Duffy-Sherr

Have only been here for private work parties. Staff is always nice and food is tasty.

Alan Atha

Great Paella. If they have the Black Squid Ink Paella...get it.

Susan Connolly

Great paella and wine during a private event.

Artie Cortez

good, but Ive had better.