Gwynn Fuqua

The shrimp grits were excellent and the gravy was delicious. My only complaint is that they left the tails on the shrimp. Wait staff was great.

Herbert Rubin

This iconic place in Oakland really deserves its reputation. The breakfast was really tasty especially the cheesy grits. And the pie for dessert was amazing. I took some home.

Stephanie Kozofsky

What a DELICIOUS spot in Oakland. You will not find better eggs Benedict or cinnamon roll pancakes. We loved all of the food, the vanilla latte, and the hot chocolate. Sandra was an incredible waitress as well.

Nicola

Standard diner atmosphere. Chill and casual. The food isn't anything to brag about, but I will be back for the service. Trynu was amazing and had such good energy. She took care of us to a T . I will be returning whenever she is there. Service like hers has been hard to come by in the Bay Area lately and she can easily brighten up someone's day with her energy and attentiveness. I ordered the chicken fried steak and biscuits and gravy. Unfortunately, my taste buds have been accustomed to living in Texas for almost 20 years so I'm used to food with a little more flavor. But, I will give this place another try.

Casburn Spencer

Buttercup was one of the few places open on New Year's Day, and I had a very pleasant experience there. The waitress promptly seated us and took our orders with great attention to detail. Our food arrived quickly, piping hot, and delicious. We enjoyed chicken pot pie and chicken fettuccine, finishing our meal with cranberry pie and a milkshake. Overall, the food was expertly prepared and made with the finest ingredients. The tables were clean, and the atmosphere resembled that of a diner, with the added bonus of a bar and a television, which was a nice touch. I will definitely be back for more soon.

Do yourself a favor and get the churro waffle and Irish coffee!! The indulgence is worth it I promise. The waffle is everything you wish a funnel cake would live up to. So crispy and delicious with t…

Do yourself a favor and get the churro waffle and Irish coffee!! The indulgence is worth it I promise. The waffle is everything you wish a funnel cake would live up to. So crispy and delicious wi…

Do yourself a favor and get the churro waffle and irish coffee!! The indulgence is worth it I promise. The waffle is everything you wish a funnel cake would live up to. So crispy and delicious wi…

Do yourself a favor and get the churro waffle and irish coffee!! The indulgence is worth it I promise. The waffle is everything you wish a funnel cake would live up to. So crispy and delicious with…

chicken fried steak I wouldn't be embarrassed to take Southern friends to; well-executed eggs; and I haven't had better hash browns anywhere. Even the toast is better bread than other Oakla…

We had breakfast which was served in a timely way, came hot. staff was friendly and welcoming. Coffee was warmed halfway into the meal. ambience was pleasant, clean and comfortable.

We had breakfast which was served in a timely way, came hot. staff was friendly and welcoming. coffee was warmed halfway into the meal. Ambience was pleasant, clean and comfortable.

We had breakfast which was served in a timely way, came hot. staff was friendly and welcoming. Coffee was warmed halfway into the meal. Ambience was pleasant, clean and comfortable.

The Buttercup is my fave breakfast spot for shrimp and grits \n\nI recommend it to anyone who loves the cafe hometown vibe

The service is always pleasant here and I mean always. Restaurant is always clean. Parking lot is always clean. Victoria was working today on July 23, 2025 around 7:15 PM. She was very kind and h…

It's everything you are looking for in a diner. Went for breakfast, food was great, it came fast and coffee was good. They lattes, cappuccinos etc... will definitely go back.

Food and service was amazing. I honestly come for the shrimp and grits. Nowhere else in the Bay Area do they make bomb cajun shrimp and grits.

food reminds me of back east diner.\nService is very good.\nAny environment is very clean

This is a highly recommended diner as the menu is excellent and the service great. Food tasty. Really clean place. TV for sports. Recommended.

This is a highly recommended diner as the menu is excellent and the service great. Food tasty. Really clean place. TV for sports. Recommended.

This is a highly recommended diner as the menu is excellent and the service great. food tasty. Really clean place. TV for sports. Recommended.

This is a highly recommended diner as the menu is excellent and the service great. Food tasty. Really clean place. TV for sports. Recommended.

Excellent service, delicious cuisine, and pleasant ambience. This restaurant was recommended by "John" at the Amtrak railroad station in the neighborhood.

Excellent service, delicious cuisine, and pleasant ambience. This restaurant was recommended by "John" at the Amtrak railroad station in the neighborhood.

This place was top notch in terms of food and service. The portions were large, and I took over half my club home and had it for breakfast the next day. Definitely the best bang for your buck in th…

Great diner food! Very tasty Good prices for the amount of food you get ( not cheap but huge American size portions). Staff very pleasant and accommodating. Would definitely eat here again

Delicious food and friendly staff. It was so good we went two days in a row for breakfast. WARNING ⚠️ while we were there our rental car was broken into and items stolen ... NOT the fault of th…

This is a great breakfast restaurant. We came here both mornings we were in Oakland. Great service and great food.

Eden Y

This is a typical American diner . My egg white scramble was cooked fine and tasted great contrary to some low reviews but the food itself did not wow me . Most dishes were in the $15-17 range ,Had great service with the waitress refilling our coffee but never asked the question is everything alright here or are we missing anything

Nan Andino

We have adult grandchild who loves the burger, and curly fries. Today met expectation, hubby loves rueben with onion rings. I had the huge mediterranian salad, enough for dinner, too, if I add some protein. I like the omlettes too. Clean, waitress remembers my grand, even though we only come 2 times a year. Clean, quick, homey cooking. Updated with a few pictures from latest visit, we had already started eating. We don't eat fries, appreciate they let us trade eggs for fruit on kids pancake, and fruit for fries on chicken strips.

+2

Marcus Pun

Was a regular before COVID. Seems to be better, much better 3rd time since COVID Very nice staff, service. Had the chicken salad tostada and inhaled it. Partner has tuna salad we finished with banana cream pie, because they ran out of the key.lime pie. Would have had a better picture of the pie. Also a bar and TV at one end

Efren Gaytan

I just stopped there because I was so hungry. Quickly I searched for a place close to eat and o found this place in google maps. I decided there because it looks nice and the pictures of the food looked decent. I got the chicken sandwich and it wasn’t good and they took longer bringing it to the table and on top of that the chicken was raw, so I had to return it.that’s the reason I’m giving 4 stars in food. My other 2 dishes were good the best was the waffle. As a dessert we got a piece of pie. Which was great.

Karen Rosenthal

It's spendy for what it is, but I think that's because of the location. The food is pretty good, we had different breakfast options, and we also chose to go for the alcoholic coffee drinks, which I have to say we're pretty amazing! Nice, friendly, fast service. Other patrons seem nice too. Good energy in the place.

Had lunch with a couple of colleagues and took two online meetings. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Vegetarian omelette was quite tasty. Servered did not mind me hanging out at the table after …

Had lunch with a couple of colleagues and took two online meetings. staff were very friendly and helpful. Vegetarian omelette was quite tasty. Servered did not mind me hanging out at the table afte…

7am morning. Quick and. Fast service. I had the corn beef hash. I asked for crispy and coffee cake to go.

Food was good. Veggie egg benedict did not blow me away but presentation was nice. My husband got the jambalaya and he liked it. Definitely big portions. ambiance was nice and service was great too…

Had lunch with a couple of colleagues and took two online meetings. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Vegetarian omelette was quite tasty. Servered did not mind me hanging out at the table after …

Had lunch with a couple of colleagues and took two online meetings. staff were very friendly and helpful. Vegetarian omelette was quite tasty. Servered did not mind me hanging out at the table afte…

I had the Portuguese Omelette with grits and sourdough toast. All were very good. My son had the breakfast burger. Very solid breakfast and prices are similar to other places in the area.

I had the Portuguese Omelette with grits and sourdough toast. All were very good. My son had the breakfast burger. Very solid breakfast and prices are similar to other places in the area.

I had the Portuguese Omelette with grits and sourdough toast. All were very good. My son had the breakfast burger. Very solid breakfast and prices are similar to other places in the area.

I’ve enjoyed dining at this location in the past — the portions have always been generous, and the diner‑style comfort food has been great. I’ve even visited with friends and shared dishes, so I know the kitchen can turn out solid plates. My most recent visit, however, was less than ideal. I asked if I could order from the kid’s menu because of the portion size, and I also explained that if that wasn’t possible, I’d be happy with just one pancake and a side of bacon. The server checked with the manager and came back with, “We’ll do it this time, but in the future you’ll need to order the regular menu item as is.” That response didn’t feel very welcoming or encouraging for a return visit. I worked in the restaurant industry for over 25 years — from chef‑owned fine dining to BLD family restaurants, including more than a decade with Mimi’s Café in Southern California, where we specifically developed smaller‑portion menu options. I understand menu design, food and portion costs, and the importance of maintaining the integrity of a dish. I also know that most POS systems can easily ring in à la carte items. Putting one pancake and two strips of bacon on the griddle is no more complicated than putting on four. ButtercuP could really benefit from being more accommodating to guests who, for any number of reasons, can’t eat large portions in one sitting. Beyond that, being told something is a “this time only” exception doesn’t create a sense of hospitality or make guests feel eager to return. I hope this feedback is helpful, because I know this restaurant can shine — I’ve experienced it before.

Jonathon Paul

Above average greasy spoon diner. Good quality bacon, French toast and coffee. Excellent service.

Kevin “Kev504”

I must say I do enjoy eating breakfast at Buttercup but at times it can be hit and miss. Ninety percent of the time I will have the shrimp and grits which I do enjoy. I get the shrimp and sauce on the side or just the sauce on the side. I then get two eggs on top of the grits. This is my second day here and yes I’ve ordered shrimp and grits again since I enjoyed the previous day. Yesterday when I came in I truly enjoyed it but today I’m noticing it is prepared differently. Yesterday the shrimp were prepared the usual way with some type of coating or possible batter before going into the sauce like they have done previously but today the shrimp are just naked with no flavor whatsoever. I can’t appreciate this if I’m paying the same price. You expect to charge me the same price so prepare my food the same way. Service is usually point on here and I rarely get bad service, although it has happened before. Do better!

PDEnt.

My only issue was all the signs about car burglaries. The once you are seated the employees all ask you if you removed everything from your car? I asked if the crime was that bad and they flat out lied and said no. Clearly if you need all those signs and have people rushing to customers' table, there is a problem. The fact they won't admit it speaks to their delusion. The entire city has these type of signs yet people act like its normal. Those type of signs aren't needed were I'm from nor any city where law and order is enforced. Sad to see Oakland let crime run their city and keep paying tourist away. I want be going back to Oakland til they clean up the crime issue.

+1

Billy J Moon

I wasn’t greeted when I walked in & the hostess kept looking at me waiting for me to tell her what I wanted instead of offering or asking. However, I was seated almost immediately. It was pretty busy so I didn’t want to complain when it took over 13 minutes to get water and coffee. In fact, my food arrived less than a minute after that. I got a vanilla latte that was served in a clear glass that seemed hotter than normal. It wasn’t drinkable much less enjoyable. When I finally was able to drink it I can say it wasn’t great but ok. The pancakes were tougher & chewier than I prefer but the bacon & potatoes were perfect. The eggs were fine. Kind of clumpy. The server (name on the receipt, I assume) was friendly but she did not check on me at all. The two times she came to my table I beckoned her. One of those times she was checking on other tables for the 4th or 5th time. She was walking off without even looking my way again so I yelled excuse me, which I hated. 😂 I watched as she refilled coffee & cashed ppl out. Mind you, I wanted a straw for my drinks & extra syrup. So I wasn’t even able to enjoy a beverage while I ate for an extended period. Later, I wanted napkins that I eventually accepted I wasn’t going to get unless I got up to get them. Also waited for the check for too long. When she finally came she did not immediately cash me out! She took multiple orders then passed the check off to a young lady walking by. 😂. I know that doesn’t sound out of the ordinary but again, I watched her (mainly because I was trying to get her attention) take other guests checks and immediately cash them out! I don’t know wtheck this was about. It’s kind of funny. Ironically, as I’m waiting for my change she brought back water & a fancy coffee to the table whose order she JUST TOOK. Mine took more than 10 minutes. 🤣 a man in a button up who looked like a manager or something walked by a couple x & did not engage with me. Not sure if he did w other guests. Needless to say the service was lacking FOR ME. Oh, I also watched as the bus boy used a rag to wipe the tables and then pulled silverware and napkins out of his pockets for the table. Should he maybe sanitize his hands in between? Anyhoo, the menu is extensive. Hopefully the service for me was an anomaly. I’d recommend but don’t expect anything in regards to the service. 🤷🏽‍♂️

+1

John U Guzel

Buttercup diner stands out for its excellent service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and makes you feel right at home. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t quite match up to the quality of the service. While the menu offers a range of classic diner dishes, the execution is somewhat lacking—everything from the flavors to the presentation feels just average. If you’re looking for a place with welcoming service, this is it, but if food quality is your priority, you might leave a bit underwhelmed.

Adriana Perez

I enjoyed the delicious and fresh crust of the pot pie 🥧 at Buttercup, but found the filling lacking seasoning and authenticity. 🧂 I definitely added salt, pepper and hot sauce to get a flavor going. 😆 My nephew liked the pasta 🍝 , although it looked a bit pale 😅 The hot chocolate ☕️ was sweet, and the whipped cream was fantastic. The Cesar salad 🥗 was a great portion size and overall, The service was great and our waitress was very attentive. ⚠️‼️🚙There were numerous warning signs about car robberies that were a concerning aspect, prompting a need for caution when parking on the street due to limited restaurant parking. I had a clear visual of my car from the window so I was not concerned while eating at the restaurant but it’s just sad that break ins are a normal occurrence.

+7

Went for the shrimp and grits based on the recommendation here. I was disappointed. As a POC I thought they would taste like southern shrimp and grits, especially being in Oakland, but they don't…

Our food was delicious and the service was great! However, we were ROBBED when three thugs-one getaway driver and two others started taking anything they could get their hands on. They took our car…

Food used to be good here, they changed the menu and food flavor. My go to used to be the spicy chicken sandwhich but they changed it. Also it was a burger but now the burgers are no longer as big as they used to be but also flavor was really bad, it felt like a really cheap burger. Don’t know if I’ll return been coming for years but food changed. Idk if they are under new management or something but food is terrible.

Ron K

​"Pleasant Service, Disappointing Flavor" ​The service here was genuinely cordial and attentive, which was the highlight of the visit. Unfortunately, the food itself was quite unremarkable. Everything we ordered was notably under seasoned, resulting in a very bland experience overall. There was nothing on the plate that would make me rush back. An average meal, saved only by the excellent staff.

Terrible no meat in a meat lover's omelette. Ambiance was good but the food was lousy. I should have ordered a vegetable omelette

Terrible no meat in a meat lover's omelette. ambiance was good but the food was lousy. I should have ordered a vegetable omelette

Terrible no meat in a meat lover's omelette. Ambiance was good but the food was lousy. I should have ordered a vegetable omelette

Paid at counter and tipped 20%. server had the audacity to double my bill with her own tip amount written in thereafter. \n\nManager refused refund said, only owner can authorize this. Never receiv…