Willows & Pine

Having been to Willow & Pine twice now, I can attest to its delicious food, phenomenal service and lovely dining space. The restaurant’s atmosphere is comforting and very welcoming. Service is top tier. I’ve dined for evening dinner and Sunday brunch. The oxtails and grits are one of the best grit dishes I’ve ever had and some of the BEST oxtails. The seasoning on the gravy, the fall offf the bone oxtails and the creamy grits is such a harmonious dish. Well executed and well done! My grandmother got the shrimp and grits, she said it exceeded expectations. My mom also ordered the oxtail and grits but generally doesn’t eat grits so it would have been nice to have a side dish like rice or potatoes. The value for the amount of food and quality is very good. Don’t hesitate to visit this great restaurant. You’re in for a lovely meal and a good time.

Elegant and homey at the same time. Classy drinks, huge portions, everything super delicious and made with care. Lovely atmosphere and warm, welcoming service, too.

Nicole Jones

Great place for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner... all the above. The owner was wonderful and came to check on us in their overflow event space. She gave us the history of the family business and her vision of the building and what she wants to transform the space into. The food was wonderful and tasty and the servers were great...especially Bri. She was attentive and patient with our entire party. This is definitely a go to and I would love to collaborate using her event space for events that I throw. Thank you.

Andrew Randolph

Let me start off with the food is amazing, there was a little bit of a wait to get my order taken, I even thought I was going to have to leave and go somewhere else because my lunch time is so short. I walked out, but one of the owners, I am assuming because I forgot to ask 😅, came after me and apologized, took my order right away and I got it soon after that. If you’re thinking of eating out, come here, in fact don’t even think about it just get in your car, walk, run, ride your bike and go. Everything about this place is phenomenal!

Veronica Smith

Went for brunch. Got the oxtail and grits and shrimp and grits. Both meals were Very flavorful. Oxtail were the big ones, the way I like! Portions were very generous and service was on point! I will definitely go back and try more dishes/dinner menu.

Y S

The food was delicious! The prix fixed brunch is more than enough to serve two to three people. It was my first time visiting, I was really unsure if it was a seat yourself kind of deal when my party and I first walked in. We stood at the counter for a minute before being greeted. The vibe was very relaxed and family oriented. I would go back again for the food even if it was for take out.

American Angler

I was on the 580 side of Oakland and remembered the Willows & Pine Restaurant, and after a quick Google search...here I am! While on my way to the table I looked at what the other's had ordered, and when I spotted the Porterhouse Porkchop...that was it for me! Let me just say this...It was truly exceptional in flavor, texture and presentation! 5 stars ☆☆☆☆☆

Melissa M

Everything was so flavorful and delicious! After a trip to the library, we were looking for something to eat and stumbled upon W&P. The waitress recommended all of our dishes, which included Jambalaya and Shrimp Etouffee. Both were amazing. We also got Mac n Cheese for our little one, which was equally as good. We can’t wait to go back and try more things off the menu!

Ariel Nelson

Came here after church we waited a good while but the food!!!!!!!! The wait was worth it, you will not be disappointed! Everything is made to order. My party of three had two shrimp and grits with one vegan fried chicken and a house made plantain Belgian sweet waffle, side of eggs and a hot link with mimosas! Celebrating my graduation early the staff was very welcoming, hospitable and professional. It’s a lively environment. The oxtails are popular and will go first. Get in here EARLY or call ahead to place your order. The Chef was wonderful and is passionate about what she does with a light chef Ramsey spirit 😂 this place is the place to be.

Merlin Edwards II

Great atmosphere, nice open space. DJ was jammin’ classic goodies, with their videos. The food was really good. Gumbo was on point. My favorite were the biscuits and the chowder.

Noelle Malone

The ox tails are absolutely amazing. The shrimp and grits were so good and creamy. The staff is so friendly, the service is exceptional, and the food was served within 20 minutes.

Amirah Syrah

Having been to Willow & Pine twice now, I can attest to its delicious food, phenomenal service and lovely dining space. The restaurant’s atmosphere is comforting and very welcoming. Service is top tier. I’ve dined for evening dinner and Sunday brunch. The oxtails and grits are one of the best grit dishes I’ve ever had and some of the BEST oxtails. The seasoning on the gravy, the fall offf the bone oxtails and the creamy grits is such a harmonious dish. Well executed and well done! My grandmother got the shrimp and grits, she said it exceeded expectations. My mom also ordered the oxtail and grits but generally doesn’t eat grits so it would have been nice to have a side dish like rice or potatoes. The value for the amount of food and quality is very good. Don’t hesitate to visit this great restaurant. You’re in for a lovely meal and a good time.

Rosemary Williams

Elegant and homey at the same time. Classy drinks, huge portions, everything super delicious and made with care. Lovely atmosphere and warm, welcoming service, too.

We had a fantastic meal here with friends, everything tastes homemade and delicious. Good options for our vegetarian friends as well. Portions are huge, we ordered too much but we were not mad about those leftovers. Service was also great, we were well taken care of. Definitely going back!

The food was so good! We had a big team lunch there and shared around bites, so it felt like I got to try half the menu. I want to go back just to order the Chilean sea bass or blackened catfish. The owner/head chef came out and talked to our group, told us about the restaurant and her community involvement. It also seems like a great place to host an event and she mentioned they do catering. I highly recommend it.

Went for brunch and they did not disappoint. We had the banana pudding french toast and the ox tail and grits. Both 10/10. I'm from the south this is good soul food with out a doubt. Nice portions with friendly service.

Arianna Clyde

The food was so good! We had a big team lunch there and shared around bites, so it felt like I got to try half the menu. I want to go back just to order the Chilean sea bass or blackened catfish. The owner/head chef came out and talked to our group, told us about the restaurant and her community involvement. It also seems like a great place to host an event and she mentioned they do catering. I highly recommend it.

Jess D

We had a fantastic meal here with friends, everything tastes homemade and delicious. Good options for our vegetarian friends as well. Portions are huge, we ordered too much but we were not mad about those leftovers. Service was also great, we were well taken care of. Definitely going back!

Curry Forrer

Went for brunch and they did not disappoint. We had the banana pudding french toast and the ox tail and grits. Both 10/10. I'm from the south this is good soul food with out a doubt. Nice portions with friendly service.

Amanda H.

A gem! The food was great quality, perfectly prepared, huge portions. Not greasy, superb level of spice/flavor. Our group got the gumbo special, the catfish, side of cabbage and biscuit - everyone was so happy!

Jennise Mendoza

This is one of those small restaurants that can be easily over looked. We live nearby and just discovered this gem. Willows and Pine brings that good old fashion southern charm from the moment we walked through the door. We were greeted when we walked in. The hostess, waiter, bartender and server were all the same person, yet were professional, friendly and looked like they enjoyed their job! The food was great! Price point to plate size was great too! The ambience and music felt inviting. If you want some good ol’ southern comfort, check them out.

What a pleasant surprise! Wandered in to a very welcoming atmosphere. Seated in the back area in a spacious booth. The menu read was accurate and managed expectations that each dish is made to order, so be patient! Brunch is curated and not the typical eggs, waffles and French toast. Think oxtail and grits, chicken pot pie done right. Prepare to loosen your belt buckle as the portions could easily feed 4 hungry folk. For me the stars of the day were the fried oyster mushrooms (stellar) and the chicken pot pie! Entire staff welcoming and I highly recommend giving it a try.

The service at this restaurant was very pleasant and hospitable. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. The serving sizes were good for the price and I’d like to go back to try their other food outside of brunch. I got the Salmon Salad and it was a little sweet for me.

R Butler

What a pleasant surprise! Wandered in to a very welcoming atmosphere. Seated in the back area in a spacious booth. The menu read was accurate and managed expectations that each dish is made to order, so be patient! Brunch is curated and not the typical eggs, waffles and French toast. Think oxtail and grits, chicken pot pie done right. Prepare to loosen your belt buckle as the portions could easily feed 4 hungry folk. For me the stars of the day were the fried oyster mushrooms (stellar) and the chicken pot pie! Entire staff welcoming and I highly recommend giving it a try.

Richard P

Jambalaya was on point. So where the shrimp étouffée, biscuit, and red beans and rice. Brussels sprouts were tasty too, but we didn’t seem to get a whole lot - maybe 3 or 4 cut in half 🤷‍♂️ the fried oyster mushroom sliders were also great. And the short ribs were super tender. Definitely check em out!

Kristen Morris

The service at this restaurant was very pleasant and hospitable. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. The serving sizes were good for the price and I’d like to go back to try their other food outside of brunch. I got the Salmon Salad and it was a little sweet for me.

I can sympathize when a restaurant is short staffed and the food takes longer to come out. But I don't believe that should compromise the quality, especially at this price point. We did appetizers and dessert and the highlight was the dessert. The only thing I was looking forward to having was the Shrimp and Crawfish chowder, and to my disappointment they were already out only a couple of hours after opening. The Po'Thang Sliders were dry and chewy and looked nothing like the pictures they advertise. Nothing to write home about. The best part of the Chilean Sea Bass were the sides. The fish was cooked well but didn't have a distinct flavor. The menu seems to be modified from what's advertised. They were serving the short ribs as a sandwich on ciabata bread with fries. The short ribs were decent, and the bread was good, but the fries left so much to be desired. There was no seasoning whatsoever in either the sweet potato or the regular fries. Also, they were not crispy and had a recently-defrosted texture. Would rather have received some greens or rice instead. My wife had been looking forward to eating here for a while and we both were not impressed. Especially considering there is so much competition in Oakland for Southern food that's better tasting and less expensive. Now we know, I guess.

We were a group of six customers. The food and drinks were good, and it would have been a decent value overall if they just would have told us about the automatic 20% service charge they added to our bill. They brought the pay device, only showed us the total and then we added another 18% tip.

Steve Miller

We were a group of six customers. The food and drinks were good, and it would have been a decent value overall if they just would have told us about the automatic 20% service charge they added to our bill. They brought the pay device, only showed us the total and then we added another 18% tip.

Took my girl here for Valentine’s Day and it was our first and our last time. This place ruined the night for sure. The entrees (catfish & short rib) tasted & were cooked great but not worth waiting an hour & 30mins for. All the sides lacked either spice or seasoning especially being creole cuisine. The service was so bad we almost just left before our food came. Four couples came in after us and all were served before us, it’s like they forgot we were there. No refills no checking in nothing