Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Paella tradicional with prawns, calamari, mussels, clams and pork chorizo ($12) at Venga Paella, Oakland.

Come along with Nosh as we explore the East Bay food scene in photographs. This week we focus on Venga Paella, at 229 Brush St., in Oakland. This former catering company now has a brick-and-mortar location with a 49-seat dining room, a reclaimed redwood bar and other rustic accents. Don’t miss the Spanish Revolution-themed posters and the chef’s table. Venga Paella serves lunch Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Fridays, there’s also happy hour from 4-6 p.m. with extended dinner service until 9 p.m. Street parking is readily available. For more information or for reservations, call 510-628-0018 or visit www.vengapaella.com. If you’ve tried the spots we feature, please let us know about your experience in the comments below. (Photographs by Emilie Raguso.)

Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Eduardo Balaguer, executive chef and owner, offers paella and Spanish tapas made with seasonal, often organic and locally sourced ingredients.
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Tortilla de patatas y cebolla: potatoes, egg and onion Spanish-style frittata with aioli ($7).
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Gambas al ajillo: prawns in a sherry garlic reduction ($11).
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Paella de arroz negro: black squid ink with mussels, clams and calamari ($12).
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Manchego con membrillo ($5).
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
Flan was a sweet end to the evening at Venga Paella in Oakland.
Venga Paella, Oakland. Photo: Emilie Raguso
The Venga Paella beverage menu includes a selection of craft beers and a small international wine list along with cavas and sangria. On Friday evenings an additional lounge area is open, offering access to custom-made Jenga sets.

Venga Paella invited Nosh to try its offerings with a complimentary meal for two.

Related:
Nosh on the town: Homestead on Piedmont Avenue (09.24.13)
Nosh on the town: Dishcrawl in Jack London Square (08.28.13)
Nosh on the town: Build Pizzeria in Berkeley (08.13.13)
Nosh on the town: Stella Nonna in Berkeley (07.30.13)
Nosh on the town: HS Lordships in Berkeley (06.25.13)
Nosh on the town: FuseBOX in West Oakland (05.20.13)
Nosh on the town: Pizza Moda in Berkeley (04.08.13)
Nosh on the town: Miss Ollies in Old Oakland (04.01.13)
Nosh on the town: Crixa Cakes (03.25.13)

Bookmark Berkeleyside NOSH for East Bay food news and stories, and follow Berkeleyside NOSH on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Avatar photo

Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist...