Oakside

With a motto of "Better Food. Better Mood," you know your taste buds are in for an immersive experience at Oakside restaurant and bar. 

The restaurant is the brainchild of Big Bear residents Julie and Mike Hastings, eager to bring their love for California Cuisine to the mountain community. And as the saying goes, this is not their first rodeo. Peppercorn Grille was their first restaurant, inspiring them to open a new venture. 

The eatery was initially built in 1989 with oak and wooden pegs, some from as far as Koa and Malaysia. 

The Hastings family's goal was to provide diners with innovative cuisine paired with exceptional service and a touch of mountain magic.

Oakside offers two stories and a private loft to satisfy small or large groups. Dining downstairs showcases several cozy and private booths and tables with stunning views.

The heated patio features a large fire pit and surrounding bar-height seating, making it a popular dining spot. It's the perfect place to savor a cocktail with family or friends after exploring the boutiques at The Village Shops and Courtyard. 

Upstairs is a full bar with ample seating and a large lounging section. With TVs adorning the walls, this area is idyllic for sports fans. For the ultimate dining experience, the third floor offers a VIP loft for private parties and events.

Oakside is family-friendly and sustainability-focused, offering exquisite cuisine for various palates. With so many unique dining areas, Oakside is one restaurant to investigate in Big Bear. 

Vibe

The exterior mixes natural stone and warm, weathered wood that blends with the surrounding pines and rolling landscape. It's a precursor to the awaiting ambiance and cuisine within. 

This design motif flows into the eatery to create a rustic yet elegant and cozy vibe. The decor features warm hues of golden oaks and earth-tone colors, creating a home-away-from-home feeling. It's the perfect spot to unwind after schussing down the slopes at Snow Summit.

Intricate lighting, curated artwork, and the splash of colorful mountain-inspired decor accentuated the open-concept layout. Whether on a romantic night out or dining with family and friends, the atmosphere at Oakside will accommodate you.

Oakside: Menu & Drinks

With a menu that offers everything from street tacos to vegetarian bowls to steaks, Oakside promises to satisfy everyone's cravings on your Big Bear vacation. 

To start your evening, consider sharing the Oakside Street Tacos. These three tacos feature tempura-battered cod, napa cabbage, and Cholula crema. 

For dinner, one of the vegetarian bowls will satisfy and be a healthy choice. The Korean Beef Bowl uses soy-based vegetarian beef in a Korean-style sauce with mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and edamame. This deliciousness comes with Jasmine rice to balance the flavors and textures. 

Another worthy contender is the tender, slow-cooked Baby Back Ribs in their house-made BBQ sauce. The meal comes with two of the following sides: baked potato, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, jasmine rice, mac and cheese, roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed broccoli and cauliflower, or sautéed white corn.

Regarding adult beverages, Oakside's specialty cocktails, like the vibrant Mountain Mule, are a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule. It's the perfect drink to celebrate your bounty from Gold Rush Mining Camp Adventures. 

From pasta to burgers to comfort fare to vegetarian options, Oakside lives up to its motto of "Better Food. Better Mood."