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. 

Oakside started as a passion project by the Hastings family, eager to bring their love for California Cuisine and great company to their beloved mountain community. 

Husband and wife, Mike and Julie, began renovating the three-story building around 2003

Initially built in 1989, Oakside was constructed with oak and held together with wooden pegs. Some of the materials came from as far as Koa and Malaysia. 

Oakside's mission is to provide patrons with a place where wholesome ingredients meet 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 is popular, with a large fire pit and surrounding bar-height seating. It's the perfect place to savor a cocktail with family or friends. 

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

Vibe

Oakside's exterior boasts a mix of natural stone and warm, weathered wood, blending seamlessly with the surrounding pines and the gently rolling landscape of Big Bear.

Upon entering the restaurant, one is greeted with rustic elegance and cozy comfort. The interior is drenched in warm hues of golden oaks and earth-tone colors, immediately creating that home-away-from-home feeling.

Intricate lighting, curated artwork, and the occasional splash of colorful mountain-inspired decor accentuated the open-concept layout. 

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 off your evening, consider sharing the Oakside Street Tacos. These three tacos come loaded with 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 meatless soy-based vegetarian beef marinated in a Korean-style sauce. Next, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and edamame are added. All of this deliciousness is served on Jasmine rice. 

Another worthy contender is the tender, slow-cooked Baby Back Ribs in their house-made BBQ sauce. Guests may choose two of the following as sides: baked pot, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, jasmine rice, mac & cheese, roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed broccoli & 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.

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