Oaktown Spice Shop

I love coming here for gifts and I always can’t help but pick up a few jars of spices for myself. They do offer online shopping with in store pickup, but coming in person to browse gives me a chance to find something I haven’t cooked or baked with before. Their products are all labeled with dates so you know you’re getting fresh spices, which make such a huge difference. It’s definitely pricier than the grocery store but it really is so worth it, especially for the fresh peppercorns or spice blends.
In addition to gift boxes with 2-4 jars & a recipe card (usually $20-$50), they also have cookbooks, teas, hot chocolate, and misc kitchen tools.

This place gets 5 stars just for the smell! Awesome, high-quality spices and teas. They've got everything you'd need and friendly folks to help you out.

I love this store they have a vegan cookbook with a playlist in it including James Brown, Charles Mingus, BADBADNOTGOOD, Miles Davis, MF DOOM etc. Coolest cookbook ever. I got a small spoon here made out of olive wood, cyprus black lava sea salt, Nigella seeds, French thyme, the most delicious vegan cookie mix, and a lot of other special herbs and spices. The brand of the cookie mix is Renewal Mill, a vegan chocolate chip cookie mix. They also have vegan brownie mix at this store by the same brand, also delicious. There's everything you could ever need here for cooking, tons of chillies too. The spice associates are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Another thing I really enjoy about this store that added a personalized touch is that they have little recipe cards for you to cook some delicious meals with your new spices.

A lovely store with all imaginable spices, spice blends, chillies, vanilla beans, beet powder... I mean the list goes on. walk into the store and just take a deep breath. The aromas are rich and the staff is knowledgeable. I love going here. prices are higher than what you would pay at a grocery store, however their ingredients are top-notch and their freshness is dated. So you can be guaranteed high-quality spices. TV parking around this area is similar to parking anywhere at the lake, limited so plan time unless you’re walking to find parking.

Always the best selection of even the most rare!

This is a cute little shop with helpful staff. If you haven't tried their Oaktown Sweet Heat BBQ Rub you're missing out!

I was afraid I would never find a high quality spice shop like the one in my hometown. I found that, and then some here! They have a beautiful, well thought out selection. The quality is amazing. The gift boxes are a great and unique for those people that are super hard to shop for. The folks who work there are super kind and knowledgeable.

Added bonus: their covid setup is fantastic! On one side there are menus, and if you don’t want to pick up a menu there are QR codes to pull up it up on your phone. You order from behind the plexiglass, they take your contactless payment, and then go assemble your order. When your order is ready, they bring it to the other side (the pickup window).

If you’d rather shop at home, you can order online and pick up at the store within a few days- they also offer free shipping over $75.

Great staff, nice selection. If you've got a spice fiend in your life, it's also great for gifts. Basics and unique blends make this a one stop shop. Sure, you pay a bit more than at Luckys / Safeway if getting a normal spice, but I'd rather support local where I can.

Great store. My favorite shop I went to on my trip from Portland. My grandmother and I loved this place and the employees were so friendly and helpful

I love their selection of spices. The stuff is very knowledgeable and it's always well stocked and organized. Highly recommend if you're in need of any specialty, spices or whatever standard ones you used to cook.

you know how cooking show hosts say to get spices from a specialty shop instead of grocery stores? now i know why.
as others have explained Oaktown Spice Shop has everything from spices, rubs, grinders, etc. they also offer classes on things to make chai tea to pickling. it seems theyre into spices enriching your life rather than just making a buck and it shows. the employees seem knowledgeable and chill rather than common the megamart attitude.
since its by The Lake parking can be an issue. I have not been to their other location. my friends that doesn't know about this place seen the the other store but was confused since it was in Albany.
would recommend but then with almost a 5 star rating you dont need my review. go there to see what the hype is about

THE BEST SPICE SHOP EVER. The owner, John, makes amazing house blends that I now can't live without, like the Moroccan Fish Tagine and Erbe Italiano di Lusso. All kinds of flavored salts, too. They have everything, everyone is nice, the packaging is adorable. It is such a pleasure to shop here!

My favorite spices come from Oaktown! Our kids gifted us a box of some spice blends several years ago and we just loved them and the recipes you can find online. We are moving back to the Bay Area in the next month and I can’t wait to shop here in person.

Incredible selection of quality spices including many that are hard to find in a store. Bring your own containers or bags to save on plastic.

The place to go if you need those specialty spices for your "I'm gonna try making this for dinner sometime" recipes. You can get prepacked (bagged or jarred), or if you ask nicely, they can give you more or less. They're reasonable.

Umami salt is godly for roasted veggies btw. They have good loose leaf tea here too. And some drink mixes (Caged Heat mix is 🔥).

I wish this place was closer to me.

The customer service and knowledge are excellent. They somehow know exactly what I'm looking for and always have great suggestions. You won't be able to resist the smell.

Amazing spice selection. If you want something, they’ve probably got it. The staff are also super helpful and knowledgeable. The spices are high quality and long lasting, and their blends are really good. While it’s not the cheapest, you definitely get your money’s worth.

I love the convenience of online shopping and pick up. My orders are filled quickly, and the staff here is friendly. I am excited to shop in-store and experience the beauty of their large selection. I get a small haul of products every couple months. Our family favorites are the Mole Poblano mix, and Umami Sea Salt. I love the recipe cards I've received when purchasing some spice mixes. We pick up Telegraph Bee Co honey here as well. It's definitely worth a visit.

I got everything I need except my bourbon smoked black pepper

Best place to get spices in Oakland hands-down. The assortment is incredible, the staff is extremely knowledgeable, and they offer great kits that work as gifts for the holidays. My favorites are the Golden Milk and Smoked Paprika.