The story
Top Hatters Kitchen is a modern neighborhood restaurant in San Leandro, serving an eclectic mix of rustic, made-from-scratch dishes. The restaurant’s name and its iconic sign pay homage to the original Top Hatters hat shop, owned by Ted and Marie Lee, who made and sold hats in the Bay Area for 65 years. By keeping the name and the original structure, the restaurant honors the history of the neighborhood while forging its own identity.
The menu is thoughtfully crafted to encourage sharing, emphasizing a sense of being at the family table. The food is approachable, eschewing complicated names, and bohemian in spirit—nonconforming and unconventional, weaving different ethnic influences and ingredients together. The restaurant’s cuisine is a contemporary take on Vietnamese flavors, always nuanced and inspired by what’s available seasonally from local farms. The drink program features craft cocktails, wine, and beer, with all syrups made from scratch using local farm offerings. Cocktails are named after hat terms, a nod to the restaurant’s history.
The space is beautifully designed, reflecting the exciting menu. While the menu and space invoke a high-quality dining experience, the friendly, warm service creates an approachable, casual atmosphere. Guests may first consider it a special treat, but they return as a frequent affair. The restaurant has captured the attention of critics and food writers, but what means the most is being embraced by the local community. It has been recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for good quality, good value cooking.
Top Hatters Kitchen offers lunch and dinner in both a courtyard and a dining room. A brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are recommended, but a handful of tables and all bar seating are kept for walk-ins. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
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