On the last weekend of June, swarms of customers flocked to Jack London Square for fragrant cardamom lattes and slow-braised lamb wraps. It was the opening of Reem’s California, and lines at the popular cafe and bakery were nonstop, with over 200 flatbreads sold. It felt like a turning point for a neighborhood that’s struggled to find its footing over the past few years. 

“Reem’s is a really community-based and community-rooted business,” said Reem’s co-founder Zaynah Hindi, business partner of famed James Beard Award finalist chef Reem Assil. “So the hope is that wherever we go, we bring our community with us, and that will lead to the blossoming of Jack London Square.”

The line inside Reem’s California at its newly opened Jack London Square location in Oakland, Calif., on June 27, 2026. 

Since late 2024, Jack London Square has lost some of its largest anchor businesses, including the Waterfront Hotel, Forge Pizza and Left Bank Brasserie. And potentially the biggest blow is yet to come: Bowling alley, arcade and restaurant Plank recently announced its plans to close Aug. 2 after nearly 12 years. In the greater neighborhood, Line 51 Brewing also revealed its forthcoming closure of July 19, following a string of other recent brewery and beer bar closures, from Dokkaebier to Tiger’s Taproom.

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But intrepid business owners aren’t giving up on the area. Sure, there’s the big new chain in town: Dave & Busters opened in May, drawing crowds with its racing games, claw machines and happy hour cocktails. But a quieter new comeback is also being staged by small-business owners upping Jack London’s status as a foodie destination. Now, you can find everything from rare Mexican cuisine to Nigerian food to banana bread matcha lattes in the neighborhood.

Reem’s California co-founders Reem Assil and Zaynah Hindi.

Reem’s California opened in Oakland’s Jack London Square in June 2026.

Opening in Jack London Square is a true homecoming for Reem’s. While the original Reem’s started in Oakland’s Fruitvale district, Assil actually has history in this exact building. Back when she was the chef-partner at Dyafa (the restaurant formerly located where Dave & Buster’s is now), she used the 85 Webster St. space — then home to Miette........

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