Step into La Loulou on Oakland’s famed Piedmont Street and you could be in a chic wine bar on Paris’s Rive Gauche. French songs play in the background, the atmosphere is inviting, and every detail—from the décor to the menu—has been carefully crafted.
La Loulou is the creation of Lou Béraud, a Parisian who came to Oakland as a teenager in 2011, fell in love with Peter—now her husband and the carpenter who designed the bar—and slowly built her path into the world of wine. Though not raised among vineyards, Lou developed her expertise as a self-taught wine trader for French importers, helping Bay Area restaurants design their wine lists. Oakland’s lack of wine bars convinced her to open her own. Lou surrounded herself with a great team: John, a chef and the former owner of the Bottle Shop in Redwood City, helps curate the menu and prepare the jams and chutneys.
Opened in May 2025, the space blends Art Nouveau with French brasserie charm: dark green (“Vert Bouteille”) couches, custom brass shelves, feather lamps, and walls painted in a warm golden yellow. With a family hailing from Champagne, I absolutely love the addition of vintage posters of Moët & Chandon, Ruinart, and Roederer. The effect is equal parts modern, traditional, and inviting.
So, what to drink? With a focus on France, Lou and John have curated nearly 20 wines by the glass—Sancerre Rosé, Chablis, Champagne, Chardonnay—alongside select bottles from Spain, Italy, and California. Not in the mood for wine? Try the Rosé Spritz, an IPA from Berkeley’s Fieldwork, or non-alcoholic sparkling wines from Alsace.
The menu is short but thoughtful: sandwiches, quiches, snails, and charcuterie boards. The planche is a highlight—Copa, rhubarb jam poached with pink peppercorn and grenadine, curried pineapple chutney, Tomme de Savoie, and Brebirousse d’Argental, all served with bread from Gourmet & More.
La Loulou also offers a Wine Club: four wines hand-picked by Lou, completed with her travel notes and stories, ready for pickup at the bar (perks: 10% off wine by the glass and no corkage fee). On Sundays, brunch is now served on the new sun-soaked patio—an ideal spot to linger.
Don’t skip the bathroom. Like everything at La Loulou, it’s designed to make you smile.
Well-fed and well-hydrated, I left La Loulou ecstatic: the colors, the wines, Capuche the dog, and the warm smiles from Lou and John make it a place where il fait bon vivre—where life feels good. Lucky Oakland and Berkeley residents.For those across the Bay, it’s worth crossing the bridge—whether for a raclette sandwich (Lou’s favorite) at lunch, a bottle of Crémant for l’apéro, or a glass of Monthuys Champagne on a date night.
Fun fact: Lou shared that guests sometimes arrive fully dressed up, wearing berets, and practicing their French: an air of “Lou in Oakland”.
Merci SF Rapid Fire
Lou
Favorite meal on the menu: Raclette Sandwich
Favorite wine on the menu: Sancerre Rosé (If I had to pick only one today)
Favorite Bakery in the Bay: Fournée Bakery, next to the Claremont Hotel
What you miss the most from France: Late dinners on terrace
Favorite Oakland restaurant: Almond & Oak
John
Favorite wine: Vina Gravonia
Best seller: Le temps des Oranges – clean and perfect example of orange wine. Good product to discover orange wine
La Loulou, 4250 Piedmont Street, 2PM-09:30PM Wed/Thursday, 2PM-10PM Fri/Sat, 2PM-8PM Sunday, Closed on Monday & Tuesday
