Inspector notes: "Mägo's carte is heavy on casual small plates, such as ratatouille on toasted zucchini bread or crispy soft-shell crab with peaches and plums. And yet, there are fun surprises, too, like the kimchi-style sungold tomatoes that crown a pile of pasta alla chitarra. The nightly “for the table” meat option, like rabbit saddle or grilled tri-tip, is a surefire winner. Save room for such deliciously rustic desserts as corn pudding with blueberries and lime granita.

Spanish for magician or wizard, mägo (it is pronounced with a long “a”) is chef Mark Liberman’s nickname but it also helps define the hi-lo vibe at his latest restaurant. “We source fine ingredients and craft great cocktails,” Liberman says “and we still believe hospitality is a part of fine dining.” A dish of barbecued carrots sounds simple but, according to chef, it is first cooked in own juice in sous vide, then smoked, then grilled, and finally sautéed in brown butter, involving many hands and many days worth of work in that carrot. “That effort is what makes it fine dining and what we are all about.” The 12-foot ceiling give the space a light and airy feel, the natural cotton linens and locally made plates are the right components to give a meal here the elegance it deserves.

At Mägo, contemporary Colombian cuisine meets casual fine dining. Chef Mark Liberman combines wood-grilling expertise with fresh seasonal produce and Latin American flavors to come up with an ever-changing tasting menu ($75-$105/person) stacked with dishes like churros with chicken liver and fig leaf zatar, swordfish escabeche, and carne asada with turnips and poblano au poivre. Recommended by Michelin’s critics for its unpretentious, undeniably delicious preparations, this North Oakland restaurant won’t let you down.

I am grateful to Mago for doing such delicious Jewish holiday meals, since cooking the holiday foods that I usually love to cook, for just my household, depressed me too much. And while I know it was super popular due to Instagram, Daughter Thai and Farmhouse Kitchen’s Little Lao special was amazing. Not only was it a ton of food, but it looked gorgeous, offered so many different tastes, which is always fun, and made a regular evening feel celebratory.

Mago, a Columbian restaurant, is highly dedicated to its first-class seasonal ingredients and a resourceful combo of flavors while capturing the quintessence of the lively culinary scenes of Oakland. Whether you are in search of an extraordinary dining experience as a 1st-time visitor or a local looking for a new loved spot, dining in Oakland CA at Mago is sure to amaze you with its innovative and lip-smacking offerings.

If you are dreaming of something adventurous and innovative, then you will want to stop by the magical Mago. With its ever-rotating menu, this whimsical restaurant makes an exciting selection of wood-fire Northern California food. When you walk through the doors, you and your friends will be met by gleaming wood floors and inviting staff members with friendly, professional service.

Mägo provides exceptional food quality and value, with a menu that changes regularly to feature the freshest seafood and other ingredients. The dishes are carefully prepared to bring out bold, simple flavors. Standouts on the menu include their delicious breads and desserts, as well as a unique wine list featuring wines from under-represented regions.

With its dedication to seasonal ingredients and imaginative flavor combinations, Mago captures the essence of Oakland's vibrant culinary scene. Whether you're a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor in search of an exceptional dining experience, Mago promises to delight and surprise you with its creative and mouth-watering offerings.

When it comes to fine dining, Oakland only really has two options: Commis and Mägo, which are shouting distance from each other. No disrespect to James Syhabout’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, but I’m team Mägo, which I find to be one of the best deals for a tasting menu in the entire Bay Area — plus the food feels more personal.

Mägo’s inventive Colombian fare won it a place in Michelin’s California restaurant guide. Whether enjoying the nightly seven-course tasting menu or sitting at the bar for à la carte dining, guests will enjoy wood-grilled meats and produce with elegant cocktails to accompany their meal.

Mägo, a singular Colombian restaurant in Oakland, has none of the stuffy air you might associate with fine dining. The dining room is colorful, matching Colombia’s flag, and the attitude is loose and calm. The sounds of Latin American pop hits gently hang in the air as dinner unfolds.

Get your Black Walnut Chai Old Fashioned, Sumac Negroni, and Lavendar Vodka Tonics for $20 per cocktail, two cocktails per batch. Ready to serve as is or pour over ice.