October rolls in with its mischievous grin – pumpkins on porches, cobwebs in windows, and that delicious sense of anticipation in the air. This year, why not celebrate Halloween by tasting your way through the Bay Area’s most spirited spots? From the Public Market in Emeryville, where local makers conjure up fall treats, to Palo Alto’s Macarena, serving seasonal delights with a Spanish twist, and the San Francisco Ferry Building, glowing with festive flair – each stop offers its own brand of Halloween fun. Grab your costume (and your appetite). Time for a spooky, savory adventure through the Bay.
South Bay
Macarena
420 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Macarena gets the spooky award for creativity! Throughout October, Halloween spirit meets a spooky sophistication in their specially designed cocktails and desserts. Drácula reimagines an iconic Spanish ice cream – layering Coke slushy, airy Chantilly cream, baked strawberry, and vanilla cream for a twist on the classic popsicle. If you dare try Brains & Veins and enjoy bites of a brain-shaped mousse topped with raspberry “blood” and white chocolate.
On the cocktail front check out The Basque Curse – a gothic take on a Spanish Kalimotxo blending Tempranillo wine, Coca-Cola, maraschino liqueur, and a crowned cherry. Check out our Food Party! review from the spring
66 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 (Alter Ego)
Downtown San Jose hosts a DIY Halloween crawl all month between two of the city’s most iconic bars. At MINIBOSS, the arcade bar transforms into Nightmare on 2nd Street with floor-to-ceiling horror décor and a themed cocktail menu inspired by classic slashers of the ’80s and ’90s – think Jason, Freddy, and Chucky.
Meanwhile, Alter Ego becomes Dearly Departed, a hauntingly romantic journey into the afterlife. Guests are welcomed with “poisoned punch,” marking their passage into the beyond, then invited to linger in an atmosphere reminiscent of a candlelit séance, with a cocktail menu that screams eerie and otherworldly.
With a short walk between the two it’s easy to do your own Halloween crawl and enjoy both on the same night. These are immersive, limited-time experiences – the best of the best in San Jose this Halloween.
Check out our Food Party! review of AlterEgo from this summer.
San Francisco
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105
If you are looking for something more family friendly, head up to the Ferry Building on Thursday, October 30th from 4pm to 6pm, for a spooktacular afternoon of trick or treating inside the marketplace. Stop at vendors throughout the building with festive signage, excited to welcome trick-or-treaters in their best costumes. The evening will also feature spooky music and themed games for all ages. Please RSVP HERE for the free event. We’ll be featuring this area in our holiday edition of Adult Playday — “Ferry Building: Sparkly City Fun for Big Kids.”
East Bay
5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville, CA 94608
We had the pleasure of Food Partying! at Public Market recently and what a night it was. This place is buzzing with good vibes – a real neighborhood hub where locals gather to eat, laugh, and linger. Picture long community tables, the smell of sizzling spices, and nearly twenty food stalls ready to take you around the world one bite at a time.
We enjoyed a stall-crawl, going from one eatery to another and buying a nibble at each. Here are some favorites:
First stop, Konarq — the market’s OG tenant, feeding folks since 1989. Their counter is lined with colorful pots of Indian curries and masalas that make you want to dive right in. Classic East Indian street food at old-school prices: samosas 2 for $6, butter naan $2, and sides $8. Comfort food heaven.
Then there’s Alma y Sazón, where Mexican tradition meets “vegan revolution.” It’s a family-run spot named for two matriarchs — both named Alma — whose recipes inspire every dish. I tried the jackfruit taco with pineapple salsa ($8), and honestly, I’m still thinking about that chewy, smoky jackfruit. Some of the best I have ever tasted. Who needs meat when plants taste that good?
Next up: NabiQ Korean BBQ, where everything sizzles with spirit. Think BBQ chicken, pork, seafood – all served with rice, glass noodles, and veggies. I ordered the Tofu Bento Box ($18.50) – a massive spread that became lunch, dinner, and breakfast the next day. A lot of food for the price.
Don’t pass by Pig in a Pickle – because no food adventure is complete without two BBQ’s. These folks make everything from scratch – rubs, sauces, sausages, even the bread. And yes, vegetarians can still get in on the fun. The Food Party! devoured their creamy mac and cheese ($6) alongside a crisp homemade pickle ($2). More good prices.
And dessert? Mr. Dewie’s of course – an all vegan cashew ice cream dream born from two brothers who loved ice cream but couldn’t do dairy. Flavors like Golden Spice and Caramel Almond Crunch hit that sweet spot without all the tummy trouble. ($6 single / $9 double). Take a pint home.
Public Market is the kind of place where people come to hang – laptops out, coffee in hand, maybe a beer at the Public Bar during happy hour or game day. The energy is East Bay proud!
They also throw really good events: Saturday farmers market, houseplant sales, Drag Queen Bingo (yes, really), live music often, and Tuesday Trivia are just some of the fun. People have even gotten married here. With Peet’s Coffee opening at 5 AM and most stalls running till 7 or 8 PM, it’s the kind of spot that’s always alive with something tasty and happening.
What about Halloween?
During Halloween, Public Market hosts more than a week of family-friendly fun, festive treats, and cultural celebration. Keep track of the evolving schedule on the website.
Oct 24–26: Trick-or-Treat Trail – participating tenants hand out candy to costumed visitors of all ages.
Tuesday, Oct 28: Spooky Trivia Night with fun categories and prizes.
Oct 31: hands-on Pumpkin Painting (5–8 PM – limited to 40 pumpkins) followed by a Spooky Costume Contest and spooky cartoons.
November 1: Día de los Muertos celebration featuring a live band from 6–9 PM.
How do I get there? Located right off highway 580, it takes a little less than an hour in good traffic from the Peninsula.
