WELCOME TO KOREATOWN NORTHGATE!
YOU’LL FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN KONO!
The KONO District stands out as a distinctive and captivating neighborhood teeming with diverse communities. It serves as a hub for businesses catering to Korean-American, Somalian, and Eritrean populations, featuring an eclectic mix of mom-and-pop shops, traditional and modern restaurants and bars, and vibrant galleries. Notably, it is home to the Sutter Health Alta Bates-Summit Medical Center and new housing developments like Telegraph Arts, Town 29, and Forma, adding 482 residential units. The new Moxy Hotel, with 172 guest rooms and outdoor terrace space, offers convenient accommodations near Fox and Paramount Theaters. Established as an arts and entertainment district, KONO promises even more housing and businesses, ensuring a dynamic and thriving community.
We’ve recently updated the KONO Business Directory on our website. You’ll find what you’re looking for in KONO! Our directory showcases an array of local businesses, encouraging you to shop local and support the unique charm of our community. Please contact us for any changes or additions. Have an idea for a business you want to see in our district? Let us know!
Support Local Businesses
Discover the vibrant mix of local businesses that make KONO unique. Our district is home to a diverse array of restaurants, boutiques, salons, creative studios, wellness centers, and professional services—many of them small, independently owned, and rooted in the community. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a thoughtful gift, or a place to recharge, you'll find it here. Explore our business directory and experience the culture, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define the heart of Oakland. Supporting KONO means supporting local!
District Projects
KONO is more than a cultural district—we’re a community in action. From safety improvements like district-wide security cameras and crime surveys to beautification efforts including murals, street art, and public space upgrades, our projects are designed to uplift and protect our neighborhood. Every initiative reflects our commitment to making KONO a safer, more vibrant, and welcoming place for all who live, work, and visit here.
Upcoming Events in KONO
Oakland First Fridays
Korean Culture Fest
Oakland First Fridays is Oakland's monthly celebration of arts, culture, food and community. It happens on the first Friday of the month on Telegraph Avenue from West Grand to 27th Street. It draws up to 30,000 people from Oakland and the surrounding area to celebrate our community. Over the years it has served as an incubator for many Oakland artists and small businesses, a driver of economic growth in KONO and the rest of downtown, as documented in this report on its economic impact, and a major factor in Oakland’s resurgence as an arts destination (evidenced by the fact that Oakland is the only North American destination in National Geographic’s Places to Visit 2019 cited for its culture).
Step into a vibrant celebration of Korean culture at the annual Korean Culture Fest, presented by KONO, the Oakland & East Bay Korean American Association, and the City of Oakland’s Culture Fair Division.
Happening at Oakland First Fridays (27th & Telegraph), this dynamic event features Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, inspiring appearances by local dignitaries, and a curated vendor village filled with Korean food, art, and crafts. Enjoy a powerful lineup of live performances—from traditional music and dance to the electrifying sounds of K-pop—all in one unforgettable evening of culture and community.
All happening on September 5th, 2025
KONO Street Ambassadors
Pictured above is the Streetplus team: James H., Ramon H, Robert V, Bryon
Clean and Safe Streets
KONO contracts with StreetPlus to provide a team of street ambassadors in the district . They work to keep the corridor clean of trash and graffiti, and engage with passersby to ensure a safe district. Our KONO Ambassadors are dedicated to removing blight and pressure washing large block faces throughout the district to ensure the district the side walks are clean. StreetPlus ambassadors are wearing safety gear and focusing on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, engaging with the homeless community and keeping eye on the neighborhood.
