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This is a list of the Bay Area’s most notable restaurant and bar openings, with new updates published once a week. Did we miss something great? Please, drop us a line.
March 28
FISHERMAN’S WHARF — If a three-story alter to sugar sounds like your thing, then be glad to hear popular candy brand It’Sugar is opening a flagship store at 145 Jefferson Street, San Francisco Business Times reports. Expect 30,000 square feet of sweets in the former Rainforest Cafe and Lefty O’Douls space. There will also be a “San Francisco-themed Lollipop Garden” and a section devoted to specialty Asian candies like Pocky, Hi-Chew, and … Top Ramen. The store is set to open at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 31.
SUNSET — Say ‘ahoy!’ to Bearing West, a new bar and restaurant in the Sunset. Located at 2325 Taraval Street, the recently opened spot is nautically themed, with a seafood menu offering a mix of raw bar items such as an $89 Sutro Tower with a mix of oysters, clams, and prawns, plus cioppino, fish and chips, and clam chowder. On the drinks side, the bar offers a mix of beer, wine, and sake, as well as six specialty cocktails.
CIVIC CENTER — The Asian Art Museum finally has a new operator for its cafe since Sundays at the Museum closed in late July after four years. Asian Box, the local mini-chain offering dishes such as six-spice chicken and yellow coconut curry over rice, is set to open inside the cafe space on Friday, March 31, the San Francisco Standard reports.
BERKELEY — The long-awaited bagel factory from Boichik Bagels is finally open, about 18 months after owner Emily Winston first announced plans for the 18,000-square-foot space. The menu will be practically identical to other Boichik Bagel locations but will feature windows to catch an up-close look at the bagel robot in action, along with indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy their bagels and coffee.
BERKELEY — Homeroom, the restaurant dedicated to all things mac and cheese, opened its newest location in the Gilman District of North Berkeley. The new outpost is at 1313 Ninth Street, Suite 130, located in the small food complex next door to Thai restaurant Funky Elephant and Philz Coffee.
EMERYVILLE — Oakland’s Arthur Mac’s Tap and Snack is opening an Emeryville outpost, this one named Arthur Mac’s Little Snack, the E’ville Eye reports. There will be pizza by the slice (or whole), along with hot wings, french fries, and root beer floats, the Mercury News further reports. Local craft beers are on tap, as well as ciders, wine, and cocktails.
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MILL VALLEY — Coho is the newest restaurant in Mill Valley, a sustainable seafood spot from the family behind Piazza D’Angelo in Mill Valley, and Healdsburg’s Spoonbar and Dry Creek Kitchen. The kitchen is helmed by chef David Kornell, who’s worked in New York at Xaviars on Piermont, Cafe Gray, and Blue Ribbon Restaurant group. The new restaurant, located at 106 Throckmorton Avenue, also received an interior update from design studio Roy.
NAPA — Wine Girl Napa Valley is a new wine bar dropping in — you guessed it — Napa, with “delightfully chic interiors with Instagram-worthy backdrops,” according to a press release. This is the first Bay Area location for the wine bar, which first launched in Scottsdale, Arizona. Located at 1321 First Street, Suite A, in Napa, the new bar will offer wine and Champagne by the glass and bottle, as well as bites and pizza.
WOODSIDE — The Mountain House, that roadside restaurant nestled amongst the redwoods in Woodside, is finally back open, the Daily Journal reports. The 100-year-old space is now run by chef and partner Dmitry Elperin and chef Will Roberts, serving what Roberts calls “country coastal cuisine” with game, venison, quail, and sustainable trout on the menu.
March 21
MISSION — If you’re looking for a different style of sourdough bread, Fox and Lion is more than ready to oblige. The long-running bread operation serves French-style sourdough made with a pre-ferment levain that’s already gained baker Xan Devoss a devoted following. Now, she’s moving the bakery into its first permanent location at 3350 18th Street, opening on Wednesday, March 29.
LOWER PAC HEIGHTS — Mattina, the casual cafe from SPQR’s Matt Accarrino, is (partially) open as of this last weekend and already serving breakfast items to the public. There are plans to expand hours at its official April 1 opening — it is an all-day cafe, after all — but in the meantime, locals can snag an early sample of the breakfast offerings by following the cafe on Instagram for the latest morning hours.
EMBARCADERO — La Mar Cocina Peruana is set to relaunch La Mar Bar with an updated new look. Reopening Thursday, March 23, visitors can expect to sip on a wide variety of pisco while listening to live music, and snacking on shareable plates in the newly renovated space.
INNER RICHMOND — Fresh pasta fanatics will find their kindred spirits shopping at Pasta Supply Co., the retail shop-slash-restaurant from chef Anthony Strong, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The shop side of the operation will open as of March 25, selling all manners of pasta and sauce in its deli case. The restaurant side, however, is expected to launch in mid-April.
SACRAMENTO — Brunch lovers near the Capitol might want to take note: breakfast and lunch spot Kitchen15 opened at 1630 K Street with breakfast tacos, omelets, and (of course) mimosas, the Sacramento Bee reports.
March 14
SOMA — Dragon Horse is betting big on San Francisco’s late-night scene, opening March 8 with plans to serve food and drinks until the early (or, er, late) hour of 1 a.m. six days a week. It’s the latest project from the rapidly growing Mins Group, also behind Korean fine dining restaurant Suragan and the twin coffee and wine bars Dento. Dragon Horse takes over the former Izakaya Hon space and the cocktail list favors Asian flavors and ingredients such as a hot pot cordial, yuzu, and coconut oolong tea. The food leans Japanese; think gyoza, ramen, and sushi.
MARINA — As of late February, there’s a new option for breakfast burritos by day and Yucatan-style, sour orange-scented cochinita pibil by night. Las Mestizas opened at 2280 Chestnut Street, near the corner of Scott and Chestnut, after relocating from the Mission. Owner Fausto May says he’s excited to serve both Marina residents and the Yucateco people who work in the neighborhood.
MARINA — Come and get your fancy salads: As of March 14, Sweetgreen is open at 2040 Chestnut Street in the Marina. The fast-casual restaurant’s menu offers warm bowls, salads, and plates with proteins including either blackened or roasted chicken.
CASTRO — Los Amigos on Castro has taken over the high-profile former Castro Republic space at 2295 Market Street, near the intersection of Noe and 16 Streets, Hoodline reports. It’s a second outpost for the Mission District restaurant of the same name and serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, according to photos taken by Hoodline. The menus span everything from pupusas and cheeseburgers to chilaquiles and Greek salad.
EMERYVILLE — Shake Shack continues its takeover of the Bay Area burger scene with its 11th location in the area, at Bay Street in Emeryville. The new restaurant opens Thursday, March 16 and will serve the familiar menu of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes, and fries.
BERKELEY — The long-awaited Pizzeria da Laura, the first restaurant from Tony’s Pizzeria alum Laura Meyer, opens on March 23. As Eater SF shared, the menu will encompass four different styles of pie: Sicilian, Detroit, and grandma pan-style pizzas, plus floppy New York-style pies. Diners will be able to mix and match toppings including soppressata, arugula, prosciutto, and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano with their preferred style of pie, so it’s a build-your-own kind of dining experience.
BURLINGAME — Peninsula diners have a new vegan dining option in Twelvemonth, which comes from owner Bob Trahan, a former AL’s Place prep cook and Prairie line cook, the Chronicle reports. The restaurant’s menu spans global cuisines with options ranging from mushroom chawanmushi to paella with roasted brassicas.
BELMONT — Jiro Cafe opened earlier this year in Belmont, bringing a menu of Japanese sweets to 1094 Alameda de las Pulgas. Per the Chronicle, the menu offers both sweet — anpan, a sweet roll stuffed with red bean paste, and loaves of milk bread — and savory — a tonkatsu sandwich and beef curry over rice – options.
CUPERTINO — The creamy pork-infused broth that regularly draws long lines in San Francisco’s Japantown has arrived in Silicon Valley. As of March 9, popular ramen shop Marufuku Ramen is open in Cupertino (19772 Stevens Creek Boulevard) serving Hakata-style tonkostsu ramen, rice bowls, small bites, and more.
MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Bay Area’s hand roll boom continues with the debut of Temaki Nori at 124 Castro Street in Mountain View. The Chronicle spotted the new restaurant in the city’s downtown and reports a menu that includes temaki filled with “miso scallops, fatty tuna belly or butter-poached lobster with black garlic aioli.”
March 7
NORTH BEACH — Much-loved grocery store Luke’s Local will open its newest location on Friday, March 10. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a day of raffle giveaways and free coffee.
POLK GULCH — Signal Coffee opened inside the Batter Bakery space on Pine Street on March 1. The East Bay roaster is stepping into San Francisco for the first time, upping the coffee game in the neighborhood, though Batter’s Jen Musty will still serve her famous treats at the location.
MISSION — La Ventana, Sunset Roaster’s pop-up window inside Mission District restaurant Donaji, will host its grand opening on Saturday, March 11. Owners Phillip and Sara Roliz have been in the cafe game for a minute, and at the welcome party for this newest venture they’ll offer free goodies and host a mariachi band starting at 11 a.m.
OUTER MISSION — Ina Jungin Lee’s latest addition to her Korean cuisine empire is the Korner Store Vibes and Bites, open in the former Hwaro location in the Excelsior. This marks the reopening of her Valencia Street spot for soju and house beats.
EMBARCADERO — Xica, an indulgent Mexican restaurant from chef Maria Elena Esquivel and husband Ignacio Perez, opened in Levi’s Plaza on March 6. The restaurant is a return for Esquivel who once ran her pop-up Chica out of a takeout window in the area back in 2015.
LAUREL HEIGHTS — From sibling entrepreneurs with international cooking careers comes Geary Boulevard’s new Prik Hom. The San Francisco Standard reports one-half of the business partners, chef Jim Suwanpanya, cooked at Michelin-rated Bangkok restaurants before opening this Thai restaurant in the former Derm space.
OAKLAND — Mega popular vegan Puerto Rican restaurant Casa Borinqueña is open for dinner in North Oakland. Though owner Lourdes Nau, also known as Chef Lulu, isn’t operating at the full staffing she’d like to see just yet, pasteles, mofongo, and many of her typical items are already on the menu.
OAKLAND — San Leandro’s Zocalo Coffee opened a second location at Oakland waterfront’s Brooklyn Gulch on February 13. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the typical suite of espresso drinks are on the menu alongside a robust food menu.
OAKLAND — Desta Ethiopian Cafe is taking its farmers market setup to the former Chica space at 303A Oakland Avenue. The San Francisco Chronicle writes chef and owner Sirgout Aga Badana’s earned a fanbase thanks to Desta’s sambusas, lentils, injera, and more.
OAKLAND — Rico Rico Vegano is the new spin-off business from the Rico Rico Taco team. The San Francisco Chronicle writes the new location at 677 Rand Avenue offers hibiscus flower burritos, flautas, and soy-based carne asada amongst its plant-based fare.
WALNUT CREEK — The 10th Shake Shack location in the Bay Area opened to much fanfare on March 5. According to KRON 4, a line wound around the block to get a bit of that shake lifestyle, and $1 of every sandwich sold went to food access nonprofit White Pony Express.
PALO ALTO — Jimmy’s Cafe, a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant opened in a former Subway location, debuted in November. The Peninsula Foodist writes the restaurant comes from father-and-son duo Cevdet and Mehmet Yanas.
February 28
CASTRO — New restaurant Castro Indian Restaurant and Bar takes a “contemporary fusion approach to Indian cuisine,” according to the business website. Located at 468 Castro Street, the restaurant also brews its own beer — a blond ale, per an email from owner Ajay Khadka.
ALAMEDA — La Cocina alum Constanza Ortiz, who’s run Latin American catering business Maite Catering for more than a decade, opened Macondo Colombian Fusion earlier this year, East Bay Nosh spotted. There are both traditional and fusion dishes on the menu such as banh mi and quesabirria arepas.
BERKELEY — Partners Viviana Wang and Aaron Trimble opened Mind Coffee at 1816 Euclid Avenue in Berkeley on February 7, the San Francisco Standard reports. The coffee shop aims to “build mental health awareness and change the narrative around mental health” through things like mugs with mindfulness prompts and drinks with ingredients like coconut oil, which “some say reduces depression and promotes memory.”
BERKELEY — Hammerling Wines has moved into the former Windchaser space at 1375 4th Street in Berkeley. The winery’s new tasting room is open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Look for food from a rotating list of culinary partners including Bolita Masa, Tacos Everywhere, Xulo, Edith’s Pie, and more.
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Ube-centric Cafe 86 burst into the Bay Area with its location in Union City last year, and now it’s expanded to Mountain View (738 Villa Street) bringing with it a menu starring items such as “ube truffles, ube butter bars, [and] ube leche flan cupcakes,” Palo Alto Online reports. A Daly City location is also in the works, per the outlet.
SEBASTOPOL — As of February 23, the Redwood is pouring natural wines and serving “produce-driven, shareable” cuisine in Sonoma County. Located at 234 South Main Street, it’s a wine bar by day and a full-service restaurant by night being run by longtime partners Ryan Miller and Geneva Melby. In an effort to be an approachable wine bar, they’re stocking about 100 bottles “from lesser known, smaller producers starting at $38,” an email says, and the menu includes dishes like hummus and baba ganoush, chicory salad, and scallop crudo.
SAN MATEO — 112 South B Street in San Mateo has become the destination of a ramen pilgrimage thanks to the opening of California’s first outpost of Kajiken, a Japan-based restaurant specializing in “abura soba, a brothless ramen style,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The restaurant brings the hard-to-find style of ramen to the Peninsula, plus appetizers and drinks. There are nine bowls on the menu to start, each starring thick wheat noodles topped with ingredients such as “spicy minced pork and raw egg yolk, or lightly seared beef with crispy onions.”
February 23
FIDI – Nearly five years after announcing plans to open at the Salesforce Transit Center, Per Diem has finally started serving Cal-Italian classics including wild mushroom pasta and roasted chicken. The FiDi restaurant’s second outpost takes over a 3,050-square-foot ground floor space at 41 Minna Street. There’s a full bar and lounge, a warm private dining space dubbed the Library, and an outdoor patio. Reservations can be made for lunch or dinner on the Per Diem website.
CIVIC CENTER — Rai Littlejohn’s Deathless Coffee started as a pop-up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but these days it’s operating out of a permanent space at 1825 Market Street. Though the business is still getting up and running — and has yet to formalize its hours — Littlejohn is serving espresso drinks and filter coffee in a space designed for the community.
JAPANTOWN — At long last, chef Srijith Gopinathan (formerly Compton Place, Ettan) is bringing the cuisine of his home state of Kerala, a state on the southwestern tip of India, to the Bay Area. Copra, a bi-level tropical oasis, opened in February on the corner of Fillmore and Post streets. Designed by his partner and co-owner Ayesha Thapar, the restaurant serves small bites including kola urundai, fried meatballs made with Mamu mushroom protein; a chutney palette; and Konkan crab curry, a specialty of Southern India made with caramelized dried coconut, tamarind, and shallots.
MID-MARKET — SAMS American Eatery at 1220 Market Street reopened to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. The menu focuses on Californian cuisine with Korean flare including dishes like kimchi fried rice, loco moco, and a soft shell crab sandwich.
MARINA – Tablehopper brings word of a new oyster and seafood spot opening the week of February 27 on Chestnut Street in the Marina. Popi’s Oysterette has less than two dozen seats inside and about the same outside and comes from chef Melissa Perfit, formerly executive chef at Sister in Oakland. On the menu: oysters, crudo, caviar, fish and chips, and, of course, cioppino.
OAKLAND — Popular French restaurant mini-chain Left Bank Brasserie has sailed into Jack London Square with a new outpost at 5 Webster Street in Oakland. Head to the chic Parisian bistro-inspired spot for seafood platters, French onion soup, and moule frites.
OAKLAND — The former Thai Corner Express Gai space in Uptown Oakland now houses a new restaurant: Noi Street Food. East Bay Nosh reports the small spot serves “steamed and marinated chicken and rice, curries, fried rice, noodle dishes and soups.”
LIVERMORE — St. John’s Soul Food is a new family-run soul food restaurant now open at 1524 North Vasco Road in Livermore. The menu spans gumbo, oxtails, fried chicken, and fried fish, offered with sides including mac and cheese, greens, and black-eyed peas, per the Mercury News.
SUNNYVALE — There’s a new destination on the Peninsula for gin lovers. Palo Alto Online reports the aptly named Gin Bar is open every day from 5 to 11 p.m. and offers “more than 150 bottles of the spirit that focuses on unique small-batch producers from around the state and world.” The bar is located inside the new AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park.
ROSEVILLE — According to the Sacramento Bee, Folsom residents have loved Julian’s Patisserie and Cafe for its cinnamon rolls, fruit tarts, and cream puffs. Now the bakery has expanded with a sister location called Pastry Nouveau in Roseville, at Eureka Ridge Plaza. Unlike the original location, there will be no sandwiches and salads, but expect fresh pastries and coffee from Kingdom Coffee Roasters in Folsom.
February 14
SOMA — Hi Felicia owner and chef Imana introduced a new natural wine bar called Sluts on February 3. First operating as a pop-up out of her Oakland restaurant, now Sluts is slinging natural wine and convenience store food favorites at 1116 Folsom Street, in a space complete with naked garden statues, blue light chandeliers, and a stripper pole.
SOMA — Fans of Richmond dim sum spot Hong Kong Lounge II were saddened when the restaurant burned down following a gas line explosion in 2019. Now owner Annie Ho has opened a new restaurant in SoMa dubbed HK Lounge Bistro, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The new spot opened Friday, February 10 at 1136 Folsom Street, serving Cantonese lunch and dinner with a “similar menu” to the original restaurant, the newspaper reports.
POLK GULCH — Coffee purveyor Saint Frank is branching out into food with its recently opened Polk Street bakery, Juniper. It’s led by a team of fine-dining pastry chefs and serves a choux-focused menu meant to pair with Saint Frank’s top-notch coffees. Expect sweet and savory pastry options, breakfast sandwiches, and more; there are also plans to expand to brunch and offer sparkling wine and made-in-house ice cream at the 1401 Polk Street spot.
COW HOLLOW — The minds behind Il Casaro, Barbara Pinseria and Cocktail Bar, and California Fish Market Restaurant have expanded with the new Casaro Osteria open at 2136 Union Street, Tablehopper reports. Expect new and favorite Neapolitan-style pizzas (similar to Il Casaro’s pies), antipasti, a crudo bar, and a homemade pasta menu. The restaurant is open starting Wednesday, February 15.
EMERYVILLE — Mini golf enthusiasts might enjoy some time at the new Tipsy Putt at Emeryville’s Bay Street shopping center. The new venue features a Bay Area-themed, nine-hole mini golf area and board games, along with 40 drinks on tap and an upscale “speakeasy” bar.
BERKELEY — If burgers and chopped cheese sound like a pairing made in heaven, then Berserk Burger in Berkeley might be the place for you. SFGATE has the story on the new University Avenue spot and the East Coast specialty dish.
OAKLAND — San Francisco’s United Dumplings is expanding across the bridge with a third location in Rockridge at 6247 College Avenue, Hoodline reports. Expect United Dumplings's unique mix of traditional and not-so-traditional dumplings to lead the menu.
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Vida Tapas is the latest restaurant from the owner of San Francisco’s Doppio Zero, landing in Mountain View and serving Spanish tapas, paellas, pulpo, and Basque cheesecake. There’s also a robust cocktail menu that focuses on mezcal and gin.
ROSEVILLE — A new restaurant has cropped up in downtown Roseville, giving guests the full “speakeasy” experience — think a hidden entrance, password, and a dress code, the Sacramento Bee reports. Daniellos is the new 5,000-square-foot space from chef Michael McDermott featuring “whimsical dishes” and a tasting menu that changes monthly.
February 7
UNION SQUARE — Mr. Charlie’s, the vegan anti-fast food restaurant from Los Angeles, opened on Market Street on January 21. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the outlet for Not Chicken nuggets is right across the street from a McDonald’s location on Sutter Street.
INNER SUNSET — Third Culture Bakery opened its newest bakery on Irving Street. The grand opening party is both Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, complete with strawberry lychee mimosas and lion dancers on Saturday morning. The mochi empire takes over a former ghost kitchen space next door to wine bar Red Tail at 549 Irving Street.
MISSION BAY — Mission Bay Wine Bar opened across the street from Chase Center inside the larger Thrive City complex. An extension of Mission Bay Wine & Cheese at 114 Channel Street, the shop will serve as an outlet for wine, yes, but also beer, sake, charcuterie board goodies, and more.
MISSION BAY — Ballast Point Brewing Co. is opening its newest taproom in San Francisco. The craft beer giant is prepping for the official grand opening of its sixth location, and first in Northern California, at the base of Mission Bay’s Icona:Labs building on Owens Street. The roughly 12,000-square-foot taproom and kitchen will open to the public on Tuesday, February 21 with a pre-grand opening “Raise the Mast” party during SF Beer Week on Thursday, February 16th, from 4 to 10 p.m.
SAN MATEO — A Peninsula go-to for seafood and steaks, Porterhouse has reopened in a 1924 bank vault. The restaurant, opened in 2007 by Hamdi “Bruno” Ugur, moved to its new location at 164 South B Street after a brief January closure. The San Mateo Daily Journal reports Mayor Amourence Lee welcomed the restaurant to the historic building in hopes it will revitalize the space.
SAN MATEO — Kaijikin, a go-to for abura ramen lovers throughout Japan, is opening its first location in the United States on Wednesday, February 8. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the brothless ramen style is less common than most, and the new restaurant at 112 South B Street will be the Bay’s only shop dedicated to abura.
CAMPBELL – Humphrey Slocombe, the San Francisco ice cream favorite that just secured a massive new production space, will open its newest scoop shop in the Pruneyard Shopping Center on Tuesday, February 28. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there’ll be free ice cream with suggested donations going to food security nonprofit Project Open Hand.
January 31
SOMA — Boochmania arrived in SoMa from the same team behind Berkeley’s Boochman Kombucha. It’s a small cafe serving lentil miso burgers and hummus, plus a range of fermented beverages including kombucha, of course.
EAST CUT — Downtown residents can get high-end wines from France and Napa Valley at the new Mili Wine Bar, located on the ground floor of the Mira luxury apartment building near the Embarcadero. The Chronicle reports owner Shubhra Sarkar is a first-time bar owner who fell in love with wine during her global travels. Mili’s wine list includes pricey pours like a $75 glass of Chablis and a $90 glass of Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
MISSION BAY — Backed by a team of San Francisco bar and restaurant industry pros, Cavaña touches down atop the 17-story Luma Hotel in Mission Bay on February 2. The rooftop bar offers cocktails and food inspired by Latin America — think cocktails made with Venezuelan rum and coconut, Peruvian pisco acholado and papaya, and flaky Brazilian pastels.
MISSION — Piglet & Co, the long-awaited restaurant from chef Chris Yang and partner Marcelle Gonzales Yang, quietly opened its doors in the Mission. For now, there’s a tight menu — as previewed by the San Francisco Chronicle — of non-traditional Taiwanese street food-inspired plates and non-alcoholic beverages. The restaurant begins brunch service on Sunday, February 12 and currently serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
INNER SUNSET — Third Culture Bakery has officially arrived in the Inner Sunset and will celebrate the grand opening of its latest outpost at 549 Irving Street on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12. Look forward to matcha drinks and mochi muffins.
BERKELEY — Mind Coffee, a “specialty coffee shop dedicated to spreading mental health awareness,” according to the business website, opens on February 7 at 1816 Euclid Avenue in Berkeley.
OAKLAND — Self-taught bagel master Reesa Kashuk will open the first permanent home for her business Poppy Bagels on Thursday, February 2, the Chronicle reports. Located at 5004 Telegraph Avenue, the shop will serve not only loose bagels, but also sandwiches stacked with ingredients like local honey, Nova lox, and whitefish salad.
OAKLAND — Dave’s Hot Chicken, the ever-growing hot chicken chain backed in part by Canadian rapper and actor Drake, opened a new restaurant in Oakland, East Bay Nosh reports. Head to 2228 Broadway at Grand Avenue for chicken so hot it’ll make your eyes water.
FOLSOM — Tao’s Hotpot and Shabu owner Taobo He didn’t plan to open an all-you-can-eat hot pot restaurant when he immigrated to the U.S. from China. But the Sacramento Bee reports he found his passion for cooking while studying mechanical engineering at Sacramento State. His new restaurant at 510 Natoma Station Drive serves lunch and dinner seven days a week.
January 24
EMBARCADERO — After nine years as a catering outfit, La Cocina incubator program graduate Peaches Patties opened its first-ever storefront at the Ferry Building. Owner Shani Jones is serving three types of patties, as well as jerk chicken with plantains, beans, and rice, and Rastafarian Stew, a vegetarian option with black beans, chickpeas, and diced tomatoes.
MARINA and SOMA — Mins Group is expanding yet again with the addition of, not one, but two new sake and wine bars, Dento Union and Dento Coffee & Wine. Dento Union opened in mid-January on Union Street with a lengthy list of sake and wine, along with a bites menu and plans to expand into brunch. Meanwhile, Dento Coffee & Wine opened across town in SoMa on Folsom Street with coffee to start, before adding on a food menu to accompany the sake and Champagne bar that will start up in the evenings on February 1.
UNION SQUARE — A Thailand-based restaurateur brings her style of Thai khao gaeng-style food to Union Square with her new restaurant Hed. Expect Isaan and Northern Thailand dishes at this new spot located at 88 Hardie Place.
MISSION — Mission bar Buddy now has a new friend in sister space, House of Seiko, an art gallery just two doors down from the bar favorite. Opened by Buddy founder and beverage director, Nick Torres, and co-owned by Cole Solinger, House of Seiko will feature six- to seven-week exhibitions of artists and group shows.
MISSION — It’s not quite an opening, but Mission restaurant Luna recently overhauled its menu with the help of new executive chef Michelle Mathews. Luna debuted its new menu January 20, kicking the brasserie concept to the curb and reimagining itself as a restaurant for the neighborhood.
MISSION — Dumpling Club gained a reputation for its unique style of small-batch dumplings stuffed with seasonal, not-so-traditional fillings. The business recently expanded to a Mission storefront, which open January 20, and acts as a multi-functional space for customers to pre-order and pick up frozen dumplings, take cooking classes, or purchase food- and dumpling-related items such as sauces, cookbooks, and ceramics.
MISSION BAY — An excited Eater SF tipster shared the news that Somisomi — the dessert shop known for its fish-shaped waffle cones called taiyaki filled with soft serve ice cream — has made its way to the city. Get your ah-boong fix in Mission Bay on 4th Street.
DOGPATCH — San Francisco bakery Butter& opened the doors to its new space in Dogpatch on January 21, with new offerings on the menu. Along with serving as a pickup spot for pre-ordered cakes, the bakery is also offering single-serving cakes and a new “breakfast cake,” a round frittata filled with vegetables, bacon, and topped with piped mashed potatoes.
OAKLAND — New “contemporary Colombian” restaurant Parche opened on Broadway in Oakland on January 13. The menu centers around small plates and shareable items, such as build-your-own ceviches, arepas, and stuffed yuca fritters.
ORINDA — The owners of Anya’s Deli in Berkeley opened another restaurant, this time in Orinda, the Mercury News reports. Anya’s Kitchen debuted in late December, serving items such as lamb and seafood biryanis, chicken vindaloo, and extensive vegetarian options like paneer tikka masala.
SAN RAFAEL — The new SANkorean Cafe in San Rafael is Monica Chang’s expansion of her wholesale food business into a restaurant, the Marin Independent Journal reports. The cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch, serving banh mi, rice bowls, bi bim bap, and cheese and scallion breakfast burritos.
MENLO PARK — The Springline development will see an influx of restaurants open this coming year, but chef Greg Kuzia-Carmel will be the first to open with his restaurant Canteen. The San Francisco Chronicle reports Canteen will throw open its doors on January 25, focusing on shareable snacks inspired by coastal European cities including San Sebastian and Lisbon.
ELK GROVE — Indian fast-casual restaurant Curry Up Now is set to open its latest location on January 28 in Elk Grove, nestled inside the Ridge Shopping Center. And yes, the “Sexy Fries” and “Naughty Naan” will be on the menu.
January 17
BERKELEY — East Bay diners welcomed the latest outpost of Curry Pizza House on January 18, when the restaurant celebrated its grand opening at 2380 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. The restaurant, which also has locations across the South Bay, serves pizza, appetizers, and sides with Indian influences. Think curry chicken masala pizza and chicken wings marinated in tikka spices.
SANTA CLARA — Palo Alto Online reports a second location of Shawarmaji is now open in Santa Clara. The restaurant serves “Jordan-style street food” including chicken shawarma wraps, vegan falafel, and sides including tabouleh and tahini salads.
ELK GROVE — Chef Willie Ng’s Palette Group officially opened the doors to its latest outpost of dim sum destination Dragon Beaux at Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento. Known for its legendary dim sum, the restaurant joins Palette Group’s Koi Palace, a fast-casual dining option inside the casino’s food court.
SACRAMENTO — Hand rolls continue to proliferate across the Bay Area with the opening of Kinjo Hand Roll Bar in midtown Sacramento. The Bee reports the restaurant opened on January 10 and comes from owner Dennis Ng, who also owns a sushi restaurant in the area.
ROSEVILLE — Also from the Bee comes news of Moksa Barrel House, a collaboration between the teams behind East Sacramento restaurant Hawks and Moksa Brewing Co. in Rocklin. Star menu items include a $9 burger and $7 chicken tenders.
January 10
UNION SQUARE — Beacon Lounge in the Beacon Grand Hotel in Union Square added breakfast and dinner to go alongside the powerful fireside drinks it’s been serving since opening. In mid-December, the lounge began offering new American fare by night and eggs Benedict by morning.
INNER SUNSET — Inle Burmese Cuisine, a Church Street favorite, opened the doors on its second location the first week of January to much fanfare. The restaurant took over the longtime defunct Patxi’s location at 822 Irving Street, though what will become of the outdoor parklet remains to be seen.
INNER SUNSET — Kothai Republic opened on 9th Avenue and Judah Street in the first week of January, too. The San Francisco Standard reports friends and owners Sung Park and Gof Sanguanwong ran Spork and Stix before opening their new Korean and Thai restaurant in the Inner Sunset.
OUTER SUNSET — Gao Viet Kitchen, the popular San Mateo Vietnamese restaurant, just opened its first San Francisco location in December. The Instagram famous destination for Phozilla took over the corner of 20th and Irving Streets with its second outpost.
OAKLAND — Kitava opened its Temescal location on January 9 at 375 40th Street in Oakland. Fans can expect a similar menu to its Mission District location, though this new outpost also features 22 beverage taps with gluten-free beer, cider, kombucha, and low-intervention wine options.
MILLBRAE — Miyuki and Koji Murakami’s much-anticipated kaiseki restaurant Hana Izumi will open on January 17 at 293 El Camino Real. The Mercury News reports chef Koji spent two decades as executive chef and general manager at San Francisco’s Sanraku.
PALO ALTO — Graduate, the restored Hotel President at 488 University Avenue, just opened on January 9. The hotel plays host to two restaurants: Lou & Herbert’s, a lobby level all-day cafe, that’s already open, and rooftop bar President’s Terrace, which will open later in January.
EL CERRITO — Antojitos Guatemaltecos opened in December, bringing traditional Guatemalan dishes including estofada de res and Pollo Campero-esque fried chicken. KQED reports the owners, the Aguilar family, have built quite the fanbase by selling tamales in the Richmond area.
SAN RAFAEL — Café Villa just opened at 1602 Lincoln Avenue from the same owners as the Villa Inn. The Marin Independent Journal reports the restaurant’s chef de cuisine, David Sypnicki, cut his teeth at popular Portland restaurant Caffe Mingo.
SANTA CLARA — Mendocino Farms will open on Tuesday, January 17 in Santa Clara. At the grand opening, customers will have a chance to win a catered lunch for their office, and half of the proceeds will benefit No Kid Hungry. Another location of the sprawling business will open in Walnut Creek later in 2023.
January 3
CASTRO — Hoodline reports that Mr. Hen Chicken Rice & Noodles will open at 4039 18th Street in the Castro on January 4. The restaurant takes over the space most recently occupied by Rooster & Rice, which closed in late December. According to Hoodline, the newcomer comes from the owners of Hungry Hub, a pop-up Thai restaurant which has been running out of the space since March 2022. Mr. Hen will not serve Thai food, a representative tells Hoodline, just chicken and rice.
BERKELEY — The south Berkeley space at 2969 Shattuck Avenue, which was previously home to Sesame, a Tiny Bakery, has reopened as the first Berkeley outpost of rapidly expanding chain Mochinut. Look for the standard menu of mochi doughnuts, boba, and Korean corn dogs, according to East Bay Nosh.
SAN MATEO — There’s a new destination for Argentine alfajores, savory empanadas, and other baked goods as of December 18. Lolita Artisinal Bakery-Cafe opened its doors at 3790 South El Camino Real, Suite 101, joining a much-smaller existing location in the Hillsdale Shopping Center. At 1,500 square feet, this new bakery has its own production space and seating, the San Mateo Daily Journal reports.
REDWOOD CITY — State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria debuted its third location in Redwood City’s Marsh Manor shopping center in late December. Palo Alto Online reports the new outpost is most similar to the restaurant in Los Altos, offering pinball machines and a menu of pizzas, salads, wings, and appetizers.
SACRAMENTO — The northeastern Sacramento suburb of Orangevale has a new beer spot: Mode Brewing opened in December at 9110 Greenback Lane, the Bee reports. It’s from the owners of Pasta a la Mode, which is now the in-house food truck. Pair pizzas and fusion pastas like a carnitas-topped fettucini with a coffee porter, cream ale, or IPA.