/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72147421/831edf70_0a0b_11ed_aadf_59b3749e9680_1024.56.jpg)
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.
May 30
MISSION — Newcomer Dosa Corner will take over the former AL’s Place location at 1499 Valencia Street. The San Francisco Standard writes the restaurant will open on June 1 serving alcohol and South Indian fare. AL’s Place closed in August 2022 after seven years of critical acclaim.
LOS GATOS — Denise and Mike Thornberry may have opened Tasting House in 2022, but the couple just expanded their bistro with a 10-seat bar. Dubbed the Champagne Bar, the addition opened on May 26 for fans of everyday luxury, caviar, and flights of champagne.
BERKELEY — The Cheese Steak Shop closed at its University Avenue location in 2021. Thankfully, the local Philly cheesesteak destination reopened its Berkeley outpost in mid-May at 2025 Kala Bagai Way. East Bay Nosh writes the Bay Area business began in 1982 when two East Coast expats wanted to bring a slice of the jawn life to California.
PINOLE — The ube buko pie extraordinaires at Sweet Pipers are opening their first permanent location in the East Bay after decades of baking Filipino pastry treats. Known for their showings at 7 Mile House’s Ube BakeOff, the business will host its soft opening on Sunday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2352 San Pablo Avenue.
SANTA CLARA — Croissante, a new stylish bakery at 2908 El Camino Real #100, will open on May 31. Fans can anticipate, you guessed it, a host of flaky croissants, tarts, and puff pastries.
GUERNEVILLE — Longtime destination for gay and queer resort-goers Fife’s closed in 2019 after flooding forced the business to shutter. Now, the San Francisco Chronicle writes the location at 16467 CA-116 has reopened as Dawn Ranch with Argentinian chef Fernando Trocca at the helm.
LARKSPUR — Seattle ice cream wunderkind Frankie & Jo’s is bringing its vegan, gluten-free scoops to the Bay Area. The business will open its first outpost outside of the PNW in the Marin Country Mart on June 21.
May 23
HAIGHT — Not only did Amal’s Deli on the corner of Haight and Masonic streets not close, it reopened with a sleek remodel and more space than ever. The business stays open until midnight doling out sandwiches, gyros, and snacks of every stripe.
DIVISADERO — Katsuo + Kombu will open on San Francisco’s dividing line thanks to chefs Jiro Lin and Takashi Saito. Tablehopper tipped readers off to the Pizzadero Slice House replacement, but the Chronicle provides a deeper dive into the Fukuoka-style udon shop.
BAYVIEW — San Francisco’s newest Egyptian restaurant Hungry Cafe opened in the mighty large Southeast Community Center. The in-house restaurant keeps prices accessible, which makes sense as Dragonspunk’s community-centric farmers market will open right outside in early June.
OUTER SUNSET — One of the most anticipated openings in 2023 swung its doors open at long last. Daymoon with its green facade and Linea coffee doles out bread, cookies, and cocoa carrot cake to neighbors. Adhering to the timeless adage “show don’t tell,” the team prefers that locals experience Daymoon for themselves rather than crow about their handiwork.
MARINA — Bobby Hoissan will park his Phat Thai food truck to open the business’s first permanent location. The San Francisco-born-and-raised entrepreneur will serve all the food truck’s rotating specials every single day, and bring in draft beer and soju, too. The first day of service is June 3, just in time for the Union Street Festival.
OAKLAND — Longtime East Bay coffee roasting innovator Mr. Espresso opened its gorgeous, redwood shop dubbed the Caffe, on May 22. The pastries and food are no joke, and there are signature coffee drinks including the ultra-strong “sugo,” which translates to sauce or juice in Italian.
ALAMEDA — Pita and falafel chain Hummus Republic has come to yet another pocket of the Bay Area. The newest location at 2402 Central Avenue brings its menu of now-familiar favorites to Alameda.
FAIRFAX — From HenHouse Brewing Company comes gastropub West County Pub. The reopening is set for June 9 at 765 Center Boulevard, and all the food at this outpost comes from executive chef Lauren Garcia who cut her teeth at upscale dining restaurant the Slanted Door.
PALO ALTO — Santa Cruz’s favorite ice cream shop Penny Ice Creamery will open a new location in Palo Alto at the Town & Country Village. The local outfit will also open a new outpost in the Street Market food hall in Los Altos. Both locations are expected to open in late spring 2023.
PALO ALTO — On May 25 Pho Ha Noi opened its 185 University Avenue location, bringing its powerhouse Vietnamese food and fanbase to Palo Alto. The Chronicle writes owner Helen Nguyen is surprised by how popular her bowls of beef pho are; the business will open locations in Milpitas and Fremont next year.
May 16
MISSION BAY — The couple behind Dogpatch restaurant Ungrafted opened their newest venture, GluGlu, in a high-profile location at Thrive City next to the Chase Center on Friday, May 14. Chef David Aviles created a menu filled with what the team calls “easygoing dishes” influenced by Mediterranean flavors. Meanwhile, the wine menu is a global one focusing on sustainable farming practices. There are also beer, sake, and cider offerings.
OAKLAND — Pasta pop-up Sfizio moved into its permanent location in Rockridge and debuted on Wednesday, May 10, serving fresh pasta at affordable prices. The menu is tight, with three to four options each for starters and main courses, and nothing priced over $16. The wine list is also brief, but doesn’t venture much past the $12 mark, and features lesser-known varietals from Italy alongside three low-ABV cocktails centered around vermouth.
OAKLAND — The owners of Oakland’s Port Bar have opened up another downtown destination with Fluid510, a nightclub located on Broadway that opens on Thursday, May 20. It’s meant to be an inclusive space for locals and serves drinks and a food menu created by chef Alessandro Campitelli, formerly of Contrasto in Oakland, with plans to expand to weekend brunch by summer.
REDWOOD CITY — Cyclismo closed down last year, but Palo Alto Online caught the news that the owners revived the cafe as Cyclismo Mini Cafe in downtown Redwood City — with help from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The group reached out to Cyclismo owners Jihan Bayyari and her husband to offer the use of a shipping container to run their cafe. The new space opened in March.
SAN LEANDRO — Beloved San Leandro bar Ricky’s has gotten a second lease on life thanks to Ramonn Smith, who purchased the business from Tina Ricardo, widow of former owner (and bar namesake) Ricky Ricardo. The bar, which now goes by the name Rickey’s Sports Lounge, underwent some changes, the Mercury News reports, such as the removal of the football jerseys and a remodel. But it’s still a sports bar at heart with 40 TVs installed to watch the latest games.
NOVATO — New meat- and beer-centric restaurant Blazers Smokehouse & Beer Garden opens in Novato on Saturday, May 20 from restaurateur Erick Hendricks and partner Keri, the Marin Independent Journal reports. Expect pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken po’boys, and St. Louis ribs served with housemade sauces and slaw.
SACRAMENTO — Chef Jeff Taylor’s popular cheesecakes have landed a permanent home in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons, and now the (appropriately named) Cakes by Jeff the Chef is set to open Saturday, May 27, the Sacramento Bee reports. Expect a variety of cheesecakes, including LV Pistachio and Banana Pudding, with the option for a flight of cheesecakes to start later.
May 9
LOWER HAIGHT — Haight Street’s Dumpling Union threw a grand opening banner on its freshly-painted blue walls for the first weekend in May. The restaurant at 598 Haight Street boasts a large, well-lit dining room, and 8-piece dumpling orders for $11.
MISSION — Tala Drzewiecki is a former techie turned wine importer and entrepreneur born and raised in Oakland. Now, the San Francisco Standard writes she’s opening Tala Wine at 4625 Mission Street on June 17 to show off her love of French, Spanish, and Italian natural wines.
MISSION — Tacos del Barrio just took over for the legendary 100-year-old Roosevelt Tamale Parlor on 24th Street. The owners are two pals who grew up in Mexico City — Hector Ordaz and Norberto Granillo — and the new shop celebrates its grand opening on May 5.
HAYES VALLEY — Hailing from Michelin-starred Sons & Daughters, chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang are together launching their own fine dining establishment, Kiln. Their new restaurant is situated near the corner of Fell and Franklin streets, in the former Cala space, and while details are sparse so far, the restaurant will offer two tasting menus each night, one for $225 and an abbreviated menu for $135, starting Tuesday, May 16.
NORTH BEACH — The long-anticipated reopening of the much-loved Park Tavern is slated for May 14. The Chronicle reports owner Anna Weinberg worked with designer Ken Fulk, the same designer mind behind Boulevard and other local restaurants, and tapped chef Marco Cerruti, formerly of the Ellwood in Santa Barbara, to helm the kitchen.
BERKELEY — Espresso Roma is no more, and relative East Bay newcomer Cafenated took over the space on May 6. East Bay Nosh writes owners Mak and Parisa Jamasbi roast coffee grown by women, primarily from Guatemala, before expanding to sourcing South American and African coffees, too.
MENLO PARK — Joining Proper Food, Che Fico, and more, Andytown Coffee Roasters is opening its newest cafe on Saturday, May 27 in the Springline complex. After the opening day, the shop will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 2
BAYVIEW — After announcing its first permanent location in fall 2022, Gumbo Social’s opening day is set for June 3. Owner Dontaye Ball will bring in a second-line band for the grand opening event and is already promising customizable gumbo and decadent po’ boys.
PARKSIDE — Far From Paradise Cafe opened on April 20 bringing malasadas and build-your-own shave ice to Ocean Avenue.
OAKLAND — Co-owners Mike Raskin and Jeffrey Wright are bringing dynamite dessert to the Town’s nightlife with their new dessert shop Edith’s Pie. The two opened the business on April 29 and already are dishing up chocolate chess and banana cream pie from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
OAKLAND — Bocanova, a favorite for Latin American cuisine in Jack London Square, reopened in a new home after six years. On April 10 the business opened its doors at 1111 Broadway with expanded breakfast offerings and a vibrant color palette and mural on the walls.
EL CERRITO — After more than two years of trying to launch, Claire Sullivan and Devin Hohler finally swung open the doors to their wine bar Banter. The natural wine-focused shop opening in El Cerrito bodes well for the bar scene of the otherwise quiet town; Sullivan brings years at Chez Panisse and Alice Waters tutelage to bear at the new business.
RICHMOND — Sailing Goat, the Point San Pablo Harbor restaurant taking over the former Black Star Pirate BBQ location, opened on April 28. East Bay Nosh writes owner Arnon Oren will dish up pizzas, curries and stews, and boatloads of beer and wine.
WALNUT CREEK — Avocado coffee and sambal come out of the woodworks at Southeast Asian powerhouse SanDai. The Chronicle writes chef Nora Haron puts Nusataran cuisine on full display at the upscale restaurant, which opens on May 3. Haron, one of the Bay Area’s most high-profile Singaporean chefs, previous run an IndoMex pop-up, which helped put her and her seasonal and ingredient-driven Southeast Asian cooking on the map.
MENLO PARK — Proper Food opened its newest location on May 2 at the still-unrolling Springline development. The parfait and power lunch dealers open in the complex alongside San Francisco superstars Che Fico, Robin, and Andytown.
HEALDSBURG — PizZando, which is tucked within the Hotel Healdsburg and closed during the hotel’s renovations, reopened in the first week of April. There’s a larger dining room, a new bar, and expanded food offerings including a squid ink linguini.
April 24
NORTH BEACH — After opening in mid-Market in 2016, Waystone was forced to close during the pandemic. But now after three years shuttered, the wine bar has returned in a new space in North Beach. The reopening will see much of what made Waystone a wine bar favorite, such as carefully selected wines from co-owner Tom Patella and bites from chef and co-owner Billy Riordan. The wine bar is now operating in the former Barrio space on Powell Street.
OUTER SUNSET — Asian fusion restaurant Mango Medley has moved and reopened at 3911 Judah Street, serving its menu of baked rice dishes, baked spaghetti dishes, and Asian desserts.
OAKLAND — After quite a few delays, Oakland’s Town Bar & Lounge made its debut on Thursday, April 20, according to East Bay Nosh. The new LGBTQIA+ bar, which is located in the historic I. Magnum building downtown, will feature a drink menu from Hello Stranger’s Oscar Sinisterra and a custom sound system perfect for dancing.
BERKELEY — Those who love both poutine and shawarma should probably take note of the opening of Berkeley’s new My-O-My Shawarma. East Bay Nosh caught the quiet opening of the “Canadian-inspired shawarma” shop on Euclid Avenue, which debuted April 3.
OAKLAND — East Bay Nosh also lifted the curtain (so to speak) on the opening of Otto’s Uptown Kitchen, an all-new, all-day cafe — the latest in a string of all-day cafes that have opened recently — on the ground floor of Kissel Uptown Oakland. It makes sense, given the visitors staying at the hotel, so expect the full roster of food from breakfast fare like avocado toast to classic, drinkable cocktails like the Corpse Reviver No. 2.
SACRAMENTO — After enduring a fire in 2019 and shuttering a second location in 2021, it seems that Shoki Ramen House is finally back, the Sacramento Bee reports. The restaurant has been operating as a food truck as construction was finished on the burned-down building, but now as of this past weekend, owners Yasushi and Kathy Ueyama are welcoming customers back to 2530 21st Street.
April 18
LOWER PAC HEIGHTS — Not too many restaurants have the chance for a comeback, yet well-loved Pac Heights restaurant Gourmet Carousel seems to have overcome the odds. The Ko family sold the business in July 2022 after 38 years, but as of this month, the restaurant is back up and running again under the next generation of Ko family members. The full menu is also restored, including favorites such as the deluxe won ton soup and pot stickers.
MARINA — Those looking to add a bit of whimsy to their cocktails might want to check out the upcoming new Marina bar, Rendezvous. Here, one can expect serious cocktails with playful glassware, such as a tequila number that comes served in a bong. There is also a food menu available as well, with plans to host pop-ups in the coming months. Rendezvous officially opens on Thursday, April 20.
SAUSALITO — Show de Carnes Brazilian Steakhouse opened in the Marin Gateway Shopping Center in early April and the Marin Independent Journal caught the news. The churrascaria, or, “meat show” in the case of this business name, features a salad and sides buffet bar and 17 cuts of meat and seafood sliced tableside at this all-you-can-eat experience. An a la carte menu is also available at a separate bar area if one prefers to not succumb to an AYCE meat coma.
SAUSALITO — The Marin Independent Journal also got the info on Gallo Rosso Italian Steakhouse, which opened in March. It’s a steakhouse of a different kind, this one featuring pastas and risottos alongside heartier items such as bone-in ribeye and Canadian lobster cioppino.
SACRAMENTO — Industry vets Phuong Tran and Seoyeon Oh opened a new Sacramento diner dubbed Southside Super, specializing in both Vietnamese and Korean dishes, the Sacramento Bee reports. It’s not fusion, but instead items such as kimbap and free-range chicken pho share space on the menu together.
April 12
CIVIC CENTER — The former Equator Coffee space at 986 Market Street near the Warfield is now home to IcenTea, a boba tea and coffee shop.
TENDERLOIN — As of Saturday, April 15, there’s a new underground bar serving “classic cocktails made with Asian spirits and ingredients,” per the San Francisco Chronicle. Called Felix, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar lives underneath hit Vietnamese restaurant Bodega, which opened last year near Union Square.
HAIGHT — As announced on Instagram, much-anticipated muffuletta shop Sandy’s opens its doors on Haight Street on Thursday, April 20. For the first week of business, the menu will offer “meat and mushroom muffulettas, cookies, coleslaw, chips, and beverages.” Head over to the Sandy’s website to place a pre-order.
MISSION — San Francisco has a new Tunisian restaurant in Gola, the Valencia Street spot from owner Rafik Bouzidi who previously ran Union Square’s Mediterranean restaurant La Marsa. Now the Chronicle reports the restaurant will officially open on Wednesday, April 19 serving a menu that includes “halal lamb with vegetables, chicken with herbs and a seafood-tomato stew with octopus, clams, mussels and shrimp.”
INNER SUNSET — After announcing plans to close last fall and then staying open for an additional few months, it seems Midnite Bagel’s Sunset shop has officially sliced its final bagels. In its place, Bahn Mi Crunch is now serving Vietnamese sandwiches, appetizers like egg rolls and chicken wings, and coffee.
OUTER RICHMOND — The soft opening of Wine Bar by Cassava, the spinoff of North Beach restaurant Cassava, is set for Thursday, April 20, with service running Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. The bar will pour wine, sake, and beer to be paired with a short, savory food menu. It’s moving into the Balboa Street space Cassava occupied for a decade before its move last year.
OAKLAND — Hit East Bay pie pop-up Edith’s Pie will begin serving slices of pie and glasses of bubbles at 412 22nd Street, in the former home of Taiwan Bento, on Saturday, April 29. There’s a full menu of sweet and savory pies, including some of the recipes made popular during the last three years but also new menu items like breakfast hand pies, quiches, and a list of low-ABV cocktails to pair with your meal.
OAKLAND — Bay Area-born food truck turned fast-growing restaurant mini-chain Senor Sisig debuts its new Oakland outpost on Friday, April 14 bringing big cantina vibes to the East Bay. The menu still includes all the classic offerings including sisig-stuffed burritos but this location also has a cocktail menu and an expanded selection of sharable plates like the Lechon Kawali Plato and sisig lumpia.
OAKLAND — Mother Tongue Coffee founder Jen Apodaca has been roasting beans since 2005 but only gave their business a permanent cafe space as of this month. On April 5, Mother Tongue opened a coffee shop and cocktail bar in Oakland’s Jewel Box neighborhood, taking over the space previously occupied by the Lede.
OAKLAND — Bocanova Cocina Panamericana, a new Latin restaurant from chef Rick Hackett (previously Oliveto, MarketBar, Enrico’s), has opened at 1111 Broadway in Oakland, East Bay Nosh reports. The offerings include “a dedicated bar menu and, notably, weekday breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch as well as dinner nightly.”
NEWARK — Pie Dreams, a cottage bakery specializing in — you guessed it — pie, has a new storefront at 5855D Jarvis Avenue in Newark. Check out the menu of sweet and savory pies on the business website.
April 4
FIDI — Tip one back at downtown San Francisco’s new nature-inspired cocktail bar, Heartwood, which opens its doors at 531 Commercial Street on April 4. The bar and restaurant comes from the folks behind Mission cocktail spot the Beehive and FiDi’s the Treasury and the drink list includes a plethora of herbal and fruity flavors while the food menu spans sandwiches, salads, sliders, and even pigs in a blanket. Take a peek into the woodsy space here.
UNION SQUARE — As of Monday, April 3, longtime downtown watering hole Lark Bar has moved into a new home at 685 Market Street, inside the Monadnock Building. It’s not a far walk — in fact, the new space is just around the corner from the previous location — but it does give the bar a more high-profile storefront off Market Street itself. Stay tuned later this week for more details about the fresh space.
DOGPATCH — Bandit, the Tenderloin spot known for serving some of San Francisco’s best breakfast sandwiches, has opened its second outpost in the Dogpatch neighborhood. The new restaurant opened Wednesday, March 29 at 632 20th Street, Tablehopper reported.
BAYVIEW — Historic bakery La Victoria has been selling fresh pan dulce in the Mission for decades now, but as of four years ago, the reborn business shifted production to a facility in the Bayview. Now they’re rolling open the doors for retail sales at the 1565 Kirkwood Avenue bakery, meaning fans can swing by for conchas and polvoron.
EMERYVILLE — As of Friday, March 31, El Meson de Violeta has opened at the La Cocina pop-up kiosk at Public Market Emeryville. The business comes from entrepreneur and chef Carmen Figueroa, who will be selling “handmade Chilean empanadas in traditional beef, spicy chicken, and vegan fillings with a variety of other seasonally-inspired rotating flavors,” per a press announcement. Other menu items include apple empanadas, alfajores, and tortas de hojarasca. The kiosk is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SUNNYVALE — Xiaoman has been selling Taiwanese breakfast out of South Bay ghost kitchens since 2021, but the Chronicle reports the restaurant landed a permanent space at 573 East El Camino Real in Sunnyvale where fans can order fan tuan for takeout or delivery only.
SAN JOSE — Also from the Chronicle comes news of what the paper’s billing as San Jose’s first natural wine bar. Goodtime Bar, located at 30 East Santa Clara Street, #160, brings many of the elements made popular by other Bay Area natural wine bars (think non-traditional drinking vessels and glittery disco ball decor — even citrus-topped oysters) to the area.
AMADOR — The historic Imperial Hotel in California’s tiniest town, Amador City, reopens on April 13, and with the hotel’s debut comes a new restaurant headed up by executive chef Max Benson and consulting chef Michael Evans. The 130-seat restaurant and bar will serve a five-course tasting menu ($75) with options for a wine pairing ($45) or nonalcohlic beverage pairing ($35). The bar, meanwhile, pours craft cocktails, beer, and wine including the Gold Fashioned (California olive oil fat-washed bourbon, bay leaf demerara sugar, aromatic bitters) and a rotating clarified milk punch. The restaurant will be open for dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday for brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The bar is open Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.