Berkeley restaurant openings
Adega Azul
06.04.24: The new Westbrae wine shop and bar Adega Azul opened to the public on Thursday, June 6. With the theme of “where wine meets tropical charm,” Adega combines a Brazilian-influenced atmosphere and decor with a mission of making wine more accessible. The shop and bar from Diva Robin, who ran the boutique shop Riveter that previously occupied the same location, also offers Brazilian savory pastries, charcuterie plates and additional small bites sourced from local purveyors, and other beverages including beer, cider and non-alcoholic options. Adega Azul opens June 6 at 1287 Gilman St. in Berkeley. — Tovin Lapan
Cafe Parisien
06.25.24: North Berkeley’s newest little artisanal cafe opened June 25, featuring a bright, narrow, modern counter space with faux-marble-topped cafe tables and a focus on French-style pastries and coffee drinks. What Now SF’s blurb back in March reported the San Francisco industry vet Ahcene Mklat is the owner of the Shattuck Avenue cafe. Cafe Parisien, 1625 Shattuck Ave. (between Virginia and Cedar streets), Berkeley
Headlands Brewing Westbrae
06.19.24: Hotly anticipated since late last year, Westbrae’s comfy, beloved, family- and dog-friendly beer garden reopened under new management this Friday, June 21 and Nosh got the scoop. Eleven-year-old craft brewing company Headlands Brewing has built a solid reputation in Lafayette since opening its first easygoing taproom there in 2021. At the Westbrae location, expect award-winning Headlands flagships on tap as well as small-batch exclusives, guest local brews, wines and ciders. The food leans approachable and gastropubby, from brats to smash burgers to hot pretzels. The space is refreshed, with new features and furnishings, but maintains its outdoor-living-room appeal. Headlands Brewing is also at work on a third beer garden in Walnut Creek slated to open in late 2024. Headlands Brewing Westbrae, 1280 Gilman St., Berkeley
Heads and Tails Barbecue
06.19.24: As promised back when Gaumenkitzel closed earlier this year, the long-loved Berkeley corner restaurant softly reopened as Heads and Tails Barbecue, from operating partners Rick Stolle and Drew Majoulet. However, the restaurant has now temporarily closed through July 20. The new neighborhood bar and barbecue restaurant has a focus on Texas-style slow-smoked meats coupled with California ingredients, tasty-looking fried chicken sandwiches, and plenty of vegetarian-friendly slaws and sides. Expect fun things such as frozen margaritas once the bar and restaurant fully opens. Eater SF has additional details. Heads and Tails Barbecue, 2121 San Pablo Ave. (at Cowper), Berkeley
Jaffa
06.10.24: Jaffa Coffee Roasters, founded in 2022 in Napa, celebrated the grand opening of its flagship cafe in Berkeley Sunday, June 9. The coffee company is operated by the Palestinian-American brothers, Noor, Sami and Majdi Gaith. Expect a range of small-batch roasts in addition to teas, pastries and creative specialty drinks from the cafe named for the ancient port city that is today part of Tel Aviv. Jaffa is now open at 1701 University Ave. in Berkeley. — Tovin Lapan
Noor Indian Fusion Kitchen Berkeley
06.04.24: As of June 7, Berkeley has a new Indian option for dine-in, take-out or delivery in Noor Indian Fusion, whose dining room at the corner of University and Acton is built into the airy, former Bread Workshop/Flour & Co. space. Emeryville and North Oakland locals might recognize the name from the Adeline Food Hall roster, where the woman-owned eatery is a favorite for Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese take-out; there is also a location in San Francisco. Thanks to a reader for the tip. Noor Indian Fusion Kitchen, 1398 University Ave. (at Acton), Berkeley
Vegan ‘N Chicken Berkeley
07.02.24: Last year’s closure of Indus Village Restaurant and adjacent Indus Foods market disrupted food routines for many in west Berkeley, as the Pakistani restaurant and specialty grocery were trusty San Pablo Avenue staples for 18 years. In good news, the team behind El Sobrante’s eight-year-old Pakistani restaurant Vegan ‘N Chicken has taken over the restaurant at 1918 San Pablo Ave., serving an intriguing menu of halal chicken, lamb and beef Pakistani specialties, as well as a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes for take-out and dine-in (including at outdoor tables). Thanks to a reader for the tip. The halal grocery has also now reopened under the name Zara Super Market at 1920 San Pablo Ave., and though the relationship between the two separate businesses is still a bit unclear, they appear to operate in tandem, and both are drawing interested crowds. Vegan ‘N Chicken, 1920 San Pablo Ave., and Zara Super Market Halal Meat & Grocery, 1918 San Pablo Ave. (between Hearst and University avenues), Berkeley
El Cerrito restaurant opening
Tokyo Feng Ramen & Sushi
06.25.24: Now open inside the former long-time Katana-Ya Ramen Japanese Restaurant space in El Cerrito is newcomer Tokyo Feng, serving ramen and sushi under new ownership and featuring a new menu. Early reviewers seem pleased with the large rolls, portion sizes and value. Tokyo Feng Ramen & Sushi, 10546 San Pablo Ave. (between Waldo and Moeser), El Cerrito
Emeryville restaurant opening
Las Brasas Peruvian
06.19.24: Emeryville has a new spot for ceviche, lomo saltado and other Peruvian cuisine in Las Brasas, which quietly opened in the former Touch of Soul space back in May. Also on the menu: tangy chicken wings and many seafood specialties. Las Brasas Peruvian, 4336 San Pablo Ave. (at 45th St..), Emeryville
Hercules restaurant opening
Tommy’s BBQ Hercules
06.19.24: East Bay barbecue favorite Tommy’s, known for its former, popular food truck near the Richmond Craneway Pavilion and El Sobrante, is now serving up tender brisket from the team’s first brick-and-mortar eatery in Hercules. Tommy’s BBQ Company Hercules, 1611 Sycamore Ave., Hercules
Oakland restaurant openings
Bayleaf
06.10.24: Taking over the former Ikaros space on Grand Avenue is the new Indian and Himalayan restaurant Bayleaf. The restaurant softly opened the weekend of June 8 and is from Kamal Kandel, who owns Yarsa Nepalese Cuisine in San Francisco, and his brother, Pashupati Kandel. The restaurant has an indoor dining room as well as outdoor seating on a rear patio. The menu includes soups, salads and other appetizers along with a variety of curries, biryani plates and tandoori dishes. Bayleaf is now open at 3268 Grand Ave, Oakland. — Tovin Lapan
Carry On Curry
07.02.24: Thanks to a reader, we know that Carry On Curry from the same team behind Alameda’s Shanvi Indian, has opened in Old Oakland in the now-closed Thai-Singaporean chicken shop What the Cluck. The new Indian food counter serves fast-casual appetizers and mains made with chicken, lamb, goat, pork, or vegetarian, and includes combination specials for a quick take-away lunch. It also features a small Indian grocery with imported specialty goods. Carry On Curry, 815B Washington St. (between 8th and 9th streets), Oakland
Golden Outside
06.19.24: New independently-owned Cleveland Heights cafe Golden Outside feeds two cherished local interests — coffee drinks and plants — with a focus on wellness. The cafe also serves fresh-pressed juices, teas, matcha, chai, flowers, snacks and gifts. The word “lovely” seems to be used often in reviews so far to describe the products, as well as the service here. Golden Outside, 543 Athol Ave. (at Cleveland Street), Oakland
Mesa Maguey
06.19.24: Contemporary agave bar and Oaxacan kitchen Mesa Maguey has opened on Broadway near 40th in Oakland, in the Temescal neighborhood spot Copper Spoon operated for six years (until it closed quietly last October). Look for mezcal cocktails and other happy-hour-worthy refreshments, and upscale Mexican plates getting rave reviews, such as mole, tacos, enchiladas, soups and ceviche in the welcoming bar and dining room. Mesa Maguey, 4031 Broadway (between 40th and 41st), Oakland
Mr. Liu Noodle House
07.02.24: Now open in Oakland’s Chinatown is Mr. Liu Noodle House, with an appealing menu of handmade noodle soups, clay pot noodle dishes and dumplings. Thanks to a reader for the tip. (The restaurant space’s former tenant, Baby Cafe Hong Kong Bistro, quietly closed several weeks ago to prepare for a move to San Leandro.) Mr. Liu Noodle House, 358 11th St. (at Webster Street), Oakland
Philz Coffee Lakeshore
07.02.24: The long-time former Starbucks on Lakeshore, closed since spring 2023, has been revamped and reopened as Oakland’s newest Philz Coffee, and fans, friends and Reddit enthusiasts are eagerly sharing the news. Philz Coffee, 3347 Lakeshore Ave. (opposite Trestle Glen Road), Oakland
Sana’a Cafe Broadway
06.04.24: Yemeni cafe chain Sana’a softly opened June 7 in Old Oakland. (Sana’a cafes can also be found in San Francisco and, interestingly, Buffalo, NY, and soon, Lake Forest, Sacramento and San Rafael.) Expect deep, rich Yemeni coffee drinks and elaborate pastries and desserts. The cafe took over a former corner Starbucks. Sana’a Cafe, 801 Broadway (at 8th Street), Oakland
Sushi Bae
06.25.24: City Center Plaza in downtown Oakland has a new sushi restaurant with an innovative focus. Sushi Bae features fresh nigiri and rolls prepared with Latin and Caribbean influences and flavors — pickled and sweet mango, jalapeños, cilantro, even crushed hot Cheetos. We predict these flavor combinations might prove addictive to folks who love a little spice with their fresh fish. Sushi Bae, 500 12th St., Suite 134 (at City Center Plaza), Oakland
Richmond restaurant openings
Richmond Eats Antojitos Salvadorenos
06.25.24: This family-owned Salvadoran food business, known mainly for its pupusas, also serves Mexican plates such as burritos, tacos and tortas. It has been operating unofficially as a stand and truck around Richmond for more than a year, but in March the business received its permits and settled into a location across from downtown Richmond’s CoBiz shared office space and BART station, one block from El Garage. Richmond Eats Antojitos Salvadoreños, 1508 Macdonald Ave. (between 15th and 16th), Richmond
Vibe Bistro Richmond
06.04.24: Cafe and community space Vibe Bistro has opened at the Richmond BART station, providing commuters and Richmond locals with coffee and tea drinks and grab-and-go foods such as salads and sandwiches. Inclusivity is a focus here — the cafe offers “second chance” employment opportunities to those who need it, and accepts SNAP benefits to help out seniors, the disabled and unhoused. Vibe Bistro at Richmond BART, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite B, Richmond
San Pablo restaurant opening
The Rolling House
06.25.24: Novelty ice cream shop The Rolling House is now open in San Pablo in the same shopping complex as Mountain Mike’s and Starbucks, near Raley’s grocery store. The dessert and snack shop specializes in rolled ice cream — thin layers of ice-cold ice cream scraped and rolled into florets, then served in a bowl with a bounty of customizable toppings. Also on the family-friendly menu are chicken wings, smoothies and boba. The Rolling House, 3340 San Pablo Dam Rd., San Pablo
Walnut Creek restaurant openings
Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar Walnut Creek
06.04.24: Break out the bubbly: new Champagne and sparkling wine bar Fizz opens June 7 in Walnut Creek, with a soft opening for Fizz Club members and longer hours to come. The team, led by sommelier Raymond James Irwin, has a second location in Sacramento. Fizz Walnut Creek, 1652 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek
Handel’s Ice Cream
06.10.24: Nosh missed this opening at the end of April. Ohio-based ice cream chain Handel’s has opened in downtown Walnut Creek on the same block as the Cinemark movie theater for a perfect pre- or post-movie treat. The store offers more than three dozen flavors of ice cream and a handful of sherbets, including vegan options. Handel’s has more than 125 locations in a dozen states across the country and was founded in 1945 by Alice Handel in Youngstown, Ohio. There are multiple locations in the Sacramento area, and this is the first one to open in the Bay Area. Handel’s Ice Cream is now open at 1273 Locust St. in Walnut Creek — Tovin Lapan
Prologue Coffee & Tea at Walnut Creek Library
06.25.24: Walnut Creek’s Contra Costa County library branch has a sweet, upscale, new, little Vietnamese-inflected cafe in Prologue Coffee & Tea, featuring elaborate hot and iced coffee drinks such as Vietnamese “eggspresso” and coconut coffee, refreshing caffeine-free drinks, grab-and-go sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, empanadas, toasts, and even a children’s menu. Prologue Coffee & Tea, 1644 N Broadway (at the Walnut Creek Library), Walnut Creek
Xicote Cocina Mexicana
06.04.24: As first reported by Beyond the Creek, a new Mexican restaurant has taken over the old Capullo space in downtown Walnut Creek. The family-run restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plates including queso fundido, aguachile, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, tacos, burritos, fajitas, soups, salads and protein bowls. Xicote Cocina Mexicana is now open at 1518 Bonanza St. in Walnut Creek. — Tovin Lapan
