Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. The openings and closings for each month are then compiled into a round-up. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.
Berkeley restaurant openings
Bee Boba & Deli
07.16.24: The Ashby Super Market has a popular new boba and deli counter, which some kind readers brought to Nosh’s attention. Bee Boba & Deli offers sweet, refreshing tea drinks, smoothies and slushies, along with deli-style sandwiches to go. Bee Boba & Deli inside the Ashby Super Market, 2948 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley
Cafe Rio (Moved)
07.23.24: As promised, downtown Berkeley mainstay (since 1984) Cafe Rio has made the move from Center Street to the former Eastwind Books space on University Avenue, and reopened just in time to provide roaming packs of summer students with budget-friendly fare. On offer are the cafe’s old-school menu of coffee drinks, bagel-focused hot and cold stacked sandwiches (including vegetarian and egg sandwiches), giant hot dogs and other no-frills, serviceable choices for breakfast and lunch, most costing around or under $10. Cafe Rio, 2066 University Ave. (between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street), Berkeley
Casa do Petisco
07.16.24: Nosh was intrigued to hear about Casa do Petisco (“house of snacks/small plates”), the new Brazilian street food counter inside the Elmwood neighborhood’s Berkeley Organic Market and Deli, from married chef-owners Barbara Nogueira and Christene Diehr. Try the Brazilian cheese bread, including a specialized version used for mini sandwiches. Also on offer are empanadas, rice bowls and salads, drinks, desserts and, going forward, weekly specials. Casa do Petisco inside the Berkeley Organic Market and Deli, 2642 Ashby Ave. (between Benvenue and College avenues), Berkeley
O2 Eatery
07.30.24: Berkeley’s end of Solano Avenue has a new breakfast and lunch cafe now softly open (with intermittent hours) in the former Delirama space. So far, O2 Eatery features a menu of generous scrambles and toasts, Mr. Espresso coffee drinks, sandwiches and more. Look for further developments (including a website) as the opening progresses, but for now, soft opening customers are enthusiastically noting the comfortable cafe’s playful details and flavorful cafe fare. O2 Eatery, 1746 Solano Ave. (near Ensenada Avenue), Berkeley
Sol Taqueria
07.30.24: Berkeley’s newest Jalisco-style Mexican eatery, Sol Taqueria, celebrated its grand opening July 31 and is featuring a menu of tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and quesabirria, including breakfast and kids’ menus. Also on offer are loaded fries, nachos, and heaped super bowls featuring chicken or fish, as well as churros and cheesecake for dessert. The restaurant, formerly Nuevo Sol, has an enclosed outdoor patio and plenty of comfortable indoor seating, and is located across from REI in Berkeley. Sol Taqueria, 1335 San Pablo Ave. (between Gilman and Camelia streets), Berkeley
Taco & Co. Pop-Up Berkeley
07.23.24: Taco & Co. is an East Bay, family-owned catering group that opened their first brick-and-mortar taqueria in Berkeley in 2020, eventually opened in and then relocated to Pittsburgh, and have now returned to Berkeley as an outdoor pop-up. You can find them Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the corner of Virginia Street and Eastshore Highway. Taco & Co. Pop-Up, outside 1695 Eastshore Hwy (at Virginia Street), Berkeley
Zhangliang Malatang
07.09.24: Berkeley’s first location of expanding spicy, customizable Chinese soup chain Zhangliang Malatang is now open on Shattuck Avenue, joining sister locations in Mountain View, Dublin and San Mateo. Zhangliang Malatang, 2237 Shattuck Ave. (at Kittredge Street), Berkeley
Oakland restaurant openings
Abu Yemen Kitchen
07.09.24: Fast-casual Yemeni cuisine is on offer at this new counter spot (in the former Mo’ Joe Cafe Oakland space), featuring rice bowls, wraps, pita bread or salads topped with spiced halal lamb, steak, chicken or falafel, and fresh sides and sauces. Food comes in larger, family-style portions if desired, and there are also kid’s meals, as well as snacks such as sambusas, and desserts including baklava. Abu Yemen Kitchen, 160 14th St., Suite A (at Madison Street), Oakland
Boats & Beans
07.30.24: The wee, canary yellow cottage (with the bell in the belfry) near Quinn’s Lighthouse along the Embarcadero in Oakland, formerly Jolie’s, is now coffee and tea shop Boats & Beans. The sweet waterfront spot serves Mother Tongue coffee drinks, fresh pastries, hot and iced tea, and specialty lattes, including an orange blossom matcha latte, and has an impressive amount of parking out front. Boats & Beans, 43 Embarcadero, Oakland
Brothers Deli & Co. Sandwich Shop
07.23.24: Oakland’s Cleveland Heights neighborhood has a friendly new deli called Brothers. On offer are custom sandwiches in intriguing combinations made with quality breads, condiments, meats and other ingredients. They include toast flights for breakfast, hefty cold sandwiches (including chopped options), and pressed hot panini. Drinks include fresh, flavored lemonades and iced and hot coffee drinks. Brothers Deli & Co. Sandwich Shop, 2700 Park Blvd (at 7th Avenue)., Oakland
Home of Chicken and Waffles (Moved)
07.23.24: Owner and Oakland native Derreck Johnson has lovingly guided the relocation of his 20-year-old soul food restaurant Home of Chicken and Waffles from Embarcadero West to its new space nearby on 4th Street, opened as of last week, and it’s a beaut. The restaurant’s loyal community seems more than pleased with the welcoming new location with the same addictive food (and new wine program!). Home of Chicken and Waffles, 247 4th St. (at Alice Street), Oakland
Hopscotch Brunch Pop-Up at Itani/Yonsei
07.16.24: Based on the first weekend of the inaugural Hopscotch brunch pop-up at Itani Ramen and Yonsei Handrolls, we predict crowded summer Sundays for the favorite (now catering, take-out and delivery only) former Oakland standout. The pop-up menu includes old Hopscotch favorites such as the buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits, fresh oysters, ramen and chef Kyle Itani’s specialty eggs Benedict with poached jidori eggs and yuzu Hollandaise. Hopscotch Brunch Pop-Up at Itani Ramen/Yonsei Handrolls, 1736 Telegraph Ave. (between 17th and 19th streets), Oakland
Parkline (reopened)
07.30.24: After a two-month temporary closure due to some permitting snafus, East Oakland’s new Parkline has reopened and can now serve visitors a glass of wine with that sandwich. Parkline, 1918 Park Blvd. (between E 19th and E 20th streets), Oakland
Small Change Oyster Bar
07.09.24: July 10 was opening day for Small Change, the long-awaited Temescal neighborhood oyster bar from Branden Nichols (the restaurant is named for his grandfather’s fishing boat). Expect long lines outside the former Doña Tomas space, an appealing indoor bar, casual patio seating, and diners already familiar with Nichols’ fare from years of successful seafood pop-ups and his former oyster kiosk at the Martinez food market Market & Main. Along with oysters, look for classic and seasonal seafood dishes (including lobster rolls and mugs of New England clam chowder) from chef Lauryn Dakota Holbert. Small Change, 5000 Telegraph Ave. (between 49th and 51st streets), Oakland
Tada Ramen & Yakitori
07.30.24: Oakland’s new Tada Ramen (tadashi translates to “loyalty”) brings quality Japanese ramen, yakitori, rice bowls, karaage and more for snacking and feasting to the Grand Lake neighborhood, served in a welcoming interior. Tada Ramen & Yakitori, 3415 Grand Ave. (near Elwood Avenue), Oakland
Richmond restaurant opening
Johnny Boi
07.30.24: Richmond-area burger fans, look out for this new eatery in Point Richmond (in the former Grape Nest), outfitted in urban murals with some local nods, and featuring counter service, an open kitchen, indoor and outdoor seating, and an energetic street vibe. The soft opening menu has smash burgers, wings, spicy chicken sandwiches, gluten-free burger bowls, and sides such as French fries and tater tots. Expect a grand opening and expanded menu in the coming weeks. Johnny Boi, 201 Tewksbury Ave. (at Santa Fe Avenue), Richmond
Walnut Creek restaurant opening
Highwire Coffee Roasters Walnut Creek
East Bay commuters take note: As of July 22, notable East Bay coffee company Highwire has a seventh upscale (yet approachable) cafe to toast with the launch of the new Highwire Waymark, located at the base of the complex across from the Walnut Creek BART station. Highwire Walnut Creek, 200 Station Way (at The Waymark), Walnut Creek
