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.
Albany restaurant closure
Zarri’s Delicatessen
04.24.25: Zarri’s Delicatessen, an Albany institution for over 50 years, closed its doors at the end of April. Home of no-frills, made-to-order deli sandwiches — think salami, smoked ham, liver sausage and the works — Zarri’s was first founded in Richmond in 1935 before establishing roots in Albany in 1974. Italian imports, including bread, wine and sweets, were also a key staple here. Zarri’s was located at 1244 Solano Ave. (at Evelyn St.) in Albany.
Berkeley restaurant closures
Highwire Coffee — Berkeley
04.11.25: Thanks to a tipster, we learned that Highwire Coffee Roasters closed its Berkeley location on San Pablo Avenue after 10 years of business. (Highwire has other locations in Alameda, Albany, Oakland and Walnut Creek.) The size of the Berkeley building was a factor in the decision to shutter, according to Robert Myers, co-founder of Highwire, who added that “ this particular corridor is tricky for foot traffic.” But he was quick to add that “any complaints I have are minor compared to just what a great community it is.” Highwire’s last day of service will be April 14. Highwire was located at 2049 San Pablo Ave. (at University Avenue) in Berkeley.
Royal Rangoon
04.11.25: A reader let us know that Royal Rangoon, a casual bistro serving Burmese dishes and Chinese, Indian and Thai foods with a twist, has closed. The restaurant confirmed the closure and told us new ownership will open a new concept, Berkeley Burma (now open), in the same location. Royal Rangoon was at 2826 Telegraph Ave. (at Stuart Street) in Berkeley.
Emeryville restaurant closure
Cookie Plug (temporary closure)
04.24.25: The E’ville Eye reports that Cookie Plug, a hip hop-themed bakery offering super-thick cookies, has shuttered temporarily. The franchise’s Emeryville location has been pulled from its website, and Google search states the shop is temporarily closed. Cookie Plug’s founder, Erik Martinez, has attracted some controversy after opening an açai bowl shop called “Freedom Bowls” that Rolling Stone called “MAGA-themed,” the Eye reports. Cookie Plug was located at 6399 Christie Ave. in Emeryville.
Oakland restaurant closures
Church’s Chicken
05.01.25: Church’s Chicken appears to have closed following a failed inspection by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health, according to a notice posted on the door. Church’s website states the Telegraph Avenue location is temporarily closed. Church’s Chicken was located at 4155 Telegraph Ave. (between 41st and 42nd St.) in Oakland.
Kilovolt Coffee (relocation)
04.24.25: After being told their lease would not be renewed, Kilovolt Coffee departed its longtime home on Mandela Parkway to relocate to a new West Oakland location, per the E’Ville Eye. In an Instagram post, Kilovolt unveiled details of its new café-in-progress, though its reopening date is still uncertain. The coffee shop launched a Kickstarter to help support its staff during the transition. Kilovolt was located at 1829 Mandela Parkway (at 18th St.) in Oakland.
minimo
04.03.25: Ten years into pouring low-intervention natural wines and hosting community events in their historic downtown Oakland space, minimo owners Erin Coburn and Sarah Miller are pulling the plug. In a heartfelt email, the two expressed gratitude for a rewarding decade-long run — along with excitement for their newly-minted opportunity to take “vacations longer than 36 hours.”
“Thank you to all the chefs who popped up at minimo, the makers who supplied us with small-batch confections, the artists who brought beauty and inspiration to our space, the businesses and nonprofits who partnered with us on countless events,” the email read. Beyond a bottle shop, the owners said minimo was also “a platform for supporting causes dear to us: we co-organized a panel on sexism in the wine industry, held a seminar on regenerative agriculture, and hosted the Anything But Vinifera summit, to name just a few.”
Minimo’s last day of business was April 5. The shop was located at 420 3rd St. in Oakland.
Spinning Dough
04.17.25: Unconventional pizza toppings may be nudging themselves into the mainstream, but possibly no other pizzeria has gone quite to the lengths that Spinning Dough has in eight years of cranking out bright purple ube and sweet-and-savory longanisa pizzas. Now, the Spinning Dough chapter is coming to an end, as owner Jeff Chin shuttered his West Oakland restaurant on April 20. (Spinning Dough nearly closed in 2023, after Chin suffered a heart attack after returning home from work.)
“I want to take this opportunity to personally thank all our customers, friends, and family that have supported us. I will forever cherish all of our relationships and memories,” Chin announced on Spinning Dough’s website and on Instagram. “Closing Spinning Dough will be bittersweet, but I am excited to write the next chapter of my life so please stay tuned!” Spinning Dough was located at 2935 Market St. in Oakland.
