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. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.
Bear’s Lair Tavern
The UC Berkeley campus has lost its longstanding pub, The Bear’s Lair, after over 50 years of serving beer and bar food to Cal football game-goers and celebrities alike (Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead among them). It’s unclear what will take its place. The Bear’s Lair was located at 2465 Bancroft Way #140 in Berkeley.
Pomella
The popular Israeli restaurant Pomella, known for its fresh Middle Eastern cuisine and its penchant for hosting community-oriented gatherings, will close its doors on May 26. Owner Mica Talmor initially told the SF Chronicle that the business was “no longer viable,” citing slowing sales and the rising cost of ingredients.
From hosting Zumba classes on the patio, LGBT speed dating, and talks with peace activists in wake of the war in Gaza, Pomella was a true community gathering space that aimed not just to feed patrons, but to “fill your soul with a big hug.” Read more about Pomella’s closure and community impact in Nosh’s recently published feature article. Pomella was located at 3770 Piedmont Ave., Unit B, in Oakland.
The Well
The Well, née Shakewell, has closed its doors for good. Owner Soroush Ghaderi, who bought the previous restaurant Shakewell in 2023, said in an email that he initiated Shakewell’s rebrand to The Well in hopes of igniting a casual neighborhood joint.
“The food at Shakewell was amazing, the restaurant had a great vibe, but a change was necessary,” he said in an email, citing sluggish post-pandemic sales. The Well opened in January, offering jazz nights and a budget-friendly menu in hopes of drawing bigger crowds, but the restaurant continued to operate at a loss.
“After working 17-hour days for almost two years and losing money, I hit burnout,” he said. “Shakewell/The Well was an amazing experience. The staff was amazing, the food was top notch, but burnout was real. In the beginning of May, I decided it was time to close, and staff agreed.” May 10th was The Well’s last day. The Well was located at 3407 Lakeshore Ave. in Oakland.
