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.
Alameda restaurant opening
Tang Jip
09.18.25: Tang Jip is expanding its reach in the East Bay. The Concord-based Korean restaurant has recently opened locations both in Alameda and Hayward, serving classic Korean barbecue dishes alongside galbi tang soup, soondubu, soy marinated crab and kimchi pancakes. Tang Jip, 22507 Main St. (at A St.), Hayward and 2201 S. Shore Center, Alameda
Berkeley restaurant openings
Cafe Brusco
09.24.25: Last year, the New York Times crowned Rose Pizzeria one of the best pizza spots in the United States. Now, the team behind the celebrated Berkeley staple has opened the doors to a new venture, Cafe Brusco, right down the street from the pizzeria. The all-day cafe features house-made bagels baked in the sister restaurant’s pizza ovens along with coffee and pastries from other local vendors, including Good Luck Bakery. Cafe Brusco will also begin offering wine in the near future. Cafe Brusco, 2000 University Avenue, (at Milvia St.), Berkeley
Campus Burgers
09.18.25: One thing about San Jose-based Campus Burgers, it knows how to introduce itself to a new community. A new branch of the smash burger spot opened south of the UC Berkeley campus on Sept. 12, as first reported by the Daily Californian, and the restaurant attracted large crowds with a promise to give away 1,000 free burgers. In the end, 1,500 free burgers were served during the grand opening and the restaurant had to close down mid-day to regroup. The two other locations of the restaurant, which sells burgers for $1.99 and cheeseburgers for $2.99, are in San Jose. Campus Burgers, 2506 Channing Way (at Telegraph Avenue), Berkeley
Yard Milkshake Bar
09.02.25: The Yard Milkshake Bar, known for over-the-top ice cream treats with a variety of toppings and a social-media friendly appearance, first opened in Alabama in 2017. After a 2019 appearance on “Shark Tank” and a deal with Mark Cuban, the dessert shop expanded and the California franchise location has now arrived in Berkeley. The grand opening was Sept. 5, and there is a whole weekend of specials and celebrations planned, including free edible cookie dough scoops all weekend. The festivities also include a buil-your-own shake contest, in which the winner will have their creation featured on the shop’s secret menu. The Berkeley menu will include specials geared toward Bay Area tastes, including a “Sassy Lassi,” a twist on a mango lassi, and vegan and dairy-free options. Yard Milkshake Bar, 2433 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley
Castro Valley restaurant opening
Pho 510
09.18.25: The team behind Le Cheval, a classic Bay Area Vietnamese institution that closed in 2023, has opened up an offshoot at Castro Valley Marketplace. Pho 510 provides cozy Vietnamese comfort foods like pho, spring rolls, rice plates and banh mì sandwiches, plus vegetarian options. Pho 510, 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Suite 204 (at Santa Maria Ave.), Castro Valley
Oakland restaurant openings
Alleyway Cafe
09.18.25: Temescal Alley’s new, aptly-named coffee shop has landed in the former CRO Cafe space. Stop by Alleyway Cafe for your caffeinated beverage of choice, whether that’s drip coffee, espresso tonic or matcha. Or try the fun drink special, a caffè shakerato: Italian iced coffee made by vigorously shaking espresso, sugar and ice. Pastries are also on offer. Alleyway Cafe, 470 49th St., Oakland
Leo’s Diner
10.01.25: Fans of a classic diner breakfast can now start their mornings at Leo’s Diner in Uptown Oakland. The new spot is from Leo Lobo, of the nextdoor gastro pub, The Hatch. Omelettes, benedicts, breakfast burritos and chicken and waffles all grace the menu — and there are plenty of sides for you to build the perfect breakfast plate with. Soups, salads and lunch items like burgers and burritos are also on offer until closing time at 3 p.m. Leo’s Diner, 400 15th St. (at Franklin St.), Oakland
Marin’s Kitchen & Coffee
09.18.25: Downtown Oakland’s newest cafe comes in the form of Marin’s Kitchen & Coffee, which offers hearty breakfast and lunch offerings in a bright, casual setting. Marin’s serves plenty of specialty coffee drinks like caramel macchiatos and vanilla lattes, plus a decadent breakfast sandwich on a brioche bun and lunch options including pan-seared salmon and a fried chicken caesar salad sandwich. Marin’s Kitchen & Coffee, 400 21st St. (at Broadway), Oakland
Obelisco
09.10.25: After shuttering its Fruitvale location in December of last year, family-owned and operated Obelisco has reopened on Lakeshore Ave. Ceviches, tacos, enchiladas and pollo en mole are all on the menu, plus a lineup of tequila and mezcal-forward cocktails. Obelisco is still in soft opening mode, so check out their expanded hours and menu after their grand opening on September 16. Obelisco, 3407 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland
Olivia Coffee and Flower
09.24.25: Sweet treats in the form of coffee, matcha, bubbly teas and fluffy cookies are the draw at Olivia Coffee and Flower, which recently opened in Uptown Oakland. Here, the Korean-inspired specialty drinks don’t cut corners; the banana milk latte is topped with half of a beautiful, slightly caramelized banana, and the vanilla cream latte includes — you guessed it — a vanilla bean pod resting beautifully on the cushion of sweet cream. Light lunch items like caprese salads and Italian sandwiches are also available, and, of course, fresh-cut flowers will be on offer soon. Olivia Coffee and Flower, 371 30th St. (between Summit and Webster Streets), Oakland
Payakk
10.01.25: The team behind Emeryville’s Secrets of Tiger have opened a new venture, this time in Oakland’s Montclair neighborhood. Payakk weaves thoughtful integration of longstanding Thai ingredients — like native brown and glutinous sticky rices — alongside the traditional grilling methods for Seua Rong Hai, or Thai grilled beef, using high heat over a charcoal grill. You’ll also find Secrets of Tiger’s signature Pad Thai Chaiya on the menu: a Southern Thai twist on a classic dish that features tamarind, palm sugar, shrimp fat and coconut milk. Payakk, 5761 Thornhill Dr., Oakland
The Hub
09.10.25: The Hub, a new watch bar dedicated to sports fans has opened in Jack London Square. The Hub, a bar boasting a 30-foot wall of TVs and creative pub food, is now open within Plank, Jack London Square’s bowling alley/bar hybrid. The Hub considers itself an expansion of Plank, which, until now, hadn’t offered many indoor seating and dining options. The Hub, 98 Broadway, Oakland
Richmond restaurant opening
Five Star Chicken
10.01.25: Five Star Chicken of Vallejo has opened a second location in Richmond. Expect thick, juicy fried chicken pieces wedged between two perfect brioche buns and served with camera-ready crinkle-cut fries, plus other items like chicken and slaw bowls. If you can take the heat, ask for the secret menu item — crunchy hot Cheetos dusted into a spicy chicken sandwich. Five Star Chicken, 12951 San Pablo Ave., Richmond
San Leandro restaurant opening
Dao Artisan Noodle
10.01.25: Wagyu skewers, bone-in beef noodle soup and chive pork dumplings are just some of the delicacies awaiting diners at San Leandro’s Dao Artisan Noodle. The newly-opened Chinese restaurant specializes in Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles and dim sum, plus house-made side dishes. It’s a great option for late-night noodle lovers; you can get your fix until midnight. Dao Artisan Noodle, 15032 Farnsworth St. (at Manor Blvd.), San Leandro
