New bars, bakeries, taprooms and cafes mark May openings (2024)

Albany restaurant openings

Lulu Solano

04.30.24: Lulu, the buzzy Cal-Palestinian mezze restaurant from chef Mona Leena Michael that was formerly at 1019 Camelia in Berkeley’s Gilman District, reopens May 4 on Solano Avenue in Albany. Theformer La Crema’sairy,refreshed interioris a brunch lover’s dream, and after sunset becomes an inviting dinner destination, both for seasonal Palestinian-inspired small plates,saladsand larger dishes that are colorful, beautiful, fresh, healthful and flavorful. Menus arehere.Lulu, 1106 Solano Ave. (near San Pablo Avenue), Albany

Match Point Brewing

05.07.24: Albany and El Cerrito residents have been waiting for this one: AAPI-owned craft brewery Match Point Brewing, from Bay Area natives andtennis doubles partners Simon Chen and Johnny Weng, opened May 10 in theformer Albany Taproom. Started as a home brewing outfit in 2020, the duo’s craft brews feature flavor notes that range from jasmine rice to seasonal fruits to Vietnamese coffee. As a bonus, Match Point is already known for showing support for local businesses and community in all kinds of eclectic (and sporty) ways—expect local art on the walls, seasonal tournaments hosted by the brewery and food from neighbor310 Eatery, which recently acquired the adjoining space where the taproom is located with plans of creating a more cohesive craft beer and food hall. Congratulations to the duo on their first brick-and-mortar taproom.Match Point Brewing, 745 San Pablo Ave. (between Portland and Washington avenues), Albany

Berkeley restaurant openings

Cali’s Sports Bar & Kitchen/Club Cali

05.14.24: Part sports bar and restaurant, part basem*nt dance club, and all formerPappy’s(and before that, the legendary Blake’s for 71 years), Cali’s is the newest libation haven on Telegraph Avenue. The menu includes pizza, sandwiches, burgers, wings and lots of beer and co*cktails.Cali’s Sports Bar & Kitchen/Club Cali, 2367 Telegraph Ave. (between Durant Avenue and Channing Way), Berkeley

Nippon Curry Berkeley

05.21.24: Nippon Curry debuted in Berkeley’s Southside neighborhood May 22. Nippon features award-winning Japanese Hinoya Curry, though the San Francisco-based restaurant team changed its name to Nippon, meaning “Japan,” in early 2022 to reflect its American status. This will be the group’s second stateside location, with a goal of further expansion. “Japanese Curry is to Japanese what pizza is to Americans, or what Mission District super burritos are to San Franciscans,” said one of Nippon’s managers Barry Louie in an email to Nosh. “Our mission is to ensure that delicious Japanese curry is accessible to mainstream America.” Expect long lines of fans who have closely followed thislong-awaitedopening.Nippon Curry, 2512 Bancroft Way (at Telegraph Avenue), Berkeley

Of All Places

05.21.24: Shoppers along Solano Avenue in Berkeley can now find an intriguing array of small-batch, hard-to-find,addictive and deliciousspecialty provisions at Of All Places, the stylish new mom-and-pop gourmet shop inside the totally revamped, former, decades-old Greetings gifts and cards. The airy, modern little market carries cult-worthy snacks, condiments, dry goods, wine, craft beer, coffee, light groceries and curated global and local provisions from owners and industry veterans Celia and Joe Catalino. Check out Eater’s deeper featurehere.Of All Places, 1841 Solano Ave. (between The Alameda and Colusa Avenue), Berkeley

Olfactory Brewing Berkeley

05.21.24: Thirsty readers should head down Center Street in Berkeley for a visit to thisfriendly new taproomfromOlfactory Brewing, led by brewer-owners Phil Emerson, Trevor Allen and Bobby Moyer. The cozy, comfortable, lightly industrial bar inside the former Pacific Standard welcomes downtown commuters and locals with Olfactory craft beers as well as wine and cider, East Coast-style Italian hoagies and a menu of Chicago-style dogs. Based in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, Olfactory is known for using local malt and sustainable methods to craftbalanced brews, including the refreshing Hana Kolsch and hoppy Nectaron Infinity West Coast IPA.Olfactory Brewing, 2055D Center St. (between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street), Berkeley

Phosho Dough Berkeley

05.07.24: Friendly Vietnamese cafe Phosho Dough, known for its affordable, satisfying eats in north Oakland and for persevering throughan opening that came at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has now quietly opened a second location in Berkeley in the former KC’s BBQ space. On offer is the group’s menu of pho, banh mi, spring rolls, vermicelli combos and other satisfying, fast-casual Vietnamese fare. (Hopefully they will keep the tradition of having agrand opening signup for years to come.)Phosho Dough, 1235 San Pablo Ave. (near Gilman St.), Berkeley

Qargo Coffee Telegraph

05.14.24: Modern, fast-growing coffee franchise Qargo, based out of Miami, has opened in Berkeley’s Southside neighborhood. The cafe is the first of several new Qargo locations expected to open soon in the East Bay, each serving hot and cold tea and coffee drinks using imported Italian Lavazza coffee, andEuropean-style pastries.Qargo Coffee Telegraph, 2344 Telegraph Ave. (at Durant Avenue), Berkeley

Rose La Moon

05.14.24: New Thai street food and dessert shop Rose La Moon has taken over the former Quince Cafe space on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. The soft opening menu features fast-casual noodles, rice dishes and salads, as well as refreshing puddings, custards, cakes, sticky rice and other Thai-styled desserts in flavors such as coconut, mango, orange and pumpkin. Rose La Moon, 2228 San Pablo Ave. (between Allston Way and Bancroft Way), Berkeley

Signal Cafe Center Street

05.07.24: Signal has struck all the right notes with their previous cafes—two in Alameda and one on Solano Avenue in Berkeley, each one seemingly more appealing than the last. Now Signal Cafe Center Street in Berkeley is the handsome newcomer to the party, as of May 7, set to charm downtown Berkeley students and locals with its bright, airy interior for signature coffee drinks, high-end local pastries and other treats.Signal Cafe Center Street, 2130 Center St. (between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street), Berkeley

Danville restaurant opening

Aracely Lounge Danville

05.28.24: Chef-owner Linda Edson of Treasure Island’sAracely Cafe, and before that Axis Cafe in San Francisco, has opened the lovely new Aracely Lounge in Danville. Edson has a fine dining background, so expect luxe touches onbrunch, lunch and dinner platesfeaturing seasonal California cuisine with global influences. By design, the pretty venue is also ideal for private events.Aracely Lounge, 148 E Prospect Ave., Danville

Emeryville restaurant openings

Copper & Malt

05.07.24: Bay Street is upping its game yet again with the opening of Copper & Malt, a distinctive bottle and retail shop featuring higher-end spirits, international and domestic wines and beers, cigars, chocolates, caviar and other finer retail fare. A tasting bar allows for the occasional sommelier-led sampling of some of the wares. Copper & Malt, 5659 Bay St. (Lower Level), Emeryville

Mumu Hot Pot

04.30.24: May 3 marked the first day for Bay Street’s newest sit-down restaurant Mumu Hot Pot. The growing, upscale-modernhot potchain has six locations in California, including in Pleasanton, San Francisco and Sunnyvale, and is notable for featuring fresh, quality ingredients and cuts of meats and seafood, as well as options for a range of diets, including vegans. Thecrisp, appealing new dining room is on the lower level of the shopping plaza, where Bay Street meets Christie Avenue.Mumu Hot Pot, 5699 Bay St. (at Christie Avenue), Emeryville

Peregrine Cafe (Food Truck)

05.07.24: Readers have expressed enthusiasm for the addictive breakfast and lunch plates (andprices) out of this brand-new cafe food truck in Emeryville, operating near the Hyatt House hotel. The menu is a carb-lovers delight: fresh beignets, house-made English muffins, toasts, and coffee drinks for breakfast fare, and for lunch, richpoutine, grilled cheese on Acme levain, cheeseburgers on brioche, and specialty sandwiches, including for vegetarians.Peregrine Cafe Food Truck, 5800 Shellmound Ave. (near Powell Street), Emeryville

Lafayette restaurant opening

The Breakfast Club Lafayette

05.28.24: The Clocktower Lafayette shopping area has a new tenant in The Breakfast Club, the trendy California minichain with a second East Bay location in Walnut Creek, known for addictive breakfast and brunch plates such as elaborate American-style omelets, churro or raspberry-cream-cheese French toast, as well as plates with a mix of global influences such as thebreakfast chow mein.The Breakfast Club Lafayette, 3577 Mt. Diablo Blvd. (at The Clocktower), Lafayette

Martinez restaurant opening

Souley Vegan Martinez

05.07.24: The lovelyMarket & Mainpublic market in Martinez is the new home for chef Tamearra Dyson’s Souley Vegan as of May 10. Dyson’s famed vegan restaurant, based in Oakland’s Jack London Square for 14 years, shuttered there last October, and far from fading away, Dyson has been busy with soulful vegan pop-ups, catering and events around the Bay Area. She announced the permanent relocation and upcoming grand opening dateback in April.Souley Vegan MartinezinsideMarket & Main, 610 Main St. (at Castro Street), Martinez

Oakland restaurant openings

Forma Bakery

05.28.24: At long last, thenew little bakery with French technique and Mexican flavors opened in Oakland’s Temescal on May 29. Forma is led by Jackson Schnetz (Fournee), a baker trained in viennoiserie, whose restaurateur family with Guadalajara roots is behindXolo,La Esquinitaand the former Dona Tomas. Check out the look of thesetest goodies, and we’ll see you in line.Forma Bakery, 4920 Telegraph Ave. (near 49th Street), Oakland

Me Va Con

05.28.24: The beloved former OB Town restaurant space (closed in 2022) hasreopenedas mother-and-daughter-run Me Va Con, which means “mother and child.” The restaurant specializes in Vietnamese sandwiches, noodles and small plates, and Oaklanders are lining up to sample the intriguingfare.Me Va Con, 6101 Telegraph Ave. (at 61st Street), Oakland

Tallboy

04.30.24: If the appeal of the name doesn’t lure patrons to this new Temescal neighborhood bar that opened May 1, the menu sure will—new Oakland “martini dive bar” Tallboy, from North Light’s Den Stephens, features a menu of savory, elevated bar bites from the team behind Oakland’s now-closed Lion Dance Cafe. Thanks toElena Kadvany at The Chroniclefor first sharing the long-awaited, “irreverent yet welcoming” venue’s fuller story.Tallboy, 4210 Telegraph Ave. (between 42nd and 43rd streets), Oakland

Pinole restaurant openings

East Bay Evenings at East Bay Coffee Pinole

05.21.24: After 10 years as an eclectic cafe serving Mr. Espresso coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch fare, East Bay Coffee in Old Town Pinole has thrown its hat into the evening ring, adding a small-plates dinner menu and craft co*cktails to its lively, artsy communal scene. (And for those who like the best of both worlds, the team now serves rich, boozy, Irish coffee.)East Bay Evenings atEast Bay Coffee, 2529 San Pablo Ave. (between Pinole Valley Road and John Street), Pinole

Nick The Greek Pinole

05.07.24: So many local Nick The Greek openingslately that this one slipped through the cracks — Pinole is the most recent East Bay city to secure a location of this fast, easy, and tasty Greek chain.Nick The Greek Pinole, 2700 Pinole Valley Rd., Pinole

Richmond restaurant opening

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 Bistroat Richmond BART, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Suite B, Richmond

Walnut Creek restaurant openings

Methi Indian Cuisine

05.28.24: Walnut Creek has a new north Indian restaurant in Methi Indian Cuisine, featuring a bright, modern dining room with ceilings draped in marigold-yellow decor. Reviews are enthusiastic so far for bothdine-in and takeout dishes, including thumbs up for impressive spice levels for those who prefer them. The restaurant’s name means “fenugreek,” used often in Indian cooking.Beyond the Creekfirst shared the news.Methi Indian Cuisine, 1251 S. California Blvd. (between Olympic Boulevard and Botelho Drive), Walnut Creek

Xicote Cocina Mexicana

06.04.24: As first reportedby 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 Mexicanais now open at 1518 Bonanza St. in Walnut Creek.— Tovin Lapan