After about three years operating out of Two Star Market in the Dimond District, the Puerto Rican restaurant now has its own space. The new location is just around the corner, and you can stop by for everything from tostones and mofongo with steak to slow-roasted pork shoulder. La Perla is open from Wednesday to Sunday for takeout.

Cupcakin’ Bake Shop’s third location is on Virginia St. in Berkeley. The bakery has the same menu as the other spots, including their standard and mini cupcakes with monthly-changing flavors ranging from caramel mocha and key lime pie to red velvet or vanilla. Cupcake delivery is available in SF, Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville - check Instagram for details.

Popular food truck The Chairman now has a new storefront, dubbed Hawker Alley. They’ll share the space with a chicken and rice spot called Good Gais (which is also run by The Chairman team). And down the road, they hope to host other food businesses - think of Hawker Alley like a mini night market or food court. You can currently stop by Hawker Alley to order from The Chairman and Good Gais, or place an order online for takeout and delivery.

After its original owners retired and closed Art’s Cafe last March, the Inner Sunset diner is back under new ownership. Fans of the hash brown sandwiches and Samurai Omelet with teriyaki beef and American cheese will be happy to know that those items are back on the menu - along with bibimbap, club sandwiches, and pancakes. They’re open every day except Monday for takeout.

Lazy Susan is a new takeout and delivery-only restaurant in Hayes Valley focusing on Chinese-American dishes, like crab rangoon, hot and sour soup, and General Tso’s chicken. Most dishes are gluten-free - and they also have a vegan version of mapo tofu made with Impossible meat. They’re currently only open for dinner, Wednesday to Sunday - order to-go here.

This is Monkey King’s first Oakland location (its other two spots are in Alameda). Their menu has a bunch of Asian-fusion-y dishes that range from pork lumpia and crab fried rice to garlic noodles and broccoli beef. Stop by for pickup or order delivery every day except Sunday.

Stop by this health-focused, vegan-friendly Berkeley spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner - they have everything from smoked salmon and avocado toast to salad bowls and sandwiches. You can also grab an energy shot or green juice to go with your meal. Califa’s Greens is open for takeout and delivery.

Barley is a new craft beer bar and restaurant between Polk Gulch and the Tenderloin with 20 local beers, wines, cider, and hard kombucha on tap. You can currently stop by for sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie on their parklet - but if you’d rather enjoy your beer at home, you can subscribe to their beer and wine box, a curated selection available for regular delivery or pick up.

Santeria is a new Mexican restaurant and margarita bar in the Castro with a huge selection of agave-based spirits and dishes like mole and octopus al pastor. Along with takeout, their front patio is currently open for outdoor dining, and you can also stop by for Happy Hour or a tasting flight of mezcal or tequila.

The team behind La Mar has opened a sister restaurant called Jaranita. It’s a new Peruvian spot in the Marina focusing on wood-fired rotisserie. Jaranita’s pollo a la brasa, along with other dishes like ceviche, empanadas, and tri-tip sandwiches, are available for takeout and delivery.

The Bussdown is a takeout and delivery-only spot operating out of a virtual kitchen in Fruitvale. You’ll see Nigerian, Jamaican, and West African-influenced dishes, like a smoked shrimp sofrito, jerk wings, and smoked brandied yams - and be sure to keep an eye on their Instagram for daily specials.

After a fire destroyed their original location in Oakland Chinatown, the Shanxi-style noodle spot is back open in a new location up the street in Swan’s Market. You can expect to see the same menu of knife-cut noodle dishes and Sichuan entrees. Huangcheng Noodle House is open every day for takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining.

The international Japanese barbecue chain has opened their first East Bay location in Downtown Oakland. They’re not currently doing outdoor or indoor dining, so you’ll have to wait a little longer to sit around their communal grills - but for now, you can order things like black pepper wings, bento boxes, and rice bowls for takeout and delivery.

Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July project (which also includes a lifestyle magazine) just launched a cafe and boutique in Uptown Oakland. It’s got everything from books and ceramics to kitchen staples like Sweet July’s olive oil and coffee beans. You can also grab coffee, tea, and pastries to go.

This is the second location of Foghorn Taproom - and they’re serving the same menu of chicken and beer as their original spot in the Richmond. The chicken-heavy menu has things like fried chicken sandwiches, wings, and loaded fries. Order takeout or delivery here, Thursday to Sunday.

The Outer Sunset has a new wood-fired pizza spot. At Damnfine, you can get your pies topped with everything from mushrooms and garlic butter to pepperoni and clams. They’re currently only open for dinner to-go, but will expand their hours in the future to serve coffee and pastries in the mornings.

We checked out Damnfine and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

The Montreal-style deli relocated from its original location to a new spot that’s also in West Berkeley. They have the same menu of smoked meat sandwiches (we love the brisket), as well as poutine, burgers, and deli meats to go.

The new Vietnamese spot in Berkeley has already earned a spot in our lunch rotation - they’ve got a menu of 14 different banh mi made on house-made rolls, and filled with everything from lemongrass grilled pork to sardines and tomato sauce. They also have spring rolls and iced Vietnamese coffees available for takeout.

We checked out Banh Mi & Rolls Factory and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

This is the coffee and bread shop’s second location in Oakland (the other is around the corner on MLK Jr. Way). Every day from 8am-3pm, you can stop by to grab a loaf of country sourdough, donuts, coffee, and espresso drinks to go.

The new sushi spot in Lower Haight is run by a Kusakabe alum, and is currently in a soft opening phase. According to their Yelp page, they’re offering an omakase nigiri box, sashimi, and more for takeout only.

Tony’s Style is a new spot in Berkeley serving pizza, wings, and loaded baguettes topped with crab and shrimp, or cheese and pepperoni. And the good news for anyone with the late-night munchies: they’re open from 5pm until 2am.

Since last summer, Señor Sisig’s truck has been parked outside of Spice Monkey’s old space in Downtown Oakland (the Thai restaurant closed in June) - and they’ve now opened a takeout window in the same location. It’s their first permanent spot in the East Bay, and they’re serving both their regular and vegan menus. Stop by for a tosilog burrito or pork sisig nachos, every day except Sunday.

At Alley & Vine on Alameda’s Park St., three Waterbar alumni are serving things like braised short ribs, cod and abalone chowders, and pickled wild mushrooms. Until they can open up their spacious dining room and patio, everything is takeout only - including DIY meal kits to finish at home, and cocktails and bottles of wine. Alley & Vine is open every day from 12-8pm.

We checked out Alley & Vine and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Destapas is a new Spanish restaurant opened by a 10-year-old Spanish catering company based in SF. Satisfy your tapas fix with patatas bravas, shrimp empanadillas, and sandwiches filled with serrano ham or tortilla española. They also have a few different types of paella. Order online for delivery or pick up in the Mission.

Last December, The Taco Shop at Underdogs closed and transitioned into Underdogs Tres. This newest iteration of the sports bar and restaurant is over at the old Nopalito space in the Inner Sunset, where they now have a bigger kitchen and a heated outdoor patio. You can also expect to see a similar menu to the old spot, including tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as beer and margaritas to go.

The sourdough pizza spot in Oakland has moved one block down the street to a new, larger location (also on Shattuck) with an expanded menu. You can order pizzas with toppings like roasted sweet potato or house-made pork sausage, or build your own. They also now have deli sandwiches, bagels, salads, and a bigger selection of sourdough breads. Nick’s is open for takeout from Wednesday to Sunday.

We checked out Nick’s Pizza and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

If you’re looking for a massive jug of Vietnamese coffee to inject into your veins this week, stop by Orbit Coffee’s new location in East Oakland. In addition to the half- and full-gallon jugs, they have space-themed coffee drinks, like the “Dark Matter” (an iced latte with dark chocolate, condensed milk, and Oreos) and the “Milky Way” (iced coffee with condensed milk and vanilla). And if you’re hungry, you can grab waffles, grilled cheese, or breakfast burritos, too.

For Thai dishes like massaman curry, larb gai, spicy fried catfish, and pad thai, head to Charm Thai Bistro (a new spot from the team behind Anchalee Thai) on Oakland’s Piedmont Ave. The extensive menu is available for lunch and dinner every day. They also have a weekend brunch menu with egg dishes, salads, and desserts.

This is the third East Bay location of the casual Japanese donburi spot (they also have spots in Alameda and Pleasanton). At the new Berkeley location, you can order katsu bowls, noodles, curries, and other appetizers for takeout.

Bourbon Burger Bar is a delivery-only spot by the team behind Pabu and Michael Mina. You can order a black truffle steak burger or roasted mushroom burger with yuzu kosho aioli, along with sides like fries, salads, desserts, and cocktails. They’re open for delivery through the apps, or you can pick up your order at Pabu.

Joining the growing list of new sandwiches in SF is Heroic Italian, a sandwich spot originally located in Santa Monica. The Castro location uses bread from Montesacro Pinseria and meats and cheeses imported from Italy to make sandwiches like the “OMG” (five different types of meat, roasted artichokes, giardiniera, and truffle mayo), or the Quadronno (prosciutto, burrata, and roasted tomato). You can pick up a sandwich for lunch or dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

The vegan burger spot started as a food truck and recently landed a brick-and-mortar on Piedmont Ave. in Oakland. The entirely plant-based menu includes a massive burger topped with bacon and onion rings, a fried chicken sandwich, and even a Captain Crunch milkshake. They’re open for takeout only, Tuesday through Sunday.

We checked out Malibu’s Burgers and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

For butter mochi, chocolate haupia pies, and Queen Emma cakes, stop by this new Hawaiian bakery in Berkeley. They also have savory snacks, like a furikake snack mix or spam musubi. Order online for next-day pickup.

The team behind the SF-based wholesale seafood company Four Star Seafood has a new market and cafe in Noe Valley. They have a huge selection of fresh seafood that you can order by the pound, or you can get clam ceviche, sashimi, smoked salmon salad on griddled brioche, and other prepared seafood dishes to go.

We checked out te and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

The former Caribbean/Latin American pop-up Chao Pescao opened a brick-and-mortar in the old Soluna Lounge space in Civic Center. You can order things like Colombian-style empanadas, ropa vieja, pozole rojo, tostones, and more for takeout and delivery. They also have desserts, cocktails, and six-bottle packs of wine.

La Guerrera’s Kitchen was located in Oakland’s Fruitvale for about a year, but when the pandemic hit, owners (and La Cocina alums) Ofelia Barajas and Reyna Maldonado let their lease expire and transitioned into a pop-up. Now, they’ve reopened the restaurant in a new space in Old Oakland. Their menu includes things like taquitos with barbacoa, pozole verde, and chicken mole tamales. Order for pickup here.

We checked out La Guerrera’s Kitchen and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Shake Shack is continuing its expansion into the Bay Area with its newest location in Uptown Oakland. Expect to see burgers, sandwiches, chicken nuggets, milkshakes, and, of course, crinkle-cut fries on the menu. They’re open for lunch and dinner every day from 11am-7pm.

The Ferry Building is now home to The Epicurean Trader’s fourth location - and this new one has a cafe that’s serving coffee, pastries, wine, and beer. You can also pick up everything from gift baskets to local cheeses or empanadas. They’re open every day from 7:30am-5:30pm.

Little Original Joe’s is from the team behind Original Joe’s in North Beach. The new spot is located in West Portal, and has things like lasagna, stuffed shells, and a pretty extensive list of pizzas. You can also shop for pantry staples in their market, which offers everything from fresh flowers and wine to dried pasta and sauces.

Oakland’s Laurel District has a new spot for seafood: T&T Seafood #2. You can stop by for fried fish and oysters, as well as shrimp fried rice. They’re open for takeout every day except Sunday from 11am-9pm.

You can find Las Delicias Salvadoran Restaurant in the old Theraphu Burmese Street Food spot in Berkeley. It’s got everything from cheesy pupusas and Salvadoran antojitos to Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, all available to go Monday through Saturday.

We checked out Las Delicias Salvadoran Restaurant and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The Berkeley burger institution closed in 2019 after a fire damaged their kitchen. They reopened their doors in November to give us the gift of their classic charbroiled burgers on sesame buns, chili cheese dogs, and milkshakes to-go. They’re open every day until 10pm if you need a late-night burger fix.

Last year, Shawarmaji owner Mohammad Abutaha set out to bring Jordan-style shawarma to the Bay. He started out as a pop-up, and now has a brick-and-mortar in Uptown Oakland. Shawarmaji’s wraps are longer and thinner than most others you’d find in the Bay, and are made with minimal ingredients - just shawarma, garlic toum, and cucumber pickles (you can add in fries if you want - which you do). Also on the menu is a falafel sandwich that’s made with a French baguette that’s pressed on the grill like a panini. Shawarmaji is open for takeout from Wednesday to Sunday.

We checked out Shawarmaji and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Get your weekend brunch fix at Westwood’s new sister restaurant, Wilder. The Marina spot has pancakes and french toast for brunch, as well as mimosas, Bloody Marys, and sangria. They’re also serving dinner with things like chorizo mussels and lobster truffle mac and cheese. Wilder is open for takeout and delivery.

If you’re looking for a new Thai place to try, head to Wawa Thai Food in East Oakland. The Northern Thai spot is serving everything from khao soi and pumpkin curry to crab fried rice and khao mun gai. They’re open every day for lunch and dinner.

Mike Bernstein started home brewing gluten-free beer about a decade ago, and after selling it to restaurants and grocery stores for the last few years, has finally opened a taproom in Oakland’s Jack London Square. As opposed to brewing with traditional grains and removing the gluten after, Buck Wild Brewing uses 100% gluten-free grains throughout the entire process. In addition to beer, you can order wine, hard agua frescas, and food by Kitava, a gluten-free spot in the Mission. The menu has things like loaded fries and fish and chips, which you can enjoy with your pale ale at an outdoor picnic table. Buck Wild Brewing is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Flywheel Coffee’s new location is across the street from their cafe on Stanyan Street, in a kiosk on the outskirts of Golden Gate Park. You can chill with your coffee and pastries on their patio, or take it to go and people-watch at Hippie Hill.

For Thai-inspired burgers, order from this new delivery-only spot. They have a larb gai burger (crispy chicken, mint, cucumber, and larb mayonnaise), and a moo ping burger (pork patty, crispy onion, cilantro, and moo ping sauce on a sticky rice bun). You can also add on sides like chicken wings and tofu tots with sweet chili sauce. Hoopla Burger is open every day except Wednesday for lunch and dinner.

The Filipino street food spot has added an entirely vegan truck to its fleet. Señor Sisig Vegano includes plant-based and dairy-free versions of everything from their longanisa chorizo burritos to cheesy nachos with pork. For now, the truck is parked in the Mission on weekends, but may head to other Bay Area locations in the future - check their Instagram for updates.

Fifty years after Double Rainbow was founded in the Castro, the scoop shop is back. The new location on Castro St. has classic flavors, like Coffee Blast and It’s A Goody, and new vegan and special flavors that are all available as scoops and milkshakes. They’re open for takeout Wednesday to Sunday, 12-9pm.

States Coffee is expanding from their original location in Martinez with two new Oakland stores in the former Subrosa Coffee spaces. Only the MLK St. cafe is open for now (the one on 40th St. is still under construction). You can stop by daily for espresso drinks, pastries, and loaves of bread to-go.

Donut Savant closed their original location in Uptown Oakland after the building they were housed in was scheduled to be demolished. A year later, the donut shop has returned, this time in East Oakland’s Allendale neighborhood. They make mini raised and cake donuts, cronuts, and cinnamon rolls topped with everything from salted maple frosting to shredded coconut. Donut Savant is open Wednesday to Sunday, 7am-1pm.

We checked out Donut Savant and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The owners behind the French wine bar closed their location in the Financial District late last year, with the intention of opening in a new spot in Duboce Triangle. After six months of shelter-in-place-related delays, they’re now operating with a menu that includes prawn tartines, duck reubens, charcuterie plates, desserts, and wine. They’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 2-9pm (Happy Hour is 2-5pm).

Carbona is a new Detroit-style pizza spot that’s operating out of Grand Lake Kitchen in Oakland’s Dimond District. They’ve got a menu of 11 thick, chewy pizzas topped with things like pepperoni, mushrooms, or prosciutto and pineapple. If you’re still hungry, you can add on sides like breaded and deep-fried ravioli, or hand-packed vegan dole whip. They’re currently open for takeout and delivery.

We checked out Carbona and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

For Honduran food, head to El Rinconcito in the Mission. The takeout-only restaurant has everything from seafood platters and carne asada plates to baleadas and tacos dorados. Call 415-341-0013 or stop by to order.

The International Smoke team (yes, Ayesha Curry’s restaurant) has launched a new takeout and delivery concept in the Financial District focusing on comfort food. The Mac ’n Cue menu includes pulled pork mac and cheese, a salt and pepper brisket sandwich, and cornbread. Order online for delivery or pick up at Pabu (lunch only) or Michael Mina (dinner only).

The Filipino restaurant in Oakland is serving all-day breakfast, rice plates, and desserts. Takeout and delivery options include sisig, tapsilog, pork adobo, lumpia, and kare-kare. They’re open 11:30am-8:30pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

In August, the pandemic forced Metin Yalcin to close his Mediterranean restaurant, Pera. He’s now opened a restaurant in Potrero Hill that’s focused on Creole and Cajun dishes. The menu at the new Southern spot includes things like po’boys on Dutch crunch rolls, gumbo, and guava-glazed chicken wings. Po’boys Kitchen is currently open every day for takeout and outdoor dining.

Ain’t Normal Cafe used to be a coffee catering company, and now they have a brick-and-mortar coffee shop in Oakland’s Rockridge (in the old Bica Coffeehouse space). They feature coffees from local Bay Area roasters and also serve scones and cookies made in-house. While you currently can’t sit inside and scroll through Twitter while pretending to do actual work, you can take everything to-go daily from 7am-12pm.

The cafe in Oakland’s Pill Hill neighborhood technically opened in mid-February, but quickly shut down due to the pandemic. And after a months-long hiatus, the entirely vegetarian cafe is back with everything from cinnamon rolls and bagels to grain bowls and Red Bay Coffee drinks. They’re open for takeout and delivery, and have outdoor seating.

Grandma’s Kitchen is a new Vietnamese restaurant in the Richmond that serves everything from bun bo hue to pho to rice plates. They also have a solid selection of vegetarian dishes. You can order takeout for lunch or dinner, every day except Monday.

The chef from General Tso’s Kitchen in the Richmond is now at Chuan Yu, a new Chinese restaurant in Oakland Chinatown’s Pacific Renaissance Plaza. Fans of spice will love their menu, which has lots of traditional Sichuan and Hunan dishes like chongqing chicken and mapo tofu. You can dine on their outdoor patio (they share it with Sakura Bistro), or order for takeout or delivery.

Joining Burma Superstar’s mini Bay Area empire (Burma Love, Burma Club, and B Star) is Burma Bites, a new delivery-only concept. It’s based out of Oakland, and has a pared-down menu of popular Burma Superstar dishes, like tea leaf salad, platha and dip, garlic noodles, and basil chicken. They also have new “bites,” like a fried chicken sandwich, spicy mango wings, and steak fries. Delivery is in Oakland only.

Layalina is a new Middle Eastern halal restaurant in Oakland’s Pill Hill neighborhood that makes kebabs, shawarma plates, and desserts like baklava, knafeh, and carrot cake. When indoor dining returns, Layalina will double as a hookah lounge. They’re currently open for takeout, and also have a couple of tables outside for dine-in.

If you’re looking for yakitori, head to Izza in Oakland’s Temescal district - they have plenty, from chicken and shrimp to quail egg skewers. The izakaya also has tapas, katsu sandwiches, an extensive list of sake, and occasionally-changing specials that range from uni brioche to spicy scallop tartare. Izza is open every day except Monday for takeout and outdoor dining.

If you love frozen treats but can’t leave the house without a Lactaid in your wallet, you’ll be happy to hear that Mr. Dewie’s - a completely cashew-based scoop shop - has opened a third location on Oakland’s Piedmont Ave. Ice cream flavors range from chocolate orange chip to mint chip to turmeric, and they also have ice cream cookie sandwiches and bon bons.

Three months after a fire badly damaged Old Jerusalem Restaurant in the Mission, the same team behind it has opened Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill. The Haight-Ashbury spot has the same menu - shawarma wraps, kabob plates, salads, and soups. They’re open every day for lunch and dinner, for takeout or heated outdoor seating.

There’s a new Middle Eastern restaurant in the Richmond serving things like falafel wraps, za’atar flatbreads, dolmas, and desserts like warba and baklava. They’re open for lunch and dinner daily, which you can get for takeout or delivery.

Le Dix-Sept started as a pop-up almost 10 years ago, and is now a brick-and-mortar spot in the Mission. Owner Michelle Hernández churns out colorful, botanical-inspired pastries, confections, and drinks using plants, flowers, and other natural ingredients. The menu changes daily, but typically includes things like vanilla bean canelés, chocolate almond tarts with passion fruit, and lavender hazelnut hot chocolate. They’re open Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm, and will expand their hours in November.

The father-son duo behind the mochi-focused bakery in Japantown have expanded into the East Bay, and opened a second location in Oakland’s Jingletown. The new spot is takeout and delivery-only - customers can walk up to their storefront, or order using delivery apps. They serve colorful mochi donuts and mochi cupcakes (which are gluten-free), with flavors ranging from cookies and cream and Fruity Pebbles to kinako and matcha. Donuts and cupcakes are also available individually or in boxes of six or 12.

Uptown Oakland now has a new spot for breakfast all day. The diner currently serves pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and eggs from 9am-9pm. If you’re looking for something sweet, they have princess pancakes (inspired by the owners’ daughter). It’s raspberry jam slathered between two buttermilk pancakes, and topped with purple rolled marzipan. You can also order things like warm potato duck confit salad, chicken livers, and gnocchi tots, and coffee, beer, and wine (pinot and pancakes, anyone?). Takeout, outdoor, and indoor dining are available.

We checked out Daugher’s Diner and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Central Kitchen has been closed throughout the shutdown, and recently transitioned into a more laid back restaurant called Central Kitchen Wine Bar. You can sit outside in their heated courtyard and have a glass of wine with things like amberjack crudo, mussels, or sweet potato and ricotta tortelloni. All the pasta is made at Flour + Water Pasta Shop, which is right next door. The wine bar is currently open for outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery Thursday to Sunday, 5-9pm.

Early to Rise used to be a pop-up that hosted family-style, 50-person brunches, and it’s now a restaurant in Nob Hill focusing on takeout and meal kits. The important thing to note is that chef and owner Andrew McCormack makes everything on the menu from scratch, from the hot sauce to the butter to the bagels. Also on the menu are South Carolina-style shrimp and grits, and fried-to-order donuts in weekly-changing flavors like passion fruit and coconut or peach pudding. Meal kits include bagels and lox or challah french toast, which you can get for pick-up or delivery. Early to Rise is open Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am-1:30pm, and will soon expand hours to include Thursday and Friday mornings.

We checked out Early to Rise and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

At this new spot in Bernal Heights, Julia Zhu and Sandy Zheng create dumplings inspired by their family recipes. They serve traditional xiao long bao, potstickers, and shengjian bao, all with handmade wrappers. They also make dumplings with unique filling flavors. Case in point: the Mission potsticker filled with mozzarella, corn, and chicken, and then topped with crispy cheese. If you’re in the mood for more than dumplings, they have dishes like Mongolian cumin lamb or hand-pulled noodles with guacamole. United Dumplings is open every day (except Tuesday) for takeout and outdoor dining.

We checked out United Dumplings and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

Matt Horn’s ascent to the BBQ Big Leagues (a real thing, thanks) started when he began making his slow-smoked barbecue at farmers’ markets and pop-ups. And now, after months of delays, Horn Barbecue’s long-awaited debut has arrived. Located in the old Brown Sugar Kitchen space in West Oakland, Horn Barbecue is serving pulled pork, half and whole chickens, beef ribs, and brisket, which is smoked for 18 hours. You can also get sides like potato salad, pit beans, and cornbread, and desserts like banana pudding and rum cake, which are baked by Nina Horn, Matt Horn’s wife. Horn Barbecue is open Friday to Sunday from 11am-5pm.

We checked out Horn Barbecue and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The team behind the now-closed restaurants Nico and Gap Year At Nico recently opened Maison Nico, an epicerie/deli in Jackson Square where you can get paté en croute filled with everything from pork belly to blood sausage, flaky brioche, jams, pickles, coffee, and cocktails. They’re takeout only for now, and will soon offer nationwide shipping. Maison Nico is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and you can also find them on Saturdays at the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market.

Seabreeze on the Dock is a new waterfront seafood restaurant that’s located in the former Il Pescatore space in Oakland’s Jack London Square. If it swims, it’s probably on the menu. There are lobster rolls, shrimp po’boys, crawfish and lobster by the pound, fried catfish, and garlic butter shrimp available every day for outdoor dining or to-go.

There’s a new spot in the Marina that specializes in ramen bowls that you can get topped with char siu pork belly, chicken breast, or tofu. They also have a small appetizer menu, which includes chicken karaage, mushroom tempura, and gyoza. Yondo Ramen is open for takeout, delivery, and limited indoor dining.

The new Mexican restaurant in the Richmond has breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and pambazo, a potato and chorizo sandwich fried in hot sauce. For lunch, they’re serving dishes, like enchiladas, tortas, and quesabirria tacos, which are really having a moment.

This new seafood and wine bar in the Fillmore is by the team behind State Bird Provisions and The Progress, which are both just around the corner. You can snack on raw or barbecued oysters, local anchovies, and butters, spreads, and desserts over a glass of wine on their parklet or in their dining room inside. They’re open from 11:30am-8pm, and aren’t currently offering takeout.

The chef behind Perle Wine Bar in Oakland and SF’s Butterfly, which closed in 2017, just opened a new Vietnamese restaurant. The Inner Richmond spot is serving a breakfast and lunch menu with things like vegan chao, shaking beef salad, and a banh mi with a French dip-inspired pho au jus. Lily is currently open for takeout Thursday to Sunday from 10am-3pm.

We checked out Lily and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

If you’re the type of person who could eat french fries for every meal, and then some, check out Man Vs. Fries. The mini-chain opened a food truck in the Mission where you can get curly fries topped with carne asada, or burritos stuffed with fries. They also have a “Cali Crunch” (think Crunchwrap Supreme, but with Hot Cheetos), or deep-fried Oreos. Order through the apps for pickup or delivery.

Located on the corner of Precita Park in Bernal Heights, Marlena is a new restaurant that’s doing four-course meals for outdoor dining. The prix fixe menu is seasonal, but you can expect to see things like pork collar with delicata squash, honey nut squash soup, and creme fraiche cake with huckleberry compote. And if your idea of a perfect afternoon involves cured meats and a large patch of grass, you can order their charcuterie, cheese, and dessert picnic basket (it even comes with a blanket) and take it with you to the park.

There’s no shortage of dumpling spots in San Francisco, and this Hayes Valley restaurant is the latest addition. They serve xiao long bao and crispy shengjian bao (you can only order them for dine-in), along with noodles and small plates. Dumpling Home is open for outdoor dining and takeout from Tuesday to Sunday.

We checked out Dumpling Home and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

Consider stopping by this new Vietnamese restaurant in Portola if you’re looking for pho or vermicelli bowls. Pho Nation also makes rice plates with grilled short ribs, shrimp, or pork chops. They’re open daily from 10am-9pm for takeout and delivery.

This family-owned spot near Oakland’s Lake Merritt has a menu of stir-fried noodles, soups, and rice plates available for takeout, delivery, outdoor, and indoor dining. The dishes on their extensive menu are mostly Vietnamese, with some Cambodian and Chinese items, too, and include everything from hu tieu to wonton noodle soup to chicken wings.

If you’re looking for plant-based lunch or dinner, and also want your fill of Southern-style dishes, Saucy Bandits seems like a good place to start. They have vegan cauliflower nuggets, pulled pork sandwiches, and a variety of sauces (like bacon ranch, hot honey, buffalo, and BBQ) you can get on everything. They’re operating out of a Bernal Heights ghost kitchen, which is open for pickup between 5-10pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - or you can get it all delivered through the apps.

This new Japanese spot in Oakland focuses on nigiri, sashimi, and maki. The menu changes daily, but look to the website or Instagram for the latest updates. You can also get a seven-piece nigiri combo ($25) or 16-piece sashimi omakase ($35). Mujiri is open every day for lunch and dinner, but they close early if they sell out of fish, so make sure to call ahead.

Our spot for hat yai fried chicken and papaya salad recently expanded to the Peninsula, with a similar menu to their San Francisco and Oakland locations. The new Thai restaurant in Menlo Park is open every day for takeout, delivery, and indoor and outdoor dining.

Kin Khao’s Union Square location remains closed for now, but you can still get their excellent wings or khao soi at their new fast-casual outpost in the Dogpatch. Expect a pared-down menu, which includes dishes like nam tok, chilled prawn noodle salad, and, of course, khao soi. They’ll also be serving wine, beer, and seasonally-flavored popsicles, all for takeout and outdoor dining.

We checked out Kin Khao Dogpatch and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

The Vietnamese restaurant opened in the former Slurp Noodle Bar space in the Castro, and is offering vermicelli bowls, banh mi, garlic noodles, and more. You can stop by for takeout or outdoor dining every day from 11am-10pm.

The new Mexican spot in SoMa has taken over the old Oola space, serving things like elotes, tacos, and chicken mole. You can also get a variety of cocktails for takeout and outdoor dining. They’re open for dinner every day except Monday, and for brunch on weekends.

Duboce Triangle has replaced one sushi spot with another: Sushi Urashima has opened in the recently-closed Amasia Hide’s Sushi Bar space. And Sushi Urashima does it all - nigiri, maki rolls, donburi, and appetizers like gyoza and seaweed salad. They also have a $30 omakase that comes with 10 pieces of fish.

SF now has another spot for Nashville-style fried chicken sandwiches. Until Hotbird opens their permanent space in the Twitter building food hall, they’re temporarily operating out of The Market’s prep kitchen, which is also in the Twitter building. Their sandwiches are made with chicken breast, and have five increasingly numbing levels of spice. Pre-orders start at 11am every Tuesday to Saturday.

We checked out Hotbird and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

This new spot in the Mission has a variety of Korean-Mexican fusion dishes, like a kimchi burrito and bulgogi tacos. They also have Japanese bento boxes with things like chicken katsu and crispy tofu. They’re open for takeout and delivery every day except Monday.

The team behind Suppenküche in Hayes Valley has opened a new beer garden in Forage Kitchen’s massive outdoor space in Uptown Oakland. They have socially-distanced picnic tables where you can enjoy a menu of things like bratwursts, wienerschnitzel, salads, pretzels, and, of course, German beer. Hofküche is open Wednesday to Sunday.

The Preacher’s Daughter is a new WOC-owned wine bar/coffee shop/lunch spot on Alameda’s Park Street. They’re serving wine, beer, coffee, salads, and sandwiches, all of which you can enjoy to go, or on their sidewalk parklet from 8am-8pm every day.

The South Bay welcomed its first Shake Shack, which is located in the Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose. They’ll have their regular menu of smashburgers, crinkle-cut fries, and frozen custard, and seasonal items like a pumpkin-flavored milkshake.

The beloved dessert cafe closed in June, and was later purchased by Jane The Bakery. The cafe has since reopened as Toy Boat by Jane. You can stop by for Double Rainbow ice cream, bread, cookies, coffee, pastries, salads, and sandwiches every day from 8am-8pm.

Tarragon Cafe is a breakfast and lunch spot located in the Lower Haight (in the old Cafe du Soleil space) that offers things like frittatas, paninis, salads, charcuterie, and pizza. You can also wash it all down with espresso drinks, beer, and wine.

Komaaj Kitchen is a pop-up and catering company that’s now serving Northern Iranian food out of The Laundry in the Mission. Their menu includes things like turmeric rice, pomegranate and walnut stew, beet yogurt, and coffee, beer, and wine. They’re open Thursday to Saturday from 12-8pm.

We checked out Komaaj and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

Trick Dog has a new concept called Quik Dog, a casual spot for dinner and cocktails. You’ll see things like a hot dog with jalapeños, bacon, and sautéed onions, a Beyond burger, and chicken nuggets (which come with an incredible house-made honey mustard). They’re open for takeout Wednesday to Sunday, from 4-9pm.

We checked out Quik Dog and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

In August, Wise Sons acquired Beauty’s Bagel Shop, and recently took over Beauty’s former spot in Downtown Oakland. East Bay deli-lovers can now get pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and bagels on weekdays from 7am-2pm, and weekends from 8am-2pm.

The new restaurant in Novato is open for takeout and dining on their outdoor patio, and has a menu of things ranging from char siu octopus to steak frites to saffron pappardelle. They’re currently only open for dinner, but will serve brunch and lunch starting in October.

The popular vegan pop-up has finally landed a brick-and-mortar spot in Downtown Oakland. On Fridays and Saturdays, they’ll serve a small menu of plant-based Singaporean and Chinese dishes, and, of course, their shaobing sandwich. What goes in it rotates every week, but expect things like grilled seitan with spicy tomato and ginger relish, or hoisin braised tofu with garlicky cabbage. You can place an order here on Wednesdays at noon for pick-up on Friday or Saturday.

We checked out Lion Dance Cafe and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The Japantown udon spot has expanded into Mountain View, but with a more limited menu of things like agedashi tofu, takoyaki, tempura, and udon. Outdoor dining and takeout are available.

If the phrase “burger topped with mac and cheese” really gets you going, head over to this new Berkeley spot immediately. They have an extensive list of burgers that range from classic to more creative (think burgers topped with mac and cheese or BBQ hot links). Order online for pick-up or delivery.

The new family-owned Chinese restaurant in the Richmond specializes in dumplings, with everything from xiao long bao to wontons in chili oil to har gow. Their extensive menu includes other noodle dishes and entrees, like wok-seared eggplant, kung pao chicken, and mapo tofu. Dumpling Baby is open every day for takeout and delivery from 4-10pm.

Heirloom tomato toast, crepes, and a salad bowl are all on the menu at this new breakfast and lunch spot in Berkeley. From 9am-3pm every day, you can stop by for coffee and enjoy it on their outdoor patio, or to-go.

We checked out Mise En Place Kitchen and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The pasta pop-up, which previously operated out of Chef Joe Nardello’s house, has secured a brick-and-mortar space in the Mission, where they’ll serve homemade agnolotti, ravioli, tortellini, and more for pick-up. Place your pasta order online (they also ship nationwide).

Califorrito in Hayes Valley makes everything from a burrito stuffed with fries to a triple-stacked quesadilla with meat and cheese. They’re all available for pick-up and delivery Thursday to Monday. You can place an order online.

You may have seen the red VW bus-turned-ice-cream-truck around the city - and it’s now landed a semi-permanent home in Marina Green Park. Every Friday to Sunday from 12-5pm, the team behind San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery will sell their ice cream (with the fresh, homemade mix-ins that we know and love) out of the truck in the Marina. They have three standard flavors - vanilla, mint chip, and chocolate sorbet - and three changing flavors. Check their Instagram to see what’s in rotation.

Everyone in SF has strong opinions about what is truly the best boba spot in the city (email us and we can discuss). But the arrival of this popular chain, known for their salty cheese foam and colorful teas, might make you reconsider. Happy Lemon recently opened not one, but two locations in SF - one in Mission Bay and one near the Embarcadero - and they’re both open for pick-up and delivery. And since there are two locations to try, your chances of getting their coveted boba milk tea cake (which usually sells out quick) are doubled.

The Berkeley-based coffee shop has crossed the Bay and opened their first SF location on Divisadero. You can stop by every day from 8am to 1pm for their excellent espresso drinks or Vietnamese iced coffee, or grab a bag of beans to-go.

North Beach’s favorite spot for grilled chicken, rabbit, and lamb has a new location in the Mission (it’s got the same menu). They’re looking to build a parklet for outdoor dining soon, but it’s takeout only for now.

At this new Mexican restaurant in Walnut Creek, expect Happy Hour specials, tequila and mezcal flights, and a live mariachi band. (What more can you ask for, really?) There’s plenty of outdoor seating, and they’re open until 11pm daily.

If you’ve hit a rut in your daily lunch routine, you may want to check out Garden Variety in Berkeley. The new lunch spot on University Avenue serves a rotating menu of salads, all with distinct flavors - like one with jerk chicken and pineapple, or another with soba noodles and a white-miso dressing. The salads change every month, which is a great excuse to stop by monthly (or more) to enjoy a salad outside in their backyard rose garden. They’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-3pm.

Black Food Collective in East Oakland operates out of a new storefront on 23rd Avenue, and features a rotating line-up of Black chefs from across the Bay Area, like Briya Be Cookin and the vegan taqueria VACOS. They hope to open the backyard space for outdoor dining soon, but for now it’s a takeout-only operation. To place an order, or see what chefs are cooking and when, check the Black Food Collective’s Instagram.

The Korean-Mexican spot has opened a follow-up to their Union Square location. This one’s in Chinatown, and they have massive kimchi burritos, bulgogi tater tots, and more for pick-up. They’re open for lunch and dinner, every day except Sunday.

If you’re along the Embarcadero or are on your way to Rincon Park, and in need of sustenance, head to this new cafe. They have breakfast staples (like avocado toast, parfait, and breakfast burritos), sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizzas. You can also grab beer, wine, or Verve coffee while you’re there.

A new Uzbek restaurant has arrived on Sutter Street (in the former Yemeni’s Restaurant space), and is serving a menu of things like sofi osh, kebabs, and soups. They’re open for takeout and outdoor dining.

B. Patisserie, our go-to spot for kouign amann, has a new French restaurant a few doors down from the bakery. You can order a la carte (expect things like swordfish rillettes, whole roasted cauliflower, lobster, and lamb), or from a three-course set menu for $39. They’re currently open for pick-up Friday-Sunday from 5-8:30pm.

We checked out Routier and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

There’s a new taqueria by Oakland’s Lake Merritt, and they’re serving quesabirria tacos, along with burritos and bowls filled with things like carne asada, mole, and chorizo and eggs. If you’re on your way to sit and eat by the lake, Uarhi seems like the perfect takeout spot.

This family-owned deli in Visitacion Valley has wraps, salads, pastries, and an extensive list of sandwiches named after SF neighborhoods (like the Haight, which comes with falafel, hummus, and tabouleh, or the Fillmore, with roast beef and cheddar). They’re open every day for pick-up.

If you’re looking for some quick Thai takeout in the Lower Haight, you’re in luck. Farmhouse Kitchen has a new takeout window on Fillmore serving favorites like papaya salad, kao soi neua, and hat yai fried chicken - and lunch specials and dessert platters. Farmhouse Kitchen is also operating another Farmhouse Thai Express out of Son & Garden, their new brunch spot in the Tenderloin.

Stepping into the old Jardiniere space is Baia, a vegan Italian restaurant serving plant-based pizzas, pastas, salads, and desserts. They’re also running a separate vegan sushi pop-up called Woodblock Sushi (with things like spicy crab rolls made with hearts of palm). The two will operate out of Baia’s kitchen.

This new spot for juice, smoothies, and acai bowls is in Oakland’s Laurel District. Got Juice also has ginger, wheatgrass, and maca shots for $4. They’re open every day for takeout from 10am-3pm (and 4pm on weekends).

Cocobreeze is a Trinidadian restaurant in East Oakland serving everything from traditional roti wraps filled with chicken, goat, or duck to superfood smoothies. Currently, they’re open for takeout and outdoor dining Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 11am-8pm.

We checked out Cocobreeze and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Cocktails, beer, and wine, and a limited food menu - The Factory Bar in Richmond already seems like a great spot to stop by for snacks and a drink. They’re offering patio service only (no takeout), and reservations are required.

This kosher restaurant in SoMa may be a new spot to add to your lunch rotation. They’ve got fresh, fluffy pita from Israel, shawarma made with 18 spices, falafel, salads, hummus, and soups. They’re open every day except Saturday.

The new cafe in Montclair is currently in soft-opening mode, and serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 8am-2pm. They’re only taking walk-in orders for now, so stop by if you want a breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese, a colorful Buddha Bowl, or coffee, kombucha, or tea.

A new bar has taken over the old Jay’n Bee Club space in the Mission. Lost Resort, a nautical themed spot, is offering things like oysters, steamed mussels, and ceviche, as well as fried chicken sandwiches, fish and chips, and pulled pork tacos. You can also enjoy their cocktails, beer, and wine on their outdoor patio. Lost Resort is open every day except Monday.

Fort Point now has another location for you to enjoy hot dogs and beer, and this one’s in the Lower Haight. They’ve got sidewalk tables, or you can take your food and drinks to go from Wednesday through Sunday.

There’s a new boba spot in China Basin with classic drinks like Thai or black milk tea, and special drinks like Passion Fruit Perfume Lemon Green Tea - all of which you can get topped with cheese foam, jellies, and boba.

This new UC Berkeley-adjacent spot is serving Indian street food out of their new Telegraph Avenue location. The menu at Delhi Diner has extensive vegetarian and vegan options, and tons of chicken, lamb, seafood, and goat dishes.

PizzaHacker has officially expanded into the North Bay, and is now part of a massive new beer hall in Mill Valley called The Junction. The beer garden is serving pints, wine, and hard kombucha, and has room for over 100 socially-distanced diners. PizzaHacker’s classic pizzas, like the Yo Vinny! and Top Shelf Margherita, will be on the menu. And at 14 inches, they’re also bigger than the pies they make at their spot in Bernal Heights.

This new Afghan spot in West Oakland has a menu of wraps, kebabs, rice dishes, and freshly-baked bread, all of which you can order for takeout. They’re open every day from 10am-8:30pm.

We checked out Twins Halal and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Nopalito recently opened a new takeout window on 18th Street in the Mission with a limited menu, including totopos, tacos, and a carnitas meal kit. You can walk up to order or use the apps for delivery.

We checked out the Nopalito To Go Window and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

The people behind Absinthe and Bellota have opened a new casual American restaurant in Hayes Valley. It’s currently operating out of the old Arlequin Cafe space, and has a menu of things like burgers, sandwiches, and salads to-go.

We love hanging out at (and eating our way through) the Ferry Building, and now we have yet another excuse to spend an entire day snacking by the water. This colorful pop-up is serving small and large tarts with flavors like ube coconut and passion fruit mango every Saturday. You can order for pick-up and shipping on their website.

The wildly popular pop-up known for their cheesy quesabirria tacos has a permanent home in Richmond. To prevent large crowds from gathering, El Garage is asking customers to order ahead online, and choose a specific time slot for pick-up. Right now, online ordering starts on Thursday, for pick-up on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

We checked out El Garage and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Morning Due now has a sister restaurant called Pizza Due in the Mission. They’re offering build-your-own pies, slices, and whole pizzas like the Green Goddess, and the Baconato topped with bacon, potatoes, and mozzarella.

The market known for its local produce and groceries now has a second location in the new Oakland neighborhood called Brooklyn Basin. And if it’s nice out, you can also sit down with a charcuterie platter, a breakfast burrito, or roast chicken from their new all-day restaurant, The Kitchen, and enjoy it on their massive waterfront patio.

If you’re looking for a new sandwich spot to add to your rotation, check out Masabaga in Uptown Oakland. We love it for the deep-fried toro burger with yuzu kosho aioli and pickled onions, but they also serve a grilled mackerel sandwich and a wagyu burger that are both well worth your time.

We checked out Masabaga and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

There’s a new BIPOC-owned beverage shop by Lake Merritt in Oakland. Their shelves are stocked with wine, beer, spirits, coffee, and tea, and, in the future, the space will also function as a tasting room. You can order everything to-go by stopping by or calling ahead to pick up between Tuesday-Sunday.

After the shutdown in March, Azikiwee Anderson started perfecting his sourdough bread in his Inner Richmond backyard, and in June began selling loaves of it through Instagram. Anderson’s loaves use ingredients you don’t typically find in sourdough - hot links, scallions, garlic confit, blackberries, and even chocolate chips and candied pecans. You can order for pick-up online, or snag a loaf at Excelsior Coffee on Sundays.

At Bun Nha Trang, three brothers are serving Vietnamese dishes inspired by their mother’s recipes, and dishes that “tend to get overshadowed by pho,” according to their website. They have bun bo hue, banh bot loc, and slow-simmered spicy beef and noodle stews. The restaurant is currently operating out of a cloud kitchen in SoMa for takeout and delivery, and open every day except Monday for lunch and dinner.

We checked out Bun Nha Trang and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

Bake Sum is a new bakery serving colorful pastries infused with Asian flavors, like strawberry matcha buns, Thai tea mochi bites, and passion fruit croissants. You can (pre-order here) for pick-up in the Mission or in Berkeley, or find the pastries at grocery stores, markets, and cafes.

Fans of the SoCal-based chain will be happy to know that Philly’s Best has made its way to Oakland. You can currently order Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, hoagies, cheesesteak fries, and more, for takeout and delivery from their East Oakland location by the Coliseum.

Ice cream fans will be happy to hear that the spot on Berkeley’s Fourth Street that was once home to Three Twins is now a new ice cream shop called Noble Cow Creamery. The small-batch creamery makes their ice cream using ingredients from local farms for the flavors - expect to see flavors like strawberry, mint cookie, and chocolate.

Unsurprisingly, the menu at this new Burmese spot in the Tenderloin is pretty, well, herb-forward - their tea leaf salad and falafel are made with hemp. Herbal is owned by the people behind Oakland’s beloved Grocery Cafe, which closed earlier this year, and is open every day but Sunday for takeout and delivery.

We checked out Herbal and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

There are five kinds of tacos on the menu at this new all-day spot on Solano Ave. in Albany: rib-eye, fish, pork shank, carnitas, and vegan chorizo. And if you’re sorely lacking in self-control like us, you’ll probably want to try them all (which you can do for $22). 5 Tacos & Beers also has weekend brunch, outdoor seating, and a good selection of locally-brewed beers.

If greens, rice, and proteins all mixed together sounds like your idea of the perfect meal, try Ben’s Fast Food. It’s a new virtual restaurant with rice and protein bowls topped with mounds of cauliflower, fresh cucumber, carrots, and roasted sunflower seeds. Each bowl comes with a protein of your choice, like pork shoulder, chicken, or chickpeas, and costs about $8. You can place an order on their website.

If Canasta sounds familiar, it’s because they have a food truck, and a brick-and-mortar location in Concord. And now the Mexican restaurant has expanded into Alameda’s Webster St. Canasta is serving tacos, burritos, and breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros, and smaller plates like empanadas and sopes.

Comal’s second takeout-focused location is in the old Barlago space near Lake Merritt in Oakland. Like the one in Berkeley, this Comal Next Door also offers taqueria staples like tacos, cocktails, and beer.

This new fusion spot in the Richmond is serving up everything from burgers to squid ink pasta to pork katsu curry. And if you’re hungry past what we’ve deemed as “normal dinner hours” (a social construct, really), they stay open somewhat late: until 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fusion Mediterranean is a great option if you’re looking for a quick breakfast or lunch in Downtown Oakland, and they have everything from espresso drinks to falafel to bagels. Right now they’re open for takeout and delivery, and are also accepting large catering orders.

Tucked in the back of East Oakland’s La Estrella Market is this new family-owned Afghan spot. They’re serving up kebab plates, wraps, and rice plates for takeout and delivery every day from 11am-10pm.

This new chocolate shop and cafe in the Castro is serving housemade chocolates, bonbons, and espresso drinks - and a Filipino cacao porridge. They’re open Thursday-Sunday, and you can order for pick-up on their website.

If you’ve been to Katsuya in LA, you know that their spicy tuna over crispy rice is the stuff of legends. And now you can get it in the Bay at Krispy Rice, a new virtual spot by the same team. Along with the famed dish, Krispy Rice has handrolls, tempura, and nigiri, all available for delivery only.

If you’re a ramen enthusiast in the East Bay, you should hit up Kyoto Ramen in El Cerrito. They’ve got ramen bowls with black garlic broth, seafood and veggie options, and more. You can also order Japanese curry, poke, and appetizers like gyoza, chicken karaage, or spam musubi.

If you’re in Berkeley and want pasta right now, Italy on Gilman seems like a pretty good choice. The restaurant in the former La Calle 10 spot has an extensive menu of Italian dishes, like gnocchi with brown butter and sage, shrimp scampi, and seafood risotto, as well as wine, beer, and cocktails. And if the summer weather is kind (read: no fog), you can enjoy everything on their spacious lower and upper patios.

If you like your food to look like it belongs in a Dutch masters still life painting, head to Le Moon Thai. This new restaurant in Cow Hollow is making beautiful, creative Thai dishes, like massaman curry with croissants and ahi tuna larb, all of which are presented alongside colorful florals. Right now, the restaurant is open for takeout and outdoor dining.

What used to be a laundromat in Noe Valley is now a coffee shop named Noe Cafe. While we can’t currently hunker down inside at one of their minimalist wooden booths with a good book in one hand and an espresso drink in the other, we can still order coffee and pastries to-go, and enjoy it all on one of their sidewalk tables.

Oakland Street Food Co. has an extensive menu of street food favorites, like carne asada totchos, quesabirria, fish tacos, Hawaiian garlic shrimp, and more. Right now, they’re open Wednesday through Sunday for pick-up at their Downtown Oakland location. You can place an order here.

A new Chinese milk tea and snack spot has opened in Berkeley - and this one offers Ritual Coffee. They also have boba drinks, smoothies, and jianbing to-go.

The new smoked BBQ takeout window is operating out of the Aloha Club in Oakland’s Fruitvale district. They’re serving smoked quesadillas and nachos, brisket and ribs by the pound, and even vegan wings. They’re open for pick-up and delivery via the apps.

The Vault was one of the first restaurants in the city to reimagine dining in the Covid-19 era with the launch of an entirely-outdoor restaurant called The Vault Garden. The upscale American restaurant includes seats for about 100 socially distanced diners, an outdoor bar, and a menu that can withstand the chilly San Francisco winds, like ceviche and fried chicken sandwiches. Reservations are recommended.

Woods Beer & Wine Co. has expanded their mini beer empire with a sixth location in the Lower Haight. You can pick up cans of beer and bottles of natural wine from 2-7pm on weekdays and 12-7pm on weekends. And if you’re also hungry when you order, they’re serving El Porteño empanadas to-go.

Base Camp in the Mission is the sister restaurant of Dancing Yak, and has an extensive menu of Nepali street food - four types of momos, chow mein noodles, biryanis, skewers, and curries you can order a la carte. Base Camp is open for takeout and outdoor dining, and will offer brunch in the near future.

Shortly after the shelter-in-place order, Flour + Water launched a takeout-focused storefront in the Mission. Flour + Water Pasta Shop has DIY meal kits - so you can make their incredible corn cappelletti at home - and sandwiches, salads, and snacks you can take to-go or enjoy on a sidewalk table.

We checked out Flour + Water Pasta Shop and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

One of the chefs who used to work at Rich Table has opened a new spot in the Mission with a limited to-go menu. “Ernest At Home” offers a weekly-changing dinner with things like whole roasted chicken, summer pepper shish kebabs, and cheesecake. You can order on their website for pick-up or Saturday delivery.

Hummus Bodega has brought their impossibly smooth hummus and pita to the Richmond, and is currently operating out of Frena Bakery. They’re also driving the hummus in a delivery van around the Bay. Check their Instagram for daily pick-up locations.

Aria Korean Street Food now has a delivery-only concept called Korean Burrito Joint by Aria. They’re offering Mexican/Korean fusion dishes, like carne asada burritos with kimchi fried rice, and tater tots topped with bulgogi and guacamole. You can place an order on their website.

La Crêpe à Moi is a staple at farmers’ markets around the Bay, and now you can enjoy their delicious Nutella and strawberry crepes at their new brick-and-mortar location in Berkeley. Sweet and savory crepes are available for pick-up every day except Mondays and Saturdays.

Wise Sons is now expanding their offerings and making Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired wraps and salads through their new virtual restaurant called Lev. You can order from them online and have everything delivered Wednesday through Sunday.

This new sandwich spot opened in the space that was once home to Alamo Square Deli. They’ve got things like a spicy tuna melt, and a colorful avocado and veggie sandwich. Lucinda’s Deli & More is open every day except Monday, from 11am-5pm. You can place an order online or stop by to order.

We checked out Lucinda’s Deli & More and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

Itani Ramen in Uptown Oakland has officially entered the realm of sushi. Their new virtual restaurant, Nikkei Sushi, is offering sushi classics like maki, nigiri, sashimi, and special rolls for takeout and delivery. Since the two restaurants are operating out of the same kitchen, you can add ramen to your orders.

The team behind The Kon-Tiki in Oakland launched Palmetto, an Uptown Oakland cocktail bar specializing in tropical drinks and steaks. However, Palmetto announced in June that it was temporarily closing, due to the pandemic. No word yet on when they’ll reopen.

If you’re passing through the UC Berkeley campus and get a sudden (and very specific) craving for a 16-inch Neapolitan pepperoni pizza, you’re in luck - Paradigm Pizzas is serving pizzas, pastas, and desserts out of the dining hall at Clark Kerr. Everything is available for pick-up and delivery Wednesday through Sunday.

This new spot in Russian Hill is offering homemade pastas, eggplant parmesan, fresh calamari, and other Roman-style Italian dishes you’ll probably want to eat. They also have a selection of fruit-forward cocktails, like a white peach bellini, and a blackberry and basil champagne drink, all which you can enjoy in their outdoor dining area every day except Tuesday.

One of our favorite combinations (after Dolores Park and the Truffle Guy, or Ziwe Fumudoh and Instagram Live) is pizza and beer. And Above Ground has tons of it. The new vegan brewpub in the Mission has an extensive menu of plant-based pies, including lots of gluten- and nut-free options.

Cali Alley is a new takeout window in Berkeley, on Grayson St. They’re serving up a variety of comfort food, like beef barbacoa plates, fried chicken, and hoisin and soy braised ribs, to go. You can also order meals in family-sized portions that serve 4-6. For details on daily specials, check their Instagram.

We checked out Cali Alley and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

Since we’re not seeing actual friends and family right now, the next best thing (that doesn’t rhyme with “vroom”) could be picking up cocktails and snacks from this new women-owned bar in Uptown Oakland. The menu is inspired by the owners’ friends and family, and ranges from Happy Hour bites and carrot cake by the slice, to cocktails like the Kaufman Sisters and Mom’s Rosy Cheeks (“just how mom likes it”). They’re currently open Thursday-Sunday from 2-8pm.

We checked out Friends and Family and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

If you’re a fan of hot dogs, you’ll be happy to know that this new sandwich shop in the Castro is reopening in the former Dapper Dog location - and, yes, they’re keeping the dogs on the menu. They’ve got a build-your-own-dog option (so you can load it up with all the pepper jack cheese and jalapeños you want), as well as Impossible burgers, breakfast sandwiches, shawarma, and more.

This Oakland-based business specializes in Nigerian puff-puffs: sweet, lightly fried balls of dough. And if the promise of fried balls of dough isn’t enough to convince you to place an order immediately, they also come coated in powdered sugar or lemon glaze, or filled with Oreo or Nutella. You can order them in boxes of 6 or 24 for pick-up and delivery on Gourmet Puff’s website.

Time to add a new fried chicken spot to the Bay Area’s growing list. This popular Tennessee chain is now in Oakland and specializes in Memphis-style fried chicken, which is marinated in a spiced wet batter before frying. They’re currently open for takeout, delivery, and catering.

If eating a hot chicken sandwich topped with pickled jalapeños and a near-obscene amount of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos wasn’t already on your to-do list, it should be. This new virtual restaurant from the Square Pie Guys is offering five sandwiches, each flavored with different spices (like Szechuan, Calabrian, and, yes, Flamin’ Hot Cheeto dust). You can order the sandwiches for pick-up or delivery in SF.

We checked out Hetchy’s Hots and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

The taco truck known for its cheesy, juicy quesabirria tacos now has a permanent home: outside of the Aloha Club on Oakland’s Fruitvale Ave. The East Oakland spot is open for takeout or delivery Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am-6pm, and may expand their hours soon.

One of our favorite spots for oysters is now open over in Larkspur. This is the fifth Bay Area location for Hog Island Oyster Co., and they’re sticking with takeout and delivery for now. They also have outdoor dining, so you can slurp down fresh or grilled oysters on their picnic tables out front.

We’re pretty sure that the Venn diagram of San Franciscans and people who love a damn good sandwich is a circle. And one sandwich spot that’s worth checking out: Palm City in the Sunset. They make hoagies like an Italian combo stuffed with mortadella, fresh mozzarella, and nduja aioli, and a garlicky roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and cherry pepper relish.

We checked out Palm City and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.

If you’re looking for a new place to grab fresh hummus, salads, wraps, and more, this Israeli restaurant in Oakland is a great choice. The chef at Pomella used to run the beloved, casual eatery Ba-Bite, which closed last year. Pomella is open for takeout and delivery, or you can enjoy their fresh beet salad or lamb kefta wrap out on their spacious patio.

We checked out Pomella and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.

The team behind Farmhouse Kitchen has a new takeout-only brunch and dinner spot in the Tenderloin. And you can order everything from cotton candy cocktails to a fried chicken eggs benedict to an afternoon tea set that comes with a three-tiered stand. Place an order online for delivery and pick-up.

If you’re looking for a new vegan spot, look to The King’s Feet in Berkeley. It’s a collaboration between the team behind Pizza Moda and The Butcher’s Son, and has an entirely plant-based menu with Italian dishes like a Beyond beef bolognese and a pizza topped with mushroom “clams.”

It was a tumultuous 2019 for Tosca Cafe. But after an eight-month hiatus and a change in ownership, North Beach’s iconic spot is back. They’re currently offering family-style dinners in addition to their regular menu.