If you tried to keep track of every brand new restaurant in San Francisco, your head might spin. So just read this list instead. This guide tracks new eating and drinking experiences in SF, Oakland, Berkeley, and beyond. If you know of a new spot that’s not on this list, tell us about it by emailing sanfrancisco@theinfatuation.com.
JUNE
photo credit: Eric Wolfinger
Bini's Kitchen
One of our favorite spots for momos just opened a new kiosk inside the La Cocina Municipal Marketplace in the Tenderloin. Bini’s Kitchen has a similar lunch menu to the SoMa and Union Square locations, including lamb, turkey, and vegetarian momos, gurkha chicken, and Nepali-style chili made with nine kinds of beans.
photo credit: Adrian Lopez
Grand Coffee Too
Grand Coffee Too is the second cafe from Grand Coffee, an SF-based coffee roaster that also sells wholesale beans. The new spot is down the street from the original cafe in the Mission. Expect to see espresso drinks, non-coffee options like pineapple tea and Korean grain drinks, and pastries coming soon.
Red Bay Coffee
If you’re near Lake Merritt in Oakland, stop by Red Bay Coffee’s new outpost right next to the Grand Lake Theater. The new location has all of the usual espresso and tea drinks, plus pastries.
Curry Ya Tomo is a Japanese curry spot from the team behind Menya Kanemaru (the Mission ramen spot that opened in April). It operates out of the same location and has a separate menu of curry and rice topped with things like salmon, pork, or chicken katsu, chicken karaage, or fried eggplant.
photo credit: Midnite Bagel
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Midnite Bagel
The former bagel pop-up has landed a brick-and-mortar in the Inner Sunset. Head over to the new cafe for coffee, pastries, and lots of sourdough bagels, which you can get in bulk or as sandwiches with things like smoked salmon or cucumbers and guacamole.
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Occitania is a new French restaurant in Uptown Oakland from the chef behind Duende (a Spanish spot that's also in the same neighborhood). The menu will change depending on what’s in season, but expect to see things like rotating cassoulet, steak frites, french onion soup, and more.
Bodega Bistro, the Vietnamese restaurant, closed its doors in 2017. And now, Matthew Ho, whose family owned the old spot, is bringing it back—this time as Bodega SF, a modern Northern Vietnamese restaurant in the Tenderloin. Dishes range from pho ga and turmeric fish to oysters with yuzu coconut foam, and you can order them a la carte or as part of an $88 tasting menu.
MAY
photo credit: Albert Law
Handroll Project
The people behind omakase spot Ju-Ni just opened a hand roll bar. The sit-down Mission spot (located in the old Al’s Deli space) has a menu of hand rolls filled with things like scallop, smoked uni and ikura, and salmon, which you can order in sets of five, seven, or ten.
We checked out Handroll Project and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
4bells Public House
If you’re looking for a new spot to watch sports in Berkeley, head to 4bells Public House, a new spot by the people behind Acme Bar & Company and La Marcha Tapas Bar. If you get hungry, the old-school bar has plenty of shareable plates like onion rings, crab cakes, and lobster Hot Pockets.
Café Etoile
Café Etoile in Berkeley is a new French cafe to check out for quick weekday lunches. They have espresso drinks and cold brew, plus an eclectic menu of things like croffles (croissant waffles), french toast, and bulgogi sandwiches.
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Afghan Burrito is located in Berkeley’s Cal Food Garden, an outdoor space with garden boxes and plenty of tables. They make Mission-style burritos using Afghan-inspired meat marinating techniques for the chicken and steak filling. There are also vegetarian options.
photo credit: Kelly Puleio
Bar Nonnina
Bar Nonnina is a new cocktail bar hidden in the back of Fiorella’s Inner Sunset location. Expect a menu of Italian shareable dishes like ricotta tortellini and focaccia with prosciutto. They also have beer and wine.
Elephant Sushi
Elephant Sushi’s newest location is in Hayes Valley (you can also find them in Russian Hill and Downtown Oakland). The sushi spot has a similar menu of things like specialty rolls, salmon served on a slab of Himalayan salt, and seared yellowtail topped with truffle oil.
Odin
Nido, the Mexican restaurant near Jack London Square in Oakland, was just reborn as Odin. It’s an agave bar with food by pop-up Tacos El Precioso—think smoked salmon tostadas, tacos with charred yam, and meat and cheese boards. Enjoy it all alongside mezcal and tequila cocktails.
photo credit: The Palm Court at RH San Francisco
The Palm Court at RH San Francisco
The 80,000-square-foot Bethlehem Steel Building in Dogpatch is now home to The Palm Court at RH San Francisco, a live-fire restaurant serving things like caviar, wagyu ribeye, and wood-grilled branzino. After you’re done eating, you can check out the rest of the building, which is filled with furniture exhibitions, a rooftop park, and the RH interior design studio.
Good To Eat Dumplings
The first brick-and-mortar of Good To Eat Dumplings has landed in Emeryville. The former pop-up specializes in Taiwanese dumplings, rice bowls, and noodle dishes (the menu changes daily). They’re also still popping up at breweries around the East Bay—check their Instagram for updates.
We checked out Good To Eat Dumplings and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Members Only
Nob Hill’s newest cocktail bar and restaurant is Members Only. And don’t worry, coming here doesn’t actually require a membership. The menu covers everything from pork belly bao and truffle parmesan fries to smashburgers and pappardelle bolognese. When you’re done, you can head downstairs to their speakeasy, Finders Keepers, for another round.
Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers is located inside of Members Only, in the basement downstairs. At the time of writing there’s no menu online, but their Instagram mysteriously promises “cocktails and curiosities,” which seems like a fun night to us.
Venga Empanadas
This is the second SF location of Venga Empanadas, an Argentinian spot focusing on vegetable- and meat-filled empanadas. It’s located inside the Salesforce Tower, so you can stop by for a quick lunch if you’re working in the area. The original is in the Mission.
Savor Cafe
At Savor Cafe in the Inner Sunset, you’ll find vegan and vegetarian Middle Eastern dishes available for breakfast and lunch. The menu includes things like portobello shawarma, bagels with smoked tofu and plant-based garlic herb butter, and stuffed baby beets.
Dash Japanese Tapas And Sushi
Dash Japanese Tapas And Sushi is originally located in San Mateo, and they just opened a new outpost in Noe Valley. Stop by for nigiri, specialty sushi rolls, and other Japanese dishes like chicken karaage, spicy miso ramen, and katsu stuffed with gouda.
You might recognize Aedan Fermented Foods from the Ferry Building farmers market and grocery stores around town. They focus on Japanese koji-based products like chickpea miso and amazake, which you can pick up at their new counter-service brick-and-mortar in the Mission. They also have bento bowls with tofu, chicken, fish, or mushrooms, and everything is available for takeout.
Colibri Mexican Bistro closed their Union Square location in 2020, and just reopened at the Presidio’s Officers Club. The menu includes everything from tlayudas and chilaquiles to mole poblano and quesabirria, all of which you can enjoy while sipping on margaritas or mezcal mules.
APRIL
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The old Nabe space in the Marina is now Ilcha, a Korean spot where you can get into a spread of Korean fried chicken, bulgogi tater tots, and tteokbokki alongside premium soju and beer. As an homage to Nabe, they’ll also serve spicy ramen hot pot with kimchi, spam, sausage, and baked beans.
photo credit: Spork
Spork
Chinatown has a new spot for Thai- and Vietnamese-influenced brunch. Spork serves everything from tom yum omelets and pandan waffles with fried chicken to steak benedict, plus milk tea and espresso drinks.
A new drinking spot just landed in Cole Valley. If you’d rather stop in for a full meal, the neighborhood tavern has plenty to eat, from smashburgers and hot chicken sandwiches to cioppino with squid, mussels, and fish. They’ll also have food from pop-up Cod Damn on Sundays.
Seoul Bird & Soju
Seoul Bird & Soju is a casual new spot for Korean fried chicken in Downtown Oakland. You can get wings, thighs, tenders, or drumsticks coated with gochujang mayo or honey wasabi. They also serve soju cocktails.
Bansang
The people behind Daeho in Japantown just opened another restaurant around the corner. Bansang is a modern Korean spot with small plates like uni scallop toast and bulgogi salad, plus larger dishes like double cut galbi and miso marinated pork collar.
photo credit: Kelly Puleio
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Lobby Bar
Lobby Bar is a new cocktail lounge inside Hotel Castro with a seasonally changing menu of cocktails. Expect to see things like the E.M.T. (espresso, mezcal, and tonic) or the Spa Day (gin or vodka, cucumber, basil, and lemon). The food ranges from snacks like popcorn and truffle fries to larger dishes like turkey burgers and margherita flatbreads.
photo credit: For The Record
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For The Record
For The Record is a new retro-themed bar in the Marina decked out with funky patterned wallpaper and a disco ball. Their cocktails are named after songs from the '70s, like Superstition with rum, coconut, coffee, and ube coconut cream, or the Lovely Day (tequila, lime, and rose).
Ivory & Vine
Ivory & Vine is a new piano bar in the Mission (in the old Revolution Cafe space), where you can snack on dolmathes and mezze platters while listening to live music. The menu of shareable Greek dishes also includes beer and wine.
Dumpling Union
Cow Hollow has a new dumpling spot: Dumpling Union. It’s a Chinese restaurant with an extensive menu of noodles, mains like kung pao chicken and kimchi fried rice, and dumplings, of course, which come boiled, steamed, or pan-fried.
The Line Coffee
If you’re in Berkeley and need a coffee, check out The Line Coffee on Telegraph Ave. They have espresso drinks, nitro cold brew, and things like avocado toast, cinnamon rolls, and slices of cake.
Yuji
Yuji is a Kappo-style spot in Japantown with nine seats and a 12-course menu ($180). Dishes change based on seasonality, but expect to see things like wagyu shabu shabu, chawanmushi, and handrolls.
photo credit: Lani Conway
Korean Superette
The former Rivoli space in Berkeley is now Korean Superette, a grocery store and restaurant where you can stock up on banchan and instant ramen while also sitting down to bulgogi rice bowls, black bean udon, and braised tteokbokki. There’s also a patio out back.
We checked out Korean Superette and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Yeti Sports Bar and Restaurant
There’s a new place to catch a game in Berkeley: Yeti Sports Bar & Restaurant. They have tons of TVs lining the walls, plus a food menu with Himalayan dishes like momos and chicken tikka masala, plus wings, quesadillas, and chicken tenders.
Anya’s Deli
The old Good 2 Go Curry in North Berkeley is now Anya’s Deli. The takeout-only spot has chicken and lamb curries, plus snacks like bhel puri and samosas. They also have ice cream for dessert.
photo credit: Imana
Hi Felicia
After starting out as a supper club hosted in an Oakland backyard, Hi Felicia has landed a brick-and-mortar in Uptown Oakland. The “vulgar fine-dining” restaurant promises a non-pretentious 12-course tasting experience ($195) in its all-black space decked out in neon and paintings by local artists. Dishes are influenced by Japan and Mexico, so expect to see things like quail tostadas, sopes with roasted red pepper, creme fraiche, and caviar, and duck confit wet burritos.
We checked out Hi Felicia and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
For upcycled pizza and lots of natural wine, head to Shuggie’s in the Mission. They’re on a mission to reduce food waste by using irregular or surplus produce and offcuts of meat—meaning the grandma-style pies are topped with things like carrot top chimichurri, wilty greens, and blemished tomato sauce, all in a colorful, eclectic space.
We checked out Shuggie's and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Aura Tea
Come to this Embarcadero spot to get your fix of vegan, sugar-free boba. Tea flavors range from strawberry green tea to chai with ginger and cinnamon—and they also offer CBD as an add-on to any drink.
photo credit: Dexter Hake
Mijoté
Mijoté is a contemporary French bistro in the Mission serving a four-course dinner ($82) that frequently changes. Expect to see dishes like bigeye tuna with cabbage and capers, lamb loin with spring garlic, and strawberry with smoked milk and parsley, plus lots of natural wine.
We checked out Mijoté and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
photo credit: Emmita's Cafe
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Emmita’s Cafe
If you’re looking for a new breakfast spot, check out Emmita’s Cafe in Lower Pacific Heights. Like its sister spot, Breakfast Little, Emmita’s Cafe serves coffee, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and toasts, plus salads and juices.
The Mission’s newest ramen spot is located in the old Orenchi Beyond space. At Menya Kanemaru, you’ll find ten different ramen options—four of which are vegan. They also have a variety of bentos with tonkatsu, salmon teriyaki, and beef sukiyaki.
The hot fried chicken sandwich spot recently moved from the Twitter building across the Bay Bridge to Uptown Oakland. Hot chicken aside, they also have other Southern-inspired dishes like fish and chips, 48-hour ham hock collard greens, and banana cream pudding.
We checked out Hotbird and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
photo credit: Hidden Spot
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Hidden Spot
Hidden Spot’s third Bay Area location is tucked away inside Trademark Sports Bar in SoMa. Stop by for wagyu burgers, wings, and hot sandwiches. Catering is also available.
El Porteño Empanadas
Next time you get hungry before a Giants game, consider stopping by El Porteño for some empanadas filled with mushrooms, shrimp, or chicken. It’s located right across from Oracle Park (their other outpost is in the Ferry Building).
Damask Rose
There’s a new spot to get a caffeine fix in North Oakland: Damask Rose. Aside from standard espresso drinks, they also have rose-flavored lattes and lemonade, plus Mediterranean flatbreads, baklava, warbat, and more treats.
photo credit: Nathan Choi
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Sura Gan
This Korean fine dining restaurant in Polk Gulch is home to a seven-course prix-fixe menu ($105 per person). Expect to see dishes like beef tartare, black cod in chicken dashi broth, and 48-hour beef soup.
MARCH
Damaoxie
Damaoxie is a Cantonese restaurant in Oakland’s Chinatown that specializes in seafood. The Chinese restaurant has everything from fried crab and steamed lobster to noodles, soups, and rice plates.
Dar Fatma
If you’re in the Financial District and looking for a new lunch spot to check out, Dar Fatma seems like a great option. The Tunisian restaurant has couscous with vegetables, chicken, or lamb, plus salads and sandwiches with merguez and kefteji.
For Philly cheesesteaks, catfish po’boys, and breakfast all day, head to Bojax Kitchen in East Oakland. The breakfast menu includes everything from grits and salmon croquettes to chicken and waffles.
Lower Nob Hill is now home to Piroo, a Nepalese restaurant to stop by for pani puri, papdi chaat, and chatpate, a street food made with puffed rice and instant noodles. Soju cocktails are coming soon.
Tane Vegan Izakaya
The team behind Shizen in the Mission just opened another plant-based sushi spot in Berkeley. At Tane Vegan Izakaya, you can get similar specialty rolls filled with asparagus and shredded gobo or tempura eggplant and bell peppers, plus ramen, nigiri, and gyoza.
photo credit: Alexandra Garrett
Bottle Club Pub
Union Square’s newest bar is called Bottle Club Pub. You can swing by before a theater show downtown or shopping to get a cocktail fix, or settle in with a glass of wine or beer on tap. To eat, they have a menu of ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s-inspired dishes like wedge salads, loaded fingerling potatoes, and baked pasta alla norma.
Diamond Coffee N’ Pastry
You’ll want to head to Diamond Coffee n’ Pastry in the Richmond to try a “croffle” (a cross between a croissant and a waffle) topped with Oreos or ube frosting. Aside from desserts and pastries, the cafe also has creative coffee drinks, like pistachio lattes and lavender white mochas.
Mushin Sports Lounge
Sports fans now have a high-end option if they want to catch a game: Mushin Sports Lounge. The sleek Uptown Oakland spot has signature cocktails, beer, and wine, along with bar food like burgers and corn cakes, wings, and brunch chicken and waffles. The bar accepts table reservations and also offers an annual membership.
Hi-Way Burger & Fry
Noe Valley’s Hi-Way Burger & Fry just opened a new location in North Beach. Aside from lots of burgers, they also have shakes, salads, and fried chicken sandwiches.
Monster Pho
The Vietnamese restaurant in Oakland’s Temescal moved around the corner to a larger space, and now has bar seating, indoor games, and even robot servers. The menu is the same, so you can still get standbys like pho, rice and vermicelli plates, and their excellent pandan waffles.
Hotline
The team behind Queens, the Korean superette in the Inner Sunset, just opened a new takeout spot. It's in the Outer Sunset, just blocks from the beach, and serves Korean-Chinese (junghwa) combination plates that can be filled with things like mandoo with Impossible pork, fried pork in sweet and sour gravy, and fried prawns with scallions and dried chili.
Grande Crêperie
There’s a new spot in the Ferry Building for crepes, and this one is from the people behind Le Marais Bakery. At Grande Crêperie, you can choose from 16 sweet or savory combinations, like strawberries, jam, and mint, or smoked salmon with spinach and creme fraiche. They also have soft serve, coffee, and pastries from Le Marais.
Tarocco
Tarocco is a Mediterranean salad bar in Berkeley with a daily-changing menu. The lineup might include pomegranate brussels sprouts, turmeric-roasted cauliflower with chickpeas, and citrus olive oil cake with crushed pistachios. They have cardamom rose lattes and kombucha to wash it all down.
We checked out Tarocco and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Study Hall
Downtown Berkeley’s newest rooftop bar is called Study Hall, and it’s located on the 12th floor of the Residence Inn. They have a menu of bar snacks like brussels sprouts, pork belly sandwiches, and burgers, along with wine, beer, and cocktails.
photo credit: Aomboon Deasy
Pomet
The owner of K&J Orchards just opened a restaurant on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, and the menu features ingredients straight from their farm, along with other local producers. Seasonally-changing dishes include things like charred Brokaw avocado, lamb neck noodles, and smoked black cod with sunchoke and lemongrass.
We checked out Pomet and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Pacific Cocktail Haven
Pacific Cocktail Haven just opened a new space a few doors down from their original Union Square spot (which burned down last year). Welcome the bar back to the neighborhood by grabbing cocktails like the “Silk Road” with gin, Japanese curry, and grilled pineapple.
Imran & Ali’s Coffee Hut
If you’re looking to get caffeinated before your morning commute, a coffee kiosk with iced and hot espresso drinks, pastries, and grab-and-go snacks just opened in the Downtown Berkeley BART plaza.
Fruit lattes—espresso drinks with layers of fruit mixed in—just landed in the Sunset. You can get your “fruit-te” with avocado, mango, pineapple, or durian, or opt to have your drink served inside a whole coconut.
One of our favorite tamale spots in Old Oakland just moved down the street into Swan’s Market. Stop by and get into a spread of beef barbacoa tacos, chicken mole, and pozole verde.
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.
photo credit: Kat Smit
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Schlok's Bagels & Lox
The popular bagel pop-up has finally opened the doors to its brick-and-mortar shop in NoPa. Schlok's will continue to serve the same excellent (and massive) bagels, house-cured lox, and spreads as before, along with a few new bagel sandwiches and coffee from Saint Frank.
We checked out Schlok's and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
FEBRUARY
Sistory Thai Kitchen
Sistory Thai is an all-day Thai spot in Berkeley that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The menu ranges from roti with yellow curry and kao soi to more creative dishes, like lobster ravioli tom kha.
We checked out Sistory Thai Kitchen and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
photo credit: Cousins Maine Lobster
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Cousins Maine Lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster is a seafood chain with many restaurants and food trucks across the nation—and they just landed in the Bay Area. The food truck parks at Laughing Monk Brewery in Bayview, so you can stop by for East Coast-style lobster rolls, chowders, and loaded tots, and wash it all down with some beer.
photo credit: Little Jane on Grant
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Little Jane On Grant
The newest Jane outpost is a small takeout-only spot in Chinatown near Portsmouth Square. They have breads, grab-and-go salads, and pastries like pineapple kouign amann, hojicha chocolate chip scones, and persimmon rice pudding.
Chuck's Takeaway
Slanted Door’s chef Charles Phan just opened a new takeout-only sandwich shop in the Mission. The menu at Chuck’s Takeaway features banh mi on housemade Vietnamese baguettes, plus egg salad sandwiches on milk bread, coffee, tea, and cookies.
Birch & Rye
Birch & Rye is an upscale, contemporary Russian restaurant in Noe Valley. Expect to see appetizers like Georgian cheese bread and caviar, as well as larger dishes like borscht, stroganoff, and potato salad with lobster.
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Lazy Susan
Lazy Susan has relocated to a new space in West Portal after just one year in Hayes Valley. The menu at this casual Chinese restaurant is staying the same, meaning you can stop by for hot and sour soup, kung pao chicken, and mapo tofu. Unlike the old location, though, the new spot has indoor seating (the Hayes Valley spot was takeout only).
Mixiote
Mixiote is a La Cocina-born business that just opened a stall inside the lobby of Salesforce Tower. There, you can order their take on Mexican mixiotes—slow-cooked protein like pork, chicken, or vegetables that's marinated in chile sauce and then wrapped in avocado or banana leaves. Mixiote is open for takeout only.
Taksim
Lokma, the Mediterranean restaurant in the Richmond, has a new sister restaurant: Taksim. The fine dining Turkish spot is located in SoMa in the old Cockscomb space, and serves everything from octopus with sauerkraut to wood oven-baked flatbreads and branzino with anchovy rice pilaf.
Wabi-Sabi SF
There’s a new Japanese spot in SoMa for chirashi, omakase under $50, and specialty sushi rolls. They also have daily specials, like a “Let’s Gooo 9ers” roll with salmon and sliced lemon.
photo credit: Chadwick's
Chadwick’s
Chadwick’s is a bakery in the Castro serving “fun buns,” which are essentially cinnamon rolls but with flavors like lemon and chocolate. They also have focaccia pizzas, calzone-style wraps, and coffee to wash it all down.
Kaiyō Rooftop
Kaiyō, the Peruvian/Nikkei spot in Cow Hollow, just opened a rooftop bar and lounge in the Hyatt Place in SoMa. They have shareable plates like tai tiradito and bluefin tuna toast, along with cocktails, sake, beer, and Japanese whisky.
Berkeley has a new breakfast/lunch spot from an alum of Bette’s Oceanview Diner, Gilberto Monroy. Nuevo Sol serves a menu of Mexican American dishes, ranging from chorizo scrambles and chilaquiles to garlicky corned beef hash and french toast.
We checked out Nuevo Sol and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
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Gai Chicken & Rice
The spot for Singaporean-style Hainan chicken just opened a second location in the Tenderloin (the original is in the Castro). The new outpost also serves fried chicken, dan dan noodles, and mango sticky rice.
JANUARY
photo credit: Rebecca Hopkins Photography
Koolah Cafe
Koolah Cafe is an Australian cafe in the Richmond with tea, espresso drinks, and pastries. If you need something more substantial they also have a selection of sandwiches, like a PB&J with bacon, and bagels with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
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And now, for a Japanese place you’ll have to DM for a reservation. Yakiniku Shodai in Civic Center does a $225 prix fixe menu revolving around grilled-to-order wagyu dishes, featuring beef from Japan, Australia, and the US.
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The team behind Charlie’s Food Trailer, an East Bay-based food truck serving tacos, sandwiches, and burgers, just opened a tapas spot in Lower Nob Hill. The menu at Almadura includes things like tacos with ribeye, pork belly, or sweet potato, and shareable plates—think gambas al ajillo and mussels with chorizo.
Dak Chicken
Dak Chicken is the newest spot in the Sunset for Korean fried chicken. They specialize in five different types: original, chili garlic, sweet chili, gochujang rosé, and yang-nyum. They're also available in sandwich form or as a combo meal with fries, mandoo, or onion rings.
Ceron Kitchen
Over in Alameda is a new upscale American restaurant for brunch and dinner. The menu at Ceron Kitchen covers everything from lox scrambles and strawberry soufflé pancakes to short ribs, squid risotto, and duck liver with cinnamon brioche, plus wine.
A Girl Named Pinky
At the start of the pandemic, A Girl Named Pinky closed their UC Berkeley location. Now the bakery is back, with a new stall inside the Emeryville Public Market. Stop by to get your fix of cupcakes, eclairs, and macarons. They'll also have an expanded lunch menu soon.
Gangnam Jajang
In the mood for jajangmyeon with house-made noodles? This new Korean and Chinese restaurant in Oakland Temescal specializes in them, plus rice dishes and fried chicken with various sauces.
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Bottle Bacchanal
Bottle Bacchanal is a new bottle shop in the Castro with natural wines, spirits, and craft beer (with a focus on women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ producers). They also have snacks, glassware, and wine and cocktail books.
Good Good Culture Club
There’s a new restaurant from the Liholiho Yacht Club team: Good Good Culture Club. Located in the old Dear Inga space in the Mission (where Liholiho Yacht Club operated out of for most of last year), their “heritage-driven” menu highlights dishes across Asia—like garlic rice-stuffed chicken wings topped with adobo glaze, or Lao sausage with pasilla pepper jaew. They round it all out with a pretty extensive list of spirits, plus cocktails, wine, beer, and sake.
We checked out Good Good Culture Club and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Joodooboo
Look to this new Korean deli for fresh housemade tofu and a rotating menu of banchan. Joodooboo, a former pop-up, is now a brick-and-mortar in Oakland’s Longfellow neighborhood, and is also stocked with everything from kimchi to pickled radish and lotus root.
We checked out Joodooboo and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
The long-awaited new spot from Matt Horn of Horn Barbecue is here. It’s called Kowbird, and the focus is fried chicken. At the West Oakland spot, you can get a sandwich topped with Southern-style gravy and a fried egg, one dusted in hot chilies, and more. For sides, expect things like fried cabbage with bacon, and mac and cheese.
We checked out Kowbird and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Napizza
Napizza is a new wood-fired pizza spot in the Marina churning out Neapolitan pies. Toppings here skew more traditional (sausage, mushroom, etc.), but there are some not-so-traditional choices (see: the Americana pie topped with french fries and hot dog slices). They also have a couple of pastas and appetizers on the menu, like fried pizza dough and waffle fries.
Split
The casual American restaurant originally started out in Russian Hill and SoMa, and recently expanded to the East Bay. The Uptown Oakland outpost is open all day, with dishes ranging from challah french toast to ahi burgers with wasabi aioli.
Banh Mi Viet
Banh Mi Viet is a counter-service Vietnamese spot in NoPa serving things like sticky rice, spring rolls, and banh mi. For the sandwiches, there are five filling options: dac biet, beef, chicken, fish cakes, and tofu.
The Levain Bakeries
This new bakery concept comes from the team behind Glazier, a rolled ice cream and boba spot in Union Square. The Levain Bakeries operates out of the same space, and has pão de queijo, custom cakes, cupcakes, and more.
Osito
Osito is a fine dining restaurant in the Mission that cooks everything on their menu over a fire. At $295 per person, you’ll get a tasting menu of seasonally-changing dishes, like a game bird and wild mushroom tarte or some type of meat carved tableside.
Squabisch Pretzels
German pretzels are the focus at this North Berkeley bakery. Squabisch specializes in Swabian-style pretzels with toppings that range from pepperoni to ham and cheese to ricotta with strawberry jam.
We checked out Squabisch and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Lost Marbles Brewpub
If you’re looking for a new place to drink in the Richmond, Lost Marbles seems like a solid option. It’s a brewpub with plenty of beers on tap, a few snacks and small plates like wings and panuchos, plus burgers and fried chicken sandwiches.
Key Klub
Another brand new bar that seems worth checking out is Key Klub. The Lower Nob Hill spot from the team behind Bodega in North Beach has a similar menu of natural wine and small plates. But unlike Bodega, Key Club has larger entrées too, like steak au poivre or french toast with duck liver mousse.
DECEMBER
Moku Yakitori-Ya
In the Inner Richmond and in the mood for yakitori? Moku Yakitori-ya might be a good spot to satisfy that craving. It’s located in the old Halu space (which was another yakitori restaurant), and also has a similar menu—cheese-filled rice cakes, bacon-wrapped mochi skewers, and clams in dashi.
Jikasei Mensho
One of our favorite places to get ramen (Mensho Tokyo) just opened a counter-service, takeout-friendly outpost in the Twitter building. The new location focuses on miso ramen and serves everything in to-go containers.
We checked out Jikasei Mensho and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
The Socialite Crafthouse & Kitchen
This American restaurant along the Embarcadero serves everything from filet mignon skewers to wood-fired pizzas. They also do brunch on weekends, and have tons of cocktails, beer, wine, and coffee on hand.
Super Duper Burgers
The burger mini-chain just opened another location, this one in Laurel Village. It’s got the same menu of burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes, along with local beers and wine.
Bar Comal
Comal Next Door has a new neighbor, Bar Comal. The Oakland spot is from the Comal team, and has a similar menu of shareable Mexican dishes like tacos, nachos, and crudo tostadas. Wash it all down with a margarita or some mezcal cocktails.
Yes Pudding
Yes Pudding is an SF-based dessert company that just opened its first brick-and-mortar in the Ferry Building. At their new stall, they’ll have seasonally-rotating desserts, like apple crisps, plus standbys like banana pudding or almost croissant bread pudding.
Automat
For apple fritters with aged cheddar, spicy pork hand pies, and breakfast sandwiches, check out Automat. The casual new breakfast and lunch spot in NoPa also plans on opening for dinner service in January.
La Snackería
The owner of Papalote just opened a new spot for sweet and savory snacks in the Mission called La Snackería. They have everything from mangonadas and agua frescas to shrimp aguachile and elotes.
Rose Pizzeria
The Berkeley pizzeria specializes in “East Coast-style” thin-crust pizzas. Their pies are topped with combinations like jalapeño and smoked mozzarella, roasted mushrooms and truffle cream, or sausage and caramelized fennel. They also serve beer and natural wine by the glass or bottle.
We checked out Rose Pizzeria and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Soon & Soon
The team behind Mister Jiu’s now has a souvenir shop with bucket hats, tote bags, glow-in-the-dark sweatshirts, and more. The shop is located at the entrance to Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown, and also serves espresso drinks and pastries like pineapple buns and cake.
Flour & Branch
The SF-based bakery officially has its first storefront in SoMa. At the new spot, you can grab espresso drinks and pastries like kouign amann or cookies stuffed with Nutella or PB&J.
Sorella
The team behind the Italian fine dining restaurant Acquerello opened a newer, more casual Italian spot called Sorella. It has bar snacks like cacio e pepe potato chips, and housemade pastas including beef lasagna and fennel pollen gramigna.
Vico Cavone
Vico Cavone is a new Neapolitan restaurant where you can find pizza fritta, meatballs, and pasta mixed inside a massive wheel of grana padano. The Castro spot also serves brunch on weekends.
Proposition Chicken
Local mini-chain Proposition Chicken has opened another outpost, this one in Laurel Heights. Their motto, “fried, flipped, or fake,” pretty much sums up all you need to know about the menu. There’s everything from fried chicken sandwiches and rotisserie salads to crispy BBQ tofu with biscuits, plus beer or wine to wash it all down.
The Madrigal
The Madrigal is a new cocktail bar right down the street from City Hall. Aside from specialty cocktails, this Civic Center spot also has things to eat, like duck smashburgers, quail tikka masala, and beef tartare.
Ula Mediterranean Dining & Cocktails
Union Square has a new Mediterranean restaurant called Ula. Their menu is mostly seafood, with dishes like oysters, calamari, and grilled scallops with couscous. A seemingly fun plus: the upscale spot has live piano music every night.
NOVEMBER
Soupchu
Soupchu is a takeout and delivery-only spot focused on soups, stews, and salads. It’s the sister restaurant to Sumac, and operates out of the same building in Russian Hill. Everything, from the chicken mushroom stew to the chicken couscous soup, is made fresh daily.
Camino Alto
Camino Alto in Cow Hollow is an American restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the morning, you can swing by for things like scones or poached eggs and polenta—and at night, the menu transitions to dishes like pork shoulder with housemade tortillas and tuna ceviche.
Sushi Aoba
The owner of the recently-closed Japantown restaurant Takara has opened a new sushi spot in the old Kiss Seafood space. Sushi Aoba focuses on omakase ($165), so book a seat at the intimate sushi counter for sashimi, nigiri, chawanmushi, and more.
We checked out Sushi Aoba and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe
Ten years after closing in the Ferry Building, Tsar Nicoulai is back. The caviar company’s new cafe is serving champagne flights, smoked fish, and, of course, caviar.
Bluestem Restaurant & Market
SoMa’s Bluestem Brasserie has rebranded and opened as Bluestem Restaurant & Market. The market section has premade sandwiches and salads available all day, or you can opt for dine-in and get into things like kimchi corn fritters and steak sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
Proposition Chicken SFO
The next time you have time to kill before a flight, consider a visit to Proposition Chicken at SFO. They have rotisserie chicken sandwiches, fried chicken plates, and more.
India's Chaat House
For Indian street food like pani puri or papri chaat, check out India’s Chaat House in the Mission. They also have an extensive list of curry dishes, along with biryani, tandoori kebabs, and more.
La Lucha Coffee Bar
If you’re in Noe Valley and in need of caffeine, check out La Lucha Coffee. The cafe just opened a second outpost in the neighborhood (the other is in Potrero Hill).
Cholita Linda
Oakland-based Cholita Linda now has its first SF location in the Ferry Building. The waterfront spot is serving the same menu of Peruvian, Cuban, and Mexican dishes, like crispy fish tacos, pork shoulder sandwiches, and agua frescas.
Le Fantastique
There’s a new wine bar in Hayes Valley: Le Fantastique. At the vinyl-themed spot, you can listen to records while getting into crudos and other seafood dishes over a glass of sparkling wine.
Heroic Italian
Heroic Italian is an LA-based sandwich spot that opened in the Castro last year - and now, they’re expanding to Berkeley. The new location will have sandwiches you can get filled with everything from rotisserie chicken to prosciutto, plus salads, cheese boards, and wine and beer.
Wahpepah’s Kitchen
Indigenous chef Crystal Wahpepah’s new brick-and-mortar is in Oakland’s Fruitvale (in the old Reem’s space). There, they’ll serve Native dishes like blue corn waffles, cranberry wild rice turkey meatballs, and buffalo kabobs. The breakfast and lunch spot will also offer desserts and Indigenous teas.
We checked out Wahpepah's Kitchen and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Hummus Bodega
Hummus Bodega’s second location in SoMa has a similar menu to the original in the Richmond. They’re serving lunch items like pita you can get filled with falafel or eggplant, hummus bowls, and more.
Machiya
For grilled hamachi collar, takoyaki, and sashimi and nigiri, head to this new izakaya in Mission Bay. The Japanese spot has lunch specials if you swing by during the day, along with plenty of sake and beer.
Buddy
Buddy is a new Mission bar and café located in the old Californios space. The natural wine spot also has cocktails, and a menu of things like fried mortadella sandwiches, tuna confit, and a chocolate brownie with halvah and butterscotch.
San Ho Won is a new restaurant in the Mission that’s focused on charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ. There, you can order everything from house double-cut galbi or beef tongue to larger dishes like chicken tteokbokki. Or, go big with the $95 per person eight-course tasting menu.
We checked out San Ho Won and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Hilda and Jesse
Hilda and Jesse is a new brunch spot in North Beach with pancakes, steak and eggs, and a brunch tasting menu ($45) available all day. The “retro diner-inspired” restaurant also serves cold brew cocktails, wine, and more.
Sushi Sato
There’s another new sushi restaurant in town: Sushi Sato, a Polk Gulch spot offering a six-piece omakase for $40. You can order a la carte here too, and choose from hot and cold Japanese dishes, handrolls, and bigger entrées like a fatty tuna and uni bowl with truffle. They also have whiskey cocktails, sake, and wine.
We checked out Sushi Sato and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
OCTOBER
Mothership
Located in the old Virgil’s Sea Room space in Bernal Heights is Mothership. The new bar is described as the kind of spot you’d find “on the planet Risa from Star Trek”—there’s moody lighting and a black terrazzo bar. They also have Happy Hour and a heated back patio.
Flori's Kitchen
The next time you’re in Russian Hill and in the mood for ceviche, mole, or pupusas, check out Flori’s Kitchen. At this Latin American restaurant, you can get all of the above, plus wine-based cocktails like frosé and sangria.
The Red Tail
The Red Tail is a wine bar in the Inner Sunset with wine, beer, and will start serving food soon. Stop by to watch sports on one of their TVs, or sip on a glass of prosecco out on their parklet.
Lovely’s
Lovely’s started out as a smashburger pop-up, and just opened their brick-and-mortar in Oakland’s Northgate-Waverly neighborhood (it shares a space with the newly-opened taproom, Two Pitchers Brewing Company). They have their signature cheeseburger on the menu, as well as a fried chicken sandwich, a “fishwich” with beer-battered sanddab, soft serve, and more.
We checked out Lovely's and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Two Pitchers Brewing Company
Two Pitchers Brewing Company is in the same space as Lovely’s, and is the first taproom from the Oakland-based brewery. They focus on radlers, a mixture of beer and juice, and also serve a few beers from other local breweries in their warehouse space.
Thriller Social Club
Thriller Social Club is a massive new two-story bar/restaurant/gaming space in SoMa. That means you can head over for a beer and a smashburger or bacon lobster roll, then play a few rounds of Skee-Ball or try out the “most expensive golf simulator in the world”.
Mochinut
Next time you’re in the Sunset and craving something sweet, keep Mochinut in mind. They have 25 flavors of mochi donuts, ranging from ube and pistachio to strawberry funnel cake. You can also grab some boba or a Korean hot dog covered in Hot Cheetos while you’re there.
States Coffee X Bread
The mini-chain States Coffee just opened another East Bay location in West Berkeley. They have the same menu of espresso drinks, pastries, and toasts, along with freshly-baked loaves of bread.
For natural wine, sake, and a menu of “fermentation-driven” dishes like sourdough and pasta with pumpkin miso, check out Daytrip in Oakland’s Temescal. This new restaurant also doubles as a bottle shop, so you can buy wine to go, or to drink inside the colorful, bright space.
Bar Iris
Bar Iris is the sister cocktail lounge and bar to Nisei, a newly-opened fine dining restaurant in Russian Hill. At the bar next door, you can get izakaya snacks like smoked unagi dip and chicken karaage with black curry, along with Japanese-inspired cocktails made with things like elderberry shochu and Japanese gin.
La Paloma
La Paloma is a new bar located inside the La Cocina Municipal Marketplace. The Tenderloin spot is open weekdays only, and serves beer, wine, and cocktails highlighting women-owned and -made beverage brands. They also have snacks made by the other Marketplace vendors, and host weekly pop-ups from La Cocina alums.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Stonestown Galleria is now home to a revolving sushi bar called Kura Sushi. This is the chain’s first SF location - stop by for $3.50 sushi plates of nigiri, special rolls, appetizers, and more.
Donaji
Donaji is a new Oaxacan restaurant by the team behind Tamalitos Catering, which you may recognize from farmers’ markets across the city. Head to the casual Mission spot for brunch and lunch, where you can get into tamales, enchiladas de mole, totopos, and more.
We checked out Donaji and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Flour + Water is continuing its city expansion with a new place called Penny Roma. Like their other spots, this one’s also in the Mission (in the same building as Flour + Water Pasta Shop). The focus here is on rustic Italian dishes, like bistecca alla fiorentina, tagliatelle bolognese, and roast chicken, plus seafood crudos. You can sit inside or grab a table out on their covered patio.
We checked out Penny Roma and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
The Vault Steakhouse
During the pandemic, The Vault transitioned into The Vault Garden, an expansive, entirely outdoor restaurant. They’re pivoting again, this time into The Vault Steakhouse. The underground dining room features a meat-heavy menu, including steak, lamb chops, and A5 wagyu. There’s also a raw bar and plenty of cocktails on the menu.
SEPTEMBER
The Korner Store
The Korner Store is a Korean bar/restaurant/convenience store in the Mission where you can get your fix of snacks, soju cocktails, and hot dishes like fried pork belly or tteok bokki. They also have banchan made fresh daily, and a projector playing music videos on the wall.
Copas
Copas is a new spot in the Castro serving Californian/Spanish/Mexican dishes. This means things like crispy potato dumplings they call “cheesy pillows,” pan tomate with anchovies, and churros for dessert. They’re also open for breakfast, with espresso drinks and mimosas.
Miller & Lux
A new steakhouse has opened at Thrive City by the Chase Center, complete with salad and dessert carts, raw seafood starters, and, of course, lots of steak.
El Yucateco Bakery
El Yucateco is a new bakery in the Mission where you can fill up on pan dulce, bolillos, cinnamon rolls, and more. They also have coffee, making it a great place to swing by for a quick breakfast.
Ox + Tiger
After starting out as a pop-up, Ox & Tiger has officially opened a brick-and-mortar in the Tenderloin. The dishes, which draw on the chefs’ Japanese and Filipino backgrounds, range from wagyu corned beef silog to a chicken karaage sandwich. While they finish setting up their dining room, Ox & Tiger is open for takeout only.
Family Name
Located inside SoMa’s City Beer Store is Family Name. The new California bistro is serving everything from deviled eggs to steak frites to housemade garlic noodles. And, of course, this place is stocked with plenty of beer and wine.
Ora
Tons of wine bars have been opening up all around town lately and the newest one is Ora. Everything from this Nob Hill spot on Polk Street is available by the bottle or glass, and there are plenty of organic and natural wines to choose from. Bar seating and an outdoor parklet are also available.
Estiatorio Ornos a Michael Mina Restaurant
Estiatorio Ornos is the newest restaurant by the team behind Michael Mina and International Smoke. At the Greek seafood spot in the Financial District, servers will roll around tableside carts showing diners the fish of the day, desserts, and spreads. A tasting menu option is also available.
Gott’s Roadside
Another Gott’s just opened up in Mission Bay, this one in Thrive City, the plaza at the Chase Center. It has the same menu of burgers, garlic fries, and tacos you see at their other locations, plus Warriors-specific details, like soft serve with blue and gold sprinkles.
Bake Sum
Bake Sum started out during the pandemic by offering pastry boxes to go. And now, the bakery has a new storefront in Oakland, so you can walk up to get your hands on their Asian-influenced pastries, like an okonomiyaki danish or Vietnamese coffee milk bun.
La Bande
La Bande is a new tapas spot in the San Francisco Proper Hotel. It’s home to small plates like eggplant tarts, green garlic churros, and seafood conservas, plus plenty of aperitif cocktails, wine, and beer.
Daily Driver
You now have one more place to get excellent wood-fired bagels. At Daily Driver’s third location inside The Cheese School in Ghirardelli Square, you can fuel up with a bacon egg and cheese or grilled cheese bagel sandwich and coffee, plus some house-made butter to take home.
The Kebabery
After closing their Oakland location several months ago, The Kebabery’s newer, larger space in Berkeley is now open. Stop by for build-your-own chicken, lamb, or mushroom kebab plates, sandwiches, and salads. The menu is very vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Sesame Tiny Bakery
The Berkeley bakery has a new storefront next to The Kebabery (the two operate out of a shared kitchen). For now, they’re serving galettes, cookies, and slices of cake from 10am-2pm, Fridays to Sundays (or you can find their cake slices those nights at The Kebabery).
Brazilian Restaurant & Brewery
Located in the Old Maverick space is this new Mission brewery for beers on tap and Brazilian dishes like moqueca, coxinhas, and a variety of kebabs. They’ve built out a parklet for outdoor dining, and have plenty of seating inside.
Pasta Brothers
Stop by this new pasta shop in Lower Pac Heights to pick up everything you need for an Italian dinner at home. There’s a huge selection of fresh pastas, with everything from egg gemelli to Impossible beef ravioli, plus sauces, lasagnas, and a few ready to eat dishes like eggplant parmigiana and chicken cacciatore.
Chīsai Sushi Club
The former Ichi Sushi space in Bernal Heights is now home to another sushi restaurant: Chīsai Sushi Club, an omakase-focused spot that offers a 13- or 17-course tasting menu, along with a 12-course, entirely-vegetarian option. The omakase includes both nigiri and hand rolls filled with things like uni and ikura or bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
Brioche Bakery & Cafe
Brioche Bakery & Cafe just opened its second location in Haight-Ashbury. Like the original location in North Beach, expect a similar menu of breakfast staples like eggs benedict or French toast. The new spot will also serve dinner with things like burgers or Moroccan-style chicken on their outdoor patio.
Bar Part Time
Another natural wine bar has made its San Francisco debut - this one is called Bar Part Time, and it’s located in the Mission. The former wine pop-up has a big dance floor, rotating DJs, and a snack-y food menu of things like mac salad or shishito peppers by Queens in the Sunset.
Village Rotisserie
If you’re in Noe Valley and craving rotisserie chicken, you’re in luck. Village Rotisserie is an Australian chicken shop with sandwiches, prepared salads, and, of course, lots of slow-roasted and fried chicken. Enjoy it all on their spacious outdoor patio.
Equator at Round House Cafe
Round House Cafe, a former diner located right next to the Golden Gate Bridge overlook, is now serving espresso drinks, sandwiches, and pastries by Equator Coffee. Stop by the newly rebranded coffee shop to fuel up before walking across the bridge, or enjoy a unique breakfast or lunch spot with great views.
Binny’s
Binny’s is a new cocktail bar and restaurant in Old Oakland serving dishes like steak frites, burgers, tuna tartare, and salads. They also have a Happy Hour Tuesday to Friday from 4-6pm with $5 shot and a beer specials and small plates.
AUGUST
Lana's
Cookiebar Creamery in Old Oakland is officially rebranding. Now known as Lana, the spot will continue to serve the same ice cream and pastries. Changes, however, include a new burger menu, which was created with the help of Smish Smash’s Victor Donado. Fuel up with a classic double or the Old Town Western with hand-battered fried onions. And in true Bay Area style, there’s a fried chicken sandwich you can order, too.
Timeless Coffee
Vegan cafe and bakery Timeless Coffee just opened its third location in Downtown Oakland. In addition to coffee, pastries, and donuts, the new spot also carries Boichik Bagels and plant-based spreads, making it a great place to hit up for a quick breakfast.
La Vaca Birria
La Vaca Birria got its start as a food truck earlier this year, and just opened its first brick-and-mortar in the Mission. So if you’re looking for a new place to get into some halal quesabirria, birria ramen, or burritos, this spot seems like a good bet.
Limón Rotisserie
If you’re in the mood for Peruvian roast chicken, head to Limón Rotisserie’s newest location in Oakland’s Northgate-Waverly neighborhood. In addition to grilled chicken, they have plenty of salads, ceviches, and larger entrées (like lomo saltado or arroz con mariscos) to choose from, along with cocktails, beer, and wine.
Tannery Bend Beerworks
Napa-based brewery Tannery Bend Beerworks just opened a taproom in Oakland’s Temescal. They have an outdoor beer garden where you can chill with a pint and something from their food menu, which covers everything from artichoke jalapeño dip to roast beef and caprese sandwiches.
Fiorella Sunset
This is the third location of Fiorella, a pizza spot that got its start in the Richmond. This is their first location with a full bar, so now you can enjoy wood-fired pies on their roof deck in the Inner Sunset with cocktails or a glass of wine. Plus, they’ll have new items on the menu that you can’t get at their other locations, like a clam pie or a romaine cacio e pepe salad.
Joyride Pizza launched with two different locations - one in Yerba Buena Gardens and the other in the Mission. They specialize in Detroit-style pizza with crispy cheese crusts (there are six different types on the menu), plus housemade pastas, salads, and charcuterie.
We checked out Joyride Pizza and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
After starting out as a pop-up a couple of years ago, Restaurant Nisei has opened a brick-and-mortar in Russian Hill. On their 12-course tasting menu ($157), you’ll find dishes like a potato croquette topped with uni, or charcoal-grilled unagi with shishito peppers.
We checked out Nisei and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Norcina
Norcina is a new Italian restaurant in the Marina with pizzas made with a sourdough crust, housemade pastas, and seasonally changing dishes like salads with stone fruit or grilled octopus. They also have plenty of cocktails, local beer, and wine.
Chezchez
For charcuterie and cheese, tinned fish, and other small plates, check out Chezchez in the Mission. It’s the newest spot from the team behind Trick Dog, and focuses on aperitifs - so expect to see plenty of spritzes and negronis, along with more cocktails, wine, and beer.
SF Chickenbox (previously located in the Mission) is home to one of our favorite fried chicken sandwiches in the city. And after a brief hiatus, they’ve reopened in a new location in North Beach - so you can once again get your hands on the aforementioned sandwich, along with excellent mac salad and mochi muffins.
Lulu
The chef behind The Mana’eesh Lady pop-up just opened a breakfast and lunch spot in Berkeley, serving a seasonal, rotating menu of Palestinian flatbreads along with other desserts and pastries. On weekends, Lulu will also serve brunch boards with things like za’atar fried eggs or knafeh.
We checked out Lulu and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Tribune
Now open in Oakland’s Tribune Building is Tribune, a brasserie where you can get things like beef tartare, burgers, grilled branzino, plus desserts like sticky toffee cake, and cheesecake with toasted marshmallow fluff.
Another wine bar has landed in Hayes Valley, and this one is in the old The Riddler space. Head over for glasses or bottles of wine, small plates like clam dip or stuffed apricots, and espresso drinks.
Itria opened for takeout in May, serving pizzas and salads - and now the Mission spot is officially open for dine-in with a completely new menu. On it, you’ll find housemade pastas, a rotating list of crudos, wine, and more.
We checked out Itria and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Aman Cafe
Aman Cafe is an entirely vegetarian (and vegan friendly) breakfast and lunch spot in Oakland’s Temescal focusing on Malaysian roti canai. The roti are topped with everything from plant-based meat and eggs to fruit or mixed veggies - and you can wash it all down with a Thai tea or mango lassi.
We checked out Aman Cafe and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Milk Sf
New to the Mission is Milk SF, a queer-owned cafe and community space serving nitro iced coffees, sodas, pastries, bagels, and more. They’ll also feature art and photography by local artists, and host monthly drag shows.
Abacá
For contemporary Filipino dishes like pork belly tocino steamed buns and scallop pancit with XO bagoong, head to Abacá. The Fisherman’s Wharf spot from the Pinoy Heritage team also has an extensive cocktail program, weekend brunch, and espresso and pastries in the mornings.
We checked out Abacá and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in SF.
Don Blanc
Don Blanc is a new Korean barbecue restaurant in Oakland’s Temescal specializing in pork and beef intestine. You can order meat a la carte, or get into the set menu, which includes a few courses of pork and beef, plus stew and steamed egg.
Motivāt Coffee Roasters
Motivat Coffee is a new spot for espresso drinks in Downtown Oakland. They opened up in the old Slojoy Coffee Roasters window, and will continue Slojoy’s tradition of having handwritten messages on every cup.
Scott’s Chowder House
This is the third location of Scott’s Chowder House (the other two are in San Jose). The Union Square spot has chowder and bread bowls on the menu, of course, along with salads, lobster and crab rolls, and ice cream sundaes.
JULY
HOT JOHNNIE’S
Hot Johnnie’s in the Castro specializes in pastrami that they smoke in-house. In addition to pastrami sandwiches on Dutch crunch or marble rye, they also use the smoked meat for tacos, sliders, and loaded waffle fries. They’ll launch a pastrami-heavy brunch at some point, which you can enjoy with mimosas on their back patio.
Dumpling Kitchen
One of our favorite spots in the Sunset for shengjianbao and other dumplings has officially expanded into the East Bay. Dumpling Kitchen is located a block from the UC Berkeley campus, and is serving the same menu of dumplings, dim sum, noodles, and more.
Pla Daek Thai Esan Food
Pla Daek is a new restaurant on Oakland’s Piedmont Ave focusing on northeastern Thai dishes, like Esan-style pork larb and nam tok. They also have curries, soups, and salads, plus desserts like mango sticky rice or roti with ice cream.
We checked out Pla Daek and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
If pad kee mao with brisket, crispy catfish tacos, or lobster pad thai sound good, head to Jo’s Modern Thai. The menu at the new Thai restaurant in Oakland’s Laurel District was developed by the chef behind Intu-on (one of our favorite pop-ups), so we have high hopes for this spot. It also features specials that change depending on what’s in season, and cocktails with coconut condensed milk or green papaya.
We checked out Jo’s Modern Thai and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
Sweet Glory
Sweet Glory used to operate as a pop-up, and now they have a new brick-and-mortar in the Tenderloin. At the dessert cafe/bakery, you can get everything from taro crepe cakes and fresh fruit toasts to salted egg yolk croissants, along with coffee, Thai tea lemonade, lychee rose coolers, and other drinks.
Snail Bar
Snail Bar is a natural wine bar in Oakland’s Temescal serving seasonal small plates, like escargot with cashew miso and garlic confit butter or tomato toast, and of course, lots of natural wine. Seating on their outdoor tables or indoors is first come, first serve.
We checked out Snail Bar and added it to The Hit List, our guide to the best new restaurants in the East Bay.
SPRO Mission Dolores
You might recognize SPRO from their coffee truck, which is usually parked at Spark Social in Mission Bay. They just opened their first brick-and-mortar in the Mission, where you can now go for pour-overs, espresso drinks like ube lattes with tres leches, and breakfast-y dishes like mochi waffles and avocado toast. In the future, they’ll serve wine, beer, sake, and small plates in the evenings.
Persona
If you’re looking for a new bar to check out, try Persona in Lower Nob Hill - a “subterranean party hideout” with dark, moody lighting, lounge chairs, and floating disc ceiling lights. Grab a seat at the bar or on one of the couches, and sip on a cocktail featuring ingredients like kombucha or cold brew.
Barrio Ghirardelli Square
Barrio, the Mexican restaurant in North Beach, now has a new location in Ghirardelli Square. They’ll do blue corn tortilla tacos filled with things like cochinita pibil or birria - and unlike the original spot, will also have more seafood-focused dishes, like ceviche and fish tacos.
Sunset Squares Slice Shop
Shortly after opening the Sunset Squares Beerhall in SoMa, the team behind one of our favorite square pizzas debuted a new slice shop in NoPa. Here, you can get their signature pies on sourdough crust, along with thin-crust slices, salads, loaded fries, and more. To drink, they have beer, wine, and boba.
Afterwork Bar
Afterwork Bar is a new sports bar in Hayes Valley serving fried chicken sandwiches and burgers by The Bird and Super Duper Burgers. They have cocktails, wine, and shareable plates like nachos and loaded tater tots, plus a weekday Happy Hour (4-6pm) with $1 wings and $20 pitchers of beer. The bar also has big TVs playing sports and will host trivia nights in the future.
Trade Routes
Nob Hill has a new “trade-inspired” cocktail bar called Trade Routes. They’ll serve drinks like the Marco Polo made with rye and oolong tea, and the Uncharted Waters with pandan-infused reposado. If you’re hungry, nearby wine bar Amelie is providing a limited bar menu.
Boba Guys
If you’re looking for a new spot to get your strawberry matcha latte fix, you’re in luck - the mini boba chain just opened its first East Bay outpost in Oakland’s Rockridge.
Hey Neighbor Cafe
Portola’s old Four Barrel Coffee location is home to a new coffee spot, Hey Neighbor. The cafe sources their coffee from local roasters (right now, they’re featuring Captain + Stoker from Monterey). They also have truffle and espresso pairings if you’re looking for something sweet to snack on while you drink your coffee, along with bread from Rize Up Sourdough.
