Fresh batch of cafes, delis and breakfast spots mark recent openings (2024)

Berkeley restaurant openings

Bee Boba & Deli

07.16.24: TheAshby Super Market has apopular new boba and deli counter, which some kind readers brought to Nosh’s attention. Bee Boba & Deli offers sweet, refreshing tea drinks, smoothies and slushies, along with deli-style sandwiches to go.Bee Boba & Deliinside the Ashby Super Market, 2948 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley

Cafe Rio (Moved)

07.23.24: As promised, downtown Berkeley mainstay (since 1984) Cafe Rio has made the move from Center Street to the former Eastwind Books space on University Avenue, and reopened just in time to provide roaming packs of summer students with budget-friendly fare. On offer are the cafe’s old-school menu of coffee drinks, bagel-focused hot and cold stacked sandwiches (including vegetarian and egg sandwiches), giant hot dogs and other no-frills, serviceable choices for breakfast and lunch, most costing around or under $10.Cafe Rio, 2066 University Ave. (between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street), Berkeley

Casa do Petisco

07.16.24: Nosh was intrigued to hear about Casa do Petisco (“house of snacks/small plates”), the new Brazilian street food counter inside the Elmwood neighborhood’s Berkeley Organic Market and Deli, from married chef-owners Barbara Nogueira and Christene Diehr. Try the Brazilian cheese bread, including a specialized version used for mini sandwiches. Also on offer are empanadas, rice bowls and salads, drinks, desserts and, going forward, weekly specials.Casa do Petisco inside the Berkeley Organic Market and Deli, 2642 Ashby Ave. (between Benvenue and College avenues), Berkeley

O2 Eatery

07.30.24: Berkeley’s end of Solano Avenue has a new breakfast and lunch cafe now softly open (with intermittent hours) in the former Delirama space. So far, O2 Eatery features a menu of generous scrambles and toasts, Mr. Espresso coffee drinks, sandwiches and more. Look for further developments (including a website) as the opening progresses, but for now, soft opening customers are enthusiastically noting the comfortable cafe’splayful detailsand flavorful cafe fare.O2 Eatery, 1746 Solano Ave. (near Ensenada Avenue), Berkeley

Sol Taqueria

07.30.24: Berkeley’s newest Jalisco-style Mexican eatery, Sol Taqueria, celebrated its grand opening July 31 and is featuring a menu of tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and quesabirria, including breakfast and kids’ menus. Also on offer are loaded fries, nachos, and heapedsuper bowlsfeaturing chicken or fish, as well as churros and cheesecake for dessert. The restaurant, formerlyNuevo Sol, has an enclosed outdoor patio and plenty of comfortable indoor seating, and is located across from REI in Berkeley.Sol Taqueria, 1335 San Pablo Ave. (between Gilman and Camelia streets), Berkeley

Taco & Co. Pop-Up Berkeley

07.23.24: Taco & Co. is an East Bay, family-owned catering group that opened theirfirst brick-and-mortar taqueria in Berkeley in 2020, eventually opened in and thenrelocated to Pittsburgh, and have nowreturned to Berkeley as an outdoor pop-up. You can find them Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the corner of Virginia Street and Eastshore Highway.Taco & Co. Pop-Up, outside 1695 Eastshore Hwy (at Virginia Street), Berkeley

Zhangliang Malatang

07.09.24: Berkeley’s first location of expandingspicy, customizable Chinese soupchain Zhangliang Malatang is now open on Shattuck Avenue, joining sister locations in Mountain View, Dublin and San Mateo.Zhangliang Malatang, 2237 Shattuck Ave. (at Kittredge Street), Berkeley

Oakland restaurant openings

Abu Yemen Kitchen

07.09.24: Fast-casual Yemeni cuisine is on offer at this new counter spot (in theformer Mo’ Joe Cafe Oaklandspace), featuring rice bowls, wraps, pita bread or salads topped with spiced halal lamb, steak, chicken or falafel, and fresh sides and sauces. Food comes in larger, family-style portions if desired, and there are also kid’s meals, as well as snacks such assambusas, and desserts including baklava.Abu Yemen Kitchen, 160 14th St., Suite A (at Madison Street), Oakland

Boats & Beans

07.30.24: The wee, canary yellow cottage (with the bell in the belfry) near Quinn’s Lighthouse along the Embarcadero in Oakland, formerly Jolie’s, is now coffee and tea shop Boats & Beans. The sweet waterfront spot serves Mother Tongue coffee drinks, fresh pastries, hot and iced tea, and specialty lattes, including an orange blossom matcha latte, and has an impressive amount of parking out front.Boats & Beans, 43 Embarcadero, Oakland

Brothers Deli & Co. Sandwich Shop

07.23.24: Oakland’s Cleveland Heights neighborhood has a friendly new deli called Brothers. On offer are custom sandwiches in intriguing combinations made with quality breads, condiments, meats and other ingredients. They includetoast flightsfor breakfast, hefty cold sandwiches (includingchoppedoptions), and pressed hot panini. Drinks include fresh, flavored lemonades and iced and hot coffee drinks.Brothers Deli & Co. Sandwich Shop, 2700 Park Blvd (at 7th Avenue)., Oakland

Home of Chicken and Waffles (Moved)

07.23.24: Owner and Oakland native Derreck Johnson haslovingly guidedthe relocation of his 20-year-old soul food restaurant Home of Chicken and Waffles from Embarcadero West to its new space nearby on 4th Street, opened as of last week, and it’s abeaut. The restaurant’s loyal community seems more than pleased with the welcoming new location with the same addictive food (and new wine program!).Home of Chicken and Waffles, 247 4th St. (at Alice Street), Oakland

Hopscotch Brunch Pop-Up at Itani/Yonsei

07.16.24: Based on the first weekend of the inaugural Hopscotch brunch pop-up at Itani Ramen and Yonsei Handrolls, we predict crowded summer Sundays for the favorite (now catering, take-out and delivery only) former Oakland standout. The pop-up menu includes old Hopscotch favorites such as the buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits, fresh oysters, ramen and chef Kyle Itani’s specialty eggs Benedict with poached jidori eggs and yuzu Hollandaise.Hopscotch Brunch Pop-Up at Itani Ramen/Yonsei Handrolls, 1736 Telegraph Ave. (between 17th and 19th streets), Oakland

Parkline (reopened)

07.30.24: After atwo-month temporary closuredue to some permitting snafus, East Oakland’s new Parkline has reopenedand can now serve visitors a glass of wine with that sandwich.Parkline, 1918 Park Blvd. (between E 19th and E 20th streets), Oakland

Small Change Oyster Bar

07.09.24: July 10 was opening day for Small Change, thelong-awaited Temescal neighborhood oyster bar from Branden Nichols(the restaurant is named for his grandfather’s fishing boat). Expect long lines outside the former Doña Tomas space, an appealing indoor bar, casual patio seating, and diners already familiar with Nichols’ fare from years of successful seafood pop-ups and his former oyster kiosk at theMartinez food market Market & Main. Along with oysters, look for classic and seasonal seafood dishes (including lobster rolls and mugs of New England clam chowder) fromchef Lauryn Dakota Holbert.Small Change, 5000 Telegraph Ave. (between 49th and 51st streets), Oakland

Tada Ramen & Yakitori

07.30.24: Oakland’s new Tada Ramen (tadashi translates to “loyalty”) brings quality Japanese ramen, yakitori, rice bowls, karaage and more for snacking and feasting to the Grand Lake neighborhood, served in a welcominginterior.Tada Ramen & Yakitori, 3415 Grand Ave. (near Elwood Avenue), Oakland

Richmond restaurant opening

Johnny Boi

07.30.24: Richmond-area burger fans, look out for this new eatery in Point Richmond (in the former Grape Nest), outfitted in urbanmuralswith some local nods, and featuring counter service, an open kitchen, indoor and outdoor seating, and an energetic street vibe. The soft opening menu has smash burgers, wings, spicy chicken sandwiches, gluten-free burger bowls, and sides such as French fries and tater tots. Expect a grand opening and expanded menu in the coming weeks.Johnny Boi, 201 Tewksbury Ave. (at Santa Fe Avenue), Richmond

Walnut Creek restaurant opening

Highwire Coffee Roasters Walnut Creek

East Bay commuters take note: As of July 22, notable East Bay coffee company Highwire has a seventh upscale (yet approachable) cafe to toast with the launch of the new Highwire Waymark, located at the base of the complex across from the Walnut Creek BART station.Highwire Walnut Creek, 200 Station Way (at The Waymark), Walnut Creek