22 BAY AREA RESTAURANTS AND BARS THAT OPENED IN MAY

This is a list of the Bay Area’s most notable restaurant and bar openings, with new updates published once a week. Did we miss something great? Please, drop us a line.

May 14

POLK GULCH — The Chinese burrito just hit Polk Gulch. Tablehopper reports Mini Potstickers, known for its original location on Irving Street, expanded to 1639 Polk Street in early May.

MARINA — On Wednesday, May 8 a new Indian restaurant with fine dining aspirations opened at 3213 Scott Street. Tiya comes from brothers Sujan and Pujan Sarkar, the former of which just earned a James Beard Award nomination for his Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Indienne.

INNER RICHMOND — Clement Street is home to a new malatang outfit called, fittingly, Malatang. Tablehopper reports the new business runs big bowls of soup for $14.99 per pound with all the fixings.

BERKELEY — Of All Places opened on May 5 from Joe and Celia Catalino of the wine club What to Drink. The shoppy shop sells high-end wine and food at 1841 Solano Avenue where a greeting card shop stood for 40 years. Stop here for locally-roasted coffee, California-made kimchi, and loads of chile oils and hot sauces.

BERKELEY — Krissana “Tanz” Tussanaprasit and Jezreel “Jae” Rojas met while working at Kin Khao in San Francisco, and the two pros just opened Tanzie’s Cafe at 1453 Dwight Way. East Bay Nosh reports the couple brings lesser-known dishes to the city’s Thai scene including gaeng hung le and sai oua, a fried rice dish with pork belly, plus sausage, respectively.

MARTINEZ — Fans were devastated when Souley Vegan was announced to close in October 2023. But East Bay Nosh reports the business is now alive and well once again at the Market & Main public hall on Saturday, May 11. Now the full-on plant-based menu of calamari and Creole nachos are back in the Bay.

REDWOOD CITY — After opening in 2022 as a ghost kitchen operation, Filipino restaurant Pamilya just expanded into its first permanent space. Palo Alto Online reports owner Jhed Yuzon, who went to school to be a pilot, comes from the same family that owns Patio Filipino in Millbrae and bakery chain Goldilocks Bakeshop.

May 7

SOMA — One of the city’s finest new contenders for fried chicken sandwiches opened quietly on April 10 in the Metreon. Izzy & Wooks comes from owners Manuel and Cheryl Ramirez, the same team behind Inay Filipino Kitchen. Head here for powerful longanisa poutine and smash burgers with banana ketchup. “[Filipino] cuisine is very important to us,” Manuel told Eater SF.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — A 20th location for Curry Pizza House is about to open in California. On Wednesday, May 8 fans of aloo gobi pies and masala-baked chips can get their fix at 415 Grand Avenue, Unit #2 in South San Francisco. The business has more than two dozen locations throughout the country with more on the horizon.

OAKLAND — Little Saigon is home to a new Vietnamese coffee shop. House of Phin opened on April 12, and the Chronicle reports singular drinks such as the Good Morning Em incorporate ube milk alongside the phin dripped-made coffee, a strong thick Vietnamese coffee style.

EMERYVILLE — On Friday, May 3 Mumu Hot Pot opened inside the Bay Street Emeryville mall. The Mercury News reports diners pick between five broths before opting for a variety of additions including tilapia, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, and much more; boba shop companion Mumu’s Tea will open next door later this year.

BERKELEY — Signal Coffee Roasters opened its 2130 Center Street location on Tuesday, May 7. Natural light pours into the cafe through the business’s big windows at the second Berkeley outpost, and there are orange garnish-topped espresso tonics alongside a full espresso menu. The locally-grown company has been on a growth spurt, opening in San Francisco on Pine Street last spring.

SACRAMENTO — Globally-popular Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens its second Sacramento-area location on Friday, May 10. The Bee reports the 250 Gibson Drive, Suite 140 outpost will focus on a plethora of inexpensive plates of fish. That’s what made the business so popular: there are more than 500 locations throughout Japan, Taiwan, and the U.S.

SANTA CRUZ — Hook & Line opened on April 11 with a splashy seafood-forward menu and a strong cocktail program in the former Soif location on Walnut Avenue. The Lookout reports Soif executive chef Santos Majano co-owns the new business alongside business partner Lejla Borovac. Highlights include marinated mussel toast, halibut tostadas, wild rock shrimp with parmesan grits, and more.

April 30

MISSION — A smart and inclusive bakery just opened on 18th Street. Christine’s swung open its doors on Saturday, April 27, according to Mission Local, four years after owner Christine Liu first began her pop-up. Head here for vegan cookies such as black sesame Oreos and matcha shortbread.

NOE VALLEY — Todo el Dia just opened on Monday, April 15, from the same team behind Tacolicious. Owner Joe Hargrave says the colorful testament to fire-grilled chicken and patio beers is for the neighborhood’s families and fans of rotisserie. “My kids grew up here, I’ve been here 30 years, my businesses are here, and my life’s here,” Hargrave told Eater SF.

JAPANTOWN — On the first floor of the Kimpton Hotel Enso, Hed 11 descends upon Sutter Street on Friday, May 3. The phenomenally-decadent eleven-course menus come from owner Naruephon “Billie” Wannajaro, who opened Hed Very Thai on Hardie Place in early 2023, and Michelin star-earning chef Piriya “Saint” Boonprasan.

OAKLAND — Fans can flock back to Horn Barbecue as of Friday, April 26 — just not in that same Mandela Parkway location. Now the pounds of brisket and spare ribs will take over the Matty’s Old Fashioned location at 464 Eighth Street. The two restaurants are combining under the Horn Barbecue name, effectively shuttering Matty’s Old Fashioned.

OAKLAND — Those devastated at Lion Dance Cafe’s exit from the Bay have reason to rejoice. Tallboy, a self-proclaimed “martini dive bar,” will open in Temescal on Wednesday, May 1 with a menu from the vegan Italian-Chinese-Singaporean cuisine restaurant. “It’s a space where a lot of people feel seen and welcomed and appreciated, and can let their hair down and have a good time,” owner Den Stephens told Eater SF.

BERKELEY — After moving to a larger location, Lulu lives again on Solano Avenue. The bigger, beloved brunch restaurant will open on Saturday, May 4 now that owner and chef Mona Leena Michael has found a space to match her ambition. Crispy sumac chicken sliders, kitfo nayyeh, and baklava French toast are all on-site. “The menu is a lot more intricate than it used to be,” Michael told Eater SF.

DANVILLE — The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened its third Northern California outpost at 405 Railroad Avenue in Iron Horse Plaza. This follows Sacramento and Roseville locations; the falafel and tzatziki are coming to Rocklin and San Ramon locations in the near future, too.

WALNUT CREEK — The first Bay Area outpost of national ice cream chain Handel’s just hit the region. KRON 4 reports the 1273 Locust Street outpost is now open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and more than 45 flavors are available.

2024-04-30T20:22:50Z dg43tfdfdgfd