40 New Bay Area Restaurant and Bar Openings to Know This June

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.

June 25

NORTH BEACH — April Jean, a new neighborhood bar from Bay Area industry vets Nate Valentine, Jamal Blake-Williams, and Joe Poz, opened June 21 on Grant Avenue, in the 100-year-old space that was formerly home to Grant & Green Saloon. An homage to the trio’s mothers, the cocktail menu is inspired by the nostalgic snacks they remember from childhood.

PACIFIC HEIGHTS — The second of three new San Francisco Boichik Bagels locations has opened on Fillmore Street, SFGATE reports. Come for the bakery’s uber-popular bagels, sandwiches, and schmears, and note the new bagel mural by artist Nigel Sussman.

THE CASTRO — Bar 49, from Hi Tops alum Colm O’Brien, opened June 18 on Market Street in the former Los Amigos space, according to Hoodline. Fittingly, there are 49 beers and wines on offer, and a menu of loaded fries, sliders, flatbread, and more.

OAKLAND — Mesa Maguey is now open in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood, serving Oaxacan fare and mezcal cocktails, per East Bay Nosh. Keep an eye on Instagram for mezcal tastings and other events.

BERKELEY — Heads & Tails Barbecue has opened in the former Gaumenkitzel space, according to East Bay Nosh. For now, it’s takeout only, so call in an order of “Tex-Mex meets California meets neighborhood bar”-style brisket, ribs, wings, and more.

HERCULES — Tommy’s BBQ, which made its name as an East Bay food truck, is slinging brisket, half-racks, and loaded potatoes from a new permanent restaurant space in Hercules, according to East Bay Nosh.

TOMALES — A new takeout restaurant from the owner of famed seafood spot the Marshall Store has opened in Tomales, SFGATE reports. Come for ceviche, tacos, campechana, and more — Out the Door, as the new restaurant is named, is geared toward beachgoers and locals.

June 18

HAYES VALLEY — Chef Kim Alter’s new pop-up space and private dining room, NightJar, opened June 12 next door to her acclaimed restaurant Nightbird. Following an inaugural dinner of prime rib with smoked wagyu fat hollandaise and mini, loaded baked potatoes, she’s welcoming other chefs into the space for pop-ups — keep an eye on Instagram for updates.

THE MARINA — Mama’s Luncheonette is now open and serving breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps (think braised lamb and muhammara; chopped Caesar salad, etc.) in the former La Canasta space in the Marina, per Tablehopper.

OUTER SUNSET — Galinette, a new French restaurant from chef Jeremy Blaringhem and Julie Fulton of Bouche and Oriane Paul, opened June 13 in the Outer Sunset, according to Tablehopper. Highlights here are jambon beurre sandwiches, hanger steak frites with Bordelaise, and roasted air-chilled chicken with Dijon mustard cream, plus an extensive apero menu.

BERKELEY — New wine shop and bar Adega Azul opened in Westbrae on June 6, according to East Bay Nosh, serving Brazilian pastries, small plates, charcuterie, and (of course) wine, plus cider, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages.

BERKELEY — Noor Indian Fusion is the new restaurant serving lamb vindaloo, pillowy garlic naan, and paneer korma on University Avenue in Berkeley, according to East Bay Nosh. The restaurant opened for both dine-in and takeout on June 7.

BERKELEY — Headlands Brewery is reopening the Westbrae Biergarten at 1280 Gilman Street on Friday, June 21. There are some upgrades to the premises, including extra fire pits, TVs for sports, and new seating, East Bay Nosh reports, along with a new food menu.

WALNUT CREEK — Xicote Cocina Mexicana is the new family-owned Mexican restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek, according to news blog Beyond the Creek. Highlights on this menu include chorizo-topped queso fundido, birria tortas, and vegan nopales tacos, among other dishes.

YOUNTVILLE — Chef Thomas Keller expanded his Yountville restaurant dynasty with the addition of RO Restaurant & Lounge, as the San Francisco Chronicle first reported. The Asian-influenced menu features dishes like pork belly in savory egg custard, black truffle egg salad sandos, and warm butter mochi for dessert.

SACRAMENTO — Shabu Gen, a new all-you-can-eat hot pot and sushi restaurant, opened in Sacramento on June 5, according to the Sacramento Bee. As its name suggests, the focus here is shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hot pot dish. There are six different kinds of broth (think spicy miso, tonkotsu, and tomato, among others) served with thin-sliced meats and vegetables. The dinner menu also offers sushi.

LOS GATOS — Restaurateur Yvonne Khananis opened a new restaurant in the Los Gatos location of her fast-casual restaurant Grocer + Goddess on June 12, according to the Mercury News. Khananis partnered with chefs Adrian Loto and Jonathan Vellasco on the menu for Amano Authentic Mexican by Grocer + Goddess featuring fresh shrimp and fish ceviche, salmon al chiote, flautas, mole-doused chilaquiles, and more.

PALO ALTO — Covour Coffee, a new coffee shop from Marc Sayeed and Gia Salah, opened in Palo Alto in late May, according to Palo Alto Online. Swing by for specialty lattes in flavors like pandan and tiramisu, plus other coffee beverages, tea, refreshers, and pastries.

FOLSOM — Crawdads on the Lake, a new seafood restaurant, opened June 14 in the former Cliff House of Folsom location, per the Sacramento Bee. The menu features crab cakes, gumbo and jambalaya, Cajun-style pasta, and shrimp cocktails, among other seafood dishes. Crawdads will also host a steady live music lineup through the summer.

June 11

THE MISSION — Chef Anthony Strong is readying to open the second location of his pasta shop and Italian restaurant, Pasta Supply Co., for dinner service on June 18. (It’s already open for retail, offering handmade pasta and sauce to-go, plus pantry staples.) Expect a menu of inky salt cod plumpers, smoky pork sugo over rigatoni, fresh mafaldine, and more.

NOE VALLEY — Banán, a new dessert shop serving banana-based soft-serve, is now open in Noe Valley, according to Tablehopper. This sweet treat, which comes in an array of flavors and topping combos, is totally dairy-free.

CASTRO — Alfredo Padilla has officially opened a second location of his East Bay favorite Tacos El Tucán in San Francisco, according to Tablehopper. Swing by the Castro for Tijuana-style tacos and quesatacos served with a dollop of guacamole, plus mulitas, quesabirria, and even keto tacos.

RUSSIAN HILL — Mashita Galbi Jjim is the new family-run Korean restaurant at 2123 Polk Street, according to Tablehopper. Highlights include the namesake galbi jjim, a braised beef short-rib stew, japchae, and beef dumplings, all served with a selection of banchan.

PIER 41 — Food truck Cousins Maine Lobster opened June 8 on the San Francisco waterfront at Pier 41, according to Hoodline. Swing by for lobster rolls or New England clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.

THE MARINA — The second location of Little Original Joe’s is now open in the Marina. This Italian American menu leans slightly more modern than the original, according to Tablehopper, dishing up its trademark pastas and pizzas alongside newcomers like a salsa-doused mafalde cacio e macha in a bright, brasserie-like dining room.

SUNSET — Toast’N Egg, the newest restaurant from Bay Area entrepreneur Cyrus Shen, opened May 1 at 1838 Irving Street. The focus here is Korean egg toast — 10 different fluffy options are available — but croffles, Dungeness crab fries, and other dishes are also on the menu, plus coffee, tea, and bubble-topped beverages.

TEMESCAL — Forma, a new bakery melding French pastry technique with Mexican dessert forms and flavors, opened in Temescal on May 29. Father-son duo Thomas Schnetz and son Jackson Schnetz are at the helm, with savory poblano cream croissants, rosquillas with apricot jam, and conchas made with chocolate ganache up for sale.

HEALDSBURG — Arandas, chef Adrien Nieto’s new Mexican restaurant, debuts inside the Hotel Les Mars property on June 17. Nieto plans to make use of seasonal produce from Chalk Hill Winery, serving dishes derived from family recipes alongside his own unique interpretations of Mexican culinary traditions.

CAMPBELL — Bay Area Neapolitan pizzeria Doppio Zero has opened its fifth location in the South Bay, per the Chronicle, where it’s serving Italian fare like burrata with truffle honey, meaty Neapolitan lasagna, and fettuccine with braised wild boar.

SANTA CLARA — Damso, Santa Clara’s newest Korean restaurant, debuted this May with a unique barley rice set menu at $38 per person, according to the Chronicle: Quinoa, barley, or white rice is accompanied by an array of side dishes like japchae and pumpkin porridge. Or stick to the regular menu for dishes like LA-style galbi and bo ssam.

SAN JOSE — A Southern California-based oyster bar has opened its first Northern California location in San Jose, according to the Chronicle. The Dive Oyster Bar is serving Cajun and Creole-style seafood dishes like blackened catfish po’ boys, gumbo, and Cajun lobster pasta, plus some West Coast classics like shrimp Louie salad.

SUNNYVALE — A new food truck is slinging egg-focused Indian fare (think masala omelets, egg katori, and lasun fry with a sunny-side-up-egg) in Sunnyvale, per the Chronicle. Eggmania comes to the Bay Area via New Jersey, where its nationwide chain is based.

June 4

EMBARCADERO — A much-loved chef for Cambodian favorites just opened her sophomore restaurant in the Ferry Building. Lunette swung its doors open in stall 33 on Sunday, June 2, according to the Chronicle. Chef Nite Yun brings a few menu favorites from her now-closed Nyum Bai to the new outpost such as kuy teav Phnom Penh soup alongside a slate of newcomer dishes, everything going for $21.

COW HOLLOW — Venice Beach-born the New Bar, an all non-alcoholic bottle shop, opened its first Bay Area outpost at 2181 Union Street in early May. Tablehopper broke the news of founder Brianda Gonzalez’s expansion north. Fans can head here for boozeless favorites, glassware, home goods, and more.

BERKELEY — Ben Ben Hot Pot just opened quietly at 1585 University Avenue, according to the Mercury News. The all-you-can-eat hot pot spot takes over the former Himalayan Flavors location, staying open until 10 p.m.

PALO ALTO — RH — formerly Restoration Hardware — opened its fourth Bay Area gallery at Stanford Shopping Center on Friday, May 31. The Mercury News reports the RH Palo Alto opening also signals the end of the University Avenue outpost. Head here for over-the-top fanciness and a menu of branzino, shrimp salad, and more.

SAN MATEO — Global comfort food restaurant hits downtown San Mateo thanks to newcomer Swing Shift. Outlet Palo Alto Online writes owner Yvette Yong serves upscale riffs on nostalgic favorites including Mexico City-style tacos campechanos, Irish meat pies, chicharrones, and much more.

APTOS — One of Santa Cruz’s most well-loved taco spots just doubled its footprint, opening a new outpost at 36 Rancho Del Mar. Taqueria Los Pericos and owners Eleazar Zambrano and Jose Ruiz take their show on the road, per Lookout, for the first time since opening the original location 17 years ago.

SACRAMENTO — Combine coffee and tacos and you have a guaranteed good time. That’s the pitch at Midtown’s new Zoe Coffee and Tacos, per the Bee, which opened on Saturday, June 1. Diners can pick from breakfast options including cornmeal jalapeño and cheddar scones and order from a classic coffee menu.

SACRAMENTO — Self-serve bubble tea is a relatively new idea, and it’s brand new in the Capital City thanks to Honeybee Boba Cafe. The Bee writes the 6505 Folsom Boulevard business comes from local Anh Luu who wanted to open a shop for affordable tea. Luu also owns Cafe La Vies in the Laguna Village mall.