Editor’s note: Nosh covers food and restaurant news across the East Bay, and each week we publish one article covering all the restaurant openings and one article covering closings. The openings and closings for each month are then compiled into a round-up. Have a tip for Nosh? Submit it here.
Albany restaurant opening
10.22.25: After a year of converting an old dentist’s office into a cafe and bakery, Starter held its grand opening on Solano Avenue Saturday, Oct. 25. In addition to items found at the College Avenue Starter location such as quiche, croissants, breads, and kouign amann in a variety of flavors, the Albany outpost will also feature baseball-sized, fluffy beignets with and without fillings. Founder and master baker Brian Wood said he was attracted to the location because of the bustling dining scene on Solano Avenue and the ease of working with the city of Albany.
Wood said he’d wanted to do donuts for a long time, but he hadn’t had the right equipment until the scratch build out of the Albany location, which includes a deep fryer and a griddle. Wood has plans to introduce hot sandwiches like tuna melts in the future.
“We worked on the beignet recipe for two to three months and made 11 or 12 versions,” Wood said. “I wanted it to feel indulgent.” Starter Bakery, 1183 Solano Ave., Albany
Berkeley restaurant openings
10.22.25: In the space that formerly housed Flacos, Ashby Eatery has opened up with a menu including breakfast burritos, biscuit egg sandwiches, avocado toast, acai bowls, banana bread french toast, wraps and sandwiches, and a beverage lineup including smoothies, coffee, wine and beer. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and pre-packaged items for takeout. Ashby Eatery, 3031 Adeline St., Berkeley
Headland Brewing has taken over and refreshed the old Bear’s Lair space, which went through five owners since 2015. In addition to a selection of twenty cold taps, menu highlights include pretzels served with your choice of IPA mustard or beer cheese, seasoned French fries, chicharrones seasoned with tamarind and pasilla chiles, and carnitas tacos. Burgers, sandwiches and salads are also available, and wine and cocktails. There are big TV’s for watching Cal games, foosball, shuffleboard and giant Jenga. Headlands on Campus, 2465 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Impression of Lanzhou
10.22.25: Thanks to a Nosh tipster for letting us know this noodle shop from Concord featuring traditional Lanzhou soup, a traditional beef noodle soup from the northwestern region of China, has expanded to Berkeley and is now softly open. The menu also includes soup dumplings and steamed buns, and the soups come in spicy and mild options and are all prepared with hand-pulled noodles. Impression of Lanzhou, 1878 Euclid Ave, Berkeley
10.15.25: Ini Burger, a casual burger joint serving Halal burgers, chicken wings, salad bowls and loaded fries, is expanding its reach in the East Bay. With locations in Fremont, Campbell, Pleasanton and Santa Clara, Ini Burger recently opened its fifth location in Berkeley. Stop by for a classic cheeseburger, or venture out with a Hawaiian spice or double decker burger. Ini Burger, 2114 Center St. (at Kala Bagai Way), Berkeley
10.10.25: Berkeley’s boba shop cup runneth over. J’s Snacks and Tea is the latest addition to Berkeley’s burgeoning boba scene, offering snacks like popcorn chicken, spicy Taiwanese sausages and sweet potato fries dusted with plum powder. Heartier meals are also available, including bento box lunches, rice bowls and a seared salmon salad. J’s Snacks and Tea, 2505 Hearst Ave. (at Euclid Ave.), Berkeley
10.15.25: Mendocino Farms, the cult-favorite destination for upscale salads and sandwiches, has closed its takeout outpost in Oakland in favor of a full restaurant in North Berkeley. You’ll find gourmet sandos like the spicy Calabrian turkey on focaccia (roasted turkey, sweet hot peppers, shaved parmesan, sweet onion, tomatoes, arugula, Calabrian chile vinaigrette and aioli) and colorful, crispy salads like the Baja green goddess (impossible chorizo or chicken adobado, roasted corn, black beans, jicama, avocado, grape tomatoes, red onions, Monterey jack, taco crunch, romaine, arugula, cabbage, cilantro and Baja goddess dressing.) Mendocino Farms, 1919 Shattuck Ave. (at Hearst Avenue), Berkeley
10.29.25: Berkeley welcomed a new Thai spot to its ranks. Praaw Thai Eatery is currently in soft opening mode, serving dishes like grilled pumpkin curry, pad Thai topped with tiger prawns, and pad kee mao beef in an elegant, low-lit bistro. You probably can’t go wrong with any of the entrees, but don’t skip dessert: there’s crispy Thai flower cookies paired with fragrant pandan ice cream. The name “Praaw” translates to sparkling or dazzling, and it seems to be living up to the name. Praaw Thai Eatery, 1277-1279 Gilman St. (at Santa Fe Avenue), Berkeley
El Cerrito restaurant openings
10.10.25: After closing down for renovations in July, Peet’s Coffee has reopened its El Cerrito location on San Pablo Avenue. The coffee chain celebrates 20 years in El Cerrito this year. Peet’s Coffee, 9895 San Pablo Ave. (at Carlson Ave.), El Cerrito
Emeryville restaurant opening
10.22.25: After shuttering temporarily over the summer, Comeback Cafe in Emeryville has opened its doors again. Stop by for banh mi sandwiches and vermicelli bowls, plus drinks like boba, fruit teas and iced coffee. Comeback Cafe, 6009 Christie Ave., Emeryville
10.22.25: Art, music, food, drinks and community events are the cornerstone of Hella Bees, a buzzy new bar and lounge celebrating its grand opening in Oakland this week. Drop by for a new lineup of signature cocktails and Afro-Asian fusion bites, then take it all in either on the patio or at the large indoor lounge area. Follow Hella Bees on Instagram to stay up to date on events like NBA season opener watch parties, paint and sip nights, DJ sets and more. Hella Bees, 2340 Harrison St., Oakland
10.15.25: After a two-year closure, beloved South Bay bakery Honey & Pearl has found a permanent home on the Emeryville and Oakland border. Head to their Instagram for instructions to pre-order and pickup from their new spot on weekends. You’ll find classic bestsellers including their signature guava chiffon cake, plus cookie butter brownie bars, ooey gooey bars, coconut pineapple cake, burnt almond cake, and both classic and Mexican banana pudding. Honey & Pearl, 1145 65th St., Emeryville
Oakland restaurant openings
10.15.25: Classy waterfront dining has returned at Eve’s Waterfront. After a kitchen fire prompted the restaurant to close for several years, Eve’s will celebrate its grand reopening this weekend. The restaurant is rolling out new brunch offerings — including a raffle that promises to award the winner comped brunch for an entire year — plus indulgent dishes like Moroccan wings, smoked trout salad and crème brûlée French toast. Eve’s Waterfront, 15 Embarcadero West, Oakland
10.29.25: Sideshow Kitchen, a beloved Oakland destination for crave-worthy loaded burgers, garlic parm wings, hot honey chicken cheese fries and Oreo milkshakes, has opened a new venture on San Pablo Avenue. Sideshow Express offers the same menu, plus breakfast options — and an Instagram post hints at exclusive items. Sideshow Express, 6037 San Pablo Ave. (at 61st St.), Oakland
Richmond restaurant openings
10.22.25: A new smash burger spot softly opened in Richmond Oct. 18. Burgers can be ordered with or without cheese and in single, double, or triple-patty versions. Burgers come with “boss sauce,” lettuce tomatoes and caramelized onions. The menu also includes a fried chicken sandwich, french fries cooked in beef tallow, sweet potatoes fries and onion rings. Tommy’s Burger Co., 12560 San Pablo Ave., Richmond
San Leandro restaurant opening
10.10.25: San Leandro has a new outpost for Vietnamese food. Saigon Yum serves a range of Vietnamese specialties including banh mi sandwiches, noodle soups, beef stews and Saigon-style broken rice served with grilled pork chop, steamed egg loaf, shredded pork skin, fried egg, pickled veggies, scallion oil and house-made fish sauce. Saigon Yum, 15099 Hesperian Blvd. (at Halcyon Dr.), San Leandro
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