“Sunset Buzz” will be a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Sunset. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com.

A storefront under renovation features vertical green tiles, a large window covered with HomeWrap, and wooden planks supporting the facade.Tadaima, the Japanese sando spot, plans to open its third location in January. Photo by Junyao Yang on Dec. 3, 2025.

Tadaima, the instagram-famous Japanese-style sando and matcha spot, which regularly has a line down the block at its original location in the Mission, will open its third location in January in the space formerly occupied by Sunset Subs, at 1248 9th Ave. 

Like the Mission location, the Inner Sunset spot will be within walking distance of a popular picnic spot: This time, Golden Gate Park, instead of Dolores Park. 

Expect similar menu items: Sandwiches with fillings like chicken karaage and shrimp tempura served on soft, crustless white bread. Also: The same aesthetic. On a recent November morning, workers hustled to cover the storefront with the distinctive dark green tiles used at its other locations. 

A man stands at a coffee shop counter near a small artificial Christmas tree, while several people sit at tables in the sunlit dining area.Saint Frank Coffee, the specialty coffee shop, opened its third location at 744 Irving St. Photo by Junyao Yang on Dec. 3, 2025.

Saint Frank Coffee, the specialty coffee company with locations in Russian Hill and SoMa, opened its third S.F. storefront at 744 Irving St., a spot formerly occupied by a Starbucks. So far, the line is out the door. The sun-lit, airy space is filled with workers on laptops during the week, and families with baby strollers (and babies) on the weekends. 

In addition to standard espresso drinks, interested parties can order a  “competition-style cappuccino” for $10 (Jason Yeo, a barista at St. Frank, placed third in the 2025 US Barista Championship, and St. Frank’s owner, Kevin Bohlin, bragged to Eater earlier this year that St. Frank is “a competition company.

A printed farewell letter from Lale is taped to a glass window, announcing the cafe’s closure and expressing gratitude to customers and the community.A sign on LaLe’s door announces the closure of the Mediterranean-Turkish restaurant. Photo by Junyao Yang on Nov. 25, 2025.

LaLe, a Mediterranean-Turkish restaurant at 731 Irving St., closed its doors in November after 11 years in the Inner Sunset. 

“Every guest, every plate and every conversation has been part of our history — and for that, we are forever grateful,” the owner, Suzan Sarikurt, wrote in a statement. 

LaLe will live on as a catering operation and as a line of ready-to-eat meals sold at grocery stores in the Bay Area. 

Street view of Dumpling Park restaurant window with food posters, menu, and "Never Stop Exploring" slogan above the entrance. Customers are visible inside.Dumpling Park closed its doors in late October. Photo by Junyao Yang on Aug. 6, 2023.

Dumpling Park, a Chinese restaurant on Ninth Avenue, closed in late October after six years at 1308 Ninth Ave. The space will reopen as Core 40, a fitness studio that has five locations across San Francisco, according to a planning permit.

A beige two-story corner building with "Reliable Rexall Drugs" signage; the storefront is vacant with "For Lease" signs in the windows. A pedestrian is crossing the street.The space, formerly occupied by the Reliable Rexall Sunset Pharmacy, is for lease. Photo by Junyao Yang on Dec. 3, 2025.

A vacant storefront with a "FOR LEASE" sign displayed in the window on a sunny urban street; the awning above reads "Progress Hardware.Progress Hardware’s space is up for lease on Irving Street. Photo by Junyao Yang on Dec. 3, 2025.

More cafes and restaurants keep opening, but the storefronts that once provided necessities to the Inner Sunset — Progress Hardware at 724 Irving St. and the Reliable Rexall Sunset Pharmacy at 801 Irving St. — remain empty, with “for lease” signs in their windows. 

A brick building with a glass door entrance and a large "Available for Lease" sign displaying a phone number on the exterior wall.The vacant Bank of America space on 9th and Irving was once the campaign office of Mayor Daniel Lurie. It is now campaign office for Saikat Chakrabarti. Photo by Junyao Yang on Dec. 3, 2025.

The former Bank of America location at 800 Irving St., was the campaign office for Mayor Daniel Lurie’s successful mayoral run. Now, it’s the campaign headquarters for Saikat Chakrabarti, one of several would-be Nancy Pelosis

Hon’s Wun-Tun House, a Chinatown staple that has served Hong Kong style wonton soup since 1972, opened a third location at 1830 Irving St., just past 19th Avenue. 

Marcel, a new cafe at 1101 Taraval St., opened in late September in the former space of Tabita’s Cafe. Expect classic brunch fare like bagels and eggs Benedict, as well as other items, like lobster cheese sandwich rolls and “400 times coffee,” a drink with frothy espresso floating on top of the milk.


A person with long black hair smiles softly, standing outdoors in a park. They are wearing a tan jacket and a necklace. The background is grassy with trees slightly blurred.

Junyao covers San Francisco’s Westside, from the Richmond to the Sunset. She moved to the Inner Sunset in 2023, after receiving her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. You can find her skating at Golden Gate Park or getting a scoop at Hometown Creamery.


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