{"id":454473,"date":"2026-09-05T12:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T12:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/454473\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T12:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T12:19:17","slug":"swiss-chocolate-giant-new-vietnamese-afghan-and-salvadoran-options-mark-august-openings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/454473\/","title":{"rendered":"Swiss chocolate giant, new Vietnamese, Afghan and Salvadoran options mark August openings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note:\u00a0Nosh<\/a>\u00a0covers 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.\u00a0The openings and closings for each month are then compiled into a round-up.\u00a0Have a tip for Nosh?\u00a0Submit it here<\/a>.\u00a0Subscribing to the\u00a0Nosh newsletter<\/a>\u00a0is the best way to stay up to date on all of the openings and closings, breaking news, deeper developments, and events in the East Bay food scene.<\/p>\n

Alameda restaurant openings<\/p>\n

Angela\u2019s Eatery<\/p>\n

08.04.26: Chef Saboor Zafari is opening his new restaurant on Webster Street on the west side of Alameda Tuesday, Aug. 4. Zafari shares with Nosh that Angela\u2019s Eatery will have a three-day soft opening dinner service, then it will be open for lunch and dinner with a full menu. Zafari is a longtime restaurateur, with more than 25 years of operating in Alameda. In fact, this is Angela\u2019s fourth location in Alameda, after it closed and moved several times. Some sample dishes from this modern Afghan restaurant includes starters like duck strudel (duck confit in a phyllo pastry), leek and spinach stuffed bolani, and French onion soup. Sample entrees on the dinner menu includes beef paparadelle, eggplant tahdig with crispy saffron rice, and petrale sole.\u00a0Angela\u2019s Eatery<\/a>, 1427 Webster St., Alameda<\/p>\n

Berkeley restaurant openings<\/p>\n

Berkeley Bagels<\/p>\n

08.25.26: Chewy, New York-style bagels have a new home in downtown Berkeley.\u00a0Nosh has the details<\/a>\u00a0on Berkeley Bagels, the popular Westbrae shop that is opening a second location on University Avenue. \u201cAlex Suon, manager of the Gilman Berkeley Bagels store hopes their new University store will serve the UC Berkeley population and downtown Berkeley neighborhood to bring them \u2018the same great quality bagels, handmade, chewy New York-style bagels.\u2019\u201d Berkeley Bagel\u2019s second location opens Thursday, August 27.\u00a0Berkeley Bagels<\/a>, 1941 University Ave., Berkeley<\/p>\n

Concord restaurant opening<\/p>\n

Chom Thai Kitchen<\/p>\n

08.11.26: A new Thai brunch spot opened in Concord this summer, the\u00a0East Bay Times\u00a0reports<\/a>. The fusion menu includes eggs benedict with steak and smoked salmon, oat porridge with ribs, and drunken spaghetti, as well as brunch dishes like waffles. The dinner menu showcases more traditional Thai dishes.\u00a0Chom Thai Kitchen<\/a>, 2118 Willow Pass Road, Ste. 100C, Concord<\/p>\n

Philz Coffee<\/p>\n

08.25.26: The coffee chain that started in San Francisco and\u00a0sold to a private equity firm in 2025<\/a>\u00a0is opening a new location in Concord, the first location in that city. The coffee shop is located inside the Willows Shopping Center, which was recently redeveloped. The shop has a new mural by East Bay artist Alexandra Bowman. The grand opening is on Wednesday, Aug. 26.\u00a0Philz Coffee<\/a>, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Ste. C-108, Concord<\/p>\n

Emeryville restaurant opening<\/p>\n

Jamaica Again<\/p>\n

08.31.26: Jamaican jerk chicken is back inside the Emeryville Public Market. Jamaican Again serves jerk chicken plates and sandwiches, curried goat, plantains, and more. (Previously, there was Caribbean restaurant\u00a0Calypso Rose, which closed in 2024<\/a>. Many years ago, there was another Jamaican spot called Jamaica Place next to the kids\u2019 play area and ball pit.) The E\u2019ville Eye shares photos and\u00a0the menu here<\/a>.\u00a0Jamaica Again, 5959 Shellmound St., Emeryville<\/p>\n

Hayward restaurant opening<\/p>\n

C\u01a1m T\u1ea5m Bros<\/p>\n

08.04.26: This newish Vietnamese eatery focuses on broken rice plates. \u201cOriginally made from fractured grains once considered less desirable, broken rice became legendary \u2014 paired with grilled meats, bright pickles, fresh herbs, and a bold sweet-salty balance that hits every time,\u201d the website explains.\u00a0C\u01a1m T\u1ea5m Bros<\/a>, 28565 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward<\/p>\n

Newark restaurant openings<\/p>\n

Lalala Cafe<\/p>\n

08.11.26: A new matcha cafe opens in Newark. Lalala is still in its soft opening phase.\u00a0The menu<\/a>\u00a0includes a miso caramel espresso drink and a coconut matcha drink. Lalala shares the same owner as its sister cafe in Fremont, named Chachacha, according to\u00a0KRON4<\/a>. Lalala Cafe<\/a>,\u00a06193 Jarvis Ave,\u00a0Newark<\/p>\n

Shibam<\/p>\n

07.28.26: Shibam, a new coffee shop in Newark, soft opened on Sunday, Aug. 2. Shibam is a Yemeni coffee-focused chain cafe, which also recently\u00a0opened a location in Oakland<\/a>\u00a0in the former Red Bay Coffee location in Fruitvale.\u00a0Shibam Coffee Co.<\/a>\u00a034903 Newark Blvd., Newark<\/p>\n

Oakland restaurant openings<\/p>\n

Ak\u2019s Anh Hong<\/p>\n

08.25.26: A new Asian fusion restaurant has opened in West Oakland, serving a mix of Vietnamese, Thai, Lao, and other Asian-inspired dishes. The menu includes noodle dishes like pho ga (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup), khao piak (Lao chicken noodle soup), Lao papaya salad, crispy pork belly over rice, and milk teas and other drinks. The location used to house 10th & Wood. Thanks to\u00a0Oakland Reddit for tip<\/a>.\u00a0Ak\u2019s Anh Hong, 945 Wood St., Oakland<\/p>\n

08.04.26: A new downtown Oakland restaurant highlighting a popular street dish in Vietnam is opening Monday, Aug. 10. Broken Dreams is from\u00a0Quynh Nhu Nguyen and her husband, Geoffrey Deetz<\/a>, former chef and owner of\u00a0Temple Club in Oakland\u2019s San Antonio district<\/a>. Broken Dreams will serve c\u01a1m t\u1ea5m (broken rice) plates such as\u00a0flame-grilled lemon grass prawns<\/a>, chicken meatloaf, fried egg, broken rice, and chili and garlic fish sauce dish. The fast-casual restaurant will also serve vermicelli bowls and salads. The restaurant opens on August 10.\u00a0Broken Dreams<\/a>, 1312 Broadway, Oakland<\/p>\n

Carlyle\u2019s Chicken Wings<\/p>\n

08.04.26: A popular grilled chicken wings spot has a\u00a0new home in Jack London Square<\/a>. Carlyle\u2019s started at farmers markets in Jack London Square and Tracy a little less than a year ago, and now has brick-and-mortar storefronts in Oakland and Tracy. Carlyle\u2019s soft opened last Friday, and plans on a grand opening either late August or early September. The wing flavors include dry rub Cajun, bbq sweet, and Louisiana hot honey. CEO and founder Jamale Carlyle tells NOSH that he plans to add garlic butter rice and Brentwood sweet corn and mixed fruit bowls in upcoming weeks, as well as halal wings, in the upcoming weeks.\u00a0Carlyle\u2019s Chicken Wings<\/a>, 439 Water St., Oakland<\/p>\n

Happy Express<\/p>\n

08.25.26: A new Chinese\u00a0takeout spot<\/a>\u00a0has opened in West Oakland, just off of San Pablo Avenue. Happy Express serves combination plates with single, two, or three items plus noodles or rice.\u00a0Happy Express, 2608 Market St., Oakland<\/p>\n

Olive Tree Market<\/p>\n

08.04.26: Not your average corner store, this recently-opened shop includes a wide array of grocery staples including milk, eggs, bread, ice cream, plus snacks. Google reviews say it has organic, vegan, and gluten free items.\u00a0Olive Tree Market, 4427 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland<\/p>\n

Pleasanton restaurant opening<\/p>\n

Chicha San Chen<\/p>\n

08.31.26: A popular Taiwanese boba tea shop has opened a new location in Pleasanton. Chicha San Chen is known for their\u00a0fresh brewed teas<\/a>\u00a0from leaves picked from the mountains of Taiwan. The chain was recently declared by the\u00a0Chronicle\u00a0as the\u00a0number two best boba shop<\/a>\u00a0in the Bay Area. Berkeley\u2019s location on Berkeley Way opened in 2025, followed later by another East Bay location in Fremont. This is the fifth location in Northern California. The shop offers free tea tastings and is famous for the little cup holders the drinks come with. The\u00a0Pacific Pearl Shopping Center location<\/a>\u00a0in Pleasanton is in its soft opening phase.\u00a0Chicha San Chen<\/a>, 2709 Stoneridge Dr., #102, Pleasanton\u00a0<\/p>\n

Richmond restaurant openings<\/p>\n

Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma<\/p>\n

08.18.26: A new Mediterranean spot has opened in Richmond, at the former location of El Sabor Sinaloense, according to the\u00a0Grandview Independent<\/a>. The menu includes plates with a choice of protein served alongside rice and two side starting at $16, as well as wraps, sandwiches and family-style platters.\u00a0Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma, 930 23rd St., Richmond<\/p>\n

Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan<\/p>\n

08.18.26: A\u00a0new Salvadoran restaurant\u00a0<\/a>has opened in Richmond, serving pupusas, sopas, and a churrasco Salvadore\u00f1o combo with grilled steak, chicken, prawns, chorizo with chimichurri, rice, beans, cheese, salad and tortilla for about $30.\u00a0Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan, 969 23rd St., Richmond<\/p>\n

Balompie Sports Bar<\/p>\n

08.18.26: Popular San Francisco Salvadoran restaurant Balompie has brought its popular pupusas across the bay for the first time. Balompie has opened a restuarant and sports bar inside the former Hilltop Mall plaza. In addition to pupusas, the menu incudes breakfast, meat and seafood plates, and side dishes and appetizers.\u00a0Balompie Sports Bar & Grill<\/a>, 2940 Hilltop Mall Rd., Richmond<\/p>\n

Boulevard Fish & Barbeque<\/p>\n

08.18.26: A longtime fish and barbecue spot has moved from its Cutting Boulevard spot to a new location on Macdonald Avenue in Richmond, the\u00a0Grandview Independent\u00a0<\/a>reports. The seafood restaurant serves fried snapper, sole, prawns, and other dishes.\u00a0Boulevard Fish & Barbeque, 3231 Macdonald Ave., Richmond<\/p>\n

08.18.26: Not a traditional opening, but a rebranding,\u00a0Tommy\u2019s Burger Co., which\u00a0Nosh featured in February<\/a>, has become The Burger Spot Co. The change reflects that Tommy Ryan has stepped away from the business to focus on his Hercules barbecue restaurant, while business partner Juan Nunez has taken over as sole proprietor of the Richmond burger restaurant. The menu has remained largely the same.\u00a0The Burger Spot Co.<\/a>, 12560 San Pablo Ave., Richmond<\/p>\n

Casa Latina Supermercado<\/p>\n

08.11.26: A new market has taken over the former Rich City Rides space in Downtown Richmond. The market is now open, and will hold a grand opening celebration on Aug. 18. In addition to a variety of goods from Latin America, the store fetaures fresh produce, a butcher counter (carnicer\u00eda), and party supplies. Casa Latina, 1500 MacDonald Ave., Richmond<\/p>\n

Pho Corner<\/p>\n

08.31.26: A new Vietnamese restaurant has opened in Richmond, serving pho, banh mi, and rice plates in the Vista del Mar Shopping Center.\u00a0Pho Corner, 15501 San Pablo Ave., Ste. J, Richmond<\/p>\n

San Ramon restaurant opening<\/p>\n

Rico Rico Taco<\/p>\n

08.04.26: Oakland\u2019s Rico Rico restaurants have expanded to San Ramon. The new City Center Bishop Ranch restaurant serves tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with their fresh handmade tortillas. This location has both meat and vegan options, including crispy cauliflower, nopal, soy chorizo, and other options.\u00a0Rico Rico Taco<\/a>,\u00a06000 Bollinger Canyon Road, Ste. 1207, San Ramon<\/p>\n

Walnut Creek restaurant opening<\/p>\n

L\u00e4derach Switzerland<\/p>\n

08.18.26: Swiss chocolate lovers rejoice.\u00a0Walnut Creek<\/a>\u2019s Broadway Plaza just got a new shop, L\u00e4derach. L\u00e4derach is reportedly the largest chocolate retailer in Switzerland. It is known for creamy, large chocolate slabs (barks) with roasted hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, and other flavors that are broken into smaller piece, plus other sweet treats.\u00a0L\u00e4derach Switzerland<\/a>, 1275 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek<\/p>\n

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