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.
Alameda restaurant openings
Marugame Udon
03.18.25: Marugame Udon, a fast-casual chain serving steaming bowls of udon and tempura, recently expanded to its second East Bay location in Alameda. (The other is on Berkeley’s Shattuck Ave.; you’ll find other outposts in San Ramon, Santa Clara and across the bridge.) Load up on savory, umami-forward noodle bowls topped with sweet beef and soft-boiled eggs, or try a rice bowl like the chicken katsu teriyaki. Marugame Udon, 2249 S. Shore Center 300, Alameda
Sushi Broadway
Another sushi option has arrived in Alameda: Sushi Broadway, on Santa Clara Ave., is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Expect classic sushi rolls and house specials, nigiri and sashimi, lunch entrees like salmon teriyaki as well as udon bowls. Sushi Broadway, 2549 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda
Albany restaurant openings
Kitava
03.25.25: Kitava, a self-titled “clean casual” restaurant with locations in Oakland and San Francisco, has expanded to the former Boss Burger space on Albany’s Solano Ave. You’ll find nutrient-packed dishes like the Power Bowl (wild rice blend, greens, hummus, sweet potatoes, avocado, pickled onions, almond slivers and green goddess dressing) on offer, but if you’re craving comfort food with a healthy twist, the cassava flour-breaded chicken nuggets are always there for you, too. To learn more about Kitava and its new Albany branch, check out Nosh’s East Bay gluten-free dining guide publishing March 26. Kitava, 1187 Solano Ave., Albany
El Cerrito restaurant opening
Pakaoma Thai-Lao Diner
Paying homage to Thai-Lao specialties, Pakaoma (in the former Banana Leaf space in El Cerrito) offers a zesty, colorful menu that runs the gamut from tom yum and pad Thai to spicy Lao sausage and Mieng Pla Tod, or fried whole tilapia. Pakaoma specializes in dishes from the Isan region of Thailand, and dishes are designed to be shared. You’ll also find beer, wine and low-ABV cocktails on offer. Pakaoma Thai-Lao Diner, 11880 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito
Oakland restaurant openings
Bebe’s
03.18.25: BBQ pop-up Bebe’s opened the first installment of what plans to become a weekly appearance at Kingfish last Friday. Stop in next weekend for burgers, the Carolina-style hog sandwich (smoked pork shoulder marinated in a Carolina-style sauce, house slaw, crispy chicharrón, house-made pickles and chiles, Martin’s potato roll) or the mushroom asada sandwich (grilled maitake mushrooms marinated in an adobo rojo, salsa verde, house slaw, homemade pickles and chiles on ciabatta.) Head to Instagram for details; for now, they plan to be at Kingfish Friday nights starting at 5 p.m. Bebe’s at Kingfish, 5227 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Crazy Block Cheesecakes
03.11.25: Known for its BBQ, latkes and, of course, eccentric cheesecakes, local pop-up and farmers market staple Crazy Block Cheesecakes is set to open in a new brick and mortar on March 14. Located on Oakland’s Lakeshore Ave. (in the previous Merritt Bakery space), Crazy Block will serve smoked BBQ, brisket, ribs, loaded fries and New York style cheesecakes that run the gamut of flavors. Check Instagram to find out more about the specific varieties on offer; in the past, Crazy Block has whipped up everything from cookies and cream to ube to crème brûlée. Crazy Block Cheesecakes, 3355 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland
Delicious Thai Kitchen
03.11.25: Following the December closure of Indian eatery High Peaks, 5299 College Ave. is now home to Delicious Thai Kitchen. Expect classic Thai comfort foods like curries, papaya salad, wok-tossed rice plates and noodle dishes, plus a signature “Mom’s menu” with offerings like Boy Scout Hot Pot (ramen noodle soup with ground pork, mixed fish-meatballs, mushroom, tomato and onion.) Delicious Thai Kitchen, 5299A College Ave., Oakland
Itani Sushi
03.18.25: Chef Kyle Itani (of Itani Ramen and Yonsei Handrolls, both in Uptown Oakland) has launched another venture in the Town, this time a sushi pop-up — offering fresh rolls, salads, plus Japanese snacks and candy — open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For now, the pop-up will operate through June, but plans for an extension could be underway. Itani Sushi, 326 23rd St., Oakland
Marble Slab Creamery
04.01.25: Round Table Pizza’s ice cream sister brand, Marble Slab Creamery, has touched down in Oakland. Head to the Round Table in Temescal for pizza and, as of March 26, scoops of small-batch ice cream, sundaes and ice cream cakes. Marble Slab Creamery, 5095 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Mushin
03.25.25: Despite a near-permanent closure in March of last year, Mushin, a downtown Oakland boutique sports lounge offering cocktails, bites and late-night dancing, made a comeback at its soft opening celebration over the weekend. Per Instagram, the Jollof Kitchen food truck also makes a regular appearance at Mushin — so head over to grab your fill of jollof rice, plantains, chicken and other West African specialties. Mushin, 416 13th St., Oakland
Soul Blends Coffee Roasters
03.11.25: Eater reports that Soul Blend Coffee Roasters, a celebrated coffee pop-up found at the West Oakland Farmers Market, hosted a soft opening at its new coffee shop on March 7. A grand opening event is scheduled for March 22 — details on Instagram. In the interim, drop by the sunny West Oakland spot for drip coffees, espresso drinks and light breakfast bites. Soul Blends Coffee Roasters, 3207 Louise St., Oakland
The Saucy Hut
The Saucy Hut, of Fruitvale food truck fame, is now operating a brick-and-mortar institution in what was previously La Perla’s Oakland restaurant. Crave-worthy indulgences like crab and shrimp egg rolls, hoagies and steak over rice — all drizzled (or dunked) in a healthy dose of spicy Saucy Sauce — are on the menu. The Saucy Hut, 3409 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland
The Well
03.04.25: Folks who wondered what would become of Shakewell after last year’s closure, here’s your answer: the Lakeshore staple just reopened under a new name, The Well. While the menu has changed (Shakewell leaned towards Mediterranean; the Well specializes in American comfort foods like burgers, wood-fired pizza, steak, lamb and pork chops), you’ll still find a vibrant cocktail and wine program on the menu. The Well also plans to host live jazz every Tuesday night and quarterly wine education events with resident sommelier Michael Mittelbuscher. The Well,3407 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland
To The Moon
In case you needed another reason to hit up Telegraph Ave. on a Friday night, here it is. To The Moon, a late-night Korean joint offering goodies like kimbap, corn cheese and fried chicken has opened in the space next to what was previously Daytrip. To The Moon is open nightly from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. To The Moon, 4390 Telegraph Ave. A, Oakland
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