berkeley eats digest - september 23

quick news spotted in and around berkeley. have a tip for the digest? please let us know.

openings✨

top dog downtown opened last friday in collaboration with the breakroom, and serves lunch and dinner daily at 2021 shattuck avenue in downtown berkeley.

kash cafe softly launched today at 11am (will serve until 4pm) on bancroft in berkeley, right across from campus. watch instagram for regular hours.

pin rice has softly opened for lunch and dinner wednesday-monday in the former rice dynasty spot at 2428 telegraph avenue in berkeley.

hoagie's world of hoagies opened yesterday in berkeley, and is already attracting loyal regulars.

o2 sushi at 979 san pablo avenue in el cerrito opens tonight from 5-9pm. same owners as former sumo sushi in the same location, and berkeley's o2 eatery. (thanks to a tipster for the share.)

cafe buenos aires empanada cafe at 6401 fairmount avenue in el cerrito is open.

chez maeju fermentation-focused korean dining opened last friday at 6200 claremont avenue in oakland.

service updates 🍽️

homemade cafe has announced that for the first time in its opening history the cafe is no longer open daily. from now on, expect breakfast and brunch friday-monday.

monster pho in oakland is now open wednesday-sunday from 10am-8pm.

special events 🪩

mid-autumn festival and night market at good to eat dumplings in emeryville, september 25-26.

coming soon 🔮

looks like the old daruma sushi space at 2215 san pablo avenue in berkeley will soon become bobo sushi. no socials yet, stay tuned.

pour choices motorcycle cafe in oakland seems imminent.

closings

crepes a-go-go in downtown berkeley has permanently closed. thanks to a tipster for the alert.

reminder to support and enjoy berkeley favorite triple rock's final months through december.

september 23, 2026 (other much-needed happy hours, tips always welcome.)