one year of berkeley eats

is it a blog? a newsletter? whatever it is, it's turning one.

it should come as no surprise that berkeley eats started because of a bakery.

when crixa cakes shut its doors last may after 27 years, we struggled with the mix of sadness and disbelief – not to mention the nostalgic marking of time – that comes with the loss of a longtime local favorite.

so when we noticed only one or two meaningful farewells in the local media, we decided, as fans, to respectfully include our own.

a year later, we're still offering heartfelt, hyperlocal industry coverage in and around berkeley. we've scooped exciting upcoming spots, detailed openings, expansions, super sad neighborhood closures (and full-on ghostings), spotlit under-the-radar purveyors, gone vintage with old-school reviews, and gathered tips that make sense for all kinds of diners in the community.

full disclosure: we've covered the bay area restaurant scene for about 25 years – hence a sharpened perspective – but always for other publications, never solely out of love. we're also a little old-fashioned. (look who finally got on instagram with help from gen z.) but in a place where food and restaurant news is nonstop, all a person has to do is take a look around and talk to people to learn where to go and what to cover next.

quick manifesto: we believe that every hustle counts, from counter to casual, street to legendary; we believe in 'favorites,' not bests; and above all we believe in respect, credit, positivity and care across the industry.

thank you to our friends and guides (editors, writers, eaters, makers) for their inspiration, insight and most of all humor as we keep going down this new little path.

and you! this is for you. thanks so much for reading and sharing.

kind regards,

berkeley eats

may 9, 2026 (find value here? we appreciate reader tips and support very much.)

the berkeley eats year in coverage

local openings 🎈: around 72? including evergreen cafe, the station, flour + water pizza shop, rice dynasty and fatto a mano.

closures 💔: 67 sad ones since we started, including rick & ann's, babette, starbucks solano, tasty pot and flora & ferment.

good sandwiches 🥪: 12, from local spots such as bageltopia, kensington market deli and casa do petisco. (we also ate plenty that weren't quite so good.)

new spots still to come (exciting) 🔮: meson; divan; dera; hinodeya ramen berkeley; expanded gioia berkeley; belotti bottega 2; bar skula; bar chisme; enssaro rockridge, etc. (will nono's doughnuts ever actually open? stay tuned...)