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spring weather watch list

spring weather watch list
char siu pork with egg over steamed rice in lotus leaf at new rice dynasty, softly opened today from the owners of noodle dynasty next door. photo credit berkeley eats.

a little first crop of brand-new or soon-to-come local spots to add to your to-try list as spring approaches.🪻

berkeley

cafe bolita, 2701 eighth street - cafe coming to former standard fare space from bolita masa chef emmanuel galvan, open now.

cali grill, 2026 university avenue - new smashburger spot in former cal's fried chicken and burgers, open now.

cinnaholic returns to berkeley this spring, taking over seoul hotdog's former space at 2505 hearst avenue. photo credit berkeley eats.

cinnaholic, 2505 hearst avenue - a return to berkeley for the vegan cinnamon bun brand (the original flagship on oxford street closed in 2023), expected march.

ga.ra, 2424 telegraph avenue - stylish vietnamese cafe, roastery and community space on telegraph avenue, set to open soon.

ox 9 noodle chain's new location on telegraph avenue in berkeley has softly opened. photo credit berkeley eats.

ox 9, 2404 telegraph avenue - lanzhou hand-pulled noodle minichain, softly open now on telegraph avenue.

palmetto superfoods, anchor house, 1950 oxford street - rapidly expanding vegan acai chain (smoothies, bowls) expected april.

rice dynasty, 2428 telegraph avenue - ultra-popular noodle dynasty's new next-door eatery in the former muracci's space, focused on lotus-leaf steamed rice dishes. softly opened as of today; grand opening to come.

the view from the dining room at softly-opened rice dynasty. photo credit berkeley eats.

shake shack, anchor house, 1950 oxford street - the bay area's fifth location for the national burger chain, coming soon to berkeley, possibly early spring.

sightglass coffee, anchor house, 1950 oxford street - we've heard rumors of an april opening in berkeley for this highly respected bay area coffee chain.

ga.ra opens this week on telegraph avenue in berkeley, if all goes to plan. photo credit berkeley eats.

alameda

one's cafe and bakery, 1926 park street - alameda expansion for castro valley-based bakery and cafe, expected very soon, according to the team.

albany

lulu's little kitchen, 1106 solano avenue - refreshed counter concept for lulu on solano, now open.

emeryville

for the love of matcha, 1195 65th street - chic new indie matcha cafe in the former dee spot, expected april (possibly sooner), according to owner. sign up for newsletters with announcements.

oakland

ace seafood (formerly small change), 5000 telegraph avenue - casual oysters, sandwiches, wings and seafood dishes for temescal lunch and dinner, open now.

ensarro rockridge, 5897 college avenue - beloved oakland ethiopian restaurant's big move, expected in about 6 weeks, according to owners.

the lodge (reopening under new ownership), 3758 piedmont avenue - new family-friendly (until evening) iteration of old-timey bar, reopening hopefully march or april.

saints smokehouse, 218 13th street - smoked chicken, ribs, brisket and sides from chef rashad armstead, now open.

february 23, 2026 (missed a fresh spot or one about to open? tips always welcome.)

updated.

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