Bay Area Food Radar

Nightclub meets pizza at Little Star (846 Divisadero St., San Francisco; (415) 441-1118) – dimly lit and crowded, resembling a club more than a restaurant.

SF's beloved specialty roaster Sightglass Coffee opened its first new cafe in 6 years in Berkeley on Thursday – a cross-bay milestone highlighting the chain's resilient growth.

Downtown San Mateo now has a new Thai restaurant serving standout dishes like Lychee Duck Curry, Grilled Squid, Garlic Prawns, and Spicy Crab Noodles. A fresh Peninsula dining boost!

Two Pitchers Brewing Company at 3821 Noriega St. is serving $3 beers—among the cheapest in San Francisco—alongside one of the city's most popular Maillards smash burgers. Affordable brews boost the local bar scene.

Key cultural eats ahead for Bay Area food lovers:

• Flores de Mayo May 22 at Yerba Buena Gardens: Procession + meal at Sentro Filipino.
• Chinatown...

East Bay chef profile: Abigail Serbins at International House Berkeley is helping promote healthy eating, as detailed in her interview with Martita Mestey. A fresh take on local food culture.

Downtown SF food hall serves a standout Filipino sando as Oakland's Brother's Deli jumps in with a cold “Chopped” sandwich and chop-any-fillings option – Pinoy deli vibes on the rise.

Mark your calendars for the Taste of North Berkeley 2026 food crawl:

• Varied tastings at ACCI hosting Teance, AgroDolce Osteria, Altan's Place, A...

North Bay loss: Iconic Kollar Chocolates in Yountville is shutting down after 15 years. Owner Chris Kollar says the store stays open beyond May 9 "until the last chocolate is sold".

East Bay innovation: Decommissioned BART car now centerpiece of Arthur Mac's Big Snack, a family-friendly pizza-by-the-slice beer garden in Downtown...

Hamburger Project's Mission District smashburger spot has shuttered less than a year after opening, done in by slow sales and a viral food-safety fiasco involving raw beef on the sidewalk.

Palo Alto's Michelin-starred Protégé team—chef Anthony Secviar and sommelier Dennis Kelly—launched Bar Underdog in September, blending elite cocktails...

Significant Closures

• 🔥 Chez TJ: Michelin-recognized Chez TJ in Mountain View has closed after 43 years, ending a run as a Silicon Valley...

Chez TJ in Mountain View, a Michelin-recognized French-inspired spot in a Victorian home, shut down April 11 after 43 years.

• Iconic for elegant...

Catch East Bay brewery vibes with The Dream Tellers, a 60s & 70s rock n' roll-inspired group from the SF Bay Area, live at Del Cielo Brewing Co. in Martinez. Beatles-loving multi-instrumentalists Xavier and crew boost the local bar scene.

North Bay resilience in action amid Inverness churn:

• Inverness Park Market's Tap Room dining room stood as the lone sit-down spot after Saltwater...

Outside Lands (Aug. 7-9) turns the fest into a three-day culinary tour with 100 Bay Area spots across 53 cuisines.

• SF Classics: Original Joe’s...

Benihana plans 10 new Bay Area locations, with at least two opening next year—big news for teppanyaki fans.

Global flavors land at Abbott Square, completing its passport experience vision with Luna’s Boriken Bites (crispy empanadillas, slow-roasted pernil)...

Stalled revival: Iconic SF's Anchor Brewing, bought by Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya two years ago, still hasn't reopened—with no updates provided. Bay Area beer fans left hanging.