Downtown & regional churn: closures, resilience, and revival
Key Questions
Which Bay Area restaurants earned recent Michelin recognition?
Californios, Naides, and Wolfsbane received validation during a Michelin night, and two restaurants earned third Michelin stars. SF also secured two James Beard Awards for chefs Michael Tusk and Kevin Diedrich.
What notable restaurant closures have occurred recently?
Closures include Le Comptoir, Decant SF, Noodle in a Haystack, Plank, International Smoke, and the full Left Bank/LB Steak/Vine Hospitality group spanning seven locations. Additional shutdowns affected Che Fico due to fire and Matt Horn's empire.
What new openings and trends are emerging in the East Bay and beyond?
New spots include Pàng, SoMa Social, Mesón Berkeley, Presidio Mess Hall, and Oklava. The East Bay is seeing a wave of elevated doughnuts, while Yemeni coffee shops have grown from one in 2022 to over 20 locations.
Michelin night validates resilience (Californios, Naides, Wolfsbane). But closures continue: Le Comptoir, Decant SF, Wagon Wheel Saloon, Anomaly SF, Noodle in a Haystack, Plank, Joe DiMaggio's, La Grullensa, International Smoke, Hamburger Park Tavern, Pacifica Pier cafe, Shuggie's, Che Fico (fire), Matt Horn's empire, Shabu Shack, La Finestra, Bar Brucato, Funky Elephant's Valencia outpost, Townhouse (unless $2M loan), and entire Left Bank/LB Steak/Vine Hospitality group (seven locations, 300+ employees, ongoing lawsuit). New openings: Pàng, SoMa Social, Mesón Berkeley, Presidio Mess Hall, Oklava, Meyhouse, Il Parco, Golden Rule, Beta Cafe, Jandii Cafe, Casa Sofia, Saltwater Bakehouse, Hi NRG. Fisherman's Wharf refresh. SF wins two James Beard Awards (Michael Tusk, Kevin Diedrich). Philosophers Club gets legacy status. Millennium reopens in Oakland. Yelp: Mitchell's Ice Cream #1 most-saved; Pleasanton's Meadowlark Dairy top 10. Yemeni coffee shops boom. East Bay elevated doughnut wave: Starter Bakery, SoDo at Hammerling, Duck Donuts, Bun Appétit, plus gluten-free and mochi options.