Summer Bites: 13 Exciting New Restaurants Heating Up the Bay Area in 2025

The Bay Area food scene is picking up steam this summer with a fresh mix of new spots opening all over. From casual late-night eats to Michelin-spinoff bakeries and standout Japanese soba and tsukemen, there's plenty to get excited about. Whether you're in the mood for Cantonese barbecue, Parisian-style pastries, or middle eastern heat, there's something delicious to discover—no matter what you're craving.

1. Bar Chisme – Oakland
Chef Manuel Bonilla returns with his cult-favorite Filipino-Salvadoran dishes in a quirky dive bar setting he describes as “Abuelita’s house on acid.” Think burgers, late-night bites, and bold flavor in a laid-back space.
📍 347 14th St., Oakland
🗓 Opening: Late Summer
🔗 @chismeoakland

2. Bones Bagels and Bread – San Francisco (Noe Valley)
The Bay Area’s bagel boom continues with the arrival of Bones Bagels and Bread in Noe Valley. Founded by experienced baker Orloff—formerly of San Diego’s Wildwood Flour, the shop brings a refined, hand–rolled bagel craft to one of the city’s most competitive breakfast scenes.
📍741 Diamond St., Noe Valley, San Francisco
  🗓Opened: June 13, 2025

🔗 bonesandbagels.com

3. Café Vivant – Menlo Park
A unique concept focused entirely on heritage chickens raised on a local farm. Backed by sommeliers-turned-restaurateurs and a Michelin-starred chef, Café Vivant promises refined poultry and a neighboring wine shop, Somm Cellars.
📍 720 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park
🗓 Opening: Late July
🔗 cafevivantca.com

4. Bar Darling – San Francisco (Marina District)
Taking over the former Squat & Gobble space, Bar Darling is the newest cocktail-forward concept from SF nightlife veteran Nate Valentine and his team. With a “farm-to-bar” philosophy, the drinks menu leans into fresh, garden-grown ingredients — think tomato, basil, bell pepper, carrot, and berry shrub cocktails perfect for warm summer nights. Small plates like brie puff pastry bites and chicken lettuce cups round out the menu, while the space features a tree mural, earthy design tones, and a lush back patio
. 📍2263 Chestnut St., San Francisco
  🗓Opened: June 3, 2025
  🔗@bardarlingsf

5. The Happy Crane – San Francisco (Hayes Valley)
Chef James Leong Parry brings Michelin-level execution to a modern Cantonese restaurant that celebrates and elevates classics like Peking duck and char siu.
📍 451 Gough St., San Francisco
🗓 Opening: August
🔗 happycranesf.com

6. La Cigale – San Francisco (Glen Park)
A hyper-regional French restaurant focused on Occitania cuisine, with wood-fired dishes prepared in front of a 15-seat chef’s counter. A cozy and immersive dining experience.
📍 679 Chenery St., San Francisco
🗓 Opening: Summer
🔗 la-cigale-sf.com

7. Parachute – San Francisco (Ferry Building)
This bakery from the Michelin-starred Sorrel team is dedicated to laminated pastries, seasonal ingredients, and top-tier coffee, steps from the Ferry Building farmers market.
📍 1 Ferry Building, Suite 5, San Francisco
🗓 Opening: July
🔗 @parachute.bakery

8. Quack House – San Francisco
The iconic Hing Lung barbecue legacy returns under a new name and location, offering expertly roasted ducks, pork ribs, duck liver sausage, and more by the pound.
📍 927 Post St., San Francisco
🗓 Opening: Late Summer

9. Stereo 41 – Walnut Creek
Middle Eastern small plates meet Japanese hi-fi bar vibes in this stylish new spot from the team behind World Famous Hot Boys and Lita. Expect music, mezze, and craft cocktails.
📍 1535 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek
🗓 Opening: Late Summer
🔗 stereo41.com

10. Soba Dining Sora – San Francisco (Japantown)
Specializing in handmade soba from Japan, this relaxed spot offers dipping noodles, tempura, and seasonal sides with a warm, casual ambiance.
📍 1731 Buchanan St., San Francisco
🗓 Opening: Midsummer
🔗 soba-sora.com

11. Yonsei Handrolls – Albany (East Bay)
Fourth-generation Japanese‑American chef Kyle Itani (known for Hopscotch and Itani Sushi) has opened the East Bay’s second Yonsei Handrolls—this time in Albany’s Solano/San Pablo corridor. Expect 18 varieties of open-faced temaki-style sushi handrolls featuring premium fish, plus sake flights, Japanese cocktails, and whisky.
📍 905 San Pablo Ave., Albany, CA
🗓 Opened: May 1, 2025

🔗 yonseihandrolls.com/albany

12. The Happy Crane – San Francisco (Hayes Valley)
Chef James Leong Parry brings Michelin-level execution to a modern Cantonese restaurant that celebrates and elevates classics like Peking duck and char siu.
📍 451 Gough St., San Francisco
🗓 Opening: August
🔗 happycranesf.com

13. Tsujita Artisan Noodle – San Jose
One of LA’s most legendary ramen shops lands in NorCal with its tsukemen-style cold noodles and warm dipping broth, plus Japanese beers and sake.
📍 4330 Moorpark Ave., San Jose
🗓 Opening: June 21
🔗 tsujita.com

Ready to Eat Your Way Through Summer?