The Most Anticipated Spring Restaurant Openings in the Bay Area

From a reboot of a beloved queer bar in Oakland to a seafood raw bar and high tea spot in Berkeley, these are the new eateries to watch for this spring.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As spring approaches, the Bay Area is set to welcome a slew of new restaurant and bar openings, including a permanent location for popular pastry chef Marisa Williams, a seafood-focused spot from the couple behind a popular Thai brunch restaurant, and the relaunch of a beloved queer bar in Oakland under new ownership.

Why it matters

The Bay Area's dining scene is constantly evolving, and these new openings reflect the diverse culinary interests and community-driven values of the region. From the return of a queer-friendly gathering space to the expansion of beloved local food purveyors, these openings showcase the resilience and innovation of the local hospitality industry.

The details

Among the highly anticipated openings is Sol Bakery, a permanent location for pastry chef Marisa Williams, who has built a following through her pop-up work. Williams plans to bring her popular pastries, like guava tarts, as well as introduce light breakfast and lunch options. In Berkeley, Nudi Blue from the team behind Tanzie's Cafe will start with a focus on artisanal teas and a seafood raw bar, before expanding to dinner service in the coming months. And in Oakland, former Friends and Family chef Alli Li is relaunching the queer bar under the new name There/There, with plans to continue serving the LGBTQ+ community with more affordable food, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.

  • Sol Bakery is set to open in late March.
  • Nudi Blue is slated to open in late March.
  • Tur, the new restaurant from the Khao Tiew team, is expected to open in April.
  • There/There, the relaunch of Friends and Family, is planned for opening in May.

The players

Marisa Williams

A pastry chef who has built a following through her Sol Bakery pop-up and is now opening a permanent location.

Jezreel 'Jae' Rojas and Krissana 'Tanz' Tussanaprasit

The couple behind the popular Tanzie's Cafe, who are opening a new restaurant called Nudi Blue focused on artisanal teas and seafood.

Alli Li

The former chef of Friends and Family, who has purchased the Oakland bar and is relaunching it as There/There, a queer-focused community space.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

These new restaurant and bar openings in the Bay Area showcase the region's vibrant and evolving dining scene, with a mix of beloved local operators expanding their reach, community-focused spaces being reimagined, and innovative culinary concepts taking root. From pastries to seafood to queer-friendly gathering spots, there's something for every palate and preference as the spring season kicks off.