openings roundup (southside and downtown berkeley)

it’s been hard not to notice berkeley's boarded up buildings and cluttered construction from an outsider’s perspective these days, especially while witnessing visiting parents and grandparents carefully navigate the rubble during cal graduation events. 

whether muscling down telegraph or bancroft by car, trying to park successfully anywhere near uc berkeley's campus, or walking (safely) to find an easy spot for lunch, the charms of southside and downtown berkeley’s many cafes and eateries seem a bit obscured right now by cranes, cones and debris. and with former favorites closed such as most of center street (except for still-open signal coffee, ippuku and bag o’ crab, give them credit for hangin’ in!), choices can seem a little... bleak. 

that said, despite the blight, there are some new places tucked here and there in those neighborhoods that haven’t hit the media radar yet, where folks seem to be gathering.

first off, noodles fresh has a new express annex in sather lane that opened this spring in the former noody space. the 20-year-old el cerrito mainstay for chinese noodle dishes notably launched their second sit-down restaurant in downtown berkeley in 2020, just as the pandemic hit. five successful years later, the team has expanded to the heart of southside with this third outpost (with counter service and a few sit-down tables) focused on fast, fresh appetizers, soups, rice plates and noodle dishes. noodles fresh uc berkeley is at 2431 durant avenue, suite b.    

also down sather lane is new han kki, in the former t-toust spot (and from the same team), a counter-service korean comfort food restaurant with a roomy amount of seating. the fast-casual, soul-warming menu of soups, bibimbap and korean bbq dishes is worth a look. han kki is at 2433 durant avenue, suite f. 

up on telegraph, newcomer everytable is a modern fast-casual concept with good intentions based out of southern california. its brand-new (and first!) location in the bay area is already attracting attention, with healthful, grab-and-go meals made from scratch — bowls, sandwiches, salads, hot dishes – with a focus on accommodating a wide-range of diets, the option for subscription dining, and even a pay-it-forward component. note: the eatery opens early for breakfast by telegraph standards – 7:00 am – and closes at 7:00 pm. everytable is at 2305 telegraph avenue.

further south on telegraph, burma berkeley is getting some much-deserved media time and positive reviews for its recent, quiet takeover of dearly-departed royal rangoon. expect burmese favorites such as tea leaf, rainbow and samosa salads, samosa soup, curries, noodle and rice plates in an upscale, sit-down dining room (or for take-out). burma berkeley is at 2826 telegraph avenue. 

meanwhile there is always rogue new food to be had in downtown berkeley. extreme pizza has just reopened there after having closed its 2352 shattuck space in 2019 after 18 years – welcome back to a teen favorite. extreme pizza berkeley is now located at 2360 shattuck avenue. and spats bar just started hosting taco popup din with cin at 1974 shattuck avenue, check for schedule details.

also, the former king dong chinese restaurant (RIP) is now 4dreams nepalese and indian, adding to the recent influx of himalayan choices that have opened since the new year in berkeley (southside’s himalayan bite that took over from the delhi diner in early 2025; tipsy yeti restaurant and bar in west berkeley). 4dreams nepalese and indian is at 2429 shattuck avenue.

lastly near cal, everyone is patiently waiting for the newest location of sightglass coffee to be unveiled at 2169 university avenue, but that might be a bit of a wait.

have a safe, peaceful and food-focused memorial day weekend everyone, and congratulations to all the recent graduates.