East Bay restaurant openings heat up in August

"08.27.25: For a cozy, brunch-at-home-on-a-lazy-Sunday feel, head to Dandelion Kaffe, Alameda's newest stop for sandwiches, salads and specialty lattes. With tasteful green wood paneling and star-patterned tiles, the space feels acutely homey, and you can pair the good vibes with a spicy egg sandwich or a biscoff latte. On sunnier days, take a seat on the outdoor parklet. Dandelion Kaffe, 1629 Park St. (at Pacific Ave.), Alameda"

"08.27.25: The highly-anticipated beer garden and live music venue Park Station opened in August in Alameda's East End. The family-friendly and dog-friendly venue offers more than two dozen taps that are dominated by a who's who of beers from California breweries. Southie, Oakland purveyor of classic American and Mexican cuisine like grilled cheese, corn soup, tostadas and more, has also opened as the food vendor at the beer garden. Park Station, 1200 Park St. (at San Jose Avenue), Alameda"

"09.02.25: Sakana and Yasai has opened in what was formerly Sugata, a family-owned Japanese spot that had been in Albany for nearly 45 years. This is the second Sakana restaurant (the original location is in Kensington). Sushi, sashimi and nigiri all make menu appearances alongside several vegetarian options, but what sets Sakana apart is the use of purple rice (a fiber-rich blend of black and white rice) instead of standard sushi rice in every dish."

Several new restaurants and venues opened across the East Bay in late August and early September 2025. Dandelion Kaffe in Alameda offers sandwiches, salads and specialty lattes in a homey space with green wood paneling, star-patterned tiles and an outdoor parklet, serving items like a spicy egg sandwich and a biscoff latte. Park Station in Alameda’s East End launched a family- and dog-friendly beer garden and live music venue with more than two dozen California brewery taps; Southie operates as the on-site food vendor. Sakana and Yasai opened in Albany serving sushi, sashimi and vegetarian options using purple rice in place of standard sushi rice. Annie's gelato opened on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley in the former Milkbomb/Ici space.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org