onCreateOptionsMenu not called when starting new activity

try adding method of super in your callback onCreateOptionsMenu implementation.

return super.onCreateOptionsMenu(menu);

In case you are using tool bar in your activity

@Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
   super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
   setContentView(R.layout.activity_map);
   mToolbar = (Toolbar) findViewById(R.id.tool_bar);
   setSupportActionBar(mToolbar);
}

The problem in my case is if extend Activity, then onCreateOptionsMenu is not triggered. Did it manually with in onCreate:

Toolbar toolbar = findViewById(R.id.toolbar);
toolbar.inflateMenu(R.menu.menu_main);

Of course, toolbar is defined in CoordinatorLayout

<android.support.design.widget.AppBarLayout
        android:id="@+id/appBarLayout"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content">

        <android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar
            android:id="@+id/toolbar"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="?attr/actionBarSize"
            android:background="?attr/colorPrimary"
            app:layout_scrollFlags="scroll|enterAlways"/>
</android.support.design.widget.AppBarLayout>