Under the watchful eye of Mount Diablo, Walnut Creek, California, offers something exciting for everyone. It’s a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors, with breathtaking scenery and miles of trails for exploring. This city is a true cultural center, with theaters and art galleries located all throughout.
In addition, the town boasts a dynamic food scene. Though you can easily drive to one of the major California coastal cities if you choose, you need not travel far from Walnut Creek to find a fantastic restaurant. Here are some of the best we tried.
Kinder’s
$$ | (925) 952-9000 | WEBSITE
From humble beginnings as a meat store in San Pablo in 1946, the Kinder family has expanded to 15 locations throughout northern California and Nevada.
The family-owned business is known for its delicious ribs, steaks, and sandwiches, as well as its many daily specials. With the rising popularity of Kinder’s catering services, the company has expanded into the retail sale of its own line of sauces and marinades.
As far as we’re concerned, Kinder’s offers you the best bang for your dining buck in town.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
$$$$ | (925) 287-0297 | WEBSITE
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Located on Mount Diablo Boulevard, this upscale steakhouse serves up some of Walnut Creek’s best steaks. When you visit Fleming’s, you can expect to indulge in a wide variety of mouthwatering and luxurious options.
Indulge in succulent steaks, fine wines, and inventive drinks at this restaurant. Their filet mignon is delicious; it’s like eating a piece of heaven. This cut of beef was cooked to perfection, so it is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Plus, this is one of the greatest birthday restaurants in Walnut Creek, and its huge dining area is a major selling point.
Sunrise Bistro
$$ | (925) 930-0122 | WEBSITE
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In 1981, when it first opened its doors, this bistro quickly earned a reputation as one of the city’s finest eateries. Breakfast and brunch at Sunrise Bistro are extremely popular, drawing in a large crowd.
You’ll be blown away by the huge servings and deliciousness of the food prepared by the skilled cooks at this restaurant. Walnut Creek is home to some of the best breakfast burritos in the Bay Area. This salty and crispy bacon and heaps of fresh vegetables fill this tortilla, making it a satisfying and substantial meal.
Benvenuti Ristorante
$$$ | (925) 932-2828 | WEBSITE
The recipes for many of the items on the menu of Benvenuti Ristorante, formerly known as Salvatore Ristorante, have been passed down from generation to generation of Salvatore’s family.
There are both communal tables and more private booths for those looking to celebrate a particular occasion or have a romantic dinner for two.
Staff is wonderful at handling large parties, and regulars rave about the friendly vibe that Salvatore and Angela have created. They have some of the best pizzas for delivery in all of Walnut Creek.
Kacha Thai Bistro
$$ | (925) 988-9877 | WEBSITE
The Kacha Thai Bistro is one of the most creative Thai restaurants we’ve ever seen; its MSG-free dishes are visually stunning, bursting with vibrant flavors, and presented with no unnecessary additives.
It’s easy to see why this restaurant was voted Best of the East Bay by Diablo magazine; the menu is so extensive that it’s impossible not to find something that everyone would enjoy.
The menu features both familiar Thai fare like soups, noodles, and salads, and some more enigmatic options like “The Typhoon” and “The Lover.” Do yourself a favor and sample one of their specialty drinks while you’re there.
Teleferic Barcelona
$$$-$$$$ | (925) 300-3826 | WEBSITE
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For high-quality restaurants in Walnut Creek, we highly recommend Teleferic Barcelona, located on Diablo Blvd.
There’s a lot to like about Barcelona’s Teleferic. One reason it’s so popular is that it has a sleek and roomy eating area, besides serving up delicious food. In addition, it offers delicious Spanish tapas, such as pintxos, sangria, and paella.
The El corte iberico is absolutely delicious. Served with a wonderful and minty verde sauce, this hanger steak is beautifully presented, juicy, tender, and delicious.
Lita
$$$ | 925-933-5482 | WEBSITE
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In the midst of Walnut Creek’s bustling downtown, we discovered this great contemporary Caribbean-Latin cuisine. Step inside, and you’ll immediately see why we ranked this establishment so highly among the dining options in Walnut Creek.
Taking pictures inside is a must because of its colorful and unique decor. This restaurant serves outstanding traditional Latin American fare in addition to its menu of dishes inspired by the cuisines of Miami and the Caribbean.
Order the jerk chicken, then have it served with coconut rice and charred sprouts. Diners are won over by the jerk-seasoned chicken’s smokiness, brightness, acidity, sweetness, and heat.
Bounty Hunter
$$$-$$$$ | (925) 433-9314 | WEBSITE
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Few local eateries can compare to the originality and allure of Bounty Hunter. This restaurant offers gourmet versions of numerous traditional smoked meat dishes, such as slow-smoked prime rib and pulled pig sandwiches. The booze and wine here are top-notch, too.
The prime rib is a sure bet. This steak has been prepared perfectly; it is juicy, flavorful, and tender. You may also get a sweet and flavorful pulled pork sandwich there if you’re looking for a lighter option.
Burma 2
$$-$$$ | (925) 261-8580 | WEBSITE
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No list of the best restaurants in Walnut Creek is complete without Burma 2. Indulge your taste buds with delectable and pungent Burmese cuisine at this Walnut Creek restaurant. Plus, it serves cocktails and features a gorgeous outdoor setting with live music and heaters.
There was no way we could resist their tea leaf salad. This crunchy salad is packed with a variety of flavors, from nutty and salty to sweet and sour, thanks to its inclusion of fresh greens and nuts.
Va de Vi
$$$ | 925-979-0100 | WEBSITE
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Va de Vi, which translates to “It’s all about wine” in Catalan, is an apt moniker for this high-quality eatery, as it features an extensive wine list from around the world, complete with tasting notes for aspiring sommeliers.
At Va de Vi, however, head chef Andy Phillips has made sure that the food is as interesting as the wine. Relax with a bottle of wine in the early evening or enjoy the restaurant’s selection of small plates during a sunny lunch break outside, where the weather is always pleasant.
Limon
$$$ | (925) 378-3816 | WEBSITE
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If you get the chance, order the lomo saltado. A perfect stir fry of tender pieces of tenderloin are topped with a delicious soy sauce infuser with ginger in this flavorful dish. If you’re looking for a list of the best restaurants in Walnut Creek, Lilom is the place to go.
Attracting customers with its vibrant Peruvian tastes and artistically presented meals, this restaurant has been a local favorite for years. This location has the added virtue of being both energetic and upscale.
If you get the chance, order the lomo saltado. Tender pieces of tenderloin are stir-fried to perfection and topped with a savory ginger-infused soy sauce in this flavorful dish.
La Fontaine
$$$-$$$$ | (925) 705-7019 | WEBSITE
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La Fontaine, this quaint French-Italian restaurant, has been a mainstay in Walnut Creek’s restaurant scene since 2021.
The menu at La Fontaine is full of life, with a fusion of Italian and French cuisine. Of course, its classy, welcoming, and refined atmosphere is what really wins you over.
If you’re on the fence about this eatery, just try a mouthful of their beef wellington. It is a luxurious prime cut that is both crisp on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. The wellington is our absolute favorites.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
$$$-$$$$ | (925) 977-3477 | WEBSITE
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This upscale restaurant, conveniently located near Plaza Escuela, serves up butter-topped sizzling steaks that will leave you wanting more. The restaurant has a classy atmosphere, and the staff is quite helpful. One of Walnut Creek’s finest dining establishments is Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
This establishment caters to carnivores with its succulent USDA prime steaks and prestigious wine list. The cowboy ribeye here is tender, juicy, and delicious. Also available is a small filet with shrimp that is packed with flavor and is just as delightful.
True Food Kitchen
$$ | (925) 952-7314 | WEBSITE
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In case you’re looking for an excellent restaurant in Walnut Creek, you should prioritize eating here. This eco-cool spot on Broadway Plaza serves up delicious, nutritious food that won’t break the bank. If you’re in Walnut Creek and are looking for a restaurant that serves healthful, inventive food, go no further.
Dishes at this eatery are craveable and original because of the care used in their preparation and the use of nutrient-rich ingredients. Get the grass-fed burger if you’re going to eat there. This robust and flavorful burger has an umami flavor from the combination of the flaxseed bun, mayonnaise, parmesan, arugula, caramelized onion, and mushroom.
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
$$ | 925-944-3474 | WEBSITE
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Walnut Creek’s, The Yacht Club was styled to evoke the breezy, nautical vibe of a restaurant on the water. The Yacht Club serves only the finest fresh seafood, provided only by Osprey Seafood of San Francisco, and the oyster bar, with its six different species of oyster to try, is a must-visit.
Whenever possible, the Yacht Club will use organic and locally sourced ingredients in their menus. There’s no need to pass it up, especially since it’s been a Wine Spectator Award winner every year since 2004.
Summary
Though a few of Walnut Creek’s restaurants did not survive the pandemic, there is still a bounty of great places to dine just waiting for you.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
Ok so some of these options yes for sure but some other are definitely not on this list.
Y’all are missing 1515, Toyosu, Dumpling hours. Talking about someone who lives and breaths good food and yet True food🤦🏽♂️ that’s disrespectful to some of these other ones listed.
Massimos is one of the best if not THE BEST restaurant in the Creek. It has been there for around 40 years and still serves up some of the best dishes in a wonderful environment serving traditional Italian, and Californian cuisine!
Mixed Grains, Korean – very good! Parada – Peruvian.
1515, best food/service in the Bay area hands down! Varied offerings to satisfy almost any cuisine yearning, wine list okay, but did I say excellent service bar none? You missed the boat on this one…
Excellent list of restaurants, but I sure do agree about Massimos (that it should have been on here). Its food is terrific and so, of course, is its location—directly across the street from the Lesher Theater. Please keep me updated!