Walnut Creek is the type of place you can expect to find smaller, local eateries and chains. While that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some of the more well-known restaurants typically found in most towns and cities, there’s something to be said for the uniqueness the small suburb brings to the table when it comes to great food accompanied by live music and more.
Plus, there’s the fact that the area sees perfectly hot summers and very mild winters. This makes the weather perfect all year round for outdoor dining — which means each day is a new opportunity to try something new!
As a local roofing company that works in and loves Walnut Creek, we’ve put together our 9 top Walnut Creek restaurants (in our opinion):
1. Parada 🇵🇪
Parada is a popular Peruvian restaurant — and the Walnut Creek location — brought to you by Carlos Altamirano’s hospitality group. Unlike his other restaurants throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, Parada is considered casual dining, serving up traditional Peruvian cuisine like ceviche, yuca fries, lomo saltado, and pulpito a la parrilla. You’ll find both small and large bites off the menu, as well as a beautiful ambiance and great service.
Address: 7001 Sunne Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
2. Calicraft Brewing Company 🍻
Calicraft is a spacious and one-of-a-kind taproom and a local favorite of Walnut Creek, serving up an extensive list of local craft beers that you won’t find in nearby liquor stores or anywhere else, for that matter. While Calicraft doesn’t offer a food menu, it is surrounded by a consistent rotation of food trucks serving up everything you can think of on various days.
Plus, there’s a large outdoor beer garden where you can sit and enjoy your Calicraft beers while munching on good food. It’s the perfect solution when you’re with a group of friends who all want different kinds of food!
Address: 2700 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
3 Katy’s Kreek 🍳
When it’s time for breakfast — and that can be day or night — Katy’s Kreek is one of the best restaurants Walnut Creek has to offer. The small restaurant gets its notoriety from having an extensive eggs benedict menu with everything from Dungeness crab to corned beef hash benedict. The omelets are also worth mentioning, as are the sandwiches (if you’re not in the mood for eggs).
Address: 1680 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
4. LITA 🍴
LITA opened its doors in 2022, making it one of the newest restaurants on the Walnut Creek restaurant scene. The restaurant features Latin Caribbean cuisine and beverages, including cocktails, and it’s an incredibly vibrant place to have a meal.
You’ll find delicious food that you never thought existed here, such as lobster corn dogs and ancho chile coffee short ribs, and it doesn’t stop there. They also serve Latin Caribbean-style cocktails, like the mangonada margarita that comes with chamoy and a Tajin rim!
Address: 1602 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
5. Havana Restaurant 🇨🇺
When you’re in the mood for some hearty Cuban food, Havana Restaurant is among the best restaurants you can find. You’ll find Havana nestled in Walnut Creek’s busiest restaurant strip, and while you may have to wait a while for a table, it’ll all be worth it once you’re enjoying amazing food such as the savory roasted pork shoulder with a side of their Chino-Cubana fried rice. Brunch is also a great time to eat here as they offer unique items like the Croque Cubano (a Cuban-style croque-monsieur) plus bottomless mimosas and more.
Address: 1516 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
6. San Francisco Creamery 🍨
No list of restaurants would be complete without a spot that caters to the sweet tooth. Specifically, ice cream. The San Francisco Creamery is home to the best homemade ice cream in the East Bay region, and you’ll have your choice of regular cones, brownie sundaes, ice cream cakes, and shakes. They even have a menu item called “The Kitchen Sink” — which is an ice cream sundae challenge that you’ll have to finish within 30 minutes. (Hint — it’s a whole lot of cream!)
Address: 1370 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
7. Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar 🍷
The Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar is a longtime favorite among Walnut Creek locals. The bistro offers a nice long list of wines (as well as wine flights) as well as a very eclectic menu. Here you’ll find everything from Italian classics like risotto to Alaskan black cod, and there are plenty of wine-pairing cheese plates if you’re in the mood for small bites. The bistro also features a small patio in the back for those who prefer outdoor dining.
Address: 1511 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
8. Tiki Tom’s 🧉
You don’t have to travel too far from home to find paradise, they say, and Tiki Tom’s has the bamboo-hut aesthetic and fruity cocktails to bring that paradise home. The food menu is as unique as the tiki bar movement’s colonial roots, with items like lumpia and bao, smash burgers, ribs, and more. As for the drinks, you’ll find everything from piña coladas to the tiki bar’s famous Rhum Rum, which is a blend of various rums and cognacs with pineapple, strawberry, and apricot flavors.
Address: 1535 Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
9. Rooftop Restaurant & Bar 🏙️
You’ll never frown at a rooftop bar, especially one that’s so aptly named and can provide you with the best view of downtown Walnut Creek. The restaurant/bar has a retractable roof and space heaters for chilly nights, making it the perfect cozy atmosphere to enjoy small and large plates as well as signature cocktails, fine wines, plus a full bar. They’re also known for their five different mule options if that’s your type of drink!
Address:1500 Mt Diablo Blvd STE 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Eat, Drink, and Allow Us to Take Care of Your Roof
There are tons of Walnut Creek restaurants you won’t want to miss out on, but finding the time to dine out is easier said than done. Arguably the best time to go for a tasty burger, fresh seafood, or even happy hour is while you’re having work done on your roof!
Let the Bay Valley Roofing team handle your next roofing project while you enjoy some time exploring the East Bay region’s many restaurants. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and find out more about the roofing services we provide.
