Location: Walnut Creek
Top Restaurants in Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about 16 miles (26 kilometres) east of the city of Oakland. With a total estimated population of 67,673, Walnut Creek serves as a hub for its neighboring cities because of its location at the junction of the highways from Sacramento and San Jose (I-680) and San Francisco/Oakland (SR-24) and its accessibility by BART. Its active downtown neighborhood features hundred-year-old buildings and extensive high-end retail establishments, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Things to do in Walnut Creek
1. Morucci's Si Mangia Bene
Overall Ratings
5 based on 105 reviews
N/a
Reviewed By gkazantsev - Walnut Creek, California
Amazing deli. Best sandwiches ever. Hidden, but very well known among locals. Be prepared to wait in line, but not disappointed. Love this place.
2. Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
Va de Vi translates to "It's all about wine!" in Spain's Catalan language. Of course, it's all about food, too! Chef Mike Fischetti's menu encourages diners to explore and share a variety of eclectic, international small plate portions. Bold tastes encourage diners to explore the large international wine list, easily navigated by tasting notes. Many wines are offered by the glass in addition to pre-arranged flights to allow diners to compare different wines and discover new favorites. A warm, casual elegance defines the ambiance. Outdoors, dine under an ancient oak tree or grab a table in the picturesque lane.
Reviewed By calbearfan - bay area, ca
This tapas style restaurant with great wine pairings is probably one of the best go to restaurants in Walnut Creek. Always good. Everything on the menu is tasty, just know that it is small plate.
And really fun and good wine flights. Take a chance, I am almost always happy with the chance.
3. Walnut Creek Yacht Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By G Frank R - Walnut Creek, CA
I've been eating here since The Yacht Club opened over twenty years ago. I had the most fantastic Abalone on that day. Of course, Abalone is no longer served commercially. At any rate, this is one of the best, most consistent restaurants anywhere in the Bay Area. Fresh fish every day. A wonderful lobster special during the month of January each year. AND, they have one of the best burgers in town-yes, a seafood restaurant. If you have never been there, you must go.
4. Prima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Guests from the Bay Area and the world over celebrate Italian sensibility in this stylish ristorante, with the comfort and sophistication reminiscent of Florence and Rome. Dining at PRIMA is like taking a culinary journey throughout the regions of Italy. Executive Chef, Peter Chastain, changes the menu daily, using the freshest of nature's bounty - creating a dazzling mix of the finest ingredients, resulting in authentic Italian cuisine that is exquisitely pure and immaculately simple. Of course, dining at PRIMA wouldn't be complete without a choice of over 1,600 wines from international "artisan" producers. With PRIMA VINI retail wine shop adjacent to the restaurant, guests may purchase their favorite vintage to take home, or special order wines through PRIMA VINI's wine clubs. PRIMA is the perfect venue to celebrate a special occasion, linger over a sumptuous meal, or design a special dinner party (with customized menus and wines to match) Buon Appetito!
Reviewed By bobcardio - San Francisco, California
Excellent cuisine in lovely surroundings. Food is Italian style and was very tasty and very creative. Service was excellent. An example of very fine dining, and certainly one of the best Italian inspired meals one can find in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay area.
5. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Fleming's Walnut Creek, CA is an ongoing celebration of exceptional steak and wine. Located in Contra Costa County in the East Bay down from the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center off the 680 freeway.
Reviewed By rickmO1846GT - Danville, California
I never thought I would write a less than perfect review of Fleming’s Steakhouse in Walnut Creek, CA as my 6 previous meals there were stellar. At a family gathering last Sunday night, I ordered s Maker’s Mark Manhattan and when it arrived I thought the waiter was playing a joke on me as it was all of 3 ounces. The glass was more than half empty; everyone at my table noticed it. I was going to say something to John our Waiter but he vanished immediately after dropping off our drinks; I have never been served a drink so small Anywhere in my life.
Our table was the only one in the restaurant that did not have a candle, our dinners all came out at different times and the service was really spotty at best. The three side dishes were all cold but I was not going to create a scene as one of the family members seated at the table gets really nervous if anyone complains in front of her.
It definitely wasn’t one of my (or their) best meals.
Next time, Ruth’s Chris here I come.
6. Scott's Restaurant - Walnut Creek
Overall Ratings
4 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By Rhett L - Los Altos, California, United States
Great seafood in an indoor/outdoor location in downtown Walnut Creek, CA. A great large meeting space to hold meetings with 100+ people. You can serve coffee and snacks and hold a business meeting inside the restaurant. Valet parking available nearby the restaurant.
7. Benvenuti Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
To share our love and passion for Italian cooking, Benvenuti Ristorante (formerly know as Salvatore Ristorante) features exceptional traditional Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment with local, sustainable, organic ingredients, an extensive list of Italian and Californian wines, a full bar and a robust cocktail program.
Reviewed By 1occasional_traveler - Walnut Creek
We had an absolutely wonderful meal at Benvenuti Ristorante. We were so sad when Salvatore closed, but delighted when they re-opened as Benvenuti. Wonder food, refined atmosphere, flawless service. Everything on the menu is delicious. you cant go wrong with fresh ingredients and house-made pasta.
8. Il Fornaio
Overall Ratings
4 based on 264 reviews
Il Fornaio means 'the baker' in Italian. This award-winning restaurant offers an authentic and unique Italian dining experience. Specialties include wood-fired rotisserie and grilled meats, poultry and game; housemade pastas; pizzas from an oak wood burning oven; fresh salads and housemade soups; a wide variety of desserts; and fresh baked bread made daily from scratch. Winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2007.
Reviewed By Sherry S
Six of us enjoyed dining here after a movie. Excellent but unobtrusive service. The mushroom soup to start was delicious and full of good ingredients. Hit the spot on a cold night. My branzini main course was delicious and only needed a little of the sauce which I ordered on the side. It was served with wilted spinach and roasted fingerling potatoes. I tasted hubby’s seafood & pasta second course, and it was outstanding. The pasta was nicely al dente, and the scallop he shared was oh so sweet and not at all chewy. Although crowded, the six of us had no problem hearing each other.
9. Ruth's Chris Steak House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By StarLady99 - San Francisco, California
Our party of four enjoyed a lovely meal at Ruth Chris in Walnut Creek. Although Ruth Chris is known for its steak and meats, our vegetarian was able to choose from plenty of tasty options including mushrooms, salads, spinach, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. The lobster bisque and the crab and avocado tower were scrumptious starters. The Cowboy steak was huge, the lamb chops were perfectly cooked, and the salmon excellent. Service by Oscar was very knowledgeable and agreeable. Since it was a special anniversary celebration, rose petals were sprinkled on the table and we were treated to dessert. We appreciated the extra effort and well wishes.Parking garage is behind the restaurant or valet park. Everything is a la carte. We enjoyed a terrific meal and experience.
10. Sasa Izakaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By Gamine1949 - Gujan-Mestras, France
A place to go with friends and share the various delicious offerings such as the tuna parfait, various sushis, including tuna belly, delicious Lettuce wraps with tempura shrimp, the fresh duck buns and if you still have room, try their innovative sherbets, we had their cranberry one and a scoop of raspberry vanilla swirl...a great way to end on a light note.
