Calicraft has been pulling beers at its taproom since 2016, taking advantage of its spacious brewery with plenty of seating available, especially in the outdoor beer garden. It’s become a popular spot away from the busier downtown area, and a place to try some Calicraft beers that won’t be available at any nearby stores. Outside food is allowed, but there is pretty much a constant rotation of food trucks available to purchase food from as you sip your drink at the picnic table setups.

Parada is the Walnut Creek location of chef Carlos Altamirano’s group of Peruvian restaurants, including San Francisco’s Mochica and La Costanera in Half Moon Bay; but it’s still worth a mention as a casual dinner option in Walnut Creek. Try the cebiche mixto, an order of the yucca fries, or the pulpito a la parilla if you’re in the mood for octopus off the smaller bites menu, before branching out into the lomo saltado, adobo, or paella.

If you’re a breakfast fiend, Katy’s is the place to go with its extensive eggs Benedict menu featuring everything from a Dungeness crab version to one with a corned beef hash. The omelettes are also worth a mention, as are the sandwiches, if you’re looking to go rogue from the egg options.

Lita is one of the newer restaurant options in Walnut Creek, debuting in early 2022, and brings with it a fun, scene-y vibe that fits its Latin Caribbean cuisine and drinks. The lobster corn dog or the empanadas are a fun way to kick things off, food-wise, and the ancho chile coffee short ribs is worth considering if you’re staying for a meal. Grab a cocktail during happy hour (or, anytime really), such as the mangonada margarita, which comes with a chamoy and Tajin rim.

Ice cream is the thing to get here at San Francisco Creamery, where the ice cream is all made in-house. Splurge on a brownie sundae if you can — or the Kitchen Sink, if you dare — or try the coffee cookie shake and ride that sugar high as long as you can. It’s also the spot for ice cream cakes, in case a special occasion requires a cake to match.

This bistro/wine bar has been a longtime local favorite, with its extensive list of wine flights and evident sense of humor, as displayed on the lengthy wine menu. The menu is eclectic, running the gamut from Italian classics like risotto to customer favorites like lechon and Alaskan black cod in a soy glaze. If you’re in the mood for a more classic food pairing with wine, there are three cheese plates to choose from while enjoying a glass (or flight) of wine from Napa, Italy, France, Australia, or more. There’s also a cute patio in the back if you’re looking to sit outside.

The tiki vibe is alive and well here, if you’re looking to hole up in a stylized bamboo hut with a fruity beverage in hand. Keep in mind the colonial roots of the tiki bar movement as something to chew on during your next visit, but there can still be some appreciation for the style of drinks that have come out of tiki bars. Here, the Rhum Rum is a blend of rums and cognac, with pineapple, apricot, strawberry flavors, and the Dole Whip is perfect for those missing their Disneyland fix. There’s a food menu as well, with some smaller dishes of lumpia and bao, as well as a smash burger and ribs if you’re hungrier.

If you’re looking for a solid deli sandwich, Morucci’s is the local favorite with good reason. The sandwiches are generously stacked, there are solid breakfast items available, and there’s a smattering of salad options available if you’re looking to eat something healthier. The Popeye & Olive Oil is a nice vegetarian option that features a layer of the “secret” pesto spread, with artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and spinach, but most go with the classic Italian sub with salami, coppa, mortadella, and provolone along with veggies and Italian dressing.