Albany Eatery Earns Must-Try Status On New List

ALBANY, CA — Dining out is a pleasure that we lost for several months during the pandemic, and it remains problematic because of changing mask rules, vaccine requirements and breakthrough infections.

But if you are determined to reclaim the simple pleasure of eating out, Diablo Magazine has come up with a list of recommendations to try in 2022, including Five Tacos and Beers in Albany.

"The focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients," Diablo writes, "and the careful in-house preparation, make this Albany spot (and coming soon to downtown Walnut Creek!) one of Deborah Kirk’s top picks. Be warned though—she points out it’s 'highly addictive.'"

Here is Diablo Magazine's full list of restaurant recommendations.

Albany —

• Five Tacos and Beers: expect fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Concord —

• Side Gate Brewery and Beer Garden: the beer is the draw for Side Gate with regular visits from food trucks.

Moraga —

• Town Bakery and Cafe: simple fare such as vegan burgers.

Oakland —

• Cactus Taqueria: executed and sometimes-hard-to-find specialties. "Start with the fish tacos."
• Shinmai: delivers on ramen and other Japanese options.

Pleasanton —

• Elia: specializes in Greek food in a gorgeous setting.

San Ramon —

• World Wrapps: great for a quick lunch.
• LB Steak: a must-visit for a great steak and martini.

Walnut Creek —

• El Charro: will feature many of the same dishes, and margaritas, as the long-time Lafayette restaurant.
• Five Tacos and Beers: (coming soon) expect fresh and seasonal ingredients.
• Kokolo Donburi and Grill: Diablo describes this new spot as "eminently satisfying and perfectly executed Japanese cuisine."
• Massimo Ristorante: check out the fritti misti and chilled jumbo prawn cocktail.
• Montecatini Ristorante: an Italian favorite for more than three decades.
• Opa!: expect a good-time vibe, and excellent food and drinks.

Read more in Diablo Magazine