'15 Worthwhile Places To Eat, Drink In Walnut Creek': Eater SF

WALNUT CREEK, CA — If Walnut Creek was not already a foodie heaven, it is now thanks to a new list from Eater SF.

Here are "15 Worthwhile Places To Eat And Drink In Walnut Creek," although we know there are quite a few more restaurants and cafes worthy of a mention.

1. Calicraft Brewing Company, 2700 Mitchell Dr.

According to Eater SF: "Calicraft .... has 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."

2. Parada, 7001 Sunne Lane.

A casual dinner option in Walnut Creek, Parada is one of three Peruvian restaurants operated by chef Carlos Altamirano. Eater SF suggests dining on the "cebiche mixto, an order of the yucca fries, or the pulpito a la parilla if you’re in the mood for octopus."

3. Manakish Oven and Grill, 2905 N. Main St. (Geary)

Manakish flatbreads, the namesake of this Walnut Creek restaurant, are a pillowy bread often described as the Mediterranean version of pizza. If seeking a healthier option, Eater SF suggests one of Manakish’s "kebabs over salad — also available in wrap or plate."

4. Kibi's Cafe Walnut Creek, 1981 N. Broadway

This is a local favorite for banh mi — popular enough to warrant expanding into a second location, this time in Orinda. Eater SF suggests "the five-spice pork banh mi, and pick up some fresh summer rolls, which include three vegan options."

5. Montesacro Pinseria, 1686 Locust St.

"Pinsa, the pizza-adjacent delight from Italy, is the dish that helped build the Montesacro name in San Francisco, but in its newer outpost in Walnut Creek, the restaurant has a few more dishes to attract diners," Eater SF said.

6. Katy's Kreek, 1680 Locust St.

Calling all breakfast fiends: 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 omelets and sandwiches are also worth a mention, according to Eater SF.

7. SanDai & KOPI Bar, 1522 N. Main St.

Chef Nora Haron has two Walnut Creek operations.

SanDai is the more formal restaurant option serving lunch, dinner and brunch items inspired by the Malay archipelago — Singapore and Indonesia in particular — and regionally created from Northern California’s palette of producers and produce.

KOPI Bar features Indonesian coffee and is the "more casual cafe side, with fresh pastries and coffee drinks to fuel anyone’s morning into the early afternoon."

8. Havana Restaurant, 1516 Bonanza St.

This Cuban restaurant on a busy strip of eateries is "worth stopping in for its puerco Cubano, a roasted pork shoulder, or the Chino-Cubano fried rice." Eater SF also recommended its "playful brunch menu" with a "croque-monsieur and Cubano mashup called the Croque Cubano" and bottomless brunch drink options.

9. LITA, 1602 Bonanza St.

This newer WC restaurant brings a "fun, scene-y vibe" in line with its Latin Caribbean cuisine and drinks. Eater SF recommends the lobster corn dog or ancho chile coffee short ribs. The mangonada margarita, which comes with a chamoy and Tajin rim, was also recommended.

10. Dumpling Hours, 1389 N. Main St.

The xiao long bao, crispy-bottomed, pan-fried pork buns and ginger-scallion noodles are recommended, as is the spicy beef brisket noodle soup amidst all the dumplings.

11. San Francisco Creamery, 1370 Locust St.

The ice cream is all made in-house and every bite is tasty. Eater SF recommends splurging on a brownie sundae, the Kitchen Sink or the coffee cookie shake. "It’s also the spot for ice cream cakes, in case a special occasion requires a sweet to match."

12. Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

This is a nice place to have dinner while enjoying great views of Walnut Creek. Its lettuce cups and ribeye steak are recommended. Drinkwise, Eater SF suggests a mule, offered five different ways.

13. Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar, 1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Eater SF described the menu as "eclectic, running the gamut from Italian classics like risotto to customer favorites like lechon and Alaskan black cod in a soy glaze."

14. Tiki Tom's, 1535 Olympic Blvd.

Try this place for a "Dole Whip, perfect for those missing their Disneyland fix."

15. Morucci's Si Mangia Bene, 1218 Boulevard Way.

This is where to find a "solid deli sandwich."

ALSO SEE:

• Pinstripes Among '10 Highly Anticipated Bay Area Restaurants': List
• Walnut Creek Restaurant Named Among Best In East Bay: SF Chronicle
• Walnut Creek Restaurant Among Top Burmese Restaurants: Bay Area List
• Melo's Italian Table To Open In Walnut Creek

Do you know of a restaurant or business in town — new or here for decades — worthy of a shoutout? Email your Walnut Creek Patch editor at maggie.fusek@patch.com.