Best Local Eating Spots, Pandemic Style

Here in Walnut Creek, where we opened our first Office Evolution in April 2019, we are blessed with so many delicious restaurant options.  Our members and staff loves all the delicious options just a short walk, or car ride away. You can even jump on one of the free Walnut Creek shuttle buses that circulate all day long!

During the pandemic shutdown, many restaurants had to pivot, focusing on making safe, outdoor spaces in addition to upping their takeout and delivery. They made gorgeous outdoor spaces along the street, with canopies, potted plants, and heaters when the weather got chilly! All restaurants figured out how to do curbside pickup and delivery (via 3rd party companies if they weren’t already using those). 

This is a partial list of our favorite nearby places for either eating outside, or for pickup to eat at home, the park or back in your office. Being blessed with good weather like we are, there are lots of outdoor places to sit and enjoy your food. Here at our business center, we have a lovely courtyard with benches, chairs and tables to choose from!  

Coffee, Tea and More

Brioche de Paris—you’ll feel like you’ve teleported to Paris when you walk in here! Owner Sam has created a true French patisserie with croissants, brioche, cafe au lait, French sandwiches, etc. Outdoor seating.

Bondadoso—excellent gourmet coffee and tea shop with delicious savory and sweet bites!

Tellus Cafe—Just opened in the historic building on N Main Street, this place has a beautiful ambience (check out the stunning live-plant wall) along with its coffees, teas, and delicious food.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Lettuce—This is an Office Evolution favorite! Lettuce makes fresh salads to order from the best ingredients, housemade soups, pasta dishes. Check out whatever the daily special is (examples) as it is always good, prepared by owners Laura and Bahmin and chef Carlos, and don’t forget to save room for the freshly made sweets! They now make gluten-free goodies. The strawberry lemonade rocks.

Mel’s Diner—Longtime favorite (the staff knows my and my family’s names) this diner makes all your favorite burgers, sandwiches, salads and old-time specials like meatloaf, fish and chips, and turkey dinner. Of course, they have pies, and ice cream shakes, floats and sundaes. Kids get treated very well here—their meal comes in a convertible. Jukebox? Of course! Outdoor seating is plentiful.

Twisted Times—Newer to the Walnut Creek scene, right across from the Post Office on Broadway, the menu here is eclectic and very good. The owner is a personable guy who really takes care of you! Great outdoor patio.

Burma 2—Excellent Burmese food. Don’t miss the coconut rice and the specially made for them beer on tap! Excellent people watching from their outdoor patio.

Chicken Pie Shop—yummy comfort food! The chicken pot pie is from a traditional recipe that has been freshened up for today’s tastebuds. This is a lively place pre-covid and the bar makes excellent drinks! Can’t wait till live music can start again here. Outdoor seating.

Walnut Creek Yacht Club—longtime Walnut Creek special occasion tradition that also has great small meals to go! Try the fish tacos and one of their cocktails. Outdoor seating out back.

Sauced—When you are craving BBQ, this is a good place for you! Plentiful, covered outdoor seating. Plus, their weeknight calendar was packed full of awesome quiz nights and Drag Queen performances – we can’t wait for that to pick back up!

True Food Kitchen—with its emphasis on health and fresh, local ingredients, you can dine here with no worries! Just don’t order too many of their delicious cocktails—or go right ahead. You deserve it.  Outdoor seating on the Broadway Plaza.

 A Sweet Affair Deli and Cafe—The main shop is across from Heather Farms but this smaller version in our own building is a godsend.  Fresh bread deliveries every morning from the main shop guarantees mouth-watering sandwiches! All the daily cookies, pastries and treats are to die for. They also make salads and soup plus the best iced tea! If you call ahead to place your order, they give you a free cookie. I am wishing hard for the shutdown to end so this place can open again at our Walnut Creek.

Plus, there is an excellent Facebook group for Walnut Creek resturants where owners and customers alike share deals and the latest pictures of where to find your favorites in Walnut Creek. Join today and help save Walnut Creek restaurants!

As I said, this is a partial list! What are your favorites? Any secret tips for where to eat outside? Please post in the comments!

About Office Evolution Walnut Creek

At Office Evolution Walnut Creek, we provide virtual office, coworking, and private office solutions at our shared office center. We offer meeting rooms, offices for rent, hot desking in a shared workspace coworking lounge, a shared reception, a business address, and virtual receptionist services. We have many options and price points, and all terms are flexible. Plus, you become part of a community of like-minded professionals.

Whether you live in Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and other communities nearby in Contra Costa County, choosing Office Evolution Walnut Creek will help you be more professional, productive, and profitable.