Dining

 • Crepevine, 1616 N. Main St., (925) 977-1616. Crepevine is a vegetarian friendly restaurant that serves pasta, sandwiches, omelets, and salads. Naturally, cr'es are the specialty, both savory and dessert. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. You order at the register, get a number, and seat yourself; the friendly staff will bring your order to your table. The staff will even bring you napkins and silverware, even if you forgot to grab some when you ordered. This particular Crepevine has a full service bar allowing you to order a vodka tonic along with your Santorini cr'e at breakfast. Warning: Expect enormous servings with each order. Although the prices are higher than a smaller cr'ery down the street, you get more than your money's worth and You will not leave this place hungry. If you've got children, they might be happier at Crepes-A-Go-Go just a few minutes walk down the street.
 • Hubcaps Diner, 1548 Bonanza St., (925) 945-6960, Hubcaps is possibly the best place to take the kids. The interior is like a 1950s diner, full of classic car memorabilia. Prices are reasonable, and the three-egg omelettes are delicious. Service is quick and friendly, and even when things are busy the wait tends to be short. They are open 24 hours on the weekends, probably to serve breakfast to the hard-core nightlife after the bars close.
 • Bing Crosby's Restaurant and Piano Lounge, 342 Broadway Plaza (925) 939-2464. Reasonably-priced Californian cuisine with Execute Chef Frank Palmer (of the Duck Club in Lafayette fame) that is constantly evolving and among the best in Walnut Creek. Stunning decor, Bing Crosby memorabilia-laden large open dining area, private dining area for parties (Wine Room) and a lounge featuring nightly entertainment make Bing's the newest hotspot in Walnut Creek. "Country club attire strictly enforced". Call ahead for reservations.
 • Prima Ristorante, 1522 N. Main St., (925) 935-7780. An expensive California-Italian restaurant. Probably one of the better restaurants in Walnut Creek, but not on par with chi chi restaurants in San Francisco. Has a very nice wine selection for those so inclined. Waiters can be a little snooty but are still friendly (to your face) and can help you pick the perfect wine to complement your food. Next door is Prima's wine shop, Prima Vini, where you can buy exclusive and hard-to-find vintages.
 • Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria, 2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd., (925) 947-6105. Deep, deep, deep in the suburbs is one of the best pizza places around. Rocco's is your typical red-checker table cloth suburban pizzeria, serving pasta along with pizza dishes. The pasta isn't worth the trip, but the pizza is (I suggest Anthony's East Coaster). Go during the special on Sundays and Mondays --- pitchers of beer are half off and Large pizzas are around $12. Otherwise go to the website and use the coupon to save money that you can apply toward the gas you spent driving out there.
 • Strictly-to-go Pizza, 2670 N Main St., (925) 945-6633, One of the best pizza joints this side of the Mississippi. A classic Chicago style pizza that is piled high with premium ingredients makes Strictly-to-go a Walnut Creek institution. As the name states, the place is strictly to go, so don't plan on eating in, as while they offer delivery, they don't have any chairs.
 • Tomatina, 1325 North Main St., (925) 930-9999. One of the more popular restaurants in town offering high quality food and a casual atmosphere. One can order pizza there with a variety of interesting toppings, or the specialty, pianini which is flat bread with a "salad" on top of it. The polenta appetizer is also a must try with baked polenta, parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce.
 • Va de Vi, 1511 Mt Diablo Blvd., (925) 979-0100. Walnut Creek's take on Spanish tapas (California Style) and plenty of delicious wine. Many wines are offered by the glass in addition to small sample selections of different wines. Va de Vi is truly a treat. Weather permitting, try to eat outside by the oak tree; it's several hundred years old and perhaps the oldest of the remaining wild trees left in all of Walnut Creek.

Drink

 • Dan's Irish Sports Bar, 1524 Civic Dr., Phone: (925) 932-1331, Fax: (925) 945-1428. The "Irish" and "Sports" portions of the bar's title may be questionable, but amongst Walnut Creek's trendier offerings, Dan's stands out as a true "Bar". Bands on weekends, a raucous crowd, great happy hour specials ($3 Fat Tire drafts on Tuesdays, $2 domestic drafts other days), and pool in the back make this a worthwhile alternative to some of the other Walnut Creek hotspots. The $3 weekend cover can be a small turnoff, but it's Walnut Creek - you can't have everything.
 • Masses, 2721 N Main St., Phone: (925) 256-7665. Billiards, Billiards, and more Billiards. 30 some odd tables are arranged in this converted hardware store. The food is dreadful, but the billiards and beer are just fine. The local kids have made this the place to hang, so expect a line to get in on Friday and Saturday nights. A cute wait staff and a willingness to serve all but the most intoxicated drunks makes this bar a comfortable place to spend time. If you're prone to inner ear infections, do not go on karaoke night.
 • Mr Lucky's Bar and Grill, 1527 Locust St., Phone: (925) 935-7778. Mr Lucky's is the last "old fashioned, honest bar" you will find downtown. Friendly, no-nonsense bartenders pour proper drinks at reasonable prices. Can be a scene thu/fri/sat nights, with a line to get in and lots of fun inside. Bring your ID, they are 100% strict on this. Surprisingly good lunch menu. Open late, the place can liven up when other spots shut down.
 • Pacific Bay Coffee Co., 1495 Newell Ave., Phone: (925) 935-1709. Micro-roastery offers gourmet coffee and teas, live music, and free Wi-Fi access in a friendly, family-owned, neighborhood cafe. This family does everything itself: constructing the interior, roasting their own coffee, running the store themselves. A great place to relax on a Sunday morning.
 • Pyramid Brewery, 1410 Locust St., Phone: (925) 946-1520. A combination brewery/restaurant, offering decent food and decent beers. Warning: Pyramid recently acquired a beer that uses Braveheart on the beer pulls, very distracting especially after several pitchers of beer. Be sure to voice your utter dissatisfaction with the Braveheart beerpulls lest they remain forever. Prices are mid-range, and there is often live music on weekends. A nice Beergarden in the back to soak up some sun along with your beer.