🍛 Indian
Methi (1251 S. California Blvd): A standout newcomer, Methi serves authentic North Indian fare—rich curries, fluffy naan, and flavorful biryanis. Described as a “hidden gem” with “good, authentic Desi food,” it’s become a go-to for Chicken Tikka Masala and veggie samosas theheritagedowntown.com+8Restaurantji+8Eater SF+8.
The Essence (1512 N. Main St): Opened in late 2023, this restaurant aims to modernize classic Indian dishes in a stylish downtown setting Beyond the Creek.
🍣 Japanese & Sushi
Tatsu Sushi (near Broadway Plaza): A local favorite adored for its top-tier sushi, free gyoza and miso soup, and fresh fish. Reviewers call it “hands down my favorite sushi spot in the Bay Area” Restaurantji.
Thai Thani Oishi (2892 Ygnacio Valley Rd): A hybrid Thai-Japanese eatery — patrons rave about its fresh sashimi, sticky rice with mango, and Red Curry. It holds a solid ~4.1 Google ratingSFGATE+8thaithanioishi.com+8RestaurantJump+8.
🍜 Thai
Kacha Thai Bistro (1665 Mt. Diablo Blvd): A sleek, modern Thai option downtown, known for creative takes on traditional dishes like Pad Thai and curries walnutcreekdowntown.com.
Andaman Thai (downtown): Praised for its robust menu—Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, yellow curry—and welcoming vibe. The mango sticky rice after dinner is a must-try .
🫒 Mediterranean / Middle Eastern
Lokanta (Locust St): A recent addition serving Mediterranean/Greek-inspired dishes. Cozy and community-focused, with wine specials that make Monday and Tuesday nights appealingRestaurantJump+15walnutcreeklifestyle.com+15walnutcreekdowntown.com+15.
🇧🇷 Brazilian
Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse (just off Main): A churrasco-style gem with attentive service—rated 4.6/5 with “superb” reviews—and plenty of options for vegetarians, too Restaurantji.
🇵🇪 Peruvian
Parada (downtown): A popular Peruvian spot by Chef Carlos Altamirano, offering ceviche mixto, yucca fries, and standout lomo saltado—a flavorful escape from the usual fare Eater SF.
🇮🇹 Italian
Montesacro Pinseria (downtown): A stylish dining experience focusing on Roman-style pinsa and Italian cocktails. Highlighted as one of Walnut Creek's best new restaurants in 2025 San Fran Secrets+1Restaurantji+1.
📊 Culinary Pulse
Walnut Creek’s downtown/dining district hosts 150+ restaurants, with an uptick in foot traffic—around 6 million visitors annually at Broadway Plaza alone—prompting a surge of new openings like Lokanta, The Essence, and more SFGATE.
🍴 Why Downtown Walnut Creek Shines
Walkable & Diverse – You can hop between Indian, Japanese, Thai, Mediterranean, and Brazilian all in one evening on foot.
New & Noteworthy – The dining scene keeps evolving—newcomers like Methi and Lokanta keep it fresh.
Community Vibes – Many spots, like Lokanta’s community table and cozy bistros, invite lingering conversations over good food.
Pro Tips for Your Tour
Make reservations on weekends, especially at newer, buzzed-about places.
Look for lunch and happy-hour deals, like Lokanta’s half-price wine on Mondays.
Try shared plates in places like Parada and Methi to sample multiple dishes and flavors.
In summary, downtown Walnut Creek is a small but mighty hub for global cuisine—each restaurant adding its own spice to the culinary landscape. Whether you're craving saffron-rich curries, sushi artistry, Peruvian tang, or Roman pinsa, you'll find a delicious adventure just steps from Broadway Plaza.
Personal Note: As mentioned above, there are more than 150 restaurants in the downtown area dining district, but not a single Filipino restaurant. I know there are several Filipino restaurants nearby, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton and of course Oakland.
Here’s a guide to some of the top Filipino restaurants and spots across the East Bay—places worth visiting whether you're craving comforting homestyle dishes or innovative Filipino-inspired bites:
🍽️ Oakland & Berkeley
FOB Kitchen (Oakland, Temescal)
Located on Telegraph Avenue, FOB Kitchen—founded by chef Janice Dulce—delivers vibrant, island-inspired Filipino food in a welcoming, queer women–owned space. Their silog brunch, pancit, lumpia, and pork adobo are crowd favorites—served with warmth and style KQED+15Eater SF+15Eater SF+15.
Lucky 37 (Oakland)
A local gem spotlighted by the SF Chronicle, Lucky 37 offers crowd-pleasing dishes like sticky-sweet wings and chicken adobo. The spot is praised for making Filipino flavors feel both comforting and accessible San Francisco Chronicle.
🎉 East Bay Suburbs
Isla Grand Restaurant & Bar (Pleasant Hill)
Opened in Oct 2024, Isla Grand embraces Filipino Pampangan traditions with festive service and live entertainment. It’s known for big family gatherings, celebratory atmospheres, and vibrant late‑night crowds Eater SF.
🍞 Bakery & Take‑Out Favorites
Starbread (San Pablo, near East Bay)
A beloved Filipino bakery chain, Starbread is famous for its señorita bread—sweet, buttery rolls with a custardy center that steal the show at gatherings Eater SF+1Food & Wine+1.
🍽️ Culinary Range Across the East Bay
According to Eater San Francisco, the Bay Area hosts a full spectrum of Filipino dining: from turo‑turo steam‑table joints and food‑truck flavors to upscale, modern adaptations. Oakland and the East Bay are increasingly recognized for sizzling sisig, crispy lechon, comforting silogs, savory sinigang, and more The Infatuation+2Eater SF+2San Francisco Chronicle+2.
🌟 East Bay Filipino Food Highlights
| Style | Recommended Spot(s) | What to Order |
|---|---|---|
| Casual homestyle | FOB Kitchen, Lucky 37 | Adobo, pancit, silog |
| Family-style feast | Isla Grand | Pampangan specialties & live music |
| Bakery & snacks | Starbread | Señorita bread, ube treats |
✅ Tips for Exploring
Brunch & silogs: Seek out spots like FOB Kitchen for hearty breakfast-style plates ($10–$15).
Large gatherings: Isla Grand is the go-to for festive Filipino-style family dinners.
Sweet fix: Starbread’s pastries make a great grab-and-go contrast to savory meals.
Why East Bay Stands Out
Cultural diversity: With a significant Filipino-American presence, communities in Oakland, Pleasant Hill, and beyond support eateries rooted in authenticity.
Growing scene: From traditional turo-turo counters to buzzy restaurant bars, the Filipino food scene in the East Bay is evolving rapidly.
Something for everyone: Whether you're craving casual or celebratory, the options span comforting to creative.
🚗 Planning a Filipino Food Crawl?
Start in Oakland (FOB Kitchen → Lucky 37 ), then head out to Pleasant Hill for a festive evening at Isla Grand. Finish with a stop at Starbread for a sweet end!
Here’s a detailed breakdown of pricing and special menus at two standout Filipino restaurants in the East Bay: I have been to the following two restaurants and I highly recommend these 2 places if you have the desire for Filipino food.
🌴 FOB Kitchen (Telegraph Ave, Oakland)
Pricing Highlights DoorDash+3FOB Kitchen+3FOB Kitchen+3:
Small plates (“Pulutan”): Shanghai Lumpia and Veggie Lumpia are $13 each; Ensalada Talong at $12.
Pulutan entrees: Lechon Kawali is $13; Sticky Wings are $15.
Brunch & silog: Tocino Silog $17, Tortang Talong Brunch $16, Longanisa Hash $18.
Mains: Pork Adobo $20; Sinigang Baboy $26; Bistek Steak $32.
Vegetarian & vegan sides: Pancit and Tolang Talong around $15; Kabocha and Brussels Sprouts $8–$10.
Desserts: Turon and Suman each $12; Affogato $9.
Bar drinks/cocktails: Non-alcoholic mocktails $6–$10; cocktails $15 each Uber Eats+8Restaurant Guru+8FOB Kitchen+8Allmenus+3fob-kitchen.cuba-cafe.com+3Seamless+3.
Key notes:
Brunch/silog plates are hearty and range $16–$20.
Full bar menu includes vibrant island-style cocktails.
Laid-back mid-price range (small plates ~$12–15, mains ~$18–32).
🎉 Isla Grand Restaurant & Bar (Pleasant Hill)
Pricing Overview Zmenu:
Appetizers: Pancit Bihun Guisadu ~$25; Kari-Karing Beef Brisket ~$40.
Signature dishes: Chicken Inasal ~$22; Boneless Bangus Sinigang $31.
Seafood, soups, and stews: Tinola ~$27; Oxtail or beef brisket soups ~$36 each.
Party trays / Bilao: “Sulit Bilao” family bundles (price varies by size; group serving).
Silog plates & rice dishes: Served with garlic rice, egg, soup, soda — typically $22–$30+DoorDash+11postmates.com+11Uber Eats+11.
Specials & Deals:
Birthday Month Free Offer: One-month birthday treat.
All‑Day Happy Hour & Early Bird specials (details available in-store) islafilipinorestaurant.com+1Uber Eats+1.
“Sulit” deals: Portion-special combos listed on menu (“Sulit Bilao,” “Ala Carte”).
📝 Compare & Choose
| Feature | FOB Kitchen | Isla Grand |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Casual, small plates & brunch | Family-style, larger communal meals |
| Price Range | $12–$32 per person | $25–$40+ per entrée, group platters |
| Bar Program | Cocktails & mocktails available | Bar and banquet setups |
| Deals & Specials | Brunch-focused | Birthday freebies, happy hour, bundles |
✅ Tips for Dining
FOB Kitchen: Ideal for date brunches or small group bites. Try their brunch silogs ($16–$18) and cocktails ($15).
Isla Grand: Great for dinners with friends/family—book for shared "Sulit Bilao" or order hearty solo platters like sinigang or beef brisket ($27–$40).
I have been to the two restaurants above. If you love Filipino Food, these 2 places are a must for your dining pleasure.
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