Walnut Creek, a vibrant city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, offers a diverse and thriving culinary scene. For health-conscious individuals, the city boasts a variety of restaurants that prioritize fresh, nutritious ingredients without sacrificing flavor or creativity. This guide explores some of the best healthy restaurants in Walnut Creek, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to providing delicious and wholesome meals.
True Food Kitchen: Where Flavor Meets Nutrition
True Food Kitchen, founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine, epitomizes the concept of healthy dining. The restaurant's menu is carefully crafted to deliver big flavor and an abundance of fresh ingredients in every dish and beverage. True Food Kitchen's artisan chefs create crave-worthy classics alongside a steady rotation of seasonal offerings that showcase naturally ripe fruits and vegetables, ensuring optimal flavor and nutrient richness.
The restaurant's creative, hand-crafted beverages, built around seasonality, quality ingredients, and simple preparations, perfectly complement any occasion, from brunch to dinner and dessert. True Food Kitchen emphasizes that while they strive to accommodate dietary needs, their shared cooking and preparation areas mean they cannot guarantee any menu item is completely free of allergens.
Rooftop: New American Cuisine with a View
Rooftop in Walnut Creek offers a stunning view of Mt. Diablo while providing creatively prepared New American cuisine. Owners Jim and Jennifer Telford, along with partner and Executive Chef Justine Kelly, offer guests a beautiful outdoor lounge for dining. The picturesque surroundings, which also showcase downtown Walnut Creek, include a living wall with lush greenery and water features.
Guests can feast on flavorful plates such as black cod wrapped in a banana leaf with pea shoots and lamb meatballs. Delicious desserts, fresh salads, and bar bites are also available. Rooftop has been mentioned in publications like Diablo Magazine and California Home Design, making it a wonderful location for a business lunch or a romantic evening out.
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Elia: Authentic Greek Cuisine
Elia provides a memorable dining experience with authentic Greek food in an ambient setting. With locations in Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and San Carlos downtown, Elia focuses on maintaining its name and quality.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: An Elevated Dining Experience
Fleming's in Walnut Creek, located in the heart of the city's boutique and international shopping district on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, is an outstanding choice for an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine, or handcrafted cocktail. Whether celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply wanting to enjoy a night out, Fleming's aims to create a safe and memorable evening in its Dining Room. The restaurant also offers online ordering with curbside pickup or delivery options for those who prefer to dine at home.
Sasa: Japanese-Inspired Cuisine in an Elegant Setting
Sasa, nestled in the heart of Walnut Creek, offers a unique culinary experience in a beautifully transformed 100-year-old building. The ambiance is both elegant and inviting, with a serene waterfall and Asian-inspired decor creating a memorable evening.
Sasa's menu showcases Chef Philip Yang's passion for Japanese-inspired cuisine. He masterfully blends fresh, seasonal ingredients with global influences, creating a symphony of flavors. From exquisitely crafted sushi and sashimi to innovative small plates, each dish is a work of art. Indulge in the Salmon Melt, a blend of crab, avocado, and parmesan aioli, or savor the Rainbow Roll, bursting with fresh fish and vibrant colors. The restaurant also offers an extensive sake selection and expertly crafted cocktails. Sasa now serves lunch and reverse happy hour, and features a flat iron steak.
1515 Restaurant & Lounge: Fresh California Cuisine in a Relaxed Setting
1515 Restaurant & Lounge is a go-to spot for fresh and creative California cuisine in a relaxed, stylish setting. Whether for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, the restaurant offers a diverse menu.
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Start with appetizers like seared jumbo habanero glazed scallops, calamari, fried ravioli, or bruschetta. Dive into award-winning entree selections like fresh sea bass, salmon, a grilled ribeye steak, or lamb chops. Other options include seafood fettuccine, jambalaya penne pasta, hearty fresh salads, hot sandwiches, and delicious pizzas. These selections pair perfectly with the extensive wine list and crafted cocktails. Enjoy the sunny patio or catch a game on one of the many TVs throughout the bar and dining areas. Private dining and banquet rooms are available for special events.
Rosa's Fajita Cantina: Tex-Mex Flavors with a Southern Flair
Rosa’s Fajita Cantina, a pop-up menu inside Bourbon Highway in Walnut Creek, offers authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with bold flavors and southern flair. Rosa, a local who fell in love with the atmosphere at Bourbon Highway, wanted to share the Tex-Mex flavors she grew up with, bringing her family’s recipes to life.
Rosa’s dishes are full of tradition, soul, and spice, perfect for anyone craving a taste of Mexican food from Texas. The menu features high-quality sizzling fajitas, tacos, amazing Mexican bites, and refreshing margaritas. Rosa’s brings the best of Texas-inspired Mexican dishes to the table, with classic Tex-Mex favorites and new options.
The Cooperage: Upscale American Comfort Food
The Cooperage serves up upscale American Comfort Food in the heart of Walnut Creek. The extensive menu features favorites such as a smoked Prime Rib French dip, the signature burger, and Grilled Fish Tacos. The Cooperage also offers a variety of lighter, vegetarian options, including a selection of salad entreés made with local and organically grown ingredients.
The Cooperage is a neighborhood hangout, great for a date night or dinner with the family. It features a bar-casual atmosphere, flat screen TVs, a large selection of beer and wine on tap, and an award-winning cocktail list. Private events can also be booked at The Cooperage year-round.
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Pacific Catch: Sustainable Seafood with a West Coast Vibe
Pacific Catch is a WestCoast Fish House dedicated to delivering high-quality, sustainable seafood with a unique perspective. Since its opening, the restaurant has been mindful about sourcing ingredients and bringing to life the vibrant flavors and feeling of the Pacific. Pacific Catch is committed to keeping things interesting, innovative, wholesome, and thoughtfully sourced. The restaurant has formalized its relationship with the Monterey Bay Seafood Aquarium's Seafood Watch, James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch, and the Surfrider Foundation by becoming a partner and bringing on a director of sustainability. Pacific Catch follows stringent protocols for cleaning, sanitization, social distancing, and employee health.
Benihana: A Teppanyaki Dining Experience
Benihana offers a unique dining experience where guests are seated at communal tables and a personal chef performs the ancient art of Teppanyaki. The chef slices and dices, preparing a meal that is both visually dazzling and delicious, with options including steak, chicken, and seafood. Guests can also enjoy sushi and specialty cocktails.
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