Best Business Lunch Power Players Restaurants in Walnut Creek
20 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Montecatini Ristorante
Decades-strong kitchen led by Chef Ermes Paulin with meticulous classics.
Notable Picks
8.6
White-tablecloth Northern Italian mainstay since 1989 with precise pastas and gracious pacing. Locals book it for anniversaries and classic, unhurried dinners where the kitchen still executes old-school favorites with care.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Casalinga (beef & veal, tomato-cream), Gamberi Scampi, Tortellini Montecatini
What makes it special: Decades-strong kitchen led by Chef Ermes Paulin with meticulous classics.
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Comfort-forward American fare with a true private dining room (“The Cellar”) steps from Broadway Plaza. Known for rotisserie meats and classics like the French Dip, it balances ease of planning with polished service.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Dip, Rotisserie Prime Rib, Deviled Eggs
What makes it special: Enclosed private room with fireplace and flexible seating formats.
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Happy Hour Hotspots
Second-floor Spanish spot with a lively room, fast tapas pacing, and reliable paellas for sharing. It handles groups smoothly and keeps lunch moving without feeling rushed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croquetas de jamón, Paella Valenciana, Gambas al ajillo
What makes it special: Shareable tapas and paellas that scale perfectly for teams.
8.3
Old-school Italian with warm service across from the Lesher Center, serving generous pastas and veal with steady execution. A reliable pick for pre-theater dinners and relaxed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Frutti di mare, Osso buco (when offered), Zabaglione
What makes it special: Long-running supper-club energy with generous portions and hospitality.
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Persian standards—juicy kabobs, saffron basmati, and slow-cooked stews—delivered with steady execution in a compact downtown dining room. Locals use it for hearty weeknights and relaxed celebrations with reliable pacing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh kabob, Joojeh (saffron chicken), Fesenjan (pomegranate-walnut stew)
What makes it special: Charbroiled kabobs and classic Persian stews with saffron rice.
8.2
Modern Thai with bright, balanced flavors and a sleek dining room that stays conversation-friendly at lunch. Dishes arrive fast and travel well for teams splitting plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy basil duck, Pad Thai, Khao soi
What makes it special: Refined Thai plates with quick pacing and clean presentation.
8.1
Locally run California kitchen with seasonal salads, pizzas, and market fish that land under an hour. Approachable pricing and a roomy dining room make it easy for standing weekly check-ins.
Must-Try Dishes:
Petrale sole, Margherita pizza, Brussels sprouts
What makes it special: Seasonal, well-priced menu with fast, reliable pacing.
8.1
Modern dumpling house with a Shanghai lean—think soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, and a concise small-plates lineup. Clean, quick, and consistent for downtown shoppers and office lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Xiao long bao (soup dumplings), Q-Bao pan-fried pork buns, Cucumber salad
What makes it special: Shanghai-style dumplings and buns in a streamlined, modern setting.
8.1
Comfort-driven Thai staples executed with care in a relaxed bistro space. Reliable for weekday lunches and low-key dinners with well-seasoned curries and noodles.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad See Ew, Green Curry with Chicken, Crying Tiger
What makes it special: Balanced spice profiles and dependable execution at fair prices.
Classic prime steakhouse known for properly cooked filets and ribeyes, an expansive wine list, and professional service. A polished pick for date nights, business dinners, and special occasions near Broadway Plaza.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime filet mignon, USDA prime ribeye, Lobster mac & cheese
What makes it special: Prime steaks with a deep by-the-glass wine program and pro service.
8.0
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Local family operation with shareable pies and pastas in a lively room. Kids get crowd-pleasers, adults get a cocktail and solid classics without formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vodka Rigatoni, Prosciutto-Arugula Pizza, Meatballs
What makes it special: Buzzy, share-friendly menu from a long-running local restaurant family.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Counter-service salads, soups, and sandwiches prepared fast with fresh ingredients. Parents like the build-your-own factor and speedy lines during lunch and early dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chopped Salad, Minestrone Soup, Half-and-Half Combo
What makes it special: Fast, customizable salads and soups ideal for picky eaters.
7.9
Fast-casual burrito specialist with build-your-own options and global flavor spins. Lighter greens-forward combinations sit alongside classics for flexible lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic Lime Steak Burrito, Cajun Chicken & Prawns Burrito, Smoked Tofu & Broccoli Burrito
What makes it special: Customizable burritos with leaner, produce-forward builds and unique sauces.
#14
Mixed Grain
7.9
Korean comfort staples—stone-pot bibimbap, stews, and BBQ plates—served fast in a straightforward room. It’s a quiet, efficient option when you want hearty food and a 45-minute turnaround.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bibimbap (stone pot), Spicy tofu stew, Short rib (LA galbi)
What makes it special: Hearty Korean favorites with dependable, quick lunch pacing.
#15
La Fontaine
7.9
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
French-leaning brasserie with Italian touches—steak frites, bouillabaisse, and duck breast alongside house pastas. A flexible option for business lunches, group celebrations, and relaxed weekend dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Frites, Bouillabaisse, Duck Breast with Wild Rice
What makes it special: A broad French menu with crowd-pleasers that works for varied tastes.
7.9
Seasonal New American cooking with a health-first lens inside Broadway Plaza. Consistently fresh salads, bowls, and a few comfort staples make it an easy pick for mixed-diet groups and business lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Edamame Dumplings, Tuscan Kale Salad, Ancient Grains Bowl
What makes it special: Produce-forward New American menu that works for many diets.
#17
Methi
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Newer counter-service spot (opened 2024) focused on efficient takeout and balanced seasoning across curries, biryanis, and breads. Convenient for quick meals near Broadway Plaza with consistent pacing and online ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken 65, Paneer Tikka Masala, Vegetable Biryani
What makes it special: Fast, affordable Indian with online ordering and steady execution.
#18
Brioche de Paris
7.7
French bakery-café with savory crêpes, sandwiches, and espresso that’s ideal for brief working lunches. Order at the counter and grab a patio seat to keep calls and laptops easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked salmon crêpe, Croque monsieur, Almond croissant
What makes it special: Counter-service French café with quick, light plates.
#19
La Sen Bistro
7.7
French bistro known for holiday prix-fixe evenings and classic preparations. Expect traditional plates with careful plating in a compact North Main dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck Breast (prix-fixe rotation), Pork Chop with Garlic Confit, Escargot de Bourgogne
What makes it special: Occasional prix-fixe nights deliver classic French courses at fair pricing.
7.6
Polished trattoria with regional pastas and professional service, suited for business lunches that stretch into white-tablecloth dinners. The Lasagna Ferrarese leans porcini and béchamel for a richer profile.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Ferrarese (meat ragu, porcini, béchamel), Tagliatelle Bolognese, Gnocchi al Sugo di Cinghiale
What makes it special: Region-driven pasta program with polished service and patio options.