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Best Girls Night Out Approved Restaurants in Walnut Creek

11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
Sasa
Izakaya-style menu with elevated sushi and craft cocktails in a stylish space.

Notable Picks

8.6
$$$$ Walnut Creek
Modern Japanese izakaya with a serious raw bar and composed nigiri, ideal for a polished, linger-worthy date. Seasonal fish, craft cocktails, and a sleek room make it the most refined sushi-adjacent option downtown.
Must-Try Dishes: Omakase nigiri set, Hamachi sashimi with citrus, Bluefin toro nigiri (when available)
What makes it special: Izakaya-style menu with elevated sushi and craft cocktails in a stylish space.
$$$ Walnut Creek
Chef Vanessa Dang brings 25+ years of culinary expertise to Vietnamese tapas with French influences. The art-filled space features an extensive wine list with 150+ bottles and a late-night happy hour on Friday and Saturday from 9pm until close, making it a favorite for post-dinner drinks and small bites.
Must-Try Dishes: Garlic Noodles, Salt and Pepper Prawns, Ahi Tuna Carpaccio
What makes it special: Vietnamese-French fusion tapas with late-night happy hour
8.3
$$ Walnut Creek
The East Bay's destination for California-Cuban cuisine features over a dozen flavored mojitos and South Beach Miami-inspired decor. Mojito Mondays offer half-price cocktails all day, while weekend brunch includes bottomless mimosas and mojitos alongside Cuban breakfast favorites.
Must-Try Dishes: Paella, Chimichurri Skirt Steak, Plantain Crusted Pacific Cod
What makes it special: Over a dozen mojito flavors and authentic Cuban atmosphere
8.3
$$$$ Walnut Creek
Hi-fi restaurant and bar with a six-seat chef counter offering a Middle Eastern–leaning omakase shaped by Japanese technique. DJ-driven energy, an open kitchen, and chef Jonathan De La Torre’s menu make this the splashiest counter experience downtown.
Must-Try Dishes: Middle Eastern Omakase, Egyptian-style Whole Fish (Singari), Lamb Merguez Skewers
What makes it special: Six-seat chef counter marrying Middle Eastern flavors with Japanese technique.
8.2
$$ Walnut Creek
Downtown Burmese kitchen with clearly marked vegan and gluten-aware choices and a lively patio/bar. Bold, shareable flavors make gluten-free ordering straightforward with staff guidance.
Must-Try Dishes: Tea leaf salad (gf prep available), Ginger salad (gf), Tofu & vegetable curry with coconut rice (gf)
What makes it special: Burmese classics with gluten-aware prep and clear staff guidance.
$$$$ Walnut Creek
Downtown lounge with a full dinner menu that transitions into a late-night scene on weekends. Cocktails and seafood-forward plates suit lingering, post-theater hangs.
Must-Try Dishes: Oysters Rockefeller, Lamb chops, Seafood fettuccine
What makes it special: Weekend late hours with a cocktail-driven lounge and full kitchen.
$$$ Walnut Creek
Elegant downtown spot focused on prime rib and classic steaks with a cocktail-forward lounge and terrace seating. Works for dressed-up date nights without the corporate chain feel.
Must-Try Dishes: Prime rib (house cut), Filet mignon, Creamed spinach
What makes it special: Prime rib–centric steakhouse with a moody martini bar and terraces.

Worthy Picks

$$$ Walnut Creek
French-leaning brasserie with Italian touches—steak frites, bouillabaisse, and duck breast alongside house pastas. A flexible option for business lunches, group celebrations, and relaxed weekend dinners.
Must-Try Dishes: Steak Frites, Bouillabaisse, Duck Breast with Wild Rice
What makes it special: A broad French menu with crowd-pleasers that works for varied tastes.
$$$ Walnut Creek
Polished cantina with a spirited bar, patio seating, and weekday happy hour focused on margaritas and snackable plates. Tacos land with reliable flavor and sit-down comfort near the Broadway corridor.
Must-Try Dishes: Taco trio (mix and match), Chicharrón bites with salsa, Arroz a la Ezkina side with tacos
What makes it special: Lively bar energy with weekday happy hour and patio seating.
$$$$ Walnut Creek
Ohana-owned tiki bar that flips to 21+ late-night vibes with a compact island-inspired menu. Strong classics and kitschy decor make it a fun post-dinner stop.
Must-Try Dishes: Shrimp skewers, Spam musubi, Kalua pork tacos
What makes it special: Tiki cocktails with a late-night small-bites menu and lively room.
$$ Walnut Creek
Neighborhood wine bar founded in 2010 pouring small-producer bottles with sidewalk tables that welcome dogs. Charcuterie, cheeses, and panini keep the focus on pairing and conversation outdoors.
Must-Try Dishes: Cheese and charcuterie board, Prosciutto panini, Marinated olives
What makes it special: Since 2010, small-producer wines with dog-friendly sidewalk seating.