Best Late Night Legends Restaurants in Walnut Creek
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Only rooftop dining in downtown with retractable roof and Mt. Diablo views
Notable Picks
8.6
Open-air rooftop dining with retractable roof offers panoramic views of Mt. Diablo alongside creative New American small plates and handcrafted cocktails. The living wall, water features, and reclaimed brick create a sophisticated atmosphere that transforms from sunset lounge to star-filled late-night destination on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Cod in Banana Leaf, Lamb Meatballs, Truffle Fries
What makes it special: Only rooftop dining in downtown with retractable roof and Mt. Diablo views
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
San Francisco's beloved 88-year-old Italian-American institution makes its first East Bay expansion with signature booth seating, exhibition kitchen, and classic comfort dishes. The third-generation family operation brings nostalgic favorites like Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich and Chicken Parmigiana to Broadway Plaza.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich, Joe's Spicy Rigatoni
What makes it special: SF institution's first East Bay location with 88 years of legacy
#3
Elia
8.5
Modern Greek restaurant delivers authentic Mediterranean flavors in an upscale setting with live music on select nights. The grilled octopus and moussaka draw consistent praise, while the lively atmosphere makes it popular for celebrations and late-night weekend dining until midnight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Spanish Octopus, Moussaka, Lamb Chops
What makes it special: Upscale Greek with live music creating island atmosphere
#4
Limón
8.4
Family-owned since 2002, the Castillo brothers bring modern Peruvian cuisine fusing Incan staples with Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish influences. The open-flame rotisserie chicken is legendary, and the ceviche trio showcases Peru's coastal traditions with contemporary flair.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rotisserie Chicken, Ceviche Trio, Lomo Saltado
What makes it special: Authentic Peruvian by family who pioneered the cuisine in Bay Area
8.4
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
8.2
High-energy Chinese spot known for late-night hours, all-day happy hour, and shareable plates. Bartenders move fast and the patio stays lively well past dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy wontons, Honey walnut prawns, Mongolian beef
What makes it special: Late-night Chinese with an all-day happy hour and patio energy.
From 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani, this fast-casual spot serves New York, Detroit, Grandma, and Sicilian style pizzas using ancient grain dough. The counter-service format with limited seating makes it ideal for quick late-night slices or whole pies to-go until 11pm on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Detroit Deep Dish, New York Cheese Slice, Margherita Pizza
What makes it special: World champion pedigree with multiple pizza styles under one roof
8.1
Counter-service taqueria known for bright salsas, plancha-seared meats, and swift tickets late into the evening. It’s a dependable under-$15 stop for al pastor and hefty burritos downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Quesabirria, Super asada burrito
What makes it special: Full salsa bar and late grill runs keep flavors lively.
8.1
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.
Worthy Picks
Honky-tonk bar and kitchen with live music, whiskey lists, and a menu built for crowds. Kitchen runs late on weekends, making it a dependable post-show stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nashville hot chicken sandwich, Smoked brisket platter, Mac & cheese
What makes it special: Late-night kitchen with live country sets and whiskey-forward bar.
#11
Tiki Tom’s
7.8
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.
#12
Stadium Pub
7.7
Walnut Creek’s oldest sports bar (since 1992) with a full “World Famous Fries” section—garlic, chili, cheese, and combos fly out fast on game days. It’s a classic, no-frills stop for pitchers and baskets of hot fries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Garlic Cheese Fries
What makes it special: Long-running fries program with multiple classic and loaded options.