Best Luxury Dining Elite Restaurants in Walnut Creek
5 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.
#2
Sasa
8.6
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.
Rodízio-style service with tableside cuts of picanha, ribeye, and lamb chops plus a well-stocked salad bar. Locals use it for celebratory date nights when you want variety and an unrushed pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Picanha (top sirloin cap), Lamb chops, Grilled pineapple
What makes it special: Classic Brazilian rodízio with attentive tableside carving and steady pacing.
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.
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.