Best Outdoor Dining Oasis Restaurants in Walnut Creek
15 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar
Tapas-style menu and patio make sharing easy with kids.
Notable Picks
8.5
Small-plates bistro with a leafy patio steps from the main drag. While known for wine, the flexible menu and outdoor seating make it workable for families who like to share.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beet & Burrata, Seared Scallops, Truffle Fries
What makes it special: Tapas-style menu and patio make sharing easy with kids.
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.
#3
Sipeos
8.3
California-Mediterranean vegetarian spot at Broadway Plaza with mezze, bowls, and flatbreads. Bright flavors, a roomy patio, and clear labeling make ordering simple for families.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mezze Platter, Kefta Skewer Plate (Impossible), Fennel-Citrus Salad
What makes it special: Vegetarian menu with many kid-friendly mezze and bowls.
#4
Toyosu
8.3
Intimate sushi bar on Locust with clean cuts, attentive chefs, and a concise list of sake. The room’s warm lighting and steady pacing fit classic sushi-first date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase sashimi, Uni nigiri (market availability), Spicy scallop hand roll
What makes it special: Chef-driven nigiri and sashimi with a cozy sushi counter.
#5
Burma 2
8.2
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.
8.1
Wine-country burger stand gone modern with counter service, kids’ meals, and shakes on a spacious plaza corner. Easy ordering and patio seating make it a reliable choice for families.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger, Ahi Poke Tacos, Hand-Spun Shake
What makes it special: Regional favorite (since 1999) pairing quality burgers with quick, kid-friendly service.
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.
8.0
Roman pinsa—lighter, airy crust—baked to order with simple toppings and a compact wine list. Works for a casual date or a share-and-go patio bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pinsa, Amatriciana pinsa, Supplì (fried risotto)
What makes it special: Roman pinsa dough blend yields crisp edges and airy center.
#9
Bar Camino
8.0
Modern Latin restaurant puts fresh twists on Mexican-Latin favorites with California influences, from skirt steak ranchero to refined king salmon with plantains. The reverse happy hour Thursday through Saturday from 8pm until close extends the evening with discounted drinks and snacks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Queso Fundido, Quesabirria Tacos, Enchiladas Suiza
What makes it special: Reverse happy hour extends late-night dining with deals
Worthy Picks
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.
7.9
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.
#12
Peony Garden
7.8
Broad Cantonese-leaning menu with dim sum selections at lunch and spacious dining rooms, including a back patio. A dependable choice near Broadway Plaza for multi-generational dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prawns lettuce cups, Beef chow fun, Sichuan-style chicken
What makes it special: Large-format menu and rooms that work for big parties.
#13
Pacific Catch
7.8
West-coast seafood spot with poke bowls, kids’ options, and creek-side patios. Balanced, lighter fare gives families a break from heavy meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kalua Pork & Poke Bowl, Fish & Chips, Thai Coconut Shrimp
What makes it special: Kid-friendly seafood and bowls with a spacious patio setup.
7.8
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.
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.