When the Rossmoor Diner closed in October 2023 after 35 years, longtime residents lost a standing meeting place, and the two restaurants that have tried the same address since have not lasted either. The good news is that downtown Walnut Creek and the Boulevard Way corridor still hold a number of unhurried, well-mannered lunch spots where you can hear your companion across the table. These are the hidden gems worth knowing about, the sort of places that welcome a lingering conversation and a proper glass of wine or pot of tea.
1. Lettuce Restaurant & Catering (Downtown Walnut Creek). At 1632 Locust Street, directly across from the Lesher Center for the Arts, Lettuce offers sixteen salads, five gluten-free soups daily, and ACME bread sandwiches.
It is an ideal stop before a matinee, with counter service and curbside pickup for those who prefer a quieter plan.
2. Sunrise Bistro & Catering (Downtown). Established in 1981 at 1559 Botelho Drive, this institution has won Diablo Magazine’s “Best of the East Bay, Catering” and Walnut Creek Magazine’s “Best of Walnut Creek, Brunch.”
The kitchen closes at 3:00 p.m., which keeps the pace calm and conversational…