LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – When you drive down Moraga Road in Lafayette, California, there’s a nondescript (read: boring) looking strip mall on the side of the road that you probably don’t give a second glance.
In this tiny and unassuming mall, though, you’ll find two of the best restaurants in the East Bay.
Paris “In the Hood”
The first, and perhaps better-known restaurant, is Reve. Reve is a French bistro serving classic French cuisine in a warm and intimate space.
Known as one of the chefs in the East Bay (according to none other than the Michelin Guide), Chef Paul Magu-Lecugy brings his own spin to French classics like cassoulet, French onion soup, and steak frites. Magu-Lecugy has cooked at The Ritz Carlton and at Michelin-starred restuarants in Paris–he’s the real deal.
Crucially, Reve doesn’t go too fancy or high-concept with French food. There are plenty of places that will serve you a tiny sliver of sous-vide cooked steak with some kind of complex, foraged berry drizzle on the side for $27.
Reve is not that place. Instead, it feels like the kind of bistro you’d find on nearly every street corner in Paris. Their slogan is “A little bit of Paris in the ‘hood.”
The environment is warm and friendly, the food is incredible, and the interior is lively—with plenty of black-and-white photos of Paris on the walls, a kitchen that opens right up onto a small bar area, and a neighborhood-restaurant vibe that makes the whole place feel approachable.
Reve does a lot with a little when it comes to their space. It’s the kind of restaurant where you feel transported to a different place. Despite its unassuming strip mall environment, the interior of Reve genuinely feels like a little Parisian bistro.
Reve has also done great things with their outdoor space. They have a covered and fully heated tent that’s pleasant to sit in even in the winter, as well as a more open back patio area that’s perfect in the summertime.
The food is the real star here, though. I love their steak frites, as well as other classic French bistro fare.
For dessert, you’ll find the Bay Area’s best macarons and a delicious Creme Brulee.
Reve often offers special events, as well as weekday specials like free corkage. You can bring your own bottle of wine, enjoy a hearty stew on a cold winter evening, and finish your meal with some of those amazing macarons.
Reve’s small size means you need to book well in advance if you want to eat there on a weekend night. Availability during the week is often a bit more open. Check their website: https://revebistro.com/
Indian food that’s worth the drive
Right next to Reve, in the same unassuming strip mall, you’ll find some of the best Indian food in the East Bay.
Swad Indian Cuisine serves authentic and delicious Indian dishes.
When I lived in San Ramon, my neighbors—originally from India—told me they would happily drive all the way to Lafayette to pick up food from Swad because it was an authentic reflection of the food they enjoyed at home.
The dishes here are beautifully executed. Like many great Indian restaurants, both their vegetarian and meat dishes are fantastic.
I love the lamb korma, which comes with a spicy, creamy sauce that’s full of flavor.
Their aloo gobi and paneer dishes are terrific as well.
Although Swad has an interior dining space where you can sit down and eat, I almost always order their food as takeout. It travels extremely well if you get it via DoorDash or another delivery service. Sometimes, I find their food is even better the next day as leftovers.
Swad also has an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. I haven’t tried it, but if you’re looking for a good deal, I bet it’s a great option.
The only challenge with Swad is that they don’t open their dinner service until a bit later in the evening than other East Bay places—around 5 PM. If you’re ordering for an early dinner, you’ll need to take that into account to make sure you get your food in time.
Let me assure you that Swad is worth the wait. For those who don’t live right in Lafayette, it’s also entirely worth the drive.
Lafayette’s strange little culinary mecca of a strip mall is living proof that you don’t need the perfect setting to serve amazing food. Most people would probably drive right by these unassuming spots, but if you take a moment to pause and seek out this hidden gem, you absolutely won’t regret it.
Address: 960 Moraga Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549
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