LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – Newer and flashier Lafayette restaurants often get all the buzz. But there’s a low-key little spot on the Western side of town that even locals often overlook.
And now, it’s expanding, with plans to open a brand-new location in downtown Danville.
The restaurant Rancho Cantina, which currently operates a popular spot on Mount Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette, is preparing to open its second location at 501 Hartz Avenue, the current home of Cocina Hermanas.
Cocina Hermanas recently announced that it will close after several years serving the Danville community, clearing the way for Rancho Cantina to move into the space.
When we shared the story of Cocina Hermanas’ demise, we said there was a silver lining. And this is it!
Rancho Cantina has been part of Lafayette’s restaurant scene for more than a decade. The restaurant opened in downtown Lafayette around 2015, bringing a distinctive take on Mexican cuisine inspired by the food traditions of California’s historic ranchos.
The restaurant was founded by Lafayette residents Julie Mitchell and Erik Peterson, who spent years developing the concept before launching the restaurant on Mount Diablo Boulevard across from Diablo Foods.
It’s in a lovely, secluded spot with some really dramatic brickwork outside.
Their idea was to highlight what they call “rancho cuisine” — a style influenced by the Spanish, Mexican, and early Californio cooking traditions that developed during California’s ranching era.
Over the years, the restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite in Lamorinda. They recently added some banners outside. But that’s about as flashy as Rancho Cantina has ever gotten.
The new space will be a change, then. It’s a large and prominent location on Hartz Avenue. It remains to be seen exactly how Rancho Cantina will use the space or fit into the growing restaurant scene on Hartz, but we wish this low-key Lafayette spot the best of luck.
Cocina Hermanas just announced their upcoming closure, and they haven’t given a closure date yet, so the opening of Rancho Cantina is still likely a ways away.
But the Cocina Hermanas team is supporting them through the transition. In Cocina Hermanas’ words “We wish the Rancho Cantina team great success and hope you will give them a warm Danville welcome.”
We’ll let you know as soon as a closing date is announced for Cocina Hermanas, and as soon as we know when the new Rancho Cantina will open. Join my free 925 News newsletter so I can keep you in the loop.
