Moving to the 925 means suddenly having an almost overwhelming number of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and neighborhood institutions to explore. For one recent arrival to the Lamorinda area, the best way to get started was to ask the people who already live there.
Lucas of Ascot Drive in Moraga recently asked neighbors for restaurant and cafe recommendations for his family in an online forum. The responses quickly turned into a broad, informal guide to some of the places locals think new residents should try first.
Here are some of the most frequently praised and most distinctive recommendations from residents across Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Danville.
Tutu’s was one of the clearest favorites
Tutu’s in Lafayette appeared repeatedly in the discussion. Vicki T. of St. Mary’s Orchard in Lafayette named Tutu’s along with Social Bird, while Jennifer W. of Poet’s Corner in Pleasant Hill also recommended it.
Kathleen C. of Burton Valley in Lafayette included Tutu’s in her list of local favorites, and Lonna W. of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek also pointed new residents toward the restaurant. Sandra S. of Wesley Ct. in Walnut Creek offered a particularly specific endorsement, saying Tutu’s is where she goes for blueberry muffins.
The repeated mentions suggest that Tutu’s is a useful all-purpose recommendation for someone looking for a casual Lafayette stop, whether the goal is a meal, a baked item or coffee and something sweet.
Casa Orinda brings history to the table
Casa Orinda was another standout. Kathleen C. recommended the Orinda restaurant along with Tutu’s and Batch & Brine in Lafayette. Bob S. of Parkmead in Walnut Creek, Denise G. of Upper Rockridge in Oakland and Lisa K. of Buena Vista in Walnut Creek also named Casa Orinda.
Lisa K. described it as having “amazing food and history,” while the restaurant’s repeated appearance in recommendations suggests that it remains one of the places residents see as part of the area’s identity.
Our own food critic, Richard Eber, agrees.
Mexican food recommendations ranged across the region
For Mexican food, Erik H. of Bates-Muth in Orinda called El Talpense on Mt. Diablo Boulevard the best Mexican restaurant in Lamorinda. Miles L. of Acalanes Valley in Lafayette replied that he agreed.
Michael G. of Moraga Country Club offered a different favorite, saying he still preferred El Jarro, located across the street, although he acknowledged that he might have ordered incorrectly during previous visits. He also recommended La Chamba in Moraga and Baja Cali in Orinda.
El Jarro received another endorsement from Bill H. of Acalanes Valley in Lafayette, who described it as very good and reasonable. Kim D. of Dracena Park in Piedmont recommended Rancho Cantina in Lafayette, and Lynette L. of Deerhill in Lafayette followed up by praising its tortilla soup.
Moraga residents highlighted several neighborhood staples (not all in Moraga)
Moraga received plenty of attention from residents looking for places close to home. Linwood L. of Campolindo in Moraga recommended Pennini’s and Ranch House Cafe, along with Morucci’s deli in the Saranap area of Walnut Creek.
Brett Y. of Ascot Drive in Moraga offered a compact list of his own: Amoroma, Ranch House Cafe and Golden Palace Moraga. Sandra S. of Wesley Ct. in Walnut Creek separately recommended Ristorante Amoroma, giving its Moraga address on Park Street.
For breakfast and coffee, Sandra B. of Oak Road in Walnut Creek named Town Bakery & Cafe in Moraga. Sandra S. agreed, calling Town Bakery and Cafe outstanding. Brian W. of Campolindo also recommended The Hide Out in Lafayette, describing it as a good choice for brunch and robust coffee.
Walnut Creek offers everything from deli sandwiches to ice cream
Several recommendations pointed new residents toward Walnut Creek. Jim W. of Downtown Walnut Creek recommended Massimo for what he described as good old American cuisine, along with great food and excellent service.
Susan F. of Tahos Area in Orinda suggested Morucci’s in Saranap for a good deli. Susan R. of Alamo East Side agreed with that recommendation.
Pamela A. of Rossmoor named Heavenly Bistro in Walnut Creek, Kobe Japan in Pleasant Hill, Nanking Bistro in Danville and 11th Tiger in Danville. Christine P. of Alamo added a dessert stop to the list, telling newcomers not to forget Handel’s ice cream in Walnut Creek.
For breakfast or lunch, Kim S. of Casitas de Moraga recommended Mr. Lucky’s on Locust Street in Walnut Creek.
Lafayette has options for brunch, dinner and patio dining
Beyond Tutu’s and Rancho Cantina, locals also singled out several other Lafayette restaurants. Kathleen C. recommended Batch & Brine, a suggestion Jill M. of N Civic in Walnut Creek seconded.
Nannette M. of Walnut Heights in Walnut Creek recommended Sideboard in Lafayette. Tim L. of Saranap in Walnut Creek pointed newcomers toward Metro Lafayette, praising its food choices, service, free parking and large outdoor patio.
Sandra S. recommended Postino in Lafayette, describing it as a quiet and lovely setting. She also noted that Lafayette Public House is now a local cafe option, while Carlett S. of Ascot Drive in Moraga recommended Lafayette Public House for coffee along with Shemroom in Orinda.
Orinda has more than one pizza recommendation
For casual meals in Orinda, Nancy M. of Palos Verde in Walnut Creek recommended Nations, saying the Orinda location’s newer restaurant space makes it a particularly good choice and is less crowded than the Moraga location.
Henry G. of Meadowlane in Orinda recommended Village Pizza, adding that it offers more than pizza. Lance C. of Upper El Toyonal in Orinda named Zamboni Pizza as his favorite.
New residents looking for something beyond pizza could also try the previously mentioned Casa Orinda, El Jarro or Shemroom, depending on whether they are seeking a full meal, Mexican food or a cafe-style stop.
A few recommendations are worth getting in the car
Not every suggestion was limited to the immediate Lamorinda area. Katherine C. of Hiller Highlands in Oakland recommended Terrace Gifts & Coffee, pointing out that it has free parking and is conveniently located near the Oakland Zoo, Village Market and Broadway Terrace Nursery.
Gail H. of Northgate in Walnut Creek suggested visiting the Moraga Farmers’ Market on Sunday mornings, where she said residents can find authentic Mexican food.
Phew, that’s a lot of places! But there’s a pattern there.
For someone just settling into Lamorinda, a sensible first tour might include breakfast at Town Bakery & Cafe or Lafayette Public House, lunch at Morucci’s or Mr. Lucky’s, dinner at Casa Orinda, El Talpense or Amoroma, and a final stop for ice cream at Handel’s.
And that still leaves plenty of the list to explore!
