A Foodie’s Guide to Danville’s Best Restaurants and Bars

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The Peasant and the Pear is one of seven restaurants owned by The Pear Restaurant Group, created by award-winning chef Rodney Worth, and is open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner. Make it there in time for Happy Hour, and try one of the signature cocktails such as the Prickly Pear Martini or Spiced Peartini. This is definitely one of the finest restaurants in Danville, and quite possibly in California, so make sure you make time for a visit.

While the exciting blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine served at Esin Restaurant & Bar is well worth a mention, what is really commendable about this restaurant is its excellent wine list. Everything a wine list should be, it’s varied and international but reasonably priced. Run by husband-and-wife-team Esin and Curtis deCarion, the care they take over training their staff and the meals they serve is evident on arrival at this superb restaurant.

The host of awards the Forbes Mill Steakhouses speaks for itself, and it’s clear that the Danville branch is one of the finest restaurants the area has to offer. The restaurant uses excellent culinary techniques and the finest selection of meat: the Forbes Mill Steakhouse is one of a few choice restaurants to use certified Angus Beef Prime.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more scenic location in Danville for an outdoors lunch than on the patio at Piatti. The patio is fully equipped with heaters but guests rarely find it necessary to use them given Danville’s year-round moderate climate. Piatti’s little pizzas are an inventive take on traditional bar snacks, and are much more satisfying than your usual bowl of nuts or olives. A whole section of the menu is dedicated to gluten free meals.

Head down to Yogurt Shack and choose from its wide range of flavors and toppings to create your own delicious treat. With options ranging from Caribbean coffee to cake batter and fudgesickle, there’s something to please everyone, and they even have no-fat and non-dairy options if you’re trying to hold back! There isn’t much seating space at Yogurt Shack, but you can enjoy your treat as you do a spot of window shopping around Danville.

John and Jan Ordway were struggling for places to take their family to eat when they decided to take matters into their own hands and open Jules Thin Crust. With an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, they have created a healthy and delicious dinner alternative in a restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere. Their thin crust pizzas are the perfect blend of light, airy dough with a slightly crispy crust. The staff at Jules Thin Crust are always accommodating and will gladly provide gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian pizzas.

With a daily Happy Hour, the patio of Bridges is often full of locals enjoying an early-evening aperitif. The restaurant is well-known for its appearance in the movie Mrs Doubtfire, but has since earned a fine reputation in its own right. With its relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, as well as a varied and accomplished menu, it’s an ideal place for a dinner with friends. Executive Chef Kevin Gin has worked at the restaurant for many years and because of his many years spent travelling in Japan, manages to bring the taste of Asia to this delightful Californian venue.

Gotta Eatta Pita serves delicious freshly baked pitas, with a wide choice of tasty fillings. The falafel pita is a firm favorite, and their Mediterranean platters are particularly tasty when washed down with a California larger and followed by some of Gotta Eatta Pita’s baklava.

Born out of one man’s desire to find a healthy restaurant which served fresh food at reasonable prices, Gary set up Slow G’s Eatery. Only using fresh meats and vegetables, their sandwiches are first-rate and packed full of healthy ingredients. They also focus on using lean meat and offer quinoa as an even healthier alternative. What is more, Slow G’s Eatery donates all its leftover bread (rolls are baked daily) to those in need.

Pete’s Brass Rail & Car Wash is famous for its unparalleled array of draft beers and micro-brews – its online beer list features over 2,000 varieties. It is steeped in local history and is such an institution that it has a Connoisseur Club which commemorates and rewards regulars who have tried a certain number of Pete’s beer varieties. Those who’ve tried 100 beers are honored with their name on the wall, while those who get to 750 beers will enjoy an all inclusive dinner for six at Pete’s or a $100 gift card.