Top Restaurants In Pleasanton, California

Closeup ready to eat steak new York beef breeds of black Angus with herbs.
Closeup ready to eat steak new York beef breeds of black Angus with herbs. | © Vasiliy Budarin _ Alamy Stock Photo
H.C. Hamblin

Located just 40 miles outside of San Francisco, Pleasanton is a bustling suburb with a few tricks up its sleeve. While most people might assume that they would have to go into the city for great food, Pleasanton has a variety of great places for an excellent bite to eat. We pick the top 10 restaurants in this East Bay city.

De La Torre

De La Torre serves traditional Italian food from a variety of Italian regions. Classic and well-loved Italian dishes are consistently excellent and always spot-on, while the daily specials add a bright new element to the menu. Each day, the chef offers dishes that showcase fresh, local ingredients in creative ways. Pair your meal with the perfect wine from De La Torre’s wine list, which features a wide selection from local Northern California and Italian wineries.

Hap’s Original

Hap’s Original is about as American as you can get. The steakhouse proudly serves dry-aged steak and superbly fresh seafood. Along with a variety of hand-cut steaks, guests can choose sides like scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and thick cut onion rings. The kitchen uses locally sourced produce to ensure freshness and superior flavor.

Korean Village

Pleasanton isn’t all Italian and American food. Korean Village brings the vibrant flavors of Eastern Asia from a family that is eager to share an important piece of their culture. The restaurant is tucked into a strip mall and could be easily missed, but locals know that this place is worth discovering. Favorite menu items include the kimchi soup, bulgogi, and bibimbap, a colorful mix of rice, meat and vegetables in a bowl.

Lokanta Grill & Bar

Lokanta Grill & Bar describes its food as, ‘Turkish, Greek, and Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine.’ Whatever they call it, the combination of flavors and ingredients from the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean has become a hit with locals. Since opening in 2012, Lokanta has become a favorite for people looking for a different fusion of flavors than can be found anywhere else in town.

Nonni’s Bistro

At Nonni’s Bistro, the resident chef has created a menu of American fare, with decidedly European influences. The restaurant’s menu reflects a love for travel and new flavors, and everything is made in house from scratch. Daily breakfast and lunch plus a relaxed weekend brunch are all given the same attention to quality in ingredients and preparation. Nonni’s Bistro is the perfect place to sit back while the chefs create dishes that are indulgent and memorable.

Oasis Grille and Wine Lounge

Northern California has certainly made a name for itself in the wine world, and Oasis proudly celebrates that. The restaurant and wine lounge, located in downtown Pleasanton, feels upscale and fancy but also offers a relaxed and comfortable vibe. The wine list is an impressive lineup of wines from across the world, hand-picked to provide a wide variety for connoisseurs. The lunch and dinner menus have a distinct Mediterranean, and almost Indian, influence with bold flavors and unique dishes.

Sultan’s Kebab

If you happen to be in Pleasanton during lunchtime, swing by Sultan’s Kebab. Locals have realized that this unassuming Turkish place is an absolute gem and flock there during the noon hour. Another hidden treasure in a strip mall, Sultan’s Kebab offers Turkish food in an honest, no-frills way. The portions are generous, and the food is made to order, making this one of the best values in town.

The Hop Yard

The Hop Yard American Alehouse and Grill recalls the history and traditions of the past to bring top-quality craft brews in a restaurant setting. This spot is unlike what you might expect from a brewpub and feels more like a cozy neighborhood hangout spot. With over 20 beers on tap, customers often come first for the beer and then realize that the food is visitworthy on its own.

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