About 30 miles from San Francisco, Concord, CA, has a diverse population with global cuisine. Here is some of the best food in Concord, CA.

During a conference, I learned about the town of Concord, California. It had never been on my radar as a place to visit. However, after talking to a representative from Visit Concord, I became intrigued. Why haven’t we heard more about this city, just 32 miles from San Francisco and so close to Napa Valley, only 42 miles away? I set out to discover the best restaurants in Concord, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Looking for the Best Restaurants in Concord

After visiting Concord, I realized that people overlook the town because they focus solely on road trips to San Francisco or Napa Valley. They bypass the city on Highway 4. However, after a three-day visit, I can say that those people are missing a fascinating town quietly building its reputation through its beautiful architecture, parks, music, and diverse cuisine.

Todos Santos Plaza is a focal point for Concord, CA. Photo by MARELBU via Creative Commons

A visit to the Veranda, a newly built, well-planned shopping mall, will show you families from many different ethnic groups enjoying the green spaces, the pond with a dancing water show, and the gymnastic set, all conveniently located for children to play.

Not only do the people play together, but they also introduce each other to the foods of their homelands. Now, restaurants and food trucks are popping up all over town. Walk into a restaurant around noon, and workers come in to grab one of their favorite meals.

Restaurante Pancho Villa, One of the Best Restaurants in Concord

When dining alone, I take the time to look around and observe my surroundings more carefully than when dining with friends. I did that while visiting Restaurante Pancho Villa. Frankly, I could draw a picture of it now. It has an industrial look, the interior design that caught on during the pandemic. With a white backdrop and gray and black furniture, the scene was calm and a welcome relief after being on the road. In the background, salsa-like music added to the sense that I was at the right place at the right time.

Pro Tip:  It is in a mall with a Habitat for Humanity Store.

Fajitas at Restaurante Pancho Villa. Photo by Kathy Condon

Since I was on an adventure, I chose to deviate from my usual Mexican dish—chile rellenos. I ordered the mixed fajitas plate.

A platter arrived with steam rising into the air, and a tantalizing aroma permeated the area around me. Piled high on the platter were shrimp, chicken, and beef, stacked atop a mixture of onions and peppers. Accompanying my meal were beans, rice, and homemade corn tortillas.

I don’t say this often, but this restaurant made the top of my list of best Mexican restaurants. I will be back. Every morsel I ate was perfection.

Alpine Pastry Lives Up to Its Reputation

I heard Alpine Pastry and Cakes was celebrating its 50th anniversary. That was my first clue that it might be a place worth checking out. Let me confess. I am a bit picky because my daughter lives in France. Therefore, I have eaten some incredible pastries in my travels, so the jury was out if this place would meet my expectations.

My first hint that they must be on to something was when I saw the parking lot near capacity. I parked on the street and decided to enjoy the lovely walk on the tree-lined streets to the bakery. It was beautiful weather and a delightful way to start a day.

I entered the store and found about nine people ahead of me. The line snaked past glass cases filled with an assortment of Danish pastries. I suddenly found myself bewildered over the choices and hadn’t had my morning cup of coffee. I figured I could not go wrong with apricot Danish, nor could I pass up the macaron that seemed to have my name on it.

Apricot Danish from Alpine Pastry. Photo by Kathy Condon

With a cup of coffee in my hand and purchases in a bag, I headed out to the quiet of the patio. After one bite, I immediately understood why this bakery had been in business for 50 years. The recipes from their Danish heritage serve them well.

Doppio Zero Serves Up Italian Food

When I heard there was a fabulous Italian restaurant directly across from my hotel, I was delighted and headed out. Doppio Zero is in the Veranda shopping mall and boasts bright blue striped cushion chairs and blue umbrellas on the patio. I was pleased to sit there with a view of the mall’s beautiful pond.

Since I was on a culinary mission, why not order a glass of bubbly to take in the view and bask in the perfect weather? I don’t know about you, but lasagna is one of my favorite Italian foods. However, the volume of pans that need cleanup afterward has often deterred me from making it. Thus, it was an easy and excellent choice as the lasagna was savory, hot, and tantalizing to the taste buds.

Lasagna at Doppio Zero. Photo by Kathy Condon

Cinnamon Rolls for Vegans

Admittedly, I am not a vegan, but seriously, can cinnamon rolls labeled dairy-free, lactose-free, cholesterol-free, and egg-free be any good? Could they remotely taste like a cinnamon roll my mom used to make? It turns out, yes, they can.

The creators of Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls appeared on Shark Tank; however, the deal fell through. The idea was to build small storefronts with a grab-and-go concept. The creators implemented excellent business practices and now have franchises across the nation.

A customer buys a plain roll, chooses one of 20 flavored frostings, and then chooses a topping. In my case, I decided on peaches. Oh my, it was so good and upped the ante on my mom’s cinnamon rolls.

Cinnamon Roll with White Peach Topping. Photo by Kathy Condon

All American Breakfast

When traveling, there often comes a time when you want an all-American breakfast. For me, that means eggs, sausage, toast, and a great cup of coffee. I was advised that the Bay Leaf Café might be precisely what I was looking for to start my day.

The person was right. With perfect weather and patio seating on the edge of a tree-lined street, I reveled in my experiences in Concord. It was fun listening to a couple sharing their surprise at how much there was to do here. I concur.

Breakfast at Bay Leaf Cafe. Photo by Kathy Condon

I asked the server if they had honey. They said yes, and I was given the choice of toast or a homemade biscuit. My eggs were perfect, and the biscuit absorbed the honey. This was how my grandmother used to serve breakfast.

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Discovering the Best Food in Concord, CA

Sadly, my stay in Concord came to an end. It was a great three days, and there was still so much to explore. The Taco Trail is one of Concord’s hallmark draws, and I didn’t even get started. There are so many more restaurants to try. I think a visit to the best restaurants in Concord, California, is worth the stop, and you should check out the local wineries while you are there. When planning your trip to Concord, San Francisco, or anywhere else in California, let Wander with Wonder be your guide.

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