5 Great Restaurant Spots in Lafayette, California

Lafayette, California is a quiet, suburban town located right off Highway 24 in the San Francisco East Bay Area. It’s known for its great schools, friendly and safe neighborhoods, and expensive rent. Lafayette is limited to one dedicated bar, the Round Up Saloon, however, what it lacks in drinking spots it makes up for with many great restaurants!

1. Batch & Brine

A relatively new addition to Lafayette, Batch & Brine has made a huge impact with their delicious food, great service, and fun atmosphere. An attractive restaurant for all groups of people including friends, dates and family dinners. They offer a delicious brunch selection from specialty benedicts to PB&J stuffed french toast, chicken & waffles and more! Unfortunately, they only offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but you won’t be disappointed. Batch & Brine is a restaurant with great-sized portions that will always give you a tasty meal and leave you undoing a notch on your belt. Their regular menu for lunch and dinner offers salads, great specialty burgers (and sliders as well!) and delicious appetizers such as “crispy ribs,” mac & cheese and fish & chips. In addition to their savory food Batch also has a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails! Their happy hour happens from 8 p.m. to close Monday through Saturday and includes $5 well drinks as well as beer/wine/food specials that can change every so often. They offer an amazing outdoor eating area with an elegant fire pit as well as many heating lamps for when it gets cold. Overall, Batch & Brine gives Lafayette an amazing restaurant with delicious food that never disappoints and a fun atmosphere to hang out with friends and maybe enjoy a few drinks.

2. Patxis Pizza

Pizza is likely one of the most popular types of restaurants to find across the country, maybe across many countries. There are a few pizza-focused restaurants in Lafayette but can barely hold a candle to Patxis Pizza. The first Patxis opened in the summer of 2004 in Palo Alto, California and has grown immensely over the past decade and a half. Patxis now offers numerous locations including many across California from San Francisco to Southern California – Santa Barbara and Los Angeles opening soon as well. There are also some locations found in Colorado and one in Seattle. Their menu is pretty large with many salads, wings, sandwiches and, of course, delicious pizzas. Patxis offers a thin crust pizza and their famous deep dish/pan pizzas! Their deep dish pizzas come in many different varieties such as chicken tikka masala, spinach pesto, BBQ chicken, vegan and more! In addition to delicious food, Patxis has a full bar — many great beers on tap and an extensive wine selection. They offer catering, delivery and a great dine-in experience with good service. Unfortunately, being such a popular restaurant in Lafayette with take-outs and people dining in the wait for a table and your food can be extensive. The location of Patxis is great in Lafayette being very centered in town with lots of parking around it, so that’s never an issue. The amazing pizza alone is a good enough reason to try out Patxis next time you’re in Lafayette!

3. Tutu’s Food & Drink (formerly Chow)

Perhaps one of the most popular and well-known restaurants in Lafayette is one that recently closed but was saved and reopened under a different name – Tutu’s Food & Drink. Formerly a Chow restaurant location, Tutus is the new name signifying the restaurant is now under new ownership — the Lafayette Restaurant Group. Following the restaurant group Chow having to close after 22 years of running in Lafayette Circle, Tutu’s Food & Drink has replaced it, however, kept the menu and restaurant basically the same. It’s a restaurant that advertises “pure foods” with healthy, organic ingredients and affordable pricing. They have large-scale cafe sort of vibe and also feature a bar and even a small market for some organic foods including tasty pies. The food is very delicious from egg Benedict for breakfast to a great burger. They are a little expensive but not by much compared to other similar-quality restaurants in Lafayette. Tutus also has great outdoor seating and good service — combined with their great food creates a great dining experience for friends, family or a dinner out alone.

4. El Charro

As one of the older restaurants found in Lafayette, El Charro still remains one of the most popular spots for dinner plans on the weekend. It first opened in 1947 serving a quality Mexican dining experience to the quiet town and still delivers it to this day. El Charro offers delicious food at a good price in a really fun atmosphere. They also have a specialty blue cheese garlic dip that they give with their chips which is to die for. There’s a great patio area to enjoy your meal outside that also has an outdoor bar to better suit your alcohol needs while enjoying your meal. In terms of alcohol, they have delicious margaritas, house-made sangria, and a good selection of bottled and draught beers. El Charro also provides catering for big events. The parking at the restaurant can be a little limited which can be irritating but there are other lots close by so it’s not a deal-breaker. The service can also sometimes take a little bit if the restaurant is especially crowded. Overall though El Charro is an amazing restaurant that never disappoints on a delicious, fun and relatively cheap Mexican dining experience!

5. The Cooperage

The Cooperage American Grille, also known as the Coop, is a more upscale popular restaurant found in Lafayette. It’s located actually across the street from Tutus as talked about previously. It’s been open in Lafayette for about five years and is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. It’s got a more fancy, upscale atmosphere but not so much as it would be intimidating for the average customer. It’s a great place to bring a date! Their menu is a little limited having a good selection of seafood, and from “the butcher” there’s a burger, pork ribs, rib-eye and more! The Coop also has a good selection of salads as well as a delicious brunch, however, it’s only on the weekend. The other side of the Coop which attracts many customers is their extensive bar and nightlife. Besides the Round Up Saloon in Lafayette, the Coop is one of the biggest drinking spots for young adults and older. Although a slightly limited menu, the Coop delivers delicious food and great service for its patrons making it a Lafayette hot spot!