| | Published July 31st, 2024
| Taste of summer in quaint downtown Lafayette
| | | By Emma Wong |  | | Sideboard in Lafayette at lunch time. Photo Emma Wong |
Warm sun, good friends, and great food: the recipe for a perfect summertime lunch. And what better place to dine than at Lafayette's picturesque restaurants?
Laughter spreads across the outdoor wooden tables of Sideboard, the charming, snug café on Plaza Way. With red umbrellas and string lights, Sideboard is ideal for family and friend gatherings, attracting both locals and visitors. Before the back-to-school rush, friends Olivia Barakeh and Olivia Park caught up over their summers with a delicious lunch. "It's the perfect place to hang out, talk a little bit, and enjoy the weekend," Barakeh said. Park then pointed to her shrimp ceviche, exclaiming, "This is my holy grail!"
Down Mount Diablo Blvd. is Social Bird, the hip bar offering refined American classics, from oysters to artisanal cheeses. Social Bird is conveniently seated near many shops, from endearing boutiques like Luck to larger storefronts like Venture Quality Goods. "Social Bird is our favorite - sitting outside is lovely, and the sounds of the fountain provide a nice background," resident Sonya Grover said. "Lafayette is relaxing and you can walk to little shops after eating."
Lafayette's culinary scene is constantly evolving. A new restaurant - the Breakfast Club at Midtown - recently opened near Social Bird, dishing out fragrant pancakes, delectable omelets, hash browns, and more. Students Tatum Schmedding and Kavina Harabakanda chatted here over crepes and burgers as a send-off before Harabakanda left for a trip. "We come here all the time: the food is always so good, with big portions and great customer service," Schmedding said. "They have a giant menu and make really good club fries with ranch."
Under shining summer rays, downtown Lafayette leaves bellies full and faces grinning. With the city's slogan being "Shop, Dine, and Gather," lunchtime here truly lives up to this motto and more. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA