If you’ve ever muttered, ‘Concord really needs more fresh-catch spots,’ rest assured they’re hiding in plain sight. This inland East Bay city, surprisingly far from the coast, boasts some of the region’s most diverse seafood havens—from classic fish shacks to innovative sushi dens. Here’s where you’ll find the oysters, crab, and grilled salmon you’ve been dreaming of in Concord.
Shabuya
$$ | (925) 510-2994 | WEBSITE
While only offering a straightforward all-you-can-eat format, Shabuya is one of our absolute favorite seafood options in Concord. All of the standard meats you’ll find in the shabu-shabu pots are consistently well-stocked and flavorful. We’d happily eat them all by themselves in a bowl. But when said meats are simmered in that deep and earthy broth, it makes for one of the best shabu-shabu experiences in Concord.
And the soy-glazed chicken this place serves as an appetizer also might be the very best version in town—perfectly crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy inside.
Salsa Verde Mexican Cuisine
$ | (925) 825-8504 | WEBSITE
Salsa Verde Mexican Cuisine should be on your radar thanks to Concord’s abundance of Mexican spots—but also just because this place is very good. It’s casual and walk-in-friendly, with bright lighting, comfortable booths, and a counter you can order at if you’re in a hurry. But the food is why you’re here. They have a solid menu full of Mexican dishes like salsa verde enchiladas, crunchy tacos, and (the main event of the menu) homemade flautas.
Portion sizes here (even some of the lunch specials) are big enough to ensure you’ll be finishing your meal for the next several hours.
Red Dragon
$ | (925) 676-5670 | WEBSITE
If we’re craving authentic Chinese food that tastes like home, then Red Dragon is our go-to spot. They serve generous portions in a no-frills setting—the building is simple and a bit dated, but the food more than makes up for it. The menu features standout dishes like crispy chicken with orange sauce and a spectacular eggplant plate. The restaurant connects to a friendly bar with TVs for sports, which adds a relaxed vibe.
Just a heads-up: the takeout containers are packed securely, though they can be tricky to open. Overall, Red Dragon delivers delicious, hearty meals that hit the spot every time.
Himalayan Cuisine – Nepalese & Indian Restaurant
$$ | (925) 490-3344 | WEBSITE
Himalayan Cuisine sits just off Concord’s main drag. This Nepalese and Indian spot’s extensive menu features appetizers, breads, and entrees (the biryanis are essentially complete meals in one fragrant dish). Their chicken biryani is hearty, aromatic, and ideal after a long day exploring the nearby trails, which are just minutes away.
They also prepare samosas that are crisp on the outside, tender inside, and deserve to be dipped into sauces beyond the mint chutney they’re served with—like the rich tomato tarka dal, the cooling raita, and the tangy tamarind sauce that accompanies the delightful momos. Stop by for an evening of warm naan, crispy pakora, and maybe even a little masala chai too.
Isla Restaurant
$ | (925) 822-3996 | WEBSITE
Not only does Isla Restaurant make great Mexican food, but it also provides incredible value. The casual, hole-in-the-wall spot has a menu that revolves around seafood: fish tacos, ceviche, fish and chips, and more fresh options cooked with Mexican flair. You can order all of the above as generous plates with sides like excellent chips and salsa, rice, beans, and more. Or, you can elect to get your seafood in taco form.
It’s all delicious, served in ample portions, and one of the best places to eat in Concord if you want to keep things under $15.
The Chinese Kitchen
$ | (925) 682-1825 | WEBSITE
The Chinese Kitchen is meant for sharing. The Chinese mains are more like feasts, and the appetizers are mostly $8, so ordering a spread makes financial and delicious sense. To start, get the pot stickers and hot and sour soup, which comes with a soft, steaming broth that’s easy to mindlessly sip like tea. But save room for the generous pile of chicken chow mein topped with tender beef chunks and bits of ginger, onion, and prawns.
They also make a saucy bowl of Mongolian beef that comes with a side of fluffy rice. The family-owned restaurant has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, and inside there are enough large tables to accommodate big families ready to order an obscene amount of greens, wings, and chicken-based dishes.
La Tapatia Méxican Restaurant and Cantina | Concord
$ | (925) 685-1986 | WEBSITE
This Mexican restaurant in Concord serves enough carne asada to satisfy an entire Little League team (and their coach) who’ve just finished a doubleheader. For proof of this fact, order the delicious steak fajitas or one of the burrito options stuffed with generous portions of shredded chicken. Even if you’re not chasing a flavor explosion, there are still dishes here for you, like the chili verde simmering in a sauce dotted with little pockets of mild spice.
The sharable entrees and cozy patio make this place perfect for a family meal, so come with relatives you’re comfortable passing the salsa around.
Crab Boil & Things All You Can Eat
$$$ | (925) 822-3892 | WEBSITE
Seafood spots in Concord can sometimes feel a bit too predictable, but there’s one place that truly stands out for its authentic bayou-style experience, and it’s Crab Boil & Things All You Can Eat. The all-you-can-eat deal offers perfectly cooked crab, mussels, and shrimp, those garlic noodles you absolutely need to try, and a staff led by the exceptional Jessica who makes every visit memorable.
Both the lively indoor space with TVs showing different channels and the overall fun vibe are ideal spots to get very full with a few friends and a couple of extra napkins.
Mariscos 1AM Taqueria
$$ | (925) 849-5120 | WEBSITE
The next time an unprompted craving for birria ramen and shrimp mango habanero tostadas pops into your head, go here. Mariscos 1AM Taqueria is a hidden gem that turns late-night hunger into a flavor fiesta featuring some of the best Mexican seafood you can get in this area. The taqueria is casual enough to show up after midnight, but the food is prepared so thoughtfully, it makes us feel like we could come here for a special occasion and it wouldn’t be that weird.
Frickin Fried!
$ | (925) 349-9230 | WEBSITE
Frickin Fried! is one of those places that’s exactly what it sounds like. If you want to have a meal that pretty much only consists of soul food, come here (and come hungry). The cozy spot does have other dishes—alligator with dirty rice and fries, shrimp & grits, and catfish plates—but fried chicken is the reason to come. The chicken wings are huge and seasoned perfectly, fried just right.
But you’ve got to get the catfish plate, which is big, generous, and so good we just can’t get mad at it when we end up eating way more than we planned.
Koon Thai Kitchen
$$ | (925) 349-9498 | WEBSITE
Koon Thai Kitchen is our favorite Thai restaurant in Concord by far. Every dish here—from the yellow curry shrimp to the Tom Yum soup—is stellar. Service is also pleasant and friendly. The menu is big, diverse, and each dish is so good you won’t mind that you’re eating it in a bright, clean dining room that probably has some ambient music playing softly. If you’re at all in the mood for Thai, Koon Thai Kitchen is well worth traveling across town for.
Swagat Indian Cuisine
$$ | (925) 488-9811 | WEBSITE
Swagat Indian Cuisine is a standout among Concord’s many Indian restaurants. It’s a cozy restaurant, but they have a huge menu full of really great Indian dishes like butter chicken, tandoori chicken, honey cauliflower, and dozens more options. They also offer a popular lunch buffet meant for big appetites, with highlights including goat curry and fresh naan that arrives warm and pillowy.
Swagat is also such a great deal because so much of the menu is under $20, and the welcoming service and lovely new decor make every visit feel special.
