Headlands Brewing - Walnut Creek

Overall good food, large selection of beers, a few cocktails (the rhubarb sour is delightful) & nice patio area. Lots of fire pits, a small 21+ only section, and a few tvs. The burger was great, chicken sandwich was a little dry but good, and the pretzel was quite tasty. Just a little stingy with the beer cheese, you can get it with cheese or mustard, or pay extra for both. It’s meant to share, so I wish it just came with enough sauce to actually share. Order at the counter or via QR code, be sure to grab your own water, utensils, napkins etc and don’t forget to tip 18-25% for doing it all yourself. 🫠 staff that we interacted with were great, but I’ll never understand tipping culture these days. There is no indoor seating, and only a few fans over one section with little airflow due to the fence/being backed up to parking garage but there is a lot of shade.

I had an absolutely fantastic time at Headlands in Walnut Creek. The smash burger and pretzel were both absolutely delicious and the perfect size. The seasoned fries and all the dipping sauces provided even more flavor. I love that it is family friendly while keeping an adults only area. Seeing a family of 6 have dinner with their dog warmed my heart. The beers are delicious, each of the 3 I had were unique and tasty. Lastly, friendly and attentive customer service. Dylan was attending our table and he is so personable and hospitable. We really could have had a better visit. What a gem of a business in our community.

Okay this is one of the best design bars I have ever been to in Walnut Creek. It is so well designed for families and adults with music events as well. A little indoor place where you can put your stuff away the kids have lots of things to play with along with adults. Check out the photos. Go down there and enjoy yourself. Have a Smash Burgers and a great double IPA. Cheers

Headlands original location (not this location ) is what built the business, great spot, vibe, food, beer. Love it. Unfortunately they have failed in their expansion into both Berkeley and Walnut Creek, capitalizing in their name recognition and cash available to buy locations with higher foot traffic - without this they would have zero traffic. Issues with this location: 1) zero street parking (ZERO), there's a parking garage but it's not clear that's the only place to park, so you'll likely drive around the block at least once. The garage is $6/hr. They do 'validate' but payment for parking is through an app which you have to pay at time of arrival, within the app no way to validate. Not a big problem but annoying. 2) they have people at the door checking ID to get into the "brewery " and you have to get a stamp to enter - a brewery at 2pm on a Saturday... 3) assigned seats, when you enter, the ID checker escorts you to a pre assigned steat. For a restaurant, seems reasonable, for a bar or brewery completely unacceptable. Chaira are 50% hi-tops that if you're over bmi of 22 (I'm bmi 26) you will be very uncomfortable. 4) order only through table QR code. "ordered through the QR code and the runners will bring it to you".... When I go to a 'brewery' I like to be able to talk to the person serving about the beer and styles on tap, maybe individual differences or what's new or what I might like, cannot stand spending $12/beer and having little knowledge if I'll like it besides a brief description on the app. Want to taste a sample before you commit to a 20oz drink? Nope not here (but original location definitely). This really irks me, at the original location, they will give tou a splash if you want to taste it, or maybe you can describe hops/malt/body/etc you prefer and they will more than willingly suggest some and guve youa sample, not here. 5) QR app sucks, order a beer, then partner orders a beer, it reorders my first beer so I have now two beers, annoying. 6) prices and quality does not match original location. While we were happy to explore and initially support expansion of the brewery, both burger quality and beer do not match. Burgers didn't have the same meat and texture (check my old reviews of the original location with pictures vs this one). 7) price, $70 for two burgers and 3 beers, these are small burgers. To me, this place seems like a venue for corporate events, not bad on its own but definitely not intended for the beer minded individual trying to experience a brewery or beer vibe/styles/flavors. While we were there half the venue was reserved. Needless to say, will not be back to this location.

Yummy smash burgers and amazing fries. Along with some great brewed beer. Can’t lose with a place like this, although their options for food are pretty limited.

We’ve been here a few times and have tried to give this place a chance, but the quality of food feels like it goes down each time and unfortunately, we won’t be back. The burger was way too salty, the grilled cheese my daughter had didn’t have melted cheese, and the salad is very small and just not good quality ingredients for $15.50. I also got a lemonade that tasted like straight lemon juice. I’d rather pay more and have better quality food. It has a lot of potential but it just left us all feeling sad. It also just feels like some customer service is missing- it feels chaotic with people seating themselves (there was no one at the entrance and we had to let ourselves in through the rope barrier after just waiting there for a while- waitstaff saw us but didn’t say anything). Everything is ordered through a QR code. There is a kids section which is a nice idea but the toys need to be cleaned (very dirty). I usually never write negative reviews but this was just a real disappointment. It was nice to be outside with the lights strung above us in the trees…but we won’t be back.

I've came here twice for lunch. The customer service is terrific. I had the chicken sandwich a week ago which was delicious! Then I had the steak sandwich today which was just ok. The employees here are friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back and try the rest of the menu. Just wanna give a shout out to Dylan and Kelly (if I remember her name correctly), they made the visits an outstanding one.

So good. Great beer, wide selection, great location. Cocktails are balanced and very well done too. Bring layers, but they also have blankets, and 1.5 hours validated parking. Near BART, and easy to bike to. Good food options and the customer service is stellar. What's even better? The playlists haha. They were playing warped tour circa 2005 to 2015 when we last went, and we had such a great time. Good for a date, group plans with friends, or a shift cap after work. Do it. Just do it. -Shia LaBeouf

I LOVE that Headlands is a 1% For The Planet partner... Who has heard of a brewery that cares about the planet and the community!? It amazes me how much they care and how hard they work every. single. day. To be honest, it's kind of hard to drink any other local breweries' beer. Headlands has set the bar so high. S/O to their brewing team. The new Walnut Creek taproom's design is stunning. I've visited their other taproom locations and while each have a special place in my heart, I can already tell that WC will be the new go-to spot for hanging out. The 90" TV screen goes crazy. Perfect for watching basketball and football games... While I love it here in the winter, I cannot wait to experience Headlands in the summer! Cheers guys. I'll be back soon! :)

Great staff, awesome food, radical beer. A place that keeps on giving. What more can you ask for?!

Awesome beers, great service and delicious food options. Great outdoor space that is both kid and dog friendly.

"I would move to Walnut Creek to be near this Brewery!" I just had to try this new location on a cool Monday holiday. I was afraid of the parking situation, but it turns out there's a parking garage close by. After 3:00, you can also park for free at Bart, just one block away. I checked with the friendly bartender, and she explained that you can get validation for 90 minutes from the nearby parking garage. You order at the front counter, which shows a wide selection of beers of all varieties. Today, I elected a Czech style pilsner for $8. Not too heavy, and just right for a cool winter afternoon. If you want, you can order at your table. Lots of friendly servers to assist. The children have a play area on the lower level, and there is an adults only area on a slightly elevated area. It's easy to see why this location is so popular. Lots of friendly people, friendly dogs, and great beer. They were very smart to include lots of fire pits. Perfect for a cool winter day. Thanks for setting up this new location. What an asset to our community!

Very nice outdoor seating areas. The "adult only" seats are awesome. Was surprised by the number of under 5 yr olds who were there. After being open 3 weeks, they are still working out the timing quirks. Not sure if QR code ordering + counter service + wait staff with ipads for ordering is effective since it was 30 mins to get a beer. Overall was a positive experience and we'll be back. Wish Headlands would expand their beer offering faster

This is a really cool new spot. Perfect for hanging out with friends or family, and it is also pup and kid friendly!! It is all out door seating, but they do have a covered patio and some TVs to watch games, etc. They offer a variety of different beers and also some cocktails and non alcoholic options! They also offer tons of different types of food, and there's something for anyone. This is a first come first serve seating situation, we came on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. We hung out and waited for some people to leave for about 30 minutes before we got a table. The parking situation is also a little tricky. There isn't any street parking, but there is a paid parking structure right behind the building that charges $2.50 an hour.

Newest kid on the block! A little hidden gem I would like to say due to its location. It's right by pleasant hill bart station but behind the Embassy Suites Hotel. You can order inside or from the patio by QR code. I'm glad they had heater lamps all over, note there is no seating inside and service takes place outside in their beer garden. Lots of choices of beers which I do not drink but they had wine and limited cocktails listed. Food? Yes they have some bites, I order a smash burger and fries. I figure this would be cool to bring my dog over the summer to just chill and enjoy the weather. Can't wait to go back!

Nice place to grab a beer and possibly food. I arrived a little late to the party (Grand Opening) , but was able to slide in for a sip of Siuds. Hefeweizen was nice and light. It was supposed to close at 8pm, but I slid in after 9 and was able to grab a beer. Nice patio and fireplace vibe going on here. Definitely will try Some of the food menu next time. I was told to get a Smash Burger or a Dble. Smash. Can't wait to try more of their beer selection and maybe arrive a little earlier next time.

We went for a Sunday lunch. All seating is outdoor but we got there early and grabbed a table under the cover. Good thing we got there early because it got really busy not long after. It was a bit chilly but the heaters did a great job of warming us up. The tables are large and can probably accommodate 10 people. There were 6 of us so there was plenty of room. You scan QR code to view the menu and you can also order on your phone. We chose to order from our waitress who was super nice and helpful with the menu. I had a lager which was light and easy to drink. My wife had the hefeweizen which was also good although the sweet notes were a bit strong for my taste. The smash burgers and fries were perfect. It's very good bar food and perfect with their beer. I can't wait to come back when the weather warms up!

It was raining but the cozy area under their overhang was perfect, lots of heaters and an amazing TV ditch. Great family spot and will be an absolute blast in the summer. Beers and staff are amazing and great to have a cocktail bar in the area for a date drink. Smash burgers were perfection! They had a spicy mayo sauce on it that was such a great twist from the norm. Parking is mostly pay only or a little bit of a walk and hunt for free but we stayed for two hours and it was very reasonable in the garage right behind them.

Just had a burger, fries and beer on a Friday afternoon. Great service, delicious food and of course the beer delivered. Finally a great local beer garden hangout. Will recommend to others!

Came here tonight expecting the burgers and beer cheese like the ones in Lafayette. This place is not it. Burger lacked flavor and the sauce did not taste the same. Very disappointed. The fries were not worth the cost - tiny bits and pieces of shoestring fries, a waste of money. Ordered the winter smash because we saw it being served. It was in a tall glass that was 90+ percent ice. Requested less ice and the drink came in a glass 1/4 of the size. What a racket. Won't be back to this location, not with it at all.

Good vibes, service is on point and food is always good ! Smash burgers are my go to but I tried the chicken tenders last time and they were bomb! Such a sweet spot to bring your kids and have a drink with good company. We were here for some live music and it was lots of fun. I love that this location has a full bar, it's great for people who don't drink beer. All of the locations are awesome but this one might be my new favorite.

Almost perfect for parents. We loved our time at the brewery and loved how there were areas for adults only as well as areas blocked off for kids with a mixed section in the middle. The fire pits and heat lamps are wonderful as well. We didn't eat there but did enjoy the drinks. The only complaint we have is that for such a family friendly place there was no changing table in the bathrooms. We had to change our infant on the floor. It would be really important for all parents if they could simply install them in the bathrooms.

We were there on Day 2 of their soft opening and it was hopping. Had the Smashburger and fries, both excellent. Mike was our awesome server. It's a nice respite amongst the buildings. Will definitely go back.

Had great customer service here on a busy Saturday night. I'm pregnant and ready to pop, one of the servers Julie was so sweet to keep an eye out for an open table or chair for me until I was seated, really appreciated the personable experience! Will be back for sure to enjoy the drinks and vibes, cute outdoor atmosphere; family friendly!

This place is awesome. I was there for their opening party and had a great time. The beer is top notch, I had the Toucan nitro stout and a smash burger. I highly recommend.

First time coming to this brewery and it did not disappoint. Golsa was amazing and very friendly. Will definitely be coming back soon!

Awesome awesome awesome! Love headlands Lafayette, this one's closer to home so we thought to check it out. Great service and amazing vibe. Thank you Golsa for not rushing us out and allowing us to take our time. It genuinely makes people feel more welcomed and less rushed out the door! We will be back.

A really great place to get together with friends and family. Great vegetarian options and I love the kids play section.

Loved the friendly staff, food, and the place looks great. How amazing the energy in there is when it's busy. People, kids, dogs all enjoying themselves. I suggest getting the deluxe double down burger or steak sandwich but all the food is good. The people sitting next to us got the pretzel with beer cheese. It looked so good I can't wait to try it when I come back. Get their early, it filled up quickly.

We were super excited to check this place out, and it definitely lived up to the hype! Parking at BART is free after 3pm during the week, which worked out perfectly for us. (highly recommend if you're looking for a spot-it made everything so much easier). We got there just before 5pm and had a quick walk across the street. The staff was super friendly and sweet, and the overall vibe was really chill. We loved that we could order from a QR code outside--no waiting in line, which was a huge bonus. We shared a burger and fries, which were deliciousss. Plus, they've got cocktails for those of us who aren't beer drinkers, which is awesome. We'll definitely be coming back!

First time the crew went to the new location- we love Headlands! And yay! Right down the street. This spot is amazing!!! Great beers, great food menu, awesome outdoor vibe! Golsa was our main server and she was AMAZING! She was sooo friendly, quick with our refreshments, and definitely made us feel welcome! Can't wait to go back.

I have been to Headlands' Walnut Creek location a couple of times. It is as good as their Berkeley location. I never get disappointed here. They have great varieties of beer. I had great interaction with staff. I think it is a great place to hang out & relax.

Soft opening for their food menu but it was great! Both the chicken sandwich and smash burger were good! Beer was great too. It was pretty crowded when we went on a weekday in the evening but may be because it's so new. Dog are welcome too! Service was fast.

Love this place! Friendly environment, kid-friendly (although I appreciate the adult only redwood deck), incredibly fast service and a great place to watch a Warriors game. Oh...and the beer is fantastic.

We love the Lafayette spot and came to support this location on opening weekend. The space is so much better than Lafayette,with a large parking garage near by and ample space/deck. It was crowded but we were able to find a spot near the trees for our party of 10. The staff was hustling and quite attentive for the crowd size. We ordered the burger, fries and pretzel is a must. The beer selection is great. Kids are allowed which is great for families and parents need to tend to them (it's a beer garden; not a playground). We definitely will be back often especially over the summer.

Great cocktails, beer, burgers, sandwiches and service in a stylish space. Even in the rain!

We love all of the headlands locations, and will often frequent them when we're nearby. Got to check out the newest one recently in Walnut Creek. Super cool tucked in spot. Nothing hits better after hiking or biking than their smash burger and a beer.

Omg food and experience were so amazing I love the vibes here!! Golsa was theeeee best server so cute and amazing we loved her :))

My favorite new spot in Walnut Creek! Been to the Berkeley location a bunch, which I love, and they're doing all the same things right: location and amenities are amazing, and the beer and food are top-notch. Full liquor license is an added bonus. Highly recommend!

Absolutely love this place, large outdoor space with amazing atmosphere and plenty of heaters for when it's cold. The burger is stellar, and there is a wide variety of delicious craft beer. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Loved it!

I love this brewery in Lafayette, was excited for them to open in Walnut Creek. We went on opening weekend and unfortunately one of the servers was very rude and made our son cry. He was playing on the stage with 3-4 other kids. As i walked up to tell him to get down (there is a sign that says no kids) the server came out and without speaking to any parents started yelling at the kids to get down and said "there is a sign!" Like the kids could read (they were young). My son started crying, the server should've come to the parents. I was on my way to get my son down and he saw me. There was no reason for him to be the parent. The same server then yelled at my son again for running. It was ridiculous. The place was packed with kids and families. There was kids everywhere. Idk why they thought they could control that. Also, in Lafayette, they allow kids on the stage. It just didnt seem as family friendly as we were expecting given the Lafayette location.

Set smack dab in the middle of suburbia, between parking lots and office buildings, Headlands sets the ambiance with an outdoor dining experience unmatched anywhere else in Walnut Creek. Large community tables, multiple fire pits, generous outdoor area amongst the redwood trees, and multiple TV's for the sportsters. Headlands aims to please the beer hound to the foodie to the family seeking refuge from the nightly ho-hum of another home cooked meal. They have an eclectic selection of beers, along with a good choice of wines. And I was happy to see that cocktails are available at this location. The food menu is more diverse than their Lafayette location, offering a variety of main courses, salads and sides. Of course, the standard bearer - The Smash Burger - is the go to standout on the menu, and it didn't disappoint on the evening we were there. The staff went out of their way to welcome us and followed up throughout the evening to ensure we were happy. I highly recommend you visit Headlands Brewing. Cheers to their success!

Awesome new spot!! So easy to get to from BART. The beer, music, and food were all great. Special shoutout to the pretzel, the portobello sandwich and that delicious guajillo aioli. Will be back many times as a chill spot to gather with friends.

Service for 8 adults and 2 kids was fantastic. Staff were friendly and attentive. Portobello sandwich and smash burger was awesome. Nice array of beer as well as mixed drinks . Karen was an amazing server on the floor and Angel had a huge smile and some funny jokes for us at the door. 10/10 will come back!

Family friendly and delicious food and beer! There are toys for the kids and plenty of space to enjoy the beautiful weather.

I love this place - 1. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable 2. The soft pretzel with cheese - trust me you're going to love it 3. Sitting on a patio with friends listening to amazing music - it was just an overall great vibe. Love that it was dog and kid friendly!!

What's not to love about this place? The beer is outstanding. Unlike many brew pubs, this one also offers an excellent variety of tasty food options. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and responsive. And the setting among majestic redwoods is beautiful and relaxing. We'll be coming back for sure, and I think you will too if you give this place a try.

The place is a mix between chuck e. cheese, Gymboree and a brewery. Too many kids and unorganized point of sale location. It took 15 minutes to get a beer delivered and I tripped on some kids toys while finding some standing room. Maybe it'll take some time to iron things out. The beer tasted good though.

We love Headlands! This was our fist time to try the new location in Walnut Creek. The place looks amazing, great ambiance and good energy. At the beginning we were a bit lost in how to navigate the system when ordering drinks but Golsa came and saved our night. She very kindly walked us through the process, and continuously checked on us making sure we were fine with drinks in hand- She is the best! We'll definitely be back very soon.

Great service and staff is so friendly. Beer garden and atmosphere the best in the East Bay. I forgot to mention the fantastic beer. ​

What a disappointment... Opening day , manager decided to close an hour early... Was expecting some place to sit inside, but no... no seats..Parking is a nightmare... you can't just order and pay for a beer and get it. You have to get a number after you pay and the server has to try and find you outside.... Wow, go someplace else

First i want to say the parking is not a fun experience. Was told there was a garage behind so we parked there. Then had to set up an acct.type to park there use a qr code etc..to much work for going to lunch and having to pay. Parking is a huge issue. Ordered the chicken sandwich and an ice tea as it was early for me to drink.. the chicken was good, nothing special. Lacked a bit of seasoning. The ice tea came...in a plastic cup with a straw..i asked if I could have a grown up real glass, i am a senior, and was told all non alcoholic drinks come in a plastic cup, it is company policy!!! Really, i get it for children but i am a senior who prefers to drink out of glass, not a sippy cup! My friend had coffe with Jamesons in it and same thing, she was given a paper coffee cup. Now that had alcohol in it so why not a Real coffee cup. Ugh!! Dont be wasteful with plastic when not necessary. The parking issue really has me thinking twice about going back, sorry. Beer list looks good. Very nice ambience though.

10/10 experience. I've been going to the Lafayette location for a while now so when I heard about the Walnut Creek location opening down the street from me, I was stoked. The service here is amazing. You can order at the front when you walk in or outside at a table using a QR code. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff who go above and beyond to make you comfortable. It was about to rain tonight so one of the employees alerted me and suggested I move to a table under an awning before the tables filled up. When I couldn't find one, multiple employees helped move a table over under a covered area. Later when one of them saw I was freezing (too far from a heater), she handed me the fluffiest, warmest blanket. The vibe was amazing, even with it raining and cold outside. There are TVs spread throughout the outdoor area that are always playing sports. FYI there's no indoor seating, although there's a place you can stand by the windows inside. Their smash burgers with seasoned fries (add-on) are delicious. I typically order their IPAs. One of my current faves is Muir Woods. If you're nearby, you gotta check this place out! There's a parking garage nearby (paid) but there's a Bart parking garage across the street that's free after 3pm or on the weekends.