Walnut Creek is about to get a new go-to for grain bowls and allergy-aware eats. Kitava, the health-forward fast-casual chain, is gearing up to open its fifth Bay Area location on a busy stretch of North California Boulevard, bringing its gluten-free, dairy-free bowls and salads to the downtown lunch crowd.
According to What Now, a recent liquor-license filing shows the Walnut Creek shop is headed for 1699 N. California Blvd, the former home of The Little Pear. Co-founder Bryan Tublin told the outlet the team is targeting a late spring 2026 opening, with the filing indicating plans for alcohol service at the new spot. As usual, buildout and permit timing will ultimately dictate when customers can actually walk through the door.
Kitava's footprint and menu
According to Kitava, the company already operates locations in San Francisco, Oakland, Albany and the SFO terminal, making Walnut Creek its fifth outpost. The brand bills itself as clean casual and leans hard into a menu that is gluten-free, dairy-free and free from refined sugars, a setup local reporting has framed as part of a broader allergy-aware dining trend in the East Bay. That positioning has helped Kitava draw in customers who want straightforward, health-minded lunch options without having to negotiate around food allergies.
What Walnut Creek will see
What Now highlights signatures like the Sweet Plantain Bowl, built with jasmine rice, plantains, cumin beans, kale slaw, avocado and romesco. The Walnut Creek menu is also expected to feature plant protein patties, grilled chicken, picadillo beef and sustainably sourced salmon. The lineup is meant to cover both plant-forward diners and those chasing protein-heavy meals, positioning Kitava as a flexible lunch destination, with the chain's warm sides and ethically sourced beverages filling out the bowls-and-salads focus.
What this means for downtown Walnut Creek
The Walnut Creek outpost is set to take over The Little Pear's former address, and Toast lists 1699 N. California Blvd as that location. Local coverage has pointed to ongoing churn in downtown dining options, including the recent closure of Genova Delicatessen. Against that backdrop, Kitava's arrival would give Walnut Creek a health-focused counterpoint to the existing mix of fast-casual and sit-down spots, particularly for diners seeking gluten-free and allergy-aware choices.
