Livermore's 16 Best Food And Drink Spots: Businesses Of The Year

LIVERMORE, CA — Friendly staff, quality food and top-notch service are among the reasons why Livermore Patch readers love these 16 local hot spots nominated as Local Businesses of the Year.

Here are the businesses that rose to the top, according to Patch readers:

Anita's Mexican Restaurant

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Location: 2124 Railroad Ave.

Phone: 925-455-1145

From the nominator: "We love this place. Food is always tasty! Anita's is our go to!"

Best Donuts

Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: 859 E. Stanley Blvd.

Phone: 925-447-7708

From the nominators: "Great product, friendly service"

Dan Good Cookies

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Location: 2958 Pacific Ave.

Phone: 925-623-6757

Other: Online store offers cookie gift baskets, seasonal cookies, cookie cakes, cookie trays and more

From the nominator: "His cookies are the best. They're made from scratch the same way you would make them at home. They are crispy and flavorful."

Demitri's Tavern

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays

Location: 2235 First St.

Phone: 925-373-0306

From the nominators: "Excellent food, friendly service and supportive community member ... The owners have a generous spirit and it shows in the way they operate their business."

"Friendly and hospitable staff. Safe and friendly atmosphere. Involved and caring owner."

Espresso Rosetta

Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 206 S. J St.

Phone: 925-315-5212

From the nominator: "They did a great job of meeting the needs of customers while keeping us safe during the initial months of the pandemic by serving curbside and having us order on an app ... They love coffee and they love to talk coffee!"

First Street Ale House

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: 2106 First St.

Phone: 925-371-6588

Other: All-day happy hour on Tuesdays

From the nominators: "They have great food and awesome customer service. They care about their community. They hold an annual charity event."

"When the pandemic started, we were unable to find many items we needed such as toilet paper. First St. saw a need and came out with their fabulous grocery store! Easy contactless pick up in the parking lot! It saved many of us and kept our spirits up. Their food is awesome too!"

"They were responsible and have consistently served the community with their charity work."

First Street Wine Company

Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday; noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Location: 2211 First St.
Phone: 925-294-5825

From the nominators: "The owners always keep a fantastic variety of wine. The customer service is fantastic, the staff are always upbeat and truly happy to have you there. They have great suggestions if you are unsure what you want, and they know their wines!"

Fratello's

Hours: 11:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays; 1 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays

Location: 2852 Kitty Hawk Road

Phone: 925-294-9771

From the nominator: "Excellent, friendly, and non-rushed service from what feels like a family Italian restaurant with fabulous, high quality meal options."

Jake's Cafe and Catering

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; closed Saturday to Sunday

Location: 51 Wright Brothers Ave., Ste. A

Phone: 925-292-8088

From the nominator: "They have homemade breakfast, salad dressings, always prepare and cook all the food that is in the menu at the Cafe, it’s honestly a hidden gem in Livermore."

Melo's

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Location: 4433 First St.

Phone: 925-371-4499

From the nominator: "Great food products. Pizzas & salads are great with a beer. Staff is polite, all are customer-oriented."

Posada Restaurant

Hours: Dinner Wednesday to Sunday 5 to 8:30 p.m.; Lunch/Brunch Friday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Location: 988 Murrieta Blvd.

Phone: 925-606-1004

From the nominator: "The owners Eduardo and Blanca are always so kind and warm and the customer service is excellent!"

Roya Afghan Cuisine

Hours: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; closed Mondays

Location: 2020 First St.

Phone: 925-447-0576

Other: Order online for pickup

From the nominator: "Great food, friendly and very health safety conscious, lovely interior decor ... The best mantu and pakawre-e-katchalu in the area."

Rusty's Bar and Grill

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Location: 2327 First St.

Phone: 925-294-9006

From the nominator: "Customer service. Rusty and staff always makes sure customers are safe during this pandemic. Food and drinks are awesome!"

The Steam House Coffee & Kava Bar

Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday

Location: 1935 Second St.

Phone: 925-273-3367

From the nominator: "Steam House Coffee is one of the best in town! The staff is warm, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about their products. They have amazing regular coffee as well as unique specialty drinks you can’t bet anywhere ... They’ve stayed strong during the pandemic and never let it dampen their spirits, providing great service no matter what the situation."

Story Coffee

Hours: 6 a.m. to noon Tuesday to Friday; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Mondays

Location: 124 Maple St.

Phone: 6 a.m. to noon Tuesday to Friday; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday

Other: Online ordering only during the pandemic

From the nominator: "Excellent customer service and staff. Amazing coffee and the best people working there!"

Uncle Yu's at the Vineyard

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Location: 39 S. Livermore Ave. #125
Phone: 925-449-7000
From the nominator: "Excellent food and service ... Great ambiance ... Very courteous and inviting."

Which other Livermore food and drink spots do you love? Tell us in the comments!

Patch will regularly feature nominated businesses throughout November and December. Please submit your nomination by Dec. 10.

Find out how to nominate a Livermore business here.