Brought my family of four here on a whim, just because we like trying new things. It's a quaint place, and don't let the facade fool you. Most of the seating is in the back patio area. Good and bad though, since it's outdoor, it gets chilly in the fall and winter. This place rocks though during warmer months. Vibe is excellent. Bustling laughing loud energy. Maybe not the best for a family, but definitely a great place to bring the friends or a hot date. Got sat down in the corner, and ordered up a bunch of empanadas and a pasta dish for the kiddos. Add some vino for the adults and it wa a pretty nice time. We talked some, but we mostly gazed at the crowd having a good time. Food came out, and the empanadas were friggin amazing. It was full of flavor and the dipping sauces went very well with them. Just wish they were bigger. Much bigger. Kids liked the pasta. I'll come back with just adults next time and get the whole experience. Oh and I think the boss lady helped us. Or maybe the owner? But she was super sweet and friendly. Bravo! (full pun intended) read more

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Wanted to check to see what all the buzz was about. Good ambiance, friendly staff. But the food was ok. Started with the brussel sprouts and the Buratta starters which were decent. I had the Chicken Milanesa for my main and it was very bland and a little tough to cut into. It was advertised as an Argentinian restaurant. Would have liked to see more Argentinian fare. read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Chicken Milanesa - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Such a pretty ambience! The seating is mainly outside and feels as if you were dining in your backyard. The food adds to that atmosphere since all the ingredients feel homegrown. All the dishes felt fresh and light. The fruit and goat cheese combo was a great bite, especially with the spiced pears in the arugula salad. The carbonara had great flavor but was a bit heavy with the amount of cream. I would skip out on the empanadas. They were not worth it at all. The flavor was nothing special. The dish only comes with 2 which is not worth the listed price. read more

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Met a girlfriend here for an early dinner and we had such a great time! We walked in when they opened for dinner at 430 and got seated right away. It's only outside seating which was nice for a sunny evening. We were alone in the restaurant but around 530 it started getting really busy! Our server was super attentive and personable and offered really good recommendations. 1. Empanada trio: comes with cheese, chicken and beef. One of the best empanadas I've ever had! Especially the cheese, we had to order a second round of cheese empanadas! I believe the combo was Gorgonzola, mozzarella and ricotta. It was so gooey, and with but with the right amount of bite. The crust was crispy and delicious. 2. Goat and beet salad: good serving with plenty of beets. 3. Cauliflower: seasoned very well with a warm flavor profile. I liked the sauce it came with. Would love to come back for the vibes and the cheese empanada! read more

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Food was decent. Campanelli with short rib was the best dish, we also got the lomo saltado, Argentine steak, chicken Milanese, and empanada trio for apps. Service was good and the ambiance was nice with outdoor seating covered. I recommend coming here on a less busy day though since we came on Mother's Day and while service was good - accidents can happen. In our case a server walking by accidentally spilled chimichurri sauce and it splashed onto the sleeves of my shirt and the whole back of my shirt. Difficult to remove and ruined the experience by the end. It was also a fairly small table for a group of 4 read more

Trying a new place is always hit or miss. This was by far a miss. First we were sat in a corner next to some construction. Not the most pleasant seating. The food though, looks great on paper. Burrata..I Love my burrata. Burnt toast no flavor in any of the veggies or whatever they tried to put on it. All I tasted was burnt toast. Asking for not burnt bread was also a looked down upon response from our server. Not good. Then the Loma Saltado meat dish, so salty, I guess it's in the name so we should have known, but it was a top pick when I yelped it, so why wouldn't I try it. It was So salty I took 2 bites and had to stop. The empanadas were okay. Nothing amazing. And lastly some alcohol, I got a glass of wine, the only thing I enjoyed from the Wood family vineyard. For paying over a hundred dollars for a lunch, this has to be one of the worst dining experiences I have had. read more

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I've been here before when I tried the brava burger but this time decided to try the chicken milanesa which was the right decision. I recommend ordering this plate, it comes with fries and arugula salad on the side. Very pretty presentation and the chicken tastes super delicious. It also comes with three different sauces which all compliments the chicken very well. The backyard seating is nice and they provide a good amount of heat warmers when it's cold so no problem if it's cold. The staff is also very friendly and come around to check on you regularly. Definitely coming back soon! read more

homemade pasta with slow cooked short ribs ragu was incredibly rich and comforting. I highly recommend checking this place out for a nice dinner. read more

Upon entering, you'll notice the unique layout, though the indoor seating area is compact, making it less suitable for larger groups. However, in the summer, the outdoor patio accommodates larger parties. Starting with drinks, I opted for an espresso martini, which exceeded my expectations. We tried the cauliflower, which was decent, but I'm not fond of the lemony hint it had. The habanero fries were tasty; while the fries themselves weren't spicy, the dipping sauce packed a punch, reminiscent of wasabi. For my main course, I savored the mushroom house-made pasta, bursting with flavor. It's definitely a dish I'd reorder. With plenty of enticing options, I look forward to returning to explore more of their menu. read more

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I came here early for lunch on Saturday. This place got full up early. I had the homemade spaghetti, empanadas trio, watermelon salad and the homemade fries. I had high expectations on their food because this place looked busy all the time. But after the meal, I found the dishes that I ordered were just fine. The spaghetti is too sticky and dry, not creamy at all. The beef inside the empanadas was not juicy enough. The watermelon salad was not sweet enough. The dishes taste fine but just not what I expected. The service was good. The waiter who served us was attentive. The greeter was friendly and made me feel welcome. The place was lively. Overall, it was a good dining experience. read more

Loved this cute gem in Downtown Pleasanton. Most of their seating is outdoor but they have a bunch of super hot space heaters placed all over the seating area. Our group ordered the: - Mushroom Pasta - Beef empanada - Shrimp Pasta - Roasted Cauliflower Here's the breakdown: - Mushroom Pasta - DELICIOUS. I really liked this as it was balanced, creamy, and not too 'flat' tasting. - Beef empanada - I'd pass on this. Felt fairly basic. - Shrimp Pasta - Delicious! Highly recommend if you're looking for a different red pasta. - Roasted Cauliflower - REALLY good but maybe because I don't know how to do this well! Highly recommend coming here for date night or a night out with your friends. read more

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Been going to Brava for years, our last experience was outstanding. The customer service was above and beyond. Maya the hostess was amazing. As always the food and service is a 10/10!! Perfect patio and food to enjoy Downtown Pleasanton! read more

One of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it sooner! Brava checks all the boxes-- Fun, vibrant but cozy environment. The seating is almost entirely in the back patio. I love it for date night, a special eating out, or impressing a friend when they come to visit. The menu is a creative mixture with Argentinian roots, but the pasta is what truly makes the food here so special. I make a mean carbonara, and I can't ever order it out because mine is always better-- this is the one and only restaurant that I believe makes a better one than me (just heavier). It is absolutely spectacular. I have been eating my way down the pasta list, and so far all dishes have been amazing. I believe that they make their noodles in house as they are the best noodles I have ever experienced. We recently tried the empanadas, and OMG. The beef empanada is spectacular. Their dough is so light it almost reminded us of a wonton. A must try. There is a full bar- we have tried the sangria (good!), and a few of the specialty cocktails (all good). Service is always solid- fast, friendly, knowledgeable. A well oiled machine. This is an all encompassing, amazing, solid restaurant. Dependable, delicious, and lively. An absolute gem in this area of the Bay. Since it is located in downtown Pleasanton, parking is mildly challenging but never impossible. It's a popular spot, so book a reservation online whenever you can. read more

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Came here on a sunday for dinner for a party of 7 without a reservation and was immediately seated. It seems like there's no real "inside" of the restaurant, more like tented outdoor space that's filled with heat lamps which is fine and kind of a vibe. The appetizers all looked amazing but I didn't have the opportunity to try them this time. I ordered the scallop risotto. I'm usually not a scallop girl or a risotto girl, but it just sounded really good on a rainy day. The serve did notify me that it would not be 3 scallops on mushroom risotto as the description states and all the yelp pictures have it, rather it would be filled with a lot more seafood. It was filled i would say 60% seafood 40% risotto which is crazy! The flavor was good and I would definitely come back to try more of their dishes! read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Scallop Risotto - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Food was fine, a bit overpriced. My bigger problem was with the man who "greeted" me at the door. There was no one near the door when I came in, so I picked up what turned out to be a dinner menu from the host's stand. As I was putting it back he came up behind me and said "Can I help you?" In a tone that I would use if I came home to find someone rummaging around in my trash can. I asked to see the lunch menu and he led me to the back of the restaurant, handed me one and walked off, no smile, no kindness, and acting like I didn't belong there. read more

I am in love with the ambiance here, the decor is so cute for a date night. The PASTA. I am not sure if they make the pasta themselves but it sure tastes fresh and delicious. It has the perfect bounce and chew. Highly recommend the carbonara.. so creamy, flavorful, and cheesy. read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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I came with a group of friends on the 1st, and without a reservation we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table of 5. The service was super friendly and they seemed a bit short staffed, but our waiter checked in a few times throughout our meal. I ordered the spaghetti carbonara. It was absolutely delicious! The pasta is homemade and it was cooked perfectly, one of the best fresh pastas I've ever had. The portion sizes are also pretty fair for the prices. My friends ordered the mushroom risotto, the steak sandwich, the chicken power bowl, and the shrimp power bowl. Everything looked and tasted very good. My friend noted that the chicken was very moist. The food did take a while to come out, we were waiting for a good while, but they were also quite busy. The tables in the main area of the restaurant are outdoors in their patio garden area. They have some background music playing and outdoor heaters. Overall, we enjoyed Brava Garden Eatery and I plan on coming back with my family for more of their pasta! They also have a nice variety of menu options, which is always nice for a party with differing food preferences. read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Spaghetti Carbonara Steak Sandwich - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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love this place, i always go for special occasions because it is such a pretty restaurant with delicious food and drinks!

Had lunch here last week , loved the ambience and the food is amazing. I would definitely recommend!

Came here for a work dinner. Had the risotto. The food and service were great. We were able to get a nice table outside. The place was packed for a Tuesday night. read more

If I could give Brava Garden more stars, I would. This charming spot in Pleasanton is everything I want in a neighborhood eatery--fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is warm and inviting, with plenty of natural light and a stylish but relaxed vibe. The staff is genuinely friendly and attentive without being overbearing, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Now the food--wow. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared with high-quality ingredients and beautiful presentation. The goat cheese empanadas are a must--crispy, savory perfection. You can tell they care about sourcing and seasonality here. Great beverage options too, and the menu offers something for everyone--whether you're looking for something light or more indulgent. Brava Garden is a true gem in the Tri-Valley area. Whether you're dropping in for lunch or planning a dinner date, you'll leave happy and already thinking about your next visit. read more

First time in & it was such a fun pleasant experience! Cute vibes inside the restaurant & the servers were all so kind and helpful! I had the Spaghetti Carbonara & haven't stop thinking about it since will be back! read more

Service and food were great. Perfect set up for a bridal shower. Delicious desserts and Drinks. Loved the Choclolatini read more

This is such a cute little spot! Staff is very friendly and professional, and the food is great! The drinks are delicious and they can make most of them mocktail style! I had a mango margarita mocktail and it was delicious!! The menu offers options that can be shared and split, so you can try numerous dishes. There is also an event space in the back. It has a bit of a Santa Barbara, LA feel. Perfect for Sunday Brunch, Galentine's day, a date, or a bridal shower/baby shower! I'll definitely go back. read more

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Mother's day lunch. waited extra time even with reservation. We finally sat in the back patio. very crowded, hot and loud. the environment was not pleasant. waited 30 mins and only water served, not even the appetitzer. Food is average. the beet salad is not fresh, tasted like 90 degrees. empanadas was over cooked. paste is not tasty. service is not good. it was over booked. read more

Yep, pasta is still delicious here! Make sure to try some; the texture is so good. That being said, this price point is a treat for me! One app and two pastas cost us ~$85 after tax and tip. Empanadas - was expecting baked empanadas, but these seem fried. Filling is tasty and not too dry, but not worth $8/piece in my opinion. Campanelle w mushrooms - I tasted regular button mushrooms and some shiitakes. Was hoping for some mushrooms that are a little more special at this price point, but the pasta is creamy and delicious and exactly what you want in a creamy mushroom pasta. One funny thing I found endearing is I ordered Campanelle pasta shapes and my husband ordered rigatoni. Both of us receive a mix of both shapes in our plates which was a fun surprise for us! Will come back here again and again for the pasta:) read more

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The empanada is made with a light flaky crust and a variety of fillings. The accompanying dipping sauce adds to the deliciousness. read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Trio Empanadas - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Brava Eatery is a cute little gem in the heart of downtown Pleasanton. Owned by a husband and wife you can tell they also put their heart into this restaurant. While any restaurant can have hiccups, the service we received here was incredibly friendly and top notch. We sat outside patio area and for starters ordered the Eggplant Polpette and Habanero fries. The Eggplant Polpette was this delicious vegetarian meatball stuffed with cheese. It was one of my favorites. The fries were topped with feta and herbs and came with a unique dipping sauce. I think the fries would be better if the sauce was drizzled on top for more flavor. For mains we did Campanelli monterey mushroom pasta and Argentinian steak. My partner said the steak was really good and the pasta I had tasted SO fresh. Turns out they hand make their pasta here. Overall clean and super super cute ambiance! Very friendly service, and great food! Will definitely be back! read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Habanero Fries, Eggplant Polpette - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Great vegetarian options, wonderful ambience, and great service. Cute outdoor patio, great cocktails!

Cute neighborhood brunch spot in downtown Pleasanton but both service and food needs improvement. Also to note that they only have outdoor seating, so on a hot 106 degree day, be prepare to sweat! Service: we arrived at our reservation slot and had to wait quiet a bit before getting seated. Given there were a few groups all waiting at the same time, the host didn't come to us in the order of arrival until we ask when we can be seated. A few other groups that arrived later than us also got seated (maybe due to party size). We felt it was odd that the order of arrival and the reservation slot wasn't honored. However, once we were seated, the staff servicing was very nice and prompt, we appreciated her attentiveness. Food: The spotlight is their handmade pasta, so we ordered a few among our table to share. We found their portion were all quiet large but the pasta quality were just so-so. Some of them were a bit too thick and the level of chewiness wasn't consistent. The use of oil was excessive, pretty much dripping oil at each bite. Felt quite full after a few bites. read more

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This was my second time visiting and the food did not disappoint. Everything was delicious, especially the appetizers. The Brussels sprouts and empanadas were outstanding. Highly recommend! read more

Everything was fantastic from the table to the staff to the product served and the ambiance. Will be back!

Love the food here. Very tasty Italian dishes. Ordered the ravioli and the spaghetti carbonara. Both pasta dishes were delicious. The bruschetta was yummy! Only two pieces, but one of the best bruschetta I've had. Piled on with delicious ingredients. The carbonara was rich and decadent. Although on the heavier side, I loved it! The ravioli had a nice tang to it. The sauce was citrusy and flavorful. Their tiramisu was very good. Drizzled with chocolate. Just the right amount of richness, sweetness, and the perfect size for sharing. Customer service was excellent. Our waitress was very sweet and courteous. The patio was cute and quaint. This restaurant is located on Main in downtown Pleasanton, a street lined with many eateries. Street parking and public lots nearby. read more

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Cute restaurant downtown. Street parking. We were sat outside but had an awning. Nice warm night so it was perfect! Typically busy Saturday. Greeting by the waitress quickly who started us off with drinks. Afterwards it took some time for her to take out order and check in if we needed anything else like refill on water, but she was busy. Black ink pasta was good! It's my go to at every pasta place and it did not disappoint. Lemon ravioli was okay for me, only bc I don't love lemon or raviolis lol. Carbonara was thiccccck. Cheese empanada was okay, the Gorgonzola cheese was strong. I feel like this place was kinda overpriced but what restaurant isn't now a days. Def a nice treat. I took off a star bc this places doesn't have a really kid friendly menu. read more

Brava Garden Eatery - Cheese Empanadas, lemon ravioli, Carbonara, black ink seafood - Wine Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Yummmm. Food is excellent and staff is always so friendly, flexible and accommodating which is greatly appreciated. Ambiance is cozy, unique and fun read more

Came here with a friend at around 7PM on a Tuesday evening. As we were walking up to it on the sidewalk, I thought it might have been closed as the entire front seating area on the outside of the restaurant was empty and looked deserted. As we got closer to the entrance, we heard music coming from inside and were met by a waitress by the door. We didn't have a reservation but were immediately led to a nice table for two in the back patio, which was already filled with plenty of noise and people. I ordered the Rigatoni Monterey Mushroom and my friend the Squid Ink Spaghetti (it had a more technical name but I can't find it on the website/menus so I'm assuming it's either new or limited). I thought the rigatoni was quite good. It was cheesy and flavorful, but not too heavy. The portions were decent; I ended up not being able to finish my plate. My friend said the spaghetti was the perfect amount of pasta. Everything was plated beautifully (the plates themselves were cute) and I enjoyed seeing everyone else's dishes being walked down the entrance to the back, especially the desserts. The ambience in the back patio was really nice. Visually, everything was stunning. Green plants everywhere, warm outdoor lights were strung above us, and there was plenty of natural lighting because the roof only covered half of the back. It was a warm night but we were comfortable, especially with the fan above us giving us a nice artificial breeze throughout our meal. It does feel quite crowded in the back patio and there is very little space between tables, but it wasn't much of a problem. However, at some points during our dinner we couldn't hear each other over the commotion of the people around us on top of the music coming from the speakers, which wasn't ideal. A party was having a birthday dinner at one of the two long tables under the sky in the back and a happy birthday song was played loudly over the speakers for a good minute. If you enjoy being sung to by the entire restaurant on your birthday, they do offer that here. Our two plates came out to ~$60 before tip. It's a bit pricy but I think the experience was worth it. I mostly enjoyed how pretty everything was, both plating and the patio layout. Overall, good food and vibes. I would come back for a cute dinner with friends. read more

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Went yesterday had the Short Rib Ragu. It was bland and not seasoned pretty disappointing at the price point. But I guess this place is more trendy and a place to be than a real eatery. My wife and I were both in agreement that we would definitely go elsewhere next time. First impressions are everything. There are better places in the area to spend your $. read more

This is an update as we first encountered Brava Garden Eatery during the height of the pandemic as businesses suffered and many struggled to stay open. I had heard that a local young couple had just opened this quaint eatery just before the pandemic and locals rallied to support them by trying their new restaurant. My family treated me here this time for a birthday lunch and I couldn't be happier, as I was at my first visit, with the quality of the food, the back garden vibe and quick attentive service. My teens loved the hand crafted flavored lemonades. For starters we had the Habanero Fries which we spot on crispy with skin on, not greasy, sprinkled with fresh parsley and a killer spicy homemade habanero aoli, wow. We also had the Grilled Shrimp Skewers which were fresh and delicately grilled, accompanied by a freshly prepared bell peppers and onions with a blue agave marinade. The skewers were a bit pricey as only one skewer with 5 shrimp accompanied a single order but the dish was very fresh. Our third appetizer was the Beef Empanadas (small and only 2 per order) which were handcrafted and tasty, accompanied by homemade chimichurri which really made this dish. For our mains we had the Chicken Power Bowl which was a decent size for my growing teen, he loved it. We also had the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, very fresh. Although I usually don't order pasta at restaurants we couldn't resist the Mushroom Risotto, the handmade pastas Campanelli Monterey Mushroom and the Spaghetti Carbonara were soooooo creamy, to die for. It was a wonderful birthday treat with the server checking in on us frequently despite serving a decent lunch crowd. Definitely a recommended destination in Downtown Pleasanton! read more

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I'm shocked at my experience at this place given its positive reviews. Maybe I caught it on a bad day...but I have to call it like I see it, right? We get to the table and right off the bat, there's a long hair in my plate. Okay whatever. We order the shrimp SKEWERS, which is $17 and they bring one skewer with four shrimps in total! They should rename it to shrimp SKEWER! They do have a nice back patio and offer outdoor seating. However, it was far too crowded, too many tables packed in there and way too loud. I could hardly hear my friends talking. Ultimately, my thoughts were that these plates are not hard to make, not particularly well executed, and definitely overpriced ($28-$50). Next time, I'll just go to Oyo next door. At least I'll get good food for the same price! read more

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Wish I had read the few responses by "German" on poor reviews. Extremely rude and condescending I had high expectations for this restaurant. Walking in, the kitchen is on the left. This is not an open kitchen concept it just seems so out of place and intrusive. The bar looks like something they threw together in someone's garage. Not inviting at all. Sat in enclosed patio. Was pretty quiet. First thing, bread plates looked like someone had already eaten off of them. Greasy with lipstick even. Gross!!! Didn't seem to phase them. The food: cheese empanadas are delicious! Bruschetta was on very thick soggy bread. Hard to eat. Tomatoes had that weird fermented taste like they were old. Mushroom pasta. Not good at all! The cream sauce was broken so it was chunky. The mushrooms were good. The pasta was good but the sauce was bad. Service: friendly enough but most staff were more interested in the soccer game. Waiter never checked on us once! They got busy so it felt like we were not important. Wanted to like this place but we will not be coming back, even for the empanadas. read more