Rancho Cantina, a Californio-inspired restaurant serving Spanish and Mexican-influenced cuisine, is getting ready to open a new location in Danville at 501 Hartz Avenue.
The company’s new location is set to move into the current home of Cocina Hermanas, according to the Bay Area Telegraph. Owner Nico Tzikas tells What Now San Francisco that the team is finishing up leasing this week and is aiming to open in Summer 2026, depending on the permitting and construction process. The new restaurant will largely mirror the original, with the same core menu and additional salad options for lunch, along with a larger bar area.
Rancho Cantina has been operating in Lafayette for over a decade, first opening around 2015 on Mount Diablo Boulevard. Julie Mitchell and Erik Peterson originally founded the restaurant, which was sold to Tzikas in 2024. Since then, the brand has continued to build on its identity while maintaining its original concept. The Danville location will mark its first expansion beyond Lafayette.
The concept centers on what the company describes as rancho cuisine, drawing from Spanish, Mexican, and early Californio cooking traditions. This approach reflects a blend of culinary influences that developed in California over generations. The restaurant has built a steady following with its focus on wood-fired dishes and traditional preparations.
The menu features a range of dishes, including enchiladas, burritos, tacos, and fajitas, alongside wood-fired proteins such as carne asada, brick chicken, and seafood options. Starters include items like guacamole, ceviche, BBQ oysters, and bone marrow brûlée with grilled shrimp. The restaurant also offers salads, soups, and family-style platters designed for group dining. Desserts such as churros, flan, and chocolate cake round out the menu.
This will be an excellent landing space for Rancho Cantina, given its downtown Danville location and its existing East Bay customer base. The addition of a larger bar area and expanded lunch offerings is expected to appeal to a broader range of customers. With a proven concept and an established following, the new location is set to build on the brand’s continued growth.
