A Bite of Everything Castro Valley Has to Offer
The 19th annual Taste of Castro Valley returns August 12, showcasing more than 30 local restaurants, businesses, and community partners.
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley will host the 2026 Taste of Castro Valley on Wednesday, August 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., inviting the community to experience an evening of local food, small businesses, and community connection throughout downtown Castro Valley. In its second year after its rebranding to the Taste of Castro Valley, the event has grown to include 700 attendees and become a staple event in Castro Valley.
The range of cuisines in Castro Valley has broadened, with many new restaurants opening over the past few years. This year’s event brings together more than 30 restaurants, caterers, and local businesses, giving attendees the opportunity to sample from Castro Valley's vibrant dining scene. Featured spots include bites from Urban Matcha, Pour House, Beard Papa’s, Slice House, Canyons Barbecue, and many more.
As Castro Valley continues to welcome new restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs, the Taste of Castro Valley showcases the diversity and creativity that define the community's evolving food culture. This year's event features catering businesses that do not operate out of traditional storefronts. By partnering with brick-and-mortar businesses throughout Castro Valley Blvd and The Village, these caterers will introduce their food to new audiences while representing the collaborative spirit of Castro Valley's business community. Supporting each location will be volunteers from Interact Clubs, Rotary’s high school counterpart, bringing in even more members of the community in the spirit of collaboration.
In addition to restaurant tastings, attendees will discover unique bites, like the Alameda County Fire Department’s Firehouse Chili, live music from local bands, chalk art, and featured sponsors along the route with special offerings.
New this year is the Taste of Castro Valley Raffle, presented by Forestr, a local organization dedicated to helping communities create cleaner, greener, and more vibrant public spaces. Attendees can enter the raffle by turning in their event pass at the Forestr booth located in Philz Coffee Plaza to be recycled. The raffle will award prizes to multiple winners for helping keep Castro Valley streets clean.
Throughout the evening, attendees' event passes will be scanned at participating locations, allowing organizers to track participation while creating a live leaderboard that highlights the event's most-visited restaurants. Restaurants will engage in a friendly competition to get the most attendees The leaderboard will be displayed at the Forestr booth in the Philz Coffee Plaza during the event.
Tickets are available online by scanning the QR code featured on Taste of Castro Valley posters and promotional materials throughout the community, or by visiting castrovalleyevents.com. After purchasing tickets, attendees will receive a confirmation email. On the day of the event, attendees should check in at the Rotary booth in Philz Coffee Plaza to receive their event pass and map of participating locations.
A limited number of tickets may be available on the day of the event if they do not sell out in advance. Early ticket purchases are strongly encouraged to guarantee entry and avoid missing out. This legacy event is one of Castro Valley’s favorite summer events spent strolling the boulevard and connecting with neighbors, friends, and the community.
Members of the media receiving this release are invited to attend the Taste of Castro Valley with two complimentary tickets. The Rotary Club of Castro Valley welcomes preview stories before the event and coverage following the celebration.
Event Details
What: Taste of Castro Valley
When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Downtown Castro Valley (Check-in at Philz Coffee Plaza)
Tickets: Available online via the QR code on event promotional materials
About the Rotary Club of Castro Valley
Rotary is a viral sensation that has taken over the town of Castro Valley. Started with the simple act of helping someone, doing good has become contagious among Castro Valley Rotarians. This year, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley encourages all to “Be a Part of It” and follow Rotary International to “Create Lasting Impact.” Rooted in service, fellowship, inclusivity, leadership, and integrity, Rotary inspires each member to find their own “It,” their unique purpose and reason for being a part of a global movement dedicated to making a meaningful difference. Together, we Rotarians promote peace through unity, fight diseases such as polio, support education, join the community through fundraisers like the Castro Valley Classic Car Show and Taste of Castro Valey, and more. Money raised from Rotary fundraisers go to support local organizations such as the CALICO Center, George Mark Children’s House, and the Castro Valley Education Foundation. Rotary envisions a world where people come
together to take action, creating long-lasting change for the betterment of ourselves, our communities, and the world. 