La Victoria Taqueria San Carlos ★ 3.8
La Victoria Taqueria in San Jose is open until 3am with its cult orange sauce on burritos and tacos, a late-night downtown institution since 1998.
OrderBurrito with world-famous orange sauce
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where San Jose actually eats.
Where to eat well, no fuss
Bill's Cafe Willow Glen ★ 4.0
Bill's Cafe in Willow Glen has been San Jose's most beloved breakfast spot since 1977, baking croissants daily and drawing weekend crowds for brunch.
OrderEggs Benedict and freshly squeezed orange juice
Falafel's Drive-In ★ 4.0
Falafel's Drive-In has served legendary falafel pita from its Stevens Creek Blvd window since 1966, one of San Jose's most enduring culinary landmarks.
OrderClassic falafel pita with tahini and hot sauce
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill Downtown ★ 4.0
Back A Yard has served authentic Jamaican food in San Jose since 2004 with smoky jerk chicken, tender oxtail, and festival bread to a devoted following.
OrderJerk chicken and oxtail plate with corn festivals
Pho Ha Noi ★ 4.1
Pho Ha Noi is San Jose's most celebrated pho destination on Story Road, simmering 500 pounds of shank bones for 24 hours to produce a clear Northern broth.
OrderPho Bac special with 24-hour bone marrow broth
Pho 90 Degree ★ 3.8
Pho 90 Degree on Story Road in San Jose is open until midnight with generous pho bowls, an outdoor patio, and Vietnamese combination plate specials.
OrderPho Dac Biet combination bowl with rare flank, brisket, and tendon
Com Tam Dat Thanh ★ 4.0
Com Tam Dat Thanh in East San Jose serves authentic Vietnamese broken rice plates with charcoal-grilled meats, fried shrimp cake, and house-prepared sauces.
OrderCom tam with grilled pork, fried shrimp cake, and shredded pork skin
Kumako Ramen Japantown ★ 4.1
Kumako Ramen has been the heartbeat of San Jose's Japantown since 2006, with slow-crafted house broths, springy noodles, and handmade gyoza on Jackson Street.
OrderTonkotsu ramen with handmade gyoza
Kaita Restaurant ★ 4.0
Kaita is a family-owned San Jose Japantown restaurant serving authentic Japanese comfort food with daily rotating lunch and dinner specials on Jackson Street.
OrderRotating daily lunch special with seasonal Japanese comfort dishes
Minato Japanese Restaurant ★ 3.9
Minato has served San Jose Japantown since 1957 with world-famous teriyaki spareribs, katsu curry, tempura udon, and homemade sauces made fresh daily.
OrderWorld-famous teriyaki spareribs and unagi don
Mariscos Costa Alegre ★ 4.0
Mariscos Costa Alegre in San Jose serves family-recipe Mexican seafood with vibrant ceviches, aguachiles, and Mariscadas rooted in coastal Mexico traditions.
OrderCeviche and aguachile with fresh Pacific seafood
LUNA Mexican Kitchen ★ 4.0
LUNA Mexican Kitchen is a Michelin-recognized San Jose spot on The Alameda for farm-to-table Mexican cuisine with organic seasonal ingredients and brunch.
OrderTacos with seasonal organic ingredients and house salsas
Adelita's Taqueria ★ 3.8
Adelita's Taqueria is a family-owned San Jose fixture since 1998, with authentic Mexican dishes including a celebrated chile verde burrito made in-house.
OrderChile verde burrito and California burrito
Chez Sovan ★ 4.1
Chez Sovan is a beloved San Jose weekday lunch spot offering rare authentic Cambodian fish curries, amok, and Khmer dishes at honest no-frills prices.
OrderFish amok and Cambodian fish curry
Aqui Cal-Mex ★ 3.6
Aqui Cal-Mex on Lincoln Ave is a San Jose Willow Glen institution for natural, organic California-Mexican food with seasonal rotating ingredient menus.
OrderChicken burrito with natural and organic ingredients
Southern Comfort Kitchen ★ 3.8
Southern Comfort Kitchen in downtown San Jose serves New Orleans soul food with fried chicken, gumbo, red beans, and jambalaya from family recipes.
OrderNew Orleans fried chicken with Cajun red beans and rice
The Farmers Union ★ 3.7
The Farmers Union in downtown San Jose is a historic 1870s alehouse with honest American fare, 40 craft beers on tap, and a spirited pub atmosphere.
OrderPrime rib French dip and fried chicken with craft beer
SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant ★ 3.7
SP2 Communal Bar in downtown San Jose serves seasonal American shareable plates and craft beers with a popular late-night bar scene on Friday and Saturday.
OrderShareable seasonal plates with craft cocktails
Mezcal ★ 4.0
Mezcal is downtown San Jose's top Oaxacan destination, with housemade moles, tlayudas, memelitas, and adventurous chapulines in an art-filled dining space.
OrderTlayuda with house mole negro and mezcal margarita
Firehouse No.1 Gastropub ★ 3.8
Firehouse No.1 Gastropub in San Jose's San Pedro Square is a downtown staple for perfectly prepared steaks, craft cocktails, and a warm historic atmosphere.
OrderClassic cocktails and premium chops at the bar
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill - Capitol ★ 4.0
Back A Yard's East San Jose Capitol location serves authentic Jamaican oxtail, jerk chicken, and festival bread in a neighborhood setting on Capitol Expwy.
OrderOxtail plate with rice and peas
District ★ 3.8
District in San Jose's San Pedro Square serves creative shareable plates and house-made charcuterie with thoughtfully curated wine and whiskey programs.
OrderSeasonal small plates with wine and whiskey pairings
The Table ★ 3.9
The Table is Willow Glen's beloved San Jose restaurant with New American brunch and dinner, house-made syrups, craft cocktails, and a warm dining room.
OrderWeekend brunch with house-made juices and seasonal eggs dishes
Bill's Cafe - The Alameda ★ 3.9
Bill's Cafe on The Alameda is San Jose's signature breakfast spot in a second location, with fresh-baked croissants and generous brunch plates since 1977.
OrderEggs Benedict and freshly baked cinnamon rolls
Book food experiences in San Jose
2 hours
San Jose: Sushi Making Class (Includes 3-Course Meal)
Learn how to make your own nigiri and seafood rolls from scratch in this hands-on class with Chef Elham. Cook spicy edamame, prep sushi rice, and roll it with a variet...
from$192 Check dates
2 hours
San Jose: Chinese Cooking Class (Includes 3-Course Meal)
Cook a 3-course Chinese-Californian meal in San Jose. Make dragon cauliflower, pineapple chicken and rainbow fried rice with Chef Parsati.
from$187 Check dates
2 hours
San Jose: Vegan Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal)
Learn how to create healthy, plant-based food with fragrant spices in a vegan cooking class with Chef Parsati. Prepare tofu falafel, rice cakes, and Mediterranean-styl...
from$187 Check dates