Adega ★ 4.8
Adega is San Jose's only Michelin-starred restaurant, serving a seasonal Portuguese tasting menu with 500+ Iberian wines in the Alum Rock neighborhood.
OrderMulti-course tasting menu with Portuguese wine pairing
The restaurants worth the trip in San Jose. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
Our picks in San Jose
Original Joe's ★ 3.9
Original Joe's has anchored downtown San Jose since 1956, serving generous Italian-American classics like prime rib and the beloved Joe's Special.
OrderJoe's Special with ground beef, eggs and spinach
Mezcal ★ 4.0
Mezcal in downtown San Jose serves authentic Oaxacan cooking with family-recipe moles, tlayudas, chapulines, and a signature mezcal cocktail program.
OrderTlayuda with black bean puree and mole negro
LUNA Mexican Kitchen ★ 4.0
LUNA Mexican Kitchen on The Alameda in San Jose earned Michelin notice for its farm-to-table Mexican cuisine with organic seasonal ingredients.
OrderEnchiladas with house-made mole
Black Sheep Brasserie ★ 4.2
Black Sheep Brasserie in San Jose's Willow Glen pairs French technique with California ingredients, featuring escargots and an elegant wine list.
OrderEscargots with garlic herb butter and puff pastry
The Table ★ 3.9
The Table in San Jose's Willow Glen is beloved for seasonal New American cuisine, craft cocktails, and an outdoor-friendly weekend brunch atmosphere.
OrderSeasonal farm-to-table brunch plates
SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant ★ 3.7
SP2 Communal Bar in downtown San Jose serves seasonal American shareable plates, craft beers, and a popular late-night bar scene on weekends.
OrderSeasonal shared plates with craft cocktails
District ★ 3.8
District in San Jose's San Pedro Square pairs globally inspired small plates with one of the city's most extensive wine and whiskey programs.
OrderGlobally inspired shareable plates with curated whiskey
Mariscos Costa Alegre ★ 4.0
Mariscos Costa Alegre is San Jose's top Mexican seafood spot, serving family-recipe ceviches, aguachiles, and Mariscadas from coastal Mexico.
OrderCeviche tostadas and birria tacos with consomme
Pho Ha Noi ★ 4.1
Pho Ha Noi on Story Road is a San Jose Little Saigon institution, simmering 500 pounds of shank bones daily for its silky Northern-style pho.
OrderPho Bac with 24-hour bone marrow broth and fresh noodles
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 with rare flank, brisket, tendon and tripe
Com Tam Dat Thanh ★ 4.0
Com Tam Dat Thanh in East San Jose is beloved for authentic broken rice with charcoal-grilled pork chops, shrimp cakes, and family-recipe house sauces.
OrderCom tam with grilled pork and fried shrimp cake
Minato Japanese Restaurant ★ 3.9
Minato has been a cornerstone of San Jose's Japantown since 1957, serving world-famous teriyaki spareribs and classic Japanese comfort food.
OrderTeriyaki spareribs and tempura udon
Kaita Restaurant ★ 4.0
Kaita is a family-owned San Jose Japantown gem serving authentic Japanese comfort food with daily rotating lunch and dinner specials on Jackson Street.
OrderDaily lunch special with rotating seasonal Japanese dishes
Kumako Ramen Japantown ★ 4.1
Kumako Ramen has anchored San Jose's Japantown since 2006 with house-crafted broths, springy ramen noodles, and handmade gyoza on Jackson Street.
OrderTonkotsu ramen with handmade gyoza
Firehouse No.1 Gastropub ★ 3.8
Firehouse No.1 Gastropub in San Jose's San Pedro Square serves premium steaks, chops, and seafood alongside an acclaimed classic cocktail program.
OrderPremium steaks, chops, and classic cocktails from the bar
The Farmers Union ★ 3.7
The Farmers Union is a downtown San Jose landmark in an 1870s building offering ingredient-driven American cuisine with 40 craft beers on tap.
OrderPrime rib French dip with 40+ craft beers on tap
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill Downtown ★ 4.0
Back A Yard has served authentic Jamaican comfort food in San Jose since 2004 with signature jerk chicken and oxtail drawing a devoted following.
OrderJerk chicken and beef oxtail plate
Chez Sovan ★ 4.1
Chez Sovan is a beloved San Jose weekday lunch institution offering rare authentic Cambodian fish curries, kebabs, and Khmer dishes at low prices.
OrderFish amok and slow-cooked Cambodian curry with rice
Southern Comfort Kitchen ★ 3.8
Southern Comfort Kitchen in downtown San Jose serves New Orleans and Cajun soul food from family recipes, with fried chicken and gumbo near San Pedro Square.
OrderNew Orleans fried chicken with Cajun sides
Aqui Cal-Mex ★ 3.6
Aqui Cal-Mex on Lincoln Avenue is a San Jose institution for natural and organic California-Mexican food with seasonal rotating ingredient menus.
OrderBurritos with natural, wild, and organic ingredients
Ozumo Santana Row ★ 4.0
Ozumo at Santana Row in San Jose delivers exquisite robata-grilled cuisine and handcrafted sushi rolls in a stylish room with an outdoor beer garden.
OrderRobata grilled items and omakase makimono rolls
Bill's Cafe Willow Glen ★ 3.9
Bill's Cafe in Willow Glen has been a San Jose breakfast institution since 1977, baking croissants daily and drawing weekend crowds for brunch.
OrderEggs Benedict and fresh-squeezed orange juice
Falafel's Drive-In ★ 4.0
Falafel's Drive-In has served legendary falafel pita sandwiches from its Stevens Creek Blvd window since 1966, one of San Jose's oldest food landmarks.
OrderClassic falafel pita with tahini and hot sauce
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
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