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The strength of San Jose's dining scene is its diversity. The influx of new immigrants, new money and new businesses continues to create a dynamic culinary landscape. San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population of any U.S. city so the Vietnamese food here is unmatched. Chinese, Indian, Persian, Ethiopian, Mexican, and Japanese restaurants are first-rate as well. And with white tablecloth restaurants like Le Papillon, 71 St. Peter, Tanglewood, and Arcadia, San Jose has plenty to offer in the fine dining category. Santana Row, San Jose's upscale shopping and dining destination, has the greatest density of good eats but downtown San Jose appears to waking from its decades-long slumber and is showing signs of life with restaurants like Paragon, Saigon 75 and Onyx. With thousands of new condo and high-rise housing units under construction, expect downtown's dining scene to take on new vigor in the years to come.
Romance, Fantasy, Fun and Entertainment
41 East Gish Road, San Jose, CA 95112
1.408.512.3264
Conveniently situated near the San Jose Airport and several Silicon Valley businesses including Ebay, Sony and BEA Systems, Menara Moroccan Restaurant has been serving delicious, traditional cuisine since 1977. Dinner is accompanied by belly dancing, creating a unique dining experience just a few blocks north of Japantown in San Jose. Menara is easy to get to from State Rout 87, Interstate 880 and Highway 101. There isn’t a better place to experience an exciting dinner complete with entertainment than San Jose’s Menara Moroccan Restaurant.
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1355 North Fourth Street, San Jose CA
1.408.392.2468
Situated on the ground floor of the Clarion Airport Hotel, the Island Grill is a relaxing tropically-themed restaurant. From tasty ribs and chicken dishes to unique islander favorites, everyone is sure to be delighted. With occasional live jazz performances, couples can enjoy romantic tunes while they dine. Online reservations are available.
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90 S. Second Street, San Jose, California
1.408.291.0677
Located in the heart of Downtown San Jose, the Loft Bar and Bistro has upstairs and downstairs dining rooms, two exquisite granite-topped bars and a beautiful rooftop garden patio. The menu consists of unique and familiar dishes such as Panko Crusted Chicken Breast, Scampi Prawns and Braised Lamb Shanks.
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277 Santana Row, Suite 1125, San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.260.7082
Regional Mexican. Consuelo restaurant bills itself as a bistro and serves regional Mexican food made with lesser-known ingredients. The food is served tapas style and is meant to be shared, an approach that serves the
lively, often noisy restaurant well.
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1663 W. San Carlos St, San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.298.8178
Vietnamese Fusion. The menu at Anise restaurant fuses Vietnamese ingredients with Western style and technique to create a cuisine that's greater than the sum of its parts. Chef Rosalie Cartwright has reinvented the spring roll by filling these with nontraditional ingredients like swordfish, pork loin and mango, and tofu with shiitake mushrooms and peanut sauce. Check out the excellent green apple beef salad, too.
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377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA.; Tel. 408.247.8880
Modern Chinese. Don't let Sino restaurant's flashy style fool you. This Santana Row restaurant has brains to back up its good looks. The restaurant offers traditional Chinese cooking with a few modern riffs. The kung pao chicken lollipops are a must order. Entrees like the sizzling ginger beef tips are generally quite good, but the prices can feel out of step with what's on your plate. The lunchtime dim sum is good and don't miss the fanciful mixed drinks.
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Amato's
1162 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.246.4007.
Sandwich shop. The sandwiches make for greasy, sloppy, ferociously delicious eating. There are 34 varieties, categorized in three groups: hot, cold, specialty. |
Cao Nguyen
2549 S. King Rd, #A-16, San Jose; Tel. 408.270.9610.
Vietnamese, Chinese-Vietnamese. Gargantuan menu features nearly 200 Vietnamese menu options, including smoked duck, sautéed frogs and claypot catfish. Casual. |
Cocola
333 Santana Row #1045, San Jose; Tel. 408.551.0018.
French bakery. With a chic, sleek interior that matches Santana Row's Euro stage set, Cocola is a fine place to while away an afternoon sipping tea and sampling a pear tart with vanilla custard and slivered almonds. For heartier fare, try the gourmet sandwiches. |
Di Da
2597 Senter Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.998.8826.
Vietnamese vegetarian. Quick, friendly service and a comprehensive menu, with food that's simple, low-key and homey. Not too hot, not too salty, not too spicy. The jackfruit salad is surprisingly fresh, sided with a chile-tamarind sauce. |
Di Lac Cuisine
1644 E. Capitol Expwy., San Jose; Tel. 408.238.8686.
Vegetarian Asian. A bite of veggie heaven. The spacious Di Lac serves up an appetizing array of foods all of which are made fresh daily, including the soymilk and tofu. Closed Wed. |
Dishdash
190 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, CA.; Tel. 408.774.1889
Pan Middle Eastern. Dishdash's food is made from traditional recipes and ingredients that goes well beyond hummus and falafels. Dishdash restaurant also has a small but well-chosen wine list to match the good food. |
Do-Henkotsu
4330 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.255.8244
Ramen. Do-Henkotsu restaurant specializes in Tokushima-style ramen, ramen made like they do in the southwestern Japanese city of Tokushima. The broth is made from a combination of pork, chicken, dried sardines, kelp and various fruits and vegetables. It's fantastic. |
Dynasty Chinese Seafood Restaurant
1001 Story Road, 2nd Floor., San Jose; Tel. 408.286.6668.
Gourmet Chinese Huge tanks of lobsters, crabs, various fish and shellfish line one wall. The setting is fit for royalty, and there's a menu to match: lobster with special sauce, Peking duck, emerald-colored mustard greens, even suckling pig. Or try the more delicate fare: dim sum every midday. |
Fish Market
1007 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.269.3474.
Seafood. This latest terrific-looking member of the dynasty attracts lines of customers to its bars--wine, sushi, oyster--with an extensive menu of fresh seafood. Luscious desserts too. Full bar. |
Flower Flour
896 Willow St., San Jose; Tel. 408.279.0843.
French bakery. Like Vianne, the wandering shop owner in the movie Chocolat, Flower Flour's Mimi Brown has chosen to grace a small town with her decadent inventions. The flower shop/bakery charms visitors with freshly made to-drool-for pastries, ready-to-go sandwiches and service with a smile. |
Frankie, Johnnie, & Luigi Too!
5245 Prospect Road, San Jose; Tel. 408.446.9644.
Family Style Italian. Traditional Italian-American favorites-spaghetti and pizza--served in ambience with plenty of elbow room and garden qualities. Big portions and wholesome family-style service. Full Bar. |
Fratello
1712 Meridian Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.269.3801.
Italian. Bursting with simple flavors, Fratello transcends the ordinary dining experience by glowing with a rosy hue of authenticity that piques the appetite, boasting the attributes of native Italian dining without affectation. |
Gervais Restaurant
1798 Park Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.275.8631.
Francais French. Winning service, a menu of updated continental ideas and a comfortable setting keep this venerable restaurant attracting the following it deserves. Lunch Tue-Fri, dinner Tue-Sat. Full bar. |
Giorgio's
1445 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.264.5781.
Family-style Italian. Simple Italian cooking--the rugged kind with Southern Italian leanings, full of robust flavors and tangy tomato sauces. Boasts one of the best pies in town. Great food, generous portions and fair prices. Open daily. |
Gojo Ethiopian Restaurant
1261 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; Tel. 408.295.9546.
Ethiopian. Simplicity reigns here; just Ethio-pian food--chicken, beef, lamb, vegetarian--and Ethiopian coffee. The flavors taste even better with honey wine. Beer, wine. Closed Sun-Mon. |
Govea's
1996 Tully Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.270.0973.
Mexican. A community hub that serves up wonderfully fresh, old-fashioned Mexican food with no trendy gimmicks. Both the restaurant and the food are wholesome and filling. Open daily. |
Habana Cuba
238 Race St., San Jose; Tel. 408.998.2822.
Cuban and Brazilian. A culinary oasis full of good flavors, Habana Cuba exudes cultural delights. Sensuous foods of the Caribbean and Cuba, long on tomato and peppers, slow-roasted meats and earthy black beans. Lunch: Tue-Fri 11-2:30pm. Dinner: Tue-Thu 5pm-9pm; Fri 5pm-10pm; Sat 4pm-10pm; Sun 4-9pm. Closed Mon. Beer & wine. |
Hammerheads Fish House
5291 Prospect Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.861.1200.
American seafood. A spacious and comfortable atmosphere complements Hammerhead's honest, platter-style meals of fresh seafood. Portions are generous and the menu broad. Full Bar. |
Hana
4320 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.255.1187
Dumplings. The specialty at Hana restaurant is the house-made gyoza, a wok-fried dumpling while the lunch special gets you steamed rice, a sweet-and-sour tofu and vegetable soup with steamed broccoli and stir-fried celery and onions on the side. |
The Happy Bamboo
1711 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.694.0740
Vegetarian. The menu at the Happy Bamboo restaurant is almost all vegan and most of it Vietnamese or Asian-inspired. There is also a vegetarian tuna salad a veggie burger and, out of nowhere, Hungarian goulash and spaghetti. On the best dishes is the lemon grass "chicken." The soy-based chicken is browned on the outside and has a surprisingly poultry-like texture and flavor. |
Hukilau
230 Jackson St., San Jose; Tel. 408.279.4888.
Hawaiian. There are as many misperceptions surrounding Hawaii cuisine as there are lobster-skinned tourists shopping at the Waikiki Gap. Hukilau is a prime example of true Hawaiian: simple, slightly salty, stomach-filling foods with an Asian Pacific attitude. "Local food attitude" means all daily specials come with a scoop of macaroni salad and steamed rice. Skip the quesadilla and nachos and head straight for the ahi poke. Live music on weekends, with tropical drinks to match. |
Jasmine Alley
4632 Meridian Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.723.2598.
Chinese Finely crafted northern Chinese specialties hit the table without overwhelming spicy intrusions. Eggplant in Hot Garlic Sauce and Beijing Honey Tenderloin define the skilful style of this kitchen. |
Just Laziz
1880 W San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA.; Tel. 408.293.2766
Middle Eastern. Just Laziz restaurant makes 10 kinds of manakeesh, fresh baked, light and puffy flat breads topped with a variety of herbs, cheese or meat. Just Laziz also serves shawarma, the Middle East's version of gyros. Slices of marinated lamb and beef are cooked on a vertical broiler and sliced off. Don't miss the creamy hummus and excellent Middle Eastern pastries. |
Kien Giang
2060 Tully Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.270.4350.
Vietnamese. Home-style cooking and courteous service distinguish this diner. Especially notable are the steamed live prawns and the renowned salt-fried spareribs. Casual. Beer, wine, brandy. |
Krung Thai
640 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose; Tel. 408.260.8224.
Thai. Located across from the movie theaters, this handsome restaurant specializes in full-bodied Thai cuisine, such as pineapple fried rice, hot pompano and garlic eggplant. Bargain lunches draw a devout crowd. -Casual. Beer, wine. |
Kubota
593 N. Fifth St., San Jose; Tel. 408.279.8440.
Japanese. A beautiful dining room that serves exquisite rice, lucious ribs and decent sushi. Full bar. |
Layang Layang
1480 S. De Anza Blvd., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 1.408.777.8897
Malaysian. Brightly painted walls, bamboo and palms give Layang Layang restaurant a festive, tropical feel. Start your meal with an order of an order of roti canai or murtabak, a thin and light Indian-style pancake filled with egg, chicken and onion. Good entrees include the nasi lemak, kari mee, and ikan bakar, stingray or sea bass, grilled, coated in a sour but rich tamarind sauce and wrapped in a banana leaf. |
Le Papillon
410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.296.3730.
Contemporary French. Once inside, mid-town traffic feels a million miles away. And the food presentation matches up to the restaurant's namesake, seen in butterfly portraits around the room. Full bar. |
Los Cubanos
22 N. Almaden Ave., San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.279.6037
Cuban. Looking for good Cuban food in the Bay Area? Los Cubanos restaurant is the place. Cuban food exudes an earthy, slow-cooked seduction: pork-accented black beans, sweet fried plantains, Spanish garbanzo beans and pigeon rice accompany entrees such as Lechon asado, roast pork that has a tangy, salty flavor, carne asada, and fricase de pollo. To complete your immersion in Cuban food at Los Cubanos, order a bottle of Hatuey beer. |
Maggiano's Little Italy
3055 Olin Ave. #1000, San Jose; Tel. 408.423.8973.
Italian. The word "big" hardly does justice to Maggiano's concept of super-sized. Like a warm Italian embrace, this Santana Row superstar has already proven a welcome haven for company lunches and congenial dinner parties. The food is a cut above standard, with roast chicken and veal marsala standing out. Try and save room for dessert. |
Mount Hamilton Grandview
94 Mt. Hamilton Rd., San Jose; Tel. 408.251.8909.
Cowboy Continental. Perched high above the Santa Clara Valley, the Grandview is an old school roadhouse with an atmosphere that is warm and alive. Add dishes like surf and turf, rack of lamb chasseur and chicken Cordon Blue, and servers who are characters themselves, and you've got yourself a destination. Closed Mon. & Tue. |
Mr. BBQ
1711 Branham Lane (in strip mall), San Jose; Tel. 408.266.1855.
BBQ (informal, despite the "Mr."). Mr. BBQ recalls the heady season of backyard grilling with its red-checked tableclothes and matching wallpaper trim. The BBQ, however, is firmly located in the kitchen, dispensing falling-off-the-bone pork ribs, and crisp-skinned chicken. Side dishes and Vietnamese rice dishes also available. Closed Mon. |
Omogari
154 E. Jackson St., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 1.408.280.6588
Korean. Korean food can be hard to get to know, but the menu at Omogari restaurant includes pictures of many dishes that help give you a better idea of what you're ordering. The menu includes rice dishes, stone pot meals, stews, noodles and soft tofu hot pot dishes. |
Orlo's
Hayes Conference Center, 200 Edenvale Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.226.3200.
New American. On the lush grounds of the historic Hayes Mansion, this is one beautiful, luxurious dining room, with menu and excellent service to match. |
Poor House Bistro
91 S. Autumn St., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 408.292.5837.
New Orleans fare. Poor House Bistro bills itself as a "New Orleans joint" with a low-priced menu that includes po' boys, barbecued shrimp, gumbo, red beans and rice, burgers and Louisiana's Abita Ale on tap. The New Orleans combo includes a sampler of gumbo, red beans and rice and jambalaya. The file-seasoned gumbo of chicken and okra is hearty and good. |
President Restaurant
1190 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.978.7188.
Mongolian BBQ. This mom-and-pop eatery gears itself toward the common man with the uncommonly large appetite. Thrown into the bargain is a Chinese steam-table buffet. |
Race Street Seafood Kitchen
247 Race St., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 1.408.287.6280
Seafood. For 35 years, Race Street Seafood Kitchen has been a bargain-priced, straightforward restaurant that dispenses with the white tablecloths and waiters and just focuses on the fish. Fried fish is the most popular, but it's the grill that stands out. At any given time, there are nearly a dozen kinds of fish and shellfish available: salmon, red snapper, scallops, prawns, halibut, ahi, catfish, etc. Served with rice and steamed vegetables for roughly $8 to $9, it's a real bargain. |
Ramen Halu
375 S. Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 408.246.3933
Ramen. Exemplifying the culinary heights a high-quality bowl of ramen can reach, Ramen Halu restaurant serves its ramen in a rich, porky broth topped with roast pork shoulder, velvety Chinese black fungus, pickled bamboo shoots, sliced green onion, and emerald-green fresh spinach. |
Red Charcoal
1701 Lundy Road, Suite 110, San Jose, CA.; Tel. 408.392.8246
Korean. Red Charcoal restaurant combines eclectic art in the form of a Styrofoam sculpture, brightly colored walls, sappy pop music and an open kitchen. The spicy mixed grill combines expertly grilled salmon, pork, chicken and shrimp while the spicy jabche is an example of Korean stir-fry that combines thin glass noodles with pork, carrots, shiitake mushrooms and cabbage in a spicy-sour sauce that's clean and light. |
Red Sea Restaurant
684 N. First St., San Jose; Tel. 408.993.1990.
Ethiopian. In a nicely converted Craftsman home, the Red Sea presents the soft vegetable stews, legumes and spicy meats of this north African region. Beer, wine. Closed Sun. |
Shalimar
167 W. San Fernando St., San Jose; Tel. 408.971.2200.
Indian. Shalimar opened a few doors down from the San Jose Museum of Art--a good location for drawing in lunchtime diners in search of a generous and tasty buffet (8.95). Vegetarian and clay-oven specialties are featured. |
Shamshiri
1392 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.998.0122.
Persian. Another gold mine in a strip mall, Shamshiri presents intensely flavored classics from the Persian repertoire. Casual. Beer, wine. |
Sharky's
1151 Lincoln Ave. San Jose (Willow Glen); Tel. 408.279.0996.
Fresh Seafood Puts out a limited menu of fresh fish cooked straight and simple. Salmon, ahi, catfish, steamed clams, clam chowder are prepared without fanfare. Flavors reflect freshness and quality. Quarters are tight, but comfortable. Full bar in back. |
Siena Mediterranean Bistro
1359 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.271.0837.
Mediterranean. Tucked into picturesque Willow Glen, this tiny bistro offers big tastes. Entrees such as Moroccan Cornish game hen, venison medallions and seasonal risotto battle for your appetite with a bread pudding dessert worthy of the hall of fame. Patio dining available. |
Sonoma Chicken Coop
31 N. Market St. at San Pedro Square, San Jose; Tel. 408.287.4098.
Mixed. Ordering at the counter is the order of the day at the Chicken Coop, but if you don't mind carrying your own tray and fighting for a table you'll be rewarded with hearty spit-roasted chicken that requires at least six napkins. Pasta, Wine Country duck and hockey-themed desserts round out the menu. |
Sorrento's Bar and Grill
905 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.297.4444.
Mediterranean/Persian Sorrento's warms Bascom Avenue with colorful glimpses of the Mediterranean. Freshly painted and newly decorated, this restaurant offers a wide open menu with pasta and pizza, veal and beef, seafood specials and delicious Persian kebabs. Patio and full bar. |
Spivac's
5635 Silver Creek Valley Road, San Jose; Tel. 408.528.1203.
New American. A glamorous dining room, formidable wine list and impeccably fresh and beautiful cuisine brimming with uncompromising flavors comprise one of San Jose's newest white tablecloth dining experiences. |
Straits Restaurant
333 Santana Row #1100, San Jose; Tel. 408.246.6320.
Asian Fusion. By night it's a jam-packed hipster clubhouse; by day it's Singaporean chef Chris Yeo's latest chic fusion venue. Small plates such as roti prata, a griddled flatbread with curry dipping sauce, share the menu with entrees such as the lobster and shrimp pad thai. Outdoor seating is available. |
Sushi Boat
1600 Saratoga Ave., #119, Westgate Mall., San Jose; Tel. 408.378.4000.
Sushi bar/Japanese specialties. With a dècor that is upbeat and sophisticated and sushi that is as dazzling as handmade jewelry, Sushi Boat walks on water! Open daily. |
Three Flames
1547 Meridian Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.269.3133.
Continental. One of five remaining restaurants owned by three brothers. The menu is enormous; among the best choices are scampi, lamb and pepper steak. Casual. Full bar. |
Tong Dumpling Pot
6184 Bollinger Road, San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.996.0317
Dumplings. This cluttered little storefront is dumpling heaven. Tong Dumpling Pot's menu features pork dumplings, beef dumplings, chicken dumplings, vegetarian dumplings, and dumpling soup. Order freshly made dumplings and dine inside or take frozen dumplings home to enjoy later. The restaurant also serves several good side dishes such as the green onion pancake, egg rolls and tofu-egg porridge. |
Vin Santo
1346 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.920.2508.
Italian A beautifully simple and low-lit dining room sets the stage for offerings of earthy aromas, bold sauces and well-seasoned market-fresh meats and produce--from antipasto to Chilean sea bass to rack of lamb. An extensive wine list plays host nearly as well as the informative servers. |
Vung Tau
535 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA; Tel. 1.408.288.9055
Vietnamese. Recently remodeled in warm earthy tones with and wood and bamboo details, Vung Tau restaurant celebrates its 20th year serving traditional Vietnamese food. Shrimp and pork spring rolls are a staple, as is green papaya salad, both of which Vung Tau restaurant does well. Grilled dishes and sweet and sour fish soup are great, too. |
White Rock Cafe
3116 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.729.4843.
American bistro. An impeccable menu and glorious cooking--especially by Michiko Boccara on Friday nights have a cult following. Beer, wine. Closed Sun-Mon. |
Yankee Pier
378 Santana Row #1100, San Jose; Tel. 408.244.1244.
American seafood. Veteran restaurateur Bradley Ogden brings a bit of Cape Cod to Santana Row, with a menu ranging from old-fashioned fish and chips to gourmet oysters and a mouth-watering Maine lobster roll. Sunday brunch is also available. |
Yas
1138 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; Tel. 408.241.5115.
Persian. In keeping with this ancient cuisine's traditions, entrees are dressed up with the clean, fresh tastes of lemon and saffron, and desserts wear a distinctive hint of rose water. Beer, wine. |
Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant
1320 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA.; Tel. 1.408.615.8282
Ethiopian Restaurant. Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant offers a great introduction into a sumptuous cuisine. The vegetarian and meat combinations are good and don't miss the unassuming but excellent gomen wot, sautéed collard greens and beef kifto. A palm-thatched bar serves surprisingly potable Ethiopian wine as well as beer and cocktails. |
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