10 Great Restaurants In San Jose, California
- Priyunka Maheshwari
San Jose is often overshadowed by its neighbor San Francisco in terms of culinary prestige, but locals know better. They value the city’s wide dining variety, from Californian fusion to European tradition in historical buildings, or innovative cuisine in swanky hot-spots. Read our updated dining guide and try one of these top 10 restaurants in San Jose.
The Table
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the motto of The Table is ‘many of life’s best memories have been created around a table’. This urban neighborhood spot attempts to bring together delicious food, tasty drinks and great company around one table. When guests walk into The Table they feel like they are invited to be part of a unique family, so relax and enjoy the experience.
The Table, 1110 Willow Street, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 638 7911
Cafe Stritch
Cafe Stritch is relatively new but it has already earned a spot in the top restaurants of San Jose. Perfect for a night out, this jazz bistro features live music and delicious drinks you can spend hours sipping. With modern comfort food and other casual favourites such as chicken and waffles, this restaurant is a perfect representation of American cuisine.
Cafe Stritch, 374 S 1st Street, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 280 6161
Original Gravity Public House
Original Gravity Public House is the first craft beer bar in the city center, making it a first stop for beer lovers or those looking to try something new. With an expansive menu of rotating domestic and imported craft beers, there is something for everybody, whether a beginner beer taster or an expert.
Original Gravity Public House, 66 S 1st Street, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 915 2337
Vyne Bistro
Another great venue in the city center of San Jose is Vyne Bistro, between 3rd and 4th street. Red walls, minimal interior accents, and hazy lighting make for a great place to have a stress-relieving drink or romantic getaway. The fireplace in the lounge is cosy for two, or enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows with great views.
Vyne Bistro, 110 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 375 2618
Paper Plane
Branding itself as a ‘craft cocktail bar with a laid-back attitude,’ Paper Plane is a perfect example of California vibes meeting the bar scene. Paper Plane aims to create an inviting and friendly atmosphere where strangers don’t stay unacquainted for long. The small bites offered, are big on taste.
Paper Plane, 72 S 1st St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408-713-2625
Arcadia
Sophistication meets modern chic at Arcadia, one of the best dining spots in the South Bay. This steakhouse is known for prime cut beef, fresh fish, and prepared poultry. Dinner is a great time to come and try one of Arcadia’s classics. The wines are also exquisite in taste thanks to the hand-selected list featuring boutique vintages from across the country.
Arcadia, 100 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 278 4555
Back a Yard
Back a Yard is a term most Caribbean nationals will be familiar with. The term references the lifestyle, culture, spirit, cuisine and festive mood of welcoming visitors into your home, which Back a Yard aims to do with its visitors. By attempting to do things the way they are done ‘back home,’ many people flock to this restaurant to identify with the cuisine of the Caribbean.
Back a Yard, 80 N Market St., San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 294 8626
Jubba Restaurant
Jubba may serve East African cuisine, but a variety of locals around the Bay Area come here specifically to enjoy Somali cuisine at its finest. Best known for goat platters and delicious samosas served by a sweet family with great service, the price is a steal for the quantity of food given and the free tea.
Jubba, 5330 Terner Way, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 440 1504
Milohas
Family owned and operated, Milohas offers the residents of San Jose Colombian pastries like empanadas made fresh daily. All the pastries at Milohas are made using locally sourced ingredients, and each day small batches are made to avoid waste. With empanadas ranging from beef to turkey, and vegetarian options like the mushroom quinoa and cheese, there is one for everybody.
Milohas, 4662 Meridian Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA, + 1 408 784 3736
Nemea Greek Taverna
Mediterranean culinary freshness meets Californian cooking at Nemea Greek Taverna. The produce as well as the wines, spices, honeys, and meats are of the highest calibre available in buzzing downtown San Jose. Nemea attempts to showcase the individual ingredients rather than hide them behind sauces and spices, so each dish is pure and focused around a distinct flavor.
Nemea Greek Taverna, 96 South First Street, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 914 2619