Brian & Sus' Guidebook
Our favorite places to eat in San Jose
Listed in order of distance. The first few are walking distance; the rest a few miles away.
Also, we previously lived in SF for 10+ years so let us know if you need any SF food recs.
Local bagel shop with great breakfast sandwiches. Walking distance located near San Jose State University.
14 os moradores locais recomendam
House of Bagels
505 E San Carlos StLocal bagel shop with great breakfast sandwiches. Walking distance located near San Jose State University.
Well-known chain establishment specializing in Vietnamese style sandwiches (bahn mi). Made on delicious french baguettes. Walking distance, about 10 min.
But if you're willing to drive 5 min, go to Duc Huong on Story Rd. Their bahn mi sandwiches are amazing.
18 os moradores locais recomendam
Lee's Sandwiches
260 E Santa Clara StWell-known chain establishment specializing in Vietnamese style sandwiches (bahn mi). Made on delicious french baguettes. Walking distance, about 10 min.
But if you're willing to drive 5 min, go to Duc Huong on Story Rd. Their bahn mi sandwiches are amazing.
Family owned Indian restaurant known for their authentic flavors. They also do an amazing job with crowdpleasers: butter chicken, naan, paratha, biriyani. Great for takeout. Huge portions.
8 os moradores locais recomendam
Punjab Cafe
322-324 E Santa Clara StFamily owned Indian restaurant known for their authentic flavors. They also do an amazing job with crowdpleasers: butter chicken, naan, paratha, biriyani. Great for takeout. Huge portions.
Great "fusion" sushi stand inside the food hall at San Pedro Square. Our favs: coconut shrimp appetizer, poke nachos, and the Lion King roll (crab, avocado, baked salmon). If you're looking for more traditional sushi (ie nigiri sushi), go to Mizu Sushi -- another one of our favorites.
Hyland House of Sushi
100 North Almaden AvenueGreat "fusion" sushi stand inside the food hall at San Pedro Square. Our favs: coconut shrimp appetizer, poke nachos, and the Lion King roll (crab, avocado, baked salmon). If you're looking for more traditional sushi (ie nigiri sushi), go to Mizu Sushi -- another one of our favorites.
Fantastic fast casual Caribbean concept known for their jerk chicken. Delicious! And don't forget to order pineapple upside down cake.
Located one mile away in the heart of downtown San Jose, right next to San Pedro Square (food hall with lots of bars, food stands)
41 os moradores locais recomendam
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill
1189 Willow RdFantastic fast casual Caribbean concept known for their jerk chicken. Delicious! And don't forget to order pineapple upside down cake.
Located one mile away in the heart of downtown San Jose, right next to San Pedro Square (food hall with lots of bars, food stands)
Delicious farm-fresh Mexican fare that is always packed and busy throughout the day, even for brunch. Although prices are a bit high compared to other Mexican restaurants, the high quality definitely makes it worth the cost. New second location at the Pruneyard shopping center (al freso dining allowed during shelter in place).
30 os moradores locais recomendam
Luna Mexican Kitchen
1495 The AlamedaDelicious farm-fresh Mexican fare that is always packed and busy throughout the day, even for brunch. Although prices are a bit high compared to other Mexican restaurants, the high quality definitely makes it worth the cost. New second location at the Pruneyard shopping center (al freso dining allowed during shelter in place).
Located in the heart of Japantown San Jose (few miles away). This family owned Japanese restaurant is known for their consistent, great quality food ranging from teriyaki flavored meats, fish, deep fried pork cutlet, croquettes.
13 os moradores locais recomendam
Gombei
193 Jackson StreetLocated in the heart of Japantown San Jose (few miles away). This family owned Japanese restaurant is known for their consistent, great quality food ranging from teriyaki flavored meats, fish, deep fried pork cutlet, croquettes.
Often referred to as the Chipotle of Middle Eastern cuisine. Pick your protein in a wrap, salad, or rice bowl, with a great selection of veggies and sauces. Delicious pomegranate chicken and falafels. Located in a large plaza with Target, Marshalls, World Market and many others. Not walking distance but a short 5-7 min drive.
SAJJ Mediterranean Downtown San Jose
579 Coleman AveOften referred to as the Chipotle of Middle Eastern cuisine. Pick your protein in a wrap, salad, or rice bowl, with a great selection of veggies and sauces. Delicious pomegranate chicken and falafels. Located in a large plaza with Target, Marshalls, World Market and many others. Not walking distance but a short 5-7 min drive.
Out #1 favorite restaurant in the San Jose area. Their menu rotates regularly but they have a few staple items which I love: bacon/biscuits/butter and korean fried chicken! amazing brunch menu, dinner menu and cocktails/mocktails.
39 os moradores locais recomendam
Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom AveOut #1 favorite restaurant in the San Jose area. Their menu rotates regularly but they have a few staple items which I love: bacon/biscuits/butter and korean fried chicken! amazing brunch menu, dinner menu and cocktails/mocktails.
Located in the heart of Willow Glen (trendy, upscale neighborhood), this well known establishment provides a solid brunch and dinner menu. You won't be disappointed -- lemon ricotta pancakes, beignets, benedicts, braised meats, chilaquiles. Don't forget to stop by Susie Cakes nextdoor for a slice of cake or a cupcake.
76 os moradores locais recomendam
The Table
1110 Willow StLocated in the heart of Willow Glen (trendy, upscale neighborhood), this well known establishment provides a solid brunch and dinner menu. You won't be disappointed -- lemon ricotta pancakes, beignets, benedicts, braised meats, chilaquiles. Don't forget to stop by Susie Cakes nextdoor for a slice of cake or a cupcake.
15 min away located on the border of Saratoga and Sunnyvale. Great casual dining that provides outdoor seating and heat lamps. 4.5 stars on Yelp. Our favorites: sampler dips with pita, lamb moussaka, baklava.
Tamra Mediterranean Grill
12019 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd15 min away located on the border of Saratoga and Sunnyvale. Great casual dining that provides outdoor seating and heat lamps. 4.5 stars on Yelp. Our favorites: sampler dips with pita, lamb moussaka, baklava.
Mizu Sushi Bar & Grill
1035 S Winchester BlvdWe take all of our out-of-town guests here. expect a line...it's THAT good. Fish-shaped waffle cone (dense and chewy texture) filled with your choice of filling (nutella & custard are our favs) and topped with soft serve (original milk flavor is amazing).
there's also a closer location inside Westfield mall (across the street from Santana Row), but this Cupertino location is more convenient in terms of parking. this shopping complex is also really nice with lots of other fun and unique places.
SomiSomi
19540 Vallco PkwyWe take all of our out-of-town guests here. expect a line...it's THAT good. Fish-shaped waffle cone (dense and chewy texture) filled with your choice of filling (nutella & custard are our favs) and topped with soft serve (original milk flavor is amazing).
there's also a closer location inside Westfield mall (across the street from Santana Row), but this Cupertino location is more convenient in terms of parking. this shopping complex is also really nice with lots of other fun and unique places.
Shopping
Great outdoor shopping, terrific ambiance, great outdoor dining. Also located right across the street from Westfield Mall (huge indoor mall with Nordstrom's, Macys)
818 os moradores locais recomendam
Santana Row
Santana RowGreat outdoor shopping, terrific ambiance, great outdoor dining. Also located right across the street from Westfield Mall (huge indoor mall with Nordstrom's, Macys)
Sightseeing
One of San Jose's nicest residential neighborhood (University Ave).
Visitors can enjoy colorful, showy blooms throughout the April to November season. A favorite time to visit though is early May.
94 os moradores locais recomendam
Rose Garden
One of San Jose's nicest residential neighborhood (University Ave).
Visitors can enjoy colorful, showy blooms throughout the April to November season. A favorite time to visit though is early May.