Location: Saratoga
Top Restaurants in Saratoga
Saratoga Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Saratoga
Saratoga /ˌsærəˈtoʊɡə/ is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley, directly west of San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 29,926 at the 2010 census. Located on the Western edge of the Silicon Valley, Saratoga is known locally for its suburban small-town feel, wineries, and high-end restaurants. Major attractions of Saratoga include Villa Montalvo, Hakone Gardens, and the Mountain Winery.
Things to do in Saratoga
1. The Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By hmbcountryfan - Half Moon Bay, CA
Had dinner here before a concert at the Mountain Winery. Glad we had a reservation as they were quite busy at 5:15 p.m! The service was excellent, the server was attentive without being intrusive. We both ordered the special, a halibut served on a bed of callower with capers and a delicious sauce and it was fabulous. The staff was aware of concert-goers and accommodated accordingly. All in all The Basin has a lot of positive things going on, be ready to be impressed!
2. Nick's Next Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By MIT629 - Saratoga, California
We've been here several times and our experiences have always been good. We were here most recently in late December and were a little frustrated with the service as our waiter was drab, not horribly attentive and didn't cause me to want to provide a tip of more than just the bare minimum. I concur with another reviewer who stated the tables are too close together. Not sure I need everyone in the world over hearing what my dining companions and I are discussing.
The food is always good, the bartenders all make a perfect Manhattan and the wine list is solid. We'll be back but will request a different waiter and a more private table if one exists.
3. Naschmarkt Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By Dell R - Union City, California, USA
My husband and I have a special dinner every January to celebrate our birthdays and anniversary. We, and another couple, went to the Naschmarkt and had a fantastic evening: fantastic food, leisurely dining, excellent wait staff. A couple of things about the visit - the venue was small, and we were seated in the enclosed sidewalk area, which was a plus as it was less crowded and quieter. Colder, sure, but space heaters kept it comfortable. Had a great view of the street. Bob, our waiter, was knowledgeable, patient, didn't impress the rush some smaller restaurants tend to do to churn patrons. The tab for 4 of us with food and drinks was expensive, but given it being our collective celebration and that they made it special and enjoyable for us, I highly recommend it. The food alone would bring us back.
4. Alexander's Steakhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Alexander's Steakhouse is a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence laced into the menu. Located in Cupertino, California, Alexander's Steakhouse is a welcome addition to the South Bay dining scene, receiving numerous awards and accolades since its opening in 2005.
Reviewed By NMGRRL - Albuquerque, New Mexico
An amazing dinner! Each course was amazing. Palette prep spoons were a very nice start. Breads were soft and fresh Popcorn crab was perfectly battered and fried. Enjoyed them even without the sauce. The filet and ribeyes were both great with distinctive tastes. Ribeye was a bit overcooked but still incredibly flavorful! Brussel sprouts were amazing with lots of bacon. Mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery. My accompaniments of sweet potatoes and onion were great and complemented the steak. Wine was reasonable priced and a good partner to the steaks. Very impressive but overwhelming wine list. Chocolate dessert was beautiful and tasty. I don't like white chocolate but the caramel version was amazing. The cotton candy was fun and a great finish to a perfect night. Ambiance was good but we had very loud tables around us. Service was great. Very attentive from the whole cast, friendly and fun. Enjoyed our time with them before restaurant got busy. Would definitely go back for a special occasion.
5. Icing On the Cake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Icing on the Cake is an amazing retail bakery located in downtown Los Gatos, California. Since 1985, an impressive selection of buttery, made-from-scratch cakes, cookies, brownies & bars, loaves and pies have stood ready to tempt anyone with a sweet tooth. Icing on the Cake also offers fun gift items, a large selection of cake stands, greeting cards and seasonal merchandise. Come see why this little gem of a bakery has such a devoted following.
Reviewed By ChristineStaszko - San Jose, California
This is the best bakery in the Bay Area hands down! You cannot go wrong with anything you pick here but set aside a good five minutes to sort through what they sell. There are endless choices of delish baked goods: pound cake, edible cookie dough, quirky cupcakes, tons of enormous cookies, cookie dough balls, etc. If we are in Los Gatos we always have to stop to get something here. I can't say enough about how incredibly yummy everything they sell is.
6. Stan's Donut Shop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By Peri S - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
A Santa Clara institution, Stan's has been serving up tasty fresh breakfast treats for decades. Don't let the unassuming storefront fool you. This crew knows their stuff when it comes to making and serving some of the best donuts in the South Bay.
7. Big Basin Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By lwj - Norcal
Nice selection of coffees, lattes and teas.... with a good number of breakfasts and sandwiches, salads, soups and other hot dishes (quiche, lasagne, empanadas, croquettes) for lunch to select from.
Has the feeling of a coffee shop in the 60’s... a neighborhood hangout for locals.
Reasonable prices, good food with a nice vibe....
8. Los Gatos Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By ClaireWilson36 - Los Gatos, California
I have been going to this location on and off for years. Its main drawback is the parking and crowds during peak times. Its food is always good, like their other location on Los Gatos Blvd. I always get one of the omelets, and it always comes with great potatoes and fresh-baked bakery item. This is a reliable place for an excellent breakfast.
9. Village Burger Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Tom J - Morgan Hill, California
The name on the business must have changed. We stopped here and we were pleasantly surprised. They have some great selections and choices of burgers, salads, and appetizers. Also some very good wines and beers on tap. We tried the Ahi burger. It was cooked perfectly and topped with fresh toppings. But the Ahi was bland even with the wasabi mayo. We also tried the fish n chips..it was good. We also tried the poke salad..this was very good. and we had the tasty pork sliders. Lots of protein choices if you want to build your own burger. We will come back and try some of those next visit.
10. Aqui
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Joachim73 - Espoo, Finland
We had dinner here with some colleagues after having read the reviews. The entry to the restaurant is a little like a fast food restaurant where you need to order directly from a big menu and can be a little confusing and slow. The food is good with good tacos, bowls and nachos with good sauces. In terms of drinks we had the industrial strength Margaritas. I don't know what to make of that, whether I loved the drink or hated it. The drink stayed cool in subzero for close to an hour and it was very difficult to drink and was very strong. Weird but worth the experience.
