Location: San Jose
Top Restaurants in San Jose
Top Things to do in San Jose
Top 10 restaurants in San Jose, United States
Welcome to bustling San Jose, where Silicon Valley meets Spanish history and modern edifices sit alongside meticulously restored 19th-century buildings. Such is the contrast of this city rich in tradition and, thanks to the tech industry, just plain rich. Five star-hotels and fine restaurants line the streets of the restored downtown area, and the cultural scene is thriving with museums, theater and art to rival any world-class hub. Don't miss the Tech Museum of Innovation, an exploration of Silicon Valley and its impact on the area. History buffs will relish the old mansions and can delve into the city's past at the History Museum of San Jose. Save time for a round of golf or the locals' other favorite pastime, sipping coffee and people-watching at a crowded cafe.
Things to do in San Jose
1. La Foret Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Located in Almaden Valley, La Foret is a fine French dining establishment in a creekside, old country setting.
Reviewed By BillPom - San Jose, California
Great ambiance. Very good service. White table clothes, what more could you want? Better Food, and a slower pace.
My wife and I had the Tasting Menu #1 with its wine pairing. At the price, it should have blown us away, but it didn't. Some of the courses were wonderful - others mediocre. If this is a french restaurant, the flavors should have been terrific. Most dishes should have had us saying yummm - but most did not. The poultry and steak were wonderful!!!
This is a tasting menu - it was served much too quickly.
There is a great dearth of fine restaurants in San Jose. At the right price I might have given this one six stars, but their chef has a way to go to earn gourmet status.
2. Falafel Drive-In
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
Reviewed By gosaka - San Jose, California
I’ve been hearing about Falafel Drive-in for years and finally made a visit for lunch last week. It really is a drive-in and it’s in a part of San Jose that is part small retail and part industrial. The falafel sandwich was fantastic - hot, crisp, fresh, tasty. There was a line of about 8 people ahead of us at 12:30PM, but the line went very fast. We found a table outside and were in and out in about 35 minutes. Great, fast, tasty lunch. I’ll be back
3. Bill's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 532 reviews
Reviewed By W9655EGmariag - San Jose
Breakfast here is very good, many choices and also smaller portions of menu items served before 11:00. Lunch is also very good, love their soups in particular the lemon greek. Nice to see just a good family style restaurant still around. Staff are great, very attentive.
4. Aqui Cal-Mex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Real food, remarkably priced at your neighborhood kitchen and bar. Featuring California cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Southwest, Asia, and Latin America. Offering wild, natural and organic ingredients in dishes made fresh daily by chefs, and our award winning Industrial Strength™ Swirls and Margaritas.
Reviewed By Steven M - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Friendly staff, quick ordering at counter, good value, nice range of indoor/outdoor seating, plus great prickly pear margaritas. I'm prone to the enchiladas, but the bowls are terrific and you'll find lots of healthy options here. And if you don't want healthy broccoli with your enchiladas the staff are happy to make a substitution (see pic)!
5. Smoking Pig BBQ Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
We are a very casual BBQ "joint" in the traditional sense. The focus is on the food. Slow smoked meats, homemade sides, rubs, sauces and desserts. Friendly service, at home feel. Excellent beer and wine lists (no kidding). Genuine Southern BBQ. Everything made in-house. Our mission is your delight. We Cater too! 25 to 5000 people.
Reviewed By GerryBaron06 - Kimberton, Pennsylvania
This was the highest rated restaurant within walking distance of my hotel. Since I like BBQ, I decided to try it out. My meal consisted of the Chicken Lollipops, and the Three Meat Combo (Brisket, Pulled Pork, Louisiana Sausage). The chicken lollipops (smoked drumstick wrapped in bacon with a sweet glaze) were amazing. The smoked meat infused with the flavor of bacon was outstanding. I liked the Louisiana Sausage because it was spicy and flavorful. You have the option for fatty, lean, or half and half for the brisket. I picked the fatty. The brisket was tender however it was not full of flavor like brisket I have had elsewhere. The pulled pork was rather bland compared to what I have had elsewhere. Bring your appetite if you get the three meat combo. I was full for the rest of the day.
6. Henry's Hi-Life
Overall Ratings
4 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By la2nj - Cherry Hill, New Jersey
My friend and I wanted to return as we had enjoyed our meal here in 2012. The food didn't disappoint! This is an experience unlike most places and should be visited by Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The smoky aroma entices you when you enter. You order in the front bar area. The menu is limited in that salad and baked potato come with all entrees, and dessert is not served. When you are seated the salad is already at your place along with freshly made hot grilled garlic bread with a barbecue dipping sauce. Portions are generous! We split prime rib that was incredibly tender as well as baby back ribs that fell off of the bone. If in San Jose again, I will dine here.
7. The Grill on the Alley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 275 reviews
Reviewed By Cherry_Wonderdog - Acton, Massachusetts
Last night’s dinner at The Grill on the Alley was at great performance by a well-established restaurant that’s no newcomer to San Jose’s food scene. We selected it as a more grounded option following our previous evening’s boisterous bash at the New Orleans-style NOLA restaurant. Those among us who had eaten here before warned me that it tended to be on the dark side, but we were fortunate enough to be seated at a roomy round table with adjustable spot lighting that ensured we didn’t mistake meat for Munster cheese.
Food was, for the most part, excellent. This included a fresh and diverse tossed greens salad with tasty vinaigrette dressing; a delectable, once in a lifetime (so far, at least) Tomahawk steak, cooked to order rare, with a bone the size of a T-Rex, and shared with another hungry carnivore; and wonderful Très Leches and dark chocolate brownie pie deserts prepared for the entire table and sold at bargain basement prices. We consumed three different bottles of wine – starting with a 2004 Merryvale Chardonnay with a color and subtlety fit for a king, a somewhat disappointing Petite Petit red which felt syrupy compared to our third and always outstanding “The Prisoner.” Curiously enough, The Grill’s price of $110 on the latter was a whopping $46 more than what we paid at NOLA’s the night before. Also on the steep side was the $135 “Large” seafood platter which, as my photo shows, did not exactly deliver overwhelming quantities of oysters (12), shrimp (6), crab legs (4), and lobster (half a tail). Plus, the crustaceans were a bit on the dry side, and the oysters slightly off; even I, an avid oyster fan, chose not to have more than one. Definitely not a winner.
What was a winner, however, was the salad, the meat, the wild mushroom risotto, Brussel Sprouts, and sautéed mushroom sides, the deserts, the ambiance, the drinks, and the service overall. We were well treated, and the servers earned a good tip. Sadly, first-hand reports from within both men’s and lady’s rooms revealed encrusted ‘you know what’ ‘you know where’ which doesn’t really leave a nice impression for customers after their meals. Note to owner – fix this fast or watch your ratings fall, especially now that the secret is out!
Overall rating was 4.3, but a generous Cherry Wonderdog is bumping it up to 5 on account of the great time we had and Server Team 2’s commitment to excellence -- by discarding the score from the East German judge.
8. Nemea Greek Taverna
Overall Ratings
4 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By Marco G - Padua, Italy
Wonderful Greek restaurant in the San Josè Downtown. Waiters and the staff in general are amazing and super kind. The food is delicious and really tasty. I recommend the filet with potatoes, a must. Prices are above average but in line with the quality of the restaurant. There are not many parking lots available in the surroundings but, on the other hand, there are plenty of pay parking places you can choose from.
9. Maggiano's Little Italy
Overall Ratings
4 based on 628 reviews
Reviewed By servojo - San Jose, California
Went to maggianos for my wife and sons birthday this Saturday. Had two young ones with us and they gave us a nice booth in the corner away Tom the noise. Was treated great, they advised the family dinner which was amazing. Took a lot home the servings were so large. Have gone there multiple times and have never been disappointed.
10. Pizza Antica
Overall Ratings
4 based on 278 reviews
Reviewed By kpenning - kc
We have eaten here a few times and have had some solid Italian food-wood fired pizza with great topping choices (yummy Italian sausage), ravioli, handmade gnocchi, and pana cotta. The wine list is well priced with lots of bottles in the $30 range. We love the outdoor seating but found the service to be lacking when sitting outside. It's a busy place and they don't take reservations (even for large parties) but you can call 30 minutes ahead and they will but your name on the list.
