OVERALL
Best New Restaurant
368 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
1495 The Alameda, San Jose
Multiple Locations
Best Restaurant (Culinary Excellence)
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
1614 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose
Best Chef
14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
The Table and Forthright Oyster Bar
Best Dining Value
390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
21 N Second St, San Jose
806 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Best Family Restaurant
Multiple locations
Multiple locations
Multiple locations
Best Romantic Restaurant
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
POKE TO THE PEOPLE
Who would’ve thought when the first Poki Bowl opened up on Almaden Expressway in 2015 that it would set off an explosion of fish in Silicon Valley? Well, here it is less than three years later and there are now more than 40 poke restaurants scattered throughout the South Bay. For Cali-style poke, the OG Poki Bowl still does a good job, but try Go Fish Poke Bar for the chilled yam noodles (aka shirataki noodles) base that goes great with raw fish. If one’s looking for a more traditional, Hawaiian-style poke try Santo Market in Japantown and Aloha Fresh in Cupertino. The latter has a black rice base that’s terrific.
Best Restaurant Patio
21 S Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
18840 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gato
1145 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Best Late-Night Eats
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
301 S First St, San Jose
3443 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose
Best French Restaurant
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
1202 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
201 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best German Restaurant
384 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
255 N First St, San Jose
261 N Second St, San Jose
Best Latin Restaurant
400 Castro St, Mountain View
529 Alma St, Palo Alto
700 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Best Cuban/Caribbean Restaurant
238 Race St, San Jose
80 N Market St, San Jose
463 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best Cajun Restaurant
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
71 Curtner Ave, San Jose
1631 E Capitol Expy, San Jose
532 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Best Italian Restaurant
33 S Central Ave, Campbell
14109 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
1445 Foxworthy Ave, San Jose
643 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
POKE TO THE PEOPLE
Who would’ve thought when the first Poki Bowl opened up on Almaden Expressway in 2015 that it would set off an explosion of fish in Silicon Valley? Well, here it is less than three years later and there are now more than 40 poke restaurants scattered throughout the South Bay. For Cali-style poke, the OG Poki Bowl still does a good job, but try Go Fish Poke Bar for the chilled yam noodles (aka shirataki noodles) base that goes great with raw fish. If one’s looking for a more traditional, Hawaiian-style poke try Santo Market in Japantown and Aloha Fresh in Cupertino. The latter has a black rice base that’s terrific.
Best Mediterranean/Greek Restaurant
845 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale
210 E Main St, Los Gatos
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
19930 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Multiple locations
Best Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
Best Barbecue
Multiple locations
2367 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
301 W St John St, San Jose
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
673 Grape Ave, Sunnyvale
37 S 1st St, San Jose
Multiple locations
Best Hawaiian
248 Jackson St, San Jose
230 Jackson St, San Jose
6233 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose
Best Ramen
3450 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
211 Jackson St, San Jose
368 Castro St, Mountain View
Best Pho
Multiple locations
198 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
1712 Meridian Ave, San Jose
QUEING UP
The NorCal barbecue scene is pretty mediocre overall, but the South Bay has stepped up its game in spades as of late. Within the last few years TAOB (The Art Of BBQ) Pit Stop, QBB (Quality Bourbons & BBQ) and Mesquite & Oak have opened their doors and really taken Q to a new level. And let’s not forget that The Smoking Pig has continued to hold it down, opening up a second location in Fremont. TAOB is fronted by pitmaster Art Munoz, whose years of catering and competition have led him to open his own restaurant that serves Flintstone-like ribs and killer tri-tip, while QBB’s CIA-trained executive pitmaster, Ryan Pang, has dozens of awards in competition barbecue—and one can taste the results. Mesquite & Oak might have the best beef brisket in the South Bay, and they’re a great option for a Sunday brunch.
Best Poke Restaurant
96 E San Salvador St, San Jose
4750 Almaden Expy, San Jose
1698 Hostetter Rd, San Jose
Best Pearl Teas
Multiple locations
Multiple locations
378 Santana Row, San Jose
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
1818 Tully Rd, San Jose
233 W Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
133 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
535 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best Korean Restaurant
415 N Mary Ave, Suite 107, Sunnyvale
The Plant, 121 Curtner Ave, San Jose
2331 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Best Thai Restaurant
Multiple locations
642 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
635 Coleman Ave, San Jose
Best Seafood Restaurant
3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
3775 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
1007 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose
826 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
185 Park Ave, San Jose
Best Sushi
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
1140 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
1035 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
547 W Capitol Expy, San Jose
Best Burger
397 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
100 W San Carlos St, San Jose
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
COLD AND ROLLED
The rolled ice cream dessert phenomenon originates on the streets of Thailand. This fully customizable treat can include such wild ingredients as breakfast cereal, cookies and even fresh fruit. Those who like things “just so” will love the variety of flavors and toppings to choose from. Icicles in downtown Willow Glen is the premier spot, but newly opened Ice Cubed in Almaden is showing great promise. There’s even a newly opened place, Icey Poki, which combines two of the items on our list: poke and ice cream.
Best Pizza – Independent
19998 Homestead Rd, Cupertino
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best Pizza – Regional
Multiple Locations
Multiple Locations
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose
Best Deli/Sandwich Shop
3454 McKee Rd, San Jose
1319 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Multiple locations
Best Microbrewery Food
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
200 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Best Desserts
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
Multiple locations
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Doughnuts
2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Multiple locations
Multiple locations
Best Ice Cream/Gelato
221 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
846 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Best Frozen Yogurt
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
3787 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara
1000 Lafayette St, Santa Clara
RAMEN RULES
A ramen craving back in the day usually meant a schlep over to the west side, as Orenchi and Santouka were the only real options. Now, regardless of which side of town diners are in, there’s a legit ramen spot nearby. In the north side, there’s Kokoro; in the East Side, there’s Pot Belly Ramen; in the South, there’s Jinya, and in downtown, Ramen Taka is the spot. If diners are looking for something a little different, try Maruten Ramen in Japantown with its chicken-centric menu and clean, light but tasty broth.
Best Food Truck
@CheeseBandits
@chowdermobile
@tacomaniainc
Best Caterer
1680 Martin Ave, Santa Clara
1167 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
1110 S Bascom Ave, San Jose
Best Tea Room
167 Main St, Los Altos
170 S Market St, San Jose
1003 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Best Ethnic Market
The Plant, 2052 Curtner Ave, San Jose
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
245 E Taylor St, San Jose
Best Microbrewery
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
1246 Birchwood Dr, Sunnyvale
101 E Alma Ave, San Jose
PENINSULA
Best Business Lunch
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
520 Cowper St, Palo Alto
325 Main St, Los Altos
Best American Restaurant
233 Third St, Los Altos
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto
Best Chinese Restaurant
460 Ramona St, Palo Alto
1067 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
530 Showers Dr, Mountain View
Best Japanese Restaurant
454 California Ave, Palo Alto
540 El Camino Real, Redwood City
1438 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Best Mexican Restaurant
240 Villa St, Mountain View
735 Villa St, Mountain View
339 University Ave, Palo Alto
Best Indian Restaurant
129 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
369 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
1991 W El Camino Real Mountain View
Best Thai Restaurant
590 Showers Dr, Mountain View
174 Castro St, Mountain View
311 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View
Best Taqueria
854 W Dana St, Mountain View
2105 Old Middlefield Way E, Mountain View
3636 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Best Breakfast
405 California Ave, Palo Alto
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto
314 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Best Independent Coffeehouse
205 E Middlefield Rd, Mountain View
2801 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park
Best Bakery
550 Waverley St, Palo Alto
200 Main St, Los Altos
381 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best Burrito
2723 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
491 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
3205 Oak Knoll Dr, Redwood City
122 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View
580 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View
WEST VALLEY
Best Business Lunch
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
31 University Ave, Los Gatos
201 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best American Restaurant
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Best Chinese Restaurant
2028 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
104 San Tomas Aquino Rd, Campbell
Tie
14107 S Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
784 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos
Best Japanese Restaurant
247 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
135 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
A TOAST TO AVOCADO TOAST
OK, this is a weird one, but it’s true. Entire restaurants are now built upon the practice of schmearing a bit of avocado on some toasted bread. The Source‘s version of avocado toast is pretty popular and comes served on levain bread, and Vitamina in SoFA has gives its offering a Mexican lemony cilantro twist. Philz, another favorite, has a tasty za’atar spread topped with sliced, hard-boiled eggs. iJava Café‘s version is pretty spectacular, as it’s capped off with a perfectly fried egg, cilantro and red onions.
Best Mexican Restaurant
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Best Indian Restaurant
1350 Camden Ave, Campbell
5210 Prospect Rd, San Jose
Best Thai Restaurant
866 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
337 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Best Taqueria
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
525 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Breakfast
340 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
15662 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos
139 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
851 W Hamilton Ave, Campbell
Best Independent Coffeehouse
101 W Main St, Los Gatos
19 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
349 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Bakery
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
276 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Burrito
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
CENTRAL VALLEY
Best Business Lunch
3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara
1235 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale
181 E Tasman Dr, San Jose
1108 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale
GET WOKE WITH COFFEE 3.0
There was a time that every diner in America had essentially one kind of coffee. Then Starbucks and Peet’s saved the day. But that was then. Now even McDonald’s can serve up a cappuccino. New age coffee shops are taking care and precision with every step of the brewing process—from checking the pH of the water to grinding the beans just moments before brewing—and almost everyone claims to have the best method for producing the perfect cup. Voyager Craft Coffee, which started out as a mobile coffee bar and expanded to a brick-and-mortar shop got, famous with their Valencia coffee that includes coconut and orange blossom water. Chromatic Coffee specializes in taking their signature cold brew and doing inventive things like creating Fruity Pebbles latte and soda-coffee drinks. At Vero’s Coffee Bar, the Mexican mocha is the thing to get—a with its symphony of coffee, cinnamon and Mexican chocolate that keeps patrons coming back. Academic Coffee has helped to transform a once dicey corner with its clean design and excellent food and java options. And we can’t forget the trio of Bellano, B2 and SoPo, who make a cold brew so delicious that there’s no need for cream or sugar.
Best American Restaurant
510 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara
10030 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino
Best Chinese Restaurant
2110 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
20588 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
1135 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
Best Japanese Restaurant
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
193 S Jackson St, San Jose