OVERALL
Best New Restaurant
Flights
368 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Luna Mexican Grill
1495 The Alameda, San Jose
Enoteca La Storia
Multiple Locations
Best Restaurant (Culinary Excellence)
Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Alexander’s Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Adega
1614 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose
Best Chef
Andrew Welch, The Basin
14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Jeffrey Stout, Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Jim Stump
The Table and Forthright Oyster Bar
Best Dining Value
Harry’s Hofbrau
390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
Angelou’s Mexican Grill
21 N Second St, San Jose
Adamsons French Dip
806 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Best Family Restaurant
Aqui
Multiple locations
Bill’s Cafe
Multiple locations
Blue Line Pizza
Multiple locations
Best Romantic Restaurant
La Fondue
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
71 Saint Peter
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose
Alexander’s Steakhouse
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
Andale
21 S Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Jack Rose Libation House
18840 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gato
Aqui Willow Glen
1145 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Best Late-Night Eats
4th St. Pizza Co.
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Original Joe’s
301 S First St, San Jose
A Slice of New York
3443 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose
Best French Restaurant
La Fondue
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Black Sheep Brasserie
1202 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Baumé
201 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best German Restaurant
Naschmarkt Restaurant
384 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Teske’s Germania
255 N First St, San Jose
Ludwig’s German Table
261 N Second St, San Jose
Best Latin Restaurant
Cascal
400 Castro St, Mountain View
Pampas
529 Alma St, Palo Alto
Isabella’s Restaurant
700 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Best Cuban/Caribbean Restaurant
Habana Cuba
238 Race St, San Jose
Back A Yard
80 N Market St, San Jose
La Bodeguita del Medio
463 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best Cajun Restaurant
Poor House Bistro
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
The Boiling Crab
71 Curtner Ave, San Jose
1631 E Capitol Expy, San Jose
The Bywater
532 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Best Italian Restaurant
A Bellagio
33 S Central Ave, Campbell
Aldo’s Ristorante & Bar
14109 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
Giorgio’s Italian Food & Pizza
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
Agape Grill
845 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale
Dio Deka
210 E Main St, Los Gatos
Dishdash
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Dishdash
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Arya Global Cuisine
19930 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Faz
Multiple locations
Best Steakhouse
Alexander’s Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Dry Creek Grill
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
Best Barbecue
Smoking Pig BBQ
Multiple locations
Andy’s Bar-B-Que
2367 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Henry’s Hi-Life
301 W St John St, San Jose
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Amaravathi Pure Veg
673 Grape Ave, Sunnyvale
Good Karma
37 S 1st St, San Jose
Veggie Grill
Multiple locations
Best Hawaiian
Banana Crepe
248 Jackson St, San Jose
Hukilau
230 Jackson St, San Jose
Hawaiian Barbecue
6233 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose
Best Ramen
Orenchi
3450 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Kumako
211 Jackson St, San Jose
Maru Ichi
368 Castro St, Mountain View
Best Pho
House of Pho
Multiple locations
Dac Phuc
198 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
Pho Wagon
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
Downtown Poki
96 E San Salvador St, San Jose
Poki Bowl
4750 Almaden Expy, San Jose
Poke House
1698 Hostetter Rd, San Jose
Best Pearl Teas
Black Pearl
Multiple locations
Gong Cha
Multiple locations
Fantasia Coffee & Tea
378 Santana Row, San Jose
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
Anh Hong
1818 Tully Rd, San Jose
233 W Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
Hanna
133 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Vung Tau
535 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best Korean Restaurant
Bibimbowl
415 N Mary Ave, Suite 107, Sunnyvale
Burnt Rice
The Plant, 121 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Gooyi Gooyi
2331 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Best Thai Restaurant
Amarin Thai
Multiple locations
Krungthai
642 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Blue Mango
635 Coleman Ave, San Jose
Best Seafood Restaurant
Fish Market
3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
3775 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
1007 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose
The Bay Fish and Chips
826 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Scott’s Seafood
185 Park Ave, San Jose
Best Sushi
Yuki Sushi
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
1140 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Mizu Sushi
1035 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Cha Cha Sushi
547 W Capitol Expy, San Jose
Best Burger
Brown Chicken Brown Cow
397 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Arcadia
100 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Main Street Burgers
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
212 New York Pizza
19998 Homestead Rd, Cupertino
Bibo’s NY Pizza
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose
4th St. Pizza Co.
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best Pizza – Regional
Blue Line Pizza
Multiple Locations
A Slice of New York
Multiple Locations
Bibo’s NY Pizza
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose
Best Deli/Sandwich Shop
Antipasto’s
3454 McKee Rd, San Jose
La Villa
1319 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Erik’s DeliCafé
Multiple locations
Best Microbrewery Food
Rock Bottom
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Campbell Brewing Co.
200 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Firehouse Grill & Brewery
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Best Desserts
Icing on the Cake
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
Alexander’s Patisserie
Multiple locations
Frost Cupcake Factory
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Doughnuts
Stan’s Donut Shop
2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Psycho Donuts
Multiple locations
Manley’s Donut Shop
Multiple locations
Best Ice Cream/Gelato
Dolce Spazio Gelato
221 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Sweet Retreat
846 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Best Frozen Yogurt
Willow Glen Creamery
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Yumi Yogurt
3787 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara
Frozo’s Frozen Yogurt
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
Grilled Cheese Bandits
@CheeseBandits
Sam’s Chowdermobile
@chowdermobile
Tacomania
@tacomaniainc
Best Caterer
A Catered Affair
1680 Martin Ave, Santa Clara
Purple Onion
1167 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Sam’s Bar-B-Que
1110 S Bascom Ave, San Jose
Best Tea Room
Lisa’s Tea Treasures
167 Main St, Los Altos
Fairmont Lobby Lounge
170 S Market St, San Jose
Teatime
1003 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Best Ethnic Market
International Gourmet Foods
The Plant, 2052 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Mitsuwa Marketplace
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
Santo Market
245 E Taylor St, San Jose
Best Microbrewery
Rock Bottom
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Rabbit’s Foot Meadery
1246 Birchwood Dr, Sunnyvale
Santa Clara Valley Brewing
101 E Alma Ave, San Jose
PENINSULA
Best Business Lunch
MacArthur Park
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
Il Fornaio
520 Cowper St, Palo Alto
Opa!
325 Main St, Los Altos
Best American Restaurant
Los Altos Grill
233 Third St, Los Altos
MacArthur Park
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
Saint Michael’s Alley
140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto
Best Chinese Restaurant
Garden Fresh Chinese Vegan Cuisine
460 Ramona St, Palo Alto
Chef Chu’s
1067 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
Hunan Home’s Express
530 Showers Dr, Mountain View
Best Japanese Restaurant
Jin Sho
454 California Ave, Palo Alto
Higuma
540 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Gombei
1438 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Best Mexican Restaurant
La Fiesta
240 Villa St, Mountain View
Fiesta Del Mar Too
735 Villa St, Mountain View
Joya
339 University Ave, Palo Alto
Best Indian Restaurant
Darbar
129 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
Janta
369 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
Passage to India
1991 W El Camino Real Mountain View
Best Thai Restaurant
Krungthai
590 Showers Dr, Mountain View
Amarin Thai
174 Castro St, Mountain View
Shana Thai
311 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View
Best Taqueria
Taqueria La Espuela
854 W Dana St, Mountain View
Los Altos Taqueria
2105 Old Middlefield Way E, Mountain View
Taqueria El Grullense
3636 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Best Breakfast
Joanie’s Cafe
405 California Ave, Palo Alto
Palo Alto Creamery
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Stacks
314 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Best Independent Coffeehouse
Clocktower Coffee Roasting Co.
205 E Middlefield Rd, Mountain View
Connoisseur Coffee Co.
2801 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
Cafe Zoe
1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park
Best Bakery
The Prolific Oven
550 Waverley St, Palo Alto
Satura Cakes
200 Main St, Los Altos
Palo Alto Baking Co.
381 California Ave, Palo Alto
Best Burrito
Sancho’s Taqueria
2723 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
491 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
3205 Oak Knoll Dr, Redwood City
Rincon Sabroso
122 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View
Taqueria La Bamba
580 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View
WEST VALLEY
Best Business Lunch
Nick’s Next Door
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
Steamer’s Grillhouse
31 University Ave, Los Gatos
Aqui
201 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best American Restaurant
Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Nick’s Next Door
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Best Chinese Restaurant
Blue Sky
2028 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Tsing Tao
104 San Tomas Aquino Rd, Campbell
Tie
Yeung Shing
14107 S Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
Shangri-La
784 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos
Best Japanese Restaurant
Sushi Confidential
247 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Kyoto Palace
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Kamakura
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
El Burro
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Casa Lupe
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Best Indian Restaurant
Royal Taj
1350 Camden Ave, Campbell
The Mynt
5210 Prospect Rd, San Jose
Best Thai Restaurant
Thai Orchid
866 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Thai Spice
337 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Mint Leaf Cuisine
14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Best Taqueria
Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Adelita’s
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Jalisco
525 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Breakfast
Los Gatos Cafe
340 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
15662 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos
Stacks
139 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Hash House
851 W Hamilton Ave, Campbell
Best Independent Coffeehouse
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co.
101 W Main St, Los Gatos
Great Bear Coffee
19 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Orchard Valley Coffee
349 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Bakery
Icing on the Cake
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
Manresa Bread
276 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Frosting Cupcake Factory
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Burrito
Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
El Burro
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Adelita’s
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
CENTRAL VALLEY
Best Business Lunch
Birk’s
3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara
Faultline Brewing Co
1235 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale
Faz
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
St. John’s Bar & Grill
510 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
Parcel 104
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara
Park Place
10030 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino
Best Chinese Restaurant
China Stix
2110 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Hong Fu
20588 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant
1135 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
Best Japanese Restaurant
Yuki Sushi
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
Gombei
193 S Jackson St, San Jose