.Food & Drink

Photo by Greg Ramar

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

Photo by John Dyke

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

Photo by John Dyke

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

Photo by John Dyke

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 StopQBB (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

Photo by Avi Salem

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

Photo by John Dyke

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

Photo by John Dyke

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 BellanoB2 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