The Most Delicious Diners in San Jose

Mini Gourmet

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (799) • $$

"Mini Gourmet at 599 South Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128Willow Glen is back after being closed for 5 years. It's the same owner but due to Covid, a fire, and renovations, it's been a long road to recovery. For now, they are open for breakfast and lunch only.My wife and I have eaten here twice so far, for lunch and breakfast, and both times the food was really good, especially the BBQ beef brisquit.The steamed broccoli really hit the spot along with the home made potato salad and cole slaw The breakfast visit we ordered the pancake combo with their home fried potatoes and french toast. Everything tasted home made, especially the salsa and pico de gallo. The restaurant is super clean and has undergone new paint and bar chairs. The staff is extremely nice and attentive. The chef is happy to do any modifications to your order. It is definitely a family place with plenty of parking.I took several pictures to show how nice the interior and exterior is. (See Attached).I also want to mention their in house bakery. The key lime pie is my wife's favorite. Yes, they have cinnamon rolls.This is a must try place!"

Haveli Kabab & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (201)

"I was craving some Indian food and found Haveli pretty close by. Came in around 8:30pm and the place was pretty empty except one other family and my party. We ordered 4 items: Garlic Naan - great favor and really enjoyed it Butter Chicken - nice creaminess and sweetness with bright flavors; this was my boyfriend and I's favorite dish of the night! Chicken Tikka - the spices and grill flavor was great! Really enjoyed it being served on a hot plate Chicken 65 - this was our least favorite dish and the only one that didn't hit. It tasted a bit more like a Chinese sweet and sour chicken than chicken 65 we have gotten at other places that are crispy. Unfortunately, the server also dropped 3-4 pieces when he brought it to our table. The manager was nice and gave us an extra chicken 65 to go on our way out to make up for it. Overall, would definitely go back when I'm craving a warm and spicy Indian curry. I also saw the table next to me order a puri that looked delicious and might go for that next time."

Christie's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (865) • $$

"I feel bad that it's taken me 2+ years to write this review. This is our default go-to brunch spot when we are not feeling like venturing out to SF on the weekends. In my opinion, Christie's beats out the other brunch options in the downtown Burlingame area both in terms of quality and quantity. Not to mention the wait time during peak Saturday morning is much shorter than the alternatives.The best item hands down is the Monterey Omelette with Hollandaise sauce. This massive omelette is filled to the brim with chicken sausage, artichoke and mushrooms. The star of the show is the hollandaise sauce, which is usually my favorite part of eggs Benedict. But since omelette is usually my favorite thing to eat at a brunch, this dish just brings together the best of both worlds.Most of the patrons here seem to know the owners. Those human connections give this place a warm small community vibe despite of being located in a fairly large suburb area."

4th Street Bowl

★★★★☆ 3.5 (453) • $$

"Had the pleasure of bowling here for the first time today with a friend on Sunday afternoon around 2:30 pm! Overall, this venue is so much better than Bowlero because of its inexpensive rates and atmosphere. We were on a 5-10 minute waiting list since the lanes were full, but the wait was quick as we watched the bowling balls glide through the lines. Great oil on the lanes, well furnished lanes, no balls got stuck whatsoever. After bowling, we played billiards and everything was well organized and orderly.I would definitely come here again!"

Alice's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I don't know how anyone could rate this place anything other than 5/5. I've been going to Alice's for maybe a year now since moving into the area. My husband and I have tried items from each part of the menu and have never been disappointed. The service is wonderful and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy. Alice's helps take your mind off the city and rush of things, allowing you to feel peace while having a meal up in the mountains. No matter rain/ shine, it's always a beautiful day up there. They're pet friendly too!"

Betsy's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (654) • $$

"We stopped in for a Sunday breakfast. This cute diner is such a gem! We were warmly greeted at the door and quickly seated. Our server, Jordan was friendly and attentive. She was patient with all my questions about the menu. I finally decided on the biscuits and gravy which were delicious. Nice fluffy biscuits with a gravy that was made like grandma did. I'm Betsy's one of my regular stops. The food, the service and the vibe are good to go!"

Holder's Country Inn - Cupertino

★★★★☆ 4 (961) • $$

"Been going to Holder's Country Inn for decades. And never was disappointed and still holds true today ! Only, exception would be missing the old location's restaurant and the 60's circa charm. Though the new location does its best, the circular vinyl booths and vinyl stools on the table facing the kitchen is hard to replace. Brings me back to my childhood and sad a fire took all this away. Service is friendly and amazing. Every Server does their best to make sure your cup of coffee is always filled :) . Food always comes out delicious and if good old fashion American breakfast is your comfort food, then you won't be disappointed. Best hash browns and pancakes in my opinion !!!Parking is much better than the previous location. I suggest you park in the back parking area and come in the back door entrance. I also suggest you prepare to wait a little if you plan to coming on a Sunday."

Classic Diner

★★★★☆ 3.8 (342) • $$

"Darling diner with great food. Probably the best French toast in the Bay! Service was very pleasant and attentive. My friend had the club and fries. She said it was excellent!"

Holder's Country Inn

★★★★☆ 3.7 (552) • $$

"Idk why all Holders locations always have only 3/3.5 stars. I've found it to be a great example of what a diner should be - a cozy place with friendly people, plenty of options and tasty food. Maybe Yelpers are foodies, and are therefore unimpressed with Holder's salt-of-the-earth vibes? Here's my take - great for families or for when you want comforting, decent food with no fuss. I usually get a scramble or an omelette, and a single pancake on the side. I recommend the fresh orange juice and the garlic fries. One thing - I wish they had an espresso machine so I could get lattes! They only have black drip coffee. But this may be asking too much of a diner."

Mil’s Diner

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"Mil's is your classic american diner serving no frills classic American breakfast with generous portions and VERY reasonable prices.I have had corned beef hash, chicken fried steak, and eggs benedict.Everything comes out well-cooked and tastes great.They have specials also that change regularly.The staff is friendly and very attentive. I will be a mil's fan forever."

iJava Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (368) • $$

"The food was amazing and the service by Y'vette was super friendly! You have to try the coconut cream latte!! We tried the brisket burrito, chicken katsu burrito, brisket burrito bowl, chilaquiles & their crepes. Everything was excellent!You have to check this place out! Come either very early or after 12:30 PM to get in quickly."

City Diner

★★★★☆ 3.8 (473) • $$

"Haven't been here in awhile and it's way better than it used to be. It was always good spot for breakfast, but now it is bomb af. The churro French toast is freaking amazing. So good. Had a combo and all the meats were seasoned and cooked just right. Place is super clean. Staff is great, on top of it for sure. 10/10 this place is in the breakfast rotation."

Mimosas of Willow Glen

★★★★☆ 3.8 (357) • $$

"I hosted an impromptu surprise birthday brunch, and by that -- I mean, I decided I was going to do it about 10 days prior for a party of seventeen people. I called the restaurant and left a message for a reservation and the owner, Kimberlin, promptly returned my call.I told her what I had in mind and she was accommodating from the gate. In addition to reserving space for our party, she also offered linens and centerpieces (with an extra surcharge, of course) to help add color to our event. She texted me photos of past events to give me an idea of what her and her team could offer. I reviewed them and decided to keep it simple -- she made it easy and so effortless on my end.The day of the event couldn't have gone better. We surprised the birthday guy successfully and we all had a blast catching up celebrating over a great brunch and mimosas. Everyone ordered something different and there were no complaints around the food or drinks. The staff attending to our group were attentive and quick considering we also had kids that needed extra items like napkins, etc.All of my guests enjoyed their drinks too (they have a full bar) -- from Mimosas to Bloody Marys -- I would say everyone understood the assignment of "Sunday Fun Day" and were grateful for some good food, amazing company, and a just a beautiful experience all around.Kudos to Kimberlin and her team for hosting us. Thank you for being a leader in hospitality and keeping the Mimosas brand alive and well. We look forward to returning for more casual brunches! P.S. although I did not personally order the Bottomless Mimosa deal, I was told by one of my guests that the "bottomless" applies for the first 90 minutes upon ordering which means anyone who takes on this endeavor needs to come prepared :)"

Palo Alto Creamery

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"Nice breakfast spot in the center of Downtown Palo Alto serving up traditional diner staples as well as some more modern breakfast items. Along with breakfast they also have lunch, milkshakes, and a nice big bakery section. You really feel like you're in an old school diner her. We ordered the corned beef hash and huevos rancheros to share. Both items were good and I think we'd order again, though I heard rave reviews about the breakfast quesadilla from my boyfriend, so we might swap out the huevos rancheros for that next time. Food came up quick, portions were good, and prices were consistent with what you'd expect to pay for a breakfast in the area, Overall I was pleased with the meal and would come back. It gets crowded, so come early if you don't want to wait."

Garlic City Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (824) • $$

"Omg! This is a gem of a place in Gilroy! This was our "special" meal of our trip and I'm glad we chose this over the other places we were looking at.Place is clean, bright, and inviting! We came in a little before 1pm on Friday and we were seated immediately (party of 4).Everything we ordered was great. I had the Garlic City burger and I love all the garlic that was in it. I couldn't finish it though because of how big the patty is. My husband's was the eggplant caprese panini and I got to try a bite out of it. My mind was blown by all the flavors it had. It was expertly crafted for a panini!Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone new and want to try something from Gilroy! We'd definitely be coming back next time we're here. If I can give them more than 5 stars, I would."

CreoLa

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"We have been coming to this place for 3 years now . This time we were celebrating our daughter's birthday and she wanted some Creola for Brunch . We love the corn bread muffins I buy them by the dozen. Our favorite plate is the beef short ribs . Also the crispy boudin balls are so delicious , must try ! I tried Crawfish & Shrimp Etoufee for the first time and it was soooooo delicious!!! MUST TRY ! Trust me ! Funny thing is I don't do sea food, only thing I eat is (Peruvian ceviche ) , but I wanted to try something new and omg it's my new favorite plate , so tasty such nice delicious flavors I loved it . They are so nice , their service is so friendly and welcoming, she asked us where we would like to seat we were the first ones there . Also our birthday girl spilled her drink and the waiter was so nice and came to quickly help us clean it and remade her vanilla lemonade. It was great , thank you for such a great service and food . We really love this place ! Oh and we all love the music playing every time we come is very enjoyable to hear the instruments."

Quattro Restaurant and Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (556) • $$$

"We have a girls party. It was very warm inside with sunlight we can wear our dresses and not feel cold. We are required to order $85 menu with 2 breakfast/brunch items and one dessert. Too much food. Wine is $50 corkage per bottle and only 2 bottled. Parking is free. Space is ok. Not particularly beautiful for that price."

New Taraval Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (679) • $$

"Had Saturday brunch here with a couple of the homies and really enjoyed the experience and food. It was packed but we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. My friend Patrick is a regular and knows the owner Stanley so we got a full NTC orientation. Stanley even gave us advice on physical therapy! Full service diner!Food wise, I got the corned beef hash and eggs. Along with the custom hot sauce (made by one of the staff Orlando) the food was smackin! We even bought a couple bottles of hot sauce to take home!No frills on the ambiance, but the place oozes of local soul. Multigenerational family business, loyal customers, great food, what else is there to know? This place is a SF gem!"

Breakfast at Tiffany's

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"Classic American diner with a long history in San Francisco I believe ! The service has recently gone down from what I've heard with a change in ownership. They did mess up our order slightly but were quick to fix it. We got the fried apple French toast, waffle special with fried chicken, western omelette and trio eggs Benedict. Portion on the French toast was small given the price. The rest of the dishes were large enough to share although I felt the eggs Benedict was the nicest dish! This is more of a hipster casual vibe hence the higher prices to target younger crowds instead of locals. Overall a lovely place for a nice meal with family!"

La Boheme

★★★★☆ 4 (589) • $$

"Adorable french restaurant serving exotic dishes like rabbit and bison, also duck one of my faves. For dinner, we got the charcuteri et patés (duck & pork paté, sliced sausage, and pickles) as an appetizer, lapin a la moutarde (rabbit dish with a creamy savory mustard sauce), and magret de canard (pan seared duck breast sliced into bite size pieces). Our sides were exactly the same in both entrees, the vegetables kinda soggy but the flavor good, and the mashed potatoes were fluffy and buttery. The mango and pomegranate mimosa was delicious and refreshing. We made online reservations and chose outdoor seating, but were seated indoors when we arrived, which was just as lovely so it was fine. They advertise live jazz on Friday nights on their website, but there was none during our visit (first Friday of the new year), so I'm not sure the season for this. We enjoyed our meals nonetheless in this beautiful french inspired setting, with lovely artworks on the walls, friendly and professional service, and good vibes all around."

Holder's Country Inn - Los Altos

★★★★☆ 4 (104)

"The ingredients made teriyaki chicken stir fry so delicious. The salad with tomatoes was very fresh.Our waiter, Chris, was friendly, accommodating, and very friendly. He made our dining experience extra special.There are lots of comfortable booths."

Peanuts Deluxe Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (618) • $$

"Peanuts has been a tradition for me long before I knew I was a foodie, when I was just a college student looking for the cheapest meal and drink.... Just recently i started frequenting peanuts again and I tried their korean fried chicken and chicken teriyaki. Great portions and solid ingredients. Perfect for a quick lunch. During the pandemic peanuts closed and renovated... it looks so great and modern inside now! I'm so happy they kept the sorority and fraternity paddles. I'm happy to keep supporting them because they are a critical part of San Jose culture. whether you are there to drink some beer or fill your tummy with a hearty breakfast, you will always get great prices, portions and customer service. Love the new remodel and miss Minh."

The Corner Cafe & Diner

★★★★☆ 3.7 (170) • $$

"New owners!!! They run the Antojitos El Burrito Crazy on 11th and William a street across!! So if you feenin for Pupusas they open earlier then the taco stand and after they are closed you can go to Antojitos which is open till 3am."

Hobee's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (576) • $$

"Service and food were both awesome. A classic business that has been around for 50 years. Really enjoyed Sunnyvales Quesadilla. Hostess and waitress were great and food was laser fast and well done. Anytime I am in Silicon for business I'll definitely stop back in. Thank you!"

Biryani And Beyond

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"10% off for students and it's near SJSU Amazing! The food was so good flavorful and not overly spicy. The service was very welcoming and they kept checking in to make sure everything was well. The ambiance is very cozy and it's right across the sonic runway."

Holder's Country Inn

★★★★☆ 4 (506) • $$

"Service and food is awesome! We had driven by this place many times and finally decided to try it two weeks ago based on the reviews. We have been back twice already. Great for kids as well! The ambiance is homey and nostalgic."

Big Joe's - San Bruno

★★★★☆ 4 (250) • $$

"You will never leave hungry! The service is always great and welcoming. Friendly I would say. I need feel rushed either. You can enjoy your meal and visit with other a friend. It's an old school diner feel. The price is very fair and reasonable"

Neal's Coffee Shop

★★★★☆ 3.8 (437) • $$

"Nice place. Been there for decades. Lots of customers in and out, even during the middle of the week.Good food. A staple in the area.#spicemeister approved."

Art's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"This is a no frills, all American diner with a Korean twist. I loved this diner when I first visited years ago, and recently came back after they changed ownership. I was happy to see that the food was still just as good as my previous visit. My favorite is their hash brown sandwich! It's not something you find in most restaurants, and is perfectly crispy. I was craving a traditional American breakfast this day, so I opted for the hot link hash brown sandwich, which satisfied my craving. I need to come back and try their Korean items. This isn't the place for a fancy brunch. It's a good, solid, traditional diner. It's also a small family owned business. The family was SO lovely, kind, and provided wonderful customer service. Check them out and support them if you're in the area!"

My Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (485) • $$

"Awesome place with great food and service the Avocado toast is great and everything else on the menu is good"

Hobee's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (525) • $$

"Came here for brunch on a Sunday morning with a friend and got seated pretty quickly after arriving at 10 am! Food was pretty good, but the hashbrown had a bit of an oily aftertaste that I wasn't a huge fan of. I got the DotCom omelette with an extra coffee cake to-go. Service was very friendly, tho busy for sure. Parking was kinda rough LOL they have a tight lot in the back and luckily I found a spot, but definitely no walk in the park. Overall pretty good, I might try something different off their menu next time!"

Binh Minh

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (62) • $$

"Had dinner here with a friend. She frequents this spot and is just a diehard fan.We arrived pretty late on a weekday evening -- I think after 8pm and the diners were still going strong. We ordered some light appetizers and a bottle of wine to share. The food is of authentic Vietnamese dishes mostly specializing in lamb. I'm not a big fan of lamb but I'm told this spot is most popular for it within the Vietnamese community.There is beer and wine. Outdoor or indoor seating. Pretty good set up all around. Wouldn't mind dining here again."