The Most Flavorful New American in San Jose

Chaplin’s Sports Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.1 (688) • $$

"I can't believe I've never written a review for Chaplin's before. I went on a Friday night just to grab some drinks with friends. They had a DJ to my surprise and really gave the place a good vibe. We got lucky and were seated in a booth right as we walked in. They have ample parking, but also have street parking available. I got a Moscow mule which was good and some Cajun fries. The Cajun fries had a kick to them if dipped in the chipotle mayo. The service was great with the team checking in every 10 mins to see if we need another drink or food item. I would highly recommend you check it out.Just wanted to add that I went and they had the Formula 1 Australian GP Practice 2 playing so I think they play the Formula 1 GP's here. Great to know I found a spot where I can go watch and have a drink!"

Super Burger Drive In

★★★★☆ 4.3 (294) • $

"We found this spot based on an IG account that locates the best burger joints in the Bay Area. The family and I frequent Gilroy gardens and pass by this spot driving by. We were so happy that we dropped in because we love supporting local businesses. We also are not into paying the overpriced rates for subpar food at Gilroy Gardens. This was our second trip and it did not disappoint! The staff are friendly and efficient! They work so hard to keep it consistent and get everyone in and out quickly. The food is fresh and cooked great. You cannot go wrong with anything you choose. This has become our spot! Also side note- they have crushed ice and that alone had me sold! LOL"

Naglee Park Garage

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"Absolutely love this charming restaurant! Love that they have outdoor seating and an extra star because they have the CUTEST mascot dog named Barona. She's a sweetheart and so well behaved. Let's start with the ambience... at night it's really pretty with the string lights. Their menu is simple and changes often. I stick with the burger and the fries. I've also had the salmon fettuccine and the portions were Humungous! Enough for leftovers for another meal for the next day. A great place tucked into the beautiful Naglee park neighborhood. Parking is limited and shared with House of Bagels but the hours are different so you shouldn't have to worry about parking. Just a chill place to see the cutest dog, grab a drink, and support a local business!The owner was super nice and came to check on me and Chris my server was wonderful! Will be back again to try the different menu."

AC Waterfront Lounge Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (25)

"The view of the water was very nice, especially after working all day. The atmosphere was warm & welcoming. Server was very friendly and efficient. Food was tasty and completely filled us up with just 3 appetizers. Overall, it was a great experience on a sunny late afternoon."

Willard Hicks

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (558) • $$$

"The service was slow slow slow (and the restaurant didn't even have 10 people seated) The cornbread was DELICIOUS The fries were DELICIOUS The tacos were Delicious The sale was old and we sent it back The drinks the good The Beat thing of all was the rib eye flatbread pizza Servers were nice but no clue why the food took forever to come out We were there during happy hour the day before Thanksgiving and as I stayed there were not even 10 people in the restaurant ; including the 3 in my party It's a beautiful restaurant, great vibe, live DJI'll definitely be back the next time I'm in the area 5 stars for the bartender 4 for our server 4 for the food"

Patio Del Copal

★★★★☆ 4.4 (162) • $$

"This place is a hidden gem! Took me forever to give them a try and my only regret is that I didn't try them sooner.The food is fantastic! I typically get a veggie burrito, veggie tostada, or nachos. Delicious every time! They appear to make their own chips. Their salsa is delicious with complex flavors and the right amount of heat.My dining companion had the beef crispy tacos and loved them.I sometimes order the churros and they're some of the better ones I've had.It's amazing to me that they've been putting out such consistently wonderful food from their food truck while their remodel is in progress. Can't wait for the remodel to be complete. Service is always great. I usually get it to go but have dined on their patio a couple of times. Orders are always correct and served quickly. I highly recommend giving this place a try!"

It's Italia

★★★★☆ 3.8 (965) • $$$

"This place was absolutely amazing. It closes at 8 on Sundays; our reservation was for 8pm. We walked in and they seated us right on time. The ambiance was perfect, romantic and intimate yet not overdone. The service was fantastic; quick but not rushed, and all the staff were extremely attentive. My better half had originally ordered gnocchi but they happened to be out at the end of the night. He went with the pumpkin gnocchi instead, and was pleasantly surprised. I tried a bite as well, and liked it enough to order again. The lemon caper salmon and mashed potatoes with greens was fantastic, and I am definitively picky when it comes to how my salmon is cooked... Hats off to the chef and kitchen staff; between the wine and the amazing dinner were were too full for dessert . We did not leave until well after closing, and were not rushed out at all. In fact quite the opposite. We asked if they would take our picture together; I attempted to dress up and put on cute shoes for the evening but as someone with a mobility disorder I am admittedly slow when it comes to standing and walking lol. They were so kind, patient and accommodating, and more than happy to take the camera and get some good shots before we left. I am truly impressed and do not have a thing to speak poorly of. We would most definitely return when we are in the area again!"

The Brass Elephant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (33) • $$

"This place is located in the Best Western hotel. It was sparsely filled when I got there tonight at 7:30pm. The one bartender was busy chatting to a large table so I had to wait for a while. His name is Ken and he is a very friendly and gregarious person! We had interesting conversation and he poured me a gigantic glass of Sauvignon Blanc so I instantly liked him. I ordered the fettuccini alfredo with shrimp which was a large portion for only $23. It was really good with a lot of large prawns! Everyone who wandered in was a guest of the hotel and there were some funny characters. It was very close to my hotel (Travelodge) and I highly recommend it!"

Wild Rose Eatery and Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (776)

"Great place to meet up to dine & drink with friends , bday celebration, or even a date ! All the dishes ( so far) that I tried here were really good & so were the drinks ! Decor is super cute and vibe is always poppn :) would come back .All 10/10 : didn't eat all of these in 1 settting, but came here couple times. FYI: you can book a bday reservation here and they'll block out spots for you depending how big your party is. My friend had over 20 people, so they blocked out the whole left side with a "happy bday" sign.- Raw oysters - rock fella oysters- short rib papperdelle - hamachi crudo- bone marrow - truffle fries- garlic noodles - spicy seafood pasta- miso lingcod - Brussels sprouts - creme brûlée - spicy tuna poke"

Persephone

★★★★☆ 4.3 (244) • $$$

"My coworker highly recommended this quaint little restaurant. I made reservations a couple weeks beforehand online. We arrived on time and were promptly seated. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I loved the intimate cozy feel of this place. Looks like a charming home turned into a restaurant. Lovely paintings and cute decorations all around. Food:Complimentary focaccia bread: 5/5 excellent flavor and texture. Kids loved it too.Burrata and tomato gazpacho: 5/5 excellent and pretty too!Fish: 3/5 breaded fish was ok. Risotto chicken: 4/5 good flavor but not sure I would order again.Steak: 4/5 good steakShort ribs: 4/5 this was my favorite entree. Good flavor, not sweet like other places. Rose lemonade: 5/5 wow! Amazing sparkling flavor!Brownie: 4/5 very chocolatey.Hazelnut semifreddo: 5/5 this is what dreams are made of! Amazing airy texture and soooo delicious! There was a nice crunch to it too. Wowowowow! Great experience!"

Trapeze Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (627) • $$$

"Reservation for 8 to celebrate a birthday. The interior is nice and roomy. Our table was ready when we got there. Once seated, we ordered drinks and appetizers and they were decent; they were served within a reasonable time; however, we waited an hour for our dinner, which was unacceptable. Our server didn't even come by to update us or at least apologize for the long wait. I ordered the salmon, while others in our table ordered pasta. The salmon was very moist, but very salty. Others in my table enjoyed their pasta dishes. I'm giving them 3.5 since they compensated the long wait with free desserts. (Bread pudding)."

Willard Hicks

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$$

"Honestly don't know why the rating is at a 3.5 because this place is so good I gatekeep it from everyone and its SO hard because its SO good to where I have to tell everyone about this place. The service is always so amazing and the workers are the BEST. Me and my boyfriend are basically regulars here HAHA. Our go to order is the Pesto Cheesy Bread (100/10) ask for a side of the hot honey they put on the corn bread i promise you, it is AMAZING. We also share the one pound burger they have which is super underrated. (10/10) The Cornbread is also very delicious.The ambience is amazing theres usually a DJ when we go haha, and it has a bar which is usually busy. Its the perfect little date night spot yet also a casual spot for lunch/brunch."

The Lexington House

★★★★☆ 3.7 (7)

"We went here on a Friday evening when we were not too hungry. we liked everything we ordered, Rhodes cucumbers were really great, the hummus portion was small but felt very fresh and it's a great appetizer on a day you want to keep it light. we usually like rice with fish, but our server suggested that Barraco's pasta may go just fine with Market fish, and indeed, it paired well. I would go again."

Foundry & Lux

★★★★☆ 3.7 (290) • $$

"Ambience 5/5I love coming here to work or to have a business meeting! Plenty of parking (can get busy during the day), plenty of outlets/plugs, and it's divided into a cafe, lunch area, and lounge type deal depending on what time of day you come. People pretty much come here and mind their own business or walk in from the surrounding biotech/tech companies for lunch or happy hour. Food 5/5The lattes are yummy and reasonable priced - $5-6. I've also had a sandwich with a side salad and a salad and they're reasonable for the bay :) and quite tasty! Also once tried the wings and fries which were yummy.Service 4/5I enjoy it cause no one really bothers you if you're just working :) if you want food, people are attentive if you're at the lounge.Lunch area and cafe are walk up to purchase Overall, highly recommend! Plenty of EV charger around the area too!"

Wine Cellar Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (704) • $$$

"I love the Wine Cellar Restaurant! I love the outdoor patio seating, with umbrella tables, little lights at night, and fresh air, even though you are basically in the parking lot. Indoors, there is a very quaint ambience that feels a bit like Tuscany. There is a raised area with some tables, and a lower floor, as well as a few tucked into corners. And, for those with mobility issues, we found out there is a little freight elevator that can be used to get you down the stairs if eating indoors. One of the highlights is the cheese fondue. We had that in Switzerland for the first time many years back, and this was one of the few restaurants that served it in our area. It is delicious, although, there is not enough cheese to cover the variety of things on the platter--usually bread cubes, red apples, green apples, broccoli, & cauliflower. I wish they would give you more cheese so that you could finish off your platter. Instead, you end up wasting food. But just having this, with a glass of wine, with a friend, and you have a nice appetizer! The Old Town Harvest Salad is very good, as is the Seared Ahi Salad. I was recently here with people who tried the Chicken Marsala, the Grilled Artichoke, and the French Onion Soup, which were also said to be good. They also have a nice selection to drink: we recently tried their Old Fashions, which took me back in time. It was tasty, and came with a fresh cherry (vs. a Maraschino), and their wine selection is also nice. It just has an enjoyable atmosphere to have a meal. I would give it 5 stars, but had an incident one time with one of the waiters who has been there a long time, where some people had left from another table that we didn't know, and he hadn't charged them for part of their order, so he put it on our tab. When we pointed it out, he said, "Well, those people have already left..." That does not ever mean that you should charge someone else for their meal. So very unacceptable. Since he is still there, I would always check your tab. I also had some issues in the past in trying to get them to cook my ahi tuna to medium rare, rather than just seared, and then having them way overcook it, so that it was inedible, so there have been a few issues, but overall, it is one of my favorite local restaurants to enjoy a meal."

Parish Publick House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (354) • $$

"Had a poor dining experience. We ordered online and our food wasn't ready until 25 minutes past the pickup time (original time was 42 min wait, total time of 67 minutes).I don't mind waiting but the #1 cardinal sin of food service is don't serve hot food cold. Four of five items was luke warm or cold. A restaurant of this caliber should have better food warming logistics."

Flowers Saratoga

★★★★☆ 4.4 (515) • $$$

"Delicious, Great Presentation, and Excellent ServiceCame here for Valentines and it was our first time at Flowers. We've gone to other restaurants up and down the street, and this one caught our eye. Plumed Horse is great but overrated and overpriced. The food is hands down better! Starting Course: We ordered the beet salad and the burrata salad. Husband said the beet salad was by far the best salad he's ever had, so that's high praise! Main course: I had the miso cod and husband had the standard steak. Presentation and taste were on point! Cocktails: I had the Hummingbird and the Old Fashioned. Hummingbird is an interesting take of basically a Prosecco with Turkish cotton candy and rosemary herb. Interesting! I would try it but you can't go wrong with an old fashioned, which they added walnut and sage to. An interesting take to make it more wintry. All the decor was very tastefully done, though a bit on the girly side but that goes with the pink flowers theme. The restroom is well maintained and very tastefully decorated."

Maggie Smokehouse & Fried Chicken

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (39) • $$

"At Maggie's Fried Chicken..!! We Are At California's Great America Again And Have Both Times Eaten Here And Everything Is Good....!! I Especially Enjoy Their Mac And Cheese Their Chicken Is KINDA Bland But Very Well Fried And Is Passable. Biscuits Were A Bit Over Dry But Was OK..!! As Far As Service And Ambiance It's Like A Buffet Style Walk Up And Ask For What You Want. People Are Pleasant And All Was OK..!!"

Saint Michael's Alley

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"Came by for dinner the other night and it was a mediocre experience. Saint Michael's Alley is located in Downtown Palo Alto on the street level of a condo building. Made a reservation online and our table was ready in the dining room upon arrival.Dining is available in the dining room, bar room, or outdoor. Staff was courteous and some even wore a mask.Started off with the bread basket and it was a touch weak. The bread was pretty crispy and didn't taste super fresh. The butter was on the harder side too...Moved on to the mushroom cake and it also wasn't too fresh, despite being a special for the restaurant. I felt there was too much breading and the oil quality for frying the cake wasn't the freshest...The brussel sprouts were decent and was perfect for sharing.The crab toast was lackluster as it felt like it was canned crab with a mixture of some vegetables over a fresh piece of toast.The scallops were the highlight of the meal although I wasn't a fan of the lentils.Finished off the meal with the profiteroles which was ok. The puff didn't taste too fresh and the highlight were the candied walnut and the flavorful ice cream.~$60/head after tax and gratuity for dinner."

Birdie's at Stanford Golf

★★★★☆ 4.1 (14) • $$

"As a lover of all things golf course food, Birdies is a hole in one! Elevated bar food, meets the golf course. You'll find classics like burgers, tuna melts, club sandwiches, and even pimento cheese dip (which is delicious).For our mains we split a club sandwich ($15.95) and a tuna melt ($18.95). As you can tell by the photos, they don't skimp on anything. It's really enough food for two meals, and the fries and onion rings, we crushed them while they are hot. All the ingredients tasted super fresh, the bread was perfectly crunchy on both sandwiches. I think for the quality and amount of food you get, the pricing is really reasonable, especially in Palo Alto. For drinks we went with the espresso martinis, and they were delightful and reasonable priced at $13.95. Located at the Stanford golf course, this definitely a hidden spot. If you know, you know. If you enjoy elevated bar food or golf course food in general, it's worth checking out!"

Black Sheep Brasserie

★★★★☆ 3.8 (749) • $$$

"We had reservations so our table was ready for us. Ambience was nice for a Thursday evening. We had several apps. The fried olives were delicious and burrata was divine. The shrimp appetizer was ok. I had their rack of lamb and it was cooked perfect and was tender and flavorful. It wasn't too salty. The mashed potatoes were ok that came accompanied with it. Desserts were a nice portion. The bread pudding was to die for. Drinks were well balanced. Try the blueberry old fashion."

Adrestia

★★★★☆ 3.8 (69)

"The restaurant is inside the Tetra Hotel. Breakfast was included with our hotel stay. We had a choice between the Continental Breakfast or the Fundamental Breakfast. I went with the latter- two eggs, chicken apple sausage or bacon, potatoes, and toasted bread. The meal was quite simple, but it was filling and everything was pretty good. I preferred my bf's bacon over the sausage though. My favorite were the crispy potatoes. Service was quick and efficient."

Sanderlings

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (487) • $$$

"Since we're staying at Seascape, we thought we'd give Sanderlings another try. Although the seating and atmosphere are quite nice, the food and service are still lacking and a bit disappointing. Once we received our mains, the wait staff vanished and congregated together near the register. Tonight's Seabass was good, but nothing outstanding. The New York steak was of lower quality and was smothered in some type of steak sauce; this was not indicated on the menu."

All Spice

★★★★☆ 4.3 (731) • $$$$

"This is a very special place for very specialevenings. Tucked away in a somewhat peculiar wood-frame house off El Camino, All Spice is nevertheless one of the few truly "fine dining" venues on the Peninsula. New California cuisine with a delightfully successful Indian twist. Napa/Sonoma levels of creativity, local freshness, and sophistication. Intimate yet whimsicalambiance, attentive yet unobtrusive service. Three, four, or five course options. Consider this for a special evening that will be no doubt memorable. With Vognier and 231 Ellsworth gone, and Stella Alpina now a big boisterous bar scene, there are very few places like this on the area, where you can experience this level of artistry in genteel surroundings."

Fable

★★★★☆ 4.1 (937) • $$

"Incredible meal! Fable has a diverse menu, extensive wine list, and above all, extremely friendly service. Everyone there is warm and courteous. Our server in particular was extremely attentive to us. The outdoor courtyard garden setting is extraordinary. Overall, a stellar experience."

Tasting House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (221)

"Well this was pretty darn cool! Such a lovely and unique menu, great wine selection, cozy but not crowded vibe - it's great having such an excellent restaurant in LG. The service was impeccable and detailed without being intrusive. I could tell how proud they are. Chef is top- shelf in creativity and quality. We had 2 small plates that we shared and split a main dish. All yummy and unique- and at excellent prices. All the wines, we'll recommend by Riley, were excellent and also well priced. One thought- I loved the idea of a pianist and their song choices were cool. Just kinda loud for the space. But maybe it's me"

The Landing Restaurant + Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (25)

"Date & Time: Sunday March 13, 2022 @ 6pmRating: 4.5 Schnack Date: The Husband Scene: Couples in 60's Inspired Mod Dresses, Miu Miu New Balance Sneakers & Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Necklace layered with Cursive Name NecklaceMusic: Hip HopDecor: Enter this Hotel Restaurant & Grab a Seat in a Booth or in The Charming AtriumService: Cordial & ProfessionalImbibe: CocktailsDevour: Sliders & CheesecakeTotal: $33.38Love You, Bye"

Stratus Restaurant and Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (16)

"Your basic hotel restaurant, offering a reasonable menu.Decent quality and service, and pricing."

Steins Beer Garden & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"I am really puzzled by the reviews here and the ratings that go with it."I had a great time!" "This is my go-to place!" And then 4 stars. I sincerely hope some of these folks have bosses who give them glowing reviews and then say "4/5 though".Had a great time here and it was packed. Buddy and I met up for drinks and even though I had dinner, I was tempted by the menu. All the tables looked like they were having a great time as well. Great ambiance for a group or smaller party."

The Lexington House

★★★★☆ 4 (529) • $$$

"Good spot for a date night! Very romantic setting, though I agree with the other Yelp reviews that it can get a bit noisy when it's packed insideWe got the Red Butter Lettuce as an appetizer which was very refreshing and the dressing wasn't too overpowering--the tasty potato crumbs were a nice touch and added crunchThe market fish was a bit disappointing--super thin slices and a bit overpowered by the lemony flavorThe pork chop was very solid and was perfectly cooked. Super tender and had a nice crunch to it. Definitely the star of the nightOur waiter was so nice, warm, and enthusiastic--though he recommended to not rely on the Yelp reviews"

Shoreline Lake American Bistro

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (236) • $$

"First time at this location for a friend's birthday event. From the moment we arrived till the end of the event the front staff employees were extremely hospitable. Every request and accommodation we asked for was met with sincerely. Shout out to Christina and Cesar for being so attentive to our needs! You guys made our birthday girls day!"

Son & Garden

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"A friend and I decided to give this place a shot, that was a good decision! The area is a little sketchy, considering it's in the tenderloin. However, once inside, you're transported into a garden party tea room.We split the beet salad, calamari, and gnocchi. The portions were perfect for sharing and the service was impeccable. They also have a lot of fun and creative cocktails if you're into that. Great food, great ambience, and great service."

Fire Vine Grill & Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (51) • $$

"We had to drop our daughter off at the Hilton for rehearsal before her college graduation at the hotel so we decided to get some lunch in the hotel restaurant . Initially the ambience was nice and peaceful so we could eat our lunch and not rush. We ordered the fried calamari and steamed asparagus and cheesesteak sandwich. Service was good but the prices for lunch are a bit high but that is to be expected in a hotel restaurant. As we were enjoying our meal, a group of youth sports team members were eating bagels and cheese on the other side of our booth and were pretty loud so Dude had a hard time enjoying his meal. Other than that, for the convenience and location (because our daughter's graduation was going to be at the hotel) this place is it."

The Hut

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (173) • $$

"When I was going to SCU, this was more of a dive bar. I love that it is now owned by an alum and he's turned it into a lunch spot. At first when someone suggested the Hut, I was confused because I thought it was still pretty much a bar! It's changed since I graduated (many moons ago). They have good lunch specials. The most popular seems to be sandwich and fries combo. Give this place a try!"

The Lighthouse

★★★★☆ 3.9 (97) • $$

"Lighthouse has a "decent" online menu. And, ordering is very simple which helps when I'm running low on time and have to get back to my desk.I just had to mention that I really dislike the take-away containers. By the time I get back to me desk, 5minutes away, the food is room temperature. It was a big disappointment when I ordered the bagel with lox. When I got back to my desk I noticed how poorly it was put together and dumped into the box container. 1) The bagel was not cut in half 2) The bagel was not nor wrapped to maintain warmth. It was room temperature when I arrived at my desk.3) The lox was fair serving, but again was at an odd room temperature. 4) The cream cheese smear was barely present5) capers and dill were at a loss because the rest of the bagel was dead.What a poor presentation and offering given how much it cost. It is absolutely not worth the price. I bring up the containers because the same problem is there for the breakfast burritos. I tried 3 times now. Never again."