The Most Flavorful Tapas/Small Plates in San Jose

Mykonos Meze

★★★★★ 4.5 (819) • $$

"Overall, it was a fantastic experience. The restaurant staff welcomed our large party warmly and even allowed us to order drinks before everyone had arrived. During the appetizer phase, we were treated to a delicious variety of both hot and cold appetizers. The pacing was spot-on, allowing us to sample everything without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.For the entrée, I had the Branzino with a side of pilaf rice, and it was absolutely amazing, the fish was cooked to perfection. For dessert, I ordered the baklava ice cream. While I wasn't a huge fan of it (the ratio of baklava to ice cream felt a bit off), it was still a sweet and enjoyable way to end the meal.Definitely a great restaurant, and I'll be sure to visit again when I'm in the area!"

LV Mar Tapas & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.1 (897) • $$

"I highly recommend LV Mar in Redwood City. The food is exceptional, with items like Quesabirria, Empanadas, and Mahi tacos. The dishes are very flavorful! The staff is super friendly and very attentive, and always happy to make menu recommendations. The downtown location on Broadway Street is perfect. Happy hour is a great deal. Overall, LV Mar is a must-visit destination for all foodies! It's honestly one of my favorites :)"

Leichi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (862) • $$$

"Grilled salt salmon is the best lunch option in town!I am surprised there is such an authentic Japanese restaurant nearby the area. Their lunch menu definitely features some of my favorite item including grilled fishes.I have tried grilled Hokke and salmon, however, salmon is my favorite. It comes with three different side dishes. Best of all, the soup that it came with was NOT miso soup! Finally a refreshing change.At night time its a traditional Japanese izakaya."

Izakaya

★★★★☆ 3.9 (834) • $$

"Really cute and cozy Japanese izakaya. Food was all tasty and authentic. Ordered the negitoro roll, chicken nanban, salmon ochazuke, and the salmon sashimi bento. Fish tasted high quality and chicken was juicy. The California roll was also surprisingly good, I'll definitely be back to try more of the dishes."

LaLe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (697) • $$

"10am Saturday. Determined to see Flower Piano in Golden Gate Park, I skipped breakfast in order to find a parking space near the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Taking a day off from my perfect Avocado Toast quest I found LaLe, an easy walk. .Nice! They have a parklet, should it ever get warm enough. Inside, comforting dim lights, warm wood arched plank ceiling, like 1/2 a fancy giant wine barrel. Clever solution for a too high ceiling I'm guessing. Definitely a classy casual vibe, country-ish rock music, you can still have conversation. This is no laptop village, people are talking to each other! Wallpaper is enlarged French newspapers with giant tulips incorporated.Ordered a la carte 2 fried eggs, 4 strips bacon, muffin. Bummer the eggs not medium well as ordered, rather runny, more than made up for it with the homemade jam & muffin.By 10:30 folks were streaming in. MUNI N Judah on the corner.Destination worthy.Support Local!"

Dohatsuten

★★★★☆ 3.6 (900) • $$

"This is my go-to ramen spot in the area. I recently took my team here for lunch, including a couple of co-workers who haven't had ramen before. It was no surprise that they loved it! Everyone ordered a different one, but I always go for the pork w/ tonkutsu (sp?). The flavors are great, and work so well together. The broth... We also ordered some apps to share. The karage is crispy and light, and the chicken is perfectly cooked. The spicy edamame hit the spot, and the calamari is a favorite of a few folx on the team. We chose to sit outside on the picnic benches, where folx could grab some shade or sun, depending on their mood. The road is right there, but you don't even notice it while you're eating.The service is good, not great. They tend to run a bit more than they need to when they are busy and probably could learn something about treating the whole party as one table, and even treating their section as one table so they don't run back and forth for separate asks."

District

★★★★☆ 3.9 (523) • $$

"District has an excellent selection of appetizers. I had Brussels sprouts and ahi poke. Brussels sprouts were crispy, nicely seasoned, and mixed with pork belly. The tuna was beautifully presented over crispy rice but it was cut so small that I couldn't really taste it. The pizza was decent and arrived super hot so that was nice. Our servers were also friendly and very attentive at the bar seating. However, the 6% surcharge should have been printed on the dining menu as well, not just the drinks menu. I didn't order any drinks, so it came as a surprise. Overall I probably wouldn't return for a full meal but maybe for happy hour and appetizers."

Kothai Republic

★★★★★ 4.6 (369)

"Inventive flavors, welcoming service, cozy ambiance as you watch the world go by through the tall glass walls on the corner of 9th & Judah. All but one of the tables was full when I entered sans reservation and it only became so when a couple offered to split their 4-top. We had a lively conversation about food and San Francisco places.I ordered Yellowtail Carpaccio ($23) that was delicate yet deeply flavored with ginger miso aioli, chili oil and a nori chip.The meltingly tender pork chop over miso parsnip purée ($39) was punctuated with a grilled fresno pepper to balance the sweetness of the glaze but whose scoville rating I didn't fully appreciate until the first bite (that'll teach me!) I really appreciated the cooking method of the pork chop as it was medium yet the fat was perfectly rendered. I ate every bite even though I intended to take half of it home.With a slightly peppery Russian River Pinot Noir, it was the perfect meal.Service was on point, every step felt ideally timed and unhurried.I like their menu very much and photos of certain brunch items look very tempting. I'll be back."

Mayan Kitchen Food

★★★★☆ 4.4 (323) • $$

"Sitting in the center of historic Murphy Avenue, Mayan Kitchen has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (perfect on a summer evening). Empanadas 9/10: We tried the vegan and beef empanadas and loved them both. Crisp exteriors paired with flavorful, juicy filling made these a great appetizer, though I wouldn't have minded eating a bunch as a meal. Cochinita Pibil 8/10: This slow-cooked pork dish is good and borders on a 9/10 with its appealing presentation, fall-apart pork, and cilantro rice. I wish the pork had been a little less greasy as the fat congealed on the bottom, but I really enjoyed it regardless. The pickled onions give a nice hit of acid. Served with Tajin dusted jicama and beans. Potato Croquettes 7/10: I really enjoyed these but the cranberries were wholly unnecessary. I love croquettes and cranberries, but not together. They added a sweetness that clashed with the wonderfully savory croquettes. It's plated with tomatoes that are dressed in a cheesy, almost mozzarella or burrata flavor profile. Easily a 8.5/10 if it weren't for the cranberries. Aqua Fresca (seasonal Dragonfruit) 8/10: On the sweeter side, but still a really tasty drink. Their agua Fresca flavor changes throughout the year. Vegan Cheesecake and churro were good. Our server heard that we were hoping for a churro with no cream and was able to get one for us (they are cream-filled by default). Overall, the service was attentive and this spot caters really well to vegan diners and non-vegans alike!! They did forget one item on our order, but I won't dock any points for that :)"

Iberia Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (378) • $$$

"If you're looking for some authentic, Spanish cuisine in the SF Peninsula, I recommend this place! From the moment you get there, the exterior looks very European! Once inside you feel transported to a small Spanish town. The interior is very cozy and intimate. We ordered several typical tapas. Patata bravas, croquetas and pa amb tomaquet to start. The food came out and looked so delicious. Tasting them also was another level. The food tasted fresh, full of flavour and an authentic. The food tastes as if you're at a family dinner, full of good seasoning and flavours. We ordered the paella to share, and of course you have to order it sacarrat style which is with crispy edges. The desserts were amazing and súper good! The service was great, with our hostess checking in with us throughout the dinner. I've driven by this place hundreds of times and finally got to try it. Parking is along the street. I also highly recommend making reservations as this place is on the smaller side. It's a must try!"

KoKoLo Donburi - Milpitas

★★★★☆ 4 (373) • $$

"My cousin & I had dinner at Kokolo Donburi on a Sunday night after watching the 49ers in nearby Santa Clara. We were starved so something with rice was definitely what we needed and were looking to have.I went with the gyudon ($15) and my cousin got the katsu don with egg ($15). We also ordered ika karaage ($9) and jidori karaage ($10) for appetizers. I like the gyudon i ordered but would have preferred no ginger on mine. The photo on the menu doesnt show or allude to any ginger in the description otherwise I would have opted to not have it. The meat was good, added soy sauce and mixed it all up with the rice and onions. Just what I needed after a long day at the stadium. My cousin liked his katsu don. He hadnt had one like that with the egg and it hit the spot for him. The chicken karaage was good and so was the squid. I liked both of them but enjoyed the squid more. Squeezed some lemon on them and used their provided dipping sauce. Good stuff. The chicken karaage was good. Moist not dry. Dipping sauce was the same as the one for the squid. We ordered a good amount and still had leftovers.Service was friendly. I think the gentleman that took our order was the owner. A young lady that was there and helping clean up looked to be a family member but I'm not certain. They were both nice & friendly. They both checked in on us and thanked us on our way out. The one thing I noticed that evening was some of the tables needed to be cleared. The man taking the orders was also the one clearing the tables when he had a chance... Nice people, we would for sure go back. I would try a sukiyaki don or katsu don next time. Plenty of parking in their shared lot. @ entrances on either side of the establishment. Located off the 237 near the 880. They provide water. My cousin was ecstatic that they had Coke Zero. Ha!"

Juban Ramen & Tapas

★★★★☆ 4.1 (280) • $$

"Ramen is good any time of year but I especially enjoy eating ramen in colder weather. I consider Juban ramen to be a hole in the wall and undiscoverable unless through word of mouth or Yelp! Juban is consistent and I recommend their tonkotsu ramen with the deep pork bone broth - it's so soothing! Two thin slices of chashu, some bamboo, bean sprouts, half soft boiled egg, green onions and chewy noodles for $16. Max capacity I'd say is about 25 people with 10 tables so service is quick. The chicken karage uses tender and juicy thigh meat but I do prefer the batter to be more crispy. All in all solid ramen place; give it a try in you're in the area."

One Fish Raw Bar

★★★★★ 4.7 (212) • $$$$

"WOW! That is the only word that was coming out of my mouth as we had dinner here last night. No joke one of the best dinners I've had in a VERY long time. Not only the food but the service was spectacular. Open kitchen, clean and precise. Spare but effective dining room. Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar, so much more interactive. (If you like that sort of thing). My date and I will be back (he's a regular, and now I will be too). Honestly, if they don't get a Michelin Star, no one else should either. Worthy of all the accolades. James Beard, 100%! Michelin, 100%! Yum yum."

Corner Table

★★★★☆ 4.4 (139) • $$

"AMAZING - this place is truly a gem! There is actually a Sushi restaurant next door and they share a patio, so you can easily order from either, which was ideal for our picky group. We sat outside - who knew the middle of February would have a blast of warm sunshine.Food - 1/2 our group ordered from Corner Table, the other half ordered from the Sushi place. Loco Moco - 10/10 - my brother may as well have licked his plate! he said it was delicious and very flavorful.Kids Burger 10/10 - my nephew loved it, it was a nice size and cooked well - fresh bun.Grilled Cheese 8/10 - my son enjoyed it, but wished he would have ordered his cousin's burger instead, next time he will!Avocado Toast 10/10 - HUGE portion, lots of great Avocado and a nice big salad, my SIL said it was really tasty.It was awesome, we had such a lovely time and the friendliness of everyone there truly made this a 5 out of 5 experience! We are already figuring out our next brunch date as a family!"

Special Hainan Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.7 (189) • $$

"Great place for Hainanese chicken meals, you cannot go wring with the signature hainan chicken plate -- my go to.Great tasting chicken, chicken rice, peanuts, scallion tapenade, ginger, woodear mushrooms, and cucumbers sum up the plate. I tried the pork knuckles and duck on a previous meal. Both highly recommended.Service is amazing and the place keeps its fast convenient charm. To-go orders also happen all the time--get a whole bird on the go."

El Cerrito Taquería and Cenaduría

★★★★☆ 4 (84) • $$

"It took 25 minutes but I guess it was worth the wait, a chorizo con papas burrito on a Saturday morning in east San Jose.."

Khazana

★★★★☆ 3.8 (56)

"I've wanted to eat here ever since they opened and finally had the chance for a quick bite and drink and the food, drink and service was wonderful! I had Varki' Chicken with Salli from the "small plates" selection. The chicken was tender and moist - the menu says creamy but it's more from a marinade perspective. The silver leaves are indeed edible :) comes with a little salad and salli potato sticks. They also made me a "test" cocktail with mezcal and Jaan Paan Indian liqueur topped with a smoked kumquat - wild!I'd like to make a comment about the cuisine and menu in general:This is not standard Indian cuisine- it's called modern Indian cuisine but there's more to it. There are some spicy dishes but it's not all about that but about creative yummy dishes served by the nicest and most knowledgeable staff in their beautiful spacious dining room. Come by, have a drink and a small plate at the bar and you'll plan your next visit right then!"

W XYZ Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (33) • $$

"Sorry to say, this place had gone way downhill on my last visit. Since Marriott took over, the W XYZ branding is gone and it's just "Aloft." The soggy fries were more like any other restaurant, and the soda was noticeably watered down. The steak cut has been downgraded to ribeye.I'm glad I was able to enjoy it when Starwood was striving to bring a premium experience to budget-conscious consumers. Now the budget part is more painfully obvious, and where I had gone out of my way to visit before, it now feels like an overpriced Denny's. Bye, Felicia."

Fire Hibachi

★★★★☆ 3.5 (11)

"Highly recommend this place. I personally would rate it, four out of five however, my husband gives it a five out of five. To me what makes the food amazing is the sauces. I feel like they have to add more seasoning to their food. The service is great. The ambiance is okay, it's a food truck so be prepared to wait a while and there's no chairs for customer to sit. Other than that I highly recommend this place."

B Street & Vine

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"$22 for four bruschettas We got to try 4 different flavors. They were all delicious. The tortilla soup was really a winner! Very balanced, it's hard to find a good tortilla soup."

Tanto Japanese Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Came here for weekday dinner and fell in love with this place! Expansive menu with some items not commonly seen elsewhere. We ordered four dishes for the two of us and loved every single one. Special mentions are the Sashimi Salad, which had larger portion than we thought and the ingredients were all fresh and high quality. The monkfish liver was soft, rich and well-balanced by the ponzu-based sauce so that it's not overly gamy. We arrived ~6pm on a Wednesday and there was no wait. Good flavor, fresh ingredients, nice service, great bang for the buck. This place has made to our go-to weekday dinner list. Love!"

Lolinda

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"I really enjoy this food because of the atmosphere and delicious food.I've been here quite a few times for birthday dinners, date nights and when friends are visiting from out of town.They have a great selection on the menus.Great to share family style/Tapas. You get more bang for the buck and the ability to try more of the menu. The drinks are delicious as well.Sometimes it can be quite busy so I would recommend making a reservation."

New England Lobster Market & Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"Wasn't sure about the location of this spot, but decided to try it since it was walkable from our hotel. Service was fast. Food was delicious! Even my husband who's not a fan of seafood enjoyed his hotdog. Great patio with umbrellas."

Coqueta

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$

"Came out for lunch and enjoyed just about everything. I missed out on photos of the menu and the first 4 dishes or so but overall dishes were great my favorite were the Paella de tinta black paella. The seafood was cooked perfectly and the rice had wonderful flavoring which was both rich and tasty.The drinks were great! even the non-alcholic ones. Atmostphere was a bit crowded, but it is a small restaurant so I understand the need to fit as many people in as possible. However, with the price you're paying I do wish we had a little more breathing room. All in all, I would definetly come back."