San Jose is a destination like no other, boasting an impressive array of Michelin-starred restaurants such as Adega, Strait Restaurant, and La Forêt. Everyone from foodies to travelers with a refined palette can have an unforgettable dining experience here, thanks to exquisite menus featuring delicacies from Mexico, Asia, Portugal, Singapore, and more!
A Culinary Delight Awaits in San Jose
San Jose is a city renowned for its wide variety of flavorful eateries. With a range of Mexican, Asian, and Portuguese cuisine as well as the renowned Michelin-starred Adega restaurant, it is no wonder that the city draws visitors from near and far. Even better, those who wish to experience this culinary delight have until December 2023 before Adega closes and reopens at a new location in early January. With something for every budget, San Jose is the place to go for an unforgettable dining experience.
Experience the Best of Portuguese and Asian Cuisine in San Jose
Adega is a culinary powerhouse in San Jose, boasting the only Michelin star in the city and being only the second Portuguese restaurant in the US to receive the esteemed honor. The talented chefs David Costa and Jessica Carreira have both cooked in Lisbon and often welcome Portuguese chefs from other Michelin-starred restaurants in Porto and Lisbon, making Adega the most ambitious and elegant Portuguese restaurant on the West Coast. The restaurant is also known for its impressive wine cellar of Portuguese rarities, and will soon be reopening at Petiscos in January 2024.
Straits Restaurant is also a favorite among San Joseans, offering a unique and diverse menu inspired by Singaporean cuisine and flavors from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and India. Chef Chris Yeo has crafted a vibrant and mouthwatering Asian fusion menu served in dishes meant to be shared. Guests can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience in this trendy and contemporary atmosphere.
A Luxurious Dining Experience
La Forêt, a charming creekside boarding house built in 1848, boasts an idyllic location on the outskirts of San Jose, surrounded by a lush forest. After undergoing renovations under new ownership in late 2017, the classic restaurant has retained its old-world elegance and much of its staff, offering an exquisite la carte menu as well as tasting menus ranging from $95–$225. Notable dishes include poached lobster tail in lime beurre blanc and rack of lamb in garlic, rosemary, and tarragon mustard, providing guests with a truly luxurious dining experience.
Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine
Falafel Drive-In is a beloved San Jose institution. This old-school fast-food stand proudly offers authentic Middle Eastern cuisine through its take-out window, delighting the city’s diners with amazing falafel, gyros, kabobs, hummus, foul, and tabbouleh.
Freshly Prepared Mexican Dishes
Since 2010, Aqui Cal-Mex has been a trailblazer in the fast-casual restaurant industry. With its first location opening in Silicon Valley, it has since expanded to several locations, including here in San Jose in 2019. Aqui Cal-Mex is proud to offer an array of Mexican dishes, from burritos to bowls to tacos, and they are all prepared using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. It boasts a spacious interior and outdoor seating area, as well as a “Swirl Counter” where customers can try their signature Industrial Strength Swirls – fruit mixtures swirled with margarita.
Authentic Jamaican Comfort Food
Back A Yard is a culinary destination that showcases the authentic Jamaican comfort food of renowned chef Robert Simpson. Customers can enjoy an ice-cold Jamaican Ting (grapefruit soda) while savoring such delicacies as curried goat, and jerk chicken, and sides like plantains, coconut rice and beans, and honey-sweet festivals. Daily specials are also available, featuring traditional favorites such as escoveitch (grilled whole fish) and Jamaica’s national dish—saltfish and ackee.
European Classics
Naschmarkt provides a unique dining experience with its Austrian-inspired cuisine. It is helmed by renowned Austrian-born chef Matthias Froeschl, who has crafted a menu of European classics such as wiener schnitzel, Hungarian goulash, and kraut roulade – a cabbage roll filled with beef, pork, and smoked bacon in mushroom demiglace. As the perfect way to end a meal, Salzburger Knockerl is offered – a warm souffle-like dessert drenched in a delightful berry sauce.
Enjoy Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy spongy injera “bread” as the base, and savor flavorful favorites such as yemisir wot (red lentils in berbere spice mix), kikil kitfo (finely chopped beef in herbed butter sauce and chili powder) or kik alitcha (yellow peas in turmeric, garlic, and ginger). For a truly unique ambiance, sit on traditional floor cushions while sipping Ethiopian coffee or honey wine.
Unique Cocktails and Exquisite Dishes
Black Sheep Brasserie offers a French-American dining experience like no other. Diners will be delighted by the quality cocktails available, such as A Postcard from Japan, made with a unique combination of black sesame-washed Japanese whisky, oloroso sherry, Licor 43, and black sesame bitters. The exquisite menu features dishes like oxtail rillettes, Burgundy snails in Pernod parsley butter, pan-roasted duck breast, lentils, and herb salad, all prepared with precision and care.
Discover Le Papillon
Experience San Jose’s culinary masterpiece, Le Papillon. Executive Chef Scott Cooper has worked his way up the ranks in the hospitality industry, from a dishwasher to his current position. His knowledge of international cuisine comes through in his modern Cal-French dishes, such as ragout of Burgundy snails with fennel panna cotta, linguine and prawns in Cognac truffle cream, and braised duck breast with sour cherry, sage, and black forbidden rice. Subscribe now to receive emails about the latest news, events, offers, and partner promotions – you won’t regret it!
San Jose is truly a dining destination for foodies of all kinds. From the star-studded Adega restaurant to the multi-cultural cuisine influenced by flavors from across Asia, the city provides tasty and diverse options for every palate and budget. For an unforgettable meal in an upscale setting, La Forêt is a charming escape into the past on an idyllic slice of nature. Meanwhile, Straits Restaurant encourages shared dinner experiences with its share-based concept. Whether looking for something exciting and new or classic and luxurious, San Jose promises an incredible culinary journey around the world at unmatched excellence and quality.
