A Short Guide to San Jose’s Food Scene
While speaking with a client recently, I mentioned that I didn’t think that San Jose was as gastronomically diverse as some of the other regions in the Bay Area. My client, who had grown up in Santa Clara stood there wide eyed and insisted that San Jose had a fantastic food scene. Boy am I glad I listened to him! After doing some research, I discovered just how much San Jose has to offer in terms of dining experiences.
San Jose’s large Hispanic population means that there is a plethora of Mexican food options that fit into both the street food and refined dining categories. Foodies can find everything from tacos, burritos, and enchiladas to more traditional dishes like chile rellenos and mole. Our favorite pick though is Luna Mexican Kitchen. This restaurant has a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu features classic dishes like tacos and burritos, as well as more unique items like wild mushroom quesadillas and roasted cauliflower tacos.
Luna Kitchen
In addition to my preference for Mexican cuisine, San Jose has fine dining establishments too. I was excited to discover Adega and the beautiful plating that the restaurant offers. For those of you who don’t know, Adega is a Michelin-starred restaurant serving contemporary Portuguese cuisine. The menu features seafood dishes, like octopus and salt cod, as well as meat dishes like duck and lamb.
Run by chef David Costa and his wife, pastry chef Jessica Carreira, Adega features seafood dishes, like octopus and salt cod, as well as meat dishes like duck and lamb. The menu is a love letter to Costa’s home country of Portugal. Costa’s experience is also vast, he’s worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe, while his wife, Carreira, is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris.
The menu at Adega changes frequently based on the availability of ingredients and the chef's creative inspirations. Some popular dishes include the octopus with sweet potato and chorizo, the pork belly with apple and fennel, and the uni and squid ink risotto. The restaurant also offers a tasting menu, which allows diners to sample a variety of the chef's signature dishes.
In addition to its food, Adega is also known for its extensive wine list, which features a wide variety of Portuguese wines as well as selections from around the world. The restaurant has won several awards for its wine program, including the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Overall, Adega is a must-visit for anyone interested in Portuguese cuisine or high-end dining in San Jose. However, due to its popularity and limited seating, reservations are hard to come by, so plan in advance!
Adega
Finally, my last pick for eating in San Jose is Falafel's Drive-In. This popular fast-casual restaurant has been serving up falafel sandwiches and other Middle Eastern favorites. The menu also includes items like gyros, hummus, and tabbouleh.
The restaurant was founded in 1966 and has been family-owned and operated ever since. Its menu features a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, including falafel sandwiches, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh. The falafel sandwiches are particularly popular and are served with a variety of toppings, including tahini sauce, hot sauce, and pickles. One unique feature of Falafel's Drive-In is its carhop service. Customers can order from their cars and have their food brought out to them by a server on roller skates, who wouldn’t want to relive the 50’s? For those who enjoy dining outdoors, there is also a covered outdoor seating area.
Falafel's Drive-In has received numerous accolades over the years, including being named one of the best fast-food restaurants in America by Travel + Leisure magazine. It is also a popular destination for visitors to San Jose who are looking for a quick and delicious meal at an affordable price.
Falafel’s Drive In
Address: 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Phone: (408) 294-7886
Overall, San Jose's gastronomy scene is diverse and exciting, offering something for everyone. My recommendation is to get out and explore! As always, if there are any fun finds that you think I can feature, please let me know.
