Guidebook for San Jose
Food Scene
$$
One of the best ramen shops in the Bay Area. The general manager also runs Iroriya (right next door) and Sumika.
34 locals recommend
Orenchi Ramen
3540 Homestead Rd$$
One of the best ramen shops in the Bay Area. The general manager also runs Iroriya (right next door) and Sumika.
$$$
Japanese home-style cooking. If you're coming here for lunch, definitely order the oyakodon.
19 locals recommend
Sumika
236 Plaza Central$$$
Japanese home-style cooking. If you're coming here for lunch, definitely order the oyakodon.
$ A super lively restaurant/bar. It's only open from Wednesday through Sunday. It has live music (mostly jazz) which is super awesome to listen to. The grilled cheese and tomato soup is to die for. Notes: On nights with live performance, there might be a cover charge (usually around $5-10).
28 locals recommend
Cafe Stritch
372 S 1st St$ A super lively restaurant/bar. It's only open from Wednesday through Sunday. It has live music (mostly jazz) which is super awesome to listen to. The grilled cheese and tomato soup is to die for. Notes: On nights with live performance, there might be a cover charge (usually around $5-10).
Ramen Taka
2219 The Alameda$$ Pretty good ramen shop.
$$ Conveyer-style sushi restaurant. The price is decent and the food is great.
13 locals recommend
Sushi Maru
262 Jackson St$$ Conveyer-style sushi restaurant. The price is decent and the food is great.
Misoya
3541 Homestead Rd$$
A Japanese chain ramen shop. They specialize in Hokkaido and Kyoto style ramen.
$$$$
High-end steakhouse influenced by Japanese cooking. Great place to go for special occasions and business meetings. The hamachi shots are really popular.
42 locals recommend
Alexander's Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd$$$$
High-end steakhouse influenced by Japanese cooking. Great place to go for special occasions and business meetings. The hamachi shots are really popular.
$$$$
A very traditional Japanese over-the-fire cooking style, known as "robatayaki". Super fresh vegetables and meats. Definitely a great place to go for dinner.
19 locals recommend
Sumika
236 Plaza Central$$$$
A very traditional Japanese over-the-fire cooking style, known as "robatayaki". Super fresh vegetables and meats. Definitely a great place to go for dinner.
In-N-Out Burger
550 Newhall Drive$
If you're in California, you have to go try an In-N-Out Burger.
$ Super delicious taco stand inside San Pedro Market. The fish taco is great. Also don't forget to get your parking voucher.
Loteria Taco Bar
87 N San Pedro St$ Super delicious taco stand inside San Pedro Market. The fish taco is great. Also don't forget to get your parking voucher.
$
Coffee shop inside San Pedro Market. Great baristas serving Sightglass coffee. Warning: They don't have internet.
9 locals recommend
B2 Coffee
87 N San Pedro St$
Coffee shop inside San Pedro Market. Great baristas serving Sightglass coffee. Warning: They don't have internet.
$
Great upscale coffee shop. They are known for their Red Velvet latté and gibraltar. If Daniel is your barista, ask him to make you a "special" latté art. He's the best at it.
Bitter + Sweet
20560 Town Center Ln$
Great upscale coffee shop. They are known for their Red Velvet latté and gibraltar. If Daniel is your barista, ask him to make you a "special" latté art. He's the best at it.
Essentials
$$
Japanese supermarket. There's also a Japanese TV/movie rental shop and Daiso near by.
35 locals recommend
Mitsuwa Marketplace - San Jose
675 Saratoga Ave$$
Japanese supermarket. There's also a Japanese TV/movie rental shop and Daiso near by.
$$$
Grocery store known for organic foods. This Whole Foods is awesome because it has a beer garden/bar. Great to go to before an event at the SAP center.
350 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
777 The Alameda$$$
Grocery store known for organic foods. This Whole Foods is awesome because it has a beer garden/bar. Great to go to before an event at the SAP center.
$$
Grocery store. Great price. Their in-store snacks they make are super delicious.
236 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
635 Coleman Ave$$
Grocery store. Great price. Their in-store snacks they make are super delicious.
$
If you need anything, this is the place to go. Appliances, groceries, pharmacy, etc.
147 locals recommend
Target
533 Coleman Ave$
If you need anything, this is the place to go. Appliances, groceries, pharmacy, etc.
Safeway Market
$
Cheap groceries, open 24/7.
Nijiya Market
240 Jackson St$$
Japanese super market.
Drinks & Nightlife
$ to $$$
This is more than just a bar, it is a large open space with multiple different restaurants and bars. Definitely recommend.
234 locals recommend
San Pedro Square Market
87 N San Pedro St$ to $$$
This is more than just a bar, it is a large open space with multiple different restaurants and bars. Definitely recommend.
Everything Else
$ to $$$$
This is an event center where the San Jose Sharks (NHL) play. There are also concerts and conventions that go on here.
271 locals recommend
SAP Center
525 W Santa Clara St$ to $$$$
This is an event center where the San Jose Sharks (NHL) play. There are also concerts and conventions that go on here.
$
At this station hub you can take the Caltrain (up to San Francisco), Light Rail (SJ to Mountain View) and buses.
134 locals recommend
San Jose Diridon Station
65 S Montgomery St$
At this station hub you can take the Caltrain (up to San Francisco), Light Rail (SJ to Mountain View) and buses.