4. Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

Try the: Miso Ramen

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“Santouka’s soup is made by hand from scratch at all its restaurants, both in Japan and abroad.
The reason why we stick to our ingredients and production method is to serve ‘Family friendly, delicious, and healthy ramen.’That is why we use minimal salt.

Like food parents give their children, we strive and pour our love into our ramen. In keeping with the spirit of Santouka at the time of its founding, we aim to be a ramen restaurant that will be loved forever by people around the world. We will never stop delivering our consistent flavor.”

5. The Table

Try the: Braised Beef Cheeks

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“The Table is an urban neighborhood restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients, hand-crafted cocktails and progressive wines. We are called The Table because we recognize a table’s unique ability to bring together delicious food, fun drinks and good people. Many of life’s best memories have been created around a table

Our cuisine is contemporary American, paying tribute to the people and cultures that call this valley home. We believe that the quality of our product begins at the source—with the farmers, ranchers, and dairymen that produce them. By establishing relationships with local farms and ranches, our goal is to understand the origins of everything we cook and seek out only those ingredients produced with integrity and care. We commit to delivering delicious food that highlights the quality of the ingredients we source, free of over manipulation.”

6. Smoking Pig BBQ

Try the: Pulled Pork

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“Paul had been learning BBQ, chatting with friends and groups online, trying out recipes, burning things and starting uncontrolled, but thankfully small, fires. The thing about BBQ is that it is not “set oven to 350 and cook for one hour”. It was a ton of variables that all had to be managed each and every cook in order for the result to be successful. He was hooked on the challenge of it all.

They quickly learned that they needed a real commercial kitchen, and in the process of looking for one to use, they came across the location on 4th St., where the Mexican Food restaurant owners wanted out. Thinking “I’ll be out of business in about 7 months, the industry average”, Paul took over the lease, put a hand made sign that said “BBQ” on an A-frame out by the driveway, and they were off. Paul was Pitmaster, Line Cook, Prep Cook and Server. Jessica ran the Front of House when she could get away from her other job. After cooking overnight, Paul would often sleep on the seats in the restaurant, until one day, a lovely lady opened the door and said, “Are you open?”

Since that time, we have been so very fortunate to have built a huge family of wonderful people who enjoy our style of BBQ. We are humbled and eternally grateful to everyone who loves BBQ and especially to the BBQ aficionados, the true believers, who recognize our commitment to traditional BBQ slow cooking methods.”

7. The Breakfast Club

Try the: Crab Cake Benedict

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“Fresh, local ingredients. Recipes carefully crafted for optimal flavor. That’s what a meal at The Breakfast Club at Midtown is all about. Well, that and having a great time. When you mix our good vibes with our great morning cocktails, you’re in for a refreshing and delicious treat. We’ve got all your favorite sweet dishes in our lineup — waffles, pancakes, French toast. Or, for our savory food fanatics, we have burgers, sandwiches, and Benedicts. It’s time you did brunch The Breakfast Club way.”

8. A Slice of New York

Try the: Cheese Pizza

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“If you’ve never been here before, let me offer this suggestion – Try a plain slice (just cheese). It will allow you to taste all the flavors in balance. Then, once you know how the base pie tastes, feel free to add items. We offer combination pies and slices, and we can always make something custom for you.

Strombolis and calzones are made to order. We also have garlic knots. Our cannoli, tiramisu, NY Cheesecake, and Brooklyn Blackout Cake come all the way from Wyandanch, Long Island.

We use only the best ingredients. Period. In NY, if your service or food quality is less than exceptional, you’ll be out of business in six months. We live by that standard here at A Slice of New York.”

9. Pizza Antica

Try the: Heirloom Potato Pizza

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in San Jose

“We are part of the Bacchus Management Group family of restaurants. Bacchus, located in the best “big” city in the world, San Francisco, is a boutique hospitality group that owns and oversees a handful of award-wining restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Spruce in San Francisco, and The Village Pub in Woodside. The group also includes SMIP Ranch, a private farm in the hills above Woodside that grows ingredients exclusively for the restaurants; a coffee roasting company, RoastCo; and Mayfield Bakery, an artisan bakery in Palo Alto.

Pizza Antica’s journey began over 10 years ago with the opening of the first location in Santana Row. Our goal was to evoke the feeling of eating in a classic Roman pizzeria, while cooking with pristine local ingredients from small family farmers. We have since opened additional restaurants in Mill Valley, and Lafayette.”

10. SJ Omogari

Try the: Tofu Soap

“You’ll find great Korean food and gracious people who will welcome you with open arms. Food choices are labeled with Korean names and American descriptions. You will also find a legend that will let you know how spicy your meal will be. Almost everything is available for take out also.

Don’t forget to ask about your favorite to us. We’re betting you’ll find it already available but if not, we’re also betting that will take your name and number and tell you when she has made some – just for you!

Family friends will also be happy to fill in any gaps there might be in your knowledge of Korean culture if you have an interest and ask.”