This major city, which is set amid the hills of Silicon Valley at the southern end of the Bay Area, is famous around the world as the home of major technology firms. This status is reflected in some of the popular city attractions, such as the Tech Museum of Innovation in the downtown area. But if it isn’t technology that brings you to the city, there are also plenty of interesting sights to enjoy, such as the surreal Winchester Mystery House - with its range of unusual features that were aimed at ‘confusing’ ghosts. Other highlights include the vibrant drink scene of downtown, the mummies of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and the public park of Mission Peak with its elevated views. But whatever your travel plans, you’ll no doubt want to find a few tasty spots in which to dine out. And, if you seek halal food, you’re in luck. Read on for some of the best halal restaurants in San Jose.
1. The Halal Guys - San Jose
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This successful chain of restaurants has grown rapidly from a single, hugely-popular hot dog kart in New York in the 1990s to a true USA player, with well over 70 outlets. Naturally, this success owes a huge amount to the popularity of its menu. And the outlet in San Jose - a true sit-down restaurant - is no different. Its mix of Mediterranean and middle eastern dishes have made it a very busy location at peak times. And, given its name, you can be rest assured that everything on offer is halal friendly. It is also located in a large retail park, so if you fancy a little shopping, you’ll find plenty to occupy your time.
The Halal Guys - San Hose
Address: 81 Curtner Avenue #20, San Jose, CA 95125
Website: The Halal Guys - San Hose
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 2am
2. Halal Gyro Express & Kebabs
Another eatery which started out as a street food truck but proved so successful that it soon expanded into a true restaurant experience in its own right. Halal Gyro Express began as recently as 2012, when its owner opened a food truck close to San Jose State University. Its original four-item menu was soon in demand and it began to visit many large events in the surrounding area, before opening its restaurant. Today the restaurant menu boasts no fewer than 40 low-cost halal, falafel and Greek options, so you’ll find plenty of meals from which to choose - whatever time of day you pop by.
Halal Gyro Express & Kebabs
Address: 3730 North 1 Street #150, San Jose, CA 95134
Website: Halal Gyro Express & Kebabs
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 10pm
3. Via Mia Pizza (Saratoga)
This family-owned pizzeria features no fewer than 32 specialty pizzas, so if you’re a fan or a good crust and tasty sauces you’ll find plenty of options. Located on Saratoga Avenue in the west of the city, the outlet enjoys strong word-of-mouth from previous customers, who praised the “consistently delicious” pizzas and their extensive toppings. Indeed, numerous diners hailed it was being among the best pizza they’ve had anywhere. And, if you can’t make it to this corner of the city, the outlet also offers takeout service.
Via Mia Pizza (Saratoga)
Address: 1150 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129
Website: Via Mia Pizza (Saratoga)
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
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4. Maiwand Kabob
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located not far from Downtown San Jose in the Olinder neighborhood, this simple family-run Afghan kebab eatery serves a mix of options, including gyro, a range of vegetarian choices such as leek or potato boulanee, as well as its signature kabob selection. These include tikka, shammi, in chicken options, as well as larger combos for those big family sit-ins or takeout meals. There’s also a number of specials such as Qabili Palau and Ashes soup to tempt those taste buds.
Maiwand Kabob
Address: 1202 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95116
Website: Maiwand Kabob
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 12pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 7pm (closed on Mon)
5. Safari Kitchen
City explorers who like their street food may wish to make a beeline for the Safari Kitchen food truck on the corner of 8th and East Santa Clara Street. Taking its name from the East African-inspired dishes which it serves, it offers a selection of Somali options, with culinary influences from Ethiopia and the Middle East was thrown into the mix. Dishes include the likes of chicken, beef and vegetarian rice plates, as well as wraps, and sides that include beef or veggie sambusa. Those who have discovered the truck sing its praises, describing it as a “true hidden gem”, and praising the “tender” meat and low prices.
Safari Kitchen
Address: 8th and East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA
Website: Safari Kitchen
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 6pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
6. Jubba Somali Restaurant
This incredibly popular Somali-influenced halal restaurant has won hundreds of fans among its past diners, who threw about such superlatives as “phenomenal”, “sweeeet” and praised the beef as among the best they’d ever tasted. Something of a “hole in the wall” type eatery, it’s the quality of the food which has brought people back again and again. Despite its location at the southern fringe of the city, it should also be relatively easy to reach thanks to its position right next to the VTA Ohone/Chynoweth light transit train station and the West Valley Freeway.
Jubba Somali Restaurant
Address: 5330 Terner Way, San Jose, California 95136
Website: Jubba Somali Restaurant
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
7. Taste of South Asia
A one-stop option now which is likely to appeal to food fans who don’t just wish to enjoy tasty dishes but also fancy the idea of trying to whip up their own meals using some of the same ingredients. Taste Of South Asia, on South White Road, is a self-styled ‘grocery and grill’, which means it doesn’t just serve cooked meat and light appetizers, but also sells halal groceries for you to take home as well. The kebabs and biryani, chicken and goat dishes were among those praised by past customers. Others hailed the “fresh and tasty” groceries, which include sweetwater fish like hilsa (pictured), and ruhi, as well as cooked items and halal meat.
Taste of South Asia
Address: 2824 South White Road, San Jose, California
Website: Taste of South Asia
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10.30am - 8pm; Fri: 2.30pm - 9pm; Sat: 10.30am - 9pm; Sun:10.30am - 7pm (closed on Mondays)
8. Ma's
Located in the Carmine-Parkmont and Gordy area in the north of the city. Ma’s Restaurant is a Chinese and halal eatery that has a strong reputation among local fans of Asian food. Offering self-styled modern takes on classic meals, highlights among some past diners were the “huge” portions and the likes of the Szechuan beef. The eatery also offers a take-out service (but no delivery), should you wish to take your food elsewhere. Those looking to visit should bear in mind however, that parking in the plaza next to the restaurant can get very busy at peak times, so allow extra time to find a space during rush hour.
Ma's
Address: 1715 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131
Website: Ma’s
Opening hours: 11am - 9.30pm (daily)
9. Cafe Eden
Those seeking to dine in the busy downtown area may wish to give Cafe Eden a go. Offering a range of Mediterranean halal dishes, it produces a range of shawarma, falafel, flatbreads, and wraps. Local food fans were certainly fans, praising the “customer service and delicious food” and “juicy and tasty” shawarma. Indeed, Cafe Eden professes to have the “best beef and chicken shawarma in town”. It’s a confidence boost. Why not give it a whirl and find out for yourself? It’s also well-placed for a number of downtown sites, be it the San Jose State University or the Tech Museum of Innovation - meaning it will appeal to everyone from tourists to students.
Cafe Eden
Address: 2 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Website: Cafe Eden
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 8pm; Sat: 10am - 7pm (closed on Sun)
10. Gulzaar
This popular family-owned halal restaurant has been winning fans in the greater Bay Area for more than six years. Offering a range of Middle Eastern, Afghan and Pakistani dishes, its menu enjoys a very strong reputation. There was also praise for the “reasonable prices” and unfussy atmosphere, where the food is allowed to do the talking. Indeed, delighted diners have been full of superlatives when describing their favorite meals, with the sandwiches proving one of several stand-outs. And, if you’d rather take food away, rather than dine on site, the restaurant offers items ‘to go’.
Gulzaar
Address: 1880 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95128
Website: Gulzaar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11.30am - 8pm (closed on Sun)
Choice aplenty
If it’s halal food you’re after, then there are plenty of options dotted all across San Diego for you to enjoy. Whether it’s Chinese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or African, all manner of culinary styles is covered. And that variety continues in the style of eatery you’re after - be it street food, takeout, sit-in dining, or even a restaurant/grocery store combo. Where will you head?
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