Explore dishes and flavors from around the globe by visiting authentic and award-winning restaurants in Downtown San Jose. The city is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America, and this is reflected in the cuisine showcased by the many restaurants that you will find here. Your culinary journey will take you through the neighborhoods where you will find fine-dining French restaurants to drive-ins serving quick on-the-go meals like falafel sandwiches. Take a look at some of the restaurants below that showcase San Jose’s cultural diversity. This is the narrowed-down top 10 list of restaurants in downtown San Jose, that have been carefully selected for your next food crawl.
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1. Le Papillon
Le Papillon is a fine-dining contemporary French restaurant that specializes in showcasing the best of seasonal ingredients. The dishes are beautifully and elegantly presented in a quiet setting. The menu includes a tasty menu that consists of seven carefully curated dishes from chilled lobster with Miso-butterscotch and preserved Mandarinquat to start, right through to Gateau-basque with poached apples and caramelized white chocolate to finish off. There is also a fixed menu of a world-class standard, consisting of three courses.
Le Papillon
Address: 410 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose CA 95129
Website: Le Papillon
Average Price for two people: 120 USD
2. Nemea Greek Taverna
Flagship lamb chops seared, plated, and ready to make someone very happy!
Posted by Nemea Greek Taverna on Monday, 2 July 2018
This Mediterranean restaurant located in San Jose brings the best of Greek cuisine. The restaurant setting is a modern wine cellar theme highlighting some of the best wines on the wall with wooden barrels seen on each corner of the restaurant. They are open for lunch and dinner with happy hour on all cocktails during weekdays from 4pm-6pm. Sample the different meze of Dolmathes (Grape Leaves / Rice / Aromatic Spices / Dill / Pine Nuts / Tomato) and Spanakopita (Phyllo / Spinach / Leeks / Feta) which are ideal for sharing, and of course, the flagship lamb chops.
Nemea Greek Taverna
Address: 96 South First Street, SAN JOSE, CA
Website: Nemea Greek Taverna
Average Price for two people: 60 USD
3. The City Fish
The City Fish offers a wide selection of fried seafood dishes made to perfection, at an affordable price. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 9 am until 10 pm and until 9 pm on Sundays. When in San Jose, make sure to stop at this restaurant and try out the fresh and flaky fried fish, served with chips and tartar sauce, with a side of coleslaw. The restaurant also offers a delivery service, so there is no need to leave the comfort of your home in order to try their delicious meals.
The City Fish
Address: 30 E Santa Clara St #140, San Jose, CA 95113
Website: The City Fish
Average Price for two people: 25 USD
4. Mezcal
Mezcal is a traditional Mexican restaurant that serves authentic and delicious Oaxacan food. Enjoy a meal in the upscale design setting with an exposed-brick dining room or on the open patio. The food is made to perfection in a way that will remind you of home cooking, from the table side guacamole to the homemade corn tortillas. Diners have the opportunity to watch the guacamole being made in the molcajete. The meal portions are big so be prepared to take leftovers or plan to share a dish.
Mezcal
Address: 25 W San Fernando Street, San Jose, California
Website: Mezcal
Average Price for two people: 70 USD
5. La Forêt
This weeks entree special. Medallions of South Texas antelope, roasted plums, pinot noir reduction. #LaForet...
Posted by La Foret Restaurant on Saturday, 16 June 2018
A romantic restaurant that offers a sophisticated French dining experience in a countryside setting. La Forêt serves fine-dining French cuisine, located in the Almaden Valley of San Jose, overlooking the creek. The restaurant has large windows which surround the entire dining area, allowing diners to have a glimpse of the gorgeous outdoor setting while enjoying their meals. The menu has a wide selection for both meat lovers and vegetarians. As an entree, try out the Medallions of South Texas antelope - the meat is tender and the presentation is a sight to behold.
La Forêt
Address: 21747 Bertram Road, San Jose, CA 95120
Website: La Forêt
Average Price for two people: 120 USD
6. Vito’s Trattoria
September is National Chicken Month! Enjoy our Pollo alla Griglia! We marinate chicken breast in olive oil, oregano, and rosemary, then grilled it and topped it with sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives.
Posted by Vitos NY Trattoria on Monday, 10 September 2018
Vito’s Trattoria is an old-school family restaurant where family recipes have been passed down and are now being shared with the rest of the world in the form of the meals served. The restaurant has a rustic feel to it and is open for both lunch and dinner. On the lunch menu, guests will find dishes like Pollo alla Griglia, fried mozzarella sticks, Caprese salad, and Antipasto Tradizionale, which is a combination of Prosciutto, Salami, Provolone Cheese, fresh Mozzarella, Over Roma Tomatoes and Olives With Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette. Vito’s Trattoria is a true hidden gem in the heart of San Jose’s North First Business District.
Vito’s Trattoria
Address: 90 Skyport Drive • San Jose, CA
Website: Vito’s Trattoria
Average Price for two people: 60 USD
7. Scott's Seafood
How festive is our Seared Blackened Ahi held up with a cucumber salad and a side of sesame soy dressing? #perfect #savory #delicious #seafood #hungry
Posted by Scotts Seafood San Jose on Monday, 12 December 2016
This is a relaxed and airy spot serving classic seafood dishes & cocktails/wine amid a traditional vibe. Scott’s Seafood is a great option if one is looking to sample fresh seafood and pasta dishes, as well as great steaks and chicken meals. There is a full bar on the property where one can relax while sipping on a glass of wine and mingle with a friend. Reservations are recommended in order to secure your spot at the table, without any disappointments.
Scott's Seafood
Address: 185 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95113
Website: Scott’s Seafood
Average Price for two people: 60 USD
8. Il Fornaio
Choosing what to have for dessert is a tough decision - eliminate the need to decide with the Dolce Trio, a dessert...
Posted by Il Fornaio San Jose on Friday, 23 March 2018
Il Fornaio is an upmarket chain for Italian dining that offers elegant private space along with a wide range of specialized menus and services to offer diners a true and authentic dining experience. Bread is freshly baked daily, at the in-house bakery. Start off with baby squid, lightly floured and deep fried, served with spicy marinara, followed by a main of pasta with chopped tomatoes, garlic, marinara sauce and fresh basil, then ending off your meal with a decadent mouth-watering dessert.
Il Fornaio
Address: 302 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Website: Il Fornaio
Average Price for two people: 80 USD
9. Arcadia
Michael Mina's Ahi Tuna Tartare with Asian pear, sesame oil, mint, and chile.
Posted by Arcadia Steak on Thursday, 7 August 2014
Arcadia restaurant Serves tender steaks that melt in your mouth as well as modified classic dishes like Mac & Cheese. Arcadia’s innovative cuisine is sure to satisfy even the most sophisticated pallet. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of San Jose Marriot Hotel, and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a casual dress code. Enjoy meals like Lobster Corn Dogs, Ahi Tuna Tartare, and Steak Rossini.
Arcadia
Address: 301 South Market Street, San Jose, California 95113 USA
Website: Arcadia
Average Price for two people: 120 USD
10. Falafel Drive-In
This Middle-Eastern restaurant is set on the roadside and allows visitors to order their meals from the comfort of their vehicles through a take-out window. The restaurant is committed to serving authentic ethnic dishes that use the freshest of ingredients and is suitable for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. When there, make sure to try their famous falafels served on a fresh pita sandwich and stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and tahini sauce.
Falafel Drive-In
Address: 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Website: Falafel Drive-In
Average Price for two people: 20 USD
Excite your taste-buds at these restaurants
Go ahead and give your taste-buds a unique experience by visiting some of these restaurants that have been carefully selected to send you on a culinary food journey in Downtown San Jose.
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