Restaurants in San Mateo
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Best Restaurants
“On a Tuesday night 7pm, there is still 15 minute wait. This place is popular. You order off a QR code and the system supports multi user ordering for the same table. The skewers are tasty. I wish the skewers are spicier so next time I will put in an extra request. You get a birthday gift bag if you show your ID on the day of your birthday!”
“Really loved the food and ambiance! Will be back!
Vegetarian options: Lots of veggie skewers
Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly!”
“Didn't wait too long. Great portion size ramen bowls. Delicious selection of ingredients. The water has watermelon and lemon in it, and it is very refreshing and delicious.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Excellent food every time we have been… will be back. Everything is great on their menu. 🥰 Tonight we had guest from Montreal, celebrated Mother’s Day and our 23rd Wedding Anniversary! We couldn’t be happier to eat at Vespucci. Manuela and Francesco feel like my southern Italian family. Warm, welcoming, good food and wine and genuine conversation. Love them.”
“Sushi was delicious and service was great! Not a romantic spot though because it’s loud but fun if your going with family and friends. Music is good!!”
Restaurants with Delivery
“On a Tuesday night 7pm, there is still 15 minute wait. This place is popular. You order off a QR code and the system supports multi user ordering for the same table. The skewers are tasty. I wish the skewers are spicier so next time I will put in an extra request. You get a birthday gift bag if you show your ID on the day of your birthday!”
“The drinks are really good. I loved coming here when they first opened and used to recommend it to all my friends. They also have a decent amount of seating inside with a modern cozy feel. However, as they became more popular and busy, the drink consistency started to decline. Although it's still more hits than misses, I'd only come here now if I happen to wake up early and can beat the rush.
I especially like the matcha, vanilla, and brown sugar lattes.”
“This Thai restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both cozy and exotic. The decor is beautifully done, with traditional touches that transport you to Thailand. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations with a genuine smile. Every dish is a delight, bursting with authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and perfectly balanced spices. The Pad Thai and Green Curry are standouts, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommended for anyone craving a true taste of Thailand!”
“Excellent food every time we have been… will be back. Everything is great on their menu. 🥰 Tonight we had guest from Montreal, celebrated Mother’s Day and our 23rd Wedding Anniversary! We couldn’t be happier to eat at Vespucci. Manuela and Francesco feel like my southern Italian family. Warm, welcoming, good food and wine and genuine conversation. Love them.”
“The outdoor patio was perfect for our Sunday brunch and our 18th Anniversary. We’ve celebrated many occasions at All Spice and have always had a stellar experience with the staff and the food. Our table felt intimate — we were sharing a large space with four other tables, appropriately distanced. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Again, all Covid-19 compliant. The food, oh the food! The Dutch baby was perfectly cooked and the fruit fillings were gorgeous. The chicken sandwich was out of this world. The Mimosa and hard apple cider beverages were on point. We always love our meals at All Spice and this time was no exception. It’s a total gem!”
“Went on a friend's recommendation for the clam and garlic pizza. Also got their combination with it.
Overall it isn't amazing but it was novel. Pizza was solid, above average for sure though. Nothing about it was bad just isn't a top 5 pizza for me.
Pricing is fair as it comes in 4 or 8 pieces so worth a try if local.”
“Sushi Maruyama provides an exceptional dining experience, showcasing both traditional Japanese techniques and contemporary twists. From the moment you step inside, the minimalist décor and soft lighting create a serene ambiance, perfect for savoring each meticulously prepared dish. The attentive and knowledgeable staff guide you through the menu, recommending a variety of delicacies, such as melt-in-your-mouth toro, perfectly balanced nigiri, and vibrant sashimi platters. For those seeking the ultimate culinary adventure, opt for the omakase experience, where the chef curates a seasonal progression of flavors highlighting fresh seafood and artful presentation. Every bite reflects a careful dedication to quality, from the expertly seasoned sushi rice to the delicate garnishes that accentuate each fish’s essence. Beyond the exquisite fare, Sushi Maruyama also boasts a curated sake list and Japanese beer options, allowing diners to discover new pairings. The intimate seating fosters a comfortable setting for both special occasions and casual gatherings. In short, Sushi Maruyama is a must-visit for anyone yearning to explore the refined elegance of Japanese cuisine. Its commitment to tradition seamlessly merges with modern flair, promising a memorable meal that delights the senses and exemplifies culinary artistry at its finest and ensures a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all. Staff great, vibes impeccable, music was awesome and 10/10”
“Giving this a five star due to the quality of the food, and the wine, even though it is sooo reasonable, its incredibly good too.
The ambience is nice, but don’t let the dark exterior fool you. Or the word express. It is certainly not your typical “express” anything. It is delightful, relaxing, beautiful Italian music, and simply divine food. Service has always been good everyone we good here.”
“I just had a lovely family dinner at Rin Tei and could not be happier. My large party of kids and adults all loved their meals, and the servers were so kind and accommodating. I think it's best characterized as different Asian dishes (like pho and curries) but with a Japanese flair. The food is fresh and carefully prepared and not too heavy. We found the portions to be ample, especially the noodle soups. They also have an eclectic drink menu with Japanese craft beers. Rin-Tei is a little off the beaten path but you should seek it out!”
Outdoor Dining
“We stumbled upon this amazing gem that boasts an incredibly unique selection of ice cream flavors paired perfectly with mouthwatering cannoli! Imagine biting into one of their three irresistible options: the classic plain, the decadently rich chocolate-filled, or the delightfully crunchy pistachio-topped! It’s the ultimate spot for a quick and exhilarating treat after lunch, where you can savor a refreshing scoop of ice cream that will leave your taste buds dancing!”
“Sushi Maruyama provides an exceptional dining experience, showcasing both traditional Japanese techniques and contemporary twists. From the moment you step inside, the minimalist décor and soft lighting create a serene ambiance, perfect for savoring each meticulously prepared dish. The attentive and knowledgeable staff guide you through the menu, recommending a variety of delicacies, such as melt-in-your-mouth toro, perfectly balanced nigiri, and vibrant sashimi platters. For those seeking the ultimate culinary adventure, opt for the omakase experience, where the chef curates a seasonal progression of flavors highlighting fresh seafood and artful presentation. Every bite reflects a careful dedication to quality, from the expertly seasoned sushi rice to the delicate garnishes that accentuate each fish’s essence. Beyond the exquisite fare, Sushi Maruyama also boasts a curated sake list and Japanese beer options, allowing diners to discover new pairings. The intimate seating fosters a comfortable setting for both special occasions and casual gatherings. In short, Sushi Maruyama is a must-visit for anyone yearning to explore the refined elegance of Japanese cuisine. Its commitment to tradition seamlessly merges with modern flair, promising a memorable meal that delights the senses and exemplifies culinary artistry at its finest and ensures a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all. Staff great, vibes impeccable, music was awesome and 10/10”
“Giving this a five star due to the quality of the food, and the wine, even though it is sooo reasonable, its incredibly good too.
The ambience is nice, but don’t let the dark exterior fool you. Or the word express. It is certainly not your typical “express” anything. It is delightful, relaxing, beautiful Italian music, and simply divine food. Service has always been good everyone we good here.”
“We love coming to Wunderbar, and whenever we bring friends here, they love it too, and we have a blast.
Kiernan is always an incredible host from the moment we walk through the door. He is warm, fun and thoughtful. He knows his drinks and delivers a phenomenal level of service and sets a high bar - not just for Wunderbar, but for all high-end cocktail establishments.
All the bartenders are fantastic, from Selina, to Andrew, to Brandon. The drinks are always on point. And of course, the endless supply of warm buttery popcorn is a great bonus!”
“Went to lunch there today Food very tasty and this looks like it would be a fantastic Happy Hour Meet Up!!!!”
Online Reservation Available
“We love coming to Wunderbar, and whenever we bring friends here, they love it too, and we have a blast.
Kiernan is always an incredible host from the moment we walk through the door. He is warm, fun and thoughtful. He knows his drinks and delivers a phenomenal level of service and sets a high bar - not just for Wunderbar, but for all high-end cocktail establishments.
All the bartenders are fantastic, from Selina, to Andrew, to Brandon. The drinks are always on point. And of course, the endless supply of warm buttery popcorn is a great bonus!”
“Yvette, the owner of Swing Shift, has cooked, owned and managed restaurants, AND has traveled extensively. She has brought those experiences to Swing Swift and created a “Greatest Hits” menu. My favorite? The tacos from Mexico City are to die for! Chicharrones give them texture and the tortillas are sublime. Not your usual CalMex tacos. My wife could live on rice. She fell in love with the 5 Spice Fried Rice. The pork belly is tasty, not fatty. And a fried egg finishes the dish. Yvette’s burger isn’t from her travels, it’s from her chef’s brain. She marries spices and cheese and high quality beef to create a new burger experience. Ya gotta try it! While we were there, a regular customer walked in, the staff greeted him and said, “Gumbo?” “Yes.” “Anything else?” “No.” He’s in there all the time, JUST for the gumbo. It will remind you of New Orleans. On a personal note, my mother and grandmother used to challenge each other to chili cook-offs and both their chilis were superb. Mom, Grandma, don’t let Yvette join the contest. Her chili is that good! My wife liked the wine list and I was surprised to find mock-tails (try the Sour!) that were actually good, and not just a mishmash of ingredients like so many places. And they take reservations….yay!”
“Tonight was my first time at Luceti’s! My friend has always talked about it and tonight I went there with them. The food, service, atmosphere was great! I will definitely be going back! There are several things on the menu that I have to try! Great job to Luceti’s on food quality and service!”
“Came here with a buddy and made out for about $50 or less. We ordered 3 rolls and split them, which was enough food for the two of us. The portions were fairly well sized and reasonably priced(for current bay area sushi prices). The fish tasted fresh, and they had plenty of options. They were not very busy and the waitress was friendly. I enjoyed the mostly wooden decor, reminded me of the more old school sushi places i grew up with. Mini bonus for me is that they are in the same spot my childhood chinese restaurant was at!”
“I had the shrimp, cod and chicken fried rice. First time I had shrimp w heads on, and it was very good. My favorite was the cod with tofu. The chicken fried rice was a little burnt so after tasting it I was sad I wasn’t able to enjoy this one. Over all I was happy with the service and fresh food.
Vegetarian options: Tried the green beans. They were fresh.”
“Hot pot is pretty good, this place specializes in lamb but has beef, pork, chicken and seafood options (limited), high quality ingredients and the broth is delicious. Lots of Chinese/cantonese people who eat here. Icecream tastes very cheap, but overall, a great hot pot place”
“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️”
“Incredible place with incredible food for incredible prices, I would give it 6 out of 5 if I could. Everything from the drink to the food to the decor was perfect. I will be back”
“Amazing service. Great food. Awesome staff! Can’t recommend it more highly.”
24 Hour Restaurants
“The place needs a remodel!
it was clean on the inside but the furniture is ancient and the windows were super dirty on the outside. Had to wait a while to get our order taken. Lots of tables in need of busing as well. They were understaffed I don't know if that's a regular thing management does to cut costs but staff was very nice and professional considering they really needed a couple more people to not be overworked. The cooks get a satisfactory rating. All in all I think the owners should put a little money into this place and fix it up because there's only so much makeup you can put on a pig. Bare minimum there should be some air conditioning because it gets hot with those big windows. Plenty of easy parking so that was nice, and your vehicle is in view for safety.
Kid-friendliness: It's a Denny's so nobody's trippin off of kids.
Wheelchair accessibility: Flat.”
“Love the indoor/patio ambience Menu selection,,,food ,,,,especially variety of bruschettas Drink selection as well,,,, mimosas,,,sangria Would like more live music”
“The outdoor patio was perfect for our Sunday brunch and our 18th Anniversary. We’ve celebrated many occasions at All Spice and have always had a stellar experience with the staff and the food. Our table felt intimate — we were sharing a large space with four other tables, appropriately distanced. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Again, all Covid-19 compliant. The food, oh the food! The Dutch baby was perfectly cooked and the fruit fillings were gorgeous. The chicken sandwich was out of this world. The Mimosa and hard apple cider beverages were on point. We always love our meals at All Spice and this time was no exception. It’s a total gem!”
“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
Takeout Restaurants
“I just had a lovely family dinner at Rin Tei and could not be happier. My large party of kids and adults all loved their meals, and the servers were so kind and accommodating. I think it's best characterized as different Asian dishes (like pho and curries) but with a Japanese flair. The food is fresh and carefully prepared and not too heavy. We found the portions to be ample, especially the noodle soups. They also have an eclectic drink menu with Japanese craft beers. Rin-Tei is a little off the beaten path but you should seek it out!”
“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.”
“We had the meat ravioli with bolognese sauce and a meatloaf sandwich on a soft roll. Both were fantastic. Highly recommend visiting. Parking was easy and cheap.
Vegetarian options: Cheese Ravioli, Squash Ravioli.
Parking: There are many in front as well as directly across the street.”
“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
“Seated right away without reservation. Outside and inside options. Sat outside. It's covered. Heat lamps if necessary, which is great. Ordered a bunch of yakitori options. All were delicious. I'm definitely gonna try more!
Parking: I parking at the main garage and walking over. It's free after 6pm.”
“Super happy to have found Minako and Yoko-san again! Yoko-san's cooking is still homie, comforting, and delicious as ever. Be sure to come visit, relax, be delighted by the carefully made dishes from Yoko-san, be awed by the handwritten menus, and enjoy the chats with Minako!”
“Seated right away without reservation. Outside and inside options. Sat outside. It's covered. Heat lamps if necessary, which is great. Ordered a bunch of yakitori options. All were delicious. I'm definitely gonna try more!
Parking: I parking at the main garage and walking over. It's free after 6pm.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Do you love going to Flavortown? How about dreaming with your eyes open? Then try these birria tacos. The first time I had it was from leftovers that my daughter brought home for lunch. Then I drove from Oakley to San Mateo to have them fresh. It was AMAZING! They provide extra stuff to add to the tacos, but it honestly didn’t need them. The meat was so tender & flavorful that I had to close my eyes so I could fully appreciate the taste. Then I added the extras one by one & it tasted like a new taco each time. I know it seems like I’m exaggerating, but it’s really that good! My only wish is that they had seating nearby & a second location closer to Oakley.”
“Very nice cheesecake store. We had 2 cheese tarts, and two cheesecakes, and I found the tarts to be particularly amazing! I think they were short staffed when we visited, as one of the employees was making teas, and working the register at the same time, which meant we were waiting in line for a while. Would recommend, as it is a delicious treat in the mall! THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CASH!!
Parking: It is in a mall so there is ample parking
Wheelchair accessibility: There are elevators up to the store”
“Ever since Simply Cake opened in the area, they have been our favorite place for Hong Kong style baked goods and the only place we go to for birthday cakes. It's delicious and elegantly packaged. The cakes they made for our grandma's 100th and 101st birthday have gotten a lot of thumbs up from those who had it. It's a tradition for us to to keep coming back for 102nd and onward! The staffs are friendly and we love it that it's the same guy who took the order from us for the 100th and 101st birthday cake order!”
“Philz coffee definitely sets itself apart. Seen as a comfort coffee shop where you wait upwards of 5-10 min for your coffee, it may not be for everyone. Each cup is brewed individually which contributes to the long wait time, but it will probably be one of the better cups of coffee you will ever have. Made with care and love, you will be rewarded for your time. However, since they are super busy all the time, they may not be as welcoming as one would like, but it is understandable since they are all flying around the workspace. The ambiance is quite fitting, inviting and comfortable. If you ever get a chance to try it out, it would be a mistake if you didn’t!”
“We came to Fire Wings on a lunch date . This was the best Wings I’ve had ever. Very Delicious, great price, we chose the family meal 3 choices of wings, 2 sides of dressing. And French Fries with Celery & Carrot Sticks, All Fresh for 35.99 plus tax $45.69. It was worth every penny bite and took a go bag home. I highly recommend Fire Wings San Mateo, CA.”
“These are the best tasting cupcakes I have ever had! So delicious seriously! Other “fancy” cupcake shops do not come close. I would break my keto diet to have one of these. I no longer live in their area but they are so good!”
“Yvette, the owner of Swing Shift, has cooked, owned and managed restaurants, AND has traveled extensively. She has brought those experiences to Swing Swift and created a “Greatest Hits” menu. My favorite? The tacos from Mexico City are to die for! Chicharrones give them texture and the tortillas are sublime. Not your usual CalMex tacos. My wife could live on rice. She fell in love with the 5 Spice Fried Rice. The pork belly is tasty, not fatty. And a fried egg finishes the dish. Yvette’s burger isn’t from her travels, it’s from her chef’s brain. She marries spices and cheese and high quality beef to create a new burger experience. Ya gotta try it! While we were there, a regular customer walked in, the staff greeted him and said, “Gumbo?” “Yes.” “Anything else?” “No.” He’s in there all the time, JUST for the gumbo. It will remind you of New Orleans. On a personal note, my mother and grandmother used to challenge each other to chili cook-offs and both their chilis were superb. Mom, Grandma, don’t let Yvette join the contest. Her chili is that good! My wife liked the wine list and I was surprised to find mock-tails (try the Sour!) that were actually good, and not just a mishmash of ingredients like so many places. And they take reservations….yay!”
Cheap Eats
“M y family was in town cleaning my mother in laws house in San Mateo. My son found this place and the food was amazing. We got a large cheese and pepperoni pizza and it was more than enough for 8 of us!! And very good. We will definitely order only from Bizza in the future. The owner and staff were very nice and the place was spotless and so cute inside.”
“Excellent ramen restaurant! Probably one of the best in the Bay Area in my opinion. Food and service are fantastic! Yuri and Ryota were both kind, considerate, quick, and caring to make our dinner a wonderful experience. Food is delicious and quick.
Highly recommend!
I wish it were closer to San Jose!
Parking can be a bit tight sometimes, but not terrible.
Tip: if eating with kids, keep them away from the ordering screen so they don't accidentally order items ?
Kid-friendliness: Servers are wonderful with kids. Kind and helpful. Appropriate utensils and serving dishes for kids”
“Still the best kept secret in San Mateo. I’m moving tomorrow and this food is what I’m going to miss the most. The portions are generous, the price is affordable, the service can’t be beat. Cash only. Small parking lot. Family owned and operated. The carne asada is delicious! Actually I haven’t had a bad meal here. Take away is available. You won't be disappointed . Skip the la cumbre and pancho villa. Come get the best!”
“This family owned restaurant is a gem. Food is delicious, I highly recommend their handmade pork with Napa cabbage dumplings. They are so good that I buy the frozen ones to enjoy at home. While dining, I can always hear others coming in to purchase them too. Also try the soup dumplings! Authentic Chinese food with great service. The restaurant owner Allen makes you feel right at home.”
“We got takeout for dinner tonight. Very happy with this authentic taqueria! This will be our go to Mexican restaurant from now on.
Ordered 3 burritos and 2 taco plates. Amazing food! Fantastic service. Chicken was flavorful and generous. Rice was authentic (not over salted) and burritos were a delicious combination of ingredients. They offered napkins, salsa and utensils. Thank you S El Camino Taqueria! Will see you again in the coming weeks.”
“Super tasty! Shortly after I sat down for lunch they immediately served me a steaming cup of hot and sour soup that I polished off. I love it when food is served piping hot. Next came the Mongolian beef and noodles I ordered. I will just saw wow wow wow. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. This was probably the best Mongolian beef I have had. Hands down. Fantastic no frills lunch spot. The way good food is supposed to be. Can I say awesome again?!”
“Vegetable fried dumplings, soy sauce noodles, and green onion pancakes were all incredibly good. Staff was supremely helpful, kind, and personable. Highly recommend!”
“Tonight was my first time at Luceti’s! My friend has always talked about it and tonight I went there with them. The food, service, atmosphere was great! I will definitely be going back! There are several things on the menu that I have to try! Great job to Luceti’s on food quality and service!”
“Excellent food ! Fresh fish . Melts in your mouth . Small intimate atmosphere.”
“Came here with a buddy and made out for about $50 or less. We ordered 3 rolls and split them, which was enough food for the two of us. The portions were fairly well sized and reasonably priced(for current bay area sushi prices). The fish tasted fresh, and they had plenty of options. They were not very busy and the waitress was friendly. I enjoyed the mostly wooden decor, reminded me of the more old school sushi places i grew up with. Mini bonus for me is that they are in the same spot my childhood chinese restaurant was at!”
“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!”
“The staff was so so helpful and accommodating with my baby and stroller. It's a tight space inside but they seated us in a very comfortable spot where I could park my stroller and they were all very kind (and adorable and silly with the baby). I'm very grateful!!”
“Have you ever had Fujian cuisine before? Now you can at Taste of Shaxian in San Mateo! All of the dishes were very simple, but surprised us with a lot of flavor! Whether you're a fan of dumplings or not, this place has good ones and a bunch of other must-try dishes all priced very reasonably. For 2 people, we ordered just enough to be comfortably full.
* Shaxian Wonton Soup
* Soup Dumplings Combo
* Spicy Cold Noodles (highly recommend!)
* Braised Chicken (bone in) Clay Pot w/ Rice (highly recommend!)”
“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.”
“Gao Viet has been bookmarked for awhile now and today was the opportune time to try it. I was in the area, needed to pick up dinner and traffic on 101 was backed up. 5pm was not busy, so I order a few things to try and placed an order for take out. Sugarcane drink, Banh Hoi with 4 items, 2 Giants prawns, and Banh Canh.
Sugar cane drink was fresh, maybe a little too much ice, but it was fine.
Giant prawns: they charge per prawn, which I was curious how big these prawns are. The seasoning and sauce was ok, I wished the sauce was packed separately, as it made the Banh hoa and veggies soggy by the time I got home. The prawn themselves were cooked right, but I wonder if the shell could be more crispy. As it was, I couldn't eat the shell. Overall, I do think these are overpriced in my opinion.
The Banh hoi was an appetizer with 4 varieties: eggroll, pork, shrimp paste on sugarcane and some other type of meat. Out of my order, this was my favorite. I love wrapping it in the lettuce and cilantro and mint herbs. One feedback is that it only came with one fish sauce container, which is skimpy for an appetizer order. My mom had to make more dipping sauce for us.
The Banh Canh was generous portion of pork and bones and quail eggs and shrimp. As it was a take out order, I reheated the broth when I got home so it would be hot. Noodles were good, broth was perfect.
So, maybe next time I would try dining in with friends for the full experience. I wonder if the wait will be long for dinner hours. I'd like to try more dishes and their special drinks.”
“The choices of vegan ingredients for the dish are great and you will definitely find something you like - veggies, mushrooms, tofu or dumplings! You pay for the weight and therefore are able to create your own dish as you wish, considering the ingredients as well as the volume. There are three vegan soups available and a great variety of toppings that can be refilled as wished. Really nice concept and definitely a recommendation!”
“Hot pot is pretty good, this place specializes in lamb but has beef, pork, chicken and seafood options (limited), high quality ingredients and the broth is delicious. Lots of Chinese/cantonese people who eat here. Icecream tastes very cheap, but overall, a great hot pot place”
“Thank you for the fresh Uni, and very awesome customer service. Highly recommend!!!”
“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️”
“The beef bone rice noodles are too spicy and difficult to swallow. The side dishes such as dried radish and shredded kelp that I used to like are no longer available. The service is very good and the porridge is delicious. There is only one kind of thin rice noodle in Hunan rice noodle, and there is no medium wide rice noodle, so there are very few choices. It would be better if it can be expanded to include chili fried pork rice noodles, rice bowls, etc. I hope the rice noodles can be spicy. The spicy rice noodles at dynasty bbq next door are delicious. I'm used to giving 5 stars but I'm very disappointed. After eating it for more than a year, the quality is getting worse and worse.”
“For $5.99 I got a HUGE pepperoni and sausage slice that’s legit one of the best I’ve ever had. And the garlicky herby crust is the bomb! I just found my new favourite slice place in the Bay Area. ?”
“It looks like a small place from the outside, but the inside is big and the food is delicious. Very strongly suggested.”
“I ordered the cold pot fish and it was very delicious.
The ingredients for the dry pot frog are very good, but the frog is a bit lacking ?
The side dish of roasted pepper and preserved egg tastes very good. grateful!”
“Cozy little Japanese restaurant with super friendly servers. The owner works at the counter. I come for Ishiyaki Hitsumamushi (Stone Bowl Seafood Rice) which I don’t think is served anywhere else. I also had tuna bone marrow for appetitzer and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. So many other dishes I want to try so will be back.”
“Best sushi spot on the peninsula. The food, the drinks, the ambiance, the service...it all makes for an incredibly fun evening. Can't think of a restaurant with a happier vibe than Tokie's. Family run, family friendly, a cherished staple of the San Mateo community. The owners, Diane and Vic, are wonderfully kind, welcoming, and hardworking folks. It's not uncommon for them to stop by your table, say hi, and sometimes drop off an extra little treat if you're a frequent diner. Dine at a table, at the sushi bar, or at the drinks bar, which has a TV, making it a great spot to watch a Warriors game.”
“Interesting small plates. Good for when you want to sample a lot of things and not get too heavy. Even the dish I normally associate with sumo wrestlers was very light (chanko nabe stew)
Get a reservation, it fills up”
“Me encanto les pedí un pastelito para mi niño y ellos le cantaron las mañanitas .no lo esperaba me gustó mucho!!!”
“The Best PASTRAMI!! Could not believe how juicy and tasty it was. From a low of 1 to a high of 10, it just breaks the ceiling at a score of 11. I was happy to see a lot of choices for drinks. Make sure you save space for the Baked Pudding. Excellent service from our server, Oliver! It was my first time and he gave the right recommendations. Fast and friendly service too. He would often pass by to check on us. And my group was a bit demanding by asking for napkins, then spoons. Thank you. I give it 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
“The sushi presentation was excellent and made me excited to dig in! Very unique and delicious assortment of sushi and flavors. I felt that the takeout sushi was more economical than if you were do a sit-down omakase at another location in the bay. Pick-up was quick and smooth.
It would have been great if I had recieved confirmation email within a week, instead of following up with the business. However, I understand that this a small business and it can be hectic for the owner to manage communications, logistics and sushi prep for several customers.”
“The do called "inclusive" atmosphere is really just an owner who hates everyone who has different views. If your social or political views are woke, you aren't welcome. Spend your money elsewhere. This guy is an idiot.”
“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.”
“If you want delicious Chinese food from a place that’s been in business for decades, this is the place you go.
It’s not fancy and some of the employees aren’t super friendly but some are, and the prices are affordable and the food tasty.
You’ll be happy you came!”
“sports atmosphere....patrons are awesome, jukebox I love and the bartenders are awesome...”
“Best place to have family dinners and birthdays. The staff is very attentive and helpful. The food is excellent no complaints there, it's prime rib at it's finest.”
“Hadn’t been here in nearly 30 years, we moved to Seattle, but back for vacation. Had to have the Cancun platter. Just like I remembered!!”
“Avenida was an elusive restaurant for us to visit since the wait times are so long ! We got lucky and got seated with no reservations within 5 minutes on a saturday evening. Truly lucky.
It was with much anticipation that we got to finally taste the food here. The food didn’t quite meet expectations but it was still very good. My favorite dish was the Shrimp Gambas. There was happy hour on the weeknd’s, so we got the dish for a great price !
Overall, the staff was great. I had a fun time here. The inside was very beautiful, and the underrated it for the holidays.”
“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.”
“These are the best most authentic pupusas in the area. Great prices as well. I’m glad I found them. Delicious. A little small , just a few tables so best for take out.”
“No wait to be seated upon opening on a Friday night, ordered right away with no expectations. Star of the show: KFC. Wow!!
My new favorite Korean fried chicken in the Bay Area, the spicy glaze was incredible and really reminded me of Korea. Definitely coming back more often for those!! Really enjoyed the Ttoekboki as well, very flavorful and lovely spiciness level. Will try the Bulgogi fries next!”
“Me encanta yo trabaje ahi y que delicia y cuando sos cliente más rica”
“Outstanding on the food, just wow just amazing I give this place four stars. From the friendly service to the outstanding food. Great all around..!!!!”
“Not my usual sushi diner, but we wanted to try out a new place. This restaurant has 2 stories with a staircase.
The service was average. The serving staff couldn’t speak English. We didn’t know Spanish so we had to communicate with body language to ask for some water. The staff that actually took our orders knew English, but he was missing the first 10 minutes, counting from when we finished scanning the menu.
The food was very good. Fresh sashimi and sushi rolls. The only thing that could be improved was the plain udon. As far as I know, even Japanese plain udon contains seaweed, fish cakes and tempura crumbs. This one had none. Literally, just udon and broth, not even chopped green onions.
Vegetarian options: They have veggie dishes, look for the descriptions.
Parking: Free parking after 6pm
Kid-friendliness: Kid’s high chairs and plastic utensils
Wheelchair accessibility: I think first floor dining area is for disabilities and elders.”
“My favorite place to get tsukemen in the bay. The depth of flavor and noodle texture is on point. The ramen is also very good but I have a personal preference for tsukemen.
The flavor has an umami quality and smokiness that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Their marinated eggs are also deliciously gelled.
Almost all menu items let you choose the amount of noodles you'd like by weight (ex. 300 grams, 400grams, 500grams)
I'm not in this area often, but when I am I try to make a stop here.
Friends waited an hour before being seated and the waitlist was closed by the time they arrived, 1.5hours before closing time.”
“I deliver custom cabinets in Silicon Valley from Bend Oregon and when I’m in North Bay I always eat here. Always fabulous food for me and my German Shorthair Pointer. Room to park for my huge delivery van. I have never got anything bad for last 6 yrs it’s always been great”
“All the food we got was tasty and got to our table in a little amount of time. All of the games playing on the tv’s was an added plus while we were there. Will go back again soon.”
“(Translated by Google) Nice little place but very good food and good prices highly recommend(Original)Un lugar agradable pequeño pero muy buena comida y buenos precios lo recomiendo mucho”
“This is a hidden gem. It's on the third floor of Nordstrom - the rest of the mall only has 2 levels so it's hidden away. But it's comfortable, clean, with a fairly big menu, tasty food, reasonable prices, and good service.”
“I don't know why people complain, it's a small space, the workers need to pay attention to the food and the truth is, the food is very delicious. I hope it continues to be the business.”
“Really great Sichuan food. The food here is authentic, they make their own chili oil in house. The spiciness was very well balanced with the flavor.
Had the stir fried chicken with heavy peppercorn, green beans, and jelly noodles and it was all delicious.”
“Ok, this is great food! Awesome Barbecue and Fried Chicken. Menu is on the website. Don’t forget to tip!”
“Rolled into town on a Wednesday, looking to book a late night party on the upcoming Saturday. Monica behind the bar grabbed the owner Malhi from next door. They were both super helpful and made it easy. Had a great time with good drinks. Even pumped our own music through their sound system. Nice looking place with chill vibe.”
“Delicious and comforting noodle soup. If you don't know what to order, get the original soup. If you come during lunch, the lunch special is a good deal. It's exactly the same, but cheaper and it comes with a side. Some places will have smaller portions for their lunch deals, but this place does not. We ordered a soup separately to test and it turned out I could have saved three bucks and got a free side.”
“We had six people and ordered 8 dishes. It was so scrumptious that I forgot to photograph after the first dish. We had Chilli beef, Sea Bass tofu soup, braised pork feet, Yun-nan Noodles, baked fish, stir fry lettuce hearts, stir fry Chinese squash, and wild mushrooms clay pot rice. Perfect combination of meat and veggies.”
“The American wagyu cut of meat was great and the fact that it's included in the ayce was a great deal. $48 pretip for 1 person, I paid 60 because the guy waiting the bar and on the deli slicer was so nice. Goma and ponzu dipping sauces were great too.”
“We went there for Thanksgiving for the first time. As a vegetarian, I can say I had many options, and what I chose was outstanding. My wife and daughter enjoyed their fish and meat dishes and I can honestly say there wasn’t one dish that wasn’t outstanding. I heartily recommend this place and I’m considering going back for Christmas if they’re open.”
“We had red sangria, delicious seafood salad in a tostada shell, chicken enchilada, beef taco, chicken taco combo plate(not pictured) and fried ice cream in a tostada shell. It was so good like everything else we had before.”
“Check the menu on the website before you go to see what to expect. We walked in expecting Japanese and looked at the menu and it reminded me of restaurants I've been to in Hong Kong where you can get all kinds of different things that are different from traditional Chinese food, which is fine.I like Chinese food as well however it's weird that the sign on the restaurant still says Japanese. I didn't see Japanese food on the menu. Maybe they have two menus?I rated this as four stars so as to not change the existing rating.”
“Great venue for parties & just a nice place to have drinks. Beer selection is fabulous as is the atmosphere. McGoverns bartenders are fun friendly & helpful. There are numerous games to enjoy playing from table hockey, billiards, checkers, pinball, ect. If you walk in solo...you’ll find yourself with plenty of friendly people & conversation!”
Latest Reviews
“Still the best kept secret in San Mateo. I’m moving tomorrow and this food is what I’m going to miss the most. The portions are generous, the price is affordable, the service can’t be beat. Cash only. Small parking lot. Family owned and operated. The carne asada is delicious! Actually I haven’t had a bad meal here. Take away is available. You won't be disappointed . Skip the la cumbre and pancho villa. Come get the best!”
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“This Thai restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both cozy and exotic. The decor is beautifully done, with traditional touches that transport you to Thailand. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations with a genuine smile. Every dish is a delight, bursting with authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and perfectly balanced spices. The Pad Thai and Green Curry are standouts, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommended for anyone craving a true taste of Thailand!”
“The drinks are really good. I loved coming here when they first opened and used to recommend it to all my friends. They also have a decent amount of seating inside with a modern cozy feel. However, as they became more popular and busy, the drink consistency started to decline. Although it's still more hits than misses, I'd only come here now if I happen to wake up early and can beat the rush.
I especially like the matcha, vanilla, and brown sugar lattes.”
“Decent selection of meat, seafood and veggies. I prefer the traditional 'communal' hotpot where you are offered better quality meat. This place is good for a quick fix for me just to get a taste of hotpot. There is only a few condiments unlike the typical place where you have over a dozen to fix your own dipping sauce.
$15.99/lb can get pricing if you are a big eater.”
“Gonna give it 4 stars because while the aburasoba is good I'd like them to make mazesoba too, which has more complex ingredients, preparation, and flavor. Mogomogu in Sawtelle, LA sets the benchmark for great mazesoba on the west coast.”