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!”
“Fast friendly service. But you’ll be taking a to-go bag home for sure!! I was stuffed!!”
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!!”
“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!”
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 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!”
“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.”
“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.”
“I enjoy coming to this place! Saul always remembers me/us and greets us warmly upon arrival! He's the best! Whether it's our work crew getting a bite for lunch to celebrating birthdays, we are always well-served and leaving the place completely stuffed. The loma saltado dishes are the best and you can also get it vegetarian. And of course you need to finish it off with their picarones. La Ronda has become my favorite spot.”
“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.”
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!”
“Charming Italian cafe near downtown San Mateo. Tucked away next to a bus stop on the busy El Camino Real, it’s a nice reprieve from the street traffic where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee with solid Italian food. Street parking is very hard to find, but there’s a paid parking lot across the street.”
“I enjoy coming to this place! Saul always remembers me/us and greets us warmly upon arrival! He's the best! Whether it's our work crew getting a bite for lunch to celebrating birthdays, we are always well-served and leaving the place completely stuffed. The loma saltado dishes are the best and you can also get it vegetarian. And of course you need to finish it off with their picarones. La Ronda has become my favorite spot.”
“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 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.”
“Love the dry aged porterhouse, juicy and delicious. The service was phenomenal and of course the new location.”
“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!”
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!”
“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!”
“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!”
“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!”
“Food was great. What I appreciated was the fact that dishes were not overly salty. Ingredients were fresh. I really liked the scallop vermicelli dish, the skewer okra and prawn. Service was on point.”
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”
Takeout Restaurants
“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.”
“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!”
“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!”
“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 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
“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 is a Cloud Kitchen. You order online or in their touchscreen kiosk and wait for your food. It's cook to order. Tried their Mexican food Palmita. They have practically most cuisine Chinese Korean Japanese Indian Mexican Cajun American Mediterranean Italian hope I didn't miss other cuisine. I tried the Mexican first. Will be back for the other cuisine”
“Love the food n the people who works there. ❤️papaya salad, pad thai. Fried pompano and ground chicken with basil Aroy mak mak 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️”
“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 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“A Shanghainese friend of mine says this is one of the best Shanghainese food he has eaten in the Bay Area after all these years. Also the fact that the owner can just shut down for a month at a time to take vacation overseas says how established they are; customers will and keep coming back.”
“How I just LOVED this restaurant. Me and some family members went here after a boring fishing trip and it made my day! The rice was perfectly cooked, the dishes had large portions enough for the three of us, and the pot stickers were cooked to perfection. The service was great, it was fast and easy! I don't have much more to say about it! The atmosphere had that wonderful Chinese restaurant feel to it with wonderful smells wafting through the air along with the friendly waiters always making you smile.”
“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”
“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 ⭐️”
“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”
“This was the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. The burrito was absolutely massive—the longest and girthiest thing I’ve ever seen. I cannot believe that I ate it all, it was that good. The tacos were perfect, with the meat wonderfully cooked and seasoned. The salsa bar and chips were also delicious.”
“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.”
“Ramen Parlor has been one of my longtime go-to spots in San Mateo — especially for their lobster miso ramen, which I’ve been ordering for years. The flavors are still solid and the broth has that rich seafood depth that makes it stand out from other ramen shops.
That said, I do feel like the dish was better a few years ago — the broth had more complexity and the overall presentation felt a bit more refined back then. It’s still good, just not quite the same standout it once was.
Service is friendly and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit if you’re craving something different from the usual tonkotsu or shoyu ramen — especially if you haven’t tried their lobster miso bowl before.”
“Vegetable fried dumplings, soy sauce noodles, and green onion pancakes were all incredibly good. Staff was supremely helpful, kind, and personable. Highly recommend!”
“Went to lunch there today Food very tasty and this looks like it would be a fantastic Happy Hour Meet Up!!!!”
“The food service ambiance OMG AMAZING the food you can taste so fresh and tasteful quick service with a smile food was soo amazing I totally forgot to take a pic breakfast club a must try and the pancakes MUST TRY”
“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!”
“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.”
“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!!”
“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!”
“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!)”
“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!”
“A Shanghainese friend of mine says this is one of the best Shanghainese food he has eaten in the Bay Area after all these years. Also the fact that the owner can just shut down for a month at a time to take vacation overseas says how established they are; customers will and keep coming back.”
“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. ?”
“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 ⭐️”
“It looks like a small place from the outside, but the inside is big and the food is delicious. Very strongly suggested.”
“Good food and great service! The nabeyaki udon was probably our favorite - the broth was flavorful, light, and refreshing. Everything was good though. Very clean, good vibes, had the basketball game on.”
“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.”
“Omakase for $68 (10 pieces) and you can request them to decrease the amount of rice!
Agadashi tofu
Garlic edamame
Mushrooms
Scallop and Uni
Food was really good quality but the best thing about our experience was our server, Erica, who was knowledgeable about the menu and provided recommendations based on our preferences. 10 out of 10 would come back because of her.
We happened to stumble upon this place only because another establishment was fully booked. It was definitely a blessing in disguise.”
“Classic Chinese hot pot restaurant, located in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Wide selection of thinly sliced meats, fresh veggies, seafood, noodles, and soup bases to choose from. The AYCE is a very good deal for large parties, especially if you have hungry teenagers to feed. Friendly and efficient staff. Plenty of street parking and several nearby parking lots.”
“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!”
“Solidly delicious! The prime rib was great. The Yorkshire pudding and crème brûlée were also standout highlights. In my opinion, it’s not quite on the same level as House of Prime Rib, but it comes pretty close — and it’s way easier to snag a reservation.”
“Me encanto les pedí un pastelito para mi niño y ellos le cantaron las mañanitas .no lo esperaba me gustó mucho!!!”
“Delicious northern-style Vietnamese dishes are served at this popular restaurant in downtown San Mateo. The pho soup flavor was outstanding, and the beef and noodles were perfectly cooked. Imperial rolls were also perfectly cooked. Now I understand why there’s always a long line. Possibly my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Fast and efficient service, with several parking lots nearby.”
“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.”
“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.”
“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 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.”
“The best place to eat and takeover for the days I don’t want to cook, friendly, clean with delicious and affordable dishes… loved food, the owners care is super friendly and I recommend this experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🚀”
“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!!”
“sports atmosphere....patrons are awesome, jukebox I love and the bartenders are awesome...”
“Me encanta yo trabaje ahi y que delicia y cuando sos cliente más rica”
“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.”
“This is the second time we have been here. We ordered so much food, which caused us to have a lot of leftover, but we wanted to try different plates we haven't tried the last time. I loved their, kare kare, their lumpia, their pork and chicken adobo, pinakbet with garlic rice. Yummy.”
“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.”
“Come for Happy Hour or a cold beer few times a week. Good atmosphere, fast service usually Liz, Chelsea and Guy with longer hair and hat or Angel there they all have good customer service, friendly and Happy to Help. all good at what they do but Liz is definitely our favorite only because we have known her the longest and she has never let us go Thirsty or hungry and great at always checking on us 💯👍 as well as Chelsea Angel and the other guy. Been to many BJs in different states but got to say San Mateo has the best atmosphere then By other BJs we been too. But guessing it's only because of the staff there give them what they deserve and keep them around Because without them it wouldn't be the same.”
“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.”
“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!”
“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.”
“(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”
“The employees are amazing. Very caring and attentive... especially Luis. The pizzas are best ever. Definitely recommend. My favorite is the skinny crust triple pepperoni.”
“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”
“Awesome !!!!!! The best pizza parlor in San Francisco ! My favorite �either King Arthur or Hawaiian pizza w/extra pineapple �������”
“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.”
“Ok, this is great food! Awesome Barbecue and Fried Chicken. Menu is on the website. Don’t forget to tip!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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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“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.”
“Really really great ramen shop. The service was super quick and friendly. Was seated immediately at the bar top, and a server brought me water right away. I took a second to read their small menu, and decided quickly. The server knew I was ready, and was there as soon as I put my menu down. The ramen was great- the grilled pork belly was incredible. The flavor was unlike any pork belly I’ve had before. Broth was good, and noodles were very satisfying.
Highly suggest checking them out!”
“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.”