Restaurants in San Mateo

“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.”

“Lahmacun flatbread is the best here! I have been coming here for last 2 months few times a week. The taste and service always remain above standards! Thanks a lot!”

“food was so yummy but a little bland in flavor. wish there was spice preference options.
service was a little slow but not bad
atmosphere was cute but it was pretty cold inside even with a jacket on”

“Fast friendly service. But you’ll be taking a to-go bag home for sure!! I was stuffed!!”

“Yummy empanadas and desserts.”

“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 ambience is Japanese minimalist. Baristas are friendly. But more importantly the coffee is just perfect. My fave coffee spot in San Mateo. There's always a line though and if you want to sit in, good luck. It's a small place with not a lot of seating.”

“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!”

“Cocktails and Wagyu - soooo good!”

“The food is really good! Their cubano sandwich and the milanesa are sooo good! And I loved their Cienfuegos salsa. They are also super nice and helpful with their recommendations :)”

“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.”

“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!!”

“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.”

“Love the pizza! We live in the East Bay but we stop by whenever we pass by San Mateo. We always get a Meat Lovers & the Chicken Pesto!”

“The bacon scallion scones are delicious!”

“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.”

“Great atmosphere and brews.”

“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.”

“Love the dry aged porterhouse, juicy and delicious. The service was phenomenal and of course the new location.”

“Four stars for food (many dishes quite good, not quite as good as in Japan), two stars for sustainability (unpleasant disposable chopsticks, dessert in single-use plastic, no labeling of meat/seafood origins). Service friendly and helpful.”

“Must try Affogato!! Espresso poured over Vanilla ice cream or over your favorite ice cream. Delicious 😋”

“Saigon Butter Tofu Wine sauce Ox Tail Noodle Soup Crab & Pork Meatball & Tomato Vermicelli And to drink: Taro w/Coconut Slush”

“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.”

“Amazing service. Great food. Awesome staff! Can’t recommend it more highly.”

“Halal beef burgers, made to order, soft brioche buns, veggie options, yummy milkshakes! Definitely with be a place we frequent! Face friendly business, family owned and operated 👏🏼🇺🇸”

“Excellent food ! Fresh fish . Melts in your mouth . Small intimate atmosphere.”

“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!”

“Love the indoor/patio ambience Menu selection,,,food ,,,,especially variety of bruschettas Drink selection as well,,,, mimosas,,,sangria Would like more live music”

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.”

“Love the food n the people who works there. ❤️papaya salad, pad thai. Fried pompano and ground chicken with basil Aroy mak mak 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️”

“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!”

“Went to lunch there today Food very tasty and this looks like it would be a fantastic Happy Hour Meet Up!!!!”

“Homie food that hits the spot. Lunch special 3 dishes and soup for $32, paid $48 after tax and tip. Rock cod in clay pot delicious, paired with fried pork ribs and green beans”

“Great service, delicious food and beautiful decorations.”

“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!”

“太棒了，肉品沒吃多少，倒是吃了好幾磅的櫻桃🍒”

“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!”

“good food and love the mimosa”

“It’s always cozy and the food is good. Everyone is friendly.”

“food place for family and hang out”

“The best savory Scone I have ever had. Soft and oh so delicious. And I have had Scones in France, and all over Europe and the USA. A walk up to their window for your order of pastry and beverage will delight you!!”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“Hamburgers are beyond delicious.”

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!”

“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!”

“Great food an Service. Friendly staff and generous portions.”

“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 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”

“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!”

“Vegetable fried dumplings, soy sauce noodles, and green onion pancakes were all incredibly good. Staff was supremely helpful, kind, and personable. Highly recommend!”

“Raises the Tea bar considerably!”

“Cozy little hidden place in San Mateo. A bakery, coffee shop and specialized on cakes. They do offer some Filipino delicacies.”

“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”

“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”

“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.”

“Delicious food, i ordered chef special vegan duck, so crispy and yummy, loved their bbq fried rice too, the service is awesome and they are very informative on the ingredients if it is vegan or not. 5 star for the food flavor and customer service as well.”

“Nice all the time”

“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!”

“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”

“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.”

“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 ⭐️”

“Best Chile Verde I have had in years! Excellent food, friendly staff, and pleasant setting.”

“It looks like a small place from the outside, but the inside is big and the food is delicious. Very strongly suggested.”

“good food great service and accomending.”

“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.”

“ONE word "EXCELLENT". Great menu, love the murals, quick service, clean and they even serve beer and wine. parking is tricky so have patience. Garlic Fries, Hummus, Combo Gyro Plate!”

“Fritters are great for a treat”

“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”

“Donut shops are the real coffee shops and this one proves the rule: High quality coffee and the fluffiest donuts at a very reasonable price. In particular, the almond roll is well worth it!”

“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.”

“I always have such a fun time here because of the super friendly bartenders and cool crowd. Awesome place to watch the Sharks and have a few drinks!”

“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.”

“was an amazing vibes lovely crew coffee was so good!”

“We went here for dinner for our friend’s birthday. The service and accommodation is excellent, and they gave us a 10% discount and a cookie pie for the birthday boy.”

“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.”

“Best banh mi I've found in California. Very high quality and delicious, with lots of options. The service is fast and friendly as well. I highly recommend it! It's primarily for takeaway, but there is one small two seater table in front.”

“The staff are friendly, polite and professional. The food is good, delicious and tasty. Big portions.”

“Shop is small and quaint. Great location. We ordered a baker's dozen. I tried their Snickerdoodle, Cookies and Cream, Toffee, and White Chocolate Macadamia. My favorite is the Cookies and Cream. I'll try their other flavors next time.”

“Got the 3 Onigiri Combo (Spicy Beef, Salmon, & Unagi) w/ Chicken Karaage & a Kabocha Croquette.
All 3 onigiri were great! The karaage & croquette was nice and crispy.
Also included some edamame & tamago.
Overall a great spot for a quick lunch or dinner.”

“Marisa cares about her customers and it shows. I go to many Jamba Juice locations on the Bay Area Peninsula and this one is the best because of the service! Keep up the good work Marisa!”

“Bad customer service They ask you if you want napkins even when you buy a dessert and man was not polite new people can Be hired”

“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!”

“Nice staff. Great menu and lovely outside patio for dining”

“Tasty, healthy and satisfying bento box. A lot of other bento boxes out there are too salty, but the bento box from BentoSprout is lightly seasoned, but bold flavor. I hope my company use this caterer regularly. Highly recommended.”

“Great job on the hand made tortilla”

“Great food an Service. Friendly staff and generous portions.”

“food was so yummy but a little bland in flavor. wish there was spice preference options.
service was a little slow but not bad
atmosphere was cute but it was pretty cold inside even with a jacket on”

“Great walkable neighborhood”

“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.”

“The ambience is Japanese minimalist. Baristas are friendly. But more importantly the coffee is just perfect. My fave coffee spot in San Mateo. There's always a line though and if you want to sit in, good luck. It's a small place with not a lot of seating.”

“Good food but service was poor”

“Absolutely amazing experience love their happy hour specialty craft cocktails, the mango margarita w/ spicy rum salt was Top three margaritas all time !!”

“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!”

“The food is really good! Their cubano sandwich and the milanesa are sooo good! And I loved their Cienfuegos salsa. They are also super nice and helpful with their recommendations :)”

“Raises the Tea bar considerably!”

“I really love California Fish Grill in Cypress for dinner forever!! ☺️☺️🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️💖💖💖💕💕💕💕💞💞💞💞💞💓💓💓💓💓💓💗💗💗💗💗💗💗🍽”

“Saigon Butter Tofu Wine sauce Ox Tail Noodle Soup Crab & Pork Meatball & Tomato Vermicelli And to drink: Taro w/Coconut Slush”

“High quality food at fair prices. One baffling issue is that they charge for tea, but provides FREE saki and sida.”

“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.”

“Fritters are great for a treat”

“Halal beef burgers, made to order, soft brioche buns, veggie options, yummy milkshakes! Definitely with be a place we frequent! Face friendly business, family owned and operated 👏🏼🇺🇸”