Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in San Jose

For more than 20 years, Le Papillon has offered an elegant setting in which to enjoy world-class French cuisine. Try the veal and duck dishes and sample from the extensive wine list. The setting is gorgeous and the dishes are painstakingly hand-crafted. Every dish that comes out of this here kitchen, is a work of art, in the truest sense. The restaurant itself is no less impressive, with spacious, elegant interiors bathed in demure mood lighting that pleases even the toughest critics. Another noteworthy feature of the restaurant is its service, that comes second to none - exceptionally attentive and efficient, they will make sure you leave Le Papillon feeling thoroughly satisfied and pampered to a fault. There are set menus available for those who cannot to choose among these phenomenal offerings. All in all, Le Papillon is an exquisite French restaurant, the epitome of fine dining in the capital of Silicon Valley - a definite must visit.

Located in the luxurious Fairmont San Jose, this place attracts diners with high standards. Aside from an extensive selection of hand-stirred martinis and single-malt scotches, the establishment is known for spectacular grilled meats. Traditional favorites include Culotte Steak, Filet Mignon, Prime Rib and New York Steak. Seafood specialties include the Dungeness Crab Cakes. The portions are huge. Sit behind polished mahogany wood and have a drink or scoot into the plush booths and eat until you can't stand up.

One of the all time classic restaurants in San Jose, Original Joe's has been around since 1956. The waiters are never far away and the bartenders are truly one of a kind. Their menu is a lovely blend of Italian and American classics. Savor their Chicken Parmigiana, Roast Beef, Beef Stew, Linguine with Clams, Calamari Steak and Baby Back Ribs. Complement your meal with either wine or beer.

This wildly popular eatery serves up elegant Greek cuisine in a tidy storefront with linen-topped tables, stone hearth, artisanal pottery and an open kitchen that is warm and inviting. Locals love the daily fish specials, assertively seasoned with lemon, olive oil and bay leaves in perfect proportions. Other must-tries at Evvia Estiatorio include the succulent dishes of braised lamb or beef surrounded by saffron rice, the luscious spanikopita bursting with spinach and feta, and the hearty Moussaka with its rich layers of slow-cooked beef and cheese. For dessert, there is flaky and sweet baklava. The service is quick and friendly.

Since 1923, Palo Alto Creamery has served tasty food with good ingredients in a typical small town atmosphere; they are old fashioned and proud about it. Generations of consumers have been pleased and this is just the beginning. The philosophy of the restaurant is to cook simple food that is well made. This is a fun place to take your family or friends.

As you approach Vino Locale, you are transported into a delightful world that blends the charm of a fairy tale land and the Victorian age. Nestled in an old Victorian building, surrounded by bushes, shrubberies and flowering plants, this wine bar is a charming place to enjoy a candlelight dinner. Its garden dining even surpasses the dining room, replete with archways of crawling creepers, round tables covered with white cloths and pink flowers blossoming all around. This bar boasts of a selection of highly-local wines sourced from the wineries of Santa Cruz Mountains and the counties of Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda. The wine list includes Feels Like Summer, Spring Fling, Love in the Secret Garden and Smooth and Sexy Reds. On some nights, musicians treat guests to the melodies of flamenco, jazz, bluegrass, folk and classical guitar music. Once a month, this restaurant also hosts a reception to showcase a selected local artists' work. If you dream of hosting your party under the stars, surrounded by nature, do hire this bar for your next function.