From tech workers to families and day-trippers, the South Bay’s ever-evolving restaurant scene offers something for everyone come lunchtime. The region offers up a wealth of tempting options to try, whether you’re craving elevated farm-to-table fare at a hidden gem in a Menlo Park office park; spicy, south-of-the-border favorites at a vibrant Mexican restaurant in Los Gatos; pizza, pasta and gelato at a temple to Italian cuisine in San Jose; or fish and chips at a casual waterfront seafood shack in Half Moon Bay. With that in mind, here are our South Bay Best Lunch winners for 2023 in and around the Peninsula, Silicon Valley, San Jose and the coast, selected by our editors — look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
Feature Photo: Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
In and Around the Peninsula
Sand Hill Kitchen
Located in the Sand Hill Collection office park set in the oak-studded hills overlooking Stanford University, Sand Hill Kitchen serves elevated, farm-to-table fare in a California ranch-inspired dining room and sunny outdoor patio. Among the selection of sandwiches, salads and soups are the Cobb salad featuring bacon, grilled Mary’s chicken breast, Point Reyes blue cheese and farm fresh eggs; a vegan sandwich made with house-made hummus, roasted maitake mushroom, heirloom tomatoes, marinated beets, pickled carrots, greens and avocado on focaccia; and hand-cut fries. thesandhillkitchen.com
Alice’s Restaurant
You’ll undoubtedly need to wait for a table at this iconic roadhouse in the redwoods that draws sports car enthusiasts, motorcyclists, hikers and families in equal measure, but the people watching is part of the fun. Classic deli sandwiches, salads, burgers and Texas-style barbecue round out the lunch menu (breakfast is a huge draw here, too) — all served with a selection of local beers and wines. Sit inside the restaurant, a 1900s-era former general store, or at one of the many outdoor tables. alicesrestaurant.com
In and Around Silicon Valley
Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell
Orchard City Kitchen specializes in New American small plates, so we recommend ordering family style to try as many dishes as possible. The chef rotates the menu regularly but fan-favorites like Korean Fried Chicken and the Triple B (biscuits, bacon, and honey butter) are menu staples so definitely do not miss one of those! orchardcitykitchen.com
Pedro’s
A vibrant Mexican restaurant with a beautifully decorated interior. One bite of their tacos and you’ll be transported out of the Bay and onto a beach down south. If you’re looking for a buzz we recommend ordering the Billionaire margarita with a side of guacamole and Chimichangas. pedrosrestaurants.com
Purple Onion
Purple Onion is a casual eatery serving breakfast and lunch soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and hot dogs. Although they do have many tasty vegetarian options, if you’re a meat eater we recommend the Steak & Coffee baguette sandwich or the Cat Town Dog — Niman Ranch all-beef “Fearless Frank,” two slices of bacon, provolone cheese, yellow mustard, sweet relish and little yellow peppers on a soft bun. purpleonionca.com
Zareen's
1477 Plymouth St., Mountain View
Located in a small strip mall, Zareen’s unpretentious location keeps customers coming back with their freshly made, authentic Indian food. You can’t go wrong with ordering a classic like Chicken Tikka Masala and we also recommend a Chai or Mango Lassi to sip on with your meal. zareensrestaurant.com
In and Around San Jose
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill
Back A Yard Caribbean Grill’s welcoming atmosphere brings Caribbean specialties to the South Bay. Every dish is packed to the brim with flavor and just the right amount of spice. We recommend the Jerk Chicken Rice Plate that comes with generous sides of rice and beans and plantains. backayard.net
Eataly Silicon Valley
Whether you graze your way through the various counters and cafes or sit down for a full meal at one of two in-house restaurants, the San Jose outpost of Eataly’s culinary shrine to Italy is a South Bay lunch destination that’s not to be missed. Napoli and Roman-style pizza, spaghetti cacio e pepe, wood-fired meats, and myriad flavors of gelato made with organic milk from Petaluma’s Straus Family Creamery — you’ll find all that and much more here. Enjoy your meal with a glass of Italian vino, classic Aperol spritz or steaming hot espresso. eataly.com/us_en/stores/silicon-valley
Freshly Baked Eatery
152 N. 3rd St., San Jose
This well-established sandwich joint specializes in a variety of traditional offerings and like the name implies, is known for its freshly baked bread. You can always expect friendly service, quality ingredients and efficiency here. Go for the roast beef or garlic herb turkey and remember to bring cash. freshly-baked-eatery.cafe-inspector.com
In and Around the Coast
Barbara’s Fishtrap
There’s usually a lunch line out the door at this casual waterfront seafood shack in Princeton-by-the-Sea. The coastal classics on the menu, including clam chowder, fish and chips, and a Dungeness Crab Sandwich, are best enjoyed at one of the outdoor tables overlooking Pilar Point Harbor and the beach. barbarasfishtrap.com
Dad’s Luncheonette
225 Cabrillo Hwy. South, Half Moon Bay
650.560.9832
This place literally cannot be missed. A historic train caboose alongside Highway 1 in Half Moon, Dad’s Luncheonette serves roadside classics with a Californian twist. Scott Clark started Dad’s after he became one with his partner Alexis Liu. Despite the fact that the restaurant makes un-fussy burgers on white bread with no substitutions, Clark’s fine-dining background is betrayed in the details. All the condiments are made in-house, and the chips come sprinkled with a generous amount of nutritional yeast — an unexpected yet delightful addition. dadsluncheonette.com
Duarte’s Tavern
202 Stage Rd., Pescadero
650.879.0464
Established in 1894, Tavern is “where friends meet” for local fish, vegetables that are grown right behind the restaurant, and the legitimately legendary artichoke soup. Three full-time gardeners grow Duarte’s hand-picked artichokes, lettuce and squash, herbs and countless other kinds of produce, including olallieberries. You’ll find plenty of regional wines on the menu, but the Bloody Mary is one-of-a-kind. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 3pm; Friday through Sunday 12pm to 6pm. Closed Tuesday.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.
390 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay
650.728.2739
The first brewery opened on the San Mateo coast since 1873, Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. is a lot of things, including a green-certified business and an ultra dog-friendly destination that makes treats for pups with spent grains. As for human food, the New England clam chowder will warm your bones on even the most blustery day. Other top picks include the Dungeness crab roll that comes on an Acme torpedo loaf, and the Baja fish tacos, made with grilled or crispy fresh cod. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm.
Old Princeton Landing Public House
460 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay
650.728.7096
Re-opened in the fall of 2010 by brothers Brian and Peter Overfelt, OPL puts its own spin on farm-to-table: Enter “dock-to-dish.” The restaurant prides itself in serving fare sourced from local farms and fisheries and features plenty of local and California beers. Guests will find several Hawaiian-inspired items like the loco moco and Hawaiian bucket — teriyaki chicken or Kalua pork with sticky rice and Hawaiian mac. For (slightly) lighter fare, opt for Uncle Nate’s loaded cobb salad: egg, avocado, tomato, chicken, onion, bacon and blue cheese crumbles, all atop locally-grown red leaf romaine lettuce with your choice of dressing. Bar hours are Monday through Thursday 11am to 12am, Friday and Saturday 11am to 2am, Sunday 10am to 12am. The grill is open from 8am to 9pm daily.
