Guidebook for San Mateo
Food Scene
This is an Excellent Japanese Ramen Parlor. It features Asari Ramen which is a Salt Broth Base with Clams. The Chicken Karage is also Excellent.
13 locals recommend
Himawari
202 2nd AveThis is an Excellent Japanese Ramen Parlor. It features Asari Ramen which is a Salt Broth Base with Clams. The Chicken Karage is also Excellent.
For those with a taste for food that is Hong Kong Style this place is the place to go in the morning for Congee or at night to satisfy your late night cravings.
ABC Bakery and Cafe
210 E 3rd AveFor those with a taste for food that is Hong Kong Style this place is the place to go in the morning for Congee or at night to satisfy your late night cravings.
This is another excellent place to get quality Ramen. You won't want to miss this if you are a Ramen connoisseur
6 locals recommend
Ajisen Ramen
211 E 3rd AveThis is another excellent place to get quality Ramen. You won't want to miss this if you are a Ramen connoisseur
For those who are into great Indian food, this is a must. Their lunch buffet is a steal when you eat your tummy's worth in Tandoori Chicken. Don't miss out!
Clay Oven Cuisine of India
78 East 3rd AvenueFor those who are into great Indian food, this is a must. Their lunch buffet is a steal when you eat your tummy's worth in Tandoori Chicken. Don't miss out!
In downtown San Mateo, a diverse group of ethnic restaurants to choose from awaits you, including American, Chinese, French, Greek, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, P
Downtown San Mateo Association
380 1st AveIn downtown San Mateo, a diverse group of ethnic restaurants to choose from awaits you, including American, Chinese, French, Greek, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, P
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
329 S Ellsworth AveThis is a very good Japanese Grill.
Rave Burger
144 E 3rd AveExcellent place to get some gourmet burgers! Friendly owner as well.
Note: Address has now moved to 204 2nd Ave, San Mateo.
Great place for yummy milk tea and other drinks! Plenty of room to sit down and watch the flat screen or just relax and people watch.
8 locals recommend
ShareTea
204 2nd AveNote: Address has now moved to 204 2nd Ave, San Mateo.
Great place for yummy milk tea and other drinks! Plenty of room to sit down and watch the flat screen or just relax and people watch.
It's a drink/dessert place with Vietnamese coffee, grass jelly drinks, etc. Great if you want to be adventurous and try unusual drinks with things like longan, basil seeds, coconut, taro, mung bean, pandan jelly, etc. They also have real fruit smoothies and coffee, both hot and iced! Bambu has a loyalty card where you buy 12 drinks and you can get 1 drink free.
13 locals recommend
Bambu Desserts & Drinks
153 S B StIt's a drink/dessert place with Vietnamese coffee, grass jelly drinks, etc. Great if you want to be adventurous and try unusual drinks with things like longan, basil seeds, coconut, taro, mung bean, pandan jelly, etc. They also have real fruit smoothies and coffee, both hot and iced! Bambu has a loyalty card where you buy 12 drinks and you can get 1 drink free.
Mokutanya is a unique Japanese restaurant where you take off your shoes and sit on padded benches with your feet in a hollowed well at the bottom! The room is dimly lit for a romantic atmosphere, with glass wall partitions. Great for grilled Yakitori and yummy ramen soups!
18 locals recommend
Mokutanya
1155 California DrMokutanya is a unique Japanese restaurant where you take off your shoes and sit on padded benches with your feet in a hollowed well at the bottom! The room is dimly lit for a romantic atmosphere, with glass wall partitions. Great for grilled Yakitori and yummy ramen soups!
Great place to have breakfast. Make sure to get there early or get a reservation, as it does get crowded during breakfast hours!
76 locals recommend
Stacks
501 Hayes StGreat place to have breakfast. Make sure to get there early or get a reservation, as it does get crowded during breakfast hours!
Another great place for milk tea. They also have a stamp card where you can get 1 free drink for every 10 drinks that you purchase!
13 locals recommend
Gong Cha
110 S B StAnother great place for milk tea. They also have a stamp card where you can get 1 free drink for every 10 drinks that you purchase!
Great place for yummy Persian food! Plus wonderful artistic atmosphere and a good place to bring a date or family!
19 locals recommend
Shalizaar
300 El Camino RealGreat place for yummy Persian food! Plus wonderful artistic atmosphere and a good place to bring a date or family!
Great place to bring the family and enjoy a wide range of foods like pizza, pasta, Greek gyros, hamburgers, sandwiches, steaks, veal and chicken entrees, etc.
9 locals recommend
Zorba's Pizza
1567 El Camino RealGreat place to bring the family and enjoy a wide range of foods like pizza, pasta, Greek gyros, hamburgers, sandwiches, steaks, veal and chicken entrees, etc.
Myung Dong Tofu Cabin
2968 S Norfolk StGreat Korean food found here!
This bakery has delicious European pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, etc. Also a good place for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well!
24 locals recommend
Copenhagen Bakery & Cafe
1216 Burlingame AveThis bakery has delicious European pastries, cakes, cookies, breads, etc. Also a good place for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well!
Celia's
504 Peninsula AveGreat place for Mexican food!
Parks & Nature
Our favorite wonderful park to see the tall redwood trees and have a nice, peaceful hike in the morning and sometimes even see some wildlife if you're lucky. We have seen squirrels, deer, lizards, etc. and have heard many birds such as owls and wrens. Note: in order to enjoy the peacefulness, arrive at this park by 6 am, as tourists start coming in around 8 am or so.
660 locals recommend
Muir Woods National Monument
Our favorite wonderful park to see the tall redwood trees and have a nice, peaceful hike in the morning and sometimes even see some wildlife if you're lucky. We have seen squirrels, deer, lizards, etc. and have heard many birds such as owls and wrens. Note: in order to enjoy the peacefulness, arrive at this park by 6 am, as tourists start coming in around 8 am or so.
Iconic park with amazing views of waterfalls and rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. Yosemite Valley also has an amazing view of the trees there.
995 locals recommend
Yosemite National Park
Iconic park with amazing views of waterfalls and rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. Yosemite Valley also has an amazing view of the trees there.
Shopping
Wonderful, diverse selection of fresh fruits and veggies, mostly organic, at their Saturdays only Farmer's Market! Plenty of parking, though better to get there early so you can pick the best of the produce! They also have breads, pastries, fresh kettle popcorn, and whole cooked chickens, as well as food trucks.
8 locals recommend
College of San Mateo
1700 W Hillsdale BlvdWonderful, diverse selection of fresh fruits and veggies, mostly organic, at their Saturdays only Farmer's Market! Plenty of parking, though better to get there early so you can pick the best of the produce! They also have breads, pastries, fresh kettle popcorn, and whole cooked chickens, as well as food trucks.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
45 W Hillsdale BlvdGreat place to get inexpensive groceries and yummy snacks!
This grocery store is healthy but can be pricey at times. Great selection of organic foods and produce here.
158 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1010 Park PlThis grocery store is healthy but can be pricey at times. Great selection of organic foods and produce here.
Safeway
1655 El Camino RealSafeway's grocery store closest to our place.