Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in San Jose, CA

Travis Wise This restaurant is definitely an unexpected surprise. For years, I had heard legends that this restaurant existed. But I never had a reason to go there until this year. I was amazed. More people should experienced this. I know at one point they had a Michelin star and then when they closed down that went away. I hope they get it back. It is definitely worthy. The neighborhood has a lot of character, but this restaurant is the Crown Jewel. Parking in the back of the restaurant was not difficult because we had an early reservation. The courses came out evenly and consistently, and were all presented extremely well. The staff were all very well trained and knew how to operate a fine dining establishment. The food was all delicious and fresh. Each course had unique flavors that were amazing. If youre looking for a fine dining establishment for a special occasion, this is it.

Stevens Brian (Coach Brian) This food was off the charts. Everything was served hot, fresh and fast. The smoke on the ribs and brisket was perfect and the bbq sauce was the an amazing balance of sweet and tangy. They might as well get rid of the forks in this place.The collard greens were tender and savory and the cornbread brought it all together. I absolutely recommend the 2 meat combo so you can try more than one.

Ann Garcia I came here for a brunch. It was amazing. Service is great, atmosphere. Is there, food is literally Amazing. I came here on a Tuesday at around two P.M. and there was no wait for a table I recommend the chilaquiles

Jordan Sinclair The moment I sat down, the bartender made the whole place feel welcoming with genuinely friendly service. The menu surprised me in the best way-creative American and Asian fusion dishes that taste just as good as they look. Prices lean a little higher, but the quality absolutely matches what you’re paying for. The food hits the spot, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a perfect place to bring someone for a casual date or a quick, tasty meal. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Rashid Aliyev This place for delivery oy, but if you come in, you can do order over kiosk too. Im many time ordering from here and always get delicious dishes! Good, lovely and handsome employees here.

Maria Rivera ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review We celebrated my daughter’s 13th birthday here on November 21, 2025, with a group of 23 people, and everything was truly 5 stars — the staff, the food, the service, all of it. We were seated in the upstairs room, which was wonderful and perfect for our celebration. The only thing that could have made it even nicer would have been the option to play a little music for ambience. Other than that, everything was absolutely amazing. A special shout-out to Michael, our server, who went above and beyond for our entire group. He was attentive, friendly, and always available for anything we needed. His outstanding service made the night extra special. Honestly, he should be a manager — that’s how exceptional he was. Highly recommend this location. We’ll definitely be back!

Lily Peng We recently had Bun Me Up cater our sons birthday party, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish! The buns were absolutely delicious—each one perfectly flavored and paired with their amazing special sauce, which was a huge hit. All the other dishes were just as popular, and our guests couldn’t stop raving about how unique and delicious everything was, with many saying they’d never had anything like it before. Josh worked closely with me throughout the planning process, going back and forth to create the perfect menu and ensuring we had just the right amount of food for our guests. His attention to detail and flexibility in accommodating changes to the guest count made the entire experience so easy and stress-free. He even took care of specific dietary restrictions, which was a huge plus! On the day of the party, Josh and his fantastic team handled everything seamlessly. The setup and cleanup were quick and handled entirely by them. They thoughtfully arranged each dish in chafing dishes with black linens, making everything look amazing. Their professionalism and attention to detail allowed us to fully enjoy the celebration without worrying about a thing. We couldn’t be happier with the experience and will absolutely use Bun Me Up again for future events. We’re already missing the food and can’t wait for the next occasion to work with them!

Aimee Connor After several recommendations, I finally made my way to Scott’s Seafood in San Jose—and I’m so glad I did! From the moment I arrived, everything about the experience was exceptional. The ambiance was spot on, beautifully decorated with an inviting atmosphere. For those who enjoy dining outside, the outdoor patio seating adds a lovely touch. Service was equally impressive. Hugo, my waiter, was attentive and knowledgeable, suggesting the almond-crusted New Zealand seabass—a choice that did not disappoint. To start, I had a cup of their Boston clam chowder, and let me say, it was one of the best I’ve had from coast to coast. Rich, flavorful, and comforting. I also decided to try their watermelon mojito mocktail, which was refreshing and delicious. Scott’s Seafood has truly earned a spot on my list of favorites, and I will definitely be returning! Highly recommended for seafood lovers and anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience in San Jose.

Daniel Andres Vega Castro Tried the BBQ ribs, spicy ají amarillo shrimp, and pork belly bao buns. The ribs and shrimp were out of this planet, bold flavors and perfectly done. The bao buns were tasty but a bit hard on the bite. Overall, a very solid experience with a couple of standout dishes. All of them in happy hour for less than 25 usd.

Suman Hazra This place hands down has the best fried chicken in San Jose, if not in the bay area. Went on a Sunday for late lunch, and the place was packed. The restaurant itself is quite small and gives more takeaway vibes but they have some seats indoors and couple of other benches outdoor. They also have burgers on the menu, but I went there for the fried chicken. You can choose your spice level, and I chose a spice level four, which was just perfect for me. I got the meal with the fries which honestly was a mistake. The fries are below average and kind of floppy and soggy. But that is forgiven because the chicken sandwich was a revelation. I could not imagine White meat ever being so juicy. The marination process must be goated because it was literally dripping like a brisket. Also, it’s huge, and I was very full. It is not cheap though. Expect to pay around $20-$25 for a chicken sandwich with fries. It is extremely worth it, and I will definitely be back again.

Anthony Whitt This place is amazing, the food is delicious everyone there is a blessing. They are all so nice and helpful not just the servers but eveyone that is there working. They worl together to make great food, clean place to eat, a welcoming atmosphere. The guacamole is out of this world, the food in general is amazing, the drinks are very good too! Cant forget dessert either or that Mexican Hot Chocolate!

Belinda Rickman First time here. Service was outstanding. Food was amazing! I am from out of State and had never heard of Hobees. I highly recommend it and will definately come back next time I am in town. Try it. You will not be disappointed! Soooo goood!!!!

bhanu khera Love this brunch place! This was my second time visiting during my Bay Area trip, and I love their food. I definitely overate. I tried the veggie omelette, pancakes, and French toast. Everything was amazing except the tiramisu pancake (it was okayish; the cream on top tasted a bit too milky). But apart from that, everything was so good. Definitely recommend this place for brunch!

Chuck Freeman This place offers it all of your a BBQ fan! The brisket, beans, corn bread and side Cesar salad was my choice today and Carla was my waitress. Very friendly and tentative. If you want Cheap BBQ, dont come here because good BBQ aint Cheap and and Cheap BBQ aint good. $40 for the LG brisket plate with mixed fat/lean with the premium side. Worth it!

Zeke Cao Food was pretty good. Interesting concepts. The rib eye was somehow over salted but still good. Lamb chops were great. The lobster rolls are definitely an interesting take on a traditional roll. It was busy so our food took a bit but our server was excellent and answered all our questions and kept the mood lively. Bonus for being dog friendly.