Surrounded by the rolling hills of Silicon Valley, San Jose is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities for foodies to explore. As one of California’s largest cities, San Jose is also very vibrant, filled with the bustling energy of its residents and visitors.
If you happen to be in the San Jose area, or if you’re thinking about taking a trip there soon, be sure to stop by some of the eateries mentioned on this list. We’ve included the best Michelin Star restaurants in San Jose, as well as those honoured with the Michelin Gourmand Bib.
There are several factors that contribute to the awarding of Michelin Stars. These include the quality of the ingredients, the balance of the flavours and the creativity of the chef, to name a few. Every restaurant on this list has been carefully evaluated by the Michelin judges and will be a guaranteed treat to visit!
Jump To a Section Below
Nemea Greek Taverna
View this post on Instagram
Nemea Greek Taverna is home base to a Michelin Star chef who pays such careful attention to detail that it reflects clearly in the quality of the restaurant’s food and overall ambience. As one of the few Michelin Star restaurants in San Jose, Names Greek Taverna is located on an idyllic street lined with trees in the heart of the city.
The food on offer at this establishment includes classic Greek flavours and places them in a contemporary setting. Diners can expect the likes of authentic tzatziki and hummus, as well as moussaka, lavraki and baklava. The restaurant’s interior design team worked hard to create a classic environment featuring hardwood floors, stone columns, suspended lights and an exposed ceiling. In addition to this, Nemea also boasts an open kitchen that allows diners to watch as their meals are being prepared.
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 96 South First Street, San Jose, 95113
- Type of food: Greek
- Must-try: Spanakopita, saganaki, kalamarakia.
Left Bank
View this post on Instagram
When it comes to Michelin Star restaurants in San Jose, no list would be complete without mention of Left Bank, a bustling, family-friendly French brasserie. Located on Santana Row in San Jose, Left Bank’s team goes out of its way to make sure that guests enjoy their visit to the restaurant.
With a light, friendly ambience and delectable French cuisine, what’s not to love? Left Bank has an elegant interior featuring hardwood floors, high ceilings and large pane windows. Adding to the romantic flair of the establishment is cushioned booth seating, dark crown molding and a large banquette. It’s a beautiful space to make beautiful memories in.
The restaurant’s name is a direct translation of “La Rive Gauche”, which refers to the southern bank of the French River Seine. This alludes to the Paris of years gone by, where artists, writers and philosophers would often bask in the sunshine along the riverbank. According to the restaurant’s official website, the name implies “a sense of bohemianism, counterculture and creativity”. This is all reflected in the dishes presented by Chef proprietor Roland Passot.
Left Bank’s menu includes French classics like escargot, cheese fondue and steak tartare, to name a few. One thing’s for sure: any trip to Left Bank will certainly be a memorable one!
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 377 Santana Row Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95128
- Type of food: French
- Must-try: Escargot, french onion soup, beef bourguignon.
Adega
View this post on Instagram
“Adega” is the Portuguese word for “wine cellar”, making it the perfect name for this Michelin Star restaurant in San Jose. Stocked in the eatery’s dining room are over 200 excellent vintages that are rarely seen on Western shores. However, this impressive collection is just the beginning for the dynamic duo of David Costa and Chef Jessica Carreira, both of whom have worked tirelessly to give Adega the stellar reputation that it has.
Every course served at Adega screams of elevated dining. The menu is an excellent blend of the finest local and imported ingredients. Adega’s main focus is on seafood, and its signature dish is its bacalhau, or traditional salted cod. Of course, Adega’s team has put their own spin on it and offers up a dish that is flavourful and moist, and served over nubs of black olives, crispy potatoes and an unforgettably creamy sauce.
The sheer workmanship that has gone into crafting the menu at Adega is evident in every bite. Even those who are a bit apprehensive about blood sausage may enjoy the restaurant’s otherworldly morcela, which is served wrapped in a pastry shell and accompanied by a delightfully refreshing apple and celery sauce. A trip to Adega is well worth it!
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 1614 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, 95116
- Type of food: Portuguese
- Must-try: Tasting menu.
Luna Mexican Kitchen
View this post on Instagram/div>
This lovely addition to the Michelin Guide San Jose is a labour of love from chef and owner Jo Lerma-Lopez. Luna Mexican Kitchen is named not only after the Spanish word for “moon”, but is actually also an acronym that reflects the restaurant team’s ethos of “L(ocal) U(nrefined) N(atural) A(uthentic) cooking. The restaurant’s slogan is “eat like an ancestor”, and this is reflected in the authenticity of the Mexican cuisine on offer.
The dishes served at Luna Mexican Kitchen are all highbrow, thanks in part to very specific and special ingredients such as Rancho Gordo beans and homemade chicken stock and chorizo. Luna has a wonderful vibe to it too, with a lovely bar and open-air patio, perfect for sharing a meal or a special celebration with the ones you love. San Jose’s residents love it so much that Lerma-Lopez has had to open a second location in Campbell.
Some of the menu’s highlights include horchata french toast, chilaquiles and the plato de chorizo con huevos. Luna’s menu also accommodates pescatarians, vegetarians and even vegans too. There truly is something for everybody at this well-loved neighbourhood eatery. It’s no wonder that the Michelin judges saw fit to award it the Bib Gourmand!
- Price: $$
- Michelin stars: 1
- Address: 1495, The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
- Type of food: Mexican
- Must-try: Coctel de camarones, cod ceviche, chile relleno picadillo.

Sebastian is a former hedge fund trader who worked only to indulge his true passion – food.
He has dined at over 240 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, savoring culinary masterpieces and understanding the stories behind them. He now advises restaurants on menu design, decor and holistic diner experience.