14 Must-Try Santa Clara Restaurants: Where the Santa Clara Locals Eat

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Updated on March 26th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Santa Clara, CA’s prime location in the heart of Silicon Valley means you’re never far from a beautiful hike, a historic museum, an outstanding concert, or one-of-a-kind meal. And if you’re looking for a new restaurant to check out in the area, you don’t even have to leave Santa Clara to find an outstanding spot. So whether you’ve recently rented an apartment in Santa Clara or have been living in Santa Clara for some time, there’s a restaurant for everyone. Here’s a list of 14 must-try Santa Clara restaurants that the locals frequent.

santa clara mission outside_getty
NNehring via Getty Images

#1: Mission City Grill

Cuisine: New American restaurant
Address: 2000 El Camino Real Ste 1, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Mission City Grill’s Website

Located in Downtown Santa Clara, Mission City Grill is a stellar spot to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you’re craving eggs benedict, blueberry pancakes, Gilroy garlic fries, chopped cobb salad, or Thai lettuce wraps, Mission City Grill has got you covered. 

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#2: Kebab & Curry

Cuisine: Indian restaurant
Address: 1498 Isabella St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Kabab & Curry’s Website

Serving outstanding Indian food like chicken korma, saag lamb, aaloo gobi, naan or biryani, Kabab & Curry’s Santa Clara location is another option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants.

#3: Taqueria La Veracruzana

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 1510 Jackson St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Taqueria La Veracruzana’s Website

An authentic Veracruz style restaurant, Taqueria La Veracruzana has a lot of options for anyone looking for a new place to grab a bite, whether you’re in the mood for chilaquiles, mariscada, shrimp tacos, or chile verde.

#4: Sara’s Kitchen

Cuisine: Diner and American restaurant
Address: 1595 Franklin St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Sara’s Kitchen’s Website

Another must-try Santa Clara restaurant is Sara’s Kitchen. You’ll find a large array of diner classics like their famous cheese steak sandwiches, fish and chips, burgers, and sandwiches.

#5: Dusita Thai

Cuisine: Thai restaurant
Address: 2325 El Camino Real Ste 104, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Dusita Thai’s Website

If you’re looking for a Thai restaurant, be sure to stop by Dusita Thai. From soups like tom yum and potak, and curries like panang and mussaman, to noodle dishes like pad see eew and rad na, and plenty of other Thai staples, there’s always something to try.

#6: Rice Junky

Cuisine: Korean-fusion restaurant
Address: 2089 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Rice Junky’s Website

Maybe you’re on the hunt for a new take on Korean food? If so, head to Rice Junky where you’ll find Korean-fusion dishes like pork cutlet wraps, galbi bowls, veggie croquettes, and porkzzarella.

#7: Copenhagen Crown Bakery

Cuisine: Bakery
Address: 2079 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Copenhagen Crown Bakery’s Website

Copenhagen Crown Bakery has plenty of options for those looking for a slice of Europe in Santa Clara. From fresh-baked bread and pastries like Danishes, cookies, and cracked wheat bread to breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon bread, there’s something amazing to start off your morning.

salmon poke bowl with veggies on a pink table

#8: Poke Poke Fish Bar

Cuisine: Seafood restaurant
Address: 2362 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Poke Poke Fish Bar’s Website

Poke Poke Fish Bar is serving up fresh poke bowls with your choice of rice, noodles, or greens, fish, sauce, toppings, and more. Or you can order sushi or try their ahi tuna nachos.

#9: Jasmine Thai Cuisine

Cuisine: Thai restaurant
Address: 1211 Franklin Mall, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Jasmine Thai Cuisine’s Website

Jasmine Thai Cuisine is an excellent restaurant if you’re looking for authentic Thai. Located just blocks from the University of Santa Clara campus, you’ll find curry puffs, satay chicken, mango salad, lychee curry, catfish curry, and lots more on their menu.

 #10: Mio Vicino

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 1290 Benton St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Mio Vicino’s Website

If you’ve recently moved to Santa Clara and are searching for an Italian restaurant serving pizza, baked penne with Italian sausage, chicken cannelloni, cioppino, and crispy polenta, you can find that at Mio Vicino.

#11: Tay Ho

Cuisine: Vietnamese restaurant
Address: 2047 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Tay Ho’s Website

Tay Ho serves a great selection of Vietnamese food like banh cuon (speciality rice crepes), pho, shrimp and sweet potato fritters, garlic noodles, fried rice, and much more.

#12: Burma Bistro

Cuisine: Burmese restaurant
Address: 2135 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Burma Bistro’s Website 

The 12th Santa Clara restaurant to add to your list is Burma Bistro, an authentic Burmese spot in the heart of the city. Make sure to try one of their appetizers like yellow tofu fritters or Burmese samosas and main dishes like chicken palatha, Burmese style beef stew, mango shrimp.

#13: Kobe Japanese Restaurant

Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 2086 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Kobe Japanese Restaurant’s Website

Kobe Japanese Restaurant is a delicious place to visit in Santa Clara. A sushi restaurant, Kobe Japanese Restaurant has fresh sashimi, agedashi tofu, specialty rolls, chicken katsu, salmon teriyaki, and unagi donburi.

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#14: China Stix Restaurant

Cuisine: Asian restaurant
Address: 2110 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050 
China Stix Restaurant’s Website

Rounding out our list of Santa Clara restaurants is China Stix Restaurant, an Asian restaurant with influences from Mandarin, Szechuan, and Taiwanese cuisines. There’s plenty to explore on their menu – think won ton soup, honey pecan prawns, garlic chicken, tangerine beef, and mu shu pork.

Learn more about Santa Clara

4 Popular Santa Clara Neighborhoods: Where to Live in Santa Clara in 2023

10 Fun-Filled Things to Do in Santa Clara, CA for Newcomers

7 Popular Parks in Santa Clara, CA That Locals Love

Is Santa Clara, California a Good Place to Live?

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
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Alison Bentley

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

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