Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the great 408’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in San Jose — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
September
Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli, 161 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale | This rebrand of the shuttered Armadillo Willy’s serves Texas-style barbecue and New York City-inspired deli sandwiches. Silicon Valley engineer John Vink bought the eatery over the summer because he couldn’t bear to see his favorite lunch spot close. Vink partnered with restaurant pro Ousmane Barry to launch this project.
Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli is now open in Sunnyvale — you might recognize the spot. This is the pit-smoked barbecue chicken sandwich.
Photo via John A. Vink + Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli
Bibo’s NY Pizza & Pasta, 5885 Santa Teresa Blvd. | Bibo’s newest location offers the brand’s popular pies, plus calzones, wings, beer, wine, and pasta. We hear the Tartufo is a must-try.
Nation’s Giant Hamburgers, Multiple locations | Burgers | The longtime California chain known for its burgers, pies, and breakfast dishes plans opened new locations in San Jose: Silver Creek Valley Place over the summer and Monterey Road on Sept. 30. A Santa Teresa Boulevard locations is also coming soon.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in September? Let us know.
Doesn’t a smashburger from Campus Burgers sound good right about now?
Photo via @campus_burgers
August
Campus Burgers, 1701 Park Ave. | The beloved local restaurant known for its smash burger deals starting at just $1.99 debuted its second San Jose location at the former site of Park Station Hashery near the rose gardens. The owners told SJtoday that while many customers seek the $1.99 deal, their most popular items are the double cheeseburger, campus fries, and double jalapeño smashburger.They’re seeing lots of families at the Park Avenue location, and many have thanked them “for making food affordable again.”
The Stand, 503 W. Capitol Expy. | The chain’s new location in The Waterford Plaza Center offers burgers, bowls, salads, wraps, hot dogs, and sandwiches.
Square Pie Guys, 501 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | This is the San Francisco-based eatery’s first shop in the South Bay. The restaurant specializes in square, Detroit-style pizza with crispy, cheesy edges; check out the menu.
Valley Goat, 1100 N. Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale | Located inside the Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, this restaurant hails from “Top Chef” and James Beard Award winner Stephanie Izard. The menu highlights NorCal’s seasonal ingredients as well as global dishes.
Slice of Homage Pizza, 1253 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale | When one pizza shop closes, another one opens. Slice of Homage Pizza took over A Slice of New York’s shuttered shop in Sunnyvale, offering its Sicilian, New York, and Detroit-style pies. We’re here for that deep dish crunch.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in August? Let us know.
These skewers are exclusive to the Campbell menu.
Photo via @marufukuramenofficial
July
Marufuku Ramen, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 300, Campbell | San Francisco’s popular chain opened at the Pruneyard shopping center. The restaurant is known for its rich, flavorful Hakata-style Tonkotsu pork ramen + chicken paitan bowls featuring broth that takes 12 hours to make. Try this: The juicy chicken + buttery scallop Kushiyaki skewers are exclusive to the Campbell menu.
Maruwu Seicha, 100 N. Almaden Ave., Ste. 184 | Japanese Tea | In the mood for matcha? This specialty shop opened at San Pedro Square Market with top-notch matcha lattes, soft serve, and teas — check out the drink menu.
The adorable ambiance and sweet treats await at the new Hello Kitty Cafe.
Photo via Hello Kitty Cafe Santa Clara
Hello Kitty Cafe Santa Clara, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara | Cuteness overload alert. This permanent cafe dedicated to the whiskered Sanrio character can be found at Westfield Valley Fair. Come for the themed merch, stay for the treats — reserve your seat for afternoon tea service in the Bow Room featuring tiered trays of sweet + savory items, or try the Evening Delights dessert pairing.
Playback Coffee Co., 87 N. San Pedro St. | This new concept from Academic Coffee Co. inspired by San Jose’s radio history is now open in San Pedro Square. Check out the menu (we see you, Iced Guava Matcha Latte) and visit the coffee shop daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in July? Let us know.
Palo Alto’s revamped Telefèric Barcelona reopened in June 2025.
Rendering via Telefèric Barcelona
June
Telefèric Barcelona, 855 El Camino Real, Ste. 130, Palo Alto | Spanish | Reservations | After a major redesign, this Palo Alto hot spot reopened with a fresh look and its menu of Spanish pintxos, paellas, wine, and more.
Tsujita Artisan Noodle, 4330 Moorpark Ave. | Ramen | The Tokyo-founded ramen restaurant will open its first Bay Area location on Saturday, June 21 near Mitsuwa Marketplace. The menu will feature rich, flavorful broth + noodles and loaded rice bowls.
Dough Burger, 1751 N. First St. | After starting out as a food truck, the popular halal smashburger spot debuted a permanent restaurant. Don’t forget to order a side of fries and drizzle that house sauce generously on top.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in June? Let us know.
Batch 22 co-owners Amy Wong + Lawrance Combs inside their new Los Gatos bakery.
Photo via Maggie T Photography + Batch 22 Bakery
May
Batch 22 Bakery | 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Ste. 113, Los Gatos | Cookies | We love sweet news. This is the first-ever permanent shop for the brand known for its rotating menu of “pudgy,” 6-ounce cookies. Batch 22 is now rolling out big, tasty treats in elevated classic + innovative flavors like ube dulcey, cookies + cream, and chocolate chip. Get there early — these treats tend to sell out fast.
Tostadas, 304 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. A | Mexican | Toastworthy tidbit — Tostadas is once again open in downtown San Jose. An electrical fire destroyed the family-run restaurant in September 2023, but owners Victor and Alex Garcia say they’re thrilled to be back in business and ready to dish up those famous tostadas, tortas, and bacon birria burgers.
Petals Creamery specializes in ice cream + pastries — pretty sweet, right?
Photo via @petals.creamery
Petals Creamery, 5 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos | Ice cream + pastries | This creamery founded by two friends specializes in handcrafted ice cream made with local organic milk and cream in flavors like rose yuzu lemonade and biscotti almond torte. The menu also includes pretty pastries + coffee drinks.
The Second Wife, 50 Skyport Dr., Ste. 40 | Indian | This restaurant near the airport specializes in an unlimited lunch buffet and Indian dishes. Fun Fact: Singer-songwriter Ben Rector visited this spot for dinner in July 2025 and said the food was “genuinely delicious.” Rectors touted the owners for their hospitality and putting their all into their business.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in May? Let us know.
April
The Pressroom, 189 W. Santa Clara St. | California cuisine + cocktails | Reservations | Extra, extra. This buzzy new spot in the historic 1884 Lyndon Building pays homage to the history of local journalism and the former headquarters of the “Times-Mercury” and “The Mercury News.” While the restaurant’s interior is absolutely stunning, take time to admire its fun exterior — local muralist Jorge Duh installed this newspaper-inspired street art on the building featuring articles and lots of “hidden Easter eggs that pay homage to San Jose.”
Jackie’s Place expanded to a second location in the SoFa District.
Photo via @jackiesplacesj + @pixelislandagency
Jackie’s Place, 321 S. First St. | Soul food | The family-owned and operated bakery, soul food, and BBQ restaurant expanded to a second location in the SoFa District. The menu features the Southern Fried Fish Plate, Uncle Greg’s Ribs Plate, wings, hot links, fried chicken, and more.
Voyager Craft Coffee, 1070 Park Ave. + 100 W. St. John St. | Cafe | Need a caffeine fix? Voyager debuted two new shops this past spring: the very colorful roastery + bakery dubbed “Park HQ” and its St. John shop in downtown San Jose. The beloved local brand is really grinding — it now has six locations in the South Bay.
Grab a coffee + French pastry at Cafe Augustine on The Row, too.
Photo via Ed Anderson + Augustine
JOEY Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Ste. 1840 | American | Reservations | The two-level restaurant debuted at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara with its globally-inspired menu and chic dining room. There’s something for everyone here — pasta, sushi, salads, steaks, and burgers.
6th Street Burger, 235 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 112 | This new burger joint in downtown San Jose serves 100% Wagyu beef smashburgers grilled to juicy perfection — heavy cheese sauce recommended.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in April? Let us know.
Head to The Row to check out this restaurant.
Photo via Ed Anderson + Augustine
March
Augustine + Cafe Augustine, 377 Santana Row, Ste. 1000 | California coastal | C’est magnifique. The restaurant focuses on California-grown ingredients with French, Italian, and Mediterranean influences and boasts an extensive wine list. The adjoining, French-inspired cafe offers specialty coffee, grab-and-go salads, and beautiful pastries like croissants, Madeleines, and macarons.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in March? Let us know.
Hobee’s now has a new location in downtown SJ — yes, there’s Blueberry Coffeecake.
Photo via @hobeesrestaurants
February
Hobee’s, 261 N. Second St. | Cafe | Two words: Blueberry Coffeecake. Silicon Valley favorite Hobee’s debuted its latest location in downtown San Jose featuring a beer garden + banquet hall. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but we’re partial to the breakfast scrambles + omelets, which come with a side of that famous Blueberry Coffeecake.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in February? Let us know.
Bloom Eatery plans to open its second brunch spot — this time in downtown SJ — this fall.
Photo via @bloom_eatery
Coming Soon
Bloom Eatery & Spirits, 225 W. Santa Clara St. | Brunch | The Santa Clara brunch spot is expanding to downtown SJ, planning to open this second location in November 2025. Peep the menu and prep slot this brunch outing into your fall calendar.
Bannetone, Japantown | Artisan bread + pastries | Projected opening: TBD | Word on the street is that this beloved bakery is rising in Japantown soon with its handcrafted bread + buttery pastries.
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