If you’re hunting for standout eats in San Carlos, you really can find it all. Elevated Californian cuisine and cozy neighborhood bistros. Perfectly charred burgers. Artisanal pizzas, alongside inventive craft cocktails. You’ll discover classic favorites along Laurel Street, plus a wave of fresh spots downtown, but there are buzzy brunch cafes, authentic taquerias, and farm-to-table gems across the city. Here are just a few of our top picks.
Ramo’s Food truck
Ramo’s Food truck is a San Carlos spot where you can grab excellent Mexican food with carne asada tacos, lengua burritos, and solid asada fries, or pick up a flavorful birria plate with 4 pieces of birria. But look past the shaded seating area, and there’s a really satisfying meal—especially for lunch. (The pollo Fritos plate and fish burrito are also highly recommended.) Grab a seat and get a carne asada burrito with California-style flavors and TOSTITO tortilla chips.
It comes with some truly delicious shrimp tacos, which will justify your wait as you exit the truck.
Pazzo
$$ | (650) 591-1075 | WEBSITE
The first time you visit this apizza specialist in San Carlos, make a beeline for the counter by the wood fire oven and order their signature cauliflower dish. It’s an extremely impressive preparation, with high-quality ingredients and special preparation that satisfies even non-vegetarians. The second time you go to Pazzo, you should probably do this again, unless you’re really craving pizza.
In that case, get one of their excellent apizzas, served with that standout thin, crunchy crust that many consider among the best they’ve ever had.
Tamari Authentic Georgian Cuisine
$$ | (650) 232-7877 | WEBSITE
Tamari Authentic Georgian Cuisine in San Carlos makes wonderful Georgian food, and you’ll want to arrive early to secure a table at this great little spot. But once you’re seated, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a hidden gem, experiencing flavors you might not have encountered outside of Georgia. Choose between khinkali, those savory dumplings filled with spiced meat, or kharcho, the rich beef stew with walnuts and aromatic spices. Bring a friend so you can share multiple dishes.
They’ve recently started featuring khvanchkara wine pairings with their authentic menu.
Lou’s Cafe
$ | (650) 394-8914 | WEBSITE
You could come to Lou’s Cafe just for coffee—they make excellent large hot mochas that could fuel a morning of errands. But you most likely drove across town to this popular local spot, and probably worked up quite an appetite. So while you’re enjoying one of the best sandwiches in San Carlos—in a very clean establishment, being served by great staff—get their Ami-Cado sandwich. It’s salty from the pastrami, creamy from the avocado, and a perfect complement to whatever you’re drinking.
Hapa’s Brewing Company
$ | (650) 400-1233 | WEBSITE
The vibe at Hapa’s Brewing Company couldn’t be more different than a quiet wine bar, but the beer selection is just as impressive. This lively brewpub in downtown San Carlos has a few different drinking options, from a $12 beer flight to $18 for a large pretzel and two pints. You can also order à la carte for a self-guided tour of different brews paired with things like hot pretzels or other tasty snacks (with non-beer detours thrown in)—but it does get noisy quickly.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
$ | (650) 366-9090 | WEBSITE
At this San Carlos spot with sports games on big screens, gluten-free crust pizzas are the specialty, and the $25 large pizza (with a beer add-on) is your best option. Here, nothing is served without a smile—you might get a quick refill just because the server noticed your glass was getting low. Eating in the kid-friendly arcade area will remind you that perfectly prepared crust can be crispier than crackers and tastier than expected.
Groovy Goose Coffee Roasters
$ | (650) 486-0522 | WEBSITE
This cozy, cheerful spot in San Carlos serves comforting coffee shop fare like smooth lattes, seasonal acai bowls, and warm baked goods—and everything costs less than $12. There are a few tables, but this place works better as a grab-and-go option. The breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and bacon on a homemade-style biscuit is one of our favorite bites, with fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and a buttery biscuit that has enough heft to satisfy any morning hunger.
Grab a Pumpkin Pie oat latte; the seasonal drink is smooth and well-balanced, with just the right amount of spice.
Hot Wok Bistro Too
$ | WEBSITE
Hot Wok Bistro Too has become a go-to spot in San Carlos, with its convenient location near Palo Alto and Sunnyvale making it perfect for a quick lunch. The restaurant offers wonderful food at moderate prices, with most dishes ranging from $12 to $22, but the real value comes from their generous portions. The sweet spot is their $16 lunch special, which gets you a main dish like broccoli and beef or Mongolian beef, plus a bowl of their hot and sour soup and a side of chow mein.
You can order a la carte as well. The service is great, and the staff are very kind and appreciative, always making sure you leave satisfied. With easy parking right in front and a comfortable atmosphere, it’s a hidden gem worth discovering.
BOBER TEA & COFFEE
$ | (650) 226-5552 | WEBSITE
For mochi donuts and boba, there’s Bober Tea & Coffee. Everyone at the San Carlos spot has a plate of them on their table, topped with flavors like taro ube, matcha, cookies & creme, and the highly praised Litchi, and each donut—really more like a cloud in texture—sits against the white walls and flower arches as if this were a dessert gallery. Grab a seat at one of the many tables for a family outing, or sit by the window for an Instagram photo.
The donuts have a delightful, chewy texture—and the $1 mochi with drink purchase every Tuesday is a massive highlight. Bober Tea & Coffee also has friendly staff who greet you promptly and can recommend non-caffeinated options from their extensive drink menu, which includes milk tea and slushies with no extra charge for conversion, all served in visually appealing cups with a foamy texture.
SF Uncork’d
$$ | (650) 821-8975 | WEBSITE
From the folks who brought you a decent airport dining experience, this San Carlos spot still has the quiet atmosphere and convenient location of the terminal it occupies. They also kept the local craft beer focus, which they use for California drafts (and some reasonable wine selections). Grab a glass like Pliny the Elder on tap, a bottle of California wine, and a modest corkage fee for bottles under $100.
It’s easy enough to settle in during a delayed flight, and you should start your layover with a friendly staff member—just don’t expect much from the food.
Round Table Pizza
$ | (650) 591-1998 | WEBSITE
For $24, we expect a super casual pizza experience, and the one-hour meal at this San Carlos pizzeria demands both your full appetite and a relaxed attitude. It’s not just the owner’s skillfully prepared pizza that makes it worth the price, it’s also the many vegetarian topping options at the salad bar, with choices like fresh vegetables and classic dressings.
Come to this restaurant for a very pleasant family meal—just don’t plan on dealing with difficult parking or worrying about accessibility issues.
Gelataio
$$ | (650) 799-5920 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for the best ratio of gelato flavor to restaurant square footage, go to Gelataio. The San Carlos gelateria is the size of a small café, and serves chai tea gelato in a waffle cone the exact dimensions of a dessert bowl. The little shop also does a few other sweets really well, like fun dipped ice creams, various gelato flavors, and a nice small dipped cookie that comes with the gelato.
Rangoon Ruby Burmese Cuisine
$$ | (650) 592-1852 | WEBSITE
San Carlos has no shortage of excellent ethnic eateries, and Rangoon Ruby, with its warm stylish decor and sidewalk seating perfect for people-watching, is one of our favorites. It’s especially great if you like to customize your experience, because you can choose between cozy indoor dining or enjoying your meal outdoors on a warm day.
Get some Tea Leaf Salad and Ruby String Beans, then move on to Minted Jalapeño Chicken and Burmese Style Garlic Noodles to soak up the aroma of garlic, spices, and coconut milk.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
$ | (650) 596-5144 | WEBSITE
If we could only go to one spot for a sweet treat for the rest of our lives, it would be Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. This San Carlos favorite has a cheerful, bustling feel, and a huge selection of flavors. Go for the mango Italian ice with its authentic fruit taste, and the creamy frozen custard that’s thicker than Greek yogurt, as well as mixed options, like the Gelati and Concrete desserts (especially recommended).
It’s bright and lively, with happy chatter and people smiling because their desserts are just that delightful. The amazing service, including from the owner, makes it welcoming even during busy times, though the limited seating can get crowded on summer nights. Despite occasional shortages of vanilla custard or root beer Italian ice, it remains a favorite for its variety and welcoming vibe.
Saffron
$$ | (650) 593-4269 | WEBSITE
Thought you knew all there was to know about Indian cuisine? Think again. Saffron’s $25 thali includes everything from dal makhni to kofta to butter chicken and lamb. Be wary about the street parking as it can be limited, and not super convenient. But simply being in the bright, nicely decorated room, watching stunning plating and presentation whenever a dish arrives at your table, makes Saffron an extremely pleasant place for a meal. A dinner here really is the embodiment of ‘flavor and beauty.’
Noelani’s Island Grill
$$ | (844) 534-2773 | WEBSITE
For Hawaiian food in San Carlos, Noelani’s Island Grill is the place. It’s a vibrant spot with colorful Hawaiian decor, but the sliders they specialize in are juicy, flavorful, and perfect. They also have a seafood menu with poke bowls and mahimahi, but your focus should be on the fantastic slaw-topped sliders, either with pork or katsu. It’s so fresh it’s almost bursting, and it sticks to your memory like a lei around your neck. If you’re craving island flavors, rejoice.
Coffeebar
$ | (650) 779-0466 | WEBSITE
This artistic coffee shop in downtown Redwood City claims to be a hub for both cafe food and artisan coffee. At Coffeebar, the Lavender Latte with almond milk is a fan favorite, but if that’s not your style, you can still get delicious items like avocado toast, caprese panini, and parma panini, all served with flavorful ingredients.
Take your food to the ample indoor or outdoor seating with free WiFi, where you can enjoy the cool vibe and good music while working on laptops or having conversations. The space is filled with beautiful local artwork and has a warm, welcoming vibe, with super friendly staff and great pastries and coffee. The restrooms are super nice, and the location is convenient, next to a bunch of restaurants and business offices.
Tapas & Taps
$$ | (650) 821-6940 | WEBSITE
Tapas & Taps isn’t a sports bar, but the fact that you have to pull off the freeway near SFO and find this cozy spot tucked away makes it feel like one. The place has an impressive beer selection, with local drafts and rotating specials, so it’s a great spot to explore your taste in craft brews. The menu ranges from things like a $16 burger with garlic aioli, to a $12 salad with seasonal greens and house vinaigrette.
