Best Casual Restaurants in San Mateo

78 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park) restaurant

1. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park)

4.8

Exceptional(746)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • San Mateo

Booked 32 times today

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other! Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

A photo of Rise Woodfire - San Mateo restaurant

2. Rise Woodfire - San Mateo

4.5

Awesome(628)

Price: Moderate

• American • San Mateo

Booked 21 times today

Proudly local and family-owned, we serve elevated comfort food including wood-fired pizza and rotisserie fare in the heart of Downtown San Mateo (located inside a historical train station!). Try local favorites like our signature pizzas, prime ribs and roast chickens, as well as many vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes to choose from. Our indoor and outdoor dining are open, so come experience our grand main dining room or dine outside in our state-of-the-art heated covered patio -- kids love watching the trains go by! Takeout service for pickup and delivery are available - Order online through our website www.risewoodfire.com.For table reservations of 13 or more, please contact us directly at info@risewoodfire.com

3. Izakaya Ginji

4.7

Exceptional(235)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • San Mateo

Booked 11 times today

Izakaya Ginji, located in downtown San Mateo, is a Japanese gastropub specializing in Yakitori and tapas style dishes. Izakaya Ginji also has a vast selection of rare Sake and unique Beers. For Japanese spirits, the restaurant also offers a variety of Shochu.We have 10minutes grace period. Please call us if you are running later than 10 minutes after your reservation time.Due to limited seating, dining is limited to 2hours until further notice.Please be sure to include your children or your service animal as a head count for accurate reservation!Also, we are now taking reservations for our INDOOR TABLE ONLY. ***We will NOT accommodate any requests for outdoor patio seating. Reservations are strictly for INDOOR ONLY*** We will be NOT allowing any outside food and drinks. We look forward to providing you with an authentic Japanese dining experience .

A photo of Pacific Catch San Mateo restaurant

4. Pacific Catch San Mateo

4.6

Exceptional(1437)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • San Mateo

Booked 14 times today

Pacific Catch is a WestCoast Fish House dedicated to delivering high quality sustainable seafood with a unique perspective. From the day we opened we've been mindful about where our ingredients come from and how to bring to life the vibrant flavors and feeling of the Pacific. It's our commitment to our guests to keep things interesting, innovative, wholesome and thoughtfully sourced. That's why we've formalized our relationship with the Monterey Bay Seafood Aquarium's Seafood Watch, James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch and the Surfrider Foundation by becoming a partner and bringing on a director of sustainability to help steward these efforts.We will be following the most stringent protocols on cleaning, sanitization, social distancing, and protections for employee health including temperature taking and the use of protective masks and gloves.

A photo of The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar restaurant

5. The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar

4.7

Exceptional(369)

Price: Moderate

• French American • San Mateo

Booked 17 times today

The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar welcomes everyone with selective wines selection and many pairings superbly with a wide variety of cuisine. With selective cheeses and charcutiers, hundreds of different wines, seafood,and meats.The Barrel Bistro&Wine Bar attracts colleagues for a drink after work, business dinners, a quick bite or drink before a show, late night revelers, families for Sunday brunch and more.

A photo of Tomatina - San Mateo restaurant

6. Tomatina - San Mateo

4.1

Excellent(143)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Mateo

For parties over 4 guests or if desired time not available, please contact us directly at 650-918-5030 to book your reservationWE CATER ANY EVENT no celebration is too large or too small!You’re always welcome at San Mateo’s Tomatina, our family-friendly Italian restaurant at the corner of 4th and B Streets in the heart of downtown San Mateo just off Highway 101. Located just 10 minutes from San Francisco International Airport, minutes from the San Mateo Event Center and a block from Century 12 San Mateo, we are here for any occasion. Tomatina is designed to appeal to as many people as possible, which is why they carry a vegetarian, gluten-free and children's menu in addition to their regular ones. Each month, Tomatina offers seasonal specials in addition to the normal menu.

7. Sapore Express

4.2

Awesome(15)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Mateo

Sapore Italiano opened on Burlingame Avenue, Ca in 2001 and has been a family favorite for over 19 years. Home-made pasta in rich sauces made with the finest quality ingredients has made Sapore Italiano a success and now we bring you a fast, casual dining experience with the same taste and quality Sapore is known for. Sapore Express offers the best of what our flagship restaurant has to offer in a casual dining experience that is fast-paced. At Sapore Express, you won’t sacrifice quality for price and you won’t have to choose between taste and time. Ciao-- and see you at Sapore Express in San Mateo!

8. Swing Shift

new

(0)

Price: Moderate

• Comfort Food • San Mateo

Swing Shift is a vibrant, casual dining restaurant that offers urban comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. Located in the heart of the community, it serves up the dishes that we crave crossing cultures and cuisines - from burgers to noodles to tacos to rice. The intentionally inclusive menu is over half gluten-free, and with a large selection of vegetarian and completely plant-based items, making this a restaurant that truly has something for everyone. The drinks list offers a variety of craft low-ABV cocktails and mocktails, an all organic, sustainable and/or biodynamic wine list, and a selection of traditional beers and non-alcoholic beers to suit every taste. With its friendly service, upbeat vibe, and creative dishes, Swing Shift is the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy a fun dining experience without compromise.

9. Mykonos Meze

4.7

Exceptional(989)

Price: Moderate

• Greek • Burlingame

Booked 49 times today

Meze is a traditional culture. From small gatherings for lunch or dinner having different mezes small sample like plates on the table to enjoy with a glass of wine or a cocktail.Mykonos Meze is established in 2020 and set within one of the beautiful and trendy restaurants of downtown Burlingame , in Lorton Ave. The restaurant offers a beautiful and friendly ambience for all occasions. The outdoor patio is perfect for long, relaxed lunches or dinners with friends surrounded by beautiful bougainvillea flowers over our white and blue walls which gives you a feel of sitting in a greek island.

A photo of Flores - San Mateo restaurant

10. Flores - San Mateo

4.4

Awesome(83)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • San Mateo

Booked 39 times today

Step into the heart of Mexican tradition at Flores - San Mateo, nestled in the stunning San Francisco Bay Area gem of San Mateo, California. Our menu, a vibrant tapestry of traditional Mexican dishes, bridges the culinary gap between The Gulf and The Pacific. This commitment to traditional Mexican cuisine is mirrored in our beverage selection and the restaurant's design, creating an experience that truly honors Mexico's rich culinary culture.4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks for employee benefit, including health insurance, commuter benefit, sick days, and minimum wage ordinance.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Darlene
San Francisco Bay Area •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food never disappoints . This time , all 3 of us ordered pizzas . We all agreed it is the best . The crust is out of this world :))
More info
Rise Woodfire - San MateoPrice: Moderate• American• San Mateo
•
4.5
J
Janice
San Francisco Bay Area •8 reviews
4.0
Dined on 14 Nov 2024
Restaurant was bustling and lively with a great, warm atmosphere. Food was really good and the servers were very professional and attentive. Only comment is that it was super loud, we could hardly hear each other at a table of four. But good for them that they were so crowded! I totally recommend it, just know it may not be quiet.
More info
The Barrel Bistro & Wine BarPrice: Moderate• French American• San Mateo
•
4.7
M
Marc
San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 Nov 2024
Consistently great experience in both food and service!
More info
Izakaya GinjiPrice: Expensive• Japanese• San Mateo
•
4.7
T
Takako
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined on 10 Nov 2024
Came for dinner with my family. We’re Japanese and my sons love and miss Japanese style bbq. The taste,ambience, services are same mostly.
More info
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park)Price: Expensive• Japanese• San Mateo
•
4.8
S
Sandyvip
San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 Nov 2024
We have been going to Pacific Catch for many years and consistently have great food and service.
More info
Pacific Catch San MateoPrice: Moderate• Seafood• San Mateo
•
4.6

Best Casual Restaurants in San Mateo

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Award-winning

Accessibility

78 restaurants available nearby

1. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park)

2. Rise Woodfire - San Mateo

3. Izakaya Ginji

4. Pacific Catch San Mateo

5. The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar

6. Tomatina - San Mateo

7. Sapore Express

8. Swing Shift

9. Mykonos Meze

10. Flores - San Mateo

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable