Unique and Cool Places to Eat in San Jose and Silicon Valley

Aqui Cal – Mex (L,D)

_{5679 Snell Ave, San Jose}

There are 5 Aqui locations in Silicon Valley, 3 in San Jose, 1 in Campbell, and 1 in Cupertino. I normally wouldn't include a “chain,” but since Aqui is only located within Silicon Valley and it's awesome, I'm including it!

Aqui serves Cal-Mex food, with a focus on fresh and organic ingredients. They have creative daily specials. The food is delicious and inexpensive! Entrees average from $15-$20. Aqui has a full bar, and their specialty cocktail (generally served with a warning about how strong it is) is an Industrial Strength Swirl Margarita for under $10.

The restaurants are decorated in a fun Mexican Cantina style. Most Aquis have outdoor seating as well.

Be sure to check out Aqui if you're visiting Silicon Valley (or if you live here!). It's one of my favorites.

Duke of Edinburgh (D) – Cupertino

_{10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino}

If you’re craving a pint and a plate of proper British comfort food, you’ll want to swing by the Duke of Edinburgh: an authentic British pub in the heart of Silicon Valley that’s been here since 1983.

This isn’t some themed replica. The entire pub was actually built in England and shipped over, piece by piece. From the moment you walk in, it’s like stepping into a cozy corner of London. Dark wood paneling, classic bar taps, and the low murmur of loyal regulars who know they’ve found a real-deal spot.

The menu sticks to the classics: Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Beef Wellington, and a proper Shepherd’s Pie. It’s casual, loud (especially after 9 PM), and the kitchen stays open late. Great pre-game spot if you’re heading out, or a cozy nook for a rainy evening pint.

Gardenia (B,L,D) – Los Gatos

_{115 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos}

Gardenia sits in a Victorian mansion on North Santa Cruz Avenue, and walking onto the property feels a little like wandering into somebody's very good dream. Striped umbrellas shade tables scattered across the lawn with a fountain in the middle. The house has a veranda with more seating. Inside there's a coffee bar and a full bar, crescent shaped couches, crystal chandeliers, and dining rooms on the first and second floors.

The kitchen does French Asian fusion, and they take their coffee seriously enough to name the countries it comes from.

The staff was genuinely welcoming. My friend and I were invited to stay and chat for hours, and nobody hovered. We went on a Saturday afternoon and live music started around 2 PM, which turns out to be a regular thing. They post a calendar.

We both ordered bacon, eggs, and toast off the “Brunch Enhancements” menu. The food was fine. That's one order on one visit, so I'm not going to pretend it's a verdict on the kitchen. The setting is worth the trip on its own.

Reservations through OpenTable. Downtown Los Gatos parking being what it is, give yourself a few extra minutes.

Grandview (D) – San Jose

_{15005 Mount Hamilton Rd, San Jose}

The Grandview Restaurant is near the top of Mt Hamilton on Santa Clara Valley's East hills. It's a “special occasion” restaurant with an actual dress code (business casual). You don't come across that very often anymore, or at least I don't.

The food (dinner only) is good, with entrees ranging from $38 to $88. They offer a 4-course tasting menu for $110. Of course, the primary reason to go here is the “GRAND VIEW”! Check it out for a stunning and unique view of Silicon Valley, especially at sunset.

Henry's Hi-Life (L,D) – San Jose

_{301 W St. John St., San Jose}

Henry's Hi-Life has been around since 1960. I'll never forget my dad bringing me here when I was a teenager. He said he was going to take me someplace really fancy. My mouth dropped when I saw Henry's! I couldn't believe my dad was actually bringing me into the dilapidated place. 😄

Now, it doesn't look quite as rough as it did back then, but it still has the same vibe. They specialize in classic American BBQ: ribs, steaks, chicken, and burgers.

Henry's is located at the end of San Jose's Little Italy street, and is only blocks away from the SAP Center. It's a great local favorite to grab dinner at before a Sharks game.

Huckleberry's (B,L) – San Jose

_{2071 Camden Ave, San Jose}

Huckleberry's is a fun New Orleans Bayou themed restaurant. Kids will love it, and adults will likely be at least a little charmed. They are open only for Breakfast and Lunch, and serve basic menu items plus things like Mardi Gras Beignets, Chicken & Waffles, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Louisiana Catfish.

While Huckleberry’s is part of a national chain, this San Jose location is the first in the area, so it still feels like a new find for most locals. Plus, where else are you going to get fried green tomatoes and Mardi Gras beignets before noon?

Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant (D) – San Jose

_{27 E William St, San Jose}

I was amazed that after living in the area my whole life I just now found this cool place, which has been in business for over a decade!

Orchestria Palm Court serves “Continental European dining,” featuring grass-fed beef and dairy and organic vegetables. The food was excellent, but the real star here is the atmosphere!

The walls (and open loft) are lined with various player pianos, antique jukeboxes and even a player violin-piano combination! There are also several “Orchestrion” instruments which look like player pianos but actually also play violin and an assortment of percussion instruments! So cool and fascinating what people in the past invented!

The instruments play, one by one, at various times during the night. The whole experience is like stepping back in time to 1900!

One of my favorite parts was seeing the “Motion Lamps”! I remembered that my grandparents had one of a train, and I used to spend ages staring at it. I looked online to see if I could find one to buy, and they now go for hundreds of dollars on eBay. The Orchestria Palm Court has a wonderful collection of them scattered around.

Another super fun feature is an old time telephone at the bar counter in the back of the restaurant connected to a phone in a phone booth just inside the restaurant entrance. Kids had a ball talking to each other over these!

Note: The Orchestria Palm Court is only open on Friday and Saturday nights. Be sure to make a reservation.

Original Joe's (D) – San Jose

_{301 S 1st St, San Jose}

Original Joe's has been a downtown San Jose classic since 1956. Delicious, authentic, traditional, homestyle Italian food is made before your eyes if you choose to sit at the popular counter. Otherwise, you can feel like you've stepped back in time in a roomy booth or the retro cocktail lounge, “The Hideout.”

Be prepared to wait to get in. They don't take reservations, though you can call to get on a waitlist at 408-292-7030.

Shadowbrook (L,D) – Capitola

(OK, this is not in Silicon Valley, but it's less than an hour south of it. Since to me this is the ultimate unique and cool restaurant around, I had to include it for you!)

Shadowbrook Restaurant is simply enchanting! It is considered a “special occasion” restaurant, but you must go by for the fantastic cocktails or even just to see the grounds of this beautiful spot! It is on the hillside leading down to the Soquel Creek. You can either walk down the meandering path past a waterfall, through the lushly landscaped plumeria-scented wonderment, or you can take the adorable mini Cable Car down!

The restaurant itself is on multiple levels. There is a GreenHouse Room, Fireside Room, Wine Cellar Room, Redwood Room, Rooftop Terrace, and the Rock Room bar. You can walk in and get drinks and/or dinner in the Rooftop Terrace or Rock Room. Otherwise, be sure to make a reservation.

I always find the food delicious, but that may be partly because I just love the place so much, and the unique experience it provides feels so magical! 🙂

If you are staying in Capitola (within a 3-mile radius of the restaurant), you can call Shadowbrook. They will pick you up and drive you back after dinner in one of their complimentary old-timey taxis!

✨For more Capitola restaurants I love check out this post ✨

Son & Garden (B,L) – Palo Alto

_{535 Bryant St, Palo Alto}

Son & Garden is a fake flower-filled little girl's paradise! Son & Garden was a fun experience. They have loads of foofy cocktails that would be fun to try if you're in the mood for that sort of thing. Bring your kid to have a (pricey) wonderous experience full of Instagramable backgrounds!

Telefèric Barcelona (L,D) – Los Gatos

_{50 University Ave, Los Gatos}

This is such a unique, fun spot. It somehow feels exotic sitting out in the shaded Los Gatos courtyard, sipping sangria and scarfing tapas! Delicious paella, croquetas, empanadas! They even have a Flamenco & Tapas Night once a month.