After driving by it many, many times (and most times seeing a line of people), I finally was able…read moreto go for brunch on a Sunday. What a delight it was. They had specials and a regular menu. The food was so clean, not oily or heavy. Good variety of drinks and the menu has great options as well. Service was also great. For a place that gets so busy, the servers and wait staff were very accommodating and knowledgeable. Two thumbs up!

I was torn between getting a sweet, simple or savory dish since everything sounded so good. I ended…read moreup getting simple (or so I thought), but my omelette was so light and delicious. What was the cherry on top for me was the sweet potato tots which lives rent free in my head! It's so crispy and has the nice natural sweetness to it that you don't even need ketchup! What was a second contender for my order was the chicken and waffle which looked so crispy and well presented... and definitely what I'm going to get next time! Restaurant is a bit small so it can feel cramped. However, service was very quick. Parking is also hard since there is only street parking available so plan accordingly!

It was my first time coming here, and definitely not my last. When I came in I just wanted an iced…read morecoffee, but I ended up getting hungry when I saw all the food options! My friend ordered the root beer float with cold brew ice cubes. It was not super heavy, it mixed well, and somehow, the root beer tasted great with the subtle but noticeable coffee flavor. For my drink, I got two shots of espresso. I just needed a quick pick me up! For food, my friend got the chicken tortilla soup. It was absolutely delicious. The shredded chicken and the broth were wonderful, I do wish it had less tortilla strips because they soaked up all the broth if left there for too long. I got the California bagel, which was also delicious. It was a little too much egg for my liking, but the bagel was only $12 which I think is decent for what I got. The Strawberry croissant was TO DIE FOR. I have never enjoyed a croissant as much as this one. Fresh strawberry cream inside, super fluffy and crispy croissant overall. LOVE! Not to mention the cafe is very chic, we sat at a table where we could maximize our sunlight exposure. The servers and cashiers were nice, welcoming, and helpful. So glad we came here!

I stopped by with a friend after a yoga class and it was my first time coming here. We originally…read morejust wanted coffee but after seeing all of the display dishes we decided to try some of the food too. We ordered at the counter and the staff were all friendly and helpful. We walk into the dining room and there were several open tables. The space is pretty big with several people there working on their laptops I ordered a Vietnamese coffee and it was strong and delicious. For food I ordered a bacon cheddar quiche and a mushroom Gruyère toast. The quiche was flavored pretty well it was just a bit dry. And I wish it were served hotter. It came with a simple side salad that was tasty. The mushroom and Gruyère toast ended up being my favorite. The Gruyère got melty from the hot mushrooms and the balsamic drizzle on top was a perfect touch Overall we were very happy with our drinks and satisfied with the food we tried. Would come back to try some of their other menu offerings. The display case is really doing work in making you want to try everything

Tried a new ramen spot today and it was wonderful! Ramen was super rich and tasty, one of the best…read morein the area easily, and their pork chashu simply melted in my mouth. To top it off, our waitress Julia was just incredible. Super friendly and funny, and she always made sure we were taken care of. 10/10 experience, will definitely eat here again.

I was looking around San Mateo for food and found Himawari. I was curious since it was a highly…read morerated ramen shop that I haven't been to, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered the Tan Tan Men DX and it was delicious. The spicy broth wasn't too spicy and I enjoyed slurping up the ramen and tasing the broth. The pork belly and cha siu pieces were tasty as well. If you want some ramen in San Mateo, give them a try!

This place is consistently good and always has at least a couple people waiting outside of the door…read moreif not more. If you feel like a nice warm hug for your tummy, then get the Langzhou hand pulled noodles. The clear broth and light spice is so comforting for your stomach and it doesn't feel too heavy. You can choose your noodle thickness based on your preference. I typically go for the small rounds while my boyfriend gets the belt noodles - the complete opposite from each other! You can get out of there less than $20 a person, which is so rare in downtown San Mateo. Quick and easy meal for lunch or dinner.

Heard good things about out this noodle spot. Came around 11:30am and got seated right away. Around…read more12pm there was a line and the restaurant was filled. Ordered the chili oil noodles with beef. I was surprised it was not spicy at all. I even added the chili oil on the table and it didn't make a difference. The noodles were perfectly chewy. Just wish it was spicy!

Good portion of tasty / a bit heavy tsukemen. The signature and duck tsukemen are both pretty good,…read morewith the duck one on the lighter side

We had dinner at Taishoken for the first time, and I ordered the Niku Ramen--it was a bomb! The…read morenoodles were extraordinary, and the soup was thick, rich, and packed with flavor, with just the right spicy kick I was looking for. The best part was the thick-cut pork slices--I got two generous pieces, and they were delicious! Definitely not stingy with the ingredients. I also ordered the fried calamari, which was really good. I loved that they served the spices on the side, so we could add them according to our taste. Even my son enjoyed every bite! Overall, we had a great dinner and will definitely be coming back.

A well thought healthy & delicious meal! Staff are knowledgeable and helpful specially Erdem…read more Will definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.

I had the Healer Bowl and added steak, and it was absolutely delicious! The ingredients were…read moreincredibly fresh, the steak was tender and flavorful, and everything came together perfectly. I also ordered the chimichurri steak sandwich, which was just as amazing. To top it all off, I treated myself to the Nutella cheesecake, and it was the perfect dessert. Everything I ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. If you're looking for healthy food without sacrificing taste, Urban Kitchen is definitely worth a visit. I'll definitely be back!

A little neighborhood gem tucked behind 101…read more Honestly, it was a bit difficult to find parking within the block of the cafe, but definitely could find some parking in the residential areas. The cafe was busy - all the tables outside were filled with customers and so was the inside. The team member was friendly and patient while we scoped out what to order. They had a nice assortment of pastries on display and they look very fresh. I got the suisse chocolate pastry, which was really good. I kind of wished they would offer to heat it up, but it was fine. For a drink, I got a caramel latte. The coffee was nice and strong. I'd come back to try a different pastry. They had interesting flavored scones, even savory ones too.

I've been here several times, and everything always tastes incredible. The croissants are buttery…read moreand flaky, the kouign-amann is perfectly caramelized, the scones are delicious, and the focaccia is outstanding. You can really tell they put care into their baking. The only item that didn't quite stand out to me was the cookies, which I think could be improved. That said, everything else has been consistently excellent, and this has become one of my favorite bakeries. Definitely worth a visit!

Hunan Mifen is another good spot worth trying if you love authentic Asian cuisine…read more I don't eat spicy food so I was happy that they have some dishes that is not spicy, I love the flavor of their broth, tasty not salty and it has a balance. I love that they have variety of appetizers and side dishes. Price is very reasonable for a freshly cook dishes. I would give them two thumbs up

Had low expectations coming here and was pleasantly surprised!…read more Food: T-he braised beef noodles were amazing. Noodles were chewier than most beef noodle soups I've had and the beef pieces were very tender and soft. The soup wasn't too spicy by itself and had alot of depth and flavor. -Pro-tip: There is a little self-serve station near the kitchen where you can get add'l condiments like cilantro, green onion, chili, and pickled daikon. SCORE. Add in the cilantro/green onion for a flavor explosion. -Ordered one of the combo noodles + 2 sides. For my sides, I got a blanched bok choy and a fried gyoza. The bok choy was needed to help cut the spiciness of the soup and to add veggies b/c without it, you'd just be having carbs, beef, and soup. Gyoza was a win too. Service: FAST and friendly, just how I like my non-fine dining restaurant experiences. You scan a QR code at the table and then choose an english/chinese option. If you have questions, you can ask the staff, but there isn't a TON of options to choose from, so make it easy on yourself and order a noodle soup. Ambiance: Ample seating at 1:30pm on a Sunday. Didn't have to wait, which was a big plus as all the other restaurants in San Mateo over near 3rd/4th and B street were packed. Overall: Highly recommend and would come again. This might be my favorite niu rou mian spot!

Located right outside the train station, Rise Woodfire Pizza was such a chill spot to enjoy some…read moreamazing pizza and wine on a beautiful sunny day. What we ordered: Prosciutto Di Parma Arugula Pizza (+ burrata) = 100000/10 FOOD: 9/10 Served hot, fresh, and made to order, this pizza truly hit the spot. The crust had those delicious wood-fired charred bits and was the perfect thickness, not too thin, not too thick. The burrata (worth the extra charge!) was rich and creamy, while the arugula added the perfect fresh, crunchy bite. Every ingredient worked so well together. I'm literally salivating as I type this! Paired with some good wine? Chef's kiss! SERVICE: 9/10 Every staff member we interacted with struck the perfect balance of being friendly and laid-back. We sat at the bar, where the bartender also served as our waiter. He was personable, kept up a great conversation, and was attentive without ever making us feel rushed, all while mixing drinks and taking care of other guests. AMBIANCE: 9/10 Spacious, clean, and incredibly inviting. I loved the relaxed atmosphere and all the train station-inspired decor throughout the restaurant. The large windows let in so much natural light that it's an even better place to sit back and enjoy a meal. I'd happily come back the next time I'm in the area.

I stopped by for lunch with a small group after a coworker recommended this spot, and overall I…read moreleft satisfied. I had been looking forward to trying the Brussels sprouts and the burrata, melon and prosciutto plate, and they definitely lived up to the hype. We also shared the Double Pepperoni and Carne pizzas, which were a great size for the table and perfect for sharing. The food hit the spot, and all of my lunch cravings were definitely satisfied. The only downside was the seating and service. We were placed in a corner at an oddly shaped table that made it a little uncomfortable for everyone to sit. Our waitress was friendly, but the service felt a bit over-attentive. I appreciate staff checking in, but I would have preferred a more relaxed approach...five check-ins would have been plenty instead of ten. Giving guests a little more space to enjoy their meal would make the experience feel even more comfortable. This was my first visit, and despite that minor issue, I really enjoyed the food and had a good experience overall. I'll definitely be back.

24k burrito was gas... It def wasn't a typical burrito! rice was replaced w tater tots but so yum…read more Loved the garlic prawn! Quesabirria was yummy! loved all the fillings. Not the absolute best one l've had but still good taquitos were delicious!!! Chicken inside was so tender Guac was yummy! Wish it was a bit chunkier but that's just personal preference. The chips were rly good. Horchata was def my fav drink! Sooo good and I feel like alot of places make it so grainy Service was fantastic and great open space.

A little overhyped or maybe it's because I didn't want to spend $17.95 for the 24K California…read moreBurrito? Still, I think it's a solid spot for burritos and birria. I recommend ordering online because it's a literally a hole in the wall spot. There's no seating, so it's basically a grab and go type of place. I got the Suavecitto Burrito with Al Pastor and it made for a delicious meal. It's a pretty hefty burrito, so you'll definitely be stuffed if you eat it in one sitting. I also tried some of my friends' quesabirrias and they were pretty good as well. I would come back and maybe I'll try the 24K California Burrito if someone is willing to split it with me!