Restaurants in Castro Valley

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – A Hidden Gem Worth Every Bite!

We had an incredible Omakase experience at this unassuming gem in Castro Valley, and it truly exceeded all expectations. The service was a perfect 10/10 — the host was extremely attentive, warm, and made us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the evening.

The food was exceptional — fresh, beautifully composed, and full of thoughtful flavors that worked harmoniously together. Each course felt intentional and elevated, showcasing top-notch quality without the pretentiousness.

And the dessert? Unforgettable. The Hojicha panna cotta was an absolute standout — silky, flavorful, and the perfect ending to a phenomenal meal.

Overall, this place easily gets 100 out of 100 from us. If you’re looking for amazing food, impeccable service, and a truly memorable dining experience, this is the spot. A must-visit in Castro Valley! 🍣✨”

“Good atmosphere and a good beer selection. Great food but can be pricey. Great breakfast Friendly staff. Can get a little noisy in the bar but that's to be expected. Always a good experience.”

“Yummy food! Big portions!”

“Just visit!! You won’t be disappointed”

“Excellent food … excellent service”

“Best Puerto Rican food in the Bay Area!”

“I have been to Top Thai double digit times, and have always been met by warm and friendly staff. All of the dishes I have tried are good, but the pad see ew is absolutely top notch. Even though the exterior is unassuming, don't miss this neighborhood gem!”

“Service was exceptional and good was delicious!”

“Real, honest BBQ. I had the 2 meat combo with brisket, ribs, mac & cheese and potato salad. Best BBQ I have had since I was in Austin Texas! The owner was working hard with the rest of his employees and was the one to take my order. He seemed very nice and was helpful. I work within walking distance so I can see myself becoming a regular here. Canyons is an excellent addition to Castro Valley's food scene.”

“They have really great service super fast delivery and if you eat here often or not they are predictable and each dish we have tried from the rigatone bolognese to the house spaghetti to the spicy chicken is fantastic. The experience is above average time and time again by ourselves (me and my daughter) or with friends (we have brought about 6 different people who have shared our enthusiasm) this restaurant is a absolutely fantastic experience. I wanna go tomorrow just thinking of it now. Highly recommend sopping by as it is one of Castro Valleys nicest little places.”

“Everybody is just hanging out having a good time! No drama!”

“We have been twice fist just my husband and I. The next day there was 6 of us. Food is good does lack a little flavor. When it says with sour cream it is less then a tsp. Constantly having to ask for coffee refills, and for breakfast I feel quick refills are a must. Food did come out really quick and hot, despite how busy it was. Patio seating was more like musical chairs as everyone kept moving tables due to the sun being in your face and umbrella coverage not great. Overall I would recommend this place, but they definitely have room for improvement. None of the staff looked happy or smiled. I didn't drink but the cocktails were nice looking and they did enjoy them.”

“Disappointed in the new seating arrangement, seems like they don’t like it if there is just two people. Only allowed to sit on the side, not at a table. Ignored and slow service, unfriendly. To bad i did like it!”

“Great service. The Staff is always friendly and polite. Best sushi in Town.”

“I couldn't find it inside marketplace, so I called them and got precise direction.
It is winter time, no tables outside, so I took a table between them and a butchery.
Chef's truffle tuna rolls are to die for.
They also have good selection of japanese sake in bottles.”

“Nice atmosphere, pet friendly and delicious food and drinks.”

“My favorite Italian sandwich place in the East Bay. They get busy at times, but it’s worth it. The food is good and they are consistent. Parking is easy on the side streets, but very limited in the front. There is a lot in the back too if needed.”

“This is our secret weapon to getting our daughter out of bed on a school day. Their morning buns, baguettes, quiche, and chocolate croissants are a favorite. Fresh bakery and awesome team working there 👍”

“great atmosphere and a very relaxing place to get some work done or fellowship. Very accepting of everyone No judgment just great ambiance.”

“Best Mexican food in Castro Valley to add to the wonderful taste of ghost food, their owner Doña Rosa it’s a gem, she’s wonderful, caring, so kind and make you feel right at home! Best of the best!”

“Amazing bakery! I tried a few savory and sweet items and loved them all. The owner is super kind and welcoming as well. This bakery is super underrated. Highly recommend!”

“We had food catered & delivered from them. All the food was authentic, super tasty, well packaged and presented. Everyone loved it & mentioned multiple times. I recommend them wholeheartedly. We ordered Chicken Curry, Dal Makhani, Paneer Veggie Sabji, Raita, Naan, Rice, Salad & Rose Kheer. Rose Kheer was so yummy. Chicken Curry tasted homemade Punjabi. It was delicious. Paneer Sabji & Daal were also very yummy. Spices were mild. You can't go wrong by ordering from them.”

“😋 definitely recommend. Get the vegan Potato, the apple and also the beef for sure!! Their espresso is amazing too 😊”

“When I get the urge for a burger, I think Nation's! I prefer this location because the sandwiches are always well put together. Generous amounts of FRESH lettuce leaves,
several large tomato slices ( look like beefsteak variety) and onions- sometimes too much :-)- I just remove the excess. Fresh bun, tasty burger meat... The fries USED to be some of the best- they aren't so special anymore. I saw them fries being lifted from the cooker, but they were not that yummy. I will pass on the fries next time.
The staff is always pleasant. The counter and restaurant is clean... The only drawback is sometimes there are homeless loitering (not so much lately)... I usually order online and pick on schedule.”

“This is an amazing cafe/viennoiserie. It’s small and unassuming, in a non trendy location. If it was in SF, lines will be out the door. For me, it blew Tartine out of the water. Food reviews are subjective in its nature and although some might disagree with that, you will know immediately this place is serious about their craft.

Orange and vanilla lattes are amazing. Regular latte is also very rich and dense in the best way possible. Orange latte is out sometimes, but I highly recommend you come back and try it.

I tried several pastries here and all were buttery, flaky, luxurious goodness. Black sesame Onigiri and strawberry moon were excellent. I thought there weren’t a lot of chocolate in chocolate croissant but somehow it was right amount once I tasted it. It’s also relaxing to watch barista going through rituals of espresso making without rush you see in most coffee shops.

I’m kinda impressed about this place. I was excited to come and try and it exceeded my expectations. I come here regularly now.”

“Lake Chabot is a great place to walk - shorter walks or even the 9 mile very scenic loop around the Lake starting and ending at the Marina Snack Bar/Cafe. Not much of a place to eat through very limited selection - much much less than a 7-11.”

“I had the pleasure of working with Natalie & Always Yours Bakery for our last wedding of the event season! Always Yours Bakery has the best tiny desserts, boba, and service! I was initially afraid that we had too many desserts for the guests; but everything was gone within minutes of Natalie setting up the dessert & boba bar!

From the beginning of the planning process, Natalie was responsive, kind, and flexible. As a wedding planner, it is so imperative that I work with vendors who are experts in their craft & get the job done, all with a smile and Natalie did just that. She kept me in the loop prior to the event, arrived on time, set everything up so beautifully, and provided delicious desserts! I especially loved her milk tea + boba; I had about 3+ cups by the end of the night. 10/10 would recommend Always Yours Bakery for a cute, unique, and delicious touch to anyones event!”

“Ordered the chicken and garlic pizza for delivery. The pizza arrived quickly, it was hot, with flavorful, fresh ingredients, absolutely delicious. Probably the best pizza that l have had in the area. Would definitely order from Pizza Express again.”

“1st time here.!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏🏽❤️ Great Customer Service, server and busboys are Very attentive, Food was really good…constantly saw them clean tables and floor.. Definitely a FN Really good spot to eat Breakfast or Brunch.!! Given them a chance. Come try it out. I will be back.!!!!!”

“I had a great experience at this Thai restaurant. It has a nice cozy mom n’ pop atmosphere to it. Service was good, I ordered a cup of tom yum soup with a side of jasmine rice and it was very yummy. My friend who I went with is from Castro Valley and they always order the Pad Kee Mao. Super solid option if you’re craving noodles and a bit of spice! This is just my preference but I really liked how they used glass cups for water rather than plastic like how most restaurants use. The only thing that I wish they included on their menu is a papaya salad. I love papaya salad so I was a bit disappointed when I couldn’t find it on the menu. Overall, this was a solid Thai restaurant so I would recommend trying it and supporting their small business!”

“Great owners! I loved this place growing up. I moved out of state but recently visited while in my home town. miss this place!”

“Best Yogurt in Town! Very friendly owners!😃”

“Possibly the worlds greatest cream puffs!! So excited to have them in Castro Valley now inside the Castro Valley Marketplace.”

“Ordered Hojicha Tea Latte, really liked it. Selected less ice, still felt like a lot ice in it, but I guess that's normal for the industry now. Just would be more careful when drinking it while driving, during the dark, and/or wearing light color clothes, since I think the cup cap design is a little easy to cause spill.
Anyway, the drink itself is really good, will come back and try some more”

“Service was awesome and the place got full Quick. Food was great but a lil salty here and there hence the 4 stars. Drinks were spot on and very delicious . Best thing I cans say is... We'll be back!!!!!”

“I've been to several slice house locations around the bay area and this one is as amazing as any! Decent about of seating, plenty of space, solid options and plenty of staff. They even have Dr. Pepper on the fountain!”

“You will enjoy this place I sure do.”

“This place has such good clam chowder in the bread bowl!!! I used to go to their SF location when I lived in the Mission. The sourdough tastes fresh and the clam chowder is really nice. My boyfriend doesn't even like seafood (picky eater, not from California) but he liked the clam chowder, too!

I also love the Philly rolls. That smoked salmon makes me so happy 😁. I don't ever want to get Philly rolls anywhere else! When I'm able to eat spicy food again (reflux) I can't wait to have the spicy tuna. That used to be a favorite of mine.

It's nice to eat at high quality family owned places like this.”

“Love taking my family here. Wide tables, perfect for families and friends. This chicken is to die for. I honestly don’t know how they get it so perfectly and evenly crispy while being super moist inside. It’s a true art. Pricing is great for what you get. Fries are also very good and crunchy. The place has a nice and comfy feel to it. Sometimes they have only one person servicing which could be better but most of the time it’s perfectly fine.”

“My Family and I are new to the neighborhood and We often explore.. We ended up at Papa Murphys to bring home some lunch.. We were just there about an hour ago.. The Gentleman that helped us was so nice.. He had no way of knowing that I’m going through a very emotional time right now.. He was the ray to my sunshine ☀️ I left smiling feeling so lite.. I’m now home enjoying Our fresh, delicious , high quality treat with my family 💜 I will be back and I would recommend that all my friends stop by and grab a great lunch or dinner and show some love.. There’s salads and desserts too..”

“Great customer service, very welcoming. I tried one of their coffees it was a coconut! So good, recommend. It was my first time here and will be back for more ! Thank you to the staff!”

“Great spot. Trivia Night on Wednesday’s are a must.”

“Great local pizza spot with tasty, flavorful pies and a welcoming vibe. Friendly service and generous toppings make it a go-to for dinner or takeout highly recommend!”

“Wanted something sweet after lunch and stopped in for their Guava and Peach Lime Tea. I was skeptical at first but after trying the drink it was delicious and refreshing. A place to stop if you want to try natural lime flavored drinks.”

“We LOVE Knudsens!!! Our favorite!!”

“Great experience overall. The food was delicious and high quality, especially the pho, which really stood out. Everything tasted fresh and well made. The service was also a highlight. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and very attentive without being too much. It’s a great spot whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch or sitting down for a relaxed dinner.”

“It’s hard to find parking in the shopping center but it’s worth driving around to find a spot. They are friendly and make the best coffee. The ice coffees are my favorite .”

“I had a great experience at Happy Lemon! While waiting for my order, I noticed a young male staff member thoughtfully washing his hands after handling money from a customer. It was such a simple gesture, but it really stood out to me and made the whole visit feel even more pleasant and hygienic. It gave me even more confidence in how they handle everything. And of course, my mango matcha smoothie was absolutely delicious, fresh, flavorful, and just the right balance of sweet and earthy. Will definitely be coming back!”

“TOGOS Castro Valley is fantastic! Fresh, flavorful sandwiches and super-friendly service. The staff is quick, and the cosy, clean ambience makes every visit enjoyable.”

“everything!! made us the best turtle cheesecake for a Birthday ❤️ it was incredible”

“The hot dog with cheese and bacon is so fire the cheese melted and the bacon is crispy crunchy recommend 10/10 it is fire come and try it at tacos Jessy in Tracy ?”

“Can’t praise Aaron and Jocelyn enough for being so kind, supportive and loving. Seeing Aaron work and serving school kids like his own or probably more love just made me feel so happy and grateful! Love Mod Pizza”

“exelente servicio y muy rica la comida 🙏🏻🌻♥️”

“Been going here for almost 3yrs now and still consistent with their tasty food and awesome customer service. Our new favorite is Souvlaki Plate! My 1st grader cannot get enough of it”

“Great tacos fast served healthy Food nice people”

“Visited this place for the first time and liked it. Food is OK and the portion is descent. I found the drinks very sweet, and wish there could be an option to add less sugar. Order a chicken salad sandwich that kind of tasted good but had a fishy smell to it (may be due to Tuna being served there as well).
Atmosphere is cozy and is a great place if you need a corner to hang out with a friend over coffee.
Service is fast and cordial- sweet couple running this place.
Will definitely re-visit to experience this place again.”

“Fantastic Experience at Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant!

I had an amazing time at Don Jose’s! The food was absolutely delicious — full of flavor, fresh, and beautifully presented. Our server, Natalie P., was outstanding — friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish.

Highly recommended to anyone looking for great Mexican food and excellent service. I’ll definitely be coming back again soon! 🌮👏”

“Your basic place so we tried some basic dishes. Broccoli chicken over rice and there was braised pork over rice.
Sorry for the picture.
We were hungry”

“I grew up eating here when I live in CV. The lady that ran this establishment did it for 35 years, I'm glad it's still in the family. I happened to stop by for the first time in over a decade, and the ice cream and service were still 5 how I remembered. Keep it up.”

“I have been coming to Burrito Shop for years, decades really, and I've never been disappointed. I've tried numerous items on their menu and have always enjoyed being surprised at how good their food is. Any evening that ends with a burrito shop meal is a good end to the day!”

“my sunnyside burger was very good next time im going to ask for the fried egg to be cooked a little bit more but my meal was filling...thanx u!!!”

“I had called in my order the lady who took my order was very well spoken she repeated my order so they would get it correct. It was ready when I got there I recognized the lady's voice and ask her for the manger she told me she was the manager on duty. She asked me if there was something wrong with the order.I told I just wanted to let her boss know how pleasant she was talking to something about her voice . She said thank you and asked me if there was anything else she could do for me . I stop coming to this location because of the service but decided to give it another chance because I live so close. Joan made me change my mind about it so for the last 2 months I have been coming every week. Great employee. I only go in there when I know she is working.”

“Easy chill vibe.

4 pool tables (1.00 / 4 quarters) per play) Taco truck outside

When ordering straight or mixed drinks, they pour heavy.

California cider 7.00 (tap), double honey Tennessee whiskey 14.00

Karaoke in-between to darts and a single pinball machine.

Older crowd, mid 30s up.

Monday night Feb 10.

UFC and games on the screens.”

“FOOD…. They really good… and the service is great. Go and find out . Bulalo is the our favorite. All the food is so good…👍❤️❤️❤️”

“I've been there twice & I enjoyed it both times, I haven't been to the new place yet.”

“General poor service. Milk purchased here often goes bad within three days and long before the expiration date. Manager wasn't interested in why. All kinds of water on the floors from refrigerator and freezer leaks. I tried complaining to corporate but no interest. Out of stock on about 15% of the items I needed but that may be common now days.

I wanted to update my review. I'm happy to say that things have improved at this store. The staff seems more helpful and even a bit happier. They seem to have things in stock now and all the refrigerator and freezer leaks seem to be repaired. I think they put some investment back into the store. Changing my rating from 2 to 4.”

“I enjoyed my Hawaiian BBQ. Customer was Great! The Restaurant very clean including the Restroom! I've been here at least 4 to 3 times a month! Enjoyed it!!!!”

“Who would have expected a really good bagel place in Castro Valley? And yet this place consistently impresses. The service is beyond reproach, polite but professional with a smile. The bagels are great: bready, just chewy enough but not so much that it will hurt your jaw, crisp on the outside. Toothsome, would be a good way to describe them. The cream cheese is always fresh and tasty, Overall, for the area, a very good bagel place. PS Try the crepe with whipped cream and Strawberries, yummy!!”

“Really good !!! My kids love this place”

“Great Friendly Girls, always make my order correctly and service with a smile !! <3”

“Love this locations. All the baristas are friendly, helpful. Nice when I walk in & they greet by name. Fabulous employees”

“One of our go-to boba places! For this visit, I got my favorite fresh taro milk tea and hubby tried the brown sugar boba tea caffe which was good especially for the coffee lovers out there.”