50 Best American Restaurants near Millbrae

“last time i was here was 2006, then food unremarkable as reason
I went was the company.

a few days I went there & asked the waitress what to order, a Mx omelette! It was phenomenal though costly.
Also the Pancakes were exceptional.

Price was not bargain though, but the food was much better than expected“

“My faves are the pecan waffles and all the omelets😋 but the service is stellar. Our food gets served to us so fast, it's like they read our minds and started cooking before we even decided! 😎“

“Couldn’t ask for more when it comes to airport food. I ordered the chicken caesar wrap which came out to just under $20 after tax and tip - yes that is expensive but we’re at the airport. The woman who took my order was friendly and asked if I wanted a cup of water while I waited. In about 5 minutes my food was ready and it was probably the best chicken wrap I’ve had. The chicken was hot and flavorful and the lettuce was cool and refreshing.“

“We had one of the best experiences last night. Tim our waiter was one of the best we have had. He was able to find Sprite Zero for my wife's drink. He also delivered a warm chocolate chip cookie with a small scoop of ice cream for my wife even though it wasn't in the menu. His ability to go above the call of duty and not just say no I can't get that for you was so amazing it had to make sure it is recognized. Exceptional service needs to be acknowledge and rewarded. Thanks again Tim for making our night! Oh yeah by the way the food was very good too!��“

“Had a great Impossible Burger 🍔“

“Exceeded expectations. Extensive menu. Highly recommended!“

“Truly outstanding food for an airport. You absolutely pay a premium for it (prepare to sell a kidney) but it’s the best food I’ve had while in airport transit in a long time.

Liked the look of the Salmon BLT from the pics and it did not disappoint, highly recommend!“

“Vicky at Perry’s in terminal one made my morning easy! She guided me through options to order quickly, and her service was thoughtful. Food came quickly — omelette and tea. Clean and friendly vibe, I’ll be back.“

“The food here is absolutely delicious and the staff is so friendly and accommodating. I can't recommend this little gem in the Lakeside neighborhood enough. Reasonable prices as well as many menu choices. Do yourself a favor and go there and sample everything, you will be very glad you did.“

“What an amazing hidden gem! This spot is a whole vibe, including bar seating, a patio and a room with board games and a TV.
Offering inexpensive craft cocktails and affordable meals, it's definitely worth checking out!
Must trys:
-Clam and crab chowder
-Crispy wings
-Tomato soup w/grilled cheese
Ethan is amazing and I can tell he knows his guests on a personal level...kinda like Cheers! It's definitely a good vibe!
Only regret...not getting photos to show off!!!“

“Muy deliciosa toda la comida muy lindo espacio y el chef muy amable puro sabor Micheline!!“

“Banana Foster French toast and their freshly squeezed orange juice.“

“This place is great!! Love the Lamb Chops or New York Steak, Bartender Christine top notch, Area Mgr. Samantha always treats me like gold. Mgr. Alexa Luv her so dedicated, Mgr Edgar always on top of things, Can't forget Bartender Alberto! Or Mgr. Gia“

“posole crispy tacos tres leches guacamole chips“

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.“

“Great food and fast friendly service. A great place for burgers.“

“This is my favorite restaurant. I give them 5⭐️“

“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️“

“JC Bruno is more than a restaurant, it’s a relationship. It’s now my #1 spot, and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone looking for great food, genuine people, and unforgettable service! If you’re looking for a go-to restaurant that feels like your favorite local spot and your second home, JC Bruno is it. I truly mean when I say that Marcela, the owner, is the soul of this place, and she has completely redefined what true hospitality means in today’s world. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted not just by a friendly staff, but by people who genuinely care. Marcela herself is always around, and what makes her so special is that she doesn’t act like a distant owner, but rather you feel like you’re planning something with a longtime friend. She’ll chat with you, laugh with you, and most importantly, she stands by you to help plan your perfect experience, whether you’re organizing a small dinner or a full-blown celebration. What blew me away most was how flexible she is. JC Bruno’s menu is already this amazing fusion of European, Mediterranean, and other international flavors, but if there’s something special you want that’s not listed? Just ask. Marcela will go out of her way to make it happen. That kind of flexibility is almost unheard of these days. I’ve worked with many restaurants for events and special dinners, but working with Marcela is different because she treats you like a partner, not a transaction. She’ll talk through your vision, offer smart suggestions, and help you figure out the best possible setup for your group. The way she collaborates with you makes it fun and stress-free. It’s rare to find a place where the owner is this involved and down-to-earth.“

“Great food an Service. Friendly staff and generous portions.“

“I was there with my daughter and we both have great appetite. plates have plenty of food and it was delicious so much that my daughter bought extra hot sauce she really enjoyed it well so do I. highly recommended and I will visit you guys again whenever I go back to California.“

“delicious pastrami sandwiches🤤“

“Had a wonderful dining experience at West Park Bistro. The food was incredibly flavorful and the portions were very generous. Service was top-notch—attentive and friendly throughout the night. I also really appreciated the layout; the atmosphere is pleasant and there is plenty of space between tables so you don't feel crowded. Highly recommend!“

“Such a gem of a place! Everything here is scrumptious from the ricotta pancakes to the chilaquiles to the French toast to the eggs Benedict! Wish my stomach was bigger so I could eat seconds. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming. They even welcomed my dog. Love this place!“

“One of our favorite places“

“Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance!“

“good eats 😎..............“

“To celebrate our 27th anniversary, we went to @oldskoolcafe. The greeters, cooks and servers are all young people. Mama T opened this place to help at risk youth learn work and life skills (like how to get a license, do taxes, set a bank account). Partnering with experienced chefs, this restaurant has excellent food… and live jazz!!! We ordered the Taumoepeau Ota (think ceviche) and it was a great appetizer… light and the fish was super fresh. We had the short ribs which were super tender and had a rich gravy. We didn’t think we had room for dessert, but the lavender cheesecake and the Guittard chocolate brownie were fabulous! If you are in the city: GO! SUPPORT! ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD!“

“BG is a gorgeous restaurant, with well prepared food, and live music/jazz, most days of the week. Owners are very personable and hands-on, which is rare, amongst restaurants. Great place for special occasions or just a night out with your favorite person/people. Share a great experience, without a shocking price tag!“

“fantastic food and drinks with attentive staff and a lively atmosphere!!!“

“The food they serve is actually fresh, not the frozen type, but they do make it upon request. For example, I love fresh diced grilled country potatoes, not that stringy stuff you add water to to cook. Some people like it so just ask for hash browns and they will cook it for you.
Been eating at their restaurant for years now. Great quality food!“

“I just love this place! The service is always SO FAST, excellent, and so warm. All the servers are just fantastic. Great for lunch/dinner (Turkey club is my fave) but the breakfast is where they really shine. Love the popeye scramble with several cups of grat coffee. Very old school local vibes. I hope they are around forever!“

“Always a wonderful time and great service“

“Good food 🥘 Fun atmosphere“

“Awesome shakes and heavenly garlic fries 👍“

“A place that values quality and source of ingredients“

“Best burgers with amazing onion rings…… great service! Thank you 🙏🏼“

“Both eating here and working here were one of the highlights of my time in the Culinary Program.“

“An intimate place to love ❤️ live music.“

“Healthy options, great service. Joe is the real deal. �“

“Great place to have dinner, great service and the food is delish“

“The Anecdote, offers a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The restaurant features a spectacular atmosphere with beautiful interior design, an impressive collection of artwork, wood & rope designs and comfortable seating that creates a welcoming and relaxing environment.

Upon arrival, Rocky greeted me with a warm smile and kindly escorted me to one of the available tables downstairs, making me feel welcome right away. The view overlooks South San Francisco modern commercial architecture, adding to the restaurant's contemporary ambiance.

Conveniently located near the waterfront, The Anecdote is also easily accessible via the South San Francisco Ferry, making it a great destination for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy a scenic trip before or after a delicious meal. If you're searching for a restaurant that combines outstanding service, stylish surroundings, and a convenient waterfront location, The Anecdote is well worth a visit.“

“awesome“

“BJ's is consistently good and the service today with Aja T. was outstanding. Our only complaint was that our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so we brought home a LOT of food. And that's really NOT a problem! Good food, good atmosphere, reasonable prices, a great place for a group, and great service. Love having BJ's in the neighborhood.“

“Best place to go after the holidays, nice service, excellent food and very tasty wine …“

“Wonderful neighborhood restaurant.“

“If I could rate this place a 10 I would, the food is amazing, and also really big portions.. I mean REALLY big, all the food is flavorful especially the hash browns. I’m from Houston, Tx and the food there is is not as big as this breakfast wise and that’s very ironic!! Overall you should def go this is your sign!“

“Anchored in Downtown San Mateo at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Ellsworth, Restaurant Bay Watch has stood as a beloved local breakfast institution for years. Stepping inside delivers classic, unpretentious diner nostalgia, complete with a background soundtrack of 1950s and '60s oldies. It provides a comfortable, welcoming backdrop whether you are settling in for a relaxed weekend brunch or fuel-up weekday breakfast.

The restaurant relies on its sprawling selection of morning staples and genuinely friendly, attentive floor service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and kept everything moving efficiently with coffee refills and accommodating with special requests, despite the restaurant's extensive menu. While long-time patrons might notice subtle operational shifts hinting at a possible management change over the years, the hospitality team remains hard-working and resourceful.

Between the extensive main menu and daily specials board, deciding what to order can trigger serious choice paralysis if you arrive with a big appetite. I opted for the Hungry Jack, their signature lumberjack-style spread that pairs customizable protein choices with French toast or pancakes.

On previous visits, their herb-roasted house potatoes were a major highlight. Unfortunately, this time around they lacked the deep seasoning and crisp finish I remembered. However, the pancakes completely eclipsed that minor setback. I customized the restaurant's Tropical Pancakes by ordering them without bananas, leaving the coconut and macadamia nuts to shine. They were absolutely enormous—easily some of the biggest pancakes I've been served—and among the best I've had in 2026. The coconut added subtle sweetness while the macadamia nuts contributed a buttery richness and satisfying texture that made every bite memorable. The generous portion certainly made me feel like I got excellent value for the price.

Even with a few nostalgic details shifting over time, it is refreshing to find new favorites at a classic neighborhood staple. Whenever a craving for top-tier pancakes strikes in San Mateo, Restaurant Bay Watch remains a solid, dependable choice. 4.5 out of 5 stars.“

“One of the best restaurants in San Francisco and beyond. The food is outstanding, and the personal attention from the staff and chef is top-notch. This was our second visit, and we had the Summer Seven-Course Tasting Menu, which was amazing from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience.“

“We had the pleasure of speaking with the owner as he actually sat and we all ate and conversed together. The food was delicious and the conversation left us feeling like we had just came to Northern California to visit our long lost uncle. If you're reading this Mr.Grumpy thank you for everything. The couple from Dallas.“