This bar is pure vibe. I was visiting San Jose from Boston with my wife, who works in the natural wine world, and we brought six friends with high expectations. This place exceeded all of them. First, the wine program is outstanding. Thoughtful, diverse, and clearly curated with real care for the natural wine spectrum. Every bottle we tried was excellent. Prices were shockingly fair for the quality. Even with the $15 corkage, which we do not really see in Boston, the value was hard to beat. The food was just as impressive. We had the arancini, a tantanmen-style butter pasta, chips and dip, and the pork belly. Every dish was crave-worthy. Serious cooking happening here, and we cannot wait to come back and dig deeper into the menu. The space itself was cozy and transportive, somehow pulling you out of the downtown setting entirely. We started on the patio, where the hostess effortlessly set us up with a table, linens, glassware, a bench, and a space heater so we could settle in and catch up. A DJ was spinning an immaculate set that my wife perfectly described as “Bay Area classics.” Inside, the layout was warm and inviting, with a front-window den of couches, a communal table, and enough seating to comfortably fit our whole group. By then, the wine was flowing and the energy was just right. And finally, the service. Ming behind the bar and our hostess were absolute standouts. Warm, attentive, and genuinely engaged, even while handling a full bar. From accommodating a walk-in group of eight to keeping glasses filled, plates flowing, and the overall vibe dialed in, they made the night feel effortless. 10/10. We will absolutely be back, and I would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a truly great natural wine bar experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Giang
On a cold Thursday evening, my partner and I made our way over to Goodtime Bar. Ming, one of the bartenders, had graciously invited us to come check out this spot and it definitely lived up to everything he said it was. As you first enter, you walk up to the stunning bar where the best bartenders greet you with wine and walk you through both the menu and different drinks. After ordering, you find a table(interior seating is limited), and you put up your designated number placard. After sipping on our wine and waiting a short bit, our first bites came out. The first thing we received was this awesome beef tartare on sourdough. The texture and flavor on this dish were perfect. Next up, we had the Tom Yum pasta which was also fantastic. Flavor wise the tom yum was strong and balanced out. Furthermore, we ended our entrees with the steak frites which was also perfect. From the cook of the steak to the McDonald’s esque fries and the herbaceous sauce, everything was so delicious on this dish. The portion was also extremely generous. Finally, we got their miso creme brulee which was so delicious as well. There was a perfect crunchy sugar layer on top with a buttery smooth custard inside. The whole vibe of this place was immaculate, and the food matched. From the warm and inviting bartenders like Ming, to the chef inspired dishes coming out of the kitchen, this place blew me away. Genuinely this may be one of the best restaurants I have tried in the past year, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Side note, there is also a parking lot right in front of the restaurant but they charge $20, so it may be more worthwhile to find parking around the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan S
Love love love this place, the best tapas
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Niyati Khamar
Great food and very friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy Jan
I don't recommend going to Goodtime Bar. We sat there for about 20 minutes and weren't able to put in an order. We sat there because the bartender told us that she would come by to get our order, but that never came. Most of the bar/restaurant was empty but we were never served.
There were other people who came in after us who ordered and were served before us. I'm glad that we left to try another place to eat. Angkor Chef right down the street serves beautiful Cambodian food with great service and nice ambiance. I highly recommend against going to Goodtime Bar due to low-quality service and wait times.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sunitz H
This is my regular date spot, but the service is really inconsistent depending on who is working that evening. Sometimes they’ll give you a taste of what is being poured behind the bar and explain the wines, and other times you just order and hope for the best from the list without much help. The great thing about this bar is all the wines are the same price by the glass and the menu is ever changing. It’s nice and chill during the week after work, but I’m busier nights something about the acoustics in that room makes it so difficult to hear the person sitting right next to you- that’s the one thing I love to improve about the ambience here because it’s so nice to have something like this in the Neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Jessica Gottlieb
The best food I’ve had in ages. Get the bucatini, pickled beer is a favorite, the fennel salad is heavenly- try everything, the. menu is seasonal - service is perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elisabeth Ivanov
Goodtime Bar is a fun, laid-back spot with great cocktails and a lively atmosphere. The drinks are creative and well-made, and the bartenders are friendly and engaging. It can get crowded during peak hours, but that just adds to the energy. A solid choice for a night out with friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Corey Marcel
I dined here solo on a work trip. I went because the menu looked so unique. The place did not disappoint and exceeded all expectations! The staff is super friendly and passionate about the food and wine. I ate so many of the best bites of my life- tinned fish! Who knew?? I can’t wait to come back!
👨🏻🍳 EXPERIENCE: Ming, the man! You made our visit extra special with your expertise on the food and drinks. I loved how easy it was for us to describe a craving and have him sweep us off our feet. We arrived right at 4pm after work and didn't have to wait for a table. It got way busier around 7pm when we left, so plan accordingly. I did enjoy sitting outside with the lighting and music.
DISHES: 🌟 Arancini — I was skeptical about kimchi + arancini ... trust! They were so full of flavor and the sauce was insane. 🌟 Bluefin Tuna Tostada — smaller portion but still enjoyable, the tuna was very fresh. 🌟 Burrata and Figs — brown. butter. enough said. 🌟 Fingerling Potatoes — seaweed mayo on the bottom was unreal, we almost wanted another piece of bread to soak this all up. 🌟 Mushroom — I was getting full by this point but the tomato sauce on the bottom was to dieee for!
💵 PRICE: Considering the high quality this was a steal. We walked out at $46/pp (incl. tax+tip) for a group of 4 with 2 rounds of drinks + 5 dishes.
I will absolutely bring more friends to discover Goodtime in the near future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ian Mckellar
After being in California for 2 days and every place in Palo Alto not knowing how to season it was amazing to finally eat at a place that had FLAVOR! Great staff and great food. Try the pickle beer
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edwin Sanchez
Loved this place. So good, beautiful wine selection and the food is so delicious. I pigged out and got 6 plates of food + crème brûlée which was 10/10 btw. Super chill vibes sitting outside enjoying a glass of wine watching the sunset. Only thing that would’ve made it better would’ve been a cheeky cigarette after.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Kowalski
Cute, cozy spot with a welcoming atmosphere. This review is for the great wine and service- will have to come back to try their food!
Literally the best food in SJ.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This bar is pure vibe. I was visiting San Jose from Boston with my wife, who works in the natural wine world, and we brought six friends with high expectations. This place exceeded all of them.
First, the wine program is outstanding. Thoughtful, diverse, and clearly curated with real care for the natural wine spectrum. Every bottle we tried was excellent. Prices were shockingly fair for the quality. Even with the $15 corkage, which we do not really see in Boston, the value was hard to beat.
The food was just as impressive. We had the arancini, a tantanmen-style butter pasta, chips and dip, and the pork belly. Every dish was crave-worthy. Serious cooking happening here, and we cannot wait to come back and dig deeper into the menu.
The space itself was cozy and transportive, somehow pulling you out of the downtown setting entirely. We started on the patio, where the hostess effortlessly set us up with a table, linens, glassware, a bench, and a space heater so we could settle in and catch up. A DJ was spinning an immaculate set that my wife perfectly described as “Bay Area classics.” Inside, the layout was warm and inviting, with a front-window den of couches, a communal table, and enough seating to comfortably fit our whole group. By then, the wine was flowing and the energy was just right.
And finally, the service. Ming behind the bar and our hostess were absolute standouts. Warm, attentive, and genuinely engaged, even while handling a full bar. From accommodating a walk-in group of eight to keeping glasses filled, plates flowing, and the overall vibe dialed in, they made the night feel effortless.
10/10. We will absolutely be back, and I would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a truly great natural wine bar experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
On a cold Thursday evening, my partner and I made our way over to Goodtime Bar. Ming, one of the bartenders, had graciously invited us to come check out this spot and it definitely lived up to everything he said it was. As you first enter, you walk up to the stunning bar where the best bartenders greet you with wine and walk you through both the menu and different drinks. After ordering, you find a table(interior seating is limited), and you put up your designated number placard. After sipping on our wine and waiting a short bit, our first bites came out. The first thing we received was this awesome beef tartare on sourdough. The texture and flavor on this dish were perfect. Next up, we had the Tom Yum pasta which was also fantastic. Flavor wise the tom yum was strong and balanced out. Furthermore, we ended our entrees with the steak frites which was also perfect. From the cook of the steak to the McDonald’s esque fries and the herbaceous sauce, everything was so delicious on this dish. The portion was also extremely generous. Finally, we got their miso creme brulee which was so delicious as well. There was a perfect crunchy sugar layer on top with a buttery smooth custard inside. The whole vibe of this place was immaculate, and the food matched. From the warm and inviting bartenders like Ming, to the chef inspired dishes coming out of the kitchen, this place blew me away. Genuinely this may be one of the best restaurants I have tried in the past year, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Side note, there is also a parking lot right in front of the restaurant but they charge $20, so it may be more worthwhile to find parking around the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love love love this place, the best tapas
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and very friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't recommend going to Goodtime Bar. We sat there for about 20 minutes and weren't able to put in an order. We sat there because the bartender told us that she would come by to get our order, but that never came. Most of the bar/restaurant was empty but we were never served.
There were other people who came in after us who ordered and were served before us. I'm glad that we left to try another place to eat. Angkor Chef right down the street serves beautiful Cambodian food with great service and nice ambiance. I highly recommend against going to Goodtime Bar due to low-quality service and wait times.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is my regular date spot, but the service is really inconsistent depending on who is working that evening. Sometimes they’ll give you a taste of what is being poured behind the bar and explain the wines, and other times you just order and hope for the best from the list without much help. The great thing about this bar is all the wines are the same price by the glass and the menu is ever changing. It’s nice and chill during the week after work, but I’m busier nights something about the acoustics in that room makes it so difficult to hear the person sitting right next to you- that’s the one thing I love to improve about the ambience here because it’s so nice to have something like this in the Neighbourhood.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
The best food I’ve had in ages. Get the bucatini, pickled beer is a favorite, the fennel salad is heavenly- try everything, the. menu is seasonal - service is perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Goodtime Bar is a fun, laid-back spot with great cocktails and a lively atmosphere. The drinks are creative and well-made, and the bartenders are friendly and engaging. It can get crowded during peak hours, but that just adds to the energy. A solid choice for a night out with friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I dined here solo on a work trip. I went because the menu looked so unique. The place did not disappoint and exceeded all expectations! The staff is super friendly and passionate about the food and wine. I ate so many of the best bites of my life- tinned fish! Who knew?? I can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Goodtime, where have you been hiding?!
👨🏻🍳 EXPERIENCE: Ming, the man! You made our visit extra special with your expertise on the food and drinks. I loved how easy it was for us to describe a craving and have him sweep us off our feet. We arrived right at 4pm after work and didn't have to wait for a table. It got way busier around 7pm when we left, so plan accordingly. I did enjoy sitting outside with the lighting and music.
DISHES:
🌟 Arancini — I was skeptical about kimchi + arancini ... trust! They were so full of flavor and the sauce was insane.
🌟 Bluefin Tuna Tostada — smaller portion but still enjoyable, the tuna was very fresh.
🌟 Burrata and Figs — brown. butter. enough said.
🌟 Fingerling Potatoes — seaweed mayo on the bottom was unreal, we almost wanted another piece of bread to soak this all up.
🌟 Mushroom — I was getting full by this point but the tomato sauce on the bottom was to dieee for!
💵 PRICE: Considering the high quality this was a steal. We walked out at $46/pp (incl. tax+tip) for a group of 4 with 2 rounds of drinks + 5 dishes.
I will absolutely bring more friends to discover Goodtime in the near future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
After being in California for 2 days and every place in Palo Alto not knowing how to season it was amazing to finally eat at a place that had FLAVOR! Great staff and great food. Try the pickle beer
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved this place. So good, beautiful wine selection and the food is so delicious. I pigged out and got 6 plates of food + crème brûlée which was 10/10 btw. Super chill vibes sitting outside enjoying a glass of wine watching the sunset. Only thing that would’ve made it better would’ve been a cheeky cigarette after.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cute, cozy spot with a welcoming atmosphere. This review is for the great wine and service- will have to come back to try their food!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Low key place that is a BOMB!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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