50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in San Mateo

“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!“

“The outdoor patio was perfect for our Sunday brunch and our 18th Anniversary. We’ve celebrated many occasions at All Spice and have always had a stellar experience with the staff and the food. Our table felt intimate — we were sharing a large space with four other tables, appropriately distanced. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Again, all Covid-19 compliant. The food, oh the food! The Dutch baby was perfectly cooked and the fruit fillings were gorgeous. The chicken sandwich was out of this world. The Mimosa and hard apple cider beverages were on point. We always love our meals at All Spice and this time was no exception. It’s a total gem!“

“Super good restaurants with healthy and tasty thai food. They do accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions. They could make Jain food for me and also adhere to it strictly even when I order from Doordash and call and let them know about my allergies and Jain religious dietary restrictions. The front desk person is so friendly and helpful.“

“Fast friendly service. But you’ll be taking a to-go bag home for sure!! I was stuffed!!“

“Food was standard American Thai fare. The pad thai was average, although my party enjoyed the spicy eggplant stir fry dish. Everything is pretty okay, and decent enough if you're in the mood for Thai food. I will say it was nice that entrees were $14-15. Pretty affordable meal.

We came on a Sunday afternoon (2pm) on a holiday weekend. We had to sign up on the waitlist, and it was about a 20minute wait until we got a text saying our table was ready. Staff was nice, although never refilled our waters.

The interior gives a casual vibe. The space isn't very big, and all tables were completely filled at all times. Noise volume inside was moderate. Can still hear your tablemates without raising your voice too much, but it wasn't quiet in there by any mean.s There's tv screens, one of which was broadcasting the news channel.“

“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.“

“Stopped in for Dinner, only one vegan protein option, but it didn't disappoint, probably the best beyond meat ive ever tasted, great sides, and delicious strawberry mint lemonade as well, great atmosphere and very friendly and informative staff, will definitely return again“

“After my friend took me here, I came back the very next day and bring my other friends. It's a hidden authentic chinese restaurant. Food is very good. Price is very fair or even on the cheaper side. Dish portion is big.. The parking is a little bit not easy during busy hours. Only one lady serves the tables. She was quite busy.
Very happy knowing this place and will be back.“

“Cocktails and Wagyu - soooo good!“

“Giving 5 stars for their free drink.

ordered the duck and mushroom soup, pan fried buns, and their combo D which included wonton soup and noodles with peanut sauce

duck and mushroom soup was the worst thing we ordered. $10 for a tiny pot the height of a toilet paper roll, but narrower and with thick walls. would recommend to those who like stringy and still half dried mushrooms.

the pan fried buns were good, though they were on the oilier side. very fragrant, and tasted delicious with their vinegar.

the wonton soup was the best out of everything ordered and tasted quite delicious, but the wontons themselves were low quality—they were small, which is fine, but the filling tasted like fish balls and not actual meat.

the noodles were a bit disappointing. they were soggy and the sauce was probably something you could make at home with peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil. their menu says that the pictures are for reference only, and that's very true. the noodles looked completely different from the picture on their menu, whether it was portion size, color, or even noodle shape.

they had complimentary side dishes and the spicy tofu skin was great. nobody told us they were available, though, and we found out when we were going to use the restroom.

true rating is overall 3 stars, not great or incredibly authentic, but also not the worst“

“First time here. Long line to get in but it moved fairly quickly. Had the Roast beef Aburasoba. Mind-Boggling GOOD! The flavor was out of this world! The service was fantastic!! I can’t wait to go back again!“

“Love the pizza! We live in the East Bay but we stop by whenever we pass by San Mateo. We always get a Meat Lovers & the Chicken Pesto!“

“Halal beef burgers, made to order, soft brioche buns, veggie options, yummy milkshakes! Definitely with be a place we frequent! Face friendly business, family owned and operated 👏🏼🇺🇸“

“Still the best kept secret in San Mateo. I’m moving tomorrow and this food is what I’m going to miss the most. The portions are generous, the price is affordable, the service can’t be beat. Cash only. Small parking lot. Family owned and operated. The carne asada is delicious! Actually I haven’t had a bad meal here. Take away is available. You won't be disappointed . Skip the la cumbre and pancho villa. Come get the best!“

“Went to lunch there today Food very tasty and this looks like it would be a fantastic Happy Hour Meet Up!!!!“

“Excellent meal here. The miso sea bass was delicious, and the nigiri in the seasonal omakase was great. Wagyu nigiri was a standout. Our waitress/server was fantastic also! one of the best sushi/omakases in san mateo in my opinion! pricing is absolutely reasonable too.“

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.“

“good food and love the mimosa“

“Do you love going to Flavortown? How about dreaming with your eyes open? Then try these birria tacos. The first time I had it was from leftovers that my daughter brought home for lunch. Then I drove from Oakley to San Mateo to have them fresh. It was AMAZING! They provide extra stuff to add to the tacos, but it honestly didn’t need them. The meat was so tender & flavorful that I had to close my eyes so I could fully appreciate the taste. Then I added the extras one by one & it tasted like a new taco each time. I know it seems like I’m exaggerating, but it’s really that good! My only wish is that they had seating nearby & a second location closer to Oakley.“

“Amazing service. Great food. Awesome staff! Can’t recommend it more highly.“

“Absolutely loved this place! The food is outstanding — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The restaurant is spotless, and the ambiance is just perfect: calm, comfortable, and really inviting. It's the kind of spot where you can actually relax and enjoy a meal without the noise and chaos you find elsewhere.
What really sets it apart is the ordering experience — you order right from your phone, which is both seamless and genuinely fun. It feels modern without being gimmicky. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great food in a clean, peaceful setting. Will definitely be back!“

“They had 3 vegetarian options for ramen - the chilli-miso, shoyu and they can make the curry ramen on request.
We had the miso and the curry and both were fantastic. The service was friendly and prompt. The tofu that we added to it was delicious.“

“Sushi was delicious and service was great! Not a romantic spot though because it’s loud but fun if your going with family and friends. Music is good!!“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!“

“What a great find. We just flew in to San Francisco... took an exit because we were starving. Stumbled upon this gem. Great food... service was exceptional... really friendly people. I wish they were in Utah!
Their potstickers are unmatched!“

“Great atmosphere and brews.“

“Great service, delicious food and beautiful decorations.“

“Wonderful vegan sushi & friendly owner. I tried the shiitake avocado & spicy vegan rolls, both were delicious. Looking forward to visiting and trying other menu items soon!!“

“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.“

“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy“

“A hidden gem of a family-run Italian restaurant—don’t be misled by the humble exterior. Inside, you’re welcomed with genuine hospitality and unforgettable food. My husband and I ordered the filet of sole and the white Provini veal scallopini—both were bursting with flavor and perfectly portioned. This isn’t a place for flashy plating—it’s all about honest, delicious Italian cooking made with care. The host greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel instantly at home. The retro, moody lighting adds a cozy, nostalgic touch. We’ll definitely be back! Tip: Make a reservation—this spot stays busy, and for good reason.“

“I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict. It was good. Hashbrowns a little burnt. You order then sit down and they'll bring your food to you. Friendly service. Very busy place. The line was going out the door on a Saturday brunch time but they quickly took care of it. It can get pretty noisy.“

“Delicious Asian fusion breakfast and lunch“

“Great food. Fantastic value. Don’t tell people, it’s already too popular 😃“

“Cozy little Japanese restaurant with super friendly servers. The owner works at the counter. I come for Ishiyaki Hitsumamushi (Stone Bowl Seafood Rice) which I don’t think is served anywhere else. I also had tuna bone marrow for appetitzer and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. So many other dishes I want to try so will be back.“

“food place for family and hang out“

“Saigon Butter Tofu Wine sauce Ox Tail Noodle Soup Crab & Pork Meatball & Tomato Vermicelli And to drink: Taro w/Coconut Slush“

“San Mateos best kept secret. Best sushi I've had in years. Wonderful atmosphere, great service and at a reasonable price. My comment after dinner was , I guess I have had so much grocery store sushi, I forgot what real sushi should taste like.. Best Japanese food like this is rare these days until you try Tokies“

“Delicious authentic Brazilian food with amazing service . Fun experience too!“

“This pizza is not like a traditional woodfired style. It's a focaccia crust. Light and crispy, plenty of decent quality toppings. Super friendly staff. Can't believe I've never been here before. If your in the mood for a Focaccia pizza, this is the place!“

“Has been the dumpling spot for us going on two years now. We come here about one a month-ish but LOVE this place. One time my boyfriend and I ate 50 soup dumplings between the two of us. It was amazing.
Another time, we were coming back from half Moon Bay and decided to give the frozen dumplings a try. The guy who’s always there (don’t know his name sorry!) gave us directions on how to do it and even gave us some paper to line the pan with so they wouldn’t stick. We super enjoyed them at home! On our visit to go pick up the frozen dumplings, we met a man there who says that he’s from Napa and stops by whenever he’s in the area. (Wow!)

Our faves are: Pork Soup dumplings, Pork chive, and Chicken Corn dumplings 🥟
Thank you for all the yummy dumplings!
-Nina & Camden“

“Me encanto les pedí un pastelito para mi niño y ellos le cantaron las mañanitas .no lo esperaba me gustó mucho!!!“

“For starters, being a new resident within their second year in San Mateo & now attending CSM for some courses I must say how pleased I am to find a gem of a restaurant such as Shiki. For it's convenience and location being an approximate 12 minute walk from campus I intend on visiting again on special occasion.

The service from staff was direct and accomadating as they allowed my cousin and I to enjoy our dinner over the course of our visit which spanned for almost more than an hour. This alone sets the tone of the atmosphere as the restaurant is moderately quaint with enough space to host a party of 4-6 comfortably according to the layout and tableing I could vaguely go over again in my mind.

Now, for the food commentary. The chirashi was a great choice for the night!A well displayed array of fresh fish placed on top of a balance of light seasoning topped sushi rice & garnish of thin clear noodles that could've been substituted from tamago kinshi. The hamachi was the highlight due to the robust sweetness that was propelled through the natural texture of the fish. The maguro being a typical favorite of mine did not disappoint at all!

Overall, the service was great as well as the atmosphere being perfect for intimate and relaxed occasions with loved ones. Not only was the chirasu fresh but the pork tonkatsu paired with a beautifully chopped sweet citrus fruit on the side among a fresh romaine leaflet embedded underneath was simple and clean. Thinly sliced and fried to a crunch with ease.

Thank you to the wonderful staff employed at Shiki! I most definitely want to thank the chef & kitchen crew for the delicious meals made tonight. Blessings!“

“Fantastic ramen full of flavor and rich umami. The garlic tonkatsu broth is my favorite, but you really can't go wrong here. If you're feeling extra hungry, get their combo option that adds a healthy healing of chicken on top of your ramen. For less than $20, it's a fantastic deal.

The restaurant is small, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. The service is fantastic and always friendly.“

“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“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.“

“Love the food n the people who works there. ❤️papaya salad, pad thai. Fried pompano and ground chicken with basil Aroy mak mak 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️“

“Me and my friend were both in the area where we were hungry and I asked what should we get to eat. My friend was craving for a Banh mi, so I did some research where I discovered this place and we both agreed to give it a try. Upon arrival, this place is basically a hole in the wall that has one table outside for anyone that chooses to eat there. There was just one customer ahead of us, but that was not a problem since we needed time to browse their menu and decide what to have. After a couple of minutes we knew what we wanted and a friendly staff greeted us and took our order. Everything here is made to order which is always a plus for me since it is quality over quantity and I never mind the wait since I am a very patient person. Their menu consists of a variety of Banh mi to choose from, salads, spring rolls, bowls, vermicelli items, refrigerated/house made drinks, pho is also an option and much more to choose from. As time went by the place quickly got busy with many customers coming by to place their orders. Finally our items arrived and each Banh mi comes with a small bag of chips which is just the perfect pair. Overall the food and experience was a satisfying one thanks to their professional, well trained and understanding staffs. I highly recommend this place to all Banh Mi enthusiasts, if you are in need of a quick bite just like me, to anyone willing to try something new or if you just so happen to be in the area to check them out. I definitely will be back to tryout the other delicious options they have to offer.“

“Came on a Friday around 7:30 and it wasn't busy. Order at the counter, seat yourself, and they will bring your food to you. Self serve chips and salsa bar. Fresh chips. Well stocked. Wish they had pico de gallo though. We ordered an al pastor super burrito $15.29. Huge burrito. I eat a lot of burritos and this one surprised me with it's size lol. I asked for less rice and sour cream and they accommodated. Well balanced burrito. Al pastor was crispy and flavorful. Best al pastor I've had in years and best super burrito I've had so far in San Mateo and Burlingame area. Staff are really nice. Clean, medium sized restaurant. I would go back. Only wish they had lengua and cabeza meats“

“The Super Shrimp Burrito is the best thing on the menu, idk what the chef does back there but he’s amazing. I literally come here maybe once every 2-3 weeks just because it’s so good. best thing to do is get chips and put it in the burrito. Fire!!!“