50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in San Mateo

“Chai Yo is a must visit for anyone in San Mateo craving authentic Thai flavors in a warm and inviting setting. The atmosphere is cozy and beautifully decorated, often described by guests as a hidden gem that offers a much more upscale interior than one might expect from the outside. Service is consistently praised for being friendly, attentive and welcoming, making it a fantastic spot for families or a quiet dinner with friends. The food is the true highlight, featuring large portions of expertly prepared dishes like the vibrant Pineapple Fried Rice, the flavorful Tom Kha Soup and the perfectly balanced Pad Thai. Other standout items include the succulent Chicken Satay with peanut sauce, the crispy and unique Spicy Catfish, and their impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan options, such as the Fried Mock Fish with garlic sauce. Whether you're enjoying a spicy curry or a refreshing Thai iced tea, Chai Yo delivers a high quality, 5-star dining experience with deep, authentic flavors that keep the local community coming back.“

“Very tasty Pad Thai! Delicious food!

The waiter was the worst service i've ever had, he didn't even put in my food order, he didn't even come to give us a check , we had to go back and forth and ask for dessert at the counter. And as we left , he didn't even say thank you.

But I want to say that we had the best busser ever! He filled our waters constantly, he noticed that I wasn't getting my food and checked on me, and he's packed my food up. He actually cared about our family and our food and our experience. So thank you to him, he saved our experience.“

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

“Great food must try uggani bajji kapada karam Dosa“

“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!“

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

“One of the best casual Cuban spots in the bay area & excellent for take-away!

The Ropa Vieja, Bistec and Shrimp Fajitas are all delicious. Plantains are awesome when they're properly roasted/caramelized. Amazing sauces...make sure you try the Guava BBQ and the Guantanamo Sauce.“

“Managed to get a last-minute reservation and felt quite lucky! The restaurant even followed up to confirm our arrival. The service was excellent—they even poured the sake for us. I loved the heated tray on the table that kept our skewers warm; it’s such a thoughtful touch. The menu has plenty of options, and though the place is small, it feels very cozy and atmospheric. The upside-down umbrellas hanging from the ceiling are a unique touch. One thing to note: it’s quite dim inside, so it’s a bit hard to take photos. If you're taking a group shot, watch out for blurriness!“

“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!“

“Cocktails and Wagyu - soooo good!“

“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 👏🏼🇺🇸“

“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.“

“Best pizza in the Bay Area!“

“I was blown away by the balance of flavors. The Dan Dan Noodles were spicy yet nutty, while the General Tso’s Chicken was perfectly crispy with a touch of sweetness. The Mapo Tofu was creamy with a spicy finish that made the meal unforgettable.“

“Great atmosphere and brews.“

“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!!“

“Solid ramen with big, bold flavor. The black garlic ramen will keep vampires away for miles! The tonkatsu ramen is my favorite and full of yummy, fatty pork umami.

The service is efficient and friendly and the atmosphere is basic and casual.“

“Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“The Home Run sourdough breakfast sandwich was excellent and I would order that again x100. The hash brown serving that came with the sandwich was ginormous and I ended up needing a to-go box for that! The latte however was not to my liking, tasted bitter to me.“

“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!“

“All their yakitoris were seasoned well and I loved both the salted and soy options. You order through a QR code using your phone so you won't have any issues with flagging down a waitress whether you're seated on the first or second floors.“

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

“They have their operation down, pat. Good place for ramen. Prices are what you expect for San Mateo.

Update 2026: still the king in the area. They got this super ramen now that is huge! Think large bowl of Pho but with ramen. And it's filling. Delicious!“

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

“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.“

“good food and love the mimosa“

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

“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!!“

“Great hole in the wall! Noodles, dumplings, cold apps. All hand made. Pix on wall to help order. They sell frozen dumplings too- great deal and cash only. Credit card ok for the meal. The gentleman there is kind and helpful. You can see them making it right there. Donut place right next to it! Easy parking- big lot.“

“太棒了，肉品沒吃多少，倒是吃了好幾磅的櫻桃🍒“

“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“

“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 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

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

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

“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!!!“

“The do called "inclusive" atmosphere is really just an owner who hates everyone who has different views. If your social or political views are woke, you aren't welcome. Spend your money elsewhere. This guy is an idiot.“

“Delicious Asian fusion breakfast and lunch“

“Your cookies are extraordinary delicious! excellent! Love all your cookies!!!!“

“Tokie’s Sushi in San Mateo is an absolute gem. The food is consistently fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor...from the sushi to the cooked dishes, everything is done with care and attention to detail. You can truly taste the quality in every bite.
And don’t skip the craft cocktails—they’re just as impressive as the food. Creative, well-balanced, and perfectly made, they pair incredibly well with the menu and really elevate the whole dining experience.
What truly sets Tokie’s apart, though, is the people. The owners are incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do. The staff is just as amazing, friendly, attentive, and always making you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, which makes the experience even better.
If you’re looking for outstanding sushi, excellent craft cocktails, and top-notch service, Tokie’s Sushi is a must. Highly recommend and can’t wait to keep coming back.“

“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!“

“I make a point to come here everytime my work travels bring me to the Bay area. The staff is so friendly and welcoming, you feel right at home. The food is beyond delicious, and the portion sizes are more than generous. I can't wait until the next time I'm back for more!“

“My son and I are truly grateful for your kindness, Nicole. Thank you for taking the time to charge his phone, wait for a call to come through, and help arrange for us to reconnect with him. You didn’t have to do any of that, yet you did it with such care. The world needs more people with your spirit. Wishing you success and blessings in everything you pursue.“

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