Where to eat in Santa Clara

Santa Clara sits between Palo Alto and San Jose. Many Peninsula drivers pass through it daily without stopping to eat. That is a mistake. The city has one of the best Korean food strips in Northern California, a newer restaurant district near Levi's Stadium and the restaurant floors of Westfield Valley Fair. It also has a few old local favorites, such as a donut shop open since 1959.

This guide draws on the Global Games Food Trail that Discover Santa Clara, the city's visitor bureau, published for 2026. We checked the bureau's restaurant listings in late October 2026. Descriptions stay factual and we quote no ratings. For the mission, the stadium and Great America, see our Santa Clara day trip guide.

Where the restaurants are

Santa Clara's food is spread out, so think by area and plan to drive.

• El Camino Real and Halford Avenue, in the west of the city, hold the Korean restaurants and bakeries.
• Homestead Road runs parallel to the south, with a donut shop open since 1959 among its strip malls.
• Santa Clara Square, north of US 101 on Augustine Drive, is a newer mixed-use district close to the stadium.
• Westfield Valley Fair, at the San Jose border on Stevens Creek Boulevard, has a food hall and sit-down restaurants.
• Old Santa Clara, near the university and The Alameda, has small cafes and the Franklin Mall.

Korean food on El Camino Real

Jang Su Jang

Jang Su Jang at 3561 El Camino Real is the strip's best-known restaurant. Discover Santa Clara notes its Michelin Guide recognition and recommends ordering family style: bibimbap, LA galbi short ribs, bulgogi and a bubbling soft tofu stew to finish. It suits groups and celebrations, so book ahead on weekends.

Master Oh

Master Oh at 1484 Halford Avenue is a newer spot focused on marinated seafood. Its signature plates are soy-marinated and spicy raw crab served with rice. The menu also covers stone bowl bibimbap, seafood pancakes, bossam pork wraps and Korean barbecue standards.

Beijing Restaurant

Beijing Restaurant at 1460 Halford Avenue serves Korean style Chinese comfort food. The staples are jajangmyeon, which are noodles in black bean sauce, plus jjampong, a spicy seafood noodle soup. Big portions make it good for sharing. For Korean food closer to Palo Alto, see our Korean food guide.

Santa Clara Square, near the stadium

Santa Clara Square is a newer district of apartments, offices and shops north of US 101. It is the closest cluster of independent restaurants to Levi's Stadium and Great America.

• Bafang Dumpling is a Taiwanese chain known for boiled dumplings, crisp potstickers and beef noodle soup.
• Puesto serves Mexico City inspired tacos, such as filet mignon and tamarind shrimp, with a big margarita list and a patio.
• Jak's mixes familiar Indian dishes with modern plates such as a paan leaf chaat and a dum biryani sealed under bread.

If you are going to a game or concert, you can find Levi's Stadium tickets first and plan dinner around kickoff. Our Great America guide covers the theme park next door.

Valley Fair

Westfield Valley Fair sits on the Santa Clara side of Stevens Creek Boulevard. Three restaurants stand out on the 2026 food trail. Eataly Silicon Valley has a rooftop grill restaurant called Terra and a pizza and pasta restaurant inside its market. Ramen Nagi serves tonkotsu in red, black and original versions. Lines form at peak times. Baekjeong, in the mall's Top Plaza, is a loud, high-energy Korean barbecue house built for groups. Our ramen guide covers bowls nearer Palo Alto. For dinner across the street, see our Santana Row food guide.

Old Santa Clara and the university area

Rantei and Mio Vicino

Rantei Japanese Cuisine at 1271 Franklin Mall serves sushi rolls, hamachi carpaccio and chirashi bowls a few blocks from Santa Clara University. Mio Vicino at 1290 Benton Street is a small neighborhood Italian place known for panini, lasagna and baked penne. Both make an easy meal after a visit to Mission Santa Clara.

Shawarmaji and Milyar Cafe

Shawarmaji at 2281 The Alameda is a Jordanian family-owned shawarma shop, with lamb and beef or chicken wraps. Milyar Cafe at 1098 Monroe Street is a Yemeni coffee and tea house that stays open until midnight. Try the Adeni chai, a black tea with cardamom. The honeycomb bread is the classic pairing.

Donuts and pastries

Stan's Donuts at 2628 Homestead Road has been family owned since 1959 and is the city's best-known sweet stop. Come early for the glazed donuts. Portuguese Tasty Desserts at 1085 El Camino Real is a small bakery built around pastel de nata, the custard tart with a caramelized top. A box makes a good gift for a host. Our bakeries and desserts guide covers Palo Alto.

Eating with kids

Santa Clara's mall and Santa Clara Square restaurants are the easiest with children. Valley Fair has restrooms, space to walk and plenty of quick counters if a sit-down meal falls apart. Bafang Dumpling and Puesto move fast. Korean barbecue can be fun for older kids who like cooking at the table, though the grills get hot, so seat small children away from them. Stan's Donuts makes a good reward after a morning at the Intel Museum, which is free on weekdays. For a full family day, pair Great America with an early dinner at Santa Clara Square before the evening traffic builds.

Planning your visit

1. Drive. The food areas are far apart. Caltrain stops at Santa Clara station near the university, but most restaurants need a car.
2. Avoid game-day traffic. On stadium event days, skip Tasman Drive and Great America Parkway unless you are going.
3. Go Korean at dinner. El Camino Real is busiest from 6 to 8 p.m. on weekends. Arrive early or book.
4. Stay over for an event. Hotels cluster near the stadium and convention center. You can compare Santa Clara hotels for a concert night.

Frequently asked questions