Taqueria Eduardo is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

1. Taqueria Eduardo

8.4
255 Race St (at W San Carlos St), San Jose, CA
Taco Restaurant · Central San Jose · 13 tips and reviews

Brandon W.Brandon Williamson: Delicious and inexpensive authentic mexican food. Five stars!

Kevin M.Kevin Murphy: Authentic, awesome tacos. Some of the best I've had!

Monroe L.Monroe Lacy: The carne asada is good also the pastor and his fish tacos all of the food is good I've been coming here for years 😊😊😊😊

Smoking Pig BBQ Company is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

2. Smoking Pig BBQ Company

8.5
1144 N 4th St (at Burton Ave.), San Jose, CA
BBQ Joint · Downtown San Jose · 87 tips and reviews

Pete K.Pete Kapusta: Nothing fancy. Authentic pit BBQ. I've had spicier hot links. Brisket is offered lean or fatty. Impressive selection of wine and beer.

Andy W.Andy Woodly: Authentic BBQ shack.

Brett H.Brett H: I always bring out of towers here. The best brisket in California. Ribs are meh. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Great beer menu.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka らーめん山頭火 is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

3. Hokkaido Ramen Santouka らーめん山頭火

7.6
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA
Ramen Restaurant · Strawberry Park · 136 tips and reviews

Caroline D.Caroline Deng: Spicy Miso Ramen is amazing! Lots of Japanese people come here, which means it's authentic. The line during lunch is long.

Don O.Don Okuda: Authentic ramen experience, right down to the long line.

Giovanna M.Giovanna Morandi: Authentic ramen. Simple, genuine and tasty.

Kinokuniya Book Store is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

4. Kinokuniya Book Store

8.4
685 Saratoga Ave (at Moorpark Ave), San Jose, CA
Bookstore · Strawberry Park · 20 tips and reviews

P S.P S: Great place to check out if you're looking for those hard-to-find Japanese import CDs and DVDs, magazines, and authentic manga. Be wary, though. The imports cost twice as much here than in Japan.

Carissa O.Carissa Ott: I love the layout of the store and how authentic and adorable all the merchandise is!

Lindsay E.Lindsay Eyink: Get you Japanese notebook and pen fetish on!

Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

5. Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill

8.6
80 N Market St (btwn St. John & Santa Clara), San Jose, CA
Caribbean Restaurant · Downtown San Jose · 63 tips and reviews

Katie Y.Katie Yamada: Jerk chicken, spicy food, authentic food

Ashley A.Ashley Anglin: Curry and rice and peas. Jerk does not seem authentic. No actual jerk sauce.

Rebekah H.Rebekah Henderson: Jerk chicken is spiced appropriately curried goat was also yum. Plantains excellent. If you have a hankering for Jamaica this place is it.

Hunan Impression is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

6. Hunan Impression

8.4
5152 Moorpark Ave Ste 30 (Williams Rd.), San Jose, CA
Hunan Restaurant · West Valley · 7 tips and reviews

Cal Y.Cal Y: It’s spicy. Really spicy. Get the pickled long beans with pork for a really authentic experience. It’s really unlike anything you’ve ever had.

Jay M.Jay Mar: Fantastic short ribs, tasty lotus root; most items a little pricy, but consistent quality!

Cecilia Z.Cecilia Zhang: very busy on weekends

Henry's Hi-Life is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

7. Henry's Hi-Life

8.7
301 W Saint John St (near the Julian/St. James exit off CA87), San Jose, CA
BBQ Joint · Central San Jose · 85 tips and reviews

jansen c.jansen c: Looking for American BBQ grill? This place is awesome and super authentic, one of the best in the Silicon Valley!

Daouna J.Daouna Jeong: 1/2 baby back ribs was really good. The baked potato was even more good. The portion is huge!!

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Visit this San Jose landmark for some baby back ribs. As seen on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation.

Souvlaki Greek Skewers is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

8. Souvlaki Greek Skewers

9.0
577 W Alma Ave, San Jose, CA
Greek Restaurant · Willow Glen · 23 tips and reviews

Layne J.Layne J: Best authentic Greek food I have ever had. Can't get enough of this place!

Sean S.Sean Sargis: Gyros soulvaki #1 is always recommended for first timers

Priya B.Priya B: The lamb souvlaki and the baklava are excellent. The falafel souvlaki is a good option for vegetarians.

In-N-Out Burger is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

9. In-N-Out Burger

8.6
5611 Santa Teresa Blvd (at Blossom Hill Rd), San Jose, CA
Fast Food Restaurant · Blossom Valley · 55 tips and reviews

Tyler S.Tyler Szabo: If you're craving it this, too, is authentic In-N-Out. The staff are also very friendly and accommodating though the orders can queue up a little.

Patrick N.Patrick Newstrom: Get the double-double burger, animal fries & a shake...simple, economical & delicious!

chelsea c.chelsea currier: ANIMAL STYLE!!

Gio Cha Duc Huong Sandwich is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

10. Gio Cha Duc Huong Sandwich

9.2
1020 Story Rd, San Jose, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Central San Jose · 11 tips and reviews

Miroslav V.Miroslav Voda: Bahn mi sandwiches are really authentic and so tasty 🤤👍

Gary Eng W.Gary Eng Walk: Yummy crusty bread! The #7 (egg & grilled pork) is the best. Comes in large ($4.50) and small ($2.75) but definitely go for the large. You can also get an egg-only banh mi (not on the menu) for $3.25.

RossRoss: Buy 4 large sandwiches get 1 Free.

Layang Layang is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

11. Layang Layang

7.8
1480 S De Anza Blvd (at Sharon Dr), San Jose, CA
Malay Restaurant · West Valley · 37 tips and reviews

David C.David Chew: Egg chow fun and rojak are very authentic Singaporean

V C.V C: Pretty authentic Malaysian dishes - Nasi Lemak, Rendang, Roti Perata. Quality is sometimes a bit off but prob the best option in south bay.

William G.William Gunn: Best fried tofu I've ever had (by which I mean, it actually had taste). They make it in house. Also try the shaved ice drink with coconut and red bean.

Falafel's Drive-In is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

12. Falafel's Drive-In

8.7
2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA
Falafel Restaurant · Central San Jose · 164 tips and reviews

Nishad G.Nishad George: There's usually always a crowd. Really nice outdoor casual setting, it's not "authentic" falafel by any means, but still delicious and worth my money.

Bálint K.Bálint Kriván: We've tried the gyros and chicken pita, both were great with plenty of meat inside.

John B.John Bobeldyk: Go to Falafel's Drive-In and order the large falafel & banana shake. You'll save $2 and get the two best items on the menu!

Jubba Restaurant is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

13. Jubba Restaurant

8.4
5330 Terner Way (By Ohlone-Chynoweth VTA Station), San Jose, CA
African Restaurant · 28 tips and reviews

FaisalFaisal: Awesome and authentic African cuisine. Limited space. Friendly service. Sports plate is their signature dish- with chicken, beef or lamb.

jose t.jose torres: $1 bread things are awesome. Sorry forgot what they are called.

Albert P.Albert Perez: Steak and Goat are both amazing.

Sweet Rendezvous is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

14. Sweet Rendezvous

8.7
668 Blossom Hill Rd (at Cahalan Ave), San Jose, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Blossom Valley · 15 tips and reviews

Drew M.Drew Marsh: Super friendly family....so many ice cream choices

Jennifer S.Jennifer S.: Great employees... Very friendly and helpful. Quaint little shop with an inviting ambiance.

Kunal M.Kunal Mehta: Great food and service. Try the 1020 flavor, its amazing.

Poki Bowl is one of The 15 Best Authentic Places in San Jose.

15. Poki Bowl

8.0
4750 Almaden Expy, Ste 100 (Branham Lane), San Jose, CA
Poke Restaurant · 22 tips and reviews

Jonathan M.Jonathan Marinaro: Take the Mission Burrito-esque assembly line, but do it with super fresh poke including Tuna, Hamachi, Salmon and others, with a ton of other addons, on top of rice or salad.... for 13 bucks. Awesome!

Poki B.Poki Bowl: Customize your own Poki Bowls!

Andrew S.Andrew Sandler: Finally got in here after seeing the line out the door for months. Staff is incredibly helpful. Fish is really fresh and the sides / extras are really generous.