Where to eat American food in San Carlos: The Best Restaurants and Bars

March 9, 2020 Margarita Chappel

Find out what American restaurants to try in San Carlos. San Carlos is a city in San Mateo County, California on the San Francisco Peninsula, about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. It is a small residential suburb located between Belmont (north) and Redwood City (south). The population is 28,406 per the 2010 census.
Things to do in San Carlos

10. Mistral

370 Bridge Pkwy, Redwood City, CA 94065-1032 American Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 650-802-9222 http://mistraldining.com
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 230 reviews

Mistral

Reviewed By dctraveler2018

I had dinner at Mistral with a group of people from the office. We had a large table with about 10 people out in the patio. Several other groups were there as well so definitely a lively place. Appetizers, dinner, and drinks were very good and the service was awesome. Nothing missed or late for a large group. I enjoyed the place and will go back next time I'm in the area.

9. Angelicas

863 Main St, Redwood City, CA 94063-1901 American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Free Wifi, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service, [email protected] +1 650-679-8184 http://www.angelicasllc.com
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 239 reviews

Angelicas

A venue with many choices; what do you feel like doing today? Restaurant Dinning indoors or Al Fresco Dinning (Outdoor Dinning) we are located in the historic district of downtown Redwood City, come visit us Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch, di

Reviewed By Mimiatsfo

Been going here on and off for the past few years I haven't been there for a while and I was very pleasantly surprised to see a pretty authentic flamenco show. However the food is overpriced and so so. I did go for the show not the food.

8. Izzy's San Carlos CA

525 Skyway Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070-2713 American, Steakhouse Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 650-654-2822 http://www.facebook.com/IzzysSteaksSanCarlos/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 171 reviews

Izzy's San Carlos CA

Izzy's Steaks & Chops is San Francisco's Favorite Steakhouse. Experience for yourself why we are San Francisco's Favorite! Opened in 2005 in San Carlos.

Reviewed By Krisz009

Found the restaurant on a Groupon promo (3-course tasting menu for 2) and decided to give it a shot. The location is a bit strange at side of the highway, close to the airport and actually next where the choppers are parked. There is a fast food restaurant next door making the location a bit more iffy especialy with the multiple sign asking for not leaving ay valuables at your car. When you get inside, things are very different: the place has good, stylish décor and you feel like you are in a steakhouse. We ordered the bruschetta as a shared starter (it was good), then I opted for the FILET MIGNON MEDALLIONS AU POIVR with steamed Broccoli and French fries, while my wife ordered the BLACKENED CAJUN FILET MIGNON with baked potato and creamed spinach. My meal was a home run, it was delicious, juicy and flavorful - the broccoli was crisp exactly as a like it. My wife liked her meal but felt that her meat was a little dry although she really loved her sides. We finished up with a crème brulee which was also delicious. The service was great, attentive but not overly pushy. Overall it is a good place to have a nice dinner if you can overcome the anxiety about the location.

7. Creola

344 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070-2408 American, Seafood, Cajun & Creole Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service [email protected] +1 650-654-0882 http://www.creolabistro.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 99 reviews

Creola

Hours of Operation Dinner: Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday 5-9 pm Friday & Saturday 5 - 9:30 pm Lunch: Tuesday - Friday 11 - 2:30 pm Brunch: Saturday & Sundays 10:30 - 2:30 pm

Reviewed By Bill D

Right up front, let's get this straight, I like this place. So much that I requested my Son and his wife take me there for Father's Day when they asked. Note: due to schedule conflicts, Father's Day this year was observed on Friday night. Now that the intro is out of the way, let's get to the food. We started the evening off with Crawfish Hush puppies, Oysters' en Brochette and Ahi Tuna Taco Tare Tare for our starters split between 4 people. We paired those delicacies with a house rose` wine, Raspberry Vodka Lemonade, Maker's Mark Manhattan, and a Light Amber Ale going around the table. Perfect, perfect!!Entrees wise, in that same order, we individually chose Buttermilk Brined Fried Chicken, one Mardi Gras Menu with Shrimp CreoLa entree, Shrimp & Crawfish Étouffée and I had the one pound Crayfish special. Great Scot, they were really good but quite a mess to eat. The rest of us passed our plates so we could all sample the unique flavors and tastes of true New Orleans Bistro cuisine. Yes, to die for!!!Now to the sweet part of the trip there. Try a slice of Pecan Cheese Cake (included as part of the Mardi Gras menu) and one of my all time favorites, Bread Pudding. As usual, we all passed the items around so everyone can sample and comment. Exquisite, they were that good!!Happy Father's Day to all the Dads (and Grand Dads) out there.

6. Iron Gate Restaurant

1360 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002-3908 American, International Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +1 650-592-7893 http://www.iron-gate.com
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 143 reviews

Iron Gate Restaurant

Reviewed By Debcook35

This mid-peninsula go-to for special occasions is reliably a memorable gathering place for celebrations of any sort. It is also a nice restaurant for a romantic or quiet evenings, because although it can be festive, the dining room setting is beautifully lit and comfortable. The menu is extensive, and the server will recite from memory the evening specials. Table side service of their famous caesar salad, or steak diane are dining traditions rarely found anymore.We have been there on a friday or saturday night where after dinner, have retreated into the bar area where patrons are on their feet dancing to a crowd-pleasing band. A great place to have a lovely meal, then dance it off!

5. Johnston's Saltbox

1696 Laurel St corner of Elm and St. Francis Way, San Carlos, CA 94070-5217 American Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Breakfast Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Takeout [email protected] +1 650-592-7258 http://www.facebook.com/Johnstons-Saltbox-San-Carlos-111639002351940/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 89 reviews

Johnston's Saltbox

Reviewed By Joe C

Crowded, noisy, long wait to sit even though many empty tables, long wait for food that was OK I'd rather have BK's hamburgers. I will describe the atmosphere as pandemonium. Good for families with young children. I'll try brunch next time.

4. Godfather's Burger Lounge

1500 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002-3912 American, Bar Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Reservations, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible [email protected] +1 650-637-9257 http://www.godfathersburgerlounge.com/
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 199 reviews

Godfather's Burger Lounge

Godfather's Burger Lounge offers gourmet American cuisine with an elegant European twist. Come enjoy one of our delicious grass-fed burgers.

Reviewed By michaelkT1957ZO

My wife & I had dinner at Godfather's & we really enjoyed our meal. The décor is nice, very upscale for a burger joint.Our server was Alan & he really did a good job. Very nice & accommodating. Always made sure we had everything we needed.My wife had the California Burger & I had the Godfather Burger. My wife burger had avocado & mushrooms. It was messy & kind of fell apart, but she ate the whole thing & loved it. My burger was excellent. I don't think I have had a better burger, at least I can't think of where I would have had it. This burger was perfect. The meat was excellent & was cooked perfectly. The lettuce, tomatoes & red onions were very fresh & made the burger just right.We'll be back & I'll try a different burger, maybe.Happy to hear you and your wife loved it! Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be sure to pass on the kind words to Alan. Hope to have you back again real soon. -Mike

3. Refuge

Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service +1 650-598-9813 http://www.refugesc.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 170 reviews

Refuge

Reviewed By sunjoe075

We got there a few minutes before noon. They didn’t open until 12:00. There are a few parties before us. We ordered Rueben sandwich, cheese steak sandwich, draft beer pastrami salad and grill cheeses sandwich. Everything came out good as expected. This week is Silicon Valley beer week. There are a few specials on sale.

What to do and see in San Carlos, United States: The Best Places and Tips

2. Town Restaurant

716 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070-3154 American Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 650-595-3003 http://www.townsc.com/index.html
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 377 reviews

Town Restaurant

Reviewed By Clare46408

This meal was one of those very memorable ones where everything was perfect! It was a beautiful evening and we sat outside with the lovely white lights all around. Our waitress was very, very helpful and we received impeccable service. We had the pear martini - oh, my, so delicious! We shared the warm Napa cabbage salad; it was incredible, so unusual and delicious and more than enough for two. We both had the teriyaki steak - again delicious with tender and tasty steak, yummy mashed potatoes and tender green beans. I’m not a huge onion ring fan but the three large fried onion rings were almost the highlight of the meal! We shared the warm and wonderful bread pudding for dessert - more than enough and absolutely scrumptious. I would say this is not an inexpensive restaurant; with all of the above plus a half bottle of wine, our tab with tip for two was around $180. However, if you want a special dinner, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed and there certainly are less expensive options available.

San Carlos Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in San Carlos

1. Piacere Ristorante

727 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070-3113 Italian, American, Mediterranean, Grill, Contemporary Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Full Bar, Takeout, Private Dining, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, [email protected] +1 650-592-3536 http://www.piacererestaurant.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 90 reviews

Piacere Ristorante

Come dine with us and enjoy our diverse menu. From our classic seafood dishes to our delicious pizzas, we offer plenty for you to savor. In the mood for a drink to accompany your meal? We offer a vast cocktail selection as well as an award winning wine co

Reviewed By Coastman3

Full scale lunch menu, including lighter faire like salads and pizzas. i had the mussels and my lunch partner had salad. Both were very good. Although the mussels were slightly overcooked, the sauce was excellent. I recommend this restaurant and bet that it would be good for dinner too.

Most Popular Italian food in San Carlos, California, United States

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