Super Bowl LX is descending on Levi’s Stadium, and while the rest of the country argues about quarterbacks and commercials, let’s talk about what really matters: where to eat. Santa Clara and the South Bay have a lot more to offer than tech offices and sad hotel breakfasts. Whether you’re a visiting fan or a local dodging crowds, here’s your cheat sheet to flavor.
🍣 Rantei Japanese Cuisine – Franklin Square, Santa Clara
Vibe: Cozy, casual, borderline addictive
Go For: Chicken Katsu, sushi rolls, and your new weekly ritual
Tucked near the Santa Clara Mission and University, Rantei is one of our all-time favorites. We’ve eaten here more times than we can count, and introduced so many friends to it, that we’re basically running an unofficial referral program. The food is consistently excellent, and the atmosphere has that perfect mix of cozy and college‑town energy. Rantei’s sushi bar never disappoints, and their hot food menu goes beyond the basics. Grab a Katsu plate, sip a cup of green tea, and try not to become emotionally attached. (No promises.)
🌮 Pacific Catch – Santa Clara Square
Vibe: California chill with a splash of citrus
Go For: Fish tacos, drinks, and proximity to the stadium
If you’re craving something fresh, bright, and a little different, Pacific Catch – founded right here in San Francisco, is an easy win. It’s the kind of spot where you can roll in with a group, point at half the menu, and somehow everyone ends up happy. Great for groups, full bar, and just down the road from Levi’s Stadium. Bonus points for appetizers that are dangerously sharable!
🍛 Kabila Sweets & Indian Restaurant – Santa Clara
Vibe: Hidden gem in a strip plaza
Go For: Chicken Tikka Masala, lamb curry, sweet counter glory
Don’t let the no-frills décor fool you — Kabila is one of the best Indian food spots in the area (and that’s in a region with some serious competition). Their case of fresh, colorful sweets is impressive on its own, but the full menu seals the deal: tandoori dishes, beef, lamb, and chicken curries, traditional veggie and seafood dishes, and a Chicken Tikka Masala that’s tough to beat. Parking can be tricky, but we’d park on Mars if that’s what it took to get their tikka masala again. It’s tucked toward the back of a plaza, but absolutely worth seeking out.
🌮 Pedro’s Restaurant & Cantina – Santa Clara
Vibe: Fiesta vibes with highway-access convenience
Go For: Mole chicken enchiladas, margaritas, and getaway energy
Right off 101, Pedro’s Restaurant & Cantina is like stepping into a mini vacation — if that vacation included margaritas and sizzling platters. The bright, hacienda‑style décor, the lively dining rooms, all set the tone for some seriously good Mexican food. Think colorful plates, fresh chips and salsa, and portions that make your jeans nervous. The menu covers all the classics, but the mole chicken enchilada deserves its own spotlight. Perfect for big groups, game-day dinners, or simply escaping your hotel room.
🍲 Emelina’s #2 Peruvian Restaurant – Santa Clara
Vibe: Humble, hearty, home-style
Go For: Lomo Saltado, Seco de Res, and straight-up comfort
This low-key spot serves some of the best Peruvian dishes in the South Bay. Emelina’s #2 is the kind of place you might overlook from the outside, but once that Copa Borracha hits the table? You’ll understand. The flavors are bold, the portions generous, and the experience authentic. Heads-up: this is comfort food, not fancy food. That’s the point.
🍔 Eureka! — Santa Clara Square
Vibe: Modern burger bar with just enough bougie
Go For: Truffle cheese fries, seasonal drinks, and The Headhunter King
If you’re craving a burger that thinks it’s better than you but is, in fact, right, Eureka! is your spot. It’s just elevated enough to feel like a real meal but casual enough to show up in sneakers. Excellent craft beer selection, rotating cocktails, and vibes that say “I might talk about my startup… or my fantasy football draft.” You decide.
🍟 In-N-Out — Santa Clara by SJC Airport
Vibe: Classic, chaotic, deeply Californian
Go For: Animal-style everything, post-flight recovery, or one last bite before TSA ruins your day
Let’s not pretend. You’re going here. You might be above it… until you land at SJC, smell those fries, and remember this is basically a pilgrimage. This In-N-Out location is just off the runway and always packed, but it’s a ritual, not a restaurant. Grab extra napkins, you’ll need them. And maybe some emotional closure.
Honorable Mentions — Not in Santa Clara
1) Go to San Pedro Square (aka SuperBowl Party Center) that is full of legit restaurants for everyone’s taste, and stop by the locals favorite watering hole.
🥃 Cash Only — Downtown San Jose
Vibe: Speakeasy-style, broody lighting, fresh-squeezed juice cocktails
Go For: Whiskey Apple, Greyhound, Frozen Irish coffee, and the kind of bar banter that sounds like a deleted scene from True Detective
Cash Only doesn’t care what you ordered — it only cares if you paid in cash. This hideaway by San Pedro Square is exactly what it sounds like: intimate, moody, and unapologetically whiskey-forward. Think date night if your date wears leather jackets and knows the difference between rye and regret.
2) Shopping in Valley Fair or dining in Santana Row can be overwhelming — there are high-end steakhouses, international cuisines, and places that honestly shouldn’t exist but somehow do. And most of them? Excellent. Here is our personal favorite:
🥟 Momosan Ramen & Sake – Santana Row, San Jose
Vibe: Hip, loud, and noodle-splattered in a good way
Go For: Tonkotsu ramen, sake flights, and slurping without shame
If your pre-game plan includes ramen (and honestly, it should), Momosan by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is a great choice. Located in the glitzy Santana Row area, this spot brings all the swagger, but backs it up with deep umami bowls and crispy appetizers. Come hungry, maybe slightly unhinged, and ready to toast with sake. This is how you carb-up for kickoff.
3) The last but not the least secret awesome spot (because we’re giving this way):
🇪🇸 La Catalana – San Jose
Vibe: Charming, upscale-ish, Spain in a strip mall
Go For: Paella, tapas, and a low-key date night
Want to escape the chaos for a bit? Slide into La Catalana. The Spanish fare is on point, from sizzling tapas to rich seafood paella. It’s cozy and elevated without trying too hard. Grab a glass of sangria, order a spread for the table, and pretend for one second that your weekend isn’t about sportsball.
🎉 Final Word
PS1: Whether you’re in town for the Super Bowl, a tech conference, or just here for the vibes, these South Bay staples have one job: feed you well. Eat like a local. And remember, it’s not just about the game. It’s about the guac. For our favorite spots to hike after all this yummy goodness check this post, and if you’re still trying to figure out all the logistics of navigating the San Francisco Bay area, here’s our link to the survival guide.
PS2: As you might have noticed, this list sticks to spots close to Levi’s, because if you’re only in town for 48 hours, you don’t have time for traffic drama. We saved the broader Bay Area magic for FIFA. Got a favorite spot we missed? Drop it in the comments or tag us — we’re always hungry.
