Switch Things Up This Time and Try the Best Kosher Food in San Jose

Not long ago, San Jose had a tiny kosher scene, with one or two kosher meat spots, and less than a handful of other options. Now, it’s no longer just the standard meal and milk options, there are now great Koshi sushi, Italian, Asian, and burger options in every corner of the city.

Whether you have just started eating kosher or have been a religious follower of the tradition for a while now, you’re probably aware of how hard it can be to find the best restaurants that serve up kosher food.

While many more kosher eateries exist in the wider San Jose area, this list contains the best Kosher spot within the city for observant residents, visitors, and conference attendees.

If you practice a kosher diet, you understand that eating out at restaurants can be difficult especially when you want something heavy to keep you full for the rest of the day. The truth is that most restaurants lack a menu for individuals with different dietary restrictions and religious backgrounds. Even if you find a restaurant that offers such, the price may be beyond what you’re willing to pay. Luckily, GiftYa offers electronic gift cards to help reduce the pressure on your wallet and let you enjoy kosher the best way you want to. Grab one today and enjoy!

Falafel's Drive In

2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128 falafelsdrivein.com

Check out this upscale restaurant serving lots of tasty kosher options, along with signature cocktails!

If you’re looking for a place that truly serves kosher over and over, then Falafel’s Drive in is the place to go. While it may not bear the name Kosher in the name, you are sure to find quite a variety of kosher food to enjoy.

With most of the items on the menu vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, you can never go wrong when you pick anything to eat here. Treat yourself to some of the best falafel special including delicious falafel without the pita bread, chicken in pita, kofta kabab salad, and more. You can even order something special to be made from scratch and they will deliver it in no time.  

They use fresh ingredients to prepare all their authentic cuisine, so you can rest assured that you’re getting quality and healthy food all the time.

Rok Steakhouse & Grill

4130 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95134 roksteakhouse.com

Check out this downtown steakhouse that serves signature steaks on volcanic rocks together with signature drinks!

If you’re in search of some fresh and well-grilled steak but in form of kosher, then you should head down to Rok Steakhouse and Grill. It’s the perfect place to meet with friends and family and share hearty kosher steaks, and other tasty dishes.

Here Steve Wright, co-owner at Rok’s showcases his prowess in cooking steak on a stone with a wonderful aroma, healthy aspects, and delicious flavors. If you come here, make sure you order their grilled chicken breasts with red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes, ribeye steak, vegetable spring rolls with mushrooms, salads, and ahi tuna.

Stop by during Happy Hour for some delicious mini burgers alongside signature cocktails. Speaking of cocktails, you will find an extensive variety here with options such as white and red wine, roktails, moktails, happy tails, as well as craft beer to enjoy alongside your meal.

Frena Bakery and Café

132 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 frenabakery.com

Family-owned kosher bakery dishing out sweet and savory slices of bread as well as pastries!

If you are visiting San Jose soon and you want to enjoy some remarkable and certified kosher food, then you should drop by the Frena Bakery and Café. The San Francisco-based bakery is known for preparing freshly baked pastries, bread, and a wide variety of kosher options.

The recipes are carefully selected to include traditional and homemade options cooked and served just the way Grandfather Moshe would have prepared them back then.

So, what does Frena Bakery and Café have in store for kosher lovers? Well, there’s plenty to enjoy. You can choose to have either bread, sweet pastries, pizza, small burekas puff pastry, or salads. When it comes to bread, options such as Jerusalem bagel pack of three, Shabbat Challah, sesame pita 3-pack, or the challah buns will leave full for the rest of the day.

Don’t forget to treat yourself to the best pastries especially babka, mix sweets, and chocolate rugalach pack.

Gunther's Restaurant & Catering

1601 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 guntherscatering.com

Enjoy some delectable German-inspired lunch and dinner options at this laid-back kosher restaurant!

Are you a fan of German food, but in kosher form? Well, Gunther’s Restaurant and Catering offers all that and many more lunch and dinner options. This cafeteria-style restaurant is known for adding some German accents to their cuisines to really make it stand out from the rest.

Gunther’s has some of the best Kosher meals full of unique flavors. When looking at the menu, they have options such as an all-day breakfast with delicious items such as giant omelettes, pancakes, and French toast, Gunther’s sandwiches including hot pastrami, hot corned beef, and the New Yorker, as well as huge hamburgers and tasty sandwiches.

The German Jaegerschenitzel dressed with mushroom sauce is also available to try with plenty of savory entrée salads, soups, and specialty sides. Be sure to grab a dessert and one of their signature cocktails to enjoy along with your main meal.

Pars Kosher Market & Deli

3978 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95124 parskoshermarket.com

Popular compact storefront offering a wide selection of kosher groceries including meats, desserts, and drinks!

Wondering where to get all the kosher food you want under one roof? Pars Kosher Market and Deli is the place to go. Since the restaurants bear the name “Kosher” in the name, you can be assured that they follow all the rules set out in kosher law and you can enjoy your food peacefully.

Not sure what to get? You can’t go wrong with the huge hamburger served on a fresh bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles toppings, Baby chicken thigh spiced with shawarma spice and served in warm pita with tahini, hummus, lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes, or the grilled chicken breast. If you still have some space, you can order the deep-fried crunchy falafel balls.

Also consider getting other delicious options such as schnitzel, beef patties kabab, and of course savory salads, French fries, and sweet potato fries. So, check out Pars Kosher Market and Deli store today for a great time and some tasty food too!

Gulzaar Halal Restaurant & Catering

1880 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95128 gulzaarhalaal.net

Popular, family-owned kosher restaurant serving a blend of Middle Eastern and South Asian fare!

If you’re making a trip to San Jose and wondering where you can stop and enjoy great kosher food, then Gulzaar Halal Restaurant and Catering is your best spot. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving the Greater Bay Area for over half a decade.

Dishes here vary from Middle-Eastern, Afghan, and Indo-Pakistani cuisine. The menu is quite extensive with classics such as appetizers, sandwiches, veggie specialties, wraps, dessert, and signature drinks. Drop by for lunch or dinner and enjoy delicious options such as zaatar with Jebneh, biryani rice with tikka masala served on a bed of saffron, veggie samosa, mix plate with biryani rice, Kabuli pulao, flavorful basmati rice with lamb and sweet carrots, raisins, and nuts topping, and much more.

They also have a wide variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options for vegans to enjoy. Don’t forget to order either a yogurt drink, sweet juice, or Mango Lassi, a popular Indian drink that is a blend of mangoes and yogurt with a touch of cardamom to enjoy along with your meal.

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt

1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110 menchies.com

Cheerful self-service eatery offering dozens of frozen yogurt flavors and tasty toppings!

What’s better than your favorite frozen yogurt served in mouthwatering flavors? Skip lunch or dinner and go straight for yogurt this time around, and you can enjoy some of the most delicious and certifiably kosher frozen yogurts from Mechie’s.

Their frozen yogurts are made exclusively with their own custom recipes. They capture the taste of diner’s favorite treats and turn them into exceptional flavors so that there’s always something new to try at every store near you. And the fact that they have fewer calories than your normal ice cream makes it even easier to enjoy.

Not sure what to get, try the gluten-free options such as blackberry burst, blue raspberry tart, carbolite low carb chocolate mint, and more. Apart from the gluten-free option, they also serve other flavors that are non-fat, low-fat, low carb, tart, sorbet, and no sugar added.

Since it’s a self-service frozen yogurt shop, customers can entirely choose the flavors and how much yogurt they want, as well as the number of toppings they want to add to the yogurt. Come to your local Menchie’s today and try their new Fruity Candy Sorbet made with Swedish Fish flavor.

Yes! We understand that Kosher guidelines can be quite complex. But among other parameters, there are still great kosher spots in San Jose where you can enjoy delicious sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and excellent bagels.  So, what are your favorite kosher spots to stop by for a special meal? Let us know in the comments below!