Downtown San Mateo is the place to go for a diverse selection of cuisines, from Korean to Greek, all within one city block. Between meals, you can marvel at landmark architecture and stroll San Mateo Central Park’s gardens or drive along historic El Camino Real, the city’s main thoroughfare. Go west at the newly remodeled Hillsdale Shopping Center into the hills for stunning panoramic views of the Bay Area—bring something to munch!

TASTE & GLORY

Wake up to the smell of fried chicken, coffee and lemongrass at the Thai-inspired brunch spot Taste & Glory. Just opened this spring on El Camino Real by Nattacha Lerspreuk and her husband, Thanasit Nanthasitsira, the word is getting out about their flavorful and beautifully presented dishes.

Taste & Glory’s menu curates flavors from all over the world, adding a Thai twist. Crowd favorite, the Chicken Croffle, is a play on American chicken and waffles, with a sweet chili sauce drizzle. The Mexican Chipotle Benedict is heightened with a sriracha hollandaise, while the specialty cold drinks, like the vibrant Blue Butterfly, combine butterfly pea flowers and lychee fruit.

“I don’t care where it comes from,” says Nattacha, “what people like is good.” Her favorite dish is the Tom Yum Scramble with fresh chunk crab meat that is salty, spicy and sweet—a true Thai trifecta.

COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO FARMERS’ MARKET

After brunch, head up the hill to the College of San Mateo Farmers’ Market to stock up on fresh local goods every Saturday.

Pescadero’s Fifth Crow Farm sells seasonal organic produce while Markegard Family Grass-Fed offers locally raised beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

If you don’t want to cook, pick up a rotisserie chicken and baked potatoes from Roli Roti Gourmet. There’s even something for your sweet tooth at San Carlos–based Go to Chocolate handcrafted confections booth.

CUBAN KITCHEN

Cuban Kitchen’s menu proudly lists “The Best Cubano,” and that’s no exaggeration. Composed of sliced ham, shredded pork and Swiss cheese, then pressed between sweet deli bread, the sandwich is served with homemade sauces like the sweet Guabanero BBQ or spicy Guantanamo Aioli.

Housed in a retro building on El Camino Real with fun orange and red patio shades, this female-family-owned restaurant sets the mood for Caribbean eats, playing Rat Pack crooners and Latin beats in the industrial-casual dining room.

Order the Classic Cuban Appetizer Trio to sample sweet and green plantain slices and yuca fries. If you’ve come hungry, go for a platter combo with a choice of sides and protein, like Pollito Mojito (marinated garlic-citrus chicken) piled high with rice and beans.

FOGBIRD COCKTAILS

California-themed beverages are the concept at Fogbird Cocktails, where you can enjoy a drink inside or on the patio along the traffic-free pedestrian mall. The best seat in the house is at the bar where the drink-making action happens.

Fogbird bartenders peel locally sourced citrus for juicing, keeping the rinds close by for use as garnish—wasting none of the fruit. The drink menu changes with the seasons, and the bartenders create uniquely San Mateo–themed drinks.

“Everyone is involved in the creative process,” says bartender Kassie Van Dyke. Of her seven creations on the menu, Kassie’s favorite is The Orange Dreamsicle, a tequila-based concoction topped with sweet, boozy orange foam that recalls childhood creamsicles memories.

Fogbird also features alcohol-free signature mocktails like the fizzy Garden of Eden mock Mojito, California wines and Bay Area beers.

PAUSA BAR & COOKERY

Smoky wood-fired Neapolitan pizza scents the air outside Pausa Bar & Cookery, inviting diners on a flavor-filled trip around Italy via San Mateo. “Pausa takes ingredients from all over Italy and combines them into Italian fusion,” says Chef de Cuisine Robert Kirk.

The ever-changing menu is tied to the seasons, melding classic Italian recipes with local ingredients at their peak. The restaurant’s prime Bay Area location allows Chef Kirk to source ingredients from area farms, ranches and fisheries. Specialty ingredients like cheese, bread flour, olive oil and canned tomato come directly from Italy, plus Pausa has an extensive Italian wine selection.

The restaurant’s vibe is classic simplicity, a beautiful setting to celebrate with family or a casual gathering of friends. Whatever the occasion, you’ll be eating the freshest food available, including house-made focaccia, mozzarella, pasta and 20-month-aged salumi. “Literally everything is made from scratch at Pausa,” says Chef Kirk.

Eva Barrows is a San Francisco Peninsula freelance writer and developmental editor for fiction and nonfiction books. She writes for Walks San Francisco City Guide and Kampgrounds of America. Eva is currently writing a historical novel. See more of her work at evabarrows.com.

EAT DRINK LOCAL

SAN MATEO

Taste & Glory
1208 S El Camino Real, San Mateo
650.393.4951
tasteandgloryca.com

College of San Mateo Farmers’ Market
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo
pcfma.org/market/college-san-mateo-farmers-market

Cuban Kitchen
3799 S El Camino Real, San Mateo
qbacubankitchen.com

Fogbird Cocktails
144 South B St, San Mateo
fogbird.co

Pausa Bar & Cookery
223 E 4th Ave, San Mateo
650.375.0818
pausasanmateo.com