Verified · San Mateo

Trusted Restaurants in San Mateo, CA

Trust matters when you're inviting a pro into your home or business. These restaurants in San Mateo have earned it through hundreds of verified reviews.

As of June 2026, RatingsNearMe ranks 20 restaurants in San Mateo, CA by the RNM Score — a 0–100 rating built from Google ratings, review volume, sentiment, and profile completeness. The top-ranked is Prime BBQ with a 4.8-star rating from 1,600 Google reviews and an RNM Score of 85/100. Also in the top tier: Espetus Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse - San Mateo and Taishoken Ramen. The average rating across all listed restaurants in San Mateo is 4.5 stars from 821 reviews per business on average.

Restaurants in San Mateo range from $ (budget, under $15/person) to $$$$ (fine dining, $60+/person).

Rankings updated June 10, 2026 · RNM Score = ratings (35%), review volume (30%), sentiment (20%), completeness (10%), availability (5%) · Not paid placement.

San Mateo, CA offers a diverse selection of restaurants catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. From classic American barbecue to contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, the city's dining scene provides ample options for locals and visitors alike.

  • Wide range of cuisines including American, barbecue, Mediterranean, and seafood
  • Restaurants located throughout the city, providing convenient dining options
  • Establishments offer a mix of casual and upscale dining experiences

How to Choose a Restaurant in San Mateo

What to look for

  • Cleanliness and sanitation of the restaurant
  • Menu variety and quality of ingredients
  • Friendly and attentive staff
  • Ambiance and overall dining experience

Questions to ask

  • How long has the restaurant been in business?
  • What are the most popular menu items?
  • How does the restaurant ensure food safety and quality?
  • What is the restaurant's policy on dietary restrictions or allergies?

Red flags

  • Unsanitary or poorly maintained facilities
  • Limited menu options or use of low-quality ingredients
  • Rude or unresponsive staff
  • Negative reviews or complaints about the restaurant's cleanliness or service

In California, restaurants are required to have a valid health permit and comply with local and state regulations. It's important to verify that the restaurant has the necessary licenses and insurance to operate legally and safely.

Filter:

Local Market Snapshot

20

Businesses listed

4.5★

Avg rating

821

Avg reviews

Jun 10, 2026

Last updated

Top Rated Restaurants

4.8(1,600 reviews)

4.8 stars from 1,600 Google reviews—a top-rated San Mateo dining spot.

33 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA
4.6(2,628 reviews)

Consistently rated 4.6 stars from over 2,600 Google reviews.

710 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA
4.5(1,294 reviews)

Consistently rated 4.5 stars from over 1,200 Google reviews.

47 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

Restaurants Rankings in San Mateo, CA

#BusinessRatingReviews
#1Prime BBQ33 W 25th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA4.81,600
#2Espetus Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse - San Mateo710 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.62,628
#3Taishoken Ramen47 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.51,294
#4Pausa Bar & Cookery223 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.51,273
#5Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie2 N B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.4581
#6California Fish Grill2214 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404, USA4.4268
#7Jack's Restaurant & Bar1750 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA4.42,189
#8Pacific Catch243 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.31,287
#9Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar2208 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404, USA4.11,253
#10The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar246 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA4.6805

Ranked by verified ratings & review volume · Data from Google Business listings · Updated June 2026

All Restaurants in San Mateo

4
4.5· 1,273 reviews

Praised by over 1,200 customers for a consistent 4.5-star dining experience.

223 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

5
4.4· 581 reviews

Holds a solid 4.4-star rating across hundreds of Google reviews.

2 N B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

6
4.4· 268 reviews

Popular San Mateo restaurant with a solid 4.4-star rating from 268 reviews.

2214 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404, USA

7
4.4· 2,189 reviews

San Mateo restaurant with a solid 4.4-star rating from over 2,000 reviews.

1750 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA

8
4.3· 1,287 reviews

Solid 4.3-star rating from over 1,200 Google reviews.

243 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

9
4.1· 1,253 reviews

Consistently rated 4.1 stars from over 1,200 Google reviews.

2208 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94404, USA

10
4.6· 805 reviews

San Mateo restaurant with a 4.6-star rating from over 800 Google reviews.

246 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

11
4.5· 689 reviews

Highly rated San Mateo restaurant with 4.5 stars from nearly 700 Google reviews.

112 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

12
4.5· 285 reviews

Highly rated with 4.5 stars from nearly 300 Google reviews.

305 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

13
4.5· 267 reviews

Renowned 4.5-star restaurant with hundreds of positive Google reviews in San Mateo.

1208 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA

14
4.8· 12 reviews

311 Baldwin Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

15
4.5· 658 reviews

Popular San Mateo restaurant with a strong 4.5-star rating from over 650 Google reviews.

164 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

16
4.2· 581 reviews

A solid 4.2-star rating from over 580 Google reviews makes this a reliable choice.

201 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

17
4.4· 399 reviews

San Mateo diner with a solid 4.4-star rating from nearly 400 reviews.

181 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

18
4.4· 178 reviews

Consistently rated 4.4 stars from nearly 180 Google reviews.

104 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

19
4.5· 119 reviews

Praised by hundreds of local diners, this San Mateo restaurant holds a strong 4.5-star rating.

73 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, USA

20
4.6· 57 reviews

Rated 4.6 stars from 57 Google reviews, a popular local dining choice.

3081 S Delaware St Ste. C, San Mateo, CA 94403, USA

Data from Google Business listings
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Restaurants in San Mateo, CA — Compared

#BusinessRNM ScoreRatingReviews
1Prime BBQ85/1004.8 ★1,600
2Espetus Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse - San Mateo82/1004.6 ★2,628
3Taishoken Ramen80/1004.5 ★1,294
4Pausa Bar & Cookery80/1004.5 ★1,273
5Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie78/1004.4 ★581
6California Fish Grill78/1004.4 ★268
7Jack's Restaurant & Bar78/1004.4 ★2,189
8Pacific Catch76/1004.3 ★1,287
9Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar73/1004.1 ★1,253
10The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar82/1004.6 ★805

Ranked by RatingsNearMe Score · ratings (35%), review volume (30%), sentiment (20%), completeness (10%), availability (5%) · June 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions — Restaurants in San Mateo

How do I find the best restaurants in San Mateo?

Look for businesses with 4.5+ stars, 50+ verified reviews, proper licensing and insurance, and transparent pricing. The top-ranked restaurants in San Mateo on this page are scored by our algorithm that weighs ratings, review count, and profile completeness.

Are restaurants in San Mateo licensed and insured?

Licensing requirements vary by trade and state. For most home service contractors, CA requires both a state license and liability insurance. Always ask any contractor for proof of current insurance and a copy of their license number before work begins — you can verify most licenses on your state licensing board's website.

How much do restaurants charge in San Mateo, CA?

Prices vary by scope, materials, and contractor experience. Use the free quote form on this page to request estimates from multiple local pros simultaneously. Getting 3+ quotes is the single most effective way to avoid overpaying.

What should I look for when hiring a restaurants in San Mateo?

Verify licensing and insurance, read recent reviews on multiple platforms, ask for a written estimate before work starts, confirm they pull permits when required, and check references from recent local projects. Featured businesses on this page are ranked by verified ratings and review quality.

How are the restaurants on this page ranked?

Rankings use a transparent algorithm: star rating (35%), review volume (30%), customer sentiment (20%), profile completeness (10%), and availability (5%). Featured Partner listings have paid for enhanced visibility but must still earn their position through real customer reviews — sponsored listings are clearly labeled.

Restaurants in Nearby Cities

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How Rankings Work on This Page

Every restaurants on RatingsNearMe is scored transparently: star rating (35%), review volume (30%), customer sentiment (20%), profile completeness (10%), and availability (5%). Businesses labeled exclusive or premium are Featured Partners — they have paid for enhanced visibility but must still rank through real customer reviews. We cap sponsored boosts so bad businesses can never buy the top spot.

Editorial notice: Ratings are based on publicly available data from Google Business listings. Consumers should independently verify licensing, insurance, and credentials before hiring any service provider. Last updated: June 10, 2026.

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About This Restaurants Directory — San Mateo, CA

This page lists and ranks 20 restaurants serving San Mateo, CA as of June 2026. The average verified rating across all listings is 4.5 stars, with an average of 821 customer reviews per business. The top-ranked restaurants in San Mateo by our algorithm is Prime BBQ (4.8 stars, 1,600 reviews). Restaurants in San Mateo range from $ (budget, under $15/person) to $$$$ (fine dining, $60+/person).

RatingsNearMe uses a transparent, data-driven ranking algorithm that weighs star rating (35%), review volume (30%), customer sentiment analysis (20%), profile completeness (10%), and availability signals (5%). Rankings are not for sale — Featured Partner businesses pay for enhanced visibility but must earn their position through real customer reviews. Data sourced from Google Business listings and updated regularly.

How to choose a restaurants in San Mateo: Look for businesses with 4.5+ stars, 50+ reviews, proper licensing and insurance, and transparent pricing. Get at least 3 quotes for any project over $500. Verify credentials with the CA licensing board before hiring.

Request Free Quotes — Top-Rated Restaurants in San Mateo