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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Downtown

Lunch spots

You need a midday meal that fits into your schedule without sacrificing quality.

Based on 493 Opinions
+490
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Updated May 2026
01
Colander Kitchens image 1
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Space combines chic and homey design with cool coffee bar in an old pick-up truck and sea green tile bar, creating a warm and inviting lounge vibe. Seating arrangements suit solo diners, families, or groups, with beautiful plants adding calm and comfort. Noise levels stay low, fostering friendly, relaxed conversations.

Hawaiian cuisine shines with fresh, beautifully plated dishes and excellent cod. Great attention to detail shows in table settings and food presentation, offering outstanding value for the price.

Lunch features Miso COD cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Options include steak and spam musubi with consistently delicious meals.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and beautifully plated."

"The Black cod with Miso for lunch was brilliantly seasoned and delicious."

"The atmosphere here is so cozy and welcoming."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is cashless and uses QR code ordering.

2

The bar is not yet open due to pending permits.

3

Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable.

02
MalaTown Express 自选麻辣烫 image 1

Chinese restaurant offers a clean, bright, and modern environment with a self-serve sauce bar that adds a fun, customizable element. The atmosphere feels cozy and welcoming, less crowded and chaotic than similar spots. Large bowls and an affordable price point distinguish the experience.

Food here is consistently fresh and served in a clean environment. The dishes offer good flavor without overwhelming spice, making it a solid choice for varied tastes.

A casual spot with a nook for solo diners makes it easy to grab a quick lunch without waiting. Seating is usually available even on busy afternoons.

People are saying

"I loved building my own hot pot with fresh ingredients."

"I thought the food was delicious and fresh."

"This Lunch Spot is really affordable."

Good to know

1

The price is $9.99 per pound, but it may be higher than advertised.

2

A 20% discount is available for two people and 30% for three or more.

3

They offer a 2-pound challenge where you can eat for free if you finish.

03
Curry Pizza House San Mateo image 1

Small pizza spot with modern interior and unique purple mural creates a vibrant, inviting atmosphere. Music stays pleasant and volume low enough for conversation. Known for creative curry-flavored pizzas and a cozy, clean setting.

Food comes out fresh and hot with an amazing taste and flavorful spices. Dishes consistently deliver delicious and satisfying flavors.

Lunch specials include a personal size pizza and a Coke can for about 11.99. Offers great value and quick service for a casual meal.

People are saying

"I found the pizza to be really flavorful and delicious."

"The pizzas here offer a unique blend of Indian flavors and traditional pizza."

"The food here is really tasty and full of flavor."

Good to know

1

Parking may be difficult to find, but several parking lots are within a 5-10 minute walk.

2

The restaurant opens late, which is convenient for late-night diners.

3

They offer a tremendous variety of toppings, including vegan cheese options.

04
Taste of Shaxian image 1
Chinese restaurant

Bright, spacious interior with an orange theme and cozy vibe creates a peaceful atmosphere. The place offers authentic Chinese cuisine with a fast casual energy and is kid friendly. Background music and natural lighting add to the homey feel.

Food comes out fresh and delicious with a focus on authentic Chinese cuisine. Service is quick and the dining environment stays clean and family-friendly.

Lunch offers comfort food with dumplings and wonton soups in specials priced around $17. Meals come fast and taste like restaurant quality at street food prices, making it a solid choice for a casual lunch.

People are saying

"I found the Chinese food here to be really authentic."

"I found the food here to be delicious and authentic."

"This is a great lunch spot with delicious noodles."

Good to know

1

Parking is available west of El Camino Real, making it easy to find a spot.

2

A QR code ordering system is in place for customers to place their orders.

3

The restaurant offers vegetarian options on the menu.

05
Suruki Supermarket image 1
Japanese grocery store

Small space with narrow aisles creates a busy, sometimes anxiety-inducing atmosphere. Shelves stay spotless and well stocked with a wide variety of fresh sashimi and sushi-grade fish. Offers a wide selection of Junmai Daiginjo sake alongside Japanese groceries and prepared foods.

Fresh hot food made daily includes Japanese food trays and a variety of ready-made meals. The store offers a wide range of Asian groceries and sashimi grade fish with high quality and freshness.

Offers a wide variety of pre-made Japanese lunches including bento boxes and chicken Karaage. Prices stay reasonable and the sushi and bento bar provide fresh options for lunch.

People are saying

"This grocery store's sushi and bento bar is a go-to lunch stop."

"The ready-to-go food here is fresh, delicious, and affordable."

"This lunch spot has impeccably fresh sushi and bento boxes."

Good to know

1

Sashimi discount starts at 4PM; arrive early to avoid long lines.

2

Cooked food and sashimi available from 4PM in the deli area.

3

Parking can be challenging; consider visiting on weekends for easier access.

06
Rin-Tei image 1
Asian fusion restaurant

Small Asian fusion restaurant offers intimate, cozy atmosphere with modern, minimalist wooden decor and strong Japanese style. Space includes table and counter seating, creating a calming dining experience. Vibe feels like a blend of Tokyo and Southeast Asia, with a relaxed, homey energy.

Fusion of Southeast Asian and Japanese cuisine offers well-made dishes with excellent presentation. Food consistently delivers great flavors alongside attentive service.

Offers a very nice and relaxing atmosphere for lunch.

People are saying

"The soy milk pho at this Lunch Spot is uniquely flavorful and creamy."

"The modern Japanese-Thai fusion dishes are a carefully calibrated composition."

"The food here, especially the soy milk pho, is so unique and flavorful."

Good to know

1

You order at the front and pay first at Rin-Tei.

2

A parking garage is close by, making it easy to get to Rin-Tei.

3

Metered street parking is available right in front of the restaurant.

07
No.5 House image 1
Taiwanese restaurant

Small space with in-house dumpling making and clean, tasteful décor creates a chill, relaxing vibe reminiscent of a Taipei street market. The menu leans toward Northern Chinese flavors despite Taiwanese labeling, featuring standout dishes like pan-fried bao and authentic beef noodle soup. Seating is limited, and ordering happens via QR code at the table.

Authentic Taiwanese and Chinese food offers delicious flavors that are not too salty or oily. Meals come at an affordable price with consistently great service.

People are saying

"The dumplings here are so tasty and juicy."

"The braised beef noodles here are perfectly braised with flavorful broth."

"I can't wait to go back and explore more of the menu."

Good to know

1

Parking may be hard to find during peak dining hours.

2

The restaurant is very small with limited seating.

3

They had to turn away customers because there was no seating.

08
Udon Mugizo - San Mateo image 1
Japanese restaurant

Japanese restaurant offers a sleek modern interior with bright, airy spaces and bonsai-accented bar lighting. Atmosphere shifts from chill and welcoming to crowded and lively during peak times. Outdoor seating accommodates dogs, adding to the family-friendly vibe.

Food features chicken karaage and tonkotsu udon deluxe with toddler-safe utensils and gacha tokens for kids. Service matches the delicious quality of the dishes.

Waiting times reach about 20 minutes on weekdays before seating. Lunch sets and kids meals include corn fritters by default. Curry udon features as a common lunch choice.

People are saying

"The udon noodles here are thick and soft."

"The udon here is so good, I'd recommend it."

"The cream udon at this Lunch Spot is so creamy and cheesy."

Good to know

1

There is a large paid parking lot behind the restaurant.

2

Expect wait times of 40+ minutes during peak hours.

3

Reservations are not accepted; it's first come, first serve.

09
NI-MO Japanese Cuisine image 1
Sushi restaurant

Small sushi restaurant offers great outdoor seating with a nice patio for people watching. Atmosphere feels clean and pretty with a quiet weekday lunch crowd. Bento boxes stand out for their large portions and reasonable prices.

Lunch bento boxes offer delicious home-style Japanese food with tender short ribs and non-greasy fried items. The California roll stands out as especially fresh and flavorful, all at an acceptable price.

Lunch features bento boxes with tempura, teriyaki chicken, sashimi, miso soup, and edamame for about $20. Few people come during weekday lunch, making it a quiet spot even around 1:30pm to 2pm.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here, especially the rolls, is so fresh and tasty."

"The bento box food portions are huge for the price."

"The rolls at this Lunch Spot are delicious and well-made."

Good to know

1

Portion sizes are generous, especially for bento boxes, providing good value.

2

Prices are reasonable, making it a budget-friendly option for sushi.

3

The restaurant is one of the few open around 1:30pm on holidays.

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Downtown, San Mateo

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