Shopping isn’t just about finding the perfect outfit—it’s also about taking the perfect bite. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at three of the most popular shopping destinations in the Bay Area: Stanford Shopping Center, Hillsdale Shopping Center, and Westfield Valley Fair Mall, and rank their food courts. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a satisfying meal during your shopping spree, this will help you decide which food court is worth your time.
3. Stanford Shopping Center
The Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto is elegant and modern, with shops ranging from Tiffany and Co. to Urban Outfitters. Stanford provides numerous seating areas in various locations, all offering stunning outdoor views. While the shopping center has a wide variety of retail options, the diversity of food choices is disappointing. Its sit-down restaurants are plentiful, but there could be more easy grab-and-go options for busy shoppers.
Our first stop was Joe & the Juice—and it didn’t disappoint—offering delicious sandwiches and flavorful juices. We ordered the Power Shake, which includes vanilla milk, ice, strawberries, and bananas. The shake was creamy and smooth with a velvety texture, perfectly balancing sweetness and nutritional value. We also got the Joe’s Club, a deliciously savory sandwich with a mix of textures from ingredients like avocados, chicken, and tomatoes. The sandwich was filling and is a classic option.
The Melt is a modern American restaurant that has a variety of food options, including their classic grilled cheese and a selection of burgers. We chose their traditional grilled cheese and garlic fries. Simple yet delicious, the grilled cheese was crispy and golden with perfectly toasted bread. The garlic fries were crunchy and flavorful with an enjoyable, but not overwhelming garlic touch. The grilled cheese and garlic fries create a perfect combination, complemented by crispy pickles on the side. The restaurant was trendy with a touch of comfort and is also open for late night snacks until 3 a.m.
The last place we visited was Wanpo Tea Shop. The shop was very cozy and attractive on the inside. We ordered the mango green tea boba with lychee, which was refreshing and flavorful. The boba was perfectly chewy and sweet, while the lychee added a subtle crunch and a floral sweetness. We ordered the drink online and it was ready in around seven minutes, with admirable customer service.
Although Stanford has many must-try restaurants that food lovers will enjoy, the mall focuses more on shops than food options and could definitely benefit from more variety.
2. Hillsdale Shopping Center
Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo is a typical, well-established mall with a solid range of dining options. The food court, located on the second floor, has a lower outdoor section with additional sit-down seating. With 28 diverse eating spots to explore, there’s something for every craving. The food we tried was decent and satisfying, and the mall was not too crowded, making it easy to find a seat. The food court offers nice views, with plenty of comfortable seating both indoors and outdoors. While the variety is good, the lack of grab-and-go options makes it feel a bit limited, as most choices are sit-down restaurants.
One place we tried at Hillsdale was Tacos El Grullense. It’s a popular spot for anyone craving tasty, authentic Mexican tacos. With its casual vibe and fast service, it’s the perfect place to grab a quick bite while out shopping. The menu offers a variety of mouth-watering tacos like al pastor, carnitas, and asada, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Many reviews rave about the generous portions and flavorful toppings, especially the salsas that give each taco an extra kick. While the atmosphere is laid-back, it’s clear that Tacos El Grullense knows how to deliver on both taste and value. Whether you’re a taco lover or just looking for something quick and delicious, this place definitely hits the spot.
We also visited Share Tea, which is a bubble tea chain that offers the typical boba experience, but it doesn’t really stand out from other similar spots. While the menu features the usual variety of fruity teas, milk teas, and classic flavors like taro and matcha, there’s nothing particularly unique about the drinks or the vibe of the shop. The customization options are solid, and the chewy boba pearls are as expected, but overall, it feels like just another typical boba shop. The service is quick and friendly, but the atmosphere is nothing to rave about, making it a decent stop while shopping if you’re in the mood for an on the go, familiar treat, but not necessarily a standout spot.
1. Westfield Valley Fair
The food court at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose is new and clean. It was packed when we visited on a Saturday, and it took us a few minutes to find a table to dine. With 68 options ranging from Korean to Italian, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
The first restaurant we tried was Frank & Furter’s, a hot dog joint. The menu has some seriously creative dogs and the atmosphere is lively and vibrant. We ordered the Chicago Dog, an Angus beef frank in a soft brioche bun loaded with tomatoes, sweet relish, onions, mustard, dill pickles, sport peppers, celery salt, and a sprinkle of poppy seeds on the bun. The hot dog is excellently cooked, and the bun is soft yet sturdy enough to hold everything together. Between bites, the dill pickles add a sweet crunch that balances out the other flavors.
Next, we stopped by Nick The Greek, a trendy Greek restaurant with an inviting vibe. The spot has an outstanding menu, offering plenty of options and unique gyro flavors. Many of their gyros have french fries in them, adding an original touch. We got the chicken gyro, which has fresh chicken, a refreshing tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions all in a warm, fresh pita.
Just about everything in this food court looks appetizing, and the meals are exactly what you’d expect from a busy food court: satisfying, but not particularly memorable. The service was fine—polite and quick, but lacking that extra bit of warmth or personality. If you’ve been shopping for hours and are looking for a fulfilling bite, this is the place to go.
Valley Fair is undoubtedly the best food court due to its diverse options and quality food. Although Valley Fair is a little farther from M-A than the other two malls, the variety of delicious choices make the drive worth it. Despite the fact that there was no seating available, there were still plenty of options further away from the food court. If you are looking to go to a clean and thrilling food court with many options, make the drive to Valley Fair.
