As a Bay Area suburb, Fremont offers diverse cuisine reflecting its multicultural population. From Afghan to Japanese, the city’s dining scene encompasses authentic global flavors. Trendy eateries put modern twists on ethnic dishes while longstanding favorites remain neighborhood staples.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Oba Modern Japanese | Japanese | Inventive sushi and teppanyaki |
| Masala Cafe | Indian | Traditional curries and biryanis |
| Kabul Afghan Cuisine | Afghan | Fresh naan and tender kebabs |
| Anh Hong Restaurant | Vietnamese | Pho noodle soup and bánh mì sandwiches |
| Massimo’s Italian Restaurant | Italian | Homemade pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas |
| Faz Restaurant & Lounge | Afghan | Traditional dishes with modern presentation |
| Chef Xuong’s Lemongrass BBQ & Seafood | Vietnamese | Garlic noodles and seafood specialties |
| Oke Poke | Hawaiian | Fresh poke bowls |
| Bacchus Asian Fusion Restaurant | Asian Fusion | Shareable small plates and entrees |
| Ike’s Love & Sandwiches | Sandwiches | Extensive variety of premium sandwiches |
| Bricks Pizzeria | Italian | Wood-fired pizzas and Italian classics |
| Pizza Factory | Pizza | Handcrafted pizzas with varied toppings |
Whether you crave pho, neapolitan pizza, or freshly grilled kebabs, Fremont has delicious options for every palette. Here are 12 of the top spots to savor mouthwatering meals in Fremont.
Oba Modern Japanese
Name and Location: Oba Modern Japanese, 77 Van Ness Ave #101, San Francisco, CA 94102
History and Significance: Oba brings contemporary style and bold flavors to traditional Japanese cuisine since opening in 2021. The chic urban restaurant has quickly become a favorite neighborhood spot.
What to Expect: Inventive sushi rolls, robata grilled items, ramen, entrees. Stylish and lively ambience with great cocktails.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-10pm. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
For inventive takes on traditional Japanese fare, make reservations at this contemporary restaurant in Irvington district. Start with their signature teishoku appetizer featuring chicken karage, shrimp shumai, and vegetable tempura served bento-style.
Move on to sushi rolls like the OMG Roll stuffed with king crab and avocado then seared. The Binchotan Grilled Black Cod cooked over Japanese white charcoal delivers smoky richness. From teppanyaki to sashimi, Oba Modern Japanese consistently impresses.
Masala Cafe
Name and Location: Masala Cafe, 316 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
History and Significance: This cozy cafe has been serving fragrant Indian cuisine in SoMa since 1998. They offer delicious classics as well as innovative fusion dishes.
What to Expect: Traditional curries, tandoori specialties, street food inspired small plates. BYOB friendly.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm. Takeout available. Street parking.
One bite of Masala Cafe’s flavorful Indian dishes will transport you to the streets of Mumbai. Their extensive menu covers all the bases, from crispy samosas and refreshing mango lassis to rich curries and aromatic biryanis.
For newbies, try the chicken tikka masala blanketed in velvety tomato cream sauce or their fragrant biryani layered with basmati rice, succulent chicken, and warm spices. Pair your meal with an Indian beer or mango mojito. Masala Cafe serves authentic Indian cuisine in a stylish yet casual setting.
Kabul Afghan Cuisine
Name and Location: Kabul Afghan Cuisine, 2115 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
History and Significance: Open since 1985, Kabul Afghan Cuisine was the first Afghan restaurant in the area. They are acclaimed for their authentic halal cuisine.
What to Expect: Kabuli pulao, mantu dumplings, kebabs, vegetarian options. Cozy atmosphere with Afghan decor.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-9:30pm. Reservations recommended weekends. Street parking.
For a taste of Afghanistan, this charming restaurant in the Irvington district delivers freshly baked naan and tender kebabs. Start with a sampler of appetizers like borani kadu (fried pumpkin), manto (dumplings), or kaddo bourani (baked pumpkin).
Move onto entrees like qabili palao, a flavorful basmati rice dish with raisins, carrots, and lamb. Their extensive kebab options range from ground sirloin to chicken to salmon. Family-owned Kabul Afghan Cuisine offers an enriching culinary journey.
Anh Hong Restaurant
Name and Location: Anh Hong Restaurant, 1041 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
History and Significance: Family owned since 1987, Anh Hong is a longstanding Chinatown favorite acclaimed for dim sum, seafood, and roast meats.
What to Expect: Dim sum carts, Peking duck, lobster, specialty banquet menus. Large, bustling dining room.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-9pm. Reservations recommended. Validated parking available.
This local favorite provides outstanding Vietnamese dishes reflecting fresh California ingredients. Slurp down bowls of pho noodle soup brimming with meatballs, brisket, and rice noodles. Crunchy bánh mì sandwiches come piled high with pork, pâté, pickled carrots, cilantro, and jalapeño.
Share appetizers like goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) or cha gio (crispy fried rolls). Locals pack this casual restaurant for flavorful, filling Vietnamese comfort food. Make sure to try their Vietnamese iced coffee!
Massimo’s Italian Restaurant
Name and Location: Massimo’s Italian Restaurant, 2288 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
History and Significance: Massimo’s has been serving hearty Tuscan cuisine and fine Italian wines in Marina since 1981. They source premium ingredients from Italy.
What to Expect: Handmade pastas, ossobuco, seafood cioppino, extensive wine list. Cozy and romantic ambience.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sun 5pm-9:30pm. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
For homemade pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in an open-flame wood-fired oven, Massimo’s delivers authentic Italian cuisine. Start with bruschetta, fried calamari, or a Caprese salad featuring fresh mozzarella.
Their bucatini all’amatriciana pasta comes smothered in a spicy tomato sauce. Thin-crust pizzas like the funghi with wild mushrooms, fontina, arugula, and truffle oil satisfy cravings. An extensive wine list completes the Northern Italian experience.
Faz Restaurant & Lounge
Name and Location: Faz Restaurant & Lounge, 512 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107
History and Significance: The chic Mediterranean lounge opened downtown in 2018, gaining buzz for its upscale halal dishes and craft cocktails.
What to Expect: Grilled meats, seafood, kebabs, sharable mezze plates. Trendy ambience with live music.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Thu 6pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Reservations recommended. Valet parking.
This contemporary Afghan restaurant pairs traditional dishes with lavish presentations in an elegant dining room. Appetizers like mantoo (dumplings) and sujan (lamb chops) wow diners with their artful plating and intense flavors.
Move onto entrees showcasing Afghan cooking techniques applied to Cornish game hen, salmon, lamb shanks, and ribeye steaks. The pastry tray offers sweet endings like pistachio ice cream. For a fine dining experience with Afghan influences, book Faz Restaurant & Lounge.
Chef Xuong’s Lemongrass BBQ & Seafood Restaurant
Name and Location: Chef Xuong’s Lemongrass BBQ & Seafood Restaurant, 1015 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
History and Significance: Open since 1986, Chef Xuong is considered a pioneer of Vietnamese dining in SF. Their signature lemongrass dishes are not to be missed.
What to Expect: Banh mi, chicken and shrimp lemongrass, hot pots, Vietnamese coffee. Casual counter-serve spot.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm. Limited street parking.
Located in the Irvington district, this Vietnamese spot excels in seafood and barbecue. Diners flock for Chef Xuong’s famous garlic noodles, bursting with flavor. Other specialties include salt & pepper Dungeness crab and shaking beef tenderloin stir-fry.
Order the mixed grill platter loaded with shrimp, beef, chicken, and pork to sample an array of their smoked meats and seafood. The chilled sea bass cooked tableside is a specialty not to miss.
Oke Poke
Name and Location: Oke Poke, 3995 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
History and Significance: This hip poke shop opened in Noe Valley in 2016, offering super fresh, sustainably sourced Hawaiian cuisine.
What to Expect: Customizable poke bowls, Hawaiian plates like loco moco, acai bowls. Order at the counter.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-9pm. Street parking. Order takeout online.
Stop by this casual eatery near Lake Elizabeth for insanely fresh Hawaiian poke bowls. Select a base like jasmine rice or zoodles, then choose your protein, mix-ins, and toppings. Hawaiian staples like ahi tuna, salmon, and shrimp get paired with mango, seaweed salad, and spicy mayos.
Their specialty bowls like the Tropical offer flavor combinations you might not think to try. Oke Poke lets you craft the perfect poke bowl just the way you like it.
Bacchus Asian Fusion Restaurant
Name and Location: Bacchus Asian Fusion Restaurant, 1320 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
History and Significance: Open since 1989, Bacchus fuses Chinese cooking techniques with other Asian flavors. Their dim sum and innovative dishes are favorites among locals.
What to Expect: Dim sum, fresh seafood, meats, fusion creations. Stylish, contemporary ambiance.
Visitor Information: Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 5pm-9:30pm. Reservations recommended. Validated valet parking.
This modern restaurant infuses Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese flavors into shareable small plates. The short rib lettuce cups, crab beignets, vegetable tempura, and other appetizers dazzle with textures and colors.
Entrees like miso sea bass, mushroom udon, and bibimbap satisfy. Enjoy specialty cocktails or choose from their extensive wine list. The trendy atmosphere encourages sampling Bacchus Asian Fusion’s palette-pleasing cross-cultural dishes.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Name and Location: Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, 3489 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
History and Significance: Ike’s founder opened the first location in 2007 and has since expanded across the Bay Area. They’re known for over-the-top sandwich creations.
What to Expect: Signature sandwiches with unique names, vegetarian options available. Order at the counter.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-8pm. Takeout and delivery available. Street parking.
San Francisco-based sandwich chain Ike’s Love & Sandwiches draws crowds for its epic sandwiches stuffed with premium ingredients. The Godfather packs smoked turkey, salami, and pastrami while the Meatosaurus overflows with steak, chicken, and bacon.
Their vegan options like the Green Goddess with avocado and sprouts satisfy plant-based diets. With hundreds of sandwiches to choose from, Ike’s fuels hungry diners with sandwiches stuffed sky high.
Bricks Pizzeria
Name and Location: Bricks Pizzeria, 287 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
History and Significance: Opened in 2015, Bricks serves authentic thin-crust brick oven Neapolitan-style pizza in a hip NoPa setting.
What to Expect: Wood-fired pizzas, salads, Italian wine and beer. Cozy indoor seating plus parklet.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11:30am-10pm. Reservations recommended. Street parking.
This family-owned pizzeria crafts acclaimed wood-fired pizzas and Italian classics. Their dough is made fresh daily and aged 72 hours for supreme flavor and chewiness. Pies range from traditional margherita to inventive combinations like the Hunter Hero with wild boar sausage and pineapple.
Pastas like pappardelle bolognese, seafood cioppino, and lasagna béchamel showcase quality ingredients. Kids love the lawn games and bocce court. Enjoy great pizza in a lively, community atmosphere at Bricks.
Pizza Factory
Name and Location: Pizza Factory, 2675 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
History and Significance: This family-owned pizzeria has been serving the Richmond since 1996. Known for generously topped pies and friendly service.
What to Expect: Classic Italian-American style pizzas, subs, calzones, pasta. Dine-in and takeout available.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-10pm. Delivery available. Street parking.
Since 1988, Pizza Factory has served Fremont handcrafted pizzas using time-honored recipes. Choose your base from thick or thin crusts, gluten-free, or cauliflower. Load it up with all your favorite toppings from pepperoni to bacon to pineapple.
Beyond pizza, they offer pastas, calzones, salads, sandwiches, wings, and desserts for all your Italian cravings. This neighborhood pizzeria’s commitment to quality stands the test of time.
Conclusion
From Afghan kebabs to Neapolitan pizza cooked in wood-fired ovens, Fremont’s dining scene has blossomed in diversity and quality. Trendy eateries put modern twists on ethnic cuisine, while established spots stick to tradition.
With mouthwatering flavors from across the globe, these restaurants provide a culinary world tour right in the Bay Area’s backyard. Foodies and families alike will find favorite dishes as Fremont’s ethnically diverse restaurants craft unforgettable culinary experiences.