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San Mateo Local
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Best of 25th Avenue

Updated Updated July 2, 2026

A short, storied block near the center of San Mateo, from a Michelin-legacy sushi counter to a 1972 barbershop.

25th Avenue is only a few blocks long, tucked where it crosses El Camino near the center of San Mateo, but it punches way above its size. Here's a walk down the street, from morning coffee to a late pint.

Eat & drink

Sushi Edomata

Edomae sushi · the anchor

The team carrying on Sushi Sam's legendary omakase-style sushi in a new home on 25th Ave. The single biggest reason people seek out this block.

Luceti's on 25th

Italian since 1984

Old-school Italian dining with a lively bar, serving the same recipes for four decades. The street's institution.

The Swingin' Door

British pub

A classic British pub famous for fish and chips, karaoke, trivia, and dueling pianos. The corridor's after-dark hangout.

Kaizen & Coffee

Coffee · at the El Camino corner

Pour-overs and signature lattes in flavors like ube, black sesame, and miso caramel. The daytime anchor at the mouth of the street.

Cruel Donuts & Ice Cream

Donuts + ice cream

Asian-inspired donuts, weekend mochi donuts, and small-batch house-made ice cream. The sweet-tooth stop.

Tannourine

Lebanese + Mediterranean

Family-run Lebanese and Mediterranean cooking known for mezza plates and grilled kabobs since 2008.

Cobani Gyro & Kebab

Halal gyros + kebabs

Halal Mediterranean gyros and kebabs, simple and reliable for a quick lunch.

PJ's Pizza

Neighborhood pizzeria

A neighborhood pizzeria (formerly Velo City Pizza) doing brick-oven pies at the west end of the block.

Shop & services

Mi Tienda Supermarket

Mexican market + taqueria

A Mexican supermarket with a bakery, meat counter, and an in-store taqueria locals love for its dollar tacos and pupusas.

25th Avenue Farmers' Market

Every Tuesday, 3 to 7pm · W 25th Ave

A seasonal certified farmers market that takes over the block on Tuesday afternoons, with fresh produce and food vendors from spring through fall.

Bob's Barber Stylist

Family barbershop since 1972

A family barbershop cutting hair for men, women, and kids at the same 25th Ave spot for over fifty years.

V.I.P. Hair Salon

Hair salon

A longtime local salon for cuts, color, and styling on the west side of the corridor.

Elevate Barbershop

Barbershop

A modern barbershop with wide daily hours and walk-in-friendly cuts.

That's the block. Know a 25th Ave spot we walked past? Tell us at hello@sanmateolocal.com.

Been to one of these spots? Snap a photo, tag it and @sanmateolocal on Instagram, and we'll feature you in our locals' gallery.
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