New in San Mateo: Summer 2026
A downtown brunch boom, a matcha bar, Korean BBQ, and more. The freshest spots to open around town.
San Mateo's food scene has been on a tear this year, especially downtown. Here are the newest places worth checking out, all opened in roughly the last year.
A guide to 11 new spots in San Mateo, put together by a local who eats here. Nobody pays to be on it.
Eat & Drink
Whisper
A former Sweet Maple chef turned the old Wursthall space into a 140-seat brunch spot with Korean-leaning plates like galbi eggs Benedict and gochujang cioppino.
Reposado
The Palo Alto favorite's second location brings regional Mexican cooking from Oaxaca and the Yucatan downtown, with a deep tequila list.
Johnny's
The Half Moon Bay brunch destination from the It's Italia team moved its full menu into the Brickline building with a bigger dining room.
MIXT
The San Francisco salad chain landed in the former B Street Books, building make-your-own bowls and signature salads daily until 9pm.
Izumi Matcha
A premium Japanese matcha bar pouring ceremonial-grade lattes and matcha drinks in the heart of downtown.
OLHSO House
A Korean master chef's first U.S. restaurant, doing tableside grilling of premium cuts plus Busan-inspired hot pots.
The Breakfast Club at Midtown
The San Jose brunch cult favorite opened its first Peninsula spot at Bay Meadows with a big patio and a full bar.
Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar
A family-run mezze house in the old Roam Artisan Burgers space, pairing Turkish and Mediterranean small plates with a 60-plus bottle wine list.
Sama Coffee Shop
An Iraqi-Palestinian coffee house serving sand-brewed Turkish coffee, cardamom lattes, and Middle Eastern sweets in a backgammon-friendly space.
Shops
Honey & Hive
A downtown boutique selling ethically made baby and children's clothing crafted from premium Turkish cotton.
Akiba HQ
A collector's shop stocked with Gunpla model kits, direct-import anime figures, gashapon, and trading cards.
Frequently asked
What is the best new in San Mateo?
Local favorites include Whisper, Reposado, Johnny's. Browse the full guide above. Nobody pays to be on it.
How many new spots does San Mateo Local recommend?
11, all added by hand and refreshed regularly.
Is San Mateo Local a paid directory?
No. Nobody pays to be listed here, and nothing was scraped or bought. A business can sponsor a guide, and if one does, it is clearly marked as a sponsor.
Know a spot we missed? Tell us here and we'll add it to the guide.