There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but this Chinese spot is proof that good cheap ones still exist. For just $11-$13, depending on the entrée, you can get soup, salad, and steamed or fried rice alongside your dish of choice —our favorites include the flavorful cashew chicken, savory Yushiang beef, and spicy eggplant—and prices are only slightly higher at dinner. Takeout is always an option, but if you decide to dine in, take advantage of the full bar.

If you manage to sneak out of work early, celebrate with Latin tapas and cocktails at LV Mar. Happy hour runs daily from 3-5pm and is a steal, with $10 cocktails, $5 beers, and $5 tacos served on housemade tortillas—our favorites are the huitlacoche and the crispy shrimp. And their drinks are just as solid as their food menu.

This spot is known for its bread and pastries, and for good reason—do not miss the pain au chocolat, with its buttery layers and generously filled chocolate center, or the flaky kouign amann, topped with oven-caramelized sugar. But the breakfast and lunch offerings shouldn’t be ignored. Go for the mortadella sandwich with stracciatella on focaccia or the breakfast sandwich with a runny egg and bacon on crusty ciabatta.

The second you walk through the door, you get the feeling that this German spot is a lot of fun. Between the décor, lively music, communal seating, and a biergarten in the back, this place knows how to have a good time. Must-try dishes include the frisbee-sized soft pretzels, the intensely flavorful smoked bratwurst, and the crispy pork schnitzel (do not skip the lightly sweet and chunky applesauce on the side).

A special occasion brunch at Angelica’s feels like gathering at the second home of your eccentric, wealthy aunt who also happens to have an impressive green thumb. The Latin American restaurant nails perfectly-spiced huevos rancheros with mole on crispy tortillas, and luscious eggs benedict topped with tender poached crab. If you’re feeling snacky after work, the happy hour can do no wrong.

This casual Pakistani-Indian restaurant has been wowing diners across the Peninsula since opening its Mountain View location in 2014. And after one bite of the rich, tomato-forward chicken tikka masala, or the grilled chicken boti thali, it’s easy to understand why. The space at this Redwood City location with cookbook-lined shelves feels cozy and intimate. Just know that when the menu refers to an item as “spicy,” it’s not an over-exaggeration.

The story of this warm, sunny pizzeria is a romantic one. Chef Momo moved his 25-year-old pizza operation from Lake Como, Italy to this snug spot on Broadway when he met his American wife. And lucky for us, because the sourdough-crust pies are worth the hype. Get the mortadella pistachio, with fiore de latte and pistachio pesto, and the Sarika with tomato sauce, sauteed vegetables, and spicy thai chilies.

The appetizers are the main draw at this Indian spot with large windows overlooking downtown Redwood City. The avocado and raisin bhel, layered with spiced potato and tamarind-glazed puffed rice, is sweet and crunchy, and plays well with the creamy avocado and plump raisins. The fiery spice of the gunpowder shrimp is nicely balanced by the curry leaf and coconut milk it’s cooked in. At lunchtime, your best bet is one of the lunch special platters.

Dinner at Hurrica feels like dining inside a yacht. There’s a massive 1,700-gallon jellyfish tank dividing the bar from the dining room, plus panoramic marina views and deep blue nautical decor. It’s pricey, so we like it best for a special occasion meal. Go for the tender whole roasted dorade, which easily feeds three people, and the kombu-wrapped lobsters cooked over embers.

For a festive night out with friends passing platters around a table on a sprawling, covered back patio, Mazra gets the job done. The indoor space is pretty too, with lots of plants and colorful murals, and makes for an ideal setting for eating fall-off-the-bone six-hour braised lamb shank and charred whole heirloom cauliflowerdoused in creamy tahini. Beverages are limited, but meals come with complimentary tea, and you can BYOB.

Named for Mexico City's famous seafood market, this local favorite has been around 2012. The dining room keeps things simple, but the real draw is the expertly executed ceviches, tacos, and more that are affordable enough to be in your regular rotation. You’ll want to get the shrimp cocktail, which has little in common with the cocktail-sauce-and-lemon variety other than its plump shrimp.

This spot’s cozy leather booths give the dining room an old-school steakhouse vibe that’s perfect for date nights. The menu is all about dressed-up comfort food. Steaks are served with your choice of butter or demiglace—go for the miso-honey butter. The bar program showcases housemade syrups, bitters, and tinctures, which make even the simpler cocktails taste elevated. When the weather cooperates, snag a table on the heated patio.

For Cal-Italian wood-fired pizza with innovative topping combinations, head to Vesta. The large windows flood the space with sunshine, and the open kitchen centers around an enormous pizza oven. You’ll want to try the savory-meets-sweet sausage and honey pie, the indulgent carbonara pizza with mascarpone, pecorino, bacon, and egg, and a surprisingly meaty-tasti vegan maple mushroom pie with serrano chilies and a drizzle of maple syrup. Come early or prepare to wait.

The dining room at Selby’s feels like the love child of old school Hollywood glamour and East Coast old money opulence. The warm popovers, served with a disk of flaky salt-topped butter are so good you‘ll be tempted to fill up on them, but exercise restraint because the three-course $125 tasting menu features modernized takes on fine-dining classics you won’t want to be too full for.

This intimate spot’s nine-seat counter is our go-to for perfectly executed omakase. Half the fun is watching the chef prepare each dish before your eyes, and with 20 courses that change daily, the chef’s expert knifework makes for an impressive show. Reservations open 30 days in advance on Tock at 10pm (set your alarm and don’t be late or you’ll be waiting another month).

This place turns out top-notch takes on Burmese favorites, like rainbow salad in a sweet and tart tamarind dressing, and crispy-outside-silken-inside Shan tofu, made from chickpeas instead of soy. The vibrant space maintains a friendly neighborhood vibe that makes you feel like a regular from your first visit, with generous portions. The menu has plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options, too, so it’s a great pick for a group with multiple dietary restrictions to accommodate.

This taqueria with nine locations around Redwood City understands that even the most basic dishes can stand out if you do them right. Take their simple bean-and-cheese burrito, which delivers on velvety refried beans, or the smoky-salty carnitas. The location on Middlefield Road is bright and colorful, and service is lightning-fast, even during the lunch and dinner rush, making this a great pick for when you’re in need of a quick, cheap meal that satisfies.

This casual spot is the brick-and-mortar sibling of the popular Los Carnalitos food truck. While on-the-go-friendly foods are served at this restaurant, you’ll also find dishes you’ll want to take a little more time with, like pork and hominy, rich mole poblano, and charred skirt steak with chorizo and roasted chiles. One touch we love—the tortillas are handmade and pressed fresh throughout the day.

Everything at this casual Turkish spot is made from scratch, including the seeded “nomadic bread,” which comes warm to your table with most orders, like the lahmacun that’s baked to a crisp and topped with spiced beef and lamb. The indoor dining area is comfortable and welcoming, but if the weather permits, definitely opt for the breezy outdoor patio. And whatever you do, be sure to end your meal with a pleasantly bitter Turkish coffee.