As its name suggests, this vegetarian Mumbai street food spot’s menu is mostly focused on pav bhaji—fluffy rolls stuffed with curry. The vegetable curry in the Amul pav bhaji is rich and flavorful, the dadar vada pav is crispy and garlicky, and the plush pav is the perfect vehicle for the dilkhush dabeli’s sweet-spicy-tangy trifecta of tamarind and garlic chutneys. It’s a quick, casual spot, and you can count on it for a tasty, satisfying meal that will run you between $10 and $15 max.

It’s rare for a restaurant to feel both upscale and approachable, but this spot’s Hanok-inspired interior and intimate dining room pull it off. The stir-fried spicy pork is perfectly balanced, the seafood kalguksu arrives in a shockingly huge bowl that is easily shareable, and the bulgogi gimbap is loaded with meat. The place gets packed even on weeknights, but contactless ordering via tablet keeps things moving, and its late-night hours make it an ideal post-everything destination.

Expect bold flavors, generous portions, and halal meats cooked on vertical rotisseries at this Greek spot. The space is small, and the counter service line can get a little long at lunchtime, but the food is well worth the wait. The combo bowl is ideal when you’re hungry and can’t decide what you want—it comes with your choice of two proteins (we like the chicken shawarma and gyro beef) over rice, plus a full spread of hummus, baba ghanouj, and creamy toum.

This brunch spot packs in crowds from Wednesday through Sunday with its walk-in-only policy. But the line moves fast, and they've got heat lamps for the patio, so you’ll still be comfortable if you end up at an outside table on a chilly day. The chicken and waffles gets an added kick from some spicy honey, the croissant french toast is over the top (with a vanilla cream sauce as well as a pleasantly tart pomegranate molasses), and the jumbo crab benedict easily justifies its $29 price tag.

The Santa Clara location of this modern steak spot is a sleek, two-story space at Westfield Valley Fair that feels like a cross between a modern art museum and a tropical island. The food is creative and fun but still comforting. We like the truffle udon carbonara, which is creamy without going overboard on the truffle, and the spicy crab dip that's great for sharing. Prices are on the higher side, but this spot works for everything from business lunches to date nights and special occasions.

The dining room at this Mexican spot blends industrial chic with street art and lots of greenery. We love the short rib quesabirria, with fall-apart-tender meat and housemade blue corn tortillas that have just enough chew. The hibiscus-chipotle tinga in chicken al pastor is an ideal combination of sweet and spicy, and you’ll want at least one order of the house guacamole, with an unexpected but welcome addition of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The opulent space at Giwa feels like a bridal shower. Start with your pick of the colorful beverages like the ube uji matcha cream latte or the black sesame latte. The food, which you order via tablet, is a combination of tried-and-true American brunch dishes and Korean classics. Get the ultra-crispy golden fried chicken with a croffle, the juicy donkatsu, and the decadent crème brûlée french toast. When you need a no-fuss spot for hanging out with friends or a date, this is a go-to.

This casual Korean fusion spot covers its walls with posters of K-pop stars and lots of LED neon signs, giving it the feel of a fun neighborhood pub. The CC chicken is crunchy, sweet, and hard to stop eating. The bulgogi wrap has marinated BBQ beef, rice, melted cheddar, macaroni salad, and vegetables in a soft flour tortilla. The rose tteokbokki includes welcome pops of smoky bacon. Ordering is quick and easy on the tabletop screens, and this place stays open until midnight.

This 300-seat spot in Rivermark Plaza centers around wood-burning spitfires and ovens. The chicken is faultless, and the chicken bacon club sandwich is everything you expect from the classic, but much more flavorful since every individual ingredient shines. The pizza crusts are puffy and lightly charred—go for either the diavolo or the more unexpected medjool date and chèvre. There’s a weekend family feast (Friday-Sunday after 4pm) that feeds six.

The spicy, garlicky sauce that comes with the beef leghman at Tarim Garden is so good that you’ll want to get an extra order of their chewy hand-pulled noodles to soak it up. If you’re in the mood for rice, get the lamb polo with easy-to-chew meat alongside rice and expertly prepared vegetables—it's easily enough for two people. The smallish space keeps things casual with a handful of tables and booths, and has a lot of loyal fans, so expect a wait on any day of the week.

You can expect lots of seafood and generous portions at this Peruvian spot. The copa borracha—seriously spicy ceviche topped with fried calamari, plantains, and Peruvian corn—arrives in a ceremonious goblet and makes every meal feel a little like a party. The enormous chef's special seafood paella is topped with an addictive rum-infused sauce, and at just $25, it’s a steal for what you get. If you aren’t feeling fish, get the tallarin verde con bistec.

The menu at this all-you-can-eat hot pot place is divided into three tiers, with increasingly large and premium arrays of meat and seafood. Japanese A5 wagyu chuck ribeye becomes tender after just seconds in the broth, while wagyu brisket comes sliced thinner than seems physically possible. You’ll want an extra order of the wagyu bone marrow, and if you need a break from beef, the abalone, scallops, oysters, and crab in the seafood tower can hold their own in the spicy miso or sukiyaki broths.

This order-at-the-counter spot serves halal Mediterranean dishes made for a didn't-plan-ahead lunch or dinner. The chicken Damascus-style wrap is loaded with contrasting flavors and textures—chicken dripping with juices, velvety toum, house-pickled turnips for crunch, and a drizzle of tart pomegranate molasses, plus just-cooked french fries tucked inside. If you’re avoiding meat, or just really craving chickpeas, get the falafel, wrapped in pita with garlicky hummus.

This izakaya serves small plates in a snug space with low lighting and private booths. The duck cold dipping soba comes with a broth that's maxed out on umami and silky noodles you’ll probably regret sharing. The broiled salmon cheek is rich and barely requires chewing, and the black cod saikyo, marinated in a nutty housemade miso, is the definition of buttery. You’ll want to make a reservation and plan to order multiple dishes since portions are on the small side.

Servers grill your food on built-in table grills in this LA transplant at Westfield Valley Fair, while well-placed fans overhead keep you from smelling smoky afterward. The boneless short rib could we sliced with with a rolling pin and the beef tongue takes on a crackly char you’ll be talking about the whole way home. Grilled meat is the main draw, but don't overlook the kimchi stew with hunks of smoky pork belly and chewy rice cakes, or the seafood pancake with the sweetest baby shrimp.

This bakery imports butter and flour from France to turn out pastries that range from the expected, like classic croissants and sugar-topped kouign-amann, to more extravagant riffs, like a cube croissant filled with creamy custard. For something savory, try the Korean salt bread. Come early, though, since items tend to sell out by the afternoon, and expect to wait in a line that’s almost always out the door.