Erin Elizabeth
As California’s third-most populous city, San Jose has plenty to offer for anyone’s trip. Aside from being one of the most walkable, safest, and cleanest cities in California’s Bay Area, it’s also an innovation center for information technology companies. Additionally, many visitors love visiting their performing arts centers, museums, and parks.
The Capital of Silicon Valley is also a popular destination for food lovers. Although several casual places serve Mexican fare and burnt almond cake, you may prefer places more suitable for special occasions, such as anniversary parties, work dinners, or graduation parties.
However, with several restaurants available, it might be overwhelming trying to find one for your private parties if they’re constantly booked. Luckily, I compiled this list of the top 15 restaurants with private dining in San Jose to help you simplify your search.
With several city districts to choose from, you can find somewhere that elevates how you dine.
Best Private Dining in San Jose
- Le Papillon
- La Foret
- The Grill on the Alley
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- LB Steak
- Left Bank
- ADEGA
- Il Fornaio San Jose
- Three Flames
- Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant
- Elyse
- Paesano Ristorante Italiano
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
- The Table
- Enoteca La Storia Downtown
Le Papillon
410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129
Phone: 408-296-3730
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The first entry on this list of the best restaurants with private dining in San Jose is Le Papillon, located on Saratoga Avenue. This upscale restaurant has a contemporary feel and is the perfect backdrop for tasting over 500 types of wine and Silicon Valley’s best French cuisine crafted by Chef Scott Cooper.
Le Papillon has three private dining rooms for all types of special occasions, including a prix fixe four-course dinner for all guests. I had their Dungeness Crab Soufflé, Baby Lettuce Salad, Roasted Duck Breast, and Vanilla Custard Crepe during my visit. You can also combine these private rooms, depending on your party’s size.
La Foret
21747 Bertram Rd, San Jose, CA 95120
Phone: 408-997-3458
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Next up is La Foret, a French restaurant located on Bertram Avenue in the New Almaden Historic District. This sophisticated eatery has a lovely view of Alamitos Creek and prioritizes using classic French cooking styles to bring out each dish’s bold flavors. Its lavish decor makes each dining room the perfect setting for a romantic anniversary dinner.
You can host your parties in one of their many private dining areas, including a spacious private garden. Altogether, these spaces can hold up to 120 guests, making La Foret the perfect destination for wedding receptions and corporate events. My favorite banquet menu options are their roasted elk and quail.
The Grill on the Alley
172 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-294-2244
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Another one of the best restaurants with private rooms in San Jose is The Grill on the Alley, on South Market Street, minutes away from the San Jose Museum of Art. This restaurant has a stylish vibe and an outdoor patio with an excellent view of the Downtown area.
You can book a private event in their Green Room or Wine Room, both of which have a flat-screen TV set with HDMI connections if you want to watch a local sporting event. They also have a semi-private area for up to 50 guests where you can request room dividers to enhance your dining privacy while eating your seafood appetizers and steak.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
3055 Olin Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408-423-8973
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If you’re interested in tasting the best family-style Italian fare during your annual family reunion, consider stopping by Maggiano’s Little Italy, on the corner of Olin Avenue and Winchester Boulevard. Executive Chef Jim Nuzzo’s dishes have rich flavors and inspiration from traditional family recipes on this side of Santana Row.
Maggiano’s Amarone, Barbara, and Capriola private banquet rooms can combine into one Grand Ballroom for 160 to 220 guests, complete with bar access. They also have four other dining areas, including a patio and semi-private Fabrizio Room. Additionally, they offer customizable event menus, such as their Premium Family-Style Dinner, with your choice of entrees and pasta.
LB Steak
334 Santana Row #1000, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408-244-1180
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You can find LB Steak on Santana Row, across from the local Nike store. This modern steakhouse has a manly atmosphere and sleek decor, perfect for a private night out with the guys. But, of course, any trip to San Jose is worthwhile just for their quality Prime and Wagyu beef steaks.
You can choose between three private spaces, depending on your partying capacity preferences: the Chef’s Table in their dining room, the fireplace and chandelier-decorated Meritage Room, and a semi-private heated and curtained patio. I recommend trying their Wagyu Angus, Dry-Aged Pork Chop, Boneless Ribey, or Whole Branzino with truffle fries or onion rings on the side.
Left Bank
377 Santana Row #1100, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: 408-984-3500
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Santana Row is home to many lavish restaurants, and Left Bank is no exception. You can find this upscale French restaurant minutes from Frank M. Santana Park and Winchester Mystery House. It has a lively and vibrant atmosphere suitable for any indoor or outdoor party. Sample their many dishes by picking the private dining menu of your liking.
Their indoor La Salle de Famille Room is ideal for smaller gatherings of 12, while the La Salle des Amis Room can seat 70 guests at max. I also recommend booking your parties on their patio spaces, especially their circus-themed Le Cirque section. Don’t miss out on their hors d’oeuvre platters!
ADEGA
1614 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116
Phone: 408-926-9075
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Located on Alum Rock Avenue, ADEGA is another place with excellent options for private dining in San Jose. This cozy and rustic restaurant serves excellent authentic Portuguese dishes crafted by Chefs David Costa and Jessica Carreira. Although this restaurant has fewer private rooms than some of our previous entries, their award-winning wine makes up for that.
ADEGA has a private dining room for parties with six to ten guests. However, the only menu available for private dining is their Tasting Menu with one of three wine pairings for each dish, so I recommend their Rabbit Terrine, Braised Beef Cheek, or Sliced Seared Duck Breast.
Il Fornaio San Jose
302 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-271-3366
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Nestled on South Market Street, near the Plaza de Cesar Chavez, lies the elegant Il Fornaio San Jose, another place I recommend for your private parties. Add some class to your work dinners or birthday parties with their finest Italian fare and in-house baked bread.
Il Fornaio has several private dining rooms in their venue, including their Courtyard Atrium, Dolce Room, and Baker’s Room. Their main Sala Del Vino dining room can accommodate 140 seats for your party. If you’re interested in booking your dinner party here, consider ordering their Pollo Toscano or Paccheri alla Vodka. You can also ask about gluten-free options for your guests.
Three Flames
1547 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-269-3133
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Are you having trouble finding an affordable restaurant for your business dinner or bar mitzvah in the Willow Glen neighborhood? Then, consider having Three Flames as your go-to private dining destination. You can find this classy American restaurant on Meridian Avenue.
They have a spacious and beautiful banquet hall for special occasions of any kind. Best of all, the room won’t come with any rental charges. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a customizable banquet dinner menu or a buffet menu for your party’s food options. In my opinion, you should choose their Chicken Cordon Bleu or Three Flames Special Steak.
Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant
27 E William St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-288-5606
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Nestled on East William Street, near MACLA and San Jose Stage, Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant is another top contender with private dining in San Jose that I recommend for wedding receptions, cocktail parties, and holiday events. This vintage eatery also has live music and a self-playing violin to liven up your celebrations.
They have a stylish private room for anyone who prefers fine dining when booking their parties. This room has 12 tables suitable for smaller capacities, so it would be wise to book your celebration as soon as possible. They also serve quality European dishes, including Boeuf Bourguignon, Pesto Gnocchi, and Shrimp Puttanesca.
Elyse
151 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-899-2762
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Another place I recommend for an immersive private dining experience is Elyse, a French-Vietnamese restaurant on South 2nd Street, minutes away from the San Jose Museum of Art. It has a chic and cozy atmosphere, an extensive wine list, and a fancy yet lively bar.
Elyse offers party planners access to their private dining room and the customizable prix fixe, multi-course menus. For example, you can order their Taco Banh Xeo, Salade Nicoise, Crab Udon Soup, Seared Salmon, and Belgian Tiramisu. Also, don’t forget to try their Jasperado, Ruby Chai, or Strawberry Mule cocktails with any of their delectable menu options.
Paesano Ristorante Italiano
350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-217-9327
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Do you want to enjoy quality Italian food during your private family party? Then, consider visiting Paesano Ristorante Italiano, located on West Julian Street, a short distance away from the Guadalupe River. This contemporary restaurant has a warm and welcoming vibe, emphasized by its decorated front porch.
Relax in their private dining room as you wait for their tasty pasta and Italian entrees that are bursting with flavor. Paesano Ristorante’s best dinner entrees I recommend are their Veal Veronica, Farfalle Vulcano, Salmone Alla Siciliana, or Ravioli Mamma Rosa. Don’t forget to ask about their wine options to bring out each meal’s savory flavors.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2762 Augustine Dr Suite 110, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: 408-346-4557
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Are you a fan of fine dining? Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar makes an ideal setting for experiencing private dining in San Jose with their succulent prime beef steaks and seafood. You can find this luxurious restaurant on the corner of Augustine Drive and Bowers Avenue in the Santa Clara Square Marketplace.
Fleming’s has several private dining rooms available for your next luncheon event, anniversary, or retirement party, complete with customizable decor. I recommend their Executive Estate Dinner menu for your party if you want to try their signature steak and lobster tails. You can also plan a hybrid event if you prefer virtual video conference dinners.
The Table
1110 Willow St, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-638-7911
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If you’re hosting a private dining event in the Willow Glen area, you should consider making party arrangements at The Table, found off the corner of Willow Street and Lincoln Avenue. It has a rustic yet chic ambiance where any party guest can enjoy Executive Chef Jim Stump’s seasonal dishes.
Their private lounge and patio can accommodate parties of 12 to 120 guests. You can also choose what wine or cocktails you want to serve with their personalized seasonal menus. My favorite options they offer are their Herb Pesto Casarecce, Grilled Spanish Octopus, and Pan-Roasted Duck Breast. Additionally, I recommend their Double Dating or Forbidden Flower cocktail.
Enoteca La Storia Downtown
320 W St John St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-618-5455
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Last but not least on my list of restaurants with private dining in San Jose is Enoteca La Storia Downtown, located on West St. John Street, near Arena Green West. This stylish Italian restaurant is an excellent place for enjoying wine pairings with your favorite Italian dishes.
This restaurant has a small private dining room you can book for work dinners or birthday parties, suitable for 20 to 30 guests, and a decorated outdoor patio for enjoying their signature rigatoni in San Jose’s warm and sunny weather. Of course, you can also buy out the entire restaurant for more grandiose events.
Final Thoughts
The best restaurants with private dining in San Jose should accommodate whatever celebration you want to host and create an unforgettable experience for anyone who enters their facilities. Hopefully, these top 15 picks caught your attention and helped you consider them for your next big gathering in this creative and innovative city.
Not interested in private dining right now? Then, check out this list of San Jose’s best steakhouses.
Did I leave out any restaurants on my list? Comment below about your favorite private dining spots, and I’ll check them out!
