Beyond the match: Santa Clara sets the table for the world

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara has come into its own not just in the tech industry, but also for major sports. The city is home to Levi’s Stadium, the base of the NFL’s 49ers since 2014. Fresh off Super Bowl LX shine, Santa Clara continues to power into 2026 with a different kind of fútbol at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer.

To make Santa Clara even more fun to visit, off the pitch, the city's diversity and population naturally bring an incredible food scene. From fast-casual and mom-and-pop joints to award-winning upscale dining that speak to global flavors and fusion concepts. Rove the city to fuel up for matches, or find spots for post-game munchies.

How did Santa Clara get to be a global food city?

Santa Clara’s rising food star is coming full circle, with its century-long history as an agricultural region of fruit orchards and seed farms dating back to the mid-19th century.

But the seeds of Silicon Valley took root in the 1950s with the invention of the semiconductor chip, spurring a new industry in Santa Clara and eventually attracting tech workers from around the world. Various Asian ethnicities now make up 40% of the city's population, and Latinos comprise nearly 20%. It’s no wonder that Santa Clara has become a gastronomic destination.

For travelers looking to eat well during their World Cup travels, we suggest the Global Games Food Trail. Why settle for stadium hot dogs when there are fantastic places to fall in love with flavors just steps (or a short ride) away from the stadium?

What is the Global Games Food Trail 2026 mobile passport?

It’s not an app! It's more of a culinary experience with prizes involved. Sign up for a personalized mobile passport link on the Discover Santa Clara website. Then, check in at participating restaurants to earn points and score some cool Santa Clara socks (let’s be real, who doesn’t need more socks?). One winner will receive an Ultimate Fan Experience valued at $1000, including a comfy hotel stay and a generous Ticketmaster gift card.

Below are some tasty recommendations along the food trail and beyond that give Santa Clara its compelling flavors.

Best places to eat on the Global Games Food Trail in Santa Clara

1. Jang Su Jang

Vibes: Santa Clara is the Bay Area’s Korean food hot spot, and Jang Su Jang has it all. Think smoky Korean barbecue meats you grill right at your table, comforting soondubu jjigae (tofu stew), noodles, mandu (dumplings) and other huge dishes. You’ll see why Jang Su Jang was listed in the Michelin Guide 4 years in a row.

Cost: Every dish is portioned for family-style sharing, from $25 plates of dumplings to $40 platters of galbi (short ribs).

How to get it: Go for lunch or dinner. Limited reservations are available, or order pick-up online.

2. Shawarmaji

Vibes: Hailed as one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the Bay Area, including some of the best shawarma, Shawarmaji’s signature slim, crispy griddled wraps filled with spit-roasted halal chicken are its signature, in a casual, counter-service setting. The Jordanian-owned restaurant expanded to Santa Clara in 2022 after its original Oakland location proved to be massively popular. Don’t sleep on the flavorful house-made spice blends and riffs on garlicky toum spread available for purchase.

Cost: A single piece of crunchy falafel costs $0.50. Wraps run $9.50–18.

How to get it: Takeout/delivery available via DoorDash.

3. Jak's Authentic Indian & Modern Vibe

Vibes: This modern Indian joint is only 1.5 miles south (a 4-minute car ride) of the stadium, in the walkable, mixed-use space of Santa Clara Square. For both casual and special occasions, indulge in show-stopping dishes like the Parda Murgh Dum Biryani – fragrant, slow-cooked chicken rice sealed with a golden bread crust that locks in flavor. The cocktails, topped with anything from flower petals to smoke, are also breathtaking.

Cost: Mains $20–60

How to get it: Make reservations via OpenTable, though walk-ins are welcome.

4. Puesto Santa Clara

Vibes: Mexico City-inspired flavors in a colorful, joyous ambience that includes an interactive liquor carousel at the bar. Puesto makes tacos with organic blue corn tortillas, which are the thing to get here. Go indulgent with the filet mignon or lobster ones, or eat lighter with the mushroom or bright tamarind shrimp fillings.

Cost: Tacos run $10–17 each. Larger plates are $24–30. Margaritas start at $16.

How to get it: Even with a 300-person capacity, it’s still a good idea to make reservations during the World Cup, or order delivery/pick-up online.

5. Westfield Valley Fair Mall: word-famous dumplings and Italian

Vibes: While a bit further south of Levi’s Stadium (9.5 miles, or a 12-minute drive with standard traffic – perhaps make time to stop there on the way to San Jose Mineta International Airport), the upscale Westfield Valley Fair Mall is a food lover’s dream. Among the 69 eateries, there are two world-famous ones that have their only Northern Californian locations at this mall: Taiwan's Din Tai Fung with its delicate xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and the sprawling Italian food hall Eataly. Soon to be opened is the only location of Asia Live, Bay Area chef George Chen’s (of SF’s China Live) pan-Asian food hall answer to Eataly. San Francisco is jealous.

Cost: As cheap or expensive as you want to get. A basket of xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung starts at $17. Eataly has a food range from pizza slices starting at $7 to a $160 porterhouse steak for two.

How to get it: Din Tai Fung accepts reservations via Yelp. Otherwise, peak-time waits can stretch to 2 hours. You can also order pick-up online, or get delivery through UberEats. Eataly’s various eateries don’t require reservations, but they’re recommended for the ones that do have them. You can order pick-up online, and get Italian groceries via Instacart.

How to get to all these fabulous restaurants

With an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 visitors expected in Santa Clara during match days, consider taking public transit (most encouraged option), ride shares, or good old-fashioned taxis. There are no shortage of public transit options to and from Levi’s© Stadium, including VTA bus lines, light rail and Caltrain.

Most people are already familiar with rideshare services, such as Lyft and Uber, which have designated pick-up/drop-off zones at Levi’s© Stadium. However, while in Silicon Valley, consider riding in a driverless car like Waymo to experience what the future of ground transportation may look like. Those wanting traditional taxis can look to Red Lot 7 as the stadium taxi hub. Cyclists get free bike parking at the stadium.