Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

The Bywater in Los Gatos

4.5 (199) 532 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030, United States

Categories

Bar
Southern restaurant (US)
Barbecue restaurant
Brunch restaurant
Cajun restaurant
Creole restaurant

Location on the map

Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California, US

Phone: +1 408-560-9639
Site: http://thebywaterca.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:11 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11 AM–9 PM
Friday:11 AM–10 PM
Saturday:11 AM–10 PM
Sunday:11 AM–8 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

199 Reviews for The Bywater 2024:

Review №1

2023-09-11 16:59:15

We went there because my co worker loved fried chicken. This place has a Louisiana style. If you like fried chicken and mac and cheese, with a good alcoholic beverage, this is your place to go. Very casual, friendly staff and all the fried chicken you want!

Review №2

2023-09-25 02:19:58

Really awesome chicken and waffles with a maple syrup that has some bourbon and butter mixed in. The beignets with the chocolate sauce (seemed like dark chocolate, which I prefer) was also great. The service was good and gave me vibes of watching The Bear.

Review №3

2023-09-16 21:58:12

My recent dining experience at The Bywater was a soulful journey to Southern comfort. The Rich Mans Red Beans n Rice with Andouille was an absolute delight. The restaurants charming, Southern-themed ambiance added to the overall experience, immersing me in the essence of true soul food. The staff were attentive and welcoming, enhancing the pleasure of the visit.

Review №4

2023-01-08 06:53:32

Chicken was piping hot, crispy and super juicy on the inside. French fries were well seasoned. The shrimp PoBoy and Bengiets really made me miss New Orleans. Im so happy that there is such a delicious and authentic southern restaurant in the south Bay. Will definitely be back to try everything else in due time.

Review №5

2022-09-04 00:11:26

This is a great restaurant. I could’ve given a five star. But there is a reason for not giving it. I would definitely come back again!Pros:1. Great food. Everything was impressive, oysters, po boys, beignets are beyond my expectations. They are really good!2. Great vibe. I like the interior and bar. Very nice!3. Servers are friendly and nice.Cons:1. Super slow for the food. After ordering, I waited for a long time for the appetizers and entrées. Even half an hour after finishing the entrees for desserts. They waived my dessert and had it free for me. Attitude was good. Despite that my server was a very nice person.2. They charge you extra 6% for the people in the kitchen and others. So the overhead is high.3. Definitely some food are overpriced. $20 for 3 broiled oysters is kinda crazy. My beef cheek is super delicious and flavorful but there are only four small thin pieces, which cost $31.

Review №6

2022-06-07 05:05:55

We had a lovely dinner at The Bywater last week on the back patio. We enjoyed eating the gumbo, the fries, burger, special salad, and of course had to top it all off with the beignets! Yum! they did have almost TOO MUCH powdered sugar but then again who cares with melt in your mouth doughy fritters dipped in luscious chocolate! I liked the atmosphere and decor. We could pretend for a couple hours that we were in NOLA and that was fun too! Also I loved the non-alcoholic raspberry shrub drink. It was pretty and delectable!

Review №7

2019-12-07 16:20:46

Bywater was recommended by a customer on a business trip. Great southern dishes with a twist, top notch cocktails, great ambience, and the staff is superb. Our server was particularly wonderful, taking care of many customers at once and never missing a beat. She not only hustled like no other but made some great recommendations as well. Lastly, I always look at how clean the restrooms are and, wow, were they some of the cleanest and well appointed restrooms Ive seen in a long time. Cant wait to go back!

Review №8

2023-11-07 08:20:08

Love this place! I already been there twice last month and i want to go there again with my dog soon.Their food is so delicious and staff are super friendly. The dessert is to die for! Can’t wait to go back again!

Review №9

2023-09-05 02:35:05

Good atmosphere and interesting menu options. Got their fried chicken poboy and rich man rice and beans. Both were good. The chicken was very crispy, but the taste apple slaw was practically undetectable. Overall a good experience.

Review №10

2022-02-19 18:16:37

We went on a Saturday night. The tables inside were full; reservation recommended. The tables outside had room though and we were sat right away. The heat lamps were warm enough!We went for drinks and snacks (no main dishes). Cocktails were fun and strong, lots to choose from. We got the voodoo slushy- would highly recommend. Comes in a small plastic cup but packs a punch. The locals only was fruity but not too sweet, the Pimms cup was refreshing and delicious!The fries were zesty with a little spice and perfectly crispy. The beignets were phenomenal. Highly recommend.Our server Shandra was excellent and so helpful! She gave great menu recommendations and we cant wait to go back and try the food (and have her help us again!).

Review №11

2023-08-17 05:25:49

We ate on the back patio, under umbrellas and it was very pleasant. The wait staff were attentive and didnt forget about us back there. The gumbo was a lot spicier than my companion expected and she couldnt eat it. Put over a bunch of rice the next day, it was perfect. I had the Shrimp PoBoy and it was packed with fried shrimp. The beans and rice it came with was 95% beans, maybe 5% rice, but it was delicious. Id advocate for a little more rice in it, though. Even though we were pretty full, we went for dessert and got the beignets, which were smothered in powdered sugar and incredible. Could use a tad more of the chocolate sauce, but they were heavenly! Save room because theyre a must-have!

Review №12

2021-07-27 17:29:12

Used to be very popular and visited once before. Nowadays, even with outdoor seating, the place was not packed as before. Unfortunately, I thought the food quality also took a step backwards. The oysters were pretty good, fresh. But, the meats were quite dry, not as flavorful as before. Service was good.

Review №13

2023-04-12 18:51:50

We love The ByWater! We recently dined for brunch and loved the biscuits, French toast and my husband raved about the chorizo Po-boy, best ever! I love the shrimp Po-boys as well. Excellent fries too! Can’t wait to go back!

Review №14

2023-03-03 23:13:08

Potentially the best fried chicken Ive ever had. It was even way better than Thomas Kellers fried chicken from Ad Hoc. Exceptional job!

Review №15

2017-02-08 05:17:25

I wanted to like this place I really did and I kind of did but there were definitely some unforgettable off moments in my dining experience.Reservation was made conveniently online and had no problem checking in and getting seated. It was a Sunday night, the restaurant didnt have a line out the door but, from what I can tell, it was 90% seated. The menu was concise and we wish it had more descriptions. Our waiter explained everything in detail and was very helpful in answering our questions but it was quite a bit of information to remember. Highlights were the fried green tomato, egg and anchovy, fried oysters, fried chicken and beignets. I have not had a fluffier beignet in the area and was definitely blown away. It didnt taste heavy at all.Now onto my not-so-fond-of moments... my entree was the gumbo yaya, which I had looked up on yelp. For some reason, the pictures of gumbo yaya were of all sorts. I couldnt tell from the menu how it was different from some of the other orders from different times. In any case, the dish was overpowered by the overly smoked sausage. After the first bite, I felt I could puff smoke, not to mention, my gumbo was bitter from the smokiness. Yea, not pleasant. Another entree (rich mans rice and beans?) also had the over-smoked sausage but it didnt affect the rest of the plate since they werent cooked together.I hope they spend sometime fine tuning the flavors, especially for the signature dishes. I would love to return and replace my smoky unpleasant experience with something amazing!

Review №16

2023-05-24 06:44:06

I was excited to try a Southern restaurant, being from the South and having eaten many iterations of creole/Cajun dishes. This restaurant delivered on the promise of thoughtful flavor and intentional, themed cocktails. The creole fries are probably the best Ive ever had. Same goes for the hush puppies--they had a nice crust and the interior was not mushy like many Ive had in Florida and Mississippi. I appreciated the decor and the general atmosphere. The server was perfectly pleasant and checked in at appropriate intervals. Get the beignets and make sure you double dip those babies in that powdered sugar after a healthy immersion in chocolate sauce. Id eat here again, for sure.

Review №17

2016-12-10 01:15:38

Great service, even better food! I sampled 3 different types of oysters on the half shell. The flavors ranged from gentle and intricate to meaty and salty. The fried chicken is fantastically juicy and crispy.The shrimp and avocado Remoulade is to die for, the shrimp and avocado meld perfectly together with a wonderful flavor of horseradish.The drinks are stiff..only one needed C:If you want a pleasant experience and a wonderful meal Id recommend eating here

Review №18

2020-01-18 22:22:25

Okay New Orleans style food. Not a “gotta go back there again” place, but would go back. Just wouldn’t be a first choice.Had the roast pork hash. Just chunks of pork fried with chunks of potatoes. Not much imagination in that. Not likely prepared by a chef, but by a fry cook.Good service, clean restroom.

Review №19

2023-11-19 05:37:42

Hands down best southern Nola cuisine I’ve had in the Bay Area. Everything was too notch and the cocktails and butterscotch dessert made this place exceptional.

Review №20

2023-05-27 16:06:38

The restaurant has a great atmosphere and is extremely welcoming. Coming to the quality of food - my opinions are mixed. The ingredients used are top quality. The menu is short, which I like, but the items doesnt excite me. I like the Gumbo, the quality of the Andouille sausage, and some of the cocktails. The chicken is well brined but I question the consistency of oil temperatures, as I see a variety of redness on the crust. Overall, I will recommend it.

Review №21

2023-06-03 23:20:37

We’ve come a few times for weekend brunch. Beignets are a must, biscuit is delicious and the smoked meats are great. Good drink options. For brunch, they’re able to do a few more things than are on the menu (from eavesdropping other tables), would be nice to see the menu expand a bit

Review №22

2019-03-02 14:27:50

Casual and comfortable, yet very polished ambiance. Awesome drinks. 5🌟 food that delights with each bite. The wait time for the food was unexpectedly long, but Im happy to go back and wait again, if thats what it takes to get this yummy food.

Review №23

2023-06-26 07:12:34

Had the most amazing breakfast plate today. Everything on the plate was done right and they accompany each other so well, even the sauce options. It’s my first exposure to southern style brunch. Will def come back to explore other stuff on the menu

Review №24

2023-07-10 00:00:27

TLDR; this place has mediocre food & is overpriced. I suspect its just riding on the fame of Manresa.The cocktail was decent but at $17 its like NYC prices. The jambalaya was just ok lacking flavor. The fried chicken was tasteless. The chicken was chewy and while the crisp was nice it lacked seasoning and flavor. This place is inspired by New Orleans, how can your fried chicken be worse than Chick-fil-a? The hush-puppies were the best thing we had. The beignets were overcooked (too crunchy) and not fluffy in center like youd expect. This place needs some quality control.If you are looking for this style of food, hit up Angelines in Berkeley. They do right by New Orleans unlike this place.

Review №25

2021-08-12 22:57:05

Plates are taste, new a good flavors. Always ask for the special of the day. They are always good.Po boys are ok. But the resto do the plates are really tasty. They have patio for pets. The service is good

Review №26

2022-09-19 03:21:25

Great food and friendly staff at this New Orleans themed restaurant. I had the Po boy, which was tasty and had very fresh bread.

Review №27

2018-06-16 19:27:40

Went for brunch and enjoyed everything. Had a nitro cold brew chicory coffee, a hurricane, a hot link & egg po boy, smoked brisket hash and a plate of beignets.Excellent presentation, prompt, courteous service and warm, welcoming staff. Authentic NOLA atmosphere and details throughout the building. A nice smoker puffing away next to a b-ball hoop out back. Hell yeah, Ill be back for some dinner.

Review №28

2023-09-10 03:27:20

The food was amazing, service was not as expected. Our server Miguel was uninterested and cold - I would suggest he does better. The other servers worked super hard and I want to recognise them. We may be back but unsure based on the experience.

Review №29

2023-06-12 06:14:49

I’m not sure why this restaurant has gotten high reviews, perhaps we chose the wrong menu. My husband and I came here for Sunday lunch. I got the avocado toast, which was $22 so I expected it to be a good sized meal but it was just one thin slice of bread with no sides or anything. My husband was not impressed with the shrimp poboy either.

Review №30

2023-05-14 22:49:34

Service was very good. Seating was efficient, servers made sure that everyone was taken care of and were prompt.I would describe the food as decadent. I had the brisket and the french toast. The french toast was lovely, it had bruleed bananas on top and it was sweet enough on its own without syrup (I dont enjoy things that are too sweet). The brisket had a very strong hickory flavoring, and the meat was soft and fatty. Overall good, but not something I personally enjoy eating large quantities of, since the combination of strong smoke flavoring and high fat can give me heartburn.If you like strong drinks that are sweet, theres a lot to enjoy, but if youre like me and prefer less sweet drinks then youre pretty much stuck with things like the coffee or tea. Even the lemonade packs a punch.I would recommend this place for social gatherings, but dont get outdoor seating if you have allergies. There are a LOT of trees in the area.

Review №31

2017-08-30 20:18:07

Great space for some good food and drinks! Did not get to try the wine but I have heard they have an excellent selection. My bartender was really nice and let me try things we havent heard of before. I tried the washington oysters and sweet potatoe fries and beinges. All delicious!

Review №32

2023-07-01 22:47:30

A nice local taste of New Orleans 😋

Review №33

2018-04-27 05:31:25

I can’t say enough about this restaurant. It’s amazing. The food, the atmosphere, the people, everything. The quality of the food is outstanding. This is a REAL restaurant. I always look forward to coming back! ❤️

Review №34

2019-08-11 15:49:59

Was not quite what we expected, but not in a negative way. Small restaurant, small menu. Service was great food was excellent. Ever since Louisiana kitchen closed the Bay Area has been lacking a good full service cajun restaurant. The Bywater comes close, but with a limited menu. Full service bar is defiantly 5-star. The Hurricanes are very strong. The waitress offered fresh squeeze orange juice to claim it down, best hurricane ever.

Review №35

2023-05-19 20:49:34

Delicious lunch at The Bywater. Very attentive service, and the oysters were fresh. My group wanted the fried green tomatoes but didn’t want an entire sandwich of them. The server offered to have an appetizer plate made, which we excitedly accepted. You’ll want more of the creole tartar sauce.

Review №36

2023-02-15 21:00:02

The service was excellent, and the drinks were quite good. However, the food was bordering on terrible. After many wonderful meals at their sister restaurant, Mentone, we were extremely disappointed by the remarkable lack of flavor in nearly everything we were served. The fried chicken was crispy, but tasted only of lard, no spices. The gumbo was oily and completely without flavor. The one redeeming dish was the French fries, which were excellent in both flavor and texture.My date and I were both very excited to try the Bywater, so I am sad to say the food fell so short. I would normally keep my thoughts to myself, but at those prices, I feel customers deserve a heads up before sitting down.

Review №37

2023-04-12 18:44:47

I’ve been enjoying the delicious meals here since its inception. We went for brunch this weekend and had a lovely meal! The French toast was delicious and the biscuits were yummy 😋. Husband had the chorizo Po-boy and was blown away, amazing. The cocktails were perfect and the back patio was perfect to watch the Masters!

Review №38

2023-10-28 04:22:46

One of the rare great restaurants of the area. Phenomenal vibe and even better food. Will definitely come back.

Review №39

2023-02-08 23:14:43

Charming place to have really good food.. Friendly service, clean, reason prices. We will be back.

Review №40

2023-04-29 03:16:05

Love the food and the atmosphere in this place. The drinks are great and the waiters are really nice. The location is very convenient as it allows for easy parking and no traffic (majority of the time).

Review №41

2018-04-06 03:57:31

Not too noisy of environment; music was alright; menu thankfully included stout beer (but in a bottle); decent and delicious oyster options; (oysters were a little small though); they did mess up our oyster order but ended up with extra free oysters, so that was nice; burger had bombest gravy but had to order fries separate.

Review №42

2022-02-02 23:08:34

The food is decent and service is excellent. The daily special rib is one of the best rib I had in bay area.

Review №43

2017-08-07 03:02:46

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The duck ham app was very good as well. However, we didnt quite like the hot links poboy and the noodle entries. Also, service is slow, so expect to wait a while.

Review №44

2022-10-15 23:51:00

Excellent food, affordable, amazingly good and friendly service. We will be back definitely!

Review №45

2020-01-04 20:16:37

The staff here is super friendly. Sabrina is the best bartender. The food is OUTSTANDING! I have ordered things that I was not sure were to my taste and loved every one. The smoked pork hash is my new favorite

Review №46

2023-06-23 23:13:35

I love the oyster po boys. The fried chicken is awesome too. It is pricey, but the food is tasty and the staff are super friendly.

Review №47

2016-11-08 14:37:20

This place is awesome they are serving flavors here that i had not encountered. You can sit at the bar or at a table. A touch of NOLA in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Review №48

2021-06-04 21:53:18

Excellent drinks and food always here, super consistent and yummy.For drinks order The David, it is so good.

Review №49

2023-02-12 19:25:46

I ordered gumbo - spicy water with minimal seafood scrambles topped with a single piece of prawn which we couldn’t get out of its shell(yeah, that hard)Not that I wanted to eat anymore, but the portion sizes were so small that we were left hungry.They had fans going full speed in the restaurant with it being so cold outside.I had to request thrice for the fan above me to be closed. Instead should have proper air conditioning and ventilation.Terrible place, save your evening.

Review №50

2023-03-24 03:59:41

Went there with family, party of six, for first time. Seafood gumbo file was not anywhere near what Ive had in New Orleans. The Veg Jambalaya was bad as was the Nashville hot chicken. Cheeseburger was good. We did like the two desserts they had (beignets and caramel pot de creme). The waitress was average but other waiter (with short beard) was nice and polite. As much as I love cajun/creole food, not likely Ill go back.

Review №51

2019-02-02 03:57:06

This is for 2/1/19 for dinner in the outside patioFood was great overall. We had the bywater burger, the shrimp and grits, and the bread pudding. What ticked it down was the amount of time between getting the appetizer and the main course. Our server didnt come to let us know that the order would take a little more time and we were just there waiting for our food. For reference, the table next to us ordered maybe five minutes before us and they ALL finished their food while we were still waiting to get our two orders.Another thing was the shrimp and grits. While it was great in terms of flavor, the shrimp should have been peeled or the server shouldve let us know in advance that the shrimp wasnt peeled. It was a hassle and a mess to peel and eat. It was also definitely spicy which would have been nice to know in advance.

Review №52

2023-05-27 13:36:25

My dads side of the family is from New Orleans, and this place gave me a great little taste of that home away from home 💜💛💚Loved the decor and airy, bright atmosphere. Service was excellent, too.

Review №53

2023-02-10 16:54:56

Food is hot and fresh! I couldnt give 5 stars because the service to be waited on was snail pace. Helpful tip when you finally do get waited on, request everything you need because again at snail pace service, (eg; your fries will end up cold by the time they bring you some ketchup)☹️

Review №54

2019-05-07 06:44:03

The service was great, however, food on my recent visit was not living up to how I remembered it. Last time, I got the special--a whole fish fried served with a Vietnamese-inspired slaw. It was so absolutely delicious, and creative, and unique that I thought it captured a beautiful point about Nola and the influencing cultures in the region. I was curious about other specials, but the most recent night we went there were no specials. Ive had the fried chicken, po boys, and gumbo from The Bywater. Theyre generally good, but a bit one note for me.This night, I ordered fried chicken. The portion sizes dramatically changed. Previously, it was a generous portion with 3 large, whole parts. This time I got 1 medium drumstick and 1 breast tender (not to be confused with a whole breast). I paid $20 for a small cup of beans with bacon and 2 pieces of chicken. Why wasnt this entree $14-$16 for 2 pcs? It was more lunch-sized than dinner-sized. It was fabulously breaded and well-seasoned, but strangely, the drumstick was dry and the chicken tender moist! (I usually like dark meat because it tends to be moist compared to white meat.)The Daves Famous Fried Mortadella sandwich was a hot mess, in a bad way. The bun was some soft bread that fell apart because of all the juices. If the bread was toasted, it needed more toasting. As soon as you picked it up, the bread would fall apart in your hands. I thought each component would be fried and assembled together, but it seemed only one part was pan-fried and the rest of it tasted like a warmed cold cut sandwich. The sandwich came with nothing on the side, not even a pickle spear.Im not sure why the food was so terrible compared to the last two times. Thankfully, The Bywater continues to have good raw oysters that are cheaper than most places (1 dz =$34). The mignonette sauce was a disaster. Do they put bbq rub in a cup of vinegar? Are they trying to cajun-up the mignonette sauce like that? It just tasted like spicy, smokey vinegar that didnt enhance or complement the oysters. Whoever was shucking that night was 9 for 12 for getting shell shards in our oysters. The mignonette sauce was so awful and I was tired of finding shell bits that I didnt want to risk ordering another dozen.If you want stiff drinks, every cocktail Ive had here will knock you hard. Theyre not particularily subtle or complex even though the menu makes them seem that way. The gin fizz here is not the frothy version.Maybe brunch is the way to go or--only dining when they have a blackboard special. I want to love this place and come back often, but there were too many things wrong. It might be a while until I give them a second chance.

Review №55

2022-08-31 00:05:46

Food here is downright insane when it comes to flavor. Drinks are solid too. Everyone is quite friendly.I knocked this down to 4 stars because it was difficult to get service. We had to flag down a server several times and I consider us rather low maintenance.On top of it, I had hair in my food. By the time I got a replacement my family was already done eating. Waiter seemed like it wasnt a big deal. He offered to have it remade, but no discount or other show of making amends.

Review №56

2023-06-18 02:40:31

Great place with great food & service.

Review №57

2019-07-14 00:07:59

My hubby and I were seated closer to the front of the restaurant near the window. We had a choice to sit outside, but we wanted to sit in the AC. The hostess who greeted and seated us was friendly, but our waitress (blonde hair) was not. First, she stands behind my husband to take our order instead of standing where we both could see her. We did order a non-alcoholic beverage called snap pea ginger refresher, and it was amazing. The blonde waitress did not offer us any water. While we waited for our dozen oysters and a shrimp salad (it was happy hour, so not much we can order), there were several flies near our area. When I went to the restroom, there were flies there as well. We asked the bus boy if we could move to a booth. He said he would tell our waitress. He wiped down the booth we wanted. I saw him talk to her, but she never came to us and moved us. My hubby and I picked up our oysters, drinks, and utensils and carried them to the booth. Once seated, the blonde waitress looked irritated with us. I told her there were flies near the window. She didnt say anything to us. She then brought our small shrimp salad. When I ate my 3rd oyster, I panicked a little because it did not taste right, so I refused to eat any more for fear of getting food poisoning. I just ate the shrimp salad. I knew we should have walked out when the customer service was lacking. We recommend Poor House Bistro instead if you want cajon/creole food. Its fresher and the staff are a lot friendlier.

Review №58

2018-03-26 13:25:15

Best fried chicken in the south bay, but pretty close to addendum in Yountville.Other good items to try: voodoo daiquiris, po boys, oysters. Everything is pretty pricey, but good.

Review №59

2023-06-04 17:37:48

This restaurant had particularly great service and nice atmosphere, but I found the chicken and poboys both to be lacking. I plan to try the BBQ another day, however!

Review №60

2019-03-24 04:38:14

Had salad, Burger in gravy and beignets...all were delicious. Also had Black Manhattan, Classic Manhattan and Sauzerac. Drinks were quite tasty, Black Manhattan was tge favorite.

Review №61

2022-04-25 21:19:09

Im sorry but what a joke of a restaurant. We sat down at 5.50 and at 6.02 they took our drink order. 12 minutes isnt great for an empty restaurant but well let that slide. Drinks didnt arrive until 6.32... we sat at an empty table with no bread no drinks no nothing for 42 minutes and the place was empty. And that was after I asked where our drinks were. The manager ran around the entire night with a young girl doing apparently nothing. Our waiter tried to serve us the same appetizers three times which we had already finished. The fries were over seasoned and the super meaty thick gumbo the waiter described didnt have a single shrimp, had one tiny piece of crab, one tiny oyster and was the consistency of a thin broth. I cant think of the last time Ive had to ask for salt at a restaurant and this is supposed to be Cajun? Louisiana native - absolute garbage. What a shame.

Review №62

2023-01-12 01:46:27

David kinch is a wizard.Seriously, this place is ridiculously good. I love the shrimp remoulade-- its perfect.But the star of the show is definitely the fried chicken and mac salad. I didnt understand or appreciate Mac salad before I had the Bywaters and thats my own personal failing but in my defence-- Id never had good Mac salad. Its not just the quality of both the Mac salad and the chicken-- its the harmony that comes from the two of them together. Id be hard-pressed to name a more complete, well-rounded flavor and texture combination than a bite of chicken mellowed out with a bite of mac salad. It is absolutely divine, and Im ranting, but thats because Im obsessed with how.... Whole this meal is. Theres just nothing else I want.

Review №63

2022-11-01 14:50:03

Solid place with a southern, new orleans flare. Well executed dishes from gumbos, bbq meats, and p9 boys. The cocktail selection is also impressive and these guys do not mess around with their cocktails.

Review №64

2023-03-16 22:58:36

Laissez le bon temps rouler! Its the Bywater in Los Gatos yet youd think you were in the French Quarter or Bayou in Louisiana. Traditional yet upscale Cajun menu. Everything is great on the menu and specials. Fried Chicken, red beans and rice and wash it down with a Hurricane, bourbon or Pims Cup. Fun themed nights: Tiki, Fat Tuesday, special chefs dinners are always fun on their websites. Indoor and outdoor seating (get a reservation, always busy).

Review №65

2022-12-06 05:40:51

Tasty food and drinks. Try the voodoo daiquiris, as they are delicious with just the right amount of alcohol.The people there are very friendly. They just updated their menus and every Monday from 3 PM to closing is happy hour.

Review №66

2023-02-21 03:53:15

This is one of the few places outside New Orleans where you can have authentic and high quality Cajun food (quote by someone born and raised there). The menu is short but impeccably curated. In addition to a refreshing take at NOLA classics, you can enjoy few specials that change with the season. Everything is of the utmost quality.The bar is among the best I have seen in the area. Author drinks complement all your American and international classics. Fantastic selection of liquors with special focus on Whiskey, Rye and Bourbons.Absolutely worth a visit.

Review №67

2018-11-06 15:50:32

The atmosphere was nice but I did not love the food. I ordered shrimp and grits and did not complete understand the warning from the server about the shrimp being in the shell.

Review №68

2022-07-26 01:07:14

Service was super great but the menu was limited and pricey($80 a head) for po boys, rice and beans and a burger with a horribly lonely presentation. Everything was just dusted with Old Bay Seasoning, not very creative. We had gone for BBQ, ended up disappointed that your website posts Sunday BBQ from 11am to 8pm and discovered it ended at 3pm. We should have left. If Manresa’s food is anything like this, diners are definitely just paying for hype, ego, attitude and bragging rights, “hey, guess where we ate”.

Review №69

2021-07-30 03:09:24

Ill go 4.5 on this. Food was great, although they were out of the two items Id most wanted. Drinks were really sweet (I did try three, two with tequila and/or mezcal, and one with vodka) and had to ask for something more sour/salty. They did make me that drink, and it was delicious! Ended up eating fried chicken with macaroni salad, and rock cod fish and chips. Chicken fried perfect, but was wishing there was a dipping sauce or dressing (house made watermelon hot sauce subbed in pretty well here). Fish and chips were also very good, and the house tartar sauce was perfect. All in all, its a pretty pricey dinner for the content, but still worthy of a visit. Id probably go back for brunch or lunch over a dinner though.

Review №70

2023-05-15 20:22:50

Great Sunday Brunch! Chicken and Waffles were amazing. Great drinks and the staff were very friendly!

Review №71

2018-06-03 03:07:03

The food is delicious, the cocktails are creative and tasty and the staff is very friendly

Review №72

2021-04-06 20:43:03

We have eaten at the Bywater and have always enjoyed our dining experience. The San Jose Mercury had mentioned that a takeout was being offered with a special meal for Easter. We ordered online and went there for pickup. We are so glad that we did. The meal was fantastic. I had never had smoked lamb and it was delicious. The smashers were plentiful and tasted great. And of course dessert hit the spot. Yummy praline cookies with cream and sauce.

Review №73

2022-05-29 05:26:35

We had food poisoning from the oysters with projectile vomit. Additionally portion sizes and seasoning for gumbo and jambalaya were tiny and disappointing. As in ladle of spicy soup with three mussels and bowl of rice with sparse vegetables respectively tiny. Really disappointed with the whole experience. Drinks are well made and strong though

Review №74

2023-01-08 02:15:17

Been there twice. Both times got our order wrong. Service tried both times to make up for it. But the food was generally just OK. Exceptions are the chicken and waffles and bignets; those are amazing.

Review №75

2022-12-17 19:05:14

Was here during happy hour. The cocktails and oysters were yummy. Great service and atmosphere. Food was delicious!

Review №76

2021-10-12 05:30:56

Well done bistro decor, delicious food, and good service combine to make a pleasant dinner experience. My husband enjoyed a seafood special while I had exceptional fried chicken, which came with a disappointing macaroni salad. Fresh oysters were appreciated.

Review №77

2021-10-22 00:03:00

Amazing food and service. This is a fine dining, Michelin Star restaurant even if it is not in some guide somewhere. They are clearly meticulous about cleanliness, food, service and so on. Every detail shows care and Love. There is a crew here that cares about what they do. Bartenders, chefs and servers are professionals and it shows. I speak from experience. Please oh please do not change the happy hour!!!!

Review №78

2022-08-14 17:17:37

Delicious food - po boys are tasty, uses good ingredients. Liked all 3 we tried - shirimp, oyster, chicken. Oysters snd sunday bbq are very good too! Fries are so fresh and crunch too!Saturday brunch set (poboy + salad or fries + drink) is a great deal.Staffs are very kind and accommodating.

Review №79

2023-01-11 00:44:32

The price doesn’t matter here honestly. The atmosphere was intimate. The food was delicious. The staff knowledgeable and polite The drinks are not watered down at all. Win win win!!!

Review №80

2022-08-14 01:24:12

Way over priced. Prices of a high end restaurant, however, does not offer the quality of high end dining.$17 bucks a beer, $30 corkage. Metal chairs, outdoor dining is in a parking lot.Would NOT recommend this place.

Review №81

2022-07-02 00:30:46

I was at The Baywater for the first time today and ordered the seafood jumbo, which comes with rice. The gumbo was spicy. I very much liked the taste during the first 2/3 of the meal; but for some unknown reason, my enjoyment declined during the last 1/3. No idea why. There must be some expert gastronomical explanation. They serve steamed white rice in a separate bowl, but I think it tastes best when the rice is mixed in the gumbo, which is what I did.The Baywater has seating inside and two distinct outdoor patios. Personally, I think the outside is preferable, at least during the warm weather days.One bad thing is that, even though it was not busy, it took the waiter about 12 minutes to ask for my food order.I learned of The Baywater when I searched online for Michelin star restaurants. But online, Michelin lists a lot of restaurants that they seem to recommend even though they are not awarded stars. Although I enjoyed the gumbo, I do not understand why Micheline would recommend The Bay Water. It is an OK place with OK food. I noticed the Google reviews average 4.5* out of 5* (July 1, 2022).Parking is available free on the street, but there will be times when it is not easy to find.

Review №82

2022-04-17 19:15:38

Insanely good food! By far the best smoked pork I’ve ever had. All of their delicious sauces are made in-house as well. Staff was amazing and so helpful. Will definitely be back here

Review №83

2022-06-08 17:12:02

What a great Monday early dinner ! We sat on the back patio, had the best service, and loved all the different specials! The oysters are the best in the San Jose Area. We cant wait to go back. 🙌

Review №84

2019-02-11 02:15:56

Wonderful hearty food. Great place to try out the diverse foods of the South. The fried oysters are the best Ive had and the pulled pork to die for.Although space is well used (tables pretty close together) it doesnt feel too crowded.Lunch is a better time to drop by and go early for a chance to get table at night. This is a popular place!

Review №85

2022-05-24 16:19:44

Great atmosphere if you get to sit inside. Dont sit in the back patio, which lacks ambiance. Some of the dishes were good; this is a $$$ restaurant. This would be a great place to have a drinks an as with most places they feature small plates for sharing.

Review №86

2019-12-23 21:06:12

We had a great casual brunch, sat around visited with each other. Drinks were good, food was delicious. One ordered fried chick/gravy, another pork has, andoulie scramble and a crepe w shrimp. I would go back - but aft 3 during Happy Hour, menu looked good as well, smaller.

Review №87

2019-06-10 13:11:26

Great tasting food. But the food selections seemed limited. Perhaps, by choice but there were no appetizers except oysters.We were a group of five. The broiled oysters on toast was delicious. I tried the fried chicken and it was great. My kid had the Bywater burger, but did not enjoy it much. The gravy was too salty

Review №88

2017-04-03 16:32:37

The food and drink is good but the prices are high. I had the starter salad, the short ribs, and one drink. It was good but not sure it held up to a $50+ price tag. Nice atmosphere but our service this particular night was spotty at best. We had to order a few things from the hostess as our server just didnt show up at the table very often. Ill be back, though; perhaps this night was just an off night.

Review №89

2020-11-25 00:57:34

The atmosphere is great even during covid with its cute patio it has even pre pandemic. The cocktails are delicious. As a fan of not to sweet they have the perfect ones. The fries chicken is worth the trip alone and if they have a special just get it. We have never been disappointed be it the lobster corn dog or the pork belly po boy. Have yet to be disappointed by this place.

Review №90

2022-01-22 21:33:50

The Bywater is a casual New Orleans Creole style restaurant from Micheline stars fame chef David Kinch.It was said it is his love letter to New Orleans.It is a very different place than Manresa. Really more casual. But food, food is great.Po boys are really center there.They have a little short menu these days of Corona, but you cannot go wrong by ordering The Peacemaker and some beignets.They do brunch BBQ on Saturdays. We ordered a BBQ sampler.One of the most famous items is Rich Mans red beans and rice. Try it, it is good.

Review №91

2021-06-20 20:36:56

Takeout food for Fathers Day was very cold. They obviously made all the pre-orders hours and hours ahead, which is fine for sandwiches, I guess, but not for fries. Also, they overcharged on a subsequent beer order, so be sure to check the tab carefully. These people seem very pleased with themselves but theres room for improvement.

Review №92

2017-03-15 20:00:06

Easily the best brunch Ive had anywhere. Did the 3 course jazz brunch for $39 per person. If you like biscuits and gravy, you have to come here. The NOLA iced coffee is also incredible. I havent had anything from The Bywater that wasnt completely delicious.

Review №93

2021-06-28 06:48:13

Good Louisiana food. The service was great and we were able to get a seat outside as soon as we walked up. The atmosphere was true to their theme.The softshell crab poboy was good. The red beans and rice was better. I grew up near New Orleans, so am extremely picky about my red beans and rice especially. They did a great job on those. Portions were LARGE.The Sazerac wasnt bad, but it was not a true Sazerac. It tasted more like a watered down attempt. The daiquiri was better.

Review №94

2019-11-02 12:05:41

Food is very food. Cocktails good. Service is earnest but, well, not that sharp. The busser was the sharpest server Netting it out, all aspects seem well intentioned, the space is charming, the evening well spent.So why the rating? Tasty food paired with mumbled explanations of oysters repeated 3 times for clarity and missed food orders causing lengthy delays. The heaters on the patio are a joke. Dessert was a happy ending even if i did have to chase them down to pay the bill.Will we return? With good companyBon chance mes amis

Review №95

2020-01-18 05:48:57

Cocktails were great, food was acceptable, but didnt match their bar program. The fried chicken texture was sandy and gritty and the mortadella sandwich tried too hard while the bun-to-meat ratio was bread-heavy...put more meat in there - no need for a giant bun to mask your house-made mortadella.

Review №96

2018-11-18 16:17:03

This place has amazing food that is actually quite simple. The fried chicken, for example, is absolutely awesome; it is unlike anything you have had before but still very basic fried chicken -- just awesome. Lots of interesting drinks, good beer, and a selection of terrific raw oysters. And its not very expensive.

Review №97

2020-02-13 20:23:32

Atmosphere is great. Food was amazing. I had the Famous Daves Mortadella Sand, decadence at its best!!! My Fiancé had the Fried Chicken with beans and rice. The chicken was so moist and juicy. Beans and rice were absolutely phenomenal. For dessert we had Beignets. It was beautiful ending to a great dinner. Looking forward to returning and trying other items on the menu. Cheers!!! Bon Appetit.

Review №98

2018-08-30 12:07:23

Busy local place with a great raw bar and curated local beer on tap (incl. Sante Adarius).Try the fried chicken.

Review №99

2019-07-06 18:20:14

Best cheese burger in town and other creative dishes that actually taste good, not some goofy chef experiment gone wrong.Waiter had to have an audible memory....big order, no notes, got it right.Excellent service.As Arnold says, Ill be back

Review №100

2018-04-27 21:54:39

Unlike some past reviewers, Im happy to report the service during my brunch visit was perfect. Pricey yes, but delicious.Edit: Weekday lunch service pretty terrible. Had to flag a waiter for drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Food was wayyyy over sauced.

Review №101

2017-11-30 00:10:03

A light lunch of oysters and Muscadet.The oysters were excellent. I have had one of the three types but had never heard of the other two, one of which was from Baja. They have an excellent wine selection and the Loire was perfect with the shellfish. Friendly and attentive service. Prices are good (even better at happy hour). I will be back.

Review №102

2016-11-19 04:49:21

The setting is warm, bustling, cozy, and quaint. They are honest and attentive people who will go the extra mile to serve you with your specific requests. The shrimp avocado salad with fried okra was flavorful with a sweet tangy sauce. The Louisiana hot sauce with Cajun creole fries hit the spot! Bonus was that they ran out to return my iPhone 6 after I left. I had a great time and thank you!

Review №103

2022-08-28 15:17:05

Simple and simply spectacular. Highly recommend taste sensation.

Review №104

2016-05-01 15:34:22

A restaurant from the chef of manresa, but this is a more casual and affordable place. This place is trendy and crowded and unfortunately does not take reservations so youre likely to have to wait an hour for dinner, even on weekdays. The cocktails here are excellent. The food is delicious as well but I would have liked slightly bigger portions given the price. The beignets are not to be missed!

Review №105

2019-03-24 06:04:02

This is my favorite spot in the area. The drinks are absolutely fantastic, and the food is even moreso. To top it off, the service and ambiance is great and very fun. Its my favorite little place to either just grab a drink or two, or get a delicious and unique meal. Its a little pricy, but not that bad for Los Gatos in general, and the happy hour is superb. Overall, I would say every time Ive been there (and thats quite a few times now!) has been a 5/5 experience.And as a side note, I always suggest the beignets!

Review №106

2019-06-17 04:33:48

The broiled oyster was really good, very flavorful not too spicy sate sauce. Crawfish on the pasta was really tender. The short ribs is amazing. You are served wraps to make spring rolls, which I did not expect. Use the salad to wrap the meat. I had some of the butter lettuce left so I made lettuce wraps. Beignets are solid. Ordered a half plate since we were pretty full.

Review №107

2017-05-14 02:36:21

This is now the fourth time I have been here - and the fourth time I have been extremely disappointed. I should start by saying I dont like giving bad reviews, but The Bywater has unequivocally earned this one. Future patrons and Bywater staff, my explanation is below.To start - the food:Its OK. Not REALLY good, just good. The first and second times I visited The Bywater I was expecting something more gruff, something more New Orleans... They do not do that here- They do smaller, fancy dishes where you pay 26 dollars for five bites. Normally Im ok with this because the food quality matches the price... Except here it does not. If youre going to serve expensive food, especially when its based on casual New Orleans fare- it had better be tastier than the cheap stuff.The service:...Its OK. Again, if youre going to pay that much for a meal, the service should match.The feel:Feels great, nice atmosphere, good design on menu etc.The drinks:Great. Always a good selection of cocktails and beers on tap.Overall:2/5Save yourself the money, and go someplace else. Really missing New Orleans? Well, for only a little bit more buy a ticket and go in-person.

Review №108

2019-03-06 01:51:44

Best red beans and rice, and caramel pot de creme in the Bay Area. Excellent mixed drinks, top notch fried chicken (was that fried in lard or bacon fat?). Amazing creole spices fries. We did not have a single item that was just ok. Everything we had was superb

Review №109

2023-11-13 01:03:51

Nice casual dining place by David Kinch.

Review №110

2022-10-09 02:07:14

Everything was really tasty. The menu may look simple but the quality and taste was top notch. Thank you guys for an excellent experience!

Review №111

2016-08-20 06:05:11

I just had simultaneously the best sandwich and the best barbecue of my life at The Bywater. All of the dishes were extremely well executed and well balanced, and the flavor combinations were delightful. You can taste the quality of the ingredients that the chef is using. We have had the pleasure of eating at Manresa, and the quality and care and ingenuity of the dishes at that restaurant are also present here. My husband is the owner of Le Marais Bakery in the city, and he was very impressed with the beignets, with everything. We eat at many of the popular SF restaurants, and it is rare that we really enjoy a meal this much. The service was great and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is fun and transporting. And comparative to the quality of food, it was extremely affordable.

Review №112

2019-05-15 04:54:02

Second review: 3 stars based on previous experience and hoping this was a fluke. Kept talking this place up based on my first experience and went back with my husband. Once we sat down we were ignored for quite awhile. We finally got service but it was all so slow. The guy bussing and filling waters was on it but that was it. I ordered an iced tea and it didnt come out until I was almost done with my food. My food wasnt hot but my husbands was. When we paid they brought us back the book with the receipt but not the card. We waited for a while but no one came by so we walked out and grabbed it out of the machine ourselves as we walked toward the front door (our waiter left it in the credit reader apparently). It was a disappointing experience after a good first impression.My first review: 5 stars. Having gone to college in the south, I was a little skeptical about this place, but it was great. Simple menu but everything done perfectly. Good coffee and drinks. Nice atmosphere. Quaint and cozy even. A little pricey but nothing out of the ordinary for the area.

Review №113

2019-05-28 07:05:04

Tasty New Orleans Bistro fare. High quality ingredients served beautifully. New Orleans specialty cocktails and an excellent wine list. Excellent service from an attentive staff. The Bywater is a great experience.

Review №114

2017-12-04 10:21:44

Honestly, this place is fairly expensive. Went in for lunch one day and got a shrimp sandwich, which was the dryest sandwich I have ever experienced. The bread was incredibly stale, and they did not even spread the sauce so half the sandwich was fried shrimp and stale bread. The fries were excellent and the coffee is out of this world (only reason why I am giving 2 stars). with my experience I would pass on coming back here because over $60 for 2 stale sandwiches because thats just not what I want. Would come back only for the coffee. The staff was very nice.

Review №115

2018-09-22 17:46:15

Wonderful food. Fried chicken was cooked perfectly. Ask for the in-house hot sauce - very flavorful and not too hot. Great drink selection. Definitely recommend it!

Review №116

2019-11-09 23:23:05

A fantastic food selection, amazing drinks, and very well prepared dishes make this a favorite of mine. We enjoy Bywater at least once a month and we are never disappointed.Check out the oysters - great selection and serving options!

Review №117

2018-11-06 20:32:38

Most authentic New Orleans fare in the Bay area.Top notch ingredients including pristine raw oysters make this a special place and good for celebrations.Dessert choices could be expanded, but dessert is not why you eat here.

Review №118

2019-11-30 17:22:29

High end NOLA cuisine with great atmosphere. The bar tenders are very friendly and feature a creative cocktail menu. Would recommend the Harvest Moon or the Monte Sabrino.

Review №119

2020-02-23 01:50:21

Fantastic NOLA cuisine, great cocktails, still casual enough, and not hard to get into the place. Could you ask for more? Its not the cheapest option, but youre paying for the quality of products.

Review №120

2017-07-12 13:46:52

A high-end riff on the food of New Orleans; its to New Orleans what PF Changs is to Chinese. The food is quite good though a little bit sweeter than I would like it to be. Ive been there multiple times. Now for some color on the food.The Pulled Pork Poor Boy - its a quite good with slaw and a spicy tang to it (though sweeter than BBQ should be).The Blackened Romaine salad - slightly charred heads of Romaine with wedges of citrus and Green Goddess dressing. Though generous portions this is one of the lightest dishes Ive had there and is one of my favorites.The bacon is thick-sliced pork belly; its not fried until crispy but cooked until rich and delicious in a, you guessed it, way too sweet coating. Its a side, not a main dish, but Its so rich that it is best shared amongst all at the table.Rich Mans Red Beans and Rice is an excellent dish. It has meat in it - thats why its the rich mans version. But it is a simple, reasonable portion with a fried egg on top. Its another favorite.Im not sure this is the exact name, but Shrimp in the Hole is a dish with crispy fried bread with a hole in the middle in which they put shrimp. Its the dish I have liked the least; the bread is too crispy and doesnt absorb juices and flavors; it almost turns into powder as you chew it. If the bread had a French toast consistency I think it would be improved.No matter what have the Bywater Beignets at the end. They come 6 to a plate and are hot from the oil, slammed with powdered sugar, and fantastic. Oh, and they are not too sweet! Its a nice yeasty dough and, while not exactly the same as youd get in NOLA, they are just different, not inferior. And if you think theyre too filling, think again. Theyre really quite light. Have some chicory coffee with them.And the service is consistently good. Not overbearing, not too formal, but the waters stay full and its timely.Update 2017-06-01 - The last time we went they had changed thier beignet recipe. They are smaller, dont have the excellent yeasty flavor they used to, cinnamon has been added, and they are fried too crisply. I dont know why they changed a star item but I no longer look forward to going back. They used to be that good.

Review №121

2020-01-25 01:23:31

If youre up for some fantastic creole-style cuisine with the creative touch of David Kinch (Michelin stars), look no further. A little bit of Commanders Palace tucked neatly into Los Gatos. Great bar, attentive and friendly service, good crowd, great atmosphere and reasonable prices. Oh... and the beignets are to die for. Save room. What more could yall ask for?

Review №122

2018-08-01 01:12:24

I cant describe how overly, incredibly good the food and drink is here. The fried chicken is the best fried chicken youll find almost anywhere, its amazing, and everything else lives up to that bar of quality. Just be prepared to spend quite a lot of money, because you pay for that quality.

Review №123

2018-06-30 22:22:48

Really amazing New Orleans inspired food. The service is friendly, and the food is always delicious. They also have a great selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. On the weekends, reservations are a really good idea.

Review №124

2020-05-20 22:49:15

Digs: 4* | Food: 2* | Service: 4*Based on the prices and David Kinch’s reputation, our party of four, who collectively have lived near Louisiana for decades, expected an inspired yet authentic, high-end New Orleans–style meal. What we got was…well, not that.To be fair, the service, music, and decor were excellent, and so was the extensive cocktail selection. The food was another story.It seems that lately in NorCal, it is trendy to try and stuff as much fat as possible into every dish. (Maybe all their food neuroses make people feel that fat’s the only way they can truly indulge themselves.) Anyway, that trend seems in full swing at The Bywater. Here are some examples. 1) There is, and should be, a difference between a biscuit and a pie crust. However, you won’t find it here. I’ve eaten my share of excellent, mouth-watering biscuits; this one wasn’t even a biscuit. 2) I love Benedicts. Ordered the only one available, bacon and avocado (even though the avocado gave it away as a Californization). First, the bacon, which rightfully should have been ham, was actually more like pork belly. There wasn’t much of it and—notice a theme?—it was, of course, mostly fat. 3) The dish was positively drowning in an almost cheese-like yellow sauce tasting nothing like Hollandaise. 4) The only redeeming feature of the dish was some spicy bits (pimiento?) in the avocado—MORE FAT—which shouldn’t have been there in the first place.One mildly annoying service-related thing is that the Benedict came on two “biscuits,” and if our server had told me that beforehand, I wouldn’t have ordered a separate “biscuit” to try it out.As for everyone else: one of our party begged me repeatedly for some of my Benedict, then had absolutely nothing to say about it afterward. Likewise his smoked trout omelette. Another at our table had the “hot link” po boy, which was full of pork sausage with *zero* (that’s ZEEE-RO) spice. The third had the only successful dish of the morning, the shrimp and avocado remoulade.For dessert we got beignets and they were also (a) not special, (b) extra-fat. Beignets are typically not burned and crunchy on the edges…but this is apparently how one stuffs a beignet with extra fat.To sum up, only one of us liked our food and no one said they would return. If you’re looking for a California artiste’s vaguely New Orleans-inspired, fat-filled fantasy, make a reservation here. If you’re looking for a stellar taste of New Orleans, save your money and try elsewhere.

Review №125

2021-06-12 05:03:39

The fried chicken is amazing, but the red beans and rice! Oh my! Such simple food, but the flavor was so complex! Not exactly the healthiest food, but so worth it on occasion.

Review №126

2016-10-23 14:46:14

From beginning to end, a slice of New Orleans teleported straight into one the of the less busy parts of Los Gatos. Superbly shucked oysters of excellent flavor and freshness and theres one of the worlds great oyster wines, Pépières Muscadet, to go with them. The classic cocktails are always subtly tweaked, such as the ration of Armagnac slipped in place of some of the rye whiskey in the Sazerac. The clarified Ramos Gin Fizz (sans egg white) is worth trying as an interesting variation as well.Our helpful server, Rose, patiently explained many of the dishes to us, as the menu is annoyingly abbreviated. The menu is heavy on seafood, particularly oysters (the po boy was laden with them), and theres not much for kids, but I saw several there, as the casual atmosphere (theres a TV over the bar) can accommodate everyone. Hard to call out just one course as the best, but the desserts, including the resolutely authentic beignets, an intense, magnificently cream pôt de crème, and creative chicory ice cream sandwich certainly sent us out into the night on a high note. Yes, the prices are higher than a typical casual restaurant, but the conception, ingredients, and execution are more than worth it. Now that they take reservations (they were mostly booked up about a week before a Saturday night), theres no reason not to spend an hour or two in the Bywater.Disclosure: were known to the house at Chef Kinchs original restaurant, Manresa, so its possible we were treated better, but looking at the happy tables nearby it seemed like everyone was getting the same quality of food and service.

Review №127

2019-02-14 04:39:22

Food and drinks are good in general. I ordered oyster, gumbo and some other snacks. But be honest they were quite overpriced in terms of portions and the quality of the dishes. In addition, the service was particularly slow during my dinner there.

Review №128

2016-12-11 06:26:37

Good food and good atmosphere. Jambalaya was pretty good, but gumbo was average. They did, however, accommodate a request for a tasting flight of amaro, so kudos to them! Beignets are recommended too!

Review №129

2021-10-08 07:01:10

I went to Tulane and have not been back to New Orleans since graduating almost 20 years ago. I ordered Bywaters daiquiri with a float and I almost wept. The little green plastic cup was cold with a fragrant, icy slush that is instantly recognizable to the well indoctrinated. The first sip brought me back to cruising through a Metairie drive-thru daiquiri with my college roommate on an oppressively humid August afternoon. Next came a hazy memory of walking with my best friend to the daiquiri store at the corner of St. Charles and Carrollton for an obscenely sized adult beverage for no other reason than we were college kids with no responsibilities who lacked a more redeeming idea for an afternoon activity. I realized that neither my dinner companions nor the waiter would have enjoyed listening to bathetic college stories while I cried into my second drink, so I quietly imbibed and lived every memory with solitary joy. Thank you, Bywater, for the transcendent sensory experience. The 19 year old NOLA lover in me was happy to be alive again, if only for a short time.

Review №130

2020-06-20 01:12:53

It’s one of the better places south of San Francisco. Beautiful recipes, thoughtfully prepared, Products from excellent sources, and a fun vibe.One of the best wine and spirits lists In the Southbay as well.

Review №131

2018-02-20 23:52:27

Limited seating. Creole with a twist. The food was incredibly tasty. The staff was very knowledgeable on the options. Loved everything we ordered! Recommend reservations. Great for friends or a romantic outing.

Review №132

2019-04-16 16:28:24

First off, make sure you get the beignets. Ask for any specials they have. Last time was a rum custard soaked banana bread with peanut butter and sea salt.Fried chicken is perfectly fried, and the red beans and rice are an excellent pair.They changed the shrimp po boy slightly, adding gravy which was an awesome addition. Cheese is not listed, but can be added as well.Sunrise bowl is delicious, mezcal smoke really comes thru. The bowl is quite shallow and the straws are quite long however so be sure to keep a hold on them.

Review №133

2018-07-25 22:19:45

Great casual dining with delicious food and warm service. Ordered Fried Chicken Poboy sandwich, TASTY! Reminds me of the comfort food sandwich with Cole slaw I get in NEW ORLEANS and Im there usually 3 times a year!

Review №134

2017-09-24 15:59:05

Amazing upscale casual New Orleans restaurant! The shrimp remoulade is the best ever. The portions are a little small but that just means you get to order more variety

Review №135

2019-04-14 23:40:24

Consistently the best and friendliest bar in town. The only restaurant where Ive never had a bad specialty cocktail. Their theme events the second Tuesday of each month are always a blast.

Review №136

2016-07-17 04:28:53

I had pretty high expectations for The Bywater. It had been on my list for months and I finally made it down there for my birthday dinner. 45 mins wait on Saturday night at 6:15. Okay, sure. We finally just grabbed seats at the bar as soon as it opened up. My friend and I shared the gumbo, fried chicken and oyster po boy.The gumbo...well, I was expecting gumbo and got something else. It appeared to be collards in some sort of thickened pot liquor. It wasnt bad but I was expecting...gumbo.The fried chicken was delicious though. We both could have gone for a few more pieces and then called it a night. Thank goodness for the endless supply of Crystal.The oyster po boy was good. My friend enjoyed it more than I did.The beignets. Well, they were a little too cakey for my taste. I feel like beignets should be light and fluffy. These were more thick, cakey and maybe over fried.Id maybe go back for the fried chicken but that I dont know if its worth the wait.

Review №137

2018-07-07 02:07:14

Amazing food/service. Seriously, the attention to detail from the chefs and servers is almost unexpected. The food was delicious and the laughs from the staff were well worth my trip up north from San Diego.

Review №138

2018-12-07 07:00:19

Superb food done in true NOLA fashion, friendly staff that makes a great effort even when its absolutely slammed, and tremendous cocktails. Had a great time and will definitely be back in the near future!

Review №139

2019-02-25 01:58:24

Grossly overpriced gastropub with limited menu that does not even over espresso drinks! I cannot think of any reason to eat there, unless one craves oysters. Even then there are better choices in town.

Review №140

2022-05-31 05:46:13

The best beignet in the Bay Area. We had oysters, poboy, beignet, and happy hour drinks. Everything was great!

Review №141

2017-06-10 20:55:56

Great food quality. Try the Gin Fizz for a nice, sweet, brunch light drink

Review №142

2017-03-07 19:37:30

Great food and service, good atmosphere. Went during Mardi Gras week and the specials were excellent and extra-affordable. Much more convenient now that they use an on-line reservation system. Highly recommended, especially during the week when its mostly locals.

Review №143

2019-03-09 06:03:27

Great drinks, food, atmosphere. Piss poor service. We had a reservation and had to wait nearly 30min to be seated. Fine, we had a drink while waiting. The service the rest of the night was so slow, we thought we were actually in NOLA.

Review №144

2019-01-09 15:42:37

Weekend have ONLY brunch menu with limited options, Benedict and Mortadella were ok, Beignets were bland, overall overpriced experience for ok food. Oh, and no po-boys.

Review №145

2019-08-26 05:13:46

Was not a fan of the jambalaya as it didnt taste like jambalaya at all. But everything else was really good, great beignets, and the fried mortadella sandwich was crazy good.

Review №146

2019-05-01 17:52:41

Had date-night here last week. We made reservations, as advised and were seated immediately. We ordered drinks and gumbo and jambalaya with a side order of shrimps.

Review №147

2019-05-28 00:48:49

Service is amazing (Lizzie)! Oysters are hearty and perfectly presented. Its the best low key dining Ive ever had.

Review №148

2023-01-07 22:33:40

Amazing place and Amazing food....

Review №149

2016-02-20 00:52:32

Tip: The Bywater is Manresa and Michelin-star chef David Kinchs homage to his hometown of New Orleans. The casual ambiance and creole food includes gumbo, po boys, and beignets and is a much affordable entry point into Kinchs cooking compared to his highly acclaimed restaurant nearby. Portions are modest, but the techniques are sound and the vibe is surprisingly friendly and welcoming especially from the fantastic bartenders. Space is limited (about table seating for 20 and bar seating for 10) and its strictly dine-in only.

Review №150

2019-02-02 05:51:53

New Orleans style restaurant in Silicon Valley. Reasonable prices, excellent service; food wasnt as exceptional as I expected, given David Kinchs involvement, but was more than acceptable.

Review №151

2022-12-10 02:16:42

Excellent happy hour menu for both food and drinks. Oysters, red beans, and Cajun fries for the win

Review №152

2018-10-07 16:55:24

Good cocktails and Nawlins food choices. Really lived their take on Yaka Mein soup, great noodles, like a ramen with brisket and spicey sour beef broth.

Review №153

2018-06-20 22:14:16

Great ambiance but lackluster ? Bar menu that is moderately priced while alcohol is up there. $16 for a very small glass of wine. Not for those who want something green

Review №154

2019-05-30 21:23:13

Best Sazeracc anywhere. Loved the oysters and Shrimp Remoulade salad. Quick bite so the wife only had their chilli dog. Awesome.

Review №155

2017-03-18 01:53:55

We love this unpretentious but seriously good place. a playful take on New Orleans cuisine, the Shrimp and Avocado Remoulade is a must, the beignets and Sazerac are too.

Review №156

2020-02-09 03:49:04

They have a filet mignon but the only choices for doneness are medium rare or well done. They say the kitchen is too small to offer any other doneness. Umm, ok.

Review №157

2021-06-04 02:18:23

Great cocktails, excellent oysters and I had a very rich broth, gumbo. Nice evening out on the patio.

Review №158

2023-07-19 18:58:32

Great food and happy hour

Review №159

2018-11-19 03:23:20

Really good Po Boy with awesome flavor. Would come back here again.

Review №160

2023-03-31 22:30:05

Great food and drinks. Staff were super nice.

Review №161

2019-02-03 03:17:45

Our server was excellent!! Didnt have a reservation, but got seated on the back patio. New favorite drink, Garden District

Review №162

2022-01-03 01:40:55

Delicious oysters, po boy and beignets. Best fries. Nice people. Pretty pretty pretttty good!

Review №163

2022-11-20 02:36:00

A great Louisiana kitchen, squirreled away in Los Gatos. Go there. Its worth it.

Review №164

2022-01-27 03:37:00

My favorite casual spot in Los Gatos. Awesome food and drinks. Great customer service and ambiance!

Review №165

2017-07-06 05:55:18

Very nice restaurant. Southern dining in a casual atmosphere, great bar, and awesome bar tending staff. A favorite memory with friends.

Review №166

2022-03-28 01:00:59

First time here, loved it and will definitely come back. Great cocktails & service

Review №167

2017-05-21 19:18:37

Worth every penny. Epic. Thanks for the hard work. Any review stating otherwise has never worked in the restaurant business. I have my whole life. Ill be back.

Review №168

2020-02-22 23:36:31

Pork hash is delish, though it can handle another egg. Great, sweet staff. Yummy drinks.

Review №169

2022-10-22 02:52:40

Cozy spot. Good atmosphere and some good New Orleans foods overall.

Review №170

2018-04-08 21:00:42

Great menu. The bacon is exactly what youd wish for, and the biscuits and gravy were the best Ive had in years and years.

Review №171

2023-09-25 02:39:45

Brilliantly elevated NoLa fare.

Review №172

2018-08-25 16:11:48

Really yummy spot for casual fare from David Kinch. Highly recommend the Yaka Mein, fried chicken, and the chicken liver mousse.

Review №173

2017-08-14 22:01:09

Absolutely amazing food, we actually went here for dinner, and had to come back for the smoked brisket the next morning for brunch.

Review №174

2018-07-23 18:15:59

The busboy was wonderful,cant say the same about our waitress.She took our order and gave us our check and nothing else.Our food came much later than the couple who ordered after us and their meal was more complicated than what we ordered.

Review №175

2019-03-29 16:49:40

Unwelcoming staff. Was told the restaurant and bar were completely full by waitress on back porch area. Went around the front to find the bar completely wide open. Bar seats extremely uncomfortable.

Review №176

2019-05-04 22:13:18

The server was not very nice. Tried to ask questions and the sever seemed annoyed. The chicken we had was dry and my sandwich tasted very salty.

Review №177

2018-08-16 04:35:25

I dont eat here that often but when I do they have great oysters on the half shell, fried chicken and drinks. Great service!

Review №178

2022-05-27 23:54:16

Great food, great atmosphere, delicious drinks, and the beignets were amazing!!!

Review №179

2018-01-07 04:27:13

Food is very rich. Waiter was very knowledgeable. A little too much unless you really like southern comfort food.

Review №180

2019-07-29 06:05:07

Already reviewed the joint. But in case you didnt see the review, order the cheese burger. Best in town.

Review №181

2022-10-02 05:33:09

Expensive for what you get, but tasty...service was great...nothing fancy inside though.

Review №182

2019-03-14 05:09:41

Nice atmosphere, mediocre food. If you want better New Orleans-style food, go to the Poor House in San Jose.

Review №183

2020-08-21 02:59:54

One of our favorite casual places in Los gatos! Cant beat the fried chicken and the clarified gin fizz!

Review №184

2018-08-29 03:03:01

Good fair with passable service. We were told the brisket was sold out, but then saw multiple tables arrive later and be served brisket, which was confusing.

Review №185

2019-08-21 03:33:25

Great oysters! Great drinks and great small dishes. Menu small but everything is excellent!

Review №186

2019-01-04 06:12:06

Just exceptional! Hidden gem, everything was delicious - food and drinks. Waiter was awesome!

Review №187

2018-12-01 03:44:30

Very nice! Great food tonight! Had the special Vietnamese sausage salad. WOW! So good!!!!!

Review №188

2023-11-21 01:29:47

Make sure to try their dessert!

Review №189

2017-05-23 19:12:02

Really good food, good drinks (few wines by the glass unfortunately), great desserts, and everybody is very friendly!

Review №190

2018-08-12 01:43:42

Shrimp remoulade/avocado is to die for! I had the striper bass, my wife had shrimp and grits, totally awesome!!

Review №191

2018-05-20 22:09:55

Nice but small, good portions & great cajun cuisine. Beignets are amazing!!

Review №192

2019-03-30 20:09:54

Smaller and intimate place. Good beginets. Oyster Rockefeller are tasty!

Review №193

2018-04-30 03:02:40

Simply amazing Cajun food. The pho dish is fantastic and so are their drinks.

Review №194

2018-12-25 02:02:09

Was pretty good. Not really for my taste.

Review №195

2022-01-07 20:28:30

Amazing food and drinks. I LOVE the red beans and rice from there

Review №196

2017-03-08 06:45:54

Tasty food & cocktails, lovely staff. Great pate. Jazz music in theme with atmosphere 👍🏻

Review №197

2019-01-08 22:19:54

Great food, good prices....hard to believe they have a game dinner in CA ....good for them cant wait to try there rabbit...

Review №198

2017-08-20 21:47:13

Excellent food, impeccable service. went for brunch and tried several items - all great.

Review №199

2019-05-08 02:20:39

Good tap list of local California breweries. Unique food. Worth a go!