LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Introduce
LUNA Mexican Kitchen on The Alameda in San Jose is an exceptional dining establishment that has elevated the **Mexican restaurant** experience in the California region. Far from standard fare, LUNA is founded on a philosophy of "Eat Like An Ancestor," which translates to a commitment to **Clean Ingredients**, **Ancient Methods**, and a strictly **Farm-to-Table** approach. This dedication ensures that every dish, from the signature **Enchiladas Suizas** to their celebrated **Guacamole** and house-made tortillas, is crafted with the utmost quality, focusing on flavor, authenticity, and natural preparation.
The atmosphere at LUNA is intentionally designed to be **Casual**, **Cozy**, and **Trendy**, creating an inviting and warm space for all guests. The decor, often described as reflecting Mexico's rich cultural heritage with earthy tones and vibrant artwork, complements the culinary journey. LUNA is a truly inclusive space, welcoming **Family-friendly** diners, **Groups**, and is known for being **LGBTQ+ friendly**, making it a gathering spot for the entire San Jose community. It's an excellent choice for any meal of the day, being highly **Popular for** **Breakfast**, **Brunch**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner**, including a welcoming environment for **Solo dining**.
A significant highlight of the LUNA experience is the menu's careful balance between traditional Mexican **Comfort food** and modern **Healthy options**. They pride themselves on using ingredients like Niman Ranch meats, Mary's Free-Range Chickens, and locally sourced produce, all cooked with no additives or preservatives. Patrons frequently rave about the delicious, freshly made tortilla chips and vibrant salsas, and the variety of offerings, which include substantial plates for sharing, such as the impressive **Mixed Grill** options that serve groups of two up to eight people, or flavorful bowls like the **Chimichurri Skirt Steak Bowl** and **El Buddha Bowl**.
LUNA Mexican Kitchen’s prime location at 1495 The Alameda positions it in a vibrant, easily accessible area of San Jose, CA, making it a convenient destination for locals and **Tourists** alike.
**Address:** 1495 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, USA
The restaurant offers practical features that enhance the guest experience from the moment of arrival:
- **Ample Parking Solutions:** Guests benefit from both a **Free parking lot** and convenient **Free street parking**, providing stress-free access in a busy urban area.
- **Comprehensive Accessibility:** The venue is fully committed to universal access, featuring a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**, **Wheelchair accessible restroom**, and **Wheelchair accessible seating**, ensuring a comfortable experience for every patron.
- **Pet-Friendly Outdoor Space:** For guests enjoying California's beautiful weather with their companions, LUNA is **Dogs allowed** in its **Outdoor seating** area.
- **High Demand Awareness:** Due to its popularity, the restaurant explicitly notes that there is **Usually a wait** and wisely **Brunch reservations recommended**, **Lunch reservations recommended**, and **Dinner reservations recommended**, advising guests to plan ahead, especially for larger **Groups**.
The hours of operation are generally 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with extended hours until 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, providing flexibility for all dining needs, from early risers enjoying **Breakfast** to late diners.
LUNA Mexican Kitchen offers a comprehensive range of dining services tailored to the needs of the dynamic California lifestyle:
- **Full Dining Service:** Guests can enjoy their meal either through **Dine-in** service indoors or on the refreshing **Outdoor seating** patio, with full **Table service** provided.
- **Convenient Takeout:** **Takeout** is available for those who prefer to enjoy LUNA's authentic Mexican cuisine at home or on the go.
- **Extensive Beverage Program:** A full **Bar onsite** serves a wide selection of **Alcohol**, including a **Great beer selection**, unique **Cocktails**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**. They are particularly noted for their specialty margaritas.
- **Diverse Meal Options:** The restaurant covers all dining periods, offering **Breakfast**, **Brunch**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner**, as well as delightful **Dessert** options and convenient **Counter service**.
- **Dietary Inclusivity:** The menu is highly inclusive, offering generous **Vegan options**, **Vegetarian options**, and a strong focus on **Healthy options** and **Organic dishes**.
- **Family Accommodations:** LUNA is considered **Good for kids**, providing **High chairs** and a dedicated **Kids' menu** to welcome the youngest diners.
- **Simple Payment:** They accept various payment methods, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.
- **Quick Bites and Starters:** The menu includes excellent **Small plates** and appetizers like **Elote**, **Guacamole**, and **Tacos Dorados de Papa**, perfect for a light meal or sharing before the main course.
LUNA Mexican Kitchen stands out in the San Jose culinary landscape due to several distinctive features that define its brand:
- **Commitment to Authenticity:** The use of the ancient nixtamalization process for their corn to create house-made tortillas and chips is a significant highlight, emphasizing their dedication to authentic, clean, and nutrient-rich cuisine—a true **Serves local specialty** for quality Mexican food.
- **Exceptional Beverage Program:** The establishment is highly praised for its full bar, featuring a **Great cocktails** menu alongside the excellent beer and wine options. They offer a lively environment, sometimes including **Live music**, which enhances the overall dining and social experience.
- **Signature Plates:** Popular dishes frequently highlighted by California diners include the authentic **Mole Poblano Enchiladas** (made with Mary's free-range chicken), the customer-favorite **Enchiladas Suizas**, and their flavorful **Steak Salad**. The family-style **Mixed Grill** is an absolute centerpiece for **Groups**.
- **Focus on Health and Quality:** The menu offers many dishes that are naturally **Gluten-free** and incorporates a variety of fresh produce, evident in items like the **Arugula Roasted Beet Salad** and the various **Protein Bowl** selections, catering perfectly to the health-conscious California diner.
- **Atmosphere and Service Synergy:** The combination of a **Casual** yet **Trendy** atmosphere, efficient **Fast service**, and genuinely caring staff, as noted in customer reviews for going above and beyond, creates a truly memorable and pleasant dining experience.
- **All-Day Dining Excellence:** Offering distinct and high-quality menus for **Breakfast**, **Brunch**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner** makes LUNA a reliable choice for any time of day, unlike many restaurants that only focus on one or two meal periods.
For San Jose residents and visitors interested in the LUNA Mexican Kitchen experience, the contact details are as follows:
**Address:** 1495 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, USA
**Phone:** (408) 320-2654
It is advisable to use the provided phone number, which can be reached as the mobile number **+1 408-320-2654**, to make a reservation, especially for popular times like **Brunch** and **Dinner**, to ensure seating, as the location often has a wait. The focus on quality and authenticity means that the restaurant is frequently busy. They accept all standard **Payments**, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**, ensuring a smooth transaction process.
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose is an outstanding choice for California users seeking a high-quality, authentic Mexican dining experience that is both sophisticated and true to its cultural roots. It is worth choosing LUNA because it successfully bridges the gap between traditional comfort food and modern, health-conscious dining, a balance that is highly valued in the Bay Area.
The commitment to **Farm-to-Table** sourcing and the ancient method of preparing their corn are not just talking points; they result in a noticeably superior flavor in core items like their tortillas, chips, and refried beans, which have been called "phenomenal." For diners with dietary preferences, LUNA shines. The inclusion of dishes like **Enchiladas El Vegan** and the multiple vegetable-based bowls and tacos, alongside the explicit focus on **Healthy options** and **Organic dishes**, removes the guesswork often associated with finding accommodating meals at a **Mexican restaurant**. This makes it an ideal spot for mixed **Groups** and for those who prioritize clean eating.
The robust social environment, enhanced by **Live music** and a top-tier bar serving **Great cocktails**, elevates a simple meal to an event. Whether you are celebrating with a **Mixed Grill** platter that feeds the whole family or enjoying a solo **Steak Salad** at the counter, LUNA promises a memorable experience of generous portions, fresh, authentic flavors, and genuinely caring service, all located conveniently on a major thoroughfare in San Jose. It is a true California destination for Mexican cuisine that respects tradition while meeting contemporary demands for quality and health.
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Menu
Lunch/Dinner
- Guacamole $13.50
avocado, onion, cilantro, serrano, lime, with choice of chicharrones or tortilla chips
- Camote $10.00
charred sweet potato, chipotle aioli
- Coliflor Frito $12.00
battered cauliflower with serrano lime crema
- Ceviche De Camaron $22.00
Wild caught shrimp, fresh salsa cruda, mango, red onion, avocado, cucumber, habanero, cilantro, served with house- made tortilla chips (contains raw fish)
- Queso Flameado $12.00
flamed queso Oaxaca, jack cheese, fire-roasted poblano pepper, with handmade corn tortillas
- Fruta Con Chile $11.00
pineapple, jicama, cucumber, mango, chile, lime, house-made chamoy, tamarind straw
- Elote $10.00
fire-roasted whole corn on the cob, queso fresco, ground chile, chipotle aioli, lime
- Yellowtail Crudo $21.00
serrano, cilantro, topped with citrus ponzu sauce (contains raw fish)
- Tacos Dorados de Papa $12.00
three crispy taquitos with pureed potatoes, organic iceberg, crema, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa
- Bacon- Wrapped Camarones $20.00
3 jumbo wild shrimp, nitrate-free bacon, queso
- Chile Relleno De Calabacitas $17.00
fire-roasted poblano chile, roasted corn, squash, chayote, melted jack, salsa ranchera, crema, quinoa, pea shoots, epazote black beans, with handmade corn tortillas
- Chile Verde $24.00
Niman Ranch pork braised in salsa verde, with arroz rojo, refried beans and handmade corn tortillas
- Chile Relleno Picadillo $20.00
fire-roasted poblano chile, fragrant stew of Niman Ranch grass-fed beef, tomato, jalapeño, potato, peas ,carrot, onion, herbs and spices, lightly fried in an egg soufflé, topped with salsa ranchera and crema, with arroz rojo and handmade corn tortillas
- Pozole Verde De Pollo $19.00
with Mary's free- range chicken
- Caldo De Pollo $17.00
homemade soup with Mary’s free-range chicken, topped w/ avocado, cabbage, queso fresco, with arroz verde
- Seasonal Harvest Salad $14.00
organic mixed greens, organic strawberry, crisp greenapple, quinoa, goat cheese, candied walnuts, citrus vinaigrette
- Arugula Roasted Beet Salad $14.00
organic arugula, red and golden beets, grapefruit, orange, goat cheese, candied walnuts, citrus vinaigrette
- Steak Salad $26.00
a quarter pound of all-natural, hormone-free skirt steak, organic mixed greens, roasted corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes, Pt. Reyes blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad $20.00
lemon herb chicken breast, organic romaine, avocado, roasted corn strips, spiced pepitas, parmesan cheese, caesar dressing
- 2 Mole Poblano Enchiladas $22.00
Mary’s free-range chicken enchiladas topped with a house-made mole of dried chilies, chocolate, cinnamon, nuts, seasonings, aromatics, sesame seeds, with arroz rojo and refried beans with queso fresco
- 2 Enchiladas Suizas $22.00
Mary’s free-range chicken enchiladas, queso Oaxaca, jack cheese, crema, tomatillo salsa, with arroz rojo and refried beans with queso fresco
- 2 Enchiladas El Vegan $18.00
mashed sweet potato, sautéed spinach and calabacitas mix, tomatillo salsa, with arroz verde, epazote black beans, and chipotle cashew crema
- 2 Enchiladas Rojas $20.00
cheese enchiladas, ancho chile sauce, crema, with arroz verde and epazote black beans
- Veggie Tacos $14.00
jack cheese a la plancha, sautéed spinach, asparagus, portobello “fajita,” avocado, chipotle cashew crema, smoky chipotle, with epazote black beans
- Pollo Asado Tacos $14.00
Mary’s free-range chicken, cilantro, onion, guacamole, smoky chipotle, with refried beans and queso fresco
- Carne Asada Tacos $15.00
all-natural hormone-free flank steak, cilantro, onion, salsa de molcajete, with refried beans and queso fresco
- Carnitas Tacos $14.00
Niman Ranch pork, cilantro, onion, salsa cruda, with refried beans and queso fresco
- Bacon- Wrapped Shrimp Tacos $21.00
Wild bacon- wrapped shrimp, creamy serrano lime slaw, honey-chipotle glaze, with epazote black beans
- Baja Fish Tacos $16.00
beer battered rock cod, creamy serrano lime slaw, chipotle aioli, avocado, spicy chipotle
- Salmon Tacos $24.00
pan seared wild- caught salmon, avocado pineapple jalapeño salsa, chipotle aioli, creamy serrano lime slaw, with epazote black beans
- Crispy Shrimp Tacos $18.00
crispy wild shrimp, avocado pineapple jalapeño salsa, serrano lime crema, honey- chipotle glaze, organic iceberg lettuce, with epazote black beans
- Pollo Asado Burrito $17.00
Mary's pollo asado, melted jack cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, arroz rojo, pinto beans, avocado, smoky chipotle, citrus avocado salsa, crema
- Carnitas Burrito $16.00
carnitas made with Niman Ranch pork, charro beans, arroz rojo, pickled habanero red onion, salsa cruda, guacamole
- Carne Asada Burrito $17.00
all-natural, hormone-free carne asada, citrus avocado salsa, arroz rojo, pinto beans, onion & cilantro
- Vegetarian Burrito $14.00
frijoles de la olla, arroz verde, avocado, organic iceberg, salsa fresca, shredded jack cheese
- El Buddha Bowl $17.00
brown rice and quinoa blend, pepita chimichurri portobello mushroom, epazote black beans, sweet potato, avocado, pickled habanero and red onion, organic kale and romaine tossed with jalapeño vinaigrette, topped
- Protein Bowl $15.00
Mary’s free-range chicken, frijoles de la olla, arroz verde, sweet potato, avocado, cabbage, salsa fresca
- Omega 3 Bowl $25.00
pan seared wild- caught salmon, brown rice and quinoa blend, avocado, candied walnuts, sweet potato, organic mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette
- Citrus Carnitas Bowl $16.00
Niman Ranch carnitas, arroz rojo, pinto beans, shredded lettuce, pickled habanero and red onion, guacamole, salsa fresca, salsa cruda
- Chimichurri Skirt Steak Bowl $28.00
a quarter pound of all-natural hormone-free skirt steak topped with pepita chimichurri, arroz rojo, epazote black beans, grilled squash, pickled habanero and red onion, sweet potato, arugula, avocado
- Chile Lime Chicken Bowl $16.00
adobo pollo, epazote black beans with queso fresco, arroz verde, heirloom tomato and roasted corn salsa, guacamole, pickled habanero and red onion, organic kale and romaine tossed with jalapeño vinaigrette, topped with spiced pepitas, smoky chipotle
- Chico Mixed Grill $89.00
Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Mediano Mixed Grill $152.00
Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Grande Mixed Grill $216.00
Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Enorme Mixed Grill $264.00
Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Chico Deluxe Mixed Grill $119.00
wild lobster tail, cheese chile relleno, sweet potato, Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Mediano Deluxe Mixed Grill $180.00
wild lobster tail, cheese chile relleno, sweet potato, Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Grande Deluxe Mixed Grill $269.00
wild lobster tail, cheese chile relleno, sweet potato, Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Enorme Deluxe Mixed Grill $345.00
wild lobster tail, cheese chile relleno, sweet potato, Niman Ranch carnitas, Mary’s free-range chicken, all-natural hormone-free steak fajita, Niman Ranch St. Louis rib, wild bacon-wrapped shrimp, jumbo wild herb garlic butter shrimp, chicken jalapeño sausage
- Veggie Grill With Chimichurri (serves two) $48.00
grilled seasonal vegetables: cauliflower “steak,” asparagus, carrot, squash, zucchini, portobello “fajita,” nopal, sweet potato, vegan barcos: guacamole, salsa fresca, organic iceberg and chipotle cashew crema
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Live music
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed outside
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Photos










LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Location
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose
1495 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, USA
LUNA Mexican Kitchen - San Jose Reviews
cafe de ollamixed grillmole enchiladassweet potatosalmon tacosmichelinlamb barbacoagourmandbuddha bowlmole poblano enchiladas
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We had a wonderful family dinner at Luna Mexican Kitchen. The food was amazing. Every dish was flavorful and beautifully presented, especially the grilled platter, salmon tostada, and elote. The atmosphere was warm and lively, perfect for spending time with family.What made the evening truly special was the staff. I lost my ring right before we left, and they found it and made sure it got back to me. Their honesty and kindness meant so much and made the night unforgettable.A beautiful place with delicious food and genuinely caring people. Highly recommend it for any family gathering or celebration.
October 10 · SandyI'm pretty sure this is now my favorite restaurant in San Jose. We happened onto it while visiting from Maryland. A beautiful mixture of healthy food and Mexican all wrapped in one. All of the food was delicious, especially the arugula and beet salad and my husband had the skirt steak bowl. I had the enchiladas suisas. The refried beans were especially phenomenal. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. We will definitely be back whenever we are in the area.
October 04 · Tanya VarleyI'm going to assume, as if did not look at previous reviews, that everyone who eats at Luna, loves it (I'll also assume that if negative reviews were left, that it's due to petty reasons!). And I will attest that this was DAMN FINE, upscale food. This is notyour neighborhood Taqueria, which, if you read some other reviews I've posted, you'll figure out that I love eating at. But every so often you need to take it up a notch, and Luna is just such a place. There is a very wide variety of dishes to choose from, each expertly prepared, and delivering flavor. And the staff is patient and understanding as I butchered my order with bad canadian spanish!
October 06 · Jim TurnockGreat drinks and food, several vegan options and mocktails as well. I love coming for brunch but this time I had the vegan enchiladas and they were really good. There is a person making tortillas fresh and they are so good! The place is very cute a great place for dates and of course, something for everyone where carnivores and vegans can dine together 🤗
September 06 · LisaClassy Mexican restaurant and serves great nacho chips with salsa and spicy guacamole. Scrambled eggs with house made chorizo was not bad. I enjoyed the shrimps wrapped with bacon because the portion was smaller so I could actually finish it and this meant I can try their churros, sprinkled with cinnamon and served with cream :-) I found the server brusque but otherwise I would go again.
August 02 · Dylan S
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