Brianna Richard

Bakeries are for joy. Between the smells, the delicate handmade treats, the colors, and the flavors, a good bakery is a magical place, and these are the best the South Bay has to offer.

What person doesn't enjoy fast food every once in a while? Whether or not it's a guilty pleasure for you, it's inexpensive, and usually hits the spot.

Whether you're craving traditional mapo tofu, dim sum, hot pot, or more traditional American Chinese cuisine, the South Bay has some of the best Chinese food anywhere in the Bay Area.

The summer heat is here to stay for a little while longer, and that's a great excuse to dive into an embarrassingly large bowl of froyo or ice cream, even if no one really needs one.

Brunch is a way of life in many parts of the Bay Area, and it is taken very seriously by the locals. In the South Bay, there's a booming brunch scene with everything from chicken and waffles to stellar Benedicts and avocado toasts.

A meal that can only be shared, dim sum comes family-style with an assortment of dumplings, bao, rice rolls, and other handcrafted treats, and the South Bay is home to many of the region's top dim sum destinations.

Ramen is the perfect comfort food that gives you a warm hug from within your belly. San Jose, Mountain View & the South Bay are home to 100+ ramen restaurants.

By a factor of four, California has the largest population of Pacific Islanders on the Continental USA, per the U.S. Census. It's no surprise that poke, a traditional Hawaiian dish which has evolved over generations into something of a Hawaiian-Japanese fusion, is a staple throughout the South Bay.

Influenced by the French, the Vietnamese created a unique sandwich which has gained a cult-like following in cities around the world. And because the South Bay has one of the largest populations of Vietnamese in the world outside of Vietnam, it's no wonder that the area has many of the best banh mi spots you can find anywhere.