Zona Rosa
Mexican restaurant · Shasta/Hanchett Park
1411 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Highlights
Creative Mexican fusion tacos, margaritas & brunch specials
Creative Mexican fusion tacos, margaritas & brunch specials
"No one in San Francisco says, “I want Mexican food, let's go to the Castro.” But Zona Rosa has changed that. This casual taqueria stands out for its smoky, slow-cooked meats, seriously spicy salsa, and creamy horchata. Focus on the simple El Jefe tacos, with just onion, cilantro, lime, and a choice of meat. While you could fill yours with chewy carnitas, al pastor, or chorizo, the best options are the carne asada drenched in fiery chile de arbol sauce and the chile verde chicken in a tangy green salsa." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
"There are two contemporary Mexican restaurants on The Alameda, but Zona Rosa is the one we keep returning to again and again for creative dishes like tempura scallop and asparagus tacos, and chile relleno filled with carnitas and chorizo. They do reservation-only special menus for occasions like Dia de Los Muertos and Mother’s Day, and we’re especially fans of the weekday happy hour (when margaritas made with ingredients like prickly pear, hibiscus, and chili are just $8), and the daily brunch. The front and back patios are always great choices for large groups and celebrations." - shoshi parks
"When the big group you were supposed to meet up with at Dolores starts to bail en masse, and it’s just you and one other person who insists on still hanging out, Zona Rosa and their fantastic tacos is the answer. The casual Castro taqueria is within walking distance of the park—just enough time to cover small talk topics like how long you’ve been in the city or where you were when that humpback washed up at Fort Funston. It’s also a fast operation, so if their sexually charged one-liners aren’t landing, cut your losses and head home." - julia chen 1
"Zona Rosa is a casual taqueria in the Castro that stands out for its smoky and slow-cooked meats, plus seriously spicy salsa. The interior is small but colorful, with two calavera murals adorning the walls and loud rancheras blaring on speakers. There are no wrong choices, but ordering tacos is the ideal way to go. There are two different styles, but we prefer the El Jefe that’s topped with just cilantro, onion, salsa, and lime. No matter which version you go for, you’ll have a choice of seven meats, but pick the carne asada en chile de arbol for a spicy red salsa journey." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"Zona Rosa is a casual taqueria in the Castro that stands out for its smoky meats and excellent horchata. It's creamy, thick, and has a deep rice flavor. Always served in a to-go cup, we suggest coming here just for this drink and treating it to the views at nearby Corona Heights." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez
