Adega is a fine-dining Portuguese restaurant at 1614 Alum Rock Ave in San Jose’s Little Portugal neighborhood. Its name means “wine cellar,” and since opening in December 2015 it has drawn diners for refined Portuguese cooking. Ten months after opening, it earned San Jose’s first Michelin star (source: ADEGA).
Chef David Costa and Pastry Chef Jessica Carreira pair local produce with imported Portuguese ingredients. The wine list includes more than 200 vintages that are rarely poured in the United States (source: MICHELIN Guide). The main event is a multi-course tasting menu, and a shorter version is available for a lighter evening (source: ADEGA Menu). The dining room is simple and rustic, which keeps the focus on the food and the pours. That makes it a strong choice for couples marking an occasion and for wine lovers curious about Portuguese regions.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Adega serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Reserve ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday nights and during the holidays. Midweek seatings on Wednesday or Thursday tend to be calmer. Choose the full tasting menu if you want the kitchen’s complete expression, and ask about wine pairings, since the cellar is the restaurant’s identity. Parking is generally easier on Alum Rock Avenue than downtown. Before dinner, stop by the nearby Five Wounds Portuguese National Church, an anchor of the neighborhood’s Portuguese heritage. Check the official website for current hours and menus before you go.
