Plaza Garibaldi Restaurant, San Jose

Plaza Garibaldi Restaurant was named for the renowned plaza in Mexico, where droves of bright color-clad mariachis gather to belt out soulful ballads and serenade passersby. A nod to its namesake, the cheerful Mexican eatery features live mariachi performances every weekend—boisterous affairs complete with music, margaritas, and authentic Mexican dishes. A live mariachi show entertains diners Thursday through Sunday evenings beneath the vivid murals and Mexican artwork that decorate the walls. Bartenders stay just as busy behind the cherry wood bar, doling out sips from their selection of more than 100 tequilas and blending spices, lime juice, and clamato into massive micheladas.

While these festivities transpire in the dining room, chefs are hard at work in the kitchen. They fold handmade tortillas and housemade sauces into a sweeping variety of Mexican specialties, from creamy enchiladas rancheras to tender steak fajitas. They extend their culinary expertise toward an array of authentic seafood dishes, including a mixed seafood parrillada that serves four to five adults or one baby that hasn’t learned to share yet. For dessert, the chefs whip up warm pastries and sweet housemade flan.