GIWA — Restaurant in Santa Clara

GIWA - An Elegant and Instagram-Worthy Brunch Destination in San Jose

I visited GIWA for brunch twice in May and June 2025, and each time was a delightful experience. From the outside, the restaurant is tucked into a modest strip mall near Burger King with limited shared parking, but the moment you walk through the doors you are transported into an entirely different world. The interior feels like something out of Singapore, with herringbone flooring, dim lighting from ornate sconces and chandeliers, plush furniture, ombré curtains, and fresh floral accents in shades of pink, ivory, and brown. One of the highlights is the flower shop corner with a tall floral archway that makes the perfect backdrop for photos. The only element that takes away from the otherwise refined setting are the black iPads on the tables, which feel more suited to a casual chain restaurant and diminish the elevated ambiance. Removing them would make the dining experience feel truly seamless.

Service at GIWA is warm, professional, and attentive. Dishes arrive within the expected 15-20 minute timeframe, and the manager deserves special recognition. She genuinely values guest feedback and even surprised me with a small bouquet while offering to take photos in front of the flower arch with flower crowns. It is clear the owners pour heart and soul into creating this restaurant, making GIWA a wonderful alternative to Sweet Maple in the South Bay brunch scene.

Must-Try Dishes at GIWA

Smoked Salmon Benedict ($24) - 5/5 Two poached eggs with lemon hollandaise served on English muffins with smoked salmon, capers, cucumber, and your choice of salad or Yukon potatoes. This is my go-to brunch dish, and GIWA serves the best salmon benedict I have had so far. The presentation is beautiful, and the flavor is perfectly balanced. The dish also comes with toasted French bread, strawberry jam, and two types of creamed butter. I recommend requesting the Yukon potatoes extra crispy. The portion is generous, so it is ideal to share if you want to save room for something sweet.

Golden Chicken & Croffle ($23) - 4.8/5 Crispy fried chicken served on a buttery croffle topped with fruit, powdered sugar, and Vermont maple syrup. This dish is the perfect balance of sweet and savory and has become a must-order for me every visit. The chicken is hot and juicy, while the croffle has the texture of both a croissant and a waffle, making it incredibly satisfying.

Creamy Lobster & Truffle Pasta ($30) - 3.7/5 Spaghetti with lobster, mushrooms, basil, Grana Padano cheese, and preserved truffle. The aroma is intoxicating and the lobster tail is beautifully deshelled for easy eating. While the sauce is flavorful, the portion size was too heavy and overpowered the premium truffle essence. A lighter touch with the sauce would allow the dish to feel more refined.

Hot Water with Lemon ($0) - 5/5 Served in a small teapot, this thoughtful touch highlights GIWA's attention to detail and adds to the overall comfort of the dining experience.

House Drip Coffee ($4) - 2/5 The weakest part of the menu. The coffee tasted inexpensive and did not match the otherwise premium experience. Offering a higher-quality bean such as Illy would elevate the beverage program.

Final Thoughts GIWA is the perfect place for a birthday brunch or special gathering in San Jose. During my visits, I saw both intimate celebrations and large groups enjoying the floral ambiance, and the staff went above and beyond to make the occasions memorable. This restaurant blends elegance, hospitality, and creativity into an unforgettable brunch experience. I look forward to returning soon to try the Crème Brûlée French Toast and dinner menu.

If you are searching for the best brunch in San Jose or an Instagram-worthy restaurant in the Bay Area, GIWA should be at the top...

Giwa's New Dinner Menu Is a Must-Try!

Giwa has always been one of my favorite brunch spots with great food and friendly service. So when I heard they were launching a dinner menu, I couldn’t wait to check it out. I’m happy to say—it was absolutely worth the visit!

The ambiance at Giwa is one of a kind: elegant and stylish, yet warm and inviting. It’s the kind of place that works beautifully for a romantic date, a girls’ night out, or even a cozy family dinner. The attention to detail in both the décor and service really makes the entire dining experience feel special.

Now, let’s talk about the food—each dish we tried was thoughtful, flavorful, and beautifully presented:

Mushroom Confit Salad This salad is a standout. The variety of sautéed mushrooms are perfectly cooked other veggies with texture like asparagus pair beautifully with them. What really takes it to the next level is the dressing—a sesame-based flavor with a unique twist from green plum syrup. It’s light, balanced, and full of umami.

Truffle Parmesan Garlic Fries If you love bold truffle flavor, you’ll love these. The fries are crispy, well-seasoned, and generously topped with Parmesan and garlic. Every bite was addictive.

Seafood Pasta This dish was such a delightful surprise! It reminded me of jjamppong (Korean spicy seafood soup) but with a rich tomato base and a more refined, Western-style twist. It’s not overwhelmingly spicy—just enough to give it a kick. And the seafood! Shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops, and even a lobster tail—this dish is absolutely packed with flavor and freshness.

Cheesy Hamburg Steak The steak was juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection. The creamy cheese and smooth potato purée brought everything together so well. I also appreciated the generous portion of savory steak sauce—it was flavorful without being overpowering. The fresh veggies on the side added a nice balance.

Gochujang-Glazed Bossam This was probably the most unique and exciting dish of the night. Inspired by the traditional Korean bossam, this version adds a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze to incredibly tender pork belly. The fried green onions on top gave a nice crunch and extra depth of flavor. What really impressed me were the three accompanying sauces: a classic ssamjang, a tangy fish-sauce-based dip, and a sweet creamy one that tasted like a mayo blend. It was so much fun trying the meat with each one—every combination brought out something different.

Overall, Giwa’s new dinner menu is creative, flavorful, and thoughtfully executed. Whether you’re already a fan of their brunch or just discovering them for the first time, their dinner service is well worth the visit. I’ll definitely be back...

I visited this restaurant on a Tuesday at 11am for a birthday brunch with my friend and my two kids. Although the place was beautiful, my overall experience left a bad impression- especially with the service.

Pros: Ambiance: The interior design is absolutely beautiful- the soft pink tones, floral touches, modern decor, and a very clean, Instagram-worthy space. Definitely the highlight of this restaurant for sure.

Food: The food was presented nicely and tasted great. We ordered the Eggs Benedict, Chicken and Croffle, and Korean Pork Cutlet. Each dish was flavorful and well-seasoned, with the breading on both the chicken and pork cutlet being crispy. However, the pork cutlet itself was pretty thin and could've had a bit more bite to it.

Cons: Lack of staff interaction: After we were seated and given water, no one checked in to offer menu recommendations, ask about dietary restrictions or allergies, etc. Hospitality was just lacking. Plus, you place your order on their tabletop system so you don't interact with any staff really.

Arrival of menu items: Our drinks didn't arrive until about five minutes after we had already received our food. We had to flag down a waiter to follow up on them.

Issues with getting the check: We requested the check three times through the tablet system, and still didn't receive it. Eventually, we had to flag someone down again to receive it.

Water refills: Our water glasses weren't refilled until after we had finished eating, which was unpleasant.

Flower shop experience: After dining, we stopped by their on-site flower shop. I picked up a dried bouquet and a small glass vase that had a plant to purchase. The woman at the counter immediately said, "Please don't touch. Are you going to buy?" I replied, "Yes, I'm buying these." She responded, "Because people touch the flowers and the bulbs fall." I was taken aback by her tone and put the items back, saying, "Alright, I'm not buying these then." She replied, "Okay." Unfortunately, that negative interaction really soured the ending of my experience at this place. Not to mention, that it was also a birthday brunch for me.

While the food and decor were great, the lack of basic hospitality and the uncomfortable encounter that I had at the flower shop left me with a lasting negative impression. I'm never...