Very hip and fun tapas restaurant. Great for a date night. Food and beverages were excellent quality and very creative as well as delicious. Wait staff very friendly and attentive. On the pricy side, but well worth it for a fun night out.
Jenny Pao
This is a very small place with an extremely limited selection of dishes. The space doesn't feel like a restaurant but an entryway to an office building/apartment building. The food was unremarkable. I don't understand the high rating. I think it is only because this is a new restaurant so there are very few reviews, hence the high rating.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
manjot kalkat
In short, nice variety of tapas with excellent drinks. I would recommend the Royal Exhibition cocktail. Felt the price was high for the portions, however the variety in the menu was nice. Ambiance overall was pleasant, but I did feel we were seated too closely to another table. Also, there is a nice evening dining feel at night, but it also feels like it could be a coffee shop during the day (I’m pretty sure it is on the first floor of an apartment complex). The menu is rotating so I’d go back, but don’t think this is my first choice due to the $.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
MarciaP
Ambiance is arty, comfortable and lovely. Menu had great choices and the 3 of us were so pleased with our choices. I brought home the leftovers and they were just as delicious the next day. We had the mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, shrimp and the crab ‘taco'. The winter sangria was delicious and full body with rich red wine and port YUM just right for this time of year!
Paula W.
This restaurant is such an awesome gem in Menlo Park. It's located off of Oak Grove & Merrill, inside the lobby of Springline Apartments. Parking is easy, you can park right out front or in the Springline parking lot. Some items get switched out weekly so there's always something new to experience on the menu. The ambiance is cozy, fun, yet relaxing. Lots of seating options inside and outside, especially if you have pets. Greg and his staff create a warm and welcoming environment for a wonderful night out with friends and family. Alberto is very knowledgeable about the menu and he offers great recommendations when you let him know what you like. Overall a very cool spot if you're in the mood for just a drink, hanging out by yourself or with friends.
Debbie B.
We went to Canteen last night to celebrate a friends birthday. It was my first time there and the food is delicious! Many different tapas to share and each one hit the spot! We had the croquettes, the Brussels sprouts (yum!), the crab rolls (double yum!), tomato toast, garlic shrimp, hanger steak (cooked perfectly) and the chicken. Nice selections of wines. No birthday would be complete without dessert so we had the delicious flan and amazing warm churros with chocolate sauce. Our waiter Alberto was so friendly! We will definitely be back!
Nathan M.
Worked with the Canteen event management team to coordinate a large corporate dinner. They were very responsive and accommodating. Everyone loved the ambiance of the cozy space and the unique menu items were a hit!
Grace C.
Conveniently located in menlo park, right across from caltrain (where farmhouse thai is located). Restaurant is attached with luxury residential building. There is both indoor and outdoor. There are many small plates - tapas/pintxos like. Wine selection was alright, mostly new world. I grabbed a rioja and enjoyed small plates and split a salad with my friend. Total came tomorrow approx $60/person. Tad pricey but pretty normal for menlo park. Parking is also easy peasy. Service is friendly also!
Jeanette S.
This is a really nice spot to hang out with some friends and get some nice bites to eat. I don't believe there is a Happy Hour but the food and drinks are really nice. It's not crowded either so perfect to stop by on a weeknight.
Kate P.
Good ambiance. Small amount of lounge seating with couches in addition to tables. Great service. Diverse menu and delicious food as well as good cocktails.
Yum! We loved both the food and beverages here. The wine on tap was delicious and reasonably priced. Service was great and none of our dishes disappointed. Ambience was a bit quiet but it worked for our late 30s / early 40s group. It was unusual seeing the apartment complex residents walk through with their dogs to go outside, but that didn't really bother us. For us, the highlights were the churros (delicious chocolate sauce!), potatoes, and tomato toast. The steak was also well-cooked great for the price.
Kingdmmc
The food and service at Canteen are always exceptional and particularly so for the large family dinner we hosted there this week. Every one of the small, mid and large tapas plates we shared (tuna crudo, artichoke croquetas, wild mushrooms, brussel sprouts, grilled octopus, seafood crispy rice, garlic shrimp, NY steak) was perfectly prepared and exceedingly flavorful. With Camper and now Canteen, restauranteur Greg Kuzia-Carmel is elevating the Menlo Park dining scene to new heights. Bravo!
Winner
We loved Canteen! Slightly tricky to find - it's on Oak Grove side - not El Camino which is another “canteen” but my understanding is that's a coffee cafe. Once we found it we loved the overall vibe, it was relaxing and you could sit at table or couch lounge area and have tapas and drinks. Brussels sprouts were sooo excellent, we had artichoke balls that were sooo good and the steak that was sliced for us all to share! Octopus, shrimp - all great! Loved the cocktails and service was sooo friendly and attentive! And it's in the Springline community so it was fun to walk around after!
Daniel R
Excited to try the new place but food and atmosphere sadly lacking. We had shishito peppers, fritters, hangar steak and squash dish. We didn’t know the restaurant is partially in the reception of the apartment complex, brightly lit and had little atmosphere. Food was average at best, feels more like a bar, better options around in Palo Alto.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Sharon H.
I'm always looking for tapas places, and will definitely add this spot into our mix! It's located on the side of the Springline complex, right across the street from Son and Garden. They have outdoor and "lounge" seating. In terms of the indoor seating, there are a few tables, but it's largely lounge seating, which I guess works okay for tapas food. It has a pretty bar and nice decor, but the ambience/vibe definitely feels more hotel lobby than swanky restaurant. I enjoyed my red wine, which these days is the most important part of my meal! Prices are pretty typical of tapas, dishes ranges from 10s-20s and are very shareable. Baked Winter Squash and Comte Toast- not much winter squash on it, but very cheesy. The cheese is a bit strong for me, but my husband loved it Vine Ripe Tomato Pulp Toast- a classic that we often ordered, and the tomato topping was fresh, lightly flavored, delicious Artichoke and Cheddar Croquettes- we pretty much always order croquettes, and I liked the slight twist on their version. These disappeared from our table pretty quickly.... Roasted Bone Marrow- bone marrow is another dish where when I see it, I gotta get it! Comes with 2 huge pieces of bone marrow, and they top it off with a lot of shredded beef, it it's a heartier version than most bone marrow spreads Garlic Shrimp- also pretty good, we enjoyed it. Tortilla Espanola- another classic my husband always has to get- comes with two slices of this egg/potato omellete dish. Overall we enjoyed our meal here!
Very hip and fun tapas restaurant. Great for a date night. Food and beverages were excellent quality and very creative as well as delicious. Wait staff very friendly and attentive. On the pricy side, but well worth it for a fun night out.
This is a very small place with an extremely limited selection of dishes. The space doesn't feel like a restaurant but an entryway to an office building/apartment building. The food was unremarkable. I don't understand the high rating. I think it is only because this is a new restaurant so there are very few reviews, hence the high rating.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
In short, nice variety of tapas with excellent drinks. I would recommend the Royal Exhibition cocktail. Felt the price was high for the portions, however the variety in the menu was nice. Ambiance overall was pleasant, but I did feel we were seated too closely to another table. Also, there is a nice evening dining feel at night, but it also feels like it could be a coffee shop during the day (I’m pretty sure it is on the first floor of an apartment complex). The menu is rotating so I’d go back, but don’t think this is my first choice due to the $.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ambiance is arty, comfortable and lovely. Menu had great choices and the 3 of us were so pleased with our choices. I brought home the leftovers and they were just as delicious the next day. We had the mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, shrimp and the crab ‘taco'. The winter sangria was delicious and full body with rich red wine and port YUM just right for this time of year!
This restaurant is such an awesome gem in Menlo Park. It's located off of Oak Grove & Merrill, inside the lobby of Springline Apartments. Parking is easy, you can park right out front or in the Springline parking lot. Some items get switched out weekly so there's always something new to experience on the menu. The ambiance is cozy, fun, yet relaxing. Lots of seating options inside and outside, especially if you have pets. Greg and his staff create a warm and welcoming environment for a wonderful night out with friends and family. Alberto is very knowledgeable about the menu and he offers great recommendations when you let him know what you like. Overall a very cool spot if you're in the mood for just a drink, hanging out by yourself or with friends.
We went to Canteen last night to celebrate a friends birthday. It was my first time there and the food is delicious! Many different tapas to share and each one hit the spot! We had the croquettes, the Brussels sprouts (yum!), the crab rolls (double yum!), tomato toast, garlic shrimp, hanger steak (cooked perfectly) and the chicken. Nice selections of wines. No birthday would be complete without dessert so we had the delicious flan and amazing warm churros with chocolate sauce. Our waiter Alberto was so friendly! We will definitely be back!
Worked with the Canteen event management team to coordinate a large corporate dinner. They were very responsive and accommodating. Everyone loved the ambiance of the cozy space and the unique menu items were a hit!
Conveniently located in menlo park, right across from caltrain (where farmhouse thai is located). Restaurant is attached with luxury residential building. There is both indoor and outdoor. There are many small plates - tapas/pintxos like. Wine selection was alright, mostly new world. I grabbed a rioja and enjoyed small plates and split a salad with my friend. Total came tomorrow approx $60/person. Tad pricey but pretty normal for menlo park. Parking is also easy peasy. Service is friendly also!
This is a really nice spot to hang out with some friends and get some nice bites to eat. I don't believe there is a Happy Hour but the food and drinks are really nice. It's not crowded either so perfect to stop by on a weeknight.
Good ambiance. Small amount of lounge seating with couches in addition to tables. Great service. Diverse menu and delicious food as well as good cocktails.
Restaurantji Recommends
Yum! We loved both the food and beverages here. The wine on tap was delicious and reasonably priced. Service was great and none of our dishes disappointed. Ambience was a bit quiet but it worked for our late 30s / early 40s group. It was unusual seeing the apartment complex residents walk through with their dogs to go outside, but that didn't really bother us. For us, the highlights were the churros (delicious chocolate sauce!), potatoes, and tomato toast. The steak was also well-cooked great for the price.
The food and service at Canteen are always exceptional and particularly so for the large family dinner we hosted there this week. Every one of the small, mid and large tapas plates we shared (tuna crudo, artichoke croquetas, wild mushrooms, brussel sprouts, grilled octopus, seafood crispy rice, garlic shrimp, NY steak) was perfectly prepared and exceedingly flavorful. With Camper and now Canteen, restauranteur Greg Kuzia-Carmel is elevating the Menlo Park dining scene to new heights. Bravo!
We loved Canteen! Slightly tricky to find - it's on Oak Grove side - not El Camino which is another “canteen” but my understanding is that's a coffee cafe. Once we found it we loved the overall vibe, it was relaxing and you could sit at table or couch lounge area and have tapas and drinks. Brussels sprouts were sooo excellent, we had artichoke balls that were sooo good and the steak that was sliced for us all to share! Octopus, shrimp - all great! Loved the cocktails and service was sooo friendly and attentive! And it's in the Springline community so it was fun to walk around after!
Excited to try the new place but food and atmosphere sadly lacking. We had shishito peppers, fritters, hangar steak and squash dish. We didn’t know the restaurant is partially in the reception of the apartment complex, brightly lit and had little atmosphere. Food was average at best, feels more like a bar, better options around in Palo Alto.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
I'm always looking for tapas places, and will definitely add this spot into our mix! It's located on the side of the Springline complex, right across the street from Son and Garden. They have outdoor and "lounge" seating. In terms of the indoor seating, there are a few tables, but it's largely lounge seating, which I guess works okay for tapas food. It has a pretty bar and nice decor, but the ambience/vibe definitely feels more hotel lobby than swanky restaurant. I enjoyed my red wine, which these days is the most important part of my meal! Prices are pretty typical of tapas, dishes ranges from 10s-20s and are very shareable. Baked Winter Squash and Comte Toast- not much winter squash on it, but very cheesy. The cheese is a bit strong for me, but my husband loved it Vine Ripe Tomato Pulp Toast- a classic that we often ordered, and the tomato topping was fresh, lightly flavored, delicious Artichoke and Cheddar Croquettes- we pretty much always order croquettes, and I liked the slight twist on their version. These disappeared from our table pretty quickly.... Roasted Bone Marrow- bone marrow is another dish where when I see it, I gotta get it! Comes with 2 huge pieces of bone marrow, and they top it off with a lot of shredded beef, it it's a heartier version than most bone marrow spreads Garlic Shrimp- also pretty good, we enjoyed it. Tortilla Espanola- another classic my husband always has to get- comes with two slices of this egg/potato omellete dish. Overall we enjoyed our meal here!