Izakaya Restaurants near Menlo Park, CA

“Drunken Monk is one of my favorite Japanese spots, especially for their oyako don. It’s the dish I keep going back for, but I’ve also tried quite a few other items on the menu and have enjoyed the variety.

The space has a cozy, casual izakaya feel, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner or date night. It’s not exactly a cheap eat, but the food feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared, so it’s a good spot when you want something a little nicer without being too formal.

The corn karaage is also amazing and definitely worth ordering. Crispy, sweet, and so easy to snack on. I’ve also tried dishes like their sashimi, mini uni don with ikura, grilled skewers, and clam dish, and everything has been comforting and well done.“

“It’s always cozy and the food is good. Everyone is friendly.“

“From the warm greeting everyone receives when walking through the door to the attentive and super friendly service, this place is amazing! The sushi was outstanding… hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had! The texture, taste and presentation was top notch. Wish there was a location on the east coast!“

“Excellent selection of sushi 🍣“

“Absolutely loved this place! The food is outstanding — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The restaurant is spotless, and the ambiance is just perfect: calm, comfortable, and really inviting. It's the kind of spot where you can actually relax and enjoy a meal without the noise and chaos you find elsewhere.
What really sets it apart is the ordering experience — you order right from your phone, which is both seamless and genuinely fun. It feels modern without being gimmicky. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great food in a clean, peaceful setting. Will definitely be back!“

“We’ve been here twice, but only downstairs, which can get very noisy. Their yakitori is very good. We also tried the mentaiko udon and grilled corn and both were good, too.

There’s a public parking garage behind the restaurant. Parking is free after 6 pm. You can enter the restaurant through the back door.“

“Absolutely amazing! The presentation is lovely. The sashimi is so fresh. The soup had so much umami. Even the salad had a light refreshing sesame dressing. They have a sushi train going around the bar area in the center! The jewel is the service. The chef, the server, and the owner John all came to check on us and chat with us! If you are in Los Altos please go to this Japanese restaurant!“

“High quality food at fair prices. One baffling issue is that they charge for tea, but provides FREE saki and sida.“