Restaurants in Palo Alto

“Good food and great customer service. Do recommend”

“Easily the best sandwich of my lifetime. I paused after every bite, saying “Damn, this is amazing”. The bread had that perfect crust and taste. While I’m at it, it’s also hard for me to remember a better tasting chocolate chip cookie.”

“Evvia is our most favorite restaurant. We enjoy consistently phenomenal food. I especially like the whole crisp branzino. My husband had the sea bream and thought the preparation was amazing and delicious. We appreciate the friendly, uplifting atmosphere. They're always accommodating.”

“We have been here for breakfast multiple times, and we will keep going back. We love Turkish breakfast and they serve a good Turkish breakfast here. Staff are very nice and welcoming.”

“Excellent food, drinks and service.”

“First time getting a drink and it was so fast and delicious! I love the small round tables you can sit cross cross applesauce on. I love the music they play and overall it’s a vibe. The food is delicious and the service is fast!”

“Very nice modern spot with a clean aesthetic and friendly staff that makes you feel welcome. The food is great comfort fare — I highly recommend the Original Single Patty with fries for a classic combo. The Mushroom Chicken is a flavorful option if you’re looking for something different, and the Mac N Cheese is creamy and satisfying. Portions are generous, definitely great for sharing. Overall, a solid choice for a casual bite while shopping.”

“Our dinner was amazing from start to finish! Came with friends and tried a few different dishes, including two different styles of momo (kothe and choila), akbare wings, cauli 8848, and chicken chow mein. The juju dhau was also a great way to end the night. Everything was so great! If you’re on the fence, don't hesitate! You have to go here :)”

“love this place. might be expensive but worth it been com I ng here for years”

“🎉 Just had an unforgettable evening at Ettan! Cozy vibes, top-notch service, and every dish was a masterpiece. 🍽 The chef's special? Mind-blowing! 🤯 Whether it's for the ambiance, the flavors, or the amazing staff, Ettan's a must-visit. Left with a full belly and even fuller heart. ❤️ Can't wait to go back! #EttanMagic #FoodieDream #BestDinnerEver”

“My husband and I love coming in for the lunch buffet. It's so delicious!”

“We love this restaurant! The food is phenomenal and delicious.”

“Ottimo cibo, servizio veloce, locale molto carino.”

“Amazing food highly recommend”

“I had an amazing experience at Italico Restaurant! The food was fresh and flavorful, especially the truffle pasta and wood-fired pizza. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was cozy yet modern. I’ll definitely be back to enjoy more of their delicious dishes. Highly recommend!”

“Sat at the bar, by choice. Good selection of fine spirits, especially Japanese whiskey and tequila. Cocktails were very well made and balanced. We also asked for a mocktail modified to be “less sweet” than normal and it came out perfect. Food was great, not outstanding, but I would absolutely eat here again. The truffle fries were a miss for us since the white sauce makes them soggy. Burger and NY steak were exactly as advertised, possibly sous vide on the medium rare steak. The tempura mushrooms stood out to us as one of the best small dishes we ate. The Spanish Octopus was an unusually large tentacle, made me wonder how tender it would be. I prefer to have octopus more on the grilled side and that seemed to be lacking here but the favor was decent. The oysters were delicious!”

“Food here is fun and interesting with unexpected ingredients, combinations, and textures. My husband and I decided to make a meal of the small and medium sized dishes and skipped entrees so that we could try more things. Favorites included the grilled Romano beans and the octopus. Misses for me included the tofu custard and kohlrabi. Overall we enjoyed the mix of dishes, as well as our cocktails. We were seated by the window and although we liked the outlook to the street, the glass was not well insulated and we were cold! I think we would have been warmer outside with the heaters.”

“Food is still good. The menu has changed a little bit since I last came here several years ago, and the spices aren't as strong as they used to be. Good service and not too pricey.”

“An exceptional culinary experience at Protégé in Palo Alto. Every dish showcased masterful technique and impeccable flavors. The A5 Japanese Wagyu Ribeye was perfectly marbled and melted effortlessly, while the Crab and Caviar delivered a luxurious balance of brine and sweetness. The lobster toast was crisp, buttery, and indulgent, and the Black Bass—flawless in execution—was the best I’ve encountered. The Ricotta Dumplings , delicate yet deeply flavorful, rounded out an unforgettable meal. The shigoku oysters with whipped ponzu were indescribably fresh and flavorful. The sunflower Caesar, with its preserved tomato jam, was a unique and unforgettable twist on a classic. As for the brick chicken that we took to go, it was so delicious that it barely made it home before being devoured. The experience was elevated even further by the outstanding service—every person was kind, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to creating a memorable evening. A true showcase of precision, creativity, and hospitality”

“The food is delicious. The sauces really stand out here at Palo Alto Sol. See my review at EssentialPaloAltoRestaurants.com”

“Absolutely amazing❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ best sushi!”

“Always a lovely experience dining here, what with the peaceful ambiance and easy parking situation. We had an unwanted guest at one point (a wasp) & the staff immediately took action to move us inside. Not pictured was a delicious peach torta, consumed within seconds. Always look at the dessert menu :)”

“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!”

“Always have 2 slices 1 is never enough. It’s that good..”

“Food is wounderful and not that expensive… worth it….😃”

“I attended a Chemex Kenz coffee tasting and love their Hambala. Their love and passion for coffee translates in the quality of their beans. I’m glad I can also enjoy their brew at Sue’s Cafe in Downtown Saratoga.”

“Ada’s is the best place for delicious food, friendly service and a real sense of community. On top of all that, it believes everyone can have meaningful employment and trains and offers wonderful work under the kind and generous care of founder Kathleen. It’s a community GEM!!”

“Comida Grega, muito bem temperada, no ponto certo. Para mim, claro! Parabéns!”

“Love the environment, music, food, wine and staff….❤️❤️”

“Staff are friendly. They’re pet friendly. My Ribeye steak was the best!”

“The environment is very nice and food is 😋😋😋”

“Fun, rooftop bar atop the Graduate Hotel in downtown Palo Alto. Nice atmosphere, basically a bar with a limited but good menu. Seared ahi and seafood tower are good. No cash bar.”

“Great restaurant”

“New York Pizza in Palo Alto is, in my opinion, the best pizza in the Bay Area. The taste of their pizzas is absolutely delightful, and the ingredients are fresh and high-quality. The staff is just amazing, so attentive, friendly, and always ready to serve and make sure you’re satisfied. I love dining in, but their delivery service is also fantastic. It’s a treat every single time! Thank you for everything!”

“It’s just really, really nice food with really, really nice service. We had various dumplings to start, a few seafood dishes, a few veggie dishes, the Singapore noodles — all just very nice. And that service was lovely.”

“Awesome rooftop bar with stunning views and great cocktails!”

“pizzas muy ricas y saludables buen servicio”

“By far was this is the best Mexican food I've ever had. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it!”

“Very good food!!! Awesome service!!! We will be back!!!”

“I’ve been coming to Kowa since it’s opened in 2020. Always wonderful staff, not too loud, great quality ramen at reasonable price. I honestly think it tastes much better than Ramen Nagi, which is way too oily and always super crowded with a long line. As a palo alto resident, I highly recommend this cute ramen place!”

“After 20+ years of coming here…it’s STILL incredible! The Mojito! The Masitas, the snapper, and soooooo much more!”

“Fantastic service and Delicious food. Our server ( didn’t catch her name ) was awesome. I do remember she had a beautiful accent. I believe when asked she said she was originally from Kenya! Kudos to her for taking such good care of us! We live in San Joaquin Valley but we will definitely make the trip back for dinner!”

“Enjoyed their Hamburger and fish & Chips Fries are excellent. Lovely surroundings, the ducks enjoyed the pool.”

“Always try to go at least once when I’m in Old El Palo Alto.”

“Love the pizza there, we ordered white pie and red pie. Both are great taste”

“so much more than a roof over our heads. comradorie, family and food.As well presents for all of our children.”

“My boyfriend and I went here to celebrate New Year's Eve, and it was a fantastic experience! Sam made us an amazing drink that we absolutely loved. The F&B Manager, Alejandra, was incredibly professional and sweet—she even surprised us with a small discount at the end, which was such a thoughtful gesture. Our server, Michael, was also excellent and provided great service throughout the evening. The live music was out of this world—it truly felt like we were in Hollywood! Overall, it was a magical night, and we can't wait to visit again!"”

“We had Chocolate & Blueberry focaccia, which was truly excellent. Also two jar cakes: Pistachio and Tiramisu. The jar cakes, like the focaccia, were very nicely made from quality ingredients. But their flavors were quite subtle, and afterward we both thought that the eating pleasure we got from them wasn't worth the calories.”

“Only down side is small parking lot. Do recommend street parking since the lot is very small

Recommend: Sashimi and Nigiri is well prepared. But everything is fairly pricey

The sushi here is very good and well made. Good quality fish”

“Went here to grab a salad for lunch. Staff is absolutely amazing - not only very nice but also very helpful. Food was delicious too. Will definitely come again when I am back in the area.”

“The BEST Sushi in the Bay Area- FOR SURE”

“Cheerful welcome greeting, seated quickly and attended to throughout a very good meal.”

“This is my wife and I's go to spot whenever we are at the mall. We may not shop for anything but will always get the bowls at World Wrapps. Love that they can substitute tofu in any of the bowls - makes it great for vegetarians as well. The sauces add a lot of flavor so the pro tip is to get that on the side with the Ube Horchata :)”

“I had the most amazing experience and it was my first time. I will definitely go back before l leave San Francisco.”

“The best worst flavor
They have abominations like habanero with berries and strawberries with pepper and balsamic, for the bold.

The rest of less weird combinations are just delicious, vanilla bean with sea salt and caramel, lavender, chocolate brownie.

Generous portions and long line on weekends, try them on off-peak hours and you can have a couple of tastes”

“Comfort food done right. I’ve had the pleasure of dining here several times, and every dish I’ve tried has been delicious. It’s a great spot for a laid-back evening.”

“The food was amazing and they served a large portion. I got something like 6 slices of French toast. Only reason it is not a 5 star is because of service. Waiter came up to our party of 6 and asked if we had any drinks. Upon taking the second persons order, he started to walk away without asking if that was all. I had to flag him down to order my drink. They did not take our food order for at least another 12 minutes.”

“The best Sandwich in 100 miles! Been coming here ever since it opened and will continue to eat delicious sandwiches for years to come. NOM NOM NOM.”

“The lady who works behind the counter is extremely rude and unprofessional. Very snobby and no manners, she laughed in my face multiple times, and since then, I have not returned. She ruined the whole experience. I emailed and never got a response back. I'm not quite sure if this behavior is acceptable. But she had a gross attitude, a bigger, heavier set woman wearing glasses with hair in a bun.”

“This has been my go-to lunch spot at work for for the last 8 mos (ever since I found out about it). One of the tastiest sandwich places and reasonably priced. Great, fresh ingredients, thoughtful menu items, and extremely friendly staff. Probably one of the most 'slept on' restaurants in the area. Would give 10 stars if I could.”

“Hamachi shots were insane. The tofu was some of the best I’ve ever had, super soft and fried just a bit for the perfect thin, crispy texture. The sauce for the tofu was also so yum!!! Crab was pretty good, though both the crab and tofu got soggy quickly due to the sauce. The o toro nigiri was honestly the best thing from this dinner. SO. TENDER. Salmon toro and Ebodai (butter fish) were also tender, but the o toro was unmatched. Honestly could’ve passed on the yellowtail maki, it was very rice-y but still good. Yuzu cheesecake was a great way to end this magical meal. We are moved.”

“I’ve been there a few times and is always very good I highly recommend”

“As usual, Ramen Nagi has a long wait. Sometimes there are lulls in the line, which is when I happened to get in. The line is outside, so be prepared for the weather. When you get close to the front, they give you a sheet to fill out on what you want. I got the squid ink with everything the usual except with lower sodium and a 4 on spice. I should have asked for more spice, 4 was not that spicy! I also like the thick noodles, the thin ones are a little too thin. The meat on the top of the squid ink ramen was scrumptious!!

The service, once they get you seated, is super fast. I added the bean sprouts from the table to mine! We also split a chicken kaarage, which was yummy. I had enough to take home a little in a too go box!”

“Tasty and healthy food at the right price. I ate here twice after hiking in Palo Alto and one of the best wraps I have ever had”

“Nice place and nice coffee”

“Friendly staff🥰, best bagel in the states🥯”

“Food and atmosphere are always great. On this particular visit service was very slow even they weren't busy. Side note regarding slow service: I hate that they automatically added a 20% gratuity to the bill, I will tip based of the service, thank you.”

“The food tastes great! There are a lot of options, so even if you don't like sushi there's plenty of options, like miso and udon. The staff are always patient and attentive. There are many affordable roll options, and the menu is decently priced for the area as well. Great place to go with a partner or a group of friends.”

“They have all the product just like your in Paris shopping”

“We love Bistro Elan! For this visit - we sat outside at the parklet and had a lovely, quiet dinner. The service, led by waiter Ed, was fabulous. Ed provided excellent suggestions, was kind and attentive, and super enthusiastic about the food and restaurant. The menu is small, as is the restaurant and the food was fabulous! My scallops were cooked to perfection and the blackberry ice cream hit the spot. We will definitely be back! Thank yoU!”

“My favorite place. I grew up in Palo Alto and Peet’s was the local high end coffee to grind and serve via French press. Philz pour over coffee is sublime, hot, comforting and the staff are always wonderful. While many folks order online, I prefer to do so in person and usually have a short wait to receive my coffee. ☕️”

“First time visiting this place. This cafe seems to be a local favorite and I can see why. I had a ham&cheese croissant and a coffee - the pastry was delicious and the coffee came in a nice big mug. Local spots like this are always the best find!”

“Frambrini's Cafe is upgraded and it is amazing! Extensive menu and big-portion dishes. I like the beautiful pink rose latte”

“Amazing Sicilian food, cozy patio and dining experience. Wait staff are welcoming❤️”

“The food was absolutely delicious! As a regular consumer of Caribbean cuisine, I came in with my expectations in check—but I was pleasantly surprised. The portions were generous (I went for lunch and ended up skipping dinner). The subtle hint of coconut in the rice truly made my day and the curry goat was one of the best I’ve had in a long time—yes, I said it! The service was decent; although our orders got mixed up, the staff were very friendly and apologetic, which made up for it. Overall, a fantastic experience that I’ll definitely be coming back for.”

“great food. good service”

“Amazing food & service, excellent atmosphere”

“Matcha soft serve in a cup, with or without the custard filled fish waffle, is excellent. We tried matcha and peach as well (1/2 and 1/2) and admit the second flavor was too sweet. So stick with the green tea classic!”

“My goto French cafe with delicious French bakery, Freshly pressed OJ’s, and excellent coffees.”

“Get Sandy’s breakfast burritos or sandwiches with the orange sauce.

I'm a sucker for any of their croissant sandwiches. This includes the breakfast croissant sandwich. I love that the cheese is in between the folded eggs. Their lunch croissant sandwich is also good, it's packed with veggies (avocado, red onions, sprouts, pepperoncini, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc).

This is also one of the few korean options in downtown. You can get spicy pork, or beef bulgogi for breakfast or lunch. I do enjoy the korean lunch plates with the homemade kimchi.

Lots of beverage options available in the refrigerator.

Plenty of seating and TV available to watch. Microwave, utensils, and napkins are available.”

“I REALLY ENJOYED THE FOOD....IT WAS VERY DELICIOUS AND THE PRICES WERE EXCELLENT”

“Excelente servicio 🙂…………..”

“Yummy delicious and super cool 😎”

“We were weary travelers stopping by Scotty's in hope of a more chill vibe with some good food, and Scottys delivered! Our bartender, Sergio, was so friendly and fun! We got some inside knowledge about the town as we are from Oregon. The drinks were perfect and the food was top notch! I would have expected to pay a lot more for the quality of food and service we received at literally any of the surrounding places. We will visit Palo Alto again if only to go back to Scotty's as a new tradition! Thank you, Sergio, for making our anniversary dinner a great one! Someone give him a raise!”

“Very kind service extremely clean establishment food was very fresh.”

“it's the best ice cream i have ever had. evan the flavers they have had that doesent sound like it would be good .. is real good. and they give you samples if you want to try a flavor before you buy it.”

“location, coffee and sandwiches”

“So glad I stumbled across this gem today! William (cashier) was extremely patient, accommodating, and helpful. We ordered a porchetta sandwich, side of fries, double espresso, burger, and scone. Everything we had was delicious - the porchetta was one of the best sandwiches I’ve had. There isn’t a dedicated kids menu from what I saw, but they provided a high chair and most kids survive off fries, so we were fine. Parking is in a private lot and an easy walk from LPCH or Stanford shopping center. The weather was perfect for their patio dining, and staff were prompt to bring our food and clear tables.”

“We are vegetarian, and we had such a great meal! They modified the yellow chicken curry with tofu, and they were nice enough to clarify with us that we didn't want fish sauce!

It was really tasty. The flavors were there. Give this place a chance. It's often missed in PA, but we'll be coming back again for the awesome food!”

“Awesome place to enjoy good coffee, pastries and cosy atmosphere!”

“1st time in Cali , this place was a 3 min walk from my hotel . I had the adult grill cheese. It was delicious. The service was great and the prices were not bad at all . I definitely recommend and will be returning next time i’m on the west coast .”

“Best coffee I’ve ever had!”

“Hello if anyone somehow stumbled by this website because they want to check out Como Esta taqueria I have some answers. A relative is a worker there and I spent a summer there (If you saw a 6 year old cleaning tables a bit less than a decade ago - yup that was me, I appreciate the tips I was a very happy kid that summer). Regarding the comment of that they don’t sell beer there, they do but its limited to maybe 3 brands (all Mexican ). It’s definitely a place you should go in person! The space is small, but there is a few tables outside, and it has a homey vibe (at least to me). Since I spent so much time there - you guessed it I’ve tried some of the menu, the reason I don’t say most it’s because there’s way to much to cover and I’m a bit biased to my favorites. This includes: the fish tacos, regular burrito mojado the meat has to be Biiria, any burrito at that fact,and the tacos are good. I can say everything is authentic unless you add super to the name then that’s just for the people who think sour cream and lettuce should be in your burrito ? . ( no judgement) the salsa is flavorful ,but not spicy you have to ask for it to be spicy. Now without offending anyone I have to say the reson why the salsa isn’t spicy is because most people who visit can handle spice except a certain group of people. I know most of the workers and they all are very nice people. What some of the negative comments have said is that they were laughing at them and that they were disrespectful, I have to say this if you don’t understand the language don’t be quick to judge , take in consideration you walked into a taqueria not a predominately English speaking restaurant. I know that if you are a regular there they treat you like close friends and may tease you , but at the same time ask how have you been since your last visit. (Not to say new costumers aren’t welcome , but it’s kinda of the energy and attitude you put in , will be the one you get)I even know a grandpa that goes by “Tio “ uncle in English because that’s there nickname for him. If you are still here with me , (I hope you are )I have one last final comment. Everyone has bad days no one is perfect, and trust me they have good hygiene the manager and my relative make sure while they do switch roles multitasking , everything is sanitary. I can say this because I’ve been harshly scolded on how I should wipe tables , and a few years later, how I washed dishes. Another reson why you should trust me is because a few workers have a bit of OCD on clean things and how should it be done. (Imagine how I feel, I live with one). If you ever visit please say thanks to the workers since some have had bad chemical burns, normal burns, cuts, and sprained hands while trying to give you the best service possible!”

“I look forward to the Mitchell's ice cream at Scoop, and a HUGE variety of flavors. I stop by whenever I visit Palo Alto (from up the Peninsula). All of the employees (except one who plays such obnoxious music that even I won't go inside the store) are exceptionally nice and helpful. Otherwise, the music played in very entertaining and appropriate. And they DO give samples! But not until after you buy, and they call it something else besides a sample. It's a sad fact that here in San Mateo there is NO good ice cream place, either Downtown or near Downtown. Perhaps Scoop could consider expanding northward (hoping they read this glowing review).”

“had a wonderful night at BISTRONOMIE by Baumé for my husband's birthday! Even though we were not the only customers, the way the restaurant is arranged made us feel like we were having our own private, intimate meal. Every plate was stunningly beautiful and the compositions of flavor and texture were truly a new experience. Even the plateware and cutlery kept drawing our attention as elegant pieces of art. The service was wonderful, we loved how friendly, funny, and warm both the wife and son were. They really made us feel welcome and at ease. I would highly recommend to visit this place. We're not the type to frequent restaurants of this caliber so we usually reserve these types of visits to special occasions, but we are hoping the menu will change (maybe seasonally?) so we can use that as an excuse to return ASAP.”

“And the most amazing cocktails! 🍹”

“Very good food for lunch here”

“Excellent meal in the restaurant!”

“Amazing food & service, excellent atmosphere”

“Es un restaurante muy bonito, sus platos muy bien servidos y deliciosos! Recomiendo a Local Union siempre, excelente servicio el de Guadalupe y Estefany!”

“Deliciosos platillos y pizzas en horno de barro bon apetit 👌”

“Rico todo , buen servicio”

“Fantastic service and Delicious food. Our server ( didn’t catch her name ) was awesome. I do remember she had a beautiful accent. I believe when asked she said she was originally from Kenya! Kudos to her for taking such good care of us! We live in San Joaquin Valley but we will definitely make the trip back for dinner!”

“I wish you would open another location outside downtown Palo Alto. Your food is fabulous but too hard for parking!”

“First time getting a drink and it was so fast and delicious! I love the small round tables you can sit cross cross applesauce on. I love the music they play and overall it’s a vibe. The food is delicious and the service is fast!”

“I like the ambience and enjoy the cuisine. Bring back lots is nostalgia!”

“Very nice modern spot with a clean aesthetic and friendly staff that makes you feel welcome. The food is great comfort fare — I highly recommend the Original Single Patty with fries for a classic combo. The Mushroom Chicken is a flavorful option if you’re looking for something different, and the Mac N Cheese is creamy and satisfying. Portions are generous, definitely great for sharing. Overall, a solid choice for a casual bite while shopping.”

“Enjoyed their Hamburger and fish & Chips Fries are excellent. Lovely surroundings, the ducks enjoyed the pool.”

“Always try to go at least once when I’m in Old El Palo Alto.”

“Georgian (Southwesterly Asian) Cuisine ! Fav! Very glad to see that Bevri now has a larger restaurant! Great 👍🏾 food & service.”