Restaurants in Palo Alto
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Best Restaurants
“Very tasty food for typical Palo Alto prices. Compared to other Indian/Nepalese restaurants in Palo Alto, this one is hands down better in terms of food quality and service.”
“We have been coming to Ettan for the last 2 years and they never disappoint. Delicious food and excellent service. And deserts is a special something! Will be back again!”
“Great Mediterranean food we had the chicken plate chicken was soft and tender cooked perfectly. Garlic hummus fries were a hit with us could’ve used a little more garlic but overall good !”
“WOW!!! My fiancé (now wife ) and I had the most incredible and unique experience at Ethel's Fancy. If you don't want to read my essay, the TLDR is, do yourself, your family, and your friends a favor and eat here.
We are both Bay Area locals and huge foodies, and have had the good fortune of trying some of the best restaurants around the greater Bay Area from Berkeley, to Oakland, to Marin, San Francisco, San Jose and the Peninsula. However, Ethel's exceptional service and unique menu stood out above all others for us, and was truly different from any dining experience we have had before!
We were lucky enough to discover this hidden gem when we were searching with my parents for our wedding rehearsal dinner location in the Palo Alto area. We had admittedly high expectations for our pre-nuptial feast with our closest friends and family, so we were taking in every detail from the ambiance, to the service to, most importantly, the food.
We were BLOWN away - not only did every dish hit (warm sesame pancakes, milk bread, pork belly, KATSU SWORD FISH), but the cocktails were unreal, and the front of house and our waitress were incredibly attentive, sharp, and kind towards us the whole night (we did not share we were thinking about doing our rehearsal dinner there until after our meal). We never felt rushed, we got great recommendations on the menu, and we felt the quality and presentation was that of fine dining but without the air of self importance and pretentiousness. The love and care of the chefs, bartenders, and servers came through in every aspect of our evening.
Of course, we hosted our rehearsal dinner there, and somehow, Ethel's managed to outdo themselves. They met with us numerous times prior to ensure everything from the menu, to the signature cocktail names, to the seating layout was to our liking and the night was perfect.
We got the most EPIC feedback from our guests, not only about the creative menu with ingredients they had never tried, but the truly personable and caring service from the bartenders (making incredible cocktails on the fly), the chefs, and the servers.
To Chef Scott and the Ethel's Fancy team, THANK YOU for creating the most unforgettable and special experience for us. We love your food, we love the magic you create within those 4 walls, and we will be back!!”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“love this place. might be expensive but worth it been com I ng here for years”
“THE BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER!!!
The ambiance, the staff, the food - everything is absolutely amazing! The staff here are the sweetest people - there was an extremely difficult group of people as we dined however the staff was nothing but kind and apologetic (and that group was ridiculously mean and awfully demanding).
If you get a chance - please try this place - it is AMAZING!!
We got rack of lamb and chana masala and it’s by far the best best best food we have had!”
“Sushi Roku has excellent quality fish and the service was attentive. We ate outside and enjoyed it. I was very disappointed that they didn't offer ma saba, which in my mind is a sushi staple, but otherwise I'd recommend the place.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Service is top notch, excellent! Meal deliciously prepared. My favorites include saganaki cheese appetizer, Lamb chops or ribeye steak paired with a nice red wine, and for dessert baklava or ice cream Sundae.”
“Great Mediterranean food we had the chicken plate chicken was soft and tender cooked perfectly. Garlic hummus fries were a hit with us could’ve used a little more garlic but overall good !”
“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.”
“I had the mango coconut pudding (vegan option) and it was delicious. I would like yo try a few more vegan options in the next few months. This is a new chain at a very convenient location at Palo Alto.”
“love this place. might be expensive but worth it been com I ng here for years”
“THE BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER!!!
The ambiance, the staff, the food - everything is absolutely amazing! The staff here are the sweetest people - there was an extremely difficult group of people as we dined however the staff was nothing but kind and apologetic (and that group was ridiculously mean and awfully demanding).
If you get a chance - please try this place - it is AMAZING!!
We got rack of lamb and chana masala and it’s by far the best best best food we have had!”
“Dinner was delicious! First time here very good food , atmosphere, very friendly, staffs are great… Thank you Antonio!”
“What a great cafe in Palo Alto. Reasonable price and nice service.The Mozzarella bread is fantastic and highly recommend to try sweet hot latte and Turkish coffee.There are alots of Baklava and sweets. Good for gifts.”
“Absolutely delicious food and great service. Visiting from San Diego and tried the Palo Alto location and went straight back a second time this time to the redwood location! The consistency of fresh, rich tasting food is amazing at both locations!! The service was outstanding!
P.S. Please consider opening a location in SoCal!!”
“It was a lovely experience dining @ Sekoya. It's not a huge place so obviously it gets busy. Service was excellent and our server was so helpful and gave great suggestions. Food and drinks were phenomenal. The crispy mushroom was my favorite as well as the prawns! Cocktails were good as well!”
“Incredible. The Wagyu beef was a transformative experience. Every time going forward I’m in N California-this is an incredible restaurant”
“Dinner was delicious! First time here very good food , atmosphere, very friendly, staffs are great… Thank you Antonio!”
Outdoor Dining
“WOW!!! My fiancé (now wife ) and I had the most incredible and unique experience at Ethel's Fancy. If you don't want to read my essay, the TLDR is, do yourself, your family, and your friends a favor and eat here.
We are both Bay Area locals and huge foodies, and have had the good fortune of trying some of the best restaurants around the greater Bay Area from Berkeley, to Oakland, to Marin, San Francisco, San Jose and the Peninsula. However, Ethel's exceptional service and unique menu stood out above all others for us, and was truly different from any dining experience we have had before!
We were lucky enough to discover this hidden gem when we were searching with my parents for our wedding rehearsal dinner location in the Palo Alto area. We had admittedly high expectations for our pre-nuptial feast with our closest friends and family, so we were taking in every detail from the ambiance, to the service to, most importantly, the food.
We were BLOWN away - not only did every dish hit (warm sesame pancakes, milk bread, pork belly, KATSU SWORD FISH), but the cocktails were unreal, and the front of house and our waitress were incredibly attentive, sharp, and kind towards us the whole night (we did not share we were thinking about doing our rehearsal dinner there until after our meal). We never felt rushed, we got great recommendations on the menu, and we felt the quality and presentation was that of fine dining but without the air of self importance and pretentiousness. The love and care of the chefs, bartenders, and servers came through in every aspect of our evening.
Of course, we hosted our rehearsal dinner there, and somehow, Ethel's managed to outdo themselves. They met with us numerous times prior to ensure everything from the menu, to the signature cocktail names, to the seating layout was to our liking and the night was perfect.
We got the most EPIC feedback from our guests, not only about the creative menu with ingredients they had never tried, but the truly personable and caring service from the bartenders (making incredible cocktails on the fly), the chefs, and the servers.
To Chef Scott and the Ethel's Fancy team, THANK YOU for creating the most unforgettable and special experience for us. We love your food, we love the magic you create within those 4 walls, and we will be back!!”
“Sushi Roku has excellent quality fish and the service was attentive. We ate outside and enjoyed it. I was very disappointed that they didn't offer ma saba, which in my mind is a sushi staple, but otherwise I'd recommend the place.”
“It was a lovely experience dining @ Sekoya. It's not a huge place so obviously it gets busy. Service was excellent and our server was so helpful and gave great suggestions. Food and drinks were phenomenal. The crispy mushroom was my favorite as well as the prawns! Cocktails were good as well!”
“We love this restaurant! The food is phenomenal and delicious.”
“Great lunch choices. Healthy and unique. Desserts are the perfect combination for your coffee or latte. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Location is easy for access with designated parking. Will repeat for sure.”
“This is the best food I've had on the Peninsula, hands down. Besides SF, you will struggle to find better pasta in the area. Staff are lovely, menu is seasonal, atmosphere is classy. The pricing is reasonable, and is cheaper or comparable to many worse restaurants. Please make sure to give this place a try!”
“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!!”
“Kind barista, and I had a really tasty matcha latte with oat milk?
Vegetarian options: All of the desserts are vegetarian :)
Dietary restrictions: They have oat milk for your coffee or matcha!”
“Staff are friendly. They’re pet friendly. My Ribeye steak was the best!”
“We love this restaurant! The food is phenomenal and delicious.”
Online Reservation Available
“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.”
“Taste is an excellent Sichuan restaurant. The ambiance is cozy, and the staff are friendly and helpful, especially in recommending dishes.
Highlights include the flavorful Bobo Chicken, the unique Tea Flavor Duck, the spicy and aromatic Dry Pot, and the perfectly grilled Live Fish. It's a great place for authentic Sichuan cuisine with superb service. Highly recommended!”
“Years ago I developed an unpleasant reaction to wheat, so I stopped eating pizza. But I recently discovered that gluten-free pizza is acceptable, since it has no wheat. And the gluten-free pizza at New York Pizza is delicious! I've had it twice and both times, it was excellent, with the texture and flavor of a *real* pizza. I opted for the hawaiian style with just ham and pineapple; the next time I'll be more traditional and branch out from there. Recommended for anyone who wants or needs to avoid traditional wheat crust.”
“Very good food!!! Awesome service!!! We will be back!!!”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I recently had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant in San Francisco, and I cannot rave enough about the incredible service provided by Morgan. As a New Yorker, I have high expectations when it comes to dining out, and Morgan exceeded every one of them!
From the moment I walked in, he made me feel welcomed and valued. His attention to detail and genuine care for his customers were evident throughout my meal. Morgan was not only friendly but also knowledgeable about the menu, helping me make the perfect choice.
I've never been one to write reviews, but the level of service I received was so outstanding that I felt compelled to share my experience. Morgan deserves to be recognized for his exceptional work—he should honestly own this place! Until that happens, I hope he continues to run the show, as he truly makes every guest's experience unforgettable.
Thank you, Morgan, for an amazing dining experience! I’ll definitely be back!
Spencer”
“This place is great. Haven't had Cuban food for years.
This place is a bit fancier compared to the ones I have been in LA. By fancier I mean much more upscale and a bit pricey compared to the dishes I have tried at other spots.
I was really craving for the "Ropa Vieja", as it was a dish I had always ordered when visiting any Cuban restaurant. I really wanted the paella as well but it was super expensive. I do wish the portions were much bigger as they were maybe half the size compared to the other Cuban restaurants I have been to.
I strongly feel they should change the $$ rating to a $$$ as the food was much more expensive than I expected. I believe this is important because sometimes the number of $'s can be a huge decision maker depending on the situation.
But besides that, food was incredible as well as the service. The dishes were really flavorful as well as they were all very nicely presented. It's definitely not a place l would come regularly as food is pretty pricey and they do not have any high chairs. Parking can be hard, as you might have to park on the street and its pretty limited. I recommend giving this place a try.”
“Love the pizza there, we ordered white pie and red pie. Both are great taste”
“Ramen was alright. Had the karagge chicken but it was not breaded or deep fried. Rather, it was cooked on a griddle, which I found odd.
Server lady was very nice and polite”
“Enjoyed their Hamburger and fish & Chips Fries are excellent. Lovely surroundings, the ducks enjoyed the pool.”
“Very nice experience for my uncle's anniversary. They have very thoughtful ways of making things feel special. The food was excellent and everyone who had steak absolutely raved about the quality (tenderness and flavor). Thank you for a wonderful evening!”
“Always try to go at least once when I’m in Old El Palo Alto.”
“Eat outside if you can -- we were seated in the back, where things were a little claustrophobic. The service was good but not great, but heads-up: you are going to be paying a 20% tip whether you want to or not, no matter the quality of your waiter!”
“Awesome rooftop bar with stunning views and great cocktails!”
“We ordered two enchiladas plate to go this time, we keep going back for it! It’s goooood.
Dietary restrictions: They prepare your food with love and care, always being very mindful of you dietary restrictions. To the point, that I am pretty surprised!!!
Parking: Parking lot in the left.
Wheelchair accessibility: The entry is leveled with ground, has enough space for wheelchair movement and no stairs.”
“Great lunch choices. Healthy and unique. Desserts are the perfect combination for your coffee or latte. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Location is easy for access with designated parking. Will repeat for sure.”
“Very very happy with this place! Husband and I had the Toro Heaven special roll, and it was scrumptious. Great balance of flavors, fresh and generous servings of toro. I also tried their salmon temaki and toro temakis, and both were really great bites. Their beef sukiyaki was excellent as well. Ambience and service was great — we felt at home and not rushed, even though we spent an hour and a half here sampling their menu. Stroller friendly!
Definitely coming back here. It’s my new favourite sushi place in the South Bay.
Parking: Parking available in front of the restaurant
Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly, lots of space for strollers and high chairs”
24 Hour Restaurants
“The Ronald McDonald House is a godsend they relocated me from Modesto to here before I had my baby so that way I could deliver here and my baby could be here to get to treat me he needed for his heart surgeries and to recoup after the surgeries this place is amazing they have wonderful resources they are a lot of help the staff here are amazing and they do a really lot for the families that are here and the support that they give the families is unreal I greatly appreciate them and thank you guys very much for everything you've done I'm still currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House and I've been here for about 2 months now and have a few more months ago and thank you guys so so very much I don't know what I would have done without this place cuz I couldn't afford to go back and forth for Modesto to Palo Alto twice three times a week so their life savers”
“I've always found the food here to be fresh, hot, and rather better quality than the average fast food. Atmosphere is basically fast food standard, that is, clean, plain, and comfortable but uninteresting. Service is generally cheerful and fast.
Parking: Although this place is generally pretty busy at lunchtime, I have always been able to find a parking place.”
“This is the best food I've had on the Peninsula, hands down. Besides SF, you will struggle to find better pasta in the area. Staff are lovely, menu is seasonal, atmosphere is classy. The pricing is reasonable, and is cheaper or comparable to many worse restaurants. Please make sure to give this place a try!”
“Staff are friendly. They’re pet friendly. My Ribeye steak was the best!”
Takeout Restaurants
“My husband and I went to an open house nearby and we discovered this nice dessert place! Our daughter needs to have GF food so their GF cookie definitely must try (different style cookie, very unique). Besides I love their pistachio jar cake?And the young gentleman in the store made us feel welcome too. Thank you!”
“I have tried both Salt & Straw locations in downtown Palo Alto and Valley Fair, and I must say, I prefer the Palo Alto branch. Despite always having a long line in front of their store, the experience is well worth the wait.
Their fresh waffle cones are a highlight, adding an extra layer of delight to their already amazing ice cream. Another standout feature is that this location stays open late, which is quite rare in the area and perfect for those late-night cravings.
Overall, Salt & Straw in downtown Palo Alto is a must-visit for any ice cream enthusiast.”
“This place literally has the best salads ever. They’re consistently fresh with their ingredients & so tasty every time! We usually order in for work & i always rave about them. My coworkers love them too! Huge plus since they have halal chicken. My favorite is the cali-ceezer.”
“Shekoh is an amazing chef, anything she touches tastes like heaven. Can hardly wait until she opens her online shop.”
“A gem during our road trip. A break before the last stage towards San Francisco, discovering Stanford University on the way:
Fresh produce
Varied menu
Hearty portions
Top service
Very very good value for money. Congratulations to the team. Everything was perfect. Thank you for the welcome.”
“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.”
“5/5 for the food, portion size, and price. First drink is also free :)
Service was quick, even on a very busy day. Expect a wait, it was a 5min wait at 6:30pm.”
“My husband and I just discovered this place! We love how unique the menu is and it's all delicious, especially the lentil soup. We will definitely be back!”
“I’ve been there a few times and is always very good I highly recommend”
“Always have 2 slices 1 is never enough. It’s that good..”
“Hidden in the alley, the restaurant is a little small. Reservation is recommended on the weekends, but should be able to get seated for two with a reasonable wait time.
They have a lot of fish to choose from. I like the menu. Softshell crab is amazing. The rest of it is typical, nothing too special.
Overall not bad!”
“Cheerful welcome greeting, seated quickly and attended to throughout a very good meal.”
“Love that they focus on freshness i.e. fresh wraps ( although i am unclear about when the dough is made EDIT: Glad to see response that dough is made daily!) , sauces made daily from scratch (also bit unclear on definition of fresh i.e. do they start with raw produce or mixing of refrigerated/processed ingredients). Nonetheless appreciate their philosophy to attempt fresh food :)
Vegetarian options: Clearly marked and many vegan and vegetarian options.
Dietary restrictions: Clearly marked and many vegan and vegetarian options.”
“Comida Grega, muito bem temperada, no ponto certo. Para mim, claro! Parabéns!”
“5/5 for the food, portion size, and price. First drink is also free :)
Service was quick, even on a very busy day. Expect a wait, it was a 5min wait at 6:30pm.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“What an amazing way to interact with our personal wellness”
“The staff here are exceptionally friendly. Once, I ordered a hot latte instead of an iced one by mistake, and they quickly made the switch and even let me keep the hot latte. I was really grateful for their kindness. They are professional, and their coffee-making speed is impressive. I frequent this place often and always have a great experience.”
“I give it a 4 because they offered me the happy meal and it didn't come with the toy they advertised and they told me it couldn't be exchanged. I love their food!”
“The very nice black older lady was very friendly when picking up my order! And in general, it seemed to me that all the staff were very attentive to visitors and respectful, which is often lacking in McDonalds. This one has nice service.”
“I’ve been there a few times and is always very good I highly recommend”
“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.”
Cheap Eats
“Best ramen of my life, well worth the wait! The broth was rich and flavorful, the pork loin was melt-in-your-mouth tender and the noodles had a bit of a bite to them.
You can customize your ramen bowl but I found the recommended default options to be best. I especially recommend the pork loin over the belly.
In addition, the fried chicken was perfectly crispy, juicy and full of flavor!
There is a reason why there is always a long line here. Try to come as early as possible so that you don't have to wait too long.”
“My goto French cafe with delicious French bakery, Freshly pressed OJ’s, and excellent coffees.”
“Nice spot in Palo Alto.
The coffee was good. The service was nothing special. I can say you should not expect much from the service.
Busy environment so there must be frequent cleaning of the tables and the floor.”
“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”
“Somisomi offers delicious soft serve and taiyaki that are always a treat. The flavors are rich, and the texture of both the soft serve and the taiyaki is perfect. However, the space itself isn’t the most inviting if you’re looking to hang out and enjoy your treat leisurely. It’s more of a grab-and-go spot, so don’t expect much in terms of seating or ambiance. Still, it’s worth stopping by for the tasty desserts!”
“12oz caramel cold brew
Muffin
Orange cranberry breakfast cookie
Turkey egg and cheese sandwich
21 and some change plus a 15% tip
Turkey egg and cheese wasn't bad
Cold brew was good but I wish you got more for the price
Breakfast cookie wasn't the best texture wise but this is pre-made not by the shop
Muffin was a blueberry with either pecan or almond which was good and not too sweet”
“There will be good in this world as long as the Philz mint mojito exists; why can’t we have these everywhere? This location has lovely indoor and outdoor seating with huge tables inside and makes my favorite drink perfectly”
“Great nice clean place friendly crew as I write this I'm back here again ... Good Day cheers”
“Classic Stanford spot, I’ve been going here for a long time. I think it is only open for breakfast and lunch, but I’ve only gone for lunch. The food is good, with a variety of offerings; I get the sandwiches/paninis. The best part is the sitting outside, where they offer umbrellas. The service is super friendly. There is a lot of parking too which is great!
Wheelchair accessibility: Easy access”
“Interesting flavors to try. I am glad they let you sample a little. The cinnamon seemed a little burnt according to one taster, the caramel one as well. The strawberry seemed to have a yogurt taste but also more of a raspberry flavor. I chose the mint with chocolate chip which was reminiscent of the leaf itself. It is a nice dessert place whether or not you had a big meal. Service is nice. PS there was a neat "show" if someone before you orders a toasted marshmallow.”
“I had the most amazing experience and it was my first time. I will definitely go back before l leave San Francisco.”
“Zoom Caffe, highly recommend! 5 � coffee and great eats!”
“Hidden in the alley, the restaurant is a little small. Reservation is recommended on the weekends, but should be able to get seated for two with a reasonable wait time.
They have a lot of fish to choose from. I like the menu. Softshell crab is amazing. The rest of it is typical, nothing too special.
Overall not bad!”
“Taste is an excellent Sichuan restaurant. The ambiance is cozy, and the staff are friendly and helpful, especially in recommending dishes.
Highlights include the flavorful Bobo Chicken, the unique Tea Flavor Duck, the spicy and aromatic Dry Pot, and the perfectly grilled Live Fish. It's a great place for authentic Sichuan cuisine with superb service. Highly recommended!”
“Very good food!!! Awesome service!!! We will be back!!!”
Latest Reviews
“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.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“I recently visited Nobu Palo Alto for an anniversary dinner. It was my partner's first time, and she had been looking forward to it. Overall, the evening went well—the atmosphere, food, and drinks were excellent. However, at the end of our meal, while I was away, our waiter asked my partner her age and how she met me. Given the age difference between us, my partner felt uncomfortable, perceiving that the waiter was either making a pass at her or questioning our relationship. Regardless of the intention, this interaction was inappropriate and disrupted what had been a special evening for us. The dinner cost $640.00 for two. I expected this given Nobu's high reputation. I didn't expect my partner to be insulted by our waiter.”
“This is a beautiful cafe/brunch place offering high tea. We went for lunch with a pre-booking and had a great experience. The place has gorgeous flower decor and very instagramable (It has a Photo Booth).
On the flip side, the vegetarian menu was very limited and the food was okay, not great. We had the tofu omelette and mushroom Benedict. The place is also rather small, hosts about 20 chairs unlike its other SF or Menlo Park locations, so the wait can get high on popular days.”
“Absolutely delicious food and great service. Visiting from San Diego and tried the Palo Alto location and went straight back a second time this time to the redwood location! The consistency of fresh, rich tasting food is amazing at both locations!! The service was outstanding!
P.S. Please consider opening a location in SoCal!!”
“I had the most amazing experience and it was my first time. I will definitely go back before l leave San Francisco.”
“Looking for a hot pot place in downtown Palo Alto? Look no further than HE&C Tea + Pot! This restaurant is now my favorite spot for a delicious hot pot in the peninsula.
We visited for lunch on a weekend, and while it wasn't packed initially, by the time we left, there was a waitlist! The atmosphere is perfect for a casual hangout. The floral wallpaper and well-spaced tables create a chill vibe, and the beautiful dinnerware with intricate patterns added a touch of elegance.
We didn't have a reservation, but we were seated right away. Ordering was a breeze – just scan the QR code and browse their online menu. Everything arrived quickly, and the server kept track of our dishes with the handy order receipt system.
Our lunch started off with a complimentary hot tea. The hot tea wasn't anything special, but it was complimentary, so we had no complaints there. Speaking of dishes, the portions were incredibly generous! We opted for the American Wagyu Business Combo for 2 ($87), which was a complete steal. It came with 2 drinks (we upgraded to the delicious Mango Sago for an extra $2 each!), 2 wagyu skewers, 2 lamb skewers, a choice of 2 broths (we loved the rich Original Chicken and the tangy Tom Yum Kung!), 2 meat selections (we chose the melt-in-your-mouth American Wagyu Chuck Roll and the decadent American Wagyu Short Rib – so good my friend became a member for the year!), a veggie combo for 2, tofu, noodles (we loved the Udon and Knife Cut options!), and even fried mochi for dessert!
The broths were amazing – flavorful and perfect for soaking up the noodles. The lamb and beef skewers were tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The mango sago was a refreshing and not-too-sweet drink that perfectly complemented the savory feast.
We were so impressed with the quality of the meat, especially the wagyu short rib, that my friend decided to join their membership program ($24.99 annually). It comes with tons of perks – three coupons for future visits, a free serving of wagyu meat, and more!
Unsurprisingly, we ended up ordering additional meat because it was simply too good to resist. They also have a fantastic DIY sauce station ($1/person) where you can unleash your inner chef with a variety of options like satay sauce, kimchi, garlic paste, and fresh herbs. Bonus points for the watermelon and chips on the counter – a refreshing touch!
The service at HE&C Tea + Pot was top-notch. Our server was efficient, friendly, and kept our table clean throughout the meal.
Overall, we had an incredible experience at HE&C Tea + Pot. If you're looking for a delicious and fun hot pot experience in Palo Alto, this is the place to be!”
“I had the mango coconut pudding (vegan option) and it was delicious. I would like yo try a few more vegan options in the next few months. This is a new chain at a very convenient location at Palo Alto.”
“Kind barista, and I had a really tasty matcha latte with oat milk?
Vegetarian options: All of the desserts are vegetarian :)
Dietary restrictions: They have oat milk for your coffee or matcha!”
“Great place to get brunch in Palo Alto with friends. The food is always delicious. My favorite is the Pimped Up Ramyun. It feels a bit silly to pay for $23 shin ramen, but honestly it’s really good. I love the flavor and the vegetable they add.
I also really like their Brussels sprouts. They’re super crispy—they’re basically like Brussels sprouts chips.
Also I’m not usually a big fan of bacon but their bacon’s pretty good. It’s quite sweet which I like.
This place gets quite popular during brunch hours so you may have to wait in line. Last time during peak hour we waited around 30 min. It wasn’t too bad because there’s bench seating in the square outside so we just chilled there.
Service is good. I don’t feel like we waited too long for our food or the check.
The inside is really pretty. They have a lot of seating (group tables and also smaller 2-person tables). They have a lot of warm wood panels, tables and chairs so it feels very inviting.
Parking: There are many parking garages in Palo Alto so it’s not too hard for us to find parking
Parking: Parking: There are many parking garages in Palo Alto so it’s not too hard for us to find parking”
“I like the ambience and enjoy the cuisine. Bring back lots is nostalgia!”
“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!”
“By far was this is the best Mexican food I've ever had. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it!”
“Service is top notch, excellent! Meal deliciously prepared. My favorites include saganaki cheese appetizer, Lamb chops or ribeye steak paired with a nice red wine, and for dessert baklava or ice cream Sundae.”