An absolute favorite that I am sure to visit on every trip to the Bay. Very unique fusions of Indian and Californian flavors with something for every palate. My favorites are the sesame leaf, burrata kulcha, house salad and dry boat scallops. Also don’t sleep on the cocktails. Very nicely crafted.
Discovered Ettan back in Jan’22 and have been a regular here ever since. The food quality is consistent and service is good. I have had a pleasure of sitting at various spots within the restaurant and have had similar consistent experience.For the appetizers below are my favorites:Sesame Leaf (sweet taste, tangy and crunchy) - very goodKerala fried chicken: roasted but tender chicken with a nice sour cream type dahi - very goodMonkey buns - served with chutney and butter - goodWhile the main course we haven’t really experimented much but our go to fave are the butter chicken, maa ki daal and chicken biryani.. the butter chicken is bit salty so something you would want to try with hint of lemon (squeeze some lemon) for a adding a taste..For deserts my original fav was chocolate mousse but the better one is Tender Coconut.. it has a nice tapioca type pudding, mango ice cream scoop and a cookie..
Swetha Valluru
Upscale Indian restaurant and love the ambiance. Must try the jackfruit vada pav and Spaghetti squash chops.Highly recommend the place!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tender Jack Vada Pav Veg
Janaki V
The price is for the atmosphere and location. The food is decent and not that fancy. Very small portions as compared to the price. Had monkey bread, peanut variation, Ettan salad and tender jackfruit slider. Overall better experience as compared to some of the other fancy Cali-Indian restaurants I have visited. Do lower your expectations when you visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Jackfruit Vada Pav
Ravi teja Reddy Yaramada
The food was so good, just as it should be. Slightly on the expensive side, but worth every penny!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea Sanders
Fantastic food and beautiful atmosphere! We ate at 3 restaurants in Palo Alto this week (Ettan, Evvia Estiatorio, and Bevri) and Ettan was by far the best! We ordered the monkey bread, Ettan salad, kerala fried chicken, and pork belly and everything was so flavorful. The salad was probably one of the best salads I’ve had. I’m excited to come back and try more of their dishes next time!
I wish I had a good experience. I came to Ettan with really high hopes. It was my husband’s birthday and I wanted to make it special. I even discussed it on phone with the staff of what my expectations were! The table that was reserved for us was with an average view, it was in a narrow alley which was more of a hindrance to waiters and there was an exit door and a bare wall infront of us which isn’t what you expect from a high end restaurant. I spoke to the manger and requested him to move us but that request wasn’t entertained too. I understand that the restaurant was to its full capacity but there was no effort on behalf of staff to make our experience better. We liked the chops and appetizers but the overall the experience wasn’t worth the price we paid for. We came back disappointed and unfulfilled.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Kerala Fried Chicken
Henry
Fantastic modern upscale Indian restaurant right at Palo Alto downtown! I’ve always enjoyed their sister restaurant in State street market of Los Altos, but this main restaurant was above and beyond! We had the cauliflower, octopus, kerala fried chicken for starter, and butter chicken, beef for the main dish - all fantastic. Side pickles were perfectly seasoned and cocktail drinks were top-notch! (Especially the Tropical martini)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R R
Lowered stars due to extremely dirty restrooms. Can you imagine the staff using these restrooms and then working in the kitchen or serving you. The food and ambience is good, but the least the owners can do is pay attention to cleanliness. If this is what the restroom is like, wonder what the kitchen would be like which you cannot see. It's a negligible maintenance cost to risk a reputation on. See a similar thing in the other fine dining Indian restaurants run by the same owner. Gross oversight!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Prachi Oza
Ettan is supposed to be “Indian-cal”, but I feel the menu lacks true Indian flavours and dishes. As a vegetarian I was disappointed by the lack of veg options. Only reason to go here is for the ambiance.
I recently celebrated a special occasion at Ettan, a gem of Cal-Indian cuisine, and it was an unforgettable culinary experience. We indulged in their unique dishes, each one a delightful fusion of California freshness and traditional Indian flavors.The Signature Plate was a true highlight, Cast Iron "Monkey Buns" served with Butter and Spiced Eggplant Chutney were a revelation - fluffy, savory buns paired with a tangy and aromatic chutney that left us craving for more. For mains, the Kabocha & Green Mango Curry with Ghee Rice was a standout dish, perfectly balancing sweetness with subtle spiciness, while the tender coconut dessert provided a refreshing and satisfying conclusion to our meal.Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was also impeccable. The staff at Ettan ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless, making us feel truly pampered and special.Overall, Ettan exceeded our expectations and made our special occasion truly memorable. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience that celebrates the modern Indian cuisines. Five stars without hesitation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Chutney
Swap
Ettan offers a contemporary twist on Indian cuisine, complemented by a charming blue door and tiled entrance that's become a photo-worthy allure. Opting for a set vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu paired with non-alcoholic cocktails heightened our celebration of a special occasion. The dishes pack a robust spice punch, with the stuffed squash blossoms emerging as a standout. Every menu item bursts with flavor; savor each bite slowly. Reserving in advance is advisable due to its popularity. While it's on the pricier side, the exceptional food, unique desserts, and drinks make Ettan a worthy choice for memorable occasions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Fried Chicken, Sesame Leaf Chaat
sugandha jindal
Good food, nice
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Suzanna Li
Love the ambiance and food! Great for date night. We ordered the following: Oysters - delectable Ettan Salad - refreshing Hamachi Kama - good spice and taste Staff were very friendly and efficient. Can't wait to come back again when we're in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K S
Awesome food. Right proportions. Loved it. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Locale Chicken Biryani, Kerala Paratha
An absolute favorite that I am sure to visit on every trip to the Bay. Very unique fusions of Indian and Californian flavors with something for every palate. My favorites are the sesame leaf, burrata kulcha, house salad and dry boat scallops. Also don’t sleep on the cocktails. Very nicely crafted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Ettan Salad, Sesame Leaf Chaat
Discovered Ettan back in Jan’22 and have been a regular here ever since. The food quality is consistent and service is good. I have had a pleasure of sitting at various spots within the restaurant and have had similar consistent experience.For the appetizers below are my favorites:Sesame Leaf (sweet taste, tangy and crunchy) - very goodKerala fried chicken: roasted but tender chicken with a nice sour cream type dahi - very goodMonkey buns - served with chutney and butter - goodWhile the main course we haven’t really experimented much but our go to fave are the butter chicken, maa ki daal and chicken biryani.. the butter chicken is bit salty so something you would want to try with hint of lemon (squeeze some lemon) for a adding a taste..For deserts my original fav was chocolate mousse but the better one is Tender Coconut.. it has a nice tapioca type pudding, mango ice cream scoop and a cookie..
Upscale Indian restaurant and love the ambiance. Must try the jackfruit vada pav and Spaghetti squash chops.Highly recommend the place!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tender Jack Vada Pav Veg
The price is for the atmosphere and location. The food is decent and not that fancy. Very small portions as compared to the price. Had monkey bread, peanut variation, Ettan salad and tender jackfruit slider. Overall better experience as compared to some of the other fancy Cali-Indian restaurants I have visited. Do lower your expectations when you visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Jackfruit Vada Pav
The food was so good, just as it should be. Slightly on the expensive side, but worth every penny!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food and beautiful atmosphere! We ate at 3 restaurants in Palo Alto this week (Ettan, Evvia Estiatorio, and Bevri) and Ettan was by far the best! We ordered the monkey bread, Ettan salad, kerala fried chicken, and pork belly and everything was so flavorful. The salad was probably one of the best salads I’ve had. I’m excited to come back and try more of their dishes next time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Salad, Fried Chicken, Monkey Bread
I wish I had a good experience. I came to Ettan with really high hopes. It was my husband’s birthday and I wanted to make it special. I even discussed it on phone with the staff of what my expectations were! The table that was reserved for us was with an average view, it was in a narrow alley which was more of a hindrance to waiters and there was an exit door and a bare wall infront of us which isn’t what you expect from a high end restaurant. I spoke to the manger and requested him to move us but that request wasn’t entertained too. I understand that the restaurant was to its full capacity but there was no effort on behalf of staff to make our experience better. We liked the chops and appetizers but the overall the experience wasn’t worth the price we paid for. We came back disappointed and unfulfilled.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Kerala Fried Chicken
Fantastic modern upscale Indian restaurant right at Palo Alto downtown! I’ve always enjoyed their sister restaurant in State street market of Los Altos, but this main restaurant was above and beyond! We had the cauliflower, octopus, kerala fried chicken for starter, and butter chicken, beef for the main dish - all fantastic. Side pickles were perfectly seasoned and cocktail drinks were top-notch! (Especially the Tropical martini)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lowered stars due to extremely dirty restrooms. Can you imagine the staff using these restrooms and then working in the kitchen or serving you. The food and ambience is good, but the least the owners can do is pay attention to cleanliness. If this is what the restroom is like, wonder what the kitchen would be like which you cannot see. It's a negligible maintenance cost to risk a reputation on. See a similar thing in the other fine dining Indian restaurants run by the same owner. Gross oversight!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Ettan is supposed to be “Indian-cal”, but I feel the menu lacks true Indian flavours and dishes. As a vegetarian I was disappointed by the lack of veg options. Only reason to go here is for the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently celebrated a special occasion at Ettan, a gem of Cal-Indian cuisine, and it was an unforgettable culinary experience. We indulged in their unique dishes, each one a delightful fusion of California freshness and traditional Indian flavors.The Signature Plate was a true highlight, Cast Iron "Monkey Buns" served with Butter and Spiced Eggplant Chutney were a revelation - fluffy, savory buns paired with a tangy and aromatic chutney that left us craving for more. For mains, the Kabocha & Green Mango Curry with Ghee Rice was a standout dish, perfectly balancing sweetness with subtle spiciness, while the tender coconut dessert provided a refreshing and satisfying conclusion to our meal.Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was also impeccable. The staff at Ettan ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless, making us feel truly pampered and special.Overall, Ettan exceeded our expectations and made our special occasion truly memorable. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience that celebrates the modern Indian cuisines. Five stars without hesitation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cast Iron Monkey Buns, Chutney
Ettan offers a contemporary twist on Indian cuisine, complemented by a charming blue door and tiled entrance that's become a photo-worthy allure. Opting for a set vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu paired with non-alcoholic cocktails heightened our celebration of a special occasion. The dishes pack a robust spice punch, with the stuffed squash blossoms emerging as a standout. Every menu item bursts with flavor; savor each bite slowly. Reserving in advance is advisable due to its popularity. While it's on the pricier side, the exceptional food, unique desserts, and drinks make Ettan a worthy choice for memorable occasions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Fried Chicken, Sesame Leaf Chaat
Good food, nice
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Love the ambiance and food! Great for date night. We ordered the following: Oysters - delectable Ettan Salad - refreshing Hamachi Kama - good spice and taste Staff were very friendly and efficient. Can't wait to come back again when we're in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome food. Right proportions. Loved it. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Locale Chicken Biryani, Kerala Paratha