50 Best Vegan Restaurants in Palo Alto

“We were visiting from Boston on a family trip and stopped by this restaurant on July 2. The food was absolutely delicious(my top pick is black king but sides are also good, chicken and dumplings), but what made our visit truly unforgettable was the incredible hospitality from one of your staff members.

Unfortunately, we never got his name, but he was a Korean staff member. From the moment we were waiting in line, he noticed our 5yo drawing on the order sheet and kindly interacted with her. Throughout our meal, he kept checking on us and made our whole family feel so welcome.

Before we finished our meal, he came over to let us know that he was heading home for the day. Because of that, we never had the chance to properly thank him, which is something we’ve regretted ever since.

Our trip lasted two weeks, taking us all the way from San Diego to San Francisco, and we visited many wonderful restaurants along the way. Yet, almost a month later, our kids still talk about “the uncle” from this restaurant and keep asking when we can come back. That says more than any review ever could.

If we ever have the opportunity, we’d love to come back just to thank him in person. And if by any chance you’re reading this review—thank you for making our family trip so special. Your kindness left a lasting memory for all of us.

If you ever find yourself visiting Boston, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love the chance to return the kindness you showed our family.“

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

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

“Delicious and wonderful as has always been! Loved the watermelon salad and the lamb skewers. Pan-fried cheese, might have benefitted a clearer description as was thinking it was more like a halloumi but of course, is my ignorance but perhaps others would be, also. Calamari delicious. Baklava was outstanding, also. Cannot wait to go back, again!“

“The garlic fries and pickles are a must-have, and the burgers are crisp and juicy! When I had a problem using a coupon on an order, the staff was kind enough to give me my burger for free. Definitely go here for good customer service and awesome food!“

“Good food and great customer service. Do recommend“

“this place is actually so good 😻i got the fresh watermelon w grass jelly and it was sooo refreshing. you can actually taste the real watermelon and the grass jelly was rlly good too. not too sweet either which i liked. kathleen helped me at the counter and she was super nice and patient even tho i took forever deciding what i wanted 😭 she had good recs too. def one of my new fav boba spots, i’ll 100% be back“

“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“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“Amazing food highly recommend“

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

“In truth, I recommend Jessica --the front desk-- who makes sure that I receive extra marinara as well as extra sauce Anglaise... for takeout. Until, we talked, I stopped ordering from Terun on principle. I was a frequent client. Takeout customers must be honored for requests that are gladly honored when in the dining room. Takeout customers should be thanked for not causing dirty tablecloths and dishes -- and LOYALTY. Jessica reinstated that loyalty. I truly hope that the owners appreciate her. Without extra sauces the food is too dry. With it, delicious. The prices honor extra sauces and more!“

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

“My favorite restaurant in Palo Alto! You can taste how fresh and high quality the ingredients are. I have returned multiple times. One of the staff (Angel) has great enthusiasm and provides great service. The quesadillas and the steak bowl are a must. I also enjoy that they use more environmentally friendly utensils and play good music“

“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!“

“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!“

“Had dinner with some friends, had the crepes, amazing stuff. The staff is the best, friendly, beautiful very efficient. highly recommended...“

“Affordable Michelin-recommended spot in Palo Alto that’s perfect for a casual meal.

Parking was easy with free street parking. The vibe is fast-casual with limited indoor seating, but there’s plenty of outdoor seating with umbrellas, including overflow tables set up along the sidewalk.

You order and pay at the counter, get a number, and the food is brought to your table.

Everything we tried was delicious. The grilled chicken boti sizzler and chicken tikka thali both had incredibly tender, flavorful chicken. The garlic naan was warm and fluffy, and the mango lassi was thick, refreshing, and not overly sweet. Portions were generous for the price.

Fun fact: Zareen’s was founded by Karachi native Zareen Khan, who even bought a house in Menlo Park to rent to her employees at an affordable rate because of Silicon Valley’s high cost of living. It’s easy to see why this flagship location earned Michelin Guide recognition.“

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

“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!!“

“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!“

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

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

“Stopped by Ramen Kowa after an AI workshop nearby, and honestly, it was a cute and easy little dinner stop on California Ave. The menu had a pretty solid variety of ramen, including tonkotsu, spicy miso tonkotsu, shoyu, shio, and miso, along with Japanese comfort foods like karaage and curry.

The restaurant has a casual, slightly izakaya-style vibe, and the outdoor seating was nice for a chill Palo Alto evening. The ramen was good and satisfying overall, although I personally wished the broth had a little more depth and richness, especially for the price. The service was friendly, and everything came out smoothly.

Overall, I’d give it around 3.5 stars. It’s a solid neighborhood ramen spot and a convenient choice if you’re already hanging out around California Ave, but probably not somewhere I’d drive a long distance specifically to visit.

Also, I was so hungry after the workshop that I totally forgot to take pictures of the food—so all I ended up with was a photo of the storefront lol“

“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 ordered the sizzling stonepot with galbi (beef) and an ube latte, and both were excellent! The stonepot had a generous portion, tasted just like Korean BBQ, and was packed with flavor. The ube latte had a great ube taste without being too sweet or overpowering. I'd definitely order both again and would recommend giving them a try!“

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

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

“One of the best ice creams I’ve ever tasted! 🍦
I really liked:
Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons
Salted, Malted, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chocolate Gooey Brownie
Hazelnut Cookies & Cream
Birthday Cakes & Blackberries

The staff is super friendly, and they’re happy to let you try as many samples as you’d like before choosing.

It can get crowded and there may be a wait, but it’s definitely worth it.“

“We had a nice lunch outside at Anatolian Kitchen. We shared one app and had wraps. The wraps are very large, cut in half, and could be shared by two if not overly hungry. Both the lamb and the chicken were tasty. Two of us enjoyed mocktail Margaritas and we all ended with cappuccinos. Nice service on a sunny day (but outside tables mostly in shade).“

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

“🎉 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“

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

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

“Most delicious desert ever!“

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

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

“The bistek asado. omg! soooo tender. we ordered it medium. it was perfect. We also ordered the pollo rostisado con mole. it was tender and tasty. Thank you for accommodating us with no reservations. make reservations. place gets packed quick.“

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

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

“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!“

“Fast friendly service and delicious food“

“Amazing restaurant. Fantastic food, cocktails, and atmosphere. Affordable for downtown Palo Alto with great portions. Shout out to the awesome new manager Tyrel. Also shout out Lupe and the rest of the staff they do an amazing job and are very friendly.“

“Great sushi! My favorite is the crunchy spicy tuna roll. The staff is so incredibly friendly, kind and professional. They always provide great recommendations on which sushi to try. The service is quick and the food is incredibly tasty. Such a wonderful gem in the Palo Alto area!“

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