50 Best Vegetarian 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.“

“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“

“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“

“My partner and I recently found this spot on her lunch break because we were craving soup and wanted to avoid dealing with parking downtown.

We both ordered the momo (buffalo) noodle soup and were blown away! The noodles were similar to mama/indomie rather than fresh, but I ended up loving it regardless. The broth was very light but super flavorful and savory. AND THE MOMOS!!! Absolutely to die for; I think they were the best I've ever had. Not to mention it was very fairly priced and lasted us both for two meals.

Not to mention, especially in the South Bay, most Nepalese/Himalayan restaurants heavily feature Indian food. Rara stands out to me because Nepali food is absolutely the star here. I wasn't familiar with a majority the menu and that's a great thing because it means they're offering unique dishes you can't find everywhere. Plus, the service was incredibly friendly and kind.

This is definitely going to be a new go-to place for us!“

“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.“

“I ordered Veal schnitzel and beet salad.

Overall the schnitzel had a gentle texture, however some small parts were a bit chewy, for this price I expected to melt in ny mouth.
Beet salad was good, I like the addition of pistachios, however some greens were not fresh, I could taste it.

Very friendly stuff.“

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

“Many promotions going on, they have eat for under $10 and I was more than full. Also they have a gift card deal and more discounts when leaving a review that I am taking advantage of! This place is very well priced and you can tell everything is fresh. I saw the girl cutting up all the vegetables from scratch. Very honorable place, really liked the kake, similar to miso soup in my opinion“

“I came here for a school field trip. The trip was amazing and super fun. Basically we tested their new robot system, and it was really cool. After we finished, we fought each other (the other kids). Also, the cafeteria was great, the “vending machines” were well stocked, and overall I had a great time. I wish I could go back and relive that day.“

“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!“

“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!“

“Amazing food highly recommend“

“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!“

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

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

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

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

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

“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!“

“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.“

“Nice place to eat, I only give the food 4 stars because the little differences in their rolls compares to others I've had with the same name just wasn't really for me. I ate them and enjoyed them as best I could and had no issues with them just not the best I've tried of rolls with that name.“

“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“

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

“Perhaps a bit of a biased review, but awesome on all fronts. Come here early enough on a Sunday and you can snag a spot to people watch the Farmers Market. Enjoy some classic pancakes (love their chicken sausage as well) and life as you take it all in“

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

“I stopped by Oklava in Palo Alto for tea and baklava, and it was a wonderful experience. The tea was fresh and flavorful, and the baklava was absolutely delicious—perfectly sweet, fresh, and authentic. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and the staff were very friendly. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy a traditional treat. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“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!“

“So good! Our first time and definitely not our last!“

“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!!!“

“what an incredible combination / fusion of western and asian dishes. basically what I cook at home, except I don't have to cook anything, nor do the dishes. fantastic.

it's really fun how you can get chinese food plus a fantastic fried chicken sandwich in one sitting“

“Most delicious desert ever!“

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

“Daigo in Palo Alto continues to impress every time we visit. We decided to skip the omakase and went all in ordering off the menu, getting two of everything and even three of a few standout dishes. That turned out to be the move.

The abalone dish is easily one of the best things we’ve ever eaten. Perfectly prepared, rich, and layered with flavor. It’s the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after the meal ends.

What really stands out is the consistency. Both visits delivered the same high level of freshness, execution, and attention to detail across every plate. Nothing felt rushed or overlooked.

The sake flight was another highlight, thoughtfully curated and pairing effortlessly with the variety of dishes we ordered. It elevated the entire experience and gave us a chance to explore different profiles alongside the food.

If you’re debating omakase versus ordering yourself, don’t hesitate to explore the menu. There’s so much to experience, and Daigo delivers across the board. This spot has officially earned a place in our regular rotation.

#PaloAltoEats #FineDining #Abalone #SakeExperience #BayAreaFood“

“🎉 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!“

“Great restaurant“

“Came on a Sunday around 7pm and there was still a line but we were seated within 15 mins so not terrible. They use QR scanning on the table but the servers do come around to check if you have questions. We ended up seated outside, which wasn't bad since it was a bit warm that day.

We ordered the regular soup dumplings (XLB), the pan fried ones, (SZB), the egg and Chive pancake, and the green onion noodles (recommended by the server). Both baos were excellent and we ended up ordering seconds of both of those. The chive pancakes were pretty good and the noodles were tasty as well but we felt that for the price, it wasn't worth it.

We'll likely be back again but stick to the baos.“

“Great beer! Especially the Belgians. Friendly bartender.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Fast friendly service and delicious food“

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