50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Portola Valley

“Great food and pet friendly.“

“Food was delish. Only issue was bones in my halibut. Beverage Service & table busing slow at times. Had to ask a couple of times for refills. One refill was poured into the wrong glass so soda and ice tea got mixed up but it was corrected. Avocado tempura appetizer was amazing. Desserts were delicious also crème brûlée and chocolate decadent cake. Hubby filet perfect, pizza large. Will definitely go back.“

“We often go here when we’re in the area. Good location and attractive place to eat. Noise level inside is hard to take.
I have had the street tacos often and usually love them. Last time they were a bit heavy handed with the salt. Same with the chicken tortilla soup…usually one of my favorites.“

“Great! I love this place. So good.“

“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.“

“Good food and great customer service. Do recommend“

“#AmazingHotel #ParkJamesHotel 🥰“

“Hasan took wonderful care of us when we wandered in on a Sunday evening. The food was delicious, and he gently steered us during the ordering process to ensure we had just enough with great variety.

Less hype than some of the nearby restaurants with much better food, for a much better price, with much better service. We're already looking forward to our next visit.“

“Zareen stands out as a unique and exceptional restaurant, particularly renowned for its delectable Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Their food is truly exceptional, offering a distinct departure from conventional Indian dishes. The restaurant’s unique taste sets it apart from the rest. Notably, their mango lassi is a popular beverage that is highly recommended for any visitor. The naan, especially the garlic naan, is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional flavor. The overall quality of the food at Zareen is consistently high, making it challenging for patrons to choose a dish that they will not enjoy. This highly recommended restaurant is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking authentic and flavorful Indian and Pakistani cuisine.“

“My order was a Spicy-Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and OMGGG the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had in awhile, don’t be fooled by the spicy, depending on your spice level, if you are a person that does not like spicy food, avoid this sandwich 🤣🤣 I eat spicy and it was a good spicy, I would definitely recommend this sandwhich. I accompanied this sandwhich with their delicious cheddar bacon ranch fries! BEST FRIES EVERRRR! The staff was very lovely and very nice!“

“Best place for pastries and bread in town. Nothing fancy, just great pastries.“

“Amazing food and excellent service - highly 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“

“First time diners. Sat inside and loved the dining room. Their “patio” is a parklet on the street, nice but still a street view. Lived the ambiance and restaurant vibe. The wait staff is obviously well trained as they are super professional and attentive. Most of the servers are a bit more mature than your average restaurant server, so they seem to take great pride and ownership in their work. We never wanted for anything nor did we feel hovered over. We ordered the calamari, which had a nice breading and was relatively tender compared to most. We also shared a Greek dinner salad, which was quite fresh but the dressing lacked much flavor, though my partner thought it was really good. She had the salmon, which is served with a light tomato based sauce, lemon mashed potatoes and zucchini. The salmon was a wee bit over cooked and didn't really have much flavor. I think she said, “kind of bland.” She always compares salmon ordered out to the Pacific Rim Salmon at Shadowbrook in Capitola, which she absolutely loves. I ordered the roast chicken, which was served with broccolini and roasted fingerling potatoes. The chicken portion is substantial and the chicken, which is roasted over an open flame in the exhibition kitchen was tender and delicious. The vegetables were very good. We shared the baklava, which comes with vanilla ice cream. The baklava was pretty dense but was tasty. We would definitely return...“

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

“Mr Ralph Carico is the most skilled trader I've ever encountered, I will certainly advise everyone to utilize his service, He’s so wonderful Ralph Carico.“

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

“Rara Palo Alto – A Hidden Gem for Nepalese Cuisine

I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Rara Palo Alto multiple times, and each visit has been nothing short of exceptional. This place truly brings the authentic flavors of Nepal to the heart of the Bay Area. From the moment you step in, the warm ambiance and inviting aroma of freshly prepared spices set the stage for a memorable meal.

What stands out most is the quality of the ingredients—everything feels fresh, organic, and thoughtfully sourced. The spices are vibrant yet balanced, elevating each dish without overpowering it. I’ve traveled and dined at many places, but Rara Palo Alto has earned a special spot on my list of favorites.

A few must-tries: the lamb chops are perfectly cooked and seasoned, the momos are juicy and flavorful, and the Nepali Taas along with Chhoila (both veg and non-veg) are absolute showstoppers. Each plate tells a story of tradition and care.

Behind this incredible food is Chef Binod Paudayal, whose 30+ years of experience shine through in every creation. His journey from small kitchens to luxury hotels is reflected in the finesse and consistency of the dishes here. The staff, too, deserve a shoutout—they’re attentive, friendly, and go out of their way to make you feel at home.

Overall, Rara Palo Alto is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. I’m happy to give it a well-earned 5 stars and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious, authentic, and heartwarming meal. Definitely worth a visit!“

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

“Amazing food and excellent service!“

“Chef Marcus’ dishes are full of flavor & fresh ingredients that make for a spectacular culinary experience. 😋“

“Great place to have dinner, great service and the food is delish“

“Excellent, creative dishes! Good service!! 10 stars!!!“

“Excellent place for fresh food, wonderful mediterranean style flavors and dishes that taste amazing. Everyone who is there is very kind and the service feels genuinely caring and always helpful. After finding it a couple weeks ago, we've been back 3 times“

“I ate at Pazzo on Wednesday and had a great experience. The restaurant is take out only. I ordered at the restaurant instead of on the phone. The staff were super friendly and helpful with recommendations. The order took about 20 minutes and we had a drink outside while waiting. I HIGHLY recommend the shrimp and grits. Over anything else on the menu! And I was told the gnocchi was amazing too iAnd of course the pizza is awesome!“

“My experience with Broadway Masala has been outstanding and extraordinary. Customer service 5 out of 5. Food 10 out of 5. Yes 10. Amazing food. Love this place. Staff amazing. Chef amazing. Thank you for being so good. We have a place to dine for every special moment now. Five star hands down. 🤗“

“We were a group of 6 all visiting for the first time and we loved it! 5 out of 6 of us did the Omakase tasting. All the courses were delicious and all of the folks there are amazing and welcoming! I highly recommend Sushi Jin. It is great spot and we will go back again.“

“Amazing place, such a quirky and original establishment.
Food was fantastic as well, the service was amazing. Every employee was so pleasant. Especially once they discovered we were from another state.
Each piece of art had its own story. (Which had a book to explain each piece)
Came highly recommended, & I would have to agree.“

“Wow! We had a wonderful breakfast here, tasty, calm, and great service. Not a bite was left on our plates.
Vegetarian omelette was great!
Waffles are just amazing…truly crispy on the outside and yum.
The star was the server, Erin. She was great with kids and very thoughtful.“

“Everything! It's a flawless dining experience.“

“I love Cuco’s!! All women staff. They do everything right.“

“Food was fantastic! Covid has hit all restaurants hard and La Stanza was new to Menlo Park opening in January 2020. The owner / chef has his Italian cuisine dialed. The cesar salad was dressed to perfection served on a chilled plate w/shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.. Delish! My short rib ravioli special was exactly what I was hoping for. Hand made in house pasta baked to perfection. My wife had the sacchettto vegi pasta pocket stuffed w/vegis . The red sauce had tremendous flavor... and perfect to mop up with the bread. 🤪... This place is a must try!“

“Elevated beer and pizza, and pinball to boot. Owners and staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Their pizza menu is solid, and they’re good with swapping out ingredients for vegans, etc.“

“Their tilapia fillet is excellent. Gyros is good. Best baklava. Staff are friendly, cordial, polite and professional. As soon as we walked in, they recognized us.“

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

“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“

“This was my first visit to Mardini’s Deli, and it definitely won’t be my last! The customer service was outstanding—everyone was welcoming, friendly, and made me feel right at home. The sandwiches were fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. On top of that, the prices are very reasonable for the quality and generous portions you get. If you’re looking for great food, excellent service, and great value, I highly recommend Mardini’s Deli!“

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

“Zadna is wonderful.The food is absolutely delicious and the people are fabulous. Please make sure to support them.They deserve it.“

“First time at dinner here. We started with rajasthani patta chaat . it was really good. very authentic taste from North India. paani puri was great too.
Dal Makhani deserves special mention. Cooked to perfection but why would they put sugar in it😏 my only reason for a 4. malai kofta and lachha parantha were great. I would recommend this place for a wholesome family meal.
might want to try their brunch menu someday. Heard great reviews about it.“

“Love the food, staff and views.“

“A truly wonderful place in the hills above Woodside/Palo Alto. Great, attentive and friendly stuff. The vibe is cool and wonderful being surrounded by the redwoods. Food was good, drink section vast, and seating areas plenty. Love it here!“

“My wife and I stumbled into the restaurant when we were in the area for an appointment. Good prices, very good quality ingredients, and we were very pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed our lunch - hot and sour soup, pot stickers, dumplings, and beef soup noodle (which was brisket and excellent). Really nice server too. We will be back.“

“Visited this place on a bit of a whim as we were staying at a nearby hotel for a tenth anniversary staycation. The venue itself quite charming. We sat indoors at the bar next door as the outdoor seating was full and the actual restaurant was taped off (private event?). My husband and I very much enjoyed the food. Be warned - prices are on the higher side. The food is very good though. I had the sole and he had the bouillabaisse. I felt his portion was on the smaller side for the price, but overall good. We wanted cocktails, but at $20+ a pop, it wasn’t in the cards.“

“Great food and fast friendly service. A great place for burgers.“

“We had a very pleasant birthday dinner here, and much to my surprise, a dessert I had not ordered. It was a green cake with a berry sauce. I think it was on the menu but I do not recall what it is called. Very good. I had the day's special, pork in an apricot sauce, which was terrific. If it becomes a regular item on the menu, I would certainly choose it over the schnitzel, which I usually get. And they even had a terrific Belgian beer on draught, Chimay Blue. A wonderful meal.“

“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!“

“The portions are large and cooked with love. Everything on the menu is fantastic. The staff is friendly and actually cares about their customers. A really fantastic secret little jewel to go enjoy“