Top 15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in Palo Alto, CA

nimita mishra so tasty! pesto is incredible. service amazkng, everyone is so kind. the quality of the pasta is just incredible. the gnnochi is so soft and pillowt, and the sauce is out of this world. the pizza margarita is also perfectly delicious. absolutely love it hwre, have already been back 3x. keep it up guys, love your food!!

Salim Ali Khan We visited Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto for a team dinner, and it turned out to be a great evening all around. A big plus right off the bat was that there’s a public parking lot less than a minute’s walk away, which makes visiting very convenient.Levant was an amazing host who took excellent care of our table throughout the night being attentive, friendly, and always on top of things. Everyone at the table had a wonderful time. We started by ordering a mix of appetizers for the table, and they set the tone perfectly: 3-combo appetizer platter – an absolute standout; fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. Everybody enjoyed the contents with the bread that was served. Falafel – crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and very satisfying Pan-fried calamari – tender and well seasoned Beet salad and Anatolian salad – fresh, vibrant, and refreshing Every appetizer was excellent, but the combo platter clearly stole the show. The main course spread was impressive, with something for everyone: Iskender – rich, comforting, and full of flavor Chicken Adana – bold, juicy, and well spiced Vegetable moussaka – hearty and comforting Grilled chicken shish – tender and flavorful Grilled salmon – perfectly cooked and fresh Grilled lamb shish – juicy and delicious Whole Branzino – absolutely amazing; this was my order and I loved every bite. Vegetarian turlu – (Stewed tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrot served with rice pilaf) well-balanced and satisfying We ended the evening with three orders of family-style desserts, and the desserts were truly standout, rounding off the meal on a high note. I also placed a separate to-go order that included a mixed grilled platter and grilled lamb shish. While the food itself was excellent and tasted just as good at home, the only downside was being charged a large party fee, even though this was a separate personal to-go order. That aside, the quality and flavor were still top-notch, with clear 5-star food written all over it. Overall, Anatolian Kitchen delivers exceptional Turkish cuisine, generous portions, and great service. Minor billing hiccup aside (for the to go order which ideally should have been separate from the table), this was a wonderful experience, and it’s a place I’d happily recommend and return to.

Emily R 22 years of living in Palo Alto and thinking how amazing a rooftop bar would be, and alas, we FINALLY have one. The fact is people would go here even if it was terrible, but they did an absolutely phenomenal job. Drinks were amazing - great wine by the glass list and some fabulous cocktails. Excellent bartenders and great service all around. Food was incredible, raw bar/light bites with great flavor, fantastic chef. And obviously, the views and the setting are just unbeatable. The President’s Terrace absolutely knocks it out of the park and is sure to become a true Palo Alto institution. I can’t wait to come back!

Zahra Roberts I recently dined at Sweet Maple in Palo Alto, and overall, it was a wonderful experience! The service was attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere on the patio was vibrant. I was also very pleased that all our dishes arrived hot and fresh—a great sign of an efficient kitchen. The food, for the most part, was phenomenal. I absolutely loved the Millionaire Bacon and highly recommend the Marnier French Toast—both were perfectly executed and delicious. However, I do have two pieces of constructive feedback that slightly impacted the experience. First, while I appreciate pet-friendly dining, there was one instance where a dog was actively on a table, eating directly out of a plate. This hygiene issue was quite off-putting and definitely caused me to lose my appetite momentarily. Second, unfortunately, my scrambled eggs were undercooked, and I ended up feeling unwell later in the day, throwing up only the eggs. Despite those two specific issues (the table hygiene and the undercooked eggs), the rest of the meal and the superb service still made for a great outing. I would absolutely return to Sweet Maple, but I hope these important issues can be addressed to ensure a five-star experience next time!

Raquel Leah I come to Palo Alto for work frequently and this is by far the best place to stay and eat. Every meal I have had is delicious with high quality ingredients. The service is very attentive amd friendly and the rooms are extremely clean, well decorated and comfortable. Plus the gardens are beautiful and relaxing. I come here for work, but its like a vacation staying here

Andy Nougat Its nestled to the lobby of Citrine hotel. The food is good. Id say better and less greasy than most brunch places. The price point is a bit on the spendy side but not overly so. You pay a little more for quality. Coffee is made to order freshly ground beans and not mass produced while it sits in a pot.

Shermin A The staff are always super accommodating and friendly, which makes the experience even better. The food is good, and there’s usually little to no wait, which I really appreciate. The heated patio is a huge plus and makes outdoor dining comfortable year-round. It’s a solid go-to spot at the Stanford Shopping Center and I’m always happy to come back.

Sanjay Subhedar Our first visit to this newly opened bar at Town & Country. Sister bar to the one in SFO. our server Ingrid was very helpful . We ordered the duck fat fries and the roasted Cauliflower. I had the Laughing Monk Holy Ghost Pilsner which was on tap and was very light and refreshing. My friend had the Goodnight Solitaire a gin drink which was good too. We had the Roasted beet salad and the Cochinita Pibil Tacos , 3 soft tacos with roasted pork. For desert we shared the chocolate cake with Figs which was moist and delicious

Roman S Dining at Pro Bono Restaurant was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was calm and cozy even on the busiest evening and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. They were clearly passionate about the restaurants mission, and their enthusiasm made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Plus, the food was fantastic!

Mary Macken Wonderful, warm & friendly restaurant in a pleasant neighbourhood. We have enjoyed such great breakfasts / brunches when visiting San Francisco. La Bohème is so very welcoming to children too & you see many 3-generational families like ours. Staff are exceptionally pleasant, helpful & professional. The eggs here, cooked and served as you wish with delicious accompaniments, are just superb. Merci Marie et tout

Aja Possibly the best Gluten Free Pizza Crust I have had from a restaurant. 12 x12 square thick dough with the crispy bottom. Husband got 2 slices and garlic knots. Alameda Beverage company lemonade and cream soda drinks.

Gary Lin Fresh and Flavorful at CRUST Sourdough Deli – Palo Alto Square Stopped by CRUST Sourdough Deli and ordered the Cobb Salad, and it was absolutely delightful! The ingredients were fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced—crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, tender grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and a generous sprinkle of blue cheese. Every bite was packed with flavor and texture, making it one of the best Cobb salads I’ve had in a while. The portion size was generous, and the quality of the ingredients really stood out—simple, fresh, and satisfying. The cozy, casual vibe of the deli also adds to its charm, making it a great spot for a quick, delicious lunch. If you’re in the area and craving something fresh and flavorful, I highly recommend giving their Cobb Salad a try. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of their menu!

Avais Sherani This is a big branch of the most popular Pakistani restaurant in the Bay Area. This is a nice branch with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant gets very busy on weekends for all times including brunch, lunch, evening, and dinner. The menu is vast with plenty of options for snacks and meals. There are both meat based as well as vegetarian options, which are smartly written in green ink. The food tastes really authentic, the portion sizes are super generous, and the prices are relative to the quality and quantity. The staff are very nice, despite being really busy they make sure to attend to you. Food is also delivered pretty fast. Seating is only assigned by the staff and even at busier hours they do it quickly. Highly recommended for good quality Halal Pakistani food.

Aaron Joachim We recently discovered this place and were blown away. So much better than the usual Mexican food in the Bay Area. Most places are either really generic or very expensive and out of reach. This is right in the sweet spot. Well priced for the portions and value. Insanely tasty - about as good as Mexico. We really enjoyed the birria, cochinita, ceviche, and guacamole. Recommend you get family style so everyone can try. Definitely will be back!

Robert Delicious well-made food. A casual plave to order lunch or breakfast at the counter and have your food or maybe espresso drink brought to a table inside or outside amidst the blooming lavender. The food is authentic but fresh California-Italian hot sandwiches and salads. I enjoy the porchetta sandwich with small side of green salad and the fried chicken sandwich, and every time a properly made cappuccino. The staff are gentle, service-oriented, considerate and friendly. I’ve been going here for 10 years and always look forward to a stop when I’m on the peninsula. There is ample parking. A nice place to meet friends and have some space. Occasionally the pleasantness is brought down by medical staff who think it’s a great place for a conference call.