Sweet Maple - Palo Alto (CA)

5 /5 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!

5 /5 Hua Mao: Very popular branch place in downtown Palo Alto. They serve American comfort brunch with Asian fusion. There are many varieties on the menu and the portion of the dishes is huge. The decoration is cozy. The waiting could get quite long on the weekends.

4 /5 Shubham Kamdi: Sweet Maple in Palo Alto is a high-energy, modern brunch spot that excels at blending classic American comfort with bold Asian-fusion twists. The primary draw is the Millionaire’s Bacon, a thick-cut, slow-cooked indulgence glazed with brown sugar and peppers. While it’s undeniably delicious—striking a perfect balance between chewy fat and a spicy-sweet crust—be prepared for the Palo Alto premium: a side of this famous bacon will run you about $14 to $15 for just a few slices. Beyond the bacon, the menu leans heavily into "maximalist" food. The Chicken Croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid) is a standout, offering a buttery, flaky base that pairs exceptionally well with their crispy fried chicken and spicy honey maple syrup. For those seeking something less traditional, the Pimped Up Ramyun and Tornado Galbi Omurice bring savory Korean flavors to the breakfast table, though some diners find the richness of these dishes a bit overwhelming for early morning. Sweet options like the Matcha Moffle (mochi waffle) are visual showstoppers, featuring a "lava" of matcha whipped cream and fresh fruit. The texture is unique—crispy on the outside with a dense, chewy mochi center—though it can lean toward the sweeter side. To wash it all down, their specialty lattes, particularly the Ube and Black Sesame, are creamy and photogenic, though they are often priced more like a dessert than a coffee. The honest trade-off here is the cost and the chaos. You are paying for high-quality, creative ingredients in a trendy University Avenue setting, which means a full brunch for two easily hits the $100 mark. While the food is consistently flavorful and beautifully plated, the long weekend wait times and bustling, loud environment mean this is a place for a lively social meal rather than a relaxing, quiet breakfast.

5 /5 T LOZ: When we arrived there were a lot of people outside but to our surprise it was only a 15 minute wait for 2. I had a benedict, my daughter had the ramen. We enjoyed our meal. I would definitely return and try something new! AND THE UBE LATTE WAS SOOOOO GOOD!!!