Palo Alto may be known for its tech campuses, but its true soul resides in the intimate, family-run trattorias tucked between them. Here, you’ll find handmade pastas that rival Nonna’s Sunday best, wood-fired pizzas with crusts worth crossing town for, and wine lists curated with the same precision as a startup’s codebase. So skip the corporate cafeterias and dive into these ten authentic gems instead.
Bistro Elan
$$$ | (650) 327-0284 | WEBSITE
This cozy Italian bistro has a super seasonal menu highlighting the best of California produce. And while it’s tough to pin down a specific standout since the menu is always in flux, you can always count on there being fresh ingredients from the farmer’s market, perfectly cooked steak frites, rich brocoli soup, and surprising but never overdone dishes. If you see the secret hotdog counter on Sundays or any of the housemade desserts, order them without question.
Bistro Elan also does generous portions with fair prices, like most entrees hovering around $25-35. There’s limited indoor seating in the intimate space with an open kitchen, so reservations are very much recommended for a little special occasion dinner or solo dining among regulars.
Cafe Pro Bono
$$ | (650) 326-1626 | WEBSITE
Cafe Pro Bono feels like the culinary heart of California Avenue. They’re open until 10pm, so you’ll catch people in the warm space celebrating birthdays with large parties, enjoying intimate dinners, and savoring every bite of the standout dishes. And there really is something for everyone here: ample parking, free garage access, excellent service, and even a no-hidden-fees policy.
We love coming for lunch for a crisp goat cheese, apple, and butter lettuce salad with that addictive sourdough dipping sauce, for dinner on busy nights for Susan’s Downfall pasta or the classic spaghetti with Bolognese, and for special occasions when the veal piccata and the staff’s above-and-beyond hospitality make us feel like guests in their home.
iTalico
$$ | (650) 473-9616 | WEBSITE
iTalico serves up Italian dishes that stand out in Palo Alto. We’re talking about things like rich truffle pasta with earthy notes, wood-fired pizza with a perfectly charred crust, tender paccheri in a robust sauce, pillowy gnocchi that melts in your mouth, and delicate San Daniele prosciutto. We love the wine selection here, too, which features bottles from across Italy’s regions, as well as their cocktails, like the refreshing and citrusy Amalfi Spritz.
The restaurant is always bustling, but it’s never uncomfortably noisy, making it a great spot to overhear the couple celebrating their anniversary at the next table.
Osteria Toscana
$$ | (650) 328-5700 | WEBSITE
It’s inevitable that you’ll want something special while dining out in Palo Alto, and for a memorable, satisfying meal, you can’t do much better than Osteria Toscana. We can’t get over the seared petrale with its perfect butter, wine, and lemon sauce, the simple and fresh Caesar’s salad, and their standout Veal Piccata. The dishes here are expertly prepared, generous, and an exceptionally great value (around $28 for the petrale) for their quality.
We can’t promise that the pasta will leave you completely full if you skip the protein, but hey, at least you’ll have an outstanding dining experience.
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
$$ | (650) 329-0665 | WEBSITE
Buca di Beppo is the family-friendly, generous-portioned, Italian-feasting restaurant of our dreams. The mood is celebratory, the music is classic Dean Martin, and the pasta dishes are hearty. Try some chicken carbonara and snack on fresh bruschetta, both of which are served in giant martini glasses. Buca di Beppo is great for group dinners or special occasions.
Bring the family to impress them with your knowledge of Italian comfort food (after you’ve been here solo and tackled their portions, of course).
Il Fornaio
$$ | (650) 853-3888 | WEBSITE
Lately, Palo Alto has seen a surge of upscale Italian eateries (hello, Terún and Osteria). While those are lovely places to impress visiting colleagues, this bustling spot downtown is consistently delivering authentic classics that are ideal for a lively dinner out. They’re straightforward yet satisfying—the minestrone soup is rich with vegetables, the caprese features creamy mozzarella, and the bruschetta comes with perfectly toasted bread.
Expect to sit in the vibrant dining room at one of their patio tables or use the convenient valet parking.
Caffe Riace
$$$ | (650) 328-0407 | WEBSITE
Caffe Riace is the kind of restaurant that instantly makes a neighborhood feel more charming. Their combination of consistently good wines, complimentary appetizers, delicious Sicilian specialties, efficient staff, and delightful atmosphere pretty much guarantees you’ll have a wonderful meal.
And that’s whether you’re dining solo on the outdoor patio near the major fountain, savoring the linguine with clams with its exceptional seasonings, or celebrating with friends over plates of halibut specials and chicken Marsala. Everything from the menu is flavorful, Sicilian-inspired, and often the perfect dining experience, like the shrimp appetizers or cannelloni starters. It’s an ideal spot to relax on a weekday evening, but for weekend dinners, consider making plans.
Vina Enoteca
$$$ | (650) 646-3477 | WEBSITE
On a Friday night, Vina Enoteca has a longer wait than the Chipotle near your office at 12:15pm on a Tuesday. Deservedly so, because it’s the best spot in the area for Italian food before heading to a wine bar in the neighborhood. The wait moves fast, though, and so does service once you’re seated. Focus on the pasta section—there’s rich Bolognese, which is delightfully hearty homemade pasta served with a savory meat sauce, and creamy cacio e pepe, a.k.a.
handmade pasta with sharp pecorino and cracked black pepper that soaks up the dish’s buttery-cheesy sauce. They also do some of the better elevated Italian classics (not too heavy) and thoughtful wine pairings in town.
Pizzeria Delfina – Palo Alto
$$ | (650) 353-2208 | WEBSITE
You ever have one of those weeks where the inbox is overflowing and the only thing that can fix it is a proper slice of comfort? We’re talking about days when you’re craving something real, something that reminds you why you bother with all the rest. Pizzeria Delfina provides the reset you’re looking for. The classic order is the great pizza with that perfect red sauce, but for those nights when you really need to indulge, go with the soul-restoring Clam Pie.
Whichever pie you do choose, make sure to add on the wonderfully fresh Tricolore salad. The place is full of regulars who have their favorite spot on the spacious patio already claimed, which makes total sense the second you taste their chewy, flavorful gluten-free crust. Just be prepared for a (bustling) crowd on the weekends.
Tootsie’s At The Stanford Barn
$ | (650) 300-2298 | WEBSITE
Tootsie’s At The Stanford Barn combines all that is good in California dining—colorful outdoor seating, quick friendly service, and Italian-inspired dishes with local flair—into one delightful escape. Our favorites are the pollone with chips, featuring perfectly seasoned chicken, and the life-changing ricotta pancakes that are fluffy, moist, and milky.
Round out your meal with their smooth well-done cappuccino, and don’t sweat it when your relaxing family lunch inevitably stretches into the afternoon. Tootsie’s casual clean ambiance is a forgiving spot for lingering over pastries.