La Bodeguita del Medio in Palo Alto - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Love this place! The food is so good!

I found the restaurant charming, the service is very careful and attentive. The food is delicious fresh and with an unexpected flavor, prepared in detail where the flavors are not lost. I gave it 5 stars but the food is rather international and the Cuban dishes I ordered had more of a touch of international cuisine and not Cuban, something that being Cuban I expected since Cuban restaurants are not where I live so my expectations were not They were covered but the food in general in my opinion deserves the rating I gave it

Great staff and great customer service. The food is never disappointing.

Signature drinks and dishes in a warm atmosphere. Dine in the bar area, the restaurant, or in the outside corral. Fun, vibrant and a great break from the chain restaurants. Try the Masitas and the bread dipper oil - always delish!

Nice & friendly staff! Love this place. Super romantic vibe!

This place is great. Haven't had Cuban food for years. This place is a bit fancier compared to the ones I have been in LA. By fancier I mean much more upscale and a bit pricey compared to the dishes I have tried at other spots. I was really craving for the "Ropa Vieja", as it was a dish I had always ordered when visiting any Cuban restaurant. I really wanted the paella as well but it was super expensive. I do wish the portions were much bigger as they were maybe half the size compared to the other Cuban restaurants I have been to. I strongly feel they should change the $$ rating to a $$$ as the food was much more expensive than I expected. I believe this is important because sometimes the number of $'s can be a huge decision maker depending on the situation. But besides that, food was incredible as well as the service. The dishes were really flavorful as well as they were all very nicely presented. It's definitely not a place l would come regularly as food is pretty pricey and they do not have any high chairs. Parking can be hard, as you might have to park on the street and its pretty limited. I recommend giving this place a try.

Seafood rice is good. Server is attentive with water refills all the time. I don’t recommend the coconut shrimp. This course is just not tasty in any restaurant.

Delicious Cuban Food right in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. Very tasty dishes infused with their own specialty spices and the plantain dishes are a a wonderful specialty. Great vegan choices. Recommend the mojito for a refreshing drink and the camarones con mojo to start 👌🏻 super delish.

My wife had the shrimp fajitas and I had the 2 salmon enchiladas. Both were excellent! The salmon were sautéed with a great tasting sauce. Both came with beans and rice. Sorry, I was not thinking about posting a review and forgot to take photos.

Came in to feed my girlfriend only.I had already eaten. Manuel H became very uninterested once he found out that there would only be one person eating here.I think that his enthusiasm/attitude should not waver according to the amount of the check. He needs to learn about customer service sensitivity. Never came back to refill my girlfriends beverage. I hate to see how he treats other customers.

The food, service, and ambience were fantastic, five stars all around. Alas, the check came with an unadvertised 5% surcharge for "rising costs and employer mandates". Two stars off for that. Just raise your menu prices and don't deceive customers.

The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, perfect for a group of people to gather for dinner! However, the chicken in the fried chicken burger I ordered was a bit dry.

Feels like you're in Cuba. Food, atmosphere, service all great. I love the croquettes, arroz con pollo, and the fresh bread and hot chili oil! And the mojitos of course! They even have a cigar lounge.

Delicious, great food. Felt a little tight sitting at a table in the bar area but otherwise great place.

A Cuban cigar bar is behind the bar and restaurant-very cute place. Paella is very well made and tasty. We loved the seafood Ajiaco (Cioplino-like soup based sauce), a small-plate of rice is included as you can mix with it or without. Outdoor seating is available and has heat lamps.

the ambience is great, the service was wonderful. I had the pork empanadas and they were delicious, sweet and spicy. I also had the potato croquettes and they were not to my taste because they were more like food for children but they were made well and presented nicely. I would recommend the croquettes for kids although the sauce was like a spicy ketchup so look out for that.

Food is honestly amazing but some of it was a little inconsistent. My first time getting one of the dishes was great the second time less great everything else was good though if I go again will probably change review.

Brilliant food, friendly and prompt service on a Friday evening. Highly recommend the pork empanadas, ropa vieja (steak) and key lime tart. Mojito and Cafe Cubano cocktails were nicely presented 👍🏻

We had the potato croquettes, pasta Verde and snapper. The potato croquettes were the only good thing about the meal. The pasta verde lacked any flavor and spices. It almost did not look like pasta, rather a weird child of noodles and pasta. The snapper was very okay with some salt and pepper, with the rest of dish lacking any flavor. I am very surprised how this place has such high reviews. I am utterly dissapointed by the quality and taste of the food.

It has been a few years since I have been here, but the actual experience totally lived up to the great memories. Food and cocktails are both great. Of course I started the evening with a Hemingway cocktail. It was well balanced and perfect for a warm evening. The Cubano sandwich was two meals for me, which is a bonus. I snuck a few bites of the key lime tart and wish I had room for more.

This was my first time visiting this place Don Jorge was amazing, the food was amazingly delicious, the ambiance and music 🎼 were bohemian. I will definitely return to try the entire menu.

It was a nice restaurant for a get together. The food is nice. I love the pork empanadas and the paella. The chocolate cake is too rich. The ambience is too dark, its almost hard to read their menu bec of the lighting. Overall it is a nice place for a fate or just a nice dinner.

The food tastes great. The cuban coffee is superb. The service is excellent. Needs a bit more lighting in the room perhaps. The drinks are also good. May need more mocktail drinks on the menu. Otherwise, all in all, it was a good experience and im happy to recommend it to others. 👍😊

Excellent meal, unfortunately the Calamari was too salty, but they made it right! Great atmosphere, if you never had Cuban food, you are in for a treat. Very friendly and personable. Everyone smiles!

La Bo Seafood Ajiaco. Remember that name. It is an extraordinary collection of flavors, seafood and deliciousness. Think paella without the rice. Think frute de mare from Cuba. But whatever you think; eat this dish.

La Bodeguita del Medio in Palo Alto is a culinary gem that brings the vibrant flavors and spirited atmosphere of Cuba to the heart of Silicon Valley. From the moment you step into this Cuban haven, the lively ambiance and warm hospitality create an inviting experience. The menu boasts a rich array of Cuban delights, from classic mojitos to traditional dishes that transport your taste buds to Havana. During my visit, I savored the Ropa Vieja, a flavorful shredded beef dish, and it was an absolute delight. The authenticity of the flavors, combined with the live music and friendly staff, made for an unforgettable evening. The extensive selection of rum-based cocktails adds to the festive atmosphere, and the bartenders showcase their skill in crafting the perfect mojito. The décor, adorned with Cuban memorabilia, further enhances the overall Cuban experience. The outdoor seating area provides a charming setting, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal or lively conversation. La Bodeguita del Medio captures the essence of Cuban culture, making it a standout dining destination in Palo Alto. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner or a lively night out with friends, this restaurant delivers a true taste of Cuba. Highly recommended for those craving an authentic and spirited culinary journey.

Food is awesome. Love the Paella and ribs. The servers were quite occupied when we were there. Oh and they charge 5% surcharge for dining in.

As a lover of paella, my friend recommended La Bodeguita del Medio, and I was so happy with the whole dining experience! The service was attentive, and the atmosphere was nice. We ate inside, which is decorated with lots of art on the walls, and there's a large bar and extensive drinks menu. I enjoyed my Santiago cooler cocktail, but for me, the food was the best part. The paella was wonderful with a generous amount of chicken, tasty chorizo, shrimp, and mussels. The rice was flavorful. When it came out, I thought, I don't think we'll be able to eat it all because there's only two of us and the portion was huge, but we ate every last morsel because it was so good! Luckily, we had room for dessert because Mr. Johnson's chocolate cake was absolutely divine! If you're a chocolate lover, I recommend it. We got ours with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which was a wonderful pairing contrasting the cool ice cream with the warm, dense, rich chocolate cake. Pure chocolatey heaven! I definitely want to go back to La Bodeguita to try their other dishes and drinks. Thank you!

If you don't know what to have - order the Ropa Vieja... so good!

Great food ,Great ambience and service exelent

My favorite restaurant at California Ave

Amazing spot! Such attentive and kind service. I was early to my table and the staff offered me a phone stand, magazine, and complimentary bread while I waited for my party. The atmosphere is delightful and the food is delicious! Highly recommend.

Good food, usually friendly service, and an extensive list of sipping rums. A good place for a date in the dining room, or for dining alone in the lounge, and they have extensive outdoor seating. The Caribbean Curry with shrimp is an absolute classic, and the mojito is expertly crafted, but you can't go far wrong with anything.

Very fun atmosphere, great service, delicious cocktails. Our food was very tasty. I ordered the steak and it was so tender and flavorful.

Poor service and has been on a downhill over the last 5 years. Portions are noticeably smaller while also being more expensive over the last several years. We got served the wrong dishes and instead of our waiter offering to correct the wrong dish, he said “it’s too late” and shrugged it off. Excuse me?? Unprofessional and disrespectful. Also there’s a surcharge (5-7%) that isn’t made apparent (probably buried in the menu somewhere) ON TOP of taxes and tips (minimum 18% as default LOL) bad experience it was a shame since I’ve enjoyed coming here for several years.

Food is amazing. Owners are the coolest people too.

First time here, highly recommended by my friend. Great atmosphere with a good cocktail menu (though we didn’t drink alcohol). The bread basket comes with a delightfully spicy oil to dip. We filled up on that! We ordered the shrimp appetizer (not the ceviche) and it was so tasty (sopped up a lot of the tangy sauce with toasted bread). The entree, a fried chicken sandwich with a nice slaw, is the best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. Instead of a large piece of breast meat you have to chew through, the chicken is chopped into little pieces, fried and reassembled on the bread. As my friend said, “it’s to increase the surface area of deliciousness.” The 🍌 and 🍨 desert is bananas and even that has nice kick. We realized with the bread basket, the shrimp appetizer and the FCS, we had had three courses of bread 🤦🏾‍♂️. But we didn’t mind. Was worth it. If you’re in the area or visiting Stanford, you must go!

Good food, good service, good ambience, slightly overpriced. But I guess that's any good restaurant in Palo Alto. We were a party of three. There was a 5% mandatory surcharge. I definitely would recommend the restaurant but wouldn't visit again.

Good tequila and mescal selection as I recall, but things are a bit cloudy...

My partner really wanted to try this place and a few weeks later and I'm still reveling at our meal. The food here is really really good and prepared with beautiful precision. The flavors, the service, it was all excellent! We started with the pork empanadas and croquettes. The empanadas were very good, the meat was tender, but not outstanding. The croquettes however, were devine! I love croquettes and I order them in different countries and restaurants or wherever they're offered. These had an amazing flavor and the texture was perfection! I'm still thinking about them. Haha For our entrees we ordered the Tierra y Mar skirt steak and the lamb chops. Both were cooked perfectly with strong, but not overbearing flavors. The sides on each dish complemented the meats well and we left with leftovers. Dessert was key lime pie! Don't question it. Just order it. If you like key lime this dessert is for YOU! Pricey date night, but this is expected in this area and I'm already looking forward to going back.

I hadn't been here since the pandemic, and was curious if it held up. It does! Food and drinks were just as delicious as I remembered! I brought some newbies along, and they all loved it too. I'll be back!

Best cuban place in the South Bay and a cigar lounge to boot.

Great food and very accommodating to a last minute big group. I wish more places in California would be more reasonable about splitting checks. It makes going out for dinner on work trips difficult.

Love this place! Their food is always amazing and the staff are personable, friendly, and efficient. Only downside is that they are closed on Sundays. Other than that, they provide a definite 5-star experience.

Bodeguita Seafood Ajiaco - For two people; Very flavorful and bold & spicy but not spicy in a burning way. Served with rice and side of French bread for dipping. We also had their mojito. Refreshing for the summer! We sat outside on their plastic picnic tables. Hope you try their dishes Cheers

Beautiful restaurant with nice music (tip: the music sounds better outside than inside). A little expensive, but that's expected with Cuban food. I suppose my partner and I shouldn't have anticipated too much from the food since it's a "Cuban-inspired" restaurant instead of being just Cuban as Google Maps lists, but the food was still pretty good. We ordered yucca fries, ropa vieja, and the cubano sandwich. FRIED YUCCA W/ HOUSE KETCHUP: This was a little sad. $8 w/o tax or tip for 6 fries that tasted store bought. Rather sweet for yucca, and I barely enjoyed them with the house ketchup. The ketchup was interesting, starting with a bitter flavor, then a hint of acidity, then finally ending on a spicy note. By far one of the most dynamic flavors of the night. ROPA VIEJA: The meat to rice ratio was upsetting as someone who appreciates a balanced plate. They gave a lot of meat (as expected for the price of $30), but not very much rice to go with it. Otherwisw, the ropa vieja was our favorite of the dishes and the flavors worked well. CUBANO SANDWICH: My partner ordered this one since it's a go-to classic for us. He really liked it, but I thought it was rather sweet for a sandwich. We felt it was lacking in something to cut the sweetness, mustard, more/stronger pickles, etc. Our server just disappeared at some point, maybe 5 minutes into serving us, and we only saw him again at the very end as he gave us our check for me to sign (didn't even give us the check to pay in the first place, we had to flag down another waiter for the boxes and the check). ****EN ESPAÑOL**** Un restaurante muy bonito con buena música (consejo: la música suena mejor en las mesas de afuera.) Estuvo un poco caro, pero eso es habitual en comida Cubana. Supongo que mi pareja y yo no debíamos anticipar mucho de la comida porque es "inspirada por comida cubana" en vez de comida cubana como dice en Google Maps, pero aún así la comida estuvo buena. Ordenamos papas de Yuca, ropa vieja, y el sándwich cubano. YUCA FRITA CON KETCHUP HECHA EN CASA: Este platillo nos decepcionó. $8 sin tax o tip por 6 papás que sabían como si las hubieran comprado en el súper mercado. Fueron demasiado dulces para ser yuca, y apenas las pude disfrutar con el ketchup. El ketchup fue interesante, empezó con sabor amargo, después siguió un sabor ácido, y al final un sabor picante. Fue el sabor más dinámico de la noche. ROPA VIEJA: la proporción de carne a arroz fue decepcionante para una persona como yo que aprecia un platillo que tenga balance. Nos dieron mucha carne (cómo se puede esperar por el precio de $30), pero no suficiente arroz para acompañar. Aparte de eso, la ropa vieja fue nuestro platillo favorito y los sabores funcionaron bien juntos. SÁNDWICH CUBANO: Mi pareja ordenó esto porque es un platillo favorito de nosotros que ordenamos a menudo. A él le gustó, pero pensé que fue demasiado dulce para ser un sándwich. Sentimos que le faltaba algo para contrastar la dulzura: mostaza, más pepinillos, etc. Nuestro mesero desapreció durante nuestra cena, más o menos 5 minutos después de sentarnos. Solo lo vimos una vez más al final cuando nos trajo la cuenta para firmar (no nos dio la cuenta para poder pagar, tuvimos que preguntarle a otro por la cuenta y por cajas).

Do yourself and come here and enjoy their outdoor seating one evening. Their sangria is some of the best I've ever had honestly and I am a lover of all hispanic cuisines. Our waiter was friendly and didn't mind joking around with us which was welcome and fun. Their cocktails were delicious, but the food was well worth every penny. Their ropa vieja (pulled pork) was juicy and tender as were their maduros (fried ripe plantains). Don't forget to try their yummy yucca fries!

Delicious food. Service was fast and staff wete very attentive. Love the Ropa Vieja and Cuban Flan!

Good service and ambient. 2 drinks, beer and a cocktail + a starter, circa 50$ all together.

Service was great. Food was delicious and came out quick. We arrived just before it got crowded. Street is blocked off.

Awesome spot that is authentically Cuban. We ordered the ropa vieja (pictured) and it was delicious. The cocktails (and mocktails) were delicious and made me enjoy rum (a spirit in which I do not usually indulge). The atmosphere is also pleasant, intimate and enveloped in Latin music. Only complaint is slightly slow service.

Seating options outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, nice staff, tasty food and also has clearly labeled vegetarian & vegan options.

My favorite dish here and the photo doesn't do the dish justice.

I'd like to issue a warning about this establishment as we experienced noticeably different treatment compared to other Caucasian patrons. I would give no star if I could. We had a memorable dining experience here five years ago, and we looked forward to reliving that. However, we left with a sense of deep dissatisfaction. I don't usually write reviews about poor experiences, but this situation was inexcusable. We found ourselves waiting at our table, ignored for the initial 20 minutes. Despite having a waiter who appeared to be responsible for the outdoor tables in our area (as shown in the photo), he didn't attend to us. Eventually, I had to approach the host inside the restaurant. We were then assigned another waiter who came to us after approximately 5 minutes. When we ordered our meals, I requested the waiter to switch on the heaters, but he never returned to do so. A kind Spanish-speaking lady eventually obliged our request. Our server only ventured outdoors once more, but he did not stop at our table. Instead, he headed directly to the seating area next to us. It was only by intercepting him en route was I able to place an additional order for our child. The food was served quickly and was of the same high quality we remembered, but no one came to check on us after the dishes were served, except for the kind lady who refilled our water. In the end, we found ourselves having to go inside to ask for the check and a take-out box since our server was nowhere to be found. Moreover, we were taken aback by an unexpected 5% dining-in fee that was added to our bill after tax. This charge wasn't made clear to us at the beginning. Given our overall service experience, we felt justified in leaving only a 5% tip calculated before tax and the unexpected fee, as our 'service' merely consisted of ordering two entrees and having them brought to our table.

One of my favorite restaurants in The Bay

Although the place was full, service was fast, and the food was excellent! I'm definitely coming back next time I'm in the area.

This place is one of my absolute favorite places in palo alto. The food is great. And the ambiance is great. They have a humidor that is a dream for anyone who smokes cigars. A must visit

Food was fine, but no outside cake allowed.

Food is amazing. The ropa vieja dish is incredible, wine selection is great. Highly recommended.

Amazing Cuban food. Very authentic for California. Flavorful with a modern flare

Food here was delicious with good portion sizes. Friendly service. Loved this restaurant

Food was okay but service was horrible. One of the managers/servers(not our main server) came by our table in the middle of my meal while I’m sitting with my special guest and demanding to see my ID in a very rude and loud way after I attempted to order my “second” drink. It’s been almost 45 mins that we have been sitting. When that happened, my hands were already a bit greasy because we are in the middle of eating our food already done with my first drink and I had to fumble to clean my hands quickly and rush to take my wallet out, show my ID(I’m 26 years old), while everyone is looking at us and my guest is confused. We didn’t even get a “sorry, we had to check it” etc. No explanation, nothing. It was the rudest experience and I still don’t know why I was targeted specifically. This is not how you treat a customer. We paid $100+ bill and I’m definitely not bringing anybody back here. I’m living in Palo Alto so I’ll tell everyone I know to “not” come here if they ask for recommendations.

Good food and great atmosphere. Service was good. Could have been better. Hostess was great. Menu is simple in that it's a perfect size. but with some good choices. First time eating Cuban food and it was tasty.

Great place and a good Cuban sandwich, but I would have preferred more pickles and mustard. Also had a pretty nice cocktail menu and I enjoyed the Cuban sidecar. Will add this to the repertoire of goto's.

Not a place for average folks, food made mi sick

The ropa vieja is to die for. Great and friendly staff, strong drinks, what more could you ask for?

Relaxing -- a place that pulls you in for an afternoon: will be back

What an awesome find. Authentic Cuban food in Palo Alto.

Great fun, very good food. Staff was great and helpful

Food, service, drink, dessert are GOOD!

Super delicious food at a reasonable price. Extensive drink menu combined with a delicious Cuban inspired food menu. Came here without reservations on a Thursday night with a party of 7 people and was able to be seated without any wait. While all the appetizers were good, the standouts were the camarones con mojo, pan roasted pei mussels, plantain crusted goat cheese. The entrees are a similar story with the standouts being the paella cubana and ropa vieja. All the desserts were fantastic and the flan was velvety and the Havana bananas very unique. Overall it's a great spot that you can't go wrong at.

Ah-maz-ing!! People are fantastic, the food comes quickly and is spectacular! Must try this place!!

Lots of rum make sure to get a drink while there, can't go wrong with the menu items it's all good.

This was a transcendent experience. We loved our time here and can’t wait to return. The food was amazing and the staff was kind and attentive. The cigar bar in the back also seemed really cool. We loved our drinks and our ropa.

Ordered the crab cakes and shrimp coconut curry! Decent taste. I would’ve preferred a few more spices - it was a little on the sweeter side. But overall excellent service and ambience!

Interesting vibe and decent food. Staff is ok

Delicious and authentic. Best Cuban outside Miami!

It was a decent dinner experience. Went for a group dinner with people from work. The food was good as well as the drinks.

It is a very quiet and pleasant place, good music, good atmosphere, delicious food and very friendly staff.

Friend recommended this restaurant for us. We are lucky, Thursday is not as busy so we can get a table without reservations. We ordered flank steak and chicken. Both are very unique and delicious. I asked for spicy sauce. The waiter brought me their house made sauce, which is very spicy and super tasty. Interior is also very romantic. With dim lights and arty deco. Price is decent. One entry is about $25-35. Very reasonable. Will definitely come back to try different dishes.

Really cool place we discovered on a walk. Food is great and we'll described by the server. Manuel was awesome.

Nos gusta mucho este restaurante hacen unos mojitos super buenos y la comida en general es buena.

Good selection of drinks, tasty food

Great Cuban fare, the Cuban sandwich is really tasty and the Ropa Vieja is also a good choice. The atmosphere sitting outside is great since the street is closed to car traffic.

Consistently great appetizers, friendly service, and fantastic rum drinks. Try the specials on Friday/Saturday when you've worked your way through the regular menu.

Fun Havana vibe with good food, nice bar and a cigar room.

The steak of "mar y tierra" was incredibly delicious! The service was very good and kind.

Unfortunately, I have to give this restaurant one star. I've had Cuban food in both Miami and LA, and this place was so far off the mark that there's no comparison. The croquettas had nothing but potatoes in them. The $16 shrimp ceviche was the size of a teacup. The yuca fries were $8 for 6 tiny, not-crispy-at-all pieces. The pork chunks were extremely dry. The only saving grace was a decent, but not exciting, ropa vieja. The flavor profiles in all dishes was mediocre at best. I could do better watching a youtube tutorial. Cherry on the top? 5% charge (yes percent) for eating in the restaurant and minimum 18% tip on their default tip options. Lol, no.

Amazing selection of Caribbean rum

La verdad comida muy malita no tradicional cuban food

Very good meal. The food was well portioned and tasty. I also really enjoyed the rum based beverages as well. I had not had Cuban food in some time and this place really delivered.

Buen lugar para platicar y cerrar negocios con jóvenes de Silicon Valley

Delicious food, start to finish. The yucca fries were perfectly crisp outside and fluffy inside. Come to think of it, so were the croquetas. Our table had the ropa vieja, ribs, and arroz con pollo. All were flavorful, tender, and tasty. Dessert was the key lime pie and flan and, as established earlier in the meal, were delicious. We'll definitely be back.

Great food and atmosphere, worth the visit!

I loved this place for many years as a vegetarian. Then I went vegan and hadn't been in quite some time. I tried it again recently since the start of the pandemic and they now have a couple of really tasty vegan options. And the drinks are delicious and authentic. Plus the vibe is always super cool and the staff is great.

Simply the best, most Cuban Paella on the peninsula.

We had the cuban rice but with sea food only. Made very nicely, tastes good.

Lovely atmosphere, food is delicious and service is excellent. The owners are one of my favorite people! Cheers to 25 years in business guys

I hear from other folks say some dishes is overcooked, but I like their sandwiches. I thought staff were great, too.

Food is ok, not as flavourful as it is visually appealing, fried Yuka could use a little extra frying. We arrived without a reservation and the place was pretty much empty yet the person out front made it seem as most of the tables were already reserved, so we were given very little options for seating, nobody sat in those "reserved tables" during the whole time we were there(and we stayed for quite a while). I wouldn't really choose to eat at this place again.