Evvia
This Greek taverna is always crowded, but top-notch dishes like grilled octopus and moussaka make Evvia well worth the wait.
Zagat diners say that "everything's delicious," though it is a bit pricey.
Lure + Till
180 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto
Located on the ground floor of the new Epiphany Hotel, Lure + Till is a swanky restaurant serving up delicious New American dishes and craft cocktails.
The squid ink campanelle — served with lobster, dried cherry tomatoes, Calabrian chilis, botarga, and arugula — is a crowd favorite.
Madera
2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
This Michelin-starred restaurant, located inside the Rosewood Sand Hill hotel, is known for being a go-to spot for VCs looking to close a deal.
But it also has an intimate atmosphere and some amazing food, like a grass-fed veal chop served with black truffle.
Vesta
This cozy spot is known for its amazing pizzas that are big enough to share.
They come in some interesting varieties, like an Italian sausage pizza that's made with serrano chili and honey.
Martins West
This gastropub makes for a more casual date, with a menu featuring British-inspired dishes with California ingredients.
The sticky toffee pudding would be an especially delicious dessert.
Gravity
Gravity is a romantic spot that brands itself as both a bistro and wine bar.
Try dishes like the short ribs or duck confit with a flight of California wines.
Jin Sho
454 California Avenue, Palo Alto
Local legend has it that this small restaurant was one of Steve Jobs' go-to spots for fresh sushi and Japanese food.
The sushi is prepared by former Nobu chefs Noriomi Kaneko and Ichiro Takahashi.
Bistro Elan on Birch Street
Bistro Elan became Birch Street when high rents forced the Silicon Valley favorite to close shop and reopen at a new location around the corner.
YCombinator founder Paul Graham was often spotted at the original restaurant, which serves seasonal California cuisine.
Flea Street Cafe
3607 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park
This intimate restaurant is known for its innovative farm-to-table menu in addition to being popular among the tech sector.
Sheryl Sandberg dined here with Mark Zuckerberg in 2008 before she left Google for Facebook. She returned with Oprah in 2011.
Oak & Rye
303 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
Named one of the best new Bay Area restaurants by the San Jose Mercury News, Oak & Rye has inventive pizzas and small plates.
The bacon-topped "Commissioner Gordon" pizza is a favorite, as is the "Scotty 2 Hottie," served with spicy soppressata and honey.
