Central Park Bistro

American restaurant · San Mateo

Central Park Bistro

American restaurant · San Mateo

1

181 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401

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Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null
Central Park Bistro by null

Highlights

Contemporary American dining with seafood, attentive service, and ambiance  

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181 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 Get directions

centralparkbistro.com
@central_parkbistro

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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181 E 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401 Get directions

+1 650 558 8401
centralparkbistro.com
@central_parkbistro

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 30, 2025

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Independent, white-tablecloth warmth with a California menu and a true neighborhood feel. A downtown fixture for business lunches and date nights; current menus and hours are maintained on the restaurant’s site.

https://centralparkbistro.com/menus
Best Restaurants in San Mateo (2025)
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Adam Kaplan

Google
Everything was better than good. The hostess gave us an enthusiastic welcome and sat us earlier than our reservation time which was great. Our server was hilarious, the rest of the staff was on so top of things. The food was so good I was kinda sad when I finished it all bc there was no more left.

Fei Yu

Google
An intimate venue for dates nights. We were here for Valentine's Day and their prix fixe 3-course special. Definitely better seafood plates than red meat here. You're in it for the ambiance and not the portion sizes here, haha. Appetizers were a bit underwhelming - tuna poke was fresh, big chunks, well marinated. Golden/purple beet tower was more leafy greens than actual beets. Dressing could've been served on the side. A bit too vinegary. Entrees took a while; it was understandable as it was a special day and pretty packed. Chilean sea bass was great - super fresh, nively coated, and seared. Lamb chops were not the move. Burnt crust on the outside, and it came out medium rare despite asking for medium well. The dessert was very cutely plated. Bread pudding was not memorable, but the heart-shaped cake was light and a good note to end on.

Kazuyo Sugiura

Google
Good food, good service in person but made a reservation via Open table and we were there on time but they marked us no show. They confirmed my name at the entrance.. why

Helena

Google
I had an unexpected layover in San Francisco area due to a canceled flight, and I took the opportunity to visit Centrale Park Bistro, a recommendation from a friend. The restaurant boasts a lovely environment with an appealing design, including private rooms and outdoor seating. The service was top-notch, making my experience even more enjoyable. I chose to sit at the bar, where bartender Kristina took care of me. She was friendly and attentive, and mixed an amazing cocktails. The manager, Oz, checked on my dining experience multiple times. He provided excellent dish recommendations, and I opted for the Ahi Tuna and a Mushroom pizza, both of which were delicious. Overall, my experience at Centrale Park Bistro was fantastic. The combination of great food, excellent service, and a lovely ambiance makes it a spot I highly recommend visiting.

Nicole Tin

Google
Wanted to treat myself to a nice dinner and ordered the scallops. It was a bit overcooked, the charred flavor was strong on 1 of 3, and I found the risotto was lacking in flavor. The first time I came here, I ordered the duck ragu which was surprisingly tart and tasted strongly of an herb (parsley?), not in line with the description. The overwhelmingly positive reviews here make me question my own taste. I've really wanted to like this restaurant but I've been disappointed twice.

Jessica Mierau

Google
I passed by here on a date and we decided on a whim to have dinner. I’m glad we did! We sat outside facing the street, perfect for people watching. We ordered cocktails and an assortment of appetizers and everything was delicious! The only thing I didn’t like was the Hibiscus Paloma, it was very watery and tasted more like an herbal tea than a cocktail. They have fabulous wines on the menu that I’ll order next time.

Claudia K M

Google
A recent dining experience at Central Park Bistro left me utterly enchanted! We kicked off with the Living Butter Lettuce Salad, a delectable shareable delight. The Bosc pear added a sweet touch, perfectly complemented by the Champagne Vinaigrette. For a communal feast, we delved into the Charcuterie for 3, and it did not disappoint. The generous portions made it an ideal choice for sharing among friends. Moving on to the main course, the Seafood Linguine pasta was a burst of flavors. A must-try! In consideration of dietary restrictions, the restaurant graciously substituted lobster with Salmon in the dish, showcasing their flexibility and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Paella was equally praiseworthy, a symphony of tastes that left a lasting impression. Central Park Bistro is a must-visit in the area, offering a culinary experience that transcends expectations. From the thoughtful presentation of salads to the flavorful main courses, each dish is a testament to the culinary excellence found in San Mateo.

Viveat T

Google
Very professional service. Food is made with very fresh ingredients and they taste like they've been prepared by real chefs. Very nice presentation. Portions are fairly small, allowing room for appetizer and dessert. Waiting time is a bit longer than average between courses, so its perfect for having a chill time or talk over a meal, not if one is starving for immediate food. Definitely returning.
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Diana M.

Yelp
Tonight we spontaneously dropped by our favorite spot -- Central Park -- and it was absolutely packed. The only available seats were at the bar, but the amazing team who takes care of the restaurant quickly arranged a table for us (I truly appreciate your care for your guests -- it doesn't go unnoticed!). Dinner was absolutely delicious. The meatballs were insanely good -- hands down the best I've had in America so far. The food came out fast, drinks were always refilled, and the staff was impressively organized. Truly the best! The atmosphere, the service, the food -- everything was just perfect. Feeling so grateful to my friends for this beautiful evening in such great company.
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Diane B.

Yelp
have I become a curmudgeon? after no reviews for quite some time my last one's have been so critical! we came for lunch today because we were in the neighborhood for some other business this was our old stomping ground before Covid changed everything up. this area has totally revived since then. each of us ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, with a side of the marinated cucumber salad. I asked for mine without goat cheese because, well, I don't like goat cheese. I bet if you weighed the combined amount of chicken from both of our sandwiches, which by the way cost like $26 each, it would have come in an about 4 oz.! I was excited that they had a side of marinated cucumber salad, but it had no salt, no acid.... No flavor at all. The cucs were beautifully sliced and fresh as was the red onion. Service was ok, a bit uneven. we will not go back.
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Willie F.

Yelp
Came here for Mother's Day brunch and the restaurant was surprisingly only half full. First off the ambiance was extremely nice and definitely on the luxury side. It's a little bit small however, which is why I'm a little surprised it was only about half full on a day where most people want to go out. Right out of the gate, the service was fantastic. All the staff seemed happy to be there (which let's be real I don't think anyone ever wants to work). They were very attentive to my mom, which is an obvious thing they should be doing on Mother's Day. To put it in perspective, I went to a sushi restaurant with my mom the same evening and no one said Happy Mother's Day, but all the staff at Central Park Bistro did. Mother's Day brunch was a set course meal. First dish was croissants and mini donuts. For the mains, we ordered a grilled salmon salad, an eggs/sausage/mushroom/spinach dish, lamp chops, and a beef short rib pasta. All of it was extremely flavorful and well done. Then dessert was a chocolate cake or bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. The whole meal was incredible. I would highly recommend this place to anyone hands down.
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Lenore N.

Yelp
Downtown San Mateo is rife with fast food, coffee, smoothies and ethnic eateries. It is a pleasure to come to Central Park Bistro, with its welcoming staff, lovely bar and interesting menu. Every time I go there I'm delighted by the menu. Wood fired pizzas, lots of fresh seasonal vegetables and interesting pairings. The butter lettuce salad with pomegranate seeds and blood oranges was perfectly dressed. My halibut was perfectly prepared with cauliflower, artichokes and finely shredded fennel. It was an innovative and beautifully presented dish. My husband's ribs were a huge portion with delicious honey soaked cornbread. Our vegetarian daughter loved her risotto. For me, it's the best place in San Mateo.

Alina L.

Yelp
Amazing service, food, and ambience! I came with my mom for dinner on a Thursday evening. We were greeted by Diana, who was also our server -- hands down the best service you can find in the Bay Area. We ordered the linguine, the crab cakes, and the halibut -- everything was absolutely delicious. Mehmet was also incredibly friendly and welcoming, as was the entire team. Highly, highly recommend!
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Melzie C.

Yelp
Food is always delish! We've come here four times now. Here's what we got and our thoughts. I will say: great food and even better service. You will NEVER wait for anything. Potato leek soup - amazing Meatballs - not dry; I'm a meatball SNOB and these are soft, juicy and perfectly flavorful Salmon pizza - love the shaved potato (it reminds me of food in barcelona) Filet Mignon - my husband gets this every time and every single time it's perfectly cooked. Skirt steak - perfectly cooked, sliced nicely and the mashed potato is delish! Charcuterie board - they customize it, and it's perfect portions. Halibut - well, it tastes like Chilean seabass with the flakey-ness of Halibut. So buttery and soft in the center with a perfect sear outside. The artichokes and cauliflower were perfectly cooked as well. For dessert: we've had the chocolate lava cake which was super rich, beignets which were pillowy soft and not too sweet unless you add tons of caramel, affogato is delectable, toffee bread pudding is exactly from London- sweet and sticky. The only thing I've ever had that I disliked was the artichoke beignets but I've had virtually everything else on the menu and it's all a win. The servers are attentive and the owner, Giorgio, is fantastic. See you next Saturday!
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Kaje Y.

Yelp
Great upscale modern new american dining. Portion sizes were very much in line with the prices. Food was tasty and cooked well. There is plenty of seating and can accommodate larger groups.
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Marjorie M.

Yelp
I like this restaurant because the food is excellent and the service awesome. Ambiance is great...
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Hurjane V.

Yelp
Happy birthday Alex! We came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Strangely we were the only party here this whole time. Our food came pretty quickly after we ordered. So hard to choose! Everything on the menu looks delicious. +1 service was great! Came to refill our waters regularly +1 food came out quick! +1 good portion sizes! Only keeping it a 4 stars because the appetizers I was not too impressed. Calamari was cold and too salty, poke was not bad but the chips to poke ratio was quite stingy lol Allen and I got the paella and lobster pasta, and both were so filling. Lunch has lunch combos too. Overall, I would come here again for a fancy occasion. I can see the vibes being nice at night time!

Larry K.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant but their Rack of Lamb is very disappointing! Very small, fatty portion with one small potato. I was hungry when I finished my meal so I ordered a mixed green salad which only had lettuce...again very disappointing. I have dined in prior months; not sure I would return. This is my very first negative review of a restaurant! Larry of Redwood City.
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Neo Naomi T.

Yelp
Love the food, unreliable when ordering from DoorDash -- We've enjoyed dining in and getting take out, particularly for the Crab Cakes, Red Wine Braided Octopus, Grilled Australian Lamb Chops, Tagliatelle, and Veal Ossobuco Ravioli. I dined in for a group dinner and shared a bunch of starters and entrees which was also fun. Pre-Covid, they also had a really good burger with fries but the source seems to have changed. We got a Door Dash delivery today and unfortunately instead of 2 Braised Octopus, we only got 1 while being charged for 2. The annoyance is that Door Dash won't give you a full refund. Just a warning if you're ordering 2 items of the same thing -- suggest picking up yourself. Parking in that area can be a pain during prime meal time, but there is a 20 min spot on the same block that often opens up. Cheers!
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Elly S.

Yelp
Food is really mediocre. Small portions. $46 for a 5 piece of skirt steak? The meat is so chewy! My friend ordered lamb, it was well cooked and taste good but it's only 3 pieces, with some arugula and a few cherry tomatoes on top. It's not a substantial size, so my friend finished everything rather quickly. As an entree, I believe they can offer a little more. The total bill was $136 for two entrees. I consider this pretty expensive for just two entrees.
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Corinna C.

Yelp
Good food. Good ambience. Cocktail was yummy. Food was good portion. Excellence service. I would come back again.

George T.

Yelp
Living lettuce salad is very good, fresh, flavorful. The mignon is a little too raw. Overall experience is good
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Thomas K.

Yelp
Friendly staff. Nice ambiance. Delicious food. The caesar salad was great and the filet mignon was tender and seasoned well. Came for a 90th birthday and we would come again for another special event
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Lisa T.

Yelp
I wasn't too impressed with this place and can now see why it was empty on a weekend night. The service was good though. The food was not. There's something missing. I got the ribs but it was missing a complex taste profile. I had high hopes for this place. If you're in a last minute crunch, this place works, otherwise I would skip the food. The workers are kind here though.

J S.

Yelp
We came here looking for a new modern experience in dining out however it missed the mark. We were seated at a booth and the service was excellent, however the food experience was off. Our pasta dishes and pizza were just mediocre. Lacked quality ingredients and tasted Blah. It lacked taste and their pasta and pizza sauces were off. The place is decent if you're in a pinch but I would wouldn't recommend it and would probably find a better dining experience.
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Jeannie P.

Yelp
I went to this restaurant for a family function. I was pleasantly surprised by the food quality. The service was great too. The decor of this place was modern and chic. I give it 4 star only because of the portion was too small for the price they charged.
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Robert J.

Yelp
It has been 10 years when we ate here last. I remember it was a nice place and gave it 4 stars. However, this time, we came during the normal dinner hour (on a Wednesday) and the place was loud and the service was spotty. It wasn't even that busy. I explicitly ordered ice tea with no lemon but they didn't pay attention, nor did they ever offer to refill my glass. I can't remember what our party of 4 ordered, but I think it was some sort of pasta dish. We all finished our dishes and thought it was good. It is a rather expensive place, but the atmosphere and service did not reflect that. Three stars at best.
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Shelley C.

Yelp
Wine room was so cozy Food was beautiful Especially the scallops and lamb Really enjoyed the ambiance Service was really timely and friendly
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Jaane F.

Yelp
Last Thursday, I came here with my coworkers to have a team lunch. I ordered linguine pasta, and the pasta was Al Dante and flavorful. The plate has full of lobster meat and zucchini. The staffs were friendly, but we waited for a while to place our order. The restaurant location is quite close to the parking garage or street parking.

Cindy H.

Yelp
Excellent good service is amazing. The food selection is the best in this area. Love the staff and kitchen options,!
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Chris S.

Yelp
I came here for a graduation dinner back in May after getting turned away by a different restaurant and was blown away by the food and service at Central Park Bistro. We returned for a special occasion dinner and I was amazed yet again by this place. We were sat at a small table near the entrance and the inside of the restaurant is just as brilliant as the food and the staff. We ordered calamari as an appetizer, duck ragout and grilled skirt steak as the entrees, and the bread pudding for desert. Every single thing we ate was incredible and nothing like I've ever had before, the quality of every item on the menu is exquisite. To top everything off the staff are so nice, helpful, and at times almost too professional, they're amazing at what they do and the service they provide. I told my date we should start coming here at least once a month because it's so damn good and I love the small changes to the menu the make by taking older stuff off and putting newer dishes on.
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Veronica S.

Yelp
Great food, drinks, and experience. The bread pudding, OMG!! Not something I'd order normally, but recommended by the bartender. Best ever!!

Catherine R.

Yelp
It was my Anniversary 31 years everything was so good service was spot on Thank you had the prime rib it was Delicious
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Kao S.

Yelp
Always driven by, walked by, ran by and had wanted to try it. Well that day has come and I gotta say it's a pretty laid back almost fancy dining. Space is fair and has a couple separate rooms for parties or meetings also if needed. Fortunately I was here for a meeting and meal was paid for. However that doesn't change my or alter my opinion on the place. Service is great and fast with nice comfortable seating where the lighting could be fancy or just a simple dinner. It seems like there is plenty of staff to keep par with the diners so I assume the service is always great. My four course meal was really hearty and sort of fancy with the presentation but not like the 4 star extravagant ones that serves you a tasting menu. Serving an American fare you have a decent selection of entrees to choose from. I opted for the mushroom ravioli and it was really hearty and earthy with my first bite to my last bite in minutes. Yeah yeah I know but it's not that much so it was easily consumed. My Meal: *Salad is a typical pear Gorgonzola with a light dressing. *Butternut Squash Gnocchi was super delicious with the fluffy potato wrap melting in your mouth *Bread Pudding was a bit too moist and sweet for my palette but others seem to enjoy it, especially with the ice cream on top. My partners meal: *Skirt Steak : grilled with side of Green Beans and mash. *Key Lime Pie was the main star of the night. This is a simple review for now until I can go back and try it again for a full on review. Keep up the great service and meals and you'll have more customers.
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Thomas R.

Yelp
We came as a party of 6 for a birthday dinner and found nearby parking in the downtown San mateo area. The first thing I noticed was the clean and sophisticated decor and lighting, second to none in the area. Things were kinda empty when we got there so had to reserve my expectations. We started with duck rolls and lamb rib tips which were a great start. Rolls were kinda small but satisfying and the lamb was very meaty and amazing pesto sauce came with it for good contrast. I then ordered the scallops and saffron risotto that would take all of your troubles away for the moment. Not the biggest portion but just enough if you enjoy multiple courses like I do. Speaking of that.. the dessert we ordered was the perfect finishing touch for the night. From peach champagne ice cream to lava cake and creme Brule, all of the desserts check out just fine. My compliments to the chef.. All of that sounds exquisite and it was but the experience isn't for everyday dining for most people. Lol it put a nice dent in our wallet but I would do it again 10x over as well as recommend you do the same. Lastly I'd like to mention the service was fantastic and although our table was the only one where the people looked different, we were given the exact same superb treatment. With that said I need to double back on what I said earlier about it being empty. Around the time our food came out the entire place filled up quick in what would seem like regulars. A very senior crowd I would describe it but it took nothing away from the ambiance. Ideal place to dine if you ask me.. Sidenote: the bar area was very eye catching with some decent cocktails and beers
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Elena H.

Yelp
The staff was super nice, but the food was barely average. We came here for dinner after seeing it on Yelp. I'm not sure if the people rating this place 5 stars are deprived or if the cooks happened to do a bad job on everything we ordered. - crab cakes: $20 for two, and they tasted like reheated frozen crab cakes - baby back ribs: kind of dry and I didn't finish them because they were so bland even though I was hungry - halibut: this replaced the sea bass on the menu. This place charging $40 for this is a literal scam because it was overcooked and also bland
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Nikki M.

Yelp
Great food and service. Obviously on the pricier side but the linguini was pretty delicious wish there was more seafood in it though. The apps were nice, the duck spring rolls and fried calamari were my favorites
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Edward N.

Yelp
I always walk by this restaurant, but never had the chance to try it. My wife and I were treating a friend out to dinner for her birthday and found Central Park Bistro had last-minute reservations. We were seated in a very comfortable booth in the back of the restaurant. Our friend was late, so we ordered some cocktails, and appetizers to snack on while we wait. The waiter actually let us put in our entire order before our friend arrived, and he would send the check into the kitchen when we were done with appetizers. The service here is impeccable. Our waiter entertained us while we waited for our friend, and checked on us often. I always like to order extra entrees and appetizers so that we can sample more food. After I ordered 3 appetizers, 3 appetizers, a pizza, and 4 entrees, our waiter stopped me and said "too much." Hahaha. A waiter has never stopped me and told me I'm ordering too much food before. I took his suggestion and canceled the pizza for now, and we can come back and order it after our entrees if we're still hungry. Ultimately we did order the pizza too, and it was delicious. The octopus salad featured a lot of tender warm octopus. You should eat this while it's still warm for the best flavor. It's complimented well with all the fresh herbs and veggies. The beef tartare was another good appetizer; it was well seasoned with nice acidity. The order of crab cakes comes two per order, but the waiter had them cut in half for us so we don't have to fight over it. All the proteins were excellent; cooked to a perfect medium rare as requested, and super tender. The halibut was moist and flakey. Nothing disappointed. The food quality for the dishes we ordered was really good. Everything was well seasoned, with good textures, and flavors. With the level of service and food that we had, I'm surprised that this was not fine dining. I'm going to add this restaurant to my regular rotation!

Kurt N.

Yelp
The food was enjoyable, but our experience was overshadowed by an issue with the bill. Upon reviewing it, we noticed the sales tax was doubled, which seemed more intentional than accidental. This left us feeling uneasy about the transparency of their billing practices. While the food was good, I recommend carefully checking your bill if you choose to dine here. We learned from neighbors in San Mateo this is a pattern w Central Park.... Beware!!!
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Junelle F.

Yelp
I met a few friends here for dinner. Enjoyed the outdoor seating. We order a few app, the calamari and the tuna roll and both were delicious. My daughter and niece shared the spaghetti and meatballs which they both finished the plate. I ordered the steak tartare and Cesar salad and I was happy with my choices. My friend ordered the ravioli and the Chilean sea bass and both were extremely delicious. Only thing I was disappointed on was asking For your complimentary bread for the table. We asked for it and the waiter just forgot. Other than that we were pleased with how dinner came out.
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Andrea B.

Yelp
This place has been here for years and I have always wanted to try it. We were able to score a table for Mother's Day. They requested a confirmation through the Open Table app, then by text, and then they wanted a phone confirmation. I found it a bit excessive. I ordered the scallops over risotto. The scallops were cooked perfectly. I was impressed the food I ate was very good. My husband had seafood pasta and mentioned that the lobster did not taste fresh (as did other reviews). The service was great! Our wait staff was very attentive and friendly. This bistro is upscale and so are the prices which was to be expected. Parking can be difficult, but not impossible, as this is in the downtown area. This is the perfect place for a date night!!

Steve M.

Yelp
I love this place . Apps, entrees, and deserts ! All wonderful. Have not had a bad bite in the years I have been visiting. Excellent service. Always accommodating .
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Erin M.

Yelp
This was delicious. I had my first ever steak tartare and it did not disappoint. The service was so amazing that when we ate the last crostini for the tartare, they immediately brought us more. Most places you have to wait and ask and the staff was very in tune to when we needed anything. The scallops were divine and I didn't really want to share a bite but I'm glad I did because the halibut was equally as delicious. Hard to pick a favorite really. This was a beautiful restaurant with amazing food and wonderful service.
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Jack R.

Yelp
First off the inside staff as well as the female bartender are wearing their masks BELOW their chin which is dangerous because of Covid and how stuffy indoors is. They should pull up their masks, especially when they're talking and shouting out table orders for drinks. Both the indoor wait staff had their masks down and the outdoor waiter for 3 of the tables outside kept pulling his down when he got outside. We sat outside and they did not seem to be interested in serving any of the outside tables. The table next to ours said they had been waiting for 20 minutes. Because it was so cold, we asked for a heat lamp but the guy said it was too heavy to move , we just had appetizers. We were freezing!!! The steak tartar was good but had way too much Dijon mustard and the calamari was a bit bland but the fried onions on top were great. We asked for a dessert menu several times but they never brought one so we didn't try their dessert. They really need to mask up and keep everyone safe!
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Bashir A.

Yelp
I decided to take my wife out to dinner on a Tuesday night. I've been wanting to try out Central Park Bistro and I was not disappointed! They seated us as a walk-in even though we had no reservations. The entire service was fast, friendly and efficient. They use multiple servers per table to get stuff done and I appreciate that. They are friendly, welcoming and are there to serve. For appetizer, we ordered the fried calamari. I have attached a photo to my review. Not only was it tasty, it was very generous in serving size! The dipping sauces are a nice touch. Bread & butter was served shortly after we were seated. My wife and I both ordered the burger. You can immediately tell it is high quality beef. They cooked the meat exactly how we wanted; medium for the wife, well-done for me. Comes with a side order of French fries. We had a very pleasant overall experience at Central Park Bistro. I highly recommend you come here. They have lots of indoor & outdoor seating. The staff is friendly and they offer a full service bar as well.
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Scott R.

Yelp
I have been a customer over many years, perhaps a visit for dinner with friends twice a year. The food is generally consistent and the staff is usually very professional, passionate about service and engaged with the tables. Sadly, I have to report a very disappointing situation which might effect others who patronize Central Park. I was given a Central Park Bistro gift card over the holidays. So I decided to use it during my last dinner. After a very long wait after the check was presented, the manager returned to say "I am sorry, our computer system cannot read the gift card. Would you mind paying with credit card and we will call you tomorrow to figure this out?" After the initial embarassment, I said to myself, well things happen. They'll call me tomorrow. So I gave them my number and email. A week has passed and not a word. I then decided to send an email to the customer engagement address on their website. Still zero response from the owner or management. Be forewarned that buying a gift card at Central Park Bistro or likely their other locations will come with an uncertain result. Like someone wasting their money and a diner being royally embarassed.
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Debi S.

Yelp
We have been coming to this restaurant for many years and have always enjoyed it. Everything has been so good, from the service to the food. Unfortunately, our last experience here was far from great and I am extremely disappointed. About a week and half ago, I called to make a reservation for 9 as we were celebrating my MIL's 94th birthday. I let them know that we would need a w/c accessible table since she is no longer mobile. So far so good. On this past Saturday night, we arrived at the restaurant to find that they put us at a very poorly situated table right next to the front door. Every time someone came in or out, we got the cold and the rain plus kept getting the noise and bumping from people coming in and out. There are 2 main rooms in CPB and the second room had a large table that could have fit us nicely. My son inquired several times as to if we could have that table and we were told that "it was reserved" and "it was not w/c accessible". There was absolutely no barriers to the wheelchair for that table. As far as it being reserved?? No parties ever came to that table for the whole time we were there. The seating we were given was miserable. Now let's go to the service. My daughter in law and I ordered cocktails. She ordered a Bees Knees. The waiter did not know what it was and apparently neither did the bartender because she said it was terrible. (My DIL was too nice to send it back.) My son tried to explain to the waiter how to make the drink but it did not work out. I ordered an Aperol Spritz - this too was not good. For dinner, I had the crab crakes for the starter and the scallops for the main. My hubby had the ribs and the French Onion Soup. When we were ordering, the host explained that the Fr Onion Soup had bread and cheese on top - just the way my husband likes it. Well, there was no bread nor cheese on the soup. Just oniony broth. My starter and main dish were ok but definitely not great. My husband noted that his ribs were drowning in BBQ sauce and the meat was rather dry. Another thing to note is that there was no bread served with the dinner or starters. I guess they have gone the route of that being extra but for prices they are charging it would be nice to include it. We ordered coffee, tea and dessert. Hubby and I split the beignets which were doughy and overly sweet. On top of this, the waiter forgot my husband's coffee and my MIL's coffee. It was a very disappointing experience because (a) it was a special occasion that we had been looking forward to and (b) we have had so many great dinners and lunches there in the past. I had recommended CPB to our family and felt terrible that it turned out the way it did. Especially given the total cost of the dinner! I'm sad to say that we will not be planning on returning to this restaurant. I hope others have a better experience.
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Valerie M.

Yelp
Went for my birthday light dinner. Classic setting for fine dining. Everything was perfect. Highly recommend the crab cakes. So delicious!

Bev L.

Yelp
First time here for dinner last night. Great ambiance not loud atmosphere very romantic setting Food was delicious and service was perfect. Going back soon.

Paul M.

Yelp
CPB recently hosted an important family lunch of us. The food was terrific, as was the ambiance and Giorgio's attentive and thoughtful service. We had a wonderful experience. I would recommend CPB with enthusiasm.
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John T.

Yelp
We arrived expecting a great experience, but when we got the menu, it did not match the menu posted on their website we had reviewed. We were disappointed it did not have what we had decided on our meal. We asked if there were any specials and the response was "everything is special" hahaha, not. We asked out server about the Mismatched menu online and on site. He quickly apologized and blamed their website designers do not keeping up. We then decide we were not going to eat here and went to PAUSA for a spectacular dinner. So disappointed after hearing from our close friends that Central Park Bistro is excellent. Maybe we'll try it again some other time.
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bayern i.

Yelp
Good environment for friends I really enjoy the food Most clients are local Worthy to try
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Shaida S.

Yelp
I had a family get together in one of their private rooms. It was a family where some members hadn't seen each other in over 50 years so it was important to me that everything be perfect. And perfect it was! The food was excellent as was the service. Everyone enjoyed themselves thanks to Central Park Bistro hitting it out of the ballpark!
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Alessandra C.

Yelp
It was great food and atmosphere! I went There for the event that was happening from Pca and was great food !! I would definitely come back!!
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Christy V.

Yelp
First time here for my bday lunch last week on Thursday. Beautiful sunny day for outdoor dinning. This place is awesome. Food and service was great! Plus their cocktail drinks are so good that I had second for lunch lol. The grill octopus was so yummy which was my favorite. The paella was also good but more on the runnier side than what I'm use too but still it's really good. The skirt steak sandwich was ok. I think it would be better if slice more thinly but it was still good. Our server was very good and tentative. Overall we both enjoyed it. Great way to start a bday. I definitely would like to come back but this time for dinner.
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Colette W.

Yelp
The chicken roulade here was seriously amazing. It was stuffed with cheese and mushrooms (a lot of mushrooms) with the best mushrooms sauce to top it off. I asked the server if I could switch out the potatoes for something else (like asparagus) and he said "yeah, no problem" so many restaurants I know give a hard time or charge extra but they were just so nice & accommodating. It's a cute place, right in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Also, they were so nice to my two kids, it's a nicer place so sometimes kids aren't always welcome with open arms, but they even gave my daughter a plastic duck they had when she started to get restless. I mean, really nice people. But let's talk about the food, oh my goodness, so delicious. 10 stars! Definitely going back.
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Keith D.

Yelp
Always excellent, has never disappointed us. Went for mother's Day brunch and enjoyed everything. Georgio was a great host and took great care of us.