La Bodeguita del Medio

We came for lunch. Food was fresh and tasty. Nothing was bad but nothing blew out minds with flavor. Didn't care much about the shrimp ceviche. It was a bid of a disappointment so wouldn't order that. I would try the sandwiches next time for lunch. The banana caramel dessert was just ok.

Cool restaurant. I got the Arroz con Pollo, It was good + filled me up. Appetizer was a special - Chicken Empanadas, which were great. The mocktail was right up my alley, Honey Bee Hibiscus. Service was excellent, I'll be back soon.

First time here. Amazing have something to eat and then go to the cigar room for a smoke and cocktails. Crab cakes appetizer with the corn was delicious. The grilled skirt steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus with coconut shrimp was so good. The steak was so tender which is difficult to cook for it to be that tender. Salad also had the roasted corn. The bread with the dip was perfection. Our drinks Hemingway and manhattan with bourbon made perfectly. Cigars the best.

We tried the chicharrones de pollo and fried shrimp from their happy hour menu. The shrimp were juicy—maybe a bit on the oily side—but still delicious, and the chicken was super crispy and perfectly seasoned. We also had the Tierra y Mar, which came in a generous portion and was packed with flavor. The skirt steak was tender, juicy, and full of beefy goodness. The coconut shrimp were excellent—not overly sweet, just naturally so—and the asparagus was cooked perfectly. The whole place, including the bathrooms, was impeccably clean. Great experience overall!

Went there for lunch; I ordered the Chicharrón de Pollo and a lemonade. The sandwich and the coleslaw on the side were both very tasty.

Went in at 2pm on a Friday. No problems parking at a free street parking. We were immediately seated as soon as we arrived. Food was lovely. Ordered Camarones Pequeños (small fried breaded shrimp) as an appetizer, Ropa Vieja (braised shredded beef w/ fried plantains & rice) and a Cubano Sandwich (ham, roast pork, cheese on a crispy baguette) Service was solid, server checked in often and gave contextual info on the orders. Atmosphere was nice, had a nice dive bar feel music-wise. Therevs an indoor and outdoor section. And a place for people that want to smoke.

Just had lunch at that place on California Avenue in Palo Alto. It was buzzing – definitely busy! We snagged a table pretty quickly. The portions were generous, especially for the price. I got the Ropa Vieja and it was really good, super flavorful. Parking was a breeze on the street. Maybe they could offer a little more variety in the drinks menu, but overall a solid spot.

Been here a half dozen times and this is my first review. In the past, I’ve gotten the paella, but we didn’t want to wait that long this trip plus not everyone at the table wanted paella. So we enjoyed two delicious dishes. The first is called ROPA VIEJA, aka the 'CUBAN CLASSIC'. It’s braised then shredded skirt steak, stewed with chilis, peppers & tomatoes, platanos maduros, yellow rice, sofrito. It is so good you always want more when your plate is finished. The second is called ARROZ con POLLO. It’s a traditional, cuban style, braised chicken, spiced yellow rice, platanos maduros. Ambiance is nice. Good drinks. Nice location on California street in Palo Alto to walk around a bit before or after your meal.

Met up with friends for lunch at this spot. It's a bit dark inside. We arrived at noon and were promptly seated inside. We ordered: Croquettes: good crispy outside, creamy filling. Dip in the side sauce for extra flavor. Shrimp cheviche: ok, not very memorable Ropa veija: 3.5/5 not a big fan of this type and texture of meat but it had good flavor. Rice reminded me of paella. Pork empanada: surprisingly a bit sweet. It was probably the white sauce that was drizzled on it. Liked the crisp outside but filling could use more flavor. Havana Bananas: looked to be super sweet but it wasn't overly sweet. Bananas are a bit mushy so expect that. Overall tasty. Glad to have tried this place.

Finally got to try La Bodeguita after bookmarking it years ago! Cozy place with a nice bar area. Pleasant service and good vibes. Eats: *Pork Empanadas *Croquetas *Maduros: sweet plantains *Side of Asparagus *Tierra y Mar: steak & coconut shrimp *Carribean Curry with shrimp *Cubano Sandwich Empanadas were so good! They had a twinge of sweetness which reminded me of Filipino empanadas. I liked the black beans and slaw they serve it with. Croquetas were nice and crisp. Maduros were sweet enough for dessert! The steak from the Tierra y Mar was phenomenal! Prepared so well and wasn't tough. The mashed potatoes were orange so maybe it had tomato base for color? Tasty. The jumbo coconut shrimp was succulent. Asparagus was huge. I've had Cubano sandwiches before and this one was presented excellently. I just thought something was missing from the flavor profile. My friend's Caribbean Curry wasn't spicy, which I was surprised about. Creamy coconut flavor was present. Hernan waited on us and we were never rushed. Great place to catch up with friends or have a quiet family dinner. Can't wait to try more items!

**Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars** As a first-timer to La Bodeguita del Medio, I was looking for that transportive experience you always hear about on California Ave, and they definitely delivered on the vibes and the flavors. It's a beautifully curated space--from the artwork and photos to the furniture, you feel culturally immersed in a Havana-inspired soulfulness from the moment you walk in. *The Service:* Huge shoutout to our waiter! Since it was our first visit, we really appreciated his patience. He walked us through the menu with genuine care and steered us toward the crowd favorites. He hit that perfect balance of being attentive without hovering. *The Food:* *Camarones: We started with the spicy sautéed shrimp on Cuban toast. The citrus sauce was vibrant, and the heat from the habanero had a great kick that didn't overwhelm the flavor. Highly recommend. *Arroz con Pollo: My friend's plate was massive. If you aren't "starving artist" hungry, this is easily shareable. Very traditional and satisfying. *Ropa Vieja: I went for the classic shredded skirt steak, which is essentially their version of a Cuban "surf and turf." The steak was cooked to perfection and tender, but the presentation was the winner--three large fried shrimp stacked right on top of the mashed sweet potatoes. Speaking of which, those sweet potatoes were incredibly soft and creamy--honestly, one of the highlights of the plate for me. *The Drinks:* I sampled three different cocktails, and the mixology here is clearly high-level, though I have one specific gripe. *Zacapa Manhattan & S.T. Old Fashioned:** Both were expertly balanced. I loved the subtle Cuban twists on these classics. However, the glassware was... odd. They were served in what looked like stemless port glasses. For drinks that belong in a heavy lowball or a proper martini glass, this felt like a miss. It honestly threw me off! Maybe it's a specific Cuban tradition I'm unaware of? ‍ *Café Cubano Martini:** This one came in the "correct" martini glass and was stellar. Creamy, rich espresso flavor--the perfect finish. *Bottom Line:* Is it pricey? Yes ($$$). But let's be real--those are just the standard Palo Alto "taxes" we pay these days. For the quality of the food and the excellent service, a 4.5 is well-deserved. I'll definitely be back, though I might bring my own rocks glass next time! ;)

We had a team offsite dinner here with about 18 people. Originally I had emailed inquiring about the back patio, but the rental fee was too high for our budget. Lara from La Bodeguita was super accommodating and offered the front "Cuban Corral" for us for not additional charge. There were heaters and even a blanket for each chair. The food and drinks were really reasonably priced, and the happy hour is long (12-6pm) with decent offerings including $5 beers and $8 Moscow mules. There's some snacks too. We ordered various appetizers including the croquets, black bean balls (which were surprisingly tasty), empanadas, chicharrones which were actually chicken and shrimp. Everything was yummy, but I would skip the empanadas next time. For entree, I got the surf and turf. The shrimps were big and meaty. I would recommend La Bodeguita for your next team event!

Saw some mixed reviews here but still decided to give it a try (some of the negative reviews were pretty old). We came in a group of 4 adults and 2 toddlers. We went with the paella, cubano sandwich, and palmitos salad. - Paella: 4.5/5. I personally preferred the rice to be more moist (kinda in between Spanish and Portuguese style) and this place nailed it. The shrimp was tender (our kids loved the shrimp), and mussels were big and meaty. It came in a decent portion. The price tag was a bit higher than some other restaurants' offerings but not outrageous. - Cubano sandwich: 5/5. Pleasantly surprised with the portion for under $20. The bread was crunchy and the meat and cheese go pretty well together. - Palmitos salad: 4.5/5. A rather rare combination of ingredients but worked pretty well. I liked the vinegar flavor. Portion is a bit small for its price. Service was awesome no complaints there. Reservation was also easy on the phone. Theres a parking lot a block away. Would revisit with friends. Note: theres a 5% surcharge for dine-in.

Came here almost on a whim. It's been on my list for a minute and I've been craving Cuban food after a decent experience earlier this month. We had the chicharron (I think) and the ribs. Both were good. I wish the pork had a bit more salt, and that the ribs were a bit less dry. In terms of flavors, it was mostly there. The plantains and other side dishes were pretty good. The staff were attentive and good. We were seated closer to the front of the restaurant and it didn't really feel like it. I really enjoyed the layout of the place. Good spot for a date night. Definitely consider sharing a few things and sample!

The food was delicious. We ordered the shrimp on a toast for app and it was citrusy, garlicky with a nice heat. The pollo con arroz was cooked well where the chicken was cooked perfectly and the rice as well. The skirt steak and shrimp was also cooked to perfection. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and was not chewy which can be the case for a skirt steak and it came with a mashed sweet potato which was a great accompaniment.

We came here for a work dinner and it was a great choice. I started with the pork empanadas. Absolutely amazing! Perfectly seasoned filling and the dough had that ideal texture, crispy on the outside, soft inside. Honestly, I could've eaten a whole plate of those on their own. For my main, I had the pork masitas, which did not disappoint. The pork was super tender, and it came with veggies, rice, and beans. Everything was flavorful and well prepared. The portion was pretty big too. I had enough leftovers to take home. Service was solid and the atmosphere was relaxed but still nice enough for a group dinner. I'd definitely come back just for those empanadas!

Had the paella and it was not good , tasteless. Also pricey , for me and not worth a return trip .The area was the only nice part , but not worth it.

I'm surprised I never saw this place before but I'm so glad to have found them today. I'm in the south bay a few times a month so I enjoy trying new restaurants. LaBo was at the top of my search list so we decided to give it a try. First impression was favorable, the spot is very cute. I love seeing the representation of Cubans in the artwork. Often that is not the case (IYKYK) so that was a quick win in my book. The menu (we were offered both the happy hour and the regular menu) was robust enough for me to feel torn between a few dishes. We sat outside and really loved being on the patio which was pretty quiet for a Tuesday at 1530. We started with the empanadas which I have no business eating (I'm GF not by choice so I took the enzyme pills) and they were fabulous. Well seasoned and came with black beans and a cabbage slaw. Excellent. The we shared the Yesina salad and that made me feel very good about myself as only a fresh, well made salad can. Then! I had the arroz con pollo because I'd seen so many positive reviews and I've been knocking back way too much been and pork the last few days. It was AMAZING and a generous portion.my partner had the Chicarrones El Pollo sandwich and I don't know what kind of sorcery is happening in that kitchen but this dish ROCKS (NOPE, I wasn't supposed to eat that either). We wrapped it up with Havana Banana dessert and waddle out of there happy and ready for a nap. They will see me again. The service was attentive and made the experience a 5 star all around.

There aren't many Cuban restaurants in the Bay Area, so I'm glad we found one nearby. Everything we ordered was delicious! We had mussels, crab cakes, and the Tierra y Mar (10/10). The skirt steak was cooked perfectly, very tender meat. For drinks, we tried the sangria and mojito, both of which were great. They also serve bread with Cuban oil (free). I ended up buying a bottle of oil to enjoy with my bread at home, it has a nice, subtle spicy kick. We sat at the bar since the regular seats were full, but we didn't mind. It's more convenient for grabbing extra drinks lol. It does get pretty packed, so I recommend making a reservation or coming early.

I was excited to try cuban food and had read about the cultural decor The experience was ruined by the waiter assigned to our table he was overly aggressive and didn't listen The result we hadn't finished talk to him about our order he sped inside and showed up with food we hadn't finished tts order yet for drinks similar theme what on whole night he didn't listen and at last the time to pay he won't let go of the payment device hovering over to watch what we would pay his tip The food was nothing to write home about either the cigar bar and service was underwhelming too

Been here a half dozen times and this is my first review. In the past, I've gotten the paella, but we didn't want to wait that long this trip plus not everyone at the table wanted paella. So we enjoyed two delicious dishes. The first is called ROPA VIEJA, aka the 'CUBAN CLASSIC'. It's braised then shredded skirt steak, stewed with chilis, peppers & tomatoes, platanos maduros, yellow rice, sofrito. It is so good you always want more when your plate is finished. The second is called ARROZ con POLLO. It's a traditional, cuban style, braised chicken, spiced yellow rice, platanos maduros. Ambiance is nice. Good drinks. Nice location on California street in Palo Alto to walk around a bit before or after your meal.

Pretty solid. There ain't a lot of Cuban restaurants much less decent ones in the area so def wanted to swing by and give this spot a try. Generally everything was good. I don't remember anything really standing out except the ropa vieja. That was my fav dish of the night. Also the national cocktail was really good. The guava ribs were also interesting. Overall while I prob wouldn't make a detour specifically, if I was in the area and specifically wanted Cuban food I def wouldn't mind coming back to try their other dishes

Hey there Party People If you have a craving Authentic Cuban food look no further than La Bodeguita Del Medio. The atmosphere is wonderful with great outside cafe seating as well as a cozy interior. I came here with friends and our waitress was wonderful allowing us time to chat without hovering. We started with some marinated Olives and plantain chip appetizers with a great bean salsa. We shared our entrees so we could all experience the amazing choices. We had the Ribs and the BBQ sauce was finger licking good I'm talking succulent a total flavor bomb. The marinated Skirt steak with coconut shrimp was wonderful. All of the sides with it were top notch. I didn't know that I loved sweet potatoes until I ate here. To cap off or great foodie experience we had to get dessert. Some amazing choice to be had but after much debate we settled on a chocolate decadent cake with a chocolate ganache. It was extremely rich and delicious a chocolate lovers dream. But we didn't stop there we were determined to fill every inch of our stomach so we also shared a Plantains smothered in a brown sugar Carmel sauce, talk about taking you taste buds to the next level....soooo good I will eat here again and again. If you want the full Cuban experience there is also a cigar room in the back with an expert there to educate and help you choose the right cigar for you. Be kind to one another

Really tasty food, reasonable portion sizes, excellent service. Environment was very nice. The food is seasoned well, not over the top, not under seasoned. We had the chicken, skirt steak, crab cakes, roasted asparagus, and banana Havana dessert. Our server was new, but very attentive and professional. Also, Happy Hour from 12-5! We'd love to come again and try more dishes.

Food is okay. I don't recall anything really standing out or super memorable... Ceviche comes with fried banana chips. Interior is a bit dark, and could be more inviting.

Cuban spot on California in PA that's been around for a while that I found to be just OK. 3.5 stars Food 3.5 Service: 3 Atmosphere 3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (starters ~$17, entrees ~$25-30) Opentableable: no but on their website few days prior Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Shrimp special: was delicious with a lobster butter sauce and delightful white mashed sweet potatoes. 4.5 stars - Empanadas: filled with lots of pork and crispy exterior. 4 stars - Pork: large portion of braised pork with some beans. 3.5 stars - Many rum drinks on the menu - Had a long bar and outdoor seating in the street Midlights - Limited menu lacking some Cuban staples like vaca frita or deep fried pork cubes - Croquettes: just ok didn't have much flavor. 3 stars - For the fanfare around the mojito here thought it also was just ok. Lowlights - Waitress started off great but went MIA after our food arrived. When finally got a hold of someone, they didn't ask if we wanted dessert and just dropped off the bill. Hadn't been here in years and had an OK dinner, but wanted it to be a bit better.

Enjoyed the Cuban Social Hours on Friday afternoon... bring your boss, and have a tour of Cuban cuisine and Rum. Loved the Shrimp Po Boy and Havana Mule. Bartenders Georgie and Louis are a pleasure to hangout with, and very knowledgeable on Cuban Rum and cigars -- the well appointed back room is well ventilated in case your boss enjoys cigars!

Lively ambiance with a great addition of the smoking bar in the back of the restaurant. Menu was well created and food was beautifully made. Every dish was plated well and precise. I loved the portions on the paella and how fresh and flavor each appetizer was as well. Cigar bar had a large array of choices from beginner friendly items to expert such as mini cigarillos to large cigars imported from various countries

If you're looking for a Cuban restaurant with a side of sexism, gaslighting, and management so tone-deaf they might as well be the house band -- congratulations, you've found it. We booked a birthday dinner for nine. The restaurant seated us outside directly next to a speaker blasting street-fair music at stadium levels. Imagine trying to shout across a long rectangular table just to say "pass the salt." Romantic, right? Here's the outrageous part: they admitted this event happens every year, that the noise complaints happen every year, and yet they still keep the outdoor seating open without warning guests. Closing those tables for the evening, or simply telling me when I made the reservation, would have solved the problem completely. Instead, they served us misery at full volume. When I politely raised this to the hosts, the younger one seemed helpful enough. But then her colleague -- a shorter male host -- decided to interrupt me mid-sentence with "please lower your voice." Yes, you read that correctly. Standing two feet from a blaring speaker, I was told to hush like a misbehaving child. That single smug remark turned a frustrating situation into an infuriating one. But he wasn't done. Moments later, he leaned over to my husband (in Spanish) and suggested he "control your woman." This was my husband's birthday dinner, and instead of celebrating, he was treated to a live demonstration of how not to run a restaurant. Misogyny on the menu -- who knew? Management then doubled down. A female manager appeared, already primed to defend her staff before hearing our side. She lectured us that the city is responsible for the noise, not them. So I returned the favor and asked her to "lower her voice." Her stunned silence was proof of the obvious: apparently, staff are allowed to yell at customers, but customers must whisper like we're in a monastery. To recap: the noise wasn't their fault, but the hostility, sexism, and arrogance were 100% theirs. If you value respectful service, avoid this place like the plague. There are plenty of restaurants in town that understand the difference between hospitality and hostility.

This Cuban restaurant has been a Bay Area go to for nearly 30 years. I tell all the visitors to go here. The cocktails are exceptional. I loved a key lime pie with gram cracker crusted rim which is no longer available. However I recently discovered the National and Hemingway were really good too. I recommend the seafood Ajoaco, this dish is shareable 2-3 ppl and totally worth it. The broth is creamy and tomato based with perfectly cooked lobster, mussel, shrimp and yukon. It is delicious with rice and bread.

We haven't been here for over 15 years and my wife decided to come here for her birthday on Friday. This place did not disappoint. The service was great and the food and drinks were still really good. Our friend and cousins were also impress with the place for their first visit. We started off with our usual drink, the mojito. I ordered the mexcalito and if you like smokey cocktails, I highly recommend this. I then ordered j.s.p.m. followed by nacional no 1. Both those drinks are more on the fruity side but very refreshing for a warm evening. My wife ordered the j.s.p.m. after her mojito and enjoyed the drink as well. We ordered our usual appetizers that we would get back then which were camarones con mojo, pan roasted pei mussels, and crab cakes. The broth in the mussels and shrimp were very delicious and rich in flavor that we dipped our complimentary bread into it. Do not skip on these 3 dishes if you plan on ordering appetizers. For our main course, we knew we could never go wrong with tierra y mar and paella cubana so we ordered these two dishes again but as family style so the whole table can share. The steak was very tender and packed with flavor. The coconut shrimp was fried to perfection where we could taste the coconut strip and it did not taste burnt compared to other places. The paella was moist and the olive added an interesting twist to the flavor. Everyone enjoyed the dishes and were glad that my wife chose this location to celebrate her birthday dinner. We didn't realize what time it was and we stayed well after they closed. The host came over and politely told us that they were already closed and that the busboy was waiting to clean our table. We felt bad and apologized. The host understood and was very cordial about it. Highly recommend this place for the service, food, drink, and of course, the ambiance.

We took my parents out to dinner for a family celebration and enjoyed the dinner, service, and ambiance. It's hard to pick a favorite out of all the dishes we tried but the arroz con pollo and the Tierra y mar were both hits. Lots of great Cuban flavor and traditional dishes. We highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time as they were very busy after 6pm. We also loved checking out the cigar room in the back! Such a cool vibe. We'll be back again.

We had a great girls' night out at Boguedita del Medio. It's so nice that you can reserve a table and not worry about crowds or a wait - the indoor/outdoor seating is nice, too. My friend and I got margaritas and shared small plates together - the ensalada de yesica, croquetas (yummm) and plantain chips. Everything was filling and flavorful without being heavy. Our server was very warm and attentive and made sure to check in on us as we stayed a while catching up. Looking forward to coming back and trying more dishes!

I live in a cave because how else to explain I didn't know about this gem? Blown away by food: bold, explosive, refined flavors. All ingredients pristinely fresh execution attention to detail. I was vegan for six months--their Cubano sandwich broke me. It's a thing of beauty, oozy melty cheese with ham nestled in between crusty baguette. When ordering we asked our server to put only half the amount of ham, which they did. The ratio of bread to ham to cheese ... OMG it slaps, a bit of heaven. I'm embarrassed to say I got emotional and teary. I'm begging you, get their mussels--plump and meaty, with a broth that sings. That broth slaps, so gooood, we asked for more bread to sop it up, could've drank a vat of it. The crab cakes moist and flaky with a perfect crispy exterior. The hearts of palm and avocado salad with ruby red grapefruit and greens, tangy and refreshing, a dressing that didn't overwhelm the ingredients. Black bean soup, laden with beans rather than broth and not overly spicy, hearty. Their portions are generous, enough for two people to share. The interior stunning with gorgeous artwork. Customer service warm, friendly and accommodating. Prices are more than reasonable, especially for the quality of ingredients and cooking technique. That chef is gifted, what a rock star. Can't wait to go back and taste other stuff. Btw., I'd been to two other cuban restaurants and didn't like them. This is an entirely different universe, another level of flavor, texture, dialed way up. Food here is fire.

On a recent trip back to the Bay area, me and some girlfriends had a lovely dinner at La Bodeguita del Medio. We've been here before, located on the classic Street of California Ave with other lovely local restaurants nearby. La Bodeguita has an amazing extensive menu of Latin American delights in classics. Highlights for us were the classic paella and various salads that we ordered to share. One of our friends is gluten free, they have limited options for that... So just be aware that if have some severe food allergies... Due to the way that their fryer works across contamination is likely. But despite that everything that we had was absolutely delicious. Portions were generous and the flavors were exceptional. Definitely a restaurant to order things to share and try. Highly recommend making a reservation... We were a large party but by the time we're leaving to every table was basically full and a waiting line outside the door. Come check them out!

A perfectly standard spot. Nothing to write home about, but a nice spot to grab a cocktail. The bartenders were very friendly and helpful.

Service, food and ambiance continues to be 5 stars all the way around! This time around my friend and I shared a bindle of BBQ ribs, Havana Bananas, Crab Cakes and Palmitos Salad. Everything was sooooo good. We had several servers throughout the night, but at the end we had Georgie, great service! I am writing another review to state that when I entered the restaurant and was seated, I was offered a "floor pillow" since she noticed that I was sporting an Aircast. She left and came back with a pillow for me to plop on the floor to place my foot on it. Who would have thought that this pillow would provide so much comfort during the dinner. I mean seriously it was glorious. It took off the pressure without having to remove the Aircast. It wasn't until much later in the evening, that I found out that the person that offered the floor pillow was the owner. THANK YOU, for keeping your patrons happy and as comfortable as possible!!! I really appreciated it and was touched. While wearing the Aircast, I have been to plenty of restaurants and no one has offered anything to make me more comfortable. Yay, for floor pillows and even more for empathetic people.

What an amazing place. I've been coming here since 1998 or 99 and it still doesn't disappoint. I visited again last night and had a great experience. The staff and owners Michael and Lara are friendly, welcoming and exceptionally gracious. The colors and ambiance transport me to another time. The stainless steel bar top surrounded by rich, dark wood are warm and inviting. Stainless steel topped bar tables are a clean contrast against the dark and light woods and create a scene out of a Hollywood movie. Simply put, this restaurant is beautiful and clean. The pride of ownership shines through. The food is exceptional. I sipped on a Paloma that was balanced and bittersweet. Shrimp ceviche was fresh, tangy and delicious. Ropa Vieja was rich and complex and came with maduros, rice and beef. Tierra y Mar had perfectly seasoned skirt steak accompanied by shrimp. The flan was exceptionally good and not overly sweet. To finish, the gelato was delicious and paired well with an amazing line up of rum. As I head to smoke a cigar in the divan, I pass by the walk-in humidor. The humidor is brightly lit in contrast to the cigar divan that is reminiscent of a smoking room from the 30s or 40s. Upholstered banquets line both sides of the room with other tables and chairs creating a comfortable smoking experience. All together, there's a reason I've been visiting for over 20 years. I love this place. Omid

La Bod is almost a local institution. We showed up on a random weekday and it was a struggle to be seated. Eventually, we were seated on an outside table, basking in the late afternoon rays of sunlight of June in Palo Alto. The mojito was a nice aperitif, and then the paella was flavourful, and full of delicious and fresh seafood. I have no complaints about the food at all. What wasn't great, however, was the experience at the end: they bring the credit card reader to your table, and when I pointed out to my friend that they'd already added a 5% surcharge, which is akin to a tip, the waiter shot me a dirty glare. I think that pressuring people to add a standard tip multiple when you've already added a surcharge is shady behaviour.

Very good Cuban cuisine with a nice variety of dishes to choose from and an even wider variety of wine, spirits & cocktails to choose from. The Masitas de Puerco had nice big tender & flavorful chunks of pork served with some rice, black beans & picked onions. It was a nice generous portion which I was glad to share with one of my dining companions. The Ropa Vieja Cuban Classic had braised shredded skirt steak in nice sauce and Platanos Maduros. It was a decent sized entree but not a huge amount. Some of the others in our group had the Cuban sandwich which looked really good, the Pasta Verde, and the Tierra y Mar (marinated skirt steak). On cocktails, the Mojito and the S.T. old fashion were both good but not very strong in liquor which is nice if you are looking for something light. Service was pleasant and there were some long lag times in between so allow plenty of time for your meal. Do check what you order because we had to remind the servers of a couple of food items we ordered but didn't get, which they brought after reminding them when we realized something was missing. Overall,still a very nice meal and a very nice restaurant.

Had a couple of tapas here! Sitting outside was really nice and had a cool vibe. Much better than inside, it was so dark inside! Server was great; super duper attentive. Surprisingly the popcorn chicken was good and flavorful! I wasn't used to the ceviche since it was a lighter sauce.

We keep coming back and have enjoyed pretty much all of the dishes! Shout out to Richard for the good service. Good vibes inside and they have fire pits outside for heating, though it can get pretty cold. I also can't wait for their dine-in surcharge to get banned.

Came here on a Friday dinner for Mother's Day weekend. We called earlier to make a reservation, but they only had outside seats available. We walked in and they had bar tables open, so we sat there instead. We got the Seafood Paella, Chicken Empanadas, and Fried Calamari. Seafood Paella 4.5/5: Huge portion, good enough to feed around 3 people. The rice was delicious and flavorful. The mussels and clams all around it were alright, could have used more flavor or sauce for them. Chicken Empanadas 4/5: Quite large, comes with 3 for each order. The insides are very hot so be careful! It was also slightly spicy. They were pretty good and a generous amount of meat inside. There was also red cabbage below it but didn't really add anything to the dish. Fried Calamari 4/5: Your typical fried calamari. It wasn't on the menu but we saw people post pictures of it so we asked if they had it, and they could make it for us. The calamari was crispy and their tartar sauce went amazing with it.

Pretty interesting space in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. With lavish like interior. Two sides for dining inside and outdoor seating. Wish we could have sat on the bar side but still great service. The food was different. Definitely the Cuban flavors and a hint of different textures. Definitely a niche cubano space in the area that's a must try if you haven't been.

On a whim, my SIL decided to have her bday dinner in the sunnier & warmer part of the Peninsula vs. San Francisco. We browsed around Stanford Shopping Center then hit our reservation at 6pm. We called that day and found out that it only had a spot for outdoor seating at 6pm, otherwise 5:00 or 7:30pm inside. The weather was nice so we didn't mind sitting outside. When we parked and saw that California Ave. was blocked off for just foot traffic, we saw booths and bands playing! We found out it was one of the 3rd Thursday on California Ave. events! We were lucky to have chosen this area and ended up having a live band playing music across the street. It was an 80s almost all Women's "punk-infused" 90's Rock band--The Hyperdrive Kittens. It may have been a little loud and at times hard to hear our waiter, Hernan but we all went with the festive atmosphere and laughed it off! To start, we had some Cuban Beer, Sangria, Cuban Sidecar and a Basil-Ginger Mocktail. We also ordered appetizers: Fried Yuca, Croquetas and Shrimp Ceviche. I also ordered the Crab Cakes and our waiter asked if we wanted 4 instead of 3 since we were a party of 4, but I told him 3 was fine. We were brought bread and an orange colored dipping oil. Loved the Croquetas as they were soft and savory on the inside. Fried Yuca seemed like a healthy alternative to French Fries and were definitely not greasy! The Shrimp Ceviche was in a small glass container and didn't really stand out to me. It's Cuban inspired food so it's def not a Peruvian tangy flavor. For entrees, I ordered the Tierra y Mar as the photos and reviews were mostly good. It had asparagus, sofrito mashed potatoes which were buttery and flavorful but not greasy, 3 crispy Coconut Shrimp and the skirt steak topped with an Avocado-Cilantro Pesto. The end pieces were tender but as I got to the middle, the meat was sinewy and not very tender. It probably needed to be marinated a bit longer. I had to spit out 4-5 pieces of tough pieces of meat because it was not tender. Unfortunate since the plate looked enticing, but the meat didn't deliver. Other dishes ordered were the Cubano Sandwich which had lots of meat and very good bread; the Pollo a la Plancha was the special and my SIL thought it was a good portion with tender pieces of thigh meat. The Ropa Vieja tasted like braised Pork that's in Mexican burritos but it was actually braised & shredded skirt steak with chilies & tomatoes. It came with soft plantains and yellow rice. We never got our Crab Cakes so I told Hernan to forget bringing it. He apologized. For a celebration dessert, my SIL was brought a Key Lime Tart that we split in 4 after she blew out her candle. All in all, it was a good meal except for the tough meat & no crab cakes which I really wanted to try. To note, there's a 5% Dine-In surcharge tacked on to your pre-taxed bill. Disclaimer says: "La Bodeguita Del Medio applies a surcharge of 5% on all items. This is to offset rising operational costs and is not a service gratuity."

Tasted food samples from here at a fair on California Avenue (3rd Thursday). They're very nice and the croquetas are delicious!

This was one of the best tapas I've been to. There is literally a lot of items which are delicious and you must try we loved the interiors and the Spanish style ambience it almost took us back to Spain. Dont miss in their popular seafood paella. We loved the way we were treated there and we'd love to go back with a larger group to try more food.

Hands down one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. There's only a handful of restaurants I'd recommend to people if they want a nice meal that won't disappoint and this is one of them. Ordered the potato croquetas, ropa vieja, and the mezcalito. POTATO CROQUETAS: they were nice a crispy on the outside but super soft on the inside. A mix of a little sweet and salty. Very tasty and came with a delicious dipping sauce. ROPA VIEJA: had my mouth watering! The beef was so tender, juicy and flavorful. Paired really well with the rice, which was cooked perfectly, not hard but not soft and full of flavor. Me trying to describe it does not do it justice.

Came here on a Tuesday night (date night!) for dinner and did outdoor dining. Very nice ambiance since we choose seats that enabled us to see the street of downtown Palo Alto and live music playing at Terun --it's a vibe y'all. It was a bit of a chilly evening so we ordered seafood ajiaco, which is an like a seafood stew. This dish was delicious --very savory and buttery! It included x2 lobster tails (4 half tails), lotta mussels, shrimp, and yuca/plantains in mildly spicy tomato cream sauce. It came out in a pan w/ a side of rice and your choice of salad or slaw. There was so much food, we had to take some home with us. We also ordered drinks, mine was the "hemingway" - was a bit sour for me, but overall decent. Came here on a Tuesday night (date night!) for dinner and did outdoor dining. Very nice ambiance since we choose seats that enabled us to see the street of downtown Palo Alto and live music playing at Terun --it's a vibe y'all. It was a bit of a chilly evening so we ordered seafood ajiaco, which is an like a seafood stew. This dish was delicious --very savory and buttery! It included x2 lobster tails (4 half tails), lotta mussels, shrimp, and yuca/plantains in mildly spicy tomato cream sauce. It came out in a pan w/ a side of rice and your choice of salad or slaw. There was so much food, we had to take some home with us. We also ordered drinks, mine was the "hemingway" - was a bit sour for me, but overall decent.

The most fantastic service by Georgie at the bar. Extremely friendly and laid back place with soft lighting and tasty food. I don't come to Cuban food very frequently but I'd come back.

Went with some friends to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday was amazing , we had sangria, delicious , Ropa Vieja delicious . Service was amazing , I ask the host was amazing so Grateful for him , atmosphere was so much fun , thank you to everyone there ! !

The atmosphere and service is great The food is cooked with so much flavor so delicious and drinks are on point!! This restaurant did not disappoint I highly recommend them.

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.

Classic go-to on Cal Ave in Palo Alto. My office always comes here with a big group for work dinners, and the food quality is consistent. Food: We always get the palmitos salad, platanos maduros, yuca frita and the croquetas for appetizers (and honestly you can get full on that without a main). This time I chose the ropa vieja for my main and was satisfied, but I usually always get the vegan Cuban hash (even if I'm not vegan). Cocktails are creative, and the mojitos come in their unique glass. Service: I really always appreciate the service and accommodations given for big groups here. Whether you're a party of 2 or a party of 12, the staff work hard to get you what you need politely. I do echo some reviews here that you need to wait a bit before getting orders taken, but I never felt ignored. Ambiance: I feel like the flexible environment is what I would come here for. Sunny day? Sit outside. Cold winter day? Sit inside. Plenty of space in either option, and the vibe is casual. Overall, I enjoy coming here every now and then to satisfy that craving for Cuban classics.

We love La Bodrguita del Medio. It is one of our go to places to take guests or just for special occasions. Usually can get a table last minute. The seating is also great for toddlers as the outdoor section is just open to California Street which is blocked off, no cars! Food portions are large, and fair value for price. Service is always on point, we usually don't need to wait long for food or bill or water, but they also aren't over bearing. We have tried a bunch of different things on the menu. The croquettes are always good.. our toddler loved these so much that he made us get another portion. Hubby loves the yuccas with the white and red sauce. We usually get the bbq ribs which come with yuccas. The skirt steak is also good value in that it comes with coconut shrimp! We have tried the empanadas and those are quite tasty with a nice tiny spicy kick. One time we got the special fish and chips, which were pretty tasty, but I would prolly go for the other regular items over the fish. Drinks are decent, but nothing to write home about. The reason why I give this place 5 stars is that they're consistently solid, provide good food, good value. You know that it will always be a good experience here!

The atmosphere is inviting, warm & has a great vibe. You can't make a wrong choice on the menu. Everything I've ordered over the years has been stellar & authentic. Always fresh ingredients, served piping hot & great service. Highly recommend!

So happy that a Stanford local shared this gem with us. We loved the ambiance and the food. Delicious crispy tostones served with a marinated chicken dip, Tierra y Mar, a tender, seasoned sliced flank steak and coconut crusted shrimp served alongside with a heaping mound of mashed potatoes and asparagus. I think that the mash potatoes were tinted with paprika so they looked like mashed sweet potatoes. The black bean soup, white rice and platanos maduros were delicious and the best option for a vegetarian. Note: this is a Cuban restaurant with no Cuban employees. But, the food was deliciously and surprisingly Cuban with a fancy twist. Our only wish was that we would have been properly greeted and/or welcomed when we entered the restaurant. It was awkward for a moment, not knowing what to do, stand at the entryway or seat ourselves. Kudos to the gracious manager whom we met later and the busboy who checked on us with a smile often