Macarena Restaurant in Palo Alto

The restaurant has a nice design and a welcoming atmosphere. There’s a good selection of tapas and main dishes. We mainly ordered tapas, which were just okay. Our server was friendly, though the service felt a bit unpolished, perhaps due to inexperience. I’d be open to coming back to try the paellas.

Hashtag "Amazing appetizers but average main courses". From the top, I was here at a company event and got to enjoy the wide range of food and beverages the restaurant offers. Fantastic bar with a good selection of cocktails, wine and beer. While sipping and chatting we got served some of the best appetizers I had in some time. The bar and its setting is perfectly setup for that combo of multiple platters of delicious finger foods and a beverage of choice. I think we should have stopped after the appetizers as the main courses did not live up to the promise. We had the seafood, vegetarian and pork paella. The scallops were overcooked and chewy, the rice a bit dry and lacked flavor. Great presentation but not what I expected from paella. The salmon was disappointing as it was dry. The pork on the platters was overcooked and on the dry side. Maybe these dishes are better when served for smaller parties but didn't do much for me. The desserts were uplifting and certainly a nice way to close out the evening. I would certainly come back just to sample the appetizers again. Service was attentive and the place is nicely decorated.

Excellent service from staff (thank you Sylvia and team!) and beautiful presentation. Jamon was amazing. Gambas and tomato bread textures were great, oxtail temp was nice and hot and gravy was delicious. Octopus was so tender, paella was perfect, tiramisu was so creamy. Drinks were on the sweeter side and food was unevenly seasoned, a bit on the saltier side. Made a reservation online and easy parking on the street with an early dinner. Restaurant got really busy by the time we left. Great for small or larger parties and conversation.

I would definitely say our new favorite Spanish tapas in the South Bay/peninsula! Service was top notch, drinks came out super fast which is always a plus. Pork paella was delicious, especially crispy. Eggplant chips are so unique and tasty. The Gambas al pil pil was delicious too.

Hands down, my new favorite restaurant in Palo Alto and one of the best meals I’ve had in quite some time!! Not only were they kind enough to fit our party in on a busy Saturday night, but the ambiance and food was EPIC!!! All of the cocktails were also fantastic! (I got their special Pride themed cocktail while my friends got the Alhambra and a Manhattan). For starters, we got the churros bravo and the eggplant chips. For mains, we got the vegan paella, branzino, and grilled calamari. Everything was flavorful and delicious!! 1000% recommend!

I can’t decide if the food or the service in this restaurant are better as they are both truly amazing. It’s been a long time since a restaurant has blown my socks off but I have to say this restaurant is truly exceptional! From the moment my party walked in the door the host was welcoming. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. We were promptly seated by and brought drinks by our waitress Sylvia. The drinks were delicious and kept refreshed throughout the meal. Appetizers were incredible, tasty and plenty to share. My main course the steak cooked perfectly and melts in my mouth with every bite! Over all, best meal I have had in a long time. Thank you to the staff, Sylvia, David, the tall host and three gentlemen who helped with the table. Truly excellent service! Will be visiting every time I visit San Francisco!!!

Went here for dinner with coworkers, and it seemed like a lot of other tables were team dinners too. It’s definitely a great spot for groups, but the ambiance also makes it a solid date night choice. Food was awesome—highly recommend the steak paella. The only miss for me was the eggplant chips (I’d say pick something else). There’s a parking lot right next to it which is super convenient if you’re driving

first off, amazing service. The staff are very kind and personable. They’re quick, the food came out fast! We have a full dinner in under an hour and a half but we’re never rushed at any point! The food was all really good and prices were very reasonable! Their potato churro’s aioli is so good, they even brought us out a spicy house sauce for our paella and it was SO GOOD. Can’t wait to go back!

My Partner and I went here on our date night and even though we booked a last minute reservation for a 9PM table, we had fantastic food and super attentive service. We had the pleasure of enjoying our meal with the help of Sandy, who provided us with some incredible recommendations and even assisted us by staggering our dishes as they came out. While trying to figure out what we wanted to eat for the night, we shared a bright and delightfully refreshing drink in the Cava Affair. We decided on getting tapas instead of any full dishes which was one of the best decisions we made. We were able to enjoy so many delicious flavors, but my personal favorite was the truffled bikini and its simplicity. Tons of flavor packed in between two perfectly toasted slices of white bread. My partner's favorite was the fresh homestyle bread dipped in the deeply earthy Spanish olive oil. To top off the night, both of us were recommended to try the saquets de crema and we were dazzled by the flavors. I highly recommend making a stop at Macarena and enjoying some tapas while sharing a drink or two. The vibes are perfect for conversation so it's hard not to get into a chatty mood when the atmosphere of the dining room calls for enjoying the companionship of the people around you.

As soon as you walk in the ambience and decor immediately set the tone and expectations. What a lovely space. Dinner was magnificent. We ordered the churros bravos, jamon iberico, abuelita's meatballs and the braised oxtail with potato puree. We also added the pan con tomate to eat with the jamon. We ordered two plates and somehow the jamon was delayed in arriving to our table, then the second plate was even more delayed than that. Thankfully it was good so we didn't mind too much. The Branzino is so light and packed with flavor. I enjoyed it and wish we had ordered more. The paella was very good. We had two of the ribeye. I want to try the squid ink next. Service was very attentive thanks to Alfredo and Zoltan. Definitely returning to Macarena very soon!

I really really wanted to like this place, but after having been to multiple teleferic locations, vida tapas y cocteles, and emerald hour/broma restaurant, which are all the surrounding Spanish restaurants, and Spain last year, this place came up short. It is a very beautiful restaurant with good service, so that was a plus. We were waiting for some friends so we sat at the bar and got some drinks, the classic red sangria and the cava sangria. The red one was better. I also ordered a melon y jamon cocktail but this was not good, it was supposed to be a cantaloupe cordial but had a very strange off-putting flavor, so they let me switch to a la musa which has fresh raspberry juice and was much better. They did comp the cocktail I didn't like which was nice. Then we got our table, and for food we enjoyed the churros bravas, texture was so crispy and the aioli was yummy. The artichokes had good flavor and romesco sauce but some of the outermost leaves were quite fibrous, so I couldn't chew and swallow part of it, had to spit it out. The croquettes were good in flavor but the inside filling was very creamy and leaked out when you bit into it, I prefer a firmer one, this was soupy. The tuna empanadas were tasty. We had ordered the "wagyu" which we thought would be a steak, instead it was a piece of braised/stewed beef that didn't taste like wagyu at all. It tasted like a mediocre boring short rib. Wouldn't order that again. We had high hopes for the squid ink paella, but it was disappointing, it had 4 scallops and just a few tiny pieces of shrimp tails, not even whole shrimp. And shaved asparagus stems instead of actual pieces of asparagus, no asparagus tips. The flavor was ok but not amazing. If you look at photos people have posted they all look similar to what we got, minimal seafood toppings. I have had the paella at all the restaurants I mentioned in the beginning and unfortunately macarena's ranks at the bottom. We were still hungry after since the seafood was small, so we got the pulpo/octopus and that was good, lots of roasted garlic and good texture without being fried. Then we got the little packets of ice cream wrapped in phyllo dough and dipped in chocolate sauce for dessert, that was great, one of our friends thought it was the best dessert he ever had. Overall I do appreciate that their ambiance is beautiful, and service was good, but the food was disappointing. Will probably go back to my other Spanish places when I'm craving tapas y paella.

Macarena has beautiful Spanish ambiance reminding me of olden Philippine architecture, namely the wall frames & chandeliers. I was intrigued by the restaurant name and curious enough to try the place. I had a list of items I wanted to try and some of them were unavailable during my Sunday afternoon visit: truffled bikini sandwich, oxtail dip (timbal de rabo de toro). Eats: Eggplant chips Churros Bravos Olivada Broccolini Croquetas Jamon Paella Negra ordered Socarrat I enjoyed the churros bravos, never had savory potato churros before with an aioli dip! They were fragile and melted in your mouth. Broccolini was a tad overcooked as mentioned by other Yelpers. Eggplant chips were interesting but had a charred aftertaste. Croquetas were satisfactory. First time ordering paella negra and it wasn't as crispy as we'd liked, considering we ordered it socarrat. Flavor was pretty good and it was nice they had the signature aioli on the side. Service was prompt. Water was refilled frequently and they came by to check on us as needed. We were never rushed. I'd be willing to come back and try the unavailable items.

I've been here with a small group of friends and a large group of friends...Macarena did not disappoint. Food was amazing (I think their paella tastes better than Teleferic), drinks were delightful, and the service was very welcoming. I need to come back to try all the other delicious items on their menu.

Tapas always excite me, but this time it left me a little underwhelmed. Overall, the food was just ok -- some of the dishes didn't feel cohesive, others lacked flavor or dimension to the dish. Drinks, on the other hand, were great. We ordered three drinks between the two of us and liked each one. The table side gin experience was different and cool to see. The restaurant itself is very cute and modern inside. Service seems like it's a work in progress still. I think my go-to tapas spots for now will continue to be Puerta del Sol or Teleferic if I'm looking for a more trendy vibe.

I had a good time dining at Macarena, two tapas and a paella later I left happy and satiated! My friend and I walked in without a reservation on a Sunday at 1:30 PM and the tables were still quite full! We ordered the churros bravas (potato churros) and tuna tataki, along with the paella negra. The potato churros were interesting and came with a spicy aioli dip, I prefer traditional sugary churros over the savory ones but this was such an interesting dish! I also liked the tuna tataki, they were thickly cut and quite fresh in quality. The paella negra was also great, they didn't skimp on the seafood for us and they left some rice that was stuck to the bottom (not sure what the Spanish term is, but in Chinese it's called guoba). Definitely get this, it adds a crunch to the texture! Overall Macarena delivered on its promise of authentic Spanish food and friendly service.

I came here twice in a week. That's how yummy it is. The churros bravas were so different but so good. The jamon Iberico is perfect on the pan con tomate. Paellas are amazing. Every bite reminded me of being back in Spain. On top of that, the staff was amazing. The manager was awesome and putting up with me and my friends!

I had a wonderful experience here. Beautiful ambiance with good vibes. It took a lot of self control for me to not order a sangria... but I will be back... The prices are reasonable for the quality! My date and I shared the Churros Bravos to start, which was sooo scrumptious. Perfectly crispy and lightly salted. The mashed potato center was very satisfying. Loveddddd it. We also got the Paella de Pulpo, which was definitely the star of the day. Slightly crispy rice, which was flavored perfectly! Savory and had the perfect bite. The octopus was incredibly tender and the cauliflower added some contract to the flavors. They offer a garlic aioli and lemon to pair. I highly recommend! My date and I will definitely be back... and I need to try their jamon + sangria next time...

If you're looking for some authentic Spanish cuisine, then this is the spot! I've been on the search for some good garlic shrimp ever since I came back from Spain and I was so pleased to discover that Macarena had that dish! If you only order one item, you have to try their gambas al pil pil! The tuna tataki and ribeye paella were also super delicious! For drinks, we ordered the cava affair which is similar to a mimosa without the bubbliness and the Macarena gin which was light and fruity. I liked the Macarena gin better but both were good. My friend also ordered a sangria which had a stronger wine vs. fruity taste to it. Service was great; our waiter checked up on us frequently and everything came out pretty quick. I also loved the ambiance! Overall, I would definitely recommend this spot and I'll definitely be back!

Well, the reviews don't lie. It was a lovely experience. Oscar spoiled us, he's was attentive as well as the staff. Ambiance is romantic and whimsical. We'll be back. We recommend, the tapas, paella, and because we were celebrating our anniversary, they brought out a dessert. Wine pour was smaller, the clearing of the table was a little too fast, but other than that perfect!

5 stars for the very reasonable price conside the food quality and location! 4 stars for the flavors. The garlic prawns appetizer was absolutely bomb. Paella and dry aged steak were legitly flavorful. 3 stars for Some execution details. For example, the broccolini with tapenade was really tasty, but the presentation was dumb like kids' drawings, and I'd prefer it to be charred instead of simply blanched. Also, the vegetables on top of the paella were merely raw cauliflower and broccoli without any flavoring. Unless this is how it's authentically done in Spain, I'd say some things were a little too basic.

Appreciate the owner calling me to hear about my experience and stress concern. I will go back and review how it goes the second time around.

I partook in the group menu: Verbena which cost $110 per person (before tip and tax). I had originally selected a menu for our group, but since we had more than 9 people, we were forced to select a preselected menu. It was unfortunate because there were some tapas not on the menu I would have liked, and others on it that I could have gone without. I understand that big groups can be hard to plan for, but I wish they would have accepted our selections ahead of time. There were only enough tapas for each person to have one item, but the variety was nice. The tuna tataki was particularly yummy, and the pan con tomato was actually a nice surprise. The paella was standard, but the seafood was more on the overcooked side (chewy and dry). The desserts were actually the star, with the Gorgonzola cheesecake being unique and flavorful.

I've been wanting Spanish food for a while and my husband found this place while we were in Palo Alto! He made a reservation for 1:30pm on Sunday but we were able to get seated at 1pm. It was pretty busy so I would recommend making a reservation beforehand. We ordered: - Croquetas Jamon: Came in 4 small balls and the filling was more liquid than I expected. It was also a bit salty for me. - Cocoette De Rabo de Toro: Prob our fave! It has the texture of pate - great combo with the toasted bread. - Truffle Bikini: This tasted like the cocoette but in a grilled sandwich - my son ate this the most! The sandwich was super soft too. - Paella Negro: it took 20 minutes to make so we ordered this first. I loved that it was full of seafood, every bite had seafood. - Tiramisu: Yum! I can't complain about tiramisu, it's my fave cake! Service was pretty quick and staff were attentive. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice. As for the food, we definitely enjoyed all of them however it does end up tasting pretty salty once you eat more and more of it.

Wonderful new Spanish restaurant!! I've already been twice, and both times were consistently amazing. Walking in, the decor is truly stunning. I love sitting in the bar area, as it's beautifully designed! Service is 10/10, with all of the servers giving great recommendations. My favorite dishes so far have been the savory churros and the meatballs. The meatballs taste homemade in the best way, and are the ultimate comfort food. I also loved the chorizo, salad, and the ribeye. All of the drinks and dessert we had were also amazing. Highly recommend their version of the pisco sour, I would just get it without the truffle oil on top, as it's a bit overpowering. I also got an aperol spritz this last time around and it was one of the best I've ever had. Can't wait to come back:)

Went for dinner with family on a weekday. *You should make a reservation because it was pretty full* We got the tomato app, tuna tataki, rossejat de fideuá, and gorgonzola cheesecake. Favorites were the tomato starter and cheesecake (very distinct gorgonzola taste that made the cheesecake more savory and rich)! The paella was tasty but could have had bigger/more protein. The ambience was nice for birthday dinner, date, or family dinner! Low lighting and nice vibe.

Amazing! What went well? Everything! Went here to celebrate two of my gf's birthdays. It was the perfect spot. The fake olive tree in the middle of the dining room was a nice touch. Paella de presa ibérica Paella negra con vieiras Eggplant chips Churros bravos Grilled calamari Croquetas de jamon Tiramisu Saquets de crema All of the above was 12/10! Our server was great - there were 7 ladies!!

Macarena is a fantastic addition to Downtown Palo Alto this area was definitely in need of a fresh, vibrant restaurant, and Macarena delivered. Its a Spanish Tapas restaurant, not a Mexican restaurant, fyi.The space is stunning, perfect for date nights and birthday celebrations. I love the decor: classy and chic, with a thoughtful layout that separates the bar from the dining area, creating a cozy yet elegant atmosphere. Although I didn't dine in the main dining room, I had an incredible experience at the bar. My bartender, Carmelo, went above and beyond his customer service was exceptional, and he was an absolute joy to chat with. Honestly, he's the reason I stayed longer than I planned. He crafted a delicious drink of his own creation, and it was fantastic. Roberto also provided great service, and I had the pleasure of meeting the manager, Sultan, who was friendly and hilarious. Big thanks to Carmelo for making my night unforgettable! As for the food, I ordered: - Truffled Bikini - Slow-cooked beef gourmet sandwich with truffle mayonnaise - Gambas al Ajillo - King prawns infused in olive oil, garlic, and chili, served with bread - Tuna Tataki - Seared tuna in 'escabeche' with orange marinade and spicy tomato chutney The Gambas al Ajillo was excellent flavorful and well-prepared. The bread, while freshly baked and delicious, was a bit pricey at $14. The Tuna Tataki was fresh and vibrant, definitely a highlight. As for the Truffled Bikini, I'll be honest it wasn't for us. That one's a hard pass. Overall, we had a wonderful evening. The tapas were enjoyable, and the ambiance was spot-on. Looking forward to trying more of their offerings. Thanks again to the amazing staff you've definitely hired the right bartenders to match the vibe of the place!

Service is super fast. Parking is hard to find. We all were late as we need to walk very far. Excellent service and even belp is take pictures with extra portable light. Food was good except the broccolini and skip the meatballs. Everything else are good. You wont be disappointed.

Recommend (really good)- 1. Presa Iberica - creamy mashed potatoes and tender and juicy meat 2. Jason Iberica Okay (dish was alright nothing special)- 1. Tuna tataki - it is just Tuna. The garnish/sauce didn't really do much. Don't recommend- 1. Cocotte De Rabo De Toro - lacked flavors

Food was amazing, ambience was great service was ok. What we ordered: croquetas de jamon, churros bravos, jamon iberico, pan con tomate, gambas al pil pil, olivada broccolini, dry aged rib eye and rossejat de fideua. For dessert we had the tiramisu and saquets de crema. Cocktails: Macarena gin and pina colada Cocktails are dangerously good. We loved all the dishes. Each one was amazing in their own way. The jamon iberico with the pan con tomate doesn't look like much (like sliced meat on a plate and some bread slices with tomato on top) but the flavors were incredible. Each of the tapas were delicious and we really enjoyed each one. The rib eye was cooked to perfection. The paella we ordered came with noodles, macaroni to be exact, which was very different and really good.

The food was absolutely wonderful, and the ambiance was even better. The space is so cute and cozy, and the staff couldn't have been more friendly and welcoming. 10/10 would recommend! Went with some girlfriends for a birthday, and it was the perfect spot.

Great ambiance, good service, and good tapas. Tried different items and shared with the group of five. We all agreed it was good and worthy of returning to try other items on the menu. The decor was very nice too!

Wonderful Spanish restaurant. We stopped by here for a late Friday afternoon lunch. The place wasn't crowded at that time. I loved the decor and ambiance. We ordered churros bravos and croquetas de jamon to start, followed by paella negra and finally ended with a tiramisu for dessert. Each and every item was absolutely delicious and wonderful. Churros bravos are not churros; they're actually patatas bravas but made in the shape and texture of churros. It melts in your mouth. The croquetas were very good as well, but my favorite of all the items was the paella negra. The staff was very friendly and service was wonderful. Will definitely be coming back here.

I came here on a date last night and we loved it! Our server was really nice and came back to check on us often. We ended up splitting five or six different tapas and all of them were great! We really liked the chorizo and the churros. All of the food came out super fast too! Our drinks were also good! We had the Alhambra and the mojito. The restaurant is super cute and great for a date or special occasion. I can't wait to go here again!

A great place to celebrate your anniversary! Had reservations here Sunday night ~6:30pm and was seated immediately. What we got: - Macarena Gin ~ very refreshing, addition of rosemary was a delight - Flor de Maracuya ~ sweet and brightening, reminiscent of freshly squeezed orange juice - Cocotte De Rabo de Toro ~ VERY tender oxtail. Potato base was very creamy. Truffle didn't overpower the dish. - Cachopo Asturiano ~ highly recommend if you like chicken fried steak. The blue cheese dip on the side added creaminess and rich flavor. The tomato and pickles balanced out the dish with some acidity. - Paella de Presa Iberica ~ not as crispy as expected despite ordering the crispy option. Pork somewhat chewy and dry, but the Garlic aioli served on the side brightened it up. Broccolini was chewy. - Churros Bravos ~ Very Crispy. Our dish come out overdone, so somewhat burnt. But the sauce was very good and was able to cover the burnt flavor. The Surprise Dessert was sooo good. Despite being full, I couldn't stop indulging in it. All in all, I had a decent anniversary celebration date. Service was impeccable with different waiters checking in. Would recommend!

Overall, my experience was good. The ambiance in the restaurant was very nice, great vibe. The staff was friendly and attentive, although the food took a bit longer than expected, even the tapas, which are usually quick, took about 30 minutes. The paella also took a while, which is normal, but the place wasn't even that busy. The cocktails were great! I had the traditional sangria, very strong, and my friend ordered the Cava Affair, we loved it! You could really taste the passion fruit. For tapas, we ordered: Croquetas de Jamón - 5/10 Not my favorite. This is usually my go-to tapa at Spanish restaurants, but this time the inside wasn't quite right--too melty and not very consistent. Buñuelos de Queso - 7/10 Filled with cheese and topped with a sweet marmalade like a sauce. The sweet and salty combo was nice! Paella de Presa Ibérica - 6/10 Very few veggies and small pork pieces. The texture was a bit too slimy for me. Tiramisú - 10/10 Loved it! Super creamy and flavorful.

Cute vibe. Paella was good too. Good drink list! Parking on the weekday is fine, weekend is a bit hard.

Went to Macarena for the first time today. The restaurant looked modern with somewhat of a botanical theme. Our server was nice and prompt. The jamon iberico was black label, which is the highest grade there is. I gave it a 4 star because the gambas was a bit salty. I would go back to try more of their tapas since they have such a wide selection of it.

Friends and I had a good Saturday lunch at Macarena. The restaurant was beautiful, staff were very attentive, and the food was like eating in Spain. I really enjoyed lunch here. Here's what we ate. Croquetas de jamon Grilled Calamari Cocotte de rabo de toro Paella negra con vieiras Saquets de Crema Tiramisu de Melindro Gorgonzola Cheesecake

Beautiful, romantic atmosphere, with good food. Menu is refreshingly different from other high-end tapas restaurants. For families: the meatballs are amazing and perfect for kids. It's a good size portion. We ordered this plus the bread loaf and broccolini and that was more than enough for 2 elementary aged kids. For vegans: they have a very tasty vegan paella... but I did find one stray calamari ring in ours . It had lots of great veggies and the rice was crispy. Service was quick, but the restaurant wasn't too busy while we were there. Definitely worth trying out, especially for date night.

I'm a sucker for Jamon, Jerez and Vernut. If I'm in Spain I'm consuming a lot of both. It is great to see that there is another place where I can consume both things together. There used to be a guy in San Jose from Jerez de La Frontera but he disappeared one day and was never to be heard again . Cut to present day and there are a wave of Spanish based eateries popping up. The old. Bird Dog space has been transformed (quite quickly:) into a fairly bright space from the former darker tones. There's a full tree in the middle as a serving station! The layout however is still largely the same with the table seating adding banquets. The open kitchen is still there and you can watch the operation in full swing. It's still quite a soft opening so not everything is available yet. We opted for some classic snacks and cocktails which were excellent. And you can bet I got my Jamon Jerez and Vernut!

3.5 stars for an above average Spanish tapas spot that is beautiful, has great service, amazing vibes, and a fun menu. 3.5 because the food was a bit disappointing to me - similar but not as good as Teleferic. * CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN - 3 stars ($10): Fine. * GAMBAS AL AJILLO - 4 stars ($18): Tiny but delicious. Wanted to drink the sauce. Way too stingy with the shrimp. * CHURROS BRAVOS - 2.5 stars ($10): Supposedly a crowd favorite but would not order again. * EGGPLANT CHIPS - 3 stars ($12): Looked really thin and cool, but I think this is more for the visual appeal than the taste. * ABUELITA'S MEATBALLS - 3.5 stars ($18): One of the heartier plates, and it was fine, but also would not order again. * PAELLA NEGRA CON VIEIRAS - 3 stars ($48): Too fishy, too al dente, and there really wasn't much but a thin layer of rice. Beautiful presentation like with all the dishes. Stunning restaurant, but hopefully they switch up the menu, and bulk up the volume.

Came here with no expectations hearing it was a great place to try from a friend to celebrate my older brother's birthday. Hats off to JP for accommodating our reservation to a later time, truly great guy! Matthew at the bar was very friendly and attentive. As we checked in, we decided to go to the bar to grab a drink while we wait to get seated. It took some time but finally got our table. I am not sure why we waited 30 minutes to try and locate our server. The restaurant was not busy and there were what 4 tables occupied. An employee or server had time to straighten the frame on the wall but couldn't at least check in with us. Strange. Luckily Matthew checked in and said he will get us a server. Drinks were very exquisite and good made by him! Menu is very limited. Pictures didn't do any justice. Actually was shocked to see the prices compared to the portion size especially the catch of the day. Word of advice: Order everything at once. You do not want to keep waiting longer for your food. Moments later we were informed Matthew would help us and I truly appreciate his effort as he was managing the bar at the same time. We ordered only the appetizers and decided not to cut the experience short and go to Rangoon Ruby instead. This is not what we were expecting and we felt the birthday experience was ruined. No attentiveness nothing from the staff. Not to mention I had a spider crawl up my arm where we were seated. That was the nail in the coffin. ai would give this place 0 stars but Matthew is what made me bring back the 2 stars solely because of him and his service recovery. I understand you recently opened up but management, you need to do a better job. Train your servers to go above and beyond and make the experience for customers to have something to rave about. Most importantly be attentive!!!

Service was amazing, atmosphere was ok. Maybe it was just where we were sitting but it seemed quite noisy and was hard for a table of 6 to hear each other across the table. Food was good, I wouldn't say it was amazing, and the paella de pulpo was VERY fishy. The mayonnaise that was given with it definitely helped but in comparison to eating in Spain, not so great. Would I go back? Eh...prob not cuz I'm a cheapo...plus not usually in that area. So to go out of my way to eat there it would have to be AMAZING! Sorry to say...to each their own.

Macarena is one of those restaurants where everything from the ambiance to the service to the food -- works in perfect harmony. Located in downtown Palo Alto, it's a chic restaurant that brings a true taste of Spain to the Bay Area. I came here with a large group, and we decided to dine family-style, which turned out to be the best decision. Sharing plates not only made the meal feel more communal but it also allowed us to experience a wide variety of dishes that transported us straight to Barcelona. Let's start with the ambiance: The decor is modern yet warm, with thoughtful details that elevate the entire dining experience. Soft lighting sets an intimate tone, making it ideal for date nights, birthday dinners, or really any kind of special occasion. The space creates a balance between classy and cozy. Everyone in our group commented on how inviting and aesthetically pleasing the space was. Despite it being a busy night, the service was excellent. Our server was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and patient -- even with a large table and lots of orders to manage. The entire staff was friendly and welcoming, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. It genuinely felt like they wanted us to have a great time, and we absolutely did. Now, the food -- truly the star of the evening. Every dish was absolutely delicious: * Tomato Bread: A classic done right. The bread was toasted to perfection and topped with just the right amount of tomato and olive oil. Simple, fresh, and flavorful. * Meatballs: Tender, juicy, and bursting with savory depth. The sauce was rich and comforting -- the kind of dish that disappears from the table in seconds. * Jamón Ibérico: The quality here was top-tier. Delicately sliced, buttery, and luxurious -- it's the kind of jamón that melts in your mouth and instantly reminds you of tapas bars in Spain. One of my favorites from last night! *Must try* * Paella Negra con Vieiras: This squid ink paella was as stunning as it was flavorful. The scallops were perfectly seared and tender, and the rice had that lovely, slightly crispy bottom layer (socarrat) that paella lovers dream of. Bold, briny, and delicious. I also loved how well the squid was cooked. * Paella de Presa Ibérica: A meatier contrast to the seafood version, this one featured tender pork with rich, smoky flavors. A hearty and soulful dish. * Medium Dry-Aged Ribeye: This was a showstopper. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. I usually don't like ordering steaks at restaurants because I feel like it's always better made at home but I was truly impressed with this steak. It was so good!! * Lettuce Flower Salad: Light, crisp, and beautifully presented. This dish offered a refreshing break between richer plates, with delicate flavors. This salad had olives, sliced cornichons, radishes, and white onions. * Churros Bravos: Wow.. these savory churros were perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy potato on the inside, and came with a dip that added such amazing flavor. This is also a winner for me, I could eat 10 plates of these!! * Espresso martini: Curated well and delicious! My favorite cocktail done right. Overall, Macarena exceeded my expectations. The food, atmosphere, and service were all excellent. Whether for a date night or a group dinner, it's a solid choice worth returning to.

I've been here twice now, once for dinner as part of a group and once for lunch as a party of two. The food has been delicious each time, no complaints there. I suggest ordering the paella from the get-go if you know which one you want since they do take a little longer to come out. The rib-eye paella was fantastic. The Saquets de Crema dessert was also a fun dish - I recommend it if you have room for dessert!

Was excited to try but the food just isn't anything special for the high price tag. The Mojito I ordered was delicious and unique I will give them that. It was much darker then a normal mojito with a citrus taste to it that made me want more then one. The appetizers were better then the mains so maybe stick to just drinks and apps. A tiny side of bread was $18 I would skip that. The veggie paella was moist but lacked flavor and the broccoli in it was over powering this flavor profile is suitable for picky kids but not adults who enjoy food. The place itself is beautiful but not the most optimal sitting situation as the table we were orginally give is behind the front desk and front door which when open is very cold that day and you can hear the hostesses conversations.

Excellent spot for sangria, tapas, and paelka - had the croquetas de jamon, grilled calamari, pan con tomate, the paella negra con vieiras, and the traditional sangria. All were so tasty. The traditional sangria tasted slightly strong for my taste vs the light and refreshing - probably because of the port but still good. The grilled calamari with the green sauce it was served with, and the paella negra were my favorites. For what pan con tomate was, felt the price was a little over-kill but taste was good. Service was slow in the beginning. Came for a 4:45pm dinner reservation - took a waiter probably 20min to take our order...i think they forgot about us because we were the only ones sitting in the section we were at. Once they took our order, food was served pretty quick and waiters were really nice. I will definitely be back.

Finally got to try this new spot nestled in downtown Palo Alto. The interior is probably one of the most gorgeous and well designed spaces in Palo Alto. Service was warm and friendly which I greatly appreciated, especially from the hostess and our waiter. Now onto the star of the show, the food. I'm usually one to dine at Teleferic Barcelona which has a similar menu. The churros and potato croquettes were an amazing appetizer. The eggplant chips and tuna tataki were very unique and had such a nice flavor profile, sweet yet savory. My favorite dishes were the truffled bikini and the oxtail with potato puree, super tasty and very well crafted. If you're someone who is looking for their next hangout spot or date night, look no further!

First time at Macarena in Palo Alto and it definitely made an impression! The ambience is upscale yet inviting, with a gorgeous bar that instantly sets the mood. It felt like the kind of place you'd want to bring a date or celebrate something special. Our server was excellent--knowledgeable, attentive, and gave us fantastic recommendations. Everything he suggested hit the mark. We started with cocktails: my boyfriend ordered the Melon and Jamón (very creative presentation with a slice of jamón serrano attached to the outside of the Nick & Nora glass), and I had the rum cocktail with fresh banana juice and passion fruit. While the melon/jamón cocktail was visually interesting, the strong sherry flavor wasn't really our thing. On the other hand, the passionfruit banana cocktail was absolutely delicious--fruity, refreshing, and well-balanced. For appetizers, we shared the potato churros and grilled octopus. The octopus was impressively tender, and the churros had a slight sweetness that made them really addictive. We also loved the dehydrated tomato salad--super flavorful with an unexpected sweetness that popped. We finished with the squid ink paella, which was rich, savory, and perfectly executed. Overall, I've enjoyed Tereferic Barcelona in the past, and while both restaurants are excellent, I found Macarena more memorable thanks to its creative yet respectful twist on traditional Spanish dishes. Looking forward to coming back!

Came here for dinner this week for the first time for my girlfriend's birthday. We started off in the bar and had a couple of really nice drinks. Bartenders were super friendly drinks were well-made. Hostess also was friendly and sat us at a nice table. We ordered a couple of appetizers and the pork paella. I'd say overall the experience was positive, but I wasn't impressed at all with the pork paella. Maybe we should've ordered the squid ink. one. Three stars sounds kind of low given that we had a nice time, but I just expected more from the paella

This is my second time and my second review of this place. The sangrias were scrumptious. The red wine sangria had just the right spice. The white sangria with tequila was not too sweet. The tuna tartare was a bit bland. It needed more flavor. Either spicy or Dijon. Something to give it a punch. Instead it was just "fish". The meatballs were flavorful though. It had a light gravy which was tasty. We got the steak paella, with the garlic aioli. Absolutely delicious!

It's...fine. I think much of our expertise is due to the newness. Kinks were obviously being worked out. Seating was quick for a reservation on a Friday night. We sat facing the kitchen so could see some of the issues. Service is great in the sense that there are a flurry of servers. Things are quick, I dropped a knife and it was replaced quickly. Plates are cleared quickly. People check on you often. But the chaos. It feels like there's a new server or buser checking on you every minute. And here's where it fell apart, most of our food was either lukewarm or cold. And I know why because I could see it sitting under the lamps for many minutes. And I saw a lot of servers take a dish out only to return with it. A few times we got drinks at our table that weren't ours. There's some confusion at the expo or something. Our croquettes were served lukewarm. Calamari - the edge of cold. The worst was the sandwich. It looked beautifully grilled but..was soggy because it was downright cold. The pan con tomato..I saw finished with salt but didn't taste like it had any. The leeks- hottest dish we had but covered in so much sauce and leeks cooked soft that it felt like a pudding. There's a lot of cool vibe and in theory things to love. I think they've got to sort out their expo and adjust a few things on service but there's a really great restaurant somewhere.

Excellent restaurant with flavor and decor that recreate what you might get in Spain. The design is beautiful and vibes feel happening Squid (5/5) - these were baby squid not sliced large squid. It was light and tasty Churros (3/5) - innovative idea though not particularly flavorful Pork paella (5/5) - one of the best paella I've had in the US. Portion is perfect for 2 Leeks (3/5) - a nice different vegetable dish. I actually thought it'd be done better sliced vertically and roasted since it seemed chunky and uneven as served Bread and tomato (3/5) - under seasoned Drinks were innovative. Service was still figuring things out. A downside of qr menu for drinks seems to be they don't know when you want to order something and come by proactively. Would come back and try again.

As a European living in San Francisco, surrounded by some of the best dining options anywhere, I have to say, we stumbled upon an absolute gem down in the South Bay! We were there for my daughter's volleyball practice, just looking for a good meal, and this Spanish restaurant completely exceeded our expectations. The flavors, the authenticity, the quality, every dish was truly outstanding. Honestly, I don't understand how this place is averaging only 4.4 stars. Either some reviewers don't know authentic Spanish cuisine, or they had other reasons beyond my comprehension, because this restaurant absolutely deserves higher praise. And really... if anyone has issues while dining, why not speak to the owner or manager first? If they don't resolve it, then consider leaving a review. But in this case, we experienced nothing but warmth and great service. We had the pleasure of meeting Tony, one of the owners, such a friendly person. Even though we had zero complaints, he went out of his way to chat with us and clearly appreciated how much we enjoyed both the food and the experience. Highly recommend, can't wait to go back!

The food and service were great! We started with the Churros Bravos, Pan con Tomate, broccolini, and meatballs and split the Paella de Presa Ibérica as our main. For two people that was plenty of food! The Paella was excellent. They also did a great job with the decor and styling of the restaurant, making it great for a date night.

Strolling around downtown PA and came across this place. Decided to give it a try. Lunch time on a Sunday. Immediately upon entering, the ambience is elegant, classy, and refined. They have a very cute private room with a fireplace for group dinners/events. Cocktails sounded delicious but we opted out. We tried the garlic gambas, which is a bit different than other tapas places. I was expecting head on. Shrimp seemed a bit lacking in seasoning, the sauce that came with it had garlic but seemed more creamy that I had imagined. The catch of the day was seabass- well cooked and the creamy sauce with peas was delicious. We also tried an oxtail tapas dish- again not what I expected but ended up being delicious. A bit pricey for tapas- total with tax and tip for these 3 dishes was about $90. Maybe it was the dishes we selected but everything was a bit creamier than I imagined. Service was attentive and quick. I would give it a 3.5. There was nothing we had that made me craving to come back anytime soon.