Palo Alto Creamery

American restaurant · Palo Alto

Palo Alto Creamery

American restaurant · Palo Alto

3

566 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Photos

Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by Brit Finnegan
Palo Alto Creamery by The Creamery
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null
Palo Alto Creamery by null

Highlights

Retro-style diner known for its milkshakes, also serving a full menu of classic American fare.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

566 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Get directions

paloaltocreamery.com
@paloaltocreamery

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

566 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Get directions

+1 650 323 3131
paloaltocreamery.com
@paloaltocreamery

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
payment credit card
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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"Stanford kids, software engineers, and actual children can’t resist the charms of this old-school soda fountain, which boasts a big wraparound counter and red booths. It’s classic California, originally opened in 1923, and still serving burgers, shakes, and damn good pie." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri, Becky Duffett

18 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Palo Alto
View Postcard for Palo Alto Creamery
@infatuation

"This old-school diner is a hub for students to drink milkshakes instead of studying. Heading here is like stepping back into a more analog time—the walls are plastered with vintage Coca-Cola signs, there’s cow art everywhere, and classic red vinyl booths line the space. The best thing on the menu is the hash brown pie, which is a hefty brick loaded with bacon, green onions, and bell peppers (and, in the name of good ol’ diner excess, a blanket of cheese across the top). Know that breakfast is served all day, for all your 5pm french toast needs. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

The 21 Best Restaurants In Palo Alto
View Postcard for Palo Alto Creamery
@infatuation

"This old-school diner is a Palo Alto hub for students to drink milkshakes instead of studying. Palo Alto Creamery is like stepping back into a more analog time—the walls are plastered with vintage Coca-Cola signs, there’s cow art everywhere, and classic red vinyl booths line the space. The best thing on the menu is the hash brown pie, which is a hefty brick loaded with bacon, green onions, and bell peppers (and, in the name of good ol’ diner excess, a blanket of cheese across the top). Know that breakfast is served all day, for all your 5pm french toast needs. photo credit: Brit Finnegan photo credit: Brit Finnegan photo credit: Brit Finnegan" - Julia Chen

Palo Alto Creamery - Review - Palo Alto - San Francisco - The Infatuation
View Postcard for Palo Alto Creamery

L

Google
It is a very classic traditional American dining all-day breakfast place 🍴 A variety of all-day breakfasts definitely makes you hungry. I'd like to come for breakfast next time. We had just a regular black ice coffee, fresh grapefruit juice, and home-style potato. They were all good! The customer service was excellent. I asked about the homemade potato or French fries, and then they brought me a piece of potato to try before ordering it! Great!! 😊

Yellow Bluebonnet

Google
The Caribbean French toast was amazing! Definitely the best breakfast french toast I've ever had. The caramelized bananas were great! The chicken apple sausage and pork sausage were good too! A bit too greasy and salty but I thoroughly enjoyed them nonetheless. Atmosphere is nice and retro.

An Le

Google
All dishes we ordered were decent (some were too oily), with an exception of the cherry pie with vanilla ice cream which was 😙👌Will come back for their other pies. The savory dishes are definitely overpriced.

Allen S

Google
Even with This bad economy, They overcharged people, and had bad service and gave you water with no ice They didn't even come and asked you how your service was . It doesn't matter if they're 100 years old, They should care for their customers .The french fries taste like cooked potatoes. The salad portion is very little 8 pieces of a small lettuce with two pieces of bread for $ 17. Even maggiano they give you a big bowl of salad for 17.00. only letters and 2 pieces of bread are a very small portion. I would not recommend it. in general they don't care, because they've been busy over 100 years old. They charge $5 for coffee not even offer to refill it.

Mia

Google
Classic spot for some traditional American diner food. Their milkshake is legendary! The burgundy cherry flavor is my favorite.

richard aparicio

Google
It's to fine a hidden gem like this in the Bay Area. Old school atmosphere and happy employees. The food was nice and hot as well. The bakery was great as well.

D C

Google
This restaurant is a blast from the past. Relaxing atmosphere, comfort food and all- American old fashioned desserts, vinyl covered booths, iconic jukebox... The service was spot- on. The waiters were attentive and helpful. The tuna melt was one of the best I've ever eaten. Can't wait to come back and try the other offerings.

Alyssa

Google
Despicable customer service. I have been a loyal customer here for several years, purchasing various different pies and enthusiastically telling family & friends to buy their pies and birthday cakes here. This past Saturday, I purchased two slices of cake for $20—only to find, upon opening the boxes at home, that the pieces were less than 1.5 inches wide (and 0.5 inches at its narrowest; dare I say, they were almost paper thin). I submitted polite feedback on their website about receiving less product than I paid for—no response. When I called the store a few days later, I was told that the baker had admitted he/she had mistakenly sliced the cake too thinly and to come to the store to pick up a gift certificate as a compensation. After work, I drove 30 minutes to the business only to be told that the owner had authorized a $4 return on a $20 spend for 2 slices of cake. LOL. Now, not only has the business shown it does not care about a longstanding customer's satisfaction and feedback, but it also does not hold any regard for their time as well. If this is how the business treats loyal customers, I will NEVER spend my hard-earned money here again and will encourage my community to do the same. Deeply disappointing from a small business I loved to support. Despite the diner concept, to charge $10 for a slice of cake (which, as a reminder, is mostly flour, sugar, water, and eggs) as a multi-generational business in the middle of the most expensive restaurant real estate in Silicon Valley and cheating the customer out of what they've paid for is shameful behavior. There are too many businesses that value their customers, who ALSO bake wonderful cakes and pies. For starters, I recommend Lady M Cake Boutique, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Mademoiselle Colette, and Satura Cakes as wonderful alternatives. For a true diner experience, I recommend Bill’s Cafe, whose hospitality has always warmed my heart when I frequent the restaurant for its delicious french toast and omelettes.

Rich H.

Yelp
Met up with an old college buddy for breakfast on a rainy Friday morning. it was just the right place to forget the weather outside. I used to frequent PAC during the mid-90s and was pleasantly surprised to see it had not changed, except for upgraded booths (nice). I had also forgotten how much I like downtown Palo Alto. It is such a great little town. PAC is definitely a legacy establishment and knowing it is still serving customers is so wonderful. I went with the corned beef, eggs over-easy and hash browns. My buddy had corned beef, eggs sunny-side up & an english muffin. We both cleaned our plates like it was an eating contest. Everything was so good. Anyway, I realized I need to add PAC onto my list of breakfast spots. It will be my Go To in downtown PA. Now...for the pics....

Shannon W.

Yelp
Got a California avocado burger here and it was so delicious. I didnt think burgers could be that good. It was just made well and had the right portions of all the ingredients. For brunch had pancakes which were solid. Three large fluffy pancakes and syrup. They don't really dress up the food here so it didn't have any toppings etc but it was fine. The milkshake here was done well. Would try the pies next time which look delicious.

Tina K.

Yelp
Solid classic diner. You walk in and wonder if you went back in time in all the right ways. Such a cool vibe with booths and counter space. Their pies & milkshakes are AMAZING, maybe even beyond amazing. They also offer a large menu of classics and a variety of breakfast items served all day. Pricey, but worth it for the experience imo. Service is fantastic every time!

Kelly M.

Yelp
My review of 4.5 stars is rounded up due to good service and the old-timey, sentimental vibe of the place. It's a bit like stepping into the past, with such touches as glass ketchup bottles (of the sort you may need a knife to coax the condiment out with) and those straw containers in which you lift the top to raise up and select a straw. The server readily incorporated my special requests to my order: a grilled cheese/tomato/bacon sandwich with the bacon on the side and a side of mayo. My husband had a burger and French fries (his fries were crisp as one would expect) and ate the whole thing. I had a side of coleslaw, which was good, if a bit small in portion. The single disappointment was the sweet potato fries, which I paid a little extra for; they were limp and soft. In addition to desserts, the restaurant offers breakfast all day. I may want to come back another time to sample one of their pies.

Kevin L.

Yelp
Located in Palo Alto Downtown, parking is plentiful, but availability is limited. Indoor seating is abundant. The noise level is normal but will get loud especially when the milk shaker is going. Chicken Parmesan (4/5): the chicken was crispy, yet the cheese was melted to absolute perfection. Though the chicken was a bit dry. Flavor was great and not overpowered the pasta sauce. The garlic pieces were a spectacular surprise. The pasta was a good firmness too. Caramel cold brew chip milkshake (4/5): on the sweet side but the consistency was good. It wasn't too thick nor too thin. The chocolate chips added a fun crunchy texture which was quite nice. Overall, Palo Alto Creamery is a great place. Food is good and the shakes are delicious. Service was quick too.

Katherine C.

Yelp
If I somehow end up here again I'll try their entree items because I was not impressed with what I got. As a group we got a pie slice, cookie, ice cream shake, and fries. The pie slice and cookie and ice cream are decent but in my opinion a steep price point at $9 a slice of pie. The ice cream shake was more melty than I would have liked and a pricey $11. The order of fries I got were $10 and incredibly disappointing - no flavor, meh texture, barely palateable with ketchup. Definitely will not be ordering fries from here ever again. The diner vibes are definitely strong here though, and they are open till 10pm which is rare in this area. Service is fine for a diner

Katie R.

Yelp
Nice breakfast spot in the center of Downtown Palo Alto serving up traditional diner staples as well as some more modern breakfast items. Along with breakfast they also have lunch, milkshakes, and a nice big bakery section. You really feel like you're in an old school diner her. We ordered the corned beef hash and huevos rancheros to share. Both items were good and I think we'd order again, though I heard rave reviews about the breakfast quesadilla from my boyfriend, so we might swap out the huevos rancheros for that next time. Food came up quick, portions were good, and prices were consistent with what you'd expect to pay for a breakfast in the area, Overall I was pleased with the meal and would come back. It gets crowded, so come early if you don't want to wait.

Jennifer T.

Yelp
Service is amazing and I have to chime in with others that food is about average. I got a strawberry milkshake and cheeseburger with fries. One extra star for the fact that they serve breakfast and burgers all day. The strawberry milkshake was tasty but thinner in consistency than I'd like. I appreciate that they give you the extra portion in the silver shaker otherwise they serve the shakes in a pretty small glass cup. The cheeseburger was basic and comes with lettuce, tomato and pickles but no extra sauces. They have serve yourself ketchup and mustard as usual. The fries were a disappointment to me. Definitely not freshly fried, very starchy and not crispy at all. They came out room temperature. I really liked the interior, it felt like an old time diner and they have such an extensive menu. I just wish the food was better for the price.

Bethany W.

Yelp
This review is purely for the PIES!! We walked in 15 mins before closing and the manager (I assumed) was so kind and let us sit just to grab a slice of pie. And....the pie here is amazing. We got 3 slices: blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, and chocolate cream. All the slices were HUGE and the ones with a traditional pie crust were warmed up for us. They were all very well made and soooo yummy. This was my first time eating a strawberry rhubarb pie and I was pleasantly surprised. And the vanilla ice cream we got on the side of it made it even better! I ordered the chocolate cream pie and it was so decadent, but light and not overly sweet. I love the taste of a good dark chocolate, and this had it! Best chocolate cream pie I've had. I'm not a fan of blueberry pie, BUT if you are you'd like the one here. It tasted good and was stuffed full with the blueberry filling. The huckleberry ice cream we got on the side of it was so yummy too!! In conclusion: I will be back for another slice of (probably chocolate cream) pie!!! (And I'll try the other flavors too haha)

Mister A.

Yelp
Not good. Not good. Not good. Overpriced. Not good. Overpriced. Ordered chicken salad melt and cheeseburger with fries. How could you mess that up? Ill tell you... chicken salad melt. About a tablespoon of chicken salad heavy cheese. Overwhelming cheese. 18$ cheeseburger burnt on the outside raw in the middle. Fries. Under cooked and oily as heck. Strawberry shake. Came in a traditional stainless steel shake cup filled half way for.....11$ Geeeeeez! 74$ gtfoh!

Ivette A.

Yelp
The food was mid but the service was above average. We got greeted and seated right away. The restrooms are gender neutral and were not that clean but not super dirty either. Had the California burger and the bacon cheeseburger . The fries were good and the potato salad was good but small scoop. It's worth checking out just because of the old school diner vibe. They have some cool retro stuff The baked goods looked amazing. We did. Not try them but they did look super tasty.

Ben R.

Yelp
Malts, desserts are great. Ambiance is fun and classy. Servers are personable. A few years ago we went there near closing time and the waitress (ordertakeress?) sat down next to my wife and said "what would you like?" She laughed so hard she could barely speak. I see many locals there. But, salads and dinner were soso. It's a great fun dessert place

Annabelle R.

Yelp
Cool retro diner in Palo Alto, lovely decor for the holidays, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Inside included booths and classic bar seats. We sat outside during our visit this past Saturday. The patio dining was comfortable even on a cold winter evening, due to the outdoor heaters, and the setup was really cute with string lights setting the mood. We had a party of 7, which included two kids. The milkshakes were good. The kids loved the pancakes topped off with fruit. And the adults got a combination of sandwiches and burgers, which didn't stand out too much but were tasty. I got the french toast and a side of sausage and devoured it, as I had come hungry and absolutely love breakfast for dinner. Wasn't a big fan of ther sugar free syrup made with monkfruit, I guess I'm not used to the aftertaste. Otherwise, the flavors for all of the items in my dish were perfect, and I appreciate that they at least have sugar free syrup. The waits for service were a bit long, which was understandable as there was a big party inside and the staff seemed super busy. But they were friendly, and helpful to whatever we needed. Overall a positive experience.

Michele T.

Yelp
Dinner out with the girlfriends, and we decided on Palo Alto Creamy for the comfort food. We ordered an Egg Cream - definitely not a New York egg cream, but it was ok. Might have been better if it was served colder. Friend and I shared the French Dip and Chicken Parm. Fries were good. Food was ok - simple. We also shared the chocolate truffle bread pudding, too. Looked like a big slice of cake. Loved the vanilla sauce served alongside the pudding. Rich chocolate flavor. I think I would've liked it more if it was warmed up some. Nothing in particular stood out about the food. Prices may be a tad high for what you get. However, must say, the service was great in that they were attentive and checked on us often.

Emma E.

Yelp
I came here for breakfast and could not have been happier! I ordered the Huevos Rancheros with a side of potatoes and my sister ordered the Chicken Apple Sausage & Eggs. The service was quick and very nice. The diner vibe is so cute! I want to come back and try the milkshakes and fresh bakery items.

Emily O.

Yelp
I've been coming here for over 15 years, and nothing has changed since my first time here (in the best way). My number one favorite thing about the Palo Alto Creamery is the vibe. It feels like you're transported in time, and I just love that about it. Something kind of personal-- I used to come here allllll the time with my step dad when I was younger, and when he passed away very suddenly 8 years ago, I could not step foot in here without thinking of him, it was too hard. But about a year ago I decided I was ready to try again. Now it has become a place that I visit at least once a month to feel close to him again. It feels like a piece of him is still at the milkshake bar next to me. So to say this spot is special to me is an understatement-- it feels like a warm memory and truly comforts me. Everyone that works here is so kind and attentive. I've never had a bad service experience, and I've been here dozens of times. Best thing on the menu that I get every time: the mint Oreo shake!! It is so freaking good. All their shakes are amazing, but there's something about this one that I keep coming back to. I also love all their sandwiches. The tuna sandwich and turkey sandwich are staples, and I usually order on toasted wheat bread. Their bread is amazing-- thick and fluffy every time. And the sandwiches are even better with a side of the turkey chili! I also love their breakfast quesadilla, the grilled cheese sandwich, and the burger. Their menu is pretty extensive, so I haven't come close to covering it all, but so far everything I've had has been phenomenal. I will always come back-- can't wait for next time!

Natalie V.

Yelp
I love this place! My toddler and I have a lunch date here every time after visiting the nearby museum, and it never disappoints.

Avivi W.

Yelp
This diner was alright, I didn't enjoy the food as much, but did appreciate the service and the cute decorations. Ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and also the French dip sandwich, the Buffalo chicken sandwich was all right, but nothing special, but the French dip did not taste great, the meat tasted kind of interesting. The service was pretty good though, our food came pretty fast and they constantly checked on us to see if we needed anything. I also enjoyed the environments and the decorations, I appreciate it that the restaurant really made it seem like an old-fashioned diner! I liked the decorations very much.

Reyna M.

Yelp
It had been a while since I last patronized this spot and it was just as good as I remember. Came here for brunch midweek and our experience was great! Situated on the corner with both inside and outside dining, we opted to take advantage of the great weather and sit outside. Our server was prompt to bring waters to our table and take our orders. They serve breakfast all day and their menu is extensive with many options to cater to whatever you may be craving at the time. We had the following: - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs - Cajun Scramble - Cinnamon Roll on the side Everything came out on time and hot. Eggs were cooked nicely and potatoes were not overdone. The cinnamon roll was indulgent! I definitely am glad that I got that to share instead of one for myself. The calories on that alone would require a week's worth of time at the gym. Everything was seasoned nicely and I did enjoy the fact that condiments were single serve on the side instead of having greasy or dirty communal condiments sitting out at each table. The ambiance of Downtown Palo Alto as the backdrop for this meal was great for people watching. Overall, this place was solid and we will definitely be back to try their other house specials.

Roxanne M.

Yelp
One of the best Reubens I've had, my brother really liked his French dip. Love the diner ambiance. Service is attentive and efficient. Well located. One note, if it will bug you to sit in a partitioned booth where the seat is basically shared and every time the exuberant teenager bounces on her seat, you'll feel it. Might want a table with chairs.

Kip D.

Yelp
Like stepping back in time. Great food, great service, authentic old school diner ambience.

Tim Y.

Yelp
It's been over 20 years since I last dined at Palo Alto Creamery and was in downtown Palo Alto last time. The kids were craving pancakes and burgers so I decided to take them to here. It still looks and feels the same as I remembered it! For a busy Sunday afternoon, we were seated immediately at an indoor table. Looking around you are slightly transformed back into the 1960s with a jukebox in the far corner and a bar seating area. Some of the decor were replica relics from 50 years back. The pancakes were great and came out hot and fluffy. There's something about melted butter on pancakes paired with the smell of maple syrup that just defines breakfast...throw in a side of hash browns, bacon, and sausage, and you're golden! Just be sure to load up oatmeal and greens the next day to balance it out. My son and I both ordered bacon cheeseburgers cooked medium. The burgers were decent. The patty was cooked closer to well-done. I was surprised to find street parking nearby, but then again this is a block off of the main University Avenue. All in all a good experience with fast and friendly service.

Maddie M.

Yelp
It was so cute and aesthetic in here! The desserts were so yummy! The portions were pretty big and we shared a sundae with 3 ppl!

Char P.

Yelp
Have come here a couple of times with a friend after work. I have had their Rueben sandwich, sweet potato fries and vanilla ice cream sundae. They were pretty good with sizable portions. I would definitely come back for the sundae. The wait staff are nice and some of them can be quite the jokester. Very chill vibes, definitely good for after a stressful day. They have like an old school decor, which is pretty cool. I just like this place.

Trina P.

Yelp
Arrived on a sunny Thursday afternoon with no wait time for tables. I ordered a Pastrami sandwich with fries and a fruit cup. The meal wasn't anything extraordinary or special. Service was nice.

Beth A.

Yelp
Today is the second time we have been here. Never heard of this place until someone told me they had the best banana cream pie we ordered one for thanksgiving, it was just ok, would not spend the $44 again. We took the pie plate back last weekend and decided to have breakfast. Loved it the hashbrown pie was so flavorful and my husband had the Caribbean French toast that we talked about all week. They are pricey with breakfast for 2 with no drinks $47. Today we went back ordered the same thing and consistency was not there. My hashbrown pie had no flavor and the French toast did not have enough syrup. Disappointing and will not go back. On a side note we sat by exit door near where food prep is done. The person was handling food a couple of times with no gloves and did see an any washing hands. Ambiance cute

Carrie T.

Yelp
Very authentic traditional diner with thick milkshakes! Classic foods like burgers and sandwiches and fries and many flavors of milkshakes. Service is decent speed, good vibe.

Mary F.

Yelp
Palo Alto Creamery is a classic diner that is very nostalgic to people that grew up around Palo Alto. The food definitely isn't groundbreaking, but they have the classics you can rely on (burgers, milkshakes, breakfast) with friendly service. Because this place reminds me of coming here when I was growing up, I really love the burgers and grilled cheese (again, it is nothing fancy, but the basics that are super yummy). I always get the fries well done, and I love ordering the milkshakes because they bring them to you in a glass with the metal tin with extra in it! Recently, I've had to eat gluten free, and I asked if I could replace the bun on my burger could be replaced with their gluten-free bread (they make all of their bread, and the gluten free one is one of the best gluten free breads I've had!) The bread didn't fall apart immediately like most gluten free breads do, and I was so happy to have a bread option. Sometimes I meet my brother here for breakfast and they have all of the classics, and I believe they serve breakfast all day. (And I don't know why I like this so much, but they haven't gotten new menus in like 15 years, so the current menus still have the Stanford Shopping Center location listed, which hasn't existed in years and years.)

Lara W.

Yelp
Really not that great. The first time I went with my kids, I was so excited by the decor and the feeling that I had stepped into a diner from my past, when they were more populous and had been around for 25-30 years already before I showed up as a customer/was alive. Diners of this era are harder to come by, now that Mel's closed so many of its locations. So I did want to love this place - and we did delight in the milkshakes. But the milkshakes cost $11 which hurts. We came back with grandpa to see if he would also get nostalgic. But grandpa didn't actually grow up in America so it sort of was a flop and in the end we were paying such high prices for burgers that don't beat out the local competition in terms of quality and taste. You're just paying for ambiance. I had eggs benedict which was totally ok, but also left me feeling like "why did I just do this?"

Michael W.

Yelp
Short Story: Welcome back to the 1950's! Long Story: I've been coming here for a few years now and each time it's been great. I've had their burgers, pies, sandwiches, and more! The prices are decent for Palo Alto and the service is usually good. At times though it can be slow even when it's not busy. I really like the decor and ambiance of a 50's or so diner. Parking can be tough so be sure to circle the block a few times as it's street parking only! Verdict: I'm going to go back soon!

Joanie B.

Yelp
We went there for dinner Christmas Eve and I had the Fountain Burger. I think it was the best burger that I have ever had. Totally worth it!

Cindy C.

Yelp
Loved this place for their diner environment and brunch, and can't wait to visit again to try their sundaes / milkshakes and bakery items! My friend and I stopped here at around noon last Saturday and while the place was decently packed, we were able to be seated without having to wait which was great. The overall ambiance is so lovely and really makes you feel transported back in time with the old school vibes :) I had the huevos rancheros since that is one of my all time favorite brunch items, and this dish did not disappoint! The flavor was amazing and the runny yolk from my over medium eggs helped everything come together nicely. The side of beans and hash browns were also delicious. My friend had the eggs with sausage links which came with hash browns and toast, and she really enjoyed her meal too.

Karin L.

Yelp
We haven't gone here since before Covid so we were excited to go back to a nostalgic place. We went on a Sunday at around 4pm so it wasn't too busy. We noticed immediately that there was a lot of staff behind the counter approx 7-8. We were seated pretty quickly and got small glasses of water and menus. Prices have skyrocketed- a patty melt is now almost $20, most sandwiches are between $16-20, dinner entrees are $23-$30 something. A slice of pie is now $8.95. Portion sizes aren't large. The Reuben sandwich was good but not very big and they were pretty skimpy on fries. I hate when places are skimpy on fries it seems like such a cheap side and it just seems stingy. We also got the rib dinner entree, it came with 4 ribs and some mashed potatoes, a roll and Cole slaw. You could tell it was all real food but the ribs were more chewy than fall off the bone and some of it was burnt. My husband said it was among the worst ribs he's had. The server never came back to refill our water, check on us or give us a check. They were pretty quick to clear plates. When I go to a diner I expect some element of value either in portion or price and friendly service and I felt like this place no longer hit any of those points. I don't plan to return and couldn't recommend it to others.

Mai S.

Yelp
We came here to grab some pastry and noticed they are huge portion, so we order side of fries, hash brown etc. but side of fries for $9 is expensive tho.. shake is $11 and we shared.. as no one wanted to pay that much for just shake. I got hash brown pie which is one of the most popular on menu. It's good but it's just hash brown & veggies cooked together topped with cheese and side of eggs, which you can easily cook at home. Overall I felt the price is high for what it is in exchange of bigger portion size. If you're coming for desert come with someone else to share. The seating are spacious and comfortable. I like the retro vibe. The service is friendly and fast.

Fancypants X.

Yelp
4.5 stars rounded up. Whether indoor or outdoor, Palo Alto Creamery has the kind of atmosphere that makes me enjoy my food more. The cute retro 50's diner will have to wait til colder months to see me in one of their red leather booths. I'll be basking in the sun at one of their sidewalk tables while this gorgeous weather permits. I thoroughly enjoyed their Hash Brown Pie ($21) which is topped with a naughty, delicious blanket of bacon, cheddar, green onion, & tomatoes. The eggs I requested over-medium ran a little runny, but no harm, no foul. I finished up brunch with a warmed-up Frosted Cinnamon Roll ($6.50), but several items in their bakery case could've just as easily been a contender for dessert. Great way to end my weekend in Palo Alto! Super nice waiters, too.

Ani R.

Yelp
I'm surprised to find that one of my all-time favorite diners has only 3.8 stars! Back in 2016, it used to be my go-to spot after spending the night at a friend's house. Walking there through the sunny streets of downtown Palo Alto was a weekend routine. Despite the crowds, it had a warm and friendly atmosphere. I've never seen it without a cozy buzz of people - a perpetual hygge vibe. My usual orders from the side menu include delicious buttered toast, scrumptious hash browns, a couple of scrambled eggs, and chocolate milk - simple but totally worth it! The old-school ambiance with squishy red booths and speedy, friendly service is simply unbeatable. Don't forget to check out their homemade pies - yummers in my tummers! For Palo Alto Creamery, I'd shout that out loud. Just for you, mon cheri.

John A.

Yelp
Great atmosphere. Looks like an old fashioned diner. Food is very good and "down home". Service is usually pretty pretty good. Milk shakes are very good and always have extra like the good ole days of diners. A very kid friendly spot that I have come to for years with my kids and will always go back.

Brian R.

Yelp
Still rocking it! My family arrived around 5 pm and found number of available tales... I thought hmm, shouldn't there be more customers on Sunday evening.... Are they still good???? We ordered a couple of burgers, a sandwich, a chocolate milk shake and an ice cream sundae.... Yeah, that's a lot of ice cream however it was 100 F degrees today.... My burger was slightly under seasoned but still good. My wife and kids like their burger and sandwich.... The main event for kids were the chocolate milkshake and ice cream sundae.... They loved both! In this age I think people tend to dine at trendy and hot places to post on instagram.... Hey call me nostalgic but I was super happy to dine at a familiar I enjoyed in the past and was super glad to find it was still great place that I remember.

Gen T.

Yelp
Warm greetings and I was a party of 1 so i chose to sit at the bar. Very busy lunch rush hour and I sat right in front of the cooks/kitchen. I was greeted by a man in a business long sleeve shirt whom looked official. Found out he was the owner. I was also greeted by another worker immediately. I couldn't decide and ordered 1/2 order of caribbean french toast and the california burger. Amazing! Bravo for the kitchen and wait staff. Cannot wait to come back and bring my ohana!!

Taara H.

Yelp
Absolutely love this little diner breakfast spot! My husband and I came here for the first time almost 6 years ago and felt it necessary to return when we went back for my 20 year class reunion with our two-year-old daughter. The food is always delicious and flavorful, and the servers, friendly and professional. The pricing is very reasonable and the selection is wide. I love their home fries and house made chicken sausage. My husband loves the Cajun scramble. They even have a Mickey Mouse pancake for the little ones! Highly recommend!

Simone S.

Yelp
The music, the ambiance, the owners and the eggs! The tshirts on the staff are hilarious! Couldn't be a nicer retro diner Sunday brunch hang out spot, downtown Palo Alto. I usually get the Cajun scramble/ northwest scramble, pancakes are great for breakfast and the chocolate cake hits a spot. Egg cream is a personal favourite but you might either love it or hate it! If you'd rather play it safe - go for the milkshake.

Shailee M.

Yelp
Nice American diner located in palo alto. Amazing service. Servers were super sweet & friendly. We had brunch specials & it had good taste. Menu is quite interesting & innovative. Crispy mac & cheese were amazing & very creamy. We even had their double chocolate cake & it was better than almost all the bakeries! Ambiance- fun +Point 1. friendly staff 2. Fast service

Jason X.

Yelp
The banana cream pie was so decadent and brought me joy; the hash brown pie and turkey chili less so. Great service, and fun diner vibe. Extensive menu so I'll be back to try more!

Shams A.

Yelp
Walked up to the restaurant in a party of two and we were immediately seated by a friendly host. They have a good amount of outside seating (for smaller parties) and we opted for that as it was a nice summer afternoon. Our waiter was great and the milkshake we ordered with our meals came out first, pretty quickly. We got strawberry and it was so so yummy, I was pleasantly surprised seeing that they used real strawberries in it. Shortly after, we got our food. For the Huevos Rancheros, I knew I was taking a risk ordering it as it's one of the only items on the breakfast house specials that didn't have an explicit description of what it comes with. It was okay, as the components themselves aren't really that flavorful, but I thought the sauce and cheese would've been more flavorful. The food is marketed towards an audience with a different palette I feel. The steak and eggs weren't the best, as my party member asked for medium rare but the steak came out well done. He still powered through. It came with toast and jam as well which was perfect. The sunny side up eggs at this place lack a sort of crispiness, but that's just personal preference. Would be willing to try this restaurant again as we didn't exactly get the retro diner dishes that they're known for, but all in all decent food and the milkshake carried.

Elaine H.

Yelp
The service was decent and we're seated right away for two. The interior gives off retro aesthetics and the breakfast meal we ordered was okay and the portion were not so generous for what we paid for. But the toasted coconut on the french toast was a nice touch. Not an overly sweet person so the milkshake was pretty sweet and we split this milkshake for two people. Their sandwich, burgers and onion rings looked really good from others, so might try those next time. Caribbean French Toast 4/5 Cajun Scramble 3/5 Toffee butter crunch milkshake 4/5

Christine D.

Yelp
We wanted a bit of dessert at 8p. By the time we got here, the location was going to close in 20 minutes. We were going to get pie to go, but the host asked us if we wanted to be seated. We didn't want them to think we were going to be order a 5 course meal so we said we'll only be having dessert. Therefore this review is only for food. I personally don't like it when people call me at work 15 minutes before I clock out so I don't expect bubbly attitudes if I do it to someone else.. This location was busy for getting ready to close. They had a baked goods counter and displays of fresh bread. Above the counter, they listed menu items and ice cream fountain items. Before I even tasted my pie, I vowed to return to get something amazing from the ice cream menu. I ordered the cherry crumb pie. I didn't get it warmed but I could have. It was exactly what I hoped for. Not too sweet and the cherries were the perfect tartness. There were many great selections of desserts so if we're back in this area, we'll be coming here for more dessert.... And ice cream.

Marisa U.

Yelp
Aw you guys this place feels so nostalgic! My dad used to take me to Mel's diner in San Francisco when I was a kid and the Palo Alto Creamery is the best version on the Peninsula! It has the old timey diner vibe but with really good food. Our omelets were perfect and not greasy at all and the kids Mickey Mouse pancakes were adorable. They also make their own bread, pies, cookies and muffins to take home. The booths are huge and red and give off such fun 1950's feels and the menu has all the things you want. Breakfast, burgers, ice cream and more. I love this place

Julie G.

Yelp
Had two basic breakfast and the food was good until we had the chicken Apple sausage. Tasted off and let server know. The rest of food was great, had some extreme tummy issues had to use bathroom two doors down and my friend threw up 30 later. So we believe the sausage was undercooked. Also ordered chocolate cake Togo. I would say the frosting was disappointing, tasted like a Costco cake. Very disappointed 75$ breakfast for two we liquidated quickly. Threw cake away. Won't be back. On a good note the waitress was a gem!

Oliver C.

Yelp
It's a great old school feeling restaurant in the trendy University Avenue corridor. What drew me In initially was the pie counter at the back of the restaurant. The smells emanating from the ovens are truly intoxicating. The ribs were succulent. The bbq sauce was fine, maybe from a bottle. We also ordered the French dip. It was a very good, solid sandwich. Finally, there was the salmon. That was wonderful. The fish was juicy and flaky. The risotto was spectacular. This was probably the best entree we ordered that night. We were stuffed, but had to order the apple pie. Wow! The filling was great and not too sweet. The pastry was soft, yet crumbly. Also wanted to mention the workers were all very friendly and nice. Palo Alto Creamery is a great throwback diner.