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Bistro Vida, Menlo Park, CA

Bistro Vida

4.8
4.8
2744 Reviews
$30 and under
French
A photo of Bistro Vida restaurant

Bistro Vida

4.8
$30 and under
French
Menlo Park

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 39 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Established in 1998, Bistro Vida is a neighborhood restaurant inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking. Our mission is to bring the joie de vivre, comfort, and community of the City of Lights to downtown Menlo Park. The name " Vida" the Spanish word for life, was chosen as a toast to the enjoyment of life, love, and food. Each delicious detail of the chic interior from the smart bar to the blackboard menus, the huge cylindrical chandeliers to the long mirrors reminiscent of brasseries has acquired a warm patina over the years.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French, Bistro, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 462-1686
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ali El Safy
  • Catering
    From a small gather to a large corporate lunch or celebration, we have a variety of menu options for your catered event.
  • Private party facilities
    We have several options for large groups, special occasions, corporate events, and more. Please contact the restaurant to inquire about holding an event at Bistro Vida. We will work with you to create a personalized event including a uniquely crafted menu and a signature wine experience. RESTAURANT BUYOUT​We offer availability for large parties in the form of a full restaurant buyout. Our dining room accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 150 guests for a standing reception. ​PATIO​Our private heated patio can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated event and up to 60 guests for a standing reception. 
  • Neighborhood
    Menlo Park
  • Cross street
    El Camino Real
  • Parking details
    Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,744 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bistro Vida in Menlo Park captures the essence of a true French bistro. Guests rave about the "best onion soup," "perfectly prepared" entrées like coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon, and a delightful outdoor dining experience. Excellent service complements its classic ambiance and a menu filled with French culinary delights.

2,744 Reviews
  1. Barbara

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious halibut on the daily special menu. We all ordered it and were all very pleased.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jo Bell

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We ate dinner at 2pm on Thanksgiving. The food was very good with quite a few choices. Service was prompt and attentive. We were seated in a quiet area. Seating in both outside and inside areas worked well as we were crowded into an area with too many people and too much noise.

    Is this helpful?

  3. John

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All four of us in the dinner party feel the same as the answers I gave in the ratings.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Bill

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always good food and service. Have been enjoying eating there for years.

    Is this helpful?

  5. John

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great local place - dinner and service were both excellent. Will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Afsa

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    2 star for food ,3 star service. Reserved based on reviews .crowd is 65+ . Not a fine dining. Wont go back .

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Gordon

    San Diego

    71 reviews

    5.0

    71 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have dined here many times, and our most recent visit was up to their usual high standards. Authentic French bistro menu and ambiance, attentive service, great food (recommend boef bourguinon, onion coup, calamari). Better than other French options in town.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Nancy

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food. Upbeat environment, both inside the restaurant and in the outdoor dining area. Don't hesitate to dine outdoors - in winter, there are space heaters, etc. Great neighborhood spot . Menlo Park loves Bistro Vida!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Susan

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We hosted a party of 8 and Bistro Vida was the perfect place to do it. We had their big table in back, almost like our own private space. The service was great and the food excellent, as always. Thanks Oli!

    1 person found this helpful

  10. MASAYUKI

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was good dinner with my wife at Bistro Vida. Food is always amazing.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bistro Vida offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 462-1686.

Bistro Vida is rated 4.8 stars by 2744 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

A photo of Bistro Vida restaurant

Bistro Vida

4.8
$30 and under
French
Menlo Park

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 39 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Bistro Vida

641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Additional information

  • Cross street
    El Camino Real
  • Neighborhood
    Menlo Park
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French, Bistro, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ali El Safy
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (650) 462-1686
  • Catering
    From a small gather to a large corporate lunch or celebration, we have a variety of menu options for your catered event.
  • Private party facilities
    We have several options for large groups, special occasions, corporate events, and more. Please contact the restaurant to inquire about holding an event at Bistro Vida. We will work with you to create a personalized event including a uniquely crafted menu and a signature wine experience. RESTAURANT BUYOUT​We offer availability for large parties in the form of a full restaurant buyout. Our dining room accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 150 guests for a standing reception. ​PATIO​Our private heated patio can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated event and up to 60 guests for a standing reception. 
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