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Bistro Elan, Palo Alto, CA

Bistro Elan

4.8
4.8
37 Reviews
$31 to $50
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Bistro Elan serves French dishes created mainly from ingredients obtained from the local farmers. The cozy interior is ideal for a date night or a small celebratory dinner with friends. The open kitchen offers a homey feel where you can enjoy an apple salad or La Quercia Prosciutto before moving on to an entrée of local Petrale sole or a Sonoma duck leg confit. Bistro Elan offers outside seating. Dine on a pan-seared Scallops or Flat Iron Steak in the open air.

Bistro Elan has a modest international wine list that has been carefully chosen to pair well with each dish. Finish the evening meal with a dessert like Coffee ice cream, roasted strawberry ice cream, caramelized Valrhona chocolate mousse or a slice of Almond cake.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 327-0284
  • Website
    http://www.bistroelan.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Barry Stiles
  • Location
    2363 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Cross street
    Also public parking lot is located across the street.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Dog Friendly, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 37 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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bistro Elan is a cozy neighborhood gem in Palo Alto, offering "exceptional service" and "delicious food." The bistro's intimate setting, attentive staff, and "amazing wine selection" create a welcoming atmosphere. Guests rave about "BEST SCHNITZEL EVER" and "superb chocolate mousse," making it a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

37 Reviews

  1. Kathryn

    VIP

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Charming neighborhood spot! The desserts were sublime. Will definitely return.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    VIP

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious foods and fantastic service, highly recommended. The restaurant is small so definitely make a reservation.

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  3. Sally

    VIP

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious Swedish Meatballs, Salmon Waffle, and Meyer Lemon ice cream. Perfect!

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  4. Jeffrey

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very friendly. Great staff. Easy parking. A neighborhood gem

    Is this helpful?

  5. Sonia

    VIP

    San Francisco

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Love it here!! One of my favorite places to eat. Food is consistently delicious and fresh! BEST SCHNITZEL EVER. Love the people and service is always fantastic.

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  6. Roy

    VIP

    San Francisco

    110 reviews

    5.0

    110 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It's such a cozy place in the winter. Nice energy, enthusiastic staff and very good food.

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  7. Hongjun

    San Francisco

    58 reviews

    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The restaurant is small but warm and cozy. The service was exceptional, and the food was delicious. We particularly enjoyed the olive oil cake that our server recommended.

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  8. Jim

    VIP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    outstanding dinner. great service and excellent wine list.

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  9. D

    VIP

    Fort Lauderdale

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was impeccable, service was good. Nice wine list, although I would like to see a larger by-the-glass selection. Cozy bistro setting. I love this place.

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  10. Andrew

    San Francisco

    54 reviews

    3.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful intimate, cozy space. Sadly, unlike past visits when the food has been superb the food was merely average. My cream of mushroom soup was way too much cream and not nearly enough mushroom. The swordfish, despite a nice bacon caper sauce was very under-seasoned and had to be rescued by the tableside salt shaker. The fantastic chocolate mousse for dessert almost made up for everything.

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FAQs

Bistro Elan offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 327-0284.

Bistro Elan is rated 4.8 stars by 37 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Bistro Elan

2363 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Also public parking lot is located across the street.
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Barry Stiles
  • Additional
    Beer, Dog Friendly, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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