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MacArthur Park - Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto

4.0
4
1662 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 10 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
MacArthur Park - An American Experience
For decades, MacArthur Park has been about bringing people together around outstanding California BBQ and comfort food in a casual yet elegant setting.
You’ll find us nestled in the heart of downtown Palo Alto, and walk back in time in to the simple elegance of a bygone era in a dining room designed by Julia Morgan in 1918.
We take traditional BBQ on a ride with the richness of California’s bounty, offering our signature Baby Back Ribs, fresh fish, meats and chicken, steak, unique salads and comfort food using local farm fresh produce. Portions are large, and there is something for every taste including vegan and vegetarian choices. Join us for cocktails and dining on our garden patio, nightly.


Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Barbecue, Comfort Food
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 321-9990
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Faz Poursohi
  • Catering
    Our Catering Department offers you a wide selection of services and menus with a focus ranging from functionality to elegance to fit your event's needs. Choose from our catering packages available or request a customized menu by contacting mitzie@macpark.com or call 650.291.0306
  • Private party facilities
    MacArthur Parks private dining facilities were specially designed for parties, cocktail receptions, business meetings, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other celebrations. We offer distinctive rooms that can accommodate a variety of events.
  • Private party contact
    Mitzie Tiu: (650) 291-0306
  • Area
    Palo Alto
  • Cross Street
    El Camino; adjacent to Palo Alto Train Station
  • Parking details
    We have ample public parking behind and in front of the restaurant. No valet parking currently available.
  • Public transit
    Located right next to the Cal Train Station and Bus Stop.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,662 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.0
4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Peninsula

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
MacArthur Park in Palo Alto offers a charming dining experience with a "beautiful ambiance and attentive service." The menu features standout dishes like "exceptional ribs and truffled mashed potatoes." Guests appreciate the generous portions and diverse options. While some find the prices high, others highlight the "lovely outdoor seating" and "reliable quality of food."

1,662 Reviews
  1. Aaron

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The meats and seafood was cooked and seasoned well. The side dishes were less impressive. Yams were over puréed and a bit soupy, the mac and cheese had too much cream and not enough cheese, the stuffing was dry, and they ran out of pumpkin pie. The other desserts were not great. I’ve always loved MacArthur Park but this was very disappointing and expensive.

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  2. KarinF

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    A fabulous spread!! Everything I tried was tasty.

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  3. Robert

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great experience! Our go-to restaurant for over 4p years!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Anthony

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed our dining experience. It took a while before water was brought to the table and we could order our drinks. But we just went to the buffet and began dinner. There were so many appetizers and entrees. All were delicious: prime rib, salmon, turkey, ribs, and chicken were amazing. The sides and appetizers were numerous and delicious. And it was a great value. There was something for everyone. As we finished, we agreed to repeat the experience.

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  5. Patrick

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It has plenty of parking out front, my party arrived early and decided to have a cocktail at the bar as happy hour was running $8 cocktails. It was Thursday and the restaurant was only 20% full. Initially seated under a flickering light, but was moved upon request. The food order was taken promptly and the steak was excellent and cooked to order. I would go again, plenty of spacing, lovely ambience, excellent food, quiet and service was excellent.

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  6. Tom

    San Francisco

    47 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Three of the four of us had the ribs, which were good, not great. The fourth had the pasta, which he said was great.

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  7. Tim

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I think MacArthur Park is a great place for a large group looking for a big table or private room, or even a business meal, but I would not recommend for a romantic couples dinner. I love the history of the MacArthur Park building. The food was good and the portions generous and overall a good value. I will definitely return, but it will be with a larger group setting.

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  8. RODNEY

    San Francisco

    206 reviews

    4.0

    206 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Always a nice experience in this lovely and historical dining room. Food is reliably good as is the service. MacArthur's is a local treasure.

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  9. Steve

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The place was very quiet the night we were there (which happened to be Halloween night). It was a little strange to be very nearly the only people in such a large space. But the food was good, and the space is elegant and comfortable, particularly near the fireplace.

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  10. Frank

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoy the Baby back ribs and the Cobb salad. Have been coming to MacArthur Park since its opening in San Francisco. The service is attentive and the food is delicious.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. MacArthur Park - Palo Alto also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 321-9990.

MacArthur Park - Palo Alto is rated 4 stars by 1662 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for MacArthur Park - Palo Alto

27 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    El Camino; adjacent to Palo Alto Train Station
  • Area
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Barbecue, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We have ample public parking behind and in front of the restaurant. No valet parking currently available.
  • Public transit
    Located right next to the Cal Train Station and Bus Stop.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Faz Poursohi
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (650) 321-9990
  • Catering
    Our Catering Department offers you a wide selection of services and menus with a focus ranging from functionality to elegance to fit your event's needs. Choose from our catering packages available or request a customized menu by contacting mitzie@macpark.com or call 650.291.0306
  • Private party facilities
    MacArthur Parks private dining facilities were specially designed for parties, cocktail receptions, business meetings, anniversaries, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other celebrations. We offer distinctive rooms that can accommodate a variety of events.
  • Private party contact
    Mitzie Tiu: (650) 291-0306
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  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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