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Bistro Vida, Menlo Park, CA

Bistro Vida

4.8 (2839)
$30 and under
French
641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 22 times today

About this restaurant

  • 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.

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
  • 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

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What 2,839 people are saying

Bistro Vida reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bistro Vida offers an authentic French bistro experience with "excellent food and service," delighting regular patrons. Guests appreciate the "friendly" atmosphere and "superb" daily specials. The ambiance evokes a "lively" Parisian vibe, making it a favorite for "brunch and dinner" alike. Some mention noise, but the overall dining experience is highly praised.
2,839 Reviews
  1. Morgan VIP

    Orange County16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    With the sunshine and cool breeze, the restaurant is wonderful to enjoy dinner. @Tracy is a positive force of knowledge about the menu, cocktails, and ensuring we had an exceptional experience. Wow, she is thoughtful and kind.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Gordon VIP

    San Diego78 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The most recent of many visits. Classic French bistro ambiance and menu with attentive and professional service. Outstanding French onion soup and Calamari. Boef bourguignon, steak fritters, and halibut entrees were all great. Authentic French bread and butter (no additional charge!). Excellent crème brûlée, mousse, and profiteroles. Moderate prices, appropriate to quality and serving size. A great meal and good time was had by all!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Dima

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My favorite restaurant in Menlo Park. Tasty French food, excellent service - Tracie is my favorite!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Anne VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The dinners for all three of us—sole, halibut, pork— were outstanding. Old favorites and specials. The only issue was outside porch is leaning a bit and the accoutrements out there seem a bit tired. Noisy other guests but they were having fun

    Is this helpful?

  5. Carol VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area49 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I took my husband for Father’s Day brunch. We each had a glass of prosecco and the eggs Benedict. They were one of the best eggs Benedict we’ve ever had! The eggs were perfectly cooked and the hollandaise sauce was excellent!! Relaxed atmosphere and great wait staff!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Paul

    San Francisco Bay Area11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, filet mignon was cooked perfectly, profiteroles came in generous portion.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Micheline

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Not so good French food. They don't acknowledge birthdays. Just before 10 pm they were already asking us to leave. Not recommended.

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  8. Dodie VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We are regulars regulars but last night was exceptional. The food was great and our French speaking waiter chatted with our bilingual grandchildren 17 and 20. It felt like home.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Roberta

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Service and foods superb . The greeting/waitress was exceptionally friendly and advised a great daily special which was delicious ! My French spouse was quite impressed with the authenticity of the French cuisine !

    Is this helpful?

  10. Rosemary VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area45 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always have great food here. Today's special was gazpacho soup which was delicious and it was a hot day so it was perfect. Salvatore couldn't have been more patient, accomodating and fun. Go here all the time.

    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 2839 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. Peninsula
  5. Menlo Park

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 22 times today
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
  • 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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