Bistro Elan

Name: Bistro Elan
Address: 2363 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA, United States, 94306
Telephone: (650) 327-0284
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.9

4.9 (59)

$31 to $50

French

2363 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 7, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
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.

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
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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

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What 59 people are saying

Bistro Elan 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

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
French
Peninsula
Best Overall
Peninsula
Best Food
Peninsula
Best Service

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bistro Elan is a cherished neighborhood gem offering "fantastic meals made with care and attention to detail." With "excellent creative choices" and "fresh, quality ingredients," it's a favorite for both locals and newcomers. The cozy setting and "top-notch service" make it perfect for special occasions or regular visits. Reservations recommended.

59 Reviews

M
Marie VIP
San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
We don't know what happened to bistro Élan. In our memory it was always excellent. yesterday, everything was bland. The cucumber dill soup was boring and missing some dill and seasoning. The swordfish and meatballs were tasteless and overcooked. The almond cookies were stodgy and undercooked. Everything was off. I am not sure we will risk it again.
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J
James VIP
San Francisco Bay Area14 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food with frequent new flavor combinations to enjoy
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K
Kerry
Barcelona1 review
5.0
Dined on June 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, lovely and entertaining waiter. Top notch service - local gem!
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j
janine VIP
San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best food, service and location in all of Palo Alto!
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C
Carol VIP
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
5.0
Dined on June 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was wonderful as always from amuse bouche to appetizers to entrees
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J
Jill
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
High quality food with excellent creative choices. We have been going there for lunch and dinner for over 20 years and the quality is consistently great.
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D
DV
San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic meal made with care and attention to detail. Fresh ingredients from the farmer's market. Desserts made in the restaurant (normally not done because restaurants otherwise lose money on desserts), even the ice cream. The restaurant is small so they can keep track of everyone and not run their kitchen as an assembly line. The customers are mostly regulars.
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R
Roy VIP
San Francisco Bay Area114 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
They're so nice. And the food is always great.
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l
lesley VIP
San Francisco Bay Area10 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bistro elan is by far the best restaurant on the Peninsula! Food can't be beat - fresh, quality ingredients and a fantastic menu. Fairly priced - especially considering the terrible food you pay $$$ for in downtown Palo Alto and elsewhere.
1 person found this helpful
L
Livia VIP
New York City41 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bistro Elan is a member of that most elusive club of always sought after seldom found neighborhood gems where the food is exquisite, the service excellent, the dining room tiny — though there are a few more tables outside— and the clientele quiet well dressed locals who have eaten there for years, never having been disappointed. The menu that changes with the seasons is always surprising but never overdone. The food is interesting but above all delicious and the portions are generous. Reservations very much recommended.
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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 4.9 stars by 59 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 7, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

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
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
http://www.bistroelan.com/
Phone number
(650) 327-0284

Bistro Elan

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

What 59 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Bistro Elan offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Bistro Elan restaurant rated?

Is Bistro Elan currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information