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Cafe Pro Bono, Palo Alto, CA

Cafe Pro Bono

4.7
4.7
1293 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
(Please visit www.cafeprobono for more info or to order pickup or takeout orders)

Cafe Pro Bono is Palo Alto’s crowning jewel for exceptional Italian food. For over 30 years we’ve been serving a wide variety of authentic, reasonably priced Italian and European dishes with a freshness you can see and taste!

As the recipient of Palo Alto Weekly’s ‘Best Italian Restaurant’ in 2021 and 2022, we’re extremely proud and thankful for our wonderful CPB family of diners who were especially loyal during the height of the pandemic.

Through the creativity of CPB owner Akif Aydin and our head chef Ignacio Cortez, our menu includes delicious, attractively presented appetizers, fresh pastas, fresh fish, steaks, chicken, salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts. We also have a full bar, so enjoy your favorite cocktails, ‘0 Proof’ cocktails - or one of our domestic or international wines from our extensive wine list.

Hope to see you soon!

Buon Appetito!!!

Make a reservation

2 people

9:30 PM


Booked 14 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:15 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 326-1626
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Owned/operated by
    Middle Eastern
  • Executive chef
    Ignacio Cortez
  • Private party facilities
    To reserve our private room (or the entire restaurant!) for your next business meeting or party, call us at 650/326.1626 - or fill out our inquiry form at https://cafeprobono.com/private-dining-special-events and we will contact you right away Stop by our web site to view our ‘Events Menus’ too - we have a variety of menus/pricing to choose from.
  • Private party contact
    Akif Aydin: (650) 326-1626
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Cross street
    California Ave. / Sherman Ave. Garage: handicap/charging stations
  • Parking details
    New four-level parking garage directly across the street.
  • Public transit
    Cal Train - California Avenue stop, VTA
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Liquor, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,293 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Peninsula

    Italian

1,293 Reviews
  1. Sandy

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always fabulous food and convenient location. One of my absolute favorite restaurants!

    Is this helpful?

  2. wondering

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great popular Italian restaurant frequented by repeat customers

    Is this helpful?

  3. CathyM

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I go to Pro Bono frequently, and no matter how many guests you have, no matter how busy they are, the service is impeccable, the food is always good, and the prices are reasonable. I always have veal piccata and sometimes salmon or steak. All are good. Salads are good, as are cocktails and amazing desserts. I actually hate writing a review as I like keeping this little gem of a restaurant to myself.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, great service and they make really great cocktails.

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We made a reservation over a week in advance, but when we showed up they weren’t even open😡 So unprofessional.

    Cafe Pro BonoResponded on September 11, 2023

    Greetings. I see your reservation was made for Labor Day. We were closed for lunch and only open for dinner - the OpenTable reservation platform failed to update our hours to reflect our lunch closure, and we were not alerted to their error until about a half hour before our usual lunch opening. We immediately started phoning, texting and emailing everyone who made an OpenTable reservation for Labor Day lunch to notify everyone of our closure. If you saw an unfamiliar phone number or email, perhaps you deleted our contact as junk. Your grievance really should be with OpenTable - and not with us here at Cafe Pro Bono. We did reach out! Regardless, we are sincerely sorry for your inconvenience - and would hope you might consider removing your one star review, given the error was not ours.

    1 person found this helpful

  6. Comidabuena

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Convenient parking, both indoor and outdoor eating, great selection of fish, pasta, and meat, wonderful service…good wine, beverage list. Prices are reasonable…$32 typical for entree and the noise level is VERY low - great for conversations with guests. A wonderful dining experience every time!

    Is this helpful?

  7. hungrygranny

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Went on a very unbusy night with out of town friends . They/We were very happy with the good food and attentive service. I am always pleased with the fish dishes here . The kitchen knows how to handle fish.

    Is this helpful?

  8. AvivaS

    Palm Springs

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great restaurant with consistent quality food. Friendly staff and very nice ambience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service are always excellent at Cafe Pro Bono. I indulged in the always deliciously decadent Susan’s Downfall and tried the lobster appetizer special which should always be on the menu. The entrees were also delicious. We sat outside on a perfect Palo Alto evening. Wonderful place!

    Is this helpful?

  10. PaloAltoEngineer

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is excellent and the service is very good. We have been coming to this restaurant for years and always have a great meal.

    Is this helpful?

  11. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Good food. My little guest loved the rack of lamb. Great service from this older gentleman!

    Is this helpful?

  12. Itiswhatitis

    Central Coast

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and excellent service! Ambiance was terrific.

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Love Cafe Pro Bono. Have for years. Wonderful service and a good variety of dishes to choose from.

    Is this helpful?

  14. srverde

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Gracious service and consistently very good food.

    Is this helpful?

  15. joycerey

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    another delicious meal with terrific service ... I love the horseradish crusted salmon!

    Is this helpful?

  16. CathyM

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    all the veal dishes are good and the salads. Also a good margarita.

    Is this helpful?

  17. Tedw

    San Francisco

    30 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Reliable Italian food in a nice environment. Good value

    Is this helpful?

  18. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was truly a spectacle beyond what I was prepared for. The service and food exceeded all expectations!

    Is this helpful?

  19. WilliamM

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cafe Pro Bono was, as usual, a thoroughly delightful experience! The food and service was great and this time we ate outside on the front patio. Very nice dining experience overall and my wife and I would highly recommend you try it.

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a spontaneous date night at Cafe Pro Bono at 8:45pm on a Tuesday night. The service, ambiance, and food could not have been better. We found them on apple maps and yelp in about 10min and then made a reservation through opentable in about one minute. Couldn’t have been easier. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  21. Lanie

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another great experience. Food is consistently great, as are the cocktails. We tried a couple of the specials, (sausage appetizer, ravioli & cocktail) and the duck breast from the usual menu. All were excellent. We are always treated like special guests. This is our go to place for special occasions, including midweek casual dinners when we need a boost. 😋

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were excellent. It wasn’t very crowded when we were there and the noise level was very low. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day.

    Is this helpful?

  23. Link

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service and food were excellent. Veal Piccata was tender and not too lemony. They accommodated our 11 year old dining companion with her very favorite meal that’s not on the menu. The desserts were delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  24. avacadovich

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I’ve always enjoyed eating here or wait. Staff is friendly food is good.

    Is this helpful?

  25. PaulR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My favorite Italian restaurant in the south bay. Classic Italian dishes Indoor or outdoor seating, huge parking garage nearby (or street parking) Owner and staff are always friendly and on the ball.

    Is this helpful?

  26. BrownEyes

    Tucson

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food, ambiance, and service. Easy to recommend. Enjoy!

    Is this helpful?

  27. Unji

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice food, good service, and a cheerful atmosphere!

    Is this helpful?

  28. janH

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Aways so welcoming and served by people who care. The food is always so beautifully prepared and delicious1

    Is this helpful?

  29. Susy

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All the staff are so nice and friendly. And the food is delicious!!! Can’t think of a thing I would want changed.

    Is this helpful?

  30. MrsGrumpy

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience3
    Food was excellent and delicious. Service was ok. There was lipstick stains on my water cup. Asked for refill of water and never got it. Had to ask 2 more times before we got it. Waiter didn’t come ask us how everything was til we were almost done. Although the food was wonderful, not sure we will be back because if the service.

    Is this helpful?

  31. Seale

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pro Bono is the perfect spot for a delightful lunch or dinner. Wonderful food, wonderful service-- an all-around winner.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Louisville

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We felt like family. It was a lovely and delicious dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  33. SuzyQ

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    But dinner was excellent. Especially loved the Petrale sole and the Susan’s ravioli. Outstanding!

    Is this helpful?

  34. Wood1gem

    San Francisco

    49 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The food and service were very good. I’ll definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  35. CoCo

    Hawaii

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Akif and his staff are experts in providing true hospitality and excellent food. Every diner here feels like a special guest. We come here for family celebrations and just because we crave certain things on the menu (Capellini Pomodoro). And their outdoor dining area is really lovely on a warm evening.

    Is this helpful?

  36. Online101

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our neighborhood-favorite go-to restaurant. We've consistently had wonderful meals, terrific service and left eager to return and try another of the great choices on the menu. Prices have risen, but remain competitive with other top restaurants in the area. As you look around the room, you'll see tables full of local repeat diners who know what a gem Pro Bono is.

    Is this helpful?

  37. TrapperD

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Took three friends there recently. Sat outdoors on a beautiful day. Relaxed not rushed, and all of us thought the food and service was terrific.

    Is this helpful?

  38. DJAnon

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    It's always good to be at Pro Bono! The food and Service are great.

    Is this helpful?

  39. ExplorerS

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It’s been good every time! Food is yummy no matter which dish I chooses. Would like to see more seafood options as there are very limited good restaurants serving seafood in the local area.

    Is this helpful?

  40. Discrimanating

    San Francisco

    105 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    105 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A true neighborhood gem. Great food, great service and a warm atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Cafe Pro Bono using the Order Online button. Cafe Pro Bono also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 326-1626.

Cafe Pro Bono is rated 4.7 stars by 1293 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

9:30 PM


Booked 14 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cafe Pro Bono

2437 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306

Additional information

  • Cross street
    California Ave. / Sherman Ave. Garage: handicap/charging stations
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of operation
    Sun 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:15 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:45 pm
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Mediterranean, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    New four-level parking garage directly across the street.
  • Public transit
    Cal Train - California Avenue stop, VTA
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Middle Eastern
  • Executive chef
    Ignacio Cortez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Liquor, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (650) 326-1626
  • Private party facilities
    To reserve our private room (or the entire restaurant!) for your next business meeting or party, call us at 650/326.1626 - or fill out our inquiry form at https://cafeprobono.com/private-dining-special-events and we will contact you right away Stop by our web site to view our ‘Events Menus’ too - we have a variety of menus/pricing to choose from.
  • Private party contact
    Akif Aydin: (650) 326-1626
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