Cafe Pro Bono

Name: Cafe Pro Bono
Address: 2437 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA, United States, 94306
Telephone: (650) 326-1626
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.9

4.9

1406 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Oct 9, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Good for business meals

Cafe Pro Bono stands as Palo Alto's premier destination for exquisite Italian cuisine. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, we take pride in offering a diverse array of authentic and reasonably priced Italian and European dishes, each crafted with a dedication to freshness that is evident in every bite.

Whether you seek a romantic evening or a casual dinner, our menu features a wide selection of traditional dishes at accesible prices. From beautifully presented appetizers to homemade pastas, daily fresh seafood, quality meats, and indulgent desserts, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails we strive to ensure every visit is a memorable culinary experience.

Consider our Private Event Room for your next rehearsal dinner, birthday celebration, baby shower, family gathering or business meeting. Our full bar offers a variety of cocktails, including alongside domestic and international wines.

We look forward to welcoming you soon to Cafe Pro Bono.

Buon Appetito!!!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, European, 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
Website
http://www.cafeprobono.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
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.

Location
2437 Birch Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
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

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Grilled Polenta$15.95
Roasted Portobello Mushroom Sauce
Sauteed Gulf Prawns$17.95
Parsley, Garlic, Lemon, White Wine
Carpaccio$24.95
Thin Sliced Raw Beef, Bermuda Onions, Capers, Parmigiano Reggiano, Drizzled Dijon Mustard Truffle Oil
Susan's Downfall$18.95
Cheese & Herb Ravioli, Gorgonzola Sauce, Toasted Almonds

Starters

Organic Baby Spring$12.95
Mixed Greens, Roma Tomato, Cucumber, and Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette
Wild Arugula$15.95
Candied Walnuts, Poached Bosc Pear, and Balsamic Dressing
Caesar Salad$14.95
Organic Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Panini

all our sandwiches are served with salad

Grilled Portobello$19.95
Mushrooms, Roasted Bell Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Tapenade
Steak Panini$28.95
Black Angus Filet Mignon, Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Butter Gorgonzola Cheese
Chicken Confit$22.95
Mary's Free Range Chicken Confit, Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Provolone Cheese
Smoked Salmon$26.95
Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Bermuda Onions, Arugula, Lemon Caper Aioli

Luncheon Salads

Yabo Salad$32.95
King Salmon, Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Olives, Feta Cheese, Citrus Vinaigrette
Duck Confit Salad$19.95
Organic Baby Spinach, Mushrooms, Sun Dried Cranberries, Granny Smith Apple
Grilled Chicken Salad$24.95
Pro Bono Bistro Salad, Mushrooms, Roma Tomatoes, Citrus Fresh Herbs

Pasta

Capellini$22.95
Fresh Tomatoes, Garlic, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Spaghetti Bolognese (homemade)$25.95
(Beef & Veal Top Sirloin) Classic Bolognese Sauce
Tortiglione$25.95
Organic Whole Grain Buckwheat Pasta, Portobello Mushrooms, Green Peas, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Broccoli Crown, Light Marinara
Gnocchi$25.95
(homemade) Basil Pesto, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Pine Nuts
Susan's Downfall$28.95
(homemade) Cheese & Herb Ravioli, Gorgonzola Sauce, Toasted Almonds
Rigatoni$26.95
(homemade) Spicy Italian Sausage, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Tagliatelle alla Pro Bono$27.95
(homemade) Pasta with Smoked Free Range Chicken, Roasted Shitake Mushrooms, Light Alfredo
Linguini alla Vongole$29.95
Fresh Manilla Clams, Calabria Pepper, Basil, Lemon, Vermentino
Squid Spaghetti$32.95
(homemade) Gulf Prawns, King Salmon, Manila Clams, Roasted Tomato Sauce

Lunch Entrees

all entrees served with starch and vegetables

Pollo alla Pro Bono$29.95
Free Range Chicken Breast, Pine Nuts, Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Loch Duarte Salmon$33.95
Orzo Pasta, Dill, Lemon Chardonnay Sauce
Veal Scaloppine$37.95
Lemon Capers Pinot Grigio Sauce

What 1,406 people are saying

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
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Italian
Peninsula
Best Overall
Peninsula
Best Food
Peninsula
Best Service
Peninsula
Best Value
Peninsula
Italian

1,406 Reviews

S
Sandra
San Francisco
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Quiet, great service, super food! Always a pleasure to eat there…
Is this helpful?
B
Bahi
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were a group of 9, everyone had a great experience. The food was excellent and our waiter Andy was outstanding. He was courteous, respectful and very professional. Overall a perfect night.
Is this helpful?
N
Nancy
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic restaurant with excellent food, and wonderful friendly wait staff who take care of your every need. A real treat to dine here.
Is this helpful?
M
Margaret
San Francisco
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dining at Cafe Pro Bono is always a great experience, have been here many times with friends. We prefer outdoor dining and the ambiance and temperature level is great, have never felt cold. Food and service are excellent, we have never been disappointed. Parking is also very convenient as it's literally just across the street. This is a friendly family run restaurant, if you haven't tried it, highly recommend you do, you won't be disappointed!
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We've been going to Cafe Pro Bono every few months for several years. The food is always well-prepared, with daily menu specials. Service is attentive. Ample free parking across the street.
Is this helpful?
L
Lorna
San Francisco
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a pleasure to dine at Cafe Pro Bono. Akif is a gracious and attentive owner and the staff is excellent. Christian the bartender was very knowledgeable and served us 2 awesome cocktails and made a nice wine recommendation with our meal. We’ve been going here for years and love it
Is this helpful?
L
Larry
San Francisco
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Once again Pro Bono came through with an exceptional dining experience. Great food and friendly staff. They even gave me a free dessert. WHAAAAATTTT. Thank you guys.
Is this helpful?
JB
JamieB
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
This is a favorite restaurant of ours. There's always a good selection of items on the menu and everything I've had there is delicious. The service is friendly and efficient, and I always get a warm welcome when I come, which feels great.
Is this helpful?
H
Helen
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a winner for us. The food, service and setting are wonderful.
Is this helpful?
S
Sandra
San Francisco
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food, as always, and incredible service. Perfect environment - quiet, perfect for business discussions. The staff so friendly and welcoming - makes you feel at home!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cafe Pro Bono offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 326-1626.

Cafe Pro Bono is rated 4.9 stars by 1406 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Oct 9, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, European, 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
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

Website
http://www.cafeprobono.com/
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.

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Cafe Pro Bono

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Rigatoni

Gnocchi

Cappellini

Appetizers

Grilled Polenta$15.95

Sauteed Gulf Prawns$17.95

Carpaccio$24.95

Susan's Downfall$18.95

Starters

Organic Baby Spring$12.95

Wild Arugula$15.95

Caesar Salad$14.95

Panini

Grilled Portobello$19.95

Steak Panini$28.95

Chicken Confit$22.95

Smoked Salmon$26.95

Luncheon Salads

Yabo Salad$32.95

Duck Confit Salad$19.95

Grilled Chicken Salad$24.95

Pasta

Capellini$22.95

Spaghetti Bolognese (homemade)$25.95

Tortiglione$25.95

Gnocchi$25.95

Susan's Downfall$28.95

Rigatoni$26.95

Tagliatelle alla Pro Bono$27.95

Linguini alla Vongole$29.95

Squid Spaghetti$32.95

Lunch Entrees

Pollo alla Pro Bono$29.95

Loch Duarte Salmon$33.95

Veal Scaloppine$37.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Cafe Pro Bono offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cafe Pro Bono restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Pro Bono currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day