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Wild Onion Bistro & Bar, Palo Alto, CA

Wild Onion Bistro & Bar

3.8
3.8
44 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
From plant-based pleasers to soul-satisfying comfort foods, Wild Onion, is a tribute to very essence of California cuisine.


Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Cross street
    On San Antonio between Middlefield & Charleston
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking only $10 for first 3 hours
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 44 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.8
3.8 based on all time ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.9Ambience
  • 3.5Value

NoiseModerate

44 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Norway

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 28, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Good food - a bit pricey but i guess you Get what you pay for :-)

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  2. CarolynC

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall3food1service4ambience4
    Food is sub-par, it was bland and needs some work. Service was good, though.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    St. Louis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Gina gets 5 stars, give this woman a raise! Took great care of us.

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  4. CharmaineM

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Nice, small poolside restaurant. Food was good, not outstanding. Service was very good, and friendly.

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  5. Jocelyn

    Sacramento

    52 reviews

    3.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The restaurant is in a hotel, and was hard to find initially. We had two servers, one was not good, the other was very attentive. The restaurant itself has a cool vibe, with a large open glass door. Bruch menu was okay, a little limited. There were only a few people in the restaurant, but they were very loud, and seemed to be encouraged by the bartender.

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  6. Anoush00

    San Francisco

    134 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    134 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience3
    My partner and I went for lunch on the last Saturday of Restaurant Week. We were one of only a few people there at 2 pm, but it took a while for our appetizers to come. Low on presentation, but they were decent. However, our entrees came out shortly afterwards, so the pacing was awkward. My entree didn’t have one of the listed items on it, but they brought it out separately for me. No cookies for dessert, but they gave us cheesecake instead. Took a while to get our coffee orders straight (bringing milk, spoons, sugar), but the coffee as good. I’d say this place needs more attentive, competent servers and a better staffed kitchen. They have yet to find their feet.

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  7. GaryG1906

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food and excellent service. We will come back again.

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  8. MeganS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for a work celebration! Open atmosphere and good food, with attentive service!

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  9. SillySally

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    Pasta was mushy and over cooked. Sauce was bland and the whole dish was not even hot.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience4
    Unfortunately, our business lunch was not a great experience. Firstly- we arrived and did not have my open table reservation in their system and had to rush to set up a table for 10 people. Secondly- the service was below par. Our server seemed to have little to no experience. Having been a server for many years myself, I was underwhelmed. I had to request to order apps and drinks as we were sitting there for sometime with no initiative. In this area, most visitors will be there for lunch during their work day so it’s important to provide timely and efficient service. She also didn’t help offer advice when I struggled to figure out the quantity to order for our party size. When she brought out the drinks, she didn’t remember who ordered what and interrupted the table asking what they ordered. I myself ordered an ice tea which came with no ice. Thirdly- they were out of what seemed to be half the menu. No calamari, cauliflower, salmon and chicken for salads. This left very little to choose from their already limited menu. The food itself was under-seasoned and overpriced. All in all, I would not and will not recommend this place to my administrative colleagues at a nearby large tech company.

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  11. ShelbyM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    The food is definitely not the worth price. we ordered the pork belly bao, eggplant bolognese and the salmon. The bao has mustard on it which was a really weird combo with the pickled veggies, too much acid. Also mustard isn’t a very Asian condiment so it was just a bad fusion. The eggplant bolognese was so so bland and the noodles were overdone. I couldn’t eat more than w couple bites. The salmon was the best meal of the three.

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  12. MarianneD

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved our breakfast. The food was great and we didn't feel rushed.

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  13. TheCheese

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful service. Thank you!

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  14. MichelleS

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service and excellent food. Pretty restaurant.

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  15. AliR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall3food1service2ambience2
    Went for a thanksgiving dinner - pre fixe menu. Mashed potatoes - cold Gravy - gold Prime rib - nicely done Turkey - only had white meat, no dark!! White meat was brined and texture was mushy. Lights in restaurant were too bright. Had a cafeteria feel.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was great and the food was good...a little pricey like everything else these days. We sat at the bar and watched football and baseball so it was a fun way to dine.

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  17. LisaM

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2022

    overall3food5service1ambience4
    I have a mixed review on this restaurant. The food was delicious but the service was very poor. My friend and I have been excited to try this brunch spot and the food did not disappoint, however, the service was virtually non-existent. There seemed to be 3 employees working all over the restaurant with very little organization. There were only 4 tables filled yet we constantly had to hunt someone down and then wait for someone else to come over and help us. Super frustrating. The restaurant itself is very nice, it has an open modern cafe feel to it with a large opening to the outside patio where you can lounge or be seated to eat. The food was great! We had the custard-dipped french toast and the namesake benedict, both delicious. Parking is very confusing and there is no one to help you. The driveway is shared by 2 hotels, the other hotel had staff out front but Citrine did not. We gave up and went to find street parking.

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  18. delish

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great service. Food was delicious and beautiful. Nice ambiance too.

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  19. Kathi

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great service. Food was good!

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    Thought that this was a nice bistro; it was one step above an airport restaurant. I had the poke bowl and had to send it back - not sashimi grade tuna. Not fresh. Served with dry jasmin rice. No flavor whatsoever. Waitress tried very hard and was very nice but the decor was upscale and the actual feeling was more like cafeteria. Very disappointed. A mediocre (my replacement) burger, fries, overdone small NY steak and an appetizer was over $100 —- not worth it at all! This should have been half that price. Won’t be returning.

    1 person found this helpful

  21. Sayonara2

    Las Vegas

    57 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    First time to Wild Onion … liked the indoor / outdoor vibe and the modern upscale decor . However , the food was just so-so … nothing to entice me to come back . Even the waiter would not elaborate on what was good but he did tell us what was “ just okay “. The Caesar salad was good . The steak was chewy and had no taste with the steak frites . The miso sea bass was mild but passable . All in all , no real bad complaints , just lack luster meals . Perhaps better to come for breakfast menu or just the burger and fries . We wanted to try a new restaurant nearby and although we were impressed with the decor , it would not be a regular choice for a night out unfortunately .

    1 person found this helpful

  22. LindseyW

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    There is a lot of potential for this small, pool/patio-adjacent bistro in the lobby of the Hotel Citrine, with its cute and modern decor and airy vibe. The staff seem overworked and understaffed, and this showed in their reception of us as we arrived ~10 minutes early and asked if we could be seated early or if we should sit at the bar until our table was ready. The server asked us to wait outside the restaurant instead. Fortunately, we were seated relatively quickly after that by what looked like a maitre'd who was also our server for the evening. The drinks and food, while delicious (except that the fries were undercooked but we still ate them because, well, they're fried potatoes!), were overpriced. I don't spend a lot of time in Palo Alto but I do live in SF and the prices are similar to what one would find at a fine dining spot in SF: $10 for the undercooked fries, $18 for a cocktail containing a ton of ice, and $21 for a salad. Since I was out with a friend eating before a concert at the nearby Shoreline Amphitheatre, I decided the prices were worth it, but I would probably not go out of my way to eat there again.

    2 people found this helpful

  23. AdriC

    Louisville

    11 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience3
    Overpriced and not much of a selection. We don’t mind paying more for craft cocktails and food, but this was much too expensive for what we got.

    2 people found this helpful

  24. OpenTable Diner

    Tahoe

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall3food5service1ambience5
    The restaurant was short staffed and the workers were scrambling

    1 person found this helpful

  25. iolavola

    San Francisco

    162 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    162 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    The food is good. However, it is in a Marriott Hotel and there was almost no one in the restaurant. I believe that the reason is because it is right next to the swimming pool. There was outside eating, but it was too cool to eat outdoors. It is a rather attractive, pristine setting. Very contemporary and very quiet. We will probably not return because it was a Sunday and a rather limited menu.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Victor was an excellent server and helped us with the new items in the menu. We had a lovely and relaxing evening. Drinks were delicious.

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 1, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    I arrived for my reservation and there was a private event and I wasn’t able to eat. There was no communication regarding needing to cancel my reservation.

    2 people found this helpful

  28. Dani

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 1, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    They cancelled our reservation due to a private event. We were very unwelcome and we were disappointed because we wanted to try any farm-to-table restaurant in the area. The hotel area looked beautiful, though.

    2 people found this helpful

  29. PaloAltodiner

    Greater Boston

    60 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience5
    We had a very disappointing dining experience. This is a highly stylized restaurant in the new hotel, decorated in someone's idea of "Silicon Valley" vibe. It is truly beautiful and full of lovely outdoor options. When we came, it was virtually empty, which lent an eerie feel to a very unpleasant overall experience. When I informed the waitress that the buffalo cauliflower I had ordered was too spicy for me, and requested a poached egg, I found out how limited their options are. I am a vegetarian and couldn't eat most of their menu options. Even though "poached egg" is a featured part of another menu item, she reported the "Kitchen staff" could NOT poach me an egg--breakfast time was over. When I said it was part of another menu item, she replied that egg is served cold. Would I like a cold poached egg? No thank you. My dining companions said their meals were ok, but I noticed one of them left half their meal untouched. So I would say that even though the location is impressive, the service is poor and the kitchen staff is unmotivated. Hire a chef.

    1 person found this helpful

  30. DGMom

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wild Onion was a lovely surprise. The food was very good and the service even better. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and would recommend this place to anyone in the Palo Alto area.

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  31. Huy1

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Range of offerings is not huge, but the quality of the dishes is superb. The staff is super nice and helpful. A wonderful place to spend the evening.

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  32. CharlesF

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was great. Service was very attentive (thanks Anthony!). We will be back.

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  33. VikS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2021

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great food, new place, relatively quiet, easy parking. Decor felt a little understated.

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  34. Friendly

    Orange County

    66 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2021

    overall2food4service2ambience2
    The food here is quite good but the restaurant is new, apparently short staffed, and the servers are very obviously overwhelmed during busy periods. I can overlook quite a bit but there is no reason or excuse to leave the hotel and other guests standing at the entrance or seated at a table for 10-15 minutes completely unacknowledged. Perhaps they don’t care about repeat business. Would not recommend at present.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2021

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    We made a reservation and were asked to wait repeatedly for 20 mins multiple times, with the excuse that they are short staffed to clean up the tables and billing system issues. We ended up giving up after 45 mins, and went to another restaurant. The staff appeared untrained and not even apologetic for the mess. Didn't expect this from a Marriott hotel restaurant

    Wild Onion Bistro & BarResponded on November 26, 2021

    Hi there, I am truly sorry for your experience. It was Thanksgiving day and we were, indeed, short-staffed with just one brand-new server and a supervisor. We are working diligently on hiring and training to make sure these scenarios do not continue to happen. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving otherwise.

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  36. Friendly

    Orange County

    66 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2021

    overall2food4service1ambience3
    The food is okay but they must work on service issues. They are obviously understaffed

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  37. FOODMEISTER

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were impressed by both the food and service of this restaurant. The staff was very friendly, helpful and attentive. They go the extra mile to ensure us a great experience dining there. The food was excellent and has great value. They use very fresh ingredients and the execution was amazing. For example the steamed mussels were cooked to perfection, the broth was well balanced and the mussels themselves were very high quality. I would come back to try their breakfast and lunch next time as well. Highly recommended.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2021

    overall3food2service2ambience3
    Quite slow service and so heavy and oily food. Do not recommend to order any juices.

    Wild Onion Bistro & BarResponded on November 22, 2021

    Hi, so sorry you didn't enjoy your experience with us. We are always open to re-making your food the way you like it. It's unfortunate we didn't get the opportunity this time. I'll follow up with the team to ensure we are checking back on everyone's food and making it right if it's not satisfactory.

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  39. LouraK

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a lovely restaurant. From the moment we walked in to till the moment we walked out was purely enjoyable. Our waiter was top notch greeting and seating us promptly. The ambiance is high level, bright and airy. The china monogramed with WO and linens are a sign of the class that emits from this establishment. I ordered the Crudo starter and it was absolutely fresh caught and delicious. Also ordered the American Wagyu Burger. My burger arrived cooked to perfection (rare no salt/pepper) and my fries were crispy, well done with no salt. PERFECT! Looking forward to going back SOON and trying more of their delicious dishes.

    1 person found this helpful

  40. Nicole

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2021

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Our server, Sergio, was efficient, thoughtful, and helpful. He was also entertaining which I don’t feel is a necessary part of service but a happy accident. I hope they know a good employee when they have one.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

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

FAQs

Wild Onion Bistro & Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 424-8991.

Wild Onion Bistro & Bar is rated 3.8 stars by 44 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Wild Onion Bistro & Bar

750 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303-4625

Additional information

  • Cross street
    On San Antonio between Middlefield & Charleston
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–11:00 am Lunch Daily 11:00 am–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bistro
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking only $10 for first 3 hours
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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