La Bodeguita del Medio

Welcome to La Bodeguita del Medio, a Cuban gem located in Palo Alto, California. This vibrant restaurant offers a unique blend of Cuban flavors with an inviting atmosphere that transports you to the heart of Cuba.

With a menu that features a variety of dishes ranging from empanadas to seafood paella, La Bodeguita del Medio caters to every palate. Customer favorites include the Tierra y Mar skirt steak, chicken empanadas, and the plantain crusted goat cheese salad.

One of the standout features of La Bodeguita del Medio is its lively bar area and cozy cigar lounge, where you can relax with a cocktail and enjoy the authentic Cuban experience. The outdoor seating, complete with fire pits for heating, adds to the charm of this restaurant.

Customer reviews rave about the impeccable service provided by the staff, with special mentions for servers like Richard and Georgie. The ambience, complete with gender-neutral restrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi, ensures a comfortable dining experience for all patrons.

Whether you're looking for a romantic date night spot or a place to gather with friends, La Bodeguita del Medio is the perfect destination. Indulge in the flavors of Cuba and savor every bite at this beloved Cuban restaurant in Palo Alto.

La Bodeguita del Medio Menu

Location

Address: 463 S California Ave Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 326-7762

🕓 Work Hours
MON Closed
TUE 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WED 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
THU 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FRI 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM
SAT 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM
SUN Closed

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Limited Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Garage Parking, Street Parking, Private Lot Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Best nights on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • TV
    Yes
  • Heated Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Not Good For Kids
    No
  • Smoking
    No
  • Drive-Thru
    No
  • Dogs Not Allowed
    No
  • Private Dining
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Compostable containers available
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Sam S.

    24 June 2024

    I've been here twice now and it has been great both times. I have not had a dish here I disliked. The curry was mid, not bad but I just won't order it again. The empanadas are amazing as is the Tierra y mar. After dinner we went to the bar to order more drinks and go into the back to their cigar lounge. It was really nice to sit outside and enjoy a cocktail while my husband and others smoked. I like that they have an outside area as well as an inside area since I don't smoke and it feels too enclosed to be around those smoking inside.

  • Author: Alyssa S.

    21 June 2024

    Tasted food samples from here at a fair on California Avenue (3rd Thursday). They're very nice and the croquetas are delicious!

  • Author: Jason X.

    26 May 2024

    We keep coming back and have enjoyed pretty much all of the dishes! Shout out to Richard for the good service. Good vibes inside and they have fire pits outside for heating, though it can get pretty cold. I also can't wait for their dine-in surcharge to get banned.

  • Author: Eric H.

    22 May 2024

    Came here on a Friday dinner for Mother's Day weekend. We called earlier to make a reservation, but they only had outside seats available. We walked in and they had bar tables open, so we sat there instead. We got the Seafood Paella, Chicken Empanadas, and Fried Calamari. Seafood Paella 4.5/5: Huge portion, good enough to feed around 3 people. The rice was delicious and flavorful. The mussels and clams all around it were alright, could have used more flavor or sauce for them. Chicken Empanadas 4/5: Quite large, comes with 3 for each order. The insides are very hot so be careful! It was also slightly spicy. They were pretty good and a generous amount of meat inside. There was also red cabbage below it but didn't really add anything to the dish. Fried Calamari 4/5: Your typical fried calamari. It wasn't on the menu but we saw people post pictures of it so we asked if they had it, and they could make it for us. The calamari was crispy and their tartar sauce went amazing with it.