Cafe Pro Bono

4.9

1417 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

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 1,417 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
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Neighborhood gem
San Francisco Bay Area
Italian
Peninsula
Best Overall
Peninsula
Best Food
Peninsula
Best Value
Peninsula
Neighborhood gem
Peninsula
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Pro Bono is a beloved upscale Italian restaurant known for its "excellent food" and "hospitable service." Guests rave about the warm, welcoming atmosphere and dishes like "Susan's Downfall pasta" and veal piccata. The attentive staff and management ensure a memorable dining experience, making it a "go-to" spot in Palo Alto.

1,417 Reviews

K
Karlette
San Francisco
51 reviews
vip
4.0
51 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
I had grilled prawns with polenta. He had risotto with smoked duck. Both vey good. Service was efficient; waiter very personable. Will be back.
Is this helpful?
A
Allen
Chicago
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Always a favorite when we visit. Owner and staff are amazing. Great bar and the food is always delicious. Will continue to return!
Is this helpful?
J
Jared
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We did outdoor dining with our dog. The last time I’ve visited this place was over a decade ago, not they’ve occupied the suite next door and added outdoor dining. Food still the same, but as expected, the process has increased significantly. I’ve always loved the Susan’s downfall ravioli- this dish is what makes this place memorable for me. We also had the Tagliatelle alla Pro Bono which was also very good. Since the prices has significantly increased, we had to limit our food options to only an entree. No appetizers, drinks, or dessert.
Is this helpful?
D
Diane
San Francisco
59 reviews
vip
5.0
59 reviews
Dined on October 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We love Cafe Pro Bono!! The specials are always enticing and the menu has so many yummy options! It is cozy and you can hear your table conversations! Great wine list too! A lovely evening every time
Is this helpful?
S
Sandra
San Francisco
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food, impeccable service as always. Great environment - noise level is very low and the staff is very attentive.
Is this helpful?
P
Pat
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We are regulars. There are many restaurants to choose from, but Pro Bono always fits the bill.
Is this helpful?
T
Tim
San Francisco
82 reviews
vip
5.0
82 reviews
Dined on October 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding service as always food is excellent ambience just great for the neighborhood. Plenty of parking across the street. They treat you like family. You fed like mamas in the kitchen.
Is this helpful?
G
Gary
Hawaii
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everybody was very friendly. We felt welcomed. Our main server was funny. He was an older gentleman with a ponytail. I didn’t catch his name. The food was excellent. Atmosphere was nice. Parking was free and in a new parking structure. It was across the street and very convenient.
Is this helpful?
D
Deborah
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent meal expertly prepared and delivered with impeccable service!
Is this helpful?
D
Donn
San Francisco
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
We sat outside and there was a table of 10 or 12 and 6 of them were small children that ran around us, yelling, screaming and overall making an enormous amount of noise and disruption. We will go to the restaurant again, but NEVER again will we sit outside!!
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 1417 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 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

Review summary

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