Cafe Pro Bono

4.9

1452 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

1 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 28 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines

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
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Featured in

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

Popular dishes

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

Starters

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

Panini

all our sandwiches are served with salad

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

Luncheon Salads

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

Pasta

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

Lunch Entrees

all entrees served with starch and vegetables

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

What 1,452 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
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

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

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Pro Bono in Palo Alto is a beloved Italian restaurant known for its "outstanding service" and "delicious food." Patrons praise its "relaxing ambiance" and "attentive staff," with special mention of dishes like Susan's Downfall and Veal Piccata. Regulars appreciate the "friendly family-run" vibe and consistently enjoyable dining experiences.

1,452 Reviews

F
Frank
San Francisco
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I always enjoy dining at this restaurant. Pleasant and attentive staff and excellent food. Definitely my first choice for Italian food in Palo Alto. Among numerous Italian restaurants in town, Cafe Pro Bono stands out for me. Simply outstanding pasta, including one of their signature dishes, Susan’s Downfall, which is not to be missed.
Is this helpful?
L
Lynne
VIP
San Francisco
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always, our experience at Pro Bono was delightful. We were greeted warmly and service was attentive without being intrusive. The pasta was simply perfect and the duck confit salad was a rare treat. Desserts and coffees finished off our special outing, all at a very reasonable price. Pro Bono is a true gem!
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C
Chisato
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 18 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My husband and I ate there for my birthday. Everybody was attentive and energetic. Food was great and we enjoyed what they offered. Pro Bono will be one of our favorite restaurants in Palo Alto.
Is this helpful?
W
Wanda
Unspecified
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Our first visit. Taste and service justified the cost. Unfortunately, neither of us slept well afterwards. Could be the rich food?
Is this helpful?
A
Aman
San Francisco
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
The ambiance was very uninteresting. But then the service was extremely slow. It took us 20 mins just to get water and then another 15-20 mins to get have someone take our order for drinks. The place was very busy due to Valentine’s Day but the restaurant should plan for days like this as this is the business they are in, customer service. Lastly, the food (whatever that was available as most items on menu ran out) was horrible tasting. The complimentary bread was cold (how hard is it to toast it). And then the main course was cold and also tasted very weird. I have traveled a lot around the world, not just the US or the bay, and this restaurant really had a very poor experience overall.
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C
Candice
Unspecified
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always wonderful to come to this restaurant! It made our night so special and everyone there is so considerate.
Is this helpful?
L
Larry
VIP
San Francisco
24 reviews
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant is one of my top 5 places to eat.I never get tired of it because there's a new menu everyday and the staff is incredible.
Is this helpful?
J
Jackie
VIP
San Francisco
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on 3 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delightful. Always delicious food, great staff and service. Appreciate the moderation of noise level--now easy to hear others at the table.
Is this helpful?
J
Jill
VIP
Central Coast
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Attentive service and delicious food as always. My husband enjoyed the tasty filet (surprisingly had a little gristle) and I had the yummy squid ink pasta with seafood. It was a lovely dining experience. This restaurant will definitely be in our rotation of Friday night dining!
Is this helpful?
J
Jerry & Sandy
VIP
Central Coast
47 reviews
5.0
47 reviews
Dined on 27 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Consistantly our favorite restaurant‼️ Service and food are extraordinary! 👍
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 1452 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

1 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 28 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
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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 booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

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

Rigatoni

Gnocchi

Cappellini

Appetizers

Grilled PolentaUS$15.95

Sauteed Gulf PrawnsUS$17.95

CarpaccioUS$24.95

Susan's DownfallUS$18.95

Starters

Organic Baby SpringUS$12.95

Wild ArugulaUS$15.95

Caesar SaladUS$14.95

Panini

Grilled PortobelloUS$19.95

Steak PaniniUS$28.95

Chicken ConfitUS$22.95

Smoked SalmonUS$26.95

Luncheon Salads

Yabo SaladUS$32.95

Duck Confit SaladUS$19.95

Grilled Chicken SaladUS$24.95

Pasta

CapelliniUS$22.95

Spaghetti Bolognese (homemade)US$25.95

TortiglioneUS$25.95

GnocchiUS$25.95

Susan's DownfallUS$28.95

RigatoniUS$26.95

Tagliatelle alla Pro BonoUS$27.95

Linguini alla VongoleUS$29.95

Squid SpaghettiUS$32.95

Lunch Entrees

Pollo alla Pro BonoUS$29.95

Loch Duarte SalmonUS$33.95

Veal ScaloppineUS$37.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

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 bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

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