Cafe Pro Bono

4.8

1460 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 15 times today

Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem
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

Private dining

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 1,460 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Peninsula
Best Overall
Peninsula
Best Food
Peninsula
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Pro Bono is a cherished dining spot known for its "outstanding food" and "impeccable service." Guests enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere with dishes like Susan's Downfall and rack of lamb often highlighted. Outdoor dining adds charm, though it can be lively. This neighborhood gem is a must-visit for Italian cuisine enthusiasts.

1,460 Reviews

V
Victor
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great food, great service, friendly ambience. One of the few places we can have a conversation while having dinner.
Is this helpful?
H
Harbrinder
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a fabulous owner, the food was great, and the service and staff are awesome
Is this helpful?
S
Stanford VIP
San Francisco37 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Many years ago I ate at this restaurant; food was salty and I never went back. I am so happy I went back this week. Food and service were excellent! We will go back soon!
Is this helpful?
R
Richard VIP
Jackson Hole5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I find ourselves at Cafe Pro Bono at least once a week. The owner and waitstaff always welcome us as though we were family. The food is always top notch. And we always have the sense that other patrons enjoy this restaurant as much as we do. What more need be said?
Is this helpful?
R
Rial
San Francisco31 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinners were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the salmon. I can’t say enough about the service - I felt totally spoiled.
Is this helpful?
V
Vini VIP
San Francisco43 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Lamb entree was Very delicious, wild boar sausage n beans were good. My friends enjoyed the halibut and spicy rigatoni as well.
Is this helpful?
S
Sandra VIP
San Francisco215 reviews
4.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food great, as usual, but I will pass on dining in on Saturday night. Noise so loud I ended up with headache. No one could hear each other talking.
Is this helpful?
E
Elaine
San Francisco12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Felt really special. Food, wine, service was great.
Is this helpful?
L
Lucile VIP
San Francisco10 reviews
4.0
Dined on 28 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
One plate had a small dark spot but overall was pretty pleasant.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City1 review
3.0
Dined on 28 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Said they had a hh but they canceled it but didn’t take it off the website.
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 4.8 stars by 1460 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

16 Mar 2025

19:00

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
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

Custom inquiry

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