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Macarena, Palo Alto, CA

Macarena

4.4
4.4
38 Reviews
$31 to $50
Traditional Spanish

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 70 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
The Art of Celebration in Palo Alto

Macarena is more than a restaurant—it’s a celebration of Spain’s soul, brought to life in Palo Alto. Inspired by timeless recipes passed down through generations, every dish reflects the classic traditions of Spanish cuisine, with no shortcuts and no reinterpretations—just comfort food as it’s meant to be.

Here, bold flavors meet time-honored techniques. From hearty paellas to vibrant tapas, every plate is crafted with care, honoring the traditions and culture that define Spanish cooking.

In our elegant and inviting space, time slows down. Laughter flows, glasses clink, and meals are savored, creating moments that feel both intimate and unforgettable.

At Macarena, we don’t just serve food—we share stories, honor history, and invite you to experience the timeless beauty of tradition and culture.​​

Opening End of February 2025

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Traditional Spanish, Contemporary European, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 11:30–21:30 Thu, Fri 11:30–22:30 Sat 11:00–22:30 Sun 11:00–21:30
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Area
    Palo Alto
  • Cross Street
    Lytton Avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Lytton Avenue & Ramona Street: This intersection is served by SamTrans Route 397, providing connections to various parts of the city. Hamilton Avenue & Ramona Street: Located just a short walk away, this stop is served by VTA Route 21, offering additional transit options.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Vegan

What 38 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Macarena offers a vibrant atmosphere and "truly authentic Spanish food," with standout dishes like "the best paella" and "delicious tapas." Despite some initial service hiccups and noise issues, the restaurant is praised for its "gorgeous decor" and "incredible atmosphere." A promising addition to Palo Alto's dining scene.
38 Reviews
  1. Miguel VIP

    San Francisco52 reviews

    5.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I'm originally from Spain, so based on experience I must say that this is the best Spanish restaurant in the Bay Area. Great food, great service and very close to the real deal. Take it from a Spaniard.

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  2. Anil VIP

    San Francisco174 reviews

    4.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great new addition. Excellent tapas, paella, and wine list. Top notch service. Will be there again soon.

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  3. Karen

    San Francisco2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for lunch so the noise level was not instrustive. All our menu selctions were decisous. The only ngative was that it took longer than it should have to receivwe our cocktails..had to inquire. The food was delicious!

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  4. Caroline

    San Francisco2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    The interior vibe here is so great. But the drinks, food, and service were all very bad.

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  5. marie-helene VIP

    San Francisco124 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were a party of 4. We shared 4 tapas and a negra paella. The tuna tapas was very good but the meat balls, chorizos and prawns were OK; nothing special. The paella was disappointing; the rice was cooked very well but almost no seafood in a seafood paella! The host recommended a wine for us after our hesitation and he chose very well and cheaper than the one we were thinking to take. This guy was very professional and nice! Overall we had a good time and the atmosphere was very nice but I was expected more since I am a fan of paella.

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  6. Cammy VIP

    San Francisco2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and ambience were great. Service was lacking especially the timing of the food service

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  7. Ellen VIP

    San Francisco16 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great idea and good food and a happy place but conversation not possible as the music drowns out any attempt to have a conversation while dining. No reason the decibel level couldn't be lowered to the level of normal speech. Gorgeous decor and a shame no one over 50 will be comfortable there,

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  8. Celeste VIP

    San Francisco42 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great tapas and cocktails! Our server was excellent - he checked in often and gave good advice on food and drinks. We'll come back again, soon!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another amazing culinary delight. The fideuá was fantastic! Perfectly cooked to a nice crisp. The jamon is always a hit. The dessert saquéis and the savory cheesecake are delicious.

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  10. Marcy

    San Francisco5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Good new addition to Palo Alto restaurants. Service needs to be a bit more aware of constant interruptions to ask questions, clear dishes, or serve the table that is very close to us and nearly knock everything off our table. Plates should not be cleared one by one. Wait til the course if over or till there are at least 2. Particularly in a tapas bar. Too many people hovering. Onion flower with mayo was not very good. Too much mayo, not enough crisp. Paella was very good. Atmosphere needs more sound baffling. Overall, a 3 plus. I'll be back in a month to see how it progresses.

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FAQs

Macarena is rated 4.4 stars by 38 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 70 times today
Google Map for Macarena

420 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1707

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Lytton Avenue
  • Area
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 11:30–21:30 Thu, Fri 11:30–22:30 Sat 11:00–22:30 Sun 11:00–21:30
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Traditional Spanish, Contemporary European, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Lytton Avenue & Ramona Street: This intersection is served by SamTrans Route 397, providing connections to various parts of the city. Hamilton Avenue & Ramona Street: Located just a short walk away, this stop is served by VTA Route 21, offering additional transit options.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Vegan
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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