01
Best overall pick
Vesta
Downtown Redwood City • Wood-Fired Pizza And Cal-Italian Restaurant • Lively Local Favorite
Bustling spot for crackly wood-fired pies, seasonally driven small plates, and a smart craft beer and wine list.
Vesta is the downtown place people name first when you ask where to eat in Redwood City, and it stays busy from early evening through late night. The pizzas come out blistered from the oven, with toppings that feel creative without being fussy, and the vegetable plates are as compelling as the mains. It works just as well for family dinners as it does for a casual date before a movie at the nearby theater.
02
Modern Latin standout
LV Mar
Downtown Redwood City • Contemporary Latin American Restaurant • Best For Cocktails And Shared Plates
Colorful Latin flavors, strong cocktails, and shareable plates make LV Mar a go-to for lively evenings out.
Just off Courthouse Square, LV Mar leans into bold Latin American flavors with a modern spin, from ceviches and tacos to richly sauced mains. The bar turns out serious margaritas and seasonal cocktails that match the kitchen’s energy, and the spacious patio is especially popular on warm evenings. It’s a reliable choice when you want to graze on small plates with friends rather than sit through a formal, coursed meal.
03
Neighborhood charmer
Camper
Downtown Menlo Park • Seasonal California Bistro • Relaxed Date-Night Choice
A polished yet low-key spot for market-driven California dishes, handmade pastas, and thoughtful wines.
Camper brings a warm, slightly rustic feel to Santa Cruz Avenue, with an open kitchen and a menu that changes with what’s in season. Expect bright salads, handmade pastas, and mains that show off local produce without overcomplicating things. It’s the kind of place where you can dress up a bit for date night or slide into the bar solo for a glass of wine and a couple of small plates after work.
04
Special-occasion splurge
Selby's
Atherton Border • Upscale American Fine-Dining Restaurant • Iconic Special-Occasion Destination
Old-school glamour, precise cooking, and a deep wine list make Selby's the Peninsula’s big-night-out address.
Set just off El Camino between Atherton and North Fair Oaks, Selby's feels like a throwback supper club with dark wood, plush banquettes, and quietly attentive service. The menu leans classic—think impeccably cooked steaks, rich pastas, and indulgent starters—executed with the polish you’d expect at this price point. It’s where locals book anniversaries, celebratory business dinners, or any evening when the experience matters as much as the food.
05
Mediterranean crowd-pleaser
Zaytinya - Palo Alto
Stanford Shopping Center • Eastern Mediterranean Mezze Restaurant • Best For Adventurous Groups
Bright, contemporary mezze from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon anchor a share-friendly menu that keeps the table busy.
A short drive from North Fair Oaks, Zaytinya brings chef-driven Eastern Mediterranean cooking to the edge of Stanford’s campus. The menu is built around small plates—grilled halloumi, silky spreads, tender lamb—that arrive as they’re ready, encouraging a relaxed, grazing style of eating. With its airy dining room and easy parking in the mall garages, it’s a convenient meet-up spot when you’re coming from different parts of the Peninsula.