Bistro Vida

641 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
+1 650-462-1686
$$$ Bistro
(459 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to Bistro Vida, a charming bistro nestled in the heart of Menlo Park, California. With a delightful blend of classic French cuisine and warm, inviting service, this restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a night out with friends.

The menu at Bistro Vida is a celebration of traditional French dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Start your meal with the French Onion Soup, a rich, savory broth brimming with sweet caramelized onions and topped with golden, gooey cheese. For an enticing entrée, the Coq Au Vin is a must-try, featuring tender chicken braised in red burgundy, accompanied by lardons, mushrooms, and pearl onions, all carefully laid atop a bed of comforting egg noodles. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, the Cassoulet De Toulouse, with its sumptuous duck confit and Toulouse sausage nestled among creamy white beans, is a dish that promises to warm your soul.

For those seeking a classic French bistro experience, you cannot go wrong with the Steak Frites. This pan-seared ribeye, accompanied by crispy French fries and a luscious béarnaise sauce, delivers on flavor and satisfaction for just $21. Each dish is artfully prepared, showcasing the chefs' dedication to quality and tradition.

Bistro Vida's atmosphere is as inviting as its culinary offerings. The warmth of the space is accentuated by soft lighting and rustic decor that evokes the essence of a Parisian corner bistro. Patrons rave about the attentive service; many reviews highlight not just delicious food but also the personal touch provided by staff like Ali, who has been a welcoming presence over the years.

Guests also enjoy a selection of exquisite wines and rosés to pair beautifully with their meals. The Domaine Le Galantin Rosé and Angels & Cowboys Rosé are standout choices that complement the flavors of your dish while adding a touch of elegance to your dining experience.

As patrons share their thoughts, it’s clear that Bistro Vida offers more than just a meal. Many have expressed their delight in the attention to detail, whether it's the freshly baked baguette served with butter or the impeccable service that ensures a seamless dining experience. Though a few diners noted minor critiques regarding dish presentation or seasoning, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of joy and satisfaction. The profiteroles and flourless chocolate cake are favorites; although some have wished for a lighter touch, the overall dessert experience is still described as rich and delectable.

In conclusion, Bistro Vida is a gem in Menlo Park that invites you to indulge in a rich tapestry of French flavors, enjoy heartfelt hospitality, and create lasting memories. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to enjoy a delicious meal in good company, Bistro Vida is a destination you won’t want to miss.

Plan your visit today at +1 650-462-1686, and discover why so many have fallen in love with this delightful bistro!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

459 Reviews
R Klinger

23 Sep 2025

Overall, good experience. The food was good but didn’t blow my socks off. My beef dish could have had a bit more sauce. My wife said her scallops were tasty. It was nice to have a Pate and it was good, however it needed more bread on the dish. The beet salad was tasty however I would have preferred the cheese crumbled over the salad as opposed to a fried medallion of cheese. The menu does have variety so there is likely something for everyone here. Decent beer selection with a nice selection of wines that you likely won’t find in most locations. The service was attentive but not pushy which I appreciated. They gave us time to finish our appetizers before bringing the entrees. Overall, worth a visit if you want to have a bit of France ???????? in a bistro setting. Parking is plentiful. They have both outdoor and indoor seating. We came on a Friday Night with a reservation at 7pm and after that service, it was not crowded. They have short bar but recommend getting a table.

E D

17 Sep 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner at Bistro Vida! From the warm baguette and butter, Caesar salad, and steak frites to flourless chocolate cake and profiteroles, everything was a delight! Service was excellent and prompt. I do wish they had an option to have profiteroles with whipped cream as the vanilla ice cream felt heavy after a rich meal. The chocolate cake was delicious though and I would definitely order it again. I haven’t tried many French bistro style restaurants in the Peninsula so this was a great experience overall. I’ll be back to try their brunch service.

Jan

12 Sep 2025

We love this place, Ali has been welcoming us for years! Last night in his new bar Loretta, we had porn star martinis - ask for one if you haven’t tried it before!

Clare Lee

24 Jul 2025

Forgot to take pictures of our main dishes but everything was delicious as always and service was impeccable! The host wasn't at the front but still came out quickly; our super nice waitress came over soon and apologized for keeping us waiting (just a few minutes). The other staff were prompt with water, bread and butter, and refilled our water constantly. It'd been a while since our last visit but good to see them bustling and consistent. The burger wasn't quite up to their usual standard but everything else was great - particularly enjoyed the fondue. Look forward to visiting again soon. I love their cassoulet.

David Sopkin

16 Jul 2025

Good restaurant, lots of classic French dishes. Had the swordfish and french onion soup. Service was ok, atmosphere is 4 stars because the bar they own next door was playing music, as was Bistro Vida, but the songs were clashing with each other and not coordinated. It made for a really strange dining experience outdoor.

Carol cen

15 Jun 2025

The onion soup and the beets salad are delicious. However, the clam linguine is lack of flavor and watery.

Ryan Chua

02 Jun 2025

We visited this restaurant after reading reviews online. The day we went the place wasn't busy. First we ordered our drinks and our appetizer. The server asked if we wanted to order our entrees but hadn't decided yet so we requested for him to come back. He eventually did when our drinks and appetizers were all done which to me was strange. My husband ordered his steak medium but got more well done than he wanted. But my beef bourguignon was excellently cooked with lots of flavor. And the portion was great for the price. Overall a good place to have lunch.

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