Bistro Vida

4.8

2801 Reviews

$30 and under

French

Make a booking

2 people

14 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 45 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

Established in 1998, Bistro Vida is a neighborhood restaurant inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking. Our mission is to bring the joie de vivre, comfort, and community of the City of Lights to downtown Menlo Park. The name " Vida" the Spanish word for life, was chosen as a toast to the enjoyment of life, love, and food. Each delicious detail of the chic interior from the smart bar to the blackboard menus, the huge cylindrical chandeliers to the long mirrors reminiscent of brasseries has acquired a warm patina over the years.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
French, Bistro, Californian
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
Phone number
(650) 462-1686
Website
http://www.bistro-vida.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Ali El Safy
Catering
From a small gather to a large corporate lunch or celebration, we have a variety of menu options for your catered event.
Private party facilities
We have several options for large groups, special occasions, corporate events, and more. Please contact the restaurant to inquire about holding an event at Bistro Vida. We will work with you to create a personalized event including a uniquely crafted menu and a signature wine experience. RESTAURANT BUYOUTWe offer availability for large parties in the form of a full restaurant buyout. Our dining room accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 150 guests for a standing reception. PATIOOur private heated patio can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated event and up to 60 guests for a standing reception.

Location
641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Area
Menlo Park
Cross Street
El Camino Real
Parking details
Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Private dining

HuîtresUS$18.00
½ dozen oysters du jour
Tartare de ThonUS$16.00
ahi tuna, ginger, chives, yuzu
Calmars FritsUS$13.00
fried calamari, aioli mayonnaise
CoquillesUS$17.00
sautéed sea scallop, garlic, white wine, herbes de provence
Escargots à la BourguignonneUS$20.00
Burgundy snails, parsley-garlic butter
Soupe à l'Oignon GratinéeUS$11.00
caramelized sweet onions, beef jus, country bread, gruyère
Pâté de CampagneUS$15.00
country pâté, radishes, cornichons, baguette
Assiette de CharcuteriesUS$19.00
prosciutto, saucisson sec, pâté, olives, cornichons
Tartare de BoeufUS$19.00
hand chopped fillet, egg yolk, cornichons, caper berries
Olives MarinéesUS$7.00
warm marinated olives
Assiette de FromagesUS$19.00
selection of three artisanal cheeses, toasted baguette
Fondue aux FromagesUS$16.00
gruyère & emmental cheese

Les Salades

LaitueUS$12.00
bibb lettuce, fines herbes, dijon vinaigrette
CésarUS$12.00
hearts of romaine, croûtons, parmegiano reggiano
Chèvre ChaudUS$13.00
mixed greens, warm goat cheese, roasted beets, champagne vinaigrette
Tomates et BurrataUS$16.00
tomatoes, arugula, basil, burrata cheese

Fruits de Mer

Moules FritesUS$30.00
mussels, sauce marinière, parsley, french fries
Clams FritesUS$30.00
clams, sauce marinière, parsley, french fries
Sole MeunièreUS$32.00
fillet of sole, beurre noisette, haricots verts, roasted fingerling potatoes
Saumon GrilléUS$33.00
grilled wild salmon, beurre blanc, seasonal vegetables
Risotto aux Saint JacquesUS$30.00
seared sea scallops, asparagus risotto
BouillabaisseUS$36.00
provençal fish stew, tomato-saffron broth, croûtons, rouille
Linguine de PalourdesUS$25.00
linguine pasta, manila clams, cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine

Garnitures

Pommes Frites
french fries
Épinards
sautéed spinach
Haricots Verts
sautéed french green beans
Champignons Fricassée
sautéed mushrooms

Les Viandes et Les Entreés

Poulet RôtiUS$28.00
roasted free-range chicken, haricots verts, mashed potatoes, herbed chicken jus
Coq au VinUS$30.00
red burgundy braised chicken, lardons, mushrooms, pearl onions, egg noodles
Cassoulet de ToulouseUS$35.00
duck confit, toulouse sausage, white beans
Pork TenderloinUS$30.00
roasted pork tenderloin, caramelized onions, crème fraîche, potato gratin
Lamb ChopsUS$42.00
grilled new zealand lamb chops, demi glace sauce, roasted potatoes, asparagus
Boeuf BourguignonUS$33.00
beef stewed in red wine, pearl onions, baby carrots, mashed potatoes
Steak FritesUS$40.00
New York strip, sauce béarnaise, french fries
Filet au PoivreUS$44.00
filet mignon, asparagus, potato gratinée
Vida BurgerUS$22.00
roasted red bell peppers, gorgonzola, french fries
CouscousUS$30.00
couscous, merguez sausage, harissa sauce
Gnocchi à la ParisienneUS$23.00
sautéed gnocchi, mushrooms, asparagus, peas, beurre noisette

What 2,801 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

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bistro Vida is a cherished gem in Menlo Park, offering authentic French bistro dining with "amazing" food and "outstanding service." Ali, the owner, is known for his attention to detail and community involvement. Guests rave about the "best French onion soup" and delicious mussels. A perfect spot for family gatherings or special occasions.

2,801 Reviews

P
Patti VIP
San Francisco21 reviews
5.0
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful meal at Bistro Vida. Salmon is always delicious.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ali and the team always do a tremendous job. It was a lot of fun celebrating my mom’s birthday here with great service and even better food.
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J
Jocelyn VIP
San Francisco6 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The owner Ali embodies gracious hospitality and refined customer service. The food was delicious, ambience felt like we were at a bistro in Paris, perfect afternoon lunch with friends. Rose, Salad Nicoise, frites ... was perfect. This is a neighborhood gem.
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J
Jacqueline
San Francisco5 reviews
4.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
We are patrons of Vida for years and appreciate that French Brasserie . Now with the opening of the new Bar,very nice, the noise in the restaurant is extremely painful and annoying. In the restaurant they have also dim the light? The atmosphere of the restaurant is changed ,for me not for the better. Why not keep the doors closed between the Bar and the Restaurant?
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco1 review
4.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It was a nice place but very loud. The French onion soup was the best. Our main courses were good but not great. The Vanilla crème brûlée was delicious.
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A
Alex
San Francisco16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Love this restaurant. Excellent food every time, and the friendliest most helpful staff!
Is this helpful?
R
R. Eugene VIP
San Francisco54 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Still our favorite place for weekend brunch. Their Eggs Benedict are the best on the mid-peninsula!
Is this helpful?
L
Lynne VIP
Los Angeles37 reviews
5.0
Dined on 26 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bistro Vida is our “go to” in Menlo Park. The food is great, the staff really friendly and helpful. It’s just always a great experience. I highly recommend the sole meunière and the poulet roti for lighter fare. The steaks are great as well. It’s always good to have an enjoyable, high quality alternative that you can count on.
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h
heather VIP
San Francisco18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The aparagus soup was excellent. The risotto with scallops was excellent. And the warm chocolae cake with icecream was the best I've ever had
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E
Elaine VIP
San Francisco35 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Second time here in 2 weeks and excellent both times. Started with a cocktail next door at Loretta and then in to dinner at BV. Ali, the owner of both, is the quintessential host. Though he doesn’t know me, he made me feel special and welcomed me with a personal greeting & seating. Our dinner was delish—all 4 of us had different entrees, and we all enjoyed them. I had the swordfish which was done perfectly, and my husband had the scallops with risotto which I recommended to him— he loved the dish! More cocktails were excellent and the service and atmosphere were top notch!!
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FAQs

Bistro Vida offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (650) 462-1686.

Bistro Vida is rated 4.8 stars by 2801 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

14 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 45 times today

Order delivery or takeout

641 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Additional information

Cross Street
El Camino Real
Area
Menlo Park
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00–14:00 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:00 Sun 17:00–20:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
French, Bistro, Californian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.
Payment Options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Ali El Safy
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.bistro-vida.com/
Phone number
(650) 462-1686
Catering
From a small gather to a large corporate lunch or celebration, we have a variety of menu options for your catered event.
Private party facilities
We have several options for large groups, special occasions, corporate events, and more. Please contact the restaurant to inquire about holding an event at Bistro Vida. We will work with you to create a personalized event including a uniquely crafted menu and a signature wine experience. RESTAURANT BUYOUTWe offer availability for large parties in the form of a full restaurant buyout. Our dining room accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 150 guests for a standing reception. PATIOOur private heated patio can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated event and up to 60 guests for a standing reception.

Bistro Vida

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Custom inquiry

Hors D'oeuvres

HuîtresUS$18.00

Tartare de ThonUS$16.00

Calmars FritsUS$13.00

CoquillesUS$17.00

Escargots à la BourguignonneUS$20.00

Soupe à l'Oignon GratinéeUS$11.00

Pâté de CampagneUS$15.00

Assiette de CharcuteriesUS$19.00

Tartare de BoeufUS$19.00

Olives MarinéesUS$7.00

Assiette de FromagesUS$19.00

Fondue aux FromagesUS$16.00

Les Salades

LaitueUS$12.00

CésarUS$12.00

Chèvre ChaudUS$13.00

Tomates et BurrataUS$16.00

Fruits de Mer

Moules FritesUS$30.00

Clams FritesUS$30.00

Sole MeunièreUS$32.00

Saumon GrilléUS$33.00

Risotto aux Saint JacquesUS$30.00

BouillabaisseUS$36.00

Linguine de PalourdesUS$25.00

Garnitures

Pommes Frites

Épinards

Haricots Verts

Champignons Fricassée

Les Viandes et Les Entreés

Poulet RôtiUS$28.00

Coq au VinUS$30.00

Cassoulet de ToulouseUS$35.00

Pork TenderloinUS$30.00

Lamb ChopsUS$42.00

Boeuf BourguignonUS$33.00

Steak FritesUS$40.00

Filet au PoivreUS$44.00

Vida BurgerUS$22.00

CouscousUS$30.00

Gnocchi à la ParisienneUS$23.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Bistro Vida offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Bistro Vida restaurant rated?

Is Bistro Vida currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information