Palo Alto's Best Takeout Restaurants

Takeout in Palo Alto usually means one of two things: a quick salad you eat over your laptop, or a splurge that makes the drive home feel like a victory lap. This list runs the full gauntlet, from Sundance’s tender prime rib to State of Mind’s crackly-bottom square slices that justify the wait.

We hit every counter, deli, and poolside grill in between. You’ll find a gorgonzola cheesecake worth celebrating and a jerk chicken that lingers in the best way.

Go on, clear your coffee table.

Nola

Highlights
Lively New Orleans atmosphere
Standout garlic bread and sauce
Memorable teriyaki skirt steak
Perfectly balanced signature cocktails
Great for repeat visits

Nola doesn't try to be subtle. It bursts in with a New Orleans vibe that makes you want to tap your foot while you wait for the bag. The garlic bread and its sauce are the quiet stars. You'll fight over the last piece. The teriyaki skirt steak is a savory, sticky triumph. Cocktails come balanced and bold, perfect for a solo toast at home. I've been back three times already. Each visit, something new wins me over. This is the place you keep in your back pocket for a reliable, lively pick-me-up. It's loud in spirit, even when you're eating quietly on your couch.

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Urban Momo

Highlights
Fresh, hot, and tasty
Quick, friendly, attentive service
Order arrives one by one
Consistent, flavorful Nepalese dishes
Excellent chili paneer kick

Urban Momo gets it. The food arrives hot, fresh, and seriously tasty. Service is quick and friendly, never hovering. They bring orders one by one, which builds nice anticipation. The Nepalese dishes stay consistent, batch after batch. The chili paneer has a genuine kick. It warms you up without demanding a fire extinguisher. This is the kind of takeout you crave on a busy weeknight. You order, you wait briefly, you eat well. No fuss. No pretense. Just solid, flavorful food that respects your time and your palate.

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SUN of WOLF

Highlights
Pricey but well-made food
Small portions, high prices
Excellent cilantro salsa
Strong brunch cocktails

SUN of WOLF is a splurge. You'll pay more, and the portions run small. But the food is well-made, precise, and worth the dent in your wallet. The cilantro salsa is excellent. Seriously, I could eat it with a spoon. Brunch cocktails come strong, which helps justify the price. This is not an everyday stop. This is a treat-yourself place. You order a little, you taste a lot, you leave satisfied but not stuffed. If you're after a culinary adventure without the sit-down fuss, this is your spot. Just bring your patience and your credit card.

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Zaytinya

Highlights
Attentive table cleaning service
Authentic Mediterranean flavors
Great value for portions
Fried eggplant and octopus shine
Fresh bread wraps deliciously

Zaytinya does Mediterranean right. The flavors feel authentic, like they traveled across the sea just for your takeout box. Portions are generous for the price, a rare find. The fried eggplant and octopus shine especially bright. Fresh bread wraps everything beautifully. You'll soak up every last drop of sauce. Service is attentive, even when you're just picking up. They keep the table clean, a small touch that matters. This is the kind of place you order from again and again, never disappointed, always full.

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CRUST Sourdough Deli (Palo Alto Square)

Highlights
Cobb salad, fresh and generous
Consistent quality across visits
In-house meatballs worth trying
Solid cookie options, free treat
Spacious pickup with self-serve sides

CRUST Sourdough Deli is a reliable workhorse. The Cobb salad is fresh and generous, loaded with everything you want. Quality holds steady across visits, which matters when you're a regular. The in-house meatballs are worth a detour. Cookies are solid, and sometimes you get a free treat. Pickup is easy, with plenty of space and self-serve sides. This is not a flashy spot. It's a get-in, get-out, eat-well kind of place. You know what you're getting. You'll be glad you came.

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Local Union 271

Highlights
Locally sourced, fresh ingredients
Plant-based and gluten-free options
Generous portions at fair prices
Heated outdoor seating available
Warm, attentive service

Local Union 271 focuses on local sourcing, and you can taste it. Everything feels fresh, clean, and intentional. Plant-based and gluten-free options are plentiful. Portions are generous, and prices stay fair. Heated outdoor seating is a bonus if you want to eat there, but takeout works just as well. Service is warm and attentive, rare for a pickup order. This is the kind of place you recommend to friends who have dietary needs. It delivers on all fronts. You leave full, satisfied, and a little bit impressed.

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Macarena Restaurant in Palo Alto

Highlights
Octopus and tuna cornets shine
Attentive, warm, family-friendly service
Exquisite empanadas and fish dishes
Gorgonzola cheesecake is delightful
Spacious room, easy reservations

Macarena brings the heat, and I don't just mean spice. The octopus and tuna cornets are the stars. They're elegant, playful, and delicious. Empanadas are exquisite, flaky, and packed with flavor. Fish dishes come fresh and well-executed. The gorgonzola cheesecake is a delightful surprise, creamy and bold. Service is warm and family-friendly. The room is spacious, and reservations are easy. This place feels like a celebration every time. You'll want to linger, even in takeout form. It's a gem in the truest sense.

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Sundance The Steakhouse

Highlights
Prime rib and crab cakes
Service and atmosphere shine
Anniversary-worthy dessert comp
Oysters and sashimi starters
Creamy, not salty chowder

Sundance The Steakhouse is a classic for a reason. The prime rib is tender, rich, and satisfying. Crab cakes come crispy and full of meat. Service and atmosphere shine, even for pickup. The dessert comp is anniversary-worthy, sweet and generous. Start with oysters or sashimi, both fresh and bright. The chowder is creamy without being salty, a fine balance. This is a splurge that delivers. You feel like you're treating yourself. It's the kind of meal that makes a Tuesday feel like a special occasion.

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Coconuts Caribbean Restaurant & Bar

Highlights
Jerk chicken packs real heat
Jamaican patties taste like empanadas
Rum cake rivals grandma's recipe
Staff handles big catering orders
Caribbean music sets the mood

Coconuts brings the Caribbean to your doorstep. Jerk chicken packs real heat, the kind that builds and lingers. Jamaican patties taste like empanadas, a fun crossover. The rum cake rivals grandma's recipe, dense and boozy. Staff handles big catering orders with ease, a sign of professionalism. Caribbean music sets the mood, even through a paper bag. This is a place with personality. You order, you dance a little, you eat a lot. It's a party in a takeout container.

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State of Mind Slice House

Highlights
Crust: chewy, crunchy, great
Gluten-free crust genuinely excellent
Crispy-bottom square slices
Worth braving the wait

State of Mind Slice House makes you wait. It's worth it. The crust is chewy, crunchy, and just right. Gluten-free crust is genuinely excellent, not a sad afterthought. Square slices have crispy bottoms that crackle with joy. You'll brave the line again and again. This is pizza made with care. Each slice is a little work of art. You won't find a better pie in town. Just bring patience. Your reward is hot, cheesy, and absolutely satisfying.

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Dinah's Poolside Restaurant

Highlights
Wagyu burger cooked perfectly
Spicy margarita with jalapeños
Affordable breakfast under $25
Prompt, friendly service
Clean, attractive remodel

Dinah's Poolside Restaurant is a pleasant surprise. The wagyu burger cooked perfectly, juicy and rich. Spicy margarita with jalapeños brings a nice kick. Breakfast is affordable, under $25, which feels like a steal. Service is prompt and friendly, no waiting around. The remodel is clean and attractive. This feels like a neighborhood joint that cares. You can grab a quick bite or linger by the pool. Either way, you leave happy. It's a solid choice for any meal of the day.

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Oklava Cafe

Highlights
Turkish coffee with dessert
Knowledgeable, attentive staff
Fresh Turkish breakfast options
Cozy indoor and outdoor seating
Central Palo Alto location

Oklava Cafe is a cozy retreat in central Palo Alto. Turkish coffee comes strong and thick, perfect with dessert. Staff is knowledgeable and attentive, happy to guide you. Fresh Turkish breakfast options are a morning delight. Indoor and outdoor seating are both inviting. This is a place you go to slow down. The location is convenient, easy to pop into. You'll find yourself ordering the same thing every time, because it's that good. A quiet, reliable spot in a busy town.

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