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Macarena, Palo Alto, CA

Macarena

4.5
4.5
66 Reviews
$31 to $50
Traditional Spanish
420 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1707

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 83 times today

About this restaurant

  • Lively
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
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

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 am–9:30 pm Thu, Fri 11:30 am–10:30 pm Sat 11:00 am–10:30 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Neighborhood
    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
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 66 people are saying

Macarena reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Peninsula

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Macarena is a vibrant Spanish restaurant in Palo Alto offering "authentic Spanish cuisine" that transports diners to Spain. Guests rave about the "fantastic tapas" and "delicious paella," highlighting dishes like the "squid ink paella" and "saquets de crema." The "warm and attentive service" and inviting atmosphere make it a must-visit.
66 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Spanish restaurant in the Bay Area. Traditional food, good quality, best restaurant to experience the real Spanish cuisine!

    Is this helpful?

  2. lynn VIP

    San Francisco45 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great addition to the downtown dining scene. Fabulous from start to finish -- ambiance, staff, drinks, and food. Sandy was an excellent server, engaging with her customers, making several menu suggestions, and providing well-paced service. Definitely give the calamari appetizer and the squid ink paella a try. This just might be our new favorite restaurant for downtown Palo Alto.

    Is this helpful?

  3. CARMEN VIP

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and atmosphere. Very authentic amazing food and service and good ambiance music. Will come again.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sush VIP

    San Francisco36 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful addition to PA. I was sad to see birddog go, but Macarena more than makes up for it by re-imagining the space to make it feel spacious yet intimate. Food was on point, cocktails were fresh twists and delivered on the promise and service was very warm and attentive. Can’t wait to come back!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Rinku

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food - very attentive and helpful servers.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Rita

    San Francisco16 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Food and service good, but the decor is very drab and the tables have a shiny surface which means the plates easily slip on it. Rather too noisy

    Is this helpful?

  7. Tatjana VIP

    San Francisco16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful evening at this new restaurant! It is sure to be another Bay Area hit!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Dena VIP

    San Francisco5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a nice evening! We shared a salad and the squid ink paella and they were both delicious and generous portions. My martini was yummy and the service and staff were friendly and helpful. We will come back for sure!!

    Is this helpful?

  9. jUBILY VIP

    San Francisco10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    I will definitely come back especially with the quality of the food and reasonable pricing.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kristen

    San Francisco4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful space, attentive staff and food so delicious it brought us back to Spain!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Macarena is rated 4.5 stars by 66 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. Peninsula
  5. Palo Alto

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 83 times today
Google Map for Macarena

420 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1707

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Lytton Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Wed 11:30 am–9:30 pm Thu, Fri 11:30 am–10:30 pm Sat 11:00 am–10:30 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:30 pm
  • 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
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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