Recently named by Eater as one of the Essential Restaurants on the Peninsula, BIRD DOG is influenced by Northern California, Japan, and other bastions of fine ingredients. Inventive, seasonal cocktails, a lovely boutique wine list, and genuine hospitality complement the seasonal menu from Chef/Owner Robbie Wilson. Chef Wilson was also a 2023 James Beard Semi-Finalist for Best Chef: California.
Stylish, minimalistic dinner bistro for Californian and Japanese eats made with local ingredients. Based on 917 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.4 stars. Price $$$$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ No takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
420 Ramona St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 656-8180
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
Closed |
| Tuesday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
Menu
… View more
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Order and Reservations
Reservations: birddogpa.comresy.com
Reviews
T Bake
Amazing use of flavors and fusions of food. Definitely a science and an art form mixed into one experience. The four of us tried the chef’s sampler and we pretty much got everything from the menu that day. It was all incredible except the pulverized shrimp flavored wafer over an infused pear apple. It was a little out there. The wine paring was enjoyed by everyone at the table except me (the designated driver). I don’t think I’d pay $1,800 (included a healthy tip) for one dinner for four people, but many do without a thought. The service was exceptional but the atmosphere seemed a bit basic for the price. The birds on the wall and hanging from the ceiling were a miss. The food was nothing close to basic. It was a masterpiece. Very unique experience. Oh, the wood-grilled avocado is INCREDIBLE!! The sauce makes it incredible and even the black stuff on top that we assume is literally charcoal ash or something. The flavors were incredible.
… more
Allen
Food:
… more
ayush kalani
Bird Dog is a fine dining restaurant, but my friend and I found their food subpar and really expensive for what you get. We actually had to go to another restaurant after this to get another full meal.
… more
Ayilah Chaudhary
I thought the food was decent, nothing terribly memorable for the price point. But we loved the decor and found some of the flavors to be creative. The main thing that made this a sub-optimal experience was the service; the hostess was wonderful, but the bartender was at times aggressive and controlling with what we should order, how much, how it should be eaten. It seemed well-meaning but certainly overly attentive, and otherwise condescending. I remember having to answer several justifying questions as to why we decided to split a steak instead of ordering two I wouldn’t come again but glad I tried it out.
… more
Wenyi Shi
We came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The ambience is great but the food is so over priced! We ordered the chef’s menu for 4 ppl + 4 non-alcohol drink which costs total over $800. That’s insane!!! The portion is tiny and we don’t get any luxury ingredients. All I remember is salmon, avocado, mushroom, and that’s a $200 per person dinner. I just feel like being ripped off. It will be ok to stay in the bar to have a drink and talk with friends but not dinner again.
… more
Trang Thu
Expensive and Fancy restaurant. Asian infusion type of food. Everything was pretty tasty, except for the cotton cheesecake. It’s too dense and dry. It was a great service. I got a non-alcoholic drink and it was good too.
… more
Yu Ding
Everything seems too creamy and heavy, the scallop and rib eye are just ok
… more
Ashton Teng
Casual fine dining destination with good food and cocktails. Each dish is focused on presenting one ingredient, we especially enjoyed the kanpachi, bread, maitake mushrooms and cauliflower. The signature avocado dish tastes mostly just like avocado and is a bit overhyped. Dessert was nice but also nothing out of the ordinary. We sat at the bar and had two great cocktails, the bartender was very friendly. All in all I always have a good time at Bird Dog, with a fine dining experience at a reasonable price.
… more
Emil Ochotta
Exceptional food and great service. Modern, clean decor. Impressive wines. Overall, a great find. Serving size is somewhat small, so the water advised ordering an extra dish per course to share among the 3 of us, which worked well. If you order obvious side dishes like potatoes, ask to have them served with the main course. Food was very creative and perfectly prepared.
… more
Jeffrey He
Food was delicious and playful. We came 10 mins before the kitchen closed on a Sunday night and was seated right away. The drink list is quite extensive and the staff was attentative. Water was kept filled and plate changes happened quickly. We ordered the Uni, grilled avacado, rice and trout. The trout is a must. The avacado was delicious and a creative mix of Japanese and Californian flavors. The rice was imaginitive, but the herbs predicitable. The uni was playful, but I don’t know if I would order it again. All and all great overall experience. The chefs did great.
… more
… View more