When you think of Los Altos, cuisine might not be the first thing that comes to mind. You’re probably imagining beautiful Los Altos homes, sunny weather, award-winning schools, awe-inspiring natural beauty, strong community spirit, and much more! We're real estate agents in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, so we know all about that!
More recently, Los Altos has been making a name for itself in the Bay Area’s culinary scene. With top-tier chefs opening restaurants on Main Street in the Los Altos Village and the vibrant two-story State Street Market drawing crowds to Downtown Los Altos, the city is becoming a hotspot for food lovers.
While there are many exceptional dining spots in Los Altos (and the list keeps growing), we wanted to share five of our local favorites. We don't claim these are the best and we definitely would not be offended if you don't agree, but as local Los Altos realtors, we wanted to write about five of the amazing eateries that we love visiting that add a little something extra to the special experience of being in Los Altos, California.
LOS ALTOS GRILL
LOCATION: 233 3rd St, Los Altos, CA 94022
MENU: CLICK HERE
One of our long-time favorites, Los Altos Grill is a beloved neighborhood institution. This eatery strikes the perfect balance between casual dining and an upscale ambiance, offering a menu focused on classic American dishes with a California twist. Known for its succulent rotisserie chicken, mouth-watering prime rib, and the freshest seasonal vegetables, Los Altos Grill provides a consistently delightful dining experience.
A highlight here is the outdoor patio, which is perfect for enjoying the pleasant California weather with a glass of wine or a craft cocktail. Their wood-fired cooking, along with the warm and cozy atmosphere, makes it a favorite for family dinners, business meetings, a special night out, or even just a quick bite and drink after a long work day!
KP TEAM LOCALS PICK: Ruby Star Salad
BLUESTONE LANE
LOCATION: 288 1st St, Los Altos, CA 94022
MENU: CLICK HERE
Located in the historic Los Altos train station, now a heritage-listed landmark, Bluestone Lane café brings the coastal aesthetics of Australian cafe culture to Los Altos! The cafe’s open-plan design, accented by Australian beach prints and bright furnishings, creates a relaxed and airy space. Bluestone Lane offers premium coffee and a menu featuring favorites like avocado smash toast and granola bowls, alongside Californian staples like breakfast burritos and healthy salads.
We enjoy stopping by here for a quick bite with a client or colleague. It's also an excellent spot to bring your laptop, sip on a latte or tea, and concentrate on some work!
KP TEAM LOCALS PICK: Avocado Smash
CETRELLA
LOCATION: 160 State St, Los Altos, CA 94022
MENU: CLICK HERE
A downtown favorite, this elegant restaurant embodies the essence of Mediterranean-inspired fine dining. Cetrella offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, with white tablecloth service and a menu that is deeply rooted in European tradition. This restaurant is a go-to spot for locals looking for a refined meal with a global flair.
The menu at Cetrella is filled with rich, flavorful dishes including their signature pasta dishes like house-made pappardelle and fresh seafood options like scallops and lobster. Don’t forget to try their famous braised short ribs – a dish that melts in your mouth.
Open exclusively for dinner, we enjoy dining at Cetrella with clients, friends, and family and catching up on life over great drinks and delicious food.
KP TEAM LOCALS PICK: Ora King Salmon
ROJA
LOCATION: 242 State St, Los Altos, CA 94022
MENU: CLICK HERE
Roja, conveniently located in the middle of State Street in Downtown Los Altos, offers a classy yet casual dining experience that combines seasonal California ingredients with classic French, Italian, and Spanish cooking techniques. Roja's impressive architectural design creates an inviting atmosphere even before you take a seat. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, it's the perfect spot for enjoying a lovely evening out with great company. With a rotating menu influenced by a variety of culinary traditions, you never quite know what to expect at Roja, which adds to the excitement of dining here!
We love coming to Roja on a warm evening to enjoy one of their fantastic craft cocktails and to broaden our culinary horizons by trying something new.
KP TEAM LOCALS PICK: Anchovies Toast
LULU’S MEXICAN FOOD
LOCATION: 163 Main St, Los Altos, CA 94022
MENU: CLICK HERE
For a downtown lunch option that’s perfect for those on the go, Lulu’s Mexican Food offers quick, fresh, and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Lulu’s menu has something for everyone, including salads, burritos, tacos, and bowls. Their customizable options make it easy to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences, allowing diners to mix and match proteins, toppings, and salsas.
We love their customizable salad bowls! There are currently eight different protein choices including carne asada, marinated tilapia, carnitas, and an eclectic mix of veggies and salsas that you can mix and match until you find your perfect combination! Lulu’s also offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great stop on a sunny afternoon.
Located right across the street from our Agency office at 160 Main Street, we love running over to Lulu’s for a fast, filling, healthy, and TASTY meal! So if anyone from our office is looking for us… we may be at Lulu’s!
KP TEAM LOCALS PICK: Chicken Chopped Salad
Each of these five local favorites captures a unique slice of what Los Altos has to offer. We have many wonderful memories at each place and look forward to many more ahead. For a visitor or a local, the proximity of these eateries to local attractions like the Los Altos History Museum, the Los Altos Community Center, the Los Altos Library, Los Altos High School, Hillview Park, and Shoup Park also makes dining out an experience beyond just the meal itself—it’s an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the heart of this beautiful city. There is more to Los Altos than just Los Altos real estate! No longer are just Los Altos realtors raving about the amazing local food scene in Los Altos!
If you spot us at any of these five locations or elsewhere in Los Altos, feel free to say hello! If this blog has your mouth watering and it’s been a while since we’ve shared a meal, send us a text—we’re always up for enjoying a great meal in Los Altos! Talk soon!
Are you looking for top Los Altos Realtors at The Agency? Follow Kiersten Ligeti and Patricia Karoubi Team luxury realtors for an exclusive look at Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Atherton properties and more.
Kiersten Ligeti | 650.766.8319 | LIC. #01298631
Patricia Karoubi | 650.868.4565 | LIC. #01396914
The Agency Los Altos
