Nobu Palo Alto

First time dining here for my anniversary and was a very pleasant experience the food was pricey but decent. The atmosphere is subtle and the waiters are nice. Would not recommend dining here if you are on a budget because the food portions are generally small you do have to order quite a few items to get full.

My first time at the Nobu Palo Alto location, I'd go to the NYC one years ago. We loved it! I went to tik tok for some ideas for what to order and they were a hit! Hojicha Tea $10 for one teapot and 2 cups for us each to have some. They even added more hot water to the teapot for us later on which was nice. Delicious flavor and a great lil kick of caffeine.Lychee Passion $12 my friend Adriana opted for this non alcoholic lychee/passion fruit drink. I tried some of it and it was very tasty!We go the Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Spicy Sauce. Delicious! I don't usually like shrimp but loved this, soft inside crunchy outside, good flavor and filling! $33Yellowtail Sashimi Jalapeño $34. Pricy but so tasty, worth a try! Wish it had more on the plate but is worth it.Forgot to take a pic but we also enjoyed a maki roll. The Spicy Big Eye Tuna Roll $14. It was tasty only 6 pieces though.Zen Garden Dessert $17. This is only offered at the Palo Alto location so we had to try it. It is delicious and unique definitely try this one!Congratulations Ice Cream was free on the house, since we were there to celebrate me qualifying for a state competition for my schools business club. It was very nice they gave us the bonus ice cream with cheesecake on the bottom, tasty too.Ultimately we enjoyed having dinner here and would definitely recommend it! It's a beautiful small restaurant (so make your reservation ahead of time on open table) and if nothing else you must get the Zen Garden Dessert! We will definitely come back. Would love to try the afternoon tea here sometime or other dishes for a nice lunch or dinner. Everything came out to $132 before tip and we walked away full. So if you order the right items it's not too bad price wise. Split it in half and it was only $79 each with tip.

It was our first time at Nobu and Nobu Palo Afternoon Zen Tea Garden was an absolute relaxing experience! They allow you to select from 8 different teas and I chose the Sabacha and my partner chose the Gyokuro! The $75 per person tea experience comes with two courses and a selection of tea. Mostly the everyone aside from one table was a couple's table. The ambiance was peaceful aside from the noisy big table which threw off the vibe a bit hence the 4 stars instead of 5! Our waiter was attentive and addressed all our concerns and needs. He even took multiple pictures for us and didn't remind us of the time limit (1.5 hours for 2 people). We can't wait to try their dinner!

Went for my birthday! Waiters were very attentive of our needs and were super helpful regarding any menu questions we had.Everything tasted great, my personal favorite were the mini tacos we had. I would come back, but only for special occasions due to budget. Beautiful, lively area to walk around before or afterwards as well.

I've been to Nobu for both afternoon tea and dinner; I found both experiences lacking for the price point.Afternoon Tea: The presentation is beautiful; the bites are unique; but the breads were stale. Every savory bite had some sort of bread component to it and they were all stale: the white bread, taco shell, etc. It was oddly off-putting -- especially when Nobu prices their afternoon tea as a nicer experience. Dinner: The service was off-putting for our dinner. Immediately as I sat down, my servers kept trying to up-sell me. First for their still water, then for their drinks. The food and drinks themselves were ok. Nothing really wow'd or stood out to me. I think you can get more exciting and delicious dishes in the Bay Area for the same price point, or even cheaper. The only dish I found unique and truly enjoyed was the Lobster with Honey Truffle Aioli; it had a nice creamy sauce and they cooked it perfectly. The only dish I would consider "worth it" is the Black Cod with Miso. Pretty Good dishes: Toro Tartare with Caviar, Uni Shooter, Crispy Brussel SproutsOK, but would not get again: Shiromi Usuzukuri, New Style Sashimi - Salmon, Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy SauceDidn't like: scallops with jalapeno salsa (scallops were big and well cooked but the seasoning was just straight up pepper) I would have enjoyed my dinner experience enough to come back if there weren't so many off-putting experiences with the service. I will not come back for afternoon tea because wdym every bread was stale? Still baffled by this.

This review is for the afternoon tea only served indoors overlooking the zen garden. I do wish they were able to block the street as that ruins the ambiance of the zen garden. Had a lovely time at afternoon tea with my cousin. We celebrated our joint birthdays and our hostess was the loveliest. The ice cream birthday dessert was a really nice special touch. Food was great both savory and sweet and I liked that they had fresh fruit to cleanse the palette. Really nice way to spend a carefree afternoon with a loved one!

Such a beautiful and memorable time at Nobu!I went here to celebrate the end of the school year with some friends and we couldn't have had a better experience. The outdoor garden was jaw dropping and the cocktails were so delicious! I tried the lychee cocktail and it was so refreshing.For a luxury restaurant, it is expected there will be small portions for a high price. Though, the overall experience with my friends made it fun. The intimate and quiet outdoor seating was great. The staff was very attentive and the food came out in a timely manner. I would definitely eat here again, but I can justify the price point to come as often as I would like. Nobu is great for a date night or an occasion to celebrate!

This was our second visit to Nobu's Palo Alto location, and it was yet another memorable evening of exceptional dining. Nestled in a chic and modern setting, the restaurant exudes a luxurious yet welcoming vibe. The dim lighting, sleek furnishings, and minimalist decor create an atmosphere that's both elegant and serene--a perfect blend for an elevated dining experience. Parking in the area was a bit challenging, but the valet service made it hassle-free. Upon check-in, there was a brief wait to be seated, but the anticipation only heightened our excitement for the evening. Once seated, Gil, our incredible host for the night, ensured we were well taken care of. His attention to detail and warm demeanor set the tone for the night. Knowing my love for the Japanese peach they serve, Gil thoughtfully incorporated a couple into the Toro Tartar--a personal touch that truly elevated the experience. Big shoutout to Gil for his efforts!!Our order consisted of the following:1. Toro Tartar A masterpiece of flavor and presentation, the Toro Tartar featured finely minced fatty tuna with a luscious texture that melted in the mouth. It was served over ice bed along with a couple of peaches adding a subtle sweetness that beautifully complemented the richness of the toro. The dish was finished with a delicate garnish that enhanced its visual appeal and added a hint of crunch. Each bite was a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, and savory notes--a true indulgence. 2. Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna This dish was an explosion of textures and flavors. Perfectly fried cubes of rice provided a golden, crunchy base for the spicy tuna topping. The tuna itself was flavorful and packed with just the right amount of heat, while the drizzle of sauce tied everything together. Each bite was a delightful combination of crunch and spice-- our favorite, and for a good reason. We ended up repeating this one.3. Whitefish Tiradito A dish that truly highlighted the artistry of Nobu's chefs. Paper-thin slices of whitefish were arranged elegantly and drizzled with a vibrant yuzu and soy sauce blend. A dash of chili added a gentle kick, perfectly balanced by the citrusy tang. The fish was incredibly fresh and delicate, practically melting on the tongue while delivering a burst of refreshing flavor. 4. Rock Shrimp Tempura Phenomenally delicious and a standout dish of the evening. The tender rock shrimp were perfectly battered and fried to a crisp golden brown, then coated in a creamy yet tangy sauce that was utterly addictive. What made this dish even more delightful was the bed of fresh greens salad it was served over. The crisp salad provided a refreshing contrast to the rich shrimp, enhancing the overall balance of flavors and textures. Served hot and fresh, this dish was indulgent, comforting, and visually appealing. 5. Yellowtail Jalapeño (YellowTail Jal Cut) A signature Nobu dish that never disappoints. The buttery yellowtail slices were laid out with precision, each topped with a thin sliver of jalapeño and a splash of citrusy ponzu sauce. The freshness of the fish, the subtle heat of the jalapeño, and the bright acidity of the ponzu came together in perfect harmony. The simplicity of the dish allowed the high-quality ingredients to shine, creating a symphony of flavors with each bite. 6. Warm Mushroom Salad This earthy and aromatic dish was a comforting addition to our meal. A variety of warm mushrooms--each with its unique texture and flavor--was tossed in a light, savory dressing that complemented their natural umami. The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, retaining a satisfying bite, while the warmth of the dish made it feel hearty and grounding. 7. New style Salmon SashimiThin slices salmon with ginger juliens , scallions/chives finely cut along with white sesame seeds and all of this soaked in a remarkably amazing sauce. This dish is easy, flavorful, and like much of Nobu's food, memorable. This has a perfect balance of salty and sweet to it as well.As a surprise to celebrate my wife's birthday, the team brought out a Brown Butter Caramel Cake ( i could be wrong with the name as it had more ice cream vibes to it with caramel tasting crystals on top) , and it was the perfect sweet ending to a wonderful evening. This thoughtful gesture from the staff made the evening all the more special , memorable and showcased Nobu's commitment to creating unforgettable experiences.From start to finish, this visit to Nobu Palo Alto reaffirmed why it remains one of our top choices for elevated dining. The ambiance, with its understated elegance and tranquil vibe, paired beautifully with the impeccable service and outstanding food. Each dish was a testament to Nobu's mastery in blending Japanese and Peruvian flavors, creating a dining experience that is both sophisticated and memorable. Highly recommend!!

Bestie and I did some serious damage for a table of 2, but to be fair we hadn't seen each other in nearly a year so it was a special occasion! Despite a rather unwelcoming, stated time limit of 1 hour, 45 minutes per reservation which the hostess reiterated upon arrival, our server Andy kindly let us blow through it (likely because we were ordering all.the.things/enough for multiple seatings...) so we could take our time catching up in the restaurant's peaceful courtyard.Food highlights were the fresh AF off-menu specials - Bluefin Toro, Scallop Carpaccio, and Yellowtail with Truffle - and beautifully executed desserts. Unable to decide between the Zen Garden (Panna Cotta, Passion Fruit Gel, Matcha, Black Sesame, Raspberry Sorbet), Banana Soy Toban (Soy Carmelized Banana, Candied Pecan, Malaga Gelato), Whiskey Cappuccino (Cardamom Custard, Cinnamon Crunch, Espresso Gelato), and "Xurros" (Pate de Brick Cigarillos, Green Apple Mousseline, Okinawa Sugar), we ordered them all, plus Assorted Mochi Ice Cream (we went with ube and mango) because why not? :DCan't go wrong with Nobu signature items like the Wagyu Tacos and Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, but we were disappointed by the Uni Tempura which was way more vegetable than uni! We remedied that by ordering Uni Nigiri, and added Snow and Soft Shell Crab Rolls because again, why not? :PCocktails had their ups and downs as well - Bestie and I loved the flavor profiles of the Akashi Ume Sour (Akashi Ume Plum Whisky, Umepon Plum Liquor, Lemon, Dehydrated Plum, Honey Syrup & Angostura Bitters) and Montana Mana (Meill Vodka, Cherry Tomato, Falernum & Lemon & Soy Salt), and enjoyed the Piña Martini (Ciroc Pineapple Vodka, Giffard Crème de Peche, Pineapple & Lime), but thought the Ryokan Rickey (Awayuki Strawberry Gin, Strawberry Monkfruit Syrup, Lemon & Yuzu), and Mango Passion (Ciroc Mango Vodka, Passion Fruit & Pineapple) were less inspired.

Great ambiance, quality food, 5 star service. First time here and it did not disappoint, you're here for the vibes and the quality food. And everyone makes sure you're well taken care of! If you're looking for a place to treat yourself, this is the place to go. I'll definitely be coming back.Tip: Make a reservation and ask your server about any questions you have on the menu!