Camper

To all the real ones who know--Camper's brunch is BACK, and I couldn't be happier! This downtown Menlo Park staple is serving up more chances to enjoy their incredible food, and trust me, it's worth it.There isn't a lot of brunch photos for camper online so allow me to feed your eyes with the me documenting our satisfying brunch.Came hungry and majorly craving carbs, so my girl friend and I went all in--Logan's Orange + Currant Scones for her, Challah French toast for me. Her scones? Warm. Flaky--paired with fresh butter that gave such a buttery finish to every bite. She wasn't super hungry, so the "on the side" menu was perfect. Love that they offer that option. Me on the other hand? I was ravenous. LET ME TELL YOU--the Challah French toast was life-changing. A thick, buttery slab of challah, cooked perfectly, ridiculously satisfying to cut and bite into, and topped with macadamia nut butter that added just the right nuttiness and umami. I can't even describe in words how good it was, no words would do it justice, you'd have to try it for yourself. Shoutout to our server and the kitchen for the amazing service and accommodating my request to swap the apples for strawberries. I'm 100% sure those apples would've been amazing, but sadly, my gut does not agree.Thought I'd still be starving, but that French toast was actually the perfect level of satisfying. Took my chicken apple sausages for family to enjoy; I'm already dreaming of my next French toast bite. Service? A+. Ambiance? Perfect for a girly brunch. Plus, downtown Menlo Park has easy parking (a rare win for downtowns) and is just 8 minutes from Palo Alto Shopping Center if you want to make a day of it.TL;DR: Brunch at Camper is back! Please make a reservation on OpenTable and enjoy a nice brunch solo or with someone. Their hours aren't updated online-- but know that brunch is back. Get the French toast. Thank me later.

Situated in downtown Menlo Park, when you walk in the reception is right by the door but the amount of space is impressive as there are plenty of seating at the bar and a mix of high tops and booths. We were warmly greeted and seated in the back room by the water and plate station which was a little disruptive as the servers were arguing at times right next to us.The service was a little delayed but we did enjoy our choices:Cornbread - Warm, moist and very savory with the addition of a generous portion of garlic butter.Halibut- Tender, well seasoned crusted portion and accompanied with cauliflower & pine nuts was nice pairing. Could not identify any golden raisins as advertised.Grilled Prawns- generous number of prawns with head and tail included which I enjoy since they were prepared to a tender style that the whole prawn could be consumed. The cioppino emulsion was subtle and could have used more but otherwise a good dish.As mentioned service was slightly chaotic as the cornbread was brought out 15 minutes after we ordered but it was another 45 minutes before our entrees were served but still an enjoyable meal.

Delicious menu and amazing service! Celebrated my birthday here and it was great. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite restaurant I've been to so far in Menlo Park. Located downtown on the corner, the inviting atmosphere just pulls you right in. The service:Our server was excellent and recommended us so many good things throughout the night while also being super friendly. Also, when we got there we asked someone how long they had been open because we both have never really heard of this place. The woman we asked said since 2017, and asked if it was our first time. We told her yes, and she welcomed us with a complimentary appetizer for our table which I thought was so sweet. The food:Food was incredible. Menu is a mix of Italian, American, and fish so there's definitely tons of options to choose from. Overall, my favorite was the smores dessert and branzino. Would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out.

Camper in Menlo Park, CA, got to be the place for our work/team dinner, and it was an experience to remember. Despite making a last-minute reservation for their private dining room (requiring a contract to secure), the team at Camper went above and beyond to accommodate us. With a group that included many vegetarians, they made thoughtful modifications to their prix fixe menu, and we truly appreciated their flexibility. A big shoutout to Jairo, our fantastic host, and to the entire team for delivering a seamless and enjoyable evening.Camper's commitment to their farm-to-fork mission is evident in the quality of the ingredients, which shine through in every dish. Here's a closer look at what we enjoyed:StartersSalad of Tender Lettuces: This fresh and vibrant dish combined crisp radishes, sweet apple slices, crunchy sunflower seeds, and perfectly toasted croutons, all tossed in a tangy Banyul's vinaigrette. A simple yet beautifully executed dish that refreshed our palates and set the tone for the meal. Chickpea Panisse: The star of the evening for many. This dish featured crispy chickpea cakes paired with twice-cooked carrots, a bold and herbaceous zhoug, mustard greens, and a creamy cashew mole sauce. The flavors were beautifully balanced, making it a standout dish that highlighted Camper's creativity and finesse.Main CoursesKimchi Fried Calrose Rice: A delight for vegetarians, this dish brought together perfectly cooked rice with earthy trumpet mushrooms and a topping of citrusy yuzu furikake. Every bite was bursting with flavor, making it a memorable part of the meal. Santa Maria-Style Marinated Tri-Tip Steak: The tri-tip steak was a masterpiece. Cooked to perfection, it was served with savory lobster mushrooms, peppery watercress and creamy cranberry beans, offering a satisfying and hearty option for the meat lovers at the table.DessertWe ended the evening on a high note with Camper S'mores--a nostalgic yet elevated dessert that combined familiar flavors with sophisticated presentation. It was indulgent, fun, and the perfect sweet finish to our meal.Parking and AccessibilityParking wasn't too difficult to find as there's a lot close to the restaurant. However, the tree branches in front of the property obscure the restaurant's name from plain sight--a minor inconvenience for an otherwise fantastic experience.The private dining experience at Camper was exceptional. The thoughtfully crafted dishes, fresh ingredients, and stellar service made for an unforgettable evening. Whether you're hosting a team dinner or looking for an impressive dining spot, Camper delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended!

Good food and drink, portions not as great on value but it's to be expected as it's Menlo Park. Bartender Alexis was lovely! Been here before for a work larger group dinner outside in the summer which was a great experience as well.

I've heard of Camper from numerous friends and was so happy when one of my good friends suggested we go there for my birthday dinner. It definitely exceeded my expectations - the food was delicious, the drinks on par and the ambiance was lovely. I gave it 4 stars. Sadly it fell short one star on the service. It took FOREVER to get our drinks, and the server even completely forgot my friends drink. So I was sitting there waiting patiently for her drink for a long time. It finally did come and he apologized but still, that left an impression. The food: For an appetizer we got a burrata dish and the chick pea croquettes. The Burrata was tasty with fresh veggies. The croquettes were OK. A little too small for my taste. Now the star of the night was the bucatini. I read the reviews raving this dish and my, were they RIGHT! The sauce was to die for, the noodles fresh and paired so nicely together. The duck pasta was also very tasty and filling. I would 100% recommend those dishes. For dessert we got the panacotta which was really good! I loved how it came out as a big portion and can be shared with two people. The ambiance is really pretty. There's plenty of outdoor tables, where you can quietly sit and talk and it's tucked away from the bustle and bustle of the Main Street. Overall I totally recommend coming here just for the delicious food, especially the main dishes! I would just be prepared to have the service be not that great. But it's totally still worth the trip.

Lovely service and really high quality food. Nice atmosphere and good cocktails. A standout in Menlo Park!

I've been here in the past, including corporate events, and it's a great little spot. The overall environment is fantastic, and the contemporary look complements the overall decor, service, and food (including presentation) quite well.My wife and I have had a variety of dishes there, and they were all quite good. Everything felt reasonably high quality and fresh (which one would hope given their price point).Unless you get a private room, I don't think it's great to go with a huge group. It's worth a try if you haven't been here before so you can judge for yourself.

Came to check out this cute little spot in downtown Menlo Park. I like the ambiance, we sat outside on the patio with heaters. I didn't know what to expect coming here, as we were just walking around and picked out this spot. The burrata with prosciutto app and ricotta with sourdough bread were delicious. We love some good cheeses! I also had the rigatoni and it tasted pretty good but it was a little dry for me, I needed more sauce/ragu. The parm on top was a little dry as well but meat sauce did taste good. My friend got the wagyu burger, which he said was pretty good and it was giant! We thought it would've been on the smaller size but did not disappoint a hungry fella. Overall, service was good, very nice and attentive. If you live in the area, looks like a cute little date spot to check out.