Readers’ Choice 2024 – Food & Drink
BEST BAKERY: Woodside Bakery
Woodside Bakery offers pastries, cakes, cookies and other baked goods that have kept customers coming back for more than three decades. The family-owned European bakery makes its baked goods from scratch every day.
325 Sharon Park Drive, Menlo Park | (650) 854-6207 | woodsidebakery.com
BEST BREAKFAST: Buck’s of Woodside Knickknack-festooned decor lends a whimsical vibe to this veteran Silicon Valley comfort-food diner. Established in 1991, Buck’s has become a beloved institution known for its quirky decor, hearty American cuisine, and lively atmosphere. Buck’s menu features breakfast classics, burgers, steaks and seafood dishes.
3062 Woodside Road, Woodside | (650) 851-8010 | BucksRestaurant.com
BEST DESSERT: Woodside Bakery
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BEST HAMBURGER: Dutch Goose
Since opening in 1966, Dutch Goose has been the go-to place for Certified Angus Beef burgers, brews and pizza in a family-friendly atmosphere, where the staff “call you by name and not a number or a text.”
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park | (650) 854-3245 | dutchgoose.net
BEST HAPPY HOUR: Dutch Goose
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BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEE & TEA HOUSE: Cafe Borrone
With outdoor dining in a plaza complete with a fountain, live jazz music and art exhibits, Cafe Borrone has been a beloved neighborhood landmark in the heart of downtown Menlo Park for decades. The cafe is known for its prepared-from-scratch food made from organic and sustainable ingredients.
1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | (650) 327-0830 | cafeborrone.com
BEST PIZZA: Amici’s
Amici’s has been serving up pizza — along with pasta, soup and salad — to Menlo Park patrons for the past decade. The thin-crust New York-style pies are cooked in traditional brick ovens next to an open flame.
880 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park | (650) 329-8888 | amicis.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT: Bianchini’s Market
Since 1998, shoppers have counted on Bianchini’s Market for fresh local produce, gourmet cheeses and groceries from small producers whose items aren’t found at chain stores. Readers praise the family-owned market for its meat counter and deli sandwiches, which can be ordered online and are ready for pickup on arrival.
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley | (650) 851-4391 | bianchinismarket.com
BEST SANDWICH: Bianchini’s Market
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BEST TAKE-OUT: LuLu’s on the Alameda
LuLu’s on the Alameda is known for serving Mexican cuisine, particularly tacos, burritos and other traditional Mexican dishes. The restaurant has a casual and friendly atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
3539 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park | (650) 854-8226 | lulusmexicanfood.com
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