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    Madera

    3.5 (1k reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Madera Photos

    MADERA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Upscale
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Madera

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dessert
    Jay H.

    Came here on a quiet Saturday night. It's a beautiful place inside the hotel. The service was professional and very knowledgeable about the menu. Got the ribeye and my wife got the halibut, it took about 30-40 minutes before we got our food after ordering. No idea why it took that long because no reason was given. My steak was cooked perfectly although the portion wasn't very big. It was delicious, though. The halibut was tasty but slightly overcooked, it was dry. Got a dessert that was different and tasty, made with fruit. Overall a nice evening but the food was a little lacking for the price.

    Pastries and scones
    Alan L.

    We had a very lovely afternoon tea experience at Madera. The hotel location is excellent, with a great view of the Santa Cruz mountains, and the atmosphere was great! The tables were low to help with a relaxing atmosphere, and there was plenty of space so the room did not feel cramped. Service was excellent and the staff were very welcoming and attentive! The food quality was excellent. They had a decent number of tea choices for the afternoon tea set, and we went for our favourite Earl Grey and Jasmine teas, respectively. The tea was of a high quality but they did not offer any milk or sugar upfront, which was a bit surprising. They started with the sandwiches, which were really well made. The flavours were good and not too intense, and varied as well, starting from a fresh cucumber sandwich, to smoked salmon, to dungeness crab, to coronation chicken. The pastries which were served next were amazing as well. Each one was crafted carefully and complemented very well with the tea. They were on the slightly sweeter side, but were still very good and aesthetic nonetheless. The only criticism is the price. The afternoon tea experience has a base cost of $108 per person. Given that this serves only a single tea, with 4 bites of sandwiches, 6 pastries, and 2 scones each, we thought that it was a little too steep. Definitely a great experience to enjoy, but not worth the price tag.

    Cheesecake
    Katharine b.

    We had a wonderful experience at Madera Restaurant. The atmosphere was romantic and elegant -- perfect for a special evening. The service was attentive and truly excellent from start to finish. Every dish was delicious and cooked to perfection, and the cheesecake was absolutely heavenly, served with dried fruit that made it even more memorable. We also loved the thoughtful touch of writing "Happy Anniversary" on our dessert plate and surprising us with a Polaroid photo to take home. Overall, Madera is definitely a great place for a special occasion. Highly recommended!

    LNY Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
    Claudia C.

    It has been raining quite a bit in San Francisco lately so decided to take a quick break and go out for some afternoon tea with a friend at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel. If you are living in the city it is about 30 minutes to one hour drive away depending on traffic. My friend and I made a reservation a few days prior, for their Lunar New Year afternoon tea service. In traditional fashion, we were served some tea sandwiches followed by pastries created in collaboration with Dandelion Chocolate, a local chocolatier based in the city. The pastries ranged from signatures like their petite s'mores to moon cakes filled with red bean filling, appropriate for the occasion. Overall, it was a good experience. I do feel like it is often challenging to find exceptional high tea establishments in the states - compared to the UK or Asia.

    Chang T.

    5 star for decor and service. 4 star for drinks and food Easy 4.5 for people looking for a great place to grab drinks and food in a swanky resort in Palo Alto.

    High Tea

    This review is for the $120 (extra $ for the hot chocolate) High Tea experience. The High Tea area is located next to the bar and restaurant, by the fireplace and large windows that open out to the terrace. I actually really enjoyed myself! The only big downside was the price point, and the service at the start. My friend and I were seated for quite a while and watched everyone else get served around us. After about 15 minutes, we had to wave down a waiter just to ask for water and to get things started, even though we already had a reservation. One of the things I love most about high tea in general is how service oriented it usually is, with attention to detail, thoughtful menu explanations, and that extra touch of hospitality. Since this is part of a fancy hotel rather than a small boutique tearoom, it did feel a bit more "corporate fancy" than "cozy and personal." The scene itself was something else! Around us were wedding guests lounging and ordering small bites, and nearby was a group of stylish women, maybe in their late 40s, with impeccable posture, chic outfits, enjoying their tea. I felt like I had wandered into the Menlo Park edition of Gossip Girl. Just your average citizen, happily soaking in views of botox and Birkin bags! As for the food and drinks, wonderful! The hot chocolate was rich and comforting, the desserts were delightful, and the clotted cream with scones was to die for. When our waiter finally made it over, he put on a lovely show flaming our little marshmallow chocolate treat, which added a nice theatrical touch to the experience. Overall, it was a really lovely afternoon with great people watching, a charming atmosphere, and delicious treats. The only thing that needs improvement is the service, which feels like an easy fix. Cheers!

    John F.

    If you are looking for a out of the ordinary Country Club type of eatery, then Madera might be your place. You have a choice of indoor or terrace dining. The views from the terrace is over the swimming pool below with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. There is ample parking and a roundabout drop off. There is a sense of exclusivity as you enter but not snobby in any sense. Service is impeccable and friendly. Quality of the food is very good but presentation is poor. Specially, for the cost. I have seen much better plating for far less of the cost of their menu items. Thus, the 4 Star Rating. Not a fan of their bottled organic ketchup too. Maybe, because I prefer a little sugar in my ketchup to offset the tartness !? Portions are also on the smaller side so don't think on the dish will filling you up if you are really hungry. You might want to order an appetizer or two. Would I go back ? Absolutely ! But, my reason would be more for the Country Club feel and relaxation. Kudos for the quality food, service, and privacy ! Value and plating are subpar which I hope improves because I do like this place. Note: Some items are not on the online menu so I'm assuming it is subject to change or it might be the dinner menu. Went there for lunch only.

    Scallop crudo
    Karen Z.

    Great food, elegant restaurant! The restaurant is on the first floor of the Rosewood hotel. Went on a Sunday night and there are a lot empty tables - great for having a group convo! Everything is delicious - Sunday roast is $80 that comes with bread, salad, and a large slice of meat. Definitely more than enough for 1 person. The meat is so tender and flavorful! Scallop crudo is very fresh, and surprisingly goes well with passionfruit (?) sauce. The sweet-sour tastes opens up appetite and taste palette. Summer risotto tastes super good as well, and very filling. It was just a little over $100 pp post tax and tip. With this quality of food and environment, definitely not bad at all!

    Ravioli
    Karima O.

    Ordered the aperol spritz mocktail and roasted fig per our waitress' recommendation . So so good. The views are amazing but it was unfortunately super hot out today so we opted to sit inside . We got the Muhammara to share and it was just the best BITE- that added bit of pomegranate walnut and mint was just unlike anything else. Such a great spot. We already decided we will be staying at the Rosewood resort soon just to enjoy the chill atmosphere and come back here lol

    Indide
    Yana I.

    Good spot for breakfast and brunch! The views and interior are nice. The place is very spacious and kid-friendly. The eggs were cooked well. We especially liked the very aromatic salad on the side with the omelette! The pancakes were average. The price for s beverages is high (like bubbles or mimosa).

    Samantha V.

    I came here for afternoon tea and thoroughly enjoyed it! It definitely was on the pricy side so be aware of that. Of the sandwiches, I think my favorite was the smoked salmon. The scone was really delicious with the clotted cream. The cacao fruit jelly was delicious, a little citrusy, but the color left a little to be desired. Of the desserts I loved the chocolate cannele and of course their signature smore. Dandelion chocolate is always so delicious, so you have to get a cup of their drinking chocolate too! This place feels very tucked away even though it's right off of 280. The view is nice but can get really windy outside. I'd probably come back here for a special occasion.

    Looking across dining room
    Greg C.

    Yesterday was Thanksgiving and the four of us were fortunate to join the good staff at Madera for dinner. Publicized as a four course menu ($198 each, not including taxes, gratuity, 5% Fair Wage tax) the menu we actually ate was actually different than posted. I don't know why ( they ran out?) but it was still excellent. One nit, when seated the server noticed us the meal was "family style." For the price being charged and the fact we were dressed up none of us wanted to be dishing out our own food. We asked politely if the Chef would be kind enough to serve each course. Server says, "I'll ask"--- nothing happens for a while and then course 1 arrives. Awesome. Classy way to operate. We enjoyed every course and at our own pace. Had a Grenache from Santa Inez that went well with the turkey offering and sides. Food was epic, pictures included. Restaurant was full and ran like a Swiss Watch. Was lovely and will do again. One nice last touch-- when we arrived they told us they would seat us at the quoted reservation time. We went in the lounge to wait the 10 minutes--15 min went by and no big deal especially on a holiday-- and server comes in and says the table still isn't clear. And, we'd like to but you a cocktail while you're waiting. Pretty cool huh? After dropping off the drinks he showed up 10 minutes later and said table was ready. Amazing way to start a great evening. To be clear the total for four was $1200. Not chump change but I guarantee it was worth it.

    Menu 1
    Sarah T.

    5 stars for gluten free tea. 4 for regular tea. The seating is casual-- low chairs and couches at low tables. That's not horrible but it was awkward at times and became uncomfortable. My food is veeeerrrrrry far away and I have to get up and down. The savory sandos were excellent. The fillings were all delicious. The scones were quite dry and crumbly. They came with clotted cream and an interesting compote. Sweets: I didn't really love any of them but neither were they horrible. They all looked pretty but the taste was such I only finished one. Also, some items had wet frosting and as there are no forks or serving utensils it was an unpleasant and messy experience to move it to plate. Then it needed the teaspoon to assist with eating which again is odd to have the one utensil doing all jobs. Tea: a small variety but good enough. They are served in a glass pot with removable tea strainer. They also give extra hot water to brew yourself more which we liked Each pot came partially filled with water but still it was more than could be poured into our rather small teacups so there is an issue with tea leaves becoming bitter. This was especially a problem with the jasmine. We removed the strainer as soon as it was served but still too bitter for a second brew. They serve honey, which is fine, and we asked for sugar. They have many dairy and non dairy milk choices The gluten free version was one of the best in the Bay. The desserts actually looked better than the regular tea offerings. The service was careful about keeping the gluten and gluten free separate Our servers were nice and tried hard. Bathrooms are upscale and clean-- 2 genders only Parking easy and free I don't think I'd go out of my way to come again but if I lived on the peninsula and needed gf I'd go again.

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    Overpriced on the whole. Portions too small. Average presentation. Dated aesthetics. Good service.

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    Madera Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Madera

    Can you substitute the fish and meat options on the current menu for veterinarians who don't eat seafood either?

    Not sure what being a veterinarian has to do with this question, but they will substitute. You may want to let them know beforehand when you make your reservation, so that the server is in the know.

    Do you still serve bone marrow?

    Right now, we don't feature the bone marrow on the menu. However, we have a some other delicious meat dishes and hopefully, we will be able to add the bone marrow back to the menu soon!

    Is it acceptable to bring two toddlers to brunch?

    I think it is fine assuming they behave themselves. This is not exactly a family restaurant or hotel...the Ritz and Four Seasons quite frankly do a much better job at that. With that said, if they are decently behaved, then I think it is absolutely… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    4.4(1.6k reviews)
    3.7 mi
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    Fambrini's Cafe is a popular Palo Alto brunch spot, serving delicious food in a charming…read moreenvironment. The lines can be long at peak hours, but you order at the counter before grabbing a table. You also need to get your own water & utensils, but the waiters serve you the food & drinks (of course). It doesn't take too long for the food to be ready. I can attest to the quality of the sweet items. Both the Lotus Biscoff Pancakes and Waffle Tower were delicious, filling, & diverse. Every component, down to the whipped cream and syrup, comes together so well. The Peppermint White Mocha was just as satisfying, and I normally don't care much for white chocolate. The prices are what I expect for this kind of restaurant - not cheap but you get what you pay for.

    Food: The food here was definitely decent in both portion…read moresize and flavor, and the presentation had a clean look. While nothing completely wowed me, everything was still enjoyable. Some menu items felt a bit overpriced, while others were more reasonably priced. Overall, I'm not sure it's fully worth the price point, but it's definitely not bad either. Smoked Salmon Toast (8.5/10) - This dish had a lot of layers of flavor, and the egg was cooked perfectly with a runny yolk. I loved the variety of veggies that came with it, and the portion size was satisfying. The plating was also very nicely done. You can choose either potatoes or salad on the side. Tiramisu Crepe Cake (8/10) - Not overly sweet, which I liked. The cocoa powder balanced the sweetness nicely, making it more enjoyable. It was creamy without feeling too heavy or too much. Service: The setup here is more casual and self-service. You wait in line at the front to order and pay first, then grab your own utensils and napkins before finding a table. Once seated, they bring the food out to you using your table number. Overall, the service was decent. Ambiance: The place was very lively and packed, so it can get pretty loud with how many people are there talking. There's a lot of outdoor seating, but there was still a line out the door when we arrived. The space itself is large, spacious, and has a nice atmosphere overall.

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    Sweet Maple - Chicken Croffle

    Sweet Maple

    4.2(1.4k reviews)
    3.2 mi
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    My partner and I went to Sweet Maple on the recommendation of my foodie friend's ex. While I never…read moremet the man, he has incredible taste, because Sweet Maple has the best breakfast food I've ever had in the bay area. Well worth the trip. The two of us were dubious about the Millionaire's Bacon, because it was hyped up to the point where it seemed unlikely that it could live up to the reputation. We were wrong. We ordered the Millionaire's Bacon sampler platter, which is four strips of long, thick pieces of bacon, baked with brown sugar and spices. There is the original, which is brown sugar, cayenne, red, and black pepper, which was sweet, salty, and the perfect amount of spicy. The other slices were orange, cinnamon, and rosemary. My partner enjoyed the orange best, whereas I loved the cinnamon, but we both thought the rosemary was underwhelming. The bacon itself was very thick and meaty with a minimal amount of fat, and was just clearly high quality pork. Truly worth the hype. We also got the bottomless mimosas, which not only had multiple choices of juice (we got raspberry lemonade) but were surprisingly heavy on the champagne. The waiter kept them coming without us needing to ask, to the point where I had to tell him I was done because I was a little too tipsy for breakfast. My partner got the chicken croffle, and was very impressed. I tried the fried chicken (though not the croffle) and it was very well spiced, very crunchy, and well cooked--juicy and tender. I got the big hip, which is deep fried "french toast". I wouldn't call it french toast myself, but it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and came with fresh fruit, butter, and syrup. There wasn't enough syrup for the entire dish, but I asked our waiter for more and he came back with it in less than a minute. On top of the food being as close to perfect as you can get, the service was great. Several different waiters checked in on us throughout the meal, making sure we were enjoying the food and that we didn't need anything else. The vibes of the restaurant are really enjoyable too. The décor is lovely, the sound levels are very reasonable, and everything was spotless during our visit. Overall, I can't recommend Sweet Maple enough, and I'm kind of glad it's not closer to my house because I would go bankrupt with the amount of Millionaire's Bacon I'd buy on a weekly basis.

    New obsession! Croffle and fried chicken. The idea of waffle and chicken , but croffle …read more.. crossant, waffle and fried chicken is to die for. When we first put our name, we were the 50th.... it took about 45 min to go from 50th to be seated. Not bad, we walked around the block, checked out stores and walah!

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    Angelicas - Chicken & Waffles

    Angelicas

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    4.6 mi
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    We came here to celebrate an early Mother's Day brunch, and it was such a fantastic experience! The…read moremimosas were amazing, with a great selection of juices and the food was absolutely outstanding. Khin was our server she mentioned she was fairly new, but you wouldn't have known it. She was incredibly sweet, attentive, and took great care of our entire party. Thank you, Khin! We had a large group, and I really appreciated that they accommodated us inside since it was a bit chilly that day. They seated us in the front area, which we loved. Everything we ordered from the appetizers, to the main dishes was packed with flavor. Nothing missed the mark. Truly one of the best brunch experiences in town! I had the chilaquiles along with a champagne drink that came with different juice options and fresh fruit such an adorable and fun presentation. My family couldn't stop raving about how delicious everything was, including the dessert. We'll definitely be back for future family gatherings and next time, we're excited to try the outdoor patio seating!

    We had brunch here with no reservation on a busy weekend!…read more Ambiance: 5/5 Beautifully designed and spacious restaurant that offers outdoor seatings with heaters. Pet friendly too! Service: 4/5 Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Food: 4/5 Guava pancakes are highly recommended. Fluffy and not so dense with delicious guava sauce that wasn't sweet at all. Veggies omelette - Tasty and loved the potatoes that came with it. Tuna salad - HUGE pieces of THICK tuna; well worth the money! Salad was incredibly fresh and tasty. *Free refills on coffee* I'd highly recommend this place and will be back.

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    Joanie's Café - Breakfast Medley

    Joanie's Café

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    3.8 mi
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    In the area, decided to come here after I read some great reviews, it was a sunny sat morning in…read more60s F so not that warm, lots of patio seating with heaters, the place was packed at 11. We waited for about 5 mins for inside seat. Very good vibes and busy. Service was great and fast. Very prompt and gave some friendly advice on what to get. Cups were never empty, coffee and water constantly topped off. Staff working very hard to turn over tables quickly. Food was prepared very quick. Other than Steak was a little bit overcooked (bearable) everything else was excellent. Good size, ratio and portion. Fresh fruits were a fine touch to seal the morning with a healthy start.

    If you visit Joanie's on a Sunday, congratulations, you've also signed yourself up for the farmers…read moremarket experience whether you planned to or not. There will be plenty of foot traffic going in and out of the restaurant. My dining companion and I settled in at the counter since the weather was a bit brisk today. Joanie's has been around long enough to wear its old-school vibe with confidence. The service is just fine. Nothing to complain about and nothing to tell write home about. It's a small enough place you are able to flag someone down if you needed something. We both ordered the "Joanie's Breakfast Medley" which includes French toast or two pancakes, two eggs any style, home fries, and your choice of protein (bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, chicken-apple sausage, or ham) for $25.95. We added two coffees, because we are functioning adults who require caffeine to make decisions. The food was fine, it was what a Sunday breakfast should be. I had a bit of a sticker shock when I asked for the bill and saw that it was OVER $75 for two people at breakfast, with tax and tip. I sat there doing the math in my head the way you do when you're hoping the numbers will somehow rearrange themselves into something more palatable. They did not. Now, to be fair, I am fully aware that the cost of ingredients and labor has gone up across the board. I was just operating on an optimistic budget of maybe $60 which I now realize is one of those "back in my day" comments to bore the Gen Zs to tears. If you want a recommendation for something sweet, go straight for the Cherries, Berries and Mascarpone French Toast. The eggs benedict is a reliable choice too, if you're feeling classic. The restaurant is easy to get to as it is located at the corner of California and Ash Street, and there's a large parking structure right next door. Would I go back? Probably, yes. But I will be prepared so that the wallet shock doesn't catch me off guard again.

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    Madera - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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