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Joya Restaurant & Lounge

Tapas Restaurant, Wine Bar, and Latin American Restaurant$$$$

Downtown North, Palo Alto

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7.9^/10

394

ratings

"guac + new world chips and ahi tuna tartare are excellent."(6 Tips)
"Shrimp ceviche & gazpacho are both excellent, papas bravas are meh"(4 Tips)
"The white peach sangria is the best!"(3 Tips)
"Pork shoulder, kobe beef sliders and caipirinhas = excellent."(5 Tips)

116 Tips and reviews

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sangria
good for dates
papas bravas
trendy
happy hour
good for groups
churros
fried oreos
caipirinhas
chicken tostadas
desserts
braised short ribs
off-menu items
cute
corn dogs
pork shoulder
Cuban sandwiches
quinoa
dinner
bacon
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Julian ForeroJune 27, 2017
If its your first time try the empanadas and croquetas with a glass of sangria and finish with churros. Paella also an option if you're pretty hungry.
Raj S.September 26, 2012
Ahi tuna is incredible. Bacon wrapped pork was perfectly portioned. I got the cucumber cooler for a drink; if you don't like cilantro don't worry since you can't taste it anyway. Great meal.
PoojaOctober 17, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Can't go wrong with most of the tapas. 3 tapas good for 2. Was it down with some tasty cocktails. This place can get crowded even on weekday evenings cause its worth it.
y contentNovember 10, 2013
Bougie places like this usually have weak crab cakes, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Sangria & bottomless mimosas are a good deal as well.
Ariel ZachMay 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
The Lounge is great for drinks and appetizers. From the tapas I love the Tuna Tartare, Ceviche Trio, Gambas w Chorizo. Dessert the Churros w Chocolate sauce was great.
PoojaOctober 24, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Great red sangria and delicious churros! Did not like the eggs benedict from the brunch menu.
p baruaJuly 5, 2017
The sample platter is really good as is the caipirinha. The cocktails are strong , just the way I like them!!
Nick JouannemSeptember 30, 2016
Tried the papas bravas and the mini-burgers. Both were great and the portion size of papas was generous.
PoojaMarch 24, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Kobe Beef Mini-Burgers are delicious. Chicken tostadas are good too. Did anyone try the anticuchos?
TristanMay 30, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Try the ahi tuna salad. It comes with a fried hard boiled egg (read that one more time: "it comes with a fried hard boiled egg"). Nice and light lunch on university ave. Sit outside!
Steve MoroskiJune 26, 2014
Love this place. Perfect Palo Alto vibe. Upscale collegiate. Just go tapas all the way. With an outstanding, local double IPA.
Tanner ChristensenNovember 9, 2014
Try the yuca fries! Great wine and champagne to pick from as well.
Bri NguyenAugust 2, 2012
Beautiful venue. Very tastefully decorated with a modern vibe. Food was also good. Lots of cute guys... Good eye candy and its located right by Stanford University
Leonora BustamanteNovember 6, 2012
Great food and service. Try the tapas and desserts! Some food might be a little spicy (be careful if you are sensitive) but everything is delicious.
NanaJune 8, 2015
Sautéed gambas with chorizo, papas bravas were both really good. Cuban sandwich was alright, too much mustard for my liking. Sangria as everyone says is weak but you get a pitcher for $24
Christy KoApril 18, 2018
Their paella clasica is loaded with seafood and meat. Loved it! And their pulpo was cooked very tender.
Shirley LiuJanuary 16, 2013
Great tapas and drinks-- I recommend the Kobe sliders, braised short rib tacos, red snapper ceviche, and yucca fries!
Bryan ClarkJanuary 5, 2015
Patatas Bravas were our favorite tapa - and the paella is delicious, but it easily feeds 4, not 2!
Heather ArchulettaDecember 21, 2013
Awesomest tables are by the front window... And the chocolate martini is DIVINE! :)
Megan KainMarch 23, 2016
super yummy mushroom tapas and bacon wrapped tenderloin. The ceviche was also my favorite
Rafi RomeroAugust 19, 2015
good: truffle deviled eggs with salmon caviar, taro+spinach croquette, Kobe beef burger. meh: scallop ceviche, seared scallops.
Matthew TraubApril 24, 2014
Tuna tartare and chicken tostadas are great. Order your drinks two at a time because they're slow coming.
Chris KantarjievAugust 22, 2019
Nice wine selection. Bacon wrapped dates and quinoa croquettes are excellent.
TristanAugust 13, 2011
Been here 5+ times
if you're looking for a quick meetup with friends / colleagues, check out the happy hour and sit towards the back room on the left side. Good lounge area
Priya SaiprasadJuly 8, 2013
No matter what you order, don't forget to include the Kobe Beef Sliders. It's the best item on the menu! Oh and the yuca fries.
v fApril 1, 2010
Been here 5+ times
I love Joya!! Probably the best Latin American restaurant that blends the different types of foods in Mexico, Central America, South America & Spain. I highly recommend the ceviche, gambas & sangria!
Mrinabh DuttaMay 5, 2015
Great service but the food quality has gone down a bit in the last two years. Walk in only if you like hot in any entree you might want to try.
Elizabeth BursteinOctober 19, 2018
Nicoise salad is a good healthy option. The yucca fries too!
Stan van de BurgtJune 30, 2013
Been here 10+ times
They get gluten-free. Great food. Nice atmosphere. Great staff. Try the ceviche.
Joseph MathewsSeptember 22, 2012
The tapas sampler is *outstanding*, as is the classic paella. Good, quick service. I'll definitely go back.
Yuan DuanOctober 8, 2011
The white peach sangria is great!! Coloma is alright. All tapas are yummy yummy! Love the crab cake, mini burger
Sheeva NazhandJuly 23, 2011
Try the deep fried oreos, I promise you they are to die for!! Tons of yummy tapas too, I'll definitely be back :)
Edward KJanuary 7, 2013
Try sitting further inside the restaurant because there's usually always heavy and distracting traffic on university avenue
Omer ZachJuly 9, 2012
Been here 5+ times
The ceviche sampler is great and pretty huge.
Marcela RodriguezMarch 15, 2012
Get here early, great food and have to have the platanos, tacos and tuna! Nom nom nom!
AliceJune 6, 2013
Great tapas and sangria with red wine was very food too. Fancy.
NigelMarch 23, 2015
Best fried Calamari I've ever had !
Ashley SungApril 11, 2011
guac + new world chips and ahi tuna tartare are excellent. also a big fan of their wine list
Rich WongOctober 25, 2009
Great setting, and tables that look out on University enjoyable for hanging out and seeing who's walking around. Sangria was irritatingly weak - no buzz after 3 pitchers ... but the food was quite g
Ben KrasnowAugust 15, 2013
Shrimp ceviche & gazpacho are both excellent, papas bravas are meh
Felix LOctober 2, 2014
Steak and yuca, get the oreos as well
ChezBlackstarJune 10, 2015
Paella and wine! Get a reservation!
Ashley SpearsFebruary 13, 2017
Loved the classic paella and chorizo corn dogs
Susan RathbunFebruary 20, 2012
If your a ceviche fan, you must try the ceviche trio..cucumber really brightens the mix!
GinaMay 26, 2013
Best Pisco Sour in PA and it's off the menu!
Leight KnightAugust 30, 2012
You MUST try the SAZARAC it's Billie rye, st George absinthe, bitters n something else.
Stephen DebruynJuly 23, 2015
Tapas are great, and so is the service...
Sandra SimmonsOctober 3, 2014
Great place to have dinner and to meet friends for drinks.
JennNovember 19, 2011
Awesome sangria and one of the best happy hours spots in the Bay Area. :)
Tom BatesAugust 20, 2014
Bottomless mimosas and Ahi Tuna Tartare were great.

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