Chef José Andrés brings Zaytinya to the Peninsula

Those who are long time followers of Chef José Andrés are undoubtedly not surprised. Zaytinya Palo Alto, which debuted earlier this month at the Stanford Shopping Center, offers extremely tasty food in a beautiful setting.

As InMenlo readers know, neither my husband nor I are food critics, but we frequently dine out, and it’s great to find another restaurant to add to our rotation.

The culinary traditions of Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon are featured, offering a range of choices.

“California has always inspired me — the produce, the culture, the innovation. Opening Zaytinya in Palo Alto feels like a natural next chapter,” said Andrés. (Note: The head chef in Palo Alto is Andrew Cohen.)

At Zaytinya Palo Alto, guests can expect signature spreads; vegetable, seafood, and meat mezze; housemade pitas; and family-style platters, all prepared with a focus on seasonality. There are also dishes unique to this newest location.

This diner particularly enjoyed the octopus santorini (pictured above) the hummus (pictured below), and the brussels afelia. My husband chose the lamb chops. We agreed the flat bread was a welcome addition. View the full menu online.

Diners seeking a quieter space to enjoy a conversation should ask to be seated at a table away from the bar.

When the weather warms up, the outdoor patio will be an inviting alternative.

Top photo courtesy of Zaytinya; photo of hummus and octopus by Linda Hubbard (c) 2025