La Bohème

About La Boheme

La Boheme is a French bistro at 415 California Avenue, in the California Avenue business district of Palo Alto. Its menus carry the line "Bistro Francais" and the date 2014, the year it was established. The restaurant serves lunch on weekdays, a breakfast and brunch menu on weekends and dinner from Tuesday through Saturday.

The wine list has a name of its own, "La Cave de Marie," after Marie-Pierre, who the restaurant says is on hand to help guests choose a bottle and match it to their meal. The website also posts a version of the dinner menu in Chinese.

A page on the website explains Marie-Pierre's approach to pairing. It gives simple examples, such as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with salads or citrus dishes and a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with steak or lamb. If you are not sure what to order, ask for her suggestion. Menus print the address as 415 California Ave, while the website footer uses 415 S California Avenue. Both refer to the same storefront.

What is on the menu

The dinner menu sticks close to Paris bistro classics. Starters include escargots in garlic, parsley and butter; French onion soup with Swiss cheese; crab cakes; fried calamari; a tuna and salmon tartare; and a charcuterie board with duck rillettes, pork pate, dry sausage and Bayonne ham. Salads range from warm goat cheese on toast to duck confit with poached pears. Sandwiches include a croque monsieur and a French burger with brie.

The weekend lunch and brunch menu leans toward eggs. It lists two-egg breakfasts, avocado toast, a breakfast burrito and steak and eggs, followed by a long list of omelettes with French and Mediterranean fillings. Benedicts come with ham, braised lamb shank or spinach and tomato. Menus change, so treat any single dish as an example.

The weekend omelette list is long. The Jardiniere is a vegetarian mix of spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, shallots and goat cheese. The Mexicaine brings chorizo, queso fresco and pico de gallo. The Mediterraneenne is filled with bay scallops, crab and bay shrimp under hollandaise. Others pair chicken with ham and Swiss in a cordon bleu or prosciutto with fresh mozzarella and pesto. Each comes with a choice of hash browns, salad, potatoes or fruit.

Desserts and after-dinner drinks have their own menu on the website. The wine list is posted online too, which helps if you like to plan a bottle ahead.

Reservations and seating

La Boheme takes reservations by phone and through OpenTable. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor tables. It asks guests to note their seating preference when they book, by phone or in the OpenTable notes. It also warns that indoor seating is limited. On a cool evening, book early if you want to sit inside.

A few house policies appear on the dinner menu. Parties of six or more have a set gratuity added. There are fees for splitting a plate, for bringing your own cake and for corkage. Read the menu notes before a celebration so nothing comes as a surprise. Gift certificates are sold on the website. For delivery, the restaurant links to Uber Eats.

Who La Boheme suits

La Boheme fits a relaxed date night, a weekend brunch with friends or a family dinner with a French theme. The mix of classic plates and simple sandwiches makes it workable for a group with different tastes. Vegetarian dishes are marked with a v on the menus. The website has promoted a special evening for graduation weekend, so it is worth asking about events around Stanford commencement in June.

Tips for visiting

Lunch and dinner have a break in the afternoon. Monday is a closed day, so check the hours before you go. The California Avenue Caltrain station is a short walk away. The main blocks of California Avenue are closed to cars. Parking is in nearby lots and on streets with posted limits. On Sunday mornings, the farmers market fills the street, which pairs well with brunch. Our California Avenue guide covers the district. For more weekend ideas, see our brunch guide. If you are planning a special evening, our date night guide has more options.

Location and getting there

La Bohème is at 415 South California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.

What is nearby

• UMe Tea, cafe, under 0.1 mi
• The Cobblery, store, under 0.1 mi
• Mediterranean Wraps, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Vin Vino Wine, food shop, under 0.1 mi
• Leaf & Petal, store, under 0.1 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.3 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.3 mi
• Peers Park, 0.4 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Sekoya (under 0.1 mi); Lotus Thai Bistro (under 0.1 mi); Palo Alto Sol (under 0.1 mi); Sun of Wolf (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against La Boheme official website; Dinner menu; Lunch and brunch menu. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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