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About the Poolside Grill
The Poolside Grill is the restaurant inside the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel at 625 El Camino Real. The hotel names it as its only on-property restaurant and describes the food as California cuisine. As the name says, the setting is the hotel pool: the hotel pitches dinner by the pool with a signature cocktail as one of the draws.
Some maps list the restaurant as Pool Side Grill, written as two words. The hotel itself uses Poolside Grill. Either way, it is the same place. It sits on the hotel grounds rather than as a separate storefront on El Camino Real.
The Sheraton sits on El Camino Real between downtown Palo Alto and Stanford Shopping Center, with the Caltrain station within walking distance. The hotel describes the grill as a restaurant near downtown Palo Alto and near Stanford. That location makes it handy for hotel guests, visiting families and people with business at the university or nearby offices. Our Sheraton Palo Alto guide covers the hotel itself.
Meals and menu
The grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast features Starbucks coffee, according to the hotel, which lists it as available for a fee. Lunch and dinner focus on California dishes. The bar side of the menu includes signature cocktails.
The hotel publishes a Poolside All-Day Menu as a PDF on its dining page. That is the best place to check current dishes, since hotel menus change with the seasons. The page does not list detailed opening times for each meal, so call ahead if you plan an early breakfast or a late dinner.
Reservations and contact
You can book a table through OpenTable from the hotel's dining page. You can also call the hotel at 650-328-2800 and ask for extension 7287, which the hotel lists for the restaurant. Dress is casual.
The hotel also lists the Cardinal Lounge, open every day from 2 to 11 p.m. In-room dining is offered too, with its own room service menu. If you are staying at the Sheraton and want to eat in, the room service menu is posted as a PDF on the same dining page.
Meetings and the neighborhood
The Sheraton has meeting rooms and ballrooms. The grill is the obvious place for a meal before or after a conference session there. Working breakfasts are an easy fit, since the restaurant opens for the first meal of the day and serves coffee from a familiar brand.
The Sheraton shares its stretch of El Camino Real with two other hotels, the Westin Palo Alto at 675 El Camino Real and The Clement at 711 El Camino Real. Guests at those neighboring hotels can easily walk over to the Poolside Grill for a meal, which widens the choice of places to eat without moving the car. Our guides to the Westin and hotels along El Camino Real cover the area.
Who it suits
The Poolside Grill is built around the hotel, but its OpenTable listing lets anyone book a table. It suits a business breakfast near Stanford, a relaxed dinner on a warm evening by the pool or a simple meal for families staying at the hotel during a campus visit, a game or commencement weekend. It is a convenient option if you do not want to drive downtown after a long day.
Diners looking for a destination restaurant may prefer the independent places on University Avenue and around downtown. Our food and drink guide covers those options.
Tips for visiting
- Reserve on busy weekends. Stanford events such as commencement and home football games fill local hotels and their restaurants.
- Ask about the pool area. If you want to sit outside, mention it when you book.
- Know your breakfast plan. If you are a hotel guest, check whether your rate includes breakfast before you order.
- Call for hours. The hotel says the grill serves all three meals but does not post exact times online. A quick call to extension 7287 avoids arriving between services.
- Visiting campus? The hotel is close to Stanford, so the grill is a practical base for a meal before or after a campus visit.
Location and getting there
Poolside Grill is at 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.
The Palo Alto 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).
What is nearby
- Philz Coffee, cafe, 0.1 mi
- Premier Properties, firm, 0.1 mi
- Patagonia, store, 0.1 mi
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation, practice, 0.2 mi
- MNT Studio, studio or gym, 0.2 mi
- Lytton Plaza, 0.2 mi
- Pacific Art League, 0.2 mi
- King Plaza and City Hall, 0.3 mi
Other restaurants nearby: San Agus Cocina Urbana & Cocktails (0.1 mi); Arya Steakhouse (0.2 mi); MacArthur Park (0.2 mi); Tacolicious (0.2 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 Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel dining page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Poolside Grill in Palo Alto?
Poolside Grill is at 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.2 miles away.
What restaurant is at the Sheraton Palo Alto?
The Poolside Grill is the hotel's on-property restaurant. It serves California cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also lists the Cardinal Lounge and room service.
How do I book a table at the Poolside Grill?
The hotel says you can book through OpenTable from its dining page or call 650-328-2800 and ask for extension 7287.
Is breakfast included at the Sheraton Palo Alto?
The hotel's dining page says breakfast is available onsite at the Poolside Grill for a fee. Some room rates or loyalty benefits may include it, so check your booking.