Rooh

About Rooh

Rooh is an Indian restaurant and cocktail bar on University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. It calls itself a progressive Indian-inspired restaurant. The kitchen works with seasonal menus that bring in new ingredients alongside traditional flavors and modern techniques, with fresh regional produce at the center. In the restaurant's words, it pairs regional Indian flavors with California produce in playful takes on fine dining techniques.

The Palo Alto restaurant opened for dinner on January 10, 2020, according to the Peninsula Foodist blog of Embarcadero Media. It took over the space that had housed Arte Ristorante at 473 University Avenue. The blog reported that owners Anu and Vikram Bhambri ran several Indian restaurants in the United States and New Delhi, including another Rooh in San Francisco. Today the Rooh name also appears in New Delhi and Columbus, Ohio.

Food, drinks and seasonal menus

Rooh publishes separate dinner, drinks and dessert menus. Because the kitchen works seasonally, dishes change through the year, so read the current menu online rather than relying on any single dish. The restaurant also runs themed menus. In October 2026 it promoted "A Taste of Gujarat," a special running from October 12 to 31 that focused on the food of the western Indian state.

Fire is part of the kitchen's identity. At the opening, the Foodist described a 13 foot open-fire grill at the front of the kitchen, with a tandoor oven, a rotisserie, a smoker and a grill. It reported that about 60 percent of the menu came off that grill at the time.

The bar is the other half of the concept. Rooh describes its mixology program as a core part of the restaurant. When it opened, its cocktails were organized around the six tastes of Ayurveda, with ingredients such as turmeric and smoked pineapple. The Foodist reported that some drinks were mixed in a small centrifuge and named after regional Indian slang. The wine list ran to more than 120 labels at the time. Drink lists change, so check the current menu.

The space

Rooh's website says the restaurant is designed to feel like a heritage family home, with a large front courtyard. The opening report described the same idea in different words: the space was meant to evoke a haveli, a historic Indian mansion built around courtyards with ornate archways. A mural of a modern Indian woman anchors the dining area. Bay Area artist Amanda Lynn painted it as a tribute to women. Wallpaper by the Indian designer Sabyasachi covers parts of the dining room and the bar. Another wall holds photos and plates from India in the 1900s. The opening report put the dining room at about 100 seats.

Reservations, groups and private events

Rooh takes online reservations for parties of up to 8. Groups of 9 or more should use the private parties section of the website. The restaurant also has pages for private events, catering and corporate dinners, which makes it a practical choice for a team dinner or a family celebration. Online ordering is available for takeout.

Who it suits and tips

Rooh fits a special dinner, a date night or a business meal where good cocktails matter. Lunch every day makes it an option for a midday meeting too. Diners who like traditional curry house menus may find the dishes less familiar, since the kitchen leans toward modern plating and seasonal produce.

• Book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner, when the kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m.
• Watch the website for regional special menus like the Gujarat series.
• Ask about private dining early if you are planning around Stanford commencement or another busy weekend.
• Downtown parking has posted time limits, so the walk from the Caltrain station is often easier.

For other places to drink well downtown, see our bars and wine guide. Our fine dining guide covers more special-occasion restaurants. The downtown Palo Alto guide shows what else is within a few blocks.

Location and getting there

Rooh is at 473 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The nearest train stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.4 miles away. That is roughly a 11 minute walk.

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

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• AT&T University Avenue, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Beautiful Moon Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• Site for Sore Eyes, practice, under 0.1 mi
• Like! Hair Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• SomiSomi, bakery or dessert shop, under 0.1 mi
• Johnson Park, 0.2 mi
• Cogswell Plaza, 0.2 mi
• University Avenue, 0.2 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Sushirrito (under 0.1 mi); Taste (under 0.1 mi); Cafe Venetia (under 0.1 mi); Yayoi (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 29, 2026 against Rooh Palo Alto official website; Mountain View Voice, Peninsula Foodist: Rooh brings Indian wood-fired cooking and serious cocktails to Palo Alto (January 2020). How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions