Caffe Riace

About Caffe Riace

Caffe Riace is a family-owned Italian restaurant on Sheridan Avenue, on what it calls the California Avenue side of Palo Alto. On its reservation listing the restaurant describes itself as a trattoria established in 1997. Its own website spells the name with two f's, Caffe, though some maps list it as Cafe Riace.

The restaurant's website describes Sicilian-style cooking with an emphasis on lunch, paired with what it calls hand-picked wine selections from well-known regions. It serves both lunch and dinner on weekdays and Saturdays. The address is 200 Sheridan Avenue. The reservation listing places it in Suite 102 of that building.

The piazza and the dining rooms

Outdoor dining is a big part of the restaurant's appeal. The restaurant describes its outdoor area as a private piazza. Its website calls it a gorgeous outdoor dining area. Inside there is a dining room and a wine room. On a mild Palo Alto day, the piazza is the obvious place to sit. On cooler evenings the indoor room is the fallback.

The space is also set up for celebrations. The reservation listing says the restaurant has three private dining rooms that hold up to 40 guests and that the patio can host up to 200 people for events such as weddings, business meetings and graduations.

The food

The restaurant's website talks about homemade Italian specialties in a Sicilian style, but it does not post a detailed dish list on its main page. That is a good reason to look at the current menu or call before you go if you have something specific in mind. The wine list is presented as a highlight. Treat any single dish you have heard about as a guide rather than a promise, since menus change.

Catering and events

Events are a big part of the business. The website lists weddings, graduations, corporate events, birthday parties, anniversaries and other special occasions among the gatherings it caters. Its home page has a link for more information on events. Because the patio can hold large groups, it is one of the few Palo Alto restaurants that can host a wedding reception or a graduation party on site. Book well ahead for June, when Stanford commencement and high school graduations fill local calendars.

Planning an event at Caffe Riace

If you are considering the restaurant for a party, a simple order of steps helps:

1. Decide on the size. Up to 40 guests fits the private dining rooms. Larger parties, up to 200, point to the patio.
2. Pick a date early, especially for spring and June weekends when graduation parties are common.
3. Use the events link on the restaurant's website or call 650-328-0407 to ask about menus and availability.
4. Ask about weather plans for an outdoor event, since the patio is open air.

The restaurant's website says it caters many kinds of occasions. If your event will be somewhere other than the restaurant, ask whether the team can serve it there. Also confirm how far ahead you need to book. Bring a rough guest count and a budget to the first conversation so the staff can suggest the right room and menu.

Who it suits

Caffe Riace suits a relaxed business lunch, a family dinner or a celebration that needs a private room. The outdoor piazza makes it a good fit for a long lunch in good weather. It is less suited to a quick bite, since a trattoria meal is meant to take some time. Dress is listed as business casual on the reservation listing, which fits the office crowd nearby.

Tips for visiting

• Call to confirm hours. The restaurant's website lists lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday, while its reservation listing shows Tuesday to Saturday. Phone 650-328-0407 before you go, especially early in the week.
• Reserve for groups. The private rooms and patio events need advance booking.
• Combine with California Avenue. Our California Avenue guide covers the shops nearby. For more outdoor tables, see our outdoor dining guide. For other Italian restaurants, see Italian food and pizza.

Location and getting there

Caffe Riace is at 200 Sheridan Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 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).

What is nearby

• C. Bruce Hamilton, Attorney at Law, firm, under 0.1 mi
• Jonathan David Salon, salon or spa, 0.2 mi
• FedEx Office Print and Ship Center, California Avenue, service business, 0.2 mi
• The Coder School, school or studio, 0.2 mi
• Vitality Bowls, quick-service spot, 0.2 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.2 mi
• Peers Park, 0.5 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.5 mi

Other restaurants nearby: The Farm (0.2 mi); Imperial Treasure (0.2 mi); Cafe Pro Bono (0.2 mi); Rara (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 Caffe Riace official website; Caffe Riace on OpenTable (restaurant description and events). How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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