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About the Palo Alto Creamery
The Palo Alto Creamery is a classic American diner and soda fountain on Emerson Street, a short walk from University Avenue. Its website says it opened in 1923 and that while the names and faces have changed since then, its reputation has not. The business sums up its approach in four words: simple food, done well. Everything is made from scratch. The Creamery's own bakery makes its breads, burger buns and pastries.
The Creamery describes the visit as a retro dining experience and a place for a meal with friends and family. Its website also mentions an outdoor patio. The restaurant belongs to a small local group. Its sister restaurants are Reposado on Hamilton Avenue in Palo Alto, Scratch on Castro Street in Mountain View and the British Bankers Club in Menlo Park.
What is on the menu
The menu reads like a diner menu should: long, familiar and built for any time of day.
- Breakfast. Served all day, with two eggs any style, buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, a Northwest scramble, huevos rancheros and chicken and waffle. Homemade oatmeal, the Belgian waffle and the chicken and waffle are morning only.
- Burgers. One third pound burgers on house made buns, including a cheeseburger, a California burger, the Atomic Burger and a veggie burger.
- Sandwiches. Turkey club, Reuben, BLT, grilled cheese, a Philly cheese steak and a chicken salad sandwich. Gluten free bread is available.
- Salads and soup. Cobb, Caesar, a cranberry apple salad and chicken noodle soup.
- Dinner plates. Served after 4 p.m., such as roast turkey dinner, grilled salmon, chicken Parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs and a New York steak.
Milkshakes, pies and the bakery
The fountain side of the menu gets as much attention as the food. Milkshakes can be customized with hot fudge, peanut butter, whipped cream or dates. You can ask for one extra thick. Malt is offered as an add-on. The fountain also makes banana splits, sundaes, ice cream sodas and floats and the New York style egg cream.
Pies get their own section. Slices of apple, key lime, banana cream and chocolate cream pie are on the dessert menu, along with a brownie chunk New York style cheesecake. Whole pies are sold to take home in a glass plate with a refundable deposit. The website invites customers to order pies and cakes ahead. The bakery case also holds cornbread, blueberry muffins, frosted cinnamon rolls, giant cookies and butter croissants.
Good to know
- Breakfast is served all day, but a few dishes are morning only.
- Dinner plates such as roast turkey and grilled salmon start after 4 p.m.
- Gluten free bread is available for sandwiches.
- Parties of five or more get an automatic gratuity added to the bill.
- Whole pies carry a refundable deposit for the glass plate, so bring the plate back.
Who it suits
The Creamery suits families with children, students and anyone who wants comfort food at an odd hour. Breakfast all day and a long menu make it easy to please a table with mixed tastes. It is a sit down diner, so allow time for a meal rather than a quick bite. For larger groups, note that the menu adds an automatic gratuity for parties of five or more. Vegetarians have the veggie burger, grilled cheese, salads and the full breakfast and dessert lists to choose from.
Tips for visiting
The Creamery opens at 8 a.m. every day and stays open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Weekend mornings are the classic time for a diner breakfast. For holidays, order whole pies early.
The restaurant is an easy walk from the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Our brunch guide compares other breakfast spots. The cheap eats guide covers more casual meals. If you are visiting with children, the Palo Alto with kids guide has ideas for the rest of the day.
Location and getting there
Palo Alto Creamery is at 566 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA, 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).
Hours
| Sunday to Thursday | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Friday and Saturday | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- Mendocino Farms, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Kitchen Nail Bar, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- Sephora Downtown Palo Alto, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- Bell's Books, shop, under 0.1 mi
- YogaSource Palo Alto, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
- Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
- Pacific Art League, under 0.1 mi
- University Avenue, 0.1 mi
Other restaurants nearby: Thaiphoon (under 0.1 mi); Reposado (under 0.1 mi); Tacolicious (under 0.1 mi); Osteria (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 Palo Alto Creamery official website; Menu; Contact and hours. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Palo Alto Creamery in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto Creamery is at 566 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA, in the Downtown area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.2 miles away.
Does the Palo Alto Creamery serve breakfast all day?
Yes. The menu says breakfast is served all day. A few items, such as the oatmeal, Belgian waffle and chicken and waffle, are marked as morning only. Dinner entrées start after 4 p.m.
Can I buy a whole pie at the Palo Alto Creamery?
Yes. The Creamery sells whole pies as well as slices. Whole pies come in a glass plate that carries a refundable deposit. The website invites customers to order pies and cakes ahead.
Is the Palo Alto Creamery good for groups?
It works for families and small groups. The menu notes that an automatic gratuity is added for parties of five or more, so factor that in when you plan a group meal.
What are Palo Alto Creamery's hours?
Sunday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m..