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About Saint Michael's Alley
Saint Michael's Alley is a dinner restaurant on Homer Avenue in downtown Palo Alto with a long history. It opened in 1959 as a coffee house. The name comes from St. Michael's Alley in London, where that city's first coffeehouse opened in 1652.
The early Saint Michael's Alley was a bohemian place that drew artists of the beatnik era. The restaurant's history page credits it with helping launch the careers of a long list of names, including the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Grace Slick, Ken Kesey, Robert Hunter and Jefferson Airplane. Whatever the exact role each played, the list shows how closely the place was tied to the local music and arts scene of the time.
In 1993 the business was bought by Michael Sabina and Jennifer Youll, Stanford graduates and longtime Palo Alto residents. They redesigned the current space from top to bottom and moved the kitchen to seasonal menus. Its web address, stmikes.com, uses the short form of the name.
What is on the menu
The restaurant describes its menu as highly seasonal and always evolving, so read the dishes below as a snapshot. A recent dinner menu included:
- Starters. Bruschetta, ahi tuna poke, za'atar roasted Brussels sprouts, mini wild mushroom cakes, sake steamed mussels, roasted pear with prosciutto and salt and pepper prawns.
- Salads and soup. Caesar salad, baby beet salad, warm kale salad and a soup of the day.
- Mains. Roasted salmon, a seared ostrich fan filet, black pepper bigoli carbonara, honey roasted duck breast, wild sea scallops, chicken pot pie, butternut squash ravioli, pan seared halibut, a grilled flat iron steak and a roasted rack of lamb.
- Sides. A bread basket, Israeli couscous, fingerling potatoes, stir fried vegetables and beluga lentils.
- Desserts. Chocolate mousse, pineapple bread pudding, lemon cream pie, a seasonal sorbet and the namesake cheesecake.
The mix runs from comfort food such as chicken pot pie to less common choices such as ostrich. Vegetarians have the butternut squash ravioli, the mushroom cakes and several salads and sides, but check the current menu since it changes often. The restaurant also sells wine bottles and cocktails to go.
The space
The restaurant has dining rooms, a bar and a covered patio. It describes the atmosphere as bohemian, a nod to its coffee house roots, in a space that the current owners redesigned completely.
Private and semi-private events
Saint Michael's Alley is set up for parties of many sizes. Its event spaces are listed below.
| Space | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Small dining room | Up to 20 |
| Large dining room | Up to 26 |
| Full dining room | Up to 45 |
| Bar room | Up to 30 |
| Covered patio | Up to 36 |
Events are priced by a food and beverage minimum, with tax and a service fee added. Because the menu is seasonal, the event menu changes through the year. Each space has an inquiry form on the website. A full restaurant buyout is also an option.
Who it suits
Saint Michael's Alley fits a relaxed dinner for two, a meal with visiting parents or a mid-size celebration in one of its private rooms. The range of the menu, from pot pie to rack of lamb, makes it easy to feed a table with different appetites. History buffs will enjoy eating in a business with roots in the 1959 coffee house scene. Because it serves dinner only, it is not an option for lunch or brunch.
Tips for visiting
Saint Michael's Alley serves dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. and is closed on Monday. Reservations are taken by phone, so call ahead for weekend nights. Gift cards are sold online.
The restaurant is within walking distance of the Palo Alto Caltrain station and University Avenue. To learn more about the era that shaped its early years, read our guide to Palo Alto in the 1960s. The downtown guide covers the rest of the area. The fine dining guide lists other restaurants for a special night out.
Location and getting there
Saint Michael's Alley is at 140 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, in the Town & Country Village area of Palo Alto. Our Town & Country Village guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away. That is roughly a 8 minute walk.
Parking: the center's own free surface lots.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Sunday | 5 to 9 p.m. |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.
What is nearby
- University Chiropractic, practice, under 0.1 mi
- Peet's Coffee Homer Avenue, cafe, under 0.1 mi
- Whole Foods Market, food shop, under 0.1 mi
- Hassett ACE Hardware, store, under 0.1 mi
- VeloTech Cycles, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
- Pacific Art League, 0.2 mi
- Downtown Library, 0.2 mi
- Palo Alto History Museum, 0.2 mi
Other restaurants nearby: Taverna (under 0.1 mi); Pizzeria Delfina (0.1 mi); Meyhouse (0.1 mi); Buca di Beppo (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 29, 2026 against Saint Michael's Alley official website; Private events. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Saint Michael's Alley in Palo Alto?
Saint Michael's Alley is at 140 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, in the Town & Country Village area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.3 miles away.
How do I book a table at Saint Michael's Alley?
Call the restaurant at 650-326-2530. Its website directs reservations to the phone line rather than an online booking system.
What is the history of Saint Michael's Alley?
It opened in 1959 as a coffee house and took its name from the London alley where that city's first coffeehouse opened in 1652. The restaurant says its bohemian early years drew artists and musicians of the beatnik era. Michael Sabina and Jennifer Youll bought the business in 1993.
Can Saint Michael's Alley host a private party?
Yes. It offers a small dining room for up to 20, a large dining room for up to 26, the full dining room for up to 45, the bar room for up to 30 and a covered patio for up to 36. Events are priced with a food and beverage minimum. The menu follows the seasons.
What are Saint Michael's Alley's hours?
Monday: Closed; Tuesday to Sunday: 5 to 9 p.m..