San Agus Cocina Urbana & Cocktails

About San Agus

San Agus Cocina Urbana & Cocktails is a Mexican restaurant and bar at 115 Hamilton Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. It specializes in Mexico City street food and crafted cocktails, with a deep list of mezcal and tequila. The restaurant describes itself as a neighborhood hangout where friends and strangers meet. Its about page says it was established in 2020.

The kitchen is led by chef Manuel Martinez. San Agus is part of La Viga Culinary Group, the same team behind La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana and LV Mar Tapas & Cocktails in Redwood City.

What is on the menu

The menu is built for sharing. It runs from cold and hot botanas, or snacks, to tacos, salads and larger plates for the table. Dishes the restaurant highlights include tacos al pastor, gorditas de chicharrón and the torta cubana.

• Botanas: guacamole, ceviche de pescado, gorditas de chicharrón, quesadillas and quesabirria.
• Tacos: carne asada, crispy fried avocado and golden shrimp, along with al pastor and a vegetable taco.
• Platos para compartir: larger plates meant for the table.
• Mata Crudas: the weekend brunch section. Chilaquiles and huevos rancheros also appear on the menu.
• Postre: desserts to finish.

Menus change, so check the website for the current list.

Cocktails and mezcal

The bar gets as much attention as the kitchen. San Agus pours seasonal craft cocktails, artisan mezcal and tequila, beer and wine. House cocktails on the menu include La Furia Roja, Los Cafeteros and the Cantarito. For non-drinkers there is Los Charrúas, a zero-proof cocktail, plus aguas frescas and Mexican sodas. The mezcal list names producers and agave types, such as Tosba Cenizo and a Benesin ensamble, which helps if you want to explore beyond tequila.

The restaurant also posts a Spotify playlist that it says it updates every month.

Happy hour

Happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. It is not offered on major holidays. The food side includes ceviche tostadas with shrimp or fish, queso fundido, papas birria, nachitos, La Torta del Chavo and a dish called Los Tacones. Drinks include the house cocktail, a margarita, a margarito and a rosé sangria. Because the restaurant opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays, happy hour starts the moment the doors open.

Vegetarian options

San Agus marks vegetarian dishes on its menu with a V. The marked dishes include salsa and chips, guacamole, quesadillas, huaraches, tlayudas, vegetable tacos, the fried avocado taco, two salads, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, black bean purée, queso fundido and nachitos. Many dishes also offer a vegetable add-on.

Reservations, takeout and private events

Reservations go through OpenTable from the restaurant's website. Takeout and delivery are ordered through a Square ordering page. For private dining, the website links to a PerfectVenue booking form. The site also lists a WhatsApp number, 650-847-1334, plus an events page.

Who it suits

San Agus suits after-work drinks with colleagues, a casual date or a group dinner built around shared plates. The weekday happy hour makes it one of the easier downtown places to meet early. Vegetarians have plenty to choose from, since the menu marks so many dishes with a V. Families can come too, especially on weekends when the restaurant opens at noon, though the bar sets much of the tone in the evening. It is not a quick counter-service taqueria. Plan to sit, order a few plates and a drink and stay a while.

Tips for visiting

• On weekdays San Agus opens at 3 p.m., so it is an afternoon and evening place. Lunch is only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when it opens at noon.
• Come between 3 and 5 p.m. on a weekday for happy hour.
• If you are new to agave spirits, ask the bartender to suggest a mezcal from the list.
• Hamilton Avenue is a short walk from University Avenue. Our downtown guide and bars and wine guide cover more places to drink nearby. For more Mexican food, see our Mexican and Latin American food guide.

Location and getting there

San Agus Cocina Urbana & Cocktails is at 115 Hamilton Avenue, 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

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

What is nearby

• Premier Properties, firm, under 0.1 mi
• Patagonia, store, under 0.1 mi
• MNT Studio, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• YogaSource Palo Alto, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
• Mendocino Farms, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• Pacific Art League, 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, 0.2 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Sweet Maple (under 0.1 mi); Arya Steakhouse (under 0.1 mi); Palo Alto Creamery (under 0.1 mi); Tacolicious (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 San Agus official website; San Agus menu; San Agus about page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions