My family stayed at Cardinal Hotel and it came with free breakfast. So we all had 5 breakfast from a selected menu. Actually only 4 since Bistro Maxine does not open on Monday. FOOD 5/5 For what I had, I would give it a 5/5. I had toasts with 2 eggs and bacon every morning at Bistro Maxine, hahaha!! I know my brother switched his breakfast every time but I liked to stick to what I like. I wish they would give me one extra bacon. I love bacon!! SERVICE 5/5 The staff were super friendly; hospitable and generally very warm and nice. We were happy to see them; they sure worked really fast on a very busy Saturday morning. AMBIANCE 5/5 I have no complaints, it was not a fancy place but more of a neighborhood cafe/breakfast place. read more

See all

Stumbled upon this location in Palo Alto CA. They have outdoor and indoor seating. You seat yourself, scan the QR codes to order and pay. No servers no hosts. Ordered one savory crepe, berries crepe, and plain ones. The foods was ok. Its a different take on crepes because I am used to thinner style. The crepes were a thicker and crispier. Parking is very limited. read more

See all

This is a nice little greasy spoon that also has crepes! If you're lucky enough to get free breakfast included from your stay at The Cardinal, you can use the instructions on the included card with your room key to input the QR code checkout for one of 5-6 free breakfast options. Don't pay without making sure it's zero balance! And please tip separately since you can't tip on that first bill and checkout. My checkin folks didn't explain it well, and the server/chef seemed to have to explain it to a lot of folks. I had a nice 3-item (chose mushrooms, egg, and Swiss cheese) crepe and cappuccino. Cappuccino was very nice, and the crepe was large and well made - not too dry and good flavors though it could have been a little richer. It came with a little side salad which was nice but could have used a little dressing. Service was quick and the diner is no frills. Good view of the street. It's in the same building complex at The Cardinal but you have to exit outside to enter separately. read more

Bistro Maxine - Cardinal breakfast 4 with three time crepe and a drink - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Super cute vibes, definitely has the "Paris in Palo Alto" feel to it. The service was quick and easy, I ordered via QR code at my table. When I was done I wanted a box so I went inside to ask for one and the employee was very attentive. Food was good, but I'm kind of disappointed in the spicy mocha as it wasn't spicy at all. I enjoyed the little side salad that came with the savory crepe though. read more

See all

I have come here a few times now with my coworkers. We usually come for some coffee or tea. Every time I've gone, we've sat outside and ordered through their QR code system. I always order the chai latte, and it is very good. The staff is pretty friendly. One of my coworkers is a regular as she loves that the drinks always come in real cups. Their outdoor seating is nice. It is a good spot to take a break from the work day. read more

Bistro Maxine - chai latte - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Tried crepes on Saturday and was very disappointed. They tasted sour, too thick, hard to chew texture - more like tortillas than French crepes. Not sure if it's ingredients, or recipe, or both. Unfortunately, underwhelming food experience, and an expensive one, considering I couldn't eat what I ordered. I wish they improve the crepe recipe because this ain't it. read more

This is the best crepe I have ever had. It was fantastic. Sal's breakfast crepe. Made perfectly!!

My wife and I stopped by for a quick coffee and a sweet treat, and it felt like we were back in France. The cappuccino was excellent, and the Crepe Suzette was the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy. It's a small, intimate spot, perfect for a quiet conversation away from the bustle of University Ave. The service was friendly, if a bit laid back (in true French fashion). Highly recommend for a casual date or a mid-day coffee break. read more

Went for breakfast on New Year's Day . Pros: - Outdoor dining - Cappuccino came in a really big cup and was delicious - eggs were cooked to specifications Cons: - Overpriced - Quantity over quality - Crepes were bland - Avocado cost extra read more

Bistro Maxine - Cappuccino Banane Nutella - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Always enjoy my relaxed weekend mornings getting breakfast here. Ive been going here for a very long time. 10/10 highly recommend!!!

I meet friends here a lot, so I tend just to have coffee and fruit. Today I opted for an early lunch and chose the Le provençal panini -- fresh tomato, fresh basil, mozzarella, olive oil, fresh thyme. It was delightful! The panini isn't fried, it's grilled in a press, so it's not at all greasy. For me, the basil makes the dish, as it gives a rich and fresh flavor that lifts it above a regular panini. A good choice for a light lunch. read more

This is a sweet little French bistro with unfussy ambiance, cute outdoor seating and good crepes! I tried it a few times as part of the breakfast deal they have with the Cardinal Hotel - guests can choose from among 6 different complimentary options, including cappuccino and cafe au lait which is really nice considering most hotel breakfasts are served with thin watery coffee. I've tried the sweet crepe, eggs, baguette and jam, croissants and fruit. My fave are the crepes served with whipped cream and maple syrup. It is also a chill place to enjoy your coffee and read the news. I'm not so much a fan of the house coffee. Pretty bland. But the cappuccino was delicious! read more

See all

Had an amazing experience a few weeks ago at Bistro Maxine! This place reminds me of a cute French cafe with their outdoor seating ambiance and delicious crepes. We came here around 1PM on Saturday for a late coffee and brunch. There was luckily no wait even though we came on a Saturday and got a great table outside with an umbrella. For drinks, we ordered a chai latte and a hot chocolate. Both drinks really hit the spot! I was really impressed by how pretty they looked as well. We ordered a crepe and French toast in the mean time. The food was really tasty. I loved that they both looked so pretty and tasted just as good. This place has the perfect French cafe vibes and I highly recommend coming here for coffee and/or brunch!! read more

Bistro Maxine - French toast, Maxine crepe - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

This cute and aesthetic brunch spot in Palo Alto is pretty affordable compared to nearby restaurants! Inside is a bit small but they have plenty of outdoor seating! We ordered: Brioche French toast with berries, house whipped cream, and maple syrup - my favorite and they give so many fresh fruits!! May Special crepe: chocolate crepe with strawberry cream cheese filling - my friend liked this, personally not a fan of the strawberry filling but pretty Cafe latte - pretty and creamy latte in a huge cup Poulet À La Crème crepe: savory crepe with chicken and mushrooms in creme fraiche - very creamy but chicken kind of dry read more

See all

Great place to come after a visit at Stanford. I would highly recommend this place for the best chai you have ever had! Also the crepes are delicious and good size! You have to try the savory crepes but don't forget the sweet for dessert! We will definitely make this a regular spot for breakfast or lunch! read more

Bistro Maxine - Chai Late - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

I came here to get a sandwich, and for the sandwich, which is the simple white flat bread small sandwiches, it was $15+ tax and also I gave tip, which turned out to be almost $20. I got the Brie, prosciutto and fig jam sandwich the prosciutto was literally only one layer. I wished I took a pic, but I was so hungry I just ate it, but was very disappointed in the size of the sandwich to go with the price. I usually don't give tip for to go, but since it was paid via QR code, I gave tip. There was no small salad or fruits on the side for that price. Very disappointed. The taste was fine, but wow...inflation! read more

We got kicked out of the restaurant aggressively, because service dogs are NOT welcome. He kept saying it's illegal that the dog is not wearing a service dog, though after showing him the badge he said no. To wear a service collar is NOT legally required and this man is breaking the law and providing horrible customer service. I hope the actual business owner take this matter seriously, because it's unacceptable customer service and illegal to refuse service because of a service dog. read more

Amazing restaurant for brunch. First off, the location is awesome & the restaurant is very cute. The staff here is super friendly & nice--great sense of humor as well :). I got to ordered so many items from sweet to savory crepes, panini, sandwiches to latte, mimosas and so much more. Some of my favorite items are: 1. Mushroom & cream chicken crepes 2. Banana & chocolate crepes 3. Fruits French Toast 4. Fruits crepes 5. Chicken pesto panini 6. Chai latte Had such an amazing time here & cannot wait to come back. read more

Bistro Maxine - Yummy food - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

Food was bad, service far worse. Waitstaff was inattentive and rude--and when the meal actually came, it was practically inedible. We waited 15 minutes trying to catch someone's attention because we were missing an item and finally just gave up and left, as did the couple next to us. Overall a quite poor experience. And quite expensive. read more

Bistro Maxine is located in downtown Palo Alto and they are mainly known to serve up some delicious french food. They serve from french toast to crepes, to croissants, panini's, and much more. I've been on a roll lately on finding some hidden gems in the Bay Area and I think I found my favorite hidden gem so far. Their food was so delicious I couldn't really stop eating it. I had their Maxine crepe which was their savory crepe, mixed berry crepe, and their french toast which is by far my favorite. I'm going to start with the savory crepe. The savory crepe is filled with mushrooms, eggs, spinach, and swiss cheese. The crepe is so simple but yet, it has the flavors I'm looking for in a crepe. The crepe batter was pretty thin and the texture was the best part of the crepe because it was thin and not super soggy. This was just the perfect crepe but I think the ratio of crepe and filling was a bit off because I expected more filling I guess on the crepe. Overall, this crepe was delicious. The savory crepe is the one I will review next and I loved it! I love the berry compote inside the crepe. The fresh berries in there made the crepe very nice and fresh! For this one, I liked the ratio better on this one because if you have too much liquid inside, the crepe will break and will get soggy. This crepe was perfect with the berries and the crepe batter was still soft and crunchy. I think the batter was still my favorite part of the crepe because the batter was light and thin which I enjoy in a crepe. The french toast; I have saved the best for last! I loved the toastiness of that french toast because it had more of that char flavor that I never had in a french toast and I loved it so much. I literally couldn't stop eating it based on how light, fluffy, and toasty the french toast was. The berried topped off the french toast as well! Very nicely executed. Overall, I loved the food and definitely check out this spot when you're in Palo Alto. I personally rate this a 9/10 because it was so filling and delicious that I couldn't stop eating it! All of the outdoor dining is 6 feet apart along with some tables inside if you want to eat inside. Follow me @the.flexitarian.aholic for more of my delicious food adventures. read more

See all

Came by here to grab some lunch. Decided to get the ham and Swiss crepe. It was absolutely scrumptious! The gentleman that was the cook was very chatty when I picked up my order. Super friendly and timely service. They have a huge variety on the menu.the inside of the restaurant was also gorgeous. read more

Bistro Maxine - Dining room - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Terrible service. Dude never got up from his stool. When I asked for a coffee told me to use the app. See you never again.

I used to like going here for a quick crepe but will never go again after the chef screamed at me today. I expressed my displeasure at having to use the QR code - I understood why it was used during Covid - and he told me to just go away and eat somewhere else.... There was NO ONE in the place and he could not just take a verbal order?? When I suggested that he ask the owner about giving up the QR code method of service and he yelled -"I don't care." Well, I don't care enough to give them my business. He is a rude and very unwelcoming presence in this small business. Owners - take notice!!!!! read more

They used to have real French crepes, not anymore. Now these are typical American thick ones loaded with cheese. You order by QR code and pay (including tip) when you order. Pretty soon we will be getting instructions how to cook crepes ourselves with keys to the kitchen. read more

Really, I still love their crepes a lot (see my previous reviews). It is still, hands down, my favourite crepe place in the peninsula. However, it's lost a lot of its charm ever since it expanded...the staff has never been the same. The service is godawful slow, and the little "French café" feeling is no longer there. I felt patronized every time I come in now... Which is why I pretty much stopped going altogether these past years. The memories of how it used to be made it a bit painful. But now and then, I do crave a good crepe, and I try to stop by until I'm reminded of the new style of service. read more

Used to be so good.... I went this afternoon and they've switched to QR only ordering, which for some reason when I tried it wasn't working. Press "add to order" and just spins, reload then hangs. Ok no problem - a couple of people working there - I went inside to place the order - and was told no they can't even take the order. My daughter observed that there's seldom many people here - maybe because of the service / attitude? read more

I love this place, been coming for the last five years. The mocha, latte and hot cocoa are served in a bowl, not a cup. It's soothing on a cold day, although it never gets too cold in Palo Alto. Mostly nice weather and sunny year-round. The croissants are tasty! I'm glad they took over the space next door and expanded. The kids pointed out the faux-brick wall, only my kids...hilarious! The menu has a bit more than before. Double-check the Yelp deal, not sure if they honor it anymore, or at certain times. I love walking up and down Ramona Street, something nostalgic about it. I'm still amazed at how Palo Alto has changed from decades ago. Can't wait to come back to Bistro Maxine the next time I'm in town. 'Til we meet again ~ cheers & see you on Yelp! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=VB1Uc-jtJFwI42govZYOgQ https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=1iU4eYbZl9vYnn8w_Egu_g https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=0LZX91P-nvmhlNxXBJ1cyg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=jaYqLIkd-QyPlUrvp-eL2Q https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=8IpK-pUeU-l7Zr4qYUmfNQ https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bistro-maxine-palo-alto?select=43LvRjqNFPbBTHjy557XbA read more

I checked in and it said I was supposed to get a free mimosa and they said they don't do it anymore. Espresso it was OK crêpes were OK. Latte was not good. I'd pass on this place read more

Bistro Maxine - Espresso, vanilla latte, berry crep it's OK - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I really enjoyed coming here until today. I ordered a $10 (plus tip) banana crepe to go. Unfortunately, what I found when I opened the container was entirely inedible. The only bite I was able to take was a of a mushy crepe with a hard, chalky flavored banana. Not sure why anyone in the kitchen felt it was a good idea to serve this to a customer. Really disappointed to say I will not be ordering here again. read more

Bistro Maxine - Hard, brown banana - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

I come here for the breakfast sandwich on a croissant. I love the crunchy cheese in the sandwich. This place beats the lines at Coupa Cafe next doorr. Give this place a try. read more

My friends come here almost every day and since I work 3 blocks away, we often meet for coffee or breakfast, which I enjoy. But today I arrived late, so tried lunch for the first time in months -- what a surprise! I had the Chicken pesto panini , which I have had before and liked. But today is was special: tender chicken, rich pesto and flavorful feta cheese, spinach, tomato, with a drizzle of olive oil for that added richness. It was delicious, with iced tea. After the recent heat wave, it's nice being able to sit out on the closed-off Ramona St. and enjoy the scene in downtown Palo Alto. Tucked in between Osteria Toscana and Coupa, it's quiet and peaceful and has its own pleasant vibe, and the staff are attentive and friendly. And when you want breakfast, I recommend the crepes, esp. the buckwheat -- you don't find them a lot of places, and these are done the right way. read more

Total waste of money and effort to eat here. Crapes are so tough we had difficulty cutting it with the knife they provided and very tough to chew. First and last time here. read more

Decent crepes in the area at last! I had the chicken, mushroom, and crème fresh crepe - the mushrooms were particularly good. read more

This little cafe is located just a door down from Cardinal Hotel. When you book a stay at the hotel through their website, most rates include breakfast from the Cardinal Breakfast menu for free. The cozy place is great for some hot breakfast to start your morning right. The atmosphere will feel like you've been transported to sitting outside in France on a little cobbled street lined with lots of cafes. Food: - Three Item Breakfast Crepe I got different ingredients in my breakfast crepe every morning during my stay at the hotel, but my favorite combinations were spinach, egg, and Swiss cheese, as well as spinach, Swiss cheese, and goat cheese. The one with spinach, egg, and Swiss cheese was hearty and filling, and the melted cheese went so well with the spinach and egg. For the one with both kinds of cheese, the creaminess of the goat cheese paired perfectly with the spinach to make it very creamy, and the Swiss cheese added even more cheesiness. The edges of the crepe were crisp while the interior was fluffy and soft. Tips: - The crepes are quite large, so save half and ask for some foil to pack the rest up for a snack later! read more

See all

The crepes here are so yummy! I tried a variety of sweet and savory ones, as well as their scramble and breakfast panini - did not disappoint! Such a cute outdoor dining space too in the middle of downtown Palo Alto! The service is a bit slow here but they're clearly understaffed. Would definitely come back though! read more

Bistro Maxine - a variety of desserts on a table - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

See all

The coffee is terrible it took the cook 32 minutes to make a sandwich. I had to go in to get my food and on top of it it was overpriced for this read more

Bistro Maxine - Creperies Near Me - Palo Alto, California

The quality has gone downhill after the covid. We visited this place after 4 years and have to say the quality was not near where it was in 2019. They are short-staffed. read more

This is a very charming but quite small of a place. With limited tables, restrictions are posted for just about everything. No laptops on tables, larger tables have minimum group count and the menu contains disclosures for payment, handling fees and reservation rules. With its tiny interior I really can't blame them to have strict dining rules that allow everyone to enjoy this place during peak hours. The staff is very friendly with smiles. When we dined the atmosphere was very relaxing, and the waitress furthered this ambience. I ordered the breakfast crepe half stack with eggs and added bacon for completeness. The crepes were delicious, the eggs were fluffy and the bacon was perfectly crispy. It's a nice change from the overfilling dense pancakes I eat from time to time. The breakfast also included fresh fruit. The coffee is nice and bold, just the way I like it. The menu has an extensive selection of sweet and savory crepes, which I need to explore in the future. Nice place to start off the day; leaving this place I felt refreshed, as if I attended a yoga session. read more

See all

Bistro Maxine is really cozy. With that cozy interior I think a few rules were born. They make sense and actually I'm glad they're there to guide people who lost their common sense. First rule of the cozy club; Alone? Or there's only two of you? Grab a table with two chairs only. Yes you dumbo don't go for that four chair table! Duh! Second rule of the cozy club: No laptop on the table . Especially the two chair ones. They won't fit you, your friend ( imaginary or real ) plus your laptop and your food (it's why you came in right? To eat? ) Third rule of the cozy club: Reservations for parties of 6 or more requires a credit card guarantee. Because of you flakers this rule was given birth to! Fourth rule of the cozy club: Your reservations gone if you're late 15 minutes! Bwahaha! Fifth Rule of the cozy club; For their larger tables- they only have two. Three people minimum must be present for it to happen ( again this must be actual people they can see. Your imaginary friend is no help here ). All these rules makes sense! These rules combined together keep small businesses like this afloat. They will be able to take in more customers because you eat and you leave. You won't see cables, Chargers and people bent over on their lap top! Very refreshing! Here there's no wifi. So don't even bother. They can also afford to set some ground rules because their food is phenomenal! I had one of the prettiest presentation of a Brioche French toast $8.95. It's served with a generous amount of house made whipped cream and maple syrup and a side of really good looking fresh fruits. Wait! This creation was also loaded with blackberries and blueberries! Fat ones! So good! I am very impressed with this place. The service was on point. Amazing food! I would like to go back and maybe try their sandwich? Or the Pre fixe menu for $14.95? Oh this place is the kind that serves fresh orange juice for $6. Large. No I didn't order that. Asian thrift gene surfaced appropriately here. :) Yup. Wanna impress someone with just yourself with no power point presentation of your selfies? You found the place! read more

Terrible place. Terrible food. Terrible service - they were rude from start to finish. The food (just an omelette and a crepe) took 35 minutes from ordering to arriving to our table. The fruit place was actually disgusting - soggy grapes and bad almost rotten pineapple. Do not go here. read more