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Ettan
Upscale Indian
A glass dome over the upper terrace announces that this is not a casual tikka masala stop. Ettan is an upscale Indian restaurant in downtown Palo Alto where chef Srijith Gopinathan builds a Cal-Indian menu around coastal Keralan cooking and whatever California farms are doing that week. The two-level room, dressed in indigo fabric and beaded chandeliers, draws Desi families for milestones and couples who like their date nights with some drama.
Nine honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Nominee · Outstanding Restaurateur · Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- San Francisco Chronicle Best restaurants for outdoor dining in the Bay Area
- San Francisco Chronicle Best Indian, Pakistani, and South Asian restaurants in the Bay Area
- Eater The 17 Best Restaurants in Palo Alto
- San Francisco Chronicle The best Palo Alto restaurants
- San Francisco Chronicle Best restaurants in Palo Alto, San Jose, the Peninsula and South Bay
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: California · Srijith Gopinathan
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: California · Srijith Gopinathan
One number, weighted & current 87
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
- Daal makhani San Francisco Chronicle
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- Nobu Restaurant Palo Alto Stay · 74
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