Caffe Riace

Family-owned California Avenue Sicilian trattoria since 1997 with outdoor piazza dining and housemade Italian specialties.

Caffe Riace pairs Sicilian cooking with a piazza setting that makes an Italian meal in Palo Alto feel like an occasion. We like the invitation to start together: the family-style antipasto brings bruschetta, caprese, arancini, and eggplant to the table before anyone has to commit to a main course. The pasta selection offers several distinct directions. Penne Norma combines eggplant, ricotta, tomato, and basil, while house-made potato gnocchi comes with pesto. Linguini with clams brings white wine and garlic into the mix, and the seafood-filled Tutto Mare adds mussels, prawns, scallops, and fish. Salmon with capers, olives, and artichoke continues the Mediterranean flavors beyond pasta. Cannoli, tiramisu, or an affogato make an inviting finish. The appeal is a restaurant where sharing a few starters and taking your time over a plate of pasta feels central to the experience.