JOYA Restaurant and Lounge

339 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, United States
$$$
(1047 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to JOYA Restaurant and Lounge, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Palo Alto at 339 University Ave. If you’re seeking a trendy yet inviting venue that marries upscale dining with a relaxed atmosphere, JOYA is the perfect spot.

This restaurant specializes in a vibrant mix of Spanish and Latin American cuisine, focusing on tapas, salads, and flavorful main courses. The diverse menu is a treasure trove for food enthusiasts, featuring delectable small plates like the Ahi Tuna Tartare drizzled in a ponzu glaze, and the Bacon-Wrapped Dates, oozing with Valdeón cheese and kissed by a hint of Spanish sherry. These dishes engage the palate with layers of flavors and textures, making every bite a delight.

For a heartier option, consider the Argentinean-Style Hanger Steak, perfectly grilled to your liking and paired with yuca fries and grilled onions. Each course is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing the culinary artistry behind JOYA. Vegetarians will also find enticing options, with dishes like the Grilled Eggplant Rolls stuffed with plantains satisfying even the most discerning eaters.

Step into the restaurant, and you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere that combines contemporary elegance with casual comfort. The indoor/outdoor seating provides a refreshing blend of ambiance, effortlessly accommodating everything from business meetings to cozy dinners with friends. Customers have raved about the warm, welcoming service, ensuring that your dining experience is as enjoyable as the food itself. For example, Victor Wang commended the ambient vibes and variety of cocktails — highlighting JOYA as a top spot for both after-work happy hours and leisurely afternoons.

As you sip on a craft cocktail or a classic selection like the Blue Mule — which perfectly balances refreshing flavors with a hint of zest — you can relax knowing you are in good hands, as evidenced by Amin's review praising attentive service that enhances the dining experience.

JOYA Restaurant and Lounge is not just a meal; it’s an experience that immerses you in the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Latin cuisine. Whether you’re seeking a lively place for cocktails and tapas or a cozy spot for a more intimate dinner, JOYA is destined to become a favorite.

So, why wait? Gather your friends or schedule a business meeting and experience the enchanting blend of flavors at JOYA, where every meal tells a delicious story.

For reservations or inquiries, feel free to call +1 650-853-9800. Your culinary adventure awaits!

1047 Reviews
Victor Wang

29 Aug 2025

A great choice for business meetings, happy hours after work, or many more occasions. Upscale location with tons of seating. Able to be seated without reservations on a Friday afternoon without issues. Food is good and we ordered many tapas dishes and had no complaints. Lots of cocktail variety and each one was very good as well. The indoor/outdoor blended patio seating was very nice. Servers were quick and responsive and food came very quickly.

Joanne Sugiyama

18 Aug 2025

Very comfortable atmosphere and great location! We had reservations for 5 pm on Tuesday night, so it was fairly easy to find parking. We enjoyed the roasted potatoes, bacon wrapped dates, yucca fries, charcuterie, and steak tapas. I had the vegetarian paella for the main course and a Blue Mule cocktail. Great place for small bites that can fill you up quickly.

Amin

17 Aug 2025

The service was great. The waiters were frequently checking on us and refilled water and drinks, and were quickly taking empty plates away. The menu has plenty of options with lots of veggie tapas and small dishes. I got veggie empanadas and lentil croqueta both were delicious. Drinks are also very good. The only off thing was the veggie paella; IMO better veggies can be added e.g. crispy tofu or seitan or other TVPs; Broccoli and cauliflower don't go with the dish. And the rice should be a bit crispy.

Stephanie Lovell

28 Jul 2025

We shared a variety of tapas and caught up. Fried Calamari with Jalapeño, corn empanadas, paradilla de setas (sautéed mushrooms), and a harvest salad with beets. The mushrooms were my favourite with the calamari coming in at a close second.

Sendang Pangganjar

27 Jun 2025

All the way from Jakarta, Indonesia, half way around the globe, and we found this place in downtown Palo Alto, between University Ave and Florence St, Joya. It was our first, and we are so excited with the food, well not only the food but also the ambiance and the staff. I was here with my wife Ade and We ordered guacamole and new world chips, and braised short rib tacos to begin with. Then we have pan fried Skuna bay salmon. The new world chips was great. A full plate of chips from plantain, gold sweet potato, yum and taro root with more then enough guacamole in a bowl. Perfect companion to your IPA. The braised short rib tacos was cooked to perfection. It came in three little portion. The taste was balanced, and it was a perfect matched with the chips. Now the main course, pan fried skuna bay salmon. Grilled summer asparagus, wild rice with arugula, plums, and jalapeño sauce. That description came out straight from the menu. And it was exactly like that. Takes a while before the second bite, cause we try to listen closely to the first one. It was like a fireworks on 4th of July. Yeap, the mix and match, the salt, the pepper, the rice, the salmon, the plum sauce and the arugula, just perfect. Then we finish it with a pudding like desert, a flan. A coconut taste, with fresh cut strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream on top. Not to sweet, good enough to end an extremely good lunch. You just have to try....

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