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Master Critic Review
Eylan
8.2
Chef Srijith Gopinathan's wood-fired Cal-Indian cooking delivers bold, smoke-kissed dishes—from Dungeness crab mutabar with fennel and poppy seeds to a whole butterflied sea bream pressed flat on the grill—that consistently justify the drive to this luxury Menlo Park development. Opened January 2025, Eylan earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Exceptional Cocktails Award within its first year, though noise levels in the main dining room and occasional inconsistencies on mains keep it from the top tier.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eylan Crispy Chicken, Dungeness Crab Mutabar, Charred Black Cod
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Wood-fired grill cooking from a former two-Michelin-star chef, fusing regional Indian techniques with California seasonality
Who should go: Adventurous couples and groups who love bold Indian flavors
When to visit: Early weeknight dinner for quieter seating and full menu access
What to order: Eylan Crispy Chicken with chili crisp, Dungeness crab mutabar, Chilled Green Grape Chaas pani puri
Insider tip: Request patio seating to escape the loud main dining room, and park in the underground garage off Middle Ave—take the elevator to the first floor lobby
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free underground parking garage beneath the restaurant. Enter off the intersection of El Camino Real and Middle Ave—take the first downward ramp on your right (looks like a condo entrance). At the bottom, turn right and find the elevator with colorful wallpaper, which takes you to the first-floor lobby. The large wooden door to your right leads to Eylan.
Dress code: Smart casual to upscale casual. Think date-night attire—no shorts or flip-flops, but you don't need a blazer. The crowd skews Silicon Valley polished: nice jeans with a sharp top work fine, but many guests dress up given the Michelin recognition and striking interior.
Noise level: Loud in the main dining room—multiple reviewers flag difficulty holding conversation during peak hours. The 148-seat space gets energetic when full. Request patio seating for a quieter experience, or sit at the bar/lounge area for a slightly more manageable volume.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended—this is a hot-ticket spot. Walk-ins can try for bar seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Without a reservation, expect limited to no availability on Friday/Saturday evenings.
Weekday lunch: Eylan is dinner only (5-10pm daily). No lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - strong selection with clear menu markings. Dedicated vegetarian tasting menu available. Standout vegetarian dishes include Hispi Cabbage, Panch Saag, Taro Root Chaat, king trumpet mushrooms, and squash blossom with Bellwether Farms ricotta. Multiple reviewers specifically praise the vegetarian options as equal to or better than meat dishes.
Vegan options: Moderate options available—Yelp tags the restaurant as vegan-friendly. Several vegetable-forward dishes can be adapted. The flaxseed poee bread is eggless. Call ahead to discuss specific vegan needs so the kitchen can prepare substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free options listed on OpenTable. Many dishes are naturally gluten-free given the emphasis on grilled proteins, vegetables, and Indian preparations. However, breads are a signature part of the menu. Call ahead for specific allergies so the team can guide you—note that the tasting menu cannot accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies.
Best For
Better for: Eylan is the best choice on the Peninsula for wood-fired Cal-Indian cuisine that goes beyond standard Indian restaurant fare. Chef Gopinathan's Michelin pedigree (15 years at two-star Campton Place) shows in the technique—dishes like the Dungeness crab mutabar and ember-grilled sea bream have no real equivalent locally. The Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award-winning bar program elevates it above competitors. If you want Indian food that feels like a culinary event rather than a routine dinner, this is it.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a quiet, intimate dinner (the main dining room is loud), traditional Indian comfort food (this is Cal-Indian fusion, not your classic tikka masala spot), a quick casual meal (dinner-only, reservations recommended, family-style pacing), or you're on a tight budget (expect $70-100+ per person). For traditional Indian, try Darbar in the area. For a quieter upscale Indian experience from the same chef team, consider Ettan in Palo Alto.
Hours
Monday5pm - 10pm
Tuesday5pm - 10pm
Wednesday5pm - 10pm
Thursday5pm - 10pm
Friday5pm - 10pm
Saturday11:30am - 1:45pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sunday11:30am - 1:45pm, 5pm - 10pm