Patch Picks: Ethnic Restaurants

If you have one more Pluto's salad or slice from Pizza My Heart, your taste buds might cringe--so why not give them some relief? Check out our Patch Picks of the best local ethnic restaurants around.

1. INDIAN

For some of the best authentic Indian food around at a reasonable price with great service, check out Darbar, a family-owned restaurant nearly two decades in the making. Tucked away downtown on the corner of Lytton Ave. and Alma St., Darbar has been rated the Best Indian Restaurant by Palo Alto Weekly on multiple occasions. After ejoying an appetizer of their delicious complimentary Naan bread, Patch recommends ordering the Chicken Tikka Masala. Yelp rating: 3.5 stars. Price: $$ Hours: Mon - Wed, 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm -9:30pm; Thu, Fri, 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10 pm; Sat, 5pm - 10 pm; Sun, 5pm - 9:30pm. Find it at: 129 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto.

2. VIETNAMESE

If Vietnamese is your cup of tea, try Tamarine Restaurant downtown. This ritzy Asian cuisine features specialities like Green Curry Steamed Mussels and Tuna Tartare and is sure to get your mouth watering. Be warned--it'll also slim your pocketbook. Yelp rating: 4/5 stars. Price: $$$ Hours: Lunch hours: Mon - Fri, 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner hours: Mon - Thu, Sun, 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat, 5pm - 10pm. Find it at: 546 University Ave., Palo Alto. 

3. THAI

Curb that curry craving with a trip to Pattaya. Their friendly service and delicious staple, the Pad Thai, will certainly make for a happy tummy. Lunch specials include soup of the day, spring rolls, fried wontons and steamed rice, served Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm (excluding holidays). Yelp rating: 4/5 stars. Price: $$ Hours: Mon - Fri, 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat, Sun, noon - 10pm. Find it at: 4329 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.

4. FRENCH

Give into that je ne sais quoi at Bistro Elan, which boasts a full wine list and produce fresh from the farmers market. Seating is "intimate" in the petite dining room. Try the Sonoma Duck Leg Confit and vanilla crème brûlée for dessert. Yelp rating: 4/5 stars. Price: $$$ Hours: Lunch: Tues-Fri 11:30am - 1:30pm; Dinner: Tues-Sat 5:30pm - 9:30pm. Find it at: 448 S. California Ave., Palo Alto.

5. MEXICAN

A neighborhood favorite for more than 10 years, Palo Alto Sol's authentic Mexican food--like big burritos and steaming fajitas--will be sure to satisfy. Owners Hector and Helena Sol, from the Puebla region in central Mexico, provide excellent service and recipes. Like spice? Ask for it hot, and ask for a margarita. Yelp rating: 4/5 stars. Price: $$ Hours: Lunch Monday-Friday, 11am - 2pm; Dinner Monday-Sunday, 5pm - 9pm. Find it at: 408 S California Ave, Palo Alto.