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Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant in San Jose

Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant in San Jose

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4.7 (189)

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Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant is a bar in San Jose, CA.

Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant Review Summary

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Reviews & Ratings

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4.7

(189 Reviews)

5

4

3

2

1

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Karl -Google user

a year ago

I brought my kids to this remarkable restaurant for their birthdays. It was a very unique experience and we had a lot of fun. The place is decorated in a very vintage fashion, complete with an old fountain bar serving phosphate drinks as well as...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Surf and Turf, Soda Fountain, Chicken Breast Saltimbocca, Pesto Gnocchi

_anj _n -Google user

a year ago

Very unique restaurant and ambience... self playing instruments, old time charm and organically sourced food makes the visit worth it. The Shrimp Puttanesca and Chicken Breast Saltimbocca were excellent...loaded with veggies and proteins! Apricot Ambrosia from the ancient fountain was unique.will definitely visit again... Reservation is...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Soda Fountain, Chicken Breast Saltimbocca, Apricot AmbrosiaSomewhat recommendLarge vegetarian selection

Kim Pham, Pharm.D. -Google user

2 years ago

The most quaint and charming restaurant! Delicious food, entertaining pianos, and attentive service. It feels like you’re transported back to better times. Generous portions at a reasonable price point. There are several vegan options including a great eggplant Parmesan available with advance request. The butternut Marsala...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50

Tony Constantinos -Google user

5 years ago

Essentially a museum of working player pianos and other self-playing instruments--xylophone, violin, giant music boxes and more--with an interesting restaurant. The food was quite good, we had the Austrian goulash, pear salad, profiteroles and made to order sodas--the Poppy Dew and the Cherry Sour Phosphate....Read More

Grisha L -Google user

2 years ago

Omg this place is fantastic, date night for anyone with taste. 12 tables, reservation only, service is spectacular. All Art Nouveau lamps n decor. 12/10 and don't get me started on the food 💗 as well as the fun pianos playing by themselves early 20th...Read More

Dine inDinner$50–100Atmosphere: 5

Steve M -Google user

7 years ago

Definitely one of the more interesting places we've gone. There are lots of old-time musical and other devices. The player pianos and other musical devices still work and play period music. I'm not sure if the popcorn or roasted peanut machines work,...Read More

Definitely one of the more interesting places we've gone. There are lots of old-time musical and other devices. The player pianos and other musical devices still work and play period music. I'm not sure if the popcorn or roasted peanut machines work, but I would have loved some. When we arrived about 6 PM, there were a few tables occupied, but it wasn't crowded. As we ate, the place did fill up. There's also no tipping here. They basically add 25% to the price of everything that you order, which includes tax and a 15% gratuity. Everything is priced on the menu so that each item comes to an even dollar amount after adding that 25%, which makes splitting bills very easy. Finally, you order everything at the bar in the back. They will bring what you order to your table. You also pay at the bar. Despite being a period restaurant, they do take credit cards. As for the food, it was very good. My wife started with a Poppy Dew drink, which she liked so much that she ordered another. I started with a brown cow (a root beer float with chocolate ice cream), which was also very good. For starters, I had some clam chowder, which was chunky, but just okay. My wife and I both had the nectarine salad, which we both thought was very good. For entrees, we both had the Austrian goulash with spaetzle, which was also very good. It had a slight spicy bite, but not too much. Neither of us like extremely spicy food, but we both liked this. We decided to also have dessert as they had some tempting items. Their special was key lime pie, which I love, so I ordered that. It came with strawberry preserves around it and a large strawberry next to it, and was very good. My wife ordered the banana split brulee, which she enjoyed. I also had one dark beer at $6, and the total, including the added tax and tip, was $112, which seemed a bit pricey, but not outrageous. There were other dishes in the menu that sounded good, so we'll probably go back when we find ourselves in San Jose again.

Olga M -Google user

2 years ago

This is a very atmospheric place with European food. In addition to gastronomic pleasure, you will also get aesthetic. The restaurant houses a museum of old electric pianos that play.

Atmosphere: 5

Shannelle Craig -Google user

4 years ago

Amazing hidden gem in the city, would definitely go again! It was such a cool experience with so many interesting trinkets and instruments around the restaurant.

Dine inDinner$20–30

Amanda Moody-Koch -Google user

5 years ago

This place is a unique experience. It's like a piece of history alive and well. The food was great and the service was kind and excellent. We will be going back!

ER TAI TAI -Google user

3 years ago

I am so amazed about all the punch card pianos. Food are very delicious. It is a place you must come to visit.

Dine inDinner$30–50

Brenda Liu -Google user

7 years ago

Really fun ambience with the vintage musical instruments! Food is tasty as well. Very pleasant experience. :)

Michael Bobadilla -Google user

7 months ago

This establishment has been around for 12 years. Started by a couple of ex techies with a collection of vintage player pianos they hooked up with a chef. You’ll find casual Italian/Euro/American fare in a fun dining room devoted with vintage player pianos and jukeboxes...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Shrimp Puttanesca, Pesto GnocchiHighly recommendPaid parking lot, Paid street parkingIt’s a casual atmosphere, maybe not for very young children.Fairly narrow aisles, but tables can be moved to accommodate.

J Kou -Google user

3 years ago

Ordered sampler trio and the tenderloin was really good. Shrimp & salmon were also good but not too surprising. There are several antique pianos which play “live” music on piano rolls and music box like machines, which was pretty cool. It is amazing they can keep...Read More

Fatima P -Google user

5 years ago

Great place! It's better to have a reservation for this type of restaurant, so make sure to call first! Amazing atmosphere for a date night or getting together with friends.

Judy Owens -Google user

6 years ago

Beautiful setting with old player pianos and clock-work jukeboxes. One even played violin strings. Gorgeous collection in a fabulously rebuilt garage. Menu ranges from soda-fountain treats to lush entrees. Ambience very much like a European opera-plaza brasserie. Make a reservation and take your in-laws to...Read More

Sarah Garcia -Google user

Edited 5 years ago

One of the most unique experiences in downtown San Jose. You are surrounded by player pianos in an intimate environment that takes you back to the turn of the century. Food is quality and service is friendly. Quick tip--You order and pay at the counter.

Mike Sui -Google user

10 months ago

My heart was very warm having dinner here. My stomach was very happy as well. To start, for a part time hobby of the owners, this restaurant that is only open on Friday and Saturday, did not come off as exclusive but welcoming. We were traveling...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Pesto Gnocchi

Rachel Unger -Google user

Edited a year ago

Charming and romantic dining room decorated with player pianos, like a step back in time. Wonderful service, delicious fountain soda drinks and fresh, well-prepared food. We will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Joshua A. -Google user

2 years ago

The decor and atmosphere of this place are amazing. Food-wise, it was good; I just wish the sampler trio was a bit more substantial. Can't fault them on presentation though.

Jonathan M. Goodling -Google user

Edited 3 months ago

So here’s a little love letter to the Orchestria Palm Court: hands down one of the most unique dining experiences in Bay Area, however, one needs a little background information to be able to appreciate this place. The menu is short, the list of available...Read More

So here’s a little love letter to the Orchestria Palm Court: hands down one of the most unique dining experiences in Bay Area, however, one needs a little background information to be able to appreciate this place. The menu is short, the list of available drinks and desserts even shorter, and there are no cocktails. The ingredients are of very high quality, sourced from local, organic creameries, and farms if possible. They are combined to wonderfully delicious meals, but with very little fuss. So don’t expect the most elegant or elaborate presentation. Same goes for the table service - there is none. Yes you will be seated and they will bring your food to the table, but you have to order at the bar. All this saves a little cost that they in turn reinvest into the quality of the ingredients and the place itself - Because this is the real attraction besides the delicious food: the restaurant holds a most amazing collection of mechanic music machines. You all know mechanic pianos with the paper scrolls governing the movement of its keys, but this place has so many more curious contraptions that have been all but forgotten. There is an automatic gramophone, mechanic music boxes the size of refrigerators, and my personal favorite, a fully automatically played violin. All these machines take turns throughout the evening to play, but it’s not offensively noisy or disruptive but blends perfectly into the atmosphere of this wonderful place. Quite often conversations throughout the restaurant will pause when another one of the 100+ year old apparatuses starts its unique performance. The venue itself is housed in an old car dealership with rough brick and mortar walls , a gallery where there’s shelf after shelf holding the paper scrolls that act as the memory drives to the music machines. But as my mother pointed out they look like the stacks of magic wands in Mr Ollivander’s shop in Diagonal Alley. And if you happen to be there for a birthday the host will climb the stairs and find a scroll that will make one of the machines play Happy Birthday. At the soda fountain bar you can get old timey classics like root beer floats, cream sodas, malted milk shakes, and some other concoction that will make your grandparents feel like children again. The place is only open a few days a month and when there’s a performance at the theater next door the reservations fill up quickly and some of the more popular dishes (their Surf and Turf) may have sold out by the time you order, but take that as an opportunity to explore their other delicious dishes.

$30–50Atmosphere: 5Surf and Turf, Shrimp Puttanesca, Profiterole, Sampler Trio, Traditional Banana SplitReservation requiredModerate noise2 people, 3-4 peopleNo waitIndoor dining areaSomewhat recommendClearly labeled vegetarian dishesSomewhat difficult to find parking

Trevor Wall -Google user

7 months ago

Really a unique and special place. You don't see many places like this that cherish the old and welcome the new. With new and tasty twists in old favorites along with options for every dietary need. The wait staff are very helpful and the atmosphere...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Chicken Breast Saltimbocca, Soda Fountain, Pesto Gnocchi, Poppy Dew, Berry SaladHighly recommendVegetarian menu or sectionPlenty of parking

Beau Smith -Google user

a year ago

Such a unique experience. Highly recommended for curious minds. Arrive early to tour all the music machines. Ask questions, the staff are a wealth of information and experts on these wonderful machines. As many of the tables sit and order at similar times there can...Read More

Dine inDinner$20–30Atmosphere: 5Steak, Soda Fountain, Poppy Dew, Apricot Ambrosia, Root Beer Float

Jennifer Sim Minich -Google user

a year ago

Stunning restaurant with a lot of character! Their old time pianos are very unique, and the food is quite good as well. Try one of their soda fountain drinks, which you can’t get anywhere else. The staff are very warm and welcoming while the service is...Read More

Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Soda Fountain

uyen ngo -Google user

a year ago

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, right? I am more like a modern person type. But I would say 5 stars because I know about history from 1900s. The phones and automated music boxes work like they really …

Sofia F -Google user

a year ago

Unique spot with circa 1910 decor and mechanical pianos. Food is good quality. You have to order at the the bar but that's reduces waiters time and that's why they are able to afford the more reasonable service charge included with the bill. All and...Read More

Darlene Tenes -Google user

Edited 11 months ago

Orchestria Palm Court has always been a beloved and curious little restaurant for me. It's been open since 2013 and a well-known secret for historians and theatre goers in San Jose's SoFa District, yet many people don't know about it. Most …

Adam J. -Google user

a month ago

One of the best and most unique restaurant experiences of my life. You must try this place!

Adrian Borges -Google user

10 months ago

Old world charm, with vintage pianos, juke boxes and popcorn machines spread all over the restaurant. Great food and drinks and a lovely mellifluous atmosphere for a good occasion or just an enjoyable night out with friends.

Samantha Gammell -Google user

a year ago

Super unique place to enjoy a meal and "unplug" from the modern times. Old self playing instruments and other vintage items. Food was quality and staff was friendly. I'll definitely be coming back. Wish I could have shown my Grandma this place, she would have...Read More

Melissa Hastings -Google user

2 years ago

Mostly the food is very rich outside of just getting a bowl of the noodles with olive oil. It's good though and it's nice to treat yourself once in awhile. The music is really nice the atmosphere was great everyone was in a good mood....Read More

Features

Service options

Takeout

Dine-in

Delivery

Highlights

Live music

Popular for

Dinner

Solo dining

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Wheelchair accessible restroom

Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

Alcohol

Beer

Cocktails

Coffee

Comfort food

Organic dishes

Small plates

Vegetarian options

Wine

Dining options

Dinner

Dessert

Seating

Amenities

Bar onsite

Restroom

Atmosphere

Cozy

Historic

Romantic

Trendy

Upscale

Crowd

Family-friendly

Groups

LGBTQ+ friendly

Tourists

Transgender safespace

Planning

Reservations required

Dinner reservations recommended

Accepts reservations

Payments

Credit cards

Debit cards

Children

High chairs

Parking

Free street parking

Other

LGBTQ+ friendly

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