Alora — Restaurant in San Ramon

Service, food, location, atmosphere -- 5/5! Our experience at Alora was great! Yelp Elite Dario O. and I were in the area and I was craving Mediterranean food and Alora Social popped up on Yelp. Although, they are Mediterranean-style eats, we still really enjoyed everything.

I made a reservation for 12:15 but arrived by 12:30 (thank you Alora for still taking us in). Thankfully, it wasn't as busy for a Friday lunch so we were seated right away. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with bright colors that really open up the space.

They have seating indoors and outdoors. They also have a cafe starting at 8am! I regret not trying anything from their cafe because the menu sounded amazing! They also have a vast selection of wine bottles for purchase. Unless it's for wine tasting? Honestly, I didn't look much into it. I just saw a wall of wine and thought, "wow!"

Once we ordered, food came out in a timely matter. Portion sizes are shareable for at least 2 mouths and in my opinion, inexpensive. Definitely quality AND quantity!

Each dish lived up to its name and what's expected of it. Everything tasted fresh, tender, very well seasoned/ marinated.

We ordered: Kale Salad + Shrimp (This one's my fave! The kale was crunchy and fresh. I loved the chickpeas and tangerines(?) added in the salad. It was dressed so well that every bite did not disappoint!) Salmon (the walnut crust is a great idea! It adds so much texture to the tender salmon) fried burrata (the focaccia was buttery, airy, crisp and a perfect pair with the burrata!) fried (omg, these were perfect! We loved the airy-ness yet crisp and tenderness from the fried. They're Greek Tavern style fries tossed with lemon, garlic, parsley, oregano. The sauces it came with, 10/10!) frutti di mare (honestly my least fave, but it was still tasty. A bit spicy but the noodles were tender and you get a good amount of noodles and seafood.)

Overall, I'd 100% come back here for lunch and/or dinner! They also have happy hour daily.

Big thanks to our waiter, Caesar, for his hospitality and making sure my family and I were taken...

Ambiance and Service

Alora Social, the newest addition to the Bishop Ranch community in San Ramon, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for family gatherings and casual dining. The restaurant's design captures the essence of Mediterranean charm, creating a cozy setting that immediately makes you feel at home. However, during our visit, we encountered a minor hiccup: our server seemed unfamiliar with the menu, which is understandable given the restaurant's recent opening. Despite this, the staff were friendly and eager to assist, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

Food Highlights

Fried Burrata with Fresh Focaccia The Fried Burrata was a delightful surprise, served with a side of freshly baked focaccia. The crispy exterior of the burrata gave way to a creamy, rich interior, perfectly complemented by the warm, soft focaccia. The combination was a match made in heaven, with the focaccia adding a delightful texture and freshness to each bite. It was a perfect blend of flavors and textures that left us wanting more.

Alora Sampler The Alora Sampler is a great way to explore the diverse flavors of the Mediterranean. It includes a variety of dips and small plates, each showcasing a different aspect of the region's cuisine. The sampler is ideal for those looking to experience a bit of everything Alora has to offer.

Frutta di Mare The Frutta di Mare, a seafood-forward pasta dish, was another standout. The combination of fresh seafood with a rich, tomato-based sauce created a hearty and satisfying meal. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the seafood was generously portioned, making it a great choice for seafood enthusiasts.

Overall, Alora Social in San Ramon offers a promising dining experience with its casual yet inviting atmosphere and delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes. While there may be some initial issues with menu knowledge, the staff's enthusiasm and the quality of the food make it well worth a visit. As the restaurant settles into its new home, it's likely to become a favorite among locals and...

I’ve always loved Mediterranean food, so I was excited to try this place. I ordered the Alora sampler, chicken souvlaki, and the seafood pasta. All of them were honestly really good—but I do think the prices could be better.

Food: The Alora sampler was $47. It came with a bunch of dips and everything tasted great—I’d definitely order it again. But $47 feels a bit steep. If it were around $37, I think more people would go for it, because it’s worth it at that price point. The chicken souvlaki was also really good, but it came with just one skewer, which felt kind of minimal for the price. Their seafood pasta (frutti di mare) was also solid—flavorful and well-balanced.

Service: The server was nice and trying to be attentive, but the restaurant was pretty empty, and she kept coming over to check in—like every few minutes. It started feeling a little much, maybe just because there wasn’t much else going on.

Surcharge: They added a 3% “health and wellness” charge for employees, which caught me off guard. I’ve never seen that before, and honestly, it made me a little less inclined to leave a big tip. It just feels like something that should be included in the price, not tacked on.

Overall: Great vibe, great food, but definitely on the pricey side—and that extra 3% charge doesn’t sit well. I would give him 5 stars if they were just a little cheaper without...