Overview
At Par 3 at Poplar Creek, our guests’ dining experience transcends the ordinary, offering not just meals, but memories served with a side of breathtaking views and AUTHENTIC HOSPITALITY.
Our customers rave about the culinary delights, from the portions to the rich symphony of flavors in dishes such as our signature French Onion Soup and the crowd-favorite Nana’s Meatloaf.
The fusion of scrumptious food and welcoming ambiance is complemented by our attentive and friendly staff, ensuring every visit feels like a special event with the comfort of dining amongst friends.
Behind this seamless blend of taste and experience is the subtle touch of Executive Chef Alicia Petrakis, whose dedication to her craft elevates the essence of Par 3, making it a local favorite where each dish tells a story of tradition, creativity, and the joy of cooking.
Join us where each bite is a testament to quality and each visit is a return to a place that feels like home. Soon everyone will know your name.
Alicia Petrakis
Executive Chef, Proprietor
Alicia’s passion for cooking started while perched on top of a kitchen stool proudly positioned between her father and grandmother. This inspired her 40+ year journey of creating, connecting and celebrating her love for food and people.
For the past six years, this has been shared at THREE – a San Mateo hot spot that Alicia co-owns with her business partner. With more than 25 years of experience in the culinary world, Alicia continues her marriage of seasonal ingredients, timeless traditions, and heartful approach to cooking at Par 3 at Poplar Creek. She is thrilled to bring new energy to this Peninsula treasure and takes Par 3 at Poplar Creek to the next level.
Alicia’s passion for creating delicious food, an inviting atmosphere and a thoroughly enjoyable experience are ever present at Par 3 at Poplar Creek. In true Alicia style, her food is prepared with love and her guests are welcomed with genuine warmth and hospitality. She can’t wait to see you at Par 3 at Poplar Creek!
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What some say about us
A Great place to visit with friends and family. Plenty of good food in their menu, attentiveness and friendliness on their services. Super location with probably the best outdoor sitting, looking in the golf course. The indoor is open as well, following the county recommendations. Full bar service, great selection of beers and wine reasonably priced. Pepe G.
This is a hidden gem. Beautiful views of golf course and incoming planes. Food was great. Delightful menu well priced. Indoor and outdoor patio and live music on weekends. Lots of parking. Very calm and felt like we were a million miles away and on vacation. Parking: Huge parking lot shared with golf course. Christine M.
Love Par 3 at Poplar Creek! Great service from familiar faces with tasty creative menu items whether you are in specifically for dinner or just finished 18 holes and are enjoying food and an adult beverage at the bar. The views of the course and sunsets from inside through the large windows or outside on the covered patio seating are wonderful. I've had the Rueben for lunch at the bar and New England clam chowder and Caeser salad at diner and loved it. Mel is there are Friday nights to serve drinks and dance to the live music. If you haven't been recently, I recommend coming back to Par 3 at Poplar CreekCurtis B.
Great night was celebrating my grandson’s 14th birthday at this restaurant , first time for me, the atmosphere was laid-back, but yet elegant, the food was delicious. We had an excellent waiter, by the name of Marco, he really took good care of us. So grateful for the positive experience, after all Birthday comes once a year and this will be a lasting beautiful memory for our family. Thank You Vegetarian options: All I know is that I had an amazing salad. I do remember it had spinach in it and some other vegetable but I don’t know the name of it. Suzie W.
A friend and I came here for breakfast. We both loved our breakfast and the service. The menu has many choices. Our table overlooked the golf course and the nice view added to great meal. We both said we would be back again.Barbara M.
OMG, I couldn’t wait to dive into tonight’s special, corn risotto topped with grilled salmon. So delish, I forgot to take a pic. Also, loved the seasonal Brussel sprouts leaves appetizer. Nice outdoor space near the golf courseCarol B.
It's so nice to have a great place to eat out that has expansive outdoor seating and a nice view of the golf course. I had the Rueben which could've been two meals but was good enough to only make it through one sitting. My boyfriend had the lasagna and loved it; I was only rationed a couple bites.Sara D.
A true hidden gem of a restaurant in San Mateo! (No, I don't know anyone who works here!) It's so easy to get to, there's all the free parking anyone needs, and the American food menu was great! Really, quite good meals! A wonderfully yummy steak dinner, or meatloaf, or Joe's Special (by another name) or, or, or..., and the service was excellent! Charming, efficient, and fast!!! People just don't know how good this place is (yet), and it's at the golf course on the other side of 101, so it's not visible to the masses. This is THE place to go if you want great food, great service, great accessibility, great atmosphere, and a great location! Greg S.
What makes this place memorable is the staff. Both the morning and night staff were super friendly! I went with my dog and a separate time with a family's dog. Everyone had fair amount of attention, even the furry ones.Michelle R.
Incredible environment and service. Could not say enough great things about Mel the bar tender who is not only friendly but also makes sure you are served on time and pays attention. Her laughter and personable personality put you at ease and enjoy the great environment. Would highly recommend this spot for dinner and drinks.Saul L.
Came to Poplar Creek to play golf. However, the most memorable part of the day was the Par 3 restaurant. The bar and restaurant were nice and clean with floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooks the beautiful Golf Course. Wonderful atmosphere but most importantly the food was awesome. Order the Miso glazed salmon., which was topped over spinach, crusted rice, and teriyaki sauce. One of the best dishes I ever had. If you had a bad golf game that day, this dish would make you forgive and forget. Lawrence L
We had the best Easter brunch today at Par3. I cannot say enough great things about the food, the service and the thought that went into today’s brunch. It was incredible. There was a bunny for the children and a play area. The food covered all of our group’s diverse tastes. The desserts were perfect. There was plenty of food and excellent service! Thank you for making today great!Deni S.
So let me start by staying how PAR3 has definitely outdone themselves. The ambiance is to die for; but the food, is beyond impeccable. I loved every single bite and enjoyed every sip of my guava mimosa. There's no other brunch spot around town like this. Come and brunch @par3Margarita G
Came here for St. Patrick's Day. Excellent meal at a reasonable price. Great service too! Will definitely be back. Joan M.
Let's start by saying - if you try the nachos here and don't absolutely love them, we can't be friends. Their nachos are the nachos you didn't know you needed in your life, but trust me, you do, and once you've had them everything in life just falls into place. :) All jokes aside, this place is a gem!! My husband and I discovered it a few months ago and we've been at least 6 times now. We love it so much that I'm reluctant to tell you how amazing it is. In fact, never mind, please don't go and please don't try their new prime rib dinners on Fridays with their perfectly cooked twice baked potatoes, creamy horseradish and creamed spinach. Everything else we've tried has been equally exceptional, French toast, eggs Benedict, those addictive bacon bits, I could go on and on. Not to mention the staff is super attentive and so helpful. Michele H.
We had reservations to PAR3 at 11:30am today. Showed up a few minutes early and the host immediately knew who we were by name. Wow impressive! We were seated right away and waters followed shortly after. Pricing was very fair and down to earth. Because it's a golf course I assumed it would be more expensive but that wasn't the case. The view is nice as it overlooks the golf course. I will definitely be back and refer over family and friends. Bashir A.
Par 3 is one of the best kept secrets on the Peninsula! One of the best menus - they change it with the seasons. Food is high quality, and always piping hot. GREAT place for watching sports. Peninsula is lacking in good sports bars - this has great screens, high tops, and good bar. Summer on the patio is lovely - views of the golf course and planes flying in. Very relaxing. I highly recommend Par 3!Patricia M.
The food and service are always good at Par 3, but this year we tried the Thanksgiving buffet. It was more than we expected, so many delicious choices, our family had the best time, felt really Special, and will absolutely do this again. Hoping there is an Easter brunch coming up! Julie
Great lunch options. Great service outside on a beautiful day! Really good coffee! On a beautiful day, come here to enjoy yourselves.Deanna B.
My FAVORITE thing about Par 3 has to be their rotating season menus. Whether you are looking for more warm dishes in the winter or lighter fare in the summer, their chefs are constantly finding new and creative ways to use locally sourced ingredients in the most delicious way. A must try at any time of year!Caron S.
We had a late afternoon lunch. Delicious and really terrific server. My husband had an all-indulgence lunch - bacon bites, fried chicken and a warm brownie. The bacon bites are Crispy pork belly I'm a thick honey-maple glaze. Sweet, slightly hot from chili peppers and quality pork belly. The fried chicken was boneless and super crispy with a good amount of seasoning. It sat on a bed of velvety mashed potatoes and perfectly done asparagus and peppers with a good brown gravy. Dessert was a warm brownie, chocolate and vanilla ice cream because he ordered a second scoop! I asked for a special request dish - the seafood pasta with olive oil and tomatoes instead of the Mariana sauce. Chef was obliging and it was really perfect. Abundant number of cod, tender shrimp and tiny calamari with a quality Parmesan cheese on top. Overall fantastic views of a lovely and well-maintained golf course with huge panes windows. Modern sleek space and waiter was excellent. Amy H.
The food was amazing. We got seated by the window where we enjoyed the view of the golf courseAnita A.
Fantastic night! Great food, great music, great staff, & a great band. Oh, and a woman owed business, she even walked around table to table to say hi and check in with us all. Thank you, Alicia Petrakis, for all that you and your staff do! We will definitely be back. Constance L.
What a great place that makes you feel welcomed, has good food, excellent service and a fun atmosphere looking out to a gorgeous neighborhood golf course that's been around a long time. The owner Alicia P has once again created a venue that provides both an excellent menu (go for happy hour or for Sunday brunch or just any day of the week) and brought in the right people to provide excellent service/drinks, and a feeling of the right place to be on a date night or with good friends. Go to Par3 and make it your place too!Jeannette S.
Incredible service from Claudia and the meal is incredible... congratulations to the entire kitchen teamDavid B.
Absolutely delighted this restaurant now offers a dedicated Vegan menu!! And the food is delicious! Enjoyed both the Eggplant Parmesan sandwich and the Quesadillas! Thank you to the lovely staff for their welcoming hospitality and menu inclusiveness!! L.B.
Certainly, the chef has upgraded the menu and the quality of the food. It's one of those menus that makes it hard to choose what to eat (and drink), but everything was exceptional.George C.
Came here today as an early father's day with my family and there wasn't a plate that was left with food on it. My sister got the calamari and it was uhhhhmazing. A lot of my family got pancakes and they were super fluffy and delicious. Their butter looks homemade and just melted in your mouth (according to my family). The kid’s burger was just as big as my burger and they definitely got the medium burger on the dot. Jeannette L.
The culinary experience at Par 3 at Poplar Creek is nothing short of exceptional. From the first bite to the last, every dish is crafted with care and precision, using only the finest ingredients to delight the taste buds. Whether you're craving a hearty meal after a round of golf or simply looking to indulge in some delectable snacks, the menu offers a diverse selection to satisfy every palate.John D.
Par 3 Restaurant near Coyote Point is a culinary delight! The Pork Belly Burger is a flavor explosion, combining succulent pork belly with a perfect blend of spices. The Waffle is a sweet indulgence, light and fluffy, served with a delightful array of toppings. And don't miss their Bloody Mary - a spicy, savory masterpiece! The ambiance is fantastic, offering a great view near Coyote Point. A must-visit spot for foodies seeking a delightful experience!Kevin Q.
Just made Easter Brunch reservations, and can't wait! We had our last Holiday brunch here, and the food was so good, the indoor/outdoor choices to be seated can't be beat, as well as the great service. So nice to have a local spot, that elevates the meal, and lets your extended family have a really good time! Julie L.
I've been coming to Par 3 for many years and have watched it change into the restaurant it is today. Like a fine wine, it's aged with grace, style and class. The menu has developed into more than just a sparse offering of club food into a variety of yummy treats. Unlike many other restaurants in the Bay Area, it's actually gotten better after COVID. The views are lovely, whether sitting inside and gazing out of the large windows or sitting outside and longing to be on the greens. There's not a bad seat in the house. The wait staff in general is hard-working with good humor, even on those crazy busy days. The patrons are all happy to be here and it feels almost like hanging out with family. VB L.
HUGE portions and yummy too. Who knew a cafe attached to a golf course was going to be so delicious?! What a treat. This was our first meal of the new year and it was worth it. The staff were friendly and attentive. No one could finish their food, but only because the portions were big which isn't a problem.Jenna T.
Love this spot! I always come here to practice golf but I never really got to try their food. But I came here on a rainy Saturday and they have their brunch menu so I thought I might give it a shot. And it was so good!!!! I didn't think a restaurant in a public golf course could be so amazing. I would recommend this place to golfers and non-golfers. It's a great place to eat with family and friends and the brunch menu on the weekend is really solid! Paerl R.
We eat here mostly in nice weather so we can sit outside. The servers are nice and friendly. Outside is really lovely with the golf course and waterfall. Inside can be louder because of the TVs and sometimes there's music. The food is outstanding. Doesn't matter what you order. It looks beautiful when it arrives and tastes great. We just had an event the ball room that was catered with a buffet lunch. It was perfect. Alicia has a great restaurant and staff to take care of any needs. Cleo C.