The Iron Gate - Belmont
About This Spot
Stepping into The Iron Gate feels like entering a cherished neighborhood treasure, where time moves at a gentle, unhurried rhythm. Nestled along El Camino Real in Belmont, this fine dining French-inspired restaurant draws you in with an inviting warmth that is both comforting and quietly elegant. The space balances a refined atmosphere with an approachable charm—a setting where the casual flicker of tableside flambé and thoughtful conversation intertwine naturally.
The mood here leans toward intimate and personal, as if the restaurant itself is eager to share its culinary stories with each guest. There’s a deliberate calmness that encourages you to savor every moment, both in the delicate presentations of food and the ease of lingering company. The Iron Gate’s pace is unforced, inviting guests to unfold an evening without rush, filled with genuine hospitality that seems to come from a place of deep care and history.
The experience is enhanced by attentive yet unobtrusive service, where staff members move thoughtfully through the cozy dining room, allowing the flavors and aromas to take center stage without distraction. The occasional flicker of flame by your table, igniting a classic dish, adds a touch of theater that feels perfectly at home here—celebrating tradition in a way that engages all the senses.
At its heart, The Iron Gate offers more than just a meal; it creates a space where the act of dining becomes a shared human moment. Whether it’s the careful plating that reveals an artist’s hand or the subtle hum of contented diners settling into the evening, the restaurant feels like a place where stories and plates are crafted with equal care and sincerity.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
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Live music
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy-hour drinks
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Private dining room
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Cosy
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Historic
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Romantic
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Upmarket
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Locals
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Lunch reservations recommended
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Dinner reservations recommended
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
| Friday | 11:30 AM - 02:30 PM , 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
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| Sunday | 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM |
Mark Mollusky 15 Jan 2026
I've been dining at the Iron Gate for decades and with each visit the remarkab6gets even better. The owner actually cares deeply about each and every guest at his establishment and helps with the dishes prepared at your table. The bar has has a wonderful selection of alcohol as well as their fine wine menu. If you love fine Mediterranean food prepared by a real chef then this is the place for you. Best in the entire Bay Area. And try the cafe diablo, and it does have a variety of alcohol within this delightful after-dinner and unique coffee.
Pepe Ramos 14 Jan 2026
Great old timey american food. service is a bit slow, but the personality of the staff make up for it. Steak au poivre, scallops, and crepe suzette are excellent. steak au poivre and the crepe suzette are flame cooked next to your table.
Cedric F Lam 09 Jan 2026
Nice upscale restaurant with nice environment. Food portion is excellent and the cookings were really delicate. The service is really nice too. The reason that I gave a score of 4 to food is because I suspect that their cooking might contain MSG, a common element in Asian food to enhance the taste. But it also made me very thirsty and not able to sleep well at night. MSG is the major reason that I avoid Asian cuisines for more than 10 years. Nevertheless, it seems to be corrupting western cuisines which is very unfortunate. We had 5 people and one kid, we spent <$600 w/o ordering alcohol. Everyone was super full and we could not finish everything because of the large portion. Appetizer was good but could be skipped and we would still be very full.
Tony Huynh 05 Jan 2026
We have a great experience for my birthday diner here. The food is great and they will cook the food in front of you if you order a flambé dish. For appetizer we got the escargot, french onion soup, clam chowder and fried zucchini blossom. The zucchini blossom was the best appetizer for us and the escargot is ok but not as good as the other appetizers. For main course we got Flambé Veal with mustard sauce, Sear Tuna, Scallops and New York Steak. I think the Flambé Veal dish was the best entree we have. The veal was juicy and tender and the sauce was great. We also get to see the veal being cooked right in front of us. All in all it was a great night and I recommend everyone to come here for your special day.
Cindy N 24 Dec 2025
We had a great experience overall at this restaurant. Almost every dish we ordered was delicious — clearly a lot of care goes into the food, and it shows in the flavor and presentation. The owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which added a personal touch to our visit. However, the service from the staff could use some improvement. They weren’t very attentive, which made it a bit difficult to get what we needed in a timely manner. One downside worth mentioning is the parking situation — it’s quite limited and can be frustrating, especially during busy hours. Despite a few minor issues, the food and atmosphere make this spot worth a visit!
Sally Johnston 10 Dec 2025
The food and service were wonderful. The only downside was that the service captain served a dish that required fire in the dining room. My companion was a combat veteran from Operation Iraqi Freedom and a burn survivor who struggled to maintain his composure during the frequent flares.
Payam 30 Nov 2025
Great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Location is great and parking is relatively easy to find. We had chicken parm and shrimp and both very tasty and delicious but I expect a little more in terms of flavor for the price.
Gina Vallee 25 Oct 2025
Fantastic! I made a mistake & booked for the wrong date ... as we realized I didn't have a reservation- the hostess insisted in sitting us at a table. We were in the main room in the corner & we were able to witness perfection in service! An orchestrated, synchronized service of flambé, Cesar salads on carts that maneuvered around the restaurant.. they seemingly danced around the restaurant with superb drinks and delicious foods! It's been too long since we've been & now I regret not going back monthly!! Giuseppe, our waiter was phenomenal! I felt like we knew him for years- he detailed the specials to perfection! Kaveh, the owner, made a point to meet us. His humble demeanor was well received. Why this restaurant doesn't have a Michelin star is beyond me. Not having one.. makes this the humble local "go to" restaurant of the Peninsula! If you haven't been in years .. it's a MUST. SIMPLY OUTSTANDING!!