The food was amazing! Tasteful and delicious. Lots of traditional Greek options. Very good service, fast and polite. Great ambiance for a date night. read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Gigantes/Giant Beans Spanakotiropita Melitzanosalata/Eggplant Spread Tzatziki/Yogurt & Cucumber - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been here before and as always, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was lovely, with warm lighting and pleasant music, and that beautiful and characteristic fish plate, which I love! However, I noticed a difference in the service this time. The server and food runners seemed disengaged, lacking warmth and attentiveness. I understand it may have just been a busy or difficult night. When we left they forgot our left overs, and it was almost the complete Moussaka. i have to say the Feta tou fournou and Ravioli were delicious. And on top of the food, the wine selection is top notch. read more

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What I liked about this place: the ambiance is very nice, service was great, and our waiter was friendly and attentive. The appetizers were also really good. We had the zucchini cakes and heirloom tomato salad, and both were excellent. And that's basically where the good part ends. I am honestly getting tired of restaurants thinking they can charge ridiculous prices just because they have a nice interior and call themselves upscale. There were four of us. Two had fish, one had chicken and one had moussaka. There was absolutely nothing special about any of these dishes. Nothing was terrible, but for these prices, "not terrible" is not exactly an achievement. My fish was around $50. It was baked fish with potatoes and a few onions. That's it. No special sauce, no interesting flavor, no preparation that made you think, wow, I couldn't make this at home. It was literally fish, potatoes and onions. Maybe these were very special potatoes. I don't know. The desserts were the same story. They were fine. Not bad at all, but nothing memorable and certainly nothing that justified the overall price. Dinner for four was over $500 I'm sorry, but if I'm spending $500+ on dinner for four people, I expect at least some of the food to be exceptional. I don't mind paying a lot for great food. I do mind paying a lot simply because a restaurant has decided that this is what their food should cost. And then, after charging these prices, restaurants still expect customers to add another 20-25% to pay their servers. Our waiter was excellent and deserved to be paid well. Maybe the restaurant should pay him well? If you're charging $50 for a piece of baked fish and some potatoes, surely there is enough money somewhere in there to pay your staff properly. Nice atmosphere, great service, excellent appetizers. Everything else was completely average at very un-average prices. read more

Was looking for a last minute reservation on a Tuesday afternoon and was able to snag a 5pm slot. This place is an SF staple, beautiful interior and the food is always impeccable. Everything I have ordered here has been beyond delicious. I only have pictures of these two because we ate everything else so quickly. But these are my two staple I always order no matter what. Some of the best lamb I have ever had. Could not recommend enough! read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Avgolemono Soup - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was so happy to return here after like 12 years! I love their lamb chops, salads, desserts and appetizers. Yes, it's a somewhat expensive dining experience but you are paying for top notch service and great quality food. I am not talking about these cheap midnight specials in Las Vegas. This is type of food where you take your time eating to savor your food to taste the silky texture of the meat or let the sauce soak into the octopus appetizer to soften it and tastes good. I would have ordered a salad but with the health scare of salads recall made me hesitant to order any, although the specials sounded great! You can still cannot go wrong as every dish was great experience and great execution. Love the melted cheeses in appetizer and custard in dessert with pistachio ice cream! The meats really shined as we asked for medium rare and both steak and lamb chops cooked perfectly. Would I go back? , oh yeah and splurge on this place for sure. It just felt special to me. That flourless cake by kitchen I was debating should I take the whole thing and run? lol Restroom is a maze I do must say as you take an elevator one level down. read more

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Visiting Kokkari Estiatorio had been on my restaurant bucket list for years, and when it was my turn to choose a spot for our celebratory team lunch, no one was opposed to dining at Kokkari Estiatorio. I booked our table about a month in advance, which turned out to be the right move because the restaurant was bustling during the lunch hour. To start, we ordered four small plates to share among our party of four: meatballs, saganaki, spanakotiropita, and a pair of dips (melitzanosolata and favasalata) with pita. Everything was excellent, and our spread was inclusive of a wide variety of flavors and textures: salty, creamy, acidic, sweet, crunchy. The meatballs and the dips are definitely a must-order and are ideal for sharing. The spanakotiropita were larger and more filling than expected, so if I were to order those again, I'd dial it back and stick with small plates rather than a full-sized entree. The saganaki was a showstopper; it is served sizzling and crackling on a cast iron dish and had a nice salty flavor that allowed the cheese to be served on its own. For my main dish, I ordered the braised goat - which is not something I'd typically order because goat meat is usually tough - but I was intrigued how it was prepared as a stew. The dish almost reminded me of a Moroccan tagine - the goat was braised to peak tenderness and bathed in a slightly fruity and well-spiced sauce; dotted with pieces of melted feta; and served on top of a bed of baked orzo, which was served fresh-from-the oven in a mini cast iron dish. I was so full after our meal that I had to walk it off for a few blocks, but I cannot wait for our next special occasion so we can come back and celebrate with another feast at Kokkari Estiatorio. read more

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Kokkari is the best "special occasion" restaurant I can think of in SF! The food is always top notch (the saganaki and Judy's sundae are my go-tos), the cocktails take me back to a summer holiday on the Greek islands and the service is unbeatable! But be prepared to pay a pretty sum! Kokkari gets 4 stars for SAFAV: Service Ambiance Food Alcohol x Value for Money read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Judy's Sundae - the best sundae in town! - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

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~4.25/5 Overall, a great occasion date night spot with great desserts and good food that's on the healthier side. Food comes out a bit slow, but servers are attentive and kind. It's definitely more of a special occasion meal. apps: - they give bread with salt and olive oil - Kolokithokeftethes / crispy zucchini cakes: it was really good, super crispy and crunchy shell, and soft thinly sliced zucchini on the inside, the cucumbers on the side are pickled/very sour, use the yogurt sauce sparingly since it overpowers the zucchini cakes - Octapodaki tou Yiorgou / octopus: also great, octopus is not fishy at all and super tender, it's definitely on the healthier side and doesn't have an extreme amount of flavor besides the lemon and olive oil mains: - Arnisia Paidakia / lamb chops with potato: the meat is more on the fatty side, they ask you how you like it done and it's typically done medium, personally I feel like it should've been seasoned more but it was still good, potato was done well, crispy and salted on the outside and soft on the inside - psari psito / grilled whole fish: the grilled parts were great, seasoned well, fish was tender desserts (so good): - Kataifi Ekmek / custard with pistachio cream: a must have, it was crazy good, it has a cheesecake-like flavor, but it has an extremely creamy texture that pairs so well with the filo - Sokolatina / dark chocolate cake: this is tastes just like a brownie, but made with dark chocolate and cream on the side, somehow the texture is hard when you cut it but it's extremely gooey and melts in your mouth - Baklava: I wasn't able to try this, but from what I heard it's extremely sweet, the sweetest of the 3, but good I think overall I was satisfied, it did take pretty long to get the food served and the entire meal took 2+ hours, and it's definitely on the pricier side and expect to spend a few hundred but imo mostly worth the price. I would come back (especially for the desserts ) read more

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I came here with a party of 5 and we ended up doing one of our usual family style feasts so we got to try a little bit of everything across the menu. Overall, the proteins are the top picks for me. The lamb chops and prime rib were both superb, both cooked perfectly with the right amount of seasoning and had great texture throughout. The moussaka was also very good with a nice balance of starches and protein without feeling too heavy for me. Desserts hit very well too and were a strong finish to the meal. The service was quick all night and the staff stayed very attentive without making things feel rushed at all. The lighting inside is very dim, which adds a cozy atmosphere, though at times it felt a little too dark depending on where you were seated. The bread and olive oil to start were okay and most of the appetizers were okay as well, but the meats easily stole the show for our table. We were seated in the corner overlooking the center of the dining room, which turned out to be a great spot for people watching and taking in the energy of the restaurant. The only downside was the seating setup itself was a little awkward for me. The round table with the moon shaped bench felt a little awkward, tighter than we would have liked, and some of the cushion were uneven and not the most comfortable for a longer dinner. Next time I come back here, it is definitely going to be a bottle or two of wine and all the proteins to feast on. read more

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Kokkari Estiatorio was an easy choice when family visited from SoCal and wanted a nice dinner spot. We made a reservation about a week in advance, and expectations were high since one person in our group had been there before and spoke very highly of it. We were seated right in front of the fireplace/oven, near the bread station, which added a nice touch to the overall atmosphere. Our group of six wanted to sample a bit of everything, so we ordered several mezze and salads to share, and they were all flavorful and well prepared. For entrées, we tried the salmon (Solomos), roasted chicken (Kotopoulo Souvlaki), and lamb chops; the lamb chops were especially a hit at the table. We also shared a couple of desserts, and those did not disappoint. Service was excellent. Our server was attentive and handled our group, who can be a bit particular at times, very well, making sure everyone was taken care of. The dining space is fairly large and split into different sections, which helps with the overall flow. One small tip: the restrooms are located downstairs and require an elevator ride, so it's best not to wait until the last minute. Overall, a great experience and a solid choice for a special meal in the city. read more

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Kokkari is as good as it gets for what I love. Especially Mediterranean/Adriatic: fish, lamb, garlic, olive oil, & lemon. Of course a Greek emphasis, but lots of intersection with my Croatian-American culinary heart! The smelts are fishy in a good way, nice crunch, texture, tang of lemon, & sharpness of garlic spread. Very difficult to find, never mind getting it right. The octopus & stuffed calamari were the right texture, seasoning, & flowing with olive oil. Finished with some greens. What a treat! Pro-tip: get the smelts, be bold. My wife raved about her moussaka. Artisan. Nice hint of cloves, right amount of yogurt béchamel. The lamb, beef, eggplant (not watery), & potato all stood out. My sons loved their salmon & chicken. I sampled and confirmed. My bronzino was FANTASTIC. This one was big & better quality than I usually buy. I got it with bones, head, & skin. Poured on olive oil, more salt, & garlic. Yeah, gotta use the hands, chew...graciously pulling out the bones, looking as civilized as possible. Folks, this is Mediterranean: a great fish should be eaten like this. Crisp skin, get the meat from the cheeks & head. Again: emphasis on olive oil mixed with fish juices from bones & lemon! We were stuffed and shared a Baklava. Nobody does it better. Except James Bond, 007, but in a different context. 2 glasses of wine & 2 Shirley Temples for kids. The service was excellent. Attentive. We were in the back & it wasn't loud. Classy servers & classy people enjoying themselves. Oh: great portions too. $407, including 20% tip. Great value for what you get. We've come here for special occasions. They've strengthened the bond, we'll be back more often. So reminiscent of what I eat in Croatia when I visit. Thank you Hellas! read more

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Spray some Windex on me and call me healed! (hopefully you got that reference) What an incredible experience over at Kokkari! It was probably one of the best meals I've had in SF. Arrived on time for our 8:30pm reservation and was greeted to the beautiful ambiance inside. Is this the romantic, cozy, enchanting restaurant of my dreams? I think so! Those amber lightbulbs did their duty here to make this place feel warm and inviting. We were seated and was greeted by the wonderful Gilberto! He was literally the star and highlight of our evening. Cracked a few jokes, talked about his fave dishes, we really had a ton of fun with him. A complete gem! As I walked through my restaurant, I sat down and said " I smelled melted cheese, whatever that is, I want it" It was the Saghanaki and I needed it in my life. Melty cheesy and delicious. I met her, tasted her, and now I need more. Now, I only recently had Octopus once of twice before, but this one here was fabulous! Tender, delicious, beautiful. I absolutely adored this. The smelts were so fun to eat! I called them protein fries. Little teeny tiny fishies, so crispy and flavorful. For our entree, we snagged the porkchop special. SO. FREAKING. GOOD! It felt special too since it was....a special. It wouldn't have been a true dinner with me if i didnt finish off the meal with a dessert wine. Normally I go for a port, but we were dining in Greece this evening, so I went with the Vin Santo. Absolutely lovely and perfect for the end of our meal. Beautiful visit over at Kokkari. The ambiance was great, the food was fantastic, and the service was incredible! I can absolutely see myself here at the bar, having a fancy meal, sipping on a lovely cocktail, and enjoying myself. Maybe I'll do that very very soon. read more

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Excellent dining experience. Food, service and drinks were all perfect. The place has a fine dining ambiance to the place, yet the clientele is very diverse. There was a private room celebrating someone's birthday that looked like a high powered attorney. Then at the other end of the room was a 3-time NBA MVP enjoying his meal sans the rest of his team. Then there was little 'ol me, lol. Kokkari is really a special place for a wonderful celebration. It's considered a premier, high-end Greek restaurant in San Francisco's Financial District known for its rustic-chic. The restaurant specializes in Hellenic cuisine, emphasizing fresh, simple ingredients, with a focus on lamb, seafood, and vegetables from a wood-burning grill and rotisserie. We got to enjoy traditional dishes like grilled octopus, saganaki (pan-seared cheese) and gigantes plakiv (giant beans). The mains were Chicken Souvlaki and Grilled Sole - excellent pairing with the Duckhorn, Sauvignon Blanc. Kokkari has a sister restaurant called Evvia Estiatorio, located in Palo Alto that I'm am looking forward to trying. read more

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We've been coming to Kokkari for years, and it never fails to impress! The ambiance and service are always top-notch, but the food is really the star. The lamb rack is cooked to absolute perfection, and their apple martinis are to die for. An absolute SF favorite! read more

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I think this is my new favorite Greek restaurant and one of my new favorite restaurants in FiDi / the area! Kokkari Estiatorio hit the mark across the board on ambiance, service and food. Ambiance: This was great for a fun girls date but would also be a wonderful date night or group gathering. The restaurant aesthetic is a little rustic and feels intimate, but it is actually quite large and was very lively early on a Saturday night. Although the restaurant is indoors, there are large windows that open to the street that make it feel more open and fresh. Service: Our waitress was very friendly and had the perfect balance of being attentive but also giving us time and space. She did a good job pacing different dishes and didn't rush us out at all. Food & drink: My friend and I ordered wine and a series of apps to share. First, there was a great selection of wines! I ordered a Chalbis, one of my favorites, and it didn't disappoint. The menu has a wide variety and it was hard to pick! We shared the saganaki (with house bread), chili garlic prawns, octopus, fried zucchini cakes, and two off-menu specials (a duck dish and an apricot arugula salad). Every dish had a unique flavor profile but they were all so good in their own respect. Some specific callouts: the bread was thick and crispy on the outside but incredibly soft on the inside, the octopus was perfectly charred but still tender, and the yogurt sauce with the fried zucchini cakes was "zesty" and refreshing. We also enjoyed the baklava and frozen yogurt for dessert. I think these were fair portion sizes for the price point. I would love to come back here! read more

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It's vibey with a nice modern atmosphere. The food is great, everything was fresh. The fresh fish was flown in that day. The vegetables were grilled to perfection. The octopus was super tender and smoky. The steak had a good Mediterranean flavor and was cooked perfectly. The artichoke and salad with feta was also delicious. They do have a good wine list and a full bar. Our server was very nice, patient and was happy to recommend their best dishes. I definitely recommend this place. read more

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Special menu pork chop was our favorite, but it was a bit too fatty. Fish was okay, we thought it lacked flavors. Lamp chop was delicious. Octopus, shrimp, calamari, and cheese appetizers were all delicious. read more

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Can't believe I haven't written a review for Kokkari yet!! This restaurant is an SF establishment -- perfect for large groups, special gatherings, impressing out of towners, or business meal. Everything is fabulous. My photos are a little outdated but the baked halloumi appetizer is awesome as well as the lamb chops. You really can't go wrong with anything you order from here. The prices are well worth it because of the beautiful ambiance, attentive service and delicious food. Highly recommend and I'll be back. read more

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Tldr been eating here for years and it's still awesome My wife and I have regularly visited Kokkari as our favorite restaurant to have dinner at during San Francisco staycations. There's something about the elegant yet rustic ambiance, warmth, and the incredible Greek food that has forever charmed us and keeps us coming back. On this evening we arrived slightly early and were seated right away. The first table they gave us was great but it was a very hot day and the table was near the ovens, and without air conditioning it was just a bit too warm and we knew as soon as we sat down. We asked if they could move us and they swiftly accommodated, finding us another cozy table in the front. Service throughout the evening was excellent and attentive, with a knowledgeable server checking in on us regularly and everything coming out perfectly hot. Here's what we ordered: Tzatziki, grilled pita, house pickles: 5/5 - A great appetizer to get the meal started. Bread was toasty and the tzatziki was perfect. The crunch and acid from the picked vegetables was a nice balance and kept the dish from being too heavy. Aginares Soulvaki - 4/5 - this is a vegetarian skewer of grilled artichoke hearts and other vegetables, served with whole yogurt and spicy sauce on the side. It was really delicious but one of the four artichoke hearts was a bit woody and not great eating. Everything else tasted great though. English peas (special appetizer): 6/5 - this dish redefined what we thought peas could be. Cold peas with a bit of feta, olive oil, lemon? It tasted so much better than it sounds especially on a hot day. Grilled whole sea bass - 5/5 - don't let the simple look of this dish fool you. The flavor is deep and each bite of flaky white sea bass had a bit of seasoned, grilled flavor to it. It'll become a craveable fish dish you'll want to come back to eat. It was served with a side of braised greens that were fine if a little basic, but give how flavorful the fish was, added some balance. Solomos - 5/5 - pan roasted salmon with fingerling potatoes and vegetables. This is a more sophisticated dish than the menu implies (at least for an everyday eater like me), with the fingerling potatoes and vegetables shaved into thin coin sized slices and then mixed together forming a base under the salmon. The olive tapenade adds a salty depth that balances out the light flavor of the perfectly cooked salmon creating a harmonious dish that I practically devoured. Will definitely be back! This place has become very popular so be sure to book ahead as much as you can. read more

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Mixed feelings - ambiance and service was great. The apps were great but the lamb which is the star of the show and what we came here for was dry and not as expected Would def come back for drinks and apps only read more

Wow, can't believe it's been nine years since I first visited Kokkari. Well, in having dinner there again last night for my partner's birthday, it's good to see some things stay just as good as when they started. We arrived for a 7:30pm reservation on a Friday, and the large restaurant was filled out. We ended up being seated at a table in the back dining room, which was perfect, I actually prefer this to the front. What a cozy, intimate, comfortable space. Being Serbian, the Mediterranean vibes here make me feel transported closer to home. Our lovely server Stephanie introduced herself and went over the specials, which all sounded great (especially the apricot salad), but we were already pretty well dialed into what we wanted, from weeks of perusing the menu in anticipation. We started of course with a round of cocktails. Ocho tequila with lime for the birthday boy, and a lemon drop my usual way for me - Ketel, less sweet, no sugar rim. The lemon drop was perfection. Give this bartender a raise. Our server gave us plenty of time to settle in, sip, and talk, with no rushing, which I very much appreciate. For our appetizer, we went with the kalamari - grilled calamari, stuffed with cheese, and with black olives, fennel, and orange. Ah-mazing! I had almost forgotten how delectable this dish is, but RB remembered from our previous times here. Next time, we're getting at least two orders of these apiece as our meal. For our mains, RB went with the rotisserie lamb, and I went with the Mediterranean Sea bream. I was extremely pleased with my choice. I've previously only had sea bream as sushi, never cooked. It was delicious. Fresh, tender, and delicately flavorful. I was just a bit apprehensive when I saw 'whole fish' on the menu, thinking it would be too much for one person, but nope, it was just right. Squirt some lemon on this guy, and mwah! It was fun people-watching too. Sophisticated but unpretentious crowd. SF is a lot of fun. We used to enjoy its nightlife scene regularly during the years I worked in the city. Miss the city, don't miss the hustle work culture one bit. Anyways, back from my tangent. For dessert, we opted for a liquid one, with espresso martinis. Very tasty and not too sweet, and from there we leisurely wound down our dinner. Very enjoyable night, and I look forward to going back. Reservations are a must. Make one, go, and enjoy! read more

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We have been here multiple times for dinner and drinks. And last night for  my most recent trip around the sun my partner treated us here again. Then I realized I haven't reviewed this place. So here it is. First, the kolamari. Thats squid with a "K". It is a Greek restaurant. Yes, squid. When you go and have nothing else you have to have a plate or 2, maybe 3 of the squid. This isn't the breaded fried in Crisco crap everyone else does. It is grilled with feta, fennel, black olives and oranges. Next time for dinner I'm getting 3 plates of this. But last night my partner had the Sea Bream whole fish and I had the the special rotisserie lamb. Both were delicious. And yes, we did have the kalamari. My partner started with a Lemon Drop and I had Tequila and lime as usual.  There might have been more than one round.  Actually, I'm sure there was more than 1 round. We also brought an amazing 2013 Black Stallion Reserve Cab from the home celler. Prolly one of my favorite wines ever.  Service was great. Huge shout out to Stephanie for putting up with us and the massive wax seal on the wine. We sat in the way back dining room this time and prior to this didn't even know it was there. This is a huge restaurant. As usual for us, tables would get seated and people would finish and leave and another seating. For us we take our time, lots of time. Last night was about 3 hours. Usually it's 4+. And the big plus here is no pressure to get you out the door. So back to the Greek thing. You can't decide by the main menu item names cause it's Greek, unless your Greek. Need to spend time reading the sub text to fully understand each dish except for items like whole fish. That's pretty much universal language. The bar area is very lively as is the front dining room. The back room we were in this time is less so. Perfect for an intimate diner with conversation. We will be back. Soon!!! read more

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I was planning to try this SF staple for a while and was not disappointed. Beautiful lively restaurant, amazing food and great service. It wasn't easy to book a table for my birthday dinner (even though it was Monday evening and I was booking in 4 weeks before). The spot we got was in an alcove which was perfect for us with a very active toddler. We ordered the baked feta as an appetizer, the Moussaka and chicken souvlas , which we shared and really enjoyed. The entrees was very generous and we unfortunately didn't have a room for the dessert (I was actually really interested in trying their baklava). Definitely a great place for a date or celebration. read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Baked feta - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pre-theater dinner with friends perfection. We were seeing a show at the new Barbary Stage, conveniently located across the street. We arrived a little before 5:30 on a Friday and the place was already hopping. We were quickly taken to our seats, greeted by our server, and brought water and bread with olive oil and salt for dipping. Service was wonderful throughout-- friendly, informative, and timely. We joked that if our server hadn't been working, we would have invited her to pull up a chair and join us. She helped steer us towards an incredible selection of dishes. We shared everything, which I highly recommend as a strategy to be able to savor as much as possible. We started with the Kolokithokeftethes (crispy zucchini cakes) and added a third so could each have our own. This was a good decision-- they are delicious. We also shared the Saghanaki (pan fried Kefalotyri cheese) and the Maroulosalata (chopped romaine salad). The cheese and salad were also fantastic. There was a slow cooked lamb special, served over potatoes cooked in the lamb juices. In general, I'm not a huge fan of lamb although sharing was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. While I still wouldn't order it just for me, the dish was very, very good. We also shared the Gigantes (oven-baked giant beans) which were a surprising standout. Our server said that her husband is a vegetarian and eats those as his meal. With some crusty bread? Sign me up! With time to kill before our show, and still a bit of room in our tummies, we opted to also share some dessert. Proven trustworthy with her appetizer and main dish suggestions, we asked our server what her favorite desserts were and she said, "I have 5." Yes, their dessert menu is lengthy enough that 5 is only a portion of the list. We went with two of them-- one hot, the Galaktoboureko (custard in filo) and one cold, the Pagoto Baklava (Baklava ice cream). I'm already plotting a return to try more of their menu. read more

My favorite Greek restaurant in the world! Amazing fish, and traditional greek dips. We make the drive to San Francisco just to go here! Highly recommend! read more

Had a very good time at Kokkari the food was very good, but very disappointed with the portion size especially with the octopus dish, we literally had five pieces,the ambiance was there, the drinks were great. read more

This is probably the funniest review I've written since I started visiting restaurants. The reason? The only photo I took was before the food arrived because once the dishes came out at Kokkari, there was no time for pictures, only for enjoying every bite. Kokkari is an elegant, stylish place with an impeccable atmosphere and absolutely exquisite food. We ordered the grilled calamari, grilled octopus, the Kokkari salad, and finally the Mosharisia Brizola. Every single dish was extremely delicious. The service is top-notch, the space is beautiful, and the overall experience is outstanding. Highly recommended. I would absolutely come back. read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Me with out delicious food - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the best decisions we made on our wedding day was choosing Kokkari to host our wedding lunch. Exceptional service, delicious food (every single bite), and amazing vibes. Thank you Kokkari for making our special day even more special :) read more

Kokkari Estiatorio - Greek Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I am so lucky, this is one of the hottest spots in SF, and I came for a holiday dinner that was family style. Kokkari is a decadent, magical dining experience. I have never had Greek food like this- WOW! The space is huge, dimly lit, lots of indoor seating with a warm, rustic vibe. They absolutely crushed it serving over 15 people at a large table, being so precise with critical allergies. They spoke to each individual with dietary restrictions and made special alternatives. Service was incredible!! Greek red wine was 12/10. Our starters: Pikilia - Greek spreads of melitzanosalata, tzatziki & taramosalata served with dolmathes & pita bread, Kolokithokeftethes - crispy zucchini cakes with cucumber & mint yogurt dressing, Octapodaki tou Yiorgou - grilled octopus with lemon, oregano & olive oil, and Horiatiki - classic Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, oregano, olives & feta. The pita here is out of this world, I've never had fresh pillowy delicious pita like this. The dips were freshly made, creamy. The octopus was also so bright, delicious. Not rubbery at all. Incredibly seasoned, cooked perfectly. The salad was so fresh, bright, they use a high quality olive oil for sure. All the veg was fresh, like it was all in season. It was a nice light course before the starters. Our mains: Makaronia - ravioli of ricotta, mushrooms, spinach & leeks with onions, kale, zucchini & squash nage, Arnisia Paidakia - lamb chops with lemon & oregano, Moussaka - traditional casserole of eggplant, lamb, potato & yogurt béchamel, Horta - braised wild greens with lemon Patates sto Fourno - oven roasted potato wedges with oregano & lemon. The ravioli was good, very creamy sauce. The lamb chop was cooked perfectly, juicy. The seasoning was on point! I have never had moussaka before, it was so delicious! It was like a creamy, potato casserole, very dense in a good way with the béchamel, also cooked perfectly with that crust to break open. The greens with lemon were good, hard to compare with the other incredible dishes. The potato wedges were seasoned well and cooked perfectly to be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. After serving each person, the left additional portions of each dish. At this point, I couldn't breathe from all the amazing, delicious dishes. Somehow I found the courage for dessert. They took coffee/tea orders. A cappuccino with Sokolatina - flourless dark chocolate cake with sweetened whipped cream. The cake was so decedent, wow. It was fudgey delicious, the whipped cream was light, fluffy. The cake was perfect- not too sweet. Paired well with the coffee. If you snag a res, call me, I'd love to go again! I heard it's very difficult to get a res, but so worth it. This was an SF dining highlight for me. Somewhere to experience food so special! read more

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The portion size was generous, and with appetisers, salad and soup, we couldn't finish our main courses and had to pack them to go. We also couldn't resist the desserts. In the end, we were so full but super satisfied. We've already booked our next reservation here. The game plan will be to share our orders and not overdo it. read more

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Super clean flavors, quality ingredients, and a menu that feels elevated without trying too hard. It has that classic San Francisco charm while still feeling a little bougie. The area itself can be a bit off putting with the number of unhoused individuals nearby, but once you're inside it's a completely different experience. Stephanie was our waitress and she was absolutely amazing. So warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Her service alone is one of the reasons we continue coming back. Being married into a family that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, I admit I'm a bit biased. The flavors here lean more Greek inspired, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I found them to be a little too subtle for my personal taste. I tend to gravitate toward bolder Mediterranean flavors, so I wasn't extremely impressed by the food itself. That being said, I can absolutely understand why this restaurant is so popular. The dishes are approachable, balanced, and refined in a way that I think appeals to the American palate. The food is consistently good every visit. My favorite dish is the octopus, and I also love the biscuit platter from their selection of sweets. Everything tastes fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The restaurant itself is beautiful, although the seating near the entrance can feel a little cramped when it's busy. The vibe is formal casual, if that makes sense. Maybe don't show up in training clothes like I did once, but even then they were nothing but kind and welcoming. Super cute spot and definitely the type of place where the men with trust funds who are somehow 6'5" seem to gather for lunch and after work drinks. Calling ahead for reservations is your best bet. read more

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Dinner at Kokkari last night and it reminded me again why open fire cooking is undefeated. Had the branzino, fried smelt, and the mesquite roasted pork chop special. There's just something primal and perfect about smoke hitting a juicy piece of pork... honestly any meat... or even fish like the branzino. The flavor gets deeper, richer, more alive. You can taste the fire in the best way possible. The pork chop was the standout for me -- smoky outside, incredibly juicy inside. The branzino was clean and delicate but still carried that subtle char from the grill. Even the fried smelt disappeared fast. Kokkari just understands how to cook over fire without overcomplicating things. Simple, rustic, confident food. read more

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We enjoyed Kokkari Estiatorio for our anniversary it was good but there were a few things that were just ok. Starting out with drinks we got the Tzin Spritz and Cyclades Sidecar. Both were just on for us. Nothing special. The appetizers for us were the highlight! We got the saghanaki (fried cheese - our least favorite appetizer), domatosalata (fresh tomato dish), peach salad and Gl assyrtiko (eggplant and our favorite). All were fantastic and we would order again. My husband got the arnisia paidskia and enjoyed it. I got the petrale sole. It was fine but I wouldn't order it again. Baklava for dessert and I would not get this again. It was not light and overly spiced. The service was ok. Definitely didn't make it feel special for our anniversary. The ambiance was fine. We were in a busy walkway. If we went back we would probably just order appetizers. read more

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I like it! The service was really nice and I love low lights in a cozy restaurant. Let's start with the bread, 5/5 warm, fluffy, and served with olive oil and sea salt. Calamari stuffed with feta and fennel 5/5, cooked perfectly, literally melts in your mouth. Zucchini fritters 5/5 extremely tasty Lemon soup avgolemono, this was not my thing, so can't really be objective. Duck (special) with Yukon potatoes, sounded amazing, execution fell short. Extremely over for the duck which was a shame because the flavor was quite good. The potatoes were excellent 1/5 for the duck 4/5 for potatoes 2.5-3/5 for this dish, such a shame. Grilled sea bass 5/5 very tasty read more

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Kokkari Estiatorio: Simply Amazing! Kokkari Estiatorio, Chef Mario... those dimples and that amazing smile! Honestly, I would come back just for that! But beyond the smile, watching Chef Mario run the kitchen with such obvious precision and perfection was an experience all its own. My sister took me to Kokkari for my birthday, and I can honestly say, what an experience! This is a fine-dining establishment serving some of the most amazing food I have ever eaten. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful, especially the wood-burning fireplace located centrally in the dining room. The fireplace becomes part of the experience as they prepare the special of the day. During our visit, an entire lamb was being prepared. Although I didn't partake in the lamb, the way our server explained the preparation and tradition behind it was beautiful. It made the experience feel like much more than simply having dinner. It was storytelling, craftsmanship, and food all coming together. And then there was the FOOD! The grilled octopus appetizer was absolutely incredible. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth, charbroiled deliciousness. The Saganaki, pan-fried Kefalotyri cheese with lemon and oregano, was spectacular. That combination of salty, creamy, tangy, and herbaceous flavors was simply divine. My ribeye steak was cooked to absolute perfection. Every bite was exactly what I hoped it would be. My sister had the moussaka, and that béchamel sauce? Mind-blowing! Rich, flavorful, creamy, and beautifully balanced. I may have been a little jealous of her plate! And I cannot forget the desserts--yes, plural! The Galaktoboureko, semolina custard in filo with seasonal fruit and pistachio ice cream, was absolutely delicious. Then there was the Yiaourti Granita, yogurt sorbet with blood orange granita and mint syrup. Oh my goodness! I ate every spectacular spoonful. It was life-changing! The photos I took really don't do this food justice. Some dishes are simply difficult to capture in a photograph because the experience is in the aroma, texture, temperature, presentation, and that first bite. Would I go back? Every day of the week if I could! Kokkari Estiatorio was more than a birthday dinner. It was an experience I will remember, from the beautiful setting and exceptional service to Chef Mario commanding the kitchen and, of course, every spectacular bite. If you have the opportunity to experience Kokkari, please go. Simply amazing. read more

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I last remembered eating at Kokkari before the pandemic. This time around was for a work dinner, and it felt like nothing had changed. The interior and the food make up the same consistent experience. They sat us at the table in front of the fireplace, which gave it a cozy feel. The lounge chairs, though comfy, are a tight fit and make it a little hard to get in and out though. $12.75 Melitzanosalata, Taramosalata, Tzatziki, Favosalata, Skordalia, Tirokafteri: good! a mixed plate of fresh dips with pita is always a good idea $14.75 Kolokithokeftethes - crispy zucchini cakes with cucumber & mint-yogurt dressing: good! crispy with the sweet zucchini flavor $19.25 Saganaki - pan fried Kefalotyri cheese with lemon & oregano: good! what's not to like about fried cheese? $20.75 Roasted Prawns - chili-garlic roasted wild gulf prawns: great! very flavorful large prawns $20.75 Octapodaki tou Yiorgou - grilled octopus with lemon, oregano, olive oil: good! octopus is always delicious, but a tad too salty, could be a little more tender $35 Moussaka - traditional baked casserole of spiced lamb & beef, eggplant, potato & yogurt bechamel: okay! a creamy layered baked potato dish $45.50 Ippoglossa - Pacific halibut filet pan roasted with fava puree, garlic & chili broccoli rabe & olive tapenade: okay! could be a little more tender $69 Arnisia Paidakia - grilled lamb chops with lemon-oregano vinaigrette & Kokkari potatoes: great! beautiful lamb chops, though the best part is the vinaigrette $13.50 Galaktoboureko - semolina custard in filo with pistachio ice cream good! delicious balance of crunchy filo and creamy insides $13.75 Kataifi Ekmek - shredded filo with semolina custard, creme fraiche & pistachio good! beautiful layered cake on a crunchy kataifi crust $11.50 Loukoumades - traditional Greek doughnuts with honey, cinnamon & walnuts: okay! can't complain about sugary doughnuts It was great to try a lot of the menu in a large group, but I think if I were to come back, I might only really be interested in the lamb chops and maybe an appetizer. Too bad it's one of the most expensive things on the menu. read more

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The ambience was beautiful. The food was very good. I wouldn't call it excellent but it was very good and came out very quickly. Aesthetically it's very comforting and warm unfortunately our Server Jennifer did not fit the vibe. She was aloof, cold, and borderline rude; as if we were an inconvenience to her. We had heard great things about this restaurant and perhaps if we had a different server I would've left a different review. If you want a warm and comforting place to enjoy a meal wherethe food is good- I would recommend it. I just would ask for a different server next time. read more

On September 17, three of us went to Kokkari for dinner. We had heard so many great things about this restaurant and went in with high expectations, but unfortunately, we left very disappointed. This was honestly one of the worst service experiences we've had. We ordered the saganaki, and our server recommended adding peppers, saying it was the chef's suggestion. We agreed, but it came with an excessive amount of peppers that completely overwhelmed the dish. The octopus was good, but the smelts were extremely greasy and had almost no flavor. We didn't finish them, and our server never asked if there was something wrong with the dish. The tzatziki was also disappointing--we could barely tell if there was any cucumber in it. For the main courses, the chicken was dry and flavorless. The lamb chops arrived undercooked, so we asked our server to have them cooked a little more. When they came back, they seemed to have been cooked in a fryer or with a similar high-heat method, because even the fat inside the chops had become completely cooked through, which was unusual. The sea bream was the biggest disappointment. It arrived completely burned. We asked our server if this was normal, and she explained that it was cooked on a charred grill. Regardless of the cooking method, what we were served tasted and looked burned. What made the experience even more frustrating was the service. After our table was cleared, we tried to speak with the manager. We could see the manager sitting at a nearby table, and when we got their attention, they gestured that they would come over. Unfortunately, they never did. Overall, considering Kokkari's reputation and the expectations we had going in, the experience was extremely disappointing. Between the inconsistent food, lack of attention from our server, and the manager never coming over after acknowledging us, we would not return and would not recommend this restaurant to others. read more

TLDR: Updating after trying many more items. My opinion still stands -- come for the appetizers, desserts, and atmosphere. Entrees are good but probably not mind blowing. Always a nice time here! ------ FOOD: 1. GALAKTOBOUREKO (5/5) Truly one of my favorite restaurant desserts. Very unique, and the semolina custard is divine. Comes with two rich semolina pastries so easy to share for two. The pistachio ice cream is delicious and is a nice cold contrast to the warm pastry. I'd avoid the fruit jam as it's extremely sweet, but it's easy to push to the side! 2. FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE (5/5) The best flourless chocolate cake I've ever had from a restaurant. Not as hopelessly dense as many others I've tried, and the sweet homemade whipped cream is the perfect addition to the rich bitterness of their dark chocolate. There's a reason why they proudly display a whole cake on their counter for all to see. 3. JUDY'S SPECIAL SUNDAE (5/5) What a joy of a dessert. It's bigger than you could ever imagine and would make any child's (and adult's...) day. 4. MOSHARISIA BRIZOLA (RIB EYE) (5/5) I haven't personally tried, but others who have are steak experts and they really like it. It's simple and comes with a serving of cooked greens. 5. SPANAKOTIROPITA (4.5/5) An order only comes with two pastries but they're almost the size of a hand. These are done very well and I always have to order them. If they used a tiny bit more filling, this would be a 5/5. 6. GIGANTES BEANS (4.5/5) Like having pasta without the noodles! Delicious seasoning and the feta adds wonderful umami. It looks like a small serving but it's easy to share with a group and the beans are hearty. 7. OCTAPUS (4.5/5) This is a pretty small serving for an octopus appetizer, but it's pre cut so it's easy to share, and it's cooked very well such that it's not too chewy. The lemon adds a lot of flavor to this. 8. SOUTZOUKAKIA (4/5) Meatballs! Comes with 4 medium sized meatballs. They're not spherical and juicy like Italian meatballs -- they're slightly drier and more squat, like they've been pressed down to 50% of their height. The yogurt sauce is a wonderful combo I've never had with meatballs before. Wish these were slightly bigger or that there were more, but otherwise these were great. 9. LAVRAKI (SEA BASS) (4/5) Soft, tender fish. It's a great fish option, but the flavors are simple to let the fish itself stand out. It's really just a big fish and lemon, much like many of their other entrees (a protein and lemon, maybe with greens or potatoes). If you like this level of simplicity, Kokkari's entrees are for you! 10. MIPAKIA BRUSSELS (4/5) I thought the Brussels were fine. I prefer my Brussels with a bit more texture (like a slightly crispy exterior) but these were on the softer side. The bacon also didn't really taste like much. This is a good portion size though. 11. 3 PEPPERS DISH (4/5) This was one of the specials of the night. Three different kinds of roasted peppers and a large portion. Others at the table really liked this. I thought it was good but I prefer thicker peppers vs. many very skinny peppers. Still a good option though, and unique! 12. LAMB DINNER SPECIAL (3.5/5) They had a spit-fire roasted lamb as a special for the night that came with potatoes that had been roasting with the lamb since the morning. We were excited for this dish as it came with many different parts of the lamb. But the lamb was a bit chewier than expected (or perhaps as lamb tends to be) and I wished there was slightly more flavor overall. I still like this more than the lamb chops, which is a typical menu item. They start the meal with complimentary bread which is soft with a crusty exterior, but it's not warm. It is served with a plate of nice olive oil though, and apps that come in a nice tomato sauce or other are great for dipping the bread into. ------ AMBIANCE / ENVIRONMENT * Kokkari's holiday atmosphere is there. The restaurant has dimmer lighting and they've set up garlands and other reminders of the holidays throughout the dining rooms * This is a large restaurant with three main dining sections, with the back room by the kitchen being my favorite. Thanks to the size, they have tables of all sizes and can comfortably accommodate larger groups * The surrounding area is neighborhood-y and quiet. Lots of families were here celebrating the holidays, as well as couples and groups of friends * Should be plenty of parking in the blocks around this area given it's much more residential ------ SERVICE: * Despite the size of the restaurant, it's still pretty difficult to get same-day reservations. Highly recommend booking a few weeks in advance for your desired date and time * Service is always professional yet playful. They course out your dishes appropriately, get you new plates between each course, and scrape the table of crumbs as well * We were celebrating a birthday and they helped make it special with candles and a birthday message in chocolate read more

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Kokkari is a staple in SF and requires reservations. They'll even call you to confirm reservations. Love the vibe and they suggest business casual attire. Food was good. We ordered the following appetizers: - grilled octopus (a little overcooked) - zucchini cakes (our favorite appetizer and you don't need the mint yogurt sauce since it was moist inside) - fried brussel sprouts (also a little overcooked and not crispy) Entrees - moussaka - delicious and flavorful. It was nice pairing this with the table bread - Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass - smaller than Chilean sea bass and very moist Drinks - sidecar - zero proof espresso martini - this tasted watered down and not worth ordering The bathroom is a bit hard to find and in the back of the restaurant down the elevator one floor. read more

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