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    TAVERNA

    3.9 (562 reviews)
    PriceyGreek
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order TAVERNA Takeout or Delivery

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    TAVERNA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - TAVERNA

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    GRILLED OCTOPUS SALAD
    Rini R.

    This is a decent place for casual meet ups. Went here on a Saturday for brunch with my girlfriends . Let's start with service . Our waiter came and explained to us all the dishes which was nice . We ordered crispy calamari, grilled halloumi cheese , steamed Horta greens , omelette , orange juice and grilled octopus salad. Grilled halloumi cheese was really delicious . Omelette was also really good . Rest of the dishes were pretty standard in taste , nothing mind blowing so I felt place is a little over priced . We were not in mood for having dessert so we skipped it . Parking can be little difficult if you try to find one right in front of the restaurant however there were planting parking just 2 blocks away . All in all it was good but I may not return here .

    GRILLED OCTOPUS (10/10)
    Lindsey T.

    A friend recommended this place to us, and it is definitely worth trying! We ordered the lamb chops, salmon, and octopus. I don't like lamb, but my partner devoured the lamb chops, so I'm assuming they are pretty good. I loved the octopus - it's probably the best I've had in the bay! The pairing with hummus and fresh herbs was perfection. The salmon was a bit on the small side but they gave a generous portion of vegetables. Relative to the other dishes, this one was pretty forgettable for me. We came here on a Friday night with a reservation at around 5:30 and it was pretty light, though it quickly filled up. The decor is very charming and the vibe was cozy. This place is a bit on the smaller side but there's also plenty of outdoor seating The staff was attentive and personable. Though there were some hiccups in ordering they quickly rectified the situation, which we appreciated.

    HOMEMADE PITA (6 pieces)

    We came here to celebrate a birthday just to try a different Greek cuisine in the area. The vibe is so much better than the rest and it was like being in a small village in the countryside. It's very cozy and warm with a bit of a rustic feel. All of the food that we had was delicious and tasty. Their portion was very good in comparison with the other restaurants in the area. The staff were friendly and attentive. The only thing was when we arrived there was nobody to greet us although we had a reservation. They seemed to be scrambling around next door with an event going on. They also need to have a friendlier concierge greeting the incoming guests. Otherwise our visit was very eventful. Our server even sang to the celebrant which was very appreciative.

    AVGOLEMONO CHICKEN SOUP - delicious!
    Eleni A.

    I can not say enough about Taverna! From the moment I walked in, the hospitality was top tier. Everyone was so kind, friendly, and welcoming. I haven't come across too many Greek spots on the west coast so Taverna was an absolute treat! The space itself is beautiful, big tables, comfortable seating, doesn't feel like you're on top of the table next to you. Every dish was thoughtfully explained to my friends who aren't Greek and you could taste the love put into everything we tried. Now to the food: Tzatziki - perfect, thick, tangy, really delicious and the pita was outstanding, tastes homemade like your yiayia made it. Avgolemono - I love this soup, there's zest yet comfort, I never pass up a bowl of Avgolemono and this was is a definite order! Keftedakia - so so so so good! Juicy, flavorful, I honestly could've had so many more of these. Horiatiki - I'm partial to my own, yet this was so much better than mine I have to say! Always a must-order. Braised Lamb - it was a special, it's been a few days and I'm still thinking about it. The lamb fell right off the bone, the orzo had nutmeg and cinnamon I loved it what a treat! Next time I'd love to get some spanakopitakia, I haven't had any since my yiayia passed away and I miss hers! Everyone was so lovely and they brought us a pre-dinner treat from the chef which was like a piperakia tiganita and then an amazing shot of mastiha with lime and fresh pepper (insanely delicious)! I would absolutely recommend Taverna to anyone in Palo Alto and I'll definitely be back when I'm in town. The hospitality really went a long way, , Taverna!

    Best place and experience. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The people are warm. We hosted a company event here for 25+ people and TAVERNA exceeded every expectation. The food was excellent, the ambiance was perfect, and Derya, the manager (taverna queen) made everything feel seamless and special. If you're planning an event, this is the place to do it. Highly recommend the lamb chops, octopus, and potatoes...all were exceptional. I would come back every night if I could. This restaurant deserves its own TV show.

    Lamb Chops
    Angelica G.

    I hadn't had moussaka in a long time and was really craving it, so we came to Taverna. The outdoor ambiance was beautiful, I honestly felt like I was in Greece . Our server, Vicente, was very attentive and recommended we try the tzatziki as an appetizer. It was creamy and refreshing, made with yogurt, but at times it felt like cream cheese, just not as salty. I loved it, and the pita bread was delicious too. For our main dishes, we had the lamb chops, which were super tender and juicy, so good! We also shared the moussaka, and it was spectacular. Definitely coming back to try more!

    Back room
    Jonathan B.

    Over multiple visits, I've been lucky enough to try just about everything on the menu. My thoughts: Dolmathakia: Grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and fresh herbs. These pack plenty of flavor, especially compared to entry level places. Greek meatballs: Seared in a cast iron and served with Greek yogurt & red onion. Comes with three but we usually ask for four. A crowd favorite. Spanish octopus: hit or miss. It's been excellent and only ok. Salmon: Served several ways over the years. Most recently sauced with a chickpea ratatouille. Solid. Moussaka: If you've never had this dish, think mashed potatoes stuffed with ground beef (and lamb) and eggplant bakes in a casserole. Comfort food done right the Greek way. Lamp chops: VERY tasty but I need three to feel full and that's quite pricey. The Greek fries are surprisingly excellent; ask for the spicy sauce on the side. A wide variety of premier wine at Palo Alto prices. Service is almost always impeccable. It's a cozy environment in all of the rooms; on a nice night, you can eat outside. Some of the tables are a little cramped and multiple dining companions have complained the chairs are uncomfortable. I really like Taverna and will keep coming back. A few tweaks would make it outstanding.

    Tzatziki and yummy pita. They grill it and sprinkle with sea salt.
    Libby J.

    We just ordered small plates, brunch, and sides. So I can't speak to any of the main dishes. Having said that, below is what I can speak to on the restaurant. Dip - We ordered the tzatziki which came with delicious grilled pita. The dip was really creamy and the pita had sea salt which brought out the grilled flavor. French toast - I hadn't seen anyone mention the French toast. However, it deserves a mention because it was delicious! So light and fluffy with a cinnamon whipped sort of topping. So good! Fries - The fries were also really good. They came with ketchup and an interesting white sauce that tasted of basil, parmesan, and a tiny kick of spice. Whenever I go to a restaurant, I tend to like items that other people don't focus on...so just know I evaluate restaurants on pita and fries. LOL. But that's what makes me happy. The service here is attentive and the feeling is fancy. We sat outdoors with the heat lamps which was nice. We arrived for brunch at 12:30, and it started to get busy right about 1:30. TLDR; Dip & pita, french toast, and fries are worth a visit

    Melinda L.

    The food was great. Enjoyed the dishes ordered. They started us off with complimentary chunks of cheese. Ordered a tzaziki dip which came with bread. Serving was generous and the dip had a thicker consistency. It was quite delicious. The wild salmon with roasted vegetables was fresh, good and better than expected. The Greek fries were so so, just like regular fries. The dessert was good. We sat outside and it was very comfortable. Ambiance and service were great. Thank you.

    Taverna Burger
    Maayan Y.

    The stars are mostly for the excellent service and ambiance! The decor was beautiful - simple, charming and gave you the sensation you traveled to a small town in Greece for the night! The food itself was good and there was a large wine selection but the flavor profile is what ultimately cost the last star! The burger was quite simple, moussaka was too creamy in my opinion but the fish was well cooked! Wines were just ok. Overall would come again but might order differently. Great place for family or date night.

    Veggie Gyro, Greek Salad, Zuchinni
    Shivani M.

    As I visited Palo Alto on a warm sunny Monday, I came across this cute greek restaurant. We started with a few appetizers like the Spanakopita, Tzatziki, and Spicy Feta Spread. All 3 were great and served fresh. We split all of this among 3 people and had the right amount. Then we got the veggie gyros which was pretty heavy and came with fries. The greek salad was lovely and the cheese on top was so delicious. We also got the zucchini fritters which were good but also on the heavier side after eating so many other dishes. Overall, super cute spot and great quality of food. Service was also good and we were continuously checked on. It's definitely on a pricey range for lunch, but worth the try once!

    Greek coffee

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    The food, service and ambiance were excellent. We have chosen to eat there many times.

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    Evvia Estiatorio - Whole Fish

    Evvia Estiatorio

    4.3(3.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Date of Visit: 4/4/2026 We visited this gorgeous Greek and…read moreMediterranean restaurant in the heart of Palo Alto. Evvia Estiatorio was opened back in 1995 by George and Judy Marcus along with Kenneth and Angie Frangodakis. It was designed to bring a warm and rustic feeling to Silicon Valley. We were greeted by the front desk when we stepped in and were sit at the large table at the center of the restaurant. Octopus $20.75 We ordered the traditional grilled octopus. On the side there were decorated with lemon, oregano and olive oil. Octopus was fresh and chewy, and the seasoning was great too. Prawns $19.75 My favorite of the day! The prawns were wood oven roasted, and mixed with Calabrian chili butter, tomatoes, scallions. The head on prawns were cooked right to the point and the sauce was amazing too. Grilled Asparagus $16 This was the special of the day. Grilled asparagus mixed with cheese and olive oil. Whole Fish $54 The Lavraki Mediterranean Sea Bass was grilled braised greens & lemon dressing. De-boned in the kitchen and poured with green pesto sauce. Lamb Chops $58.25 The medium cooked lamb chops was rib-cut and mesquite-grilled with smoky flavor and decorated with olive oil and roasted potatoes on the side. Moussaka $33.25 The traditional baked casserole of spiced lamb and beef, eggplant, potato and yogurt béchamel was creamy and rich. The texture was good and should be amazing if paired with wine.

    Evvia Estiatorio offers Greek eats for lunch and dinner…read more Our group came here for dinner, and we decided to order the following apps: +the Evvia Flatbread - topped with caramelized onions, kalamata olives, tomatoes, myzithra cheese, and basil +the Tiganita Kalamarakia - calamari served with lemon garlic aioli and spicy pepper aioli +Taramosalata - served with housemade grilled pita +Garides tou Fournou - wood oven-roasted prawns dressed in a Calabrian chili butter, tomatoes, and scallions +and, the Arnisia Plevrakia - grilled lamb riblets with lemon and oregano For our entrees, we tried: +the Moussak - a baked casserole with eggplant, lamb & beef ragout, potatoes, and a yogurt bechamel +the Moscharisia Brizola - mesquite-grilled dry-aged ribeye with olive oil lemon roasted potatoes and horta +the Psari Psito - grilled whole fish with a lemon-oregano vinaigrette and horta +and, the Kokinisto me Manestra - braised lamb shank with orzo and myzithra cheese Portions were generous, and we were able to sample each others' orders. Staff were attentive and friendly, and they checked upon us throughout our dining experience. The interior is nice; really dug the wooden beams! Note that if you have a large group, an automatic 20% gratuity is added to your check. +accepts large groups +reservations offered +friendly staff

    Photos
    Evvia Estiatorio - Inside area

    Inside area

    Evvia Estiatorio - Galatoboureko - half order shown

    Galatoboureko - half order shown

    Evvia Estiatorio - Lamb Chops

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    Lamb Chops

    Anatolian Kitchen - Alexander's Favorite (Iskender)

    Anatolian Kitchen

    4.4(195 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I would give 6 stars if I could…read more Anatolian Kitchen has become one of our favorite places, and at this point it is less of a "where should we eat?" decision and more of a "how soon can we get back there?" situation. Everything about this restaurant makes you want to return. First, the hospitality is just extraordinary. Levent is the kind of manager every restaurant wishes they had -- gracious, welcoming, and genuinely thoughtful. He has a way of making every guest feel valued and comfortable, like you are being welcomed into someone's home rather than just seated at a table. And Melissa is an absolute delight. She is attentive, kind, and so pleasant that she somehow makes a great meal feel even better. The food is spectacular. The flavors are vibrant, fresh, and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy. We especially love the kebabs, salads, sauces, and dips -- everything is beautifully prepared and full of flavor. And just when you think the meal cannot get any better, the coffee, tea, and desserts arrive and remind you that yes, you definitely needed those too. No regrets, only happiness. What keeps us loyal is that Anatolian Kitchen gets every part of the experience right: delicious food, warm service, and a truly welcoming atmosphere. Some places are worth trying once. This place is worth craving repeatedly.

    Anatolian Kitchen offers both a lunch and dinner menu, and we stopped by during their lunch hours…read moreto check out their Anatolian eats. We shared the Combo Appetizer for Two Person, which came with cacik, hummus, piyaz, eggplant with tomato sauce, tabbouleh, and dolma, as well as the Falafel Plate (this was served with salad and hummus). For the mains, I went for the Ribeye Sish, which were marinated ribeye cubes, topped with worcestershire mushrooms and green onion sauce, served with fries. Everything was well-prepared, and the portions were generous, especially the apps, to share. Staff were kind and friendly. +shareable apps +friendly service

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    Anatolian Kitchen
    Anatolian Kitchen - Veg Platter - would definitely recommend to get it

    Veg Platter - would definitely recommend to get it

    Anatolian Kitchen - Lamb shish kebab

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    Lamb shish kebab

    Barbayani Taverna

    Barbayani Taverna

    4.1(162 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    20 years in business
    Outdoor seating

    A couple of friends and I were getting together to catch up and hang out before heading out to see…read moreanother friend play in his band for First Fridays a couple of blocks over. None of us had ever eaten here before. We made reservations and got there at 5 pm, such beautiful decor. It almost felt like we were being transported and not in Los Altos anymore. They have indoor and outdoor seating options. Our table was the first one from the entrance, which was great because we had the chance to partake in some "people watching" and seeing some adorable doggies on their walk from the window. As we were eating, more and more people started showing up. Our service did not decline and we were treated wonderfully. We all shared a couple of appetizers: Saganaki, Barbayani Thalasa Tiganites, Octopodi, Horiatiki Salad and Greek Fries. Drinks ordered were a mocktail and Bee's Knee. For dessert, we got the Lemoni Crème Brûlée. Everything was delicious, but the Lemoni Crème Brûlée, OMG!!! The best! It was tangy and sweet, the perfect combo. We each had a lemon half...if only these yellow lemons were the size of a grapefruit! Ahahaha. I was trying to savor every last bit of the filling. Plus, the plating looked superb. Parking is street parking, so it can get hectic. There are also parking lots in the surrounding areas. I did see a 3% living wage surcharge added to the bill. Don't know if this disclaimer was noted on the menu or anywhere else. Didn't look for it, didn't see it. I am just stating for those that want to know ahead of time. Enjoyable night, I would come back here again.

    I had a chance to try food from Barbayani Taverna which is a yummy Mediterranean restaurant with a…read morebeautiful interior. I had the chance to try the following dishes with the family: * Lavraki - this is mediterranean bass and i enjoyed the preparation of the fish. It was fresh and well tasting with a simple flavor * Seafood linguini - this was not bad but pretty much very heavy on tomatoes. Fresh taste but nothing too unique * Chicken souvlaki - this came with some veggies and orzo with succulent pieces of chicken. Overall liked this dish but it was simple and nothing extraordinary Overall, Had a good experience!

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    Barbayani Taverna
    Barbayani Taverna
    Barbayani Taverna - Red Wine Poach Pear

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    Mykonos Meze - Outdoor dining

    Mykonos Meze

    4.5(994 reviews)
    13.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    16 years in business

    Outstanding food, truly the best Mediterranean in the Bay Area. The owner and the chef are both…read moreincredible hosts, highly recommend!

    I have been to Mykonos Meze many times before, and it has always been one of my go-to spots. When I…read morewas planning my girls' night bachelorette celebration, I chose it because I already loved their food, service, and ambience. The location was also convenient for everyone, so it felt like the perfect place to celebrate. Food: We ordered the meze platter, lamb riblet, tuna tartar, saghanaki, beet spinach salad, and octopus. Everything tasted amazing. The pita bread came warm and fresh as soon as we arrived, which was such a nice touch. The lamb riblet was so tender, the saghanaki was great as always, and the tuna tartar became my new favorite because it was full of fresh tuna and avocado. For dessert, we had Mama's pudding and profiteroles, and both were a perfect finish. Service: Our server, Susan, was amazing. She explained the menu clearly, helped us choose drinks, and was very attentive the whole night. I told her what I liked and did not like for cocktails, and she helped me find the perfect match. We tried the spicy margaritas, Slay, and White Shadow, and they were all great. Even though it was a crowded night, the staff checked on us at the right times and made sure we had everything we needed. Ambiance: The ambiance was beautiful and perfect for a girls' night. The purple lighting, modern decor, and lively energy made the celebration feel special. Overall, I am so happy I chose Mykonos Meze for my bachelorette celebration, and I will definitely keep coming back.

    Photos
    Mykonos Meze - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Mykonos Meze - Grilled octopus

    Grilled octopus

    Mykonos Meze - Saghanaki

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    Saghanaki

    Real Mediterranean Kitchen - Omg!!!! So freaking good! You must try the chicken plate!

    Real Mediterranean Kitchen

    3.8(10 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    I literally went back the next day and got the Beef and Chicken Shwarma plate. Excellent,…read moreexcellent. Highly recommend coming here if you're in the area.

    I was super excited to come here because i love everything middle east…read more First: the store itself has tons of nice products - more than any middle eastern market in SF and i have been visiting those for years and know them inside and outside. So if you want an odd item and didnt find it in sf, try here. Store is clean and well organized. I did buy hummus and baba ganoush and lebneh to take home but Unfortunately.. the baba ganoush was fizzy and clearly expired so i threw $5 in trash. As for the " deli " itself, i was super excited they had a veggie plate with rice and roasted vegetables instead of the same falafel option every other place has. The vegies were good and well roasted, unfortunately not the onions. It took a long time for them to roast (normal). I tried to order it in advance so they would be very broiled but they never picked up the phone (though try had at least 7/8 employees and 1 customer at that time). I know it was one customer because i arrived 5 minutes later and the place was empty. The rice looked excellent but was dry and with no taste which i was dissapointed by. The salad dressing is where everything went wrong. It had a terrible sour taste to it and i was afraid to get sick but luckily did not. The sweets sold actually looked fresh (unlike sf stores) but the backlava was not the best i ever had. Overall i would shop here again but probably not eat lunch here again unless i ordered with no salad and lots of advance - but im vegetarian and im assuming the meat items are better.

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    Real Mediterranean Kitchen
    Real Mediterranean Kitchen
    Real Mediterranean Kitchen

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    TAVERNA - greek - Updated May 2026

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