I'm coming out of my yelp reviewing hiatus to give flowers to this restaurant. An absolute triumph of fresh and local fusion cuisine, O was impressed by the bold flavors (squid ink pasta with fish paste) and high quality ingredients. Of note was the pork chop entree, with the pork sourced from a local farm. The pork was unbelievably tender, practically the pork equivalent of wagyu. The fat was rendered out perfectly and the chop had a smoky char, the tomato and onion sauce over the top cut through the fattiness and balanced the dish perfectly. The pork chop itself is worth traveling out of your way for, and the squid ink pasta and salmon smoked on a wood board are also highlights. The Cozy Taberna lives up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Salem. read more

The Cozy Taberna - Pork chop - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

What a find! If you ever find yourself in Salem, OR, this is a must try. Amazing, right off the stove spanish tapas with surprising friendly and attentive service! Some notable trys are the garlic shrimp, squid ink pasta, and their signature brussel sprouts! Ambiance was lively but cozy in feel! Highly recommended! read more

There's a reason that this restaurant has consistently been rated the best restaurant in Salem. Spanish tapas fusion with bright surprising flavors and a focus on local produce makes an absolutely unforgettable meal. We ordered the Patatas Bravas, Radicchio Caesar Salad, Squid Ink Pasta, Honey Brined Pork Chop, and Cedar Plank Salmon. Despite it being tapas, all the dishes were massive. The Patats Bravas had a nice crust similar to English Roast Potatoes and came with a creamy aioli and harissa brava sauce. The potatoes were a little on the tougher side, but went well with the sauce. The radicchio was perfectly fresh, crunchy sweet with a hint of bitterness and a light cesar dressing. The squid ink pasta was the most surprising dish having a definite Asian influence. It had hazelnuts and bell peppers similar to a Kung Pao stir-fry and had some sort of shrimp paste in it imparting a deep rich umami flavor throughout the dish. The meat entrees were also exceptional. The smoking of the salmon on the cedar wood imparted a lightly smoky char on the surface of the fish and it was really fatty and flaky, almost a salmon belly texture. The finely minced chimichurri sauce that came with it was mint flavored adding a nice herbyness that cut through the fish oil. The honey pork chop was my favorite dish, and probably the best pork chop I've ever eaten. It was sourced from a local farm that raised heritage breeds, and the pork was so fatty and tender that it had a wagyu like quality. The fat was so clean and it was distributed throughout the pork chop. The dish was grilled to perfection and it came with tasty tomatoes and bell peppers on top. We finished our meal off with a local Pinot noir fluffy chocolate cake. This restaurant surprised me with its bold flavors and unique takes on Spanish cuisine; better than some of the Michelin restaurants I've eaten at. read more

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This place is legit! Our party was sat down stairs and the room gave off this speak-easy vibe was awesome. Our group started with their Barrel Select Old Fashioned. SOOOO smooth! The food we got was absolutely amazing, all of it! We got the bacon wrapped dates, patatas bravas, fried brussel sprouts, the Pan con Tomate, the garlic rubbed bread, and a tomahawk steak to start. All of it was exquisite! For dessert we got this lemon tarte type dish, crème brule, and a slice of their chocolate cake. A couple people ordered espresso martinis and raved about how good they were. Our server Tiffany was a rock star! read more

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Fantastic meal! We had the olives as a starter, and the scallops, lamb, salmon, and the steak with peppers. The food was flavorful and the four of us enjoyed our meal. The cocktails were wonderful too! read more

The food was delicious. Service should have been better as they were not that full of customers. We got the check before we could order dessert or coffee, read more

Found this place on yelp and glad I stopped in. It did live up to its name being cozy what shined was the great service from the bartenders and the amazing food. Ordered the cedar plank salmon and the squid ink pasta. The salmon was good and had great flavor from the cedar. The squid ink pasta was delicious and not what I had expected. A lighter pasta with a vinaigrette base that was so good mixed with the peppers, onions and garlic. Just full of flavor! read more

The Cozy Taberna - Squid ink pasta - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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Another wonderful evening at Cozy Taberna. If you haven't tried one of their Spirt tasting nights I highly recommend it. Tonight was a tasting for Milagro Tequila. Louis, the rep, came up from Southern California and was a gracious ambassador. Bill, the proprietor of Cozy Taberna, acted as our host for the evening. The executive chef prepared a delicious tasting menu. We worked our way through 4 different varieties of tequila while Louis gave us the ins and outs of the process to grow and distill tequila. Overall this was another wonderful experience. read more

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We were visiting our son who has just moved to the Salem area, and we had a week to check out the restaurants. Cozy Taberna was our best dining overall in Salem. They are serving up Spanish inspired tapas small plates, with some large plates as well. Prices were on par compared to what we spend at home. We had a reservation at the chefs counter, and so we were able to watch all the food being prepared and served. Tons of scallops and salmon a plank were served! We did not have either of those dishes, or the burger, which looked outstanding. We enjoyed the Patatas bravas and bacon wrapped dates to start. The dates were deliciously smoky! Pasta with squid ink pasta was tasty as well, but perhaps a notch too salty for my personal taste. Service, coursing and timing were great along with a very nice waitress. We did engage a little with the chefs, but there was no welcome when we sat down. The place was hopping so we did not want to bother them much. Usually when we sit at a chefs counter it is a more welcoming , interactive and engaging experience. We will absolutely be back here on our next visit to Salem read more

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Food was delicious as always! We also had the manchego burger and squid ink pasta. Staff is always nice and attentive. read more

The Cozy Taberna - Charcuterie board. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Great flavor for the price, the bartender was really helpful to choose the right beer. read more

The Cozy Taberna - The mojito and number 6 of the beers - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Love this spot! If you need a great first date spot or even just a standard date spot, this place is perfect. Great cocktails and service.

The Cozy Taberna's entrance is in alleyway. We loved the Cedar Plank Salmon - smokey, perfectly seasoned and moist. We also liked the Pork Chops - also perfectly seasoned and moist. The Peach Blossom Kombucha was an excellent accompaniment to these entrees. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. read more

The Cozy Taberna - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Lots to love here. The shared bone-in ribeye is my favorite, although there are many glorious items on their menu. It's changed hands a couple times since opening and the staff sometimes seems overwhelmed but I think they are going their best. read more

The Cozy Taberna - None in ribeye is flawless. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Came here with the wife and some friends. Wow what cute place!! Very nice inside, the staff was amazing and kept on top of drinks and food without being bothersome. The drinks are out of this world good. The food is fun and so very yummy. The bacon dates, the cheese dumplings, the hanger steak all were just spectacular. So long story short this place is on point and has to be one of the top restaurants in Salem to get a good meal and drinks. So if you still are unsure about this place don't be. It's worth it!! read more

A great and fun tapas place. Fantastic service, lots of good shareable food options, and chill space. Entrance is off the back alley and not on Liberty St. I will definitely comeback next time I visit Salem! read more

My father and I had to come to Salem from the coast for my surgery, and we were fortunate enough to find The Cozy Taberna for my "last supper" last evening. We did not have a reservation, but they were kind enough to find us space at the bar, where our server, and one of the best bartenders my father and I had ever experienced (across Las Vegas, Dallas, TX, New Orleans and many other destinations, including International ones) -thank you, Taylor for your excellent and very patient assistance. He ordered the Vieux Carré cocktail and the presentation alone was sublime. Sangria Roja was delicious and fresh as well. We decided to split the charcuterie board, as we weren't particularly hungry (but everything on the menu looked delicious and well thought out, kudos to the Exec Chef). Every single element on the charcuterie board from the Marcona almonds, the fresh honeycomb, the terrine was stellar, the cheeses were all delightful, however the standout to us was the bleu cheese (it was gorgeous with an almond dipped in honey or as a standalone) You really cannot go wrong with anything you order here. You can tell from the design choices, the thoughtful seasonal menu, the extremely creative bar program and the well trained staff-this is a gem in Salem. We'll be back with more people (and a reservation) next time. *PS-my surgeon and the clinical staff all stated this is a favorite spot for them as locals and that Salem is fortunate to have this spot, I agree. Thank you for making an anxious evening into a lovely experience. read more

The Cozy Taberna - Charcuterie board with amazing elements - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Tucked in a little alley in Salem, Cozy Taberna lives up to its name with a warm, inviting atmosphere and an open kitchen that makes the dining experience feel personal and interactive. We were lucky to sit at the chef's seating area, which gave us a front-row view of the action in the kitchen, a real treat if you enjoy watching dishes come together in real time. We started with a simple but delicious combo: warm olives and salted almonds. Both were thoughtfully seasoned and served warm, a detail that made them feel extra comforting. I only managed to get photos of these two before we got swept up in the rest of the meal! The goat dumplings in arrabbiata sauce were unexpected, more like tender pockets of goat cheese cooked in hot water than traditional dumplings wrapped in dough but still flavorful with a pleasant kick from the sauce. The seared scallop was one of my favorites, perfectly cooked and well-seasoned. We also tried the patatas bravas, which were just okay for me, but a must-have according to my son. The meatballs, however, were a hit with my partner and son. We ended on a high note with the molten chocolate cake, which was absolutely to die for, warm, gooey, and rich with every bite. Pure molten deliciousness! If you're looking for a spot with great food, a cozy ambiance, and a bit of a hidden-gem feel, Cozy Taberna is well worth a visit read more

The Cozy Taberna - Warm olives and salty almonds - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

After an initial visit that left us slightly disappointed with the bar service, we decided to give Cozy Taberna another shot--and we are so glad we did! The stark difference in our second experience was night and day, making this visit truly exceptional. The cozy and romantic aesthetic of the restaurant remains fantastic, and the food and drink menu is still absolutely amazing. This time, however, we had the pleasure of being seated downstairs in Tiffany's section, and she was beyond stellar. Tiffany is the definition of exceptional service. She gave us a complete, helpful rundown of how they structure their tapas menu, offered fantastic recommendations, and was incredibly attentive throughout the evening. We had a great time chatting with her and her professionalism and warmth instantly made our return worthwhile. Her suggestions were perfect--she expertly helped us select a great wine and recommended the black ink pasta, which was a showstopper. Cozy Taberna, when paired with service like Tiffany's, is easily a 5-star restaurant. From now on, we will only return if we can be seated in her section! read more

We've been here a handful of times now, and it never disappoints. The service is always friendly and attentive. The food is consistently delicious. Artfully crafted cocktails (best G&Ts ever!) It's one of those places you can rely on for a great meal and a great experience. Definitely gotta try the goat cheese dumplings! Highly recommended! read more

The Cozy Taberna - Pistachio crusted lamb loin - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Nestled in downtown Salem, Cozy Taberna truly lives up to its name with a welcoming atmosphere and lively energy. All of the happy guests sets the stage for a great experience, and its no wonder locals recommend the cedar plank salmon. During my visit, I decided to try the Charcuterie Board. The presentation was on point, though I did find the portion a little small for the price. Still, a great spot for gathering with friends or enjoying a casual evening out. If you're looking for good food and a vibrant setting, is worth checking out! read more

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Great spot! The ambiance inside is slightly dark and very beautiful. The food was so delicious definitely a tapas type menu great for sharing. Forgot to take photos. But we shared the shrimp gambas, patatas bravas, goat cheese dumplings and salmon. The goat cheese dumplings are a must!! They were the star of the show. The cocktail and wine list was great. Great date night or celebration spot. Also loved the location, it's in an alley way so you don't get the noise of cars driving by. Service was also very attentive and friendly. Would definitely go back! read more

I picked this restaurant for our anniversary dinner while we were in the area celebrating. When I booked the reservation, I added a note that I would like two glasses of Sparkling Cava preset on the table upon our arrival. The day of the reservation, I received a call to confirm the reservation and they brought up the sparkling wine request. There's more to that part of the story but I'll take some fault on that one. We arrive to the restaurant and get sat immediately. As we walk up to our table, no glasses of sparkling wine preset, so we can have a cheers to our anniversary. I was very disappointed. And frankly still am. We told our server and she was quick to get us two glasses and apologized. She didn't know of the special request but tried to rectify it for us. At the end of the meal, we received our check and there it was, two glasses charged on the bill. Another missed opportunity to correct. I asked for the manager. As soon as I saw who it was, you could tell why she was being sent over to us. She was also the one who sat us and we could tell then she knew there was a large miss. She over apologized. All I wanted to do was let them know they made a big mistake and they need to learn from it. That's all I wanted from her visit to our table. The food was good, but I wouldn't choose to come for any special occasion as they showed they are not hospitality driven and can handle a simple surprise request. *the owner reached out and allowed me to tell my side of the story. I appreciated the conversation. Not all business have owners who care about each guests experience and I left feeling like he truly does. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Salem. The first time I went, I was alone and it was difficult because the menu is meant for sharing. I didn't find the staff was very helpful and figuring out the right portions. I had leftovers- which is fine- but the restaurant didn't have forks or napkins, which made it difficult to enjoy my leftovers in my hotel room. I returned with my husband in Oct 2024 and it was a much better experience once I had an eating partner. Each course was delicious and we had a great time! I highly recommend the Cozy Taberna, but it's not as enjoyable as a solo diner. read more

Wonderful restaurant in Salem. Visited this place twice during my 2 day visit to the city. We ordered their lamb chops (the best) along with garlic shrimp and sourdough bread (delicious). For desserts we ordered their cheesecake and their version of choco lava cake with ice cream. We devoured their desserts. They make some really nice cocktails - we stuck to old fashioned for both the visits. The service is great, ambience is cozy and for parking there is a garage nearby. All in all highly recommend this place in Salem. read more

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This place never disappoints! Came here for Father's Day. We had the steak, salad, scallops and the cheesecake. All very delicious and beautifully presented. Service was great as well and couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was out, had a great time! read more

The Cozy Taberna - Scallops - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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Just waddled back to our hotel completely stuffed. The food is a knockout and expertly executed. Shout out to the young grill master who just crushed it! We loved watching him flanked by two senior chefs who coached and encouraged him all evening. My husband says this is his favorite restaurant in all the northwest and we drove from Seattle! Can't wait to go back again! read more

My wife and I come here all the time. It's 100% our favorite date spot. Not only is the food consistently delicious with a vibe that is on point, the staff is incredible. We've had Sara as our server several times now and her light shines so bright in there. She always had great recommendations, has the right balance of attentive and hands off, and is quick! We love this spot so much we ended up getting eloped here in one of the booths! Also, when we never have to struggle to come up with a place to take our out of town friends because this spot is always a hit! If you are looking for a killer spot for a date night our a group outing, Cozy is IT. read more

The great ambience, good service food was good. I enjoyed myself here being far out of town and I would definitely come back.

Quick service and super yummy. Got a bunch of sharables. The brussel sprouts were my favorite. Mojito also delicious! read more

The Cozy Taberna - Sausage w chickpeas shareable - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

We slipped in for a snack on a Sunday afternoon, and grabbed a couple of things from the Starter menu. The charcuterie board was varied and full, with many things we've never tried before. We also got an order of the lamb and beef "Moorish Meatballs," which were excellent. read more

The Cozy Taberna - Moorish Meatballs - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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I want to give Cozy TWELVE stars!!! We had the most incredible dining experience!!! We sat at the kitchen counter and were placed right next to where the runners pick up the food. Several folks commented that we had the best seats in the house and they weren't wrong! All the runners, waitstaff, and the sous chef were so awesome. They answered our questions and gave us so much insight to the food and running of the service which was an incredibly well-oiled machine! We definitely got dinner and a show! We saw every option on the menu except for two things so we want to come back to order based on what we saw. Thank you so much to Bill and his incredible team! read more

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We were visiting from out of town and this place came highly recommended on Google and Yelp. We were running a tad late and got there 10 minutes after our reservation (around 8:30pm) and we were sat immediately after checking in with the hostess. There were paper menus on the table, one for drinks and one for food. The drink menu was extensive and had a very large selection of cocktails, mocktails, beers, and soft drinks. We ended getting a mocktail and a beer. For food, we ordered the Wagyu Tomahawk, asparagus, fries, and the clams. our waitress, Tiffany, recommended that we should get an extra side of bread to go with the clams, and it was amazing. The bread was nicely coated with butter and clams had a tomato base with chorizo and bacon. Asparagus was amazing with the candied pecans (eat the pecan and the asparagus in one bite, you won't regret it). We had the shoe string fries also and the garlic aioli stole the show. Last but not least, the 48oz tomahawk steak, which was topped with chimichurri and micro greens. The steak was so tender and juicy. We did not end up getting dessert. But we did highly considered the baked alaska. read more

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This place is amazing from top to bottom! The food was phenomenal. Everything our group of six ordered was fresh and delicious. Recommend sharing plates for everything because the food is portioned well to do that. The service was some of the best we have experienced anywhere in the area. Our server was sweet and patient with us as this was our first visit and we had a lot of questions. You enter the restaurant from the alley so we were pleasantly surprised at the warm and inviting interior and our cosy booth for six. My only regret is I forgot to take pictures of the food that was definitely picture worthy. We will be back! read more

Greta ambience and service. Food was amazing. Cedar plank salmon is a must get. Didn't love the fresh baked brioche... just not much wow factor (seemed like overpriced bread). read more

The Cozy Taberna - Cedar plan salmon - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

Favourite restaurant in Salem hands down. Usually get a bunch of small shareable plates which always hits but this time got a burger and it went above expectations. Drinks are gas too read more

The Cozy Taberna - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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A Lovely place to Dine in Salem!! The Food is Spectacular and the Service never disappoints!! Their Green Salad is so Delicious you will want one all for yourself even though it feeds three to four guests. Put 'Cozy' on your list as you 'Celebrate' with Friends and Family for the 'Holidays'!!! Thank You 'Cozy' for all of the 'Great Memories' we have made with our Family. 'Merry Christmas' to one and all!! read more

My wife and I had never been here before but the couple we were dining with had. We started with the salad, Brussel sprouts and asparagus: all very good, tasty and a great way to start the meal. I ordered the flat iron steak while the others all had the Bacon Manchego burger. Unfortunately, my steak came out cold the first time and by the time it came back, it was only lukewarm but the shishito peppers had steam coming off them. Of course, everyone else had finished long ago so I finished my steak so we could leave. One note about the peppers is that they leave the stems on so unless you can cut them with a knife, they're pretty much garnish. Our server, Angie, was very nice and attentive. When the check came, our friends noticed that we had been charged $8 for a soft drink refill. He questioned that and also asked that there be some consideration for my steak - in the end, she removed the refill charge and also comped the steak which was unexpected. We will probably go back but I'll most likely get the burger next time. read more

Great spot for a chill dinner! The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, perfect for winding down. The food was tasty and the prices were very reasonable--good value for the quality. Definitely a solid go-to for a low-key night out. read more

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Yummy but be warned the salads are massive! Loved the Basque cheesecake, amazing. Nice atmosphere. The chefs might be a little hot in the kitchen read more