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    TAVERNA

    3.9 (569 reviews)
    PriceyGreek
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

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    TAVERNA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

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    GRANDMA'S POTATOES
    Aarti M.

    Enjoyed a recent work dinner at taverna where we had a bottle of white wine and family style dining. The service was fast and efficient and t foods just kept on coming. Some of the top highlights were the fries, tzatziki, lamb chops and Greek salad. The gigante beans and chicken skewer were decent as well. I would skip the desserts and stick to the apps and main dishes. Will be back again soon!

    Back
    Ellie A.

    As a proud Greek, I was so excited to try this place. I've been going to Evvia for years and so I wanted a change from our usual greek spot. So when u had family visiting, I didn't hesitate to book here to celebrate our special occasion. Well, after my experience I can say it was nothing special. Service was ok. Food is WAY overpriced. They charge for a bottle of water (!!!) Not even sparking water but REGULAR water. Can you believe it??? And no they never mentioned that we will pay extra for water. Last time I checked water was free!!! That was absolutely ridiculous. The bill ended up being super pricy $$$. I wouldn't say it's worth it for the price. A lot of the dishes were not filling enough so we had to get more which cost us even more $$$ I also did not feel like it was a Greek restaurant. The servers didn't know Greek, there was no Greek music, we were not welcomed into the room at all by a hostess... it was really disappointing. I've been to Greece many times and tavernas are quaint little restaurants where it is usually filled with music, warm service and delicious food, although the food was pretty good, for the price we pay I'd say it really wasn't worth it. Unfortunately I'd say if you want to come here, just be mindful of the high prices. I personally would not come back here again after this experience.

    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 .

    8oz EGGPLANT SPREAD (no pita) LOCAL LAMB CHOPS (3 PIECES)
    D S.

    It was a vibe! Enjoyed a special cocktail,eggplant spread with olive bread, lamb chops and the spring lamb special sourced locally from Dixon, CA + enjoyed a gratuitous pour of delicious wine

    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.

    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!

    CHICKEN SOUVLAKI (2 pieces)

    The food was very good and the outdoor seating is lovely! Highlights for us were definitely the whipped feta dip and chicken skewers. A little pricey but still very delicious and nice atmosphere.

    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.

    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!

    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.

    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

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

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    Kali Greek Kitchen

    Kali Greek Kitchen

    4.3
    (494 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    **vegetarian review**…read more I got the vegetarian wrap with zucchini fritters. It was delicious. Super fresh and quickly prepared. Well packed and very flavoursome.

    My company recently catered Kali Greek Kitchen through Relish, and I decided to order the chicken…read morepita wrap along with a piece of baklava for dessert. I've ordered from Kali before, but I usually go with the beef wrap since it's been my favorite item on their menu. This time, I wanted to switch things up and try the chicken version for the first time. The chicken pita wrap was decent overall and the portion size was satisfying, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The wrap had fresh ingredients and was put together well, but the flavor felt a bit lacking. It seemed like it was missing an extra seasoning, sauce, or some additional ingredient to help bring everything together. The chicken itself was also a little dry and not as juicy or tender as I had hoped, which made the wrap less enjoyable than the beef version I've had in the past. The baklava was a nice sweet treat to finish the meal. It had the classic flaky layers and sweetness you'd expect, making it the highlight of my order. While Kali Greek Kitchen is still a solid lunch option, this particular meal didn't leave a strong impression on me. Personally, when it comes to Greek-style wraps and pitas, I still prefer Nick the Greek. Their wraps tend to be more flavorful, and the meats are usually more tender and juicy. I'm glad I gave the chicken wrap a try, but next time I'd probably go back to ordering the beef wrap instead.

    Photos
    Kali Greek Kitchen
    Chicken Skewer
    Chicken Skewer
    Kali Greek Kitchen

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    Anatolian Kitchen

    Anatolian Kitchen

    4.4
    (198 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

    Photos
    Anatolian Kitchen
    Veg Platter - would definitely recommend to get it
    Veg Platter - would definitely recommend to get it
    Lamb shish kebab

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    Lamb shish kebab
    Barbayani Taverna

    Barbayani Taverna

    4.1
    (167 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.

    This is a nice restaurant where you can eat indoors or outdoors. Our waiter Allen was very helpful…read moreand friendly, and gave us some really good suggestions. From those recommendations we ended up ordering, the Barbayani Pikilia, Octapodi, Moussaka, Lavraki, Paidakia, the Galaktoboureko, and the Whisper cocktail. We got the Barbayani Pikilia as a tasting platter, which had their House-Made Pita Bread along with a Pomegranate Dip, Tiroakafteri (a dip of Feta, Garlic, and Red Bellpepper), Tzatziki (a dip of Greek Yogurt, Cucumber, and Dill), Melitzanosalata (a dip of Roasted Eggplant and Herbs). All of it wasn't bad, but our favorite was the Melitzanosalata and Tzatziki for their fresher taste. The other dips, especially the Tirokafteri was our least favorite since it was so heavy with all the Feta in it. The Octopodi had one Charbroiled Octopus Tentacle with Red Wine Vinaigrette, Oregano, and the House Pesto Sauce. The Octopus was cooked perfectly tender, and had a fresh taste with the sauces. The Moussaka was a casserole with Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Eggplant, Lamb Ragout, and Bechamel Sauce. This whole dish blended together nicely, especially with the Bechamel Sauce. The Lavraki was a whole Mediterranean Seabass, which was cooked perfectly and was nice and flakey. The Potatoes and Braised Greens were also cooked nicely and had great flavor. The Paidakia was Lamb Chops with Potatoes and Greens, which also had good flavor and was cooked perfectly. The Galaktoboureko was a nice finish for dessert, being mild in sweetness, and having nice textures combining the Semolina Custard with Phyllo Dough. The Whisper cocktail had Thyme Gin, Elderflower, Ginger, and Chamomile, which really blended well together. Thankfully it wasn't too sweet and had the right amount of alcohol. However, the later service we received or should I say, didn't receive put a damper on our evening. After our original waiter left, another waiter took over who completely ignored us and never came to check on us. Also, when we had our meals boxed up, the waiter that boxed them threw out some of the dishes, which we later realized when we got home. Overall, everything was cooked perfectly and well made, however some of the customer service needs some work.

    Photos
    Barbayani Taverna
    Barbayani Taverna
    Red Wine Poach Pear

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    Red Wine Poach Pear
    Arya Steakhouse

    Arya Steakhouse

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Service/Food: Everyone specially Avi our host was seriously exceptional! From the start, he treated…read moreis us specially well. When we ordered 2 cowboy rib eye, 1 NY steak, 1 porterhouse- he asked us if we were sharing and of course we were - he offered to bring it in on a big tray which was excellent! The steaks were perfectly done! The sides were had cesar salad, the twice baked baked potato, the mixed vegetables were all excellent! The appetizers- bread basket, mushrooms and octopus were also 10/10.. Our dessert-the Pistachio Cheesecake is the best! We are so happy to be at this place! Everyone was checking on us, making sure our drinks were poured, that we were okay and if we needed anything else! Better than the highly rated steak houses..This will always be our go to Steak house on our special family occasions.. By the way our drinks were also the best! The cucumber spritzer, the watermelon, the soju and the mixed Crown Royal with Canadian whiskey.. Thank you for taking care of us so well..

    Food in this place is delicious. We ordered lots of things and it was all tasty. Unfortunately our…read more90 minutes drive was for the tomahawk, even though they have tomahawk but they can't cook it as a whole, they can cook it cut in pieces. I understand people may be ok with that, but not for me. They said they can cook it but will be 35 to 40 minutes and we said that is perfectly fine and understood. But 20 minutes in, the Chef came in gracefully to share that he can't cook it, and he will bring it now, and if we slice it and don't like it, he can then cook the slices. Me and my son thought that we should be able to eat it, even if it was a bit on the rare side, and we did. It wasn't the perfect situation for us, which is the 3 stars, but it wasn't bad. Moral of the story, if you like your tomahawk cooked in one piece, this is not the place for you. For me if it is slices, then it is no longer tomahawk but rather sliced steaks and that's not why I am here. Will we go there again? Most probably, but 100% not for tomahawk.

    Photos
    Arya Steakhouse
    Red Velvet Salmon
    Red Velvet Salmon
    Arya Steakhouse

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    Mykonos Meze

    Mykonos Meze

    4.5
    (1k reviews)
    13.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    16 years in business

    Mykonos Meze is a wonderful, family restaurant with fantastic food in Burlingame downtown. We were…read morelooking for a place for dinner, heard rowdily happy noises from what looks like a parking lot, and found a Greek restaurant with large family groups inside and tables outside under an extension with floral decor. The place is quite pretty. We opted for a small table outside , which is much quieter. Our waiter was a bit stiff around the collar. I suspect he is an old timer, and clearly, we are not regulars. Regardless, the food is great, and the prices are reasonable. The Food: Zucchini Cake, $15 - 4.5 Stars Menu: crispy zucchini cakes with cucumber & mint-yogurt dressing These cakes are ball shaped, deep fried, and made a healthy veggie taste naughty type of good. Very yummy. Lol Tzatziki, $9 - 5 Stars Refreshing and delicious, the tzatziki is an excellent complement to the meal. Octopus, $19 - 5 Stars I really need to stop eating octopus, but when I am in a Greek or Spanish restaurant, I am weak. Grilled octopus legs are soooo good. Their version is grilled just right, not too much char, plus they smartly removed the hardened tips (common) before serving. See photo. Lamb Shank, $34 - 5 Stars Menu: aromatic braised lamb shank with orzo & myzithra cheese The lamb meat is tender and falls off the bone. It is cooked just right. Mykonos Souvlaki, $31 - 5 Stars Menu: herbs marinated tenderloin, shallot & rosemary skewers I enjoy a tasty protein and produce meal, and this dish is perfection with tender pieces of tenderloin over a pile of veggies. It is everything I want.

    I've had this place bookmarked for a while as a connoisseur of Mediterranean mezze plates. Do…read moreyourself a favor and try to make a reservation OR get lucky and they'll have a seat for you at the bar. This place can get crowded and loud - brings me back to my college days. However, thank god the food itself is not reminiscent to my college's dining commons. Now if you want to try a little bit of every dip, just ask for the sampler. And if you do get the sampler, the red/orange dip is my favorite. It's nutty with a little bit of a spice. I have no idea which dip it is on the menu and I'm scared to steer my yelp fans wrong (However looking at the menu, it might be the Tirokafteri. Hold the applause guys, I just looked for whichever dip said "spicy"). Next, my recommended dishes are the Dolmathes, the Lamb Riblet, the Fishermen's Pasta, and the Traditional Moussaka. If you really want to do yourself a favor and practice some self-love, you'd get the Fishermen's Pasta. Hands down the best dish I've tried here. The sauce was bursting with so much flavor that I almost developed synesthesia but for food. The Lamb Riblet was also a great standout because it fell off the bone so easily that I almost took the bones home to give to my dog (I don't have a dog). There was only one dish that was a bit disappointing and that was the Short Rib Pasta. Lack of flavor. Tasted like cardboard compared to everything else. Not that I know what cardboard tastes like but that's what I imagine it to be like. I'd avoid that dish unless you're a cat who's teething and needs to bite into some cardboard then you should go for it.

    Photos
    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Grilled octopus
    Grilled octopus
    Saghanaki

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    Saghanaki
    Real Mediterranean Kitchen

    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
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    TAVERNA - greek - Updated July 2026

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