TAVERNA

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!

On Valentines Day, a brazen attempt by Taverna's management to maximize their profits at the expense of their customers was largely successful. Taverna triple over-booked their ridiculously priced Valentines Day dinner. They were easily an hour behind schedule for everyone with reservations, leaving a constant stream of 40ish people outside waiting in the cold for their table. Of course, at that point, at 8.30pm on a Friday night, it was too late to find any other restaurant with availability - believe me tried calling several. Thus, all these people were forced to just wait in the cold to eventually get a table and eat at Taverna. A few (smart ones) we talked to ended up calling it quits and went home hungry. The staff was so overwhelmed, they didn't know what to do. They were unfairly seating people out of order, losing reservations, and, even after getting seated, were super slow with service. The food tasted decent, some better than others, although obviously made in bulk and took forever to come out. Different staff would come and dump things on our table... it really felt like we were on an assembly line receiving the next dish.We were seated outdoors despite having a reservation for inside. We took the outdoor table because we got tired of waiting for an hour in the cold. Despite having "2 sets of heaters", it was still freezing. The ground heaters were purely for show - I actually went up and put my hand on the actual metal of the heater and could barely feel warmth even though I har them turn it up to full blast. Finally, as other reviewers mentioned, the chairs are horrible. After 10 mins, your butt will start to hurt. Lucky for us, we were distracted by our frozen feet. Our actual waiter was nice enough, but he can't make up for the rest of the experience. The worst part after all this? A "required" 20% tip. What a joke. One guess whether you to think I'll be back...

Disappointing. Look elsewhere. We've been a fan of Taverna since they first opened...looking for an Evvia alternative, but it's clear that things have really gone downhill. Our most recent visit was a major disappointment. During our meal, a server accidentally spilled an entire glass of red wine on me--completely drenching my shirt, pants, and jacket.I understand that accidents happen, but it's how a place handles them that matters. Instead of a sincere apology or a meaningful effort to make things right (like offering to cover cleaning costs, waive corkage, etc), we were offered a dessert we didn't even want. The gesture felt dismissive and halfhearted.Food has also been meh... nothing to rave about. Latest menu change has really limited their entree options. Chicken souvlaki, lamb chops are pretty much the only worthy meat entrees for dinner. It's disheartening to see a place we once enjoyed become so careless with customer experience. There are plenty of other great dining options in the area, and I'd recommend exploring those instead. Taverna needs to seriously reconsider their approach to service if they want to win back loyal customers.

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

AI Leaders Dinner [Encord]@Taverna PA CA Tue 12/10/24Private dinner! Talking AI business! High-tech Execs and yours truly discussing what else? The technicalities :-)©Got my invite to Encord's AI Leaders Dinner @ Taverna back in November and got excited! Meant to checkout Taverna dining for awhile, this was a perfect occasion! Arrival & Welcome Drinks after 6pm, and at 7:30pm, our Dinner begins! Our private dining experience was superb! Comforting, collaborative, simple. Taverna is conveniently situated across from Whole Foods market on Emerson in downtown Palo Alto, corner Homer. I've been to a vast variety of cuisines preceding Taverna at this location. It's Greek in this reincarnation! You'll certainly get a quaint neighborhood feeling here, and I find the spot welcoming and somewhat off the grid, given that most popular and crowded downtown restaurants sit on University Ave. The vibe at Taverna is rustic, with modern refinement! With one of its owners, Thanasis P, coming from rich Palo Alto culinary background like Evvia Estiatorio, Mayfield Bakery & Cafe nearby in PA Town & Country Village, to the Michelin-starred Village Pub in Woodside... and another, Hakan B, a world traveler, a Royal Caribbean Cruise head server, refining his kin skills for creating the comforting ambience at Evvia Estiatorio, Taverna has got its start almost 2 years, but now quite, before the dooming years of pandemic. Now in its 7th year of operations! I'm glad it survived and expanded into a neighboring space, Taverna is here to stay and has enough room for private functions!We had a 3 course set menu. Traditional modernized classics! A separate thank-you goes to Jamie S. of Encord for organizing a vibrant environment for AI Leaders to mingle and talk a little bit of business.We had Mezedakia, Entrees, and Desserts, family style! Large Party Menu is available online, all my photos are part of their expansive $125 per person menu. These guys use an abundance of local seasonal ingredients in all dishes, it's called a Hellenic cuisine! The warmth & hospitality of old world Greece makes one feel like you're dining with family! Fine wines and family times! Eat, drink, enjoy life!*When all the world is a hopeless jumbleAnd the raindrops tumble all aroundHeaven opens a magic lane to a place behind the sunJust a step behind the rainIf happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbowWhy, oh why can't I?*Cause I'm no prophet or MessiahYou should go looking somewhere higher :-))[ Review #811 w 14 pics Jan 2, 2025 ]Keep the drinks coming! PSARAKI! Deboned! Our private room table! Heartwarming! Delicious!Exquisite! Mouthwatering! Fresh homecut! Exceptional! Yummerz! ARNAKI! Grilled lamb! Superior Farms!Scrumptious! Cin Cin! Happy Holidays! AI Leaders Dinner [Encord]@Taverna PA CA Tue 12/10/24

A much needed trip to Taverna got accomplished and we were delighted with the experience. Parking is usually not a problem as there happen to be ample spots that can be picked from around the restaurant.Ambiance: Taverna exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere that transports diners to a charming Mediterranean village. The decor is elegant yet cozy, with rustic wooden tables, soft lighting, and tasteful Mediterranean accents. The outdoor patio is particularly delightful, offering a pleasant al fresco dining experience under twinkling lights. Whether for a romantic dinner or a casual meal with friends, the ambiance at Taverna is both relaxed and sophisticated.Food: The food at Taverna is a culinary delight, focusing on authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes, all prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The mezze platter is a perfect starter, with hummus, tzatziki, and dolmades that are full of flavor. The grilled octopus is tender and beautifully charred, while the lamb chops are succulent and perfectly seasoned. Vegetarian options, like the spanakopita and Greek salad, are equally impressive. The desserts, especially the baklava and loukoumades, are a sweet ending to a fantastic meal. For our dinner we ordered, a Sashimi (yellowfin Tuna) and Halloumi cheese (crispy with Honey drizzle) to begin with along with Spanakopitakia. We followed that goodness with a couple orders of the Psaraki which turned out to be extremely well cooked. We wrapped that up with an espresso , a greek coffee along with a Sokolatina and Bougatsa for our dessert selection.Service: The service at Taverna is generally excellent, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who are passionate about the menu. They are quick to offer recommendations and ensure that diners have a pleasant experience. During peak times, there can be a slight wait, but the staff's professionalism and friendliness make up for any minor delays. The overall service is warm and hospitable, enhancing the dining experience. Shoutout to Bayron, Fotis and Elo (i might have gotten that name wrong) for making our experience such wonderful.Value: Taverna offers good value for the quality of food and dining experience. The prices are on the higher side, but the portion sizes and the quality of ingredients justify the cost. It's an ideal spot for special occasions or when you're looking to indulge in a memorable meal. The overall experience, from the ambiance to the food and service, makes it worth the price (there is a living wage charge added to the bill which is about 5.00% or so).Overall:Taverna in Palo Alto is a gem for anyone seeking authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a charming and elegant setting. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and inviting atmosphere makes it a standout choice for dining in the area. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely lunch, a romantic dinner, or a celebration with friends, Taverna delivers a delightful and memorable experience.

Staff: friendly staff and they often cleaned up the table and refilled water. Table: super small especially for 4 people. We had to pace ourselves so the dishes could fit. So your starch could be separately served from your main course. Chairs: super unconformable. Nothing more to say. Food: the octopus was subpar and the texture was off. It was overcooked. The fish was bland and the lemon cream sauce made it more flavorful. The meatball was nice and moist as an appetizer.Skip the beef and lamb mashed potatoes casserole.

Best Greek Cuisine in the Bay Area (SF not included).The food is very good - Greek tradition, but adjusted to local tastes. Our favorites are the steak (ask the chef for it, as it's not on the menu) and octopus. Saganaki and spanakopita are authentic.The desserts are mind-blowing, so don't skip them! Try the BOUGATSA with pistachio ice cream and SOKOLATINA--a combination of flavors and textures! I've never had anything as great, even in Greece.The wine list is diverse but too long (out of curiosity - 11 pages!).The team is very friendly and resourceful. The place is kid-friendly, and the guests are great, all together creating a cozy atmosphere that's close to a fine-dining experience.My "two cents" for a perfect 5-star experience would be to include a classic meze plate to share on the menu and to redesign the wine list. It could benefit from a more thoughtful selection--perhaps shorter but more sophisticated--along with an expanded choice of bubbles!

ORDER THE CHICKEN GYRO. Best thing I've ever had from Taverna and best thing I've eaten in Palo Alto. I'm not joking. I had to take a break while I was eating to reflect on how amazing the flavors were in my mouth. I felt like the rat from ratatouille. 10/10. I would eat it every day if I could.....

One of the best places in the world Unique fusion of Greek Taverna and seasonal local farm-to-table culture. Delicious food, excellent service and cozy environment for any size of party