TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.7 (1565)

$31 to $50

Greek

800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2412

Make a reservation

2 people

May 4, 2025

May 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 42 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem
Charming

For centuries, a taverna has been a neighborhood gathering place where friends can meet to eat, drink and enjoy life. Taverna co-founders Thanasis Pashalidis and Hakan Bala were raised with a shared ethical compass, which the Greeks call "philotimo" or "love of honor". Family and friends are their ingredients of life, and they believe that nutrition, happiness and health are all directly correlated. Both partners have been culturally influenced by the remedies of the old world and incorporate them into the lifestyle of Taverna. Both have an "ethos" that drives them and inspires others to live fully, which they consider the flavor of life's success. They understand that life is to be enjoyed and that time is of the essence. They are aware that every day is a gift.

Taverna has been created to make people happy and feel alive.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Greek, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:45 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(650) 304-3840
Website
http://tavernarestaurant.net/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Thanasis Pashalidis & Hakan Bala
Private party facilities
Taverna Restaurant offers private and large party dining for up to 50 guests in our private event room. Taverna’s event room is ideal for corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and special occasions. Choose between one our three family style menus.
Private party contact
Thanasis Pashalidis or Hakan Bala: (650) 304-3840

Location
800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2412
Neighborhood
Palo Alto
Cross street
Homer Ave
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Mother's Day Brunch $85 per guest
$85.00 per person
May 11, 2025 only
Come celebrate Mother's Day brunch with us, $85 per person. Pre-set menu visit tavernarestaurant.net to view menu
Mother's Day Dinner $99 Per Guest
$99.00 per person
May 11, 2025 only
Mother's Day Dinner $99 Per Guest visit tavernarestaurant.net to view menu

Private dining

Popular dishes

GAVROS MARINATOS $5.95
Marinated Spanish white anchovies / house fermented toursi
TAVERNA CAVIAR $99.00
Two ounces Royal Kaluga caviar / yogurt creme fraiche / potato chips
SASHIMI $29.75
Pacific yellowfin tuna sashimi / avocado mousseline / allium
DIPS choice of TZATZIKI, MELITZANOSALATA, FAVA, SPICY FETA, TARAMA (each 11.75)
DOLMATHAKIA$10.75
Stuffed Napa Valley grape leaves / diced local vegetables / soft herbs
HALLOUMI $18.95
Crispy halloumi cheese / spiced Athenian honey drizzle
SPANAKOPITAKIA$12.50
Savoy spinach / feta / leeks / dill & aromatic herbs / phyllo
KOLOKITHOKEFTEDES $19.75
Crispy zucchini cakes / Epirus feta / mint yogurt
KEFTEDAKIA$12.50
Cast iron fried Greek meatballs / Greek yogurt / red onions
FTEROUGES $12.95
Crispy chicken wings / choice of lemon pepper or spicy / creamy feta dip

SMALL PLATES

AVGOLEMONO SOUPA$10.75
Classic Greek egg lemon soup / Sonoma chicken broth
HORIATIKI SALATA$19.95
Greek village salad / local tomatoes / cucumbers / Epirus feta / olives
PANTZARIΑ$12.50
Chilled roasted baby beets / Gilroy garlic / soft herbs
KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA $19.95
Crispy Monterey Bay calamari / citrus / herb aioli
OKTAPODAKI $22.95
Grilled Spanish octopus / Santorini fava / Aegean capers
SAGANAKI$19.50
Flamed Kefalograviera / fig marmelada / sunflower seeds / Metaxa
GARIDES SKARAS$27.95
Grilled wild Gulf prawns / blistered shishito peppers / skordolado
MAKARONAKIA$15.50
Rigatoni pasta / tomato / tsipouro / graviera cheese
PLEVRAKIA $18.95
Local Superior Farms lamb riblets / smoked paprika puree

ENTREES

SOLOMOS$36.50
Ora King salmon fillet / chickpea rataouille / sauce vierge
PSARAKI $45.95
Deboned ouzo steamed whole fish / capers / tomatoes / saffron / ladolemono
SOUVLAKI SALATA $28.95
Grilled Sonoma chicken skewers / butter lettuce / avocado / mizithra
KOTOPOULAKI $32.50
Roasted Sonoma young chicken / mashed potatoes / brassicas / sage
PLAKI $29.75
Baked gigante beans stew / tomato & onion sofrito / herbed feta / Cretan dakos
GYRO$22.50
Choice of grilled Sonoma chicken, marinated pork or veggie gyro sandwich / fries
TAVERNA BURGER $22.50
½ pound Prime steak burger / Kasseri / fries / homemade brioche
MOUSSAKA$39.75
Braised beef & lamb casserole / eggplant / potatoes / Graviera mornay
ARNAKI
Local Superior Farms lamb rib chops / potatoes
- two chops $39.50
- three chops $59.25

DRINKS

GREEK MINERAL WATER $6.95
MYTHOS GREEK BEER $5.00
200ML TSIPOURO IDONIKO $15.00
200ML OUZO OF PLOMARI $15.00
50ML DON JULIO 1942 $19.42

SIDES

FETA & OLIVES $6.50
KASSERI CHEESE $5.50
HOUSEMADE PITA BREAD $2.50
VILLAGE BREAD ROLL $4.50
GREEK FRIES $5.50
POTATO WEDGES $5.50
HOUSEMADE CHIPS $3.50
GREEK SPICY PEPPERS $5.50
STEAMED HORTA GREENS $6.50
MASHED POTATOES $5.50
ORZO PASTA $5.50

What 1,565 people are saying

TAVERNA - Palo Alto reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Greek

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Taverna in Palo Alto delights with "superb cocktails, wine, and dishes," offering a "special evening" with "attentive and gracious" staff. The "best Greek restaurant in the Bay Area" boasts "incredible food," a "lively atmosphere," and "authentic Greek decor." Guests rave about the "phenomenal" experience and "outstanding service."

1,565 Reviews

O
Olga VIP
New York City15 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food and service. Very knowledgeable servers.
Is this helpful?
J
Jerry VIP
San Francisco104 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The quality of the ingredients is what sets Taverna apart from many other restaurants. Our cocktails, wine, appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts were superb. This was a special evening.
Is this helpful?
D
Donna
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful ambiance and service. food was excellent.
Is this helpful?
R
Rocky
San Francisco4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outdoor experience is much quieter than inside. Service is old school and impeccable.
Is this helpful?
R
Renee
Philadelphia1 review
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic restaurant and experience. The staff was attentive and gracious. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
J
John VIP
San Antonio45 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very attentive staff. Food is very good. Prices are quite fair.
Is this helpful?
R
Robin
San Francisco7 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The food was excellent. Service was perfect. Very attentive. The only thing was they were playing pop music from the 80’s & 90’s. I enjoyed it, but my companions felt it took away from the Greek dining experience.
Is this helpful?
s
shuting VIP
San Francisco3 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The special duck confit is very good, pre-course little bites sent by chef is incredibly good. Whole fish is the go-to dish, never goes wrong
Is this helpful?
R
Robin VIP
San Francisco18 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic first experience at Taverna. Will definitely ole back for dinner
Is this helpful?
A
Aram
San Francisco1 review
1.0
Dined on April 3, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We payed $152 per person (no drinks)!! The food was ok at best. Ridiculously overpriced for an average food.
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FAQs

TAVERNA - Palo Alto is rated 4.7 stars by 1565 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Booked 42 times today

Experiences are available.

800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2412

Additional information

Cross street
Homer Ave
Neighborhood
Palo Alto
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–3:45 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:45 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Greek, Farm-to-table
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Thanasis Pashalidis & Hakan Bala
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://tavernarestaurant.net/
Phone number
(650) 304-3840
Private party facilities
Taverna Restaurant offers private and large party dining for up to 50 guests in our private event room. Taverna’s event room is ideal for corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and special occasions. Choose between one our three family style menus.
Private party contact
Thanasis Pashalidis or Hakan Bala: (650) 304-3840

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Mother's Day Brunch $85 per guest

Mother's Day Dinner $99 Per Guest

Taverna PDR

Custom inquiry

Moussaka

Saganaki

Arnaki

BITES

GAVROS MARINATOS $5.95

TAVERNA CAVIAR $99.00

SASHIMI $29.75

DIPS choice of TZATZIKI, MELITZANOSALATA, FAVA, SPICY FETA, TARAMA (each 11.75)

DOLMATHAKIA$10.75

HALLOUMI $18.95

SPANAKOPITAKIA$12.50

KOLOKITHOKEFTEDES $19.75

KEFTEDAKIA$12.50

FTEROUGES $12.95

SMALL PLATES

AVGOLEMONO SOUPA$10.75

HORIATIKI SALATA$19.95

PANTZARIΑ$12.50

KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA $19.95

OKTAPODAKI $22.95

SAGANAKI$19.50

GARIDES SKARAS$27.95

MAKARONAKIA$15.50

PLEVRAKIA $18.95

ENTREES

SOLOMOS$36.50

PSARAKI $45.95

SOUVLAKI SALATA $28.95

KOTOPOULAKI $32.50

PLAKI $29.75

GYRO$22.50

TAVERNA BURGER $22.50

MOUSSAKA$39.75

ARNAKI

DRINKS

GREEK MINERAL WATER $6.95

MYTHOS GREEK BEER $5.00

200ML TSIPOURO IDONIKO $15.00

200ML OUZO OF PLOMARI $15.00

50ML DON JULIO 1942 $19.42

SIDES

FETA & OLIVES $6.50

KASSERI CHEESE $5.50

HOUSEMADE PITA BREAD $2.50

VILLAGE BREAD ROLL $4.50

GREEK FRIES $5.50

POTATO WEDGES $5.50

HOUSEMADE CHIPS $3.50

GREEK SPICY PEPPERS $5.50

STEAMED HORTA GREENS $6.50

MASHED POTATOES $5.50

ORZO PASTA $5.50

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is TAVERNA - Palo Alto restaurant rated?

Is TAVERNA - Palo Alto currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information