TAVERNA

Name: TAVERNA
Address: 800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA, United States, 94301-2412
Telephone: (650) 304-3840
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

1085 Reviews

$31 to $50

Greek

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 4, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 120 times today

Experiences are available.

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
Greek, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(650) 304-3840
Website
http://tavernarestaurant.net/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Nikos Moulinos
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, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

LARGE PARTIES FAMILY STYLE MENUS
$95.00 per person
Multiple dates available
TAVERNA offers private and group dining for up to 60 guests. Family style menus are offered for all parties greater than 6 guests. TAVERNA offers three “family style” menus to choose from at $55 (lunch only) menu, $75 menu, $95 menu, and $125 menu per guest (please click on the bold pricing to view each menu). Exclusive buyouts are available with food and beverage minimums of $1,000 for lunch and $3,500 for dinner (Sunday thru Thursday) and $6,000 for dinner (Friday and Saturday). For larger events, TAVERNA can host a total of up to 110 guests in a buyout of both dining rooms. To inquire about booking events or group dining, please email events@tavernarestaurant.net.

Popular dishes

What 1,085 people are saying

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
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Greek

Sort by

Filters

OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall1food2service1ambience2
We love supporting local businesses. The waiters really don’t want to work. They are all standing around and drinking wine all the time. Knocked over my bag since they had to run back to their wine glasses. TIROKAFTERI had no peppers or spice in it. Was an orange lump made with carrots? The steak was rare, not medium rare. No one bothered to check if the food was right. The garlic in the steamed fish was raw. The baklava was yucky. The eggplant spread was not made fresh, was refrigerated I guess. The pita was not warm or tasty, gross. There was a large party in the same room and randomly loud party style music was played with no warning. At $500+ tab for 4 people this is not the experience we signed up for. We had to ask for serving utensils all the time. Do not recommend.
ND
NathalieD
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Every dish was delicious, we loved the ambience. Great service, plan on going back!
m
missella
New York Area
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall3food3service1ambience2
We used to love this place, but service is just horrible. Food takes forever and it’s so hard to get a waiter’s attention. It’s unfortunate because the restaurant is beautiful
TP
TiffanyP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
We love Taverna! Thanks for another great experience!
KB
KarenB
San Francisco
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience3
Having just been to Greece, we wanted Greek food again. This was delicious - the saganaki was yummy and the village salad as well. The moussaka was a little heavy and not as fine as we had in Greece. In Santorini they did not add potatoes.. I say that knowing each island and Provence has its own “take” on it. I enjoyed the wait staff. We were on a tiny table for 4 (much like Greece.) next time I would not eat on the side of the restaurant.
FB
FrancoisB
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great dinner with outstanding wine and super professional service in a real Greek environment
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food and wine btg in addition to the service were excellent. My best experience here to date! Owner checked in a few times as well. Enjoy their outdoor seating.
j
jenp
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
SO much fun! Best service, food and atmosphere! Gorgeous place with great vibe!
JG
JenniferG
Los Angeles
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful, authentically Greek cuisine and friendly, sweet service! Love, love, love!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a delight!
CP
CindyP
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best meal and service I have had in a long time. Highly recommend Taverna!
GC
GregC
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great host, interesting, tasty food
E
Eric
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very friendly staff. Saganaki was fun and delicious. Zucchini cakes were another highlight
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2022
overall2food2service4ambience4
Decent service, mediocre bland food, high prices
M
Mlabistro
San Francisco
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience2
The food was quite good but the prices were over the top. Greek food is by and large a humble cuisine and not difficult to make so prices should be reasonable. Second, the music was frenetic and too loud. I prefer traditional ethic Greek music which allows a person to eat in a relaxed way instead of rushing and getting an upset stomach.
FD
FamilyDiner
San Francisco
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Food was good. Not a lot of non-meat choices. A little overpriced.
SL
ScottL
San Francisco
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Always delicious. Service is really excellent. Lovely ambience (on the terrace). Just really pricey...
DB
DocB
San Francisco
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service at Taverna was immaculate. We were celebrating a friend's birthday. We had the perfect table and great guidance on selecting options for our table and culinary needs. Ariana greeted us wonderfully. Mustafa and ALL the servers timed the drinks and food flawlessly. It was truly a magical experience for our party of 6! We can't wait to return for another evening of bliss and fun.
SN
SN1974
San Francisco
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a lovely experience. Service was slow initially, but got better as the night progressed. Our server was very attentive and efficient. The food was amazing, especially the saganaki, the whole fish, and plaki.
AJ
AlokJ
London
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A warm and wonderful experience end to end.
TS
TashaS
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Really loved the music and ambiance. The service is very friendly and the menu is rich in variety - very good for groups, especially those with vegetarian friends.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service!
MW
MissyW
San Francisco
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely experience all around - staff, food, drinks were all exceptional - thank you!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. It’s always my first choice in Palo Alto. Service from the Hostess, wait staff and bus people is second to None Anywhere.
MW
MichelleW
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time there and I can't wait to go back! Beautiful atmosphere, felt like I was in Europe. Food was amazing and the staff and servers were fabulous. Outstanding!
DI
DavidI
San Francisco
9 reviews
vip
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Good meal overall, have visited restaurant in the past and something seemed a bit off, hence why the 4 My chicken was expecting it to be hot but it's warm, so assuming they cooked too quickly vs the other plates. It was still good and ambiance and service were good
AC
AnneC
San Francisco
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday -- great experience
MA
MeAndJ
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and great food and beverages. Beautiful ambiance. There were four of us and we ordered several small plates including the zucchini fritters. We were not told there were only three fritters, not four. When they were brought to our table, our server said he took the liberty of adding another and we said thank you so much. To us that meant he added a fourth fritter w/o charge. However, we were charged $6 for the fourth fritter. He should have handled that differently by telling us there were only three and asked if we would like to buy another? Or simply add the fourth and don't charge the $6. Our lunch bill was $300. I'm quite taken aback that he charged us and didn't give us the option before doing so. We will go back but we will certainly stay alert to this behavior.
H
fcHolz
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb service led by Antonio and team Great food (as always) Despite expanding tables during the height of the pandemic, I was pleasantly surprised to see that food continues to impress and the menu continues to evolve and stay fresh
h
hja2
Detroit
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Very good! Will return gladly. Service was excellent and food top notch.
JP
JulieP
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious, creative, and special. And the service was the best I’ve ever experienced. They enhanced our dinner in such a fun and lovely way. This was an exceptional staff and made for a beautiful and memorable dinner. Wow.
SK
SusanK
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great quality and excellent service. A most enjoyable evening! I will go back.
C
Charles
San Francisco
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 23, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Really nice setting with very attentive staff. Tasty food and drinks.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience4
The music was too noisy. We couldn’t hear each other.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is my new favorite restaurant for business. The staff is amazing with delicious food every time I visit.
PM
PhilipM
San Francisco
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A PA favorite
j
jensinoz
San Francisco
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
This is a beautiful Greek restaurant with authentic style and attentive staff. The food was wonderful. A great place to take a date.
G
Gerilou
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 19, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Food was delicious and the staff was most accommodating. We were 3 friends getting together for the first time in 18 months. We appreciated their patience with us. The salmon was excellent, especially the crispy skin!
f
foodlover
San Francisco
21 reviews
vip
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Food and staff was very good although our particular waitperson was a bit distant.
WG
WilforGreatfoods
San Francisco
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and wine served by attentive staff in a timeless setting. For 90 minutes we were transported to the Greek Mediterranean, feasting on tender calamari, grilled octopus, smooth feta with olives, fabulous moussaka, and sautéed greens. Top notch baklava and chocolate mousse with raspberry to finish.

FAQs

TAVERNA is rated 4.7 stars by 1085 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 4, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 120 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
Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
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
Nikos Moulinos
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Corkage Fee, 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

TAVERNA

Make a reservation

Private dining

Additional information

Experiences

LARGE PARTIES FAMILY STYLE MENUS

Popular dishes

Saganaki

Fries

Pita

Menu

What 1,085 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is TAVERNA restaurant rated?

Is TAVERNA currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information