TAVERNA

Name: TAVERNA
Address: 800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA, United States, 94301-2412
Telephone: (650) 304-3840
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1047 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

Aug 17, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 30 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 1,047 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Francisco Bay Area
Greek
Peninsula
Most Booked

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f
foodlover
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience4
Food and staff was very good although our particular waitperson was a bit distant.
WG
WilforGreatfoods
San Francisco
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
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.
C
Cossella
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cute ambience and super nice and friendly staff
E
Ezty
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
my girlfriends and i had a wonderful early dinner here, enjoying amazing service and fun servers, delicious, authentic greek food, beautiful ambience, overall a fantastic experience!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall1food2service5ambience5
I come there every week with a large crowd for business. We would prefer to order not off the fixed course meal because we have special dietary restrictions with our CEO and no exactly what we want to eat. I felt like we were forced into a fixed menu and I was embarrassed that not everybody at the table could get their usual. I want to keep this up as the place where I take my executives but not if this will be a fixed menu only in the future when I have more than six people. Thank you for considering some flexibility here. I know that we spend enough and are happy to spend more even but want to get what we want to eat that’s why we come there! For example we didn’t even get our flaming cheese that we had convinced or out of town guests was so good. It totally changes the experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Phoenix
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and amazing service! Highly recommend!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Moose, our host, and our attentive servers gave us a wonderful dining experience!
SJ
StJohnHalfpenny
London
45 reviews
vip
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on August 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely everything about our evening, every single facet, was outstanding. It was a wonderful meal.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved the food which was really exceptionally tasty and the service!
A
Anna
San Francisco
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 4, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Overall very good but Taverna needs to replace their chairs! Look nice but extremely uncomfortable.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. The service is excellent. Atmosphere is very welcoming.
F
Fletch
Austin
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our service was outstanding! We had quite the full dining experience. Moussa was delightful, engaging, attentive and served our family of five with the best care. The lamb, salad, fish were perfect and the children of course loved the hot fries, served right from the kitchen! Okay, I enjoyed them too! Great experience.
SL
SheilaL
San Francisco
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love the food and service. Service was excellent and made my birthday even more enjoyable.
HC
HollyCramber
San Francisco
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2022
overall2food1service5ambience4
Overpriced. Over -pompous. Bring back delicious Greek food and leave the showmanship behind. Also $42 drink? for a drink with rum that has food coloring in it….
R
Ronaldo
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Taverna is my very favorite restaurant. The food is spectacular and the waitstaff is the best (especially Moustafa).
I
Itiswhatitis
Central Coast
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just always a great experience for us‼️👍
C
Corky
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience4
Service was great -- seated promptly - water and waiter came quickly and were attentive and responsive throughout the entire meal. We had a very loud group behind us, but they quieted a bit when asked. Ambiance is generally quite nice either outside or in. The real problem is the food and the cost of some of the dishes. The tzatziki was a huge spoonful without much flavor and it is SO heavy.. The mint zucchini fried cakes sounded delicious but were heavy and didn't have enough mint or enough sauce (although waiter was happy to get more). Like the tzatziki they were too heavy and didn't have enough flavor. Moussaka had beautiful presentation and it was a very large portion but again, boring (although some would make the case that's just moussaka - not me). The lamb and steak were probably good, but the price was ridiculous -- I think $58 for the lamb and $72? for the steak. Since this restaurant adds a 5% living wage charge to all checks, with 15% tip and tax, the after-tax cost of each of those is roughly $75 and $93.50. I know food prices have gone up, but that just seems excessive. I feel badly writing this review, because the people are very nice. But the food is simply mediocre and overpriced. Best place for Greek is still Evvia, but impossible to get in!
SD
subuurbanchickSD
Tahoe
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Taverna is always a wonderful culinary experiece and night out! The service was especially great this time - we left our CC there after paying, and received a call a few minutes after we left - thank you Taverna!
VB
VickieB
San Francisco
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food4service4ambience5
Only one dish was not great or even good. May have been an off night for that dish. All the other food was fabulous.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
So great, the food was amazing and the team there was so helpful from the hostess to the waiter to the servers. 5 thumbs up!
AJ
AlokJ
London
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, warm and prompt service and a nice selection of wines. Not to be missed
SF
SFEATER123
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
absolutely fantastic food, simple but incredible menu.
CW
ChristineW
Miami
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on July 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Taverna is my favorite restaurant. The food and service are always impeccable. Greece is one of my favorite countries, and Taverna makes me feel like I'm back in Greece.
j
johnw
San Francisco
67 reviews
vip
4.0
67 reviews
Dined on July 11, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
We enjoyed a delicious meal in a lovely outdoor setting. We shared some small dishes: a nice fava bean puree and a slightly spicy feta spread with cucumbers. The village bread was slightly disappointing; the flaming Saganaki fun and tasty. The Maroulosalata and the chicken main course were wonderful. The friendly and chatty waiter recommended a bottle of Xinomavro, which made a good pairing. We were most impressed by the staff member who poured our water. He was observant and attentive
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on July 11, 2022
overall3food3service1ambience4
Not child friendly at all. Tiny portions for the price. Expect to spend $150/person. Flavors were good.
t
tastygirl
San Francisco
120 reviews
vip
4.0
120 reviews
Dined on July 11, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
My pork chops were fabulous..(a special) but such a huge portion. Im not sure who eats two large pork chops.. Would have been nice for the option of one or two chops. My husbands octopus was.. he said.. just ok.. The wine list was very expensive with the lowest Chardonnay at $95.00.That is crazy since we are in the wine country. We had the second Chardonnay at $120.00. Even the Village Pub offers less expensive wines that are very good. It was nice.. but for two our bill was $320.00 or something close to that. There are other places Id rather go.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 29, 2022
overall2food2service5ambience4
I had pretty high expectations for the food, but I found it really expensive for what it was. We ordered the saganaki, which was quite tasty, and a shrimp appy special ($28): four pieces of shrimp in a sauce. The flavor was outstanding, but the portion was tiny for the price. We ordered the chicken, which I believe was $39 and it was four pieces of chicken in a broth. The chicken was very disappointing. Dry, flavorless, and the broth was totally flavorless also. I am a huge fan of Evvia so I was hoping for something similar but unfortunately that chicken was super disappointing. We didn't order alcohol and our bill was $100 for two people.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 27, 2022
overall2food4service2ambience3
Had pretty good food but waiters were kind of cocky and they took forever to bring our bill. Probably the most expensive Resturant in Palo Alto … not sure why. It’s not a Michelin star Resturant..
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful setting, excellent service, and amazing food, cocktails and wine!
DF
DianeF
San Francisco
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our hostess went and set a table in shade for us without being asked. All the wait staff were gracious and welcoming. The dips were very delicious as was the Greek salad. We shared the whole fish and Hotta’s (greens) and left feeling so happy with our experience! Everyone was kind and the food is just awesome!
p
pega
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, friendly service, lovely outdoor seating
JL
JeanetteL
San Francisco
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Wonderful time! We were seated immediately at a lovely intimate table inside the restaurant. The service staff was helpful and knowledgeable and the food was delicious. We tried the original cocktails, each with a Greek spin, they were very refreshing and tasty. For starters we had the Saganaki (who can resist cheese and entertainment?) and the Oktapodaki, which was grilled to perfection and served with tangy Aegean capers and a savory sauce. For the mains we enjoyed the Moussaka and Arnaki, both delectable and full of flavor. We had a lovely time and will definitely be back!
LM
LMoore
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall1food5service1ambience5
This was the worst service I have had in many years. Firstly, my guest and I both told the hostess we were meeting each other when we arrived, but we’re seated on opposite ends of the restaurant. We only figured it out after 15min when one of us emailed. Ok, not a huge deal, but annoying. Then we ordered very promptly and we’re promptly ignored. Table after table got their lunch. We checked - no progress or apology. After more than an hour and 15min for a lunch entree (no customizations) we finally had to ask for our food to go. Again, no apology or even a thank you for our patience. Our check for 2 people (no alcohol) was over $150 and we didn’t even get to eat there!
JB
JamieB
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A friend and I took a friend who recently lost her husband. It was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy our time together in a calm, lovely environment. Delicious meal with attentive service. The salmon and chicken salad were prepared to perfection, elegantly presented, and delightful. The desserts — the SOKOLATINA and BOUGATSA — were extraordinary. I cannot recommend Taverna highly enough.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 13, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Very festive and fun experience for college graduation
N
Nelson
San Francisco
88 reviews
vip
3.0
88 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall3food5service2ambience2
Great Food! Service was mediocre. But the charged us 20% and we were only 3 people
JR
JaneR
Denver
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Very cute, very"authentic" restaurant. Expensive for what we ordered, I think.....always irritates me when an expensive restaurant doesn't automatically serve bread
Y
Yvette0125
Vancouver
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very good food and great vibe
OT
OpenTable Diner
Portland
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff was very attentive. Food was excellent.
JS
JulieS
San Francisco
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious salad, excellent desserts. Terrific service

FAQs

TAVERNA is rated 4.6 stars by 1047 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

Aug 17, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 30 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 1,047 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