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TAVERNA - Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.8
4.8
1506 Reviews
$31 to $50
Greek

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 29 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
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.
Private dining

Private dining

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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 Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (650) 304-3840
  • 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
  • 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

What 1,506 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Greek

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Taverna in Palo Alto offers a charming Greek dining experience with consistently "amazing food and service." Guests rave about the "exceptional" lamb, octopus, and tzatziki, complemented by a "nice wine list." The outdoor seating is perfect for special occasions, and the ambiance makes you feel "transported" to Greece.

1,506 Reviews
  1. Sina

    Indiana

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Best Greek Restaurant. Best Lamb Items in Bay Area!

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  2. Leslie

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding food and attentive service. We’ll be going back to this place.

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  3. Priscilla

    VIP

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Always good food & generally good service tho’ too busy today

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  4. heather

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Starters are delicious. Dolmades and spanakopita and tzatziki with pita were a good way to start. Two of us had the lamb chops option - and 2 chops per person was a very generous portion. The other guests had the lamb riblets as their main course, and these were succulent. Dessert - we shared a baklava. Enough for 4 person.Service was attentive and knowledgeable. Not intrusive. We weren't rushed, but given enough time to dine in a relaxed fashion. Only caveat - noise level is high and this makes it hard to have a 4 wasy conversation.

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  5. Bedros

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is excuisity prepared. Staff very responsive. It’s like family.

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  6. Jose

    VIP

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our first time at Taverna to celebrate our mother’s 25th work anniversary at Stanford. Manuel & Byron were amazing, they ensured every need was met, and guided us in making sure we had just the right amount of food. We loved the experience and hope to be back. Derya helped me with the details for the group of 13 and was kind, flexible & thoughtful. Highly recommend - ask for Manuel and Byron!

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  7. konstantinos

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As a Greek, I avoid "Greek" restaurants like the plague. Their food has "Greek names " but tastes anything but Greek. The "Greek" restaurant has familiar food but tastes slightly off because the owner and chef are Turkish. Those restaurants have the same relationship to Greek food, that Orange Chicken has to Chinese food. Taverna is excellent Greek food. The ownership group is a Greek family from Northern Greece. And of all the people in Greece, the Northern Greeks understand good food. Are the dishes authentic? No, and you wouldn't want the authentic dishes. What you want is food that has the flavor profile of Greek food. A Horiatiki only has tomatoes, olives, peppers and onions and FETA in a single block. I could go on. I love the place, and it's my go to place.

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  8. Pooja

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful time catching up with friends after many years. We spent 4 hours in the restaurant and did not feel rushed at all.

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  9. Vicky

    VIP

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was so slow. We arrived on time for our reservation and while we were seated promptly, getting waters/orders taken took a long while. Food was tasty: salads are especially fresh and flavorful. Once the meal got going, service improved re: topping off our glasses and clearing plates. Ambience is so nice, that I'd return but be sure to allot more than 90 minutes for the meal.

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  10. Carissa

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    the food and service were amazing! would definitely recommend!

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FAQs

TAVERNA - Palo Alto is rated 4.8 stars by 1506 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 29 times today
Google Map for TAVERNA - Palo Alto

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 Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 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
  • 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
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  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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