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TAVERNA - Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.7
4.7
1503 Reviews
$31 to $50
Greek
A photo of TAVERNA - Palo Alto restaurant

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.7
$31 to $50
Greek
Palo Alto

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 52 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
  • 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.
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 10:30–15:45 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–15:45 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • 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
  • Area
    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 1,503 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
  • 4.4Value

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.

1,503 Reviews
  1. heather

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    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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  2. Bedros

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    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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  3. Jose

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    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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  4. konstantinos

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    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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  5. Pooja

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 7 December 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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  6. Vicky

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 6 December 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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  7. Carissa

    Des Moines

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 December 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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  8. Alis

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    THIS restaurant was an incredible experience from start to finish. Best service, best food, and a great ambiance.

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  9. Art

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a terrific place. The staff was very attentive and very accommodating of my 92-year old mother who uses a walker. Food was delicious. Service was timely and allowed us to easily get to our performance at the Lucie Stern Theater in plenty of time.

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  10. damanv

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The vibe, the decor, the people and the kitchen created one of the best lunch experiences we have ever enjoyed in the Bay Area, well done Elpida and team!

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FAQs

TAVERNA - Palo Alto is rated 4.7 stars by 1503 OpenTable diners.

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

A photo of TAVERNA - Palo Alto restaurant

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.7
$31 to $50
Greek
Palo Alto

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 52 times today
Google Map for TAVERNA - Palo Alto

800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2412

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Homer Ave
  • Area
    Palo Alto
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30–15:45 Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30–15:45 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • 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
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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