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TAVERNA - Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

TAVERNA - Palo Alto

4.8
4.8
1536 Reviews
$31 to $50
Greek

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 46 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighbourhood 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 Daily 4:00 pm–9:00 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
  • Neighbourhood
    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 1,536 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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Greek

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Taverna in Palo Alto is celebrated for its "amazing food and welcoming service," providing a delightful Greek dining experience. The "lamb chops and Greek salad" are standout dishes, and the restaurant's atmosphere is described as "cozy and unpretentious." Guests appreciate the "attentive staff" and the restaurant's ability to accommodate diverse needs.

1,537 Reviews
  1. Steve

    VIP

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We didn’t have a good dining experience all the way around. Food was cold and just average for the price. We will not be back.

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  2. alan

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Valentine’s Day reservations overbooked. At least 45 minute wait.

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  3. Mario

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    If the service is 20% included during valentines, servers could have been more attentive. I like to pay my service based on how well it was

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  4. Nivedita

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was great and the ambience was very cosy. The restaurant had overbooked on Valentine’s Day though. We had to wait for 45 min to get our table.

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  5. Courtenay

    VIP

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a lovely evening! The food was fantastic… So was the wine and bar selection. The acoustic panels make the room, cozy and quiet despite being full of people. The waiters could not have been more attentive.  it was all around a five star experience and we can’t wait to go back. 

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  6. Serhat

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We recently dined at this wonderful gem in Palo Alto and had an unforgettable experience! As a party of two, we kicked off our evening with the Xinomavro wine and a refreshing Kickstarter cocktail. To our delight, the chef sent out a small corn soup as a complimentary starter, which was absolutely delightful. For appetizers, we ordered the tarama and keftedakia. Each bite was perfect, and we were happily enjoying them alongside our drinks. We also had the Greek salad and saganaki, the latter of which was flamed right at our table — a fun and impressive touch! The staff was friendly, professional, and very meticulous, taking the time to explain the ingredients of each dish. Our server, Andres, took exceptional care of us and ensured our experience was nothing short of perfect. A big thank you to him for making our evening special! For the main course, I opted for the Psaraki whole fish, and my guest had the Mousakka. Both dishes were exceptional and absolutely worth trying! The portion sizes are thoughtfully designed so you can enjoy a variety of flavors from the menu. This restaurant provides a top-tier dining experience that suits any budget. It’s truly a hidden gem in Palo Alto, and we can’t recommend it enough. We will definitely be back!

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  7. Gavin

    VIP

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, top-notch service. We had a great time with 3 adults and one infant.

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  8. Arman

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and wine. Incredible ambiance. The winter beef was out of this world. Lamb chops accompanied by duo of potatoes, baked potatoes and super-mashed potatoes was incredible. The octopus was amazing. Owners Thanasis and Hakan give meticulous attention to their food and service. Our waiter gave us outstanding service. I give highest recommendation for Taverna. You should go and enjoy the restaurant.

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  9. Anna

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very good good, nice presentation, attentive and helpful service. A little pricey, but well worth it

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  10. Louise

    VIP

    N. Ireland

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything from the food to the service was outstanding. Waiters were all very helpful, friendly and professional. Food was served quickly and each dish was delicious. We will definitely be back.

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FAQs

TAVERNA - Palo Alto is rated 4.8 stars by 1536 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 p.m.
Booked 46 times today
Google Map for TAVERNA - Palo Alto

800 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2412

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Homer Ave
  • Neighbourhood
    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
  • 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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