Lunch was divine. Quiet afternoon. Moussaka tasted like Greece. Taramasalata smooth w hint of lemon. Beet salad was unexpectedly great. First time having it w Greek fare. Patates perfectly marinated, lemon, olive oil, oregano. BBQ chicken spot on - moist, flavorful & chopped up for easy eating. Rizogalo creamy & just right sweet. Stuffed but happy. Highly recommend. Gem to share w fam & friends.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
Matt D
Come for grill Sundays, stay for the hospitality and other food. The grilled pork and chicken is truly as good as it gets. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.
Edit April 2024: is there someone new managing this place or owner is getting burnt out from the popularity and constant drone of high-bar (success can be its own challenge!)? knocking down two stars. Taverna is still good. But we made a reservation for 5:30pm. The restaurant had maybe five parties in it at that point. We were then instructed, as we were led to our tables that we were “required” to be wrapped up by 7pm. We all (parents and everyone) looked at each other in sort of disbelief that a host would even say that, first of all.It gets more cringey.While the service and meal were fine; when we went to order more food and another round of drinks (an HOUR before our “deadline”), THE SERVER REMINDED US THAT WE NEEDED TO LEAVE THE TABLE in an hour and was hesitant to take an order for more items. On an early table reservation. However we did order more and we were still up and out slightly after 6:30pm so the drama about having to wrap up our meal by 7pm was entirely unnecessary and embarrassing given we brought out-of-town guests here and talked it up.We were all really surprised and then aback by the rude and tone-deaf approach here tonight.I would hope the owners/GM notice this because whatever happened what was a great experience over the past couple of years was ruined by some people that were not being very customer friendly.Edit April 2024: I agree here with reviews below and restaurant response that “turning tables” became the priority and that customer experience and quality suffered. Our bill for four people was $214 plus tip, so I want to be sure in that situation not to be insulted, rushed, experiencing a stressed-out server, or getting soggy or rushed food, and not getting scooted out the door.Old review 2023: Taverna is fantastic. Exceeded all expectations - staff, food, service, drinks. Everything was delicious and so fresh. And it’s a nice chill ambiance, enough but not over-the-top. Had dinner, but looking forward to enjoying the brunch!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Marilyn Lindsay
A bit loud but the food and service more than make up for it. Favorite was the spanikopita and tzatziki. The retsina is surprisingly smooth and pairs well with the food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Horiatiki Salad, Tzatziki
AJ
Great lighting and very enjoyable ambiance. Much better than the photos show! Our waitress seemed wildly uninterested, slammed things on the table and all of our food (four courses) came out within five minutes. The warm plates were soggy by the time we got to them. The clean up crew was aggressively clearing out plates. Overall felt like they wanted us in and out within 20 minutes which doesn’t match their prices. Food was overall okay, a little bit underseasoned appetizers and way over seasoned Moussaka. Was still great to see so many people dining out and enjoying themselves.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Hannah Barr
really love this as a go to west side place. chill vibes, good food. parking is not amazing, but usually can find something in not much time. the pastistio and moussaka are great. the spicy feta is a fav of mine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
Tara A
Friendly staff, fantastic food and fantastic atmosphere. Lovely as
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taramasalata
Trent McPherson
No Gyros, GM made me move my seat at the bar (because I was a party of one and didn’t sit at the end of the bar), and bartender intentionally sent my drinks AFTER happy hour ended so I paid more. Many other restaurants not even a block away that are much more exceptional and worthy of your money, don't waste your time here!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Victor Bilgen
Really good Greek food the pasta dish was definitely our favorite!
It was an easy store to enter. The staff was very responsive and explained the Greek cuisine for the first time in an easy-to-understand manner, and we had fun and enjoyed the delicious food. As a Japanese person, this was my first time trying all of these dishes, and I was surprised at how delicious they were. I'm sure you'll be satisfied no matter what you order.The seafood dishes were especially great. I heard that they also offer barbecue on the weekends, so I would definitely like to visit.I am grateful to the owner for speaking to me and explaining the dishes thoroughly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diego Sanchez
Look I wish I could give this place 100 stars it’s amazing it was amazing and the people where super nice
Alberto Romero
So good. Service, ambiance, variety, taste were outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kay Jay
Used to go to this place before the pandemic when it was still just Mar Vista. Loved one of their salads but not much else because food felt too heavy. Now, five years later, this is a Greek restaurant. . .and what a great Greek restaurant it is. Loved it. The Mediterranean cuisine is light and fresh. The food was tasty, and the fava bean dip was next level. The skewered pork kebab was great. The wait staff was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is festive. Highly recommend this gem in my neighborhood.
Lunch was divine. Quiet afternoon. Moussaka tasted like Greece. Taramasalata smooth w hint of lemon. Beet salad was unexpectedly great. First time having it w Greek fare. Patates perfectly marinated, lemon, olive oil, oregano. BBQ chicken spot on - moist, flavorful & chopped up for easy eating. Rizogalo creamy & just right sweet. Stuffed but happy. Highly recommend. Gem to share w fam & friends.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
Come for grill Sundays, stay for the hospitality and other food. The grilled pork and chicken is truly as good as it gets. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Atherina Fried Smelts, Horiatiki Salad, Greek Salad, Greek Lemon Potatoes Patates Lemonates, Taverna
Edit April 2024: is there someone new managing this place or owner is getting burnt out from the popularity and constant drone of high-bar (success can be its own challenge!)? knocking down two stars. Taverna is still good. But we made a reservation for 5:30pm. The restaurant had maybe five parties in it at that point. We were then instructed, as we were led to our tables that we were “required” to be wrapped up by 7pm. We all (parents and everyone) looked at each other in sort of disbelief that a host would even say that, first of all.It gets more cringey.While the service and meal were fine; when we went to order more food and another round of drinks (an HOUR before our “deadline”), THE SERVER REMINDED US THAT WE NEEDED TO LEAVE THE TABLE in an hour and was hesitant to take an order for more items. On an early table reservation. However we did order more and we were still up and out slightly after 6:30pm so the drama about having to wrap up our meal by 7pm was entirely unnecessary and embarrassing given we brought out-of-town guests here and talked it up.We were all really surprised and then aback by the rude and tone-deaf approach here tonight.I would hope the owners/GM notice this because whatever happened what was a great experience over the past couple of years was ruined by some people that were not being very customer friendly.Edit April 2024: I agree here with reviews below and restaurant response that “turning tables” became the priority and that customer experience and quality suffered. Our bill for four people was $214 plus tip, so I want to be sure in that situation not to be insulted, rushed, experiencing a stressed-out server, or getting soggy or rushed food, and not getting scooted out the door.Old review 2023: Taverna is fantastic. Exceeded all expectations - staff, food, service, drinks. Everything was delicious and so fresh. And it’s a nice chill ambiance, enough but not over-the-top. Had dinner, but looking forward to enjoying the brunch!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
A bit loud but the food and service more than make up for it. Favorite was the spanikopita and tzatziki. The retsina is surprisingly smooth and pairs well with the food
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Horiatiki Salad, Tzatziki
Great lighting and very enjoyable ambiance. Much better than the photos show! Our waitress seemed wildly uninterested, slammed things on the table and all of our food (four courses) came out within five minutes. The warm plates were soggy by the time we got to them. The clean up crew was aggressively clearing out plates. Overall felt like they wanted us in and out within 20 minutes which doesn’t match their prices. Food was overall okay, a little bit underseasoned appetizers and way over seasoned Moussaka. Was still great to see so many people dining out and enjoying themselves.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
really love this as a go to west side place. chill vibes, good food. parking is not amazing, but usually can find something in not much time. the pastistio and moussaka are great. the spicy feta is a fav of mine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
Friendly staff, fantastic food and fantastic atmosphere. Lovely as
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taramasalata
No Gyros, GM made me move my seat at the bar (because I was a party of one and didn’t sit at the end of the bar), and bartender intentionally sent my drinks AFTER happy hour ended so I paid more. Many other restaurants not even a block away that are much more exceptional and worthy of your money, don't waste your time here!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Really good Greek food the pasta dish was definitely our favorite!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank over Orzo Youvesti
Good meal, different flavors from the usual.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
It was an easy store to enter. The staff was very responsive and explained the Greek cuisine for the first time in an easy-to-understand manner, and we had fun and enjoyed the delicious food. As a Japanese person, this was my first time trying all of these dishes, and I was surprised at how delicious they were. I'm sure you'll be satisfied no matter what you order.The seafood dishes were especially great. I heard that they also offer barbecue on the weekends, so I would definitely like to visit.I am grateful to the owner for speaking to me and explaining the dishes thoroughly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Look I wish I could give this place 100 stars it’s amazing it was amazing and the people where super nice
So good. Service, ambiance, variety, taste were outstanding.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Used to go to this place before the pandemic when it was still just Mar Vista. Loved one of their salads but not much else because food felt too heavy. Now, five years later, this is a Greek restaurant. . .and what a great Greek restaurant it is. Loved it. The Mediterranean cuisine is light and fresh. The food was tasty, and the fava bean dip was next level. The skewered pork kebab was great. The wait staff was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is festive. Highly recommend this gem in my neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious food and very nice staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5