we celebrated our friend's birthday with a delicious luncheon meal at Evvia. Our friends shared the beet and Evvia salads and roasted fish which was presented with great flourish! our server was polite, observant and so attentive. We shared a memorable afternoon at Evvia!
Ellen
Loved spinach pie appetizer Enjoyed the Greek salad with peppers and cucumber feta and tomato but would have liked a little more seasoning, Mousaka was good as was ice cream Sundae. Wish they had more options for red wine by the class for taste and value. Lively atmosphere and beautiful restaurant.
Les
What an outstanding restaurant. The lamb chops were the best. Matt, our server, was excellent. We sat outside and the air was refreshing. Unfortunately, we had a group sit next to us toward the end of our dinner that was extremely loud and we earlier than originally planned as a result. However, I would highly recommend this restaurant.
howardf
Best restaurant in Bay Area if you can in!! Not many restaurants have the same Chef since they opened (1995)!
YuanJian 丁DING
Octopus and fish is perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luann
Food was good. Service was a bit off. There were 4 of us and we were seated at a table that is the same size as a table for 2. With all the glassware and plates, there's room on the table for one appetizer plate. We ordered a whole fish and other entrees, with a bottle of wine, the staff and restaurant basically left it up to us to manage the space. Not very service-friendly and not very enjoyable seating.
Angeline
Evvia offers reliably excellent cuisine in a cozy, tasteful Mediterranean ambiance. We always have a wonderful experience dining there.
Rashmi R.
Not a great choice for vegetarians but we still had a good time with some good appetizers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mike Gamble
Best Mediterranean food in Palo Alto, and the staff is very friendly and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jean Tsou
Great service ans nice atmesphere. Great spot for lunch. Octupus is a great choice which recommended by our server.
Being Greek, I was highly anticipating Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto, and it exceeded my expectations and delivered an outstanding dining experience with authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. The meal began with classic appetizers—creamy tatziki and sizzling saganaki—which captured the essence of Greek cuisine and set a delicious tone for the evening. For the main course, I had the whole grilled lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass) and it stood out for its perfectly cooked, flaky texture and fresh-herb seasoning. Our table also enjoyed the hearty lamb shank served over orzo, the flavorful ravioli, and a generous portion of pastitsio (the special of the night); each dish looked impressive and was praised by everyone at the table. Dining outdoors added a special touch, with the weather being absolutely perfect—comfortably warm with a gentle breeze—making the outdoor seating feel like a Mediterranean escape. The service was remarkably fast and attentive: staff made sure every detail was just right, and empty plates were swiftly replaced without interrupting conversation. The meal finished on a high note with Evvia’s house-made cheesecake topped with luscious huckleberry sauce, which was truly divine and provided a sweet, memorable end to the evening. After a day spent walking around the area and exploring nature, this dinner was the perfect way to relax and enjoy great company, delicious food, and flawless hospitality. Evvia blends old-world charm with contemporary excellence—a must-visit for anyone seeking a top-tier Greek dining experience in Palo Alto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dorwin T
I heard it's a fantastic restaurant, so we came specifically because of its reputation. Thankfully, we made an online reservation—otherwise, they wouldn’t let you in. Even though we had a 5 p.m. reservation, many tables were empty, but the staff told walk-in customers that the restaurant was fully booked for the night. We glanced at the menu and ordered the famous octopus leg. It looked very plain and unappetizing, and it had a weird smell—not sure if it was because of the seasoning or the quality of the octopus. We also tried the grilled cheese recommended by the server. Oh my, I regretted ordering it so much—it was extremely salty and felt too heavy as an appetizer. After eating the grilled cheese, I almost lost my appetite. My mouth felt so salty that I kept drinking water. Lastly, the lamb shank was also just average—bland and nothing special. I feel like I could’ve made something better at home. The service, however, was excellent. The staff refilled our water promptly and were very attentive. Maybe this restaurant really isn’t worried about lacking customers, or perhaps they’re genuinely too busy, which might explain why they weren’t very friendly toward walk-in guests. After the meal, my husband had diarrhea when we got home—all because of that grilled cheese. Maybe this place is more suitable for people who prefer heavy flavors. For me, it can be summed up in one word: salty. I won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Maryam
The service at Evvia was to die for and Ali made the whole night. He was warm, attentive, and just spot on with every recommendation—he really knows his fish and made us feel completely taken care of.
We started with the Manitaria tou Fournoú, mushrooms baked with manouri cheese, onions, and herbs, which was such a standout. The Evvia Salata with crisp romaine, avocado, and that creamy feta dressing was simple but so good I’m still thinking about it. For mains, the Kotopoulo Souvlas, oven-roasted chicken with garlic broccolini and potatoes, was cooked beautifully—juicy, flavorful, exactly how it should be.
Dessert was next-level. The Galaktoboureko with pistachio ice cream was rich and comforting, and the Yiaourti Cheesecake with a kanefe crust and huckleberry compote was unlike any cheesecake I’ve had before—unique, tangy, and delicious. And I have to say, they nailed the Last Word cocktail. It’s rare to find a place that gets it right, and theirs was perfectly balanced and bright.
The vibe ties it all together. Evvia actually opened before Kokkari in San Francisco, and you can feel that same passion for Greek hospitality here. The space is warm and modern with copper pots hanging inside, colorful bottles lining the bar, and that rustic feel that makes it so inviting. The outdoor patio is just as good, with heat lamps that make it cozy any time of year.
Between the food, the atmosphere, and Ali’s service, this is the kind of place I’d come back to again and again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marta
Evvia is always an excellent choice for food, service and ambiance. Delicious Greek cuisine. Authentic- with an often changing menu.
we celebrated our friend's birthday with a delicious luncheon meal at Evvia. Our friends shared the beet and Evvia salads and roasted fish which was presented with great flourish! our server was polite, observant and so attentive. We shared a memorable afternoon at Evvia!
Loved spinach pie appetizer Enjoyed the Greek salad with peppers and cucumber feta and tomato but would have liked a little more seasoning, Mousaka was good as was ice cream Sundae. Wish they had more options for red wine by the class for taste and value. Lively atmosphere and beautiful restaurant.
What an outstanding restaurant. The lamb chops were the best. Matt, our server, was excellent. We sat outside and the air was refreshing. Unfortunately, we had a group sit next to us toward the end of our dinner that was extremely loud and we earlier than originally planned as a result. However, I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Best restaurant in Bay Area if you can in!! Not many restaurants have the same Chef since they opened (1995)!
Octopus and fish is perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good. Service was a bit off. There were 4 of us and we were seated at a table that is the same size as a table for 2. With all the glassware and plates, there's room on the table for one appetizer plate. We ordered a whole fish and other entrees, with a bottle of wine, the staff and restaurant basically left it up to us to manage the space. Not very service-friendly and not very enjoyable seating.
Evvia offers reliably excellent cuisine in a cozy, tasteful Mediterranean ambiance. We always have a wonderful experience dining there.
Not a great choice for vegetarians but we still had a good time with some good appetizers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Best Mediterranean food in Palo Alto, and the staff is very friendly and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service ans nice atmesphere. Great spot for lunch. Octupus is a great choice which recommended by our server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Being Greek, I was highly anticipating Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto, and it exceeded my expectations and delivered an outstanding dining experience with authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. The meal began with classic appetizers—creamy tatziki and sizzling saganaki—which captured the essence of Greek cuisine and set a delicious tone for the evening. For the main course, I had the whole grilled lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass) and it stood out for its perfectly cooked, flaky texture and fresh-herb seasoning. Our table also enjoyed the hearty lamb shank served over orzo, the flavorful ravioli, and a generous portion of pastitsio (the special of the night); each dish looked impressive and was praised by everyone at the table.
Dining outdoors added a special touch, with the weather being absolutely perfect—comfortably warm with a gentle breeze—making the outdoor seating feel like a Mediterranean escape. The service was remarkably fast and attentive: staff made sure every detail was just right, and empty plates were swiftly replaced without interrupting conversation. The meal finished on a high note with Evvia’s house-made cheesecake topped with luscious huckleberry sauce, which was truly divine and provided a sweet, memorable end to the evening.
After a day spent walking around the area and exploring nature, this dinner was the perfect way to relax and enjoy great company, delicious food, and flawless hospitality. Evvia blends old-world charm with contemporary excellence—a must-visit for anyone seeking a top-tier Greek dining experience in Palo Alto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I heard it's a fantastic restaurant, so we came specifically because of its reputation. Thankfully, we made an online reservation—otherwise, they wouldn’t let you in. Even though we had a 5 p.m. reservation, many tables were empty, but the staff told walk-in customers that the restaurant was fully booked for the night. We glanced at the menu and ordered the famous octopus leg. It looked very plain and unappetizing, and it had a weird smell—not sure if it was because of the seasoning or the quality of the octopus. We also tried the grilled cheese recommended by the server. Oh my, I regretted ordering it so much—it was extremely salty and felt too heavy as an appetizer. After eating the grilled cheese, I almost lost my appetite. My mouth felt so salty that I kept drinking water. Lastly, the lamb shank was also just average—bland and nothing special. I feel like I could’ve made something better at home. The service, however, was excellent. The staff refilled our water promptly and were very attentive. Maybe this restaurant really isn’t worried about lacking customers, or perhaps they’re genuinely too busy, which might explain why they weren’t very friendly toward walk-in guests. After the meal, my husband had diarrhea when we got home—all because of that grilled cheese. Maybe this place is more suitable for people who prefer heavy flavors. For me, it can be summed up in one word: salty. I won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
The service at Evvia was to die for and Ali made the whole night. He was warm, attentive, and just spot on with every recommendation—he really knows his fish and made us feel completely taken care of.
We started with the Manitaria tou Fournoú, mushrooms baked with manouri cheese, onions, and herbs, which was such a standout. The Evvia Salata with crisp romaine, avocado, and that creamy feta dressing was simple but so good I’m still thinking about it. For mains, the Kotopoulo Souvlas, oven-roasted chicken with garlic broccolini and potatoes, was cooked beautifully—juicy, flavorful, exactly how it should be.
Dessert was next-level. The Galaktoboureko with pistachio ice cream was rich and comforting, and the Yiaourti Cheesecake with a kanefe crust and huckleberry compote was unlike any cheesecake I’ve had before—unique, tangy, and delicious. And I have to say, they nailed the Last Word cocktail. It’s rare to find a place that gets it right, and theirs was perfectly balanced and bright.
The vibe ties it all together. Evvia actually opened before Kokkari in San Francisco, and you can feel that same passion for Greek hospitality here. The space is warm and modern with copper pots hanging inside, colorful bottles lining the bar, and that rustic feel that makes it so inviting. The outdoor patio is just as good, with heat lamps that make it cozy any time of year.
Between the food, the atmosphere, and Ali’s service, this is the kind of place I’d come back to again and again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Evvia is always an excellent choice for food, service and ambiance. Delicious Greek cuisine. Authentic- with an often changing menu.
Great food, great service and atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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