Anatolian Kitchen - Palo Alto (CA)

5 /5 Salim Ali Khan: We visited Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto for a team dinner, and it turned out to be a great evening all around. A big plus right off the bat was that there’s a public parking lot less than a minute’s walk away, which makes visiting very convenient.Levant was an amazing host who took excellent care of our table throughout the night being attentive, friendly, and always on top of things. Everyone at the table had a wonderful time. We started by ordering a mix of appetizers for the table, and they set the tone perfectly: 3-combo appetizer platter – an absolute standout; fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. Everybody enjoyed the contents with the bread that was served. Falafel – crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and very satisfying Pan-fried calamari – tender and well seasoned Beet salad and Anatolian salad – fresh, vibrant, and refreshing Every appetizer was excellent, but the combo platter clearly stole the show. The main course spread was impressive, with something for everyone: Iskender – rich, comforting, and full of flavor Chicken Adana – bold, juicy, and well spiced Vegetable moussaka – hearty and comforting Grilled chicken shish – tender and flavorful Grilled salmon – perfectly cooked and fresh Grilled lamb shish – juicy and delicious Whole Branzino – absolutely amazing; this was my order and I loved every bite. Vegetarian turlu – (Stewed tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrot served with rice pilaf) well-balanced and satisfying We ended the evening with three orders of family-style desserts, and the desserts were truly standout, rounding off the meal on a high note. I also placed a separate to-go order that included a mixed grilled platter and grilled lamb shish. While the food itself was excellent and tasted just as good at home, the only downside was being charged a large party fee, even though this was a separate personal to-go order. That aside, the quality and flavor were still top-notch, with clear 5-star food written all over it. Overall, Anatolian Kitchen delivers exceptional Turkish cuisine, generous portions, and great service. Minor billing hiccup aside (for the to go order which ideally should have been separate from the table), this was a wonderful experience, and it’s a place I’d happily recommend and return to.

5 /5 Vivek Sharma: A large group of folks from our workplace decided to visit a Turkish Middle eastern restaurant as we were coming to the end of an event. It was decided to gather at the Anatolian Kitchen at 5 pm. I was able to find the parking within 2 minutes walking distance which was a huge plus considering I was not local and drove my own car. The server was patient enough as all of us arrived, gathered and decided to order or drinks. Once we were all in, we were helped with the selection of starters followed by the main course. Everything tasted delicious and there wasnt one person in the group of 12 that had anything bad to say. As we getting done, we were told about the family style platter of desserts. We ordered a few for the table and it made the evening close nicely. Delicious food with great service and perfect music that we could lightly listen to but wasnt too loud to not let us talk.

5 /5 Chetina Angela (Psychology and sexology): Anatolian Kitchen is such a warm and welcoming place! The service is always friendly and attentive, which immediately makes you feel at home. The food is incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. The manti are absolutely delicious, perfectly prepared and full of flavor. I also loved their fresh vegetable salads — simple, vibrant, and full of taste. It’s a great spot for anyone who appreciates authentic, well-made food and a cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend!

3 /5 Wook Chung: The problem with Anatolian Kitchen is that nothing is memorable. It wasnt like we had terribly bad food or the atmosphere was noisy, or the server was negligent. In many ways, everything at Anatolian Kitchen was just middle of the line. But I think that is the problem, especially when you are situated on California Ave where culinary competition increases by the year. The food is standard mediterranean. You get your healthy mix of pitas, cucumber and yogurt based dips, hummus, and lamb or beef. Standard presentation. Standard mixture. Everything is bland but not enough to complain. Theyre cooked well, but nothing is memorable. And the last thing you want is bland beef or lamb kebabs that have no personality whatsoever. This is common across many mediterranean joints and again, this isnt detrimental for Anatolian for my never vowing to return again. But youre not going to go there for food. That much I can say. Fortunately, I had great company and we had a wonderful time. Perhaps thats the only reason why Ive left it at 3 stars. And as a slap i the face, the dessert - a coconut rice pudding - came cold from the fridge. Perhaps that is how it was meant to be served but coldness and rice just doesnt go well together. Anatolian Kitchen has a lot to be desired but I dont want to just write it off. They have potential. They have the right intent. They just need to bring in the attitude into the food.

5 /5 Anastasiia Velychko: This place serves the best dolma in the Bay Area! The baklava and appetizers were also outstanding, while the manti was just okay. I really enjoyed the cocktails, though they lean on the sweeter side. Service was excellent—our waiter kept us laughing with his jokes while still being attentive and making sure everything was perfect. The food arrived quickly, and our water glasses were always full.