Evvia Estiatorio - Palo Alto (CA)

4 /5 Sam: We had a great dinner here. Service was great and the ambiance was very nice. We were sat outside in the patio and it was warm enough with the heat lamps on this chilly night. The standouts were the Smelt, Octopus, Pan Fried Cheese, Grilled While Fish, Rib Cut Lamb Chop, Cheesecake, Lava Chocolate Cake, and the Phyllo Dough wrapped Semolina Custard. Just a great experience overall!

1 /5 dorwin T: I heard its 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.

4 /5 Nataly Cortez: We were seated quickly at a cozy outdoor table with heaters, which made the space feel warm and inviting. Arriving with a serious appetite, we started with four appetizers, and the standout was definitely the Garides tou Fournou—perfectly cooked prawns bursting with flavor. For the main course, we shared the Arnisia Plevrakia (grilled lamb), which was absolutely delicious. The portion size was generous yet ideal for two people. A small note for improvement would be serving the bread warm; once we mentioned it, our waiter kindly accommodated the request. Overall, the service was attentive and pleasant, and the food arrived promptly without feeling rushed. A very enjoyable dining experience that we’d happily repeat.

5 /5 Victor: Really loved the octopus starters and prawns. The whole fish entree was amazing as well. Dessert was fantastic as well. Wouldnt hesitate to come again.

5 /5 Jingwei Zhou: This place over the years has been steadily amazing! Their lamb chops are always very aromatic! I was told they were invited to cook for Obama during his second term. Their service is always very smooth and attentive. Great pace in serving appetizers and main courses. Both indoor and outdoor seatings are comfortable, pleasant. Just really love this place!