Barbayani Greek Taverna

Came here for a weekday lunch and sat outside. The ambience inside and outside furnishings are nice. We ordered from the appetizer and salad sections. The sampler dip with pita was delicious and great value for money. The octopus and the beet salad were so small. (Artsy and minimalist) The cubed beet salad felt deconstructed. Service was odd because we had 2 people helping us. One person seemed eager and friendly but not catching our order requiring staff #2 to confirm. Maybe this was service training in process?

Amazing peaceful atmosphere. Best Greek food in the Bay Area. Everything is fresh and authentic! The drink menu is equally as impressive as the dinner menu. The owner is awesome. I feel like I’m in a fancy movie eating here!

Nestled in the heart of posh Los Altos downtown, Barbayani offers a taste of upscale Greek cuisine in an elegant setting. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by beautifully designed interiors that blend modern luxury with traditional Greek elements. The ambiance is serene, perfect for a romantic evening or a quiet dinner with friends. Additionally, there is enough outdoor dining space, ideal for enjoying a meal on a pleasant evening. The menu is filled with classic Greek dishes, each prepared with attention to detail. The flavors are authentic, however, if you’re a vegetarian, your choices are notably limited. Only Risotto is for vegetarian main course, 3-4 apps and 3 cold appetizer choices. So, we ordered eggplant dip cold, zucchini cakes and one risotto for two and it was more than enough. Eggplant had an amazing smoky flavor served with fresh pita bread. It was my favorite. Service is attentive and professional, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience. However, it’s worth noting that the restaurant has a tendency to close early on quieter nights, which can be disappointing if you’re planning a late dinner. In summary, its a great spot for those seeking quality Greek cuisine in an upscale environment.

Whether you’re enjoying a meal on the expansive patio or savoring the warm ambiance indoors, Barbayani Greek Taverna provides a delightful escape to Greece right in the heart of the Bay Area. My favorites were shrimp linguine and Baklava (;

Barbayani Greek Taverna delivers a solid Greek dining experience. The lamb chops are a standout—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. They’re definitely the highlight of the menu. The pork chop, while decent, doesn’t quite measure up to the lamb. The Santorini toast is a flavorful treat that shouldn’t be missed. It offers a delightful mix of tastes that perfectly complements the meal.

Bar Bayani is the kind of place that doesn’t scream for your attention—but once you’ve had a meal there, you’ll wonder how it’s not packed to the rafters every night. It’s humble, unassuming, and the food hits you. Not every dish is life-changing, but a shocking number of them are. The fish? Peak Mediterranean perfection. The salad dressings deserve their own fan club. Even the cocktails come out swinging—balanced, interesting, and not trying too hard. For the price, it’s almost suspicious how good everything is. Someone back there clearly knows what they’re doing. But the real secret sauce here isn’t on the plate—it’s the service. It is what you’d expect if your Greek friend opened a restaurant and genuinely wanted to feed you until you were full and happy. No upsell, no rush—just warm, attentive people who treat you like a human, not a walking credit card transaction. I left with a full belly and a quiet ache, as if the meal had fed some deeper hunger I hadn’t known I was carrying.

Authentic Greek dishes (lots of feta cheese :) in a nice central corner of Los Altos downtown. The lamb chops were great, probably the highlight of the dishes. The Garides Saganaki (tiger prawns) was also tasty, really liked the sauce around it. The Melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant) was really delicious, but the house bread served with it was so-so. Mapakia (brussels sproutes) wasn't great, it was boiled and I prefer them a bit fried, tasted too mushy. The octopus was ok, I've had better but also had worse, I think it was a bit more chewy than normal (and yes octopus is usually chewy). The pear dessert was absolutely great! Wines - they don't have such a great collection, and red wine by the glass is limited and frankly not the best Merlos or Cabs there. But the old fashioned cocktail was pretty good. Recommend seating outside if it's a nice warm day.

New to the area and tried them out for lunch with a friend. We enjoyed our meal, my friend ordered the risotto based on the recommendation from the owner (we think he was). The servers were polite, well-dressed, and professional. I had ordered a lemonade, not sure if I got it (forgot to even check when I paid the bill, lol). My 'greek salad' was very simple and fresh with a large piece of Feta on top. The greek fries were yummy. I want to go back and try the lamb chops, as the owner had recommended is good. The outdoor seating patio is fantastic and very well done/classy. Very sunny during the afternoon, shaded in the evening, so would be a fantastic spot to sit on a warm evening.

The food was delicious. The waiters were very attentive. I loved the atmosphere. It was the best Greek restaurant I've ever been to.

Had a great experience here! I'm glad they opened up a Greek place in this neighborhood and a pretty good one! Walked right in and the decor was beautiful. Very lovely and cozy at the same time. Had the best service here. Our server Marino was truly a delight and gave great recommendations for our dining experience. He was very friendly and cheerful! These type of services truly make a difference! The food itself was exquisite! Started with the roasted eggplant with tower pita bread. Delicious pita bread! Wow the bread itself was the star. Also had zucchini cakes and wow it was flavorful. The Octopus was charred perfectly and not chewy or rubbery at all. For something so little was so good. I love a good plate of fries and this place makes it just right. Simple but ton of flavor. I will say I did not like their sauce that goes with it much but probably just me. Honestly the fries are just great on its own! I had the Moscharisia Brizola which was the rib eye steak. WOW! I did not expect to be so freaking good! Ordered as medium rare and it was perfect! Lots of flavor and just melts in your mouth. The grilled asparagus paired with the mashed potatoes was very different from other places which is a good thing. I was blown away! Also got the Moschari Souvlaki and this dish just another star on its own. Ton of flavors but yet so simple! I'm also so happy I got to try their dessert. The best one was the red wine poached pear and the Galaktoboureko. Again just blown away by these two dishes. The pear was not too sweet and not sour. Just the right punch! And the phyllo sheets were the way I liked it, thin and flaky! That's the way it is done. Obviously the place is expensive given their location. But what places aren't expensive these days? Parking was not a problem at all as there are a many spaces everywhere. Go and experience it yourself and you will see.

Memories from this Greek restaurant. 1: We got stressed out to find a parking space, fortunately we found one empty spot on the front after we made only one circle around the building, was nothing empty behind.  2: We had made reservations for the dining area but the waitress wanted to sit us by the door. We rejected her idea and we moved from there to the main room. 3: We ordered fast (we had checked the menu on line) the appetizer came half an hour later and the main dishes another half hour later. We started wondering if they went to the super market to get the ingredients. 4: One appetizer and two main dishes (two people) with tax and tip $110,00. 5: Nice atmosphere, decorated with ancient Greek statues and jars in the recesses  of the walls. Tables covered with white table-clothes (very unusual) but the employees were more than the customers (Tuesday night) that makes you feel uncomfortable and also wondering about the future of this place. 6: This place is not run by Greeks. It's like going to a Chinese restaurant which is run by Mexicans. Now let's go to the food. The appetizer was Garides Saganaki or prawns with plaki sauce (roasted onions, tomatoes & vegetables). That was the highlight of the evening which was delicious.  Unfortunately the sea-bass was not soft, that means frozen, and probably microwaved. This dish came in a Melania's upside hat and it was full of hot vegetables in a soup, but the sea-bass in the middle was cold(!). All this unhappy experience, for only... $38.00. As far the Mousaka, goes, the sliced potatoes and the eggplants were okay, but the bechamel sauce was paper thin and burned. The lamb ragout tasted more like hard ground beef (Americanized version, who is gonna notice?) One star for the elegant and classy environment and another star for the appetizer. Bottom line: our experience was bitter sweet special for so much money. I wish them well, but we don't plan any visit at least for the near future. Another one off my bucket list.

I used to love Nemea back in the day and was sad when they closed down after Covid. Now it's back in Los Altos with the same great food and service. The riblets appetizer is my favorite, followed by the octopus and then the pita and dip appetizer. For the main courses you can't go wrong with anything. We had the lamb chops, ribeye, and mousaka and it was all fantastic. I can't rave enough about this place. It's beautifully decorated and you're surrounded by greek music and artwork, helping to transport you to your favorite Greek island. Absolutely phenomenal place!

Stumbled upon this delightful Greek restaurant in DT Los Altos. Everything we ordered was delicious. The restaurant has a really nice chill vibe at lunch. I love the blue and white color all over the restaurant which made us feel like we were back in Santorini. A must try if you want to dine at a nice sit down Greek restaurant. And our service was great too.

We have now eaten here multiple times, so I am going to add the one thing our fellow diners have all commented on. The portions are really small, despite the fact that the prices are not. The chicken souvlaki is really small - one skewer - and 2 of the pieces were undercooked the last time we ate there. The risotto continues to be amazing and the staff are very friendly. (One exception was the young man serving us at lunch who overheard us comment on the small portions, but that's just once. Otherwise they're great.

I haven't had too much greek food, so I can't say how this compares to others, but I thought this place was okay. I went with a large group for a company dinner and was served the kotopoulo souvlaki. To be honest, while the flavor was good, it was very dry. I also had the horiatiki salad, which was quite good, but I think that it's a dish that's hard to get wrong. This is a pretty expensive restaurant, and while the place is truly gorgeous and the service is great, I don't know if the food is worth it based on my experience.

Love this new restaurant in downtown Los Altos! The space is beautiful and makes you feel like you're on vacation. The food is outstanding-- the shrimp appetizer was so flavorful, and the portion was really great for the price. I also recommend the red pepper feta. The pita bread that comes with it is phenomenal, although I wish it came with more than two pieces as the ratio was a bit off. We also had the octopus salad which was pretty good, the octopus just could have been grilled a little longer. We had one other thing-- spinach and cheese (maybe) in some kind of fried dough? I don't want to butcher the name of it by trying, but it was so good as well:) Overall this is a wonderful new restaurant with great service, and I can't wait to come back and try some more of the menu!:)

Last Saturday, I booked a table for 7 to celebrate a friend's birthday (communicated via OpenTable, over the phone and upon arrival). I was told that simple candles would be offered with the dessert. Our overall experience was average with some difficulties related to service: - The tap water smelled and tasted of strong chlorine. - Guests' appetizer plates were removed without asking, while the appetizer platter was still almost half full. We assumed that the main courses were about to be served but that did not happen for another 15 min. - This happened with the entrees as well. It was absurd and it became a laughable moment. - Dessert was served with no birthday acknowledgement. I asked for a candle but it was never delivered. The food was good, the moussaka and seabass were excellent, the lamb shank was dry.

Barbayani Taverna offers a truly delightful dining experience from start to finish. The food is absolutely delicious, from the appetizers all the way to dessert--each dish bursting with authentic flavors. Our waiter made an excellent wine suggestion that perfectly complemented the meal, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening. The restaurant's beautiful white and blue interior instantly transports you to Greece, creating a charming and immersive atmosphere. Whether you're looking for amazing food or just want to feel like you've escaped to the Mediterranean, Barbayani Taverna is a must-visit.

Nestled in the heart of posh Los Altos downtown, Barbayani offers a taste of upscale Greek cuisine in an elegant setting. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by beautifully designed interiors that blend modern luxury with traditional Greek elements. The ambiance is serene, perfect for a romantic evening or a quiet dinner with friends. Additionally, there is enough outdoor dining space, ideal for enjoying a meal on a pleasant evening. The menu is filled with classic Greek dishes, each prepared with attention to detail. The flavors are authentic, however, if you're a vegetarian, your choices are notably limited. Only Risotto is for vegetarian main course, 3-4 apps and 3 cold appetizer choices. So, we ordered 2 appetizers snd one risotto for two and it was more than enough. Service is attentive and professional, adding to the overall pleasant dining experience. However, it's worth noting that the restaurant has a tendency to close early on quieter nights, which can be disappointing if you're planning a late dinner. In summary, its a great spot for those seeking quality Greek cuisine in an upscale environment.

What a cool spot! I loved the color, decor and ambiance..very Greek. Service was on point. The food was delicious. The bread with olive tapenade was a good start. For appetizers, I had tiger prawns, beets, and dolmas. The lovraki was great, very flaky and buttery fish. The eggs royale was good too. The only dish that missed was the dolmas which was very dry.

With the outdoor seating area set up near the surrounding trees the dining experience provided a very Euro-feel. The dishes did not disappoint and was on par with ambience: Octopodi Salad- tender pieces of octopus which could have had more char but still was on point and paired well with the arugula & Roma tomatoes. Beet Salad- Tart, sweet & savory with each bite as the orange slices accompanied with baby beets a top of balsamic dressing was a pleasant combination. Chilean Seabass- Roasted perfectly to a medium well paired with a light tomato broth and sat gently on a bed of ratatouille. Vegetarian Risotto- Very well prepared and mushroom forward but portion size was slightly on the smaller size. Galaktaboureko- a must have! phyllo deliciousness of custard which made it a great ending to the meal. A little difficult to share as the phyllo was so delicate. Service was impeccable and a great overall dining evening.

I've dined at Barbayani a few times now, and the top notch service and delicious quality always remains consistent. I came here with some girlfriends the other night, didn't know they had free live music! I'd highly recommend the branzino and lamb chops which were dressed with such a flavor lemon garlic sauce; the baklava there is the best I've had! The service is always friendly and professional and the interior itself is gorgeous. Really a great place for a simple night out or a special occasion

Food is very delicious. Amazing service. I ll go back again. Specially for desserts .

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a mediocre experience. Barbayani Taverna is located in downtown Los Altos and was extremely quiet on a weeknight. Los Altos seems to be more of a quaint Boomer spot featuring old money. Dining was available both indoors or indoors with a choice of street level or upstairs. The interior ambiance is modern and reminds me of Greece. Staff were in a white self-provided button up shirt along with suspenders as their uniform. Staff were courteous througout the evening from dining suggestions through checking in with us throughout the meal. Meal started off with the complimentary bread which was ok. Bread seems to have been reheated and served with a side of olive oil. The kolokithokeftehes zucchini cakes were the highlight of the evening as they were freshly made and light. Excellent start to the meal. Moved on to the paidakia lamb chops and they were mediocre. Requested the lamb chops to be medium rare and they came out towards the rare end. Flavor was on the weaker side and the lamb chops were also on the smaller side. The side of greens were decent and the potatoes could have been crispier. Evvia in Palo Alto has a much better version of this.... or even Dish Dash. The mapakia brussel sprouts were decent as a side. Flavorful and served with a medley of dates and cheese. The galaktoboureko dessert was lacklustre. Compared with Evvia's freshly made version, this version seemed store bought and merely heated up as the centre was still cool...bummer. ~$74/head after tax and gratuity for dinner.

Mediocre, loud, slow and confused but nice service. Items took 45 minutes to come out, got mixed up (or forgotten). While the waitress was very kind, the manager was extremely unfriendly. The food portions were also small, unevenly heated (as though reheated from a microwave or not centered in an oven).

Delicious! We came in here after wandering downtown for a bit looking for something for dinner. Really nice hospitality, and the food was good too. Spanakopita and beet salad were fabulous in addition to the lobster linguine and everything else we ordered. Cocktails were decent too! Nice atmosphere though I wish we could have sat outside. Will be back

For the SVC NASPP EC/PC's holiday dinner on Thursday, December 7, 2023, we went to Barbayani Taverna in downtown Los Altos. Reservations were for 5:30 PM. Located on Main Street, I was pleasantly surprised to find parking right away at the first cross street. I had less than a two-minute walk to the restaurant. Upon arrival, I was photographing the front of the venue (for my Yelp check-in, of course), and was immediately greeted by the hostess as well as the Executive Chef & Owner, Allen Isik, who proposed that we take a picture together. A very warm welcome I received. The interior of the restaurant was brightly lit that evening, bringing out the white walls with colours of blue popping from the balconies and doors. Grecian sculptures in the lighted niches added hints of warmth. Britta exclaimed, "It's like we're in Greece!" Very evident it is that a lot of thought was put into the beautiful décor. Barbayani also offers outdoor seating, but I recommend eating indoors for the whole Greek experience. Below are some items that we ordered: Pisco Sour with no bitters - I enjoy this cocktail WAY more without the bitters; Allen customized it for me. I should have been omitting it all along! Kolokithokefethes - Good Zucchini Cakes. House-Made Pita Bread - I didn't have any, but I assume that they were good because there were none left by the time the main plates were served. Tzatziki - Unfortunately, I didn't get to try this dip because of the high dairy content. It was quickly eaten up by everyone else, so it must have been delectable. Saganaki - Britta was excited for this fried cheese dish. The servers brought them out while stile afire, pretty cool entry. Due to my lactose intolerance, I tried just a tiny bite, but this appeared to be a winner of an appetizer at our table. Spanakopita - This was my chosen starter. Not sure why, but it wasn't as popular as the others. More for me, so no complaints. Kalamarkia - This fried calamari dish was perfectly crispy. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Octapodi - Nicely prepared octopus; not tough nor too chewy. Plevrakia - I don't eat lamb, so didn't try this, but everyone else appeared to happily eat them. Greek Lobster Linguine - This was my entrée order. I debated over this pasta dish and the Moschari Souvlaki (Beef Filet), but decided on the linguine because Allen stated that it was one of their most popular dishes. Honestly, after I ate it, I wished that I had gone with the beef filet plate instead, especially after Nina commented that the Kotopoulo Souvlaki (Chicken Breast) was yummy. I just wasn't super jazzed by the flavour of the Greek Lobster Linguine, it seemed to lack a punch of wow factor for me. The serving was also a bit on the small side. Pastisio - This was Kela's main dish. Initially, it looked like a small serving as well, but after he ate all of the contents of his bowl, Kela said it was enjoyably filling. Paidakia - Britta commented that these lamb chops were delicious. Greek Fries - Served freshly hot and crispy. Baklava - Two generous bar servings. Yum! Yogurti - Creamy yumminess. A healthy but tasty dessert choice. Galaktoboureko - Very good dessert made of phyllo sheets and custard. Greek Coffee - Served small, black and STRONG! My kind of coffee! Service was very nice, accommodating and friendly. Coincidentally, our waitress was Allen's beautiful wife who was helping out that night due to the several parties they were hosting. Husband and wife are a dream team who prioritize excellence in customer experience. We all had a lovely time. Everyone left with happy tummies. I want to return for the Moschari Souvlaki!

Great ambiance, great food. We sat outside and I actually felt I was on vacation in Greece for a hot minute...OK, you can't paint in Fira on Santorini in the background but they did a great job bringing it to Los Altos! Overall an authentic Greek food dining experience.

Recently had my birthday dinner here and I was extremely impressed by the service, the food, and the ambiance! We ordered a few appetizers and the spanakopita was especially delicious. All the entrees looked great. The staff was amazing and even wrote happy birthday in my cake plate.

One of the best greek restaurant in Bay Area, calming ambiance with outdoor seating. Great service and yummy food with good presentation. I have been there few times now and it has been consistent. Last night went with my girlfriends for appetizers we had Barbayani Pikilia tasting platter all four dips are good but my favorite is feta with roasted bell peppers, Octapodi (if you love octopus you must try), fried cheese and Zucchini cake (it was my least favorite). Main course was Lamb chops ( my favorite), Vegetarian Risotto and Lavraki And for desserts Baklava and Galaktoboureko

Barbayani is a great new addition to Main Street! The interior feels more bright and airy than the previous place and the outdoor seating area is cute. For a table of four, we ordered the tasting platter of dips, the horiatiki salad, and a handful of mezethes. We finished up with little cups of Greek coffee and two orders of baklava. It was plenty of food, although I did ask for several more rounds of pita for the dips and to soak up the sauces. The highlights for me were the flavorful, flaky spanakopita and baklava. So good! I also really liked the garides saganaki. Upon tasting it, my friend declared, "I could drink this up!" I'd skip the lamb meatballs and brussel sprouts next time, as there are so many other things to try. Parking is ridiculous, but that's not news. The waitstaff was super friendly, but service was a little spotty. We had several people check up on us throughout the meal, but they didn't seem to communicate with each other. If I were to meet a friend in Los Altos in the future, Barbayani would be high on my list of suggestions.

Has the execution fallen off a bit? My son ordered the filet kabob. They didnt ask for a temperature, and it came medium well. I wasn't going to say anything and was just going to chalk it up to the game (only order steak at steak places). However, the chef came to our table and asked how it was. I was totally puzzled as he tried to explain that was the right temperature for filet (while lamb is served medium rare). To their credit, they remade the dish and it was cooked to perfection. My son of course ate both (which wasn't my objective). My lamb shank could have used a bit more salt or something (tasted a bit bland), and it doesnt touch the one @ Evia. Still Caymus @ $120 for a liter is a hidden deal (its on the wines by the glass if you cant find it).

This is a relatively new place located where Aldo originally was and which was later, and somewhat briefly, BariBar. It's a greek place with a nice interior, a small upstairs, and a huge patio. Somehow, with what appears to be relatively small changes, they've made it much nicer on the inside than either Aldo or BariBar. The service was fast and efficient and more European-friendly than American-friendly (i.e. a bit stiff and professional). Not a problem. Our waiter was great. The food was outstanding. The spanakopita were great. The fried cheese amazing, though it's hard not to like this dish. We shared one of each which was perfect for two. The lamp chops were outstanding, though the portion was large (3 double chops, frenched) and fairly pricey ($48). The beef souvlaki was good but a tad overcooked (and only after it came did we realize nobody ever asked about cooking temperature -- not sure if that was intentional or not). The baklava dessert was very good and the yogurt and berries (sans honey at our request) was very very good. We ate outside in late October and with the breeze it got a little chilly. Most of the patio was well covered by space heaters, but not our corner. About halfway through they moved one closer to us, leaving two then-empty tables kind of exposed, so we felt a little bad for those who arrived later. Hopefully when we left they got the heater back! Suggest: an extra heater or two on the patio, get a cooking temperature on the souvlaki -- and don't run out of dolmas! We'll be back. This is a good restaurant and I think it's going to make it in a town that is fairly famous for killing off weaker entries.

As a Greek who scopes out all the local Greek restaurants here, I was SO excited to try this new Greek place in Los Altos. My friend made reservation for us the other day and I finally was able to go and try it. After my experience, I would rate it 4 stars. The ambiance and service were impeccable, however the food unfortunately fell short. So I give it 4 stars. Ambiance: 5/5 You walk in and you feel like you are transported to Greece. The decor is absolutely beautiful. The white and blue adorn the walls it's like you took a trip to Santorini. Service: 5/5 The service was on par. Our drinks and food arrived quickly and the service was friendly, and competent. Food: 4/5 We started out with pretty safe appetizers: we got the Octopothi (octopus) and it was cooked to perfection. It melted in your mouth with every bite! Tiger prawn Saganaki: also a delicious dish. They gave us complementary pita bread to dip into the sauce which I appreciated. Beet salad: this was one of my favorite dishes! The feta was absolutely amazing. It reminded me of the feta I would have when I went to visit Greece. It was incredible and I could eat a whole bowl of the feta in one sitting, Now the main dish we ordered was the "Brizola sto Fourno" which translates to pork chop in the oven. I was so excited to try this dish and unfortunately it felt short and I do NOT recommend. It came with scrambled eggs on top with I would never in a million years have pork chop with scrambled egg. That is definitely not Greek and in my opinion, a terrible combination. Thank god for the sprinkled feta that made it edible. But yeah, I do not recommend this dish unless you want to try something "non Greek". So overall I'd recommend trying this new place just for the ambiance, the appetizers and that FETA! I would just choose other main dishes. Maybe if I go back and try something else in the menu it might change my review but for now I give it for stars. It unfortunately does not compare to other Greek restaurants in the area like Evia and Taverna and may need some revamp of their menu, but it is worth a visit.

Barbayani Taverna Los Altos CA Thur 9/28/23 I need Greek taverna in my life! Former BariBar loc has turned Greek! © Welcome to Los Altos downtown, Barbayani! Since Greek Opa! has closed down, we've been waiting for Greek cuisine here in my Los Altos downtown! Lovely outside parklet patio! Adorned by Greek traditional white & blue, transporting you to Greece! Ornamental Bougainvillea trellis planted to bring your dining focus to the terrace-like space upfront! Everything is ready ~ the stage is set! Inside, light wooden (maple?) chairs around rectangular white clothed tables, light blue plate settings, modern silverware, wine flutes & water glasses ~ almost ready! White & blue bar counter with higher stools sporting back support; decorative palm trees, creative lightening, inviting ambience, airy & bright insides! Contemporary Greek & Mediterranean cuisine awaits you! Barbayani Taverna is set to open! The owner is Turkish & he knows Greek food! That's because Dino T. has been running Mediterranean eateries in the SF Bay Area for awhile, the stage is set for Barbayani Taverna to be his fourth! Dino is the restauranteur behind Naschmarkt and Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto, and I'm a faithful patron of both! Here in my downtown Los Altos, Barbayani Taverna is replacing BariBar Bistro Italian eatery (reviewed August 25, 2021), formerly Aldo of Los Altos (closed in early months of the pandemic lockdowns). Barbayani is neighboring Cetrella, The Post across the Main St, and Georgian Bevri (my ROTD+FTR from 5/25/22). I believe it's adding terrific authenticity to the mix! Dino said that he's excited to bring homestyle cooking & offer authentic Greek flavors to local community. A barba is both your cook & your sever, like welcoming your guest into your home kitchen. In Greece, you don't see myriads of workers at a restaurant, it's usually just one person, Barbayani, or uncle John:) Executive Chef & Owner Allen Isik! Expect to see Lavraki Marina, Octapodi, Avgolemono Soup, Horiatiki & Mousaka, Paidakia on the menu! Lavraki Marina ~ Flat Branzino with Virgin Olive Oil, freshly squeezed Lemon Juice, Mustard & Caramelized onions 19.75 Octapodi ~ Charcoal Broiled Octopus, Red Wine Vinaigrette, Oregano 20 Avgolemono Soup ~ Egg Lemon Fumet, Organic chicken, rice 11.50 Horiatiki ~ Wine ripened tomatoes, Cucumber, Bell pepper, Red onion, Kalamata Olives, Feta 14.25 Mousaka ~ Lamb Ragout, Grilled Eggplant, Roasted potato, Bechamel 29.50 Paidakia ~ Mesquite, Rib Cut Lamb Chops, Braised Greens, Barbayani Potatoes, Lemon Vinaigrette 48 "In Ancient land of Greece, stories fund their place, Barba Yani, black-bearded innkeeper with a smiling face, From hearth to bedding, he tended every care every need, In his inn, travelers found solace, rich and rare." Soft Opening Sat 9/30/23 Grand Opening Tue 10/10/23 Music + Celebration! Personal Invitation! Welcome, welcome! Opa! *Save the Earth and claim perfection Deem the mass and blame rejection Hold the pose, reign perception Grudges break your back All you bear All you carry All you bear Place it right on, right on me! [ Review #786 w 5 pix on Sep 28, 2023 ] Lovely outside, blue & white! Front patio! Ornamental Bougainvillea trellis! Greek blue & white! Welcome! @Barbayani Taverna Los Altos CA Sun 9/24/23 Bright contemporary interior! Your table is set! @Barbayani Taverna Los Altos CA Thur 9/28/23 Welcome, Dino T! Personal invite for Grand Opening Oct 10! @Barbayani Taverna Los Altos CA Sun 10/1/23

Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant, but I wished they had more Greek choices. I happen to eat only seafood or vegetarian myself, and I wish they had a seafood souvlaki. Some of the other choices were not exactly Greek food, but they were really delicious. I enjoyed my lobster pasta, which could've been easily made better by using orzo and Greek sauces. Also, they had Turkish, but not Greek coffee meaning with milk definitely my favorite part was the dessert. Here are some pictures from what our four person group enjoyed. One last thing I wish they had espresso coffees, or cappuccino as a choice, but there was none

We had heard good things about this relatively new place in downtown Los Altos from neighbors so decided to give it a try one rainy Saturday might. You need reservations but we thought of it last minute and was able to get a reservation for the full service bar. The bartender who served us was great. Recommended a few items which we tried and were excellent. Loved the short ribs appetizer which may have been the best food of the night. The moussaka was good and hearty with lots of meat. The beef souvlaki was also very good. Can't go wrong with flavored meat! Nice atmosphere too in this not too big downtown restaurant.

I noticed Barbayni had just opened so I booked reservations for my boyfriend and me. We were given the complimentary corn bread and given waters. Service was good and friendly. We ordered the calamari for our appetizer and he had the chicken with the Greek fries while I ordered the scallops. The fries were delicious. Crunchy and flavorful. The calamari was also quite good. My scallops were cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. Some of the best scallops I've ever had. However, my risotto fell short. It tasted pretty flavorless and I would've appreciated more salt or something else added to it. Overall a nice place, the inside is well lit and the outside seating area is so cute also! I just wish the risotto would have been better as it made up half of my scallops dish.

Have been 3 times and gotten for a large dinner party twice ... first and second time were great but pricey. Last few times the food has been mediocre or worse, the portions are shrinking and prices are rising. There are so many better options, skip this (Meyhouse and Evvia for similar food, Los Altos Grill for locals) For a restaurant reliant on town members, they have the formula all wrong. Locals have to love you and they do when quality is consistent and price to value align. Hard pass.

My wife and I went to Lulu's for lunch today, but it was closed for Easter Sunday. I've been wanting to try Barbayani for a while now, and we're so glad we did! Barbayani is on Main Street in downtown Los Altos, across from the Post, which is one of the regular spots. It was finally a dry and warm day so we sat outside, which was very pleasant. I ordered the zucchini cakes and spanakopita, while my wife ordered the Santorini toast. Everything was delicious. Probably the best zucchini cakes I've ever had. For dessert, my wife had the Galaktoboureko. It was a large piece and she managed to finish the entire thing. Service was very prompt and polite. Overall great food, great ambience, and we look forward to going back for dinner.

Came to celebrate a friend's birthday. We sat outside under the heat lamp. Music from across the street (The Post) was far enough not to be disruptive. Service was great, waiters remembered to refill our water and asked for another round of drinks. The food is not bad and I don't mind going there again.

Finger licking good! Made reservations for this place ended up going 30 minutes before reservation which was nice they allowed us in! The place is super cute. I ended of getting lamb chops which was bomb! Only downside the wait for the food was quite a bit

Hands down to the new Greek spot in Los Altos! If you are craving for a heavenly tasty high quality food, this is the right address. Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. Moreover, the ambiance is just so Instagram-worthy. Each picture you take here would look stunning on social media, from the food images to the overall setting. Overall, great job, and the place is a must-visit!

So I came here not expecting much but wow was I blown away. The service is excellent, everyone on staff is very attentive. The food was amazing. There wasn't a single dish I wouldn't order again from the apps to the entrees. Great job and this will def be a return visit!!!

The ambiance is like a small cozy greek town that I found extremely endearing. We went here for my birthday on a tuesday night so we were able to get reservations fairly easily. Our maitre-d and server were both so kind and quick. The food was all amazing. As a party of 6 vegetarians (2 kids) we ordered the tasting platter and we ordered 2 of the zucchine cakes for the 4 adults. We also got the sizzling cheese which came with bread. For the main course there was only one vegetarian option, the risotto but we supplemented with 2 salads (beet salad, and feta salad) and we were recommended this option by the waiter. All were very tasty and we were stuffed towards the end. Since it was a special night they gave me the dessert on the house which was very nice of them. The owner came up to us many times to check on us and was overall a great experience.

so I absolutely wanted to love this place. I texted my lunchmate (aka sis) I wanted the smelts. well dang they didn't have smelts available that day. We had two orders of the Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters) and they were outstanding. the lamb riblets, prevlakia were old school style braised lamb, and we loved them. The Kalamari was average. It was very unclear who was responsible for what in the service. Towards the end we were wanting to go, but no one was available to bring a check. The environment was beautiful and evocative of the Greek Isles for sure. with all hard surfaces, high ceilings and Greek music playing, I found I had to lip read to have a conversation

Fantastic Greek restaurant. First, the ambiance; the moment you walk in, you're transported out of california. They've done an amazing job with the decoration. Then, the food; the finest Greek recipes! Try the lamb shank

The food was mediocre but the service was great! It is very clean and the ambiance is perfect for both family and friends or even as a date. The tuna needed to be more seared but everything else was good.

New restaurant on the much coveted Main Street. The interior is bright with wonderful colors that remind me of the Blue Domes of Santorini. Wait staff provided friendly service. Food was good. I liked that the portions were not too big but adequate enough to make you full. The octapodi appetizer was done well; not overwhelming nor heavy and the octopus was not over cooked. The greens on the appetizer were light and refreshing. The Saganaki was simplistic and more for show. Great for pictures but that's about it. Entrees overall, were tasty. The guests enjoyed their Chilean Sea Bass, Greek Lobster Linguine, Ktenia, and Pastitsio. Highlight for me was the Galaktoboureko dessert. It was light, flaky, soft and had so many layers and textures. It wasn't too sweet and tasted wonderful.

I am so happy that we found this place on Yelp and gave it a try! Everything we had was absolutely phenomenal and the space is gorgeous. It's so bright and so lovely to eat in. We truly enjoyed everything about it. I started with the Bee's Knee cocktail, the second one I had definitely tasted more like honey but both were so delicious. I can't wait to try more of their drinks! We only had room for appetizers but they did NOT disappoint! We had the Pikilia Tasting Platter and it was absolutely phenomenal. Every single dip was absolutely delicious. I wish we had a bit more pita but we were so busy eating the delicious food that we didn't even ask for more. The Solomos Fumèe (salmon) was some of the freshest and most delicious salmon I've had in years. It was SO GOOD. I was so shocked at the quality and flavor of it. It was a perfectly balanced dish and I can't wait to have it again. We also had the Garides Saganaki (tiger prawns) and they were also delicious. They came out hot and we're so enjoyable and we'll seasoned. Everything here was phenomenal and I can't wait to go back and have more!

Dined at Barbayani on 1/24 for a friends birthday dinner. 6 out of 12 people in our party got food poisoning. We informed the restaurant. No apology or care whatsoever. Have never had a situation like that before. Awful!!!

Barbayani Taverna is a white-and-blue, brightly-decorated restaurant serving a menu of Greek dips, mezeths, soups/salads, and entrees in an elegant, modern setting. We started with the Pikilia tasting platter, a sampler of four different dips, including Taramosalata (a salty puree of smoked carp roe), Melitzanosalata (a garlicky roasted eggplant puree), Tzatziki (creamy Greek yogurt mixed with cucumber and dill), and Tirokafteri (a spicy red pepper feta dip), all served with thick grilled house-made pita bread on the side. We then continued on with the Mezeths, or small plates for sharing, and my favorite by far was the Plevrakia, a generous portion of super tender lamb riblets seasoned simply with oregano, garlic, and lemon vinaigrette. The riblets were fatty and fall-off-the-bone tender with plenty of meaty lamb flavor. The Barba Octapodi was a refreshing salad made of tender chopped broiled octopus mixed with baby arugula, roasted red bell peppers, and red onions in a red wine vinaigrette; the Kalamarakia were lightly battered and crispy calamari rings and tentacles, served with a chunky tomato sauce; and the Garides Saganaki was a sizzling iron skillet of tiger prawns in a chunky, sweet, savory, and acidic red plaki sauce made with cooked tomatoes, onions, and red bell peppers, all topped with feta cheese. In my opinion, you can skip the mains entirely and make a delicious meal just out of the appetizers--all the dishes we had were quality and delicious, and came at a surprisingly good value and in generous portion sizes!

ambiance is nice. not all the dishes are perfect (Evvia of course the standard), but grilled octopus still good, and the Seabass was popular - Roasted Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Zucchini, Green Onion, Spinach, Potato, Garlic linguini pasta fine for kids not as al dente. spanakopita ok. glad to see the parklets being completed

I adore Greek food and was stoked to stumble on this place, the ambience can't be beat especially on a warm sunny day, their patio slams, covered for shade yet drenched in light, not loud, and beautiful. The saganaki was the highlight here: fluffy and ethereal, textured crispy exterior with loads of cheese inside, the portion generous enough for several people with the bread making it the perfect appetizer. The octopus salad was also excellent, slightly charred outside yet Tander. The Brussels sprouts, though we expected them to be roasted, were prepared differently but no matter, they were good. The lamb chops was an epic fail. We ordered them "medium" and made sure they'd be pink inside and hopefully, tender. They were over-done, not a bit of pink, but rendered inedible. And we did not eat them, after a couple of bites. Though we gave that feedback to the waiter (without sending them back), the waiter didn't seem to much care, not offering to remedy the situation. Maybe that's on us, we should've known that Greek (and Indians and so many other cultures) do meats differently, and also we should've sent them back. But by the time the lamb arrived, it seemed like a bigger hassle to wait more time for another entree or for them to fire them again. There's other pristine excellent Greek places on the peninsula in Palo Alto and in SF, both sister restaurants beginning with the letters "E" and "K," which those kn the know will recognize which ones I'm talking about. But these folks need to iron out some kinks in the service and food preparation. The hostess who seated us was super sweet, friendly and absolutely adorable. The prices are good, especially for the portion sizes--but I don't have the heart to give it another shot.

The moussaka used to be good but it seems I tried recently this to go and it tasted really bad. I think they might have changed their cooks or menu.

Tonight I had the Chilean Seabass and was dissatisfied . It was very bland and not worth $38. I have eaten here before and the food was much better. I hope this is not a downward trend.

New Greek replacing the Aldo's spot in downtown Los Altos. Some dishes were better than others, but service and ambiance were excellent, so rounding up my 3.5 stars. Food: 3.5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (bit spendier with chicken skewers ~$30) Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: maybe Highlights: - Beautiful designed space white walls with statues and colorful flowers - Amazing staff: waitress was accommodating, friendly, and on top of it and the chef checked in on us - Mediterranean bass (Lavraki): pure flavors and not too thin as this fish sometimes is. My fave dish of the night. 4.5 stars - Octopus (Octapodi): had a wonderful char and not too chewy. Delicious. 4.5 stars - Pita: puffy almost focaccia-like and grilled with light seasoning on top. My son could not get enough of them. 4 stars - Dips (Pikilia): we got the sampler of 4 different types. I love the eggplant which was very fresh and dilly. They brought us extra pita without us even having to ask since they only served it with 4. 3.5 stars - Horiatiki salad: impressive tall angled bowl for the presentation with big chunks of vegetables. 3.5 stars - Cocktails: had a fun list and the fig old fashioned was fantastic. 4.5 stars - Greek wine: liked how they had several by the glass and the waitress provided reccos and a taste. Midlights: - Chicken (Kotopoulo Souvlaki) quantity: only a few cubes with bell peppers and mostly the pilaf. Taste was fine, but not quite enough for my son--though super appreciated they put he sauces on the side. 3 stars Lowlights: - Prawns (Garides Saganaki) was just ok. The shrimp were cooked ok but didn't shine as they were too drenched in tomatoey sauce that they got lost. 3 stars (in this category as I likely wouldn't order it again) Like that there's a new spot and because of the lovely dining experience the staff and ambiance provided us, we would consider returning and maybe get my son the pork chops or steak.