Taverna Agora

My boyfriend and I went for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and were immediately seated. It took about 10 minutes for a waitress to come over and offer us water on a 90 degree day, so that’s where the stars off for service come from. Otherwise, the food and drink were good. I enjoyed my salmon burger and red sangria, though I probably wouldn’t order the sangria again. My boyfriend enjoyed his lamb burger. Overall, I would visit again.

This place was good! I’ve heard wonderful things about the rooftop. I made a reservation for outside but was placed in their front room, which is completely covered and basically inside. Next time I’ll ask the hostess for the rooftop specifically, so I’m not faulting them for that. The feta dip was yummy! Would recommend this place although it is not my favorite Greek place in the triangle. However, it is a great downtown option.

Love the deck outside, it's upstairs! The Greek wine (although I didn't order that). The cocktails (had an espresso martini). But above all, my fabulous waitress, Molly. What a fun night. I highly recommend!

Great food probably been 5 times now. Indoor seating downstairs and rooftop seating upstairs. Definitely authentic, great drinks too. I got the lamb burger. Clean and service was great. We went for lunch. I know if you go for dinner they have a dinner menu.

We decided to stop by on a whim for lunch, and we’re so glad we did—it turned out to be a delightful surprise. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Ryker, our waiter, was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and genuinely entertaining, which added a fun vibe to our visit. My wife ordered the strawberry salad with salmon, and it was an absolute standout. The sweetness of the strawberries paired perfectly with the savory, perfectly cooked salmon, creating a fresh and vibrant combination of flavors. She also tried a mocktail that was absolutely awesome—made with ginger beer and berries, it was refreshing, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. I went with the lamb burger, and it exceeded expectations. The lamb was juicy, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. Every bite was satisfying, especially with the thoughtful toppings and soft, fresh bun. What started as a spontaneous stop turned into one of the best lunches we've had in a while. We’ll definitely be back!

This place is incredible. We got the pleasure of sitting on the rooftop on a calmer evening with near perfect weather. Waitstaff was friendly, knowledgeable, and offered great suggestions for our first time. We tried the zucchini cakes, sun dried tomato hummus with pita, Greek salad with chicken kabob, and the chicken Slovakia platter. Honorable mention: berry mocktail lemonade.

Scrumptious food!! Great atmosphere and simply an all around enjoyable dining experience. I have had the pleasure of eating upstairs in the terrace which is an outdoor dining experience and downstairs in the main part of Taverna Agora. The waiters and waitresses are all very nice! Take your family or friends who are visiting, they will love this place!

We checked out this awesome restaurant yesterday and really loved it. The interior and overall vibe had a strong Greek feel to it — super cozy and stylish. We sat upstairs on the open patio, and even though it was warm outside, it felt perfect. They had fans going, plus a light breeze, so it wasn’t too hot or cold — just super fresh and comfortable. When we got there, they handed us the menu. Just a heads-up: the menu on the website has pictures, but the one at the restaurant doesn’t. Personally, I always recommend restaurants include pictures — it just helps you visualize what you’re ordering, especially when the descriptions alone aren’t super clear. Most people order with their eyes, you know? Service-wise, everything was solid. No complaints there. For drinks, my wife got an iced tea, and I went with the iced coffee — it was really good and had a cool twist to it. As for food, my wife got the lamb burger and I ordered the chicken gyro. The gyro was a little on the dry side, but that’s kinda expected with chicken — it’s just the texture. Not a bad thing, just how chicken is sometimes. Everything else tasted great though. The burger? My wife said it was good, just not amazing. So, will we go back? Definitely. The place is beautiful, the vibe is great, and I’d totally recommend checking it out.

Took my husband here for a surprise birthday celebration, and it turned out to be such a memorable evening! The vibe is amazing -- you truly feel like you've been transported to Greece. From the décor to the music and overall atmosphere, everything felt special. The staff were friendly, attentive, and really helped make the evening smooth and enjoyable. The belly dancing was the highlight of the night -- so fun and lively! It added such a unique, festive touch and made the whole experience even more worthwhile Food wise, chicken Platter - Absolutely delicious! Generous portions, great flavors, and beautifully presented. Lamb Shank - This one wasn't really our thing -- a bit too heavy on the tomato flavor for our taste. Might be an acquired flavor, but just not for us. Orange Cake - A sweet surprise! It was free for the birthday person, and it was light, zesty, and the perfect end to the meal. Total cherry on top! All in all, it was a fantastic evening. Great food, warm service, fun entertainment, and thoughtful birthday touches. I can't wait to go back again!

Came to Taverna for Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week. They have a both lunch and dinner specials but be sure to ask for the Restaurant Week menu. I started off with the Halara cocktail, essentially a hibiscus infused margarita. It's both strong in liquor and strong in a floral notes. There are three options for each dinner course, I had the stuffed eggplant, lamb tips and orzo and for dessert the orange cake which the waitress recommended. Overall a solid meal but I wish both the eggplant and the lamb tips had a little more salt and seasoning. Dessert was my favorite, the cake was very moist. The waitress was very attentive and the restaurant was packed by 7pm. There are both indoor and outdoor seating but if weather permits I'd highly recommend the rooftop. There's a good breeze from the fans and a nice view to Hillsborough Street.

Excellent dinner for 5. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dinner last week. We ordered a lot of food. First arrived an order of the Trio Dips of Tzatziki, sun-dried tomato hummus, and spicy feta spread and pita. We opted for a Greek Dinner for 5 which included Greek village sausage (loukaniko), herb marinated lamb chops, chicken souvlaki, and shrimp souvlaki. Served with Greek village salad, green beans, roasted lemon potatoes, pita, and tzatziki. Cost was $37 per person. The feast started arriving first came the Trio of Dips with soft warm pita. All were delicious and the favorite one was the spicy feta spread. Then the major food started being served...we ordered too much food. A really huge platter of meats and shrimp arrived. Ten perfectly grilled lamb chops. Not one morsel of lamb was left. I thought the weak link would be the grilled sausage but I was wrong. It was delicious. I just couldn't stop eating it. I gave up shrimp for more sausage. I was told the shrimp were tasty with the grilled char. Others loved the chicken. Needless to say there was no protein left. Plenty of tzatziki, pita, green beans, potatoes and Greek salad made their way home for leftovers. Service was great. Prices were reasonable for the amount of food we received. Highly recommend and definitely make a reservation in advance. Taverna Agora was packed when we left at 7:00PM after a 2 hour feast.

The server (Lexi) and her trainee were outstanding!! Very attentive to our needs. The place was deceiving from the outside. Looked small but when you get in it's big! Great decoration. Great lighting. Clean. The music was loud enough to hear, but we were able to carry out a normal conversation. Calamari, main dishes, salads and desserts were amazing. Orange cake, lemon cake, baklava and baklava cheesecake. All were delicious. Lemon cake was the clear winner. Highly recommend this place!!!

We attended for their monthly Greek night and had so much fun! The service was excellent, ambiance is warm, just like you were in Greece. And the food is incredible- I have never been disappointed. The Mykonos pasta is delicious! As are the dips and pita!

We took the kids, one of whom has multiple severe food allergies, and our server and the restaurant's attention to our orders were impeccable. We ordered the family feast for three of us to share while our kiddo ordered an allergy-friendly meal separately just to be extra safe to avoid any potential cross contamination. Everything was delicious and it was so much food, but most importantly, our kiddo was able to safely enjoy a delicious meal that was different than the usual options he has at other restaurants. The greek salad was honestly my favorite part, but the shrimp skewers and meatballs took a very close second. He had the lamchops, lemon potatoes, and green beans -- and ate all of it! Highly recommend and will be back!

From the moment we walked in, everything--from the food to the service to the ambiance--was absolutely perfect. I was in town for work, and a coworker highly recommended this spot. I'm so glad she did--and equally glad she suggested making a reservation, as it definitely gets busy. We were lucky to be seated upstairs on a beautiful evening, and it truly felt like being transported to a Greek island. The breeze, the aromas, and the relaxed, charming setting all came together to create a magical atmosphere. We started with the Traditional Sampler, which was a fantastic introduction to the menu's bold and authentic flavors. The spanakopita and the meatballs were especially delicious, but honestly, everything on the plate was a hit. Since there were only two of us, we saved room for dessert--and I'm glad we did. I chose the Limoncello cake, which was light, bright, and the perfect end to the meal. Next time, I've got my eye on the baklava cheesecake. Our server was attentive but never intrusive, giving us plenty of time and space to enjoy our evening and conversation. If you're in town, this place is a must. I'll definitely be back!

This place is incredible!!!! The rooftop bar ambiance is amazing! They have the best espresso martinis and they sell glass bottles of acqua panna!! The spanakopita is phenomenal. The bar manager is so nice and she gives great recommendations.

We came for a late-evening snack, but I didn't love what we tasted. I wasn't a huge fan of the eggplant and I usually love anything eggplant. The sauce just tasted a little bit odd. The sampler was pretty good-my favorite thing from the whole meal was the spanakopita. I think we would need to come back and try some different things. Maybe we will ask what the favorites and best sellers are.

seafood linguine was outstanding. I would be back just for that. We ate on the rooftop..

Service is always great here, and the atmosphere is nice. I loved the chicken penne past, so I highly recommend that!

Lovely ambience close to the North Carolina General Assembly. Beautifully decorated space for a Greek restaurant with a delicious lunch of gyro served with salad, tzatziki and perfect hot fries. Service was good and food came out quickly.

Great Mediterranean food. Really really high quality gyro. Strawberry salad was amazing. Really enjoyed the calamari. Gorgeous rooftop dining area. Perfect for groups and parties. Very attentive and respectful service. Would love to go back and try more things.

Great day for lunch and I just had to try the Mykonos Chicken Penne. It was so yummy and had left overs to take home. Service was great and we got to sit upstairs where we had the nice warm sun. First time to have lunch here and I highly recommend it.

Large restaurant with rooftop and indoor seating. Rooftop was beautiful and filled with real plants. Friendly staff who took great care of our big group. Lamb burger was moist and delicious. Lots of great appetizer options to share. Drinks were well made. Would come back.

The service provided by Brielle was exceptional and very friendly. The food is always good but the service and attention was above and beyond. We look forward to returning.

We have come here a few times with other couples and have always had great experiences. We are always fortunate enough to get rooftop dining with a fun view and decor. Baklava cheesecake is delicious! Staff was attentive and food is fresh and flavorful.

I'm usually pretty stingy with my 5-star ratings but this outing gets no complaints from me. Parking was a breeze, though I had a wait a couple minutes for someone to open up a spot for me. Worth it - I parked right outside the restaurant! The host let us pick our own table by the airy front door. Thomas the server was laid back and cool. I had the Chopped Marouli Salad. That's romaine, mix of fresh herbs, Manouri cheese, red wine vinaigrette - but no cheese for me. It was heavy on the oil, but that's okay. Then there was the Gemista. Slow-roasted tomato and bell pepper, filled with rice, tomato, fresh herbs. Served with seasonal vegetables. In this case, the "seasonal vegetables" was string beans. It was the highlight of the meal. My niece had the grilled salmon, which I did not try. We were wrapping up to leave when Thomas asked if we wanted dessert. We said no, though this was a late birthday dinner for me. Hearing that, Thomas informed that birthday customers get a free dessert. Since "free" is my favorite word, I ordered the Limoncello Cake - lemon cake with lemon cream frosting. It was delicious, as was the Greek Coffee. However, that coffee packed a real punch. Great place! Go tonight! A.

My family and I had a lovely dining experience enjoying one of my favorite cuisines ... Greek! And it all began on the upstairs terrace ... an open air dining area that was very inviting. Regarding the menu, there were many wonderful options to choose from, which made it difficult to decide, but we were up for the challenge! We started with the Spicy Feta Spread and the Stuffed Eggplant. Very tasty! For our entrees, we went family style and ordered the Gemista (stuffed tomato and green pepper), Pork Souvlaki Platter, and the Lamb Chops. Everything was amazing! And we had just enough room for dessert, so we shared a Baklava Cheesecake. Yum! Of course, I washed all this food down with a lovely Greek beer. I believe a return visit is in my future.

We had an amazing dinner at Taverna Augora. Molly our server recommended excellent appetizer dishes and provided great service.

Great food and service, one of favorite places to go to in the Raleigh! I would highly recommend.

This is an updated review! We came on a Sunday for brunch and sat right at the bar. I tried the gyro hash and did the carafe of pineapple mimosas. The mimosa was good of course. The hash was like the perfect size amount for my hunger that morning. It has two eggs on top with potato's, gyro and some other things in it. Glad I came back for a second time and tried something different.

Molly is a FANTASTIC server! She made sure our dinner was the perfect experience. The food was delicious as always!

Nothing not to LOVE about this place. The meal was perfect all the way through from the first sip of a cocktail to the dessert. Service was great. If you have the time, reserve your table well in advance to ensure you can eat on the top level, however; the seating matters the least when the food is this food. Such a nice ambiance that makes you forget you're in downtown Raleigh. Highly recommend for both adventurous and picky eaters.

I visited there with my family after reading some positive reviews on Yelp. We don't go to too many places in downtown Raleigh so this was an opportunity to support a local business there. The atmosphere was very friendly and inviting. There was Greek-themed music playing in the background. The use of wood all throughout the restaurant with nice touches of greenery was very comforting. We went there in the early afternoon on a Sunday brunch so it was not crowded inside. There were stairs leading to a deck up top where you can eat and have a nice view of downtown, but we did not go up there. We'll save that for next time! The staff were pleasant and since this was our first time visiting there, we asked several questions about the menu. Our waiter was very accommodating and attentive to our needs. As for the food, the one word I can use that sums up everything is FRESH! Everything was home made with great care, and it tasted that way. My son had the meatballs, they were huge. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to taste them before he gobbled them down, but I did get a chance to try some of the tomato sauce. It was fabulous! Very fresh, perfect balance of herbs and spices. It would make a great soup if pureed too! My wife had the Chicken Penne Mykonos. She loved it. She even mentioned the freshness of all of the ingredients and the flavors in the dish. The chicken was very flavorful and tender. The pasta was cooked nicely and the white wine lemon cream sauce was light, bright flavored with the lemon and sooooo good! I had the gyro pita. I've tried lots of gyro pitas in the past and I wanted to compare this one to the others. It was no comparison. Again, everything was so fresh. The veggies were crisp, the tzatziki sauce was the perfect to accent the meal, light and had a lot of flavor. The gyro meat was seasoned just right and very tender. Best gyro pita I've had! We had the calamari for an appetizer. It was lightly fried and very tender. It seems like it just had salt for seasoning and that was enough. There was a spicy tomato sauce that went with it and like the sauce for the meatballs, it was very, very good! I had the spanakopita for an appetizer and it was amazing! 3 large sized pieces. They could almost be a meal by themselves. So much spinach was packed into each one. They were dense. I think phyllo dough that was used, and it was very, very flaky. Each one was lightly fried and not greasy. The spinach and feta were lightly seasoned which was nice because the lemon sauce that went with it was perfect with it. It was a bit tart as expected, with nice lemon flavor. It went well with the spanakopita. Overall, we really, really enjoyed our time there. We will definitely go back and get some these dishes again as well as trying some new items. If you like Greek food, you need to try them out.

Four stars for great food, service, and ambiance. 2 stars for value. I popped in for Sunday Brunch and was seated on the upstairs deck outside with a great street view. I ordered French toast with a side of fruit and an iced tea. Everything tasted great. French toast wasn't overly sweet. Presentation was nice. But $25 for a small plate of French toast with fruit and drink? And that's $30 with tip. Yowsa! I get that we have inflation but Nothing on that plate justified that price.

My date and I dined at Taverna Agora last night, March 18, 2025, on a first date. As a Greek, I was familiar with the dishes. We started with Spanakopita, which was very good. Then we ordered Pastitsio, which was fair. I typically don't order that dish when dining out because I prefer my own version, but it was decent. Lastly, we had the Souvlaki plate, which was very good! Regarding the service, we had to ask for a specific table away from other diners to be a little more private, and it seemed like the staff wasn't pleased with our request, even though the restaurant wasn't busy. Our server didn't introduce himself properly, so I didn't catch his name. Overall, we felt completely rushed throughout our dining experience. When our server, a young man, asked if we wanted dessert, we declined but requested a to-go box. He returned with the box and proceeded to remove everything from our table, including our utensils, which we could have used to scrape our plates. Instead, we had to use the skewer sticks. He stood there waiting for us to pay, not giving us a moment to digest our food. To top it off, he took our water glasses and even the one with beer that still had some left! Extremely disappointed considering I'm in the hospitality industry myself.

Our experience was amazing! We had Reygan as our waitress and she was so nice and knowledgeable about every question we asked. I loved how genuine Reygan was and we could tell how much she cared about what she was doing and loved her job. We got her name and will definitely be back again in the near future! Thank you so much Reygan and the Taverna Agora staff :)

Such a wonderful evening! The food was delicious and MOLLY was an incredible server. I we really enjoyed the whole experience.

Stopped by for a late lunch with a big group and the folks at Taverna were very accommodating. We sat in the upstairs greenhouse which is so beautiful, bright and open. We ordered a couple of cocktails which were very yummy. I highly recommend the mixed berry mule. I ordered the lunch gyro with a side salad. It was very good and fresh. Ate everything! One member in our party went for the moussaka and absolutely devoured it. We had a great lunch and excellent service. Definitely try this place as it is something different to try. You won't be disappointed!

I've eaten at Taverna Agora many times over the years, even when it was located in its original location on Glenwood. It has never disappointed. The past few times I have been for Sunday brunch. I've had the Greek omelette, the tomato feta scramble and most recently the baked eggs and pita. My favorite place to sit is upstairs on the open deck. It was a little warm this past Sunday when I went but still such a nice, relaxed vibe. The only downside was that our table was right next to the dishwashing station and it was SO LOUD. I swear it sounded like they were throwing the dishes. The baked eggs were delicious but I ordered mine without pita and then I had nothing to soak up all that yummy sauce with. I should have asked for a spoon to get every morsel. We didn't order cocktails but I saw some at another table and they looked delicious. Overall a great place to grab brunch.

We had a lovely afternoon on the patio of Taverna. It was a beautiful day and our wait, Brielle, saw to our every need. The spanokopita is the best I've had anywhere in NC. Light and fluffy. The zucchini cakes were fabulous, and so was the Greek salad. Try it for the aged feta. Fabulous! Brielle, was so fun to chat with, and made our afternoon relaxing and interesting. Intelligent, lovely woman. What an asset she is to the restaurant. We mentioned that we had a thirtieth anniversary coming up and she brought a beautiful piece of lemancello cake to our table. Light and delicious! What a great experience. Thank you so much Brielle and Taverna Agora!

Fabulous food and Courtney is an amazing server! Kind, patient , knowledgeable who made our experience complete. Thanks for making my daughter's grad celebration from med school so perfect!

Had a very nice dinner- all the food was so yummy- portions are pretty large- service was great and attentive- restaurant is large and spacious- desserts were good too- we got limoncello cake and baklava but honestly was too full to enjoy it

Food and drinks were fantastic! Our server 'Blu' was on top of our party of 10. She didn't miss a beat the whole night! We'll be back!!

Really great atmosphere and service. The food and drinks are always good. If you're into mediterranean it's definitely worth checking out.

Super fast service. I placed an order online for pickup, and my order was ready within ten minutes. I stepped inside briefly to grab my takeout, and the restaurant looked very cozy and quaint. It wasn't crowded on a Monday night. I ordered the Chicken Penne Mykonos, which I liked. The portion size was filling, and I liked the rich, creamy flavor of the pasta sauce. Taverna Agora seems like a solid choice for comfort food -- either on a night out or to-go.

Ryker was great at the bar. I'm an entertainer coach driver in the music industry . Ryker steered me right as far as great food and kept me drinking until my hours of service said no lol. Thank you my friend

The lamb is phenomenal here. Love the rooftop. It's a beautiful restaurant and perfect for birthdays/ parties. Loved my experience here. A tad pricey but worth it.

Very cute spot. I'm a big fan of Greek food and came here for a girls night. Ended up ordering their Kafe-tini, which is a take on an espresso martini. It was ok, but not my favorite. It got the job done though. For an appetizer we ordered the sun dried tomato hummus and it was delicious. And then we moved to entrees, which we all ordered the penne Mykonos pasta. I banged mine lol so it was definitely good. We were also celebrating a birthday so they were very kind to bring out dessert with a candle for my friend. We sat upstairs in their terrace area which I'm sure is a dream in the warmer weather months. Overall I enjoyed myself and I will be back.

Porkchop o porkchop, how I love you. lol! No but seriously this is one of the most delicious porkchops I have ever had. It was flavorful, it was tender, it was delicious and just beautifully done. I will be back for this porkchop!! The greenbeans were also the seasonal vegetable and it was delicious. The entire meal was honestly incredible, this is such a good spot!! Dessert was lovely, the lemon cake was light and had a tasty berry sauce. All just beautifully done. The upstairs insulated seating was gorgeous and I think this is a spot you can easily dress up or down depending on your vibe! Service was excellent, he was attentive and everything arrived with great time. I'll be back!!!!! Get the porkchop!

I've been impressed with the food both times I've come. First, for brunch. Ordered a mimosa and Gyro Hash. The second time, for dinner. Ordered chicken pene Mykonos. Both times, very good! However, my only note is to be aware service is slow. If you plan to come, chat, leisurely eat - then you're good, but if you're looking for something quick, avoid here.

Came here for a large business meeting. Food was fine, nothing really jumped off the plate and stood out. Food had been ordered for the table but honestly the portion sizes were extremely skimpy and what I was being asked to share was basically an appetizer for one. Service was fine. The baklava was actually really great, it wasn't sickly sweet and it had a nice nutmeg and maybe some allspice or clove to it? But other than that, I felt that everything was middle of the road. Which isn't bad! Don't let the three stars deter you! It's just not a standout, especially for the price point. J.Ja

Excellent Greek food in a central location. Able to accommodate larger tables, evidenced by several groups of 10-14 people seated around us. We were staying at the Holiday Inn and went for a walk to find dinner. This restaurant was literally right out the front doors of the hotel. We thought we might be underdressed in shorts and t shirts but the hostess said we were fine. We were seated immediately at about 7:30 on a Friday night. The server brought bread and dipping oil with our water and offered a bread refill while we waited got our meal. We ordered the mussels appetizer to share. The mussels were in a tomato sauce that seemed a little watery, but the mussels themselves were great. I ordered the stuffed trout special, which came with lemon rice and green beans. My son had the ribeye, served with potato spears and green beans. Service was very good until we were finished and waiting to pay our bill. I was about to go to the hostess station to pay our bill when another staff member noticed my credit card and offered to run it for me.

Outstanding service!! Perfect balance of attentive,friendly & helpful but never pushy. Met friends for lunch & it was awesome! Calamari was really crisp, came with fried lemon slices which i never had before but were great. Refreshing. The flaming cheese app was a show stopper! Yum. With wine soaked grapes on top. Wow! Lamb burger was perfect. Hubby had pastitsio, friends had gyro. No leftovers here. Save room for the baklava cheese cake. Lemonchello cake was also good. 10s if I could

Great experience both times I've been there. Once with just my fiance, and the second time For brunch with ten of us total. Each time the service & food was great. The food is just so delicious, all ten of us loved what we ordered and almost all ordered something different. Will definitely be back & will bring people there who visit us from out of state!

Courtney (with a C) was a rockstar! Great service. Great food. Great time. Will come again soon!

Well damn. The lobster and shrimp linguine was over the top. Rich and flavorful. I had the lamb shank as well the night before. The upstairs/outside bar experience is the best. Awesome service/bartender. I may need an intervention. :-)

I ate here a few weeks ago and can't believe I forgot to write a review. It was a great experience! We were sat immediately on the rooftop and greeted by our wonderful waiter. He helped recommend drinks and dishes to the group. I did not drink, but the friend I was with who did get a cocktail said it was great. all of the food was delicious too. We ordered Dolmades (grape leaves) and flambéed saganaki for the table. The saganaki is lit table side and a treat to watch. I ordered the steak souvlaki platter for my entree and it came with pita, tzatziki, rice pilaf and sautéed peppers. It's almost impossible to leave room for dessert with how good everything was, but I did and got the traditional baklava. I love baklava and this did not disappoint! If you are too full, maybe get one to go? Would definitely recommend and can't wait to come back my next trip to Raleigh.