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Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco Reviews
I can see why this joint is hard to get into at night.
We were guests of friends for a celebration. We had a booth for 4, but unfortunately it was near the beverage station in front. This restaurant is loud! Our server was pleasant and astute but could hardly hear her because of the volume. It was packed! The mezes platter with that addictive pita bread was a standout as well as the fried smelts. ( My fave!) My whole char broiled sea bream was amazing as well as my wife's ravioli. Our hosts roasted lamb looked great along with those addictive fries. The hibiscus mocktail hit the spot! Will return.....if we can get a rez!
The restaurant is lovely and the staff are awesome.
This is a big place so it was perfect for our table of 14-16. Our host had selected some very nice appetizers and mains to share. I really loved the hot cheese with lemon spritzed over the top, that was almost a show unto itself. The mains were a bit less successful, both the lamb and chicken kabobs were dry and the spinach needed some kind of seasoning. All in all most items were fine. Word to the wise, the folks at our table whose backs were to the exposed kitchen were roasting.
Step into Diavola Pizzeria, where every slice is made with
Step into Diavola Pizzeria, where every slice is made with love and passion. A cozy atmosphere with the best pizza in town
I think I need to go back and try their meat / lamb to get
I think I need to go back and try their meat / lamb to get full experience cause the vegetarian options were not that great/ flavorful. Favorite was the peach (super juicy and sweet) and burrata but the rest lacked a lot of flavor.
Restaurant manager needs to take training, specifically on
Restaurant manager needs to take training, specifically on how to treat customers. I called on 9/12 in the evening to place a take away order for 3 entrees, 1 appetizer and a soup. They automatically apply a "10%" fee on take away orders. The host had answered the call so I asked her to waive the fee as I am not dining at the restaurant. She said that she had to get permission from the restaurant manager. The restaurant manager finally arrived on the call after 13 minutes. When I asked him to waive the fee, he said "you can order and pay the fee or not order and not pay the fee". I said "thanks for letting me know, I know that" and he kept the phone down. I called the restaurant back and the restaurant manager answered the phone. I asked him "why did you disconnect abruptly" " is this how you treat customers who have dined at the restaurant multiple times for the past 15 years" His response was despicable and started on a rant that this is restaurant policy and that I am welcome to not order from the restaurant in a very patronizing manner. This entire situation could have been easily avoided if this restaurant owner was more prudent on who he/ she decides to hire as their employee who will be customer facing every day - one of the most critical roles in a service industry. They seriously botched it up by hiring this restaurant manager. I urge all customers not to dine at this restaurant considering how rude this guy was.
Had a lovely celebratory lunch here after celebrating a
Had a lovely celebratory lunch here after celebrating a destination wedding this spring. Family style plates and beautiful desserts, along with great wines made this spot a perfect cap to a wonderful day. I did not take a bunch of photos because I was pretty focused on other things, but delicious dishes included greek salad (here), chicken souvlaki, and pikilia.
This used to be an amazing place but it's definitely lost
This used to be an amazing place but it's definitely lost something since before covid. Waiters used to take your coat; now you have to drape it over your chair -- at least have some hooks or a coat stand. They used to make suggestions for food and wine based on what they thought was good as opposed to what was higher priced. And the lamb was so tasty before, now it may as well be substandard beef. Ambiance was good.
Great atmosphere and delicious food! I highly recommend
Great atmosphere and delicious food! I highly recommend this restaurant. Our bartender, Fatah, was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. He understood exactly what we were looking for and made excellent suggestions for both food and drinks. His service really enhanced our dining experience!
Heard about this restaurant from so many people and very
Heard about this restaurant from so many people and very excited to finally enjoyed food there. The ambience and decoration gave a very warm, inviting, and simple rustic feeling. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered one of their specials, peach with lemon yogurt and tzatziki, which was a bit disappointing as a starter. I would expect more of grilled peach to give a concentrated flavor and refreshing herbs, such as mint or basil, but instead, it was just slices of peach with mediocre salad dressing and arugula, which felt like an afterthought. That being said, the other three appetizers were amazing: the stuffed calamari was so tender and fresh with such a mouth watering creamy sauce. The octopus was perfectly charred and juicy. Garlic shrimp was always a good choice. Our two main courses (chicken and Seabass) did not disappoint, fresh, solid ingredient, and perfect grilling. Overall, I would give it a 4.3 if I can. I would return if I walk nearby, but I don't think I would make a special trip for it.
While our favorite restaurant in the bay area they were
While our favorite restaurant in the bay area they were inflexible when my wife was in the hospital and we had to cancel our reservation for 7 family members and charged us the reservation fee x 7.
Business trip to the Bay Area
Some business associates took us here for lunch. Service was outstanding as was the food. We had several different appetizers, lunch entrees and desserts. 5 stars Highly recommend.
TABLES FOR TWO: BEWARE!!!!
Kokkari is a fantastic restaurant. The food is superb and the service exemplary. I rated it with 4 stars instead of 5 because of the table I was assigned to. It was a two top separated by a mere 5 inches to the next two top. We felt as if we were actually dining with our neighbors. (who were quite loud, very intoxicated and extremely obnoxious). They even made very audible comments to each other about the food WE were eating. No privacy at all and we felt like prisoners of their unpleasant conversation (arguing about politics!!!). What a shame for such a delicious meal to be marred by being so uncomfortably close to other diners. Please beware of the sets of two tops right behind the entrance check in. You definitely wont have a very romantic or quiet dining experience eating there. Those specific tables should only be a four top and not divided into two tops. I hope the management reads this review and changes this.
Great food, great atmosphere
Really great Greek Restaurant in Ssn Fransisco. Warm welcoming and buzzing atmosphere. The food was really tasty. Highly reccommended
Amazing service and delcious food!
My family was excited to add Kokkari Estiatorio to our itinerary during our recent visit to San Fransisco. The restaurant offers a beautiful space, friendly staff and delcious food. We enjoyed the Grilled Prawn starter and two whole Sea bass for our family of four. The prawns and sea bass were prepared perfectly. We will not think twice about booking a reservation at Kokkari Estiatorio during future visits to San Fransisco.
Excellent service, superb ambiance
Spontaneous birthday dinner on a Monday, no reservation but got a lovely table in the middle of the restaurant on a surprisingly busy night. Fried Kefalotyri cheese, nectarine salad, braised goat with orzo & mizithra cheese, bourbon & gin cocktails. Excellent service, superb ambiance.
Amazing service from Stephanie!!
The atmosphere is old world with lots of wood, copper pots hanging, ovens roasting meat in plain view. Lots of people to give you excellent service, especially Stephanie, who we had a great interaction with. She was funny, entertaining, and all smiles. Food was outstanding, lamb tongue was incredible and the dessert delicious. Highly recommended- not cheap but worth it!
Disappointed by Lack of Compassion at Kokkari
I am deeply disappointed with the customer service experience I had at Kokkari. I tried to cancel my reservation over 30 hours in advance because my wife had unfortunately fractured her ankle, and we were unable to make it the next day. Despite explaining the situation, the management insisted on sticking to their policy and charged me $25 per person for our party of 5, citing it as their standard practiceโeven though their website clearly states that the charge "may" be applied, not that itโs guaranteed. I understand the desire not to lose out on a reservation; after all, Iโm in business too. But canceling 30 hours ahead should have allowed enough time to rebook the table, especially given that when I checked the following day, the restaurant was indeed fully booked again. Itโs truly unfortunate that Kokkari chose to rigidly adhere to policy rather than showing compassion and understanding for their customers. It seems that service and flexibility take a back seat to rules here, which is really disappointing. We had heard great things about Kokkari, and itโs sad that our experience left us feeling this way.
Our 37th. Anniversary at Kokkari
We celebrated our 37th. anniversary at Kokkari and were delighted with both the service and the meal. We first celebrated an anniversary at Kokkari in 2009, then again in 2010 and lastly in 2014. We were amazed that in 2024 they have retained their excellent quality and service. We started out with our favorite - Saghanaki - it was as always delicious. We both had the Avogolemo soup which at first taste brought back great memories of past meals here. For our mains I had the grilled lamb chops which were cooked to perfection. My husband had the spiced lamb skewer which he raved about. We finished off the meal with a peach crumble on a Happy Anniversary plate. Once again Kokkari delivered and we highly recommend this restaurant.
Amazing service!
Food was amazing! We had such a great experience, and our server Claire was awesome! We loved getting to know her and learn that she was from Greece! She had great wine and food recommendations. She was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and had great descriptions of everything. She even talked us into trying the goat! We loved this experience and will be recommending to friends!
Sophisticated Greek food with attentive service.
Lovely warm vibe and atmosphere. Stephanie, our waitress was wonderful and made great food and wine recommendations. Food came swiftly and was hot and delicious. William the GM made sure everyone was looked after. I shall definitely be returning to this wonderful restaurant.
One of my favorite restaurants in SF.
2 different visits in two different time. Best food best service best people.
Fabulous lunch with great food, service and atmosphere.
Tzaziki with fresh bread and chicken souvlaki were delicious. Impeccable, friendly service with attentive free drink refill. Interior with large fireplace with comfortable seating and warm, well lit atmosphere. The great reviews are fully justified, even lunch prices were very fair. Bravo
Our dining experience was wonderful.
Daniel, our server, was great. He had perfect drink recommendations to pair with our food especially for someone who doesn't know a thing about wines. The food was amazing! The dolma appetizers is heavenly! Give it a try, it's a wonderful place and even though it's lively the energy is calm and relaxing. Beautiful restaurant, good food, and wonderful staff!
Have been here three times in the last 5 months, and
Have been here three times in the last 5 months, and everything has been beyond exceptional. As a Bay Area resident for the last 30 years, and gone to Chez Panisse and the most highly rated restaurants, this is truly my favorite restaurant. It's just extraordinary. I have nothing else to add.
absolutely delicious.
The food was outstanding. For appetizers, I got the watermelon salad, and grilled octopus. They were both unbelievably delicious. For the main course, I got the Mediterranean Seabass. It was perfection. Paired well with my Pino Gris. The staff were efficient, kind, and pleasant. They were also very knowledgeable. I could not have asked for anything better.
So yummy, can't wait to go back! Wish o took more pics.
Really enjoyed the octopus appetizer and the squid!
Everything we ordered was close to perfection.
Wines were excellent and paired well with meal by suggestion of wait staff. Always a good experience.
Authentic Greek flavors, attentive service, charming decor,
Authentic Greek flavors, attentive service, charming decor, fresh ingredients, and delightful baklava ice cream.
The ambience is really nice, the food is delicious! The
The ambience is really nice, the food is delicious! The waiters/waitresses are very friendly and professional. I recommend this place 100%.
Not only was the food absolutely incredible, but the
Not only was the food absolutely incredible, but the customer service was exemplary. Our server, Jason, was by far the BEST server I've ever had at any restaurant or meal EVER. That is no exaggeration. He was polite, whitty, and very knowledgeable and has some incredible suggestions. I will undoubtedly be returning based on his customer service alone, not that the food wasn't exceptional as well. If I could leave ten stars I would!
Excellent restaurant
Excellent restaurant, highly recommend it. We had the lamb chops and rib eye steak. Friendly waiter whose fatherโs family came from Louth, Ireland, where we are from.
Delightful, delicious dining experienceโฆ
This incredibly beautiful restaurant was such a yummy treat but having Moises, at the bar, as our expert guide just took it over the top. His food and wine selections were just spot on and always served with his warm demeanor and fabulous smile. Kudos to the kitchenโฆevery dish was made with care, seasoned perfectly and presented so beautifully. We will most certainly be back next time we are in town
Avoid at all costs
Do not touch this restaurant with a barge pole Food ok Service and manager (William) absolutely abysmal Including stomach upset which we are reporting to the food authorities Go at your own misjudgement ๐๐๐
Donโt waste your time and money
One of the worst restaurants I have had the experience to visit. What a waste of time & money. Food is bland and standards need improving.. The manager, William, is arrogant and insincere .. he displays no authentic customer care skills and is rude. The staff are no better.. they talk behind customers backs as lack the courage to voice their concerns to you in person . How this establishment has a Michelin rating goes beyond my understanding as I have visited restaurants around the world offering such better food and service. I would rate this establishment as a 1 STAR for the decor only.
Charming room, excellent service, good food
We were seated at a lovely table in front of the fire. The room is charming and cozy. Our server was very attentive. Service was leisurely and we never felt rushed. Meals were food chocolate cake was great.
One of SFโs best
Went for a business lunch based on the reviews and lived up to its reputation. It is packed, so book ahead, but always a good sign when a place is packed. Started with the daily special, a sausage with cheese which had really nice flavors. I then had the petrale sole, which was great (and Iโm not a big fish person). Very fresh fish, nice flavored sauce and the chef get rid of every bone. Some of the best fish I have had. Would love to go back.
Amazing Greek food.
Dare I say.... Better than most places I tried in Greece. Exceptional service.
Kokkari is the place where I go on special occasions like
Kokkari is the place where I go on special occasions like birthday, anniversary, or treat because I always get amazing experience w/beautiful food and super attentive service. The roasted octopus and stuffed calamari w/feta are must-try, and the lamb chop and rib eye steak are the best and you will remember for a very long time. The manager, Michele is very welcoming and the waiter Davide is truly professional.
My favorite restaurant in City arguably the whole bay.
The zucchini cakes are extremely addicting! I've even picked up 4 orders to take home just because I was in the area. Other items that stood out were the lamb chops and spreads with pita bread. Traditional Greek or Mediterranean menu but everything executed to perfection.
Great food, the service was incredible, really nice and
Great food, the service was incredible, really nice and quit restaurant. Ambiance was great as we had an early reservation. My daughter loved it!!! Will be back soon, plus they took great care of my 9yr old allergies
Amazing food, service and such welcoming staff! The octopus
Amazing food, service and such welcoming staff! The octopus was amazing. The private room does not have any signal but it is quiet and private for kids to be loud without worrying about other guests at the high end restaurant. One of our family member unfortunately got the car broken into when he street parked so definitely park in the structure across the street from the restaurant and do not leave any valuable. The restaurant was so helpful and let our family member stay in the restaurant for multiple hours while we were getting the logistics settled for the incident. I would still rate the restaurant 5 stars despite the experience. Just make sure that you are mindful of the area.
It just doesn't get any better than this.
Kokkari is one of our two favorite restaurants in San Francisco (the other being Gary Danko). From the moment you walk in to Kokkari, you just sense that "everything is going to be all right" no matter how your day has been. My wife started with the Avgolemone soup which she said is to die for. I started with an order of fried smelt. The smelt were perfectly cooked and spiced. For an old man like me, the order was more than I could handle but would be perfect for a younger buck with a bigger appetite. Despite my feeling somewhat wasteful, I would order this again. We shared a main, the Arnisio Souvlaki (spiced lamb skewer grilled with cucumber tomato salad and potatoes). It was truly magnificent and the perfect size to share with a side of Gigantes Beans (oven baked giant white beans with tomato sauce, olive oil, and feta). The beans dish is really listed as an appetizer, but eating it as a side was perfect for us. We always try to find different wines when dining at international restaurants, so we asked our server for a recommendation of a Greek wine that would pair appropriately with all our dishes. His recommendation was affordable and sheer perfection. It's been a few weeks since we were there, but just writing this literally makes my mouth water. Kokkari, we're coming back sooner than we had expected.
Finally had the chance to try the famous Kokkari and so
Finally had the chance to try the famous Kokkari and so glad I did! The fiance was able to snag a last minute reservation there and we were able to go around 7:30pm on a Monday night. The restaurant was crowded but lively but we were quickly seated. We ended up ordering: * lamb meatballs - these were delicious and absolutely loved the tomato sauce this came with * fried zucchini cakes - I'm not sure how to say the proper name but these were soooo good. Light crispy and flavorful in every bite! * lamb chops - soft succulent and juicy these were great with the fries it came with. Portions are a little small but food taste and quality is great * moussaka - at first I wasn't going to order this but I'm so glad I did! This was like a delicious light cloudy lasagna but without too much cheese? Not sure what the top part was but it was a creamy goodness * stuffed spring rolls with ice cream - this was the dessert and so delicious as it was filled with a custard and crispy outside. This went amazing with the pistachio ice cream! Overall the food and ambiance was awesome!
My dear friend took me to Kokkari to celebrate my birthday
My dear friend took me to Kokkari to celebrate my birthday a week ago, I had not been in over 15 years. The service was so spot on and personal - our waiter Jason did not miss a beat. He was thoroughly knowledgeable about everything on the menu and recommended wines that paired perfectly with our meal. The Manager Michele went above and beyond stopping by to check on us, and made sure we were happy with our food and service after our meal. The food was phenomenal, we tried several appetizers - Avgolemono, Octapodaki tou Yiorgou, Gigantes, and some sort of delicious bread with creamy feta, to die for! Then we shared a main course, Arnisio Souvlaki - the lamb was cooked to perfection and was bursting with flavor. (sorry for not taking photos, was too busy talking and eating!) Jason and Michele surprised me with a beautiful dessert and though I really did not have any room left, I managed to clean the plate. The meyer lemon pastry dessert was one of the best desserts I have every enjoyed. Being at Kokkari felt like I had escaped to another country, the whole experience was so fun, and positive. I will be sure to return and bring my family and friends for future celebrations! A special thank you to Jason and Michele that made the evening so memorable for me. And of course to my dear friend Jackie that treated me to dinner for my birthday. Can't wait to return soon. !
One day a greek uber driver recommended this place without
One day a greek uber driver recommended this place without hesitation when I asked about the best greek restaurant in the bay, so I gave it a try. Zucchini cake: (1.5/5) nothing special, a bit disappointing. Lamb chop: (5/5) the best lamb-related dish I've ever had. This lamb chop has become my standard for what a good lamb dish should be, and I'm afraid that I won't be satisfied with places out there. Whole sea bass: (3.5/5) taste-wise it's not really surprising but the technique to cook the fish off the grill was outstanding. Crispy and smoky outside & moist inside, but I don't think I will order it again. Greek donuts: (5/5) amazing small donut pieces halfway submerged in a honey with other small toppings. I'm craving this right now writing this. Galaktoboureko: (5/5) the famous dessert. I could have finished 3 plates of them. The combo with pistachio ice cream was very nice.
great experience on four different occasions
fabulous restaurant with great selection on menu, drink list and bar, and service/ ambience in the front room. this is our fourth time at this restaurant and it never disappoints. we continue to try different dishes on the menu and they continue to be wonderful. we have had the chili roasted shrimp, large beans, brussels sprouts, grilled artichoke as appetizers at different times, and kokkari and greek salads, and grilled whole fish and grilled halibut as mains, again at different times. there hasn't been a marginal dish that we were ever served. also the service is excellent: friendly and engaging in conversation but also unobtrusive. we will always go back to kokkari. my advice is to go early or late so you can get a table in the front room. otherwise you will be in one of the other areas which are larger and noisier. and if you're in the front you may see some recognizable figures dining at the lead table!
This week, my husband and I decided on a whim to go and
This week, my husband and I decided on a whim to go and celebrate our anniversary at Kokkari in San Francisco. We have not been back since Covid and were looking forward to supporting our favorite places. Upon our arrival, we were more than excited to find our old dear friend Michele di Ruoco at the front desk. Ironically, we had our wedding dinner at Michele's old restaurant, Capannina. It was so great to be back at Kokkari and even better to be with a great friend at the helm. The restaurant did not disappoint...the seabass was cooked perfectly and the the chicken souvlaki was excuisite with its sumptuous yogurt marinade...all topped off with a wonderful bottle of Helen Turley's wine. Our waiters were great, but having Michele with his big infectious smile, ensuring that everything was running smoothly, was the key component that made the day so special. My husband and I promised that we would now make Kokkari a monthly date night (It is definitely the best restaurant in San Francisco!) ...And we will make sure that we are there when Michele is in the house
Bad Night for the Kitchen?
I hope that it was just a bad evening for the kitchen. I have been to Kokkari several times over the last 10 years and have always enjoyed their moussaka. Unfortunately this was not one of those times. The lamb/ beef layer was dry, there were no layers of eggplant, ( if there had been, they were cooked to oblivion,) and there was a 2 inch lump of cooked potato at the bottom of the dish. So disappointing. For $37 I expect better quality.
Excellent food. Plan ahead for a reservation
Beautiful ambiance, great food. Good service. Order a bunch of plates and share everything family style. Great flavors. Highly recommended.
Just not worth it
Was here for dinner with my family. The menu selection was adequate and the service was good. The restaurant is nice. The food was ok but nothing special for the price you are paying. Our bill for 5 people was $645 (tip included) for a plain average meal. Simply not worth it and would not recommend for these reasons
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Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
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Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
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1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* ImmortalStep65, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* ImmortalStep65 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to ImmortalStep65 for any questions Peter may have as ImmortalStep65 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* ImmortalStep65 now uses their connections at Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If ImmortalStep65 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, ImmortalStep65 receives the $200 reward which is credited to ImmortalStep65's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
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