yelp says they are open till 8pm today. We went there to pick up food at about 7pm. They were closed without any notice whatsoever! Their name is "the avenue", it is hard to find because they write "Smyrna" nowhere in front!
marina f.
Whenever we had dinner in this restaurant, it was always amazing !!! We are fm Greece and we are always trying to find really genuine Mediterranean tastes. That's the place !! Their Veggie Moussaka is....to die for! Their octopus, their fish, their dips. We can't wait to re-open !!!!
Gal Mangal
It was recommended to me by a friend. Loved the atmosphere- very stylish! Food was delicious and service was excellent!
Susan O
The food here is truly terrible: I had the "greek chicken" - which consisted of a flattened, rock-hard, overcooked, and unseasoned piece of (probably microwaved) chicken with a couple of pieces of tasteless tomatoes and 3 or 4 lumps of old feta on top. My husband had the lamb burger, also way overcooked, with poor quality meat, accompanied by french fries that were barely defrosted from their frozen carton. The kitchen appears to have no cooking going on whatsoever, which begs the question of where the dried out bad food actually comes from. The wine was nearly impossible to choke down. This is perhaps the worse dining experience I have had in over 20 years in any city in any country. The food is not Greek, not Mediterranean, and not good.
Monica S.
We came here for Christmas Dinner, as this is one of better looking spots that was taking reservations for the holiday. I was a little disappointed to find that the Christmas Dinner menu was abbreviated from the regular menu, and that the items I was most looking forward to based on previous Yelp reviews (octopus, greek salad, branzino) didn't make it onto the shorter menu. However, I am grateful that they were open for reservations this evening and realize it would be hard to stock the full menu, so I'll just have to come back another time to try these items. We shared several starters and entrees family style: -lamb meatballs -eggplant puree -calamari -vegetarian moussaka -stuffed eggplant -arugula salad with fried haloumi Overall: Food 3/5 - the lamb meatballs were tender and flavorful; everything else was fine but not particularly memorable. I didn't dislike anything we ate, but I also didn't feel excited by any of the flavors. Given the fantastic Mediterranean options nearby (Kali kitchen, Mediterranean Wraps, Anatolian Kitchen), the food felt a touch underwhelming. Service 4/5 - Service was very friendly, although a bit slow and inattentive (long wait for food, water glasses sat empty for most of the 2+ hour meal), but I chalk that up to being a bit understaffed on a holiday, so I won't assume that is typical until we have a chance to return. Ambiance 4/5 - cozy, moderately loud but not so much to impede conversation, nice lighting and decor. Overall, this seems like a promising spot, although we will need to visit on a non-holiday to get a full sense of the menu. There are several restaurants of this genre along Cal Ave, so time will tell if and how Smyrna distinguishes itself.
Jane B.
We and another couple tried this Mediterranean restaurant and thought it was terrific. The arugula salad with almonds was a great appetizer followed by the various entrees in the group: Lamb chops, moussaka, chicken kabob and eggplant Parmesan. All dishes were excellent. Veggies were very fresh. Great service and ambiance and a good find on CA street in Palo Alto. Didn't have room for dessert but heard the poached pear was excellent. (This place is in the location where Spalti's used to be.)
Vi Y.
Ambiance - Nice, modern. Tables and booths have enough space so you're not all cramped in there. On a Thursday night the restaurant was empty, which is sad to see considering rent must be so high on this strip. Service - Really nice and friendly. Language barrier though, but still you can feel the warm energy. We did family style and they split all of our plates for us so we each had a plate! Food- Spread sampler : Pita was so soft! Eggplant/hummus/tzaziki were all tasty. It needs to go with something more than pita though. Arugula Haloumi Salad : Best arugula salad we've ever had. It wasn't bitter at all. Whatever they did to it was delish. Haloumi was fried to a crisp, but still soft in the middle. Great texture. House Bread - The olives/olive oil/vinegar dip was so addictive, and bread was soft/warm/chewy. We almost filled up on this! Octopus - Creative and on top of grilled melons. I'm trying to eat vegetarian, but tried a bite of it and it was tasty. Branzino - It came out boneless and perfect! The orzo was big, chewy and perfectly al dente. Poached pear dessert is not to be missed! Save room for dessert. Baklava - if I had to choose between 2 desserts, the poached pear wins. dinner for 2 with 1 glass of wine was $100. I want to come back to try the ravioli!
Karne N.
Had lunch here recently and totally enjoyed it. I had the Greek chicken salad, which was excellent. Very fresh tender chicken tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers and romaine. My friend had the chicken with rice and vegetables. Reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. Definitely coming back for dinner.
Luciane P.
Wow! Our first time here and we can't wait to go back. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious! We had the grilled octopus and the Greek salad as appetizers, the scallops and the lamb lasagna as entrees, and the baklava and kunefe for dessert. Everything was excellent! Highly recommended!
Mir M.
This place is the best Mediterranean restaurant in that neighborhood. I got chicken shish and it was so delicious yummy Service was great they were so nice to me . I'll come back definitely .Thank you
I've visited Smyrna three times since their opening and every time the food was just terrific. Every dish was memorable, with original takes on Mediterranean dishes that are almost always better than an equivalent at Evvia or Taverna (while not Turkish, their menus are similar enough). They have thick and densely flavorful sauces that are artfully plated. You get a good amount of food for the money and since sadly it hasn't gotten a lot of business, it was always very quite on each visit. Really hoping they make it because I see myself returning many more times in the future.
Ofer B.
Best vegetarian dishes in Palo Alto. I had a tomato gazpacho, eggplant cold salad, and the spanakopita and all dishes were amazing. The freshness and the taste of the gazpacho, eggplant cold salad were just amazing and the spanakopita was baked just right. I eat mostly vegetarian and in many of the best restaurants in the area and his was as good or better than much more expensive such as Evvia or Birch Street Cafe, both are great restaurants. I had some seafood there before and it was not as good. If you like great vegetarian food this is the place.
Chetzi
Tried a new ( opened about three months ago). Excellent food with friendly service. Reasonable value with both inside and outside seating. Halloumi was a bit salty (yes it is a brined cheese) but could have been a little less. The beets that accompanied it were delicious. The shish and the prawn risotto both were outstanding. Portions were large so we passed on dessert. Will definitely be back.
Ben C.
Overall thoughts: In my mind, Smyrna Bistro's food and venue rests on a throne that is above and beyond the fleet of ordinary Mediterranean restaurants that populate the culinary kingdom of Palo Alto. Smyrna differentiates itself from the pack by offering a deep, dignified, and extensive arsenal of Mediterranean fusion dishes that administer an offering of aesthetic beauty and comforting taste. Their repertoire introduces the palate to, or reminds the palate of, the voices of culinary rarities like grilled octopus, game hen with lemon date chutney, and prawns risotto. How Good? (9/10) I had the grilled octopus and greek salad, both of which I recommend treating your palate to. The grilled octopus had an unusually tender demeanor and instantly surrendered its tentacle covered covering to my chomp's command without articulating even a hint of rubbery rhetoric. Grilled vegetables, garden greens, and tzatziki drops waltz with the octopus, which heightens the brightness of the black canvas that the dish is plated on. The octopus is a must to start your experience with! The greek salad played nicely as well, and differentiated itself from the world of ordinary greek salads by utilizing the skill set of fresh and firm tomatoes, romaine lettuce, peppers, and cucumbers, tender chickpeas and olives, and refreshing favas and oregano dressing. Nice Venue? (Mos Def!) This place is classy for a lunch spot, but does not close itself off from casual lunch adventurers. Smyrna's dining room features a set of table cloth topped tables that ooze with elegance and dignity. The interior design and full bar full of booze add a nice touch as well. Fair Pricing? (7/10) The grilled octopus and greek salad were remarkable, but were not priced as fairly as I would have liked. $11 and $16 for the Greek salad and octopus, respectively, were prices that stood too steeply for the portion size and quality that defined them. However, the food at Smyrna is undoubtedly delicious and is worth a splurge if your wallet permits!
Adrina A.
Great restaurant! Really enjoyed the atmosphere. Started off with the octopus appetizer and a Greek salad. Both were delicious! For the entrees, we ordered the lamb shish and chicken shish. Will definitely go again!
yelp says they are open till 8pm today. We went there to pick up food at about 7pm. They were closed without any notice whatsoever! Their name is "the avenue", it is hard to find because they write "Smyrna" nowhere in front!
Whenever we had dinner in this restaurant, it was always amazing !!! We are fm Greece and we are always trying to find really genuine Mediterranean tastes. That's the place !! Their Veggie Moussaka is....to die for! Their octopus, their fish, their dips. We can't wait to re-open !!!!
It was recommended to me by a friend. Loved the atmosphere- very stylish! Food was delicious and service was excellent!
The food here is truly terrible: I had the "greek chicken" - which consisted of a flattened, rock-hard, overcooked, and unseasoned piece of (probably microwaved) chicken with a couple of pieces of tasteless tomatoes and 3 or 4 lumps of old feta on top. My husband had the lamb burger, also way overcooked, with poor quality meat, accompanied by french fries that were barely defrosted from their frozen carton. The kitchen appears to have no cooking going on whatsoever, which begs the question of where the dried out bad food actually comes from. The wine was nearly impossible to choke down. This is perhaps the worse dining experience I have had in over 20 years in any city in any country. The food is not Greek, not Mediterranean, and not good.
We came here for Christmas Dinner, as this is one of better looking spots that was taking reservations for the holiday. I was a little disappointed to find that the Christmas Dinner menu was abbreviated from the regular menu, and that the items I was most looking forward to based on previous Yelp reviews (octopus, greek salad, branzino) didn't make it onto the shorter menu. However, I am grateful that they were open for reservations this evening and realize it would be hard to stock the full menu, so I'll just have to come back another time to try these items. We shared several starters and entrees family style: -lamb meatballs -eggplant puree -calamari -vegetarian moussaka -stuffed eggplant -arugula salad with fried haloumi Overall: Food 3/5 - the lamb meatballs were tender and flavorful; everything else was fine but not particularly memorable. I didn't dislike anything we ate, but I also didn't feel excited by any of the flavors. Given the fantastic Mediterranean options nearby (Kali kitchen, Mediterranean Wraps, Anatolian Kitchen), the food felt a touch underwhelming. Service 4/5 - Service was very friendly, although a bit slow and inattentive (long wait for food, water glasses sat empty for most of the 2+ hour meal), but I chalk that up to being a bit understaffed on a holiday, so I won't assume that is typical until we have a chance to return. Ambiance 4/5 - cozy, moderately loud but not so much to impede conversation, nice lighting and decor. Overall, this seems like a promising spot, although we will need to visit on a non-holiday to get a full sense of the menu. There are several restaurants of this genre along Cal Ave, so time will tell if and how Smyrna distinguishes itself.
We and another couple tried this Mediterranean restaurant and thought it was terrific. The arugula salad with almonds was a great appetizer followed by the various entrees in the group: Lamb chops, moussaka, chicken kabob and eggplant Parmesan. All dishes were excellent. Veggies were very fresh. Great service and ambiance and a good find on CA street in Palo Alto. Didn't have room for dessert but heard the poached pear was excellent. (This place is in the location where Spalti's used to be.)
Ambiance - Nice, modern. Tables and booths have enough space so you're not all cramped in there. On a Thursday night the restaurant was empty, which is sad to see considering rent must be so high on this strip. Service - Really nice and friendly. Language barrier though, but still you can feel the warm energy. We did family style and they split all of our plates for us so we each had a plate! Food- Spread sampler : Pita was so soft! Eggplant/hummus/tzaziki were all tasty. It needs to go with something more than pita though. Arugula Haloumi Salad : Best arugula salad we've ever had. It wasn't bitter at all. Whatever they did to it was delish. Haloumi was fried to a crisp, but still soft in the middle. Great texture. House Bread - The olives/olive oil/vinegar dip was so addictive, and bread was soft/warm/chewy. We almost filled up on this! Octopus - Creative and on top of grilled melons. I'm trying to eat vegetarian, but tried a bite of it and it was tasty. Branzino - It came out boneless and perfect! The orzo was big, chewy and perfectly al dente. Poached pear dessert is not to be missed! Save room for dessert. Baklava - if I had to choose between 2 desserts, the poached pear wins. dinner for 2 with 1 glass of wine was $100. I want to come back to try the ravioli!
Had lunch here recently and totally enjoyed it. I had the Greek chicken salad, which was excellent. Very fresh tender chicken tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers and romaine. My friend had the chicken with rice and vegetables. Reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. Definitely coming back for dinner.
Wow! Our first time here and we can't wait to go back. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious! We had the grilled octopus and the Greek salad as appetizers, the scallops and the lamb lasagna as entrees, and the baklava and kunefe for dessert. Everything was excellent! Highly recommended!
This place is the best Mediterranean restaurant in that neighborhood. I got chicken shish and it was so delicious yummy Service was great they were so nice to me . I'll come back definitely .Thank you
Restaurantji Recommends
I've visited Smyrna three times since their opening and every time the food was just terrific. Every dish was memorable, with original takes on Mediterranean dishes that are almost always better than an equivalent at Evvia or Taverna (while not Turkish, their menus are similar enough). They have thick and densely flavorful sauces that are artfully plated. You get a good amount of food for the money and since sadly it hasn't gotten a lot of business, it was always very quite on each visit. Really hoping they make it because I see myself returning many more times in the future.
Best vegetarian dishes in Palo Alto. I had a tomato gazpacho, eggplant cold salad, and the spanakopita and all dishes were amazing. The freshness and the taste of the gazpacho, eggplant cold salad were just amazing and the spanakopita was baked just right. I eat mostly vegetarian and in many of the best restaurants in the area and his was as good or better than much more expensive such as Evvia or Birch Street Cafe, both are great restaurants. I had some seafood there before and it was not as good. If you like great vegetarian food this is the place.
Tried a new ( opened about three months ago). Excellent food with friendly service. Reasonable value with both inside and outside seating. Halloumi was a bit salty (yes it is a brined cheese) but could have been a little less. The beets that accompanied it were delicious. The shish and the prawn risotto both were outstanding. Portions were large so we passed on dessert. Will definitely be back.
Overall thoughts: In my mind, Smyrna Bistro's food and venue rests on a throne that is above and beyond the fleet of ordinary Mediterranean restaurants that populate the culinary kingdom of Palo Alto. Smyrna differentiates itself from the pack by offering a deep, dignified, and extensive arsenal of Mediterranean fusion dishes that administer an offering of aesthetic beauty and comforting taste. Their repertoire introduces the palate to, or reminds the palate of, the voices of culinary rarities like grilled octopus, game hen with lemon date chutney, and prawns risotto. How Good? (9/10) I had the grilled octopus and greek salad, both of which I recommend treating your palate to. The grilled octopus had an unusually tender demeanor and instantly surrendered its tentacle covered covering to my chomp's command without articulating even a hint of rubbery rhetoric. Grilled vegetables, garden greens, and tzatziki drops waltz with the octopus, which heightens the brightness of the black canvas that the dish is plated on. The octopus is a must to start your experience with! The greek salad played nicely as well, and differentiated itself from the world of ordinary greek salads by utilizing the skill set of fresh and firm tomatoes, romaine lettuce, peppers, and cucumbers, tender chickpeas and olives, and refreshing favas and oregano dressing. Nice Venue? (Mos Def!) This place is classy for a lunch spot, but does not close itself off from casual lunch adventurers. Smyrna's dining room features a set of table cloth topped tables that ooze with elegance and dignity. The interior design and full bar full of booze add a nice touch as well. Fair Pricing? (7/10) The grilled octopus and greek salad were remarkable, but were not priced as fairly as I would have liked. $11 and $16 for the Greek salad and octopus, respectively, were prices that stood too steeply for the portion size and quality that defined them. However, the food at Smyrna is undoubtedly delicious and is worth a splurge if your wallet permits!
Great restaurant! Really enjoyed the atmosphere. Started off with the octopus appetizer and a Greek salad. Both were delicious! For the entrees, we ordered the lamb shish and chicken shish. Will definitely go again!