With rave reviews, San Francisco's Kokkari Estiatorio prepares the finest Hellenic cuisine, one of the many wonderful gifts the ancient Greeks contributed to the modern world.

Named after a small fishing village on the island of Samos in the Aegean Sea, Kokkari is the sister restaurant to acclaimed Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto, California.

Upon entering Kokkari, guests experience an old-world charm from the extensive wood work, high shuttered windows and cozy seats to the handmade ceramic plates. The setting is beautiful, and the staff is charming.

The menu, showcasing seafood and game, features many of the most sought-after traditional Aegean dishes as well as selections modernized through the innovative blending of cultures, techniques and Californian faire.

Kokkari's menu starters include Horiatiki, the classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, green pepper, red onions, olives and feta cheese; Marithes Tiganites, crispy smelt served with lemon and chopped parsley; and house made grilled pita with tasty sides of Taramosalata, Tzatziki or Tirosalata.

In addition to the traditional Hellenic signature dishes such as Moussaka, decadent baked casserole of eggplant, lamb ragout and creamy béchamel sauce, Kokkari's menu includes lamb chops, steak, mushroom stuffed ravioli and whole fish. The menu changes often to keep things fresh, so each visit is a new treat!

Large Party & Private Dining: For parties of 15 or more a prix fix menu will be submitted for selections in advance. Prices do not include beverage, tax or gratuity. Click for more details.

Special Services: Kokkari realizes, in order to make your special day a success, special services are sometimes required. The following can also be provided at an additional cost: Audio Visual Equipment, Floral arrangements, Cakes, Belly Dancers, Musicians, Place cards. Contact reservations at 1.866.713.1767 or email for more information.

Parking: For your convenience, Kokkari offers curbside valet parking at $8.00 per car, starting at 5:00pm.

What the Experts say:

"Greek Food Elevated to an Art Form... Kokkari transforms rustic Mediterranean dishes into masterpieces." —Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle Food Editor

"The peppery lamp chops are first-rate... paired with the best potatoes imaginable, which are braised in a lemony chicken stock with oregano before being baked and quickly fried. Most remarkable of all is the pista-chio baklava... It is, in fact, the perfect finale to a performance that you wish would never end." —Gourmet

"Best Impression of an Authentic Greek Taverna. Kokkari really does cast that Greek-islands spell." —San Francisco Bay Guardian

"All 180 seats and 15 bar stools at this romantic rendition of a rustic Greek inn have been occupied right from the start. You can't help being seduced by Kokkari's ambience… It's as if you stumbled into a private living room in a Greek country villa." —San Francisco Examiner

"The love affair starts with the setting: a beautifully rustic living room-like dining area with a commanding fireplace and oversize furnishings. Past the tiny bar, the other main room is pure rustic revelry with exposed wood beams, pretty standing lamps, and a view of the glass-enclosed private dining room." —Frommer's

"Chef Erik Cosselmon (formerly of Cetrella and Rose Pistola) has added his own Mediterranean flair to the very Greek menu. A simple appetizer of Greek feta cheese served up with mixed olives, extra virgin olive oil and oregano sings the flavors of the region beautifully. For entrées, the best choice for cozying up to the fireplace would be the rich and comforting moussaka, a casserole of eggplant, lamb and velvety bechamel sauce. Even if you skip dessert, don't miss the coffee served Greek-style." —Gayot.com

"The vibe prepares you for the food, which is a pitch-perfect California take on Greek classics. Almost everything is hearty and huge. Roasted fish arrives whole. One juicy lamb chop would be plenty (especially with delicious fried potatoes) but Kokkari serves two. It's an excellent place for a big party, but tables for two by the fireplace can be very romantic, and sharing plates and cocktails at the lively bar is a great first date." —AOL Cityguide