Kokkari (Small fishing village on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea) is a long standing Greek restaurant in San Francisco’s Financial District – Jackson Square area. Our last visit was summer 2026, so it was time for some refreshing of our memories. Why did we dine here? – To get a sense of how this restaurant has survived the test of time. Summary – Kokkari still packs them in. The food is very good as is the atmosphere. Insider Tip – Come for lunch if you’re on a budget or get a drink at the bar. Cuisine – Greek Chef – Erik Cosselmon (Rose Pistola) Location – Financial District Opened – 1998 Decor, Vibe – Kokkari has beautiful rustic, earthy decor that has changed very little. A large rotisserie is the center piece of the first room, along with a medium sized bar area. The back dining room is more comfortable as it is partitioned away from people standing next to the bar. We came on a weekday night for dinner and found the place packed with well dressed, middle-aged, Financial District types. No hipsters here! Kokkari Menu Kokkari’s Menu changes from time to time but features their […]

This post originally from Kokkari Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Why did we dine here? – Evvia is the sister restaurant of popular Kokkari in San Francisco. Our last visit here was over 10 years ago, so it was time for a refresher. Reservations are not easy to come by at this small restaurant, just off University Avenue. As they put it: Named after the largest island in Greece, Evvia, serves food prepared using the freshest, season ingredients, combining traditional Hellenic flavors with a contemporary sensibility. Dishes are simple, yet flavorful, allowing the ingredients to take center stage. Insider Tip – Reserve Early Cuisine – Mediterranean – Greek Location – Downtown Palo Alto Opened – 2004 Service – Evvia is a small restaurant with lots of servers running around, helping kick the service to a high level. Verdict – Evvia and its sister restaurant Kokkari, are must visit spots for those who like Greek food and especially lamb. Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe. Evvia Signature Dishes – Lamb Chops, Octopus, Lamb Riblets Evvia’s Menu is pretty wide ranging with lots of cooking using their beautiful oven. Website Evvia Menu Evvia Food Picks: Mojito ($10) was strong and well made. Anginares […]

This post originally from Evvia Estiatorio, Palo Alto