Kokkari Estiatorio

October 9, 2025

Kokkari Estiatorio – A Taste of Greece in San Francisco I had a wonderful lunch at Kokkari Estiatorio, and it easily lived up to its stellar reputation. The ambiance strikes that perfect balance between elegant and inviting — rustic Mediterranean charm with a touch of modern sophistication. The Greek salad was an absolute standout — fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. Every bite tasted like it had just come from a garden, with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and creamy feta that tied it all together. For the main course, I ordered the lamb, and it was exceptional. Tender, perfectly seasoned, and full of rich, savory flavor — truly one of the best lamb dishes I’ve had in the city. To finish, the Greek yogurt with honey made for a perfect dessert — light, creamy, and just sweet enough. It’s a generous portion, so I’d recommend sharing it (if you’re willing to part with a few bites!). Overall, Kokkari Estiatorio delivers a meal that feels both comforting and refined — a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Greek cuisine with a California touch. Highly recommended! 🇬🇷

November 2, 2025

GET THE PITA it’s thick and chewy and buttery omg. Cozy upscale dining. We sat at the bar. Bar seat is better than table seat. Better lighting and you can sit closer together. Waiter said bar seats you can get by calling to reserve two days in advance. Table seats you can get by calling two weeks in advance. Unless you’re a party of one - we had a person walk in and sit next to us Fried cheese - waiter drizzled lemon juice and it sizzled nicely. But it cooled too quickly and became boring to eat Babaganoush - good but not the best in the city. I liked the pickled veggies that came with it though Tzin spritz - ok, too much volume. I liked eating the berries. Waiter called them British boba 😂 Hibiscus mocktail - tart and delicious! Squash - forgettable, did not taste the pistachio butter Octopus - ok, did not come with tail Chicken - yummy and enough to feed two people We over ordered and could not finish the chicken. The waiter packed the chicken for us Food not worth the $200 total, you are paying for the ambience. Nice place to dress up for. Would be nice to just get drinks here also. There’s a fireplace with real fire and the overall volume is not too loud, you don’t have to strain to hear.

October 16, 2025

I saw other reviews recommending the appetizer lamb chops over the entrée version, and I did enjoy the appetizer one, they’re delicious, with a wonderfully crispy surface. The octopus dish is very tender, and both the whole fish and the zucchini cake are perfectly crisp on the outside. Overall, great textures and flavors!

September 23, 2025

Kokkari Estiatorio is truly exceptional! We started with the Kolokithokeftethes (zucchini cakes) and Horiatiki salad, both fresh and full of flavor. For mains, the Makaronia (roasted squash pasta with brown butter, sage & hazelnuts) was indulgent and perfectly balanced, while the Lavraki (whole grilled sea bass) was light, flaky, and beautifully prepared. Dessert was a highlight — Judy’s Special Sundae with hot fudge, whipped cream & toasted hazelnuts was both nostalgic and elevated. Their mocktails are also amazing — refreshing and crafted with care. We also loved that they happily made a special pasta for kids on request — such thoughtful service! Warm ambiance, attentive staff, and outstanding food make Kokkari a must-visit in San Francisco.

September 2, 2025

Recommended to us by a local, Kokkari’s provided an enjoyable dining experience on our last evening in San Francisco. The interior was spacious and ornate, with high ceilings and natural wood accents. Employees were gracious and attentive—we were greeted by a smartly-dressed host who showed us to our table and returned later to check in during our meal. Our waitress was friendly and very helpful in pointing out which dishes would be best given my wife’s gluten intolerance and my pescatarian/plant-based diet. We started with the Dolmathes, tender grape leaves bursting with a lemony whole grain rice. Following that, we had the grilled octopus—delectable bite-sized portions of tentacles marinated in lemon and olive oil. These would have been flawless had it not been for an excessive amount of fat. The handful of times I’ve had it before in other restaurants, octopus has always been lean and meaty. We followed that with bowls of Fakes, a tangy lentil soup in what seemed to be a tomato base. This was my favorite dish—the lentils were firm, the soup was piping hot, and it was an original take on lentil preparation. For a main course, we got both versions—one baked, one grilled—of the Sea Bass, which we split. Each one was tasty (although the grilled version was a little salty) and served as a whole fish but de-boned. The portions of potatoes, tomatoes, and Swiss chard that accompanied the fish tasted fresh and were tastefully seasoned. We finished with the sorbet and the flourless chocolate tort, both of which were delicious. Kokkari’s is a great place for a special dinner.