Taverna Plaka

by Chris R.

I am sorry, but I just cannot TAKE this place.  For entertaining the relatives from South Georgia, who have never been out of the country, it's their first and last trip to Greece.  I am dying to check out the nightclub for people watching, but when is the last time I went to a 'club' - not in this century.  One thing - the food is actually pretty good and when I need a fix I will call ahead for takeout and arrive precisely when the food is done to minimize my stay inside.

by Amy S.

This is one of the worst restaurants in Atlanta.  The music is very loud, the service is lousy, and the food is subpar.  We went on a Friday night and split 4 mezzes between the two of us.  The eggplant dip was the worst I've ever had.  The garlic overpowered the flavor.  The flaming cheese was dry and not gooey at all.  The grilled octopus was tough as leather and despite the $8 price tag the portion size was much too small.  The spanakopita was flavorful but not fresh.  We received no free hummus and bread, and never got refills on our soda or water.  The house red wine tasted like it was watered down with grape juice.  4 mezzes and $35 later we were completely dissatisfied with our experience.  Luckily Taqueria del Sol was close by, so we ended up just going to get tacos after our terrible, unfilling meal.   Go to Taverna Plaka if you want loud music and belly dancers.  Don't go for the food or the service.

by Michelle A.

I've been here twice now and love the food and the atmosphere! It's definitely a fun place to take a group to dinner. There's a belly dancer, mash your own (free) hummus, and if you ordered the flaming cheese, a lot of napkin throwing and "OPA!" It's such a great time!Between my friends and I, we've probably ordered just about everything on the menu and nothing has really fallen short. The quality is good, the portions are nice, and the prices are decent. Everyone's favorite part, though, are the bell dancers! They engage the different patrons and help create a unique experience.If you haven't done so yet, check it out! :)

by Deanna S.

What a surprise! I didn't think the loud music and belly dancers came out until after 10 pm!  Because of the "snow" there were only a few customers, and our group of 7.  That didn't hold the restaurant back from starting the show at 9pm, though.  Of course, if you're not into entertainment while eating, this place isn't for you. But I think it's a good judge of character if you can get out of the stuffy shirt and get "festive" for once.  The food was good.  The Braised Rabbit was tasty, but stringy. Is that how the texture of rabbit usually  is?  The flaming goat cheese was good, and of course it was lit up tableside to add to the entertainment.  All the other dishes we tried were good, too.  Nothing spectacular, but pretty good. I agree with the previous reviews about the cocktail napkins being flown in the air. I don't get it.  Is it supposed to replace confetti?   All I could think of was, "are they going to recycle them?"  It's a good place to take visiting family or friends who've never had Greek food, or seen belly dancers.

by Kim S.

Taverna Plaka is one of my favorite places to go especially to party, but not too expensive, and the atmospere fun and unique!  I had my 30th birthday there and I made  a good impression on  my guest. They have the best Greek food and I hear  the Lamb chops were to die for. I love to watch the belly dancers. Last time I had to much fun and join them on the table.lol........There is a line dance that everyone does all around the restaurant, so everyone can do something! The waiters are great and fun. I highly recomend this restaurant to anyone looking for an all around good time. October 11th,  I will be celebrating my birthday again there. So watch out it's going to be a blast!

by Sarah S.

Taverna Plaka has a raucous crowd (dancing on tables, anyone?), hot belly dancers and a good selection of delicious Greek wines.  Had a blast here prior to a NOT SO FUN stint at a club on Cheshire Bridge.  Wish I had stayed here and learned to belly dance!The atmosphere almost made up for the mediocre nibbles.  I had the crab cake (shredded crab--blech) and a Greek salad ( had to carefully avoid millions of red onion slices, lest I kill someone with my breath later).  The hummus?  Blah and I'm not big on making my own food when my man is paying "make it for us" prices.  My girlfriends had a shrimp dish and lamb kabobs--verdict:  v.v. greasy and ok, respectively.  My boyfriend refused to eat anything, which said a lot about the place...

by Michelle A.Courtney R.Samir P.Todd P.Nicholas R.

I've been here twice now and love the food and the atmosphere! It's definitely a fun place to take a group to dinner. There's a belly dancer, mash your own (free) hummus, and if you ordered the flaming cheese, a lot of napkin throwing and "OPA!" It's such a great time!Between my friends and I, we've probably ordered just about everything on the menu and nothing has really fallen short. The quality is good, the portions are nice, and the prices are decent. Everyone's favorite part, though, are the bell dancers! They engage the different patrons and help create a unique experience.If you haven't done so yet, check it out! :)I'm very surprised to see Taverna Plaka receiving only 3 stars. A few months ago some of our senior executives were in town and I was included in the invite for dinner. Free food - you know I'm all over that! Greek free food even better! The space is on par and typical for a Greek restaurant. The waitstaff were nice and spent the time explaining the different options to us. I started off with a pomegranate martini and it was excellent. The food selection also was surprisingly good. Some of my favorites included: lamb kabobs, calamari, feta and olives, hummus, and really I could just go on and on. I thought, until going to Taverna Plaka that nothing could compare to Mezza (my favorite Greek restaurant in Atlanta) but Taverna Plaka definitely is in the running. My only complaint - I wish they were open for lunch.Good entertainment and something differnet than the norm.  Lots of fun to go hang out with a group of friends. The food is just ok.  I've had much better greek food.Some things are just loud. Not only volume loud, but visually loud, culturally loud. Taverna Plaka is such a place. From the booming Greek music, so loud you can barely speak at your table, to the decor, the belly dancers flinging napkins dancing about, birthday-celebrating people standing on chairs as wait staff yells "Opa!" while cupcake candles are blown out. Just plain LOUD. But, in a fun sort of way I guess.Despite the Disneyworld/touristy feel of this place, the food is actually decent. I ate here with Albert B. and Lisa L. and we decided to have the Chef's Menu, a fixed-price course for 4 people or less which delivers oodles of food:*Do-it-yourself hummus served with baguette slices (You have to mash up the chickpeas and other ingredients in a wooden bowl with a pestle. I would prefer they just do it for me. Too damn much work!)*Tomato, cucumber and feta salad*Flaming cheese (damn tasty)*Pita slices with three spreads: Cucumber tzatziki, roasted red pepper (my favorite) and an eggplant spread*Spanakopita*Rice pilaf*Piles of meat including beef, lamb and chicken kabobs as well as gyro meat*BaklavaAll that for $25 a person. Not bad! I also had a couple of cucumber martinis which were refreshing. Oh, and a shot of Ouzo. Zing!!All in all, it was a decent evening, despite being so loud.Had a chance to enjoy Taverna this past sunday.  I was already in high spirits from pre drinks at woofs so much that i didnt want to leave. This place wasnt a bad one to end up at.  LOL as my friends will no doubt remind me I loved the Ouzo which of course I did.  We joined in on the Chefs special which brought out a bunch of different types of food.  Everything was ok to good at times.  I thought we would get more for the amount paid but nothing came out that I didnt like I would just like to see more of it I guess.  It was entertaining for sure and I will go again.  Maybe a little less drunk :-).

by Kristen H.

My boyfriend took me here for our first date.  The food is good, but not anything to write home about.  However, I think the presentation and show makes up for it.  They serve flaming cheese.  C'mon, they set the cheese on fire and put it out with lemon juice!  How can you not like that?  Also, the bellydancing is intermittent and enjoyable.  They just sort of dance by your table and if you want them to dance longer for your table, just tip them.  One time I was eating at this restaurant and the whole table next to us were literally dancing on the table (with the encouragement of the bellydancers).  They also throw napkins all around when the bellydancers come out, so it's fun.  Sidenote:  the napkins are slippery and I for real almost fell when I was walking to the bathroom once.  Be careful.  It's a great place to enjoy greek food and have a good time.  p.s.  it's more fun if you drink

by Aanal P.

Excellent Greek Cuisine!  Everything we ordered was so good and flavorful.  The hummus came out as whole chick-peas with olive oil, salt and pepper, and garlic.  So you had a choice of either having the whole chick-peas or using your handy pastel (provided by Taverna) to grind the chick-peas.  The kabobs were flavorful and juicy.  The flaming cheese (need I explain) was good, and my favorite was the roasted pepper spread.  This was my first full Greek Cuisine and it was delish! Now onto the wonderful entertainment of belly dancers.  If only I could move like that!  And if you tip she will invite you to dance with her.  I loved the upbeat music and the enterainnment, which I believe encouraged me to take a shot of Ozo (spelling?).  Yah! Ummmm..........it was too potent and liquorice.  But to each his own....Taverna does provide hookas but only on weekends and after 11 p.m.  The bartender (who was total eye candy) told us that on Saturdays that place is busy and loads of fun.  I had a great time and loved the food and the entertainment.

by Nicholas R.

Had a chance to enjoy Taverna this past sunday.  I was already in high spirits from pre drinks at woofs so much that i didnt want to leave. This place wasnt a bad one to end up at.  LOL as my friends will no doubt remind me I loved the Ouzo which of course I did.  We joined in on the Chefs special which brought out a bunch of different types of food.  Everything was ok to good at times.  I thought we would get more for the amount paid but nothing came out that I didnt like I would just like to see more of it I guess.  It was entertaining for sure and I will go again.  Maybe a little less drunk :-).