Anatolian Kitchen: Experience Authentic Mediterranean Flavors in Palo Alto

This place serves the best dolma in the Bay Area! The baklava and appetizers were also outstanding, while the manti was just okay. I really enjoyed the cocktails, though they lean on the sweeter side. Service was excellent—our waiter kept us laughing with his jokes while still being attentive and making sure everything was perfect. The food arrived quickly, and our water glasses were always full.

We visited Anatolian Kitchen in Palo Alto for a team dinner, and it turned out to be a great evening all around. A big plus right off the bat was that there’s a public parking lot less than a minute’s walk away, which makes visiting very convenient.Levant was an amazing host who took excellent care of our table throughout the night being attentive, friendly, and always on top of things. Everyone at the table had a wonderful time. We started by ordering a mix of appetizers for the table, and they set the tone perfectly: 3-combo appetizer platter – an absolute standout; fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. Everybody enjoyed the contents with the bread that was served. Falafel – crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and very satisfying Pan-fried calamari – tender and well seasoned Beet salad and Anatolian salad – fresh, vibrant, and refreshing Every appetizer was excellent, but the combo platter clearly stole the show. The main course spread was impressive, with something for everyone: Iskender – rich, comforting, and full of flavor Chicken Adana – bold, juicy, and well spiced Vegetable moussaka – hearty and comforting Grilled chicken shish – tender and flavorful Grilled salmon – perfectly cooked and fresh Grilled lamb shish – juicy and delicious Whole Branzino – absolutely amazing; this was my order and I loved every bite. Vegetarian turlu – (Stewed tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrot served with rice pilaf) well-balanced and satisfying We ended the evening with three orders of family-style desserts, and the desserts were truly standout, rounding off the meal on a high note. I also placed a separate to-go order that included a mixed grilled platter and grilled lamb shish. While the food itself was excellent and tasted just as good at home, the only downside was being charged a large party fee, even though this was a separate personal to-go order. That aside, the quality and flavor were still top-notch, with clear 5-star food written all over it. Overall, Anatolian Kitchen delivers exceptional Turkish cuisine, generous portions, and great service. Minor billing hiccup aside (for the to go order which ideally should have been separate from the table), this was a wonderful experience, and it’s a place I’d happily recommend and return to.

Love the lamb adana, it's tender and flavorful. The service is great, every staff member is polite and courteous. They value customer service which makes you go back to this place. You got to try every dessert on their menu. I haven't tried the rice pudding but the rest 3 I have and they are a must try.

A large group of folks from our workplace decided to visit a Turkish Middle eastern restaurant as we were coming to the end of an event. It was decided to gather at the Anatolian Kitchen at 5 pm. I was able to find the parking within 2 minutes walking distance which was a huge plus considering I was not local and drove my own car. The server was patient enough as all of us arrived, gathered and decided to order or drinks. Once we were all in, we were helped with the selection of starters followed by the main course. Everything tasted delicious and there wasn't one person in the group of 12 that had anything bad to say. As we getting done, we were told about the family style platter of desserts. We ordered a few for the table and it made the evening close nicely. Delicious food with great service and perfect music that we could lightly listen to but wasn't too loud to not let us talk.

Definitely not my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Their Muhamarra lacked flavor and they didn't serve flat bread with it which was odd to me. I ordered Manti. It was good but not great. Three in my group ordered veggie Mousakka. Two said it was very good, one didn't care for it. The Baklava was the biggest disappointment to me. It was not sweet at all. Just filo and pistachio with a tiny bit of honey drizzled on top. Good thing we also ordered something with ice cream because with the ice cream, it was somewhat sweet and enjoyable. Without it, it was very bland. I was also disappointed in the menu. There wasn't a lot I wanted to order. But that's me. I did like the ambience which was a bit on the casual side instead of fancy which we wanted, and our waiter was so nice and caring. Together, that made the entire atmosphere very nice. Do check the menu ahead of time and if there is enough to choose from to delight your palate, go for it.

New favorite restaurant. The food is so delicious and the service is impeccable. My younger brother is scared of bugs so we asked them to turn on the heaters next to us and then eventually asked to move inside and they were accommodating with all. They always replenished our waters and bread. Best service I have ever gotten.

I had a great dining experience at Anatolian Kitchen! We started with the eggplant purée, which was decent, and the lentil soup, which was flavorful and comforting. The octopus salad wasn’t my favorite, but the truffle fries were absolutely delicious—highly recommended. For the main course, the shish kebab was unfortunately quite tough and hard to chew, but the Adana kebab was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The real highlight of the meal was the branzino fish—fresh, tender, and beautifully prepared. We ended the night with baklava and künefe paired with Turkish tea, and they were both amazing—perfectly sweet and satisfying. The hospitality really stood out; our server was attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. Overall, I had a good time and will definitely be coming back!

Anatolian Kitchen is such a warm and welcoming place! The service is always friendly and attentive, which immediately makes you feel at home. The food is incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. The manti are absolutely delicious, perfectly prepared and full of flavor. I also loved their fresh vegetable salads — simple, vibrant, and full of taste. It’s a great spot for anyone who appreciates authentic, well-made food and a cozy atmosphere. Highly recommend!