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Taverna Tony

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23410 Civic Center Way
Malibu, CA 90265

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(310) 317-9667
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Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Taverna Tony - Malibu, CA
Reviews
( 12 )
( 4 )
( 1 )
( 1 )
( 5 )

Best

I have been here a few times and really like this place a lot. The atmosphere is great, the food is amazing! Do not miss the spanicopita. It's warm and crispy and makes your mo...

Worst

You do get huge portions, but a bit too oily for my taste. I'm used to authentic Greek food and it usually doesn't taste so heavy and lardy. The band was good but the owner kept g...

Really Good Greek Food 11/15/2011

I have been here a few times and really like this place a lot. The atmosphere is great, the food is amazing! Do not miss the spanicopita. It's warm and crispy and makes your mouth sing. We have had the Greek feast a couple of times, but honestly it is too much food, really, no really! Overall, if you come to L.A. and you like Greek food, make sure you visit this place, but expect to pay a pretty penny, this place ain't cheap. Peter Burstyn is a former chef from NY and is now an insurance agent with Farmers Insurance. Visit farmersagent dot com/pburstyn more
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Authentic Greek food with an attitude 4/20/2011

I love the food here (try any lamb special they offer) and the bar scene is jovial and tweet-worthy but I find that there are inconsistencies every time I go. First and foremost, Tony's is open until midnight seven days a week. BS! It's a lie. Everytime I try it, they are closed by 11pm at most. Who does Tony think he is? Matsuhisa Nobu? I'm tired of Malibu institutions being snooty divas because they can. It's a community, neighbor! Treat me like an a-hole and I won't come back no matter how great your food is. I called at 11pm and the answer I got on the phone from Tony himself was that he was open until midnight. I showed up 15 minutes later (11:15pm) and they were closed. When I told him I called and journeyed to his restaurant directly after he told me he would be open, he yelled at me and and made me feel like an intruder, even though I was there 45 minutes before their published closing time, not to mention 15 minutes after he told me that they would be open, dismissing my cynicism with ""We're always open 'til midnight."" Despite the yummy morsels, I won't be back. Taverna Tony reminds me of the soup nazi. more
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I don't see why people complain about this heavenly place 3/27/2011

Firstly, the food was incredible. After the salad alone, we were full. Nothing was pretentiously Greek. Everything was modest, yet, very very very Greek. The staff were lovely. I had no complaints with the food at all, but the waiters persistently approached me to ask whether the food was acceptable. Our table was full of olive oil and bread before we even ordered. The music had that Greek groove that only sitting at the base of the Parthenon can reveal. The musicians didn't care about playing for money, or for acknowledgment. All they seemed to care about was the art or Greek music. The owner was there sitting with people and talking to them. After reading some bad reviews, I and friends were skeptical, but, we really have to ask if these bad reviewers are mixing TavernaTony's with another place. more
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Good food, good service, good atmosphere 11/9/2009

The food was good and portions hearty. There were 2 of us and we started with the calamari and greek salad and were feeling pretty full with the appitizers. The patio is pretty and there are plenty of heaters to enjoy outdoor dining even on these chilly November nights. I'd go back as it was a fun evening and food was good. Pros: Tasty food and attentive service Cons: bathroom was messy, paper all over the floor more
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This has to be the absolute BEST restaurant in LA 10/25/2009

I live in Santa Monica and I've been going to Taverna Tony for over 10 years. This restaurant is the absolute best restaurant. I go there all the time not just to eat, but to celebrate special occasions (my anniversaries, birthdays, friends birthdays, etc.). It is incredibly fun and festive, but depending on where you sit, is also really romantic (especially on the patio or by the fireplace). The food is second to none, so if you want to plan an event, you won't regret it. It's constantly written about in the papers and magazines for it's fab food and given very high ratings. Pros: Incredible food, gorgeous restaurant, friendly waiters Cons: I wish there was more than just one! more
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BIG DISAPPOINTMENT 7/21/2009

MY WIFE AND I WERE EXCITED TO BE PATRONIZING TAVERNA TONY'S FOR THE FIRST TIME. MUCH TO OUR DISMAY WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.UPON ENTERING THE RESTARAUNT WE WERE NOT GREETED. AND IN FACT BY THE TONE OF HIS VOICE THE OWNER SEEMED ANNOYED BY THE FACT WE HAD WALKED IN. HE QUESTIONED MY WIFE IF SHE WAS SURE WE HAD A RESERVATION. WHEN SHE ASSURED HIM WE DID HE BEGRUDGINGLY DECIDED TO HELP US.THIS PRETTY MUCH DICTATED OUR NIGHT. MY WIFE AND I DID NOT FEEL WELCOMED WHATSOEVER AND NONE OF THE STAFF HAD A SMILE ON THIER FACE. AS FAR AS THE FOOD GOES IT WAS UNEDIBLE ( OVER SALTED SLOP) IT WAS BAD. SHRIMP, RICE, KABOBs, (@$29.50) AND ALL. IF ANYONE GOES TO TONY'S PLAY IT SAFE AND ORDER THE LAMB. DO NOT EXPECT TO BE TREATED IN ANY SPECIAL WAY. P.S. THE MUSIC WAS JUST LOUD AND REDUNDANT. Cons: FOOD, SERVICE more
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Food heavy, overpriced, bad management 7/18/2009

You do get huge portions, but a bit too oily for my taste. I'm used to authentic Greek food and it usually doesn't taste so heavy and lardy. The band was good but the owner kept going and yelling at them in Greek, in front of a full restaurant, and you could tell he was visibly upsetting them. As a whole, the manager seemed to be harassing the staff, which was causing some tension. The prices are pretty high, but it is Malibu afterall. Coffee and dessert on the patio might be a better idea. Pros: large portions Cons: bad management, food too heavy more
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worst restaurant experience I've had! 4/8/2009

we went there for an early dinner on a weekday. you'd think it's a weeknight. they don't have a lot of guests, so the service will be outstanding. right? wrooong. Pros: cons overshadow pros Cons: bad service - worse mgmt - food isn't all that - overpriced more
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One of the best restaurants in Malibu! 10/22/2008

Come here if you enjoy Greek food... or not! The great thing about this place is that they have all the traditional Greek dishes you'd expect but if you don't like Greek food, there are other dishes on the menu that you can have instead. (The Greek angel pasta and California Greek salad are yummy options.) THE best thing about this place is the bread & dip they bring you at the beginning- AMAZING. I could live off it. I've tried almost everything on the menu because I did the ""Greek feast"" one night with my parents. It was sooo much food so if you're going for that, be hungry! Everything I've ever ate there has been great. more
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DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE 4/16/2008

This evening was birthday celebration for my mother, but turned into a very stressful evening, filled with suspense, as to what else could they possibly do wrong.... Pros: Ambience Cons: service, price, food quality more
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Without question, an excellent greek restaurant and super yummy 12/30/2007

On a day trip to Malibu on a winter Sunday we went here based on recommendation by a friend. This is a lovely place at the French market center in Malibu, and very charming. The waiter was a bit slow but made up for it with loads of charm and humor and he was very greek. Tony came by to say hello and everyone was lovely. The food was delicious. The so called greek caviar they serve with bread upfront is to die for, and we had for appetizer the hummus, the grilled eggplant in tomatoes, the meatballs, and they were all stunning. but none compared to the fried calamari probably the best i've ever had anywhere. Then our greek salads arrived and we just had to pack it to go because we were full, but a taste told us we are going to enjoy dinner tonight. If you don't want the fried fish and chips after a day at the beach, this is a healthier albeit more expensive choice. more
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A Waste of Time 10/8/2007

The service was very slow service. We didn't see a waiter approach our table for 10 minutes after we sat down. When one did show up, he didn't acknowledge that we had been left waiting. We still had hope and thought we'd give the place a chance. We waited and while the atmophere is festive, it's much too loud. My party sat in silence and couldn't communicate anything from across the table. But then came the food; the incredibly mediocore food. It tasted as if it had been heated up in a microwave. Dry, bland and unexciting. Overall, it felt like a waste of time. Pros: Close to the Beach Cons: Slow service, too loud, mediocore food more
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this is a great place (with a flaw) 10/8/2007

tony's serves up tasty traditional greek cuisine with a celebratory vibe. the first time my wife and i went (we've been back a few times) we were taken aback by how much fun everybody was having. it was strange at first, like they put mushrooms in the tzatziki, but ultimately infectious. especially when the bellydancer came out. my only complaint about tony's is that if you're a nobody (like me) seated next to a somebody expect to feel like a nobody. (hence, 4 stars and not 5.) the staff will drop everything (while you're in the middle of ordering) to fetch something for whatever movie exec is at the next table, which thoroughly p*sses me off. i'm new to LA, though, so it may just be par for the course. either way, if you're in a room full of other nobodys, expect to have a terrific time! :) Pros: great food, great atmosphere, good price, lots of fun Cons: if you're less famous than the person next to you, expect to feel that way more
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Best Lobster! 7/30/2007

I have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The specials are always the same and I always get the lobster with with pasta. It is the best lobster I've ever had. Anyone who has ever tried it has loved it. I also get the flaming cheese and grape leaves as an appitizer. Tony is great and always friendly. Pros: lobster Cons: can be very busy on weekends more
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Great Meal 7/9/2007

Wow, this place was amazing! Everything was great. flaming cheese, grilled octopus, bougasta, taramosala...I wish I could remember the rest. My friends who took me raved about the octopus. Although it looked strange, it was great. more
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Some of the Best Greek in LA 5/24/2007

I go there at least twice a month and each time I go its a wonderful surprise. The service is always so warm and the owner Tony (who is always there) is fantastic. Pros: Food, scenery, wait-staff, parking Cons: Nothing more
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Best of Malibu 5/2/2006

This is one of my favorite Malibu restaurants. Its great food, reasonably priced and Tony is the best. They also usually have live music and a belly dancer on the weekends. I recommend the pita bread. Its the best I have ever had. Pros: Good location, good for parties, romantic more
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Fun, cozy, romantic 12/30/2005

I love this place. The ambience is lively yet romantic. It is a great place for large parties. The patio is a very nice place to sip wine and relax and have some pita bread and dip. The dips and starters are all very good, although I have been luke warm on some of the entrees, I love the salads, etc. Watch out for the drinks however, they are very pricey! Pros: Beautiful , cozy, fun and lively, great food Cons: expensive drinks, reserv. on weekends, crowded more
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Warm and Cozy Greek Hide-away 12/26/2005

As a single parent with a two year old, it is hard to find nice restaurants that are child friendly. My son and I have eaten here several times in the past 8 months and had a wonderful time each visit. Not only is the atmosphere warm and cozy, but they do not flinch a bit when my little guy exibits his age. By profession, I own and operate a catering company for the past 20 years, so I am pretty familiar with many types of food. Everything I have tried from the fresh pita to the skewered shrimp has been excellent. I highly recommend this eatery. Another plus is they are open late on week nights - in Malibu that is unusual, most places close at 9:00pm. Go and Enjoy!!! Pros: comfortable seating, kid friendly, warm atmosphere more
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One of the best 5/15/2005

I work at a local hospital in the area. I have dined at Tony's numerous times. The staff has always been extremely courteous and friendly. We have closed the restaurant many times and we never feel that we need to hurry. If you don't stop at Taverna Tony's when your in Malibu your missing a great experience. Pros: service, great food , value more
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Menu for Taverna Tony


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Family-style dining gets the Malibu treatment at this raucous restaurant. B-list celebrities and beach bunnies hold court at the busy bar, while groups of diners quaff Greek...

  • 12/22/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun - Thu, 11:30am - 12am; Fri - Sat, 11:30am - 12:30am
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: Eastern Malibu
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