The Cozy Taberna

“This Spanish inspired restaurant is worth the search. It’s located down a small alley/side street in Salem, Oregon. They have an open kitchen with a counter to sit at should you choose to observe the chefs in action. The decor is warm and inviting and energetic with a slight noise level. The cocktail and liquor list is thorough and enough to please pretty much anyone. Wine list respectable, good glassware. We had the tomato bread and clams for an appetizer and they were terrific! We had a Radicchio Caesar Salad that my wife enjoyed, I was not a fan. For our entree, we had the Lamb Chop special for the evening and it was spot on! We passed on dessert as we were a bit full. Service was prompt and attentive and everyone was friendly! I highly recommend! ,”

“This place is legit! Our party was sat down stairs and the room gave off this speak-easy vibe was awesome. Our group started with their Barrel Select Old Fashioned. SOOOO smooth! The food we got was absolutely amazing, all of it! We got the bacon wrapped dates, patatas bravas, fried brussel sprouts, the Pan con Tomate, the garlic rubbed bread, and a tomahawk steak to start. All of it was exquisite! For dessert we got this lemon tarte type dish, crème brule, and a slice of their chocolate cake. A couple people ordered espresso martinis and raved about how good they were. Our server Tiffany was a rock star!”

“Updated review: went back and the manager is so amazing! She made sure me and my friends had a great experience. I just graduated college. The food was delicious, looked stunning, and was quick. I had the black garlic chicken this time. The server, Maran (I’m so sorry if I spelled it wrong) was full of smiles and a gave the best experience! I hope I have her as a server again. She was fun, informative, and made sure we had drinks. It was great and I recommend. My husband surprised me on a date here on the 28th of January. I had a blast! We sat watching the chefs cook. The food was delicious! This was the best food I’ve ever had. The goat cheese dumplings were life changing! I have not stopped thinking about them since then. My husband got the lamb, while I had steak. Everything on the plate harmonized perfectly. It was truly a work of art. We got several appetizers, our entrees, and dessert. We got the Oregon Sunshine to drink and it was a great. The bartenders were having fun and engaged with customers. I miss cooking in a restaurant and I’m very picky about food handling safety. I was there for a few hours and none of the cooks made a single mistake when it came to food handling. Everything was extremely clean! The labels, the counters, and overall handling were impressive. They had great rhythm in the kitchen. Extremely fast service. I also had fun listening to their banter and limp bizkit solo. I don’t think he realized I was listening to him singing, but my millennial heart loved it. My husband and I had so much fun! The cooks were all very kind. They were also very patient. It’s not easy to cook while many people are watching and they excelled in every category. The head chef was very cool. It was fun watching him create art on a plate. I was at the far end, so I couldn’t see as well, but I could see passion on every plate. This was an amazing experience. If anyone has a chance to eat at the chefs table I do recommend it! They are a talented bunch! I am coming back on the 13th and have been counting down the days. You all are talented!”

“Fantastic place! Service was exceptional! Food was really, very good flavor wise. The steak was a bit tough considering how much you pay for it. You get a decent amount and the flavor is exceptional, but really was expecting it to be FAR more tender than it was. The chicken was also very flavorful, but somewhat dry. Drinks were delicious. Bacon wrapped dates were divine!”

“I love this restaurant so much! I’ve been here roughly 20 times over the past 3 years, and I’ve never had a bad experience. I’ve brought family and friends, and it’s always a hit. My previous favorite was the lamb chops (sadly off the menu now), but I’ve found a new favorite in the Cedar Plank Salmon. I also highly recommend the patatas bravas (always good) and the clams (delicious!). And don't even get me started on the molten cake—I have to get it every time, no questions asked. As for drinks, the Paloma is fantastic, but they also have several flavorful non-alcoholic options. This is hands down the best restaurant in town. Just a heads up: make sure to reserve ahead of time for Valentine’s or Mother’s Day, because they will be booked out guaranteed!”