Taverna Opa – A Bold Taste of Lively Mediterranean Spirit
There’s nothing better than a delicious dining experience followed by a breathtaking show. But what about both at the same time? With a party atmosphere and nightly live entertainment, Taverna Opa combines Greek cuisine with all the liveliness and joy of Greek culture.
From the radiant atmosphere to the giant tree right in the middle of the dining room, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying your meal in the middle of a Mediterranean garden. And that’s just the beginning! Taverna Opa’s motto is “The night isn’t over until the ouzo runs out,” which tells you exactly what they’re all about.
Nightly Entertainment
Every night at 7 pm in this Pointe Orlando restaurant, authentic Greek and Mediterranean music kicks up, and belly dancers take to the dining room floor to deliver show-stopping performances. While the food at Taverna Opa is excellent, enjoying your meal while admiring the talent and beauty of these skilled dancers really takes your experience up a notch. Taverna Opa goes beyond a great meal to create a night you’ll want to run home and tell your friends all about.
When the dancers appear, the atmosphere shifts from an upscale restaurant to a party unlike any you’ve ever experienced. And it’s not just a spectator event. The staff gets involved in the fun, and they even encourage guests to kick off their heels and dance on the tables. If you get lucky, a belly dancer might even recruit you for a dance-off – we’re not kidding!
If you want just to kick back, enjoy your meal, and appreciate the professionals’ sweet moves, you can certainly do that. But if you’re the type to get in on the action, Taverna Opa is the perfect place to do that!
The Menu
Whether you’re a newcomer to Mediterranean food or it’s your favorite international cuisine, you’re sure to find something exciting, decadent, and satisfying on Taverna Opa’s varied menu.
Appetizers
For a classic experience, sample appetizers like tzatziki, hummus trio (traditional, spinach and feta, roasted red pepper hummus), dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with herb-infused rice), or falafel with tzatziki to share with the table.
In the mood for seafood? Nibble on taramosalata (lemon cod roe dip), crispy calamari with lemon, or sauteed shrimp with tomatoes, garlic, dill, and white wine. Or start with a showstopper like saganaki, a classic Mediterranean cheese that your server flambés right by your table! We can’t think of a better way to kick off your night than with a burst of flame and a delicious start to your meal.
Wood-Fired Meats
In the mood for something hearty? The lamb chop, which Taverna Opa marinates in garlic and herbs for 36 hours before cooking, is their signature dish and all-time best-seller. Enjoy it with a side of lemon potatoes and homestyle vegetables.
You can also check out their grilled chicken breast in a refreshing lemon caper artichoke sauce with a side of spinach rice. If you’ve really worked up an appetite for a feast after a full day of exploring Orlando, try their surf and turf – a 5-ounce filet paired with a 7-ounce lobster tail with sides of spinach rice and lemon potatoes. You certainly won’t leave hungry!
Traditional Greek Favorites
Want a truly authentic taste of the Mediterranean? Look no further than Taverna Opa’s traditional favorites like lamb shank with orzo. For another classic, check out their gyro pita (with your choice of sliced gyro meat – chicken, pork, or crispy falafel filling) and a side of house fries.
You may have never heard of pastitsio, but it’s a well-loved Mediterranean dish that will intrigue you and ignite your taste buds – it’s an exciting combination of beef, macaroni, Greek cheeses, bechamel sauce, and cinnamon. Or you can try a little bit of everything with the roasted lamb board, featuring slow-roasted lamb, pita, veggies, tzatziki, and opa house fries!
Seafood
Of course, Mediterranean cuisine is synonymous with seafood, and Taverna Opa’s offerings don’t disappoint. Options include salmon with white wine, dill, garlic, and wild greens, or you can get Santorini shrimp with spinach rice, tomatoes, green onions, manouri cheese, and oregano.
In the mood for a feast to share? Poseidon’s Seafood Platter serves 2 and includes 2 lobster tails, scallops, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and the fish of the day. All are served in a delicious tomato, garlic white wine sauce.
Kids’ Menu
Taverna Opa knows traveling with kiddos can be tough. Part of vacationing is exploring new flavors and dining options, but sometimes kids just want a bite of the familiar. This kids’ menu strikes the perfect balance.
Adventurous kids can have a taste of the Mediterranean, too, with Greek meatballs or lamb sliders. Pickier eaters will appreciate the option of classic chicken tenders or mac and cheese with their choice of drink, as well as a side of fries. Either way, you can rest easy knowing the young ones are properly fed while you enjoy your meal.
Desserts
Mediterranean food has a well-earned reputation for being heart-healthy, but at the end of your meal, you’ll definitely want to make dessert a priority. Their signature dessert, opa ekmek, is certainly worth trying – a delicious combination of shredded phyllo, custard, whipped cream, and walnuts. And, of course, there’s the classically scrumptious baklava.
Or you can try something you’ve probably never heard of, like galaktoboureko (sweet custard enrobed in honey phyllo) or loukoumades (Greek-style donuts doused in honey syrup and topped with walnuts).
Your best bet is probably to go with the Greek variety platter to share. That way, you can try a bit of everything, blending a taste of the familiar with a feast of the unexpected.
Family-Style Dining
Opt for the family-style options for an immersive dining experience that encourages sharing and togetherness (and accommodates indecisive diners). Groups of 4 or more can enjoy the ultimate Greek experience and share bites of everything. Choose from their Zeus or Aphrodite menu options. Both include a hot and cold appetizer platter, a meal platter, and a dessert course.
Drinks & Cocktails
No Mediterranean feast is complete without a glass of wine! But if cocktails are more your speed, you’ll find some fantastic Greek and Mediterranean spins on the classics.
Sip on selections like a Santorini Mule with ginger beer and Figenza fig vodka or a Mediterranean gin and tonic (the secret is using orange gin, Greek Aegean tonic, and herbs). Try the Stuffed Kalamata Olive for their twist on a classic martini.
In the mood for something sweeter? Try the Orlando Mango (mango rum, banana liqueur, and pineapple juice) or a Baklava Coquito (Rumchata, rum, cinnamon, and baklava syrup). But for something totally unique, try the Mykonos Dream – rosemary and lavender vodka, mint, cucumber, dill, and elderflower liqueur.
If you really want to keep the party going, check out Taverna Opa’s drink specials for groups. Order white or red sangria or a selection of classic cocktails by the pitcher!
Happy Hour
If you want the experience of Taverna Opa but can’t fit a full meal into your itinerary, stopping by for happy hour is a great happy medium. Sip half-price drinks at the bar and nibble on traditional Greek appetizers while you enjoy the ambiance and lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect peek into what Taverna Opa is all about.
Would you ever go toe-to-toe with a professional belly dancer? Weigh in below!
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