Stamna Greek Taverna - Bloomfield, NJ

Get in your car and take a quick trip to Greece, leaving your passport at home.

Drive to 1045 Broad Street in Bloomfield, near Holsten's and Cafe Tartufo, step inside and you are in Greece.

The decor, staff, aromas abounding from the open kitchen, the big LCD TV tuned to a Greek news channel all contribute to the experience. But the food is the real celebrity here.

There are so many delicious dishes on the menu I barely know where to start.

One thing for sure, try the appetizer of whole wheat pasta with chopped carmalized onions, extra virgin olive oil and grated, powdered, ricotta.

Read all the great comments here, Baristanet.

Go Tuesday - Wednesday. Thursday is busy with lines by 7:30. Friday and Saturday the place is mobbed.

Pick up some Greek wine at Magnolias in Upper Montclair or Shoprite Liquors in Little Falls, they have a great selection of Greek wines.

Stamna Greek Taverna

1045 BROAD STREET
BLOOMFIELD, NJ 07003
Phone: 973-338-5151

Comments

[Personal bad experience]

Not a family restaurant - very small and crowded. I wouldn't bring kids; my sister-in-law can attest to that - she has 2 little ones.

Stamna may be a European-style restaurant, but it's run more like a typical American business. I had arrived at the reserved time (which was made 3 weeks prior) and told the waiter my party was having complications getting there. Upon their 30-minute late arrival, the hostess approached us and said we'd have to leave within an hour. We had no idea that we'd be expected to order a 3-course meal and scarf it down within 90 minutes, even if they HAD been on time. I am reminded of the fact that this really ISN’T Europe, where people can dine without the pressures of table turnover. Even as an American I’ve never experienced such blatant pressure to leave; it’s usually subtlety implied but not a strict policy.

When we asked for the manager the hostess gave us an even bigger attitude saying, "Well YOU were late". To their credit, the manager was nice, but she was quite shocked that we like to relax & enjoy our time when we go out, typically staying 2 to 3 hours. She apologized saying that they had been trying to make room for those who called to make reservations THAT DAY (which makes my 3 week reservation completely inconsequential). She asked us to stay, but I make it a policy to never eat where the staff is mad at you. The waiter was very kind and didn't charge me for the iced coffee I had while waiting.

I'm sorry I can't comment much on the food. I did have takeout once prior, and it was pretty good. I would encourage you to go only if you've called a few hours ahead of time and don't plan on talking or eating much; best for 2 people or if you want an excuse not to spend too much time with someone. "Hey, sorry to cut you off but we gotta get out of here. I heard they have a 90 minute policy." The other alternative is to go at an odd hour, as you may see recommended at other sites.

[DK]

The food there is outstanding..service is pretty slow..guess its a Greek thing. Overall really nice atmosphere and great food. Don't go there if you are in a rush.

[Themistoklis Alexios Nissirios]

HI! I AM THE OWNER SON OF THE GREEK TAVERNA. LET ME JUST SAY THAT WHAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT US IS SILLY. WHO EVEN SAID THAT THEIR IS A 90 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. IL TELL U WHAT YOU NEED KNOW FIRST HAND. FIRST WE ARE A SMALL STORE LOCATED ON BROAD STREET AND IT ONLY FITS 70- 80 PEOPLE. WE HAVE GREAT FOOD, FISH FROM THE MEDITERANIAN IMPORTED FROM EUROPE. OUR CHEF IS FROM CYPRUS AND WORKED IN A NEW YORK KITCHEN AND HAS ALSO BEEN ON COMERCIALS. SERVICE IS NOT THAT BAD. COMPARED TO OTHER RESTUARANTS WE ARE GOOD.

[Themistoklis Alexios Nissirios]

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND MAKES RESERVATIONS 3 WEEKS BEFORE HAND. THIS IS NOT RESERVATIONS FOR A GUNS N ROSES CONCERT OR ACDC.

[jeff Mach]

Wow, Themistoklis. Excellent way to (a) not address the other patron's concerns and (b) belittle a fairly common practice. If I have an important meal, I'll certainly try to reserve it in advance - and I've never been to a good restaurant which wouldn't let me do so, except for places which didn't take reservations at all.

Your food may be great, but I'd really be afraid of the service, after your comments.

we are coming tues night for my husbands 50th birthday.... can't wait the word out here in montclair..........This place is awesome. We will be for 5 around 7:30

should we make reservations??????

Thanks, The Armours

It can't hurt, but probably won't be necessary.

[Linda]

The food in this restaurant is excellent and unlike any other Greek place I have been too. It is very European and the people have always been more than sweet to us. It is one of my favorites.

[Jessica]

This place was the best place i have ever eaten. Im going to go their for now on every week with my family.

[Marilyn Bonica]

I have eaten her several times with friends and with my son and have found the people most gracious. As someone else said we can't decide what to order when we go, there everything is good. It is like Greece, warmth, language, music, and atmospher, all add to a pleasent break in the day.

[Stateworker]

This place is real. It's wonderful, flawed and gorgeous for it's reality. Wonderful- that is the food. It's raison 'etre is food; what Stamna serves is (in my 5 visits) deep, satisfying flavors in elegantly simple but robust presentations. What I mean by "flawed" is evidenced by the owner's kid coming out and writing (a few comments above this one) , all vital and brutally honest, no pretense. So he's defending the family business. If, to that, you would prefer a chain or some place that is polite but with less lifeforce oozing out of it's every act, I cannot agree. That up there typifies the feel of the place- alive, vibrant, ready for discourse (isn't democratic dialogue these folks' offering, anyway?) The Food is what I hope to have put in front of me if I leave my kitchen to eat. fresh tasting, with an authenticity that is by definition not easy to copy. The staff are always enjoying themselves it seems and the service has always been present and responsive- not in a cold, overly professional corporate-trained way, but in a look you in the eye-what do you need, nodding and get it, kind of way.
I'm going there for Valentines. Can't think of a place with more heart.

[Georgia (Adonis) Russo]

Wow, we had a wonderful time, it was exciting you were greeted at the door with open arms, everyone is so nice...Excellent service. The food was Excellent, bravo !delicious,there is no other place to take your family, or friends. Everything we ate was like being in Greece. Beleive me we are Greek and Italian, no matter...come one come all it an experience you will never forget..The food can't compare with anywhere else..Who needs Astoria Queeens,..
Here you have wonderful place that serves with class syle atmosphere greek music. delicious food, BRAVO! opa opa

[Rachael Mayer]

The food is delicious, authentic, not your usual Jersey fare. The appetizers are particularly good, and the salad with bread crust is out of this world.

[michelle lee]

I just have a question if anyone knows? Does Tartufos and The Greek Place have the same owner? i dont know if just me but they look the same from the outside, like tartufos had the tables outfront now Stamna and even the same awning. well if anyone knows please let me know ?

[ALESSIO FAMILY]

WOW I WOULD NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN, I WAS THERE OVER THE WEEKEND AND WHO IN THE RIGHT MIND EATS AT A PLACE WHERE THE SUPPOSED TO BE CHEF SMOKES IN THE KITCHEN. I'M SORRY BUT I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS AND THE CHEF IT'S THE LAST PERSON WHO YOU SEE SMOKING NEVER THE LESS IN THE KITCHEN, AND WHAT ABOUT THE SERVERS THEY SMOKE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PLACE AND DONT EVEN WASH THEIR HANDS AND HANDLE THE FOOD. SORRY BUT IF THE CHEF WAS IN FACT IN COMMERCIALS HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER. THERE ARE BETTER AND A LOT CLEANER PLACES I RATHER GO TO.

[joyce,angela]

i enjoyed perikli

[Mike Miltiades]

I went to Stamna last night. This restaurant has big variety of traditional dishes and offers best authentic Greek food in NJ for very reasonable prices. I met the Chef Mike who is a graduate of The Cyprus Hotel Management school and the majority of waiters and the host are Greek Cypriot students. The staff are offering outstanding service Before I went to the restaurant I have read the comments from this webpage about how busy is the place and I made reservations at 5:30 so go early.

[Chris Messineo]

Smoking in the kitchen????????? You can't even smoke as a patron! Not a place I think I will eat at - thanks for the heads-up!

[emt]

oh whoever said the chef smoking in the kitchen is a turn off shouldn't eat in any restaurant ever again. that should be the least of your concerns in most places, especially ones where you can't see into the kitchen!!! i've worked in restaurant kitchens for 15 years and i've got some horror stories for you. stop whining about silly things and enjoy yourself.

go to stamna. best greek food i've ever had in my life.

[maria kakarakas]

the papya is divine here.

and i too enjoyed perikli. kudos to him.

[SB]

Will be eating at Stamna on Saturday for a birthday celebration. I am traveling all the way from Philadelphia. I will follow up on service and food. I hope all the comments back and forth is not indicative of the atmosphere.

[Chris]

Re: Smoking

Yeah smoking is no good and should be addressed by the owner. But this could also be considered part of the restaurant's "character", as it's a way of life for most people from the old country. They should definitely wash their hands after smoking, if that's the case(see below).

The food there was top-notch when I went, no attitude from the servers, and an overall pleasant experience although a bit crowded. No smokiness that I noticed.

I do have a couple of complaints about you, such as your sub-standard grammar and shady remarks. I suppose you followed the servers around and took notes on who washed their hands and when? Your post reeks of propaganda and I hope what you say is factual as opposed to blatant slander. You sound like the owner of a local bodega which is losing business to Stamna. Anyway, if you don't go back there that's more room for the rest of us. Also, learn to use your "shift" key for CAPITALS, thanks.

[Kristina]

My aunt and I went to Stamna with two of her friends last weekend. The food was fantastic as well as the service, and in response to the chef smoking in the kitchen well I have been their twice and never saw him with a cigarette. Also if they want to smoke outside its a free country so let them do as they please and mind your own business and stop hateing. I love Stamna and am going back this Sat. with my aunt and I can not wait!

[Annamarie Barlikas]

We brought my husband, who is Greek, to Stamna for Father's Day. He is always very critical on the preparation of the food. Well he just loved it! We all did! We don't have to travel to Astoria anymore !

[GG]

After years of devotion to Greek Delights, we decided to give Stamna a shot. Sorry to say, not even close to Greek Delights ... and we can't fathom why the place is packed or getting such exuberant press. Believe me, we are fresh-herb-growing, good-eats-devouring foodies ... we know cuisine (and we're also pretty forgiving when it appears someone's really trying hard to please and misses the mark). We tried a large Greek salad ... No.Lettuce. No.Flavor. We tried the $14.50 grilled octopus appetizer. We got two tentacles, roughly 8 inches long. Wife said they were tasty, but still ... that's at least a buck more than Greek Delights and Greek Taverna. Lastly, we tried two gyros; true, they were stuffed with meat, but the sauce was exceedingly bland, as was the meat.

All in all, a one-and-done experience with Stamna, I'm afraid (and no, we're in no way affiliated with Greek Delights ... which I heartily suggest you try, if for no other reason than the dining room is so much roomier).