The Cozy Taberna

Tucked into a quiet side street of downtown Salem, The Cozy Taberna feels like a small, stubbornly authentic slice of Spain lodged in the Pacific Northwest. Dimly lit booths on the main floor give way to a low-slung lounge below where groups linger over shared plates and house-selected wines. The bar is a theater unto itself — a long counter, a barkeep who knows local drafts by name, and twenty-four taps that draw a crowd after work. The kitchen traffics in bold, playful flavors: black squid ink pasta that stains your fork and refuses to stop tasting good, bacon-wrapped dates that melt into the wine, and citrus-and-nut salads that cut through the richness. Locals treat it as the city’s celebratory room; couples and out-of-towners come for anniversaries and date nights. The team leans into hospitality — they’ll fit you in, seat your party in the lower lounge, or hold the big table for a birthday. It’s small-town Salem at its best: civic pride disguised as fine casual dining, where the meal feels like an event.