The Cozy Taberna

The Cozy Taberna is a Spanish-inspired tapas bar and Pacific Northwest culinary restaurant located at 249 Liberty St NE, Suite 140, inside the historic Electric Alley corridor of Downtown Salem, Oregon. Founded by chef-owner Matthewelos “Matt”elos Hanna and his culinary team, the restaurant pairs wood-fired Iberian small plates, handmade pastas, and dry-aged steaks with Willamette Valley wines and craft cocktails. Set slightly back from Liberty Street down a brick-lined pedestrian alleyway, the restaurant draws couples, wine collectors, and culinary travelers seeking small-batch seasonal cooking and open-kitchen counter dining in Oregon’s capital city.

What to Expect at The Cozy Taberna

Walking down Electric Alley between Court Street and Chemeketa Street brings diners to a dimly lit, brick-and-timber dining room anchored by a glowing open kitchen and a full craft bar. The culinary concept centers on shared plates—known on the menu as snacks, small plates, and large formats—allowing tables to sample multiple preparations over a two-hour dinner. Seasonal produce from Marion and Polk County farms shares the menu with imported Spanish cheeses, cured Iberian meats, and fresh Pacific Coast seafood. Guests seated at the chef’s counter have a direct view of the line cooks searing scallops, plating house-extruded pastas, and finishing steaks over high heat.

The menu rotates regularly to reflect the agricultural calendar of the Willamette Valley while maintaining signature staples that regulars order year-round. Beverage offerings give equal weight to local Oregon Pinot Noir, Spanish Tempranillo and Albariño, and an inventive cocktail program built around house-made syrups, bitters, and smoked spirits. On Sundays, the kitchen opens at 10:00 AM for a dedicated brunch service featuring sweet and savory morning plates alongside daytime cocktails and espresso drinks. Dietary preferences including gluten-free and vegetarian preparations are clearly accommodated by the kitchen team upon request.

• Patatas Bravas & Tapas Starters: Crispy fried potatoes layered with spicy bravas sauce and garlic aioli, served alongside warm house-baked focaccia, marinated olives, and charcuterie boards featuring Spanish jamón and local cheeses.
• Seared Sea Scallops & Pacific Seafood: Pan-seared diver scallops, grilled octopus, and seasonal Pacific Northwest shellfish plated with seasonal purées, crispy pork belly, or citrus-herb reductions.
• House-Made Pastas & Cast-Iron Steaks: Freshly rolled pasta ribbons tossed with braised meats or wild Oregon mushrooms, complemented by larger entrées such as prime ribeye and hanger steak cooked to order.
• Chef’s Counter Seating: Bar-height stools directly facing the open kitchen where diners can watch dishes being assembled and chat with the culinary team throughout the evening.
• Willamette Valley Wine & Craft Cocktail Program: A curated bottle and by-the-glass list highlighting nearby Eola-Amity Hills and Dundee Hills vineyards, Spanish imports, and seasonal signature cocktails.

The Cozy Taberna at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Because the dining room has an intimate footprint and a strong local following, reservations are essential for Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday brunch. You can book a table online through The Cozy Taberna’s official website or by calling +1 503-375-8869. Walk-in guests have the best chance of securing bar or chef’s counter seats by arriving between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM on weekdays for early afternoon tapas and drinks. To locate the entrance, walk along the west side of Liberty Street NE between Court and Chemeketa streets and turn into the brick alleyway marked by overhead string lights.

Travelers arriving by car can use free customer parking at the nearby Chemeketa Parkade (300 Chemeketa St NE) or Liberty Parkade (295 Liberty St SE), or find metered on-street parking along Liberty, Court, and State streets. Public transit riders can take any Cherriots local or regional bus route to the Downtown Transit Center at Courthouse Square, just a three-minute walk east. The ground-level alleyway entrance and interior dining floor are step-free and wheelchair accessible, with standard table seating and ADA-compliant restroom access. Before or after your meal, pair your visit with a performance at the historic Elsinore Theatre (two blocks south at 170 High St SE), an afternoon stroll across the Peter Courtney Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge at Riverfront City Park (five minutes west), or a tour of the Oregon State Capitol grounds less than half a mile east.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours and best times to dine at The Cozy Taberna?

The Cozy Taberna is open seven days a week: Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For a quieter meal or easier walk-in seating at the bar, visit between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Prime dinner seating occurs between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, while Sunday mornings from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM feature a specialized brunch menu.

Do I need a reservation, and how much does dinner cost?

Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend dinners and Sunday brunch, and can be made directly on the restaurant’s website. Expect a $$$ price tier where shared tapas and small plates range from $12 to $24, handmade pastas and seafood dishes run $26 to $38, and larger proteins or steaks cost $40 to $65+. Most diners spend between $55 and $95 per person including two to three shared plates and a cocktail or glass of wine.

How much time should I budget for a meal at The Cozy Taberna?

Plan to spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a full tapas-style dinner, as courses are coursed out progressively from the kitchen to encourage sharing. If you are stopping in for afternoon drinks and a couple of snacks at the bar before a show at the Elsinore Theatre, 60 to 75 minutes is sufficient.

What is the dress code, and is the restaurant wheelchair accessible?

The dress code is Pacific Northwest smart casual; dark jeans, collared shirts, sweaters, and cocktail attire all fit comfortably in the dining room. The entrance down Electric Alley off Liberty Street NE is flat and step-free, offering main-level tables and accessible restroom facilities for guests using wheelchairs or mobility devices.

When planning your Salem travel guide or comparing verified nightlife and fine dining restaurant in Salem, pair this stop with standout local spots including Longboards Restaurant & Bar, Proctor's Ledge Memorial, Salem Witch Board Museum, and Amadeus Restaurant (0.2 km away).