Tara Kitchen

431 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY 12305, United States
$$$ Moroccan restaurant
(717 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Step into the vibrant world of Moroccan cuisine at Tara Kitchen, located at 431 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY. This charming restaurant offers a delightful escape from the ordinary, serving an array of traditional Moroccan dishes that promise to tantalize your taste buds.

The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the food itself, making it a perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends or a special celebration. Customers rave about the cozy vibe, with many applauding the lovely outdoor patio where you can enjoy your meal under the stars. Jamie Marcella, a satisfied diner, celebrated her birthday here and described her experience as “incredible,” particularly praising the fish with preserved lemons and olives. It’s not just the food but the overall experience that makes Tara Kitchen a must-visit.

Delve into a true Moroccan feast with their signature Vegetarian Tagines, like the Brown Lentils, Artichoke Hearts, Preserved Lemons, and Green Olives, expertly crafted to be gluten-free, vegan, and free from nuts and dairy, all for just $26. For a heartier option, try the Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Green Olives tagine, bursting with flavor and priced at $30. This dish, along with others, exemplifies Tara Kitchen's commitment to providing authentic Moroccan flavors with a modern twist.

Don’t miss their enticing appetizers and unique drinks, like the Flying Fig Martini and the Moroccan Sunrise, which are perfect companions to your meal as highlighted by Jenny Gregg in her glowing review. Guests appreciate the attentive service, where staff members take the time to ensure that you feel welcome and satisfied with every aspect of your visit.

While the venue is cozy, and seating is limited, the incredible flavors and exceptional service more than make up for any wait. The menu is diverse, catering to various diets without compromising on taste, ensuring there's something for everyone. Amy Sonder, a regular, emphasizes the unique flavors and combinations that never cease to amaze her, showcasing Tara Kitchen’s ability to create memorable dining experiences.

Whether you're a seasoned lover of Moroccan cuisine or trying it for the first time, Tara Kitchen offers something special at every turn. With high praises from locals and visitors alike, it's clear this restaurant is a culinary treasure in Schenectady that you will want to return to time and time again.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Saturday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Sunday

4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

717 Reviews
Jamie Marcella

13 Sep 2025

Cannot say enough good things about this place! I went on my birthday and enjoyed a delicious fish with preserved lemons and olive tagine. I sat on the back patio and enjoyed the beautiful weather and delicious food. Highly, highly recommend this place to others!!

Sam R

22 Aug 2025

The food was good. The dessert was the best. I used to know the owners and loved it when they worked there. Different atmosphere and lots of dishes added to the menu now. I was passing by Schenectady and thought I'd stop in. Will come back again.

Jenny Gregg

05 Aug 2025

We went on a Thursday night during prime dinner hours. There was a 20 min wait but with no reservations that was ok with us. Food was amazing and the service was great!! Well worth the wait! We were kindly greeting with water, their house green tea and menus by our server. We decided to get signature drinks - flying fig martini and the Moroccan sunrise - both very well made and tasty. We got the Moroccan ‘cigars’ for an appetizer which were very good and the sauce on it made it even better. For the entrees we selected the lamb meatballs w/ spaghetti in a special house made sauce which was very good and meat balls were big! And we got the Chicken Tagine with tomato jam, Harissa, almonds and figs - this dish was outstanding!! Both came with a side of seasoned rice and warm pita bread. We also order the charred broccoli with garlic and that was perfectly charred and very yummy. The portions were good sized we ended up wrapping the rest of our meals and ordered desserts to go. We got the cheesecake- topped with a berry sauce and crushed pistachios and baclava- delish! Definitely will go back!!

Cynthia P

19 Jul 2025

The food was good, the servers were sweet and friendly. The restaurant itself is tiny, there is no room at all for a party bigger than 6. The menu didn't have descriptors for what each item meant, so if you didn't know already, you really couldn't be sure what you were ordering. The prices were absolutely insane for what we got. The portions were tiny. I ordered a meal that was supposed to come with potatoes, cauliflower and olives along with sides of pita and rice. It was probably four good sized pieces of cauliflower, five small olives, two tomatoes and a half pound of onions(which were not listed on the menu). It came with a sauce cup of rice and no pita. My husband didn't get rice with his, or the pita. All portions were tiny. They did bring a small plate of one pita for the entire table. We each got one quarter of a pita. My husband asked for rice, they told him it was on the table. There were four meals and three sauce sized bowls of rice. It seemed like a problem, but she said she'd go get another one. We never saw any service again. Our drinks were empty, we didn't have our full or correct meals, they served the table next to us and wouldn't come back to our table. When we got the checks (2 checks, one for each couple), they had a 20% gratuity added. They said they do that for parties of five or more. They counted the two babies who didn't even get their own meals so they could add a ridiculous tip to their pockets. Also, there was no children's menu. For one appetizer, two meals and two small drinks(no refills, not even of water); for a meal we were still actively hungry after, we were charged $100. I am a small person who can be stuffed after eating a half sandwich on white bread. I was still hungry, stomach growling, after this incredibly expensive "meal". Very disappointed in this experience.

Toro Comm

06 Jul 2025

New in town and wanted to try some Moroccan food since I recently visited. Got an eggplant starter that was slimier than expected and just was not authentic/did not taste good, in my opinion. Had probably one bite. Felt also a bit overpriced. Had great service from a bartender who offered to remake my drink if I didn’t like it.

Amy Sonder

18 Jun 2025

The food and service at Tara Kitchen is second to none. You'll discover incredible flavors and unique dishes that never disappoint. I love ordering a variety of their appetizers and turning that into my meal. It's always the first place I think of when out of towners ask for recommendations.

Johnathan Vaughan

15 Jun 2025

I was in Schenectady for work for the week and some locals told us we had to check out Tara kitchen and I'm so glad we took the chance! It is very unassuming from the outside but the food is out of this world delicious! I will definitely pick my hotel to be close to here when I come back for work!

Jen

14 Jun 2025

I came across this hidden gem on my way to Canada. A cozy Moroccan cuisine with big flavor. The eggplant appetizer dip and chicken vegetable are absolutely delicious. The vegetable is cooked to perfection, fresh, sweet and subtly tangy. Their pita is thicker than store bought pita, which gave a dense texture. —— Came to this place second time a year later and the food is delicious as expected.

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