Best food I've had in Newburyport. Unique menu with really nice plating. I had the chicken kababs and they were delicious. We had an assortment of dips that were unique and tasty. Our server was great in explaining the menu and the drinks were spot on. Kind of eclectic vibe but it worked for me. It is on the pricey side but worth is with so much mundane food around in Newburyport. read more

Delicious, unique menu, and such great vibes, I can't wait to come back. We came here for a date night and sat on the third floor- each floor seems to have its own atmosphere. It was so hard to decide what to order because the menu was so interesting - the fel fel (falafel), hangar shawarma, and Persian empanadas were our favorites. Honestly I want to come here with a group so we can order a ton of small plates and try everything. Also the cocktails were on point- so balanced and tasty! read more

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Sat upstairs in the 3rd floor for a bday dinner. We ended up at a table with very dim lighting that had a 3 seat velvet-like couch on one side and i believe 2 velvet like chairs on the other side. Interesting and unique setup. The service was great and prompt. We enjoyed the brussel sprouts app, the guac app, and the artichoke app. I think the pita chips with the guac were out of this world. The artichoke was actual deep fried chunks of artichoke heart. Almost the texture of like a mozzarella stick but in wedge form. Very good. The brussels were good and the paired cheese on them was good. My chicken shwarma meal was great. My gf loved her bday swordfish. The others enjoyed their chicken and steak dishes too. The blackberry cheesecake was pretty good too but we were so stuffed that most went to waste. read more

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Food is very good for the most part. (The lamb kebabs were tough. Needed to marinate more). The mushrooms were delicious, as was the Persian empanada. Our waitress was friendly and helpful with the menu. And the ambience was cozy and fun. Quirky, but in a good way. Main issue is with value. Some items were just too expensive. One large empanada was $12. A few salads were $18. And the delicious beets were $15. No matter how well prepared they are still beets. On the other hand, there were a few excellent wines at $10 per glass. And a some desserts were around. $9. Not bad for these days. Overall, a positive experience. read more

I visited Bar 25 last weekend with a group of 12 for a bachelorette party. We were seated about 20-25 minutes past our reservation but it was no big deal. Our waitress Erin and the bartender were so incredible and really made our experience great. It can be tough to deal with that many loud and energetic women, but they joined in on our fun and were perfect through and through. When I first looked at the menu, the banner said "Districts of Tel Aviv," so I was expecting mostly Israeli food, but as a Persian, I was pleasantly surprised and so excited when I read through the dishes and saw that there was a lot of Persian influence and Iranian classics! Here is what we ordered: Barg with Sour Cherry Rice Magic Mushrooms Street Fries Persian Empanada Fel Fel Moutabel Haloum Mushroom Flatbread The Barg was perfectly cooked and the sour cherry rice was so buttery, just fantastic. The mushrooms, street fries, empanada, and fel fel were very delicious. The Moutabel tasted like persian Kashke Bademjan and we loved it. The Haloum and Mushroom flatbread were just okay. Overall, it was a great experience and i'll definitely be back. read more

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Not a local bar Despite excellent cocktails and food Lack respect for singles and local regulars Loved the NYE party Pity read more

Bar25 has become me and my wife's favorite restaurant, hands down. There has not been a single item on the menu I haven't enjoyed, and we have at this point tried a good amount of the menu items, especially the appetizer list. The fried artichoke with lemon aioli is definitely a stand out. The menu isn't huge, overall. But everything that's on it is fresh and delicious. We like what we get so much at this point we don't usually deviate from our favorites: the chicken kabob with sour cherry rice for her and fried chicken shawarma for me. Every bite of the fried chicken shawarma is perfection. Her meal is always flawless with this amazing creamy textured rice with cherries. I can't help but eat some of hers it's so good. The cocktails are the best anywhere. In particular their signature old fashioned sets the bar for this classic drink. I wish every restaurant and bar could get on this level. I know it's simple, but so many places get it so wrong. The place also just has a cool vibe to it, with a corner set up like a library on the first floor, and historic Newburyport brick walls throughout. The music is a huge bonus, mostly playing soft house-style tracks that are remakes of older hits. I usually end up shazaming a couple songs each visit. We do come there a lot, and the consistency is notable. Each time we come here we have the exact same top shelf experience. The staff is always attentive and friendly. I remember one experience where the head bartender was waiting on us and jokingly asked if we wanted to start with tequila shots. That wasn't our plan but we took him up on it and had a blast. He chilled the shot glasses and tequila and brought over limes and salt and talked about how we were only the second ever couple to take him up on it. We've probably been here 6 or so times now, and I don't have a single complaint and never experienced an issue. I like it so much I might end up buying a Bar25 hoodie, and I never do that sort of thing. Even their hoodies are cool. read more

We had an amazing experience during our first visit to Bar25. Our server, Grace, was wonderful. We asked Grace for recommendations and she suggested perfect dishes. The atmosphere is really pleasing. The service was outstanding...thank you Grace. And the food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend and we will definitely be going back to try more dishes! Thankful we ordered extra food and have leftovers !! read more

I went to Bar 25 NBPT located on 38 State St in Newburyport for my Mom's birthday this week. This spot has mediterranean and middle eastern inspired dishes and of course a great selection of cocktails. For cocktails we got the Herbie's Margarita which had tequila, habanero, and watermelon I loved the fun glass this drink came in and it was the perfect amount of sweet and spicy 9/10. We also got the Ceylon Sour which had bourbon ,cardamom, lemon and apricot 8/10. Finally, we got their signature seasonal drink which had everything nice chai infused bourbon 8/10. For shareable plates we got the Fel Fel which is similar to falafel. It was made of garbanzo, zucchini, carrots and had a marinara tzatziki dip 7/10. We got the fried artichoke hearts with lemon aioli. I am not usually a huge artichoke lover but I guess whenever anything is fried it tastes delicious 8/10. The magic mushrooms were the star dish of the evening. This plate contained shittake, king oyster, hon shimeji chimichurri, iberico chorizo and parmesan truffle 10/10. If you are obsessed with mushrooms like me you need to eat this! I wish I had access to these mushrooms 24/7. Their seasonal flatbread had truffle bechamel, fried oyster mushrooms, smoked gouda, crispy prosciutto and wild arugula 9/10. I think the prosciutto tasted more like bacon but overall the truffle bechamel sealed the deal on this pizza. Really tasty. Their Zeitoon mezzo platter which had cous cous tabouleh, roasted heirloom carrot, eggplant schnitzel, shaved radish, fried halloumi cheese, toasted focaccia, olive, apricot, and honey tapenade 9/10. Everything on this plate was delicious-the fried halloumi cheese was my personal favorite (because really who doesn't love cheese?). The only thing is that I wish they made this a bit easier to share amongst the table (maybe a spoon for the tabouleh!) Lastly, we got to try a variety of their kebabs (shrimp, lamb and beef) and their saffron basmati rice This rice was another true star of the evening 10/10. You can really taste the quality of ingredients-especially with the saffron! For dessert we got a Turkish brûlée made of Himalayan red rice pudding, vanilla bean, turbinado sugar. I've never had a turkish brûlée before and this was a fabulous way to end the evening 8/10. Food: 9/10 Affordability: 6/10 Ambiance: 8/10 read more

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It was so good, we returned 4 days later for a reprise. The Hummus is unbelievable! The mushroom plate was perfection and the fried artichokes are very satisfying, especially with a cocktail. I love their shawarma but their basmati is a bit rich. Koofteh is OK, I wish they served us white rice instead of the overly salted and saffroned yellow rice. Drinks are balanced, meaning they are not too strong. Service is really good!! Cons: Seating is cramped on the second floor. We had the 2 top in the corner and were trapped by someone seated close at the next table. The third floor bar is great but the little red seats are not comfortable and alongside the railing. I think the third floor bar is the best seat. read more

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We came for a cocktail and appetizer at around 9:30. After looking for seats at the bar upstairs and down, we were told all the bar seats were reserved but the MOST SOUGHT AFTER TABLE (high top next to the bar) was available. We placed a drink order and asked for menus and were told we had ten minutes to order. When the drinks came the bartender took our order (2 appetizers) and said (with distain): "That's it?" Yup. We were joined by three others who are also locals who were downtown and ordered a round of drinks. We were having a great time when we were told to quiet down since the other tables were getting annoyed. It wasn't very busy at that point but we corrected our noise level. Meanwhile, another group came in and they were also very jocular but no one said a word to them. So a member in our group called them out and said: "You all better quiet down!" We were just out having drinks later in the evening on a Friday night at a "Bar." We asked to order another round and the bartender said nope. (It's the guy with the tattoos.) so, we left. Don't try to have fun with your friends at Bar 25. The appetizer with the lentils was very good, though. Cocktails were mediocre. read more

Atmosphere was very chill. Staff was friendly and attentive. Drinks and food were inventive and perfectly executed.

Bar 25 has a wonderful atmosphere. I have been here twice now, one outside and once inside. We had drink and deserts this evening. The bartenders are amazing and all the drinks are perfect. They made an amazing whisky sour tonight. The hostess and waitress were also very helpful and friendly. The bread pudding with the pour over chocolate is the best! The chocolate flavor reminded us of the chocolate that comes with churros in Spain! Thank you Bar 25! read more

Bar 25 - Whiskey Sour - Mediterranean Near Me - Newburyport, Massachusetts

This is my wife and my favorite restaurant. Outstanding service and the food is spectacular. Highly recommended

We had lunch on the patio and everything was wonderful! It was in the shade and the chairs were so comfy. Had the fried chicken shawarma, caramelized brussels sprouts and a watermelon salad that was a special for the day. Highly recommend this place. read more

Food was not impressive unless you are not familiar with Mediterranean food. Two dishes were underseasoned and one was dry, not crispy as stated. Drinks were good, especially the wine, but the space is cramped and odd, and not relaxing. Best to sit outside when weather allows. The staff was aloof, not especially friendly so overall, it was not impressive. read more

We've eaten at Bar 25 several times now and honestly I've never ordered anything I didn't like. The cocktails are fun, unique and beautiful. The food is delicious (the empanadas and lamb kabobs with barberry rice are especially good) and the service has been excellent with the wait staff providing useful recommendations. My only minor complaint is that it can get a little noisy for my liking. read more

We ate at the bar on the 3rd floor (made a reservation) on a Friday night and it was great. Food was delicious, ambiance was very cool. Service was friendly and prompt. Interesting middle eastern inspired food and spins on traditional middle eastern dishes. We will definitely be back. read more

Foods and service very good. Tried to book the top floor for an event and the place didn't seem very interested In it. It's fine I booked another restaurant in Newburyport. Would've been good revenue for the restaurant as it was for a large group. read more

The vibes here are immaculate. Think speakeasy. If you're from Boston, think Yvonne's. They have an extensive cocktail and wine list. I loved our first two cocktails: Emerald City and Goodbye to My Good Side. The fried halloumi was good and the sweet potato hummus was incredible-- definitely the best hummus I've ever had. Service was attentive and friendly. I can see why they were voted Best of the North Shore in 3 categories. read more

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Middle eastern vibes, outdoor seating, stylish gin drinks, menu sections with titles like "Haifa Gardens" and "Streets of Cairo." We were in the brick-clad streets of old Newburyport but one could almost imagine the sounds of the muezzin drifting in from a distant mosque or the clatter of a bazaar. Mostly small plates, in the $10-15 range. Here are my thoughts on what we ordered: Fel Fel. A cute name for felafel, came as 3 pucks on a bed of hummus, quite good. Truffle Fries. Crispy, hot, a little under-truffled Shrimp kabob. Lemony and tender. Cinnamon Lentil Basmati. Our favorite, buttery, saffron-rich, in theory just a bowl of rice but so much more. Cocktails-- Winners: Scarborough Fair, straight up, gin plus falernum to give it a tropical kick Down with disease, a tequila drink with strawberry overtones Loser-- Lesley's cup, cucumber infused gin with more cucumber and big cube, tasted just of cucumber, I sent it back. I look forward to working through more of the menu on a future visit. read more

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This was our first time at Bar 25 and it was spectacular! The food was delicious, the ambience had such a cool vibe, and our waitress, Grace, was superb, which made it a perfect evening. She was friendly, attentive, and gave excellent meal recommendations. The shrimp kabobs, lamb kabobs, and truffle fries were to die for. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

This is a place I will come back to over and over again! The food is always amazing and drinks are fantastic. I got the chicken kebabs and magic mushrooms. Can't wait to go back for the shawarma plate and eggplant croquettes. Our server was friendly and food came out in a timely manner. We had a wonderful time. read more

Okay, so, we went to this restaurant twice in one day. We were wandering through Newburyport and stumbled upon it for a drink and snack in the afternoon. We sat at the downstairs bar which has a dark speakeasy vibe even though it's not a speakeasy. We got drinks (I got a mocktail which was delicious) and the spicy sweet potato white bean hummus which was amazing. We then wandered around for a while, eventually tried to find a place for dinner, and walked back to this restaurant because of how good the hummus was. We sat on the second floor for dinner which I didn't love as much but was still fine. We shared the guacamole, empanadas, and the chicken kebab with saffron rice which was key. read more

Had a great experience. Truly appreciate the added presence of owner, Reza. Checking in on us throughout our meal.We'd be here once a week, if we lived closer!! We loved the ambience! Ciara, our bartender gave us great guidance on food selections. And also made a great (off menu) drink. The barberry basmati rice is one of the best dishes I've had. Haloumi and the hummus were also very flavorful.Can't wait to go back to try more dishes!We'll be sharing our experience with all of friends so they can visit as well! read more

Bar 25 - Clockwise - Barberry Basmati, hummus, haloumi and special por stickers and spicy marg - Mediterranean Near Me - Newburyport, Massachusetts

We have been coming to Bar 25 for 3 years now. Their braised lentils and magic mushrooms are phenomenal; the drinks are surprisingly just "OK." I say this because they are not balanced. There is either too much of one liqueur or infusion which overpowers the beverage. The espresso martini for example is bitter and is not even made with fresh espresso; it's cold brew. Also, a major turn off was the switch from cubed ice to crushed ice; so you're essentially getting less liquid in your beverage because the glass has more ice in it now. Like I said, food is incredible so we will come specifically for that but hopes are not high for beverages. read more

Bar 25 is a great place but the staff need to know when to not allow seat saving at the bar!! This is the second time this has occurred and I have made staff made aware they totally ignore . Loss of revenue must not be a issue. Last evening I entered at 445PM . There was a female at the bar on her computer , and having a soda. The seat next to her was being saved . At 550pm her companion finally arrived. On this evening I told the hostess and the bartender no one seemed to care they lost revenue for over a hour and I waited 20 minutes for another stool to become available. read more

Wow !! went last night for our anniversary dinner is was outstanding. the service the food the drinks and ambience all top notch.

Great experience at Bar 25! we had a reservation for four on third floor for drinks and apps. each floor is beautifully decorated, artwork and overall eclectic decor....so much to take in. The vibe is fun the wait staff professional but not stuffy...just super pleasant and accommodating. The apps we shared were so good....a guacamole dip and hummus dip with fresh veggies and the most delicious fresh baked focaccia bread. I had the Little Caribbean cocktail...it was fantastic. This place is special....I cant wait to return. read more

This Mediterranean-inspired menu is much needed addition to Newburyport! The service is great. The staff is all pretty green so you frequently hear "I have to ask" which I prefer over pretending to know! Our bartender, Joey, knew his stuff and made some great recs! The cocktail list is small-ish but imaginative. The wine list is also small but has a good range. As for the food, I am impressed! The portions are tapas size but the fries can definitely keep a table of 3-4 happy for a while. I really liked the street fries. The shaved meat and onion strings made it such a treat! Pro tip: ask for the tzatziki on the side. You don't want all that deliciousness to get soggy! I cant wait to return to try more of the menu. read more

Bar 25 - Blood orange slices for cocktails. - Mediterranean Near Me - Newburyport, Massachusetts

The staff here is absolutely wonderful. We stopped in for drinks and were warmly welcomed on arrival. The bartender made a creative drink inspired by a Negroni but with his own twist on it. It tasted great and was beautifully garnished. We had empanadas for a snack with our drinks and they were also delicious. The space is unique and cozy. A gem of a place tucked into a cozy corner of downtown. read more

Do not sleep on Bar 25 when in Newburyport! This a great place in downtown Newburyport that has it all. Great ambiance, really friendly staff and delicious food and drinks. We had stopped in for drinks and snacks when in town last year and liked it so much, we decided to come back for dinner while in town this year. We were able to make a reservation to sit at the bar which was just perfect. The bartenders were so friendly and fun that it really added to our excellent experience. The food here is different in all of the best ways. They have small plates as well as entrees and everything has a Mediterranean twist. We started with lentils and naan bread, the fries and the mushrooms. Everything was delicious but the fries were the star of the show. Perfectly cooked with shredded filet and a light dusting of cheese made these delectable. For our entrees, we had the chicken kabob which was served over rice and accompanied by a grilled tomato. The chicken was cooked to perfection and very flavorful. The rice was delicious and the grilled tomato was the perfect tartness to cut through the richness of the dish. It is evident that a lot of care and thought goes into the food here. This is the perfect place for a date night or a girls night out. The ambiance makes it feel special but the menu won't break the bank whether you are looking for a snack of dinner. Highly recommend! read more

After seeing that Bar25 won the "Best of North Shore" award, my wife and I decided to investigate. We were not disappointed. We arrived early for our dinner reservation in the 3rd floor bar area, so had a drink and app at the first floor bar. Warning! This is an above-average bar, making craft cocktails that are expertly balanced and unique. If your idea of a craft cocktail is an Absolut martini, you might be in the wrong place. No frozen daiquiri machines here. The bartenders really know there stuff, Julia was a wealth of knowledge, engaging and could hold her own against any bartender in Boston or New York. OK - so the cocktails and wine list are terrific - I think we've established that. On to the food. We elected to sit up on the third floor - a separately reserved area - with its own elegant bar. Had an antique vibe with plush seating - sort of reminded me of Yvonne's in Boston. It's Mediterranean food with a home style Persian influence, and is served in a tapas style (small plates). This made it great for sharing and trying several different things - the Aubergine was great, the lamb kebabs were outstanding, we had some salad which was also great. Overall we were impressed with the food, the friendliness of the wait staff, the ambiance and the creative and delicious cocktails. Worth the drive to Newburyport, and we will be back to give it another run. read more

A group reserved a table after Witches Night celebration. The person reserving requested a large table on the first level to accomadate our party. When we arrived, they could not accommodate any longer so we had a smaller table upstairs that couldn't fit everyone so some of our party left. So we already are not happy. Our waiter was very nice but he was slammed so service was extremely slow. Drink orders taken and when delivered, the pours were embarrassing! I did say something to the waiter knowing he isn't the bartender but for what people pay for cocktails these days, I expect a full glass for a cocktail. Apparently some young woman who may have been a manager or something, not sure, felt the need to "school" us on liquor measurements. I don't know what the purpose of this was except to further upset me. I don't want to hear the pour is 2 oz of liquor. If I am paying $15 for a drink, what is your margin on that? I go out more than enough to do some comparisons (think of comps in real estate) to know they are on the very, very small side. My friend ordered vodka straight up (again, a thimble size drink) and it was served warm. When she said something to this woman, the worker asked if she requested it chilled. She shouldn't have to! It should have automatically been served chilled. Again, this woman just came over to assert some sort of authority and to put the customer in their place. Not customer oriented at all. Ok, we still haven't gotten food at this point. I forgot to mention we arrived at 8:30. Our food order wasn't taken unitl 9:20!! I know the waiter was busy but I am sorry, that is way too long in between drink orders and food And this is a point of contention that has been since the opening of the restaurant. The service is slow regardless of a busy night in town or just in general. I ordered the magic mushrooms which I had once before. I find that Bar 25 has to change a good thing. When they first opened, the Shawarma's were outstanding! They had cooked chips of prosciutto and sweet cherry tomatoes. Those items are no longer added to the dish so it does change the taste. The magic mushrooms were nothing like the first time I had them. These were tossed in some twangy sauce which I did not care for at all. I had a couple of forks and gave the rest to my friend. I think I have given the overall feel of the night and will not be giving this place any more chances. Nothing improves, it just gets worse, the owner doesn't seem to care or respond to reviews but save your money and go someplace else. They overcharge and underdeliver. read more

Amazing service. And food/drinks! The mini shawarmas with the saffron chicken were so flavorful with every bite. Unique menu categories! I wish I took a picture. Great mixed drink and liquor selection. Small tapas portions so expect the bill to be $$$ (but that's okay for a fun meal in NBP). The weather was perfect for outdoor lounge seating but they also have two floors of seating indoors! Would go back again and recommend. read more

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Most of my party like their meals, but I am not a fan of their style of Mediterranean. Most disappointing is the Very slow service and inattentive servers. Over the 2-1/2 hour meal, I saw my server three times. The bar was empty, but it took 20 minutes, just to take drink orders and another 20 to fill them. Warm tapwater, and they never brought ice despite repeated requests. Took more than an hour and a half to get the meal out. Overall, a lack of attention to detail in the service and preparation given the price charged. read more

Actually really like the food but come on guys. Extremely small portions and very overpriced

Wow! Thank you Bar 25! When we selected and reserved Bar 25 for my niece's sweet 16, I could not have imaging a better surprise when the staff and management set up the reservation. The food, ambiance and private area was perfect! The individualized menu for the "mock tails" was above and beyond. As always, the food was amazing. Perfect for sharing and multiple courses to help celebrate the special occasion. Attentive team of wait-staff made our night a special one. Thanks again! read more

Bar 25 - Mediterranean Near Me - Newburyport, Massachusetts

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I can not say enough about Bar25. Bar 25 has taken the experience of going out to dinner with friends and has turned it into an event to talk about for weeks. The food is outstanding, and full of dishes that you will not find anywhere else. They set themselves apart from any other local restaurant. Their drink menu is flawless and perfectly paired with expert staff who will go above and beyond to give their tables an experience and not just a dinner. Management clearly holds their staff to a high expectation, and it reflects. Bar25 is the place to go for a top tier experience. read more

Sent a message privately to the restaurant on Instagram and was blocked by the account. Clearly they take customer complaints very seriously. Sharing my awful experience here. Was at the bar last night and ordered a bottle of wine and split with a friend when a wedding party took over the space. We were minding our own business, when an extremely rude bartender told us it was a private party and we weren't allowed to be there. We explained we were there before the wedding party arrived had an open tab and a bottle of wine we were finishing and that were served and BEFORE the wedding party even arrived and we were still told to leave. Went to pay our tab and the bartender gave us the wrong credit card and tab while trying to rush us out. This was beyond unprofessional and an extremely rude way to treat paying customers. Will not be back and absolutely do not recommend, customer service here ia very clearly lacking. I suggest this place take a better look at how your bartenders are treating patrons- not acceptable. There are several other restaurants in the area with excellent food, drinks and customer service. Please do not spend your hard earned money on a business like this! read more