We had a wonderful experience at Dafina for a family baptism dinner. A huge thank you to Stephanie for the amazing service, attention to detail, and for making everyone in our family feel so welcome. The private room was spacious and beautifully set up, and the table layout was perfect for our celebration. There was so much food, and everything was delicious! The wine and cocktails were great as well. It was a great experience from beginning to end. I'll definitely be coming back next time for a date night! read more

Dafina - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

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beautiful interior, super nicely decorated. there was a wedding party happening in the back and it was a great venue choice bc of how nice it is inside. we got there in time for 30% off apps, drinks, and sides, which was really nice and we definitely took advantage of that. the food was great- the octopus was a standout for sure, super lemony and well-seasoned and delicious. the crab ravioli was also really good. we also got the seafood tower for 2 and shared it amongst 5 people as an app, and it was great- super tender lobster. it only came with 4 shrimp tho, which for the price, we thought was lacking. overall, the food was really good! the service was okay- in the beginning, our server was quite attentive. but as the restaurant continued filling up, it became very difficult to track down a server to fill up our water and also to get the check. the place entirely filled up by the time we left around 7pm, which was impressive on a wednesday night. read more

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Dafina, located in Somerville, NJ, offers a vibrant dining experience that combines a diverse menu with a warm, inviting atmosphere. This Greek cuisine spot covers all of the desirable food choices you can come up with. The interior features a blend of modern and rustic elements, creating a cozy yet stylish environment. Soft lighting and tasteful decor contribute to a relaxed dining experience. The layout accommodates both intimate dinners and large parties, making it suitable for various occasions. Also, the side walk seating is great just to get that fresh air dining. Dafina specializes in Mediterranean inspired dishes, with a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The Fresh Burrata Mozzarella & Figs (fresh cream mozzarella, dry figs, roasted peppers, arugula, balsamic) stater is where it's at. It was light and fresh with the perfect amount of mozzarella. I was with a large party and tried many dishes and I would go back and order them on the main section of entrees. Dafina in Somerville is a wonderful spot for anyone looking to explore Mediterranean flavors in a welcoming setting. Whether you're enjoying a casual lunch or a special dinner, the combination of delicious food, excellent service, and a charming ambiance makes it a noteworthy choice. read more

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A beautiful Greek restaurant in the Raritan area!! The interior design is sooo nice!!! First time in the main town and stopped by for a quick snack to celebrate a colleague's birthday and everything was delicious. They accommodated the birthday with a nice dessert! Sat outside on the beautiful porch area and people watched. read more

Dafina - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

This place has been on my list to try so I finally made it out! Got the old fashioned to start and it was good and strong. For an app we for the grilled calamari, good but not the best. For my entree I got the angry lobster which was amazing! Comes with a creamy pasta sauce which was filled with flavor! read more

Dafina - Angry Lobster - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Came here on a Friday night and it was amazing! Highly recommend a reservation. They have inside and outdoor seating. There's parking lots and street parking around the corner. There's street parking in front of the restaurant but on Fridays it's reserved for the car show. The inside of the restaurant is beautifully decorated and spacious. They have a mix of large and small tables to accommodate different party sizes. The service is great. They have people walking around constantly refilling water and also collecting plates to keep enough space on the tables. We go the Santorini spritz which is very similar to a Hugo Spritz and pino Grigio for drinks. They bring a sauce and pita and bread to the table before the meal. The food came out very fast I got the dafina rigatoni. It was flavorful and had a good amount of heat to it. The garlic in the dish was not over powering either and it had a good amount of chicken in it too. My friend got the penne vodka which was flavorful and had the perfect amount of sauce. The portion sizes were large and overall a good price read more

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Stopped in on a Friday night for dinner without reservations and had a fantastic experience. I would definitely categorize this as a fine dining spot, but with generous, family-sized portions. The service was an absolute 10/10; our server, Mario, was incredibly pleasant and made sure our entire evening was flawless. We will absolutely be back! As for the food, it was an 8/10 overall. The Santorini Spritz was the perfect drink to start the meal, and the Roasted Beet Salad and Baked Shrimp Santorini were absolute standouts and personal favorites. The Angry Halibut was also decent. The Chicken Souvlaki was a bit "mid" and wasn't my favorite, but it's still a safe fallback option if you aren't sure what to get. Overall, it's a 10/10 experience! read more

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Had brunch here and it was a great experience. Having frequented the previous restaurant in this spot it was amazing to see the transformation of the space. The interior is really pretty! The staff was really friendly and attentive. Someone was already around to refill waters and drinks. The food was really good too! The shishito peppers were delicious. And I got the shakshuka as my main and it was a hit. The fresh pita was also really good. We also got bottomless brunch which was a deal because the cocktails are on the pricier side. Had a couple of Paloma's and a Bloody Mary and both were delicious. Definitely recommend for a cute weekend brunch spot! read more

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The food and drinks were good, the locale is beautiful, service was fantastic. Overall a pretty good date night spot.

upscale and chic vibe, Great bar with a decor that feels both modern and warm, creating a lively Mediterranean ambiance. We went on a Friday evening without a reservation, and while the main dining room was buzzing, we luckily snagged a spot at the first-come, first-served high-top tables on the bar side. We started with some perfectly mixed drinks--the margaritas were crisp and the Spritz was refreshing--paired with a few vegetarian appetizers. The Dafina Chips (crispy zucchini and eggplant with tzatziki)and Greek spread platter was great as well. Overall, a fantastic spot for a casual yet sophisticated night out. read more

Dafina - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Took my wife out for her birthday. We both loved it. The food was delicious. The waiter was great. He was very knowledgeable of the menu items. The ambience was really good. We went on a busy Saturday night. It was mostly upscale attire, but there were some patrons who still fit in with jeans. read more

4.25 stars for a great first impression! This is one of those reviews which I needed my pictures to help me remember what we ordered (ALOT!). There are some things that can be improved as below. A beautiful space and well used space. There were tables of various sizes including private parties. Service was professional, timely, and friendly. The owner was walking around chatting as well. They have a good sized menu with varied food choices and a good sized wine list as well. 1. French onion soup - Good broth, lots of cheese on top, no big loaf of bread inside which is a good sign. Slightly above average for me. 2. Zucchini, fried - Thought these would be thinner and crunchier but there could be improvements here. Good flavor; some with too much salt; some soggy. 3. Octopus appetizer - Solid with good grilled flavor that is not overbearing. 4. Fig and burrata - Good refreshing dish; simple 5. Beet salad - Large portion. You have to like beets and strawberries to appreciate this dish. Good balance of flavors with the other appetizers. 6. Crab cakes - One of the best ones I've had. Minimal filler which made the cakes very flavorful. Also not too salty, which I appreciate. 7. Crab ravioli - Loads of flavor here with good tasting sauce and the right portion size. 8. Charred broccoli (side) - Wish it was a bit more crunchy but the charred flavor is nice 9. Fries - Good but not great. Could be a bit crunchier. Good size though. 10. Grilled Lobster - Big size, great grilled taste, loved it. 11. Tiramisu - Good portion and good mix of texture. Not alcoholic. 12. Baklava - Large portion size to be split (or not). Pistachio gelato is fake tasting. They could just get rid of that. Overall, a great first time here. Ordered a ton of food and will be back for more! read more

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We went late on a Saturday night, so I'm not sure if the experience would be different on other nights. But on Saturday, it seems they turn from mid-upscale restaurant to nightlife vibes. Between the cranked-up music and the crowd, I was very happy to be sitting outside where it was relatively quieter and warmer. If this is the vibe you're going for though, then you'll love it. The staff was clearly a bit overwhelmed though - there was a long line at the hostess stand and even those with reservations were waiting. We didn't make a reservation (didn't think we needed one for 9pm but again we weren't aware of the pseudo-nightlife nature of this place), so it took a while to get seated. The appetizer and dinner we ordered were tasty and well portioned, though pricey. read more

Dafina is an interesting mixed bag. My wife got home from work quite late on Saturday night and we decided to go out. We arrived at Dafina just shy of 9pm and were shocked to find we had to wait quite a long time just to get to the host stand. And so we waited in line for about 15 minutes before we made it to the front, only to learn they were sold out to reservations for the whole evening. And while it is surprisingly to be sold out that late at night, it wasn't entirely unbelievable as the first comment I made to my wife when we entered was "so loud." The place was packed and everyone had to speak incredibly loudly, because the music being played was incredibly loud. I would say it's akin to the level of volume you'd expect in a nightclub. The clientele was also dressed as if it were one too. This is definitely a fancy dress establishment, though there is no enforced dress code as far as I could tell. Maybe it was the generic nightclub-styled music but it didn't give off a particularly authentic Mediterranean vibe, despite the motifs around the building. We inquired about eating outside, where we found there was plenty of availability. This was a good move, because otherwise, it truthfully would have been difficult to have a conversation. We started with the beefteke, which came with four patties of ground beef and lamb, two pieces to pita and a tzatziki sauce blend. For an appetizer, it was definitely a shareable portion and a quite a flavorful one, like a gyro in burger patty form. Next for the entree I had the seafood pappardelle. There were chunks of whole lobster on the plate and a good portion of various seafoods, absolutely smothered in sauce. It was rich, flavorful, and I didn't come close to finishing it. Last we had the galaktoboureko for dessert, which our waiter described as a cross between a key lime pie and cheesecake with a thick layer of phyllo dough on top. It was warmer than expected, but was just as described and delicious. Served with a side of ice cream, whipped cream, and some assorted fruits. This is one of those rare reviews where the food was excellent, but the other aspects of the restaurant hold it back. The loud atmosphere isn't for everyone and you will need a reservation, especially on a weekend to get in. Also, for the money, while the portions were large, you can expect to spend about $100 per person. Drinks here are about $20 a pop and appetizers can go for quite a bit more than that, so you're not getting a lot of value there. A comment was made between my wife and I when we sat down that these were "Hawaii prices," if that helps in context for anyone. And to cap off the evening, while our service up to this point was great, they seemed to forget to take our card after a long wait, and I ended up having to bring it to the host stand myself. All and all, it's not a bad experience, but a "premium" one. Fancy dress, loud music, and pricey menu items aren't a bad combo, but definitely not one suited to everyone. read more

Dafina - Seafood Pappardelle - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

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I came to Dafina with a group of friends for happy hour on a Wednesday. It was pretty easy to find parking nearby on the street. For busier times like the weekend, park in lot 1 which is behind the restaurant. We were impressed with how nice it is inside and also how big the space is. We sat at a high top in the bar area and had some wine and shared the Greek Spreads. The wines were all good and the dips were tasty but small portions with only 4 pieces of pita. One in our group if gluten free so we requested some veggies to dip and were grateful the server brought us a handful of sliced cucumber. Overall, we had a good experience but be aware the prices are a bit high for most entrees. I'd come back to try more food but would pick Sunday-Tuesday from 3-7 as they current have 30% off the whole menu then! read more

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I've been here twice, food is flavorful Mediterranean-Greek dishes,no matter what I ordered . Prices are moderate to high and may feel expensive but portions are very generous (or large). We shared all the appetizers we ordered and had our own entree so it wasn't bad in the end. read more

It's a beautiful restaurant, but it's very overpriced with mediocre service and food. All entrées are at least $10 more than the menu prices on their restaurant website. They also charge you a 3% fee for credit card even before they know you're going to use a credit card, so check your bill! We ordered lamb chops rare but they were served well done, the restaurant did re- cook them and they were just fine, nothing special and pretty plain. It's also extremely noisy if that's something you care about. It was hard to have a conversation at a table for three. read more

My parents and I came in on Christmas day 2025. The interior space is beautiful with lots of light coming in from the large windows. I did think it was weird that there were TVs on? Didn't really match the vibe but maybe if you're sitting at the bar on a normal night that makes sense. Food was good but didn't match the price point. My lamb was not cooked to my desired temp (wasn't burned, but it was over) and the vegetables had a bit of a funk (burned garlic? hard to say). My dad's platter and my mom's shrimp were well cooked. Up to here this sounds like 3-4 stars. Unfortunately, it was some of the worst service I've ever seen in a restaurant and definitely the worst service I've seen in a restaurant at this price point/market segment. Every question about the menu was met with monosyllabic answers. Nothing about the service was proactive. Every interaction with the servers (there were two working sort of together) was as if we were inconveniencing them. The only person trying was the busser. I would try again but not before a long list of restaurants on the to-try list. read more

Appetizers were very good. Unfortunately the dinner was mediocre. Lamb chops overcooked and dry. There were multiple screaming children so if that's your thing go enjoy but for a $250 dinner for two that is not acceptable to me. Service not so great either. Had to ask repeatedly for items. read more

I Recently enjoyed lunch at Dafina, upon walking in the restaurant space is absolutely stunning! Very open, light and airy, it's giving Mediterranean vibes. We were seated in a semi circle booth that gave us a view of the entire restaurant. Upon being seated you're served complimentary semolina bread/pita baskets with hummus. The hummus was delicious and I loved the fresh minced shallot on top. We reviewed the well rounded menu and opted for the prix fixe lunch menu. When ordering off that menu you have to order all three courses at once, I ordered the stuffed clams, tuna, and tiramisu. The clams arrived and were a little too large for my liking and I wish they were crispy on top. The tuna entree on the other hand was spectacular, I loved the crust and the sauces that accompanied it. It was a quality piece of tuna and the star of the show. I do wish rather than being served with beets they served it with either rice or some sort of salad, I think that would compliment the tuna more so than the beets. The tiramisu for dessert was delicious, it came with fresh whipped cream and berries. Overall would highly recommend Dafina, a treasure for Somerville restaurant scene! *on another note Dafina turns into a club after ten p.m on weekends with a DJ coming in and is so much fun! The bar is beautiful and the bartenders are so sweet and do a great job. The crowd was middle aged, however, as the night went on became younger. read more

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My friend and I saw this restaurant online and we knew we had to try it out. The restaurant is definitely very cute and aesthetically pleasing for dinner, but the food was absolutely fabulous in the service was great as well. Definitely planning to go back with my other friends! read more

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The food was ok and the mixed drink was not great. The Paloma did not taste like any Paloma I ever had, not sweet enough and I'm not sure what Tequila was used. The omlete had no salt or seasonings nor the potatoes. The place is very pretty. Will try again and hopefully the dinner meals are better. The pancake was yummy. Service was ok. read more

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Went to this restaurant last night based on the recommendation. The atmosphere was beautiful and the service was okay. The food in my opinion was not traditional Greek food . I had the Mediterranean grilled fish which was supposed to be deboned but it wasn't... I have been to Greece a couple of times and was so looking forward to the reservation but quickly became disappointed that many traditional food was not listed.. the Greek lemon potatoes was the biggest disappointment.. shame on you for saying this was Greek lemon potatoes. read more

4.5 stars for me but I'll round it up. Went here on NYE they had a live Dj, I'm sure it's just for that night. The dining room was beautiful. When you sit at your table it feels like you're in a different world, definitely not in Somerville anymore. Simple, modern, clean, you can tell they spent a lot of money on the restaurant. Our server was Diamant and he was so attentive. The service was excellent! I hope this doesn't change. Very experienced staff. Everyone who came to the table was professional. Big WOW for me. It's not easy to train staff so kudos to the manager. Food was a 9 out of 10. Huge portions. Definitely getting your moneys worth. The appetizers were all good. We got fried calamari, shrimp Santorini, and the grilled octopus. The ribeye, I thought was cooked properly and seasoned well but my friend thought it was under seasoned so I guess this comes down to personal preference. The crab & Lobster ravioli was the star in my opinion. The sauce was just so good! The dishes that was a miss was the Halibut and the side spinach. The halibut was cooked properly however I didn't care for the taste of the sauce. The sautéed spinach was just so bland. Overall very good experience. Will definitely be back. With all the drinks we ordered the bill came out to $670 which was not bad at all for 6 people. If you're not looking to spend that much, perhaps split the entree or skip the apps because the portion is big. read more

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Went for mother in laws birthday and service was awful. Apps came out cold, took 30 minutes and 3 people to get not spicy marinara sauce. Forget about the fact that we needed more pita chips for tuna tartar. Left after apps. Horrible! read more

Good vibe but it's not organized. Don't even think about restroom, it's nasty. Food is good. read more

My friend and I had brunch here today and it was AMAZING! Stephanie and Torou made sure we were happy and our bottomless mimosas were always filled. They were both so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and answered our questions on the private party room reservations. We will be back!! Give Stephanie and Touro a raise! read more

Dafina - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Overall, we enjoyed our evening. Everyone in our party enjoyed their food, the service was generally good, and the restaurant has a very nice ambiance. There were a couple of mistakes from the kitchen regarding special requests with our meals, but nothing that would have taken away from the evening. Unfortunately, what was disappointing was how an incident at our table was handled. Our waiter accidentally tipped over my glass of red wine, spilling it onto the table and splattering my guest's outfit. He placed a napkin over the spill and handed my guest another napkin, but unfortunately her outfit had already been stained with red wine. What surprised me most was that the manager walked by, saw what had happened, and never stopped to ask if everything was okay or offer an apology. Ironically, the couple sitting at the table next to us apologized several times--even as they were leaving--because they felt so badly about what had happened, despite having absolutely nothing to do with it. Our bill was well over $500. I wasn't looking for anything extravagant, but good customer service would have been for the manager to simply come over, acknowledge what happened, apologize, and perhaps offer a dessert or another small gesture. Instead, the situation was never acknowledged at all. I truly enjoy supporting good restaurants, and the food and ambiance here were enjoyable. But great restaurants are also defined by how they respond when something goes wrong. Unfortunately, the lack of concern and basic customer care in this situation left us disappointed and put a damper on what otherwise would have been a very enjoyable evening. read more

I have had about 50 (no kidding) delivery dinners from Dafina and never anything less than excellent. By far the best food to be delivered to me in this area in 30 years here. Tonight, my anniversary, will be the first time dining in looking very forward to it! read more

Very good experience overall! Food was great, ambience is immaculate and fun and the service was very good too. Sat at a high top by the bar to enjoy their great happy hour specials they run daily! Highly recommend checking that out. The lobster and crab ravioli's were so yummy! The crab cake was the best I've ever had -- super fresh! Clams casino also very good with great flavor and the bean appetizer from the daily specials was enjoyable too. Martini could have been a little stronger but still enjoyed. Will definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful airy main dining room with an upscale ambiance and unmistakably Mediterranean vibe but minus the stereotypical kitsch. Service was on point, if a tiny bit stuffy. Some minor things to be ironed out (food runner couldn't find our table and circled twice). Food was fresh and flawlessly done. We all ordered off the Specials. They included a lobster pappardelle, a filet mignon tips cacio e pepe, and a grilled whole Dorade (sea bream?). This isn't traditional Greek per se, but Greek-inspired (I know, most of what we ordered isn't Greek at all). Yes, it's pricey, but hopefully will do well. read more

Dafina - Grilled Dorade Special, sauteed Horta, lemon potato - Fish & Chips Near Me - Somerville, New Jersey

Food is great & drinks are strong. The place is very tacky and aims to look upscale but all cheap fake plants, the music is normal then extremely loud on a Sunday afternoon. The bathroom is always dirty. The service is awful - ive seen staff arguments, I've seen some waitresses who seem to be attentive but I haven't had one. The bartenders act like by ordering a drink, you've insulted them. read more

If you like a scene, this is your spot. If you want fine dining, go elsewhere. My husband and I visited Dafina on a Saturday night. We did our part; booked our reservation weeks in advance and arrived on time. Like many other reviewers, we were seated 40 minutes after our reservation time. A "thanks for your patience" or "our apologies for the wait" was not extended and would have gone a long way. Customers have clearly expressed dissatisfaction with this issue and the lack of resolution feels like disregard for their customers. On the positive side, my husband loved his rigatoni and the space was beautiful. read more

Great addition to the downtown Sommerville, New Jersey ! Great ambience, great food, great drink drinks, and great music and by the way, dress up a little bit read more

We enjoyed the food, but the billing experience left a bad impression. I noticed that one of our dishes was priced at $22 on the bill, even though the menu listed it at $16--a 38% difference. What was surprising was the response. The server didn't apologize and simply went to the front desk, returning with a $6 adjustment. The entire situation was handled very casually, which made it feel like this might not be an isolated issue--especially for larger groups where such discrepancies can easily go unnoticed. read more

Nice cool spot, with a good ambiance and great service. floors are verrrrryy slick I almost slipped, so that is only downside. The staff was very attentive, the food was delicious, but very big portions. they also gave a few extras which is nice (like biscotti after dinner, chocolate strawberries with dessert, pita etc) -especially if we were to have more people to share. read more

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Amazing interior area, came with my family for my 18th birthday and it was amazing. Service was good, our host was nice and the food came quickly. We didn't have to wait too long for food. Appetizer was the shrimp avocado and was amazing, and I ordered the lobster and crab ravioli and it came out perfect. Crab and Lobster were cooked perfect, and their homemade pasta lived up to the name -- perfect and made with love. Cheesecake for my birthday was delicious too! Definitely a nice classy place to eat well made Greek and Mediterranean food. read more

Decent food, very expensive. With their prices you want amazing not decent. Very nice ambience, decent service.

Service is slow after main meal. Also Mother's Day brunch we showed up at 11am reservation and they had dinner menu and not brunch menu. Who does that for Mothers Day brunch?? read more

Place is one of the prettier rest in Nj , great vibe well lit . Went last night had a couple apps Beet salad was very good Octopus very good Seafood tagliatelle was a problem Seafood was cooked perfectly however the pasta Jist about ruined the dish . Pasta is way too thick and pasty . Pasta was big clump in the middle of the dish had to peel it apart . Other dishes were all very good , work on the pasta please ... read more