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    Dafina

    3.7 (45 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Seafood Pappardelle
    Matt G.

    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.

    Ritesh S.

    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.

    Kimberley L.

    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.

    Happy Hour Specials (not listed online)
    Anna D.

    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!

    Appetizers
    Debbie K.

    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.

    Lisa C.

    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!

    Grilled Dorade Special, sauteed Horta, lemon potato
    Don H.

    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.

    Chicken Souvlaki
    Amanda S.

    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!

    Chicken Milanese-big enough to share

    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.

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    VintEdge Wine Bar and Lounge

    VintEdge Wine Bar and Lounge

    4.2
    (105 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is a combo review of 2 visits. As they were both FIVE STARS you'll be okay…read more Visit one: Last month I was feeling frisky ::meow:: after a work event at the courthouse and wasn't ready to go home. I literally said to myself as I drove around Somerville that I wish there was a wine or cocktail bar for...mature people like myself to chill at. So I looked up wine bars and boom - VintEdge was right down the street. I came in around 9pm, picked a comfy seat by the window, and ordered. Can you believe I had never had an espresso martini until that evening?? So my first was a pumpkin espresso martini. Well I may have had 2. And another drink. Ahem. The service was great, not fussy, and I wasn't rushed even as we approached last call. Visit 2: having heard about my great experience there alone, my cousin arranged to meet me there last week. Or so she thought. Through a series of mutual miscommunications, I was here at the crib waiting for her, while she was at the wine bar waiting for me. Once we figured that out, she got us some food to go and we ate here at home. Verdict: -excellent seating options - stools, couches, chairs -food is so so good. Tartare, truffle fries. Fig jam pizza -drinks include awesome bottles and seasonal takes on old favorites This could be my new spot.

    HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I was pleasantly surprised by VintEdge and it ended up being one of my favorite…read moreeateries so far this year! The outside is unassuming but on the inside, it feels like a classy, upscale restaurant with a casual ambiance. On a Saturday evening, there were still several tables open inside and outside and seating at the bar. The drinks were amazing. My fave was the lychee martini. The food was also simple yet delicious. Can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. The staff were busy but still polite and attentive.

    Photos
    Pasta bolognese
    Pasta bolognese
    Mocktail
    Mocktail
    Margarita flatbread

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    Margarita flatbread
    Verve Restaurant

    Verve Restaurant

    3.9
    (384 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$
    Healthy dining
    Certified professionals

    I've been coming to Verve for over 20 years. It's one of those places that has stayed consistently…read moreexcellent, which is rare. My wife and I stopped in after meeting my Corvette club for the weekly cruise night in Somerville -- it was the perfect way to cap the evening. We started with the grilled octopus and the crispy calamari. Both were excellent. The calamari is very light. When I used to frequent the lounge on Fridays and Saturdays, if I hadn't had dinner, the calamari hit the spot. The octopus had a good char on it and was tender throughout. For entrees, my wife had the seared ahi tuna special and I went with the pan seared duck breast. Her tuna was cooked perfectly - rare. The duck was well seared on the outside with just the right amount of pink inside. Portions were the right size -- filling without being excessive, which left just enough room to share the chocolate ganache dessert. We finished with a cappuccino for my wife and a double espresso for me. Verve is a French bistro on East Main Street with a serious cocktail and wine program. The atmosphere is upscale but relaxed. The staff were friendly and attentive all night. After 20+ years, it's still one of the best restaurants in Somerset County. Don't skip the specials.

    Stopped by for a drink and a quick bite. The place has a…read morecool bar vibe, and we were seated at a cozy two-top near the bar, which we liked. I ordered a spicy dirty martini, and my husband had the old fashioned--both drinks were fine, nothing to rave about. We shared truffle fries, veggie dumplings, and cauliflower bites. The fries were definitely the highlight--crispy and well-seasoned. The other two dishes were just okay. Service was quick, and overall it was a decent stop, but nothing particularly memorable food- or drink-wise.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Summer Peach Tart
    Summer Peach Tart
    Verve Restaurant

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    Salted Lime Bar & Kitchen

    Salted Lime Bar & Kitchen

    3.7
    (348 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Came back to introduce my daughter to this lovely place. We didn't have reservations but they were…read moreable to seat us fairly quickly. Our server, Belinda was delightful. She was quick and efficient while remaining very engaging. We started with the chips and guacamole. Delicious. My husband and daughter were really enjoying it. I had the Peruvian rice bowl. OMG! It was wonderful! Allyson had the Bahn mi shrimp tacos and Tom had the Al Pastor quesadilla. Everything was wonderful. The portions are generous and Tom and I both took food home. Service was really quick even with the restaurant being full. Like coming here!

    We popped into Salted Lime Bar & Kitchen in Somerville recently and had a solid experience…read more We ordered the sweet plantains, chips & guacamole, and a Cuban quesadilla. The sweet plantains were nicely caramelized and sweet without being cloying. The chips & guacamole came out fresh, the chips still warm, and the guac had a nice balance of creaminess and brightness. The Cuban quesadilla was hearty and satisfying with good melty cheese, with a nice touch from the fillings. Ambience is casual but lively, perfect for hanging with friends or a relaxed dinner. Staff were friendly and responsive. Portion sizes felt moderate (not huge) so if you're very hungry you might want to add another dish. Pricing leans a bit toward "mid‑upper" for this kind of food. The noise level at times crept up, though it never got excessive for conversation. All in all, a very enjoyable visit. I'd go back and try more of their menu.

    Photos
    Inside front
    Inside front
    Mahi special blood orange margarita
    Mahi special blood orange margarita
    Outside

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    Outside

    Dafina - fishnchips - Updated July 2026

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