So, sitting was reasonable, we made reservations and arrived a few minutes late. We were still accommodated, though it wasn't the busiest of nights so hard to gage wait time. Hostess was helpful, Jaime was out server, man did I test his patience, but he was patient. Smiled thru, and provided excellent customer service. Parking is scarce, if you know Boston "you know" if you dont that means make a reservation cause this place is often packed, i was lucky today. Also go in advance for parking. Its a tight spot on the 1st floor if you choose to sit at the bar, but there is a second level providing more comfort. I speak for a Sunday night @736pm read more

The atmosphere seemed promising for a late-night spot, but the service was disappointing. There was no host to greet us, and we initially had no idea we were supposed to seat ourselves. The bartender was unfriendly, and it took a few minutes for our server to come over. The music was also extremely loud, making it difficult to communicate. The food came out quickly and was decent. I enjoyed the Lisbon burger, but overall, the food and service did not justify the price. Unfortunately, I expected more from the experience. read more

Estella is an upscale Caribbean restaurant in Downtown Boston that is known for its ambiance and good food. This place is great for dates or hanging out with friends. Service was top notch. Drinks were good. My friends and I were also given additional accommodations when needed. Parking in Downtown Boston is difficult to find unless in a nearby garage. Public transportation or ride share is recommended. Add this restaurant on your list of places to eat in Boston!! read more

Service was a little slow, but the staff was very friendly and welcoming. The R&B playlist was amazing and definitely added to the vibe. The Bang Bang Cauliflower was really good with just the right amount of spice. The coconut shrimp were huge, and the salmon tacos were delicious and came served in lettuce wraps, which was a nice touch. This was my first time here, and I was very impressed overall. I'll definitely be back! read more

Estella - Bang Bang Cauliflower - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This was the chosen place by our double date before a theater event at the Opera House. We had a reservation and were promptly seated in a booth close to the entrance. It was a very cold night so every time that door was opened and it was frequent, we had freezing air come our way. For appetizers we shared the yucca fries and calamari. They were ok but nothing stood out about them. For my main course, I went with the branzino. I found it to be a $45 disappointing entree. It was under seasoned side and thin salty fish fillet on top. Do yourself a favor and skip this entree. I had high hopes for the dulce de leche lava cake. It tasted like those angel cakes you get at the grocery store with cold caramel inside. I was expecting a hot or warm caramel but this just wasn't that. This was an overpriced and not a memorable dining experience for taste or quality. read more

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I'm always looking to support black businesses wherever I go, and seeing this restaurant named often had me excited to try it out. Though I did already see mixed reviews, I chose to see it for myself and form my own opinion after! As we arrived, the inside was nicely designed and even larger than many videos portrayed the space to be, which is always a nice surprise. Though we had reservations, it wasn't very busy, so it's good to know we could've come without any and still been seated at a great time. Our waitress was pretty friendly and provided some help when it came to the menu in addition to taking a note of all allergies to ensure the items we ordered were free of them. After reviewing the menu, we chose chicken wings, mac n cheese, and the kreyol pasta and were, of course, excited to try it all. Normally I appreciate when my food doesn't take too long to come out, but ours came out literally 7 minutes after we ordered it, and we could already tell it just wasn't as fresh as it could be. One attempt to dig in, and the mac n cheese was immediately sent back, as it was not warm at all, old, and just a thick glob, and I think seeing others around us do the same made me feel more justified for our reaction lol. The kreyol pasta was pretty good, but it came out room temperature, and that was just a disappointment. Instead of the mac n cheese, Brussels sprouts were ordered, and it took so long to receive it that we were actually going to cancel it, but the waiters could not be found for over 30 minutes, though we asked a few times. When the Brussels sprouts came, those were burnt and just not very good at all, unfortunately. Our last try was ordering the butter cake with a man who appeared to be the manager or something, and we thought after 30 minutes, it would be out, but when our waiter finally came out, the order wasn't actually in lol. After this, we wanted to pay and just get out of there, and after asking for separate checks, that took another 10 minutes, and instead she just came back still with one check and a 15% discount off the Brussels sprouts ($2.40) that we didn't ask for and were going to pay for. It just seemed to take an exceptionally long time to do anything in here, as after all the time we spent, it literally took another 10 minutes for her to find change for a $20 bill and count the money. This whole experience was really disappointing, and it was definitely not worth the stop by any means. read more

Estella - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We made reservations and were greeted and seated pretty quickly, which was a great start. For appetizers, my husband ordered the Brussels sprouts and I got the clam chowder. Unfortunately, both were a bit lackluster. The Brussels sprouts were too hard and needed more glaze, and the clam chowder was okay but could've used more seasoning. Now when it came to the entrees, it was a complete turnaround. My husband ordered the Rasta pasta with salmon and I got the spaghetti kreyol both were delicious and had a really nice kick. The salmon was cooked perfectly, which made the dish even better. Overall, I'd definitely come back, but I'd skip the appetizers and go straight to dinner. read more

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I was looking for a nice easy spot to grab some food. Estella was highly recommended. I sat at the bar and the bartenders took great care of me. I can't remember their names but there were two whom specifically made sure I was good. I started with the bang bang cauliflower which was recommended. It had a nice sweet and savory flavor. The breading was crispy and not heavy. The cauliflower cut like butter they were so good. My main meal was the lamb chops with veggies and mashed potatoes. The presentation of the meal was beautiful. The chops were tasty I wish they had a little more flavor throughout the meat. The veggies and mashed potatoes were flavorful and light. The drinks were a bit on the sweet side for me but still good. The place had a nice vibe. I would return for a girls night or a date night. M read more

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We chose Estella for a dinner pre-concert. Overall we had a nice dinner with food being good, and service ranging from good to "where on earth did our server go?" We dined on a Tuesday evening and had a chance to take advantage of the "Taco Tuesday" menu, which offered a pretty wide range of tacos from the usual beef to a blackened salmon in a lettuce wrap (which I enjoyed). For starters we tried the fried coconut shrimp (4 for $20), which were nicely cooked and presented. Tacos came 3 per order, and were a nice serving for the price. I enjoyed the churro waffles for dessert, but honestly the waffles did not have a strong churro flavor. Overall a good experience, but it seems they may need more help. When our server was in the area she was very attentive, but would vanish for long periods. No checking in on your dish, and if you need anything you would be out of luck. read more

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Went with a large group for a work event... Food was great, service was good, Vibe was off as we were at Random dine arounds and those are for that reason right?! Make you dine with people you normally wouldnt dine with. Cant wait to go back with the hubby - drinks were great, Food was truly good and just want to be able to go enjoy without the "weird work team feeling", LOL The burrata was GOOD, but I mean can you really screw up Burrata, and the Mushroom Ravioli has me drooling just thinking of it! read more

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Stopped in for a night cap and the bartender recommended the dessert! It was so delicious and was worth every calorie! The staff was great, the menu has plenty of options for everyone and we will definitely be back! read more

Estella - Bar Area - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This restaurant has been in my saved Instagram reels to try so I finally got a chance to visit for my birthday dinner. WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. No lines on a summer Friday night so ww were seated right away. Service 0 out 5 stars. The waitress' execution of her waitress tasks were below par and could use further training on customer service. For a black owned restaurant, I saw only 1 black person working there and he was clearing plates and serving water. Hmmm Hmmm Food wasn't awful. I was pleasantly surprised by the coconut shrimp but bc of the lack of competence of our waitress our main entrees arrived cold. Then when the bill arrived she had the nerve to give the electronic device to my unsuspecting husband with a 25% tip highlighted. Ummm no lady. We will not be back. read more

We came here after a show at the Colonial Theatre. I will say it is a great location to head to after a show. The service was mixed, one server who was wandering around was super friendly and attentive, but our main server was a bit hard to track down. I'm sure they were just busy! The interior is nice and I definitely recommend making reservations. My friend and I both ordered sangrias at different times and while mine was solid, here's was incredible boozy. Our favorite dish of the night was the short ribs, super flavorful and tender. The chicken milanese had a garlic sauce with it that we did not care for, it was just way too strong. Overall though a lovely night out in Boston! read more

I have not stopped thinking about my meal here and told a friend to take their husband. The Brussel sprouts to start were genuinely the best I've ever had. It had candied apple, pecans and goat cheese. So so good! And you get a good size portion of it! I got the roasted red pear and goat cheese salad which was so light and fresh and packed with flavor in each bite. We also had the fin and fire salmon pasta which had some of the best cooked salmon I've had in a long time. Perfect crunch on the skin! My friend got the burrata as her meal and really enjoyed it. To end the meal we got the dulce de leche lava cake and WOW was that a good choice. The soda we got was undrinkable unfortunately, I don't know what was wrong with it but it tasted very very wrong despite coming out of a can. read more

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Best espresso martinis ever!! The vibe is always a good time! One of my favorite spots read more

Estella - Espresso martini - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Not sure if they do brunch anymore. This was one of my favorite dish. The service was amazing and the place was super cute too. Price is reasonable read more

Estella - Chicken and waffles - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food: Everything was DELICIOUS. The sweet potato fries were bomb, my birria taco was delicious, and the cake which I got for my birthday was to die for- I finished most of it easily. The oysters were also good. Service: Great service! The manager came to check in on us as well. Food was also fast. Ambiance: It's dark inside but it's definitely a vibe. There is seating upstairs and downstairs and it gets busy at night. Glad I made a reservation ! read more

Estella - Brown Butter Mini Cake - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Nice black and gold decor. booth and table seating. 3 levels. 2 bars (main and lower levels). Great food. Sticky ribs were good and plentiful. Friendly staff. Bathroom is on main level. Menu is pricey. Burger/fries is $25 as an example. Strongly suggest/recommend making a reservation. It gets crowded fast with theatres letting out. No waiting room to stand or sit if you have to wait. A very tight walkway straight to dining area. Great spot for dining if you want to splurge. read more

I'm pretty sure the food here is microwaved. I ordered the shorty & mash and it looked and tasted like cafeteria food. The mash was grainy like it was boxed and the meat looked gray! I sent it back and ordered the seafood pasta because it looked amazing on IG, and I was basically catfished. The shrimp was undercooked and looked like shrimp cocktail and the sauce tasted like straight out of the bottle! This food is nauseating! read more

Stopped by after arriving into Boston for Thanksgiving week. It took a little while to get seated but once we did, service was great. We put our drink orders in and then decided to split a plate of ribs, mashed potatoes and veggies. Delicious! Definitely recommend. The place has a great vibe and a downstairs with full bar great for private parties. Go!! read more

Estella - Sweet short ribs, mashed potatoes and veggies - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I loved everything about this place. We were seated immediately even though the restaurant was busy. The lighting and decor is sexy and modern. Lena was our waitress. She is amazing. She was kind, attentive, accommodating, etc. She provided us with descriptions of the meals and possible modifications. For example, we both ordered the Worrel Rasta Pasta Special. I had it with oxtails and my friend had it with shrimp. The dish is normally very spicy. Lena let us now that we could adjust the spice level. We both asked for light spice and the dish came out exactly how we ordered it. The pasta seemed freshly made and was perfectly al dente. My oxtail were deboned and were more meaty than fatty. My friends shrimp was fresh and cooked perfectly. The peppers and onions still had a slight crisp to them and the sauce was delectable. Visiting this restaurant was a great choice. I definitely recommend you give it a try when in downtown Boston. read more

Estella - Worrel Rasta Pasta Special w/Oxtails - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Went to Estella's for dinner on a Friday night around 6:30 pm and had a great experience overall. We were able to get two seats at the bar, which worked out perfectly. Even though it was busy, the service was attentive and consistent--staff checked in on us regularly and kept our drinks topped off, which was really appreciated given how lively it was. The atmosphere was energetic and welcoming, making it a great spot for a Friday night dinner. Sitting at the bar felt engaging without being overwhelming, and the staff handled the rush very well. The food was good, with medium-sized portions that felt just right for dinner. The flavors were more subtle rather than bold, so I'd recommend asking for sauce on the side or adding a bit of salt and pepper to customize it to your taste. Everything was well prepared and enjoyable. Overall, solid food, great service, and a fun vibe. read more

Estella - Salmon - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Our first dining experience here but certainly not our last! The food, drinks and service were exceptional. The vibe is very chill. Gio was our server and he was very kind and attentive. Between my husband and I, we had 5 different drinks and they were all a 10/10. The food was extremely flavorful and the waffle churros are like no other. I am planning a large party here for my 50th birthday and cannot wait to share this hidden gem with our friends. We will definitely be returning as often as possible! read more

Estella - Expresso martini and a latte by Gio - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I recommend Estella's in Boston. The food was really good. I had the breakfast burger with a fried egg (a first for me), and it was surprisingly delicious. The bacon was crispy, the avocado was green and fresh, and the burger was juicy and cooked perfectly. My Coca-Cola was a little flat, but still decent. The restaurant itself is super cute with a romantic vibe. The seating wasn't great, though -- even with a reservation, we got stuck near the kitchen entrance. Two of us had to sit on chairs that stuck out from the booth, and plates of food kept passing right by us, which wasn't great. I constantly had to look over my shoulder. The bathrooms were also disappointing. One sink didn't work, the other only had hot water, and the floor had toilet paper everywhere. On the plus side, our server was really attentive and didn't mind splitting our bill, even we were a big group -- that was definitely appreciated. Parking looks tricky around there, so I recommend finding a garage nearby and walking over or taking the T if that's an option for you. Despite the seating and bathroom issues, the food and service made up for it. I'd go back just hopefully with a better table next time! read more

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I will say that this is a tough spot to review. Reading experiences from other diners definitely highlights the fact that there are highs and lows. For context, we were passing through Boston for a night and I got excited when I discovered this spot a few blocks from our hotel. Positives: Staff didn't try to upsell me and steered me away from a more expensive menu item to one that he felt would be more flavorful and more filling. I will also add that the folks working at the bar were kind and attentive. Coconut shrimp was solid and portion sizes on the pasta and salmon were good for us. Negatives: I ordered my food to go. I was instructed to wait near the front while the food was being prepared. I asked if I could go grab a drink at the bar a few feet away - which meant I would be spending more money at the establishment - and they said it was cool. After about 30 mins I asked someone on staff if they could check on the status of my order. Turns out it had just been sitting upfront and no one bothered to let me know. In addition to this, no one could be bothered to apologize for the oversight. Instead, it felt like me inquiring about the status of my order was an inconvenience of some sort. No one is asking for white glove service when waiting for a takeout order but basic communication around order readiness could have gone a very long way. read more

The restaurant has a really great ambience and our waitress was very nice and friendly, but the food was pretty mediocre and not worth the price. 1. New England Clam Chowder - okay but unflavorable. Made me seriously question if I had long covid or if the soup was just THAT unflavorable. The consistency was also thin 2. Caesar salad was a little warm and came with lettuce when the menu says it comes with kale. Similar things happened with other menu items (the short rib side of asparagus was replaced with broccoli) 3. Toffee cake was pretty good (8.5/10) but they were out of the other two deserts we planned to order, which was upsetting 4. Drinks (Shirley temple) were presented very nicely Overall, this restaurant was okay but not worth the price due to lack of flavor read more

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It took us longer than usual to get into the city so sadly, after I pushed back our reservation once, it was cancelled. This was totally understandable and I could have called or tried to manage it again on OpenTable but I just didn't have the opportunity. Thankfully, when we arrived we were still able to be seated right away even at 6pm on a Thursday night. Phew! There's not many tables on the main floor. We were brought upstairs. This wasn't the best for my mom but we managed. To note, the restrooms are on the main level and it seems like there's seating in the level below it, too. There's no elevator access for public use. The tables are pretty close together and it feels like you're having dinner with your neighbor. I recognized quite a few fellow patrons at the show we attended that evening. Since we were running late, we ordered meals that would be easy to prep & informed our server of our time restraints. I love that they had mocktails. It was a nice surprise because I didn't want alcohol and their soda is Pepsi products (I'm a Coke girlie). I greatly enjoyed the drink I got which had strawberries, lemon, and soda. While the apps & desserts looked interesting, we decided to do just a main course for time. I had the roasted red pear & goat cheese salad. I chose to add steak to it. It was a smaller portion than I was expecting and while it would have been perfect if I had an app or dessert, it left me wanting a snack. It was delicious though, even though the steak was a little tough. My mom chose the chicken mushroom pasta which also was a smaller portion. I think she got less chicken than I had steak! But she liked the flavor and was glad none of it went to waste since we couldn't take any leftovers anyway. Our server was great and the restaurant was cute. If I'm in the area, I'd come back but make sure to order an app & dessert. read more

Estella - Strawberry spritz mocktail - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Estella is definately a vibe. I have been to this establishment numerous time. It is recommended to make reservation, however, there is seating at the bar on the main level and lower level (before a certain time.) The staff are welcoming and friendly. I feel Estella has the most attentive staff around. My waitress Yaz was amazing and answered by 21 questions with a smile. She made recommendations such as the "Porn Star" drink which was delicious. The coconut shrimp had a good crunch and flavor. The surf and turf was delectable with chard lobster, juicy steak; the broccoli was cooked to perfection with a little crunch. I would pass on the Mac and cheese next time. The short rib was good, however, the sauce was not the highlight of the dish. read more

Estella - Shorty & Mash - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Good food. Small portion appetizers... Table next to us was very loud. 20% gratuity was added but this was not 20% service...but still good. Drinks came after appetizers but were good. Entrees good! read more

Ambiance is great, the location is prime, and the drinks are tasty! Went on a Friday night and service was a bit slow, but nothing out of the ordinary for a packed house. Also, you definitely need a reservation if you want a spot on a Friday-Sun night. Would highly recommend their lychee martini , it was different than others I've tried (they add rum) and was super delicious and sweet. Their yucca fries are also great! read more

100/10!! definitely will recommend! WILL come back if/when visiting Boston. It was the first time me and my sister tried calamari and we weren't disappointed. Estella's made me like calamari and will be sooo sad to try any others and not like it. Don't get me started on Felix; best part of our trip to Boston. He was extremely nice and welcoming as if he knew us. Stefani's service was a really refreshing experience; coming from out of state we didn't expect to be treated as such. The decor looks expensive but the experience is priceless read more

I really wanted to like this place! The ambience is awesome. The vibes are nice and the decor is cute. They have ample amount of TVs if you're looking to also catch a game while you're having dinner. I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant that had this many waiters/staff. It almost felt like there were more employees, and there were customers in the place was not empty. Our waitress was really sweet, but almost too attentive. I don't want to be dramatic, but she came over so often we didn't get to talk and enjoy our meal as much. But she went well and was super sweet so upset about it. We got the Thai calamari and all those tasty, it was drenched in sauce. To the point where we were shaking it off of the calamari because it was just too overpowering. The Rasta pasta was nice, but nothing special. It definitely had too much oil, but it was OK. The Fin salmon pasta was also just OK. Missing a lot of seasoning, but the salmon in the pasta were cooked well. The thing that really caught me off guard were drinks or more expensive than food. Cocktails upwards of $25 just did not make sense to me for such a small glass. Especially when calamari was only $18. And what they don't tell you until you go to pay is that 20% gratuity is already included in your bill. Ultimately, if you're looking for a cute drink spot, this is an awesome recommendation. But if you're looking for a really good dinner, I would not recommend. read more

Recently tried Estella in Downton with my friend. This restaurant is located right in the middle of downtown so street parking was very limited and required meter pay. I definitely recommend garage parking which is very close to the restaurant and did not require a long walk. As soon as we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the friendly staff which took no time in accommodating us. I love the ambiance and the vibe of this restaurant. The light is dimmed low which creates a very private and nice atmosphere. We quickly put out orders for drinks in. We decided to go with something simple with a strawberry lemonade and cherry temple. Their lemonade tasted very good and definitely not too sweet as well as the cherry temple. We decided to start with various appetizers. We chose the garlic yuca fries, the Estella calamari and the chicken wings. The calamari were absolutely delicious and I definitely recommend this dish if it's your first time trying this restaurant. The chicken wings were definitely well seasoned and the portion was bigger than what expected. The yuca fries were also on point. They were seasoned very good and not too salty. The appetizers alone were very filling but we moved on to order the entrees. For entrees we decide to go for the Rasta pasta with the addition of salmon for 8$, the sticky rib special, the creamy pesto wild mushrooms ravioli and finally the bife a casa with an additional lobster tail for 25$. I will be brief describing every singly dish but all of them tasted absolutely amazing. The pasta was creamy and the salmon was cooked to perfection. The pesto mushrooms ravioli was also very good and very filling. The combination of pesto with mushroom was great. The sticky ribs were also incredibly seasoned and the mashed potatoes were a great pair to go with it. A special mention is definitely the lobster tail which had a lot of meat and was tender and very flavorful. Overall me and my friends really enjoyed our dining here at Estella, an incredible black owned restaurant which I definitely recommend to everyone looking for their next place to dine out. read more

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i didn't love this place and probs won't go back. The brussels sprouts were cold and felt thrown together without actually blending the ingredients. the salmon and mushroom ravioli were very good and our server was lovely and dealt directly with us not liking the appetizer. The ambience is nice enough. read more

Wowowow. The food is absolutely superb here!! So many flavors I'm not used to. Our waiter was so lovely and accommodating. Love the vibe of the place too. Late at night it got a bit dark though, but no big deal. One thing, if you get the sticky ribs (delicious though the veggies are bland) w the Mac and cheese, the Mac and cheese takes significantly longer to come out with it which is kinda weird.... But not many complaints on my end, overall! read more

Estella - Sticky BBQ Ribs (comes with 4/5 ribs and more veggies) - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A BASE social group met their with myself for dinner. The environment is a bit loud, mostly young working people by the looks with nice backroom , we enjoyed a booth. I rarely go to any Italian restaurant as I eat we make exceptional meals at home, and as 100%Italian, well it's had to beat what we do. That said, we had a fixed menu with limited options. Overall I rate Estella as a 2.6-2.7 but certainly not a 2.0 but it's not quite a 3 either. Started with roasted cauliflower, very large portion, enough for 2... Pretty good..3.0 Main course, Chicken Malanese... Well it's basically a chicken cutlet with Arugula lettace on it. It was ok 2.6. Ened with creme brulee....2.1 at best. Good service ... If you want Italian in Boston there are better choices in North End. read more

We stopped by Estella before a show at the Opera House. We made a rez and were seated right away. The vibe of this place is so cool. Felt fun and lively. Service was super fast and friendly. I ordered a spicy margarita and it was delicious. For round 2 I got the same thing but it tasted too sweet. I did not say anything cause I didn't want to be a pain, but Ím sure if I would have, they would have fixed it. For starters we got the bang bang cauliflower, hummus, and beet salad. My hubby got the chicken pasta and he said it really hit the spot. My favorite was the hummus with the fresh pita. Or maybe it was the cauliflower. EVERYTHING was delicious and I cannot wait to go back. Give this place a try! read more

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I really liked my cocktail at Estella. I ordered the new year same me specialty cocktail and it had a delicious lychee flavor. I was unimpressed by the ambiance. It was dark and run down inside. For $20+ dollar drinks I would want a nicer ambiance personally. Service was good tho. read more

Estella - New year same me cocktail - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great After-Work Vibes & Delicious Food! I went to Estella for an after-work meet-up with a friend, and it was the perfect choice for a Thursday evening vibe. The staff was friendly, and I swear every time I come here, I notice something new. First and foremost, get the Lavender Love drink! You can order it with alcohol or as a mocktail, and both versions are absolutely delicious. For food, I had the Short Ribs and Mash--the ribs were a solid 10/10, tender and full of flavor. The mashed potatoes were good too, but I personally prefer a creamier texture, so I'd give them an 8/10. My friend got the Kale Salad and Mash and rated both a 10/10--and based on what I saw, they did not skimp on a thing. Overall, great food, great atmosphere--I'll definitely be back! read more

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Came here on a birthday trip. Was good but nothing special to run home about. The service really knocked it out of the park. The staff is extremely friendly and personable. Our waitress was extremely sweet! Food was good but what I ordered wasn't the best. I should've gotten something better. The place is very nice and trendy. Dim lighting and fun drinks! read more

Estella - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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