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    ilona

    4.2 (308 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order ilona Takeout or Delivery

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    ILONA ATMOSPHERE

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    Casual
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    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - ilona

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    Comfy chairs
    Jessica L.

    Came in for $1 oysters on Thursday night! 3 types to choose from. It's getting harder to find these spots! The Mediterranean food is also very yummy. Recc making a rezzy here, I was lucky to snag a table for 2 by the door. I ordered the crispy eggplant (tempura) and lamb skewers(2), very juicy and smoky. Pretty busy and a little bit slow to get the food out. Dark type of restaurant. Noise level is 7/10, hard to hear conversations. The restaurant should invest in some boxes to let customers put in their bags/coats. Bathrooms are very nice and clean!

    Tuna Crudo
    Julia T.

    Food was so good. The service was absolutely 10/10. The waitress and waiters were attentive. Ensuring our water glasses were filled and our orders were placed for food and drinks. Consistently checking in on us during our meal. Ambiance was great. Very loungey. I came for dinner on a weekday so it was not very busy so that could be why the staff were so attentive or appears so.

    Salmon Crudo
    Sophie L.

    Stopped by Ilona around 5pm on a weekday and was able to walk right in. This might be one of my favorite Mediterranean spots in Boston. The food is consistently fresh and high quality, with a lot of attention to flavor and detail. The service was attentive without feeling rushed, and the whole experience felt relaxed yet elevated. They accidentally brought us the wrong dish but let us keep it, which was a nice touch and much appreciated. The absolute must-order is the eggplant. It is perfectly crispy with a salty and sweet balance that is seriously addictive. I think about it long after I leave. I can't wait to come back and try more.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Ellie C.

    We came here on a Saturday evening during their 4-7pm $1 oyster special and it did not disappoint. They were available to be ordered in increments of half dozens up to 2 dozens at a time and had 3 varieties to choose from. They were fresh, delicious, and came out quickly and well-presented. We also ordered some tapas and our favorites were the ribs and the brussels sprouts. I love simultaneously sweet and savory flavors and both of these dishes were well prepared and a perfect balance of both. The patatas bravas had a curry sauce instead of aioli like we were expecting, but they were well-prepared. Overall, this is a cute spot with good ambiance and a great $1 oyster deal. I just wish our servers didn't keep trying to take away our plates before we were finished eating and that they supported Apple Pay like it says on their Maps listing.

    Ellie O.

    Amazing drinks. Could go just for cocktails! But the food is also amazing! We tried the chicken kebab, brussels sprouts, pikalia, and harissa potatoes. Love them all would get them all again! Brussels sprouts were definitely on the sweeter side. The pikilia came with a crazy feta dip, a beet yogurt dip, and a nut spread. I wish they served more bread - only came with 2 pita rounds so may need more if with more people. Great service but pretty loud in the evenings. Definitely coming back but if you're on a budget you can find cheaper tapas places!

    Molisana Ribs, Arugula Salad
    Eva A.

    I'm glad I checked this spot out but it wasn't super memorable as a date night. I think it would be a better experience with a group so you can order more dishes, and in the summer as it seems they open the windows. That said, I have no major complaints about anything we ordered. The molisana ribs were very flavorful, but difficult to eat without being messy. The swordfish kebab was tender, but I'm not sure it was worth almost $20. Arugula salad was very basic. Not much to say about the drinks. Service was very attentive, almost too much, but the restaurant was very clean, bright and airy. Excited to check out the other spots managed but this restaurant group!

    Emily Y.

    We came for the $1 oyster special on Thursday. The restaurant is super cute with flowery plates and a wall mural. Great place for date nights and the oysters came out super fast We tried all three types of oysters. The West Island were fresh and briny. The Plumb beach were very plump. The Wellfleet was too fishy.

    Melanie W.

    The reservation was only available the day before. The interior is beautiful, and on Thursday, I came for their buck-a-shuck oysters, which were available all night. 3 types of oysters I can't complain since they are only $1 each. My favorite is Island Creek. Crispy Eggplant It was crispy and not too oily IF you cool down a little before eating. Even if it is served with pomegranate yogurt, you can't taste the pomegranate, and they added honey. It tastes like crispy potato since the eggplant is cut thinly and served with yogurt and honey on the side. Molisana Ribs The pork ribs melt in your mouth, but I can't taste any spicy--only three pork ribs. Sauteed Mushrooms Nothing special. It is overseasoned with salt and fried quail eggs on top.

    Becca M.

    I very much enjoyed Ilona. Everything was perfection. The food was incredible. The drinks were delicious and the atmosphere was chic yet cozy. Our server was increíble attentive and was always there at the right moment. We came just for dinner but then was pleasantly surprised that it was $1 oyster night. We ended up getting a dozen and they were fresh and incredible. I was more than impressed by Ilona and I will definitely be retuning.

    Ishani B.

    Chic and buzzy South End eatery Ilona is a delight for Mediterranean Mezze lovers. Standouts included crispy eggplant, spiced batata harra and a scrumptious pikilia platter. Cozy atmosphere is great for intimate dinner accompanied by great cocktails. Service was friendly and attentive making it a great experience.

    Brooke C.

    I had a nice dinner at Ilona! On Sunday evenings they seem to have quite a few open tables for walk ins. We went around 7pm and were immediately seated despite not having a reservation. We tried the octopus, arugula salad, and cheesy bread. Everything was very good. The ambiance was very nice and pink! Overall a good dinner.

    Indoor
    Madow N.

    Was craving shawarma but wanted to go somewhere with nice ambiance. Arrived around 4:10 on a Saturday. They told us they only make shawarma until 4 for dine in guests but they make them all day for delivery customers, which was disappointing and made no sense. Ordered a few different items. The portion sizes are very small- basically tapas. But the prices are more like entree prices. A small side salad was $16. Tiny mocktails were $11 each. And soda water was $6. The food did not live up to my previous experience here. The kebab was tender but not memorable. The octopus was cold and rubbery. The host was not friendly at all. Almost wanted to walk back out as soon as we walked in. The waiter was friendlier and engaged in conversation when we asked questions. I won't be returning unfortunately. The ambiance is cute but not worth it.

    Jasmine J.

    Amazing vibes to get some food and a drink in the South End! Loved the plates and decor. Oysters: 8/10 fresh and loved the sauces it came with Crispy eggplant: 6/10 these were a bit oily and tasted like funnel cake Ceviche: 7/10 could have had more seafood in it but the plantains were an interesting combo Ribs: 9/10 my favorite dish. Came right off the bone and had great flavor

    Tuna Crudo

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    4 months ago

    A wonderful evening, excellent service, value and tastefulness. We especially liked the buck a shuck oyster offering.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - ilona

    Can you please make Caldo Gallego for the winter? It's soooooo comforting.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes

    View All 6 Questions

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    Oleana Restaurant - Fatteh

    Oleana Restaurant

    (1.9k reviews)

    $$$

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    For my own birthday this year, I chose Olena, supposedly one of Boston's best Mediterranean…read morerestaurants, and reservations are almost a month in advance. Overall, I was satisfied. Fatteh: The presentation was beautiful, with a delightful array of layers. Between two layers of crispy chips laid the chewy texture of fried mushrooms, the sweetness of cauliflower, the nutty aroma of pine nuts, and the refreshing sweet and sour taste of yogurt--a random combination that offered a different experience with every bite. The cauliflower, in particular, was crisp yet not tough, with a naturally gentle sweetness--a first for me. However, towards the end, the crispy chips became very slightly oily. Sultan's Delight: Perfect as a main course. The beef was stewed to perfection, incredibly tender and flavorful, almost falling apart the moment it touched the knife. It required absolutely no effort, reminiscent of a master butcher skillfully carving up an ox in Zhuangzi莊子, who kept his knife like new over nineteen years. The tamarind brought a slightly fermented, tangy aroma, while the smoked eggplant puree, likely babaganoush, was smooth and creamy with a mild, pleasant smokiness. The lemon juice, however, adds a refreshing touch, creating an interesting layering of acidity. It looked small, but it was surprisingly satisfying. The only downsides were the beef was slightly over-salty and the basil leaves, which seem to serve only a decorative purpose. Baked Alaska: A signature dessert, very popular on social media. Frankly, I came specifically for this, but after eating it, all I can say is, "Who's promoting this?"... The presentation was truly stunning, and the first few bites were quite good. The meringue was was torched to create a thin, burnt crust, resulting in a delicate and light texture, while the coconut ice cream blended with the bitter aroma of coffee. However, the base, a nut tart similar to a five-nut mooncake五仁月餅 filling, was too dense and heavy; the passion fruit syrup was excessively sweet and acidic, even a small amount was cloying, making it a torture by the end. The restaurant tables were a bit uneven and hopefully they will be repaired soon.

    Lucked out with a Resy opening a couple days before for Thursday @ 5:30pm. Arrived a few minutes…read moreearly, and there was a line of people ~8-10 ppl standing by for walk-ins (everyone was seated). Veggie Mezze - Fatteh ($16) - really enjoyed this crunchy mezze! Sounded simple on the menu - Chicory + Herb Salad ($17) - refreshing start with a sweet and savory salad, enjoyed this, flavors all paired very nicely - Halloumi Cheese ($17) - we aren't fanatics over halloumi but wanted to try this. We preferred the other mezze, but not bad Fried Mussels ($17) - this was alright, would skip next time. -Sultan's Delight ($20) - this was soooo tasty, literally fell apart when poked with a fork; not the biggest portion -Lamb Shish ($18) - was good, but on the smaller side, probably wouldn't order again We were celebrating my friend's birthday, and they brought out a couple cookies topped with meringue dipped in chocolate with a candle. Very friendly staff, good selection of food, a nice little splurge.

    Krasi - Halloumi (grilled halloumi, watermelon, basil, dried kalamata, fig balsamic)

    Krasi

    (581 reviews)

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    Such a yummy greek experience!!! You can't go wrong here but be sure to get a reservation in…read moreadvance! The restaurant is cute but feels a bit small. The food is so delicious!! We ordered the meatballs, the souvla of the day and the salad. Everything was so tasty. You can't go wrong with anything here. The table next to us had the huge sampler which was about $240 but was one of every dish on the menu. This is a perfect choice for six to 8 people. Service was super friendly. They left a large bottle of water on the table, which I love. The restrooms were clean and well stocked. Go here! You won't regret it.

    I would've given Krasi five stars for the bread rolls alone. Almost everyone in my dinner party…read morenominated this as their favorite. The menu refers to these as "Greek cheese bread" but somehow that doesn't do it justice - these were immensely pillowy and cheesy, with an amazing crust, with homemade honey butter on the side. I could have had just these for dinner and been satisfied. They really nailed the bread. My other favorites: 1. Hipiti: spicy whipped feta with crispy potatoes on the side. I don't do well with spice but I absolutely loved this. 2. Marouli: winter lettuce with the most amazing vinaigrette dressing. My only knock to this is, presentation-wise, they serve it with half of the plate empty and the other half with salad. I don't understand why restaurants do this because - one, it only highlights the smaller portion and two, we're just going to mix the salad all around in the bowl anyway. 3. Boudeto: daily catch in a beautiful tomato broth. For a seafood dish at a restaurant in Back Bay, this was priced at a fairly reasonable $28. The only dish that fell a little flat for me was the tzatziki - needed a bit more seasoning. As it was, I was eating mostly just plain yogurt. The table-side preparation was cool, though. The space is its own visual dinner, there's simply a lot to look at (including a drawing of Poseidon riding a surf board). We got the big table in the back, which was a beautiful glass structure with a whole terrarium underneath. We couldn't stop marveling at it throughout the meal. Our waiter was wonderful - very helpful recommendations, came by to check on us often even though we were pretty far in the back, super patient with our questions. Hard to get reservations but worth it! Don't bother driving / trying to find parking unless you're willing to eat a hefty garage fee, it's Back Bay.

    Desfina Restaurant - Greek Salad with steak tips - SO good! The steak is tenderloin and cooked perfectly!

    Desfina Restaurant

    (311 reviews)

    $$

    East Cambridge, Kendall Square/MIT

    Great spot near my new apartment. Big portion, good ingredients and perfectly cooked…read more Had: Chicken kebab plate

    Service was excellent, food was not. We came here for dinner, but I was disappointed to see that…read morethere wasn't a very limited non-meat selection on the menu. Given that Mediterranean cuisine is generally pretty accommodating to that, not having even a falafel option for protein certainly came as a surprise! My first time here, we ended up with the fish and chips and baklava - both were edible but not great, and the best item on the table ended up being the complimentary bread (lots of end pieces, which I'm personally a fan of, but others may feel differently). The fish was uninspired and didn't taste like much, and the chips were steak fries, which lived up to the reputation of being less crunchy and seasoned. I was really excited for the baklava, but it also ended up disappointing. The texture was hardened, like it wasn't fresh, and it was so overpoweringly sweet that we couldn't finish it. On my second visit, the bread was just as good, and we ordered a nice spread: fried zucchini, spanakopita, beef dolmades, rice pilaf, and gyro (without meat). The gyro was sad without falafel or any protein option, but the veggies inside were pretty good. On the other hand, I wasn't a huge fan of any of the appetizers/sides. The fried zucchini was incredibly oily and wet, without much flavor; the rice pilaf did have some sauce on top but wasn't particularly tasty. The spanakopita was decent but I wouldn't go out of my way to order it again. I will note, however, that the staff was excellent, attentive and accommodating. The outdoor patio was also quite nice and a beautiful spot to sit on the street and people-watch.

    Mistral

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    Came here with mediocre expectations …read more.. Boy way I wrong! First off, Evan was incredibly delightful. Knowledgeable, friendly but didn't hover. I would like him to be my waiter everywhere. Every ounce of food was incredible: we eat out a lot and I have to say, the seared foie was my favorite thing in awhile. We had escargot, foie and carpaccio. All incredible. Our meals were epic as well. We got duck and branzino. Both the best I've had of their kind. We will be putting this on our rotation of special event restaurants. It's worth it.

    Our evening at Mistral was truly exceptional. From the moment we sat down, the service was…read moreimpeccable. Our server, Louis, was outstanding--attentive, knowledgeable, and warm--making sure every detail of our dinner was perfect. The food was equally impressive. We started with the beef tenderloin pizza, which was uniquely delicious and expertly prepared. The Mistral linguine was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The highlight was the lamb osso bucco--tender, rich, and absolutely memorable. Shortly after we were seated, the Maitre D', Nicholas, stopped by our table to check in. He was personable and attentive, ensuring we felt welcome and well taken care of. We mentioned we had tickets to the Boston Pops, and the team made sure our courses were timed perfectly, allowing us to enjoy our meal without ever feeling rushed. Mistral delivered on every level--phenomenal food, polished service, and thoughtful attention to our schedule. We'll absolutely return and highly recommend it for a flawless dining experience in Boston.

    ilona - bars - Updated May 2026

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