Food. Drink. Service. Ambiance. Vibe. All were excellent! This could not be a more cozy, comfy dining experience, especially on a chilly winter night. We ordered a Chopped Salad to share which was very fresh and tasty with nicely cooked, slightly charred shrimp. My wife had the Seared Salmon (which she loved.) I had the Braised Short Rib which was superb in every way! The meat was perfectly cooked and tender, the polenta was creamy, cheesy, hearty and slightly sweet. The carrot slaw was a cool counterpoint to this hot, rib-sticking meal. This dish is now one of my favorite rib preparations and one of my favorite meals anywhere! We tried an Austrian red (Zweigelt Hapsler) which was terrific! Our server, Chris, was friendly and knowledgeable. This was a fantastic meal and an excellent dining experience on a chilly winter evening! read more

See all

Juniper is always great! You can't go wrong with any of the dips. My favorites are the tzatziki and the baba ganoush. The octopus is great when they have it, the salads are huge, and the seafood stew is amazing!!! You have to get the date cake for dessert!! read more

Juniper - Kakavia (Greek Seafood Stew) - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

The food was excellent and varied. The service was also very good. The appetizers were shareable.

Been here many times and they never disappoint. The dips, the short ribs, the schnitzel and the drinks are all to die for. Love the cool atmosphere and hospitality too read more

My partner and I shared the pear pressure drink, Lebanese spice fried rice, schnitzel, and warm date cake - TASTE: 5/5 - so glad we randomly went here lol. Enjoyed the artichoke heart and tomato gravy in the fried rice (thought there'd be a tad more spice though?), and well-seasoned chicken schnitzel. Wow, the date cake was amazing w its nutty, toffee, and cinnamon-y combo TEXTURE: 5/5 - highlights included the fried rice's edamame and over-easy egg, schnitzel's breaded chicken and home fries-style potatoes, and everything about the date cake lol: moist cake, crunchy pecans, and whipped cream PRICE: 4/5 - bit of a splurge, total came to $127 SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - wish there was a lil more rice, but still satisfied us for dinner SERVICE: 4/5 - walked in at 5pm on a Sunday and snagged a table outside. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. My drink was ready 5min after ordering, and food started coming out 15min later ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - lovely space outside w music, and dark and moody vibes inside PARKING: 4/5 - more metered street spots than expected on Central St read more

See all

This place does their carbs right. We have been here twice already in 2 weeks and the main draws from the first visit were the fluffy pita bread with delicious spreads (our favorite so far is the muhummara but we've only tried that and the baba ghanouj so far) and the date cake. We were stuffed after both meals, but somehow this cake opens an extra stomach or something. It is warm, moist, earthy, not-too-sweet, and reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding but lighter and more addictive. Can't get enough of it. The first time we were here for our anniversary and we tried the yellowtail ceviche (which I loved, it was very citrusy and refreshing), the chicken skewers, and the strip steak. Everything was enjoyable, steak was a little on the salty side, but still great (and somehow even better as leftovers the next day). The second time, we got the chopped salad and the strip steak again. The salad did not really stand out for me, but the shrimp in it was tasty. The seasoning on the steak this time was better than the last, they had changed it up from cheesy/herbs to a red pepper sauce, and this time perfectly cooked brussel sprouts were included as a side. This time around there were a couple hiccups including a longer wait time for our food, but we did come in to a full restaurant at peak time on a weekend, so that was understandable. Service here is friendly and attentive. I think we'll be coming back often to try more things, but the spreads and the date cake are unskippable for us. read more

See all

I had a WONDERFUL time at Juniper on a wintry Saturday dinner outing with friends!! We were told that it can get busy so we arrived anticipating a wait, but we were seated upon arrival at 5:45 by a kind hostess. Each waiter and waitress we encountered was extremely polite, improving our experience with every interaction. They gave us advice on the menu, took our plates to make room at the table, brought us more water as soon as we were close to being out. These details improve the dining experience and I was thankful. The lighting was low, making it perfect for a romantic date night or a chill dinner to catch up with an old friend. It was a little warm inside (I wish I had a thinner layer under my sweater), but it's better than being cold in a restaurant. The group shared the SOOO FLUFFY pitas and they were delicious with the Muhammara dip. My partner and I ordered the lamb kebab - crispy and soft, with the tasty tangy yogurt sauce - and the braised short rib - perfectly tender and flavorful with the carrots and grits - to share. YUM! Everything was beyond my expectations and the portions were big so we left feeling full. I will be adding this to our rotation for dates or special dinners! read more

Juniper - Lamb kebab - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

See all

This is mediterranean cuisine restaurant located in Wellesley Center. Plenty of parking. Also note that this place is first come first serve, No reservations! The service was excellent, waitstaff would check periodically to make sure everything was okay! We order pretty much all appetizers and that was enough to fill our palate and did not even have to order entrees. The apps were like regular meals! The food was delicious and filling! We had Hummus, Tzatziki ,Calarmari, lamb beyti & chicken kebabs , steamed mussels and chopped salad with shrimp! The home made Pita was nice and warm and cut so you can dip it into the hummus and Tzatziki. We also used the pita to dip into the Mussels sauce too! Everything was cooked to perfection! Prices were very reasonable $$ We would definite come again! You should also try theie other restaurant in Waltham & Needham, they are also very good! read more

The food is very good - The beef short rib is over polenta is excellent. The drinks are decent and the service is good. But the ambience doesn't do it for me... low ceilings, tight & crowded... a little claustrophobic. Nice if you can get one of the few patio seats. read more

6 stars if I could! We had fantastic service and dishes during our Saturday evening dinner. The waiter was one of the best I've had - he was attentive and checked in at all the right times, wrapped up all our leftovers thoughtfully and with extra pita, and never needed to write anything down. I was very impressed. Our appetizers and main entrees were delicious - charred octopus, fattoush salad, an array of 3 dips, schnitzel, salmon, and bolognese. Even our picky 5 year old said "this is really good, can I have more?" :) We sat in a booth towards the back and as we were leaving, noticed the bar area had a super fun ambiance with dim lighting and music, perfect for a date night. read more

See all

Oh my Lamb-ta. Went with a group and was able to get my lamb fix (wifey hates it). Don't worry not all of the dishes are lamb, but one of their best dishes is lamb. The food here is delicious. They don't take reservations so get in early or be prepared to wait. We started with the 3 for $30. The dips were solid but the fresh pita were the stars of the show. They were little warms pillows, a must try. Then came the appetizers with the special cauliflower curry salad, the chicken, and lamb kebabs. All were great but the lamb kebab was easily the best thing we ate all night. The servers say this is their most sold out item on the weekends. The chicken kebab was great as well but the thing that made the dish special was the kale that accompanied it. It wasn't a raw kale salad but cooked down and seasoned perfectly. The cauliflower was great but it wasn't as transcendent as the lamb kebab. For the entrees we did it family style with the short rib, the chicken schnitzel, the Greek stew and the lamb bolognese. Everything was very good, although the chicken schnitzel had varying opinions either it was too salty or too citrusy. The lamb bolognese was good because of the fresh pasta and the huge portion but it felt like a let down because the lamb kebab was that good! Will definitely visit again when I'm in the area. read more

Juniper - Lamb beyti kebab - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

See all

I'm super surprised I haven't written a review for Juniper before now (I thought I did!). Juniper has been a favorite of mine since it opened. It's brought to us by the same people who are behind Sweet Basil in Needham but Juniper is closer to where I live, so I'm there much more often. In my opinion, it's one of the top restaurants in Wellesley. I like to order from the appetizers menu and share the dishes with a dining companion. The chef(s) are creative with their dishes and everything I've eaten here has been delicious. The other night a former colleague and good friend of mine met up there to catch up with one another. We sat at the comfortable bar and followed the approach I described above. We stared with the Yellowtail Tuna Ceviche (fresh citrus wedges & juices, radish, scallion, pomegranate, peppers). It was super fresh and delicious. From there we went to the Steamed Mussels. We were still a little hungry and the person next to me recommended the Lebanese Fried Rice (from the entrees section of the menu) so we shared it, too. Everything we had that night was great, including the drinks from the awesome bartender. As I said, it's a favorite. So I know I'll be back one day soon. read more

Juniper - The view from the bar. - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

Can I give more than five stars? The service was impeccable. In fact, my husband doesn't eat onions and the waiter went out of his way to suggest alternatives. Amazing! The good was so, so, so very good. Did I mention the service was impeccable? read more

Visiting from California food was excellent, perfect meal, the Chicken Tangier David Tustin CA read more

A group of us came in on a Friday night around 6 and got seated without a wait. The restaurant size is a bit deceiving, it's actually pretty big towards the back. For apps, we had 3 dips, mussels, octopus, chicken skewers, and falafels. My favorite was the octopus with the jicama. The falafel also had a great crunch and texture inside. Chicken skewers were average and the mussels could have been skipped, the broth was a bit too sweet. For entrees, I had the chicken tagine. The chicken was soft, but definitely lacking in flavor. The couscous accompanied with it was also bland. I had a scallop off my boyfriend plate, and while it was fresh, it was a bit too salty. My favorite might have been the little piece of schnitzel I tried off someone else plate. We had the creme brûlée and date cake for dessert. The cake was great, but the creme Brûlée was so thin, it was more like eating pistachios and jam! Also, the restaurant was extremely hot for the winter. We were sweating for most of the meal and slightly uncomfortable while eating. read more

See all

I want to tell you the story of the moment I saw the light drain from a child's eyes, as the crushing reality of the background sadness and banality of modern life was revealed to him in vivid detail. But first, I'll tell you about the food since that's probably why you're looking at Yelp reviews. I was in town overnight this summer and all of my plans fell through. Out of desperation, I picked the first nice place I could find that had outdoor seating. It worked out well. The food was good, the atmosphere was pleasant, and the whole experience was relaxing and tranquil. I had the muhummara and chicken shish taouk. Both were fresh and well-presented, though the chicken was a bit underseasoned. Next time, I would try the chicken tagine instead. Much more room for creativity there. Surprisingly, the pita bread served on the side was incredible. I didn't even want bread but couldn't stop eating it. Anyway, the whole point is, this was the time I saw a child crushed by the weight of society. Next to me was a couple with their child. It was the father's birthday and this was their family dinner to celebrate. The child was incredibly excited. Couldn't stop smiling. He had gotten all dressed up for his dad. He was so proud of himself. His parents seemed... disaffected by everything. Like they had no idea how to accept happiness, in any form. Thin smiles barely covering the cold, bleak reality of a life lived in constant terror of the opinions of others and the need to conform. So they're reaching the end of the dinner and the mother decides she wants a family picture. The kid is excited again. He moves over to be closer to his dad. And for whatever reason, he decides he wants to point at the sky in the picture. Out of pure joy. The sky must be pointed at! His mother turns to him with this withering look and says something like, "Put your hand down. We don't do that. Act like an adult." Then she stares at him, until he meekly complies. And in that moment, I could see every bit of joy, whimsy, and innocence drain from his face. No more pointing. No more smiling. She got her wish. He stared at the table, looking just as indifferent as his parents. I'm not sure what the point of telling you all of that was. Maybe I just needed to process it. Or maybe: A place like Juniper offers you a canvas to decide who you want your children to become. Make the courageous choice and encourage them to be happier than you are. Sure, it's a risk. Maybe people will notice them smiling, rather than constantly blending into the background of an unremarkable life. But is that so bad? Don't let your indifference leach into their lives. It's ok for the next generation to be everything you never let yourself be. read more

Juniper - Muhummara - yummy and the pita was incredible! - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

See all

The service was excellent. We sat outside since the inside was full, so we didn't get to experience the inside of the restaurant. Both the host and the server were the perfect amount of attentive. The cocktails were okay, but had a great presentation. I preferred the wine that we had over the cocktails. The food was great. We ordered the steak which was cooked exactly how we wanted it. The ceviche was good too. Very summery flavors Overall a great spot for a date night, but make sure you are prepared to wait around 15 minutes for a a table since they don't take reservations read more

Juniper - Ceviche and lamb kebab - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

pita was sooo fluffy and soft and the muhummara was great if you like nuts. couscous in the chicken tagine was delish and the chicken was pretty moist. lebanese fried rice also very flavorful read more

Juniper - Muhummara - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

Excellent. Everything from drinks to dinner was top notch. The menu selection is eclectic as are the drinks. We kept it simple. We ordered the scallop plate, which was incredibly great, and the schnitzel. Both were excellent. read more

Juniper - people sitting at tables in a restaurant - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

Sister restaurant to sweet basil in needham. Love the ambience - a bit squished in the area we were seated at but it felt cozy. The dip and fluffy pita bread were amazing. I ended up liking my date's dish better (the short rib) but the schnitzel was nice and crispy (I very much enjoyed the fried capers on top). The salmon had nice crispy skin. The salad wasn't great - the sesame dressing had absolutely no flavor and we even asked for extra dressing on the side and it didn't taste like anything. However, the date cake took the cake (haha...) it was so moist and just the right amount of sweetness and paired perfectly with the light whipped cream on top and crumbled pecans on the side. Would definitely go again and would like to try out the drink menu next time. read more

See all

I ordered a gift card from here and they had horrible communication throughout the whole process. They didn't ship my card until I called them. I had to call them multiple times over the course of a week, and each time they were unhelpful. When they shipped my card, they didn't give me any shipping confirmation, just an email confirming my own purchase of the card. read more

Great to walk in and see a familiar face (Matt) working the bar. Perfect place for his personality!! Can't say enough about the relaxing vibe, great service and awesome food. Best braised short rib anywhere!! read more

I came to Juniper with my parents when I first started college at Wellesley in 2017 after my first year mentor recommended it and after 5 years it is still so excellent! We were able to be seated pretty quickly and after eating in the city so much I appreciate how the tables inside are spacious! Our server was able to advise us mains because we were so indecisive in wanting to try everything. After we sat down but before we ordered, we were surprised with a bowl of strawberry gazpacho from the chef! Later chef Dave Becker came out to talk to us about doing dishes and later also gave us his soup cookbook?! He was so kind, calm, and humble I didn't realize he was the owner! Mussels with ouzo broth were 5/5! There were bacon bits that add chew to otherwise plump and squishy mussels, with feta that softened but hadn't completely melted for fresh, salty, acidity. The smoky griddled bread was perfect to spoon the broth clean. The schnitzel with harissa bearnaise, potato, and pistachios was a generous portion! Tasted a bit more like plain fried chicken, almost Italian like chicken parm, so nostalgic for me. 3.3/5 The walnut date cake was so massively fluffy and tall and huge! The cake itself was more bland than expected and not super sweet, and so complemented the moutain of cinnamon whipped cream, candied pecans, and sticky toffee caramel. 3.5/5 Other standouts I remember getting are the chicken shish taouk with soft braised greens and the quinoa falafel! read more

See all

Great food , good service and nice atmosphere. I enjoyed the variety of dips. Would return again both for drinks and dinner.

This spot looks good from just walking by it. My boyfriend and I were looking for something to eat and happens been in the area so we tried it. Very clean, very calm and it had a very unique atmosphere. The food was even better. Tasteful, hot and fresh. we also got drinks which are not pictured, but we're very good. The bartender knew what he or she was doing. The server was also very tentative. I will definitely return! read more

See all

Great food! Friendly staff! Enjoyed the outside seating. SEARED MANCHEGO CHEESE with pear salsa, grilled toast, ancho honey + chili gremolata. This is my FAVORITE menu item. Bear sure to pair the pear with the cheese in the same bite. It's magical! MUHUMMARA (Red Pepper, Walnut + Pecan) was my favorite dip for the pita bread after trying all four. CHARRED OCTOPUS is really good! This is one of my favorites at this restaurants. I will admit that my last visit (couple years ago) was a bit more tender but it was still good tonight. SCHNITZEL was ok. The thick-coated fried schnitzel is drizzled with Bearnaise sauce which tastes a bit cheesey. I found it to be a bit heavy. read more

See all

Yes. Food, service and ambiance are all you could want. The outdoor seating is quiet and garden-like. read more

I've been to Juniper several times and always have a great meal. Owned by Dave Becker of Sweet Basil, Juniper serves his unique take on Mediterranean cuisine. All of the dishes are vibrant, flavorful, and delicious. As with Sweet Basil, the entrees are enormous, so my Dad and I split two appetizers: Muhammara (a red pepper, walnut, and pecan dip) served with their delicious homemade pita, and the Quinoa Falafel. Both were excellent. For the entree, we split the Ghalieh Mahi, an Iraqi seafood stew with clams, mussels, shrimp, and octopus. This was flavorful and unique. The shrimp were a little overcooked but other than that the meal was perfect. The service is always great, and last night our waiter was especially good: attentive but never intrusive. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

See all

This was such incredible food. All the staff seem to be having a good time and we're helpful in selecting from the menu. Very liveley atmosphere inside-- went on a weekday and closed the place down! Probably need a reservation read more

Juniper - Ragu - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

See all

This is one I go back to on repeat. The food is consistently very good. The dips are amazing and their bartenders are the absolute best. I've ordered drinks on menu, off menu, and had them pick for me and EVERY single time they are awesome. Picking up on an old tradition, it's a great spot for a date too! read more

The hummus and pita bread is amazing! The drinks are good. The service was great! I'd prefer to eat outside on the patio than inside.

So I went here last weekend with some family. I normally don't need this type of food but I'm always willing to try something new. This is a Mediterranean infused style restaurant also a Service in The foodi Great and if you're in the area of this place is definitely worth checking out. read more

See all

Variety of well prepared Mediterranean dishes. Friendly service in a cozy space. Lamb in filo appetizers were a standout.

Great atmosphere, Great server ! Food was delicious And the Hummus was Perfect , and The pita Bread is warm and perfectly made, def recommend the Salmon and the Chicken! Me and my Best friend loved it here. Drinks are def worth it ! read more

Juniper - "Pink Drink " - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

See all

This is a hidden gem that I stumbled upon by accident, and I am so glad I did. Juniper checks all 3 major boxes for me: ambiance, food, and service. Since we could not make a reservation, my partner and I were nervous to try this place for the first time on a Friday night. We arrived a little past 6:45pm, and immediately were seated at an indoor table. Within 5 minutes of sitting down, the waitress took down all stages of orders (drinks, apps, mains). Within 15 minutes of arriving at the restaurant, we had everything we ordered on our table! Needless to say, the service was incredible. The ambiance and vibe of the place is also amazing. Not too upscale, but also very nice. This makes a great rec for a casual dinner with friends, date night, and more! Lastly, the food. I cannot stress this enough: ever since moving to MA 2 years ago from CA, my partner and I have been looking for THE place. A place where everything we ordered, we enjoyed. This place was THE place. We ordered Muhummara with pita for apps, Chicken Tagine & Braised Beef Shortrib for mains, and Guava Mama and a lemonade for drinks. All were incredible. We live nearly 40 minutes away, but are already eagerly planning our next visit. HIGHLY recommend. read more

I have been wanting to come for a while. They are first come first serve and do not accept reservations. There's almost always a line, that's why I waited for so long. We went on a Friday night at 6pm. They took my number and it was about a 40-min wait. The inside is very nice and cozy. We sat in the back with the couch seats. The food is definitely worth the wait, and the portions are great. We had the Baba Ghanouj dip. Their pita is 100/100. The Charred Octopus was amazing with the pickled onions. For entree, we picked Chicken Tagine and scallop grits. The cous cous is easily one of the best that I have had. I cannot wait to come back again. read more

I can't really say that I was impressed with the restaurant. The bartender did not want to really service if we were just having a beer. However, the staff who served us were very nice, but the food was lacking for the price. read more

Mediterranean fine-dining at its best! Beautiful decor and ambience. The restaurant seems to be small from outside but keeps getting larger as you walk in. I took high table and the waiter was really accommodative. Highly recommend the tazitki sauce and chicken skewers. They also have a variety of local beers. I tried the Plum island Belgian white beer. read more

Juniper - Plum island Belgian white - Bars Near Me - Wellesley, Massachusetts

This is my favorite restaurant Dave is a genius Fabulous bartenders Especially Mark Great beer selection read more

Juniper is one of my favorite spots. Craft cocktails and great food, not standard fare. Restaurant has a cool vibe and interesting menu. I have recommended it to friends and visitors to Wellesley many times. read more