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    Kaia

    4.4 (80 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Kaia Photos

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    KAIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Kaia

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    sakura and huckleberry cocktail
    Hallie L.

    The dips for the zucchini chips and the bread were insanely good. We even ordered another bread just to eat more of the dip with. Honestly, all the sauces and dips in this meal were made fantastically. My cocktail was really good. I am normally really sensitive to the taste of alcohol but it was so subtle in this drink so I really enjoyed it. The service was really good, everyone was so attentive. I made a reservation for 6pm and ended up being late because the train shut down in the middle of my route (typical Boston public transit lol) and they were super accommodating and understanding.

    Bread
    Kai M.

    This is my second time at Kaia. I'm a huge fan of Bar Vlaha, so I've been hopeful that Kaia would be a new staple. Unfortunately, after two attempts, I do think Kaia falls short. There are a lot of positives. The space is beautiful, chic, and luxurious. The service is very attentive: all the servers know the menu well and do a great job of explaining Kaia's theme as the Greek, seafood-focused restaurant in the chain. They bring out the food promptly and the presentation is gorgeous. However, both times I've been to Kaia, I've been somewhat disappointed by the food. It's quite expensive and I find myself disappointed by the flavors. My most recent time, we ordered the focaccia, the yellowtail crudo, the cabbage, and the beef short rib dish. We concluded that the focaccia was the best . The yellowtail and the cabbage were fine, but the seasoning was kind of bland and nothing stood out to us. The beef short rib was seasoned in a strange way--both of us were shocked when we took our first bite. It came with an eggplant spear that was stuffed with a bechamel of some sort. It kind of oozed and again, was kind of bland and boring. We finished the dish, but didn't necessarily love it. Granted, both times I've gone, I haven't gotten the seafood, which is the linchpin of the restaurant. But after two experiences paying a ton for food that feels like it's trying too hard to be upscale without delivering on flavor combinations that work.

    Lamb
    Joelle J.

    If you're looking for a new restaurant to try for a date night or a night out with friends then I would recommend visiting Kaia. The overall ambiance of the restaurant is very warm and intimate. The staff is also very friendly and very helpful with describing menu options and providing suggestions. The only disappointment was the octopus dish--I had seen photos online and was really excited to try it, but it didn't quite meet my expectations when it arrived.

    Pineapple, chamomile
    Monica A.

    Finally tried Kaia -- I've skimmed their menu before and could tell it was clever and thoughtful, but actually going in person and tasting everything went beyond my expectations. I got their pineapple, chamomile, rum drink with a drizzle of olive oil -- so refreshing, fruity, and lovely. When my octopus dish came out, someone in a chef's coat stopped by to walk me through the elements, which I thought was such a nice touch. You could really feel the thought and intention behind the dish. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors, textures, and overall cook were perfect. I'd been so excited to try Kaia, and now I'm just as excited to go back. The staff were helpful and cool, and the space has this open, modern vibe -- great for a date, group dinner, family night, or even something more corporate. This first experience made such a great impression and Kaia could easily become my new favorite restaurant in the Bos area.

    Zucchini crisp
    Chirag M.

    Amazing meal and service was spot on! Let me break down what we loved: Zucchini crisps (5/5) - these were so unique. Perfectly crisp and tossed in hot honey The scallop crudo (5/5) was fresh and tasty The octopus (5/5) - crisp outside but tender inside. This was perfectly grilled and paired with a dip The lettuce (3.5/5) meh. Not bad if you absolutely want to add some greens to your meal. But nothing special here. Matcha bakhlava (4/5) - the matcha was a surprisingly complementary flavor, but the lemon gelato didn't pair well with the bakhlava. The other dessert we had amazing. Overall lovely experience, will definitely be back! Note - the patio chairs don't have any backrest and can feel uncomfortable after some time.

    Expresso martini and a lemon cocktail
    Alex K.

    Recommend the zucchini chips and the expresso martinis. They are extra frothy! Michael our server was amazing and helped with recommendations for a little girls happy hour

    Octopus
    Maggie B.

    Service was exceptional. Great curated vibe for a special night out of Mediterranean cuisine. Especially loved the lamb gyro main and zucchini appetizers. Octopus also excellent. Only critique being that the menu is too limited

    grilled octopus
    Amie S.

    I came here for a birthday dinner and it didn't disappoint! There was dim, ambient lighting and it was a beautiful setup. The catch of the day was so fresh and flavorful, and I don't even normally eat fish. The drinks were delicious as well as the dessert. Definitely try some tapas like the fried zucchini and the octopus. The waiters were very attentive and so sweet.

    Cauliflower
    Lila K.

    Sunday night at 6pm was a great time to visit Kaia. It was very calm and the space was full of rounded curves from the couches to the ceiling arches set beneath a comforting glowing candlelight. It was not crowded when we arrived which was perfect since I have seen it completely packed before. Our server, Faith, made it an exceptional experience. She was patient, knowledgeable about the menu, and had a very warm presence. She was very considerate and accommodating for my dairy allergy. The cucumber and mandarin cocktail was light and refreshing. All three dishes we ordered had unique and distinct mod Greek flavors. The cauliflower was slightly grilled and resembled a broccolini / cauliflower hybrid. I wish there were more macerated cherries, they added a great compliment to the nuttiness and crunch of the pine nuts and spice of the harissa chili oil. The octopus was incredible even omitting the butter from the sauce. It was grilled perfectly, both crispy and soft. A must order! Lastly, since it was a special occasion we decided to order the grilled whole sea bream. It was delicious, a thick lemony sauce was ceremoniously poured over the fish pooling around it. The thin skin was luxuriously crispy and flavorful. The fish was slightly nutty and buttery soft. The meal from start to finish was delicious, service was excellent, we left with abundant satisfaction.

    Menu
    Connie L.

    Stunning spot serving beautifully reimagined Greek dishes. It's perfect for a girls night out. To start, the servers are so nice. They went through the menu one by one and were very proud of the dishes being put out. Pricing-wise Kaia is rather expensive as it's a higher end restaurant, so you're mainly paying for the beautiful ambiance and aesthetic dishes. We tried a couple of their Meze dishes such as their potato, gyro & octopus. While they were beautiful, there was just something small that could've been improved upon each one. For example, a crispy octopus could've been better than the soft one they served. Also while the gyro condiments were perfect, we found the lamb a bit dry. I thought their potato was perfection though. We also tried their desserts which were interesting. I really love how they always add touches of acidity with citrus. However I did find the Loukoumades texture a bit gummy-like. Maybe a bit too much syrup but the orange blossom honey flavor was lovely the first couple bites. Overall, would definitely come back though. All dishes were still great, just slightly missing a little oomph.

    Zucchini chips and caviar
    Sasha M.

    Went here for a double date with my fiancés brother and his husband to celebrate our engagement! This was such a perfect place for a group of people. Tapas style food with a small menu which is great if you are indecisive. Everything was so yummy and had such a great presentation to it. Our server was helpful when it came to choosing wines and when we got our dishes they were great about explaining what everything was. It felt like I was in a Michelin star restaurant! Super great location in the south end and the space is super cozy. I really like how contemporary it looks and how filling the dishes are. Also since we were celebrating my fiancé and I engagement they gave us all a shot of their alcohol and a card to say congrats! Super special and felt really taken care of by everyone!

    Aegean fish
    Jasmine J.

    Great option for a vibey, special occasion dinner in the South End if you are a fan of seafood. The decor from the tables, chairs, and lighting to the service was great. We shared the zucchini chips which were light and puffy with a tangy spicy sweet chili like sauce. One of the better zucchini chips that I've had in Boston. Pretty good portion size as well. Ordered the spinach spanakopita which was super flakey with lots of yummy layers. And it was super pretty to eat. The pork had a yummy sauce but was not the biggest fan. Didn't realize it would taste more like a meatball. Finished off with the Aegean style seabream. The presentation was amazing and the server cut it up and placed pieces of the fish into a plate of soup that each person got. The soup was super yummy and the fish was perfectly cooked. But heads up that this is market price and def not the cheapest dish you will get. I think it was worth it for a special occasion.

    Yellowtail
    Carrie V.

    Wow Kaia really is THAT good. The drinks, the food, the ambiance, the service were all impeccable. Our server was so knowledgeable about the drinks and food and was able to explain each item so well. Food ordered: Gifts Of The Sea (3 seafood options for one person, only food item I would pass on if I go again), Yellowtail Crudo (so much flavor and incredible quality), Feta (SO GOOD!!!! Probably my favorite), Spinach (like a lasagna), Octopus (great portion size), Gyro (half size was plenty for 5 people!) The restaurant itself is so beautiful. All of the dishes and glassware were to die for.

    Potato

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kaia

    When you book a reservation there are so many seating options. Oudoor: Patio bar, patio high top, patio lounge…

    I would sit inside....the "patio" is a makeshift little spot on the sidewalk....

    Are reservations not available for Friday and Saturday nights?

    Did you try open table? Made reservation thru open table for a Fri night when we went.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    backbar

    backbar

    4.4
    (458 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    As per usual 10/10 Greeted in door way…read more Clean well stocked bathrooms Welcoming to everyone 80s 90s 2000s knowledgeable stylish Mushroom app and burger were nice treats to add to the awesome studio ghibli themed menu from the BB guide so clever top notch cocktails Cocktails Drinks Music and kikis delivery service on the projector good vibes

    I am a lover of everything studio ghibli so when I saw Backbar was doing essentially a month of…read moredrinks based on the movies I knew I had to go! The bar is really funky fun which I loved. There is literally fun everywhere you look from the panda stuffed animal riding a tiger on the wall to the hilarious shrek pillow. Coming right when they open I was able to see these things that you would likely not see in the evening. But to be fair I came right when they opened since it is first come first serve. A majority of the drinks were more on the savory side which was very interesting like "may all your bacon burn" with bacon bites at the top of the drink. The drinks my friend had were all stunning with the use of egg yolk to elevate the drink. We ended the evening by walking over to Bow Market and trying Viet Citron which was so DANG GOOD my gosh. The to go orders were insane but looks like they are doing very well despite recently opening in. I got the grilled lemongrass pork ribs bowl and youtiao and the side sauce was so good. The ribs were all very meaty. It looks small but I was surprised how full I was after having it. Nice night of drinks and food. What we got Kiki's marmalade buns Castle in the sky Milk Punch May All your bacon burn

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    Moon Bar

    Moon Bar

    4.8
    (40 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I am over the MOON with Moon Bar!…read more If I could live here I would! :) Another excellent experience here and it just happened to be restaurant week. We also spent an hour at the King Tut exhibit across the street! This restaurant/bar always seems packed. And, with reservations for 645pm (highly recommend) the bar was quite busy. The buzz from this high-end cocktail bar is exactly what you want on a Friday evening; From girlfriends sipping their wine to couples laughing and swirling their cocktails, Moon Bar is for the classy and sexy. Abby our server is excellent! A mixologist who knows all the cocktails and can recommend based on your preference. I tried one of their new cocktails with bourbon and did not care for it. Abby made me my mezcal drink that I have ordered before...its the 305 cowboy, an extremely popular drink. A must try for sure! Note: Some bartenders make you feel guilty for saying something about a drink you ordered and did not like. But, here at Moon Bar, Abby was so gracious to make me something that I will enjoy. Hats off to her:) Food: Since it was restaurant week we just shared everything. For starters we ordered the Tuna Tartare that was excellent. Then, we had Piri-Piri Chicken Thighs that were also good but quite spicy. For dessert, we shared the Caribbean Tiramisu, which was great. It was a tough choice between this and the Guava Cheesecake. We were so full that we ended up bringing home leftovers. Oh, I also forgot to mention we always order their Curry Fries - a must try when coming here Trust Me. My husband doesn't love curry but he loves these fries and you will too. #friesaretodiefor Moon Bar, thanks for being amazing in every way. Thanks for your splendid service, crafty cocktails, delicious wine (try the Pinot Noir from Germany), and your amazing food ---Love those Curry Fries! "Alexa, make reservations for 2 at Moon Bar for tonight." Cheers~

    What an amazing time we had a moon bar! The ambience was perfect for a girls night out and great…read morewall art. All the drinks we got were delicious which I feel like is rare for a bar. The great palm and golden colada were my favorite. They were both sweet with a tangy aftertaste. The roasted cauliflower was very flavorful. It was heavy on the sauce which was great and loved the crunch of the cashews. The tandoori chicken was my favorite. It was very juicy and tender chicken marinated well. The curly fires had a great masala seasoning. The yogurt based was my favorite to dip into. The staff were excellent with frequent check in and quick service. Overall, I highly recommend this place.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Banana leaf wrapped black bass
    Banana leaf wrapped black bass
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    The Street Bar

    The Street Bar

    3.6
    (72 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Excellent views and ambience. Friendly professional staff, and very nice menu. Great drinks…read more Conversations with other patrons is very knowledgeable and enjoyable. Everything is done "top notch ". Whether you are a traveler or a local, it can be either a special night out, or a regular place to frequent. Extra munchies are an added plus. Everything is slightly higher priced, but sometimes, you get what you pay for. I have been coming here for decades...since the old Ritz Carlton days, and still appreciate the revolution of this lovely spot.

    We visited on January 11th, a few weeks prior to my wedding. This was a day I had planned for…read moremonths with my daughter and future stepdaughter, an important and meaningful occasion, and the experience fell significantly below expectations. In advance, I stopped into the hotel to confirm that a gluten-free guest could be accommodated and was assured this would be handled. In reality, the accommodation was inadequate and, at times, unacceptable. While the rest of us were served scones, my stepdaughter was given cut fruit in their place, and told that was all they had to accommodate.The dessert course consisted of what appeared to be basic gluten-free cookies, misrepresented as something more gourmet - egg nog cookies??? This lack of preparation was both disappointing, upsetting and avoidable. The broader experience was equally concerning. We were subjected to an unsolicited and uncomfortable "lesson" on tea service, which detracted from what should have been a relaxed and celebratory occasion. While trying to enjoy the time with the girls, being a lifelong tea drinker and someone who has been to many times at your establishment and its various incarnations, this is something I have never experienced. The food quality was poor (scones were clearly reheated and stuck to the cloth napkin they were wrapped in), and there were notable service lapses, including being served water in a visibly shattered glass. Additionally, when hot water was added to refresh the tea, my stepdaughter's pot curdled and had to be replaced. It was especially disappointing, as I mentioned that I had stopped in and spoken with the concierge, and was assured, as they had called the kitchen while I stood there that they readily accommodated gluten-free. There are numerous places in the city that could have done this, and if you had just told me that you could not do so, I would have booked us elsewhere. I chose not to raise the multiple issues in the moment so as not to disrupt what was meant to be a special day for the girls and me. However, the total cost exceeded $500, and the experience did not come close to justifying that price point! Do not recommend.

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    Bartender | The Street Bar
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    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

    Kaia - wine_bars - Updated June 2026

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