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    KAVA neo-taverna

    4.3 (563 reviews)
    PriceyGreek, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    KAVA neo-taverna Photos

    Business Info

    KAVA NEO-TAVERNA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - KAVA neo-taverna

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    Imam / Eggplant
    Eugene W.

    Kolokithakia / Zucchini Chips (8/10): My favorite dish of the night. The zucchini was delicious, and went well with the tzatziki. However, I didn't think it really lives up to the hype from other reviews. It was good to the extent that fried foods are good. Beyond that, it was a bit too boring to be worth $19. Nothing particularly creative to elevate the dish. Oktapodi / Octopus (7/10): Decent dish, but also did not impress. The pieces with more seasoning definitely tasted better. The rest of the dish tasted rather boring. I wish the octopus had a nicer sear. Keftedes / Lamb Meatballs (7.5/10): Very good lamb meatballs. Super savory. I still don't think these four meatballs are worth $16, though. They're better than NAYA or Cava, but not 3-4x better. Imam / Eggplant (7.5/10): Delicious eggplant. I liked the nice browning of the eggplant skin - it was full of flavor. As for the rest of the dish, it was a bit uninspired. Flavor was a bit dull. The food was all good. I don't think it is worth the price, though. The way the small plates are priced, I'd expect more creativity and more uniqueness infused into each dish. I'd probably consider after at least a 30% price cut. The restaurant was super, super dark. Service was decent.

    Zucchini Chips
    Amy L.

    Had a Friday night reservation at Kava at 7pm. My party of 2 was seated by a window in a tight spot with stool type seating. It was a cold day so I had a jacket that I originally placed on a chair against the wall that was next to me but later had to move it to my lap. Ordered a few dishes and while nothing was bad, there wasn't any particular dish that I'd feel the need to go to Kava specifically to get again.

    Amanda T.

    Very much enjoy this spot. My partner and I shared an entree and three small plates and it was very filling. The space is small, but the ceiling is tall, so you don't feel squish. The drinks were good and the service was wonderful. I would recommend!!

    Ben B.

    Came here on a recommendation from a friend. Made a reservation same day - came here right when they opened. Had the entire restaurant to ourselves. I looked at ester the waitress and said "take me to Athens" Boy did she. Everything here from the salt to the water to the milk they offer at coffee service , is Greek. You want almond milk? Nope, got Greek replacement. Want coffee? Nope they got freppe -- you guessed it - GREEK! Food was FIRE. You hear and see these dishes often but the flavor -- the flavor!!! Phenomenal octopus and lamb meatballs and beef skewers!! Olive oil to die for! Orange cake -- come on! I was diving in a pool of the freshest oranges.... Delicious take me to Greece because I'm all about this place!

    Zucchini chips w/ tzatziki, flaming cheese (special)

    Food was amazing and atmosphere is great. Our waitress was incredibly helpful with wine selection and let us try ones before ordering. However, we had to wait 45 minutes for any meat we ordered. It turned our dinner into over 2 1/2 hours which was frustrating.

    Feta watermelon salad
    Tracy Y.

    Cute little spot in a quiet South End neighborhood with a cozy outdoor seating area. We sat outside and really enjoyed the ambiance--though I did get bitten by a few mosquitos, so maybe bring bug spray? Service was fine--not overly warm, but nothing to complain about either. One downside: there's only one bathroom stall for the entire restaurant, and it wasn't the cleanest. Definitely something that took a bit away from the overall experience. As for the food, it was solid! We had the watermelon salad, one of the dips with bread, and the mixed grill--everything was tasty and the portions were very generous. We left absolutely stuffed. All in all, a nice spot for a casual Mediterranean meal, especially if you can grab a seat outside on a warm day.

    Kolokithakia
    Erin O.

    Yum!! Having just recently visited Greece, Kava neo-taverna is one of the closest places that'll make you feel like you're stepping back into Greece. They take all the elements of Greek food and turn them into elevated small plates, which is really where this restaurant shines. My partner and I showed up here during the week for dinner without a reservation and we got seated immediately at the bar. The staff said the tables were reserved (even though there were a couple tables available during our entire 1.5 hour dinner which was a bit annoying). The bar space is a bit crowded, especially with there not being a coat rack in the restaurant, so I would recommend reserving in advance if possible. Service was very attentive and friendly which was appreciated. Honestly every dish we tried was delicious, but the standouts were the fried zucchini, beef short rib orzo, and lamb meatballs. The portions were also very generous, so much so that we ended up leaving with leftovers! I'm sure I'll be back to try some more dishes from here.

    Sofia K.

    Hands down some of the most authentic Greek food I've had outside Greece! I 100% reccomend if you're visiting Boston. LOCATION: Spot is in a cute area with both indoor and outdoor seating. I would recommend coming with a reservation. I felt very comfortable outdoors with umbrellas good blockage from the road. FOOD: Loved EVERYTHING that I ate! I particularly loved the Pikilia platter (trio of dips) as the tzatziki is exactly like my family makes it. The star of our dinner were the kolokithakia (zucchini chips): so perfectly salted and an amazing balance with our drinks. We also had dolma which were cabbage wrapped, something new for me! DRINKS: I enjoyed the wines I tried. Wasn't the biggest fan of my cocktail (Athenian Spritz) but that was a personal choice. SERVICE: Everyone was super friendly and helpful, always checking in throughout our meal. For a nice dinner/drinks with truly a authentic Greek feast, I highly recommend KAVA!

    Zucchini chips
    Jessica C.

    Veggie haters, prepare to be converted by the zucchini chips here! Of course frying veggies and burying them in tartar sauce is a classic way to trick you into higher fiber intake but Kava pulls it off smoothly enough that it feels healthy. It's a must-order item! The octopus is wonderfully chewy and savory. The lavraki (grilled Mediterranean sea bass) was the killing point for me though. Huge, lemon-y, perfectly crispy skin, and clean finish. Not fishy at all, the perfect mild taste you want from a sea bass. And not to mention, literally huge. We were so full after that. The interior feels like Greece, all the shades of blue and white and natural sunlight come together for a relaxed and naturally luxurious "patio by the sea" vibe. The service is fast! Would go again

    Zucchini chips
    Caroline D.

    This spot is so cute! It's very small and quaint with a dimly lit dining room. Staff was great and the food was great! I loved the zucchini chips and the pear arugula salad as well. The moussaka could have used a little more seasoning, but was still great!

    Drinks
    Roshini T.

    Kava is most certainly a Boston classic. The food is always delicious and so are the drinks. The zucchini chips and the lamb kebabs are a must! The zucchini was very flavorful and the lamb very tender. Drinks were also very delicious. The resteraunt itself is on the smaller side so it provides a more intimate setting. Love Kava for a girls night!

    Mixed Grill; lamb, various kebabs, sausage, side of greek potatoes (to die for)
    Rongan C.

    Authentic Greek bites ina cozy Brownstone. We came twice in one week, once for a friend's bday brunch and another for a birthday dinner. Very different vibes. Brunch we sat al fresco outside and enjoyed people watching in sunny South End. Dinner we sat indoors and appreciated the moody lighting and troves of conversations.

    Stifado
    Nes M.

    I went on Valentine's Day and it was busy, but inviting. The ambiance is dim, cozy, with music paying. I enjoyed it. The food was great. We got several shareable plates including the short rib which came out piping hot and was delicious, the zucchini chips were a stand out and the salad was light and fresh. I also ordered a cucumber vodka drink that was garnished nicely. The server was attentive and everything came out pretty fast. When in Boston, I would definitely recommend.

    Zucchini chips

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    We loved it! Very crowded and high energy, but the food was amazing and service was excellent.

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    KAVA neo-taverna Reviews in Other Languages

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

    Krasi

    4.6(582 reviews)
    0.8 miBack Bay
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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.

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    Krasi - Restaurant

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    Krasi - Dips (tzatziki, kopanisti, taramosalata, sourdough)

    Dips (tzatziki, kopanisti, taramosalata, sourdough)

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    Saloniki Greek - Cinnamon honey donuts

    Saloniki Greek

    4.1(557 reviews)
    1.5 miFenway
    $$

    I LOVE THE GREEK DONUTS AT SALONIKI GREEK! Omg! I'm…read moreabsolutely obsessed w/ their donuts, specifically the cinnamon + honey one. Saloniki Greek is a local chain in the Boston Area that was founded in 2016, w/ this being their first location! Now they have expanded w/ 5 locations total-- Fenway, Newbury St/Back Bay, Downtown, Cambridge (MIT), & Cambridge (Harvard Sq). The first time I had it was at their Newbury St location, & it was my first time the other day trying it from here... safe to say they definitely NAILED IT! I actually think this time around, Fenway made the donuts better hahaha. It was pretty chill the day we visited so ordering was a breeze & took ~5ish minutes for our donuts to be ready. They come piping hot & are the perfect dessert for after ANY meal. I've had their gyros before but always find myself coming back for their Greek donuts, highly recommend! ***Also, if you have a Student ID, you can get a free order of Greek fries if you order either a salad, sandwich, or plate. ***

    Right down the block from Tasty. How did I not realize they had a SG here…read more The lady brought me for some desert in Greek fried doughnut balls! We got honey cinnamon flavor, they also had Dubai choco, pumpkin spice pie, greek sour cherry, and caramel pistachio and plain! The doughnuts were nice and chew like mochi! Enjoyed it with the honey and cinnamon! They have a full menu for lunch / dinner dishes too. Gyros, plates, fries. kebab plates, frozen yogurts so many items! Going to come back and try others. Have only ordered the doughnuts from their locations! Just so happened to be snack time!

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    Saloniki Greek
    Saloniki Greek - Spicy Lamb Meatball Pita (George)

    Spicy Lamb Meatball Pita (George)

    Saloniki Greek - Spicy Lamb Meatball Pita (George)

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    CAVA

    CAVA

    4.0(202 reviews)
    0.7 miBack Bay
    $$

    I was waiting in a long line at CAVA in the Back Bay Boston location to order a steak & feta wrap…read morebut it was worth the wait because my steak & feta wrap was delicious, the servers were great and the atmosphere was crowed but I found a seat to enjoy my lunch, I highly recommend CAVA for lunch or dinner at any location, CAVA has great selections on their menu.

    CAVA is a fast-casual Mediterranean spot that's perfect for a quick, customizable, and relatively…read morehealthy meal in Boston. The format is build-your-own bowl or pita, similar to other assembly-style restaurants, but with bold Mediterranean flavors and plenty of fresh toppings to work with. The ordering line moves efficiently, even during busy lunch hours. The space is clean and modern, with a casual atmosphere that makes it easy to grab food to-go or sit down for a quick bite. Staff are usually friendly and generous with portions, especially when it comes to the dips and toppings. The menu offers a solid variety of bases like rice, greens, or lentils, along with proteins such as grilled chicken, lamb meatballs, and falafel. The real highlight is the spreads and toppings, hummus, harissa, tzatziki, roasted vegetables, pickled onions, and more which add layers of flavor and texture. It's easy to customize depending on whether you want something lighter or more filling. Portions are satisfying, though the cost can add up depending on your choices. Overall, CAVA is a reliable option when you're craving something flavorful but not too heavy. It's especially convenient for a quick lunch or casual dinner, and the customizable format makes it easy to switch things up each visit.

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    KAVA neo-taverna - greek - Updated May 2026

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