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As a Brooklyn native, I don't say this lightly... this is my favorite restaurant in Brooklyn. I've been here 4x now and I've never been disappointed. The staff is LOVELY, the food is all hits and no misses, and the reservation system is surprisingly fair. Decor is homey and beautiful and the space feels intimate. My MUST tries (pictured) are the sourdough toast (it sounds simple but is truly incredible) and the hiramasa. I would drink the hiramasa sauce if I could, the fish melts in your mouth, and the presentation is beautiful. Even if you can't get a reservation until 9pm, please give Theodora a try, you won't regret it!
Dining at Theodora was a memorable experience. From the moment we stepped inside, we knew we would be in for a treat. The interior is warm and welcoming, with a bright dining area towards the back. Our server, Carina, was very pleasant and added to the great evening we had. Katie was also very sweet and brought us sparkling wine with was greatly appreciated. We ordered the ceviche, clams and mussels with sesame bread, salad with cherry, corn, pistachio, the branzino, and the doughnuts to finish. Everything was divine. The flavors were so unique and not dishes you could just get anywhere. The star of the show was the branzino. The fish was SO crispy which was impressive considering the fish wasn't fried. The herbs and the lemon added wonderful flavor. There was not a literal crumb left from any of our dishes. We cannot wait to dine at Theodora again. Thank you to everyone who made our night memorable.
Theodora in Fort Greene, Brooklyn... you just earned a permanent spot on my favorites list. Everything was cooked over an open fire, and you could literally taste the difference in every bite. The hummus? Hands down the BEST I've ever had. Creamy, smoky, and absolutely unforgettable. The ambiance is effortlessly luxurious with beautiful Mediterranean vibes, the cocktails don't disappoint (they're STRONG ), and every dish was bursting with flavor. Now I have one reason to come back ASAP... that fire-grilled trout has my name written all over it. If you're a foodie who appreciates incredible flavors, gorgeous aesthetics, and an unforgettable dining experience, put Theodora at the top of your Brooklyn list. Save this for your next date night, girls' night, or solo foodie adventure. #TheodoraBrooklyn #BrooklynEats #MediterraneanFood #NYCFoodie #FortGreene #OpenFireCooking #FoodTok #NYCRestaurants #DateNightIdeas #GirlsNightOut #CocktailHour #LuxuryDining #HummusLover #ExploreNYC #ParadiseTheory
Really good food and drinks. The whipped ricotta to start was absolutely delicious. Loved the bread and seasoning was yummy. The stone fruit and tomato water salad was very refreshing and yummy on a hot summers day. Wish there was more cheese and the portion was bigger for the price. The trout was absolutely delicious. As someone that doesn't usually enjoy cooked salmon/trout this was so good. Cooked perfectly and the char was great. Lemon pudding with granita dessert was my favorite thing. So silky smooth and perfect for a hot summers day. The Poseidon Martini was really good but I also really liked the Smokey old fashioned drink. Service was great although the food came out a a slower than normal pace. Would definitely recommend this place. We waited for 25 minutes before opening on one of the hottest days so far and was the 3rd walk in group in line. I anticipate the line being longer if not so hot.
Didn't blow me away. The food was decent, but we were sat right in front of the oven & had to inhale smoke the entire time. I left smelling like a campfire. A bit pricey, some portions much bigger than others. Lots of yelling from the kitchen
It's been a long time since I wanted to try this place and because reservations are so hard to get, my husband and I ended up trying the walk in strategy. We had dinner late, but it worked and we didn't mind the wait going around the neighborhood and having a few drinks. Let's get to the important stuff. We got several small dishes to try more variety. The crudo blue fin tuna was very fresh and flavorful, the sourdough ricotta is a must, so soft (both the ricotta and the bread) and so delicious, the seared scallop expensive for one scallop but wow, one of the best scallops I've ever tried, and the octopus, perfectly charred but a smaller portion that I thought. We sat at the bar, the place is gorgeous and the service was great.
I was lucky enough to snag a 5:00PM reservation on a Saturday. When I arrived, there was a huge line outside. Unfortunately, process felt really disorganized. They were seating people who had been waiting in line before those with reservations, so what's the point of making a reservation?!?! I still had to wait before being seated, and that was pretty frustrating. Everything I ordered: Wood Fired Sesame Khubz: Highly recommend ordering this! It was perfectly crisp on the outside, while the inside was light, airy, and fluffy. It paired beautifully with the taramasalata, which was creamy, rich, and flavorful. Bluefin Tuna Crudo: Super fresh, flavorful, and refreshing. Decent. Nothing special. Clams & Broccolini: One of my favorite dishes of the night. The clams were large, sweet, and cooked perfectly. The crunchy broccolini and Parmesan brought everything together. Definitely a must order! Black Cod: Perfectly cooked, flaky, and tender, served with morel mushrooms. The fish itself was excellent, but I wasn't a fan of the sauce. I didn't think the flavors complemented each other very well. Octopus: This was disappointing. It was quite rubbery and lacked the char I was hoping for. Prawns: Another standout. The prawns were huge, perfectly charred, and paired with a honey habanero sauce and pineapple pico de gallo. The sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors worked really well together. Swordfish Belly: Beautifully grilled, buttery, and flaky. While the texture was excellent, I found the seasoning and sauce a bit underwhelming. Pomegranate Donuts: A great way to end the meal. Warm, fluffy, and served with condensed milk for dipping. Absolutely delicious! Cocktails: They were just okay. Nothing particularly memorable. Overall, I don't really understand the hype, especially considering the hefty price tag... While there were a few standout dishes, the overall experience didn't justify the cost for me. I wouldn't recommend it, and I don't see myself returning. Meh.
This might be my favorite restaurant in NYC. Theodora leaves me speechless every single time. I've gone a handful of times now and the last time I went the couple next to us joked that we ordered the whole menu. The service is great, I love sitting at the bar to watch them cook but the ambiance is always excellent.
Believe the hype. There's a reason this is one of Yelp's Top Places to Eat in the country. There's a reason it's very difficult to get a reservation. There's a reason Theodora is hyped up everywhere. It's because this restaurant is outstanding in basically every way. The space is bright and airy, with a BUSY open kitchen so you can watch the magic coming out of that wood-fired oven. The staff is so friendly, so knowledgeable, and so ready and willing to bring you whatever you want to eat and drink off of their fun and delicious menu. I brought a party of six in for my wife's birthday dinner at 5 pm (the only reservation I could snag). We sat at one of the large tables and drank cocktails (several of which arrived with sidecars, which no one is ever sad about). We drank wine. Too much wine, some might say. We ate tilefish ceviche, and whipped ricotta on sourdough, and nduja hummus, and black cod with a miso beurre blanc, and bluefin tuna crudo, and a little gem salad, and wood-fired broccoli rabe with tiny clams, and the honey habanero prawns, and the lamb on laffa bread, and the tuna collar special, and more. I would absolutely love to eat every single one of those things again: the prawns are phenomenal, no one has ever been sad about miso black cod, the ricotta toast is justifiably famous, the lamb is so gorgeous with its fun quartet of sauces, and the tuna collar was the most interestingly meaty fish I've ever had. But when I come back, I'm going to order all different dishes, because this kitchen is obviously crushing everything, and I can't wait to try more. Well, maybe I'll get the tilefish again. That lime vinaigrette with the grilled pineapple...incredible. The food is interesting, and fun, and colorful, and so very very tasty. And the hospitality is excellent. Everyone here is having fun, secure in the knowledge that they are doing amazing work by serving Brooklyn some of the best food and drink you can find. I think the staff even felt bad they were chasing us out toward the end of our stay here, especially since we were having so much fun, and spending so much money. But they brought us a round of shots to ease the pain, and I forgive them, because I know turning that table in time is what will keep them here. Basically, Theodora is doing everything right, and I'll be back as soon as I can get another reservation. Thanks all.
Came to put our name down for 2 at 7pm on a Friday and said the bar seating should be ready around 9:15pm. Came back and they were right! We sat at the bar and decided to get a bottle of wine because why not? The server let us try a few before we committed on one which was great because the first 3 we tried were not the one. We got the blue fin tuna, whipped ricotta bread, and a scallop. Holy shit the scallop was so damn soft and flavorful. Literally the best scallop I've ever had in my life. The whipped ricotta bread was so fucking tasty and had a slight tang and the bread itself was airy and delicious. We actually ordered another side of just the bread. The tuna was delicious but came in 3rd behind the scallop and ricotta bread. Our server/bartender was amazing and treated us very well! Will come back again to try their other dishes!
With all the popularity, reservations are tough to come by at Theodora. On a winter night, my friend and I came by as walk-ins and scored 2 bar seats after an hour wait. While waiting, they let us order a cocktail so I had the Iara ($18) while my friend had the Poseidon ($18). The Iara comes in the cutest clear cup shaped like a fish and umbrella for a fun and refreshing drink. I also had the Hildegard ($18) afterwards, which reminded me of a whiskey sour with the egg whites. Once we were seated, we were recommended to order 5-7 dishes with the large formats being 2 dishes. We opted for the Wood-Fired Sesame Knubz ($19) and Ricotta Sourdough ($16) to start. Both breads were amazing and I bet the rest of the bread items are just as good. Then we had the Chicory Salad ($21) and Prawns ($25). The bitterness in the chicory was a bit much to me, but nice to have some greens to balance our meal. The prawns were delicious, especially with the charred shells with the honey habanero sauce. This is delicious but pricey for just 3 pieces. Lastly, we had the Whole Butterflied Trout ($45), which is beautifully delivered. I liked the split in flavors here to some nice variety. In the end, we knew we had to save some room for dessert here too. We ordered the Camembert Cheesecake ($18) and Carajillo ($18). The cheesecake reminded me of a basque cheesecake and it was so velvety and luscious. Easily one of my favorite desserts! The carajillo is a super popular dessert cocktail that we saw was constantly ordered. Overall, I was so impressed with Theodora. From the decor to the service to the food was all exceptional. I just found the seafood and large format items on the pricier side without being something I needed to come back for. In the future, I'd stick to cocktails and bread here though --those are the items that really shined.
It's nice when a place lives up to the hype, and Theodora does! The restaurant space itself is beautifully decorated, and though there was lively conversation it never got difficult to hear my dinner date. Service was also top notch and very pro. As for the food and drinks - all were outstanding! We enjoyed: Tilefish Ceviche - had a nice vinaigrette, really tasty and well plated. Mackerel Toast - maybe not the most appealing visually, but delicious nonetheless. Smoked Black Cod Collar - Outstanding! This was a special for the evening. Highly recommended if they have it available when you visit. Octopus - delicately cooked and nicely seasoned. I liked the addition of the Brussel Sprouts also. Whole Butterflied Trout - comes with two sauces, a more mild green sauce, the other a harissa sauce. Fish was tender and perfectly cooked. Drinks: Iara - arrived in a delightful fish shaped glass. Sweet and smooth. Mezcaimeca - also sweet and smooth, but with a flavored spicy rim. Very good. Husband had the Negroni and Chantico and enjoyed both. Overall a very good meal. If the opportunity presents itself and if rez booking becomes easier, I would return again.
Overall, food was good but I just wasn't wowed. Ordered: - Red Snapper Ceviche: Favorite dish we had. Very refreshing and all flavors complimented each other very well. I would definitely get my own serving next time. - Hiramasa: It was fine. Nothing really exciting with this for me. - Sourdough: This one was yummy. Middle pieces were definitely better than end pieces in my opinion, but this is likely because I don't like the extra crust pieces personally. - Octopus: Yummy but nothing exciting. - Whole Butterflied Trout: The fish was basically split in half and they topped the fish with two different flavors. I preferred the red side. I didn't care for the other side. - Baklava Sundae: This was yummy. We did a walk in for dinner on a Sunday, got there about 30 minutes before opening and we were the 3rd party in line; but it was a snowy day so wait times might have been less than usual.
This is probably the hottest new restaurant of 2024. Some things were done exceptionally, while others were a bit lacking. You must try the dry aged items which are labeled (DA) on the menu and get the chocolate cake for dessert! Best items: - Crudos - Yellow fin tuna, hiramasa, and ora king salmon - Black cod - Flourless chocolate cake - Coconut sorbet The red snapper ceviche was too sour for my taste and the fish felt overpowered. The monkfish liver hummus was gritty and also sour. The pita was delicious, but there was only one, which wasn't enough for the all the hummus. The swordfish belly skewer was delicious and melt-in-your-mouth, but it was also very fatty. Be careful with counter dining because while you get to see the magic of how things are made, if you are stuck in front of the oven, it can get very smoky by the end of the meal. read more
It's been 2 days and I'm still thinking fondly about my meal. True to NYC, this is a smaller restaurant, but with a large bar top and a decent amount of small tables. The vibes and food gave Mediterranean and a little bit of Mexico all at once. It's directly on top of the C subway stop and all of the staff was really kind. Our server Pablo was patient and informative and it made for a DELICIOUS and lovely bday experience. The Lamb was tasty, the bread appetizer and sauces were so flavorful, the octopus was well cooked and the drinks were inventive and balanced. The basque style cheesecake is really cheesy, not quite the sweet finish I wanted but exactly as described. Check for last minute reservations if you can't get one in advance - Theodora is worth it! read more
Theodora deserves its popularity. I came in September 2024 and January 2025. Both times I went 20ish minutes before they opened to grab a seat (reservations are hard but not impossible to come by) and had a fantastic meal both times. Summer Menu standouts were the Xitomatl Cocktail (Gin, Tomato Water, Vermouth, Basil) and the Heirloom Melon Tartare. I actually thought that these menu items would be on the dinner menu when I dined last night, but was told these were summer items (makes sense). The tomato martini is so delicious and better than some drinks I've had at actual cocktail bars. Refreshing, balanced, somehow savory but not overwhelming. The Melon Tartare was also one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. It was so good we ordered it twice! Be on the lookout for these when their summer menu comes out again :) For my dinner last night, we ordered 2 of the same things: Red Snapper Ceviche (solid ceviche with a right balance) and the Za'atar Kubaneh (good portion to share and tasty bread but to be honest this isn't as oustanding as the other dishes and I regretted ordering it again). We also tried the Honeynut Squash (the blue crab with parmesan foam was my favorite dish of the night), and the nightly special, Dry-Aged Tilefish was also aaaamazing. read more
6 months ago
All the seafood dishes were amazing. The toast, octopus and branzino (with a good portion of salad) were my favorites. The fish was a bit slow but they were very nice and gave us a free scoop of coconut ice cream. The interior design is warm and Mediterranean themed, staff were really kind. The flavors are bright and acidic, and the grilled items like skewers with mushroom had a charcoal woodsy flavor read more
Theodora has a lot of hype and after trying the food I think it's well deserved. The dry aged salmon is a must. I've never had such soft and Smokey salmon. The cod is also a must, the miso sauce is amazing. Would recommend getting a bread and the salad to round out the meal, they're on the bigger side compared to other things on the menu and just as tasty as everything else. The vibes were great. Theadora is a well designed restaurant and their sound buffering is well placed. Service was also great - we never ran out of water at our table! And the chocolate cake was basically a brownie it was so dense and rich but a great choice for a shared dessert. I'll be back here someday for sure. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Went here with a group of 7 for my girlfriend's birthday. The restaurant is very modern but warm and welcoming with an open fire behind the bar where they cook their breads. The restaurant has received a lot of hype so we were excited to try it out! Started with the following: - Ricotta toast: delightfully light and sweet. Great bite -Savory babka: made in house, this zesty bread appetizer comes with some vibrant dipping sauces. Good for sharing! -Ceviche: so fresh and well executed. However small portion to share with a larger group. That said, would recommend as it was delicious, just make sure you order enough for everyone in your party to try and enjoy. There were probably 3-4 other apps that we got, but I'm honestly not remembering (or I didn't get to try to comment given the dishes are small). Mains: -Steak special: DELISH! Probably our favorite dish of the night. Huge portion, and cooked to perfection. Highlight of the meal. -Prawns: cooked very well and came over a zesty and spicy sauce. Very good but not as memorable as the other dishes. -Sole: great portion of fish for sharing and comes with two different sauces. You can taste the smokey taste from the open fire cooking. Absolutely delicious and would order again. Would recommend Theodora if you can snag a reservation. My honest opinion is that this place should not be as difficult to get a reservation. It's great, but not blow your socks off drop everything to get here. Further, I would not recommend going here with more than 4 total people. The space is not conducive to people beyond that. Most dishes are very small. They have great flavor, but I can't say they're super memorable beyond the evening (except for the picanha special). Brownie points that they do BYOB. read more
8 months ago
Everything was so good!! Very nice and helpful service, super friendly. All the food cannot complain at all just the grilled shrimp a little bit too burnt but the rest were amazing. Defenitely go back again. read more
8 months ago
The food was fantastic and fresh- I loved all the flavors. Our waitress, Emily was amazing and all her recommendations were magical. She was so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere was laid back, there was a lot of people but it wasn't overwhelming. Music was great. Will definitely be back. Perfect date spot and has a bar. read more
This establishment was everything we were hoping to receive after a 5-hour flight and more. First, their martinis are my go-to drink options (one of them won 2nd martini of the year 2024). The food is incredibly tasteful and leaves you contently satisfied with the portion (just the right amount). I'm a foodie so normally the food is my favorite and most intentional part, but I have to say the CULTURE of the staff and restaurant set the tone for the entire experience. The individuals we had the pleasure of interacting with were so accomplished and authentic in their own rights. Every exchange is real and this company is ahead of its time. I recommend this spot for any occasion and for any person. I can only wish for my same experience for anyone who chooses to try this place. (Ask for Hannah) read more
Theodora is a very nice place and the team was very welcoming and friendly! I was part of a large group and we all tried different plates. Everything was top notch. They also gave good wine recs. I enjoyed the lamb dish the most and branzino - see the photo. read more
11 months ago
Service was great. Our waitress was super sweet and speedy. I will say since it's super busy even at 9pm, you really had to flag her down if you needed anything. The food was good but definitely not very filling. We ended up ordering 6 dishes for us TWO girls. Our total came out to around 80pp. The Hiramasa especially was very small. My favorites were the zaatar kubaneh which was super soft and slightly crisp on the outside oof so delicious and the octopus which was super tender and flavorful! I'd probably come back just for the bread haha but overall, while the food is pretty good, the value compared to its size is a bit disappointing. read more
4 months ago
The coziest restaurant filled with warmth from the open grill. I loved the interior so much. Our waitress was so sweet and friendly with us explaining how many things we should order. A must get is the sourdough with ricotta, brown butter, and honey. The first bite was actual heaven!!!! We also ordered the sea bass, lamb laffa, chicken, wood fired greens, and the chocolate cake for dessert. Our favorite entree was the chicken. It was half of a chicken who's super moist and flavorful. I loved the lemon sauce that is under it!!!! Our second favorite was the lamb laffa, it came with 4 different sauces to top off on. This was a rich and meaty dish. The sauces brightened up some of the richness. Our least favorite was the bass, it was a tad bit too salt for us but still good. The chocolate cake was SO good to end the night with. It was warm and there are crunchy parts like brownies would have. I loved the salty whipped mascarpone. Chefs kiss!!! read more
2 years ago
Incredible food. It was absolutely worth the hype. I actually heard about this place through being one of Beli's top restaurants in NYC. Please try everything seafood related + the breads! We got the whipped ricotta, a beautiful mix of honey, ricotta, and bread. Would go back just for that. Then we got the red snapper ceviche which had a really strong mint flavor. I will def be trying the hamachi next time. Then we got the whitetail fish which was my favorite dish - perfectly cooked and the sauce was buttery and melts in your mouth. We got the lamb and the cheesecake afterwards which were decent. Wish I got the trout instead. Overall great experience, staff were super friendly! The restaurant is really cute and well lit. We were lucky enough to get a window table as well. P.s. be ready for small plates. The dishes were much smaller in person than what they appeared to be online and in photos. Would recommend 4-6 dishes for 2 people. read more
9 months ago
Finally got to hit Theodora and boy was it a great dinner! Theodora has different seating options - bar seating in front for walk-ins and ?possibly reservation, table seating along the hallway and back room and then "chef's counter" seating which is where we were - a long counter surrounding the wood-fire stoves and prep area. During the winter it was especially nice as it got quite warm in front of the flames! The chefs were easy to talk to and engaging and staff were quite attentive. They have an extensive drinks menu with themed cocktails, mocktails, liquor, and a wine booklet with quite informative descriptors of the different regions and types of wine. Staff were so helpful in choosing glasses or bottles and if you're a fan of wine this is definitely a place for you! The menu is meant to be shared although it would be easy for a solo diner to have multiple dishes as they're fairly small. They recommended 5-7 dishes for two people. We went with crudo's Hiramasa and ceviche to start - the ceviche was so delicious with strong aromas and flavors immediately complimented with pineapples that also hit hard, topped off by creamy sauce. The Hiramasa was so colorfully presented and was great with peppers, avocado, bit oily but not overtly so, and lime balanced. The mackerel toast was the star of the dinner and a must get. It's nice presented as four sizable mackerel pieces on four already-cut pieces of sourdough withy a crispy crust and soft bread. The mackerel was an explosion of flavor with aioli and lavage butter complimenting so well! I could eat so many of these. We got a daily special - focaccia that was good with hummus-like sauce, but not memorable. For mains we got the swordfish skewer - cooked perfectly with charred skin, juicy taste and so delicious with the sauces. The butterfly trout was very good too though not as strong for me. I unfortunately also swallowed a fish bone accidentally - be careful! For desserts we got the carambert cheesecake, chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. The chocolate and vanilla contrasted nicely together and were so rich. The cheesecake looked like a crème brûlée but was also a heavy cheese flavor. Not my favorite but not bad at all either. I would've gotten the donuts next time! Overall a great, satisfying meal reasonably priced to me with many good options I'm sure appeals to different people and inclusive, lively vibes inside. read more
2 years ago
Loved the beautiful interior!! Theodora is still fairly new and gotten lots of hype but rightfully so. It's quite difficult to secure a res but not impossible. I visited on a Sunday evening and there was a long line before the restaurant opened. We ordered the bluefin tuna crudo starter, za'atar kubaneh, whipped ricotta sourdough, octopus & lamb main. My favorites were the bluefin tuna crudo, whipped ricotta sourdough & lamb. The sourdough is WAY better than misi's, that's for sure. The bluefin tuna was my unexpected favorite- it was sweet, savory, crunchy, a bit spicy from the wasabi, creamy, it was the perfect bite(s)! I did not enjoy the octopus and would skip that. We also had the flourless chocolate cake which I heard good things about but would skip next time. I enjoyed my experience at Theodora, and would love to try their sister restaurant, Miss Ada & bakery, Thea, as well! read more
1 year ago
Everything was delicious here. I do think the whipped ricotta sourdough is deserving of its hype because it's decadent and rich but light all at the same time. I also really enjoyed the broccolini. We did a clean sweep of the cod and chicken. I would most definitely want to come back to try the rest of the menu. read more
Theodora is an excellent restaurant in Brooklyn for a trendy, but still tasty dinner. I'd recommend coming with a group here to try a range of the menu. Almost everything was great. The Kubaneh, Hiramasa crudo, and Trout were all standouts. Smoked fish croquettes were underwhelming for $18. Desserts were good, but not memorable. Swordfish belly skewers was very tasty, though also small for $29. Overall I really liked Theodora, but felt it was overpriced for the portions. As long as you are ok spending $100 to have a complete meal, you will enjoy it. read more
9 months ago
Excellent food and ambiance. The crudos were phenomenal. So were all the dry aged fish dishes. Very complex and wonderful flavors. read more
10 months ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
This review is for weekend dinner. I can't compare directly to Miss Ada since the food is different, but I really enjoyed and recommend checking it out! There's a fairly large bar in the front that I *think* they reserve for walk-ins... it was pretty empty at the bar the entire time I was dining, so I'd definitely recommend calling / walking in if you can't snag a res. Ambiance / Service: elevated, but cozy. Warm lighting. I feel like you can come dressed in any attire. Service was great - shoutout to the gentleman with glasses and a mustache. Food: family style recommended. Recommended at least 1 dish per section of the menu for 2 people. We ordered 6 dishes plus dessert and it was plenty of food. -Big Eye Tuna: comes with 4. This was actually my least favorite dish and wouldn't order again. All you really taste is the cracker. -Hiramasa: really enjoyed. Fresh and light. Would order again. -Za' atar Kubaneh: looks like a cinnamon roll. Doughy, enjoyed the sauces. Would order again. -Wood Fired Broccolini: sauce almost tastes like a balsamic-y hollandaise. Pairs nicely with the octopus dish. Would order again. -Octopus: cooked perfectly, melts in your mouth. Has a slight smoky flavor. Would order again. -Lamb: comes with 4 slices on pita-like bread. Meat is tender, but on its own the meat doesn't have much flavor. But it tastes good with the side sauces. -Mini Jelly Doughnuts: light and fluffy. Really enjoyed, just wish they had more jelly. read more
4.8 stars for Theodora - these folks are killing it. An excellent meal from start to finish. Food: 5 stars. We enjoyed every bite! The Instagram influencer favorites--the Za'atar Kubaneh and Sourdough with Whipped Ricotta (similar to the dish at Misi)--totally lived up to the hype. If you can handle double bread, get both. We also had the Octopus (perfectly grilled) and the Lamb Laffa flatbread. In hindsight, I'd probably swap the flatbread for the Branzino or Half Chicken (large portions, saw a lot of these going out). We lucked out with Theodora's take on Oysters Rockefeller as the daily special--the chef had picked the oysters up from Montauk that very morning. Service: 5 stars. Our waitress was knowledgeable, affable, and attentive without being overbearing. She gently guided us toward a dish that balanced our other choices better (and she was right). She also encouraged us when we decided to stick with our bread-heavy plan, which I'm glad we did. The pacing was perfect--we stayed for about two hours and never felt rushed. Ambiance: 4.5 stars. We sat at the chef's counter, always my preference when available, and Theodora didn't disappoint. We had front-row seats to all the kitchen action. The only minor downside was the smoke from the wood-fired oven nearby. While the hood handled most of it, we did leave smelling like a campfire, and my eyes were a bit irritated. If you're sensitive to that, I'd suggest opting for the dining room or bar area instead. That said, it's a small price to pay for food cooked over fresh wood coals with such fantastic flavor. read more
Probably my favorite restaurant this year. The ambience is phenomenal and even the restroom felt like a sauna. The service was spectacular and the food came out pretty quickly. In terms of the food, literally everything was so flavorful and delicious I can't really choose a favorite. However, if I had to choose, I really loved the za'atar bread + dips, ceviche, and octopus. I loved all the dips and everything was cooked to perfection. In addition, I was the right amount of full afterwards and while the food's not necessarily cheap, I didn't spend a fortune with the bill split across 4 people. Overall, I would 100% come back here again and would 10/10 recommend to others. read more
One of the best meals I had in recent memory. Miss Ada is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, and Theodora is a perfect sequel. I want to eat this kind of food all. the. time. My boyfriend and I put our name in at 5:30 PM on a Friday before a holiday weekend and were seated at 6:55 PM at the bar. I tried: + Abby Cadabby cocktail + Pomona cocktail + Nammu nammu cocktail + Sourdough with whipped ricotta + Steelhead trout + Zataar kubaneh + Striped bass ceviche + Chocolate cake The top food highlight was the ricotta, followed by the steelhead trout and desert. Kubaneh was also fantastic. Ceviche was tasty, too! As for the cocktails, the Abby Cadabby was my favorite, followed by the Pomona. The Nammu nammu was a little salty, but the sidecar was fun. Service was fantastic at the bar. Need to return immediately. P.S. The bathroom is its own party... read more
11 months ago
5 months ago
This is the best restaurant in NYC. My experience from every bite of the food, to the service, to the vibe - all impeccable. Also, sit by the kitchen if you can. Watching the chefs cook on the fire was like watching Da Vinci paint. Dont leave without trying the Hiramasa, either toast they have, the lamb, and the trout. Shoutout to Pablo our waiter for a wonderful experience. read more
Nicest service, wonderful ambiance (would highly recommend getting seated at the chefs counter, the chefs cooking is so impressive and it really is a show while you are eating), really fast service of food, and I will definitely definitely be back here. To start off: -Peach Spritz (3.5/5): very light and fruity, reminded me of an aperol spritz. Not the hugest prosecco fan though, hence the deduction -Sourdough with ricotta (5/5): my favorite thing on the menu by FAR. Would order it again and again, I would say it definitely beats the famous ricotta toast at Misi. The bread is toasted to perfection and has the perfect crunch, and the ricotta is was so light with its whipped texture, and the honey and simple seasonings complemented it so well. Absolutely to die for, I went to heaven with every single bite -Za'atar Kubeneh (4/5): solid bread, with a nice crunch on the exterior and fluffy interior. Less doughy than I expected and the sauces were so yummy. Definitely very fun to try. -King Ora Salmon (4/5): very delicious and refreshing, but nothing mind blowing. Tastes as you would expect, and has a nice tangy sauce -Hiramasa (3/5): my least favorite crudo. Not sure how much I love hiramasa, but it was paired with a piece of avocado underneath which made the dish less light than I would have liked For "mains": -Tomato salad (4.5/5): super light and refreshing with a very unique mix of flavors and texture. The sardines were also very yummy, but was not the hugest fan of the jelly -Miso cod (4.5/5): the cod was SO soft and tender, literally melted in your mouth. Because it was so tender and the sauce was a bit much, made the dish slightly heavier than I would have liked -Salmon collar (2/5): originally we wanted the miso cod collar but they didn't have it today. The salmon collar was tasty but a bit TOO fatty and the skin was a bit burnt which made it hard to eat (salmon skin is my absolute favorite). We kept eating it, but it eventually made us feel a bit greasy To end: -Lemon posset (5/5): honestly probably one of my top desserts I had at a restaurant. The posset is so light and almost has a european yogurt consistency and a light tangy lemon flavor, and it paired so well with the raspberry granita on top (sort of like a sorbet) I would come back and try other bread and meats!! -Lemon posset read more
Sat at the counter seats and watched every aspect of the meal being made, which is absolutely the way to go in experiencing this spot. There is a nice mix of culinary options to choose from what ultimately created quite a nice meal. Appetizers included the king salmon, which was delectable and such a buttery texture. Will almost never pass up an octopus dish, and glad I didn't pass up on this one. The whipped ricotta toast was truly the surprise of the night as it was maybe our favorite dish. Such an airy yet creamy texture and so well made. We got the falafel but probably could have skipped this- it didn't add much to the meal overall. The cod and lamb were our mains, both of which were great choices. The lamb dish itself was especially interesting as it came with four separate sauces to experience it with. Altogether a well-balanced meal and with the seating it was a great experience. read more
1 year ago
Wow. Somehow Theodora met and maybe even surpassed my expectations. I went to Miss Ada for the first time a few years ago and it has remained my favorite restaurant in this area. When I saw that the team was opening a new spot, I knew I'd need to rush there early before reservations became impossible. I was luckily able to snag a 9pm off the waitlist on Resy for this past Saturday and despite a lot of rain and a long subway ride, we stayed strong and made the trip. Our experience was five stars on every level: ambiance, drinks, food, service. Theodora may still be new but it's already made itself a formidable spot, one that deserves a lot of recognition. For better or for worse, I usually make a snap judgment about a restaurant's vibe when I walk in. In this case, it was in Theodora's favor. The decor is beautiful, with a lot of natural elements - tiles, stones, wood, plants, etc. Very tasteful and creative, like the menus. We got to sit at the counter which meant we got a front row seat to the action, which is always fun. One of the many things that makes Theodora attractive is a cocktail menu featuring three different martinis. All very creative. I got two of them, the Mayahuel (mezcal, black pepper, bayleaf, honey) and the Nammu Nammu (gin, manzanilla, caperberry). The third one was vodka-based which isn't my style. Both of these were absolutely fantastic. The Mayahuel was dangerously smooth, a great entry drink for those looking to get into martinis. The Nammu Nammu was like a really sophisticated dirty martini featuring caperberries instead of olives. Both are served with a little sidecar over ice which is always a nice touch. My husband's favorite drink of the night was the Aisha Quandisha (gin harissa, strawberry, egg white), a floral and fruity gin sour that was unique. Food-wise, Theordora is Mediterranean-leaning with some subtle Mexican influences. A lot of dishes are wood- and charcoal-fired though it's easy enough to find stuff that isn't, if it's not your thing. They say that everything here is served tapas-style other than the whole fish plates, and I'd say about 4-6 plates per person is best, all dependent on what you order. We got some of the lighter stuff and we were hungry to start so we went with six which worked well. Eats, below: Wood Fired Beets w/ salsa macha, balsamic reduction: A+ This dish was absolutely stunning and the flavors were on point. The wood fired element gave the beets a subtle smokiness, while the salsa macha added a little spice and nuttiness. Hiramasa w/ finger lime, avocado, dashi: A Our server told us this was his favorite of the crudos (there are many) and we really enjoyed it. Another beautiful presentation with delicate flavors. Wood Fired Broccolini w/ basil and dill dressing, crispy shallots, manchego: A I could've had three servings of this. The dressing was outstanding and could elevate any dish. Wood Fired Sweet Potato w/ creme fraîche, smoked paprika, almonds: A+ Yet another wood fired dish and this one was the best of the night. Decadent for a savory dish. Just super flavorful and delicious. Octopus w/ smoked shallots, pickled peppers, salmoriglio: A Yummy, tender, juicy, cooked to perfection octopus. A lot of the accompanying components are pretty common in octopus preparations but there were plenty of nuances that really elevated the dish. Black Cod w/ shallot beurre blanc, smoked fingerling potatoes: A+ There are few dishes better than black cod when it's prepared well. The cod was silky and smooth, the beurre blanc serving as its harmonious companion. Finally just a shoutout to the service here. Our server was great throughout, the folks working in the kitchen were friendly and efficient, and we even got a complimentary shot of tubi, an Israeli liqueur I had never heard of before but absolutely loved. Truly a five star experience all around. read more
This was the best Mediterranean restaurant I've been to in nyc! The open kitchen was so fun to watch since we were seated at the counters. Every dish was so good and the timing for each dish was perfect. On the reservation, it said it was my birthday so they gave me a candle on the cake. I was a little disappointed with just the candle to be honest. I heard that if it's your anniversary, they give you a free glass of champagne. Regardless, I will be coming back! read more
Wow. Absolutely blown away. The bar program, the vibes, the service, the food. Can I give Theodora more stars? I got in at the bar with no wait on a saturday evening. The music is the perfect volume, the decor, design work in perfect cohesion with the restaurant. You can see just how delicately and meticulously crafted this space was made. Oh, and the pomona? Fire. An insanely balanced mezcal crusher. You get the funkiness of the mezcal while the mango and passionfruit harmoniously intercede to ensure it does not overpower. The za'tar was insane. Light, airy, and all of the dips were great. The tomato aioli was acidic and tart. I think the harissa was my favorite though. The broccolini was incredible as well. Charred to perfection with a zesty sauce adding the perfect salty, tang. But, the prawns are the star. Wow, pineapple, cilantro, habanero... a match made in heaven. The prawns were cooked beautifully and the habanero did not heat things up too much. It was very mild. Of course, the pineapple came in with some sweetness, and the cilantro was just the final touch. Theodora, do not tell my girlfriend, but you have my heart. This set the bar high for new york restaurants moving forward. Innovative, classy. Accessible. Oh, and the bartender was a magician. He worked seamlessly with his tools crafting up some phenomenal drinks while providing excellent service, cheers! read more
Shocked there aren't a ton of reviews for this place yet since it is buzzin' right now. Couldn't snag a resy so needed to stand online at 5pm on a Friday to snag a bar seat. Luckily, it worked. Bar is beautiful. There is a proper bar and a chef's / kitchen bar you can sit at. Service was friendly brooklynish. We started with the za'atar bread - the sauces that it comes with it are so fresh and delicious. Then we had the shrimp - really good as it had a nice balance of heat and sweet. Winter greens was a simple salad but very flavorful. Lastly, we had the cod and we were disappointed. The portion was very small for the price. The sauce was 10/10 but I couldn't get over what a tiny serving we received. Overall, they are doing a lot things right and welcome this gem to the 'hood. read more
a friend was able to snag a res and this has been on my list forever! however......it's hard for me to rave about a place when portions are small :( whipped ricotta toast - good and the brown butter added a rich nutty flavor, varied amount of honey made one sweeter than the other but still good. I do feel like all whipped ricotta toast is fairly similar though, but the brown butter was a unique twist kubaneh - some ppl said it's skippable but actually rlly liked it! super fluffy and warm, good sauces and zaatar swordfish skewer - honestly meh...also the texture of swordfish is a bit rubbery? sweet potato with crab - one of the most unique bites i've had in a while! a special standout and interesting flavor combos, tiny portions!!! crudo - decent but too small to rlly feel like I enjoyed it that much trout - actually liked the veggies under more than the trout itself LOL, buttery and fairly decent overall though I think a group of 2-3 is probably more optimal for portion to cost ratio but overall don't know if this place is worth the hassle bc I left hungry and didn't want to totally break the bank while there read more
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Ask the Community - Theodora
Are reservations absolutely necessary, or are walk-ins welcome ? How long is the wait usually
I would get there right at 5pm if you don't have a reservation but there's even a little line then. If you want to sit at the bar, you'll get seated faster. But I would recommend a reservation. They do take walkins but the wait is quite long.
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