Oleana

Akash N

6 months ago

Highly recommended! The space is stunning, and the staff took the time to genuinely guide us through the menu. It’s small plates, so plan on ordering 2-3 per person. Surprisingly, the vegetarian dishes completely outshone the meat. The Topik, Spinach Falafel, and Halloumi were absolute standouts (10/10). Conversely, the Vermont Quail Kebab (6.5/10) and Lamb Bucatini Pastitsio (6/10) fell flat; I’d skip those next time. For dessert, the Maple Dumpling (10/10) is non-negotiable, and the Kunefe (10/10) is excellent, but pass on the Baked Alaska (5/10). Overall, this is some of the best food I’ve had in Boston.

Summer Cao

2 months ago

Fatteh was the best! The flavor profile just really hit the spot for me. Followed by strawberry fattoush which is an amazing salad with all the different texture. And the swordfish was a very thoughtful and complicated dish with balanced aromatics. The beef was a little too salty and dry, and was not a huge fan of the zatar bread. But overall a good experience

Bharat Bhavsar (Rohan)

3 months ago

Really awesome experience. Being vegetarian we usually have limited option at good upscale restaurants. This one seems to an exception to that. Good selection and taste to all the options we tried. Staff is really welcoming and warm. Definitely recommend this place.

Ying Xiao

2 months ago

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

Roger Hopper

3 months ago

A wonderful meal in every way, with great service in a classy, romantic atmosphere. Stormalong cider is a perfect spiced treat, while their Kahve cocktail is a fantastic and nutty take on an espresso martini. Za'atar Bread, Haloumi Cheese, Carrot Borek, and Savoy Cabbage were all wonderful Vegetable plates; particularly enjoyed the fig jam on the Haloumi making for a cohesive savory and subtly sweet dish, while every aspect of the Borek was simply amazing, both must-tries on this menu. Sfumato and Cardamaro were fun Amaro pours, the rhubarb in the Sfumato shines in this less-bitter-than-usual Amaro, while the Cardamaro is like a mild Fernet Branca. Our Meat plates were all fabulous; the Adana Kebabi stole the show with its exquisitely seasoned and spiced lamb, another must-try, while both the Vermont Quail Kebab and Sultan's Delight were both beautifully plated and succulently tender and flavorful. The Baked Alaska and Pistachio Baklava are another pair of must-tries on the Dessert menu, with some exotic elements spicing up these wonderfully-executed classic dishes!

Amber C

5 months ago

Oleana is a neighborhood gem! Their unique and outstanding flavors are what we crave whenever we dine here. The Zatar bread is soft and delicious, great with the hummus bites and spreads. The lamb moussaka served in the delicata squash was so flavorful and sweet. The quail and deviled eggs are some of our usual favorites. Our meal always ends with the baked Alaska. It's quite sweet, especially with the passion fruit sauce, but the whole combination of burnt meringue, ice cream and coconut cookie bottom is great. The restaurant vibe is quaint and relaxed. The outdoor patio turns into a calm snowscape during the winter. Only complaint is that whenever the front door opens, there's a bit of a cold draft through the restaurant. We arrived early one time before 5:30 and were told to wait outside in the cold until they officially open, which was not great. Service is efficient. Overall, we always enjoy dining here and very much appreciate the creativity and flavors of the food.

Katherine Xia

6 months ago

A worthwhile recommendation from the Boston Michelin guide!! We had heard about Oleana many times and decided to try it for my husband’s birthday, and it was an absolute delight! The waitress was extremely knowledgeable about which dishes to get and recommended some of their longest standing dishes like the Fatteh and Sultan’s delight. The Fatteh was amazing - a mix of wonderful textures and flavors. We also got the topik which was so interesting and different than anything we’ve ever had and very delicious. Next, we ordered the scallops which were cooked to perfection in a light and mild cream sauce. The ricotta dumplings were not my favorite in terms of texture (I was expecting a softer filling), but the sauce and mushrooms were delightful. The fried perch was so nice and the roasted brussels sprouts were perfection. The sultans delight was tender and flavorful as well! I don’t know if it’s customary to order rice or some sort of bread/pita, we didn’t, but I think it would’ve been a nice addition. We finished with the chocolate basque cheesecake which was DIVINEEE. We would and immediately did recommend Oleana to our friends!

Kevin Tenorio

3 months ago

The food here is mesmerizing. I don't have the most knowledge about this type of cuisine, but one thing is for certain, my taste buds were blessed this evening—praise the Lawd for that! Each dish we got hit in very different ways. The textures and flavors of everything were perfectly tuned. My personal favorite was the topik. Literally, I can't even begin to describe these dishes. You just have to try them! Our favorite dessert was the hazelnut chocolate baklava. Decadent yet light. It was the best kind of baklava I've had anywhere personally. The service was very warm and prompt despite how busy it was. You can tell they're more than used to it. Make your way out here and treat yourself to a magical parade of flavors. I definitely recommend securing a reservation ahead of time since they're always poppin!

Tony Moze

2 months ago

INTRO: Went to Oleana to celebrate my mother's birthday, and from the moment we sat down, it felt like we chose the right place for something meaningful and memorable. SERVICE: The service here is thoughtful and polished. The staff made us feel welcomed, guided us through the menu, and handled the pacing of the meal perfectly. When it came time to celebrate my mother, they made it feel special without overdoing it, which I appreciated. It felt genuine. AMBIANCE: There is a calm, intimate energy here that makes it perfect for a celebration. It feels warm, slightly upscale, and very intentional. The kind of place where you can actually enjoy the people you are with, have real conversations, and settle into the experience without feeling rushed. FOOD: We tried a variety of dishes, and everything felt carefully crafted, but the standout for me was the Quail Kebob Lamb and Grape Leaf Tart. That dish was on another level. Melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich in flavor, and balanced in a way that makes you pause and really appreciate what you are eating. You can tell there is real attention to detail in the kitchen. For dessert, they made a special presentation for my mother, milk pudding, chocolate sorbet, and ice cream. It was the perfect ending to the meal, and honestly, seeing everyone at the table smiling made it hit even more. IMPRESSIONS: Oleana delivers more than just great food, it creates moments. Between the standout dishes, the thoughtful service, and the warm atmosphere, this was exactly the kind of place you want for a birthday celebration. We left full, happy, and all smiles, and that says everything.

Nancy

month ago

We came for a private event, and the food was delicious! Mediterranean-inspired shareable plates. My favorites were the short rib and Baked Alaska. Service was friendly. Looking at the prices, they seem reasonable. Beautiful restaurant. Deserving of being Michelin Recommended. I'd definitely come back on my own!