South Bay Mediterranean Kitchen

It was good

South Bay was a fun place. The service was great and every person working there was also very positive and happy. I looked at a menu online and it was a menu from a previous year and the prices were around five dollars less than when I went to their website which was fine. Not a big deal that was my fault. But then once we got there, the menu prices were more expensive than what they had online which means they didn't update their website. Once again, not the end of the world, but the price point definitely put it at a premium establishment for New Haven. Portion size is what any normal human being should be intaking anyway so I was very pleased with the portion. However, that left two other variables, quality and price point. Although the food was fine, it was not worth the price. For the price either of these solutions would have been acceptable: a larger portion for a second meal as in leftovers or the same portion with better quality. I believe the price on their website would have been acceptable, and I would not have mentioned any of this if it were to have remained the same on their physical menu.

10 out of five this establishment was absolutely perfect from the beautiful clean, classy environment down to the food and every single employee. Everything was perfect. I tasted flavors in the dishes that I ate that I’ve never even had before. This was one of the best birthday dinners our family has had. They went out of their way to make it special at the end of the evening for my daughter. Absolutely amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was good. Some selections (risotto bites) were a tad under seasoned but the zucchini blossoms were spectacular! Chicken Milanese was excellent. Did not see hummus, baba ganoush, or other expected items on the menu of a Mediterranean restaurant. Sat us at a high top for 2 which posed some difficulty as we were sharing many plates. Would recommend overall but don't feel the need to rush back.

Great food, and quiet atmosphere

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Visited South Bay recently and was completely disappointed. The restaurant was unbearably hot and humid — made dining really uncomfortable. The staff were unfriendly and totally unhelpful, acting like they didn’t want to be there at all.

As for the food, it was honestly the worst I’ve had in a long time. The calamari and fries both tasted old and greasy, like they’d been sitting around forever. The pasta was salty and watery, making it almost inedible. Definitely not worth the price or the experience. Would not recommend!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We have eaten dinner here a couple of times before and always loved the experience. This time, my wife and I focused on the tapas menu. I was a little disappointed that they were out of scallops, but we had plenty of other offerings to choose from. We had the hanger steak, Sicilian meatballs, tater tots, and the sliders, along with a beet and goat cheese salad. Everything was great, although not necessarily exceptional. We really love this restaurant and think it is underrated. The Spanish restaurant next-door is just too loud for me.

Visited for lunch with friends. The little tables with high chairs are super uncomfortable for 4 people to dine. The AC was doing its best, probable inadequate for the space. The service was good. Happy with the waiter and the staff. Appetizers overall were well prepared. I liked the mussels and the salad. My black seabass was served raw. My wife did not eat her entree at all.

South Bay Mediterranean Kitchen is a hidden gem in Boston for fresh, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine. I ordered the lamb kebab platter — the lamb was tender, perfectly seasoned, and paired beautifully with the rice, hummus, and fresh salad. The portions are generous and well worth the price.

I also tried their falafel — crispy on the outside, soft inside, and not greasy at all. The pita bread was warm and fluffy, a perfect complement to the dips.

The space is clean, modern, and comfortable, making it a great spot for both quick lunches and relaxed dinners. Service was friendly and attentive, with staff happy to explain menu options.

If you’re craving authentic Mediterranean food in Boston, South Bay Mediterranean Kitchen should be on your list. The flavors are bold, ingredients are fresh, and everything is made to order. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved this place! The food was yum and the service was fantastic. Sarah was very attentive and genuine. I highly recommend this restaurant. Added bonus, they allow dogs on the patio. Definitely coming here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We were in the area traveling and decided to try South Bay. There were 4 of us , we loved the area , the decor and thought the menu options were creative and plentiful . We ordered several tapas starters and some delicious entrees and desserts . Albeit pricey but we know that going in and also what nice place with great service and delicious food isn’t at a premium these days . We didn’t leave a crumb on any of our plates . Hats off to the chef and the staff at South Bay . Truly an enjoyable experience .

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was amazing. Can't say enough about the scallops, tuna tartare, homemade pastas. Great service. 100% want to go back for more!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Reserved a time, however the door was locked and an employee starred right at us while walking away as we were trying to get his attention.

5PM dinner before show at Shubert, so not a lot of diners at this time. We were eating our apps when our friend saw the waiter come out of kitchen with our meals and must have noticed we were still working on the apps and turned back into the kitchen. The calarmari app was terrible, too much coating, too hard and way too salty. Mussels (app) were very good. 2 of us had Branzino, which was slightly overcooked. We both said the fish and the vegetables were very salty. We mentioned to the waiter how salty it was so the cook can make adjustments for future meals. (We weren't looking for a comp and didn't get one.) Shrimp Scampi was overcooked. Probably because our meals went back into the kitchen. Key lime pie and the tres leches were very good. After dinner when we asked to have them validate our parking, they said they were out of voucher tickets. After the show, leaving the parking garage, we had a conversation with the guy in the ticket booth. He asked where we had dinner and we told him and said they didn't have any more voucher tickets for us. He said they had come over earlier that evening and bought a bunch. Very disappointing b/c the parking was another $17 after spending a few hundred on dinner. The atmosphere was very nice especially with the large doors open to the patio. Overall, the food was a let down.

Consistently great quality food, lively but not boisterous atmosphere, and attentive service. A real gem in downtown New Haven.