This was our first visit and it was a true unexpected WOW! Skye was our guide through a delightful exploration starting with an array of their small plates (we love exploring a new venue through a sampling of the starters). We then shared one of their entries (which itself was a delightful combination including a wonderful hummus, peta, a Greek salad, etc.). We're already planning our return.
Chicken kabob and chicken wasn't fully cooked. We were told it would be replaced and we wouldn't be charged. Manager came by to apologize and offered free drink. Got the drink, but got charged for the kabob. We were fine with what was promised but not with what got delivered. Didn't even drink the drink. Server was excellent though.
Edward
Super friendly, excellent customer service and food was outstanding (We had the Octopus, hummus & Pizzas). Took my mom for her birthday and the smiling hostess wished her a happy birthday. Our server was just a friendly and we couldn't have asked for a more friendly place to take my mom. Food was very tasty. I will definitely come back for more. Thank you again for the awesome service!
o2eats
I met an old friend there, and they were kind enough to seat us in a booth. The food was good, but not great. The service was very good, as was the wine. Nice place. I'll be back.
Vela was a very pleasant experience! The interior has a very quaint, modern vibe and the staff was super nice. The menu had a good variety of options, and I was very happy with the serving size for the price! Will be coming back
ChristieW
My experience was horrible and we left about 5 minutes after arriving. I made a reservation which honestly probably didn't need because you were dead only to be sat at a horrible table waving the sun when there were at least 10 other tables to chose from. When asked to be moved ahead said it would be like 5 minutes (again you're dead) so we sat at the bar for a drink and left. Hostess was a joke and was playing in her phone. Don't sit someone in the bright sunset glaring in your eyes when there are plenty of other tables.
Mari O.
I'm standing food outstanding service. Can't wait until I can go back again... and the price was right.
Ronee A.
I rarely make low reviews, but my visit here was awful. We had a reservation and showed up on time. it was Saturday night, but they were not overly busy. We were first greeted (I feel like confronted is more appropriate) by an extremely rude and cold hostess. She rudely informed us that we would have to sit outside since they had no seating inside. There was plenty of seating inside but okay, fine, even though it was cold and windy, they have space heaters. WRONG! She took us to the furthest table from the space heater that was working, the one next to us was out of order. She threw our menus on the table and walked away. The working space heater had an empty table next to it just waiting to be cleaned, that we had hoped we could move to. But the server then took around 20 mins to come and just take out drink orders. Ten minutes later he finally came back with our waters (we didn't even order cocktails!) and to take our food order. The server was also rude and acted like we were being a burden to him to give him our orders. It was so uncomfortable. At this point the table next to the heater still hasn't been cleared. Our food finally comes like more than half an hour later. Only one of the dishes out of 5 was still hot. The flavor was actually good and I would have loved this place if only for the actual food. At this point we have been there so long, we are ready to leave. We eat very quickly so we can move on and then have to once again wait forever for the to go box, the checks, etc. We left and the table next to the heater STILL hadn't been cleared. If it were for service I would give ZERO stars, but since the food was decent, they get two.
Olesya P.
Came here for Sunday brunch, it was pretty empty. They had some live music outside. We had hummus, octopus and patatas bravas to start. Both dishes were great. We also shared some pizza. I had fish dish for the main. We ordered some non alcoholic cocktails that were great as well. Service wasn't great. Each of us asked her to bring water and she didn't, so we had to get a bottle of water from the car. Not sure why she ignored the request 4 times. Also she didn't bring plates so we could share food. Restaurant is very cute inside, very nice location but service was pretty bad.
Wayne O.
The oyster mushrooms are delicious and very vegan. I can't say enough. They made are night out so enjoyable!!!
Really nice place to enjoy a good meal. Servers are super friendly and attentive. Their Mythos lager is delicious! The cauliflower app is very good but their tzatziki sauce is just ok. Their lasagna is delicious!!!! Must have.
cmb813
Food, cocktails and wine were excellent. I had the octopus for an appetizer and the oyster mushroom dish for my entree, which I would definitely come back for! Our service was extremely slow and it wasn't a particularly busy night. It took almost 40 minutes for my husband to get a drink from the time we were seated and the server didn't make herself particularly available.
Hallie L.
A friend and I ate here a couple days ago and it was amazing. The restaurant is beautiful inside and looks like you traveled to Athens, Greece. Our server was super nice and had answers to any questions we had. The food was delicious and it was difficult trying to select one entree. Will definitely be back to try more!
Khalil M A.
Food is great. However, service was the worst service I've ever had. Rude host on Saturday night and waiter came to our table in 20 minutes with waters with bad attitude, dirty tables left with out cleaning. I had reservations and was sat outside in the cold with the heater out of order. Worst experience ever. They could have at least seated us by the one heater that was working but they left the table dirty next to the heater for 45 minutes. Then when the food finally came after a long time, the rude host brought it out and dropped it on the table and took off so fast that we couldn't even ask for silverware. We were then left out in the cold, without even being able to eat, waiting for our silverware.
David Prado
Everything was perfect! The food, the service, the location! Vela has every detail down to the volume of the music and their wine selection down to a fine T! What can I say but exceptional! Thank you so much to Ashley our server, she was phenomenal and paced our dinner perfectly, while managing a full bar of guests. Kudos to her for making one of the best tasting Espresso Martinis in Tampa! Food has Rocca shook and drinks have Luv Child BEAT. For an added bonus come on hospitality night.To the owner … you ate this up! Bravo’
This was our first visit and it was a true unexpected WOW! Skye was our guide through a delightful exploration starting with an array of their small plates (we love exploring a new venue through a sampling of the starters). We then shared one of their entries (which itself was a delightful combination including a wonderful hummus, peta, a Greek salad, etc.). We're already planning our return.
Chicken kabob and chicken wasn't fully cooked. We were told it would be replaced and we wouldn't be charged. Manager came by to apologize and offered free drink. Got the drink, but got charged for the kabob. We were fine with what was promised but not with what got delivered. Didn't even drink the drink. Server was excellent though.
Super friendly, excellent customer service and food was outstanding (We had the Octopus, hummus & Pizzas). Took my mom for her birthday and the smiling hostess wished her a happy birthday. Our server was just a friendly and we couldn't have asked for a more friendly place to take my mom. Food was very tasty. I will definitely come back for more. Thank you again for the awesome service!
I met an old friend there, and they were kind enough to seat us in a booth. The food was good, but not great. The service was very good, as was the wine. Nice place. I'll be back.
Vela was a very pleasant experience! The interior has a very quaint, modern vibe and the staff was super nice. The menu had a good variety of options, and I was very happy with the serving size for the price! Will be coming back
My experience was horrible and we left about 5 minutes after arriving. I made a reservation which honestly probably didn't need because you were dead only to be sat at a horrible table waving the sun when there were at least 10 other tables to chose from. When asked to be moved ahead said it would be like 5 minutes (again you're dead) so we sat at the bar for a drink and left. Hostess was a joke and was playing in her phone. Don't sit someone in the bright sunset glaring in your eyes when there are plenty of other tables.
I'm standing food outstanding service. Can't wait until I can go back again... and the price was right.
I rarely make low reviews, but my visit here was awful. We had a reservation and showed up on time. it was Saturday night, but they were not overly busy. We were first greeted (I feel like confronted is more appropriate) by an extremely rude and cold hostess. She rudely informed us that we would have to sit outside since they had no seating inside. There was plenty of seating inside but okay, fine, even though it was cold and windy, they have space heaters. WRONG! She took us to the furthest table from the space heater that was working, the one next to us was out of order. She threw our menus on the table and walked away. The working space heater had an empty table next to it just waiting to be cleaned, that we had hoped we could move to. But the server then took around 20 mins to come and just take out drink orders. Ten minutes later he finally came back with our waters (we didn't even order cocktails!) and to take our food order. The server was also rude and acted like we were being a burden to him to give him our orders. It was so uncomfortable. At this point the table next to the heater still hasn't been cleared. Our food finally comes like more than half an hour later. Only one of the dishes out of 5 was still hot. The flavor was actually good and I would have loved this place if only for the actual food. At this point we have been there so long, we are ready to leave. We eat very quickly so we can move on and then have to once again wait forever for the to go box, the checks, etc. We left and the table next to the heater STILL hadn't been cleared. If it were for service I would give ZERO stars, but since the food was decent, they get two.
Came here for Sunday brunch, it was pretty empty. They had some live music outside. We had hummus, octopus and patatas bravas to start. Both dishes were great. We also shared some pizza. I had fish dish for the main. We ordered some non alcoholic cocktails that were great as well. Service wasn't great. Each of us asked her to bring water and she didn't, so we had to get a bottle of water from the car. Not sure why she ignored the request 4 times. Also she didn't bring plates so we could share food. Restaurant is very cute inside, very nice location but service was pretty bad.
The oyster mushrooms are delicious and very vegan. I can't say enough. They made are night out so enjoyable!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Really nice place to enjoy a good meal. Servers are super friendly and attentive. Their Mythos lager is delicious! The cauliflower app is very good but their tzatziki sauce is just ok. Their lasagna is delicious!!!! Must have.
Food, cocktails and wine were excellent. I had the octopus for an appetizer and the oyster mushroom dish for my entree, which I would definitely come back for! Our service was extremely slow and it wasn't a particularly busy night. It took almost 40 minutes for my husband to get a drink from the time we were seated and the server didn't make herself particularly available.
A friend and I ate here a couple days ago and it was amazing. The restaurant is beautiful inside and looks like you traveled to Athens, Greece. Our server was super nice and had answers to any questions we had. The food was delicious and it was difficult trying to select one entree. Will definitely be back to try more!
Food is great. However, service was the worst service I've ever had. Rude host on Saturday night and waiter came to our table in 20 minutes with waters with bad attitude, dirty tables left with out cleaning. I had reservations and was sat outside in the cold with the heater out of order. Worst experience ever. They could have at least seated us by the one heater that was working but they left the table dirty next to the heater for 45 minutes. Then when the food finally came after a long time, the rude host brought it out and dropped it on the table and took off so fast that we couldn't even ask for silverware. We were then left out in the cold, without even being able to eat, waiting for our silverware.
Everything was perfect! The food, the service, the location! Vela has every detail down to the volume of the music and their wine selection down to a fine T! What can I say but exceptional! Thank you so much to Ashley our server, she was phenomenal and paced our dinner perfectly, while managing a full bar of guests. Kudos to her for making one of the best tasting Espresso Martinis in Tampa! Food has Rocca shook and drinks have Luv Child BEAT. For an added bonus come on hospitality night.To the owner … you ate this up! Bravo’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Carbonara