1. The service is great, well trained and polite. 2. The food is out of this world, I’ve had the duck highly recommend it). 3. Great drinks ?
10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
Bri Bingham
Steak is overpriced and doesn’t have that much flavor - it’s a little dry. Shrimp were not good, and the mushrooms were just okay. Chicken was fine, sweet rolls were really good. I don’t think any of it is worth the price but the ambiance is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Alan Mahdoost
Very nice interpretation of Portuguese classics -- and a great addition to the Boston dining scene.
I'll focus here on the few dishes that could use some tweaks. The salt cod fitters are way too salty, which makes me think the bacalhau hadn't been soaked and rinsed sufficiently. The duck rice was a bit heavy on the meat and runny -- a landlubber's arroz caldoso. I'd have taken the traditional chouriço over the slow-cooked pork/beef, less broth, and more rice. The saffron here and in other dishes, though, was a nice touch. Piri piri was fantastic though in serious need of more of its namesake sauce! Super Bock on tap came from a stale keg. Nata dessert presented more like a quiche than a custard--this was probably the weakest dish.
Shrimp Mozambique and ameijoa à bulhão pato were excellent, as were the (admittedly non-Portuguese) mushrooms, a vegetarian dead-ringer for kebab koobideh!
Very friendly service! Would return in a heartbeat.
Sat at the small tables near the bar, we were told they’d move our drinks and apps to our table for dinner. We get to our table and they never brought our app over, so we told the server and she brought us over a half portion of the app and charged us for both, including the app they threw out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Rob Harrison
Great food, great service, great vibes. They were able to accommodate our large party and were so patient and kind with the young children! We tried a little bit of everything and it was all so good. I was feeling adventurous and tried the vodka verde, surprisingly good and made me feel healthy.
Kid-friendliness: So nice to our 2 and 4 year old
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Portuguese Sweet Rolls, Piri-Piri Chicken, Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
Natalie Hu
Enjoyed everything we ordered. Vegetarian dishes were rich in flavors. The octopus appetizer was particularly interesting- multiple layers of flavors and textures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John de Souza
Brought back wonderful memories of Portugal. Sitting at the bar was enjoyable and the servers were very friendly and helpful. The cocktails were amazing and the sweet Portuguese bread was delicious. The squash was perfectly cooked and went well with the cheese. The cabbage and white beans were fresh and amazing. I loved the cake with olive oil and salt and wished that down with a drier Madeira. Definitely worth coming here.
Jake Bridges
Run. Do not walk. Get all the fish dishes you can. Thank me later.
Came here on a double date in October 2024. We shared all our dishes- starting with the sweet rolls (we were on the hungrier side so we ended up ordering a second portion!), and the octopus. Secondis we tried were the mushrooms and carrot. Entree wise we got the grilled fish and the piri piri. Nat and I agreed that the top three were the octopus, mushrooms and grilled fish in that order. Will say the food in general was pretty heavily seasoned.
We had a delicious meal! We shared some small plates and loved everything. Our server was attentive and we felt very relaxed. I highly recommend trying it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Mushrooms, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
Alec Desmond
It's really good, and the service is top-notch. I went in thinking it was mostly Portuguese, but it’s really not. It’s a mix of Spanish and Portuguese dishes, with even a little Indian and north African influences.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Michelle A.
As my husband and I stepped into Baleia, we were immediately transported back to the nostalgic home-cooked meals of his childhood. This modern Portuguese restaurant in the heart of the South End has perfectly captured the essence of the rich culinary traditions that my husband grew up with.
We began our meal with one of my personal favorites - a soft, creamy cheese from the mountain region of Portugal. The salty, tangy notes paired beautifully with the crispy wafers served alongside. Next, we indulged in the sautéed clams, a local favorite that burst with the flavors of the sea. The cod croquettes were a revelation, reminding us both of the comforting dishes his mother used to make.
The service at the bar was unbelievable Mallory was attentive and knowledgeable, she guided us through the extensive wine list and cocktails to find the perfect pairing for our meal. The ambiance of the restaurant tied everything together, with warm lighting, modern decor, and an overall sense of celebration and family.
As we savored every bite, I could see the joy and nostalgia in my husband's eyes. Baleia has managed to capture the essence of those cherished home-cooked meals, celebrating the richness of life and the importance of family. I can't wait to return and create more memorable moments at this hidden gem in South End of Boston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salt Cod Bolinhos, Pasteis De Nata, Steamed Clams
Kristi Hoagland
Phenomenal! We absolutely loved the food and the vibe of this restaurant. The staff was also very kind! Highly recommend!
Trendy bistro spin on Portuguese classics, all well executed and delicious. The service was especially good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Greens, Portuguese Sweet Rolls, Duck Rice, Salt Cod Bolinhos
I have to say it, this restaurant is amazing.
1. The service is great, well trained and polite.
2. The food is out of this world, I’ve had the duck highly recommend it).
3. Great drinks ?
10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
Steak is overpriced and doesn’t have that much flavor - it’s a little dry. Shrimp were not good, and the mushrooms were just okay. Chicken was fine, sweet rolls were really good. I don’t think any of it is worth the price but the ambiance is amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Very nice interpretation of Portuguese classics -- and a great addition to the Boston dining scene.
I'll focus here on the few dishes that could use some tweaks. The salt cod fitters are way too salty, which makes me think the bacalhau hadn't been soaked and rinsed sufficiently. The duck rice was a bit heavy on the meat and runny -- a landlubber's arroz caldoso. I'd have taken the traditional chouriço over the slow-cooked pork/beef, less broth, and more rice. The saffron here and in other dishes, though, was a nice touch. Piri piri was fantastic though in serious need of more of its namesake sauce! Super Bock on tap came from a stale keg. Nata dessert presented more like a quiche than a custard--this was probably the weakest dish.
Shrimp Mozambique and ameijoa à bulhão pato were excellent, as were the (admittedly non-Portuguese) mushrooms, a vegetarian dead-ringer for kebab koobideh!
Very friendly service! Would return in a heartbeat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Mushrooms, Piri-Piri Chicken, Shrimp Mozambique, Steamed Clams
Sat at the small tables near the bar, we were told they’d move our drinks and apps to our table for dinner. We get to our table and they never brought our app over, so we told the server and she brought us over a half portion of the app and charged us for both, including the app they threw out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Great food, great service, great vibes. They were able to accommodate our large party and were so patient and kind with the young children! We tried a little bit of everything and it was all so good. I was feeling adventurous and tried the vodka verde, surprisingly good and made me feel healthy.
Kid-friendliness: So nice to our 2 and 4 year old
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Portuguese Sweet Rolls, Piri-Piri Chicken, Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
Enjoyed everything we ordered. Vegetarian dishes were rich in flavors. The octopus appetizer was particularly interesting- multiple layers of flavors and textures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brought back wonderful memories of Portugal. Sitting at the bar was enjoyable and the servers were very friendly and helpful. The cocktails were amazing and the sweet Portuguese bread was delicious. The squash was perfectly cooked and went well with the cheese. The cabbage and white beans were fresh and amazing. I loved the cake with olive oil and salt and wished that down with a drier Madeira. Definitely worth coming here.
Run. Do not walk. Get all the fish dishes you can. Thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Fish, Portuguese Sweet Rolls
Exceptional service and delicious food! We learned so much about Portuguese wines — it was fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salt Cod Bolinhos, Octopus Carpaccio
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here on a double date in October 2024. We shared all our dishes- starting with the sweet rolls (we were on the hungrier side so we ended up ordering a second portion!), and the octopus. Secondis we tried were the mushrooms and carrot. Entree wise we got the grilled fish and the piri piri. Nat and I agreed that the top three were the octopus, mushrooms and grilled fish in that order. Will say the food in general was pretty heavily seasoned.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Grilled Mushrooms, Portuguese Sweet Rolls, Octopus Carpaccio
We had a delicious meal! We shared some small plates and loved everything. Our server was attentive and we felt very relaxed. I highly recommend trying it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Mushrooms, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Duck Rice, Pasteis De Nata
It's really good, and the service is top-notch. I went in thinking it was mostly Portuguese, but it’s really not. It’s a mix of Spanish and Portuguese dishes, with even a little Indian and north African influences.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
As my husband and I stepped into Baleia, we were immediately transported back to the nostalgic home-cooked meals of his childhood. This modern Portuguese restaurant in the heart of the South End has perfectly captured the essence of the rich culinary traditions that my husband grew up with.
We began our meal with one of my personal favorites - a soft, creamy cheese from the mountain region of Portugal. The salty, tangy notes paired beautifully with the crispy wafers served alongside. Next, we indulged in the sautéed clams, a local favorite that burst with the flavors of the sea. The cod croquettes were a revelation, reminding us both of the comforting dishes his mother used to make.
The service at the bar was unbelievable Mallory was attentive and knowledgeable, she guided us through the extensive wine list and cocktails to find the perfect pairing for our meal. The ambiance of the restaurant tied everything together, with warm lighting, modern decor, and an overall sense of celebration and family.
As we savored every bite, I could see the joy and nostalgia in my husband's eyes. Baleia has managed to capture the essence of those cherished home-cooked meals, celebrating the richness of life and the importance of family. I can't wait to return and create more memorable moments at this hidden gem in South End of Boston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salt Cod Bolinhos, Pasteis De Nata, Steamed Clams
Phenomenal! We absolutely loved the food and the vibe of this restaurant. The staff was also very kind! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Portuguese Sweet Rolls, Duck Rice
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