Oleana

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge
(617) 661-0505

Recent Reviews

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twin123185

Was lucky to get a reservation and happy I went. Great service and decent prices. Very energetic restaurant - totally packed on a Tuesday night. Ricotta dumplings, potato hummus, lamb moussaka, lemon chicken, plus some desserts all great. Excellent teas and coffees too.

burakbC9812SO

We went to Oleana for dinner as a family of four, and I left genuinely disappointed. For a restaurant that presents itself as Turkish or even Turkish-inspired, the flavors, textures, and overall palette had almost nothing to do with Turkish cuisine. And at around $80 per person, you would expect either the food, the service, or the ambiance to stand out — unfortunately, none did. Ambiance: The atmosphere felt more like a very modest mom-and-pop restaurant than a fine-dining experience. There’s nothing authentic or thoughtfully put together about the space — it completely lacks the warmth or character you’d expect from a restaurant at this price point. Service: From the moment we arrived, no one smiled or offered a warm welcome. The staff seemed disengaged and unhappy to be there. At one point, we even found a small ant in my son’s glass of water, and rather than apologizing, the staff acted inconvenienced. Service throughout the evening was slow and inattentive — we had to wave multiple times just to get attention. It’s clear the team lacks proper training or awareness of basic hospitality standards. Food: The food was mediocre at best, and some dishes were so off that we couldn’t finish them. Classics like moussaka and sarma had neither the authentic flavors nor the presentation that defines Turkish cuisine. Portions were tiny and the prices unreasonably high. Most small plates come with just two portions, so for a family of four, you’d have to order two plates just to get one small bite each — often costing $30 for a single bite per person. Desserts and Coffee: The desserts were another major disappointment. We tried three different options, and all were overwhelmingly sweet and unbalanced — none had any real Turkish identity. Even the Turkish coffee was mishandled. In Turkey, you’re always asked your sweetness preference; here, they simply brought a sugary version without asking. While the coffee itself was decent, it’s clear they don’t understand the culture or the details that make Turkish coffee special. Overall, Oleana felt confused in its concept, careless in its execution, and overpriced for what it offers. If they rebranded as a Middle Eastern–Mediterranean fusion restaurant, they might get away with the inconsistencies — but calling this “Turkish” is misleading. The restaurant desperately needs a real Turkish chef to recalibrate the flavors and restore authenticity. This was, without question, one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had in years. I would not recommend Oleana if you’re looking for genuine Turkish food or value for your money.

Alok Rathi

We went here to celebrate a birthday with our family, for which we made a reservation weeks in advance. 2 young kids. The food was decent and would strongly recomend the Topik. We found it to be extremely good.

However what ticked us off was the service. The kids became impatient after a while and we had to eventually get our food to go. However, even after getting our food packed, had to wait another 10 odd minutes just waiting to get a check. The server attended a table next to us never bothering to check on us. We eventually got up to pay at the register directly, really annoyed with the entire experience. Would not visit here again!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

Catherine McCandless

Finally got a reservation at Oleana after wanting to go for some time now. The food was delicious. We had the deviled eggs, Kubba, Fatteh, Za'atar bread, ricotta dumplings, and two desserts (apple cider donuts and profiteroles). The plates are small so we didn't feel full until after the two desserts. Cocktails were good and service was excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Gerd Goette

Delicious food, nicely presented. Lots of choices, so there is something for everybody. Staff is very friendly. The place can get quite busy and seating is a bit tight.
Overall highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Grant Randall

Why try the rest?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kodumuri Alekhya

The service this time felt a bit less attentive than on previous visits. The Baked Alaska was excellent, and we really enjoyed the cauliflower fatteh. However, a few of the other dishes didn’t quite meet the high standard I remembered from before.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Baked Alaska

Lindsay Semmelman

Great service, great food, great vibe! Topher was amazing and so was the baked Alaska!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Rob gran

All of her restaurants are good and Oleana is the flagship. Food is excellent, service is good, but the atmosphere feels very congested and the furnishings and decor don't add anything to the ambiance.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Mark Aengenheyster

This might be my favorite restaraunt in the Boston area. Each item is its own tapestry of intense flavors. 3 items is not enough for hungry man, 4 is maybe too much.
It’s crowded and noisy, you’re sitting 6 inches from other patrons.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

annevmartin

This was truly a fine culinary experience! Mediterranean cuisine at its finest! All plates are small portions, but my daughter and I shared the whole meal. We had the fatteh and the deviled eggs appetizers. The eggs have tuna in them and are amazing. From there we tried the halumi cheese & ricotta dumplings. We tried the chicken limoncello with Za’tar and the beef dish (don’t remember the name). All were superb! We heard that the baked Alaska was to die for, but we were too full to try it! We sat outside where they have a little garden and it was perfect for a chilly evening! Would recommend everything about this place! It was a great experience.

Victoria Morin

Food was beautifully presented and tasted great. However the enjoyment of our meal was cut short by a mouse joining us on the patio. We requested to be moved indoors which was accommodated. Recommend avoiding the outdoor seating if possible.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Barbara Lyapneva

Huge respect for the vegan menu and the vegan desert! Really delicious small plates - great for a dinner when you want to try a little bit of everything and such delicious cocktails too

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Navya Shetty

Za’tar bread and fatten were definitely my favorite. I enjoyed all the dishes. Especially the meat ones, wasn’t the biggest fan of their shrimp but seething else especially the baked Alaska and lamb were phenomenal.

Recommended dishes: Baked Alaska, Fatteh

Aaron Collins

I recently had the most delightful dining experience at an incredible restaurant 😋. Their falafel was absolutely amazing, bursting with flavor and perfectly crispy. I also indulged in the half-chicken, which was cooked to perfection and incredibly juicy. The beautiful patio provided the perfect setting for a relaxing meal and made it so enjoyable. I highly recommend visiting this place if you are looking for a great restaurant experience 💯. Overall, it was a wonderful evening! #FalafelLove #PatioDining #FoodieAdventures

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fatteh, Spinach Falafel, Lemon Chicken, Scallops

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