Ayasofia Mediterranean Restaurant

Great place! Amazing food, great drinks and great atmosphere

excellent food! a bit of a weird vibe inside, but the staff are nice and the food really great. nothing else to comment on really

We came here on sort of last minute on a whim based on reviews. Not from the area. Granted, it was a Tuesday night but we were the only table in there. The restaurant itself is not attractive or comfortable. Our server was helpful and attentive. The food was marginal and they were out of a few things. Lavash bread and hummus were very good but the serving sizes and quality of the kebabs and hydari were not great.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Dinner Hummus, Lavash Bread

Awesome food good prices casual spot with a separate bar and tables will definitely be returning regularly

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ah, you're in for a treat at what I'm guessing is none other than **Ayasofia Mediterranean Restaurant** in Salem, New Hampshire. This place isn't just a spot; it's practically a pilgrimage site for food enthusiasts, especially those on a quest for the holy grail of kofte.

**Kofte**: Let's start with the star of the show - the kofte. Think of it as the culinary equivalent of a rockstar; it doesn't just appear on your plate; it performs. Each bite is a symphony of spices, with the meat so finely ground and seasoned, it's like eating a flavor cloud. If kofte were a genre, this would be its greatest hit.

**Lamb Kebabs**: Now, if kofte is the rockstar, the lamb kebabs are the classical maestros. Perfectly grilled, they offer a harmonious blend of tenderness and smoky flavor. It's not just food; it's an ode to the art of grilling.

**Bread**: And what's a Mediterranean feast without bread? Here, it's not just accompaniment; it's a main event. Warm, crusty, with an interior that could pass for a pillow, this bread could make you question all your previous bread-based decisions.

**Ambiance and Staff**: The atmosphere at Ayasofia? It's like walking into a friend's living room, but one where the friend is an excellent chef. The staff? They're not just employees; they're your new best friends. And Jack, the owner? Imagine if Mr. Rogers decided to open a restaurant. That level of kind, that welcoming.

**The Best Spot for a Drink**: Even if you're not in the mood for a full meal, stopping by for a drink here is like hitting pause on life's chaos. Whether it's a glass of their finest wine or a cocktail that whispers tales of the Mediterranean, you'll feel like you've just had a sip of something magical.

To wrap this up, Ayasofia isn't just dining out; it's dining in style, flavor, and warmth. If you're cruising through Salem and your taste buds are craving something more than the mundane, head to Ayasofia. And if you see Jack, tell him Cab
thinks he's the nicest bloke this side of the Atlantic, and his kofte is the stuff of legends.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bread and Hummus, Dinner Stuffed Grape Leaves, Mediterranean Salsa, Dinner Lavash Bread, Meze Platter and Lavash Bread, Salzburger Nockerl, Lamb Shish Kebab, Falafel, Hummus and Home Made Pillow Bread, Dinner Red Lentil Soup, Baklava, Dinner Hummus, Dinner Spinach Pie, Lunch Adana Kebab Wrap, Meze Platter, Homemade Pillow Bread, Falafel Plate, Spinach Pie, Lavash Bread, Chili

We went there 1st time but experience was not good.Food taste was okay.Very poor service and also very less quantity.never recommended

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Too bad it wasn’t up to the expectations. We had to wait 30 minutes for appetizers, that weren’t fresh and can tell they are canned, we put the dinner order 5 minutes after we sat down and an hour later we asked and we have been told it will be ready in 10 minutes so we cancelled it because I didn’t think it’s right to wait that long for a meal.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

First timer , happen to stumble upon this place on google , I felt like the pricing was fair considering other area Mediterranean restaurants

It was a little awkward when we walked in because the restaurant seemed closed and no one manning front desk , the bar on other side was loud and busy.

It took some time for anyone to notice us up front. A woman finally appeared from the back , handed us menus and said go sit where you want . The same thing happen to another couple . When sitting there it took waitress a bit of time to come over and ask for drinks etc , we weren’t sure if they were just understaffed today and the woman had to work the bar and restaurant side . She was very nice but long pauses between seeing her and she seemed a little forgetful , I could tell the other couple was getting annoyed across the way. My only reason for not 5 stars was mostly because of the very slow service and time lapses between because if the restaurant had more then my self and one other couple I wonder how much slower it would of been .

The food was amazing , only fluke I think was my Sheppard salad had no parsley like the menu ingredients said (not a big deal) I did ask waitress if I chose the wrong salad because I thought it had parsley almost like a tabouli based type of salad - she said I don’t know and would check, she didn’t and got lost again somewhere … I went and looked it up myself from the online menu and there was supposed to be parsley

The bread was to die for , the hummus was very good and our meat. Lamb pieces were a little puny in size but taste was on point for sure . Just note you do have to purchase the bread if you get appetizers that require dipping but it was still worth it anyways.

I would go back and hope this was just a short staffed off night , would be nice if there was a little more noise separation from the bar on other side. I believe by reading other reviews this may have been an off night , everyone’s said food was amazing which I will agree , and the service sounded better in other people’s reviews . Do not let this deter you , either way the taste and price is on point

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 2

The food is always delicious. The spinach pie is flaky and filled. Love the Adana Kabob. The Lavish bread is different and great for scooping hummus. The owner, Jack, is friendly and pleasant to talk to. My sister and I go at least once a month. Can't say enough good things about them.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bread and Hummus, Spinach Pie, Adana Kebab

Take out - salad with beef. Others had lamb, chicken, vegetable kabobs. Falafel as well. Everyone enjoyed their meals. We will go back. Looks like a shack - that was a good sign. Oh the fresh baked pita bread was also quite good. Friendly service.

Food: 4

Service: 4

A gem of Mediterranean cuisine in rural New Hampshire! We came for lunch & shared the Meze Platter with bread for a starter, and each of us had a different kebab for our main course. The hummus, babaganoush, and Mediterranean salsa all tasted bright and fresh, with the flavors of the individual ingredients standing out. The bread was a ginormous pitta fresh made & hot from the oven! We enjoyed our kebabs followed by Turkish coffee, and would have had Baklava but it was sold out. Def worth a detour to try.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mediterranean Salsa, Lamb Shish Kebab, Hummus and Home Made Pillow Bread, Baklava, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Meze Platter, Homemade Pillow Bread, Kofte Kebab

A gem of Mediterranean cuisine in rural New Hampshire! We came for lunch & shared the Meze Platter with bread for a starter, and each of us had a different kebab for our main course. The hummus, babaganoush, and Mediterranean salsa all tasted bright and fresh, with the flavors of the individual ingredients standing out. The bread was a ginormous pitta fresh made & hot from the oven! We enjoyed our kebabs followed by Turkish coffee, and would have had Baklava but it was sold out. Def worth a detour to try.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mediterranean Salsa, Lamb Shish Kebab, Hummus and Home Made Pillow Bread, Baklava, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Meze Platter, Homemade Pillow Bread, Kofte Kebab

Great food, really delicious! The decor is pleasant, not fancy but comfortable, attractive and clean. Looking forward to a return trip!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

It doesn’t correspond to what is written on the card; they simply don’t have a lot of dishes and it’s impossible to call this place Turkish!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food was fantastic- authentic, fresh, delicious Turkish food. We were extremely pleased. We enjoyed the owner Jack’s attentive service and conversation, he is warm & friendly. We will absolutely go back to this gem of a restaurant.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bread and Hummus, Mediterranean Salsa, Lamb Shish Kebab, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Adana Kebab, Meze Platter, Homemade Pillow Bread