Kava Neo-taverna

The food was excellent and came out quick and the service was great. My big complaint is that the music was SO loud that we couldn’t hear each other or the server, and the room was SO dark we couldn’t read the menu or see the food well. We’re young and used to lively restaurants but this was extreme - like they were trying to drown out all of our senses to make the food taste better? As much as I loved the food, I don’t suggest going here if you are hard-of-hearing or visually impaired, and most older people would not do well in this setting. Very odd.

Since it is a small venue, it would be wrong to go without a reservation. The atmosphere is very dim and chic. As a Greek, I can say that the food is amazing. We tried the sea bass, calamari and octopus, they were all delicious. We looked for a place to park the car for about ten minutes, but this can be a problem.

Classic Greek food served in an intimate bar setting. Nestled in the residential neighborhood in South End, KAVA is a popular spot among the locals for authentic Greek cuisines served tapas-style. I recently took a visit for a light Mediterranean meal paired with wine, but the overall experience didn't quite live up to its good reviews. From their small plates, we got their signature Kolokithakia and Octapodi. Spiked into a cool and creamy tzatziki dip, the fried zucchinis were excellent bites with our drinks, and the grilled octopus had a nice smoky flavor. Since most of the things we ordered were seasoned with lemon and olive oil, we switched gears with the Saganaki Garides, a mildly spicy shrimp dish reminiscent of a tomato stew, which stood out with its tender shrimps. Our entree, however, was quite disappointing. We got the mixed grill to sample a variety of meats, but most of the meat skewers and sausages were notably dry. These were no better than the ones sold at Mediterranean fast food joints, and we ended up leaving the chicken and the sausage. The only thing that we liked was the paidaka - grilled lamb, which we found to be extremely tender. Overall, KAVA shines in its smaller seafood offerings and provides a charming ambiance for wine and conversation, it may not be the best option for satisfying Greek food. The intimate bar setting and modern vibe are its unique selling points, but for now, I'm not sure if I would return.

A staple, very good food and vibes. Highly recommend the zucchini chips and the lamb keftedes. Most of the tomato based dishes tasted identical - I don’t know if they use the same sauce for all dishes or what, but it takes away variety and excitement from the experience. Cauliflower was super spicy, didn’t expect the spice level. Cheese was okay, probably wouldn’t order again.

Probably my favorite restaurant in the south end! I’m already dreaming about going back. The food is sooooo good. Everything is so fresh and tasty. The staff is so friendly and make you feel so welcome! The vibe is always very lively. We ordered the zucchini chips, chicken skewers and the horiatiki. Can’t wait to come back!

Great place that I had been meaning to try for so long. Prices are normal for the area albeit still expensive but the food, ambiance was worth it! Pictures here are the zucchini chips (5/5), lamb meatballs (4/5), octopus (4/5), and cauliflower (3/5). I’d get everything again except the cauliflower - it wasn’t bad at all I would just want to try something else.

Kava Neo-Taverna is one of Boston's hottest restaurants and having now dined there, I totally get why. The atmosphere, the extensive menu options, and the quality of the food and service made for a memorable dinner experience that I cannot recommend enough...assuming you can get a reservation. Even as we left at nearly 11PM on a Saturday, they were still slammed, both inside and on their patio. We split a variety of appetizers and each was just as good as the next. We kicked things off with Tirokafteri ($8), a spicy feta dip, and it was superb. It was creamy and had the right level of spice. We wish they had served it with pita instead of rather average-at-best slices of bread but we still enjoyed the dip itself. Then came feta psiti ($14) which is a filo pastry with feta inside, sprinkled with a few sesame seeds and drizzled with honey was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was scrumptious and I cannot wait to order some again, next time, and I won't be sharing! The Gigantes ($13) were giant Lima beans baked with some tomatoes and garlic and were both creamy, and tasty. The Kolokithakia ($19) was a brilliant (and stunning) yet simple dish of fried zucchini sliced. Each was perfectly breaded and fried crisp. Light and oh so tasty, and paired with some Tzatziki. It's one of their best selling dishes for a reason and is awesome. Lastly to round out our meal we also split a Horiatiki salad ($16)which was also tasty. The capers were a nice touch. Service was friendly, attentive and shared great recommendations. I cannot wait to return to what is now one of my favorite restaurants in town. Prices are reasonable considering the quality of the food and they also have an extensive wine list and food options that will accommodate even the pickiest of eaters. Just keep in mind that the inside, when busy, can be a little crammed and that you would do best to get a reservation.