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Name: Desfina Restaurant
Address: 202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA, 02141
Telephone: (617) 868-9098
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.78

Desfina Restaurant

202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA, 02141

(617) 868-9098
Store is closed

Desfina Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Garlic Bread

Horta

Tzatziki

Scordalia

Taramosalata

Eggplant Salad

Octopus Grilled

Gigandes (Baked Lima Leaves)

Fried Calamari

Saganaki OPA

Fried Zucchini with Skordalia

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Dolmades(Grape Leaves)

Loukaniko(Greek Sausage)

Shrimp Grand Marnier

Pikilia(Assorted Appetizers)
Entrees

New York Steak

Tenderloin Tips

Beef Kebab

Chicken Kebab

Lamb Kebab

Gyros Plate

Lamb Chops

Pork Chops
From The Sea

Shrimp Desfina

Shrimp Kebab

Mussels Chablis

Bakalao
Homemade Soups

Homemade Soup
House Specialties

Roast Lamb

Baked Lamb

Dolmades

Mousaka

Pastichio
Salads

Greek Salad

Horiatiki (village salad)

Grilled Chicken Salad

Grilled Greek Chicken Salad

Garden Salad
Side Orders

Hand-Cut Home Fries

Roast Potatoes

Rice

Feta & Olives
Homemade Desserts

Rice Pudding

Galaktobouriko

Baklava

Kataifi
Beverages

20oz Bottles

Poland Spring Bottled Water (16oz)

Carbonated Poland Spring Bottled Water (16oz)

Arizona Green Iced Tea (23.5oz Can)

Healthy Meal suggestions for Desfina Restaurant

Appetizers

Garlic Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Horta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tzatziki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scordalia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taramosalata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Octopus Grilled [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gigandes (Baked Lima Leaves) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saganaki OPA [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Zucchini with Skordalia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dolmades(Grape Leaves) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Loukaniko(Greek Sausage) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Grand Marnier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pikilia(Assorted Appetizers) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

New York Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tenderloin Tips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Kebab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kebab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Kebab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gyros Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From The Sea

Shrimp Desfina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Kebab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Chablis [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bakalao [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Homemade Soups

Homemade Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specialties

Roast Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dolmades [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mousaka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastichio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Greek Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Horiatiki (village salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Greek Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Orders

Hand-Cut Home Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feta & Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Homemade Desserts

Rice Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Galaktobouriko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baklava [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kataifi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

20oz Bottles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poland Spring Bottled Water (16oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carbonated Poland Spring Bottled Water (16oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arizona Green Iced Tea (23.5oz Can) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Tani S.

This is our neighborhood Greek place... yes, the food isn't as good as the restaurants I've been back to in Chicago but the warm, tavern like atmosphere and the friendly waitresses who always perfectly prepare our take-out order always having us come back for more... We particularly enjoy the gyro plate as well as galaktobouriko (a yummy custard/phyllo pastry dessert).
(4)
Lisa E.

Desfina is adorable and affordable. You know it's authentic when you walk in the door. We were there on a Tuesday night and the owners were mingling with a group of regulars at the bar. The service was great and very attentive (plus they get a major bonus for our waiter being really hot). The food is some of the best Greek I have had. I think my favorite dish was the dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves, that they serve hot in this incredible buttery sauce. A lot of places serve them cold but the heat helps meld the flavors better. My main dish was the baked lamb, which was gigantic and gave me plenty to take home, and it was only $13.95! Everything was delicious and overall, it is just a pleasant atmosphere.
(4)
AB H.

Delicious, authentic Greek food. I went for lunch and had the spinach pie and moussaka. It came with a simple salad - nothing remarkable. I wish it had a little feta on it. Desfina has a diner sort of feel. Our waitress was super friendly. I'd definitely go again to try other dishes.
(3)
Ben K.

Desfina is definitely solid. We were in the area around lunchtime and popped in on the suggestion of my Greek friend (which is always good accolades for a choose-your-ethnicity restaurant). And it was.. solid. I got a gyro, which felt like it was actually made from lamb, and not an unidentifiable lamb/beef amalgamation, so props for that. The salads the two people I was with got looked very reasonable -- bright, fresh, and flavorful. The stand-out dish was the Greek fish appetizer which my in-the-know friend ordered off the menu (or at least, without looking for it on the menu. It may be there for the plebes). So, good food, not bad price, recommended by a really-truly Greek woman: what's the problem? Why 3 stars? No problem, really; it just didn't wow me. My sandwich was okay. The crinkle-cut fries were embarrassing. Seriously, Desfina. That's some middle-school cafeteria shit you're pulling. Salads looked fine, but again, nothing I haven't seen before. Maybe we were just ordering the wrong things; maybe dinner is a totally different experience. Maybe if you know more of the secret Greek handshake, you can get some phenomenal food. I'm not convinced. I'd go back again if I needed to catch lunch and I was nearby, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Krystle W.

Went here for dinner on a Tuesday night, and everything - and I mean everything - about this restaurant was outstanding. The prices are incredibly reasonable, the decor is charmingly homey (if just a tiny bit cheesy), the service is fast, friendly, and attentive, and the food... oh man, the food. My dinner partner and I shared Spanakopita as an appetizer, and the spinach was nicely balanced with the feta, and well seasoned. The phyllo was crisp and buttery, and the size was just right for two to share. For entrees, we ordered Dolmades and Pastichio. I was hesitant to try the Pastichio as I'm not a huge fan of mac-n-cheese, but it was perfect. The textures worked together, the cheese was amazingly creamy, the meat was delicately and interestingly spiced, and the pasta was cooked just right. I was pleasantly shocked by how much I liked it. It was accompanied my green beans in a tomato based sauce; it sounds simple but was spiced and flavored perfectly. I don't think I've ever liked a vegetable side quite so much as that one. Normally, I don't care for dolmadas with lemon sauce or meat, but apparently that's because I haven't had them made correctly. The ground lamb(?) mixed with the rice was amazingly seasoned (this seems to be a running theme here), and the egg-lemon sauce was a real surprise. It didn't really taste really like lemon or egg, but was a rich, creamy, tangy compliment to the meat and rice. We also split the Galaktobouriko for dessert and wow. We had originally wanted the rice pudding, but the waitress said this was her favorite; I'm glad we went with her recommendation. The custard was much firmer than most custards, the phyllo was crispy brown and drenched in honey, and it was again just enough for two to share. Beyond delicious. Even the salads were fresh and crispy, the dressing was fresh and not overpowering, and the feta was actual tangy, creamy feta - not cheap flavorless crap. The bread is also delicious. I would absolutely come back here again and again, and recommend it to anyone looking for authentic Greek food in a very friendly and welcoming establishment.
(5)
Renee G.

You know, there aren't really a lot of desirable sit down lunch options in the Kendall Square/East Cambridge area, which makes Desfina infinitely more appealing by comparison. Because you'd have to drag me to the Cheesecake Factory kicking and screaming - literally, not figuratively. Wait: scratch that. Desfina doesn't need to be compared to overcrowded, overrated restaurant chains to be infinitely appealing. It's sort of great. The atmosphere is no-frills, and they pack a lot of people into not a very big space, but the food is fantastic. The mussels, for instance - if I were more lingustically talented and had a lot of time on my hands, I could write a Keatsian ode to the mussels. A heaping pile (is that redundant?) of mollusks in a flavorful broth, served alongside thick slices of dense, moist, chewy country bread topped with chopped tomatoes, herbs and copious amounts of garlic, is pretty much my idea of heaven. Probably not my coworkers' idea, seeing that the garlic is raw and probably at least 3 or 4 cloves' worth, but no matter. It is so good, SO good, and in fact after my dining companion and I both ordered it, so did many of our neighbors. The shrimp Desfina is also great, and I like the fact that all meals are served with salad in addition to the de rigeur bread. This place is always crowded at lunchtime, and with good reason.
(4)
William L.

Good for lunch, although they're often understaffed. Don't expect to get in and out quickly. They do a damn good job for the number of waitresses they have and it's kind of exciting even! I love they're chicken gyro and steak sandwiches. They're exactly what you'd expect and tasty as hell. One thing that you wouldn't expect - they have an AWESOME big ass hamburger for like 7 bucks. It's a huge pattie on their tasty bread that I have never been able to finish the whole thing. The best place to grab a burger in Kendall is a greek restaurant? WTF? Dinner is less crazy and also good here. Only been in once for that but had some saganaki opa (FLAMING CHEESE!!!) and a delicious lamb dish. I love this place. If it were less of a cluster eff at lunch time I'd give it five stars.
(4)
Gina M.

I LOVE DESFINA! Their grilled octopus is divine, as is the spanikopita. It is a great place to go with a group of friends so you can share a bunch of things. And then, when the bill comes, I am usually shocked at how inexpensive the place is. Such a hidden gem.
(4)
Jason B.

Good, authentic Greek fare is hard to come by where I come from, so Desfina's was a real find. Great food, full bar, fantastic staff, nice setting, and even have some TVs (muted) showing whatever local game happens to be on. Highly recommended, and was added to my "go when I'm in Boston" list.
(5)
Niki W.

We were in town for the weekend and staying at the hotel down the road. We yelped a restaurant in the area and this place came up. I was not too into it at first - I was tired and hungry, but the food was awesome! The staff was really nice and helpful (we had a baby w/ us). The grilled squid, grilled octopus, whole fish, flaming cheese and drinks we had were excellent. If we didn't live in NY I would come here all the time.
(5)
j W.

Watch out for the upsell. Asked if we wanted feta on our salads and home cut fries or some such. Both added as extra cost on the bill. Not a lot of $$ but unprincipled.
(3)
S S.

Took my friend here for her birthday. Was very restaurant. Food was excellent, however, we were disappointed that they did not have any lamb chops that day. We both got the grilled lamb loin, which was quite delicious. We also ordered the cheese appetizer just so that we could her the waitress screen Opah!
(4)
Bryanne R.

It's been voted best by a lot, but I'm still a bit skeptical. My big suggestion is that they explain what some of the items on the menu are better - especially for those of us with Greek knowledge that extends only to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I did have some tasty calamari and lamb, so I'd recommend giving Desfina a try.
(3)
Kendall F.

Going along with the "I'm not Greek but my significant other is" trend in these reviews... The food here is about as authentic as your going to get unless you know some Greeks that will cook you dinner. I have eaten in Greece and at my boyfriends parents house and the food tastes practically the same! Expect some foods that you can find in almost every Greek place....moussaka, Souvlaki, salads, Spanakopita. And for gods sake don't expect lettuce when you order "the Greek salad" or horiatiki Salata. They also have some hard to find specialties like these little fried fish that we thought we could only find in Greece...we were so excited when we saw them on the menu. All in all this is a great place to have dinner if you like Greek food. In my opinion better than Steve's.
(5)
David J.

This is only my second 5 star review. The dolmades were some of the best i've had. The spanakopita was average. The mousaka was superb. The atmospere was cozy. Sevice was prompt and friendly. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Tom A.

The grilled fish specials at Desfina are really spectacular. Fish as fresh as can be and grilled to perfection. Simple, delicious and almost comically inexpensive. The tzaziki and salads are great, too. Full bar with several tap beers and ouzo served the traditional way. Can't speak to the other dishes since the fish and salads have always been enough for me. Bottom line: Desfina is an outstanding Greek restaurant that particularly excels at grilled fish. Highly recommended.
(5)
Mick T.

Good decent plain, not too expensive, Greek food! Lovely fries, great fish, and some decent Greek wine makes this a good neighbourhoodly place. Went here for a Greek friend's going away party and I thought the food was decent. If I lived close by I'd probabably stop here at least once.
(4)
Erin B.

In the past, I've had quite a lot of exposure to "authentic" Greek food. I'm not an expert, but I thought this place was delicious and tasted home-made. I thought their lunch menu was also impressive for a restaurant this size. Everything from mousaka, spanikopita, and gyros to stuffed grape leaves and baklava (sp?). They had some less common dishes, as well - such as dandelion salad!! There was also a full bar. I'd definitely try this place again!
(4)
Julie S.

Came on a quiet winter day for lunch. Two other sets of customers. Nonetheless, waited for staff to acknowledge us and seat us. The friendly waitress gave us the menu, including the Friday fish specials menu. When I ordered the swordfish kebob, I was disappointed to find out that the only fish actually in that day was fried haddock, which is something I can eat at other types of restaurants. What I ate: avgoleemono soup--very tasty, a nice broth, good lemon flavor Horta--steamed dandelion greens, served warm, in olive oil and lemon juice. Excellent. Baked lima beans--large lima beans in a tomato sauce. Decent but nothing exciting. The other person in my party had a small salad (mediocre, since tomatoes are out of season right now) and the dolmades. Those were tasty. The waitress never checked on our food, refilled water or had any interaction with us once she had given us our food. No offer of coffee, espresso or dessert. Just the check. Overall, a big disappointment. The food I ordered was OK, but nothing that would make me go back there.
(2)
Angelos K.

I am greek and can certify that there is no better greek food in the area. I used to like Meze for its nouveau-greek but overpriced menu and when it closed, I tested every greek restaurant I could find inside 128. Desfina is by far the best. The food is as authentic as it gets and you can make a meal out of the appetizers alone. The grilled octopus is tender and well cooked and comes in a generous portion and a great price. The various dips are also well prepared and tasty. The lamb chops and moussaka are also great, if you have any room left for a main course. The wine list has a nice but limited selection of greek wines at very reasonable prices. But make sure you save room for dessert, as their galaktompoureko is amazing. I only wish they would go back to having real greek pittas (the pocketless kind) to go with the dips. The ambience is cozy and can be sometimes loud, but it's friendly and very comfortable!
(5)
Brian M.

Went there for lunch with my co-workers and we all liked this place a lot. True, our resident vegetarian declined to come on the grounds that their selection was v limited, but the rest of us will be back. One guy wanted to go back for dinner. I tried some of the flaming cheese thing to start - if, like me, you love the taste of overcooked cheese, this is for you. And the waitress set it on fire for us! (in my workaday life I am easily amused). I then had the chicken gyro - not exactly a radical choice, but the right one - juicy chicken, tasty sauce. Next time I'll try something I can't pronounce (eh, about half the menu)
(4)
Neno S.

Desfina is the closest you will get to authentic Greek food in Boston. It's sort of out of the way, but in my opinion they serve the best food in the Kendal square area and it's definitely the top Greek restaurant in Boston. If you want to free yourself from your Greek salad bubble, Desfina has a very diverse fish menu. I highly recommend grilled octopus or calamari and marides. Their baked lamb is also out of this world. It's not fancy it's not pretentious, the tables will shakea bit, but it's a family run restaurant and the food is great!
(4)
Ja H.

It's the kind of place where the regulars stare you down when you walk in - not as welcoming as desired. The food is good.
(2)
Kathleen M.

I'm a big fan of Desfina for lunch! Admittedly, I've only had take-out, but everything I've had has been fantastic. The Greek salad with chicken is perfectly sized for lunch and comes with some deliciously marinated chicken and TWO pieces of delicious bread. The gyro is enormous, and comes with fries for only $6.25! I've also tried their grape leaves and spinach pie combo, which comes with 2 good-sized dolmades with avgolemono sauce, a big piece of spanakopita, a side of rice, roasted potatoes, or fries, a salad, and TWO pieces of delicious bread, all for $7.75! This stuff is delicious, as well. One of my coworkers orders the chicken souvlaki 2-3 times a week. I can't wait to try more of the menu items! The restaurant itself is cute, and they have real table service and a small (but fully stocked!) bar. The staff is fantastic, and remember me when I come in, even though I have only been in a few times. This is a great place to get some tasty Greek food at a reasonable price!
(4)
Brandon L.

The best Greek food in the Boston area. It's about as real and authentic as it gets. I know it's impossible to find the sun ripened ingredients as they have in the coastal med towns but this is America where the food comes in huge trucks across the country. Please don't go here and order typical American food like baked haddock... instead try whole cooked fish like the snapper. It's also the only restaurant i know that serves fresh (not canned) grilled anchovies when they have it. Octupus is the best anywhere. Yogurt salad is very thick and tasty. As in most ethnic restaurants you'll have better luck ordering a variety of apetizers than betting on one entree.
(5)
Jessica C.

Mmm!! I had the gyro platter on a very cold night here recently with a big group of friends-- a lovely, hole-in-the-wall restaurant with delicious Greek food. My gyro platter brought back culinary/yum memories of a trip last year to Athens and Santorini. I'd definitely come back with more friends.
(4)
Angela C.

This is a local gem. The food is delicious. The people are very attentive and friendly. The food is very authentic. The lamb leg is enormous, the fish is great, and the gyros are very filling. There's usually a quiet corner to contemplate and enjoy the food.
(5)
Rachel G.

A tasty neighborhood restaurant--and I'd agree with reviewers who praise their salads and apps over their entrees. We ordered the pikilia and greek salads; the pikilia gave us a chance to try some amazing Greek spreads (I'm still thinking of you, tzatziki), and the Greek salads were standard fare, but hit the spot for what we were craving. Entrees were greasy (lamb for me, beef for my uncle) but well-seasoned. Desfina is only a few blocks from the mall, and is absolutely worth a stop, especially when compared to the eats in Cambridgeside.
(3)
Anonymous P.

I enjoyed my delivery. Three stars (tentative rating) means not anything special for the price. It's not cheap in my opinion ($10 for horiatiki). I didn't order anything very adventurous--just horiatiki and the appetizer platter. Liked everything, and liked the bread. Would definitely order again. Second order: pretty marginal. Third order: Would give 4 stars if it weren't a bit overpriced. 3.5 stars as is. Much better than Greek Corner imo.
(3)
Maritza M.

Not really that great or maybe I ordered the wrong food? The gyro meat I got was pretty gross and fatty...yuck! My dad got the mousaka and he said it was pretty good (and he's had mousaka in Greece so I trust his opinion). The baklava was yummy though. The fried calamari were also good...but, honestly, can you really mess up fried calamari? The atmosphere has a "sitting in ma's kitchen" feel to it. So I liked that. Bottom line: I wasn't amazed but I'd probably go again and try another dish.
(3)
Julie A.

Do you like lemon? The folks in the kitchen at Desfina sure do. There's lemon in practically everything in their menu, whether you expect it there or not. It's great on their fish dishes and salads. The meat, maybe not so much. But lemon boiled potatoes were a new experience for me. Neato. I was surprised by an order of lamb kebab that turned out to be a skewer of lamb chunks, rather than the minced semi-sausages I thought the term indicated. Highly recommend the galaktobouriko (but be forewarned, it too has the lemon going on).
(3)
larry m.

I just came back from my 100th lunch here and I was not disappointed. This place serves up no frills Greek food. I highly recommend the Mixed Grill for lunch. It comes with chicken, pork and steak tips a side (I get the potato) and a small salad. You also get a basket of bread to start. It's simple, cheap and quick. The service and prices are great. What more can you ask from a Greek joint?
(4)
Caitlin S.

"it's all Greek to me" well not exactly. You see...my S.O. is extremely Greek and was simply overzealous when Boston Magazine hailed Desfina as the best of Boston. So we made the jaunt out to Cambridge after some investigation of the website( which i recommend everyone to please visit) and found this picture the fiery cheesy concoction which i have come to learn is called Saganaki. Which I was very excited to order. upon arrival you quickly take note on the decor which actually looks just like places that i have seen in Greece. The music is interesting. In short the food was very good. The Saganaki,A Wedge of Kefalograviera Cheese lightly floured, pan fried & flamed at your table, was delivered on fire with a less then enthusiastic OPA! however, was very tasty. The beer and wine are really inexpensive so thats a plus. I would definitely go back
(4)
Nicole C.

Lamb was gristly and tough, I couldn't eat it. Greek salad had huge chunks of poor quality tomatoes. Servers are always super nice, and they have great frappes, but I would not eat here again.
(1)
C S.

Delicious greek food! Try the octopus.
(5)
Anurag G.

Went there this wednesday at 9. We were the only one there. Music was too loud. My friend asked them to turn it down a bit but they put it loud back in a few minutes. The bread basket was good and it was the only good thing. I ordered mousaka with okra and my friend got beef kebab. The mousaka was really bad and I left most of it. The kebab were alright, nothing great so I had to eat from her plate. I am not Greek so I can't say how authentic was the food, but I would never go back there.
(1)
Tom E.

*scratches head* hmmm... is this really the best Greek food in Boston? Improper Bostonian said so for 2007 and some other reviewers liked this place, but I'm really not convinced. This was my first Greek meal in New England and it lagged along way behind Greek food in the UK and in Los Angeles. Sorry. Just telling the truth. Don't Bite Me. So what's with this place? Well decor-wise, it's just a back-street bar with plastic tables, a sketchy looking front door and Red Sox on the TV. A place for East Cambridge locals, Greeks and desperate foodies. Certainly not a good date venue. Especially if, like me, you think that Greek pop music is punishment from God for all the sodomy committed in their history. It's certainly painful (the music I mean, not the sodomy). Service is great - the girls who work here are excellent and have a good sense of humor. And the food, it's typical Greek fare - kebab, dolmades, grilled fish, moussaka. Our dishes weren't anything special at all, although certainly edible. The taramasalata was not as good as I'd hoped. If I come again I'll have more of the specials I think. That just leaves me with one question: Why are there so many Greeks running pizza places in Boston and yet so few Greek restaurants? Maybe the Italians should open some.
(3)
Alex Z.

Decent Greek tavern. The best thing about it is probably the food, which is a good thing. The atmosphere is horrible though. Run down. I wouldn't say it's the best Greek food in Boston, but since there is no great Greek food in Boston, maybe technically its right. There is Greek Corner, Steves, Farm Grill, and that's it. They are all about the same, so so Greek food.
(3)
M M.

When I need real food at lunchtime, I go see the cute waitresses at Desfina....yes, even the grandma is a hot mama - obviously a refined lady who keeps me laughing....sounds like a French accent, but that does not compute....oh yeah, the food: dolmades - lamb and rice in grape leaves with a lemony sauce.....aaahhh...yum....I always say I'll save 1/2 for later....still trying to make that happen...I eat it ALL. Generous portions at a fair price...not cheap....I've gone in for a bowl of soup and still ended up spending $10, but you always get a basket of fresh baked, old world bread with butter and frequent drink refills. I was introduced to moussaka ( too lazy to spell check now): it's like a shepard's pie with eggplant instead of corn- delish (and I don't like eggplant). I sat at the counter and watched them cook - they do the authentic gyro - stack pieces of meat on the skewer, then slice it off....not the pressed meat stuff. Exploring Greece through my local diner ...
(4)
Fang S.

i luuuuuv their grilled salmon!!!
(5)
Kavita D.

Now, I am not Greek but growing up with many Greek friends I know a solid Greek meal when I have it! I went there this weekend and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food and service. Everything we ate was very flavorful including the Saganaki OPA!, Fried zucchini with Scordalia, Mousaka, Chicken kebab, Tzatziki and a side of Greek feta, of course! Oh! And their roasted potatoes......DEE-licious! They have a nice wine selection and some Greek beers by the bottle as well. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Nancy C.

I LOVE Desfina! The girls from work and I go here all the time for lunch. I think their lentil soup is so good. But we get it all hummus and chips, chicken salads,. Everything is so good here.
(5)
Seph S.

Love it. Great value. Good Kebab. Great atmosphere. Friendly, attractive waitresses that dance if you're their past 11:00 on Saturday ;)
(5)
Silvia S.

I am not Greek but my significant other is (don't feel bad Peter, his last name is 14 letters long, also ends in opoulos) and we both agrees wholeheartedly that Desfina is the best, by far. I myself am from Spain and many Spanish dishes are very similar to some Greek ones (salads and grilled fish in southern Spain and the lamb dishes in Castilla). I have been to Greece and have enjoyed food while traveling in different areas as well as home cooking at my in-laws, so I feel I can tell an authentic taste. I have only been twice but everything I have tried is excellent: the pikilia (a plate with different appetizers), salads, horta (young dandelion greens with lemon), grilled squid, grilled fished and galaktoboureko (custard-filled phillo in light syrup) and those who ate lamb said it was very good too. I have to mention that they fly the fish from Greece every other day! We asked because they had fish on the menu that we had never seen this side of the Atlantic. If you go on Fridays, you might enjoy live Greek music (Laika) but it can get a bit loud, so you can sit in the back room and have a view of the open kitchen. You can still listen to the music, but can still keep a conversation. You might be disappointed at Desfina if you like and expect Greek-American food (gyros, for instance, are very different in Greece than what you usually find in the US.) It is also true that you can find it a bit on the greasy side but that is how Greek food is!
(5)
Peter P.

BEST GREEK FOOD IN MASSACHUSETTS! I am Greek myself, let me just say my last name is 11 letters long and ends in opoulos, the food here is incredible! Just like my grandmother makes. In some ways i find it to be better than the food in Greece, if that doesn't say enough, it's cheap, and very friendly! Highly recomended, it has my Greek seal of approval!
(5)
w k.

We started eating... fork by fork. I was primed to like this place. My husband recommended it. I was in the mood to try a new place. It was simple and unpretentious, full of rowdy greek old(er) men. We ordered the Shrimp Desfina and the Roast Lamb. Salads were quite good and bread was fine. Take a bite. hmmm... interesting. Rice + tomatoes + feta + shrimp - keep chewing.... lamb + boiled green beans... glance up and he says "This tastes kind of like cafeteria food." YES! that's it. mystery solved. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing.
(2)
Jack F.

Fantastic. Lamb chops are great. Lamb Kebab killer also.
(5)
Pat M.

Really this is a 1.5 stars, but I gave it a 2 being nice, it doesn't really deserve it. I was disappointed in Desfina after reading all the reviews here, what were you people eating? For disclosure purposes, I'm not Greek, so I can't make any argument based on "authenticity of what I ate growing up." However, I lived in a Greek area of town and had many Greek friends, and most importantly I love Greek food. Just not at Desfina! The service was mediocre at best, my wife got a soap tasting Stella. Yum, nothing like a cold soapy beer on a hot august day! The appetizer came out in about 3 seconds flat, good thing it wasn't pre-made, huh?! The main dishes were okay, but lacked any discernible flavor (where am I, in NH?). Moreover, the price didn't reflect the quality of the food. If it had been cheaper, I wouldn't have complained by the lack of creativity, or if the quality was better, I wouldn't complain about the price. Either way, I won't be returning, too bad the rest of the reviews failed to mention any of this.
(2)
Meghan P.

Never disappoints! I had the Mediterranean Sea Bass which was grilled to perfection. My friend had the lamb chops and raved about them! The service is always fast (but not rushed) and attentive! Best Greek food in Cambridge!
(5)
Apolinaras S.

I went here with my Greek friend, who just moved to Boston. Figured, because the sandwich and pizza place same owner own across the street is good, this restaurant would be too. Definitely wrong assumption. 1. Even if you show up for early lunch, you are stuffed into worst tables, because "they will have a rush of customers". Well guess what, we were there until 1PM and rush did not happen. 2. Wait staff is courtous and nice, so so extra points there 3. Atmosphere in general - this is a dive. Nothing has been touched since the 80s. Place is in desperate need of deep cleaning, fresh paint, and new furniture. Lastly - food. I have had enough Greek food to now what is average and what is good. This joint is average. Even medium rare lamb tasted dry. Salad was bowl full of limp salad mix. Next time I am going across the street to their sandwich joint.
(3)
Cmarie W.

Greek mythology tells us of wild and magical creatures that roamed mythical lands and cast spells upon the earth, showering the heavens with stories that live in the clouds for eternity. It has been said that the Greek marinade and dressing that flavors the chicken and sauce in which we dip our bread at Desfina was made by a mythical creature of great power and knowledge. The recipes were seen as expressions of insanity - who in their right mind thought of such a mixture? Like Picasso's early works, the chicken marinade only gets better hours, even days, perhaps weeks after consumption. You may find yourself thinking of the true meaning of what it represents. It's not just chicken. It was born from the heavens of strange and promised lands in only stories we tell our children.
(5)
Charlotte W.

Yum! I loved the Moussaka and really liked their house dressing for the side salad. Most importantly, the staff at this place was so friendly to my 10-month old son. It didn't seem kid friendly at all when we walked in but they were so nice to us despite our grumpy, messy little guy.
(5)
Janelle W.

What a surprise it was to find this little gem tucked in off the beaten path! A delightful experience with well prepared Greek fare in a quaint homey atmosphere.
(4)
Amy B.

I absolutely love this restaurant! I've been many times, and it never disappoints! I adore the Mousaka, and I can also recommend the Kebabs and Dolmades, as well as Spanakopita and Saganaki - all delicious. But the best thing about Desfina is not the excellent food but the wonderful environment. It feels like such a neighborhood gathering, where everyone knows everyone else who comes in. The servers and chefs are so personal with you, as I've had the chef come over to our table to ask about the food. I've even had a server give us free dessert because they were out of baklava so she wanted us to try something else for free. I cannot say enough how much I love this local spot! There's truly nothing else like it in Boston!
(5)
Gonen M.

Desfina does not look like an amazing restaurant from outside. And also inside, it doesn't look so very stylish. But as a Mediterranean, I approve the food! The place is owned by Greeks, and it really is a true Greek tavern. Rather than getting entrÃ©es, I would recommend getting bunch of appetizers and a bottle of Greek wine. Grilled octopus and saganaki are my favorites.
(5)
Miriam R.

Love the authentic Greek food here! I feel like I'm in Greece when I eat here! Everything is fresh and delicious, from the greek chicken salads to the gyros, grilled octopus, eggplant salad, saganaki, mmm Its hard to pick my favorite dish. The customer service is great as well! I will definitely be back!!
(5)
Kate D.

We got lunch and ordered the baked lamb, tzatziki, & saganaki opa. The lamb was fall off the bone tender, rich and tasty. The rice that came with it was flavorless with texture similar to Uncle Ben's instant rice. The tzatziki was delicious, but a VERY small portion (the size of a small sauce plate). Athenian Corner in Lowell gives you a full dinner plate full of tzatziki sauce with pita and saltine crackers to dip (and it's 5 cents cheaper, just saying). The saganaki opa was burnt and too salty. It was my first time eating it so maybe it's supposed to be as salty as the ocean and burnt all over the bottom. I just don't know. The service was okay. Our waiter was very green. He dropped one of our knives on the floor and then forgot to give us a new knife. Otherwise, he was nice, filled our water, and would kindly answer our questions. The decor is "homey, family-owned", meaning it leaves much to be desired. It could use better lighting. Perhaps it's more romantic at night. No wait for a table at lunch. I think I'll get my Greek food from Athenian Corner. (I am not sponsored by them, I promise. They have belly dancing at night, FYI)
(2)
Samantha L.

Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess gave us the option to sit wherever we'd like. There was Greek music playing in the background. Each table had blue tablecloth and white paper on top of it with black chairs. Some of the walls were brick while other were painted walls. Some walls had Greek decor on them. The restaurant was semi-tinted. Despite the slow service, the food was above par. Please allow at least two hours for dinner. For drink, my table ordered Aris and iced tea. For appetizers, we ordered the homemade soup of the day, which was Egg Lemon Soup. The Egg Lemon Soup consisted of tender shredded chicken and soft rice. We felt that the soup was a bit too lemony. My mom ordered the Grilled Octopus, which was tender cuts of octopus tentacles marinated in olive oil and lemon. We felt that the grilled octopus was loaded with flavor!. Each entree came with a side Greek Salad, which consisted of romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, large tomato wedge, crumbled Feta cheese, and homemade greek salad dressing on the side. My dad ordered the Mussel Chabis, which was about two dozen medium sized mussels sauteed with diced onion, diced tomatoes, kalamata olives, chopped garlic, parsley, and white wine. It came with garlic bread, which was great for dipping into the sauce. My brother ordered Chicken Kebab, which was charcoal grilled chicken on a skewer with tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. The Chicken Kebab and vegetables had a dry grilled flavor but it wasn't dry at all. The rice had a pumpkin sauce on top. I ordered the Moussaka, which was layers of sauteed eggplant, potato, and ground meats and topped with Bechamel sauce. The Moussaka came with my favorite traditional side of vegetables - sauteed green beans with diced tomatoes and garlic. I loved the green beans!!! Although, I was surprised that the Moussaka wasn't covered in tomato sauce.
(4)
Denise E.

I've been here a few times in the past 2 years. This is a friendly local place with attentive wait staff and creamy feta cheese. I also like their artisan bread which they buy/order. My favorite dish is the baked leg of lamb. Each time I came here, the baked lamb got smaller in size. A week ago, the lamb was the smallest. For $17, I hope the chef will put on a bigger size leg of lamb.
(3)
FranÃ§oise L.

Great service. Nice crusty bread offered before your meal. The mousaka was disappointing though, bit dry and way too salty. The green bean side tasted like overly salted canned beans. The fish and chips didn't look spectacular either.
(3)
Nina S.

This place makes the whole block smell great! Popped in for some gyros, the lamb is excellent! Huge tender chunks, nicely marinated, and with the tzatziki sauce and grilled pita for less than $10 (includes fries). It's a pretty good deal considering you're in Cambridge.
(3)
Kaushal V.

Incredibly disappointed with the portions. A $10.50 Spanakopita was so small, only good for one person. Incredibly oily food too. The Kattaifi was not warm either.
(1)
Bob M.

Pretty damned good. But get there early to get a table. We met a the bar at 7 to grab dinner for four, and were luck to get the last table in the place on a Thursday night. By the time we sat down it was fully booked. The food was damned good. Grape leaves stuffed with ground meat and spices were a standout. Grilled calamari and feta and olive appetizers were also very good. Could have used more olives and a larger portion on the squid. No complaints from any of the Gyros consumers. Moussaka was a bit dry. Dinner salads were undersized and bland. Solid food, no silliness here. I'd go back again. Service was dodgy, though, because of understaffing. Waiter and waitress, who was doubling as bar tender, really couldn't keep up with the full house they had tableside.
(3)
Kate A.

Desfina is not just a great neighborhood place, but a solid Greek food option overall. I've cozied up to the bar and had an inexpensive glass of wine with a delicious greek salad fairly often - the feta cheese here is unbelievably delicious. It gets busy for takeout around dinner time, but service is always friendly.
(4)
Suad M.

Great place for Greek food. Make sure to get anything & everything with feta - it is really delightful here. Ambiance is quite authentic as well, with folk Greek music playing. Wouldn't change a thing!
(5)
Annice C.

WHOA now! I've had some pretty yummy Desfina in the past (dolmades were great!), but today's meals have but a one-word description: gross. And just a few more words...Broiled haddock was fishy smelling (I'm hoping my Boston folks will understand how tragic this is) and incredibly greasy. Don't really know how they pulled that off. My lovely man had the pasticio, which had clearly been chillin' in the kitchen for plenty of time. We paid up (quite pricey for such poorly prepared food!), walked out, and promptly decided never to walk in again. Wishing the brave souls that do all the best.
(2)
Mike S.

Good food for lunch or dinner. I get the steak tips and the roasted potatoes. You have to try the potatoes. So good. Lunch can be quick if you want. Usually 45 min to an hour. It's also good for drinks after work. The bar is a welcome relief from the fancy and expensive bars that have encroached on Kendall recently.
(5)
Caitlin M.

If your grandmother was Greek, and she was an AMAZING cook, and she decided to open a neighborhood restaurant, Desfina would be the result. This is corner-restaurant food at its absolute best -- delicious, warm, casual, and made with love. I love everything about this place. The kitschy paper placemats with Greek trivia on them, the regulars yelling (happily) in Greek at the bar, the friendly family-oriented service, the cheap prices, the amaaaaazing homestyle food, the fact that they have retsina on the wine list...this place is the real deal. I used to live around the corner from Desfina, and I miss it SO MUCH. Nothing like a big hot plate of dolmades & a glass of house wine for a cold, snowy Boston night. Try the fried cheese & octopus for apps, the dolmades for an entrÃ©e (seriously, just do it), and the retsina or a house wine to drink. Can never go wrong with any of the desserts. Desfina, please open a California location - I'd be in there all the time. Since that probably won't happen soon, though, I'll make sure to stop in whenever I'm back home to visit! Opa!
(5)
Lea V.

Even though I try to avoid Greek restaurants outside Greece (I'm Greek), I went to this place today because I had heard so many good things about it. I have to admit, I was a bit let down. The taste was ok, but this does not even come close to what you would eat in Greece (and there it would be half the price too!). - Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) are NOT supposed to be served with egg-lemon sauce (stuffed cabbage leaves are), they should be served with Greek yoghurt. - The tzatziki had so little garlic we had a debate with my friend as to whether there is any garlic in it at all! - The moussaka was the cheap version you find at restaurants trying to cut down costs, with a mix of potatoes and eggplants as the base, instead of the traditional (and much tastier one) which has eggplants only. Also, there was too much cinnamon overpowering every other spice, the mince did not seem particularly fresh and the bechamel was tasteless. All in all, sure, it did taste like moussaka, but not even close to *good* moussaka. - There were barely any onions in the Horiatiki (Greek) salad, the tomatoes were lazily chopped in huge pieces and the feta didn't really taste like feta, more like unidentified white goat cheese. - The saganaki was the only one that was actually on par with what you'd eat in Greece. Of course in Greece it's not flambÃ© but I thought the alcohol gave it an interesting twist. It was good saganaki, by any standards. - There were barely any walnuts in the baklava, all I could taste was the phyllo.
(3)
Foodie Z.

I've had many items from Desfina, and they never let me down. But for greek food, I think the Greek corner (get the corner sandwich) is much better and cheaper. Desfina is still a great option because it's walking distance from me. I know this might be weird but you need to try the Greek yogurt (under dessert) - it's the single best greek yogurt I've had, and one of the best desserts I've had.
(4)
Tihomir D.

I am Bulgarian and the closet cuisine to ours is the Greek. At Desfina restaurant is where the magic happens. The octopus is to die for, their fish is always fresh and delicious and the Aris (Greek lager beer) is now my favorite beer. The price there is reasonable and worth spending every single dollar because the food is outstanding ! Binka was our waitress and she did great taking care of me and my friends.
(5)
Gauravi P.

This place is one of my favorite restaurants! We went to Greece for our honeymoon and ate all of the authentic dishes there. I would say Desfina's food is pretty authentic and extremely delicious! I had the lamb shank and Greek salad. I was in heaven! The service was good too.
(5)
Cristina R.

OPA! And a dish of flaming cheese is set down in front of us. This is going to be a good night. Although I'm not Greek, I've traveled there a bit, and Desfina seems awesomely authentic. Our accented waitress was very sweet and helpful. When we inquired about the white wines, she told us her preferences and even gave us samples of the one we were considering. It was good we got to try the Retsina beforehand because it is different; very flavorful and heavy for a white. My friend went with that while I ordered the one she recommended initially, the Mosochofilioro, which was light, crisp and great for a warm summer day. The Saganaki Opa wasn't too gooey and had great lemon and charred undertones which added a bit of complexity to the fried cheese in front of us. And the experience of eating something that was recently on fire is always fun. Most of the other customers seemed to think so too since we saw (and heard) at least 4 others come out during our meal. We weren't starving, so we decided to split the baked lamb. This comes with a side salad, which was simply greens with one olive, one cucumber, and one tomato (it was pretty funny to have to cut each of these in half). They ask if you want feta. And of course, how could you not want feta on a Greek salad? You say yes. You don't know there's not going to be a ton of it, and it costs 75 cents. Not a huge deal, but I don't think just including the feta would break the bank, Desfina. We opted for potatoes as the side for our lamb, and this was a wonderful choice. The wedges were seasoned well and just the right texture and tenderness. Greeks are known for their lamb, and there's a reason for this. The meat was moist and practically fell off the bone. The sweet, tomato-based sauce made the dish for me, as I wanted to eat it with the meat, potatoes, and even by the spoonful. The atmosphere of Desfina is casual and homey, and the staff and other patrons seemed genuinely happy to be there. It's the type of place that you can enjoy a long meal with family and not feel rushed or out of place. I wish I were Greek, so I could drink wine, set cheese on fire, and eat delicious lamb like this all the time. Or I could just come here.
(4)
Bahar A.

I went there with my work buddies for lunch. Everything was fantastic from the food to the service and the atmosphere. I loved the desserts -Galaktoboureko, Kanafe and Baklava; most certainly yummy. I would definitely go back!
(5)
Timothy H.

If you want a authentic Greek experience, then this is the place to go. I pretty much tried a lot of things on their menu and all I can say is that they're all fantastic. I especially like their l kebab and lamb gyro dish. Definitely get the Saganaki Opa (fried cheese with a flame!). The price is reasonable for the portions that they give you. Best Greek restaurant that I've been to in the Cambridge area.
(5)
Emily D.

I came here because of the Yelp reviews but my experience was nothing like the glowing endorsements. The meal was awful. The Saganaki, flaming cheese appetizer, was undercooked and tasted like a salted sponge doused in lighter fluid. Nowhere was evidence of the delicate, tangy, melty deliciousness one expects from this classic dish. The lamb gyro was tough chunks of lamb that were almost tasteless. The tzatziki was a gooey mess with little flavor. Before I had even tasted it, was informed that extra tzatziki sauce would cost extra. I wish I hadn't have had any of it. Extra sauce would have been unbearable. The two stars are for the nice staff and good bread. I will not be back.
(2)
Alex S.

This intimate hideaway is the closest thing to a Greek taverna experience greater Boston has to offer. Tucked away in the shadows of the gleaming glass biotech giants, Desfinas warmth shines through its inconspicuous brick exterior. Authenticity is their specialty-and it's achieved naturally. Immerse yourself in a restaurant frequented by local Greek families-young and old. The saganaki is top-shelf, and the meat fresh and plentiful. Ouzo actually tastes better in the right environment - and where else, but here! The staff is friendly and welcoming-and knowing even the slightest bit of Greek goes a long way. Only downside-they're not open on Sundays! Tough when you're having pre-Monday cravings for a Mediterranean escape-but you can't have it all! Parakalo, yelp-verse!
(5)
William S.

Very disappointing. Have eaten here on a number of occasions. Tonight, everything was reheated or stale. Will not come back again.
(1)
Justin P.

Awesome food, awesome drinks (bottles of Ouzo!), awesome friendly service, awesome neighborhood vibe. No frills, just great authentic Greek cuisine in a cozy local corner establishment. My wife and I intend to become regulars.
(5)
Stefan Z.

Awesome authentic Greek cuisine. My girlfriend and I go there about once a month for the food and great staff. Tom Sr. owns the place and his son and daughter both work there as well. I'm pretty sure they named it after the town they are from in Greece. I would suggest the baked lamb and the grilled octopus. The olive oil they use is to die for and the bread is amazing. Highly recommend
(5)
Ozge A.

Best mediterranean seafood restaurant in Boston! I would recommend their grilled octopus, grilled sardines and grilled fish, any type of grilled seafood basically. Although they have meat options on the menu, I believe this place is a restaurant to get a few mezzes, get bunch of seafood and drink ouzo. Besides the items on the menu, they have specials which we mainly ordered from. Everything is fresh and cooked very well. The atmosphere reminds me of the low-key seafood restaurants by the sea back in my hometown. I wish the salad was bigger and more than a slice of cucumber, half a slice of tomato and some lettuce. Anyways, food was delicious so definitely coming back.
(5)
Marie R.

This place is good. I ordered the shrimp desfina. Which is a bed of rice topped with shrimp, tomatoes and feta and garlic sauce. It also served with a side salad and bread all for 15.00!!! The food was very good. The potion is decent it's not huge or small it's just right and they gave me like 12 shrimp which made me happy. My only thing is that with the shrimp on top of the rice it was a bit greasy other than that the food was VERY good
(4)
Mac M.

I went here with my aunt and uncle (two of my favorite people to visit) while visiting them. It is a family owned buisiness and the staff was extreamly friendly, our waitress made us feel at home and very welcome. The food is standard greek food , but you could tell that alot of care was put into the preperation (it was borderline orgasmic). they serve greek beer i usually drink very heavy hoppy beers, but it was very refreshing and quite delish.i ordered the lamb which was very flavorfull and juicy ( i disagree with the other reviews that slammed the lamb , maybe they never had lamb before or were just having a bad night ). the setting was very greek and relaxing. Overall i would highly recomend it and i would eat here again .
(5)
Denise M.

Disappointed with the food. Ive been more than a few times. Its ok in a pinch but this is not a destination. The staff are nice. The lettuce was fresh but the lamb kebabs were not that great, burnt to raw,. I've been previously and enjoyed it multiple times. I guess sometimes memories are great in the past. Moving on...
(2)
Mrs. G.

Love the grilled chicken greek salads for lunch. They are the best!!!!
(4)
C N.

I have to say I've had good meals here but last night it was not fresh and the bread was stale. Service not good either. Not sure what happened here. Very disappointing and won't be going back.
(1)
Jeff S.

Looks like an old neighborhood bar and you may not stop, but you should! Visited with my wife and daughter. Grilled octopus was very tender and tasty. Bread basket is very good, the bread chewy and soft. Our entrees included the chicken kabob, mussels chablis, and grilled sea bass. The mussels chablis were excellent and plentiful as an entree. Grilled fish was very good, crispy skin and cooked perfectly. Lemon potatoes were the side dish, also very good. The Galaktobouriko (custard wrapped in filo) is served hot and is unbelievable. Be sure to save room for it!!
(4)
M A.

The wine here is fantastic - went with the Amystheyos, it was $39 - a red with character. The atmosphere at this place needs a face lift - the lighting was cranked high and the "art" on the walls was a bit tacky. Servers were friendly. The appetizers were quite good, got the Calamari grilled which was great. The low mark is due to the poorly prepared entrees. I got the "Lamb" which was as dry as a bone. It had the texture of shoe leather. The atmosphere and entree plate is the issue - the leathery lamb came with fries and freezed dried salad. I would recommend the wine and apps only and bring sunglasses to cope with the lighting.
(2)
Lauren K.

I've been looking for a great Greek restaurant and this totally fits the bill. I'd never heard of this place before but I got a deck of local restaurant rewards cards and found Desfina in the pile. Although it's a bit further than I normally trek in Kendall, it was totally worth it. Their portions are very generous and the pricing is great compared to many and most restaurants in Boston and Cambridge. We ordered the Grilled Octopus to start; it's priced as an entree and for good reason. The portion could have been an entree in and of itself. All you needed was a side salad and you'd be set. It was a bit oily but we sprinkled it with lemon (which was a great idea - I tasted the before and after) and wound up using the excess lemony oil for our pita. Yum. We also got the eggplant salad which was delicious. I don't particularly love eggplant but this was so flavorful and prepared in such a way that you could easily spread it on pita. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. For the entrees, my boyfriend ordered the Grilled Chicken and Feta Salad. I didn't taste his chicken but my entree (Shrimp Desfina) came with a side salad. The feta cheese was FANTASTIC. It was soft, creamy, and flavorful. Even though the salad itself was simple, the feta knocked it up two whole notches. As for the Shrimp Desfina, it was very good. By the time it came I was so full from the other items that I only had half and took the rest home. Like I said, the portions were VERY generous. If you don't like to leave anything on your plate, I suggest you skip the appetizers. Otherwise, you're going home with a doggy bag of delicious greek seconds. I will DEFINITELY go back!
(4)
Michael C.

Absolutely loved the food here. There salads are super fresh and generous. Between the sausage and saganaki combined with bread and a glass of red wine I was good for the evening. The waitress was a little out to lunch but that might have been due to my ordering a second order of saganaki. She looked at me like I was crazy but it was so good I could have eaten a 3rd order. It was almost empty on a recent Monday evening so service was like lightening. Parking after work hours unlike downtown Boston is great. The restaurant is oriented in a bit of an odd way so it is easy to miss but if love Greek food take the time to come to Desfina's.
(4)
Christina G.

I'm Greek and always on the lookout for authentic Greek food that tastes like it came straight from my Yaya's kitchen... This might just be the place. I came here for dinner last night and was so pleased with the experience as a whole. The service was friendly and helpful and the food was delicious. We tried the fried zucchini, saganaki and slow roasted lamb and then topped things off with some galaktoboureko and ouzo . All fantastic! I will definitely be back the next time I'm yearning for a taste of home.
(4)
Kira R.

I came here with my husband and in-laws. Wine was average, bread basket was very good. For apps, we got the spanikopita and grilled octopus. It was the first time any of us had eaten octopus outside of fried calamari, and the table was divided whether they liked it or not (I liked it). For entrees, they all for the baked lamb dinner, and asked for it rare. It was very well done, but somewhat tasty in spite of being overcooked. I got the mussels Chablis- it was INCREDIBLE! Will definitely be back for the mussels and the value- we'll just need to find some different entrees for the rest of the gang!
(4)
Carolyn L.

Amazing, inexpensive, want to eat here for every meal. No matter what you get, you will leave stuffed and smiling. I ordered the flaming cheese and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me. Also, it came with a basket of free bread, they gave me a complimentary order of pita bread, and my husband's entree came with a beautiful fresh salad. Even my friend who hates greek food admitted to liking Desfina's. Go here. You will be so happy you did.
(5)
Nihan G.

Great Mediterranean food. Grilled calamari is the best. Its good for the big parties. The owner is a little bit rude but the staff is friendly.
(4)
Anne W.

I am usually not a fan of Greek restaurants... something about Mediterranean food doesn't rub me the right way. So it's a low key place.. don't expect anything fancy. The waiter kept asking us if we wanted cheese on our salad. Then he ended up charging us money for it... bad call. The food was okay... portions are pretty decent. I got the broiled lamb.. the baked lamb was better and more tender. We also go the saganaki.. didn't light it for that long.. and unfortunately, it was a tad too salty. But cheese is always good. It did feel like they were in a rush for us to leave even though there was nobody waiting for a table.
(2)
K G.

A small hidden Greek restaurant in the middle of nowhere (a side road in East Cambridge) but if you are in the area (work/home), its a must eat to me. Very casual and yesteryear decor inside. The service here is better than excellent as the waitresses are very friendly and quick. I find many dishes are well above average compared to other Greek restaurants. You get a lot of food as most plates have a starter salad and fresh bread prior to your meal coming out. A very nice lunch place that will run your group approx $10-15 person and everyone should leave smiling.
(4)
Dorothy W.

I am mostly in love with Desfina. Like all of us, they have a couple of flaws. I am in love with the sardines, the mussels, the bread, the olive oil and the grilled fish, sometimes served whole. I am really crazy in love with the calamari. Once I had it for lunch and then for dinner. And then I had good dreams about it at night...calamari dreams. I am in love with their cozy. crowded space on an out-of-the-way street corner in East Cambridge. Desfina is vibrant and exciting on a Friday lunch or a Saturday night, quiet and intimate during a spontaneous visit mid-week. I am in love with both lunch and dinner and only wish they served breakfast. I'm not so in love with their salads. Iceberg lettuce and ugly, old tomatoes...not so good, even with a couple of random olives tossed in. And the little foil wrapped butter patties that come with the bread have got to go. Bring us some Greek olive oil. Do not make us ask for it each time. Those little butter patties just do not fit in on any level. Anywhere- but especially here. Back to the loving. I am really charmed by the owners and the staff. They are all gorgeous, pleasant and professional. I want to be Greek so I can be just like them. Thanks, Desfina.
(3)
Su-Yee L.

What to say? Well-seasoned, good-tasting food with really nice service. The downside, for me, was that I thought it was a little overpriced for the amount of food. We started with really good bread, not warm but crusty on the outside and airy on the inside. Some salad accompanied our dinners: a pile of iceberg lettuce with one cucumber, one olive, on slice of tomato, a few red onions and feta cheese. It was good but I wanted a bit more of the other veggies. Their house dressing is really good, too. The bf ordered the moussaka ($13) which was light and airy and delicious. I ordered the roast lamb with rice pilaf ($14). The lamb which came in 2 slices was juicy and well-seasoned. The rice pilaf was really good with the tomato sauce on top. It's a cute place and the food and service are good but the prices are just a tad too high for me to come here more often. I'd say 3 and a half stars.
(4)
Katie S.

Love this place. I go for lunch as its down the street from work and I have never been disappointed. Most things on the lunch menu are between $8 and $12 and as far as I know everything comes with a side salad and bread. Great value and healthy!
(5)
Ebru A.

A nice Greek restaurant. They serve raki (green efe), though you need to ask for it, raki is not in the menu.
(5)
James R.

I am from Chicago (and for those of you from/familiar with Chicago) you may know that there is a great Greek Town there with many restaurants offering authentic, absolutely delicious food. I've enjoyed authentic Greek for for 20+ years now. After moving to Providence I searched and searched for some good Greek food. Sadly ,there is nothing up to par with what i was used to eating in Providence. Well, one day we made a trip to Cambridge and i finally found a restaurant up to the task...Desfina!!!!! I started with some soup (egg lemon), an order of saganaki, some lamb chops, then naturally baklava. Since i have found this place i make it a point to visit every couple months to fill my Greek Food craving. This place has authentic Greek food and I highly recommend.
(4)
Nikki S.

Incredible, authentic greek food. Came here with my parents the day after Christmas...there were only 2 tables filled the entire time we were there, why??? We called ahead of time for a reservation and the man who answered (in a heavy greek accent) responded "No, you come at 8 and you be fine, no reservation! See you then!" Greek music in the background, every flavor and every bite was incredible, and cheap too! This was a great place to try out after a night of walking around Boston to see the lights and decorations!
(5)
aaron t.

Very simple, homey, local type of restaurant. I come here for the grilled octopus. the fish is also awesome. Many other dishes look great, but i come here for grilled octopus.. yumm
(4)
Joshua L.

The actual food, given the price, is probably worth 3.5 stars. Minus a half for inconsistent lunch service. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes you just get completely ignored for an hour and a half. Minus one, though, for nickel-and-dime charges that aren't on the menu. Went in for dinner tonight, and the service was very good, properly attentive, but when ordering, we were asked a bunch of little things, like "feta cheese on the salad?" and "hand-cut or regular fries?" None of these things appeared on the menu, so I assumed they were just options. When we got the bill, they were all add-ons of 50 or 75 cents each. Now, if I'd have known that they had an extra cost, I'd have still ordered them, as they were definitely worth the extra amount. Still, I have a problem with them asking things and charging for them without letting customers know. It just doesn't seem like the kind of thing a trustworthy place would do. So, from a possibly 4-star review down to 2, due to service issues and poor pricing policies. Oh well. I'll still go back, like I said, the food is quite good for what they charge. Just wish they were a little more up-front about how they bill.
(2)
Ariel L.

I ordered from Desfina for a catered lunch of about 15 people. The portions and prices were GREAT, and placing the order was extremely easy. They only need 24 hour notice for catered events, so it's great if you need something last minute. The delivery was a little late, but he was very apologetic and the food was worth the wait. No delivery charge!
(4)
Jacquelyn M.

Very delicious and authentic Greek food. The atmosphere is cozy and it's always busy there.
(3)
Annie Y.

I've been here a couple of times. It's definitely more of a local place with the place filling up for dinner later on at night. For appetizers: The Horta (steamed dandelion) was interesting to try - the waitress recommended that we get the dish cold with olive oil. Everyone should definitely try the Saganaki OPA! which is a cheese appetizer that they bring to you on fire. For the entree, the Baked Lamb was very tender and really good and much better than the Roast Lamb, which was drier. For dessert, we had the Galaktobouriko which is "Custard wrapped in layers of buttered Filo and topped w/ Honey-flavored syrup". The honey made it a little heavier but the custard was delicious!
(4)
Trevor S.

This place is authentic in the sense that it's slapdash and the staff seems like they have things they'd rather be doing. I wanted to like this place. I really did. I love Greek food. A home spun Greek place? Sign me up. This isn't it. The ambiance is has the bright yet spare aesthetic of an understocked convenience store. But it's not that expensive, so I can live with that. The food? Well it's pretty meh. From stringy cuts of lamb to fish that is on the verge of turning, I've never had anything here that was all that.
(3)
The Motley Cook '.

Great, loved it. I don't even like Pastisto (greek lasagna) but now I do...Great food, Ouzo. Chicken kabob was a bit dry but the steak kabob was fantastic! I'm a fan and I am going again... Staff was 100% friendly! Thank You Desfina's!
(4)
Forreste M.

My husband and I wanted to try this restaurant out on a trip to Boston and we were so overwhelmed by the staff's hospitality and great food that we wish we could visit every week! First of all, we took the long way to the restaurant since we aren't from Boston. Consequently, we got there 5 minutes before closing. Not only did they welcome us to sit down for a meal, they didn't rush us. And when I complimented the Greek dressing, the sweet lady working there gave me a bottle to take home. We wrapped it in plastic and took it back to Houston. I am still enjoying it! We came back a few days later with our children and my son ordered the octopus. I don't really care for octopus, but I did try a piece and it was so good. Not rubbery at all, but more like char grilled shrimp. Everything is delicious, the moussaka, the pastitsio, the stuffed grape leaves, the lemony potatoes, the rice, the baklava..... I could go on and on, but instead will just say that I am so envious of Bostonites who can go to this amazing restaurant any time they want.
(5)
Herb Z.

Desfina is real good no nonsense Greek restaurant. The service is very good, portions good, and prices are reasonable. Every item I had there was excellent, and they have a very good wine list that includes Greek wines.
(4)
Steve A.

Good place for lunch. Pork chops or grape leaves are good. It's a nice change for lunch in Kendall square
(3)
Lori H.

Went there for dinner, cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and had the chicken gyro which was delicious. Service is very good as well and will return as the menu looks great
(4)
Anne J.

Down-to-earth taverna, welcoming hosts in an informal atmosphere with solid food. Specifics: Broiled haddock was modestly sized and fresh. Lamb kabob meat was dry and tough. Octopus was fresh and tender and nicely underseasoned with olive oil. Chewy, crusty bread was a plus. Green salad was fresh and refreshing, the feta cheese topping was not too salty. The customer is not informed that the feta costs extra until the bill comes. The main entrance door banged noisily every time it was opened and closed - it needs a pressure hinge that eases it closed gently.
(3)
David P.

Visited about 1.5 yrs ago. People around here don't know Greek food. The grilled octopus was dry, very tough and thus chewy. The roast lamb and mousaka were dry and horridly seasoned. Disgusting food...period. I second someone's opinion that this is cafeteria food. If you want good Greek food, then go to Chicago.
(1)
Kristine A.

This place offers pretty decent food in a no-frills type of way. They don't have a lot of vegetarian options which is unfortunate. I basically get an appetizer & side dish so I can enjoy the food. This is pretty authentic considering they speak Greek to each other.
(3)
Shaina P.

Juicy lamb souvlaki at lunch makes me sleepy for the rest of the day. I really enjoy Desfina, however, it doesn't rank as high as the Greek Corner. But you know what? That's okay. Real Greek food, in my book, doesn't include pizza and subs, so, yes, Desfina is authentic and delicious. The prices are palpable and I've never left feeling under-nourished. ATMOSPHERE Desfina doesn't have many windows, so it makes for a sketch-ball or even slightly ghetto aura, but don't let this discourage you. The layout is also slightly awkward. It looks as though the space was once separated by a wall. And the regulars are construction workers who know the owners and hang out at the small bar. FOOD Honestly, you must try the lamb souvlaki. It comes out skewered and grilled. Crispy smoky, but not fatty, on the outside, and juicy-medium-tender on the inside. The salads are dressed with a homeade (at least it comes in an unlabeled bottle) lemony dressing and a single olive (with pit). The rice pilaf is topped with a tomato-y white wine sauce, but the fries are standard bleh. SERVICE Service is average, but the waitresses are definitely sweet and accomodating. The grill does amazing things. The End.
(4)
Sara G.

You know, a restaurant where you can use the place mat to plan your vacation to the Greek Islands is definitely my place. There are many delicious choices here, I have been a few times for lunch. The bread you get, while waiting for your delicious food, is amazing. very eggy and chewy and delicious. I've had the grilled chicken Greek salad, lamb, moussaka and spanakopita. All were worthy of a re-do at some point in the future.
(4)
priya r.

It's a trifecta: Ambience, quality and value. Ambience: Totally cute family restaurant, warm and cozy. I like the people eating food at the bar, and there are tons of tables near windows. The service is really good - very friendly and happy. Quality: I don't get people's 1 or 2 stars here, calling the food mediocre or bland. Everything I have gotten here has been full of tasty spiced goodness. I am Indian, I don't like bland food. Greek food is not "spicy", but I appreciate well spiced food, and this is it. I have had the shrimp dishes (very garlicky, be forewarned); and last night I had the beef kebab (medium-rare steak, so yummy). My boyfriend's favorite is the mussels chablis because of the broth, which I have tasted - yum. I also love the vegetables that come with the entrees (okra or green beans) - in a great tomatoey oniony sauce. Value: My beef dish was $13, try to beat that.
(5)
Kate N.

I love (authentic) Greek food and Desfina's is just a good as the food I had when I visited Athens. I crave their lemon roasted potatoes on a regular basis and living 3,000 miles away makes life really difficult. Love, Love, Love.
(5)
Diane I.

Maybe it was just a totally off night - but I wish I hadn't even stopped in here. The appetizer and salad were just okay (dolmas and greek salad). Nothing special. Disappointingly they didn't have much vegetarian options - so I went for the spanakopita. Pretty sure the spanakopita had been sitting around for a while. It was horrible - just layers of soggy filo. The service also wasn't very good. The waitress was more into trying to flirt with the guys sitting at the bar than paying any attention to the table. Definitely won't be back...
(2)
Matt C.

Perfect for a nicer lunch. Cheesy interior adds to the fun. This place is about the food, not the decor. Took out a gyro. Excellent lamb, very perfectly spiced, with a great sauce. I don't know about dinner here, but by the crowd at lunch, I think it will be fun.
(3)
Heidi O.

New England not being abundant in Greek eateries, I was excited to try this place. Best was: -The red Greek wine ($40 full-bodied amazing) -The bread -Service I had grilled sardines ( no side included so order that in addition) and my bf pork chops, all decent...but the bread and wine alone did constitute a Sacred Supper. Can't wait to go back and try the appetizers highly recommended on Yelp.
(4)
Karl R.

I second Nicole C.'s comment about the lamb. STAY AWAY from the Roasted Lamb entree. Far, far, FAR away. The lamb tasted absolutely horrid. Additionally, the meat was either tough or very chewy (depending on the bite). I tried cutting all different parts of the meat to see if I could find one single decent bite. I found none. The bread was okay, the salad unexciting (although my tomato was fresh), and the service very friendly. Plus it appears a lot of the other Yelpers have had good experiences here. So take my review with a grain of salt. With that said, there is no way I can pay $15 (including tax and tip) again for this quality of food. I can understand a restaurant having a bad night and the taste being bland or a little off, but this lamb was disgusting. The fact that at least one other Yelp-er has had the same experience with the same dish makes me wonder what type of standards this place has for itself. Embarrassing. Spend the extra 5 minutes and walk down to 1st street and try out The Similans instead. It is isn't Greek (it's Thai), but for the same price you can get infinitely better quality and taste. But if you really feel like trying the place out, DO NOT ORDER THE ROASTED LAMB!
(1)
Aaron S.

As a half-greek ( my mom is greek) this place has a very greeky feel. But the food doesn't even come close to my "standards". The food seems bland and cookie-cutter. Unsure if that is by design to cater to a North American palate - the owners did seem to know about Greek food - the food misses the mark IMHO. Wish they could do better.
(3)
Aboud Y.

Let me start by saying that Desfina is one of the better Greek restaurants in the Boston area. The fact that it only has 3 stars tells you what I think of many of the others. Full disclosure: I grew up in the Chicago area where on one street in Greektown you can find a half-dozen spots that would make top of the list in Boston. Ok, now all that being said, Desfina is a solid spot for good Greek cooking. Its low-key, down-to-Earth atmosphere can be really comfy (esp. after a long day at work). While it is comfy its a bit too homey for a fun date night. Anyhow...onto the food: their gyros and kebabs are good (though Greek Corner is better) and their spreads (esp. the tzatsiki) are excellent. To sum it all up: this place is good enough to keep my coming back when I have a hankering for Greek food (I live really close by), and I would definitely recommend it. But I just can't bring myself to give it 4 stars.
(3)
Faith N.

I love Greek food, and I love Desfina's. The super cozy atmosphere and friendly service never wavers, and neither does the yummy food. The spanikopitas (spinach pies) are always warm, with just the right crunch but the perfect balance of spinach and ricotta. Any restaurant that serves bread before a meal deserves a medal! Awesome tzatziki and salads and I don't eat meat but my friends say the lamb kebabs are great. I'm encouraging all of my favorite places (this place is my top 5) to look into the green restaurant association's certification. It's important to me to eat at restaurants who are doing their best to make their practices as sustainable as possible. I'm sure i'm not the only one who feels this way. Keep up with the delicious work!
(4)
Dimos M.

The food is excellent! Highly recomended. Had the lamb chops were terrific..
(5)
Natalie B.

Desfina should be higher up in the Cambridge restaurant listings. I took my parents here for a nice dinner (they love greek food) and we were not disappointed. My father's lamb was fine - do not be thrown off by the reviews. I enjoyed the vegetarian grape leaves and greek salad with fresh feta very much. I will certainly return again.
(4)
Ed W.

Good Greek food -- in a city oddly poor in it. Service....not so great. If you're a regular, of which they seem to have many, you can expect not only service but probably a hug or back slap when you leave. But if you're not you'll sit there ignored while they hug and back slap the regulars.
(3)
Sara S.

I am a huge Greek Corner fan, but wanted to try Desfina after reading the rave reviews on Yelp. Brett M. and I decided to give it a shot last night. They have a large beer and wine list, as well as full bar. They also have a TV hidden in the corner should you choose to watch the game of your choice. The complimentary bread basket was good. The bread was slightly warm, dougy, and chewy all at the same time. I thought it was a little strange that we weren't served pita bread with our meals, but whatever. I also would have liked it they served it with olive oil, herb, and feta dip like Aegean does- instead, they gave us whipped butter. It was still delicious, not not exactly "Greek". We started with the spanikopita, which was disappointing. The flavors were somewhat there, but dampered by the spanikopita obviously being microwaved. It was super soggy and greasy. Ew. Our main dishes saved the day, however. My greek salad with chicken was enormous and served with house made Greek dressing on the side. The salad itself was incredibly fresh and the feta cheese was just the right amount. The chicken (all white meat) was extremely flavorful and seasoned perfectly. Brett's shrimp dish (the first shrimp dish on the menu) was served on a bed of rice with tomato sauce, feta cheese, lots of herbs, and veggies. I didn't try it, but he completely cleaned his plate... so I'm assuming it was good! Compared to the Greek Corner, the portions are a little smaller and the entrees are slightly more expensive. The service is comparable, and parking availability is about the same. This place is GOOD, and I will be back when I'm not in the mood to travel all the way out to Davis.
(3)
Kate C.

I'm really really surprised by everyone else's rave reviews of this restaurant as having extraordinary food, because we only got one solid good item out of three, and the rest were so deplorable that I'm actually giving it one star, despite the UNBELIEVABLE tzatziki (and I know I'm butchering that spelling). I love Greek food, more than anything else, and I am NOT a snob when it comes to down-and-dirty Greek food. And to be fair, the tzatziki was incredible. Creamy, but still light, and so so flavorful. But no one ever handed us the complimentary bread basket (shame). The fried calamari was so saturated with grease (and I am a greasehound - I never, never pat the grease of the pizza slice with napkins) that it was virtually inedible, and it was cold. But the spanakopita was the real crowning achievement. Everyone else on this has said that it tasted flavorless and like it had been sitting on the counter for hours, and that's exactly what happened. I've never seen a more unappetizing piece of spanakopita. My boyfriend took one bite and said "this tastes and smells EXACTLY like play-do." And you know what? He was right. As someone who has choked down THE most inedible food and abhors leaving anything behind on her plate, I could not take more than one bite of this. The one star is due to the fact that exactly six hours after this meal, I was on my hands and knees with the most violent case of food poisoning that I can ever imagine. I have a stomach of iron, and yet, the spanakopita at Desfina managed to trigger something insane. I would. not. recommend this place.
(1)
Erin W.

If I could actually give Desfina a 3.5 stars, I would. As a gal originally from Detroit (with a yummy greek town), I was very excited to learn there was a greek place in the neighborhood. We went there with another couple (one of whom was of greek decent) and left stuffed to the brim and satisfied with the meal. Lots of greek wines, and really tasty espresso, old guys speaking greek at the bar- the whole 9 yards. I ordered the Moussaka for my entree (a go-to order for me back in D-town). It was a huge portion, with a delicious side of green beans. Tasty, it was, but not the absolute best I've had. Same goes for the saganaki we ordered, its fried cheese thats lit on fire- so how can it NOT be awesome? It was good, but I think it should have been on fire a little longer and on a hot plate (to get the cheese nice and gooey in the middle). AKA, I like my saganaki at a lower viscosity, as opposed to the higher viscosity saganaki we got (again, it was still the effin bomb, it's fried cheese guys). Anyway -- all in all a good spot. I approve.
(3)
Soham B.

Desfina is a joint that very nicely fits into what i imagine a great place to be. It's simple and straightforward, the service is defined by sincerity, and the food makes me scratch my head and say "hey, that was uniquely good and i don't feel like going home and reproducing it". I've had the grape leaves a few times, and when fresh and warm and creamy and so tongue satisfying i always want to to get on my knees and say something absurd to the waitress. hell yes. i will marry you. i will buy you things. the other stuff is hearty and simple, not too fancy. reliable. well developed flavor and no strange sausage patty gyros. three cheers for Desfina. P.S.: i can't confirm, but i hear that the k-hop guys across the street own this place. if so, i'm so happy. many a simple quick office lunches have passed with the venerable "sandwich nazi" the marlboro cheefing headman who inspires fear and respect daily around noon.
(4)
Tony W.

Based on the mostly positive Yelp reviews, the proximity, and the desire to try a Greek restaurant in the area, I took my friend here for dinner the other night. Desfina has a pub atmosphere, and it seems like a lot of younger professionals head there after work to grab a pint. There draught list is pretty impressive for a Greek restaurant - people were milling about and socializing between the bar and the tables, which gave the place more of a pub feel than that of a restaurant. On a personal note, it could have been a disaster, because I had some sort of weird allergy/sneezing attack before I got there, so my head was completely congested throughout most of the night - thankfully when our Spanikopita (sp?) arrived, the spices cleared things up quite nicely. We started with beers, which doesn't seem to be very Greek to me, but hey, it's beer - if they served it in church, I probably wouldn't question it. But I guess I would question how it is that I ended up in church to begin with. Unless it was a special beer church service. Anyway, as I mentioned, I have no prior experience with Greek restaurants, but I am familiar with the popular Greek dishes. As a pescetarian, I was a little bit leery after looking at the meatnormous menu, but the seafood dishes seem to make it worth the trip. I had the Shrimp Desfina house special, which was great. Wonderful. Awesome. Really, really tasty, and lots of shrimp. My friend ordered more gyro than she could possibly handle, and some sort of potato side dish that was cooked in butter and lemon. Also good. Overall, great food, good service, and interesting people watching. Some guy, after what had been apparently a long night of drinking used his liquid courage to chat up some girls sitting directly behind us - that conversation was somewhat amusing! Oh, and the prices are about $12-15 a plate. I guess that should be brought up...
(5)
Christopher M.

I wish I knew how to say "orgasm on a paper placemat" in Greek, but I can barely handle english, so I'll just let you imagine. Done? No? Need a couple more seconds? Ok , I'll wait. Alright, now that we've gotten that out of the way let me start off by saying that I have been searching for Desfina for 20 years. True story non-fiction. My journey began in a booth of a greek Restaurant in wooster ohio. My uncle (who loves food. LOVES food) was explaining what a Gyro was to me "Lmab, and lettuce, and onions, and a delicious cucumber yogurt sauce wrapped in a pita." So naturally I got one, and upon seeing the homogonized ground meat product, he proceeded to make nasty comments about the establishment, and I knew that what I was eating was fake, and I needed to seek out the real thing. Easy right? I've bounced from greek joint to greek joint, gyros, dolmades, moussaka, I could tell it was all americanized, but 20 years. . 20 fucking years later, I've finally found a greek restaurant that actually makes greek food, down to their gyros. Real honest-to-bob unground, unnastified lamb. . and was it delicious? YOU BETCHA!! And don't even get me started on the dolmades. . and the parts of the menu featuring foods I'd never heard of? SQUEEEEEE!! Even the setting was perfect, cheesy clouds paintied on the ceiling, full bar, somewhat surly locals, and PAPER PLACEMATS WITH RANDOM GREEK SHIT ON THEM!!!! Holy shit I'm home.
(5)
Betsy E.

I came to Desfina with my dad and sister, and we are big fans of Greek food. We all left here full and happy! Having visited Greece, I feel like I have relatively high standards for Greek food. Desfina met those standards, and then some! We started with apps: we ordered an eggplant dish appetizer (the name escapes me at the moment) and grape leaves. Both were outstanding, but the grape leaves continue to haunt my tastebuds. I frequently order the grape leaves plate at Falafel Palace, and while their version is yummy, at Desfina they are served WARM! This blew my mind. I wish you could order this as an entree! However, I had the mousakka, which was huge and delicious. I had enough to bring for lunch the next day, and I was actually sad when I finished it. My sister had a rack of lamb that was also enormous and falling off the bone. Desfina definitely meets the Yelp 5 star criteria--the food is great, the ambience is very home-y and intimate, and our waiter was beautiful. Literally the most handsome waiter I think I'ver had. And thanks to my gregarious father, I know he is 24 and does not have children. That's my dad, always inquisitive.
(5)
Stephanie G.

Desfina is named after a Greek island and I like that it really feels like one of those cafes in Greece. They serve gyros the way I like it if I ask them too (with French fries and ketchup and mustard all mixed in). The lamb I had wasn't great. I think the strength of Desfina lies in it's mezedes (appetizers) and salads. The eggplant salad is delish, and the calamari is always fantastic. The gavros (fried anchovies that you eat whole - do not embarrass yourself by leaving the heads!) are I believe responsible for convincing my boyfriend to go to Greece with me. That said, a meal of appetizers here is not cost efficient, so I doubt many people do it. But I still like it, even if I can only afford the $12 appetizer of gavros when my parents are paying.
(4)

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Address : 202 3rd St
Cambridge, MA, 02141
Phone (617) 868-9098
Website https://www.desfina.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Greek Cuisine

Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.

Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.

For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.

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Desfina Restaurant

202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA, 02141

Desfina Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Entrees

From The Sea

Homemade Soups

House Specialties

Salads

Side Orders

Homemade Desserts

Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Desfina Restaurant

Appetizers

Entrees

From The Sea

Homemade Soups

House Specialties

Salads

Side Orders

Homemade Desserts

Beverages

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