The boyfriend took me out to Opa on Friday night for our 'date night'. As soon as I walked in and saw how swanky and cool the decor was, I thought we were doomed! Typically the dingy greek places are the best... but boy was I in for a treat! They were out of my preferred beer- the Saison, so that was a bummer, but I landed on a nice brew that was pretty tasty. Rather than commit to entrees, we opted to split lots of appetizers so we could taste lots of different things. I'm the token PITA vegetarian, and he very much likes meat so there was a bit of compromise (on his behalf) that happened. We ended up with the mussles, the spinach coquettes, the Spread Pikilia, and the Beet Salad. The Spread Pikilia came out first, and it was tough to decide, of the 4 dips, which one was the best. I loved that they brought out veggies and olives and pickles in addition to the pita bread. We dug in big time. The pickles were really vinegary, but they were tasty! The babaganoush was a bit sweet which made it my least favorite of the 4 dips after lots of sampling. We ran out of Pita and the server was happy to bring us more. Next came the mussles, which I don't eat... but my boyfriend was blown away. He enjoyed every single one of those bad boys... and the sauce and the bread it came with. The smell of the sauce was heavenly. I almost ate one. Next came the beet salad. This was good, but similar to the pickle, it was really pickled... REALLY pickled. It almost hurt my mouth to eat. We both agreed that this was the dish that we could have done without. It wasn't bad in any facet, but of the stuff we had, this wasn't the high point. Finally, the Spinach Coquettes came out. I have been dreaming of these since. They were chock full of spinach, with cheezy undertones, lightly fried, in this amazing smokey creamy sauce that was just a total game changer. I gave one to my boyfriend, and tried to save him a 2nd one... but only managed to save him 1/2 of a 2nd one... because... well... i ate it... All in all, Opa was reasonably priced, the decor was awesome, the service was quick, thorough, and gracious, the food was delicious etc. I also have heard rave reviews about the courtyard out back. We had planned to check it out, but we were full and sleepy after dinner. The good news is now we have a reason to come back (and get those Spinach Coquettes!).
(4)
James V.
This is a great place to grab dinner and even better for happy hour. The addition of outdoor space behind the restaurant has really made it a go to spot for summer drinks. They offer Jenga and Connect4 to entertain patrons drinking in the back. A ping pong table is also available and frequently the spit has a roast cooking. A large beer menu and some creative mixed drinks ensure a good time for all.
(4)
Julia H.
Don't go for dinner after 9:00, otherwise you are paying top dollar to hear extremely loud music (DJ) that is impossible to talk over AND to have someone'a back or coat in your food. You have been warned!
(3)
Grace C.
A trendy, candlelit place that's great for a Friday night out, either with a date or with friends. We got the mussels appetizer after the server recommended it to us--which was loaded with flavor. My only complaint was that there was not enough pita bread for dipping in the broth after the mussels were done. My friend and I split the special of the evening, the beef tenderloin, which came with greens and roasted potatoes. The potatoes were our favorite part of the dish, as they were lightly crisped and seasoned well. Dessert was the loukoumades, which were greek beignets with honey cinnamon drizzle, walnuts, and spiced banana. A tad on the sweet side, but good nonetheless. It went well with our cocktails, which were on the strong side. I tried the koukla, which was pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Our server said it was the most popular drink on the menu, and it certainly did not disappoint. This place is yuppie central, perhaps due to the outdoor beer garden in the back of the restaurant. It's great for post-dinner drinks, and is rife with cool games, chairs, and lights strung across the yard. Music is loud and trendy--perfect mix for a good night out.
(4)
Grace K.
GREAT SERVICE! opa is great for groups or individuals. I went to the outside bar for a work happy hour and went to the indoor bar with a small group to enjoy the happy hour. The bartender was fabulous and very attentive considering how busy she was... no complaints here!
(5)
Joshua J.
I have to say that I agree with the rating that this spot has, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. I went here with my boss and two other co-workers (four total), and we ordered off the menu tapas style. The food was good, but I found it a bit annoying that I had to ask for a full pour of beer, and this seemed to really irritate the server, who told me that they don't normally do that. My boss kicked in and said that we paid for a 16oz pour, and this was a 12. I got my beer back, totally full, but I've never dealt with this before, so it was a bit unnerving.
(3)
Noor S.
Cocktails were spectacular! We waited for about 15mins before anyone came to our table. Chicken was dry and don't even think about desserts! We had the creme brulee (or that's what they called it on the menu), the custard was more of a pudding and the carmelized sugar was hard and too thick. In addition, the fig ice cream was basically vanilla ice cream. If I ordered vanilla, I would've been satisfied but it was fig, so I expected for it to taste like figs! Overall, the service was good but the food could've been executed much better!
(3)
Jennifer M.
I had the beet salad and I had them add grilled chicken. It was real good. The service was excellent!!! I would definitely try this place again!
(5)
Minh C.
A very modern greek restaurant that I think is a very cute place to take a date. The menu isn't that large but it sure is full of goodies. The service: 5/5 Our waiter Zack was very helpful in making some menu suggestions. He was always very prompt and made this dining experience a great one. The food: 4/5 I was a little upset that there were 2 entrees on the menu I was interested in removed for the night. That turned out to be a bit of a let down. The fried kalamari was one of the best I have had in a while. The aioli was very light which complemented the kalamari excellently. I ended up having the stuffed oregano pasta which I thought was incredible however I do wish that there was more than just 5-6 pieces. It was not enough to fill me up. The atmosphere: 5/5 I liked the colors and the lighting of the restaurant. I thought it did give it a modern look with subtle accents. It seemed hip, stylish, and intimate. Hopefully next time I dine here I'll choose a heartier entree.
(4)
Jackie W.
The food and drink is nothing outstanding. It's a solid bar and restaurant but there are better places around the city. The mussels appetizer was good, but the service is absolutely terrible so I'm downgrading it from 4 stars to 3.
(3)
Kyle B.
I'm confused by the 5 star ratings for this place. The food is cheap, but is no where near being authentic. The chicken skewers were marinated in italian dressing and served over french fries. I'm fairly certain i had the same meal in the cafeteria during high school. The wait staff is a mess - although i think this is due to a lack of staffing, not their service abilities. The beer garden out back is nice - but is completely disjointed with the restaurant.
(1)
Jess B.
Food was so-so but the cocktails are bangin! Highly delicious and original drinks served by friendly and competent bartenders. Dude took orders for and made close to 10 drinks at a time without writing anything down or screwing anything up. Impressive in my book.
(3)
Lauren S.
I am a huge fan of the Dury Beer Garden at Opa. It is on the small side but it has a drinking in the streets type feel to it which is always cool. Liked the beer selection as well. The bar inside Opa is also cool with it square roundness. Tired the mussel they were also very good.
(4)
Michael G.
I went for a happy hour (sips). The drinks at the bar inside were served in plastic glasses (you'd think we were in college or at a dive bar), and one of the beers they had for $3 on special was Yuengling. I don't mind Yuengling, but it is not exactly a deal at $3 when everyone else is doing craft beer at that price. The apps we tried were mediocre. When we ordered food and drink 5 min before happy hour ended we were given our drinks and told that the kitchen was not cooking any happy hour apps any more. Complete lack of any real customer service there. Also, there was little to no seating available. Honestly, with all the other competition for happy hours in the city, I won't be going anywhere near this place again. I'm wondering how it is still in business.
(1)
Peter L.
Came here this past weekend for my dad's birthday with my parents and wife. While there were some kinks, all in all, we had a good dining experience and enjoyed Opa's creative spin on classic Greek dishes. I would say this is more of a 3.5 star review, but I'm rounding down because of the general unevenness of our experience. That said, I would still recommend Opa. For starters, the service was a little uneven, but most friendly and accommodating (there were some large gaps of time where we were waiting for our orders to come or for someone to take our order). Another minor complaint - there's a bier garten in the back, so you get a lot of traffic through the dining area from people entering/exiting the bier garten, plus you have to contend with some sloppy drunks for use of the two small restrooms. Anyway, on to the food ... We had a number of dishes, served family style. The watermelon salad and spinach croquettes were stand outs. The salad was similar to other watermelon and feta salads I've had, but the addition of apricots and a citrus vinaigrette (which balanced out the sweetness of the fruit) was a nice touch. The croquettes were like a dense spanakopita inside, packed with creamy spinach and feta, and perfectly browned and crispy on the outside, complimented with a creamy feta dip (which looked like it was also made with red pepper). The saganaki (cheese flambeed in brandy, then doused with lemon) was excellent, but it's really hard to make bad saganaki. It's prepared table side, for some extra flair. The sausage flatbread was decent, but reminded me too much of a bar pie (nothing particularly Greek or standout about it). The octopus was also good, although I prefer mine grilled and charred, while this was braised. The salad that accompanied the octopus, however, was phenomenal - the smoked chickpeas imbued an amazing smoky flavor to the entire salad, which paired well with the other flavors in the dish (red pepper, spinach, potato, roasted garlic vinaigrette). The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender, and very generous, but was a little fatty. We also had keftedes (veal meatballs), which were good, but not great, although I really enjoyed the booziness of the ouzo tomato sauce they were served in. The cocktail menu is very creative, and utilizes some Greek liquors (Metaxa brandy and ouzo) and flavors (e.g., watermelon). The Lemoni (ouzo, lemon, orange juice) was delicious and refreshing (although if you dislike ouzo, you may want to avoid, as the ouzo flavor is very prominent). For dessert, we had fig and merenda (Greek nutella) ice creams, the kormo (chocolate, cookie, and walnut cake), and loukomades (Greek donuts, similar to beignets or zeppoles). The ice creams were a little disappointing, as neither was particularly flavorful, and there were some ice crystals in the scoops we had. The merenda was decent, but it was a little dry and didn't particularly stand out. The loukomades were very well made, however. Crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside. They were clearly made fresh, and reminded me of the ones I get at my local Greek festival. They came with sides of merenda and spiced ground banana. My only complaint was they could have used a little more powdered sugar and honey (an easy fix). I was also impressed by the fact that the loukomades were complimentary for dad's b-day, along with shots of ouzo for the table. All in all, if you know how to order, Opa is an enjoyable dining experience.
(3)
Danielle D.
Here's the scene: 5:45 on Saturday afternoon, party of 5. We walk into Opa, menu looks good, the place has the windows open for a nice day in the city, the restaurant has a total of ONE table sat. We ask for a table for 5 people, they don't have anything available. I know, I was shocked too. There was literally only 3 patrons (at one table) in the whole restaurant! Their reasoning is that it was closing in on 7pm, when they would have several larger parties coming in and our party of 5 would conflict with that. I worked as a hostess, so I understand where they are coming from, but to clear out your entire restaurant seems like very poor form We ended up going to El Vez, caddy corner to Opa, where we were seated right away, ordered several appetizers and drinks, followed by entrees, not in a rush to eat, and we were still done by 7pm. We walked by Opa after we left Vez and the place was still wide open. Poor form!
(2)
Rich G.
They recently changed the menu but we weren't able to order our normal appetizer. I had the lamb gyro. One point to note is that they use real chunks of lamb meat and not the processed stuff that looks more like hamburger. The appetizer and the meal were both very good. I've visited several times an it's usually very empty during lunch. It's a great place to go for those wishing a nice relaxing environment where you can actually hold a conversation during lunch. Good prices, good food, makes for a good spot for lunch when visiting center city.
(4)
Sanoj P.
My wife and I have to been to Greece and really enjoyed the way Opa was based on Greek cuisine and had a modern look. Restaurant decor: Nothing fancy, but an island bar made of stones. The lighting was perfect and made for a great mood. Music wasn't loud, but enough to enjoy. Oh..and beer garden!? Food: Absolutely great! We tried a bunch of small plates. From saganaki to gyros sliders to keftedes, the taste was great and the portions left us perfectly pleased. Wines: I'm not a huge wine-drinker. My best attempt at a wine IQ is 'Can I get a riesling?'...to which they had something comparable to. My wife described her palate, and they found something also. Overall: Great wine. Great food. Great staff. Great place to go to on a nice night!
(4)
Stephen C.
I have to chime in as the reviews seem quite mixed on one of my favorite places for small plates in the city. I love Opa. For dinner for two or larger groups, Opa is a great option. The menu is concise yet varied and dishes have great depth of flavor. I could eat the beet salad everyday. Although I am far from vegetarian and cringe when I read militant reviewers bashing restaurants for not catering to the Veg Set, I must note that Opa has plenty of amazing vegetarian options and I sometimes find myself with a strictly vegetarian order. Don't miss: Beet Salad or Lemon Potatoes Skip: Pork skewers (they can sometimes be terribly salty)
(4)
Gautam T.
I feel like its about time I reviewed this place as I frequent the bar on most weekends. I have discovered they have a pretty good HH. I mean I was thouroughly impressed, the chicken skewers, fries and sliders were all excellent at a price that didn't break the wallet at all. Add in a couple of beers or wines and you're all set. I spent about 15 bucks, I felt mildly buzzed and pretty full, exactly the feeling you want after you leave a happy hour. Ok so enough of the happpy hour, lets get to the actual nightlife. Summers are much better because they have the beer garden in the back with a ping pong table (Which I dominate by the way, mainly because I play only girlfriend who sucks). The drinks are a little pricey but what center city bar isnt? The people are sexy the drinks are on point, the food is great and on top of that the bartenders are friendly.
(4)
Julio A.
Nicole and John are the dynamic duo of the outside bar. They attend to all the needs of the patrons. They put the "happy" in happy hour for me and my group. Can't wait to come back next Friday. I hope they are there.
(5)
Chris J.
Went in on a Sunday for dinner. Not a lot of folks around but great service from Cait our waitress. Had the spinach and artichoke fritters - tasty. I had the lamb gyro - very good with the toasted pita. Good chimays and the burger was yummy too!!
(3)
Craig K.
After being thoroughly impressed a few months prior with friends, I decided to come back for date night. Granted this was during restaurant week; however, our service was slow and poor and the food was not on point. The swordfish and lamb mains were tasty however the sides and the previous courses lacked seasoning and flavor. I teeter back-and-forth on whether I would recommend or visit this restaurant again...
(3)
Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I wanted some light fare for dinner, so we decided to try Opa for the first time. The space is very nice. You walk into this refreshing wood and blue decorated locale feeling warm and at home. For a Thursday night it was pretty empty. We weren't sure about the quality of the food, and once again, another small plates restaurant (which is getting annoying at this point), so we ordered just two-- the crab cake and the spinach croquettes. The crab cake was loose, and it had a canned crab flavor. On the plus side, there wasn't much breading (maybe that's why it was falling apart). The spinach croquettes were executed nicely but were saltier than flavorful. I'd like to have something that draws out the flavor of the spinach rather than making it a vanishing after taste. I think Opa's saving grace is its beer garden and happy hour. I haven't been to either, but I hear that it's very good. Bottom line: Two dishes were ho-hum, and it made us want to go elsewhere for a main course. The decor is nice, and the servers friendly, but it's lacking oomph.
(3)
Bill W.
Too bad, the outside bar is cool. However, the bartender lost my debit card, and the follow up was poor. Manager was rude. Will not be back ever.
(1)
Natalie B.
I've heard good things about Opa, so when I found out about their special $2 menu for their 2 year anniversary, I finally stopped in. We had reservations and were seated pretty quickly, though our table was kind of jammed in a small space, behind another table. We were served water pretty quickly by one server, who said someone would be by to take out order shortly. About 20 minutes later, I had to look around and try to get someone's attention before we could finally put in our drink orders, and then another 10 minutes later, we put in for our food. Most of what was on the special menu sounded awesome. Unfortunately, they were out of lamb croquettes, so we got the surf and turf souvlaki and gyro from the special menu. I know that $2 is a great price, but the portions were pretty dismal. I have child hands. The gyro was no bigger than my palm, and the surf and turf souvlaki pieces were about as big as my thumb. They were pretty bland. We also ordered the chili chicken fingers and fried kalamari from their regular menu. The fried kalamari was good and also came with fried green peppers and olives, but the sauce was tasteless. The chili chicken fingers weren't spicy at all. The crust had a really nice texture, but they tasted like they were just covered in honey. It was cozy inside, but both the service and food were lacking. The special $2 menu was a sham. It was really disappointing.
(2)
Michelle C.
I've now dined at Opa twice - once for dinner and once for lunch - and I really enjoy the restaurant a lot. While we do have a few options for Greek/Mediterranean food in the city, I can't think of another place that does it as stylishly as Opa. The decor and the cocktail selection bring the swankiness, while the food speaks for itself. The spreads trio is my favorite starter. It comes with hot, delicious pita but also some veggies for dipping, which is great for anyone who wants a little bite without a ton of calories. Each spread packs loads of flavor, and I especially love the tzatziki. For dinner, you really can't go wrong with ordering a bunch of smaller plates and sharing them all. That's what my boyfriend and I did during our evening at Opa. The mini lamb gyros are delicious. At lunch, the chicken gyro is lighter than a burger but loaded on taste. A side of dressed greens can also be swapped for fries. Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy the dessert course. Two varieties of coffee are offered plus a couple dessert cocktails and about four or so desserts. I've tried the baklava which I am always a fan of, and have heard several raves about the loukoumades (fried dough with dipping sauces). It won't be long before I'm craving those spreads and gyros once again!
(4)
Laura N.
Opa has a beautiful ambiance, both inside and outside. The food is always excellent and consistent each and every time I go. Not sure why a few who commented below said that they thought it wasn't authentic Greek food. I'm 100% Greek and you're absolutely right... At least half of the items on the list aren't technically considered "traditional", and that's completely fine with me! Opa takes traditional Greek food and almost modernizes it and puts a slight twist on it. It's contemporary, and that's what Opa reflects. I love their pastichio, spinach croquettes, Tiropitas, chicken, and pretty much all of their desserts. Plus the servers, especially Jesse, are SO nice and welcoming . It's a nice touch and aside from the delicious food, they make me want to come back ! And the best part is that they give complementary Ouzo shots at the end of your meal! Definitely go to Opa and enjoy their amazing food, drinks and service! It's affordable for the city!
(5)
Valerie F.
I'll start by saying that the atmosphere of this place is very nice, its dimly lit and has nice padded seating. At first the hostess told us that she could not seat us because she had reservations booked but there were at least 10 open tables, she then came back and said she could seat us in the back. My bf and I really enjoyed our corner seat with pillows and candles it was very modern and romantic. The 3-star review is for the food. We ordered the soft shell crab tempura special. The whole thing just tasted like friend crab shell and there was very little crab meat. The fingerling potatoes it came with were good but I'd rather not pay $17 to eat some potatoes. The waiter was very friendly and attentive, I would consider coming back due to the great service. Along with our check, he brought us 2 shots of what smelled like liquorice liquor. I tasted a small sip and almost gagged, it was absolutely disgusting I needed to chew gum just to chase down the taste.
(3)
Adam N.
It's been hit or miss at Opa. We've had some nights where it's too crowded to get a drink. We're here today for happy hour and the specials are very reasonably priced. The open window allows for great fresh air (of Sansom street, we admit). It'd be better if they offered their happy hour on their back patio, but it's only at the bar. At least we have good scenery with the hot bartender.
(4)
Deb S.
The outside entrance is questonable but inside nice. Met up with a group of friends 2 different times to hang in the outside patio for beers. It's a fun atmosphere with games, table tennis and started they growing living walls.
(3)
Michael Y.
This is a quiet spot for lunch in downtown Philadelphia. I've never been here with a crowd (which is a shame), but the food is impeccable. Really love the evolving menu, and I found the food to be spot on. Drinks were tasty too. But the real story here is the service. Our waiter was awesome. My colleague is a difficult customer, and the waiter easily appeased her and gave us an awesome experience. Truly terrific restaurant.
Aesthetics, I am discovering really contribute to a restaurant's appeal. It isn't just about the food or the drinks, but it's about the overall experience that makes me want to return to restaurant. Fortunately, two out of those three made my experience this time around - I was there for drinks in the ultra-modern bar area. Both myself and my company had a Greek Margarita which tasted a lot like a Mexican Margarita, but I went with it. It was great with a strong flavor. Service was quick and friendly and made this a great first stop on a night where we went to five or six other establishments. Recommend for drinks - and please try the food and let me know whether or not you recommend it.
(4)
Christina W.
A group of friends and I came for the last Center City Sips and had a pretty awful time. We requested a table for 5 and were willing to squeeze at a table for 4, and the hostess had a tremendous amount of trouble finding a place for us. Although there was clearly two tables for parties of 2 next to one another that could be easily pushed together, she did not seem to want to seat us there and intentionally made the spot seem infeasible and unattractive. We finally were seated there, and five minutes later the table next to us that would seat us more comfortable opened up. When we asked a waitress if we could move since we had a party of 5, she agreed, and later we saw the hostess yell at her for allowing it because she needed the table for a group of 4, even though the one we vacated was fine for a group of 4. Really set a terrible tone for the rest of our meal. We were not given glasses of water for about twenty minutes despite making multiple requests. Finally, they gave some of us plastic cups, probably because they ran out of clean glasses. We ordered the pineapple vodka cocktail which was terrible--it was overly sweet and overly tart at the same time (shouldn't those balance each other out?) Literally difficult to even force down because it was so sickeningly sweet and artificial. Our group shared many small plates. I recommend: -Spinach croquettes--delicious -Spreads trio--the pita, the tzatziki, and the babaganoush were excellent. It came with cucumbers and bell peppers for dipping. -Mussels--pretty flavorful Pass on the: -Fried calamari--just so-so -Lemon potatoes--barely had any lemon flavor -Veal meatballs--not too flavorful and fell apart when you cut them -Fries--fries were good but most of them were smothered with an orange sauce that I was not a fan of Food came out very fast after the initial rudeness, but overall we did not feel like we were treated respectfully. Even the quick delivery of food made it feel like we were being rushed out, and we weren't able to enjoy the food as much given the frantic pace. I won't be back.
(2)
Omnom N.
It was good food. Service could have been better. Loved their caramelized pears salad.
(4)
Jean-Pierre A.
Hello Yelpers-ok so Opa-what can I say. It's a chill little greek place, that did not require reservations at 7pm on a friday night. Tonight me and the little lady decided to try this place out for the first time. So..... the menu-the appetizers were delicious-they were a good size and contained a great deal of flavor and substance. We did not try the main plates or entrees because the menu did not have anything that really seemed to be too appealing for us. A couple of whole fish dishes, and some other greek favorites. So this should not appear to be a bad reflection on the entrees-it just didn't appeal to our pallets. Anyway, we ordered 5 appetizers, which included the lamb meatballs, sausage flatbreads, spinach croquettes, mussels, and pork ribs. Everything was great, but we would definitely recommend the spinach croquettes and meatballs. Deff delicious. Everything was priced appropriately. Drink were great too! Anyway, I would recommend! ~~~JP p.s. Across the street there's a dog store that has wonderful and delicious pig ears, that my little dog really loves :)
(3)
Flint W.
Good service. Nice ambiance. Octopus appetizer is required eating.
(5)
Noheli T.
I only went to Opa for drinks so there won't be too much substance to this review. The beer was fine and two beers cost about $16. The atmosphere was great and there was a wide variety of people. The staff were kind but our bar tender definitely needed to lift up her pants or pull down her shirt. It really just was a pleasant view if you're sitting at the bar. Overall it was good spot and worth a try.
(3)
Ben P.
We did happy hour at OPA recently and likely won't be running back. The atmosphere is ok. Somewhat cozy and modern. Although the abundance of bright blue paint, despite being traditionally Mediterranean, had me looking around for a slide and ball pit. It was just...too much. But hey, we don't go to restaurants for their paint choices, we go for food. Here's the thing, we ordered an app and a couple of beers. Hardly enough to completely judge a restaurant, but I'm going to anyway based solely on the appearance and behavior of the two people working that evening. The bartender was sullen, unsmiling, and off-putting as he shrugged and slid the happy hour menu across the bar to us. He wasn't welcoming and acted like he didn't give a shit if we were there or not. He and the one server working that night were dressed in ripped, stone-washed jeans and "Opa" t-shirts. Philadelphia: I'm officially over servers in mid-range to upscale eateries dressed worse than people you find in a Chilis. I'm not old-fashioned, but I want to be served by someone who acts like they want to be serving and doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed. I say this a lot, but there are too many GREAT restaurants in this city for me to settle for a place that doesn't hit on all cylinders. Sorry, OPA.
(3)
Christina P.
This review is only for the happy hour, as I haven't gotten the chance to come for the regular menu yet. A friend and I came around 6 on a Thursday night, and the bar had a few people around it but there were a decent amount of open seats, which we were happy about. We settled in and the bartender gave us a happy hour menu - $1 skewers (veggie, meat, surf and turf), $2 sliders $3 meatballs, greekified fries, craft beer $4 house wine $5 cocktails/sparkling wine I thought it was a pretty good offering for having everything $5 and under. I went with the house white - tasted like a sauv blanc, very dry but it was good, the greekified fries, and a veggies skewer. The fries were SO good. I expected some fries with feta on top but instead they came with this spicy feta sauce that I would like to purchase by the bucket if it's available. The portion was snack sized, but next time I might order two because they were that good. The skewers were tasty, but small, although it was only $1 so that's fitting. My friend had the meatballs which came with three sitting in a sauce that was very tasty, according to her. The only thing I was disappointed about what that I expected cocktail to be one of their specialties, and instead it was any drinks made with Cruzan Rum. Kind of boring. Overall, Opa happy hour is definitely a do. The price is right, and you can make a solid, tasty meal for under $10 if you want to!
(4)
Redwood K.
Bar scene dominates dining room. Very noisy. Good dietary choices. Decent food. Nice wait staff.
(3)
Keith S.
The $15 lunch special is a great deal, to bad the beer garden isn't open for ourdoor seating on nice days, sitting out front in the alley with the garbage trucks and delivery vans is just not the same...
(4)
Alex M.
Food was OK, beer list was decent and reasonably priced. Staff was a little too "trendy" for me and acted kind of put off by the fact we brought our child (7 months, well behaved). Neat back beer garden if you don't have your kids with you.
(3)
Regina F.
I'm all about any place that serves the following: 1. Fried dough balls to be dipped in Merenda (the Greek Nutella...it's slightly richer than the American version). 2. Greek wine (If you've never had Greek wine before, you're in for a real shocker/treat/surprise. It's pretty damn potent and delicious.) 3. Fat fluffy pita that is slightly doughy with a touch of char smokiness from the grill to be slathered in tirokafteri (if hummus were a cheese spread, this would be it). 4. ...and a cocktail that tastes like a vodka infused pineapple.
(4)
Sal W.
We had a variety of dishes including zucchini chips, gyros, chicken skewer, veggie skewer, baklava and a curry style soup (can't recall the name of it). The food was mostly pretty tasty with the highlights being the gyros and soup, but the portion size was extremely small. Granted, we stuck to a bunch of the smaller sized plates, but these plates were miniature. For all that above it cost ~$45 + tip. The interior looks very nice and is very well done. Service was average. The bathroom has a hand dryer instead of paper towels. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 3 Stars Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 5 Stars
(3)
Ryan P.
This place is solid. Great overall experience. You can wear jeans! You can wear a t-shirt! It's summer. You can also wear a pretty dress! Opa takes care of the fancy with their cute servers and well thought out dishes. Not a lot of clutter on the menu; equal apps to main dishes. Smart wine. Modern Greek meets (larger portion) tapas experience. I expect to get action if I brought a date here.
(4)
Lauren C.
I ended up here to celebrate Laura S.'s birthday. It was a great evening, but Opa itself left a bit to be desired. Walking in, I was impressed. Opa does a nice job of balancing classy and hip - the ambiance is trendy without being over the top, and I loved the way the tables were positioned around the sides of the restaurant with the bar in the middle. Service was friendly enough, but a little behind the ball. The drinks took a long time to come from the bar, and our servers never asked us about drink refills - we had to flag them down. Another example: when a friend and I asked to share an entree, they brought it out on a single plate. I know the establishment is under no obligation to split an entree into two plates, but when the kitchen or server takes the extra time to do it, it makes a big difference. The food ranged from mediocre to very good. Appetizers beat entrees, hands down. The octopus appetizer was tender and flavorful, and was my personal favorite of the evening. The pita bread that came with our spread pikilia appetizer was also warm and delicious. Unfortunately, the quantity of pita isn't enough to balance out the amount of hummus, tzatziki, etc, and you're left spending another $4 for another order of pita (or eating your tzatziki with a spoon). The spinach croquettes were enjoyable but not particularly memorable. Same goes for the horiatiki. The entrees sealed the deal on the three-star rating. The steak, ordered medium rare, was surprisingly large, but arrived at the table medium well and was tougher and fattier than we had hoped. The fish was flavorful but a little dry. The burger wasn't particularly memorable either. All in all, it was a nice dinner, but we decided to head elsewhere for dessert.
(3)
Tolis V.
The place looks nice and kinda cozy. The food is a modern version of Greek cuisine. It tastes good (although some traditional recipes should never been altered) but the portions are super small. If you go there to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, make a U turn...you won't. If you go to get some drinks then go ahead.
(2)
Whoy G.
The signature dish...opa...a melted cheese appertiser, was not melted nor served with pita...the gyro sliders...mediocher at best...very disappointing...my wife ordered a Greek salad which turned out to be just tomatoes, onions and olives...no lettuce...it was happy hour but were still charged full price($10) a drink...for Greek go to south st slouvaki...still the champ
(2)
Leo F.
Had dinner here on a friday night and overall came away satisfied. Prices were right in line with quality and service. While I was not overly impressed, (I got the chicken) but the food was prepared correctly and the portions were appropriate. I strongly recommend the octopus appetizer as it was done to perfection. The space is small so be mindful that you may be seated in close proximity to others.
(3)
Paige C.
My husband and I were looking for an easy place to relax for an after work drink and Opa's Drury Beer Garden had been talked about by more than a few of our friends. We made the trek over to 13th street, entered through Opa's restaurant entrance, through the available seated tables and back onto the deck - and there it was - right in the middle of our midtown village, an urban oasis of fun games, cheap drinks, and welcoming bartenders who seemed all too eager to keep our spiked iced teas coming one after another. Awesome! Our original plan that night was to bar hop a little bit, but after discovering the Jenga games and ping pong table, we just didn't want to leave. They stock a number of really good beers by the bottle, but the real draw is their spiked tea, lemonade, and punch. Key Suggestion: Ask them to mix the tea and lemonade (2/3 tea and 1/3 lemonade) for an Spiked Arnold Palmer - quite good. Towards the end of the night, we realized that we had been talking and laughing for hours, but had totally skipped dinner! We checked out the chalk board menu, saw chicken tenders and Gyros and ordered both to go. It wasn't until we got home with our food that we discovered that the Opa kitchen is yet another great reason to come here - these relatively common bar food items are extremely well executed and I absolutely will be back for some of the best chicken tenders in the city (really good). We had heard good things about the pork belly gyro, but they were unfortunately sold out for the night - no worries - just another reason to check back to one of our new favorite midtown village hangouts. Bottom Line: Try this place - you won't be disappointed - its fun, its relaxing, the service is good, the drinks are better, and the food is a perfect compliment. Solid.
(4)
John C.
Hopped into Opa during a night of bar hopping. It was a Saturday night so it was easily packed, filled with people at the bar and eating dinner. Right before we were going to try elsewhere, the DJ told us not to forget to check out the beer garden in the back. Much thanks to him for taking the initiative. It was freezing outside but the plethora of heat lamps warmed us right up. The outside bar had a mix of craft beers and little known gems. A nice, laid back atmosphere was enjoyed by all. Can't wait to return in the springtime.
(4)
Jessica E.
Review for Center City Sips only. Good sips options compared to some other places in town - two wines, two beers, two cocktails and two appetizers. We didn't order any food, but from looking at the menu it seems to be the same food as every other "cool" restaurant, but just with Greekified names (and maybe feta cheese thrown in). My friend and I each got the cocktail that was a ginger-whiskey type of thing and it was very good. Our server asked us repeatedly if we were sure we didn't want the other cocktail - some kind of lavender/pineapple thing - I suppose because we were girls, but it was kind of annoying. Would definitely go back for sips again.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Really enjoy this place. Solid 3.5 stars! Been here several times, and I love the stylish and sleek vibe. My favorite drink is the Koukla - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Refreshing, and goes down too easy! Dinner options offer a variety, especially when ordering for a large group. The easiest option is to order some appetizers and share. You may find that you need an extra order of their zucchini chips and their trio of spreads!
(4)
Dennis L.
The 3 dips for the pita were good. i would definitely recommend that. the $13 meat dish in a metal black dish that was basically cheese, macaroni, and ground beef, that was alright. It was way too heavy, I guessl ike a comfort food but it tasted like scalloped potatoes with way too much oil. It was fine till you got nearer the bottom, all that oil just made you feel disgusting. Would definitely recommend you order something else, maybe the gyro?
(3)
Soyoung K.
Opa really is a great addition in the neighborhood. By the looks of it, this place already belongs in the line of awesome restaurants in midtown village. The decor is very modern and trendy. It's a place you can go after work for a small bite to eat and drinks or a place where you can take your date to impress. Enough about the decor, the good stuff - drinks and food. I sat at the bar both times I was there and the bartenders are all very attentive and accommodating. I really liked the cherry + bourbon drink...which I forgot to ask the bartender. I could careless for bourbon normally, but this drink really struck a chord with me that I went back for more! There's also another drink made with bluecoat gin which was a good time in a high ball glass. Now, I've tried 4 items from the small plates section and they were all very good. Perfect presentation on each dish was really cherry on top of everything. My personal favorite was the octopus dish with 4-hour braised octopus leg and chickpea hummus. zzzomg, this was the best octopus dish I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the roasted beet salad with red and gold beet. I am so used to beet salads with red beet only but gold beet was a nice surprise. Overall, I am very happy that Opa is open. I have never really had Greek cuisine ever but I'm excited to try what Opa has to offer...so should you!
(4)
Zachary H.
**Review is for drinks on soft opening. Squeezed in the middle of Time and Bar, the addition of Opa adds an element for people who don't want to pay $5 to wait in line for Time or need an explanation of what a pickle back shot is. And if anyone saw the shape of the building a few years ago, it's one less crack house. Seriously, look it up on Google maps. I'm adding a star just for that. We were told by a polite hostess that as this was their soft opening, only drinks were being served at that point (11 pm) and that there was no waiter service. Despite this the busy bartender still made time to see how we were doing. The Basil Hayden's ($11) pours were a little light --maybe by half an ounce -- compared to some of the other whiskey haunts. But a nice beer selection ($5-$6, roughly) and beautiful interior will make this a place I probably come back to. But Opa managed to pull an unfortunate "first" by charging $1 for the ice in my friends whiskey. Yes, $1 for your average, straight outta the hotel vending machine ice. It doesn't matter if it was a penny or a dollar ... Charging for ice? We were half expecting to see a rental charge for the glass after that.
(4)
Eleni B.
I found this restaurant to be very innovative with classic greek flavors. Greek food is home food for me, so I was impressed with Opa's ability to present my favorite foods in a new way. I started with the Amaxi cocktail which was strong and deliciously boozy. My boyfriend had the Antho which I switched to because it tasted like my Greek grandmother. I know that sounds strange--but the dill and the sweetness had a beautifully reminiscent effect on me. It will be a great summer cocktail. Very refreshing. I thought the appetizers were all 5 star. Flavorful, delicious and innovative. The spreads which were very yummy. I loved the zucchini chips, such beautiful presentation! But hands down my favorite, and new obsession were the mini bite sized gyros. Bite sized gyros! If I could have a signature appetizer, that would be it! After the excitement of the cocktails and appetizers, I was really looking forward to our main course. Alas, they were disappointing. Opa has a limited dinner selection and I just wasn't impressed with what we ordered. I thought my befteki was unremarkable. My boyfriend had pastichio which was good, but nothing exciting. Dessert was redeeming. Loukomathes--fried dough--are a delight wherever I can find them. I like them a little darker, but I'll just specify next time. And there will be a next time! I'll be back for dinner but would loooooove if Opa could get some happy hour action going!!
(4)
Heng T.
Awesome place. The server was knowledgeable about the drinks and food. The drink list is extensive. For food, the octopus is a must-try. The rabbit dish: the meat a bit on the dry side, but the sauce and pasta complemented the rabbit well. The ribeye had such a wonderful aroma (lemon herb butter), and served with skordalia cake, kataifi, and horta. Get it medium rare. The service was excellent. This new establishment is likely to stay.
(4)
Joelle B.
I like this place and have gone a few times. My faces are the zucchini chips and patsitsio as well as the lamb shank-yum! I don't really know what drinks to order, as the only one I ever tried was a vodka dill cocktail I found very refreshing. I typically order a Greek white wine and start there. Beautiful inside, good service.
(4)
Alison K.
This review is for happy hour only. While the prices are not the best in the city, this happy hour is well worth visiting. A ginger rum cocktail was strong and satisfying. I moved onto some rose cava which was poured by a very generous bartender. We ordered some snacks from the happy hour menu which were small but flavorful. The meatballs were tender and there were three of them. The slider was tasty but too tiny to even fit on the slider bun. I also ordered 1 of the surf and turf skewers. It took 45 minutes and was so sad and tiny that I felt silly having waited for it. I don't know what I expected for a dollar so my dissapointment was probably self inflicted. It isn't the best but it's far from the worst. I'd go back for happy hour again.
(2)
Abby B.
Decent atmosphere, huge bar, central location. Those are the perks about Opa, if any. The food is just okay and they do have an average happy hour. However, the bartenders have zero personality, as well as an unsteady hand when pouring wine. Overall, the place just wasn't memorable.
(3)
Jason M.
Went here for lunch today. Group of seven people and I was somewhat dissappointed. We ordered quickly but then waited more than a half an hour for the food to come out. When it did come out there were problems with the entrees going to the wrong people. Also, I ordered the cucumber salad and the portion was extremely small. I believe they may not do a large lunch business because the hostess served the food to us as well as bringing us our drinks. On a positive note, everyone did enjoy the food. Might give it one more chance.
(2)
Andrew L.
Aaaahh, Opa. I have some nice things to say and some not so nice things to say. Shall we start with the nice things first? The service was.....good. There weren't many people there on a rainy Wednesday, so we had the server all to ourselves. He was almost enthusiastic, and very attentive. The food was.....satisfying. We started with the artery clogging Saganaki, which reminded me of a flattend pierogi served with a lemon wedge. My friend ordered the Pastisio, and enjoyed it very much. My Bifteka dish was a little different than I had imagined. It was pretty much a burger on a bun, not a big, open faced juicy patty like I had imagined. I nixed the bun and enjoyed it with the tzatziki sauce and the diced tomato, cucumber and onion (dubbed 'cucumber relish' on the menu). It was also cooked to a perfect medium. The menu said something about it being stuffed with feta? I'll leave that for the not so nice part. And now to the not so nice part. Where the hell was the feta?!?! And the dried oregano on the 'oregano fries'....I could make oregano fries at a McDonalds as long as I had my jar of $.99 oregano on me! Lower your drink prices or use less ice, Opa! You're better off ordering a beer, but if you want, splurge on the Anthos cocktail. And I just could not wrap my head around the decor. I felt like I was under water, on a patio, in a hut, in a Steven Starr restaurant, on stage (due to the blinding headlights that illuminated our table every few minutes from the cars exiting the parking garage across the street). And the background music was loungey. Like, elevator loungey. I couldn't figure out what the hell they were going for in there. Fire your designer, Opa. All in all, sadly enough, I'd have to pass on a second trip to Opa. If you want really good Greek food, head to Kanella....they know what's up.
(3)
pracheta t.
Came here for dinner and drinks with a few friends and it was packed! I absolutely adored the decor and the coziness of the place but wasn't wow'd by the food. The portions were huge, even for apps, which we weren't expecting and we def over ordered. We all agreed that the drinks were magnificent and actually reasonably priced. I'll go back for the drinks and maybe share an app now that i know how big they are.
(3)
Tom L.
Fantastic food at a great price with amazing service. Can't wait to come back. The Chef has imagination and great taste !!!
(4)
Colleen M.
So, I dropped in here with a friend after work yesterday. Service was good. The Spread Appetizer that we got was good, as were the spinach croquettes but neither was anything I left raving about. My martini -- with rye vodka and blood orange was a little expensive and not quite as good as I had expected. Overall the experience was okay. I am glad I went but probably will not return. Too many other options to try...
(3)
C K.
I was very saddened by this place. The food was OK, but not really worth the price, the service was super terrible, and it took forever to get our food (we were there for almost 2 hours and didn't even get dessert!!). Also, we had reservations and called ahead because we were running 10 minutes late and just wanted to be courteous, and the lady said that she didn't think they could accommodate us if we were going to be 10 minutes late but we could try anyway. We get there 10 minutes late, and the table that they had reserved for us wasn't ready. You have to be kidding!! May I mention that when we got there they had about half of the tables at the restaurant open? The only thing that saves this from getting a 1 star is that the food was good. Fries were too salty, but the entrees and appetizer (hummus) were really good.
(2)
Alex C.
In a city sorely lacking in Greek options, Opa is a solid addition to the scene, but choose carefully from the menu. In appetizers, the braised octopus is probably the best I've had in the city: perfectly tender, lightly dressed and served with a satisfying mound of chickpeas. You'd think a restaurant, a Greek one no less, that could work so well with octopus would get the calamari right, but it was decidedly chewy (try The Corner just a block away for better squid). The melted cheese was underwhelming the beet salad neither notable nor bad. The dinner menu was oddly devoid of lamb, but did have the Greek classic pastitio, a bit like Greek shepherd's pie. Opa's variation was comforting if unremarkable. They redeemed themselves with an excellent fried dough desert. Puffs of incredibly light and delicious dough were covered in honey and walnuts and served with a Greek nutella (as well as a repulsive banana/balsamic vinegar sauce). The blood orange cocktails was the best expression of the flavor I've had in Philly and the Greek coffee was satisfying. Service was perfect and the prices were right. It's definitely worth a visit if you like Greek.
(4)
J K.
Loved this place! Came here for an early pre-theater dinner on a weeknight, the place was not very crowded, and as a result noise level was low. The decor is very cool, I loved the different lighting effects. Service was prompt and friendly. Stand out on the menu was the fried calamari appetizer with harissa sauce. Yum! I could eat plates and plates of just that salty, spicy, delicious squid! Also enjoyed the fried olives on the plate. The main course special, lamb with orzo, was also excellent, and a huge portion. This is not one of those place were you spend $20+ for an entree and leave hungry! For dessert we had the little fried doughnut holes (forget what they were actually called) which were really fairly bland and greasy but they came with this absolutely heavenly chocolate sauce. Wish there had been some ice cream on the plate, and more of the chocolate sauce. Overall, highly recommend Opa for a casual meal of Greek food!
(4)
Jayna B.
Went here last night for the first time and can't wait to go back! My friend and I ordered three apps: Hummus (comes with hummus, tzatziki, some goat cheese amazingness, pita and veggies), zucchini chips (also with tzatziki) and watermelon nectarine salad (with feta and onions). We loved the tzatziki and I will be honest, I usually loathe this. Yogurt and dill and cucumbers? But it is the best I have ever had! The zucchini chips were perfect! Lightly fried, the perfect amount of fry-to-zucchini ratio and of course, more tzatziki! The watermelon nectarine salad was fresh and light which went really well with our other choices. My friend had the cava and I had the zoukla (misspelled), which is a pineapple drink and we enjoyed both of those too. The waiter was well informed, very attentive and very helpful at all points in the evening. Like i said, can't wait to return!
(4)
Aristos E.
I wanted to like this place - really did, but it just isn't happening for me. The decor is nice, the service was friendly, the pastitsio was ok, and the cucumber vodka with dill drink was very nice. Otherwise, the saganaki was just kind of a grease ball, and the spinach croquettes (recommended by the waitress) were either one of those TGI Fridays frozen appetizers, or made from a block of frozen spinach - pretty gross. In any event, if the ingredients aren't fresh, don't make it. I also found out why no one drinks Greek wine - it's pretty bad, in a sour-and-lingers-on-the-palate sort of way. All in all, this place doesn't do traditional Greek well, nor does it achieve haute cuisine based on traditional Greek foods. I don't need to go back.
(2)
PJ M.
Went to OPA based on having one of their drinks at an Octoberfest Block Party. Ordered the Scallops & Octopus appetizers, both very good, but somewhat small, a couple more pieces would have made it a really good sharing appetizer. We ordered the Pastitsio and again it was a bit small, but it was very tasty, we were able to share this as I don't think either of us were too hungry. Finally as a post dinner snack we got the cheese board, this was definitely enough to share with plenty to satisfy both of us. The atmosphere of this place is very nice, however it kept getting hot then cold, my date was constantly putting on and taking off her sweater. I have heard that their gyros are worth trying and I may give it a shot sometime. All in all this was a nice place for a date. Good food, good drink, reasonably priced.
(4)
Nicole S.
Apparently the menu changes frequently, we had a whole fish of the day, cucumber tomato salad, zucchini chips, and some other things, it was all delicious. A little pricey.
(4)
Slaveiko S.
Went there with a group of friends after a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, so we were there around 10:40. The music was obnoxiously loud, there was no hostess at the door and all the tables that were available haven't been cleaned after the previous clients. After about 10 min. we got a hold of the hostess who told us we can sit anywhere after they clean the tables and that the kitchen is open till 11:00. We found a table and sat down. No one gave us menus. After 15 more minutes with no service whatsoever we found a waitress that told us that the kitchen is close and we can order apps and drinks from the bar. After such a horrible initial impression we just decided to leave.
(1)
Nicholas F.
I went here with my girlfriend for the happy hour recently. We decided to go because menupages advertised a very appealing happy hour. Menupages failed to discern that the happy hour was available only at the bar. When we arrived the bar was about 3 people deep. this is a small place. The bar is a rectangle in the center with two tops surrounding it and booths in the back; it was difficult to get around. We were seated and brought water and drinks quickly. We were told that unfortunately the happy hour menu would not be available since we were seated at a table. Rather than get up and go, we decide to stay and try the menu. For some dd/mm/yy-anniversary Yuengling was available for 1 dollar a bottle. This is far from my drink of choice but to offset the cost of the full menu we ordered two. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer. Believe me when i say that this is the most literal interpretation of meatballs as their gets. 4 tiny, I mean smaller than a golf ball, sized meatballs for around $12.00. Completely over priced. I believe all they were served with was a small leaf of parsley. It was almost insulting. Adding insult to injury, my girlfriend commented that they tasted exactly like a McDonald's double cheeseburger, onions and all. Sadly, she was right. For entree's I ordered the rabbit and homemade pasta and she ordered the mini gyro sliders. The pasta was okay and not exactly cooked right, but not bad. The rabbit tasted like dead protein, but was more tender than the pasta. Finally the sauce was overly sweet, almost sickly sweet but not quite that offensive. Which depending on your preference could be a good or bad thing. Her mini gyros, were in fact, mini. They were about the size of a old mini CD. Maybe 2.5 inches across if flat. It contained hardly any lamb and was overwhelmed with lettuce. I was overwhelmingly disappointed by the quality of the food for the price. This restaurant is extraordinarily over priced and the chef showed a complete lack of inspiration. I would only return if I was walking by starving and saw an open seat at the bar.
(2)
Kelly P.
the pita was fresh and warm, the red pepper hummus had a nice kick, and the tzatziki was super good. try the cucumber-dill drink, i forget the name.. it was refreshing and much like a mojito minus the mint. i, too, was a skeptic of dill in a drink. but it was delightful. cute servers. what uppp. i'll come back to hit on them, and try a real meal.
(3)
Miriam H.
I visited this wonderful, delicious restaurant a few months ago during a visit to Philly and I am so glad that I did! I had the rabbit something or other and it was so delectable... i also nibbled on other people's burgers and fries and they were all wonderful. The ambiance is calm, generally slightly yuppy upwardly mobile types, but not fussy or attempting to be trendy. The service was superb and the waitstaff was so accomodating. Simply wonderful.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
i don't know why we go here. the drinks are crap and the staff is awful. what a waste of a nice patio!!!!!!
(1)
Amanda S.
these three stars come from just the beer garden out back. while the concept and decor is pretty great, the service was slightly awful and completely helter skelter. the three bartenders didn't know who or what was coming and going. the one guy who was waiting on my friend and i had to keep asking another bartender whether or not they carried any of the stuff we were asking for. when i finally got my beer it was disgustingly warm. and then, he told me i owed extra money because there was tax. at which point another bartender stepped in to say that wasn't the case. i sadly wasn't impressed. however, i did love the beer pong table and wished i would have gotten a chance to play. but my friends and i left after one drink. i'll definitely give this place another try in the future in hopes for a better experience and i'd also really like to try out the food.
(3)
Phil P.
Fantastic food and service. If haven't been you should.
(4)
Juli M.
Went here last night and this place has been open less than a week, so I will revisit when they get the kinks worked out. My initial observations are that the decor and ambiance of the place is quite pleasing - a bit noisy, but not too bad. The layout of the tables along the back banquette needs some work because it is too crowded and awkwardly placed. Without a diagram - difficult to explain, but you can't push your chair out without bumping into the side of other diners. For food, we ordered the cheese pastry, souvlakis (all kinds), octopus with chickpeas, mezze (hummus and other spreads), the Greek burger, side of potatoes, a biscotti, Greek coffee, and dough balls. The only thing good worth mentioning was the octopus and chickpeas, which was really a delight. The side of potatoes was AWFUL - one of the worst things that I have been served in a restaurant - overpowered by lemon, drowned in oil, not browned - complete mush. The burger was flavorful, but not cooked medium rare as requested, fries were sub-par (oily, mushy, like they had been sitting too long), pork souvlaki was good, chicken souvlaki was pitiful, small, and overcooked. Desserts were not that exciting and way overpriced. All in all - not remarkable. In addition, the drinks service needed some work last night. They conveniently ran out of the delightful lower-priced wine we were enjoying and had no other options in the "not exorbitant" price range. It also took way too long to get drinks and water glasses were rarely refilled. We complained about the things we thought could be improved and the management comped a few things on our bill, which was a good sign. This place is about 15% more expensive than it should be and they are definitely working out some issues. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck. It would be a really cute place to grab a drink and some snacks at the bar - love the look of the place.
(2)
Percy K.
Went to Opa on a Monday night and it had just finished raining. Needless to say they weren't very busy. The service was quick, friendly, and informative. The appetizer portions are tapas style and meant to be shared so definitely order a few. We had the following apps: Octopus - Excellent Saganaki - Very good; Fried cheese can't be bad right? Gyros - Good; Only 3 included and we were a party of 4 and after all it's still just a tiny gyro. Keftedes - Excellent The entrees were really great. We shared a special lamb shank dish with orzo and spinach (huge portion) and the house made black pasta with shrimp. Both of these were fantastic and I was surprised by how good the black pasta was. So now there's yet another contender for good Greek food in Philadelphia and a great addition to the midtown area. I am allowed to write in a review of Opa that I still think Kanella is better?
(4)
Nick K.
I'm Greek, so when we found a Greek restaurant across the street from our hotel, I couldn't pass it up. Opa is an upscale, trendy place with classic Greek food and American fare with a Mediterranean twist. It's a small space, so expect to wait a bit for a table. When we were there, the front windows were open and there was live music, which made the inside ambiance even better. The decor is very modern with shades of blue, metal, and wood. The coolest feature was in the bathroom- Greeks are known for breaking plates at celebrations, and the bathroom has a mosaic made up of broken plates. My wife had the fluke ceviche, which was very fresh and flavorful, and came with fried pita. It was good without being fishy. My meal was the lamb burger, which was one of the best burgers I've ever had. I'm being partial because growing up Greek, my two favorite dishes that my grandmother made were kefetes, which are zesty Greek meatballs, and Greek Village Salad, which is tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion drowned in olive oil and vinegar. The lamb meat was flavored just like her kefetes mixed with creamy feta cheese, and it was topped with diced tomato, cucumber and red onion flavored just like her Village Salad. Served on a toasted bun, it was my grandmother on a plate. The fries had fresh oregano that was slighted baked to a flaky texture, which made them exceptional. I would definitely try Opa again- it was fun, fresh, and made me miss my grandmother's cooking, which isn't an easy feat.
(4)
Lindsay G.
Great place to go for some drinks before heading out for the night! Love the decor and the cocktails are delicious....not sure why more people don't come here. The bartenders are great and make amazing cocktails.... they definitely take care of you!
(4)
Jeff F.
Not so much... went there with 3 friends and will not be returning.. food was just ok.. service was fine, however... after spending about $300.00 on our check, the manager came over, asked how everything was, and proceeded to say that we were sitting at our table a bit too long and he needed it for another party, so please pay the check and get out.. (not exactly in those words, but pretty close) We were appalled to say the least.. What happened to customer service??? Oh there was none.. go figure. I will NOT be back..If I want great Greek food, I will head to Zorba's in Fairmount!!
(1)
Nate S.
A friend of mine, who's cousins opened this modern Greek restaurant in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, took me here just a few weeks after it opened...and I'm thrilled to see how successful it has become since its opening. I'm not crazy about tapas restaurants, but the food here is truly fantastic...not to mention the wines! Service has always been very good, the waitstaff work well together and have always been professional and friendly. I highly recommend it! They tend to blast the music a little too loud after hours for my personal tastes, but you can't beat the quality of food and service here!
(4)
Aleksandra D.
We went to the beer garden and had a great time. The atmosphere is every great, not too crowded, and with good music. I only wish the employees would occasionally come by and wipe down the tables- they were pretty sticky and gross.
(4)
Alina R.
Very nice decor, with greek/Mediterranean influences. Comfy and cozy. Waiters are very nice, but a little uncomfortable because I think they are all new. Give them sometime and they will be flying through the restaurant with confidence. Mezedes (appetizers): Zimi: pastries with yummy feta cheese Fried Kalamari: not as oily as most people make it, which was awesome. I loved the fried olives. Zucchini Chips: Perfectly made, with Tzatiki dip. Spread Pikila: Love the Tzatiki and Tirokafteri (little spice), but I didn't really like not understand the hummus taste. I didn't hate it, but certainly didn't love it. Gyros: 3 small little gyros, light, and very satisfying. Pork Souvlaki: I think they would have tasted great if they were not so salty. I gave the server my constructive criticism to mention to the cook in hopes of helping you other souvlaki fans! Large Plates: Pastitsio: Pasta with ground sirloin was phenomenal, soft, and worth trying and coming back for. Rabbit: very nice and tender. Tasted like a home cooked meal. Would probably not oder again. Desert: Loukoumades: when fried dough and nutella are involved I am SOLD. Not a fan of cinnamon and spiced banana, but since it was on the side, the people who do enjoy it can take full advantage! Mythos beer was nice and pretty light. I enjoyed it. Hope this helps!
(4)
Steve E.
Trendy restaurant off of the main street. Was somewhat disappointed with the food. Had the souvlaki sampler (pork, chicken and vegetable) and found it to be rather mediocre. The chicken was bland, the pork had too much salt, and the vegetables were just vegetables, nothing special at all.
(2)
Robert S.
Nice atmosphere, helpful staff and really tasty food. Spinach & Feta croquettes, Souvlakia, Kalamari and Grass-fed burger with Feta inside are all wonderful. Pita comes with 3 dipping choices: Hummus, Tzatziki and Chili-Feta (the best). Great selection of draft beers. Derrick was an awesome waiter and very tolerant of a demanding friend. I can't wait to go back to this neighborhood gem.
(4)
Karol S.
Stumbled upon Opa this evening, and googled it to learn that it has just opened 3 days ago! :D Great menu, good prices, good portions, excellent service, it was a wonderful meal out. Some insights.... The grilled octopus (accompanied with a chick pea salad) was delicious! You really get a taste of the grill, thumbs up, Better than Estia's! I would have liked a tad more though :D The gyros were also great---3 small, perfectly sized gyros of lamb deliciousness! Also had the soup (which was described as containing 'chicken, lemon, and orzo')....It was OK. nothing special though. light and good, but I was expecting some chicken pieces, of which I got none... As entree, I had the rabbit with house-made pasta....DELICIOUS! I had never had rabbit in the form it is served at opa...shredded over pasta in a flavorful sauce/broth. Plentiful on the meat, the pasta was almost a side. Be sure to ask for a spoon so you don't waste any of the sauce/broth! For dessert, had the Loukoumades, fried dough served with melted chocolate and spiced bananas on the side, and drizzled with honey and walnuts. Very good, simple and felt deceivingly light. You get a good portion of fried dough balls so it's a great dessert to share. Finally, be sure to try the Greek coffee. It is individually prepared and served in an espresso-sized cup to be sipped. It is similar to Turkish coffee, but a bit lighter...a nice compliment to any dessert. Not sure how authentically Greek it is, but will definitely go back for more!
(4)
Evan O.
I went to Opa for the first time the other night to try out some food from their late night specials menu (M-F 10-11pm, $3 Yuengling on draft, $4 house wines, $5 specialty cocktails, and a few food items including Greek fries). I had the slider and the meatballs, and both were satisfying for the $2/3 price tags, as was the Brooklyn Brewing Brooklyner Weiss (a beer I haven't seen yet on draft). The bartender was very attentive and friendly, as were the other patrons at the bar, who quickly included me in colorful conversation that became the highlight of my night. I will definitely be stopping by again, especially to check out their backyard beer garden which is one of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, according to other reviews.
(3)
Nick C.
Came to Opa around 6:30 on a Saturday night. Hostess sat our party of 3 right away. Server Derek was quick to come over and get our drink orders and explain the menu in great detail. Appetizers are designed for sharing. We ordered the spinach croquettes which were good and a plate of pita with different Greek spreads that were excellent Entrees ordered were chicken lemon orzo soup (good not great) chicken over couscous with green beans and sundried tomatoes (very solid cous cous was awesome) and pastitsio (probably murdered the spelling but it was good but heavy and a little greasy) Overall the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. More importantly the food is fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Definitely recommend
(4)
JD H.
We were quite disappointed with the quality and style. I think they were trying too hard on trendy Greek food and it just fell flat. The service was ok, however, it's just not worth going here when there are better choices nearby.
(1)
Phil G.
Dinner last weekend. Service was friendly but uneven. Two entrees came out a full 10 minutes before remaining two did. Appetizers and entrees were so over salted, they bordered on inedible. My lambchop was fatty and undercooked, and vegetables that accompanied the meat were also so salty! Swordfish was blah. Gave one star for dessert. Baklavah was excellent. wanted to like this place, but won't go back.
(1)
Joan R.
I love going to a new restaurant the first week of its opening. I believe that you can get a good sense of how well it will do instantly. My observation is that Opa is here to stay. From the moment we entered we felt welcomed and it was so nice to see the owners greeting guests and telling stories of the items they have selected for the menu. A few of our favorite dishes of the evening included the roasted beet salad which my friend Colleen insists it was one of the best she has had, the Bifteki took the prize as the best burger Keith has had in quite some time and of course the striped bass which I savored every bite of. If you like cheese you have to try the Saganaki which melts in your mouth. The Opa martini was delicious and I believe it will be my favorite drink of the summer. Overall you get the sense of pride and love that was put into Opa. I am excited to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)
Izabella J.
My friends and I were brave and patient enough to head downtown Philly on a Saturday night w/o a reservation. After walking around for a while and hearing that the wait is 3hrs, we finally walked in to Opa, where the wait was only 1 hour, but...seating at the bar was open right away. OK then! The bartender Casey made our night. Just let him create and you won't be disappointed. We refused the table and stayed at the bar, cuz it was way more fun. We have orders some food, and yet another score for Opa! Two of are vegetarian. All three of us were able to find plenty of choices. The flavors were amazing! This is my new to go spot for sure!
(5)
Mark L.
Was able to get a table on a Saturday night, not common in around that area even for average joints. I had done some work for the owners so was curious to see the whole place in action. Decor turned out stunning. We had $10 wines which were fantastic, could have had a few more $8 wines choices. We had the Octopus with chick peas, 2 items hard to do much with but we loved both. Chick peas were served with a subtle tomato sauce and the octopus was braised in something to give it another layer of flavor. You have to get the humus pita board, comes with 3 dipping sauces, but the humus was all they needed to serve, I am still craving it. We also had the Spinach croquettes which came with a cheese sauce which was superb. My wife, (Vegetarian) had the okra / zucchini dish and gave it a thumbs up. Overall the service was great, and the prices seem on. We didn't even do the bar drinks, will return for that another night.
(5)
Reinaldo B.
Highly Recommend, the best Octopus Salad in the City, Better than Estia. Good Prices, Good Menu, Good Portions. The Ambience and Decor were a nice addition to the Good Food. Will definetely go back again
(5)
Stephy S.
This is only based on night life. I have been here while going out on weekends. They have a backyard outside area, and the inside restaurant area. It is nice to have both "scene" options. The inside restaurant area has music, but so small and cramped that dancing room is definitely a no-go.
(3)
Matt M.
Loved the drinks created by our bartender, Casey O'Neil. The Kedros was a great gin drink with elderflower St. Germaine and the other was a spicy margarita. Very authentic tasting hummus and a nice sausage and lamb flatbread. Superior service and a great atmosphere!
(5)
Alexis Y.
Cute, quaint, cozy bar! The cocktail menu is awesome, listed with several delicious drinks. Unfortunately the bartender was extremely rude and temperamental. He gave attitude to two people in my party and told me he could not make me a drink due to the fact he had never heard of it and "he made the whole drink menu himself". He acted more or less like a brat. After this, we moved on to a new spot!
(2)
Eoghan J.
The best part of Opa is the bar from 11 onwards when the kitchen closes. The food is not great at all. We decided to do a tapas style and ordered all appetizers to share. Nothing special at all.... very bland. But the place got really buzzing after 11, so a good bar seen
(2)
Anna M.
Lunch: My husband and I met here for lunch. It was in the area that we were meeting in so we decided to give it a try. My husband got the lamb gyro and I got the vegetarian seitan gyro. Lunch was cheap, simple, and good. The fries were delicious! The lunch came with a soft drink which we were able to substitute for coffee. There was no crowd and the server was very helpful without over crowding us. We will definitely go back for lunch and will return to try dinner.
(5)
Tiffany T.
Nothing special about this place, but not a bad stop for happy hour. Bartender was nice. $2 tiny sliders (pretty yummy nothing special) $3 dogfish head 60 minute IPAs and me and my 1 friend were the only ppl there on a Tuesday afternoon
(3)
Bob M.
Pistitio was not good at all. Everything else was really good, but my Greek mother's cooking would demolish this stuff. Just avoid the salty mess that is the pistitio. Hopefully they fix the recipe.
(1)
Michael H.
This review is for the backyard "beer garden" if you wanna call it that Place is a great hidden gem in center city. Hesitant to even report how good it is for fear that it will become too well known and crowded. Nothing too swanky but a nice chill place to hang out on a nice night playing pingpong drinking off their decent craft beer list. -Ping Pong table. -They used to have corn-hole, hopefully they will bring that back out at some point. -Good amount of big tables with Jenga floating around a lot of them. -GREAT canned beer selection -Good music, but played at a very low volume and turned off early, assume because of the apartment buildings that overlook the area. -AWESOME female bartender -Heat lamps for cooler nights, prob wont need them once summer kicks in but great for spring and fall.... we've also gone here on mild winter nights as well !
(4)
Geoff c.
A bit upscale. Trendy. But a great experience. I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, so all I can really say was that it was good. We orders a round of all the appetizers, like tapas style. The watermelon nectarine salad was great. The zucchini chips were also great. Pita and spread of spreads (see what I did there??) was also great. They keep the hot pita coming. The portions don't quite fill you up, and can be on the pricier side. The place becomes a pretty active bar scene in the late hours on weekends. Live DJ. Dimly lit. Great service.
(4)
Sandy C.
Opa is my current fave bar in the city, but I fear I will need to search for a new one soon. (it's getting exceedingly crowded. good for them.) The cute beer garden* out back and the Koukla cocktail are the top draws for me, and the perfect combo for those warm summer nights. Service is efficient. (i.e. good, but not super friendly.) Food is good. (i.e. tasty, Greek-INSPIRED.) *They need to take out the ping pong table and put in additional benches. Provide decks of cards instead! You're welcome.
(4)
D D.
I'll be as fair as I can be. My friends and I went to Opa on a Friday at 5pm for the happy hour menu. One of my friends is not an easy-to-deal-with customer. She's demanding and very critical. So I know that overall and all things considered, we weren't the best customers. The place allowed us to have out happy hour outside of its designated area. That was a very good thing from the restaurant since they didn't have to do that for use, particularly since my friend was being obnoxiously demanding. The server was very professional, though she came across a little fake ("It's fun to serve happy hour outside the area." Really?, Fun? Whatever). Anyway, she did put up with my friend and kept her cool, even thought I could feel her aggravation with us. So I believe she was extremely professional dealing with us. I made sure that at least I tipped her well. The main issue was the poor quality and time it took to get the food. The food was insanely overpriced for what we got, one of my fries wasn't cooked, and it took forever to get our food (maybe this is something that restaurants do to 'difficult customers', who knows?). I asked for a Lager beer and I got the dark instead, and they sent one too many of the appetizers we ordered. The drinks were served sporadically, so by the time I got my (actually not-too-cold and wrong kind of) beer, some of my friends were already done with their drinks. The decor of the place is very nice and the atmosphere felt good. But overall, the experience wasn't that great. Not sure I would have had a better experience had my obnoxious friend wasn't with us.
(3)
Lora R.
I love coming here for dinner because it's easy to get a table without a reservation (unusual for the 13th Street region) and the food is top notch. Ordered the drink with the tequila/agave nectar and long hots (can't recall the name), and it was delicious (and strong). Shared the sampler platter, which had very good dips and plenty of dipping vessels (veggies, pita, olives). And the waiter gave us a free shot at the end!
(4)
Andrew W.
I swung by Opa with a few friends to round out our happy 'hour' last night. I have no idea how the food is (it looked good) or what the interior is like, but I am a big fan of large outdoor patios with ping pong. Seriously, how did I not know this place had a huge deck? I could quibble about the line at the bar (only one bartender at the time) or the drink prices (a smidge pricey) but really, its a huge outdoor patio. Sold.
(4)
Nathan H.
**hidden gem in center city** I've been to Opa half a dozen times for after-work happy hours but only recently discovered the bar's back-of-house beer garden. While the front bar caters more to a sit-down restaurant experience, the rear garden has space for games (jenga, corn-hole, etc) and fills up quickly in the evenings (so get there early!)
(4)
Becca B.
I have been to Opa many times for drinks and we finally decided to head in for dinner and I have to say the experience was more than disappointing. First the hostess explained to us that although she had tables open "she just could not seat us, like she just could not." That did not really hold a lot of weight but we figured we would eat at the bar. There we proceeded to not be greeted by an extremely unfriendly bartender who tossed the menu at us, ended up bringing us two appetizers that were twice the price of what we had ordered, and served extremely flat draft beer. When asking about the quality of the beer she rolled her eyes and stated "sooooo are you saying you don't want to drink it?" Not exactly the greatest customer service. Overall the food was satisfactory- nothing worth raving about. I felt it was overpriced for the portion size and with the draft beer being flat, the experience was not exactly enticing for a future visit. That being sad the octopus salad was well done ad very delicious. However, I unfortunately don't know if I would even head back for drinks let alone dinner after that experience.
(2)
Christine L.
Made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday night thinking that I'd avoid the wait-time hanger (anger induced by hunger)... but even WITH a reservation ended up waiting for a good 50 minutes... Table for two with a reservation-- 50 minute wait? A bit much. The hostess clearly felt bad for the wait and comped our first round of drinks-- but that doesn't really clear up the first bad impression! The food itself was OK-- not bad just wasn't blown away by anything. I did enjoy the veg pasta dish which came out piping hot-- but the ribs and meatballs were underwhelming. Overall, probably not worth the 50 minute wait.
(2)
Jon Z.
Went here based on a friend's recommendation. The decor is very nice and the service is fast. Lots of interesting mixed drinks. Octopus appetizer is delicious but portions are way too small! For more than $10 for an appetizer, I would expect that each person at the table of four should get more than a single bite of the meal. I had the rabbit, and the meat was very tender but the flavor was not all there. For some reason, it tasted almost exactly like beef to me. Presentation was well done and the roasted veggies that came with the rabbit was soft and moist. The star of the dinner was the steak, medium rare to perfection, seared just right. The Pita was warm and fresh, however be warned no free refills. In fact, our waitress forgot to tell us that each extra side of pita was $4 until we were on our 3rd pita plate for our hummus platter. Don't give us 3 big portions of dip but then only give 6 small pieces of pita and then charge us extra for extra pita while making it sound free. For better greek food, goto Kanella instead.
(3)
Ashish P.
Great for drinks. Terrible for food.
(1)
Payal P.
this review is for the "secret" beer garden. it is awesome! it is a hidden gem amidst the city. there is a bar with awesome sangria and other tasty beverages, games and fun chairs to sit on. great place to kick back with friends! i hope it still stays kind of secret though, haha so i won't tell you how to find it ;)
(5)
C M.
Most recently visited Opa for lunch but have been to both the beer garden and restaurant multiple times. They have a great lunch special - $10 for 1/2 sandwich and salad/soup. The beet salad was delicious as well as the chicken gyro. Service was a bit slow, especially for lunch on a weekday when people are trying to get in and out. The beer garden is great. Very spacious with a good selection of beers. They have a limited and different food menu at the beer garden (think more bar food) but still tasty nonetheless. I'll be back, but will make sure if its for lunch I have plenty of time.
(4)
Brian C.
Opa definitely has a nice, small atmosphere, and I love that there's live music there. The space may be a bit too small for a live band though, as it was difficult to hear and talk to the people we were there with. The rabbit was good, and the noodles springy and chewy. The gyros that I had though were very tiny, and totally did not satisfy me. I did not expect what i got. It seriously looked like a commercial on TV where it was a joke that restaurants serve you little food, or where my hands are too big. The food was decent, but unfortunately the value was not quite there I thought.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
I love Opa. I have been there twice and both times have been delicious. I am a vegetarian and was very happy with the selections. I have been with a pregnant woman and a meat lover and we were all in heaven. They had great beer choices as well.
(4)
Ray L.
Opa offers a trendy and relaxing place to dine, with great lighting and a cute bar area that sits in the middle of the restaurant. There was even live music the night that I gave this place a try. The food was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. And by pretty good, I mean it's closer to okay than amazing. Anyway, I ordered the braised rabbit which comes with a delectable sauce with olives and capers, mixed in with house-made pasta. The sauce was excellent and the rabbit was cooked perfectly--tender, and the meat itself was not gamey at all. I thought the pasta itself was mediocre--it should have been softer and doughier. I guess not all home-made pastas are created equal. All in all, a pretty good dish but nothing to write home about, especially taking into consideration the portion. Plates here are small folks, so if you're hungry, one plate probably won't fill you up (unless, possibly, if you get their burger?). So that was one disappointing part of the meal--value. Two more minor points. I received my dish first. It was probably 8-10 minutes before the other dishes arrived. So there I sat, with my food, and there my friend sat, without her food, for about 10 minutes. There wasn't even an explanation for the delay. Anyway, that is a restaurant no-no. Of course, mistakes happen in the kitchen, timing's off, etc. But when you don't apologize for it or at least acknowledge it, it seems like you (as a restaurant) don't care or are completely unaware. Perhaps this is a bit harsh, but this is really a pet peeve of mine. (BTW, we sat at the bar, which also provides food service, but I don't think that should be an excuse for bringing plates out 10 minutes apart.) Other minor point is that there was a bone in the rabbit (it's clearly supposed to be a boneless dish). I'm probably just being nitpicky, but these things add up! I could see myself coming here again, but actually, I went to Kanella a few weeks ago, and it had much better fare if you're looking for Greek.
(3)
Jay A.
Our first restaurant week stop. The roasted winter squash was to die for. Salmon cooked perfectly. The Greek "donuts" were delicious with a unique spicy banana and Nutella spread. We are coming to back to explore more!!!
(5)
Louis R.
Suh...suh...suh...sexaaay spot for a date. Huge windows that retract, decent-sized 360deg bar with svelt bartenders (that look like male models), bamboo decor made to look like half-a-tunnel, smurf-blue ceilings, a large dining area that looks as if you can close the curtain around it, like in an ER or ICU. Whoa. The cucumber-lemon-dill drink was naaahce and refreshing but the orange-mint-vodka drink was too sweet, not tart enough. The bartender told us that OPA means a "joyful emotion" in Greek OR "grandpa" in German. I like the grandpa meaning.
(4)
Hudson W.
The food is out of this world. The lamb shank is to die for, and the chicken (which sounds boring) is amazing. Make sure you try their spicy tequila drink - your waiter will know. If he is working, ask for Zack
(5)
JB Y.
Alright let me say this, food and atmosphere, aesthetics are pretty solid. Portions left much to be desired. But the serving staff... While they were nice and meant well, it was like the JV squad, they just didn't seem too competent with timing - we waited a long time for one app, then for the food, and then for them go take cards. And place was about 60% full, nowhere near full or over capacity. Waitstaff was just amateurs, hopefully it'll get better.
(2)
Laura A.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. We had a 8:00 reservation. We dealt with some of the worst customer service. First the waitors tells us to sit. Then the hostess whom already was Rude tells us to get up because the table is for Someone else. It's now past our time. Then the hostess tells us to sit there now because the party hasn't arrived. Then the arrogant owner comes over and tells us we need to get up. We explained the hostess said to sit here and rather than being professional he replied with attitude "I spoke with the hostess you need to move tables". They need to work on their customer service. I will not be returning.
(1)
Teresa K.
I've been here 3 times for lunch so far and I've become a fan. Everything we've had has been good to delicious. I've had wine recommended to me by our server and that has been good as well. Highlights have been the loukoumades, which are greek beignets. They were so good, I think I could live on them. The winter squash soup was excellent as were the flatbreads. Only ok were the veal meatballs and a tomato, olive salad that I had once. The tomatoes were definitely winter tomatoes and I wasn't expecting pits in my olives. Another disappointment was that they don't serve Bloody Marys. I would like to come back for dinner sometime as it seems like they have a much larger menu then. It's never been crowded at lunch time and our service has always been good.
(3)
Preety S.
Met a friend here for a pre-theatre dinner around 6pm on a Sunday. It was pretty empty which was a surprise, maybe only 2 or 3 other diners. We ordered olives, feta and lemon chicken skewers for appetizers, salmon and lamb for entrees. We finished off with regular and Greek coffee for dessert. Next time I would get a glass of wine also since they have a full bar. Everything was absolutely delicious and the staff was friendly. A place I would certainly go back to often.
(4)
Dominic D.
Mark and I went to Opa for Marks birthday. Our first course we had the grilled octopus and the tomato salad. The octopus dish was very small.... And a little gummy. The tomato salad was great, very fresh and rustic. Our second course was rabbit and the striped bass. The rabbit was horrible. Lots of bones, eggs noodles, and capers. And a long black hai!!! That's all.... I was not impressed. The striped bass was amazing. Very flavorful, fresh, and the spinach was fresh as well. The polenta fingers(as we called them) we more like kids food... For dessert we had Greek coffee and some kind of frappe. The Greek coffee was tasty, the frappe was just like star bucks. All in all the atmosphere was beautiful, the restaurant was busy, but in our opinion the food was sub-par.
(2)
L F.
We were an airline crew (3 guys and a gal) who just wanted some good greek food on a Monday night.. It seemed that as soon as we ordered water (no drinks), the server got a little snooty. The food was good although pricey for what we got, but the service was S-L-O-W. For example, four of us originally ordered two of the same salads, and one came 20 minutes before the other. The one bright spot was the bus boy who cleared our plates and seemed more attentive than our server. He was happy to bring us more water. We ended up having to take our bill up to the bar where our server was standing around chit chatting with other staff and seemed annoyed that we were interrupting. By the way, it was about 8:00 p.m. and not crowded.
(2)
Bobbi L.
The drinks are interesting & have fresh ingredients like fresh berries. The appetizers are small & overpriced. We ordered the feta & olives. We received a chunk of feta which was probably about 3 oz and exactly 6 olives now for $5 I thought it was ok. However, my friend ordered the grilled octopus & there were small slices arranged artfully on her plate with a large pile of chickpeas for $14, so not worth it. I ordered a flatbread which was actually a pita pizza it was very good, actually it was the best item I ate. I ordered the stuffed pepper & tomato which was stuffed with a meat & rice filling. The filling was uninspired & bland also the skin should have been removed from the tomato. My friend had the halibut which I thought was dry. The drinks are great but I would pass on the food.
(2)
Kelly C.
fabulous spot! finally visited this place for lunch and i am ecstatic to share this spot with my friends! they have a holiday special for lunch right now and it is $5.95 for either the chicken gyro or the lamb gyro. I tried the lamb one which also comes with oregano fries on the side. you also have the choice of a salad instead if you don't want fries. and man o man what a steal! the gyro is a decent sized sandwich and it's fresh n nicely cooked! definitely beat the sandwiches on the street! honestly, you can't go wrong with the gyro esp if its $5.95! the oregano fries are very nice as well, i just couldn't taste much oregano in it. looking forward to trying other dishes at this restaurant :)
(4)
Big D.
This restaurant literally stole my money. The bill was $54.62. I paid with a hundred dollar bill. I received $45 in change. Where's my ¢38? I felt embarrassed to bring it up. I don't really care about the ¢38, but are they allowed to keep it? I asked one waiter and he said that they do that as a matter of course. If they do this to everyone, how much does that add up to in the course of a week? I certainly will never go there again and am considering filing a complaint with the state Attorney General.
(1)
Luke P.
Stopped in tonight for dinner and had two apps: --Braised Octopus --Spinach Croquettes Both were very tasty, and I especially liked the Octopus. It was very tender, having been braised for something like 4 hours, and came served with chickpeas and tomato, cooked together but with the chickpeas still whole (kind of like a compote). The spinach croquettes were good too, lightly fried and served with a nice sauce (feta cheese based, I believe). The menu in general seems to offer a nice variety of items, and things not common on other menus. I want to taste the rabbit main dish when I return, and also the mixed 'offal' appetizer (has liver, intestine, heart, etc...). Service was very attentive and pleasant. I look forward to returning.
(5)
Amber E.
This is the third time I have gone to Opa and was still impressed. Not only are the specialty cocktails amazing (Mouro, bourbon and berries) but the food is great as well. Both the individual that I dined with and myself have food allergies, the server was very helpful and recommended what met our dietary needs.
(4)
Robin A.
Persistent pita problems. I went here last week with three friends on a Thursday night. We immediately ordered the hummus plate for the table. As soon as it came out, one of my friends asked for more pita since there wasn't much on the plate. The server informed us that 'she always notices when tables need more' but that she would put it in. Okay, 20 minutes later, still no extra pita bread. We were just sitting there staring at the hummus spreads with no way to eat them except straight up with a fork. We asked our server again if we could get more pita bread and she said 'I put it in!' like it was our fault for asking for more. Another 5 minutes went by and we finally asked another server if she could scrounge up some bread for us. We finally got some extra bread about 5 minutes after that (30 minutes total after asking). Seriously? 30 minutes for extra pita? It doesn't need cooked, just sliced! Unless they were harvesting the wheat in the back, this is ridiculous. Our entrees took a very long time to come out - probably 40 minutes after ordering. The food was very good but service here definitely leaves something to be desired.
(2)
beata n.
Ambience was very cool but the food just ok.
(3)
Ben F.
The layout and design inside are very pleasing to the eye, dare I say cool and our bartender, she was nice. I was with a group of fellow coaches and we sat at the bar. I ordered the calamari (came with some deep friend green greek olives that were AWESOME) and a small plate of pork tacos, kinda slidder style. The slidders themselves were good except 2/3 tacos, the the meat inside was basically gristle, so an F on the taco slidders that night. I would go back if I had to, but was kinda underwhelmed I guess.
(2)
Alexa R.
With Center City Sips in full swing (we think, otherwise, the CC interns were out in full force), my party of 4 headed to Opa last night. The hostess could not find our reservation, but remarked she specifically remembered taking it. She nicely sat us at a table and we were so grateful! We started with the spread platter (amazing, but needs more pita), the mini gyros (cute), the octopus (I like Dmitri's better) and the men at our table shared some kind of offal appetizer, which they said was great. I had the chicken, over a bed of couscous, green beans and sundried tomatoes. It was good, (I do wish there was more chicken for the price) but the real star of the show was my cocktail. I had some lemon vodka lavender number. And then had two more....they went down so easily! For two couples to have apps, dinner and drinks, it was 200 bones. A little steep, I think, but we all agreed we loved our meal!
(4)
Barbara K.
I was lucky enough to 'win' a chef's tasting dinner for 10 at Opa, which I used last week. I had been told that this was a great restaurant (thanks Hugh E), but now I believe it. Each course was better and better, and the Chef's 'marriage' of traditional Greek food with new tastes was truly exceptional. The staff was great, even tho we had a few picky customers. I cannot rate this high enough to reflect my experience.
(5)
Tim P.
I really enjoyed Opa. I think the food is really good quality Greek food. I had the pastitsio and also had the Keftedes. The service was good and great selection of cocktails and also beer. I would suggest the zucchini chips. The restaurant is located in what I am told is called 13th Street Corridor. After dinner there are numerous places to go for a beer and even a gelato stand close by. I would recommend Opa!
(4)
Jason L.
Great little trendy place for a drink or two and an appetizer! Try the zucchini chips and mini gyro their amazing!
(3)
Brad B.
Randomly went after an event in the city with friends. Food was over cooked and very salty. There is much better Greek in the city! Server never asked how our food was, and when we sent full plates back to the kitchen, she never asked why. Ordered a dirty martini at the bar. The bar tender used his hands to select and skewer olives as well as break up an olive to put in the shaker. I love my martinis - hold the fingers! Overall bad food, bad service. Skip this recent addition to Philadelphia.
I'm a big fan of Greek food and was looking forward to trying the newest addition to Philadelphia's collection of Greek restaurants. My birthday provided the perfect opportunity, so I headed here with a group of 7 friends on a Thursday evening. Last year's birthday dinner at Kanella was a great success, so I was hoping to recreate the experience. Opa was good, but did not meet my expectations. The space is small and was slightly cramped where we were seated, to the side of the bar. The decor is nice and not the classic, traditional Greek look, but still gives off a Mediterranean vibe. Service was pretty inattentive, especially as we were such a large party. It took a long time to get water and order drinks, we had to track down our waitress for refills, and food was slow to come out. The food here would need to be pretty awesome for me to forgive the mediocre service and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food doesn't approach "awesome." Everything we tried was fine, but nothing was particularly exciting or innovative. The table shared several appetizers, and we definitely enjoyed these more than the entrees. The grilled octopus was a highlight and was served with a side of delicious chickpeas. The horiatiki and spinach croquettes were fine - somewhat small portions for the price (4 croquettes, a small salad), and not particularly noteworthy. I enjoyed the dips that came with the spread pikilia, especially the delicious tzatziki, but it came with much too little pita for the dips - and you are charged for extra pita (this is not explicit on the menu, but previous Yelpers had given me a heads-up). I split the Brizola (rib-eye steak) with Lauren H. We ordered it medium rare but were given a fairly well-done steak. It was OK - not particularly well-seasoned. It did come with very yummy vegetables. I don't even remember what the other members of our party ordered, which tells you how memorable everything else was. I love Greek food and had high hopes for Opa, but it's not getting added to my regular rotation. It might be a nice place to stop in for a cocktail at the bar, but there are many better options for Greek food.
(2)
Chris P.
Great atmosphere, good food and creative drinks - albeit, the drinks can be on the pricey side... but it's Philadelphia and in an area of the city where things have gotten a bit more pricey. The bartenders have all been very friendly so far and part of the reason I go back.
(3)
F. O.
Cool place for lunch. Very reasonably priced entrees
(3)
Sam J.
The uzo didnt taste like uzo and the rabbit dish was mediocre. Think I will bypass this one
(3)
V C.
I know some people love this place but I don't get the enthusiasm. The food is average. Definitely nothing to get excited about. The service was atrocious last as my friend and I were essentially thrown out while I was still drinking my coffee because they had another reservation. Better plan to eat quick and move on. This isn't the place to catch up with a friend.
(2)
Andrea M.
I was excited to try out this Greek spot in the city. Service was friendly and courteous and the ambience is clean and hip. They have a nice cheese board and olives, but I was a little disappointed with the Saganaki. Where was the flair? I think they missed out on an opportunity to have something fun and exciting with this traditional dish. Instead of plopping a plate of melted cheese down on the table, they should set it ablaze to cheers of "opa!" in front of diners. The entrees were good, but nothing spectacular. I might return, but I might not. I think it is best suited to apps and drinks.
(3)
Lindsay T.
Just ate here for a nice cozy lunch on a rainy day. I ordered the Chicken Gyro which was DELISH! I seriously was savoring every bite. Flavorful chicken wrapped with a warm, doughy pita - mmmm it hit the spot! I asked the waiter for more tzatziki and to my disappointment when the bill came they charged me $2 for a small side of it. WHACK! At least let a sister know when you ask for some more of something that she will be charged. Regardless, I had a nice, enjoyable lunch and was back in the office before anyone could notice I was gone - double bonus! Can't wait to go back and try more stuff!
(4)
Dom R.
Opa which is loosely translated to mean something like Hooray! or Hell yeah! or even Yeehaw! Cool name for a Greek Restaurant. The food is close to making me say it, very close, but not quite. Some of the highlights from the menu for me include the Keftedes (Greek Meatballs), Grilled Octopus with Chickpea fondue and the Pastitsio. These three dishes alone I would come back for. The Pastitsio was awesome and would love to have a big pot of it the next time I get snowed in. The cocktails are creative and delicious. The Loukoumades for dessert were equally as delicious and come with a couple dipping sauces, one banana puree, the other Merenda (which is a Greek Nutella) The Bifteki or Greek Burger didn't do it for me. It came out dry and I don't think Greek Flavors help to deliver a tasty burger. Wasn't a fan. Solid Greek spot with a trendy interior, creative cocktail menu and some standout dishes worth coming back for. I'd give it a quiet opa, no exclamation point.
(3)
Kasia H.
Just average.
(3)
M P.
Lively bar scene with tasty drinks and decent appetizers. Went here for sips. The calamari was good and included fried olives, which was a nice touch. The fried spinach appetizers were good too, but everything was just a bit too fried. Veal keftedes were bland and came in a tomato sauce that was not unlike something you get out of a can. Nonetheless, great atmosphere and very tasty mixed drinks.
(4)
Hamzah K.
A fusion take on Greek cuisine, great ambiance as well. I loved their fried zucchini and the pitas! I can eat those pitas all day with pretty much anything.
(4)
Michael L.
A nice atmosphere, with solid vibes. I'd really want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I had a good experience- so I bumped it to a 4. The food, eh? drinks, ok? I just felt that this was just a nice neighborhood hangout, but nothing to rant and rave about.
(4)
Emilio M.
This place is bringing sexy to Greek food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and loved the food. we sat at the bar and enjoyed a bunch of appetizers before ordering entrees which were very good as well. i can't wait to go back.
(4)
Anthony F.
Nice ambience and really good, but not great food.
(4)
Hady Y.
Yummy food, good serves, try it you will love it
(4)
Karin R.
More of a bar than a restaurant, but the food is great and so are the drinks.
(3)
David S.
Wonderful modern Greek Food.
(4)
Andrew M.
1. reservation for 3 made. upon arrival, "sorry we only have 2 menus," it was a sheet of paper. really? couldn't print more? 2. cars exiting parking structure across sansom shine piercing headlights into your face 3. can you say small portions! 4. striped bass was undercooked and when told, "that doesn't look like it's undercooked" 5. should be renamed "Opa Sporting Club" half the clientele came in sweaty in tank-tops and gym shorts. 6. server disappeared to hang out with gym buddies 7. lots of Ikea decor, literally... not that there's anything wrong with that, but not with those prices on the menu please.
(1)
Jake M.
Horrrrrible. Ordered food at the bar and it never arrived after 1 hour. They forgot to put the order in and said they would expedite it. After 30 more minutes it never arrived. Had to leave but they were nice enough to not charge for the missing food!!
(1)
HD T.
Great food. Small portions, so does get expensive The sparkling vine was flat.. had to send it back all in all great restaurant
(4)
Steven K.
At there on valentines day and just now getting around to writing review. Everything about it was great. Small place, so very intimate. Trendy atmosphere. Service was great. the waitress was very helpful and knowleadage, and suggested some good wine and knew about all the good. all the food was excellent, and the service perfectly paced. I had the rabbit stew...first time with rabbit. very nice!
(4)
HH V.
We'd had two meals there. Both were great. The apps, entrees, and cocktails are all good. I had the whole fish both times. Really awesome. The environment is really cool and unique. The help is really nice.
(5)
Patty G.
My husband and I went to this new spot with another couple last night - one of whom is Greek. The decor is beautiful. Loved the sea-blue ceiling and stonewall bar. The service was friendly and attentive - the staff was eager to answer any questions we had. Bar tab was reasonable, with lots of local beers. On to the food - We ordered far too much, as all small plates are generous and encourage sharing. Spinach croquettes were lightly breaded, creamy and light with a clean spinach flavor. The smoky cheese sauce that went with was perfect. Zucchini chips seem meticulously made, but were ridiculously good. Came with some of the best tzatziki I have ever had - really addictive. Octopus was smoky and butter-soft. Came with a warm chickpea salad that had a smoky note of its own - a nice compliment. Meatballs were moist and flavorful with a hint of mint that was a nice surprise, but the tomato sauce was a little sweet for me. Mini-gyros were adorable with juicy lamb and springy grilled pitas. Calamari was crisp and light, with a generous portion, and a nice surprise of fried peppers and fried stuffed olives, but the harissa aioli left me a little flat - I expected a little more zing from harissa. IMHO they should serve the fried stuffed olives as their own thing. I had the rabbit entree, which was delightful. Tender shredded rabbit with carrots, capers and green olives over wafer-thin home made pasta. A winner! My friends loved their chicken and feta-burger entrees. I was a little surprised there wasn't more lamb on the menu. Maybe as a special down the line... The desserts were all great. Some of the best baklava we'd all ever had, served with a great fig ice cream. The Kormo was a revelation - sort of a less creamy Greek Tiramisu. Biscotti and brandy and chocolate pressed into a loaf. Wow. The Loukoumades were also delightful - puffy fried dumplings with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of walnuts and 2 luscious dipping sauces - banana, and Greek-style "nutella". The prices were more than fair, too. I know that this place will only get better and better, and will definitely land on our regular rotation!
(4)
M C.
I went there for the first time. I think they have a nice decor but it is way to dark for a greek style restauran. My buddy and I ordered more than we can handle or more like a unoffical menu tasting. The food in general was alright I mean there was no "wow" factor to it. The gyro platter was my favorite. I mean this is really a normal restaurant that is nothing special. I just want to say I had better small greek food at a mom and pops restaurants. Would I go back? unlikely because there are el vez and sampan beside it.
(3)
Chris S.
Excellent! The perfect place to gather with some friends for delicious small plates of grilled octopus (table favorite), spread pikilia, gyros (slider style), the cheese plate, and souvlakia (three ways). Cool atmosphere around a river rock bar with dark stained arching arbor. Excellent selection of craft beers and affordable Greek wines. Back to the octopus: Chef Andy Brown's 3-day labor of love to bring the dish to the table results in a tender, barbecue finish that you have to taste to understand.
(5)
Rachel E.
Four of us dined there this evening and I have to say that I've had better greek elsewhere. We tried most of the appetizers and everyone seems to rave about the octopus. I thought it was completely overcooked and chewy. The calamari was tender but way too much breading. The only things that I thought were great were the hummus and the gyros. Everything else was forgettable. We thought the entrees would be better, but again they fell short. The striped bass was completely bland. I could've cooked a better meal. The pastitsio just tasted odd. I've definitely had better at kanella. The one entree that I will say was excellent was the rabbit with homemade pasta. The flavors were spot on. We did let the server know that we didn't enjoy the other entrees. My friend had two bites of the fish and pastitsio so 90% of the food was left on the plate. The manager did come over and apologized. He then said that everyone seems to like the food and that we must be mistaken. He also said we probably have never tried traditional greek food before. I was flabbergasted!! I couldn't believe this guy. I'm in the business and would've never spoken to a guest in the manner that he did. Needless to say they need serious work on seasoning and customer service! I will not be back!
(2)
Jennifer R.
Came for dinner recently and had a pretty swell experience. The service was great. Our waiter was really helpful and everything came out pretty quick. The place has a well designed atmosphere with a pretty unique layout. Everything feels very fitting and well done to this place but just a few unsuccessful menu items. I'd say we ordered wrong and should have gone for more of the traditional greek items. We were curious about some of the more adventurous items they had to add some creative twists to mediterranean but a lot of them fell short. I love what they were trying to do, but they can probably narrow the menu to the real star dishes. We were very interested to see how they did gyro with crab and got that. It was unfortunately not very favorful at all besides the spicy sauce and didn't taste fresh. We got a feta spread and added it on top which helped give it some taste. The spread was great. I do think it was an odd garnish choice to put a whole charred green onion on every pita that came out. It presented nicely, but was useless and got in the way. Also should bring more than one pita with a dip (pita was very fresh and delicious though). We tried to the wild boar ragu as well which was very tasty, but the egg noodles it came with were just a solid unflavored hardened block mostly. You can tell they know how to cook red meat so know to go for that more next visit. We were there during sips so our drinks were probably not as good as they usually are. They were loaded with simple syrup so were too sweet and artificial tasting. We tried some of the sips apps as well which were are very tasty. The fries were surprisingly the best of what we got with a unique great seasoning. the stuffed grape leaves weren't the best I've had, but still satisfying. the chicken skewers had a really well developed sauce, but the chicken was pretty undercooked unfortunately. I've seen their other more traditional plates and love everything else about the place, so thats why they're still getting a nice handful of stars. I would just order better than we did. I know not to fully judge the place based on going during sips. I will absolutely still be back at a less busy time and attack that fava bean hummus and octopus instead next time.
(4)
Natalie K.
I like this place! It's got a cool bar with seating almost all the way around, which I had the opportunity to sit at once for happy hour and it was great! The happy hour deal was decent also. The specialty cocktail on happy hour was a black currant drink with vodka. I was a fan! I think the food is pretty good here also, although I will say that the portions are a little on the smaller side. I had the spinach croquettes and they are AMAZING. I took the recommendation from other reviewers here on Yelp and they did NOT disappoint with their suggestions. So I'm passing along the message... get the spinach croquettes. When I ate here, we sat at a table by the windows, which they had opened up (we visited during the summer) and it was a really nice setting. We could watch people walk by on Sansom St and there a was a good breeze that day. I've also been here after the kitchen closes for the bar and it was a great setup. They have a DJ playing a good selection of music and the tables become open seating. Overall, it was a fun place for nighttime!
(4)
Larry W.
Wow what a difference since the new chef took over. Food is outstanding. Modern yet authentic Greek food. Great cocktails. Homemade pita. Fresh fish dishes. Inventive sauces. Fair prices. Strongly recommend
(5)
Sarah P.
I came for a light lunch with my mother and aunt. My mom picked the place and I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I was very surprised that this place is below a 4 rating as I have very high standards for quality and it met my standards. All dishes were fresh, inventive, and presented beautifully. This isn't your classic Greek menu. They offer a lunch special for $14 where you choose half a sandwich and any two items from the salads or souvlakia/plates section. I'll be back.
(4)
Sara M.
Went to Friday night happy hour out in the back of the place--haven't been there for awhile so the covered tented areas were a nice upgrade from the last time I was there. Five of us got there before 6 and snagged a place in the corner of the bar to post up, there weren't any tables left. They were out of Brooklyn summer cans (womp womp), but all other beer was in stock and good. Tasted my friends red sangria and was pleasantly surprised. Service was a tad slow but it was busy for the night and they kept tabs on you. Overall a great experience!
(4)
Jim L.
Good small plates. Charred eggplant spread, grilled salmon, grilled octopus, fried cheese were favorites.
(4)
Rick B.
I can't say it's a coincidence that Opa is right next to Time. Seems like they also caught the sellout vibe, and decide to turn a nice restaurant into a genuine try-hard when the night crowd rolls in. Overly loud music and "menacing" bouncers. I took a few friends from out of town here and watched our wonderful bouncer for the night get into TWO altercations with some patrons. It was beautiful 70-something degree night in late May; c'mon, nobody wants to see that. Oh, and last call apparently only lasts less than two minutes. Almost immediately after our last call, the same bouncer (surprise) decided it was time to kick everyone out. Opa's previous reviews definitely warrant another visit to at least try the food, but in the meantime, I can't ever see going back to enjoy a night out with friends. Ever.
(1)
Richard R.
We went to Opa last Sunday night and we had a really nice dinner. Opa is just off the 13th street transformation on Samson. The restaurant is very beautiful inside and does a great take on chic, industrial Greek. On the Sunday night we dined there, the restaurant was not very crowded so the noise level was quiet. We had Grilled Octopus, Beet Salad-Batzarosaláta, Shrimp Pasta-HilopÃtes Me GarÃdes, Gýros-Gýros Arnà and the Whole Fish. The Octopus was very good and came with some vegetables. I think Estia and Barbuzzo do this dish a little better, but it was still quite good and tender. The Beet Salad was very good and large enough to share with 2 people. The Shrimp Pasta was excellent with a very tasty sauce and we also really liked the Lamb Gyro. The meat was tender and it had just the right amount of tzatziki sauce. We ordered the whole fish, which was a grilled Bronzino. This was another excellent dish and the fish was light and moist and had that nice grilled taste. For dessert we had the Baklava with Fig Ice Cream. We were able to share this with 3 people. The prices are fairly reasonable at Opo. Dishes ranged in the $9.00 to $14.00 range for the most part. The Bronzino was $29.00 but that was market price and typical. We really liked our dinner at Opa and our server Jesse was great and also very attentive. We will be back.
(4)
Katherine R.
One of the best meals I have had in Philly. Hands down, excellent. We started with the watermelon feta salad, followed by lamb and crab gyros, and finished with homemade baklava. My friends and I were so impressed with the incredible but not overdone flavors with these dishes.
(5)
Farha A.
Update! They changed the menus and got rid of the crack fries :( I cannot imagine why they would get rid of the most delicious thing ever. I tried their new battered fries and they did not compare at all to the feta and pepper fries they had on the old menu + they were super pricey! How sad.
(3)
Anthony S.
I decided to check out Opa after seeing it on a list of "best places to eat outside in Philly." We didn't actually end up eating outside, but that was alright because the ceilings are painted the same color as old Greek houses and I loved it. The food ranged from okay to fantastic. If I could do it over again, I would skip the melitzanosalta (charred eggplant dip--meh) and get the tirokafteri (feta & pepper dip--so good!). We tried the duck gyro, which was fine but nothing to write home about. The macaronada was good but seemed like it was missing something that could have made it great. But the grilled octopus was delicious--cooked just the right amount, had great flavor and texture. The service could have been better. Our waiter forgot my friend's ginger ale, other times they would take our empty beer glasses but wouldn't ask if we would like another (and yes. yes we would).
(4)
Dana S.
Great spot in mid-town. I've only gone for drinks so I cannot speak to the food. There is a great little beer garden out back which is perfect for the weekend afternoon or an after work happy hour. At night they have a good crowd too. Bathrooms are clean and the staff is pretty quick to take care of you. Good place to go out in Philly.
(3)
Brian F.
Inconsistent, average, disappointing for Greek food in Center City, but there were some highlights. Let's begin with the good. Pluses The calamari was fried beautifully. It tasted amazing, although a couple of pieces were a little bit chewy. A novice mistake. I very much enjoyed the eggplant dip as part of our three-dips appetizer. But more on that later. Minuses Skimpy portions, high prices. Three small bowl of dips and six or seven pieces of pita for $17?! And $13 for five pieces of calamari? Greek salad. Very underwhelming. A series of chopped vegetables with forgettable dressing. Service. The guy was very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but then petered out. It was especially odd when he dropped the bill. He literally tossed it on the table saying whenever you are ready and breezes away. In short, if you are craving Greek food, go to Effies or Dmitris. Much larger and higher-quality portions. And if you like even more upscale and want to pay a little bit more, go to Estia or Kanella.
(3)
Ethan J.
Well we decided against Estia due to our lack of desire to dress up and spend too much, only to find ourselves shelling out serious cash to sit in a bar. The place sells itself as greek tapas...Prepare to spend at least $125 for 2-3 people (we drank water btw). Portions are VERY small. Spanish tapas are on average larger than these plates. The pork souvlaki was a bit tough. Meat plate was very good. Hummus was a 3oz portion spread thin. The beet feta salad left us in regret. It was just beets..and whipped feta. The place was less than busy, yet the wait staff did not hesitate to take away plates with food still on them. As far as authentic flavor is concerned, this place nails it. From the smelts to the tsatziki sauce. The pita and dolmades were homemade but also tiny. Reminded me of a greek version of El Vez. (Mexican place down the street, also specializing in tiny portions and over pricing)
(3)
Katie H.
Very delicious Greek tapas. The waiter told us they were trying a new menu. We ordered 9 appetizers for 5 adults. They provide complementary phylo crisps to start. We ordered the spanikopita, tiptop its, fava bean hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, fig barley toast, salad, octopus and chicken skewers. All were delicious! My favourites were the spanikopita, beet salad and octopus. The octopus was beautifully roasted with a nice crispness. Our waiter, Zack, was friendly and attentive to our table. He was always coming by with water to refill our glasses and clear empty plates. Would like to try their happy hour.
(4)
John K.
Earlier this year, Opa celebrated it's third year as one of the premier Greek restaurants in the Midtown Village area. That's no small feat considering the normal lifespan of a restaurant in any big city. So in celebration, they offered a $3 menu for a variety of items on their menu. Natch, the GF, a friend, and I had to stop by. Opa offers a sleek, modern space, with a bar at its center. Comfortable seating can be had while you enjoy your meal - no small feat considering many of the restaurants on 13th street cram you in - at least the ones not owned by Stephen Starr. Antho [$3 / $10] Cucumber vodka, lemon, dill We all started our night off with the Antho - what a steal at $3 - so we had a few! The sweet essence of lemonade, refreshing cucumber, and the herbaceous punch from the dill offered a nice counterbalance to any vodka. Greekified Fries [$3] House-cut oregano fries, long hot peppers, onions, cheese sauce The Greek fries were a bit limp, but the toppings were great. Typical of most Greek fries, oregano was speckled throughout and the long hots provided some punch. The fried onions offered some texture, but the real star was that cheese sauce. Almost like a romesco, the sauce was packed with flavor. Spinach Croquettes [$3 / $8] Smoky feta cheese dip The spinach croquettes were crisp on the outside and the inside reminded me of spinach gnocchi in its texture and essence. The smoky feta cheese dip provided a salty counterpoint to each bite. One order wasn't enough to satiate us so of course, we had to get another. Bifteki Sliders [$3] Feta-stuffed local grass fed beef, tomato, onion, cucumber relish The burger was well-seasoned and moist. The relish added some additional texture and Greek flavor to each bite. Keftedes [$3 / $10] Herbed veal meatballs, ouzo-tomato sauce The keftedes were juicy and hearty. You could get the faint hint of licorice from the ouzo within the marinara, but it was not overpowering. Horiatiki Side Salad [$3 / $9] Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, shaved red onions, feta The Greek salad provided all the elements that are typically associated with it - salty Kalamatas and feta, the bite of the red onion, and the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The bonus addition of green peppers added extra crunch to the dish as well. Skewers [$3] Pork tenderloin, lemon-marinated chicken, seasonal vegetables The skewers offered a trio of different tastes. The chicken was well-charred and moist and the veggies had good grill flavor. The pork was decent, but a tad dry. Regardless, we got two orders of these as well. Brussels Sprouts [$9] Braised brussels sprouts, house cured and smoked pork belly, leeks, sweet potatoes, honey Noticing that the regular menu had a dish with pork belly, naturally, I had to get these brussels sprouts. The pork belly wasn't abundant, but crisp and nicely fatty. The brussels sprouts had a subtly sweet glaze, with the leaves crisped slightly. The sweet potatoes were accented by the draping of honey, creating a somewhat sweet dish balanced by the heartiness of the pork. Saganaki [$9] Seared Kaseri, metaxa And if you're at a Greek joint, you know you need to get the Saganaki. Unfortunately here, they don't flambe the kaseri tableside, but regardless, the flavor is all there, along with some grilled pita. The cheese was soaked in Metaxa, a blend of wines including Muscat, rose petals, and Mediterranean herbs, creating a somewhat floral note to each bite. Grilled Octopus [$14] 4 hour braise, smoked chickpeas, red peppers, spinach, potatoes, roasted garlic vinaigrette I was also in the mood for some octopus, so ordered this a la carte as well. It was tender from the braise and meaty, with the garlic vinaigrette being punched up with lemon. The potato salad that accompanied the octopus was reminiscent of others I've had at Greek restaurants. The red peppers, smoked chickpeas, potatoes, and spinach were well-dressed. Baklava [$3 / $8] Layered phyllo, walnuts, honey, fig ice cream And who can say no to some baklava to close out the meal. So essentially, we ordered the entire $3 anniversary menu, and then some. As expected the baklava was sweet, flaky, and crisp, with the pistachio providing texture and nuttiness. The scoop of fig ice cream was a nice touch. I don't know why it's taken us this long to check out Opa, but I'm glad we finally did. Service was exceptional. Philly does Greek cuisine justice in the form of Estia, but Opa does it just as much justice and in an even livelier way. In fact, with the check, the manager stopped by with three shots of ouzo, compliments of the house. Typically an apertif, this was a welcome digestif as well. Opa!
(5)
Michael F.
I went last week to celebrate my birthday with a friend. Everything was great: the service, the atmosphere, and the food! Richard our waiter was very nice and personable, which made the experience that much better. My friend and I ordered the hummus and pita. We were surprised at the fresh-baked pita with asparagus on top. The saganaki was delectable; the fig on top was a nice touch. I had the village salad which far exceeded my expectations. While we were eating, the chef came out and introduced himself. He was very nice, too. It was a very nice night. As a vegetarian, it's sometimes difficult to find choices without feeling limited. That wasn't the case at Opa and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Srishti K.
Absurd service. We got here for our 9:00pm reservation. 30 mins later and we're still waiting. I don't care how good the food is. This is ridiculous.
(1)
Yoonjung Y.
I am a regular customer here, and the quality of the food explains it all!! I think I've tried "most" of the food here, and I've never had a bad time. Try to come in during weekdays cuz it's always crowded during weekends!
(5)
Brandon H.
Loved the tubes as I walked in. Decent food but very small portions. My lamb gyro was two mini cones...I was very hungry and hoping for a phattie gyro instead I was able to eat it in four bites. I'd recommend as a precursor to a meal. Don't go an expect to fill your belly.
(3)
Ling L.
This place has an indoor and outdoor seating. A decent selection of beers and mix drinks. You can reserve the outdoor seating for a private party so the 2 times I went was kinda crowded. I didn't notice the food menu or I was never given one. I would just come here for a drink or a place to hang out after a meal
(4)
Don W.
Bottom line: Awesome food and service. So my wife and I were going to be on a business trip in Philadelphia on Valentine's Day, which happened to be on a Saturday this year, and we decided to make reservations early. I checked the menu and made reservations at Opa as soon as I could. I was disappointed by the fact that only a fraction of the menu was available and instead, they were pushing a more expensive multi-course menu. That is the end of my complaining. We found plenty to eat on the more limited menu and since we had a big lunch earlier, we had no interest in the bigger menu. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent. The service was excellent. I think you understand where I'm going with this. We didn't have to wait to be seated and our waiter Zach was probably the best server we had on our trip. As for ambiance, it was a bit louder than I'd like and too dark to read the menu, but don't let this stop you from going because whatever you order will be delicious. Go, eat, enjoy, and save room for the baklava. And then when you're finished, go next door to Time for some absinthe. :)
(4)
Paul K.
Beneath the formulaic "trendy, upscale, hip" decor beats the heart of a real Greek kitchen and I am a big fan of Greek food. And my main complaint re Greek restaurants is that the menu/vibe tends to be a bit dowdy but here the food has been updated for the 21st century while respecting its roots. I could sit at the bar and drink wheat beer and dip smelts into tzaziki all day.
(4)
Nicole D.
I loved the food here! Pita and hummus was amazing and my meal was great too. It was a squash dish, it didn't seem particularly Mediterranean but it was delicious. Service was also really good. Ambiance is okay. It was a little bit dark for me, and the tables are close together. A guy at a neighboring table scooted his chair back to stand up and knocked a drink out of our server's hand. It wasn't anyone's fault but just a product of tight quarters. This was my only complaint! Would definitely come back.
(4)
Jessica K.
This was my third time at Opa and I've enjoyed it each time. This bar is easy to miss with so many other restaurants within a stone's throw away, but it's solid little spot with really good food and a variety of drinks to suit any palette. They have an outdoor bar in the back which is really cool with table games and heating for cooler nights. But it's usually much too crowded for my comfort. For Sips we chose to sit out on the sidewalk and we were permitted but only with a food purchase. That was okay, since we planned on trying some of the $5 offerings anyway. The grape leaves were fantastic and the drinks were incredibly delicious.
(4)
Aditi M.
Happy Chic ambience with a ping ping table at the back porch in summer .. Love the collection of different kinds of hummus at this place .. It is amusing to also watch the bartender make the drinks :)
(4)
Renton R.
Last night, the wife, my brother, sister-inlaw and myself ventured out on a double date for Valentines Day to OPA. I made reservations the night before and they were very accomadating by changing our reservation from 2 people to 4 people on Valentines day. We were treated to the Valentines menu, whih consisted of some great choices. The ambience was great with contempory decor and candle lit tables. We started off with some drinks, we tried the "kafteros" which consisted of tequila, long hots, yes....long hots and agave nectar. We also tried the XINOULI - greek style margarita. Both drinks were great, they packed a punch, especially the Kafteros which was spicy...just how i like it. We decided to mix and match our choices off the 4 course menu, so we could all try some of each of the items they had on the menu. For starters we had the following: I will rate them out of 10 STRAWBERRY AND FETA SALAD (7) BEET SALAD (9) ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP (8) 2nd Course: PAN FRIED OYSTERS (10) MUSSELS (9) YOGURT BASED FLATBREAD (6) GRILLED OCTOPUS (10) 3rd Course: BEEF TENDERLOIN (8) SEARED SCALLOPS (9) LAMB CHOPS (9) CHICKEN (6) Dessert: CHOCOLATE LOUKOUMADES (6) BAKLAVA (7) Overall, this place was great, the only reason I would give it a 4 out of 5 was I would reccomend, that the waiter would be more versed in the preparation and content of each dish, and the wait time for each course was a little longer then expected. But, we had an amazing time and will definately be back.
(4)
Joseph B.
While our meal was good I have to give Opa a very poor review because of their door security staff. At the end of our meal ,we went out to smoke and the security wouldn't let us back in despite us saying we had just eaten a meal. We should have just left but didn't want to leave our friends inside and stiff the waiter. The manager, unfortunately, didn't seem to understand why we were upset and didn't do anything at first to rectify the situation. Bottom line -- avoid this restaurant because they don't understand how to take care of their customers.
(1)
Joseph V.
Went for lunch. Zucchini was really greasy. Steak was good. Lamb was dry. Service was fine, very attentive, but I've had much better Greek, and there's tons of choices in that area for good food.
(2)
Michael M.
Modern bar. I came here for happy hour with some work colleagues and was pleased with the drink prices. I had the Every Day IP. Overall pleased.
(4)
Michael G.
DISASTER OF A RESTAURANT!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME... We had an 8:15 reservation for 2 people. We got there at 8:19. We were rudely told that we could either eat outside (95 degrees out) or wait about 20 minutes for a table. We decided to wait at the bar. We stood at the bar for about 5 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. After noticing that there were at least 4 open tables that could accommodate us, I walked back to the hostess to ask if there was some confusion. We were told that they were expecting a large party at 9:00 (45 minutes after our reservation time) and that they were holding the tables in that section for them. What made less sense was that there were tables in other sections also available. We were obviously not happy and were looking for another restaurant on Open Table when one of the hostesses walked by and said "we'll seat you". Not only did she not stop or bother to address us, she was clearly annoyed. We were very uncomfortable and felt like an inconvenience at this point. Had she stopped we would have told her that we were leaving. Instead we told the other incredibly rude hostess that we didn't like the way we were treated and were going to eat elsewhere. This situation could have been handled many different ways. Had someone explained what was going on or treated us somewhat politely all would have been fine. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the food (I'm sure it's wonderful), but I didn't get that far. I didn't make it past the incompetent staff. There are so many other place to eat, that it's not necessary to go somewhere that you don't feel welcomed. Don't waste your time!
(1)
Andrea A.
Went on Friday night and had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. We were totally blown away! Each course was multiple plates and included a salad, cheese plate, asparagus toast, crabcake gyro, clam pasta, roasted chicken, swordfish slouvakia, and a platter of delicious desserts! The wine pairings went really well with each course, although the dessert wine was too sweet for me. Great food and the tasting is totally worth the money!
(5)
Charlotte H.
Great ambiance, and food exceeded my expectations. We were waiting for another reservation and decided to just eat here. Gyro was awesome and fries were super! Standout service by Jesse!
(4)
Charry L.
Our initial plan was to try the pizza place next door but their wait was so long. So we found Opa by coincidence but really enjoyed their food and their atmosphere. There is a square bar area in the middle of the restaurant. and then there are more private tables at the back of the restaurant. The food was delicious - surprisingly. We ordered the cheese platter, greek salad, and a pasta (can't remember the name). Heads up, the portions are really small. I think the pricing is more on the high side considering their portions. From 10 p.m. they make it like a club setting - really loud music! - We couldn't talk / hear ourselves so we left. Would definitely visit again with a group of friends to share multiple dishes (like tapas style)
(5)
Jes F.
Loved the food. Didn't realize this place had good food because I always thought of it as a bar. Was pretty empty around dinner time even on a Friday. Enjoyable, quick and delicious food.
(5)
Alisa R.
Who knew Opa had an outdoor beer garden!? It was fun and well organized. Too bad the beer selection was low and there were no pitchers.. Otherwise, great vibe!
(4)
Pete S.
The food was excellent , waitress was never all there. It took her the whole night to warm up and was still dry. A little on the expensive side for the portion size. Once again food is very good.
(3)
Sophia J.
I like opa a lot and I love their drink they change their new menu I think I like their old menu better though but in all it's still really good food service is really good everyone is friendly and you get serve right away if I had it my way I definitely want the old menu back definitely come back for drinks
(5)
Sam R.
I stopped into Opa earlier tonight with a friend. I love Mediterranean food and figured this place would satisfy a craving or two that I have had recently. When I first walked in I noticed that Opa was literally packed with people. The bar is at the center of the restaurant and there were people swarmed all around the bar. We were able to get a table for two in the back of the restaurant. The seating is comfortable they have light blue colored couches that line the back of the restaurant and wooden tables. We ordered the lamb keftedes, mussels, eggplant with pita bread and veggies and the watermelon & feta salad. Lamb keftedes were just three small lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce. I wasn't too crazy about these. I was expecting more Greek spices instead of a tomato sauce The mussels came in a broth and they were just ok. Not much for me to go home and yelp about...No pun intended. The eggplant was like a ghanoush dish and we ordered an assortment of veggies. It came with cucumber, olives, green peppers and pita bread. This was my favorite dish out of everything I tried. I probably should have ordered two of these. The only thing missing from this dish is a little bit of olive oil that could have been added at the top of the dish. The watermelon and feta salad was ordered without the cheese. There weren't that many onions at all in this dish or plums. It was a lot of watermelon more than anything else. We skipped dessert and headed out. This place is okay. I was expecting a lot more authentic Greek food unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly nice and great customer service here. I just wish they would spice up the menu a bit more....
(3)
Marie J.
Great restaurant. The menu was in transition from winter to spring/summer, so the chef came out and talked us through the changes and recommended certain dishes. Our waiter was knowledgable and friendly. We sat by the open air windows on a warm spring day, so it felt like outdoor dining without the city strollers bumping into your tables and sneezing on your dishes :) We had beet salad, lamb/lemon soup, and gyros- all really good. Will definitely come back again.
(4)
Mark K.
Food was below expectations. Lamb was tough and flavorless, chicken was mushy. Fries were good, but nothing extraordinary. Five on my ten scale. Service was very good.
(2)
Andrew B.
Coulda been cool. No specials and bad bartenders out back at drury. I'd give it another shot tho
(2)
H Y.
The honey glazed pork ribs sitting on oranges and potatoes were fantastic. I forget the name of my dessert but it was also good. The decor is unique, inviting, and beautiful. Opa's service was a bit slow but otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I will return.
(4)
Alyssa R.
Having been to Opa and the Opa garden (mostly the garden) many times for drinks I finally stopped in for dinner with a friend. We ordered the hummus and baba dips. They were both wonderful. And we were provided ample pita, we even asked for a few more and were provided. We split the Greek pasta and grilled octopus. Both were delicious! The pasta was very different and was almost chopped, with feta. I would order both again. We also both ordered different cocktails (cant remember which ones but both involved tequila). It was a great meal. I will go back.
(4)
Aria S.
I came here Friday night and had a lot of fun! It is a restaurant-come-bar at night. But you wouldn't really be able to tell that it was a classy restaurant late at night. Music was top 40's stuff with a DJ. Seating if you're tired! No room for dancing..which is off since they play dance-able music. Bathrooms get decent sized lines since there are only two stalls. The place was a good amount of packed. People mostly in their mid-20's, attractive crowd ;)
(4)
Rob P.
The food was great 1 to 10 it was 12. The sea bass was not over cook or under cook and the waiter Zach knows his stuff he will ask u what do u want to eat and he know what drink will go great with that meal. I will be going back shortly.
(5)
Ck P.
This is right in the middle of 'Midtown Village' and close to the Convention Center, the Marriott and Lowes hotels. It has a very active bar scene after work, but we went for dinner. Everything is shareable and good. - The Greek salad was a good size and a good start - Always LOVE the Saganáki! (and they give you a generous portion with pita...) - The Fried Zucchini (Patatákia Kolokithioú) is a visual treat and is served with Tzatziki. Yum! - Next, we had the slow braised lamb (Arnà Stámnas) and it was also delicious. - Of course, we finished our meal with a Baklava, again great. Food and service were fine (even for a crowded Friday night) Music was loud, but most of the patrons are 20's and 30's, so............. Great dining experience for us!
(4)
Ron H.
A modern looking, trendy bar with a casual atmosphere. The bar is a chill place to grab a drink and a small snack but I don't think I would make this a dinner destination place. If you're in the neighborhood doing a small bar tour, it is worthwhile to stop in and grab something quick. The Mini gyro sampler was worth the trip in. The Ribs are ok, but aren't going to be satisfying if you're in the mood for ribs or are a big meat lover. Personally like the Tria drink, order it with extra whiskey bitters.
(4)
Renea R.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have only been to Opa's outdoor beer garden so I'm not sure what it is like inside. My friends and I had been at Happy Hour at Bru but we decided we wanted to grab some drinks before we went out dancing and Opa's happened to be right across the street and we were happy to be able to sit outside. My experience is mostly summed up by my friend leaning over to me numerous times and saying, "isn't everyone here kind of a...d**chebag?" Perhaps those words were a little strong due to the alcohol in her system, but I had to agree that it just wasn't my scene. A lot of preppy guys in khaki shorts and checkered shirts and girls in barely-there dresses. I don't like to judge, but it just sort of carried a bad vibe. Add to this the fact that drinks were way too expensive. The only redeeming quality is the fact that you can sit outside and there isn't a cover. They also have games like Jenga and Connect Four for you to play which is kind of cool. Other than that I just wasn't feeling it.
(2)
Sarah B.
I've only had drinks at Opa so if you're looking for a food review, go ahead and skip this one! But if you're looking for a cocktail recommendation or two, then read on, Yelper! Two of my favorite cocktails in the city are at Opa, and at $9-10 each, I usually have to be in a "Treat Yo'self" mood to stop here for drinks, but I've never left disappointed. If you're looking for a crisp, summery drink, look no further than the Antho ($10). This a cucumber vodka drink and it's amazing! I also really like the Koukla ($9) - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender! The addition of lavender might sound a little strange (it did to me, at first) but I promise, it's delicious.
(4)
Bert B.
My wife and I like Greek food but had never tried this place. We were very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, the service was great, and the food was fantastic. We got the lemon hummus, the grilled octopus salad, a Greek spicy pasta with shrimp, and a lamb & beef dish, and the baklava with fig ice cream- all very tasty. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Robert M.
Went for a drink and had a altercation with a bouncer over mistaken identity. They took me out back and hit me with a baton several times and made my girlfriend cry. This is what you get when you hire uneducated thugs! The food was ok.
(1)
Claire L.
The food and service are really good here. Happy hour is ok though... Would be nice if happy hour extended to tables or at least the back area. The skewers we had were good, not the best. Could have used a sauce on them. Definitely recommend as overall a great experience.
(4)
Eric R.
I went for dinner once, ordered a couple appetizers. They were not memorable at all. Besides that, I have had several excellent experiences at Opa by doing the following: Stop in here with a group of 2-4, before or after a meal, and walk STRAIGHT to the back. Out back you'll find a well-decorated beer-garden with craft beers, games like Connect Four and Jenga, and a ping pong table. Crowd is mostly preppy - friendly, relatively sober, and pleasing to look at. I haven't found a more relaxing happy hour in the city yet.
(4)
Leann F.
They changed their menu yesterday and got rid of all of their good food. I don't know why they changed everything as their menu before was okay. I used to get an appetizer sampler plate with olives, feta, hummus and pita but they don't offer that anymore. When I asked if they could whip something comparable up, considering they still had the same ingredients, they told me it was not possible. They simply refused to make me a plate of feta, olives, and pita. After having to ask 3 times they then gave me a side of feta that tasted like goat cheese (which I hate). Apparently they are changing to a more "tapas style" cuisine and recommend 3-5 dishes per person at around $7 a piece. It's insane. The portions are so small and so bland and tasteless. Plus, there are hardly any options for vegetarians. In all honesty, I will not come here again. If you're reading this, Opa, please go back to the old menu. Your restaurant will surely close down soon if you do not.
(1)
Charlotte E.
The service (we had Richard) and the meal were fantastic. The mixed meat plate is an absolute must and can definitely be shared among 2-3 people. We also had the stuffed grape leaves, which were out of this world. GET HERE.
(5)
Sean E.
Came here for Greek Independence Day for the tasting menu and it was delicious. Nice atmosphere and some really great wines.
(4)
Ellis S.
Thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Everything was tasteful, well-seasoned and artfully presented. Waitstaff patiently reviewed menu, answered questions cheerfully. Precisel what I expect when dining-out.
(5)
Perry H.
Decided to stop by for a couple drinks...the drinks were going great until I saw the mouse running around the restaurant. I alerted the bartender who shrugged and commented "well, you're always going to have one running around." Really?! Cuz I go to a lot of bars and restaurants and I've never seen a mouse running around....done with this place.
(1)
Jenny S.
a review JUST for cocktails at the bar!!! we decided the modern bar at this restaurant was the perfect destination as we waited for at table at Barbuzzo around the corner ---Xinouli: a Greek style margarita, YUM.. so refreshing.. i love all drinks similar to margaritas ---Mouro: again the boyfriend loves that bourbon but i am not a fan people across the bar were ordering tapas which looked like they'd pair nicely with some more cocktails, but sadly we could not stay!
(4)
Tiya B.
The waitstaff need to seriously get it together. When I walked in the restaurant, no one greeted me. I stood there for a good five minutes getting completely ignored, and there was hardly any customers. I had to ask whether I needed to seat myself before anyone even acknowledged my presence. The hostess/waitress acted like she was super annoyed. The food wasn't even anything to rave about. Definitely will not be back here.
(1)
Selma C.
Cute place for a nice casual dinner. I came here with friends from out of country. The pork ribs were delicious and the service was really nice with Jessie. Good to have a conversation without the really loud noise.
(3)
Allison B.
I had an awesome lunch at Opa this afternoon with Michelle C. It was very different than the experience I had working the door at July's YEE! The atmosphere at Opa is light, airy and welcoming. I dig the giant half-moon bar in the middle of the room, and the green and blue hues on the walls. Very calming, very "nature," very "exotic island in the Mediterranean." Michelle and I split the trio of spreads to start. I loved every single one. The hummus was unique in flavor and texture, the tzatziki was thick and creamy, and the htipiti (roasted red pepper and feta) had just enough bite. I personally thought the dip/pita ratio was just fine. Other Yelpers do not seem to agree, but hey, everyone dips differently. There were also olives, green peppers and raw zucchini (puzzled about this one) on the plate. I had the roasted beet salad for my entree, which was light, colorful and well-dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. I was surprised to see goat cheese on the menu in a Greek restaurant for some reason, but hey, no complaints. The prices were great, as was the service. I'd gladly take a friend here for lunch!
(4)
Louis D.
First off, this is for Opa, not the drury beer garden out back, which is a GREAT place to hang out. I've been here for both drinks and dinner a couple of times. First off, for drinks, it gets a big crowd (mostly I think it's people who don't want to stand in line for Time) but it's really not built for lots of people standing around and milling. The bar is too big, the table placement is awkward, the room is small. For being a pretty tiny place though, the drink/beer selection is surprisingly decent. As for food, I was kind of disappointed. The chorizo flatbread was pretty good, nothing spectacular, but give it points for being creative. That was the highlight. Lower-lights were the grilled octopus and calamari. The octopus itself was alright, but there were only like 7 pieces on the plate. The rest of the space was taken up by "chickpea fondue" which as far as I can tell was boiled chickpeas with a little Mediterranean spice. More octopus, less "fondue." As for the calamari, it was fried to the max, losing all the squid flavor, and soggy. At least there were more than 7 pieces though. We were comped a couple of drinks for slow service which really wasn't all that slow, so points for being attentive to us. Overall, it's not a bad spot to meet friends and move on, but there's nothing special about it.
(3)
Clayton L.
Restaurant Week: Lunch Monday Afternoon When Christine B. informed me about this Greek gem hidden on Sansom, I was very interested in trying it out. Their restaurant week menu looked fantastic, so my expectations were pretty high. There were 3 other people partaking in lunch that afternoon: not very crowded for how tasty I felt their food was. Our waitress was very attentive: she refilled my water without asking (my litmus test for tip amount) and made sure to note my anti-climactic tree nut allergy. The spinach soup was quite good: creamy with just a little spice. The menu originally had a beet salad, but that was replaced with a Greek salad...I think this was for the best. It was a legit Greek salad: tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onions, cucumbers...NO lettuce, which earns big points with me. The gyro was quite good: made with actual lamb, not the beef-lamb mixture that gets shaved off of a rotating spit. The chicken was also good: seasoned appropriately, with a delicious, light orzo pasta salad on the side. The fried dough dessert came with very tasty banana and chocolate/hazelnut dipping sauces. Overall: I was quite impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere. I would happily go back to enjoy a non-restaurant week dinner and the beer garden (when the weather gets better).
(4)
David A.
I did not eat much, but what I had was plan old ordinary. Started with the chilled cucumber soup. Bland, watery and boring. Next had the assorted dips with pita and raw veggies (zuchini and red peppers). Hummus and tzitiki were ok, other dip with feta was a bit too rich. Grilled pita slices had good portion but average bread. Wait service nice but not overly working it. Much prefer Dmitri's, Kanella and Zahav.
(2)
Yohana P.
I was having dinner with two friends on Wednesday nite at Opa and that was my first time experience for us. The food was decent and service was great. After we finished dinner, we also ordered take out. Once we got the bill, I thought it was a bit pricey. It turned out that 20% gratuity was added to the bill. I thought it was both surprising and UNFAIR to add gratuity for a group of three. After all, i work in the restaurant industry so im sure to tip at least 20%.
(3)
Walter K.
Nice little bar. Great happy hour too, a few $3 drafts, $1 skewers, $2 sliders, $4 wine, and the most delicious french fries.
(3)
Michael C.
Good Greek food with a very helpful staff. Great decor and bar scene. Try the lamb stew with gnocchi and the flatbread!
(4)
Chirag P.
Came by this place as we were looking for a place to drink and I saw what looked like a beer garden so we took a chance and were very pleased. Lots craft beers to choose from and there's Jenga at all the tables... This makes for a great night. If you're looking for mixed drinks do not go to the bar at the beer garden... When coke and sprite mixers are being served out of buckets... You know that's when you head inside to grab a drink. They have some Pre-mixed drinks but they're terrible so avoid them. It dies take a while to get a drink bc it's packed and maybe two people working behind the tiny bar... But in the end it's a fun outdoor bar. Had no food so can't tell you anything about that.
(4)
Jemma C.
The frat house/ college campus bar/ canteen moonlighting as a restaurant. Awful food, drinks in plastic cups, incompetent staff, odd smell.... To be avoided.
(1)
Nicole W.
This place is fantastic! Seeing as I spent 4 months in Greece, I have high expectations of any place that promotes authentic Greek food, and I was not disappointed. For starters I had the Retsina, which immediately took me right back to my first glass in Athens. Not many can stand Retsina, as it has a very distinct taste, but for $8.5, I will definitely be coming back! My friend and I then had Saganaki for the appetizer. It resembled the saganaki my friend had made in our apartment one drunken night, but it tasted way better. Delicious but not that aesthetically pleasing. For the main course we decided to share the lamb. We definitely weren't expecting to be such a large serving. The bone was huge! The food was scrumptious. I felt like I was eating at a Taverna in Greece. So so so good! The lamb came with spinach and orzo. A fantastic overall combination. We were so stuffed trying to eat it all, but we just had to get dessert. For dessert we had the loukoumades and the ice cream. It was definitely the perfect way to polish off a meal. Perfect blend of sweet and salty. All and all, we each paid $40 for all of that, which was a good deal to me. The decor is reminiscent of the Greek islands, with the whites and blues. I loved the cutout for the lanterns. And the Greek music was a nice touch. This place is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and I have already told my friends that I will be bringing them back. I'm hoping that they'll have this place open late at night during the spring and summer. I'd love a place to hang out that reminds me of the bars/lounges of Gazi.
(5)
Mark D.
Waitstaff were friendly I'll give them that. My food arrived just at luke warm and very under seasoned. I sent it back and just opted to have dessert... Another disappointment ... The pear ice cream was poorly executed
(1)
Anat S.
I've been to Opa a bunch of times, but mostly for happy hour. Seriously, try their happy hour. It's so very worth it. I like their tapas, but they're mostly hit or miss. Their drinks are great, but I really wish they would try to be more consistent with their food. It might explain why their restaurant is deserted on a Friday night after happy hour is over. Definitely a drink and happy hour spot, not really a dinner place.
(4)
Nico L.
Double charged drinks. Cash and card. Not coming back
(3)
Christine B.
I can only comment on the drinks and atmosphere, but this seems like a pretty nice place. Armed with a card for two free drinks from Hop Sing Laundromat, I made it here with some friends after the night market. The only drink we could get was a cucumber vodka concoction with lemon and dill. I probably wouldn't normally order this drink, but we were all surprised by how good it was. The bartender knocked over a glass of water on my friend, and he immediately offered him a drink on the house. He went with a bourbon berry cocktail that he said was also good. They had a DJ, which was nice but kind of surprising for a Thursday night. I really like the decorating of the interior, although it's a really small place. It might be really packed on weekends.
(4)
Matt K.
The main reason I am giving 3 stars is that this restaurant has no soul, really. Everything is efficient and the dishes are good, but the food does not reflect a chef's inspiration. This is a business, mostly. You can find better and more authentic Greek food elsewhere in Philly, such as Kanella. And the portions there are bigger and less expensive. This place seems to be catering to a young hip crowd that wants a few cocktails then a casual, Greek-inspired meal. The bar is large, almost larger than the rest of the restaurant. We decided to challenge them on their freshness and quality. The best way to do that is to order a whole fish. It was nicely cooked, but not as fresh as it could have been. The horiatiki was passable, the various dips including tsatsiki were average. It wasn't bad here, just not memorable.
(3)
Elizabeth D.
I've only been to the bar for drinks, but left with a good feeling about Opa. The interior is absolutely stunning - very sleek - and the installation above the bar is really cool! The specialty cocktails run about $10-$12. The Koukla was my favorite - with pineapple infused vodka. Draft beers are decently priced. With a recommendation of the bartender I did try the Greek white wine. I was hesitant because I had heard negative things, but I really enjoyed her recommendation (the Foloi if you're interested). By the way, the bartender will give you a taste if you're concerned you won't like the wine.
(4)
Vivian T.
The ambience/decor and bar is really modern and classy. Nice place to get a drink. It was not too loud so was good for conversations . We ordered the octopus, different spreads as the small plates and the stuff pepper entree. The food was just ok, average greek food. It was good but not amazing. There is also a cute back patio but you can't get the full menu there. Would probably just come for drinks next time and not dinner.
(3)
Emily W.
We came here for sips because they had a more interesting variety of drinks and food than other places. I got the wine but should've ordered their pineapple cocktail like my friend. It was fruity but not too sweet- a potent combo that was downed waaay too quickly. We stayed for dinner and ended up ordering the trio of spreads. So delicious. I was skeptical because all of them seemed a little on the runnier side when they came to the table, but they ended up being just right. The hummus was smokey from all of the cumin, the yogurt dip was refreshing and not too acidic, and the feta and red pepper spread- WOW. I can think of so many things I would want to spread that on. They skimped on the pita, but the raw veggies were a nice touch. I was surprised by how much I liked the raw zucchini. I got the feta-stuffed burger after hearing about how amazing it was but was disappointed. My bun was stale and too big for the patty, and the relish was an after-thought. That relish really had potential to brighten up the meat patty. But the worst part was that I couldn't find the feta. I bit into the burger expecting to see -and taste- chunks of feta. But nope. It was no where to be found, no where to be tasted. Now that I think about it, they really should just top every burger with their red pepper and feta dip. Now I would go back for that.
(3)
Andrew K.
I've been here several times for apps/drinks and always enjoy myself. Very cool/chill atmosphere with a very mediterranean/greek feel to it. After about 10PM it changes into more of a bar. Loud music and tends to get crowded. Drinks are delicious and strong, but expensive ($10 - 12/drinks, $8ish for beers). I recommend the hummus plate app. no complaints from me about coming in for drinks. i look forward to checking out their dinner menu.
(3)
steve e.
hope to see you saturday night before all the sharp loking youngsters ge there
(4)
C R.
Review for dinner on a Saturday night: I really liked the food here. We ordered all the appetizers. Pretty much everything was good (to me), except the beets and those brussel sprouts things. Especially good were the fried zucchini chips and mussels. Service was great and the continuous supply of pita was awesome. Would definitely recommend. However, our decision to get all the appetizers was quite expensive, but it was worth the try. I do wish they had bigger portions, but oh well.
(4)
Faye F.
Came here last weekend with friends for a night out and really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere with good music and drinks. Finally a little dancing (does no one really dance in Philly?!)! Would have loved to have tried their food here but we were only visiting for the weekend :( definitely check this place out if you want a night out :)
(4)
Gopal M.
Had the Rabbit pasta. It was bits of tasty rabbit meat mixes with creamy boring pasta. Who mixes Rabbit and Pasta? good ambiance. Can get crowded very fast
(3)
Jessica S.
Review for Happy Hour @ Opa - Every month about 6 of the Gals from college get together. We are probably gonna drink wine, and order appetizers. Opa scored high for friendly attentive bartender, decent house wine, and tasty bar treats. The prices were also very reasonable. It was a slow night there, which we like. If you are looking for a scene... go somewhere else. I would recommend the 5 - 7 Happy hour at Opa.
(4)
Brent K.
First time there.... and it will definitely NOT be my last. We took advantage of the restaurant week tasting menu which is always fun. We started off with some saganaki and mussels. The saganaki is a fried cheese that is very similar to haloumi. It was fantastic! The mussels were good, not great. If mussels is what you're craving, you're better off going to Monk's Cafe. The next round was horiatiki and pork ribs. The horiatiki is a vegetable appetizer that has red onions, tomoatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers, and feta. It is a lighter snack and was very fresh tasting. The pork ribs were good, but I don't think I would order them at Opa again. It's more of a preference thing; there are plenty of other delicious things that I'd rather have. We had swordfish and the bifteki burger as our main courses. The swordfish was yummy although my lady thought it was too fishy... I enjoyed anyway. The bifteki burger was damn good!!! The accompanying fries were seasoned and hand-cut. Although not everything we ate was SUPER good, the service and cleanliness of the restaurant gives Opa a well-earned 4 stars. They also have a new beer garden out back which I haven't been to but have heard good things about.
(4)
Shannon P.
I was hoping that when I walked in the door it'd be just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Joey Fatone was going to give me a shot of Ouzo while yelling...wait for it...OPA! It's a little more chill than that. The restaurant is deceivingly small but we didn't feel cramped sitting at the white mod style bar. We arrived for a late night Friday dinner just before my boo turned the big 2-7. To start we ordered the Spread Pikilia which is served as a cutting board full of chopped veggies, marinated olives, pita, and a block of feta. You're given ramekins of Greek dips: hummus, tzatziki, and a spicy feta dip. The dips are substantial and we got extra pita vessels to finish the remainder. Since I wasn't so hungry at 10pm on a Friday, I ordered a watermelon nectarine salad infused with balsamic vinegar and mint and topped with feta. Super refreshing and light. I even kept some for the following day and the flavors intensified. Boo ordered the grilled octopus that was served sliced with a side of spicy chickpeas. The timing was off on our entrees but it was a misunderstanding with the bartener. When we go back I definitely want to try the mussels. The serving size looked huge and I was tempted to order them. The cocktail menu looked pretty interesting too...having spent a month in Greece and offered free ouzo anywhere I went, I was interested in how they might incorporate such a strong liquor into a cocktail. Let me know how it is!
(4)
Stephanie Y.
Never really noticed the entrance to this place, but saw it on yelp cocktail week and thought we'd try it out. They had the Antho for $5 and it just sounded cool. It's a cucumber vodka with a dash of lemon and a dill thrown in. Sooooo refreshing and delicious. They're also deadly because you'll down 5 then feel it. Probably more for others, since I'm a lightweight. The decor is cool and contemporary greek, if that makes sense. colors are definitely very vibrant. I got the sea bass, which was juicy and pretty good. I wish it was seared a little more for the crispiness. Mythos, a greek lager, was also good. Be sure to get these drinks when you're there.
(4)
Jess H.
This was so disappointing! So first, I have to clarify this review by saying that the happy hour food was delicious and the bartender in the beer garden was really nice! Unfortunately, the inside bartender was completely rude to me and my friends and ruined our experience at Opa. In addition to not being particularly attentive (which would not have left bitter feelings), he literally snatched a beer away from me because he didn't notify me that happy hour had ended early on his clock (though still before 7pm). Unprompted rudeness in general is unappreciated... But there was no reason for him to behave so unprofessionally. Safe to say, I will not be recommending Opa to friends or otherwise. There are enough well- qualified people out there who are friendly... Opa would benefit from hiring one of them!
(2)
Christina S.
Decor was beautiful in this place. It has a very young, hip, modern feel. They also have a really nice looking bar in center and the specialty drinks sound really good. We got the greek-ified french fires that were too salty. Koukla had pineapple vodka, lemon and lavender. It was very refreshing and that was the highlight. Antho(cucumber vodka, lemon, dill) was delicious. It was on the sweet side. Service was great, efficient and nice. Best thing to come here for is for their cocktails.
(3)
Erin F.
I have been to Opa twice for their happy hour specials. They have a large square bar with seating. It is sometimes difficult to get a seat, especially if you are with a group of 3+. They have good happy hour specials which is why I returned. The first time we were at Opa, the skewers were $1 and the other apps were large portions. The next time I went back the skewers were more than $1 (which is understandable) and the other apps were much smaller. Food was acceptable. Overall - this place is just ok... not really impressed... I had expected a fun and lively bar area but it is just kind of bland and crowded.
(2)
Brenda A.
This was a good place. The atmosphere was nice and the waiter was very good. Most importantly, we enjoyed the food!
(4)
Kristin H.
Review for the Drury Beer Garden, not Opa. We went here to celebrate a birthday and it was a perfect choice. The beer was cheap - starting at $2 cans, I never had to wait in line for a drink, it wasn't too crowded and it was great to be outside on a hot night. Probably my favorite thing was that although music was playing, it was playing just loud enough to be heard, and not stop conversation. We actually had a night out where we could talk to the people around us! I saw the table next to us get a package meal - 6 people for $150 got crabs, beer and dessert, which seemed like a great deal. There was a private party inside Opa, and they kept locking the door that led outside to the beer garden, which meant we couldn't get inside to use the bathroom, which was annoying. Also, the taps outside were broken, so we couldn't get a draft outside, and they wouldn't allow us to bring a draft out from Opa.
(4)
Mark K.
Food was below expectations. Lamb was tough and flavorless, chicken was mushy. Fries were good, but nothing extraordinary. Five on my ten scale. Service was very good.
(2)
Andrew B.
Coulda been cool. No specials and bad bartenders out back at drury. I'd give it another shot tho
(2)
H Y.
The honey glazed pork ribs sitting on oranges and potatoes were fantastic. I forget the name of my dessert but it was also good. The decor is unique, inviting, and beautiful. Opa's service was a bit slow but otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I will return.
(4)
Alyssa R.
Having been to Opa and the Opa garden (mostly the garden) many times for drinks I finally stopped in for dinner with a friend. We ordered the hummus and baba dips. They were both wonderful. And we were provided ample pita, we even asked for a few more and were provided. We split the Greek pasta and grilled octopus. Both were delicious! The pasta was very different and was almost chopped, with feta. I would order both again. We also both ordered different cocktails (cant remember which ones but both involved tequila). It was a great meal. I will go back.
(4)
Aria S.
I came here Friday night and had a lot of fun! It is a restaurant-come-bar at night. But you wouldn't really be able to tell that it was a classy restaurant late at night. Music was top 40's stuff with a DJ. Seating if you're tired! No room for dancing..which is off since they play dance-able music. Bathrooms get decent sized lines since there are only two stalls. The place was a good amount of packed. People mostly in their mid-20's, attractive crowd ;)
(4)
Rob P.
The food was great 1 to 10 it was 12. The sea bass was not over cook or under cook and the waiter Zach knows his stuff he will ask u what do u want to eat and he know what drink will go great with that meal. I will be going back shortly.
(5)
Ck P.
This is right in the middle of 'Midtown Village' and close to the Convention Center, the Marriott and Lowes hotels. It has a very active bar scene after work, but we went for dinner. Everything is shareable and good. - The Greek salad was a good size and a good start - Always LOVE the Saganáki! (and they give you a generous portion with pita...) - The Fried Zucchini (Patatákia Kolokithioú) is a visual treat and is served with Tzatziki. Yum! - Next, we had the slow braised lamb (Arnà Stámnas) and it was also delicious. - Of course, we finished our meal with a Baklava, again great. Food and service were fine (even for a crowded Friday night) Music was loud, but most of the patrons are 20's and 30's, so............. Great dining experience for us!
(4)
Renea R.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have only been to Opa's outdoor beer garden so I'm not sure what it is like inside. My friends and I had been at Happy Hour at Bru but we decided we wanted to grab some drinks before we went out dancing and Opa's happened to be right across the street and we were happy to be able to sit outside. My experience is mostly summed up by my friend leaning over to me numerous times and saying, "isn't everyone here kind of a...d**chebag?" Perhaps those words were a little strong due to the alcohol in her system, but I had to agree that it just wasn't my scene. A lot of preppy guys in khaki shorts and checkered shirts and girls in barely-there dresses. I don't like to judge, but it just sort of carried a bad vibe. Add to this the fact that drinks were way too expensive. The only redeeming quality is the fact that you can sit outside and there isn't a cover. They also have games like Jenga and Connect Four for you to play which is kind of cool. Other than that I just wasn't feeling it.
(2)
Sarah B.
I've only had drinks at Opa so if you're looking for a food review, go ahead and skip this one! But if you're looking for a cocktail recommendation or two, then read on, Yelper! Two of my favorite cocktails in the city are at Opa, and at $9-10 each, I usually have to be in a "Treat Yo'self" mood to stop here for drinks, but I've never left disappointed. If you're looking for a crisp, summery drink, look no further than the Antho ($10). This a cucumber vodka drink and it's amazing! I also really like the Koukla ($9) - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender! The addition of lavender might sound a little strange (it did to me, at first) but I promise, it's delicious.
(4)
Bert B.
My wife and I like Greek food but had never tried this place. We were very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, the service was great, and the food was fantastic. We got the lemon hummus, the grilled octopus salad, a Greek spicy pasta with shrimp, and a lamb & beef dish, and the baklava with fig ice cream- all very tasty. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Robert M.
Went for a drink and had a altercation with a bouncer over mistaken identity. They took me out back and hit me with a baton several times and made my girlfriend cry. This is what you get when you hire uneducated thugs! The food was ok.
(1)
Claire L.
The food and service are really good here. Happy hour is ok though... Would be nice if happy hour extended to tables or at least the back area. The skewers we had were good, not the best. Could have used a sauce on them. Definitely recommend as overall a great experience.
(4)
Leann F.
They changed their menu yesterday and got rid of all of their good food. I don't know why they changed everything as their menu before was okay. I used to get an appetizer sampler plate with olives, feta, hummus and pita but they don't offer that anymore. When I asked if they could whip something comparable up, considering they still had the same ingredients, they told me it was not possible. They simply refused to make me a plate of feta, olives, and pita. After having to ask 3 times they then gave me a side of feta that tasted like goat cheese (which I hate). Apparently they are changing to a more "tapas style" cuisine and recommend 3-5 dishes per person at around $7 a piece. It's insane. The portions are so small and so bland and tasteless. Plus, there are hardly any options for vegetarians. In all honesty, I will not come here again. If you're reading this, Opa, please go back to the old menu. Your restaurant will surely close down soon if you do not.
(1)
Charlotte E.
The service (we had Richard) and the meal were fantastic. The mixed meat plate is an absolute must and can definitely be shared among 2-3 people. We also had the stuffed grape leaves, which were out of this world. GET HERE.
(5)
Sean E.
Came here for Greek Independence Day for the tasting menu and it was delicious. Nice atmosphere and some really great wines.
(4)
Ellis S.
Thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Everything was tasteful, well-seasoned and artfully presented. Waitstaff patiently reviewed menu, answered questions cheerfully. Precisel what I expect when dining-out.
(5)
Perry H.
Decided to stop by for a couple drinks...the drinks were going great until I saw the mouse running around the restaurant. I alerted the bartender who shrugged and commented "well, you're always going to have one running around." Really?! Cuz I go to a lot of bars and restaurants and I've never seen a mouse running around....done with this place.
(1)
Jenny S.
a review JUST for cocktails at the bar!!! we decided the modern bar at this restaurant was the perfect destination as we waited for at table at Barbuzzo around the corner ---Xinouli: a Greek style margarita, YUM.. so refreshing.. i love all drinks similar to margaritas ---Mouro: again the boyfriend loves that bourbon but i am not a fan people across the bar were ordering tapas which looked like they'd pair nicely with some more cocktails, but sadly we could not stay!
(4)
Tiya B.
The waitstaff need to seriously get it together. When I walked in the restaurant, no one greeted me. I stood there for a good five minutes getting completely ignored, and there was hardly any customers. I had to ask whether I needed to seat myself before anyone even acknowledged my presence. The hostess/waitress acted like she was super annoyed. The food wasn't even anything to rave about. Definitely will not be back here.
(1)
Selma C.
Cute place for a nice casual dinner. I came here with friends from out of country. The pork ribs were delicious and the service was really nice with Jessie. Good to have a conversation without the really loud noise.
(3)
Lauren C.
The boyfriend took me out to Opa on Friday night for our 'date night'. As soon as I walked in and saw how swanky and cool the decor was, I thought we were doomed! Typically the dingy greek places are the best... but boy was I in for a treat! They were out of my preferred beer- the Saison, so that was a bummer, but I landed on a nice brew that was pretty tasty. Rather than commit to entrees, we opted to split lots of appetizers so we could taste lots of different things. I'm the token PITA vegetarian, and he very much likes meat so there was a bit of compromise (on his behalf) that happened. We ended up with the mussles, the spinach coquettes, the Spread Pikilia, and the Beet Salad. The Spread Pikilia came out first, and it was tough to decide, of the 4 dips, which one was the best. I loved that they brought out veggies and olives and pickles in addition to the pita bread. We dug in big time. The pickles were really vinegary, but they were tasty! The babaganoush was a bit sweet which made it my least favorite of the 4 dips after lots of sampling. We ran out of Pita and the server was happy to bring us more. Next came the mussles, which I don't eat... but my boyfriend was blown away. He enjoyed every single one of those bad boys... and the sauce and the bread it came with. The smell of the sauce was heavenly. I almost ate one. Next came the beet salad. This was good, but similar to the pickle, it was really pickled... REALLY pickled. It almost hurt my mouth to eat. We both agreed that this was the dish that we could have done without. It wasn't bad in any facet, but of the stuff we had, this wasn't the high point. Finally, the Spinach Coquettes came out. I have been dreaming of these since. They were chock full of spinach, with cheezy undertones, lightly fried, in this amazing smokey creamy sauce that was just a total game changer. I gave one to my boyfriend, and tried to save him a 2nd one... but only managed to save him 1/2 of a 2nd one... because... well... i ate it... All in all, Opa was reasonably priced, the decor was awesome, the service was quick, thorough, and gracious, the food was delicious etc. I also have heard rave reviews about the courtyard out back. We had planned to check it out, but we were full and sleepy after dinner. The good news is now we have a reason to come back (and get those Spinach Coquettes!).
(4)
James V.
This is a great place to grab dinner and even better for happy hour. The addition of outdoor space behind the restaurant has really made it a go to spot for summer drinks. They offer Jenga and Connect4 to entertain patrons drinking in the back. A ping pong table is also available and frequently the spit has a roast cooking. A large beer menu and some creative mixed drinks ensure a good time for all.
(4)
Julia H.
Don't go for dinner after 9:00, otherwise you are paying top dollar to hear extremely loud music (DJ) that is impossible to talk over AND to have someone'a back or coat in your food. You have been warned!
(3)
Grace C.
A trendy, candlelit place that's great for a Friday night out, either with a date or with friends. We got the mussels appetizer after the server recommended it to us--which was loaded with flavor. My only complaint was that there was not enough pita bread for dipping in the broth after the mussels were done. My friend and I split the special of the evening, the beef tenderloin, which came with greens and roasted potatoes. The potatoes were our favorite part of the dish, as they were lightly crisped and seasoned well. Dessert was the loukoumades, which were greek beignets with honey cinnamon drizzle, walnuts, and spiced banana. A tad on the sweet side, but good nonetheless. It went well with our cocktails, which were on the strong side. I tried the koukla, which was pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Our server said it was the most popular drink on the menu, and it certainly did not disappoint. This place is yuppie central, perhaps due to the outdoor beer garden in the back of the restaurant. It's great for post-dinner drinks, and is rife with cool games, chairs, and lights strung across the yard. Music is loud and trendy--perfect mix for a good night out.
(4)
Grace K.
GREAT SERVICE! opa is great for groups or individuals. I went to the outside bar for a work happy hour and went to the indoor bar with a small group to enjoy the happy hour. The bartender was fabulous and very attentive considering how busy she was... no complaints here!
(5)
Joshua J.
I have to say that I agree with the rating that this spot has, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. I went here with my boss and two other co-workers (four total), and we ordered off the menu tapas style. The food was good, but I found it a bit annoying that I had to ask for a full pour of beer, and this seemed to really irritate the server, who told me that they don't normally do that. My boss kicked in and said that we paid for a 16oz pour, and this was a 12. I got my beer back, totally full, but I've never dealt with this before, so it was a bit unnerving.
(3)
Noor S.
Cocktails were spectacular! We waited for about 15mins before anyone came to our table. Chicken was dry and don't even think about desserts! We had the creme brulee (or that's what they called it on the menu), the custard was more of a pudding and the carmelized sugar was hard and too thick. In addition, the fig ice cream was basically vanilla ice cream. If I ordered vanilla, I would've been satisfied but it was fig, so I expected for it to taste like figs! Overall, the service was good but the food could've been executed much better!
(3)
Jennifer M.
I had the beet salad and I had them add grilled chicken. It was real good. The service was excellent!!! I would definitely try this place again!
(5)
Minh C.
A very modern greek restaurant that I think is a very cute place to take a date. The menu isn't that large but it sure is full of goodies. The service: 5/5 Our waiter Zack was very helpful in making some menu suggestions. He was always very prompt and made this dining experience a great one. The food: 4/5 I was a little upset that there were 2 entrees on the menu I was interested in removed for the night. That turned out to be a bit of a let down. The fried kalamari was one of the best I have had in a while. The aioli was very light which complemented the kalamari excellently. I ended up having the stuffed oregano pasta which I thought was incredible however I do wish that there was more than just 5-6 pieces. It was not enough to fill me up. The atmosphere: 5/5 I liked the colors and the lighting of the restaurant. I thought it did give it a modern look with subtle accents. It seemed hip, stylish, and intimate. Hopefully next time I dine here I'll choose a heartier entree.
(4)
Jackie W.
The food and drink is nothing outstanding. It's a solid bar and restaurant but there are better places around the city. The mussels appetizer was good, but the service is absolutely terrible so I'm downgrading it from 4 stars to 3.
(3)
Kyle B.
I'm confused by the 5 star ratings for this place. The food is cheap, but is no where near being authentic. The chicken skewers were marinated in italian dressing and served over french fries. I'm fairly certain i had the same meal in the cafeteria during high school. The wait staff is a mess - although i think this is due to a lack of staffing, not their service abilities. The beer garden out back is nice - but is completely disjointed with the restaurant.
(1)
Jess B.
Food was so-so but the cocktails are bangin! Highly delicious and original drinks served by friendly and competent bartenders. Dude took orders for and made close to 10 drinks at a time without writing anything down or screwing anything up. Impressive in my book.
(3)
Eric R.
I went for dinner once, ordered a couple appetizers. They were not memorable at all. Besides that, I have had several excellent experiences at Opa by doing the following: Stop in here with a group of 2-4, before or after a meal, and walk STRAIGHT to the back. Out back you'll find a well-decorated beer-garden with craft beers, games like Connect Four and Jenga, and a ping pong table. Crowd is mostly preppy - friendly, relatively sober, and pleasing to look at. I haven't found a more relaxing happy hour in the city yet.
(4)
Lauren S.
I am a huge fan of the Dury Beer Garden at Opa. It is on the small side but it has a drinking in the streets type feel to it which is always cool. Liked the beer selection as well. The bar inside Opa is also cool with it square roundness. Tired the mussel they were also very good.
(4)
Peter L.
Came here this past weekend for my dad's birthday with my parents and wife. While there were some kinks, all in all, we had a good dining experience and enjoyed Opa's creative spin on classic Greek dishes. I would say this is more of a 3.5 star review, but I'm rounding down because of the general unevenness of our experience. That said, I would still recommend Opa. For starters, the service was a little uneven, but most friendly and accommodating (there were some large gaps of time where we were waiting for our orders to come or for someone to take our order). Another minor complaint - there's a bier garten in the back, so you get a lot of traffic through the dining area from people entering/exiting the bier garten, plus you have to contend with some sloppy drunks for use of the two small restrooms. Anyway, on to the food ... We had a number of dishes, served family style. The watermelon salad and spinach croquettes were stand outs. The salad was similar to other watermelon and feta salads I've had, but the addition of apricots and a citrus vinaigrette (which balanced out the sweetness of the fruit) was a nice touch. The croquettes were like a dense spanakopita inside, packed with creamy spinach and feta, and perfectly browned and crispy on the outside, complimented with a creamy feta dip (which looked like it was also made with red pepper). The saganaki (cheese flambeed in brandy, then doused with lemon) was excellent, but it's really hard to make bad saganaki. It's prepared table side, for some extra flair. The sausage flatbread was decent, but reminded me too much of a bar pie (nothing particularly Greek or standout about it). The octopus was also good, although I prefer mine grilled and charred, while this was braised. The salad that accompanied the octopus, however, was phenomenal - the smoked chickpeas imbued an amazing smoky flavor to the entire salad, which paired well with the other flavors in the dish (red pepper, spinach, potato, roasted garlic vinaigrette). The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender, and very generous, but was a little fatty. We also had keftedes (veal meatballs), which were good, but not great, although I really enjoyed the booziness of the ouzo tomato sauce they were served in. The cocktail menu is very creative, and utilizes some Greek liquors (Metaxa brandy and ouzo) and flavors (e.g., watermelon). The Lemoni (ouzo, lemon, orange juice) was delicious and refreshing (although if you dislike ouzo, you may want to avoid, as the ouzo flavor is very prominent). For dessert, we had fig and merenda (Greek nutella) ice creams, the kormo (chocolate, cookie, and walnut cake), and loukomades (Greek donuts, similar to beignets or zeppoles). The ice creams were a little disappointing, as neither was particularly flavorful, and there were some ice crystals in the scoops we had. The merenda was decent, but it was a little dry and didn't particularly stand out. The loukomades were very well made, however. Crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside. They were clearly made fresh, and reminded me of the ones I get at my local Greek festival. They came with sides of merenda and spiced ground banana. My only complaint was they could have used a little more powdered sugar and honey (an easy fix). I was also impressed by the fact that the loukomades were complimentary for dad's b-day, along with shots of ouzo for the table. All in all, if you know how to order, Opa is an enjoyable dining experience.
(3)
Danielle D.
Here's the scene: 5:45 on Saturday afternoon, party of 5. We walk into Opa, menu looks good, the place has the windows open for a nice day in the city, the restaurant has a total of ONE table sat. We ask for a table for 5 people, they don't have anything available. I know, I was shocked too. There was literally only 3 patrons (at one table) in the whole restaurant! Their reasoning is that it was closing in on 7pm, when they would have several larger parties coming in and our party of 5 would conflict with that. I worked as a hostess, so I understand where they are coming from, but to clear out your entire restaurant seems like very poor form We ended up going to El Vez, caddy corner to Opa, where we were seated right away, ordered several appetizers and drinks, followed by entrees, not in a rush to eat, and we were still done by 7pm. We walked by Opa after we left Vez and the place was still wide open. Poor form!
(2)
Rich G.
They recently changed the menu but we weren't able to order our normal appetizer. I had the lamb gyro. One point to note is that they use real chunks of lamb meat and not the processed stuff that looks more like hamburger. The appetizer and the meal were both very good. I've visited several times an it's usually very empty during lunch. It's a great place to go for those wishing a nice relaxing environment where you can actually hold a conversation during lunch. Good prices, good food, makes for a good spot for lunch when visiting center city.
(4)
Sanoj P.
My wife and I have to been to Greece and really enjoyed the way Opa was based on Greek cuisine and had a modern look. Restaurant decor: Nothing fancy, but an island bar made of stones. The lighting was perfect and made for a great mood. Music wasn't loud, but enough to enjoy. Oh..and beer garden!? Food: Absolutely great! We tried a bunch of small plates. From saganaki to gyros sliders to keftedes, the taste was great and the portions left us perfectly pleased. Wines: I'm not a huge wine-drinker. My best attempt at a wine IQ is 'Can I get a riesling?'...to which they had something comparable to. My wife described her palate, and they found something also. Overall: Great wine. Great food. Great staff. Great place to go to on a nice night!
(4)
Stephen C.
I have to chime in as the reviews seem quite mixed on one of my favorite places for small plates in the city. I love Opa. For dinner for two or larger groups, Opa is a great option. The menu is concise yet varied and dishes have great depth of flavor. I could eat the beet salad everyday. Although I am far from vegetarian and cringe when I read militant reviewers bashing restaurants for not catering to the Veg Set, I must note that Opa has plenty of amazing vegetarian options and I sometimes find myself with a strictly vegetarian order. Don't miss: Beet Salad or Lemon Potatoes Skip: Pork skewers (they can sometimes be terribly salty)
(4)
Gautam T.
I feel like its about time I reviewed this place as I frequent the bar on most weekends. I have discovered they have a pretty good HH. I mean I was thouroughly impressed, the chicken skewers, fries and sliders were all excellent at a price that didn't break the wallet at all. Add in a couple of beers or wines and you're all set. I spent about 15 bucks, I felt mildly buzzed and pretty full, exactly the feeling you want after you leave a happy hour. Ok so enough of the happpy hour, lets get to the actual nightlife. Summers are much better because they have the beer garden in the back with a ping pong table (Which I dominate by the way, mainly because I play only girlfriend who sucks). The drinks are a little pricey but what center city bar isnt? The people are sexy the drinks are on point, the food is great and on top of that the bartenders are friendly.
(4)
Julio A.
Nicole and John are the dynamic duo of the outside bar. They attend to all the needs of the patrons. They put the "happy" in happy hour for me and my group. Can't wait to come back next Friday. I hope they are there.
(5)
Chris J.
Went in on a Sunday for dinner. Not a lot of folks around but great service from Cait our waitress. Had the spinach and artichoke fritters - tasty. I had the lamb gyro - very good with the toasted pita. Good chimays and the burger was yummy too!!
(3)
Craig K.
After being thoroughly impressed a few months prior with friends, I decided to come back for date night. Granted this was during restaurant week; however, our service was slow and poor and the food was not on point. The swordfish and lamb mains were tasty however the sides and the previous courses lacked seasoning and flavor. I teeter back-and-forth on whether I would recommend or visit this restaurant again...
(3)
Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I wanted some light fare for dinner, so we decided to try Opa for the first time. The space is very nice. You walk into this refreshing wood and blue decorated locale feeling warm and at home. For a Thursday night it was pretty empty. We weren't sure about the quality of the food, and once again, another small plates restaurant (which is getting annoying at this point), so we ordered just two-- the crab cake and the spinach croquettes. The crab cake was loose, and it had a canned crab flavor. On the plus side, there wasn't much breading (maybe that's why it was falling apart). The spinach croquettes were executed nicely but were saltier than flavorful. I'd like to have something that draws out the flavor of the spinach rather than making it a vanishing after taste. I think Opa's saving grace is its beer garden and happy hour. I haven't been to either, but I hear that it's very good. Bottom line: Two dishes were ho-hum, and it made us want to go elsewhere for a main course. The decor is nice, and the servers friendly, but it's lacking oomph.
(3)
Bill W.
Too bad, the outside bar is cool. However, the bartender lost my debit card, and the follow up was poor. Manager was rude. Will not be back ever.
(1)
Natalie B.
I've heard good things about Opa, so when I found out about their special $2 menu for their 2 year anniversary, I finally stopped in. We had reservations and were seated pretty quickly, though our table was kind of jammed in a small space, behind another table. We were served water pretty quickly by one server, who said someone would be by to take out order shortly. About 20 minutes later, I had to look around and try to get someone's attention before we could finally put in our drink orders, and then another 10 minutes later, we put in for our food. Most of what was on the special menu sounded awesome. Unfortunately, they were out of lamb croquettes, so we got the surf and turf souvlaki and gyro from the special menu. I know that $2 is a great price, but the portions were pretty dismal. I have child hands. The gyro was no bigger than my palm, and the surf and turf souvlaki pieces were about as big as my thumb. They were pretty bland. We also ordered the chili chicken fingers and fried kalamari from their regular menu. The fried kalamari was good and also came with fried green peppers and olives, but the sauce was tasteless. The chili chicken fingers weren't spicy at all. The crust had a really nice texture, but they tasted like they were just covered in honey. It was cozy inside, but both the service and food were lacking. The special $2 menu was a sham. It was really disappointing.
(2)
Michelle C.
I've now dined at Opa twice - once for dinner and once for lunch - and I really enjoy the restaurant a lot. While we do have a few options for Greek/Mediterranean food in the city, I can't think of another place that does it as stylishly as Opa. The decor and the cocktail selection bring the swankiness, while the food speaks for itself. The spreads trio is my favorite starter. It comes with hot, delicious pita but also some veggies for dipping, which is great for anyone who wants a little bite without a ton of calories. Each spread packs loads of flavor, and I especially love the tzatziki. For dinner, you really can't go wrong with ordering a bunch of smaller plates and sharing them all. That's what my boyfriend and I did during our evening at Opa. The mini lamb gyros are delicious. At lunch, the chicken gyro is lighter than a burger but loaded on taste. A side of dressed greens can also be swapped for fries. Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy the dessert course. Two varieties of coffee are offered plus a couple dessert cocktails and about four or so desserts. I've tried the baklava which I am always a fan of, and have heard several raves about the loukoumades (fried dough with dipping sauces). It won't be long before I'm craving those spreads and gyros once again!
(4)
Laura N.
Opa has a beautiful ambiance, both inside and outside. The food is always excellent and consistent each and every time I go. Not sure why a few who commented below said that they thought it wasn't authentic Greek food. I'm 100% Greek and you're absolutely right... At least half of the items on the list aren't technically considered "traditional", and that's completely fine with me! Opa takes traditional Greek food and almost modernizes it and puts a slight twist on it. It's contemporary, and that's what Opa reflects. I love their pastichio, spinach croquettes, Tiropitas, chicken, and pretty much all of their desserts. Plus the servers, especially Jesse, are SO nice and welcoming . It's a nice touch and aside from the delicious food, they make me want to come back ! And the best part is that they give complementary Ouzo shots at the end of your meal! Definitely go to Opa and enjoy their amazing food, drinks and service! It's affordable for the city!
(5)
Valerie F.
I'll start by saying that the atmosphere of this place is very nice, its dimly lit and has nice padded seating. At first the hostess told us that she could not seat us because she had reservations booked but there were at least 10 open tables, she then came back and said she could seat us in the back. My bf and I really enjoyed our corner seat with pillows and candles it was very modern and romantic. The 3-star review is for the food. We ordered the soft shell crab tempura special. The whole thing just tasted like friend crab shell and there was very little crab meat. The fingerling potatoes it came with were good but I'd rather not pay $17 to eat some potatoes. The waiter was very friendly and attentive, I would consider coming back due to the great service. Along with our check, he brought us 2 shots of what smelled like liquorice liquor. I tasted a small sip and almost gagged, it was absolutely disgusting I needed to chew gum just to chase down the taste.
(3)
Adam N.
It's been hit or miss at Opa. We've had some nights where it's too crowded to get a drink. We're here today for happy hour and the specials are very reasonably priced. The open window allows for great fresh air (of Sansom street, we admit). It'd be better if they offered their happy hour on their back patio, but it's only at the bar. At least we have good scenery with the hot bartender.
(4)
Deb S.
The outside entrance is questonable but inside nice. Met up with a group of friends 2 different times to hang in the outside patio for beers. It's a fun atmosphere with games, table tennis and started they growing living walls.
(3)
Michael Y.
This is a quiet spot for lunch in downtown Philadelphia. I've never been here with a crowd (which is a shame), but the food is impeccable. Really love the evolving menu, and I found the food to be spot on. Drinks were tasty too. But the real story here is the service. Our waiter was awesome. My colleague is a difficult customer, and the waiter easily appeased her and gave us an awesome experience. Truly terrific restaurant.
Aesthetics, I am discovering really contribute to a restaurant's appeal. It isn't just about the food or the drinks, but it's about the overall experience that makes me want to return to restaurant. Fortunately, two out of those three made my experience this time around - I was there for drinks in the ultra-modern bar area. Both myself and my company had a Greek Margarita which tasted a lot like a Mexican Margarita, but I went with it. It was great with a strong flavor. Service was quick and friendly and made this a great first stop on a night where we went to five or six other establishments. Recommend for drinks - and please try the food and let me know whether or not you recommend it.
(4)
Michael G.
I went for a happy hour (sips). The drinks at the bar inside were served in plastic glasses (you'd think we were in college or at a dive bar), and one of the beers they had for $3 on special was Yuengling. I don't mind Yuengling, but it is not exactly a deal at $3 when everyone else is doing craft beer at that price. The apps we tried were mediocre. When we ordered food and drink 5 min before happy hour ended we were given our drinks and told that the kitchen was not cooking any happy hour apps any more. Complete lack of any real customer service there. Also, there was little to no seating available. Honestly, with all the other competition for happy hours in the city, I won't be going anywhere near this place again. I'm wondering how it is still in business.
(1)
Ron H.
A modern looking, trendy bar with a casual atmosphere. The bar is a chill place to grab a drink and a small snack but I don't think I would make this a dinner destination place. If you're in the neighborhood doing a small bar tour, it is worthwhile to stop in and grab something quick. The Mini gyro sampler was worth the trip in. The Ribs are ok, but aren't going to be satisfying if you're in the mood for ribs or are a big meat lover. Personally like the Tria drink, order it with extra whiskey bitters.
(4)
Christina W.
A group of friends and I came for the last Center City Sips and had a pretty awful time. We requested a table for 5 and were willing to squeeze at a table for 4, and the hostess had a tremendous amount of trouble finding a place for us. Although there was clearly two tables for parties of 2 next to one another that could be easily pushed together, she did not seem to want to seat us there and intentionally made the spot seem infeasible and unattractive. We finally were seated there, and five minutes later the table next to us that would seat us more comfortable opened up. When we asked a waitress if we could move since we had a party of 5, she agreed, and later we saw the hostess yell at her for allowing it because she needed the table for a group of 4, even though the one we vacated was fine for a group of 4. Really set a terrible tone for the rest of our meal. We were not given glasses of water for about twenty minutes despite making multiple requests. Finally, they gave some of us plastic cups, probably because they ran out of clean glasses. We ordered the pineapple vodka cocktail which was terrible--it was overly sweet and overly tart at the same time (shouldn't those balance each other out?) Literally difficult to even force down because it was so sickeningly sweet and artificial. Our group shared many small plates. I recommend: -Spinach croquettes--delicious -Spreads trio--the pita, the tzatziki, and the babaganoush were excellent. It came with cucumbers and bell peppers for dipping. -Mussels--pretty flavorful Pass on the: -Fried calamari--just so-so -Lemon potatoes--barely had any lemon flavor -Veal meatballs--not too flavorful and fell apart when you cut them -Fries--fries were good but most of them were smothered with an orange sauce that I was not a fan of Food came out very fast after the initial rudeness, but overall we did not feel like we were treated respectfully. Even the quick delivery of food made it feel like we were being rushed out, and we weren't able to enjoy the food as much given the frantic pace. I won't be back.
(2)
Omnom N.
It was good food. Service could have been better. Loved their caramelized pears salad.
(4)
Stephy S.
This is only based on night life. I have been here while going out on weekends. They have a backyard outside area, and the inside restaurant area. It is nice to have both "scene" options. The inside restaurant area has music, but so small and cramped that dancing room is definitely a no-go.
(3)
Matt M.
Loved the drinks created by our bartender, Casey O'Neil. The Kedros was a great gin drink with elderflower St. Germaine and the other was a spicy margarita. Very authentic tasting hummus and a nice sausage and lamb flatbread. Superior service and a great atmosphere!
(5)
Alexis Y.
Cute, quaint, cozy bar! The cocktail menu is awesome, listed with several delicious drinks. Unfortunately the bartender was extremely rude and temperamental. He gave attitude to two people in my party and told me he could not make me a drink due to the fact he had never heard of it and "he made the whole drink menu himself". He acted more or less like a brat. After this, we moved on to a new spot!
(2)
Eoghan J.
The best part of Opa is the bar from 11 onwards when the kitchen closes. The food is not great at all. We decided to do a tapas style and ordered all appetizers to share. Nothing special at all.... very bland. But the place got really buzzing after 11, so a good bar seen
(2)
Anna M.
Lunch: My husband and I met here for lunch. It was in the area that we were meeting in so we decided to give it a try. My husband got the lamb gyro and I got the vegetarian seitan gyro. Lunch was cheap, simple, and good. The fries were delicious! The lunch came with a soft drink which we were able to substitute for coffee. There was no crowd and the server was very helpful without over crowding us. We will definitely go back for lunch and will return to try dinner.
(5)
Tiffany T.
Nothing special about this place, but not a bad stop for happy hour. Bartender was nice. $2 tiny sliders (pretty yummy nothing special) $3 dogfish head 60 minute IPAs and me and my 1 friend were the only ppl there on a Tuesday afternoon
(3)
Bob M.
Pistitio was not good at all. Everything else was really good, but my Greek mother's cooking would demolish this stuff. Just avoid the salty mess that is the pistitio. Hopefully they fix the recipe.
(1)
Michael H.
This review is for the backyard "beer garden" if you wanna call it that Place is a great hidden gem in center city. Hesitant to even report how good it is for fear that it will become too well known and crowded. Nothing too swanky but a nice chill place to hang out on a nice night playing pingpong drinking off their decent craft beer list. -Ping Pong table. -They used to have corn-hole, hopefully they will bring that back out at some point. -Good amount of big tables with Jenga floating around a lot of them. -GREAT canned beer selection -Good music, but played at a very low volume and turned off early, assume because of the apartment buildings that overlook the area. -AWESOME female bartender -Heat lamps for cooler nights, prob wont need them once summer kicks in but great for spring and fall.... we've also gone here on mild winter nights as well !
(4)
D D.
I'll be as fair as I can be. My friends and I went to Opa on a Friday at 5pm for the happy hour menu. One of my friends is not an easy-to-deal-with customer. She's demanding and very critical. So I know that overall and all things considered, we weren't the best customers. The place allowed us to have out happy hour outside of its designated area. That was a very good thing from the restaurant since they didn't have to do that for use, particularly since my friend was being obnoxiously demanding. The server was very professional, though she came across a little fake ("It's fun to serve happy hour outside the area." Really?, Fun? Whatever). Anyway, she did put up with my friend and kept her cool, even thought I could feel her aggravation with us. So I believe she was extremely professional dealing with us. I made sure that at least I tipped her well. The main issue was the poor quality and time it took to get the food. The food was insanely overpriced for what we got, one of my fries wasn't cooked, and it took forever to get our food (maybe this is something that restaurants do to 'difficult customers', who knows?). I asked for a Lager beer and I got the dark instead, and they sent one too many of the appetizers we ordered. The drinks were served sporadically, so by the time I got my (actually not-too-cold and wrong kind of) beer, some of my friends were already done with their drinks. The decor of the place is very nice and the atmosphere felt good. But overall, the experience wasn't that great. Not sure I would have had a better experience had my obnoxious friend wasn't with us.
(3)
Lora R.
I love coming here for dinner because it's easy to get a table without a reservation (unusual for the 13th Street region) and the food is top notch. Ordered the drink with the tequila/agave nectar and long hots (can't recall the name), and it was delicious (and strong). Shared the sampler platter, which had very good dips and plenty of dipping vessels (veggies, pita, olives). And the waiter gave us a free shot at the end!
(4)
Andrew W.
I swung by Opa with a few friends to round out our happy 'hour' last night. I have no idea how the food is (it looked good) or what the interior is like, but I am a big fan of large outdoor patios with ping pong. Seriously, how did I not know this place had a huge deck? I could quibble about the line at the bar (only one bartender at the time) or the drink prices (a smidge pricey) but really, its a huge outdoor patio. Sold.
(4)
Nathan H.
**hidden gem in center city** I've been to Opa half a dozen times for after-work happy hours but only recently discovered the bar's back-of-house beer garden. While the front bar caters more to a sit-down restaurant experience, the rear garden has space for games (jenga, corn-hole, etc) and fills up quickly in the evenings (so get there early!)
(4)
Becca B.
I have been to Opa many times for drinks and we finally decided to head in for dinner and I have to say the experience was more than disappointing. First the hostess explained to us that although she had tables open "she just could not seat us, like she just could not." That did not really hold a lot of weight but we figured we would eat at the bar. There we proceeded to not be greeted by an extremely unfriendly bartender who tossed the menu at us, ended up bringing us two appetizers that were twice the price of what we had ordered, and served extremely flat draft beer. When asking about the quality of the beer she rolled her eyes and stated "sooooo are you saying you don't want to drink it?" Not exactly the greatest customer service. Overall the food was satisfactory- nothing worth raving about. I felt it was overpriced for the portion size and with the draft beer being flat, the experience was not exactly enticing for a future visit. That being sad the octopus salad was well done ad very delicious. However, I unfortunately don't know if I would even head back for drinks let alone dinner after that experience.
(2)
Christine L.
Made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday night thinking that I'd avoid the wait-time hanger (anger induced by hunger)... but even WITH a reservation ended up waiting for a good 50 minutes... Table for two with a reservation-- 50 minute wait? A bit much. The hostess clearly felt bad for the wait and comped our first round of drinks-- but that doesn't really clear up the first bad impression! The food itself was OK-- not bad just wasn't blown away by anything. I did enjoy the veg pasta dish which came out piping hot-- but the ribs and meatballs were underwhelming. Overall, probably not worth the 50 minute wait.
(2)
Jon Z.
Went here based on a friend's recommendation. The decor is very nice and the service is fast. Lots of interesting mixed drinks. Octopus appetizer is delicious but portions are way too small! For more than $10 for an appetizer, I would expect that each person at the table of four should get more than a single bite of the meal. I had the rabbit, and the meat was very tender but the flavor was not all there. For some reason, it tasted almost exactly like beef to me. Presentation was well done and the roasted veggies that came with the rabbit was soft and moist. The star of the dinner was the steak, medium rare to perfection, seared just right. The Pita was warm and fresh, however be warned no free refills. In fact, our waitress forgot to tell us that each extra side of pita was $4 until we were on our 3rd pita plate for our hummus platter. Don't give us 3 big portions of dip but then only give 6 small pieces of pita and then charge us extra for extra pita while making it sound free. For better greek food, goto Kanella instead.
(3)
Ashish P.
Great for drinks. Terrible for food.
(1)
Payal P.
this review is for the "secret" beer garden. it is awesome! it is a hidden gem amidst the city. there is a bar with awesome sangria and other tasty beverages, games and fun chairs to sit on. great place to kick back with friends! i hope it still stays kind of secret though, haha so i won't tell you how to find it ;)
(5)
Geoff c.
A bit upscale. Trendy. But a great experience. I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, so all I can really say was that it was good. We orders a round of all the appetizers, like tapas style. The watermelon nectarine salad was great. The zucchini chips were also great. Pita and spread of spreads (see what I did there??) was also great. They keep the hot pita coming. The portions don't quite fill you up, and can be on the pricier side. The place becomes a pretty active bar scene in the late hours on weekends. Live DJ. Dimly lit. Great service.
(4)
Sandy C.
Opa is my current fave bar in the city, but I fear I will need to search for a new one soon. (it's getting exceedingly crowded. good for them.) The cute beer garden* out back and the Koukla cocktail are the top draws for me, and the perfect combo for those warm summer nights. Service is efficient. (i.e. good, but not super friendly.) Food is good. (i.e. tasty, Greek-INSPIRED.) *They need to take out the ping pong table and put in additional benches. Provide decks of cards instead! You're welcome.
(4)
C M.
Most recently visited Opa for lunch but have been to both the beer garden and restaurant multiple times. They have a great lunch special - $10 for 1/2 sandwich and salad/soup. The beet salad was delicious as well as the chicken gyro. Service was a bit slow, especially for lunch on a weekday when people are trying to get in and out. The beer garden is great. Very spacious with a good selection of beers. They have a limited and different food menu at the beer garden (think more bar food) but still tasty nonetheless. I'll be back, but will make sure if its for lunch I have plenty of time.
(4)
Brian C.
Opa definitely has a nice, small atmosphere, and I love that there's live music there. The space may be a bit too small for a live band though, as it was difficult to hear and talk to the people we were there with. The rabbit was good, and the noodles springy and chewy. The gyros that I had though were very tiny, and totally did not satisfy me. I did not expect what i got. It seriously looked like a commercial on TV where it was a joke that restaurants serve you little food, or where my hands are too big. The food was decent, but unfortunately the value was not quite there I thought.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
I love Opa. I have been there twice and both times have been delicious. I am a vegetarian and was very happy with the selections. I have been with a pregnant woman and a meat lover and we were all in heaven. They had great beer choices as well.
(4)
Laura A.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. We had a 8:00 reservation. We dealt with some of the worst customer service. First the waitors tells us to sit. Then the hostess whom already was Rude tells us to get up because the table is for Someone else. It's now past our time. Then the hostess tells us to sit there now because the party hasn't arrived. Then the arrogant owner comes over and tells us we need to get up. We explained the hostess said to sit here and rather than being professional he replied with attitude "I spoke with the hostess you need to move tables". They need to work on their customer service. I will not be returning.
(1)
Ray L.
Opa offers a trendy and relaxing place to dine, with great lighting and a cute bar area that sits in the middle of the restaurant. There was even live music the night that I gave this place a try. The food was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. And by pretty good, I mean it's closer to okay than amazing. Anyway, I ordered the braised rabbit which comes with a delectable sauce with olives and capers, mixed in with house-made pasta. The sauce was excellent and the rabbit was cooked perfectly--tender, and the meat itself was not gamey at all. I thought the pasta itself was mediocre--it should have been softer and doughier. I guess not all home-made pastas are created equal. All in all, a pretty good dish but nothing to write home about, especially taking into consideration the portion. Plates here are small folks, so if you're hungry, one plate probably won't fill you up (unless, possibly, if you get their burger?). So that was one disappointing part of the meal--value. Two more minor points. I received my dish first. It was probably 8-10 minutes before the other dishes arrived. So there I sat, with my food, and there my friend sat, without her food, for about 10 minutes. There wasn't even an explanation for the delay. Anyway, that is a restaurant no-no. Of course, mistakes happen in the kitchen, timing's off, etc. But when you don't apologize for it or at least acknowledge it, it seems like you (as a restaurant) don't care or are completely unaware. Perhaps this is a bit harsh, but this is really a pet peeve of mine. (BTW, we sat at the bar, which also provides food service, but I don't think that should be an excuse for bringing plates out 10 minutes apart.) Other minor point is that there was a bone in the rabbit (it's clearly supposed to be a boneless dish). I'm probably just being nitpicky, but these things add up! I could see myself coming here again, but actually, I went to Kanella a few weeks ago, and it had much better fare if you're looking for Greek.
(3)
Jay A.
Our first restaurant week stop. The roasted winter squash was to die for. Salmon cooked perfectly. The Greek "donuts" were delicious with a unique spicy banana and Nutella spread. We are coming to back to explore more!!!
(5)
Louis R.
Suh...suh...suh...sexaaay spot for a date. Huge windows that retract, decent-sized 360deg bar with svelt bartenders (that look like male models), bamboo decor made to look like half-a-tunnel, smurf-blue ceilings, a large dining area that looks as if you can close the curtain around it, like in an ER or ICU. Whoa. The cucumber-lemon-dill drink was naaahce and refreshing but the orange-mint-vodka drink was too sweet, not tart enough. The bartender told us that OPA means a "joyful emotion" in Greek OR "grandpa" in German. I like the grandpa meaning.
(4)
Hudson W.
The food is out of this world. The lamb shank is to die for, and the chicken (which sounds boring) is amazing. Make sure you try their spicy tequila drink - your waiter will know. If he is working, ask for Zack
(5)
JB Y.
Alright let me say this, food and atmosphere, aesthetics are pretty solid. Portions left much to be desired. But the serving staff... While they were nice and meant well, it was like the JV squad, they just didn't seem too competent with timing - we waited a long time for one app, then for the food, and then for them go take cards. And place was about 60% full, nowhere near full or over capacity. Waitstaff was just amateurs, hopefully it'll get better.
(2)
Teresa K.
I've been here 3 times for lunch so far and I've become a fan. Everything we've had has been good to delicious. I've had wine recommended to me by our server and that has been good as well. Highlights have been the loukoumades, which are greek beignets. They were so good, I think I could live on them. The winter squash soup was excellent as were the flatbreads. Only ok were the veal meatballs and a tomato, olive salad that I had once. The tomatoes were definitely winter tomatoes and I wasn't expecting pits in my olives. Another disappointment was that they don't serve Bloody Marys. I would like to come back for dinner sometime as it seems like they have a much larger menu then. It's never been crowded at lunch time and our service has always been good.
(3)
Preety S.
Met a friend here for a pre-theatre dinner around 6pm on a Sunday. It was pretty empty which was a surprise, maybe only 2 or 3 other diners. We ordered olives, feta and lemon chicken skewers for appetizers, salmon and lamb for entrees. We finished off with regular and Greek coffee for dessert. Next time I would get a glass of wine also since they have a full bar. Everything was absolutely delicious and the staff was friendly. A place I would certainly go back to often.
(4)
Allison B.
I had an awesome lunch at Opa this afternoon with Michelle C. It was very different than the experience I had working the door at July's YEE! The atmosphere at Opa is light, airy and welcoming. I dig the giant half-moon bar in the middle of the room, and the green and blue hues on the walls. Very calming, very "nature," very "exotic island in the Mediterranean." Michelle and I split the trio of spreads to start. I loved every single one. The hummus was unique in flavor and texture, the tzatziki was thick and creamy, and the htipiti (roasted red pepper and feta) had just enough bite. I personally thought the dip/pita ratio was just fine. Other Yelpers do not seem to agree, but hey, everyone dips differently. There were also olives, green peppers and raw zucchini (puzzled about this one) on the plate. I had the roasted beet salad for my entree, which was light, colorful and well-dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. I was surprised to see goat cheese on the menu in a Greek restaurant for some reason, but hey, no complaints. The prices were great, as was the service. I'd gladly take a friend here for lunch!
(4)
Walter K.
Nice little bar. Great happy hour too, a few $3 drafts, $1 skewers, $2 sliders, $4 wine, and the most delicious french fries.
(3)
Michael C.
Good Greek food with a very helpful staff. Great decor and bar scene. Try the lamb stew with gnocchi and the flatbread!
(4)
Chirag P.
Came by this place as we were looking for a place to drink and I saw what looked like a beer garden so we took a chance and were very pleased. Lots craft beers to choose from and there's Jenga at all the tables... This makes for a great night. If you're looking for mixed drinks do not go to the bar at the beer garden... When coke and sprite mixers are being served out of buckets... You know that's when you head inside to grab a drink. They have some Pre-mixed drinks but they're terrible so avoid them. It dies take a while to get a drink bc it's packed and maybe two people working behind the tiny bar... But in the end it's a fun outdoor bar. Had no food so can't tell you anything about that.
(4)
Louis D.
First off, this is for Opa, not the drury beer garden out back, which is a GREAT place to hang out. I've been here for both drinks and dinner a couple of times. First off, for drinks, it gets a big crowd (mostly I think it's people who don't want to stand in line for Time) but it's really not built for lots of people standing around and milling. The bar is too big, the table placement is awkward, the room is small. For being a pretty tiny place though, the drink/beer selection is surprisingly decent. As for food, I was kind of disappointed. The chorizo flatbread was pretty good, nothing spectacular, but give it points for being creative. That was the highlight. Lower-lights were the grilled octopus and calamari. The octopus itself was alright, but there were only like 7 pieces on the plate. The rest of the space was taken up by "chickpea fondue" which as far as I can tell was boiled chickpeas with a little Mediterranean spice. More octopus, less "fondue." As for the calamari, it was fried to the max, losing all the squid flavor, and soggy. At least there were more than 7 pieces though. We were comped a couple of drinks for slow service which really wasn't all that slow, so points for being attentive to us. Overall, it's not a bad spot to meet friends and move on, but there's nothing special about it.
(3)
Clayton L.
Restaurant Week: Lunch Monday Afternoon When Christine B. informed me about this Greek gem hidden on Sansom, I was very interested in trying it out. Their restaurant week menu looked fantastic, so my expectations were pretty high. There were 3 other people partaking in lunch that afternoon: not very crowded for how tasty I felt their food was. Our waitress was very attentive: she refilled my water without asking (my litmus test for tip amount) and made sure to note my anti-climactic tree nut allergy. The spinach soup was quite good: creamy with just a little spice. The menu originally had a beet salad, but that was replaced with a Greek salad...I think this was for the best. It was a legit Greek salad: tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onions, cucumbers...NO lettuce, which earns big points with me. The gyro was quite good: made with actual lamb, not the beef-lamb mixture that gets shaved off of a rotating spit. The chicken was also good: seasoned appropriately, with a delicious, light orzo pasta salad on the side. The fried dough dessert came with very tasty banana and chocolate/hazelnut dipping sauces. Overall: I was quite impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere. I would happily go back to enjoy a non-restaurant week dinner and the beer garden (when the weather gets better).
(4)
David A.
I did not eat much, but what I had was plan old ordinary. Started with the chilled cucumber soup. Bland, watery and boring. Next had the assorted dips with pita and raw veggies (zuchini and red peppers). Hummus and tzitiki were ok, other dip with feta was a bit too rich. Grilled pita slices had good portion but average bread. Wait service nice but not overly working it. Much prefer Dmitri's, Kanella and Zahav.
(2)
Yohana P.
I was having dinner with two friends on Wednesday nite at Opa and that was my first time experience for us. The food was decent and service was great. After we finished dinner, we also ordered take out. Once we got the bill, I thought it was a bit pricey. It turned out that 20% gratuity was added to the bill. I thought it was both surprising and UNFAIR to add gratuity for a group of three. After all, i work in the restaurant industry so im sure to tip at least 20%.
(3)
Jemma C.
The frat house/ college campus bar/ canteen moonlighting as a restaurant. Awful food, drinks in plastic cups, incompetent staff, odd smell.... To be avoided.
(1)
Nicole W.
This place is fantastic! Seeing as I spent 4 months in Greece, I have high expectations of any place that promotes authentic Greek food, and I was not disappointed. For starters I had the Retsina, which immediately took me right back to my first glass in Athens. Not many can stand Retsina, as it has a very distinct taste, but for $8.5, I will definitely be coming back! My friend and I then had Saganaki for the appetizer. It resembled the saganaki my friend had made in our apartment one drunken night, but it tasted way better. Delicious but not that aesthetically pleasing. For the main course we decided to share the lamb. We definitely weren't expecting to be such a large serving. The bone was huge! The food was scrumptious. I felt like I was eating at a Taverna in Greece. So so so good! The lamb came with spinach and orzo. A fantastic overall combination. We were so stuffed trying to eat it all, but we just had to get dessert. For dessert we had the loukoumades and the ice cream. It was definitely the perfect way to polish off a meal. Perfect blend of sweet and salty. All and all, we each paid $40 for all of that, which was a good deal to me. The decor is reminiscent of the Greek islands, with the whites and blues. I loved the cutout for the lanterns. And the Greek music was a nice touch. This place is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and I have already told my friends that I will be bringing them back. I'm hoping that they'll have this place open late at night during the spring and summer. I'd love a place to hang out that reminds me of the bars/lounges of Gazi.
(5)
Mark D.
Waitstaff were friendly I'll give them that. My food arrived just at luke warm and very under seasoned. I sent it back and just opted to have dessert... Another disappointment ... The pear ice cream was poorly executed
(1)
Anat S.
I've been to Opa a bunch of times, but mostly for happy hour. Seriously, try their happy hour. It's so very worth it. I like their tapas, but they're mostly hit or miss. Their drinks are great, but I really wish they would try to be more consistent with their food. It might explain why their restaurant is deserted on a Friday night after happy hour is over. Definitely a drink and happy hour spot, not really a dinner place.
(4)
Nico L.
Double charged drinks. Cash and card. Not coming back
(3)
Christine B.
I can only comment on the drinks and atmosphere, but this seems like a pretty nice place. Armed with a card for two free drinks from Hop Sing Laundromat, I made it here with some friends after the night market. The only drink we could get was a cucumber vodka concoction with lemon and dill. I probably wouldn't normally order this drink, but we were all surprised by how good it was. The bartender knocked over a glass of water on my friend, and he immediately offered him a drink on the house. He went with a bourbon berry cocktail that he said was also good. They had a DJ, which was nice but kind of surprising for a Thursday night. I really like the decorating of the interior, although it's a really small place. It might be really packed on weekends.
(4)
Matt K.
The main reason I am giving 3 stars is that this restaurant has no soul, really. Everything is efficient and the dishes are good, but the food does not reflect a chef's inspiration. This is a business, mostly. You can find better and more authentic Greek food elsewhere in Philly, such as Kanella. And the portions there are bigger and less expensive. This place seems to be catering to a young hip crowd that wants a few cocktails then a casual, Greek-inspired meal. The bar is large, almost larger than the rest of the restaurant. We decided to challenge them on their freshness and quality. The best way to do that is to order a whole fish. It was nicely cooked, but not as fresh as it could have been. The horiatiki was passable, the various dips including tsatsiki were average. It wasn't bad here, just not memorable.
(3)
Elizabeth D.
I've only been to the bar for drinks, but left with a good feeling about Opa. The interior is absolutely stunning - very sleek - and the installation above the bar is really cool! The specialty cocktails run about $10-$12. The Koukla was my favorite - with pineapple infused vodka. Draft beers are decently priced. With a recommendation of the bartender I did try the Greek white wine. I was hesitant because I had heard negative things, but I really enjoyed her recommendation (the Foloi if you're interested). By the way, the bartender will give you a taste if you're concerned you won't like the wine.
(4)
Vivian T.
The ambience/decor and bar is really modern and classy. Nice place to get a drink. It was not too loud so was good for conversations . We ordered the octopus, different spreads as the small plates and the stuff pepper entree. The food was just ok, average greek food. It was good but not amazing. There is also a cute back patio but you can't get the full menu there. Would probably just come for drinks next time and not dinner.
(3)
Emily W.
We came here for sips because they had a more interesting variety of drinks and food than other places. I got the wine but should've ordered their pineapple cocktail like my friend. It was fruity but not too sweet- a potent combo that was downed waaay too quickly. We stayed for dinner and ended up ordering the trio of spreads. So delicious. I was skeptical because all of them seemed a little on the runnier side when they came to the table, but they ended up being just right. The hummus was smokey from all of the cumin, the yogurt dip was refreshing and not too acidic, and the feta and red pepper spread- WOW. I can think of so many things I would want to spread that on. They skimped on the pita, but the raw veggies were a nice touch. I was surprised by how much I liked the raw zucchini. I got the feta-stuffed burger after hearing about how amazing it was but was disappointed. My bun was stale and too big for the patty, and the relish was an after-thought. That relish really had potential to brighten up the meat patty. But the worst part was that I couldn't find the feta. I bit into the burger expecting to see -and taste- chunks of feta. But nope. It was no where to be found, no where to be tasted. Now that I think about it, they really should just top every burger with their red pepper and feta dip. Now I would go back for that.
(3)
Andrew K.
I've been here several times for apps/drinks and always enjoy myself. Very cool/chill atmosphere with a very mediterranean/greek feel to it. After about 10PM it changes into more of a bar. Loud music and tends to get crowded. Drinks are delicious and strong, but expensive ($10 - 12/drinks, $8ish for beers). I recommend the hummus plate app. no complaints from me about coming in for drinks. i look forward to checking out their dinner menu.
(3)
steve e.
hope to see you saturday night before all the sharp loking youngsters ge there
(4)
C R.
Review for dinner on a Saturday night: I really liked the food here. We ordered all the appetizers. Pretty much everything was good (to me), except the beets and those brussel sprouts things. Especially good were the fried zucchini chips and mussels. Service was great and the continuous supply of pita was awesome. Would definitely recommend. However, our decision to get all the appetizers was quite expensive, but it was worth the try. I do wish they had bigger portions, but oh well.
(4)
Faye F.
Came here last weekend with friends for a night out and really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere with good music and drinks. Finally a little dancing (does no one really dance in Philly?!)! Would have loved to have tried their food here but we were only visiting for the weekend :( definitely check this place out if you want a night out :)
(4)
Gopal M.
Had the Rabbit pasta. It was bits of tasty rabbit meat mixes with creamy boring pasta. Who mixes Rabbit and Pasta? good ambiance. Can get crowded very fast
(3)
Jessica S.
Review for Happy Hour @ Opa - Every month about 6 of the Gals from college get together. We are probably gonna drink wine, and order appetizers. Opa scored high for friendly attentive bartender, decent house wine, and tasty bar treats. The prices were also very reasonable. It was a slow night there, which we like. If you are looking for a scene... go somewhere else. I would recommend the 5 - 7 Happy hour at Opa.
(4)
Brent K.
First time there.... and it will definitely NOT be my last. We took advantage of the restaurant week tasting menu which is always fun. We started off with some saganaki and mussels. The saganaki is a fried cheese that is very similar to haloumi. It was fantastic! The mussels were good, not great. If mussels is what you're craving, you're better off going to Monk's Cafe. The next round was horiatiki and pork ribs. The horiatiki is a vegetable appetizer that has red onions, tomoatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers, and feta. It is a lighter snack and was very fresh tasting. The pork ribs were good, but I don't think I would order them at Opa again. It's more of a preference thing; there are plenty of other delicious things that I'd rather have. We had swordfish and the bifteki burger as our main courses. The swordfish was yummy although my lady thought it was too fishy... I enjoyed anyway. The bifteki burger was damn good!!! The accompanying fries were seasoned and hand-cut. Although not everything we ate was SUPER good, the service and cleanliness of the restaurant gives Opa a well-earned 4 stars. They also have a new beer garden out back which I haven't been to but have heard good things about.
(4)
Shannon P.
I was hoping that when I walked in the door it'd be just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Joey Fatone was going to give me a shot of Ouzo while yelling...wait for it...OPA! It's a little more chill than that. The restaurant is deceivingly small but we didn't feel cramped sitting at the white mod style bar. We arrived for a late night Friday dinner just before my boo turned the big 2-7. To start we ordered the Spread Pikilia which is served as a cutting board full of chopped veggies, marinated olives, pita, and a block of feta. You're given ramekins of Greek dips: hummus, tzatziki, and a spicy feta dip. The dips are substantial and we got extra pita vessels to finish the remainder. Since I wasn't so hungry at 10pm on a Friday, I ordered a watermelon nectarine salad infused with balsamic vinegar and mint and topped with feta. Super refreshing and light. I even kept some for the following day and the flavors intensified. Boo ordered the grilled octopus that was served sliced with a side of spicy chickpeas. The timing was off on our entrees but it was a misunderstanding with the bartener. When we go back I definitely want to try the mussels. The serving size looked huge and I was tempted to order them. The cocktail menu looked pretty interesting too...having spent a month in Greece and offered free ouzo anywhere I went, I was interested in how they might incorporate such a strong liquor into a cocktail. Let me know how it is!
(4)
Stephanie Y.
Never really noticed the entrance to this place, but saw it on yelp cocktail week and thought we'd try it out. They had the Antho for $5 and it just sounded cool. It's a cucumber vodka with a dash of lemon and a dill thrown in. Sooooo refreshing and delicious. They're also deadly because you'll down 5 then feel it. Probably more for others, since I'm a lightweight. The decor is cool and contemporary greek, if that makes sense. colors are definitely very vibrant. I got the sea bass, which was juicy and pretty good. I wish it was seared a little more for the crispiness. Mythos, a greek lager, was also good. Be sure to get these drinks when you're there.
(4)
Jess H.
This was so disappointing! So first, I have to clarify this review by saying that the happy hour food was delicious and the bartender in the beer garden was really nice! Unfortunately, the inside bartender was completely rude to me and my friends and ruined our experience at Opa. In addition to not being particularly attentive (which would not have left bitter feelings), he literally snatched a beer away from me because he didn't notify me that happy hour had ended early on his clock (though still before 7pm). Unprompted rudeness in general is unappreciated... But there was no reason for him to behave so unprofessionally. Safe to say, I will not be recommending Opa to friends or otherwise. There are enough well- qualified people out there who are friendly... Opa would benefit from hiring one of them!
(2)
Christina S.
Decor was beautiful in this place. It has a very young, hip, modern feel. They also have a really nice looking bar in center and the specialty drinks sound really good. We got the greek-ified french fires that were too salty. Koukla had pineapple vodka, lemon and lavender. It was very refreshing and that was the highlight. Antho(cucumber vodka, lemon, dill) was delicious. It was on the sweet side. Service was great, efficient and nice. Best thing to come here for is for their cocktails.
(3)
Erin F.
I have been to Opa twice for their happy hour specials. They have a large square bar with seating. It is sometimes difficult to get a seat, especially if you are with a group of 3+. They have good happy hour specials which is why I returned. The first time we were at Opa, the skewers were $1 and the other apps were large portions. The next time I went back the skewers were more than $1 (which is understandable) and the other apps were much smaller. Food was acceptable. Overall - this place is just ok... not really impressed... I had expected a fun and lively bar area but it is just kind of bland and crowded.
(2)
Brenda A.
This was a good place. The atmosphere was nice and the waiter was very good. Most importantly, we enjoyed the food!
(4)
Kristin H.
Review for the Drury Beer Garden, not Opa. We went here to celebrate a birthday and it was a perfect choice. The beer was cheap - starting at $2 cans, I never had to wait in line for a drink, it wasn't too crowded and it was great to be outside on a hot night. Probably my favorite thing was that although music was playing, it was playing just loud enough to be heard, and not stop conversation. We actually had a night out where we could talk to the people around us! I saw the table next to us get a package meal - 6 people for $150 got crabs, beer and dessert, which seemed like a great deal. There was a private party inside Opa, and they kept locking the door that led outside to the beer garden, which meant we couldn't get inside to use the bathroom, which was annoying. Also, the taps outside were broken, so we couldn't get a draft outside, and they wouldn't allow us to bring a draft out from Opa.
(4)
Jean-Pierre A.
Hello Yelpers-ok so Opa-what can I say. It's a chill little greek place, that did not require reservations at 7pm on a friday night. Tonight me and the little lady decided to try this place out for the first time. So..... the menu-the appetizers were delicious-they were a good size and contained a great deal of flavor and substance. We did not try the main plates or entrees because the menu did not have anything that really seemed to be too appealing for us. A couple of whole fish dishes, and some other greek favorites. So this should not appear to be a bad reflection on the entrees-it just didn't appeal to our pallets. Anyway, we ordered 5 appetizers, which included the lamb meatballs, sausage flatbreads, spinach croquettes, mussels, and pork ribs. Everything was great, but we would definitely recommend the spinach croquettes and meatballs. Deff delicious. Everything was priced appropriately. Drink were great too! Anyway, I would recommend! ~~~JP p.s. Across the street there's a dog store that has wonderful and delicious pig ears, that my little dog really loves :)
(3)
Flint W.
Good service. Nice ambiance. Octopus appetizer is required eating.
(5)
Noheli T.
I only went to Opa for drinks so there won't be too much substance to this review. The beer was fine and two beers cost about $16. The atmosphere was great and there was a wide variety of people. The staff were kind but our bar tender definitely needed to lift up her pants or pull down her shirt. It really just was a pleasant view if you're sitting at the bar. Overall it was good spot and worth a try.
(3)
Ben P.
We did happy hour at OPA recently and likely won't be running back. The atmosphere is ok. Somewhat cozy and modern. Although the abundance of bright blue paint, despite being traditionally Mediterranean, had me looking around for a slide and ball pit. It was just...too much. But hey, we don't go to restaurants for their paint choices, we go for food. Here's the thing, we ordered an app and a couple of beers. Hardly enough to completely judge a restaurant, but I'm going to anyway based solely on the appearance and behavior of the two people working that evening. The bartender was sullen, unsmiling, and off-putting as he shrugged and slid the happy hour menu across the bar to us. He wasn't welcoming and acted like he didn't give a shit if we were there or not. He and the one server working that night were dressed in ripped, stone-washed jeans and "Opa" t-shirts. Philadelphia: I'm officially over servers in mid-range to upscale eateries dressed worse than people you find in a Chilis. I'm not old-fashioned, but I want to be served by someone who acts like they want to be serving and doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed. I say this a lot, but there are too many GREAT restaurants in this city for me to settle for a place that doesn't hit on all cylinders. Sorry, OPA.
(3)
Christina P.
This review is only for the happy hour, as I haven't gotten the chance to come for the regular menu yet. A friend and I came around 6 on a Thursday night, and the bar had a few people around it but there were a decent amount of open seats, which we were happy about. We settled in and the bartender gave us a happy hour menu - $1 skewers (veggie, meat, surf and turf), $2 sliders $3 meatballs, greekified fries, craft beer $4 house wine $5 cocktails/sparkling wine I thought it was a pretty good offering for having everything $5 and under. I went with the house white - tasted like a sauv blanc, very dry but it was good, the greekified fries, and a veggies skewer. The fries were SO good. I expected some fries with feta on top but instead they came with this spicy feta sauce that I would like to purchase by the bucket if it's available. The portion was snack sized, but next time I might order two because they were that good. The skewers were tasty, but small, although it was only $1 so that's fitting. My friend had the meatballs which came with three sitting in a sauce that was very tasty, according to her. The only thing I was disappointed about what that I expected cocktail to be one of their specialties, and instead it was any drinks made with Cruzan Rum. Kind of boring. Overall, Opa happy hour is definitely a do. The price is right, and you can make a solid, tasty meal for under $10 if you want to!
(4)
Redwood K.
Bar scene dominates dining room. Very noisy. Good dietary choices. Decent food. Nice wait staff.
(3)
Keith S.
The $15 lunch special is a great deal, to bad the beer garden isn't open for ourdoor seating on nice days, sitting out front in the alley with the garbage trucks and delivery vans is just not the same...
(4)
Alex M.
Food was OK, beer list was decent and reasonably priced. Staff was a little too "trendy" for me and acted kind of put off by the fact we brought our child (7 months, well behaved). Neat back beer garden if you don't have your kids with you.
(3)
Regina F.
I'm all about any place that serves the following: 1. Fried dough balls to be dipped in Merenda (the Greek Nutella...it's slightly richer than the American version). 2. Greek wine (If you've never had Greek wine before, you're in for a real shocker/treat/surprise. It's pretty damn potent and delicious.) 3. Fat fluffy pita that is slightly doughy with a touch of char smokiness from the grill to be slathered in tirokafteri (if hummus were a cheese spread, this would be it). 4. ...and a cocktail that tastes like a vodka infused pineapple.
(4)
Sal W.
We had a variety of dishes including zucchini chips, gyros, chicken skewer, veggie skewer, baklava and a curry style soup (can't recall the name of it). The food was mostly pretty tasty with the highlights being the gyros and soup, but the portion size was extremely small. Granted, we stuck to a bunch of the smaller sized plates, but these plates were miniature. For all that above it cost ~$45 + tip. The interior looks very nice and is very well done. Service was average. The bathroom has a hand dryer instead of paper towels. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 3 Stars Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 5 Stars
(3)
Ryan P.
This place is solid. Great overall experience. You can wear jeans! You can wear a t-shirt! It's summer. You can also wear a pretty dress! Opa takes care of the fancy with their cute servers and well thought out dishes. Not a lot of clutter on the menu; equal apps to main dishes. Smart wine. Modern Greek meets (larger portion) tapas experience. I expect to get action if I brought a date here.
(4)
Lauren C.
I ended up here to celebrate Laura S.'s birthday. It was a great evening, but Opa itself left a bit to be desired. Walking in, I was impressed. Opa does a nice job of balancing classy and hip - the ambiance is trendy without being over the top, and I loved the way the tables were positioned around the sides of the restaurant with the bar in the middle. Service was friendly enough, but a little behind the ball. The drinks took a long time to come from the bar, and our servers never asked us about drink refills - we had to flag them down. Another example: when a friend and I asked to share an entree, they brought it out on a single plate. I know the establishment is under no obligation to split an entree into two plates, but when the kitchen or server takes the extra time to do it, it makes a big difference. The food ranged from mediocre to very good. Appetizers beat entrees, hands down. The octopus appetizer was tender and flavorful, and was my personal favorite of the evening. The pita bread that came with our spread pikilia appetizer was also warm and delicious. Unfortunately, the quantity of pita isn't enough to balance out the amount of hummus, tzatziki, etc, and you're left spending another $4 for another order of pita (or eating your tzatziki with a spoon). The spinach croquettes were enjoyable but not particularly memorable. Same goes for the horiatiki. The entrees sealed the deal on the three-star rating. The steak, ordered medium rare, was surprisingly large, but arrived at the table medium well and was tougher and fattier than we had hoped. The fish was flavorful but a little dry. The burger wasn't particularly memorable either. All in all, it was a nice dinner, but we decided to head elsewhere for dessert.
(3)
Paige C.
My husband and I were looking for an easy place to relax for an after work drink and Opa's Drury Beer Garden had been talked about by more than a few of our friends. We made the trek over to 13th street, entered through Opa's restaurant entrance, through the available seated tables and back onto the deck - and there it was - right in the middle of our midtown village, an urban oasis of fun games, cheap drinks, and welcoming bartenders who seemed all too eager to keep our spiked iced teas coming one after another. Awesome! Our original plan that night was to bar hop a little bit, but after discovering the Jenga games and ping pong table, we just didn't want to leave. They stock a number of really good beers by the bottle, but the real draw is their spiked tea, lemonade, and punch. Key Suggestion: Ask them to mix the tea and lemonade (2/3 tea and 1/3 lemonade) for an Spiked Arnold Palmer - quite good. Towards the end of the night, we realized that we had been talking and laughing for hours, but had totally skipped dinner! We checked out the chalk board menu, saw chicken tenders and Gyros and ordered both to go. It wasn't until we got home with our food that we discovered that the Opa kitchen is yet another great reason to come here - these relatively common bar food items are extremely well executed and I absolutely will be back for some of the best chicken tenders in the city (really good). We had heard good things about the pork belly gyro, but they were unfortunately sold out for the night - no worries - just another reason to check back to one of our new favorite midtown village hangouts. Bottom Line: Try this place - you won't be disappointed - its fun, its relaxing, the service is good, the drinks are better, and the food is a perfect compliment. Solid.
(4)
John C.
Hopped into Opa during a night of bar hopping. It was a Saturday night so it was easily packed, filled with people at the bar and eating dinner. Right before we were going to try elsewhere, the DJ told us not to forget to check out the beer garden in the back. Much thanks to him for taking the initiative. It was freezing outside but the plethora of heat lamps warmed us right up. The outside bar had a mix of craft beers and little known gems. A nice, laid back atmosphere was enjoyed by all. Can't wait to return in the springtime.
(4)
Jessica E.
Review for Center City Sips only. Good sips options compared to some other places in town - two wines, two beers, two cocktails and two appetizers. We didn't order any food, but from looking at the menu it seems to be the same food as every other "cool" restaurant, but just with Greekified names (and maybe feta cheese thrown in). My friend and I each got the cocktail that was a ginger-whiskey type of thing and it was very good. Our server asked us repeatedly if we were sure we didn't want the other cocktail - some kind of lavender/pineapple thing - I suppose because we were girls, but it was kind of annoying. Would definitely go back for sips again.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Really enjoy this place. Solid 3.5 stars! Been here several times, and I love the stylish and sleek vibe. My favorite drink is the Koukla - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Refreshing, and goes down too easy! Dinner options offer a variety, especially when ordering for a large group. The easiest option is to order some appetizers and share. You may find that you need an extra order of their zucchini chips and their trio of spreads!
(4)
Tolis V.
The place looks nice and kinda cozy. The food is a modern version of Greek cuisine. It tastes good (although some traditional recipes should never been altered) but the portions are super small. If you go there to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, make a U turn...you won't. If you go to get some drinks then go ahead.
(2)
Whoy G.
The signature dish...opa...a melted cheese appertiser, was not melted nor served with pita...the gyro sliders...mediocher at best...very disappointing...my wife ordered a Greek salad which turned out to be just tomatoes, onions and olives...no lettuce...it was happy hour but were still charged full price($10) a drink...for Greek go to south st slouvaki...still the champ
(2)
Leo F.
Had dinner here on a friday night and overall came away satisfied. Prices were right in line with quality and service. While I was not overly impressed, (I got the chicken) but the food was prepared correctly and the portions were appropriate. I strongly recommend the octopus appetizer as it was done to perfection. The space is small so be mindful that you may be seated in close proximity to others.
(3)
Dennis L.
The 3 dips for the pita were good. i would definitely recommend that. the $13 meat dish in a metal black dish that was basically cheese, macaroni, and ground beef, that was alright. It was way too heavy, I guessl ike a comfort food but it tasted like scalloped potatoes with way too much oil. It was fine till you got nearer the bottom, all that oil just made you feel disgusting. Would definitely recommend you order something else, maybe the gyro?
(3)
Soyoung K.
Opa really is a great addition in the neighborhood. By the looks of it, this place already belongs in the line of awesome restaurants in midtown village. The decor is very modern and trendy. It's a place you can go after work for a small bite to eat and drinks or a place where you can take your date to impress. Enough about the decor, the good stuff - drinks and food. I sat at the bar both times I was there and the bartenders are all very attentive and accommodating. I really liked the cherry + bourbon drink...which I forgot to ask the bartender. I could careless for bourbon normally, but this drink really struck a chord with me that I went back for more! There's also another drink made with bluecoat gin which was a good time in a high ball glass. Now, I've tried 4 items from the small plates section and they were all very good. Perfect presentation on each dish was really cherry on top of everything. My personal favorite was the octopus dish with 4-hour braised octopus leg and chickpea hummus. zzzomg, this was the best octopus dish I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the roasted beet salad with red and gold beet. I am so used to beet salads with red beet only but gold beet was a nice surprise. Overall, I am very happy that Opa is open. I have never really had Greek cuisine ever but I'm excited to try what Opa has to offer...so should you!
(4)
Zachary H.
**Review is for drinks on soft opening. Squeezed in the middle of Time and Bar, the addition of Opa adds an element for people who don't want to pay $5 to wait in line for Time or need an explanation of what a pickle back shot is. And if anyone saw the shape of the building a few years ago, it's one less crack house. Seriously, look it up on Google maps. I'm adding a star just for that. We were told by a polite hostess that as this was their soft opening, only drinks were being served at that point (11 pm) and that there was no waiter service. Despite this the busy bartender still made time to see how we were doing. The Basil Hayden's ($11) pours were a little light --maybe by half an ounce -- compared to some of the other whiskey haunts. But a nice beer selection ($5-$6, roughly) and beautiful interior will make this a place I probably come back to. But Opa managed to pull an unfortunate "first" by charging $1 for the ice in my friends whiskey. Yes, $1 for your average, straight outta the hotel vending machine ice. It doesn't matter if it was a penny or a dollar ... Charging for ice? We were half expecting to see a rental charge for the glass after that.
(4)
Eleni B.
I found this restaurant to be very innovative with classic greek flavors. Greek food is home food for me, so I was impressed with Opa's ability to present my favorite foods in a new way. I started with the Amaxi cocktail which was strong and deliciously boozy. My boyfriend had the Antho which I switched to because it tasted like my Greek grandmother. I know that sounds strange--but the dill and the sweetness had a beautifully reminiscent effect on me. It will be a great summer cocktail. Very refreshing. I thought the appetizers were all 5 star. Flavorful, delicious and innovative. The spreads which were very yummy. I loved the zucchini chips, such beautiful presentation! But hands down my favorite, and new obsession were the mini bite sized gyros. Bite sized gyros! If I could have a signature appetizer, that would be it! After the excitement of the cocktails and appetizers, I was really looking forward to our main course. Alas, they were disappointing. Opa has a limited dinner selection and I just wasn't impressed with what we ordered. I thought my befteki was unremarkable. My boyfriend had pastichio which was good, but nothing exciting. Dessert was redeeming. Loukomathes--fried dough--are a delight wherever I can find them. I like them a little darker, but I'll just specify next time. And there will be a next time! I'll be back for dinner but would loooooove if Opa could get some happy hour action going!!
(4)
Heng T.
Awesome place. The server was knowledgeable about the drinks and food. The drink list is extensive. For food, the octopus is a must-try. The rabbit dish: the meat a bit on the dry side, but the sauce and pasta complemented the rabbit well. The ribeye had such a wonderful aroma (lemon herb butter), and served with skordalia cake, kataifi, and horta. Get it medium rare. The service was excellent. This new establishment is likely to stay.
(4)
Joelle B.
I like this place and have gone a few times. My faces are the zucchini chips and patsitsio as well as the lamb shank-yum! I don't really know what drinks to order, as the only one I ever tried was a vodka dill cocktail I found very refreshing. I typically order a Greek white wine and start there. Beautiful inside, good service.
(4)
Alison K.
This review is for happy hour only. While the prices are not the best in the city, this happy hour is well worth visiting. A ginger rum cocktail was strong and satisfying. I moved onto some rose cava which was poured by a very generous bartender. We ordered some snacks from the happy hour menu which were small but flavorful. The meatballs were tender and there were three of them. The slider was tasty but too tiny to even fit on the slider bun. I also ordered 1 of the surf and turf skewers. It took 45 minutes and was so sad and tiny that I felt silly having waited for it. I don't know what I expected for a dollar so my dissapointment was probably self inflicted. It isn't the best but it's far from the worst. I'd go back for happy hour again.
(2)
Abby B.
Decent atmosphere, huge bar, central location. Those are the perks about Opa, if any. The food is just okay and they do have an average happy hour. However, the bartenders have zero personality, as well as an unsteady hand when pouring wine. Overall, the place just wasn't memorable.
(3)
Jason M.
Went here for lunch today. Group of seven people and I was somewhat dissappointed. We ordered quickly but then waited more than a half an hour for the food to come out. When it did come out there were problems with the entrees going to the wrong people. Also, I ordered the cucumber salad and the portion was extremely small. I believe they may not do a large lunch business because the hostess served the food to us as well as bringing us our drinks. On a positive note, everyone did enjoy the food. Might give it one more chance.
(2)
Andrew L.
Aaaahh, Opa. I have some nice things to say and some not so nice things to say. Shall we start with the nice things first? The service was.....good. There weren't many people there on a rainy Wednesday, so we had the server all to ourselves. He was almost enthusiastic, and very attentive. The food was.....satisfying. We started with the artery clogging Saganaki, which reminded me of a flattend pierogi served with a lemon wedge. My friend ordered the Pastisio, and enjoyed it very much. My Bifteka dish was a little different than I had imagined. It was pretty much a burger on a bun, not a big, open faced juicy patty like I had imagined. I nixed the bun and enjoyed it with the tzatziki sauce and the diced tomato, cucumber and onion (dubbed 'cucumber relish' on the menu). It was also cooked to a perfect medium. The menu said something about it being stuffed with feta? I'll leave that for the not so nice part. And now to the not so nice part. Where the hell was the feta?!?! And the dried oregano on the 'oregano fries'....I could make oregano fries at a McDonalds as long as I had my jar of $.99 oregano on me! Lower your drink prices or use less ice, Opa! You're better off ordering a beer, but if you want, splurge on the Anthos cocktail. And I just could not wrap my head around the decor. I felt like I was under water, on a patio, in a hut, in a Steven Starr restaurant, on stage (due to the blinding headlights that illuminated our table every few minutes from the cars exiting the parking garage across the street). And the background music was loungey. Like, elevator loungey. I couldn't figure out what the hell they were going for in there. Fire your designer, Opa. All in all, sadly enough, I'd have to pass on a second trip to Opa. If you want really good Greek food, head to Kanella....they know what's up.
(3)
pracheta t.
Came here for dinner and drinks with a few friends and it was packed! I absolutely adored the decor and the coziness of the place but wasn't wow'd by the food. The portions were huge, even for apps, which we weren't expecting and we def over ordered. We all agreed that the drinks were magnificent and actually reasonably priced. I'll go back for the drinks and maybe share an app now that i know how big they are.
(3)
C K.
I was very saddened by this place. The food was OK, but not really worth the price, the service was super terrible, and it took forever to get our food (we were there for almost 2 hours and didn't even get dessert!!). Also, we had reservations and called ahead because we were running 10 minutes late and just wanted to be courteous, and the lady said that she didn't think they could accommodate us if we were going to be 10 minutes late but we could try anyway. We get there 10 minutes late, and the table that they had reserved for us wasn't ready. You have to be kidding!! May I mention that when we got there they had about half of the tables at the restaurant open? The only thing that saves this from getting a 1 star is that the food was good. Fries were too salty, but the entrees and appetizer (hummus) were really good.
(2)
Alex C.
In a city sorely lacking in Greek options, Opa is a solid addition to the scene, but choose carefully from the menu. In appetizers, the braised octopus is probably the best I've had in the city: perfectly tender, lightly dressed and served with a satisfying mound of chickpeas. You'd think a restaurant, a Greek one no less, that could work so well with octopus would get the calamari right, but it was decidedly chewy (try The Corner just a block away for better squid). The melted cheese was underwhelming the beet salad neither notable nor bad. The dinner menu was oddly devoid of lamb, but did have the Greek classic pastitio, a bit like Greek shepherd's pie. Opa's variation was comforting if unremarkable. They redeemed themselves with an excellent fried dough desert. Puffs of incredibly light and delicious dough were covered in honey and walnuts and served with a Greek nutella (as well as a repulsive banana/balsamic vinegar sauce). The blood orange cocktails was the best expression of the flavor I've had in Philly and the Greek coffee was satisfying. Service was perfect and the prices were right. It's definitely worth a visit if you like Greek.
(4)
J K.
Loved this place! Came here for an early pre-theater dinner on a weeknight, the place was not very crowded, and as a result noise level was low. The decor is very cool, I loved the different lighting effects. Service was prompt and friendly. Stand out on the menu was the fried calamari appetizer with harissa sauce. Yum! I could eat plates and plates of just that salty, spicy, delicious squid! Also enjoyed the fried olives on the plate. The main course special, lamb with orzo, was also excellent, and a huge portion. This is not one of those place were you spend $20+ for an entree and leave hungry! For dessert we had the little fried doughnut holes (forget what they were actually called) which were really fairly bland and greasy but they came with this absolutely heavenly chocolate sauce. Wish there had been some ice cream on the plate, and more of the chocolate sauce. Overall, highly recommend Opa for a casual meal of Greek food!
(4)
Jayna B.
Went here last night for the first time and can't wait to go back! My friend and I ordered three apps: Hummus (comes with hummus, tzatziki, some goat cheese amazingness, pita and veggies), zucchini chips (also with tzatziki) and watermelon nectarine salad (with feta and onions). We loved the tzatziki and I will be honest, I usually loathe this. Yogurt and dill and cucumbers? But it is the best I have ever had! The zucchini chips were perfect! Lightly fried, the perfect amount of fry-to-zucchini ratio and of course, more tzatziki! The watermelon nectarine salad was fresh and light which went really well with our other choices. My friend had the cava and I had the zoukla (misspelled), which is a pineapple drink and we enjoyed both of those too. The waiter was well informed, very attentive and very helpful at all points in the evening. Like i said, can't wait to return!
(4)
Aristos E.
I wanted to like this place - really did, but it just isn't happening for me. The decor is nice, the service was friendly, the pastitsio was ok, and the cucumber vodka with dill drink was very nice. Otherwise, the saganaki was just kind of a grease ball, and the spinach croquettes (recommended by the waitress) were either one of those TGI Fridays frozen appetizers, or made from a block of frozen spinach - pretty gross. In any event, if the ingredients aren't fresh, don't make it. I also found out why no one drinks Greek wine - it's pretty bad, in a sour-and-lingers-on-the-palate sort of way. All in all, this place doesn't do traditional Greek well, nor does it achieve haute cuisine based on traditional Greek foods. I don't need to go back.
(2)
PJ M.
Went to OPA based on having one of their drinks at an Octoberfest Block Party. Ordered the Scallops & Octopus appetizers, both very good, but somewhat small, a couple more pieces would have made it a really good sharing appetizer. We ordered the Pastitsio and again it was a bit small, but it was very tasty, we were able to share this as I don't think either of us were too hungry. Finally as a post dinner snack we got the cheese board, this was definitely enough to share with plenty to satisfy both of us. The atmosphere of this place is very nice, however it kept getting hot then cold, my date was constantly putting on and taking off her sweater. I have heard that their gyros are worth trying and I may give it a shot sometime. All in all this was a nice place for a date. Good food, good drink, reasonably priced.
(4)
Nicole S.
Apparently the menu changes frequently, we had a whole fish of the day, cucumber tomato salad, zucchini chips, and some other things, it was all delicious. A little pricey.
(4)
Slaveiko S.
Went there with a group of friends after a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, so we were there around 10:40. The music was obnoxiously loud, there was no hostess at the door and all the tables that were available haven't been cleaned after the previous clients. After about 10 min. we got a hold of the hostess who told us we can sit anywhere after they clean the tables and that the kitchen is open till 11:00. We found a table and sat down. No one gave us menus. After 15 more minutes with no service whatsoever we found a waitress that told us that the kitchen is close and we can order apps and drinks from the bar. After such a horrible initial impression we just decided to leave.
(1)
Nicholas F.
I went here with my girlfriend for the happy hour recently. We decided to go because menupages advertised a very appealing happy hour. Menupages failed to discern that the happy hour was available only at the bar. When we arrived the bar was about 3 people deep. this is a small place. The bar is a rectangle in the center with two tops surrounding it and booths in the back; it was difficult to get around. We were seated and brought water and drinks quickly. We were told that unfortunately the happy hour menu would not be available since we were seated at a table. Rather than get up and go, we decide to stay and try the menu. For some dd/mm/yy-anniversary Yuengling was available for 1 dollar a bottle. This is far from my drink of choice but to offset the cost of the full menu we ordered two. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer. Believe me when i say that this is the most literal interpretation of meatballs as their gets. 4 tiny, I mean smaller than a golf ball, sized meatballs for around $12.00. Completely over priced. I believe all they were served with was a small leaf of parsley. It was almost insulting. Adding insult to injury, my girlfriend commented that they tasted exactly like a McDonald's double cheeseburger, onions and all. Sadly, she was right. For entree's I ordered the rabbit and homemade pasta and she ordered the mini gyro sliders. The pasta was okay and not exactly cooked right, but not bad. The rabbit tasted like dead protein, but was more tender than the pasta. Finally the sauce was overly sweet, almost sickly sweet but not quite that offensive. Which depending on your preference could be a good or bad thing. Her mini gyros, were in fact, mini. They were about the size of a old mini CD. Maybe 2.5 inches across if flat. It contained hardly any lamb and was overwhelmed with lettuce. I was overwhelmingly disappointed by the quality of the food for the price. This restaurant is extraordinarily over priced and the chef showed a complete lack of inspiration. I would only return if I was walking by starving and saw an open seat at the bar.
(2)
Kelly P.
the pita was fresh and warm, the red pepper hummus had a nice kick, and the tzatziki was super good. try the cucumber-dill drink, i forget the name.. it was refreshing and much like a mojito minus the mint. i, too, was a skeptic of dill in a drink. but it was delightful. cute servers. what uppp. i'll come back to hit on them, and try a real meal.
(3)
Miriam H.
I visited this wonderful, delicious restaurant a few months ago during a visit to Philly and I am so glad that I did! I had the rabbit something or other and it was so delectable... i also nibbled on other people's burgers and fries and they were all wonderful. The ambiance is calm, generally slightly yuppy upwardly mobile types, but not fussy or attempting to be trendy. The service was superb and the waitstaff was so accomodating. Simply wonderful.
(5)
Tom L.
Fantastic food at a great price with amazing service. Can't wait to come back. The Chef has imagination and great taste !!!
(4)
Colleen M.
So, I dropped in here with a friend after work yesterday. Service was good. The Spread Appetizer that we got was good, as were the spinach croquettes but neither was anything I left raving about. My martini -- with rye vodka and blood orange was a little expensive and not quite as good as I had expected. Overall the experience was okay. I am glad I went but probably will not return. Too many other options to try...
(3)
Stephanie Y.
i don't know why we go here. the drinks are crap and the staff is awful. what a waste of a nice patio!!!!!!
(1)
Amanda S.
these three stars come from just the beer garden out back. while the concept and decor is pretty great, the service was slightly awful and completely helter skelter. the three bartenders didn't know who or what was coming and going. the one guy who was waiting on my friend and i had to keep asking another bartender whether or not they carried any of the stuff we were asking for. when i finally got my beer it was disgustingly warm. and then, he told me i owed extra money because there was tax. at which point another bartender stepped in to say that wasn't the case. i sadly wasn't impressed. however, i did love the beer pong table and wished i would have gotten a chance to play. but my friends and i left after one drink. i'll definitely give this place another try in the future in hopes for a better experience and i'd also really like to try out the food.
(3)
Phil P.
Fantastic food and service. If haven't been you should.
(4)
Izabella J.
My friends and I were brave and patient enough to head downtown Philly on a Saturday night w/o a reservation. After walking around for a while and hearing that the wait is 3hrs, we finally walked in to Opa, where the wait was only 1 hour, but...seating at the bar was open right away. OK then! The bartender Casey made our night. Just let him create and you won't be disappointed. We refused the table and stayed at the bar, cuz it was way more fun. We have orders some food, and yet another score for Opa! Two of are vegetarian. All three of us were able to find plenty of choices. The flavors were amazing! This is my new to go spot for sure!
(5)
Mark L.
Was able to get a table on a Saturday night, not common in around that area even for average joints. I had done some work for the owners so was curious to see the whole place in action. Decor turned out stunning. We had $10 wines which were fantastic, could have had a few more $8 wines choices. We had the Octopus with chick peas, 2 items hard to do much with but we loved both. Chick peas were served with a subtle tomato sauce and the octopus was braised in something to give it another layer of flavor. You have to get the humus pita board, comes with 3 dipping sauces, but the humus was all they needed to serve, I am still craving it. We also had the Spinach croquettes which came with a cheese sauce which was superb. My wife, (Vegetarian) had the okra / zucchini dish and gave it a thumbs up. Overall the service was great, and the prices seem on. We didn't even do the bar drinks, will return for that another night.
(5)
Juli M.
Went here last night and this place has been open less than a week, so I will revisit when they get the kinks worked out. My initial observations are that the decor and ambiance of the place is quite pleasing - a bit noisy, but not too bad. The layout of the tables along the back banquette needs some work because it is too crowded and awkwardly placed. Without a diagram - difficult to explain, but you can't push your chair out without bumping into the side of other diners. For food, we ordered the cheese pastry, souvlakis (all kinds), octopus with chickpeas, mezze (hummus and other spreads), the Greek burger, side of potatoes, a biscotti, Greek coffee, and dough balls. The only thing good worth mentioning was the octopus and chickpeas, which was really a delight. The side of potatoes was AWFUL - one of the worst things that I have been served in a restaurant - overpowered by lemon, drowned in oil, not browned - complete mush. The burger was flavorful, but not cooked medium rare as requested, fries were sub-par (oily, mushy, like they had been sitting too long), pork souvlaki was good, chicken souvlaki was pitiful, small, and overcooked. Desserts were not that exciting and way overpriced. All in all - not remarkable. In addition, the drinks service needed some work last night. They conveniently ran out of the delightful lower-priced wine we were enjoying and had no other options in the "not exorbitant" price range. It also took way too long to get drinks and water glasses were rarely refilled. We complained about the things we thought could be improved and the management comped a few things on our bill, which was a good sign. This place is about 15% more expensive than it should be and they are definitely working out some issues. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck. It would be a really cute place to grab a drink and some snacks at the bar - love the look of the place.
(2)
Percy K.
Went to Opa on a Monday night and it had just finished raining. Needless to say they weren't very busy. The service was quick, friendly, and informative. The appetizer portions are tapas style and meant to be shared so definitely order a few. We had the following apps: Octopus - Excellent Saganaki - Very good; Fried cheese can't be bad right? Gyros - Good; Only 3 included and we were a party of 4 and after all it's still just a tiny gyro. Keftedes - Excellent The entrees were really great. We shared a special lamb shank dish with orzo and spinach (huge portion) and the house made black pasta with shrimp. Both of these were fantastic and I was surprised by how good the black pasta was. So now there's yet another contender for good Greek food in Philadelphia and a great addition to the midtown area. I am allowed to write in a review of Opa that I still think Kanella is better?
(4)
Reinaldo B.
Highly Recommend, the best Octopus Salad in the City, Better than Estia. Good Prices, Good Menu, Good Portions. The Ambience and Decor were a nice addition to the Good Food. Will definetely go back again
(5)
Nick K.
I'm Greek, so when we found a Greek restaurant across the street from our hotel, I couldn't pass it up. Opa is an upscale, trendy place with classic Greek food and American fare with a Mediterranean twist. It's a small space, so expect to wait a bit for a table. When we were there, the front windows were open and there was live music, which made the inside ambiance even better. The decor is very modern with shades of blue, metal, and wood. The coolest feature was in the bathroom- Greeks are known for breaking plates at celebrations, and the bathroom has a mosaic made up of broken plates. My wife had the fluke ceviche, which was very fresh and flavorful, and came with fried pita. It was good without being fishy. My meal was the lamb burger, which was one of the best burgers I've ever had. I'm being partial because growing up Greek, my two favorite dishes that my grandmother made were kefetes, which are zesty Greek meatballs, and Greek Village Salad, which is tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion drowned in olive oil and vinegar. The lamb meat was flavored just like her kefetes mixed with creamy feta cheese, and it was topped with diced tomato, cucumber and red onion flavored just like her Village Salad. Served on a toasted bun, it was my grandmother on a plate. The fries had fresh oregano that was slighted baked to a flaky texture, which made them exceptional. I would definitely try Opa again- it was fun, fresh, and made me miss my grandmother's cooking, which isn't an easy feat.
(4)
Lindsay G.
Great place to go for some drinks before heading out for the night! Love the decor and the cocktails are delicious....not sure why more people don't come here. The bartenders are great and make amazing cocktails.... they definitely take care of you!
(4)
Jeff F.
Not so much... went there with 3 friends and will not be returning.. food was just ok.. service was fine, however... after spending about $300.00 on our check, the manager came over, asked how everything was, and proceeded to say that we were sitting at our table a bit too long and he needed it for another party, so please pay the check and get out.. (not exactly in those words, but pretty close) We were appalled to say the least.. What happened to customer service??? Oh there was none.. go figure. I will NOT be back..If I want great Greek food, I will head to Zorba's in Fairmount!!
(1)
Nate S.
A friend of mine, who's cousins opened this modern Greek restaurant in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, took me here just a few weeks after it opened...and I'm thrilled to see how successful it has become since its opening. I'm not crazy about tapas restaurants, but the food here is truly fantastic...not to mention the wines! Service has always been very good, the waitstaff work well together and have always been professional and friendly. I highly recommend it! They tend to blast the music a little too loud after hours for my personal tastes, but you can't beat the quality of food and service here!
(4)
Aleksandra D.
We went to the beer garden and had a great time. The atmosphere is every great, not too crowded, and with good music. I only wish the employees would occasionally come by and wipe down the tables- they were pretty sticky and gross.
(4)
Alina R.
Very nice decor, with greek/Mediterranean influences. Comfy and cozy. Waiters are very nice, but a little uncomfortable because I think they are all new. Give them sometime and they will be flying through the restaurant with confidence. Mezedes (appetizers): Zimi: pastries with yummy feta cheese Fried Kalamari: not as oily as most people make it, which was awesome. I loved the fried olives. Zucchini Chips: Perfectly made, with Tzatiki dip. Spread Pikila: Love the Tzatiki and Tirokafteri (little spice), but I didn't really like not understand the hummus taste. I didn't hate it, but certainly didn't love it. Gyros: 3 small little gyros, light, and very satisfying. Pork Souvlaki: I think they would have tasted great if they were not so salty. I gave the server my constructive criticism to mention to the cook in hopes of helping you other souvlaki fans! Large Plates: Pastitsio: Pasta with ground sirloin was phenomenal, soft, and worth trying and coming back for. Rabbit: very nice and tender. Tasted like a home cooked meal. Would probably not oder again. Desert: Loukoumades: when fried dough and nutella are involved I am SOLD. Not a fan of cinnamon and spiced banana, but since it was on the side, the people who do enjoy it can take full advantage! Mythos beer was nice and pretty light. I enjoyed it. Hope this helps!
(4)
Steve E.
Trendy restaurant off of the main street. Was somewhat disappointed with the food. Had the souvlaki sampler (pork, chicken and vegetable) and found it to be rather mediocre. The chicken was bland, the pork had too much salt, and the vegetables were just vegetables, nothing special at all.
(2)
Robert S.
Nice atmosphere, helpful staff and really tasty food. Spinach & Feta croquettes, Souvlakia, Kalamari and Grass-fed burger with Feta inside are all wonderful. Pita comes with 3 dipping choices: Hummus, Tzatziki and Chili-Feta (the best). Great selection of draft beers. Derrick was an awesome waiter and very tolerant of a demanding friend. I can't wait to go back to this neighborhood gem.
(4)
Karol S.
Stumbled upon Opa this evening, and googled it to learn that it has just opened 3 days ago! :D Great menu, good prices, good portions, excellent service, it was a wonderful meal out. Some insights.... The grilled octopus (accompanied with a chick pea salad) was delicious! You really get a taste of the grill, thumbs up, Better than Estia's! I would have liked a tad more though :D The gyros were also great---3 small, perfectly sized gyros of lamb deliciousness! Also had the soup (which was described as containing 'chicken, lemon, and orzo')....It was OK. nothing special though. light and good, but I was expecting some chicken pieces, of which I got none... As entree, I had the rabbit with house-made pasta....DELICIOUS! I had never had rabbit in the form it is served at opa...shredded over pasta in a flavorful sauce/broth. Plentiful on the meat, the pasta was almost a side. Be sure to ask for a spoon so you don't waste any of the sauce/broth! For dessert, had the Loukoumades, fried dough served with melted chocolate and spiced bananas on the side, and drizzled with honey and walnuts. Very good, simple and felt deceivingly light. You get a good portion of fried dough balls so it's a great dessert to share. Finally, be sure to try the Greek coffee. It is individually prepared and served in an espresso-sized cup to be sipped. It is similar to Turkish coffee, but a bit lighter...a nice compliment to any dessert. Not sure how authentically Greek it is, but will definitely go back for more!
(4)
Evan O.
I went to Opa for the first time the other night to try out some food from their late night specials menu (M-F 10-11pm, $3 Yuengling on draft, $4 house wines, $5 specialty cocktails, and a few food items including Greek fries). I had the slider and the meatballs, and both were satisfying for the $2/3 price tags, as was the Brooklyn Brewing Brooklyner Weiss (a beer I haven't seen yet on draft). The bartender was very attentive and friendly, as were the other patrons at the bar, who quickly included me in colorful conversation that became the highlight of my night. I will definitely be stopping by again, especially to check out their backyard beer garden which is one of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, according to other reviews.
(3)
Nick C.
Came to Opa around 6:30 on a Saturday night. Hostess sat our party of 3 right away. Server Derek was quick to come over and get our drink orders and explain the menu in great detail. Appetizers are designed for sharing. We ordered the spinach croquettes which were good and a plate of pita with different Greek spreads that were excellent Entrees ordered were chicken lemon orzo soup (good not great) chicken over couscous with green beans and sundried tomatoes (very solid cous cous was awesome) and pastitsio (probably murdered the spelling but it was good but heavy and a little greasy) Overall the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. More importantly the food is fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Definitely recommend
(4)
JD H.
We were quite disappointed with the quality and style. I think they were trying too hard on trendy Greek food and it just fell flat. The service was ok, however, it's just not worth going here when there are better choices nearby.
(1)
Phil G.
Dinner last weekend. Service was friendly but uneven. Two entrees came out a full 10 minutes before remaining two did. Appetizers and entrees were so over salted, they bordered on inedible. My lambchop was fatty and undercooked, and vegetables that accompanied the meat were also so salty! Swordfish was blah. Gave one star for dessert. Baklavah was excellent. wanted to like this place, but won't go back.
(1)
Joan R.
I love going to a new restaurant the first week of its opening. I believe that you can get a good sense of how well it will do instantly. My observation is that Opa is here to stay. From the moment we entered we felt welcomed and it was so nice to see the owners greeting guests and telling stories of the items they have selected for the menu. A few of our favorite dishes of the evening included the roasted beet salad which my friend Colleen insists it was one of the best she has had, the Bifteki took the prize as the best burger Keith has had in quite some time and of course the striped bass which I savored every bite of. If you like cheese you have to try the Saganaki which melts in your mouth. The Opa martini was delicious and I believe it will be my favorite drink of the summer. Overall you get the sense of pride and love that was put into Opa. I am excited to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)
Dominic D.
Mark and I went to Opa for Marks birthday. Our first course we had the grilled octopus and the tomato salad. The octopus dish was very small.... And a little gummy. The tomato salad was great, very fresh and rustic. Our second course was rabbit and the striped bass. The rabbit was horrible. Lots of bones, eggs noodles, and capers. And a long black hai!!! That's all.... I was not impressed. The striped bass was amazing. Very flavorful, fresh, and the spinach was fresh as well. The polenta fingers(as we called them) we more like kids food... For dessert we had Greek coffee and some kind of frappe. The Greek coffee was tasty, the frappe was just like star bucks. All in all the atmosphere was beautiful, the restaurant was busy, but in our opinion the food was sub-par.
(2)
L F.
We were an airline crew (3 guys and a gal) who just wanted some good greek food on a Monday night.. It seemed that as soon as we ordered water (no drinks), the server got a little snooty. The food was good although pricey for what we got, but the service was S-L-O-W. For example, four of us originally ordered two of the same salads, and one came 20 minutes before the other. The one bright spot was the bus boy who cleared our plates and seemed more attentive than our server. He was happy to bring us more water. We ended up having to take our bill up to the bar where our server was standing around chit chatting with other staff and seemed annoyed that we were interrupting. By the way, it was about 8:00 p.m. and not crowded.
(2)
Bobbi L.
The drinks are interesting & have fresh ingredients like fresh berries. The appetizers are small & overpriced. We ordered the feta & olives. We received a chunk of feta which was probably about 3 oz and exactly 6 olives now for $5 I thought it was ok. However, my friend ordered the grilled octopus & there were small slices arranged artfully on her plate with a large pile of chickpeas for $14, so not worth it. I ordered a flatbread which was actually a pita pizza it was very good, actually it was the best item I ate. I ordered the stuffed pepper & tomato which was stuffed with a meat & rice filling. The filling was uninspired & bland also the skin should have been removed from the tomato. My friend had the halibut which I thought was dry. The drinks are great but I would pass on the food.
(2)
Kelly C.
fabulous spot! finally visited this place for lunch and i am ecstatic to share this spot with my friends! they have a holiday special for lunch right now and it is $5.95 for either the chicken gyro or the lamb gyro. I tried the lamb one which also comes with oregano fries on the side. you also have the choice of a salad instead if you don't want fries. and man o man what a steal! the gyro is a decent sized sandwich and it's fresh n nicely cooked! definitely beat the sandwiches on the street! honestly, you can't go wrong with the gyro esp if its $5.95! the oregano fries are very nice as well, i just couldn't taste much oregano in it. looking forward to trying other dishes at this restaurant :)
(4)
Big D.
This restaurant literally stole my money. The bill was $54.62. I paid with a hundred dollar bill. I received $45 in change. Where's my ¢38? I felt embarrassed to bring it up. I don't really care about the ¢38, but are they allowed to keep it? I asked one waiter and he said that they do that as a matter of course. If they do this to everyone, how much does that add up to in the course of a week? I certainly will never go there again and am considering filing a complaint with the state Attorney General.
(1)
Luke P.
Stopped in tonight for dinner and had two apps: --Braised Octopus --Spinach Croquettes Both were very tasty, and I especially liked the Octopus. It was very tender, having been braised for something like 4 hours, and came served with chickpeas and tomato, cooked together but with the chickpeas still whole (kind of like a compote). The spinach croquettes were good too, lightly fried and served with a nice sauce (feta cheese based, I believe). The menu in general seems to offer a nice variety of items, and things not common on other menus. I want to taste the rabbit main dish when I return, and also the mixed 'offal' appetizer (has liver, intestine, heart, etc...). Service was very attentive and pleasant. I look forward to returning.
(5)
Amber E.
This is the third time I have gone to Opa and was still impressed. Not only are the specialty cocktails amazing (Mouro, bourbon and berries) but the food is great as well. Both the individual that I dined with and myself have food allergies, the server was very helpful and recommended what met our dietary needs.
(4)
Robin A.
Persistent pita problems. I went here last week with three friends on a Thursday night. We immediately ordered the hummus plate for the table. As soon as it came out, one of my friends asked for more pita since there wasn't much on the plate. The server informed us that 'she always notices when tables need more' but that she would put it in. Okay, 20 minutes later, still no extra pita bread. We were just sitting there staring at the hummus spreads with no way to eat them except straight up with a fork. We asked our server again if we could get more pita bread and she said 'I put it in!' like it was our fault for asking for more. Another 5 minutes went by and we finally asked another server if she could scrounge up some bread for us. We finally got some extra bread about 5 minutes after that (30 minutes total after asking). Seriously? 30 minutes for extra pita? It doesn't need cooked, just sliced! Unless they were harvesting the wheat in the back, this is ridiculous. Our entrees took a very long time to come out - probably 40 minutes after ordering. The food was very good but service here definitely leaves something to be desired.
(2)
beata n.
Ambience was very cool but the food just ok.
(3)
Ben F.
The layout and design inside are very pleasing to the eye, dare I say cool and our bartender, she was nice. I was with a group of fellow coaches and we sat at the bar. I ordered the calamari (came with some deep friend green greek olives that were AWESOME) and a small plate of pork tacos, kinda slidder style. The slidders themselves were good except 2/3 tacos, the the meat inside was basically gristle, so an F on the taco slidders that night. I would go back if I had to, but was kinda underwhelmed I guess.
(2)
Alexa R.
With Center City Sips in full swing (we think, otherwise, the CC interns were out in full force), my party of 4 headed to Opa last night. The hostess could not find our reservation, but remarked she specifically remembered taking it. She nicely sat us at a table and we were so grateful! We started with the spread platter (amazing, but needs more pita), the mini gyros (cute), the octopus (I like Dmitri's better) and the men at our table shared some kind of offal appetizer, which they said was great. I had the chicken, over a bed of couscous, green beans and sundried tomatoes. It was good, (I do wish there was more chicken for the price) but the real star of the show was my cocktail. I had some lemon vodka lavender number. And then had two more....they went down so easily! For two couples to have apps, dinner and drinks, it was 200 bones. A little steep, I think, but we all agreed we loved our meal!
(4)
Barbara K.
I was lucky enough to 'win' a chef's tasting dinner for 10 at Opa, which I used last week. I had been told that this was a great restaurant (thanks Hugh E), but now I believe it. Each course was better and better, and the Chef's 'marriage' of traditional Greek food with new tastes was truly exceptional. The staff was great, even tho we had a few picky customers. I cannot rate this high enough to reflect my experience.
(5)
Tim P.
I really enjoyed Opa. I think the food is really good quality Greek food. I had the pastitsio and also had the Keftedes. The service was good and great selection of cocktails and also beer. I would suggest the zucchini chips. The restaurant is located in what I am told is called 13th Street Corridor. After dinner there are numerous places to go for a beer and even a gelato stand close by. I would recommend Opa!
(4)
Jason L.
Great little trendy place for a drink or two and an appetizer! Try the zucchini chips and mini gyro their amazing!
(3)
Brad B.
Randomly went after an event in the city with friends. Food was over cooked and very salty. There is much better Greek in the city! Server never asked how our food was, and when we sent full plates back to the kitchen, she never asked why. Ordered a dirty martini at the bar. The bar tender used his hands to select and skewer olives as well as break up an olive to put in the shaker. I love my martinis - hold the fingers! Overall bad food, bad service. Skip this recent addition to Philadelphia.
I'm a big fan of Greek food and was looking forward to trying the newest addition to Philadelphia's collection of Greek restaurants. My birthday provided the perfect opportunity, so I headed here with a group of 7 friends on a Thursday evening. Last year's birthday dinner at Kanella was a great success, so I was hoping to recreate the experience. Opa was good, but did not meet my expectations. The space is small and was slightly cramped where we were seated, to the side of the bar. The decor is nice and not the classic, traditional Greek look, but still gives off a Mediterranean vibe. Service was pretty inattentive, especially as we were such a large party. It took a long time to get water and order drinks, we had to track down our waitress for refills, and food was slow to come out. The food here would need to be pretty awesome for me to forgive the mediocre service and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food doesn't approach "awesome." Everything we tried was fine, but nothing was particularly exciting or innovative. The table shared several appetizers, and we definitely enjoyed these more than the entrees. The grilled octopus was a highlight and was served with a side of delicious chickpeas. The horiatiki and spinach croquettes were fine - somewhat small portions for the price (4 croquettes, a small salad), and not particularly noteworthy. I enjoyed the dips that came with the spread pikilia, especially the delicious tzatziki, but it came with much too little pita for the dips - and you are charged for extra pita (this is not explicit on the menu, but previous Yelpers had given me a heads-up). I split the Brizola (rib-eye steak) with Lauren H. We ordered it medium rare but were given a fairly well-done steak. It was OK - not particularly well-seasoned. It did come with very yummy vegetables. I don't even remember what the other members of our party ordered, which tells you how memorable everything else was. I love Greek food and had high hopes for Opa, but it's not getting added to my regular rotation. It might be a nice place to stop in for a cocktail at the bar, but there are many better options for Greek food.
(2)
Chris P.
Great atmosphere, good food and creative drinks - albeit, the drinks can be on the pricey side... but it's Philadelphia and in an area of the city where things have gotten a bit more pricey. The bartenders have all been very friendly so far and part of the reason I go back.
(3)
F. O.
Cool place for lunch. Very reasonably priced entrees
(3)
Sam J.
The uzo didnt taste like uzo and the rabbit dish was mediocre. Think I will bypass this one
(3)
V C.
I know some people love this place but I don't get the enthusiasm. The food is average. Definitely nothing to get excited about. The service was atrocious last as my friend and I were essentially thrown out while I was still drinking my coffee because they had another reservation. Better plan to eat quick and move on. This isn't the place to catch up with a friend.
(2)
Andrea M.
I was excited to try out this Greek spot in the city. Service was friendly and courteous and the ambience is clean and hip. They have a nice cheese board and olives, but I was a little disappointed with the Saganaki. Where was the flair? I think they missed out on an opportunity to have something fun and exciting with this traditional dish. Instead of plopping a plate of melted cheese down on the table, they should set it ablaze to cheers of "opa!" in front of diners. The entrees were good, but nothing spectacular. I might return, but I might not. I think it is best suited to apps and drinks.
(3)
Lindsay T.
Just ate here for a nice cozy lunch on a rainy day. I ordered the Chicken Gyro which was DELISH! I seriously was savoring every bite. Flavorful chicken wrapped with a warm, doughy pita - mmmm it hit the spot! I asked the waiter for more tzatziki and to my disappointment when the bill came they charged me $2 for a small side of it. WHACK! At least let a sister know when you ask for some more of something that she will be charged. Regardless, I had a nice, enjoyable lunch and was back in the office before anyone could notice I was gone - double bonus! Can't wait to go back and try more stuff!
(4)
Dom R.
Opa which is loosely translated to mean something like Hooray! or Hell yeah! or even Yeehaw! Cool name for a Greek Restaurant. The food is close to making me say it, very close, but not quite. Some of the highlights from the menu for me include the Keftedes (Greek Meatballs), Grilled Octopus with Chickpea fondue and the Pastitsio. These three dishes alone I would come back for. The Pastitsio was awesome and would love to have a big pot of it the next time I get snowed in. The cocktails are creative and delicious. The Loukoumades for dessert were equally as delicious and come with a couple dipping sauces, one banana puree, the other Merenda (which is a Greek Nutella) The Bifteki or Greek Burger didn't do it for me. It came out dry and I don't think Greek Flavors help to deliver a tasty burger. Wasn't a fan. Solid Greek spot with a trendy interior, creative cocktail menu and some standout dishes worth coming back for. I'd give it a quiet opa, no exclamation point.
(3)
Kasia H.
Just average.
(3)
M P.
Lively bar scene with tasty drinks and decent appetizers. Went here for sips. The calamari was good and included fried olives, which was a nice touch. The fried spinach appetizers were good too, but everything was just a bit too fried. Veal keftedes were bland and came in a tomato sauce that was not unlike something you get out of a can. Nonetheless, great atmosphere and very tasty mixed drinks.
(4)
Hamzah K.
A fusion take on Greek cuisine, great ambiance as well. I loved their fried zucchini and the pitas! I can eat those pitas all day with pretty much anything.
(4)
Michael L.
A nice atmosphere, with solid vibes. I'd really want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I had a good experience- so I bumped it to a 4. The food, eh? drinks, ok? I just felt that this was just a nice neighborhood hangout, but nothing to rant and rave about.
(4)
Emilio M.
This place is bringing sexy to Greek food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and loved the food. we sat at the bar and enjoyed a bunch of appetizers before ordering entrees which were very good as well. i can't wait to go back.
(4)
Anthony F.
Nice ambience and really good, but not great food.
(4)
Hady Y.
Yummy food, good serves, try it you will love it
(4)
Karin R.
More of a bar than a restaurant, but the food is great and so are the drinks.
(3)
David S.
Wonderful modern Greek Food.
(4)
Andrew M.
1. reservation for 3 made. upon arrival, "sorry we only have 2 menus," it was a sheet of paper. really? couldn't print more? 2. cars exiting parking structure across sansom shine piercing headlights into your face 3. can you say small portions! 4. striped bass was undercooked and when told, "that doesn't look like it's undercooked" 5. should be renamed "Opa Sporting Club" half the clientele came in sweaty in tank-tops and gym shorts. 6. server disappeared to hang out with gym buddies 7. lots of Ikea decor, literally... not that there's anything wrong with that, but not with those prices on the menu please.
(1)
Jake M.
Horrrrrible. Ordered food at the bar and it never arrived after 1 hour. They forgot to put the order in and said they would expedite it. After 30 more minutes it never arrived. Had to leave but they were nice enough to not charge for the missing food!!
(1)
HD T.
Great food. Small portions, so does get expensive The sparkling vine was flat.. had to send it back all in all great restaurant
(4)
Steven K.
At there on valentines day and just now getting around to writing review. Everything about it was great. Small place, so very intimate. Trendy atmosphere. Service was great. the waitress was very helpful and knowleadage, and suggested some good wine and knew about all the good. all the food was excellent, and the service perfectly paced. I had the rabbit stew...first time with rabbit. very nice!
(4)
HH V.
We'd had two meals there. Both were great. The apps, entrees, and cocktails are all good. I had the whole fish both times. Really awesome. The environment is really cool and unique. The help is really nice.
(5)
Patty G.
My husband and I went to this new spot with another couple last night - one of whom is Greek. The decor is beautiful. Loved the sea-blue ceiling and stonewall bar. The service was friendly and attentive - the staff was eager to answer any questions we had. Bar tab was reasonable, with lots of local beers. On to the food - We ordered far too much, as all small plates are generous and encourage sharing. Spinach croquettes were lightly breaded, creamy and light with a clean spinach flavor. The smoky cheese sauce that went with was perfect. Zucchini chips seem meticulously made, but were ridiculously good. Came with some of the best tzatziki I have ever had - really addictive. Octopus was smoky and butter-soft. Came with a warm chickpea salad that had a smoky note of its own - a nice compliment. Meatballs were moist and flavorful with a hint of mint that was a nice surprise, but the tomato sauce was a little sweet for me. Mini-gyros were adorable with juicy lamb and springy grilled pitas. Calamari was crisp and light, with a generous portion, and a nice surprise of fried peppers and fried stuffed olives, but the harissa aioli left me a little flat - I expected a little more zing from harissa. IMHO they should serve the fried stuffed olives as their own thing. I had the rabbit entree, which was delightful. Tender shredded rabbit with carrots, capers and green olives over wafer-thin home made pasta. A winner! My friends loved their chicken and feta-burger entrees. I was a little surprised there wasn't more lamb on the menu. Maybe as a special down the line... The desserts were all great. Some of the best baklava we'd all ever had, served with a great fig ice cream. The Kormo was a revelation - sort of a less creamy Greek Tiramisu. Biscotti and brandy and chocolate pressed into a loaf. Wow. The Loukoumades were also delightful - puffy fried dumplings with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of walnuts and 2 luscious dipping sauces - banana, and Greek-style "nutella". The prices were more than fair, too. I know that this place will only get better and better, and will definitely land on our regular rotation!
(4)
M C.
I went there for the first time. I think they have a nice decor but it is way to dark for a greek style restauran. My buddy and I ordered more than we can handle or more like a unoffical menu tasting. The food in general was alright I mean there was no "wow" factor to it. The gyro platter was my favorite. I mean this is really a normal restaurant that is nothing special. I just want to say I had better small greek food at a mom and pops restaurants. Would I go back? unlikely because there are el vez and sampan beside it.
(3)
Chris S.
Excellent! The perfect place to gather with some friends for delicious small plates of grilled octopus (table favorite), spread pikilia, gyros (slider style), the cheese plate, and souvlakia (three ways). Cool atmosphere around a river rock bar with dark stained arching arbor. Excellent selection of craft beers and affordable Greek wines. Back to the octopus: Chef Andy Brown's 3-day labor of love to bring the dish to the table results in a tender, barbecue finish that you have to taste to understand.
(5)
Rachel E.
Four of us dined there this evening and I have to say that I've had better greek elsewhere. We tried most of the appetizers and everyone seems to rave about the octopus. I thought it was completely overcooked and chewy. The calamari was tender but way too much breading. The only things that I thought were great were the hummus and the gyros. Everything else was forgettable. We thought the entrees would be better, but again they fell short. The striped bass was completely bland. I could've cooked a better meal. The pastitsio just tasted odd. I've definitely had better at kanella. The one entree that I will say was excellent was the rabbit with homemade pasta. The flavors were spot on. We did let the server know that we didn't enjoy the other entrees. My friend had two bites of the fish and pastitsio so 90% of the food was left on the plate. The manager did come over and apologized. He then said that everyone seems to like the food and that we must be mistaken. He also said we probably have never tried traditional greek food before. I was flabbergasted!! I couldn't believe this guy. I'm in the business and would've never spoken to a guest in the manner that he did. Needless to say they need serious work on seasoning and customer service! I will not be back!
(2)
Jennifer R.
Came for dinner recently and had a pretty swell experience. The service was great. Our waiter was really helpful and everything came out pretty quick. The place has a well designed atmosphere with a pretty unique layout. Everything feels very fitting and well done to this place but just a few unsuccessful menu items. I'd say we ordered wrong and should have gone for more of the traditional greek items. We were curious about some of the more adventurous items they had to add some creative twists to mediterranean but a lot of them fell short. I love what they were trying to do, but they can probably narrow the menu to the real star dishes. We were very interested to see how they did gyro with crab and got that. It was unfortunately not very favorful at all besides the spicy sauce and didn't taste fresh. We got a feta spread and added it on top which helped give it some taste. The spread was great. I do think it was an odd garnish choice to put a whole charred green onion on every pita that came out. It presented nicely, but was useless and got in the way. Also should bring more than one pita with a dip (pita was very fresh and delicious though). We tried to the wild boar ragu as well which was very tasty, but the egg noodles it came with were just a solid unflavored hardened block mostly. You can tell they know how to cook red meat so know to go for that more next visit. We were there during sips so our drinks were probably not as good as they usually are. They were loaded with simple syrup so were too sweet and artificial tasting. We tried some of the sips apps as well which were are very tasty. The fries were surprisingly the best of what we got with a unique great seasoning. the stuffed grape leaves weren't the best I've had, but still satisfying. the chicken skewers had a really well developed sauce, but the chicken was pretty undercooked unfortunately. I've seen their other more traditional plates and love everything else about the place, so thats why they're still getting a nice handful of stars. I would just order better than we did. I know not to fully judge the place based on going during sips. I will absolutely still be back at a less busy time and attack that fava bean hummus and octopus instead next time.
(4)
Natalie K.
I like this place! It's got a cool bar with seating almost all the way around, which I had the opportunity to sit at once for happy hour and it was great! The happy hour deal was decent also. The specialty cocktail on happy hour was a black currant drink with vodka. I was a fan! I think the food is pretty good here also, although I will say that the portions are a little on the smaller side. I had the spinach croquettes and they are AMAZING. I took the recommendation from other reviewers here on Yelp and they did NOT disappoint with their suggestions. So I'm passing along the message... get the spinach croquettes. When I ate here, we sat at a table by the windows, which they had opened up (we visited during the summer) and it was a really nice setting. We could watch people walk by on Sansom St and there a was a good breeze that day. I've also been here after the kitchen closes for the bar and it was a great setup. They have a DJ playing a good selection of music and the tables become open seating. Overall, it was a fun place for nighttime!
(4)
Larry W.
Wow what a difference since the new chef took over. Food is outstanding. Modern yet authentic Greek food. Great cocktails. Homemade pita. Fresh fish dishes. Inventive sauces. Fair prices. Strongly recommend
(5)
Sarah P.
I came for a light lunch with my mother and aunt. My mom picked the place and I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I was very surprised that this place is below a 4 rating as I have very high standards for quality and it met my standards. All dishes were fresh, inventive, and presented beautifully. This isn't your classic Greek menu. They offer a lunch special for $14 where you choose half a sandwich and any two items from the salads or souvlakia/plates section. I'll be back.
(4)
Sara M.
Went to Friday night happy hour out in the back of the place--haven't been there for awhile so the covered tented areas were a nice upgrade from the last time I was there. Five of us got there before 6 and snagged a place in the corner of the bar to post up, there weren't any tables left. They were out of Brooklyn summer cans (womp womp), but all other beer was in stock and good. Tasted my friends red sangria and was pleasantly surprised. Service was a tad slow but it was busy for the night and they kept tabs on you. Overall a great experience!
(4)
Jim L.
Good small plates. Charred eggplant spread, grilled salmon, grilled octopus, fried cheese were favorites.
(4)
Rick B.
I can't say it's a coincidence that Opa is right next to Time. Seems like they also caught the sellout vibe, and decide to turn a nice restaurant into a genuine try-hard when the night crowd rolls in. Overly loud music and "menacing" bouncers. I took a few friends from out of town here and watched our wonderful bouncer for the night get into TWO altercations with some patrons. It was beautiful 70-something degree night in late May; c'mon, nobody wants to see that. Oh, and last call apparently only lasts less than two minutes. Almost immediately after our last call, the same bouncer (surprise) decided it was time to kick everyone out. Opa's previous reviews definitely warrant another visit to at least try the food, but in the meantime, I can't ever see going back to enjoy a night out with friends. Ever.
(1)
Richard R.
We went to Opa last Sunday night and we had a really nice dinner. Opa is just off the 13th street transformation on Samson. The restaurant is very beautiful inside and does a great take on chic, industrial Greek. On the Sunday night we dined there, the restaurant was not very crowded so the noise level was quiet. We had Grilled Octopus, Beet Salad-Batzarosaláta, Shrimp Pasta-HilopÃtes Me GarÃdes, Gýros-Gýros Arnà and the Whole Fish. The Octopus was very good and came with some vegetables. I think Estia and Barbuzzo do this dish a little better, but it was still quite good and tender. The Beet Salad was very good and large enough to share with 2 people. The Shrimp Pasta was excellent with a very tasty sauce and we also really liked the Lamb Gyro. The meat was tender and it had just the right amount of tzatziki sauce. We ordered the whole fish, which was a grilled Bronzino. This was another excellent dish and the fish was light and moist and had that nice grilled taste. For dessert we had the Baklava with Fig Ice Cream. We were able to share this with 3 people. The prices are fairly reasonable at Opo. Dishes ranged in the $9.00 to $14.00 range for the most part. The Bronzino was $29.00 but that was market price and typical. We really liked our dinner at Opa and our server Jesse was great and also very attentive. We will be back.
(4)
Katherine R.
One of the best meals I have had in Philly. Hands down, excellent. We started with the watermelon feta salad, followed by lamb and crab gyros, and finished with homemade baklava. My friends and I were so impressed with the incredible but not overdone flavors with these dishes.
(5)
Farha A.
Update! They changed the menus and got rid of the crack fries :( I cannot imagine why they would get rid of the most delicious thing ever. I tried their new battered fries and they did not compare at all to the feta and pepper fries they had on the old menu + they were super pricey! How sad.
(3)
Anthony S.
I decided to check out Opa after seeing it on a list of "best places to eat outside in Philly." We didn't actually end up eating outside, but that was alright because the ceilings are painted the same color as old Greek houses and I loved it. The food ranged from okay to fantastic. If I could do it over again, I would skip the melitzanosalta (charred eggplant dip--meh) and get the tirokafteri (feta & pepper dip--so good!). We tried the duck gyro, which was fine but nothing to write home about. The macaronada was good but seemed like it was missing something that could have made it great. But the grilled octopus was delicious--cooked just the right amount, had great flavor and texture. The service could have been better. Our waiter forgot my friend's ginger ale, other times they would take our empty beer glasses but wouldn't ask if we would like another (and yes. yes we would).
(4)
Dana S.
Great spot in mid-town. I've only gone for drinks so I cannot speak to the food. There is a great little beer garden out back which is perfect for the weekend afternoon or an after work happy hour. At night they have a good crowd too. Bathrooms are clean and the staff is pretty quick to take care of you. Good place to go out in Philly.
(3)
Brian F.
Inconsistent, average, disappointing for Greek food in Center City, but there were some highlights. Let's begin with the good. Pluses The calamari was fried beautifully. It tasted amazing, although a couple of pieces were a little bit chewy. A novice mistake. I very much enjoyed the eggplant dip as part of our three-dips appetizer. But more on that later. Minuses Skimpy portions, high prices. Three small bowl of dips and six or seven pieces of pita for $17?! And $13 for five pieces of calamari? Greek salad. Very underwhelming. A series of chopped vegetables with forgettable dressing. Service. The guy was very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but then petered out. It was especially odd when he dropped the bill. He literally tossed it on the table saying whenever you are ready and breezes away. In short, if you are craving Greek food, go to Effies or Dmitris. Much larger and higher-quality portions. And if you like even more upscale and want to pay a little bit more, go to Estia or Kanella.
(3)
Ethan J.
Well we decided against Estia due to our lack of desire to dress up and spend too much, only to find ourselves shelling out serious cash to sit in a bar. The place sells itself as greek tapas...Prepare to spend at least $125 for 2-3 people (we drank water btw). Portions are VERY small. Spanish tapas are on average larger than these plates. The pork souvlaki was a bit tough. Meat plate was very good. Hummus was a 3oz portion spread thin. The beet feta salad left us in regret. It was just beets..and whipped feta. The place was less than busy, yet the wait staff did not hesitate to take away plates with food still on them. As far as authentic flavor is concerned, this place nails it. From the smelts to the tsatziki sauce. The pita and dolmades were homemade but also tiny. Reminded me of a greek version of El Vez. (Mexican place down the street, also specializing in tiny portions and over pricing)
(3)
Katie H.
Very delicious Greek tapas. The waiter told us they were trying a new menu. We ordered 9 appetizers for 5 adults. They provide complementary phylo crisps to start. We ordered the spanikopita, tiptop its, fava bean hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, fig barley toast, salad, octopus and chicken skewers. All were delicious! My favourites were the spanikopita, beet salad and octopus. The octopus was beautifully roasted with a nice crispness. Our waiter, Zack, was friendly and attentive to our table. He was always coming by with water to refill our glasses and clear empty plates. Would like to try their happy hour.
(4)
John K.
Earlier this year, Opa celebrated it's third year as one of the premier Greek restaurants in the Midtown Village area. That's no small feat considering the normal lifespan of a restaurant in any big city. So in celebration, they offered a $3 menu for a variety of items on their menu. Natch, the GF, a friend, and I had to stop by. Opa offers a sleek, modern space, with a bar at its center. Comfortable seating can be had while you enjoy your meal - no small feat considering many of the restaurants on 13th street cram you in - at least the ones not owned by Stephen Starr. Antho [$3 / $10] Cucumber vodka, lemon, dill We all started our night off with the Antho - what a steal at $3 - so we had a few! The sweet essence of lemonade, refreshing cucumber, and the herbaceous punch from the dill offered a nice counterbalance to any vodka. Greekified Fries [$3] House-cut oregano fries, long hot peppers, onions, cheese sauce The Greek fries were a bit limp, but the toppings were great. Typical of most Greek fries, oregano was speckled throughout and the long hots provided some punch. The fried onions offered some texture, but the real star was that cheese sauce. Almost like a romesco, the sauce was packed with flavor. Spinach Croquettes [$3 / $8] Smoky feta cheese dip The spinach croquettes were crisp on the outside and the inside reminded me of spinach gnocchi in its texture and essence. The smoky feta cheese dip provided a salty counterpoint to each bite. One order wasn't enough to satiate us so of course, we had to get another. Bifteki Sliders [$3] Feta-stuffed local grass fed beef, tomato, onion, cucumber relish The burger was well-seasoned and moist. The relish added some additional texture and Greek flavor to each bite. Keftedes [$3 / $10] Herbed veal meatballs, ouzo-tomato sauce The keftedes were juicy and hearty. You could get the faint hint of licorice from the ouzo within the marinara, but it was not overpowering. Horiatiki Side Salad [$3 / $9] Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, shaved red onions, feta The Greek salad provided all the elements that are typically associated with it - salty Kalamatas and feta, the bite of the red onion, and the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The bonus addition of green peppers added extra crunch to the dish as well. Skewers [$3] Pork tenderloin, lemon-marinated chicken, seasonal vegetables The skewers offered a trio of different tastes. The chicken was well-charred and moist and the veggies had good grill flavor. The pork was decent, but a tad dry. Regardless, we got two orders of these as well. Brussels Sprouts [$9] Braised brussels sprouts, house cured and smoked pork belly, leeks, sweet potatoes, honey Noticing that the regular menu had a dish with pork belly, naturally, I had to get these brussels sprouts. The pork belly wasn't abundant, but crisp and nicely fatty. The brussels sprouts had a subtly sweet glaze, with the leaves crisped slightly. The sweet potatoes were accented by the draping of honey, creating a somewhat sweet dish balanced by the heartiness of the pork. Saganaki [$9] Seared Kaseri, metaxa And if you're at a Greek joint, you know you need to get the Saganaki. Unfortunately here, they don't flambe the kaseri tableside, but regardless, the flavor is all there, along with some grilled pita. The cheese was soaked in Metaxa, a blend of wines including Muscat, rose petals, and Mediterranean herbs, creating a somewhat floral note to each bite. Grilled Octopus [$14] 4 hour braise, smoked chickpeas, red peppers, spinach, potatoes, roasted garlic vinaigrette I was also in the mood for some octopus, so ordered this a la carte as well. It was tender from the braise and meaty, with the garlic vinaigrette being punched up with lemon. The potato salad that accompanied the octopus was reminiscent of others I've had at Greek restaurants. The red peppers, smoked chickpeas, potatoes, and spinach were well-dressed. Baklava [$3 / $8] Layered phyllo, walnuts, honey, fig ice cream And who can say no to some baklava to close out the meal. So essentially, we ordered the entire $3 anniversary menu, and then some. As expected the baklava was sweet, flaky, and crisp, with the pistachio providing texture and nuttiness. The scoop of fig ice cream was a nice touch. I don't know why it's taken us this long to check out Opa, but I'm glad we finally did. Service was exceptional. Philly does Greek cuisine justice in the form of Estia, but Opa does it just as much justice and in an even livelier way. In fact, with the check, the manager stopped by with three shots of ouzo, compliments of the house. Typically an apertif, this was a welcome digestif as well. Opa!
(5)
Michael F.
I went last week to celebrate my birthday with a friend. Everything was great: the service, the atmosphere, and the food! Richard our waiter was very nice and personable, which made the experience that much better. My friend and I ordered the hummus and pita. We were surprised at the fresh-baked pita with asparagus on top. The saganaki was delectable; the fig on top was a nice touch. I had the village salad which far exceeded my expectations. While we were eating, the chef came out and introduced himself. He was very nice, too. It was a very nice night. As a vegetarian, it's sometimes difficult to find choices without feeling limited. That wasn't the case at Opa and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Srishti K.
Absurd service. We got here for our 9:00pm reservation. 30 mins later and we're still waiting. I don't care how good the food is. This is ridiculous.
(1)
Yoonjung Y.
I am a regular customer here, and the quality of the food explains it all!! I think I've tried "most" of the food here, and I've never had a bad time. Try to come in during weekdays cuz it's always crowded during weekends!
(5)
Brandon H.
Loved the tubes as I walked in. Decent food but very small portions. My lamb gyro was two mini cones...I was very hungry and hoping for a phattie gyro instead I was able to eat it in four bites. I'd recommend as a precursor to a meal. Don't go an expect to fill your belly.
(3)
Ling L.
This place has an indoor and outdoor seating. A decent selection of beers and mix drinks. You can reserve the outdoor seating for a private party so the 2 times I went was kinda crowded. I didn't notice the food menu or I was never given one. I would just come here for a drink or a place to hang out after a meal
(4)
Don W.
Bottom line: Awesome food and service. So my wife and I were going to be on a business trip in Philadelphia on Valentine's Day, which happened to be on a Saturday this year, and we decided to make reservations early. I checked the menu and made reservations at Opa as soon as I could. I was disappointed by the fact that only a fraction of the menu was available and instead, they were pushing a more expensive multi-course menu. That is the end of my complaining. We found plenty to eat on the more limited menu and since we had a big lunch earlier, we had no interest in the bigger menu. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent. The service was excellent. I think you understand where I'm going with this. We didn't have to wait to be seated and our waiter Zach was probably the best server we had on our trip. As for ambiance, it was a bit louder than I'd like and too dark to read the menu, but don't let this stop you from going because whatever you order will be delicious. Go, eat, enjoy, and save room for the baklava. And then when you're finished, go next door to Time for some absinthe. :)
(4)
Paul K.
Beneath the formulaic "trendy, upscale, hip" decor beats the heart of a real Greek kitchen and I am a big fan of Greek food. And my main complaint re Greek restaurants is that the menu/vibe tends to be a bit dowdy but here the food has been updated for the 21st century while respecting its roots. I could sit at the bar and drink wheat beer and dip smelts into tzaziki all day.
(4)
Nicole D.
I loved the food here! Pita and hummus was amazing and my meal was great too. It was a squash dish, it didn't seem particularly Mediterranean but it was delicious. Service was also really good. Ambiance is okay. It was a little bit dark for me, and the tables are close together. A guy at a neighboring table scooted his chair back to stand up and knocked a drink out of our server's hand. It wasn't anyone's fault but just a product of tight quarters. This was my only complaint! Would definitely come back.
(4)
Jessica K.
This was my third time at Opa and I've enjoyed it each time. This bar is easy to miss with so many other restaurants within a stone's throw away, but it's solid little spot with really good food and a variety of drinks to suit any palette. They have an outdoor bar in the back which is really cool with table games and heating for cooler nights. But it's usually much too crowded for my comfort. For Sips we chose to sit out on the sidewalk and we were permitted but only with a food purchase. That was okay, since we planned on trying some of the $5 offerings anyway. The grape leaves were fantastic and the drinks were incredibly delicious.
(4)
Aditi M.
Happy Chic ambience with a ping ping table at the back porch in summer .. Love the collection of different kinds of hummus at this place .. It is amusing to also watch the bartender make the drinks :)
(4)
Renton R.
Last night, the wife, my brother, sister-inlaw and myself ventured out on a double date for Valentines Day to OPA. I made reservations the night before and they were very accomadating by changing our reservation from 2 people to 4 people on Valentines day. We were treated to the Valentines menu, whih consisted of some great choices. The ambience was great with contempory decor and candle lit tables. We started off with some drinks, we tried the "kafteros" which consisted of tequila, long hots, yes....long hots and agave nectar. We also tried the XINOULI - greek style margarita. Both drinks were great, they packed a punch, especially the Kafteros which was spicy...just how i like it. We decided to mix and match our choices off the 4 course menu, so we could all try some of each of the items they had on the menu. For starters we had the following: I will rate them out of 10 STRAWBERRY AND FETA SALAD (7) BEET SALAD (9) ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP (8) 2nd Course: PAN FRIED OYSTERS (10) MUSSELS (9) YOGURT BASED FLATBREAD (6) GRILLED OCTOPUS (10) 3rd Course: BEEF TENDERLOIN (8) SEARED SCALLOPS (9) LAMB CHOPS (9) CHICKEN (6) Dessert: CHOCOLATE LOUKOUMADES (6) BAKLAVA (7) Overall, this place was great, the only reason I would give it a 4 out of 5 was I would reccomend, that the waiter would be more versed in the preparation and content of each dish, and the wait time for each course was a little longer then expected. But, we had an amazing time and will definately be back.
(4)
Joseph B.
While our meal was good I have to give Opa a very poor review because of their door security staff. At the end of our meal ,we went out to smoke and the security wouldn't let us back in despite us saying we had just eaten a meal. We should have just left but didn't want to leave our friends inside and stiff the waiter. The manager, unfortunately, didn't seem to understand why we were upset and didn't do anything at first to rectify the situation. Bottom line -- avoid this restaurant because they don't understand how to take care of their customers.
(1)
Joseph V.
Went for lunch. Zucchini was really greasy. Steak was good. Lamb was dry. Service was fine, very attentive, but I've had much better Greek, and there's tons of choices in that area for good food.
(2)
Michael M.
Modern bar. I came here for happy hour with some work colleagues and was pleased with the drink prices. I had the Every Day IP. Overall pleased.
(4)
Michael G.
DISASTER OF A RESTAURANT!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME... We had an 8:15 reservation for 2 people. We got there at 8:19. We were rudely told that we could either eat outside (95 degrees out) or wait about 20 minutes for a table. We decided to wait at the bar. We stood at the bar for about 5 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. After noticing that there were at least 4 open tables that could accommodate us, I walked back to the hostess to ask if there was some confusion. We were told that they were expecting a large party at 9:00 (45 minutes after our reservation time) and that they were holding the tables in that section for them. What made less sense was that there were tables in other sections also available. We were obviously not happy and were looking for another restaurant on Open Table when one of the hostesses walked by and said "we'll seat you". Not only did she not stop or bother to address us, she was clearly annoyed. We were very uncomfortable and felt like an inconvenience at this point. Had she stopped we would have told her that we were leaving. Instead we told the other incredibly rude hostess that we didn't like the way we were treated and were going to eat elsewhere. This situation could have been handled many different ways. Had someone explained what was going on or treated us somewhat politely all would have been fine. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the food (I'm sure it's wonderful), but I didn't get that far. I didn't make it past the incompetent staff. There are so many other place to eat, that it's not necessary to go somewhere that you don't feel welcomed. Don't waste your time!
(1)
Andrea A.
Went on Friday night and had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. We were totally blown away! Each course was multiple plates and included a salad, cheese plate, asparagus toast, crabcake gyro, clam pasta, roasted chicken, swordfish slouvakia, and a platter of delicious desserts! The wine pairings went really well with each course, although the dessert wine was too sweet for me. Great food and the tasting is totally worth the money!
(5)
Charlotte H.
Great ambiance, and food exceeded my expectations. We were waiting for another reservation and decided to just eat here. Gyro was awesome and fries were super! Standout service by Jesse!
(4)
Charry L.
Our initial plan was to try the pizza place next door but their wait was so long. So we found Opa by coincidence but really enjoyed their food and their atmosphere. There is a square bar area in the middle of the restaurant. and then there are more private tables at the back of the restaurant. The food was delicious - surprisingly. We ordered the cheese platter, greek salad, and a pasta (can't remember the name). Heads up, the portions are really small. I think the pricing is more on the high side considering their portions. From 10 p.m. they make it like a club setting - really loud music! - We couldn't talk / hear ourselves so we left. Would definitely visit again with a group of friends to share multiple dishes (like tapas style)
(5)
Jes F.
Loved the food. Didn't realize this place had good food because I always thought of it as a bar. Was pretty empty around dinner time even on a Friday. Enjoyable, quick and delicious food.
(5)
Alisa R.
Who knew Opa had an outdoor beer garden!? It was fun and well organized. Too bad the beer selection was low and there were no pitchers.. Otherwise, great vibe!
(4)
Pete S.
The food was excellent , waitress was never all there. It took her the whole night to warm up and was still dry. A little on the expensive side for the portion size. Once again food is very good.
(3)
Sophia J.
I like opa a lot and I love their drink they change their new menu I think I like their old menu better though but in all it's still really good food service is really good everyone is friendly and you get serve right away if I had it my way I definitely want the old menu back definitely come back for drinks
(5)
Sam R.
I stopped into Opa earlier tonight with a friend. I love Mediterranean food and figured this place would satisfy a craving or two that I have had recently. When I first walked in I noticed that Opa was literally packed with people. The bar is at the center of the restaurant and there were people swarmed all around the bar. We were able to get a table for two in the back of the restaurant. The seating is comfortable they have light blue colored couches that line the back of the restaurant and wooden tables. We ordered the lamb keftedes, mussels, eggplant with pita bread and veggies and the watermelon & feta salad. Lamb keftedes were just three small lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce. I wasn't too crazy about these. I was expecting more Greek spices instead of a tomato sauce The mussels came in a broth and they were just ok. Not much for me to go home and yelp about...No pun intended. The eggplant was like a ghanoush dish and we ordered an assortment of veggies. It came with cucumber, olives, green peppers and pita bread. This was my favorite dish out of everything I tried. I probably should have ordered two of these. The only thing missing from this dish is a little bit of olive oil that could have been added at the top of the dish. The watermelon and feta salad was ordered without the cheese. There weren't that many onions at all in this dish or plums. It was a lot of watermelon more than anything else. We skipped dessert and headed out. This place is okay. I was expecting a lot more authentic Greek food unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly nice and great customer service here. I just wish they would spice up the menu a bit more....
(3)
Marie J.
Great restaurant. The menu was in transition from winter to spring/summer, so the chef came out and talked us through the changes and recommended certain dishes. Our waiter was knowledgable and friendly. We sat by the open air windows on a warm spring day, so it felt like outdoor dining without the city strollers bumping into your tables and sneezing on your dishes :) We had beet salad, lamb/lemon soup, and gyros- all really good. Will definitely come back again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Lauren C.
The boyfriend took me out to Opa on Friday night for our 'date night'. As soon as I walked in and saw how swanky and cool the decor was, I thought we were doomed! Typically the dingy greek places are the best... but boy was I in for a treat! They were out of my preferred beer- the Saison, so that was a bummer, but I landed on a nice brew that was pretty tasty. Rather than commit to entrees, we opted to split lots of appetizers so we could taste lots of different things. I'm the token PITA vegetarian, and he very much likes meat so there was a bit of compromise (on his behalf) that happened. We ended up with the mussles, the spinach coquettes, the Spread Pikilia, and the Beet Salad. The Spread Pikilia came out first, and it was tough to decide, of the 4 dips, which one was the best. I loved that they brought out veggies and olives and pickles in addition to the pita bread. We dug in big time. The pickles were really vinegary, but they were tasty! The babaganoush was a bit sweet which made it my least favorite of the 4 dips after lots of sampling. We ran out of Pita and the server was happy to bring us more. Next came the mussles, which I don't eat... but my boyfriend was blown away. He enjoyed every single one of those bad boys... and the sauce and the bread it came with. The smell of the sauce was heavenly. I almost ate one. Next came the beet salad. This was good, but similar to the pickle, it was really pickled... REALLY pickled. It almost hurt my mouth to eat. We both agreed that this was the dish that we could have done without. It wasn't bad in any facet, but of the stuff we had, this wasn't the high point. Finally, the Spinach Coquettes came out. I have been dreaming of these since. They were chock full of spinach, with cheezy undertones, lightly fried, in this amazing smokey creamy sauce that was just a total game changer. I gave one to my boyfriend, and tried to save him a 2nd one... but only managed to save him 1/2 of a 2nd one... because... well... i ate it... All in all, Opa was reasonably priced, the decor was awesome, the service was quick, thorough, and gracious, the food was delicious etc. I also have heard rave reviews about the courtyard out back. We had planned to check it out, but we were full and sleepy after dinner. The good news is now we have a reason to come back (and get those Spinach Coquettes!).
(4)James V.
This is a great place to grab dinner and even better for happy hour. The addition of outdoor space behind the restaurant has really made it a go to spot for summer drinks. They offer Jenga and Connect4 to entertain patrons drinking in the back. A ping pong table is also available and frequently the spit has a roast cooking. A large beer menu and some creative mixed drinks ensure a good time for all.
(4)Julia H.
Don't go for dinner after 9:00, otherwise you are paying top dollar to hear extremely loud music (DJ) that is impossible to talk over AND to have someone'a back or coat in your food. You have been warned!
(3)Grace C.
A trendy, candlelit place that's great for a Friday night out, either with a date or with friends. We got the mussels appetizer after the server recommended it to us--which was loaded with flavor. My only complaint was that there was not enough pita bread for dipping in the broth after the mussels were done. My friend and I split the special of the evening, the beef tenderloin, which came with greens and roasted potatoes. The potatoes were our favorite part of the dish, as they were lightly crisped and seasoned well. Dessert was the loukoumades, which were greek beignets with honey cinnamon drizzle, walnuts, and spiced banana. A tad on the sweet side, but good nonetheless. It went well with our cocktails, which were on the strong side. I tried the koukla, which was pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Our server said it was the most popular drink on the menu, and it certainly did not disappoint. This place is yuppie central, perhaps due to the outdoor beer garden in the back of the restaurant. It's great for post-dinner drinks, and is rife with cool games, chairs, and lights strung across the yard. Music is loud and trendy--perfect mix for a good night out.
(4)Grace K.
GREAT SERVICE! opa is great for groups or individuals. I went to the outside bar for a work happy hour and went to the indoor bar with a small group to enjoy the happy hour. The bartender was fabulous and very attentive considering how busy she was... no complaints here!
(5)Joshua J.
I have to say that I agree with the rating that this spot has, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. I went here with my boss and two other co-workers (four total), and we ordered off the menu tapas style. The food was good, but I found it a bit annoying that I had to ask for a full pour of beer, and this seemed to really irritate the server, who told me that they don't normally do that. My boss kicked in and said that we paid for a 16oz pour, and this was a 12. I got my beer back, totally full, but I've never dealt with this before, so it was a bit unnerving.
(3)Noor S.
Cocktails were spectacular! We waited for about 15mins before anyone came to our table. Chicken was dry and don't even think about desserts! We had the creme brulee (or that's what they called it on the menu), the custard was more of a pudding and the carmelized sugar was hard and too thick. In addition, the fig ice cream was basically vanilla ice cream. If I ordered vanilla, I would've been satisfied but it was fig, so I expected for it to taste like figs! Overall, the service was good but the food could've been executed much better!
(3)Jennifer M.
I had the beet salad and I had them add grilled chicken. It was real good. The service was excellent!!! I would definitely try this place again!
(5)Minh C.
A very modern greek restaurant that I think is a very cute place to take a date. The menu isn't that large but it sure is full of goodies. The service: 5/5 Our waiter Zack was very helpful in making some menu suggestions. He was always very prompt and made this dining experience a great one. The food: 4/5 I was a little upset that there were 2 entrees on the menu I was interested in removed for the night. That turned out to be a bit of a let down. The fried kalamari was one of the best I have had in a while. The aioli was very light which complemented the kalamari excellently. I ended up having the stuffed oregano pasta which I thought was incredible however I do wish that there was more than just 5-6 pieces. It was not enough to fill me up. The atmosphere: 5/5 I liked the colors and the lighting of the restaurant. I thought it did give it a modern look with subtle accents. It seemed hip, stylish, and intimate. Hopefully next time I dine here I'll choose a heartier entree.
(4)Jackie W.
The food and drink is nothing outstanding. It's a solid bar and restaurant but there are better places around the city. The mussels appetizer was good, but the service is absolutely terrible so I'm downgrading it from 4 stars to 3.
(3)Kyle B.
I'm confused by the 5 star ratings for this place. The food is cheap, but is no where near being authentic. The chicken skewers were marinated in italian dressing and served over french fries. I'm fairly certain i had the same meal in the cafeteria during high school. The wait staff is a mess - although i think this is due to a lack of staffing, not their service abilities. The beer garden out back is nice - but is completely disjointed with the restaurant.
(1)Jess B.
Food was so-so but the cocktails are bangin! Highly delicious and original drinks served by friendly and competent bartenders. Dude took orders for and made close to 10 drinks at a time without writing anything down or screwing anything up. Impressive in my book.
(3)Lauren S.
I am a huge fan of the Dury Beer Garden at Opa. It is on the small side but it has a drinking in the streets type feel to it which is always cool. Liked the beer selection as well. The bar inside Opa is also cool with it square roundness. Tired the mussel they were also very good.
(4)Michael G.
I went for a happy hour (sips). The drinks at the bar inside were served in plastic glasses (you'd think we were in college or at a dive bar), and one of the beers they had for $3 on special was Yuengling. I don't mind Yuengling, but it is not exactly a deal at $3 when everyone else is doing craft beer at that price. The apps we tried were mediocre. When we ordered food and drink 5 min before happy hour ended we were given our drinks and told that the kitchen was not cooking any happy hour apps any more. Complete lack of any real customer service there. Also, there was little to no seating available. Honestly, with all the other competition for happy hours in the city, I won't be going anywhere near this place again. I'm wondering how it is still in business.
(1)Peter L.
Came here this past weekend for my dad's birthday with my parents and wife. While there were some kinks, all in all, we had a good dining experience and enjoyed Opa's creative spin on classic Greek dishes. I would say this is more of a 3.5 star review, but I'm rounding down because of the general unevenness of our experience. That said, I would still recommend Opa. For starters, the service was a little uneven, but most friendly and accommodating (there were some large gaps of time where we were waiting for our orders to come or for someone to take our order). Another minor complaint - there's a bier garten in the back, so you get a lot of traffic through the dining area from people entering/exiting the bier garten, plus you have to contend with some sloppy drunks for use of the two small restrooms. Anyway, on to the food ... We had a number of dishes, served family style. The watermelon salad and spinach croquettes were stand outs. The salad was similar to other watermelon and feta salads I've had, but the addition of apricots and a citrus vinaigrette (which balanced out the sweetness of the fruit) was a nice touch. The croquettes were like a dense spanakopita inside, packed with creamy spinach and feta, and perfectly browned and crispy on the outside, complimented with a creamy feta dip (which looked like it was also made with red pepper). The saganaki (cheese flambeed in brandy, then doused with lemon) was excellent, but it's really hard to make bad saganaki. It's prepared table side, for some extra flair. The sausage flatbread was decent, but reminded me too much of a bar pie (nothing particularly Greek or standout about it). The octopus was also good, although I prefer mine grilled and charred, while this was braised. The salad that accompanied the octopus, however, was phenomenal - the smoked chickpeas imbued an amazing smoky flavor to the entire salad, which paired well with the other flavors in the dish (red pepper, spinach, potato, roasted garlic vinaigrette). The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender, and very generous, but was a little fatty. We also had keftedes (veal meatballs), which were good, but not great, although I really enjoyed the booziness of the ouzo tomato sauce they were served in. The cocktail menu is very creative, and utilizes some Greek liquors (Metaxa brandy and ouzo) and flavors (e.g., watermelon). The Lemoni (ouzo, lemon, orange juice) was delicious and refreshing (although if you dislike ouzo, you may want to avoid, as the ouzo flavor is very prominent). For dessert, we had fig and merenda (Greek nutella) ice creams, the kormo (chocolate, cookie, and walnut cake), and loukomades (Greek donuts, similar to beignets or zeppoles). The ice creams were a little disappointing, as neither was particularly flavorful, and there were some ice crystals in the scoops we had. The merenda was decent, but it was a little dry and didn't particularly stand out. The loukomades were very well made, however. Crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside. They were clearly made fresh, and reminded me of the ones I get at my local Greek festival. They came with sides of merenda and spiced ground banana. My only complaint was they could have used a little more powdered sugar and honey (an easy fix). I was also impressed by the fact that the loukomades were complimentary for dad's b-day, along with shots of ouzo for the table. All in all, if you know how to order, Opa is an enjoyable dining experience.
(3)Danielle D.
Here's the scene: 5:45 on Saturday afternoon, party of 5. We walk into Opa, menu looks good, the place has the windows open for a nice day in the city, the restaurant has a total of ONE table sat. We ask for a table for 5 people, they don't have anything available. I know, I was shocked too. There was literally only 3 patrons (at one table) in the whole restaurant! Their reasoning is that it was closing in on 7pm, when they would have several larger parties coming in and our party of 5 would conflict with that. I worked as a hostess, so I understand where they are coming from, but to clear out your entire restaurant seems like very poor form We ended up going to El Vez, caddy corner to Opa, where we were seated right away, ordered several appetizers and drinks, followed by entrees, not in a rush to eat, and we were still done by 7pm. We walked by Opa after we left Vez and the place was still wide open. Poor form!
(2)Rich G.
They recently changed the menu but we weren't able to order our normal appetizer. I had the lamb gyro. One point to note is that they use real chunks of lamb meat and not the processed stuff that looks more like hamburger. The appetizer and the meal were both very good. I've visited several times an it's usually very empty during lunch. It's a great place to go for those wishing a nice relaxing environment where you can actually hold a conversation during lunch. Good prices, good food, makes for a good spot for lunch when visiting center city.
(4)Sanoj P.
My wife and I have to been to Greece and really enjoyed the way Opa was based on Greek cuisine and had a modern look. Restaurant decor: Nothing fancy, but an island bar made of stones. The lighting was perfect and made for a great mood. Music wasn't loud, but enough to enjoy. Oh..and beer garden!? Food: Absolutely great! We tried a bunch of small plates. From saganaki to gyros sliders to keftedes, the taste was great and the portions left us perfectly pleased. Wines: I'm not a huge wine-drinker. My best attempt at a wine IQ is 'Can I get a riesling?'...to which they had something comparable to. My wife described her palate, and they found something also. Overall: Great wine. Great food. Great staff. Great place to go to on a nice night!
(4)Stephen C.
I have to chime in as the reviews seem quite mixed on one of my favorite places for small plates in the city. I love Opa. For dinner for two or larger groups, Opa is a great option. The menu is concise yet varied and dishes have great depth of flavor. I could eat the beet salad everyday. Although I am far from vegetarian and cringe when I read militant reviewers bashing restaurants for not catering to the Veg Set, I must note that Opa has plenty of amazing vegetarian options and I sometimes find myself with a strictly vegetarian order. Don't miss: Beet Salad or Lemon Potatoes Skip: Pork skewers (they can sometimes be terribly salty)
(4)Gautam T.
I feel like its about time I reviewed this place as I frequent the bar on most weekends. I have discovered they have a pretty good HH. I mean I was thouroughly impressed, the chicken skewers, fries and sliders were all excellent at a price that didn't break the wallet at all. Add in a couple of beers or wines and you're all set. I spent about 15 bucks, I felt mildly buzzed and pretty full, exactly the feeling you want after you leave a happy hour. Ok so enough of the happpy hour, lets get to the actual nightlife. Summers are much better because they have the beer garden in the back with a ping pong table (Which I dominate by the way, mainly because I play only girlfriend who sucks). The drinks are a little pricey but what center city bar isnt? The people are sexy the drinks are on point, the food is great and on top of that the bartenders are friendly.
(4)Julio A.
Nicole and John are the dynamic duo of the outside bar. They attend to all the needs of the patrons. They put the "happy" in happy hour for me and my group. Can't wait to come back next Friday. I hope they are there.
(5)Chris J.
Went in on a Sunday for dinner. Not a lot of folks around but great service from Cait our waitress. Had the spinach and artichoke fritters - tasty. I had the lamb gyro - very good with the toasted pita. Good chimays and the burger was yummy too!!
(3)Craig K.
After being thoroughly impressed a few months prior with friends, I decided to come back for date night. Granted this was during restaurant week; however, our service was slow and poor and the food was not on point. The swordfish and lamb mains were tasty however the sides and the previous courses lacked seasoning and flavor. I teeter back-and-forth on whether I would recommend or visit this restaurant again...
(3)Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I wanted some light fare for dinner, so we decided to try Opa for the first time. The space is very nice. You walk into this refreshing wood and blue decorated locale feeling warm and at home. For a Thursday night it was pretty empty. We weren't sure about the quality of the food, and once again, another small plates restaurant (which is getting annoying at this point), so we ordered just two-- the crab cake and the spinach croquettes. The crab cake was loose, and it had a canned crab flavor. On the plus side, there wasn't much breading (maybe that's why it was falling apart). The spinach croquettes were executed nicely but were saltier than flavorful. I'd like to have something that draws out the flavor of the spinach rather than making it a vanishing after taste. I think Opa's saving grace is its beer garden and happy hour. I haven't been to either, but I hear that it's very good. Bottom line: Two dishes were ho-hum, and it made us want to go elsewhere for a main course. The decor is nice, and the servers friendly, but it's lacking oomph.
(3)Bill W.
Too bad, the outside bar is cool. However, the bartender lost my debit card, and the follow up was poor. Manager was rude. Will not be back ever.
(1)Natalie B.
I've heard good things about Opa, so when I found out about their special $2 menu for their 2 year anniversary, I finally stopped in. We had reservations and were seated pretty quickly, though our table was kind of jammed in a small space, behind another table. We were served water pretty quickly by one server, who said someone would be by to take out order shortly. About 20 minutes later, I had to look around and try to get someone's attention before we could finally put in our drink orders, and then another 10 minutes later, we put in for our food. Most of what was on the special menu sounded awesome. Unfortunately, they were out of lamb croquettes, so we got the surf and turf souvlaki and gyro from the special menu. I know that $2 is a great price, but the portions were pretty dismal. I have child hands. The gyro was no bigger than my palm, and the surf and turf souvlaki pieces were about as big as my thumb. They were pretty bland. We also ordered the chili chicken fingers and fried kalamari from their regular menu. The fried kalamari was good and also came with fried green peppers and olives, but the sauce was tasteless. The chili chicken fingers weren't spicy at all. The crust had a really nice texture, but they tasted like they were just covered in honey. It was cozy inside, but both the service and food were lacking. The special $2 menu was a sham. It was really disappointing.
(2)Michelle C.
I've now dined at Opa twice - once for dinner and once for lunch - and I really enjoy the restaurant a lot. While we do have a few options for Greek/Mediterranean food in the city, I can't think of another place that does it as stylishly as Opa. The decor and the cocktail selection bring the swankiness, while the food speaks for itself. The spreads trio is my favorite starter. It comes with hot, delicious pita but also some veggies for dipping, which is great for anyone who wants a little bite without a ton of calories. Each spread packs loads of flavor, and I especially love the tzatziki. For dinner, you really can't go wrong with ordering a bunch of smaller plates and sharing them all. That's what my boyfriend and I did during our evening at Opa. The mini lamb gyros are delicious. At lunch, the chicken gyro is lighter than a burger but loaded on taste. A side of dressed greens can also be swapped for fries. Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy the dessert course. Two varieties of coffee are offered plus a couple dessert cocktails and about four or so desserts. I've tried the baklava which I am always a fan of, and have heard several raves about the loukoumades (fried dough with dipping sauces). It won't be long before I'm craving those spreads and gyros once again!
(4)Laura N.
Opa has a beautiful ambiance, both inside and outside. The food is always excellent and consistent each and every time I go. Not sure why a few who commented below said that they thought it wasn't authentic Greek food. I'm 100% Greek and you're absolutely right... At least half of the items on the list aren't technically considered "traditional", and that's completely fine with me! Opa takes traditional Greek food and almost modernizes it and puts a slight twist on it. It's contemporary, and that's what Opa reflects. I love their pastichio, spinach croquettes, Tiropitas, chicken, and pretty much all of their desserts. Plus the servers, especially Jesse, are SO nice and welcoming . It's a nice touch and aside from the delicious food, they make me want to come back ! And the best part is that they give complementary Ouzo shots at the end of your meal! Definitely go to Opa and enjoy their amazing food, drinks and service! It's affordable for the city!
(5)Valerie F.
I'll start by saying that the atmosphere of this place is very nice, its dimly lit and has nice padded seating. At first the hostess told us that she could not seat us because she had reservations booked but there were at least 10 open tables, she then came back and said she could seat us in the back. My bf and I really enjoyed our corner seat with pillows and candles it was very modern and romantic. The 3-star review is for the food. We ordered the soft shell crab tempura special. The whole thing just tasted like friend crab shell and there was very little crab meat. The fingerling potatoes it came with were good but I'd rather not pay $17 to eat some potatoes. The waiter was very friendly and attentive, I would consider coming back due to the great service. Along with our check, he brought us 2 shots of what smelled like liquorice liquor. I tasted a small sip and almost gagged, it was absolutely disgusting I needed to chew gum just to chase down the taste.
(3)Adam N.
It's been hit or miss at Opa. We've had some nights where it's too crowded to get a drink. We're here today for happy hour and the specials are very reasonably priced. The open window allows for great fresh air (of Sansom street, we admit). It'd be better if they offered their happy hour on their back patio, but it's only at the bar. At least we have good scenery with the hot bartender.
(4)Deb S.
The outside entrance is questonable but inside nice. Met up with a group of friends 2 different times to hang in the outside patio for beers. It's a fun atmosphere with games, table tennis and started they growing living walls.
(3)Michael Y.
This is a quiet spot for lunch in downtown Philadelphia. I've never been here with a crowd (which is a shame), but the food is impeccable. Really love the evolving menu, and I found the food to be spot on. Drinks were tasty too. But the real story here is the service. Our waiter was awesome. My colleague is a difficult customer, and the waiter easily appeased her and gave us an awesome experience. Truly terrific restaurant.
(4)Stephen S.
Food is excellent! If Zack is your server you are in good hands. I love the fried zucchini and my fiancée loved the grilled octopus. My only complaint would be I think the bar and tables should be a little more separated. As i went for dinner...But thats me just being knit picky. Great place for 20-30 somethings to have drinks and good food.
(4)Carter P.
Aesthetics, I am discovering really contribute to a restaurant's appeal. It isn't just about the food or the drinks, but it's about the overall experience that makes me want to return to restaurant. Fortunately, two out of those three made my experience this time around - I was there for drinks in the ultra-modern bar area. Both myself and my company had a Greek Margarita which tasted a lot like a Mexican Margarita, but I went with it. It was great with a strong flavor. Service was quick and friendly and made this a great first stop on a night where we went to five or six other establishments. Recommend for drinks - and please try the food and let me know whether or not you recommend it.
(4)Christina W.
A group of friends and I came for the last Center City Sips and had a pretty awful time. We requested a table for 5 and were willing to squeeze at a table for 4, and the hostess had a tremendous amount of trouble finding a place for us. Although there was clearly two tables for parties of 2 next to one another that could be easily pushed together, she did not seem to want to seat us there and intentionally made the spot seem infeasible and unattractive. We finally were seated there, and five minutes later the table next to us that would seat us more comfortable opened up. When we asked a waitress if we could move since we had a party of 5, she agreed, and later we saw the hostess yell at her for allowing it because she needed the table for a group of 4, even though the one we vacated was fine for a group of 4. Really set a terrible tone for the rest of our meal. We were not given glasses of water for about twenty minutes despite making multiple requests. Finally, they gave some of us plastic cups, probably because they ran out of clean glasses. We ordered the pineapple vodka cocktail which was terrible--it was overly sweet and overly tart at the same time (shouldn't those balance each other out?) Literally difficult to even force down because it was so sickeningly sweet and artificial. Our group shared many small plates. I recommend: -Spinach croquettes--delicious -Spreads trio--the pita, the tzatziki, and the babaganoush were excellent. It came with cucumbers and bell peppers for dipping. -Mussels--pretty flavorful Pass on the: -Fried calamari--just so-so -Lemon potatoes--barely had any lemon flavor -Veal meatballs--not too flavorful and fell apart when you cut them -Fries--fries were good but most of them were smothered with an orange sauce that I was not a fan of Food came out very fast after the initial rudeness, but overall we did not feel like we were treated respectfully. Even the quick delivery of food made it feel like we were being rushed out, and we weren't able to enjoy the food as much given the frantic pace. I won't be back.
(2)Omnom N.
It was good food. Service could have been better. Loved their caramelized pears salad.
(4)Jean-Pierre A.
Hello Yelpers-ok so Opa-what can I say. It's a chill little greek place, that did not require reservations at 7pm on a friday night. Tonight me and the little lady decided to try this place out for the first time. So..... the menu-the appetizers were delicious-they were a good size and contained a great deal of flavor and substance. We did not try the main plates or entrees because the menu did not have anything that really seemed to be too appealing for us. A couple of whole fish dishes, and some other greek favorites. So this should not appear to be a bad reflection on the entrees-it just didn't appeal to our pallets. Anyway, we ordered 5 appetizers, which included the lamb meatballs, sausage flatbreads, spinach croquettes, mussels, and pork ribs. Everything was great, but we would definitely recommend the spinach croquettes and meatballs. Deff delicious. Everything was priced appropriately. Drink were great too! Anyway, I would recommend! ~~~JP p.s. Across the street there's a dog store that has wonderful and delicious pig ears, that my little dog really loves :)
(3)Flint W.
Good service. Nice ambiance. Octopus appetizer is required eating.
(5)Noheli T.
I only went to Opa for drinks so there won't be too much substance to this review. The beer was fine and two beers cost about $16. The atmosphere was great and there was a wide variety of people. The staff were kind but our bar tender definitely needed to lift up her pants or pull down her shirt. It really just was a pleasant view if you're sitting at the bar. Overall it was good spot and worth a try.
(3)Ben P.
We did happy hour at OPA recently and likely won't be running back. The atmosphere is ok. Somewhat cozy and modern. Although the abundance of bright blue paint, despite being traditionally Mediterranean, had me looking around for a slide and ball pit. It was just...too much. But hey, we don't go to restaurants for their paint choices, we go for food. Here's the thing, we ordered an app and a couple of beers. Hardly enough to completely judge a restaurant, but I'm going to anyway based solely on the appearance and behavior of the two people working that evening. The bartender was sullen, unsmiling, and off-putting as he shrugged and slid the happy hour menu across the bar to us. He wasn't welcoming and acted like he didn't give a shit if we were there or not. He and the one server working that night were dressed in ripped, stone-washed jeans and "Opa" t-shirts. Philadelphia: I'm officially over servers in mid-range to upscale eateries dressed worse than people you find in a Chilis. I'm not old-fashioned, but I want to be served by someone who acts like they want to be serving and doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed. I say this a lot, but there are too many GREAT restaurants in this city for me to settle for a place that doesn't hit on all cylinders. Sorry, OPA.
(3)Christina P.
This review is only for the happy hour, as I haven't gotten the chance to come for the regular menu yet. A friend and I came around 6 on a Thursday night, and the bar had a few people around it but there were a decent amount of open seats, which we were happy about. We settled in and the bartender gave us a happy hour menu - $1 skewers (veggie, meat, surf and turf), $2 sliders $3 meatballs, greekified fries, craft beer $4 house wine $5 cocktails/sparkling wine I thought it was a pretty good offering for having everything $5 and under. I went with the house white - tasted like a sauv blanc, very dry but it was good, the greekified fries, and a veggies skewer. The fries were SO good. I expected some fries with feta on top but instead they came with this spicy feta sauce that I would like to purchase by the bucket if it's available. The portion was snack sized, but next time I might order two because they were that good. The skewers were tasty, but small, although it was only $1 so that's fitting. My friend had the meatballs which came with three sitting in a sauce that was very tasty, according to her. The only thing I was disappointed about what that I expected cocktail to be one of their specialties, and instead it was any drinks made with Cruzan Rum. Kind of boring. Overall, Opa happy hour is definitely a do. The price is right, and you can make a solid, tasty meal for under $10 if you want to!
(4)Redwood K.
Bar scene dominates dining room. Very noisy. Good dietary choices. Decent food. Nice wait staff.
(3)Keith S.
The $15 lunch special is a great deal, to bad the beer garden isn't open for ourdoor seating on nice days, sitting out front in the alley with the garbage trucks and delivery vans is just not the same...
(4)Alex M.
Food was OK, beer list was decent and reasonably priced. Staff was a little too "trendy" for me and acted kind of put off by the fact we brought our child (7 months, well behaved). Neat back beer garden if you don't have your kids with you.
(3)Regina F.
I'm all about any place that serves the following: 1. Fried dough balls to be dipped in Merenda (the Greek Nutella...it's slightly richer than the American version). 2. Greek wine (If you've never had Greek wine before, you're in for a real shocker/treat/surprise. It's pretty damn potent and delicious.) 3. Fat fluffy pita that is slightly doughy with a touch of char smokiness from the grill to be slathered in tirokafteri (if hummus were a cheese spread, this would be it). 4. ...and a cocktail that tastes like a vodka infused pineapple.
(4)Sal W.
We had a variety of dishes including zucchini chips, gyros, chicken skewer, veggie skewer, baklava and a curry style soup (can't recall the name of it). The food was mostly pretty tasty with the highlights being the gyros and soup, but the portion size was extremely small. Granted, we stuck to a bunch of the smaller sized plates, but these plates were miniature. For all that above it cost ~$45 + tip. The interior looks very nice and is very well done. Service was average. The bathroom has a hand dryer instead of paper towels. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 3 Stars Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 5 Stars
(3)Ryan P.
This place is solid. Great overall experience. You can wear jeans! You can wear a t-shirt! It's summer. You can also wear a pretty dress! Opa takes care of the fancy with their cute servers and well thought out dishes. Not a lot of clutter on the menu; equal apps to main dishes. Smart wine. Modern Greek meets (larger portion) tapas experience. I expect to get action if I brought a date here.
(4)Lauren C.
I ended up here to celebrate Laura S.'s birthday. It was a great evening, but Opa itself left a bit to be desired. Walking in, I was impressed. Opa does a nice job of balancing classy and hip - the ambiance is trendy without being over the top, and I loved the way the tables were positioned around the sides of the restaurant with the bar in the middle. Service was friendly enough, but a little behind the ball. The drinks took a long time to come from the bar, and our servers never asked us about drink refills - we had to flag them down. Another example: when a friend and I asked to share an entree, they brought it out on a single plate. I know the establishment is under no obligation to split an entree into two plates, but when the kitchen or server takes the extra time to do it, it makes a big difference. The food ranged from mediocre to very good. Appetizers beat entrees, hands down. The octopus appetizer was tender and flavorful, and was my personal favorite of the evening. The pita bread that came with our spread pikilia appetizer was also warm and delicious. Unfortunately, the quantity of pita isn't enough to balance out the amount of hummus, tzatziki, etc, and you're left spending another $4 for another order of pita (or eating your tzatziki with a spoon). The spinach croquettes were enjoyable but not particularly memorable. Same goes for the horiatiki. The entrees sealed the deal on the three-star rating. The steak, ordered medium rare, was surprisingly large, but arrived at the table medium well and was tougher and fattier than we had hoped. The fish was flavorful but a little dry. The burger wasn't particularly memorable either. All in all, it was a nice dinner, but we decided to head elsewhere for dessert.
(3)Tolis V.
The place looks nice and kinda cozy. The food is a modern version of Greek cuisine. It tastes good (although some traditional recipes should never been altered) but the portions are super small. If you go there to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, make a U turn...you won't. If you go to get some drinks then go ahead.
(2)Whoy G.
The signature dish...opa...a melted cheese appertiser, was not melted nor served with pita...the gyro sliders...mediocher at best...very disappointing...my wife ordered a Greek salad which turned out to be just tomatoes, onions and olives...no lettuce...it was happy hour but were still charged full price($10) a drink...for Greek go to south st slouvaki...still the champ
(2)Leo F.
Had dinner here on a friday night and overall came away satisfied. Prices were right in line with quality and service. While I was not overly impressed, (I got the chicken) but the food was prepared correctly and the portions were appropriate. I strongly recommend the octopus appetizer as it was done to perfection. The space is small so be mindful that you may be seated in close proximity to others.
(3)Paige C.
My husband and I were looking for an easy place to relax for an after work drink and Opa's Drury Beer Garden had been talked about by more than a few of our friends. We made the trek over to 13th street, entered through Opa's restaurant entrance, through the available seated tables and back onto the deck - and there it was - right in the middle of our midtown village, an urban oasis of fun games, cheap drinks, and welcoming bartenders who seemed all too eager to keep our spiked iced teas coming one after another. Awesome! Our original plan that night was to bar hop a little bit, but after discovering the Jenga games and ping pong table, we just didn't want to leave. They stock a number of really good beers by the bottle, but the real draw is their spiked tea, lemonade, and punch. Key Suggestion: Ask them to mix the tea and lemonade (2/3 tea and 1/3 lemonade) for an Spiked Arnold Palmer - quite good. Towards the end of the night, we realized that we had been talking and laughing for hours, but had totally skipped dinner! We checked out the chalk board menu, saw chicken tenders and Gyros and ordered both to go. It wasn't until we got home with our food that we discovered that the Opa kitchen is yet another great reason to come here - these relatively common bar food items are extremely well executed and I absolutely will be back for some of the best chicken tenders in the city (really good). We had heard good things about the pork belly gyro, but they were unfortunately sold out for the night - no worries - just another reason to check back to one of our new favorite midtown village hangouts. Bottom Line: Try this place - you won't be disappointed - its fun, its relaxing, the service is good, the drinks are better, and the food is a perfect compliment. Solid.
(4)John C.
Hopped into Opa during a night of bar hopping. It was a Saturday night so it was easily packed, filled with people at the bar and eating dinner. Right before we were going to try elsewhere, the DJ told us not to forget to check out the beer garden in the back. Much thanks to him for taking the initiative. It was freezing outside but the plethora of heat lamps warmed us right up. The outside bar had a mix of craft beers and little known gems. A nice, laid back atmosphere was enjoyed by all. Can't wait to return in the springtime.
(4)Jessica E.
Review for Center City Sips only. Good sips options compared to some other places in town - two wines, two beers, two cocktails and two appetizers. We didn't order any food, but from looking at the menu it seems to be the same food as every other "cool" restaurant, but just with Greekified names (and maybe feta cheese thrown in). My friend and I each got the cocktail that was a ginger-whiskey type of thing and it was very good. Our server asked us repeatedly if we were sure we didn't want the other cocktail - some kind of lavender/pineapple thing - I suppose because we were girls, but it was kind of annoying. Would definitely go back for sips again.
(3)Jennifer M.
Really enjoy this place. Solid 3.5 stars! Been here several times, and I love the stylish and sleek vibe. My favorite drink is the Koukla - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Refreshing, and goes down too easy! Dinner options offer a variety, especially when ordering for a large group. The easiest option is to order some appetizers and share. You may find that you need an extra order of their zucchini chips and their trio of spreads!
(4)Dennis L.
The 3 dips for the pita were good. i would definitely recommend that. the $13 meat dish in a metal black dish that was basically cheese, macaroni, and ground beef, that was alright. It was way too heavy, I guessl ike a comfort food but it tasted like scalloped potatoes with way too much oil. It was fine till you got nearer the bottom, all that oil just made you feel disgusting. Would definitely recommend you order something else, maybe the gyro?
(3)Soyoung K.
Opa really is a great addition in the neighborhood. By the looks of it, this place already belongs in the line of awesome restaurants in midtown village. The decor is very modern and trendy. It's a place you can go after work for a small bite to eat and drinks or a place where you can take your date to impress. Enough about the decor, the good stuff - drinks and food. I sat at the bar both times I was there and the bartenders are all very attentive and accommodating. I really liked the cherry + bourbon drink...which I forgot to ask the bartender. I could careless for bourbon normally, but this drink really struck a chord with me that I went back for more! There's also another drink made with bluecoat gin which was a good time in a high ball glass. Now, I've tried 4 items from the small plates section and they were all very good. Perfect presentation on each dish was really cherry on top of everything. My personal favorite was the octopus dish with 4-hour braised octopus leg and chickpea hummus. zzzomg, this was the best octopus dish I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the roasted beet salad with red and gold beet. I am so used to beet salads with red beet only but gold beet was a nice surprise. Overall, I am very happy that Opa is open. I have never really had Greek cuisine ever but I'm excited to try what Opa has to offer...so should you!
(4)Zachary H.
**Review is for drinks on soft opening. Squeezed in the middle of Time and Bar, the addition of Opa adds an element for people who don't want to pay $5 to wait in line for Time or need an explanation of what a pickle back shot is. And if anyone saw the shape of the building a few years ago, it's one less crack house. Seriously, look it up on Google maps. I'm adding a star just for that. We were told by a polite hostess that as this was their soft opening, only drinks were being served at that point (11 pm) and that there was no waiter service. Despite this the busy bartender still made time to see how we were doing. The Basil Hayden's ($11) pours were a little light --maybe by half an ounce -- compared to some of the other whiskey haunts. But a nice beer selection ($5-$6, roughly) and beautiful interior will make this a place I probably come back to. But Opa managed to pull an unfortunate "first" by charging $1 for the ice in my friends whiskey. Yes, $1 for your average, straight outta the hotel vending machine ice. It doesn't matter if it was a penny or a dollar ... Charging for ice? We were half expecting to see a rental charge for the glass after that.
(4)Eleni B.
I found this restaurant to be very innovative with classic greek flavors. Greek food is home food for me, so I was impressed with Opa's ability to present my favorite foods in a new way. I started with the Amaxi cocktail which was strong and deliciously boozy. My boyfriend had the Antho which I switched to because it tasted like my Greek grandmother. I know that sounds strange--but the dill and the sweetness had a beautifully reminiscent effect on me. It will be a great summer cocktail. Very refreshing. I thought the appetizers were all 5 star. Flavorful, delicious and innovative. The spreads which were very yummy. I loved the zucchini chips, such beautiful presentation! But hands down my favorite, and new obsession were the mini bite sized gyros. Bite sized gyros! If I could have a signature appetizer, that would be it! After the excitement of the cocktails and appetizers, I was really looking forward to our main course. Alas, they were disappointing. Opa has a limited dinner selection and I just wasn't impressed with what we ordered. I thought my befteki was unremarkable. My boyfriend had pastichio which was good, but nothing exciting. Dessert was redeeming. Loukomathes--fried dough--are a delight wherever I can find them. I like them a little darker, but I'll just specify next time. And there will be a next time! I'll be back for dinner but would loooooove if Opa could get some happy hour action going!!
(4)Heng T.
Awesome place. The server was knowledgeable about the drinks and food. The drink list is extensive. For food, the octopus is a must-try. The rabbit dish: the meat a bit on the dry side, but the sauce and pasta complemented the rabbit well. The ribeye had such a wonderful aroma (lemon herb butter), and served with skordalia cake, kataifi, and horta. Get it medium rare. The service was excellent. This new establishment is likely to stay.
(4)Joelle B.
I like this place and have gone a few times. My faces are the zucchini chips and patsitsio as well as the lamb shank-yum! I don't really know what drinks to order, as the only one I ever tried was a vodka dill cocktail I found very refreshing. I typically order a Greek white wine and start there. Beautiful inside, good service.
(4)Alison K.
This review is for happy hour only. While the prices are not the best in the city, this happy hour is well worth visiting. A ginger rum cocktail was strong and satisfying. I moved onto some rose cava which was poured by a very generous bartender. We ordered some snacks from the happy hour menu which were small but flavorful. The meatballs were tender and there were three of them. The slider was tasty but too tiny to even fit on the slider bun. I also ordered 1 of the surf and turf skewers. It took 45 minutes and was so sad and tiny that I felt silly having waited for it. I don't know what I expected for a dollar so my dissapointment was probably self inflicted. It isn't the best but it's far from the worst. I'd go back for happy hour again.
(2)Abby B.
Decent atmosphere, huge bar, central location. Those are the perks about Opa, if any. The food is just okay and they do have an average happy hour. However, the bartenders have zero personality, as well as an unsteady hand when pouring wine. Overall, the place just wasn't memorable.
(3)Jason M.
Went here for lunch today. Group of seven people and I was somewhat dissappointed. We ordered quickly but then waited more than a half an hour for the food to come out. When it did come out there were problems with the entrees going to the wrong people. Also, I ordered the cucumber salad and the portion was extremely small. I believe they may not do a large lunch business because the hostess served the food to us as well as bringing us our drinks. On a positive note, everyone did enjoy the food. Might give it one more chance.
(2)Andrew L.
Aaaahh, Opa. I have some nice things to say and some not so nice things to say. Shall we start with the nice things first? The service was.....good. There weren't many people there on a rainy Wednesday, so we had the server all to ourselves. He was almost enthusiastic, and very attentive. The food was.....satisfying. We started with the artery clogging Saganaki, which reminded me of a flattend pierogi served with a lemon wedge. My friend ordered the Pastisio, and enjoyed it very much. My Bifteka dish was a little different than I had imagined. It was pretty much a burger on a bun, not a big, open faced juicy patty like I had imagined. I nixed the bun and enjoyed it with the tzatziki sauce and the diced tomato, cucumber and onion (dubbed 'cucumber relish' on the menu). It was also cooked to a perfect medium. The menu said something about it being stuffed with feta? I'll leave that for the not so nice part. And now to the not so nice part. Where the hell was the feta?!?! And the dried oregano on the 'oregano fries'....I could make oregano fries at a McDonalds as long as I had my jar of $.99 oregano on me! Lower your drink prices or use less ice, Opa! You're better off ordering a beer, but if you want, splurge on the Anthos cocktail. And I just could not wrap my head around the decor. I felt like I was under water, on a patio, in a hut, in a Steven Starr restaurant, on stage (due to the blinding headlights that illuminated our table every few minutes from the cars exiting the parking garage across the street). And the background music was loungey. Like, elevator loungey. I couldn't figure out what the hell they were going for in there. Fire your designer, Opa. All in all, sadly enough, I'd have to pass on a second trip to Opa. If you want really good Greek food, head to Kanella....they know what's up.
(3)pracheta t.
Came here for dinner and drinks with a few friends and it was packed! I absolutely adored the decor and the coziness of the place but wasn't wow'd by the food. The portions were huge, even for apps, which we weren't expecting and we def over ordered. We all agreed that the drinks were magnificent and actually reasonably priced. I'll go back for the drinks and maybe share an app now that i know how big they are.
(3)Tom L.
Fantastic food at a great price with amazing service. Can't wait to come back. The Chef has imagination and great taste !!!
(4)Colleen M.
So, I dropped in here with a friend after work yesterday. Service was good. The Spread Appetizer that we got was good, as were the spinach croquettes but neither was anything I left raving about. My martini -- with rye vodka and blood orange was a little expensive and not quite as good as I had expected. Overall the experience was okay. I am glad I went but probably will not return. Too many other options to try...
(3)C K.
I was very saddened by this place. The food was OK, but not really worth the price, the service was super terrible, and it took forever to get our food (we were there for almost 2 hours and didn't even get dessert!!). Also, we had reservations and called ahead because we were running 10 minutes late and just wanted to be courteous, and the lady said that she didn't think they could accommodate us if we were going to be 10 minutes late but we could try anyway. We get there 10 minutes late, and the table that they had reserved for us wasn't ready. You have to be kidding!! May I mention that when we got there they had about half of the tables at the restaurant open? The only thing that saves this from getting a 1 star is that the food was good. Fries were too salty, but the entrees and appetizer (hummus) were really good.
(2)Alex C.
In a city sorely lacking in Greek options, Opa is a solid addition to the scene, but choose carefully from the menu. In appetizers, the braised octopus is probably the best I've had in the city: perfectly tender, lightly dressed and served with a satisfying mound of chickpeas. You'd think a restaurant, a Greek one no less, that could work so well with octopus would get the calamari right, but it was decidedly chewy (try The Corner just a block away for better squid). The melted cheese was underwhelming the beet salad neither notable nor bad. The dinner menu was oddly devoid of lamb, but did have the Greek classic pastitio, a bit like Greek shepherd's pie. Opa's variation was comforting if unremarkable. They redeemed themselves with an excellent fried dough desert. Puffs of incredibly light and delicious dough were covered in honey and walnuts and served with a Greek nutella (as well as a repulsive banana/balsamic vinegar sauce). The blood orange cocktails was the best expression of the flavor I've had in Philly and the Greek coffee was satisfying. Service was perfect and the prices were right. It's definitely worth a visit if you like Greek.
(4)J K.
Loved this place! Came here for an early pre-theater dinner on a weeknight, the place was not very crowded, and as a result noise level was low. The decor is very cool, I loved the different lighting effects. Service was prompt and friendly. Stand out on the menu was the fried calamari appetizer with harissa sauce. Yum! I could eat plates and plates of just that salty, spicy, delicious squid! Also enjoyed the fried olives on the plate. The main course special, lamb with orzo, was also excellent, and a huge portion. This is not one of those place were you spend $20+ for an entree and leave hungry! For dessert we had the little fried doughnut holes (forget what they were actually called) which were really fairly bland and greasy but they came with this absolutely heavenly chocolate sauce. Wish there had been some ice cream on the plate, and more of the chocolate sauce. Overall, highly recommend Opa for a casual meal of Greek food!
(4)Jayna B.
Went here last night for the first time and can't wait to go back! My friend and I ordered three apps: Hummus (comes with hummus, tzatziki, some goat cheese amazingness, pita and veggies), zucchini chips (also with tzatziki) and watermelon nectarine salad (with feta and onions). We loved the tzatziki and I will be honest, I usually loathe this. Yogurt and dill and cucumbers? But it is the best I have ever had! The zucchini chips were perfect! Lightly fried, the perfect amount of fry-to-zucchini ratio and of course, more tzatziki! The watermelon nectarine salad was fresh and light which went really well with our other choices. My friend had the cava and I had the zoukla (misspelled), which is a pineapple drink and we enjoyed both of those too. The waiter was well informed, very attentive and very helpful at all points in the evening. Like i said, can't wait to return!
(4)Aristos E.
I wanted to like this place - really did, but it just isn't happening for me. The decor is nice, the service was friendly, the pastitsio was ok, and the cucumber vodka with dill drink was very nice. Otherwise, the saganaki was just kind of a grease ball, and the spinach croquettes (recommended by the waitress) were either one of those TGI Fridays frozen appetizers, or made from a block of frozen spinach - pretty gross. In any event, if the ingredients aren't fresh, don't make it. I also found out why no one drinks Greek wine - it's pretty bad, in a sour-and-lingers-on-the-palate sort of way. All in all, this place doesn't do traditional Greek well, nor does it achieve haute cuisine based on traditional Greek foods. I don't need to go back.
(2)PJ M.
Went to OPA based on having one of their drinks at an Octoberfest Block Party. Ordered the Scallops & Octopus appetizers, both very good, but somewhat small, a couple more pieces would have made it a really good sharing appetizer. We ordered the Pastitsio and again it was a bit small, but it was very tasty, we were able to share this as I don't think either of us were too hungry. Finally as a post dinner snack we got the cheese board, this was definitely enough to share with plenty to satisfy both of us. The atmosphere of this place is very nice, however it kept getting hot then cold, my date was constantly putting on and taking off her sweater. I have heard that their gyros are worth trying and I may give it a shot sometime. All in all this was a nice place for a date. Good food, good drink, reasonably priced.
(4)Nicole S.
Apparently the menu changes frequently, we had a whole fish of the day, cucumber tomato salad, zucchini chips, and some other things, it was all delicious. A little pricey.
(4)Slaveiko S.
Went there with a group of friends after a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, so we were there around 10:40. The music was obnoxiously loud, there was no hostess at the door and all the tables that were available haven't been cleaned after the previous clients. After about 10 min. we got a hold of the hostess who told us we can sit anywhere after they clean the tables and that the kitchen is open till 11:00. We found a table and sat down. No one gave us menus. After 15 more minutes with no service whatsoever we found a waitress that told us that the kitchen is close and we can order apps and drinks from the bar. After such a horrible initial impression we just decided to leave.
(1)Nicholas F.
I went here with my girlfriend for the happy hour recently. We decided to go because menupages advertised a very appealing happy hour. Menupages failed to discern that the happy hour was available only at the bar. When we arrived the bar was about 3 people deep. this is a small place. The bar is a rectangle in the center with two tops surrounding it and booths in the back; it was difficult to get around. We were seated and brought water and drinks quickly. We were told that unfortunately the happy hour menu would not be available since we were seated at a table. Rather than get up and go, we decide to stay and try the menu. For some dd/mm/yy-anniversary Yuengling was available for 1 dollar a bottle. This is far from my drink of choice but to offset the cost of the full menu we ordered two. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer. Believe me when i say that this is the most literal interpretation of meatballs as their gets. 4 tiny, I mean smaller than a golf ball, sized meatballs for around $12.00. Completely over priced. I believe all they were served with was a small leaf of parsley. It was almost insulting. Adding insult to injury, my girlfriend commented that they tasted exactly like a McDonald's double cheeseburger, onions and all. Sadly, she was right. For entree's I ordered the rabbit and homemade pasta and she ordered the mini gyro sliders. The pasta was okay and not exactly cooked right, but not bad. The rabbit tasted like dead protein, but was more tender than the pasta. Finally the sauce was overly sweet, almost sickly sweet but not quite that offensive. Which depending on your preference could be a good or bad thing. Her mini gyros, were in fact, mini. They were about the size of a old mini CD. Maybe 2.5 inches across if flat. It contained hardly any lamb and was overwhelmed with lettuce. I was overwhelmingly disappointed by the quality of the food for the price. This restaurant is extraordinarily over priced and the chef showed a complete lack of inspiration. I would only return if I was walking by starving and saw an open seat at the bar.
(2)Kelly P.
the pita was fresh and warm, the red pepper hummus had a nice kick, and the tzatziki was super good. try the cucumber-dill drink, i forget the name.. it was refreshing and much like a mojito minus the mint. i, too, was a skeptic of dill in a drink. but it was delightful. cute servers. what uppp. i'll come back to hit on them, and try a real meal.
(3)Miriam H.
I visited this wonderful, delicious restaurant a few months ago during a visit to Philly and I am so glad that I did! I had the rabbit something or other and it was so delectable... i also nibbled on other people's burgers and fries and they were all wonderful. The ambiance is calm, generally slightly yuppy upwardly mobile types, but not fussy or attempting to be trendy. The service was superb and the waitstaff was so accomodating. Simply wonderful.
(5)Stephanie Y.
i don't know why we go here. the drinks are crap and the staff is awful. what a waste of a nice patio!!!!!!
(1)Amanda S.
these three stars come from just the beer garden out back. while the concept and decor is pretty great, the service was slightly awful and completely helter skelter. the three bartenders didn't know who or what was coming and going. the one guy who was waiting on my friend and i had to keep asking another bartender whether or not they carried any of the stuff we were asking for. when i finally got my beer it was disgustingly warm. and then, he told me i owed extra money because there was tax. at which point another bartender stepped in to say that wasn't the case. i sadly wasn't impressed. however, i did love the beer pong table and wished i would have gotten a chance to play. but my friends and i left after one drink. i'll definitely give this place another try in the future in hopes for a better experience and i'd also really like to try out the food.
(3)Phil P.
Fantastic food and service. If haven't been you should.
(4)Juli M.
Went here last night and this place has been open less than a week, so I will revisit when they get the kinks worked out. My initial observations are that the decor and ambiance of the place is quite pleasing - a bit noisy, but not too bad. The layout of the tables along the back banquette needs some work because it is too crowded and awkwardly placed. Without a diagram - difficult to explain, but you can't push your chair out without bumping into the side of other diners. For food, we ordered the cheese pastry, souvlakis (all kinds), octopus with chickpeas, mezze (hummus and other spreads), the Greek burger, side of potatoes, a biscotti, Greek coffee, and dough balls. The only thing good worth mentioning was the octopus and chickpeas, which was really a delight. The side of potatoes was AWFUL - one of the worst things that I have been served in a restaurant - overpowered by lemon, drowned in oil, not browned - complete mush. The burger was flavorful, but not cooked medium rare as requested, fries were sub-par (oily, mushy, like they had been sitting too long), pork souvlaki was good, chicken souvlaki was pitiful, small, and overcooked. Desserts were not that exciting and way overpriced. All in all - not remarkable. In addition, the drinks service needed some work last night. They conveniently ran out of the delightful lower-priced wine we were enjoying and had no other options in the "not exorbitant" price range. It also took way too long to get drinks and water glasses were rarely refilled. We complained about the things we thought could be improved and the management comped a few things on our bill, which was a good sign. This place is about 15% more expensive than it should be and they are definitely working out some issues. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck. It would be a really cute place to grab a drink and some snacks at the bar - love the look of the place.
(2)Percy K.
Went to Opa on a Monday night and it had just finished raining. Needless to say they weren't very busy. The service was quick, friendly, and informative. The appetizer portions are tapas style and meant to be shared so definitely order a few. We had the following apps: Octopus - Excellent Saganaki - Very good; Fried cheese can't be bad right? Gyros - Good; Only 3 included and we were a party of 4 and after all it's still just a tiny gyro. Keftedes - Excellent The entrees were really great. We shared a special lamb shank dish with orzo and spinach (huge portion) and the house made black pasta with shrimp. Both of these were fantastic and I was surprised by how good the black pasta was. So now there's yet another contender for good Greek food in Philadelphia and a great addition to the midtown area. I am allowed to write in a review of Opa that I still think Kanella is better?
(4)Nick K.
I'm Greek, so when we found a Greek restaurant across the street from our hotel, I couldn't pass it up. Opa is an upscale, trendy place with classic Greek food and American fare with a Mediterranean twist. It's a small space, so expect to wait a bit for a table. When we were there, the front windows were open and there was live music, which made the inside ambiance even better. The decor is very modern with shades of blue, metal, and wood. The coolest feature was in the bathroom- Greeks are known for breaking plates at celebrations, and the bathroom has a mosaic made up of broken plates. My wife had the fluke ceviche, which was very fresh and flavorful, and came with fried pita. It was good without being fishy. My meal was the lamb burger, which was one of the best burgers I've ever had. I'm being partial because growing up Greek, my two favorite dishes that my grandmother made were kefetes, which are zesty Greek meatballs, and Greek Village Salad, which is tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion drowned in olive oil and vinegar. The lamb meat was flavored just like her kefetes mixed with creamy feta cheese, and it was topped with diced tomato, cucumber and red onion flavored just like her Village Salad. Served on a toasted bun, it was my grandmother on a plate. The fries had fresh oregano that was slighted baked to a flaky texture, which made them exceptional. I would definitely try Opa again- it was fun, fresh, and made me miss my grandmother's cooking, which isn't an easy feat.
(4)Lindsay G.
Great place to go for some drinks before heading out for the night! Love the decor and the cocktails are delicious....not sure why more people don't come here. The bartenders are great and make amazing cocktails.... they definitely take care of you!
(4)Jeff F.
Not so much... went there with 3 friends and will not be returning.. food was just ok.. service was fine, however... after spending about $300.00 on our check, the manager came over, asked how everything was, and proceeded to say that we were sitting at our table a bit too long and he needed it for another party, so please pay the check and get out.. (not exactly in those words, but pretty close) We were appalled to say the least.. What happened to customer service??? Oh there was none.. go figure. I will NOT be back..If I want great Greek food, I will head to Zorba's in Fairmount!!
(1)Nate S.
A friend of mine, who's cousins opened this modern Greek restaurant in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, took me here just a few weeks after it opened...and I'm thrilled to see how successful it has become since its opening. I'm not crazy about tapas restaurants, but the food here is truly fantastic...not to mention the wines! Service has always been very good, the waitstaff work well together and have always been professional and friendly. I highly recommend it! They tend to blast the music a little too loud after hours for my personal tastes, but you can't beat the quality of food and service here!
(4)Aleksandra D.
We went to the beer garden and had a great time. The atmosphere is every great, not too crowded, and with good music. I only wish the employees would occasionally come by and wipe down the tables- they were pretty sticky and gross.
(4)Alina R.
Very nice decor, with greek/Mediterranean influences. Comfy and cozy. Waiters are very nice, but a little uncomfortable because I think they are all new. Give them sometime and they will be flying through the restaurant with confidence. Mezedes (appetizers): Zimi: pastries with yummy feta cheese Fried Kalamari: not as oily as most people make it, which was awesome. I loved the fried olives. Zucchini Chips: Perfectly made, with Tzatiki dip. Spread Pikila: Love the Tzatiki and Tirokafteri (little spice), but I didn't really like not understand the hummus taste. I didn't hate it, but certainly didn't love it. Gyros: 3 small little gyros, light, and very satisfying. Pork Souvlaki: I think they would have tasted great if they were not so salty. I gave the server my constructive criticism to mention to the cook in hopes of helping you other souvlaki fans! Large Plates: Pastitsio: Pasta with ground sirloin was phenomenal, soft, and worth trying and coming back for. Rabbit: very nice and tender. Tasted like a home cooked meal. Would probably not oder again. Desert: Loukoumades: when fried dough and nutella are involved I am SOLD. Not a fan of cinnamon and spiced banana, but since it was on the side, the people who do enjoy it can take full advantage! Mythos beer was nice and pretty light. I enjoyed it. Hope this helps!
(4)Steve E.
Trendy restaurant off of the main street. Was somewhat disappointed with the food. Had the souvlaki sampler (pork, chicken and vegetable) and found it to be rather mediocre. The chicken was bland, the pork had too much salt, and the vegetables were just vegetables, nothing special at all.
(2)Robert S.
Nice atmosphere, helpful staff and really tasty food. Spinach & Feta croquettes, Souvlakia, Kalamari and Grass-fed burger with Feta inside are all wonderful. Pita comes with 3 dipping choices: Hummus, Tzatziki and Chili-Feta (the best). Great selection of draft beers. Derrick was an awesome waiter and very tolerant of a demanding friend. I can't wait to go back to this neighborhood gem.
(4)Karol S.
Stumbled upon Opa this evening, and googled it to learn that it has just opened 3 days ago! :D Great menu, good prices, good portions, excellent service, it was a wonderful meal out. Some insights.... The grilled octopus (accompanied with a chick pea salad) was delicious! You really get a taste of the grill, thumbs up, Better than Estia's! I would have liked a tad more though :D The gyros were also great---3 small, perfectly sized gyros of lamb deliciousness! Also had the soup (which was described as containing 'chicken, lemon, and orzo')....It was OK. nothing special though. light and good, but I was expecting some chicken pieces, of which I got none... As entree, I had the rabbit with house-made pasta....DELICIOUS! I had never had rabbit in the form it is served at opa...shredded over pasta in a flavorful sauce/broth. Plentiful on the meat, the pasta was almost a side. Be sure to ask for a spoon so you don't waste any of the sauce/broth! For dessert, had the Loukoumades, fried dough served with melted chocolate and spiced bananas on the side, and drizzled with honey and walnuts. Very good, simple and felt deceivingly light. You get a good portion of fried dough balls so it's a great dessert to share. Finally, be sure to try the Greek coffee. It is individually prepared and served in an espresso-sized cup to be sipped. It is similar to Turkish coffee, but a bit lighter...a nice compliment to any dessert. Not sure how authentically Greek it is, but will definitely go back for more!
(4)Evan O.
I went to Opa for the first time the other night to try out some food from their late night specials menu (M-F 10-11pm, $3 Yuengling on draft, $4 house wines, $5 specialty cocktails, and a few food items including Greek fries). I had the slider and the meatballs, and both were satisfying for the $2/3 price tags, as was the Brooklyn Brewing Brooklyner Weiss (a beer I haven't seen yet on draft). The bartender was very attentive and friendly, as were the other patrons at the bar, who quickly included me in colorful conversation that became the highlight of my night. I will definitely be stopping by again, especially to check out their backyard beer garden which is one of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, according to other reviews.
(3)Nick C.
Came to Opa around 6:30 on a Saturday night. Hostess sat our party of 3 right away. Server Derek was quick to come over and get our drink orders and explain the menu in great detail. Appetizers are designed for sharing. We ordered the spinach croquettes which were good and a plate of pita with different Greek spreads that were excellent Entrees ordered were chicken lemon orzo soup (good not great) chicken over couscous with green beans and sundried tomatoes (very solid cous cous was awesome) and pastitsio (probably murdered the spelling but it was good but heavy and a little greasy) Overall the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. More importantly the food is fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Definitely recommend
(4)JD H.
We were quite disappointed with the quality and style. I think they were trying too hard on trendy Greek food and it just fell flat. The service was ok, however, it's just not worth going here when there are better choices nearby.
(1)Phil G.
Dinner last weekend. Service was friendly but uneven. Two entrees came out a full 10 minutes before remaining two did. Appetizers and entrees were so over salted, they bordered on inedible. My lambchop was fatty and undercooked, and vegetables that accompanied the meat were also so salty! Swordfish was blah. Gave one star for dessert. Baklavah was excellent. wanted to like this place, but won't go back.
(1)Joan R.
I love going to a new restaurant the first week of its opening. I believe that you can get a good sense of how well it will do instantly. My observation is that Opa is here to stay. From the moment we entered we felt welcomed and it was so nice to see the owners greeting guests and telling stories of the items they have selected for the menu. A few of our favorite dishes of the evening included the roasted beet salad which my friend Colleen insists it was one of the best she has had, the Bifteki took the prize as the best burger Keith has had in quite some time and of course the striped bass which I savored every bite of. If you like cheese you have to try the Saganaki which melts in your mouth. The Opa martini was delicious and I believe it will be my favorite drink of the summer. Overall you get the sense of pride and love that was put into Opa. I am excited to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)Izabella J.
My friends and I were brave and patient enough to head downtown Philly on a Saturday night w/o a reservation. After walking around for a while and hearing that the wait is 3hrs, we finally walked in to Opa, where the wait was only 1 hour, but...seating at the bar was open right away. OK then! The bartender Casey made our night. Just let him create and you won't be disappointed. We refused the table and stayed at the bar, cuz it was way more fun. We have orders some food, and yet another score for Opa! Two of are vegetarian. All three of us were able to find plenty of choices. The flavors were amazing! This is my new to go spot for sure!
(5)Mark L.
Was able to get a table on a Saturday night, not common in around that area even for average joints. I had done some work for the owners so was curious to see the whole place in action. Decor turned out stunning. We had $10 wines which were fantastic, could have had a few more $8 wines choices. We had the Octopus with chick peas, 2 items hard to do much with but we loved both. Chick peas were served with a subtle tomato sauce and the octopus was braised in something to give it another layer of flavor. You have to get the humus pita board, comes with 3 dipping sauces, but the humus was all they needed to serve, I am still craving it. We also had the Spinach croquettes which came with a cheese sauce which was superb. My wife, (Vegetarian) had the okra / zucchini dish and gave it a thumbs up. Overall the service was great, and the prices seem on. We didn't even do the bar drinks, will return for that another night.
(5)Reinaldo B.
Highly Recommend, the best Octopus Salad in the City, Better than Estia. Good Prices, Good Menu, Good Portions. The Ambience and Decor were a nice addition to the Good Food. Will definetely go back again
(5)Stephy S.
This is only based on night life. I have been here while going out on weekends. They have a backyard outside area, and the inside restaurant area. It is nice to have both "scene" options. The inside restaurant area has music, but so small and cramped that dancing room is definitely a no-go.
(3)Matt M.
Loved the drinks created by our bartender, Casey O'Neil. The Kedros was a great gin drink with elderflower St. Germaine and the other was a spicy margarita. Very authentic tasting hummus and a nice sausage and lamb flatbread. Superior service and a great atmosphere!
(5)Alexis Y.
Cute, quaint, cozy bar! The cocktail menu is awesome, listed with several delicious drinks. Unfortunately the bartender was extremely rude and temperamental. He gave attitude to two people in my party and told me he could not make me a drink due to the fact he had never heard of it and "he made the whole drink menu himself". He acted more or less like a brat. After this, we moved on to a new spot!
(2)Eoghan J.
The best part of Opa is the bar from 11 onwards when the kitchen closes. The food is not great at all. We decided to do a tapas style and ordered all appetizers to share. Nothing special at all.... very bland. But the place got really buzzing after 11, so a good bar seen
(2)Anna M.
Lunch: My husband and I met here for lunch. It was in the area that we were meeting in so we decided to give it a try. My husband got the lamb gyro and I got the vegetarian seitan gyro. Lunch was cheap, simple, and good. The fries were delicious! The lunch came with a soft drink which we were able to substitute for coffee. There was no crowd and the server was very helpful without over crowding us. We will definitely go back for lunch and will return to try dinner.
(5)Tiffany T.
Nothing special about this place, but not a bad stop for happy hour. Bartender was nice. $2 tiny sliders (pretty yummy nothing special) $3 dogfish head 60 minute IPAs and me and my 1 friend were the only ppl there on a Tuesday afternoon
(3)Bob M.
Pistitio was not good at all. Everything else was really good, but my Greek mother's cooking would demolish this stuff. Just avoid the salty mess that is the pistitio. Hopefully they fix the recipe.
(1)Michael H.
This review is for the backyard "beer garden" if you wanna call it that Place is a great hidden gem in center city. Hesitant to even report how good it is for fear that it will become too well known and crowded. Nothing too swanky but a nice chill place to hang out on a nice night playing pingpong drinking off their decent craft beer list. -Ping Pong table. -They used to have corn-hole, hopefully they will bring that back out at some point. -Good amount of big tables with Jenga floating around a lot of them. -GREAT canned beer selection -Good music, but played at a very low volume and turned off early, assume because of the apartment buildings that overlook the area. -AWESOME female bartender -Heat lamps for cooler nights, prob wont need them once summer kicks in but great for spring and fall.... we've also gone here on mild winter nights as well !
(4)Geoff c.
A bit upscale. Trendy. But a great experience. I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, so all I can really say was that it was good. We orders a round of all the appetizers, like tapas style. The watermelon nectarine salad was great. The zucchini chips were also great. Pita and spread of spreads (see what I did there??) was also great. They keep the hot pita coming. The portions don't quite fill you up, and can be on the pricier side. The place becomes a pretty active bar scene in the late hours on weekends. Live DJ. Dimly lit. Great service.
(4)Sandy C.
Opa is my current fave bar in the city, but I fear I will need to search for a new one soon. (it's getting exceedingly crowded. good for them.) The cute beer garden* out back and the Koukla cocktail are the top draws for me, and the perfect combo for those warm summer nights. Service is efficient. (i.e. good, but not super friendly.) Food is good. (i.e. tasty, Greek-INSPIRED.) *They need to take out the ping pong table and put in additional benches. Provide decks of cards instead! You're welcome.
(4)D D.
I'll be as fair as I can be. My friends and I went to Opa on a Friday at 5pm for the happy hour menu. One of my friends is not an easy-to-deal-with customer. She's demanding and very critical. So I know that overall and all things considered, we weren't the best customers. The place allowed us to have out happy hour outside of its designated area. That was a very good thing from the restaurant since they didn't have to do that for use, particularly since my friend was being obnoxiously demanding. The server was very professional, though she came across a little fake ("It's fun to serve happy hour outside the area." Really?, Fun? Whatever). Anyway, she did put up with my friend and kept her cool, even thought I could feel her aggravation with us. So I believe she was extremely professional dealing with us. I made sure that at least I tipped her well. The main issue was the poor quality and time it took to get the food. The food was insanely overpriced for what we got, one of my fries wasn't cooked, and it took forever to get our food (maybe this is something that restaurants do to 'difficult customers', who knows?). I asked for a Lager beer and I got the dark instead, and they sent one too many of the appetizers we ordered. The drinks were served sporadically, so by the time I got my (actually not-too-cold and wrong kind of) beer, some of my friends were already done with their drinks. The decor of the place is very nice and the atmosphere felt good. But overall, the experience wasn't that great. Not sure I would have had a better experience had my obnoxious friend wasn't with us.
(3)Lora R.
I love coming here for dinner because it's easy to get a table without a reservation (unusual for the 13th Street region) and the food is top notch. Ordered the drink with the tequila/agave nectar and long hots (can't recall the name), and it was delicious (and strong). Shared the sampler platter, which had very good dips and plenty of dipping vessels (veggies, pita, olives). And the waiter gave us a free shot at the end!
(4)Andrew W.
I swung by Opa with a few friends to round out our happy 'hour' last night. I have no idea how the food is (it looked good) or what the interior is like, but I am a big fan of large outdoor patios with ping pong. Seriously, how did I not know this place had a huge deck? I could quibble about the line at the bar (only one bartender at the time) or the drink prices (a smidge pricey) but really, its a huge outdoor patio. Sold.
(4)Nathan H.
**hidden gem in center city** I've been to Opa half a dozen times for after-work happy hours but only recently discovered the bar's back-of-house beer garden. While the front bar caters more to a sit-down restaurant experience, the rear garden has space for games (jenga, corn-hole, etc) and fills up quickly in the evenings (so get there early!)
(4)Becca B.
I have been to Opa many times for drinks and we finally decided to head in for dinner and I have to say the experience was more than disappointing. First the hostess explained to us that although she had tables open "she just could not seat us, like she just could not." That did not really hold a lot of weight but we figured we would eat at the bar. There we proceeded to not be greeted by an extremely unfriendly bartender who tossed the menu at us, ended up bringing us two appetizers that were twice the price of what we had ordered, and served extremely flat draft beer. When asking about the quality of the beer she rolled her eyes and stated "sooooo are you saying you don't want to drink it?" Not exactly the greatest customer service. Overall the food was satisfactory- nothing worth raving about. I felt it was overpriced for the portion size and with the draft beer being flat, the experience was not exactly enticing for a future visit. That being sad the octopus salad was well done ad very delicious. However, I unfortunately don't know if I would even head back for drinks let alone dinner after that experience.
(2)Christine L.
Made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday night thinking that I'd avoid the wait-time hanger (anger induced by hunger)... but even WITH a reservation ended up waiting for a good 50 minutes... Table for two with a reservation-- 50 minute wait? A bit much. The hostess clearly felt bad for the wait and comped our first round of drinks-- but that doesn't really clear up the first bad impression! The food itself was OK-- not bad just wasn't blown away by anything. I did enjoy the veg pasta dish which came out piping hot-- but the ribs and meatballs were underwhelming. Overall, probably not worth the 50 minute wait.
(2)Jon Z.
Went here based on a friend's recommendation. The decor is very nice and the service is fast. Lots of interesting mixed drinks. Octopus appetizer is delicious but portions are way too small! For more than $10 for an appetizer, I would expect that each person at the table of four should get more than a single bite of the meal. I had the rabbit, and the meat was very tender but the flavor was not all there. For some reason, it tasted almost exactly like beef to me. Presentation was well done and the roasted veggies that came with the rabbit was soft and moist. The star of the dinner was the steak, medium rare to perfection, seared just right. The Pita was warm and fresh, however be warned no free refills. In fact, our waitress forgot to tell us that each extra side of pita was $4 until we were on our 3rd pita plate for our hummus platter. Don't give us 3 big portions of dip but then only give 6 small pieces of pita and then charge us extra for extra pita while making it sound free. For better greek food, goto Kanella instead.
(3)Ashish P.
Great for drinks. Terrible for food.
(1)Payal P.
this review is for the "secret" beer garden. it is awesome! it is a hidden gem amidst the city. there is a bar with awesome sangria and other tasty beverages, games and fun chairs to sit on. great place to kick back with friends! i hope it still stays kind of secret though, haha so i won't tell you how to find it ;)
(5)C M.
Most recently visited Opa for lunch but have been to both the beer garden and restaurant multiple times. They have a great lunch special - $10 for 1/2 sandwich and salad/soup. The beet salad was delicious as well as the chicken gyro. Service was a bit slow, especially for lunch on a weekday when people are trying to get in and out. The beer garden is great. Very spacious with a good selection of beers. They have a limited and different food menu at the beer garden (think more bar food) but still tasty nonetheless. I'll be back, but will make sure if its for lunch I have plenty of time.
(4)Brian C.
Opa definitely has a nice, small atmosphere, and I love that there's live music there. The space may be a bit too small for a live band though, as it was difficult to hear and talk to the people we were there with. The rabbit was good, and the noodles springy and chewy. The gyros that I had though were very tiny, and totally did not satisfy me. I did not expect what i got. It seriously looked like a commercial on TV where it was a joke that restaurants serve you little food, or where my hands are too big. The food was decent, but unfortunately the value was not quite there I thought.
(3)Elizabeth M.
I love Opa. I have been there twice and both times have been delicious. I am a vegetarian and was very happy with the selections. I have been with a pregnant woman and a meat lover and we were all in heaven. They had great beer choices as well.
(4)Ray L.
Opa offers a trendy and relaxing place to dine, with great lighting and a cute bar area that sits in the middle of the restaurant. There was even live music the night that I gave this place a try. The food was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. And by pretty good, I mean it's closer to okay than amazing. Anyway, I ordered the braised rabbit which comes with a delectable sauce with olives and capers, mixed in with house-made pasta. The sauce was excellent and the rabbit was cooked perfectly--tender, and the meat itself was not gamey at all. I thought the pasta itself was mediocre--it should have been softer and doughier. I guess not all home-made pastas are created equal. All in all, a pretty good dish but nothing to write home about, especially taking into consideration the portion. Plates here are small folks, so if you're hungry, one plate probably won't fill you up (unless, possibly, if you get their burger?). So that was one disappointing part of the meal--value. Two more minor points. I received my dish first. It was probably 8-10 minutes before the other dishes arrived. So there I sat, with my food, and there my friend sat, without her food, for about 10 minutes. There wasn't even an explanation for the delay. Anyway, that is a restaurant no-no. Of course, mistakes happen in the kitchen, timing's off, etc. But when you don't apologize for it or at least acknowledge it, it seems like you (as a restaurant) don't care or are completely unaware. Perhaps this is a bit harsh, but this is really a pet peeve of mine. (BTW, we sat at the bar, which also provides food service, but I don't think that should be an excuse for bringing plates out 10 minutes apart.) Other minor point is that there was a bone in the rabbit (it's clearly supposed to be a boneless dish). I'm probably just being nitpicky, but these things add up! I could see myself coming here again, but actually, I went to Kanella a few weeks ago, and it had much better fare if you're looking for Greek.
(3)Jay A.
Our first restaurant week stop. The roasted winter squash was to die for. Salmon cooked perfectly. The Greek "donuts" were delicious with a unique spicy banana and Nutella spread. We are coming to back to explore more!!!
(5)Louis R.
Suh...suh...suh...sexaaay spot for a date. Huge windows that retract, decent-sized 360deg bar with svelt bartenders (that look like male models), bamboo decor made to look like half-a-tunnel, smurf-blue ceilings, a large dining area that looks as if you can close the curtain around it, like in an ER or ICU. Whoa. The cucumber-lemon-dill drink was naaahce and refreshing but the orange-mint-vodka drink was too sweet, not tart enough. The bartender told us that OPA means a "joyful emotion" in Greek OR "grandpa" in German. I like the grandpa meaning.
(4)Hudson W.
The food is out of this world. The lamb shank is to die for, and the chicken (which sounds boring) is amazing. Make sure you try their spicy tequila drink - your waiter will know. If he is working, ask for Zack
(5)JB Y.
Alright let me say this, food and atmosphere, aesthetics are pretty solid. Portions left much to be desired. But the serving staff... While they were nice and meant well, it was like the JV squad, they just didn't seem too competent with timing - we waited a long time for one app, then for the food, and then for them go take cards. And place was about 60% full, nowhere near full or over capacity. Waitstaff was just amateurs, hopefully it'll get better.
(2)Laura A.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. We had a 8:00 reservation. We dealt with some of the worst customer service. First the waitors tells us to sit. Then the hostess whom already was Rude tells us to get up because the table is for Someone else. It's now past our time. Then the hostess tells us to sit there now because the party hasn't arrived. Then the arrogant owner comes over and tells us we need to get up. We explained the hostess said to sit here and rather than being professional he replied with attitude "I spoke with the hostess you need to move tables". They need to work on their customer service. I will not be returning.
(1)Teresa K.
I've been here 3 times for lunch so far and I've become a fan. Everything we've had has been good to delicious. I've had wine recommended to me by our server and that has been good as well. Highlights have been the loukoumades, which are greek beignets. They were so good, I think I could live on them. The winter squash soup was excellent as were the flatbreads. Only ok were the veal meatballs and a tomato, olive salad that I had once. The tomatoes were definitely winter tomatoes and I wasn't expecting pits in my olives. Another disappointment was that they don't serve Bloody Marys. I would like to come back for dinner sometime as it seems like they have a much larger menu then. It's never been crowded at lunch time and our service has always been good.
(3)Preety S.
Met a friend here for a pre-theatre dinner around 6pm on a Sunday. It was pretty empty which was a surprise, maybe only 2 or 3 other diners. We ordered olives, feta and lemon chicken skewers for appetizers, salmon and lamb for entrees. We finished off with regular and Greek coffee for dessert. Next time I would get a glass of wine also since they have a full bar. Everything was absolutely delicious and the staff was friendly. A place I would certainly go back to often.
(4)Dominic D.
Mark and I went to Opa for Marks birthday. Our first course we had the grilled octopus and the tomato salad. The octopus dish was very small.... And a little gummy. The tomato salad was great, very fresh and rustic. Our second course was rabbit and the striped bass. The rabbit was horrible. Lots of bones, eggs noodles, and capers. And a long black hai!!! That's all.... I was not impressed. The striped bass was amazing. Very flavorful, fresh, and the spinach was fresh as well. The polenta fingers(as we called them) we more like kids food... For dessert we had Greek coffee and some kind of frappe. The Greek coffee was tasty, the frappe was just like star bucks. All in all the atmosphere was beautiful, the restaurant was busy, but in our opinion the food was sub-par.
(2)L F.
We were an airline crew (3 guys and a gal) who just wanted some good greek food on a Monday night.. It seemed that as soon as we ordered water (no drinks), the server got a little snooty. The food was good although pricey for what we got, but the service was S-L-O-W. For example, four of us originally ordered two of the same salads, and one came 20 minutes before the other. The one bright spot was the bus boy who cleared our plates and seemed more attentive than our server. He was happy to bring us more water. We ended up having to take our bill up to the bar where our server was standing around chit chatting with other staff and seemed annoyed that we were interrupting. By the way, it was about 8:00 p.m. and not crowded.
(2)Bobbi L.
The drinks are interesting & have fresh ingredients like fresh berries. The appetizers are small & overpriced. We ordered the feta & olives. We received a chunk of feta which was probably about 3 oz and exactly 6 olives now for $5 I thought it was ok. However, my friend ordered the grilled octopus & there were small slices arranged artfully on her plate with a large pile of chickpeas for $14, so not worth it. I ordered a flatbread which was actually a pita pizza it was very good, actually it was the best item I ate. I ordered the stuffed pepper & tomato which was stuffed with a meat & rice filling. The filling was uninspired & bland also the skin should have been removed from the tomato. My friend had the halibut which I thought was dry. The drinks are great but I would pass on the food.
(2)Kelly C.
fabulous spot! finally visited this place for lunch and i am ecstatic to share this spot with my friends! they have a holiday special for lunch right now and it is $5.95 for either the chicken gyro or the lamb gyro. I tried the lamb one which also comes with oregano fries on the side. you also have the choice of a salad instead if you don't want fries. and man o man what a steal! the gyro is a decent sized sandwich and it's fresh n nicely cooked! definitely beat the sandwiches on the street! honestly, you can't go wrong with the gyro esp if its $5.95! the oregano fries are very nice as well, i just couldn't taste much oregano in it. looking forward to trying other dishes at this restaurant :)
(4)Big D.
This restaurant literally stole my money. The bill was $54.62. I paid with a hundred dollar bill. I received $45 in change. Where's my ¢38? I felt embarrassed to bring it up. I don't really care about the ¢38, but are they allowed to keep it? I asked one waiter and he said that they do that as a matter of course. If they do this to everyone, how much does that add up to in the course of a week? I certainly will never go there again and am considering filing a complaint with the state Attorney General.
(1)Luke P.
Stopped in tonight for dinner and had two apps: --Braised Octopus --Spinach Croquettes Both were very tasty, and I especially liked the Octopus. It was very tender, having been braised for something like 4 hours, and came served with chickpeas and tomato, cooked together but with the chickpeas still whole (kind of like a compote). The spinach croquettes were good too, lightly fried and served with a nice sauce (feta cheese based, I believe). The menu in general seems to offer a nice variety of items, and things not common on other menus. I want to taste the rabbit main dish when I return, and also the mixed 'offal' appetizer (has liver, intestine, heart, etc...). Service was very attentive and pleasant. I look forward to returning.
(5)Amber E.
This is the third time I have gone to Opa and was still impressed. Not only are the specialty cocktails amazing (Mouro, bourbon and berries) but the food is great as well. Both the individual that I dined with and myself have food allergies, the server was very helpful and recommended what met our dietary needs.
(4)Robin A.
Persistent pita problems. I went here last week with three friends on a Thursday night. We immediately ordered the hummus plate for the table. As soon as it came out, one of my friends asked for more pita since there wasn't much on the plate. The server informed us that 'she always notices when tables need more' but that she would put it in. Okay, 20 minutes later, still no extra pita bread. We were just sitting there staring at the hummus spreads with no way to eat them except straight up with a fork. We asked our server again if we could get more pita bread and she said 'I put it in!' like it was our fault for asking for more. Another 5 minutes went by and we finally asked another server if she could scrounge up some bread for us. We finally got some extra bread about 5 minutes after that (30 minutes total after asking). Seriously? 30 minutes for extra pita? It doesn't need cooked, just sliced! Unless they were harvesting the wheat in the back, this is ridiculous. Our entrees took a very long time to come out - probably 40 minutes after ordering. The food was very good but service here definitely leaves something to be desired.
(2)beata n.
Ambience was very cool but the food just ok.
(3)Ben F.
The layout and design inside are very pleasing to the eye, dare I say cool and our bartender, she was nice. I was with a group of fellow coaches and we sat at the bar. I ordered the calamari (came with some deep friend green greek olives that were AWESOME) and a small plate of pork tacos, kinda slidder style. The slidders themselves were good except 2/3 tacos, the the meat inside was basically gristle, so an F on the taco slidders that night. I would go back if I had to, but was kinda underwhelmed I guess.
(2)Alexa R.
With Center City Sips in full swing (we think, otherwise, the CC interns were out in full force), my party of 4 headed to Opa last night. The hostess could not find our reservation, but remarked she specifically remembered taking it. She nicely sat us at a table and we were so grateful! We started with the spread platter (amazing, but needs more pita), the mini gyros (cute), the octopus (I like Dmitri's better) and the men at our table shared some kind of offal appetizer, which they said was great. I had the chicken, over a bed of couscous, green beans and sundried tomatoes. It was good, (I do wish there was more chicken for the price) but the real star of the show was my cocktail. I had some lemon vodka lavender number. And then had two more....they went down so easily! For two couples to have apps, dinner and drinks, it was 200 bones. A little steep, I think, but we all agreed we loved our meal!
(4)Barbara K.
I was lucky enough to 'win' a chef's tasting dinner for 10 at Opa, which I used last week. I had been told that this was a great restaurant (thanks Hugh E), but now I believe it. Each course was better and better, and the Chef's 'marriage' of traditional Greek food with new tastes was truly exceptional. The staff was great, even tho we had a few picky customers. I cannot rate this high enough to reflect my experience.
(5)Tim P.
I really enjoyed Opa. I think the food is really good quality Greek food. I had the pastitsio and also had the Keftedes. The service was good and great selection of cocktails and also beer. I would suggest the zucchini chips. The restaurant is located in what I am told is called 13th Street Corridor. After dinner there are numerous places to go for a beer and even a gelato stand close by. I would recommend Opa!
(4)Jason L.
Great little trendy place for a drink or two and an appetizer! Try the zucchini chips and mini gyro their amazing!
(3)Brad B.
Randomly went after an event in the city with friends. Food was over cooked and very salty. There is much better Greek in the city! Server never asked how our food was, and when we sent full plates back to the kitchen, she never asked why. Ordered a dirty martini at the bar. The bar tender used his hands to select and skewer olives as well as break up an olive to put in the shaker. I love my martinis - hold the fingers! Overall bad food, bad service. Skip this recent addition to Philadelphia.
(1)Jennifer T.
I strolled into Opa for an after-work drink, forgetting it was the tail end of Sips. We were treated coldly by the hostess (yeah I feel your pain, Sips is annoying to me too) but forged ahead, finding 2 spots at the bar. The bartender was not much nicer, even after we ordered two full priced (read: not cheap) drinks. We wanted some food, but after that whole circus, we decided to leave (also being accosted by two socially awkward guys probably helped with that decision). They're lucky they serve rosé sparkling wine and super tasty pineapple vodka concoctions, or else I'd probably never go back!
(3)Laura S.
I'm a big fan of Greek food and was looking forward to trying the newest addition to Philadelphia's collection of Greek restaurants. My birthday provided the perfect opportunity, so I headed here with a group of 7 friends on a Thursday evening. Last year's birthday dinner at Kanella was a great success, so I was hoping to recreate the experience. Opa was good, but did not meet my expectations. The space is small and was slightly cramped where we were seated, to the side of the bar. The decor is nice and not the classic, traditional Greek look, but still gives off a Mediterranean vibe. Service was pretty inattentive, especially as we were such a large party. It took a long time to get water and order drinks, we had to track down our waitress for refills, and food was slow to come out. The food here would need to be pretty awesome for me to forgive the mediocre service and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food doesn't approach "awesome." Everything we tried was fine, but nothing was particularly exciting or innovative. The table shared several appetizers, and we definitely enjoyed these more than the entrees. The grilled octopus was a highlight and was served with a side of delicious chickpeas. The horiatiki and spinach croquettes were fine - somewhat small portions for the price (4 croquettes, a small salad), and not particularly noteworthy. I enjoyed the dips that came with the spread pikilia, especially the delicious tzatziki, but it came with much too little pita for the dips - and you are charged for extra pita (this is not explicit on the menu, but previous Yelpers had given me a heads-up). I split the Brizola (rib-eye steak) with Lauren H. We ordered it medium rare but were given a fairly well-done steak. It was OK - not particularly well-seasoned. It did come with very yummy vegetables. I don't even remember what the other members of our party ordered, which tells you how memorable everything else was. I love Greek food and had high hopes for Opa, but it's not getting added to my regular rotation. It might be a nice place to stop in for a cocktail at the bar, but there are many better options for Greek food.
(2)Chris P.
Great atmosphere, good food and creative drinks - albeit, the drinks can be on the pricey side... but it's Philadelphia and in an area of the city where things have gotten a bit more pricey. The bartenders have all been very friendly so far and part of the reason I go back.
(3)F. O.
Cool place for lunch. Very reasonably priced entrees
(3)Sam J.
The uzo didnt taste like uzo and the rabbit dish was mediocre. Think I will bypass this one
(3)V C.
I know some people love this place but I don't get the enthusiasm. The food is average. Definitely nothing to get excited about. The service was atrocious last as my friend and I were essentially thrown out while I was still drinking my coffee because they had another reservation. Better plan to eat quick and move on. This isn't the place to catch up with a friend.
(2)Andrea M.
I was excited to try out this Greek spot in the city. Service was friendly and courteous and the ambience is clean and hip. They have a nice cheese board and olives, but I was a little disappointed with the Saganaki. Where was the flair? I think they missed out on an opportunity to have something fun and exciting with this traditional dish. Instead of plopping a plate of melted cheese down on the table, they should set it ablaze to cheers of "opa!" in front of diners. The entrees were good, but nothing spectacular. I might return, but I might not. I think it is best suited to apps and drinks.
(3)Lindsay T.
Just ate here for a nice cozy lunch on a rainy day. I ordered the Chicken Gyro which was DELISH! I seriously was savoring every bite. Flavorful chicken wrapped with a warm, doughy pita - mmmm it hit the spot! I asked the waiter for more tzatziki and to my disappointment when the bill came they charged me $2 for a small side of it. WHACK! At least let a sister know when you ask for some more of something that she will be charged. Regardless, I had a nice, enjoyable lunch and was back in the office before anyone could notice I was gone - double bonus! Can't wait to go back and try more stuff!
(4)Dom R.
Opa which is loosely translated to mean something like Hooray! or Hell yeah! or even Yeehaw! Cool name for a Greek Restaurant. The food is close to making me say it, very close, but not quite. Some of the highlights from the menu for me include the Keftedes (Greek Meatballs), Grilled Octopus with Chickpea fondue and the Pastitsio. These three dishes alone I would come back for. The Pastitsio was awesome and would love to have a big pot of it the next time I get snowed in. The cocktails are creative and delicious. The Loukoumades for dessert were equally as delicious and come with a couple dipping sauces, one banana puree, the other Merenda (which is a Greek Nutella) The Bifteki or Greek Burger didn't do it for me. It came out dry and I don't think Greek Flavors help to deliver a tasty burger. Wasn't a fan. Solid Greek spot with a trendy interior, creative cocktail menu and some standout dishes worth coming back for. I'd give it a quiet opa, no exclamation point.
(3)Kasia H.
Just average.
(3)M P.
Lively bar scene with tasty drinks and decent appetizers. Went here for sips. The calamari was good and included fried olives, which was a nice touch. The fried spinach appetizers were good too, but everything was just a bit too fried. Veal keftedes were bland and came in a tomato sauce that was not unlike something you get out of a can. Nonetheless, great atmosphere and very tasty mixed drinks.
(4)Hamzah K.
A fusion take on Greek cuisine, great ambiance as well. I loved their fried zucchini and the pitas! I can eat those pitas all day with pretty much anything.
(4)Michael L.
A nice atmosphere, with solid vibes. I'd really want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I had a good experience- so I bumped it to a 4. The food, eh? drinks, ok? I just felt that this was just a nice neighborhood hangout, but nothing to rant and rave about.
(4)Emilio M.
This place is bringing sexy to Greek food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and loved the food. we sat at the bar and enjoyed a bunch of appetizers before ordering entrees which were very good as well. i can't wait to go back.
(4)Anthony F.
Nice ambience and really good, but not great food.
(4)Hady Y.
Yummy food, good serves, try it you will love it
(4)Karin R.
More of a bar than a restaurant, but the food is great and so are the drinks.
(3)David S.
Wonderful modern Greek Food.
(4)Andrew M.
1. reservation for 3 made. upon arrival, "sorry we only have 2 menus," it was a sheet of paper. really? couldn't print more? 2. cars exiting parking structure across sansom shine piercing headlights into your face 3. can you say small portions! 4. striped bass was undercooked and when told, "that doesn't look like it's undercooked" 5. should be renamed "Opa Sporting Club" half the clientele came in sweaty in tank-tops and gym shorts. 6. server disappeared to hang out with gym buddies 7. lots of Ikea decor, literally... not that there's anything wrong with that, but not with those prices on the menu please.
(1)Jake M.
Horrrrrible. Ordered food at the bar and it never arrived after 1 hour. They forgot to put the order in and said they would expedite it. After 30 more minutes it never arrived. Had to leave but they were nice enough to not charge for the missing food!!
(1)HD T.
Great food. Small portions, so does get expensive The sparkling vine was flat.. had to send it back all in all great restaurant
(4)Steven K.
At there on valentines day and just now getting around to writing review. Everything about it was great. Small place, so very intimate. Trendy atmosphere. Service was great. the waitress was very helpful and knowleadage, and suggested some good wine and knew about all the good. all the food was excellent, and the service perfectly paced. I had the rabbit stew...first time with rabbit. very nice!
(4)HH V.
We'd had two meals there. Both were great. The apps, entrees, and cocktails are all good. I had the whole fish both times. Really awesome. The environment is really cool and unique. The help is really nice.
(5)Patty G.
My husband and I went to this new spot with another couple last night - one of whom is Greek. The decor is beautiful. Loved the sea-blue ceiling and stonewall bar. The service was friendly and attentive - the staff was eager to answer any questions we had. Bar tab was reasonable, with lots of local beers. On to the food - We ordered far too much, as all small plates are generous and encourage sharing. Spinach croquettes were lightly breaded, creamy and light with a clean spinach flavor. The smoky cheese sauce that went with was perfect. Zucchini chips seem meticulously made, but were ridiculously good. Came with some of the best tzatziki I have ever had - really addictive. Octopus was smoky and butter-soft. Came with a warm chickpea salad that had a smoky note of its own - a nice compliment. Meatballs were moist and flavorful with a hint of mint that was a nice surprise, but the tomato sauce was a little sweet for me. Mini-gyros were adorable with juicy lamb and springy grilled pitas. Calamari was crisp and light, with a generous portion, and a nice surprise of fried peppers and fried stuffed olives, but the harissa aioli left me a little flat - I expected a little more zing from harissa. IMHO they should serve the fried stuffed olives as their own thing. I had the rabbit entree, which was delightful. Tender shredded rabbit with carrots, capers and green olives over wafer-thin home made pasta. A winner! My friends loved their chicken and feta-burger entrees. I was a little surprised there wasn't more lamb on the menu. Maybe as a special down the line... The desserts were all great. Some of the best baklava we'd all ever had, served with a great fig ice cream. The Kormo was a revelation - sort of a less creamy Greek Tiramisu. Biscotti and brandy and chocolate pressed into a loaf. Wow. The Loukoumades were also delightful - puffy fried dumplings with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of walnuts and 2 luscious dipping sauces - banana, and Greek-style "nutella". The prices were more than fair, too. I know that this place will only get better and better, and will definitely land on our regular rotation!
(4)M C.
I went there for the first time. I think they have a nice decor but it is way to dark for a greek style restauran. My buddy and I ordered more than we can handle or more like a unoffical menu tasting. The food in general was alright I mean there was no "wow" factor to it. The gyro platter was my favorite. I mean this is really a normal restaurant that is nothing special. I just want to say I had better small greek food at a mom and pops restaurants. Would I go back? unlikely because there are el vez and sampan beside it.
(3)Chris S.
Excellent! The perfect place to gather with some friends for delicious small plates of grilled octopus (table favorite), spread pikilia, gyros (slider style), the cheese plate, and souvlakia (three ways). Cool atmosphere around a river rock bar with dark stained arching arbor. Excellent selection of craft beers and affordable Greek wines. Back to the octopus: Chef Andy Brown's 3-day labor of love to bring the dish to the table results in a tender, barbecue finish that you have to taste to understand.
(5)Rachel E.
Four of us dined there this evening and I have to say that I've had better greek elsewhere. We tried most of the appetizers and everyone seems to rave about the octopus. I thought it was completely overcooked and chewy. The calamari was tender but way too much breading. The only things that I thought were great were the hummus and the gyros. Everything else was forgettable. We thought the entrees would be better, but again they fell short. The striped bass was completely bland. I could've cooked a better meal. The pastitsio just tasted odd. I've definitely had better at kanella. The one entree that I will say was excellent was the rabbit with homemade pasta. The flavors were spot on. We did let the server know that we didn't enjoy the other entrees. My friend had two bites of the fish and pastitsio so 90% of the food was left on the plate. The manager did come over and apologized. He then said that everyone seems to like the food and that we must be mistaken. He also said we probably have never tried traditional greek food before. I was flabbergasted!! I couldn't believe this guy. I'm in the business and would've never spoken to a guest in the manner that he did. Needless to say they need serious work on seasoning and customer service! I will not be back!
(2)Jennifer R.
Came for dinner recently and had a pretty swell experience. The service was great. Our waiter was really helpful and everything came out pretty quick. The place has a well designed atmosphere with a pretty unique layout. Everything feels very fitting and well done to this place but just a few unsuccessful menu items. I'd say we ordered wrong and should have gone for more of the traditional greek items. We were curious about some of the more adventurous items they had to add some creative twists to mediterranean but a lot of them fell short. I love what they were trying to do, but they can probably narrow the menu to the real star dishes. We were very interested to see how they did gyro with crab and got that. It was unfortunately not very favorful at all besides the spicy sauce and didn't taste fresh. We got a feta spread and added it on top which helped give it some taste. The spread was great. I do think it was an odd garnish choice to put a whole charred green onion on every pita that came out. It presented nicely, but was useless and got in the way. Also should bring more than one pita with a dip (pita was very fresh and delicious though). We tried to the wild boar ragu as well which was very tasty, but the egg noodles it came with were just a solid unflavored hardened block mostly. You can tell they know how to cook red meat so know to go for that more next visit. We were there during sips so our drinks were probably not as good as they usually are. They were loaded with simple syrup so were too sweet and artificial tasting. We tried some of the sips apps as well which were are very tasty. The fries were surprisingly the best of what we got with a unique great seasoning. the stuffed grape leaves weren't the best I've had, but still satisfying. the chicken skewers had a really well developed sauce, but the chicken was pretty undercooked unfortunately. I've seen their other more traditional plates and love everything else about the place, so thats why they're still getting a nice handful of stars. I would just order better than we did. I know not to fully judge the place based on going during sips. I will absolutely still be back at a less busy time and attack that fava bean hummus and octopus instead next time.
(4)Natalie K.
I like this place! It's got a cool bar with seating almost all the way around, which I had the opportunity to sit at once for happy hour and it was great! The happy hour deal was decent also. The specialty cocktail on happy hour was a black currant drink with vodka. I was a fan! I think the food is pretty good here also, although I will say that the portions are a little on the smaller side. I had the spinach croquettes and they are AMAZING. I took the recommendation from other reviewers here on Yelp and they did NOT disappoint with their suggestions. So I'm passing along the message... get the spinach croquettes. When I ate here, we sat at a table by the windows, which they had opened up (we visited during the summer) and it was a really nice setting. We could watch people walk by on Sansom St and there a was a good breeze that day. I've also been here after the kitchen closes for the bar and it was a great setup. They have a DJ playing a good selection of music and the tables become open seating. Overall, it was a fun place for nighttime!
(4)Larry W.
Wow what a difference since the new chef took over. Food is outstanding. Modern yet authentic Greek food. Great cocktails. Homemade pita. Fresh fish dishes. Inventive sauces. Fair prices. Strongly recommend
(5)Sarah P.
I came for a light lunch with my mother and aunt. My mom picked the place and I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I was very surprised that this place is below a 4 rating as I have very high standards for quality and it met my standards. All dishes were fresh, inventive, and presented beautifully. This isn't your classic Greek menu. They offer a lunch special for $14 where you choose half a sandwich and any two items from the salads or souvlakia/plates section. I'll be back.
(4)Sara M.
Went to Friday night happy hour out in the back of the place--haven't been there for awhile so the covered tented areas were a nice upgrade from the last time I was there. Five of us got there before 6 and snagged a place in the corner of the bar to post up, there weren't any tables left. They were out of Brooklyn summer cans (womp womp), but all other beer was in stock and good. Tasted my friends red sangria and was pleasantly surprised. Service was a tad slow but it was busy for the night and they kept tabs on you. Overall a great experience!
(4)Jim L.
Good small plates. Charred eggplant spread, grilled salmon, grilled octopus, fried cheese were favorites.
(4)Rick B.
I can't say it's a coincidence that Opa is right next to Time. Seems like they also caught the sellout vibe, and decide to turn a nice restaurant into a genuine try-hard when the night crowd rolls in. Overly loud music and "menacing" bouncers. I took a few friends from out of town here and watched our wonderful bouncer for the night get into TWO altercations with some patrons. It was beautiful 70-something degree night in late May; c'mon, nobody wants to see that. Oh, and last call apparently only lasts less than two minutes. Almost immediately after our last call, the same bouncer (surprise) decided it was time to kick everyone out. Opa's previous reviews definitely warrant another visit to at least try the food, but in the meantime, I can't ever see going back to enjoy a night out with friends. Ever.
(1)Richard R.
We went to Opa last Sunday night and we had a really nice dinner. Opa is just off the 13th street transformation on Samson. The restaurant is very beautiful inside and does a great take on chic, industrial Greek. On the Sunday night we dined there, the restaurant was not very crowded so the noise level was quiet. We had Grilled Octopus, Beet Salad-Batzarosaláta, Shrimp Pasta-HilopÃtes Me GarÃdes, Gýros-Gýros Arnà and the Whole Fish. The Octopus was very good and came with some vegetables. I think Estia and Barbuzzo do this dish a little better, but it was still quite good and tender. The Beet Salad was very good and large enough to share with 2 people. The Shrimp Pasta was excellent with a very tasty sauce and we also really liked the Lamb Gyro. The meat was tender and it had just the right amount of tzatziki sauce. We ordered the whole fish, which was a grilled Bronzino. This was another excellent dish and the fish was light and moist and had that nice grilled taste. For dessert we had the Baklava with Fig Ice Cream. We were able to share this with 3 people. The prices are fairly reasonable at Opo. Dishes ranged in the $9.00 to $14.00 range for the most part. The Bronzino was $29.00 but that was market price and typical. We really liked our dinner at Opa and our server Jesse was great and also very attentive. We will be back.
(4)Katherine R.
One of the best meals I have had in Philly. Hands down, excellent. We started with the watermelon feta salad, followed by lamb and crab gyros, and finished with homemade baklava. My friends and I were so impressed with the incredible but not overdone flavors with these dishes.
(5)Farha A.
Update! They changed the menus and got rid of the crack fries :( I cannot imagine why they would get rid of the most delicious thing ever. I tried their new battered fries and they did not compare at all to the feta and pepper fries they had on the old menu + they were super pricey! How sad.
(3)Anthony S.
I decided to check out Opa after seeing it on a list of "best places to eat outside in Philly." We didn't actually end up eating outside, but that was alright because the ceilings are painted the same color as old Greek houses and I loved it. The food ranged from okay to fantastic. If I could do it over again, I would skip the melitzanosalta (charred eggplant dip--meh) and get the tirokafteri (feta & pepper dip--so good!). We tried the duck gyro, which was fine but nothing to write home about. The macaronada was good but seemed like it was missing something that could have made it great. But the grilled octopus was delicious--cooked just the right amount, had great flavor and texture. The service could have been better. Our waiter forgot my friend's ginger ale, other times they would take our empty beer glasses but wouldn't ask if we would like another (and yes. yes we would).
(4)Dana S.
Great spot in mid-town. I've only gone for drinks so I cannot speak to the food. There is a great little beer garden out back which is perfect for the weekend afternoon or an after work happy hour. At night they have a good crowd too. Bathrooms are clean and the staff is pretty quick to take care of you. Good place to go out in Philly.
(3)Brian F.
Inconsistent, average, disappointing for Greek food in Center City, but there were some highlights. Let's begin with the good. Pluses The calamari was fried beautifully. It tasted amazing, although a couple of pieces were a little bit chewy. A novice mistake. I very much enjoyed the eggplant dip as part of our three-dips appetizer. But more on that later. Minuses Skimpy portions, high prices. Three small bowl of dips and six or seven pieces of pita for $17?! And $13 for five pieces of calamari? Greek salad. Very underwhelming. A series of chopped vegetables with forgettable dressing. Service. The guy was very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but then petered out. It was especially odd when he dropped the bill. He literally tossed it on the table saying whenever you are ready and breezes away. In short, if you are craving Greek food, go to Effies or Dmitris. Much larger and higher-quality portions. And if you like even more upscale and want to pay a little bit more, go to Estia or Kanella.
(3)Ethan J.
Well we decided against Estia due to our lack of desire to dress up and spend too much, only to find ourselves shelling out serious cash to sit in a bar. The place sells itself as greek tapas...Prepare to spend at least $125 for 2-3 people (we drank water btw). Portions are VERY small. Spanish tapas are on average larger than these plates. The pork souvlaki was a bit tough. Meat plate was very good. Hummus was a 3oz portion spread thin. The beet feta salad left us in regret. It was just beets..and whipped feta. The place was less than busy, yet the wait staff did not hesitate to take away plates with food still on them. As far as authentic flavor is concerned, this place nails it. From the smelts to the tsatziki sauce. The pita and dolmades were homemade but also tiny. Reminded me of a greek version of El Vez. (Mexican place down the street, also specializing in tiny portions and over pricing)
(3)Katie H.
Very delicious Greek tapas. The waiter told us they were trying a new menu. We ordered 9 appetizers for 5 adults. They provide complementary phylo crisps to start. We ordered the spanikopita, tiptop its, fava bean hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, fig barley toast, salad, octopus and chicken skewers. All were delicious! My favourites were the spanikopita, beet salad and octopus. The octopus was beautifully roasted with a nice crispness. Our waiter, Zack, was friendly and attentive to our table. He was always coming by with water to refill our glasses and clear empty plates. Would like to try their happy hour.
(4)John K.
Earlier this year, Opa celebrated it's third year as one of the premier Greek restaurants in the Midtown Village area. That's no small feat considering the normal lifespan of a restaurant in any big city. So in celebration, they offered a $3 menu for a variety of items on their menu. Natch, the GF, a friend, and I had to stop by. Opa offers a sleek, modern space, with a bar at its center. Comfortable seating can be had while you enjoy your meal - no small feat considering many of the restaurants on 13th street cram you in - at least the ones not owned by Stephen Starr. Antho [$3 / $10] Cucumber vodka, lemon, dill We all started our night off with the Antho - what a steal at $3 - so we had a few! The sweet essence of lemonade, refreshing cucumber, and the herbaceous punch from the dill offered a nice counterbalance to any vodka. Greekified Fries [$3] House-cut oregano fries, long hot peppers, onions, cheese sauce The Greek fries were a bit limp, but the toppings were great. Typical of most Greek fries, oregano was speckled throughout and the long hots provided some punch. The fried onions offered some texture, but the real star was that cheese sauce. Almost like a romesco, the sauce was packed with flavor. Spinach Croquettes [$3 / $8] Smoky feta cheese dip The spinach croquettes were crisp on the outside and the inside reminded me of spinach gnocchi in its texture and essence. The smoky feta cheese dip provided a salty counterpoint to each bite. One order wasn't enough to satiate us so of course, we had to get another. Bifteki Sliders [$3] Feta-stuffed local grass fed beef, tomato, onion, cucumber relish The burger was well-seasoned and moist. The relish added some additional texture and Greek flavor to each bite. Keftedes [$3 / $10] Herbed veal meatballs, ouzo-tomato sauce The keftedes were juicy and hearty. You could get the faint hint of licorice from the ouzo within the marinara, but it was not overpowering. Horiatiki Side Salad [$3 / $9] Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, shaved red onions, feta The Greek salad provided all the elements that are typically associated with it - salty Kalamatas and feta, the bite of the red onion, and the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The bonus addition of green peppers added extra crunch to the dish as well. Skewers [$3] Pork tenderloin, lemon-marinated chicken, seasonal vegetables The skewers offered a trio of different tastes. The chicken was well-charred and moist and the veggies had good grill flavor. The pork was decent, but a tad dry. Regardless, we got two orders of these as well. Brussels Sprouts [$9] Braised brussels sprouts, house cured and smoked pork belly, leeks, sweet potatoes, honey Noticing that the regular menu had a dish with pork belly, naturally, I had to get these brussels sprouts. The pork belly wasn't abundant, but crisp and nicely fatty. The brussels sprouts had a subtly sweet glaze, with the leaves crisped slightly. The sweet potatoes were accented by the draping of honey, creating a somewhat sweet dish balanced by the heartiness of the pork. Saganaki [$9] Seared Kaseri, metaxa And if you're at a Greek joint, you know you need to get the Saganaki. Unfortunately here, they don't flambe the kaseri tableside, but regardless, the flavor is all there, along with some grilled pita. The cheese was soaked in Metaxa, a blend of wines including Muscat, rose petals, and Mediterranean herbs, creating a somewhat floral note to each bite. Grilled Octopus [$14] 4 hour braise, smoked chickpeas, red peppers, spinach, potatoes, roasted garlic vinaigrette I was also in the mood for some octopus, so ordered this a la carte as well. It was tender from the braise and meaty, with the garlic vinaigrette being punched up with lemon. The potato salad that accompanied the octopus was reminiscent of others I've had at Greek restaurants. The red peppers, smoked chickpeas, potatoes, and spinach were well-dressed. Baklava [$3 / $8] Layered phyllo, walnuts, honey, fig ice cream And who can say no to some baklava to close out the meal. So essentially, we ordered the entire $3 anniversary menu, and then some. As expected the baklava was sweet, flaky, and crisp, with the pistachio providing texture and nuttiness. The scoop of fig ice cream was a nice touch. I don't know why it's taken us this long to check out Opa, but I'm glad we finally did. Service was exceptional. Philly does Greek cuisine justice in the form of Estia, but Opa does it just as much justice and in an even livelier way. In fact, with the check, the manager stopped by with three shots of ouzo, compliments of the house. Typically an apertif, this was a welcome digestif as well. Opa!
(5)Michael F.
I went last week to celebrate my birthday with a friend. Everything was great: the service, the atmosphere, and the food! Richard our waiter was very nice and personable, which made the experience that much better. My friend and I ordered the hummus and pita. We were surprised at the fresh-baked pita with asparagus on top. The saganaki was delectable; the fig on top was a nice touch. I had the village salad which far exceeded my expectations. While we were eating, the chef came out and introduced himself. He was very nice, too. It was a very nice night. As a vegetarian, it's sometimes difficult to find choices without feeling limited. That wasn't the case at Opa and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Srishti K.
Absurd service. We got here for our 9:00pm reservation. 30 mins later and we're still waiting. I don't care how good the food is. This is ridiculous.
(1)Yoonjung Y.
I am a regular customer here, and the quality of the food explains it all!! I think I've tried "most" of the food here, and I've never had a bad time. Try to come in during weekdays cuz it's always crowded during weekends!
(5)Brandon H.
Loved the tubes as I walked in. Decent food but very small portions. My lamb gyro was two mini cones...I was very hungry and hoping for a phattie gyro instead I was able to eat it in four bites. I'd recommend as a precursor to a meal. Don't go an expect to fill your belly.
(3)Ling L.
This place has an indoor and outdoor seating. A decent selection of beers and mix drinks. You can reserve the outdoor seating for a private party so the 2 times I went was kinda crowded. I didn't notice the food menu or I was never given one. I would just come here for a drink or a place to hang out after a meal
(4)Don W.
Bottom line: Awesome food and service. So my wife and I were going to be on a business trip in Philadelphia on Valentine's Day, which happened to be on a Saturday this year, and we decided to make reservations early. I checked the menu and made reservations at Opa as soon as I could. I was disappointed by the fact that only a fraction of the menu was available and instead, they were pushing a more expensive multi-course menu. That is the end of my complaining. We found plenty to eat on the more limited menu and since we had a big lunch earlier, we had no interest in the bigger menu. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent. The service was excellent. I think you understand where I'm going with this. We didn't have to wait to be seated and our waiter Zach was probably the best server we had on our trip. As for ambiance, it was a bit louder than I'd like and too dark to read the menu, but don't let this stop you from going because whatever you order will be delicious. Go, eat, enjoy, and save room for the baklava. And then when you're finished, go next door to Time for some absinthe. :)
(4)Paul K.
Beneath the formulaic "trendy, upscale, hip" decor beats the heart of a real Greek kitchen and I am a big fan of Greek food. And my main complaint re Greek restaurants is that the menu/vibe tends to be a bit dowdy but here the food has been updated for the 21st century while respecting its roots. I could sit at the bar and drink wheat beer and dip smelts into tzaziki all day.
(4)Nicole D.
I loved the food here! Pita and hummus was amazing and my meal was great too. It was a squash dish, it didn't seem particularly Mediterranean but it was delicious. Service was also really good. Ambiance is okay. It was a little bit dark for me, and the tables are close together. A guy at a neighboring table scooted his chair back to stand up and knocked a drink out of our server's hand. It wasn't anyone's fault but just a product of tight quarters. This was my only complaint! Would definitely come back.
(4)Jessica K.
This was my third time at Opa and I've enjoyed it each time. This bar is easy to miss with so many other restaurants within a stone's throw away, but it's solid little spot with really good food and a variety of drinks to suit any palette. They have an outdoor bar in the back which is really cool with table games and heating for cooler nights. But it's usually much too crowded for my comfort. For Sips we chose to sit out on the sidewalk and we were permitted but only with a food purchase. That was okay, since we planned on trying some of the $5 offerings anyway. The grape leaves were fantastic and the drinks were incredibly delicious.
(4)Aditi M.
Happy Chic ambience with a ping ping table at the back porch in summer .. Love the collection of different kinds of hummus at this place .. It is amusing to also watch the bartender make the drinks :)
(4)Renton R.
Last night, the wife, my brother, sister-inlaw and myself ventured out on a double date for Valentines Day to OPA. I made reservations the night before and they were very accomadating by changing our reservation from 2 people to 4 people on Valentines day. We were treated to the Valentines menu, whih consisted of some great choices. The ambience was great with contempory decor and candle lit tables. We started off with some drinks, we tried the "kafteros" which consisted of tequila, long hots, yes....long hots and agave nectar. We also tried the XINOULI - greek style margarita. Both drinks were great, they packed a punch, especially the Kafteros which was spicy...just how i like it. We decided to mix and match our choices off the 4 course menu, so we could all try some of each of the items they had on the menu. For starters we had the following: I will rate them out of 10 STRAWBERRY AND FETA SALAD (7) BEET SALAD (9) ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP (8) 2nd Course: PAN FRIED OYSTERS (10) MUSSELS (9) YOGURT BASED FLATBREAD (6) GRILLED OCTOPUS (10) 3rd Course: BEEF TENDERLOIN (8) SEARED SCALLOPS (9) LAMB CHOPS (9) CHICKEN (6) Dessert: CHOCOLATE LOUKOUMADES (6) BAKLAVA (7) Overall, this place was great, the only reason I would give it a 4 out of 5 was I would reccomend, that the waiter would be more versed in the preparation and content of each dish, and the wait time for each course was a little longer then expected. But, we had an amazing time and will definately be back.
(4)Joseph B.
While our meal was good I have to give Opa a very poor review because of their door security staff. At the end of our meal ,we went out to smoke and the security wouldn't let us back in despite us saying we had just eaten a meal. We should have just left but didn't want to leave our friends inside and stiff the waiter. The manager, unfortunately, didn't seem to understand why we were upset and didn't do anything at first to rectify the situation. Bottom line -- avoid this restaurant because they don't understand how to take care of their customers.
(1)Joseph V.
Went for lunch. Zucchini was really greasy. Steak was good. Lamb was dry. Service was fine, very attentive, but I've had much better Greek, and there's tons of choices in that area for good food.
(2)Michael M.
Modern bar. I came here for happy hour with some work colleagues and was pleased with the drink prices. I had the Every Day IP. Overall pleased.
(4)Michael G.
DISASTER OF A RESTAURANT!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME... We had an 8:15 reservation for 2 people. We got there at 8:19. We were rudely told that we could either eat outside (95 degrees out) or wait about 20 minutes for a table. We decided to wait at the bar. We stood at the bar for about 5 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. After noticing that there were at least 4 open tables that could accommodate us, I walked back to the hostess to ask if there was some confusion. We were told that they were expecting a large party at 9:00 (45 minutes after our reservation time) and that they were holding the tables in that section for them. What made less sense was that there were tables in other sections also available. We were obviously not happy and were looking for another restaurant on Open Table when one of the hostesses walked by and said "we'll seat you". Not only did she not stop or bother to address us, she was clearly annoyed. We were very uncomfortable and felt like an inconvenience at this point. Had she stopped we would have told her that we were leaving. Instead we told the other incredibly rude hostess that we didn't like the way we were treated and were going to eat elsewhere. This situation could have been handled many different ways. Had someone explained what was going on or treated us somewhat politely all would have been fine. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the food (I'm sure it's wonderful), but I didn't get that far. I didn't make it past the incompetent staff. There are so many other place to eat, that it's not necessary to go somewhere that you don't feel welcomed. Don't waste your time!
(1)Andrea A.
Went on Friday night and had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. We were totally blown away! Each course was multiple plates and included a salad, cheese plate, asparagus toast, crabcake gyro, clam pasta, roasted chicken, swordfish slouvakia, and a platter of delicious desserts! The wine pairings went really well with each course, although the dessert wine was too sweet for me. Great food and the tasting is totally worth the money!
(5)Charlotte H.
Great ambiance, and food exceeded my expectations. We were waiting for another reservation and decided to just eat here. Gyro was awesome and fries were super! Standout service by Jesse!
(4)Charry L.
Our initial plan was to try the pizza place next door but their wait was so long. So we found Opa by coincidence but really enjoyed their food and their atmosphere. There is a square bar area in the middle of the restaurant. and then there are more private tables at the back of the restaurant. The food was delicious - surprisingly. We ordered the cheese platter, greek salad, and a pasta (can't remember the name). Heads up, the portions are really small. I think the pricing is more on the high side considering their portions. From 10 p.m. they make it like a club setting - really loud music! - We couldn't talk / hear ourselves so we left. Would definitely visit again with a group of friends to share multiple dishes (like tapas style)
(5)Jes F.
Loved the food. Didn't realize this place had good food because I always thought of it as a bar. Was pretty empty around dinner time even on a Friday. Enjoyable, quick and delicious food.
(5)Alisa R.
Who knew Opa had an outdoor beer garden!? It was fun and well organized. Too bad the beer selection was low and there were no pitchers.. Otherwise, great vibe!
(4)Pete S.
The food was excellent , waitress was never all there. It took her the whole night to warm up and was still dry. A little on the expensive side for the portion size. Once again food is very good.
(3)Sophia J.
I like opa a lot and I love their drink they change their new menu I think I like their old menu better though but in all it's still really good food service is really good everyone is friendly and you get serve right away if I had it my way I definitely want the old menu back definitely come back for drinks
(5)Sam R.
I stopped into Opa earlier tonight with a friend. I love Mediterranean food and figured this place would satisfy a craving or two that I have had recently. When I first walked in I noticed that Opa was literally packed with people. The bar is at the center of the restaurant and there were people swarmed all around the bar. We were able to get a table for two in the back of the restaurant. The seating is comfortable they have light blue colored couches that line the back of the restaurant and wooden tables. We ordered the lamb keftedes, mussels, eggplant with pita bread and veggies and the watermelon & feta salad. Lamb keftedes were just three small lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce. I wasn't too crazy about these. I was expecting more Greek spices instead of a tomato sauce The mussels came in a broth and they were just ok. Not much for me to go home and yelp about...No pun intended. The eggplant was like a ghanoush dish and we ordered an assortment of veggies. It came with cucumber, olives, green peppers and pita bread. This was my favorite dish out of everything I tried. I probably should have ordered two of these. The only thing missing from this dish is a little bit of olive oil that could have been added at the top of the dish. The watermelon and feta salad was ordered without the cheese. There weren't that many onions at all in this dish or plums. It was a lot of watermelon more than anything else. We skipped dessert and headed out. This place is okay. I was expecting a lot more authentic Greek food unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly nice and great customer service here. I just wish they would spice up the menu a bit more....
(3)Marie J.
Great restaurant. The menu was in transition from winter to spring/summer, so the chef came out and talked us through the changes and recommended certain dishes. Our waiter was knowledgable and friendly. We sat by the open air windows on a warm spring day, so it felt like outdoor dining without the city strollers bumping into your tables and sneezing on your dishes :) We had beet salad, lamb/lemon soup, and gyros- all really good. Will definitely come back again.
(4)Mark K.
Food was below expectations. Lamb was tough and flavorless, chicken was mushy. Fries were good, but nothing extraordinary. Five on my ten scale. Service was very good.
(2)Andrew B.
Coulda been cool. No specials and bad bartenders out back at drury. I'd give it another shot tho
(2)H Y.
The honey glazed pork ribs sitting on oranges and potatoes were fantastic. I forget the name of my dessert but it was also good. The decor is unique, inviting, and beautiful. Opa's service was a bit slow but otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I will return.
(4)Alyssa R.
Having been to Opa and the Opa garden (mostly the garden) many times for drinks I finally stopped in for dinner with a friend. We ordered the hummus and baba dips. They were both wonderful. And we were provided ample pita, we even asked for a few more and were provided. We split the Greek pasta and grilled octopus. Both were delicious! The pasta was very different and was almost chopped, with feta. I would order both again. We also both ordered different cocktails (cant remember which ones but both involved tequila). It was a great meal. I will go back.
(4)Aria S.
I came here Friday night and had a lot of fun! It is a restaurant-come-bar at night. But you wouldn't really be able to tell that it was a classy restaurant late at night. Music was top 40's stuff with a DJ. Seating if you're tired! No room for dancing..which is off since they play dance-able music. Bathrooms get decent sized lines since there are only two stalls. The place was a good amount of packed. People mostly in their mid-20's, attractive crowd ;)
(4)Rob P.
The food was great 1 to 10 it was 12. The sea bass was not over cook or under cook and the waiter Zach knows his stuff he will ask u what do u want to eat and he know what drink will go great with that meal. I will be going back shortly.
(5)Ck P.
This is right in the middle of 'Midtown Village' and close to the Convention Center, the Marriott and Lowes hotels. It has a very active bar scene after work, but we went for dinner. Everything is shareable and good. - The Greek salad was a good size and a good start - Always LOVE the Saganáki! (and they give you a generous portion with pita...) - The Fried Zucchini (Patatákia Kolokithioú) is a visual treat and is served with Tzatziki. Yum! - Next, we had the slow braised lamb (Arnà Stámnas) and it was also delicious. - Of course, we finished our meal with a Baklava, again great. Food and service were fine (even for a crowded Friday night) Music was loud, but most of the patrons are 20's and 30's, so............. Great dining experience for us!
(4)Ron H.
A modern looking, trendy bar with a casual atmosphere. The bar is a chill place to grab a drink and a small snack but I don't think I would make this a dinner destination place. If you're in the neighborhood doing a small bar tour, it is worthwhile to stop in and grab something quick. The Mini gyro sampler was worth the trip in. The Ribs are ok, but aren't going to be satisfying if you're in the mood for ribs or are a big meat lover. Personally like the Tria drink, order it with extra whiskey bitters.
(4)Renea R.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have only been to Opa's outdoor beer garden so I'm not sure what it is like inside. My friends and I had been at Happy Hour at Bru but we decided we wanted to grab some drinks before we went out dancing and Opa's happened to be right across the street and we were happy to be able to sit outside. My experience is mostly summed up by my friend leaning over to me numerous times and saying, "isn't everyone here kind of a...d**chebag?" Perhaps those words were a little strong due to the alcohol in her system, but I had to agree that it just wasn't my scene. A lot of preppy guys in khaki shorts and checkered shirts and girls in barely-there dresses. I don't like to judge, but it just sort of carried a bad vibe. Add to this the fact that drinks were way too expensive. The only redeeming quality is the fact that you can sit outside and there isn't a cover. They also have games like Jenga and Connect Four for you to play which is kind of cool. Other than that I just wasn't feeling it.
(2)Sarah B.
I've only had drinks at Opa so if you're looking for a food review, go ahead and skip this one! But if you're looking for a cocktail recommendation or two, then read on, Yelper! Two of my favorite cocktails in the city are at Opa, and at $9-10 each, I usually have to be in a "Treat Yo'self" mood to stop here for drinks, but I've never left disappointed. If you're looking for a crisp, summery drink, look no further than the Antho ($10). This a cucumber vodka drink and it's amazing! I also really like the Koukla ($9) - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender! The addition of lavender might sound a little strange (it did to me, at first) but I promise, it's delicious.
(4)Bert B.
My wife and I like Greek food but had never tried this place. We were very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, the service was great, and the food was fantastic. We got the lemon hummus, the grilled octopus salad, a Greek spicy pasta with shrimp, and a lamb & beef dish, and the baklava with fig ice cream- all very tasty. We will definitely be back.
(5)Robert M.
Went for a drink and had a altercation with a bouncer over mistaken identity. They took me out back and hit me with a baton several times and made my girlfriend cry. This is what you get when you hire uneducated thugs! The food was ok.
(1)Claire L.
The food and service are really good here. Happy hour is ok though... Would be nice if happy hour extended to tables or at least the back area. The skewers we had were good, not the best. Could have used a sauce on them. Definitely recommend as overall a great experience.
(4)Eric R.
I went for dinner once, ordered a couple appetizers. They were not memorable at all. Besides that, I have had several excellent experiences at Opa by doing the following: Stop in here with a group of 2-4, before or after a meal, and walk STRAIGHT to the back. Out back you'll find a well-decorated beer-garden with craft beers, games like Connect Four and Jenga, and a ping pong table. Crowd is mostly preppy - friendly, relatively sober, and pleasing to look at. I haven't found a more relaxing happy hour in the city yet.
(4)Leann F.
They changed their menu yesterday and got rid of all of their good food. I don't know why they changed everything as their menu before was okay. I used to get an appetizer sampler plate with olives, feta, hummus and pita but they don't offer that anymore. When I asked if they could whip something comparable up, considering they still had the same ingredients, they told me it was not possible. They simply refused to make me a plate of feta, olives, and pita. After having to ask 3 times they then gave me a side of feta that tasted like goat cheese (which I hate). Apparently they are changing to a more "tapas style" cuisine and recommend 3-5 dishes per person at around $7 a piece. It's insane. The portions are so small and so bland and tasteless. Plus, there are hardly any options for vegetarians. In all honesty, I will not come here again. If you're reading this, Opa, please go back to the old menu. Your restaurant will surely close down soon if you do not.
(1)Charlotte E.
The service (we had Richard) and the meal were fantastic. The mixed meat plate is an absolute must and can definitely be shared among 2-3 people. We also had the stuffed grape leaves, which were out of this world. GET HERE.
(5)Sean E.
Came here for Greek Independence Day for the tasting menu and it was delicious. Nice atmosphere and some really great wines.
(4)Ellis S.
Thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Everything was tasteful, well-seasoned and artfully presented. Waitstaff patiently reviewed menu, answered questions cheerfully. Precisel what I expect when dining-out.
(5)Perry H.
Decided to stop by for a couple drinks...the drinks were going great until I saw the mouse running around the restaurant. I alerted the bartender who shrugged and commented "well, you're always going to have one running around." Really?! Cuz I go to a lot of bars and restaurants and I've never seen a mouse running around....done with this place.
(1)Jenny S.
a review JUST for cocktails at the bar!!! we decided the modern bar at this restaurant was the perfect destination as we waited for at table at Barbuzzo around the corner ---Xinouli: a Greek style margarita, YUM.. so refreshing.. i love all drinks similar to margaritas ---Mouro: again the boyfriend loves that bourbon but i am not a fan people across the bar were ordering tapas which looked like they'd pair nicely with some more cocktails, but sadly we could not stay!
(4)Tiya B.
The waitstaff need to seriously get it together. When I walked in the restaurant, no one greeted me. I stood there for a good five minutes getting completely ignored, and there was hardly any customers. I had to ask whether I needed to seat myself before anyone even acknowledged my presence. The hostess/waitress acted like she was super annoyed. The food wasn't even anything to rave about. Definitely will not be back here.
(1)Selma C.
Cute place for a nice casual dinner. I came here with friends from out of country. The pork ribs were delicious and the service was really nice with Jessie. Good to have a conversation without the really loud noise.
(3)Allison B.
I had an awesome lunch at Opa this afternoon with Michelle C. It was very different than the experience I had working the door at July's YEE! The atmosphere at Opa is light, airy and welcoming. I dig the giant half-moon bar in the middle of the room, and the green and blue hues on the walls. Very calming, very "nature," very "exotic island in the Mediterranean." Michelle and I split the trio of spreads to start. I loved every single one. The hummus was unique in flavor and texture, the tzatziki was thick and creamy, and the htipiti (roasted red pepper and feta) had just enough bite. I personally thought the dip/pita ratio was just fine. Other Yelpers do not seem to agree, but hey, everyone dips differently. There were also olives, green peppers and raw zucchini (puzzled about this one) on the plate. I had the roasted beet salad for my entree, which was light, colorful and well-dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. I was surprised to see goat cheese on the menu in a Greek restaurant for some reason, but hey, no complaints. The prices were great, as was the service. I'd gladly take a friend here for lunch!
(4)Louis D.
First off, this is for Opa, not the drury beer garden out back, which is a GREAT place to hang out. I've been here for both drinks and dinner a couple of times. First off, for drinks, it gets a big crowd (mostly I think it's people who don't want to stand in line for Time) but it's really not built for lots of people standing around and milling. The bar is too big, the table placement is awkward, the room is small. For being a pretty tiny place though, the drink/beer selection is surprisingly decent. As for food, I was kind of disappointed. The chorizo flatbread was pretty good, nothing spectacular, but give it points for being creative. That was the highlight. Lower-lights were the grilled octopus and calamari. The octopus itself was alright, but there were only like 7 pieces on the plate. The rest of the space was taken up by "chickpea fondue" which as far as I can tell was boiled chickpeas with a little Mediterranean spice. More octopus, less "fondue." As for the calamari, it was fried to the max, losing all the squid flavor, and soggy. At least there were more than 7 pieces though. We were comped a couple of drinks for slow service which really wasn't all that slow, so points for being attentive to us. Overall, it's not a bad spot to meet friends and move on, but there's nothing special about it.
(3)Clayton L.
Restaurant Week: Lunch Monday Afternoon When Christine B. informed me about this Greek gem hidden on Sansom, I was very interested in trying it out. Their restaurant week menu looked fantastic, so my expectations were pretty high. There were 3 other people partaking in lunch that afternoon: not very crowded for how tasty I felt their food was. Our waitress was very attentive: she refilled my water without asking (my litmus test for tip amount) and made sure to note my anti-climactic tree nut allergy. The spinach soup was quite good: creamy with just a little spice. The menu originally had a beet salad, but that was replaced with a Greek salad...I think this was for the best. It was a legit Greek salad: tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onions, cucumbers...NO lettuce, which earns big points with me. The gyro was quite good: made with actual lamb, not the beef-lamb mixture that gets shaved off of a rotating spit. The chicken was also good: seasoned appropriately, with a delicious, light orzo pasta salad on the side. The fried dough dessert came with very tasty banana and chocolate/hazelnut dipping sauces. Overall: I was quite impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere. I would happily go back to enjoy a non-restaurant week dinner and the beer garden (when the weather gets better).
(4)David A.
I did not eat much, but what I had was plan old ordinary. Started with the chilled cucumber soup. Bland, watery and boring. Next had the assorted dips with pita and raw veggies (zuchini and red peppers). Hummus and tzitiki were ok, other dip with feta was a bit too rich. Grilled pita slices had good portion but average bread. Wait service nice but not overly working it. Much prefer Dmitri's, Kanella and Zahav.
(2)Yohana P.
I was having dinner with two friends on Wednesday nite at Opa and that was my first time experience for us. The food was decent and service was great. After we finished dinner, we also ordered take out. Once we got the bill, I thought it was a bit pricey. It turned out that 20% gratuity was added to the bill. I thought it was both surprising and UNFAIR to add gratuity for a group of three. After all, i work in the restaurant industry so im sure to tip at least 20%.
(3)Walter K.
Nice little bar. Great happy hour too, a few $3 drafts, $1 skewers, $2 sliders, $4 wine, and the most delicious french fries.
(3)Michael C.
Good Greek food with a very helpful staff. Great decor and bar scene. Try the lamb stew with gnocchi and the flatbread!
(4)Chirag P.
Came by this place as we were looking for a place to drink and I saw what looked like a beer garden so we took a chance and were very pleased. Lots craft beers to choose from and there's Jenga at all the tables... This makes for a great night. If you're looking for mixed drinks do not go to the bar at the beer garden... When coke and sprite mixers are being served out of buckets... You know that's when you head inside to grab a drink. They have some Pre-mixed drinks but they're terrible so avoid them. It dies take a while to get a drink bc it's packed and maybe two people working behind the tiny bar... But in the end it's a fun outdoor bar. Had no food so can't tell you anything about that.
(4)Jemma C.
The frat house/ college campus bar/ canteen moonlighting as a restaurant. Awful food, drinks in plastic cups, incompetent staff, odd smell.... To be avoided.
(1)Nicole W.
This place is fantastic! Seeing as I spent 4 months in Greece, I have high expectations of any place that promotes authentic Greek food, and I was not disappointed. For starters I had the Retsina, which immediately took me right back to my first glass in Athens. Not many can stand Retsina, as it has a very distinct taste, but for $8.5, I will definitely be coming back! My friend and I then had Saganaki for the appetizer. It resembled the saganaki my friend had made in our apartment one drunken night, but it tasted way better. Delicious but not that aesthetically pleasing. For the main course we decided to share the lamb. We definitely weren't expecting to be such a large serving. The bone was huge! The food was scrumptious. I felt like I was eating at a Taverna in Greece. So so so good! The lamb came with spinach and orzo. A fantastic overall combination. We were so stuffed trying to eat it all, but we just had to get dessert. For dessert we had the loukoumades and the ice cream. It was definitely the perfect way to polish off a meal. Perfect blend of sweet and salty. All and all, we each paid $40 for all of that, which was a good deal to me. The decor is reminiscent of the Greek islands, with the whites and blues. I loved the cutout for the lanterns. And the Greek music was a nice touch. This place is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and I have already told my friends that I will be bringing them back. I'm hoping that they'll have this place open late at night during the spring and summer. I'd love a place to hang out that reminds me of the bars/lounges of Gazi.
(5)Mark D.
Waitstaff were friendly I'll give them that. My food arrived just at luke warm and very under seasoned. I sent it back and just opted to have dessert... Another disappointment ... The pear ice cream was poorly executed
(1)Anat S.
I've been to Opa a bunch of times, but mostly for happy hour. Seriously, try their happy hour. It's so very worth it. I like their tapas, but they're mostly hit or miss. Their drinks are great, but I really wish they would try to be more consistent with their food. It might explain why their restaurant is deserted on a Friday night after happy hour is over. Definitely a drink and happy hour spot, not really a dinner place.
(4)Nico L.
Double charged drinks. Cash and card. Not coming back
(3)Christine B.
I can only comment on the drinks and atmosphere, but this seems like a pretty nice place. Armed with a card for two free drinks from Hop Sing Laundromat, I made it here with some friends after the night market. The only drink we could get was a cucumber vodka concoction with lemon and dill. I probably wouldn't normally order this drink, but we were all surprised by how good it was. The bartender knocked over a glass of water on my friend, and he immediately offered him a drink on the house. He went with a bourbon berry cocktail that he said was also good. They had a DJ, which was nice but kind of surprising for a Thursday night. I really like the decorating of the interior, although it's a really small place. It might be really packed on weekends.
(4)Matt K.
The main reason I am giving 3 stars is that this restaurant has no soul, really. Everything is efficient and the dishes are good, but the food does not reflect a chef's inspiration. This is a business, mostly. You can find better and more authentic Greek food elsewhere in Philly, such as Kanella. And the portions there are bigger and less expensive. This place seems to be catering to a young hip crowd that wants a few cocktails then a casual, Greek-inspired meal. The bar is large, almost larger than the rest of the restaurant. We decided to challenge them on their freshness and quality. The best way to do that is to order a whole fish. It was nicely cooked, but not as fresh as it could have been. The horiatiki was passable, the various dips including tsatsiki were average. It wasn't bad here, just not memorable.
(3)Elizabeth D.
I've only been to the bar for drinks, but left with a good feeling about Opa. The interior is absolutely stunning - very sleek - and the installation above the bar is really cool! The specialty cocktails run about $10-$12. The Koukla was my favorite - with pineapple infused vodka. Draft beers are decently priced. With a recommendation of the bartender I did try the Greek white wine. I was hesitant because I had heard negative things, but I really enjoyed her recommendation (the Foloi if you're interested). By the way, the bartender will give you a taste if you're concerned you won't like the wine.
(4)Vivian T.
The ambience/decor and bar is really modern and classy. Nice place to get a drink. It was not too loud so was good for conversations . We ordered the octopus, different spreads as the small plates and the stuff pepper entree. The food was just ok, average greek food. It was good but not amazing. There is also a cute back patio but you can't get the full menu there. Would probably just come for drinks next time and not dinner.
(3)Emily W.
We came here for sips because they had a more interesting variety of drinks and food than other places. I got the wine but should've ordered their pineapple cocktail like my friend. It was fruity but not too sweet- a potent combo that was downed waaay too quickly. We stayed for dinner and ended up ordering the trio of spreads. So delicious. I was skeptical because all of them seemed a little on the runnier side when they came to the table, but they ended up being just right. The hummus was smokey from all of the cumin, the yogurt dip was refreshing and not too acidic, and the feta and red pepper spread- WOW. I can think of so many things I would want to spread that on. They skimped on the pita, but the raw veggies were a nice touch. I was surprised by how much I liked the raw zucchini. I got the feta-stuffed burger after hearing about how amazing it was but was disappointed. My bun was stale and too big for the patty, and the relish was an after-thought. That relish really had potential to brighten up the meat patty. But the worst part was that I couldn't find the feta. I bit into the burger expecting to see -and taste- chunks of feta. But nope. It was no where to be found, no where to be tasted. Now that I think about it, they really should just top every burger with their red pepper and feta dip. Now I would go back for that.
(3)Andrew K.
I've been here several times for apps/drinks and always enjoy myself. Very cool/chill atmosphere with a very mediterranean/greek feel to it. After about 10PM it changes into more of a bar. Loud music and tends to get crowded. Drinks are delicious and strong, but expensive ($10 - 12/drinks, $8ish for beers). I recommend the hummus plate app. no complaints from me about coming in for drinks. i look forward to checking out their dinner menu.
(3)steve e.
hope to see you saturday night before all the sharp loking youngsters ge there
(4)C R.
Review for dinner on a Saturday night: I really liked the food here. We ordered all the appetizers. Pretty much everything was good (to me), except the beets and those brussel sprouts things. Especially good were the fried zucchini chips and mussels. Service was great and the continuous supply of pita was awesome. Would definitely recommend. However, our decision to get all the appetizers was quite expensive, but it was worth the try. I do wish they had bigger portions, but oh well.
(4)Faye F.
Came here last weekend with friends for a night out and really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere with good music and drinks. Finally a little dancing (does no one really dance in Philly?!)! Would have loved to have tried their food here but we were only visiting for the weekend :( definitely check this place out if you want a night out :)
(4)Gopal M.
Had the Rabbit pasta. It was bits of tasty rabbit meat mixes with creamy boring pasta. Who mixes Rabbit and Pasta? good ambiance. Can get crowded very fast
(3)Jessica S.
Review for Happy Hour @ Opa - Every month about 6 of the Gals from college get together. We are probably gonna drink wine, and order appetizers. Opa scored high for friendly attentive bartender, decent house wine, and tasty bar treats. The prices were also very reasonable. It was a slow night there, which we like. If you are looking for a scene... go somewhere else. I would recommend the 5 - 7 Happy hour at Opa.
(4)Brent K.
First time there.... and it will definitely NOT be my last. We took advantage of the restaurant week tasting menu which is always fun. We started off with some saganaki and mussels. The saganaki is a fried cheese that is very similar to haloumi. It was fantastic! The mussels were good, not great. If mussels is what you're craving, you're better off going to Monk's Cafe. The next round was horiatiki and pork ribs. The horiatiki is a vegetable appetizer that has red onions, tomoatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers, and feta. It is a lighter snack and was very fresh tasting. The pork ribs were good, but I don't think I would order them at Opa again. It's more of a preference thing; there are plenty of other delicious things that I'd rather have. We had swordfish and the bifteki burger as our main courses. The swordfish was yummy although my lady thought it was too fishy... I enjoyed anyway. The bifteki burger was damn good!!! The accompanying fries were seasoned and hand-cut. Although not everything we ate was SUPER good, the service and cleanliness of the restaurant gives Opa a well-earned 4 stars. They also have a new beer garden out back which I haven't been to but have heard good things about.
(4)Shannon P.
I was hoping that when I walked in the door it'd be just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Joey Fatone was going to give me a shot of Ouzo while yelling...wait for it...OPA! It's a little more chill than that. The restaurant is deceivingly small but we didn't feel cramped sitting at the white mod style bar. We arrived for a late night Friday dinner just before my boo turned the big 2-7. To start we ordered the Spread Pikilia which is served as a cutting board full of chopped veggies, marinated olives, pita, and a block of feta. You're given ramekins of Greek dips: hummus, tzatziki, and a spicy feta dip. The dips are substantial and we got extra pita vessels to finish the remainder. Since I wasn't so hungry at 10pm on a Friday, I ordered a watermelon nectarine salad infused with balsamic vinegar and mint and topped with feta. Super refreshing and light. I even kept some for the following day and the flavors intensified. Boo ordered the grilled octopus that was served sliced with a side of spicy chickpeas. The timing was off on our entrees but it was a misunderstanding with the bartener. When we go back I definitely want to try the mussels. The serving size looked huge and I was tempted to order them. The cocktail menu looked pretty interesting too...having spent a month in Greece and offered free ouzo anywhere I went, I was interested in how they might incorporate such a strong liquor into a cocktail. Let me know how it is!
(4)Stephanie Y.
Never really noticed the entrance to this place, but saw it on yelp cocktail week and thought we'd try it out. They had the Antho for $5 and it just sounded cool. It's a cucumber vodka with a dash of lemon and a dill thrown in. Sooooo refreshing and delicious. They're also deadly because you'll down 5 then feel it. Probably more for others, since I'm a lightweight. The decor is cool and contemporary greek, if that makes sense. colors are definitely very vibrant. I got the sea bass, which was juicy and pretty good. I wish it was seared a little more for the crispiness. Mythos, a greek lager, was also good. Be sure to get these drinks when you're there.
(4)Jess H.
This was so disappointing! So first, I have to clarify this review by saying that the happy hour food was delicious and the bartender in the beer garden was really nice! Unfortunately, the inside bartender was completely rude to me and my friends and ruined our experience at Opa. In addition to not being particularly attentive (which would not have left bitter feelings), he literally snatched a beer away from me because he didn't notify me that happy hour had ended early on his clock (though still before 7pm). Unprompted rudeness in general is unappreciated... But there was no reason for him to behave so unprofessionally. Safe to say, I will not be recommending Opa to friends or otherwise. There are enough well- qualified people out there who are friendly... Opa would benefit from hiring one of them!
(2)Christina S.
Decor was beautiful in this place. It has a very young, hip, modern feel. They also have a really nice looking bar in center and the specialty drinks sound really good. We got the greek-ified french fires that were too salty. Koukla had pineapple vodka, lemon and lavender. It was very refreshing and that was the highlight. Antho(cucumber vodka, lemon, dill) was delicious. It was on the sweet side. Service was great, efficient and nice. Best thing to come here for is for their cocktails.
(3)Erin F.
I have been to Opa twice for their happy hour specials. They have a large square bar with seating. It is sometimes difficult to get a seat, especially if you are with a group of 3+. They have good happy hour specials which is why I returned. The first time we were at Opa, the skewers were $1 and the other apps were large portions. The next time I went back the skewers were more than $1 (which is understandable) and the other apps were much smaller. Food was acceptable. Overall - this place is just ok... not really impressed... I had expected a fun and lively bar area but it is just kind of bland and crowded.
(2)Brenda A.
This was a good place. The atmosphere was nice and the waiter was very good. Most importantly, we enjoyed the food!
(4)Kristin H.
Review for the Drury Beer Garden, not Opa. We went here to celebrate a birthday and it was a perfect choice. The beer was cheap - starting at $2 cans, I never had to wait in line for a drink, it wasn't too crowded and it was great to be outside on a hot night. Probably my favorite thing was that although music was playing, it was playing just loud enough to be heard, and not stop conversation. We actually had a night out where we could talk to the people around us! I saw the table next to us get a package meal - 6 people for $150 got crabs, beer and dessert, which seemed like a great deal. There was a private party inside Opa, and they kept locking the door that led outside to the beer garden, which meant we couldn't get inside to use the bathroom, which was annoying. Also, the taps outside were broken, so we couldn't get a draft outside, and they wouldn't allow us to bring a draft out from Opa.
(4)Mark K.
Food was below expectations. Lamb was tough and flavorless, chicken was mushy. Fries were good, but nothing extraordinary. Five on my ten scale. Service was very good.
(2)Andrew B.
Coulda been cool. No specials and bad bartenders out back at drury. I'd give it another shot tho
(2)H Y.
The honey glazed pork ribs sitting on oranges and potatoes were fantastic. I forget the name of my dessert but it was also good. The decor is unique, inviting, and beautiful. Opa's service was a bit slow but otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I will return.
(4)Alyssa R.
Having been to Opa and the Opa garden (mostly the garden) many times for drinks I finally stopped in for dinner with a friend. We ordered the hummus and baba dips. They were both wonderful. And we were provided ample pita, we even asked for a few more and were provided. We split the Greek pasta and grilled octopus. Both were delicious! The pasta was very different and was almost chopped, with feta. I would order both again. We also both ordered different cocktails (cant remember which ones but both involved tequila). It was a great meal. I will go back.
(4)Aria S.
I came here Friday night and had a lot of fun! It is a restaurant-come-bar at night. But you wouldn't really be able to tell that it was a classy restaurant late at night. Music was top 40's stuff with a DJ. Seating if you're tired! No room for dancing..which is off since they play dance-able music. Bathrooms get decent sized lines since there are only two stalls. The place was a good amount of packed. People mostly in their mid-20's, attractive crowd ;)
(4)Rob P.
The food was great 1 to 10 it was 12. The sea bass was not over cook or under cook and the waiter Zach knows his stuff he will ask u what do u want to eat and he know what drink will go great with that meal. I will be going back shortly.
(5)Ck P.
This is right in the middle of 'Midtown Village' and close to the Convention Center, the Marriott and Lowes hotels. It has a very active bar scene after work, but we went for dinner. Everything is shareable and good. - The Greek salad was a good size and a good start - Always LOVE the Saganáki! (and they give you a generous portion with pita...) - The Fried Zucchini (Patatákia Kolokithioú) is a visual treat and is served with Tzatziki. Yum! - Next, we had the slow braised lamb (Arnà Stámnas) and it was also delicious. - Of course, we finished our meal with a Baklava, again great. Food and service were fine (even for a crowded Friday night) Music was loud, but most of the patrons are 20's and 30's, so............. Great dining experience for us!
(4)Renea R.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have only been to Opa's outdoor beer garden so I'm not sure what it is like inside. My friends and I had been at Happy Hour at Bru but we decided we wanted to grab some drinks before we went out dancing and Opa's happened to be right across the street and we were happy to be able to sit outside. My experience is mostly summed up by my friend leaning over to me numerous times and saying, "isn't everyone here kind of a...d**chebag?" Perhaps those words were a little strong due to the alcohol in her system, but I had to agree that it just wasn't my scene. A lot of preppy guys in khaki shorts and checkered shirts and girls in barely-there dresses. I don't like to judge, but it just sort of carried a bad vibe. Add to this the fact that drinks were way too expensive. The only redeeming quality is the fact that you can sit outside and there isn't a cover. They also have games like Jenga and Connect Four for you to play which is kind of cool. Other than that I just wasn't feeling it.
(2)Sarah B.
I've only had drinks at Opa so if you're looking for a food review, go ahead and skip this one! But if you're looking for a cocktail recommendation or two, then read on, Yelper! Two of my favorite cocktails in the city are at Opa, and at $9-10 each, I usually have to be in a "Treat Yo'self" mood to stop here for drinks, but I've never left disappointed. If you're looking for a crisp, summery drink, look no further than the Antho ($10). This a cucumber vodka drink and it's amazing! I also really like the Koukla ($9) - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender! The addition of lavender might sound a little strange (it did to me, at first) but I promise, it's delicious.
(4)Bert B.
My wife and I like Greek food but had never tried this place. We were very impressed. The atmosphere is nice, the service was great, and the food was fantastic. We got the lemon hummus, the grilled octopus salad, a Greek spicy pasta with shrimp, and a lamb & beef dish, and the baklava with fig ice cream- all very tasty. We will definitely be back.
(5)Robert M.
Went for a drink and had a altercation with a bouncer over mistaken identity. They took me out back and hit me with a baton several times and made my girlfriend cry. This is what you get when you hire uneducated thugs! The food was ok.
(1)Claire L.
The food and service are really good here. Happy hour is ok though... Would be nice if happy hour extended to tables or at least the back area. The skewers we had were good, not the best. Could have used a sauce on them. Definitely recommend as overall a great experience.
(4)Leann F.
They changed their menu yesterday and got rid of all of their good food. I don't know why they changed everything as their menu before was okay. I used to get an appetizer sampler plate with olives, feta, hummus and pita but they don't offer that anymore. When I asked if they could whip something comparable up, considering they still had the same ingredients, they told me it was not possible. They simply refused to make me a plate of feta, olives, and pita. After having to ask 3 times they then gave me a side of feta that tasted like goat cheese (which I hate). Apparently they are changing to a more "tapas style" cuisine and recommend 3-5 dishes per person at around $7 a piece. It's insane. The portions are so small and so bland and tasteless. Plus, there are hardly any options for vegetarians. In all honesty, I will not come here again. If you're reading this, Opa, please go back to the old menu. Your restaurant will surely close down soon if you do not.
(1)Charlotte E.
The service (we had Richard) and the meal were fantastic. The mixed meat plate is an absolute must and can definitely be shared among 2-3 people. We also had the stuffed grape leaves, which were out of this world. GET HERE.
(5)Sean E.
Came here for Greek Independence Day for the tasting menu and it was delicious. Nice atmosphere and some really great wines.
(4)Ellis S.
Thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Everything was tasteful, well-seasoned and artfully presented. Waitstaff patiently reviewed menu, answered questions cheerfully. Precisel what I expect when dining-out.
(5)Perry H.
Decided to stop by for a couple drinks...the drinks were going great until I saw the mouse running around the restaurant. I alerted the bartender who shrugged and commented "well, you're always going to have one running around." Really?! Cuz I go to a lot of bars and restaurants and I've never seen a mouse running around....done with this place.
(1)Jenny S.
a review JUST for cocktails at the bar!!! we decided the modern bar at this restaurant was the perfect destination as we waited for at table at Barbuzzo around the corner ---Xinouli: a Greek style margarita, YUM.. so refreshing.. i love all drinks similar to margaritas ---Mouro: again the boyfriend loves that bourbon but i am not a fan people across the bar were ordering tapas which looked like they'd pair nicely with some more cocktails, but sadly we could not stay!
(4)Tiya B.
The waitstaff need to seriously get it together. When I walked in the restaurant, no one greeted me. I stood there for a good five minutes getting completely ignored, and there was hardly any customers. I had to ask whether I needed to seat myself before anyone even acknowledged my presence. The hostess/waitress acted like she was super annoyed. The food wasn't even anything to rave about. Definitely will not be back here.
(1)Selma C.
Cute place for a nice casual dinner. I came here with friends from out of country. The pork ribs were delicious and the service was really nice with Jessie. Good to have a conversation without the really loud noise.
(3)Lauren C.
The boyfriend took me out to Opa on Friday night for our 'date night'. As soon as I walked in and saw how swanky and cool the decor was, I thought we were doomed! Typically the dingy greek places are the best... but boy was I in for a treat! They were out of my preferred beer- the Saison, so that was a bummer, but I landed on a nice brew that was pretty tasty. Rather than commit to entrees, we opted to split lots of appetizers so we could taste lots of different things. I'm the token PITA vegetarian, and he very much likes meat so there was a bit of compromise (on his behalf) that happened. We ended up with the mussles, the spinach coquettes, the Spread Pikilia, and the Beet Salad. The Spread Pikilia came out first, and it was tough to decide, of the 4 dips, which one was the best. I loved that they brought out veggies and olives and pickles in addition to the pita bread. We dug in big time. The pickles were really vinegary, but they were tasty! The babaganoush was a bit sweet which made it my least favorite of the 4 dips after lots of sampling. We ran out of Pita and the server was happy to bring us more. Next came the mussles, which I don't eat... but my boyfriend was blown away. He enjoyed every single one of those bad boys... and the sauce and the bread it came with. The smell of the sauce was heavenly. I almost ate one. Next came the beet salad. This was good, but similar to the pickle, it was really pickled... REALLY pickled. It almost hurt my mouth to eat. We both agreed that this was the dish that we could have done without. It wasn't bad in any facet, but of the stuff we had, this wasn't the high point. Finally, the Spinach Coquettes came out. I have been dreaming of these since. They were chock full of spinach, with cheezy undertones, lightly fried, in this amazing smokey creamy sauce that was just a total game changer. I gave one to my boyfriend, and tried to save him a 2nd one... but only managed to save him 1/2 of a 2nd one... because... well... i ate it... All in all, Opa was reasonably priced, the decor was awesome, the service was quick, thorough, and gracious, the food was delicious etc. I also have heard rave reviews about the courtyard out back. We had planned to check it out, but we were full and sleepy after dinner. The good news is now we have a reason to come back (and get those Spinach Coquettes!).
(4)James V.
This is a great place to grab dinner and even better for happy hour. The addition of outdoor space behind the restaurant has really made it a go to spot for summer drinks. They offer Jenga and Connect4 to entertain patrons drinking in the back. A ping pong table is also available and frequently the spit has a roast cooking. A large beer menu and some creative mixed drinks ensure a good time for all.
(4)Julia H.
Don't go for dinner after 9:00, otherwise you are paying top dollar to hear extremely loud music (DJ) that is impossible to talk over AND to have someone'a back or coat in your food. You have been warned!
(3)Grace C.
A trendy, candlelit place that's great for a Friday night out, either with a date or with friends. We got the mussels appetizer after the server recommended it to us--which was loaded with flavor. My only complaint was that there was not enough pita bread for dipping in the broth after the mussels were done. My friend and I split the special of the evening, the beef tenderloin, which came with greens and roasted potatoes. The potatoes were our favorite part of the dish, as they were lightly crisped and seasoned well. Dessert was the loukoumades, which were greek beignets with honey cinnamon drizzle, walnuts, and spiced banana. A tad on the sweet side, but good nonetheless. It went well with our cocktails, which were on the strong side. I tried the koukla, which was pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Our server said it was the most popular drink on the menu, and it certainly did not disappoint. This place is yuppie central, perhaps due to the outdoor beer garden in the back of the restaurant. It's great for post-dinner drinks, and is rife with cool games, chairs, and lights strung across the yard. Music is loud and trendy--perfect mix for a good night out.
(4)Grace K.
GREAT SERVICE! opa is great for groups or individuals. I went to the outside bar for a work happy hour and went to the indoor bar with a small group to enjoy the happy hour. The bartender was fabulous and very attentive considering how busy she was... no complaints here!
(5)Joshua J.
I have to say that I agree with the rating that this spot has, I'd give it about 3.5 stars. I went here with my boss and two other co-workers (four total), and we ordered off the menu tapas style. The food was good, but I found it a bit annoying that I had to ask for a full pour of beer, and this seemed to really irritate the server, who told me that they don't normally do that. My boss kicked in and said that we paid for a 16oz pour, and this was a 12. I got my beer back, totally full, but I've never dealt with this before, so it was a bit unnerving.
(3)Noor S.
Cocktails were spectacular! We waited for about 15mins before anyone came to our table. Chicken was dry and don't even think about desserts! We had the creme brulee (or that's what they called it on the menu), the custard was more of a pudding and the carmelized sugar was hard and too thick. In addition, the fig ice cream was basically vanilla ice cream. If I ordered vanilla, I would've been satisfied but it was fig, so I expected for it to taste like figs! Overall, the service was good but the food could've been executed much better!
(3)Jennifer M.
I had the beet salad and I had them add grilled chicken. It was real good. The service was excellent!!! I would definitely try this place again!
(5)Minh C.
A very modern greek restaurant that I think is a very cute place to take a date. The menu isn't that large but it sure is full of goodies. The service: 5/5 Our waiter Zack was very helpful in making some menu suggestions. He was always very prompt and made this dining experience a great one. The food: 4/5 I was a little upset that there were 2 entrees on the menu I was interested in removed for the night. That turned out to be a bit of a let down. The fried kalamari was one of the best I have had in a while. The aioli was very light which complemented the kalamari excellently. I ended up having the stuffed oregano pasta which I thought was incredible however I do wish that there was more than just 5-6 pieces. It was not enough to fill me up. The atmosphere: 5/5 I liked the colors and the lighting of the restaurant. I thought it did give it a modern look with subtle accents. It seemed hip, stylish, and intimate. Hopefully next time I dine here I'll choose a heartier entree.
(4)Jackie W.
The food and drink is nothing outstanding. It's a solid bar and restaurant but there are better places around the city. The mussels appetizer was good, but the service is absolutely terrible so I'm downgrading it from 4 stars to 3.
(3)Kyle B.
I'm confused by the 5 star ratings for this place. The food is cheap, but is no where near being authentic. The chicken skewers were marinated in italian dressing and served over french fries. I'm fairly certain i had the same meal in the cafeteria during high school. The wait staff is a mess - although i think this is due to a lack of staffing, not their service abilities. The beer garden out back is nice - but is completely disjointed with the restaurant.
(1)Jess B.
Food was so-so but the cocktails are bangin! Highly delicious and original drinks served by friendly and competent bartenders. Dude took orders for and made close to 10 drinks at a time without writing anything down or screwing anything up. Impressive in my book.
(3)Eric R.
I went for dinner once, ordered a couple appetizers. They were not memorable at all. Besides that, I have had several excellent experiences at Opa by doing the following: Stop in here with a group of 2-4, before or after a meal, and walk STRAIGHT to the back. Out back you'll find a well-decorated beer-garden with craft beers, games like Connect Four and Jenga, and a ping pong table. Crowd is mostly preppy - friendly, relatively sober, and pleasing to look at. I haven't found a more relaxing happy hour in the city yet.
(4)Lauren S.
I am a huge fan of the Dury Beer Garden at Opa. It is on the small side but it has a drinking in the streets type feel to it which is always cool. Liked the beer selection as well. The bar inside Opa is also cool with it square roundness. Tired the mussel they were also very good.
(4)Peter L.
Came here this past weekend for my dad's birthday with my parents and wife. While there were some kinks, all in all, we had a good dining experience and enjoyed Opa's creative spin on classic Greek dishes. I would say this is more of a 3.5 star review, but I'm rounding down because of the general unevenness of our experience. That said, I would still recommend Opa. For starters, the service was a little uneven, but most friendly and accommodating (there were some large gaps of time where we were waiting for our orders to come or for someone to take our order). Another minor complaint - there's a bier garten in the back, so you get a lot of traffic through the dining area from people entering/exiting the bier garten, plus you have to contend with some sloppy drunks for use of the two small restrooms. Anyway, on to the food ... We had a number of dishes, served family style. The watermelon salad and spinach croquettes were stand outs. The salad was similar to other watermelon and feta salads I've had, but the addition of apricots and a citrus vinaigrette (which balanced out the sweetness of the fruit) was a nice touch. The croquettes were like a dense spanakopita inside, packed with creamy spinach and feta, and perfectly browned and crispy on the outside, complimented with a creamy feta dip (which looked like it was also made with red pepper). The saganaki (cheese flambeed in brandy, then doused with lemon) was excellent, but it's really hard to make bad saganaki. It's prepared table side, for some extra flair. The sausage flatbread was decent, but reminded me too much of a bar pie (nothing particularly Greek or standout about it). The octopus was also good, although I prefer mine grilled and charred, while this was braised. The salad that accompanied the octopus, however, was phenomenal - the smoked chickpeas imbued an amazing smoky flavor to the entire salad, which paired well with the other flavors in the dish (red pepper, spinach, potato, roasted garlic vinaigrette). The lamb shank was fall off the bone tender, and very generous, but was a little fatty. We also had keftedes (veal meatballs), which were good, but not great, although I really enjoyed the booziness of the ouzo tomato sauce they were served in. The cocktail menu is very creative, and utilizes some Greek liquors (Metaxa brandy and ouzo) and flavors (e.g., watermelon). The Lemoni (ouzo, lemon, orange juice) was delicious and refreshing (although if you dislike ouzo, you may want to avoid, as the ouzo flavor is very prominent). For dessert, we had fig and merenda (Greek nutella) ice creams, the kormo (chocolate, cookie, and walnut cake), and loukomades (Greek donuts, similar to beignets or zeppoles). The ice creams were a little disappointing, as neither was particularly flavorful, and there were some ice crystals in the scoops we had. The merenda was decent, but it was a little dry and didn't particularly stand out. The loukomades were very well made, however. Crispy on the outside, soft and doughy on the inside. They were clearly made fresh, and reminded me of the ones I get at my local Greek festival. They came with sides of merenda and spiced ground banana. My only complaint was they could have used a little more powdered sugar and honey (an easy fix). I was also impressed by the fact that the loukomades were complimentary for dad's b-day, along with shots of ouzo for the table. All in all, if you know how to order, Opa is an enjoyable dining experience.
(3)Danielle D.
Here's the scene: 5:45 on Saturday afternoon, party of 5. We walk into Opa, menu looks good, the place has the windows open for a nice day in the city, the restaurant has a total of ONE table sat. We ask for a table for 5 people, they don't have anything available. I know, I was shocked too. There was literally only 3 patrons (at one table) in the whole restaurant! Their reasoning is that it was closing in on 7pm, when they would have several larger parties coming in and our party of 5 would conflict with that. I worked as a hostess, so I understand where they are coming from, but to clear out your entire restaurant seems like very poor form We ended up going to El Vez, caddy corner to Opa, where we were seated right away, ordered several appetizers and drinks, followed by entrees, not in a rush to eat, and we were still done by 7pm. We walked by Opa after we left Vez and the place was still wide open. Poor form!
(2)Rich G.
They recently changed the menu but we weren't able to order our normal appetizer. I had the lamb gyro. One point to note is that they use real chunks of lamb meat and not the processed stuff that looks more like hamburger. The appetizer and the meal were both very good. I've visited several times an it's usually very empty during lunch. It's a great place to go for those wishing a nice relaxing environment where you can actually hold a conversation during lunch. Good prices, good food, makes for a good spot for lunch when visiting center city.
(4)Sanoj P.
My wife and I have to been to Greece and really enjoyed the way Opa was based on Greek cuisine and had a modern look. Restaurant decor: Nothing fancy, but an island bar made of stones. The lighting was perfect and made for a great mood. Music wasn't loud, but enough to enjoy. Oh..and beer garden!? Food: Absolutely great! We tried a bunch of small plates. From saganaki to gyros sliders to keftedes, the taste was great and the portions left us perfectly pleased. Wines: I'm not a huge wine-drinker. My best attempt at a wine IQ is 'Can I get a riesling?'...to which they had something comparable to. My wife described her palate, and they found something also. Overall: Great wine. Great food. Great staff. Great place to go to on a nice night!
(4)Stephen C.
I have to chime in as the reviews seem quite mixed on one of my favorite places for small plates in the city. I love Opa. For dinner for two or larger groups, Opa is a great option. The menu is concise yet varied and dishes have great depth of flavor. I could eat the beet salad everyday. Although I am far from vegetarian and cringe when I read militant reviewers bashing restaurants for not catering to the Veg Set, I must note that Opa has plenty of amazing vegetarian options and I sometimes find myself with a strictly vegetarian order. Don't miss: Beet Salad or Lemon Potatoes Skip: Pork skewers (they can sometimes be terribly salty)
(4)Gautam T.
I feel like its about time I reviewed this place as I frequent the bar on most weekends. I have discovered they have a pretty good HH. I mean I was thouroughly impressed, the chicken skewers, fries and sliders were all excellent at a price that didn't break the wallet at all. Add in a couple of beers or wines and you're all set. I spent about 15 bucks, I felt mildly buzzed and pretty full, exactly the feeling you want after you leave a happy hour. Ok so enough of the happpy hour, lets get to the actual nightlife. Summers are much better because they have the beer garden in the back with a ping pong table (Which I dominate by the way, mainly because I play only girlfriend who sucks). The drinks are a little pricey but what center city bar isnt? The people are sexy the drinks are on point, the food is great and on top of that the bartenders are friendly.
(4)Julio A.
Nicole and John are the dynamic duo of the outside bar. They attend to all the needs of the patrons. They put the "happy" in happy hour for me and my group. Can't wait to come back next Friday. I hope they are there.
(5)Chris J.
Went in on a Sunday for dinner. Not a lot of folks around but great service from Cait our waitress. Had the spinach and artichoke fritters - tasty. I had the lamb gyro - very good with the toasted pita. Good chimays and the burger was yummy too!!
(3)Craig K.
After being thoroughly impressed a few months prior with friends, I decided to come back for date night. Granted this was during restaurant week; however, our service was slow and poor and the food was not on point. The swordfish and lamb mains were tasty however the sides and the previous courses lacked seasoning and flavor. I teeter back-and-forth on whether I would recommend or visit this restaurant again...
(3)Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I wanted some light fare for dinner, so we decided to try Opa for the first time. The space is very nice. You walk into this refreshing wood and blue decorated locale feeling warm and at home. For a Thursday night it was pretty empty. We weren't sure about the quality of the food, and once again, another small plates restaurant (which is getting annoying at this point), so we ordered just two-- the crab cake and the spinach croquettes. The crab cake was loose, and it had a canned crab flavor. On the plus side, there wasn't much breading (maybe that's why it was falling apart). The spinach croquettes were executed nicely but were saltier than flavorful. I'd like to have something that draws out the flavor of the spinach rather than making it a vanishing after taste. I think Opa's saving grace is its beer garden and happy hour. I haven't been to either, but I hear that it's very good. Bottom line: Two dishes were ho-hum, and it made us want to go elsewhere for a main course. The decor is nice, and the servers friendly, but it's lacking oomph.
(3)Bill W.
Too bad, the outside bar is cool. However, the bartender lost my debit card, and the follow up was poor. Manager was rude. Will not be back ever.
(1)Natalie B.
I've heard good things about Opa, so when I found out about their special $2 menu for their 2 year anniversary, I finally stopped in. We had reservations and were seated pretty quickly, though our table was kind of jammed in a small space, behind another table. We were served water pretty quickly by one server, who said someone would be by to take out order shortly. About 20 minutes later, I had to look around and try to get someone's attention before we could finally put in our drink orders, and then another 10 minutes later, we put in for our food. Most of what was on the special menu sounded awesome. Unfortunately, they were out of lamb croquettes, so we got the surf and turf souvlaki and gyro from the special menu. I know that $2 is a great price, but the portions were pretty dismal. I have child hands. The gyro was no bigger than my palm, and the surf and turf souvlaki pieces were about as big as my thumb. They were pretty bland. We also ordered the chili chicken fingers and fried kalamari from their regular menu. The fried kalamari was good and also came with fried green peppers and olives, but the sauce was tasteless. The chili chicken fingers weren't spicy at all. The crust had a really nice texture, but they tasted like they were just covered in honey. It was cozy inside, but both the service and food were lacking. The special $2 menu was a sham. It was really disappointing.
(2)Michelle C.
I've now dined at Opa twice - once for dinner and once for lunch - and I really enjoy the restaurant a lot. While we do have a few options for Greek/Mediterranean food in the city, I can't think of another place that does it as stylishly as Opa. The decor and the cocktail selection bring the swankiness, while the food speaks for itself. The spreads trio is my favorite starter. It comes with hot, delicious pita but also some veggies for dipping, which is great for anyone who wants a little bite without a ton of calories. Each spread packs loads of flavor, and I especially love the tzatziki. For dinner, you really can't go wrong with ordering a bunch of smaller plates and sharing them all. That's what my boyfriend and I did during our evening at Opa. The mini lamb gyros are delicious. At lunch, the chicken gyro is lighter than a burger but loaded on taste. A side of dressed greens can also be swapped for fries. Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy the dessert course. Two varieties of coffee are offered plus a couple dessert cocktails and about four or so desserts. I've tried the baklava which I am always a fan of, and have heard several raves about the loukoumades (fried dough with dipping sauces). It won't be long before I'm craving those spreads and gyros once again!
(4)Laura N.
Opa has a beautiful ambiance, both inside and outside. The food is always excellent and consistent each and every time I go. Not sure why a few who commented below said that they thought it wasn't authentic Greek food. I'm 100% Greek and you're absolutely right... At least half of the items on the list aren't technically considered "traditional", and that's completely fine with me! Opa takes traditional Greek food and almost modernizes it and puts a slight twist on it. It's contemporary, and that's what Opa reflects. I love their pastichio, spinach croquettes, Tiropitas, chicken, and pretty much all of their desserts. Plus the servers, especially Jesse, are SO nice and welcoming . It's a nice touch and aside from the delicious food, they make me want to come back ! And the best part is that they give complementary Ouzo shots at the end of your meal! Definitely go to Opa and enjoy their amazing food, drinks and service! It's affordable for the city!
(5)Valerie F.
I'll start by saying that the atmosphere of this place is very nice, its dimly lit and has nice padded seating. At first the hostess told us that she could not seat us because she had reservations booked but there were at least 10 open tables, she then came back and said she could seat us in the back. My bf and I really enjoyed our corner seat with pillows and candles it was very modern and romantic. The 3-star review is for the food. We ordered the soft shell crab tempura special. The whole thing just tasted like friend crab shell and there was very little crab meat. The fingerling potatoes it came with were good but I'd rather not pay $17 to eat some potatoes. The waiter was very friendly and attentive, I would consider coming back due to the great service. Along with our check, he brought us 2 shots of what smelled like liquorice liquor. I tasted a small sip and almost gagged, it was absolutely disgusting I needed to chew gum just to chase down the taste.
(3)Adam N.
It's been hit or miss at Opa. We've had some nights where it's too crowded to get a drink. We're here today for happy hour and the specials are very reasonably priced. The open window allows for great fresh air (of Sansom street, we admit). It'd be better if they offered their happy hour on their back patio, but it's only at the bar. At least we have good scenery with the hot bartender.
(4)Deb S.
The outside entrance is questonable but inside nice. Met up with a group of friends 2 different times to hang in the outside patio for beers. It's a fun atmosphere with games, table tennis and started they growing living walls.
(3)Michael Y.
This is a quiet spot for lunch in downtown Philadelphia. I've never been here with a crowd (which is a shame), but the food is impeccable. Really love the evolving menu, and I found the food to be spot on. Drinks were tasty too. But the real story here is the service. Our waiter was awesome. My colleague is a difficult customer, and the waiter easily appeased her and gave us an awesome experience. Truly terrific restaurant.
(4)Stephen S.
Food is excellent! If Zack is your server you are in good hands. I love the fried zucchini and my fiancée loved the grilled octopus. My only complaint would be I think the bar and tables should be a little more separated. As i went for dinner...But thats me just being knit picky. Great place for 20-30 somethings to have drinks and good food.
(4)Carter P.
Aesthetics, I am discovering really contribute to a restaurant's appeal. It isn't just about the food or the drinks, but it's about the overall experience that makes me want to return to restaurant. Fortunately, two out of those three made my experience this time around - I was there for drinks in the ultra-modern bar area. Both myself and my company had a Greek Margarita which tasted a lot like a Mexican Margarita, but I went with it. It was great with a strong flavor. Service was quick and friendly and made this a great first stop on a night where we went to five or six other establishments. Recommend for drinks - and please try the food and let me know whether or not you recommend it.
(4)Michael G.
I went for a happy hour (sips). The drinks at the bar inside were served in plastic glasses (you'd think we were in college or at a dive bar), and one of the beers they had for $3 on special was Yuengling. I don't mind Yuengling, but it is not exactly a deal at $3 when everyone else is doing craft beer at that price. The apps we tried were mediocre. When we ordered food and drink 5 min before happy hour ended we were given our drinks and told that the kitchen was not cooking any happy hour apps any more. Complete lack of any real customer service there. Also, there was little to no seating available. Honestly, with all the other competition for happy hours in the city, I won't be going anywhere near this place again. I'm wondering how it is still in business.
(1)Ron H.
A modern looking, trendy bar with a casual atmosphere. The bar is a chill place to grab a drink and a small snack but I don't think I would make this a dinner destination place. If you're in the neighborhood doing a small bar tour, it is worthwhile to stop in and grab something quick. The Mini gyro sampler was worth the trip in. The Ribs are ok, but aren't going to be satisfying if you're in the mood for ribs or are a big meat lover. Personally like the Tria drink, order it with extra whiskey bitters.
(4)Christina W.
A group of friends and I came for the last Center City Sips and had a pretty awful time. We requested a table for 5 and were willing to squeeze at a table for 4, and the hostess had a tremendous amount of trouble finding a place for us. Although there was clearly two tables for parties of 2 next to one another that could be easily pushed together, she did not seem to want to seat us there and intentionally made the spot seem infeasible and unattractive. We finally were seated there, and five minutes later the table next to us that would seat us more comfortable opened up. When we asked a waitress if we could move since we had a party of 5, she agreed, and later we saw the hostess yell at her for allowing it because she needed the table for a group of 4, even though the one we vacated was fine for a group of 4. Really set a terrible tone for the rest of our meal. We were not given glasses of water for about twenty minutes despite making multiple requests. Finally, they gave some of us plastic cups, probably because they ran out of clean glasses. We ordered the pineapple vodka cocktail which was terrible--it was overly sweet and overly tart at the same time (shouldn't those balance each other out?) Literally difficult to even force down because it was so sickeningly sweet and artificial. Our group shared many small plates. I recommend: -Spinach croquettes--delicious -Spreads trio--the pita, the tzatziki, and the babaganoush were excellent. It came with cucumbers and bell peppers for dipping. -Mussels--pretty flavorful Pass on the: -Fried calamari--just so-so -Lemon potatoes--barely had any lemon flavor -Veal meatballs--not too flavorful and fell apart when you cut them -Fries--fries were good but most of them were smothered with an orange sauce that I was not a fan of Food came out very fast after the initial rudeness, but overall we did not feel like we were treated respectfully. Even the quick delivery of food made it feel like we were being rushed out, and we weren't able to enjoy the food as much given the frantic pace. I won't be back.
(2)Omnom N.
It was good food. Service could have been better. Loved their caramelized pears salad.
(4)Stephy S.
This is only based on night life. I have been here while going out on weekends. They have a backyard outside area, and the inside restaurant area. It is nice to have both "scene" options. The inside restaurant area has music, but so small and cramped that dancing room is definitely a no-go.
(3)Matt M.
Loved the drinks created by our bartender, Casey O'Neil. The Kedros was a great gin drink with elderflower St. Germaine and the other was a spicy margarita. Very authentic tasting hummus and a nice sausage and lamb flatbread. Superior service and a great atmosphere!
(5)Alexis Y.
Cute, quaint, cozy bar! The cocktail menu is awesome, listed with several delicious drinks. Unfortunately the bartender was extremely rude and temperamental. He gave attitude to two people in my party and told me he could not make me a drink due to the fact he had never heard of it and "he made the whole drink menu himself". He acted more or less like a brat. After this, we moved on to a new spot!
(2)Eoghan J.
The best part of Opa is the bar from 11 onwards when the kitchen closes. The food is not great at all. We decided to do a tapas style and ordered all appetizers to share. Nothing special at all.... very bland. But the place got really buzzing after 11, so a good bar seen
(2)Anna M.
Lunch: My husband and I met here for lunch. It was in the area that we were meeting in so we decided to give it a try. My husband got the lamb gyro and I got the vegetarian seitan gyro. Lunch was cheap, simple, and good. The fries were delicious! The lunch came with a soft drink which we were able to substitute for coffee. There was no crowd and the server was very helpful without over crowding us. We will definitely go back for lunch and will return to try dinner.
(5)Tiffany T.
Nothing special about this place, but not a bad stop for happy hour. Bartender was nice. $2 tiny sliders (pretty yummy nothing special) $3 dogfish head 60 minute IPAs and me and my 1 friend were the only ppl there on a Tuesday afternoon
(3)Bob M.
Pistitio was not good at all. Everything else was really good, but my Greek mother's cooking would demolish this stuff. Just avoid the salty mess that is the pistitio. Hopefully they fix the recipe.
(1)Michael H.
This review is for the backyard "beer garden" if you wanna call it that Place is a great hidden gem in center city. Hesitant to even report how good it is for fear that it will become too well known and crowded. Nothing too swanky but a nice chill place to hang out on a nice night playing pingpong drinking off their decent craft beer list. -Ping Pong table. -They used to have corn-hole, hopefully they will bring that back out at some point. -Good amount of big tables with Jenga floating around a lot of them. -GREAT canned beer selection -Good music, but played at a very low volume and turned off early, assume because of the apartment buildings that overlook the area. -AWESOME female bartender -Heat lamps for cooler nights, prob wont need them once summer kicks in but great for spring and fall.... we've also gone here on mild winter nights as well !
(4)D D.
I'll be as fair as I can be. My friends and I went to Opa on a Friday at 5pm for the happy hour menu. One of my friends is not an easy-to-deal-with customer. She's demanding and very critical. So I know that overall and all things considered, we weren't the best customers. The place allowed us to have out happy hour outside of its designated area. That was a very good thing from the restaurant since they didn't have to do that for use, particularly since my friend was being obnoxiously demanding. The server was very professional, though she came across a little fake ("It's fun to serve happy hour outside the area." Really?, Fun? Whatever). Anyway, she did put up with my friend and kept her cool, even thought I could feel her aggravation with us. So I believe she was extremely professional dealing with us. I made sure that at least I tipped her well. The main issue was the poor quality and time it took to get the food. The food was insanely overpriced for what we got, one of my fries wasn't cooked, and it took forever to get our food (maybe this is something that restaurants do to 'difficult customers', who knows?). I asked for a Lager beer and I got the dark instead, and they sent one too many of the appetizers we ordered. The drinks were served sporadically, so by the time I got my (actually not-too-cold and wrong kind of) beer, some of my friends were already done with their drinks. The decor of the place is very nice and the atmosphere felt good. But overall, the experience wasn't that great. Not sure I would have had a better experience had my obnoxious friend wasn't with us.
(3)Lora R.
I love coming here for dinner because it's easy to get a table without a reservation (unusual for the 13th Street region) and the food is top notch. Ordered the drink with the tequila/agave nectar and long hots (can't recall the name), and it was delicious (and strong). Shared the sampler platter, which had very good dips and plenty of dipping vessels (veggies, pita, olives). And the waiter gave us a free shot at the end!
(4)Andrew W.
I swung by Opa with a few friends to round out our happy 'hour' last night. I have no idea how the food is (it looked good) or what the interior is like, but I am a big fan of large outdoor patios with ping pong. Seriously, how did I not know this place had a huge deck? I could quibble about the line at the bar (only one bartender at the time) or the drink prices (a smidge pricey) but really, its a huge outdoor patio. Sold.
(4)Nathan H.
**hidden gem in center city** I've been to Opa half a dozen times for after-work happy hours but only recently discovered the bar's back-of-house beer garden. While the front bar caters more to a sit-down restaurant experience, the rear garden has space for games (jenga, corn-hole, etc) and fills up quickly in the evenings (so get there early!)
(4)Becca B.
I have been to Opa many times for drinks and we finally decided to head in for dinner and I have to say the experience was more than disappointing. First the hostess explained to us that although she had tables open "she just could not seat us, like she just could not." That did not really hold a lot of weight but we figured we would eat at the bar. There we proceeded to not be greeted by an extremely unfriendly bartender who tossed the menu at us, ended up bringing us two appetizers that were twice the price of what we had ordered, and served extremely flat draft beer. When asking about the quality of the beer she rolled her eyes and stated "sooooo are you saying you don't want to drink it?" Not exactly the greatest customer service. Overall the food was satisfactory- nothing worth raving about. I felt it was overpriced for the portion size and with the draft beer being flat, the experience was not exactly enticing for a future visit. That being sad the octopus salad was well done ad very delicious. However, I unfortunately don't know if I would even head back for drinks let alone dinner after that experience.
(2)Christine L.
Made a reservation for dinner on a Saturday night thinking that I'd avoid the wait-time hanger (anger induced by hunger)... but even WITH a reservation ended up waiting for a good 50 minutes... Table for two with a reservation-- 50 minute wait? A bit much. The hostess clearly felt bad for the wait and comped our first round of drinks-- but that doesn't really clear up the first bad impression! The food itself was OK-- not bad just wasn't blown away by anything. I did enjoy the veg pasta dish which came out piping hot-- but the ribs and meatballs were underwhelming. Overall, probably not worth the 50 minute wait.
(2)Jon Z.
Went here based on a friend's recommendation. The decor is very nice and the service is fast. Lots of interesting mixed drinks. Octopus appetizer is delicious but portions are way too small! For more than $10 for an appetizer, I would expect that each person at the table of four should get more than a single bite of the meal. I had the rabbit, and the meat was very tender but the flavor was not all there. For some reason, it tasted almost exactly like beef to me. Presentation was well done and the roasted veggies that came with the rabbit was soft and moist. The star of the dinner was the steak, medium rare to perfection, seared just right. The Pita was warm and fresh, however be warned no free refills. In fact, our waitress forgot to tell us that each extra side of pita was $4 until we were on our 3rd pita plate for our hummus platter. Don't give us 3 big portions of dip but then only give 6 small pieces of pita and then charge us extra for extra pita while making it sound free. For better greek food, goto Kanella instead.
(3)Ashish P.
Great for drinks. Terrible for food.
(1)Payal P.
this review is for the "secret" beer garden. it is awesome! it is a hidden gem amidst the city. there is a bar with awesome sangria and other tasty beverages, games and fun chairs to sit on. great place to kick back with friends! i hope it still stays kind of secret though, haha so i won't tell you how to find it ;)
(5)Geoff c.
A bit upscale. Trendy. But a great experience. I'm no connoisseur of Greek food, so all I can really say was that it was good. We orders a round of all the appetizers, like tapas style. The watermelon nectarine salad was great. The zucchini chips were also great. Pita and spread of spreads (see what I did there??) was also great. They keep the hot pita coming. The portions don't quite fill you up, and can be on the pricier side. The place becomes a pretty active bar scene in the late hours on weekends. Live DJ. Dimly lit. Great service.
(4)Sandy C.
Opa is my current fave bar in the city, but I fear I will need to search for a new one soon. (it's getting exceedingly crowded. good for them.) The cute beer garden* out back and the Koukla cocktail are the top draws for me, and the perfect combo for those warm summer nights. Service is efficient. (i.e. good, but not super friendly.) Food is good. (i.e. tasty, Greek-INSPIRED.) *They need to take out the ping pong table and put in additional benches. Provide decks of cards instead! You're welcome.
(4)C M.
Most recently visited Opa for lunch but have been to both the beer garden and restaurant multiple times. They have a great lunch special - $10 for 1/2 sandwich and salad/soup. The beet salad was delicious as well as the chicken gyro. Service was a bit slow, especially for lunch on a weekday when people are trying to get in and out. The beer garden is great. Very spacious with a good selection of beers. They have a limited and different food menu at the beer garden (think more bar food) but still tasty nonetheless. I'll be back, but will make sure if its for lunch I have plenty of time.
(4)Brian C.
Opa definitely has a nice, small atmosphere, and I love that there's live music there. The space may be a bit too small for a live band though, as it was difficult to hear and talk to the people we were there with. The rabbit was good, and the noodles springy and chewy. The gyros that I had though were very tiny, and totally did not satisfy me. I did not expect what i got. It seriously looked like a commercial on TV where it was a joke that restaurants serve you little food, or where my hands are too big. The food was decent, but unfortunately the value was not quite there I thought.
(3)Elizabeth M.
I love Opa. I have been there twice and both times have been delicious. I am a vegetarian and was very happy with the selections. I have been with a pregnant woman and a meat lover and we were all in heaven. They had great beer choices as well.
(4)Laura A.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. We had a 8:00 reservation. We dealt with some of the worst customer service. First the waitors tells us to sit. Then the hostess whom already was Rude tells us to get up because the table is for Someone else. It's now past our time. Then the hostess tells us to sit there now because the party hasn't arrived. Then the arrogant owner comes over and tells us we need to get up. We explained the hostess said to sit here and rather than being professional he replied with attitude "I spoke with the hostess you need to move tables". They need to work on their customer service. I will not be returning.
(1)Ray L.
Opa offers a trendy and relaxing place to dine, with great lighting and a cute bar area that sits in the middle of the restaurant. There was even live music the night that I gave this place a try. The food was pretty good, but nothing spectacular. And by pretty good, I mean it's closer to okay than amazing. Anyway, I ordered the braised rabbit which comes with a delectable sauce with olives and capers, mixed in with house-made pasta. The sauce was excellent and the rabbit was cooked perfectly--tender, and the meat itself was not gamey at all. I thought the pasta itself was mediocre--it should have been softer and doughier. I guess not all home-made pastas are created equal. All in all, a pretty good dish but nothing to write home about, especially taking into consideration the portion. Plates here are small folks, so if you're hungry, one plate probably won't fill you up (unless, possibly, if you get their burger?). So that was one disappointing part of the meal--value. Two more minor points. I received my dish first. It was probably 8-10 minutes before the other dishes arrived. So there I sat, with my food, and there my friend sat, without her food, for about 10 minutes. There wasn't even an explanation for the delay. Anyway, that is a restaurant no-no. Of course, mistakes happen in the kitchen, timing's off, etc. But when you don't apologize for it or at least acknowledge it, it seems like you (as a restaurant) don't care or are completely unaware. Perhaps this is a bit harsh, but this is really a pet peeve of mine. (BTW, we sat at the bar, which also provides food service, but I don't think that should be an excuse for bringing plates out 10 minutes apart.) Other minor point is that there was a bone in the rabbit (it's clearly supposed to be a boneless dish). I'm probably just being nitpicky, but these things add up! I could see myself coming here again, but actually, I went to Kanella a few weeks ago, and it had much better fare if you're looking for Greek.
(3)Jay A.
Our first restaurant week stop. The roasted winter squash was to die for. Salmon cooked perfectly. The Greek "donuts" were delicious with a unique spicy banana and Nutella spread. We are coming to back to explore more!!!
(5)Louis R.
Suh...suh...suh...sexaaay spot for a date. Huge windows that retract, decent-sized 360deg bar with svelt bartenders (that look like male models), bamboo decor made to look like half-a-tunnel, smurf-blue ceilings, a large dining area that looks as if you can close the curtain around it, like in an ER or ICU. Whoa. The cucumber-lemon-dill drink was naaahce and refreshing but the orange-mint-vodka drink was too sweet, not tart enough. The bartender told us that OPA means a "joyful emotion" in Greek OR "grandpa" in German. I like the grandpa meaning.
(4)Hudson W.
The food is out of this world. The lamb shank is to die for, and the chicken (which sounds boring) is amazing. Make sure you try their spicy tequila drink - your waiter will know. If he is working, ask for Zack
(5)JB Y.
Alright let me say this, food and atmosphere, aesthetics are pretty solid. Portions left much to be desired. But the serving staff... While they were nice and meant well, it was like the JV squad, they just didn't seem too competent with timing - we waited a long time for one app, then for the food, and then for them go take cards. And place was about 60% full, nowhere near full or over capacity. Waitstaff was just amateurs, hopefully it'll get better.
(2)Teresa K.
I've been here 3 times for lunch so far and I've become a fan. Everything we've had has been good to delicious. I've had wine recommended to me by our server and that has been good as well. Highlights have been the loukoumades, which are greek beignets. They were so good, I think I could live on them. The winter squash soup was excellent as were the flatbreads. Only ok were the veal meatballs and a tomato, olive salad that I had once. The tomatoes were definitely winter tomatoes and I wasn't expecting pits in my olives. Another disappointment was that they don't serve Bloody Marys. I would like to come back for dinner sometime as it seems like they have a much larger menu then. It's never been crowded at lunch time and our service has always been good.
(3)Preety S.
Met a friend here for a pre-theatre dinner around 6pm on a Sunday. It was pretty empty which was a surprise, maybe only 2 or 3 other diners. We ordered olives, feta and lemon chicken skewers for appetizers, salmon and lamb for entrees. We finished off with regular and Greek coffee for dessert. Next time I would get a glass of wine also since they have a full bar. Everything was absolutely delicious and the staff was friendly. A place I would certainly go back to often.
(4)Allison B.
I had an awesome lunch at Opa this afternoon with Michelle C. It was very different than the experience I had working the door at July's YEE! The atmosphere at Opa is light, airy and welcoming. I dig the giant half-moon bar in the middle of the room, and the green and blue hues on the walls. Very calming, very "nature," very "exotic island in the Mediterranean." Michelle and I split the trio of spreads to start. I loved every single one. The hummus was unique in flavor and texture, the tzatziki was thick and creamy, and the htipiti (roasted red pepper and feta) had just enough bite. I personally thought the dip/pita ratio was just fine. Other Yelpers do not seem to agree, but hey, everyone dips differently. There were also olives, green peppers and raw zucchini (puzzled about this one) on the plate. I had the roasted beet salad for my entree, which was light, colorful and well-dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. I was surprised to see goat cheese on the menu in a Greek restaurant for some reason, but hey, no complaints. The prices were great, as was the service. I'd gladly take a friend here for lunch!
(4)Walter K.
Nice little bar. Great happy hour too, a few $3 drafts, $1 skewers, $2 sliders, $4 wine, and the most delicious french fries.
(3)Michael C.
Good Greek food with a very helpful staff. Great decor and bar scene. Try the lamb stew with gnocchi and the flatbread!
(4)Chirag P.
Came by this place as we were looking for a place to drink and I saw what looked like a beer garden so we took a chance and were very pleased. Lots craft beers to choose from and there's Jenga at all the tables... This makes for a great night. If you're looking for mixed drinks do not go to the bar at the beer garden... When coke and sprite mixers are being served out of buckets... You know that's when you head inside to grab a drink. They have some Pre-mixed drinks but they're terrible so avoid them. It dies take a while to get a drink bc it's packed and maybe two people working behind the tiny bar... But in the end it's a fun outdoor bar. Had no food so can't tell you anything about that.
(4)Louis D.
First off, this is for Opa, not the drury beer garden out back, which is a GREAT place to hang out. I've been here for both drinks and dinner a couple of times. First off, for drinks, it gets a big crowd (mostly I think it's people who don't want to stand in line for Time) but it's really not built for lots of people standing around and milling. The bar is too big, the table placement is awkward, the room is small. For being a pretty tiny place though, the drink/beer selection is surprisingly decent. As for food, I was kind of disappointed. The chorizo flatbread was pretty good, nothing spectacular, but give it points for being creative. That was the highlight. Lower-lights were the grilled octopus and calamari. The octopus itself was alright, but there were only like 7 pieces on the plate. The rest of the space was taken up by "chickpea fondue" which as far as I can tell was boiled chickpeas with a little Mediterranean spice. More octopus, less "fondue." As for the calamari, it was fried to the max, losing all the squid flavor, and soggy. At least there were more than 7 pieces though. We were comped a couple of drinks for slow service which really wasn't all that slow, so points for being attentive to us. Overall, it's not a bad spot to meet friends and move on, but there's nothing special about it.
(3)Clayton L.
Restaurant Week: Lunch Monday Afternoon When Christine B. informed me about this Greek gem hidden on Sansom, I was very interested in trying it out. Their restaurant week menu looked fantastic, so my expectations were pretty high. There were 3 other people partaking in lunch that afternoon: not very crowded for how tasty I felt their food was. Our waitress was very attentive: she refilled my water without asking (my litmus test for tip amount) and made sure to note my anti-climactic tree nut allergy. The spinach soup was quite good: creamy with just a little spice. The menu originally had a beet salad, but that was replaced with a Greek salad...I think this was for the best. It was a legit Greek salad: tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onions, cucumbers...NO lettuce, which earns big points with me. The gyro was quite good: made with actual lamb, not the beef-lamb mixture that gets shaved off of a rotating spit. The chicken was also good: seasoned appropriately, with a delicious, light orzo pasta salad on the side. The fried dough dessert came with very tasty banana and chocolate/hazelnut dipping sauces. Overall: I was quite impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere. I would happily go back to enjoy a non-restaurant week dinner and the beer garden (when the weather gets better).
(4)David A.
I did not eat much, but what I had was plan old ordinary. Started with the chilled cucumber soup. Bland, watery and boring. Next had the assorted dips with pita and raw veggies (zuchini and red peppers). Hummus and tzitiki were ok, other dip with feta was a bit too rich. Grilled pita slices had good portion but average bread. Wait service nice but not overly working it. Much prefer Dmitri's, Kanella and Zahav.
(2)Yohana P.
I was having dinner with two friends on Wednesday nite at Opa and that was my first time experience for us. The food was decent and service was great. After we finished dinner, we also ordered take out. Once we got the bill, I thought it was a bit pricey. It turned out that 20% gratuity was added to the bill. I thought it was both surprising and UNFAIR to add gratuity for a group of three. After all, i work in the restaurant industry so im sure to tip at least 20%.
(3)Jemma C.
The frat house/ college campus bar/ canteen moonlighting as a restaurant. Awful food, drinks in plastic cups, incompetent staff, odd smell.... To be avoided.
(1)Nicole W.
This place is fantastic! Seeing as I spent 4 months in Greece, I have high expectations of any place that promotes authentic Greek food, and I was not disappointed. For starters I had the Retsina, which immediately took me right back to my first glass in Athens. Not many can stand Retsina, as it has a very distinct taste, but for $8.5, I will definitely be coming back! My friend and I then had Saganaki for the appetizer. It resembled the saganaki my friend had made in our apartment one drunken night, but it tasted way better. Delicious but not that aesthetically pleasing. For the main course we decided to share the lamb. We definitely weren't expecting to be such a large serving. The bone was huge! The food was scrumptious. I felt like I was eating at a Taverna in Greece. So so so good! The lamb came with spinach and orzo. A fantastic overall combination. We were so stuffed trying to eat it all, but we just had to get dessert. For dessert we had the loukoumades and the ice cream. It was definitely the perfect way to polish off a meal. Perfect blend of sweet and salty. All and all, we each paid $40 for all of that, which was a good deal to me. The decor is reminiscent of the Greek islands, with the whites and blues. I loved the cutout for the lanterns. And the Greek music was a nice touch. This place is fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and I have already told my friends that I will be bringing them back. I'm hoping that they'll have this place open late at night during the spring and summer. I'd love a place to hang out that reminds me of the bars/lounges of Gazi.
(5)Mark D.
Waitstaff were friendly I'll give them that. My food arrived just at luke warm and very under seasoned. I sent it back and just opted to have dessert... Another disappointment ... The pear ice cream was poorly executed
(1)Anat S.
I've been to Opa a bunch of times, but mostly for happy hour. Seriously, try their happy hour. It's so very worth it. I like their tapas, but they're mostly hit or miss. Their drinks are great, but I really wish they would try to be more consistent with their food. It might explain why their restaurant is deserted on a Friday night after happy hour is over. Definitely a drink and happy hour spot, not really a dinner place.
(4)Nico L.
Double charged drinks. Cash and card. Not coming back
(3)Christine B.
I can only comment on the drinks and atmosphere, but this seems like a pretty nice place. Armed with a card for two free drinks from Hop Sing Laundromat, I made it here with some friends after the night market. The only drink we could get was a cucumber vodka concoction with lemon and dill. I probably wouldn't normally order this drink, but we were all surprised by how good it was. The bartender knocked over a glass of water on my friend, and he immediately offered him a drink on the house. He went with a bourbon berry cocktail that he said was also good. They had a DJ, which was nice but kind of surprising for a Thursday night. I really like the decorating of the interior, although it's a really small place. It might be really packed on weekends.
(4)Matt K.
The main reason I am giving 3 stars is that this restaurant has no soul, really. Everything is efficient and the dishes are good, but the food does not reflect a chef's inspiration. This is a business, mostly. You can find better and more authentic Greek food elsewhere in Philly, such as Kanella. And the portions there are bigger and less expensive. This place seems to be catering to a young hip crowd that wants a few cocktails then a casual, Greek-inspired meal. The bar is large, almost larger than the rest of the restaurant. We decided to challenge them on their freshness and quality. The best way to do that is to order a whole fish. It was nicely cooked, but not as fresh as it could have been. The horiatiki was passable, the various dips including tsatsiki were average. It wasn't bad here, just not memorable.
(3)Elizabeth D.
I've only been to the bar for drinks, but left with a good feeling about Opa. The interior is absolutely stunning - very sleek - and the installation above the bar is really cool! The specialty cocktails run about $10-$12. The Koukla was my favorite - with pineapple infused vodka. Draft beers are decently priced. With a recommendation of the bartender I did try the Greek white wine. I was hesitant because I had heard negative things, but I really enjoyed her recommendation (the Foloi if you're interested). By the way, the bartender will give you a taste if you're concerned you won't like the wine.
(4)Vivian T.
The ambience/decor and bar is really modern and classy. Nice place to get a drink. It was not too loud so was good for conversations . We ordered the octopus, different spreads as the small plates and the stuff pepper entree. The food was just ok, average greek food. It was good but not amazing. There is also a cute back patio but you can't get the full menu there. Would probably just come for drinks next time and not dinner.
(3)Emily W.
We came here for sips because they had a more interesting variety of drinks and food than other places. I got the wine but should've ordered their pineapple cocktail like my friend. It was fruity but not too sweet- a potent combo that was downed waaay too quickly. We stayed for dinner and ended up ordering the trio of spreads. So delicious. I was skeptical because all of them seemed a little on the runnier side when they came to the table, but they ended up being just right. The hummus was smokey from all of the cumin, the yogurt dip was refreshing and not too acidic, and the feta and red pepper spread- WOW. I can think of so many things I would want to spread that on. They skimped on the pita, but the raw veggies were a nice touch. I was surprised by how much I liked the raw zucchini. I got the feta-stuffed burger after hearing about how amazing it was but was disappointed. My bun was stale and too big for the patty, and the relish was an after-thought. That relish really had potential to brighten up the meat patty. But the worst part was that I couldn't find the feta. I bit into the burger expecting to see -and taste- chunks of feta. But nope. It was no where to be found, no where to be tasted. Now that I think about it, they really should just top every burger with their red pepper and feta dip. Now I would go back for that.
(3)Andrew K.
I've been here several times for apps/drinks and always enjoy myself. Very cool/chill atmosphere with a very mediterranean/greek feel to it. After about 10PM it changes into more of a bar. Loud music and tends to get crowded. Drinks are delicious and strong, but expensive ($10 - 12/drinks, $8ish for beers). I recommend the hummus plate app. no complaints from me about coming in for drinks. i look forward to checking out their dinner menu.
(3)steve e.
hope to see you saturday night before all the sharp loking youngsters ge there
(4)C R.
Review for dinner on a Saturday night: I really liked the food here. We ordered all the appetizers. Pretty much everything was good (to me), except the beets and those brussel sprouts things. Especially good were the fried zucchini chips and mussels. Service was great and the continuous supply of pita was awesome. Would definitely recommend. However, our decision to get all the appetizers was quite expensive, but it was worth the try. I do wish they had bigger portions, but oh well.
(4)Faye F.
Came here last weekend with friends for a night out and really enjoyed ourselves. Great atmosphere with good music and drinks. Finally a little dancing (does no one really dance in Philly?!)! Would have loved to have tried their food here but we were only visiting for the weekend :( definitely check this place out if you want a night out :)
(4)Gopal M.
Had the Rabbit pasta. It was bits of tasty rabbit meat mixes with creamy boring pasta. Who mixes Rabbit and Pasta? good ambiance. Can get crowded very fast
(3)Jessica S.
Review for Happy Hour @ Opa - Every month about 6 of the Gals from college get together. We are probably gonna drink wine, and order appetizers. Opa scored high for friendly attentive bartender, decent house wine, and tasty bar treats. The prices were also very reasonable. It was a slow night there, which we like. If you are looking for a scene... go somewhere else. I would recommend the 5 - 7 Happy hour at Opa.
(4)Brent K.
First time there.... and it will definitely NOT be my last. We took advantage of the restaurant week tasting menu which is always fun. We started off with some saganaki and mussels. The saganaki is a fried cheese that is very similar to haloumi. It was fantastic! The mussels were good, not great. If mussels is what you're craving, you're better off going to Monk's Cafe. The next round was horiatiki and pork ribs. The horiatiki is a vegetable appetizer that has red onions, tomoatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers, and feta. It is a lighter snack and was very fresh tasting. The pork ribs were good, but I don't think I would order them at Opa again. It's more of a preference thing; there are plenty of other delicious things that I'd rather have. We had swordfish and the bifteki burger as our main courses. The swordfish was yummy although my lady thought it was too fishy... I enjoyed anyway. The bifteki burger was damn good!!! The accompanying fries were seasoned and hand-cut. Although not everything we ate was SUPER good, the service and cleanliness of the restaurant gives Opa a well-earned 4 stars. They also have a new beer garden out back which I haven't been to but have heard good things about.
(4)Shannon P.
I was hoping that when I walked in the door it'd be just like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Joey Fatone was going to give me a shot of Ouzo while yelling...wait for it...OPA! It's a little more chill than that. The restaurant is deceivingly small but we didn't feel cramped sitting at the white mod style bar. We arrived for a late night Friday dinner just before my boo turned the big 2-7. To start we ordered the Spread Pikilia which is served as a cutting board full of chopped veggies, marinated olives, pita, and a block of feta. You're given ramekins of Greek dips: hummus, tzatziki, and a spicy feta dip. The dips are substantial and we got extra pita vessels to finish the remainder. Since I wasn't so hungry at 10pm on a Friday, I ordered a watermelon nectarine salad infused with balsamic vinegar and mint and topped with feta. Super refreshing and light. I even kept some for the following day and the flavors intensified. Boo ordered the grilled octopus that was served sliced with a side of spicy chickpeas. The timing was off on our entrees but it was a misunderstanding with the bartener. When we go back I definitely want to try the mussels. The serving size looked huge and I was tempted to order them. The cocktail menu looked pretty interesting too...having spent a month in Greece and offered free ouzo anywhere I went, I was interested in how they might incorporate such a strong liquor into a cocktail. Let me know how it is!
(4)Stephanie Y.
Never really noticed the entrance to this place, but saw it on yelp cocktail week and thought we'd try it out. They had the Antho for $5 and it just sounded cool. It's a cucumber vodka with a dash of lemon and a dill thrown in. Sooooo refreshing and delicious. They're also deadly because you'll down 5 then feel it. Probably more for others, since I'm a lightweight. The decor is cool and contemporary greek, if that makes sense. colors are definitely very vibrant. I got the sea bass, which was juicy and pretty good. I wish it was seared a little more for the crispiness. Mythos, a greek lager, was also good. Be sure to get these drinks when you're there.
(4)Jess H.
This was so disappointing! So first, I have to clarify this review by saying that the happy hour food was delicious and the bartender in the beer garden was really nice! Unfortunately, the inside bartender was completely rude to me and my friends and ruined our experience at Opa. In addition to not being particularly attentive (which would not have left bitter feelings), he literally snatched a beer away from me because he didn't notify me that happy hour had ended early on his clock (though still before 7pm). Unprompted rudeness in general is unappreciated... But there was no reason for him to behave so unprofessionally. Safe to say, I will not be recommending Opa to friends or otherwise. There are enough well- qualified people out there who are friendly... Opa would benefit from hiring one of them!
(2)Christina S.
Decor was beautiful in this place. It has a very young, hip, modern feel. They also have a really nice looking bar in center and the specialty drinks sound really good. We got the greek-ified french fires that were too salty. Koukla had pineapple vodka, lemon and lavender. It was very refreshing and that was the highlight. Antho(cucumber vodka, lemon, dill) was delicious. It was on the sweet side. Service was great, efficient and nice. Best thing to come here for is for their cocktails.
(3)Erin F.
I have been to Opa twice for their happy hour specials. They have a large square bar with seating. It is sometimes difficult to get a seat, especially if you are with a group of 3+. They have good happy hour specials which is why I returned. The first time we were at Opa, the skewers were $1 and the other apps were large portions. The next time I went back the skewers were more than $1 (which is understandable) and the other apps were much smaller. Food was acceptable. Overall - this place is just ok... not really impressed... I had expected a fun and lively bar area but it is just kind of bland and crowded.
(2)Brenda A.
This was a good place. The atmosphere was nice and the waiter was very good. Most importantly, we enjoyed the food!
(4)Kristin H.
Review for the Drury Beer Garden, not Opa. We went here to celebrate a birthday and it was a perfect choice. The beer was cheap - starting at $2 cans, I never had to wait in line for a drink, it wasn't too crowded and it was great to be outside on a hot night. Probably my favorite thing was that although music was playing, it was playing just loud enough to be heard, and not stop conversation. We actually had a night out where we could talk to the people around us! I saw the table next to us get a package meal - 6 people for $150 got crabs, beer and dessert, which seemed like a great deal. There was a private party inside Opa, and they kept locking the door that led outside to the beer garden, which meant we couldn't get inside to use the bathroom, which was annoying. Also, the taps outside were broken, so we couldn't get a draft outside, and they wouldn't allow us to bring a draft out from Opa.
(4)Jean-Pierre A.
Hello Yelpers-ok so Opa-what can I say. It's a chill little greek place, that did not require reservations at 7pm on a friday night. Tonight me and the little lady decided to try this place out for the first time. So..... the menu-the appetizers were delicious-they were a good size and contained a great deal of flavor and substance. We did not try the main plates or entrees because the menu did not have anything that really seemed to be too appealing for us. A couple of whole fish dishes, and some other greek favorites. So this should not appear to be a bad reflection on the entrees-it just didn't appeal to our pallets. Anyway, we ordered 5 appetizers, which included the lamb meatballs, sausage flatbreads, spinach croquettes, mussels, and pork ribs. Everything was great, but we would definitely recommend the spinach croquettes and meatballs. Deff delicious. Everything was priced appropriately. Drink were great too! Anyway, I would recommend! ~~~JP p.s. Across the street there's a dog store that has wonderful and delicious pig ears, that my little dog really loves :)
(3)Flint W.
Good service. Nice ambiance. Octopus appetizer is required eating.
(5)Noheli T.
I only went to Opa for drinks so there won't be too much substance to this review. The beer was fine and two beers cost about $16. The atmosphere was great and there was a wide variety of people. The staff were kind but our bar tender definitely needed to lift up her pants or pull down her shirt. It really just was a pleasant view if you're sitting at the bar. Overall it was good spot and worth a try.
(3)Ben P.
We did happy hour at OPA recently and likely won't be running back. The atmosphere is ok. Somewhat cozy and modern. Although the abundance of bright blue paint, despite being traditionally Mediterranean, had me looking around for a slide and ball pit. It was just...too much. But hey, we don't go to restaurants for their paint choices, we go for food. Here's the thing, we ordered an app and a couple of beers. Hardly enough to completely judge a restaurant, but I'm going to anyway based solely on the appearance and behavior of the two people working that evening. The bartender was sullen, unsmiling, and off-putting as he shrugged and slid the happy hour menu across the bar to us. He wasn't welcoming and acted like he didn't give a shit if we were there or not. He and the one server working that night were dressed in ripped, stone-washed jeans and "Opa" t-shirts. Philadelphia: I'm officially over servers in mid-range to upscale eateries dressed worse than people you find in a Chilis. I'm not old-fashioned, but I want to be served by someone who acts like they want to be serving and doesn't look like they just rolled out of bed. I say this a lot, but there are too many GREAT restaurants in this city for me to settle for a place that doesn't hit on all cylinders. Sorry, OPA.
(3)Christina P.
This review is only for the happy hour, as I haven't gotten the chance to come for the regular menu yet. A friend and I came around 6 on a Thursday night, and the bar had a few people around it but there were a decent amount of open seats, which we were happy about. We settled in and the bartender gave us a happy hour menu - $1 skewers (veggie, meat, surf and turf), $2 sliders $3 meatballs, greekified fries, craft beer $4 house wine $5 cocktails/sparkling wine I thought it was a pretty good offering for having everything $5 and under. I went with the house white - tasted like a sauv blanc, very dry but it was good, the greekified fries, and a veggies skewer. The fries were SO good. I expected some fries with feta on top but instead they came with this spicy feta sauce that I would like to purchase by the bucket if it's available. The portion was snack sized, but next time I might order two because they were that good. The skewers were tasty, but small, although it was only $1 so that's fitting. My friend had the meatballs which came with three sitting in a sauce that was very tasty, according to her. The only thing I was disappointed about what that I expected cocktail to be one of their specialties, and instead it was any drinks made with Cruzan Rum. Kind of boring. Overall, Opa happy hour is definitely a do. The price is right, and you can make a solid, tasty meal for under $10 if you want to!
(4)Redwood K.
Bar scene dominates dining room. Very noisy. Good dietary choices. Decent food. Nice wait staff.
(3)Keith S.
The $15 lunch special is a great deal, to bad the beer garden isn't open for ourdoor seating on nice days, sitting out front in the alley with the garbage trucks and delivery vans is just not the same...
(4)Alex M.
Food was OK, beer list was decent and reasonably priced. Staff was a little too "trendy" for me and acted kind of put off by the fact we brought our child (7 months, well behaved). Neat back beer garden if you don't have your kids with you.
(3)Regina F.
I'm all about any place that serves the following: 1. Fried dough balls to be dipped in Merenda (the Greek Nutella...it's slightly richer than the American version). 2. Greek wine (If you've never had Greek wine before, you're in for a real shocker/treat/surprise. It's pretty damn potent and delicious.) 3. Fat fluffy pita that is slightly doughy with a touch of char smokiness from the grill to be slathered in tirokafteri (if hummus were a cheese spread, this would be it). 4. ...and a cocktail that tastes like a vodka infused pineapple.
(4)Sal W.
We had a variety of dishes including zucchini chips, gyros, chicken skewer, veggie skewer, baklava and a curry style soup (can't recall the name of it). The food was mostly pretty tasty with the highlights being the gyros and soup, but the portion size was extremely small. Granted, we stuck to a bunch of the smaller sized plates, but these plates were miniature. For all that above it cost ~$45 + tip. The interior looks very nice and is very well done. Service was average. The bathroom has a hand dryer instead of paper towels. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 3 Stars Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 5 Stars
(3)Ryan P.
This place is solid. Great overall experience. You can wear jeans! You can wear a t-shirt! It's summer. You can also wear a pretty dress! Opa takes care of the fancy with their cute servers and well thought out dishes. Not a lot of clutter on the menu; equal apps to main dishes. Smart wine. Modern Greek meets (larger portion) tapas experience. I expect to get action if I brought a date here.
(4)Lauren C.
I ended up here to celebrate Laura S.'s birthday. It was a great evening, but Opa itself left a bit to be desired. Walking in, I was impressed. Opa does a nice job of balancing classy and hip - the ambiance is trendy without being over the top, and I loved the way the tables were positioned around the sides of the restaurant with the bar in the middle. Service was friendly enough, but a little behind the ball. The drinks took a long time to come from the bar, and our servers never asked us about drink refills - we had to flag them down. Another example: when a friend and I asked to share an entree, they brought it out on a single plate. I know the establishment is under no obligation to split an entree into two plates, but when the kitchen or server takes the extra time to do it, it makes a big difference. The food ranged from mediocre to very good. Appetizers beat entrees, hands down. The octopus appetizer was tender and flavorful, and was my personal favorite of the evening. The pita bread that came with our spread pikilia appetizer was also warm and delicious. Unfortunately, the quantity of pita isn't enough to balance out the amount of hummus, tzatziki, etc, and you're left spending another $4 for another order of pita (or eating your tzatziki with a spoon). The spinach croquettes were enjoyable but not particularly memorable. Same goes for the horiatiki. The entrees sealed the deal on the three-star rating. The steak, ordered medium rare, was surprisingly large, but arrived at the table medium well and was tougher and fattier than we had hoped. The fish was flavorful but a little dry. The burger wasn't particularly memorable either. All in all, it was a nice dinner, but we decided to head elsewhere for dessert.
(3)Paige C.
My husband and I were looking for an easy place to relax for an after work drink and Opa's Drury Beer Garden had been talked about by more than a few of our friends. We made the trek over to 13th street, entered through Opa's restaurant entrance, through the available seated tables and back onto the deck - and there it was - right in the middle of our midtown village, an urban oasis of fun games, cheap drinks, and welcoming bartenders who seemed all too eager to keep our spiked iced teas coming one after another. Awesome! Our original plan that night was to bar hop a little bit, but after discovering the Jenga games and ping pong table, we just didn't want to leave. They stock a number of really good beers by the bottle, but the real draw is their spiked tea, lemonade, and punch. Key Suggestion: Ask them to mix the tea and lemonade (2/3 tea and 1/3 lemonade) for an Spiked Arnold Palmer - quite good. Towards the end of the night, we realized that we had been talking and laughing for hours, but had totally skipped dinner! We checked out the chalk board menu, saw chicken tenders and Gyros and ordered both to go. It wasn't until we got home with our food that we discovered that the Opa kitchen is yet another great reason to come here - these relatively common bar food items are extremely well executed and I absolutely will be back for some of the best chicken tenders in the city (really good). We had heard good things about the pork belly gyro, but they were unfortunately sold out for the night - no worries - just another reason to check back to one of our new favorite midtown village hangouts. Bottom Line: Try this place - you won't be disappointed - its fun, its relaxing, the service is good, the drinks are better, and the food is a perfect compliment. Solid.
(4)John C.
Hopped into Opa during a night of bar hopping. It was a Saturday night so it was easily packed, filled with people at the bar and eating dinner. Right before we were going to try elsewhere, the DJ told us not to forget to check out the beer garden in the back. Much thanks to him for taking the initiative. It was freezing outside but the plethora of heat lamps warmed us right up. The outside bar had a mix of craft beers and little known gems. A nice, laid back atmosphere was enjoyed by all. Can't wait to return in the springtime.
(4)Jessica E.
Review for Center City Sips only. Good sips options compared to some other places in town - two wines, two beers, two cocktails and two appetizers. We didn't order any food, but from looking at the menu it seems to be the same food as every other "cool" restaurant, but just with Greekified names (and maybe feta cheese thrown in). My friend and I each got the cocktail that was a ginger-whiskey type of thing and it was very good. Our server asked us repeatedly if we were sure we didn't want the other cocktail - some kind of lavender/pineapple thing - I suppose because we were girls, but it was kind of annoying. Would definitely go back for sips again.
(3)Jennifer M.
Really enjoy this place. Solid 3.5 stars! Been here several times, and I love the stylish and sleek vibe. My favorite drink is the Koukla - pineapple vodka, lemon, and lavender. Refreshing, and goes down too easy! Dinner options offer a variety, especially when ordering for a large group. The easiest option is to order some appetizers and share. You may find that you need an extra order of their zucchini chips and their trio of spreads!
(4)Tolis V.
The place looks nice and kinda cozy. The food is a modern version of Greek cuisine. It tastes good (although some traditional recipes should never been altered) but the portions are super small. If you go there to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine, make a U turn...you won't. If you go to get some drinks then go ahead.
(2)Whoy G.
The signature dish...opa...a melted cheese appertiser, was not melted nor served with pita...the gyro sliders...mediocher at best...very disappointing...my wife ordered a Greek salad which turned out to be just tomatoes, onions and olives...no lettuce...it was happy hour but were still charged full price($10) a drink...for Greek go to south st slouvaki...still the champ
(2)Leo F.
Had dinner here on a friday night and overall came away satisfied. Prices were right in line with quality and service. While I was not overly impressed, (I got the chicken) but the food was prepared correctly and the portions were appropriate. I strongly recommend the octopus appetizer as it was done to perfection. The space is small so be mindful that you may be seated in close proximity to others.
(3)Dennis L.
The 3 dips for the pita were good. i would definitely recommend that. the $13 meat dish in a metal black dish that was basically cheese, macaroni, and ground beef, that was alright. It was way too heavy, I guessl ike a comfort food but it tasted like scalloped potatoes with way too much oil. It was fine till you got nearer the bottom, all that oil just made you feel disgusting. Would definitely recommend you order something else, maybe the gyro?
(3)Soyoung K.
Opa really is a great addition in the neighborhood. By the looks of it, this place already belongs in the line of awesome restaurants in midtown village. The decor is very modern and trendy. It's a place you can go after work for a small bite to eat and drinks or a place where you can take your date to impress. Enough about the decor, the good stuff - drinks and food. I sat at the bar both times I was there and the bartenders are all very attentive and accommodating. I really liked the cherry + bourbon drink...which I forgot to ask the bartender. I could careless for bourbon normally, but this drink really struck a chord with me that I went back for more! There's also another drink made with bluecoat gin which was a good time in a high ball glass. Now, I've tried 4 items from the small plates section and they were all very good. Perfect presentation on each dish was really cherry on top of everything. My personal favorite was the octopus dish with 4-hour braised octopus leg and chickpea hummus. zzzomg, this was the best octopus dish I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the roasted beet salad with red and gold beet. I am so used to beet salads with red beet only but gold beet was a nice surprise. Overall, I am very happy that Opa is open. I have never really had Greek cuisine ever but I'm excited to try what Opa has to offer...so should you!
(4)Zachary H.
**Review is for drinks on soft opening. Squeezed in the middle of Time and Bar, the addition of Opa adds an element for people who don't want to pay $5 to wait in line for Time or need an explanation of what a pickle back shot is. And if anyone saw the shape of the building a few years ago, it's one less crack house. Seriously, look it up on Google maps. I'm adding a star just for that. We were told by a polite hostess that as this was their soft opening, only drinks were being served at that point (11 pm) and that there was no waiter service. Despite this the busy bartender still made time to see how we were doing. The Basil Hayden's ($11) pours were a little light --maybe by half an ounce -- compared to some of the other whiskey haunts. But a nice beer selection ($5-$6, roughly) and beautiful interior will make this a place I probably come back to. But Opa managed to pull an unfortunate "first" by charging $1 for the ice in my friends whiskey. Yes, $1 for your average, straight outta the hotel vending machine ice. It doesn't matter if it was a penny or a dollar ... Charging for ice? We were half expecting to see a rental charge for the glass after that.
(4)Eleni B.
I found this restaurant to be very innovative with classic greek flavors. Greek food is home food for me, so I was impressed with Opa's ability to present my favorite foods in a new way. I started with the Amaxi cocktail which was strong and deliciously boozy. My boyfriend had the Antho which I switched to because it tasted like my Greek grandmother. I know that sounds strange--but the dill and the sweetness had a beautifully reminiscent effect on me. It will be a great summer cocktail. Very refreshing. I thought the appetizers were all 5 star. Flavorful, delicious and innovative. The spreads which were very yummy. I loved the zucchini chips, such beautiful presentation! But hands down my favorite, and new obsession were the mini bite sized gyros. Bite sized gyros! If I could have a signature appetizer, that would be it! After the excitement of the cocktails and appetizers, I was really looking forward to our main course. Alas, they were disappointing. Opa has a limited dinner selection and I just wasn't impressed with what we ordered. I thought my befteki was unremarkable. My boyfriend had pastichio which was good, but nothing exciting. Dessert was redeeming. Loukomathes--fried dough--are a delight wherever I can find them. I like them a little darker, but I'll just specify next time. And there will be a next time! I'll be back for dinner but would loooooove if Opa could get some happy hour action going!!
(4)Heng T.
Awesome place. The server was knowledgeable about the drinks and food. The drink list is extensive. For food, the octopus is a must-try. The rabbit dish: the meat a bit on the dry side, but the sauce and pasta complemented the rabbit well. The ribeye had such a wonderful aroma (lemon herb butter), and served with skordalia cake, kataifi, and horta. Get it medium rare. The service was excellent. This new establishment is likely to stay.
(4)Joelle B.
I like this place and have gone a few times. My faces are the zucchini chips and patsitsio as well as the lamb shank-yum! I don't really know what drinks to order, as the only one I ever tried was a vodka dill cocktail I found very refreshing. I typically order a Greek white wine and start there. Beautiful inside, good service.
(4)Alison K.
This review is for happy hour only. While the prices are not the best in the city, this happy hour is well worth visiting. A ginger rum cocktail was strong and satisfying. I moved onto some rose cava which was poured by a very generous bartender. We ordered some snacks from the happy hour menu which were small but flavorful. The meatballs were tender and there were three of them. The slider was tasty but too tiny to even fit on the slider bun. I also ordered 1 of the surf and turf skewers. It took 45 minutes and was so sad and tiny that I felt silly having waited for it. I don't know what I expected for a dollar so my dissapointment was probably self inflicted. It isn't the best but it's far from the worst. I'd go back for happy hour again.
(2)Abby B.
Decent atmosphere, huge bar, central location. Those are the perks about Opa, if any. The food is just okay and they do have an average happy hour. However, the bartenders have zero personality, as well as an unsteady hand when pouring wine. Overall, the place just wasn't memorable.
(3)Jason M.
Went here for lunch today. Group of seven people and I was somewhat dissappointed. We ordered quickly but then waited more than a half an hour for the food to come out. When it did come out there were problems with the entrees going to the wrong people. Also, I ordered the cucumber salad and the portion was extremely small. I believe they may not do a large lunch business because the hostess served the food to us as well as bringing us our drinks. On a positive note, everyone did enjoy the food. Might give it one more chance.
(2)Andrew L.
Aaaahh, Opa. I have some nice things to say and some not so nice things to say. Shall we start with the nice things first? The service was.....good. There weren't many people there on a rainy Wednesday, so we had the server all to ourselves. He was almost enthusiastic, and very attentive. The food was.....satisfying. We started with the artery clogging Saganaki, which reminded me of a flattend pierogi served with a lemon wedge. My friend ordered the Pastisio, and enjoyed it very much. My Bifteka dish was a little different than I had imagined. It was pretty much a burger on a bun, not a big, open faced juicy patty like I had imagined. I nixed the bun and enjoyed it with the tzatziki sauce and the diced tomato, cucumber and onion (dubbed 'cucumber relish' on the menu). It was also cooked to a perfect medium. The menu said something about it being stuffed with feta? I'll leave that for the not so nice part. And now to the not so nice part. Where the hell was the feta?!?! And the dried oregano on the 'oregano fries'....I could make oregano fries at a McDonalds as long as I had my jar of $.99 oregano on me! Lower your drink prices or use less ice, Opa! You're better off ordering a beer, but if you want, splurge on the Anthos cocktail. And I just could not wrap my head around the decor. I felt like I was under water, on a patio, in a hut, in a Steven Starr restaurant, on stage (due to the blinding headlights that illuminated our table every few minutes from the cars exiting the parking garage across the street). And the background music was loungey. Like, elevator loungey. I couldn't figure out what the hell they were going for in there. Fire your designer, Opa. All in all, sadly enough, I'd have to pass on a second trip to Opa. If you want really good Greek food, head to Kanella....they know what's up.
(3)pracheta t.
Came here for dinner and drinks with a few friends and it was packed! I absolutely adored the decor and the coziness of the place but wasn't wow'd by the food. The portions were huge, even for apps, which we weren't expecting and we def over ordered. We all agreed that the drinks were magnificent and actually reasonably priced. I'll go back for the drinks and maybe share an app now that i know how big they are.
(3)C K.
I was very saddened by this place. The food was OK, but not really worth the price, the service was super terrible, and it took forever to get our food (we were there for almost 2 hours and didn't even get dessert!!). Also, we had reservations and called ahead because we were running 10 minutes late and just wanted to be courteous, and the lady said that she didn't think they could accommodate us if we were going to be 10 minutes late but we could try anyway. We get there 10 minutes late, and the table that they had reserved for us wasn't ready. You have to be kidding!! May I mention that when we got there they had about half of the tables at the restaurant open? The only thing that saves this from getting a 1 star is that the food was good. Fries were too salty, but the entrees and appetizer (hummus) were really good.
(2)Alex C.
In a city sorely lacking in Greek options, Opa is a solid addition to the scene, but choose carefully from the menu. In appetizers, the braised octopus is probably the best I've had in the city: perfectly tender, lightly dressed and served with a satisfying mound of chickpeas. You'd think a restaurant, a Greek one no less, that could work so well with octopus would get the calamari right, but it was decidedly chewy (try The Corner just a block away for better squid). The melted cheese was underwhelming the beet salad neither notable nor bad. The dinner menu was oddly devoid of lamb, but did have the Greek classic pastitio, a bit like Greek shepherd's pie. Opa's variation was comforting if unremarkable. They redeemed themselves with an excellent fried dough desert. Puffs of incredibly light and delicious dough were covered in honey and walnuts and served with a Greek nutella (as well as a repulsive banana/balsamic vinegar sauce). The blood orange cocktails was the best expression of the flavor I've had in Philly and the Greek coffee was satisfying. Service was perfect and the prices were right. It's definitely worth a visit if you like Greek.
(4)J K.
Loved this place! Came here for an early pre-theater dinner on a weeknight, the place was not very crowded, and as a result noise level was low. The decor is very cool, I loved the different lighting effects. Service was prompt and friendly. Stand out on the menu was the fried calamari appetizer with harissa sauce. Yum! I could eat plates and plates of just that salty, spicy, delicious squid! Also enjoyed the fried olives on the plate. The main course special, lamb with orzo, was also excellent, and a huge portion. This is not one of those place were you spend $20+ for an entree and leave hungry! For dessert we had the little fried doughnut holes (forget what they were actually called) which were really fairly bland and greasy but they came with this absolutely heavenly chocolate sauce. Wish there had been some ice cream on the plate, and more of the chocolate sauce. Overall, highly recommend Opa for a casual meal of Greek food!
(4)Jayna B.
Went here last night for the first time and can't wait to go back! My friend and I ordered three apps: Hummus (comes with hummus, tzatziki, some goat cheese amazingness, pita and veggies), zucchini chips (also with tzatziki) and watermelon nectarine salad (with feta and onions). We loved the tzatziki and I will be honest, I usually loathe this. Yogurt and dill and cucumbers? But it is the best I have ever had! The zucchini chips were perfect! Lightly fried, the perfect amount of fry-to-zucchini ratio and of course, more tzatziki! The watermelon nectarine salad was fresh and light which went really well with our other choices. My friend had the cava and I had the zoukla (misspelled), which is a pineapple drink and we enjoyed both of those too. The waiter was well informed, very attentive and very helpful at all points in the evening. Like i said, can't wait to return!
(4)Aristos E.
I wanted to like this place - really did, but it just isn't happening for me. The decor is nice, the service was friendly, the pastitsio was ok, and the cucumber vodka with dill drink was very nice. Otherwise, the saganaki was just kind of a grease ball, and the spinach croquettes (recommended by the waitress) were either one of those TGI Fridays frozen appetizers, or made from a block of frozen spinach - pretty gross. In any event, if the ingredients aren't fresh, don't make it. I also found out why no one drinks Greek wine - it's pretty bad, in a sour-and-lingers-on-the-palate sort of way. All in all, this place doesn't do traditional Greek well, nor does it achieve haute cuisine based on traditional Greek foods. I don't need to go back.
(2)PJ M.
Went to OPA based on having one of their drinks at an Octoberfest Block Party. Ordered the Scallops & Octopus appetizers, both very good, but somewhat small, a couple more pieces would have made it a really good sharing appetizer. We ordered the Pastitsio and again it was a bit small, but it was very tasty, we were able to share this as I don't think either of us were too hungry. Finally as a post dinner snack we got the cheese board, this was definitely enough to share with plenty to satisfy both of us. The atmosphere of this place is very nice, however it kept getting hot then cold, my date was constantly putting on and taking off her sweater. I have heard that their gyros are worth trying and I may give it a shot sometime. All in all this was a nice place for a date. Good food, good drink, reasonably priced.
(4)Nicole S.
Apparently the menu changes frequently, we had a whole fish of the day, cucumber tomato salad, zucchini chips, and some other things, it was all delicious. A little pricey.
(4)Slaveiko S.
Went there with a group of friends after a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, so we were there around 10:40. The music was obnoxiously loud, there was no hostess at the door and all the tables that were available haven't been cleaned after the previous clients. After about 10 min. we got a hold of the hostess who told us we can sit anywhere after they clean the tables and that the kitchen is open till 11:00. We found a table and sat down. No one gave us menus. After 15 more minutes with no service whatsoever we found a waitress that told us that the kitchen is close and we can order apps and drinks from the bar. After such a horrible initial impression we just decided to leave.
(1)Nicholas F.
I went here with my girlfriend for the happy hour recently. We decided to go because menupages advertised a very appealing happy hour. Menupages failed to discern that the happy hour was available only at the bar. When we arrived the bar was about 3 people deep. this is a small place. The bar is a rectangle in the center with two tops surrounding it and booths in the back; it was difficult to get around. We were seated and brought water and drinks quickly. We were told that unfortunately the happy hour menu would not be available since we were seated at a table. Rather than get up and go, we decide to stay and try the menu. For some dd/mm/yy-anniversary Yuengling was available for 1 dollar a bottle. This is far from my drink of choice but to offset the cost of the full menu we ordered two. We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer. Believe me when i say that this is the most literal interpretation of meatballs as their gets. 4 tiny, I mean smaller than a golf ball, sized meatballs for around $12.00. Completely over priced. I believe all they were served with was a small leaf of parsley. It was almost insulting. Adding insult to injury, my girlfriend commented that they tasted exactly like a McDonald's double cheeseburger, onions and all. Sadly, she was right. For entree's I ordered the rabbit and homemade pasta and she ordered the mini gyro sliders. The pasta was okay and not exactly cooked right, but not bad. The rabbit tasted like dead protein, but was more tender than the pasta. Finally the sauce was overly sweet, almost sickly sweet but not quite that offensive. Which depending on your preference could be a good or bad thing. Her mini gyros, were in fact, mini. They were about the size of a old mini CD. Maybe 2.5 inches across if flat. It contained hardly any lamb and was overwhelmed with lettuce. I was overwhelmingly disappointed by the quality of the food for the price. This restaurant is extraordinarily over priced and the chef showed a complete lack of inspiration. I would only return if I was walking by starving and saw an open seat at the bar.
(2)Kelly P.
the pita was fresh and warm, the red pepper hummus had a nice kick, and the tzatziki was super good. try the cucumber-dill drink, i forget the name.. it was refreshing and much like a mojito minus the mint. i, too, was a skeptic of dill in a drink. but it was delightful. cute servers. what uppp. i'll come back to hit on them, and try a real meal.
(3)Miriam H.
I visited this wonderful, delicious restaurant a few months ago during a visit to Philly and I am so glad that I did! I had the rabbit something or other and it was so delectable... i also nibbled on other people's burgers and fries and they were all wonderful. The ambiance is calm, generally slightly yuppy upwardly mobile types, but not fussy or attempting to be trendy. The service was superb and the waitstaff was so accomodating. Simply wonderful.
(5)Tom L.
Fantastic food at a great price with amazing service. Can't wait to come back. The Chef has imagination and great taste !!!
(4)Colleen M.
So, I dropped in here with a friend after work yesterday. Service was good. The Spread Appetizer that we got was good, as were the spinach croquettes but neither was anything I left raving about. My martini -- with rye vodka and blood orange was a little expensive and not quite as good as I had expected. Overall the experience was okay. I am glad I went but probably will not return. Too many other options to try...
(3)Stephanie Y.
i don't know why we go here. the drinks are crap and the staff is awful. what a waste of a nice patio!!!!!!
(1)Amanda S.
these three stars come from just the beer garden out back. while the concept and decor is pretty great, the service was slightly awful and completely helter skelter. the three bartenders didn't know who or what was coming and going. the one guy who was waiting on my friend and i had to keep asking another bartender whether or not they carried any of the stuff we were asking for. when i finally got my beer it was disgustingly warm. and then, he told me i owed extra money because there was tax. at which point another bartender stepped in to say that wasn't the case. i sadly wasn't impressed. however, i did love the beer pong table and wished i would have gotten a chance to play. but my friends and i left after one drink. i'll definitely give this place another try in the future in hopes for a better experience and i'd also really like to try out the food.
(3)Phil P.
Fantastic food and service. If haven't been you should.
(4)Izabella J.
My friends and I were brave and patient enough to head downtown Philly on a Saturday night w/o a reservation. After walking around for a while and hearing that the wait is 3hrs, we finally walked in to Opa, where the wait was only 1 hour, but...seating at the bar was open right away. OK then! The bartender Casey made our night. Just let him create and you won't be disappointed. We refused the table and stayed at the bar, cuz it was way more fun. We have orders some food, and yet another score for Opa! Two of are vegetarian. All three of us were able to find plenty of choices. The flavors were amazing! This is my new to go spot for sure!
(5)Mark L.
Was able to get a table on a Saturday night, not common in around that area even for average joints. I had done some work for the owners so was curious to see the whole place in action. Decor turned out stunning. We had $10 wines which were fantastic, could have had a few more $8 wines choices. We had the Octopus with chick peas, 2 items hard to do much with but we loved both. Chick peas were served with a subtle tomato sauce and the octopus was braised in something to give it another layer of flavor. You have to get the humus pita board, comes with 3 dipping sauces, but the humus was all they needed to serve, I am still craving it. We also had the Spinach croquettes which came with a cheese sauce which was superb. My wife, (Vegetarian) had the okra / zucchini dish and gave it a thumbs up. Overall the service was great, and the prices seem on. We didn't even do the bar drinks, will return for that another night.
(5)Juli M.
Went here last night and this place has been open less than a week, so I will revisit when they get the kinks worked out. My initial observations are that the decor and ambiance of the place is quite pleasing - a bit noisy, but not too bad. The layout of the tables along the back banquette needs some work because it is too crowded and awkwardly placed. Without a diagram - difficult to explain, but you can't push your chair out without bumping into the side of other diners. For food, we ordered the cheese pastry, souvlakis (all kinds), octopus with chickpeas, mezze (hummus and other spreads), the Greek burger, side of potatoes, a biscotti, Greek coffee, and dough balls. The only thing good worth mentioning was the octopus and chickpeas, which was really a delight. The side of potatoes was AWFUL - one of the worst things that I have been served in a restaurant - overpowered by lemon, drowned in oil, not browned - complete mush. The burger was flavorful, but not cooked medium rare as requested, fries were sub-par (oily, mushy, like they had been sitting too long), pork souvlaki was good, chicken souvlaki was pitiful, small, and overcooked. Desserts were not that exciting and way overpriced. All in all - not remarkable. In addition, the drinks service needed some work last night. They conveniently ran out of the delightful lower-priced wine we were enjoying and had no other options in the "not exorbitant" price range. It also took way too long to get drinks and water glasses were rarely refilled. We complained about the things we thought could be improved and the management comped a few things on our bill, which was a good sign. This place is about 15% more expensive than it should be and they are definitely working out some issues. I will definitely go back and I wish them luck. It would be a really cute place to grab a drink and some snacks at the bar - love the look of the place.
(2)Percy K.
Went to Opa on a Monday night and it had just finished raining. Needless to say they weren't very busy. The service was quick, friendly, and informative. The appetizer portions are tapas style and meant to be shared so definitely order a few. We had the following apps: Octopus - Excellent Saganaki - Very good; Fried cheese can't be bad right? Gyros - Good; Only 3 included and we were a party of 4 and after all it's still just a tiny gyro. Keftedes - Excellent The entrees were really great. We shared a special lamb shank dish with orzo and spinach (huge portion) and the house made black pasta with shrimp. Both of these were fantastic and I was surprised by how good the black pasta was. So now there's yet another contender for good Greek food in Philadelphia and a great addition to the midtown area. I am allowed to write in a review of Opa that I still think Kanella is better?
(4)Reinaldo B.
Highly Recommend, the best Octopus Salad in the City, Better than Estia. Good Prices, Good Menu, Good Portions. The Ambience and Decor were a nice addition to the Good Food. Will definetely go back again
(5)Nick K.
I'm Greek, so when we found a Greek restaurant across the street from our hotel, I couldn't pass it up. Opa is an upscale, trendy place with classic Greek food and American fare with a Mediterranean twist. It's a small space, so expect to wait a bit for a table. When we were there, the front windows were open and there was live music, which made the inside ambiance even better. The decor is very modern with shades of blue, metal, and wood. The coolest feature was in the bathroom- Greeks are known for breaking plates at celebrations, and the bathroom has a mosaic made up of broken plates. My wife had the fluke ceviche, which was very fresh and flavorful, and came with fried pita. It was good without being fishy. My meal was the lamb burger, which was one of the best burgers I've ever had. I'm being partial because growing up Greek, my two favorite dishes that my grandmother made were kefetes, which are zesty Greek meatballs, and Greek Village Salad, which is tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion drowned in olive oil and vinegar. The lamb meat was flavored just like her kefetes mixed with creamy feta cheese, and it was topped with diced tomato, cucumber and red onion flavored just like her Village Salad. Served on a toasted bun, it was my grandmother on a plate. The fries had fresh oregano that was slighted baked to a flaky texture, which made them exceptional. I would definitely try Opa again- it was fun, fresh, and made me miss my grandmother's cooking, which isn't an easy feat.
(4)Lindsay G.
Great place to go for some drinks before heading out for the night! Love the decor and the cocktails are delicious....not sure why more people don't come here. The bartenders are great and make amazing cocktails.... they definitely take care of you!
(4)Jeff F.
Not so much... went there with 3 friends and will not be returning.. food was just ok.. service was fine, however... after spending about $300.00 on our check, the manager came over, asked how everything was, and proceeded to say that we were sitting at our table a bit too long and he needed it for another party, so please pay the check and get out.. (not exactly in those words, but pretty close) We were appalled to say the least.. What happened to customer service??? Oh there was none.. go figure. I will NOT be back..If I want great Greek food, I will head to Zorba's in Fairmount!!
(1)Nate S.
A friend of mine, who's cousins opened this modern Greek restaurant in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, took me here just a few weeks after it opened...and I'm thrilled to see how successful it has become since its opening. I'm not crazy about tapas restaurants, but the food here is truly fantastic...not to mention the wines! Service has always been very good, the waitstaff work well together and have always been professional and friendly. I highly recommend it! They tend to blast the music a little too loud after hours for my personal tastes, but you can't beat the quality of food and service here!
(4)Aleksandra D.
We went to the beer garden and had a great time. The atmosphere is every great, not too crowded, and with good music. I only wish the employees would occasionally come by and wipe down the tables- they were pretty sticky and gross.
(4)Alina R.
Very nice decor, with greek/Mediterranean influences. Comfy and cozy. Waiters are very nice, but a little uncomfortable because I think they are all new. Give them sometime and they will be flying through the restaurant with confidence. Mezedes (appetizers): Zimi: pastries with yummy feta cheese Fried Kalamari: not as oily as most people make it, which was awesome. I loved the fried olives. Zucchini Chips: Perfectly made, with Tzatiki dip. Spread Pikila: Love the Tzatiki and Tirokafteri (little spice), but I didn't really like not understand the hummus taste. I didn't hate it, but certainly didn't love it. Gyros: 3 small little gyros, light, and very satisfying. Pork Souvlaki: I think they would have tasted great if they were not so salty. I gave the server my constructive criticism to mention to the cook in hopes of helping you other souvlaki fans! Large Plates: Pastitsio: Pasta with ground sirloin was phenomenal, soft, and worth trying and coming back for. Rabbit: very nice and tender. Tasted like a home cooked meal. Would probably not oder again. Desert: Loukoumades: when fried dough and nutella are involved I am SOLD. Not a fan of cinnamon and spiced banana, but since it was on the side, the people who do enjoy it can take full advantage! Mythos beer was nice and pretty light. I enjoyed it. Hope this helps!
(4)Steve E.
Trendy restaurant off of the main street. Was somewhat disappointed with the food. Had the souvlaki sampler (pork, chicken and vegetable) and found it to be rather mediocre. The chicken was bland, the pork had too much salt, and the vegetables were just vegetables, nothing special at all.
(2)Robert S.
Nice atmosphere, helpful staff and really tasty food. Spinach & Feta croquettes, Souvlakia, Kalamari and Grass-fed burger with Feta inside are all wonderful. Pita comes with 3 dipping choices: Hummus, Tzatziki and Chili-Feta (the best). Great selection of draft beers. Derrick was an awesome waiter and very tolerant of a demanding friend. I can't wait to go back to this neighborhood gem.
(4)Karol S.
Stumbled upon Opa this evening, and googled it to learn that it has just opened 3 days ago! :D Great menu, good prices, good portions, excellent service, it was a wonderful meal out. Some insights.... The grilled octopus (accompanied with a chick pea salad) was delicious! You really get a taste of the grill, thumbs up, Better than Estia's! I would have liked a tad more though :D The gyros were also great---3 small, perfectly sized gyros of lamb deliciousness! Also had the soup (which was described as containing 'chicken, lemon, and orzo')....It was OK. nothing special though. light and good, but I was expecting some chicken pieces, of which I got none... As entree, I had the rabbit with house-made pasta....DELICIOUS! I had never had rabbit in the form it is served at opa...shredded over pasta in a flavorful sauce/broth. Plentiful on the meat, the pasta was almost a side. Be sure to ask for a spoon so you don't waste any of the sauce/broth! For dessert, had the Loukoumades, fried dough served with melted chocolate and spiced bananas on the side, and drizzled with honey and walnuts. Very good, simple and felt deceivingly light. You get a good portion of fried dough balls so it's a great dessert to share. Finally, be sure to try the Greek coffee. It is individually prepared and served in an espresso-sized cup to be sipped. It is similar to Turkish coffee, but a bit lighter...a nice compliment to any dessert. Not sure how authentically Greek it is, but will definitely go back for more!
(4)Evan O.
I went to Opa for the first time the other night to try out some food from their late night specials menu (M-F 10-11pm, $3 Yuengling on draft, $4 house wines, $5 specialty cocktails, and a few food items including Greek fries). I had the slider and the meatballs, and both were satisfying for the $2/3 price tags, as was the Brooklyn Brewing Brooklyner Weiss (a beer I haven't seen yet on draft). The bartender was very attentive and friendly, as were the other patrons at the bar, who quickly included me in colorful conversation that became the highlight of my night. I will definitely be stopping by again, especially to check out their backyard beer garden which is one of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, according to other reviews.
(3)Nick C.
Came to Opa around 6:30 on a Saturday night. Hostess sat our party of 3 right away. Server Derek was quick to come over and get our drink orders and explain the menu in great detail. Appetizers are designed for sharing. We ordered the spinach croquettes which were good and a plate of pita with different Greek spreads that were excellent Entrees ordered were chicken lemon orzo soup (good not great) chicken over couscous with green beans and sundried tomatoes (very solid cous cous was awesome) and pastitsio (probably murdered the spelling but it was good but heavy and a little greasy) Overall the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. More importantly the food is fresh, well prepared, and delicious. Definitely recommend
(4)JD H.
We were quite disappointed with the quality and style. I think they were trying too hard on trendy Greek food and it just fell flat. The service was ok, however, it's just not worth going here when there are better choices nearby.
(1)Phil G.
Dinner last weekend. Service was friendly but uneven. Two entrees came out a full 10 minutes before remaining two did. Appetizers and entrees were so over salted, they bordered on inedible. My lambchop was fatty and undercooked, and vegetables that accompanied the meat were also so salty! Swordfish was blah. Gave one star for dessert. Baklavah was excellent. wanted to like this place, but won't go back.
(1)Joan R.
I love going to a new restaurant the first week of its opening. I believe that you can get a good sense of how well it will do instantly. My observation is that Opa is here to stay. From the moment we entered we felt welcomed and it was so nice to see the owners greeting guests and telling stories of the items they have selected for the menu. A few of our favorite dishes of the evening included the roasted beet salad which my friend Colleen insists it was one of the best she has had, the Bifteki took the prize as the best burger Keith has had in quite some time and of course the striped bass which I savored every bite of. If you like cheese you have to try the Saganaki which melts in your mouth. The Opa martini was delicious and I believe it will be my favorite drink of the summer. Overall you get the sense of pride and love that was put into Opa. I am excited to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)Dominic D.
Mark and I went to Opa for Marks birthday. Our first course we had the grilled octopus and the tomato salad. The octopus dish was very small.... And a little gummy. The tomato salad was great, very fresh and rustic. Our second course was rabbit and the striped bass. The rabbit was horrible. Lots of bones, eggs noodles, and capers. And a long black hai!!! That's all.... I was not impressed. The striped bass was amazing. Very flavorful, fresh, and the spinach was fresh as well. The polenta fingers(as we called them) we more like kids food... For dessert we had Greek coffee and some kind of frappe. The Greek coffee was tasty, the frappe was just like star bucks. All in all the atmosphere was beautiful, the restaurant was busy, but in our opinion the food was sub-par.
(2)L F.
We were an airline crew (3 guys and a gal) who just wanted some good greek food on a Monday night.. It seemed that as soon as we ordered water (no drinks), the server got a little snooty. The food was good although pricey for what we got, but the service was S-L-O-W. For example, four of us originally ordered two of the same salads, and one came 20 minutes before the other. The one bright spot was the bus boy who cleared our plates and seemed more attentive than our server. He was happy to bring us more water. We ended up having to take our bill up to the bar where our server was standing around chit chatting with other staff and seemed annoyed that we were interrupting. By the way, it was about 8:00 p.m. and not crowded.
(2)Bobbi L.
The drinks are interesting & have fresh ingredients like fresh berries. The appetizers are small & overpriced. We ordered the feta & olives. We received a chunk of feta which was probably about 3 oz and exactly 6 olives now for $5 I thought it was ok. However, my friend ordered the grilled octopus & there were small slices arranged artfully on her plate with a large pile of chickpeas for $14, so not worth it. I ordered a flatbread which was actually a pita pizza it was very good, actually it was the best item I ate. I ordered the stuffed pepper & tomato which was stuffed with a meat & rice filling. The filling was uninspired & bland also the skin should have been removed from the tomato. My friend had the halibut which I thought was dry. The drinks are great but I would pass on the food.
(2)Kelly C.
fabulous spot! finally visited this place for lunch and i am ecstatic to share this spot with my friends! they have a holiday special for lunch right now and it is $5.95 for either the chicken gyro or the lamb gyro. I tried the lamb one which also comes with oregano fries on the side. you also have the choice of a salad instead if you don't want fries. and man o man what a steal! the gyro is a decent sized sandwich and it's fresh n nicely cooked! definitely beat the sandwiches on the street! honestly, you can't go wrong with the gyro esp if its $5.95! the oregano fries are very nice as well, i just couldn't taste much oregano in it. looking forward to trying other dishes at this restaurant :)
(4)Big D.
This restaurant literally stole my money. The bill was $54.62. I paid with a hundred dollar bill. I received $45 in change. Where's my ¢38? I felt embarrassed to bring it up. I don't really care about the ¢38, but are they allowed to keep it? I asked one waiter and he said that they do that as a matter of course. If they do this to everyone, how much does that add up to in the course of a week? I certainly will never go there again and am considering filing a complaint with the state Attorney General.
(1)Luke P.
Stopped in tonight for dinner and had two apps: --Braised Octopus --Spinach Croquettes Both were very tasty, and I especially liked the Octopus. It was very tender, having been braised for something like 4 hours, and came served with chickpeas and tomato, cooked together but with the chickpeas still whole (kind of like a compote). The spinach croquettes were good too, lightly fried and served with a nice sauce (feta cheese based, I believe). The menu in general seems to offer a nice variety of items, and things not common on other menus. I want to taste the rabbit main dish when I return, and also the mixed 'offal' appetizer (has liver, intestine, heart, etc...). Service was very attentive and pleasant. I look forward to returning.
(5)Amber E.
This is the third time I have gone to Opa and was still impressed. Not only are the specialty cocktails amazing (Mouro, bourbon and berries) but the food is great as well. Both the individual that I dined with and myself have food allergies, the server was very helpful and recommended what met our dietary needs.
(4)Robin A.
Persistent pita problems. I went here last week with three friends on a Thursday night. We immediately ordered the hummus plate for the table. As soon as it came out, one of my friends asked for more pita since there wasn't much on the plate. The server informed us that 'she always notices when tables need more' but that she would put it in. Okay, 20 minutes later, still no extra pita bread. We were just sitting there staring at the hummus spreads with no way to eat them except straight up with a fork. We asked our server again if we could get more pita bread and she said 'I put it in!' like it was our fault for asking for more. Another 5 minutes went by and we finally asked another server if she could scrounge up some bread for us. We finally got some extra bread about 5 minutes after that (30 minutes total after asking). Seriously? 30 minutes for extra pita? It doesn't need cooked, just sliced! Unless they were harvesting the wheat in the back, this is ridiculous. Our entrees took a very long time to come out - probably 40 minutes after ordering. The food was very good but service here definitely leaves something to be desired.
(2)beata n.
Ambience was very cool but the food just ok.
(3)Ben F.
The layout and design inside are very pleasing to the eye, dare I say cool and our bartender, she was nice. I was with a group of fellow coaches and we sat at the bar. I ordered the calamari (came with some deep friend green greek olives that were AWESOME) and a small plate of pork tacos, kinda slidder style. The slidders themselves were good except 2/3 tacos, the the meat inside was basically gristle, so an F on the taco slidders that night. I would go back if I had to, but was kinda underwhelmed I guess.
(2)Alexa R.
With Center City Sips in full swing (we think, otherwise, the CC interns were out in full force), my party of 4 headed to Opa last night. The hostess could not find our reservation, but remarked she specifically remembered taking it. She nicely sat us at a table and we were so grateful! We started with the spread platter (amazing, but needs more pita), the mini gyros (cute), the octopus (I like Dmitri's better) and the men at our table shared some kind of offal appetizer, which they said was great. I had the chicken, over a bed of couscous, green beans and sundried tomatoes. It was good, (I do wish there was more chicken for the price) but the real star of the show was my cocktail. I had some lemon vodka lavender number. And then had two more....they went down so easily! For two couples to have apps, dinner and drinks, it was 200 bones. A little steep, I think, but we all agreed we loved our meal!
(4)Barbara K.
I was lucky enough to 'win' a chef's tasting dinner for 10 at Opa, which I used last week. I had been told that this was a great restaurant (thanks Hugh E), but now I believe it. Each course was better and better, and the Chef's 'marriage' of traditional Greek food with new tastes was truly exceptional. The staff was great, even tho we had a few picky customers. I cannot rate this high enough to reflect my experience.
(5)Tim P.
I really enjoyed Opa. I think the food is really good quality Greek food. I had the pastitsio and also had the Keftedes. The service was good and great selection of cocktails and also beer. I would suggest the zucchini chips. The restaurant is located in what I am told is called 13th Street Corridor. After dinner there are numerous places to go for a beer and even a gelato stand close by. I would recommend Opa!
(4)Jason L.
Great little trendy place for a drink or two and an appetizer! Try the zucchini chips and mini gyro their amazing!
(3)Brad B.
Randomly went after an event in the city with friends. Food was over cooked and very salty. There is much better Greek in the city! Server never asked how our food was, and when we sent full plates back to the kitchen, she never asked why. Ordered a dirty martini at the bar. The bar tender used his hands to select and skewer olives as well as break up an olive to put in the shaker. I love my martinis - hold the fingers! Overall bad food, bad service. Skip this recent addition to Philadelphia.
(1)Jennifer T.
I strolled into Opa for an after-work drink, forgetting it was the tail end of Sips. We were treated coldly by the hostess (yeah I feel your pain, Sips is annoying to me too) but forged ahead, finding 2 spots at the bar. The bartender was not much nicer, even after we ordered two full priced (read: not cheap) drinks. We wanted some food, but after that whole circus, we decided to leave (also being accosted by two socially awkward guys probably helped with that decision). They're lucky they serve rosé sparkling wine and super tasty pineapple vodka concoctions, or else I'd probably never go back!
(3)Laura S.
I'm a big fan of Greek food and was looking forward to trying the newest addition to Philadelphia's collection of Greek restaurants. My birthday provided the perfect opportunity, so I headed here with a group of 7 friends on a Thursday evening. Last year's birthday dinner at Kanella was a great success, so I was hoping to recreate the experience. Opa was good, but did not meet my expectations. The space is small and was slightly cramped where we were seated, to the side of the bar. The decor is nice and not the classic, traditional Greek look, but still gives off a Mediterranean vibe. Service was pretty inattentive, especially as we were such a large party. It took a long time to get water and order drinks, we had to track down our waitress for refills, and food was slow to come out. The food here would need to be pretty awesome for me to forgive the mediocre service and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food doesn't approach "awesome." Everything we tried was fine, but nothing was particularly exciting or innovative. The table shared several appetizers, and we definitely enjoyed these more than the entrees. The grilled octopus was a highlight and was served with a side of delicious chickpeas. The horiatiki and spinach croquettes were fine - somewhat small portions for the price (4 croquettes, a small salad), and not particularly noteworthy. I enjoyed the dips that came with the spread pikilia, especially the delicious tzatziki, but it came with much too little pita for the dips - and you are charged for extra pita (this is not explicit on the menu, but previous Yelpers had given me a heads-up). I split the Brizola (rib-eye steak) with Lauren H. We ordered it medium rare but were given a fairly well-done steak. It was OK - not particularly well-seasoned. It did come with very yummy vegetables. I don't even remember what the other members of our party ordered, which tells you how memorable everything else was. I love Greek food and had high hopes for Opa, but it's not getting added to my regular rotation. It might be a nice place to stop in for a cocktail at the bar, but there are many better options for Greek food.
(2)Chris P.
Great atmosphere, good food and creative drinks - albeit, the drinks can be on the pricey side... but it's Philadelphia and in an area of the city where things have gotten a bit more pricey. The bartenders have all been very friendly so far and part of the reason I go back.
(3)F. O.
Cool place for lunch. Very reasonably priced entrees
(3)Sam J.
The uzo didnt taste like uzo and the rabbit dish was mediocre. Think I will bypass this one
(3)V C.
I know some people love this place but I don't get the enthusiasm. The food is average. Definitely nothing to get excited about. The service was atrocious last as my friend and I were essentially thrown out while I was still drinking my coffee because they had another reservation. Better plan to eat quick and move on. This isn't the place to catch up with a friend.
(2)Andrea M.
I was excited to try out this Greek spot in the city. Service was friendly and courteous and the ambience is clean and hip. They have a nice cheese board and olives, but I was a little disappointed with the Saganaki. Where was the flair? I think they missed out on an opportunity to have something fun and exciting with this traditional dish. Instead of plopping a plate of melted cheese down on the table, they should set it ablaze to cheers of "opa!" in front of diners. The entrees were good, but nothing spectacular. I might return, but I might not. I think it is best suited to apps and drinks.
(3)Lindsay T.
Just ate here for a nice cozy lunch on a rainy day. I ordered the Chicken Gyro which was DELISH! I seriously was savoring every bite. Flavorful chicken wrapped with a warm, doughy pita - mmmm it hit the spot! I asked the waiter for more tzatziki and to my disappointment when the bill came they charged me $2 for a small side of it. WHACK! At least let a sister know when you ask for some more of something that she will be charged. Regardless, I had a nice, enjoyable lunch and was back in the office before anyone could notice I was gone - double bonus! Can't wait to go back and try more stuff!
(4)Dom R.
Opa which is loosely translated to mean something like Hooray! or Hell yeah! or even Yeehaw! Cool name for a Greek Restaurant. The food is close to making me say it, very close, but not quite. Some of the highlights from the menu for me include the Keftedes (Greek Meatballs), Grilled Octopus with Chickpea fondue and the Pastitsio. These three dishes alone I would come back for. The Pastitsio was awesome and would love to have a big pot of it the next time I get snowed in. The cocktails are creative and delicious. The Loukoumades for dessert were equally as delicious and come with a couple dipping sauces, one banana puree, the other Merenda (which is a Greek Nutella) The Bifteki or Greek Burger didn't do it for me. It came out dry and I don't think Greek Flavors help to deliver a tasty burger. Wasn't a fan. Solid Greek spot with a trendy interior, creative cocktail menu and some standout dishes worth coming back for. I'd give it a quiet opa, no exclamation point.
(3)Kasia H.
Just average.
(3)M P.
Lively bar scene with tasty drinks and decent appetizers. Went here for sips. The calamari was good and included fried olives, which was a nice touch. The fried spinach appetizers were good too, but everything was just a bit too fried. Veal keftedes were bland and came in a tomato sauce that was not unlike something you get out of a can. Nonetheless, great atmosphere and very tasty mixed drinks.
(4)Hamzah K.
A fusion take on Greek cuisine, great ambiance as well. I loved their fried zucchini and the pitas! I can eat those pitas all day with pretty much anything.
(4)Michael L.
A nice atmosphere, with solid vibes. I'd really want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but I had a good experience- so I bumped it to a 4. The food, eh? drinks, ok? I just felt that this was just a nice neighborhood hangout, but nothing to rant and rave about.
(4)Emilio M.
This place is bringing sexy to Greek food. I enjoyed the atmosphere and loved the food. we sat at the bar and enjoyed a bunch of appetizers before ordering entrees which were very good as well. i can't wait to go back.
(4)Anthony F.
Nice ambience and really good, but not great food.
(4)Hady Y.
Yummy food, good serves, try it you will love it
(4)Karin R.
More of a bar than a restaurant, but the food is great and so are the drinks.
(3)David S.
Wonderful modern Greek Food.
(4)Andrew M.
1. reservation for 3 made. upon arrival, "sorry we only have 2 menus," it was a sheet of paper. really? couldn't print more? 2. cars exiting parking structure across sansom shine piercing headlights into your face 3. can you say small portions! 4. striped bass was undercooked and when told, "that doesn't look like it's undercooked" 5. should be renamed "Opa Sporting Club" half the clientele came in sweaty in tank-tops and gym shorts. 6. server disappeared to hang out with gym buddies 7. lots of Ikea decor, literally... not that there's anything wrong with that, but not with those prices on the menu please.
(1)Jake M.
Horrrrrible. Ordered food at the bar and it never arrived after 1 hour. They forgot to put the order in and said they would expedite it. After 30 more minutes it never arrived. Had to leave but they were nice enough to not charge for the missing food!!
(1)HD T.
Great food. Small portions, so does get expensive The sparkling vine was flat.. had to send it back all in all great restaurant
(4)Steven K.
At there on valentines day and just now getting around to writing review. Everything about it was great. Small place, so very intimate. Trendy atmosphere. Service was great. the waitress was very helpful and knowleadage, and suggested some good wine and knew about all the good. all the food was excellent, and the service perfectly paced. I had the rabbit stew...first time with rabbit. very nice!
(4)HH V.
We'd had two meals there. Both were great. The apps, entrees, and cocktails are all good. I had the whole fish both times. Really awesome. The environment is really cool and unique. The help is really nice.
(5)Patty G.
My husband and I went to this new spot with another couple last night - one of whom is Greek. The decor is beautiful. Loved the sea-blue ceiling and stonewall bar. The service was friendly and attentive - the staff was eager to answer any questions we had. Bar tab was reasonable, with lots of local beers. On to the food - We ordered far too much, as all small plates are generous and encourage sharing. Spinach croquettes were lightly breaded, creamy and light with a clean spinach flavor. The smoky cheese sauce that went with was perfect. Zucchini chips seem meticulously made, but were ridiculously good. Came with some of the best tzatziki I have ever had - really addictive. Octopus was smoky and butter-soft. Came with a warm chickpea salad that had a smoky note of its own - a nice compliment. Meatballs were moist and flavorful with a hint of mint that was a nice surprise, but the tomato sauce was a little sweet for me. Mini-gyros were adorable with juicy lamb and springy grilled pitas. Calamari was crisp and light, with a generous portion, and a nice surprise of fried peppers and fried stuffed olives, but the harissa aioli left me a little flat - I expected a little more zing from harissa. IMHO they should serve the fried stuffed olives as their own thing. I had the rabbit entree, which was delightful. Tender shredded rabbit with carrots, capers and green olives over wafer-thin home made pasta. A winner! My friends loved their chicken and feta-burger entrees. I was a little surprised there wasn't more lamb on the menu. Maybe as a special down the line... The desserts were all great. Some of the best baklava we'd all ever had, served with a great fig ice cream. The Kormo was a revelation - sort of a less creamy Greek Tiramisu. Biscotti and brandy and chocolate pressed into a loaf. Wow. The Loukoumades were also delightful - puffy fried dumplings with a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of walnuts and 2 luscious dipping sauces - banana, and Greek-style "nutella". The prices were more than fair, too. I know that this place will only get better and better, and will definitely land on our regular rotation!
(4)M C.
I went there for the first time. I think they have a nice decor but it is way to dark for a greek style restauran. My buddy and I ordered more than we can handle or more like a unoffical menu tasting. The food in general was alright I mean there was no "wow" factor to it. The gyro platter was my favorite. I mean this is really a normal restaurant that is nothing special. I just want to say I had better small greek food at a mom and pops restaurants. Would I go back? unlikely because there are el vez and sampan beside it.
(3)Chris S.
Excellent! The perfect place to gather with some friends for delicious small plates of grilled octopus (table favorite), spread pikilia, gyros (slider style), the cheese plate, and souvlakia (three ways). Cool atmosphere around a river rock bar with dark stained arching arbor. Excellent selection of craft beers and affordable Greek wines. Back to the octopus: Chef Andy Brown's 3-day labor of love to bring the dish to the table results in a tender, barbecue finish that you have to taste to understand.
(5)Rachel E.
Four of us dined there this evening and I have to say that I've had better greek elsewhere. We tried most of the appetizers and everyone seems to rave about the octopus. I thought it was completely overcooked and chewy. The calamari was tender but way too much breading. The only things that I thought were great were the hummus and the gyros. Everything else was forgettable. We thought the entrees would be better, but again they fell short. The striped bass was completely bland. I could've cooked a better meal. The pastitsio just tasted odd. I've definitely had better at kanella. The one entree that I will say was excellent was the rabbit with homemade pasta. The flavors were spot on. We did let the server know that we didn't enjoy the other entrees. My friend had two bites of the fish and pastitsio so 90% of the food was left on the plate. The manager did come over and apologized. He then said that everyone seems to like the food and that we must be mistaken. He also said we probably have never tried traditional greek food before. I was flabbergasted!! I couldn't believe this guy. I'm in the business and would've never spoken to a guest in the manner that he did. Needless to say they need serious work on seasoning and customer service! I will not be back!
(2)Jennifer R.
Came for dinner recently and had a pretty swell experience. The service was great. Our waiter was really helpful and everything came out pretty quick. The place has a well designed atmosphere with a pretty unique layout. Everything feels very fitting and well done to this place but just a few unsuccessful menu items. I'd say we ordered wrong and should have gone for more of the traditional greek items. We were curious about some of the more adventurous items they had to add some creative twists to mediterranean but a lot of them fell short. I love what they were trying to do, but they can probably narrow the menu to the real star dishes. We were very interested to see how they did gyro with crab and got that. It was unfortunately not very favorful at all besides the spicy sauce and didn't taste fresh. We got a feta spread and added it on top which helped give it some taste. The spread was great. I do think it was an odd garnish choice to put a whole charred green onion on every pita that came out. It presented nicely, but was useless and got in the way. Also should bring more than one pita with a dip (pita was very fresh and delicious though). We tried to the wild boar ragu as well which was very tasty, but the egg noodles it came with were just a solid unflavored hardened block mostly. You can tell they know how to cook red meat so know to go for that more next visit. We were there during sips so our drinks were probably not as good as they usually are. They were loaded with simple syrup so were too sweet and artificial tasting. We tried some of the sips apps as well which were are very tasty. The fries were surprisingly the best of what we got with a unique great seasoning. the stuffed grape leaves weren't the best I've had, but still satisfying. the chicken skewers had a really well developed sauce, but the chicken was pretty undercooked unfortunately. I've seen their other more traditional plates and love everything else about the place, so thats why they're still getting a nice handful of stars. I would just order better than we did. I know not to fully judge the place based on going during sips. I will absolutely still be back at a less busy time and attack that fava bean hummus and octopus instead next time.
(4)Natalie K.
I like this place! It's got a cool bar with seating almost all the way around, which I had the opportunity to sit at once for happy hour and it was great! The happy hour deal was decent also. The specialty cocktail on happy hour was a black currant drink with vodka. I was a fan! I think the food is pretty good here also, although I will say that the portions are a little on the smaller side. I had the spinach croquettes and they are AMAZING. I took the recommendation from other reviewers here on Yelp and they did NOT disappoint with their suggestions. So I'm passing along the message... get the spinach croquettes. When I ate here, we sat at a table by the windows, which they had opened up (we visited during the summer) and it was a really nice setting. We could watch people walk by on Sansom St and there a was a good breeze that day. I've also been here after the kitchen closes for the bar and it was a great setup. They have a DJ playing a good selection of music and the tables become open seating. Overall, it was a fun place for nighttime!
(4)Larry W.
Wow what a difference since the new chef took over. Food is outstanding. Modern yet authentic Greek food. Great cocktails. Homemade pita. Fresh fish dishes. Inventive sauces. Fair prices. Strongly recommend
(5)Sarah P.
I came for a light lunch with my mother and aunt. My mom picked the place and I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I was very surprised that this place is below a 4 rating as I have very high standards for quality and it met my standards. All dishes were fresh, inventive, and presented beautifully. This isn't your classic Greek menu. They offer a lunch special for $14 where you choose half a sandwich and any two items from the salads or souvlakia/plates section. I'll be back.
(4)Sara M.
Went to Friday night happy hour out in the back of the place--haven't been there for awhile so the covered tented areas were a nice upgrade from the last time I was there. Five of us got there before 6 and snagged a place in the corner of the bar to post up, there weren't any tables left. They were out of Brooklyn summer cans (womp womp), but all other beer was in stock and good. Tasted my friends red sangria and was pleasantly surprised. Service was a tad slow but it was busy for the night and they kept tabs on you. Overall a great experience!
(4)Jim L.
Good small plates. Charred eggplant spread, grilled salmon, grilled octopus, fried cheese were favorites.
(4)Rick B.
I can't say it's a coincidence that Opa is right next to Time. Seems like they also caught the sellout vibe, and decide to turn a nice restaurant into a genuine try-hard when the night crowd rolls in. Overly loud music and "menacing" bouncers. I took a few friends from out of town here and watched our wonderful bouncer for the night get into TWO altercations with some patrons. It was beautiful 70-something degree night in late May; c'mon, nobody wants to see that. Oh, and last call apparently only lasts less than two minutes. Almost immediately after our last call, the same bouncer (surprise) decided it was time to kick everyone out. Opa's previous reviews definitely warrant another visit to at least try the food, but in the meantime, I can't ever see going back to enjoy a night out with friends. Ever.
(1)Richard R.
We went to Opa last Sunday night and we had a really nice dinner. Opa is just off the 13th street transformation on Samson. The restaurant is very beautiful inside and does a great take on chic, industrial Greek. On the Sunday night we dined there, the restaurant was not very crowded so the noise level was quiet. We had Grilled Octopus, Beet Salad-Batzarosaláta, Shrimp Pasta-HilopÃtes Me GarÃdes, Gýros-Gýros Arnà and the Whole Fish. The Octopus was very good and came with some vegetables. I think Estia and Barbuzzo do this dish a little better, but it was still quite good and tender. The Beet Salad was very good and large enough to share with 2 people. The Shrimp Pasta was excellent with a very tasty sauce and we also really liked the Lamb Gyro. The meat was tender and it had just the right amount of tzatziki sauce. We ordered the whole fish, which was a grilled Bronzino. This was another excellent dish and the fish was light and moist and had that nice grilled taste. For dessert we had the Baklava with Fig Ice Cream. We were able to share this with 3 people. The prices are fairly reasonable at Opo. Dishes ranged in the $9.00 to $14.00 range for the most part. The Bronzino was $29.00 but that was market price and typical. We really liked our dinner at Opa and our server Jesse was great and also very attentive. We will be back.
(4)Katherine R.
One of the best meals I have had in Philly. Hands down, excellent. We started with the watermelon feta salad, followed by lamb and crab gyros, and finished with homemade baklava. My friends and I were so impressed with the incredible but not overdone flavors with these dishes.
(5)Farha A.
Update! They changed the menus and got rid of the crack fries :( I cannot imagine why they would get rid of the most delicious thing ever. I tried their new battered fries and they did not compare at all to the feta and pepper fries they had on the old menu + they were super pricey! How sad.
(3)Anthony S.
I decided to check out Opa after seeing it on a list of "best places to eat outside in Philly." We didn't actually end up eating outside, but that was alright because the ceilings are painted the same color as old Greek houses and I loved it. The food ranged from okay to fantastic. If I could do it over again, I would skip the melitzanosalta (charred eggplant dip--meh) and get the tirokafteri (feta & pepper dip--so good!). We tried the duck gyro, which was fine but nothing to write home about. The macaronada was good but seemed like it was missing something that could have made it great. But the grilled octopus was delicious--cooked just the right amount, had great flavor and texture. The service could have been better. Our waiter forgot my friend's ginger ale, other times they would take our empty beer glasses but wouldn't ask if we would like another (and yes. yes we would).
(4)Dana S.
Great spot in mid-town. I've only gone for drinks so I cannot speak to the food. There is a great little beer garden out back which is perfect for the weekend afternoon or an after work happy hour. At night they have a good crowd too. Bathrooms are clean and the staff is pretty quick to take care of you. Good place to go out in Philly.
(3)Brian F.
Inconsistent, average, disappointing for Greek food in Center City, but there were some highlights. Let's begin with the good. Pluses The calamari was fried beautifully. It tasted amazing, although a couple of pieces were a little bit chewy. A novice mistake. I very much enjoyed the eggplant dip as part of our three-dips appetizer. But more on that later. Minuses Skimpy portions, high prices. Three small bowl of dips and six or seven pieces of pita for $17?! And $13 for five pieces of calamari? Greek salad. Very underwhelming. A series of chopped vegetables with forgettable dressing. Service. The guy was very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but then petered out. It was especially odd when he dropped the bill. He literally tossed it on the table saying whenever you are ready and breezes away. In short, if you are craving Greek food, go to Effies or Dmitris. Much larger and higher-quality portions. And if you like even more upscale and want to pay a little bit more, go to Estia or Kanella.
(3)Ethan J.
Well we decided against Estia due to our lack of desire to dress up and spend too much, only to find ourselves shelling out serious cash to sit in a bar. The place sells itself as greek tapas...Prepare to spend at least $125 for 2-3 people (we drank water btw). Portions are VERY small. Spanish tapas are on average larger than these plates. The pork souvlaki was a bit tough. Meat plate was very good. Hummus was a 3oz portion spread thin. The beet feta salad left us in regret. It was just beets..and whipped feta. The place was less than busy, yet the wait staff did not hesitate to take away plates with food still on them. As far as authentic flavor is concerned, this place nails it. From the smelts to the tsatziki sauce. The pita and dolmades were homemade but also tiny. Reminded me of a greek version of El Vez. (Mexican place down the street, also specializing in tiny portions and over pricing)
(3)Katie H.
Very delicious Greek tapas. The waiter told us they were trying a new menu. We ordered 9 appetizers for 5 adults. They provide complementary phylo crisps to start. We ordered the spanikopita, tiptop its, fava bean hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, fig barley toast, salad, octopus and chicken skewers. All were delicious! My favourites were the spanikopita, beet salad and octopus. The octopus was beautifully roasted with a nice crispness. Our waiter, Zack, was friendly and attentive to our table. He was always coming by with water to refill our glasses and clear empty plates. Would like to try their happy hour.
(4)John K.
Earlier this year, Opa celebrated it's third year as one of the premier Greek restaurants in the Midtown Village area. That's no small feat considering the normal lifespan of a restaurant in any big city. So in celebration, they offered a $3 menu for a variety of items on their menu. Natch, the GF, a friend, and I had to stop by. Opa offers a sleek, modern space, with a bar at its center. Comfortable seating can be had while you enjoy your meal - no small feat considering many of the restaurants on 13th street cram you in - at least the ones not owned by Stephen Starr. Antho [$3 / $10] Cucumber vodka, lemon, dill We all started our night off with the Antho - what a steal at $3 - so we had a few! The sweet essence of lemonade, refreshing cucumber, and the herbaceous punch from the dill offered a nice counterbalance to any vodka. Greekified Fries [$3] House-cut oregano fries, long hot peppers, onions, cheese sauce The Greek fries were a bit limp, but the toppings were great. Typical of most Greek fries, oregano was speckled throughout and the long hots provided some punch. The fried onions offered some texture, but the real star was that cheese sauce. Almost like a romesco, the sauce was packed with flavor. Spinach Croquettes [$3 / $8] Smoky feta cheese dip The spinach croquettes were crisp on the outside and the inside reminded me of spinach gnocchi in its texture and essence. The smoky feta cheese dip provided a salty counterpoint to each bite. One order wasn't enough to satiate us so of course, we had to get another. Bifteki Sliders [$3] Feta-stuffed local grass fed beef, tomato, onion, cucumber relish The burger was well-seasoned and moist. The relish added some additional texture and Greek flavor to each bite. Keftedes [$3 / $10] Herbed veal meatballs, ouzo-tomato sauce The keftedes were juicy and hearty. You could get the faint hint of licorice from the ouzo within the marinara, but it was not overpowering. Horiatiki Side Salad [$3 / $9] Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, shaved red onions, feta The Greek salad provided all the elements that are typically associated with it - salty Kalamatas and feta, the bite of the red onion, and the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The bonus addition of green peppers added extra crunch to the dish as well. Skewers [$3] Pork tenderloin, lemon-marinated chicken, seasonal vegetables The skewers offered a trio of different tastes. The chicken was well-charred and moist and the veggies had good grill flavor. The pork was decent, but a tad dry. Regardless, we got two orders of these as well. Brussels Sprouts [$9] Braised brussels sprouts, house cured and smoked pork belly, leeks, sweet potatoes, honey Noticing that the regular menu had a dish with pork belly, naturally, I had to get these brussels sprouts. The pork belly wasn't abundant, but crisp and nicely fatty. The brussels sprouts had a subtly sweet glaze, with the leaves crisped slightly. The sweet potatoes were accented by the draping of honey, creating a somewhat sweet dish balanced by the heartiness of the pork. Saganaki [$9] Seared Kaseri, metaxa And if you're at a Greek joint, you know you need to get the Saganaki. Unfortunately here, they don't flambe the kaseri tableside, but regardless, the flavor is all there, along with some grilled pita. The cheese was soaked in Metaxa, a blend of wines including Muscat, rose petals, and Mediterranean herbs, creating a somewhat floral note to each bite. Grilled Octopus [$14] 4 hour braise, smoked chickpeas, red peppers, spinach, potatoes, roasted garlic vinaigrette I was also in the mood for some octopus, so ordered this a la carte as well. It was tender from the braise and meaty, with the garlic vinaigrette being punched up with lemon. The potato salad that accompanied the octopus was reminiscent of others I've had at Greek restaurants. The red peppers, smoked chickpeas, potatoes, and spinach were well-dressed. Baklava [$3 / $8] Layered phyllo, walnuts, honey, fig ice cream And who can say no to some baklava to close out the meal. So essentially, we ordered the entire $3 anniversary menu, and then some. As expected the baklava was sweet, flaky, and crisp, with the pistachio providing texture and nuttiness. The scoop of fig ice cream was a nice touch. I don't know why it's taken us this long to check out Opa, but I'm glad we finally did. Service was exceptional. Philly does Greek cuisine justice in the form of Estia, but Opa does it just as much justice and in an even livelier way. In fact, with the check, the manager stopped by with three shots of ouzo, compliments of the house. Typically an apertif, this was a welcome digestif as well. Opa!
(5)Michael F.
I went last week to celebrate my birthday with a friend. Everything was great: the service, the atmosphere, and the food! Richard our waiter was very nice and personable, which made the experience that much better. My friend and I ordered the hummus and pita. We were surprised at the fresh-baked pita with asparagus on top. The saganaki was delectable; the fig on top was a nice touch. I had the village salad which far exceeded my expectations. While we were eating, the chef came out and introduced himself. He was very nice, too. It was a very nice night. As a vegetarian, it's sometimes difficult to find choices without feeling limited. That wasn't the case at Opa and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Srishti K.
Absurd service. We got here for our 9:00pm reservation. 30 mins later and we're still waiting. I don't care how good the food is. This is ridiculous.
(1)Yoonjung Y.
I am a regular customer here, and the quality of the food explains it all!! I think I've tried "most" of the food here, and I've never had a bad time. Try to come in during weekdays cuz it's always crowded during weekends!
(5)Brandon H.
Loved the tubes as I walked in. Decent food but very small portions. My lamb gyro was two mini cones...I was very hungry and hoping for a phattie gyro instead I was able to eat it in four bites. I'd recommend as a precursor to a meal. Don't go an expect to fill your belly.
(3)Ling L.
This place has an indoor and outdoor seating. A decent selection of beers and mix drinks. You can reserve the outdoor seating for a private party so the 2 times I went was kinda crowded. I didn't notice the food menu or I was never given one. I would just come here for a drink or a place to hang out after a meal
(4)Don W.
Bottom line: Awesome food and service. So my wife and I were going to be on a business trip in Philadelphia on Valentine's Day, which happened to be on a Saturday this year, and we decided to make reservations early. I checked the menu and made reservations at Opa as soon as I could. I was disappointed by the fact that only a fraction of the menu was available and instead, they were pushing a more expensive multi-course menu. That is the end of my complaining. We found plenty to eat on the more limited menu and since we had a big lunch earlier, we had no interest in the bigger menu. The food was excellent. The wine was excellent. The service was excellent. I think you understand where I'm going with this. We didn't have to wait to be seated and our waiter Zach was probably the best server we had on our trip. As for ambiance, it was a bit louder than I'd like and too dark to read the menu, but don't let this stop you from going because whatever you order will be delicious. Go, eat, enjoy, and save room for the baklava. And then when you're finished, go next door to Time for some absinthe. :)
(4)Paul K.
Beneath the formulaic "trendy, upscale, hip" decor beats the heart of a real Greek kitchen and I am a big fan of Greek food. And my main complaint re Greek restaurants is that the menu/vibe tends to be a bit dowdy but here the food has been updated for the 21st century while respecting its roots. I could sit at the bar and drink wheat beer and dip smelts into tzaziki all day.
(4)Nicole D.
I loved the food here! Pita and hummus was amazing and my meal was great too. It was a squash dish, it didn't seem particularly Mediterranean but it was delicious. Service was also really good. Ambiance is okay. It was a little bit dark for me, and the tables are close together. A guy at a neighboring table scooted his chair back to stand up and knocked a drink out of our server's hand. It wasn't anyone's fault but just a product of tight quarters. This was my only complaint! Would definitely come back.
(4)Jessica K.
This was my third time at Opa and I've enjoyed it each time. This bar is easy to miss with so many other restaurants within a stone's throw away, but it's solid little spot with really good food and a variety of drinks to suit any palette. They have an outdoor bar in the back which is really cool with table games and heating for cooler nights. But it's usually much too crowded for my comfort. For Sips we chose to sit out on the sidewalk and we were permitted but only with a food purchase. That was okay, since we planned on trying some of the $5 offerings anyway. The grape leaves were fantastic and the drinks were incredibly delicious.
(4)Aditi M.
Happy Chic ambience with a ping ping table at the back porch in summer .. Love the collection of different kinds of hummus at this place .. It is amusing to also watch the bartender make the drinks :)
(4)Renton R.
Last night, the wife, my brother, sister-inlaw and myself ventured out on a double date for Valentines Day to OPA. I made reservations the night before and they were very accomadating by changing our reservation from 2 people to 4 people on Valentines day. We were treated to the Valentines menu, whih consisted of some great choices. The ambience was great with contempory decor and candle lit tables. We started off with some drinks, we tried the "kafteros" which consisted of tequila, long hots, yes....long hots and agave nectar. We also tried the XINOULI - greek style margarita. Both drinks were great, they packed a punch, especially the Kafteros which was spicy...just how i like it. We decided to mix and match our choices off the 4 course menu, so we could all try some of each of the items they had on the menu. For starters we had the following: I will rate them out of 10 STRAWBERRY AND FETA SALAD (7) BEET SALAD (9) ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP (8) 2nd Course: PAN FRIED OYSTERS (10) MUSSELS (9) YOGURT BASED FLATBREAD (6) GRILLED OCTOPUS (10) 3rd Course: BEEF TENDERLOIN (8) SEARED SCALLOPS (9) LAMB CHOPS (9) CHICKEN (6) Dessert: CHOCOLATE LOUKOUMADES (6) BAKLAVA (7) Overall, this place was great, the only reason I would give it a 4 out of 5 was I would reccomend, that the waiter would be more versed in the preparation and content of each dish, and the wait time for each course was a little longer then expected. But, we had an amazing time and will definately be back.
(4)Joseph B.
While our meal was good I have to give Opa a very poor review because of their door security staff. At the end of our meal ,we went out to smoke and the security wouldn't let us back in despite us saying we had just eaten a meal. We should have just left but didn't want to leave our friends inside and stiff the waiter. The manager, unfortunately, didn't seem to understand why we were upset and didn't do anything at first to rectify the situation. Bottom line -- avoid this restaurant because they don't understand how to take care of their customers.
(1)Joseph V.
Went for lunch. Zucchini was really greasy. Steak was good. Lamb was dry. Service was fine, very attentive, but I've had much better Greek, and there's tons of choices in that area for good food.
(2)Michael M.
Modern bar. I came here for happy hour with some work colleagues and was pleased with the drink prices. I had the Every Day IP. Overall pleased.
(4)Michael G.
DISASTER OF A RESTAURANT!!! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME... We had an 8:15 reservation for 2 people. We got there at 8:19. We were rudely told that we could either eat outside (95 degrees out) or wait about 20 minutes for a table. We decided to wait at the bar. We stood at the bar for about 5 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. After noticing that there were at least 4 open tables that could accommodate us, I walked back to the hostess to ask if there was some confusion. We were told that they were expecting a large party at 9:00 (45 minutes after our reservation time) and that they were holding the tables in that section for them. What made less sense was that there were tables in other sections also available. We were obviously not happy and were looking for another restaurant on Open Table when one of the hostesses walked by and said "we'll seat you". Not only did she not stop or bother to address us, she was clearly annoyed. We were very uncomfortable and felt like an inconvenience at this point. Had she stopped we would have told her that we were leaving. Instead we told the other incredibly rude hostess that we didn't like the way we were treated and were going to eat elsewhere. This situation could have been handled many different ways. Had someone explained what was going on or treated us somewhat politely all would have been fine. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the food (I'm sure it's wonderful), but I didn't get that far. I didn't make it past the incompetent staff. There are so many other place to eat, that it's not necessary to go somewhere that you don't feel welcomed. Don't waste your time!
(1)Andrea A.
Went on Friday night and had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. We were totally blown away! Each course was multiple plates and included a salad, cheese plate, asparagus toast, crabcake gyro, clam pasta, roasted chicken, swordfish slouvakia, and a platter of delicious desserts! The wine pairings went really well with each course, although the dessert wine was too sweet for me. Great food and the tasting is totally worth the money!
(5)Charlotte H.
Great ambiance, and food exceeded my expectations. We were waiting for another reservation and decided to just eat here. Gyro was awesome and fries were super! Standout service by Jesse!
(4)Charry L.
Our initial plan was to try the pizza place next door but their wait was so long. So we found Opa by coincidence but really enjoyed their food and their atmosphere. There is a square bar area in the middle of the restaurant. and then there are more private tables at the back of the restaurant. The food was delicious - surprisingly. We ordered the cheese platter, greek salad, and a pasta (can't remember the name). Heads up, the portions are really small. I think the pricing is more on the high side considering their portions. From 10 p.m. they make it like a club setting - really loud music! - We couldn't talk / hear ourselves so we left. Would definitely visit again with a group of friends to share multiple dishes (like tapas style)
(5)Jes F.
Loved the food. Didn't realize this place had good food because I always thought of it as a bar. Was pretty empty around dinner time even on a Friday. Enjoyable, quick and delicious food.
(5)Alisa R.
Who knew Opa had an outdoor beer garden!? It was fun and well organized. Too bad the beer selection was low and there were no pitchers.. Otherwise, great vibe!
(4)Pete S.
The food was excellent , waitress was never all there. It took her the whole night to warm up and was still dry. A little on the expensive side for the portion size. Once again food is very good.
(3)Sophia J.
I like opa a lot and I love their drink they change their new menu I think I like their old menu better though but in all it's still really good food service is really good everyone is friendly and you get serve right away if I had it my way I definitely want the old menu back definitely come back for drinks
(5)Sam R.
I stopped into Opa earlier tonight with a friend. I love Mediterranean food and figured this place would satisfy a craving or two that I have had recently. When I first walked in I noticed that Opa was literally packed with people. The bar is at the center of the restaurant and there were people swarmed all around the bar. We were able to get a table for two in the back of the restaurant. The seating is comfortable they have light blue colored couches that line the back of the restaurant and wooden tables. We ordered the lamb keftedes, mussels, eggplant with pita bread and veggies and the watermelon & feta salad. Lamb keftedes were just three small lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce. I wasn't too crazy about these. I was expecting more Greek spices instead of a tomato sauce The mussels came in a broth and they were just ok. Not much for me to go home and yelp about...No pun intended. The eggplant was like a ghanoush dish and we ordered an assortment of veggies. It came with cucumber, olives, green peppers and pita bread. This was my favorite dish out of everything I tried. I probably should have ordered two of these. The only thing missing from this dish is a little bit of olive oil that could have been added at the top of the dish. The watermelon and feta salad was ordered without the cheese. There weren't that many onions at all in this dish or plums. It was a lot of watermelon more than anything else. We skipped dessert and headed out. This place is okay. I was expecting a lot more authentic Greek food unfortunately, that wasn't my experience. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly nice and great customer service here. I just wish they would spice up the menu a bit more....
(3)Marie J.
Great restaurant. The menu was in transition from winter to spring/summer, so the chef came out and talked us through the changes and recommended certain dishes. Our waiter was knowledgable and friendly. We sat by the open air windows on a warm spring day, so it felt like outdoor dining without the city strollers bumping into your tables and sneezing on your dishes :) We had beet salad, lamb/lemon soup, and gyros- all really good. Will definitely come back again.
(4)