It was my first time eating here and it exceeded my expectations. I met a friend for Sunday brunch and decided to order from the prix fixe brunch menu. We shared everything, and every single dish was incredible. We started with the hummus and avocado Aegan toast, which were both great starters. For our mains, we ordered the Santorini wild shrimp arrabbiata and it was flavorful, filling, and definitely something I'd order again. We finished with the gelato and lavender olive oil cake, which was the perfect ending to the meal. The service was top tier from start to finish, and the whole atmosphere felt elevated but still relaxed. This is officially becoming one of my new favorite spots! I've been telling my friends all about my experience here. read more

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This is a great high-end Mediterranean restaurant. The staff is friendly, great ambience, with a nice relaxing vibe. Started off with cocktails - Phoenician and Divine Choice. Both drinks were very tasty. They serve complementary cracker type pitas while you're looking over the menu. For apps, we got the hummus (served with pita bread) which was perfect. The winner tonight though was the Flambéed Cyprus Halloumi Cheese. It was the perfect amount of lemon and honey. I only wish there was more. For dinner, Shrimp Arrabiata (tasty -would order again), Braised Chicken (pass on this-small piece of chicken on the bone), and the Brussels Sprouts (slightly underdone). To note, they include an "Operations Charge" of 20% automatically on the bill. We didn't see a note about this initially. Overall, enjoyable dinner for a night out. read more

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In celebrating Father's Day - I made reservations seeking Mediterranean cuisine. We were escorted to a "lounge type" of table seating next to the picture patio doors, overlooking the bar and visual scape of pink "bougainvillea". Annie also provided an ottoman for my purse. Our server Justin was informative, thoughtful and great conversationalist; he described the menu items well. I noticed teams of at least 2-3 serving each table - clearing the table for the next food item, filling water glasses, ascertaining guest preferences. For this special occasion there was a prix-fixe menu - appetizer, main course & dessert. The spanakopita was lovely with edible marigolds. The cucumber gazpacho was refreshing before the next course. The truffle risotto was delicious. Presented as a "family style" where the number of your party will impart the size of the item you receive to share. Our bill was presented but we had yet to receive the lava cake dessert listed on the menu. Apparently since we were a party of two~ we were only to receive one of the desserts off the prix ride menu - though not stated or printed for our awareness. Tips: Reservations are a must. Hand towels are for members only They are mindful of allergies particularly gluten and dairy. Be aware of an automatic 20% operations charge. We added gratuity for our server Justin - he was attentive to all his diners not just our table. The circular tables are lounge type for a party of two. The number/size of your party dictates the "family style" size or number of items - this may have been for this special occasion. Will have to return for regular dining service. They have an assortment of wines. The server at the next table RJ sounded well versed in accommodating to the patrons palate. Did not see a child menu option. They have high chairs for children if needed. read more

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Watch for 20% "Operation Fee", not an automatic gratuity. This was our second time at Ava. But has been well over a year since our last visit. We were sat at the last table against the wall by the kitchen. The noise level was crazy we could barely speak to one another. We ordered multiple appetizers as we like to sample the food and love small plates but also ordered the risotto entree that never arrived. We waited thinking the entrees were taking a bit. Then our server came over and asked if we wanted dessert. At this point we decided we were done with the noise and ready to go. We ordered dessert which came out quickly, the olive oil cake. It was good but too much going on that the cake was lost. Wouldn't order again. The apps were good but not worth the price. The drinks were good but the pours are small, dirty martini came in a very tiny glass. We were very surprised by the 20% "operation" fee that was quickly glazed over by the server. The last time we were here there was not a "fee". And note, this is not an automatic gratuity, so our $200+ meal turned in to over $280 with the "fee" and gratuity. This fee was not presented before ordering or when making the reservation on open table so we were a bit taken aback. Due to this, we won't be back. It's is a beautiful restaurant but honestly, not worth the price to go. Update: Thank you for your response. We do love this restaurant and if there was a service fee on my previous visit, it was presented as automatic gratuity, this visit it was not. We then felt the need to tip the server additionally. I would be happy to revisit your restaurant if the operation fee is indeed going to the server and staff. Thank you. read more

We stopped in here on an impromptu date night because we've had several friends recommend it. Reservations are a must, we had about a 30 minute wait without a reservation on a random Thursday night. The ambiance is great, such an intimate but fun vibe! The food was great, we did the prefix menu and it was perfect taste of everything they have to offer. The only reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5 was because of the 20% operation charge which we were informed as a tip afterwards. read more

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Ava is a very pretty restaurant, everything from the hanging flowers and plants, the stone walls and unique plates/flatware. The food is delicious and the service is excellent too. My only gripe is, it is pricey, but I guess that comes with the Park Ave territory. This visit, my wife and I shared a bunch of great dishes. My wife started with the Ava G&T. She is obsessed with it, and I'll admit, it is very tasty. After that we got the Keftedes meatballs, hummus and grilled octopus. The grilled octopus was both of our favorites. Then we split the hanger steak and the branzino. Both were very good; you honestly can't go wrong there! read more

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Ava's food always tastes fresh, and the drinks are amazing. We had a 7:00 pm reservation and arrived around 7:12 (within the 15-minute grace period), but were told we'd need to wait about 15 minutes at the bar for our table. While we did end up waiting longer than expected--closer to 35-40 minutes after our reservation--the bar experience was great. The bartenders were attentive, efficient, and genuinely friendly. They even offered to bring our last round to the table if we were seated before it was ready, which was a nice touch. Once we were seated, Casey was our server and completely turned the night around. She was absolutely incredible--informative, thorough, warm, and clearly very good at what she does. It's the level of service you'd expect at a Michelin-quality restaurant. We followed all of her recommendations and were really happy with everything. We were there celebrating my father-in-law's birthday, and unfortunately, his meal timing was a major miss. Everyone at the table received their food together, but his didn't arrive until after the rest of us had finished. My mother-in-law ordered the same branzino and was served with the group, finishing her meal nearly 20 minutes before his even made it to the table. It was noticeable and disappointing, especially for a birthday dinner. I mentioned it to the manager when he stopped by, and he was receptive and acknowledged the issue right away. Something clearly went wrong in the kitchen or during service. That said, the food itself was delicious, and Casey remained exceptional throughout the entire experience. I also let her know what I had shared with the manager so she was aware, and she was very appreciative. Overall, while there were some significant timing issues, Casey's service and the quality of the food made a big difference. We truly wouldn't have had as positive of an experience without her, especially considering the long wait for our table and the delay with the birthday guest's meal. The tour of the downstairs at the end of the night was very much appreciated as well. Sebastian was great. read more

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Great all across the board! This restaurant lives up to the hype. It's a beautiful and moody oasis for an enjoyable meal. We came here on Good Friday around 7:30pm. We had a reservation for 3 and still had to wait about 10-15 minutes to be seated. The waiting area is just one bench across from the hostess stand and it can get pretty congested at peak hours. It might be better to wait outside. This place is on a busy street but there are some reasonable garages and parking lots close by. They have a smart casual dress code, so this is the type of place you want to dress nicely and look your best. Most of the staff and guests look like models. Please also be advised that it's dimly lit to sent a nice moody vibe. The service staff are also very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Everything we ordered had great presentation, texture and flavor. They brought us a delicious basket of super thin and crispy flat bread to the table. I had the flambèed halloumi, Greek salad and brazino filet. The portions are decent but to be expected at this price point. Order the whole branzino if you want a bigger portion. You will most likely not have leftovers unless you order the pastas. The pasta dishes were generous and delicious as well. My friend had the lobster pasta which was light and the other had the rigatoni. I'd definitely come here again and recommend it for a girls night, sexy date or group celebratory outing. read more

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Checking out Brunch for a birthday. We did not know it was a festival day and parking was tricky. I will definitely avoid the area during this time in the future. We had a reservation. Still had to wait for a few minutes after our reserved time. The place was very smoky and foggy. 5 Stars is for the food. They offer a 2 Course Prix-Fixed Brunch + Dessert for $45. Not bad if your party orders the different options to taste. It's exactly what we did and got to try all the dishes. What I really enjoyed and it's my first time seeing is the Bottomless Cocktails option aside from the Bottomless Mimosas. Since we were celebrating, it worked out perfectly. Every dish in the Prix-Fixe Brunch menu was delicious. read more

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We chose to go to AVA for my birthday dinner and were really excited to try it for the first time. Overall, we had a nice evening, but there were definitely a few things that left us feeling slightly disappointed, especially given the higher price point. We were seated promptly at 6:30pm and placed our orders within about 15 minutes. Since it was a Tuesday night and the restaurant didn't appear overly busy, we expected a fairly smooth and timely experience. Unfortunately, our entrées didn't arrive until close to 8:00pm. Waiting over an hour for food, particularly on a weeknight, was frustrating and took away from the celebratory feel of the evening. A little communication about the delay would have gone a long way. The ambiance is dark and moody, which creates a romantic and intimate vibe at first glance. However, the background noise from other tables was louder than expected, making it difficult to hear each other at times. We were also seated right next to an outside door, and with servers frequently walking in and out, it felt a bit awkward and slightly distracting throughout the meal. That said, the food itself was very good. I ordered the Wild Shrimp Arrabbiata and thoroughly enjoyed it. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, and the sauce had just the right amount of spice and richness. The quality and flavor definitely met expectations. In the end, we did have a good time and appreciated the overall atmosphere and food quality. However, the long wait and seating situation made the experience feel less polished than we anticipated, especially considering the cost. read more

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We went to AVA MediterrAegean to celebrate my wife's birthday, and overall it was a really nice night out. The vibe and ambiance are great, and it definitely feels like a special-occasion kind of place. The food was good across the board. I ordered the black truffle risotto, which I enjoyed, but it didn't quite wow me. The real star of the night was the spicy tuna appetizer. It was honestly one of the best bites I've had in a long time, and I could order that again and again without getting tired of it. The food did come out a bit slow, but they were clearly very busy for a Tuesday night. All in all, it was a good experience with some very good food, but nothing out of this world. Nice job, AVA. read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Black truffle risotto - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

I had another fabulous dinner at AVA. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. I love the furniture in the lounge area. It was very relaxing and they have a great vibe. Service was absolutely spectacular. To drink, I had Apollo's tears, which had strong cucumber and dill flavors. The washed gin was fantastic. If you like a more savory drink, I highly recommend it. It was fresh and delicious. For our appetizer, we had the meat balls. They are served with a flame so they are very impressive. They were tender and perfectly seasoned. For my entree, I enjoyed the Santorini wild shrimp arrabbiata. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the shrimp were tender, and the sauce was bright and flavorful. The whipped lemon ricotta and pesto were nice touches. This is truly one of our favorite places. read more

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Dinner with family was a very pleasant experience from the service to the ambiance to the meal. They started with a cocktail which the old called fashion was really good. Also, the food was delicious from appetizers to dessert and everything in between. Know that this place will cost you and is very busy.. you will need a reservation especially on the weekend. One thing I did notice if you were a party of two it was a small table not much space. They also have a what's that place room down stairs for an annual fee that you can look into. Other than that give it a try it is well worth the up scale date night. read more

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The one thing I love the most about this restaurant is the interior design. Every single details about this place is incredible. Now, the truffle pizza was one of the best pizza I've had, the desserts were still amazing as always. Sadly, the potato used to be served in a long stick then turned into cut piece which was extremely disappointing since it was one of our favorites there. Also, the few times I've ordered the steak med-rare it was cooked med or well. I would still come back but not as often though. The food was good but had definitely had gone downhill. Service was great and the food came out in a timely manner. read more

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Ava was truly amazing! The vibes are great, food is amazing, drinks are very good and the service was excellent. Their appetizers are my favorite part, highly recommend the oysters, tuna rice, and truffle potatoes. I was already planning our next trip to Ava while eating there. I want to try the truffle rice next time. Paloma was very good as well! We came for our anniversary and had such a nice experience, can't wait to return and try more! read more

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What an awesome and amazing experience!!! Everything about this restaurant is incredible. The food, service, ambiance, vibe, presentation, etc....10 out of 10 with no hesitation. I ordered the following: Drink: The Heir of The God Hydrating-Tropical-Spicy Passion Fruit, pineapple, ginger, lemon Appetizer: Potatoe Millefeuille Truffle aioli, kefalograviera cheese, chives Entrees: Branzino (Salt Crusted) from the Mediterranean Sea and Athenian Whole Lobster Pasta Spaghetti pasta, bisque, heirloom baby tomatoes, fresh basil I was rendered speechless (which is difficult) as I ate dinner. I LOVED everything I put in my mouth!! Runnn don't walk to AVA!!! Also, thank you Pierina & Joshua for such a fine evening of dining! read more

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This restaurant provides a top notch experience. Our friends invited us and reserved a table a week before. This restaurant is very popular and busy for a reason. Very beautiful atmosphere, beautiful tables and lighting. We were served by 2 servers, Kasia and Uda. Everyone was very nice to us and we even got treated with Zebra cheese by chef ‍, which was very delicious. We ordered baba Ganush and some other delicious dips, Tabouleh salad and then everyone has chosen a dish. Everything that we ordered was incredibly delicious. To be honest, it's one of the best restaurants that provides incredible dining experiences. Each dish is uniquely flavorful. Make sure to try their desserts, I truly enjoy chocolate lava cake and pistachio ice cream. 10/10 experience, service, and food. read more

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One of the most beautiful restaurant on Park Ave -- AVA combines fantastic service, strong drinks, and delicious food for a night to remember. My husband got reservations here for my birthday and we had a lovely time! I actually appreciated that they were stricter with the dress code since it's nice to come to a place where everyone has put in their best effort to dress nicely. They sat us near the open kitchen so we got a great view of the chefs working their magic. Our server was also fantastic. He was so attentive and friendly; I loved his energy. The food was meticulously prepared and delicious, but I'm not entirely sure the price was justified as none of the dishes blew me away. We ended up paying over $300 for our meal for two people and I still left feeling hungry. I know high-end restaurants usually have smaller portions, but I've eaten at Michelin restaurants (at similar price points) and left full. The lamb is the best thing on the menu. The experience was overall great and I would absolutely recommend AVA for their atmosphere and service; however I would maybe recommend that they're better for appetizers and drinks instead of a full-fledged meal. read more

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We were walking around to find a place for lunch and happened upon this gem. Such a beautiful restaurant, I loved the decoration. We were in an area with chairs and couches, very comfortable. The service was exceptional. Our 2 servers were very nice, professional and answered all our questions. The food was excellent. It was brunch since it was Saturday but they have "other than brunch food". We had a trio of dips with pita as appetizer. They also give a chip like bread. I had a delicious branzino, the perfect portion for me but may seem small to others. The others had the hangar steak, very nicely cooked, the burger, eggs Benedict and grilled chicken. The potatoes are a must, so good! We had espresso martinis as well. read more

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I knew this place was nice based on pictures I've seen and the price of the items on the menu lol but I enjoyed myself more than I expected. We did the brunch pre fixe menu, and that was 100% worth the money. All our servers were SUPER kind and pretty attentive (one even asking if I wanted them to close the curtains, in case I was getting hot). Overview of my food: - Hummus & Pita -- they give you so much pita!! The hummus was tasty and the pita was perfectly warmed and soft. - Vodka Pasta -- the basil pesto was an excellent touch. That truly made this dish stand out... and I love big noodles lol. - Lavender Cake -- I was being risky with this one... this was ok, but I feel like if you're not a picky person, you would really enjoy it. It was okay. I'm not just into blueberry jam or other fruity things on my desserts lol. I'll definitely be back for dinner service one day!! read more

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The food was incredible, pricey, but well presented and delicious. The service was disappointing - considering the price point I would expect more attentive service. Everything was so slow we decided to skip dessert and even had to go inside to ask the hostess to send our server out with the bill as we have been waiting for some time and they were nowhere in sight. Here's the breakdown : The food was a five and service was a three. Don't get me wrong, our server was incredibly friendly and informative, however, disappeared for long periods of time, which was particularly uncomfortable due to how sunny it was on this day and we were mid meal with nothing to drink. read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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I went for my birthday and we absolutely loved it. The service was great and the food, drinks and ambiance were impeccable. We also got to see the bar downstairs. I had a wonderful time and we're all glad we chose Ava for my birthday dinner. We received a few things that were compliments of the chef which was very nice. read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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AVA didn't impress me too much when I tried it for the Yelp event when they first opened but I wanted to give it another chance. My husband and I visited on a Monday night and got the magical dinning menu for $60. For starters we both ordered a cocktail. I'm obsessed with the AVA Gin & Tonic, it comes with a cucumber tonic and it's so refreshing for, $18. My guy ordered the Phoenician, $19. It was a baklava flavored Old Fashioned Butter and walnut bourbon, toasted rice, maple, seasoning bitters. So good, and super strong! To start out we got the halloumi cheese and the tuna tartar. Both of these we done so well, if I had to choose between the two the tuna tartar was excellent. I did love the lemon marmalade on the halloumi. For entrees we ordered the hanger steak and the solomou/Salmon. The portion on the salmon was rather small but I like the tabbouleh salad that accompanied it. The hanger steak was very tender. Finally we finished with the creme brulee and the melopita. The melopita was a Greek cheesecake, that was unique and what I preferred of the two. Service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. read more

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All I can say is wow! I usually don't care for Mediterranean food but this spot is amazingly different. The fish and tomahawk was the highlight. Definitely will try to return when I'm back in Orlando! read more

We had a 8:45 reservation and didn't get drink/app orders taken for one full hour later. By the time we finished our meal and dessert it had been 3.5 hours total since we arrived. It's not anyone in particular's fault, but the entire dining experience took forever and it was SO hot in the restaurant. Also the server automatically splits all the appetizers at the table (even if you didn't order them) amongst all guests. I've been on a week night and had a much better experience, I would skip this place on the weekend. The food is good but not worth the time and money. read more

It was my first time here this weekend and can def say it was worth it! The restaurant itself is beautiful, with its Mediterranean style decor with bugambilia accents and very spacious. They have also have a downstairs lounge which is very nice too. Our server was on point with all of our needs. We ordered: 1. truffle pizza- the crust was crispy, but also soft in the center, cheesy and delicious. I'd order again. 2. Zucchini chips with tzatziki sauce- one of the best I've had, full of flavor. 3. Spicy salmon maki- loved the amount of heat; Crisp nori meets tender tuna in a perfect contrast. 4. Crispy rice was really good too!! read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Zucchini chips with tzatziki sauce - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

Ava - A Whole Vibe! Tried Ava for the first time this past weekend, and wow... easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a smile and given the option to dine in the main dining room or the lounge area -- love that touch of personalization right off the bat. Our waitress was superb-- very knowledgeable about the menu and gave perfect descriptions of each dish. You could tell she really knew her stuff. The atmosphere hit that sweet spot between high-end and laid-back, making it easy to settle in and enjoy. The dim lighting paired with the lime-washed walls created the perfect ambiance -- elegant but still warm and inviting. Now let's talk about the highlights -- the table-side presentations were next level! One of the bar staff came over and crafted my Old Fashioned right in front of me, complete with a smooth smoke finish -- it was a show and a drink in one. Then two members from the kitchen rolled up to toss my spaghetti in a rich lobster bisque sauce right at the table while explaining how it's made. Talk about dinner and a show! Safe to say, Ava absolutely nailed it. Amazing food, top-tier service, and an unforgettable atmosphere. If you're in the area looking for a new spot to impress, do yourself a favor and check out Ava -- you'll thank me later. read more

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Ava!! This classy 5 star restaurant is in downtown Winter Park. My sister stated that she had to make the reservations about 2 weeks out due to the popularity of the restaurant. We found that there is seating inside, outside and with an exclusive VIP lounge area downstairs. As you walk in, you are met with a beautifully decorated hostess stand and dinner time lighting. The hostess was kind, professional and attentive to us not having to wait very long. Our reservation was for 6:15 and we were walking to our table at 6:20. My sister and I were escorted downstairs and we were stunned. The hostess let us know it just opened and we were the first set of customers to enjoy the room in totality. We ordered the sea bass with a red Italian based sauce. Unfortunately we were disappointed in the taste of the sauce, but the fish was cooked to perfection. It did need a pinch of salt, but it was still flaky and with minimal bones. Upon returning to Florida, I can't wait to go back and try more dishes from this beautiful location!! read more

Came here for valentines day honestly the restaurant is so beautiful the food was delicious. The only thing that we thought wasnt good was the price for the salmon that only came with only salmon and a paste nothing else. Also the fried cheese was about $20 and we had to pay for the side of pita to go with it. All the food had amazing flavor read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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The food is not only delicious, but an experience for all five senses. Our waiter was very attentive and paid close attention to our food allergy request. The ambiance was Mediterranean chill out. read more

Food was delicious, amazing flavors that exceeded my expectations. Service was impeccable, to servers, host and busboys and everyone else, everyone was so sweet. Our server Carlos was wonderful, super welcoming, loved to chat and was super attentive! Even got me a sweet treat for my birthday after our meal thank you! The vibe was lovely, music and everyone chatting and enjoying their night, everything was super neat and clean! I love AVA read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Half a dozen Oysters - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

We had the best experience at Ava MediterrAegean! The atmosphere was incredible, the food was delicious, and our bartender Austin made brunch absolutely amazing. He was so attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu and he made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. Austin's energy and professionalism truly elevated our dining experience. read more

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AVA was simply delicious! Right in downtown Winter Park, AVA has a very laid back feel with its classic dark ambient environment. Service by Cody was top notch, very attentive. We decided on the whole lobster pasta and the salt crusted branzino. Both were simply delicious but the presentation of the branzino was great, performing table service of lightning the salt crust a blaze and then breaking it our was awesome. Definitely enjoyed our visit! read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Salt crust branzino. - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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Such a cool and chic place to be in. People are dressed up nice and for sure makes it feel like an upscale restaurant in Vegas and I miss that sometimes when in Florida because there aren't so many depending where you are at in the state. DJ was playing awesome music that I had to Shazam a bunch of them so I can look them up again later - the best way I could explain it is that it sounded like new wave belly dancing modern beach dance music, haha. It was very catchy and matched the whole surroundings for sure The drinks were great with nice garnishes and I appreciate that the most in a drink sometimes. Gotta have the drinks picture ready! Zucchini chips were so so and not as crispy as I wanted it but the Keftedes Meatballs were on fire (also literally) and the best I've had - so much flavor in them with a fiery presentation. Sat at the bar and saw all the creative drinks being made. Bartenders are friendly and attentive. One bartender jumped in our conversation a few times but didn't mind it since he was keeping things relevant to our convo. Can be hard to get a spot last minute. Got lucky and had to compete a little to get a spot at the walkup bar read more

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**disclaimer - this is not a full dinner review *** Stopped in for after dinner drinks and dessert only The ambience is everything here. Very Ibiza like. Cool cozy and swanky. The place is stunning. The service was great - gabby was spunky and personable. We opted for classic Paloma and the margarita verde. My friend had the Paloma with mezcal and chose Lalo tequila. I had the margarita as it comes which had the right amount of kick and spice with the jalapeño infused tequila. For dessert we had the baklava - surprisingly it was very dry even with the tiny scoop of ice cream. If I could suggest, I would definitely like a bigger scoop of ice cream and way more Honey. After all, That's the draw of baklava in the first place right? the Ooey stickiness of the honey and the flakiness of the dough is what always draws me in. I get the elevated twist to it as you can see in the pic but it missed the mark for me. I ended up going to bosphorous to get my fix. Lastly this place isn't cheap. Just for reference. 2 drinks, 1 dessert and a 20% tip (automatically included )= $72 I'd come back for dinner but would probably skip for just drinks and dessert next time. read more

AVA MediterrAegean - Baklava - Mediterranean Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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I'd say this is one of the better restaurants on park avenue in Winter Park - very upscale, with prices to match, but the service is very good (server Carlos on a recent visit was a pro). Romantic lighting and a chic soundtrack set the mood. Food is quasi-tapas style (lots of sharing possibilities, but traditional entrees too). I appreciate especially the seasonal price-fixe options (there is a "summer menu" then "magical dining", and this year I made it for the "fall menu" which I think was $60 or $80 for 3-courses). "The Spreads" are a nice way to start and an available upgrade on the fall menu. read more

We've visited Winter Park countless times, and the wine bar next door has long been one of our favorite spots. We've walked past AVA more times than I can count, but after finally deciding to stop in, I can honestly say we won't be walking past again. We visited for an early Father's Day brunch, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. The setting is beautiful, creating a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely top-notch, and the food was exceptional from start to finish. We started with the seafood tower for the table, and it was one of the highlights of the meal. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, generously portioned, and offered excellent value for the quality. From there, we worked our way through most of the brunch menu, and every single dish impressed us. It's rare to find a restaurant with such consistency across so many different offerings. The cocktails and mocktails were equally memorable--creative, refreshing, and packed with flavor. AVA has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants in Winter Park. If you've walked past it like we did for so long, do yourself a favor and make a reservation. You won't regret it. We'll definitely be back. read more

I hate to resort to leaving this review online but I have contacted Ava several times regarding providing my feedback and was promised a return call within 72 hours. This assurance was given on 4/27/26 and it is now 5/3/26 and nobody has called so I will share the message I sent them here. I always try to give an organization an opportunity to resolve issues privately but if they can't manage to return a call, I have no problem making it public. "Dear Ava Mediterranean Management Team, I am writing to share my disappointment regarding my recent dining experience at Ava Mediterranean in Winter Park on Saturday evening, April 25. My wife and I dined with another couple for what was intended to be a very special evening, as my wife and her friend were both sharing the news that they are pregnant. Unfortunately, the experience did not reflect the level of hospitality or service we expected. Our reservation was for 7:30 p.m., but the pace of service throughout the evening was extremely slow. We did not receive our meal until approximately 9:00 p.m. During that time, we also observed multiple service issues, including orders being delivered to incorrect tables. Our table was approached three separate times with food or drinks intended for other guests. After dinner, the check was brought to us very quickly. The total was over $600, and the bill was split between myself and the other husband in our party, with each of us paying approximately $380. Almost immediately after payment was processed, Assistant General Manager Esteban Torres approached our table and told us we needed to leave so the restaurant could turn the table for the next guests. Everyone in our party was taken aback by the way this was handled. After such a slow dining experience, it felt abrupt and dismissive to be asked to leave immediately after payment, especially during what was supposed to be a meaningful evening for our families. I understand restaurants need to manage reservations and table turnover, and I am not necessarily placing blame on Esteban personally. However, the message could have been delivered with more tact and awareness of the overall experience we had already endured. The interaction left us feeling as though the hospitality ended the moment payment was collected. Instead of feeling like valued guests, we felt like we were simply a source of revenue and then an inconvenience once the bill was settled. I wanted to bring this to your attention because Ava has a strong reputation, and this experience fell far short of that standard. I would appreciate the opportunity for someone from your management team to review what occurred and respond accordingly. Thank you for your time and attention." read more

From the moment you walk into AVA MediterrAegean, the ambiance completely pulls you in. The space is stunning, with warm coastal Mediterranean tones, layered textures, and a high-energy yet elegant atmosphere that instantly sets the tone for the night. It's the kind of place that feels like an experience before you even sit down. Very instagram-able moments from start to finish. Our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived, so we grabbed a couple of gin and tonics at the bar and let me be honest, this may be the best G&T in Orlando. The presentation alone was 10/10, but the balance of botanicals and citrus made it just as impressive to drink as it was to look at. The bar team made it easy to relax while we waited, and when our table was ready, cashing out and transitioning was seamless. We had originally been seated outside, but the team happily accommodated our request to move indoors, which was a huge plus. AVA's menu highlights flavors from across Greece and the Mediterranean coast, with a refined tapas-style format that makes sharing the way to go. Our server was fantastic, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful in narrowing down choices, which is not easy when everything looks incredible. We started with the oysters, petite but beautifully briny and fresh. The Oky's Crudo featured delicate yellowtail with bright, balanced Mediterranean accents that enhanced the fish without overpowering it. The standout for me, though, was the Spicy Tuna Brioche. It was easily my favorite bite of the night, rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with just the right kick. When we went to place a second order, we were told they had just sold the last plate of the evening, so they are apparently very popular! From there, we explored more of the hot plates. The grilled octopus was tender with that ideal char, the Potato Millefeuille was layered and indulgent, and the Santorini Wild Shrimp Arrabbiata, AVA's Mediterranean take on spicy rigatoni, absolutely delivered. The shrimp were fresh and perfectly cooked, and the arrabbiata sauce had depth and heat without overwhelming the dish. As someone who has been on a spicy rigatoni kick lately, this version absolutely holds its own. Overall, the meal was fabulous. AVA MediterrAegean nails both food and atmosphere. Whether you are going for drinks at the bar or a full tapas-style dinner, it is a complete vibe from start to finish, especially if you're celebrating or if it's a special occasion. read more

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