Every once in a while, you order takeout that tastes like it came from one of Philadelphia's best…read morerestaurants. Dara's is that place. Everything we ordered was outstanding. The seasonal watermelon gazpacho was bright, refreshing, and perfect for summer. The kale tabbouleh was fresh and flavorful. The mushroom hand pie disappeared in minutes, while the butternut squash, feta, smoked cherry tomato, and fennel hand pie was flaky, savory, and unforgettable. The crispy chicken schnitzel in pita with spicy pickle relish was an absolute winner. The muhammara was so good I could have eaten it with a spoon, and the famous crispy potatoes with their slightly spicy ketchup were impossible to stop eating. Chef Mark's fine-dining background is evident in every bite, yet the food feels approachable and comforting. I also love that, aside from fried items, he cooks with olive oil and coconut oil instead of seed oils, making Dara's a great choice for those looking for healthier options. There are also plenty of delicious vegetarian dishes. I can't wait for the new sit-down location to open. Until then, Dara's has earned a permanent spot in our takeout rotation!

We called in our order for pick-up and it was ready in the 15-20 minutes I was told it would be…read more The food was Mediterranean delicious and made with healthy ingredients. So glad to have discovered this neighborhood gem and look forward to ordering from Dara's again!

Had a nice drink here will be back for food some time…read more Bartender super friendly Just an overall good time

I've been waiting to try this place and it did not disappoint. The food was good - well done and…read moreflavorful. They've got a great selection of drinks, just an overall easy spot to hang out.

So we were in the midst of what turned out to be an 11 mile round trip hike. We decided to stop for…read morelunch along the path. Luckily the path take you right up to Main Street. So since I had my heart attack the cardiac rehabilitation center has been telling me to stick to the Mediterranean diet. Which isn't bad because I enjoy it. Just don't know of a ton of places. So we were walking along Main Street and this place caught my eye. We went in and I got the Greek salad with grilled chicken. My wife got the falafel. She said it was some of the best falafel she's had. Which is saying a lot. Much like Shania Twain most things don't impress her much. I don't think she's care if she met Brad Pitt. My salad was terrific. Hearty and inexpensive. The pita was excellent too. Only one guy on doing everything and he was quick. Felt a little bad for him. You can dine in but no bathroom.

We wanted to try healthier food so we went around Main Street in Manayunk and found the Blu Zone…read moreCafe. This food was suppose to be healthy considering it was Mediterranean type of food. I honestly found the food here pretty bland. The wrap didn't wow me and I could have made this quality at home for much cheaper. I ended up getting the Chicken Shwarma Sandwich. The hummus didn't have a kick to it. I really liked the use of lettuce and tomato but that should always be in a shwarma sandwich. The pita used was pretty bland tasting as well and didn't taste freshly made.

Wonderful place, love the food, I always stop by when I can!!! Would totally recommendread more

Very friendly service and neat location, but unfortunately the milk tea was pretty disappointing…read more Felt like 60% ice, 38% milk, 2% tea. The tapioca was pretty meh too. I should have known better considering the price sounded so good.

After getting my inserts from the Good Feet Store and finally being able to walk without being in…read moreexcruciating pain, I decided to celebrate by having dinner at this location in Manayunk. First, let's talk parking. Parking in Manayunk is always a challenge, especially during the summer months. There are paid parking lots further down that I would highly recommend using because street parking can be difficult to find. We made a reservation ahead of time, and I definitely recommend doing that through OpenTable. When we arrived, it was a little warm inside, and I immediately noticed it. Thankfully, I always carry a fan with me, so it wasn't a big issue. Now let's get to the real reason for this review Ali!!!! When I tell you Ali was amazing, I mean AMAZING. Her personality, energy, attitude, and spirit made our entire dining experience. She was funny, knowledgeable, attentive, accommodating, and had excellent recommendations. Great service can turn a good meal into a great experience, and that's exactly what she did. We started with the cheesesteak rolls, which were served with a spicy ketchup. They were good and had great flavor. Next was the calamari, which was absolutely delicious. It came with fried jalapeños, and when you paired a piece of calamari with a jalapeño and dipped it in the sauce, it was perfection!!! We also ordered the mussels, and if you're a garlic lover, these are a must order. They were loaded with garlic and butter sauce served with crusty bread perfect for soaking up the broth. I did take away and they dumped my bread into the sauce so it was soggy. Suggesting, give fresh bread on takeaways wrapped separate. Best of all, almost every shell actually had a mussel in it which unfortunately isn't always the case at some restaurants. They were fresh, flavorful, and one of my favorite dishes of the night. Since it was Taco Tuesday, we couldn't pass up the special: three tacos and a margarita for $18. You do have to choose one protein for all three tacos; you can't mix and match. I chose shrimp, and my son chose chicken. The shrimp tacos were absolutely delicious. There wasn't a lot on them, but the flavor was incredible. You could taste the fresh corn tortilla, and the shrimp were juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. My son enjoyed the chicken tacos, although I personally thought the chicken was a little dry. One thing I absolutely loved was learning that the food is fresh and locally sourced. Ali explained that they don't use microwaves, and you can definitely taste the difference. For drinks, I ordered a strawberry pineapple margarita. There was a small mix-up with the strawberry, but Ali immediately fixed it and brought me strawberry syrup to make it right. Problem solved! The margaritas were delicious and STRONG, which is exactly what I like. Overall, my favorite items were the shrimp tacos, the mussels, and the margaritas. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the service was outstanding!!! We enjoyed ourselves so much that we're already planning to come back for brunch and try the mimosa tower. If you visit, ask for Ali. You won't regret it!! She made an already great meal even better. We'll definitely be back!

Visiting family and we stopped in for a late dinner last night. For a Monday night it seemed cool…read morewith a DJ playing so great throwback jams. Service was good for the most part and the food was ok. The main reason for the low rating is because as we were eating a mouse runs out from the kitchen and we brought it to the attention of the staff who took about 10 minutes to catch the mouse. Now no one from the staff apologized for the rodent issue so I'm assuming that this is a common occurrence. None of the staff seemed bothered by the situation to let their manager know and no one offered us a discount due to that scene that just transpired in front of us. So my sister and her family who live here in Philly as well as my wife and I will not be eating here again.

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars because my previous visit was amazing. The food and…read moreoverall experience left such a strong impression that I decided to surprise my girlfriend with dinner here for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, she didn't get the full experience I was hoping for. They offered a different menu for the holiday, and while the food was good, it just wasn't great like I remembered. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 4/5 Service - 4/5 Food - 4/5 Parking - Street Parking Atmosphere - I've always loved the atmosphere here, from the romantic lighting to the beautiful bar area and, of course, the giant fish tanks. However, on Valentine's Day, the couples' tables in the center of the room were placed extremely close together. It felt like we were all part of the same conversation, even though everyone was practically whispering. Service - Our waiter was professional overall, friendly, and offered good recommendations. However, he forgot to mention that the water we ordered was $6 per bottle, which we assumed was complimentary. I'm not entirely sure if the pricing was listed anywhere, but it definitely caught us off guard when the bill came. What We Ordered - - Stuffed baby octopus salad (Way overpriced for two tiny stuffed octopus served with a small side salad) - Moussaka (Thankfully, one of their original menu items was available. This was very good and lived up to expectations) - Chilean Sea Bass (The flavor was good, but was a bit underwhelming. The dish felt like a missed opportunity and could have been much more satisfying) Final Thoughts - Would I come back for special occasions or holidays? Probably not, since I'd worry about a limited or altered menu that might not live up to past experiences. Would I return on a regular day? Absolutely. I know what they're capable of, and at their best, they truly deliver a great meal. I also want to mention that the restaurant was very thoughtful. They prepared a personalized menu with our names printed on it and gave my girlfriend a rose, which she absolutely loved. That extra touch definitely made the evening feel special.

I've heard some great things about this place so decided to stop in for a date night dinner,…read moreunfortunately we both were a bit disappointed by the food. Hummus appetizer was great and they give you a big portion too! We got the chicken and moussaka for mains and both thought they were okay but not the best Mediterranean food we've had by far. The chef did pop by and make his rounds which was a nice surprise! tldr 3/5 food - good portions! Flavors weren't quite there unfortunately 5/5 service - the chef popped by and everyone was very nice! 4/5 vibes - definitely seemed to cater to an older crowd, at least for dinner

This is a great spot for breakfast or lunch! They have plenty of seating with tables and a counter…read moreinside, plus covered outdoor seating if you'd rather enjoy some fresh air. I stopped in for lunch and ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Wow! The chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Then I added a side of Onion Rings, and let me tell you, these easily rank in my Top 4 onion rings of all time. Perfectly cooked, crispy, and absolutely delicious. My future daughter-in-law ordered the Ricotta & Fruit Toast, and it looked amazing. Fresh, colorful, and almost too pretty to eat... almost. If you're out walking the trails by the river and start feeling hungry, do yourself a favor and stop in. Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, or just a great place to relax for a bit, you won't be disappointed. And if you're ordering the onion rings, don't plan on sharing--they're that good!

I truly enjoy this space and concept especially as a parent who enjoys brunch. The space is…read moretailored to brunch and lunch options while keeping children entertained through activities and play areas that they thoroughly enjoy. You order your meal and you are given a number. You take your number to an area or table of your desire and they will bring the meal out to you. They've had interactive story times, games, with a lot of space to run around to get all their kids energy out. Great space to meet up with other families and friends.

Such a cute cafe! Their paninis and salads are delicious with good coffee to go with it. They're…read morelocated on main street manayunk and have upstairs seating as well - perfect for getting some work done or reading a book!! 5/5 food - the turkey panini was so good 5/5 service - everyone was warm and welcoming! 5/5 vibes

Been obsessed with this little spot lately! Cute quaint area to grab a bev and/or lunch. Small on…read morethe inside and does get crowded as it is a popular spot for working professionals in the Manayunk area. Would recommend as a wfm option if you don't have any calls to take, and they even have some outside seating as well. Looking forward to trying some of the other menu items. The drinks are made rather quick, sandwiches could take about 30 minutes so I recommend calling ahead if you're in a rush. I recommend the Caprese or smoke salmon sandwiches and their match is always good on any day!