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The cornbread and lamb sliders were soooo good. The cornbread was so soft and cheesy tasting, the lamb sliders were tender and flavorful. They were definitely my favorite of the dishes! The menu was super helpful to have a little glossary on the side to consult on food we didn't recognize. I wish all restaurants had this! Service was phenomenal, shoutout to our waitress Halie L. !!!
Even before we moved to Boston, people were saying to try Sarma as one of the relatively few bright spots in an otherwise middling dining scene. It took a long time to snatch a prime reservation (sorry but the days of eating at 9 are long past me, hello indigestion) and it was so, so unbelievably worth it. We came as a party of two and did our best to try as many dishes as possible. Highlights: 1. Black sea cornbread - Hmm, you might be thinking to yourself. How incredible could cornbread that's almost $20 be? I'm here to tell you this cornbread is absolutely transcendent. It's more the texture of a cheesy quiche than traditional cornbread. Had to exercise some serious self-restraint to not eat more of this. 2. Asian pear shirazi - One of those rare salad dishes where every ingredient works magically together and apart, from the crisp juiciness of the pear to the cranberry chai to the toasted walnut crisp scattered on top. I could eat this every day. 3. Steak shawarma - Very unfortunately, this was the last dish to come out so I could only manage one bite but that one bite was stellar. Every dish is crafted so beautifully, with attention and care paid to the individual components. 4. Mushroom delight with poached egg - The combo of textures and flavors is better than meat. Again, could eat this every day. The one (not even) downside to the dishes was that they were definitely on the salty side, so much so that I was guzzling water for the rest of the night. Very much worth it, however. Our waitress was also incredible - warm, funny, kind, full of extensive recommendations. She made our first time at Sarma so special. Parking - we found several open 2-hour spots along Broadway. Definitely get here early if you're driving because most of the surrounding area is permit-only. Oh, Sarma. Would love to eat here more often.
Was lucky to snag a reservation for 2 here on a weeknight. I've heard so many things about this spot that I had to come try it. We ordered 4 dishes for the 2 of us and that was plenty to fill us up. The cornbread is their must try and I thought it was pretty tasty. It somehow smelled like fresh cookies (even the table next to us thought we got a dessert) and the middle was so moist and gooey. The next favorite is the Branzino and then the Babaganoush. I think ordering a plate of flatbread would've been the best way to go as the dishes were a tad salty on its own. The wings were good but I enjoyed the sauces on the wings more. Overall it seems like a great date/casual celebration spot!
This was my favorite restaurant while visiting Boston! I was able to snag a resy on the same day at 9pm for a party of 3. We ordered - black sea cornbread 10/10 - asian pear salad 9/10 - chicken wings 9/10 - garlicky broccoli 7.5/10 - steak shawarma 9/10 - harissa bbq duck 9.5/10 - lamb lion chop 9/10 Everything was delicious and fresh. My favorite was the Black sea cornbread, the additional of the maple syrup is perfect. Chicken wings had a great sauce on top. Harissa bbq duck was a favorite as well. Staff were friendly and quick to take our orders. They remembered and provided a chocolate dessert for the birthday boy.
We had been excited for this reservation for a long time, and it did not disappoint! We arrived early, and they had a nice area for us to stand and wait by the bar while our table got ready. We loved how creative and delicious everything we ordered was! Here were my rankings: 1. Asian Pear Shirazi Salad: One of the most unique salads I have ever had. Very tart, sweet, and savory. Was a great fresh break in the middle of our rich meal. 2. Eggplant: We got the asin inspired eggplant and loved it!! I could have drank the sauce. It did take around 20 min to come out because they were cooking it fresh, so I would be sure to order it towards the beginning of the meal 3. Cornbread: definitely lived up to the hype! Very rich and savory. 4: Lentils Nachos: super creative dish and all the flavors and textures worked together very well. It was on the saltier side, but we did not mind much! 5. Parsnip Fritters: also delicious, but the portion was smaller than we were expecting. Overall, we had a wonderful meal at Sarma!
This is the best meal I've had since I've moved to Boston! The dishes are so creative and layered with bold flavors. Every single plate we ordered was a hit. I was most impressed by the lentil nachos and the cornbread! The server was also incredibly helpful in deciding what to order! Just make sure you reserve a table in advance! This place is busy and booked out for a while!
Finally made it to Sarma after hearing so much about it! Overall I will say the food was quite delicious. As someone who usually hates the gaminess of lamb, I really enjoyed the lamb sliders. The cornbread was great and we were satisfied with every dish we ordered. My only slightly negative comments are: - I wish they could make modifications. Usually with my nut allergy, I can still enjoy a few dishes since they just remove the nuts. I understand that for some dishes that's hard to do since nuts may already be deeply incorporated into a part of the dish but at Sarma, no modifications are allowed. Not the end of the world but just a bit disappointing. - Sarma is also quite pricey. While I enjoyed my meal, the price makes me think twice before considering another visit.
I truly believe all the praise Sarma receives is super well deserved. Our expectations were dangerously high going in and Sarma exceeded on all fronts! The food, drinks, and service were all exceptional! Food: All the plates we ordered were all so unique and flavorful and it was such a treat exploring them. If only we had the stomachs and wallets to try everything on the menu. Our favorites were definitely the cornbread, the brussel sprouts, and the Cajun lamb kebabs. The first bite of every dish always got us perked up and excited to try more! Also the drinks we tried were a hit with everyone! Service: This was a perfect service experience! The staff checked in frequently and effectively, always quick to deliver on requests. The plates came and went so smoothly allowing you to focus on the food and the people you're with. Atmosphere: The energy felt so celebratory! The decor and lightly immersed you in the dining experience giving you so many interesting and beautiful things to yet your eyes wonder on. Though there was constant chatter, we could easily hear everyone in our 5 person party because of the quieter background music and the spacing of the seating.
The meal I had at Sarma was actually heavenly. The hype is real, and everything is truly delicious! Tucked away in a more residential area of Somerville, Sarma serves up impressive dishes that are flavorful yet unique. I booked quite far out (maybe like two or three weeks out?) for a 9:15pm slot and ended up being lucky and being able to change it at the last minute to an early reservation at 8pm! I would highly recommend booking a reservation even though they take walk ins at the bar. The place was packed literally the entire time. What we got: - Black Sea Cornbread: this is easily a must-try. It was so soft and delicious with the perfect balance of sweet and salty. I was thinking about this for days. - Brussel Sprout Bravas: this was probs my least favorite but it was well-cooked and flavorful. - Lamb Sliders: The lamb was SO juicy. So delicious and tender. The onions paired so well with the lamb and sauce. - Fried Chicken Special: If you see someone walking around with the fried chicken... you better get it. This was some of the best fried chicken ever. So juicy yet crispy! - Greek Style Shrimp Larb: the shrimp was so fresh and I was a big fan of the cucumber tzatziki! - Halva and Passionfruit Posset for dessert was great as well! Overall, everything was amazing. The restaurant had nice decor but the star of the show was the food. Service was alright as well, but the food was truly terrific. We enjoyed the meal so much!
This was one of the worst dinners we've had in a long time. Almost every dish we ordered was overly salty and sitting in a puddle of aggressively seasoned sauce/s. you could barely tell what was actually in each dish. It was overpriced and disappointing. Mediterranean food is about olive oil, lemon, and freshness. Unfortunately, this meal had none of that :(
Sarma is a place that needs no reviews as everyone's likely already heard about it, but it feels wrong to not add to the hype. This is the type of restaurant that Boston needs more of: off the beaten path, decently priced, and exploding with flavor. What we ordered (for 2): - Brussels sprouts bravas: scrumptious, must get - Black Sea cornbread: it was delicious for sure, was maybe a lot for just two people (not that I'm complaining about more food) - Duck leg confit: wasn't super memorable, the bruleed pineapple at the top was a nice touch - Squash blossom: wasn't as flavorful as the others but still yummy, would've been good as a first dish to ease our way into the others - Chickpea fritters: shockingly, my favorite of the night. Each bite was a little flavor pack, and the spices worked so beautifully with the creaminess of the fritter. The texture surprised me, almost mousse-like. - Fried chicken: I think this is one of the dishes they're known for, and don't get me wrong, it was amazing, but I'm not sure I would get it again since there's so many other things on their menu We probably could've done with one fewer dish b/c I basically had to be rolled out of the restaurant by the time we were done. Would I go back? Yes definitely as the dishes truly feel one of a kind.
Being local to Somerville for about a year now, we knew it was time to try out Sarma, we had only heard good reviews. The ambience was the perfect mix of casual and high end-- servers wore tshirts, patrons wore jeans and sweatshirts, and the decor felt wonderfully eclectic. My husband and I hawked down peoples plates to see what they were getting, and everything looked delicious. Reservations were booked out for a month, so we decided to take our chances with walking in-- they reserve 5 tables for walk ins and there is a 20-seat bar with food service. We waited about 45 minutes and got seated at a table. While we waited, they served us drinks and a small snack menu. For the food-- we were flabbergasted at how amazing every dish was. As non-connoisseurs of high-end plates, we felt everything was well balanced and flavorful. I'm not sure if I have had so much food that was so good. The drinks were fantastic as well! Each one a twist on a more familiar drink. My favorite was the retrograde, but they were all good. The one thing we felt more ambivalent about was the grape froyo. It was significantly better than expected (I couldnt get the thought out of my mind of grape-soda-flavored ice cream), and had a lighter grape flavor and felt very fresh. But when we return, it won't be fighting for a spot on out order list.
I've been to Sarma before, and have been blown away. When I found the opportunity to go dine with them through Capital One venture X, I jumped at the opportunity because I expected the same quality service and quality food that I've received before. This is not necessarily what I got. The Capital One deal was: $50 off the bill including tax and tip on it, and one free drink. It cost 50$ a seat, so we did it. At the end of the evening, we realized we had not yet hit that $50 per person cost, and did not want to leave food or money on the table, so we were hit with a conundrum and felt like we had no other option than to force ourselves to eat to get our moneys worth. Otherwise, we would not have spent this much or eaten this much. The food came out very slowly , and came out not in the order that it was listed on the menu, which has been my experience in the past. Based on the staff description, it was also the order in which the food was meant to be enjoyed. The black sea cornbread was normally not burnt and absolutely incredible, but this came out nearly dead last before the ice cream, and was not at all what I remembered it to be. Ultimately, the reason I will not be going back to Sarma anytime soon is because of the staff. Anytime we tried to ask a question our waitress would just leave, she seemed disinterested in the food she was serving and very overworked. It was almost like she knew she wasn't working for a tip, because supposedly, that had already been paid by Capital One to them. We barely knew what we were ordering, couldn't follow up with anyone when our food didn't arrive, and I think only spoke with her twice throughout two hours.
30 days ago
Dining at Sarma was a delightful experience. We came on a Tuesday at 6pm and luckily got seated at a countertop within 30 mins. I would recommend calling beforehand to ask about the wait. Although we commuted from Cambridge, this meal was worth it. For two people, we got: - Black Seed Cornbread: it's soft, sweet yet savory. I've never had cornbread like this, and the first bite into this was unforgettable. You must get this. - Honey Nut Hummus: this was honestly fine and I'd probably try a different dip next time. - Warm Gyro bread: well seasoned and great to share between two. I normally don't like gyro but I enjoyed this. - Lamb al pastor: this was a favorite. It was sweet and the lamb was tender. We were really impressed with the sauce. - Brussel sprout bravas: this was okay. I liked the crunchy nuts and the star of this dish was once again the sauce/seasoning rather than the brussel sprouts. With all of these dishes, we ordered enough for two, with a few bites leftover. If you have a smaller appetite, you could get away with ordering a plate less. Overall, I loved the dining experience here. Even though I'm not typically a small plates mediterranean person, I appreciated Sarma - from its beautiful interior space and open kitchen concept, to the liveliness of the restaurant on a random weekday night. Definitely come here if you're in the area (or even if you're not!) read more
Still my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. We try to come here at least once a year for special occasions! The menu is always rotating, so I'm adding some new dishes we tried. Matbucha (6.5/10): Too heavy for me. The pita chips it came with were super good, but there weren't enough. Flavors were all very strong, and I think they could be toned down a bit. Subtler flavors paired along with the pita chips would have been amazing. Eggplant Fries (7.5/10): I loved the eggplant fries. Super crispy. The flavors in the sauce were a little too heavy, though. Really would appreciate more subtlety. And not enough eggplant fries to eat the sauce with. Asian Pear Shirazi (7/10): Super creative dish. Asian pear was very juicy. The chili crisp paired so well with it. The walnuts were very nicely roasted. Garlicky Broccolini (8/10): Super tender broccolini. Sauce was amazing. Mozzarella really brought the dish together. I usually don't like pinenuts, but the flavor in this wasn't too overbearing. Tahini Chocolate Date Chunk Cookies (7/10): A very solid chocolate cookie. The date paired so well with it. I think the cookies themselves were fine, but the date really elevated it. Revani Snack Cake (9.5/10): Holy CRAP this was good. We were already feeling full, but I'm so glad we got dessert. The cake was so freaking flavorful. Kind of mindblown. Service was fantastic. read more
The cornbread and lamb sliders were soooo good. The cornbread was so soft and cheesy tasting, the lamb sliders were tender and flavorful. They were definitely my favorite of the dishes! The menu was super helpful to have a little glossary on the side to consult on food we didn't recognize. I wish all restaurants had this! Service was phenomenal, shoutout to our waitress Halie L. !!! read more
Even before we moved to Boston, people were saying to try Sarma as one of the relatively few bright spots in an otherwise middling dining scene. It took a long time to snatch a prime reservation (sorry but the days of eating at 9 are long past me, hello indigestion) and it was so, so unbelievably worth it. We came as a party of two and did our best to try as many dishes as possible. Highlights: 1. Black sea cornbread - Hmm, you might be thinking to yourself. How incredible could cornbread that's almost $20 be? I'm here to tell you this cornbread is absolutely transcendent. It's more the texture of a cheesy quiche than traditional cornbread. Had to exercise some serious self-restraint to not eat more of this. 2. Asian pear shirazi - One of those rare salad dishes where every ingredient works magically together and apart, from the crisp juiciness of the pear to the cranberry chai to the toasted walnut crisp scattered on top. I could eat this every day. 3. Steak shawarma - Very unfortunately, this was the last dish to come out so I could only manage one bite but that one bite was stellar. Every dish is crafted so beautifully, with attention and care paid to the individual components. 4. Mushroom delight with poached egg - The combo of textures and flavors is better than meat. Again, could eat this every day. The one (not even) downside to the dishes was that they were definitely on the salty side, so much so that I was guzzling water for the rest of the night. Very much worth it, however. Our waitress was also incredible - warm, funny, kind, full of extensive recommendations. She made our first time at Sarma so special. Parking - we found several open 2-hour spots along Broadway. Definitely get here early if you're driving because most of the surrounding area is permit-only. Oh, Sarma. Would love to eat here more often. read more
2 months ago
Was lucky to snag a reservation for 2 here on a weeknight. I've heard so many things about this spot that I had to come try it. We ordered 4 dishes for the 2 of us and that was plenty to fill us up. The cornbread is their must try and I thought it was pretty tasty. It somehow smelled like fresh cookies (even the table next to us thought we got a dessert) and the middle was so moist and gooey. The next favorite is the Branzino and then the Babaganoush. I think ordering a plate of flatbread would've been the best way to go as the dishes were a tad salty on its own. The wings were good but I enjoyed the sauces on the wings more. Overall it seems like a great date/casual celebration spot! read more
This was my favorite restaurant while visiting Boston! I was able to snag a resy on the same day at 9pm for a party of 3. We ordered - black sea cornbread 10/10 - asian pear salad 9/10 - chicken wings 9/10 - garlicky broccoli 7.5/10 - steak shawarma 9/10 - harissa bbq duck 9.5/10 - lamb lion chop 9/10 Everything was delicious and fresh. My favorite was the Black sea cornbread, the additional of the maple syrup is perfect. Chicken wings had a great sauce on top. Harissa bbq duck was a favorite as well. Staff were friendly and quick to take our orders. They remembered and provided a chocolate dessert for the birthday boy. read more
We had been excited for this reservation for a long time, and it did not disappoint! We arrived early, and they had a nice area for us to stand and wait by the bar while our table got ready. We loved how creative and delicious everything we ordered was! Here were my rankings: 1. Asian Pear Shirazi Salad: One of the most unique salads I have ever had. Very tart, sweet, and savory. Was a great fresh break in the middle of our rich meal. 2. Eggplant: We got the asin inspired eggplant and loved it!! I could have drank the sauce. It did take around 20 min to come out because they were cooking it fresh, so I would be sure to order it towards the beginning of the meal 3. Cornbread: definitely lived up to the hype! Very rich and savory. 4: Lentils Nachos: super creative dish and all the flavors and textures worked together very well. It was on the saltier side, but we did not mind much! 5. Parsnip Fritters: also delicious, but the portion was smaller than we were expecting. Overall, we had a wonderful meal at Sarma! read more
This is the best meal I've had since I've moved to Boston! The dishes are so creative and layered with bold flavors. Every single plate we ordered was a hit. I was most impressed by the lentil nachos and the cornbread! The server was also incredibly helpful in deciding what to order! Just make sure you reserve a table in advance! This place is busy and booked out for a while! read more
Finally made it to Sarma after hearing so much about it! Overall I will say the food was quite delicious. As someone who usually hates the gaminess of lamb, I really enjoyed the lamb sliders. The cornbread was great and we were satisfied with every dish we ordered. My only slightly negative comments are: - I wish they could make modifications. Usually with my nut allergy, I can still enjoy a few dishes since they just remove the nuts. I understand that for some dishes that's hard to do since nuts may already be deeply incorporated into a part of the dish but at Sarma, no modifications are allowed. Not the end of the world but just a bit disappointing. - Sarma is also quite pricey. While I enjoyed my meal, the price makes me think twice before considering another visit. read more
7 months ago
I truly believe all the praise Sarma receives is super well deserved. Our expectations were dangerously high going in and Sarma exceeded on all fronts! The food, drinks, and service were all exceptional! Food: All the plates we ordered were all so unique and flavorful and it was such a treat exploring them. If only we had the stomachs and wallets to try everything on the menu. Our favorites were definitely the cornbread, the brussel sprouts, and the Cajun lamb kebabs. The first bite of every dish always got us perked up and excited to try more! Also the drinks we tried were a hit with everyone! Service: This was a perfect service experience! The staff checked in frequently and effectively, always quick to deliver on requests. The plates came and went so smoothly allowing you to focus on the food and the people you're with. Atmosphere: The energy felt so celebratory! The decor and lightly immersed you in the dining experience giving you so many interesting and beautiful things to yet your eyes wonder on. Though there was constant chatter, we could easily hear everyone in our 5 person party because of the quieter background music and the spacing of the seating. read more
6 months ago
The meal I had at Sarma was actually heavenly. The hype is real, and everything is truly delicious! Tucked away in a more residential area of Somerville, Sarma serves up impressive dishes that are flavorful yet unique. I booked quite far out (maybe like two or three weeks out?) for a 9:15pm slot and ended up being lucky and being able to change it at the last minute to an early reservation at 8pm! I would highly recommend booking a reservation even though they take walk ins at the bar. The place was packed literally the entire time. What we got: - Black Sea Cornbread: this is easily a must-try. It was so soft and delicious with the perfect balance of sweet and salty. I was thinking about this for days. - Brussel Sprout Bravas: this was probs my least favorite but it was well-cooked and flavorful. - Lamb Sliders: The lamb was SO juicy. So delicious and tender. The onions paired so well with the lamb and sauce. - Fried Chicken Special: If you see someone walking around with the fried chicken... you better get it. This was some of the best fried chicken ever. So juicy yet crispy! - Greek Style Shrimp Larb: the shrimp was so fresh and I was a big fan of the cucumber tzatziki! - Halva and Passionfruit Posset for dessert was great as well! Overall, everything was amazing. The restaurant had nice decor but the star of the show was the food. Service was alright as well, but the food was truly terrific. We enjoyed the meal so much! read more
3 months ago
This was one of the worst dinners we've had in a long time. Almost every dish we ordered was overly salty and sitting in a puddle of aggressively seasoned sauce/s. you could barely tell what was actually in each dish. It was overpriced and disappointing. Mediterranean food is about olive oil, lemon, and freshness. Unfortunately, this meal had none of that :( read more
Sarma is a place that needs no reviews as everyone's likely already heard about it, but it feels wrong to not add to the hype. This is the type of restaurant that Boston needs more of: off the beaten path, decently priced, and exploding with flavor. What we ordered (for 2): - Brussels sprouts bravas: scrumptious, must get - Black Sea cornbread: it was delicious for sure, was maybe a lot for just two people (not that I'm complaining about more food) - Duck leg confit: wasn't super memorable, the bruleed pineapple at the top was a nice touch - Squash blossom: wasn't as flavorful as the others but still yummy, would've been good as a first dish to ease our way into the others - Chickpea fritters: shockingly, my favorite of the night. Each bite was a little flavor pack, and the spices worked so beautifully with the creaminess of the fritter. The texture surprised me, almost mousse-like. - Fried chicken: I think this is one of the dishes they're known for, and don't get me wrong, it was amazing, but I'm not sure I would get it again since there's so many other things on their menu We probably could've done with one fewer dish b/c I basically had to be rolled out of the restaurant by the time we were done. Would I go back? Yes definitely as the dishes truly feel one of a kind. read more
Being local to Somerville for about a year now, we knew it was time to try out Sarma, we had only heard good reviews. The ambience was the perfect mix of casual and high end-- servers wore tshirts, patrons wore jeans and sweatshirts, and the decor felt wonderfully eclectic. My husband and I hawked down peoples plates to see what they were getting, and everything looked delicious. Reservations were booked out for a month, so we decided to take our chances with walking in-- they reserve 5 tables for walk ins and there is a 20-seat bar with food service. We waited about 45 minutes and got seated at a table. While we waited, they served us drinks and a small snack menu. For the food-- we were flabbergasted at how amazing every dish was. As non-connoisseurs of high-end plates, we felt everything was well balanced and flavorful. I'm not sure if I have had so much food that was so good. The drinks were fantastic as well! Each one a twist on a more familiar drink. My favorite was the retrograde, but they were all good. The one thing we felt more ambivalent about was the grape froyo. It was significantly better than expected (I couldnt get the thought out of my mind of grape-soda-flavored ice cream), and had a lighter grape flavor and felt very fresh. But when we return, it won't be fighting for a spot on out order list. read more
I've been to Sarma before, and have been blown away. When I found the opportunity to go dine with them through Capital One venture X, I jumped at the opportunity because I expected the same quality service and quality food that I've received before. This is not necessarily what I got. The Capital One deal was: $50 off the bill including tax and tip on it, and one free drink. It cost 50$ a seat, so we did it. At the end of the evening, we realized we had not yet hit that $50 per person cost, and did not want to leave food or money on the table, so we were hit with a conundrum and felt like we had no other option than to force ourselves to eat to get our moneys worth. Otherwise, we would not have spent this much or eaten this much. The food came out very slowly , and came out not in the order that it was listed on the menu, which has been my experience in the past. Based on the staff description, it was also the order in which the food was meant to be enjoyed. The black sea cornbread was normally not burnt and absolutely incredible, but this came out nearly dead last before the ice cream, and was not at all what I remembered it to be. Ultimately, the reason I will not be going back to Sarma anytime soon is because of the staff. Anytime we tried to ask a question our waitress would just leave, she seemed disinterested in the food she was serving and very overworked. It was almost like she knew she wasn't working for a tip, because supposedly, that had already been paid by Capital One to them. We barely knew what we were ordering, couldn't follow up with anyone when our food didn't arrive, and I think only spoke with her twice throughout two hours. read more
Came here with my daughter without a reservation (because you need to call a month ahead to the minute according to friends we ran into!) but we're seated at the bar in about 15 -20 minutes. The service was incredibly attentive without being at all overbearing. We pretty much ordered what she recommended! Food was delicious on the whole. Cornbread's like a pudding, fava bean pate like a very tasty dense soft tofu, salad was an explosion in the mouth! Tuna was slightly fishy-couldn't tell if it's because they put fish sauce in it or if tuna was a little old. Donuts were piping hot. Altogether a great place. read more
1 month ago
Sarma is hands down the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Everything on the menu is a 10/10. Incredibly flavorful and complex dishes, extremely attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly servers and an eclectic yet understated ambience makes Sarma a must-try restaurant for anyone in the area. read more
Upon booking my work trip for the Boston area, I looked up restaurants to see what food might pique my interest. Sarma came up on my list, as it happened to be near the hotel I was staying at. I saw that it was noted as one of Boston's best restaurants, so I knew I just had to come by to try their food. Getting a reservation about a week out was near impossible, so I hoped to get bar seating. I showed up on a Mon evening at 5:30 pm, and I was able to quickly get a seat at the bar with no waiting. One of the waiters came by to explain how ordering at Sarma works and asked if we had food allergies. The group next to me had someone with shellfish allergies, so they switched out her menu with a menu that's tailored for shellfish allergies! He mentioned they try to accommodate patrons who have various food allergies with these alternative menus, which I thought was really cool! I ended up ordering the Black Sea Cornbread, the Duck Leg Confit, and their non-alcoholic Seasonal Doogh drink. The Seasonal Doogh came out first, and the drink absolutely surprised me! The flavors not only blended well with each other, but it felt like you were drinking curry. The Black Sea Cornbread was absolutely divine. The interior of the cornbread was more creamy than coarse, but the sweetness complimented the saltiness of the sea salt very well. I loved it so much, and I wish I'm able to bring some back home to CA to share! The Duck Leg Confit had tender duck meat, and the sweetness of the caramelized pineapple added a nice little Hawaiian flare to this dish. I'm super glad I got to swing by here. The service was great all around, and while the food can be a little pricey (came out to ~$60-ish for 2 dishes + drink before tip), the quality of the food makes the price well worth it. read more
5 months ago
Overall had this place on our list for a while - it is a bit out from the city but was worth the visit. The cornbread was amazing! The fried chicken is not on the menu but basically you let your server know you want it and when they have some fresh chicken they'll bring it over to you. I thought the chicken wasn't anything special. The steak kebabs were amazing honestly and the Brussels sprouts. The place was definitely nicer and very lovely and full. read more
The black sea cornbread absolutely lived up to the hype... the leftovers even reheated beautifully the next day. That dish in itself was a 10/10 experience. I really loved my experience and the ambience of the restaurant is great. The food is complex and tasty. I showed up before open on a rainy Thursday and there was already a line beginning to wrap around the building!! I think for such a line, I lowkey expected better service. Overall a really lovely experience and worth a try. I will be going back eventually. read more
All the rumors are true ... Sarma is as delicious and fun as people say!! My BF and I decided on a whim to come here on a Friday we both had free. Reservations require planning in advance, but we had heard that you could show up and likely still get a bar seat! We arrived around 4:45pm and there was already a line of probably 10-15 people. Major props to the Sarma staff for how they manage the popularity of the restaurant! A staff member came outside about 5 minutes to 5pm to tell us that we could sit at the bar or get a table (recommended for larger parties). When doors opened, we were seated immediately at the bar. The staff started serving drinks and collected our orders about 15 minutes in. For people that couldn't be seated immediately, the staff served them drinks and directed them to wait in spaces around the restaurant. They have a great drink menu too! My BF got an NA beer and I got a mocktail that I WISH I could remember the name of but it had pineapple, cardamom, and amchoor. Incredibly unique and tasty. We checked out the menu and also asked for recommendations from our server. We ended up getting: - the Black Sea cornbread - avocado muhummara - mole carrots - chickpea fritters - fried chicken There were no misses for us!! They offer a few speciality items which come around as they're made and you choose those as they're available. We had heard the fried chicken was quite good so we stuck out for it. We did really like the fried chicken (well seasoned, crispy, juicy), but we did think it was comparatively plain to the rest of the dishes (which had a lot more flavor fireworks going on). Highlights for me was prob the avocado muhummara or the cornbread, and my BF really liked the chickpea fritters. The All of our food (except for the carrots) came out basically at once. The cornbread is one of their signature dishes and really fabulous, so I wouldn't miss out on that. It's quite big and filling so we ended up taking 2/3 home. The one thing that would've been nice is to have either all the food come out at once or to have more distribution in the courses, because we ate 4/5 of our dishes and then waited 10 mins before our carrot finale came out. Truly not a big deal but the poor carrots got a bit upstaged since we were so full at that point! Sitting at a bar may not seem like an ideal dinner setting, but there's plenty of space and you still feel appropriately private from other parties around you. The servers are super nice, attentive, and helpful as you choose your meal. Overall, I'd HIGHLY recommend walking in, especially if you can get there early!! We definitely want to go back and try the menu again as it rotates. read more
Absolutely incredible. Coming from NYC I have very high standards for food - Mediterranean especially - when I tell you this was by far the best meal I had in Boston, and one of the best in recent memory I am not kidding. Quite literally every single thing we had was incredible. We had the Warm Gyro Bread, Black Sea Cornbread, Beet Tahini, Eggplant Manti, Harissa BBQ Duck and Haloumi Saganaki. Each dish was phenomenal with the Eggplant Manti Harissa BBQ Duck and Haloumi Saganaki being the biggest stand outs. The service was wonderful and we could not have been treated better. The ambiance is very casual and provided the perfect setting for a wonderful relaxed meal. I highly recommend Sarma to anyone visiting Boston and will 100% be back on my next visit. read more
14 days ago
2 months ago
Wow, the food is incredible and delicious. The hype for this restaurant is incredibly on point and the food is extremely flavorful, presented beautifully, and perfectly cooked. The waiters were all extremely kind, attentive, and willing to give you their recommendations. The restaurant has a cute interior, nothing too out there but I did like the dim lighting. Highly recommend, one of the best spots in Massachusetts. read more
Sarma is a place where you pay attention to what you're eating, the flavors that you're tasting, the composition of the dish, and how it all makes you feel. You don't go here to eat and not think about what you're consuming. Every dish is so well thought out so you must appreciate every bite. We ordered three dishes, but were quickly overwhelmed with the complexity of each one. My favorite of the three were the tacos. read more
The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, with beautiful decor and a warm ambiance. The small plates were delicious and perfect for sharing. The flavors were bold, creative, and impeccably balanced. Mortadella meatballs and duck skewer were standouts, but the fried chicken was amazing and a great surprises since it's an off menu item and made in small batches. Service was friendly and attentive, though there were moments when the pacing felt a bit rushed. It would have been nice to have a little more time to savor each dish before the next one arrived. Additionally, the noise level can get pretty high, so it may not be the best spot for a quiet conversation. Overall, Sarma is an excellent choice for a fun night out with friends or a special date night. Cheers read more
1 year ago
Finally made it to Sarma and expectations were high. Service was great, our server was friendly and attentive. And she very sweetly brought us a free dessert because I had put down that we were celebrating a birthday on the reservation. The place was pretty packed when we got there but was starting to clear out as it was 10pm. It was lively and the playlist was fun. Mocktails were lovely and refreshing. We ordered 6 plates for 2 people and that was plenty. The food itself was disappointing overall. The halloumi fries were very good and came out first, we also ordered the rock shrimp tempura which I loved but my partner thought was just ok. Those dishes were the highlights. Mushroom manti were ok, the fresh herbs on top were both too much and cut way too big. The octopus was cooked well and was fine but the bed of beans it was on was too salty and every dish that followed was the same, overly salted. The lamb sliders were super salty and the branzino was so crispy it was burnt with a very bitter after taste and the salsa verde on top was super salty, we had to take it off. The flavors for the dishes are creative and pack a punch, but sometimes overpowering. The amount of salt also detracts from the enjoyment. I'm glad we tried Sarma as we have been curious about it for so long. But not sure we'll be back. read more
I really enjoyed every plate of good, everything was overwhelmingly flavorful. The black sea corn bread was amazing, I could eat a couple of those. The sesame chicken was also one of my top, especially with what I'm assuming was hummus that came with it.The lamb kofte sliders, while flavorful, were good but not nearly as exciting as all the other dishes and the double chocolate torte was a bit salty, oddly enough. The branzino was incredible, maybe my top. Service was good, they were clearly very busy and our waiter topped off our water many times. The ambiance was a little more casual than expected, and very lively. read more
Black Sea cornbread -- was very warm dense and soft, almost gooey and super satisfying, great texture! I wish the flavor had been more sesame or savory rather than so focused on honey, but the others I was with loved it! Ensalaterma Cucumber crab -- very refreshing, almost like eating cucumber sushi. It felt very light and is fun to pick up the little cucumber boat to eat. Beautiful presentation Sugar snaps -- I loved the popped quinoa coated on the fresh crunchy sugar snaps. perfect crunch and amazing textures of food! Sauce was also light and complimented the sugar snaps well. Beautiful little dish! One of my favorites, was so easy to just keep crunching sugar snap after sugar snap Lamb kofte sliders (since the kitchen forgot about it, the server apologized and actually gave it for free) -- the lamb was great! Very soft and chewy, with the nice gaminess of lamb. The heaviness of the meat was nicely contrasted by the light yogurt and sourness of the pickles. The bread was so soft and light! Very yummy but pretty small portion Gyro bread -- pairs great w the hummus Seven layer hummus -- prob one of my favorites! Loved that there was just so much variety in this one dish. There was a really delicious crispy thing filled with feta cheese -- sooo satisfying and hearty when warm. And the other things in the hummus had a good variety of spice, sweetness, and savoriness that all added something. The hummus itself was super creamy. Would recommend! Octopus -- chewy but tender octopus, was a good bite with the crunchy potato thing under it. Orange blossom ice cream (but free! For special occasion dinner) -- the orange blossom flavor was such a nice citrusy sweetness. The perfect light dessert that can go down easily even if full. Overall great experience! The vibes of the restaurant are lovely and the servers are all very attentive, friendly, and efficient. The food had such nicely curated flavors! read more
Great service, great food, great experience! Hard to get a reservation here since things hook up the minute the reservations open 30 days in advance. I was excited to try a variety of foods with the favorites being the avocado muhammara, black sea cornbread, lamb sliders, and harissa bbq duck. They use a lot of spices (sometimes may be a bit overwhelming), so the simpler dishes tended to be my favorites. Overall such a delicious meal. read more
Ambiance is lacking, lights too bright and tables too close. Was hoping for a more intimate dinner but felt very family vibe. Overall the food was good but I would not sell my soul for a reservation. STEAK SHAWARMA 9/10 (mushrooms, cabbage, tahini brown butter, white beans) - YUMMM cooked very well, loved the white beans. BLACK SEA CORNBREAD 8.5/10 (feta, honey, sesame) - YUMM melty feta inside was crazy. Had a crispy exterior. Light dish but very flavorful AVOCADO MUHUMMARA 8/10 (burrata, broccoli, pistachio chili crisp) - This wasnt served this anything to dip with... ate some veggies that our friends got with their dip. Very strange. read more
7 months ago
Sarma deserves all the hype. The food: OUT OF THIS WORLD! Everything was well balanced and tasty. My boyfriend and I were mindblown by the black sea cornbread. It was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. It was sweet, savory, and just the right amount of kick from the peppers. The toasted crust and sesame added an extra depth of flavor. I know it sounds crazy how much a dish like cornbread can be so phenomenal, but just try it once. OMG, the honey nut hummus. I can't get over how delicious it was. The crispy chickpeas, harissa spice, figs (i don't remember the texture, i was too busy loving it), and all the herbs and pomegranate... speechless. I don't want to write too much, but everything was delicious. Top 3: black sea cornbread, honey nut hummus, and fried chicken. Mushroom delight was good. Scallops were okay. Not my boyfriend's favorite, but I was okay with it. It was all worth it! The service was amazing as well. The waitress was nice and came around just enough. The restaurant gave me a free birthday treat! I appreciated the rustic and unpretentious ambiance. Super cool place with phenomenal food. Every dish was a flavor bomb in my mouth. Must try! read more
Must. Visit. Not a surprise to anyone, but Sarma is truly one of if not the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Located in a little corner of Somerville near the High School/Public Library, parking can be a bit of a challenge so I would come early if you are driving! There is street parking in front of the restaurant but it can fill up. The Gilman Square T stop is right nearby as well. While I would absolutely recommend having a reservation (easier said than done!), they do take walks in especially at the bar, which I've done successfully with small parties or early in the night! First, the vibe. Colorful decor, gorgeous plates covering the walls, curtains, and high ceilings. Truly stunning, and the music and energy the restaurant brings are palpable. I have been many times, and the staff and service have always been incredible. We went with a party of four, and ordered 6 dishes total with one dessert which was perfect. The menu is huge and overwhelming because everything always looks so good. They have many options for all dietary restrictions, and really easily accommodated a severe nut/peanut allergy with confidence. We ordered the Warm Gyro Bread, Dukkah Fried Dates, Semolina Crepes, Lamb Kofte Sliders, Cauliflower Fatteh, and Halloumi. Everything was incredible. The warm gyro bread comes out soft, warm, and flavorful with the zaatar seasoning (with two pieces that are easily shared). The Dukkah fried dates came with four dates filled with goat cheese and the most tasty sauce-- so unique and def my favorite! The Semolina Crepes were baked into a dish with chicken and flavorful sauces (5 pieces). The Lamb Sliders had two nicely cooked fat patties with a layer of flavorful slaw. The Fatteh was filled with Indian seasoning flavors and almost like a chaat! And then the Halloumi was a super yummy chunk of cheese with apple slices. Lastly, don't forget the save room because they always come out with a special chef creation of the night! We got to try a sesame chicken dish which was INCREDIBLE and one of my favorite bites of the night! We also finished our meal with the Ricotta Loukmades with halva caramel which were DELICIOUS. they came with four little bites and were a perfect sweet end to the meal. We actually ate the caramel sauce plain at the end because it was so good! Overall, you must make it out to Sarma! I will definitely be back to try out more of the menu! read more
1 year ago
Sarma - honestly one of the best restaurants I've tried so far in Somerville! Tip: reservations need to be booked in advance and they fill up quickly. Instead of making a reservation, my friend and I came on a weekday evening right before they opened for dinner. There was already a line formed outside but we were able to get seated immediately at the bar Everything we ordered was amaaaaaaazing! My top favorites were the Asian Pear Salad (I could eat the whole salad on my own), Mushroom Manti, and fried chicken. A wait staff comes around with the fried chicken (it's not in the menu), so make sure to flag them down and try it for yourself. The pistachio lemon bars were also SO good! The menu changes pretty frequently I've heard, so I'm excited to visit again and try some new items. There are some free street parking spots along the street but you may need to park a little further and walk over as parking is limited. It's also right by the Gilman Square T stop so pretty easy to get to. read more
This was the best meal I've had in a long time... maybe ever! Our reservation was for 7:45 and we were seated at 7:40 when we arrived. The place was packed but not chaotic. The servers did not appear stressed which was comforting. We ordered sparkling water. They served us Saratoga in its pretty blue bottle and poured it for us. I was pleased to see many vegetarian options. I ordered the Avocado muhummara for my app and the Mushroom Malaki for my meal. My friend ordered the shrimp skewer and the duck. We absolutely loved everything! We had no room for dessert but my friend had a nice ginger tea after the meal. We noticed the beautiful blue lanterns and nice music playing. I cannot wait to return!! read more
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Ask the Community - Sarma
How early should i get in line for a walk-up table at the bar/high-tops if I am OK to eat right when they open at 5:00 pm? Do I need to get there at 4:30?
On a weekday 4:30pm will do just fine. On the weekend people start lining up at 4-4:15pm. Though the bar opens at 5pm, the kitchen does not open until 5:30pm so you can't order right away.
Kid friendly restaurant? We have a 20m old and want to make sure he's ok to come.
I'd say that it's not especially kid friendly.
Is their meat Halal, or not? I would appreciate an answer from the owner/chef.
How is it getting seated at the high-top tables/bar (no reservations)? Is there always a wait?
Yes, depending on the time you go. If you go early enough you might not have to wait but you can always call ahead and ask them
Any chance any of the meat halal?
I don't think so, although I never explicitly asked. Their sister restaurant Oleana does not serve halal meat.
I have a shellfish allergy? How easy will it be to eat there?
I agree with the other posters who suggest you call the restaurant on cooking techniques. I am a vegetarian and had complete comfort in the wide selection of options that had no meat nor were cooked in beef tallow. Don't pass on this one -- it's… Read more
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Sarma - mideastern - Updated May 2026
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