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    Sarma

    4.4 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Sarma Photos

    SARMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sarma

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    gyro and avocado muhummara
    Hallie L.

    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. !!!

    Black Sea Corn Bread
    Joy G.

    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.

    Branzino
    Jennifer T.

    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!

    Lamb Loin Chops & Chicken Wings
    Joyce P.

    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.

    Sanjna B.

    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!

    Parsnip fritters
    Ajay G.

    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!

    Amy L.

    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.

    Confit Duck
    Vincent C.

    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.

    Christine L.

    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!

    Hilla K.

    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 :(

    Rosy L.

    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.

    Hummus
    Lauren S.

    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.

    Lily G.

    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.

    Asian pear salad

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    14 days ago

    Truly the best of boston. Still dreaming of the cornbread especially. Service was great as well, whether at the tables or by the bar

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    Sarma Reviews in Other Languages

    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

    View All 8 Questions

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    Oleana Restaurant - Fatteh

    Oleana Restaurant

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    1.2 miInman Square
    $$$

    For my own birthday this year, I chose Oleana, supposedly one of Boston's best Mediterranean…read morerestaurants, and reservations are almost a month in advance. Overall, I was satisfied. Fatteh: The presentation was beautiful, with a delightful array of layers. Between two layers of crispy chips laid the chewy texture of fried mushrooms, the sweetness of cauliflower, the nutty aroma of pine nuts, and the refreshing sweet and sour taste of yogurt--a random combination that offered a different experience with every bite. The cauliflower, in particular, was crisp yet not tough, with a naturally gentle sweetness--a first for me. However, towards the end, the crispy chips became very slightly oily. Sultan's Delight: Perfect as a main course. The beef was stewed to perfection, incredibly tender and flavorful, almost falling apart the moment it touched the knife. It required absolutely no effort, reminiscent of a master butcher skillfully carving up an ox in Zhuangzi莊子, who kept his knife like new over nineteen years. The tamarind brought a slightly fermented, tangy aroma, while the smoked eggplant puree, likely babaganoush, was smooth and creamy with a mild, pleasant smokiness. The lemon juice, however, adds a refreshing touch, creating an interesting layering of acidity. It looked small, but it was surprisingly satisfying. The only downsides were the beef was slightly over-salty and the basil leaves, which seem to serve only a decorative purpose. Baked Alaska: A signature dessert, very popular on social media. Frankly, I came specifically for this, but after eating it, all I can say is, "Who's promoting this?"... The presentation was truly stunning, and the first few bites were quite good. The meringue was was torched to create a thin, burnt crust, resulting in a delicate and light texture, while the coconut ice cream blended with the bitter aroma of coffee. However, the base, a nut tart similar to a five-nut mooncake五仁月餅 filling, was too dense and heavy; the passion fruit syrup was excessively sweet and acidic, even a small amount was cloying, making it a torture by the end. The restaurant tables were a bit uneven and hopefully they will be repaired soon.

    I've heard the name Oleana numerous times over the years. heard it was fetching and provided a…read morelevel of quality and excellence unparalleled. and yet was never intrigued enough to go. Something seemed off, in-authentic, shallow. just read a few reviews many of which seem to validate this burnished image and reputation. finally last Saturday night it was no longer an option to avoid an experience. There was an event to celebrate and I was invited. the propitious moment was hoisted upon me. would it measure up or be a mirage in the desert? Having never dined there I had no real experience to compare it with but for a Turkish-Mediterranean place it felt like all sizzle, no steak. While there are too many things to take issue with the most obvious is the wide discrepancy between the quality and quantity of portions relative to price. Under any circumstances the food was uniformly entirely unexceptional outside the fact it was consistently mediocre to poor. Tasteless, unimaginative, inappropriate cooked, greasy, ,lacking authentic spicing, and decidedly NOT presented for purposes of sharing. It is a deceptive approach to call it Tapas like and the predominant theme from our "primary waiter" was spend more money. The commercialization based on its reputation was frankly embarrassing and reason to cross it off a "must visit" list. Reminded me of a visit to Eastern Standard a few years ago. I have to imagine refined diners must have a wistful "used to be good attitude". My one and only trip made me feel like I was swindled at a Casablanca bazzar.

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    Oleana Restaurant - Indoor View

    Indoor View

    Oleana Restaurant - Potato & Red Lentil Kubba with Swiss Chard, Pistachios, Eggplant Jam, Fried Carrots, healthy and yummy

    Potato & Red Lentil Kubba with Swiss Chard, Pistachios, Eggplant Jam, Fried Carrots, healthy and yummy

    Oleana Restaurant - Sultan's delight is a must order every visit ( not vegetarian)

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    Sultan's delight is a must order every visit ( not vegetarian)

    Sarma - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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