Yella has become one of my favorite little traditions for girls days with my friend. The atmosphere is cozy, welcoming, and somehow always feels like the perfect place to slow down and catch up over incredible food. We always sit out on the patio with the most perfect view of the sea, which makes the whole experience feel even more magical...especially in the warmer months. We always order the hummus, mocktails, and the TRUFFLED WILD MUSHROOM & SPINACH CAVATELLI ....which honestly deserves its own fan club. It's rich, comforting, earthy, and absolutely unforgettable every single time. We also tried the fish and chips recently and they were SO good. The fries were perfectly crisp on the outside while still soft in the middle...exactly how they should be. We had the chance to meet Carlo, the owner, and he was incredibly kind and welcoming, which made the experience feel even more personal and special. Everything at Yella feels thoughtful and beautifully made. It's one of those places that turns a simple lunch or dinner into a memory. read more

The food was mostly good some leafy greens weren't good in the falafel salad. They charge 7.50 for a shareable bottle of water. My friend got chicken and it was tough to eat. The staff was helpful and nice. I can get middle Easter food for much less. Clean table and bathroom was also clean as well. There was a fly thar kept coming around. read more

Yella on the Water - Falafel salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

This place is one of the happiest accidents we've had in a while Lebanese and Cicillian owners and cuisine, *to die for*. It is an absolute explosion of flavor in your mouth, you MUST get the Mezza app. I had the pan seared swordfish special, Mrs the fish tacos. Mine was EXCELLENT and we've had some fish tacos that were great, these were the best we've ever had. Great location, excellent service, exceptional food - everything you want going out to eat!! read more

Incredible food and ambience at this local gem in Gloucester!! I had the pasta seafood special which was unreal, and the manager Sam went above and beyond. You can tell he runs the place with lots of love. My husband had the fish tacos which were also outstanding. The views of the harbor are stunning, and we will absolutely be back to this Lebanese inspired spot! read more

Yella on the Water - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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I enjoyed Yella and had read their website at length, thinking their mission and connection to Gloucester is special. I am sure that that is all true. I traveled in the Middle East a few years ago and loved the menu. What was disappointing was the waitstaff, service, wait time and menu options. Perhaps being GF/DF made it a little harder. Our drinks didn't arrive for an hour. We realized we better place our meal order as the timing was so delayed. Our waitress rarely checked in and so another staff who brought us our drinks took our order. Then when it came time to pay, that person had clearly left for the night and so the waitress had to ask us what we each ordered. Not a good look. The food was good. I had the chicken kebab as the special kebab plate was out. That was common too--no more espresso martini fixings, no more dessert x, etc. one realization I had was that they likely haven't served outdoors much this season and probably were far over capacity on all fronts. Would I return you Yella? Probably but with a whole set of awarenesses to avoid disappointment. read more

Bar service was quick and friendly. Nice touches and modern. Fresh daily catch fish taco shared not in pic Wish bar was facing out with view of water. Overall very good read more

Yella on the Water - Plum cove and Good Thyme drinks. Lovely spot - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Delicious food with a great view of the ocean. We had the mango habanero margarita drink special - outstanding! Very friendly service as well. read more

We were in Gloucester for the 250 Bunker Hill reenactment and needed a place for dinner for our group of 8 that could accommodate vegetarians as well as omnivores. We found great food, fast friendly service and unique mocktails. We highly recommend. read more

Amazing lunch ! "Beautiful restaurant and we absolutely loved the chef's tasting menu! The dishes are delicious. atmosphere and amazing service. Our server was very knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you ! read more

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Great location for a midday snack, the food was fresh and delicious. We had a falafel salad and flat bread pizza. Both were delicious. Ewan was our server and gets high marks all around. We didn't have a reservation but he found a nice spot on the deck. I'd recommend this place to everyone! read more

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If you want excellent service and food, you must come eat here. We were road-tripping with our dog up to MA in the fall and were having a hard time finding dog friendly places to eat at now that it is getting colder. We called the restaurant to check if they have a dog friendly patio and the staff said they have a patio with a heater and blankets for us since it is cold outside. We got there and they immediately brought out blankets, heater, and a bowl of water for our dog. They were having a hard time getting the heaters to work but we weren't too pressed about it since we were just looking for a place to eat with our dog and would've just sucked it up. Our server Kimberly was so kind! She worked so hard to find a propane tank that worked despite us telling her that it was fine. She eventually got the heater to work and we were able to enjoy our delicious dinner in the warmth! The seafood tasted so fresh and everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly! Everything is sourced locally which I love. We've never been to a place that has such kind staff who were so determined to accommodate us when they didn't need to. We are so grateful for this awesome dining experience. read more

very nice place，highly recommend. Beautiful place and beautiful food. The staff are very friendly and very nice read more

Yella on the Water - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Highly recommend the food! The service is fast, food comes out very quickly, and ambiance is fantastic.

First time at this restaurant looking over the water in Gloucester, food was good but a little inconsistent at least the evening we dined. The hummus awarma was the best bite of our choices, creamy hummus with cinnamon spiced angus beef and caramelized onion with warm pita was on the mark. Fattouch salad was heavy on the greens which I would have liked some more crunch like a romaine lettuce instead of spring mix with very little cuke and and onion.chicken kabob was flavorful enough but a little dry,fries accompanied the dish with a tasty grilled tomato and onion wedge also grilled. Good price point,would give them another try. read more

Wonderful evening! Had a great meal, lots of flavors reminded me of my great grandmother's Syrian cooking. Had the Lamb Pappardelle, Chicken Wings, and Fattouch. The service was excellent. It's obvious they have all been well trained and work well together. Looking forward to going back in the good weather! Thank you, Sam and Kimberly. We'll be back . read more

Solid 3.5. Small local bar that offers an array of gourmet-style seafood, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean eats. Went here for a company outing/dinner. I'm a vegetarian, and had hummus as an appetizer - good. I had a salad - good. For the entrée, more of the same salad and the haddock, which looked like flounder to me, as thin as tilapia, and was over cooked and dry... felt like leather. To their credit, they were cooking 35 meals and I have a special diet... still. Wonderful staff. Options... seafood, lamb and vegetarian. Clean. Plenty of parking. Deck on the front facing the water. Prices seem quite reasonable, and group rates available. Recommended for corporate kind of things. 12OCT2022 read more

Yella on the Water - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

AMAZING FOOD. Best muscles I've ever had. Unique drinks. LOVED IT. Only thing is their ambiance could use some work. I got cafeteria vibes because of their bright overhead lighting. Decorations are cute and all, but it needs more intimacy and vibey-ness lol especially for dinner time. read more

I love that this spot has outdoor seating with umbrellas and a view, good salads, and great service. The food is Mediterranean with falafel, kebab, hummus, but they also have some traditional restaurant fare like burratta, flatbreads, and tacos so everyone will be happy. Easy, fun boulevard location, and parking. read more

We were visiting Rockport for a quick beach getaway but unfortunately, there are essentially no vegetarian options that were open the days we were there. This place had the most vegetarian dishes of any place in the vicinity and won our business for our first night. The space is ideal for the location with ample outdoor seating that provided a beautiful view of the Harbor. The service was exceptional. Every person who interacted with us was extremely nice, friendly, and gave us a heads up about every detail. Our waitress warned us that there might be a bit of a delay due to a large party earlier in the evening AND we were given a complementary serving of hummus of carrots but the wait wasn't longer than I would expect under normal circumstances. Excellent customer service. The drink menu is amazing. I was debating between Stacy's Mule (vodka, creme de cassis, mint, lime, ginger beer), Sangria, Edison Lighthouse (vodka, rosemary, grapefruit, lime) but ultimately went with the Tragabigzanda with tequila, mezcal, lime, and red wine float. I miraculously was able to pronounce that correctly according to the waitress. GF ordered A Really Nice Thyme with gin, watermelon, lemon, and thyme. Both drinks were refreshing and strong. Their menu clearly labeled the vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free options and ways to make other items one of the above. Their only vegan option contains mushrooms so you're SOL if you don't like mushrooms. Their other vegetarian option contains eggs. They have many delicious appetizers. The hummus was a must and it was creamy and delicious. The accompanying pita chips are a little thin and light for my personal preference but overall this was a good order. We also ordered the burrata which overlies roasted red pepper, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a few thin slices of grilled ciabatta. This was INCREDIBLE and probably my favorite dish of the night. For my entree, I ordered the falafel salad for reasons mentioned above. The falafel was wonderfully crispy and flavorful. Unfortunately the greens were soggy from the dressing and I couldn't eat them. The flavors were delectable and probably would have been a great salad if the greens had some crispness. read more

Go for the pita chips! The hummous was good. Felt a little grainy or undercooked not sure but those chips were insane. They should sell those by the bag! I got the falafel tacos and it was a very generous portion. I was expecting more pickled parsnip. They had one piece on each taco so technically the menu was correct in saying pickled parsnips! lol. The boys all loved their dishes of skewers, fish, and flatbread. Lovely view and great attentive service. Also they can make food with no nuts which is rare for a Mediterranean place. read more

Came in here for late lunch after a day at the beach. They have plenty of outdoor seating. Customer service was good and I ordered the falafel salad. Must say, the falafel was very good. The salad was in par with other places. The falafel tacos were great too. read more

Yella on the Water - Falafel salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

I absolutely love going to Yella. the staff are so friendly and welcoming. You feel at home walking in there. The view from the deck is gorgeous. The food is amazing. We have gone with family and a few with serious allergies or dietary restrictions. Chef is always accommodating and presents beautiful dishes that all can enjoy. Last night I had the Seared Scallop special. It was truly the best meal I have had out at a restaurant. The portion was perfect, the flavors were spot on. You can't go wrong with choosing anything from the menu no matter your taste or dietary restrictions. Chef Carlos will take care of you! read more

Made a reservation 24 hours in advance with a special request for an out door table. I show up there and they dont have an outdoor table. The front of the house/manager made no effort to reach out and inform me that they could not meet my special request. There was zero customer service. No attempt was made to reach out. I have left glowing reviews in the past with this place. I typically eat here 2-3 times a year. Needless to say I will not return. There are plenty of restaurants in Gloucester, Yella is no longer on my list. Buyer beware! read more

Wow, the food here is amazing! It's elevated mediterranean. Nice vibe inside & a huge plus, there is outdoor seating with ocean views. I got the falafel tacos & it was the best falafel I have ever had. read more

First time visiting Yella. Reserved table was ready on time. The food was exceptional! The chicken wings were the best we ever had. The catch of the day was great. The server was enthusiastic and attentive. I never write reviews, but rarely are we so impressed. We'll be back. read more

Lovely adorable restaurant. We came for a Sun dinner, a week before they close for the season. Wonderful staffs, foods came in very fresh and big portions. Falafel was a bit dry but everything was heavenly delicious! read more

Yella on the Water - a plate of food on a table - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Service was good so that's why three stars... but food was ok. I ordered the mussels and it was pretty good but the falafel salad and I was disappointed with. The falafel was overcooked. It ripped my gums apart chewing on them. They were hard like rocks on the outside. I've had enough falafel to know when it's overdone! Salad dressing lacked flavor and I got about four grape tomatoes slit in half... lol read more

Yella on the Water - Falafel Salad ... disappointing - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Wife and I stopped by for dinner. We arrived a little early but were quickly sat out in the deck which was our preference. Jack out served did a great job taking care of us. We started out with burrata which was excellent. Wife ordered the fisherman's catch which was a sole the day we visited. It was perfectly cooked and presented on top of a corn and asparagus base. I went with the short rib ravioli. Ravioli Flavor was very good but i thought the presentation and sauce could have been a little better. Topped that night off with panna cotta which was amazing. My wife went with the chocolate crème brûlée which she felt was ok, but was a little thick. All in all a great night. For whatever reason they don't offer or even have coffee or a nice espresso with desert which is unfortunate. Highly recommend read more

The food is good, but the service is pretty lousy. Usually I'm pretty not too sensitive to service issues. Between Covid and the lack of workers, sometimes service issues are understandable. But this place. The hostess/manager is pretty lousy. It really felt uncomfortable here. Almost like we they were doing us a favor for allowing us to dine there. Not sure why. Our waitress was ok, but kept making mistakes. But again, not something I usually would critique, but that coupled with the fact that the owner/hostess/manager person was so inhospitable, makes this place a no go for me. If you want a middle East fix in Gloucester, you are far better off going to Markouk Bread. Food is better, more authentic, less expensive but takeout and only. read more

My organization recently hosted a team dinner at Yella on the Water, and I want to share how great of an experience we had. We worked with Matt to plan our menu and flow of the evening. We hosted a short and informal arrival/cocktail gathering on the patio. The view overlooks the water and was perfect on a transitional summer-to-fall night. We ordered a few appetizers which were setup as a station and the servers took drink orders. It was a lovely ambiance. We then had entrees and dessert inside. Our team pre-selected meals ahead of arriving, though the team was able to make adjustments on-site, and this made for a smooth and quick transition. The food was delicious. Notably, they accommodated several dietary restrictions including a gluten allergy, vegetarians, and dairy free guests. All of the allergens are clearly noted on the menu, so it made planning and selecting easy, too. Throughout the entire night, Matt and the service team were fantastic. They were so kind and nice to engage with. Our team raved about the location, food, service, and ambiance. I highly recommend Yella on the Water for a group dinner or just as a restaurant to visit! read more

We had a wonderful dinner here on a lovely late summer evening and opted to dine indoors although the deck looked welcoming and warm. The drinks were delicious and the food fresh, innovative and scrumptious! Our server was so sweet and the entire staff was helpful and thorough. They truly seemed to care about their patrons! Can't wait to come back! read more

Looks good but it's meh. I'd say a 2.5 or 3 if I'm being nice. It's crowded, hot and the staff isn't that friendly. Hummus was bland and the pasta was too salty. Falafel was ok. Again looks good but isn't. Overall 2.5 read more

Yella on the Water - a bowl of pasta with mushrooms and spinach - Mediterranean Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Wonderful place, great location and great food!! Exceptional service, very accommodating, set up special outdoor seating for us. Highly recommend read more

We had a wonderful birthday dinner at Yella on the Water. Fresh ingredients, great flavors and a Mediterranean twist. Both the food and the drinks were delicious - we enjoyed it all. Service was excellent. Highly recommend. read more

We had two excellent meals here, once for lunch and then a few days later for dinner. Beautiful view, innovative Lebanese-meets-North-Shore menu, and good vegetarian and gluten-free options. For the specifics: Our waitresses were charming and efficient both times. All the foods we tried were great - falafel taco, fish taco, pasta, shakshouka, and the catch of the day. For dessert we had the chocolate creme brulee; I snobbishly didn't think a flavored creme brulee would work but it was divine. The falafel salad was tasty and filling but needs a bit more acidity. I also quite like their wine list and had a delightful white wine from Crete for the first time. In summary, I would recommend this place for a date night or a group with a variety of dietary needs. read more

Our meal was excellent in every respect. The Falafel appetizer was as good as any we have ever had anywhere!! read more

Jesus take the wheel. I completely understand covid is still a very relevant circumstance restaurants and businesses have to deal with but as an employee that had to return back during phase one I can't accept straight up bad customer service without any regard. Let me start off by saying my Mother and sister had gone here a little over a month ago while vacationing here. They enjoyed their meal so much that for a second vacation (my mother , 4 year old daughter and I this time) had my dad and sister drive to meet us for dinner here. From the get go - I knew our waitress wasn't going to be great. She didn't even have an answer when I asked her what types of pasta they had as choices for my daughter. Simple pasta and butter is all she wanted. We got a few glasses of wine and let me tell ya ... I've never seen a more WEAK pour in my life. The manager claimed that it was because the glasses were bigger then they seem lol. Yeahhh ok would that explain why my glass was empty after 3 sips? Doubt it. Not to mention the tiniest glass of wine took 20 min to receive. We were one of 3 parties sitting inside closest to the bar mind you. When we had ordered our drinks after our waitress came over for the first time we made sure to order our meals as well RIGHT AWAY. it took over an hour to get our meal and I lost my noodle. They placed the wrong pasta STEAMING HOT in front of my starving agitated 4 year old. My scallops were cold. Straight up cold. No apology for the wait , zero regard , zero knowledge of the menu just a straight up wench to be honest. This is when I get up to talk to the manager and pull her aside. I started off by saying I get it's a pandemic and trust me I didn't want to complain , again made it a point to say it we came specifically because it was great for my sister and mothers lunch but this was absurdly bad. Just an overall huge disappointment. My daughter being given that steaming hot bowl of thick pasta was not only wrong but straight up dangerous completely and utterly UNACCEPTABLE. The manager's response to me was a riot. "So what would you like me to do?" Ummm excuse me !!?? I'm not a restaurant manager I'm a patron here. It's not my duty to tell you how to handle a displeased customer. She took my meal off , and my daughters. Big deal. Also hilarious they accidentally made me two drinks and she had the nerve to say the COMPT my drink lollllz oh right the drink I didn't order that you literally couldn't take back for health reasons? Right. That went right up my arse sideways I'll tell ya. Don't play me for a fool lady that's disrespectful. Btw didn't even have time or energy to drink the free beverage what a shame because after this debacle I could've used all the vodka I could get. I'm sure people have great experiences here but how a restaurant handles the horrible ones really goes to show how much they care about your business and the blatant disrespect we received from the start here was a terrible display in all aspects. read more

The food was quite simply rivaled the best we've ever had, anywhere. Fresh mozzarella to die for, fish cooked and seasoned to perfection, falafel crispy and incredibly flavorful, rich chocolate crème brûlée with fresh cream and berries. Friendly, low key, uncrowded (I don't understand why!?!?). If you're looking for 5-star food in an unassuming atmosphere, this is it, hands down. Generous portions too - you won't leave hungry. read more

Was driving around looking for a place to eat lunch and saw this cute little place! When I walked in, it felt kind of awkward with it being small, and so many employees around. We got seated, instantly got water, and soon after some carrots and hummus from another person. The waitress arrives, took our order. While we waited, our waters got filled 3 times :) My food came, and was decent- my burger was over cooked, but was definitely edible. My boyfriends order didn't come at the same time, the waitress had forgotten. She was apologetic, and we soon got his meal, no biggie. It feels awkward here- It's hard to put into words. I think because they were overly staffed, and it just feels cold in here. read more

Tonight I was on a date with someone I just met, and that likely influenced my review, as all meals taste better when shared with a beautiful woman. All I can tell you was that Yella served us a meal that was exceptional. I'll give you the details, and you can decide: was it the meal, or the girl. Or both? This is Dining in the Time of Covid. We arrived without a reservation and they were very accomodating, setting up a table by the front window (opened for airflow) for us. There's also an outdoor area, including a tent, so we even had a choice, but chose the table. The location has a nice view of the harbor, and a soft, warm breeze was blowing. The Yella staff were all doing an outstanding job of virus-management, with tables well separated, great airflow, and masks. We did not have to wear masks at the table, which is great because it was just a second date and our first chance to see each other face to face. Great because I learned that she has a really pretty smile, an easy laugh, and sparkly eyes. But I digress. The venue itself is quite nice, but it's not hugely impressive nor decorated by some famous person. It's really just a small place, quite pleasant and simple, and my guess is that it's a family affair or someone who realized that great food conquers all (even Covid). It's not fussy -- just nice. I don't come to restaurants to eat the tablecloths and candles. The drinks menu was excellent, and we chose a cocktail. Hers had a fun little strip of zucchini peel, served in a champagne glass, and she said it was good. Mine was called Boulevard, made with whiskey. It was very tasty, with zest of orange and a very nice cinnamon or similar kind of spicy vibe. Cocktails on a date: a good thing. Lips were loosened (no ships were sunk). And so we talked for a while. Our server stopped by to see if we were ready to order, and when we said we were not, she understood the situation and instead of some trite comment like "take your time" she said "we love when people come here to relax". It's honestly rather rare to have a server who thinks, considers the table, and responds as though he/she were an actual human with a working vocabulary. Nicely done! The menu was just right. Not filled with fried, fried, fried but instead with some seafood, some meat, some veggies, and a burger. I saw scallops and, it being Gloucester I figured they would be fresh. My charming partner in dining ordered the daily catch (Halibut). After a suitable time, neither too soon nor too long, our meals arrived. Presentation was wonderful. My scallops were cooked very well. As a former resident of a fishing town in Maine, I know scallops. Well seared, but still tender and flavorful. and piping hot. They rested in a bed of something savory, creamy, and perfect. They were accompanied with braised brussels sprouts, along a wonderfully tasty mix of nutty bits. Plenty of food but not the typical obscene amounts often served at restaurants these days. Brussels sprouts are the perfect date food in some ways. Don't we all have stories about them? Our hate relationships as children? How we came to appreciate them as adults? You can learn a lot about a person from Brussels sprouts, I think. I learned that my date likes them crispy. If she had said "overcooked and oversalted" I would have left then and there, as I do not want to date my mother. We talked easily and enjoyed our meals, and even had desert. You know, if you're on a date and decide to have desert, this means something important. I forget what the desert was called, something creamy and delicious, and I found myself entranced with her beautiful eyes. Isn't this what you want in a good desert? I believe this restaurant will be responsible for a third date, although this is purely speculative at this point. If this is the kind of meal you're seeking, I cannot recommend Yella highly enough. Now you'll have to decide whether my glowing review was about the meal or the girl. Or both. read more