Established in 1997 and located in a historic building in East Cambridge, Desfina restaurant is owned and operated by Steve and his son Thomas Mallakis. Desfina is named after the village in Greece located two hours west of Athens on the mainland where Steve grew up before coming to Boston. This family operated restaurant strives to bring the atmosphere of a traditional Greek tavern with quality home cooking, good wine and a cozy environment.
There is always something cooking in our open kitchen whether it is fresh seafood or cuts of different meats. We use only the freshest ingredients, traditional recipes and cooking methods. Desfina restaurant has been serving our customers for over twenty years and has become a staple in the community and the city of Boston for its authenticity when it comes to traditional Greek food.
There is always something cooking in our open kitchen whether it is fresh seafood or cuts of different meats. We use only the freshest ingredients, traditional recipes and cooking methods. Desfina restaurant has been serving our customers for over twenty years and has become a staple in the community and the city of Boston for its authenticity when it comes to traditional Greek food.
Reviews (27)
Joseph Ting
Jan 21, 2022
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Emily Greene
Jan 20, 2022
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Donalyn Scheuner
Jan 14, 2022
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Laurie P.
Nov 28, 2021
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Giota P.
Nov 21, 2021
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Howard F.
Nov 14, 2021
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Rob H.
Oct 31, 2021
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In town with family and my son was craving Greek food. Went here merely based on a Google search.
We're from out of town and we're trying to figure out where to park. Just happened to ask two gentlemen standing outside the restaurant and they guided us to a small unmarked parking lot across the street.
Once inside, the place was cozy and clean. We were obviously surrounded by regulars, but didn't feel like outsiders. I really have no idea how many tourists this area sees.
The food was amazing. They brought out some bread for the table and a bottle of dressing for our complimentary
We're from out of town and we're trying to figure out where to park. Just happened to ask two gentlemen standing outside the restaurant and they guided us to a small unmarked parking lot across the street.
Once inside, the place was cozy and clean. We were obviously surrounded by regulars, but didn't feel like outsiders. I really have no idea how many tourists this area sees.
The food was amazing. They brought out some bread for the table and a bottle of dressing for our complimentary
Demba Ba
Oct 28, 2021
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I write this review of Desfina Restaurant with great pleasure and enthusiasm.
I have patronized this establishment for the past 14+ years, have gotten to respect it, the people who run it, and their vision. I have gotten to know them personally.
Their resilience over the past couple of years has particularly impressed me. The Boston Globe wrote about them.
I have tasted almost everything on the menu. I love the seasonal fried anchovies, the roasted and baked lamb, the octopus of course, the salmon. I appreciate their recent efforts to simplify the menu, modernize the website, while staying true
I have patronized this establishment for the past 14+ years, have gotten to respect it, the people who run it, and their vision. I have gotten to know them personally.
Their resilience over the past couple of years has particularly impressed me. The Boston Globe wrote about them.
I have tasted almost everything on the menu. I love the seasonal fried anchovies, the roasted and baked lamb, the octopus of course, the salmon. I appreciate their recent efforts to simplify the menu, modernize the website, while staying true
Chris Heckmann
Oct 23, 2021
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I have never seen orange cake in any Greek restaurant in the US. It was a pleasant surprise to see it on the desert menu and it was simply scrumptious, as good as the orange cakes we had in Sparta. It’s worth going here just for the orange cake, but the other food is great as well. Very authentic restaurant. They also had bottles of Kechribari retsina, which is from northern Greece and is never seen anywhere else in the world!
Dalia Ornelas
Sep 28, 2021
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Steve F.
Sep 22, 2021
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Disappointed.
For $18 I was expecting more than a plate of food that looked like leftovers. The moussaka was very bland. At the most basic level it needed salt but was missing flavor. On top of that it was not generous.
I kept thinking to myself, "is this all there is for $18? Wow..."
I find this a bit troubling to write as Greek restaurants and diners are usually a great value and the food is interesting and flavorful.
This review is the second less than stellar experience at a restaurant in Cambridge, MA. Not good.
For $18 I was expecting more than a plate of food that looked like leftovers. The moussaka was very bland. At the most basic level it needed salt but was missing flavor. On top of that it was not generous.
I kept thinking to myself, "is this all there is for $18? Wow..."
I find this a bit troubling to write as Greek restaurants and diners are usually a great value and the food is interesting and flavorful.
This review is the second less than stellar experience at a restaurant in Cambridge, MA. Not good.
Brad H.
Sep 19, 2021
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Good food, but "Don't drink the water" We put in a reservation the other night for four people for an outside table at 8:00 on a Saturday night. It was not that busy. We ordered an appetizer and several entrees and no beverages, we just asked for water.
The water came in some sort of decorative bottle with a label. We're pretty big water drinkers, so we ended up getting approx. 2.5 liters total for the table. When we received the bill, we were charged $12.50 for the waters.
I have eaten out in all kinds of restaurants and I used to travel quite a bit, and when dining in
The water came in some sort of decorative bottle with a label. We're pretty big water drinkers, so we ended up getting approx. 2.5 liters total for the table. When we received the bill, we were charged $12.50 for the waters.
I have eaten out in all kinds of restaurants and I used to travel quite a bit, and when dining in
Valentina C.
Jul 26, 2021
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Food is excellent however WATCH your credit card charges we were charged 411.00 between three of us, when the whole bill $159.00 two parties were charged twice AND this is going on three weeks ago minus 3 days and NO REFUND yet!
We had two martinis, two beers, Tzatziki and eggplant app, 2 baked lamb dinner, 1 gyro dinner and a Greek chicken salad. $159.00
Friend A was charged $159.64 and another charge for $29.40
Friend B charged: $104.00 then $64.40
I was charged $54.40
$411.84
First my friends spoke to Stathis he said he would take care of it and refund week goes by and now my friends
We had two martinis, two beers, Tzatziki and eggplant app, 2 baked lamb dinner, 1 gyro dinner and a Greek chicken salad. $159.00
Friend A was charged $159.64 and another charge for $29.40
Friend B charged: $104.00 then $64.40
I was charged $54.40
$411.84
First my friends spoke to Stathis he said he would take care of it and refund week goes by and now my friends
Alex S.
Jul 22, 2021
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We had a great experience in Desfina before pandemic and the other day we stopped by again for lunch. Somehow all the low/mid-price seafood items including the simplest fish&chips were not available. They only had the expensive fish dish available. Since my friend was pesceterian, we had to order that item. The fish was OK but definitely not worth the price. I ordered lamb and it was very chewy, I wasn't able to finish. Some of the utensils and glasses were not the cleanest. Bread and salad was very good. Greek vegetables were unique and interesting. I have mixed feelings for this place
Barrett W.
Jul 12, 2021
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Jea Hyun Kim
Jul 01, 2021
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Home-cooked style Greek cuisine place. Recently picked up their lamb kebob with a side of gratis Greek salad. While waiting for pickup, I watched how they cook their kebobs, and instead of the traditional oven method, they put the skewers on a grill and unloaded all the meats from the skewers half-way. I was initially unsure whether it would taste good, but the meats were cooked perfectly medium. However, their service was extremely slow and the food wasn’t ready by the estimated time.
Joseph B.
Jun 14, 2021
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M. C.
Jun 04, 2021
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Marc S.
Jun 01, 2021
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C. M.
May 23, 2021
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Isabel J.
Dec 16, 2020
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During our time in Massachusetts we stopped here for dinner. At first glance I didn't think much of this place but my friend made the reservations so we decided to give it a shot.
I was very wrong the food here was really good.
The portions are huge and not expensive.
The service was a bit off they were nice but cold at the same time. It might be a cultural thing.
If you enjoy Greek food then check this place out you won't be disappointed.
I was very wrong the food here was really good.
The portions are huge and not expensive.
The service was a bit off they were nice but cold at the same time. It might be a cultural thing.
If you enjoy Greek food then check this place out you won't be disappointed.
Tianjiao D.
Nov 03, 2020
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Bryan N.
Sep 22, 2020
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Looks can be deceiving and that's the case here. When we pulled up, we were debating to go in or go to another restaurant but I am so glad we decided to give it a try. Some of the best Mediterranean food I've had on the East coast. The octopus is very tender, the fish very crispy and cooked to perfection, and the sardines lightly battered to perfection. Their salad dressing is very very good, along with their taziki sauce goes well with everything. The waiter was also very accommodating and gave us good suggestions.
Araxie Y.
Feb 27, 2020
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Took us quite a long time to visit this Cambridge hidden gem after living around the area for so many years.
The food is exceptionally delicious and as authentic as can be for Greek. The best part of the experience is the service and atmosphere it provides; very welcoming and attentive servers and staff. We had a wonderful experience and its somewhere I can see us returning over and over again (maybe even with a larger crowd.)
The food is exceptionally delicious and as authentic as can be for Greek. The best part of the experience is the service and atmosphere it provides; very welcoming and attentive servers and staff. We had a wonderful experience and its somewhere I can see us returning over and over again (maybe even with a larger crowd.)
Kyle S.
Mar 12, 2019
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Stopped by here for a quick lunch after seeing the majority positive Yelp reviews. Now I can add to the positivity. Food was cooked fresh, flavorful, and the portions/price were not too shabby as well (although $17 for the octopus appetizer was bit excessive--I don't regret ordering it as a main meal).
The food overall was exactly what I hoped for--flavorful Greek such as charred chicken, lemon, and creamy tzatziki! They also bring out a basket of nice chewy bread at the beginning. As for the rest of the menu, they have it all from gyros to salads to dips and anything else you're hoping
The food overall was exactly what I hoped for--flavorful Greek such as charred chicken, lemon, and creamy tzatziki! They also bring out a basket of nice chewy bread at the beginning. As for the rest of the menu, they have it all from gyros to salads to dips and anything else you're hoping
Andy Zhang
Jan 23, 2019
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Rohit Kilpadi
Jul 14, 2017
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