Robert B.

I love this place so much. I've been multiple times. Everything is delicious. The atmosphere is fantastic. The service is on point and friendly. Aside from writing everything in CAPS and exclamation marks, I cannot convey just how much I like this place. Walking in is like entering something else, the ambiance is encompassing and intimate. It's like you've discovered a little hidden gem, and spoiler alert: you have. It's totally a gem.

Kevin A.

Amazing place. A wonderful dining experience. I've been a few times and actually like it MORE when it is super packed. At one point the table next to us did a toast, and all the surrounding tables joined in, which was a fun feeling of community. But about the food- The food is fantastic. Each dish is unique and can stand on its own. There are so many mixes of flavors that you would simply find difficult to find anywhere else. Furthermore, many of the flavors would be difficult to recreate without some real culinary skill. Some of my love for Dali is that I just love the idea of tapas. However, Dali really does do it right.

Maria R.

This place is awesome. All the tapas we had were great, and many good desserts to choose from. The service was solid too. The only problem is the wait... come with patience, or plan ahead.

Basil S.

Great restaurant, awesome decor, tasty drinks. Probably my favorite place in Cambridge after Bergamot.

Kavya S.

Dinner at Dali is a delightful dining experience! I came here for a company dinner with about 40 people. I'm a huge fan of the venue -- it's beautifully decorated and can accommodate a variety of occasions, from dates to large group outings to company dinners. The sangria was particularly tasty; it was a big overly sugary, but I was still satisfied, and I couldn't say no even after the 4th refill. The food, in my opinion, was only 3.5 stars; as a vegetarian, I just wasn't fully satisfied. I tried the pa amb tomaquet, tortilla espanola, patatas ali-oli, and filloa de bernjenas. All were flavorful--although a bit fattening--but nothing really blew me away. However, I'm still giving Dali 4 stars because I think that you will definitely enjoy your experience at the restaurant and will leave glad that you came. I'm hoping to go back and try the other vegetarian tapas on the menu!

Burt B.

This is my girlfriend's and my favorite restaurant. Great, intimate atmosphere, but without feeling crowded. When we go out, we order several plates and she will get sangrias, and we can expect to pay around $60 for a great night out. Not bad. I recommend the duck, those hot potato things, and the garlic shrimp. They do have a weird system where they don't take reservations, but if you call ahead and say what time you want to come in, you can arrive at that time and get ahead in line or something like that. If you do have to wait the bar is very nice and you can pass the time nicely. Highly recommended

Jenn H.

I was looking forward to some wonderful tapas at Dali, and was so disappointed in my experience. I came here with two friends, and all of us had the same sentiment. We ordered a pitcher of sangria which was just decent - it didn't have much of a kick, and tasted a little watered down. None of the tapas we tried were very good - the shrimp, lamb chops and short ribs were all below par. We ordered two more that I can't remember, but again, below average. Maybe we went on an off-night, but I am not coming back again.

Nina N.

Dali has been placed in my coveted list of five star restaurants. Atmosphere, service, food, everything made it hard for me to give anything lower than a five star rating. Although I haven't tried all of the tapas, of the ones I have tried, I highly recommend the following: Vieiras al Azafrán | Broiled Scallops in Saffron Cream. This had to be my favorite dish. From yelpers, I knew I had to try this dish. Scallop was cooked just right and the cream was so delicious. My second favorite dish is the Pato Braseado | Maple Leaf Farms Roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce. The duck is tender and perfectly cooked. At first, I thought the blackberry sauce was a bit too sweet, but the more I eat it with the duck, the more I couldn't resist. The following were just a bit off palette for me but was somehow delicious to my fiance and my friend: Chipirones Rellenos | Stuffed Squid in its own Ink. This was one of my fiance and friend's favorite of the night. Not surprising at all when it came in a pitch black sauce that thankfully did not taste as it appeared. Well, I am torn. Perhaps it's because it was an ugly dish and the dimly lit restaurant did not make the dish look all the more appetizing. Personally, I would rather it be stuffed with something other than tuna or seasoned differently. Maybe stuff it with ground beef, shallots, and other herbs? But somehow, a miracle, it was the men favorite of the night. Faisán a la Alcántara | Boneless Pheasant w/Mushroom & Bacon. This was a bit gamey to me. But I am not being fair as any bird that is not chicken, turkey, duck, or quail always makes me nervous. This dish my fiance and friend liked and they enjoyed the sauce too. The sauce reminded me of tamarind, slightly sweet and sour. Ravioles de Mariscos | Lobster/Crabmeat Ravioli w/Langostino Sauce. I was expecting something overly delicious with lobster and crabmeat. in it so when I didn't get that, I was disappointed. I think if they stuffed it with well seasoned wild mushrooms instead, it would have tasted hundreds of time better. Chorizo a la Plancha |Grilled Spanish Sausage. This is not the best tasting sausage I have ever had and it is not the worst either. But it was just so very disappointing. Makes me want to stick with Italian sausages for good. Desserts - Must Try El Postre Inspirado - Fresones | Large Strawberries in Sherry Batter w/Crema Catalana, Strawberry Sauce & Gelato. Well, well, well, if I wasn't put off by my fiance and his best man feeding one another, I would have really been able to fully enjoy this dessert. Hahah. Fried strawberry. Yum. See my pictures.

Xiao Z.

One of my favorite tapas place in Boston. Definitely a great place for dates or a common meeting ground for great-food lovers. The decor is trendy and lovely with people always bustling in and out, bringing sizzling creations from the kitchen. Unfortunately, the price is just a bit...over my normal budget, so I'll have to reserve this place for special occasions only =(

Angie C.

Get the sangria!! Best I ever had. The food is consistently above average, nothing amazing that stood out. Best part about Dali: the AMBIANCE is so welcoming and fun. Service is great, and I would definitely come back here on a date or with a big group :) Tip; Come early around 6 if you want to grab a table. Otherwise, the bar is also fun, but if you come after 7:30, you'll have to wait a while.

Eric D.

I went with some acquaintances for someone's birthday and I still can't get over just how expensive it was. The food was delicious, but the portions were so small for what I was paying I felt like I was being robbed. We had brought a cake and they charged us $1.50 a person for a plate and fork. I am still astonished I paid over $60 for not enough food to fill me up for dinner.

Josh L.

Stumbled upon Dali when I was searching around Porter Square in hunger. From the outside it looks a bit grungy and the solid wooden door looks a bit uninviting. However, as you open the door you step into another world. Vines and cured meat hanging from the bar, I instantly fell inlove with the decor. We were warmly greeted and escorted to our seats (we did not have a reservation and it was 7 pm on a Friday..very lucky). Walking through this surprisingly extensive restaurant the decor and atmosphere captivate you by how unique and eclectic it is. Finally we were seated at a table covered in tiles, which gave it a nice touch. It was very low lighting, so it gave it a very romantic feel. We ordered the garlic shrimp, patatas bravas, the rabbit, rice with squid ink and a pitcher of sangria. They also give you bread with a mushroom spread I think for about $2. Everything was delicious, my favorites might be the patatas and the garlic shrimp. The patatas were perfectly crispy and covered in a scrumptious sauce, I think it was some sort of aioli. The sangria was also very tasty, not too sweet, just perfect. We finished off our dinner with some churros that were crispy and the chocolate sauce that came with it was simply heavenly. Overall it was a great experience and I would definitely go back..after a couple more paychecks (but HEY, at least my money was well spent). Thank you Dali for the lovely night out!

Susannah C.

We sat at the bar since we came in on a Saturday night with no reservation. The bartender was extremely helpful in getting two seats next to each other available ASAP. Even though I was dining with a vegetarian, we had no problem finding a huge selection of items for each of us to share and have ourselves. We ordered the blistered peppers, fried potatoes, and tomato/garlic crostini which were all lovely. I personally devoured the fried chicken with carrot/sherry and cheese sauces, and my friend really enjoyed her stuffed artichokes. Though we were very full we sprung for the churros dessert because it just looked too good. They gave us a heaping portion and they were fantastic. Couldn't have asked for better food.

Eric F.

Several years in the making, my friends and I finally made our way here! I'm a big fan of the colorful and vibrant Spanish decor that made for an awesome ambiance. Not surprisingly, the wait is perpetually ridiculous and do note that reservations are only taken prior to 6 pm. My friend put us down at 6:45 pm for a party of five and a little over 45 minutes passed before we were seated...honestly, not that bad considering how many other parties were crammed into the front area. Now, the food! Being Spanish tapas, let's go with a list: Plato Mixto - generously portioned with great variety Patatas Bravas - particularly well-fried and the best iteration I've tasted yet Gambas con Gabardina - one of our meal's highlights and the Mojo sauce was fantastic! So much spicy, garlicky deliciousness Pulpo A'Feira - mmm...meaty octopus Chipirones Rellenos - not nearly as good as I was expecting as the squid itself was somewhat tough and the dish overall was a tad too salty Gorditas - bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with goat cheese and almonds? Game over Albondigas de Cordero - very tender and great tomato-mint sauce Paella Valenciana - no Spanish meal is complete without this. Plenty of seafood with very good flavors, but smaller than I was expecting Very tasty tapas on the whole with certain dishes being particularly good, but I wouldn't necessarily place Dali above its fierce competition including the likes of Toro and Estragon. Each has its own selection of highlights and mid-pack runners. Would be happy to return to try the plethora of other dishes.

Jennie F.

Fabulous! Shared 9 tapas and 2 bottles of wine between 4 people. Loved every plate! Garlic shrimp, baby spinach, mussels, beef tenderloin in cream-brandy sauce, and more!! Can't wait to go back!

Owen S.

Overrated. Why? Two simple reasons: 1. They CHARGE for bread. Seriously? The worst part was our waiter failed to mention that he was going to charge us for the bread basket, but instead he just brought it over. 2. Water refill service is ABSENT. While some may think this isn't a big deal, if you're paying Dali's prices you expect to have a full-service experience. We asked three times for our water to be refilled. Not acceptable. Sad that Dali didn't live up to expectations.

John K.

I went to Dali for a friend's going away party, and had a mixed reaction to this place. The restaurant was crowded and although we reserved tables for our large group, they crammed us into a small space, it was not very comfortable. The food and atmosphere though was good. There was music and the dark atmosphere would be nice for a more intimate experience.I had a very tasty squid in black ink sauce dish, but I do think overall the plates are a bit overpriced for tapas. It did not allow us to try as many dishes as one would want at a tapas restaurant.

Kathee B.

Highly impressed with Dali. Just moved to the neighborhood and it's going to be hard to resist every weekend. Went for a friend's birthday and the 5 of us spent just over $200--which included 2 sangria pitchers, 10+ tapas plates and 3 dessert plates. A great experience, a great price! But the taste is what you come for--with a diversity of vegetarian and meat places everything was rich and diverse in flavor--from the saffron sauce on the scallops to the duck and everything in between, flavors were complex and fully realized, which I really appreciated. I left feeling not overly full and fully satisfied. The churros were also really excellent, for what it's worth. :) Also, I will be hiring the decorator to come make-over my apartment.

zilla b.

I love this restaurant, pick an off night to go though cause on a friday or saturday it will be packed and busy and you might not get the best service, any other night of the week it's 5 stars and the food OMG Sooooooooooooooooo good.

Karis O.

When I die and I am eligible to go to heaven, I hope Dali's is there because this place is the greatest thing to ever happen to me! Shared everything with my date and pulled a $80 bill. Not bad at all for what we got. Got the Bunuelos de Verdura which were cauliflower and broccoli cheese puffs as well as the mushroom stuffed artichokes. Attempted to get the veggies in for the and that's about right where it stopped. So amazing. The cheese puffs are light, airy and flavorful. Next got the shrimp, scallops and asparagus skewers in a green apple aioli. Such an incredible combo that balanced very well! And surprisingly ALMOST full after those three plates, got the Costillas de Vaca which are the beef short ribs in a Rioja Wine sauce. Arguably could have been one of the best pieces of meat I have had rivaling filet mignon I had at 41 North in Newport RI.

Ryan S.

Excellent! This is the perfect date night spot. Charming atmosphere, great cocktails, superior service, and the food is awesome! The blue cheese pork cutlet blew me away. This place has that Wow factor, which is hard to find. A must try.

Amy M.

Came here for a second date: The food was good, the company great. We started with bread, my heart all a-flutter, Accompanied by what we thought was butter - But really it was roasted red peppers and cheese. Starting our meal like this? Yes please! We got the sangria, served in big glasses, If you ask me, it's a tiny bit better than Masa's. To eat we had tortilla, and prunes wrapped in bacon. I thought they'd be good; I wasn't mistaken. Then came chorizo and saffron-battered shrimp. On the garlic in the tapas, Dali does not skimp! The tarta de Santiago wins my affection, As does the service. I'll end with this reflection: I liked Dali and I liked the boy even more. Cross your fingers that a third date is in store!

Alex P.

I am so disappointed in this place. I have been to Madrid, Barcelona, Jerez and many other places in Spain. DO NOT judge Spanish food by what you get here, you will dislike Spain if you do. I have no idea how they have 4 stars in Yelp. The place and decorations is beautiful, but that's where the spanish flair stops. If the food is not horrible enough, just the fact that they have salsa and merengue as the musical background should have been enough to get me out of here. Just because the music is in spanish doesn't make it from Spain. Shane on me for sitting down and go against my gut feeling trying to make it a pleasant evening.

Maddie G.

What a fantastic experience! The restaurant is gorgeous, with typical spanish tiles and paintings covering the walls. It feels warm and welcoming as soon as you walk in. Even the bathrooms are gorgeous. I went with my dad and we started with cocktails - a lavender gimlet for him, pisco sour for me. Both were expertly crafted. To eat, we had ceviche (perfect texture, great taste), baked goat cheese (the charred parts on top were the best), some bread-and-spread dish (unbelievably garlicky in the best way possible), lamb meatballs (moist and delicious), and roast duck in a berry sauce (by far my favorite - perfectly cooked and an amazing sauce that wasn't too sweet). We topped everything off with a berry-filled crepe with chocolate drizzle and orange liquor. The waitress who served us was happy to let us sit there as long as we wanted, and she made great recommendations throughout the evening. What a wonderful place!

Phil S.

Comparing this to other tapas restaurants, Dali is by far the most atmospheric. The food was ok, although no dish was exceptional. We had the Espinaca Catalana (tasty, but a bit too garlicky), Abondigas (very good), Croquetas de Bacalao, (very tasty) and a couple more. The service was ok, although our waitress was having difficulty dealing with a large group that arrived just after us. The only problem was the NOISE. This may have been the loudest restaurant I've been to in years; it was difficult to hear each other. We were in the back room; the bar area was quieter.

Jason M.

There's really nothing horribly wrong with this place. The decor is cool. The service is fine. I think I've just come to the realization that tapas are not my thing. You pay a lot of money for nibbles of food. Sure, the sharing with friends is lovely... and the food at Dali is nice enough... it just doesn't go far enough to be delicious. The drinks, however, are delicious. They do the classics and they do them well. Get a cocktail and go eat something with more substance for less elsewhere.

Eric W.

Good environment is what makes me come back here often Good service.

Andy V.

We've been going to Dali for about seven years which is about when it peaked in popularity. Since then, the restaurant has undergone several changes, some for the better, some for the worse. On balance however, it has come down a star or two, which is a big disappointment. For the better, Dali now takes reservations. On the other hand you now pay for bread, e.g. $2 for a rather small and mediocre sampling. What's up with that? Drinks and speciality cocktails now occupy six pages; the tapas occupy two. I guess we know where the profit lies! There are only two non-Tapas entries, a rather ordinary, overcooked paella and the over-hyped Pesacado a la Sal (fish baked in salt, it tastes exactly as it sounds). Gone is the wonderful Piedra; grilled meat, vegetables, and/or fish on a hot stone that has been seasoned with fresh rosemary and olive oil. I suppose too many diners were ordering the Piedra rather than the higher margin tapas. As for the tapas themselves, they remain quite good. We especially enjoy the Chuletillas, grilled lamb chops (be sure to ask your waiter to have them cooked medium rare, or else they will arrive lifeless), Pulpo A 'Feira grilled octopus (very tender), Pato Braseado roast duck (meaty, moist, and perfectly offset with a berry sauce), Albondegas de Cordero, lamb meatballs. Desserts have changed little, but are mostly uninspired. The wine list is excellent. Try the Volver, a Spanish red that you will not find in any local wine shop except by the case. Dali can get extremely noisy, especially in the room way back and off to the side, which should be avoided at all costs. But it is certainly no noisier than say, Posto, Davis Square. The front room just beyond the bar remains romantic, especially if you can snag a table in one of the little alcoves. Your intimate revelry will be occasionally be interrupted by the wait-staff singing "Happy Birthday to Yooooooo!" to unwitting birthday guests, so plan whispering your sweet-nothings accordingly. The bottom line is that Dali was once a unique dining experience which introduced the Spanish Tapas experience to the Somerville and Cambridge area in a beautiful and romantic setting. Dali now faces increased competition from restaurants with better kitchens (e.g. Toro, Tres Gatos) and more novel approaches (e.g. Casa B: Columbian Tapas, anyone?). Rather than up its game, Dali has decided to focus on higher margin menu items such as speciality cocktails. By cutting its entree selections diners are constrained to the tapas selection which, fortunately, remains very good. However, without corresponding improvements to its kitchen, Dali is no longer the adventurous culinary delight it once was.

Misato P.

I have been to Dali 3 times so far. Tapas restaurant is not for everyone but I personally love this place. Decore is busy yet comforting, colorful yet cultural..overall it is a very charming place. I order so many items there that I can't remember what I ordered each time but food has not failed me yet over there. Most dishes come in small portions, sure, but so much to choose from and they all go so well with their drinks! I had some wine and "Lavender Gimlet" - it is quite refreshing!

Catherine K.

My fiance took me here after he proposed to me so this restaurant has sentimental value. Outside of the big proposal night, we had been to Dali one or two times before and loved it. It is owned by the same owners of Tapeo so we knew they would have great food and service. The restaurant atmosphere is perfect for a night out with friends or a date night. It can easily transform itself to be romantic or just a fun place to grab sangria and delicious food. The staff at Dali were extremely helpful when my fiance, Ian, was planning to surprise me with dinner here. They helped him with reserving the table, setting up the table with flowers that he bought, and provided excellent service during our meal. I can't wait to go back.

Rick H.

Sangria is great Like Spanish cheese on my plate Really, get fried cheese.

Juliette V.

Had the bacon wrapped dates, quail, calamari, rabbit, lamb, and potatoes...all were a hit! Sangria was free flowing and the decor was so fun and vibrant! Definitely have been here a lot and recommend it to everyone! -

Tamar A.

Packt like Spanish sardines in a crushd tin box. The interior is darkly, richly overstuffed, but in that gypsy voodoo way you'd expect in a New Orleans shop where you buy candles for patron saints and pretend you've never met John Cusack even though he's actually your boyfriend and trying to score a jury seat in a high-profile gun case with your feisty help (SPOILER!). The lack of reservations will pretty much guarantee that you will be smooshed into this ambiance for at least a half hour, but the glass of sangria in your hand will surely help. When you finally are seated, the real deliciousness begins. I'd recommend going with a good number of people and everyone ordering two dishes--then everyone gets a taste of everything, and you surprisingly get kinda full. It helps to keep the bread coming, both for filler and sopping up purposes. Our table favorites were the goat cheese in tomato and basil, the wee gorditas (goat-cheese-stuffed prunes wrapped in bacon--what's not to love in that sentence?), and the pork tenderloin with blue cheese and portabello mushrooms. Keep the water flowing too, as a healthy, palate-cleansing sip will be necessary between bites--don't insult these flavors by letting them mix. It will most likely be someone's--or many, many someone's--birthday when you go, and be forewarned: the wall of sound will get even louder. But it's all in excellent, wine-soaked-fruity spirits, so grab a menu, ignore the prices, and enjoy the subsequent party in your mouth.

Janet L.

a bit pricey but the food is good. great atmosphere and waitresses are nice. spinach, scallops, and short ribs were great.

Dessa R.

I've been meaning to go to Dali for months, having heard great things. Somehow it always got out prioritized until last night.As expected, they offered a wide variety of tasty little tapas in a dimly-lit and romantic space. With the knowledge that Dali is the sister restaurant of the fabulous Cuchi Cuchi, I couldn't resist doing a comparative analysis. Here are my findings. Dali has more dishes and offers more kinds of unconventional proteins- duckling, pheasant, rabbit, squid, etc. The flavor combinations are equally as creative as Cuchi, but there are just more options for food. On the cocktail front, Cuchi takes the trophy, no question. I ordered one of Dali's Sangria Cavas, which is a sangria made with champagne. It was fizzy, and not too sweet. Very nice. I also had some kind of almond mojito, which was a little strange, but I appreciated the twist on the cocktail classic. Edit: Three years later, I come back and this time try the deep fried strawberries in sherry batter. I had never tried anything like it. The strawberries were enormous and plump- and steaming hot, covered in a sweet alcoholic batter. We overheard the table next us order them with no batter, and had to literally restrain ourselves from matter-of-factly informing them they were making one of the biggest mistakes of their lives.

Kate T.

Best birthday dinner I could have asked for. Perfect, romantic atmosphere. They don't take reservations but have a preferred seating list if you call ahead (weird). I opted for the reserved list and had no problems securing a seat at 8:30 on a Thursday night. The staff was incredibly warm and inviting. Drinks were delicious and the food was wonderful. Highly recommend.

Valerie C.

What an amazing dinner! We went there for a surprise birthday dinner and the whole staff was incredibly accommodating to allow 2 of our party to be seated in advance while the rest of us arrived, so my mom could be surprised by her two best friends when we got to the table. The service just continued to be beyond amazing from there. Thanks to Dali for showing us such a great time and making my mom's 60th memorable!

Jim K.

Yes. Believe the hype. Excellent tapas, excellent paella, excellent sangria, my only regret on this place is it took me so long to get around to trying it. Service is top notch and friendly. My date and I were actually moved from a small table near the bar to a "much better" (the manager's words) table in the back, and he was right, it was great. Atmosphere is electric and just a happy place; reminds me of my vacation in Spain. Just some things to know if you've never been... Be prepared to wait, especially on a busy Saturday night. Even if it's an hour wait, do it. Just grab a beer at the bar and chill. Believe me, I hardly ever have the patience to wait for a table, but this is one of the few places that I would and gladly because the food is worth it. Parking is catch as catch can. Front bar area is super clusterf--- and since almost everyone orders labor intensive drinks, it may be a while before you catch a bartender's attention. Again, don't freak and just go with it because the reward is great for those who earn it. Go. That's it.

A Z.

Not even close to the best Tapas I've had, but still pretty decent. It's a big step up from Cuchi Cuchi in terms of taste and even atmosphere, but there are lots of better places in MA and RI that I'd prefer anyday. My first problem though, is that we made reservations and they gave them away because we were missing one person. It was my birthday and I had a big table reserved, and because one person was late, we waited an extra 45 minutes or so. And that place is cramped, so it's not really a comfortable place to wait. And besides, we were ordering Tapas, who care if someone straggles in late?? So eventually they let us sit down, and eventually my late guest showed up and all was well in the world. The best things I got were the Bacon-wrapped Prunes stuffed w/Goat Cheese. They sound weird, but these things were amazing, so get them if you go in! As for other things, there were some pretty decent broccoli cheese puffs going around, as well as some chicken croquettes, various meats and cheeses, a little quail and some tasty garlic soup. Ended up being about $50 a person including drinks, so not too terrible. It was all a very fun experience (once we got past the waiting to eat part) and a nice place to go with a group (as long as everyone is intact). I frequent a lot of Tapas joints, so I'm a bit of a snob in that area, which is why I'll say it was good, but most definitely not the best.

Scott J.

OMG, Tapas! Without question, Dali is the greatest tapas restaurant in the Boston area. Their sister restaurant, Tapeo, is right on Newbury Street -- but the ambiance of Dali is well worth the trip to Somerville. It's tapas, so you know it isn't going to be cheap. Go there expecting to throw down some dough and have a celebration. This isn't your typical, order one item and be done with it restaurant. Small plates means gourmet, so be ready to share and don't be afraid that you're over-ordering. I particularly recommend the deer sausage, rabbit, and mussels. There are entrees on the menu, too, with the house specialty being a fish dish where the entire fish is covered in salt. This was fantastic and I do wonder how many folks go there and completely avoid the entrees. The sangria is fantastic, but there are tons of wine selections, too. Get a bottle. . . why not? You're already going to plunk down the money, so you might as well have a little fun. If you don't want to spend a bit of money, do look elsewhere. But you're totally missing out.

David R.

Soooo good! I had a birthday celebration here with about 15 friends, and it was totally fabulous. Great drinks, great good, great atmosphere. I love love love Dali!!

Tessa M.

Someone once took me to Dali for our third date. Someone is now my husband. Prepare for a feast of epic proportions in a dimly lit cave covered in pretty flair. The maitre d' is a delight. The communal drinking jug thing is great fun. The dishes are sumptuous: scallops in saffron cream sauce, chicken croquettes with carrot sherry sauce, crabmeat ravioli, bacon-wrapped prunes...the list goes on. Great wine list, happy atmosphere with at least a couple of birthdays going on. Expect a wait, though -- no reservations (why is this a thing?).

Jennifer D.

I went to Dali for the first time this past week, with pretty high expectations that were most definitely surpassed by the food, drinks, ambiance, and staff. Originally, our party of 3 was told that we would be facing a possible hour long wait. We sat at the bar, promptly greeted by a bread basket with a chick pea spread as well as a plate of marinated olives. As soon as we put in an order for a few small plates, the manager came back to show us to our table. We tried 8 different plates altogether, and there wasn't a single disappointment. The roast duck with berry sauce was cooked perfectly, and the peach salsa on the lamb chops was SO delicious. The cauliflower & broccoli bites were tasty, but maybe could've benefitted from some sort of sauce. Fried Spanish Cheese with honey and caramelized onions was really just beyond words. But seriously, don't leave without trying the gorditas (goat cheese stuffed prunes wrapped in bacon). I think that was probably the best thing I have ever ordered at a restaurant. The small portions and reasonable prices helped me try many dishes I normally wouldn't be inclined to order. I left Dali on a complete food high. Well, maybe the Sangria helped a bit :)

Ilona K.

Okay, so i went back here for a second time... although i kind of didn't want to, i was soo pleasantly surprised how awesome it was for the second time around... i literally had dreams about the mouth watering food that night (i wish i were kidding). Can't wait to go back! Must try: Spanish cheese, honey & onion concoction!!! we ordered 1 for the 5 of us, then had to reorder 2 more!!! My husband adds that the rabbit & duck were "good!!" So was their special which was braised beef with prunes, apricots & figs!! aaand, their goat cheese in tomato sauce, and empanadas, scallops in saffron sauce, and lamb!!

Mira S.

This was the first time I had been here in over 6 years, but it is still just as tasty as ever! I love going for tapas and the variety here is excellent. I just wish they had more vegetable dishes. The good stuff: - Food is delicious and portions are perfect tapas size. - Excellent use of spices - nothing too salty/spicy/sweet, or too garlicky etc. Balanced yummy flavors that light up the palate! - They have a gluten free menu, including a gluten free beer. It is somewhat of a limited menu, but at least they have one! Thanks :) :) - Wait was supposed to be an hour but we got seated within ten minutes! - Friendly wait staff, great customer service, awesome atmosphere/decor Not so good: - Loud and crowded space - So busy that service is slow. Overall a great place to go anytime...

Brian G.

Ive been to this restaurant now and on both experiences i had a wonderful time. Most recently i went with a group of 4 and with tapas the more people in your party the better. First let me say the atmosphere in this place is second to none. If your lucky enough to sit in the backroom and not the main dining room the decor and lighting is enough to convince you that your in europe. The restaurant is also very loud but i think this adds to the festivities here. I highly recommend ordering sangria by the pitcher. As for the food it is authentic, no fusion here. My personal favorite was the Chipirones Rellenos aka Stuffed Squid in its own ink. I can not say enough about this dish. All in all this place is in my top ten all time restaurants and a true hidden gem.

Andrew S.

I hadn't been to Dail in about 10 years and was looking forward to enjoying some tapas with my fiancee' there. We arrived at about 5:30 so they had just opened. The sat us in the back seating area and it smelled really funny, like a dirty mop or some sort of stagnant water. We requested to be moved to the front room and that was better (although the temperature was colder than the back room). We ordered the salted fish (striped bass) and it was very delicious. We also ordered the rabbit (overpowered by the sauce...it may as well been chicken!), the sardines (very good but only 7 or 8 sardines for $8?!?!?!?), the beef short ribs (not bad but a little dry) and the pork sausage with figs. The sausage was okay but how can they justify charging $7.50 for a single small sausage cut in half and one half of a fig? I understand that tapas aren't always cheap but I really don't expect to be taken advantage of on the value for $. The ambiance was funky and decor was okay. Our waitress was fine although the waiter for the table behind us was explaining the menu and culinary influences that went into some of the dishes and that sounded like a lot of fun (and educational). Our waitress was less helpful but still attentive. Wine was reasonable and we had a nice bottle of garnacha for around $30. Overall I was not too pleased and probably will go to Toro or Tapeo next time since we enjoyed the food there more previously.

Cup Of T.

The ambience and decor of Dali alone will transport you to another land! Not to mention, the sangria was delicious, and the several tapas dishes that we had were pretty good. The ones that stood out were the lobster ravioli and the broiled scallops in saffron cream sauce. The paella with meat and seafood was average - if I were to get it again, I would get seafood only. The shrimp and mussels were cooked perfectly. Only cons were that the service was a little on the slow side and they don't accept reservations so we waited for about an hour to get seated even though we called ahead. It's worth the experience if you are willing to wait!

David V.

I usually stumble out of Dali, because their sangria is so good. It's gotten to the point where I won't order it at other restaurants because it's always such a disappointment when compared to Dali. There can be a long wait on the weekends and prime dining hours, but I don't mind, because that's more sangria time! Never had a bad dish here - I've got my staples, like the roast duckling with blackberry glaze, and every time I go there's always specials, many featuring game meats you don't see on too many menus (quail, pheasant, boar). Dali is surprisingly affordable as well - tapas and sangria for two will be under $100 unless you're really hungry or really good at holding your liquor. It really is the tapas standard bearer in the Boston area. I've enjoyed most of the others I've been to, but I always end up saying that it's not as good or not as good of a value as Dali. It was my first tapas experience, and it will likely be my last. When the cops find all those bodies under my crawl space, my last meal will be from here.

Lucien D.

Auuuuuuuuuuugh!! I know a lot of people love Dali's but this restaurant bugs the heck out of me. All my friends love it. They like the food and you the reader might like it as well. But I hate it. It's difficult to find parking if you are out of town and it twists around one way streets which quickly gets annoying. It seems like everyone goes to birthday parties here which gets on your nerves if you are having a conversation with someone. I am not a cranky person but after the 6th time within an hour of people clapping for someone's party I feel like I am at an adult Chucky Cheese place) It gets super crowded on weekend nights which takes as long as an hour to get a table. Tapas is a Spanish food which is actually provided free at bars in Spain. It's generally a little saltier to have the patron order more beer or wine. The food here, while it's decently made, is small in quantity. So to fill yourself up you will have to spend nearly $30-$40 a person. I had one meal for two that was close to $88 with no drinks (and I don't eat a lot either for dinners). Which I don't have a problem spending that amount but I generally like to have a higher class of restaurant (dressy/formal) once I start hitting the $80 and up range. Don't believe the hype.

Anthony V.

This place is pretty amazing. Its themed off of Salvador Dali and his nuttiness. The decorations are amazing, the servers all had heavy Spanish accents and wore some sort of traditional red button-up shirts of amazing-ness. The drinks were good. They had some interesting Absinthe cocktails (going back to the theme) which was cool. I got an Absinthe mojito which was good. Probably great if you LOVE the taste of absinthe. I wouldn't say its not as good as Toro by any means. Its different, plus they have a larger selection. They had maiz (corn) too, which was good...but you know..i mean come on..its Toro's corn...be serious, nothing can beat that. Anyways, its worth going back 100 times to try the entire menu, imo.

Ines M.

Maybe because of that magical first time about 10 years ago, I keep coming here in hopes of experiencing what I did then. No dice. Since then, I have been again in 2004, 2005 and again in 2008, and each time, the quality and quantity of the food/sangria just keeps going south while the price goes up. It saddens me because I love the ambiance and the staff is awesome. There's tons of weird little wall hangings and ornate tiles everywhere and the candle lit tables are very romantic. But 25 bucks for a small pitcher of watered down sangria just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe they should put a hold on opening more places and concentrate on bringing back some quality in the food and drink

Sandra P.

I give Dali 4 stars mainly for the decor and atmosphere! People are very nice here, and make you feel very welcome. From the outside, it just looks like a plain, wooden door. However, when you step foot into this place, you are transported to an enchanted place. The music, the decor, and the spirit in this restaurant is amazing. If only the food would compare to the decor, I would give it 5 stars. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of Veggie options. My favorte dish are the Chicken Croquettes. Delicious. And of course the Churos!!! Enjoy your "trip to Spain" with each bite.

Libby F.

So I came to Boston to celebrate a milestone birthday with friends from high school (two live here). We went here on a Saturday night and had a long intoxicating wait in the bar area. After many pitchers of sangria I can't remember much about the food, except that I didn't hate it. There were enough choices to satisfy this vegetarian. The atmosphere is what makes the place. I had a great time. The waiters came 'round with a lit candle in a bronze frog holder and sang "Sapo Verde" (green toad) to me. My friend says that when she lived in a Spanish speaking country that's what they thought English speakers were saying when they sang Happy Birthday. So it's common to hear this being sung in Latin cafes. Bring a large group and have a great time.

Melissa M.

Honestly can't believe all the positive reviews here. Maybe if you drink it makes all the difference? The people around us were certainly consuming large amounts of alcohol. Maybe they didn't notice the low-quality food. I have been to Spain and this is not what Tapas is like. Tapas in Spain are absolutely delicious and even at the lowliest bar they are prepared carefully. I eat at a lot of mediocre restaurants, but here I had to choke things down because they were so disgusting. Bacon-wrapped prunes were full of crappy cheese and tasted like something from a can. Stuffed pepper was covered with a disgusting orange nacho sauce. All the braised meats we ordered were covered in gristle. The worst of all was the pork tenderloin with "Cabrales" cheese. FYI Cabrales cheese is the most delicious creamy wonderful blue cheese in the world, but this was definitely not Cabrales. We couldn't even talk about how bad everything was because the restaurant was so loud. When is Yelp going to have a badge for people who have actually visited other countries so I can figure out if reviews are for people who have no idea what Tapas is about?

Charlotte H.

This place is absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is wonderful (especially for a date) and the decor is fantastic. The food was excellent, too, especially the braised lamb. SO good. Wasn't a fan of the "salmon balls," though. The duck was also delicious. Very, very good. Four tapas dishes and dessert was enough for two, but if you're hungry, definitely get more. Well worth it!

Joel L.

Great tapas place - thought its not as good as Toro, it is much easier to get to and is easier on the wallet. The sangria is phemonal, the staff and service is excellent. I haven't met a person who doesn't rave about their duck dish, and the fried cheese is another excellent standout. The scallops are sweet and come in delicous sauce that I usually soak up with the bread (the mark of a great seafood dish). A few of the menu items are a little small for the price, but they are all delicious.

Kara S.

Still have mad love for Dali. Came here Saturday night and was happy to find that the bar had many available seats. You may feel like you can't get in on a weekend night, but most of the people hanging out outside are waiting for friends and are going to sit at a table. So make sure you check to see how crowded the bar is, because it's a fun place to share a meal with a friend or two. Also, I have a new addiction here. The lamb dish is tender tender deliciousness. I still would take the cheese and honey dish over it, but the lamb is a close second. And I don't usually even like lamb. ps: You will encounter 7+ birthdays here on any given night! It's kind of silly, but keeps the place festive.

Hungry B.

From frogs legs to braised rabbit, and everything in between, this place was really great. Its a fun little place, a bit cramped and close quarters but not terrible in that respect, and the food was really great. Seriously, the frogs legs were surprisingly well prepared, who would have thought... everything else was just as good. The decor is fun and eclectic, low lighting, our server was really attentive for a packed Friday night - he really knew all the dishes well and was helpful with suggestions. It can be a long wait but its well worth it.

Aubri L.

Maybe I'm biased about this place since right after dinner here, my boyfriend proposed. :) REGARDLESS, happy memories at Dali's! We're used to Solea's in Waltham where we live, but we really enjoyed this place. Much more cramped than Solea's, but the food was excellent. I can't remember exactly what we had, but I know there was something like a potato salad, garlic shrimp, a mini bird..whole (quail?), and sparkling Sangria! The waiter seemed impatient and flustered, but it was a busy Friday night so we shook it off. The bill does add up quick though, like any tapas place, so don't be surprised.

Robby T.

Sat at the bar last Friday. Beautiful Spanish service. Lively space. Tapas/pintxos?....ehhhh. Just not impressed. Had a dry venison 'special', cheesy pork tenderloin, garlic shrimp, artichokes, and two red wines. I've limited San Sebastian eating experience, but this place would be on the low end of the food spectrum in my book. Now, it's Cambridge, not Spain...I realize. But still... :( So...Authentic experience; Authentically average food. How's that for a soundbite?

Shaina P.

Way better than Bar Lola in Boston, although I think it's a sister to Dali... And it's really Spanish. ATMOSPHERE Romantic and entertaining. In other words, it's great for a romantic dinner or even for a fun evening with your girls. I love the guys in their red ruffley button-downs and their completely opposing long hair and beards. They know their wine, at least. The walls are dark red with what looks like gold wax dripping from the ceiling (looks cooler than it sounds). FOOD Affordable and delicious. My favorite is the beef short ribs. They melt in your mouth! Actually, everything is really good and the best part is that you get to share (or not...).

Heather G.

The ambience here is VERY dark and cave-like, but sort of romantic in a kitschy-way. There are lots of chochkies on the walls, so there's plenty to look at, but there's no real theme between the rooms or even the tables that ties the place together. The decore is cute but definitely not elegant or streamlined. And did i mention it's really dark? It's really dark! I don't understand the raving about the sangria. I thought it was weak (alcohol-wise) and lacked fruity flavor. Perhaps I just got a pitcher-bottom pour and it was mostly melted ice? However, the tapas was inventive and delicious. See below for a list of what we ordered, but there are a few items missing because the specials rotate in and out and couldn't be found on the website menu. Conejo Escabechado-Braised Rabbit w/Red Wine, Juniper and Garlic: feeling adventurous, we ordered this because we were told it's a popular item. It was very tasty, though the texture of rabbit took some getting used to. The juniper/red wine really worked for me with this particular protein, though, and I would get it again. Lomito al Cabrales - Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms: Can't go wrong here because goat cheese and mushrooms are a great combination with pork. The pork was a bit overcooked, but it was overlooked because the flavors were so nice and, though overcooked, the pork wasn't chewy at all. Pato Braseado - roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce - the berry sauce tasted like it belonged on vanilla ice cream, though it was sweet and tasty nonetheless. Would have liked another savory component to this flavor profile, because the duck with the berry sauce seemed a bit...one-note, but it was still pleasing to taste the first few bites. Vieiras al Azafrán-Broiled Scallops in Saffron Cream - Dali knows how to cook a scallop, and the saffron cream was rich, creamy, flavorful without being heavy. My companion and I found ourselves fighting for the last scallop (of which, of course, I won...being the lady at the table!). This is a must-try dish. You won't be let down. Queso de Cabra Montañes-Baked Goat Cheese w/Tomato & Basil - This is a rich and creamy dish. The tomato and basil serve to lighten it up, but the heaviness of the cheese weighs it back down. A few bites are great, more than a few began to make me feel sluggish. Wakes up the tastebuds, though, that's for sure! Patatas Bravas -Potatoes w/Piquant Tomato & Alioli-I always hesitate to get any potato-like dish at tapas because it always tends to be underwhelming and uninspired compared to the other dishes, but there is something about people and eating out, i've noticed, that makes them crave a starchy, potato-like item to complete the meal. In any case, i, like always, indulged my dinner partner and conceded to the potatoes. They were underwhelming. Save your money if you can resist the starch, and get something else! Overall, the food is pretty darn tasty and really interesting if you order correctly. The location is a bit out of the way, but if youre in the area, SERIOUSLY consider giving this a shot.

Julie A.

Went for my birthday, and I must say, it couldn't have gone any better. Food was good and varied enough that even the pickiest members of my group wanted to try (almost) everything. If anyone can find the recipe for the sauce on the chicken croquettes, I would be eternally grateful. Great food, really great, attentive service ("happy birthday" includes a golden frog candlestick, tambourines and a bubble machine), and a beautiful ambiance. I did go early on a Monday evening, so I can't make a call on crowd noise as the place fills up, but really. You should go.

Stephanie D.

I went on a very romantic date to Dali a few years ago, so I was glad to go back a couple of weeks ago with friends. Unfortunately, it was not the Dali I remembered. The decor is still eclectic and funky but that's really the only memorable part of the restaurant. There were 12 of us at the table and we got a huge assortment of tapas. Some, like the squid in ink and the scallops, both of which come highly recommended on Yelp, were the only stand-out dishes. The garlic shrimp looks and tastes like those mini frozen shrimp in the grocery store. The beef tenderloin was good with the red pepper, but the bread/toast it was on was soggy and flavorless. The chorizo was also overcooked. One of the women sitting next to me has family in Spain, so she was especially disappointed with the food. People at the table recommended Tapeo and Toro for better tapas. The staff was fairly attentive, but they never brought my second glass of wine and were not quick to refill water glasses.

J S.

According to Yelp, Dali is amazing. A lot of people really seem to love the food, the service, and the decor. This review is mostly about the food, but I'll concede that I may just have ordered the wrong stuff or gotten the restaurant on a bad day. But I've been to Dali twice and both times were really, incredibly disappointing. First off - Dali isn't cheap. Three small plates and a pitcher of Sangria and you should expect to walk out about $60 poorer. Anyway, the food. The food is terrible. I do not understand how anyone with a working mouth can eat these dishes and think they're good. They sell an antipasto platter for like $14 that includes roasted red peppers that taste like a can, mediocre jarrred olives, a couple of so-so waxy cheeses, and some cured meats that are the same quality you'd expect on a sandwich at a supermarket deli. Can people seriously try to say that Dali is one of the best restaurants in the city when they don't even do their own charcutterie? Really? or bake their own bread? Oh, and the bread is awful. Completely unseasoned cardboard. It's like a shoe. How can people eat this bread and be happy? Is it possible that on two separate occasions, months apart, I arrived on a special "Dali is serving terrible bread!" day? I can't believe it. Dishes that I've tried, other than the one mentioned... Braised rabbit. Horribly overcooked. Sauced to death. It was like eating an unidentifiable chunk of stewed meat with no character, drowning in an over-seasoned, over-reduced paste. Totally lacking in any subtlety or character. Pork loin in blue cheese sauce. Jesus, what? I like pork. I like nicely seared pork loin. What I got, both times I've eaten this, was a leathery piece of garbage that tasted of absolutely nothing but really subpar maytag blue cheese and cream. It was tough and unappetizing, and totally graceless in its execution of flavors. Paella. Not only was my rice completely dry and overcooked, the two clams perched on top tasted like they had been boiled in sea water for about an hour. It was the texture of a rubber ball and tasted like salt. Not fresh juicy seawater tastes like good clams have. it tasted like a rubbery chunk of salt. This was the one item at Dali I actually spit out, it was so terrible. A mushroom platter tasted like unseasoned button mushrooms seared in butter, dumped onto a plate. Goat cheese and tomato sauce was just that - low-grade chevre with a really marginal tomato sauce that tasted canned. I expected something bright and flavorful, but I got yet another insipid combination of supermarket quality ingredients. Spanish tapas should be simply prepared, high quality ingredients. It should be strong but harmonious flavors with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients treated with love and respect. Dali is mostly crap you could pick up at the produce area of Stop & Shop, shipped in from God knows where, horribly overcooked and sent to your table at a %400 markup. maybe I'm just really lucky. But reading all these rave Yelp reviews makes me suspect there's some kind of a secret handshake where the maitre'd gives you a special menu that, when ordered from, causes the kitchen to not serve you food that is embarrassing. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. But the food I have eaten here is absolutely terrible. Save your money, go somewhere else. new England is full of wonderful produce, and also people who like to treat said produce with respect. If you want to drop $60 on a meal you should probably go to those places instead. $60 is too much money for a line cook to open a can of roasted red peppers and plop them unceremoniously on a plate with some stale bought-in bread. The decor is very romantic, though, and while the sangria is a little watery it will get you drunk. If you want to go on a date and get drunk on cheap sangria, this is a place for you. If you want good food, then God help you.

Kris M.

After 302 reviews and an average 4.5 stars, there's not much more to say about Dali. The decor is outrageous, but in a delightful way. The restaurant was busy, perhaps even full, but never felt crowded. The pitcher of sangria was enough for about 4-5 glasses, which was more than enough, and was refreshing and delicious. We ended up ordering the mussels with avocado, stuffed squid in its own ink, a chicken liver pate dish, and of course fried cheese with apricot and honey. Every single tapa was cooked to perfection, tasted wonderful, and was pleasingly presented. We were allowed to take our time throughout the meal and afterward, sitting and talking, with no hints from the waiters that we should perhaps get going, despite a line outside. Nevertheless, when we asked for the check it came quickly, and we were able to pay and leave when we wanted. All in all a wonderful experience, and I'm glad I finally came here.

Stephanie H.

Went here tonight for the 2nd time- the other time was a tuesday or wednesday night and my sister and I sat at the bar. Tonight it was my husband and myself, and we got a table in the dining room. It appears real small on the outside and it is small- but not as small as it looks from outdoors. But still - by the time we left there appeared to be a significant wait. We got there at 5:20 (opens at 5:30) and we were one of five groups waiting to get in for the opening time. We got seated right away obviously. Service was great- our server was very knowledgable and friendly, always attentive and had a smile on her face the whole time with every table and co-worker. I loved that they sang to one table celebrating a birthday and another that had someone moving away. Very nice touch. Prices were a little bit higher then I thought they should be in relation to the portion size but it was so.darn.good (panty dropper as someone said- I agree as well). Worth it! Very good and would go back again for sure. Not as often as I like as it is far from home.....but if I am in the neighborhood I will visit again.

Heather B.

I love this place. You will too. There isn't a bad dish on their menu and the ambiance is fabulous.

Shawn L.

This is the first truly amazing place that I've gone to eat in Cambridge! Since my girlfriend and I moved to Cambridge we've had some good food, some terrible and a lot of okay. Dali's is the kind of place that you write home about! The decor is intense, but incredibly well chosen, I would say that it's more Gaudi than Dali inspired with a very organic feel. We ate at the bar, because we couldn't wait for a table, it was great. The bar is glazed ceramic tile with fresh roses in the centerpiece, The dried fish and vines hanging above the bar only add to the ambiance. But let me get to the food: We ordered pheasant with mushrooms and bacon, scallops in saffron sauce, artichoke in pine nut sauce and potatoes in two different sauces (I forget the names). This place does amazing sauces! I found myself scooping up forks of sauce after we finished the tapas themselves. We usually prefer simpler spicing and preparation for food (way too many places over- or mis-spice food), but this was perfectly combined. I never would have thought of artichoke and pine nut, but it was an amazing combination. The scallops in saffron sauce were to die for. The potatoes were an incredible mix of spicy, sweet and sour. My girlfriend couldn't stop going on about the pheasant. I only wish we had come with a group so that we could have tried more tapas. If you're a foodie, go here.

Nicole D.

I have returned to this restaurant three times in the last four years and the experience was always underwhelming. Service was always friendly and the ambiance is unbeatable. So is their Sangria! But the food doesn't hold a candle to Toro in the South End or Taberna de Haro on Commonwealth Ave. Now THOSE are delicious tapas. The food here was mostly bland and didn't send me to my seventh culinary heaven as the food in the other spanish restaurants does. And to top it all, it's quite overpriced. So for a $40 meal I felt tipsy but could have eaten way better at other restaurants.

Su R.

Yes Dali! I wish I could dine here every night. Superb from the Sangria to the luscious desserts. It's like a little trip to Spain. Great to hang out with a few friends but also super cozy for a date night. Tapas is always fun because you get to share and try several different dishes. YUM.

Jack M.

I've been here a few times, but I'm just not a huge fan. It's unique. Your experience here will be different than any other restaurant you've been to. Odd decor. It's like eating inside a witch-doctor's bedroom. I am not impressed with the food. I've had most of the menu at one time or another and nothing stands out as being worth the trip. Mixed drinks were not impressive either. Loud, crowded, reallllly dark lighting. I don't plan on going back. You might like it, but I don't.

Sonia C.

Pros: Superb service, friendly staff, easy plates to share, unique ambiance. Cons: Food was fine, but not out-of-this-world. I went to Dali on Tuesday 2/28/12 for a fun catch-up dinner with an old friend. I was worried about getting a table at 8 pm (when I had made the reservation) because the first seating is at 6:30 pm, but I was really happy to find that the table was ready for me as soon as I arrived and we had no issues getting seated. (This could be a factor of it being a Tuesday night). My friend and I started off with the Sangria 1 liter, which is great for two people to share (serves 4-5 glasses total). I really enjoyed the Sangria. I think we were less thrilled with our food selections. Granted, we didn't end up taking the waitress's recommendations (garlic shrimp) but I was still expecting a bit more out of the dishes we picked. The patatas alioli is nothing more than your average cold potato salad-- this was probably the most disappointing dish. We also tried the scallops (pretty good), the lamb meatballs in tomato sauce (my favorite of the dishes), the mushroom filled artichokes, and the lobster & crab ravioli (my second favorite). We ended with the almond cake, which was so-so. Overall, I thought a couple of the dishes were nice (lamb meatballs and ravioli) but they were nothing spectacular, and I'm not sure if Dali would be my first choice for tapas next time. That being said, I thought the service was really great, and the restaurant has a unique and funky vibe and it'd be worth going to again for a big group event / birthday party because the dishes are fun and shareable and the ambiance is memorable.

D P.

The food was flavorful and the wine was great, but I won't be back any time soon. The waitress was nice, but the portions were overpriced and undersized. You will end up spending at least 100 on a meal for two. Choose your courses wisely. The chorizo is not as good as homemade kielbasa. The basil, tomato and goat cheese should come with bread and more basil. Be specific about what you eat or the waitress will bring you the wrong dish.

Anne K.

I used to live right around the corner from Dali, but have only been a couple of times with no great incentive to come back. While the interior is lovely and looks romantic, I have always found it to be very loud inside. The tapas are of pretty good quality, but small and overpriced and to satisfy your appetite you will have to shell out quite a bit of money. If that's not a problem for you, go for it.

Bryan D.

This place is just awesome. The decoration is very unusual, but I like it. With those purple walls it's very odd and cool at the same time. The food is superb, no other word for it. I'm not easy to satisfy, but the duck was something very special. The desert is almost always too small for me, so as usual I ordered two, but I couldn't finish the first one, not because it was bad, but because they are quite large. Cons? Well, the prices were a bit high, but then again for what you get and the portion size, the slightly higher prices will not move me further from this place even a little bit. The host was also very good. All in all everything was almost without flaws. Fantastic duck, tapas and wide range of beer. Recommended !

Ben L.

Had a late dinner here with my girlfriend. We both immediately loved the ambiance of Dali. Enough going on that you can talk and enjoy yourself, but not so loud that you can't hear each other. The lighting is perfect and the decor just adds to the experience. Each dinning area is a small, intimate room. The food was delicious. Best dish was undoubtedly "Le Tigre" which were stuffed muscles, will definitely order this again in the future!. Squid in its own ink, delicious but the ink was a very strong flavor, I enjoyed it as long as I wiped a bit off. Pork sausages with figs was also delicious. Other dishes were also good, though can't remember what else we ordered. Sangria was satisfactory. It was delicious but I would have wanted more whole fruit and more wine taste, felt a bit watered down. Overall, I would order it again though I've definitely had better. Service, undoubtedly some of the best service I've had in Boston. Wait staff was attentive but not overbearing. Never once had to search for a waiter because I was never left wanting. I'll definitely be back here again.

Beth M.

I've been meaning to try out this place for the past three years I've lived here, and I'm glad I finally did! I came here with a date and a third wheel, and the ambiance was really nice, charming, cozy - great for when you want to have an intimate dinner. There's plenty to look at and the staff are full of personality. The food was good overall - some plates were better than others - but I'm intrigued enough to want to come back and try more. There are a lot of plate options, making it easy to please people with different tastes. This will definitely be a go-to spot for taking out-of-town friends and family when they visit.

Alyson G.

Planned on going to Dali with some friends so of course I had to Yelp it...and check out the menu too. It sounded super cute and I love tapas so I was really excited to try this place out! Cheese and garlic are two of my faves so I knew I had to try the Queso, garlic shrimp and the blue cheese pork tenderloin. Everyone started by ordering a few things, some people more creative than me, ordering venison sausage, squid, duck and rabbit. Once it arrived, I did try little bites of everything, even though i wasn't sure how I felt about the more adventurous dishes. As for the Queso, we ordered another...it was served with honey and was AMAZING!! We were super excited for the churros dessert, but our waiter said that for some reason they were not cooking right that evening so we couldn't have them after all. Even though that made us a little sad, we were pretty full from all the tapas. Such a fun place to go for dinner! Everyone was celebrating their birthday that night so there was lots of singing and bubbles. Loved the bubbles! I did wake up the next morning a little sketched by all the weird things I ate, so next time I may eat more queso, and less meat. But I will be back for sure!

Tina L.

AMAZING!! Went here last night for dinner with friends and it was so good. We got there around 8pm and there was a 30-45 minute wait for a table (call ahead!) so we sat at the bar and ate there. The bartender was so friendly and fun. We got 7 or 8 different tapas between 3 of us and were all completely full. The sangria was delicious and they actually have a few cool beers too (Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout along with Spanish beers). And they have chocolate con churros for dessert, yum! Can't recommend Dali's enough! Definitely check it out. Oh and there is alot of metered parking on the street along with two hour spots a little further away. There are a few buses that come to the area as well.

Kevin M.

Food great, Great service

Alex L.

If and when I go back, I'll drink a lot of sangria. That seems to be a common theme among the positive reviews here. We've been wanting to check out Dali for the entire 2 years we've lived in the neighborhood. And when we finally went, eh, it was ok. Our waiter was a little surly. Although they have a bunch of 'cocktails' none of them actually have hard liquor in them (only liqueurs). They don't have a license for liquor, so they couldn't make a gin and tonic. Yes, it was on the pricey side, but not obnoxiously so. Contrary to many of the other reviews I've read here, I'd suggest it was actually the quality of the food that didn't match prices that are normal for tapas. With the exception of the garlic soup, none of the plates were memorable. I may come back, but I probably won't go out of my way - exactly where Dali is.

Zuzzi E.

Great place for groups-- fun ambiance, friendly waiters, and tasty food to share. To ensure a good night, order the cava sangria for the table.

Ed M.

Dali is awesome. My wife and I went here for a nice Saturday night date and had the following: Drinks: Liter of Sangria - amazing and tasty...quite nice (with the meal) Port - Madalena for me, delicious (with dessert) Port - Ferreira white port for the wife, she loved it (with dessert) Tapas: Serrano ham Potatoes brava Fried Spanish cheese with honey and sweet onions Swordfish skewers Gorditas - prunes stuffed with Feta cheese, wrapped in bacon Barcelona style chicken breast Stuffed squid in its own ink Quail stuffed with Bacon - served with roasted garlic Dessert: Churros with chocolate sauce Everything listed was great. The service was friendly and quick to bring things out. The fried cheese and Serrano ham came out within about 2 minutes of ordering. The churros were great and a great way to end the meal. The port helped as well. The place is a bit small so expect a wait. We were told the wait would be 45 minutes and were sitting at our table in about 35. Go here. It's worth it. I am already planning our return trip. Fantastic.

Lauren G.

Great atmosphere- a great place to go for dinner with a large group! There is a wide range of cold and hot tapas and enough meat/ veggie options that you can easily accommodate a group with a variety of tastes. I really loved the shrimp with garlic (just sizzling fabulousness) and the squid in its own ink is also a personal favorite. The broccoli with cheese puffs were an unexpected hit and we ended up ordering another plate (the kitchen is really flexible about allowing you to add another order quickly). The atmosphere is fun but well planned, dark, sexy walls are contrasted with an upbeat and friendly staff making the whole experience a great night!

Stephanie G.

This is totally a date place. You can tell because of the super romantic decor and the overly chivalric wait staff, which, when I was there, was almost entirely men. They fussed over me and pulled out my chair and I swooned a little, because, really, who wouldn't. The food though was fine. I've had tapas before and honestly it felt like they weren't really trying this hard. The art of tapas is in the sauce, in the butter and the richness, and Dali just was not doing it for me. But the kicker was really when we got the bill. I know tapas is supposed to be expensive, but this was a little absurd. There are better places to get tapas around here - better food, better prices. Go here for the atmosphere - it's unique and awesome - but not the food.

Christina M.

When I came back to the U.S from living in Madrid for a year, you can imagine I was seriously fiending for some good Spanish food. I had tried a few other tapas bars in the city, but this is the only one I truly enjoyed. The only down side is that the tapas are really expensive, and if we're honest...tapas in Spain are supposed to be cheap little snacks you get with your drink. Nevertheless, the sopa de ajo, tortilla espanola, croquetas, patatas bravas, etc., are amazing. Not to mention the super cool atmosphere!

Sarah C.

My gf and I came here after one of those hellish weeks at work. We ordered sangria, patatas bravas, paella, and a few other vegetable dishes. I highly recommend this place to unwind, step into a relaxing food oasis and be taken care of. The staff is personable, attentive and the food is of course delicious. Come here with friends, loved ones and co workers for a relaxing evening.

Shells C.

I love this place. The owner is so adorable and always kisses my hand. The last time we were there, my boyfriend and I go here for date night, we walked in and they said HEY!!!!! Welcome! I said to my bf, do they remember us or are they just that friendly. The answer is both. I am not a fan on the Mojito but the bartender does a fantastic job with his drink and always serves his concocotions with a smile and a song, the food is so fantastic, you secretly wish you could snap your fingers and do it all over again. This is a fun, festive, friendly place for friends or even a hot date night. The decor is seriously fun and I wish I could get the decorator to do myy house.

Flora B.

Got that hidden corner table, dear fellow Yelper, T.K. The trick? Show up around 6:30 on a Sunday night :) I felt like a Spanish seance might be in order, behind the red beaded curtain at our dimly lit table. The food was delicious... from the garbanzo bean spread to the artichoke hearts, the pheasant to the smoked chorizo, baked goat cheese and mmm... kabobs. The non-alcoholic Sangria offering was a pleasant surprise! Wish I had read their drink menu before going for my usual celebratory Shirley Temple. To sum it all up... I love Dali, and while I hope you will too, I don't mind if you don't. More chance of that corner table for me!

Kelly N Z R.

After ordering my tapas, the waitress asked, "wait, are you a vegetarian?" yes. "How serious of a vegetarian are you?" what do you mean? "Do you eat the french fries at McDonalds'?" Apparently almost everything that seems vegetarian is fried in meaty oil, and most of the sauces are beef-based. But the waitress was knowledgeable, and though she kept apologizing, I was just thankful that she knew to ask me about vegetarianness. As she recommended for the serious vegetarian types, I ended up having the: Setas al Ajillo | Sauted "Meaty" Mushrooms Filloa de Vegetales | Vegetarian Crepe and the 'designated driver sangria'. The food was DALICIOUS. Oh man, I'm bad. I'm sorry, I'll take that back. I'm sure it's been done. It was delicious. I'm typically not much into mushrooms, but if you like roasted garlic, and you like food, you'll like these mushrooms. The sangria wasn't as chunky as I would have liked (one of my favorite things about sangria is the fruit chunks), but the flavors were delicious. It was essentially a really good fruit juice blend, and I loved the fresh plum flavor. (Does that mean I like prune juice? Unclear.) My dining mate swears by the Patatas Bravas | Potatoes w/ Piquant Tomato & Alioli. Unfortunately, those were on my no-no fried with oil list. He also had some variety of salmon balls, which looked so good that *I* almost tried them. And I haven't eaten fish since I was 9. The decor was intense, and it was quite romantic. If you want private and romantic, ask for one of the alcove tables. The staff was attentive and muy agradable. I only wish I was brave enough to practice my Spanish with more than just 'bien', 'gracias' and correct pronounciation.

Josh G.

The best bet for your tapas fix in the Boston area. It's also a really great date spot-- the decor is capital-R Romantic, and the intimacy of small plates and the tasty sangria is perfect for getting closer. Of course, taking a date here can lead to awkward moments in the future, since Dali is also perfect for small gatherings of friends and family. You may need a pre-date agreement-- in the event it doesn't go anywhere, make sure you're clear on Dali visitation rights.

Cecilia L.

Bring a date or a group to lovely, artsy Dali. I had so much fun here I spilled the news of our secret engagement! Pork sausage with figs is rich and sweet, the garlic shrimp and scallops in saffron cream both wonderful. The potatoes with piquant tomato and aioli are a must have accompaniment, so tasty we ordered another. The boneless pheasant with mushroom and serrano ham wasn't all I hoped it would be, but the duckling with berry sauce is so addictive that my friend orders three when he comes here, and nothing else. Who does that? Of course, there's an extensive wine, sangria and cocktail list to complement all that gastronomy. Dali is the ideal place to get tipsy and stumble around in the half-dark looking for the bathroom. I had some super-sweet cocktail called "high heels" with campari and grenadine. My friend had the absinthe, which they recommend to "see the world through Dali's eyes."

Stephanie F.

I was looking on yelp for a new tapas restaurant to eat at. Thank you Yelpers! As soon as I walked in, I knew that I would have a great experience here. I noticed the fresh rose petals on the bar .. so romantic! We were brought to our table and the waitor asked if we've been here before and I said "no", he said "where have you been?!". Seriously! Where have I been! The service was great, the tapas we ordered were yummy! (garlic shrimp, garlic chicken, short beef ribs & fried spanish cheese w/ honey & sweet onions), and the sangria was delicious! One of the best sangrias I've ever had. My bf & I were both able to get 3 glasses each out of our pitcher. I cannot wait to go back! The waitor told us that he hopes we won't wait too long of a time to return back to Dali. Trust me, we won't :)

Festher C.

I came here for a friend's birthday a while back and forgot to post a review. I wish there was a 3.5 star system, cause that's what I would've rated this place. Overall, I think I'm a fan. Service: 2 stars. They were so-so and on the slow side and somewhat snooty to our big crowd, which, as a former server in a busy restaurant, can be daunting/exhausting/lousy tipp-ish sort of way. We ordered way too much food for our group, a warning would've been nice. When asked what the server's favorite/recommendations were, he was hasty and told us: "everything'. Sooo helpful. Food: 5 stars. I can't recall what I ate, there was SO. MUCH. FOOD. I do recall that the bread (if it could be called that) they bring out in the beginning to scoop lovely tapas style/portioned delights was solidly awful and dry/not worth filling yourself with. Decor: 5 stars. So lovely, I even liked the bathrooms (which were Spanish grandma-esque) and usually that's a good sign if I don't have to close my eyes going in. Though the crowd is difficult to maneuver and tables/cheers definitely a tight squeeze. Maybe would be better on a Tuesday night or something.

Juliet M.

Like salmon and creme brulee, Dali is something I always get excited about, forgetting that every time I have it, I hate it. The atmosphere is fantastic, with cozy dining rooms that don't get too noisy, even though they are always full. The service is very good, with friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant ought to expand, however, because the wait can exceed forty minutes, even on a week night. However - and I know this is not unusual for tapas - the prices really do not correspond to the food. The point of tapas is to order many small plates, but each plate is so expensive. I am not against spending more than $50 a person for a truly nice dinner, but I always find myself unsatisfied here with an empty wallet. It's a lovely atmosphere for a date, but not for regular eating, or even weekend eating. I would recommend going once for the experience, but once ought to be enough.

Stephanie C.

I'm tired of all you hipsters calling this nonsense food. They're all in the kitchen laughing at you for eating their trash at $100 a visit. We went there because the Phantom Gourmet told us the fried cheese was great. Fried cheese is great anywhere. Except here, where they mistakenly gave us cheese-flavored jelly instead. There was a nice span of 5 seconds where we thought they were giving us a free shot, but then we realized that was one of our tapas. Even the ones that were OK were only enough for one bite. I am not exaggerating when I say that we ran out of there and got a pizza from Mama Ginas on the way home.

Andy M.

Excellent all around. Food, atmosphere, service, novel dishes. Spanish inspired meals, gluten free options, well done. I'm not even a fan of Spanish cuisine, so four stars from me may be five stars in another person's book.

Bonita Y.

Tapas and the ambience is amazing!!! Recommended dishes: Stuffed Squid with black in Oxtail (special of the day) Also, get the sangria. They don't take reservations...so get there early!

Joanna W.

If you like Spanish tapas, you need to visit this place. I have been to a few around the Boston/Cambridge area, and always come back here because the food is oh-just-so-delicious! Prices are typical tapa at about $10 a dish, but my friend and I were able to get full on just 4 plates between the 2 of us. Ambiance is also nice (lots of small tables for dates), although the lighting was a bit too low to see the food clearly. One time, I visited, it was on the restaurant's anniversary and they treated all the patrons to a glass of champagne, which I thought was a very nice touch. There were also plenty of birthday songs happening, so it shows that the place is a hotspot for more than just couples. The two tapas that are absolute musts for me are the Vieiras al Azafrán (Broiled Scallops in Saffron Cream) and Chipirones Rellenos (Stuffed Squid in its own Ink). Both were nice and tender and so delicious my friend and I had to ask for more bread just to clean up the plate! I also had the braised rabbit dish (Conejo Escabechado) but it was a bit dry. Really, this is as good as it gets for tapas.

Molly L.

A fun and unique place to.grab a quick bite or linger for a long, unrushed meal. Sitting at the bar for dinner was the best part! Oscar and Julio run that long counter with style, humor and warm smiles. You will feel like youve made friends at the end of the night. The decor is beautiful and ornate and the food is delicious. Short story: you should check it out and if you see seats open at the bar, go for 'em!

Yb W.

Dali is a Spanish themed restaurant serving authentic tapas. I list below plates I sampled in order of liking. 1.Roast duckling in berry sauce: moist duck with crispy skin in a sweet and slightly tart blueberry sauce. My favorite. 2. Lobster/crab ravioli: al dente pasta. Delicious. 3.Cod croquettes with aioli: cod mixture lightly battered and fried; great creamy texture and crispy on the outside but very salty. Parsley aioli adds a refreshing note. 4.Squid in ink: squid stuffed with crab and cooked in ink. Not bad. 5.Garlic soup: the name does not lie. Creamy, salty, and overwhelmingly garlicky. Overall, the menu is uneven with some hits and misses. I agree with fellow yelpers that the cava sangria is delicious and recommended over their other cocktails. However, even the warm and friendly service cannot cannot make up for the overly liberal use of salt.

Betts C.

Dali is fun. I really don't know of a better way to put it than that. You walk in on a Friday night at about 7, and it's already nearly full of people. The walls are covered in art of all sorts, and there are flowers and grapes and lights and all sorts of things over the bar. However, despite what seems like it could be manic, the whole thing seems cozy yet lively, and very fun. We sat at the bar, at the very end, and didn't feel terribly crowded. Our server was a blast, extremely personable and attentive and made sure we always had more and more tapas coming out. We tried all sorts of things, both of the typical sort and the less so. We had the tortilla, which was very nice, and the anchovies, which were perfectly salty and not too oily. We tried the stuffed squid, in its own ink, which was delicious, and a lamb dish. The bread just kept coming, letting us soak up the admittedly salty juices, which is, at least from my experience, a fairly typical seasoning in Spanish food. However, it wasn't overwhelming in any of the dishes we tried. And after sampling those, I would certainly like to go back for more. We also had the sangria, which is blessedly not that high in alcohol and very delicious. But what Dali and its staff do best is deliver a good time for every one of its customers. It's easy to interact with other customers and the waitstaff, and compare notes on the tapas. And even in the small, hyper-decorated space, the whole staff manages to do an expert job of making what could feel crowded and cramped feel festive and really, really enjoyable.

Celeste M.

Dali was.. a tease, a disappointment, a trick foisted upon me by well-meaning Yelpers. It's not that I hate lines. I mean, no one loves lines, but I'm fine with waiting at Giacomo's, even in the cold. But I can not deal with crowds. I was stuck inside crammed with like 20 other people. The staff was great, but I agree with others in that they should take reservations and not only pretend ones (preferred seating). Even though we called ahead, days ahead, we had to wait 45 minutes to be seated. So then we had to order, eat, and leave within an hour, which fractured our birthday dinner party. Even when we were still waiting and I was sipping a sangria, I said that I didn't think I ever needed to come back to Dali again. All the tacky kitsch on the wall, the crazy crowded room, the boisterous singing for birthdays etc, it was just too much. It was a Spanish romp-a-room. The food, after all that, and my first exposure to tapas, was disappointing. It was not good and it was salty. It wasn't so much that it was expensive, but the reasonable-ish price did not match the unreasonable-ish and unremarkable food. The fact that this place has been so hyped by friends and Yelp for so long and the fact that I just plain old did not like it was very sad for me. I thought Dali was situated in this magical happy tapas-land that I've never been to. But it turns out it was the same old place I'd driven past for 5 years and never thought was interesting enough to pay attention to. What blows my mind is that people come back here again and again and again. And that they think it is the place to have a birthday. Being a sardine in a can is not how I prefer to spend my birthday. I need some breathing room and less salinity. I'll give it a while and maybe try tapas again somewhere else.

Layla P.

Fabulous place! We had: 1.Pork Tenderloin with Blue sheep cheese and mushrooms 2. Roast duckling with berry sauce 3. Garlic Shrimp 4. Fried Spanish cheese with honey and sweet onion 5. Lobster/crabmeat ravioli w/ Langostino Sauce and it was all amazing! The flavors were distinct and well crafted - it was really the most flavorful meal I have had in a long time. I do wish the sangria had more fruit in it, and I was not a huge fan of the one dessert I tried- but I will try a different one the next time I go! The service was friendly and extremely helpful, the decor is unique and interesting - this is a great place to go for a fun romantic evening or a night out with friends. I recommend going on a weekday night to avoid the crowds and really enjoy your time :)

Michele H.

Words cannot do this place justice. The Atmosphere: lavish, rich hues, bejeweled interior, rose petals on the table. The Food: saffron sauces, lobster ravioli, chicken livers on croquettes (surprisingly delicious!), etc. etc. The only thing on the menu I wasn't so impressed with were the anchovies--perhaps because they so little resembled the salty, super oily manifestations of anchovy I'm used to. The Price: STEEP. It is unimaginably easy to rack up a bill above $100. But for a memorable, romantic birthday out, you can't beat it.

Kat L.

The wait... oh the wait. Is it worth it? I vote no. I'm a die hard Cuci Cuci fan, and when my boy wonder suggested we try the mother of the cuc, I said okay. They dont take reservations, and even though it was my birthday we waited for an hour and 35 min. They don't have a liquor license but you can get things like frangelico... thankfully I took half a xanax before we went. (*Yes I have a prescription, no you cannot have any) The food was salty (I drank 5 glasses of water), and I have a lot of allergies, and there was not a lot on the menu that appealing to me. The short ribs were sold out by the time we were sat, so I was sad. Also it felt like it was everyone's birthday.. every table.. we must have sang happy birthday 8 times, which was fun cause my table kept yelling out my name when they sang lol.. DONT KISS THE FROG! ew. Our waiter was grumps McGrumpstein and kept correcting our lack of spanish and chastised my boy wonder when he ordered a cappuccino.. heaven forbid. I'm sad to only give this place two stars but I feel like if you love it you love it, and if you dont you dont. And I dont. BUT its a great place to mingle, share, and have a good time. Drink before you go, and expect to wait. Cuci Cuci is much better.

Sara M.

This is one of my all-time favorite places in the Boston area. It is a little pricey, but that is not too unusual for fine dining in any city. First off, the atmosphere is incredible. It is so beautifully decorated, and there is usually a large number of customers enjoying themselves at the bar when you walk in. The food is also delicious, of course. I always go with tapas because I can't drag myself away from them. I highly recommend the solomillo en tostada and the duck with blackberry sauce... and the sopa de ajo for anyone not on a first date! To drink, the sangria is simply a must. Make sure to call ahead for reservations if you go on the weekends, and if you are there for a romantic occassion, tell them- there is a little table set aside in a corner that couldn't be more perfect.

Allie D.

I have been carrying on a love affair with Dali for almost 10 years, and after a visit this weekend, the love affair is still going strong. Dali is an experience - not just a restaurant. The atmosphere is fun, lively, and sexy, but somehow manages to feel intimate too. The hostess, waitstaff, and bartenders are all amazing - attentive, animated and friendly. There is an energy at Dali that I have not experienced at any other restaurant in the Boston area. The tapas are great; sangria is phenomenal. The beef short-ribs have always been my favorite. They are amazingly tender and flavorful (they're cooked in a Rioja wine sauce). The meat actually slides off the bone. I have never been disappointed with any of the tapas I've tried, and I have never had less than a fantastically fun night at Dali. A must.

Kevin D.

Awesome Tapas food! All I need to say...

Martha L.

Went for the first time, and really, really enjoyed it. My husband and I went wild and ordered and ordered and ordered. we had decided ahead of time that we were going to throw caution to the wind, but I was still scared to see the bill at the end of the evening. But it was extremely reasonable! Some of the items were fabulous 5+++ stars - the sausage with figs, the beef turnover, the duck with blackberry sauce, and several things I don't remember. A few things were really not great. The bread is a complete miss - thank God because there are so many more important things to eat, and I can't resist good bread! and the braised lamb was really poorly done. But we got so much food for such a reasonable price that I honestly don't care that a few things were 4 star quality and a few things were less than 4 star quality. The only reason I deducted a star was because our waiter, who I really liked, was completely unobservant about our empty water glasses. The overall way we were treated and fed, however, did result in a 20% tip and an absolute complete desire to go back.

Chrissy H.

After nearly 10 years of living in the Boston area, I have finally dined at Dali. Where do I begin when I ate (and drank) so much. We started off with a liter of Sangria for the two of us. We had potatoes in a creamy mayo sauce, garlic shrimp, chicken stuffed with mushrooms covered in an asparagus sauce, scallops, quail in a bacon juice sauce, and finally little zucchini bowls with more asparagus... oh, and another Sangria for the birthday girl. Total:$76, not including tip. We arrived at about 7pm and were seated right away. By the time we left at 8:30, there was a pretty long and crowded wait. And beware, they don't take reservations for after 6pm on weekends. The deco was dark, candlelit, and relaxing. I half expected to step out of the restaurant and into some quaint Spanish village square. One things for sure though. I could really use a siesta after all those Sangrias.

Ariel G.

I went to this place a while ago but still want to review it today. my boyfriend and i came here for out 3rd yr anniversary. the decor is amazing! the food is also amazing, as well as the sangria. i definitely recommend making reservations as this is a very busy and popular place. i have yet to try their sister company i forget the name right now but will be trying it and reviewing it soon! definitely go to Dali for a romantic evening or with a girlfriend

Sue M.

Ok so the food, atmosphere, sangria and service is all 5 star but the fact that you cannot even get through the door any night of the week drops it down a few pegs....It's too small for the crowd it gets. It wouldn't be so bad if you could even stand at the bar to get a drink vs. standing in between the double doors while obnoxious women in fur yell at you because you are bringing in the cold air....oh i am sorry...i forgot that it is I who made it 19 degrees out....You my friend are wearing a dead animal on your back...maybe you should be the one standing out in the cold. Please Dali can you start taking reservations, please please please....and could you please asked your sister restaurant Cuci Cuci to do the same! Thank you...

Patty T.

LOVE this place.. the food is excellent, sangria is delish and wait staff is hilarious. Can't really top that! They don't take reservations so get their early...

Aaron G.

Since Dali is one of my favorite artists I had high expectations for this place. The restaurant is definitely Dali inspired, but not a Dali masterpiece. I love tapas, but the thing is tapas are supposed to be affordable, because you get so many of them- at least that's how they do it in Spain, but what do the Spaniards know of tapas? The tapas are good, don't get me wrong, and there are lots to choose from. The sangria is also deliciosa. I remember it being sort of loud my first time there. My second time there it was rather crowded and we had to eat at the bar, so expect to wait on a Friday or Saturday night. The decor is eccentric and will definitely give you something to talk about with your companions. I'd definitely call this a good date place as tapas are always best shared and it's got a pretty romantic setting once you get past the crowded close quarters. Tapas- 4 Stars Sangria - 5 Stars Prices- 2 Stars Crowd - 2 Stars Romantic/Date spot- 4 Stars Loudness - 2 Stars Staff- 4 Stars

Srijan R.

Absolutely love this place!! I have eaten here many, many times and it never gets old. The decor is unique and the service is excellent. My favorite dishes are the sizzling garlic shrimp, boneless pheasant and roast duckling. The paella is very good as well. The sangria is excellent! Great for both intimate dinners as well as group occasions.

Jillian Q.

I always drove by Dali, but never made it in until this weekend. Four of us went at an odd time of Sunday for dinner and it was empty (which apparently is not the norm at all according to my brother-in-law and his wife). The waitstaff were very, very friendly without being obnoxious - it was actually really nice! The menu is small, but I liked 99% out of everything we got (wasn't a fan of the garlicky chicken). There are some unusual tapas selections for those that aren't afraid to try things. My husband is not one of these people but I was happy that he was able to find things that he liked as well. The beef tenderloin on bread with pimento was amazing as well as the fried Spanish cheese. The sangria was SO good and you can choose different size pitchers. It had a slightly more orange flavor than other sangrias I've had and I liked it! The dessert was really good as well. The rice pudding surprised me the most because it was fantastic and originally did not seem that appealing to me (another person at the table ordered it and I couldn't not stop stealing bites!) It has a crunchy, creme brulee type of topping with a scoop of dulche de leche ice cream. I got the chocolate tort with raspberry sauce, it was rich and delicious. A great meal for something different!

Erin W.

Loved this place from the moment I called and made a reservation. I spoke with one of the chefs and he was extremely friendly. The place was packed by 7pm, but not in an uncomfortable way. The first thing to do while waiting is to buy a pitcher of sangria and share with your friends. The wait time goes by more quickly. The atmosphere of the restaurant is laid back and happy. Everyone there is in a good mood and in the spirit for some great tapas and sangria. The decor is unbelieveable as well. 249 people have already reviewd this place and it gets a stellar rating. I do not need to repeat all the good things that have been said. I will say that one negative thing- there are only 2 toilets in the establishment and the line to "go" is very long. If the sangria weren't so good I wouldn't complain!

Cara P.

GO HERE, NOW! I came here with my mom. She told me there used to be black bras hanging from the ceiling years ago! Truth? I am sure ...I figure this place has evolved from Cuchi Cuchi over the top to a very chill, rustic and eccentric Tapas place. We ordered a litre of Sangria - YUMMMM So good. Not too sweet, not too tart. Just enough for 2 1/2 glasses each! Or maybe I had a bit more than my mom? We ordered The Egg/Potato/Onion Omelette Squid in its own ink Baked Goat Cheese w/Tomato & Basil Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms Of course, the portions are small, as with all Tapas Americana, but our order was just enough to eat and not be too full. We got to experience different tastes and we were surrounded by an amazing atmosphere. The service was spot on and never without a smile! Take a look around. Everyone from an older couple with canes, to a group of 20 and 30 somethings coming for after dinner drinks. More importantly this place is perfect to take someone special. From the furniture to the walls, from the dimly lit candles or the crazy decor - this place screams...ROMANTIC DATE...or time with your mom.

Alexis F.

The food was great. Each tapas dish we ordered was unique and very flavorful. We also ordered the special of Pescado a la Sal and were not disappointed. Service was a little slow and touch and go, but overall a great experience.

Bryant Y.

Love the food - went here for a birthday dinner for a friend and the choices and menu was absolutely fantastic. Interesting decoration too - could see this being a great place for small events or dates!

Zach N.

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Dali is a wonderfully eclectic and eccentric restaurant with a great atmosphere. The food is great. As everyone else said: get the scallops. The garlic shrimp, jamon serrano, patatas bravas, and fried cheese are fantastic.

Horacio S.

" Excellence in every aspect " I called Dali Restaurant to book my party of 12 for a friend's birthday, I spoke to someone who was very warm on the phone, but didn't tell me he was the owner, to my surprise I got to have a very enjoyable call with him. So starting there, my experience got a great beginning. Arriving, the table wasn't ready but this is expected in every European restaurant where people seat to have a great time and dine, it's expected to have a little delay for the next seating, we hanged at their bar. I knew "Yolanda" ( my server ) from a good friend in the past and she took a great care for our party, and together with "Bessy" ( a very sweet server ), they gave us a fantastic experience, my friends thanked me for organizing the party but the credit I give to them, Yolanda ordered for us, they asked for any special requests ( allergies, vegetarian dishes ).... At the end they turned off the lights and sang "happy birthday" to my friend. Price was very affordable! All I can say is that a give them more than 5 stars!!!! Thank you again.

Jordan C.

Awesome decor, but can get really loud and the service isn't that great, at least in my experience. Me and my girlfriend weren't offered another drink the whole time besides when our food came. The food wasn't memorable but it was decent. A little pricey, but when entering the place they give off a classy, eclectic and colorful vibe that makes you okay with paying a little bit more.

Suor K.

We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was packed. We found some seating at the bar. I'm not particularly a fan of tapas, but Dali has changed my mind. The food at Dali was tasty. My favorite dish was the Chipirones Rellenos (tuna-stuffed squid with ink on rice). The flavor of the rice was amazing. We also ordered the Queso de Cabra Montañes (goat cheese), the Pimientos de Padrón con Flor de Sal (peppers), the Setas al Ajillo (mushrooms), the Pulpo A'Feira (octopus), and the Paella del Oceano. Each dish was excellent. The noise level is loud, but not so much that I couldn't hear those sitting next to me. The waiters behind the bar were entertaining and were quick to refill our drinks when we requested it.

Judy C.

There's a reason this place has been around for 25+ years. Great tapas, drinks and a staff that makes you feel like you just transported into Barcelona. I've been coming here for many years! Doesn't disappoint.

Megan S.

I was visiting my sister in Somerville and had to get me some tapas before I made the long journey back to New York. Since I know how packed Dali can get on a Saturday, we called ahead for preferred seating at 8. We arrived on time and when we made it to the hostess stand, she wrote my name on the list as if we had never called ahead. And then we proceeded to wait for 75 minutes. Why offer call ahead seating if it means nothing? We got a lovely drink at the bar (The pineapple basil cocktail, which the bartender jokingly complained about making since it's so much more work than the other cocktails.) The front was packed with people waiting for their tables so it was a little difficult to juggle our coats and purses and drinks in the jostling crowd. When we were finally seated we quickly ordered garlic shrimp, patatas bravas, short ribs and the lamb with peach sauce. All arrived relatively quickly and very hot. The patatas bravas are the real shining star here. I haven't had more authentic bravas sauce since eating the dish in Madrid! The garlic shrimp, however, tasted somewhat off. My sister and I have both had the dish in previous visits and it is always very garlicky and very spicy. This dish was neither. When we brought it to the attention of our server he told us that there must be something wrong with our taste buds! Say whhhhat? Not sure why the server reacted this way but it sure was upsetting. Eventually the server told the kitchen our issue and they brought us out a new garlic shrimp that was as garlicky and spicy as it should be. Overall I think Dali has something special - great decor, great food... The service we usually receive is excellent but my most recent experience has left me wondering if I should try exploring other restaurants in the area.

Natasha M.

Came here for my boyfriend's birthday and we had such a great time. The tapas were delicious (torta Española and pulpo being most memorable) and our server was a riot. The ambiance was perfect! Do yourself a favor and try out the porron. It was so much fun and made for a memorable experience.

Joe M.

I've gone here numerous times and tried most stuff on the menu besides the seafood dishes as I'm allergic. You really can't go wrong but you can certainly go broke. My favorites are the quail, the fried cheese, the rabbit, and empanadillas.

Heidi C.

My husband and I both love tapas and sangria and he's heard about this place for a long time so we finally came on a Friday night. The wait was 25 min so we sat at the bar and I ordered a flight of red wine ($15 for 4 decent selections of wine) and he had a sangria which was really good. The ambiance was great both at the bar and inside the restaurant when we were seated. We ordered the garlic shrimp (was good but I think this is the most basic dish for any tapas place), pork tenderloins in goat cheese (quite tasty, great with wine), squid stuffed with rice cooked in ink (yummy), scallops (yummy), and braised rabbit (delicious). Overall it was a very nice dinner, interesting decor esp. at the bar. Would definitely be one of our choices when craving for tapas again.

Mona W.

Delicious!!!! I loved the vibrant decor of this place, as well as the top notch food. The Paella rocked my socks, and all of the tapas were rich and flavorful. We sat in little corner booth so the servers didn't see us a few times, but when they did come to our table they were friendly and cheerful. I love this place!

Natalie O.

Literally stumbled into this place after a fun night and was delighted to find they had some gluten free items on their late night menu. This was such a life saver, and from what I could remember, the ambiance was cute. Returned to show my parents and to see if it was great as I remembered. The same outgoing and entertaining wait-staff was there and remembered me! For the best experience, I recommend sitting at the bar and playing their fun drinking game, trying their absinthe, and definitely their sangria.

James H.

This was a fantastic and delicious dinner in a place with wonderful ambience, served by an enthusiastic waiter.

Mishy K.

Awesome food, fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff. Can't ask for more! We got engaged there and they were super nice enough to open earlier a bit to let us take our engagement pictures.

Kat M.

Great experience! The food was amazing and as far as ambiance goes, it's almost like walking into a mini museum. Lots of unique interesting things to see (although, some things are kind of weird). I would highly recommend making a reservation if you don't want to sit at the bar for your meal. I arrived at 7pm on a Thursday without a reservation and there wasn't a table available for about an hour. The highlights for myself and my date were the mussels in white wine, tomato and garlic sauce as well as the Lomo de Buey a las Frutas: Beef Tenderloin w/Dried Fruits in Cream-Brandy Sauce. Our server was fast, polite and knowledgeable about what dishes complimented each other. The beef dish I mentioned is very sweet so our server waited to bring it out until we had finished everything else, and it basically became our dessert. Do yourself a favor and try this amazing dish!! Overall, we were happy with the price & very pleased with the food.

Jon K.

Dali is such a festive and fun Tapas Bar. Awesome short ribs and every dish is delicious. The wait staff is sassy and fun and the entire experience is happy and memorable. It's a great location for a romantic bite or if you have a small group as the decor is funky Spanish and very cool. Great little bar as well if you want to catch a cocktail or a taste of their delicious homemade Sangria:) fun and sexy place, highly recommend. cheers

Kathryn L.

My boyfriend had mentioned Dali as one of his favorite tapas restaurants in all of Boston, and it kept coming up in conversations, so when I finally got the chance to go I was sure that it wouldn't be able to live up to the hype. All of the dishes we ordered were enjoyable. I would rank them in this order: Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) (spectacular!), Espinaca Catalana, Patatas Ali-Oli, Gambas con Gabardina (Deep-Fried Shrimp), and the Alcachofas Rellenas (Mushroom-filled Artichokes). But the stand-out dish was the "Lomo de Buey a las Frutas" (Beef Tenderloin w/Dried Fruits in Cream-Brandy Sauce). That meat. That sauce. Sweet, savory, tangy, creamy, warm, and every adjective that implies "100% deliciousness"! This dish is a MUST! I don't tend to love beef, so I mean this whole-heartedly. You can thank me later. Service is warm and friendly, but you will need time: time to be seated, to order, to eat, and to get the check. Nothing about this place is speedy, but it would be a shame to rush in and out, without being able to soak up the great vibe, music, and decor. The quaint but aging exterior doesn't hint at the marvels that lie indoors: the cocktails, small plates, and atmosphere were all five-star experiences! If you're on a date with someone you like: take them to Dali. If you're with a fun group of friends, take them to Dali. And if you are forced to dine with someone you can't stand-- you should probably still take them to Dali, because the food will make you forget all about it! I can't wait to go back. My goal is to try everything on the menu!

Jacqueline D.

We arrived on a Friday around 7:30 and much to our surprise did not have to wait. We were seated in the dining area among the thematic decor and art, at a small but sufficiently sized table for two. Our waiter was dressed in attire that suited the Spanish styled restaurant. We started the meal with house wine and the red wine Sangria, which was above expectations ! Very sweet but very tasty. We ordered the fried shrimp with garlic sauce, the hablano relleno which consisted of a pepper stuffed with rice and topped with a sauce, the Jamon Serrano which is similar to a prosciutto with bread, the eggplant ragu dish and the stuffed mussels. The dishes were described accurately per the menu but the taste was below expectations. The shrimp and eggplant were the best thing we ordered. The pepper was very bland and uninspiring. The Jamon was delicious but straight forward and very hard to mess up. And the mussels were not anything worth mentioning, other than the suggestion not to order them. The flavor was off and it was just a large mussel with bread crumbs on top, they could have done a lot more with the dish. Once we left there seemed to be a crowd moving in so we had just beat the Friday rush. It was alright to try something different but I will not be rushing back soon. Food: 2 stars Decor/ atmosphere: 4 stars Service: 4 stars

Cristina R.

Honestly, I'd probably come here for the atmosphere alone. The interior is lively, eclectic, and unique. You immediately feel comfortable, like you're in the large home of your eccentric, artistic aunt who is a slight hoarder. Oh and a darn good cook. After much tapa tasting, I'm pretty confident these are the best you'll find in the Boston area. Order a pitcher of sangria to wash down those bites! It's fruity, but not overly sweet, and a good strength. I judge every tapas joint on their patatas bravas, a dish that's so simple yet so easy to miss the mark. Dali's version is darn good. Garlicky, yet less spicy than others I've had, with a nice drizzle of aioli on top. We also ordered the mussels in white wine sauce, which was a pretty big portion of the shelled suckers. We started out with these 2 with the thought that more would be ordered as we went along, but we obviously made great decisions because just sharing them actually filled us up a good amount! Let's just top this meal off with something sweet. I'm pretty dedicated to dessert, and the chocolate cake with dulce de leche was speaking to me that night. However, the cake was not the warm, gooey satisfaction that I imagined. It was a cold slice of cake with some dulce de leche between each chocolate layer. Disappointingly, it didn't hit my D-Spot. But I won't hold that one hiccup against you. Dali, I'll let you sing your sweet, Spanish songs to me anytime.

Gerard D.

First walking in the impression is that it is an ornately decorated smaller restaurant with bartenders in frilly shirts and donning a shimmering brooch. The warmth and friendliness of the staff sets the mood off right as you prepare to experience some familiar flavors arranged in a unique way. If you're looking for a quaint and intimate evening I would recommend trying to eat in one of the first two dining rooms if you're in a larger slightly louder group the back room is probably what you're looking for. The menu offers an impressive assortment of meats, seafood, cheeses and vegies served in multiple fashions and it would be hard to not find a half dozen or more options that pique your interest. My personal favorites were easily the lamb meatballs with a fresh tomato sauce and mint infusion as well as the Patatas Bravas, perfectly tender cuts of potato roasted and drizzled with a aiole that is so amazing that I could have eaten like a soup, Queso de Cabra Montaes with a rich baked cheese that is perfectly cut with the perfect acidity of a fresh tomato sauce that all envelopes the crostini served with it giving it a nice crunch to round out the experience perfectly. I cannot emphasize enough that you should reach for the edge of your comfort zone and try things that might sound a bit risky because you will not be disappointed.

Ali D.

Service here is always wonderful and enthusiastic. It's a great spot for group dinners and especially birthdays. I've kissed the lucky frog statue myself. Wait times on the weekend can be long and they don't take reservations after 6pm, so be sure to leave extra time if you are planning on going elsewhere after dinner. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's a nice walk back to public transportation when the weather cooperates (and to help you digest!), and with the advent of uber and lyft, you have no reason not make it out to Dali. The garlic shrimp, the duck, rabbit, and quail are all fantastic. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to order badly here! And make sure to leave room for dessert. One of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area.

Nick P.

Great food and drink. A little pricy for the portion size, but well worth it because if the wonderful flavor and wait staff.

Erin G.

This is the best Spanish food I've had and my family is Spanish. My friend from Ecuador that lives in Somerville brought me here and said this is their favorite restaurant. She was speaking Spanish to the waitresses and was friends with everyone st the restaurant. It was so authentic! She told me to get the pork in sheep blue cheese sauce. I don't like blue cheese but I tried it anyway. It was delicious. Maybe I like blue cheese now that I've eaten that. Another great dish there is the pulpo (octopus). It was so tender and had a spicy sauce on it. My friend also made me try the sangria, which is made in house. I've never liked red wine before I came to Dali. The food is delicious. Good thing I wasn't paying for the dinner because it was very expensive. The clementine flan was also very good.

Laura P.

I've been to Dali several times over the years and I've always enjoyed it. Food is good, but slightly on the heavy side. Definitely get the Sangria! The decor is warm, and staff friendly. It's a good date spot. I would give it a 4th star, but in the past few years so many amazing tapas bars have opened. Unfortunately, its no longer on the top of my list with so many other tapas places to pick from.

Hana K.

Amazing food, fun decorations, a cool hip vibe, worth 5 stars if not for the HORRIBLE experience I had TWICE with their reservation and over-booking. The first time, the host told me that I was not on the reservation even after I had received a call earlier that day to confirm my reservation. I showed her the number that called me and she said that she did not recognize it but when I called back, her phone rang! After agonizing 10 minutes, she finally found my name but still had me wait for another 10 minutes for my table. The second time, my friend had made reservations for her birthday. We got to the restaurant on time but had to wait 45 minutes past our reservation time and a host who kept promising a table in 10 minutes three times in a row. I understand overbooking happens from time to time but a nice gesture with a pitcher of sangria or a free appetizer who had really showed some respect and sincerity.

deborah c.

Dali, Dali, Dali. You used to rock. Now you are just coasting along with your formerly established reputation. Went there Saturday and was immediately steered to the far backroom which had a meat locker like temp. I refused and picked my own table. It was only 6pm and hardly anyone was there. They managed to piss me off already. Hint to management-when it gets busy, people will gladly sit back there --its too cold when you first open up!! I perused the menu and noticed a lot of "cheapened" items that I can notice because I am in the business. The duck with the berry reduction was fine. The pork,swimming in the cheese/cream sauce was just plain disgusting. The canned artichoke with the tasteless small amount of topping was a complete loser. The over cooked lamb with 2 sad, also canned peaches and overbearing mint sauce-another bust. The codfish was good, although they looked uniformly identical, like they were not made inhouse. I must say, I did enjoy the almond cake-it was perfect. Lastly, playing Mexican and Caribbean music?? You really ARE COASTING !!

Orville B.

Having lived in Spain and experienced the tapas way of eating for years, I'm always pleased to try restaurants that advertise as offering authentic Spanish style tapas. Dali did not disappoint. The food was right on, the ambience and decor were truly Spanish, and our waitress Yolanda was so sweet and welcoming.

Denise H.

This place has great seafood and veggie options and a fantastic house red. The Sangria does not dissapoint, the best ambience in Sommerville, if it's your Birthday definitely worth the hour wait for a table.

Coupe Et C.

I wrote my first review in 2010 and I've since moved out of Boston. We went here this past weekend and of course, Dali did not fail! Everything, everything is phenomenal. The staff is fantastic and friendly. Our waitress was such a delight. We opted not to share since we know what we love and wanted it all to ourselves. I got the quail, spanish cheese, ceviche, and grilled octopus. IT WAS ALL AMAZING~ Seriously the quality of this food is outstanding. Also, had the Gala cocktail ~ realllly strong and what a cocktail should be! We then had the churros for dessert - MY GOD.. get the duche de leche sauce ~ srsly. Its amazing. Man, I can't wait till my next trip to Boston to go back here!

Melz86 F.

Best Spanish food!! Try the pulpo A'freira tapa . ( octopus) so good . Make a reservation ask for the Corner table very private and romantic .

Andrea L.

One of the most lovely, lush, cool, sparkly, sensuous and romantic places in the world. Well, at least in the Boston area! I adore this place - everything about it. I've been to it's sister restaurant Tapeo on Newbury and it was quite good. But the ambiance - for me - doesn't compare. Before I had ever been, I remember it being described as the sort of place where - were you on a date - you would leave wanting to rip each other's clothes off. Or something like that. It can be more than a bit crowded. It can be an ungodly long wait. But check out the pig and the naked lady painting behind the bar. Check out the beautiful bathrooms (how often do you hear that?), check out the fountain and all the glitz. Bipolar girl is so happy here! Sangria is lovely - not too sweet. And I don't think I've ever had a dish I didnt enjoy thoroughly. I pretty much always get tapas. Saffron shrimp, crabmeat ravioli (anything seafoody, really), duck, tenderloin, sausage w/figs. Oh my. I wish I had a date for my upcoming trip to Boston!!! I'm getting horny/hungry just thinking about this place!

Cindi W.

So good. So yummy! To die for I swear. i would wait hours to eat here, but I didn't this time. hubby hadCostillas de Vaca and Garlic shrimp . I had olives and Lomo de buey fruitas (Beef with a cream sauce and fruit! YUMMY!) i had a sangria too. it was to absolute best. For dessert I had the flan and hubby had falloia de licor. Fabulous. He had tea and I had the best coffee. Just like in Spain, yes, the coffee was great there. We will be back!

Randy N.

Had what might be my favorite meal of 2015 here. Service was great - helpful recommendations, food came out quickly, and regular check-ins. We tried a range of dishes and my favorites were the Vieiras al Azafrán, Queso Rebozado con Miel, Chorizo a la Plancha, Lomo de Buey a las Frutas, and the Patatas Bravas. I'll definitely be back.

Rhea P.

Great place. Good food and ambience. Very reasonably price with great customer service. Very large menu to pick from.

James S.

This is my gf best restaurant as she's picky and like great food and tasty wine we had the best seat in the place was a lil fancy window with red bean curtains Our waiter was nice and very helpful wish I could remember he's name we like great white wine so he suggest the wine flight and explain the type of grapes and regions it was a great idea and easy way to know about Spanish wine Tapas were great pork with blue cheese was the best Service was great and fast the music was lil loud but nice we felt like a Saturday on a fun busy Monday night

Zig W.

+decorations & ambiance are good, if a bit Pan's Labyrinth-y +lemonade +braised rabbit +baby lambchops +sangria + ~2 tapas/person adequate (w/ sharing) -hard to get to on T -seating not immediate, even if you are late for reservation -service a bit slow d

Kacey R.

Dali is a great place with good food, and a wonderful atmosphere. I've been there a few times with family for a meal, and I haven't been disappointed yet by anything on the menu! I'm vegetarian and gluten free, and I definitely think that there are many options for both restrictions. I haven't tried all the tapas yet, so I can't say one way or the other whether I have a favorite dish! I'll have to just go back again and keep trying. The drinks are another of my favorite aspects of this place. Not only do they have a fun, creative selection, but the cocktails are GREAT! I especially like their cava sangria, and the selection of 'classics' as well as 'new' drinks will assure that there's something for everyone in your group. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because of the pricing (which is a bit high for tapas) and the fact that the place gets very, very loud after about 7:30pm. Not really a good place to bring kids, or people who want a quiet dinner! This place is most definitely not quiet.

Leila L.

My boyfriend and I and another couple went to Dali last night. The experience was in general quite pleasant. All the staff are extraordinarily friendly and took great care of us. And the quirky but warm ambience of the restaurant is very nice. The bar is cute. But I have to say the food was only decent - I mean, not particularly impressive. My favorite ones are garlic shrimp, lamb chops and short ribs. The other things are just fine. Do not order the duckling with berry sauce - not good at all. The seafood paella is not as good as I expected, but the flavor of banana leaf is quite unique and delicious. Based on the experience in general, I give it four stars. Will probably come back for the bar and garlic shrimp.

Antoni A.

It was ok. The octopus was not that fresh and the toasted bread was served cold. But I'm Spanish, so I have very high standards for tapas at that price point.

Mj V.

Best tapas EVER!!! Julio, our waiter, was amazing. He made it a fun family evening. The atmosphere was beautiful. Family oriented establishment. I will go back on a date with my husband. It's THAT good! Food was amazing and the sangrias out of this world.

Raymond L.

Heard about this place for a long time and finally here to try it. The signiture baked fish is way beyond expectation. Servers are very friendly, the overall environment is warm and charming. Love this place. Have no problem recommending this place to friends.

West H.

Super decoration with super food and service yet the price is not too bad. It's my first 5-star in yelp. The whole fish with salt is a must try!

Deb D.

My partner, Susan, and I have been going to Dali for New Year's Eve for five years. We went again this year and all I can say is: This place is spectacular. The wait staff is hilarious and so friendly. We actually spent some time with the owner this year. And the food? Can't touch it. It's amazing. We even went all out and ordered dessert, something we've not done before. (We ordered Churros.) Don't pass this place by. It's a visual blast and the food is amazing.

Priya V.

I've been here three times with my family, and each experience has been treasure. What an exceptional establishment! Family friendly, wonderful atmosphere, absolutely wonderful staff and EXCELLENT food. What's not to love?! Definitely recommend to family and friends!

Erica D.

You walk through those wooden doors, and for a little while, it's like the entire universe is contained in this insane-in-the-good-way little restaurant. Sangria and shrimp with mojo sauce and more sangria and goat cheese and putting your high school Spanish classes to use while ordering. At the bar or at a table, it's heaven.

Christine J.

yummy and fun. a little too dark inside in my opinion.. won't be able to tell if there's a bug in my dish. j/k. very good spanish tapas, from raviolis, garlic shrimp, flan, to fritatas, short ribs, they're all delicious! Portion is leaning towards small, esp for the meat dishes. I do like Dali's food.

Dodge S.

Viva España! Hooray for the Basques & Catalans. A great place to eat.

Sarah T.

This was a major upset of a visit to a new restaurant. My boyfriend, some friends & I love Tapeo on Newbury Street. Thus, when a couple of coworkers were gushing to me about this place & insisting I try it, I gladly took them up on it. I even got dressed up (in my brand new Prada sandals that ended up SNAPPING the strap when I ran across the street after dinner--but that's a different BAD review, haha) for the occasion! So, it should be no surprise to anyone how very disappointing the experience turned out to be. Let's begin with the decor. I didn't notice it at first, and actually felt somewhat comfortable when I first sat down. However, the worse the service & food got, the worse the decor started looking. By the time I left, I felt like I needed to RUN out of there, before the crazy parrot lady hoarder who I just knew was hiding behind some musty floral print curtain somewhere could drag me into the giant cage she keeps in the back for those who dare question the efficacy of her interior design choices ;-) Of course, the most important piece would be the food & drink. To start this portion of the review off on a positive note, let me just say that there is absolutely NOTHING to complain about when it comes to their white sangria. It is actually one of the better ones I have had. So at least there was a silver lining with the meal, and bonus points for it being alcoholic to help numb me to the pain of the experience. (I suppose you could say it is there that they really did earn the one star, haha.) It is on that point, however, that anything good about the taste experience ended. The tomato sauce in the goat cheese dip tasted straight off a Papa Gino's pizza. Even my boyfriend, who is pretty forgiving when it comes to pasta sauce, agreed that it was too acidic & bland. All of the meat we ordered was over-saturated with unappetizing sauce. The pheasant & scallop saffron sauce seriously made me feel like I was licking a sweaty person's armpit! And then there were the churros... I thought that at least I would be able to enjoy those. Actually, the only time I order dessert is when I am at a tapas place, simply because I LOVE churros so much. My favorite thing about going to amusement parks as a kid was not the rollercoasters (though I LOVED those too, so this is saying quite a lot!). It was the churros! Amusement parks were the only place that I had the opportunity to imbibe as a kid. And imbibe, I did :) Thus, if there is anyone you should consider an expert on the quality of a churro, it is myself. And Dali's churros really couldn't even be called churros. They are thin, oddly flakey and oiley fried strings of bland dough. Nothing like a churro at all... :( And the service was awful, too. Our server would randomly just walk away in the middle of conversations, and he left us at our table just sitting there for over a half hour, until finally one of the other servers came to take our churro order (see paragraph above). Needless to say, I will never be back. Oh, and it was overpriced, too...

Tulan K.

The food is great but for a big eater i think tapas is not the place. Small quantities for high prices. The drinks we the worst of it . All out alcoholic drinks were like juice or water and it sucked. The White wine sangria was the best. We could smell the waiters breath throughout the table. Though he was great guy but it was little unbearable

Aria D.

The aesthetic of this restaurant is gorgeous. The little details, various artwork, different tables, lighting, everything was very romantic and seemed personal. As an art student, I very much appreciate the artwork. Our service was great, considering we were a party of almost 16 people. It's on the expensive side for me (as tapas usually are) but the plates were still very delicious. We ordered the mushroom dish which was smoky and cooked in a tasty sauce. I like trying food I usually can't cook at home, and while mushrooms are easy to cook, I will probably order this dish from them again. The butterfly shrimp dish was decent, as were the olives. They weren't anything too special. Overall, a great unique spot for a romantic date but also great for friends and family. Be prepared to spend money if you want to fill your appetite though.

Marisa S.

Amazing! Best food, and awesome prices, not to mention the whole place is decorated so well.

Nichole V.

Went to Dali for the 1st time on Fri night with a group of 7 of us. We loved it! The food was delicious and service was great. There was some street construction going on so it was difficult to find parking at 1st, but the 2nd time around found a spot.

Margaret C.

I've been several times over several years, and they're always excellent. The service is fantastic, the drinks are great, the food ranges from decent to great, and the atmosphere is soo much fun. Many seats in the restaurant have somewhat deafening acoustics, but if you drink enough sangria you stop caring. If you're going for a romantic evening, call before you go (reservations are pretty critical anyway) and ask for one of the tables in its own nook. Those are lovely and intimate and it's a little easier to talk than in the center of the rooms at bigger tables. The food is fairly authentic, and generally well prepared. Not a match for creativity or execution anymore with other area restaurants--it used to be one of the best in Cambridge/Somerville--but still solid and tasty. Their gambas al ajillo often arrives a bit overcooked, but I don't care, because I would, and have, literally eat the spicy amazing garlicky oil with a spoon. In sum, a great party joint for a higher-end night out, or with a little planning, perfect for a warm, richly atmospheric dinner for two.

Jesse N.

Went here 2 weekends ago, this place was awesome. I got a variety of things, including the scallop ravioli in cream sauce, stuffed squid on squid-ink rice, potatoes with the aoli/tomato sauce, fried shrimp with a very pesto-y sauce, almond cake, and a few other things. To make a long story short, the ambiance/atmosphere is great, I love how the inside looks like a Spanish style house. Service was friendly and quick, and I savored every bite. This is a great "date night" place. I walked out of here very satisfied with my meal without feeling overly stuffed, which is a rare occasion these days! I'll be back soon.

K M.

Listen up, this place is highly overrated. We had an assortment of dishes: Albondigas-plated with weird carrot shreds that didn't really go with the meatballs. The cauliflower fried balls-okay but absolutely nothing special The rabbit-the meat was cold, it was microwaved!!! I sent it back. disgusting The grilled sirloin steak-this was good and really the only thing worth eating. the empanadillas-I've had better from carts on the street, these were gross. Patatas bravas-worse i've ever had, no flavor, no salt, poor sauce. Overall this place is overpriced, food is such poor quality that I wouldn't eat it again if it were free. When you go to a restaurant and order food that is microwaved you its just pathetic. Thats unacceptable. I give one star to places that give me food poisoning. I did not vomit so I will be generous.

Natasha A.

Eh Dali? Que paso? I used to absolutely love Dali, and would arrive just at opening to be able to get a table, in this always packed restaurant. It had amazing, authentic Spanish tapas (I lived in Spain) and excellent Sangria and other drinks. However, we went here the other week (see date of review) and it was very disappointing. The place was half empty and we soon learned why. It just went downhill. We got 6 tapas, and 2 of them were still excellent but the others had drastically declined in taste. For example, the baquerones (white Spanish anchovies) were served on toasts loaded with garlic - this is one dish that does not need garlic as it completely masks the taste of the fish. Also, they used to serve wonderful bread with a chickpea spread..the bread was great for mopping up all the sauces. Now, we were asked "would you like to order a bread basket"? I did not pick up on the word "order" and sure enough we were charged for the bread! This is too much European authenticity for me. Anyway..time to find another regular tapas place.

David B.

Great decor, excellent service, great drinks, and most of the dishes were terrific. Especially the rabbit and the sausage in fog sauce. Lots of very options. Great location near Harvard square. We will be back.

Rich W.

Delicious! Make reservations though...or you'll wait in line for a while...but if you do have some Sangria at the bar. I've been there several times and have enjoyed the meal each time.

Ribblet N.

Went here with a party of 9, very cozy place and packed, great atmosphere and reminded me a lot of being in Spain. The waitress was excellent and I think we ordered everything they had on the menu. The only reason this isn't a 5 star is because during an appetizer platter, I had a piece of cheese that blew out my taste buds early on and I couldn't recover.

Jason S.

Excellent Tapas. Visited here on Saturday, I recommend going in a big group as the tapas are somewhat pricey, so you can sample many different items. We went with 3 couples and were very satisfied. Don't miss: Bacon wrapped prunes (delicious) Paella and Chorizo was excellent as well. Sangria was good but on the expensive side (although you get about 8 glasses) The mood is excellent, very cool and funky atmosphere! Waitress was nice and attentive, but seemed anxious to get us to leave, taking away things from the table when we were still enjoying a pitcher of sangria that we had just ordered. They also only provided us 3 menus for the table of 6 which seemed odd! Other than that, we enjoyed a positive experience.

Guillermo M.

Excellent tapas place. We tried around five tapas and they were all excellent: salmon meatballs, patatas bravas, mussels, octopus, san jacobo. Sangria was really good. Were they were not excellent was in the dessert. The almond cake was really good but the fruits crepe was just ok. Nice ambience and decor. Would love to come back.

Christina H.

When I walked into Dali, there was no doubt I was wow'ed. I had entered a totally different world. The decor is stunning, quirky and romantic all at the same time. I had come here for a double date. When I should have just come here on a date and brought a friend as a third wheel. Most of the tapa dishes we ordered came our in 3's (i.e. 3 raviolis, 3 scallops, 3 stuffed artichokes). Needless to say, one person was always left out, so we had to split the third item so each person at least had something to taste. Usually chorizo has a nice kick to it. This chorizo had no flavor at all. Lobster ravioli - nothing to rave about; leave the pasta to the Italians. The ambiance is loud, so expect to lean in close if you want to hear each other. Highlights of the night: - the squid cooked in its own ink (the black stuff underneath is rice; very flavorful despite its appearance) - the stuffed artichokes on top of the melted manchego cheese. SO GOOD. - churros. what a fun and festive dessert! - near the end of the night they dimmed the lights suddenly and a server announced it was "now it is time for romance" or something along those lines. ha!

Murilo S.

Amazing place. Interesting atmosphere. Delicious food. Our waiter constantly spoke Spanish to us and even though half if the party didn't speak any Spanish it was still a great experience. Every dish sounds amazing and wine selection was fantastic. Definitely going back. My personal favorite was the fried goat cheese with honey for hot tapas and the ceviche for cold tapas.

lindsay d.

My meal at Dali was nothing short of excellent. Personal favorites were the lamb chops with peach sauce, and the garlic shrimp. The ceviche wasn't the best I have ever had, but it was still very good and served at a nice temperature. The chocolate chile cake was great as well - just the right amount of heat and not overwhelmingly sweet. Our waitress was wonderful and provided prompt, solid service. If you're in the area, go here. You'll be happy you did!

Alexander H.

Herman made our experience here just incredible! One of the best dinners I've had in Boston!

Ali S.

So, I was a little flummoxed thinking about how many stars to give Dali. According to Yelp norms, 2 stars is pretty low. But, the description for 2 stars perfectly fits my experience at this restaurant: "Meh. I've experienced better." This is particularly true when Cuchi Cuchi and Casa B are in the same city. The food is just bland. It's very disappointing. Bar: There is a wine flight ($15) that my friend insisted that I include in my review. She told me it was a nice selection of wines, but truthfully she only really enjoyed one of the four wines. I ordered the Cha Cha Cha, and it was decent. I didn't think it was strong enough. I think they use mango puree because it was pretty thick. Best Tapas: Roast Duckling w/ Berry Sauce: The skin was nicely crisped. It was duck; how badly can a restaurant mess that up? Bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed w/ goat cheese Not as good: Grilled Baby Lamb Chops w/ Peach Sauce: The lamb chops were too think to really show off the tenderness of lamb chops. They were also a little too overcooked for me. Shrimp w/ garlic: They were a little too bland. They weren't deveined (I don't have a problem w/ that, but I know that would be useful for some people). Don't order: Sautéed Mushrooms: They were very bland and under salted. I also think they could have been cooked 1 minute longer. Tuna stuffed squid: This sounds exciting, but it's very bland. Serrano ham: This wasn't as good as it usually is at other tapas places. The bread was also terrible. Bread basket: Horrible bread (dry, cold and tasteless). No one at the table liked the spread.

Jan Marie D.

Dali is like jumping into a Dali painting... but not being disassociated when you get there. It's bright and funky and colorful and cultural in a charmingly overwhelming way. The patrons are mixed, but the staff is consistently comprised of equally colorful characters. I had a first date here, and it was expensive, but not completely out-of-range. As a vegan, it was hard for me to do the tapas. But you're coming more for the experience. That said, I still remember whatever wilted green salad and potato egg pancakes I hard as being incredibly delicious!

Paul G.

Delicious. It nails all the tapas standbys: spanish tortilla, shrimp w garlic, short rib, sausages. They have carafes of wine if you don't want a full bottle. Excellent date place or somewhere to celebrate an occasion.

AJ J.

One of the most enjoyable restaurant experiences I've had in Boston. The service, food and ambiance were all excellent. Prices are a little high, but well worth it. There was one meat dish with figs and apricots in a red wine sauce that was phenomenal.

Jim A.

My wife and I found our new favorite place. The atmosphere makes you forget that you are in Boston and you instantly feel like lingering and talking and ordering something unique. The menu is robust. We wish we had visited sooner!

San W.

I was looking forward to trying the tapas here with b. for NYE but unfortunately, the food fell short of our expectations. For NYE, they had three different seating times; I was able to score a reservation for 5:30 PM the day before and we were seated promptly upon arrival. And the night went like this: Drinks Gala (lavender-rosemary-infused vodka, gin, triple sec, orange flower water, & rhubarb bitters) - Smelled wonderful, tasted strong. Good. Mojito Especial (absinthe, muddled lime & mint, pineapple juice, & ginger ale) - I think they might have just made me a regular mojito, which tasted fine but was nothing special. Tapas Ceviche (fresh scallops, shrimp, salmon marinated in cold citrus & salsa) - One of our last tapas so it tasted refreshing but according to b., somewhat imbalanced in terms of the lime and cilantro. Queso Rebozado con Miel (deep-fried Spanish cheese w/ honey & sweet onion) - Eh. Too goat-y for b. and I think I was expecting a different kind of cheese-with-honey tapa. Y'know the one served on pan tostado? Mejillones en Vino Blanco (mussels in white wine, tomato, & garlic sauce) - So-so. Description was deceiving since we were expecting a white wine sauce but it was actually a tomato sauce with white wine. Pulpo A'Feira (grilled octopus w/ Spanish pimentón on potato medallions) - Octopus wasn't too chewy but we weren't a fan of the overall taste. Slightly too oily. Also, it came out in a tiny wooden dish - so different from the yelp photos I saw! Vieiras al Azafrán (broiled sea scallops in saffron cream) - I was looking forward to this tapa the most but once again, it fell short of my expectations. The scallops were overcooked and on the smaller side. The sauce was too buttery for b. Ravioles de Mariscos (shrimp/scallop ravioli w/ shellfish cream sauce) - Undercooked. Conejo Escabechado (braised rabbit w/ red wine, juniper, & garlic) - We got this because they were out of the pheasant. Sauce was pretty sweet, which we did not expect from the description. Also FYI, the meat, which was somewhat overcooked, is served on the bone. Costillas de Vaca (beef short ribs in Rioja wine sauce) - Probably the best tapa out of all the ones we tried. The beef was nice and tender. Sauce was flavorful. Dessert Churros (fried dough sticks w/ warm chocolate sauce) - Warm and crispy. Decent. I just miss the churros I had in Spain! It is done so differently here. Café Español (w/ brandy, Licor 43, & whipped cream) - Good pairing with the churros. Not too sweet and fairly strong as well. Overall, it was a disappointing (and fairly pricey) experience especially since we went out of our way to come here and try it out. Most of the tapas came out lukewarm, which made them less appetizing. We felt somewhat rushed even though we had 2.5 hours until the next seating time. The dishes came out really quickly and the server, though friendly, seemed to be in a hurry. Ambiance is intimate and cozy but with loud Spanish music. As other reviewers have mentioned, interesting décor inspired by Dalí (duh). But I don't think I'll be trekking back here. Wah-wah. Good tapas are so hard to find!

Anu G.

YUMMY!!! Great food every time I've been there!

Judy L.

Beautiful space. Lovely decor. Amazing food. The server was so friendly and had a lot of helpful suggestions (though it was quite difficult to understand him as he was not fluent in English). We loved everything we ordered. However, I was quite surprised by how small the portions were given the price. With tax and tip it came out to $35 per person. One person was still hungry for more food though. battered fried shrimp with mojo sauce - delicious. Only came with 4 though. I loved the green pesto-like sauce. duck - a top contender for the night. It was crispy on the outside, tender on the insider, and in a bed of scrumptious fruity sauce. sausage with fig - not bad at all, though probably not a winner from tonight. beef short rib in wine sauce - may be the winner from tonight. The meat was cooked just right that it came apart as if it could melt in your mouth. mmmm. bacon wrapped dates - maybe my 4th fav from the night. It was dripping in yummy fat. fried potatoes - apparently a staple. Not particularly spectacular but it was very delicious nonetheless. I imagined it to be spicier. Great at filling us up more than the other tapas though. beef tenderloin with dried fruit - one of the top 3 favorites from tonight! Again, everything on the plate worked so well together and the meat was cooked just right. Not tough and not undercooked. pastel something something - the only vegetarian dish we ordered. It looked like a little cake with a candle on top - but it's actually cucumber-wrapped mushroom goodness with a stick of grilled bell pepper and olive. This is quite light and refreshing compared to other dishes. fried milk dessert - it's hard to describe what it tastes like. It's kind of like a tart but much softer. Delicious. fruit crepe in chocolate and liquer sauce - this was regular dessert-portion as opposed to all other miniature tapas. Not bad. I'd definitely recommend!

Anni S.

Great place to meet with friends or go for a romantic night out with your special one. Good tapas, friendly staff and great ambiance!

Ana R.

I was pleasantly surprised with my visit to Dali. I had always heard that the food wasn't all that great, but I disagree. The decor is definitely out there, but what else would you expect from a place named after Salvador? It's really dark, moody but in a fun way. Great place to watch other people suffer through awkward first dates, although when I was there, there was also a large group of woo-girls at a table near the bar. WOO! Anyway, here are the tapas we tried: Pulpo A'Feira: Grilled Octopus w/Spanish Pimentón on Potato Medallions - really well cooked, not at all rubbery Croquetas de Pollo: Chicken Croquettes w/Piquant Tomato Sauce & Cheese Sauce - my boyfriend fucking LOVED these. I wasn't too impressed with the sauces, they seemed thrown into the mix for no reason Gorditas: Bacon-wrapped Prunes stuffed w/Goat Cheese & Almonds - holy god, YES!!! Chuletillas: Grilled Baby Lamb Chops w/Peach Sauce - delicious, perfectly cooked and such a great pairing with the peaches Curried Chicken Thigh Skewers w/Shallots, Eggplant on Spicy Sour Cream - yummy! We also got the bread basket, which was an extra $2. That's a pretty cheap move on Dali's part, especially when the bread wasn't good!

Elizabeth M.

From the outside, you would never imagine the inside of Dali's to be filled with colorful, original, Spanish design. From a welcoming and comfortable entrance, you can find a spot for you anywhere inside. While waiting for a seat, my friend and I had a drink at the bar. Our bartender was a fun and born to please Colombian man named Julio. He truly made the night memorable by encouraging us to stay at the bar during the evening. He let us sample wines before committing to a decision --- something I've never had a bartender do before. Best of all, his advice for items were perfect. He was unbiased and presented us with the best drink and food options. I had a wonderful time at Dali's --- it's a fantastic place, especially for dates.

Travis D.

Everything about Dali was fantastic (except one thing, discussed below but still didn't warrant a loss of a star as far as I am concerned). We ordered too many dishes to described them all here, but suffice it to say that each and every plate was truly fantastic. The short ribs do deserve a special mention though. They were nothing short of spectacular. Also, for desert fans, the fried dough sticks with melted chocolate are beyond reproach. Go here with an appetite and you won't be sorry. We first planned to go to Bergamot across the street (an old favorite of ours), but without reservations and our kids in tow (making it impossible to sit at the bar for dinner), we decided to call Dali and were able to grab their last open table. We now feel lucky that we weren't able to get into Bergamot as Dali proved that we can now add another destination to our list of favorites. Our only complaint for the night was the server. She started out pretty strong with attentiveness and knowledge of the menu. As the place filled up (and boy, does it fill up fast!!), we saw less and less of her and went without drink refills for quite some time. Had we not been enjoying the food so much, it would have likely been a lot more annoying, but on this first outing to Dali, I'd rather let the food be star of this post and set aside what might otherwise be an "off night" for the server we had. I plan to return for sure, so it won't be too hard to determine whether or not this was an anomaly. If you've never been here and are wondering if so many strong reviews for Dali are real, I suggest you to and try it for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Elizabeth K.

Somehow, despite loving tapas and living down the street from this place for four years, I had never been. I decided to change that with a large family dinner for my 30th birthday. They did not disappoint! We ordered sangria, a few cocktails, and 28 dishes (some were repeats, depending on crowd favorites). Highlights: shortribs, seafood ravioli, garlic shrimp, curried chicken skewers (which were a recommendation from the waiter and ended up being half the table's favorite dish). When I arrived, the bartender even knew who I was and greeted me by name (based on the fact my aunt had called ahead to have a bottle of cava sent over). Pretty impressive service all around. I'll definitely be back.

Becky L.

Amazing food, great atmosphere, good sangria and the most fun you'll have in a restaurant in the area. Make sure to bring a group, get a cava of sangria and a porron of white wine, and order tons of tapas. I recommend: -Queso Rebozado con Miel -Pato Braseado -Conejo Escabechado -Gambas al Ajillo and basically everything else, but make sure to order those.

Jeff M.

Excellent tapas place. We went as a large birthday party, so the number of dishes at our disposal guaranteed indigestion. Though no single dish blew me away like the shrimp dish with mojo sauce at Tapeo, I think the dishes as a whole were slightly better than Tapeo. Great food, service, and atmosphere. Would certainly go back.

Lauren T.

Amazing food and great atmosphere!! I came here last night with friends who had been before... So I happy I did! I will def be coming back!!

Bella B.

Another great venue for food, I love this chic place and anything you order is good, such a warm and inviting place to be, the staff was so friendly and always at our reach. Fruity Sangria need I say more, they keep on filling your glass, "How sweet it is"

Peg P.

Going to Dali is such a fun experience. From the decor to the spirited wait staff, it is a really fun place to enjoy your food, drinks and company. I think Dali is one of the best tapas places in the Boston area. They have a wonderful selection and the staff are very willing to describe the different tapas and help you order several for the most flavorful experience. I have been to Dali with a few people and with a large parties and each time the staff have been accommodating. I have always called for a reservation (especially with 4+ people) since the seating area is on the smaller side. They have a wonderful bar selection - but I truly love their Sangria and tend to get it every time I go there!!! I love this place and highly recommend it to everyone. It is really a gem, there are not many places like it around.

Stephen S.

After the fantastic reviews of Dali I decided to give it a shot and was completely underwhelmed. 2.5 stars, I round up. There's no bar. Well there is, but not one you can just wander over to before dinner. The bar is used as a seating area and thus unavailable to patrons waiting for a table. Get comfy on the Somerville streets as no other area for waiting inside the restaurant exists. I ordered the chorizo and some fried shrimp. While the chorizo was pretty good the shrimp was completely uninspired. The battering reminded me of chinese chicken fingers and left the dish less than delicious. I had hoped that the sauce would redeem the dish with some zing, but it fell flat. I tried my girlfriend's shrimp/garlic dish and it was good, but nothing special. The positives: The sangria was good. All in all I'll have to stick to Tasca for tapas.

Jessica W.

When I lived in Somerville, one of the selling points my realtor made about the apartment was that it was a short walk from Dali. So I was intrigued by Dali from the start, not to mention the fact that I always saw people milling about in front of its distinctly purple building every evening. While the number of non-vegetarian dishes greatly outnumber the vegetarian selections, I was still really pleased by the vegetarian tapas I'd ordered. Wasn't a big fan of the tortilla espanola, but really enjoyed the patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy aioili), the bunuelos (vegetable and cheese puffs), and the fried spanish cheese with honey and onion (it sounds weird, but it works). For garlic lovers, there's also the sopa de ajo (garlic soup). The service is friendly here, but sometimes I think they ham it up a bit too much. On one visit, the host led us to a corner table, declaring it a "romantic spot." I was with my brother, however, so that was a little awkward--but we did appreciate the table. I think this is a better place to meet a few friends than a date spot. The restaurant is beautiful inside and romantically dim-lit, but I just prefer dates in a quieter atmosphere.

Grace S.

Pros: Great tapas, sexy atmosphere. Cons: Bit out of the way up on Kirkland street. Being a tapas place, a little pricey for the quantity. And it's very dark inside, be warned. Balance: PROS BOTTOM LINE: The food, frankly, is 4 stars -- but that's counterweighed by how much it costs. And unlike Kebab Factory across the street, I'm not totally sure this place is worth the hike compared to its tapas competition in Boston.

Alex C.

I'm kind of 'meh' on Dali. I went on a Friday night; it was packed, but we only had a short wait for our table. Our waitress was cheerful and polite, but could have been more attentive. Several times we saw her standing by a doorway hanging out, but we couldn't get her attention. The food was hit-or-miss. The lamb was superb, but I found gristle in my croquettes. I want to try Dali again on a week night, to see if another experience matches the experiences of others. For now, I still prefer Tasca, even though it's much further from me.

Shannon B.

fantastic food, amazing ambiance, delightful attentive waiters, lovely music, DELICIOUS and moderately priced tapas, and just a very romantic place. I had my birthday dinner here and everyone was able to get something and not have to spend a fortune. love this place!!

Shauna G.

Dali is an overwhelming place, but in a good way. The walls are lavishly decorated, the waitstaff is exuberantly friendly, and if you don't have to talk loudly over the music, you have to talk over other peoples' conversations. Birthdays are a big to-do at Dali - they turn all the lights off in the room and make everyone sing. Plus they have a bubble machine! I want to go there for my birthday. The food is great. My favorites were the garlic soup and the scallops in saffron cream. My mom *loved* the vegetable crepe, and my friend told me the gazpacho was the best he'd ever eaten. None of us were huge fans of the broccoli cheese puffs or the potatas bravas, but they weren't *bad* - just not quite as good as the rest of it. The sangria was kind of disappointing, too. Once again, not bad - but nothing special, either. It may get a little pricey for college students - I'm glad I went there with my parents - but if you're not looking for a heavy meal you can split a smaller number of tapas between friends and get out of there spending maybe $10-15 per person. We spent closer to $30. Don't go here if you like quiet, intimate conversations, cheap food, or great sangria. But if you're willing to spend a little and you want a place with a lot of interesting dishes to try and a lot of character, definitely go to Dali.

Julie N.

This is a great place for the wonderful selections, consistency of preparation, wonderful rioja, great sangria, funny eclectic decor and charming waitstaff. For a fun date night go here. If you don't have fun, check your pulse. Enjoy!!

Carrie M.

Fried strawberries for dessert - you must go now! Seriously, the dessert special right now (which goes on until the end of June-ish) are these GIANT strawberries in a sherry batter that are deep fried. They were heaven on a plate that came with a tiny scoop of chocolate ice cream. Our server was excellent, Edward C, and totally explained food, gave us bits of info, etc. Like the garlic soup, which was delicious, is dairy free and uses bread as part of the base to thicken it. I love learning about what I'm eating! The sangria of course was delicious. As were the four tapas we tried, and the other dessert. You can't go there without getting the baked goat cheese. And save room for multiple desserts, it was totally worth it!

Itch S.

I've been coming here for over 20 years. It's always a fun, vibrant and great experience. There have been off months, cold dishes (meant to be hot), slow service - over that period but generally very good and the Sangria has never let me down. If there is a 2 hour wait then more Sangria. If the food is late coming, more Sangria. If the service is up to par demand Sangria on the house! In general the food is great most of the time and the latest encarnation - minor tweaks to the service and sprucing of environment (last 3 years) has made Dali's even better. My faves: Duck, Machego, Garlic Shrimp, and the Olives!

andrew h.

A nice stop for tapas, but in my opinion, a bit pricy and not as good as all that. If you want great Spanish food in the US, visit Casa Mono or Mercat in NYC, Mercat a la Placha in Chicago, Taberna del Alabardero in Washington or Rioja in Houston.

Sarah P.

Get the quail, you'll thank me later. My bf and I came here for my birthday and that night he said I love you for the first time, so that sangria must have been pretty strong. We made reservations, something that is definitely a necessity to eat here on the weekend. We ended up staying for close to 3 hours, wining and dining at a steady but relaxed pace. I felt very at comfortable and while it was small it was less cramped than similar restaurants (like Tasca). Was the meal expensive? Yes. Are most tapas places expensive? Yes. For two of us our bill was about $120 (with tip and lots of sangria). However, it wasn't much more expensive than other area Tapas places and the food was phenomenal. While it is definitely more of a special occasion place (personally speaking) it is a great place for any date you're looking to make special and romantic.

Patrick F.

Dali is a great place to take a date. I think that is its main purpose actually. The waiters are so polite, one might be well served to brush up on old school dinner etiquette before doing so as to not be outclassed. The food is always great and the vintage flows pretty freely there. I've alwys left feeling pretty good! Despite the inherent diminutive nature of tapas, I've found that 4 or 5 plates are quite sufficient for a party of 2 and the flavor is never missing!

Shang S.

This was my first time eating tapas, so I really didn't know what to expect. Our waiter was very friendly and the service was attentive (we went on a Sunday night, less people, no wait). The food was either really good or okay, that's why I'm giving it a 3 The good: Order from their special menu, it's great! We had this fried zucchini with cheese that was great. Also highly recommend the lamb meatballs. On the regular menu, loved the braised rabbit w/red wine, the lobster/crabmeat ravioli, and sauteed artichoke hearts The okay: Mind you, these were still good, but probably just not really my taste. Roast duckling w/berry sauce - duck hard to cut, and sauce too sweet. Sangria - not really that special. Pork tenderloin - great mushroom & cheese sauce, but not tender enough. And their rice pudding - thought the rice could have been finer. The bread they served was also a bit too densely packed and cold, but it did help fill us up. For 4 people we ordered 7 tapas. Their suggestion of 3 tapas per person is a bit too much unless you really eat a lot.

Even though i have only been here once, i love it. Dali, is as one might expected, named after the famed spanish artist. so you can image the place to be a bit sureal. Its dark, rustic and all the waiters are old guys speaking spanish. The food is tapas, and really good different stuff. Among other dishes, we had quail, calamari, and eggplant. The food is great and i love tapas just for its ability to allow to sample lots of different things. Dali is located just north of harvard square, so i suggest getting off the T there and then walking north, its not that far at all, and its near a bunch of other restaurants.

Holly W.

Yes, Dali is small. Yes, there it is always packed and YES you will have to wait outside if the bar is crowded. But Dali is amazing. The atmosphere: Unbelievably eccentric and soooooo spanish. I feel like I'm transported right back to Seville when I walk in! The low light and warm tones are very sexy and I notice something new in the decor every time I go. Their sangria: excellent. How can you eat tapas without sangria. Impossible. The food: to die for. Patatas Bravas (potatoes with tomato alioli), Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp), Gambas con Gabardina (battered and fried saffron shrimp), Pato Braseado (duck wtih berry sauce), and Queso Rebozado con Miel (friend cheese with honey). Yummmm! Dessert? I get something new every time... everything is good! I can remember the churros and the strawberry crepe being particularly delicious. If you haven't already been, go!!!

Susan D.

I came here for the first time for Valentine's Day early dinner. I just got to say,'Wow' about the ambiance. It is so cute and Spanishfied (if that were a word). I love all the intricate textures from the ceilings to the tables to the posters hanging on the walls to the beaded curtain off to the side. It is a feast for the eyes. Now in terms of the food. My server was very fluent in describing the food and doing it in Spanish. I had as follows: octopus (rubbery), scallops in saffron butter sauce (heaven to soak up bread), garlic shrimp (ditto), squid in its own ink (interesting and would re-order), rabbit (eeh, a little too acidic from slow-cooking in the wine), crab croquettes in a cilantro aioli (like a fish cake, but a little to heavy). And the sangria was very nice. The only thing that I regret not getting is the paella. We were way too full at that point. Although there's always next time!

Elena E.

After reading the great reviews, I was a bit disappointed with the food. The service however was fantastic, very attentive and friendly. We had sangria which was tasty but weak. For our dishes we had the spanish cheese, the scallops in saffron cream, the duck, gorditas, and the spanish sausage. The scallops were the best, but on the small side. The duck was tasty but nothing out of the ordinary. The gorditas were very small and greasy. For dessert we had arroz con leche and bread pudding, both very good. Overall, good but was expecting much better.

Jenan A.

Great atmosphere (if you ignore the happy birthday signing!), superb food, stunning sangria all topped with a healthy dose of good conversation .... a superb night out

Megan C.

Delicious. Only reason I can't give it 5 stars was the long wait and the hostess kept saying it will be 20 more minutes. We finally ate at the bar which has the same menu which I'd recommend. The fiogs with goat cheese wrapped in bacon are fantastic. Bar tenders are fun and friendly. And at the end of the night we got to see a very couple did an amazing little dance number that had the whole house cheering. Intimate place, great for a date night, except they don't take reservations.

Ellen G.

My husband, daughter, and I arrived at 6:45 PM on a Saturday night and were told that a table would not be available for 40 minutes. We offered to sit at the bar, but my daughter got very upset, so they found us a table immediately with a wink and a smile. Then they gave my daughter one of those glow-in-the-dark bracelets. That's a restaurant worth talking about! The evening went uphill from there. We ordered six tapas, each one memorable and delicious. The non-traditional bread with individual chickpea spread for each person was a nice touch too. I loved the escabeche, which was different kind of seafoods in an herby remoulade with arugula and avocado. Extremely memorable! I also liked the zucchin rolls with mint, cheese, and tomatoes and the artichoke hearts with slivers of roasted garlic and pine nuts. The aceitunas (marinated olives) were the best I've ever had--even better than in Spain itself! The gazpacho was also quite tasty--it might have helped that tomatoes are at their peak now--and perfectly balanced. I've tried the meat and seafood on the hot stone on another occasion and that is also quite special. They use a lot of garlic, naturally, so a refreshing breath mint would be nice. They do put lemon slices in the water, though, which was delightful. Like the others, I can not say one bad word about this place. It rocks!

Lance S.

Best authentic tapas bar anywhere, let alone Boston. Live here? Grab your date and get on over. Visiting on business, get some co-workers and get over there. Out of the way and worth it.

Melissa D.

I absolutely LOVE this place! It is high energy, always packed to the gills, and a great date idea! The sangria (red OR white) is delicious and I always drink copious amounts of it. The tapa list is pretty varied (rabbit, pheasant, quail oh my!), and obviously not very vegetarian friendly- but who cares about vegetarians anyways?! Oh, and if it's your birthday, they will dim the lights, blow bubbles in your face, and sing to you in Spanish! LOVE IT! p.s. I always experience above average service at Dali as well.

Skip B.

If you are looking for a quiet Romantic hole in the wall this isn't it. This place is fun, a bit loud and if you can keep from spilling Cava and getting laughed at your a better person then me. The service at the bar was fun, friendly and we chatted with everybody. The dining area is very nice and very decorative. This is the sister restaurant to Cucci Cucci. Same good food, tapas, we had the Seafood Paella and it rocked. I wore some of the Cava I drank but it was all very good and I would recommend it highly

Joann C.

This is my absolute favorite tapas place. Everytime I visited Boston, we came to eat dinner here. My favorite dish is the vieiras al azafran (scallops in saffron sauce) and a close second is gambas al ajillo. I still haven't found a tapas place in the San Francisco bay area to match Dali. The wait can be really long, but they do take reservations for earlier seatings.

Stacy M.

I was so excited about coming to eat at Dali after hearing such great things about it. I was immediately struck by the cozy decor and lovely service. Given all this, I really, really wanted to like my food... especially since I hadn't had good tapas since moving away from my favorite place, Jaleo, in D.C. We tried 6 different tapas in all, and it seemed that each dish had a little something that kept it from succeeding. We ordered: Rioja- served cold, kinda strange for a red wine. Cod Croquettes - tasty, but a bit chewy for fish. Patatas bravas- would have been great with more sauce, less salt. Pasta w/ pesto and asparagus (spring special) - The asparagus was placed on top of the pasta rather than mixed in, both my boyfriend and I remarked that it seemed like an afterthought. Shrimp- batter just didn't have much taste. Sauce was delish. Braised Short ribs- had been cooking way too long in a not-so-flavorful sauce. Chorizo- a bit too smokey tasting. Dali seems like a great place to have a glass of sangria. I just won't be rushing back for the food. Jaleo, when are you coming to Boston? :(

Nikki M.

Dali gets credit because even though it was packed, I had to wait about 90 seconds for a table for two. For all the hype and all the amazing reviews, I was a little let down. The atmosphere is lively, but it was the noisiest restaurant I've ever been to. I was with my boyfriend in a corner, and we were close together but we had to scream at each other to be heard. There's a lot of varieties of food, but the dishes we ordered were eh. The duck, which I saw was recommended by another user, didn't taste like duck at all, but turkey! The artichoke hearts were very sour. The garlic chicken was amazingly delicious though. Moist and juicy and so good, as were the Spanish sausages. Really smoky flavor.

Julia F.

What a beautiful place this is! It's sparkling, romantic, dimly lit, with a huge personality, and that is before you interact with any of the staff. My friend and I ate here a few weeks ago, it must have been the busiest night for birthdays cause we heard them sing for people about half a dozen times! Our waiter was REALLY good. He answered all our questions, suggested drinks, and gave us plates so we could try each other's choices. We had goat cheese with honey and something else, and the other dish was quail stuffed with bacon and seared in something tasty. I desperately want to go back here and settle in for a bigger meal with more people. Grab a pitcher of the very good sangria and soak it all in. Nothing about our experience was bad! This doesn't even seem like the kind of place where it is ok to go outside and smoke and then come back in for the rest of your drink, but we asked and they said it was ok, only the hostess raised an eyebrow. I think I'm in love!

Brian M.

The food was fine, but the service left a little to be desired. Wonderful decor, though. Like previous posters, it's a bit noisy - Wouldn't recommend it for business luncheons, break-up talks, or philosophical conversation. Get the squid.

Dana B.

I loved this place. The decor is fantastic. They really seemed to capture the essence of what a tapas restaraunt should be. The staff is great. Our server was knowledgeable, patient and accomodating. Despite the place being insanely busy, he was very attentive and hardly never out of site. The food was amazing. We ordered this Sweet Potato Pie with beef. Heavenly!! The potatoes were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pork filled apple was a little iffy, but I don't like pork, so thats my plight. Despite the close seating, the place is noisy enough that you can still have a conversation with the person you're with and not the people in your area. My only gripe is that their sodas come in a tiny glass bottle. I don't really drink so I love that I can get all the soda in the world at most places for $1.50. I probably shouldn't have coke with tapas anyway though...again, thats my plight.

Natural A.

My mouth is watering as I begin this review. Fun atmosphere, check! Beautiful colors and scenery, check! Great Sangria, check! Awesome Tapas, check! My girls and I love going to Dali's, we eat well and have a good time. Everything is great from the eggplant, duck, quail, etc. The sorbet and champagne dessert is to die for. I think Dali is more fun when you are with a group of people. It is also great for dates, but not the 1st or 2nd. The servers are cheery and amusing. If going out to eat is about the overall experience (food, drinks, atmosphere), give Dali a try! p.s. Also try Dali's sister restaurant Cuchi Cuchi!

Kerri O.

Jeez, this is one of those places that's been around so long, you don't think to review it. I think I came here, the first time, when I was eight. What's great is they got it right back then, and have continued it. The best place near Harvard Square, to bring a prospective Sweetie. It's a Romantic heaven, though not too over the top. It's natural, and sweet, and intimate. Note to the Boys: If you really like a girl, bring her here. It's really Romantic. The Sangria and Tapas are fantastic, as well.

Emma S.

The atmosphere of Dali is lovely, but not quite as lovely as it's sister restaurant Cuchi Cuchi (one of my favorites ever!) The food at Dali is good, but it too fried and meaty. I would not suggest it for vegetarians, nor if one is looking to stay healthy. There are a lot more vegetarian options at Cuchi Cuchi... I think i would have liked Dali more if I didn't have that comparison.

Ellie W.

Dali is one of my favorite places for tapas (and sangria, 'course). It's very cozy inside, with a nice, intimate atmosphere and great food. Makes a great date spot. It's alwayyyyyyyyyyys packed, though, so be prepared to wait a bit. I'm a bit torn between Dali and Toro as my favorite tapas destination, but either way, you can't go wrong.

Katie O.

Sadly, I had one of the most appalling restaurant experiences of my life at Dali this past weekend - and I used to like it there. I've actually never seen a manager pull something so unethical or treat guests as awful as Claudia. We had a group of 19 people for a friend's 30th birthday and ordered ONE pitcher of sangria to start the night - which, in order to accommodate everyone, was three pitchers total. I planned on having 1-2 total glasses all night, as did many of the other guests - the vast majority of which don't drink much, and some don't drink at all. I noticed, however, that while I was talking to my neighbor, my half-full glass would often be full again when I turned around, even though I'd never ordered another glass. At the time of the bill, we were charged $507 FOR SANGRIA, as well as a strangely large amount of food that was difficult to calculate since it was all tapas. Claudia actually stated, "IF YOU CONSUMED IT, IT MEANS YOU ORDERED IT." Not only is that incredibly unethical, I'm also pretty sure it violates a portion of a Massachusetts state law. The kicker: Claudia was IMMOVABLE on this, and actually accused me and the others of "working the bill" - which is highly insulting. I got the impression she just wanted to win the argument, versus actually listening to her guests. She also claimed there were more people than there were (untrue, as I organized the event, knew everyone who attended, and counted everyone twice). I will NEVER eat at Dali again, and I'm telling everyone I know to do the same - and I have 18 other people who are fully backing me up on this. Claudia should be fired for her horrific behavior as a manager. To top it off, the birthday girl ended up crying because she was so embarrassed by the unprofessional way in which we were treated. And, of course, they still insisted we pay a mandatory 20% tip for this absolutely awful experience and treatment. It was an enormous scam, and I'm sure they're pulling it on other large parties as well.

Cristin S.

Going here is a must! Terribly delicious food, super nice waitstaff and host and a very romantic atmosphere. First off the sangria is to die for and if you haven't had real homemade sangria this should be the first sangria you try. I recommend going the tapas route and trying a bunch! I went here for my anniversary with my boyfriend and we shared three different tapas, the baked goat cheese with tomato sauce and basil, the fried Spanish cheese with caramelized onions and honey, and finally the patatas bravas which was roasted potatoes with tomato cream sauce and aioli. And of course we didn't skip dessert! We got the churros with a warm chocolate sauce and you are meant to eat it with your hands which was fun. All of this food was so amazing, light and fresh. We will definitely be going back here and soon!

Kendall H.

I wouldn't say the atmosphere is great, but it definitely requires a certain type of mood to appreciate. The workers are really friendly, but the restaurant feels a bit cramped with a really cramped table setting when its busy. Otherwise, when it comes to food, the quality is great. The paella is real tasty and a great value if eating dinner with a group. Tapas selection is great.

Marina P.

4.5 Stars! This restaurant is by far one of my favorites in Boston/Cambridge. The atmosphere and vibe here is just wonderful - really makes you feel like you're at a restaurant in Europe. Their sangria is to die for - I highly recommend it. My favorite dishes are as follows: Queso de Cabra Montaes| Baked Goat Cheese w/Tomato & Basil Gambas al Ajillo | Garlic Shrimp Ravioles de Mariscos | Lobster/Crabmeat Ravioli w/Langostino Sauce Faisn a la Alcntara | Boneless Pheasant w/Mushroom & Serrano Ham Croquetas de Pollo | Chicken Croquettes Pato Braseado | Roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce OMG... I am salivating. I think I might need to plan a trip back to Boston only to come back here. The only negative - they don't take reservations and it can get suuuper busy - upwards of an hour wait.

Lauren F.

I headed to Dali last week for a girls' night out with two of my friends. I've been there before, and it was just as I remembered. I'm prevented from leaving 5 stars by a few things: they will not seat you until your entire party arrives, which is too bad for them because instead of buying a drink I was sitting on a bench outside; the bill can add up quickly; and it can be quite loud. These factors are nicely balanced out by the tapas, which is delicious, and the staff, who are attentive and friendly. I ordered baked goat cheese with tomatoes and basil; lamb meatballs with lentils; and chicken croquets. The baked goat cheese is exquisite, and I always get it when I go to Dali or Tapeo, a sister restaurant on Newbury St. The lamb meatballs had a delicious meaty flavor and were served in a hearty bowl of lentils and carrots. The croquets were slightly disappointing as I felt they should have been cooked a little bit more. Whenever I have something bound with egg (croquets, crab cakes, etc.) I don't like when the middle is too runny - yuck! The staff make you feel very welcome and bring the food out promptly. My friend who spilled her water was quickly comforted by an older waiter with a giant Ernest Hemingway-type beard while the other two of us laughed. For dessert I ordered the 10 year tawny port and the Ubiquitous Flan (that's really what it's called). I had made the choice of the 10 year over the 20 as I knew we were spending a bundle at that point, and it was still very good, with a warm caramel finish that complemented the flan. I will revisit Dali, and I recommend it, just bring money!

Laura M.

As a Spanish expat, I'm on a never-ending quest to find the best tapas restaurant in the area. Most of the time, I walk out of the place disappointed because it just wasn't what I'd hoped for. Not so with Dali. It was a fantastic experience. The decor is beautiful and refined, and it reminded me of home. The waiter was attentive and unobtrusive, and he spoke Spanish to me and English to my boyfriend throughout the entire meal. The food was, by far, the most authentic Spanish taste I've experienced in a tapas restaurant in Boston. Every single one was spot-on. My only complaint is that we ran up close to $100 and still walked out kinda hungry 'cause the portions are very small. Overall, a great tapas place. I loved it, and I will definitely come back next time I'm feeling homesick.

Ryan X.

Extraordinary Sangria!

Parissa S.

I can't get those bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with goat cheese out of my head. Other recommendations: -plato mixto, a mixed plate of Spanish cheeses & cured meats...I was especially into the manchego cheese -the churros with traditional warm melted chocolate sauce...mmmm -beef tenderloin with pimientos on toast I was sadly unimpressed by the garlic shrimp and the toast some of the tapas included. The dimmed lights and Spanish decor make the character of this place romantic. The ceiling is gold plated and even the toilet is gold speckled. I just wanted to look around! Live music could help complete the picture. Even though they don't do reservations after 6 on Fridays and Saturdays, I would recommend calling beforehand and getting on their "preferred list." The three of us were seated promptly at 7:30 on a Friday night. Pleased overall.

Lisa I.

I have been here couple of times, neither time out of my own volition, but rather dragged in with a large group of friends. While you can't complain about the quality of the food, it's certainly not out-of-this-world either. The décor is neat, but it doesn't give you an impression that it's an upscale place. But when the check comes, you think all of a sudden that you must be at Rialto or Top of the Hub. Both times I left Dali hungry with a $50+ bill. I am not a fervent fan of all-you-can-eat buffets or 24-oz stakes and I'm usually satisfied with the subdued portions you'd expect from an upscale place. But seriously! Dropping money like that and leaving the place hungry!? At a place that looks like a wooden shack in a middle of a residential area!? I have no idea how this place is pulling in so many 5 star reviews on Yelp. I won't be back.

Lauren S.

Moving across the street from Dali was my best and worst decision of 2010. I stopped in several times per week on my way home from work to feed my Dali addiction. Eventually, I spread the addiction to my friends and colleagues. The height of my "problem" was when they had ceviche on the rotating special. Personal favorites are: sopa de ajo, queso rebozado con miel, faisan a la alcantara, conejo escabechado, lomiito al cabrales. But I have not yet managed to find anything on the menu I wouldn't be happy eating. Don't judge me. Like I said, worst decision of 2010. The cocktails are good. Good and potent. Also, you can order wine in a communal drinking bottle. It's a disaster/fabulous. The waitstaff is fantastic. Polite, personable, fun. Give Dali a try (or 3). You won't regret it.

Victoria K.

I'm pretty sure Dali is owned by the same people as Tapeo on Newbury Street, mainly because so many of the menu items are identical, but don't quote me on that. The decor was also very similar, the same pair of lady's stockinged legs protruding from the wall, among other fun thematic decor :) Our waiter here was not only efficient, but had a great sense of humor! We questioned his ability to remember our entire order without writing it down (it just seemed impossible to us) and he responded by making up a fake order as a joke, and then following with the exact order we had just placed, just to prove us wrong. Needless to say, all of the food that arrived was exactly what we had chosen. Without further ado, here are our tapas choices of the evening!! And PS, not a single disappointment, except maybe the "boring" bread! 1. (This was free, obviously) The somewhat boring breads with the much less boring, tasty chickpea puree! At least the spread made up for the mediocre bread :) 2. Plato Mixto - Spanish Cheeses, Serrano Ham, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives (classic, what more can you say?) 3. Patatas Bravas - Potatoes with Piquant Tomato & Alioli (an old favorite of mine) 4. Gorditas - Bacon-wrapped Prunes stuffed with Goat Cheese (absolute lust! I'd love to drown in a bathtub filled with these...minus the toothpicks, that might hurt) 5. Butifarras Con Brevas - Pork Sausage with Figs (I love sausage with a side of sweet! These were great!) 6. Pato Braseado - Roast Duckling with Berry Sauce (though the sauce seemed very sweet on it's own, it was a perfect accompaniment to the duck) 7. Codorniz de Castilla - Broiled Herb and Garlic Quail stuffed with Bacon (anything with a bacon surprise inside has my vote!) 8. Vieiras al Azafrán - Broiled Scallops in Saffron Cream (fyi, I've been known to drink this sauce when all the scallops are gone... just sayin') 9. Garlic Soup - (Total and complete nirvana. Next winter, when I am desiring some soup, I will need lots and lots of garlic soup (and I'll probably enjoy it alone because God knows I won't want to share... and also there's of course the breath issue, haha)) Our tapas meal hit the spot, and although there were so many different flavors, proteins, fruits, and spices reflected in our dishes, every single item went so well with the others. I would definitely come back here!

Donna G.

Great date night spot. Been there many times and have never received anything but great service and wonderful food. Don't miss ordering the sangria.

Kara C.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I totally would. I have been going to Dali since 2006, and what I love most about it is that is has not changed. The ambiance is stellar for a date or for a large group. The eclectic decor on the walls, the different styles of each room all add to the fun, Spanish vibe. They don't take reservations after 6pm, so you can expect to wait. The last time I went there, they quoted us 45 minutes to an hour but we got seated after about a half hour. They move food quickly, so smaller tables turn over at a good pace (but you never feel rushed!). As for the food, my staples are the Chorizo a la Plancha, Albondigas de salmon, Queso frito. I have tried most of the items on the menu and haven't had a bad dish. Though I've never veered from the small plates, the paella looks to die for. Make sure you get a pitcher of Sangria!! Delicious. One other secret - if you call for a special occasion, you might just get a special table... If you're celebrating a birthday, make sure you let them know. You can't miss the golden frog!

jessica r.

I can't even express how much I love this restaurant. I have been going here for 20 years or more. My parents would bring me as a child and we would take the 45 minute drive and park 2 blocks away and enjoy our favorite food. The decor, staff, food, service, environment are all amazing. Different waiters over the years have become close to my family, as well as the owners, and yet I notice that they treat everyone this way, like a special guest, not just someone spending money. I have even come here with my boyfriend for the last 4 anniversary dinners we had, and we love getting a pitcher of sangria, some port wine, and a bunch of different tapas. The odd thing is that I have never ordered an entree here, only the garlic soup, and tapas. The tapas you must try are Duck with raspberry sauce, Beef with roasted red peppers, Shrimp with garlic sauce, cold white asparagus, and pork with goat cheese. I have even tried frog legs and Calf brain at Dali. The decor is another level of amazing-ness. Just eclectic, dark, colorful, mysterious, beaded, lingerie strewned across a wall, a starry night of lights on the ceiling and the bathrooms always have a huge bouqet of the most beautiful fresh flowers. Seriously I live in Arizona now and I could cry because I cannot go there anytime soon. Also, it would seem like an adult restaurant but they cater to kids so well! I used to get glow bracelets, big non-alcoholic drinks with sparkly straws and the waiters would always teach me a word or two in spanish when I was a child.

Lesley A.

This is my favorite spot for tapas! I love the Spanish theme and there is nothing on this menu I didn't love. You need to start with the sangria as well. Service is always excellent and you will always leave happy!

Ashley C.

First time there place looks like someone's grandmas house with decorations everywhere and photos wasn't crowded and the bartender Julio was awesome. Great food defin will be going back again

Kat T.

Food was really good, but service could be improved. We were off to a really rough start, middle and almost end, but then once we brought the issue to light with the manager, everything was great.

Erin D.

Dali is a fabulous establishment. I just went there for the second time and was so impressed by all aspects of the dining experience. The hostess, bartenders and wait staff are all extremely friendly, nice and accommodating. We had the sweetest older gentleman as our waiter, he was adorable! Every dish we ordered was delicious. Even though it was extremely crowded, I never felt uncomfortable about being in the way, and once we were seated there was no delays on our dishes, drinks, or the bill when our meal ended. We ordered ~8-9 tapas and the Paella. It's hard to pick out any favorites on the tapas, they were all delicious! That being said, if I had to rank, I would say the Short Ribs, Lamb Meatballs, Artichokes, Mussels & Shrimp dishes were great. The Paella is a must; so so so delicious. We over did it too much to try any desert, but it certainly looked great. It's always nice to be in a restaurant where everyone else is having a great time. 5 stars!

A G.

A great Spanish tapas restaurant. I have been dining at Dali for the last 20 years and the food is still of a high quality. The good: The rabbit is a favorite. Conejo escabechado is a bone falling meat experience. The Serrano ham is lean with a mild flavor. Cabrales pork tenderloin is delicious. The mushroom and cheese combination in the sauce brings out this dish. The bad: The octopus, one of the most expensive tapas on the menu, was tender, however it was dry and lacking a sauce . The bread-although a Portuguese bread is used for the tapas it does not complement the tapas. The wine selection and the service are good. Some live music would be nice if space would allow. Charged for bread!-the USA customers do not like it. It is considered a couvert in Europe but not here.

Morgan P.

This is my favorite Tapas Bar in the greater Boston area. I'm not sure if it is in other reviews or true, but the story I've heard is that Dali is owned by the guy half of the family and cuchi cuchi is owned by the woman half of the family and they compete with each other to be awesome! I think Dali does a better job focusing on great food and great service and a little less on crazy decor. The sangria is also really good if you are looking for drinks to have with dinner.

McCalla O.

Wow. I have heard good things and wanted to try Dali for awhile now. I was not disappointed at all on just about every front. I ordered take out tonight, a busy Saturday Night, and the food came up very quick. While I waited, the hostesses were very sweet and didn't act annoyed that I chatted them up while they were busy. They were accommodating, gracious and made great recommendations. I placed my order with the bartenders and I saw they quickly began to double check with other employees to make sure there wasn't a re-ring of an order, someone had ordered a very similar take out. They confirmed it was a new order, got me my drink and were perfect gentlemen. Unfortunately, when I got home one of the dishes was wrong. Boo, but not a big deal. I called just to let them know that the other order might be wrong and THAT customer might be upset, I was not. They still offered for me to come back and get the correct dish without having to bring back the mistake. I took advantage and said ok (I was litterally a block away NBD). Even so, I brought the mistake back with me. There are SO many scammers out there!! They let me keep both, yay! The food was pretty fantastic. I had the Stuffed Squid in Ink (yum!), grilled octopus (tender, I've had better), rabbit (rich sauce, but not too much, perfect!) and my bonus was the mussel dish. I rarely order mussels because they are a standard on every menu and are usually pretty boring, these were NOT boring! Thank you for the mistake! Each employee that I interacted with here was truly amazing. After I myself, spent 11 years in the restaurant industry, I know how difficult it can be to keep things consistent on every front 100% of the time. I hope you take the time to commend your employees on exemplary service. I know I am. I will definitely be back!

Lala I.

i enjoyed dali overall. tapas were well flavored but couldve been cooked a lil better. service was good, but a lil uncomfortable. i still like the food toro a lot better, but dali is closer and easier to get a seat. its much bigger and has a nice ambience. my friends and i were there for 2 hours eating drinking and talking, i didnt feel rushed. will return to try more tapas.

Andrew P.

And again...the management of this restaurant continues to be rude and disrespectful. See their response to my comments below...all I have to say is WOW! Hopefully none of you will have a problem at this restaurant and choose to post a negative review. Tamara (be careful not to misspell her name) will be unleashed on you. Yes, I changed my post, as I wanted to make sure it was clear I was referring to her staff's handling of the situation, not the situation itself: Andru, I apologized three times but I guess Jerky people don't recognize humility when it's shoveled on them. I guess you think it's OK for you to be rude and full of public complaints and to dub Dali the "worst service in all its glory" but it's not OK for me to respond and tell the public what a rude person you are. Why do guests always feel that they're right? Well, our motto is, "Guests are right until they're wrong." That, dear sir, is a Restaurant Management Epilogue! Interesting how you changed your original line "I thought it was rude that one mans (man's) problem basically ended up negatively effecting (affecting) the rest of the diners in the restaurant" TO "I thought it was unprofessional of the staff that this incident ended up negatively effecting the rest of the diners in the restaurant." How smart of you to clean up your words for the public, even if they were misspelled in all their glory. Was this so the readers wouldn't see your selfish assessment of a difficult situation. What would YOU have done... banished the whole party from the restaurant? At least they were very grateful as to how we handled it and promised to return. I begged your forgiveness 3 times, said I would follow-up on the server, Claudia offered your party drinks to mitigate your negative experience (which you declined), and I thanked you for your observation regarding the spray bottle. How was I rude to you? I believe you were the ONLY disagreeable person in the back room last night when other guests understood our dilemma. If you'd like to know what I honestly think... it's that you've learned very little about human nature in your 15 years in the industry. I may not know RM 101 but you know nada about tolerance and kindness. Badmouth us all you want to the concierge and anyone else who will listen but I seriously doubt if your hotel guests are as unpleasant as you appear to be. Btw, my name is spelled TAMARA...

Eric M.

Dali has delicious tapas and a great atmosphere. The decor is colorful and fits right in with the theme of the restaurant. The bar up front is always packed as they serve excellent drinks and the dining room is always busy. The food and drink is high quality and the prices are generally reasonable. The issue that we keep having is the wait. Numerous times, we have waited for long periods of time to get a table even when tables appear to be open in the dining room. However, despite the fact that we know the wait may be long and frustrating, we continue to go back which is why I went with 4 stars instead of 3.

Amanda L.

I've wanted to try Dali for years; now that I've moved closer to it, I got my chance. My boyfriend and I went on a Monday night in an effort to avoid the noise and crowds of the weekend rush. The quieter atmosphere gave us an opportunity to really take in the amazing decor. Unfortunately, we ended up "taking in the decor" for more time than we'd expected because of very slow service. I'm sure there was a reasonable explanation for this (someone called out sick, maybe?) but our meal took over two hours. Additionally, we ordered four tapas and were only brought three, then asked if we'd like dessert. We had to remind our waiter we'd ordered the rabbit as well. It was brought out promptly after that, but by this time we were more than ready to be out of there. The food was largely delicious, but the cocktails we ordered were only so-so. Perhaps that was our fault for getting cocktails at a place renowned for its sangria, but coupled with our painfully slow service, it definitely effected our night. I'd be willing to give Dali another chance because the food was good, but I wasn't wowed.

Lydia B.

My boyfriend and I went to Dali last night, after wanting to go for a while. We weren't disappointed. We went on a Saturday night, so our hour and a half wait for a table was not exactly surprising. But it wasn't exactly fun either - we don't drink, and the packed bar area was difficult to get around. There's not nearly enough seating. But that didn't distract from the stars I gave, because the food was phenomenal. The ambiance was charming, quirky, and delightful. The attention to detail was remarkable - I judge by the details, and the bread basket and hummus, tea service, coffee, and desserts were perfect.

David B.

Hyper Romantic. Awesome food. Great service. Again I feel like I'm coming home when I go there. Try the Paron bottle. (a unique way of drinking Cava). I have a preference for the hot tapas over the cold selections and I have a preference for the Red Sangria over the White Sangria. Let them know if someone has a birthday. That person will get to kiss the frog.

Cindi W.

Incredible meal. Home made and well cooked. The decor and cozy rooms are great although the noise level is on the high side. The place is quite busy , but the waiter never stopped moving. Probably more of a. 4.5 than a 4, but didn't quite have the feel of a five. Definitely worth the drive out!

Matt B.

Wow! The atmosphere is awesome. It's classy but different than anything you've ever seen. The food was unbelievable. My friend and I split 5 tapas and every one was delicious. The rabbit and chicken croquettes were to die for. The prices were very fair as the portions were bigger than I expected. Highly recommend checking this awesome spot out. Would be a great date destination.

Liz L.

Great date night place! Delicious food, warm and boisterous atmosphere, cozy tables. Sangria is yummy and the service is great. It fills up quickly, but is well worth the wait. There's a huge selection of tapas, so you can eat lots of very different things. Would recommend the squid ink, cinnamon rabbit, stuffed artichokes... ok, everything.

Priscilla T.

Not the best tapas in the world but Dali gets 4 stars for helping my friends host one of the most ridiculous and fun Halloween birthday parties in the history of Boston. Perhaps the world. What started as a civilized yet bubbly birthday dinner for 16 soon morphed into a full-on, restaurant-wide rumba line and dance party. Who said the macarena was so last, last decade? Certainly not the senora who runs Dali. As for the food, must-orders are: beef shortribs in red wine sauce, garlic shrimp, and the sauteed mushrooms. PS Amazing fun fact: behind the bar is a complete bride costume WITH bunny ears which was given to one of the birthday guests who "forgot" to dress up for Halloween.

K C.

Will go back for the Madeira and the chocolate cake. I am in love! the octopus was pretty fabulous too. I liked them better than Cuchi Cuchi.

Juju W.

5 star for this restaurant. I called on Monday afternoon to make a reservation for the same day. I also told the rep it was for a birthday dinner. We arrived a little later than our reserved time. There was no wait so we were seated quickly. The ambiance was romantic and cozy. The interior design was full of characters. The server was very attentive and nice. We ordered Sangria, 3 tapas, Gambas Al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Queso Rebozado Con Miel ( Deep-Fried Spanish Cheese W/ Honey & Sweet Onion ), Conejo Escabechado ( Braised Rabbit W/ Red Wine, Juniper & Garlic ), 1 main dish Paella Del Oceano and 1 dessert, pudding. They also served complimentary bread with hummus. We were 2 girls in our group, and we were way too full when we finished. We even had some leftover for to go. I love Gambas Al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) and Paella Del Oceano dish. After we finished our dinner, the servers brought out a lighting candle on a frog stand and sang the birthday song for us. It was funny but interesting. The dinner bill with 20% tips was about $120. The food, service, experience were worth the price.

Serena H.

The decor of the place is great! Tapas, especially the seafood is great! On the cheaper side of tapas than toro or places in Boston. Sangria was delicious and on the stronger side

Karan S.

Good overall experience.! The first thing that strikes you on entering is the interesting ambience. Ladies will love it. Feels like one is transported to some european restaurant. Check out the gaudy restrooms.! Amazing servers and wait staff. Great food. Highly recommend the garlic shrimp, chicken fritters, mussels in garlicky marinara and the rabbit with cinnamon. Lamb chops were too rare for me. Nicely conceptualized dishes. I wish their bread was complimentary; although its so good its worth paying for it! Red sangria was standard. For desserts, almond cake was a tad dry but chocolate cake and the clementine flan were delish. Enjoyable night out with friends. Maybe slightly overpriced, but I remember paying comparable rates at places I dint even enjoy half as bit. So worth it! Advanced reservations is a good idea especially on weekends. Good for even date nights and special ocassions.

Alexia P.

I absolutely think this place is adorable. Definitely a romantic place with awesome quirky decor. Very cozy but also very loud. It's dark and intimate inside. Walls are decorated with Spanish decor and the staff each had on different types of flowers pinned to their shirts. The servers were exceptionally friendly and helpful. One of the guys were enthusiastic about taking photos for us girls. Parking was a bit of a pain though and I'm not sure if it's easily accessible by the metro. The place was pretty crowded and busy. As for the food, overall the food was ok. We had the: Duck - I love ducks :) Short ribs - good Scallops in saffron cheese (MUST TRY) Octopus (spicy and ok), goat cheese (strong taste - didn't like it) Garlic shrimp (MUST TRY) The place was a bit pricey but I would definitely come back for the garlic shrimp and scallops. 4 stars for the decor, shrimp, scallops, and friendly servers!

Sue R.

We liked every dish we got, and we got a lot. 2 top dishes were Lomo De Buey A Las Frutas - beef tenderloin w/dried fruits in a cream-brandy sauce and Tortilla Espanola- egg, potato, onion omelette. We also had Paella, chicken skewers, asparagus, chicken croquettes, tenderloin on toast, and scallops w cream sauce, bread with chickpea spread. All good, no leftovers (3 people). Love the decor, its comfortable and clean with a bar and 3 additional rooms to dine. Bathrooms were clean, tiny, and also decorated nicely. Our server was very nice, but very busy so it took longer than expected to order dessert, get the bill, etc. (-1 star). Loved it, definitely a re-do. Got there at 6:30p on a weeknight and got right in, after an hour the place was packed.

Scott M.

The dishes here are very creative, and the atmosphere makes it a nice place to talk over dinner - you can actually have a conversation here and not feel like you're in the middle of everyone else's. The food is generally well-executed, but I have to ding them one point for oversalting nearly everything. It's not enough to ruin your meal or anything like that, but it is a distraction. And another point for not being quite up to par with other restaurants in the same price range. All that said, I've enjoyed many meals here and likely will again, if only because it's the only tapas place within a mile of me.

Samuel F.

This place has amazing tapas and interesting decor. Great drinks and sangria. Romantic atmosphere, though the waiters ham it up a bit when playing to that aspect.

Scott B.

Always great food and fun! Love going there with lots of people to carouse and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Love the squid in its own ink and all the traditional tapas. Had the fish cooked in a salt shell and it was tender and sweet. The wait staff make you feel like you've been transported to Spain.

Caitlin D.

I've been to Dali on two occasions, and both were dates. The er, intimate lighting makes for a romantic effect, especially if you manage to get one of the tables tucked into a corner. On the other hand, tapas beg to be shared, the decor is entertaining, and the bar has seemed lively enough when I've been there, so I'm sure groups have a good time, too. Dali is one of my very favorite restaurants because the food is just excellent. The execution, even with ingredients that are out of the common way, is almost uniformly good. The menu items are well thought-out and imaginative. That being said, I did once have a shrimp skewer (gambas a ajillo, I believe) that was miserably overcooked and chewy. The red sangria gave me the worst hangover of my entire life, and was utterly worth it. My gentleman friend and I drank the whole pitcher. Maybe two. If you think you might be ready to try something new, try it at Dali first. These are my suggestions: take your lady there. Make a reservation, as it's an out of the way place and you can't just pop over into the next joint if she's getting hangry. And for heaven's sake, get the Conejo Escabechado (braised rabbit in a frangrant berry sauce).

Lisa F.

Such a fun fun fun atmosphere! You should dress up a little when you come - wear some sequins, pearls, go big ;) The food is awesome here! Love the rabbit! The drinks are also very good and quite strong. It's perfect for a date or a for a place to celebrate with friends. DEFINITELY RECCOMMEND!

Carolyn M.

Our waitress was really amazing and I thought the food was spot on. Wines were somewhat lacking for me but could be that I just ordered the wrong one. Decor also makes it a really fun experience. Would definitely come again!

Kelsey C.

Located within the cryptic land of Somerville, hidden by the winding streets that mark the end of Cambridge, Dali is probably Somerville's worst-kept secret... I've heard about Dali's prowess for years, but I never thought I'd make all the way out there to witness it. But I did. And so should you. When you get there, order Queso Rebozado con Miel, but you may want to order it last because nothing really compares to the textured depth of the sweet honey, caramelized onion, and gooey fried cheese concoction. Other good options include the Esencia de Castanas, which is Dali's chestnut equivalent of black bean or tomato soup on a cold winter day; the Conejo Escabechado with perfectly braised rabbit and a strong, heavy wine sauce. I found the Tortilla Espanola is a bit crude, and the alioli topper doesn't hold a candle...or a glass of sangria...to Toro, but I don't have much to say against this crowd-pleaser... I wouldn't order the Alcachofas Rellenas again - the artichoke was sour, which clashed with the mushroom stuffing, and the cheese was the only really good part of this dish. I also sent the Chipirones Rellenos back, which is really rare for me unless I'm on a cruise. The tender tuna-stuffed squid bathed in its own ink would have been a fabulous dish, but the tuna stuffing was unbearably salty. I recommend you give it a try - I have a hard time believing that my dish was anything more than a fluke... Bottom line: Come for the Queso Rebozado!

D.E. M.

Oh dear. Where do I start? I have dutifully attended MANY friends' dinners here since the millennium. Nevermind the greasy little plates of shrapnel they serve or the thrown together sangria (my dog could make a more flavorful batch), it's the dreadful waitstaff I'm here to review. It is important to note that several of the waitstaff appear not to be from Spain but pretend they are. Picture Borat with a precariously balanced tray of 90 drinks doing his best Sevillano accent and you get the drift. This fact alone gives it a cheesy Disney theme restaurant feel (N.B. I have never been to Disneyland but imagine that's how it is). At one birthday dinner, the guest of honor had several drinks over the course of many hours, and the waiter (who had been encouraging the consumption) had the audacity to suggest he had overindulged. Mind you this was after he had been given a massive tip and treated really well all evening. Then, several weeks later when my friend returned to the restaurant for a different event, the waiter called out to him and said "oh you're the one who likes to drink!". He was shocked and mortified and could not believe this had happened. Because of this complete lack of respect, my friends and I plan never to return to this tragic theme restaurant.

Christine M.

I found this delightful restaurant doing a search on yelp for a local sangria spot assuming tapas would also be involved as well. Everything that I read about this place really stood up to the raving. Everything was delicious. The tapas are small but that is the point, for them just to be " small bites" to go along with your drinks so the alcohol does not get to you as quickly. I found the staff to be accommodating and not rude as one person said. I found the experience to generally exceed my expectations even though they were pretty high from all the good reviews I found on this site. The manager was nice and even with a short 15 minute wait got a seat and had a wonderful evening.

Kate K.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is delicious and unique, the decor is fun and fabulous, and the Sangria is always a fail safe. The staff is fun, warm, and welcoming, and Julio at the bar is hilarious. I highly recommend this restaurant - it will never disappoint!

C R.

Ambiance - whether you're amidst a romantic rendezvous or revelling with freinds Dali has it! It's a cosy place, ripe with whimsy and the bustle of those enjoying this FABulous place. Service - spectacular - we were greated by a friendly face equipped with a warm smile and an inquiry as to whether or not we were celebrating anything special. Our waitress struck the perfect balance of helpfulness while being unobtrusive. Menu - I LOVE TAPAS - lots of little plates (not unreasonably priced) that leave you amazed, full and nothing short of delighted. Thank the Lord for this manna - it is heaven sent! I cannot wait to go back!

Chris T.

It's funny how we ended up coming here. We had just left Bergamot across the street after a 7 course tasting menu and we were still very hungry. We trekked over here and were taken back by the decor of the restaurant. Such a unique atmosphere, but very appealing and energetic. We sat at the bar and were greeted by two bartenders, both attentive and one especially energetic. The Caiprinha (sp?) was delicious and my makers mark based drink had a nice floral scent to it, but didn't match the flavor of the drink. Still good though. We only got 3 tapas, the goat cheese over honey and onions, Oxtail Ravioli, and Salted Cod Fritters, as well as a side of bread (that you have to pay for, but NBD). The Goat Cheese as good, but it was served over a cold bed of caramelized onions. This dish would have been great if the onions were warmed up, but the coldness really made the dish sweeter than it should have been. The ravioli was ok, tasted just like pulled beef inside a ravioli in beef broth. Nothing else, so don't expect a big explosion of flavor. I did happen to find some bone pieces, so be wary. The Cod Fritters were just awesome. Similar to the ones we had at Toro, the bacala was perfectly seasoned and the lemon aioli made it perfect. All in all, this place was pretty good and I would definitely like to try it again with a group of friends. The service was friendly and made the night very fun, but the quality of the food, that we got at least, didn't reflect the price. Looking forward to trying other menu items.

Adriana T.

I LOVE going to new places so since I have never been to Dali before my BF and I decided to try it on a Friday night. We called the place in advance for a reservation. Due to the heavy volume they don't take reservations but if you call in advance they put your name on the list and if the reservation is for 7:30pm the first table that opens up around that time it's yours. We arrived a little bit after 7:30PM and the place was pact-they even had a large group of people waiting for tables to open up. The ambience is very nice-the lights are dimmed very dimmed!!! The hostess greeted us very courteous and she walked us to the table. She made sure the table was fine, she also asked if we wanted her to take our coats to have more room. The server came to the table immediately. She took our drinks order - try Cha Cha Cha martini - it's DELICIOUS!!! We ordered 5 tapas-all of them were good-the Patatas Bravas were kinda plain but venison sausage made up for it. We also got Faisan a la Ancantara which had an interesting taste. The food came out very quick!! We were in and out in an hour. For 5 tapas and 2 martinis the bill came to $70+tip. We are definitely going to return. Keep up the good work guys!!

Lisa B.

WOW. I love tapas. If I had to choose a "last meal", I would be torn between tapas and Indian food. When it comes to tapas, Dali is at the top of my list. Extremely reasonably priced, great selection (hot and cold), good sangria, and a cozy atmosphere. The service was great and I feel like this place is HUGELY better than some of the more expensive restaurants I've been to both in Boston and beyond. Enjoy!!

Jessica V.

Amazing food. Excellent service. Great atmosphere. Definitely will be returning there again. Great place for a large group of people; with a decor and style that gives you a feeling of being in Barcelona, Spain. Upon arriving, the place was packed but the hostess was very kind and told us it was going to be almost an hour wait. While we waited, we were allowed to enjoy a couple drinks at the bar. After half an hour, we were seated. The seating area is quite spacious. The waiter was a delight! Seeing as this was the first time we came here, he helped us decide our appetizers and entrees. His English was not perfect, but most of us spoke Spanish so we are able to communicate in both languages. When he brought out the appetizers we had ordered, he also brought us samples of the other appetizers on the menu, which I thought was great and thoughtful. My party had ordered a couple of paellas to share among us. It was absolutely phenomenal! One of the best I have had in the Boston area. Till this day, I cannot wait to return and order it again! It is a bit pricey, but I would most definitely recommend it for those looking for a new place to dine or a special night out.

Clara L.

Fun fun fun! A group of us went for a friend's birthday celebration. When we got there, they had our table set up and showed us to our table. The food was delicious (we told our server to bring whatever she wanted to bring us and she did an amazing job), the service was excellent, and the staff was great fun. The staff would break out into dance and clapping throughout the night, which really kicked up the energy level in the restaurant. From what I can remember, this is what we were served: goat cheese topping a tomato sauce, Spanish omelet, mushrooms, cheese plate, steak and figs, garlic shrimp, short ribs, mussels with ham, and lamb chops. The sangria was also delicious. Knowing that it was our friend's birthday, they flickered the lights and sang happy birthday to him, and made him blow out a candle on a frog candle holder and kiss its stomach. Way more fun and significantly less embarrassing than a mariachi band. Dessert was nearly the highlight of the night, we shared the featured fried strawberries and ice cream dessert, almond cake, and rice pudding. On our way out, they even offered to call us a cab. Dali beats out pretty much every other tapas place in Boston in terms of food, service, and atmosphere. A definite must-try and very reasonably priced!

C J.

If you are looking for a place to create a memory, this is it. Be it a date or special occasion, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous, the food is excellent, and the staff is on top of things. A little on the pricey side, but totally worth it.

Jen L.

I let myself go all out here. I spent 4 times what I normally do on food only because I couldn't help myself. Delicious tapas and and pitcher of sangria was a perfect way to celebrate my friend's birthday. Great atmosphere too. Highly recommend!

Cristina C.

I've been here a few times at different times of day. Sometimes it's been packed and others fairly quiet. I enjoy the atmosphere here; it's really unique and colorful. The way the food ordering is set up is great and ideal for eating out. By that I mean; I really like how its "small portions" and so many different options to chose from, a wide variety for a lunch/dinner. It is fairly expensive and the drinks aren't cheap either. The Sangria, I could pass on, not that strong/tasty (I make bomb homemade Sangria and I have trouble finding a comparable beverage) and I usually just stick with a beer but when I go with my girls, the pitchers are what we get. I came here this past Saturday and the overall experience just demolished my previous times here. It was horrible. I understand that it was a Saturday night but the service we received was despicable. I was in a group of six, we had our name in a bit before 8pm and didn't get seated til a bit after 10pm, all while other groups/people would come in after and get seated before us. Not cool. Our waiter, who refused to give us his name; shall be named Pablo (w a bald head and pony tail) for the sake of it.. was at first very kind up until it was time for us to order. He got us our beverages, came back and right as we were beginning to give our order, he cut us off and loudly left while greeting his two friends sitting at the table next to us. Very unprofessional, wow. After what seemed to be ten minutes later, we got our order taken care of (of which he did not write it down and we each got 2-3 items to pick and choose from), and when he brought it all out it was missing a few things, that we got squared away. Once the food was out and we got the bill squared away (spilt on 4 cards and cash), we then brought it up to him that it was very unprofessional to just leave us because we are paying customers and it made us upset he just bounced like that. He fought back with us about how we felt, which was sort of ridiculous! Pablo, it wasn't our fault you cut us off and left a bad taste in our mouth as you left loudly talking to your friends for ten minutes. The manager was not to be found and we all left unhappy and unsettled. My friend is actually writing a written letter to them because it was pretty ridiculous how he treated us during the disagreement.

B N.

Magnificent!! I have been countless times and it has never disappointed. It's great for a group of people, celebrations, a dinner for two, and so very romantic. The food, the people, the music....

Suzanne K.

One needs a fairly good amount of money to be able to truly enjoy all the delectable goodies this place offers. However, it is worth the visit with the great atmosphere and great food. This is a place one goes to for the experience of what dining out means to me; taking my time trying new foods, having a great conversation with the friends I am with all in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Louisa N.

Let's start off by saying that if you're looking to get slammed in the face by crazy shit on the walls when you walk in the door, this is a great place to have dinner. It should also be tops on your list if you're dying to learn how to sing "Happy Birthday," "Happy Anniversary," and, last but not least, "Happy Graduation" at the top of your lungs in Spanish. Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the important stuff. Should have known better than to attempt to order a glass of wine without looking at the drink menu. When I looked up hopefully at the waiter, batted my perfectly mascaraed eyelashes, and asked sweetly, "Sauvignon blanc?" He stared at me blankly and then said a firm, "No." Took him awhile to catch on to the fact that I then might need some help ordering. Eventually I got my Spanish white wine, and all was well with the world. Came here early on a Friday night for a dinner date. We mostly drank our way into oblivion, but tried to a few tapas. Dali has a gluten free menu for us Celiac-ers, which is great. Except it has like seven things on it. So, needless to say, we were a little limited. Tried the serrano ham (delish, but it's impossible to mess up charcuterie on a plate), tortilla espanola (needed a serious dose of salt), lamb chops (awesome, although the sauce was not gluten free and apparently also not tasty according to my date), and the ensalata mixta. At around 9:00pm they started blasting random music in the bar area (YMCA? Really?) so we bounced. But, it was pretty busy, and looked like it was getting busier as we walked out. It's worth a try if you're into the tapas scene. I'm sure the regular menu, which hosts a bevy of delicious sounding options, trumps the GF menu any day. But I highly doubt I'll go back anytime soon.

Heather M.

When my boyfriend and I decided last minute to go to dinner on NYE, we fully expected to be SOL. I called Dali on a whim to see if they had any reservations left. The man on the phone told me that, although they were booked up for tables, he had a few bar seats open and that he would hold two for me. I arrived and, sure enough, there was a "reserved" sign waiting at two of the seats. We were greeted warmly and enthusiastically, which is always nice, and sat immediately. The food was incredibly delicious. Lots of vegetarian options (though not as many vegan options). The alcachofas rellenas (mushroom-stuffed artichokes) and buñuelos de verdura (deep-fried cauliflower/broccoli/cheese puffs) in particular were very, very good. My boyfriend said the lomo de buey a las frutas (beef tenderloin w/ dried fruits in cream-brandy sauce) was the best thing he had eaten all year. And the sangria was pretty good (and inexpensive), as well! The atmosphere is great. It's dark and there is Spanish music playing, which the waitstaff and bartenders frequently stop what they're doing to dance to, often with customers. The decorations are inspired by Dali (naturally) and make for a very interesting experience. Plus, everyone who works there is incredibly sweet and gregarious. They really know how to run a business. Overall, we had a fabulous NYE experience at Dali and will absolutely be back very soon. I can't believe it took us so long to get there in the first place!

Sue H.

Dali is such a romantic spot, perfect for an intimate dinner date with a loved one or a small group of friends. The ambiance here is out of control, mostly because of the beautiful off-the-wall decor which is heavily Spanish influenced. The beads, candles, paintings, stuffed animal heads, etc... It's absolutely beautiful! I've had dinner here a few times, and there are definitely some winners on the menu. Id's say the tapas here are quite traditional compared to many other tapas restaurants I've tried in and around the Boston area, so keep that in mind. Order the... - Sangria (tasted like the sangrias I had in Spain, albeit not as strong... so get a pitcher and drink up!) - Patatas Bravas (so good, reminded me of the fried potatoes I ate everyday while traveling in Barcelona) - Chuletillas (the peach sauce was great and the lamb chops were not at all gamey) - Stuffed Squid (in it's own ink!) - Gambas Al Ajillo (I love garlic and shrimp, so this is a no brainer, although I wish the shrimp were bigger) - Ceviche (although I think this was a special because I didn't see it on the menu the last time I ate at Dali) - Pescado a la Sal (baked whole fish encrusted in salt! delicious and showy, but quite expensive for $28 -- great to share though) Skip the... - Baked Goat Cheese - Salted Cod Fritters (unless you like fancy fish sticks) - Braised Rabbit (I found the sauce overpowering) - Beef Empanadillas (they weren't bad -- just meh) I've walked in on two occasions without reservations and had no problem getting seated, but it can get very busy. You might want to make a reservation if you're planning on coming on a weekend during peak hours. Go to Dali. Enjoy the genuine Spanish influence here, drink some sangria, eat well, live well.

Poliana R.

Highly recommended for celebratory events. The food is absolutely incredible but that's not all. The environment is very festive and the waiters are so much fun. Been there for bachelorette parties, birthdays and a dinner with friends following my civil wedding. It's been great every time!

Peter J.

Definitely among the higher end of tapas restaurants I've been to. All the ingredients seem to be high quality, and the sauces are incredible. The staff is charismatic, and the decor of the restaurant is perfect. Unfortunately, there's the issue of portion sizes. I know the idea is to have small, shareable portions at a restaurant like this, but the platters here are painfully small. Expect to order 3 dishes per person, with prices ranging $6-15 per dish.

Tony M.

I have been going to Dali for at least a decade for birthday dinners for me and my friends. Everyone LOVES it. There is a reason for all the four and five star reviews. We just came back from another great dinner and were thinking how after so many times there, no one ever has a complaint! The quality of the ingredients is top notch, the sauces are sublime, the service is attentive and non-rushed, and the ambience is eclectic and a bit mysterious. The duck with blackberry sauce is still a favorite. The scallops in saffron sauce so savory and sweet. The friend spanish cheese with caramelized onions and honey makes my eyes roll back into my head it's so good. Beef tenderloin in a brandy and prune and apricot sauce was almost like a dessert. Love, love, love it here. It is a local institution and, as full as I am right now, I can't wait to come back!

Helen V.

Who doesn't like cured pig legs hanging from the ceiling, the colorful tabletops, and portions that satiate your palate?! I've been here three times now. We've taken guests who've lived in Spain and they've thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the squid ink rice and stuffed squid! It's got a salty but light taste and the blackness of the dish is not so glaring over candlelight. The Pulpo is also wonderful; the half-Spanish boyfriend is half-satisfied, but definitely impressed at how tender the meat was. I also cannot pass up dessert here! Churros con chocolate!! I always get annoyed when people think that churros is Mexican only, but they're different styles of Churros. The chocolate sauce is an admirable addition and the churros are very light and crispy. Love it! It's not the cheapest dinner spot, but tapas never is. It is easy to get there as the meters near the restaurant stop at 8p(?) and I try to go during the week nights. Not as glamorous, but I love the ease of it. There's a little wine and cheese store across the street as well, so just a nice dawdle before or after dinner. I like it here. I know I'll be back again soon. I know I probably haven't said anything too new, but you'll have to see what everyone is raving about. :)

Hilary S.

This is maybe my favorite restaurant in town. The ambiance is warm and decorated with lots of Spanish touches; The sangria is delicious and the wine selection is great; and the food is scrumptious! The menu is tapas, so you can try a lot of different Spanish dishes. But if you're like my husband and me, your eyes are bigger than your stomach and its easy to rack up a sizable bill. We go here sparingly to treat ourselves and we've never been disappointed. Or favorite dishes are the Rebozado con Miel and the duck with berry sauce.

Larissa C.

I've been a patron at Dali for many years now, and it's always consistently delicious. It's survived three long term relationships and a move to TX, and now that I'm back in MA it's still a dining staple. My only concern is that since I've returned home, the word has gotten out, and the wait for a table is unbelievably long. Good thing they always have sangria on tap to supplement the interim. Some of my favorite dishes here include the: Gorditas - little bites of bacon wrapped heaven Pato Braseado - the berry sauce exhibits a perfect balance of sweet and tart which complements the duck Butifarras con Brevas - the rich sauce balances the savory sausage Lomo de Buey a las Frutas - I love the mix of fruit and meat, and this dish provides a variety of flavors As always I will be back again... maybe on a weekday to avoid dinning traffic.

Ashley M.

Came here on a wednesday night and was surprised to find the place as lively as it was! seems to be a hidden jewel in somerville. all the tapas were fantastic, as was the wine selction. i had a red wine flight which was a fun complement to the meal. awesome and romantic decor. perfect date night spot, although if you're on a date and want to kiss your date later in the night, you might want to skip the super-garlicky garlic shrimp (but they are sooo good so you're in a dilemma).

Sidhant J.

Lovely ambience. I have spent 2 years in barcelona and this is the closest Boston came to (my view) of authentic tapas. The vegetarian options are very good.

Bobby C.

Been meaning to go here for a few years now. I've heard a few buddies that rave about taking dates here. I finally booked reservations ahead of time as friends were visiting. Ambiance/atmosphere...great. Place has lots of energy. Nice decor. Dimly lit with separating dining areas. Service...great. The host that showed us to our table was personable and funny. I was concerned with where I parked since all the meters were out of order. He assured me I would be fine. Our server knew his stuff. He recommended us various tapas and advised us that the wine we selected might not be as good as another one. We couldn't always understand him with his accent, but he was friendly, attentive, and fun. Tapas: Codorniz de Castilla | Broiled Herb & Garlic Quail w/Bacon Boquerones | Marinated Fresh Anchovy Fillets (from Spain) Chipirones Rellenos | Stuffed Squid in its own Ink Chorizo a la Plancha |Grilled Spanish Sausage Solomillo en Tostada | Beef Tenderloin w/Pimento on Toast Entree: Seafood Paella Out of the tapas, I'd recommend the chorizo and the quail. Overall, I thought the food was slightly above average. No dish had distinct or sharp flavors. A bit bland? Great place to meet up with friends to catch up Plenty of street parking around 6:30PM on a Friday evening.

Sarah C.

So sadly, I'm slighting downgrading my rating. I doubt it will make a difference in your choice whether to go or not, however, as the bottom line remains the same: you should go. But, as I've been back a few times since, I'm realizing that it really is perhaps unnecessarily expensive. And it's noisy. Like - really noisy. The last experience I had there the service was also pretty bad - quite a surprise. So maybe my last experience is just what you get when you roll the dice and visit a place multiple times. The food is still freakin' awesome, I'm just starting to feel like this is going to be less of a staple in my recommendation stable (for myself and others) moving forward...we'll see...

Romulo R.

This is one of those place that you just want to LOVE! But you know, maybe it was the hype and the buildup and it was just impossible to have this place live up to my expectation. Don't get me wrong, the food is ok and the Tapas are nice. The one thing that bugged me is that some of the waiters were just a little 'too' friendly. Almost fake, if you know what I mean. This place, in my opinion, is not really worth going out of your way for. If you happen to live around the corner, like I used to, then it's wroth dropping by, maybe even just for a glass of sangria at the bar, but you really are better off going to the wine cask across the street and making your own sangria.

Ted S.

Friendly service, great food, something different. If you are unsure of whether or not to come here, I'd say try it. It'll transport you to somewhere else - if for only a little bit. There are so many different things to choose from. the standards - Sopa de ajo, patatas bravas, etc. are excellent!

Jennifer W.

We were in the neighborhood last night so decided to give Dali a try; I had heard good things about it from a few friends. I'm glad I chose it over other highly rated nearby restaurants, because it met all of my expectations! We arrived at around 9PM for a late dinner and were seated immediately in the very charmingly decorated back room. Our server was friendly and quick (we were starving, I think he could tell), and gave good suggestions of what dishes we should enjoy first/last. The food was so delicious! I love tapas restaurants because most of them have a large menu and with the small portions you can try a little of everything. We had... Tried both sangrias, Cava was the clear winner, one of the best Cava sangrias I've had. Baked goat cheese with tomato and basil - SO good, they have this at another tapas restaurant we love, but Dali's version, although smaller, was better. I think they used really good quality goat cheese Fried cheese with honey and onions - AMAZING, the onions were so caramelized and with the honey it was sweet sticky goodness, and you just CAN'T go wrong with fried cheese!!! Pork sausage with figs - this was the only so so course, it had a really strong sour taste, probably from vinegar, that I wasn't expecting. I thought it would be more sweet with the figs, the taste of figs were lost from all the acidity Lobster & Crab Ravioli - very good, basically what I was expecting, nice creamy sauce Pork tenderloin with blue cheese and morel mushrooms - my FAVORITE!!! The blue cheese is just so creamy and intense, everything goes so well together. Make sure you have some bread to mop up all the blue cheese sauce!!! I just wish Dali was closer to me, I'd be there ALL the time! The next time I'm in Somerville will definitely return.

Brittany T.

Amazing tapas, lots of choices! The sangria is wonderful and the service is great! There always seems to be a party or event going on when I am there, which just makes dinner more fun! The decor is fantastic and fits the food perfectly. I will be back again!!

Camille R.

The ambience is beautiful; the walls are covered with Spanish art and decor, the lighting is intimate, it makes you feel like you've walked into another world. The energy is good and the sangrias are better. The food is ultra expensive and pretty disappointing. Baked Salmon Balls w/ Caper Sauce was good. Baked Goat Cheese was okay. Potatos w/ Aioli was okay. Mushroom Filled Artichoke was bland Saffron Battered Shrimp had no taste of saffron and the mojo sauce was overpowered by minced garlic, which we had to keep away from the shrimp. Savory Crepe w/ Eggplant had no particular flavor that stood out. Couldn't taste the sherry sauce. Churro was fried to death and had none of the sugar and cinnamon seasing that you expect from a churro. The chocolate sauce was too rich. Rice pudding was pretty good, but I have nothing to compare it to since it was my first.

Sarah R.

I wanted to love Dali, but to be honest, we left feeling a little disappointed. I've been wanting to try it for ages, I walk by all the time, and we finally got around to it. The atmosphere in the restaurant is great - the staff are very friendly, and there is definitely a buzz to it. I like the decor, it certainly reminded me of places I've been in Spain. We sat at the bar to eat, which was fun - the guy who served us was very friendly and we enjoyed talking to him. However, we really weren't all that impressed with the food. Nothing was bad, as such, but it's pretty expensive, and for the prices we were paying, I'd expect better. Just by comparison - I think it's only a little bit cheaper than Toro, and the food at Toro is by far and away better than the food here. As I say, nothing was bad, but all the food just lacked a little bit of care - and in fact, all the bread we had was really terrible! Stale and unappetising. More than anything else, we felt that it was disappointing because with a bit more care, it would be GREAT, and I would happily pay the prices they asked.

Corona W.

I took my friend here for his birthday meal. The servers are friendly and attentive and the food is absolutely delicious. While many people seem to like the garlic shrimp, I was not that impressed. Perhaps the chef was having an off day but, the garlic shrimp was not that garlicky and (to be honest) lacking in flavor. The bread they served was also a little hard - I don't know what it was but I thought it tasted a little stale. The top pieces were soft and tasty - but it was a different kind of bread and we only got two pieces. The other disheswere very good. My top pick is the fried spanish cheese with honey and onion. (Omg, SOOOO GOOD.) Anyone who orders this will agree that this dish is a party in your mouth. The saffron battered shrimp was delicious paired with a green sauce consisting of garlic and cilantro. Another great thing about this restaurant was the order which the server brought out our tapas/chef prepared the tapas. Our server brought out the milder flavors first - our lobster ravioli (also very yummy), the fried frog leg with aioli, the garlic shrimp, and bread with garlic and tomato. When we were done with these dishes, our server brought out the delicious fried spanish cheese which was very flavorful and the perfect way to top off the middle of our meal. While we were eating that, our server brought out the saffron battered shrimp which was flavorful paired with the green sauce, but less powerful in taste than the cheese. It was a perfect way to end the meal before dessert. It was my friend's birthday so I asked the servers if they could pick a dessert for him that they could surprise him with. They were very excited to help and told me that it "is going to be great." They came out with their signature frog candle and the dessert, singing happy birthday and needless to say, my friend had a great time. Drinks were also delicious. While there, I had the Dali - which is a lavendar-rosemary infused vodka gimlet. You can definitely taste the rosemary. The first sip was very fragrant. By the time I finished the drink however, I felt like I was drinking a chicken dinner - so that turned me off a bit. I also had the Chet Barker - rum and honey syrup (plus some other things)- also very good. I also had a glass of Cava Sangria - a white sangria with pineapple and orange...very very tasty. Much better than their red sangria surprisingly. All in all, a great experience. We left very happy and very buzzed.

Jared S.

Dali was fantastic. Unfortunately, it's been a while since I've had classic spanish tapas, so I was really craving them and Dali delivered. Plato mixto (which was quite large and well worth it), patatas bravas, tortilla espanola, pinchos del mar, and a lomo with dried fruit dish, and none disappointed. All complemented with a nice bottle of txacoli. Finished with a glass of cava for the wife and a snifter of licor 43 for me. Dali ranks high on my list of Boston area tapas places - it absolutely kills Tasca in Brighton and BarLola in Back Bay, but might not be quite as good (food-wise, not price-wise) as Tapeo on Newbury. However, the one downside was that I thought it would be a nice romantic dinner date for the wife and I, but it is EXTREMELY LOUD in the dining room. We had to yell at each other from across the tiny table. It was only made worse by the fact that there must have been 10 birthday celebrations, for which the staff loudly sings happy birthday and bangs on tambourines. What is this, Chuck E Cheese? Also, what's with the weird aging dominatrix hostess in the skin tight leather body suit? Really really creepy.

Isabella L.

One of the great places to have tapas with a fun vibe. Top notch tapas and great sangria and cocktails! My faves are the garlic shrimp, duck with blackberry sauce, and rack of lamb with peach sauce. The only thing I was confused about when I came here last time was that they don't servehot sauce... the waitress said that the owner doesn't like it? I'm not sure if this is recent or not. Also, I just wished the waitress didn't clear the tapas plates when we finished them one at a time because I would have used the extra sauces for other plates! FYI: The butter garlic sauce from the garlic shrimp is great for dipping bread in. The paella needed some of that hot sauce. (It was great without it, but it was a bit salty for my taste).

Raymond W.

I was really excited to try Dali, but was a little disappointed. I guess I'm a little spoiled since I was coming from DC were Jose Andres reigns supreme in the tapas world, but Dali definitely had more character especially with the out there decor. Our table got the 2 liter sangria. Sangria is a hit or miss with me, and sadly on this occasion, I was leaning towards the miss. Maybe it was the lack of fruit, but it tasted like regular wine to me. The paella consistency was on the softer creamer rissoto side instead of the Korean stone bowl with a crispy bottom. At $32, I thought the portion would be a little larger, but overall the saffron still came through and was enjoyed by the table. The tapas was the most disappointing. Of everything we got, I enjoyed the salt cod fritters, tortilla espanola, potatas bravas and beef short rib with wine sauce. The grilled octopus was mushier and saltier than expected, the baked goat cheese and fried Spanish cheeses were both strong for me, and the garlic shrimp was surprisingly bland and needed to be deveined. For dessert the churros were crowd pleasing and served hot with warm chocolate sauce. A lot different from what you find at an amusement park or Costco. The service was friendly and kept the plates coming at a nice pace. the restaurant was rather dark, but not romantic as it got loud and the decor was too distracting. Some hits and misses, but overall a decent meal. If I came back, I'd want to try more of the meat dishes as 2/5 members of the table were vegetarian.

Sarah G.

Any place that brings out a hippo bubble machine and a giant golden frog holding a candle on it complete with the staff serenading you on your birthday is a 4 star place. Especially when their staff takes a photo of you and your group on their camera and so nicely email it to you later!! How awesome is that?? Definitely check this place out for your birthday. Because really, when else can you say you had a hippo blow bubbles on you on your birthday?? And if that isn't reason enough, the tapas here are pretty darn amazing. I had heard mixed reviews, but loving Spanish food, I finally went here and I will definitely be going back. Everything we got was awesome except for their white asparagus dish--that was not flavorful at all.....But one dish out of all of the ones we tried being not so great isn't too bad! (oh and we had to remind our waiter about the asparagus too because he forgot it....we should have taken that as a sign...) Their gambas al ajillo were bubbling in butter and garlic goodness. Their patatas bravas were some of the best ones I've had with that tasty piquant tomato sauce. But man were their Vieiras al Azafrán (scallops in a saffron cream sauce) euphoric!! I could have eaten so many orders of those! And then we got their Conejo Escabechado (braised rabbit) which was also pretty good, but I was missing the taste of those scallops in my mouth! The Chuletillas (lamp chops with peach sauce) almost made me forget about those scallops though. We were all trying to scrape up every last morsel of that sauce. Too bad the bread they give you here for free at the table really is not good bread at all. And all of the sauces were so good in every dish, you need good bread to finish off those plates! All of that delicious food, combined with amazing birthday ambiance, and the awesome decor in this restaurant definitely made me want to go back to Spain and visit. It was just that good.

Jason C.

Tapas are too expensive and meh. When we told the waitress that one of the tapas calientes that we ordered doesn't taste right because it was so greasy and cold, the waitress insisted on arguing with us that it was supposed to be like that. Does a cold tapas calientes sound right? This is simply poor service. We had an awful time here and would never come back again.

Amanda B.

As soon as you enter Dali all your senses come alive. The decor is very beautiful and fun. I especially love the lamp and the fountain in the corner near the bathrooms. This place is loud and the wait staff is full of spirit. The waiter danced us over to our table. He had some good salsa moves. The food is incredible. I love tapas because you can try so many different things. The plates may be small but they pack a TON of flavor into them. I honestly can't say I have a favorite because everything I've tried here has been delicious. The two that stand out from my last visit here are the Sausage and Fig as well as the Pheasant. Their sangria is fabulous. I swear our pitcher was bottomless. It poured many glasses and we were very happy.

M A.

Ok...here is the deal... when I was straight outta college this place was cool....but this is what is up.... on a Saturday night...the place is loud and obnoxious waited ten minutes after we were seated for water. If you like fine dining go some where else...the food is drenched in oil and butter or whatever... there is no complexity to the food...thus .....enjoyment is minimized..... the Sangria is great.....and this is why I believe the place is a sucess....the bill came to $150 and in Boston, there are plenty of places to visit and get a great experience without the loud obnoxious hootin' and hollerin' as found here with sub-par food. We had to listen to three loud birthday "celebrations' with everyone saying "gracias" to each other...just for show...they don't speak Spanish...it's just not genuine. If you are 23....or an older person .with a limited budget and options and a lack of scope...get the Sangria..and a few Tapas and its a good value proposition...however if you want something just a bit more try Cuchi Cuchi.

Kathleen F.

Dali was my go to back in the day, my favorite thing in my little Somerville hood. Their dishes are delicious and their Sangria is amazing. I have to say though, with so many other awesome options available they've downgraded on my scale of amazingness. Firstly, I don't love that they don't have reservations for smaller parties. We were having a special night out recently and called ahead. Even though we called for priority, they told us that we had to wait 45 minutes....the same amount of time that they gave for the people in front of us that did not call ahead for priority. Plus the bar is always overcrowded, which means nowhere to wait. You can definitely not rely on going here for a special date night or night out due to this issue. In this particular case we were banking on going for our anniversary and it was really disappointing. The guy at the front who I think was the owner was also unapologetic and kind of rude about us debating if we should stay due to the wait even though he knew we had called ahead. That really soured my experience. There are lots of other good tapas restaurants in the area that take reservations and make for a nice night out. If you are willing to wait the food at Dali is awesome but recent experiences with not being able to "get in" have turned me off this place for now.

Lily L.

We took some friends who were visiting from NYC here due to the raving reviews. Dali definitely did not disappoint. There was a minor 40 minute wait when we ventured over there last minute on a Saturday evening. We hung out at the bar with a pitcher of red sangria and that was fantastic. After we were seated, we reviewed the menu of endless tapas selections. We placed our order and everything that came out was absolutely delicious. Consensus from our whole table of six, everyone loved the food! Yes, even the picky New Yorkers. :) There was even a dish we asked for a second order - Chipirones Rellenos | Tuna- Stuffed Squid in its own ink. The only thing that was mediocre was our main Paella del Oceano served after our delicious Tapas experience. At a hefty price of $32 served in a paella pan that is the size of a small pizza, the rice was fairly overcooked and bland. It was ok, but I was expecting so much more since their tapas were so good. Next time we go, we'll just stick with the Tapas.

Jeremy K.

Went there with a friend very recently, for the first time and found this place to be surreal (pun intended). Much like the artist who has inspired the name of this wonderful establishment located at the border of Cambridge and Somerville, the atmosphere and menu will leave most people changed. Although a bit tacky, it very much reeks of Spain and every nook and cranny is filled with artifacts that will remind you of such. Originally, we thought about sharing six tapas items from the menu but when it came down to eliminated the extra few, we couldn't settle for less than seven. We ordered: Bacon-wrapped Prunes stuffed w/Goat Cheese, Beef Short Ribs in Rioja Wine Sauce, Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms, Chicken Croquettes, Fried Spanish Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion, Stuffed Squid in its own Ink and Potatoes in a Homemade Garlic/Caper Mayonnaise. Along with it came Spanish beers for my companion while I settled with two glasses of their sangria. Everything arrived promptly and the waiter was friendly and was able to answer a few questions easily. The sangria was pretty good and the food was hit or miss, but mostly hit. A few like the potato salad and the pork tenderloin with the Spanish blue cheese were a tad bland but overall still pretty damn tasty. The prices are a little high but I do like the fact that the food is very traditional and let's face it, tapas are fun. If the prices were a tad higher, I'd probably even give this place five stars but sadly, we left with a pretty hefty bill considering the simplicity of some of the dishes. I'll definitely be back though, I really enjoyed this place.

Jenifer W.

We tried this restaurant while in the area for a college graduation. Being my first "official" tapas restaurant, I had no pre-conceived notions about what it should be, and in the end left happy. ATMOSPHERE: BUSY! We arrived around 6:30 pm, and there was a full house. Thankfully we'd made reservations ahead of time, otherwise there was a 60 minute wait! We had a party of 5, including 2 small children, and the hostess gave the little ones glow bracelets almost immediately after we entered (nice touch, since the room was a bit dark!). The decor looked old world spain, with paintings of matador and women dancing the flamenco. There were also somewhat kitchzy hangings of castanets, maracas, beads, and so on, but overall it lent itself well to the spanish theme. As mentioned, the room was dark, set for romance more than a family meal, with small tables and hushed voices. FOOD: Depending on the dish, it ranged from unforgettable to really unique and vibrant tasting. Served in true tapas style, each order had 3 to 4 small bites on it, not nearly enough to fill you but more to entice your taste buds. Some highlights of what we had: (1) Aceitunas Aliñadas - A cold offering of marinated olives. They were a bit tart / sour, and while decent in flavor, I couldn't help thinking they were not much different than what you could get out of a jar from a local World Market. (and at almost $5 for four olives, it seemed like an injustice). (2) Gambas con Gabardina - Think chicken nuggets in a sherry / ground carrot sauce. Though it may sound unappetizing (my apologies for that!), this was actually a table favorite, especially with children. The "nuggets" were small, flavorful, and the sauce was a surprising and very tasty hit - so much so we sopped it up with the bread which our server provided at the start of the meal. At almost $8, I'd have preferred there to be more on the plate, but perhaps that's just me. (3) Albóndigas de Cordero - Lamb meatballs with a hint of mint. Killer - these and the fig dish below were far and away the hero's of the night. The cost was almost $8 for four meatballs, and they were so good we ordered two rounds of them, even though again the price seemed high ($16 for 8 SMALL meatballs? Really?) (4) Butifarras con Brevas - Pork sausage with figs. The whole "fig" idea seemed way out there, so much so that I had to try it. Totally, absolutely worth it. The cost was also almost $8, but was such a funky unique experience it was the one dish where I felt the price wasn't way over the top. (5) Filloa al Licor - A dessert crepe, filled with fresh, warm fruit and topped with an orange glaze. Perfect way to end a meal, very vibrant tasting, the orange brought out the best of all the other flavors, and although again priced high for a very small portion (almost $8 netted you a dessert that could only be shared by 2, and even that was a stretch), it was good. (6) Sangria - LARGE pitcher. Holy hell, at $40 this was some of the most expensive sangria I've ever had. It was fairly good, and I'm told you can't do tapas without it, but for $40, next time I'm inclined to buy a much cheaper bottle of wine and order a tapas fruit dish, throw it in myself... :) SERVICE: Very good. Our server was attentive, had plenty of suggestions on items to try when asked, made recommendations on what the kids might like, and came by every few minutes to take the next round of orders. At one point we had a spill, and she was there to help mop up almost immediately. VALUE: Slightly poor. I get the idea of tapas, I do - small portions, meant to entice you to keep ordering to try a plethera of menu selections. I would think that along with the small portions, however, that one of two things should happen..... Option 1 - the prices reflect the smaller portions (I've paid $8 for entrees in moderate chain restaurants). I'd have expected somewhere between $4 to $6 per dish for tapas style.... Option 2 - you should either get an unbelievable, life changing experience with each bite on these small plates. For $8 to $11 per dish, the flavors should jump off the plate and slap you. Unfortunately, neither of these happened at Dali. Our bill didn't justify the flavor experience, and at the end of the night left me just a bit disspointed.

Christina G.

Phenomenal food, atmosphere and service! I'm a big fan of the whole tapas concept and have tried a number of tapas places around Boston. I still find Toro in the south end to be my favorite, but Dali has a certain authenticity to it that the others just don't have. When you are there you really feel like you are in another world and the food is on another level. The atmosphere is a big part of what makes it in my opinion. It's fun, it's sexy, and it's romantic, which makes it a perfect date spot.

Jackie S.

I came here after many recommendations from my friends. The meal was OK but not that glass-shattering. The service was very good. The waitress was knowledgeable, fast, and nice. The sangria was good. The food itself is why I am giving it a 3. It was just OK. The rabbit was overly spiced. The duck skin wasn't crispy enough and they only gave one blackberry (there are 2 people come on don't be so cheap). The bread was blah. The lobster raviolis were OK but not really full enough. and lastly, the beef empanadas were definitely a good starter. I would say it's definitely a great date spot but I have my eyes set on a few others to try as well.

Angel C.

This is my second favorite tapas place in the Boston area after Toro. I've been here several times, and it rocks every single time. First of all, they bring hummus with the bread, instead of butter. Yum! I love a lot of their dishes, especially the duck with berry sauce, the pheasant, the rabbit, the squid in its ink (yup, exactly what it sounds like), the patatas bravas, and the piquillo peppers (which they don't seem to have anymore, boo). I'm also a big fan of the simple yet succulent garlic shrimp. Their sangria is pretty good too. Last time I went, I made the mistake of sharing the chocolate cake with raspberry sauce with two friends. Why a mistake? Because I was left wanting more once we were done! I tried their salt-baked fish once, and it was ok. I think the fish wasn't very fresh, so it wasn't as enjoyable. I had this dish in Spain once, and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Check this out: grab a whole fish, put it in a pan, literally cover it in salt, bake it, and done! Once it comes out, the salt has infused into the fish, and that's all the flavor you need. But don't eat the skin because it'll be salt overdose! Maybe if the fish had been fresher at Dali, it would've been awesome. Their decor is very cool too. It feels like you're in a gypsy cave in Spain. It's a little dark, the tables have tile tops, there's vines hanging from the walls, and the place is full of all different colors. The one true downside to this place is that they don't take reservations, so sometimes on weekends, you could spend over an hour waiting for a table.

Michael A.

I'm in Dali LaLa land.. From the start, its the unique atmosphere that just captures you as you walk in. Your eyes darting all around, trying to take in all the spanish and artistic flair and colors... you may feel like you're in another country when you walk into Dali! Ok to the food, we started off with gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) and one of their specials (flat bread with olives, sardines, roasted peppers and evoo). For our main course, my girl and I split the fish paella (this can easily feed 3 people). Not much to say regarding the taste of the food, I thought it was "good". I was expecting "wow" since its a very well known restaurant but the potency / kick of flavors just were not there. I enjoyed the meal, and I would definitely go back for the whole experience as it is one of Boston's most unique dining experiences (that's why it got a 4-star) but there have been other tapas bars that serve up more flavorful dishes than here.

Meg C.

Consistently awesome. High marks on food, ambiance and service. Tapas aren't cheap so be ready to put down some cash or go on a not-so-empty stomach. We've been to Dali a lot so have tried a lot of things on the menu. Noting disappoints. Highly recommended: Pulpo con Vinegare, Queso Rebozado con Miel, Buñuelos de Verdura, and Chorizo a la Plancha. The sangria is the best in town. Ambiance is really fun and romantic, too. It's very cluttered and eclectic with lots of little personal details that the owners (husband and wife) have added. Lots of love here! And lots of sparkly things to look at! We go here every New Years Eve and the space makes the night that much more festive. Also, many places with cluttered decor can tend to be dusty and feel dirty. This is not the case at Dali- things are clean... not an easy feat with all that's going on! Service is great. Everyone is very friendly and seems to be happy to work there. I recommend sitting at the bar- Julio is awesome!

Elizabeth G.

When you visit Dali, you need to check your "make-a-reservation-get-seated-get-speedy-service-­get-outta-there" expectation at the door. If you can do that, you'll love this place. This was a favorite date spot for me in college, and back then they didn't take reservations. It turned into a ritual: walk over there at 5pm when they opened and they'd put your name on the list and tell you to come back at 8. You'd wonder how the hell so many people had gotten on the list ahead of you if the restaurant didn't take reservations. But you'd chalk it up to quirky old Dali, and off you'd go. Maybe to watch a movie or linger over hot chocolate. Make an evening of it. Now, they have a sort-of reservation system that is basically like not taking reservations at all. I can't remember all the details because I found it so confusing. Something like a two-tier waiting list; you name the time you want a table, and they put your name on the list for that 30-minute increment, on a first-call, first-served basis. So all the 8:30ers will be seated in the order they called to make their "reservations"... Which in our case took about an hour. But you still have to be there at the time you specified; if you miss it, you go to the bottom of the list of people who never had "reservations" in the first place. Lord knows how long it takes THEM to get seated. Anyway, all this will drive you insane if you start to focus on it. Instead, I would suggest that you focus on the delicious food and wine you're served when you finally get to sit down. All the usual Spanish tapas stuff, sausage and olives and octopus and quail and cheese and potatoes. (The patatas bravas were fluffy slices of heaven.) A huge range of choices, and I don't think I've ever had one that was bad. I would also suggest that you focus on how much fun it can actually be to wait in this place. Wacky, Dali-inspired decor/wall art mixed with great people watching. The real Europeans arrive late in the evening. Impromptu dancing has been known to occur. If there is space at the bar, sidle up and order some sangria to tide you over. Relax. Stop checking your watch. Enjoy yourself. Live a little. Go to Dali. At this point, you may wonder why I'm not giving 5 stars, but there are so many fabulous tapas places in Boston that this one seems just that much less extraordinary... but still! Go there!

Catherine W.

Tapas was mixed, with some better than others. The better ones were the salmon meatballs, a zucchini special. Octopus was okay; I've had better potatoes. It was a fun ambiance. Service was very friendly and helpful, made the experience more enjoyable. Desserts were delicious (enjoyed the almond cake).

Nitza B.

I left Boston 6.5 years ago, the restaurant I missed the most is Dali! I go here every chance I get. The food is incredible, the sangria fantastic, but the ambiance and the service are the best things about this place. It is my standard when I review restaurants! Being that it is so fantastic, it does get crowded, so be sure to get there early! Typical meal: tortialla espanola Gambas al ajillo queso de cabra montanes solomillo en tostada raviolles de marisco croquettas de pollo pato braseado drink: sangria cafe espanola

Christine C.

This place is super cute. Dim with eclectic decor. We had a meal here with six people, and it felt very intimate...although we were just a tad bit short on space for all the different tapas we ordered. Our server was great. We had a couple of must haves, but otherwise gave him free rein to order what he thought were the best dishes. We started with both the sangria and cava sangria. For food, we got the following: Tortilla Espanola - Good, but pretty standard. Pa amb Tomaquet - Basically just bread with garlic and tomatoes. Nothing too crazy here. Setas al Ajillo - These mushrooms were amazing. This was one of my must-haves. It's great how such a simple dish can have so much flavor. Patatas Bravas - Again, good but pretty standard. Queso de Cabra Montanes - This was one of our must haves. I love the creamy goat cheese with tomatoes. Another good go-to. Gambas al Ajillo - Super garlicky. Be careful - the dish is hot, and the oil was still sputtering out a little bit. Yummy though. Ravioles de ariscos - I wasn't the biggest fan of these, but they were a big hit with the others. Pato Braseado - The berry sauce was amazing with the duckling. Crispy, salty skin with the fattiness of the duckling and the sweetness of the sauce was a great combination. Coneja Escabechado - The rabbit was tender and the red wine sauce was delicious. This was one of our favorite dishes. Albondigas de Cordero - LOVED these meatballs. Tomato and mint seemed like a weird sauce combo at first, but it was pretty good. Chuletillas - The lamb chops were a bit messy/difficult to eat. And I thought the peach sauce was a tad on the overly sweet side. I think we had a couple of other dishes, but they must not have been particularly memorable. Overall, it was a great meal with good food, good drinks, and good company. Can't wait to go back!

Olga F.

Not one of the best I've ever had but they do have a lot of great vegan Indian dishes which is hard to come by!

Josh D.

Great place for tasting a variety of plates. Dali is a classic.

Bhuvana H.

I'll add to the hundreds of other reviews here and say this place is very very good. I've been eating here several times a year since 1997 (I think). The food and drink are delicious, the ambience is cozy, and the service is always enthusiastic. I started out going there with my husband for romantic meals, then added friends for rowdy group dinners, and have now added kids for extra adventure. This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time!

Sandra R.

One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The staff has been there for years and years which says a lot in regards to how tight the group is. The FOOD is incredible! Any and all of the cold and hot tapas are to die for and many of the sauces surrounding the hot dishes leave you begging for more bread so you can sop it all up! Excellent place to bring out of town guests and of course celebrate a birthday. It is loud, but the ambiance reminds me of busy European restaurants in the late night!

Ranjit V.

I don't like tapas places. But this one's food was meh.

Kelly O.

I've been looking forward to trying Dali for a while now, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The interior is fricken adorable, and every single hostess, bartender, and waitstaff were amazingly cheerful and lovely and welcoming, it was like stepping into a fantasy. Both fun and romantic at the same time, I loved the atmosphere here. To begin with, they have Estrella Damm (naturally), which wins major points in my book, and the starter bread came with some kind of parmesan roll which was great. The food is slightly different than the other tapas places around, a bit more gourmet and creative maybe (which means a bit more expensive). I was a little overwhelmed with the menu because everything sounded so good and unique, but I ended up with the salmon balls (excellent), the catalan spinach with pine nuts and raisins (on the salty side but good), and an asparagus on toast special (had olives in it which wasn't quite up my alley, but was good if you like that sort of thing). All in all, a great dinner and I can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu... looking forward to returning.

Joy J.

I absolutely love Dali. The food, service and atmosphere leave nothing more to be desired. I love the braised beef, bacalao, albondigas - almost everything I've ever ordered. I look forward to going with my boyfriend for a romantic dinner. :)

Ashley R.

Get the rabbit, get the rabbit, get the rabbit! Everything is great, but the rabbit blew my mind. The restaurant itself is beautiful, the bar and waitstaff are very friendly and attentive, and - for an extra, unfair advantage - my boyfriend and I had our first date there so it would get an extra star if possible. Love it and can't wait to go back!

Libby T.

Went with some friends and had one of the best meals of my life! The company was great, sangria was perfect, and we shared practically every dish on the menu - every plate was better than the plate before it!

Lia M.

I love this restaurant! We had a fabulous time, and the food, drinks, and service were good. All of the staff were very friendly. It is bigger than it looks, and they do not take reservations, but we put our name on the preferred seating list, and did not have a problem on a Friday night. We sat in the first section, near the bar - seating is tight, but I think it is less tight in that area than the back. There is plenty of street parking. Four of us went through 4 liters of sangria, and the following tapas: garlic shrimp, saffron battered shrimp, braised rabbit, lamb, chicken croquettes, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, pheasant (or quail, can't remember), artichokes, and maybe one other tapa, plus lemon sorbet & cava and churros for dessert. The only plate that did not go over too well was the pork. I did not try it though. Everything else was great. My favorite was the saffron battered shrimp, rabbit, and the churros. The chocolate dipping sauce for the churros was fabulous. And of course, the sangria was great. I did not think the bread was that great - it was not bad, but could have been better. The only reason for 4 stars? They charged my bf's card not only for our meal, but for someone else's as well. They apologized and corrected it, but still, be very careful when you go there. I always feel like it is sketchy when things like that happen, even though it could just be an honest mistake.

Megan L.

Dali is such a fun place. Their decor is cooky, and the waiters all wear these bright red flamenco shirts. The most recent time my boyfriend and I went, we got a bottle of the cava in a porron, which we spilled more of than drank but it was fun regardless. The tapas are great, our favorites included the salt cod with a cilantro sauce, the beef with fruit and the Serrano ham. I've had the scallops with the saffron cream sauce, and I just wish they were evenly sized. It's a little expensive to get enough to be full here, but it is still worth it. Only other comment is it is LOUD here. Not really for a romantic date, more for a fun night out. Did I mention this place is fun ?

Leah M.

My favorite tapas in the Boston area! The atmosphere is really cool, dim lights, spanish flair, and the back room is perfect for a date night! Grabbed a glass of sangria while waiting for my party to arrive; so tasty! And the bartender is friendly and loved his spanish accent! Short-ribs are a must here along with the potato fritas (the aioli is amazing!) Never had a bad item on this menu and I love the small plates because you get to create your own mini buffet sampling!

Michelle C.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dali!!! Discovered this gem years ago (long before tapas bars became hip) and it never fails to disappoint. Although I hadn't been in a few years, I suggested this place for a date and well...had a great time. First - ATMOSPHERE is incredibly authentic, animated and playful but also intimate. Second - SANGRIA!!! Best by the pitcher to share Third - FOOD is fantastic Fourth - STAFF is super-friendly, muchachos are flirty but respectful. My only recommendation is to get there early, or suffer up to a 2-hour wait. Go to Dali!

Ruby W.

Wow! Talk about transporting you to Spain, this restaurant takes you there and then some. It is worth the wait and you really should get there early if you don't like to. The menu is perfect and caters to every taste, however if you love shrimp, the garlic shrimp is an absolute must!! My husband thought the Sangria was spot on and what I will continue to go back for is the rice pudding. It's a nice touch that the women servers wear Spanish outfits and I loved that is was very intimate. It's a perefect date night or entertaining guests from out of town. Rubyritaloves Dali.

Jennifer N.

Come on, everyone. The food is only one reason we all go to Dali. The other reason is that it's the kind of place that makes you feel good. The staff is unbelieveably cheerful, the room is dark enough so that every one looks sexy, the sangria is delightful, and it's *always* someone's birthday (meaning that the staff dims the lights, blows bubbles, and sings loudly). You can walk into Dali on one of the worst days of your life and leave feeling better, that's how upbeat this place is. And, the food isn't bad- in fact, some of it is really good. The classic garlic shrimp is delicious, as are the scallops- the seafood paella is also delightful. Thank you, Dali, for making so many of us smile so often.

Jae P.

Best place for a birthday! Great location, amazing food, great ambiance, and the drinks are delicious!

John K.

If you are interested in Spanish cuisine this place is excellent. Their specialty is tapas the snack /small plate eating that is so popular in Spain. Their focus is tapas and they ahve a large range both hot and cold with a smaller number (maybe 6) of main courses. I have been coming to this restaurant since ~1989 and the quality is always good. Alas the cost has gone up as its incredibly popular so it is no longer the great value it used to be (but still good) but I go less often as I rarely get out for less than $50 a head. Depending on your appetite expect to get 3 tapas each @ ~$7 each. These are small dishes /portions so dont expect to stuff yourself. Its high quality tasty food in small amounts. Great sangria and the house red is good too. Drinks cost ~$8 + You get thinly sliced bread to eat with the tapas although sadly they are now charging for the bread...which seems a bit much as their prices escalate.

Xinlei L.

great time there! this was my first time try spanish tapas in boston ever. My bf took me to the place. He said it has been there since about 10 years and still popular. The environment was romantic and spanish styl. I love to eat in weak light and with special decorations and paintings and old time pictures hanging on the wall. Dishes are impressively yummy. haha. Great place for dating, friends hang out!

Sara M.

This is my favorite place in Boston to get tapas. The atmosphere is very romantic - in fact, my fiance and I came here for our 6 month anniversary and then the night he proposed. They have great goat cheese tapas, garlic shrimp, etc. I also love their paella, as it is doesn't tend to get too salty as some others do. We also really enjoy the cava in the communal drinking vessel. If you go, you should have them demonstrate first before you try it. As the night wears on, it gets a bit harder to aim. Overall, this place is a great date night. Delicious food, cozy tables, dim lighting...what more could you ask for?

Michael R.

Good, not great: garlic shrimp is indeed good, but could be made at home pretty easily - ingredients: olive oil, sliced garlic, chili pepper, salt. Lamb chops in peach sauce had lots of flavor and were really nicely prepared. Sangria did the trick, but other dishes we tried (empanadas, chicken croquettes, pork tenderloin, scallops) weren't much to write home about. Overall a decent place to grab tapas, but other reviews overstate the case. Won't be hurrying back.

D H.

I have gone to this place many many times over the last several years. This is fantastic Spanish tapas, and from my travels in Spain seems very authentic. Aim for the meat and seafood dishes. Absolutely great food with a very nice atmosphere. I have to recommend most strongly: Pulpo, Gambas al Ajillo , the rabbit dish, the Stuffed Squid in its own Ink, and the star of the menu: Scallops in Saffron Sauce But really, it would be quite hard to go wrong here. Also, don't listen to any reviews by people who say they don't like tapas categorically, or the one(s) that says "We drank into oblivion" but then complained about the food's taste. Hint: Getting sozzled tends to ruin the taste of good food.

Sarah R.

Very good! Had been to Cuchi Cuchi and thought it was very fun so we wanted to try Dali too. We enjoyed a pitcher of red sangria and sampled: eggplant crepe; broccoli & cauliflower cheese puffs; goat cheese, tomato & basil; shrimp mojo; garlic shrimp; and tenderloin with fruit (apricots & figs) & brandy cream sauce. Plenty for 3. Fun atmosphere and terrific service. Bill was $80. Probably wouldn't get the goat cheese again (should be served with bread) but liked the tenderloin (cream sauce & fruit were so good). We remembered enjoying the garlic shrimp at Cuchi Cuchi and loved it at Dali too. It's a little hard to get a drink at the bar while waiting for a table, but definitely worth the wait. We got there around 7:30 and knew there would be a wait (it was about 35 minutes).

Tiffany L.

Overall, pretty decent food/sangria but when comparing it to the price (and what I had before at our tapas places), this place lost a few stars. We ordered the sangra (strong but tasty...but $23 a pitcher = 4 glasses), fried potatoes (more like boiled with sauce, missed the fried aspect), scallops in saffron cream (probably the best dish), garlic shrimp (sizzling fresh shrimp...maybe frozen bc they were tiny and still had their veins in garlic oil...still good though), lamb meatball special (the other highlight), and the chocolate cake with spicy chocolate sauce (it was okay...). I'm not from Boston/Cambridge, so not sure how diverse the cuisine is here and if there are better tapas place. This place was delicious and the service was great, but I still prefer my favorite tapas restaurants in SF.

Nick M.

I've been here several times and I haven't been disappointed yet. The atmousphere is nice, with a warm feeling to it and a vibrant buzz. We've sat at a table as well as at the bar and the service is excellent in both areas We usually go for the Sangria and some tapas. The tapas are quite tasty and not too filling -- the Sangria is definitely well flavored and robust If you are in the area, definitely stop by and check it out

Brita F.

I can't imagine eating here if you don't eat meat. Which I don't do... too often ;) I make an exception here. I absolutely adore this place! It's pricey for sure, but they have the most delectable tapas, and great staff. I fully endorse ordering the following: Queso de Cabra Montañes Queso Rebozado con Miel Vieiras al Azafrán Conejo Escabechado Chuletillas Croquetas de Bacalao

Aboud Y.

I definitely like Dali...I just don't love it. Don't get me wrong. I love the atmosphere (the space is beautiful and I love the funky and eclectic decor). The food is just too uneven and inconsistent to get a fourth star. I'll definitely be back though.

Elizabeth P.

Dali is another one of those places I'd been meaning to try for awhile, but didn't get around to actually visiting until recently. Now that I've been once though, I don't think I'm going to be staying away nearly as long again! The food and drinks were tasty, the ambiance great, and the service friendly (the "happy birthday" rendition at the table next to ours was a hoot!). The prices aren't low, but I found them fair--tapas aren't exactly cheap, after all. We came on a Monday night, which seemed to be a good idea--the place was rather quiet, and we had no problem getting a 7:30 pm table for three. They do take reservations, however, only until 6:30 (and until 6 on Friday and Saturday). I loved the ambiance--it definitely felt "European" with an appropriate Dali-esque surrealist spin. Tables were spaced nicely, so I would imagine that even if the restaurant was busy, it wouldn't feel too crowded. If you're looking for a date place, this would be a very good choice, although I have to say, tapas are more fun with more people because you get to try more! The drink list has a number of nice options--it was definitely fun to look over. Several of the cocktails looked good and the beer and wine lists had some interesting choices (mostly Spanish, particularly when it came to the wines). I was seriously tempted by the tasting of four wines (white or red), but ultimately had to go with the cava sangria. At the end of the day, sweet, fruity, and fizzy pretty much guarantees my vote. It was seriously awesome, and I'm going to be hard-pressed in future visits to not order a glass (or two!) of the cava sangria again. The food was similarly fun to read over on the menu, and even more enjoyable to eat. I could see going in two directions at Dali, based on their menu. The first, which we did this time, is to order a dinner's worth of tapas, adding more on (and possibly dessert) if still hungry. You could also started out by splitting a smaller quantity of tapas, and then either having your own entree (options consist of three paellas and a whole fish) or splitting one (the saner option). As it was our first visit and I hadn't had tapas in awhile, we stuck with mostly traditional choices. Overall, I'd say the execution was at a pretty high level... everything was at the very least, quite tasty, while several dishes were so good that I'd be sorely tempted to get them over and over again. Most of the dishes seemed to be portioned for two, although they worked fine for three (with some cutting), and could also serve as many as four. Here's the run down of what we ordered: - The Pa amb tomaquet (bread with olive oil, tomato, garlic, anchovy) was solidly good. Maybe the tomatoes could have been riper--or it might just be that I prefer the dish without the anchovies so that I can really taste the tomatoes. - Patatas bravas were really tasty and addictive--a nice rendition of a classic. They're a standard tapas option, but are everywhere for a reason! - Gambas al ajillo were probably my favorite dish of the night. The tiny shrimp came out in a sputtering little dish full of hot oil, garlic, and a spicy pepper. My first shrimp might have burned my mouth a bit, but it was too hard to resist them! A simple, classic, and delicious dish. - Croquettas de pollo were nice and crispy on the outside and well-seasoned on the inside, just like they're supposed to be. The carrot-sherry sauce was a nice accompaniment, and gave the dish a bit of a twist from the classic. - Gorditas (bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with goat cheese and almonds) were probably my least favorite dish on the evening. Don't get me wrong they were good--the combination of savory and sweet was good, and there was some appealing textural variation. They just weren't my favorite... and the bacon could have been crispier. - Albondigas de Cordero were quite tasty--the meatball had a nice texture, and the tomato-mint sauce that went with the dish made them taste much more special. - The Crispy Duck with Fennel Salad (a special) was nice and refreshing, particularly considering that most of our dishes tended toward the savory-oily side of the scale. There probably could have been more duck on the salad but we had so much meat in our other tapas, we were happy with the ratio.

H. G.

This is one of those places where my friends go and say "Even though it's a little cheesy, I love Dali." And then I think, "I don't find it cheesy." And then a few seconds pass and I wonder, "Does that mean I'm cheesy?" Anyway, this used to be my favorite restaurant in Boston/Cambridge, but over the years, my palate and sensibilities have evolved, and now I have moved this down from excellent to very solid. My favorite dish is the duck with berry sauce. Although the duck is often a bit dry, the berry sauce compliments it exceedingly well. I also enjoy the garlic shrimp, the short ribs, and the tomato/basil goat cheese. And the churros are always excellent (usually you can ask for, and receive, caramel sauce in addition to the chocolate sauce, but I was rejected on my last visit).

Jon H.

Three words: Lomito al Cabrales. Let me say again: LOMITO AL CABRALES. This pork dish, cooked to perfection, is covered in a cream sauce with blue cheese that screams EAT ME and then tells you to SCOOP ME UP WITH BREAD, finishing with LICK THE PLATE CLEAN. Seriously, this is the dish I could eat forever. Let's not forget that it also comes with divine mushrooms as well. Its like, perfection. We also had the queso rebozado - little poppers of cheese in a sweet fruit sauce and onions - like flavor explosions that scream OMG! Top that of with a great Valenciana Paella (mix of chicken, pork, clams, squid, and just overall goodness) cooked perfectly and with the right amount of spices....and you've got a perfect night at Dali. The service was excellent - my only complaint was I ordered a bottle of Paso a Paso, which turned out had both a white and red version, and the server didn't even ask which one I was ordering (we wanted the white but got red). All good though, the wine was decently priced, the sangria (a tad expensive) was sweet and strong...just an overall great experience. Total bill? A pitcher of sangria, bottle of wine, the food - a tad over one benjamin for four people - not bad at all!

Dana H.

Yum! This place has a great, fun atmosphere. People say it's romantic, but I think it's too loud to be considered romantic. The decorations are great and the waitstaff are nicely dressed to go with the Spanish theme. Most of the time the food is really great, but there have been a couple times when we have gotten hot tapas that came out cold when it was super busy. If you go there on the weekends, prepare to wait for some time. It's definitely worth the wait, though.

EricaLynn J.

What's the Spanish word for idiot? I can't believe I thought this place was an Indian restaurant, and thus, passed it by for years without giving it a second thought. It's a la-la-lovely place to bring a date or a best friend, have a quiet, private moment by string lights in the corner, or celebrate your birthday with serenading waiters and bubbles and cake. The food gets more and more delicious with every little bite, and the Sangria? Worth every drop and then some. The decor and food and ambience could have easily stood on their own and achieved the highest of ratings, but that did not stop the staff from being sweet, friendly, and clearly proud to be there with you, as if they are inviting you into their beautiful home and sharing with you their juiciest secrets. Oh, Dali, I simply cannot wait to be with you again!

Shelagh M.

Fantastic and AUTHENTIC Spanish Tapas! Everything we ordered was delicious. The tortilla was just like in Spain. The Sangria was perfect (a little overpriced though), the goat cheese and tomato dish was superb, I could go on and on. The only thing I did not like was that I went for my birthday and my Dad brought a cake- they said if we wanted to use their plates and have cake there it would be $5 a person! For 5 plates????? Completely ridiculous. The restaurant I work at charges nothing extra if you bring your own cake on a special day.

Meg S.

This place is all about the atmosphere!! The entrance way looks like you're stepping into the Alhambra. The bar is decorated with your typical Spanish style ham-hocks (I think they're fake...) The lighting is romantic, the wait staff greets you in Spanish and there's an occasional mariachi (tuna) breakdown. Portions were small, prices were high. Food was good, but not quite authentic. Great time overall!

Stephanie C.

I love it!! Such a homey, tasty, and wonderful tapas joint in Somerville/Cambridge. You can get here if you drive from Somerville to Imman Square, or take a long (20 min) walk from Harvard. I always come when I visit.. I frequent it more now when I go back rather than when I lived there (it's a lil expensy for Boston) but nothing else beats Dali's authenticity, taste and decor. (Tapeo, and Bar Lola in downtown are not even close.. well Tapeo is ok, Bar Lola's just bad). You can make a ressie but they don't always honor it, because the place is usually always packed. Even from 7- onward (which is like lunch time for New Yorkers, ha) it's busy. The place is good for all types of occasions though- big groups, birthdays, and dates. Especially dates, because the decor is so beautiful. It looks romantically Spanish, with a lot of girlish nature influences (purple lights, hanging lilacs, wine bottles everywhere..even the entrance makes it looks like a lost secret garden). At the same time though, the place gets pretty rowdy and loud so maybe you might feel it's better for your group. As for the food, it is universally good. With the tapas frios, really the only standout thing is the 1) Esparragos Blancos made here with a unique coriander, and Langostino Sauce..something I'd not seen down here in NYC (my other fav place is Tia Pol in NYC, where they serve this with caviar, yum). As for the asparagus itself, it's really tender in the middle and crispy on the outsides. Hard to explain, but great texture! I do get the Tortilla Espanola here too; it's ok. It's a little too egg-y for my liking but overall, not a bad dish (and one of the "bigger" tapas portions wise). For the tapas calientes, you can count on the: 2) PATATAS BRAVAS for sure Tia Pol's is also solid but I love Dali's aioli. The sauce is so boldy with tomato flavor. 3) The Gamabs- This might be the best Gambas I've ever had... the garlic oil is like crack sauce. I'm sure there's loads of butter in there but the shrimp is perfectly cooked, soft, yet substantiative and sops up the garlic oil nicely. (So does the bread you get, fyi). 4) The Chipirones Rellenos - ok this is not for everyone. Squid Ink is plentiful- it's warm, it's chalky (a bit), but it's fragrant and salty (not too salty, I just meant to say it ain't bland). The squid is cooked firm and the stuffing is nice seasonings. Everuthing likes the 5) Croquetas de Pollo , I mean it is chicken stuffed in fritters, breaded and deep fried. That's not the hard part- it's the carrot-sherry sauce that give it a good, earthy, fresh flavor. If you want something more adventurous, get the Croquetas de Bacalao- Cod Fritters; equally good. 6) Chorizo a la Plancha - This and the fries are probably hands down my favorite Tapas dishes. I must say... it's good but not the best. It's more prepared like spam, but not as watery (well it's grilled)- it's not cooked with any kind of sherry sauce like it is at Tia Pol (ah I know I'm notorios for making annoying passes at another restaurants in reviews but you know, it IS amazing if you visit the 212) Never had their Paella- I wouldn't get that here, it's a tapas place. They used to have a banging fried cheese back in the day, I don't know what happened to that. For desserts, you want to try the Churros w/Warm Chocolate Sauce . So big, so warm, so sugary, and so chocolately... close your eyes you can see it now. Note : it is VERY fried, so share. In general, the portions are bigger than any other place I know. I would imagine it to be because it's Boston. It's not cheap though, evne for NYC standards -it's on par. It's still going to cost you about $35-40 per person (sans Sangria, I've not had it here.. not a huge Sangria fan. I've heard it's not too watered down though). Service is really homey... you know the kind, where you can practice your broken Spanish with the waiter and they'll actually appreciate it. They make good recommendations (they say I'm spot on all the time :)..with maybe the lamb chops in addition if you eat that), and dote on you- always making you're ok with water and food. I hope it never closes! :)

Michael C.

Went to Dali for New Years Eve and had a fantastic time. The place was packed but Dali managed to keep up with the crowd as well as make it fun and entertaining. This place has a great vibe and atmosphere, very latin feel. Reminds me a lot of a place in San Francisco called Cha Cha Cha. The sangria and Paella were especially good. The waiter definitely gave our large the hard sell on the Paella too.

Rachel Leah B.

Dali is located right in the corner of awesomeness within the no-man's-land between Harvard Square and Inman Square. (Neighbors include Bergamot in EVOO's former spot, The Wine and Cheese Cask, and The Kebab Factory.) When we walked in, I felt like I was entering a festive, heavily decorated cave with sangria waterfalls flowing freely. The sangria waterfalls only exist in my head, but Dali's interior is beautiful and welcoming. The tapas, though on the expensive side, are pretty uniformly delicious across the board, and the drinks are great. (The absinthe packs a punch! Or try sharing a porron of wine with your table.) For my full review, go here: forkitoverboston.blogspo…

Ali C V.

Yummy food. Terrific, friendly staff. Kitschy decor and uniforms. Happy vibe. I Love it!

Maurice G.

Called in to make a reservation a while in advance and then followed up a day before but the staff failed to accomodate seating. Came to this area just for dali but with an hour and a half wait went across the street to the kevav factory which was rather good. Btw dali doesn't have open rave reservations. Would double check if you think your reservation is made....

Barbara S.

Having lived in the Boston area for two decades, Dali was always the go-to place for women's nights out, celebrations of evefry caliber and even romance (request one of the two window booths which are very private). At that time I would have given Dali just four stars, because the weekend wait was often unbearable. I am not one to wait to pay lots of money for anything! An impromptu return trip to visit my dear friend called for something special. After her course at the Cambridge School for Adult Ed, she and her sister met me for The Last Night celebration. I arrived early and asked Julio, the animated bartender, to prepare two Cuban rum drinks for them. Ordering two tapas plates to be ready for the sisters' imminent arrival. As true Bostonians, one always told me she "hated" lobster. So I ordered the Ravioles de Mariscos (lobster and crab enveloped in the most thin layers of ravioli) with a langostino sauce that was sublime. One new arrival on the tapas menu pleased, lightly breaded morsels of something I forget that melted in the mouth (San Jacobo?). The breading was tempura style, the slight crunch contrasting to the filling the googey filling. Scrumptious! OMG was the response when the sisters tasted both the Cuban rum with fresh lemon concoctions and their starter tapas. Christine confessed her pleasure in the discovery of the lobster in a new preparation. The again, with Julio showering us with rose petals, we would have been happy with spam. Alas, time to float to our table. The Plato Mixto with Spanish cheeses, serrano ham, roasted red peppers and a nice selection of lightly salted marinated olives cheese portions were small for the price. We later doubled up on a separate order of Jamon Serrano (ham) and used this to create mini-sandwiches with the thinly sliced bread and hummus presented as a complimentary appetizer. The Gorditas (bacon-wrapped prunes with goat cheese and almonds) offered a nice counterpoint to the saltier ham and cheese. The sangria and beer seemed to please my friends, and as world travelers many times over were impressed with the wine selection beyond sangria and rioja. Previously I have had the palate-pleasing garlic soup, stuffed squid in its ink, and the gambas con gabardina (saffron battered shrimp in mojo sauce) and each warranted a return to Dali. Next time I must try the conejo escabechado (braised rabbit) the pato braseado (roast duckling), and the pescado a la sal. The latter evoked applause when presented at a nearby table. Often when something so great is under one's nose it is taken for granted. This Iberian hot spot, marinated in surreal eccentricty and baked in high energy, is a welcome break from the grind of mediocrity. Bravo!

Ebony E.

I've been to Dali a few times over the years, and they always deliver. I recommend this place for a date or intimate birthday celebration (6 people or less). Also, four words: Queso Rebozado con Miel (Fried Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion). It's delicious to say the least.

Ryan P.

Best tapas in the US. I swear. It's so good. I love the friendly, charming, unique atmosphere where you can always count on enthusiastic staff, good quality food and a fun ambiance. I love the gambas al ajilo and the red sangria is to die for. A favorite when I go home to New England, and before I left Cambridge this was a favorite date spot or birthday spot. Love it.

Lahnna E.

I recently returned to Boston to vacation and I had this place in mind before I'd even left San Diego. I've grown accustomed to frequenting non-conventional hideaway-type food establishments, and I would say Dali fits that genre. The windows are decorated by window boxes filled with sparkly dried branches, a small swinging sign the only indication you are in the right place. The door is like a portal to another world. Somerville completely disappears upon entering this place. My family granted my request for dinner here, and after a few turn-arounds, we managed to find its location. Kudos to Dali for offering its patrons parking tips posted on the outside of their door. A fluorescent slip of doom, or the Act of the Disappearing Car never makes for a fun post-meal experience. My entire family has had no experience with Spanish cuisine and so they let me order for them. We started with Jamón Serrano, which came thickly cut, and drizzled with olive oil, Queso de Cabra, baked goat cheese in tomato and basil, and Pato Braseado, a roast duckling with berry sauce (this was easily one of the best dishes, tender and complimented perfectly by the berry sauce). On our second round I asked for the Conejo Escabechado, braised rabbit in red wine, the Faisán a la Alcántara, boneless pheasant dressed with mushroom and bacon, and Gorditas, bacon-wrapped prunes, filled with goat cheese. My brother-in-law loved those the most. Their Cava Sangria is a white sangria made with peach and mango nectars. Delicious, but not too sugary sweet. My mother especially loved the mulled wine. For dessert I asked for for their current special, and our server returned with Besos de Amor, marzipan-stuffed dates with tamarind sauce and vanilla ice cream. All in all, it was exactly the type of experience I wanted, to combine a little of my experiences in San Diego with my hometown of Boston. And I managed to please everyone else in the process as well.

Kelly C.

One of my favorite date places. The place is decorated very funky-with purple walls and fairy lights-and each room looks completely different. The place certainly gets loud at dinner time-I think its a great place to go w/ a bunch of people because you can be loud and animated and no one will care. You should be the type of person that doesn't want a nice calm controlled and/or fast dinner. This is a place you sit and enjoy-not grab a bite to eat real quick. You must have patience-when eating at a tapas place, you order here and there-and therefore the server is not going to be at your beck and call the whole time. I went with someone that was a little more anal than I and he seemed upset he didn't 'get his check immediately' and such. Which is silly....orHave time to enjoy yourself here. The sangria is to die for. White or red, you will not be disappointed. Every item I have tried here is melt-in-you-mouth amazing. I truly love this place and consider it one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in the Boston area.

Dominic Y.

Went to Dali again on a whim on a Monday night. It was not my first time and will definitely not be my last. I love the atmosphere, and the tapas and drinks are just great. We ordered the garlic shrimp, pork tenderloin, ox tail, some others, and finished with churros. All pretty good. My biggest praise goes to the staff, including Yolanda and the bartender who helped us select some incredible drinks---all unnamed but all awesome. We asked them to create something for us three times (kind of like how you would order at Drink), and they came with three different drinks (gin, then vodka, then tequila-based) which were very delightful. Thank you Yolanda and bartender who's name I don't remember!

TJ K.

I love this place. Their lamb is delicious. They make a drink called the Hemingway. Everything is red and atmospheric. They serve a mojito made out of absinthe. I've been here over the years probably six or seven times: mostly dates, a couple small parties. Every time was terrific. Especially the dates. The whole restaurant is an aphrodisiac. My sole critique: they could really tone down the birthday singing. I get it for kids and sweet old people. But I think when some schlub turns 36 you should just hand him a candle and something with gin. I highly recommend this place.

Jeff S.

I've been to Dali several times now, so I feel qualified to give it an honest review. Here are the TOP 9 Reasons to skip Dali, presented in decreasing Stars... 1. AMBIENCE - 5 Stars - Exceptionally pleasing to the eye, and easily one of Boston's TOP 5 Most Romantic Restaurants. 2. FOOD - 3 Stars - A mixed bag. Some tapas rate 4-5 stars, while many others rate only 2 stars. 3. SERVICE - 3 Stars - The wait staff is very knowledgeable, but not very attentive until they want the table and press you to leave. 4. DRINKS - 2 Stars - Drinks and wine actually rate 3 stars. However, because a Spanish Tapas restaurant should have exceptional Sangria, and Dali's is only quite mundane, I have to demote my rating 1 star. 5. WAIT TIME - 2 Stars - They don't accept reservations, and you can easily wait an hour or more to sit. Considering everything else, It's not worth the wait. 6. BACKGROUND NOISE - 2 Stars - This is a very noisy place which makes it hard to conduct a conversation. Gee, isn't that what it's all about? 7. LIGHTING - 2 Stars - Dim lighting is supposed to be romantic, and it is. But, Dali's lighting is more dim than you'd like, making it difficult to read the menu. 8. LOCATION & PARKING - 2 Stars - Although Dali isn't located in Harvard Square itself, the parking situation is just as difficult. 9. VALUE - 1 Star - Considering the very small portions and very high prices, the only real value in Dali is it's exceptional 5-star romantic ambience. And, since this restaurant falls flat on such a multitude of areas, I'd demote its 2.5-star un-weighted mathematical average to just 2 stars overall. I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed. The only way I'll return is if a group of my friends insists we dine there. * * * BIG TIP: One of Dali's sister restaurants is Cuchi Cuchi in Central Square, Cambridge. Although it's still almost as expensive as Dali, it delivers more value for your dollar. The portions are a bit bigger, the prices are a bit lower, the service, food, parking, noise, and lighting are all better, and the Wonderfully Romantic Ambience is still 5 stars.

Dara C.

So here I am, drinking a glass of wine, while a server blows bubbles at me with a toy gun and another man implores me to rub the belly on a golden frog-shaped candleholder while three other men sing "HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!" and a woman snaps a photo of me and presumably, my very wtf countenance. Is this bizarre performance art? Am I in hell? Or is just the sangria? ----------------------------------- Let's backtrack: FACT! The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb "tapar," which means "to cover." Yeah, well, cover me in that spicy-sweet tomato aoili and call me Salvador as my love of tiny, teensy weensy, little microscopic food continues at Dali. We celebrated a one-year anny (hence the song), complete with pitcher of sweet, fruity sangria (mucho better than Tapeao's Jolly Ranchers-flavored iteration.) The food and service, combined with the sexy lighting, made for a perfect evening. Break it down. You must try the rabbit. Must must must. Braised in wine so it's absolutely falling apart, sweet and smokey and sitting in a bath of flavorful sauce that asks, nay, PLEADS, to be mopped up with bread. Also of note were the goat cheese-stuffed prunes with bacon (marrying two of three things I love and one of three things I might learn to love if it weren't for childhood trauma at the hands of my Nana and her moldy back-of-fridge Sunsweet bottle of Unhappiness.) For something vegetarian but no less tasty, the Papas Bravas combine a tangy, vinegary tomato sauce and some sort of aioli/creme. The paella Valenciana was the cat's pajamas, chock full of shellfish, tender chicken, spicy sausages, and savory saffron rice (but no cats.) Tastybuckets, I say. The service (read beginning) was fun, informal, Spanish-speaking, and had surprisingly good harmony. Only odd note? I hit my head on the bathroom sink trying to manuever around the toilet, and I'm only 5'4." So beware if you're anything taller than a My Size Barbie. Great sensuous atmosphere, dim lighting, cool bar and tiled tables. Tasty traditional tapas, transcendent rabbit, and a waitstaff who embarrasses you, albeit on key. Four stars.

Rosie Z.

The atmosphere is fun, casual and romantic. The wait staff is super friendly and make friends with you immediately. The food is delicious. Sangria is good as in the reviews. The only thing I did not like was the crepe, which is a bit tough and dry, more like a corn bread texture than crepe.

Cassie H.

My husband and I ventured to Dali with another couple for a Sunday night dinner. Even though it was Sunday night, we had to wait about forty minutes for a table. They unfortunately don't take reservations for smaller groups. We sat at the bar and ordered the plato mixto for appetizer with bread and sangria. The Serrano Ham was very rich and tasteful, and the cheeses with red peppers were a perfect balance. When we were seated for our meal, we had a lot of fun ordering tapas. We had the Patatas Bravas which were very good, although forgettable. The Queso Rebozado con Miel was very yummy -- deliciously gooey and creamy with a sweet kick. The Vieiras al Azafran were perfectly cooked, and my friend soaked up the saffron cream with her bread. The Pato Braseado was my friend's favorite, although I thought the duck a tad gamey for my taste. The Conejo Escabechado was my husband's favorite; so much so that we order two servings! My husband and I split the flan for dessert which was the perfect way to end the night... Overall, an enjoyable experience, although definitely a pricey evening!

John F.

Oh man, this restaurant! I don't get down here often enough. The food is wonderful, and the selection is vast enough that anyone can find a couple of dishes that intrigue them. The atmosphere is perfect; dimly lit to the point of being wonderfully atmospheric without being obnoxiously dark. I love the double wooden doors going in. The whole vibe of the place is just awesome. Also, if you're there and over 21, you MUST try the sangria! One of the best restaurants in Cambridge/Somerville.

Chann C.

Why didn't I come here sooner?!!! I went here last night with a friend. We heard a lot of good things about this place. On the outside, it seems like just any other restaurant, but when you walk in, it feels as if you're whisked away to Spain. The decor is absolutely wonderful! We sat at the bar and started browsing their excellent drink menu. My friend ordered their Cha Cha Cha cocktail which mainly tasted of mango, but it was nonetheless refreshingly delicious. I decided to go with their absinthe because I've always wanted to try it. It tastes exactly like licorice. Now for the food...we started off with a sampling of bread. It came with this yummy cream cheese with roasted red peppers. From the tapas menu, we had pimiento relleno (anaheim pepper filled with rice & mushrooms with spicy sour cream), patatas bravas (deep-fried potatoes with piquant tomato sauce & aioli), gambas con gabardina (saffron-batter fried shrimp with a mojo sauce), and the curried chicken thigh with shallots and eggplant with spicy sour cream. They were ALL absolutely delicious! The saffron-batter fried shrimp with that mojo sauce was my favorite! The sauce is amazing. Definitely going to order that every time I'm here. For dessert, we had churros and tarta de santiago (almond cake with coffee cream sauce). The churros were fried to perfection and the chocolate sauce was rich and decadent. I wasn't a huge fan of the almond cake. It was cold and hard. Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience. 2 drinks, 4 tapas plates, 2 desserts for 2 people = about $90 (w/tip) Our bartender was awesome. The food was delicious. Will definitely be back especially since it's down the street!

Claudia H.

THE place for Tapas in Cambridge! Tortilla, Patatas Bravas, Croquetas...it feels like being somewhere in Barcelona's Las Ramblas! I went there with a group of 6 people (some of them Spaniards), and we had an amazing time sharing tapas and drinking really cold and tasty Spanish beer (Don't miss Estrella Damm, great beer!). I strongly recommend the ham, the octopus and the garlic shrimp, but all the tapas are definitely worth it! Just a word of caution: although we had made a reservation, we had to wait almost 20-30min to be seated, though the service was really good after that. It can also get a bit loud, as there are many big groups having dinner there... The check was $200 total for the 6 of us, around $33 per person, which was pretty reasonable given the amount of food (and beer) we had! As said, this is THE place to go for tapas!

Susan M.

Oh Dali, why are you so close to my house?! Why do you tempt me so!? I. Love. Tapas. They are my favorite. I love eating small, inefficiently sized plates of food. Seriously, I really do. It's my favorite way to eat. Plus, those tiny little plates encouraging sharing (which is sort of counter intuitive if you think about it) which is also my favorite way to eat. I will admit that Dali is not my favorite of Boston's Tapas place but as I mentioned above, it's RIGHT BY MY HOUSE, making it extremely convenient when I've had a bad day and want to treat myself with tapas or have no food and decide on tapas or... oooh look, Dali! I trekked over here the other night with my husband for a handful of tapas and some bevs after a long week. It was pretty perfect - warm and delightful, delicious. The waitress sort of forgot we were alive but that was okay for this evening - plus, we got to watch the embarrassment that is an anniversary at Dali. There is singing, I'm just saying.

Bryn B.

Whether you're looking for a romantic evening, a fun dinner with friends, or a pitcher (yes, pitcher) of authentic sangria at the bar, Dali is your spot. The waitstaff speaks Spanish and English, and is very accommodating and patient if you prefer Spanish, but are not a native speaker (thanks, guys!). Dali has been rated one of Boston's top romantic restaurants. The two occasions I've dined at Dali have been of the romantic sort. The atmosphere lends itself perfectly to a gooey, coupley dinner for two. They have a good selection of quality wines and the food is phenomenal. The lighting is low candle light and there's usually bachata playing in the background. The decor is loud and accompanies the restaurant name (as in Salvador Dali). You certainly won't find another place quite like this in Boston. The first time I came here we tried the house-made sangria - fantastic! Our second time in, we got a bottle of the Bodegas Tarima Monastrell, a red wine from Spain, which was delicious. Dali is also good for a group of friends. They have, or will make, the space to accommodate parties. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a group of people to breeze through a few bottles of wine by the time dessert rolls around.

Krystal T.

Great food and great sangria. This place is very authentic, but pricey. 5 stars for ambiance and quality.

Jess R.

Dali was great- I really really liked it, although I'm hesitant to give it five stars until I have been a few times. Stand out dishes: fried queso with sweet onions and honey; sausage with figs; lamb chops in peach and mint sauce. We ordered many more things, and none of them disappointed, including dessert. Between three people we had 1L of sangria, seven savory dishes, and four desserts (although this was a bit of a mis-communication, since we really just wanted some dulce de leche instead of chocolate sauce with our churros, but ended up with churros and also dulce de leche sorbet). Unusually for a restaurant, I felt like even after ordering 11 menu items, there were still many more that I wanted to come back to try. The ambiance is definitely quirky, but in a good way. We were a little peeved that we had to wait 30-45 minutes for a table when the restaurant was pretty empty, but we had fun at the bar.

Michael B.

I love Dali! Kiss the frog! Great place for group celebrations...you'll learn all about the golden frog if you notify the staff that you have a birthday, graduation, etc to celebrate :) I've lost track of how many times I've been, but I think it must be approaching double digits. After checking in with the hostess, get some delicious sangria at the bar while you wait for your table, and then bring the rest of the pitcher over to your table. Don't forget to order seconds (and thirds) of sangria! Food selection is diverse and almost universally tasty. Some of my favorites include Roast Duckling w/ Berry Sauce, Bacon-wrapped Prunes stuffed w/Goat Cheese, Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms, and Lobster/Crabmeat Ravioli w/Langostino Sauce. Decor is dimly lit and eclectic with a Spanish flavor. Really fun atmosphere. Enjoy! I'll certainly be back many more times :)

Lisa R.

Yum-o! This is place is such a wonderful spot. The service, food and decor is awesome! We went on a Sunday and it was pretty crowded (lots of bday celebrations). The food was so good! We got about 10-12 plates to share among the 3 of us and it was plenty. The sangria is delicious as well. Plus, there was a good selection of beer available. I really liked this place.

Katharine N.

Go to Dali not for a romantic evening (the restaurant is very noisy) nor for fine cuisine but to linger over sangria and tasty tapas with a big group in a vibrant and festive setting. While the cocktails are delicious, foodies won't be overwhelmed by the standard Spanish offerings--more fried or over-seasoned than fresh, the entrees aren't particularly inventive or healthy--stick to the 40-plus tapas plates (garlic shrimp, short ribs, baked goat cheese, chicken croquettes) which are dependable--I'd say good not great. The highlight was really the staff--our servers were extremely friendly and attentive (particularly attuned to allergies in the group) and even began singing and dancing with our large party by the end of the night. The ambiance is also fun before a night out--think Latin music, dim lighting and Spanish decor. However, if you're looking for a more culinary take on Spanish tapas, I'd try Toro instead...

Say S.

Dear Dali, i love you! the staff is wonderful. very attentive, friendly and fast. the food is to die for- and the sangria is just right! i absolutely recommend this restaurant to everyone. Love, Sarah

Laura L.

Great atmosphere, yummy tapas, especially the grilled octopus. Good for groups, also. Don't forget your ID, or you won't be served alcohol!

Debra L.

We recently came here because my fiance's best friend was in town visting and he loves Dali. It was his favorite back when they were in school together and living in Cambridge. Well, Dali and the Border Cafe. But, when his friend called and originally suggested the Border Cafe last week my fiance' actually heard the guy's mother yell at him in the background "You're a grown man with a baby - you can't drink Margaritas at Border Cafe anymore!" I disagree! When you're a grown man with a baby and you're staying with your parents for Christmas and your mother is babysitting so you and your wife can catch up with friends...you should be able to go wherever you want! Anyway, we tried to tell him that Torro is the best place for tapas nowadays (and he was even staying in the South End...steps from Torro) but no, we had to schlepp all the way to Dali. I like Dali, don't get me wrong. But it's the same menu as Solea and Tapeo and I'm kind of over it, at least for now. Plus, it's all been said in the gazillion reviews here. The food (baked cheese, wild boar, seafood ravioli's, artichoke hearts etc.) is incredibly good. The sangria, quite tasty. The atmosphere, loud and colorful. There was no wait which was a bonus. The staff was pleasant. The owner dished out lots of marital advice to our table for unknown reasons. I didn't mind though - it was all about how the woman is always right. But if that were really true, we would have been eating at Torro, not Dali.

Jef S.

I wanted to like Dali. I really tried. And if I ever get back there, I'll give it a second chance. But I just wasn't into it. In a nutshell: -Our server was very friendly, but tired after a long night of pulling tables. By our 10pm visit, he was slipping up and forgetting a lot. -The sangria was fabulous, as promised, and it was savored in ample quantity. - The tapas were skipped; I wanted something a bit more substantial. Enter Paella Valenciana. Not bad at all, but it didn't wow me. - Dessert was something creamy, vanilla-ish, and sweet to the point where I could feel individual grains of sugar slipping under my fillings. - A beautiful, VERY beautiful room to eat in, but so crowded from host desk to table to exit. We were literally bumping elbows with the wall for the entire meal. - Romantic...not so much. How can it be romantic if you have to shout at your sweetie because the ambient noise level in the room is so bloody deafening? Like I said, I am determined to get back here some day and really like it. Maybe if I go early instead of late. Maybe if I try the tapas this time. Maybe if I have six pitchers of sangria instead of just three. Oh yes...there will be love of Dali!

Jessica S.

Food is generally good and the amosphere at night is nice. Drinks are good. Portions are small and it is pricey. Good--ribs, veg paella, lobster ravioi, veg cheese puffs. I know a lot of people like the gorditas but I didnt like them. Garlic shrimp was ok but they were small and it was salty. Bread pudding was amazing. Chocolate ice cream was a bit too dark for my taste. Service is good.

Rachel P.

Delicious! Best lamb chops I've ever had. I can't wait to come here again.

Ulli K.

For FOREVER people have told me that I need to ditch Tapeo and get my fabulous self over to Dali. How the food is better and really, all of it is better. Well. What can I say. I wasn't impressed. We were seated at 6:30 and our food arrived at 6:40. No joke. Now, that's not a dining experience, that's a fast food joint. When you have to look at the waiter and ask if the food is actually made fresh (hey, even if it's not, PRETEND IT IS by letting a person sip on a drink first). We felt rushed. A wonderful birthday dinner was really spoiled a bit because of this fast service. My boyfriend and I are both people who can sit for a good amount of time and talk and drink and eat food......instead we were back at our car in an hour deflated and dissappointed. Also: I ordered a couple of dishes that I have seen on Tapeo's menu and they were identical. So, Tapeo wins this one 10x over for me.

Jamie M.

The Tapas and Sangria were to die for. Nice environment, really enjoyed my dinner here

jb h.

Been here a few times. The ambience and decor of Dali is excellent. It's the perfect place to take a date. It gets pretty busy and crowded so definitely make reservations. Service can be slow when its busy. The food is pretty good. The paellas are just average, nothing to write home about. I would not bother with them, you come here for the tapas which are excellent. I've tried the majority of them over several visits and most of them are very good. My favorites include the Roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce, Lamb Chops w/Peach Sauce, and Pheasant w/Mushroom & Bacon. Just a warning Dali can get really expensive really fast especially if you have a big appetite like me. The tapas are not very large. Dinner is always good but the bill is always a shocker!

Kat T.

Dali is a lovely romantic place to go to- with great staff, excellent drinks and decadent dishes. I wish people should stop wearing junky T-shirts to nicer places Dali and followed the casual elegant recommended attire. How hard is it to wear a polo or long sleeve shirt to a nice lunch or dinner?

Inna S.

This restaurant has been a favorite for me for years. I love the atmosphere and adore the food. The wait is usually long, but it's always worth it. Have some sangria while you wait! :-) I usually get the tapas for the table and try to save room for the fruit-filled crepe for desert. Garlic shrimp, stuffed squid, rabbit, pork tenderloin are some of my personal favorite tapas. But all I've tried were so good!

Sean J.

They take reservations, but not real reservations. To them, it's just a name on their list of people for the "preferred seating" area. I put my name in but when I arrived they did not have my name on the list and the wait was 1.5 hours. It reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry lambasts a woman for taking reservations, but not holding on to said reservations....

Heather S.

Who would guess that within this plain looking building lies a magical palace of delicious food? Wonderfully romantic, dimly lit, absolute indulgence! If you love tapas and good sangria, look no further! Our waitress was incredibly helpful, truly listening to what foods we liked and suggesting her favorites (based on our preferences) off the menu. I esp. recommend the Queso de Cabra Montaes (Baked Goat Cheese w/Tomato & Basil), the Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Queso Rebozado con Miel (Fried Spanish Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion), and the Tortilla Espaola (Egg/Potato/Onion Omelette). Service was appropriately timed; it's an art to balance an order so that the table brims but doesn't topple over or get cold with overlooked delicious food. It was a sumptuous meal at a reasonable price in a lovely atmosphere. We'll be back!

Joanna C.

Mmmmm... it was like being transported into another world filled with sangria and music and casual elegance and mouthwatering delectable treats that made you want to burst into song. I love the ambiance - with their twinkle lights, and two seater "booths" that give a measure of privacy to their diners. More for the couples on dates (which the host seemed to place with precision), and cozy tables laid out for the rest of us. :) I was greeted in a flurry of air kisses and a "where have you been??" by the host, who was charming and over the top with his effort to make us feel at ease. We were swept into the dining room, and were seated and greeted by our server who dashed off to bring us sangrias (delicious!) and ice water. Our tapa of rabbit was braised in a fruit sauce (plum?) - that made the rabbit fall off the bone delicious, and we were scraping the last of the fruity goodness with our spoon. The squid in it's own ink... MMMMMM... SO GOOD. It was dark, and meaty, and just... mysteriously delicious. If I could have a love affair with food, this dish would be my perfect companion. The broccoli and cauliflower and cheese puffs weren't as airy as I would have liked, but more like hush puppies... which were still excellent. The sliced sirloin with artichokes were garlicky and good, and we sopped up the rest of the sauce with the sliced bread. We indulged in dessert with churros with chocolate sauce, that ended our night on a perfectly sweet note. Service was impeccable, the food was absolutely delicious, and we left this magical world of Dali completely satisfied.

Alexis A.

I've driven past this place a thousand times and haven't ever had the urge to walk in. Finally a friend that lives down the street from Dali told me what I've been missing and boy where they right! When you walk in, the decor is like nothing else in Boston! Place is totally packed all the time, and for good reason! Great small plates to share over delis cocktails! Win/win

Jeananne R.

One of the best restaurants that I have been to in Boston! I first went with a group of friends for tapas and sangria, and I was really impressed with the decor and the service! I recently returned with a friend of mine and we had the best server, she was fun, friendly, and gave us good tips on which seafood tapas to order. Also the bread pudding was delicious! Its a great place to go on a date if you are looking for someplace to go near Harvard, I highly recommend Dali!

George G.

This place quickly became one of my favorite places in Boston. Greeted with a smile, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming and comfortable - almost cozy. The front room has a bar and I hear it gets quite busy on weekends, but I went on a Monday night for dinner at a table, and had an excellent experience. The deco is really cool with an aged and festive feel (especially liked the mirror in the bathroom). The two dining rooms towards the back of the restaurant had a warm, dark, welcoming feel. Getting the soup was a good idea since it came out quick, right after the incredible sangria. The whole fish was delicious and quite interestingly prepared - and prepped at the table. All around awesome. Can't wait to go back.

Pamela A.

Props to the person who referred to Dali as a "panty dropper" - couldn't have said it better myself. The food is consistently extraordinary. They make of all of the classic tapas dishes and then some. Saffron scallops, croquettes of this and that, artichoke hearts, octopus, list goes on for miles. The romantic atmosphere, the decor, exceptional hosts and waitstaff who know their sh*t , all make this one of my absolute favorite places in Boston.

Abbe M.

Rabbit, crepe, sausage and fig, calamari very good. Garlic shrimp not great.

Kat O.

I love tapas bars, but I just wish someone could come around and make them more affordable. Dali was not out of the normal scope of tapas prices - plates ranged from $6-12, if I can recall correctly. I took my parents and a family friend to Dali on a Friday night (Friday after Thanksgiving) at close to 8 or 9 and the place was absolutely hoppin'. We waited at the bar for a while with some yummy drinks and fun and festive bartenders and then were seated and served very promptly. The decor inside is so lively, which perfectly matched the ambiance and mood of the other diners in the place. Our dishes came out very quickly (which is impressive, since I'm pretty sure they cook each small dish fresh each time it's ordered) and whenever they were ready so we could eat and sample and talk and continuously have food delivered at different times. It was a pretty awesome experience. My dad was even impressed and he's a little hard to please. Do be prepared to wait for a table if you go during high traffic hours. I always say that I'd rather wait for a table in a bumpin' joint then get my first pick of tables in an empty house on a Friday night. **Best dish of the night: Chuletillas (grilled baby lamb chops with peach sauce)

Nora F.

If I went here every week, I'd be broke in no time, but it's great as an occasional treat. Great sangria, good food (a little pricey) and a fun atmosphere. I tried the gazpacho, one of the cold antipasto plates, and the flan. All were great!

Mary R.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Dali before. I love tapas - the atmosphere is especially great at Dali and the Sangria is always excellent. I celebrated my birthday dinner here back in December and had a fabulous time. I returned last night with two friends right before 11for a pitcher (or two) of sangria -- can you really just have one? and the best dish I've ever had. It's cheese with honey and caramelized onions and it would be a MUST on the menu for my last meal. Dali is perfect for a group dinner, a romantic drink at the bar or to catch up with a group of girlfriends. And the best part is it's within walking distance of my place, so I never have to worry!

Alex H.

Over rated. Decent food but nothing to rave about. You are better off going to another of the tapas restaurants in Boston - I recommend Estragon. I don't understand why there is always such a long line. This place used to be better.

molly f.

holy mother of god- give me all your sangria, garlic shrimp, braised short-ribs, rice pudding, tortilla, and cheese with honey. I am fat-happy & delighted to have found a legit spanish restaurant that doesn't eff around when it comes to getting the ingredients and flavors right. Dali- I will be back to indulge again, and again, and again...Ole!!!

matt k.

I went here with a group of TEN! We must have had a reservation, as there was no wait. There is a bar/lounge area with naked lady sculptures on the walls and a naked lady painting behind the bar. Over the bar is hung dried meats and vegetables. I'm not sure if they were real or fake. This is where we sat, although there are two more dining rooms in the building. Every square inch of the places is decorated with something. The mirror in the mens' room was fashioned out of knives, thread spools, buttons, screws, and lighters, and all of the walls and tables were either covered in or embedded with weird found objects or chunks of wine casks. There are a couple really cozy booths with curtains up against windows. Because we were so many, I think we may have actually ordered one of every tapas plate. I'm not big on fish or goat cheese, so I skipped a couple, but everything was incredibly flavorful and awesome, especially the sauces (sopped with lots of bread too). Last night they had a special plate of WILD BOAR and another of VENISON SAUSAGE. Yum! The only thing that marred my experience was damn near chipping my tooth on a shard of bone inside a piece of roasted rabbit. I think I had one bite of 7 different things but was miraculously full after dinner. Of course, I had dessert. My wife had the Ubiquitous Flan (nothing amazing) and I had churros! They were good, but I would have rather filled up on dinner. Their sangria is OK. They sell AJ Stephans Ginger Beer from Fall River which packs a wallop. I wanted to try a glass of Cava, but I was the driver once my wife had her 3rd glass of sangria. O_o

Carly N.

Interesting atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Not so great for vegetarians, lots of, what my friends said were great meat dishes, the non-meat dishes left me wanting more.

Beth E.

Dali was my first experience with tapas and has yet to be surpassed. My first trip here was a work dinner, a bunch of folks from my office and a few folks from the client. The sangria was flowing freely, and the tapas just kept on coming. Everything we had was super tasty and we just kept ordering more. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Definitely need to make a plan to go back again soon. As a bonus, after about 10 years of Spanish, it was all those jarras de sangria that finally somehow made it possible for me to figure out how to roll my rrrrrrrrrrr's. :)

Christin K.

This is really one of the best restaurants in the Boston/Cambridge area... Atmosphere is really wonderfully exotic and relaxing with low lighting, and seductive little window tables for two... The food is delicious and such fun to eat slowly tasting a variety of dishes, the spanish fried cheese with honey was my absolute favorite... The service was friendly and pleasant... even on Mother's Day! The sangria is amazing!

Kim P.

The following advisory tale details what happened to me upon arriving at Dali. Take it as a metaphor for the rest of my experience there, as well. The Significant Other, having recently received a windfall from Grandpa Significant Other, took me to Dali as a nice surprise on a Friday night. Around 7:15 p.m., there's a 30-45 minute wait for a table. We sit down at the bar. We want Sangria. The bartender wants IDs. Oops. Guess who left her identification at home? AGAIN. This girl. As mentioned in previous reviews, it has become clear to me that at first glance, bartenders tend to pin my age as being somewhere in the 12-14 range, as opposed to the wizened 22 that I actually am. Most bartenders are real jerks about it, all "Hell no, middle schooler. You're not drinking tonight!" The bartender at Dali was different. He actually seemed concerned: "If only you looked older!" he moaned, "But you look-a so YOUNG!" No problem, man. I understand how it is - liquor licenses aren't cheap or easy to get in Slummerville, and it only takes one Kim P. on the wrong side of 21 to ruin it for a great place like Dali. So the S.O. and I take a quick walk (10 min or so) back to the house, pick up my ID, and return. When we get back and I present my ID, two things happen: (1) our table is ready immediately and (2) one of our ($6.50) drinks is free. I mean, what a nice guy. I was the one who forgot to bring her identification (yet again - I'm notorious for this), and YOU give ME free drinks and line-jumping privileges? Shoot. You crazy, Dali. But I like it. The rest of the service we received that evening followed a similar, over-the-top awesome pattern. The waiter was great at helping us order, bringing dishes at the right time, coming when we needed him and leaving us alone when we didn't. The food was incredible. I tried to remember what yelpers had ordered, and I remembered something about the cheese. Good call, friends. The fried cheese with caramelized onions was to die for. Also amazing was the Fried Shrimp with Mojo sauce. I don't know what was in this "Mojo," but I don't care. It was really good. Finally, the waiter recommended the pork with the blue cheese and mushroom sauce, saying that it was the best sauce available. He was for real: it was delicious. The only mediocre items I had were the Estofado (some kind of beef stew off the specials menu that I considered too salty) and both the churros and the dessert crepe. But it's worth saying that I ate every bite of these "mediocre" dishes anyways. Before we left, our waiter joked with us that we should bring in a big group for dinner here - that way we can try everything on the menu. I'm going to take him up on this offer just as soon as I make some friends. Conclusion: I thought it would be good, it was even better than I thought, and I'm coming again. And I got a free drink for being an absentminded young woman, whereas I normally just get verbally harassed and glared at.

Nathen S.

Awesome tapas. Great sangria and amazing atmosphere.

Allison E.

After all these years, Dali is STILL good! That's a feat, to keep the food, atmosphere, drinks and fun happening. When I was there several weeks ago, we even danced next to the bar for 45 minutes, and had more fun. Go there: eat tapas, drink Sangria or wine or... and enjoy life as you are supposed to.

James M.

I went here on a saturday night. It is a smaller sized restaurant and was packed. Wait for table was 40 mins and we settled for bar which they said would be 15 minutes. We ended up waiting 40 minutes for a seat at the bar to eat. Generally when you get an experience like that you are put off by a restaurant. It would have to be just ridiculousely awesome to turn it around. HOWEVER, when we got the food it completely changed that sentiment around and then some. This place is truly authentic and you can tell the staff and owner put their soul into it. Tappas (which are small dishes) Food orders came within 5 mins. We ordered like 5 tappas including lobster ravioli, lamb with mint essense, quail wrapped in bacon, short ribs. It was some of the best food i've ever had especially the lobster ravioli. Everything was done just perfect with the herbs and spices. I highly recommend and will probably go again on a day where we can make reservations.

Danielle K.

I finally went here after a long time of planning with my friend who used to go here a bunch. My friend tried to make reservations for 8, but apparently they stop taking reservations after 7 or 7:30, but they put us on a "priority" list. We got there at 8 and there was a 25-30 minute wait. The place was lively and inviting and I was excited to sit at the bar while we waited. We ordered the Plato Mixto which had some Spanish cheeses and meats on it. Nice plate to share and snack on while we waited. The waiter was really friendly and was quick behind the bar. When were finally seated, we ordered 3 tapas (Mushroom-stuff artichokes, Beef Empanadillas, and Pheasant) and seafood paella. The Empanadilla and Pheasant were really, really good. The sauce on the pheasant was rich and delicious and went so well with this type of fowl. The let-down were the artichokes - the artichokes overpowered the mushrooms and left me thinking they should have stuffed them with something more substantial, like ground beef or something. Also the bummer was that they totally tasted like the canned artichoke hearts I buy. The Paella was another let-down. The mussels, shrimp and scallops were overcooked, and it just tasted bland. I was expecting something cooked with saffron to have a much more aromatic smell and taste and it simply didn't. I'd go back to try some of the other tapas and stick solely with those as the meal. The service and atmosphere are great (except for water - i was parched!!!)

wsl l.

The tapas here are better than Tasca.. I always seem to get the short ribs and duck but I havent decided if those are my favorite yet. The service is alright, kinda rushed because they are always so busy. I must say though, that I'm not sure why this cozy lil place has become a birthday destination. HATE to poop on your parade, but the song and bubbles gotta GO.

EA L.

This is getting sad. As a visitor to Boston this is the 3rd place I've had to give a low star rating to. I have been looking for a great place to eat and bring guest to while I'm in the area but every place has failed horribly! It would have gotten a one-star had the service not been excellent but unfortunately service does not make up for the food. I'll start off with the positive. This has been the first restaurant that people were friendly. So far everywhere I have gone the people don't greet you with a smile or friendly hello. Often the wait staff and manager don't bother to check in on the tables. Our waiter was awesome. Friendly, nice, informative, attentive and efficient with our needs. The manager checked in on us and it wasn't the typical "how is everything" question often asked. Also we loved the eclectic feel to the place. Now for the bad. It was a little loud due to people trying to talk over the music. The menu is limited and there isn't much of a veggie option. We decided to be adventurous and order some unusual things such as squid, frog legs and rabbit, etc. These are all things I've had before and loved (minus the frog legs) but my boyfriend hasn't. We also ordered two of the best looking veggie dishes a cheese fritter thing (can't remember the name) and spinach/mushroom crepe. --The best thing we had was the cheese fritter and it tasted mild but hardy. --The crepe was disgusting. It was not homemade or if it was the crepe was frozen. Same could be said about the over cooked spinach inside which was mushy. We also couldn't taste the mushrooms since there weren't many to be found. And the crepe cheese was milked/watered down and unpleasant. --The squid was bland, too oily and had no flavor but was cooked properly. --The frog legs were cooked well but again were very oily with no seasoning. Even though frog isn't a favorite it tasted like battered fried oil. Some kind of seasoning or marinated would help --The rabbit was tender but had no flavor. It seemed like the rabbit is cook separately from the gravy since no flavor was imparted on it. The gravy was disgusting and an overkill of juniper berries making the dish almost uneatable. Also the first four dishes came out of the kitchen within 10 minute of ordering with the rabbit not coming out until about 45 minutes later long after we had picked through the other dishes. With the timing I realized right away this place is a joke. Tapas should be fresh with very little made ahead of time. Dishes should ONLY come out one or two at a time and the only reason I think our final dish came out so late was because the kitchen forgot about us. Skip the meal there...you'll save a lot of money, the oily unseasoned food and the disappointment of what a true Tapas place should be like. Enjoy the place only for drinks with friends since the staff is friendly.

Sana N.

Dark, mysterious and candlelit The tables are cozy at which you sit Small are the plates, but the Tapas are great - If you want to blow her mind, and you want her well fed Come here, you'll be satisfied - and in her bed.

Lindsay W.

I took my mother here after we got back from our day trip to the Cape. Luckily we didn't have to wait long because it was a Sunday night. Plus I had called a couple hours earlier to put our name on the list for 7:30 pm. I would recommend doing this if possible. We were seated right away and ordered a half pitcher of the Sangria. It was fabulous! They also served us a hefty portion of bread slices and hummus (the bread could be a little better). Then we ordered the fried cheese, swordfish skewers, seafood ravioli, and marinated olives. The lighting in this restaurant is so magical and the decorations are very authentic. I felt so relaxed. After our first set of tapas the waiter recommended the duck in berry sauce. This was our last order and by far the best. The waiter said it was everybody's favorite and I understand why. Although it's a little expensive (thanks Mom for picking up the bill) we left perfectly satisfied and content :) *I apologize for butchering the names of our tapas orders. Their Spanish names are much more appealing.

Daniel F.

When I visit my friends in the Somerville/Cambridge area, I do my best to go here one night. By far, the best tapas place in the Boston area that I have been to. Their sangria (in both red and white varieities, mind you) ROCK. If you can get your group in there, a great time will be had by all, sharing the multitude of great dishes from gambas al ajillo, to pulpo, to other staples like paella. Wine list is also adorned with some classics from some of the great Spanish appellations. The bill may rack up a bit, but the ambiance, gourmet cooking, and excellent service make it worth it.

Amy C.

The wait at this place over hte weekend is outrageous, so be sure to make a reservation. I was pleased they were able to seat us 20 minutes earlier than the estimate, and I can see why it's so popular. The decor is really cool, and the service is excellent! We enjoyed the seafood paella (could've used more rice, I thought, though the seafood was excellent!), pescado al sal (I love this dish and they did a great job deboning and 'excavating' it), mixed appetizer (only ok for me since I'm not a fan of cheese in general), and spanish omelette (delicious!). It is somewhat pricey, especially if you throw in teh sangria, but the overall atmosphere, service, and food is quite good!

Tinkerbell T.

I've only been here once, but it was really, really good. The service was a bit spotty but I can overlook that because we came in on a Friday night. Tried a little bit of everything. Cold octopus - ehhh. Pheasant wwith bacon - ehhh. Baked goat cheese and basil - weeeee! Wine - weeeeeee! White asparagus with a creamy sauce - delish! I can't really remember what else I had but it was all pretty good. I would like to come back on a quieter night and get a better table, not by the door.

Madeleine O.

I will be going back. I will be bringing a lot of people back here too. The rabbit was simply to die for. I mean, WOW. First of all, finding rabbit isn't an easy thing especially something that is often on a menu. The sauce was phenomenal. The duck-literally prepared my favorite way!! There is only one other place I have been to that does it that way!! The scallops, meat and cheese plate, everything and the mojito was also delicious, as was the sangria. The service was good, very friendly staff :)

Morten H.

A note to my future dining companions - You see I tend to get a little cranky and moody when my blood sugar drops below a certain threshold and so I'd like to ask for your forgiveness beforehand. And while I normally would agree with you that it would be in our best interests to find another place when this happens I'm afraid that I will be obstinate and resist any attempts to do so if we have decided to eat at Dali. I am sure you will forgive me for being obstinate and temperamental when you taste the wonderful tapas that they serve. The Gambas al Ajillo are worth it So why don't we sit at the bar and have some wonderful sangria and I'll try my best to be a personable as I can while we wait.

Kelly G.

My partner and I went on our first date there and it was super romantic. There were a bunch of groups of people there laughing and eating but we were seated at a curtained table in the front and it was perfect. The staff were considerate even though their english didn't always seem great. We got 5 plates to split and that seemed like enough food for two. The rabbit was great, there was a potato dish that I loved, and the tortilla is a classic. It is a little pricey but worth it. Do also hit the specialty cocktail list.

Meghan K.

Dali is my favorite restaurant. The food and atmosphere are great, and everyone who works there is so gracious and always smiling. My favorite things to order are the sangria, pork tenderloin in blue cheese sauce, the beef tenderloin w/ dried fruit, broccoli and cauliflower cheese puffs, patatas bravas, garlic shrimp, beef short ribs, the quail, bacon wrapped prunes, and empenadas. Make sure you save room for dessert and order the churros!

Nors P.

The service was fine. Friendly but not overly helpful. Ambiance was great - I agree would be a great date place - I went for a catch up with a friend and it was wonderful for that as well. I was a little dissapointed by the food (based on the reviews) maybe we didnt order the right things but we werent really blown away by anything - nothing made either of us think, Oh we really need to come back so... meh?

Deepa C.

An enjoyable evening was had by all! Three couples playing grown up steered ourselves towards this delightful place for some tapas and drink (except me, DD that night. boo). The ambiance is very lively and inviting. Lots of couples, lots of birthdays, waiters and waitresses running around with trays of food and decanters of wine and sangria. Our waiter was friendly and helpful with a keen knowledge of the menu. And the food - wonderful. Since there were six of us, we ordered almost everything on the menu. I liked everything I sampled (except the squid). It is a great place to play Anthony Bourdain; the menu unique and well executed. Good for revelry and romance. Great staff, talented kitchen and warm ambiance.

Mr. Met s.

wow, this place brings back memories of spain yes. even though inside kind of reminds you of a witch's tavern - many spanish tapa bars in spain also have a similar setup. From the bartender's spanish outfits to the customer service the host/waiters provide - just like spain/europe buT WOW, the wait was long. you can call and put your name on the list, which puts you ahead on people who didn't call, but it's still a long wait. we went at 9pm, probably one of the longest waits as dinner time is about to finish up. by 10pm, there was no wait. People at the bar, are actually people waiting to be seated also, because the bar does not serve tapas,etc, only desserts. Must try lobster ravioli, creamy cheese, well made pasta coat, and lobster meat. Fried cheese with honey - wow, amazing! flour coated outside, bursting with creamy white cheese inside, and on the side fried sweetend onions that mix well with it. But very sweet! potatoes bravas - good red potatoes, not amazing, but mixes well wih the fried,sweetened onions The sangria was excellent , better than any bar i had except for spain. also had 100% noir grape cava, very good

Jason C.

The food, decor and sangria are amazing. I would have given the place 5 stars, but the wait can be way too long and the bar area gets way too crowded.

Lindsay R.

I came here with some friends - and loved it! I was a tapas virgin (scary, I know!) but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this place. Luckily for us, there were not birthdays that night. This was the first place I had ever had rabbit...and it was tasty. I felt a little sad for eating Thumper, but I do have to say he was delicious. Everything we had was great.

Natalia T.

Great place with a character! This place is very romantic, but in a loud and upbeat kind of way! It's a great spot for Valentine's Day (but I don't think they take reservations, so get there early) It's got a great atmosphere with super friendly people, delicious food and sangria that goes right to your head. It's the place to go when you can't decide what exactly what you're craving; just order a bunch of tapas to share with your friends. Very beautiful decorations and cozy tables in the corners.

S S.

I really want to give Dali a three and half. I love the cute decor from the outside. However maybe i have been frequenting one too many tapas places, the decors are all starting to look similar to me. I loved our host and whatever little i understood of his spanish. The food, umm, i have had better. Its not dissapointing, but nothing really jumped out. The meaty mushroom were insipid, not very flavorful, i liked the goat cheese, and garlic shrimp( but the shrimp were tiny), the caulifower cheese balls, were kind of dry. But the atmosphere and our waiter were both great.

Jenna H.

So many Tapas, so little time. Love this place, cannot wait to come back again and again to try every Tapa on their menu! I went here with two college friends last week and had a great time. We started at the bar for some Sangria, which was great. Besides the food, the most notable thing here is the service. From the hostess, to the bartender, to the server - they went above and beyond to make sure you felt welcome and that we were happy with our meal. I found the ambiance to be welcoming and warm, and loved the funkiness of the place. Some of the tapa's we had were the goat cheese queso de cabra montanes, the beef turnovers, and lobster ravioli - YUM! For desert we tried the bread pudding and the almond cake - both were amazing!

Emma D.

Ah, the morning after an excellent b-day evening of spicy garlic shrimp and sangria.... mmmmm.... I'm sure it's all been said, but... I had a wonderful evening at Dali. We arrived around 8:30 on a Tuesday night, and waited awhile in order to get one of the round tables (worth it for a decent size party). The head waiter checked on us often and even volunteered to take photos. Note that although they don't take reservations, if you call ahead of time they will bump your party to the front of the line as soon as you're all there. The atmosphere was great; I loved all the random wall decorations, flowers, interesting light fixtures. The food and sangria were incredible. High on the tapas recommend list: garlic shrimp (this is my favorite at almost any tapas place though), the gorditas (a prune and blue cheese wrapped in bacon.... insert mouth watering here), the short ribs (super tender and delicious), the pork tenderloin (with goat cheese? i think, i don't know but it was awesome), the croquettes, and the garlic quail stuffed with bacon (mmmmm....). We went all out and had a bunch of the deserts as well: the crepe (chocolate and fruit=good), the apricots in wine and rum sauce(delicious, light, with some yummy ice cream), the chocolate cake (or block of fudge.... tasty but somewhat typical), the almond cake, and the rice pudding (awesome surprise! probably the best of the lot, it's not indian style, but rather topped with a burnt sugar crust and just incredible). Yes they sang to me and the other 4 birthday parties that were going on that night, but I can't wait till it's someone else's birthday and an excuse to go back!

Vanessa C.

This place is great! I went there w the man and we had a great time! Atmosphere awesome, food amazing, drinks weak, very weak. :(

Desiree D.

The tapas are all great, and I think that I enjoy grilling my own at the table the best. Dali's is a great choice for a group that is celebrating but that doesn't have specific information to convey in conversations (noise). It's a lot of fun to meet a friend at at bar and all there are friendly. For me, Dali rates so highly because of the festivity. There are better dinners in Boston, but few places that are so much fun!

Joe V.

I have lived in Spain for half a year and tried countless tapas restaurants there and I make it a point to try any tapas restaurants I come across in the US. A theory I have is that the Tortilla Espanola will tell you most of what you need to know about a Spanish tapas restaurant. I think I was right in the case of Dali. The tortilla here was under half an inch thick, very small serving, and lacked the simple flavors that should be abundant in any tortilla. I can honestly say I have had better homemade ones than Dali serves. Very disappointing. They also serve the bread with a hummus-type spread, which is uncommon but not bad. I just think in any Spanish restaurant you should have oil and vinegar at your table. I would also recommend saving your bread for some of the sauces that come out on the tapas dishes as other people have said. On to the other dishes ordered: Alcachofas Rellenas - correct me if I'm wrong but I'm almost positive the artichokes were canned - disappointing to see. Croquetas de Pollo - My view of croquetas is that they are supposed to be crispy on the outside and melted on the inside. the ones at Dali were almost mushy, not nearly hot enough on the inside, and probably frozen at one time. Gorditas/Bacon wrapped prunes - good plate, lots of flavor Faisán a la Alcántara/Boneless pheasant - lots of flavor and sauce on this plate. hard to get a good feel for the meat but I really liked this dish. Vieiras al Azafrán/Scallops - I like these a lot but the person I was with said the sauce tasted like lobster and they didn't like lobster. not sure if there's any truth to this. For dessert we went with churros which I think also says a lot about a Spanish restaurant. I'm used to my churros crispy and golden brown on the outside. Dali basically serves fried dough. It was a very light brown and not crispy enough and the cinnamon and sugar was not sticking to the churros at all. I also ordered a Spanish coffee with alcohol in it that saved dessert and was delicious. I'll echo what a ton of other people have said. Great atmosphere and really good service here. We went on a nice Friday night at around 8PM and only waited 15-20 minutes for a table. But if you're going for authentic Spanish tapas you will be disappointed like I was. I will not be returning here unless someone tells me they have improved the quality of their tapas.

ruby m.

After being very excited to finally go to Dali, my friend and I ended up being unable to go. They advertise (even here on Yelp) as being wheelchair accessible but they truly aren't. My friend was told that she could get into the restaurant to eat but that customers "usually need assistance" going to the bathroom. WHAT? How is that accessible? Please, Dali, show respect for all your patrons.

Trina K.

The service was excellent, and the ambience of Dali was enjoyable. However, they did put our party of 3 in the one of the little romantic window nooks, which was a bit weird. We had several really good tapas, including the rabbit, and the fantastic desserts (rice pudding and crepe with fruit and chocolate-orange sauce). I would go back for desert. But the other tapas we ordered (garlic shrimp, goat cheese, chicken croquettes, scallops in cream sauce, octopus in sofrito and catalan chicken [last 2 on the new tapas menu]) were just ok. The shrimp were one step up in size from salad shrimp, and there was just one slice of goat cheese. For the price, the portions were small. I would not go back for the tapas. If you want really good tapas, and are visiting Chicago, check out Cafe Iberico. Now that's good tapas!

EJ S.

My husband and I went to Dali for 1st time this summer. Our savory faves: Costillas de Vaca | Beef Short Ribs Queso Rebozado con Miel | Fried Spanish Cheese Pato Braseado | Roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce Faisán a la Alcántara | Boneless Pheasant w/Mushroom Caldereta Genoveva | Braised Lamb w/Almonds & Mint Essence It became a mini meat-fest of sorts for us. If your choices include a lot of the meaty tapas, we'd recommend ordering some vegetable tapas. It could help to balance out all those rich/bold flavors. I had a glass of Chardonnay (tasty, no biggie) and red sangria (as the reviews attest: very goood!). They also offer a white sangria. Didn't know there was a such thing. Will have to try that next time. For dessert we had the Churros (came with an expresso cup of melted choco for dipping). And despite it being fried dough... it seemed pleasantly light to us. We gobbled it up, forgetting how full we already were! Service was great. At one point, a wedding party of 15 or so came in. And even then, we were getting continued attention from our servers. Bravo! (Definitely better in food, atmosphere and service than Tapeo in downtown)

sylvian y.

My bf took me there for my bday dinner! Tapas dishes are incredible, very authentic interior, def. a place i must go back! It's extremely popular, especially the weekend, if you can't get there ON TIME, even you reserve a table, they won't serve you unless all of you arrive. But of course they will give you the table as soon as available. At first i was a bit disappointed that our table was gone, but man, the food was def. worth the wait. (We stood at the bar and had some drinks while waiting, and it was fun too! )

Mina K.

I came to Dali's several months ago for a friend's birthday. I remember the food being amazing. We had a big party, so we ended up ordering a whole of things and eating family style, thus I do not remember which is what, but tapas are definitely the way to go. Dali does it right, and they will not disappoint. The sangria is a must! But they also have a selection of spanish wines, if that's what you want to try. And, the decor! As soon as you walk in, you're in awe. The lights are somewhat dimmed, gives a romatic feeling, and there's colored lights dangling on the walls. I don't how else to describe it, but it's beautiful! And if you like tapas, this place is an absolute must!

Chris B.

I had a fun night out when I went but this place was PACKED! We could hardly make our way into the restaurant, but we somehow did and got a few sangria's from the bar. I've had better sangria, but I've spent so time in Spain so it's not fair to compare. Once we got a table, things went well. Got a bottle of some wine- have no idea what it was but enjoyed it. Ate a bunch of tapas, which were great.

pete g.

Dali makes eating a special occasion. From the dark, romantic ambience to the exquisite scents coming out of the kitchen, Dali's got a great thing going on every time I go. First: the red sangria here is excellent, almost as good as at Tu Y Yo. Drink a lot of it. The cava sangria, a summer special, is also delicious. Then: tapas. Most plates are around $7 or $8; count on two to four per person (though my lovely wife and I have been known to knock down ten plates and leave room for dessert, when we put our minds to it). There is a long tapas menu and with time you will want to try every one. Favorites of mine include: roasted duck with completely insane blackberry sauce which is illegal in six states (note to heirs: I want to be embalmed in it), braised rabbit, squid in its own ink, fried cheese with honey and sweet onions, sauteed "meaty" mushrooms, marinated octopus in vinaigrette... I could go on. You can't go wrong. Onward to dessert. Get a glass of 20-year port and share it with the one you love, and savor the flourless almond cake and maybe an espresso. When you leave, you are buzzed and can't entirely pinpoint why... was it the liter of sangria you made disappear? The food you would gladly eat until Doomsday? The lightheaded aftermath of dropping serious coin on a meal? Who gives a shit, a sense of well-being is a sense of well-being. You can figure out why next time. Dali has a sister restaurant, Cuchi Cuchi. As far as sisters go, Cuchi Cuchi made the cheerleading squad but not the honor roll. She's in the bathroom fixing her hair for an hour and a half every morning while everyone else stands around and waits, yet inexplicably no one has the sense to drown her in a creek for the good of humanity. In the thoughtful words of Rachel J., "There are Dali people and there are Cuchi Cuchi people." I can't help but think the Cuchi Cuchi people deserve whatever they get over there. I'm a Dali person, and with any luck I will stay a Dali person for some time.

RM S.

This place has really delicious tapas with intense flavors, but I haven't been to that many tapas places so I can't tell if it's the best one in town. The ambiance is relatively romantic. It's a bit pricey, but I guess most tapas places are expensive around here. I only come here for special occasions.

Katie Y.

The sangria is amazing here. None of that kind that's diluted with fizzy stuff like at the other restaurants. The tapas are very well done and very flavorful. I am a huge fan of the rabbit dish. The soups are wonderful as well. The atmosphere and decor are very special. They will sing to you on your birthday. They don't really take reservations, so the wait can be over an hour. Going early in the evening is your best bet.

G F.

Drinks were good. Food was OK. Related to other tapas places in the area, I would say better than Tasca but definitely not as good as Solea. Waitstaff could have been better - drinks were never refilled and most of our tapas all came out at the same time rather than paced so we could eat leisurely and share between the four of us in our party.

Liz O.

Such a fun atmosphere, great food and wine, and truly authentic. Such a perfect date location.

Michael C.

I am no longer a religious man. In fact, these days I am strongly opposed to religion. However, after experiencing the treat that is Dali, I am starting one of my own...Dalianity. From the moment I stepped through its door, I began a religious experience that will stay with me the rest of my life. The atmosphere, the decor, the staff, and the patrons were all a joy. My dinner companion had a broken ankle and, graciously, employees and customers alike made such an effort to accomadate us through the heavy crowd of people. Even the bench by the restrooms offered up nice chatting and a perfect place to people watch. Everyone looked so happy, which is what religion should bring about. I decided that this must be it! This must be the "Truth" and now my mission is to convert everyone I reach. We were sat in a timely fashion and after downing the best Sangria I've ever had, we ordered tapas. Upon placing the first bite of Queso Rebozado Con Miel (Fried Spanish Cheese w/Honey and Sweet Onion) in my mouth, my hands stretched toward the sky and a jubilant praise came forth. Munching down on the Vieiras al Azafan (Scallops in Saffron Cream) and the onto the Pato Braseado (Roast Duckling w/Berry Sauce), I realized that I had entered a spirit realm and began to see visions. Each bite provided an explosion of diverse taste, ecstasy, and utter deliciousness. By the time the main course, the Classic Paella, came out I had turned my life around and become a true Dalian. So I say this to my brother's and sisters, If you're down and out and don't know where to turn, if you're heartbroken and have tried everything and are at the end of your rope, if you feel lost in a world that has nothing to offer you, give it all over to Dali. Peace, tranquility, mindblowing great food, romantic surroundings, and fantastic Sangria are yours for the taking. Don't deny yourself any longer!

Anna W.

My favorite restaurant in Boston, hands-down. A little pricier than most places, sure, but it's one of the few places that's actually worth the price. (And the wait, if there is one.) Everything on the menu is delicious and the service is impeccable. The Spanish cheese with honey is incredible... and I'm always a sucker for the Tortilla Espanola... but really, everything is excellent!

Robin A.

Dali is located in the corner of Harvard Square and Inman Square. I was a little dissapointed in having to wait over an hour the first time eating here, and was told over the phone that they did not accept reservations. But while waiting for our table my boyfriend asked them in spanish about reservations and the hostess said they do take reservations? Not really sure what that was all about. Anyways, our waiter was very friendly, the drinks were reasonably priced and food was tasty. Would def. go back.

Josie K.

sangria is good, food is good, small...atmosphere is what makes it.

Brandon P.

I love this place. Like any tapas place, you gotta figure out over time which plates are the best, not everything is great. The shrimp with mojo sauce is my favorite. The gaudy decor is perfect. The staff are a crazy cast of characters, and I never feel rushed to leave. Some nights they stay open really late. A nice escape from the more uptight aspects of Boston. The wine and cheese shop across the street is also amazing.

Ashley F.

An underwhelming experience, eating at Dali. As a popular restaurant, of course you will be in for a wait to get to your table, this was expected. Dali is decked out with lovely decorations for a nice enclosed atmosphere. It was unfortunate that the wait staff felt that it was acceptable to just push my company and me out of the way when they needed to get by, instead of asking politely. We started off with the traditional pitcher of sangria while we were waiting for our table. It was not the best I've had. The sangria had an overly alcoholic taste, and we were all disappointed when it did not taste fruity at all. In fact upon inspection of the pitcher we only found a single piece of orange. Very lack-luster. When it came time for dinner I was very excited about a wonderful tapas experience ahead of me, despite the unpleasantness beforehand. Unfortunately the disappointments kept on rolling in. Because of the under staffing of the restaurant, the waitress only appeared at our table thrice during the night. Once to deliver food, once to deliver a menu for dessert, and last to deliver dessert and the check. Not checking on water levels or if we needed more dishes or other things. We were vastly under served, though the waitress was very polite and friendly when we did get to see her face. As for the reason of the visit--the food-- the food received was completely varied. Some dishes we were in love with (the duck with berries, and lamb with mint essence), but others were all but unpalatable (the croquettes had gristle in with the chicken, ew!). One dish was almost sent back to the chief. These inconstant qualities to the food is not one would expect from a restaurant that charges so much. After the meal, we ate our dessert but had a difficult time dipping the pastries in the dish of chocolate provided. We paused on the way out and I mentioned to the manager that the dessert could really be improved by serving teh chocolate in a shallower dish. She blew me off without a word either way. Guess that's what I get for offering my lowly feedback at Dali. Finally, the white napkin left white fuzz all over my nice black pants. :( I'll give this place another try when it's not packed to the gills, but for now I'll take my tapas business across the river to Tasca.

Krissy B.

Has GOT to be one of my top three places to eat in the Greater Boston area. Worth every second of the long wait on the weekends!

Andy S.

I had tapas here, great sauces however like tapas go portions were small and ranged from 5 to 9 bucks. I'd go here again for tapas but I'd eat something at home first like 1/2 a sandwich or something otherwise Id be upset with spending $30 and still being hungry.

Diana G.

This is seriously one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. A different, diverse menu of "small plates," are all winners...everything was wonderful. We had rabbit, duck, scallops, and a traditional cold plate of meats, olives and cheeses. The sangria, uh-mah-zing. Can't recommend this place enough. A must go. Also, a fantastic atmosphere where a nice top and jeans or a nice dress work equally well.

Wendy L.

Yummy tapas but long wait. There isn't a really great place to wait for your table, and I'm not entirely sure it's worth it. It might be better to go on a weekday night or early on a weekend night to avoid the crowd.

Lauren V.

Dali is probably one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area (technically in Somerville but just by thismuch). Each time I have been to Dali, there has been a wait. Although the hostess usually quotes anywhere from 5-30 minutes, it always ends up being about 42 seconds. (Yes, exactly 42 seconds.) Even if I did have to wait, I would be more than happy to sidle up to the colorful bar and order myself a glass of their delicious Sangria. I could drink it all night. Not that Dali is a place where you want to do a liquid dinner. With every visit, I feel compelled to order everything on the menu. Fortunately, (I have an excuse to return) my stomach never complies. But everything I do try is absolutely scrumptious. The tortilla espanola and the queso de cabra montanes always make the cut and I order at least one of each with every trip. Each dish is extraordinarily tasty and flavorful which is what really keeps me coming back. On your birthday they sing and clap and present you with a piece of their delicious and insanely rich chocolate cake. They also make you kiss a frog figurine...for luck? (Luckily for me I had been plied with enough Sangria to overcome my typical germ freak-ness and kiss the damn thing so as not to offend.) The atmosphere is warm, unique and colorful. I will confidently say that the flavor extends beyond the plates and onto the walls and people who work there. I really have nothing bad to say about this place except that I wish it were closer to my apartment. Like in the kitchen. So get thee to Dali, just don't make my wait longer than 42 seconds in doing so.

aaron t.

What an awesome place! Rustic, charming, lively, festive, cultural, warming, and damn tasty! I came here with a friend on a quiet sunday night and the staff was outrageously happy, jumpy, and friendly...singing songs while walking us to our table and singing out loud to various birthday gatherings while streaming bubbls in the air wiht a 4 foot candle. Tapas are a bit pricey, but you pay for the reallllly good food, the environment, great service, and awesome sangria! Food: 5/5 Environment: 4.5/5 Service:4/5 Drinks: 5/5 Come here with a samll group of 5 or less... they have weekly specials and the staff is really good about suggesting plates. 2 of us eneded up wiht a bill of 70, including sangria and dessert, so not too bad for an exciting vibrant night of fun times and browsing their very busy eclectic environment.

R T.

I have loved everything I've tried on their menu, and I love being able to try a lot of different flavors, textures, and ingredients all in one sitting. The garlic soup, salmon with capers, and baked goat cheese will bring tears of joy to your eyes. I have a hard time saving enough room for my favorite: the flourless almond cake with coffee-cream sauce. Makes me drool just thinking about it. The few downsides are 1) it's almost always crowded and noisy, 2) it's difficult to squeeze in more than 4 people, and 3) if you are driving, there's very few places to park. The pluses greatly outweigh the minuses, however.

Maurice C.

I had dinner here for the first time last Friday for my birthday. If you haven't eaten here already, I'd highly recommend finally getting down there and trying it out. It's well worth it. We got a nice little table in the back corner where we could see a lot of the action and had some room and privacy, if you can call it that. We decided to get a small pitcher of the red wine sangria, and it's as good as everyone says it is. Since we were all set with drinks, on to the food. I sort of had an idea of what to get based on reading Yelp reviews and checking their website and what not. Things like the fried Spanish cheese, the beef short ribs, gorditas (prunes stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon), and the stuffed squid in its own ink were what we got because we had heard it was really good (and it was). The Serrano ham was something I'd had before from Formaggio's and in Europe, so I knew it'd be good. The broiled scallops in saffron cream was something my dining companion picked. She had had it before at the restaurant and so she knew exactly how good it was. Every single thing we had was sensational. The goat's cheese whether fried by itself or stuffed into the prunes and wrapped with bacon, was absolutely delicious. The saffron sauce that accompanied the scallops was one of a kind. I've had tapas before, but never like this. One of those things you just have to try.

Tonya S.

Dali is my all-time favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The food is amazing, the sangria flows free all night, and the atmosphere rocks! Seriously, its like dining in a little cave full of kitschy goodness (beaded curtains, weird 'ethnic' masks, dried meat dangling from the ceiling.) If you are like me and like dark spaces, definitely check it out - it makes for a perfect date spot. Onto the food....the blackberry duck is the closest thing to perfection that I think I have ever tasted. Next up is the garlic shrimp that comes out sizzling in a little dish full of garlic oil. So awesome. Make sure that you keep the dish around after the shrimp are all gone (their tasty bread is even tastier dipped in the oil!) Oh yeah, I've also found the most perfect cold remedy there too....the garlic soup! Warning though, only get this if you REALLY like garlic because you will have garlic coming out of every pore for the rest of the evening (ok, maybe not a good thing for date night.) But seriously, this soup is DAMN GOOD. Clears you right out! Lastly, the staff there is a hoot. An old friend of mine used to take me there every so often (he was from Barcelona) and he knew about five of the kitchen guys - they'll sing to you sometimes as you drink your sangria at the bar. Whee!

David S.

Expensive. But with the lines out the door every night, who's to say they couldn't charge even more? Atmosphere is really special, with service so warm you want to move in. Food has nice variety of flavors, and they do sweet well (duck in blackberry sauce, stuffed prunes with bacon, etc.). I wish I had more disposable income so I could be a "regular".

Ethan C.

One of favorite restaurants anywhere. Great food, great ambiance. We've come back 12-15 times and will continue too. Pretty much every plate is good - it's this consistent quality that is really remarkable. They should change their music! Much of it was playing 10 years ago.

Cecilia Y.

When I go to a restaurant, I am mostly interested in one thing: good food. Bad service, long waits, loud atmosphere - all forgiven once my eyes roll to the back of my head on the first bite. And all that about the bad bits - none of it has ever applied in the 3 times I have had the pure pleasure of dining at Dali. Based on the food alone, this is my favorite restaurant in the Cambridge/Boston area. Add in the walls, furniture, decorations, and staff, and this becomes my third favorite restaurant in the US. The atmosphere is fantastic: intimate, artistic, and undeniably southern European (it reminds me of El Bosc de les Fades in Barcelona). Despite its name, I find the decor reflects more Gaudi than the eponymous Spaniard. The staff has always been dressed to match the eclectic mix of art nouveau lights, kitschy pig statues, and beautiful tiled tables, and their service has always been in the perfect range of attentive but not aggravating. Before food can enter the picture, the cava sangria must appear on the canvas, preferably a full pitcher (which I have never had a problem procuring as a couple). It is Dali's specialty, slightly fizzy with mango nectar for sweetness and even more delicious than a perfect traditional concoction from Granada. For those of you who suffer from a lack of patience, especially while anticipating mouth-watering delicacies, whet your appetite with this as you wait and curse Dali's no-reservations policy. Now onto my favorite subject: food. Given that Dali bills itself first and foremost as a tapas bar, I have only sampled the tapas to date, and what I have tasted (over half the menu) has all been divine. But what really makes Dali stand out as a tapas bar is their patatas bravas, that classic staple you find in every tapas stand from Los Angeles to Madrid. Dali makes no effort to pull any twists on this favorite, relying instead on simple skill in knowing the perfect balance between tangy spice and creamy herb drizzled over potatoes roasted to the texture potatoes always wanted to be but never knew how. Believe me, I have tried patatas bravas elsewhere, but nothing has come close to Dali's (I respect everyone's opinions, but I will summarily ignore all reviews left by anyone who has described Dali's patatas bravas as mediocre). Other musts on the menu: scallops in saffron cream sauce, roast duckling with berry sauce, and lobster ravioli. The genius of Dali is in the sauces, and the saffron cream sauce will have you with scarpetta (if you'll excuse my Italian) between hand and mouth until your skillet is clean. Finally, as with the end of every meal good or bad, I have to face the bill. But really, it is not worth mentioning. The prices are more than fair for the quality of food and drink, and I have never left less than stuffed for more than $60 per person. In the immortal words of Yelp's scale, "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"

Phillip W.

Went here with my grandparents and my girlfriend. Really swank interior design (bubble machine + stuffed birds) and nice/interesting food. The lobster/crab ravioli was unreal.

shenoa b.

Very well put together dishes, great seasonings in every plate. Ambiance was fun and creative, service could have been a bit more attentive but the meal was delicious enough to make the small misses forgivable. We loved all of our tapas, just can't go wrong with such well seasoned sausage and lovely Spanish coffee at the end.

Kraig M.

I went to Dali a few weeks ago and it was a great experience. We went with a large group of people to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday (notify the server, they'll bring out the frog candle). I would definitely come back in a smaller group as well. I am a big fan of tapas, and everything was delicious and authentic! The sangria was good. It is a bit pricey, but worth the ambiance, food quality, and experience. Our server was great, and made us feel very comfortable. For those in our party who weren't familiar with tapas, the server made great suggestions. A few problems were that you couldn't make a reservation however you can call ahead and put yourself in preferred seating if you have a large party. Parking was a bit of an issue (out of the control of the restaurant). There isn't much of a waiting area, but it is right next to the bar so you can grab a drink while you wait. The acoustics are a bit off, but nothing out of the ordinary in an authentic Spanish tapas bar It was a great experience, and I will be back.

Ryan C.

The service was good overall. The food was tasty and authentic tapas, but ~$35 of sharing small plates and drinks still left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied, so I wouldn't suggest coming here if you're particularly hungry. Dessert was the highlight of the meal - I would absolutely recommend the churro with dipping chocolate. A good place, but nothing so unique that'll bring me back.

alison b.

So delicious, so romantic!

Alvin L.

Dali is a great place to go with a group or bring a date. Despite the limited space, bringing a group to share the food with (and split the costs) is ideal. Order plenty to get a good tasting of the varied dishes. In short the food is spectacular. I'd recommend the saffron scallops, garlic butter shrimp, and the duck breast with a dark berry sauce. Dinner for two would run you about $80 if you order 6-7 dishes so make sure it's a special occasion if you do find yourself among the eclectic decor within Dali. Reservations are recommended.

Tuana B.

Went there on a Saturday afternoon, around 30-60min wait for a table, we were happy to sit at the bar. Atmosphere was very relaxed, very laid back staff, sangria was amazing, tapas were fine, especially loved the duck with berry sauce & bacon wrapped prunes & the scallops... I ll definitely go again!

Augie C.

Stepped in on a rainy wednesday and had the following: Marinated Olive appetizer (very juicy olives) Mussels in a saffron based broth (OK) Pork tenderloin with mushrooms (bland) Baked Goat Cheese w/ Tomato & Basil (good) Salmon Balls w/ Capers (surprisingly decent) Garlic Shrimp (best dish I had) Good if you haven't been there before, but not worth going again IMHO.

Ames F.

Of all the cities I've lived in, nothing tops Dali in my book. More than dining, it's an experience. A riot for the senses, the decor blows you away. Every corner is a quirky homage to the Surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, though you won't see a single one of his prints. Instead, it's as if you've stepped directly into one of his paintings (i.e. one entire wall appears to be melting). The only literal reference to Dali is a portrait, fittingly hung cock-eyed on a tilt over the bar. Arrive early, though any wait passes in the blink of an eye, sipping sangria, nibbling on olives, and soaking up the atmosphere. The food is worth it. Some opt for entrees like paella, but the real draw is the tapas. My faves: Garlic shrimp and the pork loin with goat cheese are worthy of obsessive fandom, plus stuffed wood roasted pimientos, spanish white asparagus with delectable sauces, bunuelos and albondigas. You will not believe the mojo sauce. Lots of options for our veggie friends, too. Just promise me you'll have the filloa al licquor for dessert -- fresh berry-filled dessert crepe drizzled with chocolate sauce and orange liquor. (*sigh*) The ambience is great for romantic conversation, but Dali is truly made for a table full of family and friends. The tapas are meant for passing, and the more people, the more variety you you get to sample. And the more pitchers of sangria you'll go through. Tasty tidbit: It's named Dali as the menu is primarily based on a Tapas cookbook illustrated by Dali, himself. The owners apparently have one of the original printings.

Anastasia C.

Mmmmmm, tapas. I love it. This is some good stuff, too. We got six dishes in all and we were happy with all of them. I think the most unique was the eggplant special we ordered which was sweet but came with a nice savory dipping sauce. I loved the salted cod croquets and the mushroom stuffed artichoke hearts had this fantastic cheese on top. I also really liked the chickpea spread instead of butter that comes with the bread. We didn't try the sangria, but got cocktails instead and they were tasty. Anyplace that offers a sidecar is alright with me. We went on a rainy Tuesday night and seating was no problem, but I can imagine its gets pretty packed most nights. They don't take reservations after 6:30, but do preferred seating instead, so keep that in mind if you're looking to get seated at a particular time.

Ryan B.

Packed to the gills with people and the wait rolling in at 1.5 hour the night started with a smidge of hesitation and concern. It was under our own will that brought our small party (me and my closets female friend) to Dali on a Sat night at 6:45pm. We sipped a few strong tasty glasses of Sangria and enjoyed the funky decor while we caught up on our crazy lives and everything became calm and soothing. We ordered a series of Tapas both cold and hot. They all were delicious and the server was extremely helpful. Either it was a strange coincidence or half the population of Cambridge was having it's birthday tonight. While it was fun and lively it was extremely LOUD. Defiantly this is one of my top restaurant in metro Boston area. One of the ladies working the front was wearing this great white fur shawl. I just told myself that it was fake because it looked too good for me to question the morality of it.

Sonia R.

Atmosphere gets an A-, only a minus because the noise level gets a little intense and the table arrangements are not ideal for cozy conversations, service gets an A-, food gets a B/B+. Birthday celebrations get a little excessive esp on the weekends, with every 5 seconds, a hoard of screaming employees singing and off key version of happy birthday passes by your table. Makes you wonder how "special" these birthday people feel. Otherwise, I would go again, but prob just sit at the bar as that is where all the actions seem to be. As far as good goes, Tasca on commonwealth is half the price with better food. Still haven't found any tapas place in Boston that makes me moan like Barcelon did but I am welcome to suggestions...

Lindley E.

When I think of Dali, the first thing that comes to mind is garters and panties...hanging in an alcove. Dali is an institution, and the first place where I ever enjoyed Tapas, back in the late 1980s. A pitcher of sangria, a salt-baked fish, and endless tapas make an evening at Dali absolutely unforgettable. Love it.

Kerri M.

Fabulous! From the moment you step through the odd front door. I haven't been to a place as all around great as this in a while. The staff was friendly and the food was sooo good. We had this beef dish that was perfect. We definitely got there right before the crazy rush of people came in. If you're looking for something different then the usual, hit this palce up. Decor was cool. Had that feeling like you're in a restaurant in a movie.

Julie A.

OOOOOOOH I really like this place and have for at least a decade! I have been coming here for years on romantic dates or with large groups. For food or for drinks. I came when I was a vegetarian and a meat eater. Every time I come I have a great time and love whatever I consume! there is usually a wait, but it's worth it. I could spend my whole life eating tapas, and let me tell you, they do it right. I have ever had anything bad here. The customer services and waiters are all quick, funny, and hysterical!

Cathy H.

Awesome. After 5 minutes of being in the restaurant, I felt like I could have been anywhere in the world... what an escape! And the food was delicious! We went early on a weeknight- highly recommended (about 6:15). We were the only people in there, which only added to the appeal. We had a little window table, where we were just tucked away. We had the seafood paella and the piedras. They were both very good-the piedras comes out on a huge volcanic stone and a variety of foods are cooked in front of you (chicken, sausage, fish, scallops, onions, mushrooms, etc.) after heating the stone, and adding salt, oil and rosemary. Yum! A couple of quick notes: the tapas are excellent, but if you are getting the paella, you might want to think about splitting it as your main meal- it is huge! For two people, you could definitely do 2 tapas and a paella.

sean l.

I called Dali at 11:30 a.m. on the day that I wanted to dine there with my group of 8. When I called, the individual who answered told me to call back at 12:30 and ask for Cesar, the restaurant manager, because he would have the reservation book. An hour passed, so I called back and asked for Cesar. Upon talking with Cesar, he took my reservation of 8 for 7:30 pm and even made a comment on how a party of 8 was a large number. He thanked me and said that he looked forward to having our party that night. When my party arrived at Dali later that day, we arrived on time for our reservation, but the hostess informed us that it might take another 20-30 minutes to be seated. When I asked why it take so long to be seated past our reservation time, the hostess informed me that Dali doesn't take reservations and that it was "interesting" that Cesar took mine. We figured that we'd wait out the wait because 20-30 minutes on a Friday night isn't any worse of a wait than we would find any place else. Sadly, the wait lasted over an hour and we were never seated. The hostesses didn't give a damn or even apologize for the wait either. They just sat in their chairs, in their feather duster hats and looked at their cell phones every other minute. My entire part just left and went to another restaurant. The food is good, but I am just a little afraid to deal with the incompetence and indifference of the Dali staff again.

Tinimini K.

Not too many vegetarian options unlike their sister restaurant Cuchi Cuchi in Central. Service is always great! Some of the staff don't know too much about the dishes, they will just read the description back to you. Food is really good. Obviously it's a tapas bar so don't expect regular portions. I'd say about 5-6 dishes between 3 ppl is a good portion size. Their sangria is pretty good. Small pitcher was not enough for 3 ppl (as it says: it's only for 3-4 glasses). Patatas Bravas: nothing special. Queso de Cabra Montañes: extremely greasy, tastes ok Queso Rebozado con Miel: i like! Aceitunas Aliñadas: Just plain old marinated olives, nothing special.

Nicole M.

Same menu as Tapeo but with a more romantic and intimate atmosphere. Sure, it's not "real" tapas, but the food is great with many options for different kinds of eaters - carnivores, vegetarians, or just plain picky eaters. Great place for those living in Cambridge and Somerville, or anyone with a car, since you don't have much for public transportation there.

Sarah S.

Instead of having a quiet, romantic evening with my boyfriend, I actually came to Dali with my family. Yep- Mom, Dad, barely teenage sister, and me. Despite the obvious unromantic nature of the evening, we had a very good time. We ordered about 8 tapas between the four of us, which, with the bread we were served, made a perfectly filling but not totally overwhelming meal. The standout dishes I remember: * baked goat cheese with tomato sauce * lobster/crabmeat ravioli * vegetarian crepe/omelette The goat cheese dish was my favorite. Get it, and use it as a spread for the bread! The host was entertaining, with the gratuitous view of his chest hair/man cleavage out in the open for public consumption. He was quite adorable.

Stacey B.

I am a big fan of this place and have been for years... the Sangria Rocks and my favorite Tapas is the Rabbit... yummy

Aretha B.

FINALLY! I got a chance to eat here. The good: DARK lighting Cozy, elemental atmosphere Candle Lit Good Service Sangaria is great The food: Loved the fried spanish sweet cheese on with caramalized onions and honey. It was DELICIOUS. We literally ordered 3 of these between the two of us. One each, and then another one for dessert in addition to two other deserts!! The caramalized onions were so good- SO SWEET that they tasted like fruit! It was insane. Don't pass these by. We had the scallops in a safron cream sauce - unfortunately our scallops were a bit sandy gritty but the dish was ok. The creme sauce was a bit weak flavorwise, but was good when you soaked the table bread in the sauce. The octopus vinagrette was very good. If you've had this dish at tapeo as well, I'd say that the octopus there is a bit more tender, but the vinagrette at Dali is TOPS! So good. My friend said the the lobster-crabmeat ravioli was "meh" with too much sauce that overwhelmed the seafood flavors. Pass. I got the spicy pork and date skewers - these were quite good. Juicy and flavorful - the grilled date ROCKED and it was plated with cool peach slices. This may be a limited time tapas option. Dessert: The rice pudding was cool and sweet with hearty rice. The fried cheese (again) was still amazing The Fruit Filled crepe with chocolate sauce and orange liqueur RULED. Will be coming back. Next time it's going to be straight cheese and sausage for me. MMMMMM!

Julie A.

This is the place that defined conejo escabechado for me. Seriously. You can't eat here without trying it. Even if you're opposed to eating rodent. Even if you're vegetarian. It is THAT good. The place itself is dark and can get AWFULLY noisy when it's crowded, but the food is terrific and fun to share. Don't go alone.

Nathan L.

Great tapas. Beautiful decorations. Excellent ambience. Every tapas dish I had was quite tasty (esp liked the lobster ravioli and the mushroom-stuffed artichokes). An excellent place for a chill meal and good conversation.

Deb W.

This restaurant is fun, delicious, decorated in an interesting way, and gives you so many choices of Tapas (small plates). The shrimp in garlic is incredible- dip their hearty bread in the oil! They have a sausage in fig sauce that is to die for. Baked goat cheese is wonderful... and don't forget dessert- "Ubiquitous Flan"! Nice wine selection, too. GREAT service!

Erica P.

Went here with some friends the other night and we ordered a ton of tapas - all of which were incredibly delicious (definitely order the white asparagus - yum!) but really the best part is the Sangria - which we ordered even more of. The wait staff is quick and super friendly (one could even say flirtatious - we loved it). I had to take down one star because I am a girl on a budget and it's a bit pricey. But totally worth it. I would definitely recommend it for big groups - we saw someone have a birthday celebration also and the singing/dessert combo looked impressive too.

Scoobie U.

I've been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile now, so ended up going there for my birthday, on a Tuesday night. This was the only time my husband and I haven't seen a line, which was great, we were seated in the back room. It did get a little loud in the back which was a little distracting and ruined a little bit of the ambiance there, however that might've been partly due to the multiple groups of females and the pitchers of sangria. We had a bottle of wine, which was definitely reasonably priced and was great. We ordered the garlicky chicken - which was a little oily, and I didn't have the skin, but apparently the skin was great along with the chicken. We also had the lobster/crab ravioli, which was FANTASTIC. I could probably eat an entire meal of it. And we also got the seafood paella. Definitely a lot of seafood in the paella, and definitely worth it. I would go there if there were people in town and wanted to shared different dishes, for sure, but not sure if I would just go back with my husband regularly although the food was delicious, it was a little rich for my taste to eat there all the time.

Cindy H.

Try the patatas bravas...so delicious! Went there a few months ago with my fiance and had a wonderful meal. A very quaint "homey" restaurant. Minus a star however for the cramped seat that they put us in. I was looking forward to a romantic meal and they had us seated at a small table right next to a large party. I had to ask one of the men in the party to move every time I needed to get up.

Jenn W.

I kicked off a bachelorette party I was throwing at Dali's, and the hostess and servers were fantastic. Great sangria and plates; we didn't dislike anything we ate. (The shrimp is always insanely good there.) It's a great atmosphere and quite busy on the weekend, but everyone makes it such a fun time that you forget how tight the space can be. If you have a large group, definitely call ahead or it will take forever to get seated! Oh, and the icing on the cake (too bad they don't serve that, too!) was they blessed my friend who was getting married with an old Spanish statue, veil and dancing (wish I could remember more details, but it was a bachelorette party!) A bit difficult to get to if you don't have a car, but an overall fantastic experience.

Nirmit K.

I agree every bit thats written about their Sangria - its awesome. Food is good as well - but be prepared to eat in a commotion. While ambience is great, it gets pretty loud in there and surprisingly there were too many birthday celebrations when we went. Good food, good ambience and warm service . thats what makes it 4 stars. If you are trying to get a quite moment over dinner - look somewhere else

Dave M.

Dali is one of the best Tapas places I've been to, period. Tapas places are hard to compare because they typically have an almost identical menu and the dishes themselves are tasty, even if not prepared excellently so it's hard to stand out. Dali definetly does, mabye it was the charming older spanish gentlemen and the great brick wall, low light atmosphere, but all of us commented on how spectacular the food was (we had a party of about 12). My 2 big recomendations to try are the veal sausages (should be in season now) and the duck w/raspberry sauce (amazing). Dali is also on the pricey side as far as Tapas goes, but still a little cheaper that Cuchi Cuchi and better in my opinion.

Lady Fang Y.

The most magical place on earth! I recommend special occasions rather than once a week. Shrimp in pesto cream sauce, cheese with honey and the raw platter you cook yourself on a heating stone...amazing! Sangria sneaks up on you. BUT, the number one reason to go there, in the summer when they're in season...are the fried strawberries...I have dreams about it...

Jessica B.

Super delicious and a fun atmosphere! They also have an entire gluten free menu! Try the garlic soup...yum!

Victoria W.

Without a doubt, Dali is my most beloved restaurant in the Boston area! Possibly the most romantic place when you're with your lover (I think their sangria is an aphrodisiac), but also a boisterous, wild excursion when you are with a group of your pals! After looking longingly at its alluring exterior whilst driving past for several years, I finally first went to Dali about 2 years ago, and I cannot get enough. Every single dish I've ever tried there has been divine - from the halibut in a light cranberry sauce to fried Spanish cheese with honey & sweet onion (so succulent - my mouth is watering just *thinking* about it!) to the lobster and crab ravoili to the wild boar to the white asparagus ice cream (!!!) - every dish is an absolute masterpiece! And the sangria - O! The Sangria! is always outstanding and somehow one pitcher is never enough. Also, guzzling from the white-wine-filled porrn is an experience you must try - it certainly made New Year's Eve 2005 a memorable evening! The atmosphere is delightful and low-lit with playful decor. Dali doesn't take reservations and is often quite packed on weekend nights, but it is always worth the wait - just saddle up to the bar and enjoy a glass of sangria while you wait! J'adore Dali!

G S.

I felt like I was really being decadent when I ate here. The decor is super cozy and rich. The sangria was probably the best I've ever had. Wish I could say the same about the tapas. Don't get me wrong, everything tasted great. Just not the very best I've ever had. (That would be at Tapeo, as much as I hate to concede anything to the Newb.) Definitely worth the trip but I thought it was a bit pricey. Go when you're feeling generous or when you've got deep pockets. Better yet, go when someone else is treating.

Sherrie G.

I went here a long time ago with my dad for paella since I had never really tried it and my grandmother used to make it. What are the chances that I end up finding a great Spanish tapas restaurant named after my favorite artist? Too bad it breaks the bank as far as entrees. :( The paella is big enough to feed two (at least it was with us) and it only cost around $24 so not so bad. The tapas aren't too bad price wise all under $10 each but they're small portions. I suggest the garlic shrimp! I would check out the menu first to be on the safe side in any given case. The atmosphere is fantastic. The place is like a work of art, very appropriate if I do say so myself. A must if willing to try new things or are a fan of spanish cuisine.

Anup A.

Me gusta! Although pricey, this place is buzzing with the yuppie crowd. The food is great; the atmosphere is fun. Try the saffron scallops, or the lobster ravioli tapas. My favs. Every time I come here there is a big party (or two), which the very friendly staff handles elegantly. Reservations will be helpful.

Crystal S.

The food was delicious! It's much better than I thought it would be. I wasn't sure what to expect when everyone kept calling them "appetizers" but you have to see the menu in order to understand the options at your fingertips. It's also cheaper and more exciting than some of the fine dining establishments that I've been to, due to the quality and variety of dishes. Also, a pitcher of Sangria can go a lonnnnnnnng way between two people.

Adrienne Z.

Coming back from a semester in Spain, I have pretty high standards for my Spanish food. I'm not easily pleased by some olives and Spanish cheese or anything. I looked up local Spanish restaurants, and checked out this one with a friend. I spent a semester eating Spanish food, but my friend was pretty unfamiliar. Therefore, the majority of my orders (Tortilla Española, Jamón Serranos, olives) were a novelty to her and quite familiar to me. I was happily surprised by everything that was brought to us. Our waiter was a funny guy (made a joke about them being out of salad. Only a Spanish restaurant would be out of salad) who spoke in favor of the house wine -- good advice. The food all came out quickly, which was great. The tortilla was better than I've been able to make, which was a happy surprise. The olives weren't as good as I'd expected, but that's ok. The ham was GREAT! Certainly not as good as I was used to abroad, but by far the best that I've had in this country. We also got the fried cheese with honey, which was fine, but not as good as the raves I'd seen in other reviews. Dessert was both good and bad. My companion got and loved the churros -- and I was pretty impressed. I got the Besos de Amor special -- dates stuffed with marzipan served with tamarind sauce. The description neglected to mention that they'd be fried -- and the outcome, for me, was a little too sweet and overwhelming. Overall, service and ambience were great, dinner was great, the house wine was pretty good, and dessert was both good and bad. But a great experience!!

Mike K.

The decor/ambiance alone is worth 5 stars! When you step into Dali you'll feel like you've been transported to a surreal dream-like version of Spain (hence the name, I suppose). Pretty much the perfect date restaurant. Other reviews have covered just about all there is to say, so here are a few tips from someone who use to walk by the place every night on my way home: -Parking in the area sucks. Much of it is resident-only. I regularly saw people getting towed. The parking lot across the street does not belong to Dali, and I believe they do tow people who park there. If at all possible, take a cab or bus or walk. -It gets very busy, especially on weekends or around graduation time. Definitely call ahead, or consider going at an off-peak time. -Also, the patrons can get somewhat drunk/obnoxious at times... lots of birthday parties, Harvard students celebrating something or other, you get the picture... most people are fine and just having a good time, but just be aware if you're expecting a quiet, low-key evening. -If you're not coming with a large group, consider just sitting at the bar... that is the authentic tapas experience, after all. They've got a good Spanish wine selection, great Sangria, and plenty of stuff to nibble while you sip.

Chris K.

Beautifully decorated and comfortable atmosphere. Seems like every item in this place was well thought out. Attentive and knowledgeable server and bartender as well. Group of 4 of us we ate the Plato Mixto, scallops in cream sauce, lobster/crabmeat raviolis, beef short ribs in rioja, asparagus wrapped chicken, duck with berry sauce, rabbit with red wine, pork tenderloin w/goat cheese &mushrooms. Everything was exceptional - we thought that the lobster/crabmeat raviolis were at the low end of the spectrum but the pork tenderloin and the scallops were the two highlights. Drink menu was nice, we didnt get any sangria but they have an excellent selection of sherries which were really nice. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone and hope to be back when its hot to get some sangria

Seraphine K.

They would get 5 stars, if they werent unbelievably packed every time I went here, even before the usual time of a dinner rush. ~ Albeit, we always get the last seats at the bar, which has a full menu. Very latin seeming decor meets Espana. Lots of tile, dried garlic and fish. Very festive interior. The owner[manager?] is always singing as he walks by & makes you feel like he sees you there all the time. I dont know spanish, meerly spanglish, but they love to interact to the best of your ability in spanish. I have been here a few times now [always with the same last seat at the bar encounter, if we even make it in the door - so popular - I would check out making a reservation!] And have had almost everything on the menu! I LOVE: spanish cheese with honey, saffron scallops, lobster ravioli, artichoke hearts, & many more, but those are my faves. They bring the tapas out staggered [at the bar at least] so you only have one or two fresh hot ones in front of you at a time. I like the bar, cause its easy to get a refil there! [seems hard to do in the dining room] The sangria is good, but spicy for me [as in spices, not hot]. We got a bottle of spanish cider last time. It was a little tart, but went to well with the tapas. I agree, 4 or 5 is good for 2 people, unless you are starving, but you also get bread and hummus for free! This is one of my top 3 favorite restaurants!

Megan B.

I used to LOVE Dali. We were complete regulars starting about 3 years ago. You just assume you will wait on a busy night, and it was worth it. However, our last 4 - 5 visits have become worse and worse on the service end. We want to keep giving it another chance, but this last one was it. Just a few examples from different visits: Our waiter didn't understand enough Spanish for us to order off the menu. By that, I mean just READ the dishes. We had to point. He also brought our sizzling platter out with out the food, so it had cooled. Then he just plopped the food down and wandered off! Didn't start it or anything. Another time, we sat at the bar, had food and drinks, chatted with the bartender. We have 5 items, and we're full. He says, oh just let me get you one more. It will be wonderful, and on and on and such. He's so insistent that we finally agree, thinking, oh, how nice. We're regular customers, so he's getting us one last complimentary dish. NOPE. We get charged for it after we said repeatedly we didn't want it. And it was something we had ordered earlier!!! The most recent time, we just went in for drinks. They have a large rose bouquet, the kind with just the buds on a tower-type thingy. Very beautiful roses... A guy on his way out grabs one and says, oh can I take this? Hostess says sure. So we think, oh what great roses and pull one out, take a look. Go on with the conversation. As we are sitting there, the hostess reaches between us, says "excuse me" and takes the bud. Then she reaches around us and puts it back in the vase!!!! What??? I know it's a display, but they were on their way to dying. It wouldn't have lasted the night. I just thought i ruined the whole experience. I'm writing this just because this place used to be SOOO romantic and and such a treat - our favorite restaurant! I don't know if it's staff turn over, or that their reputation has become so great that they have just stopped caring about the service. We just won't go anymore because we just expect to have something go wrong and get crappy service! For the amount of money and time we spend there, it's just not okay.

Devon H.

My wife and I had dinner at Dali last night, and I really enjoyed it. The Tapas options were varied and all looked delicious! We ordered 5 dishes to split between us, and were quite happy with the food, the atmosphere, and the service was fantastic!

Christopher S.

Good but not THAT good. This place seems to have achieved near mythical reputation, which I think is just due to its crummy location. Worth a visit but not worth the wait in line.

Christie A.

you want to have one of the most amazing dining experiences of your life???? go here!!!! ( i know its bit of a hike for you chicagoeans.... totally worth it!))) this is real tapas people.... real, yum, delicious ..... and extremely romantic.... i definitely was in love that night and dali helped every step of the way!!!! *kiss*

Michele s.

I REALLY wanted to like the food here. My Husband and I took note of all the good reviews and feedback and were armed and ready to go and get some amazing dishes. Unfortunatly, we did not find any. We ordered 4 Topas- Garlic Chix, Basil and cheese, Onion and Cheese, and the Short Ribs. We were very disapointed with the flavors of these meals. We tried to salvage the dinner with ordering 2 desserts. We had high hopes for the flan and the figs. I have never had bad flan - until now. It was as if someone out back tipped over a bottle of purfume in the dish. It was not good. The figs were just as disapointing- and the liquid that they were sitting in was reminisient of apple sauce. The waitress noticed that we were less then happy and offered a " oh you didn' like the food- sorry I can't take anything off the bill because the manager won't let me" We never asked, nor complained about the food or the bill. We won't be coming back here.

Zach A.

Dali is a one of a kind restaurant. The atmosphere upon entering takes you into a warm, romantic, exciting place. Far from the dreariness that is Boston. Albeit in a weird place, the trip is always worth it, as they have the most savory, amazing patatas bravas I've had in North America. I made my girlfriend try rabbit for the first time here, and it sealed the deal. The saffron sauce compliments the falling off the bone rabbit so brilliantly that it's as if an artist painted. "I want that sauce in my mouth every day of my life". (the rabbit sauce) I always love the absinthe mojito. Prepared so well and every moment of the meal is a little better. The waitresses are awesome here, they brought us back to Barcelona. Our last date in Boston was here and when we came back we had the same waitress who recognized us and gave us fantastic service. (Angelina?) There was a good kir royale, great sangria, nothing we tried there was bad, but the squid in its own ink was strange. still pretty good but strange. If you don't go here after reading this you are insane.

Stephanie Y.

Great variety of food and super delicious, esp. if you like garlic. Large portions for a tapas place. Very nice flamenco music and decor.

Anna f.

Dali is a unique palace in the Boston area. I love to go there because of the colors, the people, the sounds. It is always crowded and noisy. The tapas are good but I have never been lucky with the entrees. The paella I had was not good, the mole too. Stick with sangria and tapas and you'll be fine.

Will E.

You know what? This place, several years back, was my favorite restaurant in Boston. However, my fiancee and I ate there recently and had a very dissappointing meal, hence the two stars. The food was average compared to other Spanish meals I've had elsewhere and at Dali. They put us in the back of the restaurant under the air conditioner and it was freezing back there. Service was adequate. Maybe they were just having an off night but I am definitely going to look elsewhere in the Boston area for my next Spanish dinner! The food alone here probably merited three stars but I knocked off one star because it's pricey and they should maintain a certain level of quality.

Jessica M.

I'm going to disagree with a lot of people here...I think Dali is overrated. Romantic? Yes. Lots of people in casual attire? Yes. Can get loud? Yes. You waiter completely forgetting about you? Oh! Yes! I didn't try the Sangria as it was cold outside and we were going for romantic so we had wine instead. The fried cheese is quite delicious. As was the cured ham. The rabbit is good but full of bones (aka. I'm glad I knew my date well because I'd be really embarrassed spitting out bones in front of a new guy) and the sauce it's served in is the only thing that saved the bread. Which was tough, thick and mediocre. We also ordered a pork dish that was really disappointing. We were going to do dessert or maybe another round of tapas but... After our waitress served the rabbit and pork dishes she completely disappeared. Well, by "disappeared", I mean that she started serving every other table around us and never ONCE looked in our direction. This was odd because during the first part of our meal, she was incredibly attentive. Then she basically acted like our table never existed. 20 minutes after we finished our food and there was no service we decided we were going to finish our dinner elsewhere. But where is our waiter with the check? We folded our napkins, put them on the table and tried to get her attention. Nothing. 10 minutes later....I am finally able to grab the attention of the busboy and ask him to get someone with the check. He nods and a few minutes later the manager comes over, asking how things are. We said they are fine but we're ready for our check, if he could please get the waitress. He teases us that he was our waiter (ummm, since when??) and that we can't be leaving yet, it's so early (it was 830, we'd been there since 7). I was kinda cranky by then so I didn't laugh but my date managed a chuckle. Either way, I'm not happy that I had to wait forever for a check-in from the waitress, even after being so clearly finished with my meal. Paid the check and left. Don't know if I'll go back or not. Probably not.

Naitasia H.

I really like Dali. I like the atmosphere, I like the food, and the Sangria is great!! The worst thing about Dali is how long the wait can be, but that's mainly because it's a small venue. I also don't think it's great for large parties. I went in a group of 4 and we just ordered a lot of random things off of the menu and shared them. The drink choices are not nearly as pretentious as Cuchi Cuchi. The waitstaff at Daly is very friendly and knowledgeable about what is on the menu as well.

Sarah P.

As a vegetarian, eating in Spain can be difficult. At Dali, it was possible. Tapas and veggie paella were excellent. LOVE the atmosphere in there. Great place.

Purvi R.

Went here for my birthday last month. As deeeelicious as tapas gets...the goat cheese in the tomato sauce is so amazing we got another right after our first one. The ambiance of the place is really cool...romantic, but also kind of chic and trendy inside. The sangria is pretty good - don't think it's as good as people say it is on yelp, but still a good accompaniment to tapas. Be careful getting there, make sure you're going to the right Washington Street!! :)

Deidred A.

Best Tapas in Boston!

Nick B.

So for years now, I have been griping about how nobody serves rabbit in the US. Suffice it to say that Dali shut me the hell up. So tender and flavorful, even the non-Red Meat eater I was dining with couldn't help but dip the bread in the port wine sauce. Throw in some excellent shrimp with mojo sauce, walls that seem to be decorated by dripping candle wax, and an old guy whose job is to show you to your table and then hit on your date, and you've got a unique dining experience on your hands. Now, two caveats here. One, it's pricey. $6-$8 a dish adds up in a hurry. Two, not everything on the menu is going to be fantastic (the salmon balls, for example). But hey, that's tapas. If you don't like the taste of something, you don't have to commit to a full meal of it.

Hannah T.

No deductions, not one. The best tapas I have ever had and I was in Spain for two weeks last year. The trick I think is to order the most exciting things you see and try things you don't usually go for. My friend and I ordered: Squid stuffed and baked in its own ink Saffron butter scallops Stewed lamb with mint (Moroccan influence sneaking in?) And saffron-fried shrimp with garlic tapanade I literally cannot say one bad word about the food. I think we chose the most amazing flavors and they all worked wonderfully together. Four tapas for two people for dinner was the perfect amount. We also got a glass of red each and though I unfortunately don't remember the names of them, they were both excellent. (It was the house red and the second one on the by the glass reds menu, if that helps). We popped over to Christina's down the street in Inman for dessert and had pumpkin ice cream. All in all the perfect dinner and dessert. Sooo delicious, and the fact that I still smell like garlic does not bother me because it helps me remember the AWESOMENESS of the food.

Beach Girl M.

Not a fan. I was pretty disappointed at the food quality and preparation . I guess if you are drinking alot of Sangria the food will taste better ... It's not cheap but that is fine as long as it is worth it. Dali's is not. for example, the shrimp dish has tiny canned shrimp that were not fresh by any means, the meats were tough . The olives ( i have had a better olive mixture at Shaws) The paella - the fish was on the old side smelled awful, the meat fatty & grisley, the rice really really salty. We took home and gave to dog who also refused to eat it. We love love love tapas and maybe it was just a bad night for the cooks. The service stunk too unfortunately . We pretty much had to stand up and walk over to waiter to ask for water never even mind drinks. He was pretty overwhelmed. We were all very excited about trying Dali but we won't return. Too many negatives. The sangria is excellent but apparently you should order a large to swallow the food. The restaurant is also really too loud, loads of children and the wait far too long.(had a reservation and waited an hour past it- once again not a problem if the restaurant was a good one.) It was like a Spanish Benigans. Bad date spot the sound level borders on ridiculous. ... Dali is my absolute least favorite place.

Kevin B.

My first review... POP! Food: 2 1/2 out of 3 Very solid food all around. Plato mixto was tasty - the ham assortment was phenomenal, the cheese selection was not particularly exotic, but tasty. Higadillos de pollo (chicken liver w/bacon and sherry on garlic toast) was very good. The liver taste got a little lost among all of the other flavors going on, but the overall effect was delicious. Chipirones rellenos (stuffed squid in its ink) just about stole the show. The squid was stuffed with salmon. I usually don't like salmon, yet I still loved the dish. Sopping up the ink sauce with bread was practically another dish on its own. I say it almost stole the show because the dessert of churros with chocolate sauce truly stole the show. Churros were crispy, but not at all greasy. Fantastic. As far as drinks go, sangria was very good as well - not too sweet. I reserve 3/3 stars for food that I would call "the best X I've ever had" and this wasn't quite there, but it was very good overall. Service: 1 out of 1 Server was friendly without being overly casual. Knowledgeable beyond what was on the menu. Honest in giving opinions. Attentive and timely without being annoying or rushing me. Can't ask for more. Other Factors: 1/2 out of 1 Nice, romantic ambiance. A little too loud for my liking, but that may be because we were right next to a loud table. They also sang happy birthday/anniversary to different tables 4 times during my meal, which to me is a little too TGI Fridays. Person I went with enjoyed everything as well. Mostly a yuppie crowd, with some older people and some more casually dressed people. Overall: 4 stars

Kelly L.

This place always seems to be full of people and super busy. I must have good karma though as I've only ever had to wait once. I'm always feeling like they've snuck me in, despite it being Saturday night. After my first visit, I felt like Dali hadn't lived up to all I had heard about it. The food was good, but it didn't blow me away. But, after a few trips, I'm a fan. I don't think I've disliked anything I've ordered, and there are enough vegetarian and fish items to keep my non-meat eating friends happy. And, let's not forget the sangria! Depending on where you are coming from, Dali can be a little bit of a pain to get to... but it's worth it!

Jawann S.

Good food and great atmosphere. Romantic, but not too quiet or stuffy. Be prepared to wait as it gets quite busy, but completely worth it. Gotta order tapas style and try as many dishes as possible. There's a lot on the menu so you'll be completely overwhelmed otherwise. A lot of the stuff is pretty rich too, so you'll be glad to share small plates.

alex l.

this place is so great. My husband took me here when we were dating and it is very romantic. I have only been there once but will be going back within the next month. The tapas were absolutely delicious, the sangria as well. I don't think they take reservations which can make things tricky.

Samantha H.

Oh Salvador Dali, how you inspired so many things and so many people. Thankfully, you also inspired some totally sweet cooks as well. Dali, a Cambridge favorite, is nothing short of surreal. A Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, Dali transforms your world once you see it. Nestled on the corner of Washington and Beacon, you can't miss it. It's purple. I mean, like, unmistakeably lavender. The glittering, white-light ridden tree branches hung over the door also make it pretty easy to locate. You'd have to be blind to miss it. Honestly. Now while it's certainly ostentatious, it's not gaudy. And the inside is unreal! There's a beautifully tiled bar and lovely little lights everywhere, although I will say the stuffed pheasant/boar's head/string of garlic-i'm-trying-to-ward-off-vampires motif they've got going on over the bar is a little much. But the food. Oh, the food. I think I saw God; literally. Tapas are miniature appetizers; a "picker's" heaven or if you're a Italian, someone who likes to "nosh". Having been there not once, but TWICE (I'm practically an expert), I have gone down both the nothing-but-tapas road and the eat-as-much-tapas-as-you-can-and-then-have- an-entree-as-well road. Either is phenomenal. On my most recent visit, it was nothing but tapas. Tapas, tapas, tapas. The baked goat cheese and crushed tomatoes is just divine. As is the lobster and crabmeat ravioli, the pheasant, the mussels, the battered shrimp, and the artisanal cheese plate. I know what you're thinking, that it sounds like a TON of food, but it's really not. The staff's (they also sing and play the tambourine -- very well rounded bunch) recommendation is 2-3 tapas per person and then everybody shares. It's not only a great way to get a taste of the entire menu, but to also save a little dinero (that's Spanish for money, folks). Unfortunately, for the working youth of America it's all about the bottom line. But the tapas-only dinner route gets a great bang for its buck. Each dish runs anywhere form $6-$8, and if you're going out with a group of people, it makes the meal relatively cheap. They also have an excellent house wine -- the rioja, if you will. A word of caution however: DO NOT consume two glasses of this on an empty stomach. Odds are, you'll end up finding the waiter far more attractive than he actually is and will try to set him up with your mother. Sorry, Sue. The Dali: Two thumbs way up -- sky high even. dalirestaurant.com/index…

Allison S.

Went to Dali for a girls night. What fabulous sangria! They bring it out in pitchers and it's very difficult not to go through 10 of them. Although I've never had tapas before, after Dali I am hooked.

Carolyn S.

For nights when the rain keeps me from venturing out too far, my favorite indoor spot becomes Dali's, located just across the Cambridge/Somerville border. Walk through the cave-like entryway and you are transported to an atmospheric tapas bar in Spain with a surrealist twist. Vines of garlic and dried chilis hang from the ceiling along with a variety of odd acutriments straight out of a Dali painting. Share a pitcher of delicious sangria served up at the bar along with a selection of tapas. The candlit room has a warm, romantic feel, possibly due to the red painted walls or perhaps it's the distinctly Spanish bar staff and clientele.

Eric K.

The ambiance is great and the interior design is wonderful. The tapas were great, but the sangria is the best.

Toni S.

Um, YUM! I don't really remember a lot about that night because we drank so much Sangria. haha. It really is wonderful! We had a long wait for a table, so we drank Sangria and didn't care; we had a long wait for our server, so we drank Sangria and didn't care. When our food finally arrived I was in love. I love finger food and I love a bunch of different kinds to try all at once, so it was very dreamy. I also drank more Sangria. One thing I specifically remember about the food were some muscles with avocado on them. WOW! Just delish! Everything was really, really good, though.

Crystal K.

Dali can be a hit or miss but luckily, most of the the time it's a hit. The first time I was there, years ago, it was on the first date with my now-husband. It was cozy, comfortable and romantic but much of that probably had to do with the quiet corner we were tucked into. Subsequent visits have been loud and rowdy (one time we were crammed in between two tables of 12 people each and were virtually ignored all night). The tapas is exquisite. I highly recommend the garlic soup (we both--bravely--had it on that first date!!) and if they have frog legs, oh you MUST get them. I was very hesitant about the little froggies but they were delectable. Every time I go back I hope they have them but I haven't been so lucky. Dali is cozier than its sister restaurant, Tapeo (downtown Boston) and not nearly as loud. It's also a bit more laid back than its other sibling, Solea in Waltham, but not nearly as amazing and funky as its crazy wild baby sister, Cuchi Cuchi. With all these restaurants though, Fernando Leon has managed to take tapas to new levels all over Boston.

Shannon S.

This is sort of Jeffery H's and I's worst nightmare since we hate the Birthday Song and get totally anxious when we hear it -- but surprisingly I survived a night at Dali with my friend Emma (who also had a birthday). Now I've tried it's twin restaurant, Tapeo and reported that even though I had a great birthday dinner there I felt something was "missing" and I think that Dali has filled in that missing step. I don't know if it's the cavernous, dark, Spanish feel or the gorgeous low, lighting with stars of light twinkling all around -- but Dali, You've got something special. Plus, the food, dear god -- and the service -- so perfect. I felt completely happy, relaxed and comfortable but if you're not there for a Birthday or Anniversary -- you'll be the only one! It gets pretty loud with drunken Sangria conversation and birthday reverie so if you're looking for an uninterrupted dinner with a more serious atmosphere -- this may not be the restaurant for you :D I also recommend the Pork Tenderloin with Blue Cheese -- dear god that's good.

Smitha S.

Yum Tapas Yum.Just get out there and order , order and order and they just keep comin...

Irene F.

Wow. Wow, wow, wow. We ended up waiting about 3 hours for a table, and I do not give a rat's ass. Dali is my idea of what heaven will look like when I get there. The decor is very cool, I dig the little rooms, each of them different. Our server was fun, quick, and attentive. The food really stood out. Given that both Natasha and i have lived in Barcelona, this was really a test. We know our tapas and our sangria. Combined with our friend Cory, we feasted on liters of sangria, and the following (i will do my best to list actual names of dishes, but I don't really remember them that well, considering 2 liters of sangria were consumed you can hardly blame me): Crema de Mariscos (delicious and creamy, great for dipping bread) Pulpo (excellent sauce also) Setas al Ajillo (yummy, meaty mushrooms) Gambas al Ajillo (they were kind of small shrimps, but still good) Rabbit (I loved it, but it was a little sweet) Duck Breast (this I was not a huge fan of, cloyingly sweet sauce) Stuffed Squid in its own Ink (yummy, even though it looks scary, it is delicious) Scallops in Saffron Sauce (also amazingly delicious) and of course, Patatas Bravas (not too bad, Pipa in NYC has better for sure) Overall, an amazing dining experience. I would come back in a heart beat and wait another 3 hours for a table if it meant more that yummyness.

Vanessa C.

wow! this place definitely did not disappoint! I came here with a friend and sat at the bar to skip the 30 minute wait. I didn't drink anything, but I swear that food was intoxicating! even with all the good reviews, nothing could prepare me for these incredible savory tapas. I went with my partner in crime NLD, with the intention of a "light" meal that spiraled out of control to a feast sized spread. we ordered 3 cold and 3 hot tapas. NLD was hooked by the green olives alone - they had so much flavor. by the time our hot tapas arrived, we were already in love with this place. we ordered way too much, but we couldn't help ourselves. the game dishes made us both sentimental for our grandparents cooking, so we tried the lamb, the rabbit and the pheasant - all were superb. I don't usually like lamb but I ate every last morsel of this. the pheasant stands out as the best overall dish. we were both really impressed and had to pause halfway through to "take a break." as I said, this really is food to be savored slowly. don't come here for a quick meal, plan to spend some time to properly enjoy the experience. then the bill came. we knew we ordered way too much food, so we were really amazed when our bill was barely over $50. I feel sorry for anyone who complains about the prices, because it means they do not appreciate the value of an excellent skillfully-prepared meal. the prices are reasonable, the staff is very charming, the atmosphere is relaxing & intimate, and the food is outstanding! 5 stars

sydney A.

Dali is a wonderful place a for a romantic dinner date; tapas is dead sexy. Also a great place for fancy drinks and a ridiculous fancy birthday party. They do a really good job singing and bringing the frog candle. My friend brought a cake in for me and they were very accomodating (though charge the customery $2 cutting fee). Always plan an entire evening for Dali. You will wait for a table, and eating tapas is best done in several rounds of lingering and eating and drinking. Although they do not take reservations, you can call ahead to get on the list, and then bump to the top when your entire party arrives. The most mouthwatering extraveganza ever to occur in my mouth was a fried strawberry (seasonal) at Dali.

kyle c.

my boyfriend took me here for a romantic dinner, and the atmosphere was absolutely perfect for it. we got a pitcher of sangria (yum) and i ordered a few items off the tapas menu and he got the paella. after reading the reviews on yelp, i ordered the garlic shrimp since it seemed everyone was raving about it, but i was not very happy with it. it had the least complex flavors of everything else i had gotten, and gave me a stomachache later in the night. however, everything else i got was wonderful. the cheese puffs and the portobello mushrooms were to die for and boyfriend's paella was great too. after dinner we got the chocolate tort with raspberry and pistachio sauces, and that was wonderful too. i was very happy with everything we got except for the shrimp. next time i go out i will not be so quick to listen to the menu recommendations of other yelpers. or maybe it was an off night?

Olivia L.

Everyone says this is a great date place, but I've only been here in groups of 20+. Let me tell you, these guys are pros -- I came a little early to check out the layout, and asked for a specific set of tables (which I got), and asked for a specific kind of menu (none of the prix fixe menus), and they kept the sangria coming. The only surprise: The first time, it was like $800 for 21 people, and the next year (prices were the same), it was like $1200 for 24 people, so I really don't know what happened. Or I don't remember what happened. In any case, had a great time.

Clara R.

This is a great place to come with a biggish group that's celebrating something. Ignore prices for the evening (start with some sangria), and get two+ tapas per person and a porron. Everyone below is right about the fried cheese thing being the best food ever; I'm also partial to the lobster ravioli. NOM NOM NOM OMG

Michael M.

Amazing tapas, great sangria, and beautiful, ornate decor make this place really unique and worth coming back to. Seriously, everything I've had on the menu has been excellent and it makes you feel as if you're actually in Spain. You kind of feel lost and immersed in another world as you enjoy your food and wine... A festive, vibrant ambiance, amazingly delicious food, unique menu options, and very friendly staff- what more could you ask for?

Mabel C.

This place is beautiful and the food is tasty. I had frog legs for the first time and I really liked it.

Melissa B.

Dali has always been popular and I find that some of their dishes are absolutely wonderful (salad with hearts of palm, cucumber soup, pork tenderloin with mushroom and goat cheese), but so many other dishes come out of the kitchen cold, or just aren't that tasty. And it sure can get expensive. For tapas-style dining I much prefer Atasca, albeit a Portuguese version, located in Cambridge. That said, I think Dali is great for meeting a friend at the lively bar for a glass of sangria and a quick snack.

Vanilla P.

Okay. I'm seriously beginning to wonder if I enter into other worlds when I go to these extremely high rated places. Dali was just okay for me and hubby. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great. Yeah sure, the interior was cute. The waitress was nice. The sangria was good, but the food? That's another story. To truly experience the Dali, we ordered one of every food group: Sea-thing, bird, pig, cow, soup, and potato. Our scallops came out in pretty little shells, but gawd-dang! They were REALLY SMALL. I expected the goat cheese and bacon to complement the sea creatures, but they were really overwhelmed by the goat cheese. Blah. Then we got some chicken croquettes, which were like deep fried boringness. The inside of the croquette was warm, not hot, and the flavors were muddy -- like we couldn't tell how it was supposed to be flavored. Then came some sausages, which were the best thing we had that night. Yummy figs to blend the savory flavor, dipped in some apple-cider flavored jus. The beef was fat-city. I spit my fat piece out and forced my husband to eat the plate of short ribs (SKIP THOSE). Next: Patatas Bravas. These were actually good, and if we had only gotten servings of those and the sausage, I would have been happy. The soup came out desperately needing salt, but extremely garlicky. The olives I ordered were good too, but they were olives. I could go to Whole Foods and get my own bowl. So, yeah. I feel like it was fine. Not great, and I think we ordered such a variety that we should have had something that really stood out. But we didn't. Boo hoo.

Jennifer D.

This place is not for a quite, romantic moment. It's pretty loud and festive here. The wait staff are really fun and entertaining. The hostesses were dancing with each other at one point. The rooms are decorated with an eclectic assortment of fun junk, and not so junk--well mostly junk, but it really works out to create a festive feel. The Sangria was good. The fresh anchovies were really good. I loved the scallops in a creamy saffron sauce. The rabbit was a little dry. The pheasant was just OK.

Corey H.

Having visited Euskadi (the Basque region) I went here with a skeptical attitude, but was hopeful. I left satified because the food is fresh and that's not easy to find around here. If you've been to Spain or southern France then close your eyes while you drink the sangria because you'll be right back there. Unfortunately the sangria is overpriced. The whole menu is expensive but worth it if you're looking for well made, fresh food.

ina c.

One of my all-time favorite restaurants for almost any occasion. I have tried just about all the tapas on the menu and have yet to meet one I don't like. My favs are the duck in berry sauce and the seafood-stuffed red peppers. Getting porróns filled with cava is a MUST. We have made Dali a New Year's Eve tradition. It is super festive and they even pass out confetti, noisemakers, and hats for all the diners. By the end of the night, people are dancing, including the owners.

Steve N.

i've tried most of the tapas places locally and i keep going back here when i don't want to mess around. the place is kitschy and the staff are tragically hip. i've had most of the hot/cold small plates and they are all very good. not so much the pallela. the sangria, while a lil pricey, is yummy.

Brendan C.

Looking for recommendations for date night, a coworker suggested Dali accompanied with rave reviews. A quick once over of what other Yelpers had to say, and I was sold on the idea. The lady and I made the trip from Oak Square to Somerville around 7 pm on a Thursday evening, finding the restaurant to be not too busy. Nonetheless, we were seated in the front room right next to another couple. The tables were very close together, so we were able to experience some of the awkwardness of first date forced conversation. The decor is as advertised, unique, interesting, and serene - my favorite part being the hanging garlic and tomatoes around the ceiling of the bar. We were given some time to look over the menu before we were greeted by our server to be. I actually liked this, as it gave us time to breathe and actually look at the drink menu. Throughout the whole meal, the service did feel very European, which was very refreshing from the usual rushed American eating. We decided to split a liter of the Sangria, the Plato Mixto, baked goat cheese, venison sausage in pomegranate sauce, seafood raviolis, and the duckling in berry sauce. The Plato mixto came out first and was a major disappointment for the $15.50 price tag it garnished. The plate of cheeses, cured meets, and roasted veggies looked and tasted like something I'd expect out of a high school cafeteria. The cheese was bland, the peppers flavorless, and the bread served with it, stale and dry. The Sangria however, was delicious, as documented by the yelps below. I'm not a Sangria guy at all, but this was very balanced, refreshing, and not overly sweet. It was a great complement throughout the entire meal. All of our hot plates came out together, though mild plates is a more accurate description. With tapas I prefer staggered serving, and I think this approach would've benefited the food here, as clearly some of the dishes had been sitting for some time. The venison sausage was simply a sausage, its presentation not scoring any points. That said, the flavor was savory and the sauce delicious. I would have liked to have seen some greens soaked in the pomegranate sauce to give the dish a bit more complexity and to justify the reason for pricing a sausage at 7.50. The baked goat cheese was by far the biggest disappointment. The dish is simply a bowl of tomato sauce with melted cheese in it. The final two dishes were saving points for our trip. The seafood raviolis were rich and satisfying, though it's pretty hard to screw up seafood raviolis. The duck in the berry sauce was perfect, well cooked and sitting in syrupy goodness. We finished with the churros with warm chocolate sauce, which my girlfriend noted were crunchy rather than crispy as they should be. She's a veteran of Spain, so I'll take her word on the authenticity. To my palate they were yummy. The final bill with tip, came in just shy of $100. We got drinks and desert, so I wasn't too shocked the bill was high. However, for $100 I'm looking to walk away saying that was a great experience. I just didn't get that here. I'd recommend Dali for a group of 4+, due to seeing the back room with group sized tables was full of smiling patrons.

Stephen G.

This place truly has Spanish flavor but in an absolutely quirky way. The wines are great, but the food could be a bit better. I still bring out of town guests here just for the ambiance; it's a fun place.

Julia S.

Super-fun ambiance, delicious dishes and great sangria. What else is needed?

Kim S.

Dali is the perfect date restaurant; the atmosphere is eclectic and romantic, the food delicious, and the sangria good enough that you'll be making giggly, drunk conversation no matter whom you're with. When you walk into Dali, you immediately feel that you've been transported to a tiny restaurant in Spain. The bar is decorated with Spanish tile, the lights are dim, and the warm colors make the space feel cozy and intimate. Tapas here present the ideal opportunity for any diner to taste a little bit of everything. Most everything is tasty, but for cold tapas, try the traditional tortilla espanola and the aceitunas alinadas. Both will present unique, but vibrant flavors. Want to heat things up? The chorizo a la plancha. off the hot tapas list, adds some spice. The baked goat cheese with tomato and basil is creamy, and the braised rabbit with red wine, juniper, and garlic presents a perfect flavor combination. Meat lovers will swoon over the beef tenderloin with pimiento on toast, but the vegetarians out there can take refuge in the delicate puffs of cauliflower, broccoli, and cheese in the bunuelos de verdura. Dali does have a wine list, but I wouldn't think of ordering anything but the sangria. It's wonderful and fruity, with hardly a hint of alcohol in the taste. To top off the incredible dining experience at Dali is the service, which is impeccable. The servers know their stuff, and they know how to make a couple feel special.

Gabby D.

HOLLAAA!!!!!! This was the sole purpose of our Boston trip. Eat at Dali. NCAA finals can wait (well, when you cheer for a team like University of Florida and have nothing to worry about...you can safely have a delicious, lesiurely dinner and then roll into the bar down the street for the second half). I can't even review this sequentially because I can't wait to tell you about the spanish...sweet...goat???...cheese that came with honey and caramelized onions. Holy. Sweet. Amazing-ness. I actually needed "a moment" while I was savoring and swallowing. It's that good! Okay, let's back up. Even though they don't take reservations, the five of us (Travel Partner A, B, myself, and Boston friend aka coworker and Boston friend's brother) had no problem being seated immediately. True. The atmosphere is dark and sexy. I loved it right away. Me being one of two people who didn't speak Spanish fluently at the table I just went along with everyone speaking to us in spanish the entire time. I just smiled and nodded "mmhmm...queso...verdad." The entire staff had quite a friendly and spicy flair to their persona. One of the managers even sported some Playboy bling under his open button....down?? black shirt. Got the Sangria (careful...at $30something a pop it adds up). Good, yes...but not the best. New York. West Village. Try it some time. The tapas on an overall were quite excellent. Did I mention the cheese with the honey and the onions? This spot definitely lives up to the hype.

Meghna S.

I would day ditto too all the poeple who call this one of the most romantic retaurants in the Cambridge/Boston area. After having eaten here many many times, I think Dali deserves a review. They have a great selection of tapas and yummy sangria. Their waitstaff is really friendly too. I am giving it four stars because it is always a bit too noisy.

A D.

I love this place. Its great for all ocassions - romantic date or dinner with a group of friends or family. Its so deciving from the outside - you would never imagine how cosy, big and interesting it is on the inside. The tapas are great, the waiters are authentic - well at least they attempt to play the part :) and the sangria is just what i need at the end of a hard week at work. It can get busy so be prepared to wait - but I never mind having a drink at the bar and people watching.

Lee C.

Went on a Monday night having never heard of the place (just moved around the corner and was looking for a place to take a friend). Was very pleasantly surprised. Very good Tapas, some less traditional (Rabbit, mussels with guac), and good cheap sangria. They have a weird b-day ritual, but I didn't mind. Overall a solid place: not the best Spanish food you'll have, but a good friendly vibe, inventive menu, and enough solid favorites to make want to go back.

Arnab M.

Despite the unpleasant waitress who spilled wine on my friend's brand new skirt and then handed her a stain remover/masker to clean it up without any apologies, the food and sangria were excellent. Tapas is one of my favorites kinds of food, and sangria...... Enough said.... YUMYUMYUMMY! This place gets pretty packed and loud, and the music makes you want to get up and dance. If you do choose to go, try and make reservations, though they don't usually take any, or go early, or both.

Henry P.

Aside from the food being just wonderful, the setting of this restaurant is what keeps me coming back. I've been there more than a handful of times, my most memorable experience was taking my girlfriend for our anniversary. We got to the area a tad early, and timed it perfectly so that by the time we walked up to the restaurant, the door coincidentally opened and appeared as if they were expecting us!! Since we were the first customers of the evening, we got the best table in the house, a romantic corner table next to a window. The staff is terrific, jovial, and entertaining. You can just feel the spanish flavor in everything from the way they dress to the way they speak, gushing with friendliness along with a hint of Euro-ness. Everytime I go there, I feel like I'm somewhere in the middle of Spain. Then you pay your bill, exit, and realize you're still in Cambridge and it wasn't a crazy acid trip. Good times. Sangria is leet. Try the principale fish dish (salt encrusted liciousness). It's seriously amazing.

Jennifer W.

I love, love, love Dali!! I went here for the first time on Friday and I can promise that I will be going back . They have a great variety, which can accommodate picky eaters too! Everything we ordered, from the octopus to the steak with artichoke, was FABULOUS! The ambiance is very cool. It has a very Spanish feel and the lighting is great for a date or a birthday. It's small enough to feel quaint, even when at full capacity. I highly recommend going to Dali for your next special night out!

Tracee D.

Dali is great. Go there. What are you waiting for? Check the website before you go...I love a place with a story. The couple (although eccentric) divulge the beginnings of their romantic restaurant for all to enjoy...I like the outside/inside/the tiled bar/ and the food is great too. The angry chef boyfriend of mine was not impressed but he never is. Normal people are impressed with squid ink dyed cobalt blue ravioli, he, on the other hand is not...The Paella is a monster. The sangria is divine. I always giggle when I remember my friend telling me how you have to dress like Antonio Banderas to work there....she is so right. This is a step brother to Cuchi Cuchi, not as femme fatale. Really nice place. You will impress.

Mandy H.

I went there on a date this weekend and, although it was about 7:30 on a Saturday night, we were seated immediately. The hostess and our waiter were friendly (and had fun outfits on, which always wins a point or two with me) and I really liked the decor: lots of bright colors and tons of art without looking overdone or cheesy. I agree with other yelpers that it was a little loud, but the festive vibe was contagious, and I liked feeling like I was in a nicer-than-usual restaurant without feeling like I had to be on my best behavior. we ordered: - sangria: tasty. I'm no sangria expert, but I thought it was pretty enjoyable, and that the spiffy straws were a nice touch. - salmon balls with caper sauce: yummmmmmmmmmmmm. I could have eaten a million of these. - chicken stuffed with... salmon? I forget, some sort of fish, it was one of the specials: the breading and stuffing were tasty, but I wish there had been more sauce. The breading and stuffing were not enough on their own to make it interesting. - baked goat cheese with tomato and basil: DELISH. Of course, I like pretty much anything involving goat cheese, so perhaps my opinion is a little unreliable on this one. - scallops in saffron cream: tasty, but missing something. Maybe a little too sweet for me? - sauteed artichoke hearts: wow! I don't even like artichokes that much and I gobbled these down. The pine nuts definitely added something, although I wish there had been just a few more. Overall, I really enjoyed it there and really liked the relaxed atmosphere -- I hate feeling rushed out of a dining experience. Good for a date, for sure.

Erik M.

A group of us had dinner here on New Years Eve. It was splendid.

J B.

I used to come to Dali all the time, it was around the corner from the apartment I lived in for almost 4 years and I could walk there in less than 10 minutes. At the time I was dating an argentinean so it was nice to see the camaraderie between my usual date and the owners/bartenders/waiters. It was just always such a friendly experience. I had not gone in much in the past few years due to a couple moves making it less convenient and also I guess I kind of forgot how special this place really is. I went in with a friend the other night for drinks and tapas and all the warm feelings I used to get came back. The bartender smiled and acted like he recognized me, the place was filled with laughter and life, the tapas were phenomenal, and the sangria was pretty good as well. I told my friend 'i could handle making this a regular place again, even though I live a little farther away' and i mean it. this place makes me happy. *my friend would not suggest getting their mojito- it is made w/ an orange liquor instead of rum and she found it horrible.*

Claudia C.

I have tried time and time again to go to this restaurant, but they only open for dinner hours. I've gone there once, and I love their virgin sangria. The whole place is just very lively, with candlelit tables and wacky masks on the wall that make you feel like you're in a different country altogether. The tapas are very yummy, and the way they are served makes it very fun to share if you dine as a group.

Gazelle T.

I don't know why this place gets such a high rating for food--it was really average. My boyfriend and I went for my birthday last night and chose Dali because everybody raves about it. We got 7 different tapas to try. The artichokes weren't anything special, the potatoes were good, but reminded me of every single potatoe I ever ate on EF trips to Europe in high school, the pork tenderloin was anything but--it was on the tough side, and tasted like it had just been reheated. The beef short ribs didn't have much flavor at all, and short ribs are one of my favorite things. It made me wish there was salt and pepper on the table. The chicken and mushrooms were things I could have made at home--and done a better job at. I will say, the decor is very nice, I really enjoyed it, and the service was good. I spilled my drink and our server brought me another one, no charge, without even being asked or having to be flagged over. I hate to see it when restaurants pay more attention to the atmosphere than the food though--put someone in that kitchen who knows how to cook! Make that your top priority.

Sara F.

Love the atmosphere -- really creative and eclectic and fun. Excellent sangria and the tapas are best in Boston. Great place for a date or special occasion dinner, birthdays especially. The waiters are friendly and interesting, and overall the service is very good. One of my favorite places.

Peggy R.

We wanted to enjoy a fun last evening with our daughter after helping her move into her dorm room at Tufts at the start of the school year. This was just the place. The decor was really interesting & cluttered with references not only to Dali but also Don Quixote, French caberet, 1920s style posters and a whole lot more. We had 2-3 tapas each and shared everything. Our waiter was quite a character, describing each dish to us in exhaustive detail. He seemed to think we'd never heard of tapas before and needed to have the complete history of this dining concept; it was odd but charming. Fortunately, we were all in the mood for this kind of oddball experience. The weirdest part came when we were done with the meal and the waiter saw that we had left one dish unfinished. Without hesitation, he took the last piece of albondigas off the serving plate, and before I could protest, put it on my dinner plate, and told me I must have the last piece! Even stranger ... I did as he said and ate it. It was good, too -- although I really was full at that point. Besides the albondigas, we had the bunuelos (cheese puffs) and the raviolis and a bread with a topping (can't recall the spanish name) and a few other things. Also a good dessert of crepe filled with fresh berries. Sangria, of course. We had a great time overall. My only complaint is that the noise level is really high, but that's because the place was so crowded with people eating, talking and enjoying themselves.

Katelyn M.

DELICOUS! I went here with about 10 of my friends to celebrate my 23rd Birthday. The food, Sangria, and Dessert were all great! Everyone had a blast and enjoyed their meal. I am so happy I came here to celebrate. Con: Parking on the street was rough, but I've seen worse in Boston.

cara c.

best spanish food in the boston area! heck, the best restaurant in the boston area! beautiful and mood-setting ambiance-i felt like i was stepping out of Somerville and into some delicious European kitchen...all the tapas is good, the sangria is delish, and i make it a point to come here for any special occasion. love it.

Domino P.

Dali's atmosphere transports you to another world. You feel like you left boston and went on a vacation. The food is always great. The staff is always wonderful. Everyone in the place, including the staff and the guests, always looks like they are having a great time. This past visit, we just had a few tapas and some sangria. The garlic shrimp were delicious as usual. The tomato and goat cheese was great for my vegetarian friend. We also tried the bread pudding with rum and cherry sauce. It was good bread pudding, not the best I've had, but the cherry rum sauce was unique and really good. I have to say, Ten years going to Dali and I'm still going back to try new things!

Slak B.

Excellent ambience and great selection of tapas. 1 star less for the long wait times.

Michael I.

Perfect atmostphere and delicious sangria make it worth the trip alone. The food was wonderful, and our waiter, Gato, made it even better. I would recommend this restaurant for anybody.

Jeremy S.

Good small plates. Quirky atmosphere.

Courtney L.

I am taking my closest fiend to Dali's this weekend, This is by far is my favorite restaurant. Besides the food being exceptional, the waiters are so attentive, and fun! I have been there at least 6 times this year...love it!

Stacey D.

Because of the not-so cheap prices, this is a great group (birthdays) or couples (valentines, anniversary) celebratory spot. Wonderful fun yet still intimate dining experience and delicious food!

Jeannie C.

Very fun, wild raucous place! You feel like you've walked into are restaurant in Spain. You can really just relax and forget everything and get lost in the atmosphere. I actually prefer the Tapes to the entree's, which can sometimes seem like they were rushed out of the kitchen. But be sure to order a pitcher of Sangria and take a walk around, the place goes on and on and you can't possibly take it all in. Really great style and ambiance.

Amy O.

This is one of the most amazing dining experiences you will ever have! I used to live across the street from Dali for a few years and it was always a treat stopping by to dine. The tapas are wonderful, the gambas con gambardinas (shrimp with saffron-batter) and queso rebozado con miel (fried Spanish cheese w/honey & sweet onion) are by far my faves and if you are a fan of Sangria, by all means, imbibe baby! The waiters are all adorable and appreciate it when you make an effort to speak in Spanish. The interior is also exceptional; surrealistic Spanish enchantment. Lots of brass, bulls and gorgeous Senoritas. Also, one of the most romantic joints in all of greater Boston. Great for a first date, anniversary or Birthday. An added bonus, they will bring out a brass frog candlestick on your Birthday and all the gorgeous waiters will serenade and blow bubbles all over you as you make a wish! You can't be shy at Dali!

Jay and Jenn O.

I really loved this place, and then I went to Barcelona and had real tapas and now I know what the real stuff tastes like. Don't get me wrong, its still good but I think its overpriced and I rather make the trip to Barcelona for the real deal.

Hilary J.

Very deserving of 5 stars. Food is great, atmosphere is incredible. Gets packed on the weekends though, which is understandable being that it's hands down one of the best places to go in the area.

Huan z.

Simply this is the food to die for. Every thing is super dilicious! Grlic shrimp, salmon ball, just any thing.. My favorite seasonal desert is fried stawberry top with cholocate creams. You can order in spanish if you speak them. They have no reservations, so you need wait half hour to 1 hour to get served, But it worth the time. A sangria at the bar will kill that time fast!

Julie R.

This place is awesome! I went for a work party with like 20 people and fortunately we got to order almost every tapa on the menu. My favorite was the fried goat cheese with honey. The sangria was the best I ever had. The servers were fun and attentive. The atmosphere makes the perfect setting for a fun meal. I will definately go again and again.

Geoff T.

Definatly a place you'll have to save up for if you are usually broke like me, but well worth it. The sangria is terrific and it's a lot of fun to mix and mach the tapas. I don't know if they still have it, but last time I was there I got the fish in rock salt for the main course. It's a whole fish cooked in an entire pile of salt. Once finished, it's brought to your table where the now hardened crust of salt is broken with a small hammer and the fish is fileted right in front of you. The salt shield keeps in the moisture and the fish melted in your mouth.

Andy O.

The food is absolutely amazing (I recommend the Pincho Royal...)However, we were disappointed by a lack of communication. It was my friend's birthday and her husband made reservations for approximately 7:30. Upon arriving at 7:20, we were informed that it would be a 45-minute wait, and then I overheard the hostess telling someone that they don't take reservations, but you can call ahead and put your name on the list just before your arrival. The place was packed, so we couldn't even sit at the bar to await our table. We kept being informed it would just be '10 more minutes,' but we ended up being seated at 9pm. Once seated, it took waitstaff quite awhile to take our drink orders - the table that arrived just after us actually were served first. I did some research and on their website it states that they take reservations until 6:30 pm (so they shouldn't have 'taken a reservation' for my friend). Also, Yelp indicates that they take reservations (but this can be misleading unless you like to eat dinner in the earlier hours). At any rate, I would like to say the food was worth the wait, but there really should have been better communication. We felt a bit like, since they are doing so well, our patronage wasn't too important to them.

Ashley J.

This is a fun, chill, romantic restaurant. The food is awesome. Yeah, you are going to find dishes on any menu that arent the best. I have never had a bad experience here. I go here frequently enough that I should have had one by now if the food is as horrible as some claim it is, and I am a food snob who works in the food industry so I have very high standards. The sangria is really good. The waitstaff is nice and helpful. They let me practice my spanish with them and don't laugh at me haha. I love the duck with berry sauce, the scallops in saffron cream, the short ribs, the goat cheese with tomatoes. I can go on and on. All in all one of my favorite restaurants in Boston because it is an all around great experience. Try it and make your own assessment. At least you will have fun trying something new.

Chris C.

I like this place. The setting is reminiscent of a scene form Hemingway's Garden of Eden. As one of my favorite books, that gives this place points off the bat... The food is pretty authentic -rivals Estragon on that front. The fried cheese with honey and chutney is pure decadence and the octopus, while probably bought frozen, was flavored well. Bartender gets high marks for service, conversation and all-around friendliness and the waitstaff were equally as accommodating. This is that great combination of unpretentiousness and good food that is missed by many eateries on the other side of the river.

Gery A.

My gosh, i just really dig this place. Love the staff. Though the entrees are kind of superfluous, the Tapas are so good you barely notice you're drinking overpriced mediocre table wine with them. Dali has just the right combination rustic/eccentric vibe for the neighborhood. Duck with blackberries? How can you go wrong with that? I'll have two, thank you.

Jessica W.

This place was pretty good, the atmosphere was great, the food was amazing, and the three of us had a great time there. However, the portions of the tapas were way smaller than I was expecting. We ordered 5 tapas between the three of us, plus bread, and it wasn't even close to being enough food to satisfy us. This place is probably more suited to a couple on a date than a bunch of friends, since with the more people there are with you, you have to order a million tapas just to feel like you at a meal. So overall, I would go there again, but probably just with one person.

L S.

Finally, I went to Dali! After a long, long wait we were seated at a cozy table in one of the back rooms. Wine was good. Tapas were okay. Maybe it was a mistake to only order vegetarian dishes, but if you're going to put them on the menu they should be delicious. All the dishes were pretty bland. Dessert was fantastic! The espresso was heavenly! Maybe I'll be back for the meaty tapas. Don't bring your vegetarian friends here!

Rebecca P.

As a disclaimer I should tell you that my husband and I are definitely not romantics; We usually prefer to sidle up to the bar and chat with the regulars than to stare at each other over candlelight. Dali is one of those places where it's kind of hard not to be romantic though. Dim lighting, soft music, cosy little tables, etc... The tapas were each extremely unique, complicated concoctions and we had about a hundred questions on the menu which our server was very gracious about answering. Even though the portions are tiny, the flavors are so strong and rich that a few bites of each dish are very satisfying. We will definitely be back.

Mary T.

Romantic place. Great staff! Food was tasty. We definitely went for the ambiance! :)

moises j.

It's a fallacy to think that you should have to pay a lot for small portions of food so that it tastes good. The place has a nice environment, but I cannot say romantic unless if noise is part of the equation. Food is not bad, but there are so many other Spanish restaurants that have better food in better proportions. I believe there is a better restaurant, Tapas in Brighton, that has better proportions, better service, and just as good atmosphere.

Michael M.

I have been here 3 times, atmosphere very neat and "Dali" inspired, very cool for a date or just a good time with friends/family. The prices are perfect, you can go and have a great time whether you spend a lot of money or are looking for a reasonably priced meal. No reservations after I believe 6 but if going for a date, there are 2 alcoves for couples which you can reserve before 6 (very romantic). All around just a fun place to go, very UNIQUE, one of those places that you have to go to once. Rose petal/ candle lit bar etc...

Jim W.

Great atmosphere, especially for a date. The sangria is excellent and most of the food is very good- but pretty overpriced, make thawt very overpriced. Also it can get crowded and you can end up actually stuck somewhere between the front door and the hostess station with no escape.

chelsea h.

a bit on the expensive side, but delicious--- and great service and sangria! i would suggest getting the goat cheese in honey-------- amazing.

Roberto C.

Sweet fancy moses, this place is incredible. Been here many many times & crave to go back immediately following each trip. Be careful though, the spanish boys might try and take your arm candy (them be a bunch of sweet talkers to the ladies) when you're not looking. Sangria, garlic shrimp & the fish that is baked in sea salt are our favorites! PS This is our favorite compared to their other two (tapeo & cuchi-coo).

Mischa I.

The real deal! Sure, Tapas joints are plentiful these days but rarely does one exhibit the cultural flair and ambiance of beautiful Spain. I think that lots of places can overdue the "finesse" and almost pay too much attention to detail when preparing some of the more traditional dishes, the Dali team does a great job at flirting with that line by keeping it 'old school' yet at the same time they offer Tapas with that fun eclectic twist. The front of the house staff will often sing, dance, or even flirt (totally friendly) with guests - a great time guaranteed!

Lalin A.

It was my second trip to Dali's tonight. Their waiters were a little too forceful in terms of constantly asking about what we'd like and saying thank you! Food was good. The beef was dry, fried cheese is worth trying, their garlic-shrimp dish is delicious... Stay away from the desserts: had the crepe and it was cold- prepared some time ago and they just ran chocolate over it. Sangria is not bad..

Laura S.

I love this place! The decor is fantastic and the staff very friendly. The sangria is worth thr trip alone. If you like pork, I recommend the tenderloin with blue cheese sauce.

Bevin C.

Order two berry sauced ducks - you'll thank me later.

Candace G.

I've been coming to Dali for dinner for almost a decade, and I've never been disappointed. Love the food, atmosphere, and of course the Sangria. Have tried most of the dishes, and it's always difficult to pick only a few each trip. My only complaint is that I never recognize any of the staff - maybe I come more infrequently than I realize, or maybe they don't stay very long? Paella is worth a raving letter to your mommy.... Soooo Good!

Ely W.

Great atmosphere, not your typical restaurant, and you're definitely surprised upon walking in the door for the first time. Your meal depends a lot on what you order, but luckily it's a tapas restaurant so you can pick several dishes. One I would stay away from: the cold squid, just awful, but the rest of our meal was great.

Rachel L.

Came here for my birthday this past weekend with a party of 10. I had called earlier in the week and got on there preferred seating list. We arrived 20 minutes after the time we requested. It was no problem. The hostess was super nice and sat us immediately. Our waiter was a lovely man that kept us smiling throughout dinner. The food was AMAZING. We each ordered a few different tapas. I tried the beef short ribs, baked goat cheese, cured ham, garlic chicken and artichoke hearts. The artichoke hearts and beef short ribs were my absolute favorite. Soooo good! I am still salivating over the thought of them. After dinner the waiters turned off the lights and started singing happy birthday. They brought over a candle for me to blow out and a bubbnle machine. Very cute. My only complaint would be that although the cava sangria was delicious I could never get a refill. It was hard to ge the waiters attention after all the tapas had been served. Come on it's my birthday I want another drink! Overall this place was a great choice. The price was reasonable ($25-$30pp) and it was great for a larger group. Will definately be going back.

Julinho A.

To keep it short and sweet, the tapas were decent (nothing to write home about), but wholly insufficient at satisfying an appetite, which is a problem considering their cost. Their sangria was definitely "meh," I've made better with a couple apples and a $3 bottle of Merlot.

rayn a.

Love it, love it, love it there is no better date plaace than Dali. If you are a tapas type and like to dine in an atmosphere that is very social and tight knit this is your place. My first visit was years ago a friend who had lived in boston much longer than I took my girlfriend and I, I have been hooked ever since!! I later have showed a select group of friends this great jewel in somerville. I cannot stress enough to get a group together and try a parone(spelling is off) but it holds champagne has a small spout you hold it far or close to your mouth and let the party begin!! get there early or prepare to wait

Steve M.

One of my favorite restaurants - a true treat. Drown me in the garlic soup and throw salmon balls at me all night long, with a cascade of meaty mushrooms on top. Loud but incredibly fun.

Kate S.

One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Boston. The food here is un-failingly fantastic and the sangria is the best I've ever tasted. It can be VERY busy, and they do not accept reservations after 6:30 on weekdays, but it is well worth the wait. My favorites are the queso de cabra, the rabbit and the tarta de chocolates. The tapas nuevas are always incredible (although they can be unusual to American palates - recent tapas nuevas included veal tongue and sweetbreads). However, it is a bit louder than what I would consider a "romantic restaurant".

Leiana K.

Well, if you can get a table at this place...you will certainly enjoy yourself. The interior is quirky, romantic, Spanish--with drying meats, garlic, and stuffed animals hanging from the bar ceiling, and little nooks with cozy tables. This place is a great for a date---but not a first date as the food can be too adventurous for some. The sangria always pleases and can be ordered by the pitcher or half pitcher in addition to by the glass. The scallops are to die for. The shrimp come whole with the heads on and are too good not to finish. The rabbit is so moist and tender and the pheasant is fantastic! The Spanish cheese and honey dish is also amazing. The regular ensalata mista has hearts of palm, caper berries, radishes, egg, grapes, and all kinds of interesting additions with a very tasty and yet light vinaigrette. The truffles come in crazy flavors like cayenne pepper! All and all, it is one of my favorite restaurants in Somerville! I would suggest going early or during the week, as it is almost impossible on a Friday and they don't take reservations.

Anonymous P.

Mediocre tapas at high prices. I think Dali is one of the most overrated restaurants in the Boston area. It succeeds with people who a) have never had tapas) and b) are drunk. The bread is flimsy and terrible (forget extra virgin olive oil for dipping). The tapas are simply lackluster. I've been to two receptions here, and at each the wine has been unbelievably bad (e.g., red wine that tastes like sour apple penny candy). In fairness, the paella is OK, and there are some decent (not great) tapas. But I would avoid this restaurant.

Cynthia S.

My husband and I went to Dali for the first time this past weekend. We recently honeymooned in Barcelona and thought it would be cute to go there. We were pleasantly surprised when the food tasted as good as it did in Spain! I highly recommend the patatas bravas and the lomitos with blue cheese. There was an hour long wait for two on Friday night, however. We will definitely go again, but not on a busy night.

Ryan C.

It's embarrassing for Yelp that reviewers have given this restaurant such high ratings. It is totally undeserved, and there were several basic problems of execution in our meal. For example, my duck was somewhat over cooked, and several dishes came out not as fresh as they should have which, in my opinion is absolutely unforgivable for a restaurant rated 5 stars (or 25 in the Zagat guide). We also ordered a mixed plate of cheeses, cured hams and olives which was absolutely disastrous. They skimped on quality, and the presentation looked amateurish, as if a home-cooking experiment had gone awry. That observation brings me to my next point that the menu itself is quite uninteresting in that several dishes were very predictable in their preparation, and offered no particular flair in execution. How anyone could rate this place five stars is beyond me, and I certainly hope the reviews of this restaurant begin to reflect reality!

Mike M.

Possibly my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. The first time i went i asked the waitron to send us her favorite 6 tapas. She sent us 8 because she couldn't choose (and didn't charge us for the extras.) I've been here probably 10 times, and have had fantastic food almost everytime. On Valentine's day they gave me the window booth. If you want a more romantic vibe aim for a slower time, and ask for the back room or one of the two 2-seaters by the windows (feels like a private room) Love their sangria, Saffron-battered shrimp (with MoJo sauce) and my all time favorite: Fried Spanish goat cheese with honey-my desert island food of choice.

Sarah S.

Love it, love it, love it! I love the decor, but what keeps me coming back is the food & sangrias. Yeah it's pricey, but it's worth it!

cinaboo b.

I've heard a lot about this place and how long the line was so when I finally decided to venture to dali I made a reservation. I missed the reservation by 20 minutes but was able to get a table, probably the one that I had reserved. The atmosphere was great and fun especially the decor. A pitcher of Sangria was good and sure did the job for a party of 2. The only reason this place deserved a 4 star is because the food was a-ok although that could be because I wasn't very hungry to begin with. I would definetly go there again but with a bigger crowd so I can try all the tapas instead of just 3.

Greg K.

People have told me time and again to come here, and finally, this weekend we did. It was a Saturday night and was packed. The hostess was very friendly and hooked us up with the bartender right away so we could sit at the bar. We only had to wait about 10 minutes. As it was our first tapas experience, we asked the bartender for suggestions about how many plates we should order. We tried a dish of fried cheese balls that was AMAZING! In addition, we had the pork with blue cheese sauce, lobster ravioli, marinated olives and bacon wrapped shrimp (a special). All the food was fantastic. Oh, and one can't forget the sangria! Delicious! After going back and forth for 10 minutes about whether to order another dish (because the food was so good) or get dessert, we decided on dessert. At the bartender's suggestion, we ordered the fruit filled crepe to share. The chocolate sauce was heavenly and we left completely satisfied. Everyone IS right...you MUST go to Dali.

Eli G.

As far as I'm concerned Dali is tops for tapas. Each dish is exploding with unique flavor and the atmosphere is like a cave in Spain. I haven't been in a few months and my memory is a little shabby, but the duck stands out in my mind as a highlight, plus they have great vegetable dishes. Celebrate a birthday here for a big surprise!

Paul L.

The food and the atmosphere are both good, but they need to expand. Or else, get a reservation policy. There's just no reason for an hour and a half wait in a cramped bar that's as big as a cubicle.

Catie L.

Food is really good, and the sangria is excellent. It is a bit on the pricey side and if you go- you should always make reservations. The atmosphere is really one of a kind though.

Adam W.

Amazing food, fun place, great decor, reasonable prices considering everything else. Can't ask for anything more.

Adam W.

Dali is fantastic! Plenty of character and the tapas are great. The best is the Queso Rebozado con Miel (Fried Spanish Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion...the fried honey-cheese that Nicole P. was referring to). Also try the Vieiras al Azafrn (Scallops in Saffron Cream). And don't forget about the sangria....definitely a must

Laura A.

i really like dali, but it can get kind of expensive and it's a bit of a walk from harvard square, which can be annoying when you stumble out of there with your sangria buzz on. i personally prefer tasca on comm ave in brighton (which has an equally long walk), but both have a formidable selection of vegetarian-friendly tapas.

John W.

best place to celebrate a birthday ever! the lights go dim, a candle magically appears on yr table, and a gang of spanish waiters belt out "que los cumplan feliz." come with a date, meet up with yr parents, or bring yr entire crew. either way, a good time will be had by all.

So S.

The most romantic place!!! I just love this place!! Great date place and amazing food! Spanish tapas, Red everywhere and Dali paintings all around. ...couples dancing! Everyone usually has a good time here. A bit pricey, but will definitely impress your date.

bella c.

Mmmmmm Dali is so good! it's been a few years since i have been there but the ambiance adds to the place as well as the food! go with a large group for even more fun!

Jason K.

Top shelf here. very cool restaurant with interesting and delicious tapas. I really like it here - even better than it's sister Tapeo. Although there's no outdoor seating at Dali, the warm inviting atmosphere here is great. Good sangria, squid in ink...nice.

Melissa A.

Best Tapas in the Boston area...wonderful atmosphere, good service and yummy food. So much fun for meeting friends (you all share a bunch of different small plates!) Don't forget the sangria...more please!

Rally P.

This is one of my favourite places in Boston. The tapas is delicious. This is the best place to come with a few people so you can share and sample as many tapas dishes as possible. The atmosphere is just as good - so much joy! Everytime I go there, people are talking loudly, obviously having a great time. The decor is very lively, very fun.

Alice K.

Fabulous tapas! Any fan of dim sum should try the Spanish version here; plates run $4-$8 and are all worth it. Especially recommended: the bacon-stuffed quail (which brings you that much closer to heaven by both delighting your taste buds and threatening your arteries). The decor is fascinating, but you're likely not to notice it between the food and the bar-like chatter. The restaurant is very noisy and friendly- it's hard to make yourself heard and is therefore better for a girls' night out than a date. Also check out its sister restaurant on Newbury Street, Tapeo. :)

Inci K.

Wonderful ambiance, great place, great sangria, and a lively hearty cozy Mediterranean, Spanish atmosphere. Not cheap, but worth trying. Better suited for a fun date or small groups...Can get loud, but you have to be in that lively state of mind to go there to begin with!

Joe R.

Great atmosphere - I loved the look & feel of the place and staff were very friendly. I wasn't overly impressed by the tapas - it's a bit overpriced for what you get. At $8-10 / plate for VERY small portions, you're going to rack up a bill if you'd actually like to satiate your hunger. What's with tapas joints charging meal-like prices for three bites of potatas bravas?!

Erin W.

This is where I ask my husband to take me every year for my birthday. The tapas are fantastic, the waitstaff absolutely charming and the ambience authentic and lively. The Sangria is the best in the area. I just love this place.

Evan L.

Very romantic lighting and atmosphere. The decor inside is very unique, but not overwhelming. The food - oh, man - the food is fantastic. Tapas can get a bit pricey, but go with a few people and leave happy.

Matt W.

Went on a Sat night, got seated right away. Sat in the back in a cozy yet lively room. Beautiful atmosphere, very friendly host and wait staff. Menu was diverse and the prices reasonable. Love the decor, feels very authentic. Try the squid