Kanella Grill Reviews

Went here for brunch a couple years ago and had a really good shakshuka. Since we were going to a nearby theater, we decided to go back. Unfortunately, dinner was not as good. I had the Greek salad, which was average. We also had gyro platters. Be aware that their gyros are made of pork and beef and no lamb. I prefer lamb. The place also gets a little noisy when it fills up.

We will definitely go back but the shakshouka egg dish was good but not great. They must make it and then but it in the crock dish as it was not hot like it had just come out of the oven and servers carried it out with no pot holders. The service was very good and the French press coffee a real treat. The bread served along with the dish was very good too so we will definitely go back and give another menu item a try since the menu is very interesting.

We enjoyed our dinner here but having heard rave reviews, it didn't quite live up to those expectations (and it didn't help that we had one of the best dinners ever at Barbuzzo the night before). The food was good, but it wasn't great. I certainly feel like I've had as good or better Greek food elsewhere, and the prices seemed too high. The poultry dish of the day was $30 - for chicken. The dessert, too, was good (salted caramel tart with ginger ice cream) but again, it was good, not great. I didn't think the food quite justified the prices. I'd give it between 3-4 points (between average to very good - because I thought it was only good) if I could.

Not a place you would pass and go, "Oh, I wnat to eat there. But definitely a place you would want to go to. The waiter was a very nice man with a great English accent. He was very pleasant and willing to make suggestions. Three of us each had something different and all the meals were great. We shared Dolmades and they were really good. Finished off the meal with one of their desserts and they were great. I normally do not like hummus but the platter came with it so I figured I could just leave it, WRONG it was fantastic.

WIth Cypriot food made this good there is no reason to visit Cyprus unless of course sun and sand are your thing. The exceptional dips and creative take on traditional Cypriot and Greek dishes are amazing. The lamb meat balls were fantastic. We visit Kanella every time we're in Philly and will certainly visit again in the future.

Kanella is a good restaurant; solid Greek food. We had small plates, starting with watermelon salad, then into halloumi, tzatziki, muhammara, hummus, Brussel sprouts, and spanikopita. The venue itself is spare, but clean and, for lack of a better word, fresh. The service was attentive, especially given that one server only was on duty, but we were about the only folks there. I didn't rate it better than average, because so many Greek restaurants are "out there," and most of them are just as good. In short, there was no WOW or even a Wow.

We stumbled out of a conference at Jefferson into Kanella for lunch not knowing what to expect, and were completely delighted with every dish. Kanella seems to offer a more limited menu (more a kebob house) than than the original on Front Street, but every item was delicious. The cuisine is Cypriot Greek. Ingredients were fresh, and the service was rapid and impeccable. I chose a salad with a halloumi cheese skewer (a firm-textured goat and sheep blend that was new to me) that holds its shape when cooked, and was pleasantly surprised with its taste and texture. I look forward to my next meal here.

Kanella's is back and even better than ever. The new venue is bigger and more sleek and less noisy and the tables are far enough apart. And the food is as amazing as ever. We shared the lamb dumplings and saganaki and octopus to start followed by the roast goat. The wine list is on the small side but well chosen. We had a Spanish red that paired well with the goat. Other selections are from Israel and Lebanon and Greece. The service is smart and efficient but we never felt rushed. No question, we missed this place during the transition from Spruce to Front.

OUTSTANDING!!! DELICIOUS FOOD and EXCELLENT SERVICE! Anna, Pedro, Isaiah, and Christina… Between you all and the cook’s, EVERYTHING WAS WONDERFUL! It was a party in my mouth, and a delightful dance in my belly! 💃🏽 Thank YOU for an AMAZING experience! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For sure!!!

We drove from Massachusetts just to eat at this Mediterranean inspired restaurant. It's simply amazing. The service, food and chef/owner all add up to one of the best eateries I have ever visited.

You can tell the Chefs care about their product. It seemed that all our dishes were prepared with love and attention. 7 of us had "brunch". They all arrived in a timely manner and were delicious. From pressed coffee to jasmine tea, falafel to smoked salmon in scrambled eggs. All were plentiful in portion sizes. We tried the trio of dips, my favorite was the, nah, they were all good. And served with warm toasted pita. Plenty of seating. Outdoors too. Enjoyable meal.

Tight space but wonderful food. Great interesting flavored, but not too Mediterranean. Excellent service and great decor

I cannot remember the last time I have had a meal where the chef pulled every bit of flavor out of his ingredients. It wasn't fancy, it wasn't glamorous, it was not haute cuisine, but OMG it was flavorful, food one could savor. We started off with the dips of the day and the grilled octopus. The dips were a beet and Greek yogurt with herbs, a pumpkin and feta, and a simple humus, served with warm, fresh pita triangles. Just amazing. The octopus was just chard and as tender as I have ever had octopus. Served in a lemon and garlic butter/ olive oil, it was as perfect as octopus could be. For the main course, my wife mixed by ordering the stuffed pepper and another starter, the Manti, Armenian ground lamb dumplings. The stuffed pepper was "vegetarian" and one of the best we have ever had. The lamb dumplings came in cool yogurt and spicy hot sauce. Great contrast and the flavor just burst out. I ordered the roast goat. It was mild and flavorful, but not gamy. As for goat, a sharp knife and the ability to chew is an aid. But it was perfectly prepared. For dessert we shared the Galaktoboureko, a filo pastry filled with semolina custard. Think Greek flan, or rozata. The creaminess was wonderful with the taste of the semolina wheat coming through giving it a most unique taste. Service was wonderful, friendly and informative. Remember, to bring your own wine, there was no corkage charge, and perfect glasses were provided. Also, do make reservations. It is a small and tables are close together. Reservations are a must.

Dear lord this was great. The goat was insane. Perfectly cooked, so flavorful, so authentic. My husband ordered the lamb Kafka which was also perfect. Great byo. Felt like we were in Greece again. Can't wait to eat here again!!!!

We stopped in on a rainy night to get dinner. Everything we ordered was very fresh and home made. The next time in Philly this will be my first stop. Get there early or make reservations. It is very busy.

The great reviews lead us to Kanella for a Saturday brunch. The room is fine, especially if you get a table on a window, the servers are skilled and attentive, but the just food didn't measure up to the hype. The three-egg scramble didn't taste like much, the sausage arrived cool and had a mushy texture almost as if it hadn't been cooked through. The flat bread with ground lamb, eggplant arugula was Ok, but really over salted and overpriced. Our curiosity was satisfied, if not our appetites.

We were in the neighborhood and starving after a doctors appointment took hours, and TripAdvisor told us this place was 2 blocks away. We were so pleasantly surprised to find outdoor tables, excellent service and even better food. We ordered the red pepper dip, green salad and crispy Brussels sprouts as appetizers, and the sea bass as a main to share. The red pepper dip and fish were the standouts, but everything was good.

We had dinner here and got the chicken platter and the mixed skewer meals from the menu. I thought both entrees were quite good after my husband shared bites of his meal with me. I enjoyed the restaurant probably more than my husband did as he expected something a little different, I suppose, but while it was a somewhat small and a casual place, for the most part, it felt like one of the little Greek restaurants we ate at on a trip the year before.

Finally had a chance to try Kanella . Went with my wife and 2 other couples. Having traveled the Greek islands I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I must say that the menu and quality of food far exceeded my expectations. This place takes Greek cuisine to a gourmet level. Since we were a party of six we were able to sample an array of hummus/ tazhiki /super fresh salads/ veal meatballs / lamb apps. The entree menu was well balanced w/ just enough choices for all tastes.One member of our party was a "meat and potatoes" guy who ordred the pork dish which he described as the "best pork he ever tasted. The fresh branzino was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The staff and our waiter (john) were courteous, informative and efficient. Being a BYOB we were able to enjoy excellent and not experience " sticker shock" when the check arrived.Its no wonder why its hard to get a reservation.

BYOW- had we found this earlier we woulf have come daily for brunch. The menu is incredible and the options amazing. The food and service are great. Bring a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy!

I always love a good BYOB and Kanella is a special one, with unique food and just as delicious for brunch or dinner. My husband and I went recently for dinner and were blown away by our delicious meal. Everything on the menu is incredibly flavorful and prepared really well. We especially enjoyed the bureki, a filo dough pastry filled with feta and thyme and drizzled with honey, served with yummy roasted beets. The service here is excellent and we felt that we were able to eat and enjoy our wine at a leisurely pace. Besides an incredibly loud group at the table next to us (the space is small) it was a great meal! Make sure to order dessert, the chocolate date cake is incredible.

We arrived minutes before the kitchen closed, but they were gracious and let us sit down outside and order at leisure. I had delicious grilled octopus and my husband had the quail. Service was excellent too.

We were in town for a meeting and fun. We were looking for some new opportunities in food, Kanella's was a good choice with some limitations. The dining room is small, loud , and crowded. It is also odd that this is a BYOB facility, so being from out of town and unfamiliar with the arrangements we were without. That being said the service was very nice and personable. They had a very nice/varied menu. I thought some of the choices were actually exciting. The food was fresh, we were not rushed, and the portions were generous. We would go back, maybe on a less busy warm night and consider sitting at one of the outside tables. We would also BYOB.

Our Saturday afternoon visit was a pleasant surprise to say the least; our starter, Dips of the day with grilled pita-very nice, Chicken Kebab with Persian rice and Kofta for our mains-spectacular, we finished with Chef’s Mother’s Cake, Baklava and Greek Coffee-absolutely fantastic. Fresh delicate flavors, cooked to perfection, perfect portions, excellent service, terrific value, happy customers, all a rare experience in most restaurants today can be found at Kenella. I recommend making a reservation-we got lucky. Cons: The seating was a bit tight; Philly parking-give your self time to park and stay calm, you’ll find a spot.

Tonight was the first time I had had food from Kanella Grill. The platters offered a great variety of food. Everything was the correct temperature when the food arrived. Portions were just right. Loved the chips which were actually potato wedges. Would definitely order from here again! Everything was wonderful.

The Night Started well, we waited in the bar a little while before it was time for our reservation at 9pm. Amazing atmosphere, and a really good bartender (he had interesting recommendations) its always good to ask for advice on a cocktail drink, oh they have nice Wine selections (for the winers like me) i really loved the welcoming vibe. The Food was so amazing and the best service. its been a while since that happened in a restaurant. THE Octopus PEOPLE. you need to order like 10 of those when you go. I cut mine with a butter knife and it cut it like butter. i'm just saying it was just amazing experience i really felt in the mediterranean. The Whole fish was amazing and the Manti dumplings OMFD..the braised rabbit leg..wow..oh and also the owner greets everyone table by table and makes sure you are having a great time. Very nice people , i would definitely comeback.

One of these days, when I dine at Kanela, I'm going to order something else. Yet once again last weekend I ordered the same thing: Shakshouka - two perfectly poached eggs floating in a steaming fragrant cumin-flavored tomato soup, topped w/ two crunchy pieces of toast. Consistently the menu, featuring lamb, is varied & each day there are provocative specials for the adventureous eater, such as calf head stew offered last Saturday. Like many good restaurants in Philadelphia, Kanela is BYOB, so there is no bar, but the price is right & a nice bottle of red wine is a good bet to compliment just about any meal. Altho the sparsely decorated restaurant is noisy when crowded, as it often is, the mood is festive; the service cordial & efficient & a reservation is a good idea.

Having been to the original Kanella on Spruce Street I love the ambiance at this new location. We were a bit early and went to the bar while we waited for our friends. Brian was fantastic. He made me a perfect Sazerac and we learned a great deal about the industry from him. Our server was also terrific and accommodated any special requests. Dinner was delicious, particularly the grilled octopus. A little pricey but it's a great dining experience.

Our friends and we wanted to go to a Middle Eastern restaurant, but were frustrated by the very long waits for reservations at the two places that had gotten the Philly #1 restaurant awards in the last 2 years. Our friends told us that they'd gone to Kanella with their family and were very pleased. The room is cozy, with an informal look. Our server recited the specials. He was helpful and stoked our enthusiasm--not to mention our appetites. The servings were generous, carefully prepared and flavorful. I had swordfish that was the most succulent I'd had. My wife was very happy with her beef kabob. The salads that accompanies were fine! Desserts were special--house made. And the cost reasonable. It was a fine experience. We'd go back again.

I have no clue as to how this restaurant got into the Top 50 in Philadelphia Magazine! It's a fine neighborhood destination---moderately priced, well prepared dishes but absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Between the four in our party, we sampled a decent amount of the restaurants offerings. Very little reached beyond the average Greek diner fare. And that's okay. But I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. I would probably do so if I was in the vicinity and wanted a very good pita sandwich. But again, nothing was good enough to say, "Wow, let's come back here and have this again." As for the kebobs, for which they are known, we found them slightly overcooked and dry. The best of the lot was the pork and pork sausage, about the only thing I'd really recommend. Also, I wish the pita bread, which is part of every dish were more puffy and tasty---doubt if they make their own---but would would sure like that!

All the appetizers were well prepared and delicious. Kebabs and gyros were tasty and plentiful. BYOB is a definite plus. Friendly service too!

This is not the typical Greek restaurant, it is actually Cypriot kitchen. Very refined, gourmet quality food. Order lamb dumplings with mint, grilled octopus and anything they recommend. The service is great, we got personal attention from the owner. I strongly recommend this place for foodies. Bring your own wine!

We came here for what we expected to be a fantastic experience and were a little disappointed. Our appetizers including the flatbread and saganaki were OK. We then had our mains of vegetable moussaka, lamb stew, and fish were good but not exceptional. A good place to go if you are in a hurry because we were out the door in less than an hour. Their choice, not ours. We have too many exceptional Greek restaurants in our area, New York, and this may have jaded our expectations. I would rate it good but this is not a choice and average is not fair.

This is a must visit whenever I am in town. Delicious food - also try the frappe coffee thing they do. Cute little area as well.

What a wonderful place! Great tasting flavorful dishes from cypres & Armenia . A great place for someone that wants a change from the regular fare found everywhere!!!

Greeted warmly & promptly seated our server's exuberance took us in for what was a wonderful dining experience. She was able to explain in detail each item on the menu to the extent we asked one another, "Do you think this is her off day from serving as one of the Chefs in the kitchen." It was beyond obvious both the staff and owner are fully invested in the success or failure of this Philadelphia jewel. Truly, Philly's Society Hill international restaurant scene has arrived, well done

It's a small, somewhat crowded for a first time visit, but as the evening played out, it became a very friendly place to be. It is a BYOB, did not know that in advance, but the lemonade was good. The waiter was a great help. First, the various starters and dips were fine eating. I had lamb meatballs on a bed of lintels with orca and a ring of yoghurt. My wife had the moussaka. Excellent. But being crowded, room was full of happy chatter. We struck up one + hour conversation with the women at the next table. And it turned into a "family" restaurant. It was delightful and the dessert was good too. We'll be back soon.

The atmosphere, location and staff were nice. I had the spinach pie which was great! But the salad that came with it was so salty I could not finish it.

Kanella is a great Washington Sq. West neighborhood gem. Although it's opened as a Cypriot restaurant, the food actually is now a mixture of Cypriot,Turkish, Middle Eastern. The service is attentive, the noise level acceptable, even though the space is not large, and the ability to sit outside is appealing on weather-permitting days. The grilled octopus was tender, the house cured sardines plump and not too highly seasoned. The Kofta kebabs were very good, but the bed of grains was too watery. The fact that it's a BYOB allows diners to drink to their liking and not be subject to the usual limited offerings at many Greek restaurants in town. Enjoy!

Now that Kanella is on Open Table restaurant and reservations are possible, we thought we would give it a try. The tables are so jammed together that it is hard to maneuver. Worse yet, the oil-cloth type tablecloths are torn and frayed. The chicken kabob platter was so-so; actually, it was a disappointment, as we like Kanella South that is currently closed.

Four of us went for dinner before going to the Walnut. We had an assortment of dishes, which were very good. But there were factors which were bothersome. The tables were plain wood, close together, and the ambient sound of chatter was significant. Prices were reasonable, and service was good.

My husband and I went on a Tuesday night early. We got plenty of attention from the server. He was very helpful with answering questions and giving recommendations. It is a BYO and the prices on the food are reasonable. The food was very good and the portions are respectable.

Kanella was highly recommended and I am glad to have had the opportunity to go for breakfast/lunch recently. Everything was fresh, really delicious and authentic and I can't wait to return for dinner. It's small so reservations are highly recommended although don't expect to sit around because when you arrive they'll let you know if someone has reserved your table for a later time (we arrived at 10:20 am and were told we would need to be out by 11:30 am for the next reservation). Very efficient so if you like to sit around after eating you might want to go later.

Tzatziki,was not tzatziki,ntolmadeswas not ntolmades,frieswas awfull. Gyros was not gyros.I m sorry but you can give another name to your plates. Honestly,i expected really much things than this. I m a Greek guy so i dissapointed from the tastes.

I have been to this place several times. The food is always outstanding, everything is delicious. If I could i would eat here few times a week. The fact that it is a byob makes it very affordable. Can't wait to return.

We have been going to Kanella for years. It's now at its second location--a larger space, with a variety of different ways to eat (at the chef's table, a large family style table, regular dining, and bar (with separate menu). The move has only made it better. And, now there is a full bar, with an inspired, distinctive, wine list. Everything on the menu is great, so there is not a particular item to recommend (though if you like sardines or octopus, don't miss them). Each time we go, we barely make it past the starters. We occasionally make it to the salads, but never seem to make it to the main courses. So, we keep going back in hopes of trying everything on the menu. One other note. The owner, Konstantinos Pitsillides, is one of the best chef-owners, I have ever seen. He is a spectacular cook, attentive to every detail in his restaurant, and exceedingly friendly. The entire operation runs with near perfection. If he stops at your table to make a suggestion, offer more bread, or talk up a wine, take his advice. His level of mastery will only make your experience better.

Deserves all the praise. Superb lunch featuring octopus stew, special of the day lobster and penne pasta. Went with friends who are very particular. And wasn't too crowded for a Friday lunch. Only the baklava, which was delicious, had suffered from being refrigerated and was a bit soggy.

I had dinner at Kanella last night. It was a very nice experience. Most of my Greek/Mediterranean experiences have been gyros and festival food. Kanella offers an upscale Mediterranean experience. We had the 3 dips of the night. All were good, but the annoying thing is we were given a lot of dip, but very little pita bread. When we asked for more, they informed us it would be an extra charge. This is irritating because they already offered complementary bread before the dips arrived, and again when our main courses arrived. I had the meatball special. My expectation was something like kefthedes, but these were larger with more interesting spices like cardamon. My wife enjoyed her monkfish tremendously.

We had dinner here on a Sunday evening and were pleasantly surprised to learn that it was 'tasting menu' night. We enjoyed all selections from both the vegan and traditional menus and all was superbly prepared and presented flawlessly. We topped it off with the delicious rice pudding and outstanding lemon yogurt mousse! Superb! Hightly recommend!

Four appetizers was plenty for the two of us with the highlights being the Fattoush salad and the calamari. The former was an explosion of color and flavor. The latter was cooked perfectly. Service was attentive. Only table available was outside but the night was comfortable though the chairs were not. Perhaps I'm too stingy with my 5 star reviews but cannot say this place was "amazing" or "perhaps the best in Philly" as previews reviewers have. Yes, I would go back.

Came across this fabulous restaurant after a trip to the theatre, so not much was open. it's a greek-cypriot kitchen, and the food was amazing! They don't have a liquor licence, so you need to take your own. (We didn't know this, and the owner was really helpful, pointing us in the direction of a bar where we could buy some and bring it back.) Would definitely recommend if you're looking for something away from the standard US menu.

Visiting Philadelphia for a business trip and had a chance to bring my wife and daughter. That meant getting to find the off brand places for dinner. The place where locals go. Searched Trip Advisor and found this gem. Had it not been for TA I never would have found a place like this. Best meal we had in Philly – hands down! My suggestion – make a reservation. We did not have a reservation and showed up at 6:00 on a Friday. They accommodated us, but said they needed the table back for an 8:00 reservation. Two hours? No problem. Wish we had more time, but we had a deal. I could not have been more satisfied, my wife and daughter are still talking about it! The menu is deep enough for anyone’s interest, but not huge. I like that the chef narrows the menu to meet a broad range of palates and yet small enough to really spend some time on the dish you order without making it seem like it’s just assembly line plating. Also, it’s BYOB. Like many Philly restaurants, City Hall makes it very difficult and expensive to get a liquor permit and BYOB is not unusual. There is a quick and easy walk one block to a nearby shop if you don’t remember or know.

Sometimes When you simply like something, you ran out of word. That is exactly how I liked the delicious food of this place. Go for a brunch/lunch menu and you will repeat my words (or no words ;)!

I cannot express enough how wonderful this restaurant is. Maybe I am biased, living in Queen Village, but the reimagining of this place, from their old space on Spruce Street, is beyond excellent. The philosophy of the restaurant has stayed the same, great, fresh, and simple Cypriot food, but the quality of the offerings has only improved with the addition of an open charcoal grill and a liquor license. Since the opening, I have been here twice, once for dinner and once for late night drinks and snacks at the bar. The grilled dishes are simple, yet so satisfying. The braised rabbit atop stewed split peas and feta was out of this world. I would be hard pressed to find a better dish in the city and I would certainly recommend it to anyone dining at this restaurant, regardless of preconceived notions of eating rabbit. The addition of a liquor license to the new space has allowed them to carefully and thoughtfully craft cocktails that are not only delicious, but compliment the food in so many ways. The persephone, daphne, odysseus and kotsios cocktails are all either citrusy, spiced, or herbaceous and pair wonderfully with the dishes (I unfortunately haven't tried the rest yet, so I cannot comment on them). The owner, Konstantinos, takes pride in his restaurant and it shows. Service was excellent and the ambiance is great. Of note, for larger groups there is a long table near the open kitchen/grill that can seat at least 10 or 12 people and is a great option for large parties wanting the family-style experience. This is not a place to be missed and is worth the trip across town.

First visit to the new Front Street location and Kanella has gotten even better. The restaurant is now larger and features a bar and a seating area around its brick oven, and most importantly broad windows with views all around the Delaware River and Ben Franklin bridge. Parking ($) can be found a few blocks further on Front. Above all, of course, is the food. Choosing an appetizer was tough, but we went with the eggplant and the swordfish kebabs both of which were superb. Main course included a whole Bronzino and the grilled meal of the day, which was an incredibly juicy quail on a bed of lentils and vegetables. You can ask the wait staff to fillet the Bronzino, but what's the fun in that? Servers are all extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and the owner, Constantine chats it up with the guests, keeping the whole experience informal. And, dessert was obscenely delicious.

Good service and excellent food. Lamb stew was great and friends had stuffed peppers......loved them.

Kanella offers a Mediterranean menu featuring a blend of the typical and the unusual. Kanella is a BYOB. There are a variety of places to pick up a bottle nearby. I had grilled octopus with arugula salad dressed with a lemony vianigrette, a whole marinated spatchcocked grilled poussin (Rock /cornish game hen) with orzo and green beans in a sublime-ly herby,tomato-y sauce and galaktoboureko (filo and custard pastry) served warm with an orange-honey sauce. It was sublime experience. All ingredients perfectly fresh, all dishes served as soon as they were prepared. Wait staff professional: attentive and pleasant but not over intrusive. Atmosphere very pleasant. There is outdoor seating but be aware the Kanella is located at a busy intersection; if you are planning an intimate tete-a-tete, inside is better. Also, if you are planning to dine at peak hours, reserve.

Great food, great service - not sure why I have not been here sooner. Is more of a neighborhood gem that is not getting the attention it deserves in the Philly food scene. Will definitely be back!

Fabulous little Greek restaurant around the corner from my son and daughter’s apartment. We stopped by for lunch on a Sunday and were pleasantly surprised by a wonderful meal, pleasant surroundings, and friendly service! We will be back!

My dinner was good. Better than most Greek restaurants in the area. Was rated as one of the top 50 restaurants in the city. Not sure it was that good but it was still good.

My husband & I have just been to Philly, and wanted to pay Kanella a visit on the Saturday night, but unfortunately they were fully booked (so make sure you book ahead!), so we went back for the fix menu on Sunday for $30 (vegetarian) and $35 (meats). You have to try this!! There is sooooo much food to try is unbelievable, you need to work an appetite before going, I can tell you that! Everything was tasty and very well cooked, and we got to try all sorts of different dishes and flavours! THis restaurant is BYOB, so make sure you bring your favorite bottle of wine! The place is small and simply decorated, but perfect, doesn't need anything else.

you can dine inside or outside. it is a byob so we brought our own wine and waiter had wine goblets for us. our waiter was very professional and friendly. prices are reasonable and food is delicious.

It is one of the better restaurants in Philadelphia, especially when it comes to Mediterranean food. Using the fresh organic ingredients, Kosta achieves great taste combinations without resorting to just over spicing his dishes. Atmosphere is lively and service is excellent. I am actually becoming regular at this place and almost always go for specials. It is well worth it.

This is our go-to place in the Washington Square neighborhood to have affordable, absolutely delicious grilled skewers of chicken or seafood, served on a bed of delicious rice with a side salad and hummus with pita, all for $14.00. Constantine has designed a menu for everyone with simple, grilled items that are tender and so flavorful. The service is speedy and attentive. The place fills up early so be sure to make a reservation. Thank you Kanella for another year of divine food....looking forward to coming back over and over again in 2019! Cheers!!

I've been here 3 times and I absolutely love this place. The food is so good and the prices are so very reasonable. It is also a BYOB which is nice for a change of pace. All dishes are to die for.

This restaurant recently opened under the name KANELLA GRILL. We tried it out for lunch. We each ordered the gyro which was pretty good and of decent size. I think it is a great place to enjoy lunch with friends. The servers were attentive and friendly. However, I think they need to rethink their pricing. It was somewhat expensive. Other than that, I would go back again for lunch.

We always loved this Cyprian restaurant and just visited them in their new larger and beautiful space on Front and Fitzwater. They now have a liquor license and full bar. The dishes are inventive and very tasty - both fish and meat dishes as well as vegetarian. Loved the Pacu fish and the Quail. I had a great mixed drink called something like the Cypriot ( first on the list) that was refreshing and delicious. Start with the mixed dip of the day and go with the specials or anything that appeals to you. There is a chefs bar overlooking the kitchen as well as the regular bar you can eat at without a reservation. Loved watching the chef work at the unique wood grill and looked like anything prepared on that would be amazing.

The entree was excellent - we both had the whole Branzino and it was great. The octopus appetizer fell short of great as it was too chewy and not very enjoyable. And our waiter was attentive but overall it couldn't get a 5 because the kitchen is sooooo slow. We waited forever between the appetizer and the fish. And the place wasn't mobbed so it was annoying to just sit and wait.

Kanella's Grill is generally excellent. Warm, friendly, and fantastic food. But the tzatziki!!! Made with a creamy Bulgarian yogurt and just the right amount of mint - it is in a class by itself (we ordered a second after we demolished the first) and we have eaten a lot of tzatziki at a lot of Greek restaurants. This is not, of course, to downplay the other small plates - the hummus is very good (a bit stronger on the chickpeas than the tahini but very tasty); and the ktipiti was outstanding. On our recent visit, Kanella was offering a 3-dip tasting dish consisting of ktipiti, a white bean dip, and a wonderful green concoction made from pistachios, feta, and cilantro - if you are lucky enough to be there on a night when that is on offer, by all means order it. Because we prefer to like to eat lots of small plates we didn't try the kebabs or the special entrées but judging from the expressions of the other diners they are likely to be very good as well. Be sure to get a reservation, especially on a weekend night,.

I cannot gush enough about Kanella. My sister, best friend Danielle and I wanted to try this authentic Greek restaurant for a long time now for brunch, but decided to meet for dinner instead. I will warn you the warm, cozy restaurant does get very loud, but that is half the charm, and you start to feel as if you are part of a big Greek family. After opening our yummy bottle of red wine, our extremely knowledgeable waiter navigated us through the menu and made some great suggestions. I got the Spanakopita with Kale (AMAZING!) while my sister had the stuffed pepper, and Danielle had the gorgeous ravioli. Dessert is a must. if on the menu get the Salted Caramel tart with ginger ice cream. It's light so you don't feel that guilty. I cannot wait to go back for Restaurant Week or even brunch!

Visited for Sunday brunch which was fantastic!! Get the Kebab platter. Food was fresh and delicious and their bread was amazing. Staff was friendly and humorous!

I loved the Spruce St. location so I was expecting to miss its cozy appeal when we reserved a table for six at the new site. Not so! The new Kanella South was more comfortable, less noisy, and aesthetically pleasing. The service was excellent from start to finish. The host was warm and welcoming, the servers were very smooth and knowledgeable and we all appreciated the clear and concise delivery of the 'specials' menu (including prices!). Even though it was a busy Saturday night and the restaurant hasn't been open long, everything was seamless. And then there's the food. We had three delicious appetizers for six people and it was almost too much food. Three of us ordered the trout as an entree and we couldn't stop raving about our great choice. The lobster sauce with potatoes was almost a meal itself. Other orders in our party were the eggplant, the branzino, and the lamb and everyone was impressed. There was no debate about whether to return. This place is a sure winner.

This place was a long walk from my hotel but, based on the Trip Adviser reviews, it looked to be worth it. The reviews did not lead me astray. This was possibly the best Greek restaurant at which I have ever eaten. The location and appearance of this establishment is unobtrusive. It is located in what looked to be a fairly gentrified neighborhood in downtown Philly. The walk felt very safe. The warm and friendly atmosphere was apparent from the time I walked in. It presented a cozy family ambiance. There appeared to be couples enjoying a date, groups of friends getting together for girls-night out as well as a family with ten-plus members sharing a meal. It just felt like a place in which you wanted to be. A very nice young lady greeted me and seated me promptly. The interior was nicely done, almost elegantly simple. It was a bit small, however, so if you are at all claustrophobic, this could be bothersome. It was still very busy at nearly 9 PM on a Thursday night. That told me something by itself. My dining experience began with my waiter who was thoroughly professional and incredibly skilled at his craft. He knew the menu backward and forward and was very attentive all evening without being intrusive. I started with the pita and dip appetizer. The pita was very fresh and the three accompanying dips were terrific, especially the beet root dip. For my main, I had the vegeterian mousaka. This was also very nicely done, especially the flaky crust that offset the mildly spiced vegeterian filling. I finished with a spiced tea which also had a very good taste. Usually I can only get such tea in an Indian restaurant so it was a very nice surprise to find it here. The prices are not cheap but the quality of the experience is well worth the price. This is a great place to go if you are in dowtown Philly. I managed to get a table without reservations but based on the small size of the restaurant and the quality and popularity of the place, I might have been lucky. You probably want to call ahead.

Excellent quality at very reasonable prices. Good Greek and Mediterranean choices. Bring your own bottle.

I've been a li time customer of Kanella at the Spruce location.... Love the food. Visited the new South location yesterday w/ friends and we impressed with the decor. The service, while polite, seemed to be disorganized. Dishes didn't arrive in order if at all... I believe this is something that can be worked through and is likely part if new systems Ina new location. The owner was gracious, thanking us as we left and comped us a dish for our troubles (which we didn't complain about) that the kitchen realized quickly. I will go back again :)

I recently returned to Kanella with friends which again affirmed that this is one of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is charming. Our service was excellent. Two of the people in my party only several appetizers which I highly recommend. The portions are a good size and are very creative, fresh and delicious. I had the rabbit as a main which was wonderful--tender in a delicate broth with couscous and vegetables. The chef came to our table and recommended two desserts which we loved. We felt relaxed and comfortable, and had a great meal. I also like the fact that it is a BYOB which helps with the cost.

Professional hospitality, confident and expert cooking, and the most spectacular galactoboureko imaginable'

The restaurant is great. It is a BYOB so that's a plus. The food and service was excellent. The only part that's concerning is that it is small so the tables are extremely close. When it's busy it's cramped. If you like Greek you'll love this place the prices are good too.

Although we've tried previously, this was our first successful visit to Kanella without a reservation. With that said, I would definitely urge a reservation as the place was full by 6:30 PM and only a few non-reserved seats were available. Our previous unsuccessful attempts were due to not having a reservation. This is a corner BYOB that serves a Sunday evening 'meze', which is a family-style meal that offers a changeable feast each week. For our family of 3 adults, we chose 2 vegetarian and 1 non-vegetarian meals that included homemade bread and pita bread with hummus spread, roasted eggplant salad, tomato salad, fried calamari with dip, lemon marinated tuna, a lamb stew, rice salad, strapatsatha (a delicious scrambled egg with bits of tomatoes, onions, etc) and many more. The non-vegetarian selection was $35 and the vegetarian selection was $30 plus we all had mint iced tea for a total of $109 for three. It was a very filling and very good meal, but we had no room for dessert.

This small but charming restaurant was perfect from start to finish. We were greeted warmly for our reservation and our server was engaging and helpful. houmous and grilled pita were exceptional. The Cypriot and Chicken Kebab were our two entree choices along with Greek salads. Exactly what we had expected and certainly above average dishes. Pleasant experience in a busy, upbeat and fun restaurant.

The menu isn't extensive but this is good, authentic Greek-Cypriot food. We had the mixed starters which were all good. The Armenian dumplings were described as spicy and tasted fantastic though they were indeed spicy. The whole fish (bream) that evening was superb. Haven't eaten such a perfect fish for a long time. Had planned on dessert but didn't have enough room. This is a BYO.

I live only blocks away, and sadly only visited last night for the first time. Wonderful food and great value.

I went with 3 others. My only complaint is that the floor was very cold and it took 1 hour at home ( after having the best meal in a long time) to get the feeling back! That said, WOW, we love it. The waiter was very personable and we felt like regulars. I started with the 3 dip app and the tastes were unexpected. The flavor of each was distinct. I had the black bass (whole fish) filet at table. It was very good with only only a few bones missed. I was warned to "pick" at it, good idea. We also had the ravioli, my friend said the best she ever had. We asked for the special desert friends told about, the pistachio cakes and ice cream, but it was no longer available. The Chef came out and explained the new desert and sent us a bit of it to try, we then ordered it. Vinager in the ice cream? Fantastic. the bill with tip for 4 was about 200.00 with 4 meals, 5 deserts and a great night out. We stayed a bit over 3 hours and were not rushed.

Kanella is in a new location on South Front Street complete with a bar. The dining area is traditional and not cramped. The menu is extensive, and the service is excellent. Each of the dishes we ordered were well-prepared and more than adequate in size. This rates as one of the best restaurants with this cuisine.

A truly delicious BYOB. You will definitely need reservations on a busy Friday or Saturday night. After a short wait we were placed by the entry way, a busy meeting spot. We were quickly greeted by the waiter but then soon forgotten. Being that it was our anniversary and we had wine we did not mind that much. The waiter must have realized he forgot us and we were greeted with a complementary salad presented by the Chef. The salad was delicious, as were the rest of our choices. We strongly recommend the kanella platter which is a sampling of Greek specialties. The braised oxtail was also especially memorable. We will go back again.

Every time I visit Philadelphia I go at least once to have dinner at Kanella and every time I'm pleasantly surprised! Great quality , great people and all the dishes were familiar yet new! We heard they're moving to a new location. I'll visit them there too for sure!

As other reviewers have mentioned, this restaurant has a new location at Front Street. It's a big open space with lots of windows, letting in plenty of sunlight! The lunch menu was simple but covered all the bases, and everything my family ordered ended up being delicious. We had the dips of the day, falafel, spanakopita, and shared. The portions were quite generous and we also saw other tables ordering extra pita. The prices were reasonable and the service was great! If I lived in Philly, would totally be a regular!

Had the opportunity to eat here and wished I had done so years earlier. A byob gem. The decor is understated right down to the paper / plastic table covers....but the food is sooooo gooood! Not Greek but cryprian as they will tell you. Had the vegetarian lasagna like dish that was the best I have had. We sampled about half the starters and everything was 5 star quality. We will be back!

Spacious setting; friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff; excellent food. The four of us split 5 appetizers and two entrees and enjoyed every one. The Greek salad, the grilled octopus with large beans, and the goat stew were some of the standouts. We look forward to returning soon.

Our group of four arrived around 5pm we were quickly seated by Pablo, he was a fill in waiter for the night and he did a great job, with service and explaining the courses and choices. Our food was phenomenal we tried various appetizers (dolmades, trio of dips, grilled octopus, etc) and then we shared two of the Skewer platters both of which had lamb included. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the evening, thank you and keep up the great work!!

I came here as it was close to my hotel and the menu looked good! It was pretty busy for a Sunday night! The place isn’t very big but can accommodate large groups. It doesn’t look like they serve alcohol but seems like you can BYO. The menu looks to be very simple. I love kabobs and there was a pretty good selection. They had a flat iron steak special that came with pita, hummus rice and a tomato salad. There are just no words! The steak was tender and flavorful! The rice had a delicious array of spices! The tomato salad seemed like they picked them out of the garden in the back or something! The hummus was unbelievable, homemade and fresh! I wish I had more pita to sop it up! I did find room for dessert. They had my favorite, baklava which was so good! Don’t miss this gem of a place if you are in center city! In a cute neighborhood and reasonably priced! Pictured is the baklava

visited last night and was pleasantly surprised! food was incredible and plentiful! cannot wait to go back! they were a little busy and service was a little erratic. but the food made up for it!. just wish they accepted credit cards. but plus is that it is a byob! even the desserts are to die for! a must try when in the city! also very casual!

We were a group of friends coming here for dinner, and the booking was not received. But the staff went out of their way to accommodate us and squeezed 9 people into a spot meant for 4, all with a smile. And when the food arrived it was like heaven. From starter to the Cyprus coffee we were all amazed at the quality. Please let me come back!

We love greek food, but unfortunately we were disappointed at Kanella. We had the grilled octopus with giant beans, the mini portion of octopus was very tasty , but the dish had mainly giant beans. The whole fish was very good, no greek flavor, the famous greek salad wasn't good and roasted spiced carrots were excellent. The place was packed at 6.30PM, and very noisy!

We'd been here once before a couple of years ago, but I didn't recognize the name when I was looking for somewhere on Yelp today. As we got close to the restaurant, that part of my brain that is dedicated to remembering great food experiences kicked in, and I almost ran the rest of the way. The restaurant is pretty small, and was packed. It seems to attract a very eclectic set of patrons, but the majority seemed to be 20-something hipsters. The service was excellent.. very, very friendly and even though the place was busy, it took no time at all to turn a table for us. I remembered what I had the last time here so well (Pan fried homemade lamb merguez sausage with organic duck egg, pita and spicy yogurt, washed down with a hot soumada (very tasty almond milk), that I ordered exactly the same again. My wife switched things up a bit, going for the lamb kofta, which is grilled spiced ground lamb with pistachios served with white been stew and yogurt. She had a lemonnana, which I guess is the Greek equivalent to an Arnold Palmer // half & half, as it is a combination of lemonade and mint tea. The food was excellent, and what was even better, the check was less than $32 for the two of us. Highly recommended!

A small place, so if you can make reservations. We made ours via OpenTable for Saturday at noon and the place was packed. We ordered a platter with samples of several Greek foods. There was nothing left on that plate and we have talked about it almost everyday this week. This is definitely a place I would return to. If you are in Philly and looking for a step up in Greek food, this is your place.

Not all J.B. restaurants will make you go broke. This is a very simple Greek/Middle East eatery. There's not much flash with the decor. However, the food is incredible. Anything on the menu would certainly be delicious. The service was excellent, and the waitress even gave two complimentary pieces of Baklava for my sons.

We dine here at least once each year and have done so for almost a decade. The food is always good. The restaurant has changed from a "real" restaurant to a kabob house and now is trending back to a more complete establishment. Last night I had the chicken kebob platter, which is always excellent. My wife had the lamb stew (relatively new to the restaurant) and pronounced it outstanding. All sorts of interesting Mediterranean flavors. Even the olives we had to start were interesting. The staff has always been friendly, but this crew is outstanding. When I dropped a bottle of wine on the floor, making a mess, they rushed to clean it up with a "no problem" attitude. THis is anything but a fancy restaurant; the decor is plain and simple, and the food choices are limited, which we actually think a good idea. As it moves to include more different dishes, we will definitely be back.

Kanella was recommended to me for lunch and glad I listened. The restaurant has a small menu but the prices are reasonable and there are vegetarian options for those who don't want meat. The home made hummus was the best I've had outside of the middle east and the black eye pea salad special was delicious and refreshing. The ambiance décor is simple/barren but it's cozy nonetheless. I didn't see any alcohol on the menu so make note.

Kanella is not your classical Greek fare as one might expect. It has Cyprus, Turkish and some middle Eastern influence which makes it even better. Every dish is a hit! In particular Manti, Octopus, Quale and some dips. Inside is not much, but after the first bite you fell really comfortable. The owner and all the waiters are very welcoming and pleasant. Overall is highly recommended!

Been here a few times, very good food and nice service. Not great for vegetarians. The last visit they had 2 dishes that were vegetarian and one was almost sold out. I got the Masaka and it was absolutely wonderful. Like that it is BYOB. 4 stars due to high noise level inside. Very small place and tight inside.

Authentic Greek cuisine--kebobs, spanakopita, etc... All fresh ingredients blended together in a way that delights the palate for everyone. Wonderful and fabulously delicious, definitely worth the visit. byob makes it even better. And the servers and the owner are great, caring people who really care about your dining experience.

Food was unusual fresh and delicious. We had some dishes we haven't had anywhere else before and really enjoyed them

Once we solved the problem of not knowing it is a BYOB restaurant the rest of the experience was fantastic. Our waiter, Boris, gave us directions to a wine store, and then we proceeded with our meal.The food is delicious, expertly prepared. The owner/chef circulates in the restaurant and is anxious that you are having a perfect meal. I wish I lived in Philly so I could eat here all the time.

Great food in a BYOB with nice stemware and excellent quality cloth napkins. Could use a bit of noise reduction in the decor. I've been to Cyprus and I get the taverna chair ambiance, but Kanella has incredibly uncomfortable chairs. Great waitstaff; one of the only places I've eaten where they seem excited about the food. Good specials--and they tell you the price when they describe them. This is not the standard hummus and stuffed grape leaves restaurant--thank goodness.

Kanella - established as Philly's only outpost of Greek-Cypriot cooking when it opened at 10th and Spruce - has moved to a new location southward in there city's Queen Village neighborhood. The new space is wonderful and fortunately the food still is as well. Our party of 8 tasted a variety of meat and fish dishes and all were spot-on. So is the wine list with some extra-price selections but a fair number of $30 to $40 dollar bottles as well including a few Greek wines. The previous Tanella location was BYOB and some wish this still was there case. Service was excellent and the owner was very much in evidence asking us how we were enjoying our meal. Parking is tricky at Kanella but not impossible. They also offer brunch which I intend to sample.

We had been here a few times a number of years back when it was just called Kanella. We enjoyed the unique Cypriot brunch dishes. Now, it is pretty ordinary Greek food that just does not stand out. 4 of us went and we sampled a number of different "small plates" (3 dip special, baba ghanoush, octopus. olives) and entrees including a pork and sausage kabob (pork dry as a bone but sausage was really excellent) and the barramundi fish daily special. All were decent but, again, nothing special. But, my greatest problem was that every dish was heavily garnished with parsley! I should have paid more attention to the photos here and on other sites. As someone who can not stand the taste of parsley (or cilantro for that matter) the dishes were so heavily covered I found it difficult to pick it off or eat around it. I guess some of it is my fault for not realizing it and asking the kitchen to hold it. Other negatives were the tight spaces leading to very loud noise making it difficult to hold a conversation, and a "Greek Coffee" that instead of being thick, sweet and strong, tasted more like sweet gritty water without much coffee. Other then that, I would say that our server was attentive and excellent and the prices are very reasonable for Center City. All in all, it was an average meal but, given all the online raves and great reviews by local critics, I expected much more.

Let me start by saying that my friends and I for various reasons had a heck of a time finally getting ti come here so maybe I was expecting more of a wow factor. That coupled with the fact that I am of a Mediterranean and middle eastern background, I guess I expected more. All of the dishes we ordered were fresh, I could tell, but some of the portions were small and in order to eat certain meals, one needs more bread than they serve so I kept asking for more. There were certain items I recall (forgive me this is a few months late) thinking were lacking side dishes that shouldve been served with them. I'm not sure I would return here again. The food was fresh and tasty but portions not so Much and some main courses lacked the side dishes that would've complimented them perfectly.

I enjoyed the variety of Greek food and menu. The flavors are true to the Greek heritage and the flavors are marvelous. The staff is friendly and things are hopping! The only issue is that it is fairly loud because of the small size and ceramic tile flooring, but we did have lots of fun.

We had a nice pre-theater dinner here with another couple. The service was excellent, and the foe was well presented and very tasty. One guest is vegan and the chef was able to accommodate his request. The space is cozy and filled up quickly. Those without reservations on the Thursday night we not able to be seated. It is BYOB. If you desire a healthy Greek meal, plan ahead and visit Kanella.

Would have been above average if the plates of day were uniformly good but for each standout, there was something overcooked or tired of waiting to be served. Starting with the good news, the dips of the day were outstanding - from the tzanziki (sic), to the cream cheese and pumpkin, and the feta and tomato, all winners and the pita nicely grilled. The combination plate of meatballs (I know they're fried but seem a bit tired and tasteless), olive pastry (way too greasy), had great touches in the halloumi, dolma, and fig and onion salad. Standout entrees included the lamb kofta, clearly fresh off the grill and flavored with finesse, and the branzino. Of course I'll go back when I'm in Philadelphia and relish the salads, freshly prepared entrees, and the fig and almond tart.

A noisy but friendly place to dine on spruce street in philly. I had ravioli and baklava for dessert. Very tasty and nicely presented

My boyfriend and I went to Kanella for a saturday brunch and the food was really really good. We ordered one eggplant dish to share that was delicious. I ordered the traditional brunch plate while he ordered some egg with tomato sauce. Both were delicious. We would have definitely gone back had we lived in Philly. Definitely worth a try. Plus the restaurant is not far from all the downtown attractions.

Great food, very nice atmosphere, excellent service, inexpensive. We ate here with a family of 4 and really appreciated the restaurant. Highly recommended!

This group of friends went for a vegetarian/fish dinner--and everything was above our expectations. The dips were different and delicious. The mousaka was the most delicious; vegan stew, whole fish filleted--were different and delicious. Desserts were also yummy.

Very glad that we reserved a table before visiting this restaurant as it was very busy. Hostess was very helpful in recommending wine/beer shops in the area and the fact that it is BYOB is a plus in my opinion. The lamb Kofte was delicious and the stuffed pepper was nice perhaps a little too heavy on the tomatoey sauce. Overall a very nice Greek.Mediterranean restaurant.

I arrived at Kanella's 20 minutes prior to opening and was told I would need a reservation. I then asked if I could order takeout. The owner immediately said he could get me seated as soon as they were set since I was so early. This is a BYOB without a corking fee, so it's still affordable to bring a bottle. I sat with a glass of wine while waiting to be seated and enjoyed chatting with the staff. I believe my waiters name was John, I can be mistaken. "John" has been with the restaurant since opening 5 1/2 years ago, so i asked for his recommendations and went right along. I ordered the fresh mint iced tea, it was super refreshing and perfect with my meal. You are immediately given Tahini dip with bread, I could have just eaten that all night. John recommended the Sweetbreads first, which I welcomed since I have never tried sweetbreads. They were served perfectly seared in a delicious sauce with mushrooms. Each bite was wonderful. This was a very generous portion of food. We moved on to the Lamb Dumplings. You are served 3 lamb filled dumplings seated in a chili oil sauce. When you cut into the dumpling yogurt spills into the sauce. I loved this dish. The heat was perfect, the filling yummy and the yogurt was refreshing. If I had known the portions were so filling I would not have gone on to the Friend Lamb Tongue. But I did and it was great. I had to stop after one piece and take the rest back to the hotel with my wine and this made for a great midnight snack with a glass of wine. The pieces are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. GO!

Have been dining at Kanellas for now close to 4 years and it never disappoints. I rarely write reviews but after brunch this morning I felt it appropriate. I had a rabbit loin and my girlfriend the smoked salmon scramble. It was delicious. What I find best about this restaurant is the ever changing and re inventing of dishes off menu. It's always nice as well that their owner (from Cyprus) is always available and genuinely excited to talk about the menu. I recommended this restaurant and have to say for me thee best in Philadelphia.

I LOVE this restaurant and I have been to lots of good ones. It's located in the Gayborhood which is filled with the best restaurants in Philly. We went there at 5 when they open since we didn;t have a reservation. They were very nice and put in a window seat. Service was friendly and causal. Food is modern, not heavy with fresh ingredients. By 5:30 the place was filled with large dinner parties and families with children. Please make reservation of you will be sad for not able to eat there. Dessert was a warm custard filled with orange zest. Amazing!

A small kinda crowded local place that needs to try harder. The oilcloth on the tables is frayed and ripped. The chairs are ancient and have also seen better days. The food on our recent lunch was just OK. the hummus and baba ganoush were both average and my choice of the special of the day was a mistake. The roast pork shoulder was tough, dry, and lukewarm. I wondered if the chef had tasted it before making it the the premier dish. Neither of us can think of a reason to return.

This restaurant is fabulous. It is a great restaurant in what has become one of the great foodie cities in this country--Philadelphia. It is a BYOB Mediterranean /Cypriot gem located in a great neighborhood.Service was great,food was beyond good and the atmosphere in just fun. Sitting close to others makes for a relaxing great time. Will return many times. Prices very reasonable and helped out by the BYOB concept.

Bright corner, (visually well connected to street even if you sit inside) Simple crisp decor, stunning chef, both in looks and food flavor, excellent food, kind considerate consistent longtime staff, EZ open-table bookings, or show up and fit in. Tight typical urban eating environment which makes it stimulating and can often share a glass with table and meet new folks, STILL it is great for a date too. The buzz keeps it private and intimate for the two of us to enjoy the bubbly at bfast or wine at dinner. Bring an extra bottle to stay longer or pass to a new table that forgot theirs.

The place is really awesome. The food is very fresh, healthy and BYOB. The staff is always super helpful and their Sunday dinner special is pretty cool. The ambient is great if you are coming with a group just do not forget to make reservation because the place is very popular

Having recently moved from their Spruce Street location to S. Front Street, and having opens a full service bar has only served to make this an amazing culinary experience. The dining room is large and far less noisy than their old location. There were 3 of us dining, and we took advantage of that to share our appetizers. The lamb dumplings (3 to a serving) were so delicious, we used the last of our bread to eat the delicious sauce. The eggplant salad was delicious, with just the right amount of dressing on the arugula that was it's partner. We all raved about the main courses, I had rabbit, my SO had a whole Bronzino and our friend had the goat. All were delicious and lovingly prepared. The chef as well as our server, Julia were very attentive and informative. Dessert was chocolate pistachio cake, delicious as well.

When Kanella moved out of center city Philadelphia it was a real loss. It is now back as a "kebob house"--but don't think of that as quick mediocre food. We have been there twice in a month and each time the food was excellent. They had a special Baba Ganoush appetizer on our second visit that was heaven on a plate. The first time they had a fresh sardine platter that was excellent, but I would definitely have liked one more sardine (and I am not a huge eater). On the second visit I had lamb shawarma and it was abundant. Their halloumi platter is very generous. One of our diners can't eat onions and the waitstaff and chef were very helpful. Excellent warm pita and galaktoboureko so good it makes you wonder why you ever wanted anything else for dessert in your life. Good service, simple atmosphere. BYOB. No reservations. Cash only.

Had the good fortune to stumble upon this restaurant on a recent business trip to Philly. Brilliant chef and excellent service

Kanella South exceeds expectations. I was worried that growth and a liquor license might kill the comfortable intimate feeling of this incredible restaurant. Happily and gratefully, I was wrong. The food is still outstanding, the welcoming feeling still there, and now there is a fully stocked bar with a great wine list, and a chef's table offering a peek into the kitchen and workings of a wood burning oven!!! Love, love, love... can't wait to go back! If in Philly, this is your destination spot... trust me, I'm a hard woman to please.

Kanella's is a wonderful if small restaurant with dishes you won't find elsewhere in Philadelphia prepared with a sure touch and a way with spices. The roast goat is one of the most memorable entrees I have had in a long time, bringing back memories of roast rabbit in Florence at I Latini many years ago. There is much to tempt the adventurous eater, and the less adventurous. The downside is the noise level, and how close some of the tables are to each other. I was pleased to hear that a move to larger quarters should happen in a few months

5 of us dropped in at 10 in the evening (kitchen closes at 10:30) after an event where we were served a light snack. We were immediately seated at one of the large beautiful butcher block tables, that adorns the dining room, by the host who turned out to be the owner. Being as late as it was, we ordered sparingly rather than full-blown meals for each of us that would have included appetizers, mains and dessert. Our server was patient about explaining the make-up of each dish and very attentive throughout our visit. He was also very okay with us sharing dishes as well. He also had specials and, when asked, stated the prices. I don't particularly like to order from orated specials and find out that the charge is "over the top" of what I think is a fair value. Our dinner selections consisted of, Village salad, Hummus platter $8 served with very creamy hummus, a few balls of falafel and pita, Summer Tortelloni filled with manouri cheese, lemon zest and cracked pepper with a mint and walnut pesto served with zucchini blossoms and green peppercorns for $22. Grilled Lamb Kofta with bulgur wheat pilaf, sweet peas yogurt $26. Pork Shoulder for $24 and a flatbread "pizza" with ground lamb. The dishes came quickly and as described. The Village salad was delicious and enough to share. Lots of tomatoes, feta, onions and delicious Greek olives. The lamb Kofta dish was excellent containing 2 large ground lamb balls and a delicious mix of wheat bulgur, okra and spices. It was a little heavy on the salt but, the flavor was outstanding. Not being a fan of okra, the slimy texture of it, coupled with the al dente tenderness of wheat bulgur seemed a bit out of place. For the pork shoulder the server brought special Laguiole steak knives for use. It was so tender there was hardly a need for the knives. The only real difficulty was the tortelloni. When our server detected displeasure he encouraged us to tell him about it. It was pronounced unevenly cooked and the filling was much too salty. Our waiter was very open to the criticism and when he returned he was accompanied by the owner, Konstantinos who asked if he could try the tortelloni to ascertain the problem and immediately offered another dish without charge even though the dish had been 2/3 eaten. He was thanked for the concern and the alternate dish was refused. When our check arrived there was no charge for the tortelloni. Our server arrived with a complimentary dessert of baklava for the table. It was very light and sweetened with plenty of honey and wonderful! Would love to try Kanella again when we return to Philadelphia.

We visited on a "mezze Sunday" which means that it is the Chef's choice and numerous dishes of mezze or small plates will come to your table long after you cry uncle. Stand-outs were grape leaves and all manner of delicious salads. It is BYOB too, which adds to the fun while subtracting from the cost. The next time we are in town, we will attempt to try the breakfasts which sound delicious and intriguing.

There are some restaurants that make it worth visiting a city-- or living in it. Kanella is Philly's best. The beef's head stew, the magisterial octopus, the matchless eggs-- you can't go wrong-- EVER. Kali orexei!

We had another wonderful meal at Kanella's. We had dined several times at the old location and this was our first visit to the Front St. site and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious as ever. Grilled octopus was even better, daily dips were incredible, and cypriot flatbread and lamp dumplings were outstanding. The only disappointment for one of our dinner companions was no goat stew but it was more than made up for once he tasted the grilled lamb shank. Grilled veal special was amazing. Service was excellent - the waiter overheard us talking that we were there to celebrate a birthday and brought us a complimentary birthday dessert (we were there to celebrate 3 January birthdays). We will be back!!

The waitress was the most enthusiastic person I've ever met, she was very knowledgeable on the menu. The food was spot on, well seasoned, good flavors and incredible dessert. I had the dessert with the custard filling, yum! Their cocktails are out of this world! Will be back, very good for friends, family, and date night.

Kanella South now has a bar with the best bartender in Philadelphia. Amazing and unusual cocktails and lovely house wines. The food is wonderful. I loved the place before it moved from Sprucestreet. It used to be BYOB, which I liked. But we were very happy tonight with the food and the drinks.

Kanella is a cozy Greek/Cypriot BYOB with excellent food, service and atmosphere. The menu gives you a chance to order things not seen elsewhere (at least not in Philadelphia), so take advantage of the opportunity. Starters we got and highly recommend are lamb dumplings and bureki, which is tasty phyllo dough packed with Greek goodies and served with honey. For main courses we tried goat stew (mild and delicious), and an unusual tortelloni preparation that came with a sauce so good we asked for extra bread to sop it up with. The desserts were equally enticing, although due to the bread we scarfed up earlier, we decided to be good and shared just one dessert. A bonus was our server, John, who entertained us with his enthusiasm for Kanella, as well as guided us to the right choices.

My friend and I were in the city and decided to eat lunch here on a Saturday afternoon. We didn't have a reservation, but were able to snag a table inside. The food was absolute amazing! I have been to Greece a few times and I can say that the food and atmosphere take me straight back to Greece! The only negative would be the service - we waited about 10 minutes before someone brought us water and then waited 20 mins for the check after asking for it. But, I would definitely go back! It's also a BYOB, which is always a plus! If you're going for dinner, I'd make a reservation!

One of my best friends and I went here to celebrate. She's a vegetarian and there were plenty of options for her to choose from. The chef was out and about speaking to all of the diners which was also a nice touch.

My wife, son, niece and I tried this restaurant when my wife read a good review about it. I have travelled to a few isles of Greece and work in Astoria, New York City, the home of the biggest Greek population in New York and have tried many Greek restaurants. Unfortunately, each of the entrées we ordered, I had the Lamb shank, my wife had the rabbit and my son and niece each had one of the specials for the day; all had one thing in common, they all tasted like they were marinated in concentrated sea water. They tasted very salty that the waiter who was nice enough to fill our glasses with cold water kept filling it up. It was too bad that the flavor of the food was drowned by the saltiness of its preparation. I may not be an authority on food much more Greek food but I know enough to say when food is salty for my taste and three others with me. Sorry, no further sale after this experience!

You can't beat Kanella's Sunday night chef's menu. My wife an I enjoyed an incredible meal at this charming BYO in center city. We shared the vegetarian and meat/fish menu and had so many favorite dishes we lost track. The amount of food was just right as we still had room for dessert. Vegetarian menu is an incredibly reasonable $30 while the meat/fish menu is still a great deal at $35. Desserts were extra at $5 each, but good size and well worth the extra cost.

Excellent Greek food in Center city! Very good hummus and pita, tasty lamb kebabs, and Harty mixed grill. Good service and humble environment. Great location.

Live near their old location on Front Street but moved in after they closed there. I finally got a chance to get lunch at their new spot. Wow. Everything was spot on. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the rest was flavorful and artfully plated. The service was knowledgeable and attentive.

We came for lunch, well prepared with a crisp white wine. We had the "mixed grill" special, which was suitable for two --- several varieties of grillled meats and vegitables piled high on a metal platter. It included two pretty hot green peppers which should be eaten --- but in small bites. We also got a beet salad and the lovely octopus salad. It was a marvelous meal for under 50 bucks (excluding wine and tip). Our server was charming and we also had a warm chat with the owner. We got the BEST seat, window right side near (but not too near) door.

The quality of the food and the great tastes were not left behind when Kanella moved to Front Street. And they now serve liquor and wine. Four of us, quite hungry, shared five of the traditional appetizers. The Armenian lamb dumplings were quite good. My only quibble was that the octopus was a bit too tender. I prefer a bit of chew. The pork shoulder, as a main, was a particular favorite among us, large portion that was nicely and simply prepared. The accompaniment were quite good and added to the enjoyment of the meat. The wine list is small, but there are good options available. Service was quite good as well.

We can’t review the food since, unfortunately, ours never came. We had high hopes for Kanella based on positive reviews in the Washington Post, but those hopes were quickly dashed upon arrival. We had a reservation for a late lunch, but there was no one to greet us when we arrived. We were finally seated outside by an unfriendly server, and again waited for menus and water for several minutes. The restaurant only offered a limited brunch menu at 2:30 (we should have done our homework), but we were starving so quickly placed an order for the dip platter. We additionally ordered entrees for each diner. At 3, we hunted the waiter down to ask about the status of the dip platter- how long could spooning baba ganoush onto a plate actually take? Turns out, it could take over half an hour. After a curt reply from the server, we waited an additional five minutes before leaving for a restaurant across the street. Varga fed us quickly and very well. The waitress was friendly, to boot. Lesson learned. We only hope that the management at Kanella might learn theirs as well and pay attention to service.

Food is 5-star, service is 3-star, which averages out to my score. I was in Philadelphia for a conference and staying at an AirBnB apartment in the neighborhood. My short-term landlady made one restaurant recommendation, and it was Kanella, so I had to give it a try! My first attempt was a walk-in at 6:30 on a Thursday with a colleague. While many tables were empty, we were told that the earliest we could be seated was 9:00 pm. NOTE: If you go for dinner make a reservation. My second attempt was with a friend for Saturday brunch. We were able to be seated immediately outside. It seemed that the outside seating may have over-extended the waitstaff because they seemed frayed and confused. Nonetheless, they were very polite and got our order to us in reasonable time. The food was exceptional and fresh tasting. I would recommend the dip trio, which changes daily. In short: definitely go for the wonderful food, but you will have to make reservations well in advance and will likely have to put up with less-than-stellar service. Well worth it, but be prepared.

I was more than pleasantly surprised by this unique and delectable menu. They weren't even quite open and the bartender was kind enough to let us have a drink and wait. He was very knowledgable about the wine and food and steered us thru the fabulous menu. If you want a table, make sure to make reservations ahead!

Absolutely gorgeous and tasty food. We had mezze as starters (hummus absolutely delicious) and a main afterwards. The restaurant serves only water and juices but you can bring your own drinks. Service was fast and very nice.

I used to work in Philadelphia for about 4 years. When I discovered Kanella, 2 years deep, I cringed at how long I had missed out on enjoying it! Over the course of the next 2 years, according to my credit card, I visited Kanella 38 times, many times with company, but also alone for lunch quite a few times as well. I spent just over $1500 at this restaurant. The pricing is surprisingly reasonable, especially for the quality of food and genuine service! Many times I went with company and spent a total of $45-$100+, and many times I went alone just because I wanted to and spent a total of $13-$22. This place is absolutely the best restaurant I have ever been to ever and I am grateful that I found it. Even though the pricing is set for casual dining, this place is absolutely charming and is definitely appropriate for special occasions (BYO). Keep it up, Chef Constantinos!

Great food in the city- best gyro ( beef and pork) I have ever had! The pita is hot and fresh - don’t pass on the dips of the day, they are delicious! We also had the lamb kofta platter - very good. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. It’s BYO, so bring your own Retsina!!

An extremely good very informal restaurant featuring kebobs -- in a sandwich or as a platter. BYOB makes it even better. The food was much like the "old" Kanella's, but very casual and informal. The "chips" are big slices of potato with a delicious flavoring. We had the pork kebob platter and the lamb platter; both were superb. They come with humus, pita, tomatoes, some veggies, and either rice or the potato "chips." Overall, an outstanding meal. Two very good deserts: a semolina pudding and baklava. Best coffee we've had in a restaurant in ages.

This review is of the new place on south Front st. Kanella on 10th st. is closed! Goat Stew! Grilled Octopus! Grilled Branzino! Terrific!

Delicious, outdoor seating, Cypriot food (similar to Greek), did I say delicious? Oh also great price points and a BYOB. This incredible restaurant is waiting for your reservation. The Desserts are also always incredible.

My fiancee and I went here for dinner and absolutely loved it! It is small so reservations are a must and while we had reservations we had to wait a bit for our table to clear. Everything we ordered - from the appetizers to the desert - was wonderfully prepared and hit the spot. The menu appears to have some seasonality so I am looking forward to trying again later in the year. Note that Kanella is a BYOB so come prepared, and also note that it is a small main dining room and you will be a bit cozy with other tables. The food is worth any trouble those items may cause you.

This is probably one of the finest restaurants that I have eaten in. It is underrated at 4½ stars. The food, service, atmosphere were absolutely the best. The menu offered a wide selection of Mediterranean foods.

Just down the street from Thomas Jefferson Hospital so convenient location for lunch. Service was fantastic, food was good. I had the lamb skewer over a salad and it was good. Good choices on the menu. Bathrooms were clean. Humus was very good. If going for dinner, note that's it a BYOB place.

We've tried and tried to get into Kanella without success, until this past week when we suddenly swung a reservation for 6. The service was very good, and I appreciated that they didn't rush us along as sometimes happens at busy restaurants. I love that it's BYOB. The appetizers that we got were very tasty. We were a bit disappointed that we could only get calamari fried and not grilled, so we settled for the octopus. It comes out as one big piece, so for those who are food-timid, beware that you'll get a whole tentacle. I got the lentil stuffed pepper, which was very tasty with nice touches like raisins. My hubby got the whole bronzino (a special) that was cooked in a grape leaf and was tender & moist. Of the six of us, everyone seemed very pleased with their food, and everyone cleaned their plate. The downside here is that the tables are really packed together, and it's noisy. I couldn't easily converse with all 5 friends at the table, which is a real drawback in my book. I think if we go back, it will be just as a couple, or perhaps on a night when we can sit outside -- maybe we can more easily converse than we can inside.

New to the city, just out walking and ventured in at lunch time. WHAT A FIND! Worth seeking out. Best Greek food ever. I would not profess to know, but Katella sampler and Falafel pita sandwich were served and not a morsel left on our plates. Under $30 with tax and tip for a healthy, tasty lunch for two has my vote. Enjoy it for what it is, small, 30 seat perhaps, friendly spot with wonderful service.

Had a delicious dinner, especially the lamb stew and the eggplant with rice etc entree. We had an early reservation and they had allowed lots of time for us to have a leisurely dinner. Great prices. BYO. friendly staff.

We had planned a celebratory late lunch on a spring Sunday afternoon. One and a half hours before our reservations, Kanella leaves me a voice mail asking if we could come a half an hour earlier, as they had just run into a problem. I did not get the voice mail right away, but when I did call, they said it would not be a problem if we came at our original time, if we thought we could be done lunch in 2 hours...no problem, right? Well, when we showed up at the restaurant with Champagne in hand, they explained that we really had to be out within an hour. And then, they proceeded to explain that this was all my fault because they had called and left a voice mail earlier on in the week...they had neither called, nor left a voice mail...and you might recall that one voice mail that I did get, said that this problem had just come up. They did offer us an outside table in the 60 degree weather (no heaters), but had no real apologies, no remorse, and did nothing to make up for making us stranded. Needless to say, we wont be back. Apparently some customers are more important than others.

Found this place walking by while apartment hunting. It was a nice affordable lunch considering being in a city, the hummus was really good with fresh out of the grill pita. The pita sandwich, gyro, was tasty and a big portion. You could taste fresh ingredients. Definitely will go back.

This place was amazing. They don’t serve alcohol so make sure to bring your own if you want. We had the hummus appy and it could not have been better especially the potato/garlic/lemon version. Delicious. We had the lamb skewers. Could not have been better and service was outstanding. No question we would go back. Enjoy!!!

Our first trip to Kanella was for Sunday brunch. We arrived 15 minutes before they opened so we took a walk in Washington Square. When we returned 20 minutes later half the tables were already full. Brunch was delicious. They have several daily specials and a full menu from which to choose. The service was awesome. All of the wait staff worked together as a team and all knew what was going on at our table at any point in time. We even had dessert (very unusual for us) because we didn't want the experience to end. Can't wait to go back.

I brought a friend of mine here for dinner. I love that's it's a byob so we brought some wine. We had some delicious salads, and for our entrees- I had the tortellini, and my guest had the pork. I seriously think it may have been the best pork I have ever had. It was Berkshire-- since then, my friend has brought in a friend of hers! And so on! The halloumi cheese is to die for!! I love the freshness of the food, and if you want the best baklava and Greek coffee in the city, it's here! You won't be disappointed! Also, very friendly service :-). Kudos to the amazing kitchen staff!!

Five of us went to Kanella for lunch today and no one left raving. Not even close. The hummus was oily/watery. The pita was good, but really should just be put on the table with dipping sauce no charge. My phylo entree was good, not great and the salad with it was onions, tomato and a bit of greens. The watermelon salad looked nice but again nothing special. My son had the Greek salad with a side of falafel and mentioned he has had much better falafel. The trio salad sound good on the menu but ended up to be little food spread out around a big plate. And, finally, the lamb pizza (last one on the menu). Quite spicy and no one cared for it. I am sure you can guess from all of this, not impressed and won't be back. Too bad, we had all been so looking forward to lunch here.

Whether it's lunch or dinner, the food is interesting and the atmosphere welcoming. Owner Konstantinos Pitsillides might stop by your table to make suggestions or see how you're doing.