Theodora Brooklyn

100/10. The culinary highlight of our NYC trip. We ordered a bunch from the menu, and there wasn’t a dish we didn’t love. We loved the Hiramsa to start, fresh and had a tang to it. The grilled mackerel is a must and comes on beautiful sourdough made fresh. It may not be visually appealing for some, but I recommend you try it! The black cod was perfectly cooked, covered in an amazing sauce and salad. The whole butterflied trout was the standout item, packed full of Smokey flavour and different experiences you get switching from one side of the fish to the other is unique and delicious. This dish was what brought Theodora to my attention and it did not disappoint. The service was fantastic and the waiters were tentative but we loved the chefs table experience. Eating in front of the grill and watching the food go through different stages if cooking so much fun. The chef was very friendly and made time to talk to us over the course of our dinner. If you are a small part, book the countertop table. We spent about $200 for 2 people, we didn’t have alcoholic drinks. Theodora is fully booked out weeks ahead, a reservation is a must, good luck getting one. I absolutely recommend this place and will be back the next time I’m in NY.

We absolutely LOVED this place! The hype is real!! We were lucky to be sat at the chefs counter right next to the expo. We got to watch everyone work and they are a well oiled machine. This is the best Mediterranean food we’ve had in NYC. All the dishes benefit from the wood firing even if they aren’t directly prepared on the grill which was a beautiful surprise. For example the oil on the hummus. Mind blown Favorite bite of the night…the tilefish ceviche with wood fired pineapple. Wow! Also and most importantly, the service was elite. Our server Zoe was just so great, friendly knowledgeable, attentive, all the things! We also got to meet and chat a bit with the GM, Katie. So nice! We can’t wait to go back and try everything we don’t get to try this time.

Theodora Restaurant absolutely lives up to the hype—even if getting a reservation feels like winning the lottery. Every dish is bold, flavorful, and confidently executed, especially the seafood-focused menu. The appetizers were flawless across the board, and the fish dishes truly shine. Don’t miss the sourdough (elite), yellowfin tuna, salmon king crudo, and the ceviche—standout bites that justify the buzz. The lamb was a bit too strong on aroma for my taste, and while the octopus was good, it wasn’t the star. Still, an exceptional meal overall and 100% worth the chase.

The team behind Theodora has truly captured the intimate Brooklyn-aesthetic. I loved the open kitchen layout and curated seating. We were in a curved booth right in the middle of it all (best for people watching) but would so come back to experience the chefs counter or alcove or front seats by the window. Now the food is sublime. The Middle Eastern, Brazilian, Mexican flavors blend together so nicely for an exceptional taste in each bite. We started with the Hiramasa and Seeded Laffa. Holy I would eat five plates of the Hiramasa if that were socially acceptable… the dip with the warm Laffa is also really tasty. For mains, we got the Octopus and Whole Butterflied Trout which were both yum. I’d say the potato chips and brussel sprouts added a unique dimension to the octopus dish. To end the meal we got the chocolate cake, which as the reviews mention, was perfectly sweet and paired well with the mascarpone and olive oil on top. Bliss. The cocktails are also noteworthy. We enjoyed the La Cigua and Mayahuel and would recommend the former for a smoky cucumber flavor and the latter for a savory mezcal martini. A last note on service – the staff is really friendly and knows the menu well. Our dishes were paced out in multiple courses and were brought out fresh. You can tell the chef team enjoys their work and it was exciting to watch! Highly recommend a visit, or two!