Moon Bar

Absolutely loved this place. Delicious Caribbean-inspired food that didn't hold back on spice or flavor. Simply superb cocktails made by professionals and outstanding service. It's a classy spot for adults to mingle and could totally see a great date night here.

Everyone was so nice and accommodating. The drinks and food were exquisite and vibrant. Best Jamaican Patty I’ve ever had. I’d go over and over just for that.

I loved the decor of this place! The wallpaper is amazing and it’s a nice, open, eclectic space! Their menu is pretty unique and has an island vibe. The Golden Colada was delicious and the Jamaican Beef Patty was a great snack (very spicy!) service was great, not sure it’s a spot I’d hit up for dinner but definitely for drinks!

We didn’t have any food but we tried some cocktails and they were well crafted. The space itself is gorgeous (photos attached). There appears to be an inherent relaxation vibe in this joint. They want you to settle with your group when you get in, take your time with your drinks, and the service staff let you be. So if you like to chat with friends and just chill, this is the place for you. However, if you want to be in and out quickly, you might want to try somewhere else!

Spicy drinks. Spicy food. Cute menu font. Low-key tropical vibes. Lots of seats around the oblong bar, which is definitely where you want to be. Bring your antacids.

One of the best elevated casual cocktail bars in Boston. Following a complete renovation last year, Moon Bar has evolved from a casual hangout into a chic, modern cocktail bar with a creative food menu. As a long-time fan of Chef Carl Dooley from Mooncusser, I’ve been eager to try this new spot. At Moon Bar, Chef Nelson Whittingham crafts a wicked menu featuring excellent seafood and innovative dishes inspired by his Jamaican background, and both the food and cocktails were fantastic. Despite it being our first visit, we were lucky to snag perfect seats right in front of Jake, the bartender. Jake was one of the best bartenders I've met in the city. He took great pride in crafting perfectly balanced cocktails and had extensive experience bartending in both Cambridge and Boston. We typically don't order more than three drinks, but he made us want to try everything on the menu. Some of our favorites included the Golden Colada and the 305 Cowboy. While Chef Nelson may not yet be a household name in Boston’s food scene, he delivered dishes that paired perfectly with the cocktails. His creations were mainly divided into two categories: Complex & Aromatic and Robust & Spicy. In the former, standout dishes were the Tuna Crudo and Black Bass. The Tuna Crudo had a fiery kick with its red chili salsa, balanced by aromatic notes of mint and sesame. The Black Bass, served with a side of warm roti, showcased a satisfying interplay of textures. The tender, moist bass was complemented by a crisp peanut mix, with lime juice and pineapple sambal adding just the right amount of complexity to its flavor profile. The Jamaican Beef Patty and Tandoori Chicken Thighs were in the latter category. The Tandoori Chicken Thighs had a robust spice kick, balanced by creamy cucumber raita. The chicken was incredibly juicy and tender, making it my favorite dish from the "hot stuff" to pair sweet the fruity cocktails . Another favorite was the Marinated Halibut, a zesty blend of halibut, avocado, and tomatillo. The real highlight of this dish, however, was the tostones. Given halibut's mild flavor, the crispy tostones added a satisfying rich and salty boost to each bite. Due to its popularity, Moon Bar primarily operates on a reservation basis, so walk-ins during peak hours may be a bit challenging. However, I highly recommend making the effort to secure a reservation. An added bonus is that Moon Bar shares its ingredient supply with Mooncusser upstairs, so their menu gets an update every six weeks.

All around astounding food! Everything was a great balance between bright and delicious, savory notes. It wasn't just tasty but surprising, where I found myself eating not just because the food was good, but because I found some new detail that I had somehow overlooked in the bite before. Every dish gave offered a few things to discover. This thoughtful approach carried over to the drinks as well. We got a few items off the drinks special which had a good variety. They had it covered from a fruity start to a more whiskey leaning drink I selected for the end of my meal. If you want something more classic, the bartenders clearly have it well in hand and can serve it straight up and even offered up some fun variations for my selection. The bartending and kitchen staff were engaging, attentive, and clearly putting energy into creating a wonderful dining experience for the guests. Really phenomenal all around with a wonderfully intimate ambiance and one I share at the risk that I might have to wait for my seat in the future. Definitely worth at least one trip, but I will likely be adding it to my regular rotation.

We sat at the bar and had a great time. Service was very attentive, very friendly bar staff and food came quickly and with no issues. All tasted amazing - on the spicier side but not too much. All tasted very fresh, well presented and decent sized portions. Would definitely return.

If I could give Moon Bar 6 stars, I would. I cannot stop raving about this restaurant. This is definitely one of my new Top 5 restaurants and has one of my favorite dishes I've ever had in Boston. This restaurant is an extension of my all-time favorite restaurant Mooncusser and is an a la carte restaurant with fish dishes and ethnic flair. They put so much intentionality in their cocktails but their food also does not miss. For drinks, we got the Moon taxi, 305 Cowboy, Two Dylan's, and one more I can't find. My favorite was the Moon Taxi with picso, cappaletti, phu beet, pistachio, yogurt, and celery. The ingredients blended seamlessly together and the celery aromatic on top was really a perfect touch. Now for the food. I cannot stop thinking about the halibut ceviche with tomatillo, avocado, and served with tostones. I can't even explain how perfect this dish is. The cold halibut brings an initial freshness and then the spicy guacamole dances on your tongue with the perfect level of spice. To finish it off, the tostones are slightly salty and very savory. It's incredible. We also got the fried queso with banana ketchup, roasted honeynut squash, tandoori chicken thighs, and banana ice cream. The fried cheese was delectable and had cheese and rice mixed in every single bite and was very even. The banana ketchup is made in-house and is so unique too. I'm not usually a fan of squash but this was amazing. It was cooked perfectly and was so tender and the spices wowed my mouth. I just wish the presentation of the queso fresco was better. The tandoori chicken. The smell of this dish when it came out was already amazing but the flavors were out of this world. Chicken was so juicy and a tiny bit spicy and had all the beautiful tandoori spices. The banana ice cream was good and the banana flavor wasn't overwhelming. What's also so cool is that at closing, the entire bar, including the staff and customers, all take a shot together. It's such a cute community!!! I cannot get over Moon Bar like I genuinely can't get over it. I'm going back next week I already got my reservation~

Excellent service every single time. Drinks are consistent and delicious, they even put thought and care into their mocktails. Notes: they served our banana ketchup in a chipped dish, we were clearly a party of 5 and were provided only 4 tortillas for our wrapped bass-- they did provide some gluten free for us though. The floor 2 bathroom faucet was very hot, 3 people in a row (including those outside my party) remarked. Perfect caipirinha.

First time here and won't be the last. Great drinks and food, cool ambiance, excellent service. Prices are what you'd expect for a small plate cocktail bar in Boston. For drinks, my wife and I shared the Moon Taxi, Mono Stereo, and Oh Diane, all of which were great. I would get any of them again, but we were told that the menu changes on a regular basis, so we won't get too attached. The bartender (whose name I didn't catch and I feel badly) was the guy who creates the cocktail menu so of course he was very knowledgable. When he recommended the Oh Diane, he explained the process of how he created the drink and I love when people get excited about something they're passionate about. He was also really friendly and seemed to know many other customers who came in after us. Food was almost perfect. The marinated halibut with tomatillo, avocado, and served with tostones was great was really nice. Fried sweet plantains are hard to mess up. These were as expected and the crema they were served with was a great tangy pairing to balance the sweetness of the plantains. The lamb burger was slightly disappointing. Not sure what the slowdown was with assembly, but the lamb was lukewarm by the time it got to us, it wasn't particularly flavorful, and the meat wasn't as tender as you'd hope for being medium rare (the correct default doneness). Bun was ok. The pickled veggies and chutney were nice. Overall, really nice experience. Would skip the lamb burger but would happily get any of the other food and drinks we got this time.

After being so impressed by Mooncusser earlier this year I finally got around to trying their more casual outpost on the first floor and it did not disappoint! The menu is full of fresh, bright flavors with an emphasis on really well-prepared fish dishes. The halibut and tuna were stars of the meal in this regard with the perfect balance of acid and spice. The lamb burger was perfectly cooked and the tandoori chicken and bass were also delicious. The cocktails were fantastic with a range from fun and tropical to classics. Highly recommend!

Wonderful food and drinks and friendly service! We had the okra, plantains, and tuna, and I'd have a hard time picking a favorite. Everything was creative and delicious, with a good amount of spice throughout that wasn't overwhelming. Our only complaint was the portion sizes were pretty small for the price. The drinks were also phenomenal. Definite tiki vibes, and we particularly loved the Mono Stereo. I want to come back for a full dinner!!!

What we ate/drank: White Oaxacan, Off Duty (non-alcoholic), Two Dylans, mahi mahi ceviche Would recommend?: Yes Delicious, creative cocktails (and mocktails) served alongside a full, globally inspired menu in this cozy bar. Every drink we had, especially the White Oaxacan (a take on a mezcal martini), was excellent. Off Duty was not too sweet. The ceviche was served on ice which was a thoughtful and appreciated touch, as we snacked alongside our drinks. We plan on coming back.

In addition to great vibes, be prepared for fantastic Southeast Asian inspired cocktails and food. I'm glad we had reservations because it was quite busy Saturday night. You can reserve for counter seating or bar seating. With counter seating, the stools face a window nook and you'll have more privacy, but I recommend bar seating to fully experience the lively energy of this vibrant cocktail bar. Plus, the bartenders are very friendly. The three cocktails we ordered were some of the tastiest cocktails we've had in Boston. Sweet, creative, and strong - their drinks are delicious and definitely worth coming for. - Cover Girl (Hamilton rum, Cognac, Jamaican jerk butternut squash, angostura amaro, almond): Refreshing and loved the hint of almond! - Junglebird (Appleton Jamaican rum, pineapple, Campari, lime): Smooth, sweet and tangy. - Old Cuban (Aged rum, lime, mint, Cinzano prosecco): The prosecco added a fantastic crispness and lightness. It's hard to find a cocktail bar that has not only great drinks, but impressive food as well. And Moon Bar does it all. We ordered: - Mahi Mahi Ceviche: The fish, coconut masala and sweet potatoes were deliciously fresh and flavorful. Our only gripe is that the portion is slightly small for $18. - Smoked Pork Ribs: The meat was so soft, tender, and succulent it literally fell off the bone. Dressed with mango chutney, this dish was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. My favorite dish of the night! - Banana Leaf Wrapped Black Bass: We loved wrapping the flakey, delicate fish into the roti. Fun concept and awesome flavor profile. - Yucca Fries: This was the only dish that I didn't love. The aji amarillo aioli tasted a bit too "fishy" for me, and I wish the yucca fries were crispier/more golden. My husband loved it though, so those who are fond of strong fish flavors may enjoy this. We also tried both desserts, the banana ice cream with wafers and the coconut rice pudding with hibiscus sorbet. Both were fantastic, but I especially liked the textural contrast of the crispy wafers with the smooth banana ice cream. Whereas Mooncusser is like the elegant, graceful older sister, Moon Bar is like the vibrant, spirited younger sister. Overall, this new cocktail bar has great vibes, drinks, and food options, and we will definitely be visiting again!

Moon Bar is an excellent cocktail bar with really solid, flavorful food. Not only are the cocktails great, the ambiance is fun and unserious (employees wear Hawaiian shirts and there is pink neon signage adorning the walls), perfect for a date night or meet up. We've enjoyed every cold menu item, with favorites being the mahi mahi ceviche and tuna. Tandoori chicken is killer- the spices are delicious, and with a warm kick of heat! Lamb burger seasoning was a bit of a miss for our party and the pickled veg didn't complement the spice profile well, though the meat itself was cooked nicely. The chickpea fries and green sauce were yummy, albeit a bit pasty. Their sister restaurant located upstairs, Mooncusser, also features more raw seafood menu items, but is a much more formal dining experience. Typically requires reservations, but same day booking is never difficult before 7ish. Access to the bathroom is via an elevator in the back.

Why I'll go back: Outstanding cocktails and truly unique shareable dishes. Tony's Tip: Definitely make a reservation. They do run a waitlist, but it could take an hour or more on the weekend. You HAVE to order: the yellowfin tuna was the standout of the night The wife and I decided to wing it last night (Saturday) and walk over to Moonbar to try what looked like an inventive menu at a spot already known for its cocktail menu. It was cold and on the verge of drizzling, so even though it's a small place, we thought we could sneak in. Well, we roll up around 7:00 p.m. and there's not a seat in the entire place! One of the hostesses was very accommodating, though, setting us up at the walk-in/stand-up counter near the doorway facing the window along Columbus Ave. and then putting us on the wait list for bar seating, noting it might be after 8:00 until something opens up. Just as we're debating whether to have one drink and bolt, two seats open up at the bar and she pops back over to us for the upgrade to First Class! With what looks like total capacity of about 40 people and a decent music backdrop, Moonbar has great energy and reminded us a lot of haley.henry, the highly acclaimed and cozy wine bar in Downtown Crossing. What makes Moonbar a little different is the liquor license - thus the excellent array of cocktails - and a fully functioning kitchen that can offer a broader selection of dishes. I liked both of my drinks, but my wife thinks she might finally have found her go-to margarita! She went with a blanco tequila, and the marg mix had a touch of pineapple, all of which combined for a concoction that is less sweet than your typical 'rita. Nice to have finally checked that box! We ordered the yellowfin tuna, green mango salad, shrimp a la plancha, and the coconut rice putting. All were great, but we really enjoyed that first dish, which was a sashimi-like presentation spiced up just enough to have a kick but not so much that you couldn't enjoy the combination of flavors working together. All three non-desserts definitely had Southeast Asian and Caribbean influences, but I wouldn't characterize anything we ate as "spicy." As for dessert, let's just say I am not a fan of rice putting, but my wife had trouble fighting me off for a dish she thought she'd have all to herself. Seeing as this will only be the fourth review in the seven months Moonbar has been open, it seems this little Back Bay/Bay Village neighborhood gem is still flying under the radar. You wouldn't know it from the party going on inside though. Best of luck to the Mooncusser team with this latest iteration in its downstairs space. We'll see you soon (with a reservation this time!).

OVERALL: Will definitely return! Modern, cozy bar with flavorful and unique small plates. FOOD: Small plates with global influence, tying in classic flavors from the Caribbean, India, and South America. Big Green Salad (4/4): I usually treat salads as a mandatory vegetable to round out the meal. In other words, this plate had a steep climb to #1 but managed to ascend. This salad had a great balance of flavors, textures, and caused the first fork fight of the evening (with me winning the last bite!) Patty (3.5/4): The flaky crust, spiced beef, and gracious extra patty were enough to convince me. But this rating was locked in when my company, an apprehensive Jamaican, gave their hard-to-earn approval. Well done! Mussels (3/4): A solid and well-flavored plate of mussels. Mahi Mahi Ceviche (1.5/4): This delicate and mild fish was cloaked by coconut masala and zucchini. --- COCKTAILS: Inventive and well-balanced menu, great options for everyone Hollywood Chic (3.5/4): a savory tequila cocktail worth a second taste

Food was good! Very chic meeting location. My friend and I met up here for quick drinks. It was quite bustling and I can imagine it might have been difficult to find a seat for anything more than 2 people. Nice ambience and wonderful staff though. Bathroom is downstairs via elevator!

Find was amazing ! And Jake was the best server ever ! He was very attentive and suggested great dishws and wine pairings ! Loved the ambiance and will be back when in Boston..

My wife and I came in last night around 9pm and was quickly escorted to two seats at the bar. The ambience here was lovely. We ordered two drinks and a dessert as a night cap to our evening. The dessert was delightful and the cocktail and whiskey selection was nice. However there was something very off-putting with our experience and that unfortunately would be the service. While I appreciate the initial greeting gesture, the servers we were interacting with did not appear as if they wanted to be there. They were giving off a vibe that made us feel somewhat unwelcomed and made my wife feel uncomfortable when she wanted to request for things from the bar or the kitchen. When the check came, we found on the tab a kitchen appreciation fee of 3%. Personally, we believe these kinds of fees need to be eliminated. Nevertheless we paid the bill on full plus left a generous tip of 20%. When we were saying our goodbyes to the servers and asked if they would mind retrieving one of our personal belongings that was accidentally left at the bar, one of the servers, while looking at the signed receipt from our tab, made a snarky comment and said "yes we do mind" while crumbling up the signed receipt in his hand. Was it a tasteless joke? I was completely taken back by this and offended. I feel this kind of service is unacceptable and behavior is absolutely unwarranted. If you are coming here for food and drinks, I hope these people are genuinely greeting you with a smile. Otherwise, I suggest not giving them your business as they do not appear to want it.

Awesome place Great food and cocktails Caribbean flavors throughout the menu Have enjoyed everything on menu -- and have tried all must visit

Had an amazing time at Moon Bar. All the dishes we tried were super flavorful and delicious. The cocktails were also fantastic. Highly recommend.

The food is a unique blend of south asian, Caribbean, and southeast asian. The service was great and friendly. Be sure to get a reservation because it gets busy after 6 on weekends.

We were very impressed with the food, the cocktails and most of all the service. Even the mocktails were great - I highly recommend " Off duty". We had flank steak, the red snapper with crab, Jamaican cutlets and the coconut rice pudding. They were all delicious! The wait staff was attentive, pleasant and provided excellent service!

A fun last-minute stop of the day. Super trendy and cool bar with amazing food! The bartenders are very talented mixologists. Ryan made us delicious cocktails and we had a lot of fun chatting with him about music and concert experiences.

completely gluten free and safe for people with celiac disease i had the french toast and it was very good

Super cute Southeast Asian inspired cocktail bar/dinner spot! I made a reservation, but was shocked it wasn't more packed on a Friday night (energy was still good) since it's associated with Mooncusser. I went with one friend and we thought it was a pretty unique dining setting in that all the seats are counter seats, either at the bar or at 2 stool nooks set at each window. We were in the mood to splurge but not to drink and were pleasantly surprised. Both mocktails were fantastic, I especially recommend the lassi lassi as probably one of the best mocktails I've had. The waitstaff were very attentive and split both our entrees, the banana leaf bass and lamb burger, without us having to tell them. The cook on the meat was spot on and the flavor combinations were fantastic, I was especially impressed as someone who is usually always wishing there was a bit more sauce. We ended off with dessert which was the surprisingly down to earth banana ice cream sundae. All in all, the vibe seems like a playful but intimate dinner spot where you can splurge a bit.