Krasi
Greek restaurant · Back Bay ·
Greek wine bar with house-baked breads & regional meze
Greek wine bar with house-baked breads & regional meze
"A polished Back Bay gem and the crown jewel of the Xenia Greek Hospitality group, this spot showcases top Mediterranean flavors alongside a renowned Greek wine list. Dinner leans moody and candlelit, but weekend brunch is the main event: a bustling, tightly packed scene where you’ll scooch between tables and trip over stray bags—worth it for the menu. The gyro Benedict hits every note, layering grilled pita with crispy fried chicken, spicy pickles, poached eggs, and avgolemono hollandaise inspired by Greek lemon chicken soup. Snackers should order the Solomo, a deconstructed spread of smoked salmon, lemon-dill manouri cream cheese, a boiled egg, caper berries, pickled shallots, and carob bread to assemble into smoked-salmon toasts or enjoy piece by piece. Lalagites—traditional Greek pancakes fried in olive oil—come slathered with creamy kalathaki cheese and are topped with thyme honey, cinnamon, walnuts, and mint. Because brunch runs only on Saturdays and Sundays, book at least two weeks ahead (reservations open a month out); walk-ins can try the bar, though it’s subject to reservations as well. Insider tip: the tzatziki is made fresh tableside and pairs with just about everything, perfect as an appetizer with pita or spooned over eggs." - Celina Colby
"You’ll find the largest Greek wine list in the US at this sleekBack Bayrestaurant and wine bar. Leave the bottle or by-the-glass selections to the knowledgeable staff while you snack on top-notch taramosalata, dolmas that come with a bone marrow yogurt, and perfectly tender plates of grilled octopus. The charcuterie menu is way more interesting than what your friend puts together when you come over to watch Real Housewives (we still love you, though, Judith): two standouts are octopus mortadella and noumboulo made from whole pork tenderloin. Check out the speakeasy cocktail bar out back if you want to make a night of it." - Team Infatuation
"Krasi is a hard reservation to snag, but it lives up to the hype: excellent Greek food, wine, and hospitality, in a sleek yet warm and welcoming space. The kitchen is led by chef and owner Theo Tsilipanos, culinary director Brendan Pelley, and executive chef Jerry Pabla, with the wine program by Jeremiah Cates. Fresh-baked breads, dips (think tzatziki, spicy whipped feta, taramosalata), Greek cheeses, and dishes like the sungold and mushroom orzo, octopus souvlaki, and braised lamb shank are all exceptional and great for sharing." - Anna Darrow
"The team at Back Bay Greek hot spot Krasi knows how to brunch. Start with pitchers of mimosas made with blood orange, saffron, and Greek sparkling wine or soul-warming cups of Greek herbal tea and build out a stunning brunch feast from there: fried olive oil pancakes, spanakopita croissants, picture-perfect peinirli (a boat-shaped dough filled with spinach, leeks, cheese, and topped with a sunny-side-up egg), and so much more. Note: Book in advance for this one; seats fill up fast. Brunch service runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday." - Erika Adams
"Krasi, a swanky Greek wine bar and restaurant located just off of a bustling corner of Newbury Street in Back Bay, opened just before the pandemic hit in 2020. Now, you’ll be lucky if you score a reservation. The fun-loving team leads a boisterous service with regional Greek plates that are hard to find elsewhere in the city, and you can dive deeper into the country’s culinary culture with the cool Greek wine programs at the restaurant, including a weekly educational wine-tasting night called Symposium Wednesday. Insider tip: Can’t get in for dinner? Krasi also runs a legendary weekend brunch service that occasionally includes drag performances and is generally a great scene." - Erika Adams