Wayward Fare

Had dinner the other night and the stand out dishes are the King Prawns, Wood Fired Bread and Mezze! Fried Quail was to die for! We also ordered the Oven Roasted Oysters, Taglietelle, Summer Veg special & Red Snapper and they were all great too. To start you’re offered a complimentary tea / aperitif which was a really nice unique touch and not something you see often enough these days! I don’t get many nights off to dine out w my family and this place really transported me out of my mind for a night of great food and cocktails. Service is very warm and knowledgeable! Solid spot that is worth a trip for anyone reading this that is outside of Brooklyn.

This restaurant, in the digs of former Italian old schooler, Cataldo’s, has transformed Vanderbilt for the better. The decor is gorgeous from the lighting, to the tile work and all the way down to the glassware. The food is fairly priced, artfully presented and absolutely delicious while the service was impeccable. I genuinely can’t wait to come back. (extra credit trivia: the pizza oven from the former space has been re-tiled and put into service once again delivering a decadent char to their breads). Kudos to the whole team. They are also the owners/operators of the equally delicious, Alta Calidad, next store.

Such a remarkable experience! From the food, to the decor/ambiance, and service, this restaurant has made my list of top 5 restaurants. Starting off with the wood-fired bread, which is kissed with just the right char, alongside the eggplant (image attached), was beyond perfect. My personal favorite item I tried was the King Prawns. They are wrapped in grape leaves that keep them unbelievably juicy. I'd come back for it alone. Great staff, great vides, best food!

I had the pleasure of dining at Wayward Fare and I’m still raving about it! This new gem in Brooklyn effortlessly combines outstanding culinary creativity with impeccable service. It’s truly a Michelin-star caliber experience in every sense. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with a perfect balance of modern elegance and cozy charm. But what truly steals the show is the food. Every dish is a work of art, crafted with attention to detail and an adventurous twist on familiar flavors. I have to highlight the prawns—absolutely divine. The oysters were fresh, briny, and perfectly complemented by a delicate mignonette. And the squash dish? It was nothing short of extraordinary. The balance of flavors and textures was a true testament to the chef’s skill, with each element enhancing the next. Service was equally exceptional, with staff who were knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about the menu. From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel like honored guests. Wayward Fare is a standout. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again for both the food and the experience. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Quite an unexpected gem... enjoyed a sublime dinner with a friend celebrating their birthday here. Reservation is strongly recommended. We arrived early but had to wait an extra 15 minutes at the bar.

Absolutely phenomenal! Was lucky enough to try several dishes across the menu, and was blown away by everything. Some must try's were the steak, the tartare, and king prawns, but a true show stopper was the wood-fired bread and mezze to start, my favorite being the Haleem style paté. From the food, friendly staff, and ambiance, it was a perfect night!

My overall experience at Wayward Fare was so memorable. The service was seamless, which was no surprise since Alta Calidad, their sister restaurant, has always been hospitality-forward, and everyone who came over to the table was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food was excellent. I was thinking about the cabbage with freekeh for days, the roasted chicken was so good with unexpected flavors, the dumplings and pasta were delicious, and I could eat the bread and every mezze daily. The tea at the beginning of the meal and chai at the end were also a nice touch. WF is great for a regular night out or to celebrate a special occasion.

The food is so so so good! Celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday with his friends here. This is the best Mediterranean restaurant I had in the city so far.

My husband and I have been patiently waiting for this restaurant to open, as Prospect Heights has been lacking Mediterranean spots that honor both Greek and Turkish cuisines. After our first visit, I can confidently say we plan on becoming regulars here. We didn't have a reservation, so we decided to sit at the bar, where our waiter, Eric, gave us a fantastic introduction to both the cocktail menu and the sharing-plate style dinner menu. We kicked things off with the Olive Branch and Royal Spritz cocktails, and for appetizers, we chose oysters and lamb merguez dumplings. The drinks were delicious and strong, while the lamb merguez dumplings definitely stole the show. The dough was al dente, and the filling was perfectly spiced. The oysters were quite herbal and had a good kick to them. For our main courses, we tried the swordfish entrée, which came with a delectable garlic aioli and chickpeas on the side, as well as the steak and potatoes. Both dishes were delicious in their own right, but that swordfish was something special. I don't think I've ever had swordfish cooked so tender. The chickpeas paired with the swordfish created a lush, flavorful respite that blended extraordinarily well. My husband and I were practically licking the plate. We finished with cheesecake for dessert, which featured chocolate, tahini, caramel, and candied quince (think firm persimmon). It was the perfect size and offered a lovely end to our flavorful meal. Overall, the service was delightful and incredibly thoughtful. You could feel the eagerness to please customers, especially since it was only their third night open, but also a true passion for the menu and the vision the restaurant is striving to achieve with its eclectic offerings. Oh, and the design of this place is warm, sexy, and a bit art-deco-y. I highly recommend this place and suggest befriending the waitstaff, as the people here are genuinely kind and care deeply about the work they're doing.

Absolutely fantastic addition to the neighborhood! Already planning my next visit. Every dish was flavorful and full of unique textures and warm spices. The decor is gorgeous and interesting, and the staff were so lovely! Happy to explain the dishes and seemed truly passionate about the menu. The fresh baked bread was unreal! I am still thinking about the beef tallow butter on that perfect steak.