Parea Greek Taverna

We really enjoyed our first experience at Parea! The restaurant itself is stunning and I am obsessed with the cut-out bar shelving and design. When you walk in, you immediately feel like you've been transported to the Mediterranean.We didn't have a reservation, so we were seated at a high top booth in the bar area. Our server was very knowledgeable and told us about their happy hour specials since it was still HH (4-6pm daily). Omg they have INCREDIBLE happy hour deals! All of their cocktails are half off and they actually have some really great signature drinks on their menu -- one of them being a dirty gin martini with feta stuffed olives... for $5.50 on happy hour. Um yes please! I had 2 martinis before happy hour ended and they were fantastic. Now on to the food. My husband and I shared a couple appetizers, including the grilled octopus and saganaki (Greek cheese flamed tableside -- OPA!) Both were delicious. The octopus was tender & cooked perfectly. For our main dishes, my husband got the cast iron moussaka (lamb and beef, eggplant, & béchamel baked like a casserole in a skillet) and I got the shrimp Mykonos (butterflied shrimp, garlic, and lemon with orzo). Wow, those shrimp! They were big with a light, crispy char and had an amazing flavor. I really enjoyed my dish and I'd definitely get it again. We ended up taking our dessert to-go, but we just had to try the portokalopita (phyllo orange cake) which hit the spot later on. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by Parea and look forward to returning soon -- especially for happy hour!

My husband and I went to Parea on a Sunday night at 6:30p and it was pretty busy! We made a reservation, so fortunately there was a table available for us.The venue is a large space that is beautifully designed -- takes me back to being in Greece!The staff were very warm and welcoming. Our server, Anastasia was attentive, offered great suggestions and was really friendly while being professional. We ordered appetizers that came out pretty quickly. The saganaki is flambed right by your table and enhances the authentic meditation ambiance. The food was delicious and the wine selection was small but only filled with fabulous wines. Dessert were good as well.Although I Ubered, there seemed yo be ample parking for anyone driving there.Will definitely recommend!

We wanted to love this new place but, for the most part, it came up short. Our server was very nice but not terribly attentive, although it was very busy. Appetizers were great (hummus, saganaki, mussels), but entrees left something to be desired. We had the Shrimp Mykonos and the Souvlaki. The orzo with the shrimp was way overcooked, just a mushy mess, and the shrimp were quite dry. The Chicken Souvlaki was undercooked, really undercooked, just raw. We wanted to let the server know and also order a second drink, but it was very hard to get her attention. When she was able to get to us we told her and she took a look and apologized profusely, offering to have it cooked right. We declined as we were full from the appetizers and the shrimp (which did have a good flavor) and we thought it would be a while. We were a bit surprised when she did not take the Souvlaki off of the final bill. Not a great first impression. I doubt we will return. I'm sure others have had good experiences, but our's was less than average.

I went a few weeks ago and would definitely return. The server was great and let us visit, but was very helpful and there when we needed her.

Ever since Maitland Center built its retail space at the corner of Horatio and 17-92, I felt that an upscale, Greek restaurant would fit nicely in the building's design, and we also didn't really have any upscale Greek restaurants in the Maitland/Winter Park areas. When we heard the news that the team behind Bosphorus was planning a Greek concept for the space, we began counting down the days. We love Bosphorus!Parea Greek Taverna soft opened the week we visited, offering the vast majority of its new menu. Our group of four was warmly greeted as we admired the interior decor and Greek music. It felt like we'd left Orlando and stepped into the tavernas of Mykonos and Athens. We've been to Greece four times over the past few years, admiring their cuisine, culture, architecture, and the Cycladic design we love so much. The space does a great job of capturing the warm, family feeling while incorporating various familiar elements of Greek decor and theming.Jessi was our server, who was very attentive and helpful throughout our whole experience, and spoke Greek with us along our journey which we loved. We ordered various cocktails that we enjoyed (Garden, Karpouzi, Not Today Hades, and the Greek Sangria), along with the tzatziki and tirokafteri dips with warm pita bread. The tirokafteri, a spicy feta dip, was the big hit for everyone at the table. Don't worry, it's a mild spice...not super hot. They didn't have the skordalia dip this time (a delicious garlic dip made with small bits of potatoes), but might bring it back in the future.For salad we had to try the classic Horiatiki (traditional Greek village salad), and the calamari. Both were delicious. The horiatiki was done so well and had a perfect vinaigrette on it. I hope this doesn't change at all, because it was quite literally what we know and love about Greece! For our main course, we ordered the Chicken Souvlaki, the Lamb Shank, the Cast Iron Moussaka, and the Chicken Tata. Everything was really great, and generous portions. The Chicken Tata was similar to a chicken schnitzel and had a side of pasta. (Here's a little secret for you since you've read this far: scoop a little bit of the tirokafteri dip onto the pasta to give it a kick. It's amazing!)We ended our meal with some Mastiha (a sweet digestif that's much better tasting than Ouzo; you must try it if you haven't), and the Portokalopita (an orange cake) that were both great. There are still so many menu items we want to try like Phyllis' Potatoes, Pastitsio, Greek Tea, Saganaki, Spanakopita, Beefteki, Tiropitakia, and more. It's so exciting to see authentic Greek brands like Alpha, Mythos (the beers of Greece), Skinos and more. The beauty and hospitality of Greece has arrived to Maitland, and we're so happy! We'll be back very soon. I can't wait to see lunch options in the near future. I'm praying for fries inside gyros, galaktobouriko, and maybe some Cretan options.

Stopped by the new Parea in Maitland tonight.We had a couple appetizers and some wine at the bar.Bartender Jason was attentive and friendly despite being very busy and without a second that night.The food was really good. Tasty, good portions and nicely presented. The space has had a nice facelift and the restaurant is beautifully done and welcoming. So happy this is in our neighborhood.

So many things could be improved in this place. I gave it 2 s only because my drink was decent. From start to finish I was absolutely not impressed. Our server Anna was not helpful at and had no personality almost like she forced to be serving. My dish was one highlighted on the menu so I figured can't go wrong. My chicken was burnt and over cooked and it was as flat as a penny. The pasta that came with it was cold with no flavor at all to the red sauce. My husband had another highlighted dish that looks like it should be on the kids menu. Both our guests had chicken skewers which were so dried out they could barely pluck them off the stick. The noise was awful, the high ceilings made everything echo. Was really looking forward to a new place to go back to but won't be returning, very disappointing

First time here but we will be regulars! Authentic menu. Everything was beautifully presented and delicious. Highly recommend starting with the collection sampler. We loved the grilled octopus and lamb chops. Fun cocktails. Our server, Abigail was the best. Attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. The owners stopped by frequently to check in. Love the feel of this gem.

Absolutely outstanding and the perfect place for Maitland! Thrilled to have such an ambiance of Greek Life in our little town! From the moment you step foot inside you feel like you are in Greece enjoying the lovely scenery and feta!! Service was fantastic and the food was spot on! We had a group of 5 and were sat at a large long table! We all got a cocktail and shared all the food we ordered! Started with the Greek Salad, Lamb Shank, lamb & Beef and Spread! The prices were extremely reasonable and we had a great evening! We will definitely be coming back for more and bringing all the Maitland Crowds!!

To be honest this was a big let down. We went one night for apps and drinks at the bar and it was great! Then we went again for dinner. Again the apps and drinks were great. Unfortunately the actual entries were terrible. The branzino was grilled well and moist, but the chef forgot salt and pepper. I actually don't know if something just got left off our dish or if the chef is so bad at his job that he has never heard of salt or flavor. The pasta, grilled lemon and tomato's as a base needed any kind of sauce. The Moussaka had no flavor either. Both missed salt or any type of freshness. It was so bad I could have easily done better at home and felt like my money was stolen. The problem is it's such a stark difference between the apps and look of the restaurant and the entires that I am not sure we can give it another go. It's too bad because it's a beautiful place.