Ambeli Greek Taverna: Authentic Mediterranean Flavors in Cranford, NJ

Ambeli is everything a good restaurant is supposed to be! Delicious food, attentive (but not overly attentive) service and owners who spend time making sure every costumer is cared for. Went here with our son who had taken his gramma and sister here two separate times. His dad and I were so excited to try it after all the rave family reviews! We ordered the grilled octopus salad, shrimp/Garides Saganaki, moussakas and salads. Every dish was so good! We had a fabulous time and a delicious dessert to end our anniversary celebration out to dinner with family. Thank you Peter and Dino! We will definitely be back whenever we're in the area visiting our son!

Great service and great food. Ordered the gyro platter and was not disappointed! Even the coffee was good. Will definitely make a return trip. The place is handicap accessible.

A Taste of Greece, A Feast for the Soul! If you’re tired of overpriced, overhyped spots where the vibe is faker than the “extra virgin” olive oil they drizzle—STOP RIGHT NOW and run (don’t walk!) to this Greek gem that’s rewriting the rules on what dining out should be. From the moment you walk in, you’re not just greeted—you’re welcomed like family. The staff? Unbelievably warm, wildly attentive, and genuinely joyful. They don’t just serve food, they serve hospitality in its purest form. No fake smiles. No pretentious scripts. Just real people who love what they do, and it shows in every plate and every smile. Located in the perfect spot—convenient, vibrant, and just far enough from the tourist traps to feel like a local’s secret—the environment hits all the right notes: authentic, relaxed, inviting, and alive with the sights, smells, and sounds of a real Greek kitchen. It’s the kind of place you can laugh loud, eat more than you planned, and stay longer than you should—and no one’s rushing you out. Now, let’s talk FOOD. Holy Hera. This isn’t food. This is a culinary odyssey. Every bite is bold, fresh, and deeply satisfying. The quality? Impeccable. The quantity? Let’s just say: bring your appetite, or better yet, a second stomach. You want crisp, golden spanakopita? You got it. Tender, juicy souvlaki? Check. Creamy, garlicky tzatziki that dreams are made of? It’s here—and it’s glorious. And don’t even get me started on the moussaka—it’s the Zeus of comfort food. And the best part? There’s zero pretension. No trendy plating that sacrifices flavor for flair. No mysterious foam or microgreens. Just honest, out-of-this-world Greek food made with love and delivered with pride. If you’re looking for a place where the food is unforgettable, the people are incredible, and the experience is 100% real—this is YOUR Greek restaurant. A five-star experience without the five-star ego. OPA!

The food portions are generous and absolutely delicious. The owner is very friendly and genuinely cares about his customers. The waiters can be a little distracted at times, but they are not rude. I love the atmosphere — it’s very calming and perfect for having conversations with friends. With a little improvement in service, this place could easily become a 5-star restaurant.

Why have I just finally gotten here!?!? The reviews aren’t wrong. I wish I’d been here years ago. Went with a group of work friends, one of who is authentically Greek, so she took the lead and ordered an assortment of appetizers and entrées for us to all share. The service was warm and friendly. The owner is truly a delight: Warm, gracious and kind. Truly made us feel he was grateful to have us there. The food was fresh, full of Greek flavors and extremely well portioned. The pita & hummus is delish! The ambience is calm yet vibrant. …and BYOB! I am looking forward to going back with my family and enjoying more of the wonderful dishes Ambeli has to offer. Thank you for a wonderful meal & lovely evening. Dishes we shared: loukaniko Spread trio: tzatziki, spicy feta, skordalia Ambeli chips Pastitsio (pictured) moussaka Biftekia Baklava, Galaktoboureko & Yiaourti Me Meli

The week prior, we tried to get reservations and all booked. Made a reservation for 3 in advance! Our first visit and we were seated by the front door. It would get chilly when the door open! Friendly staff! Food was yummy! Vegetarian Moussaka Souvlaki Pork Platter Gyro Lamb Platter Baklava Galaktoboureko It's BYOB! Our wine was served and chilled! Served the salad with entree- I prefer to enjoy my salad before entree. Lots and lots of take out orders being picked up! And every table was filled with guests! Looking forward to the next visit! Street meter parking until 6pm. Parking lot near by, walking distance.

We walked in without a reservation on Saturday night and the staff was able to squeeze us in. The service was great and the food was excellent. They start you off with warm pita and dip which is delicious. From appetizer to dessert, everything was fresh and flavorful. Will be returning soon!

I would love to give it a 4.5 if it was possible. We loved the spreads and cheese assortment. It was amazing. The mixed meat platter was great. The only thing was the souvlaki was a bit over cooked, it was very dry. The rest of it was excellent. The mixed grilled seafood was cooked perfectly, I wish there was a bit more squid, but there was a abundance of shrimp and octopus. We also liked the large amount of choices on the menu.