Il Borgo Rhodes — Restaurant in Municipality of Rhodes

Overhyped and underwhelming – Not worth the queue!

After seeing il Borgo hyped up online and spotting long queues outside every night following our trip I must say I am confused.

We decided to give it a try on a quieter weeknight and managed to walk straight in for an early dinner however unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the expectations or the buzz it seems to generate.

The garlic bread starter was the standout of the meal. It was fresh, flavourful, and probably the best part of the evening. However, the mains were a letdown. The carbonara, made with egg rather than cream felt more like a microwave meal than a main course within a restaurant of such high reviews, it lacked any sort of flavour depth and the gnocchi wasn’t much better. Both dishes felt flat, especially given the restaurant’s reputation.

The setting was pretty average. While it’s a nice enough spot, it’s nothing special compared to other places in Rhodes Old Town and know you can get much better elsewhere for cheaper and less of a wait.

Service was inconsistent. We noticed that staff were far more attentive to tables of younger women, whilst we, a couple in our late 20s and nearby tables of older adults were often overlooked. It was sometimes difficult to get their attention, and the overall experience didn’t feel particularly welcoming.

I also agree with a review written by Dulcie Walker a couple of weeks ago, which really resonated with our experience:

“Think there’s a queue because of the queue. Nice atmosphere but not sure why the hype. Service really slow, no drinks offered when we were seated and then it took a long time for food orders to be taken. Glad I asked for the bill as soon as they took our plates because that was another long wait for that to come out. When we asked if we could pay they said we need to go up front. Would’ve been good to know when we were given the bill. Food was nice but nothing special, so confused about all the amazing reviews so thought I’d keep it real – I wouldn’t bother queuing.”

That sums it up perfectly. The setting is fine, the food is average, and the service wasn’t great. If you happen to pass by when there’s no queue and are curious, it might be worth trying once, but personally, I wouldn’t...

Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately struck by the enchanting atmosphere. The decor is meticulously designed, creating a warm and inviting environment that’s visually perfect even when the place is bustling with diners. However, timing is crucial if you plan to dine here, especially for dinner, as you might find yourself waiting in a long queue to get a table—this in itself speaks volumes about the restaurant's popularity.

Once seated, we were greeted by an incredibly polite and professional staff. They were consistently smiling and attentive, ensuring that we felt welcomed and taken care of from start to finish. It's hard to find such impeccable service these days, and the staff here truly set the bar high for hospitality.

Unfortunately, despite the stellar ambiance and service, the food did not live up to expectations. The pizza with multiple cheeses—or as the Italians might call it, Quattro Formaggi—was a major letdown. Lacking flavor, it felt like a bland imitation of what should have been a rich, cheesy delight. Moreover, about 30% of the pizza, specifically the outer crust, was nearly inedible due to its extreme dryness. We were disappointed to leave so much of it untouched on our plates.

The macaroni with tuna also failed to impress. While it was edible, it was far from memorable—certainly not the kind of dish you would expect to linger in your memory long after the meal. Considering the restaurant's pricing, which leans towards the higher end, the underwhelming taste of these dishes was even more disappointing.

Adding to the mixed experience, this was the most expensive dinner we have had on the island. To top it off, it was the only restaurant where we were explicitly asked for a tip, which felt a bit out of place given the overall quality of the food.

In conclusion, this restaurant excels in atmosphere and service—truly a beautiful setting with an outstanding team. However, the food leaves much to be desired, especially considering the high prices. If you're looking for a place with great vibes and excellent service, this might be worth a visit, but be prepared for a potentially underwhelming...

We visited the restaurant last night as it was well rated & had a pretty courtyard. After waiting in the queue for around 40 minutes, we were seated at the back of the courtyard. Our drink order was taken fairly quickly, but the drink they brought was incorrect, they changed it without any issues. Following this we waited for around 40 minutes before eventually asking them if we could order the food, they said they would send someone over straight away, this happened twice, the 3rd time I asked, the waitor answered abruptly that they were having a technical issue with orders and we needed to be patient! We waited a total of 1.5 hours before they came to the table & offered us a free drink to compensate for the wait, after which we found out that the order hadn't even started to be prepared. One waitor was very nice & apologetic, the others didn't seem to care at all & didn't make any effort to check if we were ok after waiting so long. We saw 5 tables come, eat & go, before our food even came out! Another table who arrived after us, said they waited 1.5 hours for the food to arrive, they complained and the full meal was given for free, before they walked out, after eating half! When the food eventually arrived, it was nice, but what was meant to be a relaxed, early meal in a nice setting, was completely ruined by the experience. Having arrived to the queue at 8.35, we didn't end up leaving the restaurant until 11.25! Such a shame & very disappointing that they offered no other form of compensation when it came to the bill! A free drink did not equate to 2 hours of waiting for food! Overall a very frustrating experience & one I would not...