Ouzo Bay — Restaurant in Baltimore

Updated Review - To be very transparent, our first interaction with Ouzo was sub par (if you want to read about it, the unedited review is below). That being said, folks associated with Atlas Dining (Ouzo Bay owning group) really went above and beyond to rectify our experience.

Since our bad experience, I was immediately contacted by Rodney - an executive with Atlas Dining. He expressed his apologies for our experience and immediately tried to rectify the experience with a better one.

We went back to Ouzo Bay on September 16th, it was a gorgeous day, we sat inside on their covered patio with the sliding doors, open.

We got the trio of spreads which was really well made and the flaming saganaki (very good, make sure to eat it before it cools!). The Brussel sprout salad was also delicious! My partner had the truffle mac and cheese which is delicious as always and I had the swordfish. We finished it off with the baclava (DELICIOUS) and a brownie dessert.

Overall, Sarah the GM at Ouzo Bay was fantastic and really made sure we had an great night. The service was much, much better than before and overall the experience was wonderful.

This place is certainly seafood heavy, and so the menu can be slightly limited as a vegetarian (as my partner is). We will certainly come back! Thanks to all the folks at Atlas!

Old Review - Honestly - I would have given this a one star it will make sense why I gave them two stars.

We went there for Valentines Day - it was a Monday night, by no means was the place crowded, yes it was busy but there were open tables EVERYWHERE.

We were seated kind of awkwardly in this middle row which really didn't have much room on either side - which was fine just not the "best"

Our server was atrocious. The waitress stand was literally right behind us and she was constantly there so there was 0 reason for her lack of service but literally we had to ask for her attention every time. We saw people get seated after us get served their DINNER before we were even asked for our order. Then when we got our food - she never once came over to ask if we needed anything AND when we wanted to get the check/leave - we again had to wave her down.

Food wise - it was okay. Certainly overpriced and honestly not worth it. We got the trio spreads which were good and the village salad which was not. The truffle mac and cheese was good and I got the mussels which honestly were not great.

Drinks were also okay. Certainly not a place I would return to pay 15 dollars a drink for.

The reason I have to give this place 2 stars was because of the manager. After we paid as we were leaving we stopped at the host stand to just mention our experience. He immediately asked us to wait and then came back and refunded our whole meal. It was really unnecessary and unexpected - obviously we had already paid. But the fact that management was attentive to these issues...

I went past Ouzo Bay on a trip to Baltimore before and it’s ambiance intrigued me from the outside. The next time I came to Baltimore, I made a point of trying it. I was on a trip to celebrate my birthday was looking forward to trying a new restaurant in a city that I have grown up visiting. From the start, the manager was very welcoming and presented me with a birthday card on behalf of the staff. I was also given my seating preference from the reservation. This restaurant has a lovely ambiance with modern fixtures and lively but controlled music.

The menu here is very expansive and mixes Mediterranean classics with some unique dishes. This began as early as the complementary bread that was served. Instead of standard sourdough with olive oil, bread with raisins was served, which was a flavorful surprise early on. Next, the trio of spreads — a selection out of four available — was delectable. My favorite of the three I ordered (traditional hummus, tzatziki, and a date, goat cheese, and herb spread) was by far the goat cheese spread. It was a step above a typical cheese spread offered at many Mediterranean restaurants in that it introduced a naturally sweet option to pair with pita and crudité. For my second course, I ordered the grilled Portuguese octopus and charred calamari. A refreshing elevation to typical “American cuisine”, chargrilled calamari is a rare menu item. The dish exceeded my expectations, especially granted it’s difficulty to prepare. I could easily cut through each piece and the grilled squid was plated nicely with frisée and feta cheese on top. My only complaint of the evening was that the octopus was more dry and a little chewy. Grilled octopus is my favorite dish at most restaurants, but I believe the grilled calamari should always be your first choice here. My third course consisted of lamb meatballs and the flaming saganaki, a dish I have seen presented before at other restaurants, but never tried myself. The saganaki is brought out from the kitchen and set on fire table side, which is a great spectacle. The cheese itself is delicious and still wonderfully smokey. The lamb meatballs were also quite good and came in a beautiful petal-shaped bowl. Finally, my server surprised me with their chocolate brownie dessert, complete with a birthday candle, which was a perfect ending to the evening.

Throughout the whole experience, my sever, Chicas, the server assistants, and the manager were all very attentive, even more so than staff at restaurants more upscale than this one. They came over repeatedly to check on how everything was, which was much appreciated. Overall, as someone who appreciates restaurants, quality food and service, as well as someone who works in the industry myself, I would highly recommend Ouzo Bay if you are visiting the city or have not tried it yet. I will definitely be back...

An Extraordinary Evening at Ouzo Bay: Where Excellence Meets Heart

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ouzo Bay delivered an absolutely phenomenal dining experience that exceeded every expectation. From the moment we walked through the doors, the welcoming staff made it clear that this wasn't just a meal it was going to be something special. The service at Ouzo Bay was nothing short of amazing. Every team member demonstrated professionalism, warmth, and genuine care that made the entire evening feel effortless. They struck the perfect balance between attentive service and giving guests space to enjoy their experience. The food was simply outstanding. Each dish showcased the restaurant's commitment to quality and authentic Mediterranean flavors. From the fresh seafood to the perfectly seasoned accompaniments, every bite was a testament to the kitchen's skill and passion. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were even better. What made this experience truly remarkable was witnessing Ouzo Bay welcome Baltimore's Street Chronicles youth for fine dining and etiquette training. The staff embraced this opportunity with such grace and enthusiasm, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and learning. Watching these young people experience fine dining while learning proper etiquette was heartwarming and inspiring. The restaurant team went above and beyond to ensure everyone felt comfortable, valued, and engaged. They transformed what could have been an intimidating experience into one filled with laughter, learning, and genuine connection. This evening embodied everything wonderful about Baltimore's spirit community, growth, and opportunity coming together in the most beautiful way. Ouzo Bay didn't just serve a meal; they created lasting memories and opened doors to new experiences for these young people. Ouzo Bay has earned a permanent place on my list of exceptional restaurants. Their combination of incredible food, outstanding service, and genuine heart makes them a true gem in Baltimore's dining scene. This is what hospitality looks like when it's done right with skill, warmth, and purpose. Highly recommended for anyone seeking not just a great meal, but a truly meaningful...