Bahche — Restaurant in San Mateo

Bahche is a brilliant new upscale Mezze Greek & Mediterranean restaurant / wine bar in San Mateo's Hillsdale neighborhood.

This particular side of San Mateo is going through some renovations, there are a couple of new venues opening in the surrounding area. I hope they are as good as Bahche! I met up with my mate for lunch on a rather warm Monday afternoon and was very happy with our choice of venue. I was a bit skeptical of the glowing reviews, but thought we'd give it a shot. We don't have Greek or Mediterranean food that often.

While it's not the largest of venues, Bahche is very welcoming with its high ceilings and natural light. There is plenty of counter seating at the bar and a handful of tables along the wall. There was some outdoor seating as well, but in this heatwave... forget about it! Plenty of parking available around the neighborhood. I'm not sure if there is a garage close by.

We choose to order a couple of appetizers and share a main dish. We weren't sure of the portion sizes and didn't want to go overboard. We also planned to head downtown afterwards and grab some dessert... so had to leave some room for that sweet tooth.

#MediterraneanEats: MEZZES: ~ SPREAD COMBINATION - 5/5 hummus - 4.5/5 tzatziki - 4/5 melitzanosalata - 4.5/5 muhammara - 4.5/5 An absolutely brilliant opportunity to sample a healthy variety of spreads. All of them were delish! They refilled out Pita when we needed more.

~ OCTAPODAKI - 5/5 The Octopus was cooked perfectly ; slightly charred, but soft and tender. Served with Potatoes and some sauce. AMAZING! I wish this was a meal.

BAHCHE MAINS: ~ SEAFOOD PAELLA - 4.5/5 The main course we ended up sharing. The Paella had plenty of flavor, but I do wish it had a bit more seafood in it. I thought it was a bit heavier on the rice, which was still amazing and had plenty of flavor as well.

DESSERT: ~ BREAD PUDDING - 5/5 A perfect moist and warm spiced Brioche bread with Golden Raisins, Anglaise sauce (whatever that is) topped off with Vanilla Ice Cream.

The service was brilliant. We had the pleasure of interacting with Arlen; nice guy, attentive, efficient and knowledgeable without being overbearing. He suggested the Bread Pudding as a dessert. So goad we took up his recommendation.

Bahche hasn't been open that long. There weren't a lot of folks inside since they just opened up the lunch hours. I can't wait to return and try the rest...

We had the most wonderful dining experience at Bahche! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was calm and relaxing — it truly felt like being transported to the Mediterranean with the beautiful aesthetics and inviting vibe.

We started with the dolma, spanakopita, and octopus, each one perfectly prepared and full of authentic flavor. For our entrées, the lamb chops and chicken skewers were tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. To finish, we indulged in a spread of crème brûlée, baklava, and bread pudding, paired with their refreshing blood orange sangria — an absolutely perfect finale.

What truly elevated the evening was the service — the staff was kind, attentive, and made us feel so well taken care of. Every detail was thoughtful, and it made the entire night feel special.

Bahche is an absolute gem. Exceptional food, beautiful atmosphere, and outstanding hospitality — we can’t wait...

Estefania was an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, she acknowledged me and made sure both me and my kids were taken care of right away. Her warm and attentive service really set the tone for a great dining experience (: The atmosphere here is amazing! Welcoming, vibrant, and perfect for families or just a nice night out. The entire team was fantastic, and I can't forget to shout out the back of house (BOH) team, the food was delicious! You can really tell they put love into every dish.This was my second visit, and I had to come back because I truly enjoyed it the first time. The owner even stopped by to check in, which shows how much they care about their guests. Best of all? It's right down the street from my house. I’m so lucky to have such a great spot nearby. I already love this place, and I’m looking forward to coming back...