OPA — Restaurant in Waterville

We've been here multiple times in the past and always been impressed with how clean it always is - tables, floors, everything. Chairs are comfortable, and if you get there early (as we try to do) there's a padded bench down one wall that is comfortable to sit on and gives great back support.

We came in tonight for dinner, figuring Tuesday is a slow night. We were seated immediately after coming in the door, which is easy for them to do because they can see you coming in the all-glass entry before you actually arrive inside. Staff was smiling and cheerful - clearly they were happy to see us.

We started with a glass of the house wine that was rich and flavorful, and quite smooth on the palate. They also have a selection of local beers - ranging from a light IPA to a deep, rich stout - that will take care of any tastes in that area.

One of us had the Pastitsio - a Greek version of lasagna, with a rich creamy cheese sauce holding together what we suspected was home-made pasta, and lightly seasoned diced tomatoes on the side. Putting the two together was a taste explosion worth savoring. The other had the Souvlaki - basically bite-sized pieces of chicken breast and vegetables on a skewer, served with mashed potatoes and a small green salad. The Souvlaki was perfectly done - chicken was seared but tender and juicy inside, and the vegetables (onions, peppers, eggplant, and squash) were perfectly cooked. Amazing there was so much chicken on the two skewers with all those veggies, but it was there and dominant.

The green salad was lightly tossed in a very mild Mediterranean-style dressing - not swimming in it. Just delightful.

Overall, the seasonings on the dishes were rich but subtle - a wonderful mouthful of understated elegance. When you first order, they also bring a plate with crisp-crusted fresh bread and a dish of richly-flavored olive oil. Could make a meal of a really big serving of this!

Portion size is moderate, which fills you up without leaving you feeling overstuffed when you finish.

They just celebrated their first anniversary in business. Here's hoping they have many more such celebrations - this is a great addition to the "Waterville...

What a wonderful dining experience, from start to finish. One of the better meals I've had in recent memory, and that's saying a lot because I travel a fair amount and have eaten at some really nice restaurants all across the country.

Beautiful frontage welcomes you as you approach Opa. Outdoor dining is set up under a sort of pergola. Inside, the decor is classy and subtle with pops of color from vases of fresh flowers.

Warm bread and a bowl of delicious olive oil with olives floating in it kept us busy chewing while we browsed the menu. Traditional Greek dishes are featured along with other more unique dishes.

We started with raw oysters, baked oysters and grape leaves. By all accounts, all was delicious. Our server brought our drinks - it was a joy to scour the cocktail menu, organized by alcohol. I had sort of a blackberry whiskey sour and then we tried the mojito flight. Both very well mixed and poured.

For my main course my friend and I both chose the duck with pears and sweet pea quinoa (tender, perfectly cooked, and nicely spiced) my husband had the chicken souvlaki (which he loved) and the fourth on our party had the lamb, which was an enormous portion of meat just falling off the bone.

For dessert we split the baklava and were not disappointed.

Service was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. All in all, it was a very memorable dining experience. Be prepared to spend about $60pp for drinks, appetizer, main course and dessert, but well worth it. We will definitely return.

Update: 4/7/25: my husband and I had lunch at Opa this afternoon and it was as delicious as I remembered. Josh was an excellent server who just added to the whole experience. We enjoyed the bread and olive oil, hummus and pita bread, grape leaves, spanikopita appetizer and lamb gyro. Everything was perfectly prepared, beautifully plated, expertly seasoned and just delicious. We took a dessert sampler to go because we didn't have room to eat it there. We also took two containers of leftovers. The portions were definitely generous. Opa also had a fun cocktail menu. The Blood Orange Paloma was...

Opa Restaurant – Waterville, ME 📍 139 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901

Tucked into downtown Waterville, Opa Restaurant delivers a surprising and unforgettable Greek dining experience in the heart of Maine. From fresh mezze to hearty entrees and indulgent desserts, every dish brought something exciting to the table.

We started with the Hellenika Caprese, a Greek twist on the Italian classic. With grilled halloumi cheese, grape tomatoes, pesto alla genovese, and a tangy balsamic glaze, it was light, flavorful, and super shareable—10/10. A perfect start.

Next came the Spanakopita (Spinach Pie), and wow—this might’ve been one of the best spanakopitas I’ve ever had. The phyllo was crisp and golden, with just the right amount of feta, mint, dill, and scallions inside. Not too big, not too greasy—10/10.

No visit to a Greek restaurant is complete without Tzatziki, and Opa’s version stood out with its bright lemony kick. It was refreshing and much less oily than other versions I’ve tried, served with pita bread—8/10.

For mains, we went with the Lamb Gyro, which came on fire-roasted pita with pork blade (an interesting twist), fresh veggies, and creamy tzatziki. Paired with Dodoni feta fries and a demi horiatiki salad, it was satisfying, though the fries could’ve been crispier—8/10.

We also tried their Carbonara, made with angel hair pasta, smoked guanciale, mushrooms, and peas in a rich cream sauce. It was indulgent and flavorful, though super rich—definitely a dish you split or savor in small bites—8/10.

To end the night on a sweet note, we had the Baklava, served with bourbon vanilla gelato. The shape was unique, but the flavors were on point—crispy phyllo, warm honey, spiced walnuts. It totally hit the spot—9/10.

⭐️ Final Thoughts: Vibe: 8/10 – Great for families, date night, or large groups

Food: 9/10 – So many standouts, especially the spanakopita and salad

Affordability: 6/10 – Slightly pricey, but worth it for the quality

Verdict: If you're craving authentic and flavorful Greek food in Maine, Opa Restaurant is absolutely...