Home

Download

NO BAD **RECOMMENDATIONS**.

London, England

Red Room

Copenhagen, Denmark

Delphine

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Chez Nina Green Brasserie

The most popular restaurants in Nova Circle right now

TRENDING NOW

Guide to

During Winter

Prague 

in Finland

The Northern Lights

Winter Edition

Paris

Best bars

New York Cities

Explore curated travel guides filled with hidden gems and top recommendations to inspire your next adventure.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Discover standout moments and top picks from our vibrant community of travelers and explorers.

USER HIGHLIGHTS

Meet our most active and inspiring community members sharing unique recommendations and insights.

TOP USERS

On A Budget

5 Star Luxury Travel

You Must Visit

Eco-Friendly Hotels

Avoid Bali belly

How To:

That Are Worth The Trip

Dining Concepts

The World Is Slowing Down

Soft Travel

Stay updated with the latest travel tips, trends, and exciting updates from the Nova Circle community.

NEWS

Explore

Copenhagens Boutique Hotels

Discover

Tokyos best Ramen

Travel philosophy

The Rise of ‘Soft Travel’

Dublin Best Pubs

 Find fresh ideas and experiences to discover, from must-visit spots to unique activities.

MORE INSPIRATION

Connect with trusted partners who share our passion for unforgettable experiences and quality travel.

OUR SELECTED PARTNERS

Nova Circle is your single space for saving and sharing top recommendations around the world while getting inspired by likeminded people.

Nova Circle - No Bad Recommendations

As a valued Nova Circle member you can enjoy our exclusive partner discounts. Simply just sign in to claim the deals.

Partner Discounts

Enjoy exclusive travel partner discounts with Nova Circle.

Nova Circle Benefits - Travel Partner Discounts

Benefits

San Jose, CA

North America

United States

# Opelia – Mediterranean restaurant in Los Gatos, CA, offering a cozy atmosphere, diverse menu, and excellent service

Opelia is a Mediterranean restaurant located at 25 E Main St, Los Gatos, CA, known for its inviting ambiance and diverse culinary offerings. This establishment has quickly become a favorite in the San Jose area, providing a blend of traditional Turkish and Mediterranean dishes that cater to various dietary preferences. The restaurant prides itself on its warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for both casual dining and special occasions. With a commitment to quality and community engagement, Opelia has garnered positive reviews for its attentive service and flavorful dishes, making it a must-visit destination in Los Gatos.

## History
### The story of Opelia
Opelia was founded with the vision of bringing authentic Mediterranean cuisine to the heart of Los Gatos. The founders aimed to create a space where guests could enjoy traditional dishes made from high-quality ingredients, while also fostering a sense of community. The restaurant's name reflects its commitment to elegance and warmth, inviting diners to experience the rich flavors of Mediterranean culture.

### Milestones and growth
- Established in Los Gatos, CA, as a new culinary destination.
- Gained popularity for its unique menu and exceptional service within the first year.
- Expanded outdoor seating to accommodate more guests during peak times.
- Received numerous positive reviews, enhancing its reputation in the local dining scene.
- Introduced seasonal specials to keep the menu fresh and exciting.

### Cultural and local influence
Opelia has become a cultural hub in Los Gatos, reflecting the community's diverse culinary interests. By incorporating traditional Mediterranean recipes and local ingredients, the restaurant not only honors its heritage but also supports local farmers and suppliers. This connection to the community has helped Opelia establish a loyal customer base and a reputation for quality.

### Continuing the tradition
The restaurant continues to uphold its founding vision by regularly updating its menu and hosting events that celebrate Mediterranean culture. Opelia's commitment to authenticity and quality ensures that each dish is prepared with care, allowing guests to experience the true essence of Mediterranean dining.

## Community
### Community involvement
Opelia actively engages with the local community through various initiatives, including partnerships with local farms and participation in community events. The restaurant often hosts charity events and fundraisers, contributing a portion of its proceeds to local causes. This involvement has strengthened its ties to the community and fostered a sense of belonging among its patrons.

### Community notion about the place
The community views Opelia as a welcoming and inclusive dining option that caters to diverse tastes and preferences. Many locals appreciate the restaurant's focus on quality ingredients and authentic flavors, often recommending it as a go-to spot for both casual meals and special occasions. The positive atmosphere and attentive service have made it a beloved establishment in the area.

### Events and gatherings
Opelia frequently hosts events that bring the community together, such as wine tastings, cooking classes, and themed dinner nights. These gatherings not only showcase the restaurant's culinary offerings but also create opportunities for guests to connect and share their love for Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant's ability to adapt its space for various events has made it a popular choice for celebrations and gatherings.

## Offerings
### What Opelia offers
Opelia offers a diverse menu that features a wide range of Mediterranean dishes, including appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The restaurant is particularly known for its meze platters, which allow guests to sample a variety of flavors. With a focus on fresh ingredients and authentic recipes, Opelia provides a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable.

### Dining and food experience
The dining experience at Opelia is designed to be enjoyable and relaxed, with a cozy ambiance that encourages conversation and connection. Guests can expect attentive service from knowledgeable staff who are eager to recommend dishes and pairings. The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in every dish, from the perfectly grilled octopus to the tender lamb shank, ensuring that each meal is a delight.

### Events and packages
Opelia offers special event packages for private gatherings, making it an ideal venue for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events. These packages often include customized menus and dedicated service, allowing hosts to create a memorable experience for their guests. The restaurant's ability to accommodate various group sizes further enhances its appeal as an event space.

### Facilities and features
- Cozy indoor seating with a warm ambiance
- Outdoor patio for al fresco dining
- Full-service bar with a selection of wines and cocktails
- Private dining options for special events
- Accessibility features for all guests

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Opelia highlight both strengths and areas for improvement. Many guests praise the restaurant for its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere, while some express concerns about specific service experiences. Overall, the feedback reflects a strong appreciation for the culinary offerings and the restaurant's commitment to quality.

### Compliments and strengths
Guests frequently commend Opelia for its flavorful dishes, attentive service, and inviting ambiance. The meze platters and grilled octopus are often mentioned as standout items, showcasing the restaurant's dedication to authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Additionally, the staff's willingness to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences has earned positive remarks from patrons.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
While many reviews are positive, some guests have reported issues with service consistency, particularly during busy times. A few diners have expressed disappointment with specific dishes not meeting their expectations, highlighting the importance of maintaining quality across the menu. Nevertheless, the overall sentiment remains favorable, with many customers eager to return.

### Summary evaluation
In summary, Opelia stands out as a vibrant addition to the Los Gatos dining scene, offering a delightful blend of Mediterranean flavors and a welcoming atmosphere. While there are occasional service challenges, the restaurant's strengths in food quality and community engagement make it a noteworthy destination for both locals and visitors alike.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Opelia is conveniently located in downtown Los Gatos, CA, at 25 E Main St. The area is known for its charming streets, boutique shops, and vibrant community atmosphere. Visitors can explore nearby attractions, including local parks and cultural sites, making it an ideal spot for a meal after a day of sightseeing. The restaurant's proximity to other dining options and entertainment venues enhances its appeal as a dining destination in the region.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Opelia serve** Opelia specializes in Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine.
**Is there outdoor seating available** Yes, Opelia offers outdoor seating on its patio.
**Do I need a reservation** While not always necessary, reservations are recommended during peak times.
**Are there vegetarian options on the menu** Yes, Opelia features a variety of vegetarian dishes.
**Is parking available nearby** Yes, there are several parking lots and street parking options available.

## Visit Opelia Today
Experience the rich flavors and warm hospitality of Opelia, a Mediterranean restaurant in Los Gatos. With its diverse menu, commitment to quality, and community-friendly atmosphere, Opelia is the perfect destination for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, Opelia invites you to savor the best of Mediterranean cuisine in a welcoming setting.

d20ba74b-80df-47ea-b99d-f9bd6f25723e

Updating my review because I finally came for dinner! We didn't have a reservation, but we were still able to get a table, it was pretty empty when we arrive around 6pm, but by the time 7pm rolled around the place was very crowded, so again, make a reservation if you know you want to come here and be guaranteed a table inside. Just about everything on the menu sounded good, so narrowing it down to just a few items wasn't easy, luckily our server had some good recs. For two of us we decided to share two apps and one entree, which ended up being plenty of food. We got the Octapodaki (octopus) and Meze combo to start, then the Incik (braised lamb shank) to follow. We loved everything in the Meze combo, it had a great variety of dips and small bites. The octopus was cooked perfectly and came with some tasty beans, especially when drizzled with lemon. And the lamb, oh baby, the lamb was amazing. The sauce that it was served with was absolutely fantastic, the meat was tender and not at all gamey, it was a great dish. Again service was wonderful, possibly even better this time since it wasn't as busy and we got more attention. The bartender was even walking around to tables and asking how their drinks were. I didn't love mine as I was expecting it to have a little bit more of a pomegranate taste to it, he immediately offered to take it back and brighten it up with some juice, which was very thoughtful and made it more to my liking. Fun spot to come for a nicer meal or date night, it's romantic and fun, and the vibes are great.

a5d7725c-473e-4f77-9276-4796e4060e7c

Dishonest, dangerous, and completely untrained staff. I have Celiac disease, which means I cannot eat gluten -- not "I'm avoiding it," but that even small amounts can make me very sick. I take every precaution when eating out, and I always communicate clearly with servers about my dietary restrictions. When I visited this restaurant, I spoke to our server, Martin, multiple times about whether a particular dish was completely gluten-free. I asked him to confirm with the chef, and he assured me -- more than once -- that he had checked and that the dish was safe for me. Something about the texture of the food didn't feel right, so I asked another server just to be sure. That's when I learned that a major ingredient was barley -- which is absolutely not gluten-free. When I asked that second server to confirm with the kitchen, the chef himself came out and told us directly that the dish did contain gluten and that Martin had never asked him about it. The chef and other staff were profusely apologetic, though at that point it was far too late. This isn't just poor service -- it's dishonesty and dangerous negligence. People with Celiac disease rely on truthful information to avoid severe illness. A simple "I'm not sure" would have been acceptable. But lying about checking with the chef? Unacceptable. This experience completely destroyed any trust I had in this restaurant. Management clearly needs to train their staff properly on food allergens and what "gluten-free" actually means. Until that happens, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone with food allergies or sensitivities.

9ad05660-7fd7-438b-be15-4a4edff7cf78

The setting inside Opelia is super nice and the menu had decent vegetarian options at least for the appetizers. The portion size of the appetizers was really good though so I didn't even need to order entrees. The fries had a unique seasoning and tasted really good. I also got the brussel sprouts and shishito peppers. Don't think I'd get the peppers again but the brussel sprouts were really good. The pita with hummus was also flavorful and the dish came with a lot of pita bread. The parking may be difficult especially on weekends as it's in downtown. The service was really good and our server was great and encouraged us to stay way past closing time if we wished which was nice!

f218543a-6014-45a4-9ed2-16f85be657e4

Such a lovely restaurant, walking is to a warm and inviting space. We came without a reservation and they were able to seat us (2) without any issues. Warm and welcoming services was prompt and not rushed. We started with Beet Borani, Octapodaki, Lamb Lolipops they were all delicious. The Opelia salad was fantastic with the dried fruits. We split the Biftek, they kitchen sliced the meat and this dish was delish and perfect for two and couldn't end the night without desert Diyarbakir light and not overly sweet it was a great end to dinner. We will be back with friends in tow.

03a2d349-7ac0-45a7-9aab-f09bd58f5c11

Located in downtown Los Gatos, with some out door seating on patio. Parking on the street a little tricky on Friday evening but plenty of lots nearby. Nicely appointed, beautiful bar area as well. The starter was the meze combo, very good and with warmed pita bread and the grilled octopus (tender with a nice char). The lamb shank was very tender with a delicious tomato sauce with a cheesy farro. The merguez manti was in a very tasty tomato sauce. The lamb chops will nicely grilled and super tender. 5 stars.

4a4c0a33-518f-4e3a-9313-d5ae621ad0ac

Me and my friend tried out Opelia on Sunday dinner. We ordered 2 appetizers and an entree The octopus was delicious and the beef stew was good as well However the entree was a little disappointing. The salmon didn't taste fresh. Overall it's a good add on restaurant in the area, but I wish they will improve the ingredients better Service is top notch The ambiance is good and pretty relaxing Lots of table available, walk in welcome and they also have outdoor tables

30598825-38c2-42b9-bbf5-ea283a91bcd5

Vibe: 4/5 Service: 5*/5 Drinks: 2/5 Food: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Although I still mourn the loss of Sidecar (sigh), I'm happy to report that Opelia is an excellent addition to LG's culinary scene. The gentleman working at the front door was not very welcoming. It was quite off-putting, actually. Luckily, our waitress with an Eastern European accent was phenomenal and made up for it. The food we ordered was extremely delicious and well-prepared. But the drinks were horrible. Not sure if we came on a bad night but I tried one of their signature drinks and a basic cosmo and both were bad. My husband's Old Fashioned didn't taste like one at all. We'll be back for sure, as long as they can improve their bar program. Maybe ask the previous owner, Josh, for some guidance on how to make killer drinks.

f12bc8c9-de02-4015-bd59-f86c6262feed

We finished a hike in Los Gatos and decided to find a place to eat. Popped open my Yelp app and Opelia popped up. There wasn't a wait so we gave it a try. It was relatively early and there were a handful of diners, some inside and some outside. It was a beautiful day so we opted for outside. Our host and server was very attentive. He helped us make choices and they seemed to do us well. We started out with the badimchan which came with a side of pita. It looked delicious but it lacked some flavor. We've had this at Meyhouse and it's the bomb there. The fries were really good. My IPA was refreshing, but not as cold as it could have been (I had 2 and the second one was definitely cold). The mediterranean omelette was very tasty and the roasted eggplant was also really good. Last but not least was the diyarbakir burma for dessert. Plenty of nuts, filled generously, and great crunch. The nuts on the side and honey "sauce" complemented the texture. Not shown, but I also had a Turkish coffee. Anyway, this was a solid meal that fell slightly short of getting 5 stars. It's worth going back to again.

02f46433-908d-49d0-907e-dfe6722c9a5c

My party of three was excited to try a relatively new restaurant in downtown Los Gatos. Opelia is located in the old part of Los Gatos, across the bridge on Main Street. It serves Turkish Mediterranean cuisine, and I must say, we had a fantastic time! SERVICE/RESERVATION I made a reservation for three people through OpenTable. When we arrived, the restaurant was bustling with a large party celebrating a birthday. The hostess informed us that there would be a wait of about 10 to 15 minutes and offered us bar seating. We didn't mind, so we ordered drinks while waiting. The bartender, Jack, was fantastic! Although their cocktail menu is limited, Jack was happy to make any drinks we requested. I requested a mojito inspired mocktail. I enjoyed my drink very much. Our main server, Nathan, was also excellent. Since it was our first time at Opelia, he guided us through the menu and offered great recommendations. Nathan checked in on us throughout our visit and even helped me find better photo lighting. Overall, we received attentive and exceptional service from the entire team. FOOD We ordered several appetizers and a salad to share, and nothing disappointed us. - Meze Combo: Badimcan, borani, sarma, olives, gigantes, tatziki, ezme; served with endless, fresh pita - Octapodaki: Grilled octopus, butter beans, arugula, lemon - Kalamar: Sautéed calamari, artichoke, olives, capers oregano, tomato white wine - Lamb Lollipops: Arugula, Campari, oregano, yogurt, fresh lemon - Opelia Salad: Butter lettuce, fig, apple, Goat cheese, pumpkin seed, beets, pomegranate molasses The Meze combo sample platter was fantastic. I highly recommend it if you want to try various cold Meze items on the menu. My favorites were the Beet Borani and Ezme, but everything was absolutely delicious. The hot protein Meze we ordered was also well-prepared and tasty. The octopus and lamb lollipop were the favorites of the night. All were perfect for sharing among our group. I highly recommend checking out Opelia for a date night or a casual friend gathering. Be sure to make a reservation, as indoor seating is quite limited. It's a small and cozy restaurant that focuses on providing a great experience and delicious food.

0a5af77d-91e9-408b-bf56-fe9e00d37610

The Los Gatos restaurant scene was kind of lacking for a while-- but with Opelia and a few other great restaurants opening recently, I feel like it's back!!! Opelia is beautifully decorated, and feels so cozy. The food is outstanding-- one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. We ordered the cucumber/tomato salad to start, along with fries (kind of random but I was craving fries like no other lol). The combo was actually perfect, and they season their fries with paprika (I think?) which was a nice surprise. We also shared the octopus and the lamb chops. I'm not even the biggest fan of lamb tbh, but this lamb was SO GOOD! The octopus was also cooked perfectly and I loved every bite. Service was wonderful-- we were even given a small glass of a delicious wine on the house. Everything came out really fast, and our server was always checking in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. All around, a fantastic experience. I really can't wait to come back:)

Discover Opelia in Los Gatos, CA—an inviting restaurant on Main St offering delicious cuisine and a cozy atmosphere. Book your table now for a memorable dining experience.

Opelia Restaurant in Los Gatos, CA - Cozy Dining on Main St

Los Gatos

Opelia

California

Explore the full menu at Opelia in Los Gatos, CA. Discover signature dishes, drinks & must-try items. Visit us at 25 E Main St, Los Gatos.

Opelia Menu – Food & Drinks in Los Gatos, CA

Learn about Opelia, a premier restaurant located at 25 E Main St, Los Gatos. Experience our unique cuisine, cozy ambiance, and exceptional service in Los Gatos, CA.

About Opelia in Los Gatos, CA

Opening hours for Opelia, Los Gatos, CA. Find opening hours for Opelia at 25 E Main St, Los Gatos on our website.

Opelia Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

Experience the Menu at Opelia

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop

Gardino's Ristorante Italiano

NUMU - New Museum Los Gatos