Initially I was taken back bc the menu is pricey but in the end it’s worth every penny. Upon arriving complimentary valet and when inside the atmosphere takes you to an outdoor restaurant on the water, giant umbrellas, dj and violinist (Friday night). Our server Kevin - polite, charming, and attentive as well as all the staff. I never had to ask for my water cup to be refilled and each course came out one after the other. The food is fresh, delicious, perfectly seasoned while being able to taste the ingredients. I recommend the meatball appetizer, halibut special main course, and baklava desert. Also had a mocktail summer in Athens in a large glass, incredibly refreshing without being over sweet. At one point of the night the staff twirled a napkin which prompted guests to do the same and formed a conga line of sorts to walk/dance around the restaurant to the music - how fun this was! If I had any complaint, which is becoming more apparent in restaurants in general, is the added charge for using credit vs cash. Other than this, I 100% recommend Elia for a delightful and delicious evening. I can’t wait to come back!

Aisa Petrela

Food and atmosphere was great but what made it better was Romi. He was our waiter and took good care of us. Explained the menu and very patient. He has great energy. Highly recommend the place and him especially bc he made the difference.

MEDTRIXEA MED

I was taken to Elia for my birthday by my friends as a suprise after wanting to try eating there after so long. Was not disappointed the food taste’s amazing and fresh. The calamari was my favorite 100% recommend as I normally am not the type to eat but this place was diffrent the chef does amazing things to each of the dishes I love coming here.

Gina

Amazing time from the staff!! They were all great. The apps were the best part of the menu and I recommend them all!

+2

Dawn Guzman

Our waiter, Manny is exceptional! He made our dinner experience so worth it and fun!!! I will specifically request Manny next time we dine here. Great vibes & exceptional food/service !!!! 10/10

Iuliia Kljajic

Elia is such a gem in Rutherford! The moment you walk in, you feel like you’ve been transported straight to the Mediterranean — from the elegant décor to the amazing aromas from the kitchen. The food is absolutely delicious — everything tastes fresh and full of authentic flavors. We especially loved the seafood dishes, grilled meats, and meze appetizers. What makes Elia even more special are their Thursday nights! They turn dinner into a celebration with live performances, music, and dancing — it’s such a fun and vibrant atmosphere. Perfect spot to go with friends, family, or even for a date night if you want great food and great energy. If you’re looking for amazing Mediterranean cuisine and a lively night out, Elia in Rutherford is definitely worth a visit! 💃🍷🇬🇷

Janayah Trabilsy

Manny was an amazing server! You will not be disappointed! He is extremely informative, friendly, patient, and most importantly knowledgeable. Apps were spectacular. Food was phenomenal. Dessert was amazing. Thank you Manny :)

Amanda M

Elia never misses! The food, atmosphere, and service are always top-notch. We came for brunch and had such an amazing experience, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The ambience is elegant yet relaxed, perfect for a weekend meal. Our waiter, Manny, was fantastic — attentive, friendly, and made great recommendations. You can really tell the team here cares about creating a memorable dining experience. Can’t wait to come back!

+1

Eartha Whitfield

Great food and atmosphere! The decor was off the chain the music made you dance and twril your napkin!

Mark Cross

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Elia Mediterranean Restaurant is amazing!! From the moment we walked in, the welcoming staff. The food was wonderful and every dish was fresh. We had the pleasure of visiting on their Thursday Burlesque Night, the show was great! Such a fun, elegant vibe. The service was quick, friendly, Elia is a must-visit for anyone looking for incredible food, top-tier service, and an amazing atmosphere!!👏

T M

Walking into this restaurant my eyes were met with such beauty and elegance. Beautiful flowers everywhere and a nice ambiance to match. Demetrius was our server and he took excellent care of my date and I. Actually the entire staff catered to us. We even met the manager. We had a fabulous recommended bottle of white wine we really enjoyed. The food was out of this world AMAZING. Very tasty and fresh. Quality of the food was top tier. Portions were big. I could barely make room for dessert. I will be going back. This is a restaurant you MUST go to!

+2

Maria C

I was told about this place through a friend & told to request Christian as my waiter, and I'm ecstatic that I did. His customer service well exceeded the actual delicious food for the night. Haha no but seriously he went above & beyond to make sure me and my son were very well taken care of... Even making sure we were enjoying the entertainment his service & food was unforgettable. Elia is a gorgeous restaurant love the cabana vibes inside, The entertainment is always different ❤️ The food was chefs kiss 💋 we had so many things but what really stood out was the fried calamari & the bone in ribeye yummmm.... If you go and Christian has an open section I'd ask for it haha Thanks for great evening out

Andreas Gritsipis

One of the best steaks I’ve had and an unforgettable dining experience. The ambience and setting were impeccable. Manny was our server, he and the staff were very friendly and attentive. 10/10, highly recommend for a date night out.

Genesis

Good food, good service, celebrated our one year anniversary and we were offered one glass of champagne on the house, cute little anniversary note and our desert came out bedazzled. Second time here, the food was delicious! The ambiance is the same, cute.

+1

Robert Rios

Me and the wife went to Elia for brunch and we had a great experience! Food was great from the Brussels sprouts to the short ribs egg benedict’s and the steak sandwich. Drinks tasted good and well crafted. Music and atmosphere were great, made the place lively for brunch. We will be back soon for dinner service!

+1

Jae Jae

You will find a beautiful elevated vibe at Elias with the right amount of high energy to make it a fun night for a girls night out, a group celebrating a special occasion or a fun date night. The service was outstanding and the music, DJ and violinist were the icing on the cake. Our group enjoyed the lavraki (aka branzino), pink snapper. The Greek meatballs and fried saganaki and zucchini and eggplant chips as starters were great.

+1

Jocelyn Lee

This has been a place I've been wanting to try for years and I'm glad I did. It's a good spot for special occasions and the decor is beautiful. The food and drinks were pretty good all around. I ordered a fish that was slightly overcooked so it was a bit dry and the braised short rib pasta lacked flavor but everything else otherwise was very good. The zucchini and eggplant app was delicious and the chocolate cake was decadent. We were there for probably 3 hours on a Friday night and we didn't feel rushes at all. If you want to sit indoors, you have to make a reservation. Our server was really nice and accommodating which made the experience even better.

+4

Mariya R

• I like this restaurant. It has nice inside and outside seating areas. • The interior design is good. • Everything is clean, cozy, and elegant. • The food tastes great, and it's presented well. • It can get noisy in the evening after 7 pm because many people come. • The staff is polite and pays attention to customers. They work fast to serve people.

+8

Kevin was an outstanding server and truly made our experience memorable. From the moment we were seated, he was warm, attentive, and incredibly professional. He knew the menu inside and out, offered thoughtful recommendations, and checked in at just the right times without ever making us feel rushed. What really stood out was Kevin’s positive attitude and attention to detail. His friendly personality and genuine care for his guests set him apart. If you have the chance to be served by Kevin, you’re in great hands. He goes above and beyond to ensure a fantastic dining experience. Highly recommend!

Jordan Cole

Overall the food and the service were very good. The atmosphere seemed a bit loud, despite the restaurant being less than half full. The service made the meal exceptional. They took the whole order together (apps, and dinner)), and we received our apps and meals properly timed and distributed. With regular and proper table touches, the team managed our table of 7 with ease.

Richa Gupta Bitta

This used to be my favorite restaurant, the vibe is still outstanding but food taste has really changed. Its very average. Salads are fresh and divine. We ordered Chicken, lobster, seafood pasta as entree and didn’t quite like the taste.

Chad Cesaro

I guess people in this area have never been to a proper high end restaurant before? The food was good entree wise. Most of the appetizers were bland or lacking. The service was fairly attentive but none of the wait staff could clearly explain any of the dishes, especially the Specials. The olive oil was NOT good. CHECK YOUR RECEIPT. A bunch of random sides that nobody asked for were added to the bill.

+13

My girlfriend and I visited this place the other night and the atmosphere was great but when we went to order, the waiter told us we could not just order appetizers and we had to order an entire three course meal. He told us it is not allowed to just order appetizers mind you we ordered about 4 to 5 appetizers. Which weren’t cheap either they were about $20-$25 a plate. I checked their website that is not posted anywhere on their website, and I believe the waiter was just trying to coerce us into ordering more food. Food was alright but wouldn’t be coming back here.