A MODERN
MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE
Nestled along the Gloucester waterfront, Yella celebrates the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.
Our menu features dishes that are meant to be shared and savored. From crispy, pan-seared dayboat fish and tender, slow-roasted meats, to decadent pastas and locally caught shellfish. Every bite is crafted to transport you to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, where meals are about more than just food — they're about creating lasting memories with the people who matter most.
Whether you choose to dine indoors in the cozy warmth of our inviting dining room, or enjoy the crisp coastal air on our alfresco deck, every meal is enhanced by our curated selection of freshly shaken craft cocktails, boutique wines, artisanal brews, and small-batch spirits. We're all about good company and great food in a relaxed atmosphere — because life's too short to not savor the moment.
Yella's History
Yella opened its doors in Andover in 2009, the same year Danielle and Carlo Berdahn were married. From the beginning, their vision was clear: to create a welcoming neighborhood restaurant that honored their Mediterranean roots and shared passion for fresh, expressive food.
What began as a local gem quickly drew wider attention. With Carlo’s bold, soulful cooking and Danielle’s thoughtful hospitality, Yella earned recognition from The TODAY Show, Phantom Gourmet, and New England Living — each celebrating the restaurant’s vibrant flavors and inviting atmosphere.
In 2019, the Berdahns expanded to Gloucester — a town close to their hearts. It’s where Danielle spent summers growing up, and where the couple said their vows. Opening a second Yella in this coastal community felt both personal and full-circle, with a deep connection to place.
The Gloucester location quickly developed a loyal following. Accolades from outlets like Food & Wine, The Boston Globe, and Home Life & Style followed, but it’s the relationships with guests that matter most to the Berdahns.
In 2024, after 15 memorable years, Danielle and Carlo lovingly turned the page on Yella’s Andover chapter — filled with gratitude for the community that supported them from the start. With hearts full, they shifted their focus to Yella on the Water in Gloucester, where their passion now overlooks the harbor in a town that’s always felt like home.
Yella continues to evolve, rooted in the same values that started it all: vibrant food, genuine hospitality, and a love for bringing people together.
At Yella, the flavors run deep — and so do the hearts behind them.
MEET THE TEAM
and how Yella came to be
Carlo Berdahn
Chef Carlo Berdahn’s culinary journey began long before he stepped into a professional kitchen — it was born around a family table in North Lebanon, where food wasn’t just nourishment, it was celebration. In a home filled with laughter, love, and the scent of slow-simmered stews and sizzling spices, Carlo discovered early on that food had the power to connect people, to tell stories, and to create memories that last a lifetime.
Eager to turn this lifelong passion into a career, Carlo earned his degree in Hotel Management from Lebanese University Al-Ab-Nader and went on to train at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel in Beirut. There, he immersed himself in the culinary traditions of France, Italy, Thailand, and the Middle East — an education that shaped not only his skills, but his signature style: refined yet soulful, elevated yet deeply rooted in heritage.
In 2001, Carlo brought that passion across the ocean to the United States, where he opened The Phoenicia Cafe on Cape Cod. With a menu inspired by his upbringing and executed with classical finesse, the restaurant quickly became a local favorite — catching the attention of food writers and loyal guests alike who were captivated by his ability to turn every dish into a journey.
His reputation soon led him to The Catered Affair, one of New England’s most renowned culinary teams, where he cooked for presidents, senators, celebrities, and world-class events. But no matter how high-profile the guest list, Carlo never lost sight of what truly mattered: sharing real, honest food made with heart.
It was during his time at The Catered Affair that Carlo met Danielle. A kindred spirit with a deep love for taking care of people and making them feel at home through food. While she didn’t share his dream of opening a restaurant at first, Danielle believed in his passion and talent. What began as a leap of faith became one of the most rewarding decisions of their lives — and from that leap, Yella was born: a heartfelt, vibrant expression of everything they’ve come to cherish about food, family, and hospitality.
Yella is more than a restaurant — it’s the expression of Carlo’s journey, from the sun-drenched kitchens of Lebanon to the tables of discerning New England diners. It’s a place where every bite tells a story, every meal is an experience, and every guest is family.
Danielle Berdahn
For Danielle Berdahn, food has always meant more than nourishment — it’s love, it’s memory, it’s home. Some of her earliest and most cherished memories are of Sundays at her Nana’s house, where 29 grandchildren would gather around a bustling table. Somehow, Nana knew everyone’s favorite dish — a quiet act of love that left a lasting impression on Danielle. From a young age, she understood that great meals are about more than flavor — they’re about making people feel seen, comforted, and cared for.
That deep appreciation for food and connection eventually led Danielle to Florence, Italy, where she studied and immersed herself in the rhythms of Italian life; long lunches with friends, sun-drenched vineyard tours in Tuscany, and intimate cooking classes tucked into ancient stone kitchens. There, she fell in love with the Italian philosophy of savoring: every bite, every sip, every shared moment. Her travels didn’t stop in Italy, Danielle has since explored over 30 countries, collecting flavors, traditions, and inspiration from around the world, all of which she brings back to the table at Yella.
After graduating from Providence College with a degree in Marketing and Finance, Danielle began her professional journey at Boston’s prestigious Four Seasons Hotel, working in the acclaimed fine-dining restaurant Aujourd’hui. It was there she refined her palate, deepened her knowledge of food and wine, and trained under some of the industry’s finest hospitality experts.
In 2006, Danielle joined The Catered Affair as an event manager, where she planned hundreds of high-profile events at venues across New England — from intimate weddings to dazzling galas — for clients including President Bill Clinton, Magic Johnson, and Robert Kraft. Her warmth, precision, and genuine care turned large-scale events into memorable, personal experiences.
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It was during her time at The Catered Affair that Danielle met Carlo — a chef whose culinary passion and heritage ran as deep as her own. At first, she wasn’t sold on his dream of opening a restaurant. But Carlo dreamed so big, so vividly, that eventually, Danielle saw it too. In 2009, they opened the original Yella in Andover — the same year they got married. That whirlwind season marked the start of something extraordinary: a life built around love, food, and shared purpose.
With Danielle’s refined hospitality and global inspiration, and Carlo’s bold, heart-rooted culinary expertise, the couple created a restaurant that is more than a place to eat — it’s a place to gather, to feel cared for, and to experience something truly special. Their synergy is baked into every dish, every detail, and every warm welcome guests receive.
WE LOVE LOCAL!
When you dine at Yella, you support a whole community of local businesses
INTERSHELL
GLOUCESTER, MA
Intershell offers only wild caught, all natural shellfish and seafood of the highest quality, from Gloucester Fishermen.
OZ WINE COMPANY
HAVERHILL, MA
Champions of small farming families who carefully tend their vines, Oz Wine Company distributes a unique portfolio of organic, biodynamic & sustainable wines. Their wines of distinction and character make thoughtful additions to our collection.
SEABOARD PRODUCTS
DANVERS, MA
Carrying a full craft beer portfolio, Seaboard Products fulfills our love for serving local beer at Yella. With favorites like the Bad Martha Island IPA from Martha’s Vineyard, to the Finestkind IPA from Vermont, we are always excited to add unique New England selections to our list.
PRIVATEER
IPSWICH, MA
We carry on this spirit of New England independence and gritty determination by dedicating ourselves to making only the finest rums possible through our uncompromising adherence to the use of best ingredients and best practices..
OLMSTEAD WINE CO.
BOSTON, MA
We proudly partner with Olmstead Wine Co. to offer organic, biodynamic wines that align with our values and elevate every Mediterranean dish we serve.
GEORGE'S BAKERY
METHUEN, MA
The Original George’s Bakery in Methuen, MA makes and distributes authentic international cuisine, offering high quality, fresh and classic flavor profiles that have become too rare in modern times. George’s Bakery products are always baked fresh. Our vast selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods will bring back cherished memories to the old, and inspiration to the young.
DEANOS'S PASTA SHOP
SOMERVILLE, MA
Deano's Pasta Shop are fourth generation local pasta makers in Somerville, MA and happen to be one of the oldest fresh pasta companies in the country as they have been making artisan noodles, raviolis, and sauces since 1947.
K MODERN
Woodworker Scott Kelley and his shop, K Modern are the magicians behind our incredible wood tables at both of our locations. Check him out on IG.
GIVING BACK
Charitable giving is something that Yella has been committed to since the day we opened. Thank you to all of our loyal customers for helping us build a business that has the opportunity to give back. Because of your support we are able to pay it forward to those in need. Having a small business that gives back to the community to make it a better place is of the utmost importance to us and we are so grateful to be able to work with the following inspiring and amazing organizations and professionals.
OUR PARTNERSHIP >
LAZARUS HOUSE MINISTRIES
The Lazarus House is one of those organizations that makes you just want to do more. Through their provision of emergency shelter, transitional housing, food pantries &work preparation opportunities, the Lazarus House helps thousands of poor, underserved and homeless individuals & families on a daily basis. Yella lends support to the Lazarus house with charitable menu offerings, job placement opportunities, meal donations and support of Project Bethlehem which affords deserving families a bountiful Christmas full of gifts, food and cheer.
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OUR PARTNERSHIP >
TRANSITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM
One of our favorite and most rewarding opportunities is with the TOPs program. For young individuals with special needs looking to gain workplace experience, Yella provides dedicated mentoring opportunities focusing on work skills training and one on one guidance. The perseverance, sincerity and enthusiasm of our students is truly inspiring.
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OUR PARTNERSHIP >
BOSTON BAKES FOR BREAST CANCER
Yella is honored to help end breast cancer one sweet at a time. Through its dessert-oriented events, Boston Bakes is a grassroots organization committed to supporting breast cancer research & treatment. Yella supports Boston Bakes each spring with the entire proceeds of a custom made dessert from our menu going directly to the organization.
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OUR PARTNERSHIP >
ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN HOSPITAL
We proudly supported our employee running the Boston Marathon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their mission—to advance cures for pediatric diseases and treat every child regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay—is one we deeply believe in. We're honored to support both our team and children in need.
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Some other organizations close to our hearts that we love to support include:
JUVENILE DIABETES
RESEARCH FOUNDATION
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM
TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRAR
NORTHSHORE CIVIC BALLET
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
YMCA
RUN FOR THE TROOPS
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
& LOCAL SCHOOLS
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MERRIMACK VALLEY FOOD BANK
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NEIGHBORS IN NEED
GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL
JOHN ESTRELLA FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
TEMPLE EMMANUEL
PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN
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AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
cancer.org
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ANDONA SOCIETY
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GOT ORPHANS
ANDOVER YOUTH SERVICES
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NORTHEAST ARC
MSPCA
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAWRENCE
ST. JUDE'S