The Best Middle Eastern in Boston

Eastern Lamejun Bakers

★★★★☆ 4.4 (93) • $

"If you're near Belmont, I recommend swinging by this little Armenian market to check out the treasures inside. I was looking up parking for Praline just a few streets down and saw ELB on the map and was immediately intrigued, having never heard of a lamejun before. I wish I had some more time to peruse the aisles but we walked away with some goodies: a bag of dried green lentils, some grape leaves, a meat lamejun, and two boxes of baklava. The baklava were a hit at the party we brought them to, though, of the two kinds we purchased, I preferred the smaller, rolled-up, bite-sized version (I looked it up - the "finger" baklava. Very apt!). The second were these massive squares, sliced diagonally in half - maybe the ozel kara baklava? They had a generous spread of crushed pistachios, my favorite nut; my only complaint was they were a tad hard to eat and divide into smaller portions. Now that I think about it some more, the better way to eat these would be to pop them in the oven so the honey melts just a little.I thought the grape leaves were all right, maybe too much on the sour and garlicky side for me. My husband loved them. Lamejun looks like a cross between a pizza and a savory pancake, topped with a layer of ground meat, tomatoes, herbs. They have three kinds here - the traditional meat, a chicken (lower in sodium and cholesterol, as promised on the box), and a vegetarian. We went with the meat. I brought it to a party as the perfect snack. All you need is a few minutes in the broiler or the oven so the edges get perfectly golden-brown crispy. For a dozen of these babies, it was about $25. I should've asked the nice lady at the cashier if these are freezable. On my list for next time: the eggplant dip and beet salad, as well as the other kinds of baklava and turnovers. Near the cashier is also quite the selection of feta. (I don't understand another review calling the arrangement of the items like a "garage sale." Everything was pretty neatly organized and resembled any other small specialty market.)Parking: lots of street options in front of the store."

Black Seed Cafe & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (294) • $

"Food was delicious! We tried Black seed based off a recommendation and glad we had it. Good seating available and service was great. Employees were really helpful and brought our order to us when it was ready. We went with the shawarma chicken and rice plate and a chicken kabob and rice plate. It comes with salad and garlic sauce for the chicken. The sauce was delicious, and the rice was so soft and fluffy. The chicken was very flavorful and delicious. Salad was great too and came with dressing. For the price it's a lot of food and we had leftovers which was convenient. Location is right next to Boston commons as well which makes easy to stop by!"

Fordee's Falafel & Deli

★★★★☆ 4 (160) • $

"I really adore the family that runs this little operation. As much as they bear the aura of *nonchalant-no-nonsense-straightforward*, they are actually very nice (and sometimes quite funny) folk. I recall one conversation the lady was having with an obvious regular over the phone. She had asked him several times what they wanted to order...I could tell that they had probably ate the whole menu at this point but couldn't decide in the moment. A few minutes later, I heard her say in an exasperated voice, "Oh, yoooooouuuuuu *KILL* meeeeeeee, please tell me what you want." (Note too that she says this in a particular sarcastic accent that literally made me absolutely LAUGH deep inside. Long story short, they continue for a bit on the phone and she finally finalizes the phone order.)I also fondly recall my first visit. I had ordered other dishes to try (none of which were Falafel despite it being part of the restaurant name). It was still pretty quiet as I literally got there as they were turning their open sign. Moments after I received my food, the owner himself stopped by the table with a small sample of his falafels after finding out it was my first time there. That short interchange immediately cemented their name in my list of places to dine. Why?They definitely serve some of the best falafels I've had stateside to date. And on top of that, I truly enjoyed the rest of the plates I've ordered so far. It's one of those places that just somehow tackles your palate with simplicity and complexity making you feel like you're at home and dining out at the same time."

Falafel King

★★★★☆ 4.1 (273) • $

"Wow that was good. I hadn't gone to FK for years but after a vacation of too much meat, a falafel wrap sounded good. And it was, crispy falafel and lots of salad to make it feel more healthy. I get garlic sauce instead of tahini and it's yummy. It feels like it could have been wrapped a little better but not a big deal, food is ready in a minute and hits the spot."

Rami's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (450) • $$

"So good that I had to come back because I just couldn't stop thinking about it! The falafel and hummus pita is filling and well worth it. I brought my grandparents here and they loved it! The owner came out and talked to them which made the visit feel a little extra special. Service is friendly and ambiance is comfortable because of it! It may not look like much from the outside, but trust me, go in. You won't regret it!"

Shawarma Falafel

★★★★☆ 4.3 (481)

"Food was terrific and delicious. There was a little bit of a wait since there were only 2 people working. The man who helped us was very nice. We had the beef platter with rice, falafel and hummus. It was so freakin good! We also had the chicken shawarma with fries and that was also outstanding. First time having Lebanese food and we were totally impressed. A worthy 4.5 star rating!"

Kaza Maza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (65) • $$

"This place is absolutely, positively delicious and by far the best Middle Eastern Restaurant I've been to in New England. The only time I've had anything comparable is when I was in the Middle East. I ordered the Kaza Maza Mix, which is grilled steak, chicken, and I believe it's Kofta with rice and grilled veggies. The meat was very juicy, lightly seasoned and had a chargrilled flavor. The quality of the meat itself tasted like it was top shelf.I ordered takeout, and the employee who I spoke to in front of the restaurant was very friendly and efficient with my payment as well as retrieving my order from the kitchen. The ambiance had Middle Eastern decor, and it looked like a great place to bring family and friends. I highly recommend this spot,it is outstanding, and I can't wait to try another dish!!ODLConnect with me!IG & YouTube: @AOEAT"

Falafel King

★★★★☆ 3.7 (91) • $

"I needed to grab a quick lunch before catching a train, and I remember passing by here close to the station. It was set up chipotle-style and I was given a complimentary falafel dunked in hummus before I started ordering. Good! but I ate it too fast and it was a struggle digesting it lol. I got their chicken kebab sandwich and grabbed some hot sauce on the side. I liked my food, had a lot of sauce in it which leaked towards the end but it was tasty and filling. Would want to try again when I'm back in town and when I have more time to enjoy it."

Falafel Mom

★★★★★ 4.7 (17)

"I really enjoyed my Chicken Shawarma plate, which came with a side salad, hummus, and a couple sauces. It is on the pricier side for a fast casual meal, but I'd order it again when in the mood for Middle Eastern food."

Brookline Lunch

★★★★☆ 4.1 (671) • $$

"My absolute favorite brunch spot in Cambridge! There is a long wait time, specially on weekend mornings, but honestly it just flies by when you're catching up with a friend.Their baklava pancakes are a must order, absolutely unique and delicious and hits the spot. The service is also very quick and the folks working there are so kind. Really great experience here!"

Kun Kabob and Curry

★★★★★ 4.5 (13)

Lil M's Mart

★★★★★ 4.6 (76) • $

"Delicious, fresh middle eastern sandwiches. Super nice people. Not fancy inside, but it's good where it counts, the food. We will be back."

Habibi's Middle Eastern Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (330) • $$

"Great new find in North Attleboro. I now have a go-to spot for Mediterranean food! Stopped in on a Friday evening around 7pm. It seemed like the to-go orders were keeping them busy as opposed to the dine-in. When you walk in you'll notice the restaurant is divided into a dining area and a pick up food area. I was immediately greeted and was able to pick my seating over in the dining area. My server Katie (not sure of spelling) was super awesome!! She provided drink recommendations, helped with picking out my meal, and checked on me throughout the evening. I ended up going with the mixed grill for 1. It comes with rice pilaf and veggies. I added the Fattoush salad, which is a delicious fresh mix of veggies...to include fresh mint, parsley, and crunchy pita chips with a light vinaigrette. The mixed grill for 1 is a perfect size for 1. You get a sampling of each of the meats served on top of the rice. I like spice so I asked for the side of "house spicy" which is their hot sauce. It was nice to add to my rice and meat and mixed well with the garlic aioli and hummus. Each of the meats from the mixed grill were well seasoned and perfectly cooked. My favorite meat was the beef kabob. I really enjoyed the evening. Food is amazing, service is great, and the overall vibe within the restaurant was just a win. I heard they also host various events throughout the year. I'll be on the lookout for those. Can't wait to return!!"

Boston Pita Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (64) • $

"Best alternative that they can have at the mall for healthier food since Subway disappeared.Was very impressed with the size of the salads. All their food is made with fresh ingredients. So that's a plus -because at the actual food court you're not going to encounter that.Husband had the steak plate and loved it. Friendly customer service as well."

Baba Ghannooj

★★★★☆ 4.3 (83) • $

"Baba black sheep, have you any hummus?Yes Fox, yes Fox, but no bags of pita for you.I can't give this little family-owned store/restaurant in rural Massachusetts less than a 5-star because the Baba "Ghannooj" (I've never seen it spelled like that but what do I know) is freaking amazing.Other places make crappy "Babaghanoush" or mediocre "Babaganoush", but when I find a good one, I can swim in it, bathe in it, writhe in it, and... ok that's enough.Basically it's Eggplant dip. It's a lot like Hummus but with a distinct taste and texture of Roasted Eggplant (that's Aubergine to the French and British among you).Service here was nice, and he insisted I try some free desserts, which I wasn't crazy about, but they were free!I didn't like the price of the Baba, and I especially didn't like that I didn't get any pita with it. It was a pita that it worked out that way. Or more of a P.I.T.A.Luckily I had bread from my previous food stops so I was able to thoroughly enjoy it.When it comes to Middle Eastern spreads, this place raises the Ba-ba for Baba "Ghannooj.""

Aladdin

★★★★★ 4.5 (38) • $

"Why didnt i get here earlier? I am livid with myself that i have been ignoring the 10 mins walk for so long. Finally went here and wow it is good. Well, now i have another reason to come to office. Ordered the chicken kabab meal and boy the chicken was juicy. It was grilled fresh however it did come out of the refrigerator so initially i was a bit skeptical. The hummus was another gem. Now i want to try their babaghanoush and the falafel. judging( yeah totally) by the taste of the hummus and sure the other stuff is going to be great. It is a rarity that the stuff feels so fresh and tastes so good and different from the most places."

Fantastic Pizza & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (71) • $

"We have been making our way through Worcester's eats via delivery because going out requires getting dressed, putting on shoes, getting transportation, etc. Ain't nobody got time for all of that nonsense. Any place that offers both pizza, fries, cheesy fries, AND some sort of ethnic cuisine is a valuable asset. Fantastic offers all of that shit and with a name like "fantastic", how can you go wrong? We ordered from here last night. We ordered a small pizza to allow us more room for other stuff, with two toppings: garlic and olives. We also ordered 2 samosas, baba ganooj, gobhi manchurian, and HAD to get the falafel after the menu said they have the best falafel of Worcester (competition is steep, I'm sure). Food came quicker than expected. The pizza is just ok. It's fine because it's bread, sauce, and cheese but I actually prefer domino's pizza. They also only give you two options: small and large. If you're ordering just for the pizza, I'd probably order elsewhere although the pizza game in Worcester isn't strong to begin with. The only thing is they have INDIAN PIZZAS. We didn't try this, but it is probably amazing. The cauliflower was delicious. The sauce is thick and very flavorful. They also throw in some peppers in there for the sake of variety. The falafel was incredibly crispy and crunchy. We ordered it in wrap form and the wrap was huge. The baba ganooj was also very flavorful, creamy, and smooth. The bread provided isn't quite adequate so either order more, use your own bread, or have some chips on hand to take care of the rest. We were actually too full to have the samosas so they were saved for the following day. Even as leftovers they were delicious. They are PHAT and stuffed with spiced potatoes, peas, and some other good flavored shit.This place is a good delivery/take out place but I don't think pizza is their strength."

El Laham Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (58)

"The food was so good, restaurant has sections for smoking and non smoking, we sat in non smoking, service was good they brought the food and bottles of water, they didn't check on us the entire time but we didn't really mind or need anything. I wanted to order dessert but was way too full, portions are huge btw. Definitely worth a try."

Sound Bites Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1266) • $$

"Everything you could want in a local breakfast diner. The service was friendly and incredibly fast. Laid back atmosphere where everyone was having a great time. We arrived at 10 am and there was only a 10 minute wait. Parking is very limited on the street though. The food was great. Classic lox bagel and French toast. Hash browns that are actually mashed potatoes. Actually pretty good. Food came out in 5 minutes. The iced coffee was meh but self serve coffee bar meant an easy fix with milk and syrups. Prices are reasonable and the portions are big."

Ajeen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (96)

"Ajeen offers traditional Middle Eastern flatbreads that are hard to find at most places. They not only offer the more traditional options, but they've created a fun twist by making the flatbreads into sandwiches. All the bread is made fresh on site when you place an order. And all of their meats are halal. Ajeen has very close vibes to Manakish in Philadelphia. Everything is honestly really good, so if you follow personal preference you'll land on a good option. We really enjoyed the chicken and soujouk sandwiches. Prices are fair, portions are good, and they offer indoor and outdoor seating."

Dates and Olives Natick

★★★★☆ 3.6 (125)

"Great Food! Great Staff Delicious Hummus ! Service was excellent, laid back ambiance and plenty of seating !"

Falafel Corner

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (283) • $

"We stopped by at Felafel Corner during a quick stop at Harvard Square. I had heard the reminiscences from my fiancé during past visits and had to try it for myself. I ordered the lamb shawarma plate which also came with a side order of salad. The lamb was very well seasoned and the hot sauce was quite hot which I appreciated. The salad tasted very fresh, and paired nicely with the white sauce. And the portion sizes were very generous, enough for 2 meals. I appreciated the requirement for masks before entering the business, and there wasn't much room inside so you could only place an order for pickup. I definitely recommend stopping by whenever you're in the area to satisfy your middle eastern cuisine cravings!"

Sarma

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1257)

"Thank you Sarma for giving me a favorite restaurant in Boston! They're rated by several sources as one of Boston's top restaurants, for good reason. Reservations are difficult to come by but they seem to have a decent amount of seating by the bar.Dishes are not delicious and made with high quality ingredients, they're also beautifully presented and very creative with the flavors. My favorites were the cornbread (very filling, loved the peppers and feta inside) and duck (super juicy and flavorful); would 100% order again. Fried chicken (off-menu; from what I can tell, it comes out about every hour, starting roughly at 5:30) was very solid. I greatly enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, which also were super flavorful (loved that garlic aioli on the bottom). For dessert we had the "baklava cones", which was a light, refreshing way to end the meal."

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (966)

"We headed to Sofra solely based on Yelp reviews and proximity to where we were. When we got there, the lines were almost out the door and both the inside and outside seating was practically filled to capacity. That is usually a good sign!We ordered the breakfast sandwich and the strawberry sweet cheese brioche. While we waited for our order, two seats at a communal table opened up, so we snagged them. My pastry was so good and my husband enjoyed his breakfast sandwich. The inside is quaint and lots of people were packed in there with the limited seating. They also sell prepackaged goods and sandwiches."

Abu Yarub AL-SHAMI

★★★★★ 4.6 (40)

"Al-Shami is a tiny fast food joint, however the food is HUGE on flavor! Most people order for take out but don't mind the 10-15 minutes wait for preparation. Today there was only one man working and I was surprised by how quick and organized he was. Very smooth order and check out process. I LOVED the shish tawouk (chicken kabob) plate that comes with rice, pickles, and homemade garlic sauce. The portion is perfect for one person and reasonably priced at $10. The chicken shawarma wrap with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries is also delicious. The mohammara (mashed walnuts and red peppers) dip doesn't come with any bread, but glad we took it to go to use with the pita bread we have at home. You can order a side of pita bread and ask for some olive oil, if you like. I had the best fried sweet balls years ago during my first visit to Syria, where many food vendors serve it hot and fresh from the frying pot. The sweet balls here aren't as fresh but it's enough to satisfy any cravings you might have (for those who've had them before). I will definitely return OFTEN as possible!!"

Garlic 'n Lemons

★★★★☆ 4.1 (665) • $

"This is a solid Mediterranean spot. I tried their spicy beef shawarma plate with fattoush, garlic dip, rice and potatoes, and their spicy garlic sauce. The highlight of the meal was definitely the garlic dip and spicy garlic sauce, which went perfectly with everything! The garlic flavor was super strong. I liked how the spicy garlic sauce had a tanginess to it which balanced out the savory, meaty flavors in the shawarma.The portion was pretty big so I ended up having leftovers. I discovered that the garlic dip completely changes texture when reheated (the oil and garlic split), but it just turned into a very tasty garlic oil.The rice and potatoes were a generous portion but I thought they were just okay. They were good accompaniments to the meat and sauces but were a little plain on their own.We also tried their signature burger which was quite dry and not super impressive. I would much rather get their plates over their burger."

The Halal Guys

★★★★★ 4.6 (11)

"Didn't even know there was a location at South Bay but very welcome as parking is MUCH easier than downtown.Always liked halal guys ever since our many trips to NYC 53rd and 6th days.Usually one plate is enough for me to eat 2 meals which is great! Extra white sauce, couple dribbles of hot sauce mix and enjoy.Usually get the tomatoes, onions, green peppers and jalapeños. I personally would probably stick to the beef only for my taste. Nice flavoring easy protein. The chicken at times could be a bit dry or bland. Decided to try the bbq spicy chicken this time but got mostly sweet and sour taste no kick. You can choose to have salad mixed with the combo and it comes with naan pieces i think haha All in all, great for a quick pop in, service was stellar, staff was super nice and promptly got what you wanted/needed.Will be back"

Halva Kebab

★★★★★ 4.6 (36)

"I have patiently waited for their opening day since first reading that Halva Kebab would be launching at the long vacant space that once was the former New York Diner in Watertown. I was really excited when they finally set their soft opening date on Thanksgiving 2023 with a breakfast buffet; dinner menu would start about two weeks later.Stopping by on a sleepy Monday night for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised to see almost all tables occupied. I was greeted warmly and promptly seated. Having already studied their paper menu from two weeks ago, I already knew what I wanted to try first.From start to finish, every part of the meal was delightful (with ONE slight exception, the grilled tomato could be charred/cooked a tad bit more). Flavors were great, portions were decent, and the aesthetics/plating was superb. I really was impressed. In fact, they just replaced my once favorite spot in Allston.Thank you for the great food and very warm service. I look forward to being back again soon. Cheers!"

Levant Delight

★★★★☆ 4.2 (45)

"Hubby and I were craving Mediterranean food and fortunately stumbled across Levant in Malden on Yelp. Best find in a long time! The name on the building threw us off at first, but if you go to the right street address you're there (#12). Really great guy behind the register that took our order, made our food and delivered it. We ordered a baba ghanouj and eggplant moutabal as apps (came with a generous side of pita slices) and split a chicken shawarma sandwich. The flavors jumped off the plate (the tahini was SO fresh and yummy). Plenty of food for 2, and at $18 total we were definitely the winners tonight. We ate inside, small and clean. Will definitely be back to try even more apps (and a Greek salad next time). Highly recommend you stop by--also as a bonus nice walk up and down Pleasant street after dinner!"

Molana Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (239) • $$

"Only reason anyone would know this place exists is either they stumbled on it or someone told them about it. It is unassuming and semi-tucked away; you wouldn't actually notice them unless you're actively looking. However, that unassuming feeling disappears once you find yourself inside the establishment. There is this feeling that I cannot explain that sends shivers up my spine.One can't help but feel welcome here. Rose is an amazingly friendly soul that just puts you at ease with the tone of her voice. Even the other customers are friendly with the way they acknowledge you as you walk by towards wherever you're seated. There is happy banter in the air and friends of the establishment would often show up and make themselves immediately at home. You get the point. You're welcome here.But what makes it so special to me now is always the food. And for what they already offer to start, that states quite a bit to what I think of this place.There are many Persian/Middle Eastern fare in this area and most serve the usual so nothing seems to really stand out. That is, at least, until you order their Jujeh Kabob (grilled Cornish hen). Sounds simple, looks simple, but the depth of flavor and the tonguegasmic moments you have partaking of the dish changes their level in the culinary game in the area. It was so good, so so good, I felt completely blown away.I raved about it to Rose, who then told the chef-owner, and then told her I'd be back the next day just to try it again. No way it could be that good I thought. I had to come back again to make sure it was indeed the case (instead of ordering it for "dessert" right in the moment).Well, I showed up at lunch again the next day for exactly the same dish. I just had to. I was hooked. I was made a perma-fan.As I write this, I know I'm about to do what most crazy foodies do as they gain traction in their mind. Get ready and go get some more. Time to wrap this up and head there.See you around some time. Definitely recommend their Jujeh Kabob beyond words."

Falafellas

★★★★☆ 4.1 (16)

"A new, great spot in the area. The menu is simple--3 different kinds of falafels served in a couple different ways. I got the herby falafel sandwich, which was tasty and quite filling. And only $6.50! I also tasted the sweet falafel, which was very unique and something I'll consider on my next visit. The server was very friendly and helpful during my first visit. Overall would highly recommend!"

Pita Pocket

★★★★☆ 4.4 (50)

"We stop by occasionally to pick up food to go. Everything we've tried (salads, plates, and wraps) have been fresh and tasty. The folks who work there are so friendly and nice to speak with, they are the best part about visiting the restaurant. Although we've only ever gotten our food to go, the inside is clean and welcoming."

Yums Halal Food

★★★★★ 4.7 (10)

"I was walking by and saw the bright lights, heard music, and that it wasn't packed so I decided to check it out. We needed a low key spot to eat with our toddlers. The place was spacious with plenty of booths. The service was quick and friendly. I decided to get the lamb over rice bowl with quite a few toppings; hummus, hot sauce, tzatziki, onions, peppers, beans, and corn. Everything tasted so fresh, flavorful, and they gave a huge portion of food. They also have a good selection of food; dosas, falafels, sandwiches, gyros, shakes, desserts, etc. Overall, a good spot to get a healthy and fulfilling meal!"

Andala Coffee House

★★★★☆ 3.7 (712) • $$

"This is such a cozy spot to work or meet up with friends. There are tables and mini couches throughout. I've only sat on the main level, but I think they have a downstairs as well. They have a bunch of seating, but it does get pretty busy on the weekends. While they're a coffee/café type place, they still have plenty of regular menu items. I also love that you can order an entire pot of tea.I've stayed here for a few hours at a time, so don't worry if you're looking for a place to stick around for a while. Perfect spot to hang out at on a cold winter day!"

Charlie's Pizza & Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (226) • $

"Our new favorite local spot! As we worked on moving into the neighborhood we found this gem of a resturant nearby and visited good 2-3 times so far. Each time their quality was great, their service was quick for fresh hot food it averagely took maybe 15 minutes at most. Plus they have such a variety of items on the menu I can't wait to try more! Covid-19 precautions: As we arrived masks mandates were lifted in most if not all areas especially for vaccinated citizens so while workers did not wear masks some customers continued to do so when ordering. Inside: There's a good amount of space usually a lot of seating available, and a great casual spot to grab a quick meal on the go or sit down and enjoy your meal with no rush.Service: We visited 3 times so far and each time despite how busy they were we always got friendly and quick service. Food & Price: It's hard to mess up token items like pizza so we had to order cheese and pepperoni combos. Two slices and a drink for $5? Their prices are very affordable which I will be taking full advantage of on a student salary! We also ordered a chicken kabob meal chicken parm over garlic bread sandwhich and falafel wrap the next time. It's important important note their portions are big and there's a good chance you may even have leftovers. Finally followed by breakfast bagel sandwich one morning. All of it was made fresh, hot, and delicious! The taste especially of the Mediterranean food was amazing, some of the best we've had yet! We hope to return often and support our local gems like this awesome resturant definetly recommend checking them out!"