Mouthwatering Middle Eastern in Boston

East Side Pockets

★★★★★ 4.6 (1348) • $$

"I forgot how much I loved this place! My favorite thing to do is order takeout and then go eat in in a nearby park. The food is always amazing and reasonably priced... also, they are open late! Small inside and some space to eat outside. There is a small updated bathroom for customers only if you ask for the key.I've tried almost every protein wrap and they are all fantastic. Gyro, gyro/falafel and chicken/falafel with everything are some of my favorites. I do also love the kafta and next on my list to try is the beef steak kabob. If I want extra protein I might try the gyro/chicken combo. The salads and plate dinners are amazing as well- so much to chose from! The line can sometimes be a bit long but it moves decently fast.Not much else to say, just great quality food! I'm glad this place has survived Thayer St. for so long:)"

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."

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."

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."

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."

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!"

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!"

Mediterranean Turkish Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (384) • $

"I love a good Mediterranean meal and if I can find Adana kebabs it is an even bigger win. This was our second visit for lunch. I had the Adana kebabs, they said they were spicy and they were. I got the wrap and that is all you get. If you want a side you will need to order it separately. My husband had the chicken shawarma, it was ok. Not enough flavor, kinda bland. Our daughter had the shawarma plate and that was very good. Lots of fun things included like hummus, rice, taziki and pita. Service is from the walk up counter. You order and take a table number to your seat. Nice selection of dressings and spices available for diners to grab for their table. Seating area was clean."

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!"

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!!"

Sonia's Near East Market & Deli

★★★★★ 4.6 (269) • $$

"Quick and delightful service at this deli near Rolfe Square. It's a bit out of the way but worth the detour off Reservoir Avenue. They have a small grocery area with Mediterranean food and sweets, along with a great selection of spices for reasonable prices. The deli is the show stopper. I got a sampler with a delicious assortment of Mediterranean snacks anchored by a generous portion of house pita chips. The Tabbouleh salad is perfectly balanced with hummus and stuffed grape leaves, along with olives. The traditional gyro is overflowing with tender meat in a soft fresh wrap. Don't forget a baklava finger to finish the meal.Lots of seating inside their spotless dining room. Kid friendly and accessible with a clean bathroom. A nice little lunch time adventure!"

Sams Falafel & Shawarma

★★★★★ 4.5 (262) • $

"So I'm new to the area and glad to see that Sam's Falafel place is quite within walking distance. I ordered through DoorDash but apparently when I got there the owner Sam (I assumed) were quite critical about DoorDash and I definitely understand it can be tough for small business to survive in today's COVID climate. So I would sympathize with him when he gets heated about the situation. Personally I'll definitely be ordering directly with them in the future.I had a wait a little bit when I arrived for food pick up but the wait was definitely well worth it. They were quite amazing. One of the most juicy and tasty Lamb Shawarma I've tasted and the Falafel was really tasty and fresh too and not dry. The garlic does seem a little strong but while they sandwiches are warm and hot they go quite well in my opinion. So I definitely wish them all the success and continue to produce delicious sandwiches."

Azama Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (344) • $

"Updating my review because I had the chicken shawarma and lamb shawarma plate and this place is amazing! The meat is perfectly cooked -- very flavorful without having a raw gamey taste other places often have. Service is solid. I can attest this is definitely one of Boston's hidden treasures and entire menu is Halal. Can confirm there is sitting area -- definitely casual. Will be back very soon, I want to try other parts of their menu."

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."

Jake's Falafel Corner

★★★★★ 4.6 (214)

"I don't know why I have not been here sooner, I've known about it for years. I recently got the Buffalo flavored falafel and hummus. Delish! Tahini sauce fresh as well, my only complaint is the packaging if the tahini, not secure, and let loose in packaging. I think the cover didn't fit. So I actually got half as much. Will be back, it was VERY satisfying falafel!"

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!"

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."

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!"

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!"

Livi's Pockets

★★★★☆ 4.3 (140) • $

"Y'all, how do I put it? Livi's slaps. The homemade pita chips are just fantastic. So good that I have to hide the container on the way home so that I don't finish them and lose valuable room for their fresh sandwiches. They have cashew, pistachio, and walnut baklava that are literally perfect in their crunch and flakiness. There's spinach pie that sings of lemon and dill and is eminently satisfying to pull apart just to see how gorgeously the soft and yeasty pie separates...I could go on. I learned of all of these delights in the service of getting Livi's sandwiches to go. I'd previously always ordered off of Postmates but the exorbitant fees, along with the uncertainty of whether the order would be accepted and placed in time, actually got me in a car today. To get food. I left my apartment when I had other options available at the click of a button to get Livi's. In 2021, that speaks to how good Livi's is. I generally get the falafel and chicken or falafel sandwiches with eggplant added. The falafels are perfectly seasoned and what I call "optimal wrap falafels." Their size is such that you get falafel in every bite. Their grilled chicken is very juicy and flavorful...if I'm feeling healthier, I'd just get a grilled chicken wrap. Not today, Satan. The falafel and eggplant is decadent in how delicious it is but given other things you could be eating that hit that kind of way, it's not too bad in the overall health scheme of things. I don't know what pita they use but it's the softest with the most satisfying pull. Again, that pull! The pandemic has changed Livi's hours but even then, they'd close by 6 on weeknights and be closed on weekends if I remember. Current hours are 11:00 AM-3:00 PM on weekdays but I'd call ahead. This is absolutely worth structuring your lunch break around. If you're looking for the best falafel sandwiches and PITA CHIPS and spinach pie in Providence, look no further. This, my friends, is manna."

Fattoush Grill & Bakery

★★★★★ 4.7 (114) • $$

"I've been eager to try Fattoush as I am a big fan of middle eastern-Mediterranean cuisine. We stopped in around 7:15pm on a Saturday night and were promptly seated in a fairly empty restaurant, though the dining room quickly filled up after we arrived.We started with an order of hummus and pita. The hummus was very good, as it was smooth and creamy, with pronounced tahini flavor. Forget that supermarket stuff...this is how hummus should be! Unfortunately, it was accompanied by thin, dry pita, that was oddly served in a plastic bag as if prepared for takeout.We shared a Sampler Platter and Shish Tawook. Both of the skinny grape leaves and meat and pumpkin kibbeh had nice flavor and texture. We preferred those to the mild sambousek and grilled kibbeh, which had a very fatty lamb flavor. We were glad to try a variety, but next time I'd stick to the kibbeh and grape leaves. All of the appetizers were enhanced by dipping in the hummus, so highly recommend getting at least one accompanying dip.The Shish Tawook was flavorful, but not spicy. A few pieces were dry though, and again, without any provided tahini, z'houg or garlic sauce, the hummus was necessary to complete the dish.The atmosphere is hard to describe. It is a step up from a counter service chain restaurant, as there is table service. But, water is only available in plastic bottles for sale, and the only drink options are cans/bottles (no glasses on table). It is very kid friendly...perhaps an understatement...even at 8:00pm on a Saturday night, noisy kids being ignored by their parents were blaring iPhones, etc. Certainly not the dining table etiquette our family practices, so just set your expectations accordingly. They do seem to do a significant takeout business, which might be the way to go. It's also a bit odd that they automatically charge a 3% credit card convenience fee without even asking how you will be paying.I'll likely return to try a shawarma sandwich or something, as they seem better suited for a grab and go casual set up, though the prices are more reflective of a full service dining experience."

El Basha Restaurant - Westborough

★★★★☆ 3.6 (172) • $$

"Simple and cozy but, no Mediterranean ambiance. I came with a friend and we were greeted nicely by a young attendant. This place is family owned as he explained and you could feel that. I ordered yogurt drink and chicken kabob. The yogurt drink, it was my first time trying it and I just loved it. It was bit of a hot day and this drink did wonders in my mouth. On the main dish, taste was good but, the chicken, somehow was condimentes with not so Mediterranean flavor. It had a hint of Asian flavor in it and didn't know how to explain that. But, in general food was good. I'll have to comeback and try something else next time."

Bay State Shawarma and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (118) • $

"The shawarma I got here was bomb. Falafel wasn't dry. Pita was crispy. Pickles were fresh.Couldn't ask for more.I think it's funny there's a dude that owns a lounge that sells Middle Eastern food, complaining about the size when the shawarma sandwiches you get in Dubai are 2/3 the size of Bay State."

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."

Simcha

★★★★★ 4.5 (81)

"Had a fantastic dinner at Simcha tonight. Five of us shared a few small plates and a couple of entrees and everything was delicious. We had Carrots, beets, Hummus, cauliflower, Salmon and Israeli wine and everything was outstanding. Service was great as well. We will definitely be going back regularly."

Dates and Olives Natick

★★★★☆ 3.6 (125)

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

El Basha Restaurant - Belmont St

★★★★☆ 3.6 (120) • $$

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.""

Kous-Kous

★★★★☆ 4.4 (66)

"Ordered on Uber eats! Got the mix chicken and beef shawarma plate, it came when rice, hummus, falafels, and a tomato cucumber salad. It was very tasty, both meats was tender and flavorful and the rice was delicious! I ordered some pita on the side with both the garlic dip and the saffron aioli. All the dips was good. Got a side of fries but they were pretty soggy by the time it arrived. Baklava was flaky and is one of the better ones I had in a while!"

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."

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."

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"

El Basha Restaurant - Park Ave

★★★★☆ 3.5 (90) • $$

"A quiet night with a light drizzle drew us to to El Basha to share a meal and an appetizer. I was told to give it a try by a coworker. The hostess was prompt and friendly inviting us to choose our seating as it was a slow night. We chose the bar. Bartender was impersonal but friendly enough. She was quite busy which was odd due to the low crowd. We went with the tuna tartare ($10) and the vegetarian port saiid ($16) with a beer and Mai Thai. They don't have a cocktail menu. Tuna tartare missed the mark. A much too hefty portion of tuna was cut unevenly thick and mushy atop a romaine leaf. Tuna was nervously not fresh, and it was dressed up with spices and chopped herbs to add some good flavor profiles, which sadly did not reconcile the tuna. Two bites and was over it. I would have liked a smaller portion and more attention to detail and quality. There were no crackers to accompany but we used complimentary pita bread for a starch base. The vegetarian port saiid was even more disappointing. It took far too long to come out, and it reminded me of a dish I would throw together with what's in my fridge forgetting to add seasoning. The dish was hot, but it was bland. Had to salt n pepper it. Finished half the dish and held my tongue while paying. Simply subpar. Overall the food disappointed me and my partner, and having been glad to check El Basha off the local restaurants list, I am not surprised I had never been and don't see much of a reason to return."

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!!"

Golden Pockets

★★★★☆ 4.3 (45)

"We ordered a FEW sundries from Golden Pockets to round out a dinner of leftovers recently. I've been aware of this place's presence for quite some time and finally arrived to an ideal time. We only ordered a few items: labneh, pita chips, fries, and falafel wrap. They labneh they provide is a MASSIVE portion. It's essentially one of those clear side-portion take out containers filled with thick, creamy, and smooth labneh. They top it with probably za'atar and another spice along with some olive oil. Once you get through the top layer with the seasoning, it's a bit bland. It's an excellent accompaniment to chips or pita though. The pita chips are some of the most crisp chips I've ever had in my life. These are no store-bought, from-the-bag pita chips. They definitely made this shit in house. They were for sure fried and very greasy, I might avoid if you have gallbladder issues. They include two small condiment containers of hummus which was pretty standard in quality. The fries were crispy and they provided a large portion. The falafel was just ok, I've had better elsewhere. The wrap included an aggressive amount of pickled vegetables which isn't my preference. Maybe some lettuce or israeli/arabic salad and tahini sauce? It wasn't my personal predilection but Tina enjoyed it. I'm curious about trying some of their platters but I'd skip the falafel wrap next time. I also would like to become better acquainted with their hummus."