Al Awael Restaurant مطعم الاوائل

Delicious and authentic Iraqi food and superb service. The mixed grills tray is outstanding!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Kabob Tray, Mixed Grill Platter with Chicken and Beef

Some of the best Middle Eastern food I’ve had, including the best hummus I’ve ever had. Not enough superlatives for the quality of the dishes!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very nice restaurant, they have a great food and wonderful services, I recommend it :).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pierre and the family are so nice. They’re good taste so good and the service here is amazing. They really make you feel like family

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Climate control is too loud in the restaurant. They crank up the music to mask it which doesn't really help.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

We had the Tashreeb Laham was excellent! The food was delicious, and they even serve complimentary lentil soup, warm bread, and black tea with your meal. Everything was flavorful and very satisfying. Highly recommend the place for great food and a welcoming experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is amazing and the people are awesome. Would definitely want to come here again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’ve ate here countless times now and the food is amazing and their family is so sweet. Must try Mediterranean food in El Cajon

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food and service the family here is so nice

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Beef kabob was delicious. Customer service was excellent. Very clean and beautiful restaurant.

I would say the best restaurant in all San Diego. Must visit! The food was super delicious. Super clean and great service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I recently visited Al Awael Restaurant on a Thursday night with my family, and it turned out to be one of our favorite dining experiences in the area. We showed up around 7:20 PM without realizing they close at 8:00 PM, but the staff was so welcoming and kind. They didn’t hesitate to seat us and made sure we could enjoy a relaxed meal without any rush. That genuine hospitality really made the evening special.
Our server, Pierre, was fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and thoughtfully recommended three different items that perfectly matched what we were in the mood for. We went with his suggestions, and everything was outstanding.
The chicken dishes were incredible & The lamb dish was the highlight, tender and falling off the bone, so soft and full of rich flavor. We paired it all with their perfectly cooked rice, which had that wonderful aromatic touch. The Iraqi salad was fresh, vibrant, and absolutely delicious, adding the ideal bright contrast to the meats.
The biggest win was my mom, who’s notoriously picky and rarely enjoys food from any outside restaurant. She loved everything: the rice, the salad, the tender meats… she cleaned her plate and even commented on how much she enjoyed it. That alone speaks volumes!
The restaurant itself is beautiful, with fresh new decor under new ownership in the last 8 months or so. It feels modern, welcoming, and cozy, perfect for a family meal. The atmosphere is warm and inviting.
If you haven’t tried Al Awael Restaurant yet, I highly recommend it! The authentic Iraqi flavors, friendly staff (big thanks again to Pierre for checking on us and making sure everything was perfect), and stunning space make it a standout spot. We’re already looking forward to going back. 5 stars all the way! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best costumer service and best food, five stars it's not enough.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We stopped in for a small dinner and ordered the beet, feta and walnut salad which was excellent. We also ordered cheese and chicken burek which are said to be made from scratch. The burek were fantastic. We will be going back often!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Al Awael Restaurant is hands down one of the best spots for authentic Middle Eastern food. The flavors are rich, fresh, and perfectly seasoned — you can really tell everything is made with care.