If you are looking for authentic Levant cuisine this is a wonderful dining experience where the chef takes special care to prepare dishes with time and care to present the original flavors of the region.There is no other place in town that takes time to smoke the eggplant for the bubba ganoush, and this one step elevates it from that which is mass presented into an explosion of flavor and texture that will leave you and your table unconsciously releasing audible, "mmmmmmmmmmm!" 's.The kibbee was better than that which my grandmother used to make, and i don't say that lightly, also she passed away so I can't get a smack for saying it now.Fresh roses on the table gives a little elegance to the most casual of dinner meetings.Run don't walk to enjoy the mixed grill and lamb expertly prepared by this extraordinarily talented but humble chef.Mandaloun is a gem of Jacksonville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Randee Maarsh
i visited this place and ordered the falafel wrap. the aura, the vibes the food were all very depressing. i felt uncomfortable in the sense that i did not feel at peace.. there was a sense of restlessness in the restaurent.. and the food was average.. something you can taste at 10 other restaurants serving middle eastern food..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Didi N.
We were craving some Mediterranean food one day and was in the area. Decided on this restaurant due to high ratings and reviews on Google. Upon walking in, you get elevated vibes but if you choose to dine outdoors, it's more casual. We decided to dine outdoors since it was nice and cool outside. Our server who I think is the owner?? took care of us and she was super sweet, attentive, friendly, and patient with me as I asked her questions! Note: they have lunch prices and main course prices. We went after lunch so the prices were a little pricier. We shared the following: Pineapple juice with sparkling water added: 8/10 - the juice was refreshing, not too sweet and the perfect amount of tang. I love sparking juices so this hit the spot for me. You can tell how fresh the juice is! My husband had the Beef Shawarma: 9/10 - we both loved this! It was a good, big portion size, and came with veggies and rice. Everything was seasoned so well and nothing was needed to be added. Their tahini sauce was creamy, flavorful, and went so well with the beef! The beef was tender and the wrap was fluffy!! I appreciate that they so put the sauce on the side so you can add however much sauce you want on it or for dipping. The veggies were fragrant, crisp, and also seasoned well. The yellow rice was my favorite too as I found myself coming back for more, after I had some of my husband's wrap. Baba Ghanoush with pita bread. You also get complementary pita bread too with a dipping sauce, but everything was a 9.5/10 - the pita bread was so fluffy and dipping it in the baba ghanoush was divine! Baba ghanoush is grilled eggplant with sesame cream and lemon. I've tried at other places before but this restaurant blows the other competitors out of the water. It was creamy, light, and you can taste the hint of smokiness in it. The eggplant's taste and texture was so delicate and with the added the pomegranate seeds on top, there was a nice acidity and pop of flavor! 100 percent get this as an appetizer! You won't regret it. Our waitress also brought out a dipping sauce for the pita, I think one was like an olive oil dip with seasonings and lemon juice? The dipping sauce was delicious!! A little bit tangy but the flavors were dancing off my palette. I wanted to try the Soujok (small spicy Lebanese sausages flambé with a tomato, garlic, lemon, and oil sauce) but they were out. So I decided to try the Makanek instead. It's essentially the same thing but the sausages aren't spicy. I would give this dish: 7/10 - the sausages were plump, thick, and juicy. There is a little bit more of acidity in this dish so if you're not into tangy or sour things, then you won't like this. I dipped the sausages into some hot sauce and it elevated the flavors a notch. If you were to get this dish, definitely get some rice to soak up the sauce. I had a bite with the sausage dipped in hot sauce with the yellow rice and it was a really delicious bite. Hope I get to try the spicy sausages next time! If you do dine outside, there are some homeless people that walk around and will occasionally swipe the restaurant's ashtray or two on the table. I saw it happen where a lady did that while my husband was in the restroom. I was so shocked and before I could say anything to her, she left the proximity. I let the restaurant know and they said it's a common occurrence in the area and not much they can do. It didn't bother us and we enjoyed our outdoor dining, It was just an odd thing to see. Overall, we would definitely come back again! Service was amazing, attentive, and we were treated so kindly and warmly. Our food came out in a timely manner too! The price is a little on the pricier side but the portion sizes were good and the food was excellent. We will gladly pay extra for better quality food any day! I really want to come back and try the desserts too! They sounded yummy!
Sarh Max
Our first visit we ordered takeout and was highly impressed by the quality of the food. We noticed a lunch buffet sign and decided to go back next week to try more dishes. I started with a coffee, small and strong!For lunch they offered lentil soup and pita bread to start, then the cold line had at least 6 different salads, 3 dips and 3 deserts. On the hot side they offered 3 vegetarian dishes, rice, chicken kabobs, shrimp, kafta, lamb and okra stew with beef.The food was outstanding and the service matched. The waiter was patient and walked us through the whole buffet explaining the dishes because it was our first visit. Thank you.Buffet price was $21.99
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tabbouleh Salad, Baba Ganoush
John Caron
I have been coming here for 12 years and they always deliver on quality, taste, professionalism and atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BIANCA FERRARI
This food is amazing ! Everything is made from scratch! Great services as
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daysee Bianchi
Delicious Middle Eastfood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keshia Lancaster
Great staff and friendly customers during our visit. Very personable and down to earth hosts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Salmon, Lamb Shank with Vegetables and Rice, Grape Leaves
Jennifer Walk
We love to go here as a family, my dad found it. It's a delicious place with amazing Lebanese dishes. It's a good size restaurant, decor and vibe is on the fancy side (good for a romantic date night or a family meal). My brother would probably say his favorite is the belly dancer who comes out to dance on weekend nights!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tabbouleh, Grape Leaves
Peter M.
Outstanding food and service. Jamie is a highly engaging host and Pierre, the head chef, came to our table a number of times "just because". You will enjoy this fine restaurant!
Best buffet in town! Everything was delicious and authentic. Worth the price. Can't wait to return!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vincent Andrew
My new favorite stop for grape leaves and strong coffee. The patio area reminds me of a place I used to go to in Chicago. Name something better than some fresh air, good food, strong coffee and a cigarette? It's not possible. It feels like a hidden gem here, I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick P.
I enjoy this place. Went there with a friend that has never been there. This was the first time for me with the lunch buffet. Quite a collection of food and all looking very good and fresh. One thing about buffets I like is that it gives you a chance to try all the things without ordering something you don't really like. Service is good and attentive. Pleasant little restaurant.
Jonny W.
Excellent Mediterranean Restaurant! Fabulous cusine. Choice wine and ambience! Easy to find location also.
Rebecca C.
The food here is high quality and delicious! Loved it and will definitely be back very soon!
If you are looking for authentic Levant cuisine this is a wonderful dining experience where the chef takes special care to prepare dishes with time and care to present the original flavors of the region.There is no other place in town that takes time to smoke the eggplant for the bubba ganoush, and this one step elevates it from that which is mass presented into an explosion of flavor and texture that will leave you and your table unconsciously releasing audible, "mmmmmmmmmmm!" 's.The kibbee was better than that which my grandmother used to make, and i don't say that lightly, also she passed away so I can't get a smack for saying it now.Fresh roses on the table gives a little elegance to the most casual of dinner meetings.Run don't walk to enjoy the mixed grill and lamb expertly prepared by this extraordinarily talented but humble chef.Mandaloun is a gem of Jacksonville.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i visited this place and ordered the falafel wrap. the aura, the vibes the food were all very depressing. i felt uncomfortable in the sense that i did not feel at peace.. there was a sense of restlessness in the restaurent.. and the food was average.. something you can taste at 10 other restaurants serving middle eastern food..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We were craving some Mediterranean food one day and was in the area. Decided on this restaurant due to high ratings and reviews on Google. Upon walking in, you get elevated vibes but if you choose to dine outdoors, it's more casual. We decided to dine outdoors since it was nice and cool outside. Our server who I think is the owner?? took care of us and she was super sweet, attentive, friendly, and patient with me as I asked her questions! Note: they have lunch prices and main course prices. We went after lunch so the prices were a little pricier. We shared the following: Pineapple juice with sparkling water added: 8/10 - the juice was refreshing, not too sweet and the perfect amount of tang. I love sparking juices so this hit the spot for me. You can tell how fresh the juice is! My husband had the Beef Shawarma: 9/10 - we both loved this! It was a good, big portion size, and came with veggies and rice. Everything was seasoned so well and nothing was needed to be added. Their tahini sauce was creamy, flavorful, and went so well with the beef! The beef was tender and the wrap was fluffy!! I appreciate that they so put the sauce on the side so you can add however much sauce you want on it or for dipping. The veggies were fragrant, crisp, and also seasoned well. The yellow rice was my favorite too as I found myself coming back for more, after I had some of my husband's wrap. Baba Ghanoush with pita bread. You also get complementary pita bread too with a dipping sauce, but everything was a 9.5/10 - the pita bread was so fluffy and dipping it in the baba ghanoush was divine! Baba ghanoush is grilled eggplant with sesame cream and lemon. I've tried at other places before but this restaurant blows the other competitors out of the water. It was creamy, light, and you can taste the hint of smokiness in it. The eggplant's taste and texture was so delicate and with the added the pomegranate seeds on top, there was a nice acidity and pop of flavor! 100 percent get this as an appetizer! You won't regret it. Our waitress also brought out a dipping sauce for the pita, I think one was like an olive oil dip with seasonings and lemon juice? The dipping sauce was delicious!! A little bit tangy but the flavors were dancing off my palette. I wanted to try the Soujok (small spicy Lebanese sausages flambé with a tomato, garlic, lemon, and oil sauce) but they were out. So I decided to try the Makanek instead. It's essentially the same thing but the sausages aren't spicy. I would give this dish: 7/10 - the sausages were plump, thick, and juicy. There is a little bit more of acidity in this dish so if you're not into tangy or sour things, then you won't like this. I dipped the sausages into some hot sauce and it elevated the flavors a notch. If you were to get this dish, definitely get some rice to soak up the sauce. I had a bite with the sausage dipped in hot sauce with the yellow rice and it was a really delicious bite. Hope I get to try the spicy sausages next time! If you do dine outside, there are some homeless people that walk around and will occasionally swipe the restaurant's ashtray or two on the table. I saw it happen where a lady did that while my husband was in the restroom. I was so shocked and before I could say anything to her, she left the proximity. I let the restaurant know and they said it's a common occurrence in the area and not much they can do. It didn't bother us and we enjoyed our outdoor dining, It was just an odd thing to see. Overall, we would definitely come back again! Service was amazing, attentive, and we were treated so kindly and warmly. Our food came out in a timely manner too! The price is a little on the pricier side but the portion sizes were good and the food was excellent. We will gladly pay extra for better quality food any day! I really want to come back and try the desserts too! They sounded yummy!
Our first visit we ordered takeout and was highly impressed by the quality of the food. We noticed a lunch buffet sign and decided to go back next week to try more dishes. I started with a coffee, small and strong!For lunch they offered lentil soup and pita bread to start, then the cold line had at least 6 different salads, 3 dips and 3 deserts. On the hot side they offered 3 vegetarian dishes, rice, chicken kabobs, shrimp, kafta, lamb and okra stew with beef.The food was outstanding and the service matched. The waiter was patient and walked us through the whole buffet explaining the dishes because it was our first visit. Thank you.Buffet price was $21.99
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tabbouleh Salad, Baba Ganoush
I have been coming here for 12 years and they always deliver on quality, taste, professionalism and atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This food is amazing ! Everything is made from scratch! Great services as
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious Middle Eastfood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great staff and friendly customers during our visit. Very personable and down to earth hosts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Salmon, Lamb Shank with Vegetables and Rice, Grape Leaves
We love to go here as a family, my dad found it. It's a delicious place with amazing Lebanese dishes. It's a good size restaurant, decor and vibe is on the fancy side (good for a romantic date night or a family meal). My brother would probably say his favorite is the belly dancer who comes out to dance on weekend nights!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tabbouleh, Grape Leaves
Outstanding food and service. Jamie is a highly engaging host and Pierre, the head chef, came to our table a number of times "just because". You will enjoy this fine restaurant!
Restaurantji Recommends
Best buffet in town! Everything was delicious and authentic. Worth the price. Can't wait to return!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My new favorite stop for grape leaves and strong coffee. The patio area reminds me of a place I used to go to in Chicago. Name something better than some fresh air, good food, strong coffee and a cigarette? It's not possible. It feels like a hidden gem here, I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoy this place. Went there with a friend that has never been there. This was the first time for me with the lunch buffet. Quite a collection of food and all looking very good and fresh. One thing about buffets I like is that it gives you a chance to try all the things without ordering something you don't really like. Service is good and attentive. Pleasant little restaurant.
Excellent Mediterranean Restaurant! Fabulous cusine. Choice wine and ambience! Easy to find location also.
The food here is high quality and delicious! Loved it and will definitely be back very soon!