Middle Eastern Restaurants near Raleigh, NC

“Ajja has been on my list for awhile now and I am happy to have gone last night. I have read countless reviews and I will agree- it is very good. But, it was not knock-your-socks-off amazing. I enjoyed the meal but I must say, the dessert stole the show. Flies did kinda take away from the ambience - but I get it, it’s summer in Raleigh and we ate on the coveted patio. I’ll go through what we ordered:

- htipiti: the whipped feta that reminded me of pimento cheese. Really enjoyed but it was a very small serving for $11 (9/10)

- assorted pickles: good I am a pickle lover and just wanted to try them (7/10)

- spinach and cheese sfiha: (not pictured) tasty but not as cheesy as the title suggests. I thought it was very acidic and I don’t know if I loved the addition of pickled mushrooms (again I love pickles it was just a bit much, didn’t feel like those flavors meld together) (6/10)

- coffee roasted carrots: tasty but nothing spectacular. I wanted more flavor on these. (6/10)

- charred cabbage & broccoli: this one was extremely unique. Again very acidic but I reallly enjoyed the flavors. The porcini tehina balanced out the acid but there wasn’t enough of it imo, the mushroom 'nuoc cham' was really what elevated this dish! It had an Asian infused flavor that was enjoyable. This dish would have been addictive if the acidity was toned down a hair (7/10)

- lamb seekh: saw this on many reviews. Very tender but did get some questionably chewy bits. The flavor was very good though. The accoutrements however: labneh, sweet pea chermoula, pistachio - I could have eaten by the spoonful (7/10)

- blueberry posset: now this, I could bathe in. The brown butter tahini chantilly- I didn’t know how bad I needed this in my life. It was addictive. Paired so well with the blueberry, the tahini oat crumble & kataifi crunch was the perfect touch to give it some bite. (10/10 absolutely no notes) I would go just for this. Perfectly salty & sweet.

Again, I came for my birthday and it was nice. The meal was good. The dessert was great. Overall, I just wish everything was a little less acidic! Some things were almost hard to have more than a few bites of. I’m curious if anyone else has these thoughts. Next time I would get the tagine. I wish they had 1 more salad-esque dish from the market menu.. The service was awesome though! And vibes were great. There were a lot of flies though (like at one point there was probably 7-9 flies on our food…)“

“My first experience with Yemeni food and boy it was unbelievable. I got the Lamb Haneed. Rice and 3 pieces of lamb. Cooked to perfection, it was prolly one of the best lamb dishes I ever had.
The bread, lamb and rice was a great combo. The saffron rice was very flavorful and cooked to perfection.

The only issue would be that For $30, They could have provided lil more meat.

Will be def back here for another meal. The 2 sisters at the counter were very friendly and welcoming.“

“Our first visit ever today while on the search for kunafa and Habibi did not disappoint. Every single thing we had was delicious; literally the best falafel I have ever eaten! The mandy rice with the mixed grill kebab was excellent and the kunafa was perfect. We'll be returning soon!“

“We are regular customers of Flame Kabob and they have amazing food and service. If you are looking for delicious authentic Persian food, please visit them!“

“they are cool and the place so clean“

“Great food, great service!“

“I'll start with the good: The chicken bowl here is delicious and a lot better than the other location further down Hillsborough Street.

I don't know what it is about the customer service here, and in Raleigh on general to be honest. Whenever I ask about a menu item, the workers like to just point to the menu and tell me to read the ingredients, but what I'm really asking is for them to give me more information about what it is or how it's made, what they recommend, etc. I know how to read. I swear it's like people here don't understand customer service.“

“The menu at Sitti boasts a delightful array of traditional Lebanese dishes, each crafted with care and expertise. From savory appetizers like the creamy hummus and falafel to the mouthwatering kebabs and flavorful shawarma, every bite was a celebration of rich flavors and culinary finesse. The ingredients used were fresh and of the highest quality, and it was evident that the chefs take great pride in presenting the essence of Lebanese cuisine to their patrons. One standout dish that stole my heart was the Lebanese-style lamb chops, which were perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection. The tender and juicy meat combined with aromatic spices left me craving for more. Additionally, the vegetarian options were equally impressive, catering to all dietary preferences without compromising on taste or authenticity. What sets Sitti apart from other restaurants is its dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience. The staff at Sitti was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our visit was enjoyable. Their genuine passion for Lebanese cuisine and culture shone through, adding to the overall charm of the dining experience.“

“Delicious indeed… I love their Chicken Shawrima it is the best!“