My 13 year old son loves to come here after his Saturday orchestra rehearsal & this last time he said the gyro was the best he's ever had. Ever. I had a delicious Arabic coffee & the shawarma is also great. The family who runs it is incredibly friendly too. Support local business!
Amelia Henriksen
I can't speak much to the service or atmosphere because I normally get takeout but dang this food is delicious. I can't recommend their stuffed eggplant and stuffed zucchini highly enough. Their dolmas are also a standout--they taste so sharp and flavorful, not slimy or sad like many dolmas you get in the US. When I want middle eastern food this is the only place I trust in Albuquerque to taste right.
Chris M.
Pretty delish food. Fouls is tasty, so is babagabouj. And the falafel is great, especially dig it with fries, pickles and toum inside.
Lindsay B.
This is a fantastic restaurant. The food is delicious and very authentic. The owners are very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommended.
T Love Carlson
YAY!!!! Savory Baked goods - fresh! Shawarma sandwich so great! Authentic and extraordinary home cooked meals! YUM! Don’t miss this jewel!
Ted B.
Not a fancy looking place but it was clean, I was served promptly and the food was great. I ordered the beef Schwarma sandwich and some desert pastries with a lemonade to drink. The food was great. Will come back again.
Erin Riley
The food at Al Alwan Cafe was amazing. So good that I forgot to take photos before we ate it all. We started with babaganoush which came with this delicious fluffy bread that was clearly hand made and fresh. That was followed with the spinach sambosa which was equally good. The pastry dough was soft and fluffy and the spinach filling was just perfect. For entrees I got the lamb kabob and my husband got the chicken kabob which both came with a salad and rice. The lamb was cooked perfectly and my husband says the chicken was cooked perfectly with a nice spice profile that left it juicy and fresh tasting. Both entrees had a side of salad and a generous amount of rice. Add to that the toum (garlic sauce) and it was amazing. Even the rice had a really nice depth of flavor. The service was exceptional. It’s a family run business and everyone is happy, smiling and eager to please. I highly recommend it and will be going back to try everything else I couldn’t fit it my stomach this go around.
Yasmin Khan
The most incredible buttery, melt in your mouth baklava I have ever had. The mom/chef here actually MAKES FRESH BUTTER for her desserts. The za'atar is amazing,I hired them to cater my party after one taste of their dolmas. Very friendly family, highly recommended this place.
Erin R.
The food at Al Alwan Cafe was amazing. So good that I forgot to take photos before we ate it all. We started with babaganoush which came with this delicious fluffy bread that was clearly hand made and fresh. That was followed with the spinach sambosa which was equally good. The pastry dough was soft and fluffy and the spinach filling was just perfect. For entrees I got the lamb kabob and my husband got the chicken kabob which both came with a salad and rice. The lamb was cooked perfectly and my husband says the chicken was cooked perfectly with a nice spice profile that left it juicy and fresh tasting. Both entrees had a side of salad and a generous portion of rice. Add to that the toum (garlic sauce) and it was amazing. Even the rice had a really nice depth of flavor. The service was exceptional. It's a family run business and everyone is happy, smiling and eager to please. I highly recommend it and will be going back to try everything else I couldn't fit it my stomach this go around.
Danielle H.
What a delicious and authentic experience of Syrian food. We don't eat food from the middle eastern region often, we are very picky about it since we've been overseas many times having visited the area. But right here in Albuquerque is this gem! Family owned and very nice people. The hummus was hands down the best I've ever had, better than in Doha. You will not regret your choice to eat here.
As a middle easterner the Hummus was good?. And the pita bread was good as well. We tried the falafel platter and some savory pastries. As for dessert we got Qataef it was like crepes filled with cheese and covered with syrup.
Jessie Burns
It was okay. Had it delivered. The baklava was good, too bad it wasn't what I ordered. I had ordered a different dessert. The gyro meat was a little dry but the taste was good. The dolmas were a little bland. Would probably never order it delivered again, but I would like to try it for dine-in. Very decently priced.
Armand Di Meo
The Middle Eastern food is a little different here than what I have had at other Middle Eastern restaurants but I am thinking that Al Alwan's food is probably more authentic. The dolmas are a little bitter for American tastes but this is because they are not pickled. Consequently, they are healthier than what is normally found at other restaurants. I have never seen the stuffed eggplant and stuffed zucchini at other Middle Eastern restaurants but they were very tasty. The pita was outstanding and the baklava was one of the best I have had anywhere. The service here was also excellent and the staff was very friendly. Check this place out if you want Middle Eastern food that is a bit out of the ordinary and not the same old, same old.
Seth Sherwood
I get my haircut at Groom, right by here and thought I'd try it out. This is excellent food and nice people that run the place. Someone else mentioned this being the best Pita they had ever had. I completely agree with that statement, and 2nd place isn't even close. I ordered a lot of food and a lot of variety. Everything had amazing taste. My only complaint was the beef kebabs were dry. That said, everything else was so good it deserves a 5 star review. If you like Mediterranean food this place is a must.
Gillian Sullivan
It can be a wait and they forgot my pita but all is forgiven when you take a bite!!!! Amazing flavor and fresh!! Really affordable prices!! EVERYONE should try this place!
My 13 year old son loves to come here after his Saturday orchestra rehearsal & this last time he said the gyro was the best he's ever had. Ever. I had a delicious Arabic coffee & the shawarma is also great. The family who runs it is incredibly friendly too. Support local business!
I can't speak much to the service or atmosphere because I normally get takeout but dang this food is delicious. I can't recommend their stuffed eggplant and stuffed zucchini highly enough. Their dolmas are also a standout--they taste so sharp and flavorful, not slimy or sad like many dolmas you get in the US. When I want middle eastern food this is the only place I trust in Albuquerque to taste right.
Pretty delish food. Fouls is tasty, so is babagabouj. And the falafel is great, especially dig it with fries, pickles and toum inside.
This is a fantastic restaurant. The food is delicious and very authentic. The owners are very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommended.
YAY!!!! Savory Baked goods - fresh! Shawarma sandwich so great! Authentic and extraordinary home cooked meals! YUM! Don’t miss this jewel!
Not a fancy looking place but it was clean, I was served promptly and the food was great. I ordered the beef Schwarma sandwich and some desert pastries with a lemonade to drink. The food was great. Will come back again.
The food at Al Alwan Cafe was amazing. So good that I forgot to take photos before we ate it all. We started with babaganoush which came with this delicious fluffy bread that was clearly hand made and fresh. That was followed with the spinach sambosa which was equally good. The pastry dough was soft and fluffy and the spinach filling was just perfect. For entrees I got the lamb kabob and my husband got the chicken kabob which both came with a salad and rice. The lamb was cooked perfectly and my husband says the chicken was cooked perfectly with a nice spice profile that left it juicy and fresh tasting. Both entrees had a side of salad and a generous amount of rice. Add to that the toum (garlic sauce) and it was amazing. Even the rice had a really nice depth of flavor. The service was exceptional. It’s a family run business and everyone is happy, smiling and eager to please. I highly recommend it and will be going back to try everything else I couldn’t fit it my stomach this go around.
The most incredible buttery, melt in your mouth baklava I have ever had. The mom/chef here actually MAKES FRESH BUTTER for her desserts. The za'atar is amazing,I hired them to cater my party after one taste of their dolmas. Very friendly family, highly recommended this place.
The food at Al Alwan Cafe was amazing. So good that I forgot to take photos before we ate it all. We started with babaganoush which came with this delicious fluffy bread that was clearly hand made and fresh. That was followed with the spinach sambosa which was equally good. The pastry dough was soft and fluffy and the spinach filling was just perfect. For entrees I got the lamb kabob and my husband got the chicken kabob which both came with a salad and rice. The lamb was cooked perfectly and my husband says the chicken was cooked perfectly with a nice spice profile that left it juicy and fresh tasting. Both entrees had a side of salad and a generous portion of rice. Add to that the toum (garlic sauce) and it was amazing. Even the rice had a really nice depth of flavor. The service was exceptional. It's a family run business and everyone is happy, smiling and eager to please. I highly recommend it and will be going back to try everything else I couldn't fit it my stomach this go around.
What a delicious and authentic experience of Syrian food. We don't eat food from the middle eastern region often, we are very picky about it since we've been overseas many times having visited the area. But right here in Albuquerque is this gem! Family owned and very nice people. The hummus was hands down the best I've ever had, better than in Doha. You will not regret your choice to eat here.
Restaurantji Recommends
As a middle easterner the Hummus was good?. And the pita bread was good as well. We tried the falafel platter and some savory pastries. As for dessert we got Qataef it was like crepes filled with cheese and covered with syrup.
It was okay. Had it delivered. The baklava was good, too bad it wasn't what I ordered. I had ordered a different dessert. The gyro meat was a little dry but the taste was good. The dolmas were a little bland. Would probably never order it delivered again, but I would like to try it for dine-in. Very decently priced.
The Middle Eastern food is a little different here than what I have had at other Middle Eastern restaurants but I am thinking that Al Alwan's food is probably more authentic. The dolmas are a little bitter for American tastes but this is because they are not pickled. Consequently, they are healthier than what is normally found at other restaurants. I have never seen the stuffed eggplant and stuffed zucchini at other Middle Eastern restaurants but they were very tasty. The pita was outstanding and the baklava was one of the best I have had anywhere. The service here was also excellent and the staff was very friendly. Check this place out if you want Middle Eastern food that is a bit out of the ordinary and not the same old, same old.
I get my haircut at Groom, right by here and thought I'd try it out. This is excellent food and nice people that run the place. Someone else mentioned this being the best Pita they had ever had. I completely agree with that statement, and 2nd place isn't even close. I ordered a lot of food and a lot of variety. Everything had amazing taste. My only complaint was the beef kebabs were dry. That said, everything else was so good it deserves a 5 star review. If you like Mediterranean food this place is a must.
It can be a wait and they forgot my pita but all is forgiven when you take a bite!!!! Amazing flavor and fresh!! Really affordable prices!! EVERYONE should try this place!