Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Maza Al-Amir, Al-Amir Sampler, Baklava, Shawarma, Falafel
Sara Hanafy
I had dinner here today for the first time and my instant thought was regret that I didn’t try this place sooner.The food is heavenly! Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection ???. By far, the best lebanese spot I’ve tried in Portland.Highly recommend the Shish Tawook, Kofta and Lamb dish for Entrees.Fattoush for SaladHummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, stuffed grape leaves (Warak Enab) and Hawawshy for appetizers.The service is next level. Lydia and Moe treated us like VIPs. The staff is friendly, attentive, and goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experienceWill definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Coffing
Al Amir is always amazing. The food is extremely delicious. This is our family's favorite restaurant and the owners are friendly and very helpful. You will not be disappointed. If I could I would give them a million stars. Yum, yum, yum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ricky Smith
Amazing food with great staff and a chill atmosphere. Service is top-notch. Highly recommend.
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place! Incredible food, honestly the best falafel I’ve ever had. We absolutely adore the service from Lydia as well, she makes you feel at home and welcomed. Wish I would have known about this place sooner! Perfect choice for a date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Maza Al- Amir, Al-Amir Sampler, Baklava, Hummus and Kafta Arayes It's a Must Order, Tabooli Salad Parsley Tomato, Lamb Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs, Shawarma, Shawarma with Hummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, Chicken Shwarma, Vegetarian Grape Leaves, Hummus
JonathanH
Excellent traditional Lebanese food. The lamb shank, homemade yogurt sauce, and rice were outstanding. Very good food, high quality. Their wine bottle prices were very good, and the selection was fair, but good enough for a nice meal. Family owned and run for over 30 years. A must visit if you want to support family businesses and get some great food!
Sushi Deflare
The flavor a bit on the mild side, but very warm and welcoming experience
Anthony Calderon
Not only is this the finest Mediterranean restaurant, but it is one of the best restaurants in Portland. They've been there a long time and a crafted incredible dining experience. If you eat one place in Portland, make this your stop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus and Tabbouleh, Baklava, Pita, Falafel
Khalil Said
The best lebanese food in Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EndOfTheLine
Wife, son and I. We shared two salads. The portions were sufficient for three of us, the ingredients, fresh and, overall, flavorful on the subtle side. We also shared a hummus plate with chicken shawarma on top. None of us had seen this direct combination in the past; normally they are separate. But it was classic shawarma and hummus. Sizeable portion sufficient for three of us to share along with the accompanying pita. For mains, my son and I had cubed lamb with rice. It was somewhat disappointing insofar as it was difficult to detect much in the way of middle eastern spicing, perhaps an unfortunate concession to northwest palates. It was also a bit on the chewy side. The rice was nothing special, though competently prepared; again without much added flavor. My wife had lamb shank. However, it came in a pile with no bone. It is literally the first time in decades of dining out, including middle eastern restaurants from Portland to San Francisco, that we had encountered lamb shank without the shank. And it was not a good difference. The bone contains flavorful marrow and seems to help the meat retain its flavor and juices. The waitperson claimed that most people prefer the meat without the bone. I am skeptical. If it is true, so much the loss for most people. I had a soda, wife had a glass of wine and son had a competent cocktail. With 15% tip, Service was timely and pleasant. The environment is quite nice. $160. It is questionable whether we will return to this restaurant. I had eaten at a take out place in New Orleans called Shawarma on The Run where, for $22, I had a significantly more flavorful and satisfying meal. Al Amin needs to reconsider both its scant menu and some of its preparations. The environment is there, but not the food, notwithstanding the puzzling rave reviews to the contrary.
We had dinner for a large party with a pre-set menu. Everything was delicious and the service was efficient, friendly, and hospitable. A memorable evening!Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan options include falafel, dolmas, hummus, baba ganouj, fattoush salad, and more. The Khudar vegetables are delectable!Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free options; sensitive to party's allergies to bell pepper and fava beans. Pork-free menu.
Great food with great many different flavors and an amazing atmosphere ?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rhonda Neu
This place is the real deal! My husband and I used gift cards to dine on a Wednesday. We had not been to downtown Portland because the homeless/drug environment is not pleasant. We were able to park in front of this beautiful building that used to be the Bishops house. Atmosphere was really “old town”. I have been lukewarm in the past about Middle East fare so Al Amir was an unexpected surprise. First off, the red wine was as good as I have had in any restaurant. The combo appetizer had the BEST hummus with plentiful pita bread. I ordered the chicken kabobs and the spice they used left me wanting to come back right away. My husband ordered lamb and it was a very generous portion. The service was very warm and attentive. We came back several days later and was greeted by Mo who made us feel so appreciated. He remembered our wine selection and told us to order anything off the menu and they would make it work. This time I ordered the shrimp kabobs and thought I died and went to heaven… I gave my husband one and he felt the same. One of the owners, Lydia, spoke to us and we told her how impressed we were and we were their new best customer. They have been in business for 33 years and have had to adapt to the Portland issues. Used to be vibrant /open lunch and dinner and now are only open limited hours. Lydia has been very involved giving back to the community (in one case Transitional Youth) also meeting with city leaders to help Portland come back to its old self. She wore a shirt with “faith” on it. She was so determined that things would get better. Please go to this restaurant, it deserves all the support they can get.PS: they sell their wonderful hummus at FM, Safeway and other. Try their hummus and it will definitely lead you to try the restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Wilson
We celebrated my birthday dinner at Al-Amir and it was amazing! Mo and every single person we spoke with went above and beyond to make my day special. We had a family style dinner and everyone loved the food. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
WanderWoman32308
I love a place with tablecloths, discreet lighting sufficient to read menus, a proprietor emerging from the kitchen to greet regulars, a place that feels cozy, like someone's home. Add great food...heaven. I ordered the try-a-bit-of-everything "Lebanese Tour" plate: Hummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, Kharouf and more on good-quality rice. If I lived in Portland, this place would be on weekly rotation.
Hands down, best Arabic restaurant in Oregon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Maza Al-Amir, Al-Amir Sampler, Baklava, Shawarma, Falafel
I had dinner here today for the first time and my instant thought was regret that I didn’t try this place sooner.The food is heavenly! Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection ???. By far, the best lebanese spot I’ve tried in Portland.Highly recommend the Shish Tawook, Kofta and Lamb dish for Entrees.Fattoush for SaladHummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, stuffed grape leaves (Warak Enab) and Hawawshy for appetizers.The service is next level. Lydia and Moe treated us like VIPs. The staff is friendly, attentive, and goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experienceWill definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Al Amir is always amazing. The food is extremely delicious. This is our family's favorite restaurant and the owners are friendly and very helpful. You will not be disappointed. If I could I would give them a million stars. Yum, yum, yum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food with great staff and a chill atmosphere. Service is top-notch. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava, Tabooli Salad Parsley Tomato, Lamb Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs, Shawarma, Chicken Shwarma, Hummus
My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place! Incredible food, honestly the best falafel I’ve ever had. We absolutely adore the service from Lydia as well, she makes you feel at home and welcomed. Wish I would have known about this place sooner! Perfect choice for a date night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Maza Al- Amir, Al-Amir Sampler, Baklava, Hummus and Kafta Arayes It's a Must Order, Tabooli Salad Parsley Tomato, Lamb Chicken and Shrimp Kabobs, Shawarma, Shawarma with Hummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, Chicken Shwarma, Vegetarian Grape Leaves, Hummus
Excellent traditional Lebanese food. The lamb shank, homemade yogurt sauce, and rice were outstanding. Very good food, high quality. Their wine bottle prices were very good, and the selection was fair, but good enough for a nice meal. Family owned and run for over 30 years. A must visit if you want to support family businesses and get some great food!
The flavor a bit on the mild side, but very warm and welcoming experience
Not only is this the finest Mediterranean restaurant, but it is one of the best restaurants in Portland. They've been there a long time and a crafted incredible dining experience. If you eat one place in Portland, make this your stop.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hummus and Tabbouleh, Baklava, Pita, Falafel
The best lebanese food in Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wife, son and I. We shared two salads. The portions were sufficient for three of us, the ingredients, fresh and, overall, flavorful on the subtle side. We also shared a hummus plate with chicken shawarma on top. None of us had seen this direct combination in the past; normally they are separate. But it was classic shawarma and hummus. Sizeable portion sufficient for three of us to share along with the accompanying pita. For mains, my son and I had cubed lamb with rice. It was somewhat disappointing insofar as it was difficult to detect much in the way of middle eastern spicing, perhaps an unfortunate concession to northwest palates. It was also a bit on the chewy side. The rice was nothing special, though competently prepared; again without much added flavor. My wife had lamb shank. However, it came in a pile with no bone. It is literally the first time in decades of dining out, including middle eastern restaurants from Portland to San Francisco, that we had encountered lamb shank without the shank. And it was not a good difference. The bone contains flavorful marrow and seems to help the meat retain its flavor and juices. The waitperson claimed that most people prefer the meat without the bone. I am skeptical. If it is true, so much the loss for most people. I had a soda, wife had a glass of wine and son had a competent cocktail. With 15% tip, Service was timely and pleasant. The environment is quite nice. $160. It is questionable whether we will return to this restaurant. I had eaten at a take out place in New Orleans called Shawarma on The Run where, for $22, I had a significantly more flavorful and satisfying meal. Al Amin needs to reconsider both its scant menu and some of its preparations. The environment is there, but not the food, notwithstanding the puzzling rave reviews to the contrary.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had dinner for a large party with a pre-set menu. Everything was delicious and the service was efficient, friendly, and hospitable. A memorable evening!Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan options include falafel, dolmas, hummus, baba ganouj, fattoush salad, and more. The Khudar vegetables are delectable!Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free options; sensitive to party's allergies to bell pepper and fava beans. Pork-free menu.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baklava, Fattoush Salad, Kafta Kabob Angus Ground Beef Grilled, Catering Lamb Shank Slow Cooked
Great food with great many different flavors and an amazing atmosphere ?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is the real deal! My husband and I used gift cards to dine on a Wednesday. We had not been to downtown Portland because the homeless/drug environment is not pleasant. We were able to park in front of this beautiful building that used to be the Bishops house. Atmosphere was really “old town”. I have been lukewarm in the past about Middle East fare so Al Amir was an unexpected surprise. First off, the red wine was as good as I have had in any restaurant. The combo appetizer had the BEST hummus with plentiful pita bread. I ordered the chicken kabobs and the spice they used left me wanting to come back right away. My husband ordered lamb and it was a very generous portion. The service was very warm and attentive. We came back several days later and was greeted by Mo who made us feel so appreciated. He remembered our wine selection and told us to order anything off the menu and they would make it work. This time I ordered the shrimp kabobs and thought I died and went to heaven… I gave my husband one and he felt the same. One of the owners, Lydia, spoke to us and we told her how impressed we were and we were their new best customer. They have been in business for 33 years and have had to adapt to the Portland issues. Used to be vibrant /open lunch and dinner and now are only open limited hours. Lydia has been very involved giving back to the community (in one case Transitional Youth) also meeting with city leaders to help Portland come back to its old self. She wore a shirt with “faith” on it. She was so determined that things would get better. Please go to this restaurant, it deserves all the support they can get.PS: they sell their wonderful hummus at FM, Safeway and other. Try their hummus and it will definitely lead you to try the restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We celebrated my birthday dinner at Al-Amir and it was amazing! Mo and every single person we spoke with went above and beyond to make my day special. We had a family style dinner and everyone loved the food. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love a place with tablecloths, discreet lighting sufficient to read menus, a proprietor emerging from the kitchen to greet regulars, a place that feels cozy, like someone's home. Add great food...heaven. I ordered the try-a-bit-of-everything "Lebanese Tour" plate: Hummus, Baba Ghannooj, Falafel, Kharouf and more on good-quality rice. If I lived in Portland, this place would be on weekly rotation.