Middle Eastern Restaurants near Bala Cynwyd, PA

“This place is always amazing. The food is fresh, delicious, and perfectly prepared every time. Walid is a gem of a human who always makes you feel special when you come in and puts a smile on your face. 5/5, 10/10. Will always recommend this restaurant!!“

“We gave this spot a try last week while in Philly. The customer service we received while in the shop was top notch. They were patient and took the time to let us as questions and order and we didn't feel rushed. I got the chicken plate which came with a generous serving of chicken, seasoned rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, some pita bread and their white sauce (toppings are by your choice). Let me tell you... that white sauce was soo good. I feel like that's what brought everything together and there wasn't a bite I took that didn't atleast have a little sauce. Very yummy!“

“Food was amazing, wish it came with a bit more meat but the pita/hummus/salatim was more than enough to fill you up. It was really off-putting at the end to get the bill and see that 20% service charge was added so that they could pay their staff and then even though it was 'optional', they asked for a tip on top of that.“

“We went on a Tuesday afternoon. I found a ♿️ spot close. The staff/owner are very helpful with menu and their service is gracious. We had appetizers then the platter for 2 that fed the 3 of use easily! ALL delish! Brought home deserts that were as enjoyable as our meal. From what I read on website the menu is slightly americanized. To my family it was perfect.“

“First off, the food at Zahav is very worth all the hype. Everything was fresh and creative with complex and outstanding flavor. Service was extremely attentive and friendly. We were visiting Philadelphia from the west coast and stalked Resy for a reservation, very glad we were able to secure a spot! My only disappointment was the speed of the coursing. They were bringing the mezze out when we had barely started on the salatim. They were trying to clear the mezze and bring out the main course before we had finished, and only 45 minutes into our reservation. It's a lot of food and it was so rushed that when the main course came I could only eat a couple of bites, which was really disappointing because I had been looking forward to that pomegranate molasses lamb shoulder for months. I've been to many high end restaurants around the world, including Osteria Francescana, and have never felt so rushed through a tasting menu. It felt like they were more interested in turning the table than in allowing the diner to fully appreciate the experience and the artistry of the food. Our service was complete within 75 minutes, a very short amount of time considering the high price tag and the volume of food and drink. So while the food was amazing, I can't give it more than 4 stars for this reason. I expected better.“

“This is one of my favorite falafel places. The falafel is crispy on the outside, they're generous with humus and vegetables, and the bread is just a little thinner and less gummy than other places.They have lots of other items on the menu. I like their samosas but still have to try more.“

“Had a truly delightful meal here! Everything was so fresh and flavorful. The hummus was spectacular. The Brussel sprouts were SO crispy, some of the best I've ever had. I really enjoyed the chicken shish I got for my entrée. My mom got the falafel and said it was delicious.Highly recommend making a reservation. This place gets busy, quickly. Several folks had to be turned away because they didn't have one. And this was on a Thursday night.“

“Probably some of the best service I've received at a restaurant! The owner checked in a few times and showed us his joint business of a hookah lounge upstairs. We also learned about Ramiz's history and how it's a chain. This location is the first one established in the US. We received complimentary mix appetizer plate of dips and tea! Karişik Soğuk Meze / Mix Appetizer Plate- Hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, and spicy vegetable dip THE SPICY VEGETABLE DIP IS INCREDIBLE! MUST TRY! Turkish meatballs - insanely moist and delicious! Would highly recommend! Chicken Adana wrap - could have used more meat in it and the fries were lacking salt but that's easily fixable! Sütlaç -the oven baked pudding was good The table cloth on the tables kept moving which was a bit frustrating, not sure what other restaurants do to hold it down. Menu has so many options, something for everyone. Bringing your family or a big friend group is a good idea!“

“We came at iftar time during Ramadan so the place was so crowded. We decided to order for take out however we managed to get a table but the food was already packed.I would like to give another try for the lamb Haneeth & Fahsa since it wasn’t that tasty. The lentils soup and Areka were delicious.The service is 10 out of 5 they were very welcoming and friendly. Even while they were swamped with work but they managed to pay attention to their customers professionally.Great atmosphere and authentic Yemeni food. Hopefully I will have to pay a visit after Ramadan.The overall experience is great.“

“Their falafel is heavenly! I tried all the sauces as well. I like the green sticker and the blue original. The red was spicy but good if you like spicy. The sandwich was so good full of sauce and it was just perfect. I got the half and half and i thought it tasted weird almost floral wasn't a huge fan but other than that I highly recommend“

“Food: 5 out of 5 Menu: 3.5 out of 5 Service: 4.5 out of 5 Ambiance: 5 out of 5 Value for money: 3 out of 5 The hummus is pretty addictive and can be ordered with interesting toppings such as minced beef or mushrooms. This hummus will make its place in my personal top 5 list and pairs really well with the soft, fluffy pitas. The lunch menu is pretty tiny, so you don't have too many options besides the hummus - just a chicken schnitzel platter or a vegetarian equivalent with eggplant. The place does get full, so a reservation is highly recommended for any meal. Service was warm and attentive and I enjoyed my meal with friends. There isn't much to dislike about this place besides the limited menu and the steep pricing. Even in an era where inflation is a known problem, Dizengoff surprised me with a bill of $30 for a bowl of hummus with mushrooms, 2 pita breads, and a small-ish glass of frozen hibiscus lemonade.“

“I have only great things to say about this place. We were greeted with such warmth and kindness, it was a great start to our meal. We had a reservation for 7 and were seated right away. The servers were very attentive, polite, and professional. The food was phenomenal, I cannot believe how bold and flavorful their hummus, Labne, and baba ganoush was! Others at the table had the chicken shawarma wraps and couldnt stop raving about them. I had a lamb shawarma entree which was fantastic. We will definitely come here again and recommend anyone else visiting the city to eat here and experience their wonderful food. This place was a BYOB too which was a silver lining.“

“Best lamb haneeth you'll get in the city, hands down. In fact I'm willing to say they have the best lamb dish in Philly, period. Other meat items on the menu, particularly the kabobs and lamb chops, can unfortunately be dry. Opt for the stewy items to be safe. The restaurant is a bit understaffed and not that impressive on the inside, but the lamb haneeth is truly worth it. I get it regularly and it never disappoints.“

“The food is really tasty and fresh. Plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. They even accommodate gluten free by separating items on the sample platter. The patio is small but nice and welcoming.Vegetarian options: PlentyDietary restrictions: They can easily accommodate gluten free options.“

“Wonderful flavors and menu!!! My new favorite restaurant. They are halal and offer meals deals for those of us on a budget. The staff were welcoming and very helpful with choosing a meal. The baklava is probably the BEST I have ever had. The restaurant and restroom was super clean and free from clutter. I think my favorite part besides the food and how quick the staff worked was the many different cultures of people coming to pick up food or dine-in. The samosas were delicious and flaky with a nice green, cilantro-y sauce. The pita was fresh and went nicely with the hummus and garlic sauce. I was recommended to try the pineapple Barbican malt drink (non-alcoholic) which was sooo tasty and not overly sweet. The mango lassi was a bit sour, but I think that's because they don't add a ton of sweetener.“

“Exceptional Turkish cuisine awaits at this gem amidst a sea of dining options. From savory kebabs to aromatic mezes, every dish dazzles with authenticity and flavor. Coupled with impeccable service and a warm atmosphere, dining here promises unforgettable moments with loved ones. A must-visit for food enthusiasts and gatherings alike.“

“If I ever am dying, their Chicken over rice would be the last thing I would eat. I’ve got no words to express how godly their food is.We were visiting Philly and a we were told to go here for lunch. We really did not wait for long (~15mins) considering that we went super early, at around 12pm. I’m not even joking when I say this but my friend opened the food box while I was driving, and it was so appetizing that I literally parked the car next second and had the food. Holy moly, the food was amazing!!!The rice was fluffy and quite flavorful. The chicken was soft and juicy (although I wish it were a little spicy). And the white sauce was a cherry in the top, just making things better. The red sauce added a hint of spiciness making the flavor complete.In addition to their chicken over rice, I’ve also had their chicken gyro and it was (not surprisingly) quite delicious. Perfect combination of meat, greens, and the sauce.And the best part? These two costs just $13!!!! I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and I wish this guy moves there. I would have this everyday!!“

“I would give this place an infinite amount of stars if it were possible. When me and my friends lived around here, we loved hitting this Halal cart up on Friday nights. We even made the occasional pilgrimage there once we lived in separate places around Philly.Majit (and later Salman) always whipped up the freshest food, had a smile on their face, and were glad to talk with us. Salt of the earth.If you like Halal you owe it to yourself to get in front of the Fishtown Planet Fitness and order a lamb/falafel combo platter with your sauces of choice.“

“I woke up still dreaming about the feast I had at Apricot Stone last night!My friends and I came here spontaneously and were very pleased with the food, so much so that almost every one of us was doing the happy dance when we took our first bites!We ordered some mezze to share such as the grape leaves, the manti, and the hummus. Wow were we off to a great start!The stuffed grape leaves were the first bite of the night that absolutely blew me away. They were soft, not bitter at all, and the rice inside was seasoned beautifully. I highly recommend you try them here!The manti was something we all tried for the first time and I wanted to eat that again and again. I wanted to swim in the broth that these beef dumplings were sitting in! I’m pretty sure we were all fighting over the last few servings of this dish and wanting to drink the liquid off our sharing plates unabashedly.The hummus was so smooth and velvety and delicious! Not a single bit was left on the spoon or plate in came in.For entree we all pretty much ordered the lamb kabob entree with rice pilaf and choice of sides. The lamb was juicy and flavorful and cooked beautifully. The rice was so flavorful I wanted to keep eating it! The muhamara was one of the sides i chose and tried for the first time and I’m obsessed with it - flavorful roasted red pepper dip with walnuts and molasses, it’s all blended as a type of dip and the pieces of walnuts make this dip feel almost meaty and deliciously satisfying. I also got the eggplant salad and the veggies were just cooked so beautifully, great balance of bite yet softness to the eggplant and seasoned well.My friends loved the tabouleh and babaganoush as their sides!I also had the Armenian coffee and baklava for dessert. The baklava was good - I wish there was a bit more nuts in between and some more syrup, but I tried a bite of my friends gatnabur (Armenian rice pudding with blossom water) and would really recommend getting that!Our server did not rush us at all even when we had a hard time deciding what to get, and even guided us through the menu and explained how it would be presented and what would be more shareable. We sat on the heated patio and it felt really magical.I definitely would come back again for a great night with even better food!“

“The Lemonana (9/10) Shish Kabob Sandwich (7/10) I loved the Lemonana so much that I got it twice! Keep in mind that it is not for everyone (my friend did not like it), so if you don't like lemon, mint, and sugar then it may not be for you. The Shish Kabob Sandwich was perfectly balanced with the met the vegetable ratio, but didn't taste super special (still really good though). Overall, the staff was really friendly and efficient with their orders.“

“I was traveling from NJ and got a meal for myself and the family. The chicken was very tender and extremely flavorful. The rice was also very fragrant and fresh. The portion size was also generous. I really liked the taste. I also tried lamb gyro and that was also very delicious. Everyone loved it.“

“Super delicious cheesesteaks and sandwiches. Everything on the menu is Halal. They are closed during Friday prayer, which makes me respect them even more!!!I have ordered delivery several times and each time food is packed perfectly, and I honestly re use the bag they deliver the food:))“

“Still there - Still just $5 (for lunch WITH a drink - I get a bottle of water) - Still as good as you can expect for street-cart food. I get the lamb over Salad with "white sauce" - and it is plenty of food for lunch. And - it's five bucks!“

“Amazing food and polite staff, and a really lively atmosphere. I had a great hangover chicken and waffles (which was personally enjoyably much sweeter than usual at other restaurants, but you do get self serve syrup).However, I think choosing this dish over others here would be doing the restaurant a disservice. It was obvious that with only like three sweet dishes, you should just get their actual food.I’ll be back if I’m in town.“

“wow, I just discovered this hidden gem right off temple campus and with one visit it’s already my favorite restaurant in Philly, the food was so amazingly flavorful and I love the vegetarian options. The service was phenomenal, I felt like I was at a 5 star restaurant. The boy with the Afro was extremely nice and made sure I knew of ALL of my options and even helped me get $2 off my order since it was my first time. I highly recommend this spot to anyone who wants to grab a bite to eat and do some work or have a nice catch up with friends. The environment and food are top tier.“