Local Guides World
Top Mediterranean restaurants in Philadelphia, United States
Top Rated Mediterranean restaurants in Philadelphia
Top Reviewed Mediterranean restaurants in Philadelphia
Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine
Barbuzzo
Al Zaytouna
Byblos
Falafel time
Paprica Grill
Spice Finch
Kanella
CAVA
Isot Turkish Cuisine
Brexel Cafe
Moustaki Authentic Gyros
Reviews
Delicious food and generous portions! If you have a big group, I recommend getting and sharing the Moustaki platter (3 platters) - the lamb and tzatziki are very tasty!
I ordered the Moustaki platter, I could have fed a small army.
We also ordered the lemon soup, delish.
Food was amazing ❤️
We also ordered the lemon soup, delish.
Food was amazing ❤️
Food was extremely fresh and delicious! The owner was so welcoming and eager to ti feed us- it was refreshing. The girls were patient with me since I didn't know what I wanted at first and the restaurant itself is small and clean. 10/10 I would recommend.
Walked in for a quick lunch yesterday. Was surprised of how good the menu looked . Many options to choose from. So ordered the appetizer sampler burek mixed grill and a pide. I was shocked it was honestly better than many places I have dined at even in Istanbul. Salads are and seasoned to the T . Meats grilled to perfection and seasoned extremely well not overpowering. And the tea reminded me of this place in grand bazaar. I finished w a kunefeh that’s baked on-site crispy cheese warm and delicious. This place is outstanding. Wait the best lentil soup in the world period . The best most attentive service in the city . Meaning never received as good of a service in this city since before corona .
Service was amazing, Chicken shawarma was outstanding. Would recommend to anyone would wants to try authentic food. The owner was super nice!
Hands down the best hookah lounges in Philly! Food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is amazing. Will definitely come back to visit again!
Food was so yummy!
The beryan Soup was so delicious 🤤 perfect start for the dinner or lunch .
The entrees are very expensive also delicious! But they definitely need to focus on quantity of food. If we pay 38$ for a special entree coban kavurma. Hardly one person can eat ful stomach. They give very small portions of meat and rice but it's definitely delicious. We expect more quantity if your prices are high. Thanks for the on the house drink it's a shot of sharbat which is really good.
The beryan Soup was so delicious 🤤 perfect start for the dinner or lunch .
The entrees are very expensive also delicious! But they definitely need to focus on quantity of food. If we pay 38$ for a special entree coban kavurma. Hardly one person can eat ful stomach. They give very small portions of meat and rice but it's definitely delicious. We expect more quantity if your prices are high. Thanks for the on the house drink it's a shot of sharbat which is really good.
The wait staff were friendly and accommodating in setting up a table for 7. They first served a delicious amuse bouche and a kind of cider-like drink—all complementary. The restaurant is BYOB and we were not charged a corkage fee. The restaurant was quiet and cool; a lovely place for a relaxing meal.
I had a fabulous time at Moustaki! I ordered the Lamb Gyro entrée with waffle fries, white pita, rice and tzatziki. The lamb was succulent, the waffle fries crispy and tzatziki simply delicious. This was my first time trying Greek cuisine, and I was not disappointed! The staff were also really friendly and helpful, and the dining area was cool and felt very homely (there were a lot of people in the restaurant at the time). 5/5 restaurant in my opinion
Food here was honestly amazing. The quality was there. Nice friendly attentive staff. Everything arrived quickly and was freshly made. The portions were very good for the price. The meats were beautifully cooked and seasoned. Literally this spot is probably the best in town for this style of cuisine. I will be excited to come back and try other items.
It's a smaller scale restaurant compared to some others, but it's quality. It may not be as good as some of the top Steven Starr restaurants but it's certainly not far behind.
Surprisingly, one of their best offers is the hole sweet corn Arancini, must try.
The Spanish octopus isn't bad but I've had a slightly better version at Estia Taverna.
In terms of dessert, it's gotta be the Budino, no question.
Their service is very quick! I was impressed considering it was a busy night.
Surprisingly, one of their best offers is the hole sweet corn Arancini, must try.
The Spanish octopus isn't bad but I've had a slightly better version at Estia Taverna.
In terms of dessert, it's gotta be the Budino, no question.
Their service is very quick! I was impressed considering it was a busy night.
Eating out at CAVA is a seamlessly easy experience. I went with one of the pre selected meals market spice bowl and for beverage had mexican cola. It turned out to be just as I expected. Cold, healthy, assembly line food that can hardly go wrong. For me, CAVA is a good option to fall back on if other places don't look exciting or have an extremely complicated menu. Service, ambience and price were excellent.
One of the best middle Halal Easter food I ever had! Every single dish was top notched.
I ordered the mixed appetizer, mantos, mixed grill, lamb chops and whole fish.
I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who’s looking for a good Halal dinning in the philly area.
Its a bit expensive but its every penny worth it!
I ordered the mixed appetizer, mantos, mixed grill, lamb chops and whole fish.
I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who’s looking for a good Halal dinning in the philly area.
Its a bit expensive but its every penny worth it!
All kinds of food were great. Especially Kafta Kabab was so good. There’s no any strange smell in lamb. I’ll definitely go one more time if I visit Philly.
Great service! Fast and friendly. Enough vegetarian options.
Beautiful ambience.
Chef sent some extras too, like the serbet which I loved
Beautiful ambience.
Chef sent some extras too, like the serbet which I loved
Food was very tasty, and the service was fast. The only thing, portions were small.
The gyro is tiny like the size of a small taco, the meat was pretty dry, and it didn’t have much flavor. I ordered the pork gyro with everything on it. Not worth $13.00 in my opinion. In comparison to the other Greek/gyro restaurants in the Philadelphia area, this one is at the bottom of my list.
The food was good, but very overpriced to me. My husband and I both had one entree and it came up to $100. I wouldn’t have minded paying $100 for it if the environment made me feel like I was dining at a place that would constitute that amount of money. However this place did not provide that type of environment at all. I had to constantly swat flies away from our food because there were so many in the restaurant. Also I had to smash a bug with my shoe because it was crawling on the floor next to me. Also, they don’t bring the check to you, you have to go up to the register and pay like you’re in a lunch hall. Also the portion was not that big. For $100 I would expect to have leftovers. We didn’t even leave feeling very full. Also the inside of the kofta kabab and beef was a little pink and also very chewy so I couldn’t eat it. I don’t know if I would go back. I’d give this place a 3/5. It would be a nice place to grab takeout from if it wasn’t so insanely expensive.
It's an amazing place with delicious meals and friendly personnels. The meal portions are really big. If you want to have a great Turkish meal in a cozy atmosphere , don't hesitate to go:)
Love the food so much. The staff can sometimes be overwhelmed with orders and visibly have little patience. The drinks are also really great. Atmosphere depends on the time of day because of crowds. Overall one of my favorite places though
An absolute culinary delight! Spice Finch in Philadelphia has earned its well-deserved 5-star review for its exceptional Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance transports you to a world of warmth and hospitality. The menu is a masterpiece of flavors, featuring dishes that pay homage to the rich culinary traditions of the Mediterranean region. Each bite is a symphony of taste sensations that showcases the chef's creativity and expertise. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge elevate the dining experience, making you feel like a cherished guest. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or someone looking for an exquisite meal, Spice Finch is a must-visit destination that promises a truly unforgettable gastronomic journey!
Delicious Mediterranean food! The house made bread is the perfect start to the meal. I got the traditional doner and it was healthy dose of well seasoned goodness. The chicken kebab was nice and juicy. Unfortunately I didn't get dessert because I foolishly got full, but it looked great.
Paprica Grill is one of the top Turkish restaurant in Philadelphia. They serve always delicious and fresh food. The atmosphere is great and they just try to make you feel comfortable when you get in there.
My friend and I had dinner there and we both ordered lentil soup which was just amazing. I stopped myself to order the second one because we wanted to try more dishes. We shared appetizer liver and grilled halloumi cheese, both of them were very tasty. Especially liver was unbelievable. Main course we had chicken shish kebab and lamb beyti which were both really good. Lastly, for the dessert we ordered rice pudding and it was very good too. Their homemade bread was outstanding and it came right from the oven. Their portions were very generous too.
The restaurant was very clean. Their prices were moderate. The service was just great. Servers were very friendly. Highly recommend!
My friend and I had dinner there and we both ordered lentil soup which was just amazing. I stopped myself to order the second one because we wanted to try more dishes. We shared appetizer liver and grilled halloumi cheese, both of them were very tasty. Especially liver was unbelievable. Main course we had chicken shish kebab and lamb beyti which were both really good. Lastly, for the dessert we ordered rice pudding and it was very good too. Their homemade bread was outstanding and it came right from the oven. Their portions were very generous too.
The restaurant was very clean. Their prices were moderate. The service was just great. Servers were very friendly. Highly recommend!
Kanella Grill is a great restaurant serving Mediterranean food in Philadelphia. If you are planning to have the tasting menu for $40 per person, I must warn you that it is going to be A LOT OF FOOD because the portion size is quite generous and having 4 dishes per person is too much. That being said, here’s how everything was:
Mezze
The muttabal was my absolute favorite dish of the night. So so so creamy and one you must try even if you aren’t an eggplant fan. The Muhammara was pretty bang-on with its flavors. The Cypress potato chips were crisp to perfection and the yogurt dip it was served alongside was interesting. The grilled halloumi had a strong sheep milk flavor which was neutralized by the candies apricots that it was served with. It wasn’t my favorite due to the pungent flavor but I still enjoyed it, nonetheless.
Mains:
The spanakopita was flaky and was stuffed with a delicious spinach ricotta filling. It was a good idea to serve it with a salad containing red bell peppers because they landed some much needed sweetness to a dish high on salt (feta is a salty cheese). Another thing that they could have done is drizzled some honey on top to add some more depth to the dish. The falafels were very mediocre. I have tasted better falafels in Philly itself. I would not recommend unless you are a big falafel fan.
Dessert
The semolina halva was served with spun sugar and the dish tasted EXACTLY like this Indian dish called sheera/suji ka halwa while the spun sugar was like another dish called Buddhi ka baal (translates to “old woman’s hair” in English. It was served with candied fruit. A good dish but since I was so familiar with the flavors, I was more comforted than fascinated by it. Also, wish the halva was served a little warm to allow the clarified butter in it to melt. The baklava was decent but a little too sweet for our liking. Again, we’ve had better baklava at other places.
The ambience is quite simple but has a very Greek-ish feeling to it. The servers are kind too. If you are looking for a pocket friendly Mediterranean place with good food then Kanella is the one for you.
Mezze
The muttabal was my absolute favorite dish of the night. So so so creamy and one you must try even if you aren’t an eggplant fan. The Muhammara was pretty bang-on with its flavors. The Cypress potato chips were crisp to perfection and the yogurt dip it was served alongside was interesting. The grilled halloumi had a strong sheep milk flavor which was neutralized by the candies apricots that it was served with. It wasn’t my favorite due to the pungent flavor but I still enjoyed it, nonetheless.
Mains:
The spanakopita was flaky and was stuffed with a delicious spinach ricotta filling. It was a good idea to serve it with a salad containing red bell peppers because they landed some much needed sweetness to a dish high on salt (feta is a salty cheese). Another thing that they could have done is drizzled some honey on top to add some more depth to the dish. The falafels were very mediocre. I have tasted better falafels in Philly itself. I would not recommend unless you are a big falafel fan.
Dessert
The semolina halva was served with spun sugar and the dish tasted EXACTLY like this Indian dish called sheera/suji ka halwa while the spun sugar was like another dish called Buddhi ka baal (translates to “old woman’s hair” in English. It was served with candied fruit. A good dish but since I was so familiar with the flavors, I was more comforted than fascinated by it. Also, wish the halva was served a little warm to allow the clarified butter in it to melt. The baklava was decent but a little too sweet for our liking. Again, we’ve had better baklava at other places.
The ambience is quite simple but has a very Greek-ish feeling to it. The servers are kind too. If you are looking for a pocket friendly Mediterranean place with good food then Kanella is the one for you.
Kanella restaurant serves really delicious Mediterranean food. The atmosphere is just great. It’s BYOB and they have outdoor dining areas too.
My friend and I got both “The Taste of Kanella” which came with 2 appetizers, 1 main course and 1 dessert. We chose muhammara, watermelon salad, potato chips and halloumi as an appetizer, salmon kebab as a main course and caramelized pumpkin and halva as a dessert. It was a lot food but we finished everything because each dish was amazing. My favorite was muhammara.
The service was great and all the waiting staff was very friendly. The prices were very reasonable. It’s a great spot in center city area. Highly recommend!
My friend and I got both “The Taste of Kanella” which came with 2 appetizers, 1 main course and 1 dessert. We chose muhammara, watermelon salad, potato chips and halloumi as an appetizer, salmon kebab as a main course and caramelized pumpkin and halva as a dessert. It was a lot food but we finished everything because each dish was amazing. My favorite was muhammara.
The service was great and all the waiting staff was very friendly. The prices were very reasonable. It’s a great spot in center city area. Highly recommend!
If your in the mood for a Mediterranean inspired then make sure to stop in to Barbuzzo. This small intimate dining experience is perfect for a solo meal, a date for two, or a night out with friends. The kitchen is right behind the bar so you get to watch them cook your meal. The service was out of this world and the food even better. The wood fired pizza is perfectly balanced with flavor and is big enough for two people to enjoy. I must recommend the whipped Ricotta as an appetizer. We walked in for a late dinner with a party of 4 and no reservation but you can always call ahead if you know a date and time.
This is one of the best falafels I have tried and I have tried 100+ falafel places all the US and the globe. I really liked the whole coriander seeds in the falafel. It was very flavorful, not dark brown/black and overly fried like so many other places.
The chicken kebabs - not only it was charred from outside but it was too juicy and soft from inside. Too many places get this wrong and their chicken usually gets too dry.
Rice was nicely flavored with turmeric, cumin and other spices and also likes the little sumac dusted side salad.
Taking away a star as they forgot to put extra tahini sauce. And also because I didn’t like the garlic sauce on chicken kebabs, they could have put it on side.
This place is a must try for falafel/chicken kebab lovers, absolutely recommend!
EDIT : changing review as I got a thick hair in my food. Not ordering again. Hygiene standards are zero.
The chicken kebabs - not only it was charred from outside but it was too juicy and soft from inside. Too many places get this wrong and their chicken usually gets too dry.
Rice was nicely flavored with turmeric, cumin and other spices and also likes the little sumac dusted side salad.
Taking away a star as they forgot to put extra tahini sauce. And also because I didn’t like the garlic sauce on chicken kebabs, they could have put it on side.
This place is a must try for falafel/chicken kebab lovers, absolutely recommend!
EDIT : changing review as I got a thick hair in my food. Not ordering again. Hygiene standards are zero.
Very impressed with the service and quality of food! Our server was lovely and very accommodating to us. It was our friend’s birthday and for our dessert she surprised us with a candle. We got 1 caramel dessert, 2 pastas, 1 pizza & 1 bread appetizer. No longer living in Philly but definitely will come back and visit when I’m in town
I came here with my fiancée for lunch the other day. We have been curious to try it out and I’m so glad we did! We ordered the platter for two. The hummus and bread was very good and I liked the dressing on the salad. When the platter came, we couldn’t believe how much food was on it! It’s definitely worth the price with how much they give you. I don’t like lamb so my fiancée was gonna eat the lamb but I tried a bite just for fun and it was actually really good. I was surprised because I normally can’t handle it and they cooked/seasoned it so well that I actually enjoyed it. The kofta kebab was just ok. It tasted like they use high quality spices in the ground meat for the kebab but it just wasn’t for me. My fiancée really enjoyed it though!! My favorite was the steak and chicken. They were so good and cooked perfectly. It was super fresh! The grilled veggies with the meat were also great and we really enjoyed them. The rice was a little lukewarm so it got cold with the fans above us. The fries were like that too. I also think the fries could be a little crispier. So the only thing that I didn’t really enjoy was how the rice and fries got cold quickly from the fans in the restaurant. It is very hot outside right now though so I can understand why they want to keep it cool inside. Our waiter was very nice! I wish they had bigger to go boxes because we ended up having to use three smaller ones. Two of those were just used for rice alone. But that’s not a huge issue, just a suggestion. We will definitely come back again when we are craving some Mediterranean food!
It is like Chipotle for mediterranean food. I think the staff who helped me was new and accidentally upgraded the size of my bowl. It was a lot of food and easily 2-3 people could had it. I loved their spicy paste. It seemed more like a takeout place so there weren't a lot of people dining in and the atmosphere was just okay. But great for healthy fast food option!
I smelled the aroma out on the street while walking. A person standing guard to entry of a private party assured me the place was CAVA. I was surprised but went in.
These people know food and how to treat customers. All the right stuff is here for you. Whole grains; fresh vegetables; well-crafted sauces and hummus are in abundance for dinner and lunch.
I bought the harissa honey chicken mixed with grilled chicken. Spinach greens and tomatoes, sides of hummus and feta with olives and everything good available.I requested a take-away side of harissa chicken and am already trying to think of how to eat it later.
Extremely hard to give 5-stars until today! Try the ginger beer. It’s good.
These people know food and how to treat customers. All the right stuff is here for you. Whole grains; fresh vegetables; well-crafted sauces and hummus are in abundance for dinner and lunch.
I bought the harissa honey chicken mixed with grilled chicken. Spinach greens and tomatoes, sides of hummus and feta with olives and everything good available.I requested a take-away side of harissa chicken and am already trying to think of how to eat it later.
Extremely hard to give 5-stars until today! Try the ginger beer. It’s good.
Great authentic chicken shawarma. Very friendly employees. There is also a convenient public eating area outside that is just around the corner.
First time dining at Kanella. Completely blown away by the flavors of everything we ordered. A few pictures of the appetizers that were delectable. Main courses were equally delicious. Our server was very friendly and helpful making selections. Great experience!!
Absolutely one the best restaurants I’ve been to! Customer service was excellent. The people were so friendly, polite and professional. The restaurant was clean and well organized. The food was outstanding! Everything was fresh, hot and tasty. You must try the Grilled Turkish Meat Balls and the Lamb Beyti. So delicious!
Everything was just okay. The hookah, the drinks, the service, the atmosphere.
The bouncer was pretty rude and asked us for $10 each to get in. Money definitely not well spent.
The bouncer was pretty rude and asked us for $10 each to get in. Money definitely not well spent.
We were driving down from NJ, called ahead to make a reservation. On our drive we got caught in a monsoon, delaying our arrival time. They were pleasant enough to hold our reservation and got seated right away. The food is phenomenal and came out relatively fast. But the star of the night was Stephanie. She was such a great server, felt so welcomed and had a great attitude about the food but also on life. Great service with a wonderful personality. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be coming back anytime I’m in Philly. The tiramisu is top 2 I’ve ever had.
Visited on Sunday for Brunch. Food was very tasty and good proportion.
We had ordered Shakshuka and Cardamom and mascarpone cheese stuffed french toast with stone fruit preserves and blueberries thyme syrup.
Everything was made fresh.
We had ordered Shakshuka and Cardamom and mascarpone cheese stuffed french toast with stone fruit preserves and blueberries thyme syrup.
Everything was made fresh.
Spice is a Mid Century Modern styled Mediterranean restaurant that includes a menu of high quality food options. The atmosphere is very comforting. Somewhat dimly lit with lots of wood accents that inspire a soft and romantic mood. They have the ability to acommodate both small and large parties. We came with a group of 8 people and the large bench seat + table setup did not have us feeling cramped at all.
The food was all very high quality. They have a variety of dishes that include seafood options and chicken laden with spices. The portion size was not very large, but they also were not small. It leaves just enough room for dessert.
Expect to spend about $50-60 per person for a drink and an Entree. The prices are on the high side compared to comparable Mediterranean places. The service was a little slow to take out intitial order, but quick and courteous for the duration of dining.
The food was all very high quality. They have a variety of dishes that include seafood options and chicken laden with spices. The portion size was not very large, but they also were not small. It leaves just enough room for dessert.
Expect to spend about $50-60 per person for a drink and an Entree. The prices are on the high side compared to comparable Mediterranean places. The service was a little slow to take out intitial order, but quick and courteous for the duration of dining.
The food here was incredible. We had the halloumi meze which was like nothing I’ve ever had before as well as the rib cap and falafel 🥙 it was to die for. Great service too with all staff going above and beyond. In fact we were travelling from London and I left my bag with passports inside and I had to leave really early to go back home and the owner came and opened up at 7am to give it us back just simply incredible a must stop on your trip to Philly!
Food was absolutely amazing! Joshua gave our table a fantastic experience with recommendations and more than accomodating service. We shared the mixed grill family platter and everything was cooked to perfection. The lamb melted in your mouth and the hummus was one of the best I have ever personally experienced. 10/10 would recommend!
Tasty food and lots of good option. Enjoyed the mixed appetizer and mixed entre options. Friendly service. Will definitely return.
My first time eating here!!! This place is So Beautiful !! It is also Quiet, Authentic, Comfy, and Welcoming. The food was Amazing, everything we (my dad and I) tried was delicious!! Joshua was our server and he gave us exceptional service to make us feel welcomed! Once we told him it was our first time he took the extra step to allow us to try different items from the menu!! Will be back here in the next couple of days due to the amazing food and service. This place just became my favorite restaurant!!! PLEASE GET IT WONT BE DISAPPOINTED.
An incredible, flavorful array of Mediterranean food that's done with effortless presentation and meticulous attention to detail. Their tasting menu is perfect for a date night!
I had my first dine in at Cilantro, I have done takeout before. Food was amazing, I had the mix grill and my sister had the Branzino fish. The rice, meat was so tasty and well seasoned. I was surprised at how good the fries were also. Portions were really big, such a great value. Service was good, didn’t take too long and waiter was very friendly. He just let us hang out and checked in appropriately. We were offered Egyptian tea for free - tea was really good. And dessert on the house. Very nice and welcoming. Only constructive criticism is maybe use a bigger plate, my pita bread was under a lot of food and was a little soggy. Highly recommend though it’s a small business and they are really nice and make great food!!
The shawarma is always amazing. The guys in there are from Syria & they’re very kind & always hook you up with the best 3rabi style sandwich!
Bubbly conversation fills the air. Reservation for table was pleasantly on time. The waiter recommended Tonight’s Special Lamb Ribs - Plum Agro dolce, Moroccan couscous, purple basil, cherry tomato, ramp-tarragon vinaigrette - and so I ordered that.
I’m visiting here and found this place one of the best restaurants in the area! Very delicious food, salad, and dessert!!! I always come here and recommend them for everyone.
Very friendly people and beautiful environment!!!
Thank you again dear friends for everything!!!
Very friendly people and beautiful environment!!!
Thank you again dear friends for everything!!!
Food tasted good , parking is roadside and if you are lucky you may get spot near the restaurent. Ambience of the restaurant is nice , staffs are friendly , attentive , welcoming. Service was bit faster , their tea is very aromatic and tasted excellent. We tried kebabs, shawarma, cilantro combo , deserts ( average price per head came as middle 40. Felt like the taste of food is not in our taste bud for the price we paid.
One of our favorite quick food bowl style restaurants. Quick, good quality food. A few improvements could be the staff could be a little more helpful in explaining food options. I had not been there in about a year since my last visit and forgot my options and the woman did not explain anytihng about the grains or salads when I asked what I could choose. In addition the bathroom was clean but the baby changing table was filthy. Luckily i had a changing pad with me, but the table was covered in what looked like dirt.
I was out walking and saw Moustaki signage on a building. I suddenly made plans to dine here. I received a Menu in my mailbox and recognized the Moustaki name. A fantastic treat! I chose the Loukaniko Entrée with wheat pita and tzatziki, waffle fries and roasted vegetables. Moustaki Authentic Gyros 161 N 21st St Philadelphia #LetsGuide take out Greek pork sausage - I tried to eat it all 😋
The staff was wonderful and the food was amazing. Cocktails and dessert were really fun and creative. I would highly recommend this place!
The food was absolutely amazing. I went There twice in 1 month and it never disappoints. I get The beef kabob entree every time. This time I got Baba ghanoush and it was so tasty. Def going to go here regularly. Me and 2 friends ate and the food was so fresh I couldnt Believe we got full for less than 100 dollars.
It's a nice place with 3 sections but parking is a major issue.
The rooftop was nice, and it was busy.
They had live DJ and amazing songs were playing all night.
The rooftop was nice, and it was busy.
They had live DJ and amazing songs were playing all night.
Make sure you get a reservation because this place is popular, and for good reason.
The service was excellent; the waiter was attentive and offered good drink recommendations. The old fashioned and Negroni were delicious.
Tried the Calabrese pizza but the Funghi was amazing. Perfect combination of cheeses and extremely fresh mushrooms. Cooked to perfection
The highly recommended salted caramel budino lived up to the hype. Homemade whipped cream with multiple decadent levels below that.
Highly recommend
The service was excellent; the waiter was attentive and offered good drink recommendations. The old fashioned and Negroni were delicious.
Tried the Calabrese pizza but the Funghi was amazing. Perfect combination of cheeses and extremely fresh mushrooms. Cooked to perfection
The highly recommended salted caramel budino lived up to the hype. Homemade whipped cream with multiple decadent levels below that.
Highly recommend
They take credit card again but it’s a $1.99 fee. Some of the best cheap Mediterranean food in the area. Gotta try their kebabs and lentil soup!
Came with a large group for brunch. Was fairly empty, but may have been due to it being a holiday. The service was great! Good food and drinks.
Loved this under the old ownership and was happy to see it's still great under the new chef/owner. Came with friends and we did the "Taste of Kanella," which is a great deal and absolutely the best way to dine here Loved getting to try so many of the mezze and mains, feasting together and sharing food. Everything was delicious and vibrant. Make sure to get the kunefe dessert!
We went for Valentines Day, albeit a couple days later. Really enjoyed this restaurant. I was a bit worried that maybe it had an overhyped but I was wrong. We got there and everyone was friendly and helpful, loved the look, it gives off the Mediterranean vibe they are going for. We had blistered shisito peppers (love them, any where I see them I ordered them), very good with the harissa. The helloumi gem salad was good although a bit overdressed. Loved the Turkish tuna. The Nwassar pasta not sure what that means but super tasty, loved the deep mushroom flavor. Bread was charred how it should be. Drinks were well crafted. Worth a trip.
Stopped by here when the $14 sandwich at the museum didn't sound appealing. So glad i made the <5 minute walk, the food was delicious! I had the lamb gyro, and i was really hoping it'd be shaved lamb, but unfortunately it was those little strips of ground lamb. Oh well, i get that shaved lamb might be too exotic for the locals and they can't justify stocking it. At least the strips were tasty - they didn't taste like they'd been stuck in the back of the freezer for 6 months or more. The pita was amazing, though! So fresh and doughy, and lightly grilled on the outside. Add a side of perfectly cooked and seasoned waffle fries, and a little bottle of Greek orange soda, and we were happy campers.
This place is fantastic! I haven’t felt this satisfied when eating out in a very long time. Portion size is just right, and the prices follow the trend. Food is extremely well seasoned and flavorful and came out super fast - we had the butternut squash arancini, house ground meatballs, and the creste rigate. We walked in just after 5 pm on a busy Saturday, without reservation, and they took us anyway, but let us know they would need the table back by 630 pm, which was not an issue at all. Our server was very helpful and friendly. The place can feel a bit cozy with how close the tables are from each other, but I didn’t mind it so much and it would definitely not be a deterrent for me to come back. Recommend 10/10.
Chill low key hookah spot. A lil old and could use an update. But still a vibe. The staff always let you aux/Bluetooth in on the speaker
My parents from the Middle East and I know what is shawarma. This is the worst in my life. Cold and with somebodys hairs in there... When I was ordering I told them that I used to eat shawarma and want it hot and nice. Paid $10 and dump it.
I’m usually a huge fan of this restaurant but today I had a terrible experience and won’t be going back again. I asked for dressing on the side but it was mixed in my salad & the salad was completely warm and wilted. The cucumbers in my salad were inedible. We also ordered wings which are usually our favorite but half of them were just bones with meat on one part of them and very dry and over cooked. Our fries were also very soggy and covered in oil and were inedible. I’m very disappointed considering I have had positive experiences before. We spent $45 on food and could barely eat it.
My absolute favorite place for Mediterranean food in Philly!! Everything is delicious and beautiful, and the staff are extremely attentive and friendly! Definitely feels like walking into a family restaurant. The hummus is some of the best I've ever had, the falafel was perfectly crispy, and the Adana lamb kebab was cooked to perfection. Everything was flavorful and fresh. The Turkish coffee is great too, perfect for an after-meal digestive, and is served in beautiful and unique cups. A warm, friendly, and delicious place, definitely worth a visit!
This was and perhaps still is one of our fave Turkish place to go to. Over the years, the prices has gone up 20-30% at least… Which makes this place the most expensive Mediterranean resto in the area!
The positive:
I’ve always enjoyed the complimentary small bites they start you off with.
The service is usually great if you get the right server.
The food comes quick most times and almost every dish is delicious.
The place has a good decor and good spot for a date.
The bad:
- The chicken kabab is not as juicy as other places
- The overpriced menu. They can def do better with pricing.
Try saksura for appetizer and mixed grill for entree.
The positive:
I’ve always enjoyed the complimentary small bites they start you off with.
The service is usually great if you get the right server.
The food comes quick most times and almost every dish is delicious.
The place has a good decor and good spot for a date.
The bad:
- The chicken kabab is not as juicy as other places
- The overpriced menu. They can def do better with pricing.
Try saksura for appetizer and mixed grill for entree.
Best shawarma sandwich ever. I was joking with the staff that this sandwich is the best one ever, and sure enough, it might be. Well-seasoned meats, garlic sauce with the perfect amount of flavor, rich citrus in the fresh fix-ins… it’s delicious. So good I went back for a second one. Really!
**BRING CASH**
Food is relatively good, the shawarma and the chicken platter are okay. They are not the most delicious food you would try but it is alright I guess.
It is slightly superior that the food trucks that you find in the corners of the street (gyro). However, the price is a little bit more elevated.
Every extra garlic sauce and hot sauce is $1 each.
The place is more like a take out place, eating there is not a fun experience, they have 3 bar stools and one of them doesn't work.
Owners are not the most charming. Asking them for napkins or extra sauce seems to be a burden to them. You may feel like they don't want you there. In the plater, the bread was cold and hard, not a very enjoyable experience.
Again, food is OKAY. It is a good 2/5, for the quality, price and service. Factor all those things.
Also check out Malooga. It may be a better EXPERIENCE.
Food is relatively good, the shawarma and the chicken platter are okay. They are not the most delicious food you would try but it is alright I guess.
It is slightly superior that the food trucks that you find in the corners of the street (gyro). However, the price is a little bit more elevated.
Every extra garlic sauce and hot sauce is $1 each.
The place is more like a take out place, eating there is not a fun experience, they have 3 bar stools and one of them doesn't work.
Owners are not the most charming. Asking them for napkins or extra sauce seems to be a burden to them. You may feel like they don't want you there. In the plater, the bread was cold and hard, not a very enjoyable experience.
Again, food is OKAY. It is a good 2/5, for the quality, price and service. Factor all those things.
Also check out Malooga. It may be a better EXPERIENCE.
I went here last night with a friend and everything was great up until it came time to pay and I saw the waiter overcharged us for almost everything. $44 for two shots is ridiculous. However, it is what it is. So I give him my card to charge, keep in mind our bill was $242 and some change. And he charges my card $262. Like how dare you tip yourself without my consent? When the bill already included an 18% gratuity. Which was around $43. Then he comes back and tells me my card is declined because I didn’t approve the charge. So he comes back and shows me it declined but he’s obviously covering the receipt total because he knows the total that was on the bill vs. the total he tried to charge on the second receipt was different. So I give him cash instead, and he asks if I need change and I clearly say YES! He then walks past my table 4x without giving me change. So I ask the girl waiter to ask him for my change and after about 10 minutes he finally comes and gives me change with an attitude. Like I just couldn’t believe he would do something like that. His name was Andrew I honestly would recommend going here there are so many other places better than this, the etiquette at this place is just in the trash to be 100% honest.
I highly recommend the Adana Kebab. My fiance got the chicken shish which he also loved. The waitor was so nice! And either the chef or the owner had brought out some complimentary hummus and pita for us. The food was so good and the service made us feel valued. The atmosphere is modern and respectful. I can tell that the staff here care about what they do. I would definitely come back!!
Mediterranean chipotle in a nutshell. They ran out of tzatziki sauce and pita bread and was a bit pricey. Still pretty good in my opinion. Would be 5 stars if they either had larger portion sizes or cheaper in price.
Kanella has been on my list for too long. So glad I finally made it for a mid-holiday-season lunch!
Our group of 4 took advantage of the Taste of Kanella prix fixe and were able to try all the Meze--our server* gifted us the Cyprus Potato Chips (shishito peppers, herbed yogurt, zaatar) so we could try them (and so very glad he did, as they were one of my favorite Meze!), too. Other favorite Meze offerings: Shepherd Salad (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, onion), which had some of the tastiest tomatoes I've had in a while, and lovely depth of flavor; Crispy Brussels Sprouts (carrot tarator, zaatar), which were well-seasoned; Beets with Yogurt (honey, arugula, walnut), which had a great balance of sweet, bitter, and nutty; Seared Halloumi (apricots, dates, walnuts), because how can one go wrong with seared cheese?! Also wanted to give a nod to the crispy chickpeas in the Hummus--loved the added texture!
For my main, I chose the Falafel (ground fava and chickpea fritters, tahini) which were a good size, maybe a little drier than I was expecting, and paired well with the side salad (similar to the Shepherd Salad, but included red cabbage).
And for dessert, I chose the Baklava (filo pastry, pistachios, walnuts), which was terrific--not too sweet!
Will definitely return!
*Terrific service--loved the guidance on ranking the Main dishes!
Our group of 4 took advantage of the Taste of Kanella prix fixe and were able to try all the Meze--our server* gifted us the Cyprus Potato Chips (shishito peppers, herbed yogurt, zaatar) so we could try them (and so very glad he did, as they were one of my favorite Meze!), too. Other favorite Meze offerings: Shepherd Salad (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, onion), which had some of the tastiest tomatoes I've had in a while, and lovely depth of flavor; Crispy Brussels Sprouts (carrot tarator, zaatar), which were well-seasoned; Beets with Yogurt (honey, arugula, walnut), which had a great balance of sweet, bitter, and nutty; Seared Halloumi (apricots, dates, walnuts), because how can one go wrong with seared cheese?! Also wanted to give a nod to the crispy chickpeas in the Hummus--loved the added texture!
For my main, I chose the Falafel (ground fava and chickpea fritters, tahini) which were a good size, maybe a little drier than I was expecting, and paired well with the side salad (similar to the Shepherd Salad, but included red cabbage).
And for dessert, I chose the Baklava (filo pastry, pistachios, walnuts), which was terrific--not too sweet!
Will definitely return!
*Terrific service--loved the guidance on ranking the Main dishes!
Great Tapas experience with a easy going vibe. Lots to share with friends/family. Very nice but limited wine list. Delicious cocktails I tried the Precious Flower, with nice mezcal smoky notes to go with the Mezza and Small Plates offerings. Our favorites were the Baked Cheese, Scallops, Chicken Kabobs, and Duck Wings. It's all about various flavor profiles here. Absolutely enjoyable experience with attentive staff. Definitely will be back again.
Al Zaytouna prepares exceptional Tunisian food. Their sandwhiches and entrees are fresh, with real vegetables ( not the ho hum kind), and authentic flavors. Their cous cous entrees remind me of meals from my childhood. The owner and his wife are warm and welcoming; this restaurant stayed open through the pandemic serving as long as people needed food. There are few restaurants ( despite all the hype), that really seem to care about the actual quality of the food they serve. This is one that really does care - and it shows. Everything is consistently terrific.
This spot was super chill, and the owner was super nice. Definitely recommend anyone come who likes hookah and surprisingly really tasty chicken wings!! 10/10 recommend
What a great find right next to the Franklin Institute. The service was fast and friendly. The food was very tasty (especially the Gyro Fries)! Definitely the best value we've had in the city! This will absolutely be a regular everytime we go the the Franklin Institute.
Superb! Absolutely wonderful! My husband enjoyed his birthday dinner thoroughly; the only thing better would be an actual trip to Turkey ! The waitress was excellent! Attentive kind quick and on point from the time we walked in until the time we left. The owner was also very involved and caring. You can tell this is a labor of love. It's halal which is always a plus and we would recommend every dish we tried. The decor is beautiful, and clean. The dumplings were light and filled with beef and lamb topped with delicate flavors of lemon and herb . The Mediterranean salad was phenomenal and we ate it soo fast we forgot pics. The Borek was perfectly filled and fried but not too greasy. Our mixed platter had everything you could ask for without skipping any of our favorites. My favorite was the lamb chop ! We finished with a dessert kunefe and coffee . It was all delightful and we will return. God willing
It’s a wonderful place with the best hookah and amazing vibe in town.!! Would love to comeback soon. As it was Sunday, there wasn’t any food available, and so is the 4 star rating. Or else it would be a 5 star place.
Ive been to tons of Turkish restaurants all over the country and also to Turkey!
Been very disappointed with this place. The service was super slow and the wait staff was not attentive ( empty water glasses all the time ) the place was not that busy but there was a good wait before the food comes out! They served a complimentary lettuce wrap appetizer and drink which was a very nice gesture. The food quality was way below average, super greasy, and very overpriced for this quality & portion size ( compare to other similar restaurants in the area they really need some serious improvements ) 2-3 stars
Been very disappointed with this place. The service was super slow and the wait staff was not attentive ( empty water glasses all the time ) the place was not that busy but there was a good wait before the food comes out! They served a complimentary lettuce wrap appetizer and drink which was a very nice gesture. The food quality was way below average, super greasy, and very overpriced for this quality & portion size ( compare to other similar restaurants in the area they really need some serious improvements ) 2-3 stars
We stopped at this restaurant in the Italian Market at 9th and Christian. We ordered a lunch of a variety of appetizers. Everything was freshly made and delicious. An excellent restaurant for Mediterranean food We are looking forward to returning for a complete dinner. It is a BYOB, which also makes it very affordable.
This is my third time eating at CAVA in Center City. The first two times were carry out orders with no issues. This most recent was a doordash order. Sauces were left off, dressings were limited (I asked for 2, only got 1), and the pita was missing altogether.
The food otherwise tasted great but a bit unfortunate to have things missing from an order.
The food otherwise tasted great but a bit unfortunate to have things missing from an order.
Best hummus I had in a long time. Meat was delicious and very friendly people.
Nice and fresh chicken and the hummus was excellent.
In from Chicago and we needed something to get into following dinner. Stopped by this gem and everything was great. Wonderful staff. Great choice of flavors - I recommend the Love 66 with Peach. Small cover charge for entry but worth it. Very lowkey place and cool hang out spot to link up with friends. Nice music as well. Stop in, ypu won't regret.
The food is absolutely amazing. The staff were highly attentive, friendly, and helpful. The food was well crafted and beautifully made. Every dish was worth ordering. The pistachio baklava and Turkish coffee was perfect to finish the meal. Highly highly recommend, and I will return.
I order delivery occasionally (always the same thing-- chicken kebob salad and hummus) and the food is always so fresh. You can tell the lettuce is chopped fresh (and not from a bag) and the grilled chicken on the salad is still warm when it arrives. The hummus is so creamy, my favorite in the city
This place is a terrible neighbor. I used to live half a block away and they have late night loud music parties there until 1-2 AM on the regular, including weeknights. I'm not even sure if that's allowed in the current COVID situation. All summer long it's been especially horrible. They are a health hazard with their crowded sidewalk tables and rowdy maskless customers. Also, I did once get food from there a few years ago. Quite mediocre. Guess they more cater to the underage college kids who pay the $24 BYOB fee and smoke hookah. Great time to be going out and sharing mouth germs with your friends! Dumb people really got nothing better to do...
Great food spot for anyone who is health-conscious and looking for an energy boost within food!
I loved my grain based bowl with black lentils, tomatoes, cabbage, red pepper hummus, cucumbers and more!
I enjoyed free a pita as well with my purchase!
I definitely recommend this place and it’s not to crowded on a Saturday early afternoon!
I loved my grain based bowl with black lentils, tomatoes, cabbage, red pepper hummus, cucumbers and more!
I enjoyed free a pita as well with my purchase!
I definitely recommend this place and it’s not to crowded on a Saturday early afternoon!
Bit pricey for the malnourished protein, but it did taste really, really good. At $24, I expect to have a piece twice that thick. The photo makes it look bigger than it was. It was MAYbe 4 ounces, and a salmon entree is usually 8 ounces, at least 6. They also hold your ID here until you get your food and then pay for it.
One of the best staff taking care of their customers in the best possible way. Hookahs are strongly flavored but smooth. Loved the interiors so apt for a hookah place. Good collection of wine and beers. Even the cocktails were really at par with any good bar!
Loved the overall first visit experience.
Loved the overall first visit experience.
One of the very first spots in Philadelphia to have hookah and their still leading the way with their plentiful of exotic flavors! I had my favorite blue mist and mint on a grapefruit head I love the fruit top head rather then just the flavored shisha on coal mainly because it adds so much more flavor and definitely gives you a buzz! I had for the first time however their Greek salad with grilled chicken kabob which was BOMB!! You must try it filled with so much flavor fresh onions, olive, green peppers, tomatoes, and feta cheese.. my date has a grilled Cesar salad which was also good I got to try his out! We opted out on getting a drink because the hookah definitely did it’s job! The atmosphere was very nice and intimate and their music choice catered to old and new school. Customer service was great thank Destiny for your hospitality! I’ll definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for a great time. It wasn’t as crowded when we got there but the crowd definitely does pick up! I’ll continue to keep going there. That’s my spot for sure!
On night of Nov 2 2018 around 10.30pm I asked for a music to be played and then one of the indian waitress changed it (after I overheard one of the customer who this waitress was playing cards with said to change it just after few seconds) and then I again asked other waitress to play it and she asked me to wait for a song to finish which I did and then again played my song which was again instantly changed by this unknown waitress and this was very rude. They thought they were smart and I wouldn't know who was changing it but I deprived them of a "very" big tip I was going to give had my song was played and rating this cafe worst so that owner understand that they need to respect and treat all customers equally and have some centralized control over playing music. Overall I came out angry and would never go back again and wouldn't recommend anyone. It made my sheesha feel worst.
Welcome back Jenn! I admit I’ve been a long time fan of hers and am excited she has returned to our city. I think they are doing amazing things out of The Finch and it’s just going to get better. There was a few kinks with service but they will iron them out. I had some dishes that blew me away, completely different than any I’ve had in Phila prior, truly refreshing. Make sure to try the fries, shishito peppers, the peri peri shrimp are so good I wanted to lick the plate, the roasted cauliflower was not only beautiful but completely changed my apathy towards cauliflower and the samosa...just order one....or 5!
First time at this place. At first thought, I was thinking this place is small but when I walked in, it is small but nice. The restaurant is very clean. They have music playing in the background. Nice setting. Ordered the chicken kabob platter. It wasn't what I had in mind. The kabob is not on a stick. It's a stickless kabob but it was very good. The mixed green salad was pretty good too (missing from the picture). Didn't too much care for the rice and I love rice. I would recommend people to try out Al Zaytouna. Forgot to take picture when I got the food. Sorry bout the half plate 😂.
The best hookah bar in Philadelphia. We tried the lemon mint hookah and it was great. If you want to enjoy some quality time and great shisha's I would recommend this place. The ambience is great and the waiters were very friendly. We were taken care by Ashraf, he is a great host and the best hookah maker in the business. He has a secret which he won't share and thats what makes this place fantastic and worth spending your dough.
The waiter was RUDE and MEAN in every possible way. He lashed out at me and my friends just because we asked for extra sauce. He was disrespectful, loud and yelling although we were trying to calm him down. I will never recommend this restaurant to any of my friends, and I will never step a foot back again.
Went here with a couple friends of mine, Saturday night. Small crowd, wasn't crowded wasn't empty, which i preferred. The guy offered us a seat at a "table" that wasn't cleaned off from the last patrons. We didn't get any food and it had byob which was good. The hookah selection was nice and the staff was accommodating but didn't understand some of the specifics my friend wanted. I'm not deep into hookah so I don't what exactly he wanted(an orange base and the regular strawberry flavor is what he asked for) but the guy didn't understand but he did try to. The seats were about as good as the average park bench but the inside did look nice and the bathroom was clean. It was about 12am( midnight) when we went.