Middle Eastern restaurants in USA
-
A
Café Jaffa
A surprising bargain in the middle of blue-blood Back Bay. Fill up on delicious shwarma and falafel, and wash it down with palatable Israeli beer or rich dark Turkish coffee. With polished wood floors and painted murals, it's more stylish than your typical Turkish deli.
reviewed
-
B
Moby Dick House Of Kabob
Why it's called Moby Dick is a mystery, but this is another hole-in-the wall joint serving tasty Persian food into the wee hours. The highlight is the pita bread, fresh and warm from the clay oven. Daily lunch specials are around US$7.
reviewed
-
C
Maza
Romantic yet unpretentious, this Lebanese favorite even has menu items for couples, including the wide-ranging Maza Deluxe, a tasting of hot and cold appetizers that includes marinated meats and stuffed grape leaves, and the fanciful Maza’s Signature Entree, which offers a stuffed crown of lamb, served flambé. For a more platonic and less pricey experience, go with baked kibbeh (a traditional ball of cracked wheat, stuffed with spiced sirloin) or a broiled kebob. Afterwards, try the hearty Lebanese coffee and a slice of gooey homemade baklava. Be warned, the place can get packed on the weekends.
reviewed
-
D
Alfanoose
For a break from the big-food fair down in these parts, pop into this unassuming storefront, where you’ll find what’s been frequently cited by local mags as the best falafel in town. Mouhamed Shami stuffs the ungreasy fried chickpea balls into wonderfully thin and pliant pita – and does a solid job with other Mid-East standards, too, including tangy foul mudammas (fava-bean salad), chicken shawarma, and kibbehs both lamb and vegetarian, the latter of which is an intriguing combo of mint, spinach, chard, pomegranate juice and cracked wheat.
reviewed
-
E
Old Jerusalem
Foodies scouring the Mission for the ultimate taco shouldn’t overlook this outpost of Middle Eastern authenticity, complete with Dome of the Rock poster and pristine hummus – they don’t overdo the tahini or garlic, or put roasted red peppers where they don’t belong. Get the classic felafel, shwaerma (marinated, roasted lamb) or shish taouk (marinated grilled chicken) with all the fixings: hummus, onion, eggplant, potato and tangy purple sumac, with optional hot-pepper paste.
reviewed
-
F
Mimi's
It calls itself an 'American bistro' but the menu and decor say otherwise: Walls are elegantly draped with Persian rugs, an appetizer for sharing, called the 'Peace Meal,' features hummus and baba ganouj (eggplant dip) and, the last Sunday of the month, Mimi's hosts an Arab-Jewish dialogue for anyone wishing to participate. Meanwhile the waitstaff, all starving musicians, occasionally break into singing opera or playing jazz piano.
reviewed
-
G
Sunrise Deli
A hidden gem in the fog belt, Sunrise dishes up what is arguably the city’s best smoky baba ghanoush, mujeddrah (lentil-rice with crispy onions), garlicky foul (fava bean spread) and crispy falafel, either to go or to enjoy in the old-school cafe atmosphere. Local Arab American hipsters confess to passing off the Sunrise’s specialties as their own home cooking to older relatives.
reviewed
-
H
Pasha’s
Pasha’s is a serious self-promoter judging by this place, a sleek, two-level, healthy fast-food emporium that has its name everywhere you look. No matter; the food at Pasha’s rocks. Have some delicious labneh (thick yogurt), a plate of hummus and grilled chicken served over rice. Pasha’s also has a branch on N Miami Ave in the Design District and another downtown on Brickell Ave.
reviewed
-
I
Falafel King
Two words: free falafels. That’s right, everyone gets a little free sample before even ordering here. There is no disputing that this carry-out spot is indeed the falafel king of Boston. The sandwiches are fast, delicious and cheap. Besides the namesake falafel, the king sells shawarma and shish kebab made from the meat of your choice, as well as many vegetarian delights.
reviewed
-
J
La Méditerranée
Zesty, lemon-laced Lebanese fare at friendly prices make La Méd the Castro’s neighborhood meet-up spot. The chicken kebab over rice pilaf is pleasingly plump and juicy, the kibbe is a harmonious blend of pine nuts, ground lamb and cracked wheat, and the smoky eggplant in the baba ghanoush was roasted for hours and isn’t the least bit bitter about it.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Quick Pita
There’s a million late-night joints in Georgetown selling falafel to drunk kids. This is the one we go to. Why? The yogurt is a little saltier, the stools a little more stable so we don’t fall on our faces, the schwarma a little greasier and the guys behind the counter curse at each other in Arabic with just a little more vehemence. It’s cozy like that.
reviewed
-
L
Falafill
Buy a falafel sandwich or falafel salad at the counter, then customize it at the topping bar with cilantro chutney, Moroccan olives, zhug (hot jalapeno sauce), tabbouleh, pickled ginger and 15 other fresh items. Soup, hummus and sweet-potato fries sum up the side dishes. Freshly squeezed carrot, orange and apple juices add to the healthy fast-food vibe.
reviewed
-
M
Lebanese Taverna
This family-run Middle Eastern joint ranks among our favorite DC restaurants. Make a whole meal out of meze, like creamy labneh (yogurt cheese), tangy grape leaves, kibbeh (beef-stuffed pasta) and garlicky foole m'damas (fava-bean dip), which please both vegetarians and meat eaters. An outdoor patio makes this a fine summertime choice.
reviewed
-
N
Ziryab
Banish all traumatic memories of dry chicken shwarmas with this succulent, organic poultry rolled in flatbread and sealed by hummus with a tantalizing whiff of curry. The lentil soup is so robust it’ll make your voice drop an octave, and the hookahs on the front porch provide solace to smokers rendered furtive by SF’s antismoking laws.
reviewed
-
O
Burger Continental
What sounds like a patty-and-bun joint is in reality a high-energy Middle Eastern nosh spot that delivers a first-class culinary journey at economical prices. Breakfast and lunch are all-you-can-eat buffets and there are nightly specials as well. Live bands and belly dancers provide ear and eye candy from Wednesday to Sunday. Great patio.
reviewed
-
P
Zaina
This friendly cafe, bejeweled with a mishmash of sparkly decorations and pulsing with Middle Eastern pop, dishes out juicy falafel sandwiches stuffed to overflowing, as well as shawarma, tabbouleh, hummus, great baklava and freshly squeezed lemonade. On weekend nights the vibe goes clubbish, with hookahs and belly dancers in the house.
reviewed
-
Q
Cedars Restaurant
Cedars serves enormous curries and vindaloos so smooth and creamy you want to dive into them. Eat here just once and you will dream about it later. There’s also a great selection of Mediterranean specialties like shish kebabs, falafel and gyros, much of which is vegetarian. The covered wooden patio is a cool hangout in nice weather.
reviewed
-
R
Icosium Kafe
It’s crepes galore at this exotic Algerian cafe (which sometimes goes by the name Crepe & Coffee Palace). The signature dish comes in varieties both sweet (stuffed with figs, Nutella, Belgian chocolate or berries) and savory (stuffed with chicken, smoked salmon or escargot), alongside robust coffee.
reviewed
-
S
Hummus Place
This little nook is nothing special in the way of ambience but it’s got the most amazing hummus platters. They’re served warm and with various toppings, from whole chickpeas and mushrooms to fava-bean stew with chopped egg. You’ll also find tasty salads and stuffed grape leaves.
reviewed
-
T
Hummus Place
This little nook is nothing special in the way of ambience but it’s got the most amazing hummus platters. They’re served warm and with various toppings, from whole chickpeas and mushrooms to fava-bean stew with chopped egg. You’ll also find tasty salads and stuffed grape leaves.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Hummus Place
This little nook is nothing special in the way of ambience but it’s got the most amazing hummus platters. They’re served warm and with various toppings, from whole chickpeas and mushrooms to fava-bean stew with chopped egg. You’ll also find tasty salads and stuffed grape leaves.
reviewed
-
V
Old Jerusalem
This friendly Middle Eastern joint has been pumping out falafel and pita sandwiches for over 30 years. For something leafy try the Greek salad, served with Lebanese flatbread. If the weather’s good, get your food to go and feast in nearby Lincoln Park.
reviewed
-
W
Oasis
Walk past diamonds, gold and other bling in the jewelers’ mall before striking it rich at the cafe in back. Creamy hummus, crisp falafel and other Middle Eastern favorites fill plates at bargain prices. Eat in or carry out to nearby Millennium Park.
reviewed
-
X
Sultan’s Market
Steps from the Blue Line, this Middle Eastern spot has meat-free delights like falafel sandwiches, spinach pies and a sizable salad bar. Carnivores can come in, too; many swear by the chicken shawarma.
reviewed
-
Y
Mama Ayesha's
This neighborhood institution has changed little since it opened 50 years ago, including neither prices nor decor. Mama's specializes in Syrian takes on hummus, kebabs and other Levantine classics.
reviewed
