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Al-Basha

4.5 (322 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Al-Basha Photos

AL-BASHA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Classy
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - Al-Basha

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Reviews With Photos

Just Us @ Al-Basha Restaurant
Chris E.

THE GOOD ---------------- + Middle Eastern food at its very finest! ++++ Complimentary pita bread and Starter Arabic (Cucumber Tomato) Salad - Was a perfect way to start the meal. The bread was nice and warm and the salad was super fresh, however, the bread does not come with any dips or sauces, so make sure to order one from the menu's list of spreads. ++++ Mix Mashawi (for 2) - Was super duper flavorful and the meats (Filet Mignon, Chicken Kebab, Kofta Kebab, Shawarma ) were very tender! Typically, Chicken Kebob meat can be dry, but it was really good here. The portion was huge too - so big that we only ate half of it and brough the rest home. The Jasmine Rice was spot on too. ++++ Mint Lemonade - I have 2 words for this - GET IT! The drink is so refreshing and addictive. ++++ Sparkling Mango - Was good and was like a Mango seltzer, but I preferred the Mint Lemonade more. ++++ Pistachio Ice Cream - Possibly the very, very, very BEST pistachio ice cream I've ever had. The ice cream was creamy and the pistachio flavor was strong, but it was sooooo good. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - 18% gratuity was automatically applied to our bill ... for 2 people? I read about this and, like others, am a little baffled at why it's automatically applied. - No private parking lot. All customers must park on the surrounding residential streets. MIXED THOUGHTS --------------------------- = Service was up and down. ++++ Food arrived fairly quickly. ---- Our waiter was pretty on point and cordial, BUT we were never checked on to see how things were and we never were provided water. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = It was busy even on the Monday afternoon of New Year's week. The restaurant wasn't jam packed by any means and there were still tables, but they had a steady stream of customers. CONCLUSION -------------------- = Yes, Al-Basha comes with a monstrosity of foodie hype, but, make no mistake about it, the grilled meats here are undoubtedly the real deal!! Are they the cream of the crop? Having grown up in NYC, and being spoiled by the list of world class options to choose from, it is hard to say if they are up, up there. However, we would DEFINITELY come here again though to try other things!

Mezze
Jalen R.

Food here is amazing with good portions. I came here on a Friday night and it was packed. The Al Basha mezza which is their mixed spread is great for someone wanting to try all the different dips they have. We immediately got pita when we sat down, they do come around and refill your pita bread for free. I came here with a group of 5 and al basha mezza and mix mashawari for 4 was enough to feed all of us and was left stuffed. The presentation of the mixed meat was the star of the show and was absolutely delicious with the rice, salad and garlic sauce they provided with it. I also recommend ordering the limona drink, majority of the table around us ordered it as well. Service can be a bit better, it was hard to get a hold of our waiter but other than that, great spot!

Angela L.

Service was quick for a Friday night without reservations. We got seated 5 minutes after arriving around 6 for four people. Our food came quickly , and our waiter was decent. Had the mix mashawi and it was decent nothing extraordinary. The rice was good was tasty... the filet and chicken were okay nothing too memorable. Good ambiance looks upscale but can be for casual dining

Al basha mezza, mix for 1
Justine W.

Solid spot for Palestinian food in nj. Came here for a party of 2 and ordered the Al basha mezze which is a sampler of all sorts of dips, it's a good way to try variety of their delicious dips and comes with complimentary pita. We also ordered the mix for 1 and all of this was good enough and we were left full. The only downside was they didn't have tap water, only bottled water and it was hard to find parking around the area or you can do valet parking. Overall service was nice and quick with our foods. Definitely a place I would come back for.

Mixed grill for 1
Zaid N.

Best service in all of the US by far for a middle restaurant. Great ambiance and the food is just phenomenal. All reasonably priced and delish options. Loved the service the most and will recommend anyone to go there just one complaint which is parking. I feel like this is an issue for many restaurants in the Jersey area!

Tomato and cucumber Salad

Amazing service, Delicious and tasty food, atmosphere and decoration. Went to Paterson Falls and stopped here for Dinner minutes away and was full but only waited 15 minutes to be seated. The food had an amazing taste and served at fair time but quick. Ordered the Mashawi for four, Fries, and Mint and mango lemonades. Was very delicious to or taste buds as we are Puerto Ricans and Polish compared to our food. A MUST GO TO PLACE to eat and the staff were on the ball and serving nonstop. Will be back!

Dolly C.

- Very spacious restaurant with sleek, modern décor; a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows floods the space with natural light, and there's a private dining area tucked in the back - Steady flow of diners on a Monday afternoon lunch; moderate noise level - Service was efficient and attentive, but interactions felt more transactional than warm or welcoming - Food was delicious overall: the Mixed Mashawi (for two) includes filet mignon shish kebabs, kofta kebabs, chicken kebabs, and a generous mound of beef shawarma atop paper-thin shrak bread; all the meats were perfectly seasoned and cooked--tender, juicy, and full of flavor; Arabic Salad was light and fresh; rice was warm and fluffy; could have used much more yogurt sauce! - Complimentary warm pita and spicy pickled vegetables were a nice touch - Mint lemonade and sparkling mango drinks were cold and refreshing; the pistachio ice cream was excellent with bold pistachio flavor and covered with crushed pistachios--though a bit pricey at $12 - Portions were generous with enough leftovers for another meal

Sharika M.

Reviewing the take away store front! Got the chicken shawarma which wasn't too fatty, as in it wasn't drowning in sauce. It came with some toom garlic spread on the side. They have kiosks for order or you can order from the front. It took awhile for the shawarma to come out, kind of defeats the take away concept to an extent. Also thought the speciality drinks priced around the same as a shawarma isn't fair. Looks pretty clean!

Complimentary bread
Bea R.

After having such a great experience the first time coming here, I was looking forward to dining in again for a second time. We came in on a Sunday evening around 7pm as walk-ins for a table of 2. The restaurant was bustling and packed! Tons of big groups, lots of noise, and a continuous flow of traffic. We waited around 15-20 minutes to be seated. For starters, we received complimentary pita bread, pickled vegetables, and a tomato & cucumber salad. The pita was fluffy and fresh and the salad was refreshing. Now for the disappointment of the night. We ordered the Mix Mashawi for 2 ($48). The dish is a combination of char grilled signature meats- chicken kebab, filet mignon, kofta kebab, and shawarma. Halfway through munching on our apps, we were told that they ran out of shawarma... which was a bummer because that was my absolute favorite meat :/ They offered to substitute it for any of the other 3 meats, so we opted for chicken. All of the meat was seasoned and cooked well. And of course I had to wash down all of that meat with a mint lemonade ($7). I can never get enough of this drink. So refreshing and tarty!

soda
Diana A.

El Basha in Paterson is honestly one of those spots that surprise you. The food is always so fresh and full of flavor, like you can taste the love in every bite. I got the soup and it was so good, warm, and seasoned just right. It actually hit the spot. The people there are super chill and nice. The energy is good, the food is good, it's just a whole vibe. If you're in Paterson and want real homemade style Mediterranean food, El Basha is the place. Trust me, once you try it, you'll keep going back.

Wei H.

Great food: flavorful and good portion. We ordered the mix combo for 2 people, definitely enough portions and more. Service was great. We didn't have reservation, waited maybe 10-15mins. But I definitely recommend reservations , this place is packed!! Very upscale decor inside. Chic and elegant. The staff is very very attentive. I'll absolutely come back for more.

Nehal A.

Finally got a chance to visit the renowned kebab place in Paterson. We went in for a Sunday lunch around noon. They have valet parking for $15, but I preferred doing street parking nearby. The place was already full, though we were lucky to get a table within 5 minutes. The restaurant appears to be small but later I realized they have a huge section in the back. Very modern, gorgeous interior. The menu has breakfast items, appetizers and entrees. We ordered the mix mashawi that came with grilled filet mignon, kofta, chicken and shwarma kebabs. We got complementary salad, rice and bread with the dish. Also got side of yogurt and chili sauce. They cook the meat after the order so it does take some time. But I had a delight feasting on that giant platter of kebabs. Kofta was my favorite, followed by shwarma and filet mignon. The filet mignon got little extra grilled. The service was excellent. The staff were super attentive. Helped us with packing left overs. Gratuity of 18% is automatically added to the check. Overall we had a great lunch, and we are looking forward to our next meal here.

Marlene C.

Al-basha is a must try for every Nj resident! An absolute favorite! the portions are huge & i absolutely love the fresh warm pita! Also the service is great and they always check in tip: try the mint lemonade it's DELICIOUS!!

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1 month ago

The food is really, really, good, the ambience is really unique and comforting can't wait to go back and try more of that great food.

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4 months ago

Good food excellent service very friendly people clean clean clean and the wait time is not bad

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Al-Basha Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Al-Basha

How is parking by this location? or do they have a parking lot?

No Parking lot, you need to find street parking. Be careful and read street signs. Some sides of the streets are with residents' permit only.

Do they have hookah?

The Crooks Ave location doesn't.

Is this place byob?

I don't think they allow alcohol. They are a Muslim establishment. Might be best to call and ask.

Do they serve alcohol?

Nope

Is this a byob place?

Probably not as they are Muslim

Do they still bake their pita bread fresh in-house?

Looks and tasted fresh

View All 7 Questions

Al Basha - mezze

Al Basha

4.1(770 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

We ordered a whole range of things including chicken kebab, chicken gyro, tahini cauliflower,…read morelabneh, and hummus. Everything was delicious, but I'll leave the food writing to the Yelpers with more sophisticated palates than I. (Actually, I take that back--the fresh-baked pita was amazing and I would eat it with/for every meal if I could.) The real reason I wanted to leave a review the service, which went above and beyond. Let me start by saying that Al Basha takeout has a wonderfully efficient order-number-based system for managing the hundreds of orders they get on a daily basis. But if, say, the person who placed the order sent you to pick up the food with the wrong order number, you're going to struggle, and that's not the restaurant's fault. With that prelude and without getting into the details, we'll just say there was a user error issue with my order that led to a mix-up and a very late pick-up. Everyone from the Al Basha staff with whom I interacted could not have handled it any better. They were very apologetic, not because they did anything wrong (to be clear, they didn't), but because they were disappointed our meal hadn't gone well and wanted to fix that. The top priority of the manager with whom I dealt was making sure that my wife--it was Mothers' Day--got the best meal possible, and made sure to send me home with fresh bread and a treat for the moms. It was true hospitality, and greatly appreciated. TLDR version: great food, excellent service, out-of-this-world pita, and make darned sure you have the right order number.

Disappointed w the mix mashawi, considering it's their signature char grilled meats. It comes with…read morefilet mignon, chicken kebab, kofta kebab, and shawarma. The chicken kebab was dry and the shawarma was a bit too sour for my liking (not sure if they squeezed lemon on it or something). The kofta was okay but nothing spectacular. The filet mignon, was a major let down. My server didn't ask how we'd like it cooked, which is medium rare for my family. It came back well done. He said everyone usually prefers it to be well done, but I think that's a mistake that shouldn't be made and preference should always be asked, especially with steak. We asked for it to be swapped, and it still came back well done. When we let them know again, they brought it back a little on the rare side, which is fine for my family, but had it been another family, not so sure. I'm sure they have hundreds of orders for the char grilled meets, so I'm a little confused on why the technique has not already been established My favorite dish had to be the makanik - which is pan seared lamb sausages finished with sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses. I usually don't like lamb because of the gamey flavor but these sausages didn't have that. I didn't taste much of the pomegranate molasses. The arugula & beet salad would've been good if the pomegranate molasses vinaigrette was less sweet. The stuffed grape leaves were also a bit too sour. The lemon was just taking over the entire flavor profile. I didn't really taste the tomato or parsley. The falafel platter was good but nothing different than other falafels that I've had. The mint lemonade was so refreshing. Almost everyone in the restaurant had one and I understand why. The mint is not overpowering I had high expectations because I've seen this place on instagram but I'm afraid they were not met. Service was good, but the food definitely needs some work. There's valet parking, which i recommend because it's hard to find street parking

Photos
Al Basha - Beautiful interior

Beautiful interior

Al Basha
Al Basha

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Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Quzi

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery

4.8(91 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Had the fortune to eat dinner with friends at this restaurant. I was looking to try Iraqi food for…read morea long time. As we walked in at 7pm on a Thursday we realized the place closes at 7:30. The smiling pretty face young lady Riham said we are welcome to come in and she would feed us. We were 7 adults. Every one picked their choice and all the food turned delicious. The appetizers were superb. The falafel, the kabab, the chicken, the Ouzi were done to perfection. Riham was courteous and kept the place open for us way beyond their closure time. Looking forward to returning soon.

Iraqi restaurant in a rather industrial area of New Jersey. Street parking only. Masgouf (Iraq's…read morenational dish of grilled carp) is on the menu but it has to be ordered two days in advance. I had the lamb kebabs. They were very soft and good but could be better in terms of flavor. The chicken tikka was too salty. The bread is delicious and fresh. The fries were delicious and comes with a interesting turmeric/mustard type sauce. The pickled vegetables are an acquired taste; very salty. The quzi is lamb shank with rice and comes with either bean or okra soup. I liked the okra soup better since it had some acidity from the tomatoes. The lamb shank was very tender but I wish it came with some sauce or lemon. The rice is a bit sweet due to the rasins. The prices are a bit high but there are not many Iraqi restaurants in the region.

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Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery
Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Chicken tikka

Chicken tikka

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Falafel

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Falafel

The Olive Bistro - Sambousek (~$9)

The Olive Bistro

4.7(118 reviews)
4.2 mi
•$$

If you have not yet been to The Olive Bistro in Little Falls or Clifton, New Jersey, please stop…read morewhat you're doing and fix that immediately. This place is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, you're wrapped in warmth--by the people, the culture, and the unmistakable love poured into every single dish. The food? Spectacular doesn't even begin to cover it. Every visit, I either try something new or let them choose for me (which I highly recommend), and without fail, I'm blown away. Not once--not ever--have I been disappointed. Every bite feels thoughtful, soulful, and deeply rooted in tradition. The flavors are rich, comforting, vibrant, and unforgettable. You can taste the care, the history, and the pride behind the food. And the people? Truly some of the warmest, kindest souls you'll meet--welcoming you like family, not customers. I can honestly say I'm being slowly--but very happily--converted. The beautiful food, the incredible hospitality, the culture, the entire experience... it's something special. The Olive Bistro isn't just a meal, it's an experience, and one I crave again and again. Do yourself a favor: go hungry, go curious, and go often. You'll thank me later.

Went on a Thursday night and had a GREAT experience! We started with the hummus- incredibly…read moreseasoned, creamy, and drizzled with olive oil and served with tons of pitas for dipping. Mixed Grill and Chicken Musakh was amazing . Cute interior, good service, and delicious food.

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The Olive Bistro
The Olive Bistro - Fattoush Salad (~$12)

Fattoush Salad (~$12)

The Olive Bistro - Fresh Mint Lemonade (~$6)

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Fresh Mint Lemonade (~$6)

Al-Basha - mideastern - Updated June 2026

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