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    Almaya

    5.0 (127 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Almaya Takeout or Delivery

    Almaya Photos

    Business Info

    ALMAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Almaya

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cyl C.

    Date: July 11, 2026 Purchases: Salmon Burrito Mole Empanada (2 pieces) Baklava (1 piece) Orangina Complimentary: Pickled Carrots and Garlic Water Experience: My husband was craving a Mexican fusion place and the original location he wanted to take us to is closed on Saturday. But with a quick search and Yelp we were able to stumble upon this place without backtracking from where we were at. There was free parking on the street and we were surprised to find that this place was located in a food court being shared with two other restaurants. The staff was kind and actually brought our food out to us once we placed our order. I was able to munch on some of the pickled carrots and garlic they had by the water before we got our food. The mole empanada was delicious with the crunchy outside, savory middle, and the green sauce that came with it was the cherry on top. The salmon burrito I got was juicy and a bit oily for my liking, but delicious. The baklava was a great ending note for me to a wonderful meal. I can't wait to come back again just for the empanadas!

    Cesar And Desiree A.

    We were in the area and wanted to try something new. Almaya did not disappoint! The service was helpful and great. The spicy creamy chicken was tender and moist - coupled with the rice was excellent. Their birria was also spiced and prepped well. We're taking the empanadas, stuffed grape leaves, and baklava to go. Couldn't resist! Conveniently located in a clean food hall. We'll be back!

    Chicken Hummus plate with Jamaica and water
    Jeff L.

    This place is the best lunch in Lincoln Heights I didn't know I wanted! A coworker recently tipped me off to Almaya for an amazing mix of Mediterranean/Mexican food. So far, I've tried the beef and chicken hummus plates, and they were both absolutely delicious. If you can swing eating in, I highly recommend it as the food comes out piping hot with incredible presentation for a lunch venue. Service is quick and friendly, too! This walk up restaurant is located inside a contemporary food court across the street from St. Vincent's off Ave 21. 1 hour parking is free at St. Vincent's, or there is also street parking.

    Spicy Creamy Chicken Plate
    Nani N.

    It was inside a food court, so there's only really street parking to get here. It wasn't too crowded when I came on a Friday at 1:00pm. My friend had suggested this place and mentioned that on Tuesday they do tacos which I was looking forward to trying, but maybe next time. I got the Spicy Creamy Chicken plate which was absolutely delicious. The chicken was so tender and not dry at all. They give you options of either hummus or beans for the side and a salad also. The pita bread was so crispy and complimented the whole dish. I do wish that they would give more rice, but nonetheless, the dish was my favorite! I also tried my friend's lamb plate she got and I cannot rave enough about that. It was so tender and the meat fell right off the bone.

    Falafel Plate

    Truly the BEST Mediterranean in the area. What a cool fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean. The pita and homemade hummus are so amazing, arguably best hummus I've ever had. The falafels are so moist and never dry which is rare for falafel. Agua Fresca is also so insanely good. Will go out of my way to come here. It's in a food hall and street parking and parking in St Vincent De Paul is easy. Highly HIGHLY reccomend!!!!!!

    Empanadas
    Michelle A.

    Amazing food, service and location! I was recommended Almaya and since we were in the area we decided to stop by. It's located inside a food hall, it's clean with plenty of seating. We had spicy chicken (not pictured), empanadas, falafel and baklava. Everything is spectacular and service is so helpful and kind. We will definitely be back!

    Gala
    Arminda D.

    We only tried the falafel plate and the chicken burrito/wrap, but both were amazing the falafels were crispy and flavorful, with amazing hummus and toasted pita bread. Really good food here!

    Spicy Creamy Chicken Plate
    Gabriella I.

    Inside of a food court with 2 other options. This place is incredible! It's a family run business- half Mexican half Egyptian- so there's something for everyone. I got taquitos and my boyfriend got the spicy creamy chicken plate- idk what's in that sauce but it's drinkable! Good portions, had some to take home. Counter service. Will be back and bring friends!

    Ayesha Z.

    Such an amazing find with great customer service and food!! It's located inside of a food hall and the quality of the food here is so good. We got three tacos; asada, chicken shawarma, and birria along with a birria burrito. The flavor was top notch and it tasted so fresh. I also loved at how light and thin the chips were. The green salsa paired so well with everything! Definitely check this place out.

    Spicy Creamy Chicken and Chicken Kabab Plate
    Chris R.

    Awesome!! We got the chicken kebab plate and the spicy creamy chicken (as well as some baklava). Everything was EXCELLENT, the service was awesome, and I LOVE the complimentary peppers on hand. I'll be back!!

    Jose C.

    ​Almaya is the perfect fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisines! I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Burrito, and the explosion of flavors on the first bite was absolutely mouth-watering. It perfectly balances a traditional chicken burrito with distinct Mediterranean flavors. On top of the amazing food, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and the ambiance is peaceful with good music playing at just the right volume. This place is an absolute must-visit!

    Falafel plate
    Chad K.

    The food was amazing and the prices were very reasonable. I got a TON of steak on my plate in the Asada Kabab. I was stuffed. My wife ordered the falafel plate and took leftovers home. I tasted the falafel and it was perfectly cooked. It is easy to mess up falafel and a hard thing to get just right. It can be dry, or too oily or too thick, or cold, or too salty. So many things can go wrong. This falafel was perfect. If you are a falafel lover, I highly recommend trying it! Parking can be a little tricky, but there is free parking at the thrift store across the street. We found street parking, but it can be like the Hunger Games depending on the time of day. The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the horchata. It was a little too sugary and on the sweet side for me. Everything else was extremely good and very enjoyable. Plus, this service could not be friendlier.

    Dave B.

    Mediterranean meats Mexican. The chicken shawarma plate is scrumptious. Go donate stuff at Society of St. Vincent and grab a bite.

    Beef and chicken kabab plate @jhennybventures (ig/tiktok)

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    9 days ago

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    2 months ago

    Great service and excellent food can't wait to come back this is a little hidden gem in Lincoln height industrial area

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    Thoughtful nuance and high quality ingredient choice- excellent hummus. Low key place, not crowded. Highly recommend!

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    10 months ago

    The food is amazing. Service was excellent. Complimentary infused water and jalapeño's curtidos.

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Food is amazing. Try the cauliflower dish. It is out of this world. It is a great fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican food.

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    4 months ago

    Great menu, very good food that is fresh, flavorful, and well presented, prices reasonable.

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    11 months ago

    Some of the best falafel on the planet. Everything they make is delicious. I'm so glad Almaya exists.

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    Page 2 of 4

    Ask the Community - Almaya

    Is the meat halal?

    Yes! Our meat is halal. We make our chorizo using halal beef, our sausage is made with halal chicken, and we have halal beef bacon.

    View All 2 Questions

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    Bavel - Baked Alaska

    Bavel

    4.4(3k reviews)
    2.5 miArts District, Downtown
    $$$

    Thank god Bavel does not disappoint. I've been meaning to come back ever since I had that AMAZING…read moreduck at Bavel. I see why I love this place so much after watching the Odyssey too hahah the little lotus they served with the duck MUST be the lotus Charlize Theron has been feeding Matt Damon! That aside, this time we ordered the Fried Quail and the lamb manti. Both are just eye-opening delicious. It's fatty it's juicy and it's delicate. I do not want the food to run out, and it's much like the odyssey, hours later, I woke up to a different day and i still think about how insanely delicious they are! Different server this time, but still the and level of hospitality. Always checking in on us, bringing new utensils and recommending menus. It feels like we are the guests at a well run family dinner party. Loved the cocktails too. Nava and Semir are both excellent but maybe the former has a little too much ice. Loved their subtly. Definitely pricy, but I'd say it's on par with many of the Michelin starred place I've tried! Highly recommended for special occasions!

    Bavel is an upscale Middle Eastern style cuisine restaurant. It has modern decor with massive ivies…read morehanging down from ceiling planters. It's best to make a reservation in advance if you plan to dine here as they are almost always fully at capacity. They have both indoor and outdoor dining. If the weather is not too hot, I recommend sitting outside. Our mistake was choosing the indoors because it gets awfully loud to the point where you can't even hear the server(s) or your own party speak. Truth be told that's the major factor in the minus 1 star as it negatively affected our overall dining experience. 1. Farm Cheese Spread (5/5) The farm cheese was super light and airy. It's seasoned with sumac/fig leaf za'atar, rose petal (mostly for decor than taste) and fresh rosemary. It's served with 2 slices of crispy edged, doughy centered, black sesame bread that's toasted to perfection. 2. Baba Ghanoush (5/5) This is a dip dish made of smoked eggplant, Jimmy Nardello peppers (adds sweetness and smoky flavor), fennel escabeche, dill and olive oil. It's served with sites of fried pita bread. The eggplant was perfectly savory from the grilled onions and non-spicy, smoky flavor of the peppers. The Pita bread is like a fried beignet donut in terms of flavor. Another enjoyable appetizer to share. 3. Oyster Mushroom Kebab (5/5) Amazing smokey, well-charred and juicy mushroom with a nice price tag attached to it, but still worth to enjoy. It's served with avocado-lovage puree and sumac, which paired well with the mushroom flavor. 4. Grilled Octopus (5/5): The octopus tentacles were cooked to perfection - soft & melts in your mouth. It's almost like eating a very soft rice cake with a hint of seafood flavor note. It's served with sides of skordalia potato puree, brocooli, lamb xo sauce and coated in dill to give it a slightly spicy and savory profile. 5. Slow-Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma (4.5/5) Super tender lamb meat that's also very fatty. It's served with a side of basil-cilantro like sauce, pickled vegetables and tahini sauce which was super creamy and helped to cut the gaminess of the lamb. The dish also comes with a full size laffa bread, which was fresh (made in-house; you can literally see them making it in the background) and pillowy-soft to wrap the lamb meat in. 6. Cherry Sumac & Ricotta cheese pastry (4/5) We ended with a crispy Cherry jam tart. The puff pastry was flaky puff while the cherry jam was tart and sweet. It paired well with their ricotta cheese, which was light and airy and sprinkled with sumac. It also comes with a scoop of Pistachio ice cream that's subtly nutty and floral but was a bit too sweet for our liking. Overall, the food here was good, but the dining environment was too loud for our liking. This place is often compared to Bestia, which we prefer. Fun fact - Bavel and Bestia are owned by the same owners.

    Photos
    Bavel - Interior

    Interior

    Bavel - Oyster mushroom kabob

    Oyster mushroom kabob

    Bavel - *Dry Aged Trout Crudo

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    *Dry Aged Trout Crudo

    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook plate. So good!

    Open Sesame

    4.2(1.1k reviews)
    7.5 miFairfax
    $$

    We just got home from dinner here and my wife and I loved it. The food was absolutely top notch. We…read morestarted with the potatoes in garlic sauce and an order of the haroumi and watermelon. What a great kick off! As for our mains, we both ordered a variation of the combo plates. I had the chicken tawook and beef. The Mrs. had the chicken and lamb. All good. Based on the food alone, we would recommend this place to anyone with a beating heart and more importantly, a mouth. This is quality food at a quality price. The atmosphere? Really great. It's a little dark and twinkly inside which sets a nice tone. There is cool artwork adorning every piece of wall, the place is very easy on the eyes...including the restrooms. Very clean. Our sever, didn't catch his name, but what a nice dude. Was super helpful without being "too much" he should teach a server class. He's pretty much who you want taking care of your table. He knew the menu well and made great suggestions. It was actually refreshing. We will come back, most likely with the family. Our waiter told us that they can accommodate larger groups which is great. I recently ate food at Saffy's and I didn't enjoy it one bit. The servings there are too small, too pretentious and too overpriced. Open Sesame is the exact opposite and that's why it rules. A wonderful experience in Beverly Boulevard.

    How Do I Start This Rationally ? Atmosphere Is A 5/5. Service Is 5/5. Food was 2.5/5. I Will…read moreExplain. If You A Charging $145 For A Group Platter, Then Everything Must Me PERFECT ! The Chicken Shawarma Was Inedible Because Is Was Obviously Dry And Lying Around For The Next Customer. The Beef Was Good. The Beef Shawarma Was AMAZING ! Probably The Best Thing. On The Menu. Tabouli Was Great. $260 With Tip Divided By Three Is Too Expensive For My First Experience Here. I Told The Manager That They Shouldn't Have Served The Chicken Shawarma If It Was Dry. Anyways.

    Photos
    Open Sesame - Dining room

    Dining room

    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook

    Chicken Tawook

    Open Sesame - Chicken Tawook

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    Panini Kabob Grill

    Panini Kabob Grill

    4.1(2k reviews)
    3.1 miDowntown
    $$
    Healthy dining
    Grab-and-go

    Man, Panini Kabob Grill just never disappoints. Every time I come here, I'm reminded why it's one…read moreof my favorite Mediterranean spots. There are so many different kebabs to choose from, and I've yet to have one that wasn't delicious. My personal favorites are the steak and the chicken--both are incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every bite. One thing you absolutely cannot skip is the edamame hummus. I had never even heard of edamame hummus before coming here, and now I can't believe I went so long without trying it. It was smooth, fresh, and full of flavor while putting such a unique twist on traditional hummus. It's one of those dishes that completely changes your expectations and has you thinking about it long after you've left the restaurant. On top of the amazing food, the service was outstanding. Everyone made us feel genuinely welcome, and the atmosphere was warm, relaxing, and perfect whether you're grabbing a casual lunch or having dinner with friends or family. The menu is packed with so many dishes that I still want to try, which just gives me another reason to keep coming back. Panini Kabob Grill continues to deliver an incredible experience, and I can't recommend it enough.

    I had dinner this evening at Panini Kabob Grill with my mom and one of my brothers…read more I had the Steak Kabob with a Greek salad, my mom had the Chicken Kabob with an avocado salad, and my brother had a Chicken Kabob with a Caesar salad. All of the food was delicious, and the staff was extremely friendly, which made the experience even better. I've been here several times before, and every visit has been consistently great--both the food and the service are always excellent. The only small downside is that the kabobs do not come with pita bread. And, When I ordered the steak kabob, a waiter asked me how I wanted the meat cooked, and I requested it well-done but asked him not to over-char it. However, some parts of the meat came out too charred, so I had to cut those parts off before eating it.

    Photos
    Panini Kabob Grill
    Panini Kabob Grill
    Panini Kabob Grill

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    Almaya - mexican - Updated September 2026

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