Had the fortune to eat dinner with friends at this restaurant. I was looking to try Iraqi food for a 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. read more

Iraqi restaurant in a rather industrial area of New Jersey. Street parking only. Masgouf (Iraq's national 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. read more

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Delicious tabouli. Perhaps the best falafels in Jersey. The tandoori chicken is tasty. The portion is very nice. The rice is delicious and they serve a heaping amount of rice. Their bread and pickled items that were served with lunch are delicious. The yogurt with mint drink was nicely done. I think I might go with something lighter next time. But it did pair very well with my food. I usually don't give five stars. But the combination of outstanding taste and good portions make this an easy 5 stars. The staff were very professional and knowledgeable about the menu. I would order any of these again. But the falafels are a must. read more

This traditional, family-owned Iraqi restaurant brings a taste of Baghdad right to your table. From the tender, flavorful Ouzi to the freshly baked samoon bread, each dish is crafted with love and authenticity. The warm décor and friendly service make you feel like part of the family, offering an unforgettable dining experience straight from the heart of Baghdad. read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Yummy traditional Iraqi tea - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

The lamb ouzi was delicious! The lamb fell off the bone, super soft and full of flavor. The rice was also delicious, with raisins and I believe fried onions. We also ordered an eggplant salad which had cucumber and tomatoes in it. Very good! I'd definitely try out other menu items next time. read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Lamb Ouzi - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

I want to write an ode to this restaurant or give them 6 stars. I have been a proponent of Paterson's food scene for a long time, but this was my first opportunity to try what I believe to be the NYC region's lone Iraqi restaurant. The last time I had Iraqi food, it was at a desolate shop in Detroit's once-vibrant Chaldean Town neighborhood, an area which had since lost the majority of its namesake Iraqi Christian population. We ordered far too much food and everything was outstanding, but my favorites were the breakfast items. The bagila platter is a gigantic pot filled with layers of tandoor-baked bread that have soaked in the juices from a stew of broad beans, eggs and crunchy caramelized onions on the top. Equally delicious were the qaymar and kahi, a pairing of a syrup-soaked filo pastry and a block of clotted cream. The stewed tomatoes on the side were slightly sweet and paired well with the soaked bread from the bagila pot. The eggplant salad was another pleasant surprise. It was a light concoction of mostly cucumbers and tomatoes doused generously in pomegranate molasses and perhaps some other sweetener, with tender chunks of roasted eggplant scattered throughout. If I had to skip anything next time, it would probably be the hummus, as I feel there are better options at some of the Lebanese restaurants nearby along Main Street or of course at the famous Al-Basha. read more

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Tucked in an industrial part of town so it truly is a food adventure to get here. I had never had Iraqi cuisine before so I can't speak to how it may compare with food from the restaurant's homeland. What I can say was that the pitas and cucumber tomato starter were refreshingly welcome on a hot hot day, lamb shank was fall off the bone tender, and the rice pilaf (mixed with noodles) and okra strew were both richly flavorful. Service was extremely friendly and quick. Aircon was perhaps not nearly strong enough to battle against 90-degree weather, but I suppose that helps to add to the "I'm in a true middle eastern hole in the wall find" vibes. read more

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I would love to say that I tried al Mazaq. Unfortunately it seems to be closed. There may have been a fire and a notice was posted by the fire marshal. Hope they open again as I was looking forward to trying the food. read more

My wife and I tried Almazaq for lunch earlier today. We were on a quick trip to Paterson to shop at a nearby market and I knew I wanted to give this place a try. The waitress was pleasant and professional, she made very good recommendations and accommodations for health requirements. We shared hummus and pickled vegetables for a starter. The bread that came with it was delicious and they were willing to provide freshly cut carrots and cucumbers for dipping in the hummus. My wife enjoyed her chicken kebab entree, they served it with rice instead of pita. The chicken was tender and flavorful. I went with the Iraqi kebab, it was outstanding. They gave three sizable kebabs, tomatoes, onions, and a spicy pepper over a nice sized flatbread. I was able to form several little sandwiches with the ingredients and flatbread, the flavors were perfect together. The kebab itself was juicy and savory. I washed it all down with their excellent mint lemonade. We'll be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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I am baffled by the high ratings. Went here based on the ratings & a HUGE disappointment. Traveled half an hour to get old, dried out food. Out of the four dishes not one was edible. To add to the bad evening, there were women there with their screaming kids & they did nothing about it. Never again. read more

Hands down the best Iraqi cuisine spot in the area! I am very familiar with middle eastern food, and the different styles (different regions). This restaurant is Iraqi based. THE KABOB HERE IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT. It is something I crave, and I need to fulfill my craving here, and only here. Besides the Iraqi Kabobs, this place serves some mean dishes. From the appetizers to the entrees, you will not be disappointed. Freshness and quality, coupled with friendly staff the ambience here is inviting. NOTE: They bake their own Iraqi bread, made fresh to order. You can buy bags full or have while you dine in. FYI: There is a middle eastern sweets shop/bakery no more than 20 feet down from this place. Perfect dessert after a great meal. read more

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I was nearby Almazaq and stumbled upon the amazing reviews, and it certainly did not disappoint! The food was delicious, and I'm so glad I found this spot! Their hummus and falafel were good and the bread is definitely a highlight too! All of the meats are perfectly cooked and seasoned. So flavorful and you can tell that a lot of love and care is put into the food! Delicious spot! Would recommend. read more

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The best Iraqi breakfast in New Jersey, probably in the tri-state. Believe the hype! Honestly the best breakfast I've had in Paterson in a very long time. Y'all need to come here ASAP! The makhlama, the gaymar with kahi, and their Iraqi chai were absolutely incredible. I cannot recommend enough, can't wait to come back here iA. read more

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One of the best Iraqi restaurants I have been to. The pickles (torshi) were great. The kuba was nice and crunchy if not a bit undersalted but easily fixed with the torshi. The Iraqi kabob was top notch. I really enjoyed their fresh bread. Definitely a spot I would go back. Only complaint was service can get a bit slow but I'm hoping it was just an off day. Also don't forget the tea at the end. read more

Hidden gem...Hole in the wall. The Iraqi Kababs are mind blowing and the Dolma are a must try for vegetarians. The smoked yogurt drink washes it down perfectly but it might be an acquired taste for some. The eggplant salad is extremely flavorful and a great way to start the meal. For those looking to try something different I highly suggest AlMazaq! read more

Planned by our Iraqi friend, and a 40 mins drive from the city but TOTALLY worth it. This is not about fine dining and ambience, this is about AUTHENTIC DELICIOUS IRAQI FOOD. It is in the middle of all industrial warehouses but a few minutes drive brings to the Middle Eastern hub in Paterson, NJ. - Masfuq Fish (you need to call one day in advance and let them know if you want to try it) - lamb Kebab - Dulma - Smoked yogurt milk with mint Definitely took me back to the amazing food at home. This place is a must try if you are looking for Middle eastern food but specifically Iraqi. read more

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If I could give a 10 star review, I would. I really wanted to take a picture but it was all so good. From the entrees we ordered Iraqi kebab and Ouzi. We also ordered like 5 appetizers and ended the meal with Kahi, Gaymer, and tea which you have to get. I currently am under the impression that everything they have here is good. The staff is really sweet. If you upset anyone just take them here. They won't remember what you did after they eat. read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

Waited for an hour to opening at 11:30am. Read about them a couple years ago, just found myself in Patterson area one day. Ordered a bunch of take out. Wife and I loved everything we ate. The breads were awesome. The lamb was perfect. Hummus to die for. Woke up this morning thinking about what I will order next time. read more

Newly Seen Nuance and Vibe Outside of Al Masaq stands a life-size statue of a cow. It emits a sense of life. Dining area, seven tables, two having more seating space than the others, confidently offers its kind bread bakery self. This late morning Al Mazaq's sole waitress fully shares her face seasoned with glasses joined to bold temples and a select few attractive, appealing papule leaving enthusiasts breathlessly gazing at her intense, focused face. Her totally timely appearance adds flavor and beauty of a salad with stewed tomatoes and sour pickles. Memorable for its shape, smell and taste the baked bread arrives in her arms. Hello sweet mascarpone cheese. Scrambled eggs in the bagila platter complete the painting. No, not a bit of restaurant noise distracts from a diner's experience: special vibe, very pleasant. A previous visit with many more diners also carried this vibe. Many photos of Iraq on the wall pleasantly invite your eyes. And yes, a to-remember painting on the opposite wall, a gift from a customer reaches out to all. The sculpture of the comfortably gazing cow, visible from within the restaurant, gives a sense, an illusion, of its actual movement. read more

Once upon a time, not too long ago, people in North America thought all South Asian (Indo/Pak/Banladeshi/Nepali) Food looked and tasted the same. Today that statement sounds preposterous . But surprisingly enough, even today there are a lot of people who think all Middle Eastern Kababs look and taste the same. If you are amongst those that think all ME Kababs look and taste the same then Al Mazaq Bakery (46 E Railway Ave, Paterson NJ 07503) is not for you. But if you appreciate the nuances between Lebanese Kabab Vs Aleppo Kabab. Persian Kababs Vs Turkish Kababs. Morrocan Vs Pakistani Kabab then run (don't walk) to Al Mazak. We finally have a bonafide Iraqi Kabab joint in NJ. Excellent Quzi (Lamb Shank). Outstanding (and different) Dolma (stuffed vegetables). A new perspective on Tandoori Chicken. I confess, I go there for Baatcha. Lamb head, foot soup served like an Egyptian Fatah. The soup taste like Pakistani Paaya. In Iraq, Baatcha calls for a happy dance. read more

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What a great little place , run by a great and very friendly and dedicated family. Great food and service,what more can I say ...go try it ! read more

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Definitely top five breakfast in my life today. I had the Makhlama: 2 scrambled eggs, ground meat, onions and tomato served w/ tandoori bread and pickles. It blew me away honestly. Such delicious delicate flavor, it was insane. The Ouzi is an all time favorite of mine. The lamb falls right off the bone, bursting with flavor. Right on top of this delicious yellow rice with raisins and nuts. Mind blown. Don't get me started on the lentil soup, dolma, or the Iraqi kabob. Outrageous! Highly recommend this family owned joint for breakfast lunch or dinner! Blessings read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Makhlama: 2 scrambled eggs, ground meat, onions and tomato served w/ tandoori bread and pickles. - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

First time coming to this restaurant and the food was amazing. Tandoori chicken tasted just like Dominicans do it. My partner and i will definitely be back. Just be patient because the food is done fresh. read more

Excellent Iraqi spot. 1) We got the lamb Quzi, Iraqi kabab, and tandoori chicken. 2) The Iraqi kabab is the best thing on the menu, IMO. 3) The Lamb Quzi is good, it is like Indian Biryani or Uzbek palou. 4) The tandoori chicken is the Iraqi version of the Indian tandoori chicken. But, a little different from the original Indian version. read more

Amazing restaurant, one of a kind! We placed a large order for a party and got to sample most of the menu including masgouf, Iraq's national dish. I was told by Iraqi friends this may be one of the only places in the US where you can try masgouf as well as other authentic Iraqi delicacies like kuba, quzi, Iraqi kebabs, lamb tika, etc. To add to all that, at Almazaq they also bake their own bread, make their own pickles (turshi), and their own gaymar (clotted cream). We sampled all of it, and there was not a single dish that was not absolutely superb. At the party there were about 30 people, there was enough food to feed everyone, and we had plenty of leftovers. Will definitely make a trip out to Patterson to experience Almazaq's amazing cuisine and hospitality again! Thank you! read more

A delightful cozy place with delicious food and fresh baked breads. We ordered an extra dolma to go. We will be back! read more

Very clean and delicious Iraqi food. Highly recommended for anyone who's looking for authentic Iraqi plates. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food. Workers are very elegant and welcoming. Everyone is wearing masks and they have social distancing measures. I always drive 2-3 hrs to eat their food so anyone who lives in NJ " u guys r lucky". Inshallah all the best.. read more

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Yelp: "Here are some places you might like" Me: "Not a big diner person, don't live near Rahway, Iraqi place with 5 stars, already have enough Indian places nearby... Wait, back up." Added to the list. Today, removed from the list, as I finally made my way to the dingy industrial trackside of Paterson for the most surprising diamond you'll ever find in the rough. I came in, read the menu, and figured Iraqi food is mostly like Afghan with a bit of Mediterranean influence. Well, it is, sorta, but not even close to what you'd envision. It's way, way better. * Kuba (Kibbeh): I've had this before at Afghan places, and it's typically a mix of dough and meat fried with spices, kinda crispy and OK. Not here. Here it's a heart of ground beef and seasoning in a warm cocoon of corn, almost masa. I've finally found kibbeh I'd order again! * Hummus: Thrown in complimentarily. That was really nice! It is blended smoothly and has some extra chickpeas and oil thrown in. It tasted heavier on the tahini than I'm used to, but it paired nicely with the... * Delicious warm soft amazing fresh pita that you need to order dozens of and revise your life goals to incorporate more pita. * No, seriously, that is the best bread of any kind from any place I have ever experienced. It's gigantic, doughy, chewy, fresh, cooked perfectly, flavored perfectly, perfection. * I can't stop talking about the bread. Fortunately, my Iraqi kabab entree came wrapped in one itself! I mixed it up with the pickled veggies and went to town on the combo. A giant pillowy sandwich. And it was good and fine but now that I'm thinking about the bread I can't really recall anything else. * My friend had the chicken tika, which is NOT AT ALL LIKE INDIAN TIKKA. It's a dry rub, more like Afghan style, but cooked so perfectly and seasoned just right, over a bed of delicious yellow rice. * I wonder if you could substitute... nah, just get extra bread. The rice is good, but you need more bread. I'm way off track now. That's 5 stars for the appetizers, 5 stars for the main dishes, 5 stars for the homemade atmosphere, and around 700 stars for the bread. I will drive to Paterson every time I want pita from now on. This is not even a joke. Between Almazaq, the neighboring grocery, and the dessert place all in the same building, Iraqi paradise is tucked away in a barely visited corner of Paterson and you simply must go. Bring me back some pita when you do. read more

Everything was delicious! Iraqi kebab (similar to Koobideh in Persian restaurants) is the best I've ever had. Ouzi with a side of Okra stew was also great. Tabouleh was really fresh and (I suspect) not the pre-made and refrigerated type that is common in many restaurants. Mint lemonade was refreshing. read more

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Almazaq is a fantastic little Iraqi restaurant in a less busy area of Paterson. This wonderful family owned and operated restaurant catered my bday dinner at my house. They were so accommodating making whole grilled bronzino fish for us, even though it's not on the menu and it was excellent. We also got the lamb tikka kebob and chicken Tikka kebobs. Everything was prepared wonderfully and came w plenty of rice and grilled tomatoes and hot peppers. The fish came w sautéed spinach and potatoes. They make their own pita which is so damn good. It's a non pocket pita fyi. We also got a half tray of chopped salad and falafel . The owners also included pickled veggies and threw in a free hummus which was eaten right up. I highly suggest trying this place out for yourself. By the way when my wife and I ate in the restaurant we enjoyed their mixed grill which was plenty of food for two people. Sorry I don't have pics of everything but my guests were starving and dug in before I got any pics read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - My plate of food. Yummy. - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

We've been there three times , food is always amazing, I really want to give it 4.5 stars . The only criticism is the service can be spotty . Sevice charge of 18% is included in the bill so no real incentive to go the extra mile read more

Finally I got good iraqi food Oh my God it was the greatest lentil soup the chje was excellent and cream was perfect oh yummy read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

Best Iraqi food from the west to the east coast. Thank you so much for your hospitality and delicious food. We are here just for a visit, I wish we live here so we can come back again. We liked the theme (historical Iraqi pictures) and Iraqi music. I definitely recommend this place for everyone one who loves Iraqi food and want a place that reminds them of their home town read more

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I am always looking for an opportunity to try out a new restaurant and I love middle eastern cuisine. What this place lacks in curb appeal is more than made up for in wonderful food. My boyfriend and I decided to make a visit because the Yelp reviews were so positive. After tonight's dinner, I can say this will now be one of our go to restaurants. We ordered the baba ganosh, kuba, mixed grill and dulma. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The kuba is a fried rice fritter stuffed with meat. It was delicious and fun to eat... definitely a great appetizer. The grilled meats were knock your socks off. The meats were seasoned to perfection and so moist. I am not a big lamb fan as the gamey flavor can sometimes be a real slap in the face and a turn off. But all the lamb dishes were spectacular and the gamey flavor was light and very well balanced. The bread and pickles were also dynamite. The bread was fresh and just the right thickness. It was perfect with the baba ganosh. The pickles were crunchy and palate cleansing. It really complimented the meal well. The restaurant charges a 18% service fee for dining in but the service is great and I would normally tip 20% anyway. We plan to visit again and order the grilled fish and the lamb shank with rice as everyone seemed to have that at their table. I also posted an updated menu. read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

Quzi and the Iraqi Kebabs are mind-blowing. Don't miss them

Don't let the seemingly bad location fool you, this is the best Authentic Iraqi/Mediterranean food you can get in North Jersey! Excellent Kebab selection (Tikka Kebab and Chicken Kebab are hands the best I had in the US). Quzi is also a great unique authentic Iraqi dish and the meat quality is very good. Most dishes come with freshly cooked Iraqi bread that is very tasty! The desert (Kahi & Geymar) stands out from other typical Baklava desserts that you can find in your usual Mediterranean restaurants. I have tried this restaurant 3 times so far for dine-in & takeout. I found it clean inside, had great service and food is always fresh and tasty! read more

Delicious Iraqi food in a comfortable environment. Tried the lamb chops with pickled veggies and cucumber salad, very tasty. lamb chops were served inside their delicious bread (kinda like an Iraqi flour tortilla I guess) and served with grilled onion. and Friendly service and easy to find parking out front or very nearby which is often not the case for the places on Main Street. Recommend trying the yogurt drink. They also serve Iraqi style breakfast!! read more

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Y'all. The food here is PHENOMENAL. Everything is cooked to perfection. I'm iraqi so I know good Iraqi food and this place is incredible. First they bring freshly baked bread to your table- they're a bakery so this is a specialty (warm, soft, everything you want in bread). For appetizers we ordered turshi (pickled veggies, the flavor was perfect), hummus (you can tell the tahini they used for this recipe was high quality), baba ghanoush, lentil soup (so fresh and delicious) and kubbah (HIGHLY recommend). For entrees ordered the quzi, the rice was so soft and buttery and the lamb leg was melting off the bone and melt in your mouth. We also did the Iraqi kabob which comes with more delicious bread and grilled vegetable. To finish off the night we got Iraqi tea and kahi with geymar, which is generally a breakfast food but a great dessert option. Kahi is fluffy, flakey, buttery pastry thats drenched in simple syrup. You can order date syrup on the side And if you do that I'd recommend asking the staff to keep the simple syrup on the side rather than over the pastry. Service is great! Everyone is very kind and welcoming. Not one complaint. Can't wait to go back again, truly!! It reached a point where I knew whatever I ordered was going to be delicious. read more

If I can give it 10 stars, I would have given it. It is family run business and they are warm lovely people. The service is great and friendly. The food is excellent and authentic. The kahi with qaymer is fantastic. The Dulma and makhlma is so original and delicious. And we also got Masqoof (highly recommended) and was just jaw dropping and delicious. The food was so good we got so much food to take home and we ate the kabob along with bamia/fasolia and they are amazing. The prices are reasonable. Overall, our experience was simply fantastic and we are coming back Again Soon. read more

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This is the only Iraqi food establishment in the NY/NJ area. It took me 40 minutes getting there from Brooklyn and it was worth the drive. I ordered the mixed grill and the lentil soup and I was not disappointed. The food was very delicious and the service was excellent. I highly recommend this place for anyone wishing to eat real authentic Iraqi food. I can't wait to go back again! read more

Almazaq Restaurant and Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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