In a word, phenomenal. Not even 5pm and the place is packed, every table occupied. Could be the Arabic background music or the excellent tasty food being offered. I'm an Arab myself, and I never go easy on middle eastern cuisine. LOLOL, I hit them hard. I figure I got that coming. Here you'll happily find perfection. Rest assured. Attentive staff all working together to bring you the best dinning experience. read more

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The décor in this joint is really nice. The tables are unique and give the place some character. Most importantly, it's clean, and that means a lot. The staff is friendly and greeted me right away. They were very attentive and kept my drink topped off without me even having to ask. Now for the food... The food was delicious! I ordered the falafels, spinach fatayer, and a chicken shawarma pizza. The falafels were crispy and fresh, exactly what you want in a falafel. The spinach fatayer was hot, perfectly baked, and huge. The chicken shawarma pizza stole the show out of the appetizers. It had so much flavor, and the cheese was amazing. That cheese stretched like it was in a commercial. I wish I had ordered two! For my entrées, I ordered the lamb and chicken kabobs with a side of fries. This plate was unbelievably tender. The center of the lamb was perfectly cooked with a beautiful pink center, and I love a hot pink center. Makes my mouth water. The chicken was juicy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the rice. The fries were great, too. I also ordered the chicken shawarma plate and the chicken kabob wrap. The shawarma plate was packed with flavor, and the seasoning was spot on. The rice was cooked to perfection. The wrap was so thick, I wanted to slap it like a big ol' booty. Lastly, the garlic sauce was the real MVP. I wish they bottled it up and sold it because I'd definitely be taking some home. The pita bread was thin, fresh, and cut to the perfect size for wrapping up anything you want. Overall, try this joint because it's dope. The food, the aroma, and the vibe will remind you of simpler times, sitting around the table with family enjoying a big dinner. Or, if you've ever been deployed, it'll remind you of those moments overseas when you miss everything back home, but for a little while, an incredible meal makes everything feel okay. Do yourself a favor and give this joint a try. You won't regret it. read more

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The food was actually really good, but the service was terrible. The staff seemed condescending and like they didn't want to be there at all. Not attentive, not friendly, just kind of dismissive the whole time. We ordered a bunch of dishes and to be fair, everything we tried tasted great and was flavorful so you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The cheese knefe was a bit disappointing though. It's supposed to be crispy, but it came out mushy and kind of fell apart. The rose water reduction also made it way too sweet for my taste. Still decent overall, just not what I expected. But honestly, the service alone ruined the experience for me. I wouldn't come back. Food: 8.5/10 Service: 0/10 read more

Amardeen Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Oh my gosh. This place is so good, I highly recommend checking this place out. I had the Moussaka (Lebanese eggplant stew) and I throughly enjoyed it. It was so flavorful and the portions were pretty big. I also got to try the cheese fatayer, I loved the pastry it came it, it was great. This place has great vegetarian and vegan options along with some gluten free options. The menu is marked very well and they make it easy to navigate. The staff were friendly and the food came out fairly quick. The restaurant is on the smaller side. There was seating available for large and smaller parties. From the dinning area, they had a window into the kitchen so it was fun to be able to see the cooks make the food. They also had cute decor that added to the ambiance of the restaurant. There is plenty of parking available in the plaza that it is in. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Lebanese vegitarian Moussaka - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here for an early Friday dinner. The place is located im he Towne Centre mall near UTC. Parking can be difficult here but being that we came early, we founs one right away. We were seated right away upon arriving. Our orders were taken fairly quickly as well. I ordered the lamb & beef shawarma. The meat was okay. But the rice was pretty dry. We also had the chicken kebob entrée and the chicken was a little chewy. french fries were pretty good though. This is a one-and-done for me. read more

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Amardeen Cafe continues to offer consistently friendly service and delicious food. The atmosphere is pleasant and feels like you are transported to Lebanon's mountainous region in the North near the Syrian border, known for its beautiful nature, cedar forests, and traditional Lebanese life. This is one of our go-to Mediterranean restaurants in San Diego county. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Lentil Soup - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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As a party of 3, we came at 6:30pm on a Friday and were seated immediately. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and well-themed, making it a pleasure to dine in. We weren't particularly hungry today and opted for the Meza platter ($60 altogether including tip). It was amazing and comes with free pita refills, which we wished we knew beforehand, but otherwise the food was great! The hummus and falafels were my favorite selection, and the meats were seasoned perfectly! read more

Amardeen Cafe - Amardeen Meza Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

I don't normally eat Mediterranean and I don't think I've ever had Lebanese, but all the food I had today was amazing. I was with a group of people so we got the Amardeen Meza Platter, which was a LOT of food; the waitress came over and helpfully named every item on it so we all knew what was what, which was great for remembering what things we'd want to try later on on future visits. The shawarma was super juicy, tender, tasted great, the garlic sauce was easy to spread on the pitas and the pitas were thin yet kept together, weren't soggy, anything like that. The "sunny slope" tea was really strong in a good way, as were the mixed pickles; I'd never had baba ghanouj either, so that was a really unique (but again not bad) taste. They also had free refills for the tea, and the bird's nest dessert was REALLY unique, especially with the syrup; it's super super strong, so don't just dump it on the dessert at first! But if you're reading this, we need to get to the real meat of the review; the bathroom. I went in it and... I've gotta give it a 5/5 too. The lighting was great, the toilet was clean, the sink was clean, and everything looked very aesthetically fitting and appealing; I know this sounds like some sort of generic script, but I mean, what else can I say? Particularly noticed the mirror in the bathroom; it felt like I was looking in "HD" somehow, like it looked especially high quality/crystal clear definition looking at myself. Dunno what they did to pull that off, but it was really damn nice. Also, there's a lot of toiletries just right out in the open for you to use if you run out, which is always an anxiety-reducer for a bathroom visit. Most unique of all in the bathroom though, is that in a single room, there's a toilet, and then there's ALSO a urinal; I'm not sure why they did this, but it again made things feel more "premium" to even just give you that option. Would definitely recommend coming here, the staff, food, and best of all, bathrooms are amazing. read more

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Nice Mediterranean restaurant near UTC. Beautiful decor and quiet/relaxed atmosphere, very friendly and attentive staff, no trouble finding parking in the plaza, and no wait on a Saturday around 5PM. The kafta and chicken from the grilled entree platter were delicious, but the baked kibbeh was not very flavorful. The chicken especially had an excellent char flavor. Unfortunately the grill platter does not come with rice. The chicken shawarma from meza platter was too salty for my table's taste, as were a few other items here and there to a lesser extent. All the dips that came with the meza platter were well executed. Between the two platters, we were able to feed 4 light eaters with leftovers. Probably 4-6 people for a regular meal. Overall a positive experience, but not a knockout best for Mediterranean food in San Diego, especially at this price point. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Interior - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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This was our second time coming here and it was wonderful both times. The atmosphere and decor is warm and welcoming and understated. The servers were so friendly and attentive. There were three of us and we ordered the Amardeen platter. It's a great way to taste a little bit of everything. And plenty to feed us all. Everything was so tasty. We finished our meal sharing two desserts. The birds nest was incredible, the kneffe (sp) was a little chewy, but my daughter enjoyed it. Finished off with coffee, which was a special treat. With so many restaurants to choose from in this Shopping Center, Amardeen is our favorite. read more

Their food is outstanding. Their chicken shawarma was so soft and full of flavors. It comes with fresh garlic yoghurt, hummus and fresh pitta bread. Their falafel was so soft which came with salad and fermented radish pickle. Probably the best falafel I have eaten so far. Their lentil soup which comes with entree is very comforting. Portion size is good two people could easily share one entree. Service is very quick and ambience is great with indoor and outdoor sitting. I would recommend trying this out. read more

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I think I found one of the best Mediterranean/Lebanese spots in San Diego! They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was friendly throughout the meal too. I got the Lamb and Beef Shawarma and chose a side of fries. Firstly, the fries were awesome! The texture on these were absolutely perfect. Crispy outside with a fluffy and pillowy interior. These were addicting. The meat in the shawarma was super flavorful and tender. Inside was also some pickled turnips, onions, tomatoes, parsley and tahini sauce. They all went so well together. Their menu is pretty extensive with so many other things that I'd love to try. Definitely going to come back! read more

Amardeen Cafe - Lamb and Beef Shawarma (w/side of fries) - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Second time here definitely did not disappoint! I ordered the lamb kebab plate, and we also ordered kebeh and dolma for the table. All were generous helpings and absolutely delicious! Until next time! read more

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Had a wonderful lunch the other day with my Lebanese friend here. The chicken kebab, served with garlic spread, was so tasty. It costs $28 but is totally worth it. 5/5 read more

Amardeen Cafe - Chicken Kebab Entree - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

I was in the area shopping at UTC and decided to eat dinner with my family here. Food was good, but service was not. We were rarely checked up on and when asked for something, it either forgotten or never done read more

Great middle eastern food - but without the middle eastern hospitality. Absolutely disappointing service - I wish I stayed as loyal customer through Uber Eats will never step here again. read more

Food Only Review - Ordered via DoorDash Date of Visit: 4.21.2025 Cuisine Type: Lebanese and Mediterranean Vibe: N/A Cost: $20 BOGO deal What I Ordered & How It Was: Chicken Kebab Wrap Combo -5/5- ~$20, Two chucks of chicken breast, marinated in a garlic lemon saffron sauce and rolled in pita with garlic spread and tomatoes. Served with choice of side (Soup, Salad, Fries). Most restaurants usually overcook chicken breast, but this tender and moist chicken pleasantly surprised me. It is not a large wrap by any means, but it is delicious. The fat from the garlic sauce, acid from the tomatoes, and filling salty tenderness from the chicken breast all wrapped up with the soft but structurally solid pita bread combines together to create this fine symphony in each bite (ridiculous I know...but it was too good) Lentil Soup (My Side) - 4/5- A filling soup with a porridge like consistency. There is a good comfy flavor from the combination of likely garlic, onions, carrots, some vegetable stock and Mediterranean spices. Service & Atmosphere: Service: N/A...the order from doordash was still warm when i got it Ambiance: Based on pictures, the space feels warm and intimate with a casual and slightly upscale vibe. The designs are likely culturally inspired from the Mediterraneans, Latin America, and Morocco. There seem to be plenty of modular tables, likely good for big family meals. Overall Thoughts: Best thing I ate: That chicken kebab wrap shoot I'm going to eat my 2nd wrap for breakfast tomorrow Something to improve: Wrap - I wish the wrap was bigger and slightly cheaper. Maybe 3 kebabs? If it weren't for the bogo deal the price would be a barrier to trying this wrap Lentil Soup - Maybe a bit of lemon or option to add that or zataar i think the acid will work well there Would I come back? I'll come eat here multiple times. Looking forward to trying their chicken kebab in real time! read more

Amardeen Cafe - Lentil Soup - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great ambiance with dining inside and out. Service and food was average. Good sized portion of hummus. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Lebanese Style Moussaka - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

The wrap was underwhelming. The amardeen pizza was okay. Different flavors than normal, but didn't feel it was so great. read more

This is a great spot for a casual dinner! The renovation was beautiful and prices were very fair. We got the Amardeen platter, which had an awesome assortment of spreads and meats. We also got the lamb and rice rice dish which was the BEST dish of the night - light notes of cinnamon. Parking was a bit difficult, as it is a shopping center with many other dining establishments around around 6:30pm, there were some hidden spots next to the orange theory. Our server was very sweet and attentive. Ended with the "birds nest" dessert was exceptional and the perfect finale to the night. read more

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Good food - disrespectful service. Came here with my husband and kids to celebrate and we will never be back again. Lebanese food is always great and the food here was good - but this is not middle eastern hospitality. Disappointed. read more

The service was solid. I liked the mental soup, the baba ghonoush and the hummus were very tasty. I was happy with my sharama wrap. The salads were large tasty and delicious. I will return. read more

What a beautiful restaurant with amazing food. All the food that I tried was delicious, but I enjoyed the lentil soup and cheese fatayer the most. FYI the plates are on the larger side and great for sharing. Our waitress was awesome and provided excellent service. Definitely returning and recommend this restaurant. read more

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I visit about twice a month and usually do take out, which is quick and the food is fresh. Their staff is always kind, whether I dine in or not. My favorite meal is the chicken shwarma wrap. It comes with a side salad which is so tasty, too. Their fries are also so thick and made fresh that I often add those too. Their lentil soup is so yummy on a cold day. They recently renovated inside and it's lovely, and the outside patio is cute. It's a busy complex so you can get some errands done and then head over for a nice lunch or dinner. Easily my favorite Lebanese restaurant in San Diego! read more

Amardeen, while very tasty is expensive, especially eating out family style. they have a range of middle eastern eats on offer. located in UTC. read more

Amerdeen Café in La Jolla is such a gem! The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented -- you can tell they care about quality. Their Mediterranean-inspired dishes strike the perfect balance between hearty and healthy, and the portions are generous. The service is warm and attentive without being intrusive; everyone makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. The ambience is calm and inviting, with a modern coastal charm that fits La Jolla perfectly. Whether you're stopping by for brunch or a casual dinner, Amerdeen Café delivers a consistently enjoyable dining experience every time. There's also a cute garden that you can walk through right next to the cafe. It's a cute little area, don't hang around too long though since it's kind of in a private area. read more

The kebeh and garlic spread are amazing here! Get the Amardeen Meza Platter to sample everything. Pair it with mint tea and finish it off with a creamy ashtalieh (a sweet pudding with a delicate rose flavor) that will have you mesmerized! One of the best restaurants in all of San Diego! read more

A great place for a group! We ordered the maze platter and shared all the yummy appetizers. And everybody's dish was delicious. Salads, pizzas, kebabs, it's all great. The service was wonderful and will definitely be back. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Happy and well fed humans! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

Food was new and different and delicious; delicate balance between the chicken salad and kebab plate. Cheese fries accompanied by fig jelly was a nice aperitif :) We are sure to return yum read more

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Overpriced mediterranean food that lacks authentic flavor. I would be more than willing to pay if it was more authentic and tasteful. However it was very underwhelming which was disappointing. And the service was terrible. It looks very elegant and modern inside, which is maybe what you are paying for? Because everything else was a disappointment. read more

I want to eat this food every day for the rest of my life. Truly high quality foods, full of flavor, cooked perfectly, and it is served beautifully. The staff gives perfect service and the restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. read more

Amazing food, on the pricier side. We experienced a couple of iffy moments with service and food but nothing that would deter us coming back. Ambiance is great, good for family dinners. read more

The authenticity of the food is evident by its clientele. The menu has enough variety that everyone can find something. If you're indecisive, the meze platter can be a complete meal. The decor is very cool and the staff are quite attentive. One of my favorites for dine-in Mediterranean. read more

The Meza platter was excellent. The service was quick and attentive. The garlic sauce is an amazing add to the flavor profile. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Meza platter - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

I was a bit nervous when I walked in the door because around 6:15pm the dining room only had 1 large party and two tables seated. But low and behold it was the calm before the storm. I was seated promptly and while I reviewed the menu and took my time to order, the flood gates opened and the dining room was maxed out. I ordered: cauliflower tagline: cauliflower was crispy fried on the florets but stems still had a bit of a crunch. I omitted the tahini and had a small side of garlic sauce - there's is great! 1/2 hummus: creamy and well balanced. Cucumbers instead of pate - cucumbers were Persian variety and extremely fresh. Turnip pickles: this was my favorite of everything I ordered. Super duper vinegar-y... I could eat a bucket of these! Side grilled vegetable skewer... mega for a single skewer/side - packed full of peppers, onions, squash and zucchini. Well flame charred and excellent seasoning. My only compliant is that there was only one baby mushroom. Dining room is basic. There is a large outdoor patio seating area. The staff did a tremendous job handling the rush and worked together to take care of all the tables. Will definitely be back for more! read more

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Your review is detailed and conveys your positive experience well. Here's a slightly refined version for clarity and flow: A fantastic place for Mediterranean food! The food is amazing, the ambiance is nice, and the service is outstanding with very friendly staff. Our server, a wonderful guy from Lebanon, impressed us with his perfect Spanish and English. He smoothly switched to Spanish when he heard us talking, which really delighted us. This time, we ordered the shared Meza platter to try a variety of items. It was so good and offered a huge amount of food! My husband and I ate until we were beyond full and still had leftovers. The only thing I would change about this platter is to swap the baked kibbe for the fried one, as I'm not a big fan of the baked version and was craving the fried one. However, this is obviously a very personal preference. The platter options are absolutely fantastic. I checked in with Yelp and received a free Fatayer Sampler, which included one of each of their three fillings: cheese, beef, and spinach. All three were delicious! I personally felt that the Meza platter, given the huge amount of food, was a really good value, and we were very happy with our bill. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Amardeen Meza Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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The young gals waitressing were on top on there game, good service. unfortunately the food fell really really short for it to be overpriced. I'm talking blan no flavor what so ever, $30 for two skewers, rice and hummus is crazy! save your money, your better off going to any other fast food mediterranean place. Save your money and time. read more

Amardeen is a clean and nicely decorated Lebanese spot where fresh flavors shine. My friend and I started with the shawarma hummus appetizer--creamy, savory, and perfectly spiced with chicken shawarma. The Greek salad was crisp and refreshing, while the chopped chicken salad was hearty and satisfying with a zesty kick. A great place for a casual meal with bold Mediterranean flair. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Chopped Chicken Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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It was our first time here, so we got the meza platter to try a bit of everything. It was plenty enough for 2 people. The highlights for me were the hummus (BEST hummus i've ever had), chicken shawarma, and the tabouleh. My husband also said the falafels were the best he's ever had (i'm not a big falafel fan in general, so i was indifferent). I wasn't a big fan of the dessert (bird's nest), but overall we still had a very yummy and satisfying meal and will gladly be back to try more of it. read more

Amardeen Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Good traditional Lebanese food. The mezze is wonderful. Service can be slow. They have just remodeled the inside and it is welcoming. read more