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    Azkadenya - Mezza Diner

    4.1 (52 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

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    AZKADENYA - MEZZA DINER ATMOSPHERE

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    The Jerusalem platter.
    Justin M.

    Oh very nice. A great plate of hummus, slaw, meat, pita, and rice. I had a bottle of barbican on the side. The tables are nicely laid out with oil & hot sauce and cutlery. The slaw is nice and tangy, an the pita are fresh & fluffy. The washroom is very nice as well, although I can't recall if it had a changing station. I'll be back here again.

    Don't eat here. Service is bad.
    Gayan P.

    So, I gave this place a second chance, and they lost a star. First review was 2 stars. Restaurant reached out with an offer. I said no thank you, I'll give it a second chance sometime on my own dime so I can give it an honest review. The reason for the 1 star is that they would not build the plate that I actually wanted to have. I proposed multiple ways in which we could potentially achieve the outcome that I was looking for. Do a build-it-your own and add an extra protein, or take a preconfigured item off the menu and make a substitution. All I wanted was the equivalent of the mama's choice plate, but with lamb and not chicken. I would have paid any price to have that. Money was no object. The server wouldn't do it. She went back and spoke to the manager. He wouldn't do it either. Appalling customer service. Never ever ever will be coming back here at any cost and I don't recommend you do either. There are much better places for the same kind of food, if you are willing to travel a bit. The lamb was not very good either. Much smaller than in the pictures on the menu. The hot sauce really lacked in flavour. There's really nothing good about this place other than the fact that it is clean and presented well in comparison to some of it's counterparts.

    Kurt G.

    Azkadenya is great ! Their hummus is incredible, paired perfectly with freshly baked pita from their massive oven. The atmosphere is inviting, and the staff are incredibly friendly. A must-visit for food lovers!

    Jerusalem Street Style
    Samantha B.

    I ordered the Jerusalem Street Style as it has beef & chicken plus humus and the shepherds salad. I used to live in the Middle East so I'm very familiar with what this should taste like plus I read the menu to see what they include. I was actually really looking forward to the Shepherds salad with the cucumber and tomato per their menu. Well it was more like coleslaw but with lemon and vinegar and not any cucumber or tomato, mostly cabbage and a few strands of carrot. Very disappointing. The shawarma meat was ok but could do with a lot more seasoning. The bread & humus were good. I should have taken a look before I left, if I hadn't been travelling all day and already back at my hotel, I would have taken it back to at least get the right salad.

    Mix grill
    Darius D.

    Checked this spot the other day in the city and it was good @azkadenya.ca I had the Jerusalem meal it was truly amazing definitely worth the money and filling for sure!! It was shaved chicken and beef, with hummus seasoned rice and a salad !!

    Patricia J.

    I only tried the falafel so take this review with a grain of salt but I often asses based on the quality of falafel anyway! Very well done. Crunchy and dipped in sesame seed but soft on the inside. Was not "tough" like some places or falling apart like others. A perfect falafel. Nice blend of spices and herbs. The toum (garlic sauce) is fantastic and I had fun dipping each piece into it. Tahini is generally not my thing but theirs I could manage. On my return I'll try their other veggie sides and will opt for the platter when I have a bigger appetite. Just across from Planta on queen st W , this place is perfect for a fresh, home cooked lunch run if you're working along the university ave strip. Will most certainly be back as their baba ghanoush is next on my hit list!

    The Sheesh
    Levi J.

    ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! No joke, the food was so so delicious and everything came out quickly for how much quality was in the food. The pita was fresh and warm throughout the entire meal! The meat was seasoned perfectly and the hummus was to die for (great flavor, this is not bland hummus)! The workers were extremely friendly as well and I really appreciate all their hard work. My boyfriend really liked the atmosphere of the restaurant as well and all the cute detailing they had! Will be back for more when I'm in town! (Edit: GET THE GARLIC SAUCE!! It's so yummy!)

    $14 - Tawook lamb with fries and baba ghanoush
    Andrei A.

    This place is ok. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices for reasonably sized portions of food. With an abundance of options on Queen St, I'd most likely end up going elsewhere next time I'm in the area, but I had a good meal and the lamb was juicy, just like I had asked for. Their coleslaw salad, on the other hand, was terrible. Too sour. The mini pita bread was delicious. All 4 were freshly baked on the spot. My biggest disappointment was a lack of kebab options with chunks of meat - lamb, beef tenderloin and chicken thigh meat. They only have minced lamb and chicken breast. I don't like either of those. The owner of this place should raise prices and introduce lamb kebab, beef kebab, and chicken thigh meat kebab to appeal to a wider demographic who enjoy a proper kebab skewer.

    Chicken Shawarma with side cabbage slaw and fattoush salad
    David Y.

    My head is on a swivel! Azkadenya turned out to be a cacophonic celebration of big dishes, bold flavors and bombastic colours! My wife and I went to this newly opened Middle Eastern / Mediterranean restaurant on Queen West. We entered and were greeted with a counter to order at before sitting. Ok, I guess it was going to be that type of staid-diner experience. Except, it wasn't. After placing an order for the mezze sampler and 2 build-your-own platters, we turned around and made our way to our table... and were introduced to this world of blaring music, multi-graphic walls, newspaper-print tablecloths, cushion strewn seats, and an array of bottled sauces, each one sounding more enticing than the next. Moments after sitting down, a server whizzed by with pita from a basket. Apparently, the bread was unlimited. Some were piping hot, some cold and hard, but you could always request for the freshly made ones. Azkadenya is new, and the servers gave off a frenzied disorganization that was surprisingly charming - you know they're trying, and silently root that they'll improve once they get their feet set. We helped ourselves to pita, sat back, and watched the energetic chaos of kitchen-to-server-to-table play out in front of us. I popped open my can of Vimto, took a sip, and a sickeningly sweet bubblegum flavour exploded in my mouth. Ahhhhhh, I thought, I guess we're in for some fun. The mezze sampler was the first to arrive. Mounds of hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, beet tahini and walnut muhamarra were plopped in a circle. We eagerly scooped each one with our pita, savouring the different flavours. The hummus, tabbouleh and baba ganoush were standard stuff I've tasted many times over elsewhere. It was the tahini and the muhamarra that really stood out with how creamy they were. A server dropped by with more bread, and we continued to destroy the mezze platter. Great start to the meal. Then our 2 build-your-own platters arrived. We chose the chicken and beef shawarma with a bunch of sides. Both meats were tender and spicy (not from a 'heat' perspective, but from a 'flavour' one). The side cabbage slaw and fries were limp and meh, but the fattoush salad and tomato sizzler freshened up the shawarmas. And the portion sizes were HUUUUGE. We got through the platters with full bellies and satisfied tastebuds. But wait, we were here anyway so why not try dessert? After much deliberation, we got the sticky date cake which ended up being a slab of moist date cake smothered in way-too-much caramel sauce. This looked like it could easily be shared by 4 people. Nothing against the cake, but after the full meal, it sat like a brick in my (greedily happy) belly. As we were leaving, we noticed for the first time the sign at the entrance. Apparently, 'aska' means delicious, and 'denya' means world. Whatever your tastes are in life and tolerance levels are with startup inefficiencies, I think we can all appreciate Azkadenya's unique view of the world. It's one full of big dishes, bold flavours, and bombastic colours - a delicious experience just waiting to be had!

    The mezza platter with pita
    Tania L.

    Love this place! So happy that this gem has opened up on Queen Street. My friend and I came here the other day (I had serious cravings for Mediterranean food), and we both really enjoyed the food! Azkadenya is an export from the Middle East, and it's great that there's now a branch in Toronto. The restaurant has a fast casual concept; you seat yourself, then go order at the counter. You then receive a number, and the servers will subsequently deliver the food to your table. I ordered the mezza platter (had serious hummus / spread cravings that I needed to fulfill), while my friend got the falafel platter with sides of rice and beet hummus. You can ask to substitute beet hummus for the regular hummus at no additional cost, so it's a great way to try something new! The servers come by to serve warm pita that you can use to dip the spread, and it's so soft and delicious! My mezza platter came with five things - a normal hummus (was slightly dry and not the best), beet tahini (a nice sweet variation on your typical nutty sesame spread), baba ganouj (extremely flavourful - you could taste the eggplant flesh and texture), tabbouleh salad, and walnut muhammara (a wonderfully sweet spread, but very delicious)! Our favourite, without a doubt, was the walnut muhammara - the molasses added a beautiful and rich undertone, and I couldn't help myself from scooping bite after bite! I must have had about 5 pita bread through the night... I was able to sample one falafel, and found it quite okay. It was, however, on the greasier side, with lots of oil. Nevertheless, it was tasty! I can't wait to return to Azkadenya - this time, I'm definitely reordering the platter, though I'll share with friends so that I have more room to try other things!

    Richa R.

    Stumbled into this absolutely gorgeous restaurant the other day and had the best falafel I've ever had in my life! Azkadenya isn't just easy on the eyes but easy on the stomach as well with their delicious Mediterranean eats We tried the following: - Mixed grill platter: One Shish Tawook Skewer, One Lamb Kebab Skewers, One Beef Tenderloin Skewer, Hummus, Shepherd's Salad, French Fries, Garlic Sauce, Pita Bread - Falafel: 8 Falafel Pieces, served with Yogurt Tahini Dip If you've never tried falafel take it from me, it's actually really yummy lol as everyone knows I'm not a huge veggie eater but the crispy outer shell and the ground chickpeas on the inside were hella flavourful and had me munching on them the whole time! The mixed platter is always my go to at any Mediterranean place and this has gotta be one of the most delicious and authentic platters I have ever tasted The meats were so perfectly grilled and juicy and I couldn't get over the quantity of it all' Not to mention the super soft pita bread, fresh salad, crispy fries and drool worthy garlic sauce and hummus on the side. Enough to comfortably feed 2 people and have left overs! The staff were really friendly and nice and the restaurant was SO clean, I used the washroom and it was spotless y'all! Hygiene is so important and this place was up there so I really had to mention it lolol The decor on the inside and atmosphere was nothing short of an Instagram lovers' dream lol I couldn't put my phone down We left with happy and full stomachs, their restaurant definitely lives up to their name and slogan "the best taste life has to offer" Thank you Azkadenya for the super delish and yummy feast, best unexpected walk in discovery for sure! We will be back :) Check them out y'all!

    Lamb with fattoush salad and taboule
    Geraldine G.

    Finally, we had the chance to try this place. Middle Eastern food has always been one of my favourites for it's consistent depth in the flavour without needing to be spicy. Such a refreshing addition to this busy queen west corridor. It's a beautiful interior. I'm quite fond of their sliding glass doors. We ordered the make your own build with fattoush salad, taboule, rich and lamb. It didn't take too long at all. The highlight of course was the lamb. Tender, juicy and loved that the sauces you normally have to ask for are reading available at the tables. Giant plus. Was Uber surprised to have them come around and offer fresh made bread (like what???? Yes!) We tried one of their drinks, vimotk (spelling is wrong) but it's a fruity carbonated beverage. Have to say, way too sugary for me. Definitely would go again but maybe different sides both the taboule and fattoush were too acidic. Many other options so I am curious. Solid spot.

    Beef Shawarma
    Tracy L.

    What a gem on Queen Street West, I live nearby the area and have been waiting for this diner to open. It did not disappoint - it exceeded what I thought it would be. The price is affordable, value is great and this is exactly what I want in Mediterranean food. This menu suites the local crowd and I'm pleasantly surprised. We had a bit of everything , platters, spread samples and sliders. Bring friends and family to get a taste of everything :) One thing that I didn't agree on was the side shawarma as I preferred it on the platter. The service is good, it's order first and then sit down but everyone is super friendly and helpful. They provide you pita bread constantly and is so good when's it's warm. Great with Hummus. Top the meal with a bread pudding- it's a warm dessert that is the perfect blend of sweetness and nuttiness.. 10/10 would come again :) ... prefer this over Paramount any day lol .

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    2 years ago

    Gross food. The salad tasted like it came from the drain. And it took forever to get the food.

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    2 years ago

    Fabulous chicken schwarma. Good salad and delicious hummus as well. Highly recommended

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    4 years ago

    Their food is delicious, generous portion sizes and their staff is great. Great experience and will definitely eat there again.

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    Byblos - Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

    Byblos

    4.4(987 reviews)
    0.3 kmEntertainment District, Downtown Core
    $$$$

    I highly recommend their foie gras, salt-grilled fish EUROBASS-EN-CROÛTE, and steak ! I forgot to…read moretake a picture of the foie gras, but it was incredibly rich and flavorful, and the grilled pineapple helped cut through the richness. The grilled fish is a must-order at almost every table; it had no fishy taste at all and was delicious. The steak was Jacob's dry-aged steak; you can't go wrong with their steaks.

    Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 Food: We had our office holiday dinner here and 15 people attended. We did a set menu which had 3 courses. The first course was Labneh with bread, hummus, & beef tartare. Second course was Lamb pide & pear salad. Third course was grilled branzino, middle eastern fried chicken, black truffle rice, and thrice cooked fries. Then there was dessert which was chocolate mousse cake & baklava. Because of my many food allergies the main server for our table was very attentive & specific in asking me what I wanted as modifications. For example I got a wagyu beef pide instead of the lamb. Every dish was really delicious, presented well & quite filling. I couldn't eat all of the food. Though I tried almost everything. Service: The pacing of the dishes was quite masterful. They really paid attention to when the food was going to come out. As I mentioned above the main server was very attentive to my food allergies. I really appreciated that as some restaurants aren't as attentive. The food was served family style so everyone could take what they wanted from the serving dishes. The dishes were served in little bowls along the tables with each bowl serving about 4 people. We had asked for one long table so it was a little snug. But we made it work. Ambiance: For dinner the lighting of the space is really dim. LOL. I would have appreciated just a little bit more light. The restaurant is in an old building so to use the washroom you had to go down two flights of stairs. The dining area is small also. But it's a pretty space. As mentioned above we asked for one long table to seat 15 people. I was expecting square tables but it was a bunch of small round tables pushed together. So the tables were really crowded with food from all the dishes. But the servers made sure to take empty serving dishes away as soon as possible. The music was a little loud for me so I had to yell to be heard. The place was packed though. Everyone at our table enjoyed the food, the service & atmosphere. The restaurant is close to Roy Thompson Hall & the other theatres nearby so it's a convenient location as well. It's too bad this place is only open for dinner. I would have loved to see how they would operate a lunch time service. In any case, Byblos was amazing. I would come back here again to try other dishes! Note: Some of my pics of the main dishes didn't turn out so it's mostly desserts that are pictures

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    Byblos - Upstairs level downtown location

    Upstairs level downtown location

    Byblos - Lamb Ribs

    Lamb Ribs

    Byblos - Turkish Manti Dumplings

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    Turkish Manti Dumplings

    Alphas Shawarma - Chicken Shawarma Saj

    Alphas Shawarma

    4.3(6 reviews)
    1.1 km

    I went to this spot a few months ago and it was awesome, so I had to go back again. It's right on…read moreKing, in the middle of all the chaos, but that's honestly part of the fun. There's always something going on in the area, so it makes it a lively place to grab food, especially at night. I went around 10 PM last night and it was packed. The ambience is pretty basic, it's a small joint with a few tables and chairs, nothing fancy. It's clean and organized, but you can't really expect some super aesthetic interior considering the location and the constant flow of people. There's limited seating, just enough for a few groups, so it definitely feels more like a takeout spot than somewhere you'd sit and hang out for a long time. They get a lot of customers, so you can expect a bit of a wait, but honestly the service was impressively fast. We waited maybe 5-10 minutes max for our food. We got it to go, and everything was ready quickly and handled efficiently. The main star of the show was the chicken shawarma wrap. It was delicious, crispy, flavourful, and packed with everything we asked for. The sauce was so good and really brought everything together. I definitely recommend adding the pomegranate molasses. It adds such a nice sweet tangy flavour and makes the wrap even better. Overall, it was a really good experience. Fast service, solid food, and a fun location right in the middle of the action. I'd definitely go back.

    We are finding the best food on King street W. Four unbelievable meals in three days. I'm getting…read moreto like it here. We had done a ton of walking and wanted a snack and a drink with a chance to rest the feet. One of the people we spoke to up the street claimed to love the place so here we are. The shawarma meat is bland and a bit boring. We tried to punch it up when we got it, but it's not the same. Don't get me wrong, it's still good food and will fill that empty spot in yer gut. I was just hoping for a juicier sandwich, instead we end up on the dry side. The cost is reasonable. The servers we spoke with were okay. Nothing exciting. In comparison to all our other meals this place fails. It's decent food at a decent price that deserves your attention. Especially if you're looking for a quick fix on the run. 11/25

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    Alphas Shawarma
    Alphas Shawarma
    Alphas Shawarma - Crispy shawarma

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    Crispy shawarma

    Azkadenya - Mezza Diner - mideastern - Updated June 2026

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