I never expected to find something like this in Boston. Bab Al Yemen offers a flavor profile that's genuinely unique and unlike anything you'll find at most restaurants, not just in Boston, but honestly in many places around the world. Through extensive travel across the U.S. and internationally, I had never come across a Yemeni restaurant before. What made this experience even more special was how authentic it felt from start to finish. Everything, from the food to the atmosphere and even the diverse mix of diners enjoying their meals at tables and on traditional floor seating, made for a truly immersive experience. I ordered a dish built around falafel and rice, something I've eaten countless times at Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants over the years. Yet somehow, Bab Al Yemen transformed familiar ingredients into something entirely their own. The execution was flawless, and the seasoning and flavor profile were unlike any version I've had before. If there's such a thing as an elevated falafel-and-rice dish, this is it. For anyone looking to explore a cuisine that's difficult to find and experience something authentically different, Bab Al Yemen is absolutely worth a visit. It was one of the most memorable meals of my trip to Boston. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Grape Leaves, yemeni cocktail - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We had an awesome meal at Bab Al-Yemen Boston. Everything we ordered was tasty and hearty. The grilled chicken with yellow basmati rice was tender, fragrant, and nicely spiced up. Meat stew was yummy and delicious and went well with Yemeni bread. The bread was big, fresh, and crunchy but soft from the inside. Vegetables and sauce added to the meal. What I liked most about the place is the fact that this cuisine was an authentic representation of Yemeni food, not just any Middle Eastern restaurant. Portion sizes are big and you can definitely share something. Come hungry! 5/5 -- Definitely coming back. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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What a cool spot - authentic food and cultural experience. I loved the decor and overall vibe. Wish I could sit in one of the ground seats next time! We got the lamb stew and it was pretty good. A lot of lean lamb. I wish it had veggies in it too. The naan bread came with the dish was ginormous and addicting. They gave us some tea to finish off the meal - some of the BEST I've ever had. So so so fragrant and smooth. I'd love to come back and try more items! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I do think much of the experience depends on if you are seated upstairs or downstairs here. Unfortunately for me, I was seated downstairs which took a big hit on the service front. I came here for lunch and ordered the foul al-shams, chicken vegetable stew, and a side of rice. Unfortunately the stew appeared without chicken and foul al-shams was so delayed that we told them to cancel it. The chicken vegetable stew was piping hot and full of flavor. The shredded chicken was tender and the stew did not feel too heavy to feel bogged down. The bread that came with it was also big and crisp but still soft inside. Together the two made a complementary meal that was satisfying. Despite how hard it was to track down our waiter, we still enjoyed the part of the meal we had. The upstairs definitely feels like the waiters are more on top of it and there is a more airy ambiance. The downstairs wasnt the most ideal and while good for big groups, youre still very aware of dining in a basement. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Chicken vegetable stew with bread and rice - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This restaurant was recommended to me by a friend so I thought to give it a try when I was visiting Boston. Walking in, it's very cozy and there is an area where you're able to sit on the floor and enjoy your meal--it looked very nice. Service here was amazing. I got their veggie samboosas, foul al-shams, and lamb rice. While I thoroughly enjoyed their foul al-shams as I've never had anything like it before (and thought that the flavor of the tomatoes was really nice), I thought that the size of the veggie samboosas wasn't reflective of the price. The portion and quality fell short of what I expected. The lamb was also very flavorful and the meat was very tender but I felt that overall, the rice was a bit dry and that the dish was lacking something. Nonetheless, I still thought that the meal was good, but maybe a bit on the pricier side for what it was. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The Lamb Mandi was a star! We also got the yogurt pita dip which was delicious and creamy. My only wish was there was more meat that came with the mandi but we did share between 2 and it was still filling enough. The floor seating was a fun experience! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Got the sit-down option and it was great!!! Now let me tell, from fast service to delicious food, this place does NOT disappoint!! YOU HAVE TO GET THE HUMMUS WITH LAMB IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!! And we made the mistake of thinking that our hummus doesn't come with bread, but it does haha and idea great, so the extra tanoor bread was a bit much for us--really good too!! The tea is great, if you have had Indian chai, then that's what it basically tastes like so YUM! Overall, if you haven't gone to this Boston gem yet, what are you doing??? GO NOW!!! read more

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Every time I visit Boston I make it a mission to visit this place. The food and the portions are perfect! I definitely recommend to order the Yemeni cocktail, especially during the summer. Great drink to cool down. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Tanoor Bread Hummus - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came in before looking at the menu so we were a little surprised by the price so keep that in mind. The interior in here is absolutely beautiful, they had more seating downstairs so we were able to get a table quickly. The service was great and they had a clean bathroom. We got the lamb stew Fahsah, although it looked pretty small it was full of meat to the brim. The bread is absolutely huge, we didn't expect the size and ordered an extra. It's the size of a large pie you really don't need more but did wish it was a little fluffier. We also ordered the rice but it was a little dry and any sauce was extra. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Lamb Fahsah - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The waiters were so sweet, the food was AMAZING, and the ambiance was lovely. I would really like to come back and sit at the traditional floor seating. Note to make reservations ahead of time! The food speaks for itself. The lamb was soft tender, it fell apart as soon as I touched it with my fork. Even better, the rice beneath the lamb was seasoned so well, I honestly would've also been happy if it came out on its own! Same for the chicken and rice. The chicken was super tender and the rice was packed with flavor. The hummus was also amazing. Super earthy and flavorful dip. Honestly, no critiques, I would happily revisit this place. read more

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Great meal, fun atmosphere...esp if you're limber enough to use the floor seating. We got the garlic yogurt appetizer, along with the spicy rice and chicken and the veggy stew entree. Both were delicious, as was the homemade pita that came with the stew. Lots of food - probably could've shared one entree between the two of us. Friendly suggestion to restaurant- the veggy stew was piping hot (heat, not spice). Even after letting it sit for 10', was still crazy hot. Maybe don't need to cook it to that temp. But was really delicious! read more

We've had our eye on this place for months after seeing it on social media and finally found a time to go. Definitely should have gone sooner as it's incredible! Very homey and cozy vibes inside, the staff are super nice and welcoming. We sat at the "traditional" seating near the windows and the pillows are comfortable, just try to wear comfortable pants (not stiff jeans) if you choose it. As for food - everything was great. We got the mutabal (like baba ghanouj), veggie samboosa, and chicken mandi. That was enough for 2 to share and go home with leftovers. Not a single complaint, everything was delicious! We were also celebrating an occasion and the staff went all out - first, a cup of tea on the house, then a walnut baklava, delivered with a candle and music. I don't typically reach for baklava but this one blew my mind. This experience made my day. Thank you so much to the staff and we will certainly come back soon! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Chicken mandi - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great service and great food! The waiter was very nice and gave us great recommendations! Would definitely come back again read more

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Great food but slow service. It took more than 30 minutes for the 5 of us to be served. Generous portions and tasty food. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Really excellent food! The lamb was super tender and flavorful and the samboosas were crispy and delicious. I got my food to go but the restaurant, while unassuming from the outside, was very warm, cozy and comfortable and I will definitely be coming back to dine-in in the near future. I would highly recommend! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Veggie Samboosa - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The atmosphere was cool. We sat on the floor no shoes on. The mango drinks were not anything special. Tasted like room temperature Goya mango nectar. The entrees were okay. The meat was very tender but it was flavorless. The appetizers were good. I would go back for samosas and falafel read more

Dining at Bab Al-Yemen is always a great experience! The interior is very cozy, it's always packed with customers, and staff are very welcoming and accommodating. I do highly recommend making reservations, especially if you're visiting on the weekend. I ordered the lamb fahsah, which came served with a huge portion of bread. The fahsah was so fresh and packed with meat, almost too much for a single serving! It was absolutely delicious and the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold winter day. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Fahsa - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We made a dinner reservation for a Friday night and were seated upstairs. Both floors of the restaurant were packed. We ordered the lamb mandi, foul al-shams, hummus with shredded chicken, and Yemeni cocktail. The foul al-shams was absolutely delicious and my favorite of the meal. If you're going to get one appetizer, this is it. The hummus and chicken was sumac-forward (which I like) and also excellent. Bread was included with the appetizers and we didn't end up needing more. The lamb was tender, albeit a bit bland (as in the primary flavor was lamb and not spices), but it grew on me the more I ate. The rice was topped with caramelized onions, which added a nice sweetness and worked well with the spices in the rice. By the end of our meal the Yemeni cocktail still hadn't arrived, but the waitress was lovely and accommodating and ended up giving us tea with milk on the house (the original drink was removed from the bill). The tea was served without sweetener (you can add your own) and was basically an even richer chai. Overall great atmosphere and experience! I plan on coming back. read more

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Very happy to finally come here! We are very fortunate to try the Lamb Haneeth and the falafel, grape leaves and all was absolutely delicious! They have an upstairs and downstairs to the restaurant and I also ordered the bread. For dessert, I had the chocolate syrup baklava. Honestly, I could've done without the chocolate sauce because I like my baklava the way it is, but I give them credit for trying. They have a lot of Indian influences on the menu. I would highly recommend coming here at least once to try Yemen's food. read more

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I was a fan of the service and the ambiance. The wait staff was attentive and offered us free tea. I, however, was unimpressed by the food. My main qualm was that the food was quite bland and the price of $30 per lamb entree couldn't be justified. We had the lamb with spicy rice as our entree. The rice wasn't spicy and the lamb haneeth, while fork tender, was rather bland. The amount of meat in the entree wasn't enough either. read more

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No one in our party has ever had Yemeni food before, but we were curious to try as a friend in Boston recommended Bab Al-Yemen. It is the first ever Yemeni restaurant in Boston with really good ratings. We were immediately transported to a whole different world once we stepped in. You can choose between traditional Arabic floor seating and table seating. It was overall a memorable experience to eat something outside our comfort zone. The food tasted homey and the servers were kind. ＊Meat Samboosa $11.95 ** MUST ORDER. It was a triangular shaped pastry stuffed with ground beef. It was like samosa but less spicy than the ones I had before. The filo dough was thin and cripsy. ＊Hummus $11.95 * The hummus was served with a basket of pita bread. It was nothing mind-blowing but I couldn't stop dipping into it. The complimentary pita bread wasn't bad, but the tanoor bread was an even better match with the hummus. ＊Aqdah Dajaj $24.95 ** It was a chicken stew served in a hot stone pot. There were shredded chicken and assorted veggies in the pot. It tasted a bit like tomato soup. The dish also came with their signature freshly baked bread (tanoor bread). We could taste the smoky aroma as it was baked in a clay oven. It was so crispy on the edges and puffy on the dough. ＊Chicken Babsa $22.95 The chicken kabsa was a hearty dish for sharing. It came with a huge bed of basmati rice and loads of chicken. It did have a kick of heat because of the chili and spices. read more

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This place is pretty good, though on the pricier side. The hummus was super good and lamb haneeth rice, though I wish the pita bread was less dry and lamb was a touch more flavorful (it was super soft and tender though). They were fast and kind with service, so overall pretty good experience. read more

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To satisfy a craving for Yemeni cuisine, I went to Bab Al-Yemen on a Sunday evening. Arriving at 7, the establishment had reached complete occupancy; I failed to realize this day coincided with the end of Ramadan and would have extra business. Nonetheless, I received a table for my friend and I, though the server mentioned the table had a reservation at 830. An hour an a half seemed plenty. I ordered for myself the Lamb Haneeth ($29.95) and Meat Samboosa ($12.95) to share. The 4 pieces of samboosa (carb stuffed with meat) seemed tender. The accompanying sauce tasted like salsa (tomato, onions, spices) but much better and more herbal. The lamb broth soup accompanying the lamb haneeth, the maraq, tasted rich and cinnamon-y, perfect for a cold day like today and generally addictive. The lamb haneeth itself had tender, fall-off-the bone lamb. The lamb seemed simply seasoned, but in a subtle way that cut most of its gaminess. The rice also received a decent amount of seasoning. The general atmosphere seems homely and communal. The owner walks arounds and makes small talk, and local youths help out with the establishment. read more

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First time eating this kind of food. The whole family enjoyed their meals. The service was great. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Lamb Mandi - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great vibe, especially during weekend peak hours. Food was okay, and this place is consistent with other overhyped restaurants in Boston - value for food was not that good My favorite dishes was the hummus with shredded lamb (the other plan hummus was okay); lamb haneeth was tender but the flavor was kinda blend; chicken Mandi was okay, nothing to note My biggest disappointment came from the freshly baked bread - it was not fluffy, not aromatic, and kinda hard to chew read more

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Suggested by a friend , we decided to give this place a visit on a sunny Saturday afternoon . We really enjoy Middle eastern and Mediterranean food and hence the menu online seemed appetizing for me as a vegetarian. We walked in around 2pm Saturday and it had quite a few spots open for floor seating that we thought was cool-something common in India as well. Very quickly it started to get crowded so we were lucky to get in without a reservation. Cute little place with friendly vibes and cozy atmosphere . We started with an appetizer of Falafel over hummus and it was delicious. We got a spicy freshly made chutney/sauce as well and together with hummus and falafel it was amazing ! My husband is a huge fan of lamb dishes so he ordered the Lamb kabsa which is also a bit spicy . It came piping hot with saffron rice over it . I ordered the vegetable stew and tandoor bread and thought the stew lacked in flavor. I didn't enjoy my entrée but hubby s entrée was a hit ! Overall still a lovely experience and that's why I am giving it four stars . read more

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I really wanted to like this restaurant more, mainly because Yemeni food isn't that easy to come by in the US, and we are better off with more diverse food in our lives. First off, the service was sub par right from when we entered. We had made reservations, got their on time, and the restaurant seemed pretty empty at that point. We stood to be seated. The young lady at the entrance saw us, completely ignored us, and went away. I would have been okay with that if they were super busy, but as I said the restaurant was pretty empty. She came back and we were seated. Second, and this is a hygiene issue! The bottle of water on our table was left without a cap. So, yeah, you are basically left with an open glass bottle, which has been open for God knows how long. We had to ask two servers multiple times, to change the bottle, which they did eventually, but seemed quite surprised by the request. The food was definitely better than the service. The yogurt drink was refreshing. The mango juice though tasted like canned juice. We ordered the eggplant dip (Mutabal). It was good, but nothing that blew my mind. We ordered the lamb haneeth which was quite delicious! The lamb was perfectly cooked, so tender, and the portion was perfect for two people. Next part, again related with service, was getting our check. Again asked multiple times, and waited quite a while for the check to show up. Again, while the restaurant was busier now than when we had entered, it wasn't as busy to warrant that wait. In conclusion, I do like the fact that there is a restaurant that serves Yemeni food. I thought the food was good, even if.not mind-blowing. However, I'd recommend improving their service if they want customers to come back. read more

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Food: 4/5 I had an appetizer of meat sambusa, which was lovely but I think could use more interesting spices. It was pretty large, so that was a plus. For my entree, I had the Fahsah -- lamb stew presented in a traditional stone bowl -- with house made Yemeni flatbread. The stew was wonderful; it came out steaming hot and was large in portion. The Yemeni flatbread was clearly fresh, and it was a large size to accommodate the large Fahsah portion. Something different about the food here is that while everything tastes delicious, it lacks a hot-spicy profile. It would be great if the owners could make a hot-spicy sauce/salsa available. Those of us who are familiar with the regional cuisine know that hot spices really upgrade the lamb and chicken proteins along with the rice. Service: 5/5 The folks at Bab Al-Yemen welcome you with a kind and genuine smile! From the moment my friend and I walked in, I felt the employees wanted us there and were kindly attentive to our needs. We even spoke to one of the owners after our meal, who took the time to tell us the story of how Bab Al-Yemen came to be. This establishment is run by people who have worked hard to bring Yemeni food/culture to New England palette, which is no easy feat! Ambiance: 5/5 The photos I have taken speak for themselves. The restaurant has beautifully curated walls, appropriately cultural background music, and a traditional seating area that really immerses you into a Yemeni dining experience. Probably one of the best things about Bab Al-Yemen is that it's not too casual or too formal -- you can come here for a sit-down meal with a special friend or family and still have that restaurant dining/service experience. read more

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Ordered the chicken Mandi with a side salad and Maraq soup via Uber eats. I appreciate the fact that it came with utensils! The chicken mandi was nice and flavorful, a little sweet with the fried onions. I could have used a green chilli based sauce on the side for some heat. The salad was super sad - just some lettuce leaves and a few pieces of cucumber and tomato, probably from a salad mix bag. I typically love the salads that Arab places give with cucumber, onion, and tomato. The soup was nice and simple, I appreciated it on a cold night. Overall, solid option! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Take out - Chicken Mandi, Side Salad, and Maraq soup - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Very accommodating service, nice interior, really tasty, tender meat. Great experience overall read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Chicken Mandi - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Made a reservation for a Monday night with friends. Staff was very friendly. Food was amazing, one of the best meals I have ever had in Boston. The setting is both immersive and relaxing, with a choice of sitting in their traditional floor area. read more

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I came here around 2p in the afternoon and did not have to wait in line. This cute and unassuming restaurant is tucked away from the busy street of Mass Ave. Ramya, my server, was attentive, friendly, and fast. I ordered the Lamb Habneeth and it was very tender and flavorful. What really stood out to me was the rice. The flavors were complex and deep. I would definitely like to come back and try new things. read more

Yemeni cuisine is my favorite cuisine of the entire of world. Followed by Middle Eastern then Thai then Italian then egg and cheese sandwich. Trying Yemeni food in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Texas, Chicago and many others made me so picky about it unfortunately. In the US, Chicago, Detroit and New York have the top best Yemeni restaurants. Of course there are good ones here in there in other cities. The menu, location, atmosphere and photos were all so promising prior to coming. The food was the major disappointment. It lacks Yemeni flavors. I doubt the chef is a legit Yemeni one. read more

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came here on a friday evening for a cozy date night! highly recommend getting a reservation, as this place can get busy. also street parking only. you have the option of sitting on the floor (traditional, no shoes) or at the tables. service is warm and kind. food was alright but not sure if it's worth the value- we got the lamb mandi, fahsa, and mint tea. the lamb mandi came with a spicy sauce and your choice of broth or salad. the lamb was tender, the rice had great flavor, and we really liked the sauce (mild, refreshing)! we got the broth and it was just okay. we didn't enjoy the fahsa as much since it was watery and a bit bland. it came with bread that we really liked and enjoyed - soft and chewy! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Lamb Mandi - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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First, the restaurant was very accommodating. We arrived without a reservation and they were able to seat us with the stipulation that we would need to finish by a certain time due to reservations. We were happy to take the deal, especially since the meal turned out to be delicious! With that being said, the service was lacking at times. It took a while to order and get the check, as well as to get water and drink refills. The food was outstanding and portions were generous. We ordered roasted eggplant, yogurt cucumber dip, and hummus for starters. The hummus was some of the best I've ever had. It was creamy and smooth and you could taste the tahini but it wasn't too overpowering. I had the chicken and vegetables in a piping hot broth and it was out of this world. The best part was that every bite had a different veggie - peas, carrots, green beans. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the naan dipped in the broth was unforgettable. My friend got the lamb shank on basmati rice and she really enjoyed it! I tried the lamb, although not a lamb fan, and it was tender and flavorful but not pungent as lamb can be. We also ordered the desserts. These were probably the least favorite part of the meal, we tried one date and one banana flavored, but neither warranted a second bite. They were really dense and just lacked the wow factor of most other Middle Eastern desserts I've tried. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Chicken Aqdah - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Overall: what a cool find in the middle of Fenway! Such a random type of restaurant but once you try the food it all makes sense. Food: we got the Fafsa (lamb stew effectively) which is served in a stone pot. The flavors are wildly intense but scoop some up with your bread and you'll feel the rich hearty stew soak into the soft bread for quite the yummy sensation. We also got the Chicken Kabsa which initially doesn't look like there's anything there but once you uncover the chicken you realize how fragrant it is. The spicy sauce on the side also adds so much as it's a refreshing type of spicy that allows you to keep chowing down on the creamy rice. Ambience/Decor/Service: it's a really small space but they decorate it in such a way with the floor seating and the wall art to make it feel like a cultural experience. The service is such quick and helpful! read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I got the falafel plate and it was delicious! The restaurant was clean and the waiter was nice. read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Falafel plate - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This was my second attempt trying to eat here - the first being on a weekend night but it was packed. This second time I learned and made reservations. When we got there, the only seating they had on the ground level was on the carpets. But, they opened up the basement tables for us and not too long after that, the basement was packed too. Needless to say, this is a popular spot in Boston. The first thing I liked about this place was the length and organization of their menu. It is a digital menu which I was not thrilled about but it is easy to navigate and each section only has 5-8 items so it was not overwhelming. For an appetizer, we ended up ordering hummus. It looked and was delicious. For entrees, my friend and I shared the chicken kabsa (specifically asked to have lots of fried onions on top) and the fahsah. At first I thought they forgot the chicken in the chicken kabsa but it was buried under the rice. That chicken must have been the most tender chicken I have had in my life and it was very tasty. I ate a lot more than I thought I would have. I did not realize the fahsah was going to be packed with lamb meat only, I thought there would be more broth and some herbs/veggies. I did not particularly love it, but it was still flavorful. I took it home and made tacos with it the next day. I would absolutely love to go back and try other dishes. The staff here was super friendly. They made sure we were comfortable the entire time, including making sure it was not too cold since we were on the lower level. Additionally, they did have a prayer room which I appreciated. read more

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What a hidden gem! Made a mistake coming in without reservation during brunch time. Staff didn't turn us away but we got seated almost immediately. Scan QR code on the table for menu. Many awesome choices to choose from. Settled on hummus (smooth and creamy texture) , Mandi chicken (slow cooked, fall of the bone meat goodness and not dried at all), chicken aqdah (shredded white meat with a lot of veggies stew). Leave room for the walnut baklava (warm and doused with honey. Fresh and not dense like the packaged stuff). Meter spots right in front of the restaurant or get off Kenmore station (green line). Restaurant is in the basement level. The first floor you see a traditional low set tables and cushions plus seven tables. Continue to another lower level there are more tables and looks like you can book a private party! I heard they have buffets during Ramadan. Sweet and friendly staff. He heard I tried Yemeni food for the first time and gave us complimentary tea (cinnamon, clove, milk tea) Yums! read more

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Delicious food, good music and comfortable seating.. Service was excellent as well Would recommend this place anytime read more

Bab Al-Yemen Boston - Arabic Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts