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    Bab Al-Yemen Boston

    4.4 (254 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Bab Al-Yemen Boston Takeout or Delivery

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    BAB AL-YEMEN BOSTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bab Al-Yemen Boston

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    Chicken vegetable stew with bread and rice
    Puja G.

    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.

    Mia H.

    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.

    Tammy H.

    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!

    Inside
    Kamal B.

    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!!!

    Tanoor Bread Hummus

    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.

    Lamb Fahsah
    Angela H.

    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.

    Lamb Mandi
    Caroline S.

    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.

    Chicken mandi
    Eva A.

    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!

    Grape leaves
    Sophie L.

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

    Magda C.

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

    Veggie Samboosa
    Jacob C.

    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!

    Fahsa
    Erin O.

    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.

    Lamb Mandi
    Emilia C.

    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.

    Falafel

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    Bab Al-Yemen Boston Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bab Al-Yemen Boston

    Are there any vegan items?

    So many vegan options!

    Do you have a special menu during Ramadan? A buffet, etc...?

    Dear Sam, Yes we have an Iftar buffet ( 7pm-9pm) Regular menu between 5-7pm & 9pm-11pm

    Is chair seating also available? Thank you very much.

    Yes it is. Traditional seating is only 10% of the restaurant’s capacity

    View All 6 Questions

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    Sarma - Zucchini fritters - incredible flavors, highly recommend

    Sarma

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$$

    2026 Boston. Dinner review. Mediterranean…read more (Highlight - Best) BLACK SEA CORNBREAD jalapeno, feta, honey, sesame 19 DEVILED EGG DIP shakshuka-style, zhug, harissa potato chips 17 HONEY ROASTED FIGS red pepper, tabbouleh, arugula, walnuts 25 ARTICHOKES OREGANATA goat cheese polenta, tomato, orange, chiles 24 (Highlight) CAULIFLOWER ZAALOUK chermoula, dates, preserved lemon yogurt 23 MERGUEZ MANTI grilled corn, yogurt, red pepper butter, poached egg 34 (Highlight) HARISSA BBQ DUCK* carrot brown butter, orange blossom, fried almonds 38 Overall, the black sea cornbread is just incredible. Could eat many of these. "As good as it gets."

    Why so salty? Everything on the menu sounded so amazing on paper! I was prepared to love this…read moreplace, especially after trying the cornbread as an appetizer, but my husband and I both left feeling a bit disillusioned. The cornbread was phenomenal!!! Hands down, one of the best things I have tasted, period. It's crunchy, creamy, sweet, salty, savory, amazing in every way. The restaurant is worth a try for the cornbread alone. Unfortunately, everything else we tried was way over-salted, and I usually love salt! It was so salty that none of the other flavors stood out. The duck was cooked well, but a bit challenging to slice with the butter knife provided. The carrot puree was quite tasty, and everything was very beautiful and appetizing based on appearances. Such a shame that the flavors fell short, this place could be truly amazing if they dialed in the seasoning a bit. I will return, but just for drinks and cornbread next time. The cornbread truly is spectacular! Deducting another star for service as our waitress was a bit short with us. She seemed to be spread a bit thin so I understand being in a hurry, but for a meal over $100 (not even including drinks) we are used to more attentive service.

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    Sarma - Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Sarma - Sugarsnaps - wonderfully fresh, lovely textures

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    Sarma - Tacos

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    Cafe Barada - Chicken Shish Kebab

    Cafe Barada

    4.2(281 reviews)
    3.6 miNorth Cambridge
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    Okay, rant time. Don't be annoyed, you're on Yelp, you get what you pay for here…read more The problem I have with this site is that the Venn Diagram of people who review restaurants and people who post their cocktails on Instagram is basically...well, it's a circle, they're like the same people. So anytime there's a place that doesn't 'gram itself effectively, you get low ratings and complaints about color balance. Meanwhile places like Backbar that aim for exclusivity over quality get 5 stars OMG THEY PUT A FLOWER IN MY MARTINI. Cafe Barada is chill, low-key, hitting that stylish mark without hitting you over the head with it. It FEELS like it's been here for a while, there's something broadly appealing to it. The dishes are fresh and plentiful, you can tell they take the presentation and ingredients seriously. Service is friendly without being obtrusive and the location is shockingly peaceful for being on the side of what is essentially a highway. This is going to sound extra obnoxious but the place doesn't feel corporate. If you want a definition of corporate - go to anywhere in Seaport. This place was here before Somerville was cool, and it's a testament to its quality that it's still around. And, just to mention, I do think it makes a good Instagram.

    Not disclosing anywhere they charge 6.25% take out fees on your final bill is very very shady. No…read morethanks !

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    Cafe Barada - Outdoor seating

    Outdoor seating

    Cafe Barada - Appetizer Sampler

    Appetizer Sampler

    Cafe Barada - Fattouch salad with kafta kebab, harissa labany, hummus and pita.

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    Fattouch salad with kafta kebab, harissa labany, hummus and pita.

    Brookline Lunch - Za'atar egg bowl

    Brookline Lunch

    4.2(749 reviews)
    1.1 miCentral Square
    $$

    Walked here from Newbury Street, along Massachusetts Ave, across the Charles River, gorgeous blue…read moresky with puffy clouds, on a journey to come to this delicious, amazing place. My point is: It's Worth It! My daughter brought us here two autumns ago and I was determined to come back. At 12:30 on Wednesday it was not crowded, many people went in to pick up takeout. We waited maybe 5 minutes for a booth to be free for 5 of us. Our server was helpful telling us the crowd favorites and that's what we ordered, 3 shakshukas and 2 Zatar egg bowls. They were kind to modify one of the shakshukas to make it dairy free for my brother. He also ordered a Turkish coffee. The whole vibe of the place is welcoming, hospitable, warm. The walls are covered with people's signatures and sharpie messages. Popular movie posters festoon the walls and the tabletops under glass. It best of all are the aromas wafting from the kitchen that say "come and rest, enjoy, you are welcome!" Highly recommend, and yes, I'll be back!

    This place is VERY popular...with the college crowd. Me &…read moreSean went on Ben's recommendation. We stood in line in the rain for almost an hour. There is NO seating host. You just stand in line and the place is very small. As you wait there will be random people showing up & line 'jumping' with their friends holding a spot, is that right? The food is OK but nothing exceptional. They tout their baklava pancakes, great if you like a sugar high. I had the salmon Benedict & Sean had the Berry Pancakes, nothing to special. The staff does a good job of getting your order & the food out quickly. The WILL NOT split a check.

    Photos
    Brookline Lunch
    Brookline Lunch - Steak and eggs

    Steak and eggs

    Brookline Lunch - Baklava pancakes

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    Baklava pancakes

    Bab Al-Yemen Boston - arabian - Updated September 2026

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