This place is a Tucson gem, a mecca of middle-eastern edibles. As you enter, you leave Tucson and enter a rich cultural bazaar. They have the best sheep's milk feta, and it's cheap and there's a ton to choose from. Also, located in the refrigerator section, is the best baba ganoush I have ever had. I want to brush my teeth with this and put it on toast. I also picked up fresh spinach pies, zataar pies, cheese pies- all made in markets from California. I dream of those cheese pies. These were near the check out, and they sell out fast. I was curious about the Armenian pizza and might add that to my future shopping list. In fact, I think I am heading there as soon as they open. They have a ton of different Indian and Middle Eastern frozen meals, kabobs galore. I had my eye on the Basmati rice with sour cherries. I was thrilled to see avjar, which I enjoyed at Chef Alisha's. It was super good! They also have Ikra, a Russian zucchini spread. The pickles I picked up were great. I can't wait to try more and even add in some pickled turnips. The star of the show was the Iraqi flat bread. It was so fresh, light, and the size of flipping beach ball. I believe it's called khoubiz. It is also near the front. it is 75 cents per piece. It is all in one big bag, you just tell them how much you want. It is the crack cocaine of bread. I have never seen anything like it. The confections here are amazing! A bevy of Bon-bons that would make Peg Bundy weep. Kinder chocolate from Deutschland and Italian Torrone or nougats were both purchased and destroyed in seconds of my arrival home. They have hookah tobacco, if that is your thing. I'm diving into the spice section today! I love me some sumac. read more

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I could live on the fresh made falafels made here, holy cow, it's good! You wouldn't realize there's a place to eat in here based on appearance; don't be fooled by this, it isn't just a grocery store. It's really good food, too. And affordable. What prevents me from giving this a 5 star yet is all I have ordered is the Falafel ($3.99, but other options including a meal plate). There's so much on the menu but I love this delicious goodness in a toasted tortilla, simply amazing. I like to finish it off with a piece of gooey, juicy baklava ($1.50 a piece). I haven't called ahead yet for food yet so I spend my time browsing the shelves to see the vast amounts of beans, cous-cous, dates, breads, and even hookahs. I love this place! read more

This place is a gem. It's a market with a little restaurant in the back. Unfortunately, they don't have any seating in the store but have two picnic tables located outside the store which is where we ate. I subtract a star for no seating. I got the falafel sandwich which was yum. The prices are very reasonable and the owner is really nice. My friend ordered a lamb dish and it took a long time to prepare but he reached out to us twice in the store to let us know that they're still working on it. He gave us tzatziki sauce on the side because we had to wait so long. That's customer service! They have an extensive selection for the goods they carry and also carry Indian grocery items. I wish I had discovered this place earlier in my stay because they sell various ethnic breads which looked really tempting. They also sell baklava and other sweet goodies. If you're looking for Middle Eastern, European or Indian grocery items, definitely check out this place. read more

I'm not very knowledgeable about middle Eastern food, but liking foreign groceries as I do, I had to visit. It's a very nice little market, and I was especially impressed with the freshness of the meat counter offerings. It was a fun little excursion and I managed to come away with several things I'd heard of and never used, and some little extras. The people working there were very friendly and helpful, without hovering, thank heavens, and they let me wander the aisles to my heart's content. Just when I realized that I should have gotten a basket, I rounded a corner and there was one of the market employees holding out a basket for me! That was a really nice touch. I came away vowing to go there for a leg of lamb next time, the one they had there looked wonderful and fresh. A nice experience and the music was really great, too. read more

I've been hearing good things about Babylon Market for quite a long time and finally made my way over to the store for lunch with a friend of mine. Babylon Market's selection of middle eastern and Indian goods is nothing short of impressive. I've been to quite a few middle eastern grocery stores but nothing of this caliber. Babylon Market has everything from fresh meats, cheeses, nuts, and garnishes to homemade flatbreads including spongey ethiopian bread. They even offer homemade hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh in containers to take home. I'm excited to come back here and do some shopping for my own home cooking, the options seemed endless. Babylon Market also has some fresh, hot food to offer including things like chicken and beef kebabs and shawerma as well as kibbe and falafel. I tried the beef shawerma sandwich while my friend had the chicken shawerma sandwich, and they were some of the best I've ever had. The sandwich was very fresh and the meats were definitely marinated for a good amount of time. My only real gripe with the place is the same as everyone else's, there isn't much of an area to sit in while you eat. There are some picnic tables out front, but the store itself is a bit too crowded to eat in. No matter, seems like most of the people ordering hot food were taking it to go. I was very impressed with the food and selection of specialty grocery items Babylon Market had to offer. It lived up to every expectation I had. I'll definitely be back to try some more, especially to try my sandwich spicy! read more

Great market with everything you need to make your favorite middle eastern or worldly foods. They have all the spices, mixes, frozen items, and fresh meats (lamb) that you need. It is very packed and tight inside so if you're not good in small spaces you might want wait outside and have someone else do your shopping. I did not eat there, however I did spend $50 on the food I needed to make my own delicious Armenian food and that earned me a $5.00 credit for the "cafe." Bottom line, if you need those hard to find ingredients for your exotic dishes it's more than likely here; or look for something new to spice up your food and out a new twist on it. A must stop shopping experience! read more

I love this place! The folks who work here are very kind and helpful. Can't wait to come back. Oh yeah and the food is delicious! read more

Babylon Market - Shawarma Sandwich and fries. Tabolah and falafel!! Oh yeah and my drink Sparkling Vimto Fruit Flavored Drink! - Grocery Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Eaten here several times. Market is interesting, but the food / restaurant in the back of the market is wonderful! Nice selection of veg meals, and generally 10 minutes you are out the door. Meal prices are very reasonable, and the cashier is always willing to suggest something different - and I have been pleased every time. Keep coming back! read more

What happened to this place? Used to have the best beef shawarma, now they replaced the beef with gyro meat and it tastes disgusting and fake. Their falafel is now shaped like miniature donuts that they serve with pita bread. Obviously the owners have become greedy and started cutting corners. The workers look filthy, the store and the restaurant look like a call to the health department needs to be made. My husband and I used to be regular customers. We will not be back and are embarrassed that we recommended this to people. If you want a bad case of food poisoning or hepatitis A, then this is your place. read more

Babylon Market - Donut falafels and stale pita bread - Grocery Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Best middle eastern store in town. The owner is really nice and helpful. They have a big selection of Indian, Greek, Arabic foods.

They have Ethiopian bread, henna, cucumbers, giro meat and everything I am looking for in a market. I am looking forward to their sandwiches and to go food. What I especially appreciate is not feeling uncomfortable there. Like I have to cover my shoulders or put on more discrete dress just to go shopping. Sadly, many other similar markets give a feel of disapproval or judgement and Babylon is always welcoming and friendly. They give great advice and direction for any person who is wondering what this or that foreign ingredient is. Thanks! read more

Love the selection of spices here! We also got $5 towards their cafe for spending $50 at the store. The beef shawarma was delicious and only $4.99! We also tried a combo plate with chicken kabab and shish tawook, both which were juicy and well marinated. The huge serving of rice on the side was plenty for two people. The owner was also super nice and helpful! Also, they have a good selection of fresh halaal meat! read more

Haven't tried the cafe counter yet but the market has a huge selection and wide variety of hard-to-find Middle Eastern/Indian/African groceries. Highlights: good price on ghee, SO MANY spices, fresh injera (Ethiopian bread), feta and labneh and other dairy treats, date syrup (great for shakes!) plus ample other staples (grains, legumes, oils, spreads, preserves, fresh veg and fresh halal meat and large frozen section). Staff was welcoming. I take one star off just because they have so much stock in a small space, the organization system seemed to break down in a few aisles. It's like a treasure hunt! Will be back to try the prepared food because it smelled FANTASTIC and prices looked reasonable. read more

This is a really fun market, jam packed with middle eastern and other world cuisine, along with a selection of hookahs and other non-food products. The market itself is probably 5 stars if you're looking for various international products. This review is just for the restaurant. It's a counter in the back serving full middle eastern meals to go. You can see the schwarma in the kitchen on its spit. We ordered a nice selection: some hummus with chicken, some beef with french fries, falafel, tzatziki, baba ghanoush. I think there was a little tahini in there too. Everything was pretty good but I found the meat very dry. We also got a little red pastry that was saffron flavored and full of cheese but it was kind of sticky and sour. Hubby wouldn't even finish it, which is unusual. Next time we will go for baklava. read more

Best food in Tucson, I highly recommend it, on the Main Street of speedway close to Alvernon! A lot of Egyptian products sold there too The Mediterranean dishes range from $11 to $18 which is fare including rice, salad, humus and meat read more

Very friendly and helpful Staff. Wonderful assortment of Middle Eastern food. Great place for Middle Eastern street food.

Babylon is a middle eastern grocer with a small, window style take-out restaurant in the back. The grocery store offers typical middle eastern foods, including packaged spices (no bulk spices), some produce, and a halal meat counter. (Halal chicken quarters at $.99/lb!)The store is packed to the brim, so don't bother with a shopping cart. You won't be able to make it through the aisles. It's a bit pricey, but they have a wide selection to offer. For every $50 you spend at the grocer, you earn $5 credit to the restaurant. Be prepared to wait. They sure take their time. And there is nowhere comfortable to sit while you wait for your food inside the store. But oh boy is the food tasty! We tried the jumbo combination platter ($11.99) and it was plenty for two to share. read more

Haha a great Tucson for good mediterranean food take out, groceries, spices, and market. Good selection here, even for Asian spices if you enjoy making authentic Indian curry dishes. Friendly staff who are always helpful. read more

The take out food at Babylon Market is excellent, my friend and I shared a falafel sandwich and the Jumbo Platter, it was amazingly delicious. You can bring it home or eat it there at the picnic tables. They also have a good selection of groceries. read more

Loved this market! It has everything I was looking for, and more! Huge selection of pantry food items, teapots, and fresh food. I tried a falafel sandwich...a little untraditional as it was grilled but good. I really enjoyed browsing and will return soon. Recommended! read more

Babylon has everything middle eastern would need as food and groceries, there restaurant is also great providing delicious meals.

It's a cute little Middle Eastern store and has pretty much all the basics of Middle Eastern foods and all. Really nice staff and reasonable prices. :) read more

Best. Falafel. Ever. Very smoky baba. Lots of bread and lentil options. Worth the drive.

This is one of the better middle eastern markets in town in terms of variety, it's a grocery store and it has a little restaurant inside. BUT, most things are extremely overpriced and although they are authentic they are not that great of quality. I go here often only because they are close to me and the next best M.E. grocery store is in Phoenix. They do have "rewards", like if you spend $50 you get $5 at the little restaurant BUT you have to mention it because if you don't bring it up they won't give it to you. You won't be able to get anything with $5 anyway because all the food is priced over $6. I often get the Iraqui bread because they make it there, but I can never find it fresh. If you want to find anything in the tiny store no one knows where it is, all the employees are a little bit disorganized and will direct you to another employee which will then direct you to another employee. If you don't speak Arabic it will be even harder to get what you want. I do want to mention that the food at the restaurant is good. They have excellent and very nice cooks that make authentic tasting middle eastern food. read more

I have finally found this little jem of a restaraunt and store. There is a large menu of really well prepared middle eastern food. The Gyro is to die for, and as a mega carnivore, I can say I really enjoyed the falafel and salads too. The dining area is very small, but the food more than makes up for the little discomfort. The store sell many spices at fair prices. Check out the Hooka collection and fresh meat counter. Home made pasteries round out your Babylonian adventure. Enjoy! read more

If it's a huge shawerma sandwich, a heaping plate of lamb tikka, fig jam from Iraq or an obscure Lebanese dessert, this tightly-packed, immaculate little market is one of Tucson's hidden gems. The smell of freshly baked baklava and exotic, gleaming pastries stuffed with nuts and cinnamon greets you at the door. Russian housewives, Turkish students, and Syrian refugees all seem at home here. A little kitchen in the back and an intimate counter with a bell will summon up falafel, kibbi, or even ribeye steak. My only complaint is the lack of a little inside dining area. Peruse the aisles by nationality while you are waiting and ask questions. The staff is eager to educate, friendly, and professional. read more

Just simply like this market. It carries items that the other markets do not. Clean and well organized!

I always look forward to the food and the awesome people in this store. Great grocery with takeout and good prices.

I like visit this place is very clean very nice people I have really good experience with the employee and the food is very fresh meat chicken Fish thank you read more

Great local grocery with Europe food products and an excellent mid eastern food. If you are into baking... they carry Vanilla, puddings or different type of flour. My favorite is Polish pickles, cabbage and seasoning. Can't forget to make sure grab some lamb from a butcher shop. read more

The staff here is super friendly and accommodating; a nice, neighborhood store that a lot more people than 'just in the neighborhood' visit. So ,they have a great following, while also remaining a neighborhood staple. I really like that. Nice selection of middle eastern groceries, dry and canned goods, frozen selections, as well as butcher counter and fresh foods. A great market for middle eastern goods and sundries. They even have cooking utensils, cosmetics, soaps, etc. It's like a mercantile - a little bit of everything. I love it; very nostalgic for me because I grew up in the middle east as an ex-pat. I often order from the restaurant for take out. They have a large menu selection and the food is always fresh, well cooked, generous portions, packaged well, orders are correct and prices are fair. I've never had a bad meal there. I use them for catering often. Sometimes I find the prices a bit high for catering/if I'm picking up. I could see the higher expense if they deliver and set up, but not if I'm picking up. I once told them the price quoted was out of my budget and they worked with me, which I appreciated. The food was as good as always. Super fresh and elegantly presented. They also work with your timeline to ensure the food is fresh cooked and hot. Which is great! But the next time I called, the price for a platter of rice was almost double. I chose to skip the rice due to the price. They don't seem to have set prices for catering/catering prices aren't published online. You call to get a quote, which I understand. I just found that price too high for a platter of rice, which a lot of places throw in free when you order 3 meat/entree items for 20 people. They also don't provide gratis condiments/bread, sauces, etc. Just FYI. They also charge $35 delivery fee for catering. I'm less than .30 miles away, so that seemed excessive. I can totally understand that charge within over a certain mile radius. No problem. But, I'm literally .30 miles and had an event planned with multiple scheduled time constraints and food that needed to arrive by 6 p.m. and i'm less than 1/2 a mile ... so, I had one of my guests go pick it up. It worked out just fine. I love the Tabouleh, Shish Tawouk, and the Beef Kofta Kabobs. Their hummus is very tasty, and I like the thinner version of pita bread they serve. I prefer Greek Tzatziki but, for such a small place, they do pack a punch! My only negative eating experience was with Falafel - it was very dry and hard, not too tasty and seemed not too fresh that day. But, any restaurant can have a bad day. It's a great grocery/sundry market for international items that are tough to find elsewhere, and a great place for some savory, well cooked, flavorful take out for lunch or a Friday night with Netflix. I really do love this place. So glad I can walk there and get whatever I want! Pros: Location, convenience, selection, friendliness, variety, global, ethnic, fresh, tasty, decent prices. Cons: A bit high priced for certain catering menu items and delivery fees/no published catering prices or options. But they work with you. read more

Good heavens. I love this place. It comes with a genuine middle eastern vibe that I haven't felt since I actually lived over there. The food is delicious, easily the most underrated French fries in the city of Tucson. Affordable, tasty, and the lowest prices on shisha you'll find in town? Get outta here. read more

As good as the old world can be today. Drive by or jump off the bus but step into a wonderful experience here. I always like to pick up a nice bite and drink when in the neighborhood. Take it home or eat it in the park it just can't be better. Thrilled to have such a great establishment her in the Ole' Pueblo! read more

We had the opportunity to visit and experience this excellent middle eastern market! Great selection of rice, dates & figs, fresh & frozen halal meats, spices (especially quality sumac), fresh produce, specialty grocery, and wonderful pastries (some of the lightest & fluffiest we have experienced). The employees and customers are courteous and friendly, and we appreciate the relaxed atmosphere. Looking forward to continuing to shop at Babylon Market, a great local business! There have been many businesses at this location including markets, hopefully Babylon Market is here to stay! (Blessings of good fortune & prosperity to Babylon Market...) read more

Wonderful market, right in my neighborhood! The deli gets 4 stars (I prefer the tabbouli and hummus at Zayna), but the place is a total delight. I came home with lots of awesome pickled foods and new sauces to try. I am glad to know where to go for some of the more exotic spices that recipes often call for. Great prices on staples like olive oil, vinegar, and tahini. And, as others have mentioned, a very friendly staff. read more

Aw...it pains me to give a two star review but I must be fair to my opinion. (..and that is all this is...my opinion) First of all the staff is very friendly and I enjoyed the diverse cultures that were present in the establishment. So, I need to rate two things here. It is a middle eastern market with a little counter to order food in the back. I would give the market 4 or 5 stars. I will come back and shop at the market. As far as the food in concerned I was not blown away. I love middle eastern food and even had it catered at my wedding reception. I felt the quality for the price was just not there for me. I will say that the falafels were the best part of our meal. I had the chicken swarma and it did not do the trick for me and it lacked flavor and spice in my opinion. I have had a lot of swarma through the years and unfortunately this was my least favorite. The hummus again lacked flavor, and my wife can make it ten times better at home. If I ever came back I would recommend the falafel platter. I am not hating on this place just disappointed that the food was not my taste. read more

I was pleased with the variety of groceries available. To my surprise, I could order freshly made food too! I ordered babaghanoush and WOW! The flavor was as good as I've ever had it! Will definitely return to try more menu items. There isn't any place to sit and eat food, so, will visit here when I wish to take food home. read more

Love this place! Such good food to go and a friendly staff! It also helps that I live within walking distance. Give this place a try! Awesome market and felafel! read more

Finally, a place in Tucson that makes fresh rotisserie Shawerma and Falafel sandwiches that taste like you're in the Middle East. A great store and fast-foods for all Middle-Eastern enthusiasts. read more

We were searching for a halal restaurant on our way from Austin, TX to the Grand Canyon and we delighted to find this delicious market in Tucson! It's a grocery store/meat market/restaurant with limited outdoor seating, but man the food is DELICIOUS! Austin has amazing food, so I'm a snob about food anywhere else but damn I was impressed :) read more