Literally just left this place and felt like there was no way not to leave a review. I don't even remember the last time I left a review for a place I enjoyed, which definitely isn't something to boast about, but I wanted to drop in and say the food was absolutely amazing, fresh, packed with flavor, and felt genuinely home-cooked and authentic. Even if the food had been mid (which it wasn't even close to being), I'd still come back for the awesome customer service. Everyone had genuine smiles and was incredibly kind and helpful. Can't wait to be back in the area so I can eat here again. Thank you everyone at Baladi! read more

Baladi - Chicken Kebab Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

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was in the area and was hungry so i found this gem on google and had to try it the food was good and flavorful i will definitely be back read more

Baladi - Mixed Grill Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

The best Mediterranean food in Riverside. Their Knafeh in particular is an absolute treat and worth the drive! Seems to be run by a wonderful family that's always helpful and while small there's a nice lil patio on the outside. Overall the best Mediterranean food this side of Riverside! read more

wow wow wow amazing food!!! Just their rice itself is so flavorful and mix it with the beef that is so tender and juicy. I have been back 3x already. Love their service and the place its bright. Must try for sure. read more

What a wonderful family-run restaurant! Everyone was so sweet, kind, and genuinely gracious from the moment we walked in. You can tell they truly care about their guests. The food was absolutely outstanding-fresh, flavorful, and some of the best around. When they ask if you want the homemade pita, say yes. Wishing this family much success. read more

I had noticed this place when I drove by movie theater located close by. Looked it up and figured I would return another day to try it and I'm glad I did. It is a small spot located in a corner with both indoor and outdoor seating. As for the food, I ordered the chicken kebab plate that came with a side of hummus, salad, and the chicken sat on a bed of rice. Also, they provided two of their garlic sauce/spread, which was delicious. The chicken was moist and well seasoned, same for the rice. The hummus was topped with a great flavored oil. The side salad was dressed with an oil dressing and lightly seasoned. The pita bread was different than what I have been previously served other places but I enjoyed dipping it in the hummus. John provided us with great customer service as well. I look forward to returning and trying more of their food. read more

Baladi - Chicken Kebab Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

This family owned Mediterranean restaurant in the Mission Grove plaza must recently opened. There's plenty of parking. Seating is limited but there's outdoor seating. They weren't very busy on a Saturday afternoon. I do hope that more will come when they expand their menu. We got cheese and spinach fatayer, cheese fatayer and falafel bowl to share. The fatayer is like a bread with filling. It was good. The falafel bowl was very good. Service was good. Owner came out to check on us. I hope this place does well! read more

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Baladi is excellent! The proprietors are welcoming and proud of their food. One son explained the process to make afghan coffee in depth. I ordered the chicken kebab plate. The chicken is grilled fresh and perfectly cooked. The homemade pita and hummus is excellent-well worth the price! The side salad is delicious with a lovely vinaigrette. The fries are served as a bed for the kebab and are excellent. Highly recommended ! read more

Baladi - Chivken Chicken Kebab Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Family was feeling pretty hungry and we saw that they opened up where the old cafe stood. We ordered the family meal, and falafels. The family meal came with sodas, 3 types of meats (of your choosing), rice, hummus, pita, and toum. The meats we grabbed were the chicken, kufta, and beef. They were all tender, seasoned, fresh, and the rice was spiced and that helped cut through all the meat. The hummus, toum, and pita were great, but there was not as much as we'd like. The falafels were good. The service was good, they almost forgot the falafels but were super quick in fixing the problem. Id stop by again read more

Baladi - Family Meal + Falafels - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

We found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad we did! My husband and I both ordered the chicken and beef plate with the upgraded homemade bread, which is made fresh by the owners. I can honestly say this is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I've ever tried. The meat was incredibly tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The salad was fresh and topped with a delicious pomegranate dressing that was absolutely amazing and unlike anything I've had before. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. The owner deserves special recognition for being so friendly, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. You can tell they truly care about their customers and the quality of their food. If you're ever in the area and craving Mediterranean food, do yourself a favor and stop by. You won't be disappointed! Highly recommended, and we'll definitely be back. read more

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Love this place! Today we ordered on DoorDash but they made a mistake so decided to go there and get it fix and they went above and beyond to make it right! They were so friendly and made sure we were satisfied. Also they have thee BEST hummus!! Thank you so much! Our favorite spot for sure!! read more

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We are so excited for this place!! Food was so good, we got the beef kabob and chicken kabob plates. The meat was tender and juicy, and their homemade pita bread was OFF THE CHAIN!! Owners were very attentive, you can tell they put a lot of love into their food. The Mint Lemonade was also tasty and refreshing. They offer a family meal for a very good price, we will be taking advantage of that good deal. Thank you Baladi!! Welcome to Woodcrest/Orangecrest read more

Response to Owner comments: thank you for taking the time to respond. Just a few points. It really was a 10 year old child. No disparaging remarks regarding your staff. Just a fact. Thank you for the explanation for the Turkish coffee machine. I looked it up online. I've never seen one, so thank you for the information. My comments are to warn others wanting to grab dinner before a movie. We gave it a shot.... We will continue to eat at GraPow, Buffadora, Public House, or Romanos Pizza. Never had an issue making it on time eating at any of those restaurants. Respectfully, Original Comment: Service: a child took our order. Seriously, he was probably 10. I swear he did not say one word to us until he rang up the price. He just stared at each of us waiting for us to speak. Speed of service: Don't come here before a movie, it takes longer than you'd expect. It's been 20 minutes already. Starting to wonder if the child never told the adults there was an order. Cleanliness: Good. Kitchen staff all wearing hairnets. But, there appears to be a cinnamon/sugar pan sitting out right next to the cash register. And, there is a mess on the floor behind the register. The other party with me literally questioned their cleanliness as we walked out the door. Food: don't know yet.... Getting dangerously close on us asking for our cash back and leaving. Took 25 minutes, but we had no time to finish our lemonades. Had to eat fast to make our movie. Won't be back. The only time we are in the area is for a movie. read more

I am OBSESSED with their falafel and homemade pita. Sooo good! Got the kufta plate. Portion was good enough for 2 meals. Unfortunately the rice I got was beyond salty. We were some of the last guests of the day, so maybe that's why? Will be back to try other dishes for sure though. Owners were so nice and polite too. read more

Baladi - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

The service is very kind and accommodating. Even though they only have beef and chicken for meat options, the quality of their meat is high quality. Im very glad that there is a place near by for high quality mediterranean food. My boyfriend and i were obsessed with the pita bread and hummus. read more

Baladi - Beef Kebab Plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

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Food was amazing! Excellent... from the hummus to the salad dressing! The beef kabob was extremely tender! Loved the Turkish coffee and the fresh lemonade with mint! I highly recommend this place! This family run restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere! Service was very pleasant! Will be coming back for more....today! read more

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As advertised! My GF had the falafel bowl, I had the schwarma wrap for lunch. A nice treat on their outdoor seating area on a sunny day after a day of shopping. Fast ... polite ... clean! Will go again! read more

I've been waiting for a new local Mediterranean place to open, so when I saw that Saturday would be opening day, I made sure to get there and try them out. I am so glad I did. What an amazing new restaurant. I ordered the falafel plate with hummus, salad and fries to go and shared it at home with my friend Jessica. I instantly regretted sharing. We had to fight over the last falafel. We devoured all the fries on the way home. It was pandemonium, lol. While we were waiting on our order, I noticed they had fried kibbeh. I've only had raw kibbeh before which I like, so I thought having it fried would be interesting. It was amazing. The blend of spices was so complex and having it fried definitely intensified the flavor you normally get in raw kibbeh. It was so incredible I'm rushing to write this review so I can rush back up there and and get some more. I already ate so I'm not even hungry, but I think I might be starting to develop an addiction to those things, but I'm just going to let it happen. I never eat in restaurants because I like to watch TV when I eat, but the woman that brought them out for me was just so lovely and kind, she reminded me of my mom bringing food for me, I really wanted to stay. So please, if you're thinking of trying this place, absolutely do it. We're always asking for nice, non-chain places to eat in our community, and this is definitely that place. I couldn't recommend it more. read more

Baladi - Falafel plate. Sorry for the bad picture, it's much less blurry in person. Several fries were already eaten. - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place is 100% delicious! We got here close to closing and they were out of kebabs, but they had a wings special that I ended up getting. The wings were some of the best I ever had. In addition to the wings, we got hummus with pita bread, fatayer, and the falafel bowl. The portions were a nice size and the food was heavenly. The staff were so friendly and accommodating to us. We felt special and will be making Baladi a weekly stop on our dining rotation. read more

Baladi - Falafel Bowl - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

We checked out this new spot the week they opened and I wasn't very impressed . I really want to support local businesses, but I think they should have waited to open when they were really ready and offered all the items on the menu. Meat was a little dry and naan bread wasn't as good as I have had. I want to give them another shot in a few weeks and hope things improve. read more

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The service 10/10, the food 10/10! The vibe 10/10. The food was super fresh, one of the sons mentioned his mom made everything from scratch and I could definitely taste the love she pours into each dish. The pita bread was phenomenal. The dessert chefs kiss. Will definitely be back soon. read more

Delicious Palestinian food for the area! I tried the kufta beef kabab plate (~$19) with fries which comes with 2 sides, fresh salad & hummus. Hummus tasted so good! The garnish was a little different to me. Fries were addictive -- the oils used are excellent. The kufta kababs were great as well, not too juicy or dry. I paired the hummus with the cheese fatayer ($3)! I only wish the shawarma were available for lunch on the weekday I went. No chicken or beef shawarma. Also, the spinach fatayer was sold out. I chose the regular pita bread, but there is homemade pita for $1.50 more I think. Pricey in general, but they are still a fairly new place. Would like to come back and try their shawarma, garlic sauce, spinach fatayer and rice! read more

Baladi - Kufta beef kabab plate with fries and cheese fatayer - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

The food here is amazing. Their pita bread is soft, fluffy and delicious. Service is great. And the lemonade was tasty! I will definitely be back. read more

The Chicken Kabob was moist and flavorful. I will be back again for sure. I also had the Baklava which was different than any I have ever had before. I am used to baklava being very very sweet this one was not. read more

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The food taste is okay, but nothing makes me want to return, especially considering the small portion of beef. This cost of the plate was almost $30. Totally not worth it. read more

Baladi - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

We got 3 beef shawarma wraps, and they were really good. It seems that they also make the garlic paste in house, it was different but in a good way! The owner came out to talk to us and made sure everything was taken care of before we left, they provided great customers service. I loved the declarations and the ambiance of the place, it was clean and very cultured. I can't wait to go back and try the variety of items on their menu. Will be back when I'm in the area! read more

The hummus and garlic dip here is the best I have ever had!!! The chicken kabob was soooo good!! The owner was so nice. read more

Baladi - Kabob plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

The best middle eastern food in the IE. Whenever it's my first time anywhere I like to order a little bit of everything. It was all delicious. The shawarma sandwiches were juicy and full of meat. Kabob was flavorful. OMG the Falafel is hot and fresh so good I ordered more! We found out they even had fresh knafeh before we left and had to order it and it was perfect!!!! Leena was such an amazing host and ensured we were taken care of and food met our expectations. They truly care about their customers and food. read more

Came out from the Galaxy Theaters Mission Grove and noticed a new signage up on the wall where the French restaurant used to be on the corner of the plaza. Was getting hungry and swung by this place since my husband and I enjoy Mediterranean food. The restaurant is family owned. Greeted by a young boy. We ordered their mix grilled combo plate, falafel plate, and their housemade knafeh cheesecake. Food is cooked upon order. Three different types of skewers came in the mixed plate (kufta, steak, and chicken) along with three sides (hummus, salad, and a choice of rice or fries). We opted for the rice. The minced meat of the kufta was so juicy and tender. So far the best I have had in IE area. Perfectly mixed with spices/herbs, and grilled just the way we like it. The steak and chicken were cooked perfectly too. No dryness at all. As for the flavor chicken was lacking a tiny bit; it could use more seasoning. The falafel plate comes with 6 falafels with same sides and a pita bread. The falafels are slightly thick in texture but plenty of crunchiness on the outside and light and fluffy inside. As for the pita bread I don't think it's housemade. It tasted more like the generic ones, dry and flat. No softness or fluffiness. The knafeh cheesecake was to die for. Creamy yet not too thick. Light in texture, very smooth, and very satisifying to end the meal. We would definitely get the cheesecake again! The shawarma is not avaliable yet but will be soon! Plan on coming back to try the shawarmas and another housemade dessert. read more

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One of the best kebab spots in Riverside. The food was flavorful and perfectly cooked, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great Mediterranean cuisine. read more

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Top notch service, delicious food! I ordered the chicken kebab plate and it came with all the fixings. I even ordered some homemade pita bread on the side with a side of garlic sauce. All of it was so scrumptious! The place is newly opened and seems to be ran by a cute and kind family. I felt at home, and like they were my family members who constantly checked on me, trying to feed me. Even the young son working was attentive & cared about my experience. I also got a double serving of hummus- which looked and tasted homemade & fresh & was exactly what I was craving when I searched up Mediterranean spots in the area. Let me just say the 25 mn drive to the place was worth it- so if you live nearby MAKE SURE TO TRY THEM OUT! I'll be back, so maybe I'll see you there. PIC I ATTACHED: Includes the Chicken Kebab Plate, with the thick homemade pita bread. (The other is thinner and not as delicious as the homemade option- so just get that one). Didn't get a pick of the garlic sauce but it was tasty too. Enjoy! read more

Baladi - Chicken Kebab Plate, with the thick homemade pita bread. - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

I had three kebab mixed meal. All three meats were really good. The meat was seasoned perfectly and it was also very juicy. I particularly like the hummus. It had really great flavor. They give you a free side of garlic sauce and tahini. I also tried their cheesecake which was really good and fresh and not too sweet. Service was quick. The ambience is simple, but it looks really nice. I'm surprised this place isn't more busy considering how good the food is. I would definitely go back here again. I would love to try their coffee. read more

Baladi - Sorry I eat all my food it was so good - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

Everyone's taste, experience and expectations differ I suppose. Here's mine; This is a new business and I wish them well, but the food served was "just ok". The kabob plate with 3 skewers fell short in almost every way. There wasnt enough meat(for the price), the rice was not fresh or hot, and the salad was well just a salad. It didn't come with garlic sauce or tahini, I had to ask for that. The chicken wrap at first glance looked like just plain pita bread, once opened it had 3-4 pieces of chicken that were not seasoned well and felt dry and flavorless. I'll post the receipt so you can see what we paid. Nowadays everything is relatively expensive but for the amount of food, the taste, I felt there was no value related to the price. Our belief is charge whatever you want BUT make it worth our time. This particular location/building has seen a lot of businesses come and go. In my opinion, your main goal in a business should be "how do I get repeat customers" before anything else. The shawarma thing wasn't ready yet so I may be back to try that, but as i mentioned earlier the taste/value wasn't there so I most likely wont be a repeat customer. Lastly, there is a lot of competition in Riverside for this type of "kabob/rice/shawarma" type food like Georgie's, Elias Pita, & Yafa Grill to name a few. All those places in my opinion have better tasting food and value. I hope with enough honest feedback and more time, they can improve because I'd love this place to be around for a long time. read more

Baladi - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

I just came in this morning to have Falafel wrap and 2 Spinach Fatayer for breakfast, they're absolutely delicious , amazing service,, hospitality and food Love the vibes and the culture. Thank you Will definitely coming back soon. read more

ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY WITH THIS PLACE ! Was a little scared to try because I had never tried Mediterranean food but man was it so good I highly recommend you coming here ! The owner was actually so nice and helpful with what to try first so she was very helpful on what to try ! Thank you so much for a really great experience and great food I WILL be coming back again. read more

Baladi - Chicken skewer plate - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

We had such a wonderful experience at Baladi! From the moment we walked in, you could tell it's a family-owned spot--everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is spotless and very well-kept. As for the food? Wow! Delicious is an understatement. We tried the beef and chicken kabob plates alongside the shawarma wraps, and everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The family even came over to check on us during our meal, which was such a nice, personal touch. We will definitely be back! read more

Baladi - Shawarma wrap - Arabic Near Me - Riverside, California

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Baladi is hands down one of the best restaurants in Riverside. From the moment you walk in, everything feels warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully done. The atmosphere is beautiful, the service is genuinely friendly, and the food is absolutely outstanding. Every dish tastes fresh, flavorful, and made with care -- the kind of meal where you can tell the kitchen knows exactly what they're doing. It's the perfect spot for a family dinner, a date night, or honestly just treating yourself to something great. Riverside is lucky to have a place like this. We'll definitely be coming back again and again. Highly recommend! read more

As a Middle Eastern native who has enjoyed Arabic cuisine across the U.S., I can say without hesitation that Baladi is the best in the area. Every dish, from the perfectly spiced kebabs to the creamy hummus is authentic and masterfully crafted. And the customer service is second to none warm, attentive, and truly the best I've experienced. Baladi is a gem I'll keep coming back to. read more

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Stopped by after a dental appointment since the reviews were so great and was NOT disappointed. Food was freshly made, chicken and rice cooked to perfection. The hummus and pita bread were delicious. Even the salad that's included with the kabob plate was good. Had some pickles on the side. *chefs kiss* Customer service was A1. Will definitely come back if in the area again. Thank you ! read more

Best Mediterranean food in Riverside! We ordered the 2 chicken kabob plate and it was plenty for my husband and I to share. The chicken was cooked perfectly! The hummus was delicious and the rice so flavorful! The salad that came with the meal had the best vinaigrette too! We ordered the homemade pita and it was the best we've had! We finished our meal with an order of baklava which was perfect! The service was excellent! We ate our meal on their outdoor patio! They had really comfortable chairs! The owners came out to check on us after the meal which was really nice! We will definitely be coming back here soon and bringing our friends and family. Next time I'll take pictures read more