I am giving my review from the perspective of a person born and bred in Lebanon. This restaurant failed to deliver the food that Lebanese people grew up eating. I think the majority of reviews are coming from non-lebanese or non-middle eastern reviewers and they cannot judge the food properly since they dont know the true essence of how the food should taste. 1. Falafel - Microwaved, drenched in Tahini - comes to your table very soggy. No spices, no herbs, absolutely no flavor. I have never in my life heard of soaking falafel in tahini or drenching it. Falafel is usually fried and cooked crispy on the outside the inside is usually a greenish color. This falafel was grey or brown and the tahini ruined the construct. Tahini is usually served on the side. Why drench the falafel in tahini? Please re-evaluate this policy. 2. Hummus - watery, chickpeas not dried fully causes runny watery Hummus. No salt, no lemon juice, flavor was bland. 3. Foul - delivered hot, fava beans are full pieces not mashed - big plus. More salt needed. It was decent probably the best dish we got. 4. Moujadara - Rice was mushy, too much cumin, lacked flavor, super bland. Rice and lentils need to be able to separate freely and not be mushed together. Onions need to be caramelized and have a golden brown color. The onions were not cooked correctly. 5. Veggie Kebbeh - this is an americanized version of kebbeh. In Lebanon we have kebbeh with beef, pumpkin or potato. Not sure what this dish was. The burghul was over cooked and the taste was bland like the other dishes. Whoever the chef is doesnt know how to spice up dishes. 6. Loubieh - heavy on the cumin, the dish was so so, not the best. This dish should be very flavorful with garlic and onions. the Loubieh should be cooked in the tomato sauce together. Flavors need to be married. Overall it was okay. In conclusion, many of the dishes lacked flavor and were pretty bland. The way in which the dishes were prepared is probably what the problem is. I am unsure of whether the owners have trained their chefs to properly prepare Lebanese food, to season properly, make it flavorful, etc.... Overall i was not pleased. The service was great and restaurant needed a little bit better air circulation. Metered street parking is available outside. Kitchen and owners should re-evaluate their food. In the end I want the restaurant to flourish and correct their errors so they can better themselves and succeed. read more

Byblos - Falafel soaked in Tahini - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

Awesome restaurant! Great option for vegetarians. The service is great and the food is outstanding. We got the Maza Platter which has a little bit of everything and it was amazing... my favorite was Mouhammra, it had really good spice to it and tasted great when mixed with hummus and pita! The owners have really put their heart into the restaurant. For example, the table was built using a real tree and the owner made it himself and it is unbelievable. He also did the paintings that you see in the restaurants. So glad we went! Will definitely go back again! read more

Byblos - Maza platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We walked to Byblos after visiting the American Visionary Art Museum and I'm so glad we did. With a party of 6, including two 10 year olds, we had a range of tastes, and all of us were really happy with our food. The Chicken Shawarma, and Lamb Tawook were both the table favorites. The stuffed cabbage was tasty, but a little milder in flavor than I was expecting. The Hommous & the cucumber and yogurt sauce were both very good, especially on the flatbread. We ended the meal with rich coffee flavored with cardamom, and desserts which were all lovely: Pistachio and Walnut Maamoul cookies, fantastically crisp Baklawa, and a buttery Nammoura cake flavored with rose water. On top of the wonderful food, the service was so friendly, and kind. We will definitely return. read more

As a vegetarian, I know I'm always in good hands at a Lebanese restaurant. And the menu at Byblos did not disappoint. Therefore I ate A LOT. I tried the spinach pie, the zaatar pie, the mezze platter, and the veggie kibbeh platter. And for dessert, I had mammoul. You could say I left quite stuffed! If I had to pick favorites, I'd say the spinach pie was better than anywhere else I've ever had it. And I really enjoyed the kibbeh, too. But really, everything was so good. You can't go wrong here! Also, the owner and chef was so sweet. She took really good care of us. Nothing like good food AND good service! read more

Byblos - Veggie Kibbeh - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Not quite what I was expected. Falafel wasn't good. Hummus was ok Canafe super sticky Overall 1 star read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

My first time trying Lebanese food and also my first meal in Baltimore and was not disappointed! The interior of the restaurant was quaint and warm, with wooden tables clustered tightly in the small space and portraits adorning the walls. We ordered their falafel as an appetizer and the beef shawarma to share. The beef shawarma platter came with salad, hummus, and pita bread and everything was fresh and delicious. The hummus could have used maybe just a hint more of flavor but it definitely balanced out the heavy tones of the meat. Salad was refreshing to eat on the side. I suppose my only critique is the slow service of the restaurant--there was only one waiter attending to all the tables and I could clearly see he was working hard to accommodate everyone, but there were simply too many things to do. read more

I just ordered takeout here for the first time tonight bc they had a whole vegan section! I'm not vegan, but tend to look for meatless options. This place had it!! The owner was really helpful in answering my questions about the food which definitely made me feel welcome! I ordered the Mousakaa Combo and the Chicken Shawarma Combo for my friend. Also the baklava is also very good - its nice and flakey, not too overly sweet. We both loved it! I'm definitely excited to go back and try the Moujadara and Veggie Kebbeh Combo next time esp bc the owner is kind and welcoming. read more

First time visiting Byblos. We ordered Take Out for our Saturday evening dinner. Great place with many choices. The Baba Ghannouj was excellent. It had a nice garlicky kick. We ate it at home with some good low carb crackers. We probably could have stopped there but are glad we did not. The Loubieh which was green beans were awesome. The Beef Shawarma was also good -- meat was a little tough. Flavor was fantastic though. We definitely look forward to visiting once the social distancing restrictions are relaxed. read more

A gem in Federal Hill, especially if you're looking for healthy food while eating out. The food is always fresh and filling. My favorite is the mujaddara sandwich - a delicious combo of lentils and rice wrapped in a grilled pita. The owners clearly take great pride in their restaurant; their smiles are always so welcoming! read more

Shop Local - love this theme. I get to try out new restaurants around me. I got the lamb chicken platter with a meat pie and bakylva (glutenous I know, don't judge). But this was enough for two meals! Super nice owners and yummy food that feels home cooked. I gave this place 4 stars because the hummus was a bit watery. I think hummus is an important staple for a mediterrean restaurant. I am happy to edit my review if that changes in my future visit.cheers! read more

Byblos - Meat pie and lamb chicken tawook. Disregard the bite taken. Yum - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

See all

I hate to give this place a mediocre rating since the owner and his family were so sweet and the service was good, but the food just didn't do it for me at all. I ordered the chicken shawarma platter, expecting juicy shavings of slightly crispy chicken straight off the spit. Instead I got chunks of warm chicken breast drowning in a heavy blush colored sauce. The meat either wasn't grilled or was grilled lightly after maybe being boiled, and the sauce was heavy and overpowering, ruining whatever flavor the hummus and salad might have given. I've had shawarma in Philly and NY and even Bahrain in the middle east, and that was not shawarma. read more

Byblos - chicken shawarma platter (pita not pictured) - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Holy moly. Now I finally understand what the yelp hype is about. One of the best meals I've had in Baltimore and with great service at a great price. Had the chicken shwarma platter (comes with a GENEROUS heaping of seasoned/garlic/juicy chicken, hummus, and salad) and tried a smattering of apps. The taboulleh was great as was the yogurt salad (super creamy). The service was perfection...how can you not fall in love with the cute old lady who owns and runs this place?? The prices were reasonable. And the ambiance was simple, small and probably authentic. (I'm not Lebanese) Will be back soon, if I don't have time will def order for carry out! read more

authentic Lebanese food. a true mom-and-pop shop in the heart of federal hill. they work hard and are very polite. the food is delicious and tastes freshly made. Their hummus is very good! I also love the spinach pie. I usually get any of the veggie options and have never been disappointed! read more

Some of the best Lebanese food I've had, and my best friends mom immigrated from Lebanon (don't tell her I said this). I got take away but the restaurant is BYOB with no cork fee so I'll be going back with a bottle of white soon!! read more

This place is as good as what others say. The service was extremely friendly and the food rocked. The grape leaves were ok. Not really that much flavor to them. The small serving certainly is not worth $7. The chicken scwarhma was excellent though. Great spices and delicious garlic sauce on a pita. The hummus was also great. I'm a harsh rater, and nevertheless, Byblos gets four stars. read more

What a hidden gem!!! We loved our vegetarian meals and the atmosphere. The owners are lovely and even as the place started to get a crowd, it was obvious we were welcome as long as we wanted to sit and chat. We finished off with the Lebanese coffee and walnut baklava. It was the perfect retreat on such a hot evening. read more

Byblos - Lebanese coffee and baklava - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Byblos is my new favorite Mediterranean food in Baltimore! Delicious hummus, falafel, baba ganoush, grape leaves.. I wish I had the stomach to try even more :) the gentleman working was a very welcoming and gracious host. There are lovely paintings inside, mostly of Lebanese mountains, which I learned our host painted himself! What a pleasant experience :) I can't wait to return soon. read more

Love the service and cozy vibe at Byblos. The servers are very attentive and the food comes out super quick. We ordered the falafel platter and the Mezze platter. Both were delicious and fresh. Loved the pita bread that came with the food. I really really enjoyed the Tabboleh it had the perfect balance of lemon and herbs! read more

I've never had lebanese food before, so i don't really have something to base this against.. but compared to other Mediterranean foods, this place was great! (I also wanted some shawarma after watching The Avengers) Food: -beef shawarma combo - loved it. the meat was flavorful and tasty - hummus - wow. one of the best fresh hummus i've had. definite recommend trying the hummus with some pita - pita was above average! i guess it's hard to have GREAT pita in my mind but this was really good. - kibbeh: first time having this, but was tasty. kinda crumbly on the outiside - grape leaves: keeps it moist and the flavors are unique. this definitely added to the authentic flavors - some dish that was like a spinach quesidilla? don't know the name, but this was good too. the dough was very well made. service: lady was super nice =D price: not bad at all interior is pretty small, so it's not great for a big group, but i really liked all the artwork on the wall. very cool. i'd definitely love to eat here again read more

I cannot get enough of this place. It definitely gives off "whole in the wall vibes" because often times that I go there it's empty and very unassuming but the food and staff are amazing. When I go I love to get the grape leaves and tabbouleh they are both delicious. I also recommend the Shish Tawook which is a boneless grilled chicken dish with hummus, pita, rice, and salad. Great Lebanese at a great price read more

See all

I don't know how this place has so many reviews. We just tried here , and the food is just bland and devoides any flavors... Hummus seems to be made of canned beans. Falafels don't have anything except for beans (at least throw in some garlic, parsley or something to give it some taste). This was the worst falafel I had ever. Did your kitchen run out of spices? Dolmas taste like canned food as well. I would highly recommend eating a head of lettuce than eat here.... Trust me it's going to taste better than anything here. Go eat at Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen instead. read more

The food at this place is amazing. A must for anyone who love Greek or Mediterranean cuisine. Wonderful establishment, tasty food and the staff is exquisite. read more

We were looking for a place to have a late lunch and decide to give this restaurant a shot on a hunch. There was only one other table in use but it was a late hour for lunch. We had the cabbage leaves first and the hummus with roasted red peppers as appetizers. Both were delicious. Our meal was chicken shawarma one was the wrap and the other two platters. They were excellent. No alcohol is served ( they will uncork your own wine no charge) but their teas are very good. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Everything is seriously scrumptious. I normally order the falafel platter but stepped outside the box tonight and had the veggie kebbeh and oh.my.goodness. Everything we've had from the grape leaves to the hommous is top notch. My boyfriend had the chicken and steak combo tonight and had the same sentiments. Everything is extremely fresh and made to order! Love Byblos for true middle eastern cuisine! read more

Delicious food! Really nice place to visit for lunch. The restaurant is family owned and the hosts and hostess are super nice. I would define visit them again if I happen to be around. read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Place was empty when I went with friends, but the atmosphere was still great and service was excellent! Best of all the food tasted amazing, and my friends and I left satisfied. I highly recommend the lamb and chicken shawarma! I typically am not a big fan of lamb but this tasted great! Will come back again! read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Overall: Oh.my.goodness. Byblos is fantastic. Everyone go here. Ordered: - Chicken Shawarma - Appetizer Sampler - Hummus - Spinach Pie - Turkish Coffee Pros: - Adorable and beyond friendly staff - Best Chicken Shawarma I've ever had Honestly, can't really say there are any cons. Smaller place, but we've always had 0 trouble finding seating and a warm welcome. read more

Authentic Lebanese restaurant, warm hospitality, and unique food. I highly recommend the mixed platter, the meat is well done with special spices. Konafa and Baklava are fresh and delicious. I like the atmosphere and the restaurant set up. Tables are made of fine wood which resembles the Lebanese wood. read more

See all

I have had lamb in many places but their's was the most tender and delicious. Very nice and calm place to dine in. Would be coming back again! read more

Byblos - Chicken tawook. Mix platter tawook. - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

WOW this place is amazing. Reasonably priced and so flavorful! I got the Maza platter to go and not sure if I spoke to the owner, but whoever gave me my food was so kind. Can't wait to order everything on the menu. My advice: if you don't know how to pronounce it, order it!!! read more

Super delicious! The bf and I split the beef shawarma combo and lahmebaajeen meat pie. Beef shawarma was tender but still had a nice bite/chew to it, and very flavorful. It came with a side salad with cucumbers/tomatoes (super fresh), and hummus + pita. The hummus was creamy, not as thick as I normally like, but still very delicious! My favorite by far though was the lahmebaajeen meat pie! It came out folded in half with the outer crust crispy and toasted. The meat filling was AWESOME: sooo flavorful with so many complex layers of spice, and different with each bite! I will definitely be back for this meat pie. YUM! The place is a bit small, but cozy with gorgeous artwork, and the owners were very friendly! read more

If you're walking on light street, it is hard to miss Byblos' lights and it's incredibly decorated interior. Came here for a casual dinner, but the atmosphere was great. The food tasted amazing. Definitely going to visit again and can't wait to try their other dishes! AND its BYOB! :) read more

Absolutely amazing meal. We had a large group and they happily accommodated us all. The food was flavorful, fresh, and absolutely amazing. The couple that owns this restaurant were attentive and so kind. This was a delicious meal during our travels. Highly recommend! read more

Byblos - Delicious, delicious food! - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I've never had Lebanese food before, but my friend and I wanted to try something new. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore. It seems to be family run, I noticed a cute photo display on my way to the toilet of family photos by the kitchen. The decor is so lovely and seems like you're sitting in someone's home, not in Fed Hill. The service was delightful. The food was delicious, and the servers answered our questions, explaining what the food was and made some great recommendations. The meat pie was sooo yummy. Crispy outside, filling meat on the inside. I had the chicken shawarma sandwich, which I thought was so delicious and worth its value. My friend had the kibbeh. It had great texture, almost like a meatier and solid couscous? She really enjoyed her combo platter and was stuffed with all the salad, hummus, and pita. For dessert, we had the Nammoure, which was a little cake almost with almond flakes. Again, the texture was unlike other desserts, it's cake-like but not spongy. Overall, we enjoyed our entire meal very very much from appetizer to dessert! If you're in Fed Hill or want to try a different type of cuisine, come here!! read more

See all

As a foodie and lover of instagrammable food, I'm always excited to try restaurants with artfully plated dishes and wild cocktails. Byblos is not that kind restaurant and that's exactly what makes this one of THE BEST restaurants in Baltimore. It truly is a hidden gem with no frills but it has top quality food, atmosphere and genuine compassion from the owners. The Food: It has the best and most fresh Mediterranean/Lebanese food in the city. If you're new to this cuisine you can't go wrong with the chicken shawarma, tabbouleh and baba ganounj. However, my favorite is the sheikh-el mesheh which is an eggplant and ground beef layered dish. Also the baba ganouj is TO DIE FOR! It's smoky, garlicky and lightly lemony. Bonus: if you like yogurt/cheese dips, ask for the Labneh (pronounced like "lub-neh"). It's not in the menu but sometimes they have it and it's indulgent! The Atmosphere: great location and cozy size. The tables and chairs are all carved from wood by one of the owners (the husband) and I believe the artwork on the walls is also his too! The dim lighting and cool lanterns complete the relaxing and upscale vibe. When dining in, I'm happy to not have my phone out at all, because his place is just a wonderful experience in itself! Bonus: one of the tables is made from an old Singer brand sewing machine which is a small detail that is reminiscent of my grandmothers house. These small details make a dining experience so much more special. The Owners/Staff: the whole restaurant is owned and operated by just two people- a lovely and friendly couple originally from Lebanon. Dining in (and even picking up carryout) feels like a visit home for a homemade meal. Overall: supporting local small business never tasted and felt so good. I'd give them 6 stars if I could! Covid update: they are still doing carryout and delivery (Postmates)!! read more

It was my first time trying Lebanese food and it was sooooo good! so good that I came back to hav dinner the following night. Me and a friend had the chicken shawarma and stuffed eggplant. Both entrees come with a side of Lebanese salad, hummus, fresh-made pita bread. I can't begin to describe the flavors I was experiencing. There were many unique flavors coming together to create an interesting contrast in flavor sensations. Following dinner, we had the Lebanese coffee, nammoura (Lebanese cake w/coconut) and kounafa (Arab cheese pastry). The nammoura reminded me of cornbread with maple syrup. The kounafa tasted like a cheesecake made with cottage cheese. Both were very sweet, but went well with the Lebanese coffee, which was dark and bold. The service was fantastic. I will definitely come back if I am ever fortunate enough to visit Baltimore again. read more

Outstanding food! Very flavorful with the different spices. The white and green teas paired nicely with the meals. The baklava and Lebanese coffee went so well together it was defiantly a match made in heaven! The owners are very nice and personable and take great pride in the food and appearance of the establishment. Will defiantly come back! read more

Byblos - Chicken shawarma and humus with white tea. Perfect! - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Please trust me! I have just tried this food today. I have been planning to go here for a while especially when the pandemic hit. I would have attached pictures but my food is gone sadly. I ordered the lamb, steak and chicken combination platter along with the salmon. Everything was seasoned so well it was delicious. I am so sad I wanted this long to eat here. Everything is so fresh and the food was done by the time I got there. I will be back!! read more

Reasonable Lebanese food, decent value, nice atmosphere. I had the combo plate of chicken shawarma, hummus, salad, and pita. The hummus and salad were good -- fresh and tasty, the salad even having a dusting of sumac for a light lemony zest. The pita was authentic, baked for them by a local specialty baker, I was told, but on a cold day (such as it was), serving it warmed would have been a nice touch. The chicken shararma was a disappointment. It was not the chicken dark meat spiced and cooked slow which I expected, it was instead hard chunks of (boiled?) breast meat slathered in what seemed to be French dressing. Healthy protein, but hardly good eats. Byblos did enough well, and the service was prompt and very friendly, so I will give them another try sometime. read more

Byblos - Chicken Sharwarma Combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Definitely a hole in the wall, and the food was amazing. At first I thought it was a bit too pricey, for shawerma but when I took a bite of the sandwich I forgot all about that. So glad I finally found a good shawerma spot in Baltimore!! Was tired of going all the way to DC or VA for some decent shawerma, so I'm definitely glad I found this place! The owners were super friendly and great people, 100% recommend! read more