In town for a college tour and stopped to get a quick bite. This place made UW seem worth going to! The food was authentic, affordable, and quick to be served. The customer service was even better - the owner was the sweetest guy, and we really got to know each other while in the space. I'd highly recommend going here if you want great Lebanese food and a very nice experience! read more

I've only had their gyro sandwich and falafel so I'll speak to that. First, gyro sandwich was SO delicious. Fresh and warm with lots of sauce. They do use frozen gyro slices though. Falafel was also fresh and cone shaped, made into that shape using an interesting stamp-like tool. Price was right too--the gyro sandwich and 2 falafel to go was only just over $13! Service was slow ngl, however, the old couple running the place were sooo cute I can excuse it. They were so friendly, warm, and nice; it gave off auntie and uncle vibes. Another customer in front of me must've been a regular because when the customer made conversation at the takeout window, I heard one of the workers go "We love you, John!!!" Only ordered from the to go window so cannot speak to the ambiance inside. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Gyro sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

the sweetest kindest man runs this place, these are the kinds of reviews I am most excited to give I went to school at UW and so I've walked by this place dozens if not hundreds of times but never tried it until after I graduated. On one super rainy day, my partner and I were walking by and spontaneously decided to go up to the little window and get one lamb gyro the guy at the window, who I didn't know was the owner, looked at us weird and at first I was like ???? but after 5 min of prepping our order he calls us back to the window and hands us TWO gyros and says "you can't just get one! there are two of you! you won't feel full!" and he hands us both, one on the house I was so shocked it was so kind and unexpected of him. We ended up eating outside right under the window and 2 min later the owner walks out with a slice of bread and starts feeding the ducks outside the store. He told us that they're a couple and that they come by every year to lay eggs and they visit him every night for dinner during this time. He also told us that Cedars of Lebanon has been open for over 40 years and that it used to be so rowdy and exciting. So many people would gather around and spend time in his restaurant but now it's a lot quieter (I'm assuming this is because new, more novel places have been popping up on the Ave). I left this conversation so touched and full of love for this man, I genuinely wish him the best. His unprompted kindness towards a complete stranger and willingness to spend time chatting with us alone makes this place 5 stars for me, so many places lack this kind of passion and love that we could really use more of. this happened almost a year ago but I wanted to share my experience to highlight how wonderful of a man the owner is, hopefully we can continue to have nice things and no one abuses his kindness anyway I wanna go back and try their falafel apparently it's super good read more

See all

What a great little restaurant. In business since 1976, the food is bursting with authentic flavors! Service is warm and friendly; you don't feel rushed. Really appreciated that they use real glasses and silverware. Makes all the difference in mouth feel. And don't be put off by the pricing - portions are very generous. Shareable (even though we didn't) so there were plenty of leftovers. The food... falafel were plump and not dry or crumbly, which happens with most falafel. The dolmas were tender, warm, with a lightly spicy twist. Easily the best. The accompanying hummus was creamy and drizzled with Green Mountain olive oil (the BEST and imported from Lebanon - see my review for Salt and Sugar Cafe in Ballard for sourcing!!. The lamb had a great flavor, slightly over cooked that happens so quickly with lamb. The baba ganoush was light, lemony, and there's that olive oil again! The pita also had a great chew. Location is terrific - right across from the light rail. I'll be back. read more

See all

Came here on Valentine's Day. We were kindly greeted and we sat and were given ice water. Water isn't too bad but I am not picky when it comes to water. We got two lamb gyros and some Greek fries. A sweet older man took our order and right then I knew I was in for it. The food was delicious. I wish I had gotten two myself. There was a deal where you got free baklava with a purchase on Valentine's Day so I got that. Delicious. The inside was quite small but cute. There was a man sleeping near the bathroom but he got up and left but came back. I didn't care, food was yummy. I'll be back again one day. read more

See all

10/10 on the falafel! Great flavor, perfectly crispy on the outside without being sad and dry inside like many places. Best balls I've had in my mouth in ages. The salad the falafel were on was also delicious. The lovely server offered hot sauce that I gladly accepted and, while I wouldn't call it a "hot" sauce, it was garlicky and wonderful. It complemented the falafel perfectly. I tried a bite of the chicken from my friend's plate, moist and flavorful. The hummus was also perfect. Silky smooth with great flavor. The only tiny downside of the meal was that it took a bit of time, but I think it's just because they had to work on a bunch of to-go orders at the same time. I will definitely be back when I'm in that part of town again. read more

Affordable delicious food. Got the Shish Kebab sandwhich. The lamb was very tender. I love the slight tang from their sauce and slight chew of the bread. There is so much delicious juice and sauce in this sandwich. The man attending to me was so sweet and kind. Appreciate the cover at the to go window to protect yourself from potential rain while waiting. read more

Cedar's is a restaurant that has the benefit of attracting customers solely because it offers a convenient take-away window and is located near a student population who is seeking affordable options near their dorm room. It leaves little incentive to improve the quality of the food. The marinated chicken sandwich was a disappointment. The pita was thin and cold - it tasted stale or store bought. The bulk of the sandwich was lettuce and feta (which I added for an additional charge). I ordered chicken, but I'm not actually confident that's what I was served. It was thin, dark, and chewy, resembling lamb or beef. The gentleman serving me was very nice, nothing wrong with the service, but I do think they could keep the counter where they prepare the food cleaner given customers are looking at it while they make the food. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - To-Go Window - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

This was a really really good falafel sandwich. It was also super reasonably priced for a generous portion. I stopped by for a quick take out option before heading to an evening work event and not only did the kind gentleman who owns the place make this for me in less than 5 minutes, he also packaged it really well for travel and eating while walking. He was also very kind and chatted with me as I paid. As a note, no Apple Pay here so make sure you have your card or cash on hand. It was a cute little spot with homey decor, a small patio area, and a little window for take out outside. I would definitely come back because this was the tastiest and freshest falafel sandwich I've had in Seattle for the past 3 years. read more

See all

First, the food here is very tasty. It is homemade. The service is friendly and fast. I love the ambiance. I would describe it as a very quaint place with seatings for about 16 people. I loved the gyro plate. I will be back to try more of their great food. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Gyro Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great food and family owned business. The lamb shawarma was on point! We were at the Neptune Theater for a show and saw this little gem down the street. The owner was so kind and served his food with love. We were sitting outside and he brought us complimentary baklava(which was amazing BTW) and thanked us for supporting his family business. read more

We had the best time eating here! The owner was so friendly and accommodating. We came with family and he gave us free baklava and shared his story with us. The food was excellent. I suggest the lamb shawarma or beef gyro :) read more

John and Jan are the most gracious hosts at their restaurants and make people feel like family. Best middle east food in Seattle, and great value too! read more

Food is a cut above. Owners are delightful human beings. It's a fun, playful, cozy little space.

A great place to grab a quick, affordable and delicious bite in the u district. Very casual hole in the wall but good service and clean. I love the kafta plate and it was yum yum! read more

I went here often as a student, and so to come back and be greeted with the same warm, familiar face was wonderful. Every time I've went, I have always seen the same older man working there and greeting everyone with a smile! Their gyros are a tried and true for me, and I'll happily be back next time I'm in the area. And the prices are great too! read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Really solid take out with friendly customer service. I got take out lunch from here on a weekday afternoon. I called the place my order and the woman was very nice on the phone. When I came to pick up, payment at the window was easy. My lamb shawarma wrap was excellent. I really like the spices/seasoning on the lamb. My partner's gyro place was also very good and a generous portion. I appreciate that the greens/vegetables all tasted fresh and crisp. The baba ghanoush was also very tasty and came with a generous portion of pita/flatbread. My favorite thing was probably their spicy green oil, which was served in a small plastic container. I have no idea what it was called, but it has a fantastic flavor and perfect amount of spice. It really elevated everything else. I'd be happy to order from here again. read more

Lamb gyros were good; flavorful, meaty, saucy and hot. Greek fries were smothered in garlic and cheese but on the salty side. Service is shoddy. Took over half an hour to get my order. Asked for napkins and the guy threw up his arms and said, "What the heck!?". I was peeved off at his reaction and told him asking for napkins was a normal request from a paying customer. Lines can also be long, so if you're willing to put up with a spicy attitude then you'll be just fine. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - a basket of french fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place was the best! The fries were made to order alongside our food and were amazing. The sandwiches were so fresh and overall great quality. However, the best part was the service! The owners were incredibly kind and warm and made me feel like I was a part of the family. Overall, amazing spot and will return many times. read more

Actually 3.5 stars. A pleasant little restaurant with on outdoor window onto a bus / pedestrian walkway, with picnic tables outside. The gyro was pretty standard if unspectacular. The Felafel OK. But waiting more than 10 minutes for the food to come out (at a time when they weren't busy) ... that wasn't so great, though the staff was friendly. And in an area frequented by UW students, medium quality and low price equates to good value -- this wasn't inexpensive enough to be a good value. So they didn't win on quality or value. The best thing about them is the outdoor picnic tables. In other words -- ok, but underwhelming. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle! The owners are beyond kind and the falafel sandwich is my go-to. I love the spicy spread and everything tastes so fresh. read more

We got the falafel plate and the beef kabobs. They were both very fresh and authentic, delicious dishes while still being healthy. The man running the shop was so kind, he was here all alone but gave us prompt service and connected on a personal level to us both. The baklava was literally the best I've ever had in my life, and I am somewhat of a baklava connoisseur. Overall just a very sweet, comforting restaurant with great food. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

AVOID THIS PLACE! I have bought dinner here 4 times and it's gone from great to awful. iI like the family who own and do the cooking.,so I hate to give the a bad review. The wife must be the better cook, because the guy who took my order and cooked the meal turned a terrible mess. The last 2 meals were terrible among the worst meals I have had in memory. The last meal was baba ghanouj and and a Shawarma. I also ordered garlic fries. The garlic fries were almost inedible, and I really didn't taste much garlic. The pita bread sandwich was mostly lettuce and a very unremarkable baba ghanouj. Way too salty dinner for two, cost $45 . my brother and I had indigestion and poor sleep thanks to the trashy meal. we are big tippers.... from now on I willl tip only after I eat the meal. These guys will go out of business eventually. read more

Super fun little hole in the wall type place. The homemade lemonade has a very unique flavor and the Greek fries were nice and crispy! Will come back to try the gyros in the future. read more

I came here with my brother who has celiac, and the only friendly options were the salads. The salad itself was really good, especially the meat, but was almost double the price of the gyros. We requested to get a hamburger without the bread, but were told it wasn't possible and were pressured into getting the pricey salads instead. The service was the only thing I didn't really like - they were pretty pushy and wouldn't accommodate any changes. This place still gets 4 stars just for how delicious the food was! We would definitely come back for a gyro salad. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Gyro Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The place isn't much to look at but it has some of the best falafel I have ever eaten!!! The chicken plate and the shish kabob were really good, the Turkish coffee was in point, and the server was exceptionally nice and helpful. read more

(This review is about the service and not the food.) An older man behind the counter was extremely rude to me and shouted at me. And it was aggressively rude for no apparent reason. I greeted the man with a friendly hello. He replied by glancing at me, but not acknowledging me because he was cooking and plating a dish. I figured he'd greet me or acknowledge me eventually, so I patiently waited for him to finish his task. After some time, he kept ignoring me - even after he was done with his task. So I asked him if the restaurant was open, wanting to be polite. That's when he shouted at me "I'm busy!" with a look of contempt directed at me. Mind you, it wasn't that busy; about 2 tables were waiting and it was just before noon on a weekday. He then aggressively asked what I wanted. That's when I told him I changed my mind. Sure, people are rude to other people all the time. And I'm very used to (and tolerate) rude service at small mom & pop businesses. But whenever there's an outsized reaction like this (that is unwarranted), I can't help but feel that this is motivated by hate or bigoted behavior due to me being a woman and/or a person of color. This is too bad. I was looking forward to trying their food. PS A better way for him to handle this would be to say something along the lines of: "I'll be with you in a moment," or even an irritated "hold on" or any acknowledgement of me would have been acceptable. But his response to me was much more aggressive. read more

Found this place thanks to yelp reviews. The couple was so sweet and helpful. Awesome personality. They recommended the lamb and beef gyro. Great portion sizes. Plenty of sauce and well seasoned. I definitely recommend this place if you are in the university district. Think I want to try the beef kefta or shawarma before I go home. read more

Some of the best Lebanese food I've had. I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for a good middle eastern meal. The people that work there are so friendly, and everything I got was absolutely amazing. I will definitely be returning!!! read more

The owner promised me the best falafel in the United States, and I can attest to this only because I've never had falafel in the U.S. before. However, I'm no falafel virgin (have eaten them in Europe, Middle East etc) and it was excellent. The right amount of spices and sauce, and no French fries in the pita, thank god. Very friendly clientele were there and I get the impression that this place has quite a local following. The owner emigrated from east Beirut many years ago and is full of positive energy. Cheap and great food! read more

The food is fresh and delicious and the owner is kind and helpful. It is a destination hummus spot for me I love their hummus

I am so sad to post this review. I want to support small businesses, and it's clear the owner/chef works hard. However, the restaurant was filthy, and I worry for people's health eating there. We would have left, but we were only sort of disturbed by the dining room cleanliness. However, walking through the kitchen to the bathroom after we ate, unfortunately, was a game changer. Dishes with old food everywhere were only the beginning. I hope this review is a wake up call so that a good clean up can happen and the restaurant can continue its role in the U-District. read more

Literally have had the best falafel in my life here via the to-go in the alleyway. Serviced by a happy man who obviously loves to make people food. Whenever i am in the U District I make time to stop here for falafel!! Tbh I have never eaten inside but personally I love the ambience of sidewalk type vendors and this place has it. read more

Let me start off by saying I don't usually care for Mediterranean food, but I LOVE this place. I'm not a huge fan of lamb, so I usually avoid gyros because I know it's usually a beef/lamb mixture. But what I love about cedars is that they offer a beef shawarma plate and it is DELICIOUS! The rice and beef are so flavorful and I like the tzatziki sauce they put on top. The salad it comes with tastes great too. The owners are also really friendly and sweet. I don't come back to the ave often anymore, but I usually stop by cedars every chance I get. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

5 star rating is based off the shish tawouk/ chicken plate and the excellent customer service I received . Lets start with how great the marinated chicken plate was , so savory and juicy chicken bites not dry at all, also had a side of yummy hummus a salad and pita bread. And to top it off I was greated with a smile by both staff member who i think were the owners and I just felt so welcomed and happy , in all I cant wait to come back and try something different from their big menu. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Marinated chicken plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cheap, fast, good service, nice people running it. This would be 5 stars if they just warmed the pita slightly. The cold pita kind of makes it just a bit short of perfection. But this is definitely the only place I ate in Seattle that's actually cheap. $7 per sandwich. read more

I love this place! I do with the man chef guy would not call our order until its been bagged up. You hear your order and stand there for a couple of minutes waiting after hearing it... just tell us when its ready to go fully. read more

Tasty food and super friendly owner! Love the thick pita for the gyros. Hummus was so good. Will be back!

Very small portions and my $6 box of fries was much less than half full and seasoned by an aggressive shake. I'd suggest any other gyros spot up the ave. read more

Cedars of Lebanon - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The sweetest couple chat you up while they cook your food which makes the dining experience all the more fulfilling. Love the lamb kebab and house salad. Really appreciate the banter and community feel. read more