Walking in you can smell the fresh pita bread being made. We was sat inside in the dinning room and…read moreit was a unique space. We got to see the open kitchen. When it came down to the food, we had the tasting menu. The four delicious cold mezza was delicious. Their in house hummus and Muhammara was delicious. I would 100 percent recommend the arnabeet mekle ( cauliflower dish ).

What a disappointment. I've had 3 incredible meals at Suraya in the past. It's not a matter of the…read morefood tasting good... its the cost/value It's been prob 2 years since I had been there last and the portion sizes have shrunk substantially. We got the Fetteh and there was maybe 2 cubes of eggplant on it. The Arnabeet was on a small round dish not even filled. The Mujadara was the biggest disappointment of all, at $26 as an entree it was absolutly the size of an appetizer and again with hardly any artichoke. They've fallen into the the trap of many restaurants in the post covid era. Either taste good and a rip off, or right sized in price and just average in execution. They are the former. I've lost hope.

Excellent all around. They fit us in on a busy World Cup Saturday night…read more We had Shakshuka, cabbage entree, and the lamb meatballs. All were tasty and well presented. It reminded me of restaurants in Tel Aviv. Our server Brian added immensely to our experience.

I love the vibe in here. it's fun, warm, casual, really great food and efficient service going on…read more Hummus Tehina: amazing. can be shared between four people, but my family of four does two orders and everyone gets a half. if you really like hummus, I suggest you do the same. the green sauce situation in the middle is great. comes with 3 pitas, if you want more it's $3 extra per pita. Merion Park Labneh: this labneh is thicker than other restaurants which I really like actually. the photo I insert may be deceiving, as it looks chunky. rest assured, it's absolutely smooth, just a thicker consistency than most labnehs. the spices on it are so so good. I think this is a must get along with a hummus. me and my sister are vegetarian, we share a hummus and a labneh and are decently full after those. we also snack on some small plates for the table (fries and olives) and leave full. Israeli Pickles and Olives: comes with two ramekins filled with varying sized pickles, not pitted olives, and some tiny yellow peppers I *think* are either pepper-chinos or at the very least taste similar. they also come with a small ramekin for the olive pits. The yellow peppers are very spicy, but I loved them. the olives are green, and i'd consider them friendly olives for those who are particular around olives. pickles were great as expected. French Fries: easy order for the table. portion is large and I think $8 is a steal for the quantity and quality. comes with a yummy ketchup my sister loves (she is considered a ketchup hater). COCONUT MALABI: I did not know what to expect. and honestly, first bite I was a bit confused by the texture, but by the end, I really liked it. its a thick pudding consistency, smooth, has a decent bounce to it, not too sweet at all, subtle coconut flavor. has a strawberry (I think) jam situation on top with some sort of crunchy thing. will be getting that again for sure. we had three people split this and it was enough. would consider getting two for four people though. service was quick, efficient, and kind. love the atmosphere. it has a sort of lively fun vibe to it. also we were in and out pretty quick without being rushed at all which is nice. just efficient. Also, I haven't tried them yet but they have a good little mocktail menu for those who don't drink!

Marrakesh is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in Philadelphia!!…read more I wish it existed in more cities. This is a multicourse journey through Marrakesh that cannot be repeated anywhere else except for maybe in the real Marrakesh. From the Bastilla pastry, which is DIVINE, to the salads, the chicken and kebabs... all the way to the baklava and tea.... there is no bad bite at Marrakesh. The owners are welcoming and super amenable and make you feel like you're coming home every single time you visit. It's in a odd location, and you may feel like you are making a questionable life decision as you walk up the alley to the door, but when you arrive, you realize that in fact, it was one of the best decisions you've made in years!! When you enter, it's like you've been transported to a beautiful room in Morocco. The music, the decor, even the authentic seating make for an unforgettable experience. And if you get really lucky, you also get to see the belly dancers who are top notch! There is not a single thing I can think of to say that Marrakesh needs to improve. It is a one of a kind experience that I feel everyone should have at least once in life!

What an incredible experience and much better than our last visit almost 7-8 years ago. The last…read moretime we came, the AC was broken on a hot day in the summer and it completely turned me off despite having an amazing visit my first time. I'm so glad my friends wanted to come here to celebrate our Friendsgiving. The food was as good as I remembered , the service as ever warm and welcoming. Since I hadn't been for so long, I ate everything as was prepared - but I'm happy to hear it sounds like they have veg options on their tasting menu. I'm looking forward to trying that my next return. But I couldn't say no to their chicken after almost a decade I highly recommend checking out this business for a delicious family style cooked meal.

Came here for NYE dinner and left so impressed…read more We have been hearing about it from one of our friends daily for the past year but somehow didn't get around to it. But hey, NYE - what's a better way to celebrate what will be a wonderful new year than with a new restaurant that our friend recommended? We got so much food because we were famished. We started with the The only thing I wish was better was the table size. For the amount of food we got , the table was too small!!! But overall such a great restaurant and will come again. It is also intimate and cozy so good for a date night

When we walked in at 6:30, a graduation party was going on in the back and the main dining room was…read moreempty. "Guess we didn't need a reservation," I said to my friend. Aha! Within minutes the place was packed. Isot is a popular BYOB, and for good reason. Their food is delicious. The five of us started with a mixed meze platter which had a sampling of spreads: eggplant, garlic/yogurt, hummus (chickpea), spicy tomato & pepper salad, Slavic potato salad and of course pita bread. My husband, daughter and I shared the mixed plate for two, which was plenty for the three of us. We ate beef kabobs, Chicken Adana (my favorite), chicken thighs, Turkish meatballs and lamb kabobs. Served with the most flavorful salad, sautéed vegetables and rice, the mixed plate is a great option if you haven't zeroed in on something specific. No corkage fee, helpful and pleasant staff, casual unhurried vibe .... I love this place!

Some restaurants capture a culinary movement, while Zahav helped propel one. Middle Eastern food…read morenow occupies a far more prominent place in global dining culture, but Zahav was well ahead of that expansion, especially in the United States. Alongside internationally influential figures such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Eyal Shani, Michael Solomonov helped introduce a wider audience to the depth, variety, and sophistication of modern Israeli cuisine. Philadelphia is incredibly fortunate that he and his longtime partner, Steve Cook, built their defining restaurant here. My wife and I visited for an early dinner around 5:00 p.m. and chose the prix fixe menu, which remains one of the most memorable meals I have had in Philadelphia. The mezze was exceptionally fresh, the hummus completely lived up to its reputation, and the pita with za'atar was delectable. I also remember the rice (tahdig), chicken, and famous pomegranate lamb shoulder being delicious, while a cold Goldstar beer was a simple but perfect touch. Looking back at the food photographs still makes me hungry. Zahav creates a genuine sense of arrival before the first plate reaches the table. The elevated entrance sits above the surrounding shrubs and landscaping, making the restaurant feel pleasantly removed from the street, and we entered along the side beside the patio. Inside, the stone surfaces, stained glass, and warm finishes evoke Jerusalem's Old City without crossing into theatrical territory, while transparent windows along the kitchen reveal the work taking place behind them. Because we arrived while it was still light outside, natural light filled the restaurant; photos taken by other diners suggest that the fixtures create an entirely different glow after dark against the Jerusalem-inspired stone palette. As we entered, Solomonov was standing beside the pita oven to the left, and we were honestly a bit starstruck. We occasionally see him around Philadelphia, but watching someone with his global reputation doing such basic, physical work alongside the staff was especially meaningful. He struck me as a servant leader who remains close to the craft and the people responsible for delivering the experience each night. The fantastic service throughout dinner reflected that same combination of confidence, warmth, and attention. Solomonov's culinary talent is matched by a rare instinct for marketing, brand building, and community presence. His social media, cookbooks, retail products, and appearances in Netflix and YouTube food programming have extended his influence well beyond the restaurant, and he is as cool and charismatic as he is gifted in the culinary arts. A subtler strength across CookNSolo is the group's command of operations and technology, from its reservation systems and point-of-sale experience to the digital integration that guests may barely notice. Solomonov and Cook have created distinct concepts that operate with discipline without losing their individual character, and that balance between imagination and execution may be the most impressive part of what they have built. That judgment also extends to where CookNSolo chooses to open. The arrival of one of its restaurants can serve as an early vote of confidence in a neighborhood or development, attracting attention and signaling the cultural momentum that often precedes broader investment and excitement. Laser Wolf's presence in Philadelphia and at The Hoxton in Williamsburg embodies that philosophy, and I am eager to visit both locations, as well as Jaffa Bar in Philadelphia and Aviv in Miami. Zahav deserves to remain the focus here, while the broader quality of the CookNSolo ecosystem will unfold through the many other reviews I still need to write, including Goldie, K'Far, Dizengoff, Federal Donuts, Merkaz, and others. !

Debatably the most hyped up restaurant in Philly, but it's that way for a reason. Zahav is great -…read moreportions are very generous, the service is always excellent, and all of the food is delicious. It's my mom's favorite restaurant in Philly by a long shot, and maybe even her favorite restaurant in the world. The first time I came, you had to pick one main for the table. We were split between a fish dish and grape leaves and ultimately decided on the fish, but our waitress brought a small portion of the grape leaves for us anyways. They always do something special like that, and it's an amazing touch that makes the experience so special! I like that they've changed it so each person picks a main, as it gives you the opportunity to try more things. Their signature lamb shoulder is great (and I have hated every other lamb I've had), and the fish dishes are always excellent. The best thing imo, though, is the crispy Persian rice! Philly has a lot of amazing food, but Zahav is up there for a reason. If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation it's worth the splurge. Clear space in your fridge for lots of leftovers before you get home!

Probably some of the best service I've received at a restaurant! The owner checked in a few times…read moreand showed us his joint business of a hookah lounge upstairs. We also learned about Ramiz's history and how it's a chain. This location is the first one established in the US. We received complimentary mix appetizer plate of dips and tea! Karişik Soğuk Meze / Mix Appetizer Plate- Hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, and spicy vegetable dip THE SPICY VEGETABLE DIP IS INCREDIBLE! MUST TRY! Turkish meatballs - insanely moist and delicious! Would highly recommend! Chicken Adana wrap - could have used more meat in it and the fries were lacking salt but that's easily fixable! Sütlaç -the oven baked pudding was good The table cloth on the tables kept moving which was a bit frustrating, not sure what other restaurants do to hold it down. Menu has so many options, something for everyone. Bringing your family or a big friend group is a good idea!

We didn't have proper dinner but came just for desserts. The server was so attentive and friendly…read more Both desserts - Kunefe and Kazandibi - were delicious and not too sweet. There were a few patrons sitting across us that had just finished their dinner and couldn't stop raving about the food so we are looking forward to coming back again.

I came here for dinner time. This is definitely a great bang for your buck. You get a hummus…read moreplatter, pita, and dessert included with your entrees. The platter is refillable too! Food: 9.6/10 - Amazing food, I was pleasantly surprised to see the koobideh back on the menu. It was absolutely delicious. The hummus was exceptional too. Service: 10/10 - Great service, seated on time, attentive hostesses and waiters. My guest and I did go to the bathroom and they cleared our table, but remade a drink/took it off the bill and gave complimentary drinks! Ambiance: 9/10

SERVICE - located in fishtown on a residential street…read more- parking available in paid lot nearby or on the street - need to make a reservation as it is very popular - there is only one large table to accommodate groups bigger than 4 people - even though our reservation was at 8PM we did not get seated until close to 8:15PM - servers took a while to take our order for both food and drinks - staff are accommodating about dietary preferences - ambiance good for a semi formal meal MENU - israeli food served family style - vegetarian/vegan options available - pricey FOOD - salatim: this comes with all the orders as an appetizer. It consists of ten salads which can all be refilled as needed. At the center is a bowl of creamy hummus and a side of fluffy pita. The dishes change based on the season so ours had a lot of summer produce. Considering the salads are already premade and that this platter is served to everyone by default, I would have expected it to come out to our table almost immediately after seating. This way, we could have had more time to sample each one and decide if we want refills. The portion is quite large and filing so we barely got seconds of anything. - cauliflower shawarma (6/10): roasted cauliflower on a bed of tahini with pine nuts. The cauliflower was cooked very well. Roasting it gave it a soft and slightly creamy texture that falls apart in your mouth. When we first ate it, there was no spice at all. It seemed like all the flavor was in the sauce at the base. Pouring the sauce on the top or mixing it in more thoroughly would have made for a richer experience. - mushroom shishlik (6/10): portobello mushrooms and asparagus on a herby tahini sauce. This one had more flavor than the cauliflower but I was not a huge fan of how the mushrooms were cooked. The pieces felt large and not pleasant to bite into. They also had a meaty and chewy texture. - eggplant (8/10): grilled eggplants with dollops of tomato sauce. This was by far the best of the vegetarian entrees. The eggplant is very soft and creamy with the right amount of spice from the topping. The red sauce which I assumed to be tomato based added freshness and acidity. With a scoop of hummus from the salatim on top of a piece of pita, it was an enjoyable bite. - tahini soft serve (7/10): tahini soft serve with chocolate magic shell. The dessert is included in the menu and this is the vegan option. After the salatim and the entrees, we were quite stuffed and barely had an appetite for dessert. The tahini ice cream has a strong bitter flavor with the mildest touch of sweetness. While I liked the concept of the chocolate shell, I would have wanted it to be thinner so that it could crack easier. WOULD I GO BACK? Maybe. I think some of the dishes are worth trying but going at a less busy time would be more enjoyable.

My family has been eating here after the Sunday ballet and it's always fabulous!…read more We had dinner again in the Wine Room. We used to have Mila as our server. Sunday we had Ellis. He was just as amazing as Mila! He was so accommodating and friendly. My food was a little delayed and he more than made up for it! Food, as always, was delicious. We always start with the Estia chips. I tried the grilled shrimp and WOW! So good. The soft shell crab was a big hit too. And my lamb was so good. The Meli cocktail was amazing. My new fav! Thanks again and we can't wait til next time with Ellis!

Dined here with my dad before a show and had a great experience. The restaurant is beautiful inside…read morewith plenty of seating, and the private dining room downstairs would be perfect for a celebration. The staff were friendly and professional. We skipped the prix fixe menu and shared the octopus to start, which was tender, meaty, and flavorful. For entrées, I had the salmon and my dad ordered the Chilean sea bass plaki. Both were delicious and filling, but the sea bass was the standout thanks to its rich red sauce. The salmon was perfectly cooked and light, though I wished it had a bit more sauce or seasoning. Overall, a great pre-show dinner spot that I'd definitely recommend.