At first we were looking forward to trying a new Mediterranean restaurant. We ordered a falafel wrap and red lentil soup. We arrived shortly after and our food was ready. Instead of giving us our order that was clearly ready, they made a new batch that was clearly rushed and done sloppy. They looked through so many different pitas before making the new wrap, they didn't toast it, and the filling for the wrap was very slim in comparison of what was already prepared. Thought I wasn't familiar when I've been eating this type of food for a long time. read more

New Favorite Middle Eastern food in Jacksonville, Hands down. Great value, fresh tasty food. I tried to cover their offerings with a mixed shwarma plate, an appetizer combo, plus an order of kibbe. It ranged from very good to excellent. The beef and chicken shwarma were both very good, nicely seasoned, and on top home seasoned rice. The entree was a solid anchor for the rest of the meal... Kibbe. Best I've ever had. Most kibbe, even good kibbe have a cooked/frozen/reheated texture to them. These tasted fresh, and the spices still permeated the entire (large) football shape treat. Tabbouleh.... Spot on... Good fresh flavors, just enough hint of mint. Above all, this was today's tabbouleh, or yesterday's at most. That's the essential for salad. Ditto for fattoush. Crisp ingredients, simple dressing, pita flakes, not croutons Hummus, Baba Gannous both very good.. Muhammara was a new, welcome discovery. Roasted red peppers and walnuts make this romesco like sip. One of the meals standouts My only quibble was that the pita was not setved warm. It's obviously kitchen made, and excellent quality I'm happy to have found this spot, think you will also enjoy read more

Damaskino - Mediterranean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Every single time we've ordered from here (which is typically to go - especially now during COVID times) and the food is always amaaaazing! But why is it labeled as Greek food? This place serves Arabic food, not Greek. I digress... Coming from an Arab who knows food, this is the place to try. Their shawarma is fire! I usually go for chicken shawarma, but I'm sure the beef is delicious as well. Their chicken kebabs and rice is to die for. We ate here a few days ago and I've been dreaming of this food ever since and it feels like whenever we come, we have a kick of like 5 days in a row eating here lol! Their Atayef is SO good also. It's the fried kind. So you know they're gonna be bomb. I'm just excited for them to open again tomorrow so I can get some more!! read more

Damaskino is a wonderful location for a middle eastern meal. It's a neighborhood jewel . The food is fantastic and a wonderful family business. It's been a while since I stop by Damaskino but the high standard continues. read more

What a five star experience! The food was fresh and well seasoned, spices perfectly blended, and DELICIOUS. It's in a super tucked away and unassuming plaza so do be aware of that, but as far as food quality and flavor goes it is some of the best Mediterranean I've had in a minute. The hummus was clearly freshly made, and the shawarma was that perfectly sweet but not really (cardamom? Anise? Maybe?) flavor in the chicken and beef both. The falafel wrap was served warm and the ratios were spot on in terms of falafel to veggies and tzatziki sauce. Yum! Also- definitely try the katayef. It's like an empanada and a baklava had a baby. read more

I've held off on reviewing this business. Subconsciously I think I just wanted to keep one of my favorite places to myself before it becomes too well discovered. This review is honest, as I want them to succeed, but I would like your takeaway to be that I am making an emphatic recommendation to visit this place for a fantastic and authentic meal! I really wanted to give this small and delightful family owned and operated restaurant 5 stars, but even though my love for this place is high, that 5th star still needs a little more effort to achieve. You simply must go here if you love excellent food, genuine service and don't mind an atmosphere that could be considered a little divey (which seems like a formula most of my favorite restaurants seem to share). Damaskino is what a restaurant is like when you have a great love for sharing your hospitality and food with others and don't have tons of money to pour into what could easily become a sterile environment. In the same regard, this is the kind of place that you fondly remember when they have moved more upscale due to their eventual success. This cute little restaurant sits in an older, and showing it's age, strip mall sitting behind the main businesses on Atlantic (right behind what used to be La Nopalera who just vacated end of 2019). They are wedged between a halal grocery and a barber shop and the exterior is definitely where you start getting a sense that you may not be in Kansas anymore. There are frequently boxes obstructing the sidewalk in front of the grocery, sometimes with discarded vegetables inside. In front of the barber shop there is almost always a guy or two on their mobile phones and just adjacent is the garbage area which is not hidden and always has ample trash and debris all over the ground. Parking can be a bit challenging as the spaces are perpendicular to the building but the driveway itself is too narrow to easily pull in and out. Since I mentioned halal, for the life of me I cannot figure out what the reviewer was complaining about when they said this food was not halal. I'm pretty sure the reviewer didn't know what halal means, but I'm assured their meat is killed according to the halal requirements. This restaurant is closed on Sundays. I've submitted this to Yelp numerous times and it remains incorrect. As with any small business, please call if you are making a special trip because I'm sure they could close on special holiday's, including Muslim ones, and I could see them potentially having to close for a family emergency since it is run by a husband and wife and their son. They do a decent carry-out business and most of the time the main dining room lights are off and we sit at one of three booths near the entrance. If you do want to sit in the dining room, or need a table or have a larger party, they will, without hesitation, open the dining room for you to enjoy. The interior could use a little TLC. It's not awful, but just showing a little age. They have table service, so just seat yourself and someone will assist you. Almost all beverages are consumed from a bottle/can and obtained from the cooler by the front door. Everything we have had here is very good, and everything on the menu is Mediterranean food. No burgers and chicken fingers here. I feel like I should say more about the food, but the portion sizes are fair to generous depending on what you order and I leave here feeling like I was invited into their home for dinner and leaving stuffed every time. They do list a veggie skewer with some of their menu items which they no longer serve automatically because many customers would not want or eat it. If you want the veggies, just ask for them even if the menu description says it comes with a veggie skewer. My wish list: - I really wish they would have cups of water/ice. I get that they do not have fountain drinks, but with table service usually comes a basic beverage service which should at least include cups and ice/water. - If you pay by credit card, their credit card machine does not even have the ability to add a gratuity. I'm kinda surprised they don't change this as it's a source of income representing an additional 10-20% of their gross sales (people even leave tips on some to go orders). I specifically ask them to add X amount of $ to my total before processing the card and tell them it is a gratuity. - Ask their neighbors/landlord to tidy up outside. - Give a little TLC inside (broken window, scuffs on walls... just small things). - Keep the lights in the dining room on so that it feels more inviting and more like a restaurant instead of a pita stand. - Correct menu to reflect veggie skewer change. Still, you really should try and support this local business! read more

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So YUMMY! The food there is made with love and passion. The family that owns and runs it are so sweet and always ready to answer any questions. Been there a few times and will be going back for more soon! read more

Do not judge a book by its cover, meaning the location and outside of this place may be questionable, but hands down Jacksonville's hidden gem when it comes to Mediterranean food. The food was beyond fantastic!! The flavors were so pure and rich. I can honestly say that I can NOT wait to return. The service was also phenomenal, very down to earth and family oriented run business. read more

Some of the most authentic and best tasting shawarma in town. Operated by a young man and his mother from Syria. It's a hole in the wall spot that when driving by looks very unassuming. They always have fresh sweets on the counter made by hand! Will post pics next time I grab a shawarma sandwich. It's too good and I always forget to snap a pic before digging in! read more

Great Shawarma wrap, very authentic, had a great time. The staff are very courteous and friendly too. If you are in Jacksonville and looking for middle eastern food, make sure you check this place read more

Damaskino - a car parked in front of a restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Great hole in the wall. Hard to find: check. Sketchy parking lot: check. $25 worth of decorations inside: check. Service was excellent. I will definitely be going back. Chicken and meat shawarma were both great and the hummus was also on point. Looks like they've upped their prices with inflation but it was most definitely worth it. read more

Damaskino - Mediterranean Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Best Mediterranean restaurant in Jacksonville!! Don't judge the food because of the location because it's going to blow u away. Chicken, lamb, beef kebab platter is my favorite, with a side of humus and salad. read more

Love this place. My friend from Egypt was looking for a place to eat at that had food like home. She found this place and introduced me and o fell in love!! Shawarma is amazing!!!! read more

A must try! Please try lol. The food is so delicious and decently priced. I think it's family owned and they are so nice. I had the chicken shawarma wrap with fattoush salad on the side, and my husband had the chicken kabob platter with hummus and fattoush, and we split the veggie grapes. Our total was about $28 i believe. My sandwich was so flavorful and the bread they used i think is called shrok, which is amazzzzing! Fattoush was good, just wish it had a little balsamic. My husbands food (ofc I tried his!!) Was also delish!! The chicken was fiiiirrrreeee; you can tell they know how to marinate their chicken, flavorful, cooked perfectly! The rice was also good and the hummus was awesome!!! Perfect amounts of lemon in it!!! The veggie leaves....you guessed it! Also delicious!! :) they are warmed and I prefer it that so plus plus. Check out the pix and go check them out!!! I will be back!!!!! Liiiiike next weekend lol. read more

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Great middle eastern style menus which reminds me of several experiences in Dearborn MI which has a large population Middle East type restaurants. From the outside it looks like the typical hole in the wall but step inside to a world of great smells. The staff is excellent and the food is terrific and reasonably priced. read more

There's a lot of good Arabic food in this town, but this place wins the prize. It's pretty easy for shawarma to get dry, but that's never a problem here. The meat is always juicy and flavorful. I love their hummus. The people are friendly and the service is prompt. read more

I have finally, after searching all over town, found a new favorite spot for Shawarma. Delicious!!!

Can't judge a book by its cover. The food was amazing. Good seasoning, texture, well prepared, and the meat was tender and juicy. We where given a cup of soup made from scratch which my youngest child really enjoyed. I would definitely recommend read more

Great authentic Mediterranean food, they have been around for years and it is all wonderful and worth the price

My son said this is the best Mediterranean food he has ever had. He's right. The atmosphere certainly is geared towards delivery or take out. The food was spot on. My son got the chicken kabob and I got the mixed chicken and beef shawarma. I preferred his, but, I tasted flavors that I didn't notice in other Med style restaurants. I was confused about the menu. Both dinners said two sides and dude said rice came with platter but only one other side. They do have a sampler platter of sides. Order it and then you will have plenty of sides. The service was very pleasant and friendly. I would like them to add a soda fountain or tap water to drink options. read more

I always order food from this place, and I can tell you that this is the best shawarma place in Florida and one of the best in the US. I love all their other food items in the menu. The owners are super nice and friendly. Personally, Beef shawarma wrap and lamb chops are my favorite. read more

Tasty and Very delicious food . Good service with a suitable portion enough to fill your stomach Good work and wish for them the best and keep it up. read more

Very good food. The quality sometimes change but overall good is great. I always get the shawarma which is great. The lamb platter is great as well They deliver within 5 miles read more

Best place in town fadi the owner let us feel at home great food always fresh and tasty

Authentic middle eastern food, everything is fresh! And tastes like real Arab food. Small menu with very affordable prices.

First visit with my lunch buddy. She had the beef shawarma wrap, beautifully prepared and plated. I had the chicken shawarma, seasoned with so many wonderful flavors and a citrus oil. The hummus underneath was silky and excellent. We also had a red pepper spread called Muhammara with Pomegranate oil and walnuts on top and a basket of warm pita triangles. It was sweet and savory and made you want more. Our server who also prepared our meal was very friendly and informative. He and the food made the visit an all around pleasure! read more

I give this a 1 star because this listing says "Open until 6" but in reality it is closed on Sunday. I drove quite a ways and was really looking forward to this. Disappointed! read more

Really good food. The fattoosh salad was SO nice - I would buy the dressing in a bottle. The hummus and baba gahnouj were both great as well. Big portions and good prices. We'll be back. read more

So glad we have some really great Mediterranean fare back on Atlantic Blvd. I love the garlic sauce, grape leaves, chicken, and mixed grill, hummus and salad. It was all delicious and I will be returning soon. read more

Great food and friendly people. Had the chicken kebab platter, will definitely come again. They also offer free delivery within the area.

This is THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND DELICIOUS FOOD I'VE FOUND IN THE STATES! I am not interested in fancy dining rooms and upper class waiting staff. What I am looking for is Great food, Clean environment, and Friendly People who like what they do. Damaskino is all 3 and you can taste it in every bite! This food is made by people who love what they do! I will not only be back for the Shawarma but Damaskino has made all other shawarmas in town seem bland and uninteresting. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a taste of the old country, or the new flavors you never knew you were missing! read more

The hummus and tabouli are very good, they seem to always be out of the grape leaves. Great shwarma.

Stopped in for lunch yesterday, it was awesome. Some of the best med food we've ever had. The shawarma and kafta were cooked perfectly. Enjoyed leftovers today. We will definitely be back. read more

This is a great spot to munch on some authentic Syrian food if not in a rush! My favorite is the chicken shawarma platter with the "tuum garlic sauce", price is very reasonable staff is very friendly! I will be coming back for lunch I. The future. read more

Bit of a diamond in the rough, but this hidden gem is definitely worth you time. Tucked in behind a gas station, in Arlington's less renovated area, you'll find a covert culinary cafe. A bold colorful menu, and fragrant delights await inside. What it lacks in structural grandeur it makes up for sold cooking, and reasonable prices. Now I'm not going to tell you this place reinvents the wheel with Mediterranean cuisine, but it meets & exceeds in both taste and price compared to others in its category. read more

This is the best shawarma restaurant in Jacksonville. It is done exactly the way it should be. I eat there at least once a week. The hummus is perfect and the tabouli is just like my moms. The owners are very courteous and welcoming. I'm so happy they opened up here in Jacksonville. read more

The food is amazing. The staff is so friendly. We had chicken shawerma and beef shawerma sandwiches. it was so authentic and fresh. We loved loved the food. We will definitely go back. Also their deserts are so good. Thank you for great food. read more

Great Food, Great Service and most importantly fresh food always. The owner is super friendly and always makes you best the recommendation based on your likings. Definitely recommend and they now deliver through bitesquad so try them out. read more

Just randomly walked in , love the homely feel !!!The Food look, smell and taste good

The food is amazing! This place literally offers the best shawarma in Jacksonville. Both chicken and beef taste incredibly delicious and extremely fresh. Also, the dessert is super good! The staff are very friendly and nice. Thank you guys for great food and service! read more