Yeah it's goated. Best middle eastern food I've ever had. The lamb shank and Iraqi shish kabobs are too good. Service is always the best. Ambiance is one of one. Have never seen such care to what's on the walls of any restaurant. This location downtown has amazing historic Iraqi art on the walls. The one on Alberta in NW has awesome historical photos. Iraqi shish kabobs are amazing. Perfect for 2 meals. I eat one kabob with a whole blistered onion and tomato and the greens included as a wrap with their pita bread for lunch. Then the other kabob with another onion and tomato for dinner. Tzatziki and hummus are amazing too. Lamb shank is literally fall off the bone. 10/10 read more

Amazing food. Really nicely decorated restaurant. Good service. Meat was well seasoned. Would definitely come back. read more

DarSalam - Mixed Grill (GF) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I got delivery here and wow, it was fab. Everything was healthful, fresh and in generous portions. I wish there was so pita for the hummus and soup, was my only small issue. read more

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The mixed platter and lamb shank were delicious!! The lamb had a smoky flavor which was so good. The lentil soup was a perfect appetizer. Def would come back! read more

I think everyone sees this on the way to the highway but finally came by. Iraqi cuisine. First, amazing hospitality, kudos. Iraqi beer was a nice light beer with some lemon sweetness Iraqi shish kabob was a solid dish that is fairly familiar if you know kabobs. The standout was the pompano. Fried fish, succulent, just wonderful. Very crispy skin. I highly recommend Didn't have time for coffee or dessert. read more

DarSalam - Iraqi Shish Kabob Plate (GF) very good - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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A super cool Iraqi spot! Inside is meticulously decorated and painted. They're pretty busy on a random weekday lunch so service was slow but very friendly. Their Falafel Mezza Platter was a perfect sampler for our group of four. All the dips were amazing and flavorful. Falafels were very crispy and fresh as well. Big fan. For main, I got the Lamb Shank which was very tender and generous. The eggplant stew worked very well with the lamb. All their lamb options were tender but the kabob was kinda dry, at least for me. The Chicken was surprisingly tender. Overall, a super great spot for a special or casual meal. read more

DarSalam - Lamb Shank - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The staff is extremely friendly and it matches how good the food tasted. The interior decor is absolutely beautiful which made everything even better. read more

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The owners are the sweetest people in the world and the food was fantastic. I left my credit cards and they took it to FedEx and sent it to me the next day. I couldn't believe how nice they were. Lamb shank is the bomb. read more

This place was so beautiful. Fantastic decor, amazing ambiance, and a super calming environment. I ordered the falafel rice plate which is fully vegan. I don't typically finish all my food when I eat out and I'll end up taking food home. That was not the case here. I ate every last grain of rice on my plate. The falafel was cooked to perfection, the rice was deliciously seasoned, and the chickpea stew...oh my god I may have to get a full serving of that next time. I also got a date roll to go which was incredible. I would say be prepared to spend a bit more than normal, but I would also say it's 100% worth it. The man who originally took our order was so kind and welcoming too. Just an all around amazing dining experience. read more

DarSalam - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I ate here with my mom 3 years ago and we still talk about it. The pompano was unforgettable. read more

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Food: 5/5 I got the Mixed Grill plate which comes with chicken kabob pieces, beef kabob, and grilled onions. For reference, middle eastern is one of my favorite cuisines, and this blew me away. Specifically, I think this was the best seasoning I've ever had on kabob meat, it was a flavor bomb. Good value too, normally I have to ask for extra meat from other restaurants, but I was full and satisfied from this plate! I also got the tabouli salad and it was very fresh. Also love how many GF options there are here! Service: 5/5 Wonderful service, the server took great care of us and answered all our questions. Ambiance: 5/5 I loved the art pieces and decoration everywhere, it really felt authentic, like I stepped into a different country for lunch. The dim lighting created a nice intimate atmosphere. read more

DarSalam - Mixed Grill (GF) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This was our first time trying Iraqi food--and wow, what an unforgettable experience! Our tour guide Pete recommended DarSalam earlier in the day, and we're so glad we listened. He was even kind enough to drop us off. We arrived around 6pm and it was a PACKED. Reservations are recommended. It is a nicely decorated and cozy location with staff that is exceptionally kind. Service was a bit slow because but they were busy, but we were in no rush. And honestly, once the food arrived, we forgot all about it! The menu is a bit pricy - but it's absolutely worth it. You get what you pay for (quality) and the servings are generous. We ordered the mixed plate with chicken kabob chunks and ground beef, along with the shredded chicken plate that came with rice and a flavorful chickpea stew. Every single bite was phenomenal. I'm Armenian, so I'm very used to the common dishes and appetizers - but WOW. I'm not a hummus person, but today I was. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate a meal that felt so full of love and warmth (outside of home). At some point, I think I caught myself eating in slow motion due to the rich and soulful flavors --felt like home. They incorporate cardamom into their dishes, giving everything an extra level of taste that you can't help but to enjoy more and more. For dessert, we had Knafeh and "Arabic" coffee. Very different than what we are used to, but equally yummy. DarSalam isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Highly, highly recommend to anyone looking to taste something truly special. 10/10 would recommend. 12/10 would eat again. 100/10 already planning my return. read more

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This was my first time trying Iraqi food and it was such a great experience. The interior is very unique and unlike other restaurants, which makes the atmosphere special. The service was excellent, the staff was very kind and helped us choose the most popular dishes. I ordered the Zubede fish... it was slightly overcooked but still very flavorful. My lamb dish was absolutely amazing, I would definitely come back just to have it again. The portions are generous and we truly enjoyed the meal. read more

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Came here with my SO. Walking in, the decoration on the wall were amazing. We were quickly seated. i We ordered their Baba Ghanoush as starter, and it was the best Baba Ghanoush I had. It smelled so good, and it also had chunks of eggplants as well. I could have ordered another plate of it. Based on our server recommendations, we ordered the Iraqi Shish Kabob plate and the golden pompano. Both were super good. The Kabob place was very tender and moist. The Golden Pompano grilled was really crispy and fresh. The server was great, and the place was super clean. Just a couple blocks from Pioneer Square. Would come here again! read more

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Came here when the wait at DTF was too long for my lunch break meeting up with my friend. Nice lunch menu with less sides and lower price. I had the chicken skewers. The seasoning was good but one piece was chewy. I still don't understand why that happens maybe marinading too long? I had enough for lunch even skipping that piece. Fast service was great. Nice lighting but odd one painted wall looked like a Mayan temple not something from the Mediterranean area. read more

I came with a group and we did the buffet. It was a nice spread with fresh hummus, and Baba Gnoush, rice, chicken, fresh salad. Service was good for what we needed. The place is really nicely decorated lot's of tables. read more

I came here as part of the Portland Food Tour and this was my FAVORITE spot. Will forever recommend this for anyone looking for delicious middle eastern cuisine in the heart of Portland. Starting off with the inside: the giant mural spans several walls and is so, so beautiful! I felt like I was transported far from Portland. There were some cozy seating nooks as well. We had a pre-set meal with the eggplant stew and kabob rice plate. The stew was literally a hug in a bowl with a delicious medley of veggies inside. Despite having eaten at other places in the food tour beforehand I ate it all up. The kabobs were really delicious too, well cooked and seasoned We met the owner as well who warmly welcomed us and served us our food. I cant wait to come back to try more! read more

DarSalam - eggplant stew rice plate, kabobs - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Short review: If you're thinking about going here, just do it! You won't be disappointed. Longer review: I've had some great Middle Eastern food since I've moved to Portland. However, the dishes and preparation vary between ME regions. I was looking for a place that prepared food in the similar style to my family. That is when I found DarSalam. First off, the place is awesome inside. Beautiful with well placed decorations from Iraq. The seating is comfortable. The music is ambient and not too loud. The people are friendly and (rightfully) proud of their food. They even brought my friend a piece of delicious Baklava with a candle for her birthday. We tried many items on the menu and everything was so delicious. It was prepared in the authentic style of the area. Between us our party had these items: Vegan mezza plate with falafel, Beet salad with yogurt, Khema lamb stew, lamb shank and the mixed grill. It was all so fresh and delicious. The lamb shank was cooked perfectly and was one of the highlights of the meal. They also had one of the most tasteful hot sauces that I've ever had. Even the bread was soft and tasty. We also had the beet margarita and a regional drink called Arak. Arak is unique and if you've never tried it I highly recommend. It is strong though. It is a bit on the higher side price wise but well worth it. 10/10 recommend! read more

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I hosted a holiday book club lunch at DarSalam this past Sunday, and it was such a treat! The inviting and beautifully Middle Eastern-styled atmosphere, along with the friendly, family-run staff, made the downtown trip worthwhile, even with some parking challenges. Although the dishes are on the pricier side, the quality and taste more than justify it. My favorite, the chickpea stew rice plate, never disappoints, and everyone at the table cleaned their plates. DarSalam is always a go-to choice for a special meal with a big group! read more

Wow! I came here for lunch with family members visiting from out of town and we loved it. The inside is beautiful and the service was very good. The food is delicious, especially the baklava. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Amazing food very good service a beautiful place and excellent team 10/10 the Iraqi shish kabab is delicious read more

Excellent place for dinner. Great food. Great ambience. Would definitely return with friends

Amazing, nuanced Middle Eastern food in a gorgeous setting. I went with a group and it was a hit. We shared the adis soup (lentils curry soup), veggie platter and kebob platter with beef kebob. The beef kabob was rich and flavorful, and some of the best I've tried. The grape leaf dolma and onion dolma were both distinctive, and loved how it didn't copy the usual format of stuffed grape leaves. Especially the onion dolma, which I've never had before and had such a rich, tomato-y sauce. The service was super friendly, and ambiance and decor really transports you. Especially with the gorgeous, giant murals. A must-try when in Portland. read more

Probably the best Middle Eastern / Iraqi restaurant I've ever been to. Everything we ordered was delicious-- the flavors were bold and rich, the meats were juicy and hearty. The restaurant itself is also spacious, elegant, and beautifully decorated with intricate wall art and a complementing color scheme. The service was warm and friendly, and I felt the prices were very reasonable for the food quality and portions. I tried the following items: - Baba Ganoush: SO delicious, with earthy flavors and textures. The pita was toasty and tasty too. - Iraqi Shish Kabob Plate: The meats were tender and juicy, and the sauces were delicious as well. Highly recommend it! - Shredded Lamb Rice Plate: The rice was delicious and flavorful, and the lamb was hearty and perfectly seasoned. The side chickpea stew might've been my favorite element... it was bursting with flavor. - Kunafah: This dessert was very rich and decadent; simultaneously sweet and savory, cheesy and gooey. I was a big fan. - Date Roll: The kunafeh was a lot better in my opinion, but this was still pretty good-- very dense and sweet, but I probably wouldn't get it again. - Someone also got the Mixed Dolma-- I didn't try it but heard good things. If I'm ever in Portland again, I'll definitely be returning to this spot immediately! -- Price (relative to peers): 4.5/5 Food: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Service: 4.8/5 Overall Value: 4.8/5 read more

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The flavors are rich and pleasing. The atmosphere represents old Babylon. I felt like I took a journey with my taste buds and eyes to the Middle East. Great experience read more

DarSalam - Our first time at this beautiful restaurant. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I came to this location specifically to try the whole fried pompano fish dish (Zubede) which isn't offered at their other location but was a tad disappointed. It was too much fried crunchy fish skin & not enough flaky tender meat. Also it was just served on a bed of lettuce with some tomato & onion slices which was a bit plain for me, felt like it needed some rice. However, the service & decor there is nice, & I have tried there other Alberta location which is good, and they have a delicious creamy, yogurty beet salad dish that I haven't tried before which I enjoyed. read more

DarSalam - Zubede grilled fish ($30) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The food and service were both fantastic. We were here for a late lunch and it was quiet, nicely decorated, clean, and comfortable.

We had the opportunity to eat at Dar Salam and the food was simply delicious! We were greeted by hospitable and friendly service that suggested options for us to try a variety of menu items. Everything was delicious! From the Dolmas, Baba ghanoush, the mezza chicken, lamb and beef kebobs. All was authentic and delightful! A must try for anyone who appreciates middle eastern and Iraqi style food. We will certainly come back in our next trip to Portland. read more

DarSalam - Our feast - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The food was so delicious! I ordered the chicken kabob dish which comes with basmati rice, salad and an incredibly delicious chick pea soup. I need the recipe! The decor inside the restaurant is fantastic, so beautiful! The staff were so wonderful, very hospitable! Definitely a must try if you find yourself in downtown Portland. read more

DarSalam - tzatziki - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The decor is really ornate and pretty. The pompano was crispy, flavorful, and the whole fish presentation was great. The lamb shank was large portion and fall off the bone tender. read more

DarSalam - Pompano - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I was looking for something slightly different and dinner here really hit the spot. Portions were generous. And the staff was very welcoming. read more

DarSalam - mixed grill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Excellent customer service! You can tell the staff here is genuinely committed to providing a great experience. They were very welcoming and took the time to explain the menu thoroughly. The restaurant is located downtown, so parking can be a bit tricky, but there's a lot across the street that only cost $4. The food was delicious, with the chicken perfectly cooked. Plus, they offer halal options too! Clean and great relaxing music/ ambiance:) read more

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Beautiful space! Great food! Excellent baba ganoush! And the rolled date is not to be missed for a light delious desert.

The food was delicious and we ate everything we ordered plus an additional Taboull 2x more for the five of us. The service was impeccable. Attentive, kind, and prompt, Harith and Abdullah (pardon my spelling if it's incorrect) took great care of us. Falafel Mezza Platter Taboull x 3 (!) Iraqi Beef Kabob (Grill) Chicken Kabob Rice Plate Shredded Lamb Rice Plate The Arab Coffee was strong and I loved it. We will definitely come back! read more

DarSalam - Falafel Mezza Platter Taboull x 3 (!) Iraqi Beef Kabob (Grill) Chicken Kabob Rice Plate Shredded Lamb Rice Plate (my favorite) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I minimize dairy consumption, and I've never struggled to find something delicious here. The Mezza platters are great to share with a friend. My personal favorite is the hummus' with a falafel salad. You can't go wrong! read more

Mouth-watering Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish (Gluten Free), $32.50! This is a must-have item for fish lovers! This is family-owned, and everything makes fresh in-house! Between my two friends and myself, we went back three times within two weeks; that said everything you need to know about the rest of this review. "Zubede is the national dish of Iraq. This is a whole Golden Pompano fish, market fresh, butterflied, and cooked in a salted curry paste." item is only available at the downtown location. This delicious dish is a must-have for all to enjoy at Downtown and Alberta locations! We ordered this dish all three times we were there. The quality and taste were consistently and fabulously flavorful every time: flaky, crispy, well-seasoned, and balanced with all your taste buds. The Chicken Kabob Mezza Platter (Gluten Free) $23: enough to share between the three of us during our first visit. The texture of each item: roasted eggplant ground with tahini, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tahziki was smooth and melted in your mouth. The chicken was in pieces instead of on the stick: tender, moist, and perfectly seasoned. The Adis Soup (Vegan & Gluten Free), $9: hearty slow-cooked red lentils blended with curry and turmeric fits for Oregon's year-round weather. During our second visit, Shaymaa, the attentive and friendly owner, provided two bowls for my friend and me to share. My friend liked the temperature of it. I would have loved it to be hotter; I like my soup steamingly hot. Shaymaa did ask us how we would have liked our soup temperature afterward for future visits. We got baklava and in-house loose leaves of Black Ceylon Tea ($3.75) thrice with a hint of cardamom. This tea is freshly brewed each day. During our third visit, we asked Shaymaa about a dessert that was not on the menu, but we saw a photo of it from a previous Yelper, which looked delectable. Shaymaa was happily customer-made for us, and oh my goodness, it was delightful and yummy. She shared all the ingredients: honey dates, sesame puree, and roasted pistachios served with fresh, thin, and flakey pita. She said this dish is a typical breakfast in her native country. I wish DarSalam had this every day on their menu. The Mint Lemonade-$4.50 with the right amount ratio of lemon, mint, and rose water was so refreshing, light, and had just a hint of sweetness that complimented well with the Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish. DarSalam is absolutely a hidden gem in PDX! I will definitely make it my regular spot to satisfy my fish craving. It will be hard for me to check out their Alberta location since the Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish is not on the menu. We love how personable Shaymaa, the sister, is and would like to make this a place where we can enjoy deliciously home cook meals and be part of the family where we know each other names. We learned from Shaymaa the Alberta location is their original location started by her brother. read more

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Falafel platter: One of the best falafel I've had - crispy but tender and moist on the inside. Hummus is spectacular, babaganoush is smoky and flavorful, tsaziki is tangy and fresh, which pairs well with the falafel. Pita comes fresh out of the pan, simple yet delicious with the dips or on its own. Lamb shank: falling off the bone and rich with flavor, this was one of the better lamb shanks I've had. The spices really brought it all together, and the marrow was spectacular. Do not sleep on the side of eggplant stew, which was deep and smoky with lots of tomato. Very welcoming service and ambiance, I'll be back for sure! read more

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This is a delightful Iraqi restaurant in the Yamhill District. I had the eggplant stew rice plate and my friend Eric had a beef rice plate. The coffee tasted a little soapy to me, but other than that, everything was great. The staff was welcoming, and I really enjoyed the stew and the baklava. read more

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This place goes in my list of best Mediterranean restaurants out there. We took both the veg and chicken platters and the food just melted in our mouth. It was just perfect. The ambiance is great. The service is amazing. The only thing I wasn't much inclined towards to are their drinks. They were average. We tried kunafah their dessert for the first time and it was really good. Definitely a must visit if you want to try Mediterranean cuisine. read more

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First time trying Iraqi food.it was absolutely delicious we had 2 lamb dishes shanks and shredded with rice. A plate with half hummus half tzatziki with bread.a mango drink.and have to order some pistachio baklava it was so good .the place it's nice inside a lot of decoration.the service was excellent they were attentive and very nice.I'll absolutely come back to this restaurant thank you guys read more

DarSalam - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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