The food is fresh and delicious, the decor is lovely, and the service is excellent. The salad was crisp and fresh, the soup was amazing, and the chicken and beef were delicious. The best thing was the tzatziki...definitely order it! read more

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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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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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I specifically chose this store because I was looking for a Halal option upon taking a seat and asking what the brand of the chicken and meat that they use is at first the server told me he doesn't know and then when I was like well, I mean I need to know so I can eat. He said that we actually don't give this information out to people. I don't understand how can you advertise as Halal but not tell people where you get your meat from and I was like that's really suspicious. We're not gonna eat here then we got up and left. If you're expecting to know the source of where you're eating from these people are not gonna tell you so don't bother wasting your time. read more

Try the mixed grill and lamb shank Friendly service and excellent food! Will be back!

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

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

Had the lamb stew, it was amazing! 10/10 will be back! Great customer service as well

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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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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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

I really enjoyed the eggplant dish, the lamb shank and the chicken kabob. My mom loved the fish. I love how often authentic the restaurant is with the decorations and great customer read more

We recently used DarSalam to cater our wedding and they were excellent, professional, proactive and collaborative. In conjunction with their in-house event team, Top of Vine, they provided superb service, logistical support and best of all: delicious food. We got several compliments throughout our reception on the meal. They offered service and menu options to fit our budget, were friendly, courteous and just a delight! Highly recommend them for your wedding or other catered event. Get the chickpea stew and beef skewers! read more

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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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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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

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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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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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

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

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 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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Several months ago we were a 4some for dinner-service was non existent,food was not warm and the owner/waiter was indifferent. Not for the faint hearted. read more

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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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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