Most authentic middle eastern food I've had in Boston. Originally, being from the Detroit area we have a ton of great Iraqi cuisine due to the Dearborn area. Garlic and lemons is the only place I tried out of many in Boston that comes anywhere close. Shawarma is customized to your liking with all the authentic toppings. Go for the saj wrap to maximize the flavor! read more

Oh Garlic 'N Lemons, how I love thee so. I work right around the corner, and this restaurant has been an absolute treasure in the Allston/Brighton area. As many have pointed out in their reviews, the pitas and shawarma plates are absolutely delicious, and the prices are perfect for a quick, inexpensive meal. The restaurant itself is clean, bright, and the best place to sit and get away from the hustle and bustle of your work day. My favorite thing on the whole menu has to be the hummus. Sure, the 4 shawarma choices are amazing(beef, spicy beef, chicken, and spicy chicken), but the homemade hummus is just perfect with a side of fresh pita. I could honestly eat just that all day. If you're in a rush, stop in here for a falafel pita on the go, and you'll be hooked, I promise. Oh, and make sure to follow the recommendations of the person behind the counter when they say that you should have everything on your pita. They are 100% correct that you want it all. read more

Been going here for years, and absolutely love this place. There are so many items to try, and combos so it is hard to get bored of the food, plus everything has amazing flavor. And best of all, you get a lot of food for what you pay. I personally recommend the spicy beef roll-up with everything on it, with a side of the spicy potatoes and spicy garlic sauce. The platters are enormous, I usually share them with a friend for lunch or dinner, and they are still very filling. The only negative I can think of is the dessert. I love love love Baklava but there's is dry. Not sure if they don't put enough honey or because it is made many days in advance. I have tried all their desserts at different points, they are OK but not great. read more

This is a phenomenal hole in the wall joint. The four of us took a pleasant half hour walk to get to Garlic 'n Lemons, and it was worth it. There are only a couple tables inside, but the service was friendly, and the food was delicious. I had the Shawarma with spicy chicken, drizzled with a lot of their spicy garlic sauce. read more

See all

My second time I decided to order ahead so I can save some time but the problem was that I decided while I was driving around in the area,I was 2-3 mins away from the restaurant and I ordered 3 sandwishes and to my surprise but the time I parked my car and walked in the restaurant ,they were putting my order in the bag ready to go hot and delicous Thanks again..... read more

After a slow day at work--spent writing blog posts, catching up on the crisis in Egypt and going through the interactive learning guide on how to play Settlers of Catan--I was spent. Slow days are sometimes the hardest to get through, amirite?! Add to that the treacherous, wet, dirty walk from the T to my apartment and you've got a Karlis who doesn't want to do anything, let alone cook. I just wanted food and I wanted it fast and Garlic n Lemons wasn't too far from my place. Luckily this spontaneous, although lazy, decision turned out a delicious dinner! Ordered the spicy chicken pita wrap up and the guy making it ran through my fixing choices. I think it was garlic hummus, lettuce, tomato and pickled turnips. I didn't catch it all, but was confident that it's best to just get all of it. "All of it!" I called out. He filled it with the accouterments and I watched another guy carve the chicken breast off the spit. No mystery meat here! At first I was surprised at how small it was, but after eating it I was satisfied. See kids? Balanced meals--protein, fiber and carbs--do fill you up! The flavor was downright awesome: the briny veggie with the super garlicky dressing and spiced meat was an awesome combo. Allston is full of cheap eateries and most of them aren't worth the 5 min trip from my place. But Garlic n Lemons is going on my short list. read more

got the spicy chiken shawarma on whole wheat saj bread here! its pretty good. saj is like a thin wrap. i personally prefer the chicken over the beef. the chicken is thinly sliced, and the wrap is filled with a ton of vegetables (the beet makes the wrap really delicious i think, and their white sauce in it is delicious, i dont know what it is but it tastes a bit like ranch?). the order comes with one choice of sauce, but i think its worth getting both the magic sauce (garlic-y) and the hot sauce and pay 50 cents more. also its pretty cheap and filling for $10! the restaurant is huge, and you order and sit down - no wait staff, which is nice for someone who wants to grab something quick and go or sit casually. there are flies though, flying around while i ate which was annoying. and their website doesnt work. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - chicken shawarma - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

If I ever moved out of the area, this is the one restaurant I would miss the most. The owners really care about the quality of their food and shawarma. The hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush is all made fresh. The marinades used for the shawarma meat is fantastic. I was told by the owner that his in-house butcher had been making shawarma for over 40 years and that he frequently makes trips back to Lebanon to get inspiration for his dishes. The price is reasonable and the portions are big enough for two meals. I would personally recommend the shawafel wrap and the beef or spicy chicken plates. read more

Great choice of food, especially salad and veggie options. Large potions and good food! Nice clean setting with plenty of tables. Hope to go back soon read more

A few years back, I attended a Christmas party where the hostess picked up the food from this place. Since the restaurant is in Allston and the party was in Lexington, the food was cold ... and even then, the food was great. I waited a while to write this review until I could try their stuff hot and fresh and it did not disappoint. It is food done fast but nothing like fast food. The last two times I have gone, I got the spicy chicken shawarma and it was perfect. A lot of times, the chicken can get dried out but not here. I also like that they have not just tahini sauce and hummus for toppings but also a garlic cream (which you can buy for home too!). I like that after they make the sandwich, the grilled it a bit and make the pita crunchy like a panini. I just tried the rice pudding - fair warning, if you do not like the taste of rose water, you will not like the rice pudding. I thought it heavenly. read more

Update: I had given this place a 2-star rating based on the review below, but upon my return, I realized that their more typical kabobs are much better. They've got my vote of confidence, haha. Realistic Review: It's a kabob shop. The pita could be the juicy thick kind often used for gyros, but instead it's the dry, breakable kind. The greek salad is pretty good, and the hummus is quite nice. The rice pilaf is not very good though, and the kabob was mediocre. All in all, I can tell they used very good ingredients, but with the extremely long wait and the soaring pricetag, I'd pick any of the much finer restaurants in the hood for a quick bite out... Also, I can't believe some of the other reviews actually say this is the best in allston, lol. They certainly don't know what they're talking about and probably have not eaten a good kabob before... read more

I know everyone loves this place. The Biff especially, but for me, something's off. I can't describe it. One of my good friends in high school was Lebanese and her family made awesome Lebanese food, so maybe my standards are high or something. Anyway, expect to taste the Garlic and Lemons. No false advertising here. I love that that they have they have the mint Abali yogurt drink. Both the Biff and Caro hated it, so it's probably an acquired taste. For me it hits the spot in the summer. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons recently expanded and is still working on setting up their larger space. Even though their interior setup needs some work, their food is as good as ever. I am no expert on this place, but I frequent Harvard Avenue quiet often and this place is definitely worth trying. Their spicy chicken plate is the most popular and I highly recommend it. The shwarma chicken is flavorful and not dried out, and the sides are awesome as well. Definitely get half hummus half garlic spread!! The hummus is really good and the garlic is to die for..yummm. It really makes your breath stink though hahaha. I usually go for their rice, but the couscous isn't bad. I got the greek salad last time with my spicy chicken plate and really liked it. The cucumbers were crunchy and refreshing, adding a nice light element to the heavier plate. read more

If you are looking for a delicious quick meal this is it. I can't get over the Spicy Chicken Saj Rollups. They are AWESOME! I have become a loyal patron along with most of my friends. I have read through several of the reviews and generally feel that this place TOTALLY deserves 4/5 stars for what it is - A place you can grab a delicious lunch/dinner for under $8. They aren't claiming to be a 5 star culinary wonder so don't drive there expecting that. That being said, you can find ample parking behind the building in the Blanchard's lot. The staff is SOO freaking nice. Every time I have gone there I have seen at least 1 of the owners working -- even on New Years Eve! read more

Generous portions, fresh and authentic food, and affordable, too, Garlic 'n Lemons is a treasure for this busy area of Allston. The clean and bright interior is nothing fancy at all, so treat yourself to take out or go casual, your choice. I do not eat meat, so I stick to the Veggie Plate most of the time, which is more than satisfying with 3 options and royally filling with 5. I go for tabouleh, falafel, hummus and/or stuffed grape leaves, with pita bread on the side, but there are a multitude of choices. I can never finish my meal so leftovers make their way home. Nice people make your first time here easy, as it can be overwhelming due to the numerous options. Quick, easy comfort food in the heart of Allston makes Garlic 'n Lemons a family favorite. I love garlic and I love lemons. Put them together and you have some magic going on. read more

Wow, this place is a treat. From the outside it looks like just another Harvard Avenue fast food place but we had a fantastic meal here. The grilled chicken kebabs were juicy and delicious. I had a wonderful minty salad and an eggplant, tomato, chick pea one that was even better - flavorful and original. My husband got a veggie platter and thoroughly enjoyed it too. The hummus was also yummy. Its menu was pretty broad and had lots of Middle Eastern favorites and I'd love to come back and sample more. The place does lack a bit for ambiance. There are only a few tables and it is very brightly lit. However, the restaurant including the bathroom is extremely clean. Also, you can't beat the cost! Very reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back. read more

Not a good option for vegetarians. Try Tarboosh Mediterranean restaurant which is nearby instead which is much better. I had a falafel wrap and veggie platter of 5 choices. Falafels were not good at all. The quantity of the food for veggie platter was very very less for 11$. For the equal amount you can get a large bowl in normal Mexican chains. This is just not worth it. read more

Place is the absolute dopest. Stop going through construction, I need to eat! Garlic sauce on everything. Spicy Chicken scwharama every time, never gets old. I once came 4 days in a row, that's how good it is read more

...Still needs to get its act together. Yes, understandably it's only been a few days since it opened but the outward appearance and allure of the store front is mismatched with the service...and a tiny bit of a let down in the food. What I mean is the food is decent. It's tasty but nothing out of this world. So far I still prefer Mitti's Cafe just around the corner. The falafel is a tad dry and uninspired-tasting. But it's not bad. The humus is not bad. The Saj is..Oh wait! They forgot that! So I must have messed up the deli prep guy's flow so badly that he forgot to put my Saj in the bag like I had inquired in the first place ("Can I get the Saj and humus and maybe a falafel?") But I was too cold and had already disrobed from my outwear to want to walk back in search of restitution. He also gave me the stingiest portion of feta I've ever received on anything Mediterranean. I made my tiny 3 cubes of delicious salty goodness last through out my taste test. So before I tried anything, I called in to just make sure--this being my first time--that a bread DID come with the Veggie Plate I ordered. The girl on the other end of the phone sounded as if she might have been taking out her annoyance with her boyfriend on me for calling to inquire about a stupid thing such as bread. "You're supposed to tell the guy which bread you want. Saj or Pita...(duh!)" Well I guess I'll know for next time to double check for my Saj instead of flirting with the cashier..whoops. I don't blame anyone for being drawn to this shiny new and colorful ethnic eatery addition in this dirty little grungy beer soaked corner of the universe but I hope that the service improves drastically for me to go a third time (I'm just going back a second time to get my missing Saj). read more

This place is one of my favorites in Boston. I used to come very often, as I lived only a few minutes walk from here. Since moving out of the area, I haven't found a Mediterranean restaurant that comes close to the food here. I miss G&L dearly and anticipate visiting every chance I get when back in the area. In the last year or so, they've remodeled so there is more seating for patrons. Before there were maybe 1-2 tables and it was crammed. They also sell some items now which is fun. The food is delicious. I have tried a variety of things, but my go to is the spicy chicken kebab plate w/ rice and Greek salad. Everything is very flavorful, including the rice which I find to be either too greasy, too dry and tasteless at other Mediterranean restaurants. I especially love their pita and hummus. G&L does it right all around. In my experience, they are consistently friendly and the food is great. read more

I went here because I wished to seek out something similar to the gyros plates I had experienced in Central Europe. I was pretty impressed. It wasn't the best food of this kind I have had before, but pretty satisfactory. I had the chicken plate (or platter, or whatever it's called). You get two sides I believe, for which you can choose from many options, such as hummus, tabuole, fries, or rice. Stop by if you're in the area, it won't disappoint. read more

Tasty food for an amazing price. The portions are generous and I highly recommend if you're looking for a filling and healthy lunch. I ordered their shawerma plate with spicy chicken, Greek salad, and hummus. Their hummus is the best I ever had! Even the sauces are homemade, the spicy garlic is a must to put over your meat and rice. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Spicy chicken over rice, greek salad, and hummus with spicy garlic sauce. Comes with free pita! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I decided to give this place another shot, and am glad I did. This time I went for the sharwima plate instead of the sandwich and it was awesome. Great chicken, salad, baba ganoush, and grape leaves. I will definitely be back. (One note to the staff, hairnets are your friend!) read more

I had heard a lot of great things about this place, and checked it out a couple weeks ago. There good food but nothing amazing. Pros: -Served a lot of food, even in the take out trays -Garlic sauce is surprisingly delicious - Food was tasty, especially the chicken which was also juicy. Cons: -Drinks are waaayy overpriced. -Although this place is listed as under $10. You aren't really getting a "cheap lunch". I bought two plates and one water for 26 dollars. (For the amount of food though, it is forgivable) -wasn't very authentic Overall I think this place is good, but nothing to go out if your way to try. read more

Didn't have spicy chicken when I came so I got regular chicken and spicy beef instead. However, if when I go back, I'd probably go for the regular beef vs. spicy. The regular beef is fattier, juicier, and more flavorful. I'd also get the potatoes vs. the rice pilaf. Don't forget to get a side of the magic sauce and eat up! They pile on the food so come hungry. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - #2 with spicy beef and chicken. So much food! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely delicious. Fast service. Huge potions. What's not to like? The staff is friendly and attentive. They make the items in front of you in a chipotle/subway style. And they accommodate any variation of the plate you'd like (want half of each type of side? go for it!). They have a nice variety of sides, including multiple salads, dips, and carbs. My favorite is the spicy chicken shawarma plate (I prefer it over their beef). It's not too spicy, just a nice heat, and the spicy garlic sauce they use on it is absolutely delicious. It definitely adds moisture and extra creamy goodness to the plate. They also give you pita with your order-- definitely enough food for two portions! They're still doing the 10% student discount, so don't forget to mention it! read more

Huge portions. Spicy Chicken platter - don't forget the hot sauce!

Good, but not great. I have eaten here multiple times over the past two years and am generally quite satisfied. The food tastes pretty well-made and fresh, is always quick and their service is friendly. I do, however, have some complaints. Their falafel is lacking- not so much in flavor as that it is not served fresh. They have a huge pile of falafels sitting in a metal tray alongside all vegetables and condiments, and will just pick one of these up to serve in your plate or sandwich. I won't lie, lukewarm falafel has much lower appeal to me than when it's freshly fried. I understand this system in terms of speed and efficiency but it does compromise the quality somewhat. The falafel also has a strange spice blend compared to most; it's hard to put my finger on it, but there's one spice that somewhat overpowers the others in their falafel. As you can tell, I am very picky about my falafel, but it is undeniably one of my favorite foods so the pickiness is warranted. Shawarma here is excellent. I'd recommend a wrap over the plate or salad- salad tends to be way too salty. Despite my complaints, Garlic n Lemons remains a quality option on Harvard Ave- definitely stop by if you need a fast and decent meal in the neighborhood. read more

I think this place should be more well known considering how amazing it is. It's right on Harvard Ave so there are a whole bunch of other restaurants so I've only been here twice, and I'm not sure why I don't go more often. I got the #2 plate with spicy chicken and they give you soooooo much food. Usually my friends can only finish half and they take the other half home to eat later. You can choose from hummus and garlic sauce, but I asked for both because I couldn't choose! And also there are like 4 different salads you can choose from too! The amount of meat they give you is insane. They cut it straight from the spit and they PILE THAT ON SO HARD. Amazing. I love this place. It is so delicious on top of the great portions and I recommend everyone tries it! read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Yum yum yum on a Friday night! Went for two falafel roll-ups ( vegetarian ofcourse) one on a pita bread and the other on a Saj bread. They were plain simple and good! We also tried a side of grape leaves- were as they were expected to be, good :) . Also ordered a side of couscous salad which wasn't very impressive. A little too bland in comparison to the burst of flavors from the roll-ups! Had always eaten a little syrup-y baklava, their baklava is more on the drier sides. Tasted good though I personally prefer the syrup-y ones! Place is pretty spacious but busy on a weekend. They were out of all meat items on a Friday night around 9ish. Super sweet/friendly staff! read more

The Shawafel is where it is at. Do it in Saj, you won't regret it. It is a massive heaping of both felafel and shwarma. I usually get it in a combo with a greek salad. Enough food to keep me filled up for the day for cheap. They also make osmallia. It is like baclava and cheese cake/custard had a delicious baby. Best fresh from the oven, but good all day with their rose water sauce. The staff is also super friendly. I will miss them when I have to leave Boston. read more

This is by far the best quick stop Shawarma/falafel place you can find in this area. Extremely tasty food with just a bit too much grease. But this is acceptable when you're dealing with a quick stop. Not to mention that the preparation and cooking of the meal is real authentic shawarma. The service there is very friendly and will be patient and helpful. Overall if you're looking for a place to get a quick bite to eat of some quality food then this is the place to go. P.S. Get the plates because the wraps are a tad too small. read more

Really good lunch spot... generous portions at a reasonable price. If you like Med food come here and get a plate.. you won't leave hungry

I had high hopes for this spot, but truly I was not a fan. The meats were dry, the salads were ok. The falafels were moist, which was a plus, but they lacked a lot of flavor. I did order the moussaka, which I expected the be layers of eggplant, meat, cheese. However, it was more like diced eggplant in tomato sauce. Though not what I was expecting, it was actually the best part of the meal. On top of it all, the pita was the driest, most stale gross pita I've ever had. Overall would not recommend. read more

My first trip here was deeeeelish! I knew I wanted a chicken shwarma wrap (pretty traditional), so my boyfriend and I decided to try this place. Anywhoo I ordered my standard chicken roll up and falafel, and sat down to eat. It was soooo good. I love the "magic sauce" (lol) and the falafel was pretty good. We told the guys working there that we thought it was really good and they started giving us samples of everything! And everything was fresh and delicious- we tried some of the stewed eggplant side and some of the rose water drink, among others. Overall, we really loved this place because not only was the food really good and well priced, the people there were super friendly and we could tell they really cared about the food. Definitely my new spot around Allston :) read more

What is all the hype about? Service was pretty good and they give you a pretty big amount of food for the money but the quality was just subpar for me. The meat was dry and the sides were salty. I was thirsty for hours after. My tummy didn't feel so good after the food. Don't think I'll be back for my Mediterranean fix. read more

This place has some of the best shawarma I've ever eaten on either coast (although judging from another review maybe I need to look in the middle of the country for even better options) ! I'm not an expert on shawarma, but I've had my fair share and this is so incredibly moist and delicious. Also, their hummus is outrageously good. About the only thing I could suggest is that they give a bit more bread for eating with the shawarma or the hummus. I was basically just scooping hummus at the end so I didn't waste its deliciousness. There is a fair amount of seating here and it had a cozy vibe so take out is not necessary. The service was friendly as well which is a nice touch. read more

I am a HUGE fan of Garlic and Lemons. I go here frequently because I always find myself craving their food. I love getting the spicy beef shawarma plate with hummus, tabouli, and rice. Their spicy chicken is pretty good too. Just a note: if you plan on getting the spicy beef, then you should try going before 7 PM because it always ends up selling out before the store closes. I love this place because all of their employees are really friendly and very helpful if you aren't sure what to order. read more

An absolute must-visit tucked away on Harvard Ave. Some real quality Mediterranean fare up in this place, all for around 10 dollars-- spot on for the area. Cannot go wrong with anything on this menu (though the yogurt drink, which curiosity one day commanded, could be passed on, though it's technically not on the menu, it's in the fridge, so...). Falafel wrap is a personal favorite/ recommendation (go with all the toppings, even if they do seem outlandish at first blush). Their swarma salad proportions are enormous. I have never witnessed someone finish one in a sitting, which is great because it ends up translating into 2 meals for 10 bucks. Have some really interesting side options. I usually go with the Greek salad or tabouli, but there are definitely other options for those feeling more adventurous. They also have addicting pastries conveniently located at the register. I don't know if that's a plus or a minus. Staff is always super welcoming and service is always quick. Always tops the list when I have a craving for falafel. read more

I've been on a Mediterranean kick as of late. By far - this is the best I've sampled of the last few places. For under $10 (just over $7 actually) I got a big combo shawerma (beef and chicken) salad. For my salad, I chose the Greek salad and it's amazing. Seriously. I was able to try this place thanks to Fooda (construction shutting down our cafeteria never tasted so good). I wish Allston was a tad closer 'cause this place would be my lunch spot every day of the week. read more

Garlic 'n Lemons - combo shawerma Greek salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts