This is the best middle eastern food I've had in Syracuse. The humus recipe is home made and maybe…read morethe best I've had in my entire life. The salad was crisp with amazing dressing and the beef kabob was cooked to perfection on the freshest bed of rice. I can't believe this gem has been around and it took me this long to discover it.

Very quick friendly service, apple desert very tasty simple crisp puff pastry with warm Apple…read morefilling a bit of whipped cream dusted with cinnamon and lovely treat!

This is the real thing, grape leaves, kibbee and chicken shawarma are amazing . Don't pass on the…read morecoffee and baklava after!

The restaurant is located on a street that seems like it used to be bustling, died out, and is…read morestarting to revive. We arrived around 2:30pm on a Thursday, there was only one other group there. We were immediately greeted and our waiter was super friendly and chatty. The inside is pretty casual, and they played 2000s hits at a good volume. We started with a cup of Turkish coffee... I've never had Turkish coffee so maybe this is standard, but they did not offer cream or sugar. I don't usually like black coffee but it was surprisingly light, and the serving was pretty small so I actually quite enjoyed it. The owner later said it was the brand Utica coffee (which I love). We ordered the loaded fries, which came with taziki sauce, feta cheese, and tabouleh. Usually loaded fries feel very heavy and greasy, but these tasted very fresh. For the main dish, we ordered the Elias Gyro and the Layla Gyro. My pallet is usually more oriented towards lots of flavor and spice, so I found the Layla Gyro to be lighter than I would have liked. There wasn't as much sauce as I was expecting, but it was still very moist. I loved the pickled vegetables in it, but I wasn't a huge fan of the fries. The Elias Gyro was a lot more flavor heavy thanks to the garlic sauce, which was delicious. The meat in both gyros was cooked perfectly. Lastly, we had the baklava. Ive never had baklava before so I have nothing to compare it to, but oh my goodness it was so good. Overall, super positive experience. It's always such a treat to see the owner walking around interacting with customers, and I would definitely go again whenever I want something light and fresh.

I love gyros and I love coming here…read more We ordered beer and lamb gyros, fries, and drinks. All of our orders came out as we ordered, and everything was fresh and delicious. I recommend this place if you're looking for a flavorful gyro!

The smoothie was great. I got a pineapple, grape, pomegranate, and berry. He also added dragon…read morefruit to it as well. The service is A plus. Also I love grabbing a smoothie right after attending the gym.

SO GOOD!!!! We stopped in here while driving across the country. We wanted something healthy,…read morefresh, and delicious. We 100% hit the jackpot with Mariam's. We got the chicken kabob, a hummus plate, and the chicken shawarma wrap. If we lived nearby, we would go all the time. The Staff were so nice, and the portions were huge. A must visit!

Very fresh and delicious!…read more Very nice people! Cute atmosphere as Iris an old train car! They have beer and wine!

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina is like the Cava of Mediterranean food, and I mean that as a full…read morecompliment. It's a build-your-own, line-style setup, and when we arrived there was a good line of people--which is usually a good sign. My friend JD picked the place, so I let him go first and watched how it worked. I ended up getting a bowl with falafel and just loaded it up. I chose salad instead of a full bed of rice, with just a little rice added. By the time we were done building it, my bowl was so full I could barely close the lid and that's exactly how I like it. The food was fresh, healthy, and flavorful. The staff were very friendly and patient while we made our choices. If I lived in this area, this would absolutely be one of my go-to spots for a regular meal: healthy, fresh, nice atmosphere, and good people behind the counter. Easy 5 stars for Lafa

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's on Commercial Drive in New Hartford continues to impress with its…read morefresh, wholesome Mediterranean flavors and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is built around a build-your-own bowl or pita concept, offering vibrant ingredients, aromatic spices, and perfectly balanced textures in every bite. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl with rice, greens, and plenty of toppings each element tasted clean and homemade. The chicken was tender with that smoky-charred edge you want in shawarma, complemented by crispy chickpeas, tangy pickled turnips, and creamy hummus. What really adds to Lafa's appeal is the modern, comfortable setting and outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying your meal in the fresh air on a sunny day. The vibe is relaxed yet polished, making it just as great for a quick lunch as a laid back dinner with friends. The staff are friendly and efficient, keeping the service quick without ever feeling rushed. Portions are very generous for the price, and the freshness is undeniable you leave full but never weighed down. Their apple cider green tea is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the bold spices of the food. Between the clean ingredients, generous bowls, and the option to dine outside, Lafa has the balance of health, flavor, and atmosphere perfectly figured out. It's one of those places that keeps you coming back not just for the food, but for the overall good energy.

I ordered a rice plate with half chicken and half lamb; so delicious and the portion is generous…read morefor the price . The service was amazing. friendly and sweet staff. The place is also clean. Highly recommend!

From their menu, I chose a "platter" with fish as the protein. Guess I'm the only one here. I asked…read morewhat kind of fish and was told - tilapia. There were two big enough looking filets, but when I got home to eat them, I found they were on the thin side. When cut, the cross sections showed that there was more breading than fish, top and bottom. I got a sample of the reddish chicken chunks I saw piled on the grill which was pretty good. With my fish, I had a choice from three types of rice. I chose spicy. This reddish rice was barely spicy at all and low in flavor generally. This comes with a small salad and some pita bread strips. The staff was very nice.

I was at a doctor's appointment nearby and decided to give it a try. I ordered to-go, and they were…read moregracious and held it when I got held up. I did a falafel wrap. Price was very reasonable. Honestly, this isn't the best falafel pita I've had. I found it a little dry - not to say it wasn't fresh, but the pita was very floury and the sauce was hummus or tahini instead of a thinner yogurt sauce and it was very dense - I needed something a little more cooling to balance out the rest. It was satisfying but just not my style. I'd give it another chance and try other items.

We had the gyro pita platter, and it was delicious! Generous amount of filling - vegetables were…read morefresh and the meat was seasoned and grilled to perfection. For the side, we got the pita and hummus, and the hummus was smooth and flavorful!

This restaurant has the "trendy" and "vibey" reputation but falls short on the whole package…read more The decor is meant to appear elevated and in some areas they nail it, but most of the dining room is just black and white stock photos, and plastic turf panels where you can see the white wall behind it. They serve cold bread when you're seated and drinks took forever with an almost completely empty restaurant. My pasta tasted fine but there was much more sauce than pasta. I appreciate that they have mocktails listed on the main menu, the cocktails are pretty good, and the cucumber feta appetizer is great. I'd maybe use this an appetizer/drinks spot if you have to be in the area. It's too pricey to be this mid

LM is always top notch for ambiance and holiday decor! They never disappoint. Just in for wine and…read morecocktails and soaking up some Valentines vibes! I went with dragonfruit martini on the Valentines menu. It was fruity and festive in a cream base. They have a vast selection of wines but were out of Riesling. Friendly service at the bar.