I've been wanting to try this place. It's always crowded for sure but I wish they have more than one person on the floor serving. For the price of almost $13, it's not really worth the sandwich.. I had the mix kebab- lots of meat but most of mine is burnt so I had to cut half out.. read more

Yikes, what happened Kanella. I really liked the food in the past and figured I'd give it a shot again by ordering a chicken kebab platter to go. For $14, it simply was not worth it. There was hardly any chicken, and it was overcooked. The fries tasted well seasoned, but were soggy. Seriously Kanella, what happened? Update: by the way, I received a message indicating that Kanella had changed at this location and gone more casual - that's obvious. But it's still the same owner and you would expect the quality level to at least be worthy of the Kanella name. I'm not expecting fancy food, but for $14 you should at least have more than three, dried pieces of chicken. read more

Kanella - Look at how little the amount of chicken there was in my to-go order. - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had been eager to try this restaurant because I loved the old Kanella at this location. I called ahead and picked up a late lunch on my way home. Everything started off well. The person who answered the phone was very helpful and knowledgeable about their menu. When I picked up the food they said they didn't have enough change to give me back the 60 cents that they owed me, so they decided to short-change me 60 cents! It's 60 cents, but the principle of the matter is that you should have correct change for your customers and you should never give them back less change than they are owed. The food was very good and well-prepared, but I found the portions small. Without the extra pita that I ordered I would have still been hungry. The worst part was that after I finished my meal I noticed that the grilled sardines had melted and burned holes through the plastic container! This means I probably ate some melted plastic which I'm sure was not great for my health. I really expected that they would have containers that can hold their hot grilled food safely - a paper or aluminum takeout box would have been fine. I would come back once more only because I loved the old Kanella and believe that they will work out the kinks, but if this keeps happening then I will no longer be returning. read more

Kanella - Burnt takeout container from hot sardine being placed directly on the plastic. Health hazard! - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Kanella is an exceptional restaurant with amazing service. We had a 12 person table on a Saturday night, and they made the experience amazing. The default for a group that big is the tasting menu which is great value as they bring a variety of appetizers , entrees, and desserts. The staff was attentive , accommodating, and friendly. read more

Amazingly fresh mediterranean food!! What a Hospitable chef and owner! He came put a few times to check on everyone in the restaurant. The restaurant is so cozy as if you are in someone's dining room. We had the hummus and the dips platter both were Devine and literally melted in your mouth. Excuse the pictures as we had already started to eat when I took them We also had the grilled haloumi and olives as an appetizer they were all amazing! I had the beet salad and falafel for my main course. The salad was so fresh and the falafel was one of the best I have ever had, so flavorful and did not at all come out oily. My husband had the Greek salad with chicken and he loved it. We spilt the galitikobutko sp? And it was so delicate it wasn't too sweet it was the perfect end to an amazing meal! Well done Kanella! read more

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Went here on a whim with my fiancee a couple nights ago, and boy was it a great decision! A Mediterranean spot that is BYOB?! Sign us up! (No corkage fees). Started with a salad that was on the specials, it was the mandarin orange salad, and it was very good...something different! Next we kind of did a combination of small plates to share and this was the best idea! Had the hummus with pita (the hummus was OK. Not bad, but we've had better). Then we had the falafel (which I really liked, but maybe dry to some taste buds). Finally we enjoyed the trio of dips, which was outstanding! It came with pumpkin feta, white bean dip, and a greek yogurt based one. Dips of the day are a must try! It came with plenty of slices of pita to enjoy! What really made the night the best was the desserts! We each got our own (baklava and the galaktoboureko), and good thing we did..otherwise there would be a fight over desserts! The baklava was excellent, not too sweet, very tasty with a great flaky top. The sauce it was served over was an excellent compliment to the dessert. The galaktoboureko (yes we had to look up the spelling!) was awesome, something unique! It was an eggy-custard, almost flan-like, with phyllo dough. It was served warm, and made your taste buds dance! Smooth, creamy, and not too sweet. Flan lovers rejoice! All in all, a great meal with awesome service. The food was delicious and we will certainly be coming back to Kanella Grill for sure! read more

After the closing of Hummus Grill Center City, I was looking for new restaurants to get my shawarma and falafel fix. Before Kanella Grill, I enjoyed Effie's and Greek Lady (over in West Philly), as well as Hummus West Philly. Although we didn't bring anything this time, we were happy to see that Kanella was a cozy BYO with a lively atmosphere. We elected to sit outside given the beautiful fall weather. We got the lamb shawarma platter and the falafel platter; both were delicious with a variety of sides (hummus, cauliflower, pita bread, rice or potato wedges, tomatoes). I got a nice helping of shawarma, which was tender and juicy. We also received excellent service, our waiter was friendly and relaxed. Consider Kanella for Greek/Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere when you are in the mood! Cash only. read more

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So GOOD! Make a reservation because even if it doesn't look like there is a wait there normally is. Great little BYOB. It gets pretty loud in there when it's crowded, you can barely hear the people at your table. The portions are huge! We got some apps and 3 entrees for 6 people and it was plenty. The chicken kebabs and falafel were delicious. They give you Greek salad, hummus, meat, and rice or French fries with the meals. Plenty to share to eat alone if your hungry. The service was great and very helpful if you had food allergies. They brought us a side of veggies for our hummus because someone couldn't eat the pita. It's also a great deal, the meals and cheap and filling compared to other places in the city. Can't wait to go back! read more

Came here for brunch, and got the platter. The chicken was incredible. My boyfriend got the lamb and veal sausage, which I didn't think was as good as the chicken. The cucumber and tomato salad was excellent, as was the hummus. They should have given more than 1 pita. The bean salad was ok. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. The service was good. However, it was apparent that there was only one waiter. He was very good though even thought it was very busy for him. read more

Kanella - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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TLDR; If you like greek food, are craving something relatively light, and want to bring your own booze, Kanella is for you. I probably wouldn't go back on my own, but wouldn't mind tagging along with someone. I can't testify as to how authentic the food is at kanella, but everyone at the table was happy with their dishes -- a lamb kebab + and falafel combo platter. The kebab only had 3-4 pieces of meat, which seems kinda skimpy, but once you finish the whole plate, which includes pickled veggies, a fresh salad, hummus, fries and some pita, you are pretty full. I didn't take advantage of the BYO, but I saw many people that did. Simple and airy decor, and loved the blue gingham tableclothes. I recommend the galatapoureko if you're a fan of eggy desserts or baklava! Service was nice and friendly! No complaints. read more

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Just finished eating at Kanella for 2nd time in a week. Very hard to beat the value. Great food, very good service, very attractive prices. We had dinner at Zahav the night before coming to Kanella. As good as Zahav is - and it's wonderful - for the money Kanella is perhaps better. At least my wallet enjoyed it more. read more

Amazing food and service is impeccable. Our server was so kind and accommodating to our every need. I didn't catch his name but given his level of skill I'd assume he's been served there for a while. Ambiance was very European. I felt like I was in Santorini. Try the baklava and other pistachio dessert. Also their Turkish coffee was soooo good. Overall, my new favorite restaurant and I will be going back. read more

Soooo delicious!!! Everything we tried on the menu was amazing and it was a very nice atmosphere. We love Mediterranean food and are always looking for new places, flavors, vibes... definitely coming back! read more

One of my fav Greek places in the city. Simple menu but delicious! Byob. Takes reservations and I suggest them as it can be crowded. Has outdoor seating. Recently had the Greek salad with lamb kebab. Their octopus is amazing. Highly recommend. Only complaint is it can be very loud inside the restaurant but def still worth going. read more

Kanella - Big Greek salad with lamb Kebob - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What a delightful place! Fantastic service and even better food. We left extremely full. Definitely a recommendation and will be back! read more

Kanella - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We went for date night and it was amazing. The service was so fast and friendly. We had the mixed dip platter as an appetizer, mixed kebab platter for me and beef for hubby and there wasn't anything that wasn't fresh, flavorful and just really good. I always get chicken but was was glad I tried something new because it was worth it. Although I'm sure the chicken would have been delicious as well. The platter comes with a salad, we got rice, a hummus and pita. We finished with baklava and the custard dish that neither of us could pronounce. Amazing meal, thanke read more

Kanella - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Despite living right near this place, I don't come often enough. Perhaps because I walk by it so often, I take it for granted. Came here tonight on a whim after a few months, and I was definitely reminded of how yummy this place is. Starting with the ambiance: Kanella is a cute little place with checkered table cloths and white walls. It's rustic, which makes it feel authentic. My favorite part, however, is the fact that they daily specials for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. There is always a rotating selection of dips, served with hot grilled pita. This time, I had lentil, feta cheese, and potato dips. The potato was definitely my favorite: fluffy light mashed potato flavored with lemon. I also tried the special sauce eggplant salad, topped with pomegranate seeds. It was tangy and satisfying, and left me too full for dessert. In the past, I have tried the galactoboureko: a crispy filo pastry dessert filled with a smooth, creamy semolina custard and topped with honey. It's sticky, slightly messy, but totally worth it! As a side note, my date claimed the fish was very fresh and it certainly looked very lovely. His platter was filled with fresh veggies, hummus, rice, and more pita. All in all, this place is a steal. It's BYO and now even takes credit card! read more

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Really nice waiter but food was horrible. I preferred the ribeye cap and was served three completely inedible pieces. Two were completely fat. Couldn't believe it was served. Third piece wasn't cooked. Waiter was very apologetic when he saw the pieces after I cut them open. He apologized and brought me the grilled chicken in stead. Chicken was better but the rice was soggy and had no salt let alone any flavor. I am really disappointed in this place, especially given all the great memories I had when it was owned by the prior founding owner. I can't believe how poor the food has become at was once a Philly icon. Nothing lasts forever I guess. read more

I don't know why so many people gives too many stars I m French, I know very well Mediterranean food, and this is just ultra basic food! Good but doesn't deserve at all more than 2 stars! Mediterranean and Greek food as so many tasty meals... please avoid this place if you want real tasty Mediterranean food, go if you want a good basic meat place read more

Great lamb shawarma hummus and everything else. Sardines very smokey meatballs delish. Everything is homemade. read more

Kanella - This is the grilled fish platter and the grilled halumi cheese platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Love the food! Everything taste delicious! And inexpensive, worth the 2.5 hours drive and will def come back!

I'm delighted to find such excellent fresh food with really fine quality olive oil. The service was as good as the food. My Lebanese traditional heart was delight to enjoy such outstanding Greek cuisine. read more

The falafel was amazing! My husband who is Jordanian has been struggling to find falafel that was legit and he found it at Kanella! He also complimented the Tahini, saying it was the real deal! I order the gyro which was packed with flavor and juicy meat. My husband ordered the lamb kofta platter and said the meat was perfectly cooked and the hummus was delicious! We rarely have dessert, but after such a delicious main course we couldn't pass it up. We ordered the chocolate mousse and it was perfectly rich and light. The environment and ambience was very cozy. Safe to say we will be coming back again! read more

Kanella - Chocolate Mint Mousse - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I've been here several times and love it every time. The dip of the day is always amazing. And they also have very good specials. Food that fills you up but you still feel good about eating (pictured is the asparagus salad which was delicious and filling). The service is amazing and pricing is fair. read more

Kanella - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We had Easter brunch here and it was delicious. The selection had all the elements of a Mediterranean meal. I had the (lamb) kebab, which came in a hefty portion. It came with some very tasty hummus, a bean salad, roasted eggplant salads, olives and pita. The entire meal cost $15 and there was not a single open spot on the plate because the plate was packed to the brim with food. We also had the frappe, which is a whipped coffee that I highly recommend everyone try. I would love to try their dinner. I could only imagine how good their dinner is if run had was so incredible. I would happily come back and highly recommend trying this place out for any meal. read more

A neighborhood eatery that is welcoming, clean and oh so affordable. Fresh and delicious. Big portions enough for 2 in a nice area of the city. We walked over from the Ritz (Bourse), via independence hall, and ordered from the brunch menu: Kadgeree and Shakshuka with sausage and 3 kinds of dips. The latter was absolutely delicious. Spiced and seasoned just right to let the humble fava beans, spinache with feta, and beets simply sing. And served with toasty just-off-the-grill pita. Cucumber with lime juice was crisp and light. They also gave us salad for a wait on the entrees, which were worth it. Shakshuka-tomato pepper broth was hot, the rice in Kadgeree, fragrant and filling. I would definitely return with a bottle of Chianti. read more

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This restaurant is small so I recommend making a reservation. The menu is not extensive, but the main items all sound delicious. The food is fresh and tasty and the service staff were friendly. read more

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Over rated noisy place , with small plates that don't add up to much. Some of the dishes are not bad and the dessert was delicious. I don't think I will revisit. Sorry read more

Best Greek place in center city! I love their platters, a combination of all the good stuff and heavenly tastes!

Great place. Can get crowded and loud, but good food and it's byob. Great place to go with a small group of friends.

Context: Ate here for dinner (tasting menu-esque) What I got: Chicken Kebab (8.5/10) Extremely tender and well-seasoned. The hot sauce was also a great complement to the meat. Pork Kebab (7/10) Similar to the chicken kebab, but the pork was not nearly as tender. Still solid though - once again partially to the sauce. Falafel and Rice (6/10) Probably the least impressive item I had. The rice was unremarkable and the falafels were a bit on the dry side. Greek Chips (6.5/10) Went well with the tzanziki (which they suggested we do). Other than that, I felt these were rather standard. Houmous (8.5/10) I couldn't get enough of the houmous here - absolutely delicious and it seemed to go well with just about everything in the meal. I don't quite remember what exactly I enjoyed about it besides from the pairing aspect, but I did like how light it was. Pita (8.5/10) As with the houmous, despite being relatively basic, I still found this dish to be fantastic. The thinness of the pita worked well and my opinion was definitely enhanced by the wide variety of delicious dips. Tzanziki (6.5/10) I typically feel pretty neutral about tzanziki and although this didn't exactly break the mold, I did still generally enjoy it in the context of how it worked with the rest of the meal. Assortment of Different Dips (9/10) We were given three different dips - one being beet based, another feta (?), and unfortunately I can't quite remember the third. Either way, this was the highlight of the meal for me, as all three of the dips were substantially different in flavor, but all unique (to me, at least) as a dip. Combined with the pita, this served as an incredible start to my meal. Greek Salad (6.5/10) I didn't feel very strongly about the salad and honestly don't remember many specifics. Generally positive vibes though. Baklava (8.5/10) I typically find baklava too sweet, but I was actually a huge fan of this one and even ate two pieces (when I was already unbelievably stuffed). The filo was crisp and the pastry was nutty and sugary without the overwhelmingly syrupy sweetness that I usually get from baklava. Probably the best baklava I've ever had! Galatapoureko (7.5/10) This was the first time I've tried this dish and it was definitely a positive experience, but unfortunately I didn't like it quite as much as the hype may have suggested. Regardless, it was a nice contrast to the baklava in both flavor and texture. Final Word: I immensely enjoyed my meal and would definitely come back here! I would like to try some of the entrees that I didn't get a chance to eat the first time around. read more

There was a group of 5 of us that went to have dinner at Kanella Grill. The first thing we were asked is if we have reservations - apparently they are required to eat there. We said no and the waiter said he will check to see what he can do. We got seated outside pretty quickly and got our orders taken. Someone else came out and told us that they were short staffed and extremely busy. When we looked into the restaurant there was only 3 tables full and a few tables on the outside. Got our food ordered and eat in a timely manner. Once we received our food no one came back to check on us. We needed drink refills and never received them due to no one coming back. Other waiters walked by and we would ask them but they never returned outside. Finally, our waiter came out and we asked for the check. It took over 30 minutes to get our checks and another almost 15 to pay our check. The food was amazing but the service was extremely slow. read more

Kanella - Chicken kebab platter with chips - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

So fresh and so delicious! Everything I've had at Kanella Grill is fantastic. Everything is fresh and cooked to order. I love all their dips/sauces/seasoning styles -- perfectly balances their entrees. I highly recommend all their dips and salads. Particularly their eggplant salad -- slightly warmed and so perfect! For people with extra large appetites that want to sample a bit of everything I recommend the grill platter. It comes with some of their in house made sausage which is a treat! The ambiance is great for dates, brunch with the fam, or a casual lunch with the gals/bro's. Portions are great, food is healthy, and prices are reasonable. It's cash only and byob! read more

Kanella - Grill platter -- plenty for two and it gives you a sampling of all their meats which is a highlight - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I can't believe I've still never been to this more casual Kanella until now, since I'm such a big fan of the original one. This cozy, simpler restaurant satisfied those Greek cravings without breaking the bank. Service was fine, nothing spectacular. It's BYO but now takes credit card, which is a huge plus. The menu is on the smaller side but there were plenty of items that peaked my interest. They also had a few specials and an option for a 35 dollar 3 course dinner. My friend and I decided to split a bunch of items and this worked really well. We started with the Greek chips (fries) and tzanziki sauce. The chips were thin sliced potatoes and were fried to perfection. They were a tad bit on the salty side but paired really well with the yogurt sauce. Would have loved a little more sauce with this portion! The greek salad was big and fresh, topped with loads of feta. The dressing had just the right amount of acidity, but again a little on the salty side for me (and I love salt). The haloumi pita was my least favorite thing. The haloumi was deliciously grilled but just felt clunky in the pita. Everything tasted good but I just wouldn't order this again. The spanakopita was crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside, paired with a yummy side of greek yogurt and fresh tomatoes. If you're looking for a fresh and flavorful meal, this is definitely a good contender. I think the prices are more than fair for this location in the city and the quality of food and portion sizes! read more

This was such a quaint, little place that had a homey feel to it. We had the dips of the day, which came with three dips and warm pita bread. All three dips were absolutely delicious and paired perfectly with the pita. I had the shakshuka, which was served with a piece of toasted sourdough bread. You could taste the smokiness from the roasted red peppers and this added a wonderful kick of flavor to this dish. We also got the Kanella platter with chicken, which was both crispy and juicy all at the same time. This is honestly one of the best Mediterranean food we've ever tried and the you really get the bang for the buck from this meal. I was absolutely stuffed for hours after this meal! Will definitely be returning when I'm craving Greek food! read more

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A quaint spot with a menu thats a hidden gem. Service is very slow but excusable. The proces are so cheap and the food is unforgettable. The baba ghanoush is AMAZING with the perfect amount of seasoning, olive oil and pomegranate seeds. The tzaziki and chicken kebab are good as well. It's a byob so bring yoyr favorite wine and indulge. read more

Simple tasty food, prepared fresh. Yum yum yum. The kanella platter is just so juicy, we tried both the pork and chicken and I wanted to lick my skewer. Try the dip platter of the day. I will be back to try those beautiful deserts. The service is very good! read more

Kanella - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I had another wonderful meal from Kanella. The Lamb and Quail were delicious. This place reminds me why I simply can't go "full-Vegan" I always look forward to my next meal from Kanella. Thanks! read more

Kanella! What on earth happened?!? You used to be THE spot to get authentic Mediterranean food. My dinner tonight was cold by the time I got it home (a 5 min walk.) The lamb was straight up disgusting and dripping in grease (and cold!) It tasted like the food had been sitting out on the counter for a few hours before being served. And totally not worth the amount of money. Please bring your take out back to the way your dine-in food used to be! Y'all are letting yourselves go! read more

I am a fan and I love going here. I usually make a reservation and always try to bring a bottle of wine (byob). The service and staff are amazing and super helpful. Food tastes delicious with all its flavors and does not disappoint. Portions are fairly big and I'm satisfied! I would highly recommend it! read more