I'm leaving three stars just be polite but my fish was slightly undercooked and was a special costing more than $10 than the listed entrées Also, be careful!!! they tried to charge us for a glass of wine that we did not drink when we brought it to their attention they took it off our bill read more

Charleston is fortunate to have such a world class Lebanese resturaunt. The food is 100% authentic and this resturaunt would succeed in Dearborn, NY, or Beirut. It is run by a wonderful Lebanese family who take pride in putting in the hard work required to deliver food of the highest quality and they believe in treating their guests like family (which is the Lebanese/Syrian way). My family and I come here often when in town, including on Christmas, and we are always impressed. The lamb shank is one of the best I have ever had, but everything is terrific including the serivice and ambiance. They also have a very good drink list including great lebanese wine and arak, couldn't reccomend more 10/10 read more

Way overpriced the menu on yelp is outdated. We sat down some small plates was double the price!!

We are from Michigan connecting with our lifelong SC friends and by a quirky happenstance our Lebanese/Italian friend Lenny met Tom a friend and frequent flyer of Leyla's and friend of the owners Dolly and Joseph. We were exceedingly blessed to eat here and engage in conversation and food with this lovely couple. They are a family business devoted to bringing the exquisite tastes of Lebanon to Charleston. Dolly makes sure to only use the freshest ingredients and spices from Lebanon to replicate dishes from the old country. She makes sure the food is in a farm to table tradition and it is a one of a kind experience not found in Charleston. Being from MI where Mediterranean food is everywhere in Detroit and Dearborn we were blown away by the taste of the offerings. Don't miss out on this tasty food experience and the welcoming atmosphere of these beautiful people! For desert a must have delight is the Knefe served with pistachio ice cream...a new favorite that will be hard to find anywhere else read more

The most overpriced overrated dining experience we have ever had in Charleston. We have dined in the less to the most elegant Lebanese establishments from Atlanta to DC to Paris - rest assured the price comparison to quality of food found at this restaurant is overpriced and underwhelming. Food: The lamb although cooked perfectly was six small cubes for $44- with white rice NOT basmati as we were told. The table over from us sent their lamb back three times and finally either they got it right or the customer gave up... whichever the case horrible. The fish was bland but sauce was spiced- supposedly to favor the fish just a little. The chicken was mediocre with the same white rice. The hummus was nice texture BUT served with cold pita. The customer service was disjointed from the kitchen had to ask for things several times. Understandingly, it is NYE but the restaurant was not busy when we walked in and we were seated immediately with no reservations. Lastly we were not only charged a random credit charge but a mandatory 20% gratuity. Charleston deserves a better version of this tasty cuisine because Leyla Lebanese Cuisine located at 298 King Street most definitely is not it. read more

Leyla - Sankeh Herra- The dry bland sad fish - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Made reservation for six people at this restaurant on King Street. Service was acceptable. Very disappointed in the food and prices. The pita was paper thin and more resembled a tortilla ($6). The beef shawarma tasted mostly of lime juice. We could not see that it had been sliced from a pit. Served on a thin piece of bread that disintegrated when picked up ($36). The shrimp kebab tasted heavily of garlic and was undercooked. It consisted of 5 shrimp and a huge serving of frozen, battered french fries ($38). The rice was tasteless, dry, and stuck together in a lump. The only menu item that hinted of Middle Eastern flavor was the lentil soup. Best advice, drive to North Charleston and try Istanbul Shish Kabob Restaurant. It is half the price and double the flavor! Homemade pita fresh from the oven is a meal in itself. read more

Leyla - Beef Shawarma - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We came here for a friend's birthday dinner and had reservations at 6 PM on a Friday night. We arrived on time and had to wait for 10-15 minutes outside given our table wasn't ready and it is a smaller restaurant. Inside, the ambience was great! Dim lights and beautiful decor. We all ordered cocktails, which were all so colourful with an edible flower at the bottom (cool!). For my entree I ordered the Chicken Lulla. It was good, but nothing great. I found the chicken to be a little dry and I was expecting some salad/tabbooleh on the side. The price point overall was also pretty high given the portions. In terms of service, our food came out very late. It was at the point where we were telling the server to just not plate it and put it in To-Go boxes. It was also extremely difficult to catch our server--as there were only two working and he was so busy! Also, they add 20% gratuity to parties of 6 or more. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to a group, but it was cute for a date! read more

Leyla - Chicken Lula - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Leyla is definitely pure Lebanese food bliss! It's like being in my husband's Lebanese Grandmother's kitchen! The service is first rate and it so personable! The pistachio ice cream is to die for! Everyone who works there must be family and is sure to make your meal feel like home! read more

Booked this spot for dinner off of Open Table. We didn't know what we were in for... Our reservation was for 8:15pm, we weren't seated until 9:00pm because they didnt leave room for Open Table reservations so we waited just like if we would have walked in. We didn't get water or our order taken until 9:20 and finally ate at 10:00pm. With a reservation, we were there for almost 2 hours before we received our meal. The food was alright, I've honestly had better food from small chain Mediterranean places. Our waiter ended up to be the bartender. He was the only person who made our experience somewhat palatable and the only one that came to check on us. I'm sure they were having a really bad night, you could see it in the waiters faces - so might be better other times than on the weekend... read more

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What a spectacular treat that was...... My mate Tino has always said I should visit this place.... Well, let me tell you.... First class service from when we walked through the door until we left.... We ordered the combination platter with a Greek style salad. Wow bloody wow. Talk about a circus in your mouth. The meats were so tender and delicious. They paired the food with the perfect red blend and a delicious pilsner. And just before we thought it couldn't get any better they delivered a baklava out of this world. The service, food and hospitality were incredible. 5 Stars and 3 thumbs up from us. read more

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Highly recommended for Vegetarians. Great service, fabulous food. Perfect for both large groups or for a quiet conversation with another . App : - Falafel : Great texture, hot and fresh. Hummus was great. - Hummus Harra : Lovely flavor. Pita bread could've been hot, soft and more fresh. Felt a little old. Hummus Harra surely had a desirable tinge of spice that's perfect for those who like it. Pine nuts in the hummus was beautiful! Salads : - Lebanese Salad : Incredible variety in ingredients, and hence the flavor. Loved the touch of shoot vegetables. - Tabooleh : If you love olive oil and Vinegar, this is your salad ! Entrée : Both Vegetarian Entrées are great. Please ask for a little more rice for sharing portions. - Eggplant is so well cooked and with a mild curry. - Lentils are wonderfully well blended with the rice with pretty salad portions at the four corners of the square plate which are perfect for sharing. The restaurant has a fabulous ambience, with some of the most lovely looking light fittings, tapestries on the walls. Lighting, albeit pretty, are a little dim. Lights could be a tad brighter. Very comfortable chairs and sturdy tables. Overall, 5.0/5.0 - Service and Ambience 4.5/5.0 - Food Ms. Dolly is a fabulous host and has one of the most incredible teams. Don't miss meeting the vivacious gentleman at the bar with the eye patch!! read more

Absolutely amazing! Leyla is the Chef / owner and takes the time to stop by your table, welcome you and learn about you before she goes back to the kitchen to cook the most amazing Lebanese food from 100% fresh ingredients. Save room for dessert the Osmalieh is to die for! We sat at a cozy window table. An absolutely must visit in Charleston! read more

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Best Lebanese ever!! I love the service and the staff makes you feel like you are part of the family! The whole menu is truly delicious but the tabouleh, hummus and hummus hara, beef or chicken shwarma, and lamb shank are our personal favorites!! They can also accommodate large parties without any issue (with advanced notice, of course!) This restaurant has everything a restaurant should have: great service, staff, food, ambiance, location, and drinks!! read more

What a delicious meal! My husband and I came here and enjoyed every single thing we ordered. We made reservations, although during the week there were plenty of times available. The server was courteous and I told him we would order some appetizers and split an entree. Food came out promptly and was absolutely incredible. Most memorable was the vegetarian mujadara, which was packed with flavor and something I have tried to recreate since coming home. The ambiance was charming and although there was a lot of seating, it still had a more personal touch. I think the owner or chef perhaps made a point to say thank you and goodbye to us as we left. This was a delightful experience and Leyla will be top of my list of restaurants to go to next time I visit Charleston. read more

I didn't know if the reason why this restaurant got such a high rating is because it was actually good or because it was the only Lebanese restaurant in the area and didn't have any competition. No, this restaurant was actually good. Like really good. Expect to pay a little more than some of the other places around, but i promise you, it's worth it if you're wanting some delicious Mediterranean-like food. Our group order: Baba ghannouj, manteh, lamb tongue, osmalieh and the baklava. I personally ordered the beef kofta. Without going into some major details, I can just say everything we ordered was top notch. The baba ghannouj was smoky, light and refreshing. The lamb tongue was delicious! Don't let what it is scare you from trying it. But the osmalieh dessert was easily the most memorable. Light, flaky, nutty and just a little sweet. I would come back just for that. In fact, I think I will later this weekend. Try it with the pistachio ice cream and thank me later. read more

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Leyla does not disappoint! We had an excellent time here and enjoyed the great food, service and hospitality!! We were delighted with several dishes and would definitely come here again. read more

Food, service, ambiance were all good. The price is a little high (plus a 11% tax in Charleston and 3% credit card fee). The food was very appetizing to me, so I could not leave before spending too much. read more

It's been months since I've been in Charleston but Leyla was my first dinner in town. The service was prompt and attentive and the food was outstanding as usual. We had the Chicken Shawarma and Eggplant Moussaka, and both were deliciously seasoned with sizeable portions. We ate early, which was nice since the restaurant was packed by the time we finished our baklava. read more

I've been wanting to try Leyla for some time and I'm so glad I finally did. This review is based solely on my one lunch experience. So here it is.... I popped in for lunch on Friday around 1pm and found the restaurant to be about 1/2 full which means a lot in the middle of a pandemic. I was provided the full menu as well as the abbreviated lunch menu. I opted for the falafel sandwich (I love falafel) and server asked what side I wanted. I was pleasantly surprised that hummus or baba ganoush were options. I went with the baba which was beautifully served with pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil alongside a basket of bread. The falafel was delightful, hot, crispy and fluffy as hell. These were made with care and expertise and not some dense nuggets floating around the city. I ate every bite of my meal and was quite satisfied. My server offered coffee service and dessert before asking me if I wanted my bill which I definitely appreciated. I hate when a place ushers you out the door right after you eat before offering or suggesting anything else. It's like they truly cared I was their customer and wanted to ensure I didn't desire anything else. Bravo on your staff training! The kicker was all of this was $12!!!! read more

Leyla - Falafel lunch with baba as my side $12 - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We managed to get some bar space for an early dinner at the apparently popular restaurant Leyla. The food was good, but I need to talk about the most fabulous hibiscus wine cocktail I had here. I think I had 2. My friend had one as well. Our bartender-servers were friendly and helpful. read more

A terrible experience for the price paid. No one in our group liked the food. The ambience is more like McDonald's or any other take out restaurant that you can think of. Was greeted at the door by a grumpy old man who hardly smiled. read more

Fast, polite and friendly service!! The food was good I think the baba ghanoush could've had a little more smoker taste. But over all everything was good. read more

I was so looking forward to dining here, but it was bad from the start and never really got better Poor service - busboy trying to be the waiter Never cleaned the table in between courses or otherwise Food lacked flavor - which is counter to any Food bordered on totally uneventful Lebanese restaurant in the world Ambiance is nice Location is fine It saddens me to say I would not return Hundreds of better options in Charleston read more

I'm always looking for Lebanese food because I love it. Leylas takes the crown for its careful preparation, beautiful presentation and authentic flavors. read more

Alright. I did it and broke the bank lol . It's worth the $$ we shared 2 appetizers (hummus and chicken livers) and the combination entree plate. We ordered a side of taziki which was ahhhh. That is the only complaint. This may sound silly but the rice was of the chart crazy good. I could eat that everyday. So glad we splurged and went. So yummy. By the way, service was amazing. read more

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Delicious food and great service!! We drove to Charleston from Atlanta and we were very excited to find a Lebanese restaurant here. The food is authentic and aromatic. We started with labneh and manteh then ordered kabob entrees. The meat was so tender! Leyla came to greet us after our meal and she was so sweet. Very friendly family run business. We will definitely be back when we visit Charleston again! read more

Leyla - Combination plate - meat was so tender! - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Intimate restaurant in a great location! Came here on a Friday night and seated right away. Busy restaurant but not noisy and very clean and authentic ambiance. Staff is friendly and attentive. Pita bread was thin, which I like much better than the thicker version. Husband ordered the beef kabob which was very tender and flavorful. Everything was fresh. Bartender was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Will definitely be back. BE AWARE THAT THE TIP IS ALREADY ADDED! We (party of 5) tipped an extra $40 since the receipt had a place for the tip, not noticing that the tip was already added. Restaurant would not refund the overpayment. read more

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This restaurant was such a disappointment :-( It's hard to find Middle Eastern food in Charleston, so we were excited to try Leyla. Prices are too high for quality and quantity. Food was dry and mediocre. My shawarma plate tasted and was presented like fast food. I would not call this place "fine" cuisine - it is misleading. They need to either step up their food game or significantly lower their prices. And FYI, if you're in a wheelchair, it's very difficult to get in/out - there's a big bump at the entrance - be careful folks! read more

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The food at this establishment was so utterly unbelievable. I cannot think of a time I've eaten more perfectly prepared Lebanese food, and I am Lebanese. Sweet and peaceful interior. read more

In our several days in Charleston, we've had some great meals. Our meal at Leyla was not great. It was fine, but also the most expensive. We got the fried kibbeh, hummus, fattoush salad, grape leaves, lamb kebab, and rice pudding. All the food was fine, though it had flaws. The hummus was good, but somewhat underseasoned and too cold with the pita clearly was brought in. The lamb kebab was tender, but was much rarer than requested and was served over a sad undressed salad and a soggy tortilla (Why a tortilla? I do not know). The fattoush was fresh and dressed nicely, but was missing the bread/pita, which is kinda the point of a fattoush salad. None of these things ruined the meal, but they're unacceptable for a meal that cost over $175 including tip without any drinks. The service was also perplexing I have a dairy allergy and the server generally seemed attentive. I appreciated it when he suggested the yogurt sauce on the side of the kibbeh. Then it turned out that the yogurt sauce was an extra $3! He wasn't nicely offering it on the side -- he was upselling us! read more

Made a reservation weeks in advance. Confirmed it the day before. Received an email from the restaurant 30 minutes before our reservation that it had been cancelled and they were charging a $50 cancellation fee. Restaurant has not responded to multiple calls or emails. read more

Leyla is a restaurant on King Street with a more upscale feel that has the most authentic Lebanese food you'll get in Charleston. I came here on a Sunday night at around 7pm and was seated immediately. The place was busy but not overflowing. The wait staff were very attentive and made sure to stop by and ask if we had everything we needed throughout the meal. I had the Batata Harra as an appetizer and it was incredibly delicious. It is cubed potatoes with a spicy garlic cilantro sauce. If that sauce was bottled and sold in stores, I would buy it. It was that good. It was shared between three people and was plenty. It also got rave reviews from both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. For my entree I had the chicken shawerma, which came with pita bread and I chose rice for my side. It came with a garlic sauce as well. The meal was very tasty and the portion was large and filling. It was a satisfying choice. I've been to Leyla before and I will definitely come again. I always have an excellent time here! read more

Leyla - Chicken Shawarma. - Lebanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I am so impressed with the authenticity of the atmosphere. This family-owned, family-run business has evolved to provide for the demand of health-conscious menu options. Their menu is loaded with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian labeled choices, all marked and easy to select a perfect order. Our dining experience here at Leyland during the COVID-19 era shortly after the reopening put us at ease with all the safety measures put in place. All employees wore masks and gloves and offered hand sanitizer for all guests. Anthony, the bartender and one of the sons in the family business came out and provided excellent recommendations for wines complete with tasting notes. My significant other and I are vegan and gluten free, so we ordered very specific dishes to follow these dietary restrictions and were extremely pleased with the results. Leyla the mother was our chef, and personally came out to ask our preference on the order of service for each dish. Andrew is one of the sons of the family business and he was attentive and checked to ensure that we were completely satisfied with our meal and our experience. Travis, one of our waiters was enjoyable to visit with and was very helpful with making sure our order was perfect. The overall experience was a beautiful teleportation as the atmosphere was complete with authentic Lebanese music and decor. We are so grateful to this beautiful family and staff for providing this service to their community! We will be back every time we visit Charleston and HIGHLY recommend it to any and all! read more

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Super friendly and helpful staff and very tasty food. That being said, after charging $36 for chicken shawarma plate (rice only, no salad) you shouldn't have to pay $7 for pita bread. read more

Amazing food! Leyla was fantastic to chat with. Try her special dessert it will not disappoint!

There are few places in the world where you can relive an experience that evokes the original. Once witnessed, they become faded photographs hidden in the recesses of our minds. I found the exception when dining at Leyla's on King. My trips to Beirut and Zahle in Lebanon were awakened from the moment I stepped into Dollie's restaurant, a veritable caravan of épicurien delights. The warmth and familial atmosphere conjured my last trip well East of Charleston. It wasn't long before I felt like I was tucked away from the bustle and noise of the local bazaar and settled in for a real treat. The unassuming menu recalled many of my favorites, tabouli, kibbie and the creamiest baba ganush you will ever consume. It was the lamb kabob, that connected all of the dots and brought about the strongest olfactory and taste sensors response. I was sitting in that small cafe along the Litani River in Zahle. Definitely a place to visit here in Charleston! read more

Best Mediterranean food we've had in Charleston area! All foods we ordered were fresh, flavorful and delicious. We started with the spicy hummus, grilled halloumi, artichoke, and stuffed grape leaves to share and had Lentil soup and chicken shawarma as our mains. Thoroughly enjoyed every single item and finished off with the delightful housemade pistachio and vanilla icecream. Staff were attentive, friendly and conscientious of our dietary/allergy restrictions. Ambiance was upscale & relaxed with ambient lighting warming up the space. Already can't wait to come back with friends and family. Thank you Layla's! read more

i had a fantastic dinner alone here while visiting charleston, and cannot recommend it enough. as a vegan, there were plenty of dishes clearly marked on the menu, and everything i had was amazing and well worth the prices. service was excellent and all staff i spoke to were exceedingly friendly and hospitable. i will definitely be sure to return next time im in town, and will highly recommend leyla to anyone else looking for a 10/10 lebanese meal in charleston, especially if they happen to be vegan/vegetarian. read more

Food was tasteless , smelly meat,serving size was very small, very expensive. Will not come back or recommend to anyone.

We loved our dinner at Leylas! The staff is so friendly and helpful, all food is made in house and was delicious. Highly recommend