5 Stars - The best hummus and mint lemonade in Jersey!…read more If you are in Paterson, Al-Basha is an absolute must. We had an incredible spread, but let's talk about that Signature Mint Lemonade first. It's iconic for a reason, bright green, perfectly frozen/blended, and so refreshing that it balances out the rich meal perfectly. We ordered the Falafel Platter, and you can tell they do it the right way here. The falafel was crispy on the outside, light and green on the inside, and not oily at all. When you pair it with their Hummus (which is hands down the creamiest I've ever had, especially with the warm meat and pine nuts on top), it's perfection. The Mix Mashawi (grill platter) was also fantastic, tender lamb and chicken that actually tasted like they came off a real charcoal grill. Great portions, authentic vibes, and the service was super welcoming. I'll be craving that mint drink until I come back!

This Middle Eastern spot has been on my list for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype…read more The Crooks Ave location is dine in, while the takeout spot is just about four minutes down the street. Parking is mainly street parking, but they do offer valet which honestly helps because oh my god, this place was PACKED. Even with how busy it was though, the service never lacked; everyone was super attentive and on top of everything. The sparkling mango drink was mind blowing, I literally got two because it was that good, but the mint lemonade was also really refreshing. We started with the hummus platter for the table and it was so fresh, light, flavorful, and honestly one of the best starters to share. Then we got the meat platter and it was a LOT of food, but everything paired together perfectly. The meats with the jasmine rice and fresh salad were such a good combination. Overall, every dish felt well balanced and flavorful, definitely a spot worth coming back to!!

This completely unassuming place has simply terrific and authentic Armenian food. I happen to be…read moreArmenian and I can tell you with no doubt whatsoever that the food quality is excellent - everything that they have is truly made fresh. It's not at all fancy but this family run restaurant will captivate you with how good the food is. The man who criticized the manti below, just doesn't know what it's really supposed to be like. Prices are extremely reasonable too. AND if you are Armenian, you'll love the interior with Mt Arrarat, the Armenian Bible & Armenian Crosses.

Food and service was amazing! Great people with no wait time to be seated. Our server was the man…read moreand he went above and beyond for us.

Went to lunch with eight colleagues, and we all loved it. The ambiance is serene and relaxing, the…read moreservice from Maria and the staff was excellent, and the food was outstanding. We are especially crazy about the bread! The falafel was very good -- and I'm definitely a falafel snob. The lunch special is also a great value, although the salad that came with it was disappointingly tiny. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend this restaurant.

Thoroughly enjoyed eating at this location. Service was fast and friendly, food was amazing, and…read moredining space is nice. We tried the hummus with filet mignon as an appetizer- just amazing. We had the lamb and the shawarma for our mains. All were delicious... Will definitely be back.

I can only speak to my Uber order and not the service or ambiance. I was craving Chicken Shawarma…read moreArabi and am on my hunt for a go to place in NYC but this was sadly a miss. The meat was so dry and barely had any flavor or sauce. You could tell parts of the roll were missing as well. The fries were okay but could be crispier and more seasoned. This won't be my go to spot but glad I tried it.

Great shawrma and well priced. There's a cute eating area in basement with plenty of seating. The…read moreparking around the area can be a little tough but worth the patience.

Very friendly and welcoming staff. Delicious food! We had a variety of dishes. I do not know the…read moreTurkish names. I enjoyed the red lentils soup, cacık, salad, rice, beef with eggplant, green beans with meat, and stuffed peppers. The rice pudding and complimentary tea was a lovely end to our meal. The only downside was that there was no menu or pricing shown so I was a little confused when ordering. Basically I pointed to the dishes and they put a scoop on the plate, Looking forward to visiting again!

WOW! I stumbled across a hidden gem in downtown Paterson, New Jersey. I had planned on going to the…read moreBanana King a few miles away, but they closed before midnight so I traveled to Mr. Waffles and discovered this little authentic Turkish restaurant next door which is open 24 hours a day. You can tell that the chef behind the counter in the kitchen pours his heart and soul into the food which he makes. They have a wide variety of Turkish delights including some beef stew which I cannot pronounce, beef and tomato entree, the lentil soup which I had a bowl of and so much more which I must try in the future. Everything is authentic Turkish style down to the Bal Kupü sugar cubes in a small bowl on the tables. I will be making this one of my favorite restaurants whenever I am in Paterson.

Complex and delicious flavors. We had the meat moqalqal and the meat duqqa. I would order both of…read morethese again. A nice change from the repetitive same old restaurants that are everywhere. I love variety and this food put a big smile on my face. There's a nice bright peppery sauce that is brought to the table. I liked the huge flatbread here. They served a broth before the food that was excellent. I'll bring back family here. The flavors are great for people that enjoy their food seasoned. There's items that aren't as seasoned, but we didn't want to order those this time. I imagine this place will get very popular as time goes on. This is probably my favorite dining experience in a very long time.

The food was fabulous as usual. Never have I eaten at that restaurant and the food was not great!…read more The service was quick but with quality! The ambiance is exquisite, but it is a bit "crowded".

I've ordered from Gub Khao on Uber Eats numerous times - delivery is usually quick and the food…read morealways arrives hot. The dishes here are authentic and so good! I'd say the food is even comparable to Thai food in Elmhurst (Queens). Who would've known this gem is hidden in Paterson?? Love that they have northern Thai options on the menu as well. The faves in my ordering rotation are the Tom yum fried rice w/ shrimp, curry puffs, pad see ew, nam tok w/ beef and sticky rice, and taro pearls in coconut cream for something sweet! I'm happy to report that spicy actually means SPICY here and they use all the right herbs and veggies in their dishes. I hope to visit in person one day!

Great food. I ordered my usual (Pad See Ew with fried tofu), for what it cost, it's a great value -…read moreit was delicious and the portion was pretty big. I like how they added not only Gai Lan vegetables but also broccoli . The service was really good too. I would definitely be back if i am in the area.

We went to Abu Rass for the first time the other day. It is unassuming from the outside, but we…read morewere happy we came in to experience the delicious cuisine. Ambiance was nice with folks smoking shisha. All the food we had was delectable and my Egyptian husband gave his stamp of approval, which is not easily granted. We loved the fresh bread, crispy falafel, mint lemonade, hummus and baba ghanoush. Honestly everything was good. Service was also polite and attentive. We will be back inshallah!

You walk in from a take out area but are seated in a semi outdoor like area. Theres nothing too…read morefancy about the seating but they are family friendly. We got the eggplant appetizer to share. It was amazing, with the blend of sweet molasses, the crunchy nuts, pieces of pita, and the soft eggplant. The portion size was great too. I got the chicken shwarma platter. The chicken was a little dry but luckily they give a side of garlic yogurt. Also I added some hot sauce to up the taste. The size was good too. Oddly they dont offer water, but have bottles for purchase. The server forgot the waters but did help with picking food. I also noticed others doing Hookah with their dinner which was a neat add on for a special occasion.

I absolutely love Toros Restaurant. They offer a fantastic lunch special for $20 that includes a…read moremain dish, your choice of salad or soup, and freshly baked bread with a dip of your choice--an incredible value. When I first moved to Jersey, this place came highly recommended, and it quickly became a bit of a habit. For the first six months, I was going almost weekly--and for good reason. The chicken kebab is juicy and full of flavor, the shepherd's salad is a delight, and the lentil soup is comforting and delicious. My absolute favorite, though, is the homemade bread with labneh--truly to die for. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance and feels like a special treat every time. A wonderful spot for anyone looking for excellent Mediterranean/Turkish cuisine.

The place is very beautiful on the inside Unfortunately I…read moredid not make reservations so was forced to sit downstairs in the party room It was fine till a large group came The food was very good not great but good I wish I could give 3 1/2 starts

Such a charming and eclectics place, Cafe Bubamara is an absolute delight. The service was…read morefriendly and welcoming. The decor is very flea market chic. They also have beautiful garden seating. I ordered Turkish coffee, fresh grapefruit juice, Gurmanski dorucak, mini burek with spinach and cheese, and fruit cake. I love Turkish coffee and this was very good. The juice was tart and delicious. The breakfast platter was a showstopper. Two fried eggs, tomato, feta, two meat patties, and homemade bread. The flavors of the meat blew my mind. Who knew that Croatians make the most delicious burgers. This is a hearty and fantastic dish. Also, the burek was flaky and light and not very mini. I took home the cake and enjoyed it later. Light, delicate and not overly sweet, this was a star. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should stop in for any meal. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for and you get a lot of bang for your buck. I can't wait to r

Cafe Bubamara delivers a warm, attentive dining experience with service that feels both welcoming…read moreand well-organized. Seating is first-come, first-served, and guests are placed based on availability, which keeps things fair and efficient even during busy times. The tables for two are intimate and cozy, perfect for conversation, though they can become a bit tight when ordering several dishes at once. That said, the staff was attentive and checked in often enough to clear plates and make room, which made the experience much more comfortable. The dessert menu is separate, allowing guests to enjoy their meal at an unhurried pace before deciding on something sweet. Their beverage offerings are thoughtfully presented. Herbal tea options include green tea, chamomile, and English tea (Stash), and the tea is served in a container that provides two full servings. The cappuccino is well made and served with a sugar crystal stick, adding a distinct old-world charm that enhances the café's European feel. I regret not asking for an additional order of Turkish coffee so that's a regret . What we ordered: * Greek Salad - $18.50 * Cappuccino - $6.80 * Herbal Tea - $6.00 * Uštipci - $17.25 * Musaka - $22.95 * Šnicla (Cutlet Sandwich) - $20.75 * 2 Diet Cokes - $8.00 The musaka is a baked dish and does take about 25 minutes to prepare, as it's made fresh with baked eggs, seasoned beef, and sliced potatoes layered on top. The wait is well worth it, resulting in a hearty, comforting dish that tastes authentically homemade. The Šnicla (cutlet sandwich) arrived beautifully presented on a wooden board, adding a rustic, elevated touch that matched the restaurant's aesthetic. Mom felt it lacked in seasoning but she Didnt leave any crumbs . The Uštipci were a standout--served with feta and honey, generously portioned, and so plentiful that we happily took some home. We were too full for dessert this time, but it's absolutely on the list for a return visit. Due to winter weather, we couldn't explore the back of the restaurant, but even from the main dining area, the decor is undeniably charming and full of character. Overall, Cafe Bubamara offers authentic flavors, generous portions, attentive service, and a cozy, old-world atmosphere that makes it a place worth revisiting.