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    Malelani Cafe

    4.5 (192 reviews)
    Open 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    MALELANI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Good for working

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    Recommended Reviews - Malelani Cafe

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    Baklava
    Melanie S.

    Welcoming service, fair pricing! Food was delicious, the feta tasted high quality and it was a hearty portion I took half home. Everything was seasoned and very flavor. I only have one complaint, the baklava was so thin, not layered, barely syrup so it fell apart, not worth $5 but I wouldn't give them less than 5 stars for that because they make a lot of things homemade even hot sauce and all that being considered the bowls are only $14.50 and very good! The restaurants vibes were very laid back, good chill music playing too right on the corner easy parking. I'd definitely recommend for the bowls, platters and pitas!!

    Volcano Bowl
    Varsha S.

    This place is situated on a cute street in Mt Airy. Although a rather small cafe inside, it has some outdoor seating as well which is nice when the weather permits. This place has absolutely delicious Mediterranean bowls. I ordered the Volcano bowl, which was marketed to be a spicy option. Although not super spicy in my opinion, the chicken had tons of flavor and I loved the sauce they used. The jalapenos in the bowl added a little bit of the extra kick I needed. Overall I would definitely come back and I'd want to try the poke bowls as well!

    The shared receipt for lunch was delicious thanks for letting us borrow it.
    Her Majesty Daceia Charmayne F.

    The food was delicious but my legs swelled up and hurting when leaving the restaurant so water pill was taken to stop the swelling from getting worse. No recommendation because weight gain just sitting there eating food was not healthy but said to be healthy vegan diet food was good but salt was bad for my legs and knees . Be careful with this diet.

    Chicken Shawarma Pita
    Chingi Z.

    Happy music welcomes you into this quaint cafe situated in the area where Mt. Airy meets Germantown. The menu has something for meat lovers to vegans and plenty of freshness in between. I had an afternoon meeting in the area and found free street parking directly out front. My coffee was hot and full flavored. Sounds silly but in my opinion it really is the little details that keep consumers loyal. The expectations when going out for food is that it should not just satisfy your hunger, it should be a fulfilling dining experience made so by serving food that honors the ingredients, service that makes you feel welcome, and an environment that encourages enjoyment of the space or the company you keep. Malelani Cafe hits all of those targets and surpasses expectations. Admittedly, my expectations for food in the area is quite low due to past experiences however that is not the case here. They should call the Chicken Shawarma Pita a double, cuz it was HUGE and could easily serve 2 people. Okay maybe one super hungry person or a parent and child haha. Definitely a large and in charge lunch that allowed each ingredient to show off. The chicken was cubed and boasted big flavor and juiciness while the pickled cabbage was sharp enough to stand up to its savory counterparts. Roasted eggplant, greens and tahini balanced the bite. All wrapped in fluffy and chewy pita. Order take out or eat in, I have no doubts that you will be pleased with the fast, fresh, and healthy selections.

    Chicken schwarma platter
    Retna S.

    Upon entering, this cafe looked hectic. There were people getting ready for live band. They had to clear up a table for us to sit. The menu consists of Mediterranean food and poke selections. I ordered chicken schwarma platter served with pita. Chicken was tasty and not dry. Perfect size with some hummus.

    Covfefe Smoothie
    Michelle T.

    Despite the many challenges that COVID has brought to this world, I am grateful when I get an opportunity to meet wonderful people and enjoy great food! George was great host. During my wait, I was educated about the historical roots of Mt. Airey. I am still "new" to the Philadelphia area and I am always looking forward to learning about new restaurants and new areas to visit. I ordered the smoked salmon platter with all the fixins! I mentioned that I was tossed about ordering the falafel platter and George was so gracious to drop a few freshly fried falafels in my to go container. The black bean and the original hummus were so creamy and the grape leaves were also tasty. I am not a grape leave fan and I are all three of them! A little bit of a drive for me but I am always willing to make the ride for good food and great customer service. I will definitely return. I look forward to trying the Covfefe (for shitz and giggles of course!).

    Gyro Platter was amazingly flavorful
    Eboni F.

    So freaking good and fresh! The portions are very generous. Great customer service. Love, love, love. I will definitely be back.

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I had the chicken shawarma platter, it was so good. The flavor for everything was so intense (IMHO). I can't wait to try other dishes.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Just had a chipotle chicken salad pita and it was delicious! It doesn't look the greatest but the flavors were fantastic!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Ordered the Falafel platter and inhaled it! Spectacular! My first time here but will definitely return!!

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The Food was , fresh and tasty. The store keeps we're nice and friendly. Good side street parking. Prices are reasonable.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Super experience. Lots of vegetarian choices. Gluten free and dairy for one in our crowd too. Reasonably priced and really delicious.

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Artsy vibe. Food was very fresh and affordable. Counter service, lots of good options

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    8 years ago

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    Page 2 of 5

    Ask the Community - Malelani Cafe

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    Barbuzzo

    4.3
    (3.5k reviews)
    7.2 mi
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    During a busy summer of sporting events we were concerned we would need reservations but we walked…read morein and were seated right away. Our server apologized for a delay in taking our drink orders. She was attentive the rest of our meal. I ordered a Charles deGaulle whiskey cocktail. Lemon, aperol and simple syrup added a refreshing twist. For entrees, my wife ordered the pacherri; a simple pork ragu with tender broccoli rabe, Parmesan, stracciatello and basil. The dish was delicious. I enjoyed my plate of sea-inspired tonnarelli nero. Bay scallops in crab ragu with fennel sofrito. Served with squid ink pasta that imparted a slight brininess. The pasta was cooked pangrattato style-- coated in panko bread crumbs and garlic. The dish had many flavors but they all came back to the theme. Cocktail prices and entree prices were very reasonable. They offer happy hour drinks and specials. Certainly a very good choice if you're in the area.

    None of us had eaten there before so we just ordered a bunch of stuff to split. The whipped ricotta…read moreand grilled bread was gone almost immediately, barely got a second piece. The short rib over polenta was probably my favorite thing on the table - it fell apart easily and the polenta underneath wasn't as heavy as I expected it to be. We got the salted caramel budino for dessert too, and I was glad it wasn't one of those desserts that's so sweet you can only handle two bites. Would go back honestly. Probably order something different next time just to try more of the menu, but I'm getting that ricotta again no matter what.

    Photos
    Exhibition counter
    Exhibition counter
    Roasted Beet Salad
    Roasted Beet Salad
    Corn arancini

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    Corn arancini
    Dizengoff

    Dizengoff

    4.5
    (931 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    Excellent all around. They fit us in on a busy World Cup Saturday night…read more We had Shakshuka, cabbage entree, and the lamb meatballs. All were tasty and well presented. It reminded me of restaurants in Tel Aviv. Our server Brian added immensely to our experience.

    I love the vibe in here. it's fun, warm, casual, really great food and efficient service going on…read more Hummus Tehina: amazing. can be shared between four people, but my family of four does two orders and everyone gets a half. if you really like hummus, I suggest you do the same. the green sauce situation in the middle is great. comes with 3 pitas, if you want more it's $3 extra per pita. Merion Park Labneh: this labneh is thicker than other restaurants which I really like actually. the photo I insert may be deceiving, as it looks chunky. rest assured, it's absolutely smooth, just a thicker consistency than most labnehs. the spices on it are so so good. I think this is a must get along with a hummus. me and my sister are vegetarian, we share a hummus and a labneh and are decently full after those. we also snack on some small plates for the table (fries and olives) and leave full. Israeli Pickles and Olives: comes with two ramekins filled with varying sized pickles, not pitted olives, and some tiny yellow peppers I *think* are either pepper-chinos or at the very least taste similar. they also come with a small ramekin for the olive pits. The yellow peppers are very spicy, but I loved them. the olives are green, and i'd consider them friendly olives for those who are particular around olives. pickles were great as expected. French Fries: easy order for the table. portion is large and I think $8 is a steal for the quantity and quality. comes with a yummy ketchup my sister loves (she is considered a ketchup hater). COCONUT MALABI: I did not know what to expect. and honestly, first bite I was a bit confused by the texture, but by the end, I really liked it. its a thick pudding consistency, smooth, has a decent bounce to it, not too sweet at all, subtle coconut flavor. has a strawberry (I think) jam situation on top with some sort of crunchy thing. will be getting that again for sure. we had three people split this and it was enough. would consider getting two for four people though. service was quick, efficient, and kind. love the atmosphere. it has a sort of lively fun vibe to it. also we were in and out pretty quick without being rushed at all which is nice. just efficient. Also, I haven't tried them yet but they have a good little mocktail menu for those who don't drink!

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Lamb Platter
    Lamb Platter
    Hummus Pilpel

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    Hummus Pilpel
    Marrakesh Restaurant

    Marrakesh Restaurant

    4.4
    (874 reviews)
    7.9 mi
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    Marrakesh is one of my absolute favorite places to eat in Philadelphia!!…read more I wish it existed in more cities. This is a multicourse journey through Marrakesh that cannot be repeated anywhere else except for maybe in the real Marrakesh. From the Bastilla pastry, which is DIVINE, to the salads, the chicken and kebabs... all the way to the baklava and tea.... there is no bad bite at Marrakesh. The owners are welcoming and super amenable and make you feel like you're coming home every single time you visit. It's in a odd location, and you may feel like you are making a questionable life decision as you walk up the alley to the door, but when you arrive, you realize that in fact, it was one of the best decisions you've made in years!! When you enter, it's like you've been transported to a beautiful room in Morocco. The music, the decor, even the authentic seating make for an unforgettable experience. And if you get really lucky, you also get to see the belly dancers who are top notch! There is not a single thing I can think of to say that Marrakesh needs to improve. It is a one of a kind experience that I feel everyone should have at least once in life!

    What an incredible experience and much better than our last visit almost 7-8 years ago. The last…read moretime we came, the AC was broken on a hot day in the summer and it completely turned me off despite having an amazing visit my first time. I'm so glad my friends wanted to come here to celebrate our Friendsgiving. The food was as good as I remembered , the service as ever warm and welcoming. Since I hadn't been for so long, I ate everything as was prepared - but I'm happy to hear it sounds like they have veg options on their tasting menu. I'm looking forward to trying that my next return. But I couldn't say no to their chicken after almost a decade I highly recommend checking out this business for a delicious family style cooked meal.

    Photos
    Adorable decor
    Adorable decor
    Marrakesh Restaurant
    Outside of Marrakesh. This is actually the kitchen so do not use this door to enter the restaurant!

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    Outside of Marrakesh. This is actually the kitchen so do not use this door to enter the restaurant!
    Isot Mediterranean Cuisine

    Isot Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.4
    (568 reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $$

    Came here for NYE dinner and left so impressed…read more We have been hearing about it from one of our friends daily for the past year but somehow didn't get around to it. But hey, NYE - what's a better way to celebrate what will be a wonderful new year than with a new restaurant that our friend recommended? We got so much food because we were famished. We started with the The only thing I wish was better was the table size. For the amount of food we got , the table was too small!!! But overall such a great restaurant and will come again. It is also intimate and cozy so good for a date night

    When we walked in at 6:30, a graduation party was going on in the back and the main dining room was…read moreempty. "Guess we didn't need a reservation," I said to my friend. Aha! Within minutes the place was packed. Isot is a popular BYOB, and for good reason. Their food is delicious. The five of us started with a mixed meze platter which had a sampling of spreads: eggplant, garlic/yogurt, hummus (chickpea), spicy tomato & pepper salad, Slavic potato salad and of course pita bread. My husband, daughter and I shared the mixed plate for two, which was plenty for the three of us. We ate beef kabobs, Chicken Adana (my favorite), chicken thighs, Turkish meatballs and lamb kabobs. Served with the most flavorful salad, sautéed vegetables and rice, the mixed plate is a great option if you haven't zeroed in on something specific. No corkage fee, helpful and pleasant staff, casual unhurried vibe .... I love this place!

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    Isot Mediterranean Cuisine
    Isot Mediterranean Cuisine
    Isot Mediterranean Cuisine

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    Zahav

    Zahav

    4.5
    (3.6k reviews)
    7.7 mi
    $$$$

    Some restaurants capture a culinary movement, while Zahav helped propel one. Middle Eastern food…read morenow occupies a far more prominent place in global dining culture, but Zahav was well ahead of that expansion, especially in the United States. Alongside internationally influential figures such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Eyal Shani, Michael Solomonov helped introduce a wider audience to the depth, variety, and sophistication of modern Israeli cuisine. Philadelphia is incredibly fortunate that he and his longtime partner, Steve Cook, built their defining restaurant here. My wife and I visited for an early dinner around 5:00 p.m. and chose the prix fixe menu, which remains one of the most memorable meals I have had in Philadelphia. The mezze was exceptionally fresh, the hummus completely lived up to its reputation, and the pita with za'atar was delectable. I also remember the rice (tahdig), chicken, and famous pomegranate lamb shoulder being delicious, while a cold Goldstar beer was a simple but perfect touch. Looking back at the food photographs still makes me hungry. Zahav creates a genuine sense of arrival before the first plate reaches the table. The elevated entrance sits above the surrounding shrubs and landscaping, making the restaurant feel pleasantly removed from the street, and we entered along the side beside the patio. Inside, the stone surfaces, stained glass, and warm finishes evoke Jerusalem's Old City without crossing into theatrical territory, while transparent windows along the kitchen reveal the work taking place behind them. Because we arrived while it was still light outside, natural light filled the restaurant; photos taken by other diners suggest that the fixtures create an entirely different glow after dark against the Jerusalem-inspired stone palette. As we entered, Solomonov was standing beside the pita oven to the left, and we were honestly a bit starstruck. We occasionally see him around Philadelphia, but watching someone with his global reputation doing such basic, physical work alongside the staff was especially meaningful. He struck me as a servant leader who remains close to the craft and the people responsible for delivering the experience each night. The fantastic service throughout dinner reflected that same combination of confidence, warmth, and attention. Solomonov's culinary talent is matched by a rare instinct for marketing, brand building, and community presence. His social media, cookbooks, retail products, and appearances in Netflix and YouTube food programming have extended his influence well beyond the restaurant, and he is as cool and charismatic as he is gifted in the culinary arts. A subtler strength across CookNSolo is the group's command of operations and technology, from its reservation systems and point-of-sale experience to the digital integration that guests may barely notice. Solomonov and Cook have created distinct concepts that operate with discipline without losing their individual character, and that balance between imagination and execution may be the most impressive part of what they have built. That judgment also extends to where CookNSolo chooses to open. The arrival of one of its restaurants can serve as an early vote of confidence in a neighborhood or development, attracting attention and signaling the cultural momentum that often precedes broader investment and excitement. Laser Wolf's presence in Philadelphia and at The Hoxton in Williamsburg embodies that philosophy, and I am eager to visit both locations, as well as Jaffa Bar in Philadelphia and Aviv in Miami. Zahav deserves to remain the focus here, while the broader quality of the CookNSolo ecosystem will unfold through the many other reviews I still need to write, including Goldie, K'Far, Dizengoff, Federal Donuts, Merkaz, and others. !

    Debatably the most hyped up restaurant in Philly, but it's that way for a reason. Zahav is great -…read moreportions are very generous, the service is always excellent, and all of the food is delicious. It's my mom's favorite restaurant in Philly by a long shot, and maybe even her favorite restaurant in the world. The first time I came, you had to pick one main for the table. We were split between a fish dish and grape leaves and ultimately decided on the fish, but our waitress brought a small portion of the grape leaves for us anyways. They always do something special like that, and it's an amazing touch that makes the experience so special! I like that they've changed it so each person picks a main, as it gives you the opportunity to try more things. Their signature lamb shoulder is great (and I have hated every other lamb I've had), and the fish dishes are always excellent. The best thing imo, though, is the crispy Persian rice! Philly has a lot of amazing food, but Zahav is up there for a reason. If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation it's worth the splurge. Clear space in your fridge for lots of leftovers before you get home!

    Photos
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Crispy Persian rice
    Crispy Persian rice
    Lemonana Classic: Jim Beam Black, Mint, Lemon, Verbena

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    Lemonana Classic: Jim Beam Black, Mint, Lemon, Verbena
    Almyra

    Almyra

    4.3
    (210 reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$$$

    stunning restaurant with an amazing happy hour, i was pleasantly surprised that almyra lives up to…read moreits hype! my friend and i dropped by on a whim for happy hour on wednesday, and we were blown away. i've always heard a lot about almyra, but have never came by despite living in the area. definitely regret not checking it out sooner because the happy hour was fantastic! for drinks, my friend and i both got mocktails which were off the menu. for food, we got the choices of five spreads, the crispy rice, and the filet and chicken kofta skewers. skip the skewers, they were overly salty and not worth the $8. the spreads, however, were incredible and i love that it came with both pita and also vegetables! yum! we also absolutely loved the crispy rice. so worth for $8, we got two orders and debated getting a third. i think it's such a good deal to get 4 pieces of tuna crispy rice for $8, some restaurants charge that price for a single piece. the crispy rice was crispy (yay) and generously loaded with tuna. i also liked the unique flavor profile that the olives added. service was great, food came out fast and our sever was very attentive! this is a beautiful restaurant with plenty of seating and fancy decor, definitely appropriate for a nice dinner. can't wait to come back!

    finally went to try almyra after seeing so many people come for their birthdays! the interior is…read morespacious with dim lighting, great for a yap sesh or first date. i went to hh with my friend and we ordered the spread of 5, crispy tuna rice, and 2 skewers, one chicken kofta and filet. we also ordered drinks, a virgin mojito and a lemonade. i enjoyed my drink as it was quite refreshing + my friend enjoyed hers too! nonalc drinks are not explicitly listed on the menu but our waiter did inform us there were nonalc options which was nice :) The spreads were so delicious, my favorites were definitely the beet and the eggplant, it came with fresh veggies, pita, and rice crackers. So flavorful and surprisingly filling! As for the crispy rice, omg we loved them so much we ordered a second. it was fresh, nice and crunchy. the addition of the olives paired perfectly with the tuna, it was not mushy like some places in the city. i may have found one of my favorite places for crispy rice! the price is also unbelievable, $8 for 4 pieces. amazing. the chicken kofta skewers and the filet skewers were fine, a bit on the saltier end and let it be known that the filet skewer comes with a spicy sauce over it. I would say skip the skewers but everything else was fantastic! would totally recommend and come again especially for that crispy rice!!

    Photos
    Bar design fun
    Bar design fun
    ALMYRA CHIPS
    ALMYRA CHIPS
    Design details

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    Design details

    Malelani Cafe - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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