What a delicious restaurant! We ended up here after a long day walking the city, and upon entering felt transported into another culture. It was welcoming and vibrant and homey all at the same time. The owner was there talking with customers, and after giving us time to look over the menu she came to us and asked us to place our order all together. We got grape leaves, baba Ghosh, Greek salad and tabouli to share. I also got hot tea which was dark and fragrant. The meal came quickly and melted in our mouths! I loved the vibrancy of the tabouli, and the texture of the grape leaves were amazing. We sat to enjoy the meal and would fur sure return again and again. It was delicious! If you are t familiar with Lebanese food this is an excellent place to try it as it is amazing! read more

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I got the Kafta wrap and HOLY MOLY, was it super duper tasty. It was super amazing. The beef was super tasty and had a wonderful amazing seasoning. The sauce was tasty, and the wrap was very tasty. The owners were very kind and super fast. The restaurant itself was super nice and the decor was really pretty. I'll definitely go back!! read more

Raya's Lebanese - Kofta Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Great atmosphere- quiet, literally lol. But the silence was soon filled with community chatter. The food was made fresh by the owner and she even came out to our tables to to greet and take orders Food was freshly made and welcoming environment read more

Raya's Lebanese - Chicken Kabob Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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On tour from chicago and this has been our lunch spot in Cincinnati : Today's experience was exactly what I could have hoped for. I came with a friend with a limited budget of $5. My friend and I decided to split the falafel wrap so we would spend $3.50 each. We asked if the fries cost extra and the owner (Sem, who took our order) said yes sorry. We ordered just the falafel and when our food came out, she gave us free fries as well. Both the sandwich and fries were phenomenal and Sem was so kind! Everyone else we came with (8 total) loved their food as well. A beautiful place. Would recommend! read more

Raya's Lebanese - i forgot to take pictures of the food but it was so good - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wonderful food. The restaurant was cozy and beautiful. People sat outside and Ms Raya made the food herself. It was a great feel. Although the prices did not match the online menu, it was still inexpensive. Staff is very friendly. Customers were friendly and seemed like regulars. Will definitely be back! read more

Food quality for the the price is unbeatable. Low key family atmosphere. The lentil soup and tabouli were excellent.

Food was great with a large selection. We enjoyed the decor and friendly staff. Wonderful mid-week lunch spot.

My wife and I visited this evening for dinner and I wish we lived here because we'd visit at least once a week. I really do mean this when I say this. This was the best shawarma wrap and gyro wrap that I have ever had. The chicken was perfectly seasoned on both my shawarma and my wife's chicken kebab. The lamb was to die for. Their hummus was so fresh and smooth and the pita was soft and tasty. They were so kind and welcoming, and the restaurant was beautiful. I'm not sure what this place looks like at lunch time but I'd have to believe they have a line out the door and down the sidewalk. If not, that's truly a crime. Ms. Raya - keep doing what you're doing. Your food is incredible and you deserve all of the good things in this world. read more

Lebanese home cooking! This little restaurant is cozy and very tasty. I stopped here for lunch and really enjoyed my meal. I had the lentil soup and Shawarma wrap. Service was good and friendly. Great place for a quick lunch. Check it out if you are in the Cincinnati downtown area. Enjoy and Buon Appetito! read more

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We were here at 4pm right before the Taylor Swift concert because we knew we needed to load up on food beforehand so we wouldn't miss a minute of the show. I said "YELP WE NEED SOMETHING QUICK AND DELICIOUS" which brought us to Raya's. When the employees are speaking Arabic in the kitchen you know you have stumbled upon the real deal. I'm a vegetarian, but the folks in my group who got Lamb said it was awesome. My falafel sandwich was pretty decent--and it was only $6. These people are severely undercharging! The fries I ordered were super hot, crispy, and salty. They were everything. Food came out quickly, and you can easily get your food to go (we saw lots of take out orders getting picked up). Note: It is not air conditioned in there, so if it is a hot day you are going to sweat something fierce. Second note: There is a slight step down if you are going to the bathroom. I definitely did not trip and stumble to the floor or anything like that ... :) It is also possibly the worlds smallest bathroom. read more

The decorations especially the torches on the walls are satisfactory , the service is decent but I think they could use a hand. The chicken kabob was and the fries felt good to chew. read more

Raya's Lebanese - Chicken kabob - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Quick, authentic, no frills spot downtown. No wait fora table at lunch time, lots of businessmen and door dash orders coming through. It took quite a while for our two meals to come out but they were very fresh and tasty. The decor is outdated and some dust clutter in the corners. Not sure if there's a bathroom. I learned that they do not have iced tea and do not take Amex, but other than that we had an ok experience. Would return for a pickup order. read more

Raya's Lebanese - Fish Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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My first experience here was a couple days ago. Craving a gyro and close to downtown, my Yelp search quickly landed on Raya's. I order a gyro and side of fries. The gyro meat was bursting with flavor and the fries has the best salt and pepper seasoning. The one critic was that the pita was a bit chewy/hard, I assume from being cooked and then wrapped quickly in parchment and foil. I didn't let that little down side effect my review because I still enjoyed every bite. Craving fulfilled! read more

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If I could give 6 stars I would! This is the most unsuspecting little gem you'll ever walk into. Absolutely no frills, in an eh part of town with eh dated decor and seating.. wait for it. Holy mother loads of the best damn Mediterranean food you'll ever have. I've been to middle eastern restaurants in Chicago, Detroit, Jersey, LA and everywhere in between. None of them had flavors like this place, best falafel I've had in the US period! Chicken and kofta kabob were the best I've had outside of the actual Middle East. If you're in town you have to try this place. House platter, falafel and hummus are must haves. read more

Had 2 of the platters- both were great. Went back the next day and had the same thing. Recommend read more

Raya's Lebanese - Bar area - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

$9 for a cheeseburger and French fries is a match made in heaven. Raya offers American and Lebanese food options. Located 8th & Elm near City Hall downtown Cincinnati. What a freaking treasure. read more

Hands down, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The owners are warm and welcoming and the food is delicious. I regularly order the Gyro Platter with Rice and Salad. When I get the craving, Raya's is my go-to spot. read more

Raya's Lebanese - Mixed Platter (I love spicy food, so added cayenne) - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

OMG, AUTHENTIC. I could just post this but I loved the owner's. Their smiles, humbleness and just plain kindness speaks volumes for why we must support this local business. Can not wait for my next visit. Thank you. Take a short walk and treat yourself to ice cream afterwards. read more

Grabbed a meal here with a vegetarian friend recently and was satisfied, if unimpressed, with the overall meal. Fast service, decent food, good prices, warm water, nothing spectacular. It's far from bad, and they are very friendly people, but it's not particularly great and I wouldn't make an effort to return any time soon. read more

Good ambiance, plenty of seating and prompt service. Food was great and had no complaints.

Great Lebanese food with quick service and a fun retro hybrid Middle East diner vibe. read more

Raya's Lebanese - Tabouli, grape leaves, and bread - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Hidden gem in downtown Cincinnati. Huge portions and not expensive at all. Very flavorful. I recommend eating in or ordering directly from them. Even their burgers and fish sandwich's are great. This is a must see. read more

Pretty good food. Nice change of pace for lunch. Ambiance and service was fair. Good price.

Good, atmosphere, and staff were all excellent! Truly a gem of a place. Amazing tabbouleh.

The place is great!! The food is good! Feels like you're at home! Definitely recommend! Don't miss out!!

Absolutely delicious cheap food, super loving and warm ambiance and service. Everything you could want in a local spot!

The Shwarma plate with rice was fantastic, service was fast even during busy rush hour from convention visitors. read more

Raya's Lebanese - Shwarma plate and falaffel - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I've been wanting to try this place out as I do love a good gyro and have been unsuccessful for the most part in finding one here in Cincinnati (I'm from Columbus and am partial to an eastside location because of their fresh pita enveloping finely sliced gyro meat with shredded lettuce and fresh tomato and tzatziki sauce amply distributed throughout the sandwich-sounds great right?!) So I saw the pictures here on Yelp as well as reading a few reviews and said to myself this might be work for me. I called in an order on a Thursday evening near closing time of 8pm. Ordered a gyro with fries and a fish sandwich. I open my gyro and take a bite. A piece of lamb fell out of my sandwich. Who wants kabob pieces in a gyro!?!?! NOT ME!!!!! The meat was NOT shaved, it was kabobbed!!!!!! So I had to control the rolling meat from the sandwich by biting strategically into the sandwich while pushing back what I wasn't ready for with my tongue. I would have also liked more sauce and lettuce. Not a good experience. The fries were perfectly crispy and crinkled, though! I'm used to some spices on them whenever I go to any Mediterranean restaurant, however. There was a little tiny bit. A little tiny bit of spice. My friend said the fish sandwich was very good, and he doesn't usually comment on food as his idea of it is for sustenance, not indulgence, but he really appreciates a good piece of fish, nonetheless! I heard him crunching on the sandwich as he shamed the orange logo'd fast food chain on ending their flounder sandwich promo. They have specials regularly and had I known I probably would have ordered the half rotisserie chicken with rice and salad for $9.99. read more

Absolutely delicious food. Warm and welcoming atmosphere and service! I would recommend this to friends and come back.

Was excited to try this place. We called and placed an order for take out and specifically asked for two wraps without mayo/tzatziki. We were told they were busy and hung up on us before we were finished ordering. When we got there we had to reiterate the order and they still got it wrong. The no mayo/tzatziki is just a preference but would've been really bad if I was allergic. read more

I almost never visit the area where Raya's is at, but one of my favorite lunch places closed so still on the search for a new lunch destination. Decided to try Raya's because the craving for a shawarma called. The place is cute and not too small. The owners are so welcoming, and nice, and also seem to be the cooks which looks and sounds stressful. I did get the shawarma wrap and fries and the bread of the wrap was so fluffy and thicker than most, but so fulfilling. Chicken was well cooked. The fries were absolutely amazing! Not sure if I would make this my go-to place, but the food was good, the service amicable, and the prices pretty great for this area. read more

1. Poor communication. 2. I liked the soup but not acceptable to go box. 2. Chicken tasted okey, however the rice was very old maybe 2 or 4 days. I expect way more from a Lebanese restaurant. It was disrespectful. Please work on your progress. I'll be there again in 10 days and see how it will be. Thank you read more

Raya's Lebanese - This is chicken kebab. Absolutely not fresh rice. - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Found this gem in downtown Cincinnati during a short trip, and ended up coming here for all 3 meals I had during my visit. Tasty food, generous portions and very reasonable prices; it's a no-fuss place but has decent enough seating. The lamb gyros in particular were excellent. Highly recommend! read more

Customer service okay. Was craving chicken shawarma & looked on yelp & this place popped up. Honestly not very good to me at all & they didn't even have the red sauce. Glad to see others enjoy it, but i wouldn't go out of my way for it again read more

Yum yum yum!!! Found this local gem on a work trip from out of town. Got the chicken kabob with no pita bread and both salad options. Really appreciate their flexibility as I love veggies more than the admittedly delicious standard pita bread. The hummus was smooth and delicious and the chicken was moist and well seasoned. Service was friendly and food came out hot and fast. I love this place, I will definitely drop in again when I come to town! read more

Raya's Lebanese - Chicken kebob with both salads - YUMMY! - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

A little boy outside this establishment said the food was really good so I had to trust him and I'm so glad I did! The lamb was, no lie, maybe the best lamb I've ever had. So perfectly seasoned, cooked, and juicy, I wanted seconds. The grape leaves were warm and fresh and perfectly savory. Such a welcoming, cozy, local vibe to this restaurant and the people who work there. Go early while there's still baklava. Can't wait to return to try more! read more

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The lady who took our order was extremely rude and billed us for the wrong food. The food tasted extremely dry and just thrown together. Was excited to get the gyro platter and it tasted awful. Genuinely one of the worst experiences I've had recently read more

We enjoyed the hummus and falafels. The chicken shawarmas were good but a little dry. They could use more garlic sauce. Here is the rub: they overcharged for several items. For example the menu says fries are $2 with meal and $3 without but they charged $2.49. Appetizers also were charged over menu price. Instead of arguing over prices, I just took the difference out of the tip. It appeared to be the owners waiting tables anyhow. But because of this, I will never go back. read more

Soooo good! As good as any gyros we have had in Indy or Chicago. The restaurant was very clean and the food came quickly and was fresh made even though one lady was staffing by herself. She was pleasant! Only complaint is it's too inexpensive. Our meals came out on real dish wear. I hope they're still around next time we come through Cincy! My wife's Greek salad and our hummus was on point! read more

Extremely clean inside. Quick, attentive, and diligent service. Excellent healthy, halal food. 11 out of 10.