Went there on a Sunday morning to try the shareable Royal Breakfast spread that we heard about but didn't actually see posted on their website. Seeing that it was priced at $56 steered my wife and I to try individual entrees for around $14-$15. If you're in the mood for breakfast, get a breakfast bowl *with potatoes*. Several dishes have them and the Mixed Breakfast Bowl added onions, peppers, mushrooms and your choice of egg. We went with scrambled, and everything was really good. Our other dish was the Eggs with Tomato-Hek U Bajan Bowl, eggs came over easy. This dish wasn't my favorite, although the complimentary naan helped to add some flavor and texture to this dish. In hindsight, I think I would have preferred the Eggs and Veggie - Mexlama Bowl that had cheese and less tomato. The meal came with complimentary tea which was appreciated. On the way out, I grabbed a large slice of their Biscoff Cheesecake. I liked the accents of Biscoff, and the graham cracker crust held up well as the prominent flavor. Conversely, the cheesecake portion didn't pack the punch I was hoping for. I suspect that the lunch and dinner offerings for which Silav are more commonly known would provide a more consistent experience. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Bread-Naan 1 count - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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After hunting for Mediterranean in Columbus for lunch, we discovered Silav, offering its particularly welcoming Turkish take on delicious food and drink among the hustle and bustle of downtown. A meal for two (two sandwiches with baklava and Turkish coffee on the side) ran us just shy of $50, but with friendly service, a tasteful, comfortable ambiance, hot tea offered alongside water with our meals, and a wonderful range of edible options available, we count that as a win. My chicken shawarma sandwich came wrapped in warm naan, the pickles, chicken, French fries, and garlicky sauce pairing well with a ramekin of cool jajik on the side. My wife's falafel naan sandwich was crammed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickles, and fries, all topped with tahini sauce, along with fresh falafel. The Turkish coffee was nicely presented on a metal tray with sugar cubes and two small cups, and drinking this proved to be a delight. I sincerely hope that we're able to visit Silav again soon! read more

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Been wanting to try this place for a while after reading the 5 star reviews. But clearly I had a different experience then 5 stars. The restaurant was pretty empty when we went in. There was only one customer and us. The place was very disorganized, with tables and chairs all over the place. There was a guy at the register, seems like Owner/manager, and he had an attitude like he didn't care if we wanted to eat there or not. Looked at us when we arrived and went back to his phone, no "Hello" or "Welcome" or anything. We were about to leave when a woman came from the back and asked us to have a seat. She gave s us the menu and gave us recommendation on what to get since it was our first time. We ordered Traditional Breakfast, the Chicken Shawarma Platter, the Loaded Fries with Chicken. We waited about 20 minutes for the food to arrive. The food came out and some of the food item was not given to us. We also didn't have any silverware. We had to flag the server down many times to get what we needed to eat, like silverware. I really wanted to like this place, but the lack of customer service or non-existence service was very disappointing. As per the food, simply put, it was just average. With so many places to eat, this place will not be a repeat for us! read more

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So glad we tried Silav cafe, which is a Kurdish restaurant. It was not busy on a Saturday afternoon, which was suprising given the quality of food served. I started with the pomegranate drink that was ordered at the counter. It tasted as if I was biting into a pomegranate itself, very refreshing. I wish I had asked for no ice, lots of ice in the drink and water glasses. I ordered the gyro platter and asked what kind of meat it was. It was a mixture of lamb and beef, even though the menu highlighted beef. The portion sizes are huge and very fulfilling. The platter came with rice, freshmade naan, and salad. The naan was exceptional, very pillowy soft and warm. Tasted great with the flavorful gyro meat and dipped into the side sauce. The feta fries were also delicious and one order will go a long way! My husband got the chicken tikka platter. It was cubed chicken and I must say the flavor was spot on! Really good, very tender meat. It came with the the same sides as the gyro platter. We also tried the beef kubba that my cousin ordered, which was nicely fried, but I thought the minced beef could use a bit more spice. The jajik was really simple, but very good as well. The downside was that there were only two workers. The food took a while to come out and we cleared the table ourselves to make space for the complimentary tea. The tea was a great ending to a great meal. It had the perfect hint of cardamon and I always love adding a sugar cube, although it was equally good without. I saw that they have a breakfast service as well and everything sounded delicious, so will definitely go back. read more

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Heard we had a Kurdish restaurant, and don't think I've ever had Kurdish food, so came right down. I saw their menu online and knew there were many things I'd like- and a few Baby K would eat; she's less adventurous than me. You really don't need to be too adventurous: Kurdish cuisine is a sort of blend of Mediterranean with a bit of Indian. There are gyros, kebabs, chicken tikka, naan, stuffed grape leaves, and more. Some of the more Kurd-specific dishes are Kurdi kebabs (ground meat with special seasonings,) jajik (a yogurt and cucumber sauce a lot like tzatziki,) and kubba (filled dumplingy things, kinda like kibbeh.) All seasoned but not spicy, all fresh and tasty. K went with feta fries. I knew she loved both; it usually comes with herbs and a sauce, but I wasn't sure how those would go over with a kid's palate, so I asked to leave them off. She loved them. She also liked the jajik, essentially a dip with yogurt, tiny cucumber bits, and dill. Served with naan. I was overwhelmed by the menu and trying to find stuff she would eat, and almost at random picked the gyro platter for myself. Perfectly-cooked gyro meat, great jasmine rice, a nice green salad, and extra naan to put it all on if you want to make a sort of gyro. Very very good. Next time I'll try the kurdi kebab probably. We got baklava to go, huge pieces of a great pistachio version. And when we were done with our meal they served tiny cups of tea. Fancy, and good. Service was great. Several people checked on us, not intrusively but enough to keep up with our needs. Prices are maybe a little high, but appropriate for the quantity and quality- and the downtown rent. We had plenty of leftovers. The place is casual, but classy inside. There is a small patio outside. Plenty of drinks in a cooler, including some unusual imports, and a tempting dessert case. Oh, and a breakfast menu, not sure if it's served all day but it doesn't say morning only, with omelets, egg sandwiches, bagels, and more. A good option if you're working downtown. And the breakfast bombs- rolls filled with cream cheese and topped with honey (and optional cinnamon sugar.) I'll be back. I think K would come back too, for the bombs and baklava and fries. read more

I went to Silav Cafe with high expectations, and our visit started off well enough. As with most places downtown , parking is metered, but easy to find on a quiet Saturday morning. The entrance to Silav was partially blocked by stacked chairs, and generally uninspiring. The inside was mostly minimalistic with a small corner set up with Kurdish rugs and pillows, and some wall decor. The rest of the restaurant could be mistaken for a cheap takeout Chinese restaurant. The lady at the front was very friendly and gave us s rundown of the menu. We ordered the Traditional Breakfast, the Chicken Shawarma Platter, the Loaded Fries with Chicken, and the Lavender Latte. Even though the place wasn't busy when we ordered, the food took a while to arrive. This is fine since it's a small mom and pop operation and most of the food is prepared fresh. The food itself was just ok, and generally lacked flavor. The latte too was underwhelming. The manager (perhaps also owner) stood around while the lady at the front did all the work. However, as soon as a large party of 10 arrived to dine in, he and the lady both got completely busy to cater to that table, and (mostly) ignored us and the other smaller tables while catering to the needs of the larger table. We had to flag them down several times for our naan, which arrived much later into our meal, and we never received the complimentary tea at the end of our meal. All in all, we received a subpar service for meh food. While I am all for supporting new local ethnically diverse businesses, I don't see myself making my way here when there are tons of better Middle Eastern/Mediterranean options in the Bethel-Clintonville area. read more

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The service was perfect. You can tell the owners are passionate about their culture & food. They were so helpful in answering questions. We had the Royal Breakfast. It easily stuffed two of us and we had left overs. It was a unique Kurdish breakfast experience with savory cheese, breads, and dip as well as traditional tea. We also tried the recommended house made Kurdish kebob. It was tasty but personally I prefer a bit more spice but I think next time with a side of hot sauce I would enjoy it more. All the food was very fresh. The location is downtown but parking was a breeze since we came on a Sunday. The inside is thoughtfully decorated & very clean. The overall experience and prices were good. read more

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This is actually a perfect spot for a restaurant, and Silav has done a great job: The space is skinny but long, plenty of room for tables and a cool counter top bar in the back. Lots of light, a cool nook up front with a couch; seems like a good place to get some work down if needed, too. Tried their Kubba starter: Three kubba, I picked two chicken, one beef - the meat mixed with flavorful spices surrounded with a thin layer of rice, then deep fried crispy. Delicious! Assembled fresh every morning, then deep fried to order, mine were great! I especially like that the rice layer was very thin, serving its purpose to hold the inner guts together. The chicken is legit fresh round chicken (no canned poultry), too. Their homemade kurfish gyro sauce was also great: A wonderful accompaniment, great subtle flavor that did not overpower but enhanced the kubbas. I saved my beef kubba for later, fingers crossed it's as good as the chicken. The gal that owns Silav, I didn't catch how to spell her name, was great. She seemed to be interacting with staff to get things rolling for the evening traffic and weekend anticipations; making sure stuff was getting done and to the quality she expected, kudos. The young gentleman running the front of house and register was pleasant. We talked about Kurdish food in general, and he offered me a glass of their Kurdish tea. Ooooo yum! More spiced and aromatic than Turkish tea, I could definitely smell and taste the notes of rose water and cardamom. While I love Turkish tea, this Kurdish tea has officially moved into the #1 spot for my tea time taste preferences! I'll DEFINITELY be back! Love that the menu isn't too long, there's several dishes, including a few breakfast dishes, I want to try. Very, very glad to now have a Kurdish restaurant in town! read more

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Amazing food!!!!! I saw them making the bread fresh!!!! Definitely a must try for breakfast

The top is what it is supposed to look like, the bottom is what it actually looked like. What's the green? Non existent. The cheese was only in the last 25% of the wrap. Overcooked eggs with no cheese, sauce, or greens, is SUPER dry. Rice was microwaved and watery. No saffron or herbs as pictured. Not even salt! I reached out to the restaurant before posting but they didn't respond. Was so good when it opened, how has it gone downhill so quickly?! read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Egg & Cheese on Naan - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I came in late at night and was stumbling upon this place from my hotel. Was recommended their Kurdi Kabob so that's what I got. All I can say, it was really delicious. Spiced well, not too fat or oily and had nice zesty seasoning on top. Veggies were charred good. The rice was average but still decent. It came with lentil soups which I honestly didn't like at all kinda had a weird taste to it so not sure if that's how they all come or just the one I had. However, the Kebob definitely made up for it. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Kurdi Kebab Skewer - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Cute space, friendly staff, but I was there for the breakfast sandwich on naan bread and it lived up to expectations.

Silav Cafe and Grill is a 10/10. The food was delicious, some of the best falafel we have ever had. The Silav potatoes are crispy but fluffy. Everything was well seasoned and flavorful! Service was also great. There was only one woman working and she was quick to take our order, cook, and get out our food. She also brought us a lovely cup of tea with our meal which we really appreciated. Overall, this place is soooo good and absolutely seems underrated. It was empty, so check this place out!! read more

The food is excellent; however, after my husband and I used the restroom we were told it was for employees only. I've never heard of a dine-in restaurant not providing a restroom for their customers. (Is that even legal?!?) As good as the food is, I doubt I'll be back. read more

Absolutely essential stop when in Columbus. Great food, fantastic service and all-around great. Don't miss. read more

This place was fantastic! Had lunch here while on jury duty and food was delicious! Would definitely come back. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Lentil soup, hummus and naan bread - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I've had a lot of shawarma before and this was different than what i've had before. There's fries in the wrap and the tahini sauce comes as a side rather than inside. I liked it, but it was a bit pricey(14) for 1 wrap cut in half. I enjoyed the complimentary tea, presentation is very nice read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Chicken Shawarma Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Food was amazing, fast and delicious. Best naan I have ever had, hands down. The place could use a little more decor and the music was putting everyone to sleep. But you go there to eat, so I give it 5 stars. Not fancy, but definitely tasty. read more

Best breakfast potatoes I've ever had. Everything was seasoned so well. Fast service!!! It was also huge --good for groups and kids.

Ohio's first Kurdish restaurant so said our server! Great place for something different. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Silav Potatoes -- simple and delicious! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Great food and service pick Adana kebap , Fast service and flavors Definitely would come back read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Delicious food and enthusiastic service. I came here before jury duty for breakfast and got their mixed breakfast bowl with a coffee. The potatoes were especially nice (salty and well seasoned) and the naan that came with it was a great addition to the meal. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Mixed Breakfast Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I would love to start out by saying this restaurant is one of my favorites to go to.The friendly staff, amazing food, and great tea to start with. Highly would recommend this restaurant! read more

What a hidden gem! Stayed at the Westin and due to the snow, the Westins restaurant was closed. Silav is right next door. Welcoming atmosphere. Breakfast was great! I ordered the traditional breakfast and the potatos were out of this world. No pork products on the menu but that's ok. Great options for breakfast sandwiches and pastries too. Will definitely be back. read more

Silav Cafe & Grill - Traditional breakfast - Middle Eastern Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I got the chicken tilkka for lunch, but the flavor was just okay and ended up with an upset stomach later. I know that will happen from time to time at any establishment. I was expecting more since it has so many great reviews. I lived in Dubai for 8 yrs. so I am definitely familiar with that style food. Service is friendly, restaurant is simple. read more

It's rare I give 5 stars to a Mediterranean restaurant, however, this place is on a different level! From the moment you walk in, you feel welcomed by the staff and the ambiance is very chic! The food, oh my goodness I can tell you how authentic it tasted, but you have to see for yourself. The service is top notch, on the way out I spoke with Jay and she was very welcoming not only to the restaurant, but this really cool gem of a city called Columbus. I look forward to visiting next year (again) and will definitely be coming back to Silas cafe & grill read more

Absolutely delicious food! The customer service is impeccable, they are so helpful and respectful.

The food was excellent. We enjoyed the royal breakfast. However, we were there for around 1.5 hrs and still didn't receive the entirety of our meal. The restaurant was very busy at that time and I would not recommend ordering the Royal breakfast during peak hours. The service was ok, but it isn't table service, so I understand. The floors were very sticky. Perhaps I'd try it again not during peak hours. read more

I thought the closest place to get a Kurdish breakfast was in Chicago. They recently opened their restaurant to bring Kurdish cuisine to CBus! I ordered their Kurdish Royal Breakfast and what an experience! They even had their homemade kaymak! read more

Amazing food. You can tell the effort it took to make each dish in each bite. There are so many ways to try everything. You will not be disappointed. read more

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This restaurant came highly recommended by my son-in-law who is an extreme food critic. It did not disappoint. The service was excellent and the food even better. It is a hidden gem in plain sight on south high street near Main Street. The dessert's are spectacular. I have put this on my list to come back often. I can't wait to try their breakfast menu, which they offer all day. read more

We enjoyed our food and time at Silav. Warm hosts and delicious food. We will return next time in Columbus. read more

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Everything was excellent. We especially loved the house hot tea and house salad dressing!

This is an amazing place to have lunch in downtown (and they have all day b-fast)! The inside is so nice and the people that work here are incredibly kind and warm. I work next door and the food is always fresh and honestly delicious. This is the kind of food I CANNOT make at home - between the different sauces and seasonings - I just think this place is a true gem. I LOVE the lentil soup and tried a special of chicken kabob sandwich and it was outstanding. They have large portions and again, the food is fresh, hot and really really tasty and different. The owner told me today he has chefs from all over the globe - so cool! I am so pleased they are located here!!! read more

My boyfriend and I went to Silav's last night after deciding to try something new. After reading a couple other reviews, I decided to order the gyro platter and was so happy I did! The meat had a nice crispiness to the outside and was perfectly flavorful. My naan was warm, fresh and delicious! I also loved the sauce that came with it. It was a large portion, but I was able to eat most of it just since it was so good! Afterwards we had the complimentary tea and I also really liked that. All in all a great dinner and now I'm intrigued by the offer of breakfast. read more

The food was truly delicious and high quality meat. Coming from a middle eastern family, I can personally attest to the authenticity of the food. The best restaurant in Columbus hands down. The nicest staff very professional. I also loved the vibe of the restaurant very comfortable and cozy and extremely clean. The location is excellent in downtown Columbus with available street parking. Have been there twice already in 1 week and will definitely be back many more times. read more

this is the best middle eastern food in all over ohio their kebab plate was amazing , definitely would go there again