Note- Menu has changed a bit since I was there, with the prices having been updated (especially the…read moretagine,) with there also being some new dishes on the menu. Recommendations- Bastilla/Pastilla, Tagines, Zaalouk. Grilled platters are alright. On a side note, some dishes, similar to other Moroccan places, such as couscous, are only available on weekends. As per many of my recent reviews, I was at this Moroccan spot a good while ago, with our host having heard about it prior to the place being featured in the NYT Top 100 as well as on TasteBuds, a highly recommended Instagram/TikTok account. The woman who helped us, whom I believe was one of the owners, was very friendly, and the place inside was casual and decently busy, especially for how far away it is from the subway. The food was overall very tasty, with a particularly good bastilla/pastilla, among everything else, and I can see why this restaurant has gotten so much publicity. My preference of the two appetizers was the $7.99 Zaalouk, or eggplant cooked in tomato sauce and marinated with charmoula. The dish reminded me a bit of Egyptian-style moussaka due to the mix, though less tomato-focused and more about the sweet eggplant. The chermoula was very light, with a hint of sourness and spice. Overall, this was delicious, especially with the bread. The other appetizer was the Moroccan Carrot for $6, which was a mix of sliced carrots with a spicy chermoula. Of everything we ordered, this was the least favorite dish of the night, as the cold carrots lacked much flavor, as there was a lack of chermoula flavor, just like with the eggplant. Best of the dishes was the $12.99 Chicken Bastilla, or Pastilla, listed as a traditional Moroccan pie stuffed with chicken strips, crushed almonds, and dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon. A lot of people might find this sweet and savory combination odd, but I have gotten used to it, and this was a very good version. The chicken was well-spiced, the pie was flaky, and it wasn't overly sweet. The previous place, which had the best version, was the long-closed La Shuk in Harlem, and this is better, though I do want to compare it to the other popular Moroccan spot in Astoria, Siham. Second favorite was the Lamb Tajine, or Tagine, With Prunes for $22, consisting of slow cooked meat with prunes, dried apricots, roasted almonds, and sesame, and served with rice. The lamb inside was very tender and fell off the bone. I liked the roasted almonds and sesame as the bit of nuttiness helped with the overall sweetness of the dish. We also liked this dish, and it paired particularly well with the rice. My preference from the grilled section was the $16.99 Merguez, listed as Moroccan merguez grilled over charcoal, and served with rice. The dish came with many pieces of sausage, which had a slight spicy kick and a bit of a snap. For the same price, there was also the Grilled Lamb, or tender lamb with a choice of rice or fries. The lamb was pretty flavorful, but some pieces were a bit overcooked. It was good, though, but not as notable. The fries on the side were a mixed bag, with some being crispy and some a bit soft, so between the two, I would recommend the rice more. While I didn't love the grilled platters, the rest of the dishes were delicious. Combine that with the friendly service, and we had a very good time. I wouldn't mind going back and trying again, though this might also be because I want to have more of their bastilla.

Dar Lbahja was phenomenal from start to finish. We tried the lamb tagine, beef tajia, beef tagine…read morewith vegetables, and the chicken tagine, and every single dish delivered. The portions were generous, the meat was consistently tender, and everything was packed with rich, comforting flavor. This is the kind of food that really sticks with you. Even though we ordered to-go, the experience stood out. The staff treated us incredibly well during the wait and even offered complimentary Moroccan mint tea and bread. For a brief moment, it genuinely felt like a glimpse into Moroccan hospitality. I do not rave about places often, but this is absolutely one I would recommend to others without hesitation.

Great food and great service. We love middle eastern food and they specialize in a variety of…read moredishes. The sandwiches are flavorful and the entrees are delicious. We ordered the Moroccan meatballs, stuffed peppers and 2 sandwiches.

Mama's Kitchen is the best restaurant I have ever been to. Everything was fresh, delicious, hot and…read morebursting with flavor. It really felt homemade; I know why it's called Mama's Kitchen. The ambiance is really beautiful as well and matches the Moroccan-Israeli theme. I cannot wait to come back. The staff ar all very friendly. Not sure why they aren't packed!

Fantastic meal. Great and friendly service. If you're going to eat here you should definitely dine…read morein at the restaurant - the food was delicious.

Cute little restaurant in Great Neck. We had an aberrant experience- the restaurant was totally…read moreoverwhelmed for Mother's Day. The kitchen was really backed up, they served us at different times and then mixed up part of our order. It took them a while, but they did the right thing by giving us some spreads and comping us for the screwed up entree. Having said that, the staff were lovely and the food was amazing. The dips were great. The entrees were awesome. I had possibly the best shawarma ever. The shakshuka and falafel were excellent. If not for the miscues, this is a five star restaurant. Would happily give them another chance.

Most of the meats were quite dry, especially the sausages that I was looking forward to try. The…read morebeef chunks were delicious though. The cooked vege and potatoes were pretty cold when served with not much flavors, I wonder why they didn't heat them up in the back like how they heated up the lamb shank. FYI, they have a total of one 2 persons table and three high chairs for the side countertop.

Chicken couscous that they have on Fridays was fabulous, along with the mint tea and falafel…read more Everyone was very kind.

Food SMACKED A boy,…read morenot even our waiter, was extremely chill and gave us extra food Our waitress gave us stellar service and recommended us the best dishes to order after hearing how we ended up here. Lamb tagine was amazing. The complimentary bread made me nut Can't recommend this place enough. Had no idea Moroccan food went this hard!!

Their new location is beautiful - lots of seating! The service was friendly and attentive. The FOOD…read more- chefs kiss! I traveled here from Westchester based on reviews. I hadn't been able to find a Pastilla to match the deliciousness of the ones I savored in Morocco - until now! We had the Pastilla with chicken, lamb shank with apricots and prunes as well as chicken Tangine! All were amazing and cooked to perfection.

One of the best restaurants I've enjoyed! Great ambiance and service - the staff is great while the…read morefood is authentically delicious! Drinks were great but could need more of a kick, but nonetheless 5-star experience to which I look forward to coming would definitely come again!

We took a drive to check out their French lunch buffet. It's not an offering I have heard about…read moreever, so I was really excited to see and eat! We found a charming and lovely restaurant with delightful French cooking. The deal really can't be beat. The small buffet area was ample both with options and flavor! She asked if we wanted a salad and choice of soups that they had for the day. They were brought out from the kitchen with a basket of rolls. We chose the creme of leeks soup. So warm and comforting! On the buffet: Turkey meatballs Chicken Dijon sauce Mussels & Clams Garlic sauce Also some sliced and cubed cheese were out on the buffet. For dessert they had small portions of bread pudding to help yourself to. We ate until we could eat no more! Marie was very kind and attentive. We were not rushed at all. We had a relaxing and pleasant lunch date. Honestly, if they were closer than us, I'd be there all the time. Maybe for dinner the next time! Lunch buffet is available Tuesdays-Saturday 11:00 am-2:30 pm

I had a really good time dining in at La Baraka. I always passed by the store but never really got…read morethe chance to go in. I'd been reading the reviews, following the restaurants social. I ordered UberEats from them before and was blown away by the tremendous offerings and generous portions. I decided to dine in and it was even better! The restaurant is located on the busy Northern Blvd between Morgan and Glenwood. The inside has a 19th century French ambiance, decorated with French posters, carpeted floors and a cozy warm dining area. Don't worry about the never ending traffic noise, commotion , and construction coming from outside. The calm and peaceful ambiance along with the music playing in the restaurant canceled out all the exterior noise. I opted in for their lunch buffet, which offered a ton of food for an amazing $18.95 deal which you can hardly find in this day and age. The restaurant gave a nice basket of warm bread with a generous amount of butter in a ramekin followed by a really good Tunisian salad with a little bit of everything. (fresh greens, cooked carrots, chickpea salad, diced cucumbers peppers and their take on the Ratatouille-- really good) I was given the option of getting their daily soup or the French Onion Soup with an up charge. I took the French option soup without any hesitation. Last time I had a good French onion soup was back when I attended college in upstate. Glad I got to try the one from here. The onion soup has an abundance of flavor with a generous amount of melted cheese and onions. The buffet selections were at the table. It came with two entrees (a chicken and a beef) cooked vegetables, mussels, mixed rice, cheese selection and slices bread cake. The entrees vary each day so be sure to call in and check. The chicken was moist, and juicy, served with a mushroom gravy. Similar to a Chicken Marsala dish. The stewed beef with mushrooms was nice and soft. The veggies included carrots and onions. The mussels were cooked to perfection, simmered in a nice buttery sauce. The meal also includes a cup of coffee or tea. What a great way to finish the meal. Marie was super nice and friendly. She gave me some insights on the food and the different menus they have on different days. A great establishment going strong for 47 years! Thank you Marie for everything. I will definitely be returning with my family.

MY FAVORITE!! My friend and I went here for dinner and holy moly, I don't think I've ever loved a…read morerestaurant more. This is officially my new go to spot and I'm going to be telling everyone about it. I got there right at our reservation time, but the uptown trains had completely stopped and my friend had to walk all the way from Canal St to the East Village. It took her about 30 minutes to get there (), but the staff were so kind about it. They never made me feel uncomfortable or pressured to order while I waited, which I really appreciated. I did end up ordering a couple things so there would be food on the table when she arrived. We got the za'atar fries and the falafel with tahini and pita. Delishhhh For our mains, my friend got the chicken kebab which looked fantastic, and I got the veggie couscous bowl. It was unbelievable. It tasted exactly like the couscous my mom and safta made when I was growing up, even down to the broth being served with it. Eating it honestly made me feel like I was six years old again. This was one of my favorite meals as a kid and I haven't had it like that in so long, so I was so happy to find a place that does it this well. The vegetables were perfect with zucchini, butternut squash, cauliflower, and chickpeas, and I loved the addition of raisins and onions. Everything was also really reasonably priced for what you get. The energy in the restaurant was great and I loved that they have hooks for coats so you're not crammed at the table with jackets and bags. Overall just such a fantastic experience. This is easily my new favorite restaurant in the city and I cannot wait to come back.

We were seated and then waited for very very long to order - not good…read more Once we ordered, the food came very fast - very good. Food was delicious - very good. High prices given the portion size, location, table size and furniture - not good.

ehhhh not that good not that good not that good not that good not good not so good not good not…read moregood not good

I absolutely loved this café! I was visiting town and discovered it because it was conveniently…read morelocated near my hotel, and I'm so glad I stopped in. The space is intimate and inviting, with warm décor that makes you want to linger. There are both indoor and outdoor seating options, plus a charming open-air courtyard in the back that adds to the atmosphere. We enjoyed a few cocktails, some delicious food, and dessert, and everything was wonderful. It was the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring. If I'm ever back in town, I'll definitely be returning. A lovely little gem that I'd happily recommend!

Be sure to call ahead and bring cash! This place can be a bit easy to miss since the signage blends…read morein with the front of the store, but the food here is a highlight of Little Egypt in Astoria! This is a unique restaurant where the owner verbally tells you the menu and then asks you what you want. The food is made (or microwaved) to order and comes in generous portions (don't ask how big a portion is, he has no answer for you). We got the Hummus, Cauliflower, and Koshary between 2 people, which gave us enough for leftovers the next day. While there is no air conditioning, the food is good enough to sit and sweat through eating. Would highly recommend if you're looking for that "hole-in-the-wall" experience.

We had a wonderful meal at this small and quirky restaurant in Little Egypt. The decor, all the…read morework of the owner and chef, is wonderful. So much eye candy! The owner tells you what is available, and you choose, and then he cooks and serves you. The process is not quick, but we were a family group of five and enjoyed examining the dense decorations of our surroundings while we waited for the delicious food. Our meal included an outstanding beet salad, cauliflower in pomegranate sauce, foul (mashed fava beans with vegetables), lamb shank, lamb tagine, fish in a clay pot, and koshary (a mixture of chickpeas, macaroni, rice, and tomato). Everything was so good, and portions were generous so that there was a good deal left to take home. We would absolutely return and recommend.