As someone who spent years in the San Francisco Bay Area, I really missed having reliable Mediterranean and Greek options when I moved to Charlotte. One of my favorite spots back then was Nick the Greek--the bowls were simple, flavorful, and consistently satisfying. So naturally, I went on a little search mission here to find something that could scratch that same itch. That's how I landed at Yaffo Kitchen. Close, but no cigar--but still very good. I visit both the Dilworth location off East Boulevard and the Plaza Midwood spot fairly often, and they've become dependable places when I'm craving Mediterranean flavors. The atmosphere is casual, bright, and welcoming. I especially appreciate the option to sit inside when it's blazing hot outside, and when the weather is nice, their covered patio with umbrellas is a great place to linger over a meal. Now let's talk about the schnitzel--because that's the star for me. I know schnitzel isn't the first thing people expect at a Mediterranean-style restaurant, but they do it right. It's made to order, thin, crispy, and coated in panko, served with a fresh slice of lemon that brings everything together. I usually pair it with a side salad, but if the mac and cheese is piping hot that day, that's my backup plan. Another thing I really enjoy is their drink selection. They carry Tractor beverages--non-carbonated organic teas made with cane sugar and no high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives. There are several flavors to choose from, and they're refreshing without being overly sweet. It's a small detail, but one I genuinely appreciate. I've also had the roasted chicken, which was surprisingly excellent--juicy, well-seasoned, and satisfying without being heavy. And the pita? Warm, soft, and dangerously easy to keep eating. One lesson I've learned the hard way: edit yourself when building a bowl. The first few times I went, I got excited and piled on too many toppings, and everything blended into one big, goopy situation where you couldn't really taste anything distinctly. It's like wearing all your favorite accessories at once--individually they're beautiful, but together they compete with each other. Less really is more here, and once you find the right balance, the flavors shine. Prices are reasonable for the quality, service is quick, and the restaurants are consistently clean and well-run. I believe they offer beer and wine as well, though I usually stick to the teas. While I'm still on the hunt for that exact bowl I used to love back in California--simple, balanced, and unforgettable--Yaffo Kitchen has definitely earned a regular spot in my rotation. Check it out, experiment with the menu, find your palate's favorites, and remember: life is too short not to eat well. read more

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Quality of food is superb given their business model of pick as you go down the line. I saw their chickens are roasting live so that speaks for the quality. Staff is kind, they are busy but will treat well, ambiance is clean and nothing cray, the food is what surprised me the most, they did well for Mediterranean cuisine. They got Kombucha too. read more

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I came to Yafo for the first time this week & it was amazing! The employee was so helpful & walked me through all the options! Very tasty & healthy! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Oof I can't believe I forgot to write a review about this place!! Can we please work on getting this chain to NYC!? Because oh boy was this a treat! Think CAVA and GRK but even better-yes it's that good! It follows similar pick and choose style with a different variety of options. The portions are huge but I couldn't help feeling as if I ate healthy - believe me it'll leave you wanting more. I wish I would've taken pictures of my dish but I was that invested that consuming it was all I was worried about. Do yourself a favor and make this a must when in NC. Thanks Nan for putting a girl on! read more

Perfection. Just about every time. This is what I want in a restaurant these days when service is often so hit and miss. The portion is great for the cost along with the flavor. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Make Build Your Own Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The absolute best place on earth I'm not even kidding. The cabbage salad is the best thing I've ever eaten

Upon leaving the hospital we happened upon YAFO. I'm so glad we did. I only wish they were closer to my house! We were greeted by the friendly cashier as we entered. We got a bowl to-go. They made it easy. They gave recommendations. I was amazed that I was able to get 8 toppings on my bowl. The place was clean. They have a 97.5 sanitation grade posted. The place looks clean, smells good? And it's well lit. The food was really good. The ingredients were fresh. The amount of food in that bowl was insane. I had lunch the next day from the leftovers. I want to go back! read more

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This is like CAVA but better. I LOVE how you can add grape leaves to your bowl and there's a ridiculous amount of toppings to choose from service is fast and is easy to eat quick there or take to go. read more

This food was really tasty! Think cava but different topping options. There were so many good options for my main topping I had such a hard time deciding what to get. There were also so many sauce options so my bowl was not dry and full of flavor. The staff was helpful and even offered samples of toppings to ensure I would like it on my bowl. The only thing not giving this place 5 stars is the inside. It is definitely due for some renovations and updating in my opinion. It kind of reminded me of a Panera on the inside. read more

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This is a chain Mediterranean quick bite place. You can get some healthier food and a pita or a bowl that doesn't take long to make the staff are nice. The place is clean. There's plenty of parking in the shaded parking lot with Harris Teeter. The prices are a little bit steeper, especially if you start adding on items. Hope you enjoy.. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We recently discovered Yafo Kitchen and have fallen in LOVE. This is elevated cuisine that takes a Cava or Chipotle a farrrr step forward. The food tastes pretty healthy and just flavorful. In the couple times I've gone, I've had bowls, kebabs, mac and cheese and more! There hasn't been a thing that I've gotten that I haven't absolutely loved. The service is great, they are patient with a newcomer and gave me plenty of recommendations that I took and didn't regret. We've gone with friends and enjoyed dining in and the atmosphere that they have in their spot. Would definitely recommend if you like Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food, to give YAFO a try! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yafo could be described as the local Charlotte version of Cavu. That would be underselling it to be sure, but both are fast casual Mediterranean restaurants that allow you to build your own bowls or pitas. Yafo definitely has some menu items that make it unique however like their Israeli hot chicken sandwich, or my personal favorite their Greek yogurt Mac and cheese. They have a couple of locations around the Charlotte area, my personal favorite being this location in Dilworth here. They also belong the FS Food Group owned by chef Frank Scibelli who has an excellent track record, so you know they are going to be bringing fresh ingredients and quality food. The one complaint I do have is that a couple times my girlfriend and I have ordered door dash delivery and found that menu items have been excluded, or instructions to remove certain ingredients ignored. This can be frustrating. Overall I really enjoy this restaurant concept though and find it to be a very good lunch option near my office. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

In the span of one week, I've been here 3 times. That's tells you something. It's fresh, fast, and healthy. I get the chicken shawarma bowl with quinoa and falafel on the side with the spicy sauce. Best fast food Mediterranean place I've found in Charlotte! read more

Food was did not taste authentic at all. If you want something more authentic I would try La Shish Kebob or Jasmine Grill. This was just a mess and felt like they took all these "mediterranean" foods they knew of and dumped them in a bowl. read more

Shared on Google & thought to share on here also. Visited this location today and enjoyed a delicious chicken with 2 sides. Very generous food portions. I also love their made in house drink options. Pleasant atmosphere and staff. Lots of parking. I'm glad a friend introduced me to Yafo Kitchen. Blessings, Pastor Michelle 866-987-7729 24/7 free prayer line read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I went here on a Monday and found myself right back the next day lol! The first time I went I got the byob w/salmon it was really good everything tasted super fresh and it was so filling. Service was great I let them know it was my first time and they were pleasant and helpful. I ate there that day on the patio and the scene was nice and chill. The next day I got a hot plate to go. I got the 1/2 rotisserie chicken w/greek mac n cheese and brussel sprouts! First off the brussel sprouts are AMAZING! Idk how they do it but it's a perfect char with a great sweetness to it I loved it! I will definitely be a regular here. Sidebar I would recommend this location over the plaza midwood one. I tried to go there my second time around and found myself fighting for parking for at least 15minutes pmo so bad that I just bit the 15 minute drive to go back to this location! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Byob - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I love frequenting all the locations of this restaurant. I especially love that the owner is usually there walks around and asks you if you need anything and whether the food was good. read more

My new favorite fast casual restaurant! What's nice is you can order meals other than a bowl. Let's be real, it's 2024 and there's a bit of bowl fatigue with all the Chipotle mimics that have blown up in the last 10 years. I sampled a bit of everything and it was all delish. My favorite things were the chicken schnitzel with the cauliflower and tahini side, and the harissa dressing on my salad. Also, you can get grape leaves which I love! I will be back more than I'd like to admit. read more

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Greetings to those who are reading this! Wanted to take a minute to express my thoughts about my visit to the Yafo/Dilworth - East Boulevard location. My wife prefers this location for the kind and helpful staff that are working at this spot. SouthPark team was a bit unfriendly to her - Attitude! - She's sensitive - so what can I say. We live in the City Park section of Charlotte - It is truly a food desert. Anyways - 2 Thumbs Up - This is truly the spot if you want to get your "Fix" of Israeli/Mediterranean food. The Schnitzel is crispy and delicious; - Just like you would find if you were visiting Tel Aviv. My wife typically picks up from this location several times per week; - We have "Incorporated" Yafo into our "Dinner Rotation" - We are two working professional and just don't have the time to cook. I personally am well versed in Israeli Food ;-) "Shalom Habibi" - Just tried the Falafel yesterday and was truly amazed at how delicious it was. Thank G-d for Angel Pita! - Looking forward to trying the Steak/Beef; - Just haven't gotten around to it. I understand that they have a Brunch and serve the famous Israel Brunch - Shakshoukah - However, I can't confirm this and it seems that different options are available at different locations. Anyways, the Dilworth location can get busy; - This is great - as it seems that food is moving quick and things are definitely fresh and well prepared. Israeli's are loud people and that seems to be the case @ Yafo; - Staff are alive and active - Shouting out orders. This may be the South; - but - you are definitely stepping into Israel when you walk into Yafo - So, don't be afraid to assert yourself. Where am I going with all of this? The food is fresh, authentic and delicious. I tip my hat to Shai Fargian - Who is without question a Culinary Genius; - Shai, "Habibi" - you have really duplicated the experience. Well done! Would avoid ordering from Yafo, via Doordash or any of those "Lazy" Services - Best, to come in and experience it. I believe my wife was introduced to Yafo from their generous sponsorship of an event in the Charlotte schools. Anyways - A+ - OMG, how could I forget. I want to send a special "Shout Out" to the Dilworth Team - Especially, "Athena" & "Vanessa" - Thank you for being so kind, accommodating and patient with me this week. I've been a bit slow, being that I was not expecting this "Greatness" that I walked into, while recovering from Hand/Elbow Surgery! Toda Raba! - - Thank you Yafo for going out of your way to respect my observance of Kosher. read more

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One of our "go to " restaurants when we lived in South Park, Charlotte. The food is delicious , fresh and authentic. If you havent tried it you are missing out. You get to choose the ingredients in your bowl from a variety of middle eastern delights. I just read recently that there were those who wanted to tie the business to the conflict in the Middle East which pissed me off. Please support this gem of an authentic, healthy and delicious restaurant. You will not be dissappointed. read more

I like the food here and love how they have healthy options. The staff are friendly fly and courteous. My only concern is that since the summer is here and people begin to sit at the outdoor seating that the servers will do a better job at cleaning outdoor tables. As we ate lunch today there was a table in the far corner that appeared to not have been cleaned in a very long time. Our table had hair on it and it was a windy day. For hair to have been stuck to the table, it hadn't been cleaned. The floors had leaves and debris. Please keep the patio clean where customers will come to sit. It's a nice area in Dilworth, please keep it nice for the customers. Thank you read more

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this spot is similar to cava or chipotle, but with even more side options to choose from. overall, it's a good place if you're looking for something quick and convenient. while it's not particularly memorable, it's great for a fast meal at a reasonable price. i'd stop by again if i wanted something speedy and easy, but it's not a go-to for a special dining experience. read more

Haiku: YAFO Kitchen Well-seasoned chicken Build your own bowls or pita Leave fueled and content. --- I was craving something hearty, yet healthy to eat and YAFO Kitchen, a fast-casual Middle Eastern street food concept, fueled my soul. We came with a party of 8 and ordered two family meals, which was well enough food. The Shawarma Chicken and Greek Chicken were well-seasoned and not dry. A must-order side is the Greek yogurt mac and cheese (creamy and somewhat healthy because it's made with Greek yogurt). I also adored the Greek salad, it was refreshing with the cucumbers and tomatoes. I would definitely come back for the Greek yogurt mac and cheese and try the other sides. read more

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This ia one of our favorite fast-food restaurant chains! MENU It offers a variety of delicious items and sweet drinks and sodas. My wife and I usually go for a chicken family meal. It's always delicious. LOCATION This particular spot is located in an easy-to-get-to shopping plaza with a large free parking lot. Staff is always friendly and welcoming. Overall, 100% recommended. read more

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Never. misses. You can tell they make their food in house and always use the freshest ingredients!! They actually fill up your bowl with good portion sizes. Service is good, ambience is relaxing, fun, and inviting. Truly 10000% better than Cava & Mezeh and I will choose YAFO over them any day of the week!!! Tip: get their Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese, you will not be disappointed read more

YAFO Kitchen - Build Your Own Grain Bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Huge fan of Yafo and I have been for years. Recently I was so sad to find out that the delicious lamb they've always had was replaced by ground lamb. I tried it.. not really a fan sadly. But I still love the food here. It's nice to have a healthier option that also tastes good. My favorite side is the brussels sprouts and the Mac and cheese tastes good too. This particular Yafo is located in a good location on East Blvd by Harris Teeter, other restaurants, yoga studios, etc. There's plenty of seating and parking is plentiful. read more

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Whenever I am craving some good Mediterranean food, Yafo is my first choice. It is on the pricier side, but the food makes it worth it. Their falafel is always so warm and has just the right amount of crunch to it. I always get their BYOB and add greens with rice and all the toppings I can choose from cucumber tomatoes salad, chickpea salad chicken, and falafel. It's always a favorite, and it gets me full all the time. Everyone from the staff is super friendly and very efficient. They get that line moving. It's a small, cozy location. They have outdoor seating as well. It's definitely a good lunch spot, even if you're on the go. read more

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Was craving mediterranean food and I stumbled upon a jackpot. I love Mediterranean food but I don't eat it that often and this is the first place that I found in Charlotte that tasted really amazing. I really love the idea of the create your own bowl. I ordered a bowl with half jasmine rice and romaine for a base , hummus , Tzatziki , Cucumber tomato salad and even more Cucumber , sumac onions, seasoned beets, mediterranean pickles, feta cheese, and the most amazing Shawarma chicken! I honestly could have just ordered the bowl itself because it's a-lot of food . I ordered brussels sprouts on the side , so good and greek yogurt mac and cheese which i was apprehensive about ordering but it's very creamy , cheesy and good . I was hoping the pita bread would be warm, but it was still soft and good . Definitely a 5 star meal for me I can't wait to eat more read more

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Refreshing is the word! Love this place. Went for lunch, and the mac n cheese was amazing. Super creamy and flavorful. I did a build your own bowl, and the flavors are so fresh. I sat outside as it was nice weather. They have ample seating, great food, and friendly staff read more

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Popped in for lunch yesterday and omg, the folks working here were so nice and helpful!!! My bowl was soooooo good, but I love YAFO. I had a build your own bowl: half rice, half spinach and kale, added olives, beets, hummus, onions, dolma and mushrooms and some other stuff I can't recall lol. Perfect healthy lunch!!! I could legit go back right now and get another one. YAFO doesn't really ever miss. :) read more

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SO GOOD. I had the chicken tacos and they were delicious and very well priced. Thought the restaurant was clean and the staff was helpful. Can't wait to go back! read more

I actually don't know which location I ordered from (Doordash to my hotel) But what I do know is this place is YUMAZING!!! I love mediteranian spots where you can build you own bowl ( like Mezzeh and Cava). This place has a lot more to their menu than those establishments, but I opted for the bowl because I was looking for something familiar and comforting while away from home. The flavors are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Have you ever been to Hummus Bowls and Wraps in Vegas? That was my faveourite place to get these types of bowls. I think Yafo has officially tied for first place!! The cauliflower and brussel sprouts were so so good! So was the mac and cheese. The grape leaves were a bit on the sour side for my personal preferance. The mushrooms were very flavorful and cooked perfectly, but I was surprised to see they were just one type of mushroom (maybe button mushrooms?) For some reason I was expecting a variety. The sauces are super yummy and the pita is as well. 5 stars for sure, will order again whenever in the area! Wish I had them at home. What my stars mean: 5 is outstanding, a must-experience, someplace I would bring/recommend to a tourist 4 is great, someplace I would love to go back to again and again. Backup options to bring/recommend to a tourist 3 is good. Someplace I would return to if in the area. I probably wouldn't recommend to a tourist, but possibly to a local. 2 is ok but only because it is either cheap or convenient. 1 means I would not return read more

YAFO Kitchen - Bowl with dolmas, fries, cauliflower, and pretty much all the toppings. Mac n cheese on the sides, brussel sprouts, and mushrooms. - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

YAFO is one of our favorites. The family meal packages are perfect for our larger get togethers with cousins and grandparents, and the smaller package is perfect for our family of 3 to have a large dinner and leftovers! I love that everything is so customizable -- with our different food needs, everyone has a dinner they can/want to eat, and we don't have to cook 5 different meals! The service at this location is always top notch. Everyone is knowledgeable and helpful, and no matter what time of day or week, it has never been understaffed. Sometimes with the larger packages, I will need to wait on a batch of fries or the chicken that is coming out. It is never long, and the staff put everything together that I will need so quickly! The restaurant, food service areas, kitchen, and counters are always clean and well stocked. I never have complaints here! read more

I wanted to try something new for lunch today so I headed to Yafo Kitchen, after hearing lots of positive reviews! I was happy to see the large interior with lots of indoor seating in a cool, busy, and trendy environment. I built my own bowl with falafel, lettuce, rice, hummus, and lots of veggies! Then I added a greek yogurt Mac and cheese to try on the side. All of the food was very fresh and delicious, I was pleasantly surprised! I definitely will be going back here to try more of the items on their menu. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Build your own bowl, pita, green yogurt mac and cheese - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Of course I love the Brussel sprouts and the mushrooms are my next favorite thing!!! Customer service always great. Location always gave clean tables to sit at. read more

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My husband and I have been to all three locations of Yafo Kitchen, and the Dilworth location is our favorite, mostly due to its distance from us and plentiful parking. We have a Cava closer to our home in Lake Norman, but Yafo's falafel far surpasses Cava's in both taste and texture. Their toppings are better (and more generous!), too. My husband and I both had salad bowls - mine with falafel, and my husband's with Shawarma Chicken. They pile fillings into the bowls, and everything is fresh and delicious. While I greatly miss their homemade laffa, the new pita isn't bad. It's much fluffier than the usual pita, and delicious when dipped into their hummus or baba. I wish they would open a location north of the city, but we'll definitely be back if that never happens! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Shawarma chicken bowl - so generously filled and delicious! - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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First time dining in. I previously ordered to go last year and really enjoyed my meal. Going through the line was pretty straight forward. I chose a salad, got my toppings, got a side of mac and headed to the register. Everything was fresh and delicious. I wanted to redeem a birthday offer and there was a little confusion with that. I emailed ahead and was told I could come anytime during my birthday week but at the register I was informed it has to be used on the day of your actual birthday. Anyways, nice staff, plenty of space to eat both inside and out and overall delicious meal with plenty for leftovers. read more

YAFO Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I enjoyed Yafo as fast casual option on a recent trip. It has a great variety of meat, veggie, and topping options for Mediterranean style foods. Everything seemed fresh. It is very comparable to Naf Naf and Cava. The sumac onions and chicken shwarma were very flavorful and the portion sizes were generous. I did also enjoy the harissa hummus. I did not feel that this location particularly clean. I also have to be careful about cross contamination of food and felt like they were very messy when getting certain items with noticeable spillage causing a large allergy risk. For the food quality it is definitely worth a visit! read more

YAFO Kitchen - Make your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I w only ever had food delivered from here but everything has been DELICIOUS! Their take on tacos is genius. I couldn't eat both of them! The Moroccan carrots and the Brussels with dates are heavenly! It's always packaged nicely. And the food is always hot. They are always on time too! I can't wait to go try them in person. read more

Was with a buddy who lives in Charlotte getting into town after a long drive and he suggested Yafo. We got there just a few minutes before closing but the staff was super friendly. I ordered a quinoa bowl with shawarma chicken and added some roasted cauliflower. It was excellent. The chicken was moist and flavorful, the roasted cauliflower was really tasty and the hummus, baba ganoush and quinoa were good too. Also gave me some habanero-based zhug which was nice and spicy. Totally loved the place read more

YAFO Kitchen - Quinoa bowl with shawarma chicken and roasted cauliflower. Delicious - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina