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    Zahra

    4.4 (17 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Susan K.

    Within the Allentown market is this gem, offering a small take out menu of Syrian delights. Conveniently across the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and PPL Center, Zahra is a great place to pick up a quick healthy and flavorful meal. There is cafe seating inside, as well as outside. Zahra (cauliflower in Syrian) is associated with Aladdin in Allentown, where a broader representation of Syrian culture (food, music, and dance) can be experienced. Zahra is owned by one of the five daughters of the couple who had initially opened Aladdin on the ground floor of their home in 1980. Here are two interviews with owner Sam Younes about this history: https://tinyurl.com/zahrainterview https:/tinyurl.com/downtowninterview I chose familiar items -- items regularly experienced as part of Aladdin's couple special : Babaganouj with pita, Arnabit, Tabouli, and Baklava with Turkish coffee. These did not disappoint, and were just as good as the that found in the flagship restaurant that had been established by Sam's parents. I was glad to see others had already discovered this spot, the shop accounted for the flow of customers in the market. In the interview, Sam describes a vision of Middle Eastern cuisine being a part of American "fast food" experience. Since I first encountered Middle Eastern food in the restaurant on the ground floor of her family's home on Second Street, it can now be found on the shelves of Costco and smaller grocery stores in the northeast. With a shift to more health conscious eating, it seems this vision is possible. An additional quick pick up location is in the works in Bethlehem. One surprise that is not typical of fast food is the availability of a small collection of chilled bottled beers. Whether choosing to sit at Downtown Market cafe tables (inside or outside) or bring home, Zahra has a thoughtfully curated menu for a flavorful meal.

    a street scene in a city

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    1 month ago

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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Clean healthy food! Fattoush salad is amazing! Menue offers a variety of selections to meet every taste!

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

    The presentation was good. But the food was cold . The guy had the register was really nice.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great chicken shawarma wraps, great service even though they were pretty busy. Food was fresh and hot and served up quickly.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Decent spot to get a quick bite, different bowls or wraps. Will go back to try the falafel

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Excellent chicken bowl with fries. Place was very busy and wait was a little long during lunch on a Saturday. But worth the wait.

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    4 years ago

    Portions are decent, got a wrap and fries! Was delicious and would eat here again!!!!

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    4 years ago

    Their bowls and wraps are so good! Lots of flavor and it's a great healthy lunch option.

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    Maza

    Maza

    3.6
    (75 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Chicken kebab was very good. Entree included rice, grilled…read moreveg, garlic sauce and bread. Fatoush Salad was huge and it was good. Enjoyed carrot juice in the past. Kofte Kebab was very good, babaghanoush pretty good. Servers were helpful and nice.

    Had a wonderful meal here at the suggestion of a friend while visiting home! We had the babaganouj,…read moregrilled shrimp platter, fattoush salad, beef kibbe, shanklish, arabic coffee, and pistachio mafrooka. The food was excellent! Everything was fresh, well cooked, flavorful, and served in massive portions. The fattoush was a beautiful massive boat, and the dressing with it had a lovely vinegar bite and the pomegranate pop in the dressing was so good, both visually and taste wise. The coffee was great, fresh made with deep flavor. My friend loved the shrimp, they were juicy and flavorful. They also came with pita, rice, and labneh. The kibbe were fried perfectly, and juicy and well spiced inside. I love that they were small instead of two huge ones like I sometimes see. The pistachio mafrooka was something I had never tried and oh my god, it was amazing. A little disk on the bottom of pistacho and maybe honey? Nice and sticky and baklava adjacent minus the phyllo. Topped with a scoop of a thick cream, with a cheesecake vibe but a little more sour. Then topped with pistachio. It also came with all three pieces which were huge. The service was quick and friendly as well. They also have hookah, which they asked if we wanted to do when we arrived. We didn't opt to, but if that's your jam, stop by! I absolutely recommend coming by for the food though!

    Photos
    Halawet Al Jiben
    Halawet Al Jiben
    Maza from the grill
    Maza from the grill
    Pistachio Mafrooka

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    Pistachio Mafrooka
    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine

    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.6
    (181 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    We're from Connecticut and came to the Allentown area for a Spartan Race at Blue Mountain Ski…read moreResort. After a long drive, the three of us were starving and wanted something healthy. Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine had great reviews, so we decided to give it a try--and we're so glad we did. We arrived around 5:30 PM, and the restaurant was already busy. The phone was ringing constantly with takeout orders, which is always a good sign. The husband and wife owners greeted us warmly, seated us right away, and brought complimentary water while we looked over the menu. We started with the hummus and pita along with the cheese cigars. Both were outstanding. We were told the hummus is made from fresh chickpeas that are slowly cooked rather than canned, and you can absolutely taste the difference. It was incredibly smooth, creamy, and easily some of the best hummus I've ever had. The fresh pita was the perfect complement. Two people in our group ordered the chicken kebabs with rice and the fresh tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad. I ordered the chicken shawarma with rice. It was my first time having authentic chicken shawarma, and it was phenomenal. Everything was seasoned perfectly, fresh, and full of flavor. I honestly can't imagine how anyone could leave a negative review after eating here. From the moment we walked in until the time we left, the food, service, and hospitality were exceptional. If we weren't racing the next morning, I definitely would have tried one of their cheesecakes. The blueberry and pistachio both looked incredible, and judging by the quality of everything else, I'm sure they would have been just as amazing. Before we left, we spent a few minutes talking with the husband, and it only reinforced how much pride they take in what they do. Allentown is lucky to have a restaurant like this. We have nothing comparable where we're from in Connecticut, and if we lived nearby, this would become a regular stop without question.

    Love Sahara. Amazing food! The dishes are delicious, fresh, and beautiful. The restaurant is…read morespotless and beautifully decorated, and the service is warm and inviting.

    Photos
    Strip mall chic
    Strip mall chic
    Grilled veggies
    Grilled veggies
    Freshly chopped salad

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    Freshly chopped salad
    Union and Finch

    Union and Finch

    4.5
    (805 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Wow!!! Found Union and Finch in an online review article. Absolutely the best food!!! Started w…read morethe Pepperoni and Brussels sprouts. Crispy pepperoni with Brussels, pecorino cheese, and spicy honey. The most unique combination of delicious flavors!! Followed with the Burrata. Excellent and the bread that came with it was some of the tastiest bread I have ever had. Yes, I know it is just bread..but no seriously, so good! Next a burger and fries! My husband declared it the best burger he has had in at least 10 years! Fries were equally noteworthy!! Best best best meal! Beer selection varied and outstanding and the Aperol Spritz was one of the best I've had. Get yourself to Union and Finch..your taste buds will thank you!!

    We sat outside in what they call the "garden room." The ambience and lighting were cozy and…read morepleasant, and it was comfortably warm despite the 30°F temperature. Unfortunately, there was a strong cold draft at floor level, leaving our feet uncomfortably cold throughout the meal. The hostess was sweet and greeted us with a smile. The food service was unremarkable. Our waiter was not particularly friendly nor personable. The drinks were a weak start. The red sangria was poor. The bourbon cocktail was an odd mix of bourbon, apple cider, and other elements--an awkward, Frankenstein-style whiskey sour that simply didn't work. Worst of all, both drinks were served in thin plastic cups, which immediately cheapened the entire experience. I ordered the falafel sandwich and specifically requested a toasted bun. It arrived not just room temperature, but cold. I sent it back, and it returned burning hot... the bottom soggy... literally too hot to pick up... with no browning or color change, clearly microwaved. Microwaving is not toasting. At that point, the sandwich was inedible. I removed the bun entirely and ate just the falafel, which was dry and largely tasteless. At this point I knew coming back to this restaurant was a mistake. Food timing was another issue. The dishes took roughly 45 minutes to arrive after the drinks, possibly longer. We were all getting annoyed and what started out well when we first walked in turned negative. I wasn't impressed on my first visit years ago... and this second visit confirmed it. Between the poor drinks, cheap plastic cups, ridiculously long wait (with no explanation nor apology), and careless food execution, there's no reason to return.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Hawaij seasoned mushrooms on seasoned yogurt
    Hawaij seasoned mushrooms on seasoned yogurt
    Moroccan Eggs ($13)

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    Moroccan Eggs ($13)

    Zahra - mediterranean - Updated August 2026

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