Cancel

Open app

Search

Al-Basha

4.5 (345 reviews)
Open • 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Al-Basha Photos

AL-BASHA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Intimate
Classy

Recommended Reviews - Al-Basha

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Brian R.

I was in the area and looking to get a falafel platter. I found the business on yelp but couldn't find the full menu online so I called. Luckily I asked for them to confirm the address because the pickup location is different from their eat in location. It was hard to find parking in the area so I went around the block a couple times until double parking. When I went inside, I went to the wrong section and nobody helped me. After watching people come in, I realized I had to go pay and then show receipt to the people who packed up the food. The falafel & rice were very good, but this seemed very plain & overpriced. I was also very disappointed by the single use plastic. It's no coincide that the streets of Paterson are covered with trash.

Helen S.

This Middle Eastern spot has been on my list for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The Crooks Ave location is dine in, while the takeout spot is just about four minutes down the street. Parking is mainly street parking, but they do offer valet which honestly helps because oh my god, this place was PACKED. Even with how busy it was though, the service never lacked; everyone was super attentive and on top of everything. The sparkling mango drink was mind blowing, I literally got two because it was that good, but the mint lemonade was also really refreshing. We started with the hummus platter for the table and it was so fresh, light, flavorful, and honestly one of the best starters to share. Then we got the meat platter and it was a LOT of food, but everything paired together perfectly. The meats with the jasmine rice and fresh salad were such a good combination. Overall, every dish felt well balanced and flavorful, definitely a spot worth coming back to!!

Jeongmin H.

Truly one of the best middle eastern restaurants I've tried. The food, portions, service, atmosphere, and cleanliness were all top tier. Got the Al basha mezza and mix mashawi for two, and it was enough for us to be fully stuffed AND for each of us to take home another full meal. Their pita was so good we were already starting to get full from just that and the mezza spread alone. The meats were so full of flavor, juicy, and tender. Cooked to perfection! The waitstaff was very attentive even though it was busy. They don't take reservations on the weekends so be prepared to wait outside. But it's definitely worth the wait.

Arayes
Ivy C.

Thought this spot was pretty good! Things I liked: the garlic sauce, free pita and pickled veg, mixed mashawi grill was pretty good! The filet in the mixed grill was definitely dry. Also didn't love the arayes, I wouldn't order them from here again. Don't love that they don't offer a tap option seemed like just bottled water. My partner got the mint lemonade and it was good. It's a blended drink. We got seated after only a 10 min wait went on a Monday at 7.

Mezze
Jalen R.

Food here is amazing with good portions. I came here on a Friday night and it was packed. The Al Basha mezza which is their mixed spread is great for someone wanting to try all the different dips they have. We immediately got pita when we sat down, they do come around and refill your pita bread for free. I came here with a group of 5 and al basha mezza and mix mashawari for 4 was enough to feed all of us and was left stuffed. The presentation of the mixed meat was the star of the show and was absolutely delicious with the rice, salad and garlic sauce they provided with it. I also recommend ordering the limona drink, majority of the table around us ordered it as well. Service can be a bit better, it was hard to get a hold of our waiter but other than that, great spot!

Catherine A.

Absolutely delicious Palestinian food! The mezza platter is an absolute must. We went to the takeout location which had a considerable amount of seating. The service was absolutely excellent and we're given these Palestinian sodas to try. I do recommend double checking your order prior to leaving since I've had an item missing in two separate instances.

Angela L.

Service was quick for a Friday night without reservations. We got seated 5 minutes after arriving around 6 for four people. Our food came quickly , and our waiter was decent. Had the mix mashawi and it was decent nothing extraordinary. The rice was good was tasty... the filet and chicken were okay nothing too memorable. Good ambiance looks upscale but can be for casual dining

Chicken kebab, Hummus, Beef Shawarma, Kofta, Arabic Salad, Pita
Joyce A.

Food was DELICIOUS and service was amazing. We shared everything, no negative comments everything was spectacular. I ordered the chicken and it was not dry at all. It came with a garlic sauce as well which was kind of like a Tzatziki / Greek yogurt, paired amazingly. My friend got the kofta and it was mouthwatering. Best beef shawarma I've tasted so far as well.

Al basha mezza, mix for 1
Justine W.

Solid spot for Palestinian food in nj. Came here for a party of 2 and ordered the Al basha mezze which is a sampler of all sorts of dips, it's a good way to try variety of their delicious dips and comes with complimentary pita. We also ordered the mix for 1 and all of this was good enough and we were left full. The only downside was they didn't have tap water, only bottled water and it was hard to find parking around the area or you can do valet parking. Overall service was nice and quick with our foods. Definitely a place I would come back for.

Mixed grill for 1
Zaid N.

Best service in all of the US by far for a middle restaurant. Great ambiance and the food is just phenomenal. All reasonably priced and delish options. Loved the service the most and will recommend anyone to go there just one complaint which is parking. I feel like this is an issue for many restaurants in the Jersey area!

Just Us @ Al-Basha Restaurant
Chris E.

THE GOOD ---------------- + Middle Eastern food at its very finest! ++++ Complimentary pita bread and Starter Arabic (Cucumber Tomato) Salad - Was a perfect way to start the meal. The bread was nice and warm and the salad was super fresh, however, the bread does not come with any dips or sauces, so make sure to order one from the menu's list of spreads. ++++ Mix Mashawi (for 2) - Was super duper flavorful and the meats (Filet Mignon, Chicken Kebab, Kofta Kebab, Shawarma ) were very tender! Typically, Chicken Kebob meat can be dry, but it was really good here. The portion was huge too - so big that we only ate half of it and brough the rest home. The Jasmine Rice was spot on too. ++++ Mint Lemonade - I have 2 words for this - GET IT! The drink is so refreshing and addictive. ++++ Sparkling Mango - Was good and was like a Mango seltzer, but I preferred the Mint Lemonade more. ++++ Pistachio Ice Cream - Possibly the very, very, very BEST pistachio ice cream I've ever had. The ice cream was creamy and the pistachio flavor was strong, but it was sooooo good. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - 18% gratuity was automatically applied to our bill ... for 2 people? I read about this and, like others, am a little baffled at why it's automatically applied. - No private parking lot. All customers must park on the surrounding residential streets. MIXED THOUGHTS --------------------------- = Service was up and down. ++++ Food arrived fairly quickly. ---- Our waiter was pretty on point and cordial, BUT we were never checked on to see how things were and we never were provided water. RANDOM OBSERVATIONS -------------------------------------- = It was busy even on the Monday afternoon of New Year's week. The restaurant wasn't jam packed by any means and there were still tables, but they had a steady stream of customers. CONCLUSION -------------------- = Yes, Al-Basha comes with a monstrosity of foodie hype, but, make no mistake about it, the grilled meats here are undoubtedly the real deal!! Are they the cream of the crop? Having grown up in NYC, and being spoiled by the list of world class options to choose from, it is hard to say if they are up, up there. However, we would DEFINITELY come here again though to try other things!

Dolly C.

- Very spacious restaurant with sleek, modern décor; a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows floods the space with natural light, and there's a private dining area tucked in the back - Steady flow of diners on a Monday afternoon lunch; moderate noise level - Service was efficient and attentive, but interactions felt more transactional than warm or welcoming - Food was delicious overall: the Mixed Mashawi (for two) includes filet mignon shish kebabs, kofta kebabs, chicken kebabs, and a generous mound of beef shawarma atop paper-thin shrak bread; all the meats were perfectly seasoned and cooked--tender, juicy, and full of flavor; Arabic Salad was light and fresh; rice was warm and fluffy; could have used much more yogurt sauce! - Complimentary warm pita and spicy pickled vegetables were a nice touch - Mint lemonade and sparkling mango drinks were cold and refreshing; the pistachio ice cream was excellent with bold pistachio flavor and covered with crushed pistachios--though a bit pricey at $12 - Portions were generous with enough leftovers for another meal

Mixed grill for four after we already dove in!

4.5 stars and only because we got seated in a back room instead of the beautiful main dining room. Food was fantastic! The mixed grill platter was enormous and delicious!!! The baba ganoush delish! Fried cheese was ok-a little oily and not in a good way. Hummus was no to my liking but my daughter loved. The pita was sooo fresh and amazing. Really great food! Seevice was wonderful. Can't wait to return!

See all

27 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 2

4 days ago

Wonderful restaurant. excellent food and great service. Would eat here every week if i could!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Zaid N.
397
613
1115

8 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Janet R.
163
19
3

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 23
Thanks 7
Love this 19
Oh no 2

9 months ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 7
Love this 11
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lori U.
40
26
4

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Alex A.
73
251
336

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Tom T.
1
11
18

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Bea R.
1199
426
7714

2 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 6
Love this 14
Oh no 1
Photo of Diana A.
39
52
86

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jim M.
1
94
2

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 19
Thanks 5
Love this 17
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Emma G.
241
573
1300

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

The food is really, really, good, the ambience is really unique and comforting can't wait to go back and try more of that great food.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 9

Al-Basha Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Al-Basha

How is parking by this location? or do they have a parking lot?

No Parking lot, you need to find street parking. Be careful and read street signs. Some sides of the streets are with residents' permit only.

Do they have hookah?

The Crooks Ave location doesn't.

Is this place byob?

I don't think they allow alcohol. They are a Muslim establishment. Might be best to call and ask.

Do they serve alcohol?

Nope

Is this a byob place?

Probably not as they are Muslim

Do they still bake their pita bread fresh in-house?

Looks and tasted fresh

View All 7 Questions

The Barrow House - kids pizza and tenders

The Barrow House

3.9(1.4k reviews)
2.1 mi
•$$

As soon as you walk in you'll dig the vibe here. Really rustic with wooden barrels everywhere gives…read moreit a really warm, cozy feel. There is outdoor and indoor dining but since it was blazing hot out I opted to stay inside in the cool AC. Came for brunch on a Sunday so had to try their sangria. It was really refreshing and perfect for a warm day. For entrees, we ordered the short rib hash, chicken and waffles, and the steak and eggs. I had a little of each, but my favorite was the short rib hash. Great flavor and the sauce was fantastic. The steak had a perfect cook on it, and the fried chicken was crispy and flavorful as well. The server was friendly and extremely attentive. He recommended a good dessert which we ended up splitting. When in doubt go with the chocolate brownie Esther vanilla ice cream !

Checked out Barrow House after a farmers market visit and it was packed for a Sunday right at noon…read more Every room has a different vibe which makes the space feel really cozy and interesting instead of just one big dining room. We didn't have a reservation, but they were still able to seat us in the dining room as long as we could wrap up before 1:30, which we appreciated. I wasn't super hungry so we shared the crispy cauliflower and lamb ribs from the appetizer menu. The crispy cauliflower was excellent -- hot, actually crispy, and not drowning in sauce which I really appreciated. The lamb ribs came over labneh (a yogurt base) and the first plate arrived with the lamb cold. I asked our waitress if that was intentional and she said only the labneh should be cold. They immediately replaced it with a fresh order and handled it really well, which I appreciated. Great service recovery and overall a really enjoyable brunch spot with a lively atmosphere.

Photos
The Barrow House - Victorian's room

Victorian's room

The Barrow House - Salmon and orzo

Salmon and orzo

The Barrow House - Neon Dreams and Barrow Sangria

See all

Neon Dreams and Barrow Sangria

First Watch - Trifecta - eggs over easy w/ bacon & waffle w/ berry compote and syrup. Arnold Palmer iced tea.

First Watch

3.9(72 reviews)
4.6 mi
•$$

I finally made a visit to the Paramus First Watch location. It was close to closing and it wasn't…read morecrowded. I was seated immediately. I've ordered one of my favorites - Market Hash and a Blazing Dragon drink. The quality of food and service was very as it has been at other FW locations. I give it 5 Stars. The only downside was the women's bathroom was filthy. So I'm taking away 1 star. This location doesn't serve alcohol. Although that is disappointing, I'll come back because the food and service was A1.

First Watch is a fairly new brunch spot in the area, conveniently located next to the Bergen Town…read moreCenter outlets. I hadn't realized before visiting that it's a chain with locations in several states, including Florida. There's plenty of parking outside, and the restaurant itself is bright and nicely decorated with a modern farmhouse feel. When we arrived, we went to the front to ask for a table but had to wait behind a line of people who were paying their bills. Apparently, you can either pay at your table using a QR code or pay at the front before leaving. We used the QR code, which was convenient, but the setup at the front felt inefficient. We had to wait quite a while just to speak to the hostess even though the restaurant was about half empty and didn't seem particularly busy. Once seated, we noticed that the coffee cups already on our table were dirty. Our waiter, Nicholas, immediately offered to replace them with clean ones. Nicholas was pleasant, professional, and very accommodating throughout our meal and was definitely the highlight of our experience. He offered us coffee and left the pitcher at the table. It was around $4 and includes the pitcher, which I wish had been explained since we hadn't had a chance to look at the menu yet. The coffee itself was good, basic diner-style coffee. I would have preferred refrigerated cream or half-and-half to pour into it rather than the small individual creamers you typically get at a fast-food restaurant. For food, we ordered one of the summer special, an omelet, carrot cake pancakes, and the loaded potatoes. Everything was seasoned well. The summer special was mostly potatoes, and I would have preferred less potato and more steak and vegetables. When we mentioned it, Nicholas and the chef were very accommodating and brought us an extra side of steak, which we really appreciated. The carrot cake pancakes were good, but not particularly memorable. Surprisingly, the loaded potatoes with bacon and Parmesan cheese sauce were probably the most flavorful thing we ordered, although they're more of a side dish than a meal. Overall, the prices were lower than many other brunch spots in the area, and the location next to the outlets is very convenient. There were some things I liked, especially the service from Nicholas, but I don't think I would go out of my way to come back specifically for breakfast or brunch. It served its purpose that day, and Nicholas's kindness and attentiveness definitely made the experience better.

Photos
First Watch - Interior

Interior

First Watch
First Watch - Warm syrup

See all

Warm syrup

Al Basha - mezze

Al Basha

4.1(777 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

If you're craving fresh Middle Eastern food without the whole sit-down restaurant experience,…read moreAl-Basha Take Out is definitely worth checking out! Everything is made fresh here. That even includes their pita bread, which is made right in house. We tried the chicken kebab, kofta kebab and lamb chops, which all come with an abundance of rice and salad. The platters are flavorful, tender and filling. Then we got into the mazzah which is essentially a bunch of dips worth trying! I loved the hummus which was soooo fresh. We also got the fried kibbeh, falafel and fried cheese. All of these items were super easy to eat, great finger food options as this is a takeout spot. And you can't forget the drinks! We tried their mint lemonade, regular lemonade and strawberry mango, and they were all equally refreshing. I loved how easy the whole takeout process is. You can order with someone at the counter or use their self-ordering system, grab your food and go. Everyone we interacted with was super pleasant. I really liked the clean dining area too. Perfect comfy spot for a quick bite.

Arriving at Al Basha felt almost otherworldly. It's tucked into a part of Paterson I'd never…read moreexplored before, surrounded by a large Middle Eastern community, and it had been on my radar for a while. I'd been dying to finally try their renowned Palestinian food. I came on a Friday night, and the restaurant was packed with families and large parties. They even offer valet parking--which tells you something about how popular this place is. And forget paying extra for bread. They start you off with a whole basket of 4-5 pieces of soft, house-made pita, along with pickled vegetables. The menu has both small plates (hot and cold mezze) and entrees, but we really wanted to sample as much as possible, so we went with the small plates. We ordered the fried cauliflower, fried cheese, lamb and beef sausage, and falafel. Everything was truly incredible, and the portions were very generous. The cauliflower was a little oily, but that's to be expected with fried cauliflower. It still had an amazing crunch, and they brought us complimentary toum and hummus for dipping, which was such a nice touch. The fried cheese was incredibly fresh and crispy with a light saltiness that made it hard to stop eating. But the falafel was the star for me--and probably the best I've ever had. Falafel usually isn't something I order first; I'm pretty take-it-or-leave-it about it. But these completely changed my mind. They're longer and more oblong than the usual round falafel, and the texture and flavor were fantastic. The lamb sausage was also really good. The only item that felt just okay compared with everything else was the beef sausage. On the drinks front, they don't have fountain drinks--only Boylan sodas. Sadly, no Diet Coke, but that was a very minor point. The service was amazing all night, and between the generous portions and all the different plates, we had plenty of leftovers to take home. They also have a smaller takeout location very close by if you can't get a reservation at the main restaurant. Overall: Al Basha absolutely lived up to the hype. Incredible Palestinian food, generous portions, warm service, and some seriously memorable falafel. Definitely worth the trip to Paterson.

Photos
Al Basha - Beautiful interior

Beautiful interior

Al Basha
Al Basha

See all

Mokafe Coffee House - Dubai Knafa Croissant

Mokafe Coffee House

4.5(54 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

My friend and I ended up at Mokafe because he had been looking for a place to get a cup of Yemeni…read moretea. He had tried it at a friend's mosque and he says he's been chasing that high ever since. We figured we'd try to get some at Mokafe. It wasn't too difficult to find street parking, but the cafe was surprisingly busy for a late Sunday night. We placed our order for Adeni Shai, Dubai Knafa Brownie, and a Lotus Biscoff croissant. Everything was delicious. I have never had Yemeni tea before so I didn't have a bar to measure it against. I really enjoyed the tea though my friend said it wasn't exactly what he was looking for. I feel like it could've done with more spices but it still tasted very good. The Dubai Knafa Brownie was excellent. The brownie by itself was nice and moist with the perfect texture for a brownie. The Knafa set it over the top with the crunch and pistachio flavor. I'd definitely get this again. The Lotus Biscoff Croissant was good, but I liked the brownie more. It was about an average croissant but the Biscoff spread added some nice flavor to it. I think it could've used more though. It was buttery and flaky; pillars a of what a croissant should be. However, I'd try another pastry before ordering this again. The place is clean, they play great music, and the service is prompt and friendly. Mokafe is a wonderful Coffee House and I'd love to come back.

Amazing food and service. I find a coffee shop in every city I visit and this is one of the best. I…read morealmost was afraid to come in because of the parking, but I'm glad I did because it was worth it.

Photos
Mokafe Coffee House
Mokafe Coffee House - Avocado toast

Avocado toast

Mokafe Coffee House - Cold Iced Pistachio Latte

See all

Cold Iced Pistachio Latte

Al-Basha - mideastern - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...