Chicken shawarma to go. Amazing! Saucy, spicy, favorable! I might just go back and get a secondread more

We found this little food counter, nestled in between the many vintage shop finds on Johnson…read moreStreet. The spot may lack ambience, but it 100% makes up for that in friendly service and amazing flavor. My husband had the chicken Shawarma wrap, and I had the falafel wrap and both were incredibly garlicky tasty! Perfect, garlic sauce, a lil hot sauce and little indian pickles! My falafel even had a bit of a crunch to it, so it was simply a perfect lunch find. Note you walk in and it's just a counter to order and there is a tight small row of about 8 seats in the back. We were there on a cold day so that's where we sat (like others have mentioned on a nicer day ya take your food to go down to the waterfront or to the market. ) This definitely will be a must stop when I go back to Victoria!

This is exactly my favorite kind of restaurant. My best friend knew it too. He loves this place and…read morehas lived on the island 15 years. Knowing that Lebanese food is my favorite of all this was one of our first stops in my two weeks stay. This is a family owned place with the owners behind the counter and working in the kitchen, they appear to be husband and wife, and they couldn't be more friendly or kind. They were so very nice to us and answered all of our silly questions. The food here is magnificent! I had never had tabouli fries before, that was the first. My buddy said their fries were excellent and they are, they are double fried and very crunchy. That is my favorite kind of fry. Pillowy soft on the inside too. The beef-lamb shawarma was special. We got the one with the hot sauce and added more. We are both also chilli heads. I will absolutely be bringing my wife here when we return to the island in the fall. Yalla is 5 stars all the way. Lots of locals in and out while we dined. They know this place is special.

Great food, fun petite Middle Eastern restaurant great staff, tons of choices…read more Very reasonably priced homemade desserts and now with a piano, the staff can accompany on cello for an amazing evening experience

Part of my meal was a little cold. All the flavors are there and the space although a bit dirty is…read moreaesthetically pleasing.

Amazing food! Great flavours, so fresh! Will definitely come back again! The falafel was crispy and…read morethe chicken was moist!

Wonderful food and excellent service in a very charming Mykonos reminiscent Greek restaurant in…read moredowntown Victoria BC. Ithaka was located directly across the street from our hotel. The outside has a huge windmill that looks very much like the windmills on the hill in Mykonos! The white and azure blue exterior and the beautiful floral decor and Greek Knick knacks inside are so warm and inviting. It didn't matter that it was cold and rainy in Victoria that day. Inside you were transported to sunny Santorini or Mykonos. The servers were friendly, helpful with menu descriptions, and respectfully attentive. We were there near closing but no one made us feel rushed or overstaying our welcome. The food was authentic and delicious! We enjoyed the spanakopita. I had the avgolemono soup (instead of fries) with my gyro and my partner had the Greek ribs. For dessert, we had the Ekmek which was a tradional Greek custard. It was amazing. We'll definitely return to this place the next time we are in Victoria!

Party of 4 arrived at 6:15. Waited 35. minutes for a server. Water was offered about 15 mins in…read more After 35 mins awaiting server drinks were ordered+ a bottle of wine. We waited another 30+ mins for drinks and wine to arrive. Server brought drinks then left. 15-20 mins after that asked front of house to send our server so we may order. Before our food arrived (remember, we arrived at 6:15) it was almost dark outside! We asked for hummus/pita and Saganaki, they were delicious. moussaka (2) were full of potatoes (seriously, in moussaka?) no evidence of eggplant in either. 1 chicken dish was okay, and my falafel, dry, overcooked so hard when I put my fork into the pieces they shattered. A tiny dollop of tzatziki sauce (maybe a scant tablespoon) could not help this overly cooked dried entree . Had we not waited 1 1/2 hours I may have asked for a re-do. As it was, we just wanted to finish and leave. We have been here 3 or 4 times previously with no complaints, but this time it was a very unpleasant experience for $300+. Not recommended!

This place is hideous and they know it. Let me explain…read more I ask for a chicken shawarma at 5:30 pm on a Friday, the place is empty. I pay for it and they send me to the toppings counter to select what I want in the shawarma. I tell him what toppings I want and then he says ok, " have a seat" .?? I guess he will bring the sandwich to my table? Wrong. I sit at a table and then when it is ready they call me to come and get it. .? They had me sit at a table so that I would not see what they put in the shawarma. You know how they normally cut it off a big hunk of delicious smokey meat on a vertical cooking thing? Not here. The meat is from a metal drawer and once assembled it gets squeezed flat in a grill like a panini. Ugh, never again.

Came here for lunch. The man at the counter suggested I get the beef kebab, so that's what I got…read more(on pita. There's also the option for rice). There were large chunks of tender beef, veggies, and sauce. I believe the man said both garlic and tzatziki sauces were in it. Anyhow, the wrap was delicious! You can customize the veggies you want - I went all in, although next time I may skip the pickles. Service is friendly and the place is bright and clean. Don't know if it makes a difference, but when I was there, there were at least 2 families of middle eastern descent dining there. A little but of street cred maybe? I highly recommend trying out this place!

We ordered lunch for a meeting and everyone loved the food. Cairomum was able to accommodate…read moreseveral dietary requirements, delivered to UVic, and were a delight to work with. Their falafel is the best I've ever had - highly recommend!

Was hoping to be met with a robust, traditional flavour profile with the 'national dish of Egypt',…read morethe koshary, and found it to be the predictable 'Victoria boring and bland' version neutralized for white folk's lack of cultural foodie adventurousness. It tasted like something a UVic student whipped up on a dorm-room hot plate on a budget, with the few ingredients they had on hand, minus the coriander which should have been forward. Accompanying garlic sauce lacked the taste of garlic entirely, was more a vinegar condiment. Staff was friendly, tables were clean and food arrived promptly. However, the vibe is a middle-eastern fast food joint that provides the bare minimum basics while leaving you wondering if you should have just ordered it as take out. Won't likely be eating there again anytime soon, unfortunately. Also, WTF is with the INSANE number of 'Defender' security cameras ALL OVER the restaurant, like it's normal to have that much surveillance in a little restaurant. That alone is a major turnoff.

Shahrazad Restaurant offered a Groupon valued at $30 for $15. My girlfriend and I dined there on a…read moreSunday night in March 2013. Parking is on the street. The inside reminded us a little of the restaurant proposal scene in Love Actually; but much less romantic. Staircase on the left, half balcony, windows at front, green, textured walls, simple decor, tables, and arabic music, etc. The food is average priced $5-10 appies and $15-20 entrees. We ordered the grilled platter, which had beef, pork and chicken shish kebobs, plus flat bread. The shish taouk (sp?) was really tasty. Very authentic. The flat bread a little tasteless. Had a shanina (sp?) yoghurt drink with it. Very interesting experience on the whole. My girlfriend could imagine herself in Iraq.

Food was just okay... not flavourful at all. Have tasted better. We ordered the chicken and beef…read moreshawrama and a plate of rice (which as a side order was pretty expensive). have tasted better food before. Should have guessed as we were the only customers during dinner time :(

Came here from the 4.7 star and +700 reviews from another site…read more Service was super friendly, the deli has a lot of cool items you wouldn't be able to find at a normal grocery store such as special cooking or flavoring oils, dried goods, special coffee, these are a couple of the ones that stood out to me. The samosas were tasty, well seasoned beef filling with some peas and carrots similar to a shepard's pie. The shawarma meat was not very great. Texture felt old and taste was not really like shawarma you'd get at a solid donair place. Also the hummus and pickles were overpowering the wrap. 7.5/10 overall for interesting deli items, good service, but underwhelming items I ordered.

The owner has put a pro-Pal scarf on wall with a map that denies the existence of Israel. When…read moreconfronted, the owner was disrespectful and defiant. Didn't care if he lost customers. Food and service has always been mediocre at best, so will not ever return.

There was a sign outside that said "award winning kebab." What contest? I should have known what…read moreI was getting into when there was no vertical rotisserie spinning stack of meat. I ordered the best selling beef and lamb kebab. It was very basic. No flavor. I will give it credit for tasting healthy. If you are a kebab lover that is used to traditional turkish doner kebabs, I would not recommend this place.

Stopped in for a quick dinner. (It's a better place for lunch)…read moreWe had the Signature Kebab Plate (lamb) and Kebab on Plate (beef and lamb). Both plates come with a small fresh salad which was tasty. The lamb platter was disappointing. Flavor and texture was unappealing. Meat was finely shredded and without texture-like baby food. The kebab on plate was better and actually had pieces of meat. Food is very salty. Would be nice if plates came with bread. We were able to purchase some separately. The bread is more of a tortilla than traditional pita, but nicely grilled. The worst part was front door was kept open in late December-very cold for diners.