For good food in a cozy environment, pop into Cafe Sulliman. Visiting Seattle for a quick weekend for a best friend's memorial service, I walked into this tiny restaurant inside Melrose Market, a small food hall inside old automobile buildings. On a Friday around 5:30pm, I was one of three people there before all the tables filled up 30-45 minutes later. Sitting at the bar, I got to watch the open kitchen create each dish with detail. To eat, I ordered the red pepper dip with molasses and walnuts. It comes with several thin pita straight from the oven. There's a slight kick to the dip making it perfect. I could eat just that as a meal. For my main, I got an entire roasted cauliflower with charred shallots, labneh, apricot, and more. The apricot added a sweetness to the savory. With a perfectly cooked cauliflower, it was divine. To drink, I ordered a glass of French white wine. The entire experience is among the best I've had in Seattle. (I come here twice a year.) Impeccable service seals the deal. read more

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James Beard-nominated Arabic cafe serving delicious dishes in a charming bar, tucked inside Melrose Market. Loved the lamb hummus and charred cauliflower. Wonderful owner, simple service. Very cozy space, gets slammed during peak hours, so be prepared for a wait! **As of May 4, Cafe Suliman might be closed, per CHS Seattle blog :( read more

Cafe Suliman - Incredible lamb hummus - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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perfect meal! the vegetable dishes are the star of the show. cauliflower was my favorite, soo flavorful with the savory/tangy labneh and crunchy crumble on top. cabbage was a close second with the charred flavor and refreshing cucumber yogurt dip. Olive oil cake with soft cream is also a must order for dessert!! cake is slightly crisp outside and incredibly moist inside. Really attentive service. we came right around 5pm on a saturday and didnt have to wait at all. it's also super cool to see Suliman (Suli) himself serving the guests!! :) read more

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Show up at 5 or expect a wait. We snagged the last seats of the first round; the couple behind us got a 45-minute wait and a wait on the side sipping a glass of wine. Honestly? Not the worst deal...the wine are decent. Now, the cauliflower. Whole roasted, aggressively charred, showered in sesame seeds and purple microgreens, sitting in a pool of what I think is tahini and olive oil. Crunchy, toasty, savory -- this was the main attraction for us. Everything else is keeping it company. The labneh was fun. The pickled beans were my second highlight. Simple ingredients doing very unsimple things. We also ordered the rockfish, which was fine, but I didn't even photograph it..it's not very memorable. When the vegetables outshine the fish, the chef is doing something right. Tiny room, big flavors (for the veggies). It was crowded. read more

Cafe Suliman - Cauliflower - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I have wanted to come here for a while but finally made it. It is worthy of all the hype! We came on a Friday night around 7. We were quoted between 45-60 min wait. It was closer to 30-40 min which was a great surprise. While we waited, we went upstairs for some wine in the small wine bar above the restaurant. We sat at the bar and had great service. Everything was tasty and was full of flavor. They have done so much with a small space. I didn't get a picture of everything we ate but a small sampling is included. The olive oil cake was AMAZING! I'll definitely be back. This place is a gem. read more

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I didn't know what to expect, but I'm now a fan! I didn't know the little marketplace-like space that Cafe Suliman is in existed, but what a charming and bustling little spot! I felt like I was on vacation for some reason. Despite the service being a bit straight forward, I found service charming. I sampled many of the small plates and had the Arabic coffee, and I'm not sure how they pack so much flavor and fragrance into every cubic millimeter of this food! I was with a group of five and we each ordered a drink and plate, plus some bread - it was about $25 per person and worth it. Find this place and come here, NOW! read more

Cafe Suliman - Restaurant inside a market of restaurants - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Finally got to try this spot! They close the kitchen between like 3/3:30 and 5ish most days so we showed up around 5:30 and snagged a spot even though tables were already filling up. The mint lime iced tea was great. The food was tasty and really unique. I would certainly come back for the labneh and the halloumi. The service was good, but keep in mind it might take time for things to come out and to get your server's attention once they get really busy so plan accordingly. It's a really lovely spot, though gets kinda tightly packed and loud when busy. Great for a date night or meet up with a friend, but probably not so good for groups unless you show up early. read more

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Small hidden gem in Seattle! Delicious middle eastern food with small portions. Prices are high for what you're getting, if you're 2 people you might need 3-5 plates. Service is attentive and there is limited seating. It can get busy so prepare to wait. Would recommend the chicken and the labneh. read more

Cafe Suliman - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Cafe Suliman is a tiny restaurant in the Meleose Market, tucked behind Eggslut with its massive line. They offer classic Arabic food and a nice chill vibe. The portions are small, so plan to order multiple plates. They encourage sharing! There are a few small tables and counter seating in front of the small kitchen. The cold mint tea was simple and delicious. The pickled beans small plate was simple but filling. The Halloumi with peaches was fantastic! The tastes and textures perfectly complimented each other. read more

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Ok I have mixed emotions giving this place a lower rating. I was super excited to try this place. Love the idea that it's a small business, family run, in a cute space and do want to support this place!! But also feel it's important to give my honest opinion about our specific experience. It is not great for larger groups - which maybe isn't rocket science in retrospect. We came here for a special occasion with a group of 6. Emailed in advance for a dinner reservation. We were told it's a set menu about $65/pp which seemed reasonable. Fast forward and our bill was $650 (apparently not including tip!) which was way more than any of us were expecting for the food (and 3 alcohol drinks and 2 non alcoholic drinks) that we got. I don't mind paying this much for a nice dinner but I think we all felt a bit underwhelmed by the overall experience and especially the food (see below). I also think what really rubbed me the wrong way was this subtotal included an automatic 22% service charge that somehow didn't already include tip?? Insane. Other thoughts- this was a super cramped space which in itself wasn't a big deal. But as I said, the food was underwhelming. They were *very small* plates that made sharing among six people pretty awkward. Most of the dishes were appetizers: like a small plate of nuts/olives, another small plate of lebneh and muhammara with pita, a plate of roasted carrots, and a grilled cabbage wedge. While all were ok, they were all very small and not filling. The main dish was roasted chicken which was also fine, but again small for our group and a bit awkward to share. Overall the dishes were mostly vegetarian (which is usually fine with me), but I wonder if it was merely the selection of dishes and portion sizes that were wrong here. It didn't to me at all feel worth the price. I probably won't be back based purely on the pretty penny we've already dropped here, but I would still recommend others give this place a try in a group no larger than 2-3. I'll bet it's a really different experience! read more

I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience here at cafe Suliman. I ordered three dishes for myself and guest. We got the roasted cauliflower to start, then the braised lamb on top of hummus and the rock fish with potatoes in tomato sauce. We also ordered the cardamom olive oil cake and a glass of rioja white wine and a red wine. I was thoroughly pleased with everything I ate. Everything was so rich, with flavor, well balanced, and seasoned. I will definitely be going back and highly recommend anyone to try this place. The ambience is very cozy and intimate. There is also a great selection of 60/70s rock records from around the world playing. The service was great! The hostess was very kind and communicative about us waiting just for a little bit. Our server was a very kind, gentle gentleman who gave us good recommendations and validated our choice choices. read more

Cafe Suliman - Olive oil cake - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Our friends brought us to Cafe Suliman and we had a really cool experience! They're located inside Melrose Market so it's a bit hidden, also I would say the experience is very dependent on what else is going on in the space. It was quiet at first but I think there was a party in the space next door so the music got really loud about halfway through our meal. Regardless, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the decor of Cafe Suliman itself. I liked the food a lot. It's nice to find authentic Middle Eastern food in the midst of Seattle, with changing menu items. The space is very small, including the kitchen, so expect a wait. I think there was only one person working the kitchen during our stay so we waited over an hour for our food. However, when we notified the waitress that we had to go, the chef made our food first and ensured we got all of our items, which we appreciated. I'd definitely want to come back despite the wait; just know that it's not a fast meal. Brussel Sprouts: 4/5 Carrots: 5/5 Halloumi: 5/5 Squash dip: 5/5, this was probably my favorite dip! Hummus and lamb: 5/5, really great with the lamb Chicory salad: 4/5 read more

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What a cute spot inside melrose market! Strongly recommend coming earlier at opening 4:30-5 to avoid the wait as seating is limited. Today was a unique day as the earlier business hours got pretty overflowed and they couldn't take food orders until 5pm (which was no problem as we enjoyed our drinks and the vibes). If youre looking for a cozy vibe with good food and drink selection this is your place to go. We ordered the labneh, bread w butter, chicken rice and miso cabbage and everything was so good. The cabbage and the chicken rice had a lil spice kick to it which made everything blend in even better! The overall palette and ambiance really reminded me of Homer. Their dinnerware are also stunning which elevates the overall dining experience. I wish we got to try the dates but ran out of time as we had to head out. Would love to check that out next time! read more

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Amazing atmosphere. Extraordinary, tight menu with a fantastic wine list to boot! Get the rock fish if it's on the menu. read more

Cafe Suliman - Rockfish, Potato, Tomato, Salsa Verde, & Breadcrumbs - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wonderful food and service! The lamb was tender and juicy. Such rich flavors. The whipped feta was more like a drizzle of sauce but still delish. read more

Cafe Suliman - Braised Lamb Hummus - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Cafe Suliman is a self-described "arabic pantry" based restaurant in Melrose market, that I visited for lunch recently. Reservations are easy (although they only take reservations for lunch) and I would recommend making a reservation if you can because the space is not large. It's definitely more suited to solo dining at the bar or a meal with one other person in that sense, and when I say cozy...I mean cozy. Worth keeping in mind for people with larger bodies or mobility issues. The food menu is concise, but I think has something for most tastes. We went vegetarian because my lunch buddy is vegetarian and the food here is meant to be shared. They say that two people can share 4 plates, but honestly, the plates here are small. The portions are small. Two people with good appetites honestly need more like six dishes, particularly if they're vegetarian. Between us, we had: From the snacks-- -pickled gigante beans and peppers (really good, and the bean juice is honestly worth wiping up with bread) -ben's bread with zaatar olive oil (great bread, solid olive oil) From the dips-- -labneh dip (probably our favorite of the meal, their chili oil is 10/10) -carrot dip (highlights the sweetness of the carrots, delicious) From the rest-- -grilled cauliflower (very good, wish it was bigger, is only 1/4 of a cauliflower) -the fattoush (lovely and tart and fresh) At the end we were satisfied but not overly full. We also each had one of their NA drinks. I had the rhubarb soda, and my lunch buddy had the citrus spritz. The drinks were petite but delicious and refreshing. I have to shout out the service here. There were only two people serving the tables (and it was a pretty much full house) but we were never neglected. Food was a bit on the slow side to come out, but that was really not surprising since they only had one person really working back of house. Food is great here. For me, given the small plates/sharing format, I'd be much more likely to come back for an afternoon aperitif to share wine and a couple snacks with a friend, rather than coming for a square meal. read more

Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Cute little spot in melrose market! Lamb hummus is a must try! read more

Cafe Suliman - Lamb hummus (top) charred eggplant dip bottom) - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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- Small cozy storefront restaurant (tiny kitchen on the other side of the bar) - Hummus was solid -- really creamy, not much tahini flavor; lamb was tender and flavorful, mint and almonds were a nice accent - Small thin pita breads - Fried halloumi was the star -- salty caramelized burst from the fried cheese, nice slight chew to it; freshness from cilantro and peaches; roasted pepper was delightful; dukkah on top was a lil too salty though -- overall kinda salty by the second piece - Orange olive oil cake, pretty average; does have orange flavor, with berry jam and whipped cream combining to be pretty eh; huge slice though - Friendly service read more

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Skip the line at Eggslut, and have some delicious Arabic cuisine! I finally went to visit Cafe Suliman after my coworker has been raving about this place for weeks, and it did not disappoint! The lamb hummus was so tender and packed with flavor. Natalie was so kind and attentive, I was very well taken care of. Thank you Cafe Suliman! read more

Great middle eastern spot in Melrose Market. The food was flavorful without being too heavy. Highlights included the rockfish, the carrots and the dips, but everything was delicious. Service was good, with real, honest-to-goodness waiters (seemingly a rarity now in Seattle where restaurants are either very expensive traditional restaurants (a small minority) or fast casual with no waitstaff (but of course you still have to tip as if there were waiters)). While Melrose Market makes for nice overall ambiance, the only real drawback was the space, which was uncomfortably cramped. My advice is to go as a small group and sit at the bar. read more

This evening was so special. Every single entree to dessert was 5++++ stars! It's rare for me to ever rate an experience this high but this spot is legitimately a high prized secret. Go! Enjoy! It will blow your mind! read more

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truly a hidden gem. one of my favorite dining experiences in seattle for non-asian food. attentive service, although the place is small so it can be a bit slow. highly recommend the lamb meatballs i can only say that i hope this place doesn't blow up too much. read more

Cafe Suliman - toast - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Fun atmosphere, good Arabic-ish food, take a group of friends and have a good time on a weeknight in this place at the market in Capitol Hill District. If you're going on a weekend, you will not be able to find a place to sit. And it is a little loud. read more

Wandered around and found this in Melrose market. Delicious curated wine selection and great service. Will come back again anytime. It was pretty busy but we were still able to sit at the bar. Recommend for a quick glass of wine and a small bite. read more

Cafe Suliman - Arabic Near Me - Seattle, Washington

" If i were in the middle of the desert and came across this place... I would think I was in heaven." - me to suli sometime in April 2024 I said that out loud to suli one day and realized.... damn I should write a review because I love this place so much. TL;DR: arabian flavors from suli, specially curated wine from marc, a world-traveler, and sharon the producer; wonderful people who are incredibly present and invite you to do the same as you imbibe on their memories in a dish while you make your own. and the music selection? ugh. get here asap so you can slow the hell down and celebrate your life. is that dramatic? yes. so is this environment, in the best way! ambiance, lighting, mood, food, people, character? i feel like i'm in the rom-com movie of my dreams. Suli the chef and marc the wine-man are the 2 man-show of this crazy little cafe in the middle of Melrose market and they have created a literal oasis in the frenzy that can be ANY area with a big-ass starbucks. (that's not a dig, i think that store is tight.) I have learned so much more about food and wine just by being here. they've been open 6 months, their first year! you still have time to hop on this train before it gets too big to walk-in and really get to feel all the stories personally from these 2 world-travelers. with the addition of sharon, aka ran park the producer, their growth is obvious and well-deserved. favorite dishes: this can change as the menu does, and i like to experience evverything so i order the new stuff whenever there is new stuff... HOWEVER, should i find myself wanting a guaranteed craving satisfyer? the lamb hummus goes crazy, almond and mints? insane, i have to stop myself from asking for extra mint cuz i order extra bread; but as i write that, i feel ridiculous. i can ask. I'm gonna ask for more mint. feta orange caraway i'll have as a dessert once in a while. wines: my method thus far, is finding a light place to start and finish deep and dark. marc and sharon know their stuff, so if you let them know your flavor mood, they'll find something for ya to thoroughly explore. every sunday, i'm here to celebrate all the work i do for myself during the week. it's my self-care. I trust suli x marc with my self care routine. *flex emoji* goodphilosophy.co read more

One of the best meals I've had in Seattle. Cafe Suliman is an incredible new addition to the Seattle food scene, and I'm so enamoured with the experience we had here. The space and menu are relatively small, but everything is thoughtfully organized and curated to perfection. We had a number of things off the menu, including the foul, the cheese with apricot, lamb, mashed potatoes, chicken, the trout dish, and the cake -- everything was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully plated. Every meat and fish dish was incredibly tender, packed with its own unique flavours, and complimented by the sides. Portions were reasonably priced and sized. Suliman is the owner and chef -- he makes all the dishes one-by-one which means a little bit of a wait when it is busy, but it is so worth it. The sommelier is the co-owner, and while we aren't wine experts, the red wine he chose for us was great and worked well with the meal. They are open for both lunches and dinners. Suliman and his co-owner are very kind, accommodating, and helpful and were a pleasure to talk to after our meal. We will definitely be back! read more

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I can eat this whole menu everyday. Cute lil spot and highly highly recommend for treating your self to small plates or a fun date spot. Also a great bottle shop for wine read more

Suliman and Mark created a great little bistro-esque place in the middle of the Melrose Market. The middle-eastern inspired menu is fantastic, I recommend the cabbage and the lamb hummus if you want to enjoy a fresh new take on both. Paired your meal with the wines that Mark serves, and you're guaranteed to have a memorable experience. The music they choose goes well with the general good vibe of the hosts in this new gem in Capitol Hill. read more

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Fantastic food at a great value with friendly staff and a great selection of wines. We've been here multiple times already and eagerly look forward to our next visit. A short walk from the light rail makes it easy to get here and go back home. read more

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A five star experience, from food to service. An amazing experience at a little market place in Capitol Hill . Every single item was filled with flavor and wine pairing were a must read more

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We had a fantastic anniversary dinner at Cafe Suliman over the weekend. Fantastic ambiance, food and service. Plating and flavors on point. What a gem. Can't wait for our next visit. read more

Delicious food and great wine recommendations! The restaurant is small and cozy, this is one of my favorite places in Seattle

Service is slow, but it's the type of food worth waiting for. This pace of dining is actually better in my opinion compared to very rushed service in typical restaurants. The olive oil orange cake was the best dessert I've had in a while. It's obvious a lot of thought and care went into each dish. read more

Fabulous food, friendly service. The eggplant dip and the pickled beans are delicious. Absolutely recommend.

Where has this place been all my life? The food, the ambiance, the service, the magic - it's all there. Thank you Suliman! You just made the world a better place. read more

We had the most awful experience. Went today to try to have dinner for four people. Got there at 6 and they told us to come back in an hour. And we came back and they told us there was a table that looked like they were finishing up but after half an hour they still hadn't finished. And next to them there were two tables that we asked them to pull together and they said they couldn't because they had promised the table to someone else. But there didn't seem to be any factoring in that we had been waiting since 6. At one point we said we had been waiting since 6 and they told us, no you haven't. And the worst part was that we couldn't go anywhere else nearby since all the restaurants were full and we hadn't put our names anywhere else ( because we were told that read more

A sweet, small restaurant seated in the heart of melrose market. This lovely little restaurant transports you to another place all together. Thoughtfully prepared dishes, on beautiful vintage plates, paired with delicious wine all while the record spins great music. This is a perfect spot to go and eat bites by yourself, on a date, or meet some friends. Highly recommend! read more

Stumbled onto Suliman after tasting coffee at the Starbucks Roastery in Seattle. Small but quint. The food was excellent. Had the chicken. I'd say it was a half chicken. Very moist inside and crispy skin. Spices were very subtle but it made the chicken very tasty. Arabic food was a first and I enjoyed it. Definitely will try again when in town and recommend it. read more