The restaurant is clean, brightly lit, and well maintained. There is a large seating area with smoking and non-smoking sections. If I could give more than 5 stars just for the service, I would. Our server went above and beyond to make sure everything was to our satisfaction. They went the extra mile to wrap our takeout meal so it'd stay warm at the end of an hour long drive. Food was flavorful. We ordered the meat area, hummus, small mixed grill platter and beef shawarma platter. The shawarma was not quite what I expected but still tasty. Both meals came with seasoned rice and garlic butter. They did not have harissa but gave us roasted jalapeno and hot sauce upon request. read more

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We really enjoyed the food here. We came late night and the kitchen was about to close. I guess the restaurant becomes a happening hookah lounge at night. The server quickly took the orders. We ordered multiple shawarma sandwiches that came with French fries. Also ordered the hummus and salad. The sandwiches were very tasty, especially the beef shawarma. Plenty of meat and flavorful. The fries were golden and crispy. The hummus was delicious also, served with pickles and naan. This place satisfied the late night cravings. Will be back here soon. read more

Darna Restaurant - Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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Falafels here are even better than the delicious falafels I've reviewed recently at other restaurants. The beef shwarma entree with fries was very tasty. It was not that tender, but still very good. The white sauce that came with it was great, but not necessary because the shwarma was already so nicely seasoned. The tabouli was very good, my wife enjoyed it. It had a generous amount of tomatoes. The staff are very professional and top notch. We were checked on multiple times my multiple people. It's weird having good service in 2025, but this was great. There is a separate hookah room, which we did not enter. But there's a door that separates it from the rest of the restaurant. I will definitely visit again in the future. And will try other items next time. I would like if there was more tea options, but with food this good it doesn't matter. read more

I'm Dominican and I'm a huge fan of Mediterranean and Lebanese food! In terms of quality & affordable prices, Darna is without a doubt one of, or should I say the best restaurant on Main Street. If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would, the portions are so large and the food is so flavorful, the restaurant is immaculate and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. With that being said, I'll like to nominate Darna, Not just in Paterson, but throughout the entire tri-state region, The best Lebanese eatery. P.S The Darna Mix will always be my top pick when ordering takeout. The falafel, bourak, and my personal favorite, the KEBEH, as well as the spreads like hummus, babaganouj, labneh, muhamara, and garlic sauce, are all excellent here. What a treat! read more

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I have been looking for one of the best lamb chops in Paterson and this was by far the best. Such a generous portion and the lamb chops are much bigger compared to other restaurants. 10/10 recommend fr read more

Darna Restaurant - Lamb Chops - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

My wife and I have been getting lunch in Paterson lately and the trouble with giving restaurants five stars is that the next thing that's better can't get six stars. Darna is worthy of that additional star. The staff is pleasant and professional and the food starts hitting the table quickly. We selected chicken "chops" (based on the Yelp recommendation) and lamb chops to share. We started with foul and Darna salad for appetizers. I had the mint lemonade. The salad was a large portion and was dressed nicely. The foul was piping hot and delicious. Great with the complimentary pitas that were served warm. There were complimentary olives and pickled vegetables on the table also. The highlight of the meal was the chicken "chops", they're one of the best chicken dishes I've had in a long time. Juicy marinated chicken thighs are grilled to perfection and served with garlic and hot dipping sauces. The lamb chops were also juicy, flavorful, and an ample portion. Both dishes came with a ton of tasty rice. It all went really well with a vibrant mint lemonade. The waiter took pride in the quality of the food. We will be back to Darna! read more

Darna Restaurant - Grilled Chicken Chops are a show stopper!! Order these!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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The food was great!! I thought the baba ganoush taste like it was grilled, which I like. The hummus was good , really creamy. The fatoush tasted fresh. I came with a large group, about 15 people, they were able to seat us together, which was nice. We sat inside and there were alot of kids running around. It was also kind of messy at the restaurant. Didn't seem well put together. The food made up for it. I wouldn't come here if I wanted to dress up but for a quick bite it's fine. The food came out pretty fast as well. And also forgot to mention the lamb chops were really good!! read more

Darna Restaurant - Fatoush Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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Best food ever Hager was the best host this place is clean and the energy was amazing

The chicken chops are amazing. The Hummus and meat is also really good. Consistent and always tasty!

Great good and Hookah with affordable prices. I highly recommend their mixed grill plate. read more

Darna Restaurant - a table with a hook on it - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

This restaurant is slept on! Just get the chicken chops and you will understand why this is a 5 star meal. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is just so relaxing. You can eat and order a hookah. If you don't smoke it's okay they have a non smoking area as well. Trust me trust me trust me read more

Darna Restaurant - Chicken chops! - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

This was our first time at Darna and we all loved their Premium Mix And Darna Mix Appetizer. We made a reservation for 9 people before arriving and our table was ready when we got that. The overall vibe of the restaurant felt great and inviting. We were welcomed by a waitress and ordered our food right away. The appetizer came really quick and was served with warm bread. The presentation was also really good. The main course came Shortly after and was also served hot with great presentation. The reason I am giving 4 starts VS 5 starts because of the service. I feel this restaurant can bring their game up by training their staff on providing better customer service. This one improvement will take their business to the next level. It would have been great for the staff to ask the customer about their visit and possibly provide some recommendations. Would have great to provide dinner plates when serving main course. Also it'd be nice for the staff to check with us about water, drinks, dessert or tea. We were ready to have all of that but felt like they were super busy and had no time for us eventhough the restaurant wasn't busy. However we do understand that there is staff shortage all over the place and hopefully we will see improved service next timez Overall great experience, and will go back for sure and bring more friends and family. read more

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Be forewarned: This is NOT a BYOB. Upon entering, the restaurant was very clean and the staff was welcoming. We typically go to another nearby restaurant but wanted to give this one a shot since the reviews were very positive. Unfortunately, as soon as we were seated and my husband brought out they wine, they said no liquor allowed. Understandably, it's their restaurant, no issues. read more

THE REVIEW IS LONG. Just GO, trust me you will not regret it. Greatest Place to eat and is an absolute MUST visit in Jersey. The service is outstanding; the owners are extremely kind and generous, the food is absolutely delicious and I personally recommend the Chicken Chops for some of the BEST chicken I've ever had in my life and trust me I know chicken. It is tender, juicy, well marinated, not a SINGLE fiber that is bland. I dream about this place when I'm not there! Beautiful ambiance and the perfect place for a group or large party to spend the night in dinner. I always come and bring my family. Love the place, give it a try! read more

It's been a while since I've been to a hookah lounge, so I was excited to stop by after so long! I'm fairly new to North Jersey, but I know Paterson is the place to be for anything Middle Eastern! We arrived at Darna, and although quite a few of the tables were taken, we were seated right away. They have 2 sections, and one seems to be a bit more designated for hookah, although you can order both food and hookah in either area. We ordered the Watermelon Mint Hookah (~$16). It took maybe 15-20 minutes to get the hookah which is quite a bit of time. The hookah tasted great and had good smoke. I like that they use a grapefruit instead of the typical clay/glass hookah head. I think the flavor burned a lot slower and equal this way. We sat here for a couple of hours, and we had the coals rotated a few times. They're a bit slow in changing the coals and could be more attentive, in my opinion. It seemed like every table was ordering the Mint Lemonade so I figured I would try one. The Mint Lemonade (~$4) was delicious!! I can see why everyone was getting it. It has somewhat of a slushee consistency and was super minty and refreshing. The lemonade part was a solid blend of sour and sweet. It went really well with the hookah! My main complaint was that this place wasn't super "comfortable" for hookah and catching up with friends. I wish they had a section with couches. Also, the music was a bit too loud to really talk properly. Overall, the ambiance was lacking but the hookah and mint lemonade really hit the spot. I don't know if I would come back but in terms of price and quality, it was a good try! read more

Darna Restaurant - Mint Lemonade (~$4). - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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This place is awesome. Food and service are both great. I enjoy a lot of their dishes but the chicken tawook is my favorite so far. read more

Darna Restaurant - Chicken Shish Tawook - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

The chicken and Kofta were very moist. The red pepper dipping is to die for. Very pleased with the service and mint tea sealed the deal for me. read more

Came here with my biz partner on a Thursday night. He had called ahead and ordered some stuff and when we got there the table was ready and the apps were waiting nice and hot. This was my first time eating here and I've eaten a lot of Mediterranean food and this was by far some of the freshest meat that was cooked to perfection. The chicken chops were amazing. The salad and hummus were excellent and the service was extremely attentive. I'm excited to go back and bring the wifey as she too loves Mediterranean. read more

We stopped by Darna and really enjoyed their food. They are open late, have outdoor seating, and provide hefty portions. We had the mixed grill with an order of hummus. Depending on the hunger and appetite level, it can feed up to four people. Their outdoor seating is pretty bare bones and is on a main street, so keep expectations pretty low on the ambiance side. That being said, outside of COVID, the interior is really nice and well maintained. Their food is just as good. Obviously, if you're looking for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, Paterson is full of options. Darna is definitely a solid choice among the mix of restaurants to try out! read more

Darna Restaurant - Food- Large Mixed Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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We always order food from this restaurant the food was great at first. Since of lately they take no pride in preparing their food. Food Is horrible . Unlikely to recommend. read more

The meat at Darna is pretty good. The shish, steak, and lamb chops are great. Their fries are really well done and the hummus with meat is great too. They sometimes mess up the steak so it ends up being cooked more than what I asked for. The Mint Lemonade and shish are the main reason I even come here. Everything else is meh. The staff is really great, but the service takes for ever and they often have empty tables for HOURS when they have lines of families waiting to be seated because they have a party coming in. I honestly dont think the wait is worth it and there are better options in the area in terms of food quality (Istanbul Grill House, Galata Butcher Grill). During Ramadan, the owner was charging dumb amounts for the buffet (no other dining options aside from buffet in Ramadan) and the food options were terrible. read more

Very yummy food, the chicken was very flavorful and juicy, fast serving and a good portion.

This is my third time here, I will like to thank you again the Darna restaurant's owner , staff and waiters for their amazing job and service. Keep it up the good work . It is always worth drive from NYC to Paterson to come eat here . Try the combination grill is the best . I really recommend this place . read more

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Love coming here for great hookah and this was second time I came so I got a the chance to try the food. When I tell you that everything was delicious from start to finish it was. The staff is super friendly and hospitable. The food was flavorful and filling that I had enough to take home. And let me not get started on the best hookah I've had ever. So affordable and the vibe is chill for outside dining. Highly recommend coming here because it will never disappoint. read more

Darna Restaurant - Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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Great fresh food. Amazing flavors. Has been going here for more than 15 years. Price is very reasonable and staff is very professional.

I was visiting a friend who lives in the area and offered to pick up lunch. Upon walking in, I was greeted by guy in the front who was very friendly. I commented on how nice the dining room was and he shared they had just renovated. On to the food. My friend ordered the lamb chops and I got the chicken chops. The chicken was so flavorful and tasty. My friend really enjoyed her lamb. Would absolutely recommend this place and will definitely be back next time I'm in the area. read more

My family and I love this place especially for big gatherings and parties. Plenty of space and amazing food. Authentic middle eastern kabobs and various kinds of grilled meats. Large portions and fresh food. We always get large family platters with various appetizers. This place is great because it offers something for everyone and it's actually one of the few places in the area that has plenty of seating available. They also have a separate space for people who would like to smoke hooka. Get their family mixed grill platter! It's our favorite. read more

Darna Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

First time here and food was very good I order the chicken Platter the chicken had a lot of flavor which is good..also has the fried cheese and French fries the fries have a tasteful seasoning on it which comes with a garlic sauce and omggg that sauce made everything taste soooo good! The mint lemonade was good would have been better if it wasn't so sugary I had to pour water since it was too sugary for me. read more

Darna Restaurant - Chicken shawerma with rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

The food is good but zero customer service The guys are so rude and it take forever to bring the hookah and food read more

What amazing food! I went in with my husband and my friend. When we walked in they said it will 30 mins. We were discussing if we wanted to wait, but then the guy ( I am guessing the manager) seated us, mentioning we will gave to wait to put in our order. I felt a bit weird just waiting there. However, when the food arrived I was so satisfied. We ordered: Hummus, kibbeh balls, chicken shawarma, kofta kabab platter, and lamb chops. The food was amazing! Everything is was fresh and juicy. Possibly the best Lebanese food I've eaten. The service was also great. read more

Food was great and so was price. For food I will give full star however service was just horrible. I had party of 15 ppl and there was not enough forks and spoons and no one came to ask if we need anything. I had to steal it from other table. Also 2 order fries which we didn't get. I mean service was just horrible and there excuse was that they was bz. I mean I don't think that's a good excuse. Also I wish they had better hot sauce and white sauce. Btw for 15 ppl we paid 238$ not bad at all read more

Darna Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey

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The food was amazing the Hubby and I went out for date night. We had the medium mixed grill and a lamb dinner plate along with the Arabic Salad... I recommend all three. We also indulged in some hookah and of course you need the mint tea to accompany the hookah.. Honestly a great time! I like that they have a non smoking and smoking section. Great for large groups or dates. Good food chill vibes! read more

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Great food service and atmosphere. I have always had enjoyable times here. I wish I was in Paterson more often so I could eat here more and at the bakeries and ice cream and chocolate shops around the area. read more

Best chicken chops ever. Very friendly staff. Good always amazing. Rice is very good. Shrimp is excellent. White sauce is

One word Amazing!! The food is very flavorful and the portions were huge. I ordered the Mixed Grill, Lamb Chops, Hommus, kibbeh. The mint lemonade was really good too!! read more

Only came here for hookah, which was great. Had some french fries which were good, but that's all. Hard to judge the place based on my short experience. The place is decorated very cool inside. Only thing troublesome was that the waitstaff was constantly running everywhere, they seemed extremely frazzled. Getting checks for our table of about 10 people took forever as well. Decent experience overall. I enjoyed my hookah read more

The food was so so nasty the mashawi literally tasted like lighter fluid. I used to come here all the time but now, they just stopped caring. read more

Shawarma wasn't good! Wrapped in a tortilla and the meat wasn't good. Please don't ever order their shawarma if you're looking for real shawarma. read more

Loved this place!! We got the lamb chops & chicken chops for entrees. Extremely juicy & savory flavor. Customer service was great. Prayer area is available & clean restrooms as well :) read more

FOOD: Good, depending on what you order. I recommend their grilled meats and chicken as opposed to other baked and fried foods they have. Mixed grill is delicious and always tastes great. It comes with shish tawouk, kefta, meat kebab, lamb chops, arayes, and grilled veggies. My favorite appetizer here is the hommus with meat - the whole family fights for it! Don't like the bread though, it would be better if they had homemade. The tabboule was not good, very salty and kind of grainy. The complimentary spicy olives are bomb, I don't even like olives and I ate them. SERVICE: Below average. The waitresses are not friendly and are always sitting together, texting, sharing personal issues, etc. They are not attentive and are not very friendly. They don't come to check in on you and once they bring the food, they often disappear. ATMOSPHERE: Meh...right now it seems like they're doing renovations, so the dining area and smoking area are one. If you don't mind the smell of argileh/hookah and clouds rolling around your head while you eat, then you'll be alright. Our family doesn't mind, but I saw people who were bothered by it. I think it will be cute after they finish the renovations. The fam loves that they have a waterfall wall by the front door and always takes pictures by it LOL. HOOKAH: Good/bad depending on when you go. We've had good experiences and bad experiences so I'm guessing it depends on who's making it that night. I recommend blue mist. --------------------------- TLDR: Good grilled combo, bad service, lots of hookah smoke, will return after renovations. read more

Darna Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Paterson, New Jersey