The BEST mandi in the city. The JUICIEST meat you'll eat…read more I've never actually been to the restaurant itself to enjoy a meal (I went once and it was closed) BUT, this is the place we are ALWAYS catering from for any family events or special occasions. The owner is super friendly. The food is 100% fresh, hot, tasty. The meat specifically is cooked to perfection and so juicy. Recently, we also ordered their chicken and that was a hit, but for me personally I would prefer to always go with the lamb mandi as it's the best one I've had.

What is it with "Yemeni" Mandi and bland rice? Every Mandi…read morerestaurant I have been to who labels their Mandi "Yemeni" has had tasteless rice. Lamb Mandi: The Lamb was cooked very well with Bone Marrow still intact and Meat very juicy and tender, however, the rice was just normal rice *not* cooked with the meat so it had no essence of it. Chicken Mandi: This was tasteless throughout, chicken was tender and juicy, however was pretty tasteless and the rice was the same as Lamb rice. Service: Two cute little girls take your order, Parents are in the back making food for you. Doesn't get any more "family" than this. So thats a big plus. Again, if I am looking for good flavourful Mandi, i would probably walk down the road to Al mandi.

Came here a few times for early dinner a few times and enjoyed it both times…read more I ordered the small chicken madhi plate, which is very filling. We didn't have to wait long before the food was served. The chicken came off the bone so easily, and it was nicely seasoned as well. The dish came on a large bed of rice and a delicious lentil soup, along with dipping sauce. The price was pretty affordable given the size as well. The place was brightly lit and there was lots of space each time I went. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

This was my first time trying Mandi and boy, it was delicious!…read more I wonder why I had never tried this before. Their slow-cooked lamb mandi plate was the star of the show for me. I am usually that person who does this like lamb as much coz of the smell but trust me when I say, this was the softest and juiciest no-smell lamb I have ever had. It was melt-in-your-mouth soft and packed with flavor! The rice portion was enough for 2-3 people to share depending on how hungry you are. It also comes with fried onions and potato on the rice. The chicken and lamb mixed mandi was good too but honestly after trying the lamb, I was sold! However, I did like the rice on the chicken mandi better than the lamb one. I thought it tasted better. The place was quite busy and it's an order-at-counter system they follow but the food was brought in quickly which is appreciated.

The service was great from the moment we walked in. Someone quickly came over to ask what we'd like…read moreto drink, which made us feel welcomed right away. It was an open buffet, and the staff checked on us a few times throughout our visit, making sure everything was okay and that we had what we needed. The ambiance was really nice, and I honestly loved the vibe of the place. There was a belly dancer, and she was really nice and added a fun, lively touch to the overall experience. The food was good overall. It wasn't too bad at all, and I enjoyed what I tried, though I do wish there had been a bit more variety to choose from. Even so, everything was still tasty and satisfying. Dessert was also good and a nice way to end the meal. Overall, it was a pleasant experience with good service, a nice atmosphere, and enjoyable food, and I would definitely consider going back.

We wanted to come here for the buffet, but upon arriving, we were told that it was closed (we got…read morethere in the mid-afternoon)... even though we checked open times beforehand online. The take-out counter was open, so we opted for that instead. Most of the foods on display were ready-to-go and vegetarian / vegan. You can also order manakeesh (Lebanese flatbread topped with toppings such as cheese, spinach, and za'atar - akin to thin-crust pizza) to be made on site. We opted for the vegetarian mix-and-match plates, which came with either rice or salad, 5 small sides, and 3 falafels. Most of the items were pretty good, my favourites being the arnabeet (cauliflower), eggplant with chickpeas and tomato-based sauce, bamya (okra), and white cannellini beans salad. The warak enab (also called dolma or stuffed grape vine leaves) was flavourless and had too much ratio-to-grape vine leaves ratio (more rice inside that I'd like). The tabbouleh was way too salty. The other dishes were good though. Although the manakeesh was made fresh to order, it came out pretty fast. It was also extremely salty. There were a few small tables by the take-out counter, for those who wish to eat the take-out items on the spot. They packaged all the items very well to avoid leakage.

From the kind and efficient service, to the lively ambiance, to the delicious dishes served, Mandi…read moreAfandi is the all in one package. I tried their Chicken Mandi and Mansaf, both of which were packed with flavour! We were also there during Ramadan, and they kindly offered dates, samosas, and water to break our fast. Will definitely come here again!

Dropped by for lunch on a weekend. The lentil soup was excellent and tasted really good. The…read morechicken was good and the lam was ok. The eggplant with the pita was really good as well. It was like a takeout restaurant but you select your seat and they bring the food to you. They also have takeout containers and bags for you to take home your lefties the platter portions are large.

Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine located along Manor Rd near Yonge St serves up homemade, authentic Syrian…read moredishes in a cozy space. I've heard many good things about Zezafoun and was excited to finally try the place. The restaurant has about ~25 seats for customers indoors. They do have a small outdoor patio for when the weather gets warmer. Reservations are recommended during busy peak dinner or brunch times, however it is possible to get a table if you do walk in as well during non-peak times. I dined at Zezafoun with a party of 3 recently on a Sat evening. We didn't make reservations but walked in around 6:30 and was able to grab a table. It wasn't too busy that early in the evening but as the night went on the restaurant got busier. Service was great and friendly. Staff gave us plenty of time to decide what to order as well as gave us recommendations as well. The interior is warm and cozy. For drinks, I ordered the pomegranate juice which was unique and delicious. One member of my party ordered the rosewater and lemon juice which was refreshing and light. They also have Syrian coffee and tea as well on the menu which I will try next time! Food wise, we ordered and shared the following dishes: - Falafel plate (chickpeas patty fried and served with a side of tahini sauce) - Hummus (homemade chickpeas, tahini, lemon and garlic with a touch of olive oil) - Fattoush salad (Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, radish with Zezafoun dressing topped with crispy pita bread) - Kebbeh labanyeh (beef kibbeh in a cooked garlic yogurt stew served with side rice) - Maldoum (beef kufta wrapped with delicious eggplants in tomato stew and served with a side of rice) - Makloubeh (layers of rice, eggplants, and ground beef with tomato sauce served with side yogurt or salad) Food was delicious and unique! I've never had authentic Syrian food like this before and it was a delight. The appetizers we shared (falafel, hummus, and salad) were great to start the meal. The hummus was creamy and the falafel was nice and crispy. The crispy pita bread in the fattoush salad gave the dish a textural contrast, In terms of our mains, all the dishes were tasty but I especially enjoyed the makloubeh! Overall, delicious spot in Midtown Toronto for Syrian food in a cozy environment. Service was also spot on as well. Definitely want to return to try their brunch menu!

An extremely disappointing experience on all counts…read more The place is kind of shabby chic, but it is not. We seated at a bench (for the ladies) and at what passed for garden wooden chairs which were obviously home made. They required a minimum spending of $35/person with a time limit of 1.5 hours. Appetizers are traditional middle eastern fare but very small. They were just a bit off taste.Somebody was either trying something or just did not know. Labneh, babaganoush and a tomato/pepper mush all 3rd rate and again very tiny. A sharing order of fattoush was brought to the table. It was more in the order of a small side salad. The ordered main course all had chicken. No matter what was ordered from Molocheya, Shawarma Plate, Chicken with eggplant the chicken was the very same off of whatever grill they use. There were a bunch of tendons in the "de-boned" chicken. The Molocheya was a special punishment. Clumps of leaves sodden tasteless, drowned in a wrong tasting lemon broth. There was not a hint of spice blend or texture that makes this dish unique. To add insult to injury, a table of 4 was served 2 small pita bread to consume 4 appetizers. In addition the labneh came with a small square of a flavoured biscuit that was crumbly. An order of falafel was freshly fried but from its very colour we could tell that there were not herbs in the mix. The inside was not only insipid but was thoroughly of a light tan colour. But they were not through with us yet! A syrian coffee was ordered brought to the table. After letting the grind settle I had the pleasure of drinking from a broken leaky cup. I looked forward to eating in a real Syrian restaurant because Syrian Aleppo food has the reputation as being the best in the Middle East. These guys obviously did not get the memo. For a dinner for we spent about $190.00 which is ludicrous for this type of food. ANY street side shawarma joint on Lawrence would be far far better. Save your taste buds and your money.

This is some of the best mandi I have had in the GTA!…read more I came here for iftar and while the wait was quite long, my party of 5 was accommodated as soon as a table opened up. We were greeted with a lovely lentil soup, which was rich and perfectly seasoned. Next came the sambusa, which was filled with delicious ground beef. The star of the evening was the mandi, which had juicy and tender meat, fluffy seasoned rice, and sweet and savoury toppings that complimented the dish so well. The lively ambiance and beautifully decorated interior were just the icing on the cake.

Been going to the Ridgeway plaza location since their opening. They are consistent and generous…read more Either dining in or taking out. Lentil soup is provided as a starter for dine in. I always order the same dish; mini lamb mandi. It is a large portion, enough for two meals. I rarely finish it in one sitting. The lamb melts like butter. It's so tasty. I've tried the chicken mandi and Greek salad (good). I love their Adani tea and because I'm a frequent patron, I accumulate lots of points. They provide a sample of it after your meal. During Ramadan, they provided a complimentary fruit platter for patrons, which I thought was a nice touch. Service is great. Servers are lovely, helpful and kind. The interior has been renovated since the last establishment. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting and they are on top of their cleanliness, including the washroom. I hope they maintain their standard.

A true gem in the rough. Wasn't wild about this area of Mississauga but heard great things about…read morethe food. So here we are. Six people in our party didn't phase these folks in the least. The atmosphere was very warm and relaxing. Not too much decor, but no matter. The service was very timely and professional. Seamless and not overbearing. They take a great joy and gratification in their presentation. The food was incredible. The meat was tender and flavourful. The rice light and fluffy. Their Chocolate Lokma along side Arabic coffee was a tremendous cap. I can't wait to get back here again. 12/25

The server recognized us new to visit - and made recommendations, we tried all of it - the lab and…read morerice dish was super tender and the meat fell of the bone, their arugula salad was nothing short of addictive and delicious! We even had the tea and their dessert balls, It had a number of mixed crowds dining. Families, a birthday celebration, a bunch of guys sharing g a meal - and a small area for prayer, a hand washing station too We left stuffed and fulfilled - as a first visit. I will definitely return and with the gained insights I would do the chicken with saffron rice, cucumber yogurt salad and the arugula salad This is a spot that will have me back to also try their lentil soup which looked great

Stopped by for an impromptu dinner shortly after a comedy show. It was around 7pm and the…read morerestaurant was pretty full. We managed to snag the last available table for the evening as I saw other patrons attempt to dine in and were told the wait is long. I used to work in the area and would constantly walk by the two restaurants but given my timings, they were always closed. Pomegranate had been on my bucket list for a very long time. Luckily I managed to do just that and the experience was very pleasant. Both the food and the service were excellent. I had the lamb shank, which melted off the bone from tenderness, accompanied by an aromatic rice and salad. Also ordered Fesenjaan, which was incredibly tasty! They had a limited menu available on the day that we went. I will for sure return just for the Fesenjaan. It's flavour profile was out of this world. The restaurant is nicely decorated too. You can tell it's a busy and popular spot. Highly recommend reserving in advance.

Visited for a solo dinner for one. The decor and ambience of the restaurant is beautiful and…read moretasteful. I ordered the Baqali Polo, I was under the impression this dinner would be flavorful but no flavor in the rice or salad. Lamb was okay, service was very slow for only a few tables booked and 3 servers. Mint tea was delicious

We had the falafel platter, I went for the mixed grill. Everything was fresh, aromatic, and full of…read moreflavor. I even saw the staff (super friendly!) prepping kofta by hand on metal skewer. We highly recommend if you're in the area!

I'm visiting Toronto and wasn't sure what I wanted to eat for dinner so I headed to Yelp, read…read morereviews, and chose Palmyra. I'm so glad I did. This is a small, family owned establishment. The family was actually sitting down to dinner at the end of the day when I arrived approximately an hour before close. It was wonderful to see them eating together. I was immediately greeted by one of the employees. He was very friendly and allowed me to take my time. I wanted to try a falafel because I love to try several menu items. He accommodated that and allowed me to order a single falafel patty to try. I was stuck between choosing the Palmyra Platter or the Mixed Shawarma plate because, as I said, I like to try several items. I ended up choosing the mixed shawarma plate and ordered it as is. The falafel was crispy and I could taste the herbs mixed in. The sauce drizzled over the top was the perfect addition. I was so glad I tried it. I was so eager to taste it that I forgot to get a photo. I chose the mixed shawarma plate thinking it would be a more manageable serving for me to finish than the Palmyra platter. I was sorely mistaken. It was easily enough food for at least 2 people. This was well worth the price point. The salad was fresh and crispy with a good variety of vegetables in it. I really enjoyed the vinaigrette they used for it as well; just tangy enough. The chicken and beef were crispy on the outside and tender inside. They had good flavor and were not dry at all. The spicy potatoes were a tad spicy for me but I still ate them. The rice was ok in my opinion. I had enough left over to eat a second time. I will definitely visit here again on a subsequent trip so I can try more of their menu items. Overall this was a good experience for me.

Stopped by for lunch after a rare day of working away from home. The service is quick and no…read morenonsense, you order at the counter with the food, pay and eat there or takeaway. Got the chicken shawarma platter and it comes with a tonne of food if you're feeling hungry! Ample amounts of garlic sauce, hummus, chickpea and green salad, roasted potatoes and picked veg with chicken shawarma over a bed of rice (choice of yellow or brown). The prices are reasonable for the quantity and the location slap bang in the middle of downtown. One of the better spots for Middle Eastern food in the area.

I wasn't feeling very well a my friend was showing my around Toronto. A friend of a friend…read morerecommended me this place, as he said how amazing it was while he was in college. Just to find something to do we stopped by and I ordered a simple platter, first item on the top, with beef. i took one bite and i felt as if i was in heaven. absolutely delicious and i forgot about my allergies with caffeine. Next time I head back to this place, i hope inflation doesn't change the pricing because i'm ordering the same thing. Oh and the staff was very patient with me while i chose what to have in my platter.