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Gili's Kitchen

4.2 (89 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Order Gili's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

Services - Gili's Kitchen

Allergy-friendly catering

Catering

Gluten-free catering

3 More Services

Kosher catering

Vegan catering

Vegetarian catering

Gili's Kitchen Photos

Business Info

GILI'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Gili's Kitchen

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Reviews With Photos

Interior Decor
David A.

Gili's Kitchen is a great local restaurant right in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The interior is clean, wood table and black accents, Jacksonville themed murals on the walls and just a great vibe. Service was excellent and everything we ordered was too notch. I ordered the Cuban, my wife a shawarma pita and both were excellent. The sweet potato fries may be the best I've had. Beer is available and all types of drinks via bottles, cans or from the soda fountain. The fact that they have so many vegan and kosher options is just a bonus. I'm sure we'll be returning and I highly suggest you give them a try.

Inside seating options
Laura A.

Always happy to try a place new to us that is close by in downtown Jax and open on Sunday! We went for a later lunch and had a great meal. Clean and bright space with tables and window seating available. We ordered fountain drinks and waters, sweet potato fries to share, a Cuban and shawarma in a pita. Service was great, with refills offered often for both our waters and coke zeros, including to-go cups before we left. The Cuban was pressed and had great flavor. The sweet potato fries were so crispy on the outside and sweet and delicious on the inside. My shawarma in a pita was overflowing with chicken, vegetables and spices and tasted fantastic. Any wait to return and try some of the many other options on the menu.

Indoor seating
Christian K.

We stopped by Gili's Kitchen for lunch while exploring downtown Jacksonville. The location is convenient, and the interior is spacious with some interesting artwork on the walls. As we walked in, the specials were displayed on a big chalkboard, which added a nice touch. We were seated quickly and handed menus. I had read online that the prices were on the lower side, but they were higher than I anticipated. That said, the menu offered a good variety, and everything looked fresh and thoughtfully prepared. I was torn between getting a burger or some shawarma, but the NY Style Pastrami caught my eye, so I went with that, paired with fries. My friend ordered the Reuben burger and was surprised it came with vegan cheese, but I wasn't, as Gili's is a strictly kosher restaurant. One downside was that the fountain drink machine wasn't working, so we had to buy bottled drinks from the cooler. For someone like me who drinks more than I eat, having to ration my Coke Zero was a bit of a letdown. The food itself was a highlight. My pastrami sandwich was delicious, with tender, flavorful meat that you could tell was prepared with care. The portion size was solid, and the fries were a satisfying side. My friend also enjoyed the Reuben burger despite the cheese surprise. That said, I came in expecting to spend $10-$20 but ended up closer to $30 each for myself and my friend. While it's a bit more than I'd typically budget for lunch, the quality was undeniable. It's a rare occasion I'd come back, but it was great for what it was!

Lamb Kabobs
Chad B.

When in town for a conference we decided to take a group of 20 to Gili's. Although the place was small, they were happy to accommodate us and treated us like family. The chef was excited to cook for us and I asked the server what she suggested and she gave me a lot of options. We started with a plethora of apps that were amazing. The mushroom hummus and Naan was a standout. For my main course I had the Lamb Kabobs and I was not disappointed. Look at the picture and you will see for yourselves. This was a great escape from the corporate restaurants that are everywhere you go. If you are looking for some great Israeli food, this is the place. Say hi to the chef while you are there. Taste: 9/10 Quality vs cost: 10/10 Presentation: 10/10 ( based on the setting) Atmosphere and ambience 9/10 (very fitting for a small diner) Service: 10/10 Total: 48/50 = 4.8 = 5 star

Mark R.

I have to say this is probably one of the more tougher reviews for me to write. Our server and I wish I had her name was phenomenal, she was very pleasant kind and professional. She demonstrated compassion and a true liking of her job. That would be five stars. Regarding the food; my father had the New York pastrami sandwich (over $20) so he had very high expectations. I personally did not try it so I can only go by what he told me and he said the meat was very tough, some of it It difficult to chew. I had the chicken pita and I have to say there was not very much chicken in it in fact I thought they had forgotten about it until I found a small paper thin piece. Did not have much flavor so I was I will admit a little disappointed. Again our waitress was phenomenal I wish I had her name but here comes the most challenging part - as I was eating the fries I found a bug in the plate. Too big to be a flea and it did not have wings so therefore was not a net but it was a black bug that was crawling on the plate. I put my finger near it to make sure that it wasn't a crumb of some sort and it started to run. The owner said that though he did not see the bug he basically trusted me and he did discount our ticket. The challenge was the quality of the pastrami the lack of chicken but they have great service. This is why I had a hard time writing this review because if I were to do it solely on the waitress it would be a five if I was to do it totally on the food it would be two. After some time I may give it a try again.

It gives me no joy to write this disappointing review. A little background. I grew up in Baltimore going to Corn-Beef Row once a week. I lived in NYC- dined at the old Carnegie Deli, Katz's and Zabars. Lived in LA for over 30 years going to Langers, Factors, Art's, Brent's and all the great Israeli cafes like Aroma and Tel-Aviv Grill-- so on a trip down here from Savannah I was thrilled to see what seemed like an authentic Kosher Deli/Israeli Cafe and to check it ou! We came on Sunday July 27th and I brought 5 friends who have never been to a DELI or an Israeli restauant so I assured them they were in for a TREAT... instead it was kind of a nightmare. First-- the AC was out. At one point the Waitress brought out an old fan which she plugged on the other side of the restaurant so it made zero difference. When we walked in -- we were only one of two tables- A table of two women and then a table of us-- 6- 3 couples. The Waitress apologized and said she was new. She took our orders. We ordered some salads and apps and we made it clear we wanted them first. About 40 minutes later, the apps-- a plate hummus, 6 falafel and a greek salad finally came out. This was after I had to get up and remind the waitress that we had been waiting a long time for those three dishes. We also ordered a chef's salad that they clearly forgot. My friend told them to just forget it-- but a few minutes later after we had finished the other apps, she brought it out and said there was no charge for it.. Okay-- that's nice I guess. And then about 15 minutes later, the entrees came out-- all of them EXCEPT mine. A simple NY Style Pastrami Sandwich. The Waitress didn't say anything this time and once again, I had to go to the front desk and ask where my food was. Was told they were very short staffed. Whatever. Finally AFTER my friends were all finished with their food, my sandwich came out-- but it was the wrong one-- it was the 15 dollar smaller version not the 23 dollar version I ordered. I pointed this out and she again apologized and said she can have it remade and I told her I had already waited a long time so she said she would just bring me a plate with some extra pastrami. I said that would be fine and she brought some more over.... We finished our food and then waited a LONG TIME for the checks to come-- which never did-- cause the table check device was broken--- Great! So we then all paid our checks-- I was last- I noticed she had charged me for the large sandwich instead of the smaller one that I got. She told me I said it was okay if she brought me the extra pastrami-- I told her I thought she was just being nice because they had forgotten to bring out my sandwich in the first place-- she said no-- she had to charge me for the extra. Eight bucks for a couple slices of pastrami which I'm sure was probably just a Boar's Head from Publix-- cause you know what-- after all this-- if the food was great- I would have minded-- but it was all just MEH. Nothing special. Fun fact- my wife got the Hummus with Mushrooms and promptly got food poisoning so that happened to. And now my friends hate Jewish and Israeli food- so thanks for that Gili. Oh-- and even with that I tried my best to be friendly and said "Shalom" the the grumpy slobby "chef" who grumbled something back. No- "Sorry". No please forgive the bad service. Nothing. Sooo never coming back. I tried my best to support my people but Jesus-- what a crappy experience all around. Like no one cares. Ps. I don't know how many times we had to ask for simple things like plates... HARD PASS!

Matso ball soup
Susan T.

I wish I remembered how much I like Gili's when I'm downtown so I can visit more often. A perfect spot at ArtWalk for delicious food! Friendly staff, clean and fun background music!

Howard P.

Gili's Kosher Restaurant is in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. We went there for lunch on Christmas Eve and they were offering a Chinese menu, as well as their standard menu, this seems to be a tradition for Gili's. We ordered 3 dishes. They do have a large selection of vegan options and they cook to order so everything is customizable. Our server, Riki, was very pleasant and attentive. Pricing is a bit expensive, I am sure the cost of rent and the fact that it is kosher food has something to do with this. We sat outside, they have two small tables and 4 chairs total. Gili's also has takeout and offers catering. The panhandlers kept approaching our table asking for money. This made for an uncomfortable lunch. I would probably go back and eat inside after the pandemic.

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The food is extremely great and fresh. My only complaint is that it is pretty expensive.

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Ask the Community - Gili's Kitchen

What are the parking options?

There's parking available on the city streets at and near the restaurant - you will need change for the parking meters.

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