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Gili's Kitchen

4.2 (93 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Order Gili's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

Services - Gili's Kitchen

Allergy-friendly catering

Gluten-free catering

Kosher catering

Gili's Kitchen Photos

Business Info

GILI'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Gili's Kitchen

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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.

Asian salad, pasta salad, Mediterranean salad
Alona Y.

Their catering is out of this world!! Fresh, clean, flavorful, colorful, moist, simply the best. Guests went for seconds and thirds. Any dietary requests they made possible and tasty

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.

Menu
Linda R.

Went directly from airport to Gili's based on their reputation. So much to choose from off the menu AND THEN there were about 5 yummy looking specials! We chose a pastrami burger and one of the specials, flank in pita, fries and Cole slaw, and a Yuengling from the beer cooler (they also have a soda cooler). Waiting on our food now, will get back to you. Wish I could say I loved it, definitely liked it well enough to come back if I'm ever in town again. The positives include that the space is nice; indoor seating includes counter space, tables ranging from 2-4 tops and 1 large table for groups and there are a couple of small outdoor tables, the staff is friendly, no wait, fairly extensive menu, food came fast and it was good. Negatives are, though the cashier is friendly, I couldn't always understand what she was trying to say (could be me) and she told us she'd bring us silverware and never did. The pastrami burger while excellent tasting was majorly messy, the fries were ok, the Cole slaw is very vinegary, the special sandwich was good- I was expecting more hummus & Israeli salad in it, but I suppose that might make it too messy for me so I suppose that's actually a good thing!

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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Reviews are generally positive. People highlight the flavorful Mediterranean dishes, generous portions, and friendly, helpful staff. The space is clean and comfortable.

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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

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5 years ago

Delicious! Fabulous and quaint!! Lamb burger and lamb kabob with sweet potato fries!! Yummy

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6 years ago

i've never had grey corned beef before and i've eaten at plenty of kosher delis in NYC and Detroit. Nasty.

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8 years ago

Best pastrami sandwich this side of NYC. Sweet 'tater fries were perfect. I will be back to try some more.

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8 years ago

By far the best food in the area - went back the next day and had the Dirty Burger (A+)

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

Great food and great customer service really recommend to the people that look for kosher food in the area

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7 years ago

Pastrami was $17. Not bad but overpriced . And no ice and bad attitude kitchen staff. Owner got some ice later.

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Ask the Community - Gili's Kitchen

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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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Kofta Cuisine - Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Kofta Cuisine

4.7(27 reviews)
8.5 mi•Southside

So I've eaten here many times enough to say it deserves a 5 Star and more rating…read more They're not the closest restaurant to me but given the chance, I try to come here as much as possible. The goal is to try every item on their menu. It's Mediterranean (Turkish) cuisine folks, which I call "guilt free, healthy eats". What to try you may ask. If you are striving for that "Olive Garden Salad + Bread combo"... let me suggest Kofta's version which is the Coban Salad and Puffy Bread. They're not offered as an all you can eat combo, but it should keep you filled between the two. - Coban Salad (5/5): A must try, soooo delicious. Fresh ingredients. The dressing, I could drink them in shot glasses. - Puffy Bread (5/5): It's made to order. Comes out nice and hot and puffy. Plenty to share with others. - From the Grill menu. Kofta Plate, Chicken Shish, Adana Plate are all good choices (5/5) - Sandwiches/Wraps: Their Doner Wrap was just okay to me (4/5) Service (5/5): no complaints here Pricing (5/5): Best value when you eat during Lunch. But Dinner items are not too pricey. Lastly, Buffets are also offered...on Sundays I believe. I haven't tried it yet but it definitely gives me a great reason to come back to Kofta.

Found this restaurant on Yelp and arrived around 1:30 on a Wednesday. The restaurant was completely…read moreempty so we were a little hesitant at first. Inside, the waitress (who I believe is the wife of the owner of the restaurant?) kindly greeted us and seated us immediately. The menu was extensive, plus they sometimes have off menu specials like fish. We ordered the adana lamb and adana chicken, as well as the mixed appetizer plate and calamari. It was way too much food for two of us, but it was all delicious. The meat was a little bit salty, but it was balanced out by the rice and other vegetables on the plate. The mixed appetizers were delicious. I don't think I would order the calamari again. Overall, great Turkish cuisine, owned by Turkish couple who moved to the United States a few years ago.

Photos
Kofta Cuisine - Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Kofta Cuisine - Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Kofta Cuisine - Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

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Dinner Menu (Sept2023)

Othello - Sea Salt Olive Oil Bread

Othello

4.8(108 reviews)
1.1 mi•Downtown

Genuinely some of the best food I've had in Jacksonville and I can't believe this place isn't more…read morehyped! The ambience is beautifully curated with Mediterranean inspired decor, perfect for a lovely candlelit dinner. The service was amazing. The food is coursed out at a good pace and they pack up the tapas you didn't finish to take home later! Now into the best part - THE FOOD! This is a Jordanian restaraunt and as someone from the region, I'm quite critical - so let me tell you, this place did NOT disappoint. The harissa bread paired with the whipped feta dip genuinely changed my life and I think I will crave it forever. Everything we ordered tasted splendid and you can tell it was made intentionally. We also ordered the falafel, batata bravas, fattoush and roasted chicken. The flavors were fresh, perfect balances of warm spices and bright citrus. I still don't know how they managed to make the chicken simultaneously crispy and juicy. This has easily become my favorite spot in jax!

If you're looking for a unique dining experience in Jacksonville, put Othello in Springfield on…read moreyour list. This hidden gem offers an intimate indoor dining room along with a charming outdoor patio. I highly recommend making a reservation, as seating is limited. Othello is a tapas-style restaurant, and we loved ordering a variety of dishes to share around the table. It was the perfect way to experience different flavors, and every dish we tried was beautifully prepared, fresh, and packed with flavor. Even the less adventurous eaters in our group left impressed. Some of our favorites included the whipped feta (don't skip the bread for dipping!), the roasted half chicken, and the butterflied branzino, which was perfectly cooked with a delicious char and bright, fresh flavors. Every plate that came to the table looked as incredible as it tasted. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions about the menu. One thing to know before you go: the chef has a very specific vision for each dish and generally does not allow substitutions or modifications. For example, one person in our group wanted the aioli removed from the tuna, but the dish was only served as designed. It's something to keep in mind if you have picky eaters or dietary preferences. We were so full after sharing so many plates that we had to pass on dessert, but that's just another reason to come back. Othello delivers a memorable dining experience with creative flavors, excellent service, and a fun, shareable menu. We'll definitely be returning.

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Othello - Beautiful bar

Beautiful bar

Othello - Butterflied Branzino

Butterflied Branzino

Othello - Smokeshow

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Smokeshow

Beirut Restaurant & Spirits - Chicken Shawarma

Beirut Restaurant & Spirits

4.3(303 reviews)
8.1 mi•Goodbys, Southside
•$$

I actually visited twice this past week. Once with my son, and once with my best friend. Both…read moretimes were excellent. Ultimately I wanted to be able to review this place based on their regular menu and on their buffet. It was best to try them separately so two trips it was!! Food-9.8/10. What a weird rating, right? But let me explain. So for my first visit with my son, we ordered off the menu. We started with the grilled potatoes, and the labneh. I had the chicken shawarma platter and he choose the sausage pizza without peppers. The grilled potatoes were divine and the garlic sauce was heaven. It was served with a good amount of pickles and pickled turnip. The labneh was perfection. It was smooth and tangy and rich. Our meals were no less perfect. I snuck a bite of my sons pizza. The soujouk was amazing. He raved about it as well. My shawarma hit the spot for me though. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and despite the picture there was plenty of it. The rice was fluffy and flavorful and more pickles and garlic sauce as well as parsley and onions made it a perfect plate. Don't miss out on the flatbread they tuck under the chicken to soak up the juices. Those were tasty as anything. Now, the part of the review I didn't think I'd write: the buffet. I will preface this by saying I hate buffets. I don't feel that many foods are done any justice by serving them on a buffet. That being said, I was curious and wanted to try it. So when my friend and I came back, we went for the buffet. This is the place where my rating loses the tiny little bit of points. Every single dish on the buffet was perfection. Except the falafel. The falafel comes out a bit drier than I like. Now let me follow that up by saying I let it soak up some of the juices from the beef kebab and it was much better. Meanwhile every other dish was a joy to the palate. Despite being sitting out on a buffet, the flatbread was still soft. Yellow rice was available, and it was as soft, fluffy and fragrant as if it were fresh cooked. There was roasted chicken over potatoes that were both tender and seasoned to perfection and while it seemed many other diners were focusing on the chicken, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I was happily scooping up the potatoes they uncovered. The kebab with vegetables was so amazing. It was tender and well spiced and so divinely juicy. The tabbouleh and fatoush were perfectly fresh and, the pita on the fatoush was so insanely crispy and delicious. While I picked up some regular and chocolate baklava to go home for my son, my friend tried the peaches Beirut dish on the buffet. He absolutely raved about it and insisted I try some. It was definitely rave worthy. This buffet experience alone could almost make me rethink my opinion on buffets, but I definitely have to take that on a case-by-case basis. But for this restaurant, definitely worth the stop for the lunch buffet. Service-10/10. The entire staff here was incredibly welcoming and hospitable. They were friendly and kind consistently across the two different visits. They're also very accommodating despite us sitting at one table and then deciding immediately to move to a table closer to the buffet. They were perfectly accommodating. Atmosphere-10/10. They have definitely made a very comfortable atmosphere for this restaurant. It looks like it possibly a large area set aside for private groups or parties in addition to the very large seating area for the restaurant itself. There also was a very nice patio outside with ample seating and bar, as well as hookahs. Overall, two experiences with different dining options, but both exceeding expectations. If you love Middle Eastern cuisine, you will definitely enjoy dining here, and even if you don't, I highly recommend you try if you're curious about Middle Eastern as this place definitely checks all my boxes.

The food was fantastic. Great cook.our server Mayra is the best too. We recommend this restaurant…read morefor everyone to try

Photos
Beirut Restaurant & Spirits - Dining area

Dining area

Beirut Restaurant & Spirits
Beirut Restaurant & Spirits

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Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe - Chicken Shawarma شاورما

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe

4.6(401 reviews)
5.6 mi•Greater Arlington
•$$

Visited while in town for a funeral. I was recently diagnosed Celiac & have been just...well, not…read moreeating anything while out. The staff worked with me to find something that was safe for me to eat, & it was so delicious even had leftovers. My sister said all of her food was amazing as well! The BEST food comes from these "hole-in-the-wall" places. A+++

This was actually a random little food stop for me! I was already in the area and figured, why not…read moregive this place a try? And I'm glad I did because the food was GOOD! While I was standing there looking at the menu, a customer came up to grab her food. She seemed really approachable, so I decided to ask what she ordered. She told me she got the chicken shawarma wrap and recommended it, but also suggested getting the chicken shawarma platter if I wanted something a little more filling. Well, I took her advice and went with the platter, and I'm so glad I did! Shoutout to that lovely lady because she definitely steered me in the right direction lol. The chicken was cooked nicely, the rice was delicious, and even that little cucumber salad tucked away in the corner of my plate was good! I love when even the smallest sides taste good. One thing to know is that you do have to pay extra for sauces, but I will say they weren't stingy with it! They put a generous amount right on top of my plate, which I definitely appreciated because I love a good sauce with my food. I also ordered the mixed pies because I wanted to try a little bit of everything and figure out which ones I liked best. The spinach pie wasn't really my favorite, but that's just personal preference. Now the cheese pie? THAT was delicious! I really enjoyed that one and would absolutely order it again. Overall, this was such a good little find! I walked in not knowing what to order and walked out with a full stomach and a new spot I'd happily visit again. Sometimes all you need is a good recommendation from a complete stranger lol.

Photos
Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe - Inside seating

Inside seating

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe - Gyro with salad

Gyro with salad

Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe - Great portion size for a Saturday lunch.

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Great portion size for a Saturday lunch.

904 Saffron - Yeah, we decided to get a gyro and this was the best gyro I have ever had.

904 Saffron

4.5(88 reviews)
0.2 mi•LaVilla
•$$

I've been seeing 904 Saffron everywhere lately so I have to try it, right? Ok, now I'm kicking…read moremyself for going so long without this delicious food in my life!! I walked over to the food truck, which was the longest part of my experience with them. The nice man at the counter informed me that I could order on the new digital screens, but asked what I was getting so he could start my order. Incredibly great service! I put in my order and paid right from the menu boards! For the best part is, I put in my phone number and received a text when my food was ready, so I didn't have to listen around for my name. A few minutes later, my food is ready and I'm on my way! It was still piping hot when I sat down to eat five minutes later. Fries were crispy, sauce was tangy and the shawarma was balanced. 15/10!! Overall, make sure you check the out, you won't be disappointed! And if you are disappointed by their food...it might just be you...

Tried 904 Saffron at FSCJ and was impressed by the variety on their menu. I decided on the lamb…read moregyro wrap with fries. After a short wait, my food was delivered, and I noticed a small container of red sauce included with the meal. I wasn't sure what it was at first, so I tried it with my fries. I originally thought it was curry, but it had more of a thin, runny consistency with a spicy kick. It worked okay with the fries, but I chose not to put it on the gyro. Unfortunately, the fries were the biggest disappointment. They were extremely salty and mostly made up of the small broken pieces you usually find at the bottom of the bag. The gyro itself was good, especially after adding some white sauce my friend received with her order. We ordered the exact same meal, so I was surprised that she received three sauces while I only received one. Overall, my first experience with 904 Saffron was lacking. Between the overly salty fries and the inconsistency with the orders, I expected a little more for a meal that cost over $15.e

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904 Saffron - Saffron Truck

Saffron Truck

904 Saffron
904 Saffron - Food truck vibes on a Tuesday afternoon...yes! Please!!!

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Food truck vibes on a Tuesday afternoon...yes! Please!!!

Gili's Kitchen - catering - Updated November 2026

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