The service was great from the moment we walked in. Someone quickly came over to ask what we'd like to 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. read more

We wanted to come here for the buffet, but upon arriving, we were told that it was closed (we got there 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. read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - Take-out vegetarian mix-and-match plates + large arnabeet (cauliflower) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

One of the better buffets town for a reasonable price! At $40 per person, some of their high quality protein offerings - roast lamb, beef, whole grilled fish, etc We went on a Sunday evening with a small group. Staff service was excellent, as they are also coming around to clear the table of used plates They even had a belly dancer entertain the diners (started at 7:30pm / for about 30 minutes) Loved all that they had to offer - not just a great variety, the food quality was fresh AND flavourful Can't wait to return to this establishment! (find me on Instagram via @aida.loves ) read more

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Post covid, this place is back to the traditional buffet model. The variety is pretty good. Lentil soup, falafel, chicken kofta & beef kofta, fried cauliflower, mezes & flatbreads (zataar, cheese, cheese & herb) are good. The other dishes are either decent or so so. Ironically for a Mediterranean place, the seafood isn't good. The roast beef is a bit dry & a bit overcooked. My friend ordered the Turkish coffee (it's important to specify!), but it was a bit dilute. read more

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We came here to celebrate my husbands birthday. This was our first time at the restaurant! It didn't disappoint! The food was delicious, we tried a little bit of everything. The meat and sea food was the best! The salads were fresh and always topped off. The dessert was the perfect amount of sweet! The staff were excellent! Very attentive! Our dishes were cleared promptly! We will be back again in November!! See you then read more

I ordered the appetizer platter, my grandson ordered the lamb skewers. The appetizers were excellent--falafels, babaganouj, etc. My grandson said the lamb was perfectly spiced and cooked. The service was good. read more

We made reservations for Saturday and I went with my family . The ambiance is good with old copper and metal decor. They have live music and belly dancing but Saturday during lunch they didn't have, no music, no dance . May be they have at dinner time. Food was fresh, they have vegetarian option like okra, stuffed egg plant , falafel , seafood , pizza, kebabs, chicken shawarma , lamb . They didn't have shrimps . Dessert was good with variety of pastries, fresh watermelon , strawberries. The lady who served our table was absolutely a good soul . We loved talking to her . , read more

It's so refreshing to see a buffet that is not Chinese or Japanese cuisine! Just to shake it up a bit! The ambience, vibe and decor of Jerusalem makes this such a great experience! The food is secondary. Authentic interior which makes you feel like you're really having a full experience. There was a lively DJ that played some great music and announced birthdays in a really fun way. And there was also a belly dancer who was engaging and friendly! (And beautiful!) One complaint is that the music was extremely loud for the whole night. Perhaps lower to a more manageable level, and turn up when the dancer is performing. It was hard to hear each other talk at the table! Plenty of food with lots of salad and seafood choices. My favorite was the lentil soup! A very large restaurant that can accommodate large parties, so great for anniversaries or birthdays. Make a reservation though! It was PACKED! read more

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The service here was amazing, our server was so friendly and made so much jokes and even bought us free desserts to try out of her own will. The place is really nice, and open spaced. The food though had not many options, there was only like 2 tables of food and the selection of the desserts was pretty limited too. The food tasted pretty good though! read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - Rice, lentils, chicken - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

For a buffet, this was surprisingly good and my whole group was pretty impressed. The restaurant is very spacious, and they even had a belly dancer performing on saturday evening. It was a good vibe, and service was quick and friendly. The food itself is delicious and the selection was massive; some of my favourite bites were the garlic shrimp, falafel, zaatar pizza, tabbouleh, hummus with olive oil, and garlic potatoes. There's even a dessert station with everything from knafeh to baklava to date squares, each of which were delicious. Overall I'd say this was a surprisingly good hidden gem in Toronto, and I'd definitely come back. read more

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I have never been to this location, but we ordered for takeout today. Our order included "Chicken Shawarma Sandwich", "Meat Shawarma Sandwich" with garlic sauce and "Hummus". Our food was well-packaged and it was still hot when we got home (10-15 minute drive). Both of the sandwiches tasted really good; perfectly marinated and cooked. Although I personally loved the meat shawarma better. Hummus tasted ok, but nothing special. I would definitely order from them again. read more

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I'm writing this review because of our experience last night. We have been customers of the restaurant for over 20 years, and we will not be returning - not for dine-in or takeout/delivery. The food was fine (not great, but fine). That's not my beef. It was the poor service and lack of caring by management that motivate me to write this review. We ordered delivery from a service. Among other things, we ordered 6 pita breads and a medium-sized hummus. In the notes, we added," please send hot sauce". When the bag arrived, it contained a little container of hot sauce (as requested and expected), but instead of the medium-sized hummus, we got a medium-sized container full of hot sauce... So, now we have a ridiculous amount of hot sauce, but no hummus, for which we paid $10. I called the restaurant. The young woman working the phone explained that they had interpreted "please send hot sauce" as "please replace the $10 hummus with a huge vat of hot sauce to supplement the free one they're already giving us". I tried to explain that her interpretation of my request was entirely unreasonable and that, if she wasn't clear on the request, then they could have called, as many other restaurants do. I explained that we wanted the hummus delivered to us for dinner that night. We live 4km away. It would have been little effort to send it via uber or taxi to us. She couldn't offer that - just a store credit for a hummus the next time I'm in. Not good enough. If I were dining in the restaurant, this problem would have been fixed on the spot. For takeout/delivery, I'm charged the same in-restaurant prices with no accountability or service if there's a mistake. I told her all this and asked to speak to the manager. After a 4-minute wait, the same woman came back on the line to tell me that the manager won't talk to me, and the best they can do is a credit for a hummus the next time I'm in. I told the young woman to tell the manager that this mistake and their refusal to make it right cost them a 20-year customer. I guess, to this manager, a loyal longtime customer is not worth the $6 Uber charge it would have cost them to make it right. I know restaurants where the manager themselves get in a car to correct errors like this. Why would they do something like that? Because it shows the full-price paying delivery customers that you actually care about providing good service. Those customers will appreciate the gesture, keep ordering and will visit and dine in-person with you as well. Jerusalem's management would be wise to focus on the quality of the food and customer satisfaction on the takeout side, not just the dining room. One impacts the other, as their evening manager now hopefully understands. I patronize restaurants that respect and value my business. I will not be giving Jerusalem Restaurant my business any longer. They blew it. read more

Jerusalem restaurant was closed for a while but then re-opened for takeout. Staff are nice and generally careful regarding hand hygiene. Seemed busy yet efficient when we went to pick up food. Suggest calling ahead depending on what item you're getting as they can get busy and they try to make things to order. Was told my kabob would take longer due to the grill already being full with orders. Food is awesome. Kafta kabob was meaty and flavorful. Meat shwarma (mix of lamb and beef) was a little on the dry side, I wonder if it wasn't turning over quickly enough and I just got shavings that had been out for a while. Still flavorful and tasty though. The salad is pretty fresh but I suspect they pre-box them all and keep them in the fridge. Some of the lettuce seemed on the edge of wilting but the tomato, cucumbers and pickled veges were great! Comes with salad dressing. Rice was light, fluffy, buttery - addicting. Each dinner also comes with 1 pita, garlic sauce (best sauce ever!) and spicy sauce (also delicious if you like spice) The babaghanousj has great eggplant and char flavor. Absolutely delicious and decent size for what you pay. Would definitely order again. Price: The dinners are a bit on the pricier side but given the amount and quality of food - it's worth it. read more

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Love the food. We always order for take away, and eat at home dinners for the High Holidays is always magnificent. Would totally recommend

We decided to give this place a try for our very first Middle-Eastern Mediterranean and booked a reso on Sunday that is delighted with belly dancer performance that goes around the restaurant performing... Funny side note is everytime someone had a birthday, they play some song (think Frankie's Tomato Buffet) in the background with a small cake with sprinkler...There were a lot of people bday that time... For $37pp, the meats like kabob whether its beef or chicken, lamb were all made well and tender...The seafood side like mussels, calamari were a bit overcooked and texture didn't taste good...The garlic shrimp was decent. The buffet section was not very big, just one row of hot food section and the next section is cold salad bar and beside it is some dessert... Surprisingly, this buffet doesn't serve any sort of ice cream... If you're into meat, this is a good place to eat all you want for this price line...Weekday doesn't offer shrimp and lamb I believe... read more

Lousy food. Most of the food in the buffet is western food of mediocre quality. The humus tastes like wet flour. Chicken kabobs were ok. Not worth the expensive charge. read more

We have been coming to this spot for years!! It's a solid spot, with a great buffet. Very reasonable too. Lots of groups come here, so if you are coming with a larger party, recommend making a reservation. If you are hankering falafel, tabouleh, all kinds of salads, roast veg, kofta, lamb, pita, fish followed by baklava, custard, semolina cake, date squares and other fruit etc, then this is a spot for you. Pita comes warm to the table. Choice of whole wheat or white. We love the traditional mezes plate as a start, so grab some hummus, tabouleh, baba ganoush, and tahini to enjoy with that warm pita. Awesome! Then follow with kofta and rice or other vegetables. Roast tomato topped with feta makes a great side. They make great Turkish coffee. Makes for a nice finish. It's in a strip mall, so parking is easy ( sometimes gets busy). read more

It was a good Buffett and I liked it. Nice staff and very quick and unique service. Food was tasty and it's recommended if you are around the area and hungry. read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - the interior of a restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We visited on a Monday night for the buffet. We came around 6PM and it wasn't that busy, however around 8PM it got super busy (most likely because of Ramadan). At 7:45 a dancer comes out and despite it still being kind of empty, she was very interactive, getting the crowd to dance with her which was fun. All of the cold salads and appetizers is a dream! I filled up mostly on this and even went back for more right before dessert. My favourite was the couscous, stuffed vine leaves and the babaganoush. We were dissapointed at first to not see any falafel, but then realized that they were making it fresh. The man making it was so nice and came around to personally give us some. They were delicious! Don't forget about the fresh pita! They bring it to your table warm and is delicious. If you are a vegan (like i am), there is so much selection and I love it because I feel like i'm not just restricted to veggies. Definitely looking forward to coming back! read more

this place was honestly disappointing, everything is so expensive and the fruits are all rotten, the food varieties aren't even enough to be called a bufett! The ambiance and decoration is off putting and I really don't recommend. their derive was also horrible, they come in the beginning, point at the menu and then instead of asking for what drink you want, they run off and rarely come back to your table. They also forced me and my family to pay a 15% tip, honestly! that's almost 35$, they simply added it to our bill. read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - I'm picture of the front - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I came here for friends birthday and I've never heard of this place before until that day. The vibe of the place is more on the classic side and it almost feels like a Hall. It was pretty fun when the entertainment came on which was belly dancer and also a guy on the piano and sings. He sang Happy Birthday to literally everyone that had a birthday there which was pretty fun if you're with a big crowd but if you're just trying to have an enjoyable dinner there will be one point of the night where he will be seeing a lot which might be annoying to some people. This food is buffet style and the buffet section is terribly small which causes a line up down to where the bar and washroom is which is quite inconvenient but if it's not on a busy day than it would be okay. The selection of food isnt huge. read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I don't even know why I'm here in the first place they have chicken, lamb, seafood, I tried a little of everything. The first bite I lost my appetite right away. There was no taste in the meat and they're charging money for this. The waiter was attentive for a little bit two of them were standing in one spot shouldn't they be walking around to see if people need anything. They had a selection of vegetables for salads I guess that's the only positive. I would never come back to this place personally I hate buffets but after eating at this place if I hear the world buffet I'll vomit read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I was expecting to high for this place, I shouldn't do that. Tried the tilapia fish but very fishy ..not fresh. No to many selections on the buffet table. The taste mmm not sure. The place seem rundown. read more

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I typically do not enjoy buffets or all you can eat. My family however, advocates for it. As a result, we often frequent buffets. Jerusalem has a nice ambiance with a great variety. The food from the lunch buffet is slightly above the average buffet quality (3.5 stars). *Props* for fresh pita! Appetizers: FRESH PITA, pickled beets, grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, roasted tomato, asparagus, sautéed chicken liver, tabouleh (tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, mint, and onion), Dolma (stuffed grape leaves), cabbage, cucumber tomato salad, green and black olives, fresh tomatoes, dried tomatoes, hummus, Baba ghanoush, Tahini Sauce, corn salad, bean salad, lima bean salad, mushrooms, lentil soup, pickles, grilled cauliflower, imitation crab meat salad Entrée: shrimp, baked sea bass, grilled whole tilapia, stew seafood (calamari, mussel, shrimp), stew mussels, Manakish Za'atar, Manakish with ground meat, Manakish with cheese, stew okra, siniyeh bitaheena (spiced lamb koftas), whole roasted lamb, roasted lamb shoulders, shish tawoo (chicken skewers), Hashwet al-ruz (spiced rice with minced lamb and beef), orzo with lamb, turmeric-yellow rice with chicken, falafel, chicken stuffed with rice, zucchini stuffed with rice, lasagna, roast beef carvery Dessert: Ma'amoul (date filled cookie), baked flan, rice pudding, mousse cake, baklava, banana/pear/strawberries in rose water syrup, watermelon, strawberries, honey dew melon, mixed fruit in syrup, carrot cake Price: Lunch Monday - Friday $12.95 Saturday $14.95 Sunday $20.95 Overall, the service was great and attentive. The dessert was the most disappointing part of the buffet. I echo another reviewer on the dry cake and excessive use of gelatin. Meat dishes were slightly bland. My family raved about the roasted lamb (after their own addition of salt, black pepper and lemon juice) . Manakish Za'atar, fresh pita and grilled zucchini were amongst my favorite. If you love lamb, visit on Sunday at around 1:00 pm for moist roasted lamb shoulders and 2:00-2:30 pm for whole roasted lamb. read more

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We've dined at Jerusalem many times since they were first located at Finch Avenue East and Leslie Street, and then to Nymark Plaza. There is plenty of parking unless you come during the weekends. The restaurant itself needs a renovation. It's very dated with worn furniture and carpeting. There is a good variety of Middle Eastern dishes, however, I feel the quality is lacking. For example, some of the meats were dry and chewy, except the roasted lamb. The mussels, shrimps and calamari were rubbery and imo not very fresh. The beet salad, tabbouleh, hummus and baba ghanoush are good choices. The falafels taste great with the hot pita that is brought to every table. The desserts are average. There is a belly dancer during the dinner seating only. The weekend dinner buffet is pricey at $28.95. read more

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This is one my favorite buffets cus you can eat all the hummus, babaganoush, and tabouleh salad in the world. They have great selections and the staff is super nice. One cool thing they had was rice with angel hair pasta. Who knew such a combo existed and it is quite tasty. Lots of veggie dishes which I love as well. read more

We did the Sunday evening buffet and we were both very impressed, not only with the delicious flavors, but the selection of different dishes. The wait staff was very friendly and attentive and the belly dancer was entertaining. Overall a great experience and we will definitely be back the next time we are in Toronto. read more

I came here for take-out and it was decent. I ordered a falafel sandwich and was glad that I didn't have to wait long for my meal. I loved how they make the falafel from scratch and fry it when you order--super fresh! However, I wasn't a fan when I saw that the staff put the veggies that were displaced on the counter back into the container... I'm not sure that it's entirely sanitary. Either way, $4.95 for this falafel sandwich was almost a steal as other places charge about $6 and I was pretty full from this meal. Will I return?! Maybe if I'm hungry and I'm around the area but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. read more

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This is officially the worst buffet I have ever been to. First off, the decor of the place is so dated I felt like I was transported back to the 1990s upon entering. We came in a group of 8, and they placed us in a table right below the sound system. And they blasted the music at max volume for a good 30 minutes before we started to complain. Everyone felt like they were going to be deaf by the time we existed the restaurant. Food: this buffet is a self serve with some plates where a server slices you the meat of choice. It was divided into two sections : hot foods, and a salad bar / desserts. The hot foods were limited to no more than 15 options; and when I say hot foods I am really being generous, some items were warm / cold. Another interesting fact to note is that most of their already heavy items are stuffed with rice, making sure to fill up your stomach after your first bite. The salad bar had pretty odd selections. Almost all the toppings are drenched in oil. They had sliced hot peppers as one of the salad options. The desserts were horrendous. All the dessert options were overly sweet, and lacked any sort of complexity. They had items like carrot cake, dates, date square, rice pudding, etc. 0/10 would recommend, for $30/ head, I expected alot more. Also, I am 1000% sure you will be happier with a $5 sharwama wrap from your local restaurant than having an AYCE meal here. Just a thought read more

Wow. Never try the food Horrible as a first time customer. $ 30 plus for buffet way too much for food you deserve No taste looks like can food to be served. Service catch waiters if you can. read more

I've been coming to Jerusalem Restaurant for quite some time now and the quality of their Middle Eastern buffet has always been very consistent and on the quite good side. The ambiance is nice as well and on weekends and some evenings, they have a belly dancer come out to live music; which is a nice treat. My wife and I went tonight together with my father and I have to say that their singer/musician was TERRIBLE! This is not normally the case but tonight, whoever they had performing seemed to have no rhythm in the slightest. He was accompanied by a beatbox in the background and he STILL couldn't hold a rhythm. It felt like he was mashing the keyboard. If the management ever reads this review, I strongly urge you to consider hiring at least a half decent professional. Speaking of which, today's bellydancer was phoning in her performance. Any youtube video of a bellydancer would outdo today's performance which was a pretty woman walking around and imperceptibly wiggling her bits. No real effort at all. This last paragraph isn't really a big criticism though as anyone of you who would come here would be coming for the food and with that in mind, the place is great. On most nights, the entertainment is mildly entertaining as well. ;) Enjoy! read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - A selection of desserts to finish our meal! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I have given this spot one too many chances over the years, coming away more and more disappointed each and every time... More often than not, you will find all of their proteins either vastly over-cooked, or victims of being let out to sit for too long (and dry out) on the hot tables... But beyond that, even just the sides, the sauces/dips, everything is extremely "off" to my palate, especially when compared to so many of the great Middle-Eastern spots we're blessed with in the city. My understanding is that the shawarmas you can buy by the entrance are much better than the product you get in the buffet, so I might give that a go someday, but will likely never return for the buffet again- these are the worst representations of these dishes I've had anywhere, ever... And it's too bad, because while it's definitely dated looking inside, it's a very nostalgic and fun vibe inside- I really wish the food were better, but each time I come away unable to finish even a single plate... Service has never struck me as overly warm either. Not sure if they still have the belly dancers, but that was always a fun addition to the experience of dining here, and definitely a highlight (along with the general vibe/aesthetic, which I really do like for novel, nostalgic, reasons). read more

They offer live belly dancing during certain times on the meal. The meal itself was pretty decent. I was their mainly for the buffet and the lamb ribs were superb, fall of the bone with large dose of meat. Parking is pretty easy and they can accommodate a large group (had 30 in mine). The service was really good as well. There is no patio or roof top sitting. read more

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Came here with my coworkers for lunch buffet. We came on a Wednesday and surprisingly it was pretty busy. It's located in a small Plaza on Leslie with an esso station. The seating is spaced out nicely, and natural light came through from the window ceiling above us. The buffet area is in a small corner with a table with salad, 2 side tables for hot foods, a small table for pizza, and another table for desserts. The desserts and salad buffet table were back to back, and the alley can only fit one person, so if someone is getting desserts, the other person cannot get salads. There was a small fruit station set up with fresh whole fruits like pears, apples, bananas. The salads had a wide variety, they were all pre mixed. I enjoyed the beets, green salad and crab salad. There were also dips like hummus, babaganouch (this was my favourite). The waiter will bring you a basket of flat bread. The one that is crunchy with some garlic brushed on was so good!!!! The hot foods had a variety or eggplants, okra, Kofta, lasagna, whole Tilapia, grilled vegetables. There isn't a big selection, but the ones available were very good. The service was very good, waiter took away plates before we came back with our new plates. I saw on the menu outside that every night they have belly dancing. Nice place to come for dinner and entertainment. read more

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If I could give this place a 0, I would. Service is outdated, just like the decor and menu. The concept of hosting traditional food with traditional entertainment is totally one that was missed. The food was OLD, filthy, reheated, and most importantly lacked any taste! And the cherry on top? There was a fly drowning in my dirty cup of water. I left regretting that I had to pay a single penny for this horrendous experience. Don't waste your evening in this hell hole. read more

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I've had a great experience at this restaurant every time I've been here. The food is great and there's a wonderful variety. The service is spot on... quick and friendly and the price is reasonable for a lunch buffet. The restaurant itself could likely do with a makeover but let's face it, I'm not there to look at the décor, I'm there to eat and eat I shall! I must admit, I tend to stick with the middle eastern cuisine and stay away from the more 'western' dishes like pizza. There's better places to go to if I want pizza. No no... when I come here, I want falafels, kafta, hummus, etc. I have always had a great time here and I will continue to come back. read more

So good and delicious I love it thank you make the food like my mom food so I recommend it to everyone

Came here with my colleagues for our Christmas party. First time at a Middle Eastern AYCE restaurant. Food was decent with great flavours. Love the falafel, chicken kebab, and the yellow rice. However, there's not much choices of desserts and fruits for my second stomach. The belly dancer was entertaining and interactive. The overall experience was great and we all enjoyed it. read more

Jerusalem Restaurant - Dinner buffet (love the falafel!) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We came here on Saturday evening and table was easily available. It had a nice decor overall and well spread buffet menu. It had a stage set for live music (but no one turned up to play the music). They also have belly dancer on weekends and some evenings! However, at the end of it... the food was no different than any Sharwarma place at street corner... The buffet for $28 per person plus drinks, tips and taxes, is a bit steep for Mediterranean food. read more

The idea of the place is decidedly cool - a Middle Eastern AYCE - never been to one before. Our server can really consider a second career as a comedian - she was funny. The interior is cliche-ish, but nice, with comfortable seating. The food... Well, the food is kind of meh. If you're on a budget, or you are an AYCE place fiend, and you want Middle Eastern food (for a change, as most AYCEs serve asian food), then yes, this place is certainly worth a visit. If you really enjoy Middle Eastern food, and know your way around it - don't bother - I certainly won't. read more