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I can't say enough about how beautiful this restaurant is. The decor and overall atmosphere are really beautiful. We went in without a reservations and I definitely recommend making one if you're planning to visit. The restaurant was packed when we got there and even though we had our kid with us, the only seating they could offer us was at the bar stools. They told us that our kid would have to sit on our lap which wasn't really a comfortable option dining. We ended up getting our food to go instead. The food was tasty but the portions were on the smaller side. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time.
Came here for a bday dinner with my wife and daughter. Ambiance: 10/5- First off, the restaurant is beautiful inside. You feel like you're in another country with an Arab theme. Staff: 5/5- very accommodating and very helpful. They helped us out with dietary restrictions and really made it a pleasant experience. I believe the servers name was Dalton, he did a great job. Food: 5/5 for flavor, 3/5 for portion size. We ordered the chicken shawarma hummus, beef koobideh and rice. We also ordered a side of fresh pita and the hummus came with fresh naan. The chicken hummus was some of the best I've ever had. The bread and rice were great. The koobideh had such great flavor and was tender. The only issue with the koobideh plate is it comes with only one skewer and just bread under it. It felt more à la carte than it did a plate. That is my only gripe with the restaurant over all. Bonus: they gave a strawberry ice cream with cotton candy and a personalized name macaron for birthday. That was really nice of them and made the night a little more special. I would most definitely come back and I would give 4.5/5 overall if I could. I will definitely come back and if you are in San Diego please give them a try.
Went here for a romantic date night and made reservations about a month in advance. Hands down one of the best ambiance experiences in San Diego. The second you walk in, you feel like you've been transported somewhere else. Gorgeous Moroccan decor, a starry night ceiling, flowing water, it's seriously stunning! The drinks were very good, and our waitress was friendly and gave us great recommendations. The food was just okay. We got the pita bread and dips along with the beef and chicken kabobs. Food-wise, I'd honestly compare it to Luna Grill, but you're 100% paying for the unique, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind ambiance and I think it's worth it. Definitely a great romantic date-night spot! I'd definitely come here for a few drinks again.
Leila was absolutely everything we wanted it to be. The interior truly feels like you've been transported to another world and still feels warm and cozy. We ordered the Soltani platte, added a salmon kebab and naan simply because we just wanted to try everything and it did NOT disappoint!! Our server did mention that we could substitute kebabs on the platter but when everything came out it was just added on there (we ain't complaining) lol Everything tasted fresh and flavorful and it was a great way to celebrate our anniversary. I will add that unfortunately it took about 30 minutes for our server to take our order and another 15-20 minutes to actually get our food, so that was an hour of paid parking wasted :/ I'm not sure if it's because we arrived 45 minutes after opening and they needed to get in their groove, but ya girl was STARVING so I had to dock a star because it was almost a mood killer.
Where do I even begin with this place?! I'll be honest, I was a little iffy about coming here at first, especially because the reservation times that were available were super late. My friend really wanted to come here for her birthday, though, so we ended up going, and I'm SO glad we did because it was honestly worth it. The food was amazing. The meat was so tender, juicy, and flavorful, and everything we had was really good. But honestly, what stood out to me just as much as the food was the customer service. The bartender was absolutely amazing! I wish I had gotten his name because his drink recommendations were spot-on, and he was just so friendly and helpful throughout the night. We did have a little bit of a wait. Our original reservation was for 9:45, but we didn't end up getting seated until around 10:15 because some guests had shown up late. Someone did apologize to us about the wait, which I appreciated, and honestly, once we were seated, it was completely worth it. We also mentioned that it was two of my friends' birthdays, and they went above and beyond to make them feel special. They brought them ice cream, a macaroon with their names on it, and even gave them each a rose. It was such a small but thoughtful touch, and you could genuinely tell they wanted to make their night special. Seeing my friends feel so celebrated honestly made me so happy. The restaurant itself is also beautiful, and I loved how personable the entire experience felt. It didn't just feel like we were another table they actually took the time to acknowledge us and make the occasion feel special. Overall, I had such a great experience here. The food was incredible, the service was amazing, and the little personal touches really made the night. Definitely somewhere I would come back to and recommend, especially for a birthday or special occasion!
This was my second time coming here, so that shows that it's one of those places that's worth coming back to, just on the ambiance alone. The place is even more beautiful in person than in the pictures. I'm a Disneyland girl so as soon as I stepped in, the place reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean ride with its starlit ceiling, lanterns, and rock formation stone walls. Ambiance is 11/10 hands down. As far as the food, I think the presentation is on point with their platters, but the taste was only OK to me. Some of the dips were flavorful while others were a bit bland, so I give their appetizer platter a 7/10. As far as their Kabob platter, the cane with 4 kebabs, bell peppers, and eggplant over naan, along with rice and dips. The presentation was great, so I'd give it an 8/10. We also ordered their infamous falafel, which is popular for a reason. It comes with 5, so each of us was able to taste one, and that's probably one of the best I've had, 11/10.
This middle eastern gem is not what you expect from the busy streets of North Park, but once you are inside, you are taken to a different world, or so it seems. The atmosphere is dark, intimate and magical but the attention to detail is unmatched. It's no wonder it's a highly coveted place for dinner reservations, special date nights or celebratory occasions. You may get lucky sitting at either bar on the first or second floor without reservations, but perhaps not. The service from the host to servers is excellent and our experience was stellar. I was very impressed with their excellent choice of diverse, international wines as well as hard to find spirits. I found the vegetarian food dishes (falafel and fire roasted cauliflower) very tasty. They use unique ingredients and spices and I highly recommend visiting to judge for yourself. The bathrooms are also exceptionally decorated. Rose engraved pink toilets and mouth wash in crystal decanters- yes please! Love this place!
This place is beautiful and the attention to detail is amazing. The food is equally as beautiful and delicious. The service is 5 stars as well. We've been here numerous times and the food and service is consistent. Don't be dissuaded by the reservations being booked up. Just keep checking and you might just get lucky with an opening. We were able to score a table for 5 at 5:30 on a Saturday evening. They also make your special occasion memorable with a customized dessert and every server and host wishes you a happy birthday too!
Salatim platter- assortment of dips/breads. Overall great for a big party. Unfortunately, our green tahini came with some hair.. Soltani platter- DELICIOUS. I have never had such a tender beef skewer before and wow, I was absolutely blown away. The server and manager both corrected the hair mishap by replacing the green tahini with a new one as well as some comp'd desserts for the table. Still kind of a bummer as it did bring the mood down a little bit. Service was also a little on the slower side. Our Soltani platter came out and we didn't have any plates/utensils as they were all dirty from the salatim platter. I would love to give this place another star as the food was overall delicious, however, the hair and service really weighed it down
Leila was a great atmosphere. The inside is amazing. Until the door opens and it looks like a Disneyland ride. The food was good. The lamb was amazing. Super tender just fell off the bone. Loved the Salatim platter. The steak kebab had a few pieces that were pretty tough. Drinks were good I'd go back for drinks alone.
Really really stunning atmosphere with a thought out design. I was impressed when we entered! However, our group had a 9:15 reservation and weren't seated until 9:45, which was pretty frustrating. However, I will say that the restaurant did a lot to make up for it, including comped champagne and appetizers which were much appreciated. Falafel: really good! I'm usually not a big fan but this had a really good texture and good taste Steak Kabob: really yummy! Very tender meat paired with a yogurt sauce that I really enjoyed. The marinade was smoky and it came with pickled red onion which I loved Overall, some bumps in the road but I'd recommend.
Incredible food and ambiance!! I came here recently for a birthday celebration and was so excited to finally snag a reservation. The decor was nothing short of phenomenal. It felt like I entered an entirely different world. Every detail was carefully crafted. Our server walked us through the menu and got us drinks. We decided to start with the fire roasted cauliflower. It was cooked to perfection and the flavor with the sauce was delicious.order the soltani platter and added on a salmon skewer. The food was so flavorful and the sauces on the side were a great addition. I added on the harrisa mayo and toum and was not disappointed. Since we were celebrating, they brought out a cute dessert with candy floss, strawberry ice cream with little bites of strawberry, and a custom macaron. The service was top notch and the experience was 100% worth the hype!
had a great experience at Leila! We came in a Monday night at around 5:30pm! We saw reviews that if no reservation is made, it's best to try for the open bar seating as it is also full service. All tables were the night were booked up so we were lucky to be the first people there for bar seating. The inside was extremely beautiful! It's a really cool experience and reminds me of the restaurant that's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland except on a greater scale. The interior and decor really set the atmosphere. The bathrooms were also super nice with sinks on the outside so people can wash their hands if they don't need to use the toilets. The food was amazing. We ordered different appetizers: Manakish Za'atar, Barbari, Tarator, Falafel, and Fire Roasted Cauliflower. Everything tasted amazing but the falafel was exceptionally delicious. It was probably the best falafel I've ever had. So moist and flavorful! We were a group of 5 sitting bar seating trying to figure out what's the best way to split our food and luckily our server was very helpful and let us know we've save more money getting the Soltani platter since we were all ordering individual kabob platters. We upgraded our rice to the tah dig. The kabobs were super seasoned and moist. The platter was super filling. We were incredibly full after. The sauces on the side were a great balance with the meats. Highly recommend! Service was amazing and we all truly loved our meal!
This beautiful middle eastern inspired restaurant is the perfect upscale dinner spot for a special occasion. The inside of the restaurant is absolutely stunning, you truly feel like you've been transported to a Morrocan cove under the stars. From the moment I walked in I felt special. I was celebrating a promotion and they gifted me a red rose upon checking I for our reservation. The waiter was so cool, very attentive and also congratulated me. These things really added to the overall dining experience. As for the food- The falafel was moist and perfectly seasoned, the hummus and crudités were a great addition to the meal. For the main dish we ordered the Soltani Platter which came with beef, veggie, and chicken kababs and rice. The flavor on the meat and veggies were top notch. The rice was fluffy and delicious. If you can get a reservation, I highly recommend securing a spot for dinner, you will be glad you did! read more
20 hours ago
Food - B Service - A Ambience - A The inside is beautiful and overall experience is good. The good was OK but not where it should be for the price. Worth going at least once read more
10 days ago
***USP: Mediterranean food in an opulent and enchanted ambience. Perfect for date night, girls night, celebratory event or just because you deserve it! ***AMBIENCE: 5*s: nothing short of magical. The place is artfully curated to evoke a serene evening under the stars, complete with twinkling fairy lights mimicking stars. An artificial tree, a charming little bridge arching over a gentle indoor stream. They also have an open kitchen which lets one enjoy the views of the barbecue in action. The pictures don't do this place justice, one has to visit to experience it. ***FOOD: 3.5*s: the food and drinks were a mixed bag. We ordered appetizer sampler for the table, chicken kebabs, veggie kebabs, desserts and drinks. The first order of falafels felt delicious though the outside was suspiciously dark. There is barely much light to see the food so we ignored it. The second batch of falafels made it clear that the outside was burnt and inside was uncooked and paste like. The tahdig rice that came with the lamb was burnt at the bottom, not golden and crispy as it's meant to be. The drinks weren't noteworthy as well. I personally got a mocktail and couldn't finish it. Had a much better experience with the appetizer sampler, all dips were decent and the bread complimented them well. The chicken kebab was the best dish, it was uber soft, beautifully cooked and delicious. Coming to desserts, both of them had icecream and ample amount of rose and other middle eastern flavors. Some of the flavors felt a bit strong but not strong enough to make me stop eating completely. Overall, come here for the ambiance alone and you won't be disappointed, read more
12 days ago
I can't say enough about how beautiful this restaurant is. The decor and overall atmosphere are really beautiful. We went in without a reservations and I definitely recommend making one if you're planning to visit. The restaurant was packed when we got there and even though we had our kid with us, the only seating they could offer us was at the bar stools. They told us that our kid would have to sit on our lap which wasn't really a comfortable option dining. We ended up getting our food to go instead. The food was tasty but the portions were on the smaller side. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. read more
Came here for a bday dinner with my wife and daughter. Ambiance: 10/5- First off, the restaurant is beautiful inside. You feel like you're in another country with an Arab theme. Staff: 5/5- very accommodating and very helpful. They helped us out with dietary restrictions and really made it a pleasant experience. I believe the servers name was Dalton, he did a great job. Food: 5/5 for flavor, 3/5 for portion size. We ordered the chicken shawarma hummus, beef koobideh and rice. We also ordered a side of fresh pita and the hummus came with fresh naan. The chicken hummus was some of the best I've ever had. The bread and rice were great. The koobideh had such great flavor and was tender. The only issue with the koobideh plate is it comes with only one skewer and just bread under it. It felt more à la carte than it did a plate. That is my only gripe with the restaurant over all. Bonus: they gave a strawberry ice cream with cotton candy and a personalized name macaron for birthday. That was really nice of them and made the night a little more special. I would most definitely come back and I would give 4.5/5 overall if I could. I will definitely come back and if you are in San Diego please give them a try. read more
Went here for a romantic date night and made reservations about a month in advance. Hands down one of the best ambiance experiences in San Diego. The second you walk in, you feel like you've been transported somewhere else. Gorgeous Moroccan decor, a starry night ceiling, flowing water, it's seriously stunning! The drinks were very good, and our waitress was friendly and gave us great recommendations. The food was just okay. We got the pita bread and dips along with the beef and chicken kabobs. Food-wise, I'd honestly compare it to Luna Grill, but you're 100% paying for the unique, unforgettable, one-of-a-kind ambiance and I think it's worth it. Definitely a great romantic date-night spot! I'd definitely come here for a few drinks again. read more
Leila was absolutely everything we wanted it to be. The interior truly feels like you've been transported to another world and still feels warm and cozy. We ordered the Soltani platte, added a salmon kebab and naan simply because we just wanted to try everything and it did NOT disappoint!! Our server did mention that we could substitute kebabs on the platter but when everything came out it was just added on there (we ain't complaining) lol Everything tasted fresh and flavorful and it was a great way to celebrate our anniversary. I will add that unfortunately it took about 30 minutes for our server to take our order and another 15-20 minutes to actually get our food, so that was an hour of paid parking wasted :/ I'm not sure if it's because we arrived 45 minutes after opening and they needed to get in their groove, but ya girl was STARVING so I had to dock a star because it was almost a mood killer. read more
Where do I even begin with this place?! I'll be honest, I was a little iffy about coming here at first, especially because the reservation times that were available were super late. My friend really wanted to come here for her birthday, though, so we ended up going, and I'm SO glad we did because it was honestly worth it. The food was amazing. The meat was so tender, juicy, and flavorful, and everything we had was really good. But honestly, what stood out to me just as much as the food was the customer service. The bartender was absolutely amazing! I wish I had gotten his name because his drink recommendations were spot-on, and he was just so friendly and helpful throughout the night. We did have a little bit of a wait. Our original reservation was for 9:45, but we didn't end up getting seated until around 10:15 because some guests had shown up late. Someone did apologize to us about the wait, which I appreciated, and honestly, once we were seated, it was completely worth it. We also mentioned that it was two of my friends' birthdays, and they went above and beyond to make them feel special. They brought them ice cream, a macaroon with their names on it, and even gave them each a rose. It was such a small but thoughtful touch, and you could genuinely tell they wanted to make their night special. Seeing my friends feel so celebrated honestly made me so happy. The restaurant itself is also beautiful, and I loved how personable the entire experience felt. It didn't just feel like we were another table they actually took the time to acknowledge us and make the occasion feel special. Overall, I had such a great experience here. The food was incredible, the service was amazing, and the little personal touches really made the night. Definitely somewhere I would come back to and recommend, especially for a birthday or special occasion! read more
1 month ago
This was my second time coming here, so that shows that it's one of those places that's worth coming back to, just on the ambiance alone. The place is even more beautiful in person than in the pictures. I'm a Disneyland girl so as soon as I stepped in, the place reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean ride with its starlit ceiling, lanterns, and rock formation stone walls. Ambiance is 11/10 hands down. As far as the food, I think the presentation is on point with their platters, but the taste was only OK to me. Some of the dips were flavorful while others were a bit bland, so I give their appetizer platter a 7/10. As far as their Kabob platter, the cane with 4 kebabs, bell peppers, and eggplant over naan, along with rice and dips. The presentation was great, so I'd give it an 8/10. We also ordered their infamous falafel, which is popular for a reason. It comes with 5, so each of us was able to taste one, and that's probably one of the best I've had, 11/10. read more
This middle eastern gem is not what you expect from the busy streets of North Park, but once you are inside, you are taken to a different world, or so it seems. The atmosphere is dark, intimate and magical but the attention to detail is unmatched. It's no wonder it's a highly coveted place for dinner reservations, special date nights or celebratory occasions. You may get lucky sitting at either bar on the first or second floor without reservations, but perhaps not. The service from the host to servers is excellent and our experience was stellar. I was very impressed with their excellent choice of diverse, international wines as well as hard to find spirits. I found the vegetarian food dishes (falafel and fire roasted cauliflower) very tasty. They use unique ingredients and spices and I highly recommend visiting to judge for yourself. The bathrooms are also exceptionally decorated. Rose engraved pink toilets and mouth wash in crystal decanters- yes please! Love this place! read more
This place is beautiful and the attention to detail is amazing. The food is equally as beautiful and delicious. The service is 5 stars as well. We've been here numerous times and the food and service is consistent. Don't be dissuaded by the reservations being booked up. Just keep checking and you might just get lucky with an opening. We were able to score a table for 5 at 5:30 on a Saturday evening. They also make your special occasion memorable with a customized dessert and every server and host wishes you a happy birthday too! read more
Salatim platter- assortment of dips/breads. Overall great for a big party. Unfortunately, our green tahini came with some hair.. Soltani platter- DELICIOUS. I have never had such a tender beef skewer before and wow, I was absolutely blown away. The server and manager both corrected the hair mishap by replacing the green tahini with a new one as well as some comp'd desserts for the table. Still kind of a bummer as it did bring the mood down a little bit. Service was also a little on the slower side. Our Soltani platter came out and we didn't have any plates/utensils as they were all dirty from the salatim platter. I would love to give this place another star as the food was overall delicious, however, the hair and service really weighed it down read more
1 month ago
Leila was a great atmosphere. The inside is amazing. Until the door opens and it looks like a Disneyland ride. The food was good. The lamb was amazing. Super tender just fell off the bone. Loved the Salatim platter. The steak kebab had a few pieces that were pretty tough. Drinks were good I'd go back for drinks alone. read more
1 month ago
Really really stunning atmosphere with a thought out design. I was impressed when we entered! However, our group had a 9:15 reservation and weren't seated until 9:45, which was pretty frustrating. However, I will say that the restaurant did a lot to make up for it, including comped champagne and appetizers which were much appreciated. Falafel: really good! I'm usually not a big fan but this had a really good texture and good taste Steak Kabob: really yummy! Very tender meat paired with a yogurt sauce that I really enjoyed. The marinade was smoky and it came with pickled red onion which I loved Overall, some bumps in the road but I'd recommend. read more
Incredible food and ambiance!! I came here recently for a birthday celebration and was so excited to finally snag a reservation. The decor was nothing short of phenomenal. It felt like I entered an entirely different world. Every detail was carefully crafted. Our server walked us through the menu and got us drinks. We decided to start with the fire roasted cauliflower. It was cooked to perfection and the flavor with the sauce was delicious.order the soltani platter and added on a salmon skewer. The food was so flavorful and the sauces on the side were a great addition. I added on the harrisa mayo and toum and was not disappointed. Since we were celebrating, they brought out a cute dessert with candy floss, strawberry ice cream with little bites of strawberry, and a custom macaron. The service was top notch and the experience was 100% worth the hype! read more
2 months ago
had a great experience at Leila! We came in a Monday night at around 5:30pm! We saw reviews that if no reservation is made, it's best to try for the open bar seating as it is also full service. All tables were the night were booked up so we were lucky to be the first people there for bar seating. The inside was extremely beautiful! It's a really cool experience and reminds me of the restaurant that's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland except on a greater scale. The interior and decor really set the atmosphere. The bathrooms were also super nice with sinks on the outside so people can wash their hands if they don't need to use the toilets. The food was amazing. We ordered different appetizers: Manakish Za'atar, Barbari, Tarator, Falafel, and Fire Roasted Cauliflower. Everything tasted amazing but the falafel was exceptionally delicious. It was probably the best falafel I've ever had. So moist and flavorful! We were a group of 5 sitting bar seating trying to figure out what's the best way to split our food and luckily our server was very helpful and let us know we've save more money getting the Soltani platter since we were all ordering individual kabob platters. We upgraded our rice to the tah dig. The kabobs were super seasoned and moist. The platter was super filling. We were incredibly full after. The sauces on the side were a great balance with the meats. Highly recommend! Service was amazing and we all truly loved our meal! read more
12 days ago
I'm from Afghanistan and for thousands of years we were all the different Persian tribes and one country so the food is pretty similar and I really know a good Persian food. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with the food taste and quality as the crispy rice was burned and soggy. Even my wife which is from USA thought it was really bad compared to what I cook for her regularly lol Otherwise, it was a great environment and service. The price was very expensive for the food but I guess they charge for the experience. I'm sure it's not always this bad food and probably I happen to be the unlucky. read more
SPEC-TAC-U-LAR. A must try! I came for a birthday dinner date night and was extremely impressed by the food, the decor, and the service. It came with some nice surprises - I was greeted with a rose upon arrival for my birthday, the chef recognized that there were longer wait times and gave us a complimentary appetizer, and they gave me a personalized birthday desert which I found to be very thoughtful and sweet. They provided a perfect birthday evening! I'll definitely return. read more
5 star experience. Our new fav go-to spot in SD! First of the, the ambiance is givingggg. The thoughtful interior really whisks you away. Highly recommend the Salatim Platter and the Soltani Platter. Fresh and delicious variety, our table was quiet! That's when you know the food is good LOL. We had a table of four and it was plenty of food for us to share. Also came here for a bday and gave a cute dessert that with the bday celebrants name on it. Love the small details! Great service. Looking forward to our next visit. Bravo! read more
Very beautiful place! Love all the decor and very romantic feels. Perfect for date night! The food was delicious! We had the chicken hummus and the steak, chicken and salmon kabobs. The service was great! Our waiter was so funny and explained everything. We dinned in the private room downstairs which was nice and quiet. Oh and the bathroom is beautiful! Random I know haha but trust me, go see for yourself. read more
4 days ago
Everything about the place was great, very pretty / immersive space. The food was great (chicken shawarma hummus was my fave) , drinks were amazing and our server John was phenomenal. Thank you! read more
The atmosphere and design are definitely the highlight of this place. The interior is beautiful, unique, and creates a really interesting experience, especially in the evening. The food, however, was pretty average in my opinion. The kebab portion was quite small and nothing particularly memorable, and the rest of the dishes were okay but didn't really stand out. Considering how difficult it can be to get a reservation and how much hype there is around this restaurant, I expected a little more from the food. Overall, I'd give the atmosphere and experience 4 stars, but the food itself closer to 3. read more
Okay so this one is a little complicated but I will still keep it simple. To wow someone and spend a night in the Middle East...no place better. You know the rules...one quick review, let's go: Food: good not great. Not bad by any means, apps good, mains were a little bland Cocktails: NEXT LEVEL flavors and spirits I haven't seen outside of the Middle East Ambiance: this is why you go...worth it just for this Service: we nice, attentive and great. read more
29 days ago
my bf made a reservation for my birthday and it was the most beautiful restaurants I've ever seen. It's like you enter into a whole new world when you walk in it's amazing how it's designed. our server was very kind and helpful as that was our first time going and I wanted to know what dishes were popular and he definitely helped us decide which pates to get. The food portions are pretty big so it's all very shareable among a few people if you're going with a big group (we did not finish our food). We got the platter with pita bread, naan, and another kind of bread with dipping sauces around and that tasted so good, it all had so much flavor I really enjoyed it as a starter. We also got a dish that was rice but crisped on one side and had shredded meat (I forgot what kind) but I was not the biggest fan of it i believe it might've had raisins in it or something sweet cus I was getting sweetness which I wasn't expecting so it was more of a personal preference not that the dish tasted bad or anything. Our server did take a while like to get back to us and see if we needed anything else because he was busy managing other tables. We didn't get to try the dessert because we couldn't get a hold of our server and unfortunately had to leave but I definitely would come back and try other dishes on the menu and get a dessert as well. Would def recommend if in the area. Oh and parking is sort of a nightmare. There's no valet which is surprising I wish they did but we were able to park in a parking structure nearby and pay a small amount and it was not a far walking distance from the restaurant but kind of annoying because we tried driving around a few times to see if there would be parking and it was insanely packed and then we found the parking structure so thank God for the parking structure being there. read more
1 month ago
So happy to get a reservation when we visited SD. Leila literally took us away to another world! Stunning ambiance and starry nights! Everything we ordered was delicious. The Soltani platter and dip platter was a foodie adventure with depths of flavor. Muhammara was my favorite dip. Masato is easily one of best servers we've had. He was very personable and gave us some great recommendations. You need to visit for yourself to immerse in this Middle Eastern fairytale! read more
Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 If you're a table of four like we were, I highly recommend ordering the Salatim and Soltani platters. Each platter had such a great variety of bites that it made the entire dinner feel like a tasty adventure. From the roasted peppers and beef koobideh skewers to the hummus and pickled vegetables, we happily devoured everything. We also added a side of falafel, which was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The ambiance and service were also exceptional. The moodiness of the interior, coupled with the warm service of the staff made the evening a memorable one. read more
Came here to celebrate my birthday and they did not disappoint. Made reservations the day of and got seated right as we got there. Service was great. Masato knew the menu very well. He was very charismatic and polite. His recommendations were on point for our table. Salatim platter and soltani platter. Good for 4 we did a mix of each protein. My husband would have liked more protein tbh as 1 skewer per person. The flavors were there for the meat nice and smoky. The surprise birthday treat was so yummy and I love the personal touch with my name Drinks were good. We all know why we are here the decor and vibe of the place is great. read more
3 months ago
This was the most beautiful restaurant I have ever visited. It felt like walking into a piece of art. Although the restaurant is small, it has incredible artistic charm and character that makes it truly stand out. The more you look around, the more you discover. As for the food, I enjoyed some of it! Especially the Tuna Tabbouleh! SO YUM! I highly reccomend the Salmon Skewer if you're into salmon. I would ditch the Koobideh since it was utterly salty and dry. Knafeh Sundae had a piece of plastic I found in the gelato. I don't know what it was, but it was not a nice surprise LOL.... (I should of told management but service was lacking) Service was alright here. Could be better if the employees cared for guest satisfaction. read more
Picture perfect decor and ambiance, along with delicious food. The manager, Jenna, was an absolutely lovely hostess and accommodated us with our little reservation hiccup. We ordered salad Shirazi, mast o mosir, and the sabze khordan for appetizer, and for the main we had the soltani platter and tahchin. Absolutely delicious!!!! Definitely would come back. Parking is difficult though since there is no dedicated parking nearby. read more
was able to get a table for 4 on a saturday night with no reservation!! the food was incredible and the service was amazing, but wow the restaurant itself is the most moody and beautiful place i've ever eaten at. by far this was the most enjoyable restaurant experience i have ever had and i will die on the hill that everyone needs to come here at least once, if only to see the beauty of it. we ordered foozool and bedouin brew cocktails and the salatim platter and soltani platter to share. the foozool was great, very tropical and refreshing. the bedouin brew was white russian-esque, large portion, strong, and creamy. of the salatim platter, the muhamarra (red pepper hummus) was our favorite, soso flavorful and delicious. but honestly, the entire platter was incredible and we loved to mix and match and find our favorite flavor combo. as for the soltani platter, it was pretty good, very comparable to other persian restaurants. i liked the portion size and the barbari was perfect to tear apart and make wraps with the kabob, veggies, and rice. we were all incredibly full and immensely satisfied with our meal and dining experience. ratings: foozool: 9/10 bedouin brew: 7.5/10 salatim platter: 9/10 soltani platter: 8.5/10 service and ambiance: 928478426488/10 read more
3 months ago
We celebrated an early Father's Day with dinner at Leila and it was a fantastic. Despite seeing pictures online, experiencing it in person was still breathtaking. The food was reasonably priced and the staff went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. There's an incredible amount of attention to detail to make you feel like you've been transported to the Middle East. Everything from the silverware to the music was in theme. We especially loved how the dark atmosphere was complimented by beautiful accent lighting. For appetizers, we ordered the House Torshi, the Zeytoon Parvardeh, and Shirazi Salad. The standout being the Shirazi salad. It was flavorful and refreshing. A must order. The four of us shared the Soltani Platter. It was plenty of food and tasted good. Surprisingly, the chicken was our favorite. It was juicy and had great flavor, but a tad undercooked. We told our server and they brought out another skewer at no charge. Truly excellent service from the staff. Our experience at Leila was remarkable. It felt new and exciting without ever veering towards feeling corny. The mood was intimate and the food was good. Not the best middle eastern food you'll ever have, but respectable. Next time I want my Habibti to feel like the Arab Princess that she is, I know where to take her! read more
Leila is a beautiful restaurant with a wonderful ambiance that makes you feel like you've stepped into another world. The decor and overall atmosphere create a unique dining experience, and being able to see the open kitchen adds a nice touch. It was especially neat watching the pita being made the traditional way. The service was very good--our waitress was attentive, helpful, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. As someone who has lived in the Middle East and enjoyed authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, I found some of the flavors a bit different from what I'm accustomed to. That said, the food was still enjoyable, and the meats were cooked very well--tender, flavorful, and not dry. Overall, I would definitely recommend Leila, especially for the experience. The restaurant is stunning, the service is excellent, and it's worth a visit for the atmosphere alone. read more
This restaurant is the embodiment of sexy. The staff and interior work very hard to give you a specific curated cultural experience. They have a bar upstairs, as well as downstairs. Upstairs is more of a tent experience, while downstairs you sit under the stars. The music choice is very very good, it also contributes to a great experience. The food itself was so delicious. You can quite literally, taste the freshness of the bread and each pairing sauce that came with. The beef kabobs were a little overcooked, but the chicken kabobs were absolutely PERFECT. They were juicy and seasoned so well. We left so full and pleased with our experience on that end. What I didn't appreciate so much was the service. Throughout the hour and a half we were there, we were only checked up on once. The table behind us had the same server and he was constantly going up to them to ask if they needed anything, or if they would like any additional cocktails. Meanwhile, it was my sister's birthday and her drink sat empty for the remainder of our dinner. Despite it all, I would come again. I can't miss out on the sexy experience and yummy food. But, I would definitely need better service. read more
18 hours ago
Leila's was great from the very start. I had made a reservation asking to sit downstairs if possible, but I also had an issue where I booked twice. While trying to correct the double booking I think my request to sit downstairs was lost. That being said, the person at the front worked with me and found me a spot downstairs and I couldn't have been happier! This was a special birthday surprise for my boyfriend and of course I just wanted it to be perfect. At first I was so disappointed we might not get the experience we wanted but they didn't skip a beat and found us a spot! The place is absolutely beautiful. You really feel like you're in another country and every little detail was thought of. I've honestly never seen a prettier restaurant, including other Consortium locations! The food was incredible and we had so many leftovers to take home. The chicken shawarma hummus and salmon kabobs were my favorites but everything was delicious and cooked to perfection. My boyfriend said the steak kabob was one of the best he's ever had! We also got two drinks, the Rug Dealer and Camel Clutch, that were really unique but so yummy! The server was incredibly knowledgeable about gluten and helped me order items in a way that would be safe for me. Lastly, since it was my boyfriend's birthday they brought out a special desert and printed his NAME on a macaron! Such a special extra touch that really delighted him and made him feel like star of the night. I can't wait to go back to Lelia's again, I have no idea how they have anything less than 5 star reviews across the board. Take it from me and ignore the negative Nancies, you won't be disappointed! read more
Very exclusive theme restaurant- reservations are very hard to get and I had to sign up at midnight over a month ahead. It is gorgeously decorated and designed. It had an Arabian ambience, music, and decor with starry ceilings. The lighting was dim and intimate. Unmatched in terms of ambiance. The food was decent. Some flavor from their lamb shank which was highly recommended. Their bread has some nice dips. They do cook in an open kitchen and you can watch the chefs. Overpriced food in terms of flavor and taste. Our bill was almost a hundred for their shank, and bread with dips. Know that you are mostly paying for the ambiance and experience, not the food. Nevertheless, beautiful experience and worth it for unique dining, especially for an anniversary/ date night! read more
What an amazing experience we had here! We decided to give the spot a try, hoping they might have availability at their upper bar area. We got super lucky and were able to get two seats as soon as we arrived. Let me tell you, the ambience is like no other! It's dark, romantic, full view of the kitchen, water falls and mini rivers. Completely breath taking! We were met by the nice bartender that recommended we start with the Muhammara that was creamy and nutty and paired perfectly with the roasted garlic fry bread. We ramped things up with the Azadeh and Saz'arak drinks that were both smooth and not too sweet, both strong but not overpowering the mixed flavors. Our main dishes came next and we went with the Salmon skewer and steak kabob shishlik. Both amazingly seasoned, not dry and paired well with the sauces, veggies and side of saffron rice. We had a little bit more room and decided to try out their tea and knafeh sundae. The Sunday has a refreshing orange flavor with a nutty finish and was the perfect sweet treat after a good meal! I can't recommend this spot enough as it delivers visually, flavor and service. We will definitely be coming back to check out more of their menu! read more
This food was incredible! We walked in hoping to get lucky, and got seated at the bar. Tommy the bartender was amazing. He was helping seat people, giving recommendations and very hospitable. We were so happy to get to eat here and also loved all the decor. We will be back and will make a reservation for a table next time! read more
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More info about Leila
3956 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
North Park
Directions
(858) 723-3766
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https://www.leilanorthpark.com
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Ask the Community - Leila
If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead of time do they actually charge the $50 per person fee?
Yes, according to their webpage.
Sit upstairs or downstairs?
We sat downstairs and it was absolutely lovely, but from where we were sitting looking up, I think the upstairs would be an amazing place to sit. That's what I would choose...
What's the deal regarding reservations? It seems I can't get weekend spots even one month out due to unavailability. Do they not accept them on weekends or something?
They are just booked out that far. You can go and walk in, however, you may end up waiting an hour and a half. It is well worth going, but reservations need to be made well in advance.
Any vegan menu options?
Anything for solo diners? The menu is all large dishes.
I believe you can get some smaller bites off the starter menu.
Are toddlers allowed?
They're not not allowed but it's a nice upscale restaurant that has a small river in the interior and tables are close together, so not a lot is space for a stroller or car seat. Maybe let the kiddo stay home for the evening and enjoy a baby-free…
Is there anything dairy free on the menu?
Yes, I would say the majority of the menu is dairy free.
Is this a kid friendly location?
Is there an age requirement?
I saw kids at the bar with their parents and at tables dining.
Do you need reservations to grab a drink at their bar?
No, if there is a seat available, you can walk right up to the bar.
What's the dress code?
Whatever you feel like but most people are casual to dressy casual.
Has anyone tried to add one more person to their reservation on when they got there and where they okay with it if you have?
I requested this via email and they had to change our reservation time. I wouldn't recommend just showing up and doing this - definitely coordinate in advance!
Which items on the menu are gluten free?
From reading the reviews, it sounds like the cauliflower dish and the muhammara (without the fry bread).
Anyone know if their meat and chicken is halal?
I don't recall seeing any halal certifications so my Guess is no.
Are there good vegetarian options?
Yes, there are!! Mediterranean food always has great vegetarian options.
How do you make a reservation for a large party? How long does it take for them to respond to emails?
Open table reservations. Not fast enough. if you email. But you can always try. 😉
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115 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Leila - mideastern - Updated October 2026
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