Six of us enjoyed a terrific dinner recently. Service was exemplary and the overall theme is casual and friendly. We started an order of Mussels with a lime and cilantro sauce, Shrimp Torte (artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, shitake mushrooms, capers and green olives - in a white wine sauce topped with feta cheese), along with Octopus. Everything was terrific! Entrees consisted of a huge Cioppino consisting of shrimp, mussels, clams, wild cod, escargot, octopus and crab legs in a shrimp tarragon sauce over spanish risotto - way too big to finish! Branzino with oven roasted tomatoes over yellow corn risotto. Pistacio encrusted wild salmon with fingerling potatoes and butternut squash. Chargrilled Rack of Lamb with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. To finish off a terrific dinner we ordered the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Torte, Hazelnut Baclava and Banana Foster. As a remeinder, Lemon is BYOB. read more

Cozy spot with plenty of parking. First time dining in at Lemon Mediterranean and we were impressed. Service was excellent and the food was *chef's kiss*. Bread basket: Pita with hummus Appetizer: Octopus Entree: Lamb tagine & char grilled rack of lamb Dessert: Creme brulee & Mango panna cotta Coffee: Moroccan coffee This is not your traditional Mediterranean fare but the flavors hit all the right spots. Octopus was grilled to perfection as were the lamb dishes. Our server brought a fresh basket of warm pita for the tagine and that was much appreciated. The only issue we had was that the hummus was a bit on the tangy side and slightly runny. Desserts and Moroccan coffee were the perfect end to our meal. Big thank you to Chef Ash for the absolutely delicious mango panna cotta. read more

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I can't believe I never did a review here I have been coming here since 2019. Delicious mediterranean food and attentive staff. This trip I am here for Chef Ash cooking class. It runs $65 per person plus tip. It's BYOB so you can bring your own wine. Chef sets up a table in front and calls on people to come up and assist. It's not full hands on. He discusses how to cook the dish and how healthy it is to do this at home on your own. After each presentation the staff brings out the dishes from the kitchen all prepared. He started off the first course with fresh homemade mozzarella. It just melted in your mouth. Second course, arugula with strawberries, pistachio goat cheese in a raspberry vinaigrette. 3rd course Crab cakes, so good had some spice to them. 4th course Salmon Livornese over risotto cooked perfectly. Finally dessert flourless torte so good. Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti was made hard the double bake way. Personally I prefer the softer Biscotti but that's a personal preference. All in all a fun afternoon at a farm style table where everyone was enjoying the experience. Didn't realize how fast the 3 hours went by. read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - Class menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

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The lamb Stew i had was Delicious I really enjoyed it. Has a very nice atmosphere and staff is very friendly and the owner is as well read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

We had a reservation for 6 people. When we got in, our table was ready for us. Perfect round, intimate table away from all the noise. We were cozy and able to have a conversation. Our waiter, Anthony, greeted us immediately and pleasantly. He gave us time to settle down and told us the specials. They brought warmed pita bread along with homemade hummas that was delicious. We all started out with a Greek salad that was very fresh and cold. My husband had the hanger steak with roasted garlic potatoes. I had the chicken artichoke with pesto Moroccan sauce and green olives. Friends had different types of tagene dishes- veggie, fish and lamb. Cappuccino, bread pudding and ice cream were for desserts. We all had a lovely experience and the waiter made it special. read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - Bread pudding with ice cream - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

Nice ambiance(could use some fresh paint, but still cute inside), our waiter (I think Lenny?) was really friendly and good. The food was very good. Our table of 7 got butternut squash soup, ceviche, a few orders of the Special Lamb empanadas--those were wonderful!, hangar steak, pistachio goat cheese salad, & Lamb and chicken kofta. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend! (Cross posted) read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - Hangar steak. Very tender and delicious. - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

Last night was my second time here and wont be the last. Dont let the strip mall location deter you. The place is nicely decorated with a cozy eclectic feel. Service is very attentive but not over bearing. Perfect pace. We spent about three hours enjoying the food and conversation. Since it is BYOB, I had brought along some prepared cocktails which we enjoyed while catching up and perusing the menu over some hummus and pita. For starters we had the delicious burrata and the perfectly cooked octopus with butter beans. We both had the swordfish and risotto. All on the mark. We enjoyed some wine with dinner and banter. Finished with some cognac and almond cake. Kudos to owner for moving us shortly after we were seated to a more quiet location as a large party was arriving shortly and he said they would be loud. He was right. Glad he took preemptive action. read more

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We've been going on/off for years, but now we're done. Lousy service, average food with ridiculous prices and indifference by mgmt.After they ruined a celebration dinner with painfully slow and inattentive service, I tried to reason with the owner who offered me a $20 gift card for future use....i disputed the entire charge with my CC company. Took 10 weeks but I just received a $450 refund on my card. Lemon is sour. read more

This is a hidden gem! We called for last minute reservations and were able to be seated right away. Service was fantastic, the food even better. The owner was super personable and socialized with the patrons briefly welcoming you just the right amount. The hanger steak was cooked to perfection. The pepper cream sauce paired well with the rosemary roasted potatoes but my parpadelle dish was lacking a tiny bit- not a lot- almost as in the pasta water may not have been salted or the homemade pasta pinch of salt may have been missing. I added salt and pepper and while you can't add that missing flavor it was still a good substitute so of course we'll be back again. Deserts were delicious and the chef sent us strawberries and cream. Really quaint and comfortable. If you're looking for good flavor and good service check out Lemon. read more

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4.5* Nestled in a little strip mall on bustling Route 9 north, Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant offers a delicious Mediterranean menu. Upon entering, you're immediately struck by the homey, cozy atmosphere, that sets the mood for the dining experience. You really can't pick a bad dish on the menu here. Every dish is crafted with care, and there is something to satisfy every craving. Adding to the charm of Lemon is its exceptional service. The staff are always attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to make your visit enjoyable. The owner is always on-site (at least the many times I've been here) ensuring every guest enjoys their experience. read more

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Food was very good. Flavors were good and it was cooked very well, but I will say the soft shell crab had a lot of shell left on it. If that's not your thing you won't like it. Service was kind and checked on us constantly. The restaurant felt very nice and upscale considering how small the restaurant space itself really was. I would go back again! read more

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Chef Ash cooked a delicious meal for us from appetizers to entree to dessert, just outstanding!! Have been a patrone for years and will continue to visit! The service was also very good. Delightful dinner!! read more

As unassuming as it is fabulous, this strip mall gem continues to defy time and an industry that toils in a post-Covid hangover where less is more and excellent service is only for the nostalgic. To put it midly the service here is "comprehensive" with someone on their team only the slightest gesture away at all times. The menu here is equally confident, unchanging (except for the specials) and full of sharable items from land, sea and garden. Their Moroccan Duck is exquisite as are the sides which on this occasion featured brussel sprouts and eggplant caponata -- sll served in portions that scream 2019. To hell with my dog, there was no take-home for me as all was greedily consumed on-premise. Lemon Mediterranean is a find and an easy five stars. read more

Owner was incredibly warm and welcoming, made sure the service and food was top notch We started w the fried feta and zucchini, which was fresh, full of aromatics yet still felt light. I ordered the specials rack of lamb w fig farro- cooked to perfection. My husband order the Moroccan duck w couscous. For dessert we ordered the baklava but the winner was the pistachio cranberry rice pudding! Delicious Will definitely be back. Thank you for showing us true med/ME hospitality! read more

If there's a better restaurant in Monmouth County at this price point I would doubt it. The hummus is freshly made and served with warm basket of pita bread The grilled Octopus appetizer is perfectly cooked and served on a beautiful dish with beans. The Branzino entree is butterflied and served with a vegetable that I don't remember because I ordered the Cioppino which was just a seafood overloaded with a nice sized crab on top.Risotto was the bed for this plentiful dish. The Backlava is amazing as was the grilled peaches with burrata and Chef Ash graciously sent over a warm bowl of rice pudding with vanilla ice cream Service was spot on an not intrusive at all. Not as noisy as you might expect from a full house restaurant Go enjoy a splurge it's well worth it read more

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The food and atmosphere are incredible! I am def going back, there were so many great options to choose from!

Upon entering, we loved the decor. Cozy, warm and intimate. The staff was very friendly and very attentive. They made sure we were comfortable and not hurried. I believe we were served and attended to by the entire staff including the owner. The food was spectacular. The ceviche special was amazing and very generous. My wife had the char-broiled lamb chops. I had the lamb tagine, which literally melted in my mouth. Desserts did not disappoint either. Both the almond cake and hazelnut baklava were delicious. We are definitely making this place a regular stop. Highly recommend it. read more

My friends and I ate at Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant yesterday. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. The food was absolutely delicious. We ordered rice balls, and a variety of seafood dishes and one pappardelle with short ribs. All were delicious. The service was impeccable. We came with two handicapped people who each had a walker. We could not have asked for better service. The staff was wonderful. They helped everyone get settled and then helped again when we left. It was much appreciated by all of us. We will definitely be back. read more

We sat down and told our waiter it was our first time trying the restaurant. Wife ordered fish tagine. I wanted lamb and waiter strongly recommended the rack of lamb, so I ordered it medium rare. The octopus and salad appetizers were good but the 45 minute after that for our entrees was not. Of course the lamb was overcooked (medium) as was the salmon the fish tagine. Our waiter never came back at all to check on our meals....even though lamb was his strong recommendation. When we were done someone asked how our meals were and I told him that honestly we were disappointed and why. He came back later with one dessert for us to share (why not one for each of us)? We then waited another 15 minutes for the check. Overall very disappointing.. read more

Great food, great service, beautiful inside, easy parking. Why haven't I been back sooner? Love this place.

I was introduced to this location when I went for a friend's birthday dinner. We came in on a weekday evening. We didn't have a reservation, but we were sat immediately. There was a good number of people dining, but it didn't feel crowded at all. I was very impressed at the variety and complexity of dishes as I browsed the menu. My friend and I are both Arab, so we definitely know what to look for when eating Arab dishes. Most Middle-Eastern restaurants tend to serve some form or combo of Syrian/Lebanese/Turkish dishes. This menu offered many styles of Middle-Eastern dishes as well as some fusion of Italian and fine dining offerings. There is also an entirely separate halal menu, offering halal options of all courses. We decided we'd try items from each course of the regular menu. Our server did a great job answering questions and giving recommendations. We ordered the Crisply Lamb Empanada and Romaine Lettuce Salad for appetizers. The kitchen also provides complimentary hummus and pita. The empanada was flavorful without the lamb being too gamey. The hummus was much different than what we were used to flavor and texture-wise. It was still flavorful and fresh, just a bit different than your standard hummus. The chef was also kind enough to send out a complimentary Lioni Burrata appetizer. The cheese and tomatoes were very fresh and high-quality. The green sauce on the side was very flavorful; it almost tasted like a tangier version of guacamole. We got the Lamb & Chicken Kofta, Branzino, and side of Truffled Mushrooms for our entrees. The koftas were also much different than those at your average Mediterranean restaurant; they had a much meatier texture and a unique spice combination. The caramelized onions also complemented them well. My friend enjoyed both of the other items. Throughout our meal, the servers did a great job checking on us. The only negative during this meal was getting hot sauce. My friend asked for a bottle or dipping bowl of hot sauce. They explained that the kitchen makes it fresh, which sounded great. However, they sent it out in a larger ramekin. It tasted delicious, but we were also charged $9 for it without being told that beforehand. I think it would make sense to list it among the other sides on the menu. We were way too full to order dessert, but the kitchen surprised us with yet another complementary item: the Mango Panna Cotta. Despite being very full, my sweet tooth always loves some dessert. The panna cotta was delicious. It had the perfect balance of creaminess offset by the flavors of the fresh mango and strawberry compote. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone dining here. Toward the end of our meal, the owner came out. He was very friendly and welcomed any critiques we had of then food. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. The menu is on the slightly pricier side, but the restaurant provides decent portions as well as very high-quality ingredients. The addition of the complementary items was also a great touch that definitely made the meal worth it. This place is a gem in the Freehold area. I'd definitely return when I'm in the area again. read more

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Unfortunately this was our second time and we were disappointed. The duck was overcooked. Salads were skimpy. Chicken was dry and the server did not know the menu read more

Really love going to Lemon in Freehold. I've been there several times - excellent food - fantastic desserts - friendly - welcoming owner oversees dining room and is super attentive. I love the Shrimp and clams. I get it every time! The hummus is wonderful and the falafel doesn't disappoint. Don't skip dessert!! The home made whipped cream is a must. read more

I've never tried Mediterranean food but my friend wanted to go. Love tasting new foods. This restaurant is located in a small strip mall on route 9. Very cute, nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. The give you hummus and pita bread to start. We ordered the escargot which was excellent. We also tried the octopus . Now I've never had it but my friend has. This was an amazing dish. Very tender, full of flavor. Will definitely order both appetizers again when I come back. We order the lamb shank and split it. It was fall off the bone tender and delicious. Had no gamey taste which was good. Wouldn't even know it was lamb. Perfectly cooked. Tried the mango panna cotta which was good. Definitely give this place a try. read more

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First, BYOB. Service was very attentive and we like that they did rush you between course. They even ask to let them know when you want the next course. The spinach casserole with the goat cheese was really good. read more

It's become a tradition that one of my best friend's and I treat each other to dinner at Lemon for our birthday. We always have a wonderful time.  The food is tasty and service is very good. My only negative, I do feel the prices are high, akin to NYC restaurants. FOOD: We were started off with a complimentary hummus and pita appetizer.  It was good, but not the best hummus I have had.  The beet salad was fresh. Our entrees, The Branzino (sea bass) and the Moroccan Chicken, were very good.  For dessert, the Baklava, is delicious. All the desserts are made on-site.  As a bonus, they brought out some whipped cream and strawberries and sung happy birthday. SERVICE: Service was in its prime. We were constantly tended to, waters refilled, and checked on to make sure we had everything we needed. The owner even stopped by twice to see how we were doing. AMBIANCE:  The interior is quaint, with subdued lighting and has a nice feel.  We were fortunate enough to eat her on a Friday night, when they have live vocalist, which adds to the ambiance. NOTE: Check your handwritten bill. They overcharged us $10 for the chicken entree. I'm sure it was a mistake, but it doesn't hurt to double-check a non-computer generated tab. Food: 5 Price: 3 Service: 4 Ambiance: 4 read more

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We ordered our food and then the waitress gave us hummus and warmed pita. It was nice that it was complimentary with the meal! Most places charge for hummus. It wasn't the smoothest or most amazing hummus I've ever had but it was a good start to the meal. Then our food came out. We got the escargot app and it was decent. The white wine sauce it was in was really good. The escargot was chewy but I guess it is an acquired taste. My friend ordered the branzino. I tried a bit and it was cooked perfectly! The bottom was crispy and the fish was still tender. I got the lemon platter which I think came with 6 things? The platter looked small but i could barely finish so it is a lot of food! It's a great choice for any vegetarians. The dishes were good, I just felt that they were a little oily, which added to the heaviness. The side of roasted lemon potatoes were just okay and not worth $9. They were pretty plain and I wanted more lemon flavor. Instead there were just some chopped up lemon peels at the bottom. The overall vibe was calm and I liked the jazz music they played in the background. Service was lacking. No one came to fill up our water throughout the entire meal, or to ask how the meal was. read more

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This place is a flavor explosion! Don't miss it. I had the best salmon my husband had rack of lamb. ...And dessert was AMAZING. The carmelized figs should not be misseThere is entertainment on Friday's Service is excellent! Place for whole family or even just a romantic evening. read more

The branzino was cooked to perfection and made a very special person extremely happy.

I was very disappointed in my Entree salad I ordered for takeout. It was the Arugula with Raspberry Vinaigrette. I paid $14 plus $2 tip expecting it to fulfill as a meal. I didn't notice until I got to work how incredibly small it was! It was what most people would consider a side toss salad. I thought I might as well eat it but then it was bland! The vinaigrette dressing was tasteless! I waited till I got home so I could add my own. The only positive comment I have is that it was fresh and the few bites were delicious when I finally got home 10 hrs later. So it was good but certainly not worth $16! read more

This is our third time dining here, and the food has been fantastic each time and seems to taste better each time. We had the octopus appetizer and it was some of the best octopus I have ever had. Our main dishes were also fantastic I had the paella and the sea food was spot on. Lastly our dessert was delicious I had the rice pudding and it was truly something special. The service was great and very attentive. Definitely looking forward to coming back here. read more

Love this place. Been there twice and haven't been disappointed. Must try the Moroccan duck, chargrilled lamb chops, hanger steak, cioppino. Service is outstanding. If going on weekend, best to make reservations. Restaurant is in a strip mall and can easily be missed. Highly recommend it. You'll be back sooner than you think!! read more

Amazing food! We got multiple appetizers and the crispy lamb empanadas and the Sicilian rice balls were especially flavorful and delicious. The Moroccan chicken entree was good, but was almost overshadowed by the apps :) for dessert, we had the mango pannacotta, which I definitely recommend! The strawberries and cream was also very fresh and delicious. I topped it off with Moroccan coffee, a strong espresso shot with spices. The service was timely and professional, although we were here for lunch when the restaurant was quiet so maybe that helped. Lastly, the ambience was cozy with fitting decor. Nice for both family dinners and more intimate date night dinners! read more

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What an experience! First time at Lemon and the food was delicious from my octopus appetizer, corn soup and hanger steak. Definitely recommending Lemon to my friends and we'll come back again soon ! read more

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It was a great dining experience; definitely worth coming back. My wife and I enjoyed the courteous service as well as the delicious food. We had the octopus for appetizers, corn soup, pistachios goat cheese salad, rack of lamb, and hanger steak. Best octopus appetizer and rack of lamb in the area in my opinion!! We will be coming back and recommend Lemon Med Restaurant to our friends read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - Rack of Lamb - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

A wonderful gem with exquisite dishes, great service and wonderful atmosphere with easy access on route 9 in Freehold! Before I even start writing this review make sure you order the rice ball appetizers for everyone! Now when I say that I mean everyone needs to have at least one large rice ball! This is a must order! OK now let's get on with the review. An absolute perfect selection for a great night out in freehold. It's in a strip mall right off of Route nine so real easy to get to and not have to worry about parking. Everything is great here, the atmosphere, the food, the servers, the plates, the walls, everyone in your group will be glad you gave this place a try! My pistachio crusted salmon main course over risotto with grilled brussels sprouts was heaven! The dish came with pharaoh but I asked them if they could substitute with risotto which was also on the menu and they gladly obliged! This dish was heaven and I highly recommend to anyone who remotely likes seafood! Although their seafood combo dish which contained your classic shellfish was outstanding according to my buddy! So I don't know there could be some arguing over which dish to get! Of course there's always a girl in the group who orders a chicken dish don't ask me why. The chicken was very good but I don't recommend ordering chicken at a restaurant like this there are too many better dishes here. The cod was another delicious dish, however I liked both the pistachio crusted salmon and the seafood platter better. Highly recommended and perhaps the best restaurant in freehold New Jersey, a must try! read more

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Worse dining experience after a long while. We are a table of 9 -our food arrived 1 and half hour and each person got their plates at different times- the first person got lamb shank and chicken kofte. 4 minutes later came the steak orders 6 minutes after that came the salmon. 3 minutes after the salmon came gnocchi and 5 min later came the Moroccan food. The lamb shank person was done eating by the time salmons arrived. You guess the rest - horrible service leaves no room to add anything about the taste read more

Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant - The salt at this pricey restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Freehold, New Jersey

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Culinary excellence, from start to finish left us wanting to return so we can try more. There were subtle flavor harmonies in our dishes that were beyond common Mediterranean fare. The Chef and kitchen staff are true artists. Many thanks! The decor and service lends towards dressing up a little, but shorts and a button-down shirt aren't frowned upon. Very friendly and accommodating staff, and the owner was engaging and helpful with our dining choices - Thank You! Note - Lemon is BYOB, so come prepared to wash down this great meal with some fine wine. read more

Located in a strip mall in Freehold, I wasn't sure what to expect by utt this place is definitely worth a stop! I went here for a family birthday and we were all pleased. Attentive waitstaff, incredibly beautiful plating, and warm ambiance. They start you will humus and pita which is a good way to start in my book. One note is that it is NOT a cheap meal. We stared with the Sicilian rice balls (3 for $7) and the fried feta zucchini cake (2 for $9). The rice balls were flavorful and good but the fried feta zucchini cakes which came with a delicious tzakiki-esque sauce were SO SO GOOOD. Great combo of flavors and crunch! Don't miss it. I opted to get the cioppino special ($37) which was bursting with tons of flavorful seafood and even some escargot. While it was good, I think their standard menu items might have been a better choice. One person got the shrimp and clams ($27) and another the branzino ($29). Both dishes were beautifully plated with great flavor and portion size. The vegetarians got the lemon platter for $23 which had a great compliment of different small plates. All in all - some good food. We did sample some desserts including the chocolate torte and the banana foster which were good but a bit too rich for me. read more

The food at Lemon is not only absolutely delicious, but the staff is really what makes this restaurant so wonderful. The owner of the restaurant was so incredibly welcoming to us and we will absolutely be coming back! The restaurant ambience was absolutely gorgeous and played classical ambient music in the background. It was our first time going and I literally only downloaded Yelp to write them a good review bc they deserve it! read more