Update: Our recent return to Leyla definitely solidified my 5 star rating. We brought out-of-town guests here after a long day at Coney Island. We knew we were already a challenging group for dinner, with 5 adults and 4 young children, one of which was a tired and cranky 2-year old. I had been to Leyla (see previous review) for lunch, which was a more casual meal and we ate outside. When I suggested Leyla for this meal, I did not realize that their dinner service was more refined, fancier, intimate atmosphere, and not as casual. The restaurant also was a little smaller than what I remembered from my brief glimpse of the dining room last visit. We painfully realized just how challenging we possibly could be when we arrived at the restaurant. We immediately saw how nicely Leyla was set up for dinner service, with cloth napkins, water goblets, and a handful of other diners sharing what looked to be quiet dinner dates. Seeing the lovely, intimate dining atmosphere, realized that we made a mistake in thinking that it was a more casual place and that our group might be a disruption. We apologized to the staff, and said that maybe we should go elsewhere....that we did not want to disturb their other diners or cause them inconvenience. The staff kindly and graciously encouraged us to stay....that we were very welcome there. They set us up at a table in the back section to give us some privacy and did all they could to meet any need we had. We enjoyed the same excellent service and over-the-top, flavorful food as my last visit! We ordered quite the variety of dishes....filafel, an eggplant dish, chicken kabob, salads, a mediterranean pizza-type dish, kids mac & cheese and burger/fries. Everyone was extremely happy with their food, with lots of exclamations of "amazing!" and "taste this!" They brought the childrens' meals first, which was helpful. After half of our party left, the toddler became especially impatient and boisterous, so the one other remaining family member took him outside to play while his parents finished their meals alone. The server sensed how stressful the day/meal had been for the parents, so he offered the parents complimentary hot tea to end their meal on a peaceful note. They declined due to time constraint and the need to get back to their toddler, but were impressed and appreciative of the kindness and thoughtfulness of Leyla's staff. We were impressed. Hubby and I have plans to return again soon for a date night (Don't worry, Leyla staff, just party of 2 and no kids next time!) Lol Seriously, some of the best food and service we have ever had. read more

So so good! I love their appetizer sampler. Everything is very fresh and delicious! They're always willing to answer any questions you have about the menu. Can tell it's a small family owned restaurant. read more

This place is outstanding. If you like Mediterranean food you will not go wrong here. Portions are huge and you will have take home for another meal. For the quality and portions it is a great value. We had hummus (fantastic with plenty of fresh pita), eggplant (the bomb!), Borek which was great and then we shared a mixed grill. This place rocks so get ready to have a great meal with attentive service. Seems family run and they take pride in their food! We will return very soon. read more

I love this place. The food is delightful, authentic Turkish cuisine and the owner/server is always very kind and personable. Harika restoran! read more

Excellent food, friendly staff nice place to go for an excellent meal. Please try the zucchini pancakes,

It was all delicious! The humus was some of the best we have ever had! Food was fresh made to order meals and the costume service was excellent! read more

Amazing food, the restaurant has a great vibe. Waitresses are very courteous, they offered me tea while I waited for my takeout and the owner and I engaged in some good conversation. He seems like a good guy. Not only was the food amazing and cooked well, but it was plated very functionally and beautifully. We ordered a feast, and it was well worth it. 10/10 will come back. Update to my review: Honestly, the best and most authentic Mediterranean food (with a strong Turkish influence) I've ever had in Cincinnati. I never write reviews, but it's so good every time I have it, so here I am. Also my daughter loves the children's options, so that's a plus. The Turkish coffee is also a must have for my fellow caffeine fiends! Take it from a chef and avid foodie, that this place is the real deal. A++ read more

Cannot overstate how good the food is! Dining in can take a while, but every minute is enjoyable. The people who work here genuinely want you to be happy with everything. Don't pass up the appetizer sampler (it's how I learned they have the best baba ghanoush in town) or the mixed grill platters if you're not alone (it's a lot of food!). And the fresh-baked bread is worth the extra carbs. I promise you. read more

I have quite a few food sensitivities and dietary restrictions. One of the staff (maybe the owner?) went through the entire menu with us and highlighted what would and would not work for me. He even made some substitutions to side dishes to make sure they would fit my needs. As someone who generally has to make all of their own food from scratch because of dietary issues, it was such at treat to have a meal made by someone else. Five stars not only for service but also for taste. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We will be ordering from them again. So happy to support such a great locally owned business! read more

This place is.... just go! Stop reading, get your keys and go now! Ok, now that you are therefore the tea and order the appetizer for 4. Yes, even if you are by yourself. It comes with a ton of delicious authentic dips, fresh warm pita and separate spoons so your wife can forget to put the spoon back and you still get some tarator! If you don't finish, take it home. Great snack as all the dips are cold and the pita reheats great on the grill or in the oven. If you are there at lunch get the Gyro. Their gyro meat is the good quality kind that is actual prices of meat not the ground up junk with fillers. This place always has the best tasting tomatoes on their salad. I know that is a weird thing to notice, but their tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes are supposed to! If you are not here at lunch, get ... anything. Any of their grilled stuff is amazing. I am usually not the biggest fan of ground kabobs, but even those are delicious, flavorful and juicy. If you like leftovers order the grill for 5 or was it 6.... order the big one. It comes with all the kabobs and it is delicious. It also comes with a salad. The tzadziki sauce is amazing. read more

My husband and I tried Leyla a few weeks ago. I do not remember the name of our meal but it was a shared meal for 2. It had 4 different meats, all were great! Rice was amazing, bread was fantastic, salad was refreshing, service was wonderful! Can't wait to go back!! read more

I have visited multiple times and enjoyed it. The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable and uniquely decorated. The staff is very friendly. Everything that we have eaten there is good. read more

Eight adults for dinner tonight. Most of us first timers. Summary: Excellence in service and food preparation. We ate several different kinds of appetizers (I had the liver and YUM!). Everyone enjoyed them. The Angaritas were a hit. Everyone loved the bread and dipping sauce (all four women asked to buy the dipping sauce). Entrees varied from eggplant dishes to kebabs to various flatbreads and more. Terrific each dish. Service was kind, engaged, happy. Felt like we were being served by family members glad to see us. Lovely meal. Highly recommended. read more

Wonderful food. And great service. Very different foods. The owners are great. This is a great place to eat in or carry out.

Give this restaurant a try; the service is attentive and the food is excellent. We enjoyed the hummus and homemade bread. Shared the grilled entree for 2- chicken, lamb, gyro on a bed of rice along with a salad. EXCELLENT!! read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

Delicious. Great service. Nice atmosphere for lunch or dinner. Also good for takeout.

Phenomenal food and service. An absolute Anderson Twp gem. Our favs include hummus, baked eggplant, lamb sautee special and shish kebab. They also pair perfectly with the delicious Turkish red wine. I really can't say enough about this great place and the amazing people who run it. read more

Went for lunch a few weeks ago. Had the falafel lunch plate. Can't say enough about it! The hummus is delicious, the salad is fresh, fresh, fresh. Yum on the falafel! Very authentic Mediterranean. I compare to what I used to get in Dearborn, Michigan and it's spot on. read more

I never knew this place existed. I stopped in with my girlfriend for dinner, and wow, I am absolutely in love and will definitely be going again soon. My family is originally from eastern Europe and the feeling I got when I was inside was the closest thing to feeling like I was back home in Serbia. Food was amazing, the staff was wonderful, and the owners remind me of my parents. I can't wait to go again! read more

I love Leyla's so much. The food is amazing. The service is amazing. You leave feeling like family. Every dish I have tried has been spectacular. Best Mediterranean food in Cincinnati. Eat here. read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Delicious whole Branzino - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The food and service is absolutely amazing! If you go you must try the tea! I had the lamb sandwich and it was lovely. My his ad had the Shish kabobs and love it! Lovely little gem hidden away in Anderson. read more

This is my new favorite restaurant. We keep telling our friends and brining them there with us. Food and service is outstanding! Marie Hill read more

So good and my brother Rob is in love with the Lamb sandwich and the woman at the counters!!

A. M. A. Z. I. N. G. Probably the best Mediterranean I've had. We tried a little bit is several things and were absolutely blown away by the flavor, presentation, and quality. This place should not be overlooked. read more

We ordered a couple of gyros with fries, cold app. for two, the falafel and zucchini pancakes for take out and everything was very delicious and packed full of flavor! We will definitely return to try out different dishes. read more

I love getting dinner here. It's my favorite restaurant in this area. They have really good baba ganouj. I also like their salad and some soup. My mom likes it. My husband likes it. My dogs beg for a scrap, but I don't share. read more

I was excited to try this place simply based off the Yelp reviews and my goodness they were right! Probably the best Gyro I've ever had and the fries were also delicious! Extremely nice staff/ambiance. Will absolutely be back again!! read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This place is rocking it. Their flavors are on point. Loving their Lebaneh. Best I've ever had. It is creamy and fresh at the same time. Love it with both the pita and the homemade bread. Their Flatbreads are awesome. Love the dough. Great texture and flavor. The tea is a lovely way to end the meal. Can't wait to try more dishes. read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Appetizer Sampler - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

This place is an absolute gem in Anderson! Amazing, authentic food, reasonably priced, and I've never had anything short of outstanding service. Leyla's is such a great little spot, and I wouldn't recommend anything nearby over this place. The appetizer platter is great, the chicken kebab is seriously one of the juiciest pieces of chicken I've ever tasted, and the lamb was amazing. I've been here three times and each time better than the last. Highly recommend! read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

Outstanding little taste of the Mediterranean. Wife had the the grilled shrimp and I had cabbage rolls and both were fantastic. Service was attentive and friendly in a quaint setting. A real gem in Anderson. read more

so yummy and authentic. the hummus is great (as expected) and the bread we got (i forget the name) was amazing and fluffy and so flavorful. i got a flatbread w chicken and cheese and vegetables and it was so good, everyone kept stealing it. my sisters and dad all got salads that were fresh and yummy. my brother got another flatbread (i forget which one) but it was also good. service was nice and the ambiance was comfy and clean. best mediterranean place i have had in a while! read more

Thank you so much for the food at the Anderson nursing and rehab today! The medical staff loved it all so much! great hummus and bread

Charming and delicious little Middle Eastern restaurant! I had an appetizer of Hummus followed by a Gyro-- both were great. Try the Turkish coffee (thick and strong), which comes in a teeny tiny cup. I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Thick strong sweet Turkish coffee in a tiny cup. - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

Authentic, delicious, and huge portions! This is my kind of restaurant. If you're looking for real deal Turkish food, you've come to the right place. I dropped in to Leyla with my husband on a Sunday evening and were seated right away. They have a nice looking shaded outdoor patio, but we chose to sit inside. The menu has a lot of familiar Mediterranean dishes and a few I have never heard of before. We started with the Cold Appetizer Sampler for Two ($12) which has hummus, baba ghanoush, acili ezme, lebne, and grape leaves. They also brought out a beautiful warm homemade loaf of complimentary bread with dipping sauce. We probably could have just split the bread and the sampler, the portion was very generous for $12! The lebne and hummus were absolutely delicious. I had never had acili ezme before, but a quick Google search tells me that it's a spicy tomato dip from Turkey. It was really delicious, and great on the bread combined with the lebne. For dinner I got the Greek salad ($8) and my date got the Iskender Kebab ($18). The Greek salad was super fresh and yummy, with a few surprises in there like big chunks of fresh feta and pickles. I thought it was a little oily, so maybe next time I will get the dressing on the side. The Iskender Kebab was HUGE. I did not anticipate that the portion sizes would be so generous here, we could have easily split his meal with no appetizer and been stuffed. This is how the menu described the Iskender Kebab: "Slices of doner kebab over garlic toasted bread, served with yogurt & tomato sauce." When it arrived it was not at all what I was expecting...It was a huge serving of meat served on bread soaked in a yummy tomato sauce. This might sound weird but it tasted like lasagna to me. Very creamy and rich. Obviously we had never had this item before, so I have nothing to compare it to, but we really liked it! Service was super friendly and very fast. They also serve beer and wine here. Everyone else in the restaurant was leaving with doggy bags (including us), so you know the portions are generous for the price. Definitely check this place out! read more

See all

Got the Hummus, Falafel, zucchini pancakes, and lentil soup. They were amazing. The Doner Sandwich/Gyro is the best I've ever had almost anywhere. The taz sauce is on another level. read more

Great local restaurant w solid food and great prices. Good for carry out also. We order the chicken meal for 2 and it is great.

Delicious meal, but more than anything, the staff was very gracious to serve me when they were planning to shut down early on an exceptionally slow night. Beef Kabob was tender and seasoned perfectly, and the rice pudding was delicious. read more

The service was terrible, they do not care about their business! We ordered take out food for 11:30 am, while we were there at 11:15, they arrived at 11:45 themselves. We had to wait 45 more minutes to let them prepare the food hurriedly for us. It was more than an hour late, while the quality of the food was not good too. Some of them were cold and not well cooked. I do NOT recommend it! Not worth a try even. read more

Located in a strangely-shaped retail space in the Anderson Towne Center shopping complex-- one that's recently housed a couple of previous restaurants--Leyla is a comfortable, charming little spot. A lot of blonde-ish wood and natural light give it a calming warmth. And the staff is welcoming and friendly. It's one of many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants to open in the Cinci metro in the last few years, and like many of the others, this one leans Turkish. Leyla has reasonable prices and filling, tasty, attractively presented food. The Turkish bread that comes out first is terrific. There was a consistent flaw, though, with some of what followed: Most of what we ordered tried was super-heavy and oily. Baba ghanoush had big flavor, and was chunkier than almost any I've had, which I liked, but at the same time it seemed to have way too much oil. Same deal with the green salad that came with our mixed grill for two; it was absolutely drowned in oil, almost inedibly so, which was a shame because it otherwise seemed like a decent, fresh salad. The best thing besides the bread were the mixed grill meats--chicken adana, chicken kebab, and doner kebab--which were generously portioned and boldly flavored. But again the adana and doner were a bit fatty and oily. Nice addition to the area, but it could be even better if the kitchen staff dialed back the oil. read more

It was a busy Friday night and most places had long waits. We went in to place a to-go order and it seemed they only had one person working several tables. We waited quite a long time and placed an order. We came back to pick it up 20 mins later as asked and got all the way home and we're missing items. Returned to pick them up. Ordered the food that has been recommend with rave reviews online (mixed grill) and is was mediocre. The baklava was not what we expected. read more