Service is miserable. Our party waited 1 hour for even our drinks on a slow night. We got scoffs and eyes rolled at our group. Absolutely unacceptable service and behavior from the staff. read more

We went for the very first time and really enjoyed the food! The servers were kind. The one draw back was the bird noise soundtrack playing loudly over the music; the bird chirping was piercing and distracting and made for a strange experience. Overall good! read more

Their baklava is the best I've ever had. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Lovely servers, very friendly & working hard constantly. The food is delicious. Highly recommend. read more

Great Turkish food. Never had a bad meal and the service is fantastic. Reminds me of when I was in Turkey, great food great people. If you haven't been to Lelay's you need to. Word of warning, go hungry otherwise you won't be able to eat it all. read more

This is a family run establishment and you can really tell before you even sit down to dine. Outside the front of the restaurant is full of beautiful plants, rosebushes, trees and flowers of all kinds, all growing out of planter pots. It is pretty cool because it is in a strip mall so you wouldn't expect so much foliage by the front door. They start by bringing fresh homemade bread and pita to your table with seasoned oil. We ordered hummus for an appetizer and it was so flavorful I ended up eating it with a spoon just to get all the flavor out of it! The lamb shish kebab was absolutely delicious! The meat was seared to perfection and caramelized and crunchy while being juicy and tender on the inside. Seasoned perfectly. We had baklava for dessert and it was out of this world. I really enjoyed the music, it set a wonderful atmosphere. Traditional and lovely and loud enough to talk through without being heard by other tables. But not too loud that you had a shout. I found the prices reasonable, the serving sizes ample, and the food seasoned perfectly! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone! read more

Lived in Istanbul for years and love Turkish food! Love the service there; the prices are a little high.

Love this restaurant. The staff is so kind. The food was amazing and flavorful. It is small but great for a small party or date night. Can't recommend enough. read more

I have Armenian roots and this food is amazing! If you are looking for Mediterranean meal this is the place. read more

Oh this food was so delightful. We ordered to go and ate at home. The portions are huge, and the flavor is unmatched. This is the best Mediterranean in Cincinnati! We got grape leaves, the labne, and mixed meat for 2. Plenty of leftovers and the kebab was cooked quite literally perfectly. I've never have a kebab that tasty. Highly recommend this place! We will be back. read more

The food was delicious and owner is super friendly. I will go back again and again. Their chicken was very tasty and moist.

This was our first time here. Was invited by my niece to meet there along with my sister and our spouses. I've always wanted to try it, but just never got around to going. Service was super slow, but I was okay with that since it gave us time to catch up. I had the grape leaves as an appetizer and found them very bland. For my entree I had the stuffed cabbage. The taste was good, but the portion was extremely small. Three small stuffed cabbage and no side of rice or anything. Three of the entrees at our table were overdone, one so much so, it was burned and inedible. One other item of note, the soft drinks/iced tea are $4.50 apiece! That's seriously a ripoff. There were actual food items I could have ordered that cost less than a beverage. I doubt I'll be going back. read more

Awesome Mediterranean restaurant. We've enjoyed the food, atmosphere and friendly owners many times...including last night :-) I highly recommend! read more

Babaganosh is the best anywhere and everything is amazing. Do it tapas style and bring a party because you need to try everything.

Always so delicious. Big, flavorful portions. Never had a meal there I didn't love. Best baklava I've ever had...ever. I crave it over any other dessert it's that good. read more

We happened to be in Anderson Township needing lunch and we were lucky to find this place! Walking in I was immediately surprised by the ambiance. Cloth tablecloths with runners, table decorations, bright colors. What an enchanting little spot! The food was outstanding. We got warm, fresh bread with a dipping oil packed with flavor. We ordered hummus as an appetizer and the texture was so creamy! I was full before our Dolan sandwiches arrived. The meat was fresh and well seasoned, the veggies were crisp, and the pita was soft and warm. The next time I go back I will pick something more adventurous off the menu since I know it will not disappoint. read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Great service even better food! My family loves Layla's! Try anything on the menu and you'll be happy read more

The staff is incredible. Every time I bring my grandmother in, they remember her by name and are genuinely interested in her wellbeing. The babaganoush is A+, the lentil soup is A+, the seating outside in the garden area when it is shaded is wonderful. I am Jordanian and their pita must be handmade because it is phenomenally soft and buttery. I have not ordered take out, I have only dined in, so I can't speak on that. read more

Leyla is our favorite Mediterranean-style restaurant in all of Cincinnati. We have never had bad service there and the food is always excellent. Emma, who runs the place, is a fantastic person, friendly, and works hard to give her customers a great experience. read more

We have tried twice to dine. First time we understood that they were very busy and staff was over taxed but the hostess was not at all welcoming. Tried again today with no success. Not pleasant and we asked if we could sit outside. "NO" was the answer and walked away. We left and the staff didn't understand why we wouldn't stay. Hope the food is wonderful for those who can enjoy. Friendly customer service not that hard read more

Place looked OK, the people were nice, the food wasn't good. Cold, weird, poorly seasoned

I'm so glad we chose Leyla for lunch today. The weather was fine and their cute patio was perfect. sTarted with their Labneh appetizer but before that came out the server brought out their crusty bread and this really good red dip. There's no name for the dip but it's made with sun dried tomatoes and who knows what else. It was really good. The labneh too was delish, so fresh and refreshing! Great balance of herbs and a very healthy serving for $5. I ordered chicken adana sandwich and companion ordered the doner sandwich which is roasted lamb (gyro). Both came in pita with very good french fries plus a generous side of cucumber yogurt sauce ($8 each). Sandwiches were both very flavorful and we ended up having to take food home (aww, too bad). Service was very good. We will definitely meet there for lunch next time!! read more

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OMG My new favorite restaurant! So glad they are in my neighborhood. Generous amount of food. I carried out and it was a highlight of my week! read more

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The food is so fresh and amazing! Beautiful outdoor seating right in anderson town center that you would never know was there!

I have nothing but good things to say about Leyla. EAT HERE!!!! And....bring your own beer! They provide no alcohol and serve Pepsi products. Ordered the Iskender Kebab which had doner meat (meat used inside Gryos) over garlic bread with a yogurt and tomato sauce. SO. MUCH. MEAT. It was amazing. Got a serving of the baklava for dessert and my mom has named it the best bakalava she has ever had. After dessert we were received complimentary hot tea and sugar cubes. The waitress could not have been nicer either. A perfect place for a nice date night. Everyone in my party thoroughly enjoyed the food. We will be back! read more

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First time eating true Mediterranean. The server was very friendly and help us choose. The baba ganoush was very good. My son and I split the meat for two and enjoyed it all. The wife really enjoyed her lamb kebab. read more

I had relatives staying in the area, and wanted to take them some place nice, but also needed to keep in mind that they had some dietary issues. They couldn't deal with too much spice, and they were not very adventurous. This place seemed like a good option. They were even willing to give me a reservation on short notice for a Friday early evening. The place is a little challenging to find, nestled in a corner of Anderson Towne Center on the Five Mile Road side. Once we located it, it turned out to be a cute, intimate space with about 40 seats which filled up as we sat. Our drink orders were taken promptly. Even though they have a full bar, one of our party's order for a Cosmopolitan was slightly discombobulating for the bartender, but he made what was described by the orderer as an excellent version. It took quite a while for our food to arrive, but when it did, we were all happy. Red lentil soup and spinach borek are highly recommended, as is shish kebab. Pide are flatbreads topped pizza style, and we liked the chicken and sembusek (ground lamb) versions. Service was good, and prices are commensurate with the quality. This is probably the best dining option at this mall, but getting in at their busy times may be a challenge. It's worth trying, though. read more

Wife and I stopped by here as we headed home from the in-laws on Christmas Day. We had the Hummus, Meat platter for two, and almond pudding. Everything was Fresh, tasty, and made from scratch. Service was amazing. This was an overall great experience. read more

Food is delicious and they have great service. We usually get family style carry out; everyone loves it!

Just a brief, initial review after a single visit I had thought this was going to be a gyro joint, and given the lack of good.....err.....ok, ANY options along those lines on the east side, I think they'd have done well had they gone that way. But it isnt. Instead, this is more of a fine dining establishment with a variety of Mediterranean specialties, with a bit of a focus as near as I can tell on Turkish cuisine Prices are mostly in the 10 to 20 dollar range, with slightly lower prices and smaller portions at lunchtime I wasn't impressed with the borek appetizer I tried tonight. Phyllo dough wrapped into a cigar shape around parsley and feta. The phyllo was neither flakey nor crisp, and the filling was dry and lacking in flavor. And there wasn't much of it for 7 dollars. I need to get back there for one of the entrees. Service was extremely friendly and enthusiastic read more

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My wife and I are ALWAYS pleased when we leave Leyla. We brought our kids there yesterday (7 and 10), and Emma, who seemingly does it all around there, turned up her normal warm and friendly to a new level when she saw the kids. The food is fantastic, the service and atmosphere are a throwback to a day when flavor and good service were the norm. Emma asked the kids if they would sample 2 new desserts she had been working on. We expected samples, but no surprise, she served us (the kids) the full portion. THESE are the kind of businesses ( and people) that need our support. If small, well run restaurants don't get out patronage, one day the world will be nothing but Taco Bell's and Applebee's ..... I hope I'm not around to see it. read more

Leyla's is a relatively small restaurant with a bar in the entryway. The tables were pleasantly draped with tablecloths and set with stemmed water glasses, appetizer plates and cloth napkin wrapped utensils. We were seated. Asked a few questions of the waiter and asked for recommendations. We ordered an appetizer: Spinach Borek. We were served an herb bread (rolls) and an oil and vinegar, tomatoes dipping sauce. The bread's texture was spectacular with a flaky quality yet with body. Then came Spinach Borek; a phyllo pastry rolled with spinach and feta cheese served with a creamy herb dipping sauce. Excellent! Our entree's came next. Shish Kabob (Lamb) with rice and dinner salad. The meat was mild tasting lamb, reasonably tender and nicely seasoned. Rice and salad were nicely seasoned which allowed freshness to express itself. My wife had stuffed cabbage covered with a tomato sauce which she very much enjoyed. All in all a great experience that stands out in a world of homogenized restaurants. read more

I loved this place. I did carryout and everything we ordered was delicious. We tried shish kebab and adana kebab and chicken adana sandwich. The hummus and baba ganoush were great. Falafel though is too dry. There fries are addictive! I look forward to any opportunity to eat here when I'm in the area. The staff was sweet also, while I waited they served me complimentary tea. I also thought the price point was very fair for the high quality. read more

I really enjoyed giving Leyla a try, the hostess was fantastic and you really feel transported somewhere in the middle east if you sit outside in the little garden. It's nice to have a decent sit-down slightly upscale non-chain restaurant in Anderson. The help was very engaging, kind, and inviting. The food was excellent and some of the best in the area and having rakı (i thought I saw it) available added a bit to the authenticity and fun. I'll be back soon. read more

I'm not exactly the most versed when it comes to Mediterranean food, but I do know great food when I have it and MAN, this was phenomenal. The service was perfect as well. Very attentive and friendly. If you're on the fence about this place, just take the leap and DO IT. I did and I was most definitely not disappointed. read more

Amazing food and wonderful staff. They treat us like family. So lucky to have this gem so close to home.

Layla is hands down the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. My favorite dishes are the baba ganoush and the okra stew. But the fresh bread and sauce that they serve with your meal is also amazing; I could make a meal out of just that. The staff is very friendly and efficient. I've always been served promptly and have never had to ask for anything, as they are very attentive. Also, and I know this might seem like a minor point, but the music played is what you might actually hear if you visited the Mediterranean. When I go to a restaurant, I prefer to hear music that goes along with the type of food being served. I think it just adds to the overall dining experience. It drives me crazy when I go to, say, an Italian restaurant and am forced to listen to Top 40 garbage or a country music station. Finally, if you're vegetarian or vegan, you'll find plenty of delicious options here. read more

Just wandered in looking for a place to eat near my doctor's office. I am so glad I did! The guys was delicious. I had a very tasty gyro on crispy & soft bread. The taztizi sauce was a fresh addition. All in all a really good lunch! read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - A very yummy gyro! - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Great experience. The food and Turkish coffee was great. The owner was extremely helpful. I got take out and he nicely included dessert. I would highly recommend this gem. I'm looking forward to having dinner there for the full experience. read more

LEYLA MEDITERRANEAN - Mediterranean Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

WOW. I don't know why it took us so long to go here but it was amazing!!!! Food was very fresh and the shared cold appetizers are a must!! Options for everyone- vegetarian and meat lovers! read more

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