Malooga is a lively restaurant in the downtown part of Narberth in a location that once was an Tru Value hardware store. It's very well lit in the restaurant, for some, maybe bright is a better term. To me it reiterates a casual atmosphere. While the menu features Yemeni and general Middle Eastern fare, some of the offerings are very recognizable and others are new to me. The patrons, especially perhaps those more familiar, navigate the menu with seemingly an ease. Our server, abundantly friendly, was handling multiple tables in her "station " and didn't seem like a menu resource so we just rolled with our gut ( pun intended). Hummus Laham and Sambosa was the appetizer. I loved both. The Sambosa with beef, onion and dill are reminiscent of an Indian onion bhaji. The pita type bread is deliciously good. The Fasah and Fool we ordered and shared. I'm not sure if anything is meant to be shared or if we ordered mains or what. The clay type pots sizzle significantly signaling the piping hot goodness. Since it was a birthday dinner, we had dessert and coffee. The Yemeni latte is a treat, sweeter than expected. Overall the food experience is really fun. The service, while friendly, is what it is, just hot and cold and always a little tough, like just getting another paper napkin was slow. The prices and casually brightly lit dining area, though, reminds you that this is closer to fast casual both in price and atmosphere and is a really fun, moderately adventurous place to enjoy! read more

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Food is amazing, ambiance is clean, inviting and interesting. Our server is kind and attentive. She checked with the manager re: gluten because the menu isn't marked for gluten. Either she or the manager were new or they need to really make an allergy sheet available. Better yet, add symbols to the menu for allergens. I was served food that my instinct told me had gluten. She then went to go ask the chef, seemed nervous to do so, and I just didn't eat it with confidence. I will go back, but with more caution than I think should be needed. read more

Delicious middle eastern and Yemeni dishes in a stylish atmosphere with excellent, attentive service. Loved an appetizer of hummus and shawarma and the "fool" a lentil main. This is a great addition to the local nabe. read more

Delicious! Great service tonight with well versed staff. The place could be cleaner and have better curb appeal but if you can ignore the surroundings it's good eating! I love Yemen! read more

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Visited for a weeknight dinner ~6:30 PM. Things were not that busy when we arrived, and we were seated immediately in one of the floor seating tables. Folks here were friendly, prompt, and helpful! We ordered the hummus falafel and the lamb haneeth. Falafel- amazing! My wife is a stickler for falafel and she said this is probably the best she's ever had. The lamb also was extremely tender and delicious. There was this slightly spicy sauce that came with the dish that I practically would have eaten all of on my own too. The ambience is nice here-- light chatter of patrons without any loud blaring music. There are some outdoor seats too (in chairs) for fair weather days. Otherwise I'd recommend the floor seating if you are willing and able (shoes off), but a reservation is probably required. read more

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My husband and I came to Malooga for date night a couple weeks ago. We were excited to try a new place. The atmosphere is unique in the area and is truly a beautiful restaurant. Service was not good. We arrived and waited while they sat people who came in after us. ( same size and bigger parties) Waiter was slow and not attentive we only saw her when our order was placed but had to bother others to flyer box check extra stuff etc. food was pretty good. I'd give it a solid C+ of B- they have great portion sizes. We're indifferent and don't know if it's repeatable. read more

Malooga - Adventure Platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - Narberth, Pennsylvania

Wonderous smells waft through the air with our party, almost in unison saying "can't wait to eat!" A new and most welcome addition to the neighborhood, Malooga is a Yemeni restaurant and -- to our delight -- BYOB. Platters come with two starches, rice and potatoes, which I learned are common accompaniments in Yemeni culture. I chose falafel. For a reasonable $1.99 extra your meal will be plated with a house salad. 99 cents more for a bit of hummus. Very good! My husband and our friends got kebabs, two skewers to an order. There's a choice of chicken or ground lamb and beef, which I tasted. Nicely and subtly spiced. The name alone, "fool" piqued our interest. Creamy fava beans, sauteed onions and tomatoes. Soupier than expected but flavorful, spooned over rice. Wednesday at dinnertime the restaurant was hopping -- and sort of loud. Reservations definitely warranted. Give them a try. I'll certainly return, next time splurging on dessert. read more

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The most incredible middle-eastern / Yemenese food experience. Everything we ordered was just fantastic (see photos). Service was fast. Atmosphere had touches of 'home' mixed with a modern flair. I cannot say enough good things about how wonderful this restaurant is. The quality and richness of each dish was exceptional. read more

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The best reception you can ask for as the first time customer to this restaurant. The hostess went out of her to welcome me. The amenities are new and nice. They prepare their own Naan in what appears to be a pizza oven. The Yemeni dishes all sounded good. I went for the lamb slow oven cooked dish with naan. Also tried their traditional Tea. It was plenty as I also started with house salad. Everything felt authentic and the place deserves a solid 4 star. The bread taste needs some improvement it felt more like large pita. Great experience overall. read more

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Very disappointed in the service. We got seated at 7:00 and then didn't see a waiter for the next 30mins. Didn't get a water, welcome or anything. Ended up leaving and getting sangkee instead. They were slammed and looked like down a waiter but to not even get a waiter to say hi/give us water was a little absurd in my book read more

I still give Malooga a 5-star review despite the hiccups with takeout (see note below), because I thought as a new restaurant they handled it very well and I want Malooga to not only survive but thrive as it's a terrific addition to Narberth. More food reviews: - Adani chai (given to me for free since I was waiting soooo long!) - 5/5, deliciousness - Sampler (hummus baba ghanoush 4 falafel, and dolmas all excellent) with pita - 5/5 - Falafel salad (four balls) - 5/5, light and fluffy and tasty falafel balls which were a little flat and didn't look like they would be as amazing - Lamb bowl - 5*/5, this was my favorite item among many excellent options. so good!! surprise french fries in the salad along with a scoop of hummus and some yummy rice too, a really nice meal and if it was just me, i'd get this for my meal - Chicken shawarma bowl - 5/5, also good but not quite as good as the lamb! Things we would not order again: - Grilled beef side - 4/5, (a little tough), especially in comparison with the lamb which was so delicious and tender - The savory baked item with ground beef, it was just okay but also new to my palate, 3/5 Advice to those who order takeout while they're working out their new opening status: maybe don't order takeout on a Saturday night if you have dinner party guests at your home waiting to be fed. I waited an extra 1.25 hours for my order (was supposed to be ready at 6:30pm) but I didn't mind as I ran into friends in the restaurant, made a new friend who was waiting for his order, Omar the floor manager came and explained in detail what was going on (they have not expected takeout to be such large orders - in their Old City location most people's takeout orders were a single bowl and a beverage, here they are large orders like mine). Lucy, the lovely young hostess who had to manage the large numbers of people coming to dine in and those of us who were waiting for our takeout orders was incredible. She handled all of us with care and concern and that frankly made the wait (during which I did my daily Duolingo, downloaded some videos on their Wi-Fi, reconnected with old and made new friends) all the worthwhile. It is friendly Narberth after all! read more

I live on the other side of the train station in Narberth, so it's very easy for me to get to Malooga. Since it's opened, I've been there five times and have never been disappointed. Everything is excellent, from the moment you walk in the door. The staff are all very kind, professional, and attentive. The atmosphere is an immersive, modern Yemenis experience, complete with traditional Middle Eastern music. I especially love the seated floor options, they are super comfortable and make socializing so much more relaxing. The drink options are also excellent, my favorites are the Spanish lattes and the chai. I also really like the Saudi coffee they have, just know that it's more like a tea than a coffee and that it's low and caffeine and tastes more like tea. That isn't to say it's not good, just be realistic about your expectations. The manager even came up to me to ask how I liked it, since the restaurant is new, so some people may have been disappointed with what they got compared to what they expected. I told him it was still good, and I think it makes for a really good alternative to when you want something in the evening that isn't going to keep you wired all night, but helps to keep you socialized and relaxed for the time being. So far, I have not been disappointed by any of the appetizers or entrées. The hummus and tandoor bread are quite good, as is the baba ghanouj. I never tried stuffed grape leaves until I went on a date recently and found they were a very satisfying, light starter that is full of rich taste. I personally recommend the adventure platter, especially if you have a large party, as it's a good way to sample a little bit of everything. For the entrees, I've had the Shrimp Fahsah, the Chicken Mandi, and the Vegan Bowl. The first has a perfect blend of spice and heat, presented in a sizzling, captivating bowl. The second was perfectly cooked, and the rice underneath it made it in exquisite choice. The third was a perfect entrée for when I was feeling hungry, but not particularly famished and was an excellent clean option for my appetite. I've only had one of the desserts: the Kunafa. It was unlike anything that I had tasted let alone expected. It was incredibly rich, with a creamy and sweet taste, accompanied by a crumble top that I can't really explain. You really will just have to try it. I highly recommend it. Everyone else in my various parties has had nothing but good things to say about the place and I will definitely be going here more in the future. I only recommend that if you are interested in doing the sit down seating that you make a reservation well in advance, because it's a very popular option and they book up quickly. It's nice to see Neighbor finally has an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant, because 10 or 20 years ago. This would've been completely unheard of. It's a fine addition to our town. read more

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I've had several great meals here. The food is consistently fresh, and although service can be slow at times, the servers are attentive and responsive. It's a fun place for sure. A great local find and a different spin in middle eastern foods. The bread is always freshly made when you order, and the salads are as well. read more

I've had my eye on Malooga for quite a long time now, and I'm super happy that they've opened a location in the suburbs. It's in a convenience location for me compared to the city. I ordered a lamb dish and my bf and friend ordered chicken dishes. We ordered a dip to share. Even though this restaurant just opened, I feel like they are well experienced and were equip to handle a full house. The ambiance was bustling with energy yet gentleness at the same time. However, I feel like a few things missed the mark for me. Like the dip wasn't presented well. And the naan and chicken were dry. But I'm grateful that the waitress brought out dates upon request--since my partner was fasting. The adeni chai was one of my fav parts of the meal. I look forward to coming back and trying something new. read more

Malooga - Middle Eastern Near Me - Narberth, Pennsylvania

Very friendly service and great food. My wife and I got an assortment from the menu and were very happy with everything. We're really excited to have this nearby and are looking forward to coming again! read more

First the bad. The lighting was unusually cool (color) and very bright, which made the atmosphere feel closer to a hospital cafeteria than a cozy restaurant. Our party of seven people were served our dishes almost 5 minutes apart from each other. The yolks in the eggs of my shakshuka were completely hard and cold by the time all of us were served. Two of us ordered the Lamb Fahsah, and for some reason one of them had plenty of sauce (like stew) and the other was dry. I don't know which version was correct, but the inconsistency doesn't instill confidence. Most of our orders had a monotone to them, with no variety of flavor, color, or texture. They were tasty, but got boring quick. Maybe we were supposed to have ordered more sides? Now for the good. The staff was incredibly friendly and thoughtful. They presented a delightfully positive attitude that put me in a good mood from the moment we entered. The tandoor (like pita bread) was fantastic! Everyone at our table loved their hummus too. About the noise level; a restaurant in a room this size is typically LOUD, but thanks to their beautiful sound absorbing acoustic treatments, we were able to easily hear each other even from opposite ends of our extended table. Thank you for thinking of the acoustics! Bottom line. Our entire party came expecting to enjoy this dining experience. We were all looking forward to it. I wanted to like it, but felt more like I was trying to find reasons to like it while actively overlooking the issues, instead of just enjoying without effort. I understand that they're maybe still in their "Grand Opening" stage, but they were open about three weeks by then. For these prices, I expect better. I don't get out much, but I hope to give Malooga another try in a month or so. Fingers crossed things improve. read more

What a great addition to the area! I got the zaatar and labneh flatbread and I'm still dreaming about the creamy goodness. Also ordered the lamb dish as well as a side of rice. Both were so tasty and flavorful!! read more

Newly opened BYOB spot serving authentic Yemeni cusine. We were a party of 6 and made reservations weeks in advance. Place was packed on Friday night and we waited about 15 mins to be seated. For drinks we ordered the chai and mango juice - both yummy, wish the mango juice was cold and not room temp. Ordered a couple dishes from the appetizer platter, grilled branzino, chicken shish tawook and lamb haneeth. Food was delicious, would recommend the lamb dish and the manakish cheese and zatar. Plenty of indoor seating and they can accommodate large parties. This is a newly opened restaurant so service needs a bit more work to be running more smoothely. For example we received part of our appetizer order before dinner and the other well after the dinner orders arrived. Service was friendly but could have been a bit more attentive, we had to flag our server for a few things. Overall promising new addition to the area. read more

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Great food, service and ambiance. I prefer the tables to sitting on the carpet around a traditional table. Definitely worth it!

We drove 45 minutes on a weeknight to try Malooga. We were really looking forward to it. We walked in and waited about five minutes to be seated. Once seated, we were given water and menus. And then we waited....and waited. The young staff seemed to studiously ignore us. They walked near our table or went behind the counter and stood. There was no eye contact, nod, or brief "we'll be with you shortly." No one acknowledged us. The restaurant was about 25% full so the lack of attention was particularly baffling. The vibe was odd and unwelcoming. We finally decided to leave. The experience was disappointing. There's more to being part of a restaurant staff than taking and delivering orders; hospitality and making guests feel welcome is a fundamental part of the experience. We will not be returning. Fortunately, we enjoyed a steak dinner at another restaurant where the service was outstanding. read more

Well done. Superb food. the bread/baba ganoosh were excellent, portions were good, and chicken mandi was phenomenal - so tender and flavorful. Service was very good too. It's busy, for good reason. read more

Went to the soft opening today and you can already tell that this is going to be a very special spot and unlike anything else in the area. The menu was limited for the opening but the food was fantastic (had the shish toauk platter), the staff was incredibly friendly and the optional floor seating is unique in the best way in how it creates an atmosphere that is so warm and inviting. Excited to explore the coffee bar and the rest of the full menu at a spot that adds a new sense of community and palette to Narberth. read more

A much needed addition to Narberth! Everything is delicious. Try the lamb dishes and manakeesh.

Had Saturday reservations for 7:30 with my friend & her daughter. Ordered 3 mains & an app. My main (a kebab) did not come even after a reminder. Then at 8:50pm the lights went up as if we were in a college bar at closing time. Evidently they close at 9pm, which I understand, but are harsh spotlights turned to their fullest really necessary?? Tables were at least 75% occupied at that point. The atmosphere is cold & cafeteria-like even before the lights went up. read more

Highly recommend! We had dinner here (amazing) but can imagine this would be a fantastic brunch spot, as well. I had the iced chai (so refreshing), and we split the hummus w/chicken shawarma, manakish kofte with cheese and the chicken mandi. Then we finished it off with their dessert, sizzling areka (perfectly comforting and not too sweet). All the meat was so melt in your mouth tender, and the bread was delicious. The staff were so kind, attentive and helpful! And the ambiance was very beautifully decorated and cozy. We will definitely be back! read more

Wow! What a special experience!! I was fortunate to dine at Malooga with friends this evening. The restaurant is well designed and beautiful, the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, and the food is amazing! I particularly loved the bread that comes straight from the oven, arriving at the table warm and ready to be dipped in the incredible hummus. We also enjoyed the lamb haneeth, the chicken mandi, and the manakish with cheese and za'atar. It was a wonderful experience - and I can't wait to return! read more

This is the real deal. If you've ever been to the Middle East or somewhere with a significant Arab quarter and missed the food, this will hit the spot. Not because it's middle eastern cuisine - but because it's GOOD middle eastern, like you'd get at any decent restaurant there where people knew what they were doing. This isn't going to knock your socks off, but it's really excellent. Their tahini and labneh are particularly good. Looking forward to trying some of their desserts. There's certainly no better place for this type of food in the burbs. read more

Lunch today was a wonderful experience. The food was excellent from appetizers to dessert. The lamb haneeth was tender and delicious. Our country should welcome people like this family. Highly , highly recommended. read more

Going to give this place another chance since I live in the neighborhood and it just opened so maybe they are ironing out the kinks. But the food was underwhelming. Not spiced well or flavorful. I'm a bit surprised at all the 5 star reviews. The atmosphere is lovely and the service was good. read more

The food was very good but the service was lousy. It took forever for the hummus to be served and they brought a few of the diver's meals out before all were ready. We had to sit and wait for almost 10 minutes watching our food get cold. It wasn't even that busy. read more

I think Malooga Narberth is the best restaurant in the Philadelphia area - the only wish is that the portions of Baba Ganoosh were a little larger; otherwise, excellent! read more

Made our first visit to Malooga in Narberth this evening. We arrived, two adults, without a reservation at 6:15 on a Sunday and were lucky to get a table. Staff (young and diverse) were energetic, welcoming, knowledgeable and efficient. Food (Americanized Middle Eastern) was fresh, delicious and plentiful. Prices quite reasonable. We'll be back, especially to try the bread that we saw being baked fresh on the premises. read more

First yelp review ever!!!! We hosted a welcome dinner for 75 people at malooga last weekend for our sons wedding and the experience couldn't have been better. I'll have to admit I was a bit worried since they had just recently opened but Mo and his staff exceeded our expectations. They were kind, friendly and attentive to all of our guests who ranged in age from 10 weeks to 80. Everyone felt welcomed and taken care of. He worked with us to create a menu that worked for all of our guests and the food was delicious! It was the perfect way to kick off to our weekend wedding celebrations and it's a great addition to our little town of Narberth read more

Such a lovely dinner! The food was bright, herby, warming, and delicious. My server and the chef were so welcoming and kind. I will be back soon with my friends and family! Thank you again to the whole crew. read more

Amazing food; attentive, friendly service; wonderful manager and owner who each visit with your table ensuring your satisfaction; reasonable prices. Would highly recommend to family and friends. Be sure to visit their Old City location as well! read more

Food was mouthwatering, and the ambience was warm and welcoming. The hummus and lamb were delicious.

Such a lovely experience! The food was superbly prepared and promptly served. The waitress, Katherine, was most informative and attentive. We ordered Manakish Zaatar, Saltah made to order without cream, Lamb Haneeth, Chicken Shish Taouk and Baklava. We highly recommend Malooga. read more

Friendly staff, delicious food, and gorgeous space - we're so glad Malooga opened last month!

Lovely ambiance, and the food is wonderful. The falafel and fool were my favorites. I can't wait to return!

I go to the old city location and the food is always good. the staff is always the best