Food is incredible and they have Knafeh. Everything was top notch and prices are fair read more

Malooga - Milk tea - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

FANTASTIC experience -- just go! The Lamb Fahsah was hearty and flavorful, served in a hot metal bowl with just the right proportions of shredded meat, veggies, and broth. Plus it came with FRESH pita bread HOT out of the oven -- slightly crisp outside, hot gooey inside. (Honestly, I think their pita texture and flavor surpassed a certain high-end Lebanese restaurant in Fishtown...) Decor is a tasteful modern pastiche of traditional middle eastern motifs. Overall vibe is relaxed, clean, and spacious. The only downside was having to pick just one thing from the menu, though staff were happy to help. One note: I think they're still getting off the ground, and I stood next to the "wait to be seated" sign for 5 minutes before getting frustrated and walking up to the bar guy. He was SUPER apologetic, as was my waiter, and they made it up to me with a free cup of chai tea -- plus a free refill at the end! On the chai tea: rich and fragrant spices, definitely spoiled me for the standard coffee shop version. read more

My recent first visit to Malooga was excellent. The service was admittedly unremarkable, but some grace should probably be extended there - it was a Sunday, the day after Valentine's Day, and it was packed. During my wife's and my time there, they never had an empty table that wasn't being quickly cleared for a waiting party, and we heard people assigned considerable waits when they tried to walk in. I give the benefit of the doubt that the hectic, holiday-adjacent nature of the day we went in contributed to us not receiving mugs for the tea pot we ordered or some of the longer waits between waitstaff visits. But the food and atmosphere? Through the roof. We were fortunate enough to have scored the coveted front window seating section, a luxuriously spacious and cushioned special seating option that only one party at a time can enjoy (all other seats are traditional chair-and-table arrangements), so we were especially high on the subject of atmosphere, but even had we not secured the ideal seating, I would have enjoyed the chill, evocative music coming from the restaurant's speakers. The food was the main event, of course, and it delivered. We started simple, with a hummus app. The humus was great and the flatbread really stood out - ideal density, great, light crispness to the outside, soft but at no risk of being too chewy or doughy on the inside. I ordered the salmon dish, which arrived in a big, black sizzling iron bowl. The salmon and tender little potato chunks were in a shakshuka-like red sauce and paired excellently with the plate of rice, fresh raisins, garlic slivers, and carrot bits that accompanied it. I honestly don't love raisins, but this was clearly a "have faith in the recipe" situation and I really enjoyed when they would assert themselves a bit against the sauce. My wife ordered a falafel salad platter, which she was kind enough to let me try; best falafel I've eaten in a good number of years, and she agreed (which means even more than my endorsement, since she falafel much more frequently than I do). I've eagerly recommended Malooga to friends and associates since and can't wait to get back and order some lamb! read more

We had catering for a work event and everyone loved it! The food is delicious and flavorful - the kebabs, lamb, baba ghanouj, falafel, kunafa, sambosa - everything was fantastic. The adani chai also came highly recommended and did not disappoint! I'm not much a chai person but the tea was still a nice treat. Can't comment on ambiance as I have not been to the actual restaurant but am definitely interested in visiting in person! read more

Food: This was my second visit to Malooga, and I ordered their Lentil Soup. This was perfect for a chilly day. The soup was savory, aromatic, and rich in flavor. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something light. Service: Service was quick, attentive, and added to the overall positive experience. read more

Malooga - Lentil Soup - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In our short trip to Philadelphia, we were looking for restaurant cuisines that don't exist in Boston. Malooga looked great, and we had an enjoyable dinner. The staff were all warm and welcoming. We ordered Sambosas (appetizer) which were fried, delicious small beef samosas, and the star of the evening; Fool, which we felt was somewhat underspiced and a bit boring (think 'frijoles refritos'); and Shish Taouk, a marinated chicken kabab on rice, which was somewhat tasty but underspiced. The service was ok, although the Fool came out quickly enough, the bread (which is part of the dish) didn't arrive for about 10 more minutes. One of the problems with 'ethnic' restaurants in the USA is that they often need to moderate the spicing for American palates. The result is that while a restaurant may prepare everything perfectly, the meal isn't memorable :-( read more

This review is two fold! I have been here previously and had dinner! I was with a group and the food was delicious and service was wonderful! I had an idea to cater lunch for our team and wanted a diverse menu and I remembered what a great experience I had at Malooga, so I called to work on items that I felt would be tasty and yet affordable for a group of 15-20 people! Let me tell you...I had grape leaves (slight tanginess that was lovely), two platters of Hummus (Some of the best I've had in a long time) and Pita Bread, Shawarma Wrap, Falafel Wrap and kebab Wrap! The wraps were a big hit and super yummy! Coordinating this event was done in a helpful and efficient manner! The customer service was great from beginning to the delivery and I followed up afterwards to offer my enthusiastic feedback! I am eager for them to open in the Narberth area! Check out Malooga ...it is a must try! The reason that it is 4-Star vs. 5-Stars is the costs of delivery fees ($30) and tip..taxes was over $60! This appears to be built into the way the system is set-up, but it becomes costly after you select your choices. read more

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I've eaten authentic Yemini food while in the Middle East so I was excited to try this place. When we first walked in on a Monday night, it was full and they said we needed a reservation. My husband tried talking to the guy and he gave us a table. Mind you they probably have 10 tables total in the restaurant and we had 2 kids. Server was nice. The bread was really yummy. The shawarma hummus was okay. Not enough hummus and it was chicken instead of the typical lamb or beef and the chicken wasn't hot. We also got the chicken shish tawook. It was good. Ut not amazing. Look if you've never had Middle Eastern food in the Middle East, you will love this food. Wasnt quite up to the mark for me but overall we had a good experience. read more

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We came back to Malooga for dinner after trying the restaurant for the first time last month. After trying and loving the chicken Mandi and lamb haneeth in our previous visit, we decided to try their kebab platter and the shrimp fahsah. Our main dishes were served with freshly made bread which was perfectly paired with the shrimp fahsah sauce. The staff are very polite and friendly and the chef goes around checking in on the guests table by table. I love the ambiance, the service, and the food. Everything is amazing and I'm so glad I found Malooga! read more

Malooga - Kebabs Platter - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Service was good. Food, mediocre. Maybe my taste bud was spoiled. The grilled fish was supposed to be "fresh" according to the server, not to mention we waited 50 mins for them to grill a 1.5lb fish, it tasted mushy, nothing like the consistency of a fresh fish. The only thing good was sauce on top. It was definitely not grilled either, looked like it was put in the steamer for 50 mins. I would not pay $35+ for a dish like this. Laksah was good, too salty. Falafel wasn't good either, it was just served warm read more

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This is a moment when I wish that Yelp still had the tips feature. So here's my tip: even though this restaurant looks casual and unassuming, you probably want to MAKE A RESERVATION. They stay busy. And they will, by necessity, turn people away. Also, the food is amazing. read more

First food experience in Philadelphia for my vacay. This place was in walking distance from the hotel and we were seated quickly. The seating is limited but the place takes reservations. There is a cozy spot for traditional seating with cushion pillows, a nice setup. Our server was great, she provided some good insight for menu selections. Unfortunately, the restaurant was near closing so most of favorite dishes were sold out. We inquired on the bowl options and the description of chicken with yogurt and then grilled had us sold. The Protein bowl Shish Taouk was excellent! The meal was flavorful, and the portions just right...mmm mmm good. And the pairing with cucumber, lettuce, onion and the hummus base with long rice, everything was delicious. Also got the Tandoor bread. The bread with some hummus, chicken, hot sauce (basically chopped jalapeño peppers and herbs) ...chef's kiss. And then got a Adani Chai tea, a wonderful blend of cinnamon, milk and cloves. It was not too sweet, a great first dining experience for the trip and after a long travel day. read more

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We started off with the smashed falafel and hummus, which was so flavorful and hit all the rights notes, before I had the chicken shawarma protein bowl which was also delicious - a great blend of the fresh lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes with the crispy potatoes and the well-seasoned shawarma. Combine that with some of the tandoor bread we had left over from our appetizer and it was an incredible meal. My girlfriend had the shish taouk platter and was also very pleased with her meal - particularly the rice base and the yogurt-based marinade. read more

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Lovely place for huge family style food. Highly recommended to make a reservation for the floor seats! read more

Malooga - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Love this place! It's got authentic Halal food and a cozy feel. The Saudi Kabsah got me trying me trying so hard to make it at home. The staff is great. I've also tried their catering items at an event and they are very good too! read more

I really wanted to like this restaurant, but the food was very inconsistent. The hummus falafel plate was delicious, with super smooth silky hummus and excellent flavor. The beautiful giant piece of bread on the side was fantastic, perfect amount of char. But the main plate, the Chicken Mandi, was dry and flavorless. While the chicken leg piece was okay, the breast piece was totally dehydrated and both tiny pieces were very bland. The texture was like rotisserie chicken that had been left to cook for too long. Our waiter said that this plate was great to share, but in reality the plate had one large serving of chicken for one person, and a giant heap of dry, flavorless rice. I would return for the the hummus, and hope to return and try the vegetarian options, but would not order chicken here again. Service was excellent. The decor is very charming, but the walls are dirty and scuffed and need a bit of repair to not look dingy. read more

Malooga - Chicken Mandi - all rice with tiny pieces of dry bland chicken - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My friend and I ordered delivery. Hummus was eh, salad with falafel was ok, grape leaves not our fav, but the rating drops to 1 because the shrimp fahsah disappointed on so many levels. First of all, it didn't look like the picture. The shrimp were tiny salad shrimp. Second, it was mostly onions which are not even listed in the entree description. There were very few potatoes and little okra, but the okra was not prepared well anyway. Sauce, not delicious. I woke up so sick in the middle of the night, and my friend wasn't feeling her best the next morning either. I had high hopes for this meal, but underwhelmed is an understatement. read more

Walked in during dinner rush on a weekend and luckily was able to be seated right away. They have lots of veggie options and some of the most creamiest, flavorful hummus. The service was quick and attentive. The restaurant itself was a bit hot inside but what's not during summertime in Philly lol read more

Malooga - Fassolia and Vegan Bowl - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We went here on 25 December 2024 after the premiere of a Complete Unknown at the old city move theatre. It was the only place that we were able to get a seat quickly without a reservation. The meal was delicious! We have dined there many times since that wonderful meal, even if it means walking in the freezing cold. The restaurant only has a few tables so be prepared to wait. The service was welcoming. Our waiter was patient explaining the ingredients in the few dishes that we were interested in. 5 kebabs! read more

Malooga - Hummus Falafel - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What a find on a cold evening. Everything was delightful and I cannot wait to come back, while I wrap up the Philly chapter for now. Adani tea - perfect thing to warm you up. Lamb haneeth - had to get it after the table next to us recommended it. Two of us devoured this in minutes. Umm Ali - it's cheesy and probably not my thing. All the other dishes nearby smelled and looked amazing, probably going to come back very soon. read more

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We checked out Malooga as small group (4 people) and decided to basically family style everything. We got their Adventure Platter to start (which happened to come easily divisible by 4). Love the grape leaves. Loved the hummus. The falafel was also quite tasty. So, clearly I recommend it. From there, we split the Haneeth & Mandi Duo, which resulted in plenty of leftovers even after we all had our fill. The lamb was a clear winner, although the chicken was surprisingly full of flavor as well. Sorry, we didn't save room for dessert this trip, however, we did enjoy some chai if you are considering a hot drink. Enjoy! read more

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Malooga! You broke my heart! The first time I was here it was so delicious that I bought a gift certificate for a friend for his birthday. This time I made a reservation for the floor for my out of town guests to show them a bit of what Philly had to offer. We had a 530 reservation. Early side for dinner, but I thought the floor experience would be fun and it was the only time we could get it on a Saturday night. We tried to put in an order for French fries and samboosas and they were out of both (this was at 530 pm). Once we put in our orders, we waited and waited. We were told that the next party for the floor spot would be 730 but we didn't get our food until a bit after 7. The beef skewers were served to us over -cooked and cold. My guests didn't really eat them. The chicken Mandi that I ordered was good but everything else at the table was lackluster. I was so disappointed because the first time I ate here, I was blown away. The place was very busy and it seemed that the people that were trying to take care of the customers were pretty frazzled and in the weeds. (No one came to pour water. We went without until I flagged someone down at the end of our meal.) I'm more to being open that this was an off night because this was not my experience the first time I ate here. I was pretty disappointed though, since this was the place I decided to take my out-of-town guests. read more

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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

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Really solid Middle East option Loved the hummus and meat will be back, since I'm low carb, they were also nice enough to slice some cukes to dip instead of bread. Great service read more

I got together with my friends (8 of us in total). It is a quaint space, and they had 2 sets of long tables for reservations, couple of single tables, and a floor seating up in the front of few people. With the 2 long tables the place was really tight. The servers had a difficult time passing through. I don't know if it was extra busy time, but I had to ask several time to get extra spoons and other things because they didn't give enough for our size. The service itself was really good; the owner/chef came out few times and talked with us. Very friendly and open person. We ordered the wild feast platter, few extra salads, baklava, and kanafe. Everything was very delicious! Baklava was a bit too sweet, but loved the kanafe! I think Malooga is a good place for few people to go, a group was a bit tight, and a bit disorganized... I still recommend the place because of friendly service and good food. read more

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I had high hopes. But there were some flaws. There were some items on the menus not available due to internet disruptions leading to orders not being delivered. But I ordered some vegetarian dishes that tasted good. The ambiance was not enjoyable. the music was too loud and inconsistent with a calm eating. Also there were a lot of staff moving through the dining area to get to a door to the stairs to the basement. Very distracting. The server was very pleasant and efficient. read more

Ok so first a caveat. My review is based on one UberEats order. I will adjust my rating imn the future to accomodate more orders. First, the bad. I did not like the dressing on my salad, it was supposed to be "tahini" and it most certainly was not, some sweet thing I would have preferred on the side. Also, the portion was stingy. Several portions seemed stingy: salad, rice. The restaurant did not include any sauce in my order, which seemed strange since some of the dishes cried out for additional sauce. In contrast, they included lots of disposable utensil sets. The falafel I rceived were packed mushy and thei taste was disappointing. Now the good. The packing was exceptional, with the most expensive seeming containers used. Not surprisingly, my order arrived without any issues. Generally I found the food to be "refined" or "a cut above" compared to the "typical" middle eastern resto. This included chicken. So I wouldn't say this is a "drop the mike" moment but I am curious to learn more about this resto. read more

Malooga serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine in a cozy restaurant near the water. -- Highlights: Malooga has a small cushioned area which is fairly unique in its allowing you to sit without shoes on the floor to enjoy your meal. -- Malooga is a VERY popular spot near the water which serves Mediterranean food. I would highly recommend making a reservation for whatever time/day you want to dine during/on. As a small group of 2, we did a walk-in on a Saturday. Although they currently didn't have any open tables, the hostess took initiative and started calling some folks with reservations to see if they were running late/ planned on canceling. We were lucky since a group did cancel! Or else, the earliest time we could be seated was 2 hours later! We appreciated the initiative of the hostess. Malooga is a small, cozy restaurant so it makes sense why their dining times are so limited. We ordered a hummus falafel as an appetizer, and honestly at the end of our meal we regretted it since the main course was more than enough food. We walked out with two large boxes of leftovers! I found the Saltah to be a really delicious stew, although the pictures don't do it justice. I loved the okra and found there to be a good amount of vegetables inside for a one-person portion. We also enjoyed the lamb haneeth, which came out on a massive platter. I normally don't enjoy lamb, but this lamb was not too gamey and the rice was well-seasoned. Although neither were the best food I've ever eaten of its type, they were still very tasty and of generous portions. Also of note is how vegetarian-friendly the food options were! The service was very fast considering the whole restaurant was packed/every seat filled. We were given in-depth explanations and recommendations about the food. At a certain point, the chef also came out to thank a table who "sent compliments to the chef," which I felt truly showed how much they care about customer feedback. We really enjoyed our service- from them working to provide us with a timely seating as walk-ins to the attentive servers- and it truly made the experience for us. Overall, I'd highly recommend making a reservation at Malooga to see for yourself what the hype is about! read more

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I'm unsure if the friendliness of our greeting upon entering or the smell of the food was a better first impression, but this quaint little spot packs the most pleasant punch from your first step. The. Chai. Was. Incredible. I'm currently on the west coast wondering if flying back across the country for chai is unreasonable? The staff was great, the menu had so many good options we had a hard time choosing but went with their special lamb dish and it was THE RIGHT CALL. It's been a while since I had lamb done so right. It melted off the bone and even the fats melted in your mouth. Exquisitely cooked. 12/10 no notes. The rice was delightful, dessert (mom's special) was obviously someone's most precious comfort food. We loved every bite of everything. read more

Malooga is a restaurant in Philly, near Elfeth Alley, known for its Middle Eastern food. They have a unique floor seating concept you must reserve in advance. It's a good experience for those interested in elevated traditional dining. The restaurant itself is BYOB and a little small, so I wouldn't recommend coming here in a group bigger than 4. We went on Mother's Day so the service was really slow - we checked in on our drinks a few times and they never came so we ended up cancelling them. The owner gave us each free baklava as a nice gesture, which was sweet! The food itself was okay and expensive, but the portion sizes were huge. The adventure platter is good for sharing, but nothing on the plate tasted spectacular. The fool was unique - it came out bubbling and tasted like daal. It needed a side of rice or something but I'd rate it a 6/10. The lamb haneeth was good - some of the meat was overcooked but the pieces that were cooked properly had a melt in your mouth texture. I wish it was seasoned a little more, but I'd rate it a 6/10 as well. read more

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This place is a must-visit for anyone and everyone especially if you are a philly resident! the atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and homey, which is perfect for a casual catch-up with old friends or meeting with new ones. The cuisine is authentic with many traditional dishes on the menu. We got the Chicken Kansah, Chicken Mandi, Chicken Kebab, and the Salta; would highly recommend all. Also, the portions are huge, so it is great for sharing! Lastly, the servers are dedicated to quick and attentive service. I was very impressed! read more

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We came here for late lunch and ordered malooga salad and babaganush for appetizers and chicken shawarma and lamb haneeth. All were fresh and tasty. Our server name is Liam and he was attentive and nice explaining the dishes. Restaurant was not busy at 3 pm.ish. Ambiance is nice and colorful. read more

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I visited this place several months ago and am just now getting around to writing a review. I tried the House Salad and Chicken Mandi. The chicken, while visually appealing, lacked the flavor I expected, making it rather unmemorable. As a previous reviewer mentioned, it tasted similar to supermarket chicken, and I agree. The rice, on the other hand, was the highlight of the dish, with a delightful mix of herbs, raisins, and nuts. The portion size for the chicken meal was extremely generous, allowing me to take half of it home for the next day. I added some much-needed seasoning to the chicken at home. The House Salad was nothing special but was necessary to have some vegetables with my main meal. read more

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Really delicious and authentic food! The service was perfection, as the waitress was really attentive and kind. We ordered Stuffed Grape Leaves, Baba Ghanouj, Mixed Grill Platter (2 lamb kebab skewers, 2 chicken kebab skewers, and beef cubes, with warm pita bread and fries- $49.99; a good deal), Umm Ali (bread pudding type dessert), and Adani chai. This was enough food for 3 people. Everything was very flavorful and the chai was perfect to warm us up from the cold weather. There is an elevated seating area with cushions in the front where you can remove shoes, sit, and have a meal or drink (less formal). Though we sat at a table, I'd be curious to sit up there next time! read more

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All the reviews are right, you NEED to visit Malooga. Better yet, see if you can reserve the elevated carpet seating area. The stews, tea, salads, appetizers truly everything my party of 5 ordered was absolutely delicious! read more

Malooga - Protein Bowl Lamb Kebab - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Absolutely fantastic restaurant delivering delicious food, consistent quality, and excellent service in a welcoming atmosphere that makes every visit feel special and worth repeating often with friends family again soon. read more

Came for lunch with a friend and the meal did not disappoint. Food was fantastic and service was great. I have been recommending this place to multiple friends and am hoping to come back for dinner sometime. read more

Malooga - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Small place, but great selections of Yemeni food and drinks. Gotta try their stew pot- the meat was tender and flavorful, paired perfectly with flatbread (on the thin/crispy side). We got the mixed grill to try more things, the shish was great - juicy and flavorful, unfortunately the chicken and lamb cubes were a bit dry, and lacks a bit flavor just on it's own, but paired with the garlic sauce still tasted good. They have table option or sit on the floor/mat (for a full experience ;) read more

Favorite new ( to me) BYOB in old city. It was by chance that I happened about it, and thank god for that. A little background- I was born and brought up in the Middle East so I can truly appreciate authentic Mediterranean food. We chose to sit down at the floor seating and started off with the hummus topped with falafel which was amazing, but my favorite was the chicken Mandi and Sana chicken sizzler. Both were simple superb ! Service was top notch and I love the little details on the window sill. Get ready to be transported to the Middle East at this amazing restaurant. read more

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Lots of lamb, good value. However no real spicy flavor, the only condiment was hummus read more

Malooga - Protein Bowl Lamb Kebab - Arabic Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania