We had been to Layalina in the past and it was just okay, but Mama Donia took the space over and really improved on what was there! We had a nearby event, but needed dinner, so we decided to give Mama Donia a try; great choice! The decor inside is classy and feels fresh, and it was super clean too. The staff (possibly owner) was very kind and generous with his suggestions as well as gifting us a couple pieces of baklava, which was extra special. I had the beef Shawarma plate with added garlic sauce and it was simple yet fantastic. My partner had one of their Saj sandwiches and was overjoyed with her choice. Everything tasted really fresh and tasty and the prices were pretty reasonable too. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Layalina is under renovation as they are doing some updates. The name will be changing soon. It is very pretty inside and has plentiful seating. The staff are extremely friendly and personable. The menu is mainly middle eastern with a little Indian thrown in. It is set up where you order and sit and it is brought out to you in to go containers. I'm not sure if that is temporary since they are updating. But the food...the food should be the reason you come. We ate so fast I barely got any photos. We ordered a vegetable samosa which was filled with delicious savory, flavorful and a little spicy potato mixture. I ordered the lamb shawarma plate that was served over smoked rice , sides of salad and hummus. Meat is cooked in house and is tender and delicious. I got mine topped with garlic sauce. The rice was great. Fluffy and good but the hummus. Oh I'm going to dream about that. It was so smooth. Hubby got a falafel wrap with fries. It was awesome. Stuffed with veggies, pickles and sauce. The fries were piping hot and really great. We finished with the mixed baklava which is a must have. It may not look like much but each piece was unique and it was juicy and flavorful. Go and visit you will enter strangers and leave friends. Full, happy friends. read more

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Falafel plate was excellent. A generous amount of freshly prepared and crisp falafels, rice was excellent, with delicious hummus and rice Next trip we will try some of their baklava Clean dining area and friendly staff. Great Main Street location Check them out read more

Mama Donia Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Went there for an early dinner. Very comfortable, warm atmosphere inside. Had the Shawarma Lamb Sandwich. Wife had the Beef. Fresh and authentic . The best I've had since moving to New England. Highly recommend. read more

Food is always great. Owner is super nice. Only place near by to get authentic Middle Eastern food, but I'd say there's no need for any others because this place always delivers the goods. I get takeout once a week usually and haven't been disappointed yet. read more

The food was so fresh and delicious - it took some time after ordering, which is a great sign that they everything fresh. I had the falafel plate 6 yummy falafels on a bed of rice, with some hummus and salad. It was a good amount of food. read more

Awesome staff, cute restaurant, quick service, and delicious food- what more could you ask? Try everything, it's all good!

First impressions are hard. Unfortunately our first impression with this store didn't quite work out for our family. We rolled up at 7:30 not knowing that the store closes at 8:00. No worries, we can order food to go. Note that there are no big signs that speak to the dining room closing early or some items not being available after a certain time. After trying to order two successive things and being told "that's not possible because the cook wants to go home or this item takes thirty minutes to prepare" we asked "what do you have?" to which the response was, "well anything except those items because they take too long." A third item was requested and it was also shot down as being not possible. We finally ordered a number of things and when it was being bagged up, I asked if that was everything because I was expecting more. I also expected the guy to check the order but I received a "yes" which I accepted but of course when we got home items were missing like my baba ganoush. Had the food itself been amazing, could have saved the day but it was really "just okay" bordering on not good. The meats were all pretty dried out -- maybe being end of day but still, that shouldn't matter, right? Don't serve something you can't stand behind. The rest of the food was pretty much ho hum. Sigh. The classic baklava was good. A sweet end to an otherwise unfortunate meal. read more

If you are in Biddeford and want something other than pizza, this is a great find. The menu is a little limited, but has more than what's online. I had the chicken shawarma plate and it was great. The biryani was done just right and there was not too much sauce on the chicken. I chose the tahini sauce but will try the hot sauce next time. The hummus and cucumber/tomato/red onion salad here flavored perfectly. Has a sub shop vibe though with counter service, so may be set up more for takeout. read more

Amazing food, of your looking for something great look no further. Service was awesome, everyone was very nice and a pleasure to interact with. The Ambiance was done well. Felt like to where in a dinner in a country that you would normally find this excellent food. read more

Mama Donia Kitchen - Chicken Shawarma, with Falafel and salad. Served with a homemade hummus. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

What a little gem. I chatted up the friendly gentleman working the front. They're a fairly new business. Straight forward menu with familiar and safe middle eastern fare. I got the lamb shawarma sandwich and it was fantastic. The lamb was tender, juicy and flavorful. I've had a fair share of lamb shawarma in my life and usually it can be dry and tough. This was so fresh and bursting with flavor. Fresh veggies I saw in my wrap was: lettuce, onions tomatoes cucumbers, pickles, French fries !!!! And it's also mention pickled turnips. It was nicely grilled so the outside was crisp and the inside was warm, comforting and all I hoped it would be. The price is very fair for the size and serving. Had a baklava which was crisp, and not too sweet (for those that now coming from an Asian is a high compliment). Sorry I didn't take a picture I was too busy diving in. It's general counter/quick serve which I like. Order at the counter and they'll bring it to you. We ate in. The ambiance was fine, no frills, but enough seating if you want to eat there you can. I love what a foodie town Biddo has become. They're lucky to have this place. read more

Authentic food and beverages. Get a lamb shawarma basket. Excellent baklava as well. Nice dining room with good seating area, as well as fast takeout. read more

they are really nice. i think this was named after his mom. the pita will knock your socks off.

Tried this place for the first time with my daughter and mother. No alcohol, so that put an end to the thoughts for my mothers birthday toast, but not being alcoholics, we shifted gears and grabbed some fruity flavored sodas from the cooler. Lots of tables open, but only one other party, so we conferenced with them about what to do; no waiters, no menus, and no greeting from the seemingly content man behind the counter. The most alert patron noticed the QR code on the table and we were in business! Now, to order on line, or walk up to the young man and interrupt his World Cup viewing? I walked up. He was pleasant and answered my questions and then did deliver our appetizers to the table in a paper bag. As we were clearly planted there to stay, I asked for plates. This seemed like a question he'd never had before, but within a few minutes he gathered some up. I approached the counter and asked for forks and napkins. That seemed to surprise him too. WELL! All our giggles about if we were being filmed for a game show, or if our host had ever actually been IN a restaurant before ended when our food arrived; AMAZING! So so flavorful, fresh and light. We divided two dinners between three of us and still had leftovers to go home, so portions were very generous. Biddeford's new rep as a foodie destination is well earned. So go and enjoy, wear your best soccer shirt, and go somewhere else for your pre dinner cocktail. Oh! And we were gifted some type of bite sized, to die for pistachio baklava at the end of the meal and before hoofing it over to the Biddeford theater just a block away. Highly recommend, would be a great takeout option on the way home from work too. read more

Mama Donia Kitchen - Dinner - Middle Eastern Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Food was really good. Love the authentic middle eastern food. Service was great! Ambiance is meh, but I don't care about that when you get good food. read more

no to chocolate baklava, no to fattoush salad. chicken schwarma salad was very good, falafel were very good, rice nothing special- good tahini good garlic naan. read more

Went recently and the food has gotten better! Bigger portions and so delicious. We will definitely be back soon.

I'll never stop recommending this restaurant. Everyone who works here is lovely and the food is EXCELLENT.

Delicious! I ordered the falafel wrap and my husband got the lamb plate. I haven't had good food in a while; so many places in Maine are just okay. So happy we went here and can't wait to go back. read more

incredible food and amazing people. this feels like a taste of home. the flavor is great. the portions are huge. so thankful to have a place like this so local! read more

Everything was perfect. Great service. Tasty flavorful food. Lovely environment. Clean restaurant. read more

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Everything we've tried has been great. My husband loves the chicken shawarma plate. Daughter loves the hummus and eats it by the spoonful. The lamb biryani is super good too. My only minor complaint would be more sauce cause it's so good and unfortunately there isn't an option with the online ordering to request more or purchase more (I would definitely pay for extra sauce). read more

Arabian food served in an upscale dine in/takeout cafe. Shawarma , gyros, chicken, plus wonderful middle eastern sides and desserts. The hummus is fantastic! The owner is kind, patient and willing to explain the menu/answer questions. My only knock is that the menu could use more detailed descriptions (to save effort) and the desserts aren't available on the online ordering platform. Minor complaints and nothing that detracts from the flavorful food, as tasty as the portions are generous. Also available are takeout meals for the whole family/ dinner party very reasonably priced! read more

Mama Donia Kitchen - Mixed grill, plus a falafel and great soup! My wife and I shared - Middle Eastern Near Me - Biddeford, Maine

Best chicken Shawarma I've ever had! All fresh vegetables... Cannot say enough!!! Delicious read more

We come to this part of Maine every summer, and we are STOKED that this will be a new spot in the rotation. Ordered dinner for 6 at 5:30 on a Thursday evening. I was super excited because authentic Middle Eastern cuisine is hard to find. The folks at Layalina did not disappoint! Dinner was excellent! All of the proteins (beef, chicken, and lamb) were delicious and prepared well, the sides were all amazing, and the folks at the store threw some dessert in to say thank you. We all ate like royalty that night, and I am grateful for them feeding my family! We will definitely be back! read more

Food was delish! Got the gyro sandwich and shawarma lamb. Nice clean environment, & staff is friendly.

We just ate at Layalina and can't wait to go back again, and soon. Every bite of food exceeded our expectations and was clearly prepared from both experience and love. We had hummus, Samosas, lamb biryani, chicken tikka and baklava. I'm going back to ask if they'll sell me a tub of their hummus because my gawd, you can't find anything even close at a grocery store or any restaurant we've been to! The staff were so nice, the facility is clean and cozy. This is not a restaurant where you are seated and have wait staff serving you however there are nice standard and bar height tables so you can eat in if you prefer that over takeout or delivery. If you are on the fence, change your mind. My husband and I have been on a mission, trying every restaurant and genre of food we can find and this was one of our favorite experiences so far! read more

Great shawarma! We tried the chicken shawarma as both a sandwich and a plate. My daughter got the lamb shawarma and enjoyed it. We'll definitely be back and recommend it to our friends. read more

One of the best falafel I've ever had. Very fresh ingredients and sauces. Warm and friendly service. Authentic ethnic experience Grateful to have found this... I'll be spreading the word and returning as a customer soon! read more

I've ordered a few times from Layalina now and I have been delighted every time! Everything tastes amazing, especially the falafal and schwarma and it's very reasonably priced. My one tiny complaint is that I wish the takeout/delivery bags had a piece of cardboard on the bottom to make sure the food containers stay upright and stable. Because, unfortunately, one small tilt and you'll have yogurt sauce right on top of the hummus and rice everywhere. But aside from that, I've been very happy ordering here and I will always suggest it to my friends! read more

Ordered a bunch of food to go via grub hub. Had previously ordered and the food was decent. Got the food and it was missing a whole roasted chicken plate, literally the only reason we ordered to begin with. I called and he told me he didn't have time to cook it so he just didn't include it. No call, just told me to contact seamless. Had I not reached out, they would have just kept my money. Lame and frustrating read more

This restaurant is wonderful. Working close by, my co workers and I frequent this amazing place! The food is incredible every single time, the restaurant is immaculate and the service is so friendly and genuine!! I recommend this restaurant so highly!! You won't be disappointed!! Stacey read more

New to the area and very happy to have found this place. We expect to return often! We ordered the falafel sandwich and gyro sandwich and both were delicious. Great selection of imported beverages. I can see what other reviewers mean about there not being much atmosphere, but honestly, I kind of like it. It's clean and simple. We felt completely welcome in there, they had music playing, it was comfortable, it was spotless. If you want to dine in, I wouldn't just automatically write this off as "take-out only". read more

Very good food! Always fresh & very flavorful. Pleasant friendly staff. We've been several times z& have always had a good experience. I highly recommend the falafel sandwich with tahini sauce! Delicious & a good size portion. read more

Tastes way more authentic than other Arabic restaurants and it is so clean there. Staff are also very kind.

Lovely food especially the falafel and gyros. Great service! Totally recommend if you are in the area.

This is more of a takeout place as the restaurant has zero atmosphere. But, if you are doing takeout, you'll like the food. Everything was very tasty and fresh. My only criticism was the beef was a little overdone but the chicken was excellent. read more