When I used to work in Brooklyn there was a falafel cart that had the best falafel I'd ever had. Since then I've tried various falafel places and I've made them a few times at home. Nothing has come close. When I come to a decent sized city I look out for good restaurants to try. I was excited to see how the falafel was at Mazadar. Walking in I was greeted by friendly staff. There was a casual atmosphere. The felafel was the best I've ever had. I've had felafel all over the world in authentic restaurants. This was the best. From the bread to the balls to the salads to the sauces. Pure perfection. Everything was so fresh and so delicious. read more

Food - 100/10 Service - Exemplary Ambiance - Welcoming Great for large groups, families, meeting your best friend or just going by yourself. Also great for take out! What's good on the menu? EVERYTHING read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Salmon Fish Kabob Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

The food here never disappoints! The service is always friendly. However the dining room area could use some deep cleaning. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Mantu - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Stopped by Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen for lunch and to get a little work done. It's an order at the counter situation and they'll bring you your meal to your table. I ordered the falafel burger, which is basically their falafel served burger style on a bun with the usual burger fixings. It was good! It came with fries which were basic but crispy and tasty. The service was lovely and the prices are reasonable. Get to it! read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Falafel burger + fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Stopped here for lunch on way to VT and had a genuinely good meal. The menu is a combination of American fast food and standard Middle Eastern kabob items, and we got the beef cheesesteak, lamb and chicken kabob platter, and loaded nachos. The nachos were pretty low on meat toppings, which was my only gripe, but otherwise the kabob meats were tender and nicely grilled, and the beef cheesesteak was quite tasty and accompanied by a side of delicious fries. Good value for money, decent seating, and friendly gentleman at the counter (though I wish he would have given some recommendations outside of the everything-is-popular line). On the whole, good find off the I-87 and I'll stop by again if I'm in the area. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Chicken and lamb kabob platter, beef cheesesteak - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

This place is phenomenal!!! My husband and I came here together. We split the bolani, which was so good. We were given 3 sauces. One is a tzatziki style sauce (yogurt dill), one is a red sauce that's super vinegary, and the other is a thin green sauce that's more herbal. They give you full size condiments at the table which is fun. I ordered the lamb wrap, which is large. It is the best most tender lamb I've ever had. My husband ordered the lamb kabob which came with this beautiful rice and a veggie salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. When the food was delivered to us, I was a little worried I hadn't ordered enough after comparing to my husband's plate, but the wrap is absolutely plenty. We came right when it opened on a Tuesday, so it was pretty quiet/empty. I absolutely recommend this place! Truly incredible. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Bolani - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Any time I'm in or around Albany, I make a point of coming here. The portions are generous and the food is fresh and delicious. There are lots of choices whether you do or don't like meat and while sometimes you might have to wait a bit, it's always worth it and I always end up with a couple of days of leftovers. read more

See all

Food is delicious!! The dishes have generous portions, sauces are tasty, and everything we tasted was great. Staff was friendly and a great little location. Highly recommend! read more

Mazadar has the best chicken I've ever tasted in my life. This has been confirmed after several visits. The rice with the Kubuli add on (sliced carrots and raisins) is delicious and a great compliment to the chicken kebab plate. The three side sauces they offer at no additional charge are outstanding. White green and red, fresh and flavorful, it's hard to pick my favorite! I had ordered the rice with the add on and the gentlemen didn't hear me and so after my order came out, they immediately fixed the error and made me a side of Mazadar rice with the carrots and raisins. GREAT SERVICE! GREAT FOOD! Very good portion for price and the value, tastes, flavor, freshness and cookery is spot on! If I lived near there or worked anywhere close, I would get it weekly. It really that good. The naan and apps are great, as well. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Chicken Kabob - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

I had the falafel salad. Their falafels are absolutely bomb. Moist and delicious. The salad was fresh and best parts are the white and green sauces. Service was quick and kind and the restaurant was very clean. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Falafel salad. Those white and green sauces in the background are bomb.! - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Best food, prices and service. We love this place. The atmosphere is clean and the employees are so kind. The food is unmatched!! read more

Stop for a quick meal while working late. I ordered ahead for a pickup and it was painless. Got a beef kabob wrap this time while my coworker got chicken kabob plate and it was delicious. Definitely will go back to try other menu. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

The food at Mazadar is just fantastic and the service is great. I thought that my favorite meal there was the falafel burger, but the lamb kebabs, the beef and chicken kofta are equally delicious. Just go. Yum. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Leftovers! Chicken Kofta Kabob Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Being the first stop on our road trip to Rochester and it was an experience worth sharing! First and foremost, Mazadar provides enough seats for families and large groups, making it a fantastic alternative for individuals traveling in company. The large seating area ensures that even during peak hours, you will not feel cramped or crowded, which is a huge advantage for anyone wishing to have a relaxing dinner. We all got the Chicken Kabob Plate, which did not disappoint. The chicken was delicate, juicy, and well-seasoned, expressing the true characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine. The plate came with a big serving of grilled vegetables and rice, resulting in a well-rounded and enjoyable meal. The dish really stood out due to its fresh and vivid flavors. I had a refreshing Coke, while the rest of my family had water. Mazadar could enhance their customer service. While the personnel was pleasant, we had to approach or signal out to obtain their attention for refills or other requests. It wasn't a significant issue, but greater attention would have improved the whole dining experience. With a little more proactive service, it might quickly become a top choice for Mediterranean eating in Albany. We will undoubtedly return on our future vacation through town. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Chicken Kabob Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Love the food here. Ordered from them regularly bc they used to be located right next to my daughter's hair salon. The lamb bite wrap is delicious. The white sauce is totally great, and the salads are all fresh. The kebab meals are very good as well, with choice of rice and good bread. The wings are completely delicious as well! read more

Food was excellent. Staff very comfortable. Dining area and bathrooms very clean. Portions very nice. Thank you Microsoft copilot for the recommendation! read more

Wow! I don't expect to find a restaurant so delicious in an unassuming strip mall. The food is amazing but equally amazing is the great value. There are other places like this in the SF Bay Area but easily at 2x the price. We started with the dumplings (mantu) and pumpkin (kadu). Both are so good! Already after these 2 dishes, I knew this was the real deal. I'm not a huge fan of lamb - I really don't like the gamey flavor of some lamb. But I took a risk since so many of the other reviewers seemed to rave about it. I was not disappointed. So tender and tasty! I highly recommend the lamb kabobs to anyone, regardless of what you think about lamb at other places. The rice is delicious! Definitely get a platter so you can have lots of rice. A very special added bonus is the sauces. The cilantro sauce and yogurt sauce were so tasty. I was too full to eat my bread but the sauces were too good that I ended up eating all the bread dipped in sauce. If we find ourselves in Albany, this will be our first stop. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Lamb Kabob Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

We were in the mood for some Middle Eastern food and found Mazadar Yelp. Mazadar is located in the Central Square Shopping Center on Central Avenue near New Karner Road. There was plenty of parking available. We ate there at around 1pm on a Friday and the crowd was light. The have a big menu full of kebabs, wraps, salads and a variety of appetizers. There are also quite a few vegetarian options. I went with the chicken kufta kebab platter which was $13.95. It came with 1 kebab, a big serving of rice, a side salad and bread. I also got a side of the nakhud which is garbanzo beans simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce curry. That was $6.95. First, I loved the kebab. It was hot, fresh and awesome and loved how aggressive they were with the seasoning. The flavor was really punchy! Everything else was meh. The rice, while abundant, was dry, the salad was fresh but basic with only romaine and a tomato or two, and the bread didn't taste fresh to me. The Nakhud was good but it seemed like it was a few days old and for $7, I felt that it was a bit overpriced considering what I got. The cashier/server was friendly and overall the place was pretty good. Overall I give it a 3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5. Solid kebab, just wish the rice, nakhud and bread were fresher. read more

See all

Mediterranean fast food. Last time I went they put almost a whole lettuce on the plate. I won't be back.

Excellent! High quality delicious food in a clean, well run establishment. I had the chicken kabobs served with the most flavorful rice. Friendly service. Great sauces to go with it. All at a fair price. Can't wait to go back! read more

Fantastic food! Simple dining area and you order at the counter. But loved the service and food. Definitely will go back when I'm in the area. read more

I have been craving falafel! While browsing for a new spot to try, I saw the high ratings for Mazadar. I convinced my mom to come with me to give it a try. It's in a plaza but was easy to find. The restaurant is clean and bright inside and immediately we liked the atmosphere. I have a tomato allergy so I got the mantu without the split pea sauce since it's cooked in tomato. They were really yummy and a new dish for me. They had a flavorful ground beef and I loved the sauce. I got a side of falafel as well. Nice and crunchy in the outside, soft inside. There were 3 sauces brought to the table- the white sauce (like tzatziki), a green (I think cilantro and vinegar), and red (house made hot sauce, not crazy spicy but a nice heat). My mom tried the roasted pumpkin with garlic sauce. We loved the mix of sweet and savory. I'm not sure which of the items came with bread or if it's just served when you eat in but it was warm and I used it to get every last drop of sauce. They were doing a steady business so I got to see a variety of platters go by. I definitely want to come back and try some kabobs. The person who took our order was very kind and our food didn't take long at all to arrive. I highly recommend this restaurant! I'm looking forward to going back soon and kind of wish I'd ordered a platter to go so I could have eaten it for dinner! read more

See all

The good was fresh and tasty. Counter service was friendly and helpful. I look forward to my next visit. I found the lamb chops delicious.

One of two Afghanistan restaurants that I like most. The kabab is very tender and full of flavor.

Yes!!!! I've had my eye on Mazadar for a while, but haven't been able to go since I'm rarely in the area. Well, that changed this week and I picked up an order to bring to a friend for an outside, socially distanced meal. Three of us shared the mantu....absolutely delicious. The flavors and textures popped with freshness and the portion was perfect for sharing. We each had one of the platters-to try the famous rice, of course. I'm a huge rice fan and this long grain perfectly seasoned Mazadar rice was exceptional. The chicken kabobs were moist and flavorful-so good. The chicken kofta and filet kabobs received thumbs-up as well. Let's talk about the sauces-thankfully I ordered extra white, cilantro and hot sauces. Each one is perfect for what it is. The white yogurt-based sauce is like the best version of raita (or tzaziki...for reference) that I've ever had. Cilantro is tangy, herby and fresh. Hot sauce reminds me of an elevated version of Frank's regular with a wonderful spice blend. Two of us at the table were "sauce girls" and these all really topped the meal off for us in a good way. Forgot to pick up dessert, but I was completely stuffed (yes-I ate ALL of my rice). I used Mealeo to order-quick and easy. There is a curbside option (which I chose), but I went inside to gather my goodies. It's a nice sized restaurant with plenty of space and it's really clean. I'll be back. read more

See all

If you're looking for great Afghani food in a fast-casual atmosphere, check out Mazadar! Food and service were top notch, as good if not better than other places. Looking forward to going back! read more

See all

This restaurant is definitely my favorite foodie find of 2022. I have begun to fall in love with Mediterranean food. I love the exotic flavors, deeply marinated protiens and the sauces that accompany them. Mazadar is fairly simple. Order at the counter and they will bring the food to you. I would imagine they also have a fairly busy take out and delivery business. The dining area is spacious and you could easily bring a crowd. I have only ordered one dish here. The combo plate with a lamb and chicken kabob. One time I tried chicken kofta which I found delicious but a little bit dry. It comes with a salad, flat pita bread and some of the tastiest rice I have ever eaten. They bring you bottles of sauce to add to the dish. The red one is a vinegar base with a spicy kick and the white is yogurt based with a healthy dose of lemon and dill. When combined with the grilled meat and rice it is absolutely delicious! Everything is so fresh. Mazadar is also also attempting to add a fusion element. The menu also includes burgers, quesadillas and cheese steaks. It's entirely possible they are delicious. Maybe I will try them some day. I see the reviews from Yelp are very positive for this restaurant. I can confirm they are well deserved. Stop by soon! read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - My new favorite lunch/dinner. The Lamb and Chicken Kabob combo plate. Don't be bashful with the sauce! - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

This was not my first or even second time to visit Mazadar. Their sauces bring me back again and again. I decided to try a new dish not that I didn't like the usual, but thought for 2021 with pandemic and all I needed a change. Fish people take note: I got the salmon salad. Oh My Goodness! The salmon was well worth the trip. Tender bite size pieces of salmon that were grilled just enough to be cooked and warmed without drying it out topped with a sprinkle of sumac. Flavor was delicious. Of course, as with all their salads, you get fresh greens, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers. Top with the green, red or white sauces and the salad is complete. I'm sure if I had the dinner, it would also be a successful meal, but I do love salads and the dinners have just a bit too much rice. (I'm not a rice person, but it did look good.) Parking is good, social distancing is good, staff are friendly and all are masked up. Will I go back? You betcha! read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Chicken kabob salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

In a nutshell, this is very flavorful food in a pleasant setting served by very nice people. The small number of staff working here are doing everything: taking your orders, bringing them out to you, busing the tables, so be patient if someone isn't at the counter immediately. You can get "all the meats" here, including salmon, or vegetables if you prefer, in several different ways. Check the fine print on the menu for what comes with each meal. For example, while you can order salads with various meats, you do also get a small salad with some platters. And of course, rice, lots of rice, very large amounts of rice. We really enjoyed our chicken kabob dinners (which came out very quickly). The meat was very flavorful and a golden yellow in color. I'm not sure if it was curry or just turmeric, but it was great. It was served removed from the skewers. It was incredibly tender too, though we did fine one larger piece of chicken which was still slightly pink inside. I'm looking forward to trying some of the other entrees. I did not see one, and maybe I missed it, but may I suggest a bin into which bottles can be recycled? You can also get one free beverage with a Yelp check-in. read more

Really good kebabs. The chicken kebab platter was excellent, the chicken not overcooked and VERY flavorful. The rice was delicious too. Their sauces come in big squeeze bottles and are pretty good. The only downside was the bread. I kind of wanted a naan or similar flatbread. I went to order one and the phenomenally nice counter guy said it came with flatbread. Wasn't great, a 2" square that tasted like it was baked two days before. So that's a star off. But the food, highly recommended. Reasonable prices, you won't leave hungry! read more

I could have sworn I have written a review before - but alas I can't find it. So here it goes: I have been here countless times and have been very happy every time. My go to order is the falafel wrap. I haven't really eaten out since COVID but I have ordered out from here a few times. The food was always hot and exactly as ordered. I ordered online, which was easy and straightforward (they use Mealeo). I could just list all of the things that I've had that are great - but honestly you can't go wrong here. If you eat in or do takeout, you will be happy. read more

Very good quick Middle Eastern food. We were heading to the Albany airport and found this spot using Yelp. I shared the vegetarian plate with my daughter and it came with rice, chickpeas, spinach, eggplant, and pumpkin. It came with pita and they have a variety of sauces. Everything was delicious but my favorites were the pumpkin and eggplant. We also had a side of their chicken which was well seasoned and tender. Casual restaurant with counter service and friendly staff. The food was great! read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Inside. - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

good food, nice clean space and friendly staff, great place to go for a healthy fast meal at very reasonable prices. The portions are large. The vegetarian platter is awesome tasting - it comes with seasoned spinach, eggplant curry, sweet pumpkin dressed with yogurt sauce and garbanzos with a bed of rice and afghan bread, all cooked to perfection. The chicken kabob plate was great - nice juicy chicken chunks on seasoned rice and a small salad. The three sauces on the table complemented the dish very well. The only let down was the baklava which was chewy and not many layers of nuts. read more

Welcome addition to the Albany food scene if kebabs and wraps are your thing. Tried the chicken kebab platter while the missus went with the lamb wrap. Both excellent and massive portions left us stuffed. Steady number of locals coming through the door while we ate suggests this place will make it which is no bad thing. Will be going back to try some other menu items. read more

I come here often enough so a bit surprised I hadn't reviewed it. Great Afghani food. I usually get the lamb kebab platter. Everything is made to order so a little wait but well worth it. They give you 3 sauces to play with your food. A white. A red, and a green. All good. Bathroom is very clean. Service is excellent. Plenty of parking. read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Beef cheesesteak. Comes with fries. - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Seriously I have never had a bad meal here! My only compliant is I wish they were slightly closer to Saratoga...anytime I am near Albany I always make sure to stop and get wraps, the white sauce is unreal. The service is quick and friendly! read more

The food hit the spot. Highly recommend lamb chops here. Also tried the Afghan tea. Kind of watered down but it was raining outside and it was just what I needed read more

I was looking for a quality lunch/dinner and found this place on Yelp. Being from downstate I was a little skeptical on how I would like it but damn it was goodt! I had the beef and lamb with rice and humus app. I would definitely recommend and stop by whenever I'm in town. This place has some good eats! read more

Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen - Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

I ordered a Mazburger with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and ketchup I also ordered baklava with almonds. The burger was very tasty, though I will say hold off on the mayo and sauce next time, as it makes a pickup item such as this soggy and then bun comes apart in your hands. A very good plus was that the burger was big and flavorful. The baklava had a nice flavor to it, but it was a little bit to dry in spots, but tasty nonetheless. The establishment was very clean and well-run and the service was friendly. read more

Very good - recommended Will be back Gyro was top notch. As was baclava Try it!! You won't regret it read more