You will feel like you are in Egypt with the setting and style of the restaurant and smell and aroma from the kitchen. The chef/owner was very welcoming. You must be patient because there's not many working in the kitchen which is visible from the seating area. You can tell the food was authentic and made with a lot of care. Our meat was cooked perfectly to how we wanted it. Recommend this restaurant if you are not in a rush and want an intimate dinner in a quite, small setting. read more

Mombar - Egyptian Lamb Chops - Egyptian Near Me - Astoria, New York

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BYOB, Absolutely delicious food, such a nice gentleman owns the place he seats you and cooks, he also did all the art on the walls, I felt like I was sitting in his living room and he was personally making dinner just for me. Thank you so much, favorite place I've eaten all year. read more

Do not go here if: 1. You are starving and have a blood sugar issue that will kill you or make you cranky; 2. You have somewhere else to be after dinner; 3. You are on a first date and aren't too sure if you want to talk to that person for hours. We didn't know much about the place when we showed up, and yes, we were there for maybe 2.5-3 hours total, but the wait was so worth it when we got our food. My boyfriend might have been a bit bored, but I was happy in my own little world looking at the stuff on the walls (the chef is the artist) and listening to bits of conversation that were floating around. Honestly, it felt like he invited us into his home and cooked in the kitchen for us. I mean, he essentially did. It's a small kitchen, so yeah, it was maybe an hour and a half until we got the appetizer (artichokes), but it was delicious and the smells coming from the open kitchen were heavenly. He basically cooked everyone's artichokes and whoever ordered them got them fresh off the stove. Then, everyone who ordered beef shank got that. The lamb cheek came out one after another. So, there is a system that keeps it moving, even though he is the only one cooking (on what I'd imagine is an average household stove, but I didn't look). After the artichokes, I had a lovely tea with fresh mint. My meal (the chicken tagine - a chicken "stew" with vegetables served with couscous with dried cranberries) was ridiculously tasty. It's not super fancy. It's not trendy. It's just good - like going to grandma's (although, my grandma served gnocchi, not couscous). The owner came around before and after the meal (and he did apologize for the wait) and the prices were great. We had the chicken (with tons of leftovers) with couscous, the lamb shank special with rice and spinach, tea with fresh mint leaves, two bottles of water and the artichoke special appetizer for $65 after tax. It looked like BYOB. Most tables had their own bottle of wine or six pack on the table. It's not a huge place - one maybe 8-seater, three or so four-seaters and a handful of two-seaters - but it's a big experience. We would love to go back. He must cook because he loves it and that sense of pride shows through the dishes. This is a great article to read, too. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/nyregion/in-little-egypt-pyramids-of-couscous.html read more

Mombar - Mombar on Steinway in Astoria: lamb shank with rice and spinach, chicken tagine and couscous with cranberries. Incredible. - Egyptian Near Me - Astoria, New York

Egyptian cuisine. I recall having the grilled whole fish. Food was pretty good. First time tasting Egyptian cuisine. Egyptian friend took me out there to try the place. Restaurant is a little small, but the decor is very nice. The restaurant looks hidden due to the simpleness of the front of the restaurant. read more

From Slovakia to the Nile, that's where a day in Queens, New York's most diverse borough will lead you. Although they specialize in Mombar, a melange of meaty goodness, we stuck to meatless items out of respect for our veggie friend. Complimentary flatbread (sort of like Egyptian foccaccia) to wet the palate. Kickin eggplant, intoxicating tabouli, and the spinach with garlic -- do NOT get me started. And the chef comes out to greet each table. The only caveat that precluded 5 stars was chewy coffee. Call me an ignoramous of Turkish brew, but I don't like coffee that requires a fork. Sadly, I've never been to Egypt, but at least for a night I was temporarily transported there, via Queens. read more

My son took us all here to celebrate my birthday. Egyptian Cuisine ...Hmm, A Gem of a place tucked away in Steinway, Astoria. What a place, we were greeted with "Ayin Horah or The Evil Eye which I guess is a charm of some sort.....Inside was nicely decorated with an array of eclectic art pieces from the ceiling, floor, tables and all the walls...The owner /Chef was also the artist who was responsible for all the colorful pots/pans/plates /headboard/baskets/old pictures/diplomas that adorned the interiors..very interesting...indeed...The tables were all one of a kind and colorful resin glazed finish... We were given a complimentary savory bread with some oil/pepper sauce as we were seated...Very good...& tasty...indeed, We had the Braised Lamb Shank, so tender it was falling out of the bone...DELICIOUS... Sauteed Artichoke Hearts w/ herbs...Very refreshing...Sweetbreads...prepared with some wine/cream..very unusual but tasty...Mussels..cooked to perfection.one of my favorites.. Tilapia Tagine ..another standout...first time I had it......I usually cook Lamb Tagine, a Moroccan dish that is also my one of my family's favorite dish... The Chef/Owner/Decorator took time to talk to us and was very friendly...Even the Restroom was done in such good taste and very clean...The Prices are certainly affordable... I want to go back there and try some of their Specialties...their version of the Lamb or Chicken Tagine..Falafel.....Hmmm..Will I go back?Definitely!!!. read more

My expectations might have been a little too high coming into this meal, I was expected to be blown away completely. While I was not, Mombar is still a very solid Egyptian option in a block full of them in Astoria. It's fun to eat here, the walls covered with art, photos, painted wood, stone, and stained glass, it's a true hodge-podge. Every table gets a complimentary plate of flaky, phyllo-ish Egyptian bread to dip in the oil and sesame dipping sauce. The combo platter ($10, for two) is strong, but you get the sense it is ordered by everyone. The proprietor pushes it and starts writing it down on his receipt before affirmation. At any rate, we wanted it, ordered it, liked it, and did not complain. We could not resist ordering the dish that the place was named for, so with great anticipation came the mom-bar ($18), hand-stuffed beef and lamb sausages that also have rice, herbs, and spices, all within. It's stewed with chickpeas and tomatoes and makes an appetizing plate. The texture of the sausages is very soft and chewy, and something to get used to, but more importantly the dish just has a great deal less impact than it appears to. The highlight of the night was definitely the wonderful salmon ($20) which is off-menu but seemingly a permanent "special." The fish is stuffed with potatoes and vegetables inside a phyllo dough wrapper, and is full of juicy splendor. It is a large portion and could probably be enough for two to split with an appetizer, making for an economical meal. read more

Mombar is not the same as it used to be, and I'm not sure if it's because the chef is going senile or if he's skimping on spices and salt or just being racist toward us Asians by making the food more bland (which is kind of silly, but I'm trying to think of reasons for why the quality has declined). I used to trek here from Columbia University with my then-boyfriend between 2008-2010 all the time-- for holidays, for special occasions, for birthdays, everything. I took my NYC dental school friends here on a Friday night (5/16/2014) in the pouring rain and tried to rehash those bygone days of made-to-order Egyptian gastronomic grandeur, but it fell wayyy way short of my (and their) expectations. I felt so bad talking Mombar up to my friends and then having us trek out from NYC and even New Jersey just to be completely, utterly disappointed. I'm not complaining that the food took hours to come out-- if the food had been as good as it used to be, that's forgiveable since I am patient and will wait for great food. I don't think the issue is that there were too many diners, either, as the tables were barely filled when our party of four arrived and ordered. No, the issue at the core is the huge decline in quality. Let's start with the complimentary za'atar and phyllo. Comparing it to 4 years ago, the za'atar was missing something. Salt? Umami? Magical egyptian herb? I don't know, but it didn't wow me like it used to. First warning sign. Next, we ordered 2 appetizers for the table-- grilled red and golden beets, and the quail with quail eggs. The grilled beets were just OK, but the quail was not flavorful (again, missing salt?!) and worst of all, it was really dry. This was not how the quail used to be cooked. For our entrees, I spoke lovingly to my friends about how the glazed molasses duck was DA BOMB from my memories years ago. It used to be so good and flavorful, with amazing crispy skin, tender meat, and just enough fatty bits to please this Asian foodie used to fattier cuts of pork and whatnot. It also used to be bursting with so much flavor that my dinner companion and I used to eat it for my meal, then order another one for take-out to enjoy it for lunch the next day at home. This was probably the most upsetting part. On my recommendation 2 of my friends ordered the same entree-- but I, knowing that I used to substitute the spinach that normally accompanies this entree for these amazing roasted mixed vegetables with the most fantastic blend of spices and sumac-- decided to again substitute the spinach for these "mixed vegetables" in the same manner as I used to request 4 years ago. And what I got in return was simply unacceptable. The 3 duck entrees that were served were dry, tasteless (again, why no salt?? Why no spices?? I come to this establishment to experience the fantastic flavors that Egyptian and middle eastern cuisine is famous for!), and even the duck did not seem to be of the same quality as in the past. I have no doubt that the duck was still glazed in molasses, but it did not have the proper blend of salty, sweet, and umami that the chef used to master. I'm sorry to say, but, I could have ordered better roasted duck at a Chinese supermarket for $5 and I paid $19 for this entree. I barely finished half my entree because it was simply inedibly dry and flavorless. The biggest shock, however, came in the form of the "mixed vegetables" that I substituted for the spinach. These mixed vegetables literally came out in a watery, flavorless mess that consisted of frozen carrots, corn, and peas. What?!? To add insult to injury, when the chef came out from behind his kitchen to ask us how the food was (just as he used to) I had to tell him the truth by telling him that the food is not as good as I remember and inquired why the mixed vegetables in particular were reheated frozen vegetables and not the wonderful grilled veggies with sumac that he used to do (Please see my photo of the lamb chops under "Tian H" from 2009 to see a pic of these grilled veggies to get a better idea of what they used to be like), and he gave me the lame answer of: "Oh, the sumac roasted vegetables? I cannot serve those vegetables with that dish, it is not appropriate." Oh, is that right? I guess it was appropriate 4 years ago, but not anymore? Well, maybe the chef or the waiter should have said so when I asked them to please substitute the spinach side for the mixed vegetable side that I specifically said was what I used to request in years past. What?? In closing, before I get too upset or bitter about this complete and utter letdown on 5/16/14, I cannot recommend Mombar to any person who might be thinking of revisiting this establishment because they have had great memories from years ago. Even if you are thinking of trying this establishment for the first time, there are so many other great Egyptian and Middle Eastern restaurants in Astoria that there is no reason to waste your time. read more

I am thoroughly convinced that Yelpers have missed something here. This restaurant is terrible, absolutely terrible, especially when there are so many great middle eastern restaurants on Steinway for much less. We had the lamb cheeks, sweet breads, and I ordered the rabbit in one of the sauces (not the tajin). I don't know about you, but I would think most foodies are like me. And honestly, a good meal can definitely improve my mood. Well eating here was absolutely depressing, seriously I felt like I was just shoveling gruel down my mouth because how flavorless everything was. The lamb cheeks were actually the flavor highlight of the night since they used a wonderful seasoning called salt. The sweet breads were god awful, sitting in some sort of watery god knows what. My rabbit sitting in that spinach similar watery crap tasted like nothing. I'm glad I could have my rice with watery spinach. For the two of us to be charged $66.00 for two entrees and two appetizers this place is highway robbery. I honestly could have gone to Cedars Meat House, ordered my $2.50 shawarma sandwich and walked away happy as a clam. Do yourself a favor, go to El-Rawsheh (sp?) down the street and eat there. For half the price ($12 bucks for an entree) you can get yourself a nice filling meal of what good food tastes like. As nice as the server was and the chef, I cannot recommend eating here. Unless you like eating food that tastes like absolutely nothing. read more

Delicious food served personally by the chef. It is evident that much pride and effort goes into every dish. The music and interior design feel warm and personable, much like the chef himself. A hidden gem in Astoria. read more

I was impressed with everything Mombar had to offer from the moment I was seated til my very last bite. Nasef greeted us warmly and was more than hospitable. After explaining the specials and fielding a few questions we had, he chatted us up on and off throughout our meal. Normally, this would irritate me. But, he was so likable and enthusiastic about the restaurant and food that it was hard to be mad at him. The complimentary bread provided at the start of the meal was delicious. Normally, I ask them to take the bread away when I'm dining out in order to avoid carbo loading, but I couldn't bring myself to stop eating. The pepper sauce that they brought out to accompany it blew my mind. They should bottle and ship that stuff. We ordered quite a few different things: Sauteed Artichoke Hearts - Simply prepared with roasted peppers, garlic and herbs. Less is more. It was wonderful. Sweetbreads - I've only had this one other time, and that time is was fried and covered in sauce. This preparation really let the sweetbreads shine: they were lightly sauteed with a touch of cream. Unfortunately, I realized that I don't really like sweetbreads. (The texture bugs me.) But, that's my own personal preference and in no way a reflection on the quality of the dish. Lamb Shank - Fall off the bone, no need for a knife tender. A winner. Mussels - I didn't get to try these. However, the plate was licked clean. Literally. Take that as you will. Tilapia Tagine - Another standout. I was expecting micnced pieces to small chunks at best. I got a large fillet, delicately cooked in a light tomato sauce served with bell peppers, roasted tomatoes and yellow squash. It was impeccable. As we admired the unusual art that surrounded us, the Chef came over to ask how we enjoyed our meal. He informed us that he was the artist responsible for everything in the restaurant. What a multi-talented guy! I can't wait to return, and I highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic experience. read more

Light, fluffy and delicate couscous, rich and sumptuous tagine, lovely decor and a friendly sincere staff make this the place I will take my friends and family when they come to visit me in Astoria. I have no complaints other than that I wish I made more money so I could come here every few days. A gem of a restaurant. I have no idea what the negative reviewers ate when they came, but it was probably boneless, skinless chicken breast put on the menu for that friend who happened to come along for the ride. read more

Hidden gem. Best food, best personal experience. Great decor. I've eaten at restaurants that get national press that aren't this great. It's out of the way, but worth it. Call it an adventure, hop on the train and get your ass there. Now. The chef came to our table and personally served every selection. The flavors were so complex and absolutely wonderful. Down to the last detail it was an unforgettable meal. I miss it. I'll never find anything like that in LA that isn't high-brow, pretentious, more style than substance and overpriced. Get over your Queens fear. After dinner complete the experience at one of the Egyptian coffee shops round the way for sheesha and coffee. This is such an authentic and friendly neighborhood. When we lived in Astoria, we would walk around over here all the time. read more

After reading all the glowing reviews, my friends and I were excited to try this place. I had this place bookmarked for awhile, and when it was my birthday, I decided to have my dinner here. I guess all of us were more into bolder flavors. We thought that many of the dishes we ordered were on the bland side. We had ordered the platter with baba ghanoush, hummus, and fava beans for the appetizer. For the entrees, we ordered the glazed duck, Mombar, and the striped bass. None of the dishes really blew us away. The glazed duck was ok, but a little dry. I don't eat the skin, which was a shame since all of the flavors were concentrated on the skin. I don't eat the skin on the Chinese ducks either, but at least I still got flavor from it. I did not like the fish at all. I'm not a fan of skin, so again I ate it with no skin. All the flavors were rubbed on there, so if you're just gonna eat the flesh, you won't get much flavor. My other friend thought that this dish was her favorite though. The Mombar was ok. The texture was a bit odd; chewy, so that will require getting some used to. One of my friends hated this because of the odd texture. I probably will not be back. I need water while I eat, and I really hate how this place charges for water without even telling us. Why can't they just serve tap water?! There is no reason for them to be charging for water when tap water will suffice. If we had known that we were being charged, then we would've just ordered a beer or some of the tea. read more

Mombar is really one of the jewels of Astoria. Located towards the upper end of the Egyptian Hookah Row, I definitely recommend trying this establishment. For our second visit, the BF and I dined with friends who were in town for the weekend. We called first to make sure there would be a table available, as the weekends see the most crowds. We were in luck and hustled right over there to secure the last table in the place. We just love just about everything on the menu. For apps, the grilled quails are a stand out, and the beets are delicious. As for mains, we ordered a mixture of fish and clay pots with chicken and rabbit. I can't say enough about the tasty and fresh food. It's definitely a place where you can be adventurous with your palate without wondering exactly what you're eating. However, one problem with such fresh food is that almost nothing is prepped in advance. Subsequently, with the place mobbed around 8:00-8:30, the food took an inordinate amount of time to arrive; the apps got to our table over an hour after ordering! It was a bit annoying, however, we were all in good cheer thanks to the bottle of wine we brought along. If you do decide to dine at Mombar, it's probably best to avoid the busy days such as Friday and Saturday (possibly Thursday as well.) The previous visit was on a Tuesday night and there were very few people dining, so the meal was well-paced and felt more like a real feast! As an interesting side note, the whole place, from the ceiling to the floor, was designed and decorated by the owner! Not only is he a great chef, but has quite an artistic streak. INSIDERS TIP: Though Mombar offers beer and wine, they allow outside beverages. There's a liquor store just around the corner on Astoria Blvd with decent selection of wines. read more

What a great find! My boyfriend and I Were looking for a nice place to grab a bite after a long work week and he stumbled across this place in a NY Mag review of places to try in Queens. It was such a treat! We brought a fun bottle of South African wine and we're ready to roll. Right off the bat, we were offered the organ plate and even though I was ready to go for it, my boyfriend decided to wait until next time which was fine, I guess. Instead we ordered the sausage and mussels as appetizers which were delicious! The mussels are HUGE! Meaty and served in a sweet and spicy tomato sauce. The sausage was also very tasty but not something I would order again, especially since all of their appetizers sounded delicious! For our entrees, I ordered the lamb tagine with cous cous and my boyfriend ordered the lamb shank. It was at this point that the chef came out, shook our hands and asked us how we liked everything which was awesome. The meat was so tender, it truly did melt in my mouth. The veggies in my tagine had such rich flavor, and they were enhanced by their homemade hot sauce. We also ordered the "surprise" dessert which was incredibly tasty, especially since we're not usually dessert people. This place is awesome! I actually just finished the last of my tagine this morning and it even tastes great by the light of the fridge. Next time we come here I think we'll try the organ plate, which I might need to work up some courage for, but I do know I will be eating here again. read more

So i visited here with my friends who where visiting from New Hampshire, both were doing more foodseeing that sightseeing, place very very small (I think total of 4 tables) everything is made from scratch which was super tasty (we did not mind the wait, had so much to catch up on). The service was really good, the gentlemen who owns the place, cooks and serve, he told us all about the art pieces and mosaic that he did himself. As mentioned food was super good, We orders liver, beer salad, quail and olive chicken tajin with cuscus all where made to perfection, later we got an tasty Moroccan tea. Very enjoyable experience read more

The food here is awesome. Not only is the owner an artist and handmade everything in the joint but he cooks amazing Egyptian food! Bring your girlfriend (not a group, ok) you'll impress her! Everything tastes great...even stuff i wouldnt eat elsewhere was awesome here....and theyre soooooo nice and attentive. Be adventurous, go to Astoria and eat at Mombar!! EVERYTHING IS GOOD! read more

I discovered this place via yelp and was excited about the idea of Egyptian food which I'd never had. I convinced my friends that we should go despite the two dollar sign price listing. It had a great rating and the food sounded interesting. Once inside I was sure I'd been right to drag them inside. I loved that the owner decorated the entire restaurant, made the tables, and did the decor. While eating someone who I think was probably their child was running around adorably. It had a very family-oriented feel in general. We were brought a copy of a book that told the story of the history of the restaurant and its gentrifying neighborhood. I'm vegetarian and found a few options on the menu. We all found our meals quite tasty. What knocked this place down in stars was the speed of the food's arrival and of the service in general. I'm guessing the woman waiting on us was a relative/perhaps wife and co-owner... she was very friendly. However, shortly after taking our order, she disappeared. There were only a few customers in the restaurant and they were eating, but it seriously took 3 full hours to place our orders, get our food, and depart. 3. No joke. I'm rarely in a hurry, but during the majority of that time no one came to check on us (or on any of the other tables either as far as I could tell). We finished our drinks shortly after arrival because we were very hungry/thirsty and would've happily purchased other drinks if the option was available. To her credit, our server did apologize sincerely for the wait once the food did arrive. But by the time it did we were starving and grumpy and very unhappy. Bringing us some bread to snack on or something would've gone a long way. I actually feel guilty for the rating because the server seemed like such a genuine, warm, good person that I want to give this place a better rating. But for a $25-30 meal, I want someone to check on my table more than once per 3 hours. If I lived nearby it's possible I'd give them another chance if I had the money to spare, wasn't incredibly hungry upon arrival and wasn't in a rush. However, my friends wrote it off after that experience and vowed never to return. They're cash only but for whatever reason that seems to be normal in New York. I find it strange because I'm used to never carrying cash at home, but it's probably normal enough to natives that doesn't merit mentioning. read more

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A friend's GF asked for recommendations for a birthday dinner that was a bit off the beaten path. I thought of Mombar after remembering it from an old episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain and have always wanted to come check it out. I've never been dissapointed with any of the places that have been featured on his show. We made reservations for 7pm on a weekday night, but they weren't very busy. Still, Moustafa, the owner and chef could not have been friendlier or more accomodating. The experience feels like being invited into someone's home and having a dinner party in their living room as opposed to a traditional restaurant dining experience. The pricing is a little ambiguous as others have mentioned but we just said F it and ordered a bunch to share: Beet salad Artichoke Salad Mombar (sausage) Lamb Brains Lamb Sweetbreads Bone Marrow Lamb Chop Lamb Shank Glazed Duck Kataifa (dessert) There were only five of us and this was a ton of food. Everything was great. My favorites were the lamb sweetbreads, the lamb shank and the duck. The brains were interesting but hit or miss with our table. Even though they were good, I'd skip the bone marrow if I went again since you can find that at a lot of other restaurants in NYC. All in all an interesting experience and highly recommended. Also, Mombar is BYOB which is always nice. read more

I have been meaning to finish this review for 2 years now.. I'm not sure what took me so long but here goes! I have mixed feelings about Mombar... I started out LOVING Mombar when I first went 4 years ago, I couldn't get enough of it! The food was always amazing, the owner or his wife is usually the only server and they are always friendly and helpful. the decor is also amazing the place has great character, the owner did all the decor himself. Some people will argue that the prices are a bit high, but I feel that the food is worth the price.. The last few visits though things slowly started to go downhill. In the end it got to the point where I stopped going for a while because the last 2 times I went, the experience I had could not compare to the wonderful food and service I had grown accustomed to during my first year dining at Mombar. I honestly think what happened is that they got too big for their britches.. I saw them featured on the Travel Channel by Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern. It seemed for months after that the place was packed to the point of them not being able to handle it. They would have every table full, but still their same staff of one person serving and of course the head chef with one helper.. Because I love Mombar so much I tried my best to be patient for them. I kept telling myself that it was just a temporary situation. That people would try Mombar and then just go away forever! Or that they'd hire more help if it stayed that way. To my dismay, that's not what happened.. Like I said before, the last two times I had dined at Mombar were a disappointment. The first time I tried to let it go that it took 3 hours for me to dine. The second trip though is what finally did me in. Once again the place was packed and once again it took 3 hours to dine, and this time the philo wrapped salmon, and molasses duck were dry and overcooked. After that I didn't go back for over a year. Then last week I was walking through the neighborhood and actually stopped there to show a friend Mombar (it's actually pretty cool looking from the outside). After some convincing from her, I agreed to go in for some appetizers. It was around 4pm and the place was empty. We ordered 3 apps and they were all wonderful. The experience left me wanting more, so I think I will have to put them to the test again and come for dinner sometime. I believe in second, even third chances, so here's keeping my fingers crossed that someday soon I can bump Mombar back up to the 4-5 starts I would've gladly given them the first few times I dined there. read more

This place is real good. I would go again just to show friends the deep history this place has and the fantastic chef-owner who created all of the art in the restaurant. I had the Mom-bar, the hand stuffed sausage with rice, beef, lamb, herbs and spices. sauteed with garlic, chick peas and tomato. It was good... but surprisingly a bit bland for me. The egyptian coffee, as warned, was very thick. The thing to get, and we asked for a second serving, are the farmers' bread. read more

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I have zero knowledge on Egyptian food, but this place set a high standard. We were on Steinway looking for some lamb and just kind of picked the place at random. Once inside we knew it was a winner. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. We were the only customers and the chef/waitress (possibly related?) were smiling and so nice The whole time. I really liked that they didn't rush us, we could have posted up all night. The food: Lamb cheek appetizer is amazing. For novices, picture pulled pork, just savory. We ordered the lamb shank and it was cooked to perfection. I don't think I used my knife at all, meat just fell off the bone. Other: It's BYOB and they don't charge a fee, so that's pretty sweet. We also finished with some nice tea. Just a great experience all the way through. We are going to come back for their sampler menu for sure. If you are thinking of going out in this area, eat here. You won't be disappointed. read more

Amazing spot, the chef is super amazing, the most authentic Egyptian food you can find in NYC, service is a bit slow but very hospitable, great ambiance & super delicious food, bring cash read more

When you're looking for this place, look to the right of the 3 princes and you'll find it there. It doesn't have a huge light up sign. Its a bit paired down if you didn't realize it. When you walk in, you realize this is a family run place. They are friendly and helpful, and have great suggestions. The chef came out and talked to us, gave us recommendations for the table, and had suggestions for our vegetarian friend. Everyone there is just super nice. The food is amazing. The lamb tangeen, so tender and flavorful. The mom-bar itself was different, but you gotta try it with the sauce. The hummus and baba ganush was so fresh and flavorful! You could tell it was hand made, and NOT from a jar or can. And eat the apple slices that come with it! The chef loves it when you praise just how wonderful everything is, and it is! The decor inside, is different from all the other restaurants, you'll like it and feel at home. You gotta try this place! You won't be disappointed. Its not a HUGE place, and they only take cash. But if you want some good food, definitely try this place out. The area where this is located has a large Egyptian/Arab community so there are lots of places to try. read more

Eating here was a very special experience. I've been wanting to get here for a while; friends I know in Manhattan make it a point to get out to Astoria to go here. I could totally see why -- it's got a hole-in-the-wall feel, but with a very exotic array of decor. The chef himself took our orders, and was extremely accommodating, even offering to whip up a dish for me that was actually a combination of two different dishes. Plus, we were able to drink from two different opened bottles of wine that we'd brought in, with no corking fee. The food was absolutely DELICIOUS, everything from the hummus to the mussels. Can't wait to get back there for my custom pork ribs tanjeen. read more

What all restaurants should achieve to become!!! Super friendly service! All the dishes are prepared freshly, nothing frozen or pre-preped. Every dish is has a touch of homemade like if you visit your Egyptian grandmother that you haven't seen for a month and the wants to put that extra something in to the food that she serves you to fill you up with all the love she has... Its an experience you will never forget!!!! read more

Best food I've had in a long time. The owner cooks himself and has his art work displays in the restaurant. The most authentic food I've had in a long time. Recommend the sea bass and any of the tagines. read more

As I'm writing this review, I'm still confused what kind of rating to give it. I guess I'll figure something out by the time I'm done narrating my Mombar experience. If you're going on a first date, save yourself and do not come here. I walked in at 6:55 and left the restaurant at 9:03. Crazy right? Yes, come here only if you know you like the company you're having. When we walked in, the place was practically empty. We were seated right away and was immediately handed the menu. After carefully selecting what we wanted, I asked for the Egyptian steak and my friend wanted the duck in molasses. After he took down our orders, he then informed us of the specials. Shouldn't that be done as he gives out the menu so we have time to consider instead of after we've made up our minds? Well, anyway, so I decided to get the Tilapia Tagine instead and we decided to add the Sahara mix for our appetizer. After hearing we wanted an appetizer to share and an entree, the waiter suggested the tasting menu. Again, shouldn't this be done before we've already made up our minds? With the tasting menu, you get an appetizer and three different surprise entrees. For $30 it sounded pricey but everything on the menu seemed so good, we couldn't let it pass. By the way, the waiter will ask you what your preferences are and the chef would whip something up. I specifically said no rabbit, while my friend requested for some duck. I noticed that everybody who reviewed this place mentioned complimentary bread when they were seated. We didn't get anything! On top of that, we waited for over 30 minutes for our appetizer and after we were done, the first dish came after another 20 minutes! The first dish out of the three surprise dishes was the lamb cheeks sautéed in a tomato based sauce, nothing special at all. Not impressed, sorry. And take note, at this point, it was already 8:20. I was starting to get annoyed with the slow service. I looked around and there was only two people working. The waiter and the chef! Go figure. The second dish served was the Tilapia Tagine, I was already a little full and annoyed after all the waiting and long intervals between dishes, but when I had the fish, all my worries and frustrations were blown away! The night was starting to get better! The fish was fresh and tender, spiced and flavored to perfection. It was really good! This time, we only waited a couple of minutes, then the third dish was served. Guess what, after specifically requesting for duck, it wasn't duck! I felt really bad for my friend. He enjoyed the meal but was really looking forward to his duck especially since he requested for it. The third and final dish was lamb Tagine with couscous. The couscous was very good, while the lamb on the other hand was a little disappointing. Despite the fact I've already had a good amount of food, to be served lamb Tagine with just three tiny chunks of lamb, even if I was already full, was disappointing! After dinner, I stepped into the ladies room and as I came out, my friend already paid the bill. When I asked how much everything was, he said it was $78 plus tip. I was shocked! How could it be $78 when we only had the tasting menu and 2 cans of diet coke? Anyway, its too late to complain now, but make sure if you come here, you check the receipt. I'm not sure if I'd come back, maybe just for the Tilapia Tagine.. but definitely not in the near future. So I guess I'm only giving this place 2 stars, and that would be solely because of the Tilapia Tagine. Good thing they included it in the tasting menu or I would've given this place 0 stars! read more

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I love Egyptian food and took a friend here for his birthday. I was told it was the kind of place you take your parents when they are in town because it was expensive and upscale....hmmm...a little pricey yes, but it's kind of a dingy place. Cool art done by the owner all over, but still dinery tables and such. I got the tagine, and it wasn't terrobly flavorful. As I recall my portion size was on the normal to small side. I did like the personal attention. But the actual food isn't worth the hype, and you can get cheaper, better eats in this hood! read more

One thing I really loved about this place was the art work all around! It was so beautiful. The owner was very sweet and was kind enough to tell me about his work and what each of his pieces meant. Oh and the food was great. I had the shrimp alexandria, it was the right size and very tasty. Another great thing about this place is that it is byob!!! read more

This is one of the best restaurants in Astoria, period. The food is consistently excellent, the chef is friendly and wonderful, and the interior is eclectic and fascinating. You can keep going to overhyped, bland places or you can try food cooked with love. The service is a little slow, but good things come to those who wait. The lamb tagine here is amazing, as well as the striped bass and the Mombar sausages. The complimentary bread is amazing, as are the mussels. Basically, get anything on the menu and you will be satisfied. A must-visit for any Astorian. read more

I was really disappointed at the food at Mombar. First, DO NOT go if you are really hungry and plan to eat your meal within the first hour of getting seated. They are a really small establishment with one cook. We did not receive our complimentary traditional Egyptian bread until 30 minutes into our seating. Thankfully, we had just come from happy hour, so were in a generally content mood. Second, do not forget that his place is BYOB and BYOD. Yes, you need to purchase water at this place. Considering that NYC tap water is one of the best in the nation, I don't see why Mombar has to go on wasting more plastic than necessary. Onto the food. Honestly, for the price you are paying, I really expected much better food. I had one of the better dishes in my group of 5. I got the chicken and the rice. Sounds plain? It was very plain and simple, but still the best dish out of the rabbit, bass, homemade sausage and lamb. But 18 dollars for chicken and rice? Really? I think that is a bit of a rip off. Especially when I had to wait an hour and a half for it. In the end, what annoyed me the most was that he overcharged us for the hummus platter we ordered (by far the best dish of the whole night) and rounded up the tax. I'm not trying to be finicky about a few dollars. I just wanted to point out the cherry on top of the entire evening. The strip on Steinway where Mombar is located is full of Egyptian restaurant. I would probably try one of those instead of the over hyped Mombar. read more

Great authentic Egyptian food. Egyptian food is not easy to do as it is very labor intense, if you want to try it this is. The chef makes the food fresh from scratch, I learned to order ahead of time. You must try the Molukhia and fatta. Best fatta you can ever have. The reason I give this place 4 stars not five because it is slow and can use update. If you don't order ahead of time expect 2 hours to 2.5 hours for a full course dinner. read more

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Quick: A unique and uniquely-decorated place that's best savored with friends or family. Set aside an evening when you're not in a rush and enjoy! Pros: Food is unique, home-made and very tasty, the place has a great homey atmosphere, the decor is very eclectic and warm, prices are reasonable Cons: Long wait for the meals read more

I have visited Mombar about 5 times. Every experience is a delight. The food is delicious and completely authentic, the atmosphere is cozy and fun (the art is all done by the chef) and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable. Every time the chef has come to the table and spoken to us. So warm and friendly. He is really from Egypt. Anthony Bourdain has visited and is friends with the chef. True this restaurant is a walk from the subway (10-15mins) but totally worth it. So so so good. read more

The one thing I love about this place is the decor. From the outside to the inside, it's very unique. I'll start with the food. The three dip platter was good, as was the foul dish with onions. Boyfriend got the lamb cheeks, which he enjoyed, and a chicken dish with quinoa, which was very dry. The selections of different meats and organ dishes aren't found everywhere, which was a plus. The chef was also this very sweet man who came to our table to ask us how everything was. I love when chefs do that. Now, the frustrating part, and main reason this place is only getting two stars- I asked for water, like I do every time I go anywhere where I eat. The waiter brings me a bottle and I kindly say that I'm okay with tap. He tells me they don't have tap water. Extremely confused, I ask him to elaborate and he responds by telling me they only have water for cooking food, not for serving. I was obviously not going to argue with him at this point but thought it was absolutely ridiculous that he pulled that. Also I'm pretty sure it's illegal in New York? Side note and something else that I found amusing after looking at their yelp page is that the name looks like "Mom Bar" LOL. read more

Ive been here several times and enjoyed it. I got lucky the other day by showing up at opening time and having the owner cook for me. It was amazing, from soup to nuts (not literally). The food is great and the atmosphere is wonderfully quirky, part grandparents dingy apartment, part outsider art fair. They only take cash and, although quite tasty, the food is pricey. read more

I used to live in Astoria one block away from Mombar. I don't recall how I'd heard about the quaint little restaurant, but I visited shortly after they opened (2001?). Being a vegetarian, I was a bit hesitant at trying Southern Egyptian Food, but found out Mombar is very accommodating with their dishes. The owner and chef, Moustafa El Sayed is so friendly and hospitable and actually steps out of the tiny kitchen to talk to his customers, whom he treats like old friends. One instantly feels comfortable in this tiny, unassuming, dimly lit, dining haven. Through one of our conversations with Moustafa he told us that it was his dream to open a restaurant and that he had designed and created everything in the place, from the tiled tables to the paintings on the walls. I highly recommend the Saraha mix as an appetizer and a tangine (which can be made vegetarian if need be) for an entree. And even if you stuff yourself, order dessert (which is only revealed when it's brought to your table. It's cute how they make it a secret). Trust me, your taste buds will not be disappointed by this lovely dining experience. I need to make a trek to Astoria soon. read more

I came here with low expectations based on a few Yelp reviews. I was pleasantly surprised though. We were first served some warm savory (dense) filo dough bread accompanied by a pepper-oil sauce for dipping. The bread was a bit bland but it served its purpose. I have soft spot for all thing filo dough though. (tongue twister!) We started with mixed appetizer plate with hummus, babaganoush, and fou trio. All were tasty and included plenty of pita triangles. The pita was fresh and warm. Also, we got a appetizer portion of the restaurant's namesake, mombar. I say that this was a severely lacking dish. Perhaps it was our ignorance of sausages from this part of the world but it was neither very tasty or visually appealing. When I went to grab a piece, it broke apart before even reaching my plate. The filling was a mix of ground meat and some filler that could of been rice or cous cous. I would pass on this as an appetizer or a main course. For my main, I ordered the egyptian steak. It was cooked medium well, which I was fine with. I was not asked how I wanted it though. It came with a side of roasted potatoes and veggie which was very good. I usually don't pay much mind to a side like this but I found myself gobbling it down quicker than the steak. Other's at the table had the duck, lamb, rabbit, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. We each also got the mint tea. This also was surprisingly good. The only thing that bugged me was they used lipton tea bags for the tea base. For dessert, the chef prepared a tray of sweets. It included baklava, honey cake, and one that had nuts sandwiched between flaky pastry. The food did take a long time to come out but it looked like everything was made from scratch and it was only the chef and 1 assistant. The chef took our order initially but later on his niece took over as our waitress. Overall the service was very nice. The bill came out to $40 a person, so its not as cheap as other establishments in the area but I say its worth checking out. read more