We had the most delicious meal, every single item was incredible! Be sure to get the homemade dolmas, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, kebabs, amazing rice, and delicate baklava. Truly authentic middle eastern cuisine! The service was excellent; the ambiance is perfect from lace tablecloths and lovely china to an authentic Arabic cezve briki. Quick and friendly service - clean, neat, delectable- we will be back! read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - Restaurant interior and exterior - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

See all

Kofte Kebab had great flame grilled flavor and it came with rice with ground beef in it and salad. Kunefe with ricotta cheese was so good. Lamb burger was gamey, not warm, but fries were hot and they were good. Fries came with tahini, preferred them with ketchup. Owner Salim was very nice. Restaurant was clean and humble decor. read more

Lovely dinner on Friday night at 6:30. Made a reservation as several of you suggested. Restaurant was empty until we were leaving an hour later. Service was wonderful. We ordered hummus to start which was delicious. Then the lamb and meat kebob which came with salad & rice. Still hungry I ordered another 2 kebobs the ground beef and another lamb. Everything was wonderful! Ordered 3 desserts (chocolate raspberry torte, cherry cake & baklava) to go of which I'd recommend one the baklava. My compliments to the chef!!! read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - Kebabs! - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Delicious, fresh food, with polite service. We would definitely recommend. The only thing is it can be rather warm inside during the summer, but that's the only drawback. read more

My favorite grape leaves out there, delicious fresh food made by a sweet couple. The prefixe dinner for two is great!

I don't think the care about their customers. Unfortunately, the menu description was completed wrong and dangerous. I would give them 0 stars. I will never order from them again, and i will pass the word around. I ordered the meat pies, instead of pine nuts, they were full of slivered almonds. Considering that nut allergy is one of the most common, there shouldn't be an error such as that. Also, the menu stated the pies were baked, THEY WERE DEEP FRIED. I am from the middle east, I thought this place would not lie to it's customers. I am very blessed, had I actually consumed that pie, I'd be reviewing The Olive Branch from a hospital. read more

Seriously--why isn't there a line outside the door to get in? We had no trouble getting a table for an early-ish dinner on a Saturday night, and everything we ordered was delicious! Baba ghanouj, falafel, and fried cauliflower with tahini sauce were some of the real standouts. Highly recommend!!! read more

Fabulous Lebanese food! Just about anything you try will exceed your expectations. The hummus is toothsome & tangy. The kabobs don't disappoint & the kibbee is to die for. We've been eating here for years & can always depend on its quality read more

Excellent. Love the food. Love the owners. This place is a hidden gem in Bethlehem.

Wow! This place is the biggest gem of Bethlehem! All homemade and delicious. Please try their dinner for two on a date night. Little bit of everything, 4 skewers of kebab, fattoush, baba, hummus, tabouli, rice, baklava and coffee. It's not too salty nor greasy. Just perfect, like a mom would make for you at home. Loved it, please try! read more

Incredibly kind staff and service, food was beyond delicious. We came with our whole family of 11; ordered a wide variety of food and were very accommodating. Our server gave us great recommendations and worked to make sure everyone was fed. The energy at the restaurant was very welcoming and felt like a home. Very beautiful decor as well. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Environment: 5/5 read more

I was so excited to get my food tonight from the Olive Branch because I was craving the kafta kebab and they did not disappoint! I love the rice that comes with it. The salad had some pieces that I think should have been crispy, but were a little soggy so I took them out. I was really happy with the Arnabit (cauliflower) and Baba ganoush though. I just wish they did not use styrofoam for to-go. read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - Arnabit - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

You'll never be disappointed at The Olive Branch. The food is always so fresh, and it's such a warm, friendly environment. We've been coming here for close to 20 years! It's BYOB & you won't be disappointed with anything you order from appetizers to dessert & coffee, which btw, they serve the BEST Arabic coffee!! And if you've never had Knafeh, you must try it here! It's cheese w/phyllo dough & sugar water, perfect ending to a great meal! Honestly though, you can't go wrong with anything on their menu!! read more

Food was delicious, we loved how well balanced all of the seasonings were! Service was good and prompt, it's an smaller space so they can really give great service. The only drawback is because it's small, it can get a little loud but we still enjoyed our meal and we will be back! read more

If you haven't been here, you need to try the dinner for 2. It is absolutely amazing and gives you so much high quality food. The service is so warm and welcoming. The atmosphere is quaint and personable. I have a difficult time finding restaurants around the area that I love -- this has to be my favorite. read more

The food is amazing and the owners are really sweet. I am able to walk there from my apartment which is nice as well so I can try and shed a few pounds after I eat. read more

Love this place! It has the best falafel! They're crispy and well-seasoned. I've never had better. I also enjoyed the hummus and salad. It's all simple and refreshing. The venue is a little desolate if you're the only one(s) there, but the food is great. So you should visit. I'd recommend the peanut butter pie as well :) read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - The best falafel ever. - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

My new favorite place for middle eastern food! Fresh, homemade, flavorful, and great portion size. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. You feel like you are visiting someone's home, and they are pulling out all the stops to please you. Pricing is very reasonable, and I love that it's BYOB. From appetizers (we ordered 4) to the entree, everything was delicious. Even the dinner salad was good lol. Definitely try the cauliflower appetizer..it's amazing! And the catfish for entree was one of the best I've ever had. read more

See all

Nice Middle Eastern place near Lehigh! Really good cauliflower appetizer, good hummus, tasty falafel. And fantastic lunch deals! Great place for a lunch group to meet up. read more

I had forgotten about this place and returned with an invitation from a friend. Now I'm back again' this is a small place run by 2 people, I believe, but it's traditional middle eastern food that is worth the wait. The place is usually crowded which is significant. Come, eat, enjoy!!! read more

Delicious, no frills, traditional Mediterranean food at a reasonable price. Tried this place randomly while visiting a local college and were delighted. My family loves Greek food and everyone enjoyed Olive Branch. The chicken kebab was one of the best we've had. read more

If you want to have the best falafel you've ever eaten, try this place. I've never had any like it. Very crisp exterior, tender interior. We also had the tabouli, labneh and the lamb kabob. All fresh and delicious. The service was so warm - I think we were served by the owner. Must try this place if you're heading through Bethlehem. read more

One of the better food places in the entire Lehigh Valley and so charming. It's a very small Mom & Pop operation, and eating there makes you feel good about contributing to the local economy. I've eaten there a few times already and my order has always been delicious. Make sure to try their amazing cakes & pies (& baklava, of course) -- the hefty dessert portions are enough to feed you for a whole day. Our waiter, and presumably owner of the restaurant, was very attentive. My friend had a very hilarious exchange with him that went something like this -- Friend: What's the peanut butter pie? Owner: It's a peanut butter pie! (said with gusto) Friend: Yes, but what is it? Can you describe it? Owner: It's a peanut butter pie! (again said with gusto) HILARIOUS! Despite receiving only a tautological definition, she ordered the pie and it was amazing. Though this place is hidden, it's worth searching it out. One note for dinner goers -- it's BYO, so don't forget to bring your own ouzo. read more

Really good Mediterranean food. I ordered falafel, hummus, baba ghannouj and a Greek salad for take out. Everything was amazing. The falafels were perfectly fried - crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. The hummus and baba ghannouj were tasty as was the salad. I also got a few slices of cake - chocolate with raspberry filling and a lovely vanilla sponge cake with raspberry filling and a layer of vanilla custard. Both cakes were wonderful. It's a family run business and the owners are very nice and accommodating. I told them we were vegetarian and they were mindful of that. read more

A cute mom and pop place with a cute, homey ambience. The place wasn't too busy when my mom and I went because it was around 4 pm and kind of an off hour to be eating. It looks like not much from the outside, but trust me, it's worth the try. It seemed like it was a mom and her son working there when we went in. The son was super nice and provided great service. I got the chicken kebabs with rice, which were well-seasoned and tender. But OH MY GOD, the humus. It was sooo smooth and delicious. I didn't have any of the desserts but they looked so damn good. read more

Wanted to try something different today. I am always up for good Lebanese food and trying someone else's recipes. The tabouli was just like my aunts and the kefta sandwich was great. Awesome atmosphere. Plan to go back. read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Actually surprised (and embarrassed) to see I haven't updated this review in so long. We've been coming here consistently for years and just love it. It's a quiet little storefront in South Bethlehem across from Pete's Hot Dogs. Easy street parking or go down to Wells Fargo lot. BYOB with amazing, fresh food in a calm and friendly atmosphere. Family run and totally laid back. If you know the food, you'll be comfortable. If you don't know the food, everyone you deal with is happy to answer your questions and walk you through what to order and what you might like. Plenty of vegetarian options. We prefer to do a ton of apps and take our dinners home for leftovers to make sure we leave room for the homemade desserts. (Peanut Butter pie, FTW.) read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - the outside of the building - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I can't say enough great things about The Olive Branch here in Bethlehem PA. The food is outstanding. The atmosphere is relaxing and the attention you receive makes you feel like family. The owner Sam and his wife are gracious hosts and you'll always want to come back. Ask for the "Kim Plate Special" and tell them Kim sent you. You'll love your dish. Try the desserts too. Amazing peanut butter pie. Just a wonderful place, wonderful experience and nice prices. If you're thinking about going...do it. Enjoy. read more

Olive Branch Cafe & Restaurant - The areas best grapeleaves and the ice tea is so delicious. - Bakeries Near Me - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I am a falafel fan...these are the best that I have had in the valley. Good people too....!!

Mmmm, I never get to the entrees here, because we just order a bunch of appetizers that cover the table and eat that way, mmm-ing over each plate. The owner is Syrian and retired from Bethlehem Steel. You'd think he might just want to rest, but no, he started a restaurant! We asked him for his hummus recipe because it is so creamy and smooth, and he said, "You don't need a recipe; you just taste it!" Well, maybe *he* can. :-) There are not that many tables, and they are close together, perfectly cozy. BYOB is nice, attentive, and fast. This is just wonderful healthy affordable Middle Eastern fare with plenty for vegetarians and vegans. I am obsessed with arnibit and could eat it every day. The last time we were there, another couple showed us how you can read the shapes left behind on your Turkish coffee mug, cool. read more

Lunch here is an oasis of sane eating when you're feeling barraged by too many hoagie, hot dog and hamburger options on Bethlehem's SouthSide! I love the vegetarian platter (tabbouleh, hummus, fatoosh). Add some appetizers of arnabit and lebna, and top it off with arabic coffee, and I'm happy happy happy. Sam the owner is a retired Bethlehem steelworker and nice guy, very attentive. He and his wife serve up all the food. I think his wife is the baker of the gorgeous original desserts (including wedding cakes) the only one I've sampled is baklava, very good. Sometimes the chicken in my shawarma is a little too salty, sometimes the falafel is a little too dry, but the positives of dining here outweigh the occasional complaints. My dining partners really enjoyed their lamb sandwiches. The dinner menu is mouth-watering and you can bring a bottle. read more

Delicious hidden gem! I've gotten the falafel platter every time I've gone. The Arabic coffee is also great! Mom and pop shop feel, with excellent service. read more

Wow this place. I can't say enough about this restaurant! Charming inside, and very clean. It's small and doesn't look like much from the outside but do yourself a favor and check it out. We got the pie sample (feta, beef, spinach) and all were delicious. The hummus wasn't flashy, but the consistency was perfect. I tried the combination kebab entrée, which included chicken, lamb, and kafta. The meat was tender, juicy, and delicious. The falafel was also crispy and flavorful. Try the baklava too! 5/5. Will dine again. Will be dreaming about this meal for days to come. read more

Awesome food. Very affordable price. Owner is great and very friendly. The baklavas are the best I have ever had!!! read more

Small restaurant but very personable atmosphere and friendly staff. Great, authentic middle eastern food. Definitely check this place out if you're needing your hummus fix! read more

I go usually 1x a week. Love the fattoush with chicken. Sam and Ghada will greet you with a smile and cook you a great meal. The food is all fresh and made to order. You will not be disappointed. read more

The food was absolutely delicious! This place is also very vegetarian friendly. When we ordered something that had meat in it by accident, our waiter asked us if we were vegetarians and when we said we were he modified the dish for us! read more

Absolutely amazing meal for a great price! The meat was cooked to perfection, the rice was way tastier than any rice I've ever had before, the grape leaves are authentic, the baklava is finger-licking good and the feta pie was real tasty read more

This place is amazing! I rave to anyone that will listen about how wonderful this place is. From the adorable atmosphere, beautiful table linens, the kind staff, and the delicious food, this place can't be beat. I could eat here every week. Definitely a gem in the heart of South Bethlehem. I highly recommend! read more

Unbelievable hidden gem. Fantastic, delicious, middle eastern cuisine. A family owned and operated byob that appreciates each and every person who comes in the door. Please go see Sam and you'll be impressed! read more