I came across this little shop when I had a craving for some Turkish delights (lokum). Their homemade pistachio lokum is delicious and the best I've had (including compared to lokum I had in Turkey), so I make the trip from Manhattan just for these treats! Gary, the sweet shop owner, makes it himself. Everyone who works here is incredibly friendly and it's nice to support a small mom and pop shop that opens the doors and allows us New Yorkers to have a connection to Middle Eastern culture and foods. Such a gem of a shop we have with Oriental Pastry & Grocery! See you soon, Gary and team! read more

I think another person's review fits some of my thoughts: Terrific selection of spices and goods but "On the other hand, it seems to have been decorated by a hoarder." Very tiny spot with a friendly cat with not so good desserts. The ma'moul was dry and the baklava and bird's nest was somehow dry even though there was a lot of honey on it. The kunafeh was also just wasn't good either . Oddly the Turkish delight was quite tasty and fresh but I am unsure if it was homemade as it was just that much better. The inside of the ashta dessert wasn't dry (as it was well cream) but the filo wasn't good either. I've had their desserts several times and I've had this issue way too many times that it doesn't seem like a rare occurrence. Sure the prices are lower than Sahadi's but there's other better choices on the block for pastries (namely Damascus or Karkanni.) 3 for the spice/nut selection. read more

So back in the 70's & 80's my parents used to come here for all their grocery needs. This was the place to go to, and it still is after all these years. This place is wonderful. Ghayes and his brothers are so heart warming and friendly- they aren't just a business, they are family to me. They have the freshest pastries and groceries, their prices have always been reasonable and they are just such wonderful people, I can't express it more ... Even though I live in Jersey, I still try to make a trip every now and then to get my groceries and desserts from them- just an excuse to stop by and say hello. Also, love their little cat mascots running around the store.... read more

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I went here looking for Turkish coffee. The store is small yet fully stocked with anything you may be missing from back home. They had a few brands of Turkish coffee and I went for Cafe Najj with cardamom. Omg!! This coffee has changed my life! I was assisted by Hilda who I had a brief discussion with about coffee. She saw my reservations about trying the cardamom coffee and looked to see if they had any I could sample. Unfortunately they didn't but her genuine concern and kindness won me over to take a chance. I hadn't been to this store in about 5 years and I'm glad it's still there in light of how Brooklyn is changing. I'm happy to report I'm going to patronize this store more often, especially since they have better customer service skills than other stores on that street. read more

Oriental Pastry & Grocery - Olives and other pickled treats - International Grocery Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Very friendly owner who was so kind and gave many samples. The issue is this place is PACKED with....food and just THINGS. The energy is cluttered and it isn't very clean. read more

For an Oriental grocer, this joint seems exceedingly Middle Eastern. Perhaps it's the Arabic writing outside, or maybe it's the Middle Eastern EVERYTHING. In any case, I'm a bit torn about this shop. On the one hand, it does have an excellent selection of all sorts of items like nuts, olives, dried fruit, tea, sauces, oils and tons of other things that I couldn't name if I tried, and at very good prices. On the other hand, it seems to have been decorated by a hoarder. There is a small pathway cleared through the center of the shop, and every other square inch of the place is covered with all the different items they stock. So while it might be far less crowded than Sahadi's across the street, I somehow have less room to walk, and it's nearly impossible to peruse comfortably. I've actually found myself trapped in the store by elderly women who don't seem to know how to turn around. I'm also ever-so-slightly concerned by the huge, open barrels filled with spices that are all over the place. Normally this wouldn't bother me a bit, but there are at least three different cats living in here. If I was a cat, I don't know that I'd be able to tell the difference between a barrel of spices and a litter box. Although, it goes without saying that if I was a cat, I'd be a stupid cat. read more

Small cute Middle Eastern grocery, spices are fresh and in big totes and barrels, hard to find pantry items are here. Nice prices and owners!,, stock piled candied ginger, cinnamon sticks, Za'aar spices, dried cherries, roasted cashews, etc etc!! Great pickled veggie selections and olives! read more

Oriental Pastry & Grocery - Delicious spices and ingredients, friendly pet cats! - International Grocery Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I come here for their pastries but from the look of things, they've got just about everything here in this shop from coffee beans and tea leaves to fresh spices. In the back of the store, they have a multitude of homemade Middle Eastern pastries. I love their baklava, which has the perfect ratio of pastry to nuts. They get the texture right, which is hard to find sometimes, and combined with the flavors and the honey, the end result tastes just fantastic. Also they have a couple of very friendly cats that walk around the store! read more

Despite Oriental Pastry & Grocery size, you could spend an hour asking about the different varieties of bulgur, sampling a free chunk of sweet halvah or salty fresh cheese, wondering what in the world the seaweed-like stuff in a jar marked "Fancy Green Zaatar," and even stumbling over familiar products that seem way out of place (like Aunt Jemima pancake mix, for example). At Oriental, sweets are the specialty, and free samples flow. They'll cut generous portions of baklava; pistachio-packed Turkish delight; or kounafa, a syrup-soaked, salty-sweet Middle Eastern take on cheesecake. This place doesn't really engage in fancy display; in fact, the sweets department is virtually hidden in front of the belly-dancing instructional tapes. Some sweets are disguised as fruits: there are several kinds of sugary dates, and there is also the dried apricot paste known in Arabic as kamar al-din, an ancient ancestor of Fruit Roll-Ups By the way, the Oriental folks also do catering, so if you're planning a big party in your hotel room while you're in the city, consider ordering a stuffed lamb (rice, pine nuts, raisins and, of course, meat) for $310. You'll want to call the store a few days in advance (and check your hotel's policy on in-room lamb feasts). read more

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The best place on the block for Middle Eastern products, from spices to beans to Middle Eastern cheeses (halloumi, lebne, nabulsi) to freshly made soap. Their selection of dried fruit is amazing. Most stuff can be found here, at a lower cost than Sahadi's across the street. Oriental Pastry & Grocery is jam packed with barrels of olives and dried goods. This is the place where you can purchase traditional Tagines as well as authentic vessels for making Middle Eastern tea and coffee. My favorite brand is Cafe Najjar coffee with cardamom. Deliciously strong and flavorful. Come here first and then for the stuff they don't have go to Sahadis if you must and deal with the crowds. read more

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My parents have been shopping here since I was literally born! They have the best freshest coffee, herbs, honey, and of course pastries made by the family everyday. They treat you like family and royalty when you come in the store. I feel so peaceful with the classical music in the background and they have a friendly cat that looks like royalty too and so loving!!! This is a gem!!!!! read more

My favorite store these days. It has brought me joy in lockdown. Has been there for decades... opposite Sahadi's, but very different vibe. The small tightly packed space may not appeal to some /it is unchanged i think. Their food is so good. All kinds of spreads,, pastries, plus staples and specialities. Very kind people. read more

A few years ago I walked into this jewel of a store for the first time. It was like immediately stepping into another, older world full of Middle Eastern delicacies. I had heard the baklava was good. It's more than good, it's the best baklava I've had, ever. Certainly the best in New York City. The owner is warm and welcoming and often introduces pastries he's made from his family recipes here for about 50 years. Recently I've started trying his other items, like dried apricots, olives, walnuts. I don't know why I waited. All of his items are a notch, or more, above the rest, both here on Atlantic Avenue and in Manhattan. read more

Wow - another of Brooklyn's finest that no one has yet reviewed? With all of the attention given to Sahadi's across the street, one can almost forgive folks for not noticing Oriental Pastry & Grocery. Almost, but not quite, because overlooking this market is akin to ignoring the roses for being shorter than the sunflowers. This Syrian market is not as big as Sahadi's, but it's also far less crowded and a lot more authentic... resulting in a shopping experience characterized by an owner who recognizes his regulars and welcomes them with a hearty greeting. Barrels of bulk items cluster around, old world style, and include everything from grains (even oatmeal) to spectacular hibiscus flower tea (from Damascus!). This shop boasts: - Simply the best halvah and baklawa this reviewer has ever experienced -- with multiple varieties of each. We're talking serious confection here, with flavor and texture rivaling anything one can ingest while actually standing in the Middle East. The plain halvah in particular may warrant its own 12 step program. - An absolute extravaganza of premium quality dried fruits -- including multiple selections of dates (try the Iranian variety!), apricots, and more exotics like Yemenite raisins. There is also a good selection of organic varieties. - An equally unusual selection of nuts. There are, for example, at least five different varieties of bulk almonds. - Astonishingly low prices. This market may be one of the least expensive places in the area for buying couscous, lentils, oatmeal, spices, and other general supplies in bulk. Overall, one of the best examples of an ethnic grocery that I've experienced in the borough. It deserves to be ranked accordingly. read more

After years of going to Sahadi's (which is lovely), I found this place... simply because I was too lazy to cross the street. But when I found it, I found Behesht! (That means heaven.) They have wonderful spices for Persian cooking, including rob-e-anar (pomegranate paste) and fenugreek. Beyond that, the people who own the store are a delight, and have a type of hospitality that transports you to another world. I'm so glad I found this place. It's not to be missed! read more

This is easily the best middle Eastern grocery I have visited and that comes from someone who is from the Middle East. The baklawa and coffee smells permeate and mix with all the spices made me feel like I was in the Souk again . The owner and staff are exceptional in delivering advice , help and suggestions sprinkled amongst several samples of the various food. I bought many items including fantastic Yemeni Sidr honey , coffee and spices. They kindly packaged everything and shipped it for a nominal fee to me all the way to Seattle. I highly recommend visiting and buying from here. read more

My roommate and I made a pilgrimage from Williamsburg to Cobble Hill to go to Sahadi's, not realizing it is closed on Sundays. Luckily, right across the street is Oriental, which I had also seen mentioned in various places. We ducked in and spent a good half hour surveying the arrays of grains, nuts, dried fruit, pastries, canned goods, olives, hummus, and other items. The store is a little chaotic in arrangement and it can be difficult to reach certain things, but it works here. The owners were super friendly and offered us generous samples of several different pastries as we made our selections, including some I had never heard of. They were all delicious. Hard to go wrong with phyllo dough, nuts and honey in any combination. In the end, we ended up buying baklava, lady fingers (somewhat similar to baklava), konafa, dried sour cherries, peaches, pears, and figs, fava beans, hummus, a big tub of halva, pita bread, olives, and grape leaves, which my half-Egyptian roommate said were the closest to her grandmother's she's found here. I tried them and I don't know what her grandmother's taste like but they changed my opinion of grape leaves entirely. I still haven't been to Sahadi's, but I can't imagine what it could have that Oriental doesn't. I can't wait to go back! read more

I'll let you in on a little secret: this place has some of the best Middle Eastern treats in the city. You wouldn't know it just passing by, but the use of the word "pastry" in the shop title gives a clue. Brave the dingy store surroundings and the wandering cat and walk all the way to the back of the store. There on the right hand side you'll see the treats. Their basbusa, a semolina cake with honey is my favorite. It's sweet with a gritty, dense texture. It's sold by the pound and can be pricy, but I get it every time I'm here. If you're a picky pastry-aholic like me, you should not miss this. They have different varieties of baklava and unlike some places, they don't skimp on nuts in their baklava. They have this triangle shaped sweet pastry filled with cheese that is delectable. I don't know its name. They also have a savory version filled with spinach. They have different varieties of Turkish delights. They also have different kinds of mamouls. They have other stuff I've yet to try, and all homemade people. If you're looking for Middle Eastern desserts, the treats here will make you very, very happy. read more

More expensive than Damascus Bakery across the street, but it also offers many more grocery items. The knafeh was really good (although it should of course be taken home and heated up before being consumed) and the tea selection is also pretty decent. Beyond that are the many spices and cooking implements described by everyone else, along with some fresh veggies and decorative serving items. The gentleman who runs the place is really kind, and you can probably find just about everything you need for Arabic cooking here (although I didn't see a fridge/freezer for cheeses and mlokhiyyeh, falafel, etc. - maybe I just missed it?). Final criticism is that they do not bake their own bread, although the kind they sell is not appreciably different than the fresh bread sold at Damascus. I am super excited to finally find Arabic grocery stores, and will definitely be coming back. read more

I was on a mission to find tumeric and garam masala spices and didn't really want to trek into the city or go too far out. As I was exiting key foods on Atlantic, I spotted this store from across the street. I dragged my granny cart up to the step, and the kind gentleman came to the front to see what I needed. "Do you have garam masala?" "No, but I can mix it up for you." "Really? Sold. I'll take tumeric too if you have some." His hand mixed garam masala smelled amazing. I cannot wait to cook with it this week! I found the price a tad on the expensive side, but I like the guy who take care of me, so I think it was worth the $10! Credit card minimum is $15 btw. read more

I found this place today when I was on a mad search for Japanese eggplant. Although I couldn't find Japanese eggplant (apparently it's out of season and no one has it), I discover a mini-mecca of Oriental treats, veggies and other good finds. And the produce was fresh and CHEAP! Lots of great Middle Eastern food, huge barrels (like Oregon trail-style barrels of food for the long haul) of olives, nuts and dried things. read more

Great store with beautiful Turkish pastries, pies, and breads. They have the best price on the weighted candies. The owner is a delight and game me a quick education in Turkish desserts. read more

Nicer owners, there are not. They have all the spices, nuts and the best baklava (cooked on the premise) on Atlantic Avenue or this side of the atlantic. Great array of middle eastern food and groceries as well as coffee and an array of olives read more

Small shop packed to the ceiling with spices, olives, dried fruit, incense and burners, sweets, sauces, rice, beverages, cookware, and a host of other things. My main problem is the place is very dusty and for this reason, I won't buy anything from the open bins. read more

I grew up in this place. The store might be small, but has everything I need. Anytime I've gone elsewhere, I wound up paying more or having to wait around for them to check if they have whatever item I'm looking for. At Oriental, the owners are always there and know their shop and all the products they sell. They're also not just friendly, but genuinely care about their customers, their neighborhood, and Brooklyn. Mustapha (AKA Sam) was a beloved neighborhood fixture, who was sadly killed by a motorist while crossing Atlantic avenue last year. The amount of condolences that were expressed by people of all backgrounds shows just how important this shop is to the Cobble Hill/Atlantic Avenue neighborhood. Happily, the other two brothers who own the shop continue to do what they do best, and with love. They put their whole hearts into everything, from pastries to catering. Some other places in the neighborhood may be flashier, but they don't give you the same level of sincere care, besides the great products and prices. read more

Just got home from my first visit to Oriental (recommended by my Syrian neighbor). I needed sweets and appetizers for two holiday dinners - and Gary (owner) gave me generous tastes of everything, all excellent. In addition to a large container of baklava, turkish delight, honey cake, pistachio cake, lady fingers, etc., I sampled and bought Syrian pistachios (much tastier than California), lamb sausage, humus, halvah, chili pepper dip, olives, pumpkin seeds, lavender and laurel soaps, dark coffee beans, and more. (Gary's a soft-sell kind of guy and I had to keep asking, What else should I get?) (I left with several bags, under $100) I'd first stopped in Sahadi (across the street) because Oriental doesn't open until 10. Sahadi is like Zabars - crowded with the same folks, very long lines, much overlap in familiar gourmet "stuff." I had a good cup of coffee there and waited for Oriental to open. Well worth the wait. I got my bread, as instructed by my neighbor, at Damascus - next to Sahadi. But I'll go back to Oriental for sure for everything else. A personal, relaxed, delicious shopping experience. read more

So terribly sad to hear of the tragic death of one of the owners by car accident. May he rest in peace.

delisssh coconut dusted dates, regular dates, home-made Turkish Delight, halvah...stuff of dreams read more

I'll agree entirely with Joe M.-- this is cheaper, more authentic, and friendlier than Sahadi's. The halvah is indeed the best I've ever had. Absolutely one of the best grocery stores you can find. Everything is out in bulk and plenty great is hidden behind the counter. Don't be intimidated by its layout or the owner behind the counter. He's happy to help you and if you're an Arabic student struggling to find places to practice, he'll even be patient with you as you fumble through a few sentences. Save money and eat well by getting all you can here or somewhere similar and saving the upscale stores like Sahadi's for random cravings. read more

The BEST baklava hands down! The honey cake and spinach pies are amazing as well and the staff is always so friendly. read more

I have been going here since I moved to NYC a number of decades ago and then more so when I moved to Brooklyn 15 years ago. They have the best Bulgarian feta cheese that I have found in the city and at a price that is so much less than elsewhere. They have the pickled turnips, great coffee for, again, amazing prices, great selection of olives. Well, it is all good. At least everything I have had. There is nothing I want that I can't get here and have zero need to go across the street to the overcrowded, overpriced Sahadi's. And, the owner is a doll. Sweet, unassuming, friendly and helpful. I love this place and am so relieved to see it does not seem on the brink of losing its space due to the stupidly insane skyrocketing rents now in Brooklyn. I secretly hope they own the building so I never need even think of that horrible possibility. I just wish I could transport it closer to where I live for when I need to shop. That is the only kink in the system. Well, any sort of teleportation device would do but, for now, I have to depend on the two buses I need to take to get there. Nothing is perfect but they are well worth the trouble. read more

I believe this is mainly an Egyptian store, possibly Lebanese. They carry a variety of Arabic products -- spices, tahini, dates, cheese, pita bread, etc -- everything really! Cute little cat walking around and the owner is very nice! read more

While I haven't tried many of the delicious-looking foods in here, I can comment on the nice service. We typically come in here for hookah supplies/coals/tobacco. The store owner is always very personable and kind (as are his cats that are often hiding out in the store). We've since moved out of the neighborhood, but will certainly stop back in when we're over in that direction. read more

Nicely-scented shop with a good selection, but I prefer Sahadi's and Damascus.

Even though the size of this store is tiny, it's one of those stores where you can stay for hours browsing around and asking questions about the salty fresh cheese. You'll come across basic items too. I love this store because sweets are the VIP item. And free samples- I love free samples, especially when they give generous portions. A lot of the items are hidden behind tv's and radios of Turkish dances and music! read more

Located across the street from Sahadi's you've probably been too intimidated to walk in even though you see giant self-serve barrels of olives, dried spices and grains to rival Sahadi's stash. There's probably a group of friends and relatives speaking Arabic and enjoying the day when you step in for that goat cheese you forgot or those last minute Sunday night guests are going to need some appetizers. You know that olives will be quick and easy. I'm not saying this is a poor man's Sahadi's by any means, but being that its open on Sunday probably doesn't hurt their business since Sahadi's isn't. The hummus is good but not as tasty and creamy as you know who's. But this place totally rocks in a pinch and has a huge amount of product. Just not quite as well organized as across the street. If you don't see what you are looking for you should ask. It's amazing what gets pulled from behind that counter. read more

I would go back just for the customer service and pleasantries. Not only do they have bulk items they can even give you prep and cooking tips! I can't wait to dig into the chocolate marble Halvah! Looks delishious!! read more