Late night hunger strikes and somehow Queen Mama's Kitchen⁠ understood the assignment. At this point I've learned Middle Eastern spots just refuse to close early... and honestly, respect. This Saudi-inspired spot is lowkey tucked away, super aesthetic, and connected to their cheesecake side which felt like a bonus plot twist. Service was lovely, chill vibe, very easy date night energy. Tried dishes I've never had before and omyfoodness... a surprising amount of vegan options which we love. And the Saudi coffee? Not here to play. Like Vietnamese coffee strong... borderline life choices strong. I'd absolutely be back. read more

See all

I'm visiting Portland for an event and decided to hit this place up since it's food I haven't had before. Everything was amazing. Servers and staff were superb. Even just the scents coming from the kitchen were on point. The lamb I got was so flavorful and fell off the bone. It's always so nice to get my fav protein prepared so well. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Lamb Shank - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

In an out-of-the-way corner of downtown, this is a charming place with great service and good food. We had the cold mezza plate and lentil soup. The mezza plate includes terrific baba ganoush, hummus and tabbouleh, plus a couple of nice salads, very different from each other, and stuffed grape leaves. The lentil soup is thin, cuminy, served with a slice of lime. There is a nice housemade green hot sauce, but you are charged for it (seems like something that should be provided free, but it is very good). We didn't try any main courses or desserts. But we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The atmosphere and the friendly yet quiet service really make this a special place. read more

Ok, I'll be so for real. I haven't had the opportunity to go back here for a little over a year, but assuming things haven't changed drastically since, I still think about this place. I discovered it when I saw an influencer in Portland gushing about their brunch. Although my schedule didn't allow me to partake in the limited hours brunch, I still wanted to go try it. The decor was nice and gave the whole space a cozy and intimate feeling. My best friend and I shared a couple dishes which I can't fully recall but I know we had lamb and I believe a mezza type platter. Of all the places we ate out at during this trip, this was our favorite. The owner's son was our server and he was really friendly and we talked about how we wished they'd open a branch in Seattle! Still hoping! :p Finally, we got a biscoff cheesecake and I make a very good biscoff cheesecake myself, but my bestie said theirs was better. I will neither agree or disagree with said statement. Anyway, looking forward to the day I get to return for more delicious food! read more

I met up with some longtime friends here based on their recommendation. It was not a well-lit part of downtown Portland, so I missed it when I initially passed by. It was a very small, quaint restaurant adorned in mint green paint with gold borders. It did take about 10 minutes for us to be acknowledged and sat down for our reservation, but after that the staff was very accommodating. The cold mezza platter was very flavorful. The stuffed grape leaves in particular had an even ratio of meat and vegetables and was well seasoned with spices. For dessert, we got royal and pistachio cheesecake. The royal cheesecake was sweet, spicy, and very smooth. The warm ginger undertones reminded me of the holidays. The pistachio cheesecake was also excellent. It was deeply nutty and decadent, almost too heavy to eat in one sitting, even while sharing. The presentation on a golden platter with palm leaves made the experience even more stunning. Sipping their karak saffron tea in between was a treat in itself. The strength of the cardamom was balanced with the sweetened milk. I would return for the dessert and tea alone! read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Royal and Pistachio Cheesecake with Karak Saffron Tea - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

BEST MEAL IN PORTLAND!!!!! Saw this place randomly while looking for a place to eat after a long flight. It was late and not many places were open. This place was closed but a middle eastern place that serves cheesecake was soo intriguing that i knew i needed to come back. Came back Saturday night and they had no tables and was packed. However, they tried to accommodate us so much. However, the night was in our favor. As we started to order take out, a lady was kind enough to give up her table since she was eating alone. It was a small table for 3 people but the staff was sooo accommodating i have no words. They even gave free dessert to the lady who was kind. Then luck would have it, the table next to us never showed up for their reservation so they gave us that table. Finally, we ordered. Turned out, i also got the last shawarma too. Everything happens for a reason! We also got the Saudi chicken kabsa and cheesecakes. The biggest compliment i can give is when the food came, none of us talked for a good 5-7 mins and just sat there in heaven eating. The flavors were soo unique but yet so familiar. If this is Saudi food, i have been missing out. I need to explore more sub categories of middle eastern cuisine. Best bites in Portland for us and that's all i have to describe our experience. Finally, got the Nutella cheesecake and almond caramel cheesecake. I have to say, Nutella was good but easily a skip compared to almond and caramel. Just get 2 of those and you'll be happy. The cakes itself are light and not heavy. They were great end to a great meal. This is a family owned but family loved business. You can see the love as they serve their guests but you can taste the love too. The people are soo sweet and kind and just want to serve you. Please give your love here, because if i lived in Portland, this would my weekly spot. read more

See all

Have you ever been to a restaurant where you are lucky enough to taste half the menu and everything is amazing? This is it. From the appetizers to the lamb shank to the multiple cheesecakes- beyond amazing. This is not "Mediterranean" or "Greek" food. This is not a "gyro place". This is authentic Saudi and words do not describe how amazing the food is prepared and served by the kindest family you could ever hope to meet. Spoke to a couple 20-something Saudi guys who had traveled from Seattle to eat food like their moms and grandmas made in their childhoods. They ordered a lot of food and cleaned their plates happily. I am going back next week to try the other half of the menu and cannot wait! This is a must- go restaurant as there is something for everyone, vegan, vegetarian or carnivore The cheesecakes? Home made and mind-bending. Oh, the saffron tea? OMG. Never tasted anything like it. GO!!!! You can thank me later. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Cold appetizer plate, soup and bread - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

You can smell the delicious food the moment you walk in! We had the chicken shawarma Caesar salad (GF) and the cold mezza plate (modified with grape leaves to replace the tabouli.) Note: their rice is not gluten free. Menu had some different items such as Saudi dishes I may have to try next time. Authentic decor and friendly service. Great dessert offerings. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Interesting date tree - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The ambience is so beautiful. Everything we ate was 10000/10. We had the chicken plate & fish plate. The bones were the only things left from how amazing it was. The dessert & tea were incredible. You can't come without getting the date dessert with ice cream! Customer service is also excellent! I wish we had this where I lived I'd be here at least once a week. Definitely a must try when in Portland! read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Delicious food, great service. We had the lamb shank and the chicken shawarma, both were extremely tasty; the green sauce is as hot as they say. We had the almond caramel cheesecake for dessert which was fabulous. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Cheesecake - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Queen Mama is a unique experience in every way. The decor is very luxe and feminine, the food flavorful and beautiful, and the service was friendly and very attentive. The location is on the smaller side, which feels cozy and intimate. We ordered the chicken shwarma rice bowl and the saleeg, as well as a queen's karak to drink and a pistachio cheesecake for dessert. The milk saffron tea was amazing and unlike anything I've tried before. The shwarma rice bowl was a flavor bomb, I loved every single bite. My husband got the saleeg and enjoyed the chicken a lot, but found the risotto bland. He enjoyed adding some of my dinner into his risotto which he said added the flavor he lacked. We ended with the incredible pistachio cheesecake... I'm not even one for cheesecake and I savored every morsel. Overall a wonderful dinner! read more

See all

4.5/5 stars for taste, 4 for ambiance, 3 for service (they were very busy). My husband and I got the Koshari and Eggplant Fatta, 2 of the fewer vegetarian dishes. Both were super delicious and very flavorful. Never had anything quite like it before! The restaurant is definitely more known for its meat dishes, but even as vegetarians we still really enjoyed this restaurant! read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Eggplant Fatta and Koshari - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

A delectable cheesecake. A cute little cafe with a fine staff serving decent Mediterranean food. The menu is small so we tried everything vegetarian on their menu. I found it pricey for their dainty portions. However the taste is okay. I have had better Mediterranean food in the city, however, their cheesecake has my heart and that definitely deserves a return. Oh! And their drinks are good too. Overall I like this spot for their humble service and charm. read more

See all

Cute spot. Great food. Lemon Mint Slushie is great. Service is a tad bit slow, but doesn't take away from the great food. Restaurant is on the smaller side but doesn't really matter. Will definitely be back when I'm in the area. read more

See all

We come to Queen Mama's Kitchen all the time for their cheesecake and it never disappoints. This visit I grabbed two Nutella cheesecakes amazing as always. The ambience is super cute and inviting it's just a really pleasant place to walk into and spend a few minutes. While waiting, I noticed their dessert display and got curious about something that wasn't cheesecake. I asked about it and was told it was basboosa (a semolina cake with coconut and rose water). I mentioned I'd have to try it next time and without hesitation they brought out a sample for me. It was absolutely delicious. It was soft, moist, and slightly crumbly like a tender sponge with a bit more texture from the semolina. The sweetness is light and not overpowering with a subtle coconut flavor that added richness and a delicate floral note from the rose water that made it taste just a little more special. They also packed up sample for my partner to try on the house. The kindness and generosity meant so much to me. Every time we come in everyone is so warm, welcoming and genuinely kind. We're really grateful for this place and will definitely keep coming back for our favorite cheesecake and now basboosa too. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Basboosa - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

We passed by this great Saudi restaurant with some amazing food and even better service. Had the chicken and rice, and that was a wonderful experience on its own. All of the food we had was delicious, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. Everything we tried tasted authentic and high quality, and the portions were very generous. The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring we were comfortable the entire time. Amazing place, recommend going 100%. read more

Amazing food Nice ambiance The best food i ever had Best pomfret Nice and amazing lamb Best ever bbq chicken I ever had They make people happy this quality food Amazing service Nice vibe of restaurant You got to eat koshari which I tried in Egypt. Amazing or more than amazing quality food Nice service Went 2 times in 2 days for such a quality food They should introduce Bar which will be next level read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

okay, guys, please, the inside is actually so freaking cute. its perfectly curated and such a model of gentrification and modernization- 100% Instagrammable and then, despite the heavily invested in aesthetic, the food was still amazing! I didnt love the cold platter (very small amount of falafel for a lot of topping) but the lamb shank actually fell off the bone as I lifted it and the pistachio cheesecake was sublime! overall I really enjoyed this place for the food and had such a beautiful scenery to eat in. Everyone should come here once read more

See all

Queen Mama's in Portland isn't just a place to eat--it's a full-bodied experience, the kind that lingers like a good story. From the moment you walk in, the abundance of fresh, beautiful food makes you feel cared for. This is nourishment with intention--rich flavors, vibrant ingredients, and portions that say, you're welcome here. The hospitality is genuinely above expectation..there were games families could play at their table while waiting for food as well. And then--this moment I won't forget: as I was leaving, one of the staff members actually ran out to catch me, just to make sure I didn't miss the cheesecake. That cheesecake. Rich, decadent, unapologetically indulgent. The kind that makes you pause mid-bite and rethink your life choices in the best way. The decor is soothing and lovely--soft, grounding, thoughtfully done. It invites you to slow down, exhale, and stay a little longer than planned. Queen Mama's isn't just a quick meal. It's generosity. It's comfort. It's care served on a plate with dessert chasing you out the door. I'll be back--hungry and grateful. Go!!! read more

See all

YES, yes and yes! Just do yourself a flavor and come eat at this delicious spot in downtown Portland. Yes, downtown is whatever now but this spot is worth the trip! From appetizers to main and dessert everything was spot on! They do no serve alcohol so be awake but the food is delicious and service is amazing. Super sweet people serving quality food! read more

See all

We walked in on a Saturday night after seeing the sign for Cheesecake boutique. They have several cheesecakes to choose from. We got the royal cheesecake which was made with a cookie butter glaze and it was heavenly. The cookie butter complements the cheesecake beautifully. They also have a pistachio cheesecake which looked delicious. Definitely worth checking out if youre in the area and in the mood for cheesecake. read more

Karak chai was smooth!!! Lamb with mandi rice is nicely flavored and the appetizer platter gave a balance of variety. The dessert was a nice finish. read more

See all

We loved it. Awesome, refreshing appetizers and entrees. Desserts were exceptional. The service was excellent. The interior decoration is very unique. Highly recommend! read more

My husband and I tried Queen Mama's this evening, and I have to say, the first thing that stood out was the staff. They were so friendly, kind, and attentive what a breath of fresh air! It's a small, cozy place, and we ended up sitting next to two different families who were just as sweet, with absolutely adorable children. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Bowl, and my husband had the special, which he absolutely devoured! My food was delicious, but I couldn't finish it because I wasn't very hungry to begin with. What really impressed me was how genuinely hospitable everyone was. When they noticed I hadn't finished my meal, they thought I didn't like it and immediately offered to make me something else. Who does that these days? I assured them, "Oh no, I'm just full!" That level of care and concern was so thoughtful that I knew I had to write a review. The service was truly exceptional, and the food was great. But my absolute favorite was the saffron tea I had two cups! It was that good. We'll definitely be back. Thank you, Queen Mama's, for such an enjoyable dining experience! read more

If I could give Queen Mana's more than 5 stars, I would. From the moment we sat down, everything just clicked. I ordered the lamb shank, and while the rice portion was a bit small, it was so good I didn't even hesitate to order more. The flavors were deep, rich, and exactly what you hope for when you're craving something comforting and authentic. My daughters got the koshari, and that turned into the star of the table. It was so good my daughter immediately wanted seconds. They had actually sold out, but instead of just saying no, they went out of their way to make a fresh batch and even offered us extra to take home. That kind of service is rare. The details matter here. They serve three sauces with the meal: a yogurt sauce, a red salsa (sahawiq), and a green spicy salsa that completely stole the show for me. Bright, garlicky, with just the right kick and a hint of lemon. I could honestly eat that with anything. We also tried the motabaq, which was excellent, and I had to get dessert. The date cake with vanilla ice cream was something else. Rich, warm, and perfectly spiced. I never realized how well cardamom and vanilla work together until now. To top it off, the owner noticed a large family seated behind us and generously treated us to a Biscoff cheesecake. My daughters loved it, especially my picky one who normally won't touch cheesecake or anything Biscoff. That alone says everything. Even the small moments stood out. They told us "this is koshari number 31 today," which says a lot about how popular it is. One bite and you understand why. The crispy onions alone are next level. The food was so good my daughters seriously wanted to extend our trip just to come back here again. That should tell you everything you need to know. read more

Beautiful restaurant filled with amazing passionate people. We started with the falafels and baba ganoush then ordered the fish and chip and the roasted chicken and we were promptly seated in a nice cozy table in the back. This restaurant should be on every foodies don't miss list in Portland. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Lovely ambiance, good service, delicious food. Recently, I was able to experience the amazing food at Queen Mama's with about 7 friends. We shared several appetizers. I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl. The flavors were amazing without being overpowering. Definitely recommend! read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Mezza Platter (sampler) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

A friend invited me to dinner at Queen Mama's Kitchen. She had secured a reservation, which is essential since this place is small and popular. We shared mezza platters which came with hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, fattouch, and eggplant fatta (our fav of the platter) with a pita bread basket. For my main dish I got the special fried pompano fish served with basmati rice and salsa. My friends got the koshari. And we all shared a couple cheesecakes for dessert. They were out of a couple flavors so we got pistachio and almond (I think) which we enjoyed. Overall, our impression of the food was good but not a must-return. The service was attentive and friendly. The decor is cute, with the sky blue walls. We sat at a four top with an extra chair. I was on the window-side bench, the height of which was slightly mismatched with the table height. I love that they serve everything on fancy trays (I should do that at home!). read more

See all

Incredible home style cooking! Everything was fresh and delicious. It honestly doesn't get more authentic than this in Portland read more

See all

We shall return, again and again. They were sold out of every shawarma dish at dinner. Tried fish and chips which were delicious- my husband's roasted chicken was phenomenal. We plan to return! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in PDX hands down. The food is to die for, the portions are generous, and the service is incredible ( a truly genuine family run business). BUT THE BEST PART? Cheesecake that makes you want to get up and dance. Pistachio flavor. Don't miss out. And girl you looking for aesthetic? This place is adorable, all gold everything down to the salt shaker and tea holders. Queen energy! Thank you for an incredible experience. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Everything was amazing and our server was super nice and helpful. LOVED the lemon mint slushy.

Great food, excellent service and nice ambiance. Very unique menu too! We highly recommend it!

I found this gem on yelp while I was traveling for business in Portland. It's a family owned restaurant, they've been here for about 10 months. The restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly, the food was amazing!!! I highly recommend the stuffed grape leaves, the humus, the roasted chicken platter and the saffron tea. Everything was great, especially the staff. Queen Mama and her sons, Sully and Naef were all very welcoming, helpful and friendly. I'll be back! read more

See all

Had the falafel and baba ghanoush and they were wonderful. So moist and delicious. Gave sides like tomato and peppers and tahini. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

As always the food and the company were absolutely amazing!!!! I truly feel like family every time I come in. read more

Queen Mama's Kitchen - Mezza Platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

The Roasted Chicken is a must! So juicy. Skin crispy. I can easily eat a whole chicken myself, especially with the refreshing sauce and spiced rice. The Chicken Shwarma Bowl was decent. A bit bland compared to the Roasted Chicken. The Mezza Platter came with an assortment of appetizers. All were fresh and tasty but I particularly liked the Eggplant Fatta and the Pickled Vegetables. We also finished off with the Pistachio Cheesecake which could have been more pistachio-forward but we did like the cheesecake itself. Space is small and gets crowded quickly so make a reservation. Service was friendly but can be slow to fill up water and what not. All in all, a good spot for Saudi food but not a must (except for the roasted chicken) read more

See all

I tried their location at flock and absolutely loved their food. I got the mixed platter and some falafel. All the ingredients were fresh and delicious. Made me feel full without feeling heavy. I wish i was able to try their other dishes but almost everything was sold out at this location when i went. Go early. It is a must try. read more

See all

My family of four had one of the best meals we've ever eaten here. The server was wonderful, even though it was late in the evening. The cheesecake was to die for! My kids are begging to visit Portland again just to go back to Queen Mama's! read more

This is a small middle-eastern family-operated restaurant with limited sitting. Reservations are required. I'm not sure if they take walk-ins, but you may need to call to find out. Being in downtown, parking is challenging...but there are some parking lots close by + street parking if you are lucky. If you happen to come for dinner after the sunset, beware of the many crows that roost around the area. You may be 'blessed' with some 'droppings' like I did. Maybe an umbrella while walking under the trees full of roosting crows may be helpful? :) This was my first time at this restaurant. I came with my family and we were greeted by a friendly Sole. He was super friendly and sat us at one of the booths at the back of the restaurant. It was comfy and the ambiance was good with some middle-eastern decor and music. For drinks, we ordered the following which I'd highly recommend for their refreshing taste. $7.95 Lemon-mint Juice $7.95 Queen's Saudi Champagne (non alcoholic) The service was a tad slow, Sole and team were busy...small team. Sole provided good feedback on the popular food and this is what we ended up ordering. $9.95 Vegetarian Sambusa (3 PCS) $18.95 Mezza Platter $19.95 Roasted Chicken Platter For dessert, they were out of a bunch of items on the menu and we opted out. Overall, great authentic food, ambiance and friendly staff . Will definitely return...probably before those beautiful crows start roosting :) read more

See all