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Sahara Restaurant

4.1 (642 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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SAHARA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Sahara Restaurant

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BABA GHANOUSH
Amanda R.

Sahara is such a lovely spot in New Brunswick! The restaurant is clean, beautifully decorated, and has a great ambiance that makes it perfect for a nice night out. The staff is super attentive and welcoming, which really adds to the experience. We started with the baba ganoush, and it was absolutely delicious--creamy and full of flavor. The Adana chicken kebab was tender, juicy, and came with a tasty soup starter that was a nice surprise. We finished the meal with their baklava, which was the perfect sweet ending--flaky, fresh, and just the right amount of sweetness. Everything from start to finish was excellent. Highly recommend Sahara if you're in the area and looking for amazing Mediterranean food in a beautiful setting!

Chicken Kebab Sandwich
David H.

Dinner on a Saturday evening - packed, even lot was packed. Waited about 10 min and was seated. Staff very attentive w water refills and plenty of hot pita. We had a very hummus platter for the four of us. We had a nice fatoosh salad with grilled chicken - nice and fresh veg but the chicken waa a bit overcooked and dry, with kalamata olives and olive oil vinagrette: two adana kebab entrees with ground lamb, rice and burgol and one greek salad. The highlight was the house hummus and the many pita provided. Nice restaurant, excellent, tight quarters but a private parking lot.

CHICKEN ADANA KEBAB. My favorite dish
P D.

Can't believe I'm finally writing a review after coming here for years but wanted to share! For the most part we get the hummus, baba ganush, lentil soup and chicken kebabs or chicken Adana platter. Everything is awesome, served hot and delicious. Just go.

Kylie N.

Delicious!! Visited this spot because me and my gf were already in the area and wanted some good Mediterranean food. We were seated quickly on a sunday night. It wasn't packed at all. We were greeted by the waitress and ordered sodas. They don't have alcohol but they have a selection of sodas, juices, teas, and coffees. We ordered the Baba Ghanoush to go with our pita bread. Both were soo tasty! The portion size was very big too. For our mains I ordered the Chicken Kebab that's served with rice and burgol. My gf had the Adana Kebab (lamb) that's also served with rice and burgol. We both enjoyed our meals. It was very flavorful and cooked perfectly. I've never tried burgol but I like it! Pricing was fair around $23/$24 a plate. I'd love to come back for dinner again.

Guava juice
Tiffany L.

The food is fresh, flavorful, and made with high-quality ingredients. Their hummus is creamy and rich, the falafel is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, and the grilled meats are tender and well-seasoned. The portions are generous, making it a great spot for sharing plates with friends or family. The service is friendly and attentive, and the restaurant has a cozy, welcoming vibe. Whether you're craving a quick lunch or a full Mediterranean feast, Sahara is a must-visit. Highly recommend the chicken adana kabobs and the baklava for dessert!

Menu
Raj S.

PROs - food , price CONs- parking , service was average , gratuity for 4 people ? Someone referred this restaurant and also looked at google rating (4.3) and hence went to this restaurant . From location perspective it was a little busy and the area is crazy with traffic and parking ! No road side parking even on a Monday evening . Even the parking inside the restaurant is so small (just 8 cars) had to park 5 mins away and walk to this restaurant ! Didn't like this part much .. Food was good though. No wait time . It was kinda busy inside restaurant but they gave is a small table for 4. Service was average .. the guy was running around because it was crowded . And he hardly comes and asks us what we needed !! Chipotle Hummus was so awesome .. kid had a flatbread ! It was good . Fries were good too: was like Popeyes fries . .. felafel rice platter was super good ... felafel was crispy. And super good . We didn't have meat .. overall it was good .. They added 15-18% gratuity for 4 people too . I thought min gratuity was generally for 6 people .. I would have still given a good gratuity but didn't expect an automatic addition of gratuity !

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS, LAMB CHOPS, BIG HOUSE SALAD
Noreen S.

I took my partner out for our 55-month anniversary to the most charming little restaurant downtown. The vibe was cozy, the lighting was perfect, and the food was incredible--fresh pita, Turkish coffee, kabobs, you name it. We started with a mozzarella flatbread that was packed with flavor, then I had braised beef with tomatoes and peppers in a rich sauce while my partner got lamb chops with two kinds of rice and creamy garlic sauce. For dessert, we couldn't resist ordering two--rice pudding (absolutely a must-try) and baklava, which totally lived up to the hype. Such a beautiful night with amazing food and the best company. Big thanks to Sahara for hosting us--I'll definitely be back!

Baklava
Steve S.

Wifey and I stopped in here a while back and had an absolutely fantastic dinner. We stopped here on a cold night and were lucky enough to have been seated without a reservation. We started with their hummus and fresh pita...wow, seriously, if you stop in here and like hummus then do yourself a favor and order it. The salads were actually decent for side salads, but the dressing was great. For our entrees Wifey ordered the Feta Chicken and I had the Chicken Adana Kebabs (came with two). While I certainly could have finished this meal, I took half to go so I could have dessert...which was 100% the right decision! For dessert we both had coffee and Wifey had the Baked Rice Pudding and I had the Baklava...and we shared. Both desserts were amazing. I didn't ask of the baklava was made on the premises, but it was fresh, crispy, and delicious. The rice pudding was also great-creamy with a nice caramelized top. Service was fantastic...food was fantastic, ambiance was fantastic. I wish I lived closer because I'd be here monthly if I did.

Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, and dips
Jonathan R.

My daughter recommended Sahara during our visit to Rutgers. Sahara is nicely decorated restaurant with excellent ambiance and service. The menu was right up my alley with Mediterranean/middle eastern specialties. I enjoyed the Hummus, babagonush, falafel and homemade pita. My wife had a Greek salad which was very good as was my daughter's shrimp kebab. I will not hesitate to return. If in the area check out Sahara. Parking is available in their private parking lot and on the street. BYOB

Morgan N.

A cute and homey Mediterranean place with flavorful food! The chicken adana plate is always my pick for lunch or dinner here, plus the vegetarian appetizer dip sampler which gives you the perfect amount of 5 of their delicious dips to try along with unlimited bread. There was an older couple seated right next to my table, and when they got up to leave they rudely told us to shut up. It was 1pm on a Friday. After hearing all the commotion, our waiter apologized on their behalf, who apparently are regulars, and even offered us a free dessert. So kind! Would recommend this place - just be aware that their regulars might go off on you for no reason.

shaniya u.

This is my first Yelp review as I just arrived in the USA last month. I have tried a few restaurants and deli in NB, but so far, this restaurant is the best that I have tried. My husband got Chicken Kebab and Lemonade, I got Gorgonzola Cheese Flatbread and Mango Juice. Everything is delicious, my husband was so full, he couldn't finish his bulgur and salad but they're good. We have no complaints at all, and idk why they didn't include our drink in the bill, and when I want to pay for it, they don't want to accept it nor make another bill for our drink!! A+++ and definitely would come back again and again. I fell in love with the food and the ambiance. I'd tell my husband we should go here for our wedding anniversary next year.

Calamari

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3 months ago

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4 months ago

Quite excellent. Loved tge shepherd salad and hummus. Lentil soup amazing. Entrees all delicious. Great service in a very simple venue

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Good food and good service. It gets busy on the weekends. It a nice family restaurant.

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4 years ago

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Sahara Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Sahara Restaurant

Is this place halal?

I'm not sure.

Does this business have hookah? Yelp recommends it as a place however I do not see hookah listed anywhere

I didn't observe anyone smoking hookah; but I haven't been to Sahara pre-COVID.

Is this Sahara owned or operated by the same Sahara restaurant that closed in Brooklyn?

I don't think so. I've been to both and they seem very different.

Where can you park around there?

They have a small parking lot. You can park on the street.

Are you BYOB?

Yes!

View All 8 Questions

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Namli Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine - Baklava w Milk & Turkish Tea

Namli Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine

4.6(399 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

I visited Namli today for a late lunch, and everything was amazing! The interior is super clean and…read morebeautifully done. The employee was incredibly helpful when it came to deciding what to order. For appetizers, we got the hummus, tzatziki, and falafel--everything was delicious. They also give you a side of "mommy's sauce," and omg... it was soooo good mixed with the hummus. It's a secret family recipe made by the owner herself, which makes it even better! For the entrée, we ordered the mixed grill platter. My favorite meats were the gyro slices and the beef cubes. The beef cubes were perfectly seasoned--seriously next level. The rice underneath all the meat was also excellent and packed with flavor. Will definitely be back!!

I recently visited this restaurant and had an excellent experience. The space is well-designed and…read moreinviting, and the location in downtown New Brunswick, just off campus with convenient parking, is ideal. The Turkish Mediterranean cuisine lived up to the hype. I ordered the lebni, chicken and lamb shish kebab with rice and salad, and tried the red sauce with bread, all of which were outstanding. The dishes struck the perfect balance: satisfying and filling without being heavy or leaving you uncomfortably full. The service matched the quality of the food. The staff was attentive and friendly, and our meals arrived promptly and beautifully presented. Whether you're dining solo, on a date, or with friends, I'd highly recommend this spot. The food is consistently excellent, and the overall experience is top-notch.

Photos
Namli Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine
Namli Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine - Chicken Adana Kebab Lunch

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Kapadokya Turkish Bakery - Chocolate cake

Kapadokya Turkish Bakery

4.4(23 reviews)
0.6 mi

Some good and some not so good at this Turkish bakery in downtown New Brunswick. The good: Acma…read more(like a Turkish bagel) is a flaky, delicious bread that is like a cross between a bagel and a croissant. My wife's caramel macchiato was very good. My tea was very good. The harder Acma which was covered in sesame seeds was just ok. Borak with cheese was just ok. Eggs with suckuk (Turkish sausage) was better than ok because of the taste of the sausage. The eggs left a lot to be desired. The bad: I also got a hot chocolate that unfortunately was Swiss Miss which I noticed after I ordered. Staff was very pleasant and helpful. Debating whether to return again to try more of the many pastries they have. Inside is very comfortable and cozy with Turkish music in the background. Sorry for the lack of pics.

The vibe inside is nice and cozy. They have a ton of different desserts and pastries that all look…read moreamazing. We tried the blueberry cake which was so yummy. They also have the viral Dubai chocolate. Owner is very friendly. He gave us a small taste of a pistachio dessert. The service was great. They also have Turkish breakfast which is on my list to try next and would also recommend trying their Turkish tea. This is a great place for afternoon tea or late night desserts. They have a very convenient location by the train station, easy grab and go as well if you do not wish to stay long. However, The staff is very hospitable so I'm sure you would want to stay.

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Pithari Taverna - Beef and Lamb Gyro Platter

Pithari Taverna

4.0(584 reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$

We used to frequent this place when we lived in NJ. We currently live in MD and haven't been here…read morein about 10 years. I was so excited to come back. Unfortunately, I was highly disappointed. I know things changed since the previous owner (older Greek man) no longer owned it. He used to stop by the tables and chat with customers and we noticed that the portions had become smaller. This time we came for lunch on a Sunday. Place was kind of empty, with the exception of 2 large tables. We ordered Saganaki and were informed by waitress that they no longer flambéd it table side. We still ordered and it was good although not melted like we remembered. Husband only ordered the lemon soup, which he said was good. My daughter and I both ordered beef and lamb gyros, I ordered it with Greek fries (with the Greek cheese over them) and my daughter ordered hers with lemon potatoes. Both gyros came dry, in hard shaved pieces and I barely ate my fries as they were worse than fast food fries and not the traditional Greek cheese over them. The tzatziki was good, however, my daughter's had a hair in it. The worse part was that when we brought it to the waitresses attention, she was not apologetic or surprised. She just said she would bring a new one. This was unacceptable. To make matters worse, I went to their store next door to get the cheese I could fry at home and their custard dessert; they had neither. What a disappointment to the entire experience. Won't be returning if ever in the area.

I landed at Pithari Tavern for a team dinner after a full week of "collaborative workshop…read moreOlympics." It's a tiny, charming Greek spot tucked into Highland Park downtown, with parking so limited you basically need divine intervention... or street parking. Inside, it's cute and very Greek-coded. Vegetarian options? Let's just say... blink and you've seen them all. The hummus platter held its ground, but the Halloumi? I swear it was so rubbery I could hear it squeaking back at me. It felt like chewing a flip-flop in surround sound. Dinner came with exactly three vegetarian choices, all of which looked more like an appetizer sampler trying to pass as a meal. Thankfully, I had great company and a teammate who generously brought wine, which definitely upgraded the experience. Would I return? Personally, no. If you're vegetarian and planning to eat anything beyond hummus, salad, or bread, this place might test your patience. But credit where it's due... their orange cake was delicious and dangerously sweet.

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Pithari Taverna - Look how beautiful

Look how beautiful

Pithari Taverna - Kotopoulo thassos (under the specials)

Kotopoulo thassos (under the specials)

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Kapadokya Mediterranean Grill - Neapolitan Margherita pizza

Kapadokya Mediterranean Grill

4.2(102 reviews)
9.2 mi
•$$
Established in 2013
Large group friendly

I've been here a handful of times and they're always delicious…read more Small restaurant with a small parking lot right on route 1 next to a Dunkin. The restaurant owns a Turkish supermarket next door. All of the food is delicious. Warm bread and sauces are included (the red sauce is DELICIOUS but super spicy, the white sauce is minty and tart). Get the Mucver!!!! I haven't tried other appetizers but the Mucver stole the show. It's a zucchini vegetable fried pancake. If a latke was made of zucchini. Super flavorful. Not greasy at all. The chicken Adana is my favorite. It's a ground chicken well seasoned with herbs and grilled. My husband had the mixed grill of gyro (beef), lamb, and grilled chicken. The grilled chicken was delicious. Both are served with a salad and rice. Very good service.

A little Mediterranean paradise in a New Jersey strip mall. Food was great. Grilled octopus and…read morecold appetizer platter were must order items. The yogurt entree (so embarrassed we got hungry and ate before the camera) was good but I would try out the main entrees if I were to come again. "That was really delicious, guys" repeated multiple times throughout dinner and after. Desserts were decent and beautifully presented but nothing to write home about. Staff was friendly and efficient. An authentic restaurant, decorated well and nice seating. Would definitely recommend!

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Sahara Restaurant - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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