It started with the lentil soup. I was not expecting to eat every drop, and here I am with an empty…read morebowl. Hardy, flavorful and comfort food. Then the chicken shawarma elevated the experience. Before I remembered to snap a shot, my mouth was full and happy! Perfectly seasoned, just enough to be comfortable, delicious! Great spot to eat with a family or to enjoy people watching while you dine. Excellent all around.

Well, Aladdin Cafe used to be our favorite gem... last night…read moreI took my wife & son to Aladdins for me and my wife's Anniversary dinner. our Appetizer the Halum cheese had been a favorite for my wife... however the cook literally just fried it in a skillet and overcooked it. previously this dish was only slightly seared on grill (Arabian cheese). Furthermore the presentation was sub par it looked as though the vinaigrette bottle ran out as they were decorating it So we had only half the normal flavor from the sauce and none of the flavor from the crumbly ovecooked cheese. We had loved the previously authentic Mediterranean lentil soup BUT this time the soup was not seasoned well! It tasted like plain lentil soup with not enough curry/ turmeric seasoning and too much black pepper and it was not blended well and it had NO shredded carrot which is Traditional for it to have! And Zero saffron flavor I also was not happy with the rosewater Lemonade w/ saffron it was not the original drink we fell in love with... This time it was an artificial lemonade no real lemon juice, too much sugar "no saffron taste" Rosewater taste was there but was off-putting in an artificially flavored dyed drink! Our main Entree was the SHISH TAOUK The chicken chunks did not have the consistency of slow cooked over charcoal chicken, the chicken was quite firm, possibly it was all breast meat? However it did taste good and authentic otherwise! my Turkish coffee was okay not exceptional. We had ordered an extra bowl of soup for son but the black pepper taste was too strong for him to eat it! With 20% tip because I do not punish a good waiter because the cook or Restaurant failed, Our bill was $75.36 needless to say without some major recipe changes and better cook we will not be back!

My family and I have trouble finding reasonably healthy restaurants within budget and this place…read moredelivers every time. We have been here a handful of times now and it is now become our favorite place to visit. Brenda at this location was SUPER kind and knowledgeable on everything. Soo much patience especially for families. We will gladly return. Highly recommend their kids chicken bowls or a salad of any sort. Their sauces and pita is fabulous! The bathrooms are super clean and the lighting is great, not super bright just right and cozy. Will definitely be returning.

Amazing menu items. First time here and was not expecting it to be so simple and refreshing the…read moresalmon was delightful and flavorful. I enjoyed every side (roasted tomatoes and vegetable medley). The Garlicky Chicken was tender and delicious. We almost could not eat it all! The complimentary pita and oil is a great touch. Service at the register was nice. Very pleasant. If you like Mediterranean, you'll enjoy this.

If you're visiting Kansas City, make time for Aladdin Cafe…read more The owner and chef is one of the kindest people you'll meet, and that care comes through in every detail. You feel welcomed the second you walk in, and somehow that warmth makes its way into the food too. I've tried just about every Mediterranean spot in Kansas City, and this one stands out every single time. It tastes the most authentic and the least commercial by far. Everything feels fresh, intentional, and made with care. Nothing tastes rushed or mass produced. There's real love in the food here, and you can taste it. Their dolmas especially take me right back to my grandmother's kitchen. That kind of food memory is hard to put into words, but if you know, you know. Comforting, fresh, flavorful, and made in a way that feels deeply rooted and genuine. With the World Cup approaching and so many people coming through Kansas City, visitors need to know about places like this. These are the local spots worth seeking out. The kind you leave talking about afterward and craving again the next day. And if they have the mint lemonade, order it. The rose lemonade is always incredible too. If you can get both, mix them and thank me later. A true Kansas City gem. You won't regret stopping here.

Returned to one of our KC favorites for Mediterranean food last night and were not disappointed!…read moreCheerful and helpful server steered me towards the rose water lemonade and it was delicious, a good start! Their hummus is a dream, and my Sumac chicken was yummy, but the biggest hit for me was the side salad, perfectly fresh and crisp lettuces and veg and loved the dressing! One of the best green salads I've had in any restaurant in KC.

Being the romantic sort, I took my wife here on Valentine's Day. I made the right move, for once…read more We loved it. We had the tilapia plate and falafel combo. Both delicious. What really stood out, though, was the fava plate appetizer. It's a dip that comes with pita bread but it's not like hummus. You could eat it with a spoon. It could be a meal, a very tasty one. You order at the counter, then wait at your table, listen to some middle eastern grooves and a short time later a super friendly server brings your food. The place is great!

The food here is very good. The falafel is crispy on the…read moreoutside and fluffy on the inside. Very generous pieces. Not your typical round shape but more of a tube/long shape which really works great for dipping them in tzatziki. We also had grape leaves which come warm. Yummy! We had a chicken shawarma and gyro entree. Both came with rice, salad, pita, and hummus. All very good. My one criticism is I prefer my protein sliced more thinly instead of a thick cut. It's a texture issue for me. The thicker, the chewier. The chicken also had a bit of chewy skin. It could have had more flavor. Still good but this is what made my review 4 instead of 5 stars. I thought the gyro had a little more flavor than the chicken. You order at the counter and then they walk your food out to you when it's gone. Our two appetizers came out very quickly. Our entrees just a few minutes later. Service was smooth and very good. The guys working there were all friendly. Great service! The restaurant is very clean, plenty of seating, and lots of appropriate artwork. It was cold in there but it was really hot outside that day so they had the air turned up. It did make my dining in experience a bit tough since I couldn't escape sitting under an air vent but I don't really want yo criticize them much for running the air in a hot day. That's better than the alternative. On the way out I got a small variety pack of baklava and a rice pudding. Both really good! I'm still eating the baklava. I really like being able to get the variety! It's hard to choose. We would definitely go back again. On the way out, we saw 2 gentleman with gyro salads. Wow, it's a huge bowl with gyro piled high! Looked fantastic and I want to try the gyro salad now!

AMAZING FOOD! WOW everything we had was so good! Would 100% be back. Wasn't blown away by any of…read morethe drinks, but the food oh my gosh!!! We sat outside and it was just lovely!

In town to visit my sis and haven't tried this place yet, do we headed to dinner for me to try it…read moreout! Sat outside, so not sure what it looks like inside, but the outdoor vibes were super cute. Service is very Lawrence; super chill and friendly. They immediately came by with water and then gave us some time to review the menu before taking beverage orders. They also asked us if we wanted apps, so we ordered those too. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time and mostly tasty; the fancy mushroom hummus was too salty for me. The pork and beans were my personal fave, but everyone had a different fave. Desserts were too sweet for me; butter cake too sweet and the chocolate tort too chocolatey.

Don't be scared! Yes it's a gas station but it's some of the best Mediterranean food I've had in a…read morewhile. Bonus it's a great deal! They will make you a bowl or wrap with whatever you like on it. Many vegetarian and vegan options.

Fresh food made in front of you and the best french fries in town! Really delicious and fast but…read morethat doesn't mean that the quality suffers. A true gem and imo the best Mediterranean food in Lawrence.

I went to Jerusalem Café today with some friends, and I can't believe I had forgotten about this…read moreplace! It had been about eight years since my last visit, and it was every bit as amazing as I remembered. The food was outstanding. I ordered the Philly Gyro with fries, and it was absolutely delicious. My friends ordered a variety of other dishes, and everything we tried was flavorful, well-seasoned, and juicy. I also love hummus, and theirs is some of the best I've ever had. The service was excellent as well. Our waiter was incredibly kind, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. The atmosphere matched the food perfectly. We sat outside on the back patio, and it was a beautiful day. The setting was relaxing, and it made the experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I had a fantastic experience and will definitely be coming back. If you're looking for delicious Mediterranean food, I highly recommend giving Jerusalem Café a try!

I have been going to this spot for years, and I will never stop coming back for more! Portions are…read morehuge, food is delicious, and their lemonades are to die for. Easily a favorite spot in Westport that all KC foodies need to try. I usually either do a quick-pick up, or get together with friends here. The environment is relaxing with helpful service.

From the moment I made the reservation, I was impressed. I booked online and received a…read moreconfirmation call within minutes to verify the reservation since it was a busy Saturday night. It was a small touch, but it immediately conveyed a level of attentiveness and professionalism. The highlight of the evening was the service. Kareem was exceptional. He didn't simply take our order--he guided us through the entire experience. His knowledge of the menu was impressive, from explaining dishes in detail to recommending wine pairings that complemented the meal perfectly. He checked on us consistently without ever being intrusive and genuinely made us feel welcome. He wasn't just selling food; he was representing the restaurant and the overall dining experience, and he did so exceptionally well. The restaurant itself strikes a wonderful balance between sophisticated and approachable. It feels upscale without being pretentious. I appreciated the attention to detail throughout the space, including the beautiful brass accents above the bar. The patio looked inviting, although the summer heat made indoor seating the better choice during our visit. The food arrived surprisingly quickly, and every dish we ordered was outstanding. Some of the selections were served chilled, which likely contributed to the speed, but nothing felt rushed. The quality and presentation were excellent. My only minor caution is parking. Depending on when you arrive, you may need to park a couple of blocks away and walk. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's worth planning for. If you're unfamiliar with the area, it may be helpful to call ahead and ask for parking recommendations. Overall, this was an incredible dining experience, combining outstanding service, a beautiful atmosphere, and excellent food. I would absolutely return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable night out.

Got it -- here's the revised version with that correction integrated cleanly:…read more We stopped in for a quick snack before waiting for the streetcar during the World Cup. We didn't have reservations and were dressed casually. The hostess was friendly and welcoming, and we were seated in what was referred to as the "other dining room," down a dark hallway into a musty, warm, and humid space. Service was prompt and courteous, but the food was very disappointing. We were served a cucumber salad that oddly tasted like peanuts, followed by six completely flavorless meatballs--no seasoning at all, not even salt. The prices might be reasonable if the quality matched expectations, but it didn't. The contrast between the main dining room and the "other room" also felt stark and uncomfortable, as if it were a second-tier seating area. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant based on this experience.