Amazing service, even better food!! I walked into this place curious and anxious to try something new. I got the beef kabobs wrap.. Wow!! Flavor explosion. I definitely recommend you giving it a try.. Thumbs up!!! read more

Best falafel pita I've had in a Long time! I ordered it with ALL the toppings and it hit the spot! Staff were friendly and generous with both the food and the extra sauces. The falafel were perfect: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor. The pita was warm and fresh, the pickles were crunchy and tart, the sauces were just right, and the Coke was Mexican. I'd give it six stars if I could! read more

Great service, clean all around, food was amazing, for our first time we will be coming back for sure

The food is delicious and very flavorful with generous portions. Nick was very welcoming and gave great service. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Trio plate - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Big fan of the new management of the place very energetic and friendly staff always welcoming and customizable orders to your liking great lunch spot to eat healthy and clean. read more

I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Yafa Cuisine is a good local spot and a decent value for the portion sizes. You definitely get a good amount of food for your money. The meat was tender, juicy, and well-seasoned, which was the highlight of the meal. The rice had good flavor, but unfortunately it wasn't fully cooked, which took away from the experience a bit. The food also took a while to come out, so be prepared for a longer wait. One downside for me was the pita bread. It was very dry and hard, and not enjoyable at all. Another concern was the open kitchen. While the area looked clean overall, I did notice the cook using the same gloves to prepare food and then handle items that didn't appear clean, which was a little off-putting. Overall, Yafa Cuisine has good flavors and generous portions, but a few quality and cleanliness details kept it from being a higher rating. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Only giving 3 stars because the service was nice. Was rung up for over $10 more than what the menu price said. She said the prices were old prices, but the difference was significant and they were rang up differently. Switched items, still got rang up differently, but only ~$4 more. Pretty sure this isn't allowed in California. Food was underwhelming. Ate with my partner and mom, and we all ended up throwing out much more than we could eat. read more

This hole-in-the-wall was a pleasant surprise! Yafa Cuisine advertises their falafel, but it's their Chicken Tawook Plate that got me hooked. Pricing was reasonable and the portions were hugh. The quantity of grilled chicken cubes was equivalent to about 2 long skewers (about 12 pieces?). The photo I took was taken after eating 2/3 of the yummy meal...oops. I was hungry and couldn't stop munching! Included a variety of pickled vegetables (turnips, cucumber, and peppers), a side of hummus, and garlic sauce. Service was warm and friendly. Will definitely return when I'm in the area! read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Chicken Tawook Plate - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Food is amazing. Service is friendly, Family Feel. It's a must go to for that Mediterranean craving.

Food has always been fresh and delish. My husband and I have been enjoying dining at Yafa every time. I like the fact that they have gloves on for sanitation purposes, but I only wish that they would replace their gloves frequently especially after taking orders via phone or at the cash register. The same gloves are used afterwards to make our foods. I have noticed this each time I have dined here. So gross. And IE can get pretty hot during the summer. Please have the A/C on as a part of customer service. Having a small fan on does not do justice to keep the air cool for dining customers. read more

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I stopped into yafa with my wife and kids yesterday after seeing them on social media. The $1.25 tacos were fire, both the beef and chicken & my wife LOVED the halal burger! We will be back! Stop by the environment is welcoming and food was amazing! read more

Parking is available by new India sweets & spices. Follow the walkway on the right hand side and you'll find the entrance. Limited indoor or patio seating. Delivery services available, tap to pay. Service was great! Food was good with substantial servings. Easy for sharing! Restrooms inside for customers. We sat towards the drink fridge area and didn't really care for the artificial spray smell it seemed like an automatic dispenser. It was a bit overpowering. I'd much rather recommend patio seating or sit closer to the front entrance. Loved the 80s music videos playing. Retro throwback! read more

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Tried Yafa today and wow - absolutely delicious! I ordered a chicken pita and it was super fresh, juicy, and full of flavor. The chicken was perfectly cooked, tender and well-seasoned, with amazing pickled veggies and a generous amount of creamy sauce. The pita itself was soft, warm, and lightly toasted - exactly how it should be. Also we tried falafel and homemade hummus! So fresh! I think I've never tried better hummus And yeah - portions are great for the price, definitely will come back read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Falafel - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

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Great food great service fresh and clean eating healthy way to go defiently a good choice read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Gyro real good - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

I ordered a chicken bowl which was very savory fresh and delicious, I've ordered take out from Yafa several times and they never disappoint..always good customer service and very friendly staff read more

I got a shawarma bowl over hummus. It tastes amazing. The service is amazing they treat you like family. I love the Arabic music playing.

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! Big portions, fresh food, and overall amazing service! I was so excited to try this place out after hearing about it. The chicken shawarma bowl and the falafel were absolutely delicious. The falafel was nice and hot and so flavorful. We went during the late afternoon and were served our food really quickly. There was ample indoor and outdoor seating and the ambiance was nice for an early dinner. Would highly recommend and would definitely go back! read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Falafel - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

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AMAZING FRESH FALAFEL! Have heard great things about this place and it definitely exceeded expectations. Falafel was freshly made and had great flavor! The chicken bowl was also great and a good serving size. Genuinely enjoyed every thing about it and would come back. Key tip: ask for extra sauce Service: The best service I could ever ask for! Everyone was really helpful and friendly. You can tell they care about their customers and want you to feel at home. Very quiet and welcoming! Ample indoor and outdoor seating areas Located close to UCR so please come support!! Rating 9/10 read more

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Shawarma fries and beef pita are really good. Full of flavor and you can add as many toppings as you want in the pita. Small and quiet shop but delicious food and good service read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Shawarma Fries and Beef Pita - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

I came here after visiting family nearby. It's located facing the street, sharing the building with an Indian grocery store. I got the double Arabic combo ($26.99) to try the chicken and beef shawarma. It comes with a box of hot French fries and sides of hummus and pickles. The portions were a good size and I had plenty of leftovers to bring home, the meat was tender and juicy. It was seasoned well and the wraps were cut into smaller pieces that were easier to eat. The lady was nice and the order came quickly. read more

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The best falafel I've ever tasted. The texture is moist and fluffy, making it a satisfying option for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. The flavor profile is rich, with hints of garlic and herbs that elevate the dish. It is serve with tahini sauce. I can't wait to go again and try something new. This is a family own restaurant and the service is friendly and fast. percent recommended. . read more

I have always passed this place so today I decided to try it! I was greeted at the register and placed my order of the filet mignon plate swiftly. She was very nice and even informed me that my order would take 20 minutes. I had no problem with that and it affirmed the freshness/quality of the food. In the meantime, I got a drink and ordered a baklava as well. They brought me my plate about 20 minutes later and it looked delicious! The meat was so tender and easy to grab. My wrist is broken so I'm unable to use a knife to cut and I have some difficulty eating, so this was perfect! I'm not really a hummus fan, but theirs was so creamy and yummy. I ate it all! I took the baklava home and I ate it as part of dinner. It was different than any other baklava I've ever had, but in a great way! I'm happy I tried Yafa and will be back read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Filet mignon plate - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Super nice welcoming employees, Hands down one of the best middle eastern restaurants you'll eat at. If you're looking for the real authentic Syrian flavors this is definitely the place for you. read more

Everything I've tried has been stellar. If you've never tried falafel or had dry, hard, over fried balls and decided it wasn't for you- come here and have your mind changed. It's delicate, moist, and delicious here. 5 All the meats are also tender, juicy, and are seasoned to perfection. Pricing is on point for portion size. The special they are running - $6.99 for a Gyro, Fries, and soda (can) is an actual DEAL!! Hummus, grape leaves, pita, all were tasty. Even the desserts. My favorite is the rose rice pudding with pistachios on top. Nothing disappoints down to the cleanliness and family run, friendly service. These people care and it shows. It's not "fast food". They make it fresh every time so give yourself 15/20 minutes and gear up for some tasty food. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - 8 Piece Falafel...must try - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Small restaurant with great food! Malak (cashier) was very friendly and fast at making my 9/10 falafel pita & 10/10 chicken wrap! Falafel was seasoned well and delicious. Authentic food, not busy during lunch, chill environment, and professional staff. Will be returning next time with friends! read more

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The food here is always amazinghonestly the best Mediterranean spot around. But the service from the two women (one with hijab especially) working there is consistently disappointing. Most of the time they're chatting with each other instead of paying attention to customers, and they only seem to work properly when the owner is present. The food is great, but the service really needs improvement.. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Came back; it's been awhile and I feel like the Falafel Pita Tuesday special is even more stuffed than the last time I visited! I still say to this day their Falafel pita rivals a hearty hamburger. I stand by the statement and it's so healthy for you too! read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

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This is an update: I don't know why yelp doesn't allow us to remove a review. The owner cares for his customers and his business. He took care of a problem that a trainee made. I was so happy that I can go back and enjoy all the delicious and flavorful dishes that this place has to offer. read more

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Amazing food and friendly staff. Can't wait to come back and try the baklava! Malak is so welcoming. read more

My second time here, the first was last year, and I had a falafel wrap on the Flatbread, as well as some pastries. I enjoyed everything then and had been meaning to return. That overdue day came finally because I had to buy some spices at the adjacent Indian market, plus I was hungry after a morning hike. A nice gentleman greeted me and took my order. 8 wanted to try something grilled, and the Tawook chicken (kabobs without the veggies) plate seemed perfect. He said it would take between 10 and 15 minutes to prepare, so I got comfortable outside on the patio. Before too long, he came out with the food and doubled back with a napkin dispenser, too. Very thoughtful, and I really appreciated the hospitality. Beautiful presentation! The Basmati rice is cooked with a mild spice, and the pickled with olives were equally delicious. I love their hummus, too. The added touch of cooked, whole garbanzo beans and drizzled with a first-rate olive oil. I've read here on Yelp that it's an estate oil from Ramallah. Outstanding flavor. If I have one criticism, it's that the chicken was cooked at tad too long. Otherwise, excellent. The extra pita bread made sure that my leftovers had something to keep them company. I also liked the garlic sauce with its creamy texture and balanced garlic flavor. I've been to other restaurants where I dreaded being in public on account of massive amounts of garlic. I'm looking forward to trying Shawerma and other things in the future. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Tawook (chicken kabobs) over Basmati rice with hummus and pickels. - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

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My review's early version (monday) was posted without my stamp of approval (so sorry). Twitchy fingers, I guess, plus Yelp blocking my attempts to edit. So finally, here is the more concise version I'd prefer. We were actually heading for a Filipino restaurant when we realized it was actually a catering business. Our lunch plans were shot. So we did a quick turnabout and noticed tiny Yafa quietly waiting to be noticed. We are big fans of Middle Eastern cuisine, but it was their excellent Yelp ratings that made us extra curious, especially since they have not been open for a year yet. Yafa is a small dining establishment located not too far from UCR (Univ of California, Riverside). There are 3 or 4 tables inside and more seating on a small patio but with little shade. They are very friendly and clean. The food is Halal. They may offer a limited menu, but prices are quite reasonable. Everything we tasted made my heart sing. They have a vegetarian sampler platter called the Yafa Veggie Platter. You get a nice serving of hummus, babaganoush, 4 freshly cooked falafel, 2 stuffed grape leaves, warm pita bread, and a variety of pickles and olives. And what a treat this was! The babaganoush was smokey and perfectly delicious, the hummus was topped with whole chickpeas, drizzled with rich, imported olive oil, and sprinkled with sumak. There were 4 beautifully made, tender but crispy falafel (made with chickpeas, etc) that were so tasty, it convinced me I needed to bring more home. I felt the same way for the grape leaves. They were some of the best I can remember. We left clutching additional side orders of falafel, babaganoush, and grape leaves because I simply couldn't resist. We also ordered a hummus appetizer topped with beef shawarma (a small order). The small is actually quite big. There is a very generous serving of beef on top of the hummus, which is then topped with fresh, toasted pine nuts and parsley. The sliced beef is not highly seasoned (a surprise to me since many shawarma can be heavy on spices, especially cinnamon, which I dont like), just simpler, tender, and good. Another winner! Falafel pita. The fun part of ordering a pita sandwich or wrap is the huge variety of goodies you can choose to add to it or not. The sandwich was then drizzled with a creamy tahini sauce. The extra goodies include several kinds of pickles, fresh greens such as parsley, mint leaves, cilantro, sliced onions, cucumber, and tomato. I cannot even pretend to remember them all, but if it had been my sandwich, I would have needed a wheelbarrow to bring it to my table. I am quite excited to find Yafa. We have traditionally headed for Anaheim's Little Arabia district for the best Middle Eastern food, especially falafel. Yafa now has me thinking twice. It is just as good, maybe better, and much closer. read more

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This place is great! I stumbled across this place while shopping nearby and it's been a new weekly tradition to come for the falafel. It's such a great blend of textures, balanced flavors, and price. The staff has been consistent with friendly service, portion size, and quality. Be prepared to wait for your order, but know that it will be made completely fresh- to order. A word to the wise, have your falafel pita for done in, because it will definitely get soggy on a 10 minute journey for takeaway read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Falafel goodness - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

Genuinely one of my favorite spots in riverside. The chicken wrap and fries are amazing. Their garlic sauce is the best. Every time we order from here the food and service is just spot on. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Double Chicken Arabic Combo - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

First off, warid I think the business owner is a very nice human. He welcomes people in a friendly way and explains everything patiently. I got the lamb beef gyro. The meat quality is super good. The white yogurt sauce is very well made and thick. The ingredients and veggies are spot on and the bread is super fresh and fluffy. The fries are not oily and tasty. Their lunch special is awesome and very good price especially nowadays! I would go again. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Lamb gyro - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

First time visiting Yafa after my sister tried their food at her work that a coworker ordered. Place is pretty plain on the outside and inside. It's a small space inside, but they have a nice outdoor seating patio area that faces the street. We ordered a lot of food and they let us know up front it would be about 20 minutes which we were fine with. They don't have fountain drinks but they do have soda cans in the fridge. Everything came out at the same time and looked, smelled and tasted very fresh and really amazing. I ordered the Kafta plate and it was delicious. The rice was buttery, the Kafta was cooked well and full of flavor and the hummus was also fresh and flavorful. We tried the falafel and it's better than the falafel I've tried in Little Arabia in Anaheim. If I'm in the I.E. I would drive here to get food, it was that good. Definitely recommend, there's plenty of parking behind the building and it was not crowded on Saturday afternoon when we visited. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Outside dining area - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

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Flavor Explosion at Yafa Mediterranean Cuisine - Riverside's Hidden Gem! Just had one of the most satisfying meals at Yafa Cuisine in Riverside, and I'm still thinking about it! I ordered the chicken pita--got it for an amazing deal--and it was absolutely loaded. The pita was soft and warm, the chicken was juicy and perfectly grilled, and the veggies were crisp and fresh. But what really brought it all together? That white sauce. Creamy, tangy, and poured generously--every bite was heavenly. And get this: even after I was 75% done, it still looked huge. Super filling, super satisfying. Then I tried their rice pudding, and let me just say: perfectly balanced. Not too sweet, not too bland--just right, with a touch of crushed pistachios on top for texture. Best part? The people. I had the chance to meet Walid, and he was incredibly kind and welcoming. You can tell the folks here care deeply about the food and the experience. I'll definitely be back--and if you haven't tried Yafa Cuisine in Riverside yet, you're seriously missing out. Lastly, cherry on top is the place, super clean, peaceful. Checked a few emails chilling here. 5 stars, no question. #YafaCuisineRiverside #ChickenPitaGoals #RiversideEats #SupportLocal #MiddleEasternMagic read more

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This place is a nice little cozy shop near some busy streets, with plenty of seating inside and outside. The service was quick and very nice! I ordered the chicken shawarma combo plate which included the extra pickled vegetables, slaw, and French fries. The total for the combo is around $16, but I have to say that it is a very delicious meal. This filled me up more than I expected and every bite was full of flavor. I will have to be back to try the other items that reviewers recommend read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Shawrma Arabic Chicken combo - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

ordered lunch to go, and it was ready when I got there. Very fast service. The lady who prepared the food and worked the register was very nice. I ordered the mixed plate that was supposed to come with Kefta, chicken, and steak. However, they were out of Kefta so she gave me extra steak. It also comes with rice, pita, and I ordered extra pickles. She gave me garlic sauce and tahini too. The steak was super tender, and the chicken was very juicy. The meat does come with peanuts on it read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - mixed plate that was supposed to come with Kefta, chicken, and steak. They were out of kefta. rice, hummus, pita, pickles - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California

I was amazed today in Yafa Cuisine about the FALAFEL pita special! Thank you Malak for helping me out with my order and for the delicious rice pudding dessert! I really appreciate you so much! read more

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I was warmly greeted by Iman and given lots of recommendations for my first visit. They have a special going for May - Yafa Veggie Plate for $9.99. The chicken shawarma was delicious. The rice was average. Falafel crunchy and tasty - great consistency and not dry. Hummus was yummy. The baba ganoush was smokey and delightful - I could eat that all day. I loved that they served pickled radish and pickles and olives with each dish. I'll be back whenever I'm on that side of town. read more

Yafa | Mediterranean Cuisine - Chicken Shawarma Plate & Yafa Veggie Plate - Vegetarian Near Me - Riverside, California