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    Zaad - Amsterdam Ave

    4.5 (131 reviews)
    Mon 11:00 am - 4:30 AM (Next day)
    Tue 11:00 am - 4:30 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

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    ZAAD - AMSTERDAM AVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Zaad - Amsterdam Ave

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    Chicken Shawarma Salad Bowl- do not get it from  TGTG it's valued incorrectly
    Najwa G.

    Zaad had some solid food but the reason I gave it three starts versus four/five stars is because their TGTG bag is inaccurate in their value. You're actually better off sticking to the regular menu, more bang for your buck. Anyways, again the food here is solid but they need to be honest with their pricing on TGTG, that's all. I would order again but from their regular menu.

    Falafel
    Seelia Y.

    Small restaurant with very little seating. It is quite cramped. Staff is very busy but they're nice and patient. We ordered the mixed platter and falafels and it ended up being $30 which is a little outrageous considering the portion. The meat hard to chew because some pieces had tendons and the rice was whatever. The hummus was not great but not bad. The falafels were crispy but did not have much flavor. Overall I do not recommend as the price to portion size does not add up.

    Health options
    Taylee M.

    Zaad is so good! It's the perfect spot for a quick lunch and they have so many tasty, healthy options! I love their chicken shawarma salad (say yes to white sauce!) and everything I've ever tried was great! The service is fast, very clean location, and super reasonable when you're on-the-go.

    Udochi M.

    Every time I come here it hits the spot!! Zaad has the best service, food, and falafels! Never fails!!

    the menus of the restaurant
    Giacomo C.

    This hole-in-the-wall Mediterranean spot serves really good shawarmas (and more) for reasonable prices. There are a couple of small tables for 2, so if it's not busy you can even eat your food fresh. It's mostly a take-out place, though. I got a lamb-beef shawarma sandwich and it was really rich and filling. This is really a great cheap option in the area. One guy runs the show and he's really efficient. He even gives you a few falafel!

    a hand holding a pita sandwich
    Gerardo E.

    Hold in the wall place. The falafel pita is a great deal coming out to ~$7. They're usually very friendly and they also give you a free falafel when you go into the store. It's a good deal for the price and it's a quick in and out location. There's two small tables, but it's not a great dine in place. Most people do takeout. Overall a good place to check out

    Beef Shawarma Platter
    Elizabeth Y.

    Eating at Zaad is definitely worth it--the food was so flavorful, the prices are reasonable, and the portions are huge! The man there was also super nice--he gave us a free sample falafel and also checked on us to make sure we liked our food (which we definitely did; we were just eating slowly at first because we were catching up). I really enjoyed the combination of flavors and textures of the beef shawarma platter. There was a nice contrast between the fresh salad/cucumbers and the richer meat and creamy dips. I also wound up with leftovers, which is always nice :) I would highly recommend trying Zaad!

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Food was so delicious and the hospitality was so warm and welcoming. 100% recommend this place!!!

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    2 years ago

    Food is fresh and delicious! (Albeit under seasoned...) Very tiny space but friendly, quick service.

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Tasty falafel pita sandwich. Inviting host offered me sweet tea while finishing my sandwich. Not much seating but real good stuff.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Zaad - Amsterdam Ave

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    Hummus Kitchen

    Hummus Kitchen

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Great food, atmosphere and service. Love the different varieties of humuus. Great for lunch or…read moredinner .

    Have been here a few times now for both lunch and dinner (weekends and weekdays) and the food and…read moreservice is always great. I first went to Hummus Kitchen at their UES location, but this one is equally wonderful. The space is on the smaller side (a bit narrow) and they have indoor seating for around 20-25 people. I recommend making a reservation in advance. The servers are friendly, attentive and the food comes out fairly quickly. As the name implies, the hummus here is excellent as is the thick pita it comes with (they have regular and whole wheat). If you haven't been before, get "the hummus kitchen" as it has 4 different types of hummus you can try. The mazze are also tasty, my favorite would have to be the grape leaves, but the falafel, cauliflower and babaghanoush are also extremely delicious (you can order any 3 for $28 and it comes with pita). For entrees, I highly highly recommend the chicken shawarma tacos (2 per serving) followed by the open arais tacos (also 2 per serving) and the Mediterranean red chicken (in that order). If you don't go with the shawarma tacos or want less bread, then the shawarma platter is also a good choice. The chicken shawarma tacos here are simply incredible, they serve them in their warm fluffy pita, sliced in half, open and fill the inside with chicken, onions and whatever else makes is so ridiculously addictive. This thing is bursting with flavor, it has to be the best chicken shawarma I have had in NYC. The tacos also come with a small side of hummus and babaghanoush along with pickles and some tomato salad. The portions are what you would expect as are the prices. Really a delicious spot if you are in the area or want a great/quick meal before or after a show.

    Photos
    Yummy Israeli Food
    Yummy Israeli Food
    The amazing hummus with veggies
    The amazing hummus with veggies
    Green Shakshuka

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    Green Shakshuka
    Adel's Famous Halal Food

    Adel's Famous Halal Food

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    This outside truck spot can definitely have long lines and wait times. I luckily came right when it…read moreopened but I still waited around 15 minutes. I definitely recommend coming here right when it opens. For the food itself, I got the Mix Platter (Lamb and chicken) which was delicious and flavorful. It had a spicy kick, but it was still enjoyable. The plate was definitely loaded and I recommend getting it with the spicy rice. I definitely think it's worth the hype and would come again.

    I feel like this place is a 1 and done - but not something that you have to have... more like, if…read moreyou have FOMO and want to try the hype. I feel like this place is good, but the white sauce is what makes it. Would I wait another 50 minutes in line, again? Heck to the no - but 1 time? Yes, just to say I tried it. I came in line around 9:45pm and waited approx. 50 minutes before being served. the line just grows and grows.... it is crazy busy! I don't get the line concept here. Because while I was in a long line, when I get to the front, there's another line to the left of the truck... and people seem to be getting their food faster, and the line is like 2x shorter. So that's kind of confusing. Ambience in line and ordering = chaotic. The line is quick in terms of when it is your turn, KNOW what you want. Because you have like 5 seconds to order and that's it. I ordered the special (the spicy rice, lamb and chicken combo, extra white sauce, 3 squirts of hot sauce, and a topped with fries). $13 in total. I would like to say, advice to folks to know what you want before you come. I did not look at menu options beforehand and I did fairly little research so I honestly did not know what to order, just looked at some google reviews and pictures. That is going to help you, in case you do not want the typical lamb and chicken combo. To the food - 1st - they don't care how much hot sauce you want. they're making these bowls in the masses and are just giving you a single squirt so they can make 20 bowls all at the same time. I was hoping for more spice in what I ordered, but it was very slightly spicy. I'm not sure if they let you serve yourself to more, but I'd definitely want more of the hot sauce. 2nd - I didn't taste any spice in the spicy rice. I'm not sure if, again, due to the fast production that it all just taste like regular rice? but didn't see what the hype was there. 3rd - I genuinely think the white sauce is what brings it all together. The chicken was OK to me. I didn't think it was anything special, and would give it a 3 out of 5. texture was OK, flavor was OK... the lamb definitely stole the show. The lamb was absolutely flavorful and full of delicious spices. This reminded me of what I've had in Dubai. Very rich in flavor and just the perfect amount of spices. Overall, I think if you wait for your food to cool down like 20 minutes, you'll get to taste the flavors more. Everything hot together, for me, just didn't allow me to really absorb all the food. But the rice was your average rice. Pita was deliciously soft and pillowy which complemented the white sauce. Chicken was ok. had an OK texture; nothing life changing. lamb was fantastic, and fries were just fries (nothing memorable). For a NYC experience, a 1-time, 50 minute wait is acceptable. And, for $13, that's pretty cheap for the amount of food you get. I would eat it again if the line was 5 minutes. Otherwise, I'm positive you will find similar food/better food elsewhere.

    Photos
    Mix Platter
    Mix Platter
    Combo (chicken and lamb) over rice and fries was well seasoned. Would recommend dranks while waiting with friends in line hehe!
    Combo (chicken and lamb) over rice and fries was well seasoned. Would recommend dranks while waiting with friends in line hehe!
    Chicken over Rice Platter and Lamb Over Rice

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    Chicken over Rice Platter and Lamb Over Rice
    The Halal Guys

    The Halal Guys

    4.2
    (10.5k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    The Good: Still like what it used to taste like from what I can remember. Hits the spot every time!…read more The Bad: Adel's is a fierce competitor a few blocks down with a long line. BUT, imho Adel's doesn't really taste as good as the original Halal Guys in terms of flavor and fragrance. The chicken from Adel's is in bigger chunks and some argue is more tender, but the flavor is definitely not close. Also, it's important that it comes with lettuce, tomatoes and a little onion to balance everything out. Finally, You must get both the spicy red and white sauce together to make it all come together! The Ugly: The smell is addictive, so if you walk by, it's hard to resist, even if you've just eaten a nice meal somewhere else. We couldn't resist. Gotta hit the gym hard for the next few days!

    The guys working the cart are genuinely some of the friendliest people you'll meet in midtown…read more Always smiling, always patient, even when the line is wrapped around the block. And that line is no joke. You will wait. Plan accordingly. Here's my dilemma: every single time I eat here, my stomach lets me know about it later. Without fail. I've tried adjusting the hot sauce, going easy on portions... doesn't matter. Something about this food and my digestive system just don't agree. At this point I have to accept that it's probably not for me. So why do I keep coming back? Because at 2 AM after a late night, when everything else is closed and you're starving in Times Square, that platter of chicken and rice over white sauce smells like salvation. They're the only game in town at that hour, and honestly, in the moment, it hits. It's the next morning I regret it. If your stomach handles it better than mine, you'll probably love it. The food is tasty and the portions are huge for the price. I just wish I could enjoy it without paying for it twice.

    Photos
    The Halal Guys
    Chicken & Beef Gyro Combo Platter (regular $10)
    Chicken & Beef Gyro Combo Platter (regular $10)
    The Halal Guys

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    Zaad - Amsterdam Ave - falafel - Updated July 2026

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