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    Zahra

    4.4 (18 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Zahra Photos

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    ZAHRA ATMOSPHERE

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    Falafel bowl with rice and salad.

    Excellent food and service in a modern space that is beautifully decorated. I had the falafel bowl with rice and salad which was delicious.

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    Susan K.

    Within the Allentown market is this gem, offering a small take out menu of Syrian delights. Conveniently across the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and PPL Center, Zahra is a great place to pick up a quick healthy and flavorful meal. There is cafe seating inside, as well as outside. Zahra (cauliflower in Syrian) is associated with Aladdin in Allentown, where a broader representation of Syrian culture (food, music, and dance) can be experienced. Zahra is owned by one of the five daughters of the couple who had initially opened Aladdin on the ground floor of their home in 1980. Here are two interviews with owner Sam Younes about this history: https://tinyurl.com/zahrainterview https:/tinyurl.com/downtowninterview I chose familiar items -- items regularly experienced as part of Aladdin's couple special : Babaganouj with pita, Arnabit, Tabouli, and Baklava with Turkish coffee. These did not disappoint, and were just as good as the that found in the flagship restaurant that had been established by Sam's parents. I was glad to see others had already discovered this spot, the shop accounted for the flow of customers in the market. In the interview, Sam describes a vision of Middle Eastern cuisine being a part of American "fast food" experience. Since I first encountered Middle Eastern food in the restaurant on the ground floor of her family's home on Second Street, it can now be found on the shelves of Costco and smaller grocery stores in the northeast. With a shift to more health conscious eating, it seems this vision is possible. An additional quick pick up location is in the works in Bethlehem. One surprise that is not typical of fast food is the availability of a small collection of chilled bottled beers. Whether choosing to sit at Downtown Market cafe tables (inside or outside) or bring home, Zahra has a thoughtfully curated menu for a flavorful meal.

    a street scene in a city

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    Photo of G. M.
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    5 months ago

    Clean healthy food! Fattoush salad is amazing! Menue offers a variety of selections to meet every taste!

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    5 days ago

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

    The presentation was good. But the food was cold . The guy had the register was really nice.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great chicken shawarma wraps, great service even though they were pretty busy. Food was fresh and hot and served up quickly.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Decent spot to get a quick bite, different bowls or wraps. Will go back to try the falafel

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Excellent chicken bowl with fries. Place was very busy and wait was a little long during lunch on a Saturday. But worth the wait.

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    4 years ago

    Portions are decent, got a wrap and fries! Was delicious and would eat here again!!!!

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    4 years ago

    Their bowls and wraps are so good! Lots of flavor and it's a great healthy lunch option.

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    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine - Grilled veggies

    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.6(180 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    •$$

    We're from Connecticut and came to the Allentown area for a Spartan Race at Blue Mountain Ski…read moreResort. After a long drive, the three of us were starving and wanted something healthy. Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine had great reviews, so we decided to give it a try--and we're so glad we did. We arrived around 5:30 PM, and the restaurant was already busy. The phone was ringing constantly with takeout orders, which is always a good sign. The husband and wife owners greeted us warmly, seated us right away, and brought complimentary water while we looked over the menu. We started with the hummus and pita along with the cheese cigars. Both were outstanding. We were told the hummus is made from fresh chickpeas that are slowly cooked rather than canned, and you can absolutely taste the difference. It was incredibly smooth, creamy, and easily some of the best hummus I've ever had. The fresh pita was the perfect complement. Two people in our group ordered the chicken kebabs with rice and the fresh tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad. I ordered the chicken shawarma with rice. It was my first time having authentic chicken shawarma, and it was phenomenal. Everything was seasoned perfectly, fresh, and full of flavor. I honestly can't imagine how anyone could leave a negative review after eating here. From the moment we walked in until the time we left, the food, service, and hospitality were exceptional. If we weren't racing the next morning, I definitely would have tried one of their cheesecakes. The blueberry and pistachio both looked incredible, and judging by the quality of everything else, I'm sure they would have been just as amazing. Before we left, we spent a few minutes talking with the husband, and it only reinforced how much pride they take in what they do. Allentown is lucky to have a restaurant like this. We have nothing comparable where we're from in Connecticut, and if we lived nearby, this would become a regular stop without question.

    We ordered take out and the food was still hot when we got home. The food was amazing and we…read more enjoyed it immensely. Upon arriving I went to the register to pick up the order and was immediately engaged by the gentleman (I believe it was the owner) He was extremely helpful and thanked me for coming in.

    Photos
    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine - Strip mall chic

    Strip mall chic

    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine - Fresh Shepard Salad & Falafel sandwich

    Fresh Shepard Salad & Falafel sandwich

    Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine

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    Ayat - Grape Leaves and hummus....incredible

    Ayat

    4.6(77 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Came here yesterday and was extremely disappointed to see the restaurant tank in comparison to my…read moretwo prior visits. The prices have increased significantly. We were seated after the people who walked in after us. Some tables received water and no complimentary bread/olives while others received no water but complimentary bread/olives. Our bread was also sitting out for some time as the baker was not present to make it fresh at the time. It appeared very stale. The restaurant was half empty but it took over an hour (in addition to the understood 25 minute maklouba prep) for our main entree to come out. When it did, there was no apology and we had to ask if the accompanying labneh was on its way for the maklouba. The maklouba itself had rice grains not fully cooked. The server was avoiding eye contact as we tried to ask for more napkins, water and an update on our order. It then took another thirty minutes for us to get the check and pay, which was only possible because we got up. We watched as people waited so long to not only be seated but to also check out. The menu has a lot to offer of the Palestinian culture but the lack of service, lack of freshness and lack of efficiency won't have us coming back.

    Have been here twice and it's such always been an amazing experience! Their portion size is massive…read moreand the complimentary pita is fluffy and delicious with zaatar and olive oil. Highly recommend their fried cheese and muhammarah. For the entrees, the chicken and kefta plates are amazing and very flavorful. I've also tried their warm milk drink that has very nice rose flavor. We usually have to wait for 10-15 min before getting seated but it's very much worth the wait. The service was fast and attentive. The interior decor is chic and culturally rich. There are just so many options and I have to come back to try more entrees and drinks.

    Photos
    Ayat - Fattat Jaj...no words....dynamite!!!

    Fattat Jaj...no words....dynamite!!!

    Ayat - Lentil Soup...so delicious.

    Lentil Soup...so delicious.

    Ayat - Maklouba, a delicious chicken and rice dish with vegetables

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    Maklouba, a delicious chicken and rice dish with vegetables

    Efsane Mediterranean cuisine - Mix tray

    Efsane Mediterranean cuisine

    4.8(71 reviews)
    45.9 mi
    •$$

    If I could give this place ten stars I would! My wife and I just came here for the first time for…read moreher late night gyro pregnancy craves and this place did not disappoint! We were recommended the family special platter, and I didn't even have a chance to take a picture of the appetizers because it was so good. Genuinely I'm not sure if we just caught them on a slow night with the emptiness, but the environment was very welcoming, and the service was great! I'm used to Palestinian style middle eastern food growing up northeast NJ so I was a bit skeptical it was as good as the norm, but I have to admit... I found my new favorite spot. There just isn't good food anymore, ANYWHERE. I appreciate a restaurant when I come across it and they check everything off the list. 1000/10!!!

    Have eaten food from Efsane twice--once in restaurant and once via Doordash. We had a delicious…read moremeal sitting at the table. Food was fresh and delicious; attentive and timely service-wise, too. Ordering delivery was a bit of a different story. Ordered two gyros and neither had tzatziki which was very disappointing. Tzatziki is what we live for and the shining star of a gyro--how do you forget that not once but twice?! Then there were the very greasy and droopy fries. Yes, fries are delicate travelers but these were hopeless. And at a $9(!!) price point, they should really find another way of transporting them to customers. Last, the lentil soup was not prepared well. It was bland and overly thick than many others I have eaten before by other chefs. All in all, not terrible but rather a bad lasting impression. Don't think we'll be returning.

    Photos
    Efsane Mediterranean cuisine - Dining room

    Dining room

    Efsane Mediterranean cuisine - Homemade bread

    Homemade bread

    Efsane Mediterranean cuisine - Inside

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    Inside

    Zahra - mediterranean - Updated October 2026

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