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    Zeina's Cafe

    4.8 (284 reviews)
    InexpensiveLebanese, Turkish, Halal
    Closed Closed

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    Zeina's Cafe Photos

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    ZEINA'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Zeina's Cafe

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    Marina S.

    This place is amazing. Friendly atmosphere, food is sooo good just like at grandmama's. Amazing service. Most definitely will go again next time we are in Utica. Second photo was taken at a place we were staying as we brought the food with us as well.

    Falafel Salad
    Steve A.

    Got lunch at probably the healthiest place in Utica to eat. It also wasn't that expensive for a ton of food. Zeina's has a wide variety of Mediterranean classics and other things. Classics like falafel, hummus, and more. There's both meaty and vegetarian items including platters and sandwiches. Certainly it didn't look like it would be anything special coming upon it. It's a pretty crummy looking building, and the inside isn't much better honestly speaking. This is a family run business, and there's no frills to be had whatsoever. Attention goes to the food. There's quite a lot to choose from, whether getting something meaty or vegetarian. It's $11 for the Falafel Platter. This has quite a few pieces, along with hummus, rice, and tabbouli. Has to be a stop if you're coming through here. It's got limited hours and is closed from Sundays to Tuesdays. There's lots on the menu for vegans and vegetarians.

    Falafel gyro
    Maeve M.

    Zeina's has my heart! This place is seriously the BEST. It's family-owned and it shows in the best way. All of the staff are so friendly. They have the best falafel I have EVER had and I have had lots of falafel all over the world. I swear by this bold statement, it's the best. Run don't walk!! Everything is delicious and quality made.

    Nina M.

    You will drive past this humble restaurant but turn around and be prepared for a delicious Lebanese meal. The best hummus and falafel sandwich. We missed dinner but the menu was authentic and inviting. Save room for baklava. The best I ever had was personal service. Family restaurant

    Hummus & Hashweh, Tabouleh, Fried Kibbeh

    If it tastes like homemade that's because it is. Great food from a wonderful family! Loved the hummus and haswheh and the tabouleh was just like Sitto used to make.

    Excellent baklava!
    Keith B.

    So friendly and great service, the sample platter and loaded fries (with tabbouleh, feta, and tzatziki sauce) made a nice light meal :) topped off with a free Turkish coffee and a $3 baklava! Cute little place with lots of natural light :)

    Chicken Schwarma with rice and salad- lunch special
    Jessica L.

    Best restaurant in the area!!!! The things I am DROOLING over: hummus, tabouleh, chicken schwarma, the salad, the grape leaves, the pitaaaa, the backlava, and I can't even remember what else. Please support this business, it is insanely delicious food! The service is warm and welcoming. Love it here!!! The best by far!!!!

    Gyro bowl , rice chicken shawarma underneath
    Patricia G.

    Last Minute Lunch From on Varick Street- A Chicken Shawarma Gyro Bowl Didn't Know It Before But I Needed it... Extra Cheese on Top & Extra Tzatziki Sauce on The Side the next time i went i got it in gyro form instead, i felt like the gyro form was more worth the money because with the bowl you are getting a lot of lettuce & rice, not that much chicken. But the bowl was technically better to ensure left overs. I would consider it a LITTLE pricey but only cus i've had cheaper but the flavors here are better than other places, so its a decent trade off. And they offered us hot fresh Turkish coffee while waiting for to go.

    Owners, their son, and our group

    Found this place when traveling to Hamilton College September 2023. I was by myself on my way to the campus and had a fantastic meal in a family like environment. I loved it so much that o made sure to come back with the family when in town for graduation in spring 2024. What can I say but I'm sad that I don't live nearby and circumstances will probably not have me back in the area again - I live in Georgia. Zeina's is the kind of place that could easily be a weekly stop. The food is fantastic with wonderfully sized portions at affordable prices. The owners and staff are as good as you'll find. Thanks Albert and Layla!

    Rene A.

    A small group of us were in town for work and it also happened to be one of my coworkers birthday. We found Zeina's cafe on Yelp and it came with high recommendations, and we sure found out why! The owner and staff were amazing, friendly, loving people who make you feel at home just stepping in. The food is INCREDIBLE, fresh, delicious and huge portions! The owner, Layla, is a ray of sunshine and brightens the room! Layla made us complementary Turkish coffee and baklava...even giving us covers for the adorable little cups! Anytime we return to Utica, we will be lunching here!

    Pita bread
    Caroline J.

    Driving through Utica on our way home and used Yelp to find a yummy place for dinner and this place did not disappoint! We got the mezze platter with cucumber-yoghurt dip, baba ganoush, kibbe, and hummus. All were excellent and served with plenty of pita bread. We then shared the dinner for two which included foue different skewers (chicken, veggie, beef & veggie and a ground beef) that was served over rice and included a salad. It was all cooked perfectly, the rice was tasty, and the salad had a nice dressing and a nice amount of feta. Will return when in the area for sure!

    Falafel with tahini

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    1 year ago

    The grape leaves are absolutely delicious,service fast and always friendly,will always go back....

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    1 year ago

    Love the food and the staff. The food is always consistent in flavor and the family is great. Great casual dining!!!

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    2 years ago

    Their food is AMAZING. Authentic, fresh, and delicious. I highly recommend, plus they're the nicest people in Utica.

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    2 years ago

    Unbelievable food. Huge quantities, reasonably priced and all made fresh in house. Definitely eat here.

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    Great locally owned Lebanese food. Great service. Get the garlic fries - you won't regret it

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious food (amazing hummus, baba ganoush, and falafel!), great service, kind and welcoming staff.

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    2 years ago

    Best Mediterranean food in the city all homemade fresh. The lamb kebabs and rice are just crazy love all that food.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Zeina's Cafe

    One Arabian Night - Marib Restaurant - Marib Restaurant Home salad

    One Arabian Night - Marib Restaurant

    4.6(31 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is a SPECIAL and delicious place. Set aside any doubts and get your culinary curiosity going…read moreand GO! I am a serious Yelper. I believe my reviews are honest. I love to help folk who want to avoid bad restaurants and especially to have excellent culinary experiences. I am grateful for others who lead me to memorable dining spots. This is one of them. One Arabian Night is tucked away in a scrappy part of Utica, NY. It's a Yemeni place so authentic at one point the chef came out during a call to prayer, unrolled a little rug and prayed. It's a beautiful thing. People being authentic and showing devotion. These guys are also devoted to flavor, and very generous portions at very good, honest prices. I got the succulent mixed lamb, which had chopped veggies and little pieces of roast potatoes. The dish came with a HUGE "sheet" of freshly baked flat bread with sesame seeds (as big as a pizza) WHO DOES THAT?! Side dishes were a fresh chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and lettuce with lemon juice and parsley, a bowl of very tasty lamb broth and a spicy chutney. I was blown away. When I was there it was catering only to Arabic families and men amiably chatting and eating with their hands. I was taught by my mom to respect other cultures and do as they do: so I observed the locals a little and dug in -ripping bread off and using it to grab finger fulls of food. It was wonderful. They also have an urn of self-serve sweet spiced tea to help make this a unique and unmissable dining experience in Utica. Go! And please leave your xenophobia behind. This ancient civilization (one of the world's OLDEST) has something to teach the most hardened burger-chomping American.

    I've only ever ordered delivery but it's always delish! I'll make sure to dine in soon.read more

    Photos
    One Arabian Night - Marib Restaurant
    One Arabian Night - Marib Restaurant - Marib Restaurant Home salad

    Marib Restaurant Home salad

    One Arabian Night - Marib Restaurant - Marib's home salad

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    Marib's home salad

    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's - Romaine salad bowl w/ tzatziki, lamb meatballs, and cucumbers

    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's

    4.6(46 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina is like the Cava of Mediterranean food, and I mean that as a full…read morecompliment. It's a build-your-own, line-style setup, and when we arrived there was a good line of people--which is usually a good sign. My friend JD picked the place, so I let him go first and watched how it worked. I ended up getting a bowl with falafel and just loaded it up. I chose salad instead of a full bed of rice, with just a little rice added. By the time we were done building it, my bowl was so full I could barely close the lid and that's exactly how I like it. The food was fresh, healthy, and flavorful. The staff were very friendly and patient while we made our choices. If I lived in this area, this would absolutely be one of my go-to spots for a regular meal: healthy, fresh, nice atmosphere, and good people behind the counter. Easy 5 stars for Lafa

    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's on Commercial Drive in New Hartford continues to impress with its…read morefresh, wholesome Mediterranean flavors and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is built around a build-your-own bowl or pita concept, offering vibrant ingredients, aromatic spices, and perfectly balanced textures in every bite. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl with rice, greens, and plenty of toppings each element tasted clean and homemade. The chicken was tender with that smoky-charred edge you want in shawarma, complemented by crispy chickpeas, tangy pickled turnips, and creamy hummus. What really adds to Lafa's appeal is the modern, comfortable setting and outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying your meal in the fresh air on a sunny day. The vibe is relaxed yet polished, making it just as great for a quick lunch as a laid back dinner with friends. The staff are friendly and efficient, keeping the service quick without ever feeling rushed. Portions are very generous for the price, and the freshness is undeniable you leave full but never weighed down. Their apple cider green tea is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the bold spices of the food. Between the clean ingredients, generous bowls, and the option to dine outside, Lafa has the balance of health, flavor, and atmosphere perfectly figured out. It's one of those places that keeps you coming back not just for the food, but for the overall good energy.

    Photos
    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's
    Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's - Steak wrap

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    Steak wrap

    Byblos Mediterranean Cafe - Apple Baklava

    Byblos Mediterranean Cafe

    3.7(137 reviews)
    46.2 mi
    $$

    Very quick friendly service, apple desert very tasty simple crisp puff pastry with warm Apple…read morefilling a bit of whipped cream dusted with cinnamon and lovely treat!

    I was on a short road trip to Syracuse New York, and thought I'd try out a few places recommended…read morefrom Guy Fieri's DDD series, and was really looking forward to it, given the yelp reviews. The place was pretty small and unassuming from the outward appearance. Upon coming in, there are limited seats, but everything was neat and clean. I could smell some enticing aromas from the kitchen. Not sure if they are short staffed, but it took a while for someone to come to the counter to take our order. I really was looking forward to having the lamb gyro, so that was what I ordered, as well as ordering a baklava for dessert. The food took a while to come out, but I'm fine waiting for something great to eat. They did have a number of takeout orders that were served while we waited, maybe 3 of them. Once the food came out, the lamb was pretty nice, and there was a reasonable portion of meat in the gyro, as well as some tomato, lettuce, and onion on a nice pita bread. But the tzatziki was very disappointing, it was very thin, and didn't have much flavor. That sort of killed the whole gyro. The baklava was very tasty, and had nice pistachio crumbles on it, but the honey was a bit too much, giving it a very soggy bottom. Flavor was good though, and I don't mind a little messy dessert. All in all, I was a little disappointed with the meal. I tend to be a little generous in my reviews, so I gave it three stars, as I felt I couldn't rate it as a 2, but I couldn't quite give a four star rating. I'd give it another try, but maybe not go for a gyro.

    Photos
    Byblos Mediterranean Cafe - Inside looking back towards entryway

    Inside looking back towards entryway

    Byblos Mediterranean Cafe - Takeout order of falafel gyro and lentil soup.

    Takeout order of falafel gyro and lentil soup.

    Byblos Mediterranean Cafe - Menu

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    Menu

    Zeina's Cafe - lebanese - Updated May 2026

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