Delivery
Yes
Sahara Grill in Philadelphia
Categories
Location on the map
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, US
Service options
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Mask required
Yes
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Highlights
Great tea selection
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Halal food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
University students
Yes
Planning
Accepts reservations
Yes
Phone: +1 215-985-4155
Site: https://www.saharagrillphiladelp...
Site: https://www.saharagrillphiladelp...
Opening hours
- Monday:11AM–10PM
- Tuesday:11AM–10PM
- Wednesday:11AM–10PM
- Thursday:11AM–10PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–10PM
- Sunday:11AM–10PM
Comments (199)
I order through a delivery app. The Mixed Grill was my biggest disappointment; not what I expected! I got 3 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of beef and one small kefteh (kebab) for $22!!! Enough for one or two. Half of that platter is salad. Im disappointed. Although, I called to ask about the quantity and I was told its 3 skewers of chicken and three beef and one kefteh. Or maybe thats what I understood. But clearly the description was deceiving. That being said, beef was chewy, chicken was a lil dry. Fries were tasty. The falafel was tender and good. Mutabal was authentic. Hummus with beef, it was minced beef and I didnt like it cuz it lacks flavor. Cauliflower was okay, just fried cauliflowers nothing special, which is the usual recipe in Middle Eastern cuisine. Hummus has so much tahini in it, not my preference. I had high expectations cuz I really love Lebanese food and spend $100 cuz my friend told me the food was good, and all we got was not enough food for our party (4 people ). I , unfortunately, wont order again. P.S. I usually take pictures of my food, but that one was embarrassing.
Absolutely love this place and is one of my essential go-to restaurants for Mediterranean cuisine. Everything Ive had here has been of excellent quality, with a good variety to choose from and plenty of delicious vegetarian options. My recommendations: the Mixed Grilled Platter, (perfect amount of char on all the meat, grilled veggies and a side of plump, buttery cardamom rice. Be sure to ask for plenty of their garlic spread!) the Sahara Fries, (perfect bed of fries topped with sautéed onions and peppers and a blend of spices) and the tabbouleh. They also do delivery and they know how to package their food so its still good on arrival.
Great service. I asked for something off the menu and they made it happen! Great humus and VERY reasonably priced.Will be my go to place!
We were already familiar with Saharas delicious food and homey atmosphere, and we were thrilled when Kassem said he could cater our wedding. He has experience catering for large groups of people and was unfazed by our 200 person wedding. Fazio and his assistant delivered and served the food buffet style. Two weeks later, people are still raving about the hummus, falafel, and kafta kabob.
Nice taboulleh... no onions or pickled beets in the shish kofta, which was pretty disappointing, and lota of iceberg lettuce which was weird to me but it was clean not gross or anything, the meat was pretty tasty but kinda skimpy for the price. Not bad. Not what i hoped for.
Ordered a shawarma plate, sandwich, and some hummus. Food is absolutely mediocre at best and the service is absolutely horrendous. Im not sure where they got their reviews from, but I would absolutely avoid this place!
We enjoyed our time here, the cuisine was authentic and the food was very good. I had the chicken shish taook (sp) and it was really good. I appreciated that they had fattoush salad, which is one of my favorites. Its not one of my top spots but I would enjoy going back.
I went here with my friends for dinner and we loved it so much! The decoration inside is so pretty, the service is great and the food is so amazing! All of us got something different and each dish was a 10/10, and the baklava is just amazing! I will absolutely be coming back here! I highly recommend trying Sahara Grill.
The waiter was so friendly, explained the menu items and offered assistance when ordering. The salad had such a great taste, the dressing was top notch---14 or 15 spices in it including a little sugar for sweetness! The entrees were so delicious and filling. My friend had never eaten lamb and was totally in awe of how good it was. The chicken dish I had was very good. It is a place you may walk by a lot but next time beware as you are missing out on a gem in downtown Philly!
Lovely meal. The shawarma wrap was excellent, the service was excellent. Recommend!
Had dinner with my friend here for the first time. Got the chicken shish taouk Lebanese style and it was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. The chicken was perfectly cooked, and the wrap with hot sauce was just perfect.The service was great as well. Very accommodating and nice.Highly recommend checking out this place!
The place is nice and cozy, neat too. The staff is pretty friendly and they have some nice sandwiches but I didn’t enjoy their hummus cause it tasted funny. It’s somewhere I’d go anytime for a quick Mediterranean bite!
One of our favorite places in the city. The food is always so fresh. This place doesn’t disappoint when it comes to detail and quality.
Loved the food here! The rice and grilled veggies and shrimp was so good. Definitely be back!
Do not get the moussaka. smelled like vomit. i thought it was perhaps just the smell, but then i tried it & it was just as bad. i had to leave immediately
Great service. Delicious food with a wide variety. Im always looking for great middle eastern food, and I have definitely found it here.
This place is amazing! Everything was super flavorful and very fresh! Service was pretty quick and polite as well. We ordered the hummus with meat (ground lamb), the mixed platter, and the chicken shish taouk. I wouldve posted a picture of how nice it looked but we literally ate it too fast. Just go you wont regret it.
My absolute favorite restaurant. I’ve been going here for over 10 years now and have never been disappointed. The service is always great and literally everything on the menu is delicious. The atmosphere is very chill and comfortable. Highly recommended.
The food is so delicious and authentic ! Foodis in a good portion and prices are descent. Finally I found a place that reminds me of home 🥰 will definitely come back
Stopped here with our two sons before seeing a show... and wow! We all agreed it was some of the best Middle Eastern food we’ve had. Low key type of place, nothing fancy, but great food and absolutely lovely man who helped us.
Check out Sahara Grill for great meal for less than $15! Great quick hearty dinner for after a Walnut St. Theater show since its a short walk! Had the scrumptious Sharwarma Platter with brown rice, veggies, and beef!
I ordered delivery for the first time. This is how my pita was packed. It arrived stale and cold. The saddest pita bread ever. :( I wasnt impressed with the hummus.
The food here is incredibly delicious. I live in a city with a large Persian community and a plethora of restaurants and this one put all the other food to shame! Everything was flavorful, well-spiced, and customer service excellent. Highly recommend the lamb. I will definitely be coming back again!
Omg, I need that restaurant in NYC!Amazing food, I am ready to eating at that place 3 time per day! Highly recommended shush chicken toav and musaka.
A bare bones dining room offering simple but very tasty Middle Eastern food. Friendly service, too.
Kebob was very tender. Everything was delicious. Clean and friendly place.
Excellent falafel and shwarma great seasoning, not overally seasoned like a lot of falafel, reasonable pricing.. The pita that wrapped our sandwiches was very delicious thin and crispy.. Excellent overall experiance .. Great mint tea
Food is really really high quality and fresh.Theres not a lot of investment in the aesthetic but this is a no frills type of place. Family owned and really nice people frankly with no sense of urgency.Id say order to go and you wont be disappointed.
I usually get the Greek salad. All ingredients fresh and tasty.
I invited a friend to have dinner together, the waiter was so bad with us dont know why we have this horrible experience with him. Never smiled at us, and was kinda serving us without any standards that we expect from such a restaurant. Spoons and forks were thrown on the table. Dont go there, I will never ever recommend anyone to go there. If there is less than one star, Id rate this horrible place.
Delicious. good price. Nice alternative to some of the heavier food options in the vicinity.
What a place. Love the platters and the hospitality. I have tried everything on the menu and its always tasty, fresh and worth the money. One of my favorite places in Philly.
Some of the most amazing Med food we have ever had. The house rice has 14 spice blend, and is to die for. I like rice, but had no idea it could be that good.
Very disappointing experience.Our family called more than two hours ahead and confirmed with the owner whether he could reserve our party of 10 for a Saturday night. (We knew the city would be busy as it was the Saturday after Eid, college graduations, and a rally in downtown). He said yes on the phone so we arrived earlier than our time, but told him that we would respect the time we mentioned and wait outside. In the meantime, another large party came in and seated themselves, and the owner did not make any mention of us being ahead of them. We waited about an hour more for seating. Even after being seated, no staff attended us nor asked for water.The owner also took the order of other groups that came in after us, which we found extremely rude. One of our family members eventually called him over to remind him that we had not been attended yet. We asked for appetizers first but they came after the entrees.Additionally, my cousin and I went up to the counter to see how much longer it would take. And the owner handed us plates to take back to the table with him. At that point, we didn’t care because our parents were hungry. But totally not professional behavior.The food was just average, nothing extraordinary compared to other Lebanese food we have had. The experience was very off-putting and has unfortunately turned any entire family of avid Mediterranean food eaters away from this establishment.Hope this review is seen and encourages improvement for future business.
One of the best Lebanese food places Ive had in a long while. Highly recommend the kibbee; try the mint tea as well!
Great service, great food. I really enjoyed my meal.
Nice friendly service. Had the Hummus with meat.
Very poor hospitality. We called two hours ahead for a reservation and when we arrived we had to wait an additional hour to be seated. Server was very rude. We were sat down and the server didn’t attend us for 15 mins to take our order or give us water. The server attended customers who came after us before getting to us. Very unprofessional and a huge turnoff.The appetizer wasn’t given to us until after the food. Two people out of the group were still waiting to get their food. When we went up to the counter to ask what was taking so long, the server just handed the plates there. Sorry excuse for a restaurant. The food are also average at best. Not worth going to if there’s a wait. This was definitely my first and last visit.
Great tasting food and welcoming staff/owner. Bravo!
Taste and atmosphere is amazing
This restaurant puts Mediterranean cuisine to shame, it’s absolutely terrible. I can’t emphasize enough how disgusting it was and how unclean the utensils and cups were. If your looking for good food or edible food this is not the place for you. Please spend your valuable time and money at a better place!
I absolutely loved the food and the service. The atmosphere is pleasant and low key. Food was excellent. Baba ganoush was so fresh. Kofta kebab was tender, juicy, and flavorful. It came with very tasty rice, with lots of spices; not hot, but spicy. I also tried some amazing potatoes with lots of garlic and maybe lemon, and that was awesome. Hot tea had mint and herbs in it and I loved it.Service was beyond belief. I was treated like a queen.I highly recommend this place.
Food is not so badBut service is terribleCleaning issue
We got a family platter of mixed grill, rice, & fatoush, it was AMAZING! So tasty and delicious. The staff was so friendly when we got there and they got the food ready so fast!We’ll definitely be coming back!
Apparently they have enough business. Came in from out of town and was quickly greeted very rudely when asked where to sit. He pointed at 2 spots and when I sat in one he told me that was saved for a table of 6 and he told me where to sit. I told him he could have my table too and left.
I haven’t even tried my takeout food yet but I have to get this place 5 stars. As soon as I walked in, the gentleman had me take a seat and offered me water while I waited. He asked me if I had enough bread and made sure that I was all good to go. Exceptional hospitality
The food was not only incredible but the service was exceptional. I came in to place a takeout order. while waiting the gentleman gave me water.The falafel and hummus were some of the best Ive had in Philly. I cant recommend this place enough
Great food and service, one of the best falafel I had in USA. The waiter was super friendly and happy to help with explaining the dishes.The lentil soup was excellent.
Nothing’s special. They need to pay more attention to the cleanliness of the place, there were a couple of cockroaches around.
Just had a Birthday brunch at Sahara Grill and it was a wonderful experience. The reservation process was easy and they were very accommodating for our party of 18. The tables were ready for us 10 minutes early and they were already preparing our family-style meal when we arrived. Once the food started coming out it seemed like it was never going to stop! Everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. The owner and staff were so very kind and pleasant. We all left full and happy. Highly recommend this place for a group gathering!
Delicious authentic Arab food. I loved everything
Delicious! Hummus, falafels, and stuffed grape leaves are all simple dishes, but when they are done well theyre spectacular.
The falafel was the best Ive ever had, very well seasoned and not dry like others Ive experienced. The portions were pretty big too, and I almost couldnt finish all of it (but it was too good not to). The actual restaurant is relatively small but I went on Monday night right before dinner time so it wasnt crowded. The one waiter was also friendly and very receptive, even as the restaurant began to fill up a little. Overall an amazing experience 🙌
My fiance and I are huge lebanese fans. This is one of my absolute places to order from - a hidden hole-in-the-wall gem. SUPER ethnic and very fresh ingredients. Always delicious. The owner is so kind, generous, and excited about his restaurant. BEST babaganoush and AMAZING garlic olive oil spread. When I order, I usually order grilled chicken kabob with grilled veggies. I often pick up containers of babaganoush to have as a snack at home. The only downside is the use of styrofoam.
Ordered takeout from Sahara Grill for the first time and we were not disappointed! The baba ghanoush is OUT OF THIS WORLD! So delicious. Also had the moussaka, which tbh I got confused and thought was vegetarian but so glad it wasnt cause the ground meat + cheese + veggies combo was incredibly flavorful. We called to order and they were very friendly.
Sahara Grill is perfecto! The food is amazing!!! The service is always great, been there few times and always a wonderful place to eat! I absolutely LOVE their Grape Leaves entree! Its the best😍
We loved it so much, we went there twice! Just walking around, it took awhile to find a restaurant in Philly with good vegetarian options so we were happy to find this place. The food at Sahara Grill is amazing! Top notch, authentic Middle Eastern food with lots of options. The first time, we were not that hungry, so we ordered 3 sides and shared them -- very lovely, nutritious and filling. The second night, we ordered regular dinner options and the food was just as excellent in every way. The service was great, and the atmosphere was very relaxing.
Not sure what this restaurant is serving but its not middle eastern food. They know most of their customers have never tried authentic middle eastern food and they take advantage of that.
Wow, this was some of the most delicious food I have had in a long time. Friendly service and great location. Excellent!
This place is AMAZING!! The prices are VERY reasonable for the portion size. The food is GREAT, it looks GREAT, smells GREAT, and tastes even better!!! Even the french fries were AWESOME!! The owner is sweet and personable, as well. This place is a MUST!!
I had dinner here back in July with my husband who’s Egyptian. The food was amazing, service excellent and served fast with our order. Delicious!
Authentic, excellent Lebanese food. Just like Sito used to make.
I got the mixed meat Kafka and it was very delicious. The portions are not huge, but with the complimentary salad I felt very satiated after my meal. Service was very friendly and quick. The prices are reasonable for the location and quality of the food.
I LOVE this restaurant. The wait staff is super chill and attentive to dealing with our large group. (Which I dont think they normally have to deal with). Food is extremely tasty.Salad always fresh, hummus is amazing. I recommend the mixed meat platter or shawarma sandwich and top it off with a ton of garlic sauce.
The food is very tasty and healthy. Service is great too!
My girlfriend and I found this place at the last minute and we loved it! The employees were all very kind and attentive. We had a delicious three course meal for 2 (appetizer, entree, dessert) that came out to less than $40. Cant wait to be back! Weve been talling everyone who will listen about this place.
Food is so incredibly fresh. Can tell that all ingredients are made in house. Owner is extremely nice and welcoming. I look forward to ordering again!
Wow ! Great food ! The freshest hummus Ive ever had. Family run business; Saleem the owners son will cater to you - his sibblings,cousin are about. Nice atmosphere slightly off on the edge of main part of the Mission. Great place to get a combo plate and share with a date/friend
Highly recommend. I’m visiting from out of town and couldn’t find garlic without mayo until Sahara! The staff was super friendly and the garlic & fattoush salad were amazing. Both are great vegan middle eastern options for any of my vegan friends out there.
Hummus great, toum amazing, nice staff. A little old dried food on our plate and one fork but yeah otherwise great
One of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. The owners are so nice. The dishes are reasonably priced, the ingredients are fresh and the restaurant is clean. The service is always great. I will definitely return here.
Owner is incredibly thoughtful and attentive and the food is incredible. Especially the desserts!
Have been a customer for over a year. Often bringing my fiends and they are always very satisfied.Great service, delicious food at very reasonable price. PS. Try/add home made creamy hummus,taboulleh salad, fresh tea and fresh made juices.Thank you Saharas team and big thank you to the Owner -Kassem.
Excellent and friendly service. Delicious food at reasonable prices.
Got the mixed grill player to go and it was great. A big portion that will fill anyone up. Flavors were just right. Meat was tender. Veg was fresh.Great place to go.
Great Middle Eastern place in Center City Philadelphia! Excellent food & hospitality!
Very flavorful, well prepared middle eastern food in modest surroundings. Blazing fast service. Very friendly and attentive. Food hit all the right notes. The interior is dimly lit and a bit dated. The proprietor clearly has his or her priorities in order, investing resources in well made food that does not skimp on portions nor flavor.
I am in New Yorker I came to Philadelphia for the weekend I was looking for Persian restaurant when I came to this place I was disappointed of myself because this was Middle Eastern restaurant but when I taste the food oh my God it was all just out standing extremely tasty very very tasty whatever I said is not enough I gave the five star the place is clean the food is fresh and especially the baba ghanouj which compared to other Middle Eastern It was out of this world
Great guys but bad food.PLAIN EVERYTHING.FAKE REVIEWS
The best Middle eastern food ever!
Excellent Mediterranean food and I so enjoyed the tabouli. The chicken skewers was very tasty and the brown rice had plenty of flavor. I ordered fresh squeezed orange juice from the menu and that was my only complaint, as it was not fresh but rather reconstituted. Other than that its definitely worth a visit
Delicious food. I had thr chicken kabob and the rice was fantastic. They give you a salad and bread for an appetizer as well.
The food here was fresh and made to order. Best falafel and shawarma I’ve had. Service was fast and friendly.
I like the food but the serving plate and glass was nasty. Will not go there again
Probably the best middle eastern food Ive had so far in the states. Also the hosting there was very warm, the service was great and the atmosphere is authentic and homey. I would highly recommend this place!
Decent Mediterranean food. Unfortunately, they only informed us that they were out of the lamb for our chicken and lamb dish AFTER they brought the dish to our table.All the food we ordered was great. But I probably would have ordered something else if I knew they were out of lamb. Id probably double check that they are stocked up before ordering next time.
So not very authentic. Had a beef shawarma and a falafel sandwiches. The meat was horrible. Full of ligaments and tendons. I took 3 bites and had to stop. Besides the fact that he had lettuce on the sandwich. Just an FYI, true authentic shawarma never ever comes with lettuce on in the sandwich. The falafel was nothing like it supposed to. The flavor was way off and didnt even have all the right ingredients. I do NOT recommend.
I went here a few months ago with my daughter. I must say the food was really BLAND to say the least. The cook was a man who appeared to be middle eastern. I think they cater to people who have never eaten middle eastern food as they wouldnt know what flavors to savor. Middle Eastern food is AMAZING if you go to the right place.
This place is horrible. If I could give it zero I would. Firstly, when the waiter was taking our order he had an attitude.We specified that we want no onions in the chicken shawarma. He kept saying “I know, I know”. Then, the waiter gave us only one jug with 4 glasses. We came with a group of 9. We politely asked him for 5 more glasses and more water. He said he was going to bring it and he did 30 minutes later. Our food finally came and we were excited because we were out celebrating a birthday. I took a bite out of my chicken shawarma and I tasted an onion. I pulled it out and put it in the plate. I thought maybe they only put one inside by mistake. I took another bite and again I tasted an onion. I stopped eating the shawarma and left it in the plate. A couple came inside at about 9 pm and the waiter walked up to them and yelled “Look at the time!” The couple apologized and left. I was mortified. They close at 10 and they kicked this couple out. And if they wanted to close early he could’ve said it nicely. We finished our food and asked for the check. The total was $168 which is outrageous. The food was so bland and had no flavor. We paid with visa and then left. The next day we checked to see if the bill was taken out yet. To my surprise it wasn’t. I decided to give it some days for the bill to be taken out. It still wasn’t. Then I read some reviews about how they wait a long time until taking out the bill and additionally taking out a very large tip. Now, 3 weeks later the bill still hasn’t been taken out. Please do not eat here. The service is terrible and same as the food. And if you do some how end up eating here please, please do not use visa. They’ll steal your visa information and take the bill out when you forget about it.
Lamb was not very strong. Beef and chicken were high quality. Rice seemed more like sticky than basmati. Garlic sauce was great, a big hit with everyone at the table.
Anytime I need a reminder of home I come here. This is a Lebanese spot but its basically the same as Israeli. Hummus is great the Ful is even better. Every dish comes with a yummy salad and their grilled meat and veggies are well seasoned. The garlic sauce is heavenly. Its a regular staple of mine and I highly recommend if youre looking for a happy Middle Eastern spot
The worst restaurant I have been tried in my life, please don’t try, please don’t west your many. The food is nothing and the prices is expensive. One star is too much for it
Me and my cousin came here during the middle of this COVID-19 pamdemic. While everything else was closed this place was open and I must say.This place has amazing food. Everything taste authentic. The owner displayed great hospitality and I could taste the passion and love by the way our food taste. The portion sizes were huge and the food is very well seasoned. I will return
Amazing food! Get a sandwich Lebanese style for only $7 and it will fill you up for sure! The platters are big and wonderful also!! Do NOT pass this tiny gem by for a delicious lunch
Ordered only two items to take out, a couple of my Turkish favorites, ezme and Iskender kebab. Both were done extremely well. The ezme tasted fresh and full of layers of flavor. The Iskender kebab was also cooked very well, and the butter used to coat it also tasted very fresh, as was the yogurt.The hostess could not have been more hospitable and friendly.I will definitely be back.
Had the lamb shawarma sandwich and imo is the best Ive had in Philly. Including Manakeesh and Mahmoud. The portions are large and fairly priced. It has been there for 20 years and I understand why. The owner is friendly also.
Great little spot for middle eastern food. The kabob sandwiches are excellent. The portions are good. The lemonade is fresh made and tastes so good paired with this rich food.
Tasty, freshly-prepared, reasonably priced authentic Mediterranean cuisine.They need to invest in a heating system and upgrade their entry door.
Ate here with a friend and we both got severe food poisoning a day later. be aware!
All the food was just heated up nothing fresh. And the shawarma wasn’t even shawarma it was like cheap chicken Slouvlaki. The service wasn’t good as well.
We’ve been in Pennsylvania for 7 years now, and the first middle eastern restaurant we ate in was Sahara Grill on Walnut near 13th. We would drive in from Berwyn, battling inbound 76 traffic, but the food, and especially Kassim, the owner, always made it all worthwhile.We’ve been in the city for 3 years now, so no 76 ( like a dream come true!), but we have continued to eat there for the same two reasons; the food, and Kassim’s warmth and stories. He never fails to come over and greet his customers.The food is wonderful, full of flavors and sapor that takes me back to my days in Israel and walking through the Old City of Jerusalem. Our favorites are the chicken schwarma, falafel and hummus, baba ghanouj; I can go recite the complete menu and everything would be a great choice. Need just a sandwich? Get a schwarma or kebab sandwich Lebanese style, with French fries in it.I just got takeout for dinner this evening, and like many restaurants in the city and around the country, he is struggling to stay afloat; he is celebrating his 20th year this week, and he’s not sure if he’ll get through this. We intend to order food from Sahara Grill EVERY week from now on, for those same two reasons: the food and Kassim. Please help us and him; we’d be heartbroken if he closes. If you love Middle Eastern food, try it. Tell him Laurie and Serge sent you (we have no Skin in this game, just love of his food).
Overpriced place.Its good taste but overpriced in addition they offer a very very tiny food quantity compare to what you paid .
First time dining here, as I am new to Mediterranean cuisine....I LOVED IT!!! The food was amazing, the atmosphere was great and and the service was excellent. I will definitely dine there again.
This place has by far the best chicken shawarma I’ve ever eaten in my life! I have been to the Middle East and tried shawarma there and it was not even as good as the one in Sahara. Five stars is not enough for the quality of the food and the service.
Its very nice place, their kafta kabab is almost like the authentic one, and I got free tea and desert at the end! The service is great! Must try if you love Lebanese/Mediterranean food.
We had a very tasty lunch. Reasonable (2 for 35-40$ with tip
Dont let the hole in the wall look of this place fool you. The food was outstanding and the Manager was very welcoming and personable. We had the Sahara app platter, the Mixed Grill and the Kafta Kabob platter. The flavors were amazing!
The food here is authentic and fresh. It reminds me of when I make homemade middle eastern food. I am definitely going to come back here. The waitress we had was so nice and friendly.
I have to preface this review with the fact that I love Lebanese food. Any time that I travel to a large city, I seek it out. Ive visited many a Lebanese restaurant in the United States from coast-to-coast and Sahara Grill is by far the best. While in Philly, you must go!The food here is excellent. From Saharas handmade kibbeh to its daily-made hummus, you can taste that everything is practically fait maison. Mixed grilled platter=mouth-watering. Its falafel wrap is something you would try on a street corner in Beirut, complete with Lebanese pickled turnips. All of the meat in any of their dinner platters is juicy, well-prepared, and grilled to complete perfection.The service staff is very friendly, a fact evident in the manner the owner frequents his tables of clientele and his warm greeting, ensuring that their every need is being taken care of by his employees.Do yourself a favor and go today. You wont be disappointed.
Middle Eastern food, mmm, so fresh. i can say this place does it for me. the staff was very helpful and observant. prices that wont shock you.
Wonderful experience. First visit to Philadelphia wanted middle eastern dishes. Made an excellent choice. Had 2 out of 3 dinner on my visit. Great service and food.
The best chicken in town.If I were to choose the best chicken dish in Philadelphia at any style and price, it would be the chicken kebabs at Sahara Grill. They have the cooking temperature and timing perfect every time that the chicken is tender, succulent, and keeps its natural flavor -- all while being marinated, grilled, and heated through. Other dishes and the sides are delicious, but the excellence of the chicken kebab is unmatched so if I want really good chicken this is my go-to restaurant.
Great service and better food. Its well-attended by local patrons - a good sign. We loved it. The portions were large, so you might consider moderation.
So Im a physician visiting Philly (from middle east originally). Me and my American wife went to Sahara 2 weeks ago and got seated immediately when theres only one table available. The food was good. When I came back to eat yesterday, I was by myself and theres 4 empty tables and no one was waiting, the waiter told me I had to wait because he had other people waiting. I felt insulted and walked out. Its sad how they treat their own people different than how they treat Americans. Sad and bad
Delicious authentic Lebanese and middle eastern food! This is NOT a fancy restaurant. If you are looking for a fancy place, go to Suraya. But if you want great authentic dishes , this is the best place for Lebanese food in Philly.
Lots of variety. Since we do not eat meat, we were pleasantly surprised to see a lot of options in vegetarian dishes. There was creamy delicious hummus, platters, egg plant dishes, salads.
This place is great for a quick lunch. They have the best falafels in town and large portion sandwiches. The service was also extremely friendly and the atmosphere is casual.
Best hummus! And the steak dinner is very flavorful with their rice.
Just a wonderful place with delicious, well-priced food and a welcoming vibe that encourages you to linger over a cup or three of mint tea.
A particularly nice place. The food is flavorful and the staff very friendly. Emphasis on Lebanese style foods but many options as well. The iced tea was particularly good.
Ive been coming here for years and the food is always delicious, and service friendly. The more standard middle eastern dishes are all excellent. But differentiating it from many similar places are several items that are not found everywhere, which I really love here. One is the Foul Moudames (ground fava beans), which is a delicious warm flavorful dip; the other is the Labneh, which is an unbelievably rich and smooth thick yogurt dip. Ive enjoyed all of the entres and sandwiches, but particulary love their Chicken Shish Taouk and the Felafel. The grilled vegetables on the side are also s treat. It is a very casual place, simple but clean and well maintained. Great for an inexpensive, straightforward, very tasty meal!
I absolutely love this restaurant! The food is authentic and delicious & the service is great. Best hummus Ive ever had. Id recommend the kebob or shawarma platters, you wont be disappointed.
Great fresh tasty food.
Stopped by for lunch and we weren’t disappointed. The owner is very friendly too. I highly recommended it!
Excellent Food and Service! The food was great and our server really went out of his way to accommodate our needs. Well definitely be back and we highly recommend this place!
Great customer service, food tastes very good. Prices are reasonable. Beef Kabob was delicious.
Nice place. Lively on weekend. Delicious food. Had lovely Qahwa (green tea)
We had a food just one time and falafel was so salty never ever had this much salty falafal not recommended
Flavorful homestyle Lebanese grill in an unpretentious setting with good service. Served with a garlic spread on the side, the chicken shish tawouk was marinated and grilled to perfection. The desserts are freshly made in-house and taste exactly as they should. For a quick bite OR a three course meal you cant go wrong.
Middle eastern food and service here is great. Food was so fresh. This place has a cool atmosphere. Feels similar to a cafe in Chicago I liked.
Maybe it was cause I was starving stuck in the office late, or something, but this place was amazing when I got some takeout!I ordered the vegetarian platter with spinach & mushroom pie for $10 which came with hummus & pita and salad.Id give this place 4 stars because the spinach & mushroom pie wasnt great (too shroomy and spinach tasted frozen) but the salad and hummus rocked my world so whatevs.. Ill just opt for another one of the vegetarian options next time.Everything tasted well seasoned and authentic. The salad was fresh (hard tomatoes and crunchy lettuce lol). Next time I want to ask for something spicy! I was stuffed halfway through.Def adding this place to my lunch rotation.
Super friendly staff and amazing food! Loved it!
Literally amazing! Excellent food. Wonderful staff. Very nonassuming. A real gem. Try the Turkish coffee, it’s got cardamom in it
I have been coming here for 13 years. It never lets me down! The best falafel in town, delicious grilled meats, Ive never had a bad dish or experience.
Very good middle eastern food. Kebab platter was amazing. Definitely worth a trip. Not the best place if you are just looking for falafels
The location is perfect for someone who is starving and wants to eat asap. The food is ok but the only thing that would make go there again is the waiter Faouzi. He is one of the most polite waiters Ive met at a restaurant ever!
Warm and cozy atmosphere. Beautiful middle eastern decor. Very friendly service.The food wasnt as flavorful as I expected but everything tasted fresh.
Visited once, on a winter afternoon, and I found the service and food excellent - had falafel and hummus platter, with good, fresh salad, and a nice lentil soup. All round, strong experience.
I got to this spot often for lunch. Everything on the menu is delicious and it never disappoints. The staff are super friendly and the atmosphere is lovely. Definite city favorite!
Homey style food with good flavors. Portions were a little small. Our waiter was polite and accommodating. Overall a good place.
Great Lebanese food. Friendly and fast service.
One of the best middle eastern restaurants in philly, food is made with perfection every time
Food is very good and service is excellent. There is always plenty. We have never gone away hungry. We have been coming here fairly regularly and have never had a cause to complain.
This restaurant is great and broad, the meals was yummy and the rates were very fair. fast, efficient service and very affable staff. I recommend this place.
Ive been here many times but the food is below average. Ive had better falafel, schwarma, etc. The pita bread also doesnt really taste fresh.
The food was amazing the server was really good the chef was also good good location
Very good for incredibly reasonable prices! Not busy at all when we went, at 5:15 on a Wednesday. No fuss, but lots of flavor.
Grilled chicken salad,kafta kabab,hummus are all sensational! Try the Sahara Fries w/saluted peppers & onions (always perfectly cooked)!Sit facing the kitchen for best service. All offerings are amazingly fresh.!!!
Great food and reasonably priced. The pita and hummus were excellent. Food was served quickly and the staff were very nice.
The waiter was very rude, i came here after long flight to have some Mediterranean cuisine. It was 9:10 pm the sign said close 10:00 pm the waiter was telling to hurry up before i even sit down.
Great food, service and prices, what more could you ask for? On top of that extremely generous portions! Enjoyable authentic restaurant.
Good place for a quick bite, delicious food, fair prices, attentive staff
My comment is about prices,the prices online do not match the current prices on there menus,i was expecting to pay a total $18 for my meal,would up paying $28 because of out of date pricing......
The food is very delicious, and price is reasonable. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend it and I’m very sure that you will enjoy the experience.
If i could put zero stars i would.If you have kids be prepared to be greeted with a nasty attitude. As soon as i walked in he started muttering to him self, I dont wanna do more work better control your kids while he started removing condimentsand decorations fromthe table. We just walked out. There is a reason this place is ALWAYS empty.
Delicious food! One of the best middle eastern restaurants in the states. Thank you for this amazing experience and service!
Great food! Love the shish kebabs platter and tabouleh. Actually, all the food is great. Another plus is that servers dont hover to get you in and out.
Group of theivesIf you want your visa to be stolen just go to themThey took 5 times the amount of tip I gave them without letting me knowI just knew when I checked back my account. When I contact them later they behave very badly.One star is too much for them but there is nothing below it.
Always delicious. I have been coming here off and on for years and the food is consistently excellent! Its BYOB, so stop at the nearby City Market first.
If I could give more than five stars, it still wouldnt be enough. The food is delicious and made by someone who takes genuine pride in their work.
Chicken Shish tawook was perfect and recommended with rice
This Our 3rd time In this place. Great staff!!! And service ! We had a mixed gril and was so good we Love it!!!. If you havent already, give this place a try, you will not be disappointed !!!
Amazing food, great people, nice customer service, reasonable prices, what else you can ask for?Suggestion to the owners: Consider opening another restaurant in the Cherry Hill NJ area.Keep up the good job guys!
The hip places in the area are not about food. This place, with Formica topped booths, is all about the food. Ample portions beautifully arrayed. Fresh, authentic, and delicious.
The waiter who works at this place isnt even competent enough to clean animal waste at the zoo. I dont have time or energy to spend on a pebble brained cro magnon. Perhaps he was raised by animals, who knows?
One of my favorite restaurants in Philly. Lovely atmosphere, great service and above all fabulous tasty food. They never fail to impress on all levels.
Ive eaten here three times. Their falafel is the best Ive had. Id take the food at Sahara over Zahav any day, even accounting for price.
Lunch specials youd leave grandma in the car to enjoy. Also great for accommodating larger parties without costing you a huge liver.
Traditional Mediterranean food at a great price. Would recommend there chicken kebabs . One of the most tender chicken kebabs I have eaten in Philly.
Iraqi restaurant with traditional Iraqi dishes .. although half of the menu food wasnt available .. I highly recommend you to try Kubbah in this place ..you should also try hookah if you are into it
Great food.. tried the Falafel wrap with hummus and feta cheese ... tastes yuuummmm... Great staff and on-time order... Thats all you need .
A hidden gem conveniently located on Walnut St near Wanamakers. Highly recommend the hummus with meat as the meat is lamb. So yummy and filling. BYOB
The staff is always friendly, the food is amazing and their hummus is the best in the city!! I love this place.
Great food! Very flavorful and good portion size. The waitress was very attentive and helpful.
I really liked the food and portion size. The taste was great also. I always get the mixed grill
Great service and fair prices for delicious Lebanese Mediterranean food. Plenty of vegetarian options so we will be back.
DIVINE Vegan and Vegetarian Delights, Wonderful staff. I felt transported.
Not the cleanest restaurant and the falafel was bad.
The garlic sauce was too strong. The chicken shawarma was too bland. The hummus was decent, but not great.
Just moved into the area recently and came across this hidden gem. The Middle Eastern platter is amazing - highly recommend !
The food is always fresh and super delicious! The best arabic food in the whole Philadelphia/south Jersey area.
When u go there u feel like u r at home again they have a really delicious food if u go there dont miss trying chicken shawrma the best shawmra eveeer ,high quality and great amount of food with a low prices , the .owner is the best , dont miss it if u love middle eastern food
After our many long trips from Brick NJ to Philadelphia, Sahara is always first on our list for outstanding middle eastern food and hospitality.
Fabulous understated place. They do a booming take-out business for lunch, but also great for dinner. Very reasonably priced given location.
Outstanding service, food and value. Great for a quick meal or relaxed dinner. Always treat.
Good Indian food. Nice decor. They missed one of my orders but compensated me with another dish.
Good food at a fair price. Fresh. Has the middle eastern staples like chicken, lamb, fish, hummus, kabobs, etc.
Pita bread is thin instead thick, not pocket Pita. Flavabean they grind instead of full,but food is tasty. Falaful was good and hot.
My favorite location for delicious middle eastern food. looking forward to a return visit.
Total reviews rating 4.3
199 Reviews for Sahara Grill 2023:
Review №1
2022-03-22They us feel like we were at home. Masks were worn by our server the whole time. We celebrated a friends birthday there and they were very accommodating and friendly. I wish I had more pictures of the food but we ate it so fast. It was good!
Review №2
2022-02-07I don’t mean to be rude or anything but Horrible! Horrible experience ever, so disappointed ! I will never ever come to this place again! The food smells like feet! Does not looking anything like Turkish food or even taste! I ordered something different and got something that looked nothing like it! Didn’t enjoy one bit didn’t even take a second bite! I’m not here to judge just to let you know my experience in this place with the food! Currently going to another ACTUAL turkish restaurant to enjoy some Adana Kebab!
Review №3
2022-03-18We had the following it was all delicious. Bring cash or pay 4% fee for card just an FYIFalafelhummus and feta cheeseChicken Shish Taoukchar-broiled chicken breast with lemon, garlic, olive oil and sahara spicesBeef Shish Kabobchar-broiled marinated cubes of sirloin with onions, tomatoes and peppers
Review №4
2022-04-12The food was savory. The seasonings were unbelievable. The staff was amazing. I will definitely come back.
Review №5
2022-07-23Had sheesh tawook and Kabab but we were so hungry didnt have time to take pics... The mint tea was just what we needed after the long walk around the area😋😋
Review №6
2022-07-26We found this amazing restaurant by Coincidence.From vegan to vegetarian and meat, all the dishes here (which we tried on two evenings) are excellent.The boss is very hospitable, serves himself and gave us good tips.Here you can only add ingredients to every tourist, it was always a pleasure
Review №7
2021-10-30Hummus was great, so was the Falafel sandwich. Potatoes were good. Cauliflower was okay. Friendly service. 4 stars only because as a Lebanese person obviously Ive had better Lebanese food before.
Review №8
2021-03-31One of the best halal mediterranean restaurant in Philly - the other being Cilantro Mediterranean Grill - check them out too!For starters, their hummus is so creamy and good - the best Ive had at a restaurant and I always try a hummus dish anywhere I go. Their meats/kabobs are good -very tender and juicy and come with great flavor. The bulgar rice is so flavorful, I can eat that alone. The lentil soup is great, I personally thought it needed a bit of salt but you can add as you like. The owner is a wonderful, friendly guy. Def visit this place if you havent already!
Review №9
2022-08-16If you are craving Middle Eastern food this is the place to go! Yummy!!! This is my go to when I’m in town! Very friendly establishment, awesome food and you can bring your own wine (no corkage fee). Highly recommend!!!
Review №10
2019-07-17Pleasant customer service and dining area, excellent food and reasonable prices. Lentil soup and mixed grill were perfection. The marinated eggplant appetizer was pretty good but I prefer it with a little more tomato sauce and olive oil, a little less lemon.