Cedar’s Restaurant Menu

  • Drinks
  • Hot Appetizers and Soups
  • Cold Appetizers and Salads
  • Cedars Special Entrees
  • Fish and Seafood
  • Meat and Chicken from the Grille
  • Weekday Express Lunch Menu
  • Extras
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cedar’s Restaurant

  • Drinks
  • Hot Appetizers and Soups
  • Cold Appetizers and Salads
  • Cedars Special Entrees
  • Fish and Seafood
  • Meat and Chicken from the Grille
  • Weekday Express Lunch Menu
  • Extras
  • Desserts

Visit below restaurant in Orlando for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Orlando for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Jimmy J.

    Closer to 4.5, and far superior in flavor, quality, and service than 90pct of what we experienced in our week in Orlando. As a second generation Arab American, i can tell you that Cedar' s cold mezze ( starters) were as good as anything ive had in Beirut, Amman, Syria or the West Bank. The hummos, baba ghanoug, lebneh, and fattoush were authentic and impeccable. Did i mention their pita is made fresh to order in a brick oven behind the bar? Amazing. I could have eaten that as a meal. We passed on kabobs n entrees because its played out for us. We order 4 hot mezze as entrees. These were good, not great, and no match to the cold mezze. Fried Kibbeh was the best of 4. They all could have used a little more seasoning and the dough mezzes could have been browned a little more. Desserts of knafeh and baklva were authentic and solid. Warm, friendly, and fast service by Fuad. Is it pricey? Compared to most of the tourist trap trash served around town, not really. This is good food my friends. 8 appetizers. Tons of fresh bread. 2 desserts. 4 sodas. Tax. 18pct gratuity...$102 Odds of me returning on subsequent trip to Orlando= 100%. Eat here.

    (5)
  • Andrea C.

    This is a nice little Lebanese restaurant in restaurant row. The prices aren't too bad compared to the other restaurants in the area and the wait staff was friendly. I kind of wish they would have had music or some other form of background noise because I felt like everyone could hear our conversation, haha! We tried the hummus, falafel, friend kibbeh, tabbouleh, cheese roles and the shawarma. Everything was very tasty. The falafel stood out for me! Very flavorful! And and tahini sauce they serve it with is delicious as well. Service was a bit rushed, which was odd cause most of the restaurant was empty, but we'll definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Kaley C.

    Cedar's has the best Lebanese food in town. It's out on restaurant row, but it seems to remain hidden from most of the tourists. The atmosphere is very authentic and the restaurant is full of middle-eastern families, which always makes me feel like I'm in a good spot! My favorite thing to do is to order a bunch of appetizers for the table. They bring amazingly fresh, poofy bread so we order hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, spinach pies, garlic sauce, and house salad. Then we fill all of the poofy potassium with toppings. Amazingly fresh and plenty of food for the table. On weekend nights, they have lively music and belly dancers. Makes for a great night out.

    (4)
  • Sheila C.

    Wonderful small family owned Lebanese restaurant. Took clients for dinner and it was a great experience. Friendly service and delicious food! The baba ghanouj is rich with flavor. The falafels, tasty as well. I ordered the Mahashi Inab, stuffed grape leaves. Very fresh and not too salty. The quail was cooked to perfection. The best Shawarma I've ever tried.

    (4)
  • Corey L.

    Hidden gem!!! I came here with a couple of my co-workers one evening when we were in Orlando for a conference. I have sadly driven past this place so many times and not even known of its existence! This restaurant is in a pretty busy town center area with quite a few large chain restaurants so I worry that this place might get overlooked by tourists. The atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. It's very beautiful inside and set nice and dark. The service was fantastic. The food was amazing!!! And to top it off they had an awesome belly dancer come out for entertainment!!! She was soooo good and got the guests involved as well. We all had the absolute best time and the food was filling but light. Plenty of leftovers to go back to our hotel with. I will be back myself and start taking more clients there as well!!!

    (5)
  • Yuko H.

    My first try Lebanese food. A friend chose this restaurant based on reviews... I couldn't make sense of menu as I didn't know what they were, my friend took time to explain each dishes. When I asked a waiter, he couldn't explain well enough for me to understand what they are. I ended up ordering fried okura lamb soup, which was actually good. Rice came as side dish and it was what I expected. I always liked rice from middle east and their rice tasted what I am used to. They brought olives and some sort of turnip pickles on the side, which I really enjoyed. I thought they were home made. Desert on the other hand was really good. They have two on the menu and we each ordered different one so we can taste both. I really liked both of them. It wasn't too sweet, but just right amount of sweetness. I liked what my friend had better, and if I have a chance to visit another Lebanese restaurant, I am going to research the food before I go. (Should have read yelp's reviews for recommendation before I went but I didn't, my bad). If my waiter was more helpful, I think it would have helped my visit here better.

    (3)
  • Bashaar T.

    Wonderful and warm, food was excellent and authentic and most importantly the hospitality was amazing, felt at home

    (5)
  • Aaron S.

    Fantastic restaurant. Great patio and service. Make sure you try the sujouk and chicken cedars. Amazing. Full of flavor and very tender. Great place to get some small bites and share them with a group. Bread with the hummus is great too. Made in house (at least it appears). Hookah offerings are small unfortunately. Only a few flavors to choose from. However, the staff are that serve the hookah are extremely attentive and they use real coals instead of the charcoal ones with all the chemicals. Nice touch. Have been multiple times and will return again!

    (4)
  • Michael M.

    Stopped by here with some friends for a few cocktails, a bite to eat, and to enjoy time smoking a hookah. I drank mostly vodka, tonic, and lime. Good drinks. We nibbled on a mixed grill of chicken, lamb, and beef with fries. Tasty! Mint grape in the hookah was so nice and complimented the drink well. The staff was very helpful and friendly. They did all they can to make sure we were happy and comfortable. Im looking forward to my next visit.

    (5)
  • Aaron H.

    Cedars is the best choice for Lebanese cuisine if you are visiting Orlando. We really enjoyed it. We chose Cedars during a recent work trip because of their vegetarian options. They have an extensive selection of Cold/Hot Appetizers & Salads. A few of our favorites were: - Shanklish: dry, homemade cheese served over green onions and tomatoes. This was by far the best appetizer we tried, the homemade cheese is delicious. - Hummus: they have a few types of hummus, but the original was very, very good. - Fatayer: Spinach pies baked with onions, walnuts, olive oil and lemon juice. Decent. I'm a huge fan of kabobs, so I went with the standard Kafta Kabob (3 skewers of ground meat mixed with parsley & onions). They were packed with flavor, nice char but moist... delicious. The only negative on the grill options are the sides... everything is served with simple vegetables and a pile of rice. A good vegetarian option is the Vegetarian Platter which has a variety of offerings (tabbouleh, hummus, babba ghanouj, spinach pie and falafel). Almaza is the traditional Lebanese beer which is a good, light beer. Cedar's also has a good wine list that includes 3 reds from Lebanon. The service was great. They have a nice outdoor seating area, but smoking is allowed outside. We look forward to our next visit in January.

    (4)
  • Lemuel B.

    Excellent food , great entertainment, family friendly... Excellent customer service kudos to Nick ! Love the experience , I will definitely come back. Thank you Cedar.

    (4)
  • Sandra B.

    Food was delicious. Shady add-on gratuity! I didn't realize the gratuity had been added on and my friend left an additional $20 in cash for the tip and the waitress took it while we were still sitting there! I guess they wanted to take advantage of us.

    (1)
  • Orianna H.

    We came for lunch and had a mixed grilled with two shish Kabab and one kafta. Our water had a big bug inside, it's was gross to see and the restaurant had bugs flying around our food and close to us. We had high expectations based on all the reviews but the food was okay. Overly priced for the taste, quantity and cleanliness of the restaurant

    (3)
  • Nora M.

    My 1st favorite Lebanese restaurant in central Florida and my 2nd favorite Lebanese food in all of Florida. Food is amazing, one of the best Lebanese food I've ever tried!!.. The atmosphere is ok, belly dancing is fun and interesting, and service is either ok or friendly. My first favorite Lebanese food is a restaurant in Miami which I forgot it's name and wish to remember it to visit it again!!

    (4)
  • Maile K.

    We ate here last night, here for a trade show. The food was excellent and the service even better. Some of the best baklava I've ever eaten. The salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked. Everyone loved their meals.

    (5)
  • Veronica N.

    Love the lamb chops and hummus from this place. The outdoor setting is great with the live entertainment and hookah!

    (4)
  • Lana B.

    Came here for Valentine's Day. I'm lebanese and I wanted to introduce my gf to the food. Our waiter Jean was so polite and hospitable. He did everything correct in fine dining (from the way he placed the protein facing customer to saying "my pleasure" after every request). We had the hummus and pita bread and falafel to start. Their hummus rivals my own. The bread is to die for. We both got chicken tawook. I wanted to keep things simple for my gf's first Lebanese meal. The chicken was superbly seasoned and grilled. I ordered some baklawa to go. It was buttery light fresh and delicious. For valentines they had rose petals on the tables and candle light and a rose was given to me at the end of our meal. Excellent. The waiter Jean looks like he might be related to my father lol but I didn't ask. My Aunt said family works at Cedars. I wonder if it's him. He has the Milham facial features. I definitely recommend !

    (5)
  • Luis M.

    I love Lebanese food, and in Orlando, this is as good as it gets. The service was good and the ambiance was nice. We decided to share a variety of apps and selected the grape leaves, the baba ghannouj, the kibbeh, the cheese rolls, the falafel, and the spinach pie. We either got lucky and picked the best items on the menu, or all of the options on this fairly extensive menu are equally well-made. I'd definitely make the trek to restaurant row again to sample other items from the menu.

    (4)
  • Winny R.

    My experience was so horrible at this restaurant that it is now the benchmark I use to compare my experience at other restaurants! I wanted to give this place 0 stars but that's not an option. What made my visit to Cedars so bad? Where do I start? When we walked in, I was with my boyfriend, we were told to just sit anywhere it didn't matter. Next the waiter came by and didn't even give us his name or greeted us just asked us if we had any questions about the menu. He was not customer service friendly at all. We read over the menu and decide to order a special platter with hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanoush, tabouli, and falafel. This platter was actually the only editable part of our dinner. But it was still mediocre. When our entrées were brought to us I was horrified. First I ordered a Steak Shawarma. It was literally a pile of dry marinated meat and along with it the WORST WHITE RICE I have ever had. Don't let me get started in the vegetables they were steamed carrots and broccoli nothing else?!? This is what I paid $20 for. I tried to eat it but couldn't it was just bad! My boyfriends food was worse ! He ordered kibbeh in a yogurt garlic lemon sauce or that's what it said in menu. What he received was a meat ball in a yogurt SOUR sauce quite honestly I have no idea how he was able to eat any of it which he was only able to eat the meat ball. And he also got the worst white rice on earth. I would have like to have talked to the waiter but he disappeared and then came back expecting us to say how delicious it was. We paid and left because it was obvious that we weren't welcomed there since there was a huge Middle eastern group at the patio that had every waiters attention. My final words about this place are please STAY AWAY and save your money. Just go to the Flame Kabob across the street.

    (1)
  • Michael S.

    First time here. Service was fine but food was very dry. Biggest problem was a table of about 25 with unruly kids where the parents OR the staff wouldn't keep quiet. We couldn't hear each other talk. Mgt could easily see they were disrupting the ambiance and did nothing. Won't be back

    (2)
  • S D.

    There is nothing in this restaurant that isn't delicious. I've tried so many things on the menu, and I was waiting to be disappointed with SOMETHING....but I couldn't find anything! Their chicken kabobs are seasoned just enough--they don't have to overspice it to kill the flavor. Their Hummus and Baba Ghanoush is so authentic and delicious! Even their side of vegetables was amazing! Too bad I live in Miami and have to drive to Orlando to eat there, but I have done that once or twice just to go eat dinner. They are THAT good. As far as pricing, it's similar to other arabic restaurants I've been to, so not complaining. About the service--the waiters/waitresses are always on point and are always around if you need anything. Gratuity is included, but it's actually less than I would customarily tip anyways, so I always add on more.

    (5)
  • Tony C.

    Food was good but the waiter was very strange and impatient. Made the experience very weird.

    (2)
  • Ana Carolina F.

    Well located, in the charming Dr Phillips area. Staff is very friendly and food is soooo good! Clean and fresh... If you appreciate a good Lebanese cuisine you must stop by. I normally order a bunch of different appetizers instead of a main course. Cold Lebanese beer, hummus, kibe (raw and fried) and some other great things.... Best service I ever had in Orlando!!!

    (5)
  • Scott R.

    As a American guy myself. I can see it being a bit intimidating coming to a Lebanese restaurant not knowing what to order or even how to order. At cedars they make everyone feel very welcome. Their menu has great descriptions of each dish. Everything here is delicious! On weekends they have belly dancers, this place also offers HOOKAH on the patio area. The appetizers are also great. This is a place that is a must try if your looking for something different. It can't be bad!! It's on restaurant row!!

    (4)
  • Wendy S.

    This was our first visit to Cedars and we loved it. I was given this place as a recommendation and so we ignored some of the negative reviews. I'm glad we did. We had a party of 14 ppl (incl children) and we felt very catered to. Fuad our waiter was never further than a call away. The owner visited our table to check on us. The drinks were delish and our meal was even better. We had 7 ppl do the Lebanese feast and this was a perfect introduction to Lebanese cuisine. We were able to try so many different dishes. We've been to most restaurants on Dr.phillips and I have to say this is now one my favorites.

    (5)
  • Dr Romie M.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Orlando area. The ambience is perfect at lunch for a business meeting and exciting at night to come with friends or for date night. Middle eastern cuisine is limited in central Florida, and Cedars creates consistently delicious dishes. If you eat meet- best lamb in town. If you are vegetarian the veggie platter is great.

    (5)
  • David K.

    Fellow Yelpers, After some back and forth, the final decision of where to eat came out to be Cedar's. I had never been so I thought, why not? One more notch on my Yelp belt, a superbly built high quality alligator leather belt of reviews of course. It was fairly slow due to it being a Tuesday night, but nevertheless it made it easier for me to capture the moment without much distraction. The interior is rather bland, leaving something to be desired, or maybe the lack of diners made it seem this way; not lively. We were promptly sat at a table by the window, which was nice, by a waiter who looked exactly like the star of the former hit series Monk; Tony Shalhoub. What made the comparison even more uncanny was this gentleman's behavior and mannerisms which were filled with meek and submissive body language. Luckily, he was not as weird as Monk and proved to be a very nice server who was extremely courteous. No complaints there. The music selection being played was rather depressive. It made me casually wonder if they were expecting to sit a funeral party at any moment, but I digress. We ordered one appetizer, 'Safiha,' and an entrée of Shish Kabob and Kafta Kabob. The Safiha was decent (see my picture), but nothing exceptional. It came with a good amount of meat in its center and with a fluffy shell reminiscent of some sort of pastry. Luckily , my company is an expert in culinary arts and promptly reacted to this by dowsing the Safiha in some much needed olive oil among other things. Being a self-starter, creative guy, I copied her actions and did the same to my Safiha. It helped the taste a bit, kind of like taking a navy wing tip shoe and putting red laces on it. It didn't do much to detract from an already 'uniquely Arabic' dish, but it did give it a bit more 'oomph.' The Shish Kabob (see my picture) was also good, but nothing to write home about. Even though I am writing this at home. Huh. The portion is very generous so that is a major plus. The dishes come with a side of rice and vegetables, but I simply opted for two sides of vegetables instead. They were well seasoned enough to stand on their own without the accompanying lamb kabob. The meat was a bit overcooked and I was surprised that the Monk doppelgänger did not ask me at what temperature I wanted it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the food. I tried the kafta and it was very tasty. This was the one stand-out item, so I'm recommending it. Overall, prices are reflective of the quality and portion. There is an outdoor patio and apparently it can get pretty energetic there during the weekends with dances and entertainment. If you enjoy this type of cuisine like I do, it's worth a try. If you're on the fence about trying Lebanese, I'm not sure if this would be a good enough introduction to sway your senses. ila al lika'!

    (3)
  • Sidhartha R.

    Even though we arrived late they accommodated us on a packed Christmas night. We ordered 3 appetizers which were mussakah, hummus with lamb and fatayer all superb and we highly recommend them. For main course my wife and son had the jumbo shrimp scampi (very very large shrimp ) which was delicious and my rack of lamb was among the best I have had ...simply put I highly recommend this restaurant to all even if u are not the adventurous type...also don't forget to get the garlic sauce.

    (4)
  • Mary M.

    So thankful that we found this place!!! I'm in Orlando for a conference and this was a welcomed change. I had the lamb kabob and it was cooked perfectly. Everything was good and the server was perfect.

    (5)
  • Joe K.

    On a recommendation from my brother in law my daughter and I went for dinner. We were pleasantly surprised finding everything delicious and quite filling. We ordered hummus and tabbouleh to start, it came with outrageous fresh hot homemade Syrian bread. Yum! For our dinner we shared two meals, kibbeh and Shish kabobs both were delicious and plenty of extra food at the end. Must go back to try some more and you should too.

    (5)
  • Luis A.

    I LOVE this restaurant and have been eating here for a couple of years. I drive with my wife all the way to Orlando from Gainesville sometimes just to eat dinner here. If you like Lebanese food, this is about as good as it gets and here is why: 1) Kibbeh Nayeh. This is not something you find in a middle eastern restaurant often because it is ground up raw lamb with cracked wheat and spices. Most middle eastern restaurants in the state are strip mall joints. That's not to say they aren't any good, but when I eat at those I get my meats well done so I don't get sick. I can count on one finger how many chances a restaurant gets to do a raw meat dish correctly and still stay in business. This is some baller stuff. It's almost as ballsy as a sushi place that serves blowfish. You simply cannot do this dish unless you have an impeccably clean kitchen, high quality meat, and enough lebanese customers who order it often enough to keep it on the menu. 2) The lamb kabobs. The meat quality is outstanding. Ask for them RARE. They will melt in your mouth. They might seem pricey, but the quality is well worth the cost. These are the best kabobs you will eat...unless you happen to eat your red meat well done. In thatcase skip these and order the chicken kabobs or the shawarma. Otherwise this dish will be a confusing waste of your time and money. 3) The hummus. Especially the hummus with hot shawarma on top. If someone knows a better place to get hummus in this state, please shoot me a message and let me know. 4) The tabouli. Lebanese food is amazingly simple in spice and taste. Less is more and it is meant to accentuate the natural taste of a dish. For instance, Lebanese salad dressing is olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt. People mess with the proportions of these but that is it. These guys have found a great proportion scheme. The parsley is always fresh and crisp as well as the tomatoes. 5) The baba ganouj. (see #3 above) 6) The pita bread. I list this last but not certainly not least. They have their own gas oven that cooks their fresh pita on the spot. It is brought to your table too hot to touch for the first minute and it is bottomless. The service is impeccable and matches the cloth napkin atmosphere. They know how to take care of you but at the same time you can show up in a T-shirt and shorts for a meal. If you like middle eastern food I would highly recommend this place. I have read some of the negative reviews on here and honestly I can only think that lebanese food is simply not for everyone...because these guys are the best at it. They have a belly dancer on the weekends and hookahs that you can smoke on the patio.

    (5)
  • Andrea B.

    This is a tough review as there is a fair amount of "not good" about this place, but the good is really really quite good. So the "not good" - I've found the service to be adequate to poor every time I've been. Typically there are long waits to order if you aren't ready when they feel like taking your order, trouble finding your server for drink refills, and sometimes a whole lot of glaring and eye rolling from the server. Also on the "not good" side, the ladies room seems to be perpetually out of toilet paper in at least one stall and half the time there is simply a jumbo roll of paper towels sitting on the counter rather than actually being placed in the dispenser. My family and I are big fans of the minute differences in Persian vs. Lebanese vs. Greek vs. Turkish cuisines so we try and order the items where Lebanese cuisine really shines. This is actually a wee bit difficult as I am slightly disappointed by the entrees at Cedars every time we visit. The appetizers are outstanding! And the pitas! It would almost be worth going for the little, piping hot, wood-oven puffed pita breads alone. They are amazing and we always eat an embarrassing number of them. For appetizers, we are fans of the hummus, which is well seasoned and smooth, and the baba ganouj is always mellow, with no bitter hints as eggplant spreads can sometimes have. I adore kibbeh (little balls of meat and cracked wheat stuffed with more meat and pine nuts) and theirs is excellently seasoned, though a little dry. On our most recent trip, we tried the Makanek, described as homemade sausages sautéed in lemon. Two members of our party really liked them but the third found the idea of cloves seasoning sausages to be really odd. I think there was a touch of sumac as well, which I found interesting. Sadly, after appetizers most of my meals here go right downhill. I usually get the mixed grill (one skewer each of the chicken kabob, lamb cube kabob and kafta kabob). The meats were well grilled, though the lamb was a little tough and the kafta a little dry. But the huge letdown is always the mixed veg. For totally unknown reasons, Cedars uses a frozen veg mix of carrots, cauliflower and broccoli which they jazz up a little with garlic. How do I know they are frozen? Because they were served to us ice cold on my last visit. The waitress seemed somewhat annoyed at us for complaining but had the kitchen prepare more, HOT, veg. Most grilled entrees are served with rice...which is rice. Not really seasoned but usually cooked well enough you don't pay much attention to it other than as a bed for the meat to nestle on. So, yeah. Never outstanding but we keep going back because the appetizers are really good and there aren't very many Lebanese places. Yet, I always feel a little cheated - that I've paid too much for too little that was really notable. Maybe one of these days we will start the meal here and then go next door to Seasons 52 for the rest.

    (3)
  • Julie W.

    Don't bother going here. Absolutely the worst experience ever, terrible service, terrible atmosphere and staff was very rude.

    (1)
  • Nicole A.

    The service was awesome! I was looking for a place with hookah and drinks. I also tried the hummus which was delicious! I originally went to the place next door (Le Rouge) and walked out after 5 minutes. Definitely glad I tried Cedars!

    (5)
  • Tony M.

    I went to this restaurant with friends Friday night. When we arrived there was loud music in patio and no one sitting inside the restaurant. A taller man who I found out later was the manager greeted us with "the inside is closed and we have no seating outside".. Wow, great customer service. As we looked outside there was an empty table and we asked why we couldn't sit there. He looks and said okay, they needed to ask the family in the adjoining table if they minded. Really? That was my first clue that we just walked into the arab mafia. Finally after seating ourselves we had to endure the very loud electronic arab music for 15 minutes before the waiter actually took our order. After another 30 min they brought the food which was less than expected, cold.. Colorless.. Lke they just got it out of the microwave. My Lebanese friend apologized for suggesting this place and said he thought the cooks might be Spanish but definitely not Lebanese as the food was nothing like he expected. When the manager came by we flagged him down to complain but he told us "we are busy, many families come here regularly and this is how they prefer the food". Bland and cold? He was completely unhelpful and could not care less for us as we were not the "arab customers" he wants to cater too. We paid our bill and all left vowing never to come back. The manager is arrogant and rude, the staff is less than helpful and the food is bland and cold. Save yourself money and go enjoy the wine bar next door as we did. The ambience of the wine bar and kindness of the owner saved the night!

    (1)
  • Erin W.

    One of my top 5 restaurants in Orlando. The Shish Kabob is 3 skewers of the best cooked lamb I have ever had! All of the traditional Lebanese food has great flavor and presentation. The best part is you won't leave here hungry since they don't skimp on the portions. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a belly dancer and live music late into the night to compliment the hookah available to smoke on their patio. You must go to Cedars if you are in Orlando.

    (5)
  • Jennifer D.

    Stopped here for an impromptu lunch with friends this afternoon. I had the vegetarian combo express lunch platter, and was thoroughly pleased. The falafel were crisp with no oily aftertaste, the tabbouleh was fresh, the hummus was delightful, and the baba ganoush was delicious! Service was pleasant and attentive. I would definitely come back to Cedars if ever in the area again.

    (4)
  • Yaron L.

    Great food and superb service, came here 2 nights in a row. Try the knafa, one of the best I ever had

    (5)
  • Amira A.

    My husband and I celebrated our 3-year anniversary at Cedar's Lebanese Restaurant this past Saturday November 30th and it was truly amazing! We had plenty of waiters, which were all friendly and VERY patient!!! We had a party of over 30 people. We go to Cedars all the time and always get great service. This time I decided to write a review because the service we all received was phenomenal for all the requests we had. I admired the seating arrangement they created for us outside. The love music, it was completely what I wanted. The food was delicious. We all had a blast!!! THANK YOU CEDARS!!!!!

    (5)
  • Bobby P.

    Not bad

    (3)
  • Tracey R.

    My family took me here for Mother's Day. My Saudi exchange student son picked it out. We were encouraged on entering to see a number of people from various Arab countries there: a table of Saudi women, a couple of Lebanese men, a married couple from Jordan, a table of Saudi guys; all in Western dress, and some smoking hookah. The decor is beautiful, both indoor and out. Hookah is allowed outside. A few people were smoking it. The music was pop Arabic and not intrusive but added nice atmosphere, conveying an upscale, modern pan-Arab feel, but with enough tradition in it to be understandable to Westerners. Service was quick. In fact, it took us a bit to choose our meals because it was our first time. It sped up a bit when my son decided to order for us and was able to convey that in Arabic to our waiter. We ordered 3 meals (combo plates) and 4 appetizers for 6 people (one a child) and it was plenty. However, after we'd ordered two appetizers our waiter suggested two more, and we thought they came with the meals. They didn't. Even in Arabic my son understood our waiter to mean the additional two appetizers (very basic--hummus and baba ghanouj) came with what we had ordered. The food was very good. The sahia didn't look like the one that another reviewer posted at all--I think either he or we didn't get the right thing, but they were delicious anyhow, but tiny. The lamb was very good and flavorful; the chicken was white meat and therefore a tad dry, but not unusually so. The hummus and baba ghanouj were really good; not quite as good as our son's grandma's but then, who can cook like a grandma? We are used to Saudi rice, but this rice was ok. I guess if you are used to Turkish rice it would be very good. Saudi rice is a different kind (Basmati) and we usually eat it via kebsah or biryani, with lots of spices, so to us plain rice is...plain. But authentic, apparently. And good. And then the bread. Fabulous. So good. The only downside is the price. But then you are also paying for the location when you eat here. In Chicago we have ordered a similar meal to their big meal that feeds a crowd and includes all parts of the meal and paid about $150. Here it would have been double that. But in Chicago we were in a suburban strip mall area, not near I-Drive and Disney. Just be aware of that when you pick this place. And be aware that no appetizers come with meals, unless you're talking about the big multi-person meal, where it is clearly listed on the menu.

    (4)
  • Sebastian J.

    Great place. A little pricey but pretty good for a Mediterranean cuisine. If you want to save your money, Habibi's is close by, similar in quality but at a fraction of the cost.

    (3)
  • Rachel G.

    Been going here for years now and still a staple for me on places to go to eat.... Also looks fun on weekend always packed w music playing.... Baba ghanoush is my fave also all their kabobs! If your there for lunch don't pass on the sandwiches and don't forget to order garlic and spicy sauce!!!

    (5)
  • Doc R.

    Amazing lamb shish kabob, tabbouleh and baklava. The pita bread deserves a mention as it's warm baked and pillow soft with just enough crunch around the edges. The thing that struck me the most is how fresh everything tasted and how lean the lamb was here. The only suggestion would be is to do something more interesting with the broccoli and rice sides but in all honesty I was too full to even attempt to eat those and try and tackle desert. Overall a great experience guided by a very capable waiter.

    (4)
  • Vivian H.

    I am not from this neck of the woods, but my oh my this place was fabulous! How did we ever find this place? Well, a good Lebanese friend of mine and I were in town for a conference and he couldn't stop raving about this place. So on a warm Friday night, we made a field trip here. The restaurant is situated in a strip mall and of course, I almost had a heart attack. I have some traumatic experiences with strip malls. But before you judge this place, give it a whirl. The restaurant is spacious and everyone working here is authentic. My friend started to chat with the host and waiter in Lebanese and from the words exchanged and the beaming smiles, you would've been fooled that they were all long-time friends. Talk about warm, Mediterranean hospitality! Since it was so warm, we opted to sit outside in their "veranda." The waiter was extremely friendly, helpful and so wonderful to look at. He started us off with a bottle of domestic Pinot Noir, which was excellent. Dry, with a bit of an oaky finish, just how I like it. My friend took the lead and ordered for us. We had a whole spread of Lebanese tapas which included hummus, baba ghannouj (smoked eggplant dip), tabbouleh, fattouch, cheese rolls, fatayer (spinach pies), laban salad (yogurt with cucumber), kibbi, falafel, foul (fava beans). It was a feast for kings (and well queens too). According to my Lebanese friend, there is no place in New York City that even compares to this place. Hot damn. And although I don't know Lebanese food too well, I can say that all the dishes were executed perfectly. I couldn't complain any dish. The eggplant dip was the best I ever had, smoky and creamy. The pita was piping hot and fresh. My mouth was in sheer ecstasy the whole time. We also has the dessert sampler and it was just amazing. We of course had baklava and knafeh. All were delicious and knafeh was made with Halloumi cheese. There was also an amazing Belly dancer! What a nice way to end a fabulous meal! Excellent, excellent Lebanese food. If I am in ever in Orlando again, I will be sure to visit again!

    (5)
  • Laura H.

    This place is fantastic, a true Lebanese gem, and it even got the nod from my Lebanese in-laws...so you know it's great! If you're feeling adventurous, please try the Kibbeh Nayeh, it's amazing, and you can't get it everywhere! The Shawarma is fabulous, the Shish Kebab is tender and wonderful, and the Kibbeh bi Laban is in the best homemade yogurt sauce you'll ever try. The Falafel is great and the Hummus is delish!

    (5)
  • William R.

    I went to Cedars for Lunch on a weekday with a work associate. We immediate noticed it was almost dark inside the restaurant, we actually weren't sure if they were open. We were greeted by a server who sat us at a table close to the bar. we looked at the menu and decided to go with the Fried Kibbeh and Falafel as appetizers.They brought out a basket of warm pita bread with our appetizers. The warm pita bread was delicious and so were the apps when they finally arrived. We both ordered the Shawarma and really enjoyed it. The beef was seasoned very nicely and the tahini sauce was especially good. The food was good, the service was a little underwhelming. The process to order took longer than most restaurants and then the server returned infrequently to the table. My associate wanted a refill on the pita bread but apparently it wasn't meant to be as we never received it. Drink refills were also very slow. Now, I understand being in the weeds but there was five tables occupied in the restaurant. Its a little on the pricey side and would not recommend if your going for lunch or have a time restriction.

    (3)
  • Fredy Y.

    What do I know about Lebanese food. Probably as much as Obama knows about world affairs . The one thing I know to me that Mediterranean/middle eastern countries love the hell out of some lamb, stereotypical maybe. So I always order the most obvious choice . Don't bother with anything else on the menu L-A-M-B is the way to go. A Shish Kabob with a warm slice of pita bread is a as good as it gets. a bit pricey, ok service. lamb and you won't be disappointed.

    (3)
  • Lelania B.

    This place is a perfect candidate for Robert Irvine to take on for Restaurant Impossible!!! Yuck. Seriously. Don't bother. The food was terrible. This is the furthest thing from "fine dining" that I can imagine, and I can't even believe they are still in business. They serve FROZEN VEGGIES with your $30 entree. (Really??) The bread baskets are grey and fuzzy around the edges from being dirty. The salt shakers were so caked up with moisture inside that we had to unscrew the cap to get any salt. To be fair, lamb kabobs were okay as far as taste goes, but all of the meat was overcooked and tough (had ordered the combo trio of skewers). The bread was hot and fresh and tasty enough - I'll give credit where credit is due. The bathrooms were sub-par and there are drill holes punched in on all the walls of the partitions. There were no paper towels in the handicap bathroom so I had to go to the main sink to get any to dry my hands. Again, fine dining? Really? The server was nice enough, but when we asked for recommendations she said that everything was good, and what do we like? Chicken? Seafood? Spicy? When my husband said he liked spicy food, she proceeded to tell him that nothing on their menu is spicy. Um. Okay. So why even mention that as an option? There were only two other couples in there on a Sunday at around 5:00. I would be surprised if this place was in business next time we make our way to Orlando. Very dissapointed. Waste of our time and money. There are too many other good ethnic restaurants in the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake Rd area to settle for this kind of sub-par overpriced experience.

    (1)
  • Amy J.

    My boyfriend and I made reservations for a late dinner on a weekend and upon our arrival we were seated immediately and throughout the entire night received AMAZING service! The food was very traditional and there wasn't anything on the menu that we didn't absolutely love. We loved the warm flatbread, tabbouleh and the baba ganoush with hot mint tea. The grape leaves and Bemi with rice were equally as fabulous and we had no room for a tantalizing selection of desserts. If you like authentic Lebanese..run don't walk to your next dinner at Cedar's Restaurant.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    Great dining experience. Delicious Lebanese food accompanied by their good service. Beef kafta, kibbeh, humus , pita bread, fatoush salad, chicken shawarma , eggplant ( like musaka but can't remember the name) I think there was more but I can't remember what else. Everything was decent or better. I will return.

    (4)
  • Boo P.

    Lunch sandwiches, soups and salads are excellent.

    (5)
  • Julie A.

    Shawarma, shawarma, shawarma... Oh how I love you... For my first venture into Lebanese cuisine, I was happily pleased. The main courses were great, but let me emphasize how lovely the hummus and shawarma appetizer ($7.50) tasted yesterday. The freshly made warm pita bread was also a plus. Like pillows of shawarma/hummus filled goodness in my mouthhhhhh. As for the main entrees, I ordered the Bemieh (lamb, okra, in a tomato based sauce, for $15) and my friend ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban (which were a special type of beef meatball served in a thick creamy sauce, also $15). I liked the Bemieh. It reminded me of that Tajine Jilbana from Zitouna in San Francisco, but with thinner sauce and more tomato-ey. (Is that even a word?) In other words, their tomato sauce is kinda like a stew/soup consistency. Mr. Picky Table's Kibbeh Bi Laban was much more tastey. I have a preference for creamy foods, so naturally I liked his dish better. The sauce had a thick creamy texture (like thinned out yogurt), and the meatball was really good and had a different taste. They mixed some Lebanese spices in with the meat. We had some great dessert. I don't remember what it was, except that it came with a simple yellow cake sitting on top of a rose-flavored sugary sauce. Simple and delicious. Oh, I almost forgot. The Turkish Coffee ($2.50) was excellent. I've never had a coffee so rich with flavor. Happily pleased. Service was OK. The lady should smile a bit more. I guess it's just one of those days for her. ::shrug:: They have outdoor seating here. It's kind of enclosed with a roof above and walls around. Great for breezy days so you can enjoy the outdoors and sunshine without the chill factor. Note to self: this is review 222. Lmao!

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    The food is actually very tasty. I just feel it is a bit over priced, and the service was a little off. I asked ONE minute to look over the beer menu, the kid didn't come back to we flagged him down 10 min later. My office likes to go here often for special occasions, so the big group feast dining is fun and I would recommend for office luncheon/meeting since everyone can share. Just keep in mind, it ain't gonna be cheap, in case you are the boss fronting the tab. Heard they have belly dancers. Really wish I could find the right time they come.

    (3)
  • Steve A.

    I've traveled the world and have yet to find better middle eastern food than at Cedar's. Service is friendly, and the hummus and tabbouleh can't be beat. The felafel is never greasy, and the pitas are baked fresh and replenished multiple times during your meal. Perfection.

    (5)
  • The B.

    Hard to find good food in Orlando.. but Cedar's... Don't be fooled by its strip mall location. The food was fresh, authentic and delicious. The fatoush (salad) and Cornish hen are musts. The lentil soup and vegetarian platter were excellent. The hummus was outstanding. the kabob and shawarma were pretty darn good but not as good as the other dishes. The service was friendly and patient. No one seemed to mind that the kids were making a mess. Each time we made a request of the gentleman serving us and said thank you to him, he replied "any time." Everything was nice enough.. but the food was outstanding

    (5)
  • Ryan G.

    Helen was our "server"...but she was not interested in helping us. Multiple times we had to leave our table to track her down to get refills / sauces / napkins, whatever. The food was just ok, sub-par actually, compared to other middle eastern - Mediterranean food. Any time you tried to seek understanding about an item by comparing it with Greek / Turkish / whatever, Helen would get all huffy and remind you that this place is Lebanese. Whatever lady...just because you change ONE letter in the name of the dish doesn't make it different. On the ticket it asked for feedback about the food, server, etc...and we answered honestly - food was 3 of 5, and server was 1 of 5. As we left we saw Helen showing off her bad score to other servers and laughing. The really sad part? She's not just a server...she's the owners daughter or girlfriend or something. She designed their website, and thinks she's a big shot and waiting tables is beneath her. Guess what, it's not. You can't even wait tables well! Maybe you should start washing dishes!!

    (2)
  • Cristina G.

    Wow! This was our first visit after almost 7 years and the first thing I thought of was ..."why"? The food and service were very very good. Our party had 4 people in it so we "qualified" for the Feast...a melange of appetizers and grilled meat. Can I just say that there was enough food there to feed about 10 people! The cost is $25 per person and the table gets about 7 appetizers - tabbouleh, hummus, kibbeh, falafel, meat pies, spinach pies, spicy cheese. That was all followed with a huge platter chicken, lamb cubes, and kafta. Not to mention there was also another platter of vegetables and rice to go with the mixed meat platter. I mean, really.....this was such a great deal and the food was excellent. If you are hungry, this is the menu item to order. A nice variety of food which makes for an interesting dinner. We will be back and this time it wont be 7 years later.

    (4)
  • Chris W.

    Amazing food. Had the Cedars Salad and Kibbeh appetizer follows by the mixed grille. My wife had the lamb chops. It was melt in your mouth marvelous. Finished with Baklava and Port. Highly recommended. The service was only outmatched by the food.

    (5)
  • Florence C.

    Excellent representation of Lebanese cuisine. The first time I ate here was on business in 2006. I love kibbi nayeh (lamb tartar with bulgur) and enjoyed it here. I sat near the wood oven and smelled the fresh pita loaves... mmmmm. Everything was memorably good. More recently, I stopped by during a 2011 vacation and totally inhaled the Vegetarian Platter (from the lunch menu: tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, spinach pie, and falafel) with an order of kibbi nayeh. Highly recommended!

    (4)
  • Libby W.

    3.5 stars here. I'm really not sure why I can't bring myself to give it 4. The food is good and the service this time was phenomenal. Way better than the last visit I had. I'd go there again. It's just not a place I think of when I think of places I love or have to go back to for a craving. Chalk it up to personal opinion or perhaps even price. While the lunch menu is great, it's limiting. The other entree's start at 16 dollars or more. Our server was amazing though. He had suggestions that we took him up on, which were really good. He was attentive and very nice.

    (3)
  • Julie F.

    YES! An excellent Lebanese restaurant! My husband and I always say that if we lived closer to Cedar's, we would be spherical from eating there so often! Everything we've had has been delicious. I usually get the moulakkieh, but after tasting my husband's lamb kebabs, I think that will be my new staple. The bread is always fresh and cooked on-site. They even have hookah, which we usually partake of when we visit. The bellydance shows on the weekends are fun, too. Don't forget to ask for the garlic sauce! If you want delicious, authentic, middle eastern cuisine, you won't find better than Cedar's!

    (5)
  • Hoda B.

    Great food and atmosphere! Best middle Eastern restaurant in Orlando area

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    Want to under line what a couple of the other reviewers said," don't be fooled by it's strip mall location", this place is authentic. You can't go wrong with a table of appetizers, I especially loved the yogurt with olive oil , the fatoush and the falalfal.

    (4)
  • Stu F.

    I tried Cadar's on a recent trip to Orlando for a family vacation. In the morass of chain-style, over the top, overpriced restaurants in this area of town, Cedar's Restaurant was a breath of fresh air. Unique food that was deliciously prepared with care. I had the appetizer of fava beans, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. The name of this dish is "foul" which is unfortunate as it may scare off a lot of blockhead American patrons. But this dish was darn tasty. Think of it as a thick soup, served hot, with parsley and seasonings on top. The favas were mostly pureed but still left a bit chunky, and I liked the texture of that a lot. I also tasted the lentil soup which my companion ordered. It was delicious and had an earthy flavor that was rich with cumin. If I were to return, I would definitely order both of these dishes again. For my main course, I had the Farrouj Musahab, which is a deboned cornish hen marinated in (most likely) yogurt, lemon and other seasonings, then grilled. It was quite good. The marinade gave it a tangy flavor that was mouth watering and it was, as the menu stated "grilled to perfection". This dish was juicy and not spicy at all for those who try to avoid those things or who may want to feed this to a child. It came with a very tasty and fragrant rice as well as some steamed veggies (broccoli and carrots). This dish was a definite keeper and something I would definitely order again. My dining partner had a couple of other appetizers instead of a main course, which included: grape leaves stuffed with veggies and rice and the Laban Salad, which was kind of like a yogurt soup with cucumbers, mint and garlic. I did not try either of these but they looked very good and all plates were left clean. In spite of the fact that many/most of the dishes had garlic in them, they did not do what many uninspired restaurants do and load their dishes up with garlic to the point of them being overpowered by it. The use of garlic in these dishes was a lot more nuanced, as it should be IMO. This place is a breath of fresh air. I would definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to others. The waitstaff was super friendly and warm. Please note: if you sit outside, you will be in the smoking section. People will be smoking hookah pipes and cigars. I did not see one cigarette. That was kind of cool too, but in the end, we moved inside because we didn't want people blowing smoke over our food as we ate.

    (4)
  • Kristine C.

    Very authentic Lebanese food. Ate mostly apps because of the generous portions. Family friendly and good service.

    (4)
  • Kristin K.

    love, love, love this restaurant. Food is excellent as well as the service

    (5)
  • E A.

    While walking around Orlando we stopped to talk to a cop and asked his recommendation for dinner. He steered us here. (ummm, perhaps not the right terminology as he was in his car). Okay, okay. We made a reservation as it was Saturday night. When we arrived at 7:30 it was not too crowded and we had a choice of sitting inside, or on the outside patio. There was only one or two tables with Hookahs and it was noisy inside, so we sat on the patio. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!. As more people were seated on the patio, more hookahs came out. Ugh, not good. But to top it off, since it was a breezy night, the staff brought the wind shades down. It was a smoke filled chamber. By that time we were halfway through our meal. Our meal..... Chicken livers, spinach pie, and meat pie for apps. They were okay. The spinach pie is more like puffs. Nothing like the Greek variety. They were okay, I prefer mine with more feta. I ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban based on reviews here on Yelp. That may have been my mistake. The lamb balls in yogurt were made of chopped lamb and reconstructed back. NOT what I expected. I ordered it because it was a lamb dish, it tasted more like lamb hamburger. My mistake. Our friends had the mixed grill, and it was a good size portion. You have to be able to eat a big meal for this dish. The belly dancer, sigh. I don't want to be negative as she was a lovely young woman. But as someone mentioned.... Um.. she needed to tone up her belly a little. It was cool to have a belly dancer to watch, but .... We had just been to Tu Tu Tango a few nights before and the belly dancer there was phenomenal. The wait staff was very helpful and friendly. We did not rushed. Perhaps because we were sitting outside in the smoking area? ONE MORE THING..................................all four of us slept horrible that night. We weren't sick or anything, we just COULD NOT SLEEP. One or two of us, chalk it up...........but all of us??

    (2)
  • Tommy D.

    This is the third time there and I wanted to update my review...We had a group of over 35 people there. The service was NOT compromised at all. They did wonderful job and the food was still great! AND I had my first Hookah there...fun experience!

    (5)
  • E e.

    I'm Lebanese and don't like eating Lebanese food out of the house...except this place. Lights out Fatoosh. This fatoosh is the best by far i've ever had anywhere. From the bread to the sprinkle of zatar it's just amazing. Also tried the labeneh, hummous, falafel, & a side of zatar in oil. Great place enjoy and you won't break the bank either. Home made pita bread served in little pocket sizes....it's hot and absolutely amazing. Well done.

    (5)
  • Tom B.

    The last time I went to Cedars, I don't think Yelp had been invented. Had it been, I'd have given Cedars three stars -- things haven't changed much. What I most recall on the first visit were two things: that four of us dined there in the evening and we all had to use a flashlight to read the menu; and that our unanimous reaction was something like "Okay, we at least tried it." Service left a lot to be desired. After a brief period of time, my waiter asked me if I was ready to order. I replied that I was undecided between two appetizers. What I really wanted was some help in deciding. Instead, he walked away quickly after saying he'd give me more time. I didn't get a chance to say "But wait!" "Help me!". I decided to start with sauteed chicken livers and a glass of wine, with some puffy bread, and condiments of beet strips and olives. The chicken livers were good, and there was an ample amount of juice for dipping the bread into. My entree was Baked Kibbeh, "ground meat and cracked wheat, stuffed with meat, onions and pine nuts". That's how the menu described it -- meat stuffed with meat! It was a little bit like a quiche, but on the dry side. I chose the dish mainly because it was served with laban salad, consisting of yogurt, cucumbers and cilantro. It sounded better than it tasted. I had visions of Anatolia's cacik soup dancing on my taste buds, so the laban somewhat disappointed. My waiter passed by a couple of times and didn't ask how things were (eventually he did), nor did he seem to notice my wine glass was empty. I had to get his attention to ask for a second glass. On a positive note, the baklava was as good as it gets. However, again Cedars was a less-than-overwhelming dining experience.

    (3)
  • Jitan K.

    Cornish Hen was a hit! Hummas Awsome! Hot Sauce a must have!

    (4)
  • Ida R.

    food was really good, lamb a bit over cooked. and if you don't want to pay $20 at the end for smoking the hookah don't let the guy convince you to smoke, he makes it seems like it will be FREE but no it will cost you $20. we had a great time and will def go back!!

    (4)
  • Natalie W.

    The most authentic Lebanese food in Orlando. Fresh, homemade delicacies that take time to prepare and cook.

    (5)
  • Nate R.

    Cedars is excellent! The best Lebanese food I've ever had. Friendly servers who provide great service, nice setting and ambiance. I highly recommend ordering the hummus. Go on a wednesday or friday night if you enjoy live music and bellydancers

    (5)
  • D_Kissimmee D.

    We had to walk out because of the tobacco smell from the hookah bar. No smoking means no smoking. We had a reservation for a party of 5 for my birthday and ended up having to walk in somewhere else.

    (1)
  • Colin M.

    This place is pretty good, the cedars in melbourne is much better and has way better prices. Once we sat down, we were greeted right away by a really nice waitress, she was very attentive and prompt. The interior of the reataurant was excellent and classy, as well as their outdoor seating. We wanted to try several appetizers, because frankly, all of them seemed interesting, so i asked about the 'lebanese feast' which had 7 appetizers for 29 dollars, but instead got talked into 4 for 6.50 each...i thought she was cutting me a break, but ended up getting charged 31 dollars for the 4....try the 'lebanese feast'. also, ask for the garlic sauce, it was not suggested, but we've frequented enough lebanese restaurants to know that they all serve it. The Sukaya, babaganoush, grape leaf wraps, and the Shish katoosh are fabulous. We liked this place, but were mostly put off with the pricing, but it is in a pompous part of orlando which has very high overhead.

    (4)
  • David M.

    My father's family is from Lebanon. He was born in the USA close to a century ago and was the first in his family who did not marry someone from Lebanon. His widowed mother and grandmother did not mind that he was marrying an English woman, but they insisted that Mom learn how to cook Middle Eastern food--and especially Lebanese food--before the wedding day. Suffice it to say that I grew up eating a fair amount of Lebanese fair, especially raw kibbeh but also a lot of other things. The things that Mom did not make, I discovered in my youth at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. I think I know this cuisine. I have visited Cedar's on several occasions since they opened and I have enjoyed each visit. The service is attentive, the ambiance is warm and Mediterranean and the food is good. Good, tasty and enjoyable--but not great. On my most recent visit, I took an old friend to lunch. When we arrived, we were quickly seated, as the restaurant had just opened. The waiter was attentive and made sure that our basket of pitas (Lebanese Bread as I grew up calling it) was always full. He was very service oriented and did not try to engage in conversation. I appreciated that because I had not seen my friend in close to a decade and we had a lot of catching up to do. Both my friend and I are vegetarians so we both ordered the vegetarian platter. Baba ganoush, tabbouleh, hummus, and falafel were featured and each had its own appeal. The baba was clearly the stand out selection. Smoky and perfectly blended to a wonderful consistency, it alone was a five star selection. The tabbouleh was a traditional tabbouleh that emphasized parsley. It was good but I prefer a tabbouleh that emphasizes bulghar wheat as the main ingredient. Cedar's version was good but too light for my particular taste. Like the tabbouleh, the hummus was well prepared but I found it a bit lacking in flavor. More tahini would have gone a long way to enhance the flavor. The falafel was the weakest part of the platter. There was nothing horrible about it but there was nothing remarkable either. Admittedly, I carry a personal bias when it comes to Lebanese food so I may have been unduly critical of Cedar's. Please don't get the wrong impression. Cedar's is a good restaurant and one that I will visit again. It may not be the Middle Eastern food that Mom still makes, but it is still a fun place to enjoy a good meal.

    (3)
  • Gi D.

    The best Food ever!!! waooo the place the staff everything was so GOOD!!

    (5)
  • Chelle B.

    I ate here for the first time last night, and it was a lovely experience overall. Was it amazing? No...but that's why it's not getting the coveted 5 star review. However, it did not disappoint. We had a fairly large group of about 7 people, so we needed tables pushed together, which didn't seem to be an issue. I think the fact that we made a reservation helped - they were prepared for our group. What I liked very much was how accommodating the staff was. Most of us hadn't eaten here before and all seemed to want smallish portions of the same thing (the mixed kabob platter). We talked to our server about this and he had the kitchen make a giant platter of mixed kabobs (including the sides) for our table. They made more than enough for our group and seemed willing to make more if we needed. I was expecting all of this to end up costing way more than the listed menu price, but we ended up spending way less! My advice? Discuss your needs with your server because there is a good chance he/she can help you get the exact meal you're after. The food was quite yummy. Seriously, the lamb (if you like that kind of stuff - I know it's not exactly for everyone) was so freaking tender (yes, I know - the non-lamb eaters are totally grossed out right now. Um...sorry about that). The house salad is tossed in a lemon-olive oil dressing which was nice and light - not greasy or overwhelming. The side veggies were a bit disappointing as they were just the standard mix of carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. They were fine but about as exciting as what I typically make at home. The entertainment got a bit annoying. Early into the evening, the staff turned the music way, way up. However loud you're picturing? Turn it up a notch or seven. I couldn't hear the person sitting next to me. Out came a talented young belly dancer. She was lovely as was her dancing. However, it went on forever. On one hand, I guess she gave each table a five minute or so personal dance. On the other hand, it lasted for freaking ever. Belly dancers at restaurants are entertaining for a brief time...then it's time to move on! Overall, this was a nice experience and I can see a return visit in the future.

    (4)
  • Erick S.

    We arrived at Cedar's and were promptly seated. It took longer than expected for the waiter to come to our table even though it was Sunday evening and they were only a few families there. When the waiter did show up he took our beverage order and left as soon as I was about to order appetizers - (I was almost cut off in mid -sentence!) At this point the owner came and asked if we were being served, I told him no, he then expedited service to our table. I ordered chicken livers and was told that they were out of chicken livers in a somewhat rude tone by the waiter. This particular dish was the reason for us going there. We have dined here before and know that their service and food is usually excellent. I don't know what was happening on this particular occasion , but we had to leave for another restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. I still would recommend this restaurant because this unfortunate incident in an exception to their general rule of good food and service.

    (3)
  • Charles R.

    Really nice atmosphere and the food was wonderful. Typical Mediteranean menu but the quality and selection was very good. Service was great and it made for a very nice evening. Had a nice glass of wine at the wine bar next door first.

    (4)
  • L L.

    We went here looking for Middle Eastern food and were not disappointed. The falafel, hummus, baba, and foul were as good as any that I have had to pay for. Not as good as Mom's except maybe the baba which was smokey and a little chunky yet smooth. The bab might be the best baba I've ever had. Bread was continuously being baked, much like the Lebanese Taverna in DC, and served warm and puffy. Even the beet-red pickles were enjoyable. The staff was very helpful and attentive. Our drinks and bread were constantly checked and filled as needed. The bartender/barista/breadmaking person even heated up milk for our baby. We focused on mezza, our one main course was the kabobs that tasted like kabobs. Nice, not thrilling, but nice. The rice was a bit out of place. Didn't taste bad, but unlike any I have been served in a Med restaurant. White and a bit sticky with no egg noodles.

    (4)
  • Mr T.

    Excellent Lebanese food. From the mezza to the meat, everything tastes authentic and has good flavor. The hookah and live entertainment made our night one to remember. I will be back.

    (5)
  • Jane S.

    Me and a friend came here for the sole reason of ordering hookah. We arrived at around 5pm, and unfortunately, the person in charge of preparing the hookah did not yet arrive. We decided to order a few appetizers, and if the guy wasn't back by the time we finished eating, we would leave. The staff was incredibly nice an courteous. The falafel wasn't half bad (how can one go wrong with falafel?), though what my friend and I really enjoyed (hence the three stars) were their cheese rolls. I don't know the proper name of the dish, but it is essentially white cheese wrapped in spring roll wrapper and deep fried. Cheese lumpia, cheese spring roll, call it whatever you like, but it was divine (assuming you like cheese...and fried things). Alas, we downed the delicious nibbles, but the hookah man was nowhere to be found. We paid the bill (eleven bucks) and continued our search for the elusive hookah establishment.

    (3)
  • Jenn V.

    I have had a lot of Lebanese and Middle Eastern food (from growing up near one of the most highly Middle Eastern populated cities in the U.S.) and this place was just O.K. The prices were a little steep for what you are getting. If I spend $20 on a meal I kind of expect to have a soup or salad included with it-- I had the kibbeh and I got 4 little kibbeh balls in a soup with a plate of white sticky rice. That was worth $20? And I have NEVER had white sticky rice at a lebanese restaurant. I'm really baffled by that. Usually it is long grain butter rice with almonds. The atmosphere was lacking-- we sat outside and I couldn't fathom why on an evening that was in the mid-80's they wouldn't have the ceiling fans on. It was a hot box!! All in all it was alright but I have had MUCH better, and I don't think I'll be going back. I'm confused by one of the reviewers who was trying to make her visit seem absolutely horrible. She claims she kept trying to get a wine menu from her server and they ignored her requests many times. That can't even be true-- the wine/beer menu is right on the back of the menu-- they don't have a separate one. Sounds like someone is making up stories.

    (2)
  • Nicole F.

    We wanted to try something different for dinner other than your all American cuisine. When we walked in, we could see and smell the fresh baked bread being made. Once we sat down, we were greeted right away by a really nice waitress. We asked her what her favorite dishes were and ended up ordering just what she suggested. For our appetizers we had three different things. First was the Shanklish...dry homemade cheese on green onions and tomatoes...which is GREAT with the bread they bring to the table. Second was Futayer...spinach pies and third, Sujouk...homemade spicy sausage. ALL of them were excellent! The waitress suggested we get the Mixed Grille which is a combo platter of Kafta, Tawook and Shish Kabobs. The other was the Kibbeh Bi Laban which is lamb meatballs in their yogurt sauce with garlic cilantro accompanied with rice. Let me start off by saying...LOVED EVERY DISH THAT CAME OUT!!! We were given great suggestions by the waitress for sure. We will definitely be returning for another great meal in the near future. Oh, and try the Lebanese beer...that's good too!!!

    (5)
  • Marc B.

    I wish this restaurant was in my hometown. Go there every time I am in or near Orlando. Bread baked fresh right there. Service always good. Food, so good I always order food to take out for lunch the next day

    (5)
  • Torry N.

    I'm not from the Middle East. Midwest actually. Just adventerous with food. I've been to Cedar's twice. Both times had the "Feast" which is without question my favorite meal on the planet! I salivate each time I think about it. Everything on the Feast is perfect. Just be prepared to take a bunch home, because it is way too much food! The servers were very prompt and friendly both times I've been there. Sat outside one time and indoors the other. Both excellent experiences. My favorite restaurant in all of Orlando!

    (5)
  • Lauren C.

    Huge fan of this place. There are plenty of places in Orlando that serve filafel and shwarma but none nearly as flavorful as Cedars. Nice location right on Sandlake in a decent part of town. Reasonable prices, its a nice quaint little place to impress your little lady with ;-)

    (4)
  • Gus S.

    Awesome and fun place. Great atmosphere. Unparalled service. Food is awesome.

    (5)
  • Jane W.

    Wonderful experience on all levels. The food was authentic, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was pleasant. We especially liked the bread which appeared to be baked on site.

    (4)
  • Stephen M.

    Food is good, but the service is the worst I have ever had. I felt like I was a huge inconvenience because I was in their restaurant. I was with just one other person and I got my food 15 minutes before he did. He had to flag someone down to go find out what happened. Our assigned waiter came to our table twice (to take the order and drop off the check). I also just checked my bank account and they added money to the tip I left them.

    (2)
  • Mariacristina R.

    I cannot fathom why Cedar's has received so many fantastic reviews or why it's still surviving as a business. Cedar's, a Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurant, is populated with mostly Lebanese regulars and family/friends of the restaurant. It almost feels like walking in on a private party you haven't been invited to. The staff is emotionless, unwelcoming and inattentive. While waiting for the rest of our party, our server neglected to bring us a wine menu even when we politely asked for it multiple times. Our server was unhelpful when trying to help us decide what to order for a party of 6. Our server had no suggestions or recommendations on the menu, she looked on unblinkingly even when we prompted for help. The music inside the restaurant was obnoxiously and unnecessarily loud, making conversation inside the restaurant virtually impossible. The belly-dancer was sub par and there was no designated dance floor. The food was astronomically mediocre considering the high prices. The restaurant offers a 2 course meal with a variety of appetizers and a main entree which we found to be completely unsatisfying. If you're looking for authentic Arabic or Mediterranean cuisine and entertainment try Aladdin or Olympia. *Edit to add: For the reviewer who implied I'm making up stories: that would be an unusual thing to make up. But for the sake of clarification, my point was, they didn't give us a menu when we sat down and we had to repeatedly ask for one. And to put things into perspective, there's a good 2 years between your review and mine, so perhaps they've changed the menu since my visit. In all fairness, we were a medium sized group (I think 2 more people later joined us) and they had to place 2 tables together to accommodate us. They just didn't finish outfitting the table with the usual. But the experience was horrible, hence the one star: I don't appreciate paying an ample amount for a meal while being made to feel like I'm inconveniencing them by choosing to eat there. Perhaps we went on an "off" night considering there are 8 other reviews with higher ratings, but hey, you have your review and I have mine. Thanks.

    (1)
  • Dan B.

    Cedar's restaurant is an amazing Middle Eastern restaurant. The food is nothing less than stellar. They have brilliant little changes in their food to typical Lebanese dishes that makes their food clearly better than most Lebanese restaurants. For instance, when I got a lamb kabob, it came with a red paste (hard to describe, a little spicy). And it was very lemony and tasted magnificent. Not only that, the service there is extremely friendly. I have been here 4 times now and on every occassion the server has been extremely nice, attentive, and caring. They treat you with respect and don't assume that you don't know what's up as far as Middle Eastern culture/food. They have very good rice as a side dish to their items and I haven't had anything that's bad there yet. This place is extremely popular and successful and can get pretty busy so it may behoove you to consider coming at close to or after 9 PM.

    (5)
  • Michelle B.

    We had a lovely meal at Cedars. The hummus was a lovely portion and very flavorful. They served nice small size pita, just perfect. I also enjoyed tabbouleh and the mixed grill platter. The only slight disappointment was the kofta kebab which wasn't as spicy as I would like. However, the service was extremely friendly and inviting and I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Tony -.

    Cedar's Restaurant.. the kick off spot for our Fat Tuesdays Club...Eager and ready to get a Taste of Lebanese food!!!! The restaurant definitely had the support from Lebanese or Middle eastern locals...which is usually a good sign.. it gave a feel... if we actually travel across the World to indulged in this Lebanese food.. the inside dining was very elegant with dim lighting and the classic white clothe tables... the patio area was very simple with ceiling fans to stay cool.. the only possible problem you may have on dining outside is the hookah smoke.. the service was very attentive.. the waiter for the night explain every dish that we had interest in.. and took as far as demonstrating the proper way to eat the food.. very good service.. we started with 3 appetizers.. and later ordered 4 en trees.. Appetizers: Warak Inab... Grape Leaves stuffed w/rice, parsley & seasonings. Laban Salad... delicious homemade yogurt w/chopped cucumbers, mint & garlic. Sujuk...extra spicy sausages sautéed w/a touch of lemon juice. En trees: Kafta Kabab... three skewers of ground lamb w/ parsley, onions and flavorful seasonin Plus, you can add our delicious Tajen Sauce for only $3 more! Samak Tajen... a fillet of Snapper, gently seasoned and sautéed and topped w/ onions 'n tahini sauce. Kibbeh Bilsanieh.... Baked minced beef and cracked wheat shells stuffed with savory ground meat, onions and pine nuts, served with yogurt and cucumber Kibbeh Bi Laban... Kibbeh Balls cooked in yogurt sauce w/garlic and cilantro for a delectable treat, served with rice. Our conclusion on the the night at the Cedar's Restaurant was fairly good... the Favorites out the appetizers and a must try was the (Warak Inab)..and far as the entrees goes.. we all had our own favorites.. but we did agree that all the food was very flavorful, juicy..with plenty of sauces to add to the flavor..

    (3)
  • David A.

    Wow. We made the reservation a week early thinking we should be fine, and when we got there, there was a birthday party inside so they sat us outside with cigar and hooka smokers. We asked to be seated inside, and when we walked in oe of the drunk birthday customers was throwing up all over the place, so back outside we went. I have been eating Lebanese food my whole life, and the Humus was probably the best dish we had. The bread was fresh and fantastic, but the rest of the food was bland, and tasted...... not good! Byblos Cafe in Tampa is so much better!

    (2)
  • Pam S.

    This Lebanese restaurant had a mish-mashed confused decor' theme, but the food was pretty authentic. Appetizers of goat cheese, falafel and soft pita bread were awesome, although the lamb and beef sausages weren't that great. Main courses of stuffed chicken breast went down well with my boss, while my team mate enjoyed her salmon. I had the shawarma (sp?) which was decent, but the beef was a little dry. Food wise, I'd give this place 3-stars, but the service was so amazing that I have to up it a little. I asked the waiter for red sauce to put over the beef and he had one specially made - asked me to taste it on the spot to see if it was alright.. and it was delish. Made the dry pieces of beef that much saucier and yummy. Oh yeah, there was also a belly dancer.. so.. interesting place to come for pretty decent food...especially if you're a bunch of greasy 30-yo dudes with an inordinate amount of 1-dollar bills (weirrrdosss).

    (4)
  • TL C.

    Our waitress at Cedars Restaurant was attentive and helpful. She spoke Arabic with my husband but was always careful to then include me by saying something in English. Little did she know that it didn't bother me, but the effort was appreciated. When I inquired about vegetarian fare, she recommended the vegetarian sampler of appetizers. My husband ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban. My vegetarian sampler came with hummus, falafel, tabouleh, and fatayer (spinach pies). It usually comes with baba ghanouj, but I'm not a fan so she substituted extra falafel. My sampler was good even thought I don't really like cooked spinach. The fatayer was well cooked though ,and my husband enjoyed it. He liked his Kibbeh Bi Laban. We split an order of knafe for dessert. It tasted good. The temperature in the restaurant was quite cold, but the patio is their smoking section. We didn't move. Cold versus cigarette smoke is an easy decision for me - cold. While the general atmosphere is nice with white table cloths and a slightly formal feel, no one balked at our casual shorts. Dining at Cedars left a smile on my face.

    (4)
  • Carla B.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando and I always make a point to go here when I'm home. The menu offers a lot of options for every palate -- as a vegetarian, I know I can walk out of there completely stuffed from all the good eats. My parents and brother aren't veggie and they enjoy the lamb dishes and whatnot there. I think the food is really good here -- one of the better places to eat in Orlando. It's a family run restaurant, and on various occasions we've met the children of the owners as they help out. One of the owners will also read your Turkish coffee grounds (of course, that means you have to drink it.) I've partaken of the hookah there as well, making a delightful evening even more so. I will say they do get packed, but they also don't rush you out of the restaurant, which I appreciate. Service is so-so, depends on the night and how busy they are. Sitting outside is great -- even in summer they have ceiling fans and misters, making for a nice ambiance. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten inside here.

    (5)
  • Allan F.

    It's Lebanese food, which pretty much means Mediterranean food. Kabobs, lamb based entrees. I like the atmosphere AND the food. It's also opened LATE on the weekends!

    (4)
  • Nil A.

    Great atmosphere to relax and smoke sheesha and sip Turkish coffee. Live music on the weekends. Can be loud on the weekends so not the best date place. Also...if you make a reservation on the weekend be careful - there is a fixed price menu for indoor seating so check before you dine.

    (4)
  • Jane L.

    Great service. They remember you! Better than all those 'chains' in the area. Food is heathly, service good.

    (3)
  • Jenn T.

    On our last night in Orlando we decided to try this Lebanese food restaurant. When we arrived, there was only 1 table out of about 10 with customers inside... but the outside patio was almost full. So we decided to join the others outside. Everyone sitting in the heated outdoor patio were smoking. Smoking something that I know as "hookah". It smelled sweet but I didn't know if I wanted to try it. The menu was a little daunting since there were so many things to choose from and we had never had most of them before. But we chose a few things and these were our likes and dislikes. Dish#1: hummus with beef strips SPECTACULAR! The hummus was so smooth and the beef strips were marinated with something that made it extra tasty. Dish#1A: pita bread The pita bread is cool. It's puffy! Went very well with the hummus. Dish #2 meat pies These were only so-so. It was like a little meat patty stuffed into a doughy square of bread. It didn't tingle my taste buds. Dish #3 Meatballs in a yogurt sauce The yogurt sauce was kind of tangy and it's good for the first few minutes but then becomes a little overwhelming. The meatballs seemed like they were fried first and then drenched with the yogurt sauce. The meatballs had interesting contents, like pine nuts. It was served with rice and was okay. Dish #4 Combo kabobs This is a good dish to try all their kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken). Lots of veggies on the plate but a little undercooked. We gave in and decided to try the "hookah" and also try Turkish coffee. The hookah smelled nice and had a nice light flavor. The curator of all the hookahs says it was sweet apple. With the bitter coffee, the taste of the smoke was even sweeter. It was fun playing with the smoke. But now I come to find out that the hookah is filled with tobacco, fruit pulp, and other herbs. Tobacco isn't good for you so no more of that for me. The service was okay. They tolerated our ignorance about the cuisine :) The hookah guy was especially attentive with refilling our hot coals and making sure everything was okay. I could go for that hummus again.. mmmhhmm...

    (5)
  • Sherryl S.

    there is nothing i like about this place, the man at the door is RUDE, i have attempted it a few times, and its the same all the time, besides for the Belly Dancers, I dont go there at all

    (2)
  • Fredy Y.

    What do I know about Lebanese food. Probably as much as Obama knows about world affairs . The one thing I know to me that Mediterranean/middle eastern countries love the hell out of some lamb, stereotypical maybe. So I always order the most obvious choice . Don't bother with anything else on the menu L-A-M-B is the way to go. A Shish Kabob with a warm slice of pita bread is a as good as it gets. a bit pricey, ok service. lamb and you won't be disappointed.

    (3)
  • Amy J.

    My boyfriend and I made reservations for a late dinner on a weekend and upon our arrival we were seated immediately and throughout the entire night received AMAZING service! The food was very traditional and there wasn't anything on the menu that we didn't absolutely love. We loved the warm flatbread, tabbouleh and the baba ganoush with hot mint tea. The grape leaves and Bemi with rice were equally as fabulous and we had no room for a tantalizing selection of desserts. If you like authentic Lebanese..run don't walk to your next dinner at Cedar's Restaurant.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    Great dining experience. Delicious Lebanese food accompanied by their good service. Beef kafta, kibbeh, humus , pita bread, fatoush salad, chicken shawarma , eggplant ( like musaka but can't remember the name) I think there was more but I can't remember what else. Everything was decent or better. I will return.

    (4)
  • Julie A.

    Shawarma, shawarma, shawarma... Oh how I love you... For my first venture into Lebanese cuisine, I was happily pleased. The main courses were great, but let me emphasize how lovely the hummus and shawarma appetizer ($7.50) tasted yesterday. The freshly made warm pita bread was also a plus. Like pillows of shawarma/hummus filled goodness in my mouthhhhhh. As for the main entrees, I ordered the Bemieh (lamb, okra, in a tomato based sauce, for $15) and my friend ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban (which were a special type of beef meatball served in a thick creamy sauce, also $15). I liked the Bemieh. It reminded me of that Tajine Jilbana from Zitouna in San Francisco, but with thinner sauce and more tomato-ey. (Is that even a word?) In other words, their tomato sauce is kinda like a stew/soup consistency. Mr. Picky Table's Kibbeh Bi Laban was much more tastey. I have a preference for creamy foods, so naturally I liked his dish better. The sauce had a thick creamy texture (like thinned out yogurt), and the meatball was really good and had a different taste. They mixed some Lebanese spices in with the meat. We had some great dessert. I don't remember what it was, except that it came with a simple yellow cake sitting on top of a rose-flavored sugary sauce. Simple and delicious. Oh, I almost forgot. The Turkish Coffee ($2.50) was excellent. I've never had a coffee so rich with flavor. Happily pleased. Service was OK. The lady should smile a bit more. I guess it's just one of those days for her. ::shrug:: They have outdoor seating here. It's kind of enclosed with a roof above and walls around. Great for breezy days so you can enjoy the outdoors and sunshine without the chill factor. Note to self: this is review 222. Lmao!

    (4)
  • Boo P.

    Lunch sandwiches, soups and salads are excellent.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    The food is actually very tasty. I just feel it is a bit over priced, and the service was a little off. I asked ONE minute to look over the beer menu, the kid didn't come back to we flagged him down 10 min later. My office likes to go here often for special occasions, so the big group feast dining is fun and I would recommend for office luncheon/meeting since everyone can share. Just keep in mind, it ain't gonna be cheap, in case you are the boss fronting the tab. Heard they have belly dancers. Really wish I could find the right time they come.

    (3)
  • Steve A.

    I've traveled the world and have yet to find better middle eastern food than at Cedar's. Service is friendly, and the hummus and tabbouleh can't be beat. The felafel is never greasy, and the pitas are baked fresh and replenished multiple times during your meal. Perfection.

    (5)
  • Julie F.

    YES! An excellent Lebanese restaurant! My husband and I always say that if we lived closer to Cedar's, we would be spherical from eating there so often! Everything we've had has been delicious. I usually get the moulakkieh, but after tasting my husband's lamb kebabs, I think that will be my new staple. The bread is always fresh and cooked on-site. They even have hookah, which we usually partake of when we visit. The bellydance shows on the weekends are fun, too. Don't forget to ask for the garlic sauce! If you want delicious, authentic, middle eastern cuisine, you won't find better than Cedar's!

    (5)
  • Hoda B.

    Great food and atmosphere! Best middle Eastern restaurant in Orlando area

    (5)
  • Cristina G.

    Wow! This was our first visit after almost 7 years and the first thing I thought of was ..."why"? The food and service were very very good. Our party had 4 people in it so we "qualified" for the Feast...a melange of appetizers and grilled meat. Can I just say that there was enough food there to feed about 10 people! The cost is $25 per person and the table gets about 7 appetizers - tabbouleh, hummus, kibbeh, falafel, meat pies, spinach pies, spicy cheese. That was all followed with a huge platter chicken, lamb cubes, and kafta. Not to mention there was also another platter of vegetables and rice to go with the mixed meat platter. I mean, really.....this was such a great deal and the food was excellent. If you are hungry, this is the menu item to order. A nice variety of food which makes for an interesting dinner. We will be back and this time it wont be 7 years later.

    (4)
  • Ryan G.

    Helen was our "server"...but she was not interested in helping us. Multiple times we had to leave our table to track her down to get refills / sauces / napkins, whatever. The food was just ok, sub-par actually, compared to other middle eastern - Mediterranean food. Any time you tried to seek understanding about an item by comparing it with Greek / Turkish / whatever, Helen would get all huffy and remind you that this place is Lebanese. Whatever lady...just because you change ONE letter in the name of the dish doesn't make it different. On the ticket it asked for feedback about the food, server, etc...and we answered honestly - food was 3 of 5, and server was 1 of 5. As we left we saw Helen showing off her bad score to other servers and laughing. The really sad part? She's not just a server...she's the owners daughter or girlfriend or something. She designed their website, and thinks she's a big shot and waiting tables is beneath her. Guess what, it's not. You can't even wait tables well! Maybe you should start washing dishes!!

    (2)
  • Chris W.

    Amazing food. Had the Cedars Salad and Kibbeh appetizer follows by the mixed grille. My wife had the lamb chops. It was melt in your mouth marvelous. Finished with Baklava and Port. Highly recommended. The service was only outmatched by the food.

    (5)
  • Florence C.

    Excellent representation of Lebanese cuisine. The first time I ate here was on business in 2006. I love kibbi nayeh (lamb tartar with bulgur) and enjoyed it here. I sat near the wood oven and smelled the fresh pita loaves... mmmmm. Everything was memorably good. More recently, I stopped by during a 2011 vacation and totally inhaled the Vegetarian Platter (from the lunch menu: tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, spinach pie, and falafel) with an order of kibbi nayeh. Highly recommended!

    (4)
  • Libby W.

    3.5 stars here. I'm really not sure why I can't bring myself to give it 4. The food is good and the service this time was phenomenal. Way better than the last visit I had. I'd go there again. It's just not a place I think of when I think of places I love or have to go back to for a craving. Chalk it up to personal opinion or perhaps even price. While the lunch menu is great, it's limiting. The other entree's start at 16 dollars or more. Our server was amazing though. He had suggestions that we took him up on, which were really good. He was attentive and very nice.

    (3)
  • Linda R.

    Want to under line what a couple of the other reviewers said," don't be fooled by it's strip mall location", this place is authentic. You can't go wrong with a table of appetizers, I especially loved the yogurt with olive oil , the fatoush and the falalfal.

    (4)
  • Stu F.

    I tried Cadar's on a recent trip to Orlando for a family vacation. In the morass of chain-style, over the top, overpriced restaurants in this area of town, Cedar's Restaurant was a breath of fresh air. Unique food that was deliciously prepared with care. I had the appetizer of fava beans, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. The name of this dish is "foul" which is unfortunate as it may scare off a lot of blockhead American patrons. But this dish was darn tasty. Think of it as a thick soup, served hot, with parsley and seasonings on top. The favas were mostly pureed but still left a bit chunky, and I liked the texture of that a lot. I also tasted the lentil soup which my companion ordered. It was delicious and had an earthy flavor that was rich with cumin. If I were to return, I would definitely order both of these dishes again. For my main course, I had the Farrouj Musahab, which is a deboned cornish hen marinated in (most likely) yogurt, lemon and other seasonings, then grilled. It was quite good. The marinade gave it a tangy flavor that was mouth watering and it was, as the menu stated "grilled to perfection". This dish was juicy and not spicy at all for those who try to avoid those things or who may want to feed this to a child. It came with a very tasty and fragrant rice as well as some steamed veggies (broccoli and carrots). This dish was a definite keeper and something I would definitely order again. My dining partner had a couple of other appetizers instead of a main course, which included: grape leaves stuffed with veggies and rice and the Laban Salad, which was kind of like a yogurt soup with cucumbers, mint and garlic. I did not try either of these but they looked very good and all plates were left clean. In spite of the fact that many/most of the dishes had garlic in them, they did not do what many uninspired restaurants do and load their dishes up with garlic to the point of them being overpowered by it. The use of garlic in these dishes was a lot more nuanced, as it should be IMO. This place is a breath of fresh air. I would definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to others. The waitstaff was super friendly and warm. Please note: if you sit outside, you will be in the smoking section. People will be smoking hookah pipes and cigars. I did not see one cigarette. That was kind of cool too, but in the end, we moved inside because we didn't want people blowing smoke over our food as we ate.

    (4)
  • Kristine C.

    Very authentic Lebanese food. Ate mostly apps because of the generous portions. Family friendly and good service.

    (4)
  • Kristin K.

    love, love, love this restaurant. Food is excellent as well as the service

    (5)
  • E A.

    While walking around Orlando we stopped to talk to a cop and asked his recommendation for dinner. He steered us here. (ummm, perhaps not the right terminology as he was in his car). Okay, okay. We made a reservation as it was Saturday night. When we arrived at 7:30 it was not too crowded and we had a choice of sitting inside, or on the outside patio. There was only one or two tables with Hookahs and it was noisy inside, so we sat on the patio. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!. As more people were seated on the patio, more hookahs came out. Ugh, not good. But to top it off, since it was a breezy night, the staff brought the wind shades down. It was a smoke filled chamber. By that time we were halfway through our meal. Our meal..... Chicken livers, spinach pie, and meat pie for apps. They were okay. The spinach pie is more like puffs. Nothing like the Greek variety. They were okay, I prefer mine with more feta. I ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban based on reviews here on Yelp. That may have been my mistake. The lamb balls in yogurt were made of chopped lamb and reconstructed back. NOT what I expected. I ordered it because it was a lamb dish, it tasted more like lamb hamburger. My mistake. Our friends had the mixed grill, and it was a good size portion. You have to be able to eat a big meal for this dish. The belly dancer, sigh. I don't want to be negative as she was a lovely young woman. But as someone mentioned.... Um.. she needed to tone up her belly a little. It was cool to have a belly dancer to watch, but .... We had just been to Tu Tu Tango a few nights before and the belly dancer there was phenomenal. The wait staff was very helpful and friendly. We did not rushed. Perhaps because we were sitting outside in the smoking area? ONE MORE THING..................................all four of us slept horrible that night. We weren't sick or anything, we just COULD NOT SLEEP. One or two of us, chalk it up...........but all of us??

    (2)
  • Tommy D.

    This is the third time there and I wanted to update my review...We had a group of over 35 people there. The service was NOT compromised at all. They did wonderful job and the food was still great! AND I had my first Hookah there...fun experience!

    (5)
  • E e.

    I'm Lebanese and don't like eating Lebanese food out of the house...except this place. Lights out Fatoosh. This fatoosh is the best by far i've ever had anywhere. From the bread to the sprinkle of zatar it's just amazing. Also tried the labeneh, hummous, falafel, & a side of zatar in oil. Great place enjoy and you won't break the bank either. Home made pita bread served in little pocket sizes....it's hot and absolutely amazing. Well done.

    (5)
  • Tom B.

    The last time I went to Cedars, I don't think Yelp had been invented. Had it been, I'd have given Cedars three stars -- things haven't changed much. What I most recall on the first visit were two things: that four of us dined there in the evening and we all had to use a flashlight to read the menu; and that our unanimous reaction was something like "Okay, we at least tried it." Service left a lot to be desired. After a brief period of time, my waiter asked me if I was ready to order. I replied that I was undecided between two appetizers. What I really wanted was some help in deciding. Instead, he walked away quickly after saying he'd give me more time. I didn't get a chance to say "But wait!" "Help me!". I decided to start with sauteed chicken livers and a glass of wine, with some puffy bread, and condiments of beet strips and olives. The chicken livers were good, and there was an ample amount of juice for dipping the bread into. My entree was Baked Kibbeh, "ground meat and cracked wheat, stuffed with meat, onions and pine nuts". That's how the menu described it -- meat stuffed with meat! It was a little bit like a quiche, but on the dry side. I chose the dish mainly because it was served with laban salad, consisting of yogurt, cucumbers and cilantro. It sounded better than it tasted. I had visions of Anatolia's cacik soup dancing on my taste buds, so the laban somewhat disappointed. My waiter passed by a couple of times and didn't ask how things were (eventually he did), nor did he seem to notice my wine glass was empty. I had to get his attention to ask for a second glass. On a positive note, the baklava was as good as it gets. However, again Cedars was a less-than-overwhelming dining experience.

    (3)
  • Jitan K.

    Cornish Hen was a hit! Hummas Awsome! Hot Sauce a must have!

    (4)
  • Ida R.

    food was really good, lamb a bit over cooked. and if you don't want to pay $20 at the end for smoking the hookah don't let the guy convince you to smoke, he makes it seems like it will be FREE but no it will cost you $20. we had a great time and will def go back!!

    (4)
  • Natalie W.

    The most authentic Lebanese food in Orlando. Fresh, homemade delicacies that take time to prepare and cook.

    (5)
  • Nate R.

    Cedars is excellent! The best Lebanese food I've ever had. Friendly servers who provide great service, nice setting and ambiance. I highly recommend ordering the hummus. Go on a wednesday or friday night if you enjoy live music and bellydancers

    (5)
  • Colin M.

    This place is pretty good, the cedars in melbourne is much better and has way better prices. Once we sat down, we were greeted right away by a really nice waitress, she was very attentive and prompt. The interior of the reataurant was excellent and classy, as well as their outdoor seating. We wanted to try several appetizers, because frankly, all of them seemed interesting, so i asked about the 'lebanese feast' which had 7 appetizers for 29 dollars, but instead got talked into 4 for 6.50 each...i thought she was cutting me a break, but ended up getting charged 31 dollars for the 4....try the 'lebanese feast'. also, ask for the garlic sauce, it was not suggested, but we've frequented enough lebanese restaurants to know that they all serve it. The Sukaya, babaganoush, grape leaf wraps, and the Shish katoosh are fabulous. We liked this place, but were mostly put off with the pricing, but it is in a pompous part of orlando which has very high overhead.

    (4)
  • David M.

    My father's family is from Lebanon. He was born in the USA close to a century ago and was the first in his family who did not marry someone from Lebanon. His widowed mother and grandmother did not mind that he was marrying an English woman, but they insisted that Mom learn how to cook Middle Eastern food--and especially Lebanese food--before the wedding day. Suffice it to say that I grew up eating a fair amount of Lebanese fair, especially raw kibbeh but also a lot of other things. The things that Mom did not make, I discovered in my youth at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. I think I know this cuisine. I have visited Cedar's on several occasions since they opened and I have enjoyed each visit. The service is attentive, the ambiance is warm and Mediterranean and the food is good. Good, tasty and enjoyable--but not great. On my most recent visit, I took an old friend to lunch. When we arrived, we were quickly seated, as the restaurant had just opened. The waiter was attentive and made sure that our basket of pitas (Lebanese Bread as I grew up calling it) was always full. He was very service oriented and did not try to engage in conversation. I appreciated that because I had not seen my friend in close to a decade and we had a lot of catching up to do. Both my friend and I are vegetarians so we both ordered the vegetarian platter. Baba ganoush, tabbouleh, hummus, and falafel were featured and each had its own appeal. The baba was clearly the stand out selection. Smoky and perfectly blended to a wonderful consistency, it alone was a five star selection. The tabbouleh was a traditional tabbouleh that emphasized parsley. It was good but I prefer a tabbouleh that emphasizes bulghar wheat as the main ingredient. Cedar's version was good but too light for my particular taste. Like the tabbouleh, the hummus was well prepared but I found it a bit lacking in flavor. More tahini would have gone a long way to enhance the flavor. The falafel was the weakest part of the platter. There was nothing horrible about it but there was nothing remarkable either. Admittedly, I carry a personal bias when it comes to Lebanese food so I may have been unduly critical of Cedar's. Please don't get the wrong impression. Cedar's is a good restaurant and one that I will visit again. It may not be the Middle Eastern food that Mom still makes, but it is still a fun place to enjoy a good meal.

    (3)
  • Gi D.

    The best Food ever!!! waooo the place the staff everything was so GOOD!!

    (5)
  • Chelle B.

    I ate here for the first time last night, and it was a lovely experience overall. Was it amazing? No...but that's why it's not getting the coveted 5 star review. However, it did not disappoint. We had a fairly large group of about 7 people, so we needed tables pushed together, which didn't seem to be an issue. I think the fact that we made a reservation helped - they were prepared for our group. What I liked very much was how accommodating the staff was. Most of us hadn't eaten here before and all seemed to want smallish portions of the same thing (the mixed kabob platter). We talked to our server about this and he had the kitchen make a giant platter of mixed kabobs (including the sides) for our table. They made more than enough for our group and seemed willing to make more if we needed. I was expecting all of this to end up costing way more than the listed menu price, but we ended up spending way less! My advice? Discuss your needs with your server because there is a good chance he/she can help you get the exact meal you're after. The food was quite yummy. Seriously, the lamb (if you like that kind of stuff - I know it's not exactly for everyone) was so freaking tender (yes, I know - the non-lamb eaters are totally grossed out right now. Um...sorry about that). The house salad is tossed in a lemon-olive oil dressing which was nice and light - not greasy or overwhelming. The side veggies were a bit disappointing as they were just the standard mix of carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. They were fine but about as exciting as what I typically make at home. The entertainment got a bit annoying. Early into the evening, the staff turned the music way, way up. However loud you're picturing? Turn it up a notch or seven. I couldn't hear the person sitting next to me. Out came a talented young belly dancer. She was lovely as was her dancing. However, it went on forever. On one hand, I guess she gave each table a five minute or so personal dance. On the other hand, it lasted for freaking ever. Belly dancers at restaurants are entertaining for a brief time...then it's time to move on! Overall, this was a nice experience and I can see a return visit in the future.

    (4)
  • Erick S.

    We arrived at Cedar's and were promptly seated. It took longer than expected for the waiter to come to our table even though it was Sunday evening and they were only a few families there. When the waiter did show up he took our beverage order and left as soon as I was about to order appetizers - (I was almost cut off in mid -sentence!) At this point the owner came and asked if we were being served, I told him no, he then expedited service to our table. I ordered chicken livers and was told that they were out of chicken livers in a somewhat rude tone by the waiter. This particular dish was the reason for us going there. We have dined here before and know that their service and food is usually excellent. I don't know what was happening on this particular occasion , but we had to leave for another restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. I still would recommend this restaurant because this unfortunate incident in an exception to their general rule of good food and service.

    (3)
  • Charles R.

    Really nice atmosphere and the food was wonderful. Typical Mediteranean menu but the quality and selection was very good. Service was great and it made for a very nice evening. Had a nice glass of wine at the wine bar next door first.

    (4)
  • L L.

    We went here looking for Middle Eastern food and were not disappointed. The falafel, hummus, baba, and foul were as good as any that I have had to pay for. Not as good as Mom's except maybe the baba which was smokey and a little chunky yet smooth. The bab might be the best baba I've ever had. Bread was continuously being baked, much like the Lebanese Taverna in DC, and served warm and puffy. Even the beet-red pickles were enjoyable. The staff was very helpful and attentive. Our drinks and bread were constantly checked and filled as needed. The bartender/barista/breadmaking person even heated up milk for our baby. We focused on mezza, our one main course was the kabobs that tasted like kabobs. Nice, not thrilling, but nice. The rice was a bit out of place. Didn't taste bad, but unlike any I have been served in a Med restaurant. White and a bit sticky with no egg noodles.

    (4)
  • Mr T.

    Excellent Lebanese food. From the mezza to the meat, everything tastes authentic and has good flavor. The hookah and live entertainment made our night one to remember. I will be back.

    (5)
  • Jane S.

    Me and a friend came here for the sole reason of ordering hookah. We arrived at around 5pm, and unfortunately, the person in charge of preparing the hookah did not yet arrive. We decided to order a few appetizers, and if the guy wasn't back by the time we finished eating, we would leave. The staff was incredibly nice an courteous. The falafel wasn't half bad (how can one go wrong with falafel?), though what my friend and I really enjoyed (hence the three stars) were their cheese rolls. I don't know the proper name of the dish, but it is essentially white cheese wrapped in spring roll wrapper and deep fried. Cheese lumpia, cheese spring roll, call it whatever you like, but it was divine (assuming you like cheese...and fried things). Alas, we downed the delicious nibbles, but the hookah man was nowhere to be found. We paid the bill (eleven bucks) and continued our search for the elusive hookah establishment.

    (3)
  • Jenn V.

    I have had a lot of Lebanese and Middle Eastern food (from growing up near one of the most highly Middle Eastern populated cities in the U.S.) and this place was just O.K. The prices were a little steep for what you are getting. If I spend $20 on a meal I kind of expect to have a soup or salad included with it-- I had the kibbeh and I got 4 little kibbeh balls in a soup with a plate of white sticky rice. That was worth $20? And I have NEVER had white sticky rice at a lebanese restaurant. I'm really baffled by that. Usually it is long grain butter rice with almonds. The atmosphere was lacking-- we sat outside and I couldn't fathom why on an evening that was in the mid-80's they wouldn't have the ceiling fans on. It was a hot box!! All in all it was alright but I have had MUCH better, and I don't think I'll be going back. I'm confused by one of the reviewers who was trying to make her visit seem absolutely horrible. She claims she kept trying to get a wine menu from her server and they ignored her requests many times. That can't even be true-- the wine/beer menu is right on the back of the menu-- they don't have a separate one. Sounds like someone is making up stories.

    (2)
  • Nicole F.

    We wanted to try something different for dinner other than your all American cuisine. When we walked in, we could see and smell the fresh baked bread being made. Once we sat down, we were greeted right away by a really nice waitress. We asked her what her favorite dishes were and ended up ordering just what she suggested. For our appetizers we had three different things. First was the Shanklish...dry homemade cheese on green onions and tomatoes...which is GREAT with the bread they bring to the table. Second was Futayer...spinach pies and third, Sujouk...homemade spicy sausage. ALL of them were excellent! The waitress suggested we get the Mixed Grille which is a combo platter of Kafta, Tawook and Shish Kabobs. The other was the Kibbeh Bi Laban which is lamb meatballs in their yogurt sauce with garlic cilantro accompanied with rice. Let me start off by saying...LOVED EVERY DISH THAT CAME OUT!!! We were given great suggestions by the waitress for sure. We will definitely be returning for another great meal in the near future. Oh, and try the Lebanese beer...that's good too!!!

    (5)
  • Marc B.

    I wish this restaurant was in my hometown. Go there every time I am in or near Orlando. Bread baked fresh right there. Service always good. Food, so good I always order food to take out for lunch the next day

    (5)
  • Torry N.

    I'm not from the Middle East. Midwest actually. Just adventerous with food. I've been to Cedar's twice. Both times had the "Feast" which is without question my favorite meal on the planet! I salivate each time I think about it. Everything on the Feast is perfect. Just be prepared to take a bunch home, because it is way too much food! The servers were very prompt and friendly both times I've been there. Sat outside one time and indoors the other. Both excellent experiences. My favorite restaurant in all of Orlando!

    (5)
  • Lauren C.

    Huge fan of this place. There are plenty of places in Orlando that serve filafel and shwarma but none nearly as flavorful as Cedars. Nice location right on Sandlake in a decent part of town. Reasonable prices, its a nice quaint little place to impress your little lady with ;-)

    (4)
  • Gus S.

    Awesome and fun place. Great atmosphere. Unparalled service. Food is awesome.

    (5)
  • Jane W.

    Wonderful experience on all levels. The food was authentic, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was pleasant. We especially liked the bread which appeared to be baked on site.

    (4)
  • Stephen M.

    Food is good, but the service is the worst I have ever had. I felt like I was a huge inconvenience because I was in their restaurant. I was with just one other person and I got my food 15 minutes before he did. He had to flag someone down to go find out what happened. Our assigned waiter came to our table twice (to take the order and drop off the check). I also just checked my bank account and they added money to the tip I left them.

    (2)
  • Mariacristina R.

    I cannot fathom why Cedar's has received so many fantastic reviews or why it's still surviving as a business. Cedar's, a Lebanese/Middle Eastern restaurant, is populated with mostly Lebanese regulars and family/friends of the restaurant. It almost feels like walking in on a private party you haven't been invited to. The staff is emotionless, unwelcoming and inattentive. While waiting for the rest of our party, our server neglected to bring us a wine menu even when we politely asked for it multiple times. Our server was unhelpful when trying to help us decide what to order for a party of 6. Our server had no suggestions or recommendations on the menu, she looked on unblinkingly even when we prompted for help. The music inside the restaurant was obnoxiously and unnecessarily loud, making conversation inside the restaurant virtually impossible. The belly-dancer was sub par and there was no designated dance floor. The food was astronomically mediocre considering the high prices. The restaurant offers a 2 course meal with a variety of appetizers and a main entree which we found to be completely unsatisfying. If you're looking for authentic Arabic or Mediterranean cuisine and entertainment try Aladdin or Olympia. *Edit to add: For the reviewer who implied I'm making up stories: that would be an unusual thing to make up. But for the sake of clarification, my point was, they didn't give us a menu when we sat down and we had to repeatedly ask for one. And to put things into perspective, there's a good 2 years between your review and mine, so perhaps they've changed the menu since my visit. In all fairness, we were a medium sized group (I think 2 more people later joined us) and they had to place 2 tables together to accommodate us. They just didn't finish outfitting the table with the usual. But the experience was horrible, hence the one star: I don't appreciate paying an ample amount for a meal while being made to feel like I'm inconveniencing them by choosing to eat there. Perhaps we went on an "off" night considering there are 8 other reviews with higher ratings, but hey, you have your review and I have mine. Thanks.

    (1)
  • Dan B.

    Cedar's restaurant is an amazing Middle Eastern restaurant. The food is nothing less than stellar. They have brilliant little changes in their food to typical Lebanese dishes that makes their food clearly better than most Lebanese restaurants. For instance, when I got a lamb kabob, it came with a red paste (hard to describe, a little spicy). And it was very lemony and tasted magnificent. Not only that, the service there is extremely friendly. I have been here 4 times now and on every occassion the server has been extremely nice, attentive, and caring. They treat you with respect and don't assume that you don't know what's up as far as Middle Eastern culture/food. They have very good rice as a side dish to their items and I haven't had anything that's bad there yet. This place is extremely popular and successful and can get pretty busy so it may behoove you to consider coming at close to or after 9 PM.

    (5)
  • Michelle B.

    We had a lovely meal at Cedars. The hummus was a lovely portion and very flavorful. They served nice small size pita, just perfect. I also enjoyed tabbouleh and the mixed grill platter. The only slight disappointment was the kofta kebab which wasn't as spicy as I would like. However, the service was extremely friendly and inviting and I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Tony -.

    Cedar's Restaurant.. the kick off spot for our Fat Tuesdays Club...Eager and ready to get a Taste of Lebanese food!!!! The restaurant definitely had the support from Lebanese or Middle eastern locals...which is usually a good sign.. it gave a feel... if we actually travel across the World to indulged in this Lebanese food.. the inside dining was very elegant with dim lighting and the classic white clothe tables... the patio area was very simple with ceiling fans to stay cool.. the only possible problem you may have on dining outside is the hookah smoke.. the service was very attentive.. the waiter for the night explain every dish that we had interest in.. and took as far as demonstrating the proper way to eat the food.. very good service.. we started with 3 appetizers.. and later ordered 4 en trees.. Appetizers: Warak Inab... Grape Leaves stuffed w/rice, parsley & seasonings. Laban Salad... delicious homemade yogurt w/chopped cucumbers, mint & garlic. Sujuk...extra spicy sausages sautéed w/a touch of lemon juice. En trees: Kafta Kabab... three skewers of ground lamb w/ parsley, onions and flavorful seasonin Plus, you can add our delicious Tajen Sauce for only $3 more! Samak Tajen... a fillet of Snapper, gently seasoned and sautéed and topped w/ onions 'n tahini sauce. Kibbeh Bilsanieh.... Baked minced beef and cracked wheat shells stuffed with savory ground meat, onions and pine nuts, served with yogurt and cucumber Kibbeh Bi Laban... Kibbeh Balls cooked in yogurt sauce w/garlic and cilantro for a delectable treat, served with rice. Our conclusion on the the night at the Cedar's Restaurant was fairly good... the Favorites out the appetizers and a must try was the (Warak Inab)..and far as the entrees goes.. we all had our own favorites.. but we did agree that all the food was very flavorful, juicy..with plenty of sauces to add to the flavor..

    (3)
  • David A.

    Wow. We made the reservation a week early thinking we should be fine, and when we got there, there was a birthday party inside so they sat us outside with cigar and hooka smokers. We asked to be seated inside, and when we walked in oe of the drunk birthday customers was throwing up all over the place, so back outside we went. I have been eating Lebanese food my whole life, and the Humus was probably the best dish we had. The bread was fresh and fantastic, but the rest of the food was bland, and tasted...... not good! Byblos Cafe in Tampa is so much better!

    (2)
  • Pam S.

    This Lebanese restaurant had a mish-mashed confused decor' theme, but the food was pretty authentic. Appetizers of goat cheese, falafel and soft pita bread were awesome, although the lamb and beef sausages weren't that great. Main courses of stuffed chicken breast went down well with my boss, while my team mate enjoyed her salmon. I had the shawarma (sp?) which was decent, but the beef was a little dry. Food wise, I'd give this place 3-stars, but the service was so amazing that I have to up it a little. I asked the waiter for red sauce to put over the beef and he had one specially made - asked me to taste it on the spot to see if it was alright.. and it was delish. Made the dry pieces of beef that much saucier and yummy. Oh yeah, there was also a belly dancer.. so.. interesting place to come for pretty decent food...especially if you're a bunch of greasy 30-yo dudes with an inordinate amount of 1-dollar bills (weirrrdosss).

    (4)
  • D_Kissimmee D.

    We had to walk out because of the tobacco smell from the hookah bar. No smoking means no smoking. We had a reservation for a party of 5 for my birthday and ended up having to walk in somewhere else.

    (1)
  • TL C.

    Our waitress at Cedars Restaurant was attentive and helpful. She spoke Arabic with my husband but was always careful to then include me by saying something in English. Little did she know that it didn't bother me, but the effort was appreciated. When I inquired about vegetarian fare, she recommended the vegetarian sampler of appetizers. My husband ordered the Kibbeh Bi Laban. My vegetarian sampler came with hummus, falafel, tabouleh, and fatayer (spinach pies). It usually comes with baba ghanouj, but I'm not a fan so she substituted extra falafel. My sampler was good even thought I don't really like cooked spinach. The fatayer was well cooked though ,and my husband enjoyed it. He liked his Kibbeh Bi Laban. We split an order of knafe for dessert. It tasted good. The temperature in the restaurant was quite cold, but the patio is their smoking section. We didn't move. Cold versus cigarette smoke is an easy decision for me - cold. While the general atmosphere is nice with white table cloths and a slightly formal feel, no one balked at our casual shorts. Dining at Cedars left a smile on my face.

    (4)
  • Carla B.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando and I always make a point to go here when I'm home. The menu offers a lot of options for every palate -- as a vegetarian, I know I can walk out of there completely stuffed from all the good eats. My parents and brother aren't veggie and they enjoy the lamb dishes and whatnot there. I think the food is really good here -- one of the better places to eat in Orlando. It's a family run restaurant, and on various occasions we've met the children of the owners as they help out. One of the owners will also read your Turkish coffee grounds (of course, that means you have to drink it.) I've partaken of the hookah there as well, making a delightful evening even more so. I will say they do get packed, but they also don't rush you out of the restaurant, which I appreciate. Service is so-so, depends on the night and how busy they are. Sitting outside is great -- even in summer they have ceiling fans and misters, making for a nice ambiance. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten inside here.

    (5)
  • Allan F.

    It's Lebanese food, which pretty much means Mediterranean food. Kabobs, lamb based entrees. I like the atmosphere AND the food. It's also opened LATE on the weekends!

    (4)
  • Nil A.

    Great atmosphere to relax and smoke sheesha and sip Turkish coffee. Live music on the weekends. Can be loud on the weekends so not the best date place. Also...if you make a reservation on the weekend be careful - there is a fixed price menu for indoor seating so check before you dine.

    (4)
  • Jane L.

    Great service. They remember you! Better than all those 'chains' in the area. Food is heathly, service good.

    (3)
  • Jenn T.

    On our last night in Orlando we decided to try this Lebanese food restaurant. When we arrived, there was only 1 table out of about 10 with customers inside... but the outside patio was almost full. So we decided to join the others outside. Everyone sitting in the heated outdoor patio were smoking. Smoking something that I know as "hookah". It smelled sweet but I didn't know if I wanted to try it. The menu was a little daunting since there were so many things to choose from and we had never had most of them before. But we chose a few things and these were our likes and dislikes. Dish#1: hummus with beef strips SPECTACULAR! The hummus was so smooth and the beef strips were marinated with something that made it extra tasty. Dish#1A: pita bread The pita bread is cool. It's puffy! Went very well with the hummus. Dish #2 meat pies These were only so-so. It was like a little meat patty stuffed into a doughy square of bread. It didn't tingle my taste buds. Dish #3 Meatballs in a yogurt sauce The yogurt sauce was kind of tangy and it's good for the first few minutes but then becomes a little overwhelming. The meatballs seemed like they were fried first and then drenched with the yogurt sauce. The meatballs had interesting contents, like pine nuts. It was served with rice and was okay. Dish #4 Combo kabobs This is a good dish to try all their kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken). Lots of veggies on the plate but a little undercooked. We gave in and decided to try the "hookah" and also try Turkish coffee. The hookah smelled nice and had a nice light flavor. The curator of all the hookahs says it was sweet apple. With the bitter coffee, the taste of the smoke was even sweeter. It was fun playing with the smoke. But now I come to find out that the hookah is filled with tobacco, fruit pulp, and other herbs. Tobacco isn't good for you so no more of that for me. The service was okay. They tolerated our ignorance about the cuisine :) The hookah guy was especially attentive with refilling our hot coals and making sure everything was okay. I could go for that hummus again.. mmmhhmm...

    (5)
  • Sherryl S.

    there is nothing i like about this place, the man at the door is RUDE, i have attempted it a few times, and its the same all the time, besides for the Belly Dancers, I dont go there at all

    (2)
  • Joe K.

    On a recommendation from my brother in law my daughter and I went for dinner. We were pleasantly surprised finding everything delicious and quite filling. We ordered hummus and tabbouleh to start, it came with outrageous fresh hot homemade Syrian bread. Yum! For our dinner we shared two meals, kibbeh and Shish kabobs both were delicious and plenty of extra food at the end. Must go back to try some more and you should too.

    (5)
  • Jimmy J.

    Closer to 4.5, and far superior in flavor, quality, and service than 90pct of what we experienced in our week in Orlando. As a second generation Arab American, i can tell you that Cedar' s cold mezze ( starters) were as good as anything ive had in Beirut, Amman, Syria or the West Bank. The hummos, baba ghanoug, lebneh, and fattoush were authentic and impeccable. Did i mention their pita is made fresh to order in a brick oven behind the bar? Amazing. I could have eaten that as a meal. We passed on kabobs n entrees because its played out for us. We order 4 hot mezze as entrees. These were good, not great, and no match to the cold mezze. Fried Kibbeh was the best of 4. They all could have used a little more seasoning and the dough mezzes could have been browned a little more. Desserts of knafeh and baklva were authentic and solid. Warm, friendly, and fast service by Fuad. Is it pricey? Compared to most of the tourist trap trash served around town, not really. This is good food my friends. 8 appetizers. Tons of fresh bread. 2 desserts. 4 sodas. Tax. 18pct gratuity...$102 Odds of me returning on subsequent trip to Orlando= 100%. Eat here.

    (5)
  • Andrea C.

    This is a nice little Lebanese restaurant in restaurant row. The prices aren't too bad compared to the other restaurants in the area and the wait staff was friendly. I kind of wish they would have had music or some other form of background noise because I felt like everyone could hear our conversation, haha! We tried the hummus, falafel, friend kibbeh, tabbouleh, cheese roles and the shawarma. Everything was very tasty. The falafel stood out for me! Very flavorful! And and tahini sauce they serve it with is delicious as well. Service was a bit rushed, which was odd cause most of the restaurant was empty, but we'll definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Kaley C.

    Cedar's has the best Lebanese food in town. It's out on restaurant row, but it seems to remain hidden from most of the tourists. The atmosphere is very authentic and the restaurant is full of middle-eastern families, which always makes me feel like I'm in a good spot! My favorite thing to do is to order a bunch of appetizers for the table. They bring amazingly fresh, poofy bread so we order hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, spinach pies, garlic sauce, and house salad. Then we fill all of the poofy potassium with toppings. Amazingly fresh and plenty of food for the table. On weekend nights, they have lively music and belly dancers. Makes for a great night out.

    (4)
  • Sheila C.

    Wonderful small family owned Lebanese restaurant. Took clients for dinner and it was a great experience. Friendly service and delicious food! The baba ghanouj is rich with flavor. The falafels, tasty as well. I ordered the Mahashi Inab, stuffed grape leaves. Very fresh and not too salty. The quail was cooked to perfection. The best Shawarma I've ever tried.

    (4)
  • Corey L.

    Hidden gem!!! I came here with a couple of my co-workers one evening when we were in Orlando for a conference. I have sadly driven past this place so many times and not even known of its existence! This restaurant is in a pretty busy town center area with quite a few large chain restaurants so I worry that this place might get overlooked by tourists. The atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. It's very beautiful inside and set nice and dark. The service was fantastic. The food was amazing!!! And to top it off they had an awesome belly dancer come out for entertainment!!! She was soooo good and got the guests involved as well. We all had the absolute best time and the food was filling but light. Plenty of leftovers to go back to our hotel with. I will be back myself and start taking more clients there as well!!!

    (5)
  • Yuko H.

    My first try Lebanese food. A friend chose this restaurant based on reviews... I couldn't make sense of menu as I didn't know what they were, my friend took time to explain each dishes. When I asked a waiter, he couldn't explain well enough for me to understand what they are. I ended up ordering fried okura lamb soup, which was actually good. Rice came as side dish and it was what I expected. I always liked rice from middle east and their rice tasted what I am used to. They brought olives and some sort of turnip pickles on the side, which I really enjoyed. I thought they were home made. Desert on the other hand was really good. They have two on the menu and we each ordered different one so we can taste both. I really liked both of them. It wasn't too sweet, but just right amount of sweetness. I liked what my friend had better, and if I have a chance to visit another Lebanese restaurant, I am going to research the food before I go. (Should have read yelp's reviews for recommendation before I went but I didn't, my bad). If my waiter was more helpful, I think it would have helped my visit here better.

    (3)
  • Bashaar T.

    Wonderful and warm, food was excellent and authentic and most importantly the hospitality was amazing, felt at home

    (5)
  • Aaron S.

    Fantastic restaurant. Great patio and service. Make sure you try the sujouk and chicken cedars. Amazing. Full of flavor and very tender. Great place to get some small bites and share them with a group. Bread with the hummus is great too. Made in house (at least it appears). Hookah offerings are small unfortunately. Only a few flavors to choose from. However, the staff are that serve the hookah are extremely attentive and they use real coals instead of the charcoal ones with all the chemicals. Nice touch. Have been multiple times and will return again!

    (4)
  • Michael M.

    Stopped by here with some friends for a few cocktails, a bite to eat, and to enjoy time smoking a hookah. I drank mostly vodka, tonic, and lime. Good drinks. We nibbled on a mixed grill of chicken, lamb, and beef with fries. Tasty! Mint grape in the hookah was so nice and complimented the drink well. The staff was very helpful and friendly. They did all they can to make sure we were happy and comfortable. Im looking forward to my next visit.

    (5)
  • Aaron H.

    Cedars is the best choice for Lebanese cuisine if you are visiting Orlando. We really enjoyed it. We chose Cedars during a recent work trip because of their vegetarian options. They have an extensive selection of Cold/Hot Appetizers & Salads. A few of our favorites were: - Shanklish: dry, homemade cheese served over green onions and tomatoes. This was by far the best appetizer we tried, the homemade cheese is delicious. - Hummus: they have a few types of hummus, but the original was very, very good. - Fatayer: Spinach pies baked with onions, walnuts, olive oil and lemon juice. Decent. I'm a huge fan of kabobs, so I went with the standard Kafta Kabob (3 skewers of ground meat mixed with parsley & onions). They were packed with flavor, nice char but moist... delicious. The only negative on the grill options are the sides... everything is served with simple vegetables and a pile of rice. A good vegetarian option is the Vegetarian Platter which has a variety of offerings (tabbouleh, hummus, babba ghanouj, spinach pie and falafel). Almaza is the traditional Lebanese beer which is a good, light beer. Cedar's also has a good wine list that includes 3 reds from Lebanon. The service was great. They have a nice outdoor seating area, but smoking is allowed outside. We look forward to our next visit in January.

    (4)
  • Lemuel B.

    Excellent food , great entertainment, family friendly... Excellent customer service kudos to Nick ! Love the experience , I will definitely come back. Thank you Cedar.

    (4)
  • Sandra B.

    Food was delicious. Shady add-on gratuity! I didn't realize the gratuity had been added on and my friend left an additional $20 in cash for the tip and the waitress took it while we were still sitting there! I guess they wanted to take advantage of us.

    (1)
  • Scott R.

    As a American guy myself. I can see it being a bit intimidating coming to a Lebanese restaurant not knowing what to order or even how to order. At cedars they make everyone feel very welcome. Their menu has great descriptions of each dish. Everything here is delicious! On weekends they have belly dancers, this place also offers HOOKAH on the patio area. The appetizers are also great. This is a place that is a must try if your looking for something different. It can't be bad!! It's on restaurant row!!

    (4)
  • Wendy S.

    This was our first visit to Cedars and we loved it. I was given this place as a recommendation and so we ignored some of the negative reviews. I'm glad we did. We had a party of 14 ppl (incl children) and we felt very catered to. Fuad our waiter was never further than a call away. The owner visited our table to check on us. The drinks were delish and our meal was even better. We had 7 ppl do the Lebanese feast and this was a perfect introduction to Lebanese cuisine. We were able to try so many different dishes. We've been to most restaurants on Dr.phillips and I have to say this is now one my favorites.

    (5)
  • Dr Romie M.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Orlando area. The ambience is perfect at lunch for a business meeting and exciting at night to come with friends or for date night. Middle eastern cuisine is limited in central Florida, and Cedars creates consistently delicious dishes. If you eat meet- best lamb in town. If you are vegetarian the veggie platter is great.

    (5)
  • Winny R.

    My experience was so horrible at this restaurant that it is now the benchmark I use to compare my experience at other restaurants! I wanted to give this place 0 stars but that's not an option. What made my visit to Cedars so bad? Where do I start? When we walked in, I was with my boyfriend, we were told to just sit anywhere it didn't matter. Next the waiter came by and didn't even give us his name or greeted us just asked us if we had any questions about the menu. He was not customer service friendly at all. We read over the menu and decide to order a special platter with hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanoush, tabouli, and falafel. This platter was actually the only editable part of our dinner. But it was still mediocre. When our entrées were brought to us I was horrified. First I ordered a Steak Shawarma. It was literally a pile of dry marinated meat and along with it the WORST WHITE RICE I have ever had. Don't let me get started in the vegetables they were steamed carrots and broccoli nothing else?!? This is what I paid $20 for. I tried to eat it but couldn't it was just bad! My boyfriends food was worse ! He ordered kibbeh in a yogurt garlic lemon sauce or that's what it said in menu. What he received was a meat ball in a yogurt SOUR sauce quite honestly I have no idea how he was able to eat any of it which he was only able to eat the meat ball. And he also got the worst white rice on earth. I would have like to have talked to the waiter but he disappeared and then came back expecting us to say how delicious it was. We paid and left because it was obvious that we weren't welcomed there since there was a huge Middle eastern group at the patio that had every waiters attention. My final words about this place are please STAY AWAY and save your money. Just go to the Flame Kabob across the street.

    (1)
  • Orianna H.

    We came for lunch and had a mixed grilled with two shish Kabab and one kafta. Our water had a big bug inside, it's was gross to see and the restaurant had bugs flying around our food and close to us. We had high expectations based on all the reviews but the food was okay. Overly priced for the taste, quantity and cleanliness of the restaurant

    (3)
  • Nora M.

    My 1st favorite Lebanese restaurant in central Florida and my 2nd favorite Lebanese food in all of Florida. Food is amazing, one of the best Lebanese food I've ever tried!!.. The atmosphere is ok, belly dancing is fun and interesting, and service is either ok or friendly. My first favorite Lebanese food is a restaurant in Miami which I forgot it's name and wish to remember it to visit it again!!

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    First time here. Service was fine but food was very dry. Biggest problem was a table of about 25 with unruly kids where the parents OR the staff wouldn't keep quiet. We couldn't hear each other talk. Mgt could easily see they were disrupting the ambiance and did nothing. Won't be back

    (2)
  • Lana B.

    Came here for Valentine's Day. I'm lebanese and I wanted to introduce my gf to the food. Our waiter Jean was so polite and hospitable. He did everything correct in fine dining (from the way he placed the protein facing customer to saying "my pleasure" after every request). We had the hummus and pita bread and falafel to start. Their hummus rivals my own. The bread is to die for. We both got chicken tawook. I wanted to keep things simple for my gf's first Lebanese meal. The chicken was superbly seasoned and grilled. I ordered some baklawa to go. It was buttery light fresh and delicious. For valentines they had rose petals on the tables and candle light and a rose was given to me at the end of our meal. Excellent. The waiter Jean looks like he might be related to my father lol but I didn't ask. My Aunt said family works at Cedars. I wonder if it's him. He has the Milham facial features. I definitely recommend !

    (5)
  • Maile K.

    We ate here last night, here for a trade show. The food was excellent and the service even better. Some of the best baklava I've ever eaten. The salmon was delicious and perfectly cooked. Everyone loved their meals.

    (5)
  • Veronica N.

    Love the lamb chops and hummus from this place. The outdoor setting is great with the live entertainment and hookah!

    (4)
  • Luis M.

    I love Lebanese food, and in Orlando, this is as good as it gets. The service was good and the ambiance was nice. We decided to share a variety of apps and selected the grape leaves, the baba ghannouj, the kibbeh, the cheese rolls, the falafel, and the spinach pie. We either got lucky and picked the best items on the menu, or all of the options on this fairly extensive menu are equally well-made. I'd definitely make the trek to restaurant row again to sample other items from the menu.

    (4)
  • S D.

    There is nothing in this restaurant that isn't delicious. I've tried so many things on the menu, and I was waiting to be disappointed with SOMETHING....but I couldn't find anything! Their chicken kabobs are seasoned just enough--they don't have to overspice it to kill the flavor. Their Hummus and Baba Ghanoush is so authentic and delicious! Even their side of vegetables was amazing! Too bad I live in Miami and have to drive to Orlando to eat there, but I have done that once or twice just to go eat dinner. They are THAT good. As far as pricing, it's similar to other arabic restaurants I've been to, so not complaining. About the service--the waiters/waitresses are always on point and are always around if you need anything. Gratuity is included, but it's actually less than I would customarily tip anyways, so I always add on more.

    (5)
  • Tony C.

    Food was good but the waiter was very strange and impatient. Made the experience very weird.

    (2)
  • Ana Carolina F.

    Well located, in the charming Dr Phillips area. Staff is very friendly and food is soooo good! Clean and fresh... If you appreciate a good Lebanese cuisine you must stop by. I normally order a bunch of different appetizers instead of a main course. Cold Lebanese beer, hummus, kibe (raw and fried) and some other great things.... Best service I ever had in Orlando!!!

    (5)
  • David K.

    Fellow Yelpers, After some back and forth, the final decision of where to eat came out to be Cedar's. I had never been so I thought, why not? One more notch on my Yelp belt, a superbly built high quality alligator leather belt of reviews of course. It was fairly slow due to it being a Tuesday night, but nevertheless it made it easier for me to capture the moment without much distraction. The interior is rather bland, leaving something to be desired, or maybe the lack of diners made it seem this way; not lively. We were promptly sat at a table by the window, which was nice, by a waiter who looked exactly like the star of the former hit series Monk; Tony Shalhoub. What made the comparison even more uncanny was this gentleman's behavior and mannerisms which were filled with meek and submissive body language. Luckily, he was not as weird as Monk and proved to be a very nice server who was extremely courteous. No complaints there. The music selection being played was rather depressive. It made me casually wonder if they were expecting to sit a funeral party at any moment, but I digress. We ordered one appetizer, 'Safiha,' and an entrée of Shish Kabob and Kafta Kabob. The Safiha was decent (see my picture), but nothing exceptional. It came with a good amount of meat in its center and with a fluffy shell reminiscent of some sort of pastry. Luckily , my company is an expert in culinary arts and promptly reacted to this by dowsing the Safiha in some much needed olive oil among other things. Being a self-starter, creative guy, I copied her actions and did the same to my Safiha. It helped the taste a bit, kind of like taking a navy wing tip shoe and putting red laces on it. It didn't do much to detract from an already 'uniquely Arabic' dish, but it did give it a bit more 'oomph.' The Shish Kabob (see my picture) was also good, but nothing to write home about. Even though I am writing this at home. Huh. The portion is very generous so that is a major plus. The dishes come with a side of rice and vegetables, but I simply opted for two sides of vegetables instead. They were well seasoned enough to stand on their own without the accompanying lamb kabob. The meat was a bit overcooked and I was surprised that the Monk doppelgänger did not ask me at what temperature I wanted it. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the food. I tried the kafta and it was very tasty. This was the one stand-out item, so I'm recommending it. Overall, prices are reflective of the quality and portion. There is an outdoor patio and apparently it can get pretty energetic there during the weekends with dances and entertainment. If you enjoy this type of cuisine like I do, it's worth a try. If you're on the fence about trying Lebanese, I'm not sure if this would be a good enough introduction to sway your senses. ila al lika'!

    (3)
  • Sidhartha R.

    Even though we arrived late they accommodated us on a packed Christmas night. We ordered 3 appetizers which were mussakah, hummus with lamb and fatayer all superb and we highly recommend them. For main course my wife and son had the jumbo shrimp scampi (very very large shrimp ) which was delicious and my rack of lamb was among the best I have had ...simply put I highly recommend this restaurant to all even if u are not the adventurous type...also don't forget to get the garlic sauce.

    (4)
  • Mary M.

    So thankful that we found this place!!! I'm in Orlando for a conference and this was a welcomed change. I had the lamb kabob and it was cooked perfectly. Everything was good and the server was perfect.

    (5)
  • Luis A.

    I LOVE this restaurant and have been eating here for a couple of years. I drive with my wife all the way to Orlando from Gainesville sometimes just to eat dinner here. If you like Lebanese food, this is about as good as it gets and here is why: 1) Kibbeh Nayeh. This is not something you find in a middle eastern restaurant often because it is ground up raw lamb with cracked wheat and spices. Most middle eastern restaurants in the state are strip mall joints. That's not to say they aren't any good, but when I eat at those I get my meats well done so I don't get sick. I can count on one finger how many chances a restaurant gets to do a raw meat dish correctly and still stay in business. This is some baller stuff. It's almost as ballsy as a sushi place that serves blowfish. You simply cannot do this dish unless you have an impeccably clean kitchen, high quality meat, and enough lebanese customers who order it often enough to keep it on the menu. 2) The lamb kabobs. The meat quality is outstanding. Ask for them RARE. They will melt in your mouth. They might seem pricey, but the quality is well worth the cost. These are the best kabobs you will eat...unless you happen to eat your red meat well done. In thatcase skip these and order the chicken kabobs or the shawarma. Otherwise this dish will be a confusing waste of your time and money. 3) The hummus. Especially the hummus with hot shawarma on top. If someone knows a better place to get hummus in this state, please shoot me a message and let me know. 4) The tabouli. Lebanese food is amazingly simple in spice and taste. Less is more and it is meant to accentuate the natural taste of a dish. For instance, Lebanese salad dressing is olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt. People mess with the proportions of these but that is it. These guys have found a great proportion scheme. The parsley is always fresh and crisp as well as the tomatoes. 5) The baba ganouj. (see #3 above) 6) The pita bread. I list this last but not certainly not least. They have their own gas oven that cooks their fresh pita on the spot. It is brought to your table too hot to touch for the first minute and it is bottomless. The service is impeccable and matches the cloth napkin atmosphere. They know how to take care of you but at the same time you can show up in a T-shirt and shorts for a meal. If you like middle eastern food I would highly recommend this place. I have read some of the negative reviews on here and honestly I can only think that lebanese food is simply not for everyone...because these guys are the best at it. They have a belly dancer on the weekends and hookahs that you can smoke on the patio.

    (5)
  • Julie W.

    Don't bother going here. Absolutely the worst experience ever, terrible service, terrible atmosphere and staff was very rude.

    (1)
  • Nicole A.

    The service was awesome! I was looking for a place with hookah and drinks. I also tried the hummus which was delicious! I originally went to the place next door (Le Rouge) and walked out after 5 minutes. Definitely glad I tried Cedars!

    (5)
  • Erin W.

    One of my top 5 restaurants in Orlando. The Shish Kabob is 3 skewers of the best cooked lamb I have ever had! All of the traditional Lebanese food has great flavor and presentation. The best part is you won't leave here hungry since they don't skimp on the portions. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a belly dancer and live music late into the night to compliment the hookah available to smoke on their patio. You must go to Cedars if you are in Orlando.

    (5)
  • Andrea B.

    This is a tough review as there is a fair amount of "not good" about this place, but the good is really really quite good. So the "not good" - I've found the service to be adequate to poor every time I've been. Typically there are long waits to order if you aren't ready when they feel like taking your order, trouble finding your server for drink refills, and sometimes a whole lot of glaring and eye rolling from the server. Also on the "not good" side, the ladies room seems to be perpetually out of toilet paper in at least one stall and half the time there is simply a jumbo roll of paper towels sitting on the counter rather than actually being placed in the dispenser. My family and I are big fans of the minute differences in Persian vs. Lebanese vs. Greek vs. Turkish cuisines so we try and order the items where Lebanese cuisine really shines. This is actually a wee bit difficult as I am slightly disappointed by the entrees at Cedars every time we visit. The appetizers are outstanding! And the pitas! It would almost be worth going for the little, piping hot, wood-oven puffed pita breads alone. They are amazing and we always eat an embarrassing number of them. For appetizers, we are fans of the hummus, which is well seasoned and smooth, and the baba ganouj is always mellow, with no bitter hints as eggplant spreads can sometimes have. I adore kibbeh (little balls of meat and cracked wheat stuffed with more meat and pine nuts) and theirs is excellently seasoned, though a little dry. On our most recent trip, we tried the Makanek, described as homemade sausages sautéed in lemon. Two members of our party really liked them but the third found the idea of cloves seasoning sausages to be really odd. I think there was a touch of sumac as well, which I found interesting. Sadly, after appetizers most of my meals here go right downhill. I usually get the mixed grill (one skewer each of the chicken kabob, lamb cube kabob and kafta kabob). The meats were well grilled, though the lamb was a little tough and the kafta a little dry. But the huge letdown is always the mixed veg. For totally unknown reasons, Cedars uses a frozen veg mix of carrots, cauliflower and broccoli which they jazz up a little with garlic. How do I know they are frozen? Because they were served to us ice cold on my last visit. The waitress seemed somewhat annoyed at us for complaining but had the kitchen prepare more, HOT, veg. Most grilled entrees are served with rice...which is rice. Not really seasoned but usually cooked well enough you don't pay much attention to it other than as a bed for the meat to nestle on. So, yeah. Never outstanding but we keep going back because the appetizers are really good and there aren't very many Lebanese places. Yet, I always feel a little cheated - that I've paid too much for too little that was really notable. Maybe one of these days we will start the meal here and then go next door to Seasons 52 for the rest.

    (3)
  • The B.

    Hard to find good food in Orlando.. but Cedar's... Don't be fooled by its strip mall location. The food was fresh, authentic and delicious. The fatoush (salad) and Cornish hen are musts. The lentil soup and vegetarian platter were excellent. The hummus was outstanding. the kabob and shawarma were pretty darn good but not as good as the other dishes. The service was friendly and patient. No one seemed to mind that the kids were making a mess. Each time we made a request of the gentleman serving us and said thank you to him, he replied "any time." Everything was nice enough.. but the food was outstanding

    (5)
  • Tony M.

    I went to this restaurant with friends Friday night. When we arrived there was loud music in patio and no one sitting inside the restaurant. A taller man who I found out later was the manager greeted us with "the inside is closed and we have no seating outside".. Wow, great customer service. As we looked outside there was an empty table and we asked why we couldn't sit there. He looks and said okay, they needed to ask the family in the adjoining table if they minded. Really? That was my first clue that we just walked into the arab mafia. Finally after seating ourselves we had to endure the very loud electronic arab music for 15 minutes before the waiter actually took our order. After another 30 min they brought the food which was less than expected, cold.. Colorless.. Lke they just got it out of the microwave. My Lebanese friend apologized for suggesting this place and said he thought the cooks might be Spanish but definitely not Lebanese as the food was nothing like he expected. When the manager came by we flagged him down to complain but he told us "we are busy, many families come here regularly and this is how they prefer the food". Bland and cold? He was completely unhelpful and could not care less for us as we were not the "arab customers" he wants to cater too. We paid our bill and all left vowing never to come back. The manager is arrogant and rude, the staff is less than helpful and the food is bland and cold. Save yourself money and go enjoy the wine bar next door as we did. The ambience of the wine bar and kindness of the owner saved the night!

    (1)
  • William R.

    I went to Cedars for Lunch on a weekday with a work associate. We immediate noticed it was almost dark inside the restaurant, we actually weren't sure if they were open. We were greeted by a server who sat us at a table close to the bar. we looked at the menu and decided to go with the Fried Kibbeh and Falafel as appetizers.They brought out a basket of warm pita bread with our appetizers. The warm pita bread was delicious and so were the apps when they finally arrived. We both ordered the Shawarma and really enjoyed it. The beef was seasoned very nicely and the tahini sauce was especially good. The food was good, the service was a little underwhelming. The process to order took longer than most restaurants and then the server returned infrequently to the table. My associate wanted a refill on the pita bread but apparently it wasn't meant to be as we never received it. Drink refills were also very slow. Now, I understand being in the weeds but there was five tables occupied in the restaurant. Its a little on the pricey side and would not recommend if your going for lunch or have a time restriction.

    (3)
  • Yaron L.

    Great food and superb service, came here 2 nights in a row. Try the knafa, one of the best I ever had

    (5)
  • Amira A.

    My husband and I celebrated our 3-year anniversary at Cedar's Lebanese Restaurant this past Saturday November 30th and it was truly amazing! We had plenty of waiters, which were all friendly and VERY patient!!! We had a party of over 30 people. We go to Cedars all the time and always get great service. This time I decided to write a review because the service we all received was phenomenal for all the requests we had. I admired the seating arrangement they created for us outside. The love music, it was completely what I wanted. The food was delicious. We all had a blast!!! THANK YOU CEDARS!!!!!

    (5)
  • Bobby P.

    Not bad

    (3)
  • Tracey R.

    My family took me here for Mother's Day. My Saudi exchange student son picked it out. We were encouraged on entering to see a number of people from various Arab countries there: a table of Saudi women, a couple of Lebanese men, a married couple from Jordan, a table of Saudi guys; all in Western dress, and some smoking hookah. The decor is beautiful, both indoor and out. Hookah is allowed outside. A few people were smoking it. The music was pop Arabic and not intrusive but added nice atmosphere, conveying an upscale, modern pan-Arab feel, but with enough tradition in it to be understandable to Westerners. Service was quick. In fact, it took us a bit to choose our meals because it was our first time. It sped up a bit when my son decided to order for us and was able to convey that in Arabic to our waiter. We ordered 3 meals (combo plates) and 4 appetizers for 6 people (one a child) and it was plenty. However, after we'd ordered two appetizers our waiter suggested two more, and we thought they came with the meals. They didn't. Even in Arabic my son understood our waiter to mean the additional two appetizers (very basic--hummus and baba ghanouj) came with what we had ordered. The food was very good. The sahia didn't look like the one that another reviewer posted at all--I think either he or we didn't get the right thing, but they were delicious anyhow, but tiny. The lamb was very good and flavorful; the chicken was white meat and therefore a tad dry, but not unusually so. The hummus and baba ghanouj were really good; not quite as good as our son's grandma's but then, who can cook like a grandma? We are used to Saudi rice, but this rice was ok. I guess if you are used to Turkish rice it would be very good. Saudi rice is a different kind (Basmati) and we usually eat it via kebsah or biryani, with lots of spices, so to us plain rice is...plain. But authentic, apparently. And good. And then the bread. Fabulous. So good. The only downside is the price. But then you are also paying for the location when you eat here. In Chicago we have ordered a similar meal to their big meal that feeds a crowd and includes all parts of the meal and paid about $150. Here it would have been double that. But in Chicago we were in a suburban strip mall area, not near I-Drive and Disney. Just be aware of that when you pick this place. And be aware that no appetizers come with meals, unless you're talking about the big multi-person meal, where it is clearly listed on the menu.

    (4)
  • Sebastian J.

    Great place. A little pricey but pretty good for a Mediterranean cuisine. If you want to save your money, Habibi's is close by, similar in quality but at a fraction of the cost.

    (3)
  • Rachel G.

    Been going here for years now and still a staple for me on places to go to eat.... Also looks fun on weekend always packed w music playing.... Baba ghanoush is my fave also all their kabobs! If your there for lunch don't pass on the sandwiches and don't forget to order garlic and spicy sauce!!!

    (5)
  • Doc R.

    Amazing lamb shish kabob, tabbouleh and baklava. The pita bread deserves a mention as it's warm baked and pillow soft with just enough crunch around the edges. The thing that struck me the most is how fresh everything tasted and how lean the lamb was here. The only suggestion would be is to do something more interesting with the broccoli and rice sides but in all honesty I was too full to even attempt to eat those and try and tackle desert. Overall a great experience guided by a very capable waiter.

    (4)
  • Vivian H.

    I am not from this neck of the woods, but my oh my this place was fabulous! How did we ever find this place? Well, a good Lebanese friend of mine and I were in town for a conference and he couldn't stop raving about this place. So on a warm Friday night, we made a field trip here. The restaurant is situated in a strip mall and of course, I almost had a heart attack. I have some traumatic experiences with strip malls. But before you judge this place, give it a whirl. The restaurant is spacious and everyone working here is authentic. My friend started to chat with the host and waiter in Lebanese and from the words exchanged and the beaming smiles, you would've been fooled that they were all long-time friends. Talk about warm, Mediterranean hospitality! Since it was so warm, we opted to sit outside in their "veranda." The waiter was extremely friendly, helpful and so wonderful to look at. He started us off with a bottle of domestic Pinot Noir, which was excellent. Dry, with a bit of an oaky finish, just how I like it. My friend took the lead and ordered for us. We had a whole spread of Lebanese tapas which included hummus, baba ghannouj (smoked eggplant dip), tabbouleh, fattouch, cheese rolls, fatayer (spinach pies), laban salad (yogurt with cucumber), kibbi, falafel, foul (fava beans). It was a feast for kings (and well queens too). According to my Lebanese friend, there is no place in New York City that even compares to this place. Hot damn. And although I don't know Lebanese food too well, I can say that all the dishes were executed perfectly. I couldn't complain any dish. The eggplant dip was the best I ever had, smoky and creamy. The pita was piping hot and fresh. My mouth was in sheer ecstasy the whole time. We also has the dessert sampler and it was just amazing. We of course had baklava and knafeh. All were delicious and knafeh was made with Halloumi cheese. There was also an amazing Belly dancer! What a nice way to end a fabulous meal! Excellent, excellent Lebanese food. If I am in ever in Orlando again, I will be sure to visit again!

    (5)
  • Jennifer D.

    Stopped here for an impromptu lunch with friends this afternoon. I had the vegetarian combo express lunch platter, and was thoroughly pleased. The falafel were crisp with no oily aftertaste, the tabbouleh was fresh, the hummus was delightful, and the baba ganoush was delicious! Service was pleasant and attentive. I would definitely come back to Cedars if ever in the area again.

    (4)
  • Laura H.

    This place is fantastic, a true Lebanese gem, and it even got the nod from my Lebanese in-laws...so you know it's great! If you're feeling adventurous, please try the Kibbeh Nayeh, it's amazing, and you can't get it everywhere! The Shawarma is fabulous, the Shish Kebab is tender and wonderful, and the Kibbeh bi Laban is in the best homemade yogurt sauce you'll ever try. The Falafel is great and the Hummus is delish!

    (5)
  • Lelania B.

    This place is a perfect candidate for Robert Irvine to take on for Restaurant Impossible!!! Yuck. Seriously. Don't bother. The food was terrible. This is the furthest thing from "fine dining" that I can imagine, and I can't even believe they are still in business. They serve FROZEN VEGGIES with your $30 entree. (Really??) The bread baskets are grey and fuzzy around the edges from being dirty. The salt shakers were so caked up with moisture inside that we had to unscrew the cap to get any salt. To be fair, lamb kabobs were okay as far as taste goes, but all of the meat was overcooked and tough (had ordered the combo trio of skewers). The bread was hot and fresh and tasty enough - I'll give credit where credit is due. The bathrooms were sub-par and there are drill holes punched in on all the walls of the partitions. There were no paper towels in the handicap bathroom so I had to go to the main sink to get any to dry my hands. Again, fine dining? Really? The server was nice enough, but when we asked for recommendations she said that everything was good, and what do we like? Chicken? Seafood? Spicy? When my husband said he liked spicy food, she proceeded to tell him that nothing on their menu is spicy. Um. Okay. So why even mention that as an option? There were only two other couples in there on a Sunday at around 5:00. I would be surprised if this place was in business next time we make our way to Orlando. Very dissapointed. Waste of our time and money. There are too many other good ethnic restaurants in the Dr. Phillips/Sand Lake Rd area to settle for this kind of sub-par overpriced experience.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Cedar’s Restaurant

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