4. Restaurants

Alhambra Palace

1240 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
  • (312) 666-9555
  • Store is closed

Alhambra Palace Menu

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  • Vivian M.

    awesome! Food isn't that special, but performance is great!

    (5)

  • Dan P.

    Last weekend, we went to the Rip OFF Palace!!! Terrible service & terrible food!!!! Won't go back!!!

    (1)

  • Michael J.

    The only reason I came here was to listen to the Starfall Orchestra who were, by the way, excellent. 5 stars for them. Otherwise the experience was laughable. The place is decorated in early Moroccan brothel. The food is bland and overpriced. Our server was MIA. I actually had to ask another server to go look for him. A search party was organized and he was found. But I didn't mind any of that too much because the music was that good. If not for the band I would recommend that you stay away this place. But if you can catch the Starfall Orchestra here I recommend that you do and just have drinks.

    (2)

  • Kerry M.

    Very dissatisfied with the resturant! The service has gone down hill! We ordered food and 30 mins later they told us they were out of lamb! Service was bad, slow . When the food came out it was good, but when it came out! I have been here before and the service wasn't so bad, but it has gone down hill! They have salsa Wednesday and don't have sangria!!!!!

    (2)

  • Lauren W.

    Loved this place! Will definitely be back! Great date night spot also great for groups! Food was amazing & so was the entertainment!

    (4)

  • Hoang L.

    I only came here at night (when it's a nightclub). Venue: Very nice, actually. Sounds: Good. Service: Bad. Crowd: Rude. Dance Floor: Spacious. Bottle Service: We tried to get a table but was unsuccessful. I guess they don't want our money? I'd probably come back one day to try their food though.

    (3)

  • R K.

    I had to go here for a friend's birthday. I went in with low expectations and it still managed to disappoint. Food- Creme brulee- $8 for what tasted like a vanilla pudding cup. no caramelized crust and the custard base was so poorly done! I'm not sure why they call themselves Moroccan. For example, one dish we ordered was the chicken tagine. What came out was a piece of dry chicken breast with their version of Indian (not Moroccan- no cinnamon, no paprika, etc) spices, a mound of peas and carrots (def out of a frozen veggie bag) and rice. There was no dark meat on bone, large vegetables, olives, chickpeas. These are the typical ingredients, slow cooked together in a tagine to allow the flavors to develop and compliment each other. The other dishes we tried - lamb tagine, kabobs, etc- just as poorly done. Price very poor quality, non authentic food for apx $50/person (that does not include drinks/ appetizers, just the meal and half a dessert) Service went on a sat night and it was pretty busy, but for some reason they had one waitress for several very large tables. if they had additional waitstaff, it would have made it a lot less slow/ inefficient. I would not recommend going there at all.

    (1)

  • isha a.

    I have to say, I don't understand all the negative reviews. I am a die hard fan! What's not to love about this place? The food is amazing, so professionally cooked and as best as the Mediterranean cuisine could get! I am very iffy about ordering lamb in particular from anywhere because not many people can cook it right, but I'm never thinking twice at this place. And it's all halal! What a deal!!! The sea food is exquisite! You just can't get enough. Superb service, making sure everything is ok from time to time. But then Arabs are known for their hospitality and rightly so. Our server was Raid or Ray, and he deserves a five star rating of his own. You want a real image of what life is like in the Middle East? you have to see this place then. And the live entertainment, the belly dancers and the most beautiful of love songs in the sweetest of all languages! Wallahi, if you don't like this place, you were in a bad mood to begin with :) And the extravagant decor, is like a palace out of fairytale setting! I wish there was a seven star rating for this place! Absolutely love it, will go back again and again!

    (5)

  • Annie W.

    Both experiences was good and the belly dancers were funny..

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    It's been a while since I've been to Alhambra -- and for good reason. My experience there was absolutely terrible. Service - awful. Food - dry and tasteless. Ambiance - there was NO ONE in this restaurant. The decor is really gaudy but good food and service would have made up for this. I will NEVER return. Ever. Don't even bother. If you're looking for Middle Eastern food try Fattoush or something -- where you can get the same meal for 1/10th the cost.

    (1)

  • Angela R.

    If I could give this place a negative star rating, I would! I haven't eaten here but I wouldn't want to after the way my mother, younger sisters, and myself were treated. My mom set up a reservation for my 2 younger sisters and their friends to attend the restaurant after prom. When she spoke to the waiter to make the reservation she made it explicitly clear that they were coming from their high school prom, that they were under 21, and that she wanted them seated away from any bar(s) that may be in the room. The waiter reassured her that there would be no way they could get ahold of alcohol and gladly took the reservation. My sisters and their friends arrive at the restaurant 15 minutes before their reservation only to find out that they won't be seated because they spend a minimum of $35 per person. Now, the kids had the money to spend $35 each so what's the problem? My sisters call my mom and tell her the situation so I call the restaurant to find out what the problem is. I spoke to the manager, whose name is tommy, and he told me that they weren't going to be serviced because they're under 21.......(hold on, pump the brakes. When the waiter took the reservation why didn't he mention that after a certain time you have to be 21 to be serviced???) So I explain to him what happen and to make a long story short he basically said oh well that's not my fault I didn't take the reservation, and then he said they had to leave. My mom then called the limo that dropped them off at the restaurant to come and pick them up and instead of letting them wait inside of the lobby of the restaurant he literally kicked them out and they had to wait in the parking lot, in the cold for a half hour for their limo to come back. So to sum this all up: TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE customer service

    (1)

  • Valerie S.

    Went here last Saturday night with a few of the girls from work. Outside is really grand looking. Made me excited to go here for my first time. Once inside it's very beautiful to look at - the atmosphere was definitely middle eastern without a doubt. We had to give our name and were told abt 30 minutes for a table on the main floor since there 2 levels. The main floor is where the action is at because of the live music and dance floor. We grabbed some drinks at the bar...ehhh $9.50 for a jack & coke is kind of stiff..but i was here for the ambiance not to get drunk. So we were only standing around by the main floor for at most a minute and then a hostess asked if we were waiting for a table..she then escorted us to the second level. The other girls in my group really wanted to sit on the main floor but I guess without prior reservations..that can be difficult on a Saturday night. No biggie. We were seated so we could look out over the main floor and could see the stage easily. I did ask our waiter several times about the possibility of getting a table downstairs, but it became apparent that couldn't happen. We ordered some appetizers and a hooka pipe. It took several tries to get the waiter to actually take the order and then he came back to tell us the tabouleh salad & another item we ordered was out and then he brought our order with something we did not order. The food was ok, nothing fabulous. I would go back for the entertainment tho. Last thing - when he brought us the check - there was a 20% gratuity already added to the bill. We were a bit shocked because normally that is reserved for tables of 6 or even more depending on the restaurant. So I'm basing my rating on the entertainment and ambiance purely. I would take someone here for that alone - not the food or drinks.

    (3)

  • Kathleen J.

    I am glad that I read so many Yelp reviews before our night at Alhambra, as I was prepared for the worst, but was quite relieved that it was not a terrible night. We arrived around 8 pm on a Sat night and most of the tables were full. We were with a very large party, so we had a side room on the mezzanine level....This is a great place to sit if you are someone who would not be comfortable being too close to the belly dancers, or who would not wish to be pressured to dance. Our server was attentive enough to meet our needs, and did clue us in that that kitchen was about to get really busy so we should probably order our food sooner rather than later, or it might take a long time. The food--eh...if you've not had good Middle Eastern food, you probably won't know the difference. The hummus was too heavy on the tahini sauce, and not nearly enough lemon juice. The fatoush salad had radishes and green onions, which I've never had in there before, and was not the greatest. I've had much better shawarma (Alhambra's was very dry and tiny shreds) and tikkeh at tiny family owned establishments like Pita Town or Cedar Grill. If you're not a Middle Eastern cuisine aficionado, you might not know the difference and would probably find the food ok. They had really good mojitos and sangria! Food was expensive, but if you think about it, you're paying for both the food and the music/show/dancing. Can't really complain too much when you think about it. To the comment about "going for a Middle Eastern vibe, but Alhambra is in Spain..." Alhambra, Spain was built by the Moors (Spanish Muslims) from North Africa, so, yes, it would be a synergy of Spanish and Arabic themes/influences. It was a bit odd to see male belly dancers, and provided some good natured jokes amongst our group, but they were actually very good. Alexandria, the only Arab dancer that night, was amazing and I can't believe how energetic she was! She danced for like 30 minutes straight without stopping at all, as diners kept coming onto the dance floor to dance with her. Can't say that I'd go here again any time soon, but maybe some day if we have out-of-town guests we'd go. It was fun and memorable, and for me, that's half the enjoyment of going out to dinner. If you are more concerned about the food than entertainment, I'd go to Reza's Restaurant (Ontario and Orleans) for some much better Middle Eastern food. Their menu is much bigger, better priced, and SO MUCH tastier!

    (3)

  • Jenn S.

    Let me start off by clarifying my rating...4 stars is for offering some of the best entertainment in the city. If this place didn't have the belly dancers and the band, its just an over-accessorized restaurant. The food is ok. I had the lamb and my friend had the fillet. Both tasted identical although my lamb was rather chewy and hard to cut sometimes. My drink was delicious though. I had the Belvedere Tini. D-Lish! The entertainment was amazing and frankly kept my attention off of my food (which is pretty damn hard if I'm hungry). There were 4 different "shows" while I was there. The first was a more "tribal" belly dancing group. The girls (and one dude) looked a little more on the goth side but nothing crazy. All of them were really good. Then came this lady who really...err...shakes it? I mean seriously. But she was amazing and performed with the live band. After that, the band performed with this lead vocalist who was really great. I have no idea what she was saying, but I didn't care since it sounded good. I highly recommend coming here for the entertainment. Forget the food because, like everyone else says, its expensive.

    (4)

  • Nadia K.

    Alhambra is a very unique and lovely place. My first time there was with a guy I really liked on our 1st date. He took me there on a Friday night. His friend was our server and basically ordered for us so our service was prompt and good. The entertainment was great but a little loud. I couldn't hear my date very good. At times I would just nod my head even when I had no idea what he was saying lol Don't take a 1st date there on Friday bc its too loud. The little food i did consume was pretty decent. I went there with some friends on a Tuesday night when they have salsa night which is really fun. I would recommend going for the entertainment. I didn't experience bad service like many people say they experienced.

    (4)

  • Arlene G.

    I didn't go to the restaurant part, but I went to the upstairs part for a Lipstick and Lace party this past Saturday night and it was OFF DA HOOK! I've eaten at the restaurant before and the decor is gorgeous! Therefore I was expectin the upstairs to be the same. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The area is big so that people can dance and have room to get down! The dj was playing a great variety of music. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me was that the bartenders were lacking. There were only 2 bartenders the whole night and it definitely was not enough to accomodate all those people! I had to wait at least 15 minutes to be served and that was way too long! Other than that, I had a fabulous time and I hope these parties are held here again!

    (4)

  • Bev h.

    gaudy [gaw-dee] -adjective 1. cheaply showy in a tasteless way; flashy. See also: Alhambra Palace. if you're into tacky mediterranean deco and wild salsa dancing, you'll love it. waaaaaay overdone. a friend and i have been exploring options for salsa classes, and decided to give their tuesday night free class with miguel a shot. we were told no cover before 9. we show up at 8:50, and the douche that is carding gives us crazy face and says that it's no cover before 8:45. really?!? we left, and took that $15 cover elsewhere for some drinks. that was 2 weeks ago. went back last night, and made sure to get there BEFORE 8:45. we made it, and then waited around forever. the salsa class started half an hour late, and is NOT for beginners, as we were told. it consisted of a bunch of medium to awesome dancers standing in a circle while miguel yelled at everyone and tried to demonstrate some seriously complicated moves. i ended up spending an hour making a damn fool of myself, receiving barely any help from the instructor, and having to dance with a short and sweaty beast of a partner who was possibly a worse dancer than i am! the one redeeming quality was being able to watch some of the amazing dancers that came in after the class! sadly, you will have to go super early and wait around forever or pay $15 cover to see this spectacle. pass.

    (2)

  • Kayee I.

    We arrived at Alhambra Palace well before our reservations on a Saturday night and stared at the exterior decor in near disbelief. As we walked in, we were greeted by hostesses and were seated promptly, then greeted by our server. This is the only restaurant that I've been to with the word "palace" in it's name that actually looks anything like a palace. There is really no way to miss this place if driving/walking down Randolph St. The interior decor does have a Vegas-like feel, very eccentric, very colorful and very vibrant. We started off with appetizers: falafel (fried chick pea fritters), baba ghanoush (pureed eggplant), and Zatoun (marinated olives). All were very tasty but the baba ghanoush was my favorite of the three. For entrees, we moved on to entrees: cumin crusted salmon over a mountain of caramelized couscous and vegetables, and a Moroccan spiced lamb tagine which is a slow-roasted lamb shank over fluffy rice dressed with almonds, celery, carrots and pistachios. Yummm! We ended our meal by sharing a pomegranate and pistachio mousse over angel food cake served with a side of fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. The cake was artfully topped with a chocolate ladder in the shape of a fancy "A" for Alhambra. Service was attentive but not pushy. Although the restaurant was busy, we were never rushed out. I will definitely have to make a return trip to try the enormous kabob platters.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    The decor is fabulous. It's screams Middle East, and "Alhambra" suits it perfectly as its glamour is reminiscent of the real Alhambra in Spain. Additionally, the belly dancer we saw on a Friday night, "Hasna," actually danced. She did a great job of working the audience, drawing people toward her on the floor. Some "bellydancers" are vulgar, just exotic strippers. Because I have taken bellydance, I was concerened she'd misrepresent the art form, but to my delight, she wasn't obscene. Sensual yes, but not trashy. I've been there for the Arabic band and salsa night, and enjoyed myself both times. However, Alhambra does lose points for the food. As other yelpers have mentioned, yes it's too expensive. You really are paying for the atmosphere and show. I had lentil soup and the dolmeh. The lentil soup was delicious, but the dolmeh (grape leaves with rice and supposedly herbs) was so-so. Vegans beware, the sauce on the dolmeh had cheese in it. I just scraped it off instead of asking for a new plate because I wasn't feeling particularly fussy that night, but if you order it, ask for no cheese. The lentil soup came with some triangular bread that resembled a croissant in texture. I didn't eat it because I wasn't sure if it was vegan. The sangria was yummy, but no buzz. I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, so I should feel it after two glasses of sangria. I felt nothing. So the Alhambra is fun to go to for a night out. Music and drinks, that sort of thing (salsa night is jam packed, FYI). I wouldn't go just to eat. If you want really good Middle Eastern food, this isn't the place. There are choices for vegans, but clearly you need to ask if there is cheese, even if it's not listed on the menu as one of the ingredients.

    (3)

  • Will C.

    YUM! Best Moroccan food around! High-end and classy and classy people. Entertainment on the stage....a wonderful place to bring a date....delicious food, need I say more!

    (5)

  • Hala A.

    Judging solely by its amazing ambiance, I had high expectations for Alhambra. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised with almost every aspect of the establishment including high prices, customer service, and entertainment. We received incredibly slow service; I had to ask our waiter if it was okay to order entrees after we had finished our appetizers, and I also had to get up and ask for our bill a while after we had finished our meal. Asides from that, free drink refills evidently don't exist there. My sister and I had to ask to get our Diet Cokes refilled (at $3 each) which our waiter did NOT inform us would be an extra 2 orders on the bill. I just find this flat out ridiculous- it's rare that a place would charge for refills for soft drinks, and if that is the case, patrons should be informed. Not doing so comes off as sneaky, in my opinion. For appetizers, we ordered falafel, kibbeh, and hummus which were brought out promptly and met expectations. I had shrimp kabob and rice for dinner. I enjoyed my meal, overall. The bathroom was clean but hit a pet peeve mine. An employee greeted me at the sink with a bottle of soap in her hands. I asked her if the soap dispenser was empty, to which she responded, "The soap dispensers are ALWAYS empty!" Clearly, she was there for tips for squirting soap into people's hands and handing out napkins, time she could have used to fill a soap dispenser instead. I would really rather have privacy and not have to awkwardly leave a bathroom without tipping someone for handing me a napkin. The entertainment started at about 8 with a guest Spanish folk group. . . at an Arabic restaurant. I wouldn't really have had a problem with it at all if it were enjoyable. The Flamenco dancers and musicians were talented, but I have no idea who told the singer she should perform in front of anyone, ever. Additionally, and this whoever was in charge of audio's fault, all I could hear was her booming voice for two hours which made dinner conversation nearly impossible. We told our waiter that we had been under the impression there would be Arabic dancing/music and he told us, "Yeah, there will be. It's starting at 8:30." It was 9:30 when we asked him. The bellydancing and Arabic music didn't start until around 10:30, a while after we had finished dinner. The dancers were talented and raised everyone's spirits, but it was a little too late to change our overall opinion. Alhambra's atmosphere does not make up for its inattentiveness and disregard for customer satisfaction.

    (2)

  • Patricia A.

    Absolutely Amazing!!! My boyfriend took me to this place last week for our 3 year anniversary, I was first kind of skeptical of going because of the reviews and from my previous experience. All I have to say is MAGNIFICENT!!! I first started with the Alhambra martini then we accompanied that with their delicious hummus. But before we got to our dinner portion our waiter allowed us to enjoy the live entertainment and I guess on Saturday nights they always have a live singer and a belly dancer as well a girl that passes out roses. After the first song we had a hard time choosing our main course so our waitress suggested we try the Alhambra platter which was absolutely amazing!!! After dinner the owner came to our table and wished us a happy anniversary and brought us a chocolate like pyramid which topped off our evening. This is now one of my favorite places and the decor is by far the best in Chicago or maybe in the world.... I'll be back soon since I saw that they have a nightclub upstairs can't wait to take my girls here!!!!

    (5)

  • Morgan C.

    Three stars mainly for the Saturday night floor show... at least the early part with the tribal bellydancers. I actually much preferred them to the single lady they had dancing with the "band" later on. The space itself is cool and deceptively big. Like when I first walked back to the main room, I was very impressed. Two story, high ceiling, big chandelier, lots of sort of neo-futuristic Middle Eastern ambiance. The table setup is a little funky; if you're not facing the stage, you'll be craning your neck the whole time unless you watch one of the flatscreens that they might be showing a wide shot of the dancer(-s) on. And there were a lot of employees around... like security or owners or something... sort of angry looking gents in jackets and open-collared shirts. I kept waiting for them to swoop in on someone. Nice segue to the crowd. It IS in River West. It's not particularly a "young" crowd, more 30's and up. I don't know how many of them intended on going out dancing, per se. Again, sort of a dressier place. A place to see and be seen, I guess. Or to be a 40's guy hitting on/dancing with one of the aforementioned 30's girls. Food was meh. I just nibbled on the appetizers my friends had ordered. It was all right, I guess, but I could get it a lot cheaper somewhere else. Some of the pita we had to flag down our waitress and ask for, was rock hard. Bleh. And for appetizers starting at $7-8 bucks... entrees in the $15-30 range... the cheapest drink was a bottle of Bud Light for $6. Again, sure, you have to pay for the space and the dancers... so yeah... if you're looking to drop cash... Service was pretty mediocre, too. It was a Saturday night, but it definitely wasn't crowded. Our lady would just randomly disappear for extended periods... took forever to get orders... even just have a busboy come by with water... And it's loud. Like you-can't-have-a-conversation loud. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Maybe if friends and I drank beforehand, then went to split some appetizers and possibly get some water here and here... and to watch the early floor show... I really doubt I'd plan an evening around here.

    (3)

  • Sandy R.

    BEAUTIFUL restaurant is the only positive comment I have about this place. HORRIBLE service, from the host, to the dry bartender, and most importantly to the TERRIBLE server. He never came to check the table, we were constantly trying to flag him down, and just seemed bothered by any request. The food was not any better. Everyones plate was COLD- not luke warm but COLD. I was highly disappointed- the worse part was that we had guest from out of town and they experienced the same.

    (1)

  • Dima M.

    When I first heard about this place I imagined a really cheesy Middle Eastern restaurant slash entertainment spot with a belly dancer, and a lot of gross middle aged men gawking at the belly dancer. I also imagined mediocre middle eastern food, priced way more than its worth. I imagined a cheesy palace decor as a horrible attempt at imitating one of the most beautiful historical spots in the world (which is in Granada, Spain, and it is indeed glorious!) I imagined all those things, and I was right. I might have been a little curious the first time I went there, and the few times that followed I was nearly literally dragged. I hated the atmosphere, the food, and even worse than both was the service. If you want good Middle Eastern food this is not the place to be, and if you want a cheese entertainment and belly dancer, I don't know, go somewhere to get help as I cannot understand the entertainment factor in that. Then again, I am not a gross middle aged man.

    (1)

  • Carolynne M.

    Alhambra is theatre, pure and simple. Everything looks amazing and gorgeous from afar, but don't look too close unless you want to see the flimsy materials holding it all together. If you come here, you want to come late, and you dont want to spend a whole lot on drinks & food, because it is all numbingly expensive for what you get. Everything looks beautiful, but what I ate ranged from "eh" to poor. Rather, come here for the outstanding decor (you really do feel like you are in a palace), and the entertainment. I had originally thought the service was too slow, and that we were being forgotten, but then I realized that this place expects you to stay - pretty much all night. So after you eat, you have to wave your server over if you want something, otherwise I felt they were cool with you just hanging out watching the shows. A BIG problem I had with this place was that I had reserved a table and noted in the reservation it was for Restaurant Week. Well, we get there and we are seated very close to the stage that they were setting up for the Flamenco show. When I asked for the special menus, the server said that wasnt "offered" in this room, only in some weird back room away from the music and dancing. This made me pretty sore, as it felt totally like a bait and switch - like, Hey, seat them in the GOOD room so they can see what they would be missing and then they will HAVE to order from the regular menu! Not cool, Alhambra, not cool at all. I ended up ordering some falafel, which came on a bed of lettuce with some tomato and cucumber and one teaspoon of sour cream. So for $6 there are 6 patties on a plate which you must eat dry. They were nicely prepared, but come on - at least a little more sour cream would have helped. Then I had the Shrimp Charmoula which I highly recommend AGAINST ordering. Four medium sized shrimp were served in a bowl with some lettuce, tomato and some vile dressing that tasted like French. The shrimp were overcooked, dry, and extremely salty. A complete waste of $12. Andy M had a chicken wing jones from a show we had watched earlier on the Food Network, so he got the "Moroccan" wings, which are nothing more than standard Buffalo wings. Tasty, but totally out of place here. I knew what I was getting into before we went, so I cant say I am all that surprised. But really, Alhambra should maybe stop trying to be a restaurant and focus more on being a nightclub or something along that line They do the entertainment side great, but stop with the food, really.

    (2)

  • John T.

    I do not understand why this place doesn't just become a big nightclub...The food was decent. I ordered the special which was some sort of Filet. I have had filet at many nice places and this was not that bad aside from the fact that it was overcooked, which in turn led to the meat being a bit drier than anticipated. Nonetheless, on the whole, I thought that this place was pretty good! I agree with everyone else, though, that the service was abysmal. I would still go back to watch some pretty interesting live performances, though.

    (3)

  • Jennifer B.

    Alhambra Palace for dinner on a Friday night is a really weird experience. A big group of us chose it on a recent weekend for a friend's birthday dinner- we wanted to try something new, different, fun, and perhaps a little kitschy. Let me set the scene- 8 PM entrance. Our big table, centrally located on the main floor, is available right on time. The room is pretty empty considering the time. The interior of the restaurant is huge and beautiful, but in a sort of "Vegas" way- lots of colored spotlights, you get the idea. Other people present make up an extremely varied group. There are two families in from the suburbs with moms who get awkward when the belly dancers show up. There is one incredibly painful date night. There are several tables of young girls in their skankiest, tightest club wear, randomly. There were two big drunken groups of twentysomethings standing around the balconies upstairs. The band that performed Middle Eastern music was good and very energetic. The belly dancers we saw were all entertaining and professional- be warned, they WILL come up to your table and try to get you to dance with them! Service was quite bad, despite there being lots of staff wandering around and a not-very-crowded dining room. The food tasted good, but three people from our group were feeling sick for the whole weekend from it. There was a bathroom attendant there during dinner, which I HATE. Overall, Alhambra seemed like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be- a family restaurant, a music venue, or a shady nightclub. I will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Kathryn M.

    I went to Alhambra Palace last night - my date's pick, I'd never heard of it - and I was a bit worried when I saw the low ratings on Yelp! A friend told me that he'd been to two great parties there, so I went in with higher hopes. What a beautiful place! I was amazed all night that a restaurant could stay in business in such a massive location. It's beautifully decorated, but not to the point of cheesy or excessive, and very clean! We were seated in an area where I couldn't see the stage very well, but I did my best. There are TV screens, but the cameras don't zoom in on the dancer, so they are pretty useless. The 8:00 belly dancers were amazing. Very entertaining and they looked liked they really enjoyed what they were doing and they were real people - a little chubby, tattooed...they weren't "altered" because they were performers (I'll get to that a bit later). Loved their show! Now to the food...of all the hot and cold appetizers on the menu, my date ordered wings and then was disappointed when the server brought...wings. The menu didn't indicate that they were any special variety, so I was confused by the disappointment. Who goes for Moroccan and orders wings? Dinner was good, but not knock-your-socks-off-good. Just a bit above average. I had chicken tagine and he had chicken kebab. After we finished our dinner, the first belly dancing show ended and a small band set up on stage. They played Moroccan music and then about 8 rounds of "Happy Birthday" to diners - it got to be a bit much and prompted me to leave. As we were preparing to leave, a new belly dancer came out to dance to their music. She had obviously been "altered", in my opinion, because she was a performer. I felt the like the first round of dancers were had much more talent and were more entertaining to watch. The men in the audience felt a bit differently! I felt like I was watching a Moroccan drag queen impersonate Shakira. So this is what my advice boils down to...go for the early show, request a good table and don't order the wings!

    (4)

  • Galina M.

    The atmosphere of this restaurant is great! It's cozy even though it's huge and very colorful. I went on Friday, around 6pm thinking I would beat the friday night crowds. We were seated 10 minutes after we arrived. There were two private parties so they could only seat us in the lounge...which is fine. After they sat us, they completely forgot about us. The waitress came by maybe 15 minutes into us just hanging out in the lounge, I ordered a mojito, which came without mint (the weirdest thing ever since the main ingridient of a mojito is mint!) then we told her we were going to order food to which she said "great" and disappeared. We waited for 35 minutes (I kid you not), then got so frustrated, left a $20 on the table and walked out. The service is horrible, needless to say! But I'm sure the food is good, wish I'd had a chance to taste it and rate it here! Ha! I would come back but with lower expectations...

    (3)

  • Don B.

    I don't know what the deal is with all of the poor reviews unless this place just fluctuates really bad. I was there on Saturday night and it was excellent. From the moment we walked in, we were treated very well. 4 people greeted us at the door and showed us to the bar to wait for the rest of our party. As we waited, the smell of seared meats and vegetables were sneaking around the place making me extra hungry. The artwork and design is very beautiful and makes you feel like you are really in a palace. Rich gold, blues, and reds really make the atmosphere. Once our party arrived, we were seated in the main theatre area with a large stage and ornate designs on the walls. The place got fairly busy after 8 PM. We ordered the Mezza Platter ($50 and feeds 6) which consisted of a little bit of each of the appetizers (Falafel, Baba Ghanoush, Hummus and more)...it was almost enough to make everyone full and everything tasted very good. The dolmeh was a bit soft, but had good flavors. As we were eating, the show started. Belly dancers (all shapes and sizes) came out to Arabic themed music and did a great job. People were clapping and getting all fired up. The show featured different acts and a wide variety of music...fire and swords included. While it was loud, it wasn't too loud. The speakers were really good and played clear full sound. After relaxing for a bit, we ordered a few entrees to share. The lamb kabobs were cooked perfectly. The rice and vegetables the came with it were also great. The Chicken Royal was a bit dry, but otherwise tasty. Portions were large, but not overly large like previous reviewers stated. *After the initial show (about 60 minutes long), another more arabic show started with all sorts of things going on. Very intense. Our server was excellent and attentive as were all of the staff members that we interacted with. Our bill was really affordable for 6 people, especially considering the entertainment. Plus, a birthday treat platter was brought out for my GF at no extra charge. My one pet peeve is that there were bathroom attendants. I can't stand bathroom attendants. I don't need someone to pump my soap and hand me paper towels. To sum it up, go to Alhambra and enjoy the environment and food. Be aware though that you will probably stay there for 2 1/2-3 hours easy, if you go on a night when there are shows. There's tons of stuff to do in the neighborhood around the restaurant afterwards, if you choose.

    (5)

  • James B.

    I went here a year or so ago, and am actually surprised it is still in business. The whole place is such a gong-show, I really could not think of one reason I would ever go back. Just a few points: - Food was sub-par. Ultra-fatty lamb doesn't go down easy. - Music was blaring so loud you couldn't even talk to the person next to you. - Service was slow and generally sucked -- which made total sense since they added on 20% gratuity on our party of 6 .. that doesn't really give you much motivation to work harder. - The place is just a novelty .. If you were visiting from Missouri, you'll love it .. If all your vacations are carnival cruises, its right up your alley.. but if you're looking for an actually good restaurant .. don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • Vanessa G.

    When I walked in I was amazed at the size and decoration of this place. I was attending a holiday party with about 50-60 people in the private room upstairs. I was pretty amazed that there was only one bartender but even more amazed at the price of the drinks! He was extremely friendly but slow and there is something to be said when your bartender examines your glass for cleanliness before he pours your drink in it...makes me wonder if he really cleans the glasses??? For the holiday dinner, all our tables had platters of Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Tabouli, Falafel, and Shrimp. The shrimp and hummus were pretty good, but the Falafel was pretty dried out almost as if they were the frozen ones you nuke in the microwave. For dinner we had some different choices and I chose the Lobster Ravioli and my co workers had the Fillet of Beef. Mine was ok, nothing to get real excited over but edible and everyone elses' beef was so undercooked, they could hardly eat it and they are big meat eaters! After the party was over it turned out there was going to be a big show/ concert so a couple of us stuck around and waited. Once our drinks ran out (and the holiday party was over) we ordered some beers from the waitress only to find out it was $10.00 per night, seriously, for 1 bottle of Miller Lite??? I think I can get a 12 pack for $13! So, the 2 stars really come from the fun I had with those attending the party and for the really unbelievable decor and ambiance that went into the restaurant, think over the top Vegas. The food is extremely expensive and not what you think you are going to get for the price you are paying.

    (2)

  • Boones K.

    My review is a little late coming, but I was here with several friends for a birthday a few months ago. This is definitely a place you would come to more for the atmosphere and entertainment rather than the food. Also probably best suited for a group rather than a date. They do a good job managing larger parties. We ordered a the platters to sample different things and for those that didn't want to get a full dinner. Those of us that did get a dinner weren't as thrilled. It seems ordering the small plates is a better option than getting a dinner. The entertainment was fun and a perfect distraction for some in the group but you could still carry on a conversation with others. I'd go back again if I had to plan another group dinner. Having the built in entertainment takes takes the pressure off of you.

    (3)

  • Michelle C.

    My boyfriend & I dined here a couple weeks ago for a nice evening out. It was a Wednesday so the main dining hall is not offered til the weekends, which a a tad bit disappointing. We were seated in the front marble room, which was very well lit and it definitely had the ambiance of an ancient palace( very Cleopatra, the movie with Elizabeth Taylor). The light fixtures are orientate metal lanterns, seats were plush red velvet, and the drapes were flowing from the ceiling onto the mosaic floors. We first ordered drinks. I had a dirty martini,which was a bit too dirty! But the food made up for lack for service. Ordered was the Tabbouleh Salad, a "little spicy" and paired wonderfully with the falafel, which had just the right flavor of garlic, chickpea, and onion. I also dipped the falafel in my hummus topped with olive oil & gardineria. Lebna(traditional spiced Greek yogurt ) came in the middle of our falafel dish and it was my favorite part of the entire meal because I was able to dip just about everything in it including the spicy, paprika covered Batata(potatoes). I will have to have this dip again very soon! It's to die for. I just hope I have a different server & better bartender when I return.

    (3)

  • Donato C.

    I'll be entirely honest. I was very leary to try this place as I had read the reviews here on Yelp and my expectations were really low. Also, when we arrived for our 7:30 reservation, we were the only people in this rather large restaurant! But, I really can't find fault with this place! We ordered baba ghanoush and dolmehs as appetizers and both were very good and gave off the impression that they were made on the premises. As an entree, we ordered the Alhambra Platter for three. It was more than enough food for us and everything was very well-cooked. The platter had a little bit of everything...chicken, shish, and kefta kebobs. A wonderful rice underneath. I liked it all. The service was very good...how could it not be? We were the only people there! However, our server went the extra mile and took us on a fantastic tour. We had no idea how large this place was and I'm sure this would be a great place to hold a large party or go to a dance event. The owner has definitely spent a small fortune on the furniture and various tchotski's (sorry, couldn't resist). I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • nikki s.

    I just had to say a 'lil something about Alhambra. Don't know why it took me so long, but I was inspired by one of the other entries. Kudos to Dani B. for giving it to the people straight. I guess it's a place where you either really like it or you just don't--for whatever reason. I can't comment on the decline in service, as I haven't dined there in a while, however, when I went, I had no complaints on the food or the service. Perhaps there's been a change of hands in kitchen? Service was excellent, but the food was just okay for me. I'm not partial to spending $30ish dollars on a meal that was just okay. I was hoping for more Morrocan, but instead, it was upscale Mediterranean fusion. The decor and the music are what I could appreciate most. The space is grandiose and unlike any other restaurant I've ever been to. From talking to the owner--and like our fellow yelper, Dani B. conveyed, the elaborate furnishings and decorative pieces come from Morrocco and Syria and are by no means gawdy. It is way over the top, but heck, what palace isn't? C'mon people, think palace. Perhaps one must expand their artistic eye to appreciate it. I felt like I had been swept away to another country. I've not experienced some of the other performances, but I can say that the live Middle Eastern band I saw was phenomenal, and I loved seeing the different cultures--especially those of the middle eastern descent, get up and dance. In fact, I took it as an opportunity to learn another cultural dance. The belly dancer was by far the best one that I've ever seen. I am a woman and I like men, but from dancer to another dancer, the things this woman was doing in her performance? I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She would give Shakira a run for her money. Currently, I only go to Alhambra for salsa dancing. Parking is treacherous on Randolph, but there's always valet. Firstly, it has the best dance floor of open space in any salsa venue in the city of Chicago. Secondly, I know that some of the city's best dancers will be there. In other words, I'm not tripping over non-dancers boppin' around/chatting it up w/friends on the dance floor, nor is it hit or miss to find a good dance partner. (If you're in the salsa "matrix" of Chicago, you know this is serious business). Tuesday nights start way too late for me so I rarely make those, but since they're now doing Fridays again, I'll occasionally deter from my usual Rumba quest for my salsa fix and head to Alhambra. It's like a salsa reunion, as they "jack" practically the whole Friday crowd from Rumba. Live music and plenty of room...ahhhhhhh Alhambra.

    (4)

  • Senorita J.

    I went there impromptu last weekend not expecting too much since it was close to 1am but I was pleasantly surprised. First of all this definitely beats those 1 am tacos! It certainly looks so nightclubby and that's what I thought it was at first. I also felt a bit underdressed but did feel comfortable. The service and the entertainment was great and I'll definitely be back because I only tried a couple of appetizers so I'll be back with extra cash cuz those entrees are $12+! But I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Stu S.

    Ok I will agree with all the previous reviews that the food is nothing special. Its typical middle class Persian food (not cuisine). However, after ignoring the negative reviews and trying for myself what this place is truly all about I discovered that its strength is NOT being a fine restaurant but rather it being an entertaining cabaret and nightclub and should reviewed along these parameters until they shape up their cuisine. First, we were not charged a cover to get in and we enjoyed an exquisite live performance of Flamenco music and dancing on their ornate stage followed by a live Persian band with a belly dancer. The service must have improved since the previous reviews because our wait staff consisted of three waiters rotating different roles for our table of 6. Our water glasses were always filled and they gave us everything we asked for in a timely manner with politeness. Now the food is nothing extraordinary and does not match the lavish interior and presentation of this place. And yes it was overpriced for its quality, however, we did not pay any cover for the live entertainment. So it balances out in my book. I recommend experiencing this place because it is a wonder inside, but I would say go on a weekend when you know there is live entertainment to make the experience more enjoyable. Also order the standard dishes such as kabobs. Don't try anything that claims to be different because the head cook is not that great. My recommendation for improvements to this palace is to fire the head cook because he or she is NOT a true chef. Hire a head chef who knows traditional refined Persian cuisine or at the very least understands about proper meat temperatures. Still offer some of the Americanized classics for those who require it but make the majority of the dishes unique to this restaurant and not offered anywhere else. I have an extensive and full color photo Persian cookbook where I have seen some of the most amazing dishes that I have never seen on any American / Persian restaurant menu. Usually Persian restaurants in America always offer the same stuff, kabobs, hummus, plain rice and baklava. Comon show us the real stuff! I know Persia has a rich and amazing culinary culture! Why don't we see it on the menu! This statement goes for all of you so called Persian restaurants.

    (4)

  • Corey S.

    How is this place even still in business. Terrible food, terrible service...must be some sort of money cover or drug ring running out of this dump. The Kabobs were awful, Ive never made one but am conficent I could do better. All in all this shit show is over priced, dont go.

    (1)

  • Mihir P.

    This is an absolutely fabulous space. Roomy and open with high ceilings, balconies and private rooms. There is a large stage for live Middle Eastern music and belly dancing. It really does feel like a palace. The food however is severely lacking in quality. Dry chicken kabobs and falafal. The waitstaff is polite but a bit aloof. The host staff was very helpful and looked up on the Internet for me the address of my next destination.

    (3)

  • Matt P.

    Wow ... I'm surprised the average yelp is pretty low for this place. We went there for dinner Saturday night with a group of friends, and I thought we were right in the middle of Temple of Doom. The music and dancing was great. I thought our lamb kaboob was succulent, and smoking hookah was unparalleled hilariousness, considering I've never done it before.

    (5)

  • Lauren K.

    This past Tuesday I went to Alhambra Palace for their weekly Salsa night, and I cannot express to you just how disappointed I was. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone in the service industry-Angelo Prieto should be ashamed of the way he conducts his business. I came in at around 9:15 with a friend and we had both RSVPd to be on the guest list for that evening. The hostess says we didn't RSVP in time and that if we want to get in we have to pay the full cover price. Before this incident, I had been a frequent attendee at Alhambra. The establishment recognized me (and in fact has photographed me and used my image as part of a facebook marketing scheme to attract a younger demographic). Despite the fact that I WAS a loyal customer, and that I my friend and I are easily the youngest girls there by at least 15 years, staff told us "You're not on the list and there are NO EXCEPTIONS." Furthermore the hostess and manager began talking about us in Spanish, not knowing that my friend and I both speak the language as well and understood every word. Worse than being harassed in English, is having people call you nasty things in Spanish too! Angelo Prieto and his 4 Fantastic Events staff should start learning that the customer is always right and treat guests with respect. It's a shame when people are bitter about their lives and try to take it out on those of us who are content. To all the lovely women and men out there do yourself a favor and skip Alhambra on Tuesday nights. Go to Mercadito's Industry night instead and go do some salsa at Nacional 27 on a weekend!

    (1)

  • Jon C.

    i'm not sure how this place exists. it's huge and has some intricate artifacts inside. the food was better than expected and the service was friendly. however, we went on a thursday night and there were only a couple other tables. there is belly dancing on weekends and i wondered to myself, 'are the dancers from the store next door...?'

    (3)

  • Matt K.

    A mixed bag. This can be a 1star or a 5star visit depending what you're looking for. We went there for a double birthday and partied into the early morning hours. The entertainment just kept on coming, even well after midnight different bands kept playing & playing. Hookah at the table. great restrooms. No TVs other than at the bar (which is a plus for me). Well dressed crowd, no sweat pants. The food was edible, but that was about it, shocking considering the price. The cuisine is easily outclassed by hole-in-the-wall restaurants for a quarter of the price. Let me be perfectly clear: do not eat here or you will be mad. Cocktails were tiny. My first glass of water had double lipstick on it, after that I stuck to bottled beer (will let that slide due to Saturday night and all the waterproof lipstick these days). We still will be back. Why? Because the party, the music, the belly dancing, the crowd was a rush. If you are looking for a really wild & crazy time: go here. but eat somewhere else first. decor & overall ambiance: 5 (or more) stars music & dancing: 5 (or more) stars food: disappointing, but not inedible, 2 stars drink: good, but overpriced, 3 stars service: attentive, but a bit understaffed, 4 stars

    (3)

  • T J.

    The only reason I didn't give it one star was because I didn't actually have an entree. Went for my friends bday. The place is huge and was literally almost empty, I wonder how they stay in business. Got falafel as my entree, it was okay, but a bit dry and had no kind of sauce or anything. Had some baba ganoush(sp?) which was tasty. Also ordered some type of eggplant entree with my vegan friend and we both took a bite and pushed it away. She wound up sending it back and the waitress was not pleased. The place closes at 10, so why they took an 8:30 reservation for a party of 12 I don't know. They definitely wanted us to leave, but seeing as one of us didn't get served until about 9:45 that was impossible. No plans to go back, there's much much better food for much better prices all over the city.

    (2)

  • Niya K.

    I will say this, the entertainment is phenomenal. The belly dancer, the flamingo dancers, and the musicians add a great atmosphere. The food.... I have had much better falafel for a quarter of the price. Our waiter left something to be desired. We had a table of 20 we wanted to least split the check by 4s he would not do it. And when we finally got the money together, he counted the money at the table to ensure it was all there, I have never seen that done in my life. I would come back for the entertainment and get food somewhere else.

    (3)

  • Mari K.

    Stepping up to the front door I expected to be greeted by a coaster car complete with seat belts and handle bars. Whoever designed this building must've envisioned it to be built in Disney World, because the decor is so incredibly over-the-top tacky. EVERYTHING was metallic or had a mirror finish to it.. there's absolutely no way I'd be able to eat at a place like this (unless I was blindfolded). But hey, I wasn't there to eat; I was there to dance. On Tuesday nights they have a live latin band that plays a mix of salsa, cha, and merengue. The band's decent, the ceiling reaches to infinity and beyond, the floor is smooth and ginormous (quite possibly the largest I've seen next to the Willowbrook), and they have a couple flat screen TVs that feature YOU. Yes, there's a camera set up somewhere... and if you're on the dance floor, there is no avoiding it. As I was leaving, in walked 4 Hotlanta Braves. Shoulder brush once, shoulder brush twice, shoulder brush thrice, shoulder brush fourice. They didn't look too happy. It must've been hard for them facing a 10-5 defeat by our Cubbies. =) Rock on, guys! I would come back.. just for the dancing. (Apologies if you were seeking a food review.)

    (2)

  • Escape C.

    This place just made me laugh. Totally over the top and ridiculous, I can't see how this restaurant thinks it can be taken serious. The food is mediocre at best, and over priced for what you get. I see tour buses parked outside frequently, so maybe it's become a mecca for tour groups and conventioneers.

    (2)

  • Mandy A.

    I have to knock this place down one star... we came during the week and had the most awkward bartender/server I've ever seen in my life. The food was still good but we were the ONLY TABLE in the place on a Monday night and he was still slow, not that smart and really odd. It was nice to sit in a different room of this place but I would definitely recomment not coming on a weeknight. Yikes.

    (4)

  • Terri M.

    Ate here tonight because I was having a carving for Middle Eastern food and this was the place closest to where we were. I had never tried it before but was intrigued by the look of the place, plus some friends come here regularly for the live music and dancing. We weren't really interested in that. In fact we really only wanted a quiet place to relax and eat. So in terms of quiet and relaxing, it was the right place. The place is cavernous, and the many of the tables are mostly booth-like spaces that are comfy and fairly secluded (probably more so when the restaurant is fairly empty like it was tonight). The food, on the other hand was pretty disappointing. Maybe we just have really high standards--we kept comparing the place to a place we used to frequent in Dearborn, MI, called La Shish, and anytime anyone does that, the other place pales. So we basically made our own mezze selection because the small mezze seemed overpriced at $50. We had the hummus (kind of bland), dolmeh (ok, but too much tomato sauce, whcih I didn't like), fatoush salad (unremarkable), potatoes (soggy), falafel (dry), and a bulgur dip (no the best choice). We also had the Lebanese red wine, which we would not recommend, and the Alhambra beer, a Spanish lager that was surprisingly good.. Altogether, the bill came to $67, which I felt was overpriced for what it was. My first thought when I felt the craving was to go to Jerusalem Gardens in Old Town, a much more modestly-price, unpretentious place with much better food. Ultimately, it was good just to see what the place was like. The decor is quite elaborate and the space unusually large for a Chicago restaurant. It''s a good place if you don't care too much about the food (I mean, it was mediocre, but not bad) and want a place where you can go with any size group and not have to wait for seating, or if you want to dance.

    (3)

  • D J.

    It was a night of cultural and culinary immersion that teetered between enjoyable authenticity and spurious imitation. I was impressed with the ostentatious interiors - the engraved walls, the ornate furniture and a profusion of middle-eastern art and architectural replicas. But, while the theme is intended to transport one to Granada, it really just felt like a touch of Vegas in Chicago. My dinner was amazing, unadulterated Middle-eastern, especially the crisp filafels and the rich couscous garnished to perfection. But the overpriced wines hardly had any international flavor. The entertainment seesawed as well -I thoroughly enjoyed the feet-tapping Flamenco, which had me planning a Spain getaway but a blonde belly-dancer with fake implants that followed, put the Vegas feel right back into Alhambra! There is a touch of the unique to the entire experience - dinner, live entertainment and lavishness that is very non-chic, unpretentious. The place is ideal for large groups and special occasions - a guided tour of the upper levels revealed more exclusive options to entertain! But in a time of prescribed austerity, I couldn't help but wonder if places like Alhambra present a refuge from reality or might end up as relics of a time of abundance...

    (3)

  • Jason R.

    The service and atmosphere is the best. There is entertainment, and just overall a great experience. Perfect spot for a date or to try something different and new. For the food the portion sizes are very large. I had the Filet Kabob and it was absolutely amazing, cooked and seasoned perfectly. They also have tapas on the menu if you want to try a bunch of things in smaller portions. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for something interesting and different than your usual night out at Applebees.

    (5)

  • Janet L.

    Cooooool place! I went here for a birthday dinner (of about 25 people). We had to wait for half our party to arrive before we could get seated, but we got to sit down as soon as enough people got there. The table was a little bit cramped, but otherwise it was fine. The decor is awesome! It really does feel like a palace, and the live entertainment is neat. I thought the ambiance (lighting + music) really brought a lot to the whole dining experience. The service could use some improvement, but I thought that could be attributed to our huge party. The food was delicious, although really pricey. I had the lamb shwarma and it was amazing (probably because it took so long for the food to arrive). The "alhambra rice" had questionable nut content (I'm allergic), and the waitress had my food re-plated pretty quickly. Post dinner, there was some time to dance out in the middle of the restaurant. That was fun...and the flamenco dancers and belly-dancer were great entertainment (note: they automatically charge a 20% service fee for this)! I'd recommend this place for special occasions. Otherwise, it's a bit too pricey.

    (4)

  • Victoria Q.

    The first time I came here, I brought my family and we had a wonderful time- great service, great food, and great entertainment. So, I decided to recommend it to my friend for her birthday celebration despite the high prices. BAD IDEA! We had a reservation but still had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, supposedly to be given a "better" table. We ended up being seated in the far corner, with no view of the stage or the performers. Then, when our waiter figured out we were "only" ordering two $50 sample platters and four $20 pitchers of Sangria, he informed us that there is a $30 minimum per person! B.S!! The host never mentioned that when we made the party's reservation, that is nowhere on the menu, and nowhere on the website! Something to experience for the atmosphere, perhaps a nice place for a first date, but I wouldn't recommend a return visit!

    (2)

  • Matt K.

    There was no show the night we went but the food was outstanding. We had the Chilean sea bass which was very good and the lamb tagine which was so good it should be illegal. Two entrees, a bottle of wine, and desert came in under $100 so the price isn't bad. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Konrad K.

    That place looked like a real palace - both in terms of size and splendor! Very tasty food and a variety of live entertainment on select nights, including belly dancers, Arabic bands, and salsa lessons!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    One Word: Contrived. Seriously, don't go - save your money. It's a waste of time! It's as if Vegas is trying to do Mediterranean and the results are a disaster. The music is so loud, it's impossible to hear your fellow dinners a couple chairs away. Big screen TVs (yes, like at ESPN zone) showcase dancers and musicians at this over-the-top, lacking in any authenticity complex. And, although it's easy to forget, this is a restaurant. Well, the food is awful. Overpriced and awful. The service is horrendous. Ick.

    (1)

  • Mary A.

    I went here for my husbands christmas party, and the food was very good, the servers were great!

    (3)

  • B K.

    Wow-I wonder how long before this place goes out of business. You'd think the owners would realize that there are lots of inexpensive high quality places with good service in the city people would prefer to go to... My friend and I walked in on a Thursday and told them we'd like to get tea and dessert. we were told to sit at the bar. When I asked the bartender what types of tea they serve, her anwer was "I don't know. I don't take care of that." She did not offer to find out either. I ended up just ordering a black tea and baklava. About 40 minutes later, my baklava still wasn't there, and the bartender/waiter hadn't bothered checking on us at all. I finally went up to the counter and said I'd like to pay, and got told I owe them $8. For a cup of tea???? When I asked them why a cup of tea would be $8, they said they had charged me for the baklava (which they never got me). I told her I will not pay for a food item that I never even got, and that I wasn't interested in waiting any longer, she did remove the charge, though she pretty much just glared at me and never apologized. I'd say don't bother going here unless you are prepared to be in a really bad mood. It's so odd- I have a lot of middle eastern friends, and they are generally the model of good hospitality. What is wrong with the people who work at this place????

    (1)

  • Elizabeth T.

    I'm not sure why this place got such low ratings. I thought it was fantastic--though perhaps that's because I actually read the reviews and knew what to expect! I was there for a bachelorette party and I anticipated, based on what I read, a circus. We ordered cocktails and the small mezza platter to start, which was more than enough for everyone to have a taste of everything. It was delicious and we moved on to dinner. I'm not sure what the other girls got, but I ordered the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Tangine and highly recommend it. The couscous was melt-in your mouth good, seasoned by the sauce from the lamb, which was wonderfully tender. As for the atmosphere, I didn't actually think it was too Vegasy--certainly a LOT more showy than you'll get at most places, but I think that's part of the charm. It's unabashedly over the top and if you're looking for a somber place to discuss serious things, yeah, I'd say skip this experience. But if you're looking for a fun time out with friends, don't write Alhambra off your list. There's live entertainment, belly-dancing, hookahs, and even a chance to try out your own dancing skills. The service was decent and the bill, surprisingly, not nearly as high as I expected. Maybe it's just that I love all things kitchy, but I loved Alhambra.

    (5)

  • Allison B.

    Really horrible experience. The service was very slow and we were 1 of 3 tables in the dining room. Food was dry and everyones meat was over cooked. Server was kind of a zombie and never checked on us. Waited 45 min for dinner to come from kitchen. The bathroom had not been cleaned for a while it was filthy, no paper towels. We told the staff twice that there were no paper towels, to no avail. Very disappointed because the place has so much potential. Don't let the website fool you, the place was a disaster.

    (1)

  • Jenna L.

    I was super excited to come here to celebrate my friends birthday. The restaurant itself is in a fun, upbeat neighborhood and the inside is gorgeous. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with my visit. First, the service was terrible. I understand that large parties are a challenge, however , it was a Saturday night and there weren't many people seated at other tables. It took me over an hour to get a glass of water and extra pita bread. We found that we had to order multiple drinks at a time to avoid waiting forever to get our next order. The appetizers were good, standard middle eastern fair. My Shwarma was overly salty and I couldn't stop drinking for the remainder of the night. When i could get water. I don't mind throwing down some money for good food, drinks and a fun night. However , I left feeling like i got a 16 dollar mediocore martini and a stomach full of salty meat. The saving grace was the belly dancing show. The second half more so than the first They also have hookah which people were enjoyingI would reccomend going there later at night for some appetizers and the show. Otherwise, don't waste your time or money.

    (2)

  • Shaun K.

    Truly straight out of vegas. It's like the Persian mafia has joined the circus. Ya, the place is outrageous and unusual, but it is a spectical to be seen, smoked, eaten and drinked. The food is sort of sub-par depending what you get. The alhambra rice is actually quite good and is mixed with currants, almonds, and various nuts. The schwarma was nice, but i would like some real lamb schwarma. Go for the rice, stay for the hookah.

    (3)

  • Renaldo P.

    Great place to have your birthday at. I had reservartions for a party of 12 and everything went smoothly. Service was a bit slow but acceptable for the size of the group. This was the highlight of the night and the perfect place to dance to the music. The belly dancing was exceptional and fun. Food was ok and so were the drinks. I definitely recommend the floor level as upstairs skips you out from all fun!

    (3)

  • Kristina B.

    This is not based on food or drink prices, as I have no knowledge of either. This is based on hospitality, ambiance, decor & entertainment value. So with that, here we go... Hospitality -- doorman was nice, host on stage seemed outgoing and pleasant Ambiance -- very warm feel, lots of people dressed up (think button downs, dresses and skirts, heels... No worries, though. Jeans were present and looked appropriate.), sound was good Decor -- expensive-looking, elaborate and decorative, LOVED the chandelier in the dance hall Entertainment -- Salsa nights are on Tuesdays; I recommend you come out for those. The live music is none other than Grammy-nominated Angel Melendez & the 9-1-1 Mambo Orchestra. SO talented. Go get your salsa on, yo!

    (3)

  • Shain C.

    They took a 6:30 reservation even though they don't seat people until after 7 on Fridays. Service seemed slow, but in retrospect it was just the incredibly uncomfortable chairs that made it feel like such an ordeal. Food was OK... didn't blow me away. I'd rather go to Taza on Franklin and Randolph. Entertainment was late and kinda lame. They dumped alot of money into the building, but it seems silly when it's empty... All in all I'd rather get good food/service at a hole in the wall joint.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    This place sucks! The owner is a lying scumbag! There were over 100 coats missing or misplaced on NYE night here because of the lack of organization on his part. He pretended to be sincere about the whole situation by saying he would take care of it and reimburse the people for their lost coats. It has been 3 weeks and he has been avoiding my gf's calls and other peeps I know. This is absolutely ridiculous! Do not support this place and go somewhere else. There are many fine dining places in the area that I have been to that have food 10 times better then this dump!

    (1)

  • Kori M.

    Very average.I don't know what to say that the other yelpers haven't. Yes it's circus like, yes it's very Persian mafia, yes all the women with the Persian mafia have fake boobs.It's just ridiculous really. I want to be amazed and in awe but I just think it's so obscenely decorated that I can't. And for the life of me I can't understand why in a place that is so OVERdressed the waitstaff and bartenders are so severely UNDERdressed. They look like they should be working at Applebee's. That's enough decor talk. Let's get to the overpriced food. The hummus was good but you get a really small amount. I had the lobster ravioli (also overpriced) and it was pretty bland. Overall, Alhambra "Palace" is like a first date with a hot chick. Looks really good on the outside although somewhat plastic. Nevertheless you're excited thinking you're going to score. But once you start talking to her and getting to know her you realize she's all looks and no substance. Poo.

    (2)

  • Don M.

    Interesting place, we were meeting a group and arrived early. the place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. We sat in the bar and ordered some drinks, not very good very little booze and overpriced. After our group arrived we were seated right away. Tables are just not set up right to view the show going on. Service was good, the waiter took his time to explain everything on the menu to me to avoid my food allergies. Food was ok, Overall nice to experience once not sure I would go back to many other good choices in the area.

    (2)

  • Albert K.

    Went here for dinner and drinks with several coworkers and a vendor in 2007, wanting to check out the latest hot restaurants. And even though she was covering the tab, I really cannot say I'll go back on my own dime. And I'm really sad that we wasted her expense account on this place. We all ordered different types of kebabs and they were all completely cooked to a crisp and were tougher to eat than jerky. The rice was uber-dry as well and had no flavor. The pita bread was some of the worst I've had, too. I think I'd rather eat a refrigerator box, whole. I don't remember anyone finishing their plate. The bottles of wine we had saved our experience from being absolutely horrible. We went on a slow weekday, so I'm assuming there's more hustle and bustle and entertainment during weekends. All we got was a belly dancer who kept interrupting our conversations with her gyrations and finger cymbals. We were also seated in the smaller front room, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the decor of the large room on my way to the upstairs bathroom. They've done a nice job decorating the place; it seriously looks like a mansion in a movie. Just wish that the food was better. 2-stars for decor and wine selection

    (2)

  • John M.

    Alright Chris! I almost didn't review this place because even the most naive restaurant fan would know this place is horrible. Every single thing you mentioned in yer review is 100% on! Total vanity restaurant, and almost the most annoying place I've ever seen. This place ain't about the food or booze. It's obvious it's about somebody's ego. Let's get this straight: Your gonna spend untold dollars on the exterior/interior. Got it. Your gonna TRY and have big time stars for entertainment. Cool. How about training the staff and making sure the food is decent? OK, you are not doing that. Do you think everyone of your GUESTS are stupid? Do you even know how to host a place? Do you even understand what GUEST means? Tom Skilling has his isobars. Guess what? I can make a forecast you can believe: This place/palace is done in less than two months. Just so we are clear: Three of my friends tried to work here. They are all gone now. These three people all know how the industry works, they're vets. That's the only reason I checked this checked this place out. After experiencing how lame Excalibur in Vegas was I don't need this weak place. The King is dead! Long live the King!!!

    (1)

  • LISA c.

    I can't wait for date (real gentleman) to bring me here, good food and cozy little booths. I been here quite a few times, i think it really set a good mood for nice conversations. Also the place is really a gold mine. (lol)

    (4)

  • Mala K.

    My husband and I selected this restaurant because he loves lamb. The place has good valet parking, and the ambience (we went before the belly dancing and show at 9.30 pm) is nice--quiet and with comfy seating. The food is pretty good, and there are enough vegetarian options, nothing to complain about there. My husband enjoyed his lamb, and we both liked our Alhambra martinis, though they are a bit on the strong side. The only faults I could find are with the service--a bit slow and apathetic, and with the dessert--an uninspired creme brulee. The decor is a little overdone, but the neighborhood is not too noisy, and we enjoyed our privacy.

    (3)

  • Chris W.

    This review may be a bit redundant. However, I feel compelled to add my own two cents to the whole deal on this place. First, an important point I don't think anyone else has made: I believe that they short you on the alcohol here in the mixed drinks. There you go. I say this because I know my own tolerance for alcohol. I ordered three mixed drinks, which usually would give me a buzz, but at Alhambra . . . nothing. I thought I could taste the lack of alcohol as well. Another person in my party felt the same way. This practice is more common than many think, and it bothers me. Anyway . . . The whole Alhambra experience is for those who love the over-the-top ostentation of Las Vegas. The decor is faux Morrocan/middle eastern, described fairly well by previous reviews. It is what it is. Some people like this kind of thing. Some people find it tacky and guady. I am in the latter category. I found it cheap, tacky, and gaudy. Decide for yourself. Personally, I found an energy in this place I did not like - a lot of macho energy, a lot of trixie-esque ladies of various nationalities, huge doormen acting like . . . cheap doormen. The smell of cheap cologne in the morning. The sight of hair gell and men wearing large pieces of jewerly. It is what it is. Not for me. However - note that people have fun here. People get up and dance in front of the stage, and generally move about and try to play the role of the player. There is live music - basic middle-eastern pop, kind of basic and repetitive. But I have to say - the belly dancer was really great. That was one aspect of the entertainment I liked. The food - A TRAVESTY. An absolute, blatant, horrible rip-off. Nothing was good, everything was bad. Very overpriced. I note there is no cover - so the prices reflect the entertainment you get - Im trying to be fair. Fine. So, I will pay $25 for a dish that would normally be $12 - but at least make it decent! Dry shish-ka-bob. Ho-hum apps. All produced with no care, assembly line style, just bad. Service - not great. The waitress did ok getting us drinks, but overall, the 20% gratuity is not really deserved overall. This seems to be the general consensus. Also - I CANT STAND PLACES WITH BATHROOM ATTENDANTS. IT IS A SURE SIGN OF CHEESY TACKINESS. Overall - a Vegas-style spectacle lacking true quality. The vibe is similar to a Russian supper club. Flashy objects, bad food, cheesy music. Some like it. Many dont. But know what you are getting into. Do not, do not, do not expect actual quaility here, in terms of food, service, and drinks. And I still swear that they shorted me on the alcohol, which is an unforgiveable sin to me, relatively speaking. All sin is relative, in the end, I suppose. It is what it is, my friends. But this review is in line with most of the others. If they made this place good, with good service and good food, it would be a viable destination. As it stands, it is a flashy overdone decor with boring live music, a great bellydancer, and a general vibe of Viagra Triangle mixed with a cheap wedding. The star is for the belly dancer. Over and out. Peace out.

    (1)

  • Imilya M.

    It's a big place, I didn't think it was that huge. 2 floors, the bar is in a seperate area. The dance floor is a good size. I've eaten lots of Middle Eastern food and honestly, it's not that great in Alhambra. Although, the Fattoush salad is delicious. Everything else seems to lack flavor or just normal. For a place like that, I would expect more. Although, the entertainment is awesome. Went there in Nov. for my friend's birthday. There was Flamenco Dancers and a Belly Dancer later on. A little too loud, you can't really have a conversation with the person across from you. Waiter- Crap. He was barely around and said "sorry, im serving other people so Im kinda slow." That was ridiculous. But, I did have a good time after the dance floor was open to the people. Price- Too much for their quality. Entertainment - Good, probably the best part about it. Dessert - Their Tiramasu was crap, except the strawberries that came with it. They were good. I would go back again actually.

    (3)

  • MELEK L.

    I have to first disclose the fact that I have been here before for their opening (not impressive), a private event (impressive), and most recently with a, yes, Persian regular (just ok). Upon arriving each of these times, the decor never ceases to blow me away. I absolutely love this style so it appeals to me visually. I wish I had those tiles and sconces in my place! I like the idea of having a stage for live performances especially in such a large space. Upstairs there are small private rooms and a much larger one as well. It seems the space is endless. I have recommended it for parties as large as 600 people as it is one of the few places in town that can handle a crowd of this size. The first two times I came I did not have any food. This was thoroughly disappointing at their opening. We were all starving and smushed butt to butt with about 1,000 other starving people. Scary! On my recent visit, we had a variety of items laid on our table. Most were pretty average. I really enjoyed the Falafel unlike so many other Yelpers. It was crunchy on the outside and nicely flavored on the inside. One disappointment was the dolmades. I bought some packaged ones the other day that tasted better than these. They didn't seem to have much substance and were bland. As for the service, well I was with a well known customer of theirs. We were treated very well, our food came in a timely manner, and the gentleman was pleasant. Unforunately when we were clearly finished with our plates, they failed to remove them. I think everyone was too preoccupied watching the bellydancer. Finally we waved someone down to take them away. I am sure that I will be back one day, as many of my friends are Persian. I enjoy the cuisine, the atmosphere, and the live music they offer. I am extremely disappointed in how they seem to be treating all of you other Yelpers out there though. Boo!

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    We didn't get to sit in the main dining area because there was a party going on. So we sat in the room right in the front, it was pretty boring. Service was slow, and our waiter wasn't that great. Food was just okay too, costly night spent over $100. I would go again for the main dining entertainment but that's it.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    Freak show. Complete and utter freak show. This place ended up making me feel really creeped out. I admit, I went with a large group for a Birthday dinner on a Saturday night, and this is exactly the kind of "all show and no go" place I tend to hate- I went with some trepidation. The place is very new, so the kitchen's only been making food for a week or so. Maybe it'll get better with time? I doubt it, for whatever reason their chef has roamed from one restaurant to another that hasn't made it. And since I'll never go back, I'm firing off my opinion here anyway. First, the place is humungous! Multi-leveled, multi-roomed, in a Moroccan style with lots of colorful lights, mosaic styled tile (not real mosaics- large tiles painted/fired to look like one though), and a huge stage and central dance floor/dinner table area. So one star for the space itself- it is huge, and it is reasonably pretty. I enjoyed sitting and looking around at stuff pretty well. Still, in terms of atmosphere, there are more exotic Moroccan feeling places in Chicago...just none that come as close to making you feel like you're in the United Center! And for such a big place, you'd think they'd have more than one bar! OK, maybe they do have a couple bars hidden away somewhere, but I know our server was going to the front/main bar to gather our drinks, and it took FOREVER. The blandest Moroccan food I've ever had. Seriously, the food was just so not special I couldn't believe it- I've done much better myself at home. I understand you're paying for a show at a place like this, but really, a little seasoning isn't asking too much. I got the lamb tagine. First, it's served in a tagine, but certainly it wasn't prepared in one- and why bother when it's just a bunch of peas and carrots with a lamb shank on top- I could not discern a single seasoning of any sort!? I still can't get over how lame the food was... They claim the cuisine is a blend of French and Moroccan- my ass! The service was horrible, really horrible. But that's to be expected I suppose with a big group, and a built-in 20% tip on the bill. Still, this place specializes in big groups, you'd think they'd at least be OK at it. We were pressured to give up our table and get the hell out yet they couldn't deliver the bill for us to pay! Hilarious really, but so awkward having some huge Arab dude in a suit trying to sweep you out from in front of a stage multiple times while you have to argue that your party hasn't gotten it's bill yet! So the second star is for the show. First- be aware the real show doesn't start until 10:30. OK, if this is your kind of place you'll already just know that. But for tourists, that's when an Arabic band takes the stage and rocks the house. And the belly dancer was really something special- she was 100% professional, and she worked her way around the room throughout the night. Finally, the crowd in that big room was a part of the show too- loaded with flashy $, mainly immigrant types too, I heard Russians, Turks, Persians, all kinds. Lots of hair gel, cheap shoes and great big fat neckties in the crowd. At one point I actually felt mildly uncomfortable as if my life was in danger if I didn't give up my primo seat on the floor (we got there early for dinner) so one of the flashy crowd waiting for a table could move in on it. To quote Russell from Fat Albert- this place "is like school in summer- No class, haha!"

    (2)

  • Carrie B.

    WOW... Don't even know where to begin. This is an ADD paradise like no other. I'd have to agree with Mark S.' review. I did not dine here, however I sat upstairs for a large birthday party overlooking the downstairs. The seating was great as well as some of the ambiance/decor and I was a big fan of the hookahs. But that's pretty much where it stopped. It felt very overwhelming when I first walked in.... I thought I was going to be greeted by Aladdin and Jasmin and swept away on a magic carpet ride to somewhere exotic (or maybe that was just the hookah talking) .... I couldn't imagine dining here and having to listen to that unbelievably loud Arabic band for hours. But if you want pure entertainment, then go here. But don't expect to carry on a conversation during dinner when the band is going on. I did not eat the food, but several of my friends said the kabobs were horrible. This place is like the freakin' United Center- it's not hard to miss with the ultra tacky design on the outside. (And it's located directly next door to the Erotic Warehouse. Too funny.) VERY mixed crowd. VERY weird. But different, that's for sure. Fun night, but don't plan on going back.

    (2)

  • Fallon D.

    This review should be preceded by a disclaimer: I do not like much of what would be considered Mediterranean fare. As a matter of fact I tend to avoid it at all costs. I went to this place with a group of about 10 girls as a little goodbye party for a friend. With that being said, the food was edible, the service was less than stellar, the sangria was quite tasty, and the performers were awesome. The dining area is an incredibly large room with a middle area for the performers to come down from the stage and dance. The night I went there was a Spanish theme complete with a band and dancers. After the Spanish dancers, there was a belly dancer who was interactive with the crowd. As for the food: the vegetable couscous was yummy but my chicken kebab was slightly dry and bland. Our table got the huge group platter of appetizers for $100 and though it was nice to be able to taste so many different things I didn't think any of it was too great (not even the hummus, and I thoroughly enjoy good hummus), but especially disappointing for the price. Even the pita bread was noticeably below average. Overall, I would give a 2.5 for the performers and the sangria. I would not go back for the mediocre food, poor service, and over the top atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Olga M.

    As beautifull as it looks inside and out, as unmemorable their food and entertainment.

    (2)

  • Gigi G.

    24,000 square feet of beauty. This place is like walking into the castle in Aladdin. The staff is wonderful. Especially the CUTE Vip Host Alan! I am newly vegatarian so finding food I actually like has been a task. I let the server know my limitations. He picked my food for me!! He did great! The Hummus was wonderful. You can tell the Pita was homemade. The Falafels were to die for! Alexandria (the belly dancer) was a showstopper. I even got up to dance. Alhambra is a must do!!!

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    I first discovered Alhambra Palace one day on my way home from visiting the always great Goodwill. I slowed down my car to see what a sight this gigantic structure was. I wrote down the name and first thing upon getting home, I searched for it online. The pictures, the menu, the appeal it was all there .... a perfect place to celebrate my boyfriends upcoming birthday! Middle Eastern food is always a treat for us, and whenever we find a new joint, we have to try it out. So the day came !! I was so excited to take my special man to Alhambra for some good eats ... let my review begin !!! 1. The host was very kind, and on top of his game. 2. The decor is creative and authentic looking, yet very cheesy !! 3. Your chair sits much lower than the table, so if your short, your out of luck !! You may need to ask for a booster seat. We both are 5'11'' and we had to stretch our spines to get to our foods. 4. The manager, or whom I presumed was the manager, was literally RUNNING through the dining room. 5. There was one waitress, whom seemed to not have much experience in the serving world! She was a bit flustered, which happens, although ..... under staffing was an obvious issue !! Amateur !! 6. We ordered a bottle of the red Lebanese wine $34 and it's worth every dollar. If you have never had a bottle of Lebanese red wine, treat yourself to the wonders ... sadly it's rather hard to find outside of the Middle Eastern dining rooms !! 7. During our wait for what we hoped would be a splendid dinner, my boyfriend and I took a stroll around the Palace. We were looking at 13 million dollars of furniture, artwork, painted ceilings, a dance floor, and center stage and 400 plus table ... it was surely a wonder !! I have to admit, the place was pretty cool, yet still a tad cheesy. 8. After finished our adventure around the Palace, we returned to our ever so low chairs and our food was delivered within moments. Lamb Shank and a Seafood Platter !! ... ... bite one ... ... bite two ... ... bite three ... TERRIBLE !!!!!!! Slow roasted lamb ... didn't taste a thing like it. Shrimp, scallops, salmon ... rubber !!! What a disappointment .... with only a few bites take we were threw !! There wasn't even a slight desire to try their 8 dollar piece of Baklava. We figured we wouldn't chance another bite ... we'd rather go to Saltin's Market and get a box of amazing Baklava for $4.99 !!! So $123.00 dollars later, we got out as fast as we could !!! If it's entertainment your looking for, stop in on a Friday or Saturday night. Have a Scotch or a bottle of wine. Enjoy the Belly and Flaminco dancing and relax for the night ..... but if your looking for an authentic Middle Eastern dinner this is NOT the place!!

    (2)

  • Janene M.

    I went last night for my birthday. We had fun. Not sure why this place has so many low stars on here. I made reservations (3 weeks in advance) and requested to sit on the main floor where the Belly dance show was going to occur. I called and spoke to the manager the day of, to assure our seating. We arrived and we were seated right away. I had a cake for my birthday, which they took and stored for me. We were seated exactly where I wanted to be. our waitress was great. The show was entertaining (you could tell some of them were novices). It is a bit pricey, but the food was delicious. I would go back again for an event, or to sit in the lounge area for hookah.

    (4)

  • Christa F.

    This place is absolutely enormous and decorated to the max. The decor is definitely over the top but is very beautiful. We were sat in the the front dining room, as I guess the large room in the back with the stage is really reserved for $125 dinner/show packages. The menu was not large at all. Don't get the scallops appetizer as it is not worth $14 for 3 scallops. I decided to go with the kebobs because I thought that is their main specialty. Although when I asked the waitress if that is their specialty, she didn't quite understand me. She was a little slow on the English. I got the chicken kebobs and the chicken was noticebly dry. You get your choice of 3 rices. I'm picky as far as spicy or "stuff" in my rice. So I was told the Jasmine rice was plain. And it was, which made me happy. And bonus, there was some light flavoring to the rice that made it very yummy. Loved the Jasmine Rice! I don't think I would come for the high price dinner/show thing. I do think it might be fun to come back with a large group to have them check out the place. I was there in the middle of the week and it was not crowded at all. There was even a belly dancer walking around shaking her thing. I walked out of there thinking, that they could slap this joint down in Vegas because it is a enormous over the top themed place (of course minus the slot machines).

    (2)

  • Jeanine S.

    belly dancers... some with hookas on their heads, table hookas, great cocktails, diverse crowd dancing for people watching... this place was a lot of fun. the food looked great, will be going for dinner next time. the place is ornately decorated, just big and beautiful, with communal tables around the dance floor and single tables on the outside and balconies. There is a mininum per person on fridays and saturdays to be wary of.

    (4)

  • Louay B.

    Alhambra Palace could be the worst restaurant in Chicago...actually the world. Service was horrible, food was cold and overpriced, and drinks were way way overpriced. They had four bartenders and six people sitting at the bar. It took 5 minutes to get 2 drinks, 10 minutes to order hummus dip, and 15 minutes for the hummus to get to us (I'm not sure how you mess up hummus, but they actually found out how to. It's a dip with 5 ingredients) After waiting to order another round drinks, we decided to just ask for the check, which the bartender forgot about. So 15 minutes later, we receive our check. Our tab was $46.00 for 2 drinks, one hummus app, and one hour of my life that I will never get back.

    (1)

  • ornela b.

    I was pretty persistent on trying this place! i was thinking; middle eastern food, nice entertainment and maybe some balanced food quality/pricing. Ohhh, I saw the prices, sampled the appetizers and left the place thinking: If I ever will be in a mood for middle eastern food, then i will go somewhere else. People, go there for entertainment but not for a special meal!

    (3)

  • Juan M.

    Wow, I just gave 3 stars to a restaurant in Atlanta that is obnoxiously packed and crowded. I wonder if the 3 stars here are for the opposite? Okay, ignore their neighbor (Erotic Warehouse) and focus on the place. Besides it being full of Eastern Europeans (not that there's anything wrong with that) it was just a little...weird. Clearly they were going for the Middle Eastern vibe, but the Alhambra is in Spain, right? The food was pretty good - we got the Mezza platter which had some of everything (brought by our server from Rockford who was Czech/Swedish/Native American). We got, in a nod to the Spanish roots, a bottle of Marques de Caceres which worked well with the meal. I was apprehensive after reading the reviews that the dinner (a business one where we needed to review a bunch of detailed stuff) would work because of the raucous noise, debauchery, dancing, etc. that would be occurring. It was deserted. I mean, like, we were the only table we saw occupied for over an hour until some other folks came in. Good, nice service - not the best in the world (wine was just sloshed into our glasses without the customary, and pretentious, try the small sip first ritual) but she was a good hearted gal. We ended the meal, of course, with shots of arak. Yes, it tastes like licorice, yes it's gross, but (yes) it's appropriate. Did I mention that Chicago is cold as hell this time of the year? Did I mention that when I got on the plane in Atlanta it was a balmy 65 degrees?

    (3)

  • Vanessa P.

    I went here last week for lunch with some of my co-workers. The food was tasty all around (2 veggie tagine, 1 chicken tagine, 1 lamb tagine, 1 chicken kabob). We didn't have any problems with the food, but maybe that was because we were pretty much the only ones there. The main bad thing though: the service. We were 1 out of 2 tables that were there and still, it was sooooo slow. The waiter took 10 minutes to get our drinks (all non-alcoholic mind you) and another 10 to get our order. Super, super slow. But, I will say this: the decor is over the top but unbelievable looking. They definitely spared no expense on the decor. Since it was so empty, they let us wander around upstairs and down. I heard that the figure for remodeling was 16 million! Wow!

    (3)

  • Linda L.

    Alhambra kind of has that circus-like atmosphere. you almost expect cirque de soliel to come prancing down the aisles and onto the stage. the decor is elaborate, and the place is HUGE! if you're seated on the upper level, it almost feels like you're at the opera. the food is overpriced and unimpressive, but the experience was great! I went with a group of 20 people and had an amazing time. if you don't mind the overpriced menu and are looking for a fun place to eat, the i would definitely recommend this place. if the overpriced menu puts a damper on the fun factor to your evening, then you probably want to go somewhere else.

    (2)

  • rachel a.

    I was here a couple years ago. It is a pretty place. There was a buffet because something was going on. Good food. I smoked some sheesha. Fun!!!

    (4)

  • Hissyfit S.

    Save your money - you can get this same food elsewhere in the city for less than 1/2 the price. $22 for dry, plain chicken kabobs and some tasteless rice (sorry, I didn't feel like ponying up another $6 for the dill rice)??? And my boyfriend's chicken tangine was without flavor as well - he said there wasn't any seasoning at all. We were both reaching for the salt shaker. I was wishing we'd just grilled chicken at home. The baba ghanoush and falafel appetizers were good (the sauce for the falafel had a nice kick - I wish they served some with the chicken), but at $8 each, still way over priced. The service was friendly though, and attentive, if a bit inept. We ordered hummus and falafel, but we were given baba ghanoush and hummus - when we pointed out the error, they took the hummus away, left the bg and finally brought the falafel. We decided the bg was tasty and didn't want to fluster the guy any more than he already was. A few minutes later they tried to bring us falafel (again) and hummus (again). Our bill came to $110 with tip, for 2 (that was for 2 beers, a glass of wine, 2 apps and 2 entrees). WAY high for the quality of the food - seriously, if you're going to charge $22-24 for entrees, they'd better be much more special than these. I left feeling that I'd really been had. We're not cheap - we go out to dinner frequently and don't have a problem spending that much for dinner, we just expect the food to be much better at these prices. I can name 10 places at that price point (and less) that deliver way better food. Obviously we were paying about $10 each just to be in the heavily-decorated space and for the belly dancers (who were just starting as we left and looked like they were doing a nice job, even if that's not really my thing). Funny side story - I overheard the guy at the table next to ours call someone and ask "look for a piece of paper next to the computer. I wrote the name of the restaurant on it...what does it say? Saltus? OK. " - they were at the wrong restaurant! HA! I wanted to lean over and say "get out now - quick - the other place HAS to be better!"

    (1)

  • Abby T.

    Oh, gawd.... I give this place a year tops to survive. If I'm wrong, I would be very surprised. I don't even think this restaurant deserves me to write in prose form. The Good: - loved the decor, I really felt like I was on vacation in Morocco - Nice, open fully-stocked looking bar, with lots of elbow room - authentic looking waiting area, with small tables and felt, comfy chairs - huge stage - nice looking private room upstairs that looked like it could fit about 100-200 guests - the scallop appetizer was tasty...although the scallops were slightly overdone - The rack of lamb special was well-liked, but it seemed to be a tiny lamb! - Two friends got the tagines: one was lamb and I think the other was seafood. They seemed to be very pleased with their choices. - the belly dancer was good - I loved the band...reminded me of Volare (Gipsy King cover band) and I loved how people got out there and danced...I tihnk I appreciated it only because the people actually looked like they were from that region and not some culturally obnoxious drunk people. The Bad and yes, UGLY: - a Moroccan spot whose opening entertainment is Flamenco dancing? last time I checked that was a Spanish style of dance. - a Moroccan spot that whose soup of the day is New England freakin' Clam Chowder? I should have just left after that disclosure. A menu without cohesion is a suicide attempt doomed for success. - my friend tried to order a cocktail, but they were out of one or two of the ingredients.... umm, ok. - we tried to order the stuffed lamb spleen; however, the waiter said they were out of all organs....so that meant no kidneys either. So annoying when a restaurant has something on the menu, but fails to carry it in the kitchen. So unprofessional. - my filet came out TOTALLY well done (it was grey in color) despite my request for it to be medium. when it came back out, it was too red for me. The manager came out and apologized, which was nice. He said they would give us a complimentary dessert. I wonder how many times this happens? - the music from the stage was just a bit too loud to have a normal dinner conversation. All in all, I would not dine here again although I would come for drinks and to hear and see some talented artists.

    (1)

  • Eva V.

    Crazy and over-the-top. Fantastic performances. Service, at least for our group, was awful. The restaurant wasn't too full when we were there, and nonetheless, we had to keep asking for water refills. Small plates weren't handed out until about 10min after the appetizers arrives, same goes for napkins. Food was delicious, though. Catching a cab from Alhambra is a hassle. We had to wait about 40 min for the cab to arrive after it was called.

    (3)

  • Luke S.

    The decor was amazing! The crowd was very ritzy and unwelcoming. We didn't order any food, but the food did look good. I looked over the menu and they charged $8 dollars for a very small hummus platter. They had their own Alhambra Beer, but we did not realize that it was $8 dollars a bottle. I only gave this place two stars because of the elaborate decorations. If you're ever in the neighborhood walk in look around and leave.

    (2)

  • S B.

    Well, I have different takes on this place, and I don't really know what to think of it anymore. I've gone 4 times and each time was different! Here's two of my experiences: 1- Friends birthday. We went as a small party of 4 or 5 -just for dinner. We sat in the room to the right of where you first enter. It is gorgeous. Decoration is breathtaking! It has the middle eastern feel to it. I can't express how pretty this place is. We were stunned. When we were taking pictures, the staff was really nice and took pictures for us. They were very friendly. Bad parts: THE FOOD AND PRICES. Prices are through the roof. So expensive. I could have gone to an arabic restuarant and spent 1/4 of what we spent on that food. We ordered two entrees. (They're pretty big actually)....we waited over an hour for our food. Bread was cold and hard. Food did not taste good. 2- My birthday- we went the day when there was a belly dancer and singer. We actually sat in the back of the restaurant by the stage. Again, employees were verryyyyyyy friendly! (one was too friendly and wanted my friend's number, kind of unprofessional, but we were all having fun (no, she didn't give him her number). So, we didn't really care. The employees knew it was my birthday; so, they actually told the singer, and he sang to me in arabic and english...and yes, i had to get up and dance. It was fun! Food this time was awesome. It was realllyyy good!! Bread was warm and soft, as well! We had a lot of fun and ended up spending ~$220...there was about 10 of us. Overall, the place is beautiful, there are various areas you can choose to be seated in, various entertainment, bar, friendly staff, but no hookah! You'll def. score points with a g/f/b/f if you plan your date here. Food might or might not taste good. Take a risk. It's a pretty place.

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    We walked up to the place and it was empty? I wasn't sure that 8 on a Saturday night if everybody had left or had yet to arrive? We sat in the bar and waited for our troop to get there. The first thing that I noticed were the outrageous price for liquor. Or should I say tonic water, ice and pass the bottle over the glass without stopping. They gave me a gin and tonic in a razor thin glass that had a ledge on the inside so it got smaller. Nice trick, and I'm sure that most people don't notice but I'm not coming back just for that. Later in the night I had a soda in the same glass and you couldn't even taste it. They served me colored water. The decor is very Jerry Kleiner. He must have made the metal work for them because I felt like I was in the Red Light. The server was on top of his game. He explained the menu to a couple of people in our group for a pretty lenghty period of time. As the food was coming out the show started and I noticed something. Half the people at the table were watching the show. The other half were screwed. They got to look at the wall? It seemed silly to me that you have a floor show and then set the tables up in a manner that you can't watch it? I would not come back here for the food either. Very expensive for what you get. Not bad, but not great. I have had much better food in Greek Town and my neck didn't hurt, as much as my wallet. Although I had a clear shot as the place was still empty. It was a nice wall though. So we headed for the bar again. Funny that they charged me 9 bucks a pop for a gin and tonic. But when I ordered 2 they charged me 20 bucks? Must be the new math? And what's with that freek-a-zoid in the washroom lurking behind the door. I'll get my own towel and breath mint. There, I wanted to come here. Now I don't want to come back. And don't stay late. This is about 8 blocks away from all the other Randolph street restaurants.

    (2)

  • Mike W.

    This review is for the nightlife aspect of the venue. To review this place as a restaurant never occurred to me. The spectacular design clearly indicates this homage to the style of Grenada was meant for the conspicuous consumption of the dance floor, not the menu. In that vein, it succeeds wholeheartedly. Through an unassuming entrance that quickly turns to extravagance, you enter into the cavernous expanse of Alhambra. You'll be fooled at first by the small, but long entry bar. This is but a taste of what lies beyond the far velvet rope. It is there you will find the enormous, two-tiered salsa atrium. What else do you call the bright, whirling expanse? Room for hundreds of dancers stretches inside a ring of tables and chairs. This is serious dancer country, people. Do not dally if your skill is weak. If you are unsure, take a peak around.....my guess? You should get there early. A brief lesson on Tuesdays and Fridays before the band can do wonders. The dance floor is highly democratic, and an absolute blast. Veterans abound, but a willingness to learn seemed to do wonders for me. The decor and design is phenomenal. Amazing. Really superb job of conferring the south of Spain. From the tile murals and painted tiles, to the enormous chandeliers, the decor was top notch. We chilled up on the couches and created our own dance floor (our salsa was muy weak). Drinks aren't cheap. Service was friendly. Overall: if you love salsa or want to try, I couldn't think of a better place for it.

    (4)

  • larry g.

    This is a great place to go if you are a party of one thousand. Ok, let's start with the bad. I joined 10 Persian women for drinks after they had eaten at a wedding shower (wait, that's not the bad part). We sat two feet from the stage, meaning the large speakers. I was wishing I had hearing aides to take out. We waited one hour for the first drink! I had to go all the way to the bar to find a waitress to deliver the message to our section waiter that we were dying of thirist. Two more visits and we got our waiter. A few people ordered wine. Meanwhile the belly dancer, who is noted as the best in Chicago, was beautiful and masterful. The various singers, all male, were not that good. After the dancer, people started hitting the floor. It was crowded (Sat at 11:00pm). Very crowded. But the energy was great. Our request for water was ignored. I didn't notice because my date pointed out a 6'3" blonde hooker, right next to us, who was dancing with her, umm, "date." She had on a long, pink body skirt that was painted on and slit up the front to.....The short, fat Arab guy with her had a fixed, big smile that made him look like The Joker. It was getting late and everyone wanted to go home for a drink of water. Then we learned that there was a $30 drink mimimum per person, which meant the table owed about $300, plus 20%. But only about 5 people had ordered a drink and I had had just one. Normally, I could have met everyone's minimum. But so as to not lose money, we had to start pounding drinks....Holy Cosmo! Holy Long Island Ice Tea! Holy bad next morning. Oh, and I ordered fallafel. These boys were huge....and cold. I saved one for the next time I go bowling. If you want to dance to Arabic music, in a place that feels intimate, and better music, go to Juliana's on Peterson.

    (2)

  • Lisa P.

    I love the Alhambra palace! Then again, I'm closer to age 50 than 40, or 30. That said, the ambiance and entertainment is fantastic, and the crowd, a nice, clean collection of grown ups. The food is tasty, and the service impressive even in a crowded setting. The interior is reason enough to at least get in there and take a peek!

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    Amazing decoration like Disney World! Great entertainment events. Poor food. Arrogant people. Go for belly dance and salsa nights or drinks. Not food. They are pretty strict about your attire. The lady before us wear average cloth with not-so-bad sneakers. They deny her and her friends access even though they already made a reservation. The situation was not solved until the manager came out to the door. The probably won't let me in with my new Pumas. Don't go there for food. You will cry. The Dolmas (minty leaves rice wraps) are the most horrible I have ever had. It was loose wrap soaked in salty and sour tomato sauce. It sounds fine, but it is not! I love the Tuesday and Friday salsa nights there. I used to go every week. Great floor, great music and great people. I also love the Friday night belly dance show of Alexandria on the first floor main hall. She is a very decent belly dances with great entertainment skills. The live band is pretty authentic as I am an experienced belly dancer myself. Recommended for groups and couples.

    (3)

  • Jasbir S.

    I'm a bit shocked by some of the other reviews on here. I'll admit that I didn't try the food as I tend to find most Middle Eastern (and Greek) food bland as I'm used to spicier fare when eating things like kebabs. That being said, there are a couple of great Middle Eastern restaurants in town. I went here to watch the belly dancing and regular-old-people-like-us dancing and it was a lot of fun. Sure, your buddies from Michigan State and Notre Dame probably don't hang out here, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with people who you've never hung out with before. Almost everyone else seemed to be Middle Eastern and the crowd's age varied between 25 and 50. Everyone got up and danced when the dance floor opened up. There was no cover and no drink minimum either. Overall: fun place, cool crowd, interesting (and probably over the top) decor, and a unique experience for Chicago.

    (5)

  • Ccc C.

    This place has aweful food and the service is aweful. We had to acutally find someone to wait on us. Its too bad since the place is very pretty, but that will carry them only so far. I will never go there again. Its a bunch of kids running the restaurant to the ground. I will never never go back. Its horrible.

    (1)

  • Brenda V.

    Very nicely decorated, great service, kabobs are the best.

    (3)

  • Miss J P.

    I should mention that I came here with the 5:30 PM Saturday Night Crowd....There were tons of families...all around...I would say at this time its very family oriented and good for kids... The decor is amazing...the place is HUGE...Its very interesting...Its sort of like Mafia owned or something b/c no one would drop that much on just building the restaurant.. Our waiter was a typical jackass: when we asked him questions regarding the menu, he stated that he didn't know because he was not at Pre-Meal b/c he was doing Managerial duties- (were we supposed to be impressed with this comment) We asked him if the Lobster Ravioli was different tasting. or had different spices b/c it seemed out of place on the menu...he's like well I'm Italian and this whole menu is surprising to me, its obviously Italian based....In my mind, I was thinking (hence the whole Mediterranean thing all being somewhat related but whatever I decided not to lecture on Simple Geography) Later on we asked him for a ice bucket for the wine, and he's like well I don't like my wine on Ice so I didn't bring it....Once again, Don't really care what you like to do, its my f-ing ridiculous dinner. The Lamb was really good...So were the appetizers...I wouldn't get the lobster ravioli..Not GOOD...Their desserts are amazing...The cheesecake was so good. I will say this...I went to the bathroom and there wasn't a lock yet on one of the doors...And this really nice busser stood guard..so the customer service is not lost there. The other great thing about this place are the belly-dancers ...I'm not kidding...They were great...They would teach how to do it...My 5 year old nephew could not stop staring at them!

    (2)

  • Scott N.

    My GF wanted to go here for her birthday recently and I just didn't believe her when she described the scene inside. It actually looks like a palace and has belly dancers, singers, and dancers on stage to entertain you in this huge 3+ story theater. Food was unreal and the whole ambiance was awesome. Also good value for the money. Great place.

    (5)

  • Mavel M.

    I have been here twice. Once for dinner and the other for drinks. The food is ok, but not the best. If I had to go here again it would be just to hang out with friends but not to dine.

    (3)

  • Jacob K.

    This is a great place to go for drinks. I have only been there for a holiday party but the place was a lot of fun and here was a dancer (a PG rated one). The drinks were good but I can't really review the place with regards to the food. The upstairs rooms were very elaborate and its a unique setting.

    (4)

  • CJ J.

    Overall, this place is good to go one time. The food is good, not great, but good. I went on a saturday night and they had this flaminco dancing show during dinner which was pretty cool. The inside of the place is fun to see. The service was prompt and good. Definately worth going to at least once especially when they have a show going on. Street parking is pretty easy around this place also. A few responses to some previous reviews: To Sylvia P: Why would your date wear a bandana on a date to a nice restaurant? To Nadsat R: Nice prediction. The place seemed pretty packed when I went in February of '08. No signs of shutting down. Other recent Nadsat R predictions: The Patriots will beat the Giants in the Super Bowl, Chicago won't have any snow this winter, Y2K bug will shut down all computers, John Edwards will win the Democratic nomination, etc...

    (4)

  • Aileen T.

    I wish Alhambra set aside a fraction of its decorating budget and invested it on server training, better recipes and higher quality ingredients. I came here with 3 friends for a girls night out. We started with baba ghanoush and 4 martinis. Our waiter must have been new or confused because he insisted that the hummus we received was actually baba ghanoush. Another server took one glance and quickly took care of it. We tried our best to ignore the camera crew that was shooting a few tables away. When they stopped by our table, we politely declined their request to shoot us. They forgot about this and came back shining a bright light on our faces as our food was being served. Normally, this may not have been a big deal but were already annoyed because our drinks were empty and we waited forever for an overpriced dinner. The food was mediocre at best. My filet kabobs were better than what my friends ordered, but that's not saying much...avoid if you can unless you want to stop in for a drink to check out the place.

    (2)

  • Liliana S.

    I'm going to skip the obvious too- amazing decor, huge space, etc. The first time I walked in to Alhambra Palace, I really forgot that i was in Chicago. Really. I felt I was in Morocco or some shit. There were so many hot Middleastern men that for a slight moment I wished I had a burka on. Then I remembered I was in the West Loop and was thirsty. So I ordered a grey goose l'orange and tonic. I felt like I had ADD too, not sure where to focus my attention on. The men, the people dancing to arabic music, the decor, the hookah pipes, what? We stayed for another drink and left. The second time- Went for dinner with a large group of friends. Our server was a complete shit. I swear that he was the slowest server on the face of the earth who didn't deserve that $190 tip he automatically received from our bill. He kept on forgetting things (drinks, requests) and charged us double on some entrees. The food wasn't as bad as I kept on hearing. We ordered the large appetizer platter. I loved the goat cheee and yogurt spread. Yum. I had the lobster ravioli that I felt was pretty decent but rather suspicious. Suspicious because I sorta felt that it could've came from a Chef Boyardee can. Who knows- The prices are too expensive and the service is mierda. For all the money the owner(s) put into the decor- they should've spent it on some staff training.

    (2)

  • T K.

    Everything about this place has already been said, but here goes... - The decor is amazing (way, way over the top) - The space is huge - The music is too loud I didn't have food and sat at the bar almost alone except for my friend, so service was fine and can't comment on the taste of anything.

    (3)

  • Trinidad F.

    I went here for my birthday with a group of friends and had trouble finding the place. We made reservations but got there late. When we got there they didnt make us wait which was nice. We were seated and when I saw the menu I flipped. The prices were crazy and there were only 2 dishes that were vegetarian. I had couscous with veggies and to my surprise they were very yummy. Veggies were fresh and had a spicy curry taste which I adore. The serving was also very big and I didnt finish it all. The entertainment was ok. I enjoyed the tango dancers and various others but the belly dancer was blah. lol. The interior design was pretty cool.

    (3)

  • James A.

    Disclaimer: While Alhambra is lovely restaurant with great middle eastern food, the entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill dining experience. The ideal time to sit down is between 9:30 and 10:00pm. Order a hookah and drinks, then sit back an enjoy the show. Now... Alhambra is outrageous! While the belly dancer was shaking her belly, dollar bills shot out of some mechanism and onto the floor. Nobody picked up the money! That's just the type of place this is. Either these people are middle east oil princes or the "American Dream" is alive and well in the Chicago's Arab American community. The physical space is over the top and has a definite Las Vegas meets Dubai vibe. Although Al Jazeera plays on flat screen TV's around a massive ballroom, I wouldn't let the political implications of that fact dissuade you from enjoying this great cultural experience. If you love global music, you'll love it. If you love sexy and entertaining dancing, you'll love it. If you love adventure, you'll love it. I felt like Indiana Jones in a Sean Combs video. $8.00 appetizers are relatively affordable, but drinks come at a higher price. The drinks were well shaken and well stirred. The place is gilded, so try to look decent. Button up the shirt, and maybe even, OMG, tuck it in! Jeans and a button down are fine, but some men wore suits. Belly Dancing starts at 10:15pm on Friday and Saturday. Make a reservation for around 10:00pm and ask for the main room. The seating is casino lounge style, situated around a stage and dance floor. After the incredible entertainment, the women all get up and dance. Then the men join in later. In the end you feel like you've just taken a trip to the other side of the world. Totally fun, but go late to ensure you're there for the peak atmosphere. They didn't impose a $30.00 drink minimum when we went to Alhambra, but maybe that's because we ordered four appetizers. The total was about $200.00 (tip included) for 7 people.

    (4)

  • Ricky N.

    Save your money and time !!DO not eat here !Food is waaay overpriced ,service is atrocious and non existant ,the mafioso bigheaded security guys are pricks ...they jumped at me and my guest when we asked the owner (we werent aware he was the owner ) if he could please take a picture of us (uuuh hes the owner of a restauraunt ...not the fuckin pope !!(why does a restaurant need security at 8 pm anyways ?)Me and my guest paid $30-$40 for meat entrees that were half fat !!seriously ..I could not believe I paid for a cut of meat that when I trimmed away all the fat and pushed it to the side I was left with exactly half of what was on the bone !!The Middleeastern music waaaay to loud .Only good thing about the place was the decor and the belly dancer was okay ...but thats not good enough for me to ever come back after the service and fatty overpriced meat entrees .

    (1)

  • J. O.

    I am affording this place the benefit of the two stars only because of their effort in the decor and atmosphere. Other than that, I couldn't have felt more robbed of my boyfriend's money than if someone had actually held me up at gunpoint. The food was pretty bad, I definitely would have wanted to eat at Aladdin's. I got couscous with shrimp and chicken which came recommended by the waitress. It was pretty much like sawdust. And all for only about 35 dollars. The drinks were good, but nothing to write home about. I will say that the atmosphere was fantastic. There is a huge chandelier in the main dining room that looks like they paid about a million dollars for. Also there is supposed to be a belly-dancing show, but it didnt' start until much later so we only caught a little flamenco dancing. The entertainment was good and fun, but it was a little awkward because even though we were there at 830 on a Saturday night, the place was pretty empty. Also BIG and empty. So you sort of felt bad for the dancers. I hate feeling bad for people. Other people that came later seemed to be ordering big platters of apps that looked really good. I think I'd recommend these instead, and maybe come later for drinks and apps but skip dinner and catch a fun show.

    (2)

  • Tom C.

    I will start with the good. Nice and beautiful decor and the service was pretty good. We had 17 group table and they were very nice to us and accomadating. Now the bad. The food was terrible but I sort of knew that coming in. But the filet was so was so dry as well as the other dishes my friends had. The dancing was fun for a little while, but after like 30 minutes. You just want to eat and talk. Breaks between would be a lot better. Overall, we went to just try out the place because of the environment, but we will never come back. And its way overpriced.

    (2)

  • Roslyna I.

    Let's get down to the point - this place is great for many reasons: (1) the food is delicious, (2) the decorations are intriguing and thought provoking, (3) the place itself is visually stimulating, (4) there is entertainment and there are things to do! (e.g. belly dancers, salsa night), (5) the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, (6) you don't have to wait long for your food, and (7) mystical music. Go try this place atleast once!

    (4)

  • Cheryl S.

    Three stars may be a bit generous for this place, but other than the sub-par service, the food was pretty good. This place is very aestheticly pleasing. I felt like I was in a mosque in some exotic country! However, there were hardly any patrons in the restaurant, yet our server made himself VERY scarce. Getting a water refill was like pulling teeth! I think it took him 15 minutes to bring out our drinks-which were tea and Diet Coke...really?!? We ordered hummus as an appetizer, which was pretty decent, and came with warm, fresh, whole pitas. I ordered the grape leaves which were really flavorful and well-cooked. My better half ordered some sort of chicken kabob that was pretty dry and tasteless. I thought the prices were going to be outrageous here considering the area and the "scene" but they were pretty fair. Had I been in a hurry I would have made a stink about the SLOW service, but we had some time and it was fun to take in our surroundings. But seriously, we were practically the ONLY people in there and the waitor couldn't have cared less about us. What would the service be like had they been busy?!

    (3)

  • Angelo P.

    Without a doubt, this space is hands down the most beautiful, over the top space I've ever been in. I've been here a few times for live performances and saw the first Cuban band in the states in over a decade here. The problem isn't the performances or the beauty or service in the place...it's the food. :/ When I walk into a place like this I expect the food to live up to its surroundings. I've had better middle eastern food at your typical hole in the wall falafel shack. It was interesting to try a Lebanese beer but the dolmas, hummus, and whatever entree I ordered weren't very good. Go upstairs to dance, look at the place, see a good show...but don't expect much from the quality of the food.

    (2)

  • Elle M.

    Went here with a group of ladies for fun, food, and dancing last Saturday night. Believe me, I do not say this lightly, but this was the ABSOLUTE worst service I have EVER experienced. The waitress was openly hostile and rude, the food was disgusting. For example, I ordered the filet of salmon, what came out of the kitchen was a preformed cube of overcooked minced salmon that they charged me $23 for! Highlights would include the entertainment, the belly dancers were fun to watch, and the dancing was fairly enjoyable. Less pleasant was listening to the singer sing "Happy Birthday" at least a dozen times. Also, when I went to use the restroom, I walked in on one of the MALE cooks using the WOMEN'S restroom who had "accidentally" left the door unlocked. In short, I will NEVER, EVER come back here again. The service was just insulting, we waited at least 45 minutes to get the check, AFTER I asked for it twice. We asked to speak to a manager, but one was never sent over. If you would like to give this place a try even after reading this review, I recommend dropping the $11/pop for a couple call drinks and (I think) the $25 for a hookah and just watch the dancers.

    (1)

  • M. D.

    The service sucks, the food is okay and it's overpriced but I had the time of my life! I went on a Saturday night with friends and enjoyed the live entertainment and dancing. We danced so much and laughed it was just a great time! I can't wait to go back but it will have to be for a special occasion!

    (4)

  • Fumi A.

    I love this place. I went here for my aunts retirement party. The prices are high so be expected to spend some money but I think its great for a date or like group outing. So they have Middle Eastern food. My only complaint is that I didn't like my food that much but then again I wasn't sure what I ordered. The chicken I ordered was delicious but everything else wasn't as great but it was something I don't normally eat so maybe to some it will taste different. But they have very strong drinks. My drink was basically pure alcohol (good thing). Also, if you go on a Friday or Saturday they have live entertainment. Like belly dancing and bands. I think the belly dancing is fun for the whole family because they bring people up from the audience to dance. The music and entertainment was great. Also, after 10 pm they have hookah. So I think it is really cool you can hookah at your table after you eat. Not many places in Chicago like that. And its only 25 dollars for the hookah so that's great if you have a large party. And also there is a 35 dollar food/drink minimum on Fridays and Saturdays so be expecting to spend at least that and up. But I think this is a great place to come. The restaurant has beautiful décor and its a huge place. So I recommend to come here for drinks and maybe appetizers and to hookah. Also, I heard the chicken kaboob was delicious

    (4)

  • Richard L.

    This is a very picturesque restaurant. When my friend and I visited it, we had a great time. We were quickly seated and our waiter was always nearby when we needed him. My friend tried one of the tangine dishes, which she enjoyed. I tried and liked one of the kabobs.

    (4)

  • Thamara D.

    Sadly, I received the worst service I have ever received in my life here and chances of my return is highly unlikely. I was here for a great concert with friends and none of us left even remotely happy with service in this place. 1. We waited 30 minutes for our $10 drink that was served in a cheap plastic cup. 2. some of the food never arrived 3. We were accused of trying to get our food for free by the event manager after we mentioned the situation. 4. I called the place twice and left messages to the GM who never returned my call. The room is beautiful, has great potential to be one of the leading music venues, it is unfortunate that the management is incompetent and disrespectful the their guests. It is very seldom I write a bad review, from the look of the rest of the reviews I am not the only person with a bad experience. Alhambra Palace Restaurant, at the end of the day, all we remembered was, how poorly we were treated, we will never go back !

    (1)

  • Lisa D.

    Yayyyyy!!! Finally, water served when you order food! Also, wine in a glass glass, I feel so adult. See you at Salsa Tuesday!

    (4)

  • emily m.

    My husband and I went here for new years eve with two other couples. First, we prepaid $75 each for balcony seating, a show, a four course dinner, champange toast and favors. Each couple in our group booked seperately online about two weeks before e event. When we called to request a table together we were told to obtain the cc #'s of the cards we used to book and call the next day. The following day we were asked to obtain the last names of the cc's used and call the Wednesday before new years eve to obtain a table together. We did as instructed, and they promised a great time and that there would be no problem reserving our table. We arrive at the rest at 7:30 and let them know we are there. The hostess has no idea that the six of us are going to be seated together, we wait for the other couples and are taken to our table. Our table is the far back corner of the balcony, with absolutely no view of the show. After requesting a new seat, we are taken to ther other side of the balacony, to a similar table. We take it upon our selves to find our own table since nothing is labled reserved. After sitting down our waiter puts the order in for appetizers and some drinks. After which the manager comes over and tells us people paid extra money for the seats we were in and that we cannot sit there. This was a complete lie. He also said we could not sit close to the show because those tables only seat 4ppl. Regardless that people right in front of us had six on one table, he ignored this when we pointed it out. After twenty minutes of complaining, and our appetizer plate coming and being taken away, they agreed to sit us downstairs for and extra 25 pp. We accepted, because we had no other option. They proceded to put us on the main floor, in the far corner, where we still could not see the show without bending, turning, or leaning over eachother. After the appetizers the waiter comes over for our entree order and more drink orders. The waiter apologizes for the slow service and informs us that the servers had only a 5 minute briefing before the place opened for dinner! He then tells us that we are better off ordering a bottle of something because the bar is so backed up that any mixed drink would take quite a while. After taking our entree order he tells us that the kitchen is backed up and we would not have our salad until after the entree. Our entrees arrived at the table about 10pm. We had six in our party and only 5 plates came. The food was cold, and the rice was dry. The sixth member our our group recieved her plate 30 min after us.. with coucous instead of rice. No real explanation, and she hates couscous. We never recieved our salad, or our desert, or our favors. The balloon drop at midnight consisted of a big netted bag of ballons falling on our heads on the dance floor and people clawing at the bag to release the balloons. Champange toast came at 12:30am, with four glasses. We had 6 people in our party. It was a complete joke, every time the waiter came to our table it was to tell us something else went wrong. I am suprised we even recieved a our entree!!!!

    (1)

  • Julie B.

    I would give this place 3.5 stars. My first visit here left much to be desired, but my second visit made up for it. Visit #1: A random weekday night - seemed like no one else was in the restaurant. Friend and I both ordered entrees and were not impressed. Maybe it was my mistake for ordering seafood at a Middle Eastern restaurant, but the fish stew was just too fishy. I would give it 2 stars for this experience (mainly because I like the decor). Visit #2: I came back on a bitterly cold Saturday night with a date and another couple. We didn't want to go bar hopping due to the weather, but wanted something cozy and fun to do where we could be entertained, relax, and have a little something to eat. My friends were already at the restaurant, so despite visit #1, I decided to give it another whirl. This time, I stuck to ordering only appetizers that were traditionally Middle Eastern. I was happy with that decision - they were really good. We also got hookahs which was fun. They had singers and a belly dancer. 4 stars for this visit. I can't say I'd recommend this for a single's scene or for a big night out, but if you're looking for something different on a Saturday night, this is a great alternative. I'll be back... but not on a random weekday, and probably will just stick to ordering appetizers.

    (3)

  • Andrew D.

    In Chicago for the weekend with friends and came here for a nice dinner and to see some belly-dancing. The entertainment was a lot of fun, but since we were close to the stage a bit too loud. The hummus was good, but was not served with enough pita. I had the lamb kabob, which was quite tasty with a surprisingly generous portion of lamb, but I can get just as good lamb at home in Indy for less than half the price. The drinks were over-priced, but that's Chicago for you.

    (3)

  • Nicki W.

    My friend suggested we go to Alhambra as he loved it the last time he was there and it was my first time. The space is beautiful and most likely one of the most elaborately designed restaurant/lounges I've been in. It was our mistake to come on a Monday night as we were 1 of the 2 tables in there at 7:30pm. I felt like I was royalty sitting in such a huge room with nobody else in it. The walls were beautiful and I can only imagine the money they spent on creating this place. The one thing that was annoying was the music in the background (they were clearly playing a cd) kept skipping! I couldn't believe it and it was hard to take my attention off that. We just came for appetizers and had the Falafel and Baba Ganoush (both of which I had never had before). Very flavorful and I enjoyed them both. I'll have to come back on the weekends when they have the live entertainment and belly dancers. I'm sure that place really gets crazy!

    (4)

  • Marjorie F.

    It was a Tuesday night and the end of my day off, so I was feeling social and energized. When a friend invited me at the last minute to go out salsa dancing at Alhambra, I jumped at the chance to get these rusty ol' legs moving. I was not disappointed. The band was AWESOME - complete with a female horn player. Very impressive. The dance floor was huge - lots of room for spins and turns. The types of dancers there ranged from "street" salsa dancers to ballroom style latin dancers. The decor was different --- in a good way. Very ornate and unique. The ambiance was very laid back. People were dressed to dance. Drinks were good and the bartenders heavy handed. I wish I had a chance to try the food ---- maybe next time! It seems like a good place to do dinner and dancing with a big group. I will definitely go back to try the food and check out the other nights (belly dancing, etc.)!

    (3)

  • Julie M.

    This place is gorgeous on the inside. I came here for a birthday party on a Friday night (about 8) and had a general fun time. Service was pretty slow, and I was not sure if it was related to our group size. It would have been nice if they gave us and extra server. The show was fun, and I wished for the birthday girl's sake that we had a table that was a little closer, but it was still cool to have a different sort of entertainment. The food was decent, but I felt overpriced on its own. It is understandable that the atmosphere is included in the food price. I had shrimp kebobs which were tasty. Other couples shared combination plates and those looked like a good deal and they had tons of food left over. It was easy to get a close parking spot at 8PM close by.

    (3)

  • Peter B.

    My lady and I wanted a romantic evening out where we could learn how to Salsa dance...or in this case, attempt to learn. We decided to check this place out. Cool atmosphere, very laid back. Everyone seemed to be having fun. We're going back in couple weeks for more toe-crushing, Salsa... The instructor was highly reputable and came highly recommended, she was very animated and extremely helpful....made it look so easy! I spent most of the night trying to avoid getting stepped on by my girl, but it was a fantastic night nonetheless.... a great time! My only gripe was with the bar. Although they made our drinks stronger than average, I thought they were still too pricey considering they weren't being served by topless women. How long does it really take to mix a captain & coke? Especially when you're the only person standing there...

    (3)

  • Matt P.

    I am basing this just on the food. Ate an early dinner. Had place to ourselves. 2 dinners and 2 drinks and we were out $90 for some pretty lackluster food. Maybe the weekend show makes up for the food. Won't return just for food. Try Rezza's instead.

    (2)

  • Farooha M.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. The building is beautiful no doubt about that. I have never been to a restaurant so pretty. Music was good not too loud. The food was good but I think it was overpriced I had a chicken kabob plate which had a pile of rice some veggies and like ten little chunks of chicken for 20 dollars ! We ordered a plate of baba ghanouj and it was this little plate for seven bucks I couldn't believe it. Everything was delicious but it was too much. They probably make it so expensive to pay for that big building they're in. And when my friends ordered her food she asked if she could have grilled onions and tomatoes with the meal and our waitress said yes. Then when the food came no tomatoes or onions. When my friend asked the waitress about it she said " we don't do that anymore " Why did she say yes they did when taking our order ? We had a group of four people and left with 170 bill !!! Not worth it in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Jane C.

    I went there with friends to celebrate NYE 2011. OMG! We have to wait half hour to get seated. The tables were not labeled reserved but was given the worst seating place. Waited half hour for food to arrive, the problem is Entree was served before Appetizers. Had to wait 1 hour later for the Appetizer to show up. After that had to wait 1 hour to get champagne to be served before midnight. The best part is that the dessert was served at 1am! had to wait an hour for it to arrive after several times asking the server for the dessert. Before I bought the NYE tickets, it says party favors were included but none of us get any party favors and they ran out of it. It was completely unacceptable, service, food, worst place ever.

    (1)

  • Adam B.

    Great looking place. Decent Hummus. Wine was weak and the food was horrible. We didn't even get exactly what we ordered and neither the chef nor the waitress wanted to acknowledge it until we asked them to look at the menu. Didn't matter because everything we had (except the hummos) was quite subpar. Go for a drink or two to drink in the surroundings and then hit a nearby restaurant for eats. You'll thank me later!

    (1)

  • V N.

    I was here recently for a trendy celeb event. From the outside, it looks like your average club front, nothing overwhelmingly special. However, it really is something to see on the inside. I can only speak to the decor since I didn't eat there or have so much as a scotch on the rocks. The main level was occupied by club-goers dancing but it contained a raised stage where the DJ was spinning and making announcements. Once inside, me and my friends headed upstairs to their VIP section. While I wasn't crazy about the staircase, the solo bathrooms in VIP were very clean and remained that way throughout the night. The VIP area had tables lined up near the balcony, plenty of seating behind the tables and in the far left & right corners were areas separated by doors for a more private VIP seating where the celebs hung out. As we exited the club some hours later, we walked around to the other side to wait for the valet to bring our cars around and found ourselves in yet another spacious well-decorated (the entire place has a very regal vibe to it) area filled with tables and a bar. This area was empty the night of the party but it was a nice waiting area that served its purpose. I'd come back to this spot for an event or maybe even dinner on my next trek to the city out of my 'burban cave.

    (3)

  • Mahsa T.

    I went to Alhambra for drinks for a social event and though I was impressed with the Moroccan decor and sheer size of the place, I was not impressed with much else. Service at the bar was slow and drinks were watered down. We did take a tour of the restaurant and checked out the VIP sections upstairs and the view of the stage/main area is fantastic from the upstairs balconies. Based on other reviews though, I don't know if I'll ever be back to try the food.

    (2)

  • Melanie K.

    FYI: This review is for dancing/drinks only. 5 stars for dancing. 4 stars for drinks. 2-3 stars for the rumored-to-be-overrated food. Salsa is made exponentially more enjoyable by a live band....and live bands are hard to come by. For that reason alone, Alhambra is a great place to be on a Tuesday night. You will feel like a queen when you enter their performance space complete with vaulted ceilings and cozy seating. The opulence is incredible. And the people turn out for salsa. Come early for the lesson, stay late for the movers and shakers. My mojito was tasty and the beer was solid - but next time I would probably just rock H2O (and maybe one drink). For all of the spinning you are going to do, who needs the spins early? (Water is pricey, sneak in your own bottle - sorry, Alhambra) Salsa is on Tuesdays/Fridays and soon to be Wednesdays. Tuesday seems like their bigger night. RSVP to the site below for reduced cover by 3pm the day of the event. 4fantasticevents.com I definitely will be going again - but only on the dancing nights (thanks for the warning, Yelpers)

    (4)

  • Lily P.

    the set up of this place is amazing. The people are very friendly and the palace is gorgeous and looks like it could be set up for many ethnic weddings with all their authentic pieces. It holds about 2000 people and are separated into a ball room upstairs, dining room down stairs, VIP section overlook this huge dance floor. Then the dance floor holds banquets, dancing, djs etc. It looks AMAZING for NYE and no wonder the place is sold out! There is belly dancing, its by all the other nice restaurants in chicago, and the event planner Megan is AWESOME! This would def be a great place to have group night our, big dinner, birthday party or etc. You don't need much decoration and there is plenty of room for the size of your party.

    (3)

  • Elina S.

    I went here for my 23rd birthday and had a fantastic time with my friends! We were seated in the main party room with my 25 guests right in the center with the best access to the stage. The food was very good and reasonably priced for Mediteranean, definitely try the felafal, very tasty, and I loved the sangria to the point that I had two or even three glasses. :) The best part of this place is the entertainment value as you can eat at the same time as you enjoy the live band as well as the belly dancer. I would definitely come here again! However, the service is the only thing that I would suggest needs improvement. But if you're not picky on that, this is the place to go! It just might take you a little longer to get everything but considering I had 25 guests, they did a fairly good job to accomodate us.

    (4)

  • J D.

    I've been wanting to try this place for months. The exterior just looks so cool, and I'd heard good things..... We went on a Friday night at 7 p.m. The place was deserted. I actually asked the hostess if they were open, that's how empty it was. Despite being at one of only 3 occupied tables in a room which holds probably 50 tables, the service was awful. Our waiter was nice, but wow, not attentive at all. We waited 20 minutes for a glass of wine, and then another 20 for our hot appetizer. It seemed like maybe they forgot about us. There was just never a "rhythm" with the service. We were never asked if we wanted another glass of wine, the waiter never checked back to see if the food was good, etc. When our entrees eventually came, the food was good (better than mediocre, but nothing to rave about) but not good enough to overcome the bad service and eerie emptiness of the place. Overall, I was unimpressed. We did, however, park for free on the street, which these days, is a major bonus.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    For those of you who are fans of the movie Bull Durham, Alhambra reminds me of how the groupie described Nuke La Louche in bed. It's wild and all over the place. The best was to describe the decor is Ali Baba and the forty thieves meets Siegfried and Roy. It was gaudy, and glitzy all at the same time. I'm taking one star away because they screwed us on the Restaurant week promotion. The Restaurant week menu was only available in the main dining hall. They would not honor the promotion in the dinner theatre area. Talk about a bait and switch. Even the show made no sense. It was a Spanish dance show. It was entertaining, but it was also out of place. It was a bit on the creepy side as well. One of the Dancers was a dead ringer for Right said Fred, and the other male Dancer looked just like Falco. A bit too retro for my taste. The Falafal was really dry and bland. I did enjoy the Moroccan Chicken wings. And the shredded beef dish that I ordered was tasty. The side of rice was really dry and tasteless. The worst part of the night though is that Carolynne r. was very disappointed with her entree. It was pretty skimpy and bland. The bottom line is Alhambra was worth trying once, but it's not worth a return visit. The food is nothing to write home about and it's quite expensive for what you get. Six bucks for a domestic beer is a bit too much for my blood. Heck!! That's what they charge at Wrigley. The service left a lot to be desired as well. We had to constantly wave our server down to get his attention. It was worth a shot, but there are a ton of other places more worthy of your hard earned dollar.

    (2)

  • Vivian Y.

    If you don't have the money to go to the Alladin Hotel in Vegas, then come here. It's like a Rainforest Cafe but for adults! The place is stunning and the performances here on Saturday nights are alot of fun. There was a great flamenco show from Spain and just watching the facial expressions of all the dancers was entertainment enough! The belly dancer was HOT and in much more sultry than the other belly dancers I have seen as both A La Turka and Sushi Samba. We had a big group of 15 people come here and we were seated right in front of the stage which was nice. We shared a number of appetizers and all of the appetizers were DELICIOUS. Probably the best baba ganoush I have ever had. Dolmas were awesome. Service was great and attentive. Why the 3-stars? The Entree's tasted like banquet food. Oh wait, this is a banquet hall. I had the kefta and it was dry. I also had some of the lamb shank tagine and the tagine was cold. they don't actually cook anything in it, but use it as serve ware to look pretty. As the tagine was cold, the lamb cooled way too quickly. I'm glad that I didn't decide on this place for my wedding due to the food! Although the food was edible, I was highly disappointed that the entree's weren't amazing. Afterall, you're paying alot more money for the same kind of middle eastern food that you can get up north. I realize that I'm also paying for the entertainment but people will stop coming if the food is no good.

    (3)

  • Ramon G.

    We were there last week with a group of friends. Best belly dancing show in the city. The food was delicious. Great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Dan D.

    I came two times and I received two different types of reviews... The first time, I had amazing food. Alhambra gives tons of food for the money and offered quality things. The hummus was tasty, eggplant cooked quite nicely, and the chicken just amazing. However, I went here just this week and I was devastated. The food was so greasy. The eggplant was just swimming in a bowl of flavored grease - I couldn't even stomach it. Further, the hummus was so oily that it was sorta running off the pita. That is a bad sign. To top it off, the servers would bring just enough pita for about 5 minutes... then we'd search for another server to bring more. Overall, it was a terrible meal and both of us felt a little sick and bloated from the food. However, the dance floor is a good time and they play good music. Salsa Tuesdays are a good time and a nice break in the week. If you come between 8-8:45pm, it is free admission (otherwise just about 5-10 bucks). They play good music and there are many great dancers! (Just dont come for the food before dancing...)

    (2)

  • Lindsey B.

    I was really excited when I walked in. I really thought this was going to be an awesome night. We had 2 tables, one of 10 people and one of 6 people. For some reason each table had a different server. Our server was really quick and efficient. The other table was always about an hour behind in ordering. We got our appetizers, which were really good (the small Mezza platter) in about 15 minutes. The other table looked over enviously as they waited another 45 minutes for their appetizers. The food in the platter was really good, baba ganoush, falafel, fried chick peas, spicy olives, etc. They only brought about 5 pieces of bread though so we immediately asked for more. And even then each person only got one piece and we needed more to scoop up the food with! Weird. So we all ordered our entrees as the other table was just getting their appetizers. I got the eggplant parmesan and I may not be terribly familiar with middle eastern food (and I realize this wasn't very mid-east) but I'm pretty sure rice needs to be cooked the same way no matter what country you're in. The rice was so under-done. It was hard. I couldn't even eat my food the texture was so disgusting. The food here is pretty expensive as well. The plates averaged about $22/entree. We got there at 8:00pm, and the other table got their food at 10:15pm. Ridiculous. So we sat and waited for them to finish eating. In the meantime there was entertainment which was pretty cool. They had spanish dancing and flamenco, etc. The two male dancers they had were really odd though and super stuck on themselves. They watched themselves dance in the mirror and it was really odd. The ladies were excellent though. Then, the main entertainment. The belly dancer. I was under the impression that there would be more than one. This woman was pretty good. I am very impressed that she was able to just keep dancing for about an hour straight. However, for a belly dancer she didn't shake it very much. By the time she got on stage though, the volume had escalated to a deafening level. I was yelling at the guy directly across the table from me and he was completely unable to hear what I was saying. It was really frustrating and I'd been sitting there waiting for our other table to be served. I just wanted to leave. I went to the bathroom and they had people pumping soap into your hands and offering paper towels. Usually I just avoid this, but there was no getting around it. I refuse to tip these people for doing something that I really didn't need help doing. They also had women walking around selling roses. This really lowered my expectations of the place making it a very expensive cheap place to visit. We finally left around 11:00pm when the others were done eating and when I got outside my ears were ringing so bad that it hurt. I don't think I'll be coming back here. I was quite disappointed.

    (2)

  • Valerie M.

    I went for my sister's birthday. We previously went to a turkish restaurant in Atlanta and saw a belly dance so I wanted to do it again here in Chicago. We had a group and we ordered a few appetizers and shared. The entree's are huge so I would recommend sharing with another person. The show is about an hour long and it was pretty good. They do invite the crowd to come onto the floor and dance and if you sit next to the stage. My sister got a nice round of applause when she went out in the crowd. We brought some cupcakes and our server held them until after dinner and gave us some candles. The decor is absolutely gorgeous, a lot of rich colors, and eye catching elements. I loved it and would definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Arlena B.

    I visited this GORGEOUSLY deocored restaurant for my birthday on March 26, 2012 and blown away i was indeed. The visuality of this palace is AMAZING, great picture taking atmospher, the belly dancing show was just ok,, however very entertaining during dinner. I ordered the pasta and had to send it back, because it was very gummy and not very tasty, to be replaced with the Filet Mignon served with mashed potatoes and asparagus and all was very tasty. I also ordered the Alhambra Salad and the Dolmeh appetizer and all was very good. I had the house Margarita on the rocks, sooo yummy. Overall Very Nice experience and i will return! Thumbs Up!

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    Based on both my own experience and the collective experiences of my fellow reviewers, I don't get how this place stays in business. The food is mediocre at best and inedible at worst. The service leaves a great deal to be desired and there are certainly other places around town to see belly dancing. If you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by for some groove thang shaking, still with drinks only. Anything else, caveat emptor.

    (2)

  • Mahreen Q.

    This place is so lively! I was here on a Saturday with a few of my girls last night! The entertainment was wonderful, the food was great, they serve hookah after 10pm which is so relaxing while you see a show! It is definitely a place to go with friends and even family for a night to remember! The service of everyone was exceptional! We were placed on the second floor, I asked the hostesses if we can be able to be seated on the main floor, although there were huge parties, they were able to accommodate us to the main floor! Let me tell you, the night was 10 times better! You definitely will have the time of your life!!

    (5)

  • Santosh D.

    I took my fiancee here for her birthday on a Tuesday evening and we had a pretty good time overall. She had been once or twice, I had never been before. We had a reservation, and were seated promptly seated. The waitstaff was quite friendly, and the drinks were pricey but good: my fiance got the pomegranate mojito, which she loved, and I got a blueberry margarita, which was pretty good albeit a tad sweet. We thought the hummus appetizer and my fiancee's lamb tangine entree were pretty good. My experience with the paella wasn't necessarily bad, just thought I'd provide some detail. I asked whether it would take a long time, as it tends to slow-cook at other places such as Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and Cafe Iberico (granted, those are tapas places, so they likely have a different approach). He mentioned that no, they just needed some time to cook the seafood but the rice was already cooked. I felt the dish was okay, tasted good overall, but that the rice wasn't as tender as I expected, compared to paella I've had at the aforementioned tapas places. That may not bother some, just thought I'd note it. We did really enjoy the salsa dancing they have on Tuesday nights ($12 cover, or $7 if you RSVP through the site or prove that you ate there that evening), which was the real draw for us this evening. Overall, I'd say it's a decent/good place, maybe more so for an occasional visit than frequent.

    (4)

  • Lisa R.

    Well I've been here a couple of times And first off the palace is beautiful! The food is ok But the service is real bad!! My waitress looked like she wanted to hurt someone, seriously your hired to smile even Thru the busiest times. The servers are stressed over worked And that changed the whole atmosphere The entertainment is a plus! This time we can a party of 10 and spent plenty of money but, this female server just was bothered when we needed Help. I have to say eat something small before you come because dinner took 1 :30 mins to come .. And when the food comes it not hot The only reason I have a 2 stars for entertainment

    (2)

  • Slobodan D.

    So we went there to have some desert and coffe on a quie Sunday afternoon. And the guy named Andrew(i asked for his name) who thinks he is working god knows where refused to serve us for 20 mins.he never actually did.the hostess that works there actually came to serve us.she even asked him to do so and he refused for god knows what reason. And this guy was parading with his sleak gelled hair like he is a master of the place.but yeah.in an empty restaurant to wait for 25 mins for someone to come to you. Also he did not even looked at us.he was avoiing us.for some reason

    (1)

  • Mineral Y.

    5 stars only for the entertainment and the main act belly dancer, Suraiya! Other than that the place overall is extremely overrated and overpriced; 1 star, if even that! I don't mind paying the price for good food and a good hookah. The food is a disgrace to be called Middle Eastern food, it was very bland. The hookah was extremely overpriced and NOT worth it. Don't get it! The service for it is horrible as we shouldn't have to ask for it to be serviced. They don't even give customers tongs! The hoses are so cheap and kept falling out. The charcoal...? No one uses instant anymore because it's disgusting and cheap. This place does. If you know authentic Middle Eastern food and service and a good hookah... This place will not hold up to your expectations! Not worth it at all. Saved this for last: the bathroom literally had backup feces on the ground for hours!

    (1)

  • Padma A.

    My friends wanted to hangout for some hookah and belly dancing and we got a table for 11pm.The singer and drummers were pheneomenal! we were seated close to the stage and i could feel the strong beats, although it was a foriegn language i was in a happy place. our waiter Hez was very sweet, we ordered Salad, falafel, eggplant and Lamb kebab. Our lamb was chewy and we informed our waitress who immediately brought out a complimentary platter of baklava from the chef. My friends and i enjoyed dancing and learnt a few a dance steps. The lead belly dancer was enthralling. I would certainely go back for another fun night.

    (4)

  • Lily S.

    I came here with my then-boyfriend on the very first night they opened up, about 7 or 8 years ago. We both looked around in total awe of the vicinity. The decor itself is immaculate - all of which, I have heard, is imported from the Middle East. Since the grand opening, I have visited Alhambra a dozen times... Fridays and Saturdays feature live entertainment, which consists of Arabian singers and belly dancers. There's a cover of, I think, $35 on those nights. They serve food and hooka, both of which are nothing to rave about. I have never really had a bad experience with the service here, which is a positive. Even despite it being crazy busy some nights, servers are good about keeping their calm and serving guests as best as they can. I'm sure it's not fun for them to have to scream over the live music to get people's orders written down. If you have a good group of friends, or a special event, this is a great place to dance the night away.

    (4)

  • Zarnigor N.

    I've been here several time .. I love the live music and beautiful , talented belly dancer Suraya with her students . She's incredible amazing dancer ... Great food , nice music and delicious food .. Nice place to come with friends and groups ..I even bring my 8 years old boy he loved the kufta Kabab and Belly dancing show..

    (5)

  • Shahzad A.

    If you are looking for a one of a kind unique experience this is the place to go! The ambiance is amazing. The art from the the Middle East and Africa is amazing. The food is actually really good as well. Saturday night is the best time to go here when the place is full of people.

    (5)

  • Tavi J.

    I promise my friend I would update my review after our wonderful experience last night. Doing Hookah is one of my bucket list items...lol....so she was adamant about my first time being here and I can see why. Most places for hookah is just a room with couches, some games, and often long waiting times. My experience here was no waiting (even with no reservations) Spectacular belly dancing performances, great drinks, wonderful staff, and friendly patrons. It was awesome! We got there at 9:00pm and left a little after 1:00am. If you dine during the performance times there is a minimum of $38 per person (everything contributes to the $38: food, drink, hookah, etc) It's a very fair price due to the excellent performances and such a comfortable energetic setting. The food to me still leaves much to be desired, but the drinks are excellent. I had a Bellini as well as a Chocolate Martini and both were sweet and flavorful. They have 4 hookah flavors and we went with the apple and the second one we did was mixed fruits. Both were great! The combination of great service, entertainment, and drinks made it a good time!

    (4)

  • Lulu R.

    Walking in, I felt like I was walking in to a castle. I think that's the feel that they were going for. Now mind you readers, I am reviewing this place in terms of a Saturday night. I am sure during the weekdays its different. A live band is there playing some cultural music, a signer riling up the crowd, a guy with a drum, belly dancers, it was so stimulating! The actual establishment is very large without any shortages on where to sit. They have various flavors oh hookah available if that's your bag, not mine but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. They have a full bar and table service with a full menu of items. The dance floor was packed and I witnessed a dude throwing dollar bills on the floor making it rain, nice! The servers and hosts were very nice and attentive. The food was exceptional and we had a ton of fun watching the show while we ate. I even learned a few moves. This place is very easy to get to and they have parking all along the streets. I hope to find a way to come back with my friends and have another great time!

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    Belly dancing, hookah and wine can all be experienced here! I have a very good friend that loves coming here and we have a chill time each time with our big group. The grape mint hookah was the best as we had 3 for the table. The double apple was ok but quite harsh and strong. I ate before I got there so I was not hungry, but the food looked very good as someone from the table got the lamb and it was huge and smelled delicious. Definitely going back for that. The dance floor stayed packed as awesome middle eastern, belly dancing music played and the very attractive performers danced on stage keeping the crowd in tune. I was surprised that they were ok with taking 9 credit cards from one table and and charging us individually as most places won't do that. Waitress was a real piece of work though as there was a debacle with 2 cards at the table and she could care less about getting it solved. Good atmosphere and great for groups

    (3)

  • Northshore F.

    DONE THIS WITH PLACE. High Hopes - Huge Disappointment (every time). Beautiful unique atmosphere, feels like you are in the middle east. Unfortunately this is the ONLY positive attribute here. The rest is an expensive downhill ride. SERVICE: 5 Stars for having THE WORST service possible. There is no care or service. Had a puss-faced waitress who looked like she hated being there. Been here several times, enough to say this place has very poor management, which is unfortunate for such a beautiful place. FOOD: Expensive Overpriced and Poor Quality. The Tabouli tasted like dry parsley, zero flavor, Baba Ganoush was stringy where I had to cut it with a knife because they apparently didn't mix it well, Hummus tasted like tahini paste, Wrapped Grape Leaves had hard leaves and not edible, Chicken Kebob was dry with burnt edges, also no flavor. They do have consistency though - the food is consistently bad every time we've gone. ENTERTAINMENT: Pretty sad looking women belly dancers, like a joke. Look like the used leftovers in life hard-up for money. Old, not attractive and overweight. One was Asian, the others were American, one had a huge tattoo over her back. Don't understand why they didn't find traditional middle eastern dancers where it would have been more authentic and appealing to watch, versus watching and thinking "ugggh!". Don't be deceived by the atmosphere. This place is absolutely not worth it and is an expensive rip off. You'll be captivated by the atmosphere, which is not enough to offset the horrible everything - service, food, and entertainment. Complaining will get you nowhere, they don't "get it", nor do they care to. This place is unfortunate.

    (1)

  • Amy H.

    I went here because an old co-worker heard about a salsa dance night here. She loves all things Hispanic. I went there to meet up with her and this place is so beautiful. It's big and beautifully decorated. It is just like the name of a restaurant; it was a palace. You felt like you were walking into something majestic. This place holds Salsa night every Tuesday and it's $7 if you RSVP, $12 dollars if you pay at the door. The teacher was fun and it's just a really good chance to interact with new people. Towards the end of the night, you just dance the night away. They do have a menu and their appetizers are cheap ( around $6). Their entrees are about $22 each. Great place, food, and vibe!

    (5)

  • Oscar Meerim M.

    I was there with my friend. I was referred to visit there and try their food. Food was very cold and not good at all. Service was terrible. Dancers were not professionals. Music was too loud. We were very frustrated. Finally got bill with overcharge. Server took it back to fix it. Very disappointed!

    (1)

  • Sandra C.

    Owners of the place-PLEASE READ! You are sacrificing your business to have a manager we had to deal with. The short, fat Egyptian one should not be working in any customer related field ever. He was chewing gum in my face while abusing me with his arrogance and rude talk. You can tell his mentality is of a typical Arab-donkey more important than a woman. Just felt absolutely neglected and offended especially when I came to support another country and raise funds for a good cause. Never I would step inside that place again and this is just sad considering I was one of the fist customers since their opening.

    (1)

  • Kelly B.

    The entertainment was fun and original. The 8pm belly dancing show lasted for about 2 hours (I think). All the tables on the main floor seemed to be seated at the same time 7:30/8pm, so service was a bit challenged. We had one waitress for our table of 9 people. That made getting the initial drink and app orders very slow. The food was ok. The falafel app was so dry. The shrimp app was tasty but over cooked and appeared to have been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit. I split the chicken shwarma dinner with my friend. It didn't come with yogurt sauce or a pita. That would have really made the dish more complete, but the chicken was tasty. Here's something I have never experienced before. I was finishing my food but was not yet done. I had one more fork full of food left on my plate that I fully intended on eating. I had just taken a bite and my fork was in my hand. The bus boy rushed to our table and literally took the plate out from in front of me! Didn't ask if I was finished and didn't even notice that I was still eating. WTF? Unbelievable. I was pretty shocked. How rude! Now that I've been to Alhambra and have satisfied my curiosity I probably will never go back. If I was giving the food stars I would only give 2. The drinks, however, were good. I had the pomegranate mojito.

    (3)

  • Deena H.

    The decor and architecture are amazing but management here is what kills this place....they lie over the phone. I have called and asked if they serve hookah there Saturday nights and they say no they don't! You call asking for a reservation around noon on Saturday and they tell you only seven pm or eleven pm open and they won't take walk ins when walk ins do actually happen. We do enjoy the live entertainment, dancing and hookah but management is what ruins it. It is sad. But again, I can't deny the amazing entertainment here. We come for it. Soraya is an amazing belly dancer and really keeps the crowd on their feet. I won't say more about the show so you can enjoy it. IT is a good time regardless of management and I think they know that and feel they can be jerks over the phone or to patrons because they know people love this place. I think the decor is what makes this place awesome. It is Arabesque or something. It has Assyrian, Persian, and Moroccan influences. I am sure I am missing some culture in that list so I apologize. The food is average depending on what you order. I think the grape leaves are actually decent as well as the potatoes aioli. The falafel is really good. The drinks are alright. The hookah is good but you will have a massive headache the next day. There are ranges of dress codes here. I have seen people in jeans in a t shirt and then you have some people in tube tops with mid drift showing, etc. You make it what you want. They have seating upstairs, downstairs and on the dance floor. They have hookah only after 1030pm. This place gets loud. Dancing is a lot of fun before 1130p because there is one singer in particular who sings a lot of known upbeat, danceable songs. After Soraya's dance number, there is some dude singing "Oil country" songs and it is boring and not dance-able in my opinion. Overall, I love this place. They should be 5 stars if it wasn't for the people answering the phones and whomever is giving them the OK to lie over the phone.

    (4)

  • Rebecca P.

    We came here as a party of 12 for my friend's birthday. You would think these people have never served a party of more than two before, based on the poor service we received. It took 1.5 hours for our meals to be served. When it was served, it was as cold as it was just pulled out of the fridge. It took 45 minutes for our cocktails to be served as well. The only reason I gave two stars was for the entertainment. The food was nothing exciting, and for them to charge a minimum of $38, I think that is outrageous considering the quality that was presented to us. You're definitely paying for the ambiance and the shows, but the food/alcohol is definitely nothing to be excited about. The poor service really ruined the entire event.

    (2)

  • Jen B.

    Entertainment was spectacular but food and service was beyond bad. We got tickets to a show that were to include a meal but could arrive anytime. We sat down at about 8:30pm and received our main dish at 11:00pm. We had no silverware or plates though so we had to sit for another 15 minutes while the food turned to ice just so we could eat. Kitchen was obviously overwhelmed but it wasn't just them! Our main server came by about every 45 mins-1 hour to check on us and I had to ask for water refills all night long. Got several drinks at the bar myself. They had so many tables crammed on the main level that they only left a 3x6 foot area for dancing and it was so packed all night we wouldn't even risk it. Probably fewer tables would've meant less than a 2 and a half hour wait for food too. As we were leaving, the valet and front door hostess told us they cannot call for cabs and they can only give us the phone number. Wow, the customer service here is absolutely not what I have experienced from the Arabic culture nor other Arabic establishments. Definitely all about the almighty dollar here and not a thing else. The dancers and singers were phenomenal! They sang for hours without a break, so impressive!!!

    (2)

  • Sarah V.

    The food is forgettable, the experience is not. I've been here quite a few times and I can only recommend that you go for the entertainment. If you don't order food they will charge you $35.00 so you are better off ordering something. The boneless chicken breast over rice is good, I mean, it's bland but it's still pretty good. The hummus isn't the best I've had but it's something to munch on. Can we talk about how it legitimately looks like a palace? Every inch of this place is stunning. The stage, bar, walls, everything! Hell even the bathroom is pretty! The service has never been stellar but it's not bad. They definitely have the timing down and you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your meal and the show. This is a perfect special occasion restaurant and the stunning decor will make it a night to remember!

    (4)

  • Evelina L.

    This is one of the most culture-less and flavor-less restaurants that I have been to in a very long time. Everything from over-decorating to overly loud hip-hop music to food that isn't sure what region it wants to go to...just a bad and over priced experience. I don't even want to spend a lot of time on the review, just avoid this place until it figures out what it wants to be and hires some belly dancers and servers that know what they are doing.

    (1)

  • Caitlin B.

    Came here for a friend's birthday, and really enjoyed it! I came here once 6 years ago (shortly after they opened), and had a negative experience, so I was skeptical when she told me where she was having her party. We had a reservation for 15 for 7:30 on a Saturday, and I was the first to arrive. The place was empty that early, and the wouldn't seat me until a couple of others people were there. No problem, I waited near the bar. We were able to order drinks as soon as we were seated, which was really nice. There's a much larger bottle wine list than by the glass, and I got the impression they were used to large groups sharing bottles. It was a bit difficult to get our waiter's attention. (It took half an hour to get the birthday girl a drink!) We all shared two meze platters, which was more than enough for the group of us. We also each ordered entrees. I had the kefta kebab, and I was pleasantly surprised by the food. It was on the pricy side, but the belly dancing is free, everything else is understandably marked up. My food was good- it was a substantial amount, it was the appropriate temperature, and it was good. We also partook of the hookah, but note that you can't smoke until after 10:30. The belly dancing was impressive! There were male and female belly dancers, and their skill level varied, but there was a lot of candelabra balancing, sword balancing, and some other impressive moves. Our group particularly liked the male belly dancer in white, who we dubbed "the sultan". There was about an hour if belly dancing, then an hour of live music, then more belling dancing. The belly dancing seemed to get more intense and awesome the later it got- we left shortly after the brought in two people dressed as a horse as part of a caravan! I would definitely return here with a group, but I'd consider doing dinner elsewhere, and would just do drinks/hookah and stay later. If you're considering bringing a group here, do it!

    (4)

  • Laina V.

    Here's the thing. You're not here for the food and you definitely aren't here for great service. If you want that you can go to one of the many fine dining establishments in the area and go back home after and continue to watch the food network. You are here for the ENTERTAINMENT. The singers, the dancers, the show - it's spectacular. There's always the one guy in a Bill Cosby sweater doing the lightbulb twist dance with wild abandon - you want to find that guy if you're in a dancing mood. There are the circles of women with their shoes and purses in a pile in the center of them having a great night out. People are here to have fun and show off. If you are not into that scene, you can stay home and save your money. Be prepared to drop some major cash here - the drinks average around $12 each and there's a minimum spend per person. Get a couple of overpriced drinks, get a bit of mediocre food, get a hookah, and enjoy the show and the beautiful atmosphere. The guy spent like $3M to furnish the place.

    (4)

  • J E.

    Good atmosphere, music, band, dancers, food, hooka, but the seating is very uncomfortable with the iron handles. Not everyone is one size so most places don't carry chairs with narrow iron bars on the side. I'm not even an exceptionally large guy. Poor choice for whomever purchased the furniture. If I'm going to spend over $100 I better enjoy my seat without iron bars digging into my backside.

    (3)

  • Feriba A.

    Alhambra definitely does feel like a palace. Have been here on number of occasions such as night out with friends, birthday party, concert, and NYE. The reason why this place stands out is due to their exotic entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The food and drinks are okay nothing special. The entertainment is just great especially when you are there with large group of friends. Servers are kind and do their best to attend to everyone and one should understand that they are serving 4 to 5 tables at a time so one should have patience. The hookahs are good depending on the flavor and the tobacco you get. This place has always been fun and I highly recommend stopping by to experience it yourself.

    (5)

  • Theresa S.

    The food was great but the service could be better. It took way too long for our food to come and when it did have of the entrees were cold.

    (4)

  • Ornela Z.

    Met some friends here for a birthday, I loved it. Great show and dancers! I recommend this place for a big party

    (5)

  • Sandy V.

    I came tonight for my friend's birthday dinner. The atmosphere is lively and entertaining. Our waiter was nice and attentive and our appetizers came out fairly quick for it being a busy night. The reason I am giving this place a two star because it is taking quite awhile to receive out entree. I had atleast two drinks slowly sipping while waiting for our entree. To my surprise I cut my tongue while drinking my strawberry margarita on pieces of glass in my margarita!!! I informed the waiter and he got the manager and they apologized and said that it must of came from the ice. It clearly was glass. Then the waiter offered me another drink but I couldn't trust another drink at this point with my cut tongue. This place is definitely a fun spot but the glass in my drink just made my experience less then exciting.

    (2)

  • Novaira P.

    I went here for a musical evening and fundraiser. The musical entertainment and hall were great! The restaurant has wonderful, but rather stereotypical ambience with the typical MidEastern decor. The food was bland and came out cold. The hookah was harsh and very expensive. There are definitely better Middle eastern restaurants in Chicago.

    (2)

  • Thu L.

    Over priced for large portioned mediocre food. Thought the lava cake they have is going to be hot melted chocolate oozing out of the cake when cut into, but it wasn't. Majorly disappointed. It was more like a chocolate cake with ice cream.

    (3)

  • Yuki Y.

    On a whim, we decided to stop in for drinks and to check out the entertainment. While we were on our second round of drinks we were told if we didn't order food we would have to leave. It was 9:45 on a Friday evening (8-15-14) and we'd already had dinner. I'm not sure why they wouldn't encourage people to stop in for drinks when that's where the profit is. The place was more than half empty. They bothered us three times about the food, so we left. I will not go back. Why wouldn't you want walk in business?

    (1)

  • Yanja B.

    I have been here a number of times and I can say that my experience has declined every time... My lastest/ possibly last experience here was this past Saturday for a friends birthday. The group was at about 40 + guests. The wait staff seemed to be understaffed or maybe just had a poor attitude. They were very rude, I get it there are a lot of people and it might be overwhelming but its your job to get through it with a smile and do your best. Our experience was quite different, every request came with an attitude a comment of" There are so many people in this group ahead of you..." "I am busy right now..." "I cant help you right now I need to help the rest of the group..." Just things you should not be saying to your large paying customers! I only got my water refilled all of twice during my time here, and I was thirsty! The hookah was defected they had too much water and tobacco in it causing it to be impossible to inhale. I asked the waiter she told me "Youre going to have to wait there were people here before you" So we sat there with our hookah broken for 30 minutes. During this time we figured we would ask another waiter to help with the hookah they did not know what to do. Our waitress finally decides to pay attention to us after we reminded her of our broken hookah- she takes a deep inhale and says its fine. Um, No it is not! We smoke hookah regularly and that is not how its supposed to smoke we tell her this after she continues to insist its fine. We finally get her to take the hookah back and fix it. The final hookah was okay- not worth $25. I have had better hookah for $15, but that's fine its part of the experience. At one point we even asked for the manager and she said "Okay" another 30 minutes pass I asked where the manager was she said she needs to go look for him.... WTH?! Very disappointed in the food, service and hookah with my latest visit. Not worth coming here!

    (1)

  • Ameen D.

    Entertainment was good.- BUT had reservations a week in advance with follow up calls to make sure our large party was gonna be set on main floor to watch the"entertainment," in-spite of our planning, we waited almost an HOUR TO BE SEATED IN THE WRONG SECTION! Place is unorganized and understaffed on servers. I wish I stayed home because food was below par as well. Also when I spoke to manager, he talked down to us acted like thing like this happen.... Well it doesn't get your stuff together !!! P.s. Hambra (red in Arabic) doesn't have the letter or sound of "b" in it haha

    (1)

  • Elizabeth S.

    I'm torn on how I feel about this place. Pros: Good vegetarian food (one vegetarian entree) Talented entertainers (we were there on a Saturday night so there were belly dancers) Very unique! Our server was super nice The crowd made a nice atmosphere and most people were dressed up Interesting cocktails Cons: *Really* loud Food was average for the price My boyfriend said the lamb was really bad Busy to the point waiting a long time between food and cocktails Uncomfortable seats Not a fan of secondhand hookah smoke Overall, I'd go back, but on a different night (and without the dinner).

    (3)

  • Richard G.

    I typically only come here for a friends birthday or some type of group get together...however its not my first choice. The place its self is beautiful when you walk in! it has a nice full length bar and nice waiting area if your table isn't ready yet (which 90% of the time isn't ready) The entertainment can be great...some nights they have great singers and others its like its confused...what to play...the dance floor is typically too crowded to even bother trying to dance on.. The belly dancer at night like after 9 or 10 is great shes clearly a professional. A guy who hits on the drum does an awesome job really gets you pumped up! now for the negatives... I waited for about 45 minutes before getting a hookah...and about 25 minutes between each drink. As far as food is concerned FORGET ABOUT IT. The food tastes great if it ever comes...depending on how busy they are its impossible to get what you ordered in reasonable time. The staff is usually unable to here you so at time they seem to look annoyed with you but it came to my understanding they are just stressed out.. also you have to aware of the bill at times it comes just as one big check and you group could be 30 people be sure to check your charges. i dont know how many time i found things that werent ours! Only time i suggest this place is if your going with a great group that enjoys being out cause theyll make up for the parts that this place lacks!

    (3)

  • Veronica M.

    WORST place I have EVER been to. The atmosphere and the dancers where absolutely fantastic but everything else in itself was worth less than one star. Service was mediocre, I paid $13 for a vodka cranberry which they had to remake because the drink was pure cranberry juice. At the end of the night the server accidentally charged $120 to my debit card on the wrong table. I was charged a $30 fee from my bank for going negative into my account due to their mistake on charging me for another tables bill. I talked to the manager about what could be done for THEIR MISTAKE, he said "I do not comp, I'll just adjust, late fee is on you. Just go calm down and sit at your table and calm down." This is the worst service I have ever received. Please, at all costs, do not visit this establishment. The money wasn't even worth the food or drinks. It was a HUGE waste of time and money. Such a disappointment. Save your money and visit someplace else...

    (1)

  • J C.

    Entertainment was great. As expected. Service horrible. Our waiter was nice and all but had waaaay too many tables. Our first appetizer too over one hour until the manager showed up. Then our food show up 15 minutes later at the same time as our second appetizer ordered 45 min before. We got a round of drinks on the house that tasted like crap. Sorry. A real bad experience.

    (1)

  • Dil M.

    Made reservations. Ended up leaving after an hour and a half because we were not being seated. Horrible communication between the employees.

    (1)

  • Hend S.

    The food was good, lamb tagine was delicious Some dishes were average But was overly expensive $$$$ Entertaining and salsa was fun & excited

    (4)

  • Hollina U.

    Dinner and a show on Friday and Saturday nights! Came here for my girlfriend's birthday with a group of 15 altogether-- but there were a lot of other big parties, and the waiter obviously couldn't handle it all. Someone mentioned ordering food at the table and drinks at the bar, and the server was like no, no, I'll handle it all. But he obviously couldn't because he forgot to bring my second drink. Whatever. The food was amazing, and so I'll keep this review at 4 stars. I had the Tunisian salmon with couscous, and that was the best couscous I've ever had. Shared appetizers too, which was very good. My guy got the lamb tagine-- very succulent and delish. Tried a bite of the lamb chops and veal too--- but still like the lamb tagine and salmon best! Also, for the show---- loved the Sultan--- he was dancing with a tray of a smoking teapot and cups or something, and did a great job! Also, he did his twirly thing with the cloth and it was so mesmerizing. The show started around 8:30, ended after an hour or more, and started up again closer to 10:30. But I liked the earlier show-- the second show had some singing, and I preferred the dancing over the singing. But yeah, be aware that on a Friday night and with big crowds, service will be slow. Then again, isn't that always the story with big groups on the weekend?

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Though the show was good, my food and drink were not! Paid $27 for 6 shrimp and basmati rice that was not fully cooked. My martini was easily confused with a vodka shot, & the hookah was the only good outcome. I don't understand the $38 dollar minimum per person because the food and drinks are not that good but whatever. I wouldn't recommend it and won't be returning .

    (2)

  • Sam S.

    this palace is amazing the atmosphere is so nice we had really good time me and my wife .This is my 3ed time there every time i go there i am more impressed

    (5)

  • Carlos Y.

    Went there for a fund raising Friday , never I ate bad Lebanese or middle Easter food like this !! The mixed grilled plate showed up more Rice and the meat burned. On top of the $125 per Ticket to eat this , we had to pay drinks that we did not order ! Called the manger and was extremely rude and unprofessional , never again I will go there

    (1)

  • Alia B.

    I love this place, no matter how many times I go, I still walk in and admire all the beauty. Great food and drinks along with some nice belly dancing. This is great for a group of people or just for two.

    (5)

  • Zain A.

    Paid over $100 for NYE party, food came in under cooked and cold. When asked for warmer food was given explanation that the kitchen isn't organized. Very unprofessional service for charging $100 without any alcohol. Drinks are an arm and leg. They need to work on their hospitality management for sure. DO NOT ATTEND NYE here ever :( :(

    (1)

  • Lauren H.

    Totally forgot to write my review for Alhambra Palace. My friend came here for her birthday, a while back. It was 12 of us. Let me say, right up front, that our bill was a monstrosity! Do NOT...I repeat, do NOT come here with cheap people! You will be throwing out some heavy cash, before the night is over. Overall, this place is worth experiencing...at least once. Unfortunately, I know without a doubt, that I will never go back. I can not, can not, CAN NOT see myself spending so much money on mediocre Mediterranean food and ordinary drinks! There are so many places, in our fabulous city, to find better Mediterranean food. And if you go and don't order food, I believe they charge a fee of $35 (for those not eating)! So you might as well order something. Smh. However the entertainment and decor was AH-MAZING! It's almost worth going to Alhambra Palace for that alone! Belly dancers, acrobatics, fire / pyro-performers and a knife show! They also pull people from the audience, to dance with them. My friend - the birthday girl - is a dancer, so she was keeping up with them. It was awesome! She had a wonderful time and we have awesome pictures. And that's why I'm giving them 3 stars - for the entertainment (and the service - our waiter was nice). However, when it's all said and done, and you're coming here for an expensive birthday "dinner"...I'm expecting my food to taste deliciously on point! And I want my drinks strong! Don't get me wrong...it's not bad...it's okay. But, okay wasn't enough...at least not for me. *shrug* This would make a nice date spot or a cool place to take your parents. No large parties...or leave your frugal friends at home.

    (3)

  • Ryne D.

    Table of six, about 15 minutes after ordering our food, a couple waiters start putting down an appetizer platter. That none of us ordered. So they took it back. Ten minutes later, a waited walks up and utters the best/worst phrase I've ever heard a waiter say. "Greek salad? I guess?" Yes, kid, that is a Greek salad. One that a member of our group actually did order. Fifteen minutes after that. the rest of our food finally arrives. The food was ok, entertainment was fun. As every other review on Yelp backs up, awful awful service, but it doesn't seem like their management cares anyway. Also the food is pretty darn expensive. A plate of rice and beef shawarma would be pricey at $17. Here, it's $22. The belly dancing and salsa nights are keeping this place afloat. Too bad; this place deserves to sink.

    (2)

  • Shan D.

    Fun for group dinners. The place is def loud so be prepared for that. Had the lobster ravioli which was decent. My friends ordered the typical middle eastern dishes, which I thought were average. The spot obv looks like a palace, and the shows are entertaining. Just realize this place is more about the entertainment than the food

    (3)

  • Anya C.

    I was trying to order some food and asked the writer for few times and waited for one hour still no one took my order..finally I went to the front asking for manager and ordered. the noodle was extreme salty. Only positive is the dancer Cha Yan and her teacher were great.

    (2)

  • Sultan I.

    Service 0 we try to talk manager he even doesn't speak english and told us he gonna fix it and still we have same problem so guys that was my first experience in alhambra

    (1)

  • Angie W.

    We went here for a friend's birthday party and thought that the food was INCREDIBLE... the ambiance is very unique, and the show was incredible. We were entertained for hours, and the Pomegranate GInger Mojitos were AWESOME. We'll go back for sure!

    (4)

  • Alan R.

    My cousin's pre-nuptial dinner was held here. I was more excited about going here than anyone else during the wedding weekend. I love Mediterranean food and had heard about A.P. Everything was pretty average. I liked the chicken, but the lamb was a bit dried out. The baklava was good but not great. Pita Inn or some of the other cheaper, local places are better. They do have a great bar with an excellent beer collection.

    (3)

  • Renee L.

    This place is gorgeous...it literally looks like a palace inside. I thnk that is its saving grace. I came here for a birthday and I wasn't really pleased with my chicken dish. It just seemed to be over curried and left me feeling a bit nausiated. However, I would come back for the atmosphere and just stick to appetizers (especially since I think that the food is a bit over-priced for what you get!) We saw some type of flamenco show here...let me just say it was a nice idea but after about two hours straight of amateur flamenco numbers, I had had enough! Then the belly dancer came on....which I was slightly disappointed about since she did not so much dancing with the belly as shimmying with the chachas. However, the guys at the table really seemed to enjoy it!

    (3)

  • Jamal A.

    Mr. Alhambra, it has been a while but I have come back. My brother Bassam and I were there back in November of 2014... I know you are confused why it took me this long to write a review, well I went back to Fallujah to help my grandma catch the chickens in her backyard, she is very old. Anyways, from what I remember walking in, I felt like I was in one of Saddam's castles. I like the architecture and textures you were going for, it reminded me of my past ancestors creating them with their bare hands. I also noticed the big wingedbull on your wall, very beautiful to see how much you are like my ancestors and different at the same time. Anyhow, my brother Bassam and I were seated in your private area, instead of the ballroom. I was expecting to see a show while eating but my experience was much better than the show. For the appetizer, we ordered the lentil soup which was delicious. It reminded me of how my mother used to cook it back in Arbil using woodfire and a big pot. She used to cook for everyone in the neighborhood for good cause. Anyway, I don't want to bore you with more information. For our entry, we ordered 1 combination plate which was enough for 4 people which is great because we were very hungry. Once we started eating, Abdel halim hafez started playing and suddenly 4 belly dancers came out dancing in front of us. I was very shocked and surprised but had a very big smile on my face because I felt like I was some kind of Dictator sitting in a palace. Then, I started feeling some type of breeze behind me, so I look and there were two other girls dressed in hijab feathering me. I have never had this type of treatment before, I felt like I was the next president Obama. Well, my brother Bassam and I loved the food. The chicken shawerma was seasoned perfectly and the kefta kabob was so tender that I didn't even have to chew it, it was melting in my mouth. The food was delicious, but the treatment you put together was beyond my expectations. I will definitely come back in the future, I am going to be very busy for the next six months because I have to go back to Fallujah to help my grandma catch the goats this time.

    (5)

  • Saravanan P.

    The service is poor ...wait ..my bad..very very poor.I ask for water and our server is moving around our table but not paying attention. We asked for a soup...and it come halfway through when our entree is done eating with. Verdict : come here if you can withstand bad service in hope for good food. At the end i admit the food was as good as i expected it to be.

    (3)

  • Verushka P.

    This is one of those places that makes you feel like you have visually escaped from the U.S. With its beautiful detailed decor, gorgeous ambience and delicious cuisine, Alhambra is one of those places every person should try! Loved the experience, hence went back several times.

    (4)

  • Asfo Jr S.

    This restaurant was definitely a new experience for me. The onstage performance was outstanding. However, the prices are high, especially considering the quality of food being received. The presentation of the food is excellent however, my kefta. Kabob was over cooked terribly and burnt and rubbery while my potato appetizer was extremely average but hey it looked pretty. All in all, food definitely not worth $40.j

    (3)

  • Jenny H.

    Alhambra was by far, the best choice for our department holiday gathering. I highly recommend getting a reservation on a Saturday night. By 8:30pm, you're marveling over the performers while eating and swaying to the beautiful live arabic music. Now this is where it got sour... really quick: The mainstage floor is all large communal tables- one would expect a place like Alhambra to be able to accommodate large groups. They split our group between two servers. Okay- no big deal. However, it says something if one half of the group's already gone for the evening, and the other half's still gawking at each other about the bill. Shout out to our male server, "who-shall-remain-nameless"-- he hands the long epic receipt and I, as a dutiful organizer of our dinner, I tabulate accordingly based upon everyone's order. I probably saw nameless server "checking in" more times than our actual time at the table. At first he is appreciative that I've taken this duty off his hands, but then upon the second and third time-- the third, he actually leans in close to my ear with an exasperating "Still working??" Yes. As you can see, I'm still working on it. When I finally write everything down, neat and organized between cash and credit card... he comes back after a long time and says that we're still short. We look down at our individual credit card charges and it's all wrong. Keep in mind, we were already sitting around for quite a while. Annoyed, my coworker says just to charge the rest onto his card. Shady, super pricey, and did I fail to mention the mandatory 20% gratuity? At the other table, the fine female server was able to split everyone's order accordingly without this drama. Wham, bam, thank you ma'm. I'm taking my money elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Nina M.

    The place is great. The food is ok. But the workers here are assholes. Straight up assholes. There's one manager who looks like an oompa loompa walking around. Surprisingly being the manager he comes off as an ignorant piece of scum. I asked one of the waitresses (which BTW was a total bitch, excuse my language) if I could speak to a manager because I had a complaint with my food arriving too late. He paid hardly any attention to what I had to say. Bottom line customer service SUCKS. The managers are ignorant and walk around like they have something stuck up their ass and the waitors here don't even know how to treat you well or serve. BTW If u come here prepare to get your food 2 hours later. Their entertainment business isnt all great too. They have a grandma as their main bellydancer and you can def tell she's about to hit the rocking chair soon. These guys need to make some upgrades soon, I def don't see them lasting for long.

    (1)

  • Kevin K.

    Worst service ever. First we called ahead for a friends birthday and told them we were going to have 11-15 people and they told us no problem. When we showed up they put us at a table for 8 people. Then they tried to add a table to the end that stuck out into the walk way and they kept bumping into us. Finally after much complaining they moved us. We ordered food don't get filet mignon because it taste like cooked rubber. They agreed to take the two steaks off the bill. At the end of the night they charged us $50 a person which was never discussed until the bill came. We only spent $370 and they charged us $750!!!! WTH. Don't go there there is better middle eastern food almost anywhere else in the city. Feel free to email me to try to make up for this terrible situation if you care drkev02@aol.com . Doubt they care they are scam artist!!

    (1)

  • Thomas O.

    Went in on a Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. We were a group of five. The palatial place was empty except for two other tables. The main dining room was closed. I waited at the bar for what must have been 15 minutes but even though it is just around the corner from the host stand and the hostess knew I was there no one came in to offer drinks. The mixed appetizers we ordered were fine. They were actually pretty good but definitely overpriced at $30. I ordered a Tagine which was not a tagine. There was absolutely nothing authentic nor Moroccan about the entree. I've been to Morocco and I know what it should taste like. Disappointing. My dining companions were even more disappointed than I. The food is just not good and there is nothing authentic or flavorful or interesting about it. The best thing i had was a Moroccan Martini which was delicious. The atmosphere is amazing and its a beautiful place. The service and the food are very very sub-par. I cannot recommend it.

    (1)

  • Anna S.

    Makes a great first impression. The belly dancers dance worse than I do( and I'm no-pro! ) but the stuff will keep the door open in order to cool them off. To the point that the party next to us put their coats on. While dining. And yes, we requested the door to be closed. Our request was ignored until it came to the patrons dancing.We were hot in literally 2 minutes. Awful. Especially, that the music was good and somewhat unique, very enjoyable. The worst is, how dirty they keep this place. When a table empties, they don't even wipe it out. Ewww. The thrash in the bathrooms is overflowing the bin, while the stuff chit-chats around. They brought me some awful wine. I would have returned it, but the server didn't show up till we were done eating. The food was delivered by the helpers, not by our waitress. Good taste, I have to admit. I will not dare to eat there. Ever. I could come over, smoke a hookah and have some bottled beer. I recommend everyone the same.

    (2)

  • Shushmita M.

    Great place to go after 10:30 for hookah!. It is a very unusual hookah place. Super grand and great place to go with a huge group for late night drinks and hookah. The place is very grand, fancy and huge. It has almost a monumental feel to it, which I suppose they aimed for. It's not a typical small,intimate hookah place. It has grand with concert, belly dancing, music . Very eventful. The first time I went for hookah, we had a great experience. The waiter was good. We ordered appetizers including babaganoush and hummus with pita. Delicious! Hookah was excellent. The second time we wen, the guy at the front who was going to seat us we could order hookah in 15 minutes. When we get seated, our waitress tells us we cannot order hookah until 50 minutes. We were very confused. We did not want to wait for hookah so long as we've already had dinner somewhere else and came primarily for the hookah. So unfortunately we left as the manager didnt let us order hookah. Them seem slightly stuck up, but its definitely a place worth checking out. Moroccan themed decor, grand architecture and interior decor with live, eventful performances that make this place worth the experience. A little bit on the expensive side, but I would definitely go with a large group for hookah.

    (4)

  • Denise P.

    The decor of this place is amazing! We enjoyed the ambiance and the belly dancing show. Food was very good, I had Chilean Sea Bass and it was perfectly cooked. I will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Laurie S.

    Came here with some friends and loved it! To start with, the decor/atmosphere was really nice. We also really enjoyed the food. We started off with the appetizer sampler which was perfect - especially the hummus and falafel. I had the chicken shawarma for my meal - somehow I missed it was on a bun, which I could have done without, but it was still very good. My friends enjoyed their dishes, including the paella, lamb chops and filet kebob. A few of us had dessert which was also great - lava cake and creme brulee. The part I enjoyed the most because is was a unique experience was the entertainment. It was so much fun to see the dancing - I didn't want it to end!. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Maria P.

    The Palace is the best place to take friends from out of town, the dinner and the show are both enjoyable, for the past 2 years we have become regulars, the vibe of this place is amazing and the belly dancers will take your breath away. Perfect for birthday celebrations and special occasions, the place becomes a night club late at night and you can dance your heart out. Our favorite server is Oana, she is nice, quick, attentive. We will be back maybe even next week.

    (4)

  • Amer A.

    Unfortunately it was one of the most embarrassing dinners I've ever had in Chicago. I had my family and friends, a group of 13 people for the Ramadan open buffet. According to customs for Ramadan, we start eating exactly at sunset time starting with dates. I was expecting to have some dates on the table, as any other respectful place would do. However there was nothing. Even the buffet didn't have dates. We anticipated something like this so we brought our own dates. Afterward, we went to the buffet and I started talking to one of the managers about this. He was so arrogant and didn't want to listen. Another manager approached and was very mad that I was talking to the first manager. I never expected such response from a famous restaurant like this. I'm very disappointed and really embarrassed because I nominated this place to my family. One of the worst dinner experience and the managers never apologized.

    (1)

  • Sandra M.

    Hubby took me here for our date night and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The decor is ahhh--mazing! We went on a Friday night and got to experience the belly dancing show. Samina, the main belly dancer, did a fantastic job of keeping the audience entertained and even inviting people to dance with her. What I really loved is that she wasn't pushy. We had hummus, along with other stuff, as our appetizer. The fact that I can't remember what else we had speaks loudly for the hummus. Our waiter was telling us that it is made in house daily. It definitely puts all other hummus' to shame. For our main course we had lamb, which was cooked perfectly!! The presentation along with the flavors made it devine! Lastly, we did enjoy some hookah with our meal and I was pleasently surprised at how attentive the staff was with changing out the coals. Definitely a place I will be returning to.

    (4)

  • Mina H.

    AMBIANCE The location is decent, parking is tight but we lucked out and did not have to valet. The outside is a little cheesy, looking like a bad attempt at an Aladdin theme park, but the inside never fails to impress. Been here during brunch and it looks just as good in daylight... can't say the same for myself some mornings (but I digress)... nights, the back room is gorgeous and expansive with a water feature that highlghts how large the stage arena and floor is... it really is like a reception hall, but not too many are this decadent. Seating was still hard to get - had to settle for a side mezzanine with limited view. It got a little more open about 11pm but meh... FOOD Went by later (10pm) on a Sat night for dinner, ordered dolma, seafood kebabs for me, and friend got the skirt steak. The pita bread that came with the dolma were SO STALE... just dry and awful. I thought it had to be a fluke... got another basket, and it was just as bad. Dolma was pretty tasteless. I swear you can get better from a local deli... just head up to Lincoln Square or west of Edgewater... The kebabs and steak were decent but I dont think worth the $30-35 price (its been a couple months so I am not exact on the cost). I feel like I have had a lot better food the last couple times I have been there, maybe things are not so fresh late in the night. SERVICE Spotty, had to ask for things several times and the wait was long... at least the floor show of dancers kept it a little entertaining... not sure it was worth the money though.

    (2)

  • Lisa W.

    This was my second visit and a friend's first. We went last Friday night (required $38 minimum per person for food & drink). Entertainment was just okay. There were more skillful dance during my first visit in 2010. Sadly the routines were still the same except for this strange clown-themed routine. The waiters kept coming by every two seconds rushing us to order when we had only been seated five minutes. Thankfully it was only two of us because the table was only big enough for two yet there was four place settings. Apparently, they cram people along the outer perimeter tables. I ordered the Paella. I could've loved it if it didn't have tiny bits of shell pieces that you couldn't see. I spent most of my time trying to dig for them in my plate or finding them when I chewed *ugh* and putting them on my side plate. They have a "picture lady" which is as cheezy as the guy who sells cheap roses at a club. However, she gathered us for a photo and then never came back to show it to us lol. Overall it's over-priced and not a restaurant I recommend visiting more than once. But I will add that it's great for groups that want separate checks!

    (3)

  • Jessie B.

    DO NOT GO HERE!!!!! MANAGER IS AN ASSWIPE. Came down for swing dancing lessons, paid a $10 cover and got exhausted drinking $13 Long Islands. according to the bartender, you're allowed one water per drink. ASSHOLE MANAGEMENT. You know your customers are thirsty and alcohol will only make them thirstier after dancing. I feel bad for the bartender because it seemed to be strictly enforced. He also appears to only hire those who will follow his rules. If you run a restaurant you need to understand your customers don't only come once a month for dancing. You should respect them and not enforce silly policies that will cause them to hate you.

    (1)

  • Elaine D.

    If you're looking for something new, you really should try the Alhambra Palace. The décor is interesting and inviting, and gives a sense that you're doing something special, so I would think this restaurant would be a great place for groups. I was there on a Sunday night when a swing band (Starfall Orchestra) was playing. Not gonna lie, it was noisy. If you want a quiet place for dinner, this isn't it. The atmosphere was fun, festive, and entertaining. The food was delicious, prompt, and attractively presented. Our server was very attentive. At the end of the evening, my dinner (the lamb tagine) got thrown away instead of placed in a take-home container. When I told my waiter, he quickly placed an order for a whole new lamb tajine, had it boxed up for me, and sent us on our way. I didn't have to complain at all, he took care of it after just a quick request. To me, this is awesome service! The valet parking was a little weird. We paid the valet upon arriving at the restaurant and then were asked to pay again when we left. This was a little awkward, but eventually sorted itself out. I will definitely go back to the Alhambra Palace and when I do, I'll be looking forward to a delicious meal and a fun evening. I hear they have belly dancing classes on Wednesdays... One beer + one entrée = $33.50 before tip

    (4)

  • Keith B.

    Great interior design. Horrible management and service. Really - the management is the bad part here - as there were 8 waitstaff scrambling to service circa 150 people. We would have ordered food but we couldn't get a waiter. SO we went to the bar, with a single tender, and stood in line for 28 minutes to find out they were out of basics like Malbec. I would imagine this restaurant will be on the market as they have no idea how to make a profit.

    (1)

  • Ozge S.

    I guess I haven't been in any larger restaurant in Chicago like this place. Belly dancers are way far from the originals but still you watch something different while you're dining. Non stop belly dancing, good food and an interesting place..

    (4)

  • Ebs B.

    The real Alhambra in Spain is a fortress and palace complex, described as "a pearl set in emeralds". Too bad the Alhambra in Chicago is no such thing. The decor is extravagant for sure, but it's no elegant pearl. It's more like something I'd buy at Claire's, not Tiffany's. The food was lackluster. My lamb, which I ordered Medium Rare came out over well done. I hate sending food back, but my friend helped me out and told the waitress. Interestingly she responded that it's hard to get lamb to be less than well-done. Interestingly enough, that's a bunch of crap. The desserts tasted like refrigerator, and weren't made fresh in house (or, at least that's what it seemed like). I say: Skip this place for the food (and eat somewhere before) Skip this place for the drinks (they weren't consistently poured the same) Skip this place if you want to have a nice date night

    (2)

  • Mikey J.

    I was very pleasantly surprised by Alhambra. We had a large group rent the place out for a party and it was awesome. The food, a variety of Mediterranean dishes, was excellent. The decor was interesting and had a large dance floor with plenty of seating in the sides. Finally, the BELLY DANCERS! They will get the dance party started with an entertaining performance after dinner. Some of the belly dancers did have a little too much belly, but most were very easy on the eyes!

    (4)

  • Raj B.

    The restaurant is really beautiful with rich and colorful decor and huge seating both upstairs and downstairs. I stopped in here on a Friday night for drinks and dinner and was impressed by the unique decor. Although the place is huge they had about half of their tables empty at 10pm on a friday night. They had belly dancing, live music and singing and i thought it was quite entertaining. The service was good too, the waiter was kind enough to give us complementary dessert when we had to wait long for our second round drinks. Here comes the bad part.. I'm huge fan of middle eastern food, but the food here is far from my expectations. We ordered falafel, hummus and some kabobs. The fafafel was okay, but the pitas that were given with the hummus looked like the pitas you get at a grocery store. The kabobs were very bland and has no spice or flavor to them. Also, the place turns into a hookah bar late night. The good: Decor, lighting, service, live entertainment. The bad: food, limited drinks menu.

    (3)

  • Irma L.

    Pretty much in agreement with most folks about the food. Nothing to write home about. But our party of 7 must have been lucky because we had a great waiter. Drinks came fast, food was quick too. Would not come back for the food, but will definitely return for the show and their white wine sangria (quite decent!). The ambience and entertainment in this place is something I'll be talking about for some time. :)

    (4)

  • Valina P.

    Great food. Great performances. Great atmosphere. Great server his name is Julian, he made sure my moms birthday dinner was an amazing experience.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    This was a five-star birthday for me. I found Alhambra via Yelp, and after my visit, the 2 and 3 star reviews are totally unjustified! We made reservations for 8:15 on a Saturday night, since the bellydancing show begins at 8:30. We did the valet parking for $10, and later that evening our wait for the car was very short. We walked in and I was in love with the palace-style decor and lush bar and lounge area. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated, but we did lots of people watching. If you're anything like me, you like to play the "fake or real?" game in your mind when a woman walks by with a Chanel handbag. I got the impression that this was a "rich" place to go, just judging by the women who were dressed to the nines - I got the impression they look like this every day and have the money to support a high fashion habit. As for the dress code, I wore a dress with leggings and a blazer; my husband wore a button-up dress shirt with jeans. So leave the suit and tie at home, boys! We were seated in a balcony area, which at first was alarming because I thought we'd have a crap view of the show. I was totally wrong, and I actually loved the cozy, intimate space we had upstairs. The main floor was buzzing with large groups, and I'm not a fan of shared dining tables. Our waiter was fantastic, and he was apologetic when our drinks took awhile. Speaking of drinks, the red sangria and Morrocan martini were totally worth the $12. Drinks are pricey, but at least it kept me from getting completely wasted. And, at $35/person (the minimum when there is a show), you can easily do this with a drink and appetizers, or an entree and a drink. Don't let the minimum deter you from going. The appetizers were good. The hummus was very good, but the pita bread was stale. This is really my only complaint, because it's a Middle Eastern restaurant yet I felt like I was eating some Sahara pita that I'd forgot in my fridge for a week. The rolled eggplant was my favorite part of the meal, tender eggplant stuffed with goat cheese with a tomato sauce. Yum! The entrees were also very good. I had the seafood kabob with the biggest scallops I've ever seen. And for simple sides like grilled veggies and basmati rice, I really enjoyed both of those. My only complaint? The menu stated that the kabob had a sauce with pistachos and raisins. When I got my meal, there was no sauce. Likewise, my husband's filet was supposed to come with asparagus, but did not. This doesn't change how I felt about the food, it was very good, but I was looking forward to the sauce or I may have ordered the seafood tangine instead! Since it was my birthday, we had a free dessert coupon and had the creme brulee. While it wasn't worth $8, it was very good! There can be a wait for your drinks and food, so your best bet is to be READY! When the waiter comes to your table, order your drinks and appetizers at the same time. When he comes back, be ready with your entree choices. For 4 drinks, 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, our bill was around $140. See how easy that $35 minimum is? I probably wouldn't be thrilled paying $27 for a kabob at any other restaurant, but when you consider that it's a show and dinner, it's a great night out for a birthday, or a bachelorette party for a more sophisticated bride who doesn't want to get wasted or naked. Oh, and the bellydancing? Loved every minute of it.

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    hookah dolla bills and good eats. we will be back!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    This place SUCKS! Absolute worst service, the wait is 2+ hours, and they have a $38 minimum PER PERSON on the weekends. Absurd!

    (1)

  • Kevin A.

    DO YOU KNOW HOW TO FAKE A SEIZURE? If so, DO IT! Or tell your friends you came down with a 24-hour case of bubonic plague. Or say you got leprosy. Do what ever it takes to get out of going to dinner here! The Food: Meh. I've had better at take-out places. The Cost: Astronomical. $50 for a sampler platter of hummus and olives? Expect to pay $50-60 per person. The Service: A joke. We had to wait 15 minutes for the last person in our party to get their meal. The Entertainment: Aight. Nothing really special. Avoid avoid avoid!

    (1)

  • Bryon P.

    Excellent time had!!! Can't wait to go again. Music, service, dancers and food were all top notch. Haven't had this much fun on a night out in some time. Staff was more than courteous. Phenomenal high energy dancing. Understand that the price of the entertainment is in the food and drink costs. They do not charge a cover for the huge production of 9 dancers, 4 musicians and 1 singer. Bryon Pelzek

    (5)

  • Raquel R.

    Came here for a Tango 21 dance production and while the show was wonderfully entertaining, I couldn't help but be distracted by the lack of service provided by this establishment that is reported to be a restaurant. The fact that we bought tickets to this event that was held at this said RESTAURANT at a dinner time hour but then NEVER so much as received a glass or water or even a greeting from a server period is a complete JOKE. Do you really expect to have your "restaurant" in the running with the other area establishments and keep your doors open providing service like this? GOOD LUCK! Our table was NEVER greeted by a server and there were SEVERAL tables with NOTHING on them, not even a menu. AGAIN, you call yourselves a RESTAURANT? How do you figure?? Meanwhile, there was a table right behind us that basically had their own personal server, having been provided rounds of drinks as well as a couple different meal courses, WHO ARE THEY, THE MAYOR? I will NEVER come back here for any reason whatsoever. The person at this establishment who holds the title manager should seriously reconsider their job choice as there doesn't appear to be any level of management going on and if someone sees otherwise, I'm not sure we're on the same page in terms of what service entails. To sit at a table for two hours and to not even see a server and then when someone did finally come to the table she bawked at the fact that my friend advised (that at that point) we really just wanted a round of drinks; the server advised us to go to the bar ourselves. REALLY?!!! Isn't that why you come to work, to provide a service and obtain a tip for just that. I would like to point out that we had every intention of ordering food but when it takes two hours to even have someone come to our table, WHAT'S THE POINT?!

    (1)

  • Nancy D.

    Hookah was ok nothing to brag about. I did like the decor. It looked very middle Eastern. The food was ok. The service was bad, it took forever for my hookah to come out. The coal changing was such a hassle as well.

    (3)

  • Fofo A.

    I had a reservation and once I got here the girl told me there is no reservation under my name!!! I was shocked! Then asked her if there is a table and whether the kitchen still open(was 12.30 p.m) She said No after 12 the kitchen is closed. I went to see the place and was surprised that idk was the manager or not asked me if I wanted to sit? I said I wish but I came to eat, he told me the Kitchen stays open till 3? I told him about what happened with the girl (the cancellation and the lie) but he didn't give any comments he seems busy and didn't even try to listen to what I was complaining about. I don't feel that the place really honor their customers.

    (1)

  • B D.

    This place is horrible, the owner and the staff here are very rudy and the food sucks

    (1)

  • Shinnice G.

    Great service!!! Our waiter Jorge was amazing and made our evening pretty great. Ask for him next time you come, we ordered the Lamb & Salmon, both very good with really great size portions. Drinks were strong for the both of us! I would def come back and would recommend next time to anyone visiting Chicago!

    (5)

  • Alicia M.

    Places like this one embody my love for Chicago! Hubby and I went on Friday...he told me he made a reservation at a "unique" restaurant. I was scared. I was so excited when I realized we were going to dinner whilst enjoying some amazing belly dancing!! I don't run around the city looking for belly dancing shows so I cannot really compare the show to others. Some reviews on here do...where are all these people going!?! However, there was "Gangnam Style" belly dancing. I mean, that alone makes it worth the trip! I enjoyed the mix of traditional and contemporary. My steak was amazing as was the salad. We also enjoyed a delicious shrimp appetizer. Pricey, of course...but it's a SHOW! I'd definitely come back for the food and the dancing :) The staff was very friendly and I also will think of Alhambra Palace when I want to take my parents or in-laws to a fun destination when they visit!

    (5)

  • Seife Z.

    Awesome Middle Eastern experience. Food is good but overpriced. It was Friday night and there was a live band. Excellent singers it was great. It was very entertainng. The server that waited on our table wasnt courteous. She brought us drink we didnt order and she started arguing when we told her we didnt order it. They may need some trainng.

    (4)

  • Susu B.

    Absolutely my favee! The weekends are always juking, music is the best,belly dancers are on point,excellent food, and of course yummy shishaaaa!!!

    (5)

  • Hanaa K.

    Very saddened a party had reservations and was made to wait an hour. Then the hostess called them up and asked them to wait at the front for a moment to check if a smaller table was available. Then the manager yells at the patron for being in the wrong place and physically pushes him to the other side. The patron had every right to ask that the manager keep his hands off. The manager screams at them and then has the bouncer kick them out! Save your money and go elsewhere if this is the kind of business these people are into.

    (1)

  • Kenya H.

    one star for our server Jeorge who were good and attentive, one star for the drinks which were really good (the bar never disappoints) and a star for the entertainment/ambience. if your going to party this is a good place to go. but the food has never been good. over cooked, not seasoned well, it's just such a big let down. I have been 3x and all 3 times the food was... meh...

    (3)

  • Dandy F.

    Alhambra has majorly stepped up their game. I recently brought a group of my Middle Eastern dance students here to see the shows and have dinner. There were 16 of us, which is always a bit difficult when it comes to dividing up the bill, but it could not have gone better. It is a $35 minimum expenditure per person to sit in the grand ballroom with the entertainment, but that comes easily at Alhambra and you get hours and hours of entertainment along with your food and drink. Most Middle Eastern nightclubs charge you to get in the door and you don't get food or drink for it, just the entertainment. I called in advance because when our numbers went beyond 10, the website said to talk with someone, so I did. We arrived at 7;30 PM and were granted a table with a wonderful view of the entertainment, which gave us time to get seated and start the ordering process before the first show at 8:30 PM. Our server, Kat, was extremely helpful and friendly the whole night through, which was no easy task because we had to split into four tabs. The food was timely and correct. Kat and Julian were always there if we needed anything, and what's really great about Alhambra is that somehow the servers have really good timing and do not interrupt your enjoyment of the show. This is hands down the most beautiful club in Chicago, and possibly the grandest Middle Eastern club in the nation (I have been to several). I have never seen anything like Alhambra Palace anywhere. You have to see it to believe it. Like I said, the entertainment does not stop. The tribal belly dance show lasts an hour, then there is a singer and band, and then the traditional belly dance show starts with Surayah Al-Muddaris and her troupe Firqat Surayah, then there is time for the people to get up and dance while the singer and band play, and then there is another, different late night show. The variety you see here is amazing - fire, swords, finger cymbals, drums. It is really entertaining for anyone to see. In the past, I have had varying experiences at Alhambra, and it looks like the management has really stepped up their game - everything went so smoothly, and with 16 people, that's quite a feat. My students were all thoroughly impressed and want to come back on their own.

    (5)

  • Beth P.

    Went to the CIMA holiday party here and it was a blast! Really awesome ambience. The place is huge and each room was a little different. I'd love to see it looks when there isn't a several hundred person party going on - seems like it would still be very cool.

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    This is a really unique place. It actually looks like a palace inside and out. The food is really good.. not necessarily authentic.. but still really good. Its larger than it looks from the outside and fills up fast on the weekends. Id get there early if you want to see the show. Its a little expensive as well. The show is pretty good.. belly dancers and sword throwers. I dont know what the deal was with the bartender at the main bar, but she was really REALLY REALLY slow. There were 2 other girls at the bar and me and I waited 12 minutes for a glass of wine. It was really annoying. I mean.. it was a saturday.. get another bartender in there. Other than that.. the service, food and atmosphere were great.

    (4)

  • Emmie M.

    A bunch of friends and I went to go see a bellydance performance. The entry fee was 20$, which was an excellent price for the show! So if you want to go to just hang out and watch a show, it's totally worth it. If you plan on eating or drinking, DON'T. The food, while good, was ridiculously overpriced, and arrived horrifically late (an HOUR after we ordered). Our waiter then disappeared for the rest of the evening. I never got a single refill on my water. When it came time to pay the cheque, it took two busboys and 40 minutes for our waiter to reemerge from wherever the hell he'd been hiding. He then had the gall to add 20% tip to our receipt automatically. I always, ALWAYS tip 20%, and this was the only time I've ever planned on tipping below. I payed the 20% tip because I wanted to leave, but seriously people? For that kind of service, I figured 10% was going to be me being a big 'ole softie!! I'd love to say this was isolated to our waiter, but it was visible around the entire establishment as people sat around staring at empty tables waiting for cheques. Overall: good entertainment, exceptionally shitty everything else.

    (2)

  • Rachelle D.

    Food is good, but a bit pricey. Drinks are pricey. Show was awesome! Service was absolutely horrible!!! But why try when you are automatically guaranteed a tip for a party of 4 or more? Summary of our service: - We walked in and hostess asked us to sit down and wait for someone to bring us to our table. They ended up walking two other parties, that arrived after us, to their tables first. - We were seated for 10 minutes before server came - Server never even introduced himself, kinda just looked at us and handed the menus. - I had to be on watch for our server because he wouldn't come to our table to see if we needed anything. I literally had to wave him down whenever he walked by. Good thing we were seated near the kitchen so he walked by often. - Server forgot to put an order in and I had to remind him twice - Server didn't ask us if we wanted dessert After we closed out our bill, we decided to stay for the next show and ordered a few more drinks. The total for the additional drinks was $60. Our waiter said we couldn't pay using a card and that it was cash bar only. What? I never heard of that at a large restaurant that averages $12 for a cocktail and $20 for entrees. If that was the truth, and I truly hope he wasn't trying to pocket the cash then that is a ridiculous rule. If Alhambra had better service, I would definitely give them 3-4 stars.

    (2)

  • Kyle Martin D.

    Looking to dance to the loud, rhythmic musings of a series of talented Arabic singers -- especially one who will serenade the shit out of you with the best "happy birthday song" in the world? "Happy birthday Yaz-meen, Happy birthday Maaah-mood." Then put on your best button-up, shine up your loafers, apply liberal helpings of hair gel and cologne, and hit up Alhambras with your crew for a fun, unique and ostentatiously decadent dance club experience that manages to effortlessly meld a palatial Arabic world with a bit of American tackiness borrowed from Trumps New Jersey Just be warned. This place is busy. I mean 400-to-500 people busy on a Saturday night. Maybe more. The waiters were swamped so the service was "meh." But the manager tried to accompany us the best he could. The hookah was standard fare, and their bar is suitably stacked for a sultan -- or for your standard $70-thousandaire who enjoys posturing and throwing money around every now and then. Worth checking out if you're in the West Loop.

    (3)

  • Liza P.

    I came here to see a friend's dance performance on a Sunday night. The performance was good, but Alhambra Palace is a terrible venue. As many of the reviews have mentioned, the service is horrible. I don't know if the waitstaff are bad at their jobs, or if the whole restaurant is just chronically understaffed, but it was a terrible experience. The waiter came by right after we were seated to give us the menus and then didn't return until 20 minutes later. We ordered hummus for an appetizer, which was pretty good, but the whole experience went downhill from there. Because the waiter hardly ever came by, we didn't get our entree until well after the show had started (over an hour after we arrived). We were sitting at a table with 16 other people, and by this point the music was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you talking. This in itself wouldn't have been a problem, except that the busboys delivering the food did so by walking back and forth along the table shouting the name of the dish they were carrying (and blocking our view of the performers), which no one could hear. Eventually they would somehow find the person the dish had been intended for, and then would start the entire process over for the next dish. And the next dish. And the next dish. I don't understand why the waiter couldn't have just written down where along the table each dish was ordered. The food itself was mediocre. The chicken was to dry, the beef was over-seasoned, and the mixed drinks contained barely any alcohol. None of it was worth the price we paid (FYI the restaurant adds on a mandatory 20% gratuity, which the waitstaff do NOT deserve). The other staff barely acknowledged that we were there. In the four hours we spent at the restaurant, my water glass was (partially) refilled once. They had three different singers performing throughout the show, who may or may not have been talented. All I know is that their voices were rendered unrecognizable by the cheap sound system, so most of what we heard throughout the night was noise. When it came time to leave, once again our waiter was nowhere in sight. It took us over half an hour to track him down, pay our bill, and finally get out of that hellhole. I will not be returning here, and would not recommend this place to anyone.

    (1)

  • Gayle G.

    Never going back. Went here for a birthday party. I read the yelp reviews and was prepared. Ordered the lamb tangine and it was great. The gibraltar salad was also good if you like beets. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. A place where it is a challenge to have a conversation because of the loud music and belly dancing. The service sucks and the prices are high especially if you are a large party where they include a 20% tip. Go here for the dancing/nightclub atmosphere that has a $35 minimum. Otherwise you'll be disappointed.

    (1)

  • Ravi G.

    Came here on Friday night. Very well decorated. Most of the larger parties with reservations clearly had trouble being seated (ours did not have much trouble). The food was very mediocre (we had a variety of appetizers and main courses). The entertainment was also mediocre. It is really impossible to have any sort of conversation over dinner. The crowd that will enjoy this place will go for hookah or the open dancing towards the end of the night.

    (2)

  • Jeff B.

    Good - not great. A little pricey for what you get. Be forewarned there is an automatic gratuity for parties of 4 or mote. First impression was negative. Dining on a weeknight the place was pretty empty. I walked in and immediately saw my wife already seated so I just started over to the table. The three employees standing at the entrance who could not be bothered to look my way (they were talking) when I walked in stopped me. I guess you need to stand and wait to "check in" before you can enter their dining area. First ordered cocktails. I went off menu (bad decision) and ordered a traditional vodka martini. I was delivered a dirty martini. When I asked the waiter what was in it, I was given a flip answer of "vodka?" I told him it was a dirty martini and apologized to him for going off menu. He let me finish my drink. The appetizers were fantastic. Try the humus and ask for extra pita to go with it. It has a jalapeno sauce in it, but was not hot. The entrees were very good. The deserts were touted as home made on the menu and the waiter stressed that, so we ordered the lava cake. It was like a chocolate brownie stuffed with pudding - the lava did not flow and it was not fresh. It was like it had been refrigerated for a long time before it was served. When we asked the waiter about it we were again given a flip answer of "maybe we need to microwave it for you." We were in the front dining room and I did not really see the rest of the restaurant. In the 25 (or so) table area we were in, two other tables had customers. That said, maybe the staff was having a bad day? Maybe the 20% automatic gratuity has them not trying a hard. I would not avoid it, but I would never recommend it - too many more attractive options at that price point in that neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Mina G.

    $38 minimum per person Friday/Saturday?? Unbelievable. Wait was 2 hour and on top of that the regulation of $38 per person to stay there and eat. Horrible. Never going again.

    (1)

  • Ali S.

    Great place, elegant and a place to have someone impressed. Food is good. The waiters are good and service is great. I have been here many times. But the last time I was here, I bought my family for the first time. Everything is was wrong. We were greeted ( recognized) after 10 mins while we already had a reservation. After we were seated, a waiter actually banged ! And I mean banged the plates on the table as if he was upset. Anyhow after all the violent behavior we placed out order. And I was shocked that they forgot few of the items we ordered. So we decided to not even mention that they forgot. We were never asked of we were doing okay during the dinner, our glasses of water were ever refilled, and lastly the food was not the same quality as I had before. This was very disappointing. I and giving them a 3, since they were good at my pervious visits.

    (3)

  • Kristan S.

    Was there Saturday night for our engagement dinner. Food was beyond great, entertainment was even better. Milar was a great server, can't wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Lina P.

    I have to agree with most of the Yelpers on here!! The place is cool if you want to see something different. The show was very entertaining and the decor was extremely exquisite. I'd say the decor is the best feature of the place. The dancers the 2nd best thing about this restaurant. The food leaves a lot to be desired. I ordered the Chicken Tandouri . I liked at first but after awhile I got sick of what I was eating. It was not that great. I ordered this dish because the menu said it was boneless breast, but ended up to be bone-in which I didn't like that. The menu prices are a RIP-OFF. There are soooooo many restaurants in Chicago that offer a better value + better quality. The service did suck also. I think she came around like twice. I didn't get upset that she wasn't attentive. I skipped on ordering any cocktails because of her lackluster hospitality and just stuck with a soda. I would've been far better off going to any other place on W. Randolph St. First and last time I will go to Alhambra Palace. Sorry!!

    (2)

  • Mike H.

    I visited this restaurant few months ago with my wife and the food was really good and loved the design of the place and the service. We met with the manager Mamoun and ask him to help us with our event in November. Mamoun and his staff were fascistic and they put together a great event for us. The food was excellent and the chef did a great job to present us with a variety of food. Everyone at our event had a great time and enjoyed the food and the entertainment. I highly recommend this restaurant for eating and entertainment.

    (5)

  • Susana D.

    Very slow service. 30mn to get our drinks? The food was below average with prices above average. $27 for a Lamb Kabob and the rice was not cooked properly. In addition, they don't serve tap water, you must pay for the water. Terrible service, 3h to get our food??? Never again!

    (1)

  • Nadia B.

    I have been going to Al Hambra for as long as it's been open, and while I was never happy with the service or the food, I still enjoyed the entertainment. Last night however was different, service was still horrible but the food was great. For the first time, I enjoyed the food there, and I will definitely be going back for more food.

    (5)

  • Vik M.

    Fun place. Great live music. Great Hooka. Look out for the minimum charge of $38 pp. The staff, especially Soundous, will try to pull a fast one and charge you 'extra' before the bill comes. Tell her to bring the bill first then sign the check. If there's a problem, ask for Albert. Have fun!

    (3)

  • My B.

    The restaurant is beautiful and the lamb tagine was good, however they lacked in service. We were there for a total of 4 hrs and it could have easily been cut down to 2 hrs if we could find our waitress. When she finally would come to us it took forever for her to come back each time. Imagine this while listening to the same sort of music - tempo and all - over and over. I wanted to put myself out of my misery but I couldn't because the waitress just didn't want us to pay and wouldn't deliver the check.

    (2)

  • Austin F.

    Walked in here at 6 on a saturday and the place was completely dead. Like maybe a total of 50 people and this place is huge. They tell us that we can't sit in the main room where the show is and seat us in a side room where there is literally only 1 other table. Pretty disappointing but we didn't have a reservation, so I get it. Prices for entrees and drinks are a little high but not too bad. They do have a $38 minimum per person but I don't think its really enforced and more so just used in the event that someone orders a beer and takes up an entire table just to watch the show or something. So we finish our meal at around 7:45pm and the show starts at 8. I walk into the main room and there is still almost no one there yet they still refused to seat us in there to watch the show. Ok I guess its possible that 150 people will show up in the next 15 minutes....so we decide to take advantage of their hookah lounge instead, which also has no one in it. Guess what? We can't sit there either. Overall this place was ridiculously unaccommodating (especially to a group which just spent over $250 on dinner), which I could understand if it was a busy hot-spot but it isn't. Take your reservations a little less seriously next time, especially when you have 40+ open tables and no one in sight.

    (2)

  • Yaser A.

    The worst costumer service ever. We made reservations, but when arrived we had to wait for about 15 minutes to be seated.It took more than 10 minutes for a server to talk to us after we were seated. Our food took so long and when arrived the ordered were messed up. Then, our table on the showroom was not ready, even though we were told a table was being prepared for us as soon as our food served to us.

    (1)

  • Mike M.

    Can we get some service around here??? This place is too loud, the food is average at best and if anyone has seen our waiter, please contact local law enforcement so we can let his family know he's ok... Seriously, I read a bunch of the comments here about poor service and unfortunately will have to agree with them all. I have not seen less service and less check ins from any restaurant I have been to in Chicago. Simple requests, like drinks (even water) took forever. Then, the place is so damn loud, you have to repeat your order 3-4 times in order for you and the server to get on the same page. Keep in mind that the food names are Arab, so you will always have a pronunciation issue to which the loud noise doesn't help... The food overall was ok, nothing blew me or the rest of the group away, would have been a solid 3 stars. The noise and service diffidently take it down a notch.

    (2)

  • Jenny B.

    i been here a lot sometimes the food, drinks and customer service is great , sometime is really bad, so i guess it depends on how busy they are and who is your service. the show in here is always great , amazing live music and beautiful belly dancers.

    (3)

  • Iqra B.

    I've been to Alhambra several times on the weekends, and it's a phenomenal experience with the decorations, music, belly dancing, and overall ambiance. However, my last visit was on a weekday and only then did I realize how overpriced the food was. We paid way *too* much for mediocre food and just meh service. We had to chase the waiter down on numerous occasions and there were only a couple of tables occupied at the time.

    (3)

  • A R.

    This certainly was not a typical Chicago dining experience. Very big. Very showy. Very...Vegas. Very...cheesy. The place is amazing, I will say. Huge ceilings, three floors, balconies and every square inch of the place is covered in Moroccan decor. But it was a bizarre experience overall... Our extremely rude host, without even knowing our name, adamantly arguing with us that we did not have a floor reservation when, in fact, we did. A very Vegas like belly dancing show. (big stage, spot lights, props, tons of makeup, etc) It was okay. A woman taking our photo then trying to sell us a print out with "Alhambra Palace" printed on it. Seriously? As for the food, though, it wasn't bad. We got the hummus and pita, Red Snapper (I got a funky bite of it at one point), the Vegetable Tagine (super good sauce) and the Lamb Shank Tagine. The lamb was pretty good. And farm raised from Wisconsin, so that was good. Needless to say, all four of us agreed...never ever again.

    (2)

  • Alejandro T.

    Meh. I've definitely experienced better. LOL My cousin dragged me here when she was visiting just because her friends wanted her to come. Teenagers don't know better. The entrees are just ok. It's way over priced for what you are getting, and their couscous lacks some flavor. The atmosphere is elegant so maybe that's what you are paying for. Service is okay. I've also had better. If you really want to experience Middle Eastern cuisine I would go to Casbah instead. Not coming back for sure.

    (2)

  • Egorovna B.

    We've had the worst treatment from the waiter in our experience so far. 1 star is too generous. When we ordered few appetizers and drinks, he told us that he will be coming back to take an order for our entrees, while we answered that we won't be ordering any and probably will stick with just the appetizers. He then said that we need to be aware that there is a $35 limit per person, and that we were sitting at the owner's table so we need to make him look good. Waiter's name Robert. When we asked for a check, which was about $60, he told us, while you girls are about $90 under the required amount, I will let you SLIDE by if you leave me a generous tip. We left a regular 20% tip. He picked up the check, and CAME BACK with it. He told us, I don't think you understood me, I told you to leave me a good tip, you haven't done that and you are under $35 limit. We said what do you want us to do? We don't want more food nor are we paying you a higher tip. Then he says can you please leave, the owner wants this table. My friend said that's fine, can you please have the owner come up and talk to us? He immediately replied, can I buy you drinks? At that point we got a manager, told him the situation, he was apologetic but didn't do anything to mitigate the situation, he didn't pull us aside to figure out what happened, he just kept saying sorry, basically didn't care. First, nothing was said to us about the $35 limit at the time we sat down, nor when we came in, nor on the menu, nor anywhere else. If they are asking to pay for the dancing performance they should charge a fixed fee at the door, or even charge extra on the check, but not make their customers feel like they are being cheap by not ordering entrees. Second, we were not 90 under, if 35*3=105 - 60 = 45 under. The waiter was a sexist, rude, and a liar, who was trying to make money on us by treating us like idiots. I believe he needs to be fired, and we shoudln't have paid any tip to him.

    (1)

  • Asif F.

    Been a few times over the last 6 months. Like several reviews have already mentioned, you come here for the entertainment and ambiance not for the food of service. Although depending on what you order, the food is ok but nothing to write home about and very expensive considering the quality. Hooka pipes roll out at 10:30pm, so if smoke bothers you...you want to rethink this venue. The 20% mandatory gratuity is ridiculous. If I think your service is worth it, I'll pay it. But that is my decisions not my waiters. When you make your reservations online, specify that you don't want gratuity added to your bill. If they can't comply, find another venue. They will eventually get the message or they will be out of business.

    (3)

  • I A.

    Crazy decor, I mean they went balls out with the decorations, must have been some serious cash laid out, makes me wonder if this is supposed to loose money. Lots and Lots of seating. Flamenco dancers and guitar player were amazing the belly dancer was ok and had not belly, (whats the point, eat up lady). Went to a birthday party at the place, the food was decent but it didn't knock me over, it was kind of inconsistent, like the typical Arab fare like shish kabobs, kibee, kofta and hummus were very good the tagines were not in fact they need to rename it, just because it comes in a tagine doesnt meen it is one, I suppose they should leave that to Moroccan restaurants... yeah I know most Chicagoans dont know the difference, but the difference is huge . Dessert was unmemorable outsourced type of stuff except for backlava and quite frankly wasnt that great either.

    (2)

  • Helen L.

    Went here to celebrate my fiance's work anniversary. I chose this place because I thought it would be nice to have dinner with live entertainment. The sangrias were probably one of the best I have ever had. We shared two half bottles of red and white sangria. They were fruity but not overly sweet. We started with the lentil soup which was lightly spicy and very tasty. My fiance never tried Middle Eastern/Moroccan food before so this was a new culinary experience for him. The dinners were delicous and came with traditional couscous and fresh vegetables. We also tried the dessert. We had the Baklava which was very good. And also the Creme Carmel which we did not enjoy. It had no flavor. The entertainment was good. The male belly dancers out-did the females. They were truly impressive. You don't normally expect to see male belly dancers but they do exist culturally. I do have one regret about giving the place more stars. Our waitress was rather short with us. I have eaten plenty of Middle Eastern cuisines in my life and she spoke to us like we had no clue. She would disappear for long stretches and never smiled or asked if we needed anything. We usually had to motion to her to come to our table. So that was the only aggravating part of the evening. All in all a very beautifully decorated place. Would love to come with a big group next time.

    (3)

  • Jennifer P.

    Decent food, though not as flavorful as I would have expected. Dancing was fun to watch, but make sure you have a seat that gives you a good view of the dance floor. NOT GOOD FOR GROUPS. We had a group of ~15 and the service was really bad. We should have had 2 waitresses/waiters for a group that size, but we only had 1. Every request had to be made twice, and these were basic requests like a napkin, silverware, drink refills. Appetizers were late and ended up coming at the same time as the entrees. When there were additional servers, they were a little rude. This service did not justify the 20% gratuity that is charged to a large group. I will not go back.

    (1)

  • Kristin V.

    Okay, so I went here with 20 coworkers for a team dinner/outing. The atmosphere is strange (Perhaps just too empty for a weekday)... The decor is great.... The food was decent... The belly dancer was not talented (when I can belly dance better, I am not impressed)... The service was mediocre... The music was fantastic. I am on the fence on this one. Not sure that I would go back, but I had fun people watching.

    (3)

  • Danielle B.

    I went on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday. First, we were seated at around 830 and didn't get any food til around 10. We had around 30 people and we only had one server! i felt bad for the guy, that is a lot to handle. They finally realized to give us more servers but it still didn't help. However, our original server was ok, it still was horrible service. They screwed up 5 drinks but gave us a free bottle of champagne, so that was really nice. They also gave my friend a free drink since he waited so long. When we finally got our food, it was just ok. Nothing exciting. I was really hoping for something more. The steak was rubber and the mussels were rubber. The first set of belly dancers were no good. The real show didn't start til 10 and that was about the best part. The set of second belly dancers were awesome. The singer went around and sang happy birthday to every person in the restaurant. It went on for 15 minutes..that was a little too much. The atmosphere was awesome, the food not so much.

    (1)

  • Cat B.

    I don't even to know where to start... We walked into this over-the-top Vegas-style spot and our "reservation" was not upheld and we waited 15 minutes for our table. No biggie...we could check out the bar...We ordered a couple of drinks (totally over priced) and waited for our table to be ready. When it was we had to wait 5 minutes to get the bartender's attention to close our tab because she was too busy chatting with her back to the customers. We sat down and felt like we were really far apart at the table. Because of the space and the fact that it is really loud in there. The decorations are gaudy. They obviously spent so much money on the decorations that they forgot to focus on what is important in running a restaurant. Here is something to think about...as far as I am concerned, the only place that a waitress should be shadowing another waitress to train them is at a Chili's or an Applebee's. If she needs that much training, she probably shouldn't be hired at a place that charges an average of $25 an entree. The waitress was nice, but didn't even acknowledge the woman following her or bother to introduce her to us. I will say this: The hummus was good. The pita was more like pita chips. The pita tasted like it was stale and to cover it up they baked it in the oven causing it to be more like chips. The waitress suggested the chicken to my boyfriend saying it had "more flavor" than the fillet kabobs, which he was thinking of getting as well. He ordered the chicken and I ordered the trout. Let's start with the good: The trout was a tasty and the couscous was alright. There were no vegetables served with this $25 entree. Then there was the chicken. It was so incredibly dry, the cous cous was dry, and there was NO flavor. I couldn't even believe that they had suggested the dish. Also, on my way back from the bathroom, I had to walk around a tray of food sitting there waiting to be served, but with that many people walking by from using the bathroom, I might not want to eat it once it got to my table. We had to ask, although it felt like begging at times, for our water to be refilled three times. Then twice throughout the meal, loud music blasted for a minute or two and then stopped. Not quite sure whether they were ready to move into club-mode or not, I guess. Overall, there is no way that this place can last. Their priorities as far as service offerings are totally off. I do not recommend this place. It was a total waste of money. I could have found something better at Baba Pita for $5.

    (1)

  • Bateman P.

    From the outside Alhambra looks like a ride at Disney World, and the decor inside solidifies the desire to transform the guest to another country. What country that is I have no clue. They certainly spent some money on the decor. It is lavish, fancy, and from what I understand is authentic. Everything was imported. There are many rooms to the joint and it is huge. The food was ok at best. I'm not sure where the food is supposed to be from, or taste like it is from but I felt it lacked any kick. I shared an appetizer that was ok, and my entree of beef and rice required me to add salt and pepper. It was still delicious however I expected the food to match up to the attention to detail they payed on the decor. It was expensive but compared to all the other restaurants on the Randolph strip they are no worse. I particularly enjoyed the entertainment. The band, as well as belly dancers were top notch. I was a bit loud but I enjoyed it immensely. Once the belly dancer was through the band kept on playing. This attracted people to start dancing on the dance floor. I have never seen so many attractive woman all on one dance floor. Everyone was well dressed, drunk, and having a ball. I'm going to have to go against the grain of all the other yelpers and say A+ to Alhambra. My party did have a minor issue with our reservation and I did "technically" get threatened to be escorted out, but the real managers saved face by not only finding us a great table, but buying our party a bottle of wine and a round of drinks. That is how you run a business. There are security guys that stand around as if the president was in attendance. Not sure what that is all about. Are they looking out for my security from all the hot ladies on the dance floor? Perhaps they are there to protect us all from all the suburbanites that came into the city for a good Sat. night. What ever the reason it is a little over the top, but so is Alhambra Palace. I would recommend checking them out at least once.

    (4)

  • Jack B.

    The venue is nice and the food is great, but the service is terrible....service is what makes/breaks businesses for me!!

    (2)

  • Maria G.

    For as many middle eastern people as their are in Chicago - this place needs to get better pita and fallafel. Plus its way too expensive. I honestly think that they use the frozen kind on me. but in fairness to them I heard the chef quit a week before opening. thats never a good thing. and I think what they need is a new chef to make this beautiful place into a magical place. Its a diamond in the rough. but the food hsa got to improve first. and get rid of all the plastic banners saying now open etc.. its tacky. aslo guests should be issued a hookah at every table!

    (3)

  • Anooj T.

    We went to this place with my in-laws when they were in town visiting a few weeks back. Not at all what we expected. Food was mediocre. Service was horrible. We had a reservation and were told that we couldn't be seated for 30 minutes past the original time. After a short fuss with the hostess we were taken to a table in the back where no one else was seated. The interior of this the place is quite amazing but it does not make up for the service or food. We won't be returning.

    (1)

  • marisa s.

    the PALACE on Randolph. this place is HUGE. we drove by so many times that we finally had to venture inside...for a mid-week dinner. we were pretty casual, but this place was all iced out, gold everywhere, every square inch was covered in some sort of a design (on the floor, on the wall, in the air...well not really). we felt a little too casual for this place, but hey, it's chicago no one dresses up here! our server was pretty friendly and started explaining middle eastern food to us like we were tourists from Alaska and had no idea what was going on. we're from the D, one of the biggest Arab populations in the US inhabit that place...so we know our hummus. it was nice of him to make us feel welcome though. the menu was pricey for middle eastern AND rather small. apparently the menu recently changed and they had some additions like "lamb kidney" hmm...best part of the lamb, hmm, not really. boyf got the lamb schwarma plate that was over $20 and i got the kefka plate that was pushing $20, the food was pretty good, but not worth the $, you could pay a little over $20 in metro Detroit for the same 2 dishes...and we ordered hummus to start which was...smooth but still missing some ingredient. no one can get hummus right here, WTF!!?? it usually falls short and i expect the palace to have great hummus...but instead they had a large entertainment auditorium for belly dancing...(wed, fri, & sat 10pm). we left before it started. this could be an interesting place to take a large group for entertainment or maybe a business guest...but the price is not worth the food...but here's my theory: the food is so expensive in order to pay off the immaculate designed enormous palace!

    (2)

  • Jackie N.

    Somehow they found a way to ruin two simple things: hummus and falafel. Must have lost the recipes in the Taj Mahal of a building they call a restaurant. One star for the opulence.

    (1)

  • John W.

    So I went here 07Sept2010 and let me tell you they do not like white people. The hostess looked as if I was not suppose to be there, when I asked if I could get a table for two she replyed with I guess. Ok, that was the high point of the night, I should have left then but it just went down from there. Upon being seated I was asked if I would like anything to drink by the server, well considering that I did not have a drink menu I don't know that was the last time I saw him. I had to flag down other servers to order food and get refills on my drink. We ordered the Alhambra plater and my guest has a shell fish allergey so we asked not to have the shrimp cooked with the plater, sure enough there the shrimp were when the plate came out there were the shrimp so the food runner just took with his fingers the food off the plate and said fine there you go. Uhhh, no maybe they don't understand that does not solve the problem. Then another server grabs a fork off our table to bring to another table just because I had not yet used that fork. Seriously this place is crazy. I left after that, no reason to stay. DO NOT GO HERE !!!!THEY DO NOT CLEAN UNTENSILS AND ARE COMPLETLY BACKWORDS

    (1)

  • Dusty K.

    I was surprised reading some of the bad reviews on this site. My guess is they went on the wrong night. If you go on a Friday or Saturday when their have live music and dancing it's really hard not to enjoy yourself in the main dining hall. The live music alone is worth a trip here. I wouldn't give this restaurant 5 stars but I had a great time dining here and I will be back for the live music. A group of 7 friends and I had reservations at 8 PM on a Friday night and we had a great time. There was live music, belly dancers, and we even went out to the dance floor and danced to the authentic music with about 40 other people. The food was good, not great but the decor within is one of a kind. I agree with some of the other reviews that you almost feel like your on vacation in vegas. It's truly spectacular looking around the restaurant and that is why I recommend this place to anyone else. But please, please, please go on a Fri/Sat night a little later, 8 PM or so, when they have the live music. Also, I wore jeans and a polo and fit in fine...it's not the type of place where you must dress in your most expensive clothing. This is a great restaurant for groups who want to have some fun on the weekends. The live music can get loud, but that's what we were there for and was glad for it. I had a great time dancing and watching the dancers perform. Alhambra palace is a really fun experience that anyone can enjoy in this city but your bill can add up fast if the wine starts flowing. So be careful!

    (4)

  • Jon A.

    It is hard to rate a place like Alhambra as there are too many different things to consider. I happened upon this restaurant after enjoying the Taste of Randolph festival. Popped in and enjoyed a hookah and a couple of cocktails but never really looked the place over. Their prices were a bit steep, not out of the range of a late night hot spot though. Since then I have visited twice more and it was only the last time that I actually saw the full interior of the place. They have gone to great lengths to provide visually stimulating decorations and the Middle Eastern theme is well represented. We were given a tour by the manager before being seated on a balcony overlooking the main room. I had originally thought that the main room was a nightclub, but now realized it did have a dance floor, but one surrounded by diners. (You must see the floor!). The entertainment was great. It is not often that you are treated to live Middle Eastern music, even though a belly dancer can be found many places. I will say though that the dancer there was definitely a step above the typical belly dancer. It was wild to see people throwing money at her feet. The service was perfect. Our waiter kept a steady flow of cocktails arriving and brought our nibbles without much of a weight. He was very polite and helpful. The food is not of the quality that can wake me up in the middle of the night with a craving, but it was not bad either. Great for a group to snack while enjoying drinks. I have one gripe. I have been there three times and each time I have smoked an apple flavored hookah. They need more flavors, and the tobacco used is not the best of qualities. I respect that they do not advertise themselves as a hookah lounge so I will refrain from deducting points as a result of this single grip. Overall - I like Alhambra and will surely go back. We had a fun night of dancing and socializing. The staff and manager were very professional and polite. It was a little expensive but affordable.

    (3)

  • Sandy D.

    The performance gave this place one star. The food was horrible! If you cant get the chicken kabob right you might as well quit.

    (1)

  • Benjamin O.

    I've read some pretty negative reviews about this place and I just can't understand where that's coming from. The only explanation is that the people serving them were very different from those we encountered this weekend, and that the dinner they were anticipating was based on poor information. We were greeted immediately upon entering, coats checked and table ready. The place is over the top, that's for sure, but that only adds to the experience. The food was really good, and the portions were more than enough for everyone at the table. The entertainment was just that, and let me tell you, the belly dancer was a bit of a show stopper... All in all, the experience (and that's really what this is) was exactly what we wanted, and the hookah at the end of the meal sealed the deal.

    (5)

  • Stuart D.

    Go to chuckecheese instead more entertaining and betteeR food

    (1)

  • Tyler S.

    I'm giving this place three starts for two reasons: 1) They have a fantastic Pomegranate Mojito, 2) Really unique decor. Otherwise I found the place a bit over the top - loud music, and a very enthusiastic bellydancer. I'm sure it's entertaining on a weekend night with a group, but I was just there for drinks with a friend, so it wasn't really designed for that too well. The food appeared a bit overpriced, considering there are plenty of affordable spots for middle eastern food, but I guess part of it is the atmosphere. I'd go back to the bar area for drinks, mostly because I loved that mojito, but it would probably have to be at someone else's suggestion.

    (3)

  • Foodie A.

    Went here before they open for a party. Wow! What a palatial place. Loved the interior design. Mediterranean cuisine. It's a two-story lounge, didn't get to go up the second floor and was admiring it from the first. It has a stage on the first floor where the belly dancers can roam around. This restaurant is not hard to miss especially when it's next to an erotic place.

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    I actually came to the Alhambra Palace for an AKIRA Fashion Show. Afterwards the girls and I were starving and decided to try out the restaurant. The shrimp charmoula is pretty good. The hummus has a weird after taste. It took an long time for our order to come out even though there was only like two other tables eating there. The portion sizes of the entrees are a fairly good size. The four of us girls shared an order of a filet kabob and lamb kabob. The rice that comes with the dishes is extremely flavorful. I think I liked the rice better than the meat! The sauces are a bit strange tasting so my friend asked for A1. We also ordered a dessert but I cannot remember which since it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I had higher hopes for this place since the interior design is so nice. I think it was a good experience to have tried this place but I don't think I'll be going back.

    (3)

  • andrea p.

    We recently had the opportunity to go to Alhambra for a friend's birthday. Her and her family are all Assyrian , so they were extremely excited to go to this middle eastern restaurant. We called 2 weeks ahead of time and called twice to confirm our reservation for a table in the balcony area so we can see the performers. Again, I repeat we called twice to confirm that our table had been reserved. Well, to our surprise we were greated rudely by the hostess and when we mentioned our reservation, she ignored us and seated us at the far right side where a column blocked our view of everything. My friends and I were extremely upset at both of the hostesses for being rude and talking down to us. The one who "greeted us" ignored our reservation and the one who walked us to our table ignored our comment about sitting in the upper area. The least they could do was sympathize and apologize for the incovenience while doing something about it. One of my friends decided to go talk to the front hostess and told her that in the future not to offer reservations if they cant arrange what they promise.instead of apologizing and offering better customer service, she requested that my friend seat herself where they had located us and to order and not waste her time. My other friend who had previously met a manager there went to speak to him (both are Assyrian) and he apologized for the inconvenience and he moved us to our new table, in front of the stage (floor level). He even deicded to make it up to us by offering a cake to the birthday girl and had the Spanish singer sing Happy Birthday. All of this ...for a good night out.. Well after the bad experience we decided to order the Alhambra Platter. The food was okay, but definitely overpriced and the servings were small. We ordered the platter for 4 people and nothing was left but rice. They were extremely stingy with the meat. In the future I would only go for the entertainment, the dancers and music was superb the rest leaves much to be desired. All of that for $160 and no drinks.. No Thank you! I pass,

    (3)

  • Clayton J.

    Ok, so here's the deal with this place: 1. It has one of the most beautiful interior designs of any Chicago restaurant or venue (I've been to quite a few). They have certainly put a lot of money into this restaurant, and have to charge accordingly, so if you don't want to spend a lot of money don't go here. 2. They have an entire stage with live performances while you eat. This is not fucking cheap people!!!! These are skilled performers, and their fees are bundled into the price of your meal. Belly Dancers, singers, and more!! 3. After all this is said, their food is excellent. Yes, it is a little expensive, but it is very very good. I really liked it, and they also gave my friend a free (whole) birthday cake, that was also excellent. 4. There is a dance floor, where a lot of people were dancing and having a good time. This was an added bonus. 5. Yes, there are a lot of rich people here, BECAUSE THIS IS THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, AND THIS IS WHERE ALL THE RICH PEOPLE GO. THERE ARE TONS OF SUPER EXCLUSIVE CLUBS THAT CHARGE WAY TOO MUCH FOR DRINKS AND HAVE TONS OF DOUCHE BAGS WALKING AROUND. I suggest you be aware of this fact before you party in this hood... 6. I really think they hire patrons to come here and party... there were way too many "clubby" looking people here, which led me to believe they were probably hired and given free drinks... but hey, it helped make the club look better, so be it. Go here just once, and see for yourself. If you like it, go here again... and repeat.

    (4)

  • Ron C.

    I'm conflicted about how I feel about Alhambra. The night started off with me ordering a drink from the bar, that never arrived. We then entered the large theater that was empty (This was around 8pm). The waitress was cordial but slow and never around. The drinks and cocktails were horrible. It just tasted like strong alcohol despite all the juices and such. We had the small mezza platter which was good but definitely not worth $50. You get a variety of appetizers, including babaganouj, hummus, grape leaves and hummus, all of which was standard. Then we shared a few main plates. If you decide to get anything at all- get the SEAFOOD TAGINE. To me, it was amazing compared to all the other plates which were good but not superb. The meats in general were well cooked, juicy and never dry. But overall for the amount they charge you (almost $30 per entree) it's defintiely NOT worth it. You could easily get the same quality of food at a simple middle eastern place. The entertainment was quite a draw to the place at first, but wore off quickly and got boring. I think I would probably compare Alhambra to Medieva Times. Worth a visit, but probably not a second. What a shame, I think the space has so much potential.

    (3)

  • Jayme K.

    Two stars for the pretty decor (a bit tacky to some, but it was bearable, esp the bathroom! Really nice), maybe one star for the food, and that's being generous. We took my friend here for her birthday, thinking it would be as elegant and exciting as 190 North made it out to be a couple of Sunday nights ago. The food was terrible! The lamb that 3 of my friends ordered was mushy and extremely greasy. I got the safe dish, Chicken kabobs, and they were reeeeeeally dry and charred. The charring was ok and expected from a kabob, it was the texture that made me need a gallon of water after each bite. The belly dancers didn't seem to want to come to our side of the restaurant--it was a lady's night out for us. Blah, won't go there again, but glad I now know that it was all hype.

    (2)

  • Marlene D.

    This place is ridiculous. My husband and I stumbled across it one Saturday at the Randolph Antiques Market and based solely on the crazy intense exterior, we decided to eat there at some point. Flash forward to last night. We had no idea what to expect when we walked through the front doors (which are solid, so you can't see what is waiting inside) and I don't think we could have imagined the interior. Every inch of that place was smothered in crystal chandeliers and garish wooden carvings. It's a giant restaurant and they have live performances that don't start at the time advertised, which means we were done with dinner and didn't want to wait around to check them out. The food was okay. The lentil soup is super yummy. The bread they serve definitely is not made in house. Overall it's a little pricey for what you get on your plate but I think they are trying to pay for all the over-top design choices they made when building the place. It's worth checking out. I would recommend sticking to the drinks and appetizers. Our waitress was new and recommended that we get the $50 appetizer sampler, which very clearly states on the menu that it is for 4-6 people...not 2. Yeah, we passed on that one.

    (3)

  • ric g.

    i have been here twice for dinner. the first time was pretty weak, but it wasnt until my second experience that i was inspired to write. first dinner. work dinner with 8 clients. dinner $900. not sure, if my waiter spoke english. i requested 3 orders of 4 different apps. could not get this correct despite explaining it a half dozen times. still could not figure it out, and order was incomplete and incorrect). told waiter the fattoush salad was dry. he told me dressing came on the side. i then asked him to point out where the dressing was on the table. he stared at me blankly since there was no dressing on the table. i then requested the dressing be brought out. was never done. i tried to order a beer, it took 3 requests, and 45 minutes. oh, yeah, this was a wednesday night, and the place was barren. the food is decent, and it is a unique place, i went back one more time with my girlfriend. prior to my second dinner, i called and spoke to a manager named bobby. i shared with him my experience. he apologized, told me to ask for him on friday night, when i came in, he would take care of me, and provide me with a $50 credit. of course, when i came in, he was not there. there was no notatation regarding our conversation. our table was literally in a direct spotlight from the stage, my date was blinded. we immediately ordered a falafel. this came 45 minutes late. i then looked at the bill the next day. the waiter double charged me for the app. have a drink, walk around, then leave. they do not want your biz.

    (1)

  • Amanda L.

    Stopped in for a drink and appetizer. The decor is very interesting to say the least. It gave me an idea though - they need to open a Moroccan themed hotel and casino on the Vegas strip. It doesn't really seem to be working here though. Nice wines, the server was very nice but somewhat inept. Now that I've seen it I doubt I will go back.

    (3)

  • A J.

    It's a great atmosphere and the live entertainment makes it interesting, but the food is nothing special.

    (3)

  • joliemariee f.

    I will start by saying my husband and I eat alot of, and love Middle Eastern food, have been to Dubai, UAE and other middle eastern countries and know our way around this cuisine, He is from a middle eastern lineage, so we have high standards for authenticity(lots of his moms homade dishes to compare to). We were with 2 friends visiting from NYC. We all loved our entire dinner. From the great reasonable bottle of wine to mixed drinks to the delicious meal....The food was Delicious and plentiful and prepared authentically (we all had the excellent mixed plates w/lamb, beef, chicken kebabs and keba, the fatoush salad (very inventive display and so fresh, and the hummus - delicious! as well as the pistachio cake - so delicious!). The icing on the cake was the amazing decor & the fantastic live music. It turned a great dinner into a whole night out....everyone in the whole restaurant was down on the floor dancing - all ages and ethnicities smiling and having a great time, the other entertainment - belly dancers, flamenco dancers, band etc.. were all top notch as well. All in all I am have no idea why other reviewers have had such mixed experiences. We had a perfect night out - from our hostess at the door, to the server, to the managers and everything in between...Definitely a great place to go with a group of friends for a night of dining and dancing that transports you right out of Chicago

    (5)

  • Haya D.

    The food isbad the service is bad .. 2013 new yearseve was the worst thanks to disorganized so called palace. We didnt get any drinks or food even after speaking with the manager directly. We had to stand outside for 30 minutes althought we came early and revserved. The staff were rude specially the doorman and the service is below zero. The music and the dancing were aweful. The worst part is that they kicked us out side at the end although it was freezing. And we waited for ourcar foran hour and We i tried to go inside to get some warmth they pushed me saying we Are closed!! A future advice ; never go there even if it was free.

    (1)

  • Mariam S.

    One of my favorite places to be at. The staff is nice which I think is very important at a restaurant. It's kills my appetite if the servers don't seem happy to have you. I have been here quite a couple times. The ambience is great as well. They can however work on the food which is not the best middle eastern food. I have had a lot of middle eastern food and many cheaper places have better food.

    (4)

  • Vanessa C.

    This is my third time to this restaurant/entertainment venue/spectacle/Jerry Kleiner fantasy. I honestly do not know how it stays in business. The interior is beautiful, the entertainment is fun, and the food - while not worth it - is relatively good. The service is...weird. At first, the waiter was all over us - two people, walking in relatively early at 6:30 in a completely empty restaurant. Then after taking our drink order, he disappeared. There were no specials, and no desserts, and generally not much in the way of service. When we were ready for the check, I was not even a third of the way finished with my $27 small chicken kabob (was the hen groomed in Moroccan oil or something?) and planned to take it with me, but the person bussing the table stacked our plates and did not even ask if we wanted our leftovers. Oh well. The mint tea was good.

    (2)

  • Blythe Z.

    Dinner and Show? No, I am not talking dinner and a movie.... it's a show with belly dancers, men with swords, and dancers with hookahs. This place is huge! I could not get over just how large it was - and it's beautifully decorated. You feel like we are in a far away land. The floor show gets increasingly better with time as well - it seems pretty apparent there are A and B team acts. It also gets very loud - so if you are planning on great conversation this may not be the place for you. We were seated for dinner at 8:00 and the show started shortly after. It was def. a different experience, for me once was enough. The food - was good, but not the best I have had when it comes to middle eastern dishes. We ordered a couple combo platters so we could all try a little of each, and I think that was a good idea. This would be a good place to take guests out of town that are looking for something different. Towards the end of the evening the Hookahs come out and almost every table had one. I don't smoke, and being pregnant - this was my cue to leave. I know others really really enjoy smoking... so I can see the appeal for them here. Also, Parking may be hard so I suggest valet.

    (2)

  • Takia W.

    Let me start of by saying this place is very beautifully appointed. The tile and art work lighting and plush seats made the ambiance worth 5 stars. It would be a wonderful place for an event provided you get the food and service elsewhere. When we looked the restaurant up it was listed as an Indian restaurant with Middle Eastern and Moroccan as well. My friend picked it because I am on a vegetarian diet and usually when we eat at Indian restaurants there is such a wide range of vegetarian food to choose form without sacrificing flavor. When the server arrived we asked her what the restaurant's selection of naan was. She did not know what naan was. This should have warned me but we already had reservations and there was supposed to be belly dancers (didn't happen). I chose a vegetable tagine because well that was the vegetarian choice provided I didn't wan't to forage on salad and appetizers. When eating at Middle Eastern restaurants I have seen so many beautiful and functional types of dishware. Here it was standard white dishware. My vegetables had been grilled and then had Ragu poured over them and some cheese (perhaps I have been using my tagine and simmer sauces improperly all this time. Masala what is this Masala you speak of). The Mutable was okay but the pita was subpar dry grocery store grade and the pistachio gelato bland with redi-whip as an accompaniment. Perhaps I have been spoiled by places like India House and Fatoush but since the menu prices were right on level with India House I would have at least expected a little more effort than cafeteria grade food.

    (2)

  • Keney C.

    I've heard so many great things about this place so I was so excited to go! I went on a Saturday night at about 10pm. We had made reservations and although we were really late, it was no problem. The place is so big and they have lots of tables and chairs available. It was packed when my husband and I went. Here's an overview of our experience. PROS: 1. We waited in the bar area for just a few minutes until we were seated. 2. Seating on the balcony was awesome, especially since we were on the outer space and not in near the wall. The view was amazing. 3. Belly dancers/performances/live music and dancing was AMAZING! Since it was our first time there, we didn't dance but it's a must do for next time! 4. Hookah served after 10 and was not disappointing! 5. Food is good - not amazing but not terrible. 6. Good location - near Harpo Studios near some bars and clubs. CONS: 1. Service was poor. Although our waitress was very sweet and helpful, she barely came around. We were there for about 2 hours and we only saw her twice. 2. Kitchen was backed up and it took nearly an hour for our food to come. 3. Reservation system was a bit sketchy as they didn't ask for a name or any information. It's pretty much first come first serve so essentially, a reservation is not needed. 4. Prices are a bit overpriced for the quality. Although the experience was great, paying so much for poor service and average food doesn't quite make sense. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place. If you want pure entertainment with arabic music and belly dancers, mixed with middle eastern cuisine and hookah, this is the place to be. My recommendation would be to not be in a hurry when going there as it does take quite some time for service and/or food to arrive. Be patient and enjoy the atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Diana S.

    I've been to Alhambra a few times now- Friday nights it's totally dead- Saturdays on the other hand- crazy. The belly dancer- Soraya is fantastic, she always puts on a great show! I believe she is on stage at 9 (or 10?) and again at 1(30ish). The hookah and food aren't awesome, stuff is quite over priced but you are paying for the entertainment factor. Security is on point, the place is run very professionally and it is absolutely a good time- every time. Keep in mind Friday and Saturday night- $35 minimum per person. So dinner and a drink/ 3 drinks/ or hookah and a drink per person.

    (2)

  • Saba K.

    Will be going here today for my birthday with family. I have heard some good reviews for this place. My brother had his bachelor party here on a Saturday night as well! Good Arab food, awesome interior....

    (4)

  • Rob R.

    I was here for a work event, and had an awesome time. The balcony seating was great, the food was very good, and the drinks were very strong. Got kind of loud and the entertainment started off a little weak but then got a lot better.

    (4)

  • Sarah A.

    I really loved this place! Great atmosphere, entertainment and a friendly staff. I took my parents here on a Saturday night and we had dinner and show. What I really liked was that the staff didn't rush us at all. We spent over 2 hours enjoying our meal and drinks and the show and I really like that they let us take our time and were also very attentive as well. The atmosphere of grandeur of this place is amazing. The details throughout, the fountain, the colorful lamps and warm walls - every little thing adds to an incredible space. The food was great, I had the beef shwarma and really enjoyed it. I also had a cocktail, Belvedere Sunset - which was really yummy. Their gelato (which is different than traditional) was very delicious. My favorite thing was the belly-dancing. I was expecting just a couple dancers, but there was an entire show of like 15 or so (including a couple guys). We were seated upstairs and had a great view of the stage. I didn't really think too much about the minimum per person for the weekend nights due to the show, but I don't see it as a problem. To see a dance or improv show on a Friday or Saturday night at minmum is going to cost you $10-$15 anyways, so I can understand the need for a minimum. They have to pay the performers and the show is worth it. Overall, great entertainment, ambiance and food!

    (5)

  • Suzie D.

    hmm, I haven't been here in a while but let me recap from past experiences... pros and cons based on 2010-2011: Pros: 1. Decent entertainment, if you're into the extravagant belly dancers doing fancy tricks such as balancing on the back of tall glasses. 2. Ok food, but i've had better at Rezza's. 3. The decor is mind-boggling. Truly fits the "palace" profile. But Prince Ali of Babua always gets the VIP treatment of course. 4. Options for hookah, at least last time i was there. 5. Good location...in a more secluded area of downtown by UIC...not as hectic as the more northern part of downtown. Cons: 1. Parking, parking oh yeah parking. Hard to find and no valet options. 2. Food is a hit or miss. Depends what you order. The meat can be dry. 3. Prices are outrageous for food and drinks. 4. They rip you off for parties. Saying you MUST pay a min. of 25 per person and if you aren't eating...get outta heeeya. So if you get bored here, check out Greek Town and Little Italy. Cheers.

    (3)

  • Zarahi M.

    One of the best and finest places on Chicago. Amassing food, entertainments and environment.

    (5)

  • Pavel Z.

    The best place to chill and bring girl for first date. They have nice Arabian nights show with belly dance etc. also they have every tuesday cha cha cha, marimba and salsa dances there. Great cocktails and hookahs. Love it!!!

    (4)

  • Browny B.

    Pros Nice Style Cons The food wasn't that bad but not worth the trip. Prices are Over. Food serving wasn't in a professional order. Don't expect anyone to thank you on your way out. Disappointed Not recommended

    (2)

  • Bree N.

    My experience with Alhambra Palace was THE WORST. My boyfriend had a friend in town and we wanted to do something fun and new. We made a reservation for three people about three days prior to Friday night, so as to secure a spot in the main dining room with the dancers, hookah, and dinner. When we got there, the line was crazy, and we were very happy we decided to make a reservation. A hostess led us to the elevator and just said, "go upstairs" and left us. We went upstairs and there was no one there. We wandered around, and then an associate got mad at us because we were "in a private party room" and they needed to set up for it. We explained we had a reservation and no one was assisting us. He said "go through those big doors." LIke, OKAY, how should I have known that? We went to the dining room and the host took us to the very back, a cocktail table, and said "here you go." We said..."NO, we will not sit here, we have a reservation for a TABLE." they wandered around and finally we ended up in another cocktail table. They assured us that they would let us know when a table opened up. This angered me a lot because, what is the point of making a reservation with an expensive restaurant if you're just going to sit us at the bar? They never found us a table. We ended up joining a group of girls at their table - very awkward. Very unprofessional. By the time we asked for some hookah, they said they had none. What? You took our reservation for dinner and hookah and you don't have either for us? IT was ridiculous. The waiter was nice, the food was great, but the service was terrible. We spent close to $250 and I did not think the service reflected that. I will never be back, and I won't recommend it.

    (1)

  • Brady R.

    Meh... I've experienced better is right! Maybe it was just an off-night and the crowd in the back demanded too much of everyone's time, but the service and quality of the food, didn't meet expectations. No on the radar for going back anytime too soon...

    (2)

  • Rana G.

    My family and I have been to this restaurant many times and the food was delicious, but the last time went the service was so l bad we never want to go again.

    (2)

  • Angie E.

    Had to re-review this place because I had a MUCH better dining experience this time!! Last time I guess what I ordered wasn't good, this time we ordered the mix grill platter and I was impressed. Maybe because my expectations were so low, but the food was fantastic. And we ordered the potatoes appetizer, very good. Shisha was excellent too. Would come again! Good job!

    (4)

  • Karla A.

    Arrived for dinner reservations at 7:15 pm on Saturday evening and the place was empty. By 8:15 the large dining area was packed with large groups and buzzing with energy. The venue is amazing. The entertainment was mesmerizing. The food was barely edible. I ordered the paella which was gummy and tasted heavily of cinnamon, if that wasn't bad enough, the seafood was drenched in a tomato based sauce and poured on top of the rice. I have eaten paella in Spain and in other restaurants here in the US and what they served up was not Paella...I left as hungry as when I arrived. My husband ordered the Lamb Kebobs prepared medium and they were over cooked. Our two sons ordered the Tandoori Chicken. The chicken was served in a large flour tortilla taco bowl type vessel with a large mound of that cinnamon rice on top of the chicken breast... yes on top...with large pieces of celery and carrots placed on top of the rice. It looked awful. Big is not always better. This was just a whole lot of bad food heaped on a plate. And the final bill??? Swallow this...$261.00. This place is outrageously overpriced for the quality of food. We did have cocktails and a few small appetizers...the young lady that was our server was very busy but managed to attend to our needs in a timely manner. Will never go back to Alhambra. Next time we will get some good Indian carry out and watch Aladdin on the Disney Channel. What a disappointment! I am giving this restaurant 1 star based on the really bad food.

    (1)

  • Derek C.

    came here for a party and this place definitely ruined the night. we started the night sitting at the bar since we were waiting for some friends to arrive for dinner. The bartender was nice and attentive and we had some decent drinks there. next we sat for dinner and it took about 30 min before the waiter would take our orders. he didn't even stop to give specials or ask if we needed more drinks (since we brought a few from the bar). it was a pre-fixed menu that night so we ordered off of that. it took 30 min for the first course to get to us, and we were starving by that point. the salad we got was bland and I did not enjoy it at all. we then got our next course 30 min after that, which was our appetizer. which was actually kind of tasty, but it came out cold. probably would have been pretty decent if it was hot. Our waiter wasn't around very much and I went to speak to the manager and he said that he would take care of us from then on since it had already been an hour and we hadn't gotten our main course yet. we then got our main course 30 min after that again... and it was definitely nothing special and I dare say it was bland as well, for something that should have had spice and kick to it. so we finally finish our meal and the waiter is again no where to be found, so we ended up waiting again for him to bring us the check. and oh, since we had 8 people, the gratuity was automatically charged. I was furious, especially with the terrible service we got. luckily we had good company with us so it made the time much less brutal, but this was a time I was definitely considering walking out on the check. all in all, the food was meh, the service was terrible, and the price for it all was definitely not worth it. my friends didn't want to walk out since they didn't want to ruin the night, but I think Alhambra definitely did that for us. I will definitely let others know to AVOID this place.

    (1)

  • Sonia L.

    Last Friday my husband and I went to Alhambra for a friends birthday. I am really confused by the very negative and mediochre reviews. This is not just a restaurant it is and experience+a dinner+ a show like youve never seen (well most have never seen.... live anyway) The $38 minimum is really not bad if you consider that you are 1. entering the closest thing to a Middle Eastern palace this side of the Mississippi. 2. You will also get great service- very helpful and accomodating. 3. a Middle Eastern dinner (great options by the way from falafil to filet mignon!) 4. And last but most important the lovely entertainment! The dancers were mesmerizing, the music, some live music was great and they interacted with the audience well. It was really a fun experience. We ordered the hummus- yummy-hard to mess up as well as the scallop appetizer--delish. For the main course we had the platter for two---could have been the platter for 3 maybe even four. Chicken schwarma, beef kabob, chicken kabob, kefta and what usually disappoints me but was quite impressive...very good rice! And they garnished it with an orchid....an ORCHID! It was quite a presentation and not bad for such a big busy place. This is a must do in Chicago--break free of your hot dogs and pizza for a night my friends!

    (4)

  • Jaclyn S.

    Wow! What an amazing experience I had at this place. If you're looking to do something at night out of the norm, I would come here. The food is great, and healthy. The entertainment is like no other. They have belly dancers and live music playing throughout your dinner. You can even order a hookah for your table and smoke it right there at your table. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to try something new.

    (5)

  • Joulie S.

    I have came here many times, great place to be for my birthday last year and many events afterwards. The entertainment is outstanding with the belly-dancers and multiple singers. I enjoy their atmosphere with good friends. The hookah is always enjoyable, with some cocktails. I don't like that parking is limited and we have to valet. I really hope they improve their service, they are a bit slow. When a place is that packed, make sure you have enough staff to accommodate the tables.

    (4)

  • Emilia T.

    I have been going to that place for the last 4 years, have seen all the changes they are trying to make for all this time. I honestly like the atmosphere a lot and the shows. The place look fabulous inside, the menu is good, even thought the menu used to be much larger. Ad since I am a pescetarian, I miss seafood tagine (haven't seen it in the menu last time). If they had more seafood, they would definitely get a 5 star review from me.

    (4)

  • Erick N.

    Alhambra has a somewhat unique (at least for Chicago) ambiance as you walk in; it apparently is an old theater converted to a restaurant and has the vibe of a Las Vegas strip hotel venue. The set up is pretty cool, but unfortunately the meal, service and overall experience are subpar and disappointing. The menu is uninspiring and the food is priced just a smidgen below what some fine dining venues charge. While the food is not bad, it is certainly nothing more than mediocre at best, yet most entrees run $22 and up. Interestingly the appetizers are far more reasonably priced; the Falafel was actually pretty good. The wine list is poor and, as with the food, woefully overpriced.Nothing priced $10 or under per glass is anything better than a glass of Two Buck Chuck. At the least the pour was a decent sized pour, but both wines I tried were rather vinegary. Shockingly Alhambra was rather packed, so they must be doing something right, though it was a Friday night. The entertainment consisted of some rather scary looking belly dancers (i.e. envision a husky, heavily tattooed man with lots of facial hair dressed up in a belly dancing costume waving a scarf around (and kicking up dust from the floor with the scarf) a few feet from your table. Not exactly what most people envision when they think of a belly dancer. At least it was somewhat amusing to watch, though more in the manner of watching a train wreck. The worst part was my ears are still ringing two hours later from the ridiculously loud background music and blaring bass; it was my first time in a restaurant where I wished I had ear plugs with me. Forget trying to converse with your tablemates while the music is playing. The service was not horrible, but was poor. The server asked a couple people in our party if they wanted drinks and when they said no, he automatically assumed nobody wanted a drink and walked away. After ordering appetizers he took the menu away, which was odd. While he was not overtly rude, he generally seemed disinterested. This is neither a venue I will be returning to nor that I would recommend. Walking in I was expecting far more from Alhambra than was delivered based on the ambiance and price point, but the experience fell flat.

    (2)

  • David F.

    In Summary: - Terrible Service - couldn't get the time of day from our waitress, Kristen - Great environment - good music, lively dance floor - Decent food - but expensive - $35 minimum per person during free entertainment - Hookah @10pm My friend is a belly dancer here on weekends, so myself and 3 friends went to watch her. There's a $35 minimum per person when there's free entertainment. Hitting a $140 minimum for the 4 of us wasn't really a concern... except between only seeing our waitress, Kristen, once every 30 minutes, and having to repeat our orders that she had forgotten, we were concerned that we wouldn't even be able to order enough in during the time we were there! At 10pm they start serving hookah, which was great, once we were able to place the order and it arrived (30 minutes...), but it took forever to find someone to change our coals when they went out (possibly because we couldn't ask our waitress since she was MIA). After asking for our check twice, it finally showed up 20 minutes later, and I took it to the bar to pay since we just wanted to leave and didn't have time to wait another 20 minutes for Kristen to appear again, but it turns out she's the only one who can close us out, so we waited at the bar while they summoned her, then stood around for another 20 minutes while we waited for her to return. In the end I had a great time, but the lack of service really ruined the experience as a whole for me.

    (2)

  • Christina M.

    We went for dinner and show on a Friday night. Our waiter seemed utterly confused about the duties of a waiter throughout the entire meal. After being seated for about 40 minutes, we asked if we could finally order drinks. He said yes, but then walked away for a few minutes, so we needed to remind him again that we wanted to order a drink. When we finally ordered food, it took an unusually long amount of time for such cold and bland food to arrive. I'm pretty sure my "paella" dish was just boxed rice with canned tomato juice on top. It was so bad that I couldn't eat more than a few bites. Out waiter disappeared yet again so we asked another server if she could mention to him that we'd like to order dessert to celebrate our friend's birthday. She relayed the message to him and he came back and asked the entire table, spoiling the surprise, "you guys wanted to order a dessert for someone's birthday?" Luckily she didn't hear him and we whispered to him that we'd like to order a dessert. However, instead of placing the order, he stood by to watch the show. We reminded him about twenty minutes later that we were still waiting for the dessert and he said "okay, so would you like it now or at midnight?" We were so confused; it was nine pm. Why would we want to wait until midnight?! I was more confused than anything about the meal. Can't say that I'd EVER recommend this place, even though the belly dancing show was decent.

    (1)

  • M R.

    This place really big and beautiful but the food is average at best. The service is also not so great. From the servers to the hosts, expect to be met with attitudes.

    (2)

  • Ashley M.

    Finally went back with a group of six and saw the show. Now THIS is why you should come to Alhambra! The dancers were fantastic--especially the big man, he was very entertaining. They did that Gangham dance, hilarious. BTW there is a $35 per person minimum the night we went. Our waiter was swamped and was a bit too pushy. After order drinks he said "there is a $35 minimum, you'll need to order more than that". Dude. Step back, I can read a menu. I ordered the penne alfredo and was asked "chicken or shrimp" instead of asking if I wanted chicken or shrimp. Don't try to upsell me Mr!! He really irked me but that didn't stop anyone from having a great time. The pasta was great but according to the reactions on everyone's faces, I don't think they enjoyed their meal as much as I did. Oh well, go for the ambiance, stay for the dancing.

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    A lot of hype about this place from people who recommended it to me. But unfortunately, I did not experience that, nor did the 11 people from my table. The decor and place itself is very grand, and does give you a "wow" factor when you walk in. However, the ambiance was ruined once people started smoking cigarettes INSIDE and right at their tables. How can you try to enjoy your food when someone is puffing smoke towards you?? But then the food, for what it's priced, did not meet the expectations. A star for the entertainment though. The belly dancers and the female singer that Saturday night were amazing and very talented. The music was uncomfortably loud! Don't expect to have conversations with friends here. The whole time I was conversing with them through texting!!!! I thought it was interesting that there were some bachelorette parties going on. Funny how the belly dancers pulled these bride-to-be ladies out in the center dance floor for their moment in the lime light. Props to them for being brave, attempting the dance moves, and having fun like no one is watching! I only hope that my future bachelorette party will not take place here.

    (1)

  • S K.

    The place is great for large groups and a fun night out. However, the service is not the best. If you are going to go, be sure to make reservations for large groups at least a week in advance. If you are making reservations for 2-4 people, a few days in advance. They can book up pretty quickly. And they tend to mess up reservations quite often, as well. It also would not hurt to call and confirm. For entertainment I give them five stars. I have been here so many times I have lost count. My friends and I absolutely love the atmosphere. If you are not into clubbing but want to be around loud music and dance, this place is perfect. The thing that keeps me coming back is the entertainment!!! Food is a-ok, I have had much better Mediterranean food at Pita Inn. Service at front desk sucks, they have messed up reservations for us several times, and can be very rude, but waiter service is decent. If you are going to go, go when they have entertainment, I believe that is Thur, Fri, Sat nights . Be sure to make reservations 30 min before the entertainment begins, you do not want to miss any of it..

    (4)

  • Mair A.

    I was very excited to finally check this place out, but unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. We had 8:30 reservations for a Friday. When we got there, we were seated right away, but in a small upstairs room, so I totally missed out on seeing the amazing decor of the palace. FOOD I am a vegetarian who loves Arabic food and was excited to try a lot of the dishes from their menu. However, the night we were there they were "trying something new" so we were given a menu of 5 entrees to choose from and an appetizer plate to split for $39.95/ person. This is a rip off because if I ordered the same appetizer and entree from the regular menu it would be $10 cheaper. Plus, it limited the choices so we did not have the entire menu to choose from. I ordered the vegetable tagine and it was awful- no flavor whatsoever- it was basically steamed vegetables in marinara sauce. (It also has melted cheese on top which was not in the menu description). Also, I am pretty sure steamed broccoli and asparagus are not considered ethnic Arabic food. We were also charged for refills on pop, fyi. For the dinner and 2 drinks our bill was $100. SERVICE Our waiter was ok- not the most attentive- had to ask for water several times before he finally refilled it. He did not do a very good job of explaining the menu or making us feel comfortable, even though he knew it was our first time there. He did not seem to be too excited to be working there. SHOW I would not have minded the mediocre service and disgusting overpriced food if the show was good. But the show was probably the worst disappointment of the night. We were told it would start at 8:15, but it did not start until 9. It was about 5 belly dancers ( a little older and out of shape than what you would expect) that were not very good. The music was too loud for conversation, so you had nothing to do but watch the show, which was awful. It was very awkward- felt a little bit like we were at a cheap strip club. The only part that was good was the soundtrack. FINAL TIPS If you decide to go, make sure you are seated in the main room. I have no idea why we were in the smaller room upstairs with the terrible show. Ask your waiter to explain exactly how the dishes are prepared if you are unsure. With an appetizer to share, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, tip, and valet, the night cost us $140. A bit pricy for a crappy dinner and awkward night.

    (1)

  • Allie A.

    Severely lackluster service. we went with a large group and the waiter couldn't figure out how to split the bill. Food is okay we've had better and we had to wait forever. Belly dancers are amazing the musical performances are the only redeeming factor here. Great place to be amused if you are lax about your time and food. Loud weekend crowd

    (2)

  • Laura T.

    This place is a tourist trap. The cocktails at the bar were ok, but when we ordered a second round at the table, they were sugary sweet. The paella was poorly prepared. It tasted like overcooked, dry rice with tomato sauce and the seafood in it was overcooked and so fishy, i couldn't eat most of it. The mussels were particularly bad. They gave us a sampler plate of desserts that were dry, hard and had way too much honey and sugar in them - definitely not made fresh. The music was so loud my group of four had to yell to converse and still could barely hear each other. The food was over priced and there was a mandatory 20% tip. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Gus D.

    I came here on a Thursday evening to see a special Flamenco show that was taking place in the back room. The place itself has a nice decor, the Alhambra ballroom is beautiful, however for some reason that evening the sound system had some glitches in it. The show which is independent from the restaurant was very powerful and nicely put on. They do charge a 10.00 per person cover charge to enter. Ok now for the bad. The server was friendly however she must have been very busy we only saw her a total of 3 times. I think we saw more of the bus person. We ordered the Ahlambra special which was 56.00 plus tax and here is the good part they automatically add 20% gratuity without warning you. I can see if I was a party of 5 or more but there were only two of us! When I asked the server why this did this, her answer was because it was a special event. Really??? You charged me a cover charge for this special event. the dish itself was ok nothing really special. The Rice was not fresh, the beef kabob was over cooked and the only good thing was the chicken and the beef (and that is questionable). Would I go back? For food no! The show maybe and I think that the management team should let it be known they are adding the gratuity automatically! The service really did not warrant the 20 % this might explain why the service lacked why go out of my way if I am guaranteed a tip?

    (2)

  • Minhaj L.

    Umm Where do i start? one of the worst experience of my life. Their service was horrible. we had reservation for 12 ppl but we still had to wait for over one hour, after that they put us on the corner. they took eternity to come get our order. Food quantity was not that i hoped for. Avoid it..

    (1)

  • Sam N.

    CAN U SAY THIS PLACE IS HUGE? The Lamb Kabob is awesome. It looks like a morrocan palace if you would take a trip there... I have found the staff very attentive

    (5)

  • Bobbi K.

    I decided to have my birthday party at Alhambra Palace on a Friday night considering they do a "dinner and a show" package and it seemed to be something different aside from the usual club scene. As soon as I arrived the hostess offered to put my cupcakes in the cooler so the frosting would stay in tact through out the night. I set up in a VIP room (similar to a Sky box) and immediately managers and staff helped moved tables to accommodate the way I wanted the area set up. As each guest arrived, no one could get over how beautiful the venue was. The belly dancers were extremely entertaining and it was something that no one was used to seeing, VERY cool experience. We ordered food and drinks which came quickly. The waiter was helpful in suggesting which drinks would be best. The hummus appetizer is addicting! You've been warned! As a band played we all decided to make our way down the stairs to dance. Although it wasn't music we were used to dancing to, everyone was having a great time and there was an upbeat rhythm so it didn't matter. We smoked strawberry flavored hookah (excellent) and moved to a table on the floor so we could get an even closer look at the belly dancers. The bill was reasonable considering the quality of the food and entertainment value. Everyone told me that they weren't sure what to expect when they got the invite because it was something new, but had a complete BLAST. All in all we ended up staying a total of six hours and had a wonderful time. I would recommend checking this place out, especially if you are considering having a celebration here.

    (5)

  • Jane K.

    This place is BEAUTIFUL!!! From the outside-in this place is decorated. The entertainment was interested, I like how they kept you interested with different belly dancers and singers. The food was okay.. I expected a little more but it was not bad. I would defiantly come back for another birthday =)

    (3)

  • Kymberly J.

    This place made me feel like I was in Vegas. I kept looking for the slot machines. I was super impressed with this restaurant. It stood out as we were walking down Randolph trying to figure out where to eat. We went in for a beer and decided to stay after looking at the delicious menu. The food was excellent. The portions were huge and everything was fresh. For an appetizer we had baba ganoush (did I spell that right?) and some lemony potato goodness. I had the Shwarma and my friend has the chicken tangine - super! For dessert we shared the chocolate ganache cheesecake which I fell in love with. As we were seated our waiter informed us that the manager could take us on a tour when we finished our meal. Oh-boy did I want to check out the rest of the place. The only room of the 24,000 square foot restaurant was the banquet room because there was a party going on. I would have loved to crash that party. On the tour we learned that the owner took 3 years to decorate and remodel the place before he opened. hmmm.....who does that? Anyway I thought it was very cool of the manager to give us a tour. I definitely want to go back for the Flamenco dancing show and the belly dancing show!

    (4)

  • Surreal E.

    Feta was on the menu, but apparently they don't serve it. We wound up getting it anyway--stale or off, just terrible. No labneh on the mezze plate. The tzatziki salad was bad. Felafel was ok, but there are lots of hole in the wall places in Chicago that are far superior. Kibbeh was greasy. Eggplant was good and the Jerusalem Salad was tasteless. Hummus was ok. I would have not written any review had I eaten this in a hole in a wall but considering how much we paid I couldn't help myself. When we said it was disappointing they were kind enough to provide us with three little desserts--which were odd store bought things with no culinary connection to the region. Still they are to be commended for trying. On the other hand, if you are really drunk, then the décor is really fun kitsch.

    (1)

  • Zain K.

    As Matt K pointed out, it all depends on what you're coming here for. We came for dinner and salsa dancing on a Tuesday night, and my 4* rating is effectively an average of the 3* I would give Alhambra as a restaurant and the 5* I'd give it as a dance venue. Dinner: We had the lentil soup, cucumber and tomato salad, lamb tagine, and seafood martini (this was basically a few items of seafood in a martini glass). The soup and salad were simple and good, the tagine was just okay, and the seafood was boring and overpriced at $12. Overall, the meal wasn't bad, but I've had better Moroccan food elsewhere. Also, we ordered glasses of sangria, and they were pretty small and otherwise unimpressive. Dancing: Alhambra is beautiful, and makes for a lovely place to dance. Many people in the know say that Tuesday night here is Chicago's best dance night, and I can see why The floor is excellent and spacious and the music is solid. I didn't find the dancers to be as friendly and open to newcomers as they as in most places, but it could've just been an off night that way.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    So my friend was having his birthday dinner here and I read some of the reviews before going-and I was seriously worried....but it all ended up being for no reason! I thought Alhambra Palace was a great place to go for a different type of atmosphere than your standard restaurant plus the added bonus of live entertainment! Alhambra is great for big groups (we had about 20 in ours) but they also have quaint tables for 2. They have a pretty big bar that greets you when you first walk in and they do NOT mess around with their wine pours-filled to the top every time, such a nice change from the tiny overpriced glasses I've had other places. The food was also really good-I am by no means a Middle Eastern food expert, but I'm no amateur either and everything we had was very good. Our table got some hummus and falafel as appetizers and my boyfriend and I split the Filet Kabob for dinner. All were very good, no complaints whatsoever. The entertainment was, well, entertaining....a little salsa dancing followed by some belly dancing really made our night here more of an experience than just a meal. If I had guests in from out of town I would definitely consider Alhambra Palace for a little out of the ordinary entertainment.

    (4)

  • Sallie H.

    Great entertainment, that's about it!!! Slow service and room temperature food. We wait probably half an hour for our food expecting it to be HOT and it wasn't. No one ever checked on us either to see how our food was. Don't think I will be back.

    (3)

  • Jade M.

    Alhambra is great for hooka, drinks, lounging, and their shows. However their food sucks, and their service matches it. Very slow, had to keep asking for water refills, and if their staff wasn't so slow we would have ordered triple the amount of drinks. I would come back to watch a show and smoke some hookah. I would advise against this place if you are on a time constraint or are hungry.

    (3)

  • Dr S.

    Best place to hit if you are craving some real Arabic atmosphere and great food! Feels like an Oasis in the middle of Chicago! Loved it!

    (5)

  • Anabella J.

    We had a blast at this place.we made a reservations and were running late like 25 min even called them to let them know and they kept our table for us.gave us the best table in the place,right where action was.we ordered the appetizer plate with different kinds of apt thinking we should start with that.it was very tasty.ended up ordering another one and we were full.ordered a couple of drinks as well.then we read on the menu that on fridays and saturdays the minimum should be $38 per person.they forgot to mention that when i made a reservation.no big deal we were group of 6.but we had a problem ordering more because we were full.we tried our best to order as much as we can to get to our price minimum.for us it was cheap and we couldn't eat more.then we decided to get hookah which was the best so far i have ever tried and i visited Turkey one summer.We didn't even bother asking them about the $38.i am sure they would understand if we didn't make a cut,but we decided to spent more and have fun.we went there at 9 and we ended staying until 2 but only planned to eat watch some show and leave.dancers were crazy good and it was really hard to leave before the end.their culture is amazing in every possible way.the place is like a palace.its big enough for weddings.if you have never been i would recommend trying it.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    It was the first NYE with my wife and because it was our first one we thought this place was going to be great since it had live entertainment and salsa dancing. We get there at 830pm and the hostess tells us to go upstairs to the second floor and talk to someone there to find our seats. We get up there and no one is in sight to help us. We had to reach out to the bartender who then talked to a waitress who bitched the whole time and got a table with a decent view. We order and both the appetizers and dinner shows up at the same time. We were fine with this since service was slow and craptacular. So we ate dinner which was good, that's why it gets one star. The entertainment was okay, mostly just the same dancers over and over. The whole time our waitress came to our table she bitched about why no one else was waiting on us and she should have help. 11pm came and we decided to go to the salsa room. I had to show the security guy my ticket on my phone (the stupid hostess took it) and after five min of explaining things he let us in. I attempted to order a drink and the bartender told me I needed a wristband to order. I then talked to the security guard and he had no idea what I was talking about. I went back and just said give me my drink here is the cash. The drink was terrible, the guy was using a cell phone in order to make the drinks. Not a very good bartender. I had to find the manager again to get our champagne since we left our table (which was now occupied) the server forgot about us. 12am came and we drank our champagne, we saw them giving party favors in the other room where we ate dinner. I tried to find the manager again and no luck. After an hour I saw our waitress and told her how we didn't get any. She bitched and never returned. I told another waitress and she gave us some crappy ones. All in all this was the worst NYE ever. We ended up fighting because of this shitty place. Do not go here if you value your relationship with your loved one. Only bring your enemies here. Seriously!

    (1)

  • Samson L.

    This place is off the hook! Great food, good service maybe a little this organized but it's crazy busy so it was ok. Any real bad reviews on the food must be from people not used to eating anything but American food. The dancing and music was awesome! It's like going to a middle eastern club with food. Oh! And the "view" wow beautiful people everywhere and of all colors love it! The only horrible thing about this place is the crazy ass super over priced alcoholic drinks!! Oh my highway robbery! Wtf! It's a good thing their hookah was within a good price and worth the money that things goes and goes and damn nocks your sucks off. Go go go but drink just a little get the hookah and all is good. The day they chill out on their drink prices everybody would give this place 5 stars trust me.

    (4)

  • Rebecca L.

    Appetizers on 11-30-12 Heading to an event later that night and found out food options would be limited, we walked down Randolph and decided to get apps somewhere quick. When we walked in it was pretty dead but it was also 6:30pm so getting quick food seemed entirely possible. We sat at the bar and endured someones first day. She didn't understand why we wanted menus, took way too long to give us glasses of water and did not know how to input orders. We specifically ordered items that did not require cooking or much prep time and we explained we were a little pressed for time so we would appreciate our check with the food. EPIC FAIL. Food took 20+ minutes and did not come with the check. We actually never saw the check because we kept asking for it and not getting it. (Mind you we were at the bar about 5 feet away from the register) We just did some quick math and ended up tipping people we would rather have not tipped because we couldn't wait for change. The food itself was good but given the simplicity of our order and the fact that there were literally 3 employees to every person in the restaurant at the time, its pretty unforgivable. Never again, Alhambra.

    (1)

  • STELLA L.

    So I've been here a good amount of times every time for a birthday , and every time same thing happens the wait staff doesn't really know what's goin on we go to the bar to get our drinks be cause it takes over 10 minutes to get them a cocktail or soda what ever it is ..... When food comes out they come to the table just yelling what they have and if you hear it's yours they give it to you . They need to be more organized in that manner . I love this place and concept be hind it all but the staff needs to be well trained and more aware of their tables they have . They were so bad it's kinda sad the guy we had was all over the place every-time we asked for anything he looked confused . Everything does take a while because they want you to enjoy the show but I gotta say the show itself too is cheesy they have Asian belly dancers and these white grills dancing older women as a matter a fact . They should change it up a little maybe find some people who look more middle eastern like the one girl who goes on for he main show she's great but the others are just ok . And the food is a little too pricey I gotta say .

    (3)

  • Tiffany D.

    A friend and I came here and was SOOO excited to try this place out. The decor was amazing but that is where the compliments stop. The service was TERRIBLE, and the food was even worse. The fish dish that my friend ordered tasted like it was purchased a week prior and hadn't been refrigerated. When she complained, the server took the meal away (that had BARELY been touched) and presented us with the bill. To our astonishment the meal that she didn't eat WAS STILL ON THE BILL. He told us that his manager told him to keep the meal there and that it was the policy of the restaurant. When we asked to speak to the manager, miraculously the meal was removed from our bill without the manager even coming to talk to us. The only thing that I can say that I enjoyed was the Hummus. Unfortunately I wont enjoy it again, because I will never come back.

    (1)

  • Dodge S.

    Note to self: be sure to call ahead of time to confirm reservations, and if you want to see the live music and belly dancers change the time of your reservation so you arrive then they are scheduled to perform. Came here for a birthday dinner and loved it. Took a cab to the restaurant, and as soon as you walked inside, you are overwhelmed with the beauty and ornate detail from the tile work to sculptures and statues, to the priceless rugs hanging on the wall near your table. We tried to get seats for the floor show but because we changed our time the only seats available were on the second level looking down. And that was fine! We had a great time. And so did the two large wedding parties. Later we figured out there was a third wedding party in a private ballroom around the corner on the upper level. All night I was trying to put my finger on what Alhambra reminded me of; then it finally clicked, it really reminded me of Las Vegas. Seriously. It was a professional atmosphere, the wait staff was coordinated with walkie talkies, the bathrooms had an attendant, and the live music was unbelievable, topped only by the strength of the belly dancers. The soothing color scheme, night club lighting effects, and ancient Spanish artifacts all work together to transport you to another time and place for a night you won't forget. For my birthday we ordered grape leaves, the Alhambra salad which was huge, beef kabobs, and I think another item called Dahl. It was great paired with two oversized martini specials, one was called the Grand Luxury Palace but I cannot remember the other one. For dessert we actually passed and asked for the check, but the waitress brought us a sampler of baklavah with a single candle to make a wish. Just perfect.

    (5)

  • Kourtney M.

    Food and a show? This place was definitely a winner when I chose it to take the boyfriend out for his birthday. We had two appetizers that were amazing and the platter (main course) is a must have. Make sure that you make a reservation in advance and tell them where you prefer to sit (main floor with all the action).

    (4)

  • Jane c.

    Dancers were incredible. SUCH A BLAST. musicians were fun too & the venue is a middle-eastern delight. The food was good. not great, good. Kinda stingy with the pita (one little basket with 8 halves for a table of 12)....I am sorry to say the service was abysmal. Our waiter 'Mila' had to be flagged down after 25 minutes to begin our drink order. then only brought 1/2 the table. Flagged down again to complete 1st drink order & had to catch him on the fly to order appetizers. Food came out hot & fresh but plates were NEVER cleared, we were there from 7:45 till 12:00. We had to flag down for 2nd drink order & again to order hookahs. (i dont drink, but my guests would have at least 3 if the server would have bothered to ask.) funny part was when I moved one of the glass hookahs to be closer to my friend. The waiter was visibly annoyed. He rushed over then! I swear he would have smacked me with a ruler if he had one ;-) I'd go back......the entertainment ROCKS and it was a very fun night

    (3)

  • John B.

    This place lost about 800 people's coats on NYE for a party and didn't compensate anyone for it. This aligns pretty well with all of the previous comments about the shady employees and scam tactics.

    (1)

  • Diana O.

    Nice decor, good ambiance and people are upbeat but definitely the WORST service ever. Took ages to get my food, drinks even water!! Food was bland and dry. Definitely not worth the money.

    (1)

  • M G.

    I came here on a friday night for my birthday dinner a few months ago and had a blast with my friends. It was my first time at Alhambra and everyone there was helpful. I liked the food and entertainment a lot. My friends and I even got up to dance on the main floor. We all had a good time and enjoyed the food. The hookah wasnt overly priced either even tho the other dishes were kinda pricey. They also brought out a mini tray with desserts with a candle for my bday. The only reason why im giving it 4 stars is because it was pricey and the outside does not match the inside. Also, they tried charging us almost $10 to enter the club located above the restaurant which had salsa music playing that night. My friends and I were told it was free to enter since we had a receipt to prove we ate at Alhambra but the people at the door denied the offer. There were hardly any people (maybe 15 tops) there dancing so it seems like a joke.

    (4)

  • Katarina X.

    It's a party! Belly Dancers! Fan Dancers! Fire Dancers! Sword Dancers! Salsa Dancers! And I don't have to dance! YES- you read that correctly- I get to sit, stuff my face, enjoy another glass of wine and enjoy the show! Speaking of food- try the Spicy Hummus! Yes, they have spicy food here. Real Spicy. And it isn't that faux "spicy" some places serve- I come from Texas where spicy means habaneros, jalapenos... fire... this Hummus is spicy and good! My Boyfriend is always trying to get me to dance, meanwhile I memorized all the lines to Frank Sinatra's "I Don't Dance" and am greatly amused by any distraction where I don't have to sing all the lines! Leave it to the professionals- I was mesmerized by the dancers- guys, girls- all talented and so much fun to watch! Boyfriend loved the spicy hummus as well and the baba ganoush especially. He forgot to ask me to dance. All in all, awesome. The decor is lavish, over-the-top and makes you feel good to dress up and get out. The staff was attentive, cheerful and not at all invasive- they were even nice when I mispronounced everything (I made the effort!)

    (4)

  • Stef M.

    Went here again to celebrate a special birthday with a group. I got to try more the of menu, everything was awesome, and a big thumbs up to the belly dancing. This made the guest of honor feel very special! Stepping in here is quite the unique experience. And you get free entertainment with dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, so why not?

    (4)

  • Erika G.

    I went here a couple of Thursdays ago after the Najat Aatabou concert at Millennium Park. I'd gotten the hookup via my mad WHPK cred to go to the after party, and see the fabulously talented Najat sing some more! What a powerhouse! Included in the ticket ($60 for everyone else, FREE for me!) was a pretty lavish buffet of middle eastern goodies and salads. If this is representative of their standard fare, I have to say I was impressed - the food was VERY good. The interior . . . yaa laa teeeef! I want to live here. Other reviewers have rightfully noted that this restaurant is named after the fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The style of this gorgeous Moorish palace is pretty well represented - I'd call this an "homage to". The many private rooms, the over the top decor, the lavish balcony lounges. It really made this sassy odalisque want to recline on a couple of poufs, clap for the harem boys to bring tea and a nargila and then summon my Sultan! The decor is pretty beautiful, if a little over the top. It combines Moroccan painted wood ceilings, Syrian style furniture and a few Ayssyrian touches - big stone lions on the stage. This is a great place to see live music, and the dance floor is GIANT. It's pricey, though. See and be seen. Dress up and bring dollars!

    (4)

  • MARIA O.

    Review for Tuesday night Latin dancing: Wow, the moves I have seen on the dance floor here are enviable. F'en B to the girls that shake like that! I have Alhambra written in on my calendar for Latin dancing on Tuesday nights. This is where the best of the best show up to sweat their tails off. It is refreshing to know that there is a culture of Latin dancers out there that simply get together to have fun, dance, mix & mingle and share each others company. No worries about drama like you would have when you go out during the weekend. Everyone is so cool and respectful. No one competes, no one causes problems, so much fun. Not to worry friends, sooner, rather than later, I too will be one of those chicks getting swept across the dance floor. Haha!

    (5)

  • Lyndsay M.

    I visited this restaurant for dinner and Swing Dancing. Interesting deco and dimly lit. Comfortable seating. I could see it's a good atmosphere for a date night. (If you are not in a hurry.) I had the Lobster Tail plate and my friend had the Salmon. Both were pretty good, but not worth the $$$ they priced them as. Plus our waiter was extremely slow for being such a dead Wednesday night. He would leave us to figure out our order or get our drinks, but we wouldn't see him again for about 15-20 minutes each time! We arrived at 7. Our plates finally arrived at about 8:30. As we were not in a hurry, this is the least of my worries tonight. I opened a tab at the back bar. The night progressed and I continued to drink. I don't normally open tabs at bars, so of course I leave before retrieving my card by accident. So naturally I call back the instant I remember. I was greeted by a man with an accent and was reassured they would hold my card until I can make it back to pick it up 2 days later. It was Saturday morning that I realized my card had about 6 fraudulent charges on it. I called the bank and handled it. So either way, I say dishonest employees are running the restaurant. I'll probably be back for swing dancing, but I'll never trust the staff again.

    (2)

  • Michele M.

    I'll be brief because this place doesn't deserve the full use of my brain. I have NEVER personally been discriminated against because I'm black. I guess I should say I HAD NEVER been discriminated against. That all changed at Alhambra. I witnessed black people being turned away and I personally had additional charges hand written on my check...the check that was eventually thrown at me. I will NEVER step foot in this place again. Never. If I'm not good enough to eat somewhere and be treated with respect, then the place is not good enough for my money. Side note. The food wasn't great either.

    (1)

  • Anuj S.

    I've been here a few times and we really enjoy going there. The ambiance is great. Really impressive decor which actually looks like a palace from the inside. It's a lot bigger than you would think. Food-wise, the vegetarian options are decent and affordable. You definitely have to go on a Friday or Saturday night. That's when it's most lively and has some entertainment. Actually, the belly dancers are kind of out of shape. That could be greatly improved. But overall, I just give this place high ratings due to the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Celeste H.

    Oh my lord. Came here with a group. Seated immediately, but drinks were pressured (we were a no-alcohol event, and didn't really appreciate that). Ordering took about 45 minutes, the food was fairly prompt, the waiter messed up our coffee order (three coffees after dinner. they brought two. and then two more. i don't even know.) and took about an hour to bring the check after we asked for it. The food wasn't worth what we paid - flavorless and the meat was tough. the belly dancing was nice, but a bit strange with the spanish folk dancing that was an hour before.

    (1)

  • Eric Q.

    Food is good albeit overpriced, but the show was fantastic. Great atmosphere and entertainment.

    (4)

  • Myrem D.

    Came here as a guest of the city and I wasn't expecting anything big, except that I was really craving middle eastern cuisine. The place is in an industrial area and parking is a bit ways. There's a tent outside covering the entrance, making you feel like your entering some important chancellors house. Its very loud and in your face. The inside was screaming just as much as the outside was. With heavy curtains at every corner, rugs,pillows all playing well into the middle eastern feel. The main dining room is a circle with the stage facing the end of the room. All around the corner is a balcony step up with more private booths. The chairs are NOT comfortable in the least bit. You would think with that many pillows, comfort wouldn't be a question. Oh , was it ever. I was either sinking or slanting in some corners. Finally I just grabbed some pillows from the neighbouring booth and eventually got comfortable. Still, the back is hard and extremely stiff to sit on. Ughh. The service wasn't bad. The drinks came almost right away. The hummus was very delicious but they skimp on the bread. The beef shawarma plate wasn't the best but the presentation was impressive.The portions are large so you will be stuffed. There is a show that is put on most evenings with belly dancers and such. This particular evening there was a band of Spanish singers and dancers. Which was excitingly new for a middle eastern place. Slowly people started to dance in the centre and the belly dancer would do the standard routine of dancing around the venue to get audience participation. wouldn't totally danced with her but she didn't bother coming to me. My breathe probs stank. After than the lights dimmed again and people resumed to socialise and/or enjoy the music in the background. I didn't get to visit to bathrooms and didn't even get a glimpse of the bill. Over all, it's not a bad place to bring out of towners but no sense of hyping this place up. It's really not THAT great unless your just looking to stuff yourself while you watch a show. xoxo M.

    (3)

  • Hina Q.

    First off, HALAL food. Secondly, the atmosphere is amazing and grande. The decorations are very beautifully done. It definitely gives off the Middle-Eastern feel. I didn't get a chance to sit in the balcony each time that I went. The first couple of times, we sat in the higher sitting area next to the wall. The next few times we sat on the floor. There are salsa/mediterranean dance shows happening through out the night. It's very entertaining. One time we did a birthday party there with a group of 10 people and the waitresses along with the manager treated us very well. The live band came up to our table and sang to the birthday person. The live dancers also did the same. The food is not as authentic as Middle-Eastern food but still very tasty. I had the chicken stuffed the first time and it was tasty but a bit dry. The second and third times I had the beef strips and it was good. It didn't seem as cooked thoroughly as it should be but had the taste. The hummus is very good here. The kibbeh were also very tasty. Overall, I had a good experience every time that I visited them. I admit that they are slightly overpriced but when you see the portions of the food, you will understand. Plus, the live band and dancers also make it entertaining.

    (3)

  • Victoria D.

    I had a magnificent time at my cousin's birthday dinner. The band was really good and the dancers definitely had some skill. The appetizers such as the hummus and baba ghanouj were a little pricey for what they were, but my Chilean sea bass was cooked perfectly. I would definitely come back for some more hookah and good times.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    Food-wise this place isn't anything special. We started with the Baba Ghanoush and the Grilled Sea Scallops. I realized that I do not like Baba Ghanoush but glad I tried something new. The Sea Scallops were pretty tasty. For the main course I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass. This meal was the definition of mediocre which was pretty disappointing. All-in-all the food is not worth the high price you'll pay but Alhambra is more about the experience. The show was pretty cool, but something I wouldn't need to experience more than once. If you're interested in the show I would recommend giving this place a try for something different, but if you're looking for a good meal I would recommend you to search elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Janet E.

    So based on the reviews it looks like people really liked this restaurant or really hated it. I didnt really like it, but didnt really hate it either. We had a group of 20 with reservations at 7pm on a Friday night. There are three floors to this restaurant with the main floor being the Alhambra room. The ENTIRE floor in the Alhambra room was empty except for our group. So where do they sit us? In the very corner where you barely see the stage. Minus one star. My BIGGEST complaint was their Restaurant Week Prix Fixe promotion. THEY DO NOT OFFER THE RESTAURANT WEEK MENU IN THE ALHAMBRA ROOM (where the music and entertainment is held). What the ?!?!. WHY NOT?? Instead, they only offer the restaurant week menu in the Babylonian room, where there is no music, no dancing, no life. Minus half star. Now onto the entertainment. The entertainment was supposed to start at 8pm. We chose not do the restaurant week menu so that we could see this "show". 8pm. No show. 8:10pm. No show. 8:20pm No show. 8:35pm, finally some dancing. Nothing too spectacular but it was better than nothing. Of course, I couldnt really see too much being seated in the corner of the restaurant behind the pole which was behind the fake palm tree stump. Minus half star. The food was ok. I ordered the eggplant. It was like eggplant parmigiana with rice. The pita bread was delicious and the olives were good. Everyone around me ordered something different and it all looked delicious. I didnt really hear any complaints so it was probably good. There is limited street parking in the area but the restaurant offers valet service. Overall an ok experience. Be prepared to drop some $$$ because this place is not cheap. Sultan Market is still my favorite.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    Food: Awful and overpriced Service: Awful Atmosphere: Like nothing I have ever seen before. In a good way. It gets two stars for the wow factor inside. Entertainment: Great if you like fat guys belly dancing.

    (2)

  • Peter K.

    I love middle eastern / Mediterranean food! This is one of my favorite spots to go. A little pricey but you are paying for the ambiance and the show. Food is great and it makes for a fun night out with a group of friends

    (5)

  • A M.

    Good food , nice entertainment, and a great atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Dolly K.

    Beautiful place but the food just is not good.

    (2)

  • Neline S.

    I met up with a friend for dinner and when she suggested this place, I was pretty excited about Middle Eastern food. So when we drove up to this opulent, palatial place, I went WHOA. We went inside after a near slip and fall miss in front of the doors and we were seated immediately. I took a sneak peak of the online menu so I had an idea of what I wanted. I usually opt for lamb dishes but this time the Beef Swarma won me over. According to the menu's description, the beef swarma is marinated in the chef's secret recipe served with seasonal vegetables and Alhambra's rice. Based on that, I was salivating since I was expecting a savory, juicy dish with basmati rice. (Never assume). The plate was opulent since the helpings could have been split between two people. However, after the first helping of the Alhambra rice and the beef, I was sorely disappointed on how bland the dish was. The beef was cold and I didn't taste any of the spices usually served with it. Furthermore, I truly, enjoy basmati rice but no seasonings were added as well. The vegetable serving consisted of two measly grilled carrot sticks. (I think this was all I remembered). The wine list was also disappointing since most of them came from California. Nothing wrong with California wines but I prefer a cabernet sauvingon from Italy. They did have a Barolo bottle but my friend wasn't willing to split a $55 bottle. I have to admit though, the drinks and dessert that I ordered made up for the sub par meal. I ordered a Lebanese Blond which consisted of absolut citron vodka, cointreau, sweet and sour, and fresh lemon juice with a sugar rim. It was mixed to perfection and ideally not one liquor overwhelmed the other. I also had a chocolate mouse pyramid served with whip cream and two strawberries on the side. It was a tiny dessert for $8 but the chocolate mousse sweetness was not overwhelming as well. It was great to catch up with an old friend over dinner, drinks and dessert. However, the next visit, I would just recommend drinks and dessert.

    (2)

  • Mary H.

    HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. Not sure if that word was written enough to describe the service and my dissatisfaction with this place. Went here for a late night party and checked our coats. I have never seen worse service. We checked our coats and once we went to get them (30 minutes later), there was a 1 hour wait. After we get to the front, give our tickets, the one completely unable attendant that was there states that our coats are gone. Apart from the coats, the management has no clue about quality customer service. They avoided the insanity of the night and had no apologies for those that were present.

    (1)

  • Eric D.

    On Dec 22, 2010 I took my wife here for her birthday with friends; it was our first time and last. The service was terrible it took us almost 2 hours to get our food and we had to ask for everything including water and when we asked for water it took at least 15 min to get that. I should have read the reviews 1st

    (1)

  • Jacob J.

    Drinks on a weeknight are spiced up with the choice of Alhambra, that is sitting inside. Having an outside seating area is great when there is some kind of view, which they lack. $9 dollars for a Disaronno cocktail served in a Collins glass is out-fucking-rageous any night. This drink paired with the hummus which I found average, I was not looking forward to dinner so I left. Some reviews point out the over extravagance of the decor as being gaudy, showy or cheesy? The story I was told within; was that a sheik came over to the states with a crap load of moola and ideas to make someplace amazing to a Chicagoan. It's like a Middle eastern Cheesecake factory. As a nightclub I wonder how awesome it could be swaying to melodious Arabian beats, smoking hookah and hooking up with some exotic lovely in one of their decked out private washrooms. Yeah I said it, the washroom, it wasn't as bright as the photo suggests on this weeknight, with the usage of a candle light like bulb, it gave that appearance of any washroom found abroad at a cozy little restaurant. I really dug the decor and hope to be back for a special event so I can see it in a different light.

    (2)

  • iddells E.

    The only time I would dine at a place like this would be if someone took me out to dinner or if I receive a gift certificate because it IS an expensive restaurant. I went here last weekend based on the latter and I thought that it was such a beautiful place. Alhambra Palace is so elaborately decorated and the space is huge! We had reservations on a Saturday night at 7:30 since the plan was to watch the Flamenco dancing at 8. It didn't start until 9 when we were done with our meals, but we stuck around to watch some of it....it was pretty cool. Service was very attentive; the waitress would occasionally stop by at our table or a busboy would be a few feet away. The food was good, not amazing. I ordered the Alhambra Grill, which had beef, chicken, and seafood kabobs on a bed of cous-cous. I liked the selection of meat and seafood; however, it was not too tasty. It was a huge serving, though, and lasted me another 2 days! My fiance's filet mignon was more flavorful. In conclusion, I enjoyed by time here, but I don't think I'll be coming back, unless I get another gift certificate. Also, if you want to impress people, this would be a good place to go.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Q.

    I took my family here for Christmas and everyone was impressed! Beautiful and ornate restaurant with a really unique vibe -you feel like you are in another country! There is a show -half Flamenco (in Spanish) and then Belly Dancing and singing in Arabic. Later, the dance floor opens up and everyone dances! Food was very good. Highly recommend it for a special evening out that you will remember!

    (4)

  • Tracy B.

    I was nervous about this place because of the mixed reviews but really wanted to take my friend for some yummy Middle-Eastern food and belly dancing for his birthday. This place is incredible, decorated with such ornate detail it takes you away to another world upon entering. I had requested a table with a good view of the show and was not disappointed. We were seated along the railing of the second floor balcony and although the place is cavernous our table for two felt intimate and romantic. The show was great and the dancing was highly entertaining but the music was a little too loud which made hearing one another speak very difficult. The food was tasty, and there was so much! My complaint, and it's a big one because they hit one of my biggest pet peeves: they brought all the food at once, appetizer, salad, and entrée. Terrible! I like my special occasion meals (actually most meals) to be leisurely food experiences not a giant buffet of everything at once. It drives me crazy when I am hardly finished with my salad and they bring out the main course, in this case they brought it all out together. If I go back in the future, I will be sure to order each course one at a time. Other than that, I can't complain about the meal itself. We started with hummus and dolmeh, shared a salad and some potato dish with garlic aioli, and then each ordered lamb kabobs. The stand outs were the salad with super-fresh veggies, the garlic aioli potatoes with the... well, garlic aioli, and the lamb. I wouldn't recommend the dolmeh, they were a little mushy. In the end, my lamb kabobs were done as requested and the meat was flavorful and tender - and that's all that really matters to me.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    My friends and I decided to try Alhambra during Restaurant Week. We had a 3-course dinner for $32. I wouldn't necessarily give the food five stars. It wasn't bad, but I did feel that it lacked flavor. I also had a MaiTai from the bar which I thought was very weak. I loved the decor, ambience, and entertainment. We went on Friday night which has Flamenco dancers at 8pm and a belly dancer around 10:30pm. I believe there's also salsa dancing afterwards, but we didn't stay for that. All-in-all I paid approximately $65 for the evening (for my meal, drink, & valet parking) which would have been much more on a normal night. I didn't particularly mind because I felt like I was paying for the entertainment as well. However, I'm not sure that I'm willing to pay much more than that unless the food and drinks improve. I won't necessarily return for the food, but I will for the atmosphere and entertainment.

    (3)

  • Shradha A.

    Went here last spring for the first time with some out-of-town friends (yeah, I just forgot to write my review then). But then went back last summer when my parents were visiting. We're vegetarian so can't speak much for the other dishes, which appears to me less-than-good/clean from all the other Yelpers' reviews, but at least their baba ghanoush, dolmeh, hummus and falafel were fresh (back in 2008 at least) and I went back a second time after the first good experience. The place is HUGE and the decor is lovely, service is a little slow though, but their live music/entertainment was fun!

    (3)

  • MyChau N.

    Went here with a group on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Would not come back...the food was underwhelming and the service sucks. No refills on our drinks and waiter never came back. I guess that what you get when going to a restaurant that seats 1000. However, the atmosphere was nice: great belly dancing show at 8:30pm and it is beautifully decorated on the inside. However, it was so dark that i was afraid to eat my meal since I couldn't see it! Had to use my iPhone as a light for my food. My husband and I had: Beef Shwarma: Dry and salty. Not worth the money. Seafood Tagine: Moist, but skimpy on the seafood and okay tasting. Tasted a friend's fallafel and it was dry and horrible. Tasted a friend's lamb and it was fatty (blech). Overall, great show but you are paying for the "free" show with overpriced, yucky food. Would recommend Andalous in Lakeview area for better Moroccan food!

    (2)

  • Bill C.

    My fiance and I just had our wedding ceremony and reception here last weekend. We knew in advance that this would be a great location to have a ceremony and reception for the many out of town guests we had that were staying downtown, but we even underestimated how perfect it turned out to be. Tyler - the Event Manager - helped us put on a flawless wedding. He was personally invested in all the details, spending time going over everything to make sure it all went well, made good suggestions, staying there during the evening to be sure everything was done well and smoothly. He just showed a lot of professionalism, responsiveness, and experience with putting on events such as this. There were many times he went above and beyond what he needed to do - besides just being a really good guy. We had our ceremony in the small downstairs dining room (about 110 people) that just had this golden glow during the ceremony with all the beautiful decorations already in that room. For the reception, all the food was very good; the staff were great (from the wait staff to the bartenders to the random people who said hello); everything was managed very well - nothing was late and all went according to the timing we asked for. When we did need to make changes, it was done very quickly and smoothly. We knew the Alhambra Palace would be a great place to hold a wedding but after the actual event it was even more obvious - everything is so self-contained in the second floor room where we had the reception - large bar, bathrooms right there, the stage/lighting/sound equipment, furniture layout, kitchen close enough to get the food out quickly, and of course the beautiful artwork, tile mosaics, and light fixtures everywhere you looked.

    (5)

  • Ammy F.

    Great restaurant Turkish. Building outside inside is absolutely hi end . Very very unique place. Hard to describe. Just going to check it out. On the weekend they have a live live dancers. A lot of fun

    (4)

  • Caroline A.

    This is not my scene at all, but I went to a birthday party here with several of my middle eastern friends and we made a fun night out of it. I would not recommend Alhambra Palace for a date or business dinner. It is VERY loud... Most of the patrons on Saturday night are part of the Chicago Middle Eastern community. My friends indicated that the singers were very authentic as well as the food (it was actually really good). The belly dancer was fantastic... gosh, if I could move my hips that like!! The food - we just got a round of appetizers/small plates including hummus, babaganoush, falafel, dolma, grilled shrimp, goat cheese, tabbouleh and a yogurt cheese dip. All of it was VERY good. I really could have just eaten the pita with hummus and yogurt dip all night. The service here was great. I was in a group of 15, and everything was taken care of. The hostess wasn't that bright, which was frustrating, but we ultimately got what we wanted. Don't plan on having any meaningful conversation here. You will be screaming over each other and nodding/smiling as if you knew what your friend was saying. I was here for another girlfriend's birthday, but our server brought me a little cheesecake slice for my own. Very sweet. I don't think I'd come back without the friends I was with. Although I want to try their hookah pipes...

    (3)

  • Khadijah L.

    Tuesday night is Salsa Night! (and Friday nights) By far Tuesday night Salsa at the Alhambra is THE best salsa event of the week. First of all the space is beautiful and huuge. Live bands depending on the season, is also another huge hit with this place. This is the night where the best dancers in Chicago come out to bust a move on the dance floor. Can be intimidating, but wow, fun to watch! There is so much energy in here especially for a Tuesday night, you would not believe it. Tip: parking is scarce between 10.30pm-12am Cover is $10 or $15 for live band night. Get on the guestlist for 1/2 off before 9pm. *** Friday night salsa is upstairs in the other room. It's ok. Still lots of people but I prefer the main room dance floor.

    (5)

  • Geoff P.

    Overall, a loud, raucous dance club with really bad food. The appetizers were generally OK, but under-spiced and uninteresting, overall. I made the mistake of ordering the beef schwarma and it was literally just a pile of hacked up, dried out beef served with a huge pile of rice and five sad looking pieces of overcooked veggies on top. Others in my group had somewhat better luck with their food, but the overall consensus was that the prices were far too high for the quality of the food provided. I might go back to sit in the bar and watch the dancers, but I would not go back for the food.

    (1)

  • Maram K.

    My family took me here for my birthday. It was later in the evening on weekday and more or less empty. It was nice since we had a big group and had a great time with loud conversation. Service was attentive and kind. Waiter had a way of inconspicuously refilling water without us knowing. Food was large in portions and delicious. Their kabobs were delicious, especially the Monte Carlo that included seafood. Their shawerma was incredibly well-seasoned and the falafel was authentic, like it is in the middle east. They lost 1 star from me because I think it is a bit more expensive than necessary. It was a great experience.

    (4)

  • Trudy T.

    Great ambiance hands down!! I love the falafels!

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Really cool atmosphere/decor inside, but the food isn't very good. My filet kabob was ordered cooked medium, it came to the table nearly well done and burnt on the outside. The hummus was good though.

    (2)

  • Omar S.

    Amazed at the volume of positive reviews. My experience was nothing less than miserable. Let's start with our waiter. Poor guy could not keep track of our table's orders and brought dishes in and out asking if this is what we ordered. 4 attempts and an hour later, finally received my undercooked, dry meal. Let's not get started on beverages or how appetizers came out with our entrees. Definitely overrated and not worth the expense.

    (1)

  • Dee C.

    The biggest reason I am a fan of this place is SALSA TUESDAYS! I love love love salsa Tuesdays. I have done been there for salsa three times and hoping to go again next month. I just went again for the third time a couple weeks ago and it was great. There are always guys that will come up to you to dance so you don't even have to go with a guy which is the best part. I always go with my girlfriends and have a blast. If you come early they have salsa lessons. Make sure you are on the list so you only pay $5 to get in. I usually stay til 1 am since I have such a long drive, but I would love to stay the entire time. Parking is easy to find since I know the area really well. If you go down a couple blocks, there is lots of free parking around the harpo studio area. Drinks are pretty expensive. Thanks goodness I had You swoop so I paid 25 bucks for 50 dollars worth of drinks. That was great. I still have one more of those left so I definitely will be going back. If you actually go to the restaurant, the food is meh and not worth the high price. I was never a fan of middle eastern food, but this was not all that great to begin with. The decorations are really extravagant and really suits the name of the place. Overall: great salsa on Tuesdays cover is only $5 for a whole night of fun very nice place parking is pretty easy cons: drinks are expensive food is pretty terrible service for drinks is ok (most ppl don't drink here since prices are high)

    (4)

  • Shannon B.

    Service: SLOW, so SLOW! I thought this place would be awesome, I went to see a friend preform here and that was amazing, but the service was not up to par. My friends and waited for our food for over an hour. I really don't blame the servers, I blame the management. I feel bad for the servers, the management yells at them and doesn't seem to help with the problem. I would never go here again. I do have to say this place is beautiful and "should" be a great place to go for a special occasion, but that just will not happen with me. BEWARE! they add on 20% for tip automatically our table was only a table of five. I would have never tip that much for the service we received.

    (1)

  • Karen C.

    Keep in mind this is NOT my kind of food. I went, I tried, I didn't like. The floor show is a riot...at first. However, after a while all the music starts to sound the same and it gets SUPER loud. It also took a good 30 minutes to get our check. FAIL Overall, it was fun for my friends birthday, but I wouldn't so much go back.

    (3)

  • Johnathan H.

    Came here for Salsa dancing on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party. Atmosphere was pretty cool and all the salsa dancers were very friendly. I would definitely come back to dance (or even just people watch). I would probably avoid drinks though as they have some of the worst bartenders (took almost 10 minutes to get 1 drink with very few people at the bar) and worst drinks I've ever had. At $12 a pop, drinks should be well made and delicious. They managed to disappoint on both counts. Stick to beer or a glass of wine and you should be okay.

    (3)

  • Vivian M.

    awesome! Food isn't that special, but performance is great!

    (5)

  • Elle M.

    Went here with a group of ladies for fun, food, and dancing last Saturday night. Believe me, I do not say this lightly, but this was the ABSOLUTE worst service I have EVER experienced. The waitress was openly hostile and rude, the food was disgusting. For example, I ordered the filet of salmon, what came out of the kitchen was a preformed cube of overcooked minced salmon that they charged me $23 for! Highlights would include the entertainment, the belly dancers were fun to watch, and the dancing was fairly enjoyable. Less pleasant was listening to the singer sing "Happy Birthday" at least a dozen times. Also, when I went to use the restroom, I walked in on one of the MALE cooks using the WOMEN'S restroom who had "accidentally" left the door unlocked. In short, I will NEVER, EVER come back here again. The service was just insulting, we waited at least 45 minutes to get the check, AFTER I asked for it twice. We asked to speak to a manager, but one was never sent over. If you would like to give this place a try even after reading this review, I recommend dropping the $11/pop for a couple call drinks and (I think) the $25 for a hookah and just watch the dancers.

    (1)

  • M. D.

    The service sucks, the food is okay and it's overpriced but I had the time of my life! I went on a Saturday night with friends and enjoyed the live entertainment and dancing. We danced so much and laughed it was just a great time! I can't wait to go back but it will have to be for a special occasion!

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    Yayyyyy!!! Finally, water served when you order food! Also, wine in a glass glass, I feel so adult. See you at Salsa Tuesday!

    (4)

  • Fumi A.

    I love this place. I went here for my aunts retirement party. The prices are high so be expected to spend some money but I think its great for a date or like group outing. So they have Middle Eastern food. My only complaint is that I didn't like my food that much but then again I wasn't sure what I ordered. The chicken I ordered was delicious but everything else wasn't as great but it was something I don't normally eat so maybe to some it will taste different. But they have very strong drinks. My drink was basically pure alcohol (good thing). Also, if you go on a Friday or Saturday they have live entertainment. Like belly dancing and bands. I think the belly dancing is fun for the whole family because they bring people up from the audience to dance. The music and entertainment was great. Also, after 10 pm they have hookah. So I think it is really cool you can hookah at your table after you eat. Not many places in Chicago like that. And its only 25 dollars for the hookah so that's great if you have a large party. And also there is a 35 dollar food/drink minimum on Fridays and Saturdays so be expecting to spend at least that and up. But I think this is a great place to come. The restaurant has beautiful décor and its a huge place. So I recommend to come here for drinks and maybe appetizers and to hookah. Also, I heard the chicken kaboob was delicious

    (4)

  • Richard L.

    This is a very picturesque restaurant. When my friend and I visited it, we had a great time. We were quickly seated and our waiter was always nearby when we needed him. My friend tried one of the tangine dishes, which she enjoyed. I tried and liked one of the kabobs.

    (4)

  • Thamara D.

    Sadly, I received the worst service I have ever received in my life here and chances of my return is highly unlikely. I was here for a great concert with friends and none of us left even remotely happy with service in this place. 1. We waited 30 minutes for our $10 drink that was served in a cheap plastic cup. 2. some of the food never arrived 3. We were accused of trying to get our food for free by the event manager after we mentioned the situation. 4. I called the place twice and left messages to the GM who never returned my call. The room is beautiful, has great potential to be one of the leading music venues, it is unfortunate that the management is incompetent and disrespectful the their guests. It is very seldom I write a bad review, from the look of the rest of the reviews I am not the only person with a bad experience. Alhambra Palace Restaurant, at the end of the day, all we remembered was, how poorly we were treated, we will never go back !

    (1)

  • emily m.

    My husband and I went here for new years eve with two other couples. First, we prepaid $75 each for balcony seating, a show, a four course dinner, champange toast and favors. Each couple in our group booked seperately online about two weeks before e event. When we called to request a table together we were told to obtain the cc #'s of the cards we used to book and call the next day. The following day we were asked to obtain the last names of the cc's used and call the Wednesday before new years eve to obtain a table together. We did as instructed, and they promised a great time and that there would be no problem reserving our table. We arrive at the rest at 7:30 and let them know we are there. The hostess has no idea that the six of us are going to be seated together, we wait for the other couples and are taken to our table. Our table is the far back corner of the balcony, with absolutely no view of the show. After requesting a new seat, we are taken to ther other side of the balacony, to a similar table. We take it upon our selves to find our own table since nothing is labled reserved. After sitting down our waiter puts the order in for appetizers and some drinks. After which the manager comes over and tells us people paid extra money for the seats we were in and that we cannot sit there. This was a complete lie. He also said we could not sit close to the show because those tables only seat 4ppl. Regardless that people right in front of us had six on one table, he ignored this when we pointed it out. After twenty minutes of complaining, and our appetizer plate coming and being taken away, they agreed to sit us downstairs for and extra 25 pp. We accepted, because we had no other option. They proceded to put us on the main floor, in the far corner, where we still could not see the show without bending, turning, or leaning over eachother. After the appetizers the waiter comes over for our entree order and more drink orders. The waiter apologizes for the slow service and informs us that the servers had only a 5 minute briefing before the place opened for dinner! He then tells us that we are better off ordering a bottle of something because the bar is so backed up that any mixed drink would take quite a while. After taking our entree order he tells us that the kitchen is backed up and we would not have our salad until after the entree. Our entrees arrived at the table about 10pm. We had six in our party and only 5 plates came. The food was cold, and the rice was dry. The sixth member our our group recieved her plate 30 min after us.. with coucous instead of rice. No real explanation, and she hates couscous. We never recieved our salad, or our desert, or our favors. The balloon drop at midnight consisted of a big netted bag of ballons falling on our heads on the dance floor and people clawing at the bag to release the balloons. Champange toast came at 12:30am, with four glasses. We had 6 people in our party. It was a complete joke, every time the waiter came to our table it was to tell us something else went wrong. I am suprised we even recieved a our entree!!!!

    (1)

  • Julie B.

    I would give this place 3.5 stars. My first visit here left much to be desired, but my second visit made up for it. Visit #1: A random weekday night - seemed like no one else was in the restaurant. Friend and I both ordered entrees and were not impressed. Maybe it was my mistake for ordering seafood at a Middle Eastern restaurant, but the fish stew was just too fishy. I would give it 2 stars for this experience (mainly because I like the decor). Visit #2: I came back on a bitterly cold Saturday night with a date and another couple. We didn't want to go bar hopping due to the weather, but wanted something cozy and fun to do where we could be entertained, relax, and have a little something to eat. My friends were already at the restaurant, so despite visit #1, I decided to give it another whirl. This time, I stuck to ordering only appetizers that were traditionally Middle Eastern. I was happy with that decision - they were really good. We also got hookahs which was fun. They had singers and a belly dancer. 4 stars for this visit. I can't say I'd recommend this for a single's scene or for a big night out, but if you're looking for something different on a Saturday night, this is a great alternative. I'll be back... but not on a random weekday, and probably will just stick to ordering appetizers.

    (3)

  • Andrew D.

    In Chicago for the weekend with friends and came here for a nice dinner and to see some belly-dancing. The entertainment was a lot of fun, but since we were close to the stage a bit too loud. The hummus was good, but was not served with enough pita. I had the lamb kabob, which was quite tasty with a surprisingly generous portion of lamb, but I can get just as good lamb at home in Indy for less than half the price. The drinks were over-priced, but that's Chicago for you.

    (3)

  • Nicki W.

    My friend suggested we go to Alhambra as he loved it the last time he was there and it was my first time. The space is beautiful and most likely one of the most elaborately designed restaurant/lounges I've been in. It was our mistake to come on a Monday night as we were 1 of the 2 tables in there at 7:30pm. I felt like I was royalty sitting in such a huge room with nobody else in it. The walls were beautiful and I can only imagine the money they spent on creating this place. The one thing that was annoying was the music in the background (they were clearly playing a cd) kept skipping! I couldn't believe it and it was hard to take my attention off that. We just came for appetizers and had the Falafel and Baba Ganoush (both of which I had never had before). Very flavorful and I enjoyed them both. I'll have to come back on the weekends when they have the live entertainment and belly dancers. I'm sure that place really gets crazy!

    (4)

  • Marjorie F.

    It was a Tuesday night and the end of my day off, so I was feeling social and energized. When a friend invited me at the last minute to go out salsa dancing at Alhambra, I jumped at the chance to get these rusty ol' legs moving. I was not disappointed. The band was AWESOME - complete with a female horn player. Very impressive. The dance floor was huge - lots of room for spins and turns. The types of dancers there ranged from "street" salsa dancers to ballroom style latin dancers. The decor was different --- in a good way. Very ornate and unique. The ambiance was very laid back. People were dressed to dance. Drinks were good and the bartenders heavy handed. I wish I had a chance to try the food ---- maybe next time! It seems like a good place to do dinner and dancing with a big group. I will definitely go back to try the food and check out the other nights (belly dancing, etc.)!

    (3)

  • Julie M.

    This place is gorgeous on the inside. I came here for a birthday party on a Friday night (about 8) and had a general fun time. Service was pretty slow, and I was not sure if it was related to our group size. It would have been nice if they gave us and extra server. The show was fun, and I wished for the birthday girl's sake that we had a table that was a little closer, but it was still cool to have a different sort of entertainment. The food was decent, but I felt overpriced on its own. It is understandable that the atmosphere is included in the food price. I had shrimp kebobs which were tasty. Other couples shared combination plates and those looked like a good deal and they had tons of food left over. It was easy to get a close parking spot at 8PM close by.

    (3)

  • Peter B.

    My lady and I wanted a romantic evening out where we could learn how to Salsa dance...or in this case, attempt to learn. We decided to check this place out. Cool atmosphere, very laid back. Everyone seemed to be having fun. We're going back in couple weeks for more toe-crushing, Salsa... The instructor was highly reputable and came highly recommended, she was very animated and extremely helpful....made it look so easy! I spent most of the night trying to avoid getting stepped on by my girl, but it was a fantastic night nonetheless.... a great time! My only gripe was with the bar. Although they made our drinks stronger than average, I thought they were still too pricey considering they weren't being served by topless women. How long does it really take to mix a captain & coke? Especially when you're the only person standing there...

    (3)

  • Matt P.

    I am basing this just on the food. Ate an early dinner. Had place to ourselves. 2 dinners and 2 drinks and we were out $90 for some pretty lackluster food. Maybe the weekend show makes up for the food. Won't return just for food. Try Rezza's instead.

    (2)

  • Farooha M.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. The building is beautiful no doubt about that. I have never been to a restaurant so pretty. Music was good not too loud. The food was good but I think it was overpriced I had a chicken kabob plate which had a pile of rice some veggies and like ten little chunks of chicken for 20 dollars ! We ordered a plate of baba ghanouj and it was this little plate for seven bucks I couldn't believe it. Everything was delicious but it was too much. They probably make it so expensive to pay for that big building they're in. And when my friends ordered her food she asked if she could have grilled onions and tomatoes with the meal and our waitress said yes. Then when the food came no tomatoes or onions. When my friend asked the waitress about it she said " we don't do that anymore " Why did she say yes they did when taking our order ? We had a group of four people and left with 170 bill !!! Not worth it in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Jane C.

    I went there with friends to celebrate NYE 2011. OMG! We have to wait half hour to get seated. The tables were not labeled reserved but was given the worst seating place. Waited half hour for food to arrive, the problem is Entree was served before Appetizers. Had to wait 1 hour later for the Appetizer to show up. After that had to wait 1 hour to get champagne to be served before midnight. The best part is that the dessert was served at 1am! had to wait an hour for it to arrive after several times asking the server for the dessert. Before I bought the NYE tickets, it says party favors were included but none of us get any party favors and they ran out of it. It was completely unacceptable, service, food, worst place ever.

    (1)

  • Adam B.

    Great looking place. Decent Hummus. Wine was weak and the food was horrible. We didn't even get exactly what we ordered and neither the chef nor the waitress wanted to acknowledge it until we asked them to look at the menu. Didn't matter because everything we had (except the hummos) was quite subpar. Go for a drink or two to drink in the surroundings and then hit a nearby restaurant for eats. You'll thank me later!

    (1)

  • V N.

    I was here recently for a trendy celeb event. From the outside, it looks like your average club front, nothing overwhelmingly special. However, it really is something to see on the inside. I can only speak to the decor since I didn't eat there or have so much as a scotch on the rocks. The main level was occupied by club-goers dancing but it contained a raised stage where the DJ was spinning and making announcements. Once inside, me and my friends headed upstairs to their VIP section. While I wasn't crazy about the staircase, the solo bathrooms in VIP were very clean and remained that way throughout the night. The VIP area had tables lined up near the balcony, plenty of seating behind the tables and in the far left & right corners were areas separated by doors for a more private VIP seating where the celebs hung out. As we exited the club some hours later, we walked around to the other side to wait for the valet to bring our cars around and found ourselves in yet another spacious well-decorated (the entire place has a very regal vibe to it) area filled with tables and a bar. This area was empty the night of the party but it was a nice waiting area that served its purpose. I'd come back to this spot for an event or maybe even dinner on my next trek to the city out of my 'burban cave.

    (3)

  • Ellen S.

    Based on both my own experience and the collective experiences of my fellow reviewers, I don't get how this place stays in business. The food is mediocre at best and inedible at worst. The service leaves a great deal to be desired and there are certainly other places around town to see belly dancing. If you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by for some groove thang shaking, still with drinks only. Anything else, caveat emptor.

    (2)

  • Jenn S.

    Let me start off by clarifying my rating...4 stars is for offering some of the best entertainment in the city. If this place didn't have the belly dancers and the band, its just an over-accessorized restaurant. The food is ok. I had the lamb and my friend had the fillet. Both tasted identical although my lamb was rather chewy and hard to cut sometimes. My drink was delicious though. I had the Belvedere Tini. D-Lish! The entertainment was amazing and frankly kept my attention off of my food (which is pretty damn hard if I'm hungry). There were 4 different "shows" while I was there. The first was a more "tribal" belly dancing group. The girls (and one dude) looked a little more on the goth side but nothing crazy. All of them were really good. Then came this lady who really...err...shakes it? I mean seriously. But she was amazing and performed with the live band. After that, the band performed with this lead vocalist who was really great. I have no idea what she was saying, but I didn't care since it sounded good. I highly recommend coming here for the entertainment. Forget the food because, like everyone else says, its expensive.

    (4)

  • Annie W.

    Both experiences was good and the belly dancers were funny..

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    It's been a while since I've been to Alhambra -- and for good reason. My experience there was absolutely terrible. Service - awful. Food - dry and tasteless. Ambiance - there was NO ONE in this restaurant. The decor is really gaudy but good food and service would have made up for this. I will NEVER return. Ever. Don't even bother. If you're looking for Middle Eastern food try Fattoush or something -- where you can get the same meal for 1/10th the cost.

    (1)

  • Nadia K.

    Alhambra is a very unique and lovely place. My first time there was with a guy I really liked on our 1st date. He took me there on a Friday night. His friend was our server and basically ordered for us so our service was prompt and good. The entertainment was great but a little loud. I couldn't hear my date very good. At times I would just nod my head even when I had no idea what he was saying lol Don't take a 1st date there on Friday bc its too loud. The little food i did consume was pretty decent. I went there with some friends on a Tuesday night when they have salsa night which is really fun. I would recommend going for the entertainment. I didn't experience bad service like many people say they experienced.

    (4)

  • Arlene G.

    I didn't go to the restaurant part, but I went to the upstairs part for a Lipstick and Lace party this past Saturday night and it was OFF DA HOOK! I've eaten at the restaurant before and the decor is gorgeous! Therefore I was expectin the upstairs to be the same. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The area is big so that people can dance and have room to get down! The dj was playing a great variety of music. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me was that the bartenders were lacking. There were only 2 bartenders the whole night and it definitely was not enough to accomodate all those people! I had to wait at least 15 minutes to be served and that was way too long! Other than that, I had a fabulous time and I hope these parties are held here again!

    (4)

  • Bev h.

    gaudy [gaw-dee] -adjective 1. cheaply showy in a tasteless way; flashy. See also: Alhambra Palace. if you're into tacky mediterranean deco and wild salsa dancing, you'll love it. waaaaaay overdone. a friend and i have been exploring options for salsa classes, and decided to give their tuesday night free class with miguel a shot. we were told no cover before 9. we show up at 8:50, and the douche that is carding gives us crazy face and says that it's no cover before 8:45. really?!? we left, and took that $15 cover elsewhere for some drinks. that was 2 weeks ago. went back last night, and made sure to get there BEFORE 8:45. we made it, and then waited around forever. the salsa class started half an hour late, and is NOT for beginners, as we were told. it consisted of a bunch of medium to awesome dancers standing in a circle while miguel yelled at everyone and tried to demonstrate some seriously complicated moves. i ended up spending an hour making a damn fool of myself, receiving barely any help from the instructor, and having to dance with a short and sweaty beast of a partner who was possibly a worse dancer than i am! the one redeeming quality was being able to watch some of the amazing dancers that came in after the class! sadly, you will have to go super early and wait around forever or pay $15 cover to see this spectacle. pass.

    (2)

  • Kayee I.

    We arrived at Alhambra Palace well before our reservations on a Saturday night and stared at the exterior decor in near disbelief. As we walked in, we were greeted by hostesses and were seated promptly, then greeted by our server. This is the only restaurant that I've been to with the word "palace" in it's name that actually looks anything like a palace. There is really no way to miss this place if driving/walking down Randolph St. The interior decor does have a Vegas-like feel, very eccentric, very colorful and very vibrant. We started off with appetizers: falafel (fried chick pea fritters), baba ghanoush (pureed eggplant), and Zatoun (marinated olives). All were very tasty but the baba ghanoush was my favorite of the three. For entrees, we moved on to entrees: cumin crusted salmon over a mountain of caramelized couscous and vegetables, and a Moroccan spiced lamb tagine which is a slow-roasted lamb shank over fluffy rice dressed with almonds, celery, carrots and pistachios. Yummm! We ended our meal by sharing a pomegranate and pistachio mousse over angel food cake served with a side of fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. The cake was artfully topped with a chocolate ladder in the shape of a fancy "A" for Alhambra. Service was attentive but not pushy. Although the restaurant was busy, we were never rushed out. I will definitely have to make a return trip to try the enormous kabob platters.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    The decor is fabulous. It's screams Middle East, and "Alhambra" suits it perfectly as its glamour is reminiscent of the real Alhambra in Spain. Additionally, the belly dancer we saw on a Friday night, "Hasna," actually danced. She did a great job of working the audience, drawing people toward her on the floor. Some "bellydancers" are vulgar, just exotic strippers. Because I have taken bellydance, I was concerened she'd misrepresent the art form, but to my delight, she wasn't obscene. Sensual yes, but not trashy. I've been there for the Arabic band and salsa night, and enjoyed myself both times. However, Alhambra does lose points for the food. As other yelpers have mentioned, yes it's too expensive. You really are paying for the atmosphere and show. I had lentil soup and the dolmeh. The lentil soup was delicious, but the dolmeh (grape leaves with rice and supposedly herbs) was so-so. Vegans beware, the sauce on the dolmeh had cheese in it. I just scraped it off instead of asking for a new plate because I wasn't feeling particularly fussy that night, but if you order it, ask for no cheese. The lentil soup came with some triangular bread that resembled a croissant in texture. I didn't eat it because I wasn't sure if it was vegan. The sangria was yummy, but no buzz. I'm not a heavy drinker by any means, so I should feel it after two glasses of sangria. I felt nothing. So the Alhambra is fun to go to for a night out. Music and drinks, that sort of thing (salsa night is jam packed, FYI). I wouldn't go just to eat. If you want really good Middle Eastern food, this isn't the place. There are choices for vegans, but clearly you need to ask if there is cheese, even if it's not listed on the menu as one of the ingredients.

    (3)

  • Arlena B.

    I visited this GORGEOUSLY deocored restaurant for my birthday on March 26, 2012 and blown away i was indeed. The visuality of this palace is AMAZING, great picture taking atmospher, the belly dancing show was just ok,, however very entertaining during dinner. I ordered the pasta and had to send it back, because it was very gummy and not very tasty, to be replaced with the Filet Mignon served with mashed potatoes and asparagus and all was very tasty. I also ordered the Alhambra Salad and the Dolmeh appetizer and all was very good. I had the house Margarita on the rocks, sooo yummy. Overall Very Nice experience and i will return! Thumbs Up!

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    DO YOU KNOW HOW TO FAKE A SEIZURE? If so, DO IT! Or tell your friends you came down with a 24-hour case of bubonic plague. Or say you got leprosy. Do what ever it takes to get out of going to dinner here! The Food: Meh. I've had better at take-out places. The Cost: Astronomical. $50 for a sampler platter of hummus and olives? Expect to pay $50-60 per person. The Service: A joke. We had to wait 15 minutes for the last person in our party to get their meal. The Entertainment: Aight. Nothing really special. Avoid avoid avoid!

    (1)

  • Hala A.

    Judging solely by its amazing ambiance, I had high expectations for Alhambra. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised with almost every aspect of the establishment including high prices, customer service, and entertainment. We received incredibly slow service; I had to ask our waiter if it was okay to order entrees after we had finished our appetizers, and I also had to get up and ask for our bill a while after we had finished our meal. Asides from that, free drink refills evidently don't exist there. My sister and I had to ask to get our Diet Cokes refilled (at $3 each) which our waiter did NOT inform us would be an extra 2 orders on the bill. I just find this flat out ridiculous- it's rare that a place would charge for refills for soft drinks, and if that is the case, patrons should be informed. Not doing so comes off as sneaky, in my opinion. For appetizers, we ordered falafel, kibbeh, and hummus which were brought out promptly and met expectations. I had shrimp kabob and rice for dinner. I enjoyed my meal, overall. The bathroom was clean but hit a pet peeve mine. An employee greeted me at the sink with a bottle of soap in her hands. I asked her if the soap dispenser was empty, to which she responded, "The soap dispensers are ALWAYS empty!" Clearly, she was there for tips for squirting soap into people's hands and handing out napkins, time she could have used to fill a soap dispenser instead. I would really rather have privacy and not have to awkwardly leave a bathroom without tipping someone for handing me a napkin. The entertainment started at about 8 with a guest Spanish folk group. . . at an Arabic restaurant. I wouldn't really have had a problem with it at all if it were enjoyable. The Flamenco dancers and musicians were talented, but I have no idea who told the singer she should perform in front of anyone, ever. Additionally, and this whoever was in charge of audio's fault, all I could hear was her booming voice for two hours which made dinner conversation nearly impossible. We told our waiter that we had been under the impression there would be Arabic dancing/music and he told us, "Yeah, there will be. It's starting at 8:30." It was 9:30 when we asked him. The bellydancing and Arabic music didn't start until around 10:30, a while after we had finished dinner. The dancers were talented and raised everyone's spirits, but it was a little too late to change our overall opinion. Alhambra's atmosphere does not make up for its inattentiveness and disregard for customer satisfaction.

    (2)

  • Patricia A.

    Absolutely Amazing!!! My boyfriend took me to this place last week for our 3 year anniversary, I was first kind of skeptical of going because of the reviews and from my previous experience. All I have to say is MAGNIFICENT!!! I first started with the Alhambra martini then we accompanied that with their delicious hummus. But before we got to our dinner portion our waiter allowed us to enjoy the live entertainment and I guess on Saturday nights they always have a live singer and a belly dancer as well a girl that passes out roses. After the first song we had a hard time choosing our main course so our waitress suggested we try the Alhambra platter which was absolutely amazing!!! After dinner the owner came to our table and wished us a happy anniversary and brought us a chocolate like pyramid which topped off our evening. This is now one of my favorite places and the decor is by far the best in Chicago or maybe in the world.... I'll be back soon since I saw that they have a nightclub upstairs can't wait to take my girls here!!!!

    (5)

  • Morgan C.

    Three stars mainly for the Saturday night floor show... at least the early part with the tribal bellydancers. I actually much preferred them to the single lady they had dancing with the "band" later on. The space itself is cool and deceptively big. Like when I first walked back to the main room, I was very impressed. Two story, high ceiling, big chandelier, lots of sort of neo-futuristic Middle Eastern ambiance. The table setup is a little funky; if you're not facing the stage, you'll be craning your neck the whole time unless you watch one of the flatscreens that they might be showing a wide shot of the dancer(-s) on. And there were a lot of employees around... like security or owners or something... sort of angry looking gents in jackets and open-collared shirts. I kept waiting for them to swoop in on someone. Nice segue to the crowd. It IS in River West. It's not particularly a "young" crowd, more 30's and up. I don't know how many of them intended on going out dancing, per se. Again, sort of a dressier place. A place to see and be seen, I guess. Or to be a 40's guy hitting on/dancing with one of the aforementioned 30's girls. Food was meh. I just nibbled on the appetizers my friends had ordered. It was all right, I guess, but I could get it a lot cheaper somewhere else. Some of the pita we had to flag down our waitress and ask for, was rock hard. Bleh. And for appetizers starting at $7-8 bucks... entrees in the $15-30 range... the cheapest drink was a bottle of Bud Light for $6. Again, sure, you have to pay for the space and the dancers... so yeah... if you're looking to drop cash... Service was pretty mediocre, too. It was a Saturday night, but it definitely wasn't crowded. Our lady would just randomly disappear for extended periods... took forever to get orders... even just have a busboy come by with water... And it's loud. Like you-can't-have-a-conversation loud. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Maybe if friends and I drank beforehand, then went to split some appetizers and possibly get some water here and here... and to watch the early floor show... I really doubt I'd plan an evening around here.

    (3)

  • Sandy R.

    BEAUTIFUL restaurant is the only positive comment I have about this place. HORRIBLE service, from the host, to the dry bartender, and most importantly to the TERRIBLE server. He never came to check the table, we were constantly trying to flag him down, and just seemed bothered by any request. The food was not any better. Everyones plate was COLD- not luke warm but COLD. I was highly disappointed- the worse part was that we had guest from out of town and they experienced the same.

    (1)

  • Dima M.

    When I first heard about this place I imagined a really cheesy Middle Eastern restaurant slash entertainment spot with a belly dancer, and a lot of gross middle aged men gawking at the belly dancer. I also imagined mediocre middle eastern food, priced way more than its worth. I imagined a cheesy palace decor as a horrible attempt at imitating one of the most beautiful historical spots in the world (which is in Granada, Spain, and it is indeed glorious!) I imagined all those things, and I was right. I might have been a little curious the first time I went there, and the few times that followed I was nearly literally dragged. I hated the atmosphere, the food, and even worse than both was the service. If you want good Middle Eastern food this is not the place to be, and if you want a cheese entertainment and belly dancer, I don't know, go somewhere to get help as I cannot understand the entertainment factor in that. Then again, I am not a gross middle aged man.

    (1)

  • Carolynne M.

    Alhambra is theatre, pure and simple. Everything looks amazing and gorgeous from afar, but don't look too close unless you want to see the flimsy materials holding it all together. If you come here, you want to come late, and you dont want to spend a whole lot on drinks & food, because it is all numbingly expensive for what you get. Everything looks beautiful, but what I ate ranged from "eh" to poor. Rather, come here for the outstanding decor (you really do feel like you are in a palace), and the entertainment. I had originally thought the service was too slow, and that we were being forgotten, but then I realized that this place expects you to stay - pretty much all night. So after you eat, you have to wave your server over if you want something, otherwise I felt they were cool with you just hanging out watching the shows. A BIG problem I had with this place was that I had reserved a table and noted in the reservation it was for Restaurant Week. Well, we get there and we are seated very close to the stage that they were setting up for the Flamenco show. When I asked for the special menus, the server said that wasnt "offered" in this room, only in some weird back room away from the music and dancing. This made me pretty sore, as it felt totally like a bait and switch - like, Hey, seat them in the GOOD room so they can see what they would be missing and then they will HAVE to order from the regular menu! Not cool, Alhambra, not cool at all. I ended up ordering some falafel, which came on a bed of lettuce with some tomato and cucumber and one teaspoon of sour cream. So for $6 there are 6 patties on a plate which you must eat dry. They were nicely prepared, but come on - at least a little more sour cream would have helped. Then I had the Shrimp Charmoula which I highly recommend AGAINST ordering. Four medium sized shrimp were served in a bowl with some lettuce, tomato and some vile dressing that tasted like French. The shrimp were overcooked, dry, and extremely salty. A complete waste of $12. Andy M had a chicken wing jones from a show we had watched earlier on the Food Network, so he got the "Moroccan" wings, which are nothing more than standard Buffalo wings. Tasty, but totally out of place here. I knew what I was getting into before we went, so I cant say I am all that surprised. But really, Alhambra should maybe stop trying to be a restaurant and focus more on being a nightclub or something along that line They do the entertainment side great, but stop with the food, really.

    (2)

  • John T.

    I do not understand why this place doesn't just become a big nightclub...The food was decent. I ordered the special which was some sort of Filet. I have had filet at many nice places and this was not that bad aside from the fact that it was overcooked, which in turn led to the meat being a bit drier than anticipated. Nonetheless, on the whole, I thought that this place was pretty good! I agree with everyone else, though, that the service was abysmal. I would still go back to watch some pretty interesting live performances, though.

    (3)

  • Jennifer B.

    Alhambra Palace for dinner on a Friday night is a really weird experience. A big group of us chose it on a recent weekend for a friend's birthday dinner- we wanted to try something new, different, fun, and perhaps a little kitschy. Let me set the scene- 8 PM entrance. Our big table, centrally located on the main floor, is available right on time. The room is pretty empty considering the time. The interior of the restaurant is huge and beautiful, but in a sort of "Vegas" way- lots of colored spotlights, you get the idea. Other people present make up an extremely varied group. There are two families in from the suburbs with moms who get awkward when the belly dancers show up. There is one incredibly painful date night. There are several tables of young girls in their skankiest, tightest club wear, randomly. There were two big drunken groups of twentysomethings standing around the balconies upstairs. The band that performed Middle Eastern music was good and very energetic. The belly dancers we saw were all entertaining and professional- be warned, they WILL come up to your table and try to get you to dance with them! Service was quite bad, despite there being lots of staff wandering around and a not-very-crowded dining room. The food tasted good, but three people from our group were feeling sick for the whole weekend from it. There was a bathroom attendant there during dinner, which I HATE. Overall, Alhambra seemed like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be- a family restaurant, a music venue, or a shady nightclub. I will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Kathryn M.

    I went to Alhambra Palace last night - my date's pick, I'd never heard of it - and I was a bit worried when I saw the low ratings on Yelp! A friend told me that he'd been to two great parties there, so I went in with higher hopes. What a beautiful place! I was amazed all night that a restaurant could stay in business in such a massive location. It's beautifully decorated, but not to the point of cheesy or excessive, and very clean! We were seated in an area where I couldn't see the stage very well, but I did my best. There are TV screens, but the cameras don't zoom in on the dancer, so they are pretty useless. The 8:00 belly dancers were amazing. Very entertaining and they looked liked they really enjoyed what they were doing and they were real people - a little chubby, tattooed...they weren't "altered" because they were performers (I'll get to that a bit later). Loved their show! Now to the food...of all the hot and cold appetizers on the menu, my date ordered wings and then was disappointed when the server brought...wings. The menu didn't indicate that they were any special variety, so I was confused by the disappointment. Who goes for Moroccan and orders wings? Dinner was good, but not knock-your-socks-off-good. Just a bit above average. I had chicken tagine and he had chicken kebab. After we finished our dinner, the first belly dancing show ended and a small band set up on stage. They played Moroccan music and then about 8 rounds of "Happy Birthday" to diners - it got to be a bit much and prompted me to leave. As we were preparing to leave, a new belly dancer came out to dance to their music. She had obviously been "altered", in my opinion, because she was a performer. I felt the like the first round of dancers were had much more talent and were more entertaining to watch. The men in the audience felt a bit differently! I felt like I was watching a Moroccan drag queen impersonate Shakira. So this is what my advice boils down to...go for the early show, request a good table and don't order the wings!

    (4)

  • Melanie K.

    FYI: This review is for dancing/drinks only. 5 stars for dancing. 4 stars for drinks. 2-3 stars for the rumored-to-be-overrated food. Salsa is made exponentially more enjoyable by a live band....and live bands are hard to come by. For that reason alone, Alhambra is a great place to be on a Tuesday night. You will feel like a queen when you enter their performance space complete with vaulted ceilings and cozy seating. The opulence is incredible. And the people turn out for salsa. Come early for the lesson, stay late for the movers and shakers. My mojito was tasty and the beer was solid - but next time I would probably just rock H2O (and maybe one drink). For all of the spinning you are going to do, who needs the spins early? (Water is pricey, sneak in your own bottle - sorry, Alhambra) Salsa is on Tuesdays/Fridays and soon to be Wednesdays. Tuesday seems like their bigger night. RSVP to the site below for reduced cover by 3pm the day of the event. 4fantasticevents.com I definitely will be going again - but only on the dancing nights (thanks for the warning, Yelpers)

    (4)

  • Lily P.

    the set up of this place is amazing. The people are very friendly and the palace is gorgeous and looks like it could be set up for many ethnic weddings with all their authentic pieces. It holds about 2000 people and are separated into a ball room upstairs, dining room down stairs, VIP section overlook this huge dance floor. Then the dance floor holds banquets, dancing, djs etc. It looks AMAZING for NYE and no wonder the place is sold out! There is belly dancing, its by all the other nice restaurants in chicago, and the event planner Megan is AWESOME! This would def be a great place to have group night our, big dinner, birthday party or etc. You don't need much decoration and there is plenty of room for the size of your party.

    (3)

  • Elina S.

    I went here for my 23rd birthday and had a fantastic time with my friends! We were seated in the main party room with my 25 guests right in the center with the best access to the stage. The food was very good and reasonably priced for Mediteranean, definitely try the felafal, very tasty, and I loved the sangria to the point that I had two or even three glasses. :) The best part of this place is the entertainment value as you can eat at the same time as you enjoy the live band as well as the belly dancer. I would definitely come here again! However, the service is the only thing that I would suggest needs improvement. But if you're not picky on that, this is the place to go! It just might take you a little longer to get everything but considering I had 25 guests, they did a fairly good job to accomodate us.

    (4)

  • Ramon G.

    We were there last week with a group of friends. Best belly dancing show in the city. The food was delicious. Great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • J D.

    I've been wanting to try this place for months. The exterior just looks so cool, and I'd heard good things..... We went on a Friday night at 7 p.m. The place was deserted. I actually asked the hostess if they were open, that's how empty it was. Despite being at one of only 3 occupied tables in a room which holds probably 50 tables, the service was awful. Our waiter was nice, but wow, not attentive at all. We waited 20 minutes for a glass of wine, and then another 20 for our hot appetizer. It seemed like maybe they forgot about us. There was just never a "rhythm" with the service. We were never asked if we wanted another glass of wine, the waiter never checked back to see if the food was good, etc. When our entrees eventually came, the food was good (better than mediocre, but nothing to rave about) but not good enough to overcome the bad service and eerie emptiness of the place. Overall, I was unimpressed. We did, however, park for free on the street, which these days, is a major bonus.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    For those of you who are fans of the movie Bull Durham, Alhambra reminds me of how the groupie described Nuke La Louche in bed. It's wild and all over the place. The best was to describe the decor is Ali Baba and the forty thieves meets Siegfried and Roy. It was gaudy, and glitzy all at the same time. I'm taking one star away because they screwed us on the Restaurant week promotion. The Restaurant week menu was only available in the main dining hall. They would not honor the promotion in the dinner theatre area. Talk about a bait and switch. Even the show made no sense. It was a Spanish dance show. It was entertaining, but it was also out of place. It was a bit on the creepy side as well. One of the Dancers was a dead ringer for Right said Fred, and the other male Dancer looked just like Falco. A bit too retro for my taste. The Falafal was really dry and bland. I did enjoy the Moroccan Chicken wings. And the shredded beef dish that I ordered was tasty. The side of rice was really dry and tasteless. The worst part of the night though is that Carolynne r. was very disappointed with her entree. It was pretty skimpy and bland. The bottom line is Alhambra was worth trying once, but it's not worth a return visit. The food is nothing to write home about and it's quite expensive for what you get. Six bucks for a domestic beer is a bit too much for my blood. Heck!! That's what they charge at Wrigley. The service left a lot to be desired as well. We had to constantly wave our server down to get his attention. It was worth a shot, but there are a ton of other places more worthy of your hard earned dollar.

    (2)

  • Vivian Y.

    If you don't have the money to go to the Alladin Hotel in Vegas, then come here. It's like a Rainforest Cafe but for adults! The place is stunning and the performances here on Saturday nights are alot of fun. There was a great flamenco show from Spain and just watching the facial expressions of all the dancers was entertainment enough! The belly dancer was HOT and in much more sultry than the other belly dancers I have seen as both A La Turka and Sushi Samba. We had a big group of 15 people come here and we were seated right in front of the stage which was nice. We shared a number of appetizers and all of the appetizers were DELICIOUS. Probably the best baba ganoush I have ever had. Dolmas were awesome. Service was great and attentive. Why the 3-stars? The Entree's tasted like banquet food. Oh wait, this is a banquet hall. I had the kefta and it was dry. I also had some of the lamb shank tagine and the tagine was cold. they don't actually cook anything in it, but use it as serve ware to look pretty. As the tagine was cold, the lamb cooled way too quickly. I'm glad that I didn't decide on this place for my wedding due to the food! Although the food was edible, I was highly disappointed that the entree's weren't amazing. Afterall, you're paying alot more money for the same kind of middle eastern food that you can get up north. I realize that I'm also paying for the entertainment but people will stop coming if the food is no good.

    (3)

  • Dan D.

    I came two times and I received two different types of reviews... The first time, I had amazing food. Alhambra gives tons of food for the money and offered quality things. The hummus was tasty, eggplant cooked quite nicely, and the chicken just amazing. However, I went here just this week and I was devastated. The food was so greasy. The eggplant was just swimming in a bowl of flavored grease - I couldn't even stomach it. Further, the hummus was so oily that it was sorta running off the pita. That is a bad sign. To top it off, the servers would bring just enough pita for about 5 minutes... then we'd search for another server to bring more. Overall, it was a terrible meal and both of us felt a little sick and bloated from the food. However, the dance floor is a good time and they play good music. Salsa Tuesdays are a good time and a nice break in the week. If you come between 8-8:45pm, it is free admission (otherwise just about 5-10 bucks). They play good music and there are many great dancers! (Just dont come for the food before dancing...)

    (2)

  • Galina M.

    The atmosphere of this restaurant is great! It's cozy even though it's huge and very colorful. I went on Friday, around 6pm thinking I would beat the friday night crowds. We were seated 10 minutes after we arrived. There were two private parties so they could only seat us in the lounge...which is fine. After they sat us, they completely forgot about us. The waitress came by maybe 15 minutes into us just hanging out in the lounge, I ordered a mojito, which came without mint (the weirdest thing ever since the main ingridient of a mojito is mint!) then we told her we were going to order food to which she said "great" and disappeared. We waited for 35 minutes (I kid you not), then got so frustrated, left a $20 on the table and walked out. The service is horrible, needless to say! But I'm sure the food is good, wish I'd had a chance to taste it and rate it here! Ha! I would come back but with lower expectations...

    (3)

  • Lindsey B.

    I was really excited when I walked in. I really thought this was going to be an awesome night. We had 2 tables, one of 10 people and one of 6 people. For some reason each table had a different server. Our server was really quick and efficient. The other table was always about an hour behind in ordering. We got our appetizers, which were really good (the small Mezza platter) in about 15 minutes. The other table looked over enviously as they waited another 45 minutes for their appetizers. The food in the platter was really good, baba ganoush, falafel, fried chick peas, spicy olives, etc. They only brought about 5 pieces of bread though so we immediately asked for more. And even then each person only got one piece and we needed more to scoop up the food with! Weird. So we all ordered our entrees as the other table was just getting their appetizers. I got the eggplant parmesan and I may not be terribly familiar with middle eastern food (and I realize this wasn't very mid-east) but I'm pretty sure rice needs to be cooked the same way no matter what country you're in. The rice was so under-done. It was hard. I couldn't even eat my food the texture was so disgusting. The food here is pretty expensive as well. The plates averaged about $22/entree. We got there at 8:00pm, and the other table got their food at 10:15pm. Ridiculous. So we sat and waited for them to finish eating. In the meantime there was entertainment which was pretty cool. They had spanish dancing and flamenco, etc. The two male dancers they had were really odd though and super stuck on themselves. They watched themselves dance in the mirror and it was really odd. The ladies were excellent though. Then, the main entertainment. The belly dancer. I was under the impression that there would be more than one. This woman was pretty good. I am very impressed that she was able to just keep dancing for about an hour straight. However, for a belly dancer she didn't shake it very much. By the time she got on stage though, the volume had escalated to a deafening level. I was yelling at the guy directly across the table from me and he was completely unable to hear what I was saying. It was really frustrating and I'd been sitting there waiting for our other table to be served. I just wanted to leave. I went to the bathroom and they had people pumping soap into your hands and offering paper towels. Usually I just avoid this, but there was no getting around it. I refuse to tip these people for doing something that I really didn't need help doing. They also had women walking around selling roses. This really lowered my expectations of the place making it a very expensive cheap place to visit. We finally left around 11:00pm when the others were done eating and when I got outside my ears were ringing so bad that it hurt. I don't think I'll be coming back here. I was quite disappointed.

    (2)

  • Valerie M.

    I went for my sister's birthday. We previously went to a turkish restaurant in Atlanta and saw a belly dance so I wanted to do it again here in Chicago. We had a group and we ordered a few appetizers and shared. The entree's are huge so I would recommend sharing with another person. The show is about an hour long and it was pretty good. They do invite the crowd to come onto the floor and dance and if you sit next to the stage. My sister got a nice round of applause when she went out in the crowd. We brought some cupcakes and our server held them until after dinner and gave us some candles. The decor is absolutely gorgeous, a lot of rich colors, and eye catching elements. I loved it and would definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Don B.

    I don't know what the deal is with all of the poor reviews unless this place just fluctuates really bad. I was there on Saturday night and it was excellent. From the moment we walked in, we were treated very well. 4 people greeted us at the door and showed us to the bar to wait for the rest of our party. As we waited, the smell of seared meats and vegetables were sneaking around the place making me extra hungry. The artwork and design is very beautiful and makes you feel like you are really in a palace. Rich gold, blues, and reds really make the atmosphere. Once our party arrived, we were seated in the main theatre area with a large stage and ornate designs on the walls. The place got fairly busy after 8 PM. We ordered the Mezza Platter ($50 and feeds 6) which consisted of a little bit of each of the appetizers (Falafel, Baba Ghanoush, Hummus and more)...it was almost enough to make everyone full and everything tasted very good. The dolmeh was a bit soft, but had good flavors. As we were eating, the show started. Belly dancers (all shapes and sizes) came out to Arabic themed music and did a great job. People were clapping and getting all fired up. The show featured different acts and a wide variety of music...fire and swords included. While it was loud, it wasn't too loud. The speakers were really good and played clear full sound. After relaxing for a bit, we ordered a few entrees to share. The lamb kabobs were cooked perfectly. The rice and vegetables the came with it were also great. The Chicken Royal was a bit dry, but otherwise tasty. Portions were large, but not overly large like previous reviewers stated. *After the initial show (about 60 minutes long), another more arabic show started with all sorts of things going on. Very intense. Our server was excellent and attentive as were all of the staff members that we interacted with. Our bill was really affordable for 6 people, especially considering the entertainment. Plus, a birthday treat platter was brought out for my GF at no extra charge. My one pet peeve is that there were bathroom attendants. I can't stand bathroom attendants. I don't need someone to pump my soap and hand me paper towels. To sum it up, go to Alhambra and enjoy the environment and food. Be aware though that you will probably stay there for 2 1/2-3 hours easy, if you go on a night when there are shows. There's tons of stuff to do in the neighborhood around the restaurant afterwards, if you choose.

    (5)

  • James B.

    I went here a year or so ago, and am actually surprised it is still in business. The whole place is such a gong-show, I really could not think of one reason I would ever go back. Just a few points: - Food was sub-par. Ultra-fatty lamb doesn't go down easy. - Music was blaring so loud you couldn't even talk to the person next to you. - Service was slow and generally sucked -- which made total sense since they added on 20% gratuity on our party of 6 .. that doesn't really give you much motivation to work harder. - The place is just a novelty .. If you were visiting from Missouri, you'll love it .. If all your vacations are carnival cruises, its right up your alley.. but if you're looking for an actually good restaurant .. don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • Boones K.

    My review is a little late coming, but I was here with several friends for a birthday a few months ago. This is definitely a place you would come to more for the atmosphere and entertainment rather than the food. Also probably best suited for a group rather than a date. They do a good job managing larger parties. We ordered a the platters to sample different things and for those that didn't want to get a full dinner. Those of us that did get a dinner weren't as thrilled. It seems ordering the small plates is a better option than getting a dinner. The entertainment was fun and a perfect distraction for some in the group but you could still carry on a conversation with others. I'd go back again if I had to plan another group dinner. Having the built in entertainment takes takes the pressure off of you.

    (3)

  • Michelle C.

    My boyfriend & I dined here a couple weeks ago for a nice evening out. It was a Wednesday so the main dining hall is not offered til the weekends, which a a tad bit disappointing. We were seated in the front marble room, which was very well lit and it definitely had the ambiance of an ancient palace( very Cleopatra, the movie with Elizabeth Taylor). The light fixtures are orientate metal lanterns, seats were plush red velvet, and the drapes were flowing from the ceiling onto the mosaic floors. We first ordered drinks. I had a dirty martini,which was a bit too dirty! But the food made up for lack for service. Ordered was the Tabbouleh Salad, a "little spicy" and paired wonderfully with the falafel, which had just the right flavor of garlic, chickpea, and onion. I also dipped the falafel in my hummus topped with olive oil & gardineria. Lebna(traditional spiced Greek yogurt ) came in the middle of our falafel dish and it was my favorite part of the entire meal because I was able to dip just about everything in it including the spicy, paprika covered Batata(potatoes). I will have to have this dip again very soon! It's to die for. I just hope I have a different server & better bartender when I return.

    (3)

  • Donato C.

    I'll be entirely honest. I was very leary to try this place as I had read the reviews here on Yelp and my expectations were really low. Also, when we arrived for our 7:30 reservation, we were the only people in this rather large restaurant! But, I really can't find fault with this place! We ordered baba ghanoush and dolmehs as appetizers and both were very good and gave off the impression that they were made on the premises. As an entree, we ordered the Alhambra Platter for three. It was more than enough food for us and everything was very well-cooked. The platter had a little bit of everything...chicken, shish, and kefta kebobs. A wonderful rice underneath. I liked it all. The service was very good...how could it not be? We were the only people there! However, our server went the extra mile and took us on a fantastic tour. We had no idea how large this place was and I'm sure this would be a great place to hold a large party or go to a dance event. The owner has definitely spent a small fortune on the furniture and various tchotski's (sorry, couldn't resist). I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • nikki s.

    I just had to say a 'lil something about Alhambra. Don't know why it took me so long, but I was inspired by one of the other entries. Kudos to Dani B. for giving it to the people straight. I guess it's a place where you either really like it or you just don't--for whatever reason. I can't comment on the decline in service, as I haven't dined there in a while, however, when I went, I had no complaints on the food or the service. Perhaps there's been a change of hands in kitchen? Service was excellent, but the food was just okay for me. I'm not partial to spending $30ish dollars on a meal that was just okay. I was hoping for more Morrocan, but instead, it was upscale Mediterranean fusion. The decor and the music are what I could appreciate most. The space is grandiose and unlike any other restaurant I've ever been to. From talking to the owner--and like our fellow yelper, Dani B. conveyed, the elaborate furnishings and decorative pieces come from Morrocco and Syria and are by no means gawdy. It is way over the top, but heck, what palace isn't? C'mon people, think palace. Perhaps one must expand their artistic eye to appreciate it. I felt like I had been swept away to another country. I've not experienced some of the other performances, but I can say that the live Middle Eastern band I saw was phenomenal, and I loved seeing the different cultures--especially those of the middle eastern descent, get up and dance. In fact, I took it as an opportunity to learn another cultural dance. The belly dancer was by far the best one that I've ever seen. I am a woman and I like men, but from dancer to another dancer, the things this woman was doing in her performance? I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She would give Shakira a run for her money. Currently, I only go to Alhambra for salsa dancing. Parking is treacherous on Randolph, but there's always valet. Firstly, it has the best dance floor of open space in any salsa venue in the city of Chicago. Secondly, I know that some of the city's best dancers will be there. In other words, I'm not tripping over non-dancers boppin' around/chatting it up w/friends on the dance floor, nor is it hit or miss to find a good dance partner. (If you're in the salsa "matrix" of Chicago, you know this is serious business). Tuesday nights start way too late for me so I rarely make those, but since they're now doing Fridays again, I'll occasionally deter from my usual Rumba quest for my salsa fix and head to Alhambra. It's like a salsa reunion, as they "jack" practically the whole Friday crowd from Rumba. Live music and plenty of room...ahhhhhhh Alhambra.

    (4)

  • Senorita J.

    I went there impromptu last weekend not expecting too much since it was close to 1am but I was pleasantly surprised. First of all this definitely beats those 1 am tacos! It certainly looks so nightclubby and that's what I thought it was at first. I also felt a bit underdressed but did feel comfortable. The service and the entertainment was great and I'll definitely be back because I only tried a couple of appetizers so I'll be back with extra cash cuz those entrees are $12+! But I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Stu S.

    Ok I will agree with all the previous reviews that the food is nothing special. Its typical middle class Persian food (not cuisine). However, after ignoring the negative reviews and trying for myself what this place is truly all about I discovered that its strength is NOT being a fine restaurant but rather it being an entertaining cabaret and nightclub and should reviewed along these parameters until they shape up their cuisine. First, we were not charged a cover to get in and we enjoyed an exquisite live performance of Flamenco music and dancing on their ornate stage followed by a live Persian band with a belly dancer. The service must have improved since the previous reviews because our wait staff consisted of three waiters rotating different roles for our table of 6. Our water glasses were always filled and they gave us everything we asked for in a timely manner with politeness. Now the food is nothing extraordinary and does not match the lavish interior and presentation of this place. And yes it was overpriced for its quality, however, we did not pay any cover for the live entertainment. So it balances out in my book. I recommend experiencing this place because it is a wonder inside, but I would say go on a weekend when you know there is live entertainment to make the experience more enjoyable. Also order the standard dishes such as kabobs. Don't try anything that claims to be different because the head cook is not that great. My recommendation for improvements to this palace is to fire the head cook because he or she is NOT a true chef. Hire a head chef who knows traditional refined Persian cuisine or at the very least understands about proper meat temperatures. Still offer some of the Americanized classics for those who require it but make the majority of the dishes unique to this restaurant and not offered anywhere else. I have an extensive and full color photo Persian cookbook where I have seen some of the most amazing dishes that I have never seen on any American / Persian restaurant menu. Usually Persian restaurants in America always offer the same stuff, kabobs, hummus, plain rice and baklava. Comon show us the real stuff! I know Persia has a rich and amazing culinary culture! Why don't we see it on the menu! This statement goes for all of you so called Persian restaurants.

    (4)

  • Corey S.

    How is this place even still in business. Terrible food, terrible service...must be some sort of money cover or drug ring running out of this dump. The Kabobs were awful, Ive never made one but am conficent I could do better. All in all this shit show is over priced, dont go.

    (1)

  • Mihir P.

    This is an absolutely fabulous space. Roomy and open with high ceilings, balconies and private rooms. There is a large stage for live Middle Eastern music and belly dancing. It really does feel like a palace. The food however is severely lacking in quality. Dry chicken kabobs and falafal. The waitstaff is polite but a bit aloof. The host staff was very helpful and looked up on the Internet for me the address of my next destination.

    (3)

  • Matt P.

    Wow ... I'm surprised the average yelp is pretty low for this place. We went there for dinner Saturday night with a group of friends, and I thought we were right in the middle of Temple of Doom. The music and dancing was great. I thought our lamb kaboob was succulent, and smoking hookah was unparalleled hilariousness, considering I've never done it before.

    (5)

  • Renee L.

    This place is gorgeous...it literally looks like a palace inside. I thnk that is its saving grace. I came here for a birthday and I wasn't really pleased with my chicken dish. It just seemed to be over curried and left me feeling a bit nausiated. However, I would come back for the atmosphere and just stick to appetizers (especially since I think that the food is a bit over-priced for what you get!) We saw some type of flamenco show here...let me just say it was a nice idea but after about two hours straight of amateur flamenco numbers, I had had enough! Then the belly dancer came on....which I was slightly disappointed about since she did not so much dancing with the belly as shimmying with the chachas. However, the guys at the table really seemed to enjoy it!

    (3)

  • Lauren K.

    This past Tuesday I went to Alhambra Palace for their weekly Salsa night, and I cannot express to you just how disappointed I was. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone in the service industry-Angelo Prieto should be ashamed of the way he conducts his business. I came in at around 9:15 with a friend and we had both RSVPd to be on the guest list for that evening. The hostess says we didn't RSVP in time and that if we want to get in we have to pay the full cover price. Before this incident, I had been a frequent attendee at Alhambra. The establishment recognized me (and in fact has photographed me and used my image as part of a facebook marketing scheme to attract a younger demographic). Despite the fact that I WAS a loyal customer, and that I my friend and I are easily the youngest girls there by at least 15 years, staff told us "You're not on the list and there are NO EXCEPTIONS." Furthermore the hostess and manager began talking about us in Spanish, not knowing that my friend and I both speak the language as well and understood every word. Worse than being harassed in English, is having people call you nasty things in Spanish too! Angelo Prieto and his 4 Fantastic Events staff should start learning that the customer is always right and treat guests with respect. It's a shame when people are bitter about their lives and try to take it out on those of us who are content. To all the lovely women and men out there do yourself a favor and skip Alhambra on Tuesday nights. Go to Mercadito's Industry night instead and go do some salsa at Nacional 27 on a weekend!

    (1)

  • Jon C.

    i'm not sure how this place exists. it's huge and has some intricate artifacts inside. the food was better than expected and the service was friendly. however, we went on a thursday night and there were only a couple other tables. there is belly dancing on weekends and i wondered to myself, 'are the dancers from the store next door...?'

    (3)

  • Brian H.

    One Word: Contrived. Seriously, don't go - save your money. It's a waste of time! It's as if Vegas is trying to do Mediterranean and the results are a disaster. The music is so loud, it's impossible to hear your fellow dinners a couple chairs away. Big screen TVs (yes, like at ESPN zone) showcase dancers and musicians at this over-the-top, lacking in any authenticity complex. And, although it's easy to forget, this is a restaurant. Well, the food is awful. Overpriced and awful. The service is horrendous. Ick.

    (1)

  • Mary A.

    I went here for my husbands christmas party, and the food was very good, the servers were great!

    (3)

  • Matt K.

    A mixed bag. This can be a 1star or a 5star visit depending what you're looking for. We went there for a double birthday and partied into the early morning hours. The entertainment just kept on coming, even well after midnight different bands kept playing & playing. Hookah at the table. great restrooms. No TVs other than at the bar (which is a plus for me). Well dressed crowd, no sweat pants. The food was edible, but that was about it, shocking considering the price. The cuisine is easily outclassed by hole-in-the-wall restaurants for a quarter of the price. Let me be perfectly clear: do not eat here or you will be mad. Cocktails were tiny. My first glass of water had double lipstick on it, after that I stuck to bottled beer (will let that slide due to Saturday night and all the waterproof lipstick these days). We still will be back. Why? Because the party, the music, the belly dancing, the crowd was a rush. If you are looking for a really wild & crazy time: go here. but eat somewhere else first. decor & overall ambiance: 5 (or more) stars music & dancing: 5 (or more) stars food: disappointing, but not inedible, 2 stars drink: good, but overpriced, 3 stars service: attentive, but a bit understaffed, 4 stars

    (3)

  • T J.

    The only reason I didn't give it one star was because I didn't actually have an entree. Went for my friends bday. The place is huge and was literally almost empty, I wonder how they stay in business. Got falafel as my entree, it was okay, but a bit dry and had no kind of sauce or anything. Had some baba ganoush(sp?) which was tasty. Also ordered some type of eggplant entree with my vegan friend and we both took a bite and pushed it away. She wound up sending it back and the waitress was not pleased. The place closes at 10, so why they took an 8:30 reservation for a party of 12 I don't know. They definitely wanted us to leave, but seeing as one of us didn't get served until about 9:45 that was impossible. No plans to go back, there's much much better food for much better prices all over the city.

    (2)

  • Niya K.

    I will say this, the entertainment is phenomenal. The belly dancer, the flamingo dancers, and the musicians add a great atmosphere. The food.... I have had much better falafel for a quarter of the price. Our waiter left something to be desired. We had a table of 20 we wanted to least split the check by 4s he would not do it. And when we finally got the money together, he counted the money at the table to ensure it was all there, I have never seen that done in my life. I would come back for the entertainment and get food somewhere else.

    (3)

  • Hoang L.

    I only came here at night (when it's a nightclub). Venue: Very nice, actually. Sounds: Good. Service: Bad. Crowd: Rude. Dance Floor: Spacious. Bottle Service: We tried to get a table but was unsuccessful. I guess they don't want our money? I'd probably come back one day to try their food though.

    (3)

  • Kerry M.

    Very dissatisfied with the resturant! The service has gone down hill! We ordered food and 30 mins later they told us they were out of lamb! Service was bad, slow . When the food came out it was good, but when it came out! I have been here before and the service wasn't so bad, but it has gone down hill! They have salsa Wednesday and don't have sangria!!!!!

    (2)

  • Mahsa T.

    I went to Alhambra for drinks for a social event and though I was impressed with the Moroccan decor and sheer size of the place, I was not impressed with much else. Service at the bar was slow and drinks were watered down. We did take a tour of the restaurant and checked out the VIP sections upstairs and the view of the stage/main area is fantastic from the upstairs balconies. Based on other reviews though, I don't know if I'll ever be back to try the food.

    (2)

  • R K.

    I had to go here for a friend's birthday. I went in with low expectations and it still managed to disappoint. Food- Creme brulee- $8 for what tasted like a vanilla pudding cup. no caramelized crust and the custard base was so poorly done! I'm not sure why they call themselves Moroccan. For example, one dish we ordered was the chicken tagine. What came out was a piece of dry chicken breast with their version of Indian (not Moroccan- no cinnamon, no paprika, etc) spices, a mound of peas and carrots (def out of a frozen veggie bag) and rice. There was no dark meat on bone, large vegetables, olives, chickpeas. These are the typical ingredients, slow cooked together in a tagine to allow the flavors to develop and compliment each other. The other dishes we tried - lamb tagine, kabobs, etc- just as poorly done. Price very poor quality, non authentic food for apx $50/person (that does not include drinks/ appetizers, just the meal and half a dessert) Service went on a sat night and it was pretty busy, but for some reason they had one waitress for several very large tables. if they had additional waitstaff, it would have made it a lot less slow/ inefficient. I would not recommend going there at all.

    (1)

  • isha a.

    I have to say, I don't understand all the negative reviews. I am a die hard fan! What's not to love about this place? The food is amazing, so professionally cooked and as best as the Mediterranean cuisine could get! I am very iffy about ordering lamb in particular from anywhere because not many people can cook it right, but I'm never thinking twice at this place. And it's all halal! What a deal!!! The sea food is exquisite! You just can't get enough. Superb service, making sure everything is ok from time to time. But then Arabs are known for their hospitality and rightly so. Our server was Raid or Ray, and he deserves a five star rating of his own. You want a real image of what life is like in the Middle East? you have to see this place then. And the live entertainment, the belly dancers and the most beautiful of love songs in the sweetest of all languages! Wallahi, if you don't like this place, you were in a bad mood to begin with :) And the extravagant decor, is like a palace out of fairytale setting! I wish there was a seven star rating for this place! Absolutely love it, will go back again and again!

    (5)

  • My B.

    The restaurant is beautiful and the lamb tagine was good, however they lacked in service. We were there for a total of 4 hrs and it could have easily been cut down to 2 hrs if we could find our waitress. When she finally would come to us it took forever for her to come back each time. Imagine this while listening to the same sort of music - tempo and all - over and over. I wanted to put myself out of my misery but I couldn't because the waitress just didn't want us to pay and wouldn't deliver the check.

    (2)

  • Will C.

    YUM! Best Moroccan food around! High-end and classy and classy people. Entertainment on the stage....a wonderful place to bring a date....delicious food, need I say more!

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    If I could give this place a negative star rating, I would! I haven't eaten here but I wouldn't want to after the way my mother, younger sisters, and myself were treated. My mom set up a reservation for my 2 younger sisters and their friends to attend the restaurant after prom. When she spoke to the waiter to make the reservation she made it explicitly clear that they were coming from their high school prom, that they were under 21, and that she wanted them seated away from any bar(s) that may be in the room. The waiter reassured her that there would be no way they could get ahold of alcohol and gladly took the reservation. My sisters and their friends arrive at the restaurant 15 minutes before their reservation only to find out that they won't be seated because they spend a minimum of $35 per person. Now, the kids had the money to spend $35 each so what's the problem? My sisters call my mom and tell her the situation so I call the restaurant to find out what the problem is. I spoke to the manager, whose name is tommy, and he told me that they weren't going to be serviced because they're under 21.......(hold on, pump the brakes. When the waiter took the reservation why didn't he mention that after a certain time you have to be 21 to be serviced???) So I explain to him what happen and to make a long story short he basically said oh well that's not my fault I didn't take the reservation, and then he said they had to leave. My mom then called the limo that dropped them off at the restaurant to come and pick them up and instead of letting them wait inside of the lobby of the restaurant he literally kicked them out and they had to wait in the parking lot, in the cold for a half hour for their limo to come back. So to sum this all up: TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE customer service

    (1)

  • Valerie S.

    Went here last Saturday night with a few of the girls from work. Outside is really grand looking. Made me excited to go here for my first time. Once inside it's very beautiful to look at - the atmosphere was definitely middle eastern without a doubt. We had to give our name and were told abt 30 minutes for a table on the main floor since there 2 levels. The main floor is where the action is at because of the live music and dance floor. We grabbed some drinks at the bar...ehhh $9.50 for a jack & coke is kind of stiff..but i was here for the ambiance not to get drunk. So we were only standing around by the main floor for at most a minute and then a hostess asked if we were waiting for a table..she then escorted us to the second level. The other girls in my group really wanted to sit on the main floor but I guess without prior reservations..that can be difficult on a Saturday night. No biggie. We were seated so we could look out over the main floor and could see the stage easily. I did ask our waiter several times about the possibility of getting a table downstairs, but it became apparent that couldn't happen. We ordered some appetizers and a hooka pipe. It took several tries to get the waiter to actually take the order and then he came back to tell us the tabouleh salad & another item we ordered was out and then he brought our order with something we did not order. The food was ok, nothing fabulous. I would go back for the entertainment tho. Last thing - when he brought us the check - there was a 20% gratuity already added to the bill. We were a bit shocked because normally that is reserved for tables of 6 or even more depending on the restaurant. So I'm basing my rating on the entertainment and ambiance purely. I would take someone here for that alone - not the food or drinks.

    (3)

  • Kathleen J.

    I am glad that I read so many Yelp reviews before our night at Alhambra, as I was prepared for the worst, but was quite relieved that it was not a terrible night. We arrived around 8 pm on a Sat night and most of the tables were full. We were with a very large party, so we had a side room on the mezzanine level....This is a great place to sit if you are someone who would not be comfortable being too close to the belly dancers, or who would not wish to be pressured to dance. Our server was attentive enough to meet our needs, and did clue us in that that kitchen was about to get really busy so we should probably order our food sooner rather than later, or it might take a long time. The food--eh...if you've not had good Middle Eastern food, you probably won't know the difference. The hummus was too heavy on the tahini sauce, and not nearly enough lemon juice. The fatoush salad had radishes and green onions, which I've never had in there before, and was not the greatest. I've had much better shawarma (Alhambra's was very dry and tiny shreds) and tikkeh at tiny family owned establishments like Pita Town or Cedar Grill. If you're not a Middle Eastern cuisine aficionado, you might not know the difference and would probably find the food ok. They had really good mojitos and sangria! Food was expensive, but if you think about it, you're paying for both the food and the music/show/dancing. Can't really complain too much when you think about it. To the comment about "going for a Middle Eastern vibe, but Alhambra is in Spain..." Alhambra, Spain was built by the Moors (Spanish Muslims) from North Africa, so, yes, it would be a synergy of Spanish and Arabic themes/influences. It was a bit odd to see male belly dancers, and provided some good natured jokes amongst our group, but they were actually very good. Alexandria, the only Arab dancer that night, was amazing and I can't believe how energetic she was! She danced for like 30 minutes straight without stopping at all, as diners kept coming onto the dance floor to dance with her. Can't say that I'd go here again any time soon, but maybe some day if we have out-of-town guests we'd go. It was fun and memorable, and for me, that's half the enjoyment of going out to dinner. If you are more concerned about the food than entertainment, I'd go to Reza's Restaurant (Ontario and Orleans) for some much better Middle Eastern food. Their menu is much bigger, better priced, and SO MUCH tastier!

    (3)

  • Mavel M.

    I have been here twice. Once for dinner and the other for drinks. The food is ok, but not the best. If I had to go here again it would be just to hang out with friends but not to dine.

    (3)

  • Jacob K.

    This is a great place to go for drinks. I have only been there for a holiday party but the place was a lot of fun and here was a dancer (a PG rated one). The drinks were good but I can't really review the place with regards to the food. The upstairs rooms were very elaborate and its a unique setting.

    (4)

  • B K.

    Wow-I wonder how long before this place goes out of business. You'd think the owners would realize that there are lots of inexpensive high quality places with good service in the city people would prefer to go to... My friend and I walked in on a Thursday and told them we'd like to get tea and dessert. we were told to sit at the bar. When I asked the bartender what types of tea they serve, her anwer was "I don't know. I don't take care of that." She did not offer to find out either. I ended up just ordering a black tea and baklava. About 40 minutes later, my baklava still wasn't there, and the bartender/waiter hadn't bothered checking on us at all. I finally went up to the counter and said I'd like to pay, and got told I owe them $8. For a cup of tea???? When I asked them why a cup of tea would be $8, they said they had charged me for the baklava (which they never got me). I told her I will not pay for a food item that I never even got, and that I wasn't interested in waiting any longer, she did remove the charge, though she pretty much just glared at me and never apologized. I'd say don't bother going here unless you are prepared to be in a really bad mood. It's so odd- I have a lot of middle eastern friends, and they are generally the model of good hospitality. What is wrong with the people who work at this place????

    (1)

  • Elizabeth T.

    I'm not sure why this place got such low ratings. I thought it was fantastic--though perhaps that's because I actually read the reviews and knew what to expect! I was there for a bachelorette party and I anticipated, based on what I read, a circus. We ordered cocktails and the small mezza platter to start, which was more than enough for everyone to have a taste of everything. It was delicious and we moved on to dinner. I'm not sure what the other girls got, but I ordered the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Tangine and highly recommend it. The couscous was melt-in your mouth good, seasoned by the sauce from the lamb, which was wonderfully tender. As for the atmosphere, I didn't actually think it was too Vegasy--certainly a LOT more showy than you'll get at most places, but I think that's part of the charm. It's unabashedly over the top and if you're looking for a somber place to discuss serious things, yeah, I'd say skip this experience. But if you're looking for a fun time out with friends, don't write Alhambra off your list. There's live entertainment, belly-dancing, hookahs, and even a chance to try out your own dancing skills. The service was decent and the bill, surprisingly, not nearly as high as I expected. Maybe it's just that I love all things kitchy, but I loved Alhambra.

    (5)

  • Allison B.

    Really horrible experience. The service was very slow and we were 1 of 3 tables in the dining room. Food was dry and everyones meat was over cooked. Server was kind of a zombie and never checked on us. Waited 45 min for dinner to come from kitchen. The bathroom had not been cleaned for a while it was filthy, no paper towels. We told the staff twice that there were no paper towels, to no avail. Very disappointed because the place has so much potential. Don't let the website fool you, the place was a disaster.

    (1)

  • Jenna L.

    I was super excited to come here to celebrate my friends birthday. The restaurant itself is in a fun, upbeat neighborhood and the inside is gorgeous. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with my visit. First, the service was terrible. I understand that large parties are a challenge, however , it was a Saturday night and there weren't many people seated at other tables. It took me over an hour to get a glass of water and extra pita bread. We found that we had to order multiple drinks at a time to avoid waiting forever to get our next order. The appetizers were good, standard middle eastern fair. My Shwarma was overly salty and I couldn't stop drinking for the remainder of the night. When i could get water. I don't mind throwing down some money for good food, drinks and a fun night. However , I left feeling like i got a 16 dollar mediocore martini and a stomach full of salty meat. The saving grace was the belly dancing show. The second half more so than the first They also have hookah which people were enjoyingI would reccomend going there later at night for some appetizers and the show. Otherwise, don't waste your time or money.

    (2)

  • Shaun K.

    Truly straight out of vegas. It's like the Persian mafia has joined the circus. Ya, the place is outrageous and unusual, but it is a spectical to be seen, smoked, eaten and drinked. The food is sort of sub-par depending what you get. The alhambra rice is actually quite good and is mixed with currants, almonds, and various nuts. The schwarma was nice, but i would like some real lamb schwarma. Go for the rice, stay for the hookah.

    (3)

  • Renaldo P.

    Great place to have your birthday at. I had reservartions for a party of 12 and everything went smoothly. Service was a bit slow but acceptable for the size of the group. This was the highlight of the night and the perfect place to dance to the music. The belly dancing was exceptional and fun. Food was ok and so were the drinks. I definitely recommend the floor level as upstairs skips you out from all fun!

    (3)

  • Kristina B.

    This is not based on food or drink prices, as I have no knowledge of either. This is based on hospitality, ambiance, decor & entertainment value. So with that, here we go... Hospitality -- doorman was nice, host on stage seemed outgoing and pleasant Ambiance -- very warm feel, lots of people dressed up (think button downs, dresses and skirts, heels... No worries, though. Jeans were present and looked appropriate.), sound was good Decor -- expensive-looking, elaborate and decorative, LOVED the chandelier in the dance hall Entertainment -- Salsa nights are on Tuesdays; I recommend you come out for those. The live music is none other than Grammy-nominated Angel Melendez & the 9-1-1 Mambo Orchestra. SO talented. Go get your salsa on, yo!

    (3)

  • Shain C.

    They took a 6:30 reservation even though they don't seat people until after 7 on Fridays. Service seemed slow, but in retrospect it was just the incredibly uncomfortable chairs that made it feel like such an ordeal. Food was OK... didn't blow me away. I'd rather go to Taza on Franklin and Randolph. Entertainment was late and kinda lame. They dumped alot of money into the building, but it seems silly when it's empty... All in all I'd rather get good food/service at a hole in the wall joint.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    This place sucks! The owner is a lying scumbag! There were over 100 coats missing or misplaced on NYE night here because of the lack of organization on his part. He pretended to be sincere about the whole situation by saying he would take care of it and reimburse the people for their lost coats. It has been 3 weeks and he has been avoiding my gf's calls and other peeps I know. This is absolutely ridiculous! Do not support this place and go somewhere else. There are many fine dining places in the area that I have been to that have food 10 times better then this dump!

    (1)

  • Kori M.

    Very average.I don't know what to say that the other yelpers haven't. Yes it's circus like, yes it's very Persian mafia, yes all the women with the Persian mafia have fake boobs.It's just ridiculous really. I want to be amazed and in awe but I just think it's so obscenely decorated that I can't. And for the life of me I can't understand why in a place that is so OVERdressed the waitstaff and bartenders are so severely UNDERdressed. They look like they should be working at Applebee's. That's enough decor talk. Let's get to the overpriced food. The hummus was good but you get a really small amount. I had the lobster ravioli (also overpriced) and it was pretty bland. Overall, Alhambra "Palace" is like a first date with a hot chick. Looks really good on the outside although somewhat plastic. Nevertheless you're excited thinking you're going to score. But once you start talking to her and getting to know her you realize she's all looks and no substance. Poo.

    (2)

  • Don M.

    Interesting place, we were meeting a group and arrived early. the place was pretty empty for a Saturday night. We sat in the bar and ordered some drinks, not very good very little booze and overpriced. After our group arrived we were seated right away. Tables are just not set up right to view the show going on. Service was good, the waiter took his time to explain everything on the menu to me to avoid my food allergies. Food was ok, Overall nice to experience once not sure I would go back to many other good choices in the area.

    (2)

  • Albert K.

    Went here for dinner and drinks with several coworkers and a vendor in 2007, wanting to check out the latest hot restaurants. And even though she was covering the tab, I really cannot say I'll go back on my own dime. And I'm really sad that we wasted her expense account on this place. We all ordered different types of kebabs and they were all completely cooked to a crisp and were tougher to eat than jerky. The rice was uber-dry as well and had no flavor. The pita bread was some of the worst I've had, too. I think I'd rather eat a refrigerator box, whole. I don't remember anyone finishing their plate. The bottles of wine we had saved our experience from being absolutely horrible. We went on a slow weekday, so I'm assuming there's more hustle and bustle and entertainment during weekends. All we got was a belly dancer who kept interrupting our conversations with her gyrations and finger cymbals. We were also seated in the smaller front room, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the decor of the large room on my way to the upstairs bathroom. They've done a nice job decorating the place; it seriously looks like a mansion in a movie. Just wish that the food was better. 2-stars for decor and wine selection

    (2)

  • John M.

    Alright Chris! I almost didn't review this place because even the most naive restaurant fan would know this place is horrible. Every single thing you mentioned in yer review is 100% on! Total vanity restaurant, and almost the most annoying place I've ever seen. This place ain't about the food or booze. It's obvious it's about somebody's ego. Let's get this straight: Your gonna spend untold dollars on the exterior/interior. Got it. Your gonna TRY and have big time stars for entertainment. Cool. How about training the staff and making sure the food is decent? OK, you are not doing that. Do you think everyone of your GUESTS are stupid? Do you even know how to host a place? Do you even understand what GUEST means? Tom Skilling has his isobars. Guess what? I can make a forecast you can believe: This place/palace is done in less than two months. Just so we are clear: Three of my friends tried to work here. They are all gone now. These three people all know how the industry works, they're vets. That's the only reason I checked this checked this place out. After experiencing how lame Excalibur in Vegas was I don't need this weak place. The King is dead! Long live the King!!!

    (1)

  • Anooj T.

    We went to this place with my in-laws when they were in town visiting a few weeks back. Not at all what we expected. Food was mediocre. Service was horrible. We had a reservation and were told that we couldn't be seated for 30 minutes past the original time. After a short fuss with the hostess we were taken to a table in the back where no one else was seated. The interior of this the place is quite amazing but it does not make up for the service or food. We won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Chris W.

    This review may be a bit redundant. However, I feel compelled to add my own two cents to the whole deal on this place. First, an important point I don't think anyone else has made: I believe that they short you on the alcohol here in the mixed drinks. There you go. I say this because I know my own tolerance for alcohol. I ordered three mixed drinks, which usually would give me a buzz, but at Alhambra . . . nothing. I thought I could taste the lack of alcohol as well. Another person in my party felt the same way. This practice is more common than many think, and it bothers me. Anyway . . . The whole Alhambra experience is for those who love the over-the-top ostentation of Las Vegas. The decor is faux Morrocan/middle eastern, described fairly well by previous reviews. It is what it is. Some people like this kind of thing. Some people find it tacky and guady. I am in the latter category. I found it cheap, tacky, and gaudy. Decide for yourself. Personally, I found an energy in this place I did not like - a lot of macho energy, a lot of trixie-esque ladies of various nationalities, huge doormen acting like . . . cheap doormen. The smell of cheap cologne in the morning. The sight of hair gell and men wearing large pieces of jewerly. It is what it is. Not for me. However - note that people have fun here. People get up and dance in front of the stage, and generally move about and try to play the role of the player. There is live music - basic middle-eastern pop, kind of basic and repetitive. But I have to say - the belly dancer was really great. That was one aspect of the entertainment I liked. The food - A TRAVESTY. An absolute, blatant, horrible rip-off. Nothing was good, everything was bad. Very overpriced. I note there is no cover - so the prices reflect the entertainment you get - Im trying to be fair. Fine. So, I will pay $25 for a dish that would normally be $12 - but at least make it decent! Dry shish-ka-bob. Ho-hum apps. All produced with no care, assembly line style, just bad. Service - not great. The waitress did ok getting us drinks, but overall, the 20% gratuity is not really deserved overall. This seems to be the general consensus. Also - I CANT STAND PLACES WITH BATHROOM ATTENDANTS. IT IS A SURE SIGN OF CHEESY TACKINESS. Overall - a Vegas-style spectacle lacking true quality. The vibe is similar to a Russian supper club. Flashy objects, bad food, cheesy music. Some like it. Many dont. But know what you are getting into. Do not, do not, do not expect actual quaility here, in terms of food, service, and drinks. And I still swear that they shorted me on the alcohol, which is an unforgiveable sin to me, relatively speaking. All sin is relative, in the end, I suppose. It is what it is, my friends. But this review is in line with most of the others. If they made this place good, with good service and good food, it would be a viable destination. As it stands, it is a flashy overdone decor with boring live music, a great bellydancer, and a general vibe of Viagra Triangle mixed with a cheap wedding. The star is for the belly dancer. Over and out. Peace out.

    (1)

  • Imilya M.

    It's a big place, I didn't think it was that huge. 2 floors, the bar is in a seperate area. The dance floor is a good size. I've eaten lots of Middle Eastern food and honestly, it's not that great in Alhambra. Although, the Fattoush salad is delicious. Everything else seems to lack flavor or just normal. For a place like that, I would expect more. Although, the entertainment is awesome. Went there in Nov. for my friend's birthday. There was Flamenco Dancers and a Belly Dancer later on. A little too loud, you can't really have a conversation with the person across from you. Waiter- Crap. He was barely around and said "sorry, im serving other people so Im kinda slow." That was ridiculous. But, I did have a good time after the dance floor was open to the people. Price- Too much for their quality. Entertainment - Good, probably the best part about it. Dessert - Their Tiramasu was crap, except the strawberries that came with it. They were good. I would go back again actually.

    (3)

  • MELEK L.

    I have to first disclose the fact that I have been here before for their opening (not impressive), a private event (impressive), and most recently with a, yes, Persian regular (just ok). Upon arriving each of these times, the decor never ceases to blow me away. I absolutely love this style so it appeals to me visually. I wish I had those tiles and sconces in my place! I like the idea of having a stage for live performances especially in such a large space. Upstairs there are small private rooms and a much larger one as well. It seems the space is endless. I have recommended it for parties as large as 600 people as it is one of the few places in town that can handle a crowd of this size. The first two times I came I did not have any food. This was thoroughly disappointing at their opening. We were all starving and smushed butt to butt with about 1,000 other starving people. Scary! On my recent visit, we had a variety of items laid on our table. Most were pretty average. I really enjoyed the Falafel unlike so many other Yelpers. It was crunchy on the outside and nicely flavored on the inside. One disappointment was the dolmades. I bought some packaged ones the other day that tasted better than these. They didn't seem to have much substance and were bland. As for the service, well I was with a well known customer of theirs. We were treated very well, our food came in a timely manner, and the gentleman was pleasant. Unforunately when we were clearly finished with our plates, they failed to remove them. I think everyone was too preoccupied watching the bellydancer. Finally we waved someone down to take them away. I am sure that I will be back one day, as many of my friends are Persian. I enjoy the cuisine, the atmosphere, and the live music they offer. I am extremely disappointed in how they seem to be treating all of you other Yelpers out there though. Boo!

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    We didn't get to sit in the main dining area because there was a party going on. So we sat in the room right in the front, it was pretty boring. Service was slow, and our waiter wasn't that great. Food was just okay too, costly night spent over $100. I would go again for the main dining entertainment but that's it.

    (3)

  • Mark S.

    Freak show. Complete and utter freak show. This place ended up making me feel really creeped out. I admit, I went with a large group for a Birthday dinner on a Saturday night, and this is exactly the kind of "all show and no go" place I tend to hate- I went with some trepidation. The place is very new, so the kitchen's only been making food for a week or so. Maybe it'll get better with time? I doubt it, for whatever reason their chef has roamed from one restaurant to another that hasn't made it. And since I'll never go back, I'm firing off my opinion here anyway. First, the place is humungous! Multi-leveled, multi-roomed, in a Moroccan style with lots of colorful lights, mosaic styled tile (not real mosaics- large tiles painted/fired to look like one though), and a huge stage and central dance floor/dinner table area. So one star for the space itself- it is huge, and it is reasonably pretty. I enjoyed sitting and looking around at stuff pretty well. Still, in terms of atmosphere, there are more exotic Moroccan feeling places in Chicago...just none that come as close to making you feel like you're in the United Center! And for such a big place, you'd think they'd have more than one bar! OK, maybe they do have a couple bars hidden away somewhere, but I know our server was going to the front/main bar to gather our drinks, and it took FOREVER. The blandest Moroccan food I've ever had. Seriously, the food was just so not special I couldn't believe it- I've done much better myself at home. I understand you're paying for a show at a place like this, but really, a little seasoning isn't asking too much. I got the lamb tagine. First, it's served in a tagine, but certainly it wasn't prepared in one- and why bother when it's just a bunch of peas and carrots with a lamb shank on top- I could not discern a single seasoning of any sort!? I still can't get over how lame the food was... They claim the cuisine is a blend of French and Moroccan- my ass! The service was horrible, really horrible. But that's to be expected I suppose with a big group, and a built-in 20% tip on the bill. Still, this place specializes in big groups, you'd think they'd at least be OK at it. We were pressured to give up our table and get the hell out yet they couldn't deliver the bill for us to pay! Hilarious really, but so awkward having some huge Arab dude in a suit trying to sweep you out from in front of a stage multiple times while you have to argue that your party hasn't gotten it's bill yet! So the second star is for the show. First- be aware the real show doesn't start until 10:30. OK, if this is your kind of place you'll already just know that. But for tourists, that's when an Arabic band takes the stage and rocks the house. And the belly dancer was really something special- she was 100% professional, and she worked her way around the room throughout the night. Finally, the crowd in that big room was a part of the show too- loaded with flashy $, mainly immigrant types too, I heard Russians, Turks, Persians, all kinds. Lots of hair gel, cheap shoes and great big fat neckties in the crowd. At one point I actually felt mildly uncomfortable as if my life was in danger if I didn't give up my primo seat on the floor (we got there early for dinner) so one of the flashy crowd waiting for a table could move in on it. To quote Russell from Fat Albert- this place "is like school in summer- No class, haha!"

    (2)

  • Carrie B.

    WOW... Don't even know where to begin. This is an ADD paradise like no other. I'd have to agree with Mark S.' review. I did not dine here, however I sat upstairs for a large birthday party overlooking the downstairs. The seating was great as well as some of the ambiance/decor and I was a big fan of the hookahs. But that's pretty much where it stopped. It felt very overwhelming when I first walked in.... I thought I was going to be greeted by Aladdin and Jasmin and swept away on a magic carpet ride to somewhere exotic (or maybe that was just the hookah talking) .... I couldn't imagine dining here and having to listen to that unbelievably loud Arabic band for hours. But if you want pure entertainment, then go here. But don't expect to carry on a conversation during dinner when the band is going on. I did not eat the food, but several of my friends said the kabobs were horrible. This place is like the freakin' United Center- it's not hard to miss with the ultra tacky design on the outside. (And it's located directly next door to the Erotic Warehouse. Too funny.) VERY mixed crowd. VERY weird. But different, that's for sure. Fun night, but don't plan on going back.

    (2)

  • Fallon D.

    This review should be preceded by a disclaimer: I do not like much of what would be considered Mediterranean fare. As a matter of fact I tend to avoid it at all costs. I went to this place with a group of about 10 girls as a little goodbye party for a friend. With that being said, the food was edible, the service was less than stellar, the sangria was quite tasty, and the performers were awesome. The dining area is an incredibly large room with a middle area for the performers to come down from the stage and dance. The night I went there was a Spanish theme complete with a band and dancers. After the Spanish dancers, there was a belly dancer who was interactive with the crowd. As for the food: the vegetable couscous was yummy but my chicken kebab was slightly dry and bland. Our table got the huge group platter of appetizers for $100 and though it was nice to be able to taste so many different things I didn't think any of it was too great (not even the hummus, and I thoroughly enjoy good hummus), but especially disappointing for the price. Even the pita bread was noticeably below average. Overall, I would give a 2.5 for the performers and the sangria. I would not go back for the mediocre food, poor service, and over the top atmosphere.

    (2)

  • Olga M.

    As beautifull as it looks inside and out, as unmemorable their food and entertainment.

    (2)

  • Gigi G.

    24,000 square feet of beauty. This place is like walking into the castle in Aladdin. The staff is wonderful. Especially the CUTE Vip Host Alan! I am newly vegatarian so finding food I actually like has been a task. I let the server know my limitations. He picked my food for me!! He did great! The Hummus was wonderful. You can tell the Pita was homemade. The Falafels were to die for! Alexandria (the belly dancer) was a showstopper. I even got up to dance. Alhambra is a must do!!!

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    I first discovered Alhambra Palace one day on my way home from visiting the always great Goodwill. I slowed down my car to see what a sight this gigantic structure was. I wrote down the name and first thing upon getting home, I searched for it online. The pictures, the menu, the appeal it was all there .... a perfect place to celebrate my boyfriends upcoming birthday! Middle Eastern food is always a treat for us, and whenever we find a new joint, we have to try it out. So the day came !! I was so excited to take my special man to Alhambra for some good eats ... let my review begin !!! 1. The host was very kind, and on top of his game. 2. The decor is creative and authentic looking, yet very cheesy !! 3. Your chair sits much lower than the table, so if your short, your out of luck !! You may need to ask for a booster seat. We both are 5'11'' and we had to stretch our spines to get to our foods. 4. The manager, or whom I presumed was the manager, was literally RUNNING through the dining room. 5. There was one waitress, whom seemed to not have much experience in the serving world! She was a bit flustered, which happens, although ..... under staffing was an obvious issue !! Amateur !! 6. We ordered a bottle of the red Lebanese wine $34 and it's worth every dollar. If you have never had a bottle of Lebanese red wine, treat yourself to the wonders ... sadly it's rather hard to find outside of the Middle Eastern dining rooms !! 7. During our wait for what we hoped would be a splendid dinner, my boyfriend and I took a stroll around the Palace. We were looking at 13 million dollars of furniture, artwork, painted ceilings, a dance floor, and center stage and 400 plus table ... it was surely a wonder !! I have to admit, the place was pretty cool, yet still a tad cheesy. 8. After finished our adventure around the Palace, we returned to our ever so low chairs and our food was delivered within moments. Lamb Shank and a Seafood Platter !! ... ... bite one ... ... bite two ... ... bite three ... TERRIBLE !!!!!!! Slow roasted lamb ... didn't taste a thing like it. Shrimp, scallops, salmon ... rubber !!! What a disappointment .... with only a few bites take we were threw !! There wasn't even a slight desire to try their 8 dollar piece of Baklava. We figured we wouldn't chance another bite ... we'd rather go to Saltin's Market and get a box of amazing Baklava for $4.99 !!! So $123.00 dollars later, we got out as fast as we could !!! If it's entertainment your looking for, stop in on a Friday or Saturday night. Have a Scotch or a bottle of wine. Enjoy the Belly and Flaminco dancing and relax for the night ..... but if your looking for an authentic Middle Eastern dinner this is NOT the place!!

    (2)

  • Christa F.

    This place is absolutely enormous and decorated to the max. The decor is definitely over the top but is very beautiful. We were sat in the the front dining room, as I guess the large room in the back with the stage is really reserved for $125 dinner/show packages. The menu was not large at all. Don't get the scallops appetizer as it is not worth $14 for 3 scallops. I decided to go with the kebobs because I thought that is their main specialty. Although when I asked the waitress if that is their specialty, she didn't quite understand me. She was a little slow on the English. I got the chicken kebobs and the chicken was noticebly dry. You get your choice of 3 rices. I'm picky as far as spicy or "stuff" in my rice. So I was told the Jasmine rice was plain. And it was, which made me happy. And bonus, there was some light flavoring to the rice that made it very yummy. Loved the Jasmine Rice! I don't think I would come for the high price dinner/show thing. I do think it might be fun to come back with a large group to have them check out the place. I was there in the middle of the week and it was not crowded at all. There was even a belly dancer walking around shaking her thing. I walked out of there thinking, that they could slap this joint down in Vegas because it is a enormous over the top themed place (of course minus the slot machines).

    (2)

  • Jeanine S.

    belly dancers... some with hookas on their heads, table hookas, great cocktails, diverse crowd dancing for people watching... this place was a lot of fun. the food looked great, will be going for dinner next time. the place is ornately decorated, just big and beautiful, with communal tables around the dance floor and single tables on the outside and balconies. There is a mininum per person on fridays and saturdays to be wary of.

    (4)

  • Louay B.

    Alhambra Palace could be the worst restaurant in Chicago...actually the world. Service was horrible, food was cold and overpriced, and drinks were way way overpriced. They had four bartenders and six people sitting at the bar. It took 5 minutes to get 2 drinks, 10 minutes to order hummus dip, and 15 minutes for the hummus to get to us (I'm not sure how you mess up hummus, but they actually found out how to. It's a dip with 5 ingredients) After waiting to order another round drinks, we decided to just ask for the check, which the bartender forgot about. So 15 minutes later, we receive our check. Our tab was $46.00 for 2 drinks, one hummus app, and one hour of my life that I will never get back.

    (1)

  • ornela b.

    I was pretty persistent on trying this place! i was thinking; middle eastern food, nice entertainment and maybe some balanced food quality/pricing. Ohhh, I saw the prices, sampled the appetizers and left the place thinking: If I ever will be in a mood for middle eastern food, then i will go somewhere else. People, go there for entertainment but not for a special meal!

    (3)

  • Juan M.

    Wow, I just gave 3 stars to a restaurant in Atlanta that is obnoxiously packed and crowded. I wonder if the 3 stars here are for the opposite? Okay, ignore their neighbor (Erotic Warehouse) and focus on the place. Besides it being full of Eastern Europeans (not that there's anything wrong with that) it was just a little...weird. Clearly they were going for the Middle Eastern vibe, but the Alhambra is in Spain, right? The food was pretty good - we got the Mezza platter which had some of everything (brought by our server from Rockford who was Czech/Swedish/Native American). We got, in a nod to the Spanish roots, a bottle of Marques de Caceres which worked well with the meal. I was apprehensive after reading the reviews that the dinner (a business one where we needed to review a bunch of detailed stuff) would work because of the raucous noise, debauchery, dancing, etc. that would be occurring. It was deserted. I mean, like, we were the only table we saw occupied for over an hour until some other folks came in. Good, nice service - not the best in the world (wine was just sloshed into our glasses without the customary, and pretentious, try the small sip first ritual) but she was a good hearted gal. We ended the meal, of course, with shots of arak. Yes, it tastes like licorice, yes it's gross, but (yes) it's appropriate. Did I mention that Chicago is cold as hell this time of the year? Did I mention that when I got on the plane in Atlanta it was a balmy 65 degrees?

    (3)

  • Vanessa P.

    I went here last week for lunch with some of my co-workers. The food was tasty all around (2 veggie tagine, 1 chicken tagine, 1 lamb tagine, 1 chicken kabob). We didn't have any problems with the food, but maybe that was because we were pretty much the only ones there. The main bad thing though: the service. We were 1 out of 2 tables that were there and still, it was sooooo slow. The waiter took 10 minutes to get our drinks (all non-alcoholic mind you) and another 10 to get our order. Super, super slow. But, I will say this: the decor is over the top but unbelievable looking. They definitely spared no expense on the decor. Since it was so empty, they let us wander around upstairs and down. I heard that the figure for remodeling was 16 million! Wow!

    (3)

  • Mala K.

    My husband and I selected this restaurant because he loves lamb. The place has good valet parking, and the ambience (we went before the belly dancing and show at 9.30 pm) is nice--quiet and with comfy seating. The food is pretty good, and there are enough vegetarian options, nothing to complain about there. My husband enjoyed his lamb, and we both liked our Alhambra martinis, though they are a bit on the strong side. The only faults I could find are with the service--a bit slow and apathetic, and with the dessert--an uninspired creme brulee. The decor is a little overdone, but the neighborhood is not too noisy, and we enjoyed our privacy.

    (3)

  • Hissyfit S.

    Save your money - you can get this same food elsewhere in the city for less than 1/2 the price. $22 for dry, plain chicken kabobs and some tasteless rice (sorry, I didn't feel like ponying up another $6 for the dill rice)??? And my boyfriend's chicken tangine was without flavor as well - he said there wasn't any seasoning at all. We were both reaching for the salt shaker. I was wishing we'd just grilled chicken at home. The baba ghanoush and falafel appetizers were good (the sauce for the falafel had a nice kick - I wish they served some with the chicken), but at $8 each, still way over priced. The service was friendly though, and attentive, if a bit inept. We ordered hummus and falafel, but we were given baba ghanoush and hummus - when we pointed out the error, they took the hummus away, left the bg and finally brought the falafel. We decided the bg was tasty and didn't want to fluster the guy any more than he already was. A few minutes later they tried to bring us falafel (again) and hummus (again). Our bill came to $110 with tip, for 2 (that was for 2 beers, a glass of wine, 2 apps and 2 entrees). WAY high for the quality of the food - seriously, if you're going to charge $22-24 for entrees, they'd better be much more special than these. I left feeling that I'd really been had. We're not cheap - we go out to dinner frequently and don't have a problem spending that much for dinner, we just expect the food to be much better at these prices. I can name 10 places at that price point (and less) that deliver way better food. Obviously we were paying about $10 each just to be in the heavily-decorated space and for the belly dancers (who were just starting as we left and looked like they were doing a nice job, even if that's not really my thing). Funny side story - I overheard the guy at the table next to ours call someone and ask "look for a piece of paper next to the computer. I wrote the name of the restaurant on it...what does it say? Saltus? OK. " - they were at the wrong restaurant! HA! I wanted to lean over and say "get out now - quick - the other place HAS to be better!"

    (1)

  • Abby T.

    Oh, gawd.... I give this place a year tops to survive. If I'm wrong, I would be very surprised. I don't even think this restaurant deserves me to write in prose form. The Good: - loved the decor, I really felt like I was on vacation in Morocco - Nice, open fully-stocked looking bar, with lots of elbow room - authentic looking waiting area, with small tables and felt, comfy chairs - huge stage - nice looking private room upstairs that looked like it could fit about 100-200 guests - the scallop appetizer was tasty...although the scallops were slightly overdone - The rack of lamb special was well-liked, but it seemed to be a tiny lamb! - Two friends got the tagines: one was lamb and I think the other was seafood. They seemed to be very pleased with their choices. - the belly dancer was good - I loved the band...reminded me of Volare (Gipsy King cover band) and I loved how people got out there and danced...I tihnk I appreciated it only because the people actually looked like they were from that region and not some culturally obnoxious drunk people. The Bad and yes, UGLY: - a Moroccan spot whose opening entertainment is Flamenco dancing? last time I checked that was a Spanish style of dance. - a Moroccan spot that whose soup of the day is New England freakin' Clam Chowder? I should have just left after that disclosure. A menu without cohesion is a suicide attempt doomed for success. - my friend tried to order a cocktail, but they were out of one or two of the ingredients.... umm, ok. - we tried to order the stuffed lamb spleen; however, the waiter said they were out of all organs....so that meant no kidneys either. So annoying when a restaurant has something on the menu, but fails to carry it in the kitchen. So unprofessional. - my filet came out TOTALLY well done (it was grey in color) despite my request for it to be medium. when it came back out, it was too red for me. The manager came out and apologized, which was nice. He said they would give us a complimentary dessert. I wonder how many times this happens? - the music from the stage was just a bit too loud to have a normal dinner conversation. All in all, I would not dine here again although I would come for drinks and to hear and see some talented artists.

    (1)

  • Eva V.

    Crazy and over-the-top. Fantastic performances. Service, at least for our group, was awful. The restaurant wasn't too full when we were there, and nonetheless, we had to keep asking for water refills. Small plates weren't handed out until about 10min after the appetizers arrives, same goes for napkins. Food was delicious, though. Catching a cab from Alhambra is a hassle. We had to wait about 40 min for the cab to arrive after it was called.

    (3)

  • Luke S.

    The decor was amazing! The crowd was very ritzy and unwelcoming. We didn't order any food, but the food did look good. I looked over the menu and they charged $8 dollars for a very small hummus platter. They had their own Alhambra Beer, but we did not realize that it was $8 dollars a bottle. I only gave this place two stars because of the elaborate decorations. If you're ever in the neighborhood walk in look around and leave.

    (2)

  • S B.

    Well, I have different takes on this place, and I don't really know what to think of it anymore. I've gone 4 times and each time was different! Here's two of my experiences: 1- Friends birthday. We went as a small party of 4 or 5 -just for dinner. We sat in the room to the right of where you first enter. It is gorgeous. Decoration is breathtaking! It has the middle eastern feel to it. I can't express how pretty this place is. We were stunned. When we were taking pictures, the staff was really nice and took pictures for us. They were very friendly. Bad parts: THE FOOD AND PRICES. Prices are through the roof. So expensive. I could have gone to an arabic restuarant and spent 1/4 of what we spent on that food. We ordered two entrees. (They're pretty big actually)....we waited over an hour for our food. Bread was cold and hard. Food did not taste good. 2- My birthday- we went the day when there was a belly dancer and singer. We actually sat in the back of the restaurant by the stage. Again, employees were verryyyyyyy friendly! (one was too friendly and wanted my friend's number, kind of unprofessional, but we were all having fun (no, she didn't give him her number). So, we didn't really care. The employees knew it was my birthday; so, they actually told the singer, and he sang to me in arabic and english...and yes, i had to get up and dance. It was fun! Food this time was awesome. It was realllyyy good!! Bread was warm and soft, as well! We had a lot of fun and ended up spending ~$220...there was about 10 of us. Overall, the place is beautiful, there are various areas you can choose to be seated in, various entertainment, bar, friendly staff, but no hookah! You'll def. score points with a g/f/b/f if you plan your date here. Food might or might not taste good. Take a risk. It's a pretty place.

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    We walked up to the place and it was empty? I wasn't sure that 8 on a Saturday night if everybody had left or had yet to arrive? We sat in the bar and waited for our troop to get there. The first thing that I noticed were the outrageous price for liquor. Or should I say tonic water, ice and pass the bottle over the glass without stopping. They gave me a gin and tonic in a razor thin glass that had a ledge on the inside so it got smaller. Nice trick, and I'm sure that most people don't notice but I'm not coming back just for that. Later in the night I had a soda in the same glass and you couldn't even taste it. They served me colored water. The decor is very Jerry Kleiner. He must have made the metal work for them because I felt like I was in the Red Light. The server was on top of his game. He explained the menu to a couple of people in our group for a pretty lenghty period of time. As the food was coming out the show started and I noticed something. Half the people at the table were watching the show. The other half were screwed. They got to look at the wall? It seemed silly to me that you have a floor show and then set the tables up in a manner that you can't watch it? I would not come back here for the food either. Very expensive for what you get. Not bad, but not great. I have had much better food in Greek Town and my neck didn't hurt, as much as my wallet. Although I had a clear shot as the place was still empty. It was a nice wall though. So we headed for the bar again. Funny that they charged me 9 bucks a pop for a gin and tonic. But when I ordered 2 they charged me 20 bucks? Must be the new math? And what's with that freek-a-zoid in the washroom lurking behind the door. I'll get my own towel and breath mint. There, I wanted to come here. Now I don't want to come back. And don't stay late. This is about 8 blocks away from all the other Randolph street restaurants.

    (2)

  • Mike W.

    This review is for the nightlife aspect of the venue. To review this place as a restaurant never occurred to me. The spectacular design clearly indicates this homage to the style of Grenada was meant for the conspicuous consumption of the dance floor, not the menu. In that vein, it succeeds wholeheartedly. Through an unassuming entrance that quickly turns to extravagance, you enter into the cavernous expanse of Alhambra. You'll be fooled at first by the small, but long entry bar. This is but a taste of what lies beyond the far velvet rope. It is there you will find the enormous, two-tiered salsa atrium. What else do you call the bright, whirling expanse? Room for hundreds of dancers stretches inside a ring of tables and chairs. This is serious dancer country, people. Do not dally if your skill is weak. If you are unsure, take a peak around.....my guess? You should get there early. A brief lesson on Tuesdays and Fridays before the band can do wonders. The dance floor is highly democratic, and an absolute blast. Veterans abound, but a willingness to learn seemed to do wonders for me. The decor and design is phenomenal. Amazing. Really superb job of conferring the south of Spain. From the tile murals and painted tiles, to the enormous chandeliers, the decor was top notch. We chilled up on the couches and created our own dance floor (our salsa was muy weak). Drinks aren't cheap. Service was friendly. Overall: if you love salsa or want to try, I couldn't think of a better place for it.

    (4)

  • larry g.

    This is a great place to go if you are a party of one thousand. Ok, let's start with the bad. I joined 10 Persian women for drinks after they had eaten at a wedding shower (wait, that's not the bad part). We sat two feet from the stage, meaning the large speakers. I was wishing I had hearing aides to take out. We waited one hour for the first drink! I had to go all the way to the bar to find a waitress to deliver the message to our section waiter that we were dying of thirist. Two more visits and we got our waiter. A few people ordered wine. Meanwhile the belly dancer, who is noted as the best in Chicago, was beautiful and masterful. The various singers, all male, were not that good. After the dancer, people started hitting the floor. It was crowded (Sat at 11:00pm). Very crowded. But the energy was great. Our request for water was ignored. I didn't notice because my date pointed out a 6'3" blonde hooker, right next to us, who was dancing with her, umm, "date." She had on a long, pink body skirt that was painted on and slit up the front to.....The short, fat Arab guy with her had a fixed, big smile that made him look like The Joker. It was getting late and everyone wanted to go home for a drink of water. Then we learned that there was a $30 drink mimimum per person, which meant the table owed about $300, plus 20%. But only about 5 people had ordered a drink and I had had just one. Normally, I could have met everyone's minimum. But so as to not lose money, we had to start pounding drinks....Holy Cosmo! Holy Long Island Ice Tea! Holy bad next morning. Oh, and I ordered fallafel. These boys were huge....and cold. I saved one for the next time I go bowling. If you want to dance to Arabic music, in a place that feels intimate, and better music, go to Juliana's on Peterson.

    (2)

  • Lisa P.

    I love the Alhambra palace! Then again, I'm closer to age 50 than 40, or 30. That said, the ambiance and entertainment is fantastic, and the crowd, a nice, clean collection of grown ups. The food is tasty, and the service impressive even in a crowded setting. The interior is reason enough to at least get in there and take a peek!

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    Amazing decoration like Disney World! Great entertainment events. Poor food. Arrogant people. Go for belly dance and salsa nights or drinks. Not food. They are pretty strict about your attire. The lady before us wear average cloth with not-so-bad sneakers. They deny her and her friends access even though they already made a reservation. The situation was not solved until the manager came out to the door. The probably won't let me in with my new Pumas. Don't go there for food. You will cry. The Dolmas (minty leaves rice wraps) are the most horrible I have ever had. It was loose wrap soaked in salty and sour tomato sauce. It sounds fine, but it is not! I love the Tuesday and Friday salsa nights there. I used to go every week. Great floor, great music and great people. I also love the Friday night belly dance show of Alexandria on the first floor main hall. She is a very decent belly dances with great entertainment skills. The live band is pretty authentic as I am an experienced belly dancer myself. Recommended for groups and couples.

    (3)

  • Jasbir S.

    I'm a bit shocked by some of the other reviews on here. I'll admit that I didn't try the food as I tend to find most Middle Eastern (and Greek) food bland as I'm used to spicier fare when eating things like kebabs. That being said, there are a couple of great Middle Eastern restaurants in town. I went here to watch the belly dancing and regular-old-people-like-us dancing and it was a lot of fun. Sure, your buddies from Michigan State and Notre Dame probably don't hang out here, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with people who you've never hung out with before. Almost everyone else seemed to be Middle Eastern and the crowd's age varied between 25 and 50. Everyone got up and danced when the dance floor opened up. There was no cover and no drink minimum either. Overall: fun place, cool crowd, interesting (and probably over the top) decor, and a unique experience for Chicago.

    (5)

  • Ccc C.

    This place has aweful food and the service is aweful. We had to acutally find someone to wait on us. Its too bad since the place is very pretty, but that will carry them only so far. I will never go there again. Its a bunch of kids running the restaurant to the ground. I will never never go back. Its horrible.

    (1)

  • Brenda V.

    Very nicely decorated, great service, kabobs are the best.

    (3)

  • Vanessa G.

    When I walked in I was amazed at the size and decoration of this place. I was attending a holiday party with about 50-60 people in the private room upstairs. I was pretty amazed that there was only one bartender but even more amazed at the price of the drinks! He was extremely friendly but slow and there is something to be said when your bartender examines your glass for cleanliness before he pours your drink in it...makes me wonder if he really cleans the glasses??? For the holiday dinner, all our tables had platters of Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Tabouli, Falafel, and Shrimp. The shrimp and hummus were pretty good, but the Falafel was pretty dried out almost as if they were the frozen ones you nuke in the microwave. For dinner we had some different choices and I chose the Lobster Ravioli and my co workers had the Fillet of Beef. Mine was ok, nothing to get real excited over but edible and everyone elses' beef was so undercooked, they could hardly eat it and they are big meat eaters! After the party was over it turned out there was going to be a big show/ concert so a couple of us stuck around and waited. Once our drinks ran out (and the holiday party was over) we ordered some beers from the waitress only to find out it was $10.00 per night, seriously, for 1 bottle of Miller Lite??? I think I can get a 12 pack for $13! So, the 2 stars really come from the fun I had with those attending the party and for the really unbelievable decor and ambiance that went into the restaurant, think over the top Vegas. The food is extremely expensive and not what you think you are going to get for the price you are paying.

    (2)

  • Linda L.

    Alhambra kind of has that circus-like atmosphere. you almost expect cirque de soliel to come prancing down the aisles and onto the stage. the decor is elaborate, and the place is HUGE! if you're seated on the upper level, it almost feels like you're at the opera. the food is overpriced and unimpressive, but the experience was great! I went with a group of 20 people and had an amazing time. if you don't mind the overpriced menu and are looking for a fun place to eat, the i would definitely recommend this place. if the overpriced menu puts a damper on the fun factor to your evening, then you probably want to go somewhere else.

    (2)

  • rachel a.

    I was here a couple years ago. It is a pretty place. There was a buffet because something was going on. Good food. I smoked some sheesha. Fun!!!

    (4)

  • Janene M.

    I went last night for my birthday. We had fun. Not sure why this place has so many low stars on here. I made reservations (3 weeks in advance) and requested to sit on the main floor where the Belly dance show was going to occur. I called and spoke to the manager the day of, to assure our seating. We arrived and we were seated right away. I had a cake for my birthday, which they took and stored for me. We were seated exactly where I wanted to be. our waitress was great. The show was entertaining (you could tell some of them were novices). It is a bit pricey, but the food was delicious. I would go back again for an event, or to sit in the lounge area for hookah.

    (4)

  • Miss J P.

    I should mention that I came here with the 5:30 PM Saturday Night Crowd....There were tons of families...all around...I would say at this time its very family oriented and good for kids... The decor is amazing...the place is HUGE...Its very interesting...Its sort of like Mafia owned or something b/c no one would drop that much on just building the restaurant.. Our waiter was a typical jackass: when we asked him questions regarding the menu, he stated that he didn't know because he was not at Pre-Meal b/c he was doing Managerial duties- (were we supposed to be impressed with this comment) We asked him if the Lobster Ravioli was different tasting. or had different spices b/c it seemed out of place on the menu...he's like well I'm Italian and this whole menu is surprising to me, its obviously Italian based....In my mind, I was thinking (hence the whole Mediterranean thing all being somewhat related but whatever I decided not to lecture on Simple Geography) Later on we asked him for a ice bucket for the wine, and he's like well I don't like my wine on Ice so I didn't bring it....Once again, Don't really care what you like to do, its my f-ing ridiculous dinner. The Lamb was really good...So were the appetizers...I wouldn't get the lobster ravioli..Not GOOD...Their desserts are amazing...The cheesecake was so good. I will say this...I went to the bathroom and there wasn't a lock yet on one of the doors...And this really nice busser stood guard..so the customer service is not lost there. The other great thing about this place are the belly-dancers ...I'm not kidding...They were great...They would teach how to do it...My 5 year old nephew could not stop staring at them!

    (2)

  • Scott N.

    My GF wanted to go here for her birthday recently and I just didn't believe her when she described the scene inside. It actually looks like a palace and has belly dancers, singers, and dancers on stage to entertain you in this huge 3+ story theater. Food was unreal and the whole ambiance was awesome. Also good value for the money. Great place.

    (5)

  • Aileen T.

    I wish Alhambra set aside a fraction of its decorating budget and invested it on server training, better recipes and higher quality ingredients. I came here with 3 friends for a girls night out. We started with baba ghanoush and 4 martinis. Our waiter must have been new or confused because he insisted that the hummus we received was actually baba ghanoush. Another server took one glance and quickly took care of it. We tried our best to ignore the camera crew that was shooting a few tables away. When they stopped by our table, we politely declined their request to shoot us. They forgot about this and came back shining a bright light on our faces as our food was being served. Normally, this may not have been a big deal but were already annoyed because our drinks were empty and we waited forever for an overpriced dinner. The food was mediocre at best. My filet kabobs were better than what my friends ordered, but that's not saying much...avoid if you can unless you want to stop in for a drink to check out the place.

    (2)

  • Liliana S.

    I'm going to skip the obvious too- amazing decor, huge space, etc. The first time I walked in to Alhambra Palace, I really forgot that i was in Chicago. Really. I felt I was in Morocco or some shit. There were so many hot Middleastern men that for a slight moment I wished I had a burka on. Then I remembered I was in the West Loop and was thirsty. So I ordered a grey goose l'orange and tonic. I felt like I had ADD too, not sure where to focus my attention on. The men, the people dancing to arabic music, the decor, the hookah pipes, what? We stayed for another drink and left. The second time- Went for dinner with a large group of friends. Our server was a complete shit. I swear that he was the slowest server on the face of the earth who didn't deserve that $190 tip he automatically received from our bill. He kept on forgetting things (drinks, requests) and charged us double on some entrees. The food wasn't as bad as I kept on hearing. We ordered the large appetizer platter. I loved the goat cheee and yogurt spread. Yum. I had the lobster ravioli that I felt was pretty decent but rather suspicious. Suspicious because I sorta felt that it could've came from a Chef Boyardee can. Who knows- The prices are too expensive and the service is mierda. For all the money the owner(s) put into the decor- they should've spent it on some staff training.

    (2)

  • T K.

    Everything about this place has already been said, but here goes... - The decor is amazing (way, way over the top) - The space is huge - The music is too loud I didn't have food and sat at the bar almost alone except for my friend, so service was fine and can't comment on the taste of anything.

    (3)

  • James A.

    Disclaimer: While Alhambra is lovely restaurant with great middle eastern food, the entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill dining experience. The ideal time to sit down is between 9:30 and 10:00pm. Order a hookah and drinks, then sit back an enjoy the show. Now... Alhambra is outrageous! While the belly dancer was shaking her belly, dollar bills shot out of some mechanism and onto the floor. Nobody picked up the money! That's just the type of place this is. Either these people are middle east oil princes or the "American Dream" is alive and well in the Chicago's Arab American community. The physical space is over the top and has a definite Las Vegas meets Dubai vibe. Although Al Jazeera plays on flat screen TV's around a massive ballroom, I wouldn't let the political implications of that fact dissuade you from enjoying this great cultural experience. If you love global music, you'll love it. If you love sexy and entertaining dancing, you'll love it. If you love adventure, you'll love it. I felt like Indiana Jones in a Sean Combs video. $8.00 appetizers are relatively affordable, but drinks come at a higher price. The drinks were well shaken and well stirred. The place is gilded, so try to look decent. Button up the shirt, and maybe even, OMG, tuck it in! Jeans and a button down are fine, but some men wore suits. Belly Dancing starts at 10:15pm on Friday and Saturday. Make a reservation for around 10:00pm and ask for the main room. The seating is casino lounge style, situated around a stage and dance floor. After the incredible entertainment, the women all get up and dance. Then the men join in later. In the end you feel like you've just taken a trip to the other side of the world. Totally fun, but go late to ensure you're there for the peak atmosphere. They didn't impose a $30.00 drink minimum when we went to Alhambra, but maybe that's because we ordered four appetizers. The total was about $200.00 (tip included) for 7 people.

    (4)

  • Ricky N.

    Save your money and time !!DO not eat here !Food is waaay overpriced ,service is atrocious and non existant ,the mafioso bigheaded security guys are pricks ...they jumped at me and my guest when we asked the owner (we werent aware he was the owner ) if he could please take a picture of us (uuuh hes the owner of a restauraunt ...not the fuckin pope !!(why does a restaurant need security at 8 pm anyways ?)Me and my guest paid $30-$40 for meat entrees that were half fat !!seriously ..I could not believe I paid for a cut of meat that when I trimmed away all the fat and pushed it to the side I was left with exactly half of what was on the bone !!The Middleeastern music waaaay to loud .Only good thing about the place was the decor and the belly dancer was okay ...but thats not good enough for me to ever come back after the service and fatty overpriced meat entrees .

    (1)

  • J. O.

    I am affording this place the benefit of the two stars only because of their effort in the decor and atmosphere. Other than that, I couldn't have felt more robbed of my boyfriend's money than if someone had actually held me up at gunpoint. The food was pretty bad, I definitely would have wanted to eat at Aladdin's. I got couscous with shrimp and chicken which came recommended by the waitress. It was pretty much like sawdust. And all for only about 35 dollars. The drinks were good, but nothing to write home about. I will say that the atmosphere was fantastic. There is a huge chandelier in the main dining room that looks like they paid about a million dollars for. Also there is supposed to be a belly-dancing show, but it didnt' start until much later so we only caught a little flamenco dancing. The entertainment was good and fun, but it was a little awkward because even though we were there at 830 on a Saturday night, the place was pretty empty. Also BIG and empty. So you sort of felt bad for the dancers. I hate feeling bad for people. Other people that came later seemed to be ordering big platters of apps that looked really good. I think I'd recommend these instead, and maybe come later for drinks and apps but skip dinner and catch a fun show.

    (2)

  • Tom C.

    I will start with the good. Nice and beautiful decor and the service was pretty good. We had 17 group table and they were very nice to us and accomadating. Now the bad. The food was terrible but I sort of knew that coming in. But the filet was so was so dry as well as the other dishes my friends had. The dancing was fun for a little while, but after like 30 minutes. You just want to eat and talk. Breaks between would be a lot better. Overall, we went to just try out the place because of the environment, but we will never come back. And its way overpriced.

    (2)

  • Roslyna I.

    Let's get down to the point - this place is great for many reasons: (1) the food is delicious, (2) the decorations are intriguing and thought provoking, (3) the place itself is visually stimulating, (4) there is entertainment and there are things to do! (e.g. belly dancers, salsa night), (5) the servers are friendly and knowledgeable, (6) you don't have to wait long for your food, and (7) mystical music. Go try this place atleast once!

    (4)

  • Cheryl S.

    Three stars may be a bit generous for this place, but other than the sub-par service, the food was pretty good. This place is very aestheticly pleasing. I felt like I was in a mosque in some exotic country! However, there were hardly any patrons in the restaurant, yet our server made himself VERY scarce. Getting a water refill was like pulling teeth! I think it took him 15 minutes to bring out our drinks-which were tea and Diet Coke...really?!? We ordered hummus as an appetizer, which was pretty decent, and came with warm, fresh, whole pitas. I ordered the grape leaves which were really flavorful and well-cooked. My better half ordered some sort of chicken kabob that was pretty dry and tasteless. I thought the prices were going to be outrageous here considering the area and the "scene" but they were pretty fair. Had I been in a hurry I would have made a stink about the SLOW service, but we had some time and it was fun to take in our surroundings. But seriously, we were practically the ONLY people in there and the waitor couldn't have cared less about us. What would the service be like had they been busy?!

    (3)

  • Trinidad F.

    I went here for my birthday with a group of friends and had trouble finding the place. We made reservations but got there late. When we got there they didnt make us wait which was nice. We were seated and when I saw the menu I flipped. The prices were crazy and there were only 2 dishes that were vegetarian. I had couscous with veggies and to my surprise they were very yummy. Veggies were fresh and had a spicy curry taste which I adore. The serving was also very big and I didnt finish it all. The entertainment was ok. I enjoyed the tango dancers and various others but the belly dancer was blah. lol. The interior design was pretty cool.

    (3)

  • I A.

    Crazy decor, I mean they went balls out with the decorations, must have been some serious cash laid out, makes me wonder if this is supposed to loose money. Lots and Lots of seating. Flamenco dancers and guitar player were amazing the belly dancer was ok and had not belly, (whats the point, eat up lady). Went to a birthday party at the place, the food was decent but it didn't knock me over, it was kind of inconsistent, like the typical Arab fare like shish kabobs, kibee, kofta and hummus were very good the tagines were not in fact they need to rename it, just because it comes in a tagine doesnt meen it is one, I suppose they should leave that to Moroccan restaurants... yeah I know most Chicagoans dont know the difference, but the difference is huge . Dessert was unmemorable outsourced type of stuff except for backlava and quite frankly wasnt that great either.

    (2)

  • Maria G.

    For as many middle eastern people as their are in Chicago - this place needs to get better pita and fallafel. Plus its way too expensive. I honestly think that they use the frozen kind on me. but in fairness to them I heard the chef quit a week before opening. thats never a good thing. and I think what they need is a new chef to make this beautiful place into a magical place. Its a diamond in the rough. but the food hsa got to improve first. and get rid of all the plastic banners saying now open etc.. its tacky. aslo guests should be issued a hookah at every table!

    (3)

  • Helen L.

    Went here to celebrate my fiance's work anniversary. I chose this place because I thought it would be nice to have dinner with live entertainment. The sangrias were probably one of the best I have ever had. We shared two half bottles of red and white sangria. They were fruity but not overly sweet. We started with the lentil soup which was lightly spicy and very tasty. My fiance never tried Middle Eastern/Moroccan food before so this was a new culinary experience for him. The dinners were delicous and came with traditional couscous and fresh vegetables. We also tried the dessert. We had the Baklava which was very good. And also the Creme Carmel which we did not enjoy. It had no flavor. The entertainment was good. The male belly dancers out-did the females. They were truly impressive. You don't normally expect to see male belly dancers but they do exist culturally. I do have one regret about giving the place more stars. Our waitress was rather short with us. I have eaten plenty of Middle Eastern cuisines in my life and she spoke to us like we had no clue. She would disappear for long stretches and never smiled or asked if we needed anything. We usually had to motion to her to come to our table. So that was the only aggravating part of the evening. All in all a very beautifully decorated place. Would love to come with a big group next time.

    (3)

  • Jennifer P.

    Decent food, though not as flavorful as I would have expected. Dancing was fun to watch, but make sure you have a seat that gives you a good view of the dance floor. NOT GOOD FOR GROUPS. We had a group of ~15 and the service was really bad. We should have had 2 waitresses/waiters for a group that size, but we only had 1. Every request had to be made twice, and these were basic requests like a napkin, silverware, drink refills. Appetizers were late and ended up coming at the same time as the entrees. When there were additional servers, they were a little rude. This service did not justify the 20% gratuity that is charged to a large group. I will not go back.

    (1)

  • Kristin V.

    Okay, so I went here with 20 coworkers for a team dinner/outing. The atmosphere is strange (Perhaps just too empty for a weekday)... The decor is great.... The food was decent... The belly dancer was not talented (when I can belly dance better, I am not impressed)... The service was mediocre... The music was fantastic. I am on the fence on this one. Not sure that I would go back, but I had fun people watching.

    (3)

  • LISA c.

    I can't wait for date (real gentleman) to bring me here, good food and cozy little booths. I been here quite a few times, i think it really set a good mood for nice conversations. Also the place is really a gold mine. (lol)

    (4)

  • Danielle B.

    I went on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday. First, we were seated at around 830 and didn't get any food til around 10. We had around 30 people and we only had one server! i felt bad for the guy, that is a lot to handle. They finally realized to give us more servers but it still didn't help. However, our original server was ok, it still was horrible service. They screwed up 5 drinks but gave us a free bottle of champagne, so that was really nice. They also gave my friend a free drink since he waited so long. When we finally got our food, it was just ok. Nothing exciting. I was really hoping for something more. The steak was rubber and the mussels were rubber. The first set of belly dancers were no good. The real show didn't start til 10 and that was about the best part. The set of second belly dancers were awesome. The singer went around and sang happy birthday to every person in the restaurant. It went on for 15 minutes..that was a little too much. The atmosphere was awesome, the food not so much.

    (1)

  • Cat B.

    I don't even to know where to start... We walked into this over-the-top Vegas-style spot and our "reservation" was not upheld and we waited 15 minutes for our table. No biggie...we could check out the bar...We ordered a couple of drinks (totally over priced) and waited for our table to be ready. When it was we had to wait 5 minutes to get the bartender's attention to close our tab because she was too busy chatting with her back to the customers. We sat down and felt like we were really far apart at the table. Because of the space and the fact that it is really loud in there. The decorations are gaudy. They obviously spent so much money on the decorations that they forgot to focus on what is important in running a restaurant. Here is something to think about...as far as I am concerned, the only place that a waitress should be shadowing another waitress to train them is at a Chili's or an Applebee's. If she needs that much training, she probably shouldn't be hired at a place that charges an average of $25 an entree. The waitress was nice, but didn't even acknowledge the woman following her or bother to introduce her to us. I will say this: The hummus was good. The pita was more like pita chips. The pita tasted like it was stale and to cover it up they baked it in the oven causing it to be more like chips. The waitress suggested the chicken to my boyfriend saying it had "more flavor" than the fillet kabobs, which he was thinking of getting as well. He ordered the chicken and I ordered the trout. Let's start with the good: The trout was a tasty and the couscous was alright. There were no vegetables served with this $25 entree. Then there was the chicken. It was so incredibly dry, the cous cous was dry, and there was NO flavor. I couldn't even believe that they had suggested the dish. Also, on my way back from the bathroom, I had to walk around a tray of food sitting there waiting to be served, but with that many people walking by from using the bathroom, I might not want to eat it once it got to my table. We had to ask, although it felt like begging at times, for our water to be refilled three times. Then twice throughout the meal, loud music blasted for a minute or two and then stopped. Not quite sure whether they were ready to move into club-mode or not, I guess. Overall, there is no way that this place can last. Their priorities as far as service offerings are totally off. I do not recommend this place. It was a total waste of money. I could have found something better at Baba Pita for $5.

    (1)

  • Bateman P.

    From the outside Alhambra looks like a ride at Disney World, and the decor inside solidifies the desire to transform the guest to another country. What country that is I have no clue. They certainly spent some money on the decor. It is lavish, fancy, and from what I understand is authentic. Everything was imported. There are many rooms to the joint and it is huge. The food was ok at best. I'm not sure where the food is supposed to be from, or taste like it is from but I felt it lacked any kick. I shared an appetizer that was ok, and my entree of beef and rice required me to add salt and pepper. It was still delicious however I expected the food to match up to the attention to detail they payed on the decor. It was expensive but compared to all the other restaurants on the Randolph strip they are no worse. I particularly enjoyed the entertainment. The band, as well as belly dancers were top notch. I was a bit loud but I enjoyed it immensely. Once the belly dancer was through the band kept on playing. This attracted people to start dancing on the dance floor. I have never seen so many attractive woman all on one dance floor. Everyone was well dressed, drunk, and having a ball. I'm going to have to go against the grain of all the other yelpers and say A+ to Alhambra. My party did have a minor issue with our reservation and I did "technically" get threatened to be escorted out, but the real managers saved face by not only finding us a great table, but buying our party a bottle of wine and a round of drinks. That is how you run a business. There are security guys that stand around as if the president was in attendance. Not sure what that is all about. Are they looking out for my security from all the hot ladies on the dance floor? Perhaps they are there to protect us all from all the suburbanites that came into the city for a good Sat. night. What ever the reason it is a little over the top, but so is Alhambra Palace. I would recommend checking them out at least once.

    (4)

  • Jack B.

    The venue is nice and the food is great, but the service is terrible....service is what makes/breaks businesses for me!!

    (2)

  • marisa s.

    the PALACE on Randolph. this place is HUGE. we drove by so many times that we finally had to venture inside...for a mid-week dinner. we were pretty casual, but this place was all iced out, gold everywhere, every square inch was covered in some sort of a design (on the floor, on the wall, in the air...well not really). we felt a little too casual for this place, but hey, it's chicago no one dresses up here! our server was pretty friendly and started explaining middle eastern food to us like we were tourists from Alaska and had no idea what was going on. we're from the D, one of the biggest Arab populations in the US inhabit that place...so we know our hummus. it was nice of him to make us feel welcome though. the menu was pricey for middle eastern AND rather small. apparently the menu recently changed and they had some additions like "lamb kidney" hmm...best part of the lamb, hmm, not really. boyf got the lamb schwarma plate that was over $20 and i got the kefka plate that was pushing $20, the food was pretty good, but not worth the $, you could pay a little over $20 in metro Detroit for the same 2 dishes...and we ordered hummus to start which was...smooth but still missing some ingredient. no one can get hummus right here, WTF!!?? it usually falls short and i expect the palace to have great hummus...but instead they had a large entertainment auditorium for belly dancing...(wed, fri, & sat 10pm). we left before it started. this could be an interesting place to take a large group for entertainment or maybe a business guest...but the price is not worth the food...but here's my theory: the food is so expensive in order to pay off the immaculate designed enormous palace!

    (2)

  • Jackie N.

    Somehow they found a way to ruin two simple things: hummus and falafel. Must have lost the recipes in the Taj Mahal of a building they call a restaurant. One star for the opulence.

    (1)

  • John W.

    So I went here 07Sept2010 and let me tell you they do not like white people. The hostess looked as if I was not suppose to be there, when I asked if I could get a table for two she replyed with I guess. Ok, that was the high point of the night, I should have left then but it just went down from there. Upon being seated I was asked if I would like anything to drink by the server, well considering that I did not have a drink menu I don't know that was the last time I saw him. I had to flag down other servers to order food and get refills on my drink. We ordered the Alhambra plater and my guest has a shell fish allergey so we asked not to have the shrimp cooked with the plater, sure enough there the shrimp were when the plate came out there were the shrimp so the food runner just took with his fingers the food off the plate and said fine there you go. Uhhh, no maybe they don't understand that does not solve the problem. Then another server grabs a fork off our table to bring to another table just because I had not yet used that fork. Seriously this place is crazy. I left after that, no reason to stay. DO NOT GO HERE !!!!THEY DO NOT CLEAN UNTENSILS AND ARE COMPLETLY BACKWORDS

    (1)

  • Dusty K.

    I was surprised reading some of the bad reviews on this site. My guess is they went on the wrong night. If you go on a Friday or Saturday when their have live music and dancing it's really hard not to enjoy yourself in the main dining hall. The live music alone is worth a trip here. I wouldn't give this restaurant 5 stars but I had a great time dining here and I will be back for the live music. A group of 7 friends and I had reservations at 8 PM on a Friday night and we had a great time. There was live music, belly dancers, and we even went out to the dance floor and danced to the authentic music with about 40 other people. The food was good, not great but the decor within is one of a kind. I agree with some of the other reviews that you almost feel like your on vacation in vegas. It's truly spectacular looking around the restaurant and that is why I recommend this place to anyone else. But please, please, please go on a Fri/Sat night a little later, 8 PM or so, when they have the live music. Also, I wore jeans and a polo and fit in fine...it's not the type of place where you must dress in your most expensive clothing. This is a great restaurant for groups who want to have some fun on the weekends. The live music can get loud, but that's what we were there for and was glad for it. I had a great time dancing and watching the dancers perform. Alhambra palace is a really fun experience that anyone can enjoy in this city but your bill can add up fast if the wine starts flowing. So be careful!

    (4)

  • Jon A.

    It is hard to rate a place like Alhambra as there are too many different things to consider. I happened upon this restaurant after enjoying the Taste of Randolph festival. Popped in and enjoyed a hookah and a couple of cocktails but never really looked the place over. Their prices were a bit steep, not out of the range of a late night hot spot though. Since then I have visited twice more and it was only the last time that I actually saw the full interior of the place. They have gone to great lengths to provide visually stimulating decorations and the Middle Eastern theme is well represented. We were given a tour by the manager before being seated on a balcony overlooking the main room. I had originally thought that the main room was a nightclub, but now realized it did have a dance floor, but one surrounded by diners. (You must see the floor!). The entertainment was great. It is not often that you are treated to live Middle Eastern music, even though a belly dancer can be found many places. I will say though that the dancer there was definitely a step above the typical belly dancer. It was wild to see people throwing money at her feet. The service was perfect. Our waiter kept a steady flow of cocktails arriving and brought our nibbles without much of a weight. He was very polite and helpful. The food is not of the quality that can wake me up in the middle of the night with a craving, but it was not bad either. Great for a group to snack while enjoying drinks. I have one gripe. I have been there three times and each time I have smoked an apple flavored hookah. They need more flavors, and the tobacco used is not the best of qualities. I respect that they do not advertise themselves as a hookah lounge so I will refrain from deducting points as a result of this single grip. Overall - I like Alhambra and will surely go back. We had a fun night of dancing and socializing. The staff and manager were very professional and polite. It was a little expensive but affordable.

    (3)

  • Sandy D.

    The performance gave this place one star. The food was horrible! If you cant get the chicken kabob right you might as well quit.

    (1)

  • Benjamin O.

    I've read some pretty negative reviews about this place and I just can't understand where that's coming from. The only explanation is that the people serving them were very different from those we encountered this weekend, and that the dinner they were anticipating was based on poor information. We were greeted immediately upon entering, coats checked and table ready. The place is over the top, that's for sure, but that only adds to the experience. The food was really good, and the portions were more than enough for everyone at the table. The entertainment was just that, and let me tell you, the belly dancer was a bit of a show stopper... All in all, the experience (and that's really what this is) was exactly what we wanted, and the hookah at the end of the meal sealed the deal.

    (5)

  • Stuart D.

    Go to chuckecheese instead more entertaining and betteeR food

    (1)

  • Tyler S.

    I'm giving this place three starts for two reasons: 1) They have a fantastic Pomegranate Mojito, 2) Really unique decor. Otherwise I found the place a bit over the top - loud music, and a very enthusiastic bellydancer. I'm sure it's entertaining on a weekend night with a group, but I was just there for drinks with a friend, so it wasn't really designed for that too well. The food appeared a bit overpriced, considering there are plenty of affordable spots for middle eastern food, but I guess part of it is the atmosphere. I'd go back to the bar area for drinks, mostly because I loved that mojito, but it would probably have to be at someone else's suggestion.

    (3)

  • Foodie A.

    Went here before they open for a party. Wow! What a palatial place. Loved the interior design. Mediterranean cuisine. It's a two-story lounge, didn't get to go up the second floor and was admiring it from the first. It has a stage on the first floor where the belly dancers can roam around. This restaurant is not hard to miss especially when it's next to an erotic place.

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    I actually came to the Alhambra Palace for an AKIRA Fashion Show. Afterwards the girls and I were starving and decided to try out the restaurant. The shrimp charmoula is pretty good. The hummus has a weird after taste. It took an long time for our order to come out even though there was only like two other tables eating there. The portion sizes of the entrees are a fairly good size. The four of us girls shared an order of a filet kabob and lamb kabob. The rice that comes with the dishes is extremely flavorful. I think I liked the rice better than the meat! The sauces are a bit strange tasting so my friend asked for A1. We also ordered a dessert but I cannot remember which since it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I had higher hopes for this place since the interior design is so nice. I think it was a good experience to have tried this place but I don't think I'll be going back.

    (3)

  • andrea p.

    We recently had the opportunity to go to Alhambra for a friend's birthday. Her and her family are all Assyrian , so they were extremely excited to go to this middle eastern restaurant. We called 2 weeks ahead of time and called twice to confirm our reservation for a table in the balcony area so we can see the performers. Again, I repeat we called twice to confirm that our table had been reserved. Well, to our surprise we were greated rudely by the hostess and when we mentioned our reservation, she ignored us and seated us at the far right side where a column blocked our view of everything. My friends and I were extremely upset at both of the hostesses for being rude and talking down to us. The one who "greeted us" ignored our reservation and the one who walked us to our table ignored our comment about sitting in the upper area. The least they could do was sympathize and apologize for the incovenience while doing something about it. One of my friends decided to go talk to the front hostess and told her that in the future not to offer reservations if they cant arrange what they promise.instead of apologizing and offering better customer service, she requested that my friend seat herself where they had located us and to order and not waste her time. My other friend who had previously met a manager there went to speak to him (both are Assyrian) and he apologized for the inconvenience and he moved us to our new table, in front of the stage (floor level). He even deicded to make it up to us by offering a cake to the birthday girl and had the Spanish singer sing Happy Birthday. All of this ...for a good night out.. Well after the bad experience we decided to order the Alhambra Platter. The food was okay, but definitely overpriced and the servings were small. We ordered the platter for 4 people and nothing was left but rice. They were extremely stingy with the meat. In the future I would only go for the entertainment, the dancers and music was superb the rest leaves much to be desired. All of that for $160 and no drinks.. No Thank you! I pass,

    (3)

  • Clayton J.

    Ok, so here's the deal with this place: 1. It has one of the most beautiful interior designs of any Chicago restaurant or venue (I've been to quite a few). They have certainly put a lot of money into this restaurant, and have to charge accordingly, so if you don't want to spend a lot of money don't go here. 2. They have an entire stage with live performances while you eat. This is not fucking cheap people!!!! These are skilled performers, and their fees are bundled into the price of your meal. Belly Dancers, singers, and more!! 3. After all this is said, their food is excellent. Yes, it is a little expensive, but it is very very good. I really liked it, and they also gave my friend a free (whole) birthday cake, that was also excellent. 4. There is a dance floor, where a lot of people were dancing and having a good time. This was an added bonus. 5. Yes, there are a lot of rich people here, BECAUSE THIS IS THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, AND THIS IS WHERE ALL THE RICH PEOPLE GO. THERE ARE TONS OF SUPER EXCLUSIVE CLUBS THAT CHARGE WAY TOO MUCH FOR DRINKS AND HAVE TONS OF DOUCHE BAGS WALKING AROUND. I suggest you be aware of this fact before you party in this hood... 6. I really think they hire patrons to come here and party... there were way too many "clubby" looking people here, which led me to believe they were probably hired and given free drinks... but hey, it helped make the club look better, so be it. Go here just once, and see for yourself. If you like it, go here again... and repeat.

    (4)

  • Ron C.

    I'm conflicted about how I feel about Alhambra. The night started off with me ordering a drink from the bar, that never arrived. We then entered the large theater that was empty (This was around 8pm). The waitress was cordial but slow and never around. The drinks and cocktails were horrible. It just tasted like strong alcohol despite all the juices and such. We had the small mezza platter which was good but definitely not worth $50. You get a variety of appetizers, including babaganouj, hummus, grape leaves and hummus, all of which was standard. Then we shared a few main plates. If you decide to get anything at all- get the SEAFOOD TAGINE. To me, it was amazing compared to all the other plates which were good but not superb. The meats in general were well cooked, juicy and never dry. But overall for the amount they charge you (almost $30 per entree) it's defintiely NOT worth it. You could easily get the same quality of food at a simple middle eastern place. The entertainment was quite a draw to the place at first, but wore off quickly and got boring. I think I would probably compare Alhambra to Medieva Times. Worth a visit, but probably not a second. What a shame, I think the space has so much potential.

    (3)

  • Jayme K.

    Two stars for the pretty decor (a bit tacky to some, but it was bearable, esp the bathroom! Really nice), maybe one star for the food, and that's being generous. We took my friend here for her birthday, thinking it would be as elegant and exciting as 190 North made it out to be a couple of Sunday nights ago. The food was terrible! The lamb that 3 of my friends ordered was mushy and extremely greasy. I got the safe dish, Chicken kabobs, and they were reeeeeeally dry and charred. The charring was ok and expected from a kabob, it was the texture that made me need a gallon of water after each bite. The belly dancers didn't seem to want to come to our side of the restaurant--it was a lady's night out for us. Blah, won't go there again, but glad I now know that it was all hype.

    (2)

  • Marlene D.

    This place is ridiculous. My husband and I stumbled across it one Saturday at the Randolph Antiques Market and based solely on the crazy intense exterior, we decided to eat there at some point. Flash forward to last night. We had no idea what to expect when we walked through the front doors (which are solid, so you can't see what is waiting inside) and I don't think we could have imagined the interior. Every inch of that place was smothered in crystal chandeliers and garish wooden carvings. It's a giant restaurant and they have live performances that don't start at the time advertised, which means we were done with dinner and didn't want to wait around to check them out. The food was okay. The lentil soup is super yummy. The bread they serve definitely is not made in house. Overall it's a little pricey for what you get on your plate but I think they are trying to pay for all the over-top design choices they made when building the place. It's worth checking out. I would recommend sticking to the drinks and appetizers. Our waitress was new and recommended that we get the $50 appetizer sampler, which very clearly states on the menu that it is for 4-6 people...not 2. Yeah, we passed on that one.

    (3)

  • ric g.

    i have been here twice for dinner. the first time was pretty weak, but it wasnt until my second experience that i was inspired to write. first dinner. work dinner with 8 clients. dinner $900. not sure, if my waiter spoke english. i requested 3 orders of 4 different apps. could not get this correct despite explaining it a half dozen times. still could not figure it out, and order was incomplete and incorrect). told waiter the fattoush salad was dry. he told me dressing came on the side. i then asked him to point out where the dressing was on the table. he stared at me blankly since there was no dressing on the table. i then requested the dressing be brought out. was never done. i tried to order a beer, it took 3 requests, and 45 minutes. oh, yeah, this was a wednesday night, and the place was barren. the food is decent, and it is a unique place, i went back one more time with my girlfriend. prior to my second dinner, i called and spoke to a manager named bobby. i shared with him my experience. he apologized, told me to ask for him on friday night, when i came in, he would take care of me, and provide me with a $50 credit. of course, when i came in, he was not there. there was no notatation regarding our conversation. our table was literally in a direct spotlight from the stage, my date was blinded. we immediately ordered a falafel. this came 45 minutes late. i then looked at the bill the next day. the waiter double charged me for the app. have a drink, walk around, then leave. they do not want your biz.

    (1)

  • Amanda L.

    Stopped in for a drink and appetizer. The decor is very interesting to say the least. It gave me an idea though - they need to open a Moroccan themed hotel and casino on the Vegas strip. It doesn't really seem to be working here though. Nice wines, the server was very nice but somewhat inept. Now that I've seen it I doubt I will go back.

    (3)

  • A J.

    It's a great atmosphere and the live entertainment makes it interesting, but the food is nothing special.

    (3)

  • joliemariee f.

    I will start by saying my husband and I eat alot of, and love Middle Eastern food, have been to Dubai, UAE and other middle eastern countries and know our way around this cuisine, He is from a middle eastern lineage, so we have high standards for authenticity(lots of his moms homade dishes to compare to). We were with 2 friends visiting from NYC. We all loved our entire dinner. From the great reasonable bottle of wine to mixed drinks to the delicious meal....The food was Delicious and plentiful and prepared authentically (we all had the excellent mixed plates w/lamb, beef, chicken kebabs and keba, the fatoush salad (very inventive display and so fresh, and the hummus - delicious! as well as the pistachio cake - so delicious!). The icing on the cake was the amazing decor & the fantastic live music. It turned a great dinner into a whole night out....everyone in the whole restaurant was down on the floor dancing - all ages and ethnicities smiling and having a great time, the other entertainment - belly dancers, flamenco dancers, band etc.. were all top notch as well. All in all I am have no idea why other reviewers have had such mixed experiences. We had a perfect night out - from our hostess at the door, to the server, to the managers and everything in between...Definitely a great place to go with a group of friends for a night of dining and dancing that transports you right out of Chicago

    (5)

  • CJ J.

    Overall, this place is good to go one time. The food is good, not great, but good. I went on a saturday night and they had this flaminco dancing show during dinner which was pretty cool. The inside of the place is fun to see. The service was prompt and good. Definately worth going to at least once especially when they have a show going on. Street parking is pretty easy around this place also. A few responses to some previous reviews: To Sylvia P: Why would your date wear a bandana on a date to a nice restaurant? To Nadsat R: Nice prediction. The place seemed pretty packed when I went in February of '08. No signs of shutting down. Other recent Nadsat R predictions: The Patriots will beat the Giants in the Super Bowl, Chicago won't have any snow this winter, Y2K bug will shut down all computers, John Edwards will win the Democratic nomination, etc...

    (4)

  • Mari K.

    Stepping up to the front door I expected to be greeted by a coaster car complete with seat belts and handle bars. Whoever designed this building must've envisioned it to be built in Disney World, because the decor is so incredibly over-the-top tacky. EVERYTHING was metallic or had a mirror finish to it.. there's absolutely no way I'd be able to eat at a place like this (unless I was blindfolded). But hey, I wasn't there to eat; I was there to dance. On Tuesday nights they have a live latin band that plays a mix of salsa, cha, and merengue. The band's decent, the ceiling reaches to infinity and beyond, the floor is smooth and ginormous (quite possibly the largest I've seen next to the Willowbrook), and they have a couple flat screen TVs that feature YOU. Yes, there's a camera set up somewhere... and if you're on the dance floor, there is no avoiding it. As I was leaving, in walked 4 Hotlanta Braves. Shoulder brush once, shoulder brush twice, shoulder brush thrice, shoulder brush fourice. They didn't look too happy. It must've been hard for them facing a 10-5 defeat by our Cubbies. =) Rock on, guys! I would come back.. just for the dancing. (Apologies if you were seeking a food review.)

    (2)

  • Escape C.

    This place just made me laugh. Totally over the top and ridiculous, I can't see how this restaurant thinks it can be taken serious. The food is mediocre at best, and over priced for what you get. I see tour buses parked outside frequently, so maybe it's become a mecca for tour groups and conventioneers.

    (2)

  • Mandy A.

    I have to knock this place down one star... we came during the week and had the most awkward bartender/server I've ever seen in my life. The food was still good but we were the ONLY TABLE in the place on a Monday night and he was still slow, not that smart and really odd. It was nice to sit in a different room of this place but I would definitely recomment not coming on a weeknight. Yikes.

    (4)

  • Terri M.

    Ate here tonight because I was having a carving for Middle Eastern food and this was the place closest to where we were. I had never tried it before but was intrigued by the look of the place, plus some friends come here regularly for the live music and dancing. We weren't really interested in that. In fact we really only wanted a quiet place to relax and eat. So in terms of quiet and relaxing, it was the right place. The place is cavernous, and the many of the tables are mostly booth-like spaces that are comfy and fairly secluded (probably more so when the restaurant is fairly empty like it was tonight). The food, on the other hand was pretty disappointing. Maybe we just have really high standards--we kept comparing the place to a place we used to frequent in Dearborn, MI, called La Shish, and anytime anyone does that, the other place pales. So we basically made our own mezze selection because the small mezze seemed overpriced at $50. We had the hummus (kind of bland), dolmeh (ok, but too much tomato sauce, whcih I didn't like), fatoush salad (unremarkable), potatoes (soggy), falafel (dry), and a bulgur dip (no the best choice). We also had the Lebanese red wine, which we would not recommend, and the Alhambra beer, a Spanish lager that was surprisingly good.. Altogether, the bill came to $67, which I felt was overpriced for what it was. My first thought when I felt the craving was to go to Jerusalem Gardens in Old Town, a much more modestly-price, unpretentious place with much better food. Ultimately, it was good just to see what the place was like. The decor is quite elaborate and the space unusually large for a Chicago restaurant. It''s a good place if you don't care too much about the food (I mean, it was mediocre, but not bad) and want a place where you can go with any size group and not have to wait for seating, or if you want to dance.

    (3)

  • D J.

    It was a night of cultural and culinary immersion that teetered between enjoyable authenticity and spurious imitation. I was impressed with the ostentatious interiors - the engraved walls, the ornate furniture and a profusion of middle-eastern art and architectural replicas. But, while the theme is intended to transport one to Granada, it really just felt like a touch of Vegas in Chicago. My dinner was amazing, unadulterated Middle-eastern, especially the crisp filafels and the rich couscous garnished to perfection. But the overpriced wines hardly had any international flavor. The entertainment seesawed as well -I thoroughly enjoyed the feet-tapping Flamenco, which had me planning a Spain getaway but a blonde belly-dancer with fake implants that followed, put the Vegas feel right back into Alhambra! There is a touch of the unique to the entire experience - dinner, live entertainment and lavishness that is very non-chic, unpretentious. The place is ideal for large groups and special occasions - a guided tour of the upper levels revealed more exclusive options to entertain! But in a time of prescribed austerity, I couldn't help but wonder if places like Alhambra present a refuge from reality or might end up as relics of a time of abundance...

    (3)

  • Jason R.

    The service and atmosphere is the best. There is entertainment, and just overall a great experience. Perfect spot for a date or to try something different and new. For the food the portion sizes are very large. I had the Filet Kabob and it was absolutely amazing, cooked and seasoned perfectly. They also have tapas on the menu if you want to try a bunch of things in smaller portions. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for something interesting and different than your usual night out at Applebees.

    (5)

  • Janet L.

    Cooooool place! I went here for a birthday dinner (of about 25 people). We had to wait for half our party to arrive before we could get seated, but we got to sit down as soon as enough people got there. The table was a little bit cramped, but otherwise it was fine. The decor is awesome! It really does feel like a palace, and the live entertainment is neat. I thought the ambiance (lighting + music) really brought a lot to the whole dining experience. The service could use some improvement, but I thought that could be attributed to our huge party. The food was delicious, although really pricey. I had the lamb shwarma and it was amazing (probably because it took so long for the food to arrive). The "alhambra rice" had questionable nut content (I'm allergic), and the waitress had my food re-plated pretty quickly. Post dinner, there was some time to dance out in the middle of the restaurant. That was fun...and the flamenco dancers and belly-dancer were great entertainment (note: they automatically charge a 20% service fee for this)! I'd recommend this place for special occasions. Otherwise, it's a bit too pricey.

    (4)

  • Victoria Q.

    The first time I came here, I brought my family and we had a wonderful time- great service, great food, and great entertainment. So, I decided to recommend it to my friend for her birthday celebration despite the high prices. BAD IDEA! We had a reservation but still had to wait 20 minutes to be seated, supposedly to be given a "better" table. We ended up being seated in the far corner, with no view of the stage or the performers. Then, when our waiter figured out we were "only" ordering two $50 sample platters and four $20 pitchers of Sangria, he informed us that there is a $30 minimum per person! B.S!! The host never mentioned that when we made the party's reservation, that is nowhere on the menu, and nowhere on the website! Something to experience for the atmosphere, perhaps a nice place for a first date, but I wouldn't recommend a return visit!

    (2)

  • Matt K.

    There was no show the night we went but the food was outstanding. We had the Chilean sea bass which was very good and the lamb tagine which was so good it should be illegal. Two entrees, a bottle of wine, and desert came in under $100 so the price isn't bad. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Konrad K.

    That place looked like a real palace - both in terms of size and splendor! Very tasty food and a variety of live entertainment on select nights, including belly dancers, Arabic bands, and salsa lessons!

    (5)

  • Eric D.

    On Dec 22, 2010 I took my wife here for her birthday with friends; it was our first time and last. The service was terrible it took us almost 2 hours to get our food and we had to ask for everything including water and when we asked for water it took at least 15 min to get that. I should have read the reviews 1st

    (1)

  • Blythe Z.

    Dinner and Show? No, I am not talking dinner and a movie.... it's a show with belly dancers, men with swords, and dancers with hookahs. This place is huge! I could not get over just how large it was - and it's beautifully decorated. You feel like we are in a far away land. The floor show gets increasingly better with time as well - it seems pretty apparent there are A and B team acts. It also gets very loud - so if you are planning on great conversation this may not be the place for you. We were seated for dinner at 8:00 and the show started shortly after. It was def. a different experience, for me once was enough. The food - was good, but not the best I have had when it comes to middle eastern dishes. We ordered a couple combo platters so we could all try a little of each, and I think that was a good idea. This would be a good place to take guests out of town that are looking for something different. Towards the end of the evening the Hookahs come out and almost every table had one. I don't smoke, and being pregnant - this was my cue to leave. I know others really really enjoy smoking... so I can see the appeal for them here. Also, Parking may be hard so I suggest valet.

    (2)

  • Takia W.

    Let me start of by saying this place is very beautifully appointed. The tile and art work lighting and plush seats made the ambiance worth 5 stars. It would be a wonderful place for an event provided you get the food and service elsewhere. When we looked the restaurant up it was listed as an Indian restaurant with Middle Eastern and Moroccan as well. My friend picked it because I am on a vegetarian diet and usually when we eat at Indian restaurants there is such a wide range of vegetarian food to choose form without sacrificing flavor. When the server arrived we asked her what the restaurant's selection of naan was. She did not know what naan was. This should have warned me but we already had reservations and there was supposed to be belly dancers (didn't happen). I chose a vegetable tagine because well that was the vegetarian choice provided I didn't wan't to forage on salad and appetizers. When eating at Middle Eastern restaurants I have seen so many beautiful and functional types of dishware. Here it was standard white dishware. My vegetables had been grilled and then had Ragu poured over them and some cheese (perhaps I have been using my tagine and simmer sauces improperly all this time. Masala what is this Masala you speak of). The Mutable was okay but the pita was subpar dry grocery store grade and the pistachio gelato bland with redi-whip as an accompaniment. Perhaps I have been spoiled by places like India House and Fatoush but since the menu prices were right on level with India House I would have at least expected a little more effort than cafeteria grade food.

    (2)

  • Haya D.

    The food isbad the service is bad .. 2013 new yearseve was the worst thanks to disorganized so called palace. We didnt get any drinks or food even after speaking with the manager directly. We had to stand outside for 30 minutes althought we came early and revserved. The staff were rude specially the doorman and the service is below zero. The music and the dancing were aweful. The worst part is that they kicked us out side at the end although it was freezing. And we waited for ourcar foran hour and We i tried to go inside to get some warmth they pushed me saying we Are closed!! A future advice ; never go there even if it was free.

    (1)

  • Keney C.

    I've heard so many great things about this place so I was so excited to go! I went on a Saturday night at about 10pm. We had made reservations and although we were really late, it was no problem. The place is so big and they have lots of tables and chairs available. It was packed when my husband and I went. Here's an overview of our experience. PROS: 1. We waited in the bar area for just a few minutes until we were seated. 2. Seating on the balcony was awesome, especially since we were on the outer space and not in near the wall. The view was amazing. 3. Belly dancers/performances/live music and dancing was AMAZING! Since it was our first time there, we didn't dance but it's a must do for next time! 4. Hookah served after 10 and was not disappointing! 5. Food is good - not amazing but not terrible. 6. Good location - near Harpo Studios near some bars and clubs. CONS: 1. Service was poor. Although our waitress was very sweet and helpful, she barely came around. We were there for about 2 hours and we only saw her twice. 2. Kitchen was backed up and it took nearly an hour for our food to come. 3. Reservation system was a bit sketchy as they didn't ask for a name or any information. It's pretty much first come first serve so essentially, a reservation is not needed. 4. Prices are a bit overpriced for the quality. Although the experience was great, paying so much for poor service and average food doesn't quite make sense. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place. If you want pure entertainment with arabic music and belly dancers, mixed with middle eastern cuisine and hookah, this is the place to be. My recommendation would be to not be in a hurry when going there as it does take quite some time for service and/or food to arrive. Be patient and enjoy the atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Diana S.

    I've been to Alhambra a few times now- Friday nights it's totally dead- Saturdays on the other hand- crazy. The belly dancer- Soraya is fantastic, she always puts on a great show! I believe she is on stage at 9 (or 10?) and again at 1(30ish). The hookah and food aren't awesome, stuff is quite over priced but you are paying for the entertainment factor. Security is on point, the place is run very professionally and it is absolutely a good time- every time. Keep in mind Friday and Saturday night- $35 minimum per person. So dinner and a drink/ 3 drinks/ or hookah and a drink per person.

    (2)

  • Saba K.

    Will be going here today for my birthday with family. I have heard some good reviews for this place. My brother had his bachelor party here on a Saturday night as well! Good Arab food, awesome interior....

    (4)

  • Rob R.

    I was here for a work event, and had an awesome time. The balcony seating was great, the food was very good, and the drinks were very strong. Got kind of loud and the entertainment started off a little weak but then got a lot better.

    (4)

  • Sarah A.

    I really loved this place! Great atmosphere, entertainment and a friendly staff. I took my parents here on a Saturday night and we had dinner and show. What I really liked was that the staff didn't rush us at all. We spent over 2 hours enjoying our meal and drinks and the show and I really like that they let us take our time and were also very attentive as well. The atmosphere of grandeur of this place is amazing. The details throughout, the fountain, the colorful lamps and warm walls - every little thing adds to an incredible space. The food was great, I had the beef shwarma and really enjoyed it. I also had a cocktail, Belvedere Sunset - which was really yummy. Their gelato (which is different than traditional) was very delicious. My favorite thing was the belly-dancing. I was expecting just a couple dancers, but there was an entire show of like 15 or so (including a couple guys). We were seated upstairs and had a great view of the stage. I didn't really think too much about the minimum per person for the weekend nights due to the show, but I don't see it as a problem. To see a dance or improv show on a Friday or Saturday night at minmum is going to cost you $10-$15 anyways, so I can understand the need for a minimum. They have to pay the performers and the show is worth it. Overall, great entertainment, ambiance and food!

    (5)

  • Suzie D.

    hmm, I haven't been here in a while but let me recap from past experiences... pros and cons based on 2010-2011: Pros: 1. Decent entertainment, if you're into the extravagant belly dancers doing fancy tricks such as balancing on the back of tall glasses. 2. Ok food, but i've had better at Rezza's. 3. The decor is mind-boggling. Truly fits the "palace" profile. But Prince Ali of Babua always gets the VIP treatment of course. 4. Options for hookah, at least last time i was there. 5. Good location...in a more secluded area of downtown by UIC...not as hectic as the more northern part of downtown. Cons: 1. Parking, parking oh yeah parking. Hard to find and no valet options. 2. Food is a hit or miss. Depends what you order. The meat can be dry. 3. Prices are outrageous for food and drinks. 4. They rip you off for parties. Saying you MUST pay a min. of 25 per person and if you aren't eating...get outta heeeya. So if you get bored here, check out Greek Town and Little Italy. Cheers.

    (3)

  • Zarahi M.

    One of the best and finest places on Chicago. Amassing food, entertainments and environment.

    (5)

  • Pavel Z.

    The best place to chill and bring girl for first date. They have nice Arabian nights show with belly dance etc. also they have every tuesday cha cha cha, marimba and salsa dances there. Great cocktails and hookahs. Love it!!!

    (4)

  • Browny B.

    Pros Nice Style Cons The food wasn't that bad but not worth the trip. Prices are Over. Food serving wasn't in a professional order. Don't expect anyone to thank you on your way out. Disappointed Not recommended

    (2)

  • Bree N.

    My experience with Alhambra Palace was THE WORST. My boyfriend had a friend in town and we wanted to do something fun and new. We made a reservation for three people about three days prior to Friday night, so as to secure a spot in the main dining room with the dancers, hookah, and dinner. When we got there, the line was crazy, and we were very happy we decided to make a reservation. A hostess led us to the elevator and just said, "go upstairs" and left us. We went upstairs and there was no one there. We wandered around, and then an associate got mad at us because we were "in a private party room" and they needed to set up for it. We explained we had a reservation and no one was assisting us. He said "go through those big doors." LIke, OKAY, how should I have known that? We went to the dining room and the host took us to the very back, a cocktail table, and said "here you go." We said..."NO, we will not sit here, we have a reservation for a TABLE." they wandered around and finally we ended up in another cocktail table. They assured us that they would let us know when a table opened up. This angered me a lot because, what is the point of making a reservation with an expensive restaurant if you're just going to sit us at the bar? They never found us a table. We ended up joining a group of girls at their table - very awkward. Very unprofessional. By the time we asked for some hookah, they said they had none. What? You took our reservation for dinner and hookah and you don't have either for us? IT was ridiculous. The waiter was nice, the food was great, but the service was terrible. We spent close to $250 and I did not think the service reflected that. I will never be back, and I won't recommend it.

    (1)

  • Brady R.

    Meh... I've experienced better is right! Maybe it was just an off-night and the crowd in the back demanded too much of everyone's time, but the service and quality of the food, didn't meet expectations. No on the radar for going back anytime too soon...

    (2)

  • Rana G.

    My family and I have been to this restaurant many times and the food was delicious, but the last time went the service was so l bad we never want to go again.

    (2)

  • Angie E.

    Had to re-review this place because I had a MUCH better dining experience this time!! Last time I guess what I ordered wasn't good, this time we ordered the mix grill platter and I was impressed. Maybe because my expectations were so low, but the food was fantastic. And we ordered the potatoes appetizer, very good. Shisha was excellent too. Would come again! Good job!

    (4)

  • Karla A.

    Arrived for dinner reservations at 7:15 pm on Saturday evening and the place was empty. By 8:15 the large dining area was packed with large groups and buzzing with energy. The venue is amazing. The entertainment was mesmerizing. The food was barely edible. I ordered the paella which was gummy and tasted heavily of cinnamon, if that wasn't bad enough, the seafood was drenched in a tomato based sauce and poured on top of the rice. I have eaten paella in Spain and in other restaurants here in the US and what they served up was not Paella...I left as hungry as when I arrived. My husband ordered the Lamb Kebobs prepared medium and they were over cooked. Our two sons ordered the Tandoori Chicken. The chicken was served in a large flour tortilla taco bowl type vessel with a large mound of that cinnamon rice on top of the chicken breast... yes on top...with large pieces of celery and carrots placed on top of the rice. It looked awful. Big is not always better. This was just a whole lot of bad food heaped on a plate. And the final bill??? Swallow this...$261.00. This place is outrageously overpriced for the quality of food. We did have cocktails and a few small appetizers...the young lady that was our server was very busy but managed to attend to our needs in a timely manner. Will never go back to Alhambra. Next time we will get some good Indian carry out and watch Aladdin on the Disney Channel. What a disappointment! I am giving this restaurant 1 star based on the really bad food.

    (1)

  • Derek C.

    came here for a party and this place definitely ruined the night. we started the night sitting at the bar since we were waiting for some friends to arrive for dinner. The bartender was nice and attentive and we had some decent drinks there. next we sat for dinner and it took about 30 min before the waiter would take our orders. he didn't even stop to give specials or ask if we needed more drinks (since we brought a few from the bar). it was a pre-fixed menu that night so we ordered off of that. it took 30 min for the first course to get to us, and we were starving by that point. the salad we got was bland and I did not enjoy it at all. we then got our next course 30 min after that, which was our appetizer. which was actually kind of tasty, but it came out cold. probably would have been pretty decent if it was hot. Our waiter wasn't around very much and I went to speak to the manager and he said that he would take care of us from then on since it had already been an hour and we hadn't gotten our main course yet. we then got our main course 30 min after that again... and it was definitely nothing special and I dare say it was bland as well, for something that should have had spice and kick to it. so we finally finish our meal and the waiter is again no where to be found, so we ended up waiting again for him to bring us the check. and oh, since we had 8 people, the gratuity was automatically charged. I was furious, especially with the terrible service we got. luckily we had good company with us so it made the time much less brutal, but this was a time I was definitely considering walking out on the check. all in all, the food was meh, the service was terrible, and the price for it all was definitely not worth it. my friends didn't want to walk out since they didn't want to ruin the night, but I think Alhambra definitely did that for us. I will definitely let others know to AVOID this place.

    (1)

  • Sonia L.

    Last Friday my husband and I went to Alhambra for a friends birthday. I am really confused by the very negative and mediochre reviews. This is not just a restaurant it is and experience+a dinner+ a show like youve never seen (well most have never seen.... live anyway) The $38 minimum is really not bad if you consider that you are 1. entering the closest thing to a Middle Eastern palace this side of the Mississippi. 2. You will also get great service- very helpful and accomodating. 3. a Middle Eastern dinner (great options by the way from falafil to filet mignon!) 4. And last but most important the lovely entertainment! The dancers were mesmerizing, the music, some live music was great and they interacted with the audience well. It was really a fun experience. We ordered the hummus- yummy-hard to mess up as well as the scallop appetizer--delish. For the main course we had the platter for two---could have been the platter for 3 maybe even four. Chicken schwarma, beef kabob, chicken kabob, kefta and what usually disappoints me but was quite impressive...very good rice! And they garnished it with an orchid....an ORCHID! It was quite a presentation and not bad for such a big busy place. This is a must do in Chicago--break free of your hot dogs and pizza for a night my friends!

    (4)

  • Jaclyn S.

    Wow! What an amazing experience I had at this place. If you're looking to do something at night out of the norm, I would come here. The food is great, and healthy. The entertainment is like no other. They have belly dancers and live music playing throughout your dinner. You can even order a hookah for your table and smoke it right there at your table. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to try something new.

    (5)

  • Joulie S.

    I have came here many times, great place to be for my birthday last year and many events afterwards. The entertainment is outstanding with the belly-dancers and multiple singers. I enjoy their atmosphere with good friends. The hookah is always enjoyable, with some cocktails. I don't like that parking is limited and we have to valet. I really hope they improve their service, they are a bit slow. When a place is that packed, make sure you have enough staff to accommodate the tables.

    (4)

  • Emilia T.

    I have been going to that place for the last 4 years, have seen all the changes they are trying to make for all this time. I honestly like the atmosphere a lot and the shows. The place look fabulous inside, the menu is good, even thought the menu used to be much larger. Ad since I am a pescetarian, I miss seafood tagine (haven't seen it in the menu last time). If they had more seafood, they would definitely get a 5 star review from me.

    (4)

  • Ravi G.

    Came here on Friday night. Very well decorated. Most of the larger parties with reservations clearly had trouble being seated (ours did not have much trouble). The food was very mediocre (we had a variety of appetizers and main courses). The entertainment was also mediocre. It is really impossible to have any sort of conversation over dinner. The crowd that will enjoy this place will go for hookah or the open dancing towards the end of the night.

    (2)

  • Erick N.

    Alhambra has a somewhat unique (at least for Chicago) ambiance as you walk in; it apparently is an old theater converted to a restaurant and has the vibe of a Las Vegas strip hotel venue. The set up is pretty cool, but unfortunately the meal, service and overall experience are subpar and disappointing. The menu is uninspiring and the food is priced just a smidgen below what some fine dining venues charge. While the food is not bad, it is certainly nothing more than mediocre at best, yet most entrees run $22 and up. Interestingly the appetizers are far more reasonably priced; the Falafel was actually pretty good. The wine list is poor and, as with the food, woefully overpriced.Nothing priced $10 or under per glass is anything better than a glass of Two Buck Chuck. At the least the pour was a decent sized pour, but both wines I tried were rather vinegary. Shockingly Alhambra was rather packed, so they must be doing something right, though it was a Friday night. The entertainment consisted of some rather scary looking belly dancers (i.e. envision a husky, heavily tattooed man with lots of facial hair dressed up in a belly dancing costume waving a scarf around (and kicking up dust from the floor with the scarf) a few feet from your table. Not exactly what most people envision when they think of a belly dancer. At least it was somewhat amusing to watch, though more in the manner of watching a train wreck. The worst part was my ears are still ringing two hours later from the ridiculously loud background music and blaring bass; it was my first time in a restaurant where I wished I had ear plugs with me. Forget trying to converse with your tablemates while the music is playing. The service was not horrible, but was poor. The server asked a couple people in our party if they wanted drinks and when they said no, he automatically assumed nobody wanted a drink and walked away. After ordering appetizers he took the menu away, which was odd. While he was not overtly rude, he generally seemed disinterested. This is neither a venue I will be returning to nor that I would recommend. Walking in I was expecting far more from Alhambra than was delivered based on the ambiance and price point, but the experience fell flat.

    (2)

  • David F.

    In Summary: - Terrible Service - couldn't get the time of day from our waitress, Kristen - Great environment - good music, lively dance floor - Decent food - but expensive - $35 minimum per person during free entertainment - Hookah @10pm My friend is a belly dancer here on weekends, so myself and 3 friends went to watch her. There's a $35 minimum per person when there's free entertainment. Hitting a $140 minimum for the 4 of us wasn't really a concern... except between only seeing our waitress, Kristen, once every 30 minutes, and having to repeat our orders that she had forgotten, we were concerned that we wouldn't even be able to order enough in during the time we were there! At 10pm they start serving hookah, which was great, once we were able to place the order and it arrived (30 minutes...), but it took forever to find someone to change our coals when they went out (possibly because we couldn't ask our waitress since she was MIA). After asking for our check twice, it finally showed up 20 minutes later, and I took it to the bar to pay since we just wanted to leave and didn't have time to wait another 20 minutes for Kristen to appear again, but it turns out she's the only one who can close us out, so we waited at the bar while they summoned her, then stood around for another 20 minutes while we waited for her to return. In the end I had a great time, but the lack of service really ruined the experience as a whole for me.

    (2)

  • Christina M.

    We went for dinner and show on a Friday night. Our waiter seemed utterly confused about the duties of a waiter throughout the entire meal. After being seated for about 40 minutes, we asked if we could finally order drinks. He said yes, but then walked away for a few minutes, so we needed to remind him again that we wanted to order a drink. When we finally ordered food, it took an unusually long amount of time for such cold and bland food to arrive. I'm pretty sure my "paella" dish was just boxed rice with canned tomato juice on top. It was so bad that I couldn't eat more than a few bites. Out waiter disappeared yet again so we asked another server if she could mention to him that we'd like to order dessert to celebrate our friend's birthday. She relayed the message to him and he came back and asked the entire table, spoiling the surprise, "you guys wanted to order a dessert for someone's birthday?" Luckily she didn't hear him and we whispered to him that we'd like to order a dessert. However, instead of placing the order, he stood by to watch the show. We reminded him about twenty minutes later that we were still waiting for the dessert and he said "okay, so would you like it now or at midnight?" We were so confused; it was nine pm. Why would we want to wait until midnight?! I was more confused than anything about the meal. Can't say that I'd EVER recommend this place, even though the belly dancing show was decent.

    (1)

  • M R.

    This place really big and beautiful but the food is average at best. The service is also not so great. From the servers to the hosts, expect to be met with attitudes.

    (2)

  • Ashley M.

    Finally went back with a group of six and saw the show. Now THIS is why you should come to Alhambra! The dancers were fantastic--especially the big man, he was very entertaining. They did that Gangham dance, hilarious. BTW there is a $35 per person minimum the night we went. Our waiter was swamped and was a bit too pushy. After order drinks he said "there is a $35 minimum, you'll need to order more than that". Dude. Step back, I can read a menu. I ordered the penne alfredo and was asked "chicken or shrimp" instead of asking if I wanted chicken or shrimp. Don't try to upsell me Mr!! He really irked me but that didn't stop anyone from having a great time. The pasta was great but according to the reactions on everyone's faces, I don't think they enjoyed their meal as much as I did. Oh well, go for the ambiance, stay for the dancing.

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    A lot of hype about this place from people who recommended it to me. But unfortunately, I did not experience that, nor did the 11 people from my table. The decor and place itself is very grand, and does give you a "wow" factor when you walk in. However, the ambiance was ruined once people started smoking cigarettes INSIDE and right at their tables. How can you try to enjoy your food when someone is puffing smoke towards you?? But then the food, for what it's priced, did not meet the expectations. A star for the entertainment though. The belly dancers and the female singer that Saturday night were amazing and very talented. The music was uncomfortably loud! Don't expect to have conversations with friends here. The whole time I was conversing with them through texting!!!! I thought it was interesting that there were some bachelorette parties going on. Funny how the belly dancers pulled these bride-to-be ladies out in the center dance floor for their moment in the lime light. Props to them for being brave, attempting the dance moves, and having fun like no one is watching! I only hope that my future bachelorette party will not take place here.

    (1)

  • S K.

    The place is great for large groups and a fun night out. However, the service is not the best. If you are going to go, be sure to make reservations for large groups at least a week in advance. If you are making reservations for 2-4 people, a few days in advance. They can book up pretty quickly. And they tend to mess up reservations quite often, as well. It also would not hurt to call and confirm. For entertainment I give them five stars. I have been here so many times I have lost count. My friends and I absolutely love the atmosphere. If you are not into clubbing but want to be around loud music and dance, this place is perfect. The thing that keeps me coming back is the entertainment!!! Food is a-ok, I have had much better Mediterranean food at Pita Inn. Service at front desk sucks, they have messed up reservations for us several times, and can be very rude, but waiter service is decent. If you are going to go, go when they have entertainment, I believe that is Thur, Fri, Sat nights . Be sure to make reservations 30 min before the entertainment begins, you do not want to miss any of it..

    (4)

  • Mair A.

    I was very excited to finally check this place out, but unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. We had 8:30 reservations for a Friday. When we got there, we were seated right away, but in a small upstairs room, so I totally missed out on seeing the amazing decor of the palace. FOOD I am a vegetarian who loves Arabic food and was excited to try a lot of the dishes from their menu. However, the night we were there they were "trying something new" so we were given a menu of 5 entrees to choose from and an appetizer plate to split for $39.95/ person. This is a rip off because if I ordered the same appetizer and entree from the regular menu it would be $10 cheaper. Plus, it limited the choices so we did not have the entire menu to choose from. I ordered the vegetable tagine and it was awful- no flavor whatsoever- it was basically steamed vegetables in marinara sauce. (It also has melted cheese on top which was not in the menu description). Also, I am pretty sure steamed broccoli and asparagus are not considered ethnic Arabic food. We were also charged for refills on pop, fyi. For the dinner and 2 drinks our bill was $100. SERVICE Our waiter was ok- not the most attentive- had to ask for water several times before he finally refilled it. He did not do a very good job of explaining the menu or making us feel comfortable, even though he knew it was our first time there. He did not seem to be too excited to be working there. SHOW I would not have minded the mediocre service and disgusting overpriced food if the show was good. But the show was probably the worst disappointment of the night. We were told it would start at 8:15, but it did not start until 9. It was about 5 belly dancers ( a little older and out of shape than what you would expect) that were not very good. The music was too loud for conversation, so you had nothing to do but watch the show, which was awful. It was very awkward- felt a little bit like we were at a cheap strip club. The only part that was good was the soundtrack. FINAL TIPS If you decide to go, make sure you are seated in the main room. I have no idea why we were in the smaller room upstairs with the terrible show. Ask your waiter to explain exactly how the dishes are prepared if you are unsure. With an appetizer to share, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, tip, and valet, the night cost us $140. A bit pricy for a crappy dinner and awkward night.

    (1)

  • Allie A.

    Severely lackluster service. we went with a large group and the waiter couldn't figure out how to split the bill. Food is okay we've had better and we had to wait forever. Belly dancers are amazing the musical performances are the only redeeming factor here. Great place to be amused if you are lax about your time and food. Loud weekend crowd

    (2)

  • Laura T.

    This place is a tourist trap. The cocktails at the bar were ok, but when we ordered a second round at the table, they were sugary sweet. The paella was poorly prepared. It tasted like overcooked, dry rice with tomato sauce and the seafood in it was overcooked and so fishy, i couldn't eat most of it. The mussels were particularly bad. They gave us a sampler plate of desserts that were dry, hard and had way too much honey and sugar in them - definitely not made fresh. The music was so loud my group of four had to yell to converse and still could barely hear each other. The food was over priced and there was a mandatory 20% tip. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Gus D.

    I came here on a Thursday evening to see a special Flamenco show that was taking place in the back room. The place itself has a nice decor, the Alhambra ballroom is beautiful, however for some reason that evening the sound system had some glitches in it. The show which is independent from the restaurant was very powerful and nicely put on. They do charge a 10.00 per person cover charge to enter. Ok now for the bad. The server was friendly however she must have been very busy we only saw her a total of 3 times. I think we saw more of the bus person. We ordered the Ahlambra special which was 56.00 plus tax and here is the good part they automatically add 20% gratuity without warning you. I can see if I was a party of 5 or more but there were only two of us! When I asked the server why this did this, her answer was because it was a special event. Really??? You charged me a cover charge for this special event. the dish itself was ok nothing really special. The Rice was not fresh, the beef kabob was over cooked and the only good thing was the chicken and the beef (and that is questionable). Would I go back? For food no! The show maybe and I think that the management team should let it be known they are adding the gratuity automatically! The service really did not warrant the 20 % this might explain why the service lacked why go out of my way if I am guaranteed a tip?

    (2)

  • Minhaj L.

    Umm Where do i start? one of the worst experience of my life. Their service was horrible. we had reservation for 12 ppl but we still had to wait for over one hour, after that they put us on the corner. they took eternity to come get our order. Food quantity was not that i hoped for. Avoid it..

    (1)

  • Liza P.

    I came here to see a friend's dance performance on a Sunday night. The performance was good, but Alhambra Palace is a terrible venue. As many of the reviews have mentioned, the service is horrible. I don't know if the waitstaff are bad at their jobs, or if the whole restaurant is just chronically understaffed, but it was a terrible experience. The waiter came by right after we were seated to give us the menus and then didn't return until 20 minutes later. We ordered hummus for an appetizer, which was pretty good, but the whole experience went downhill from there. Because the waiter hardly ever came by, we didn't get our entree until well after the show had started (over an hour after we arrived). We were sitting at a table with 16 other people, and by this point the music was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you talking. This in itself wouldn't have been a problem, except that the busboys delivering the food did so by walking back and forth along the table shouting the name of the dish they were carrying (and blocking our view of the performers), which no one could hear. Eventually they would somehow find the person the dish had been intended for, and then would start the entire process over for the next dish. And the next dish. And the next dish. I don't understand why the waiter couldn't have just written down where along the table each dish was ordered. The food itself was mediocre. The chicken was to dry, the beef was over-seasoned, and the mixed drinks contained barely any alcohol. None of it was worth the price we paid (FYI the restaurant adds on a mandatory 20% gratuity, which the waitstaff do NOT deserve). The other staff barely acknowledged that we were there. In the four hours we spent at the restaurant, my water glass was (partially) refilled once. They had three different singers performing throughout the show, who may or may not have been talented. All I know is that their voices were rendered unrecognizable by the cheap sound system, so most of what we heard throughout the night was noise. When it came time to leave, once again our waiter was nowhere in sight. It took us over half an hour to track him down, pay our bill, and finally get out of that hellhole. I will not be returning here, and would not recommend this place to anyone.

    (1)

  • Gayle G.

    Never going back. Went here for a birthday party. I read the yelp reviews and was prepared. Ordered the lamb tangine and it was great. The gibraltar salad was also good if you like beets. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. A place where it is a challenge to have a conversation because of the loud music and belly dancing. The service sucks and the prices are high especially if you are a large party where they include a 20% tip. Go here for the dancing/nightclub atmosphere that has a $35 minimum. Otherwise you'll be disappointed.

    (1)

  • Jeff B.

    Good - not great. A little pricey for what you get. Be forewarned there is an automatic gratuity for parties of 4 or mote. First impression was negative. Dining on a weeknight the place was pretty empty. I walked in and immediately saw my wife already seated so I just started over to the table. The three employees standing at the entrance who could not be bothered to look my way (they were talking) when I walked in stopped me. I guess you need to stand and wait to "check in" before you can enter their dining area. First ordered cocktails. I went off menu (bad decision) and ordered a traditional vodka martini. I was delivered a dirty martini. When I asked the waiter what was in it, I was given a flip answer of "vodka?" I told him it was a dirty martini and apologized to him for going off menu. He let me finish my drink. The appetizers were fantastic. Try the humus and ask for extra pita to go with it. It has a jalapeno sauce in it, but was not hot. The entrees were very good. The deserts were touted as home made on the menu and the waiter stressed that, so we ordered the lava cake. It was like a chocolate brownie stuffed with pudding - the lava did not flow and it was not fresh. It was like it had been refrigerated for a long time before it was served. When we asked the waiter about it we were again given a flip answer of "maybe we need to microwave it for you." We were in the front dining room and I did not really see the rest of the restaurant. In the 25 (or so) table area we were in, two other tables had customers. That said, maybe the staff was having a bad day? Maybe the 20% automatic gratuity has them not trying a hard. I would not avoid it, but I would never recommend it - too many more attractive options at that price point in that neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Mina G.

    $38 minimum per person Friday/Saturday?? Unbelievable. Wait was 2 hour and on top of that the regulation of $38 per person to stay there and eat. Horrible. Never going again.

    (1)

  • Ali S.

    Great place, elegant and a place to have someone impressed. Food is good. The waiters are good and service is great. I have been here many times. But the last time I was here, I bought my family for the first time. Everything is was wrong. We were greeted ( recognized) after 10 mins while we already had a reservation. After we were seated, a waiter actually banged ! And I mean banged the plates on the table as if he was upset. Anyhow after all the violent behavior we placed out order. And I was shocked that they forgot few of the items we ordered. So we decided to not even mention that they forgot. We were never asked of we were doing okay during the dinner, our glasses of water were ever refilled, and lastly the food was not the same quality as I had before. This was very disappointing. I and giving them a 3, since they were good at my pervious visits.

    (3)

  • Kristan S.

    Was there Saturday night for our engagement dinner. Food was beyond great, entertainment was even better. Milar was a great server, can't wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Lina P.

    I have to agree with most of the Yelpers on here!! The place is cool if you want to see something different. The show was very entertaining and the decor was extremely exquisite. I'd say the decor is the best feature of the place. The dancers the 2nd best thing about this restaurant. The food leaves a lot to be desired. I ordered the Chicken Tandouri . I liked at first but after awhile I got sick of what I was eating. It was not that great. I ordered this dish because the menu said it was boneless breast, but ended up to be bone-in which I didn't like that. The menu prices are a RIP-OFF. There are soooooo many restaurants in Chicago that offer a better value + better quality. The service did suck also. I think she came around like twice. I didn't get upset that she wasn't attentive. I skipped on ordering any cocktails because of her lackluster hospitality and just stuck with a soda. I would've been far better off going to any other place on W. Randolph St. First and last time I will go to Alhambra Palace. Sorry!!

    (2)

  • Mike H.

    I visited this restaurant few months ago with my wife and the food was really good and loved the design of the place and the service. We met with the manager Mamoun and ask him to help us with our event in November. Mamoun and his staff were fascistic and they put together a great event for us. The food was excellent and the chef did a great job to present us with a variety of food. Everyone at our event had a great time and enjoyed the food and the entertainment. I highly recommend this restaurant for eating and entertainment.

    (5)

  • Susana D.

    Very slow service. 30mn to get our drinks? The food was below average with prices above average. $27 for a Lamb Kabob and the rice was not cooked properly. In addition, they don't serve tap water, you must pay for the water. Terrible service, 3h to get our food??? Never again!

    (1)

  • Jane K.

    This place is BEAUTIFUL!!! From the outside-in this place is decorated. The entertainment was interested, I like how they kept you interested with different belly dancers and singers. The food was okay.. I expected a little more but it was not bad. I would defiantly come back for another birthday =)

    (3)

  • Kymberly J.

    This place made me feel like I was in Vegas. I kept looking for the slot machines. I was super impressed with this restaurant. It stood out as we were walking down Randolph trying to figure out where to eat. We went in for a beer and decided to stay after looking at the delicious menu. The food was excellent. The portions were huge and everything was fresh. For an appetizer we had baba ganoush (did I spell that right?) and some lemony potato goodness. I had the Shwarma and my friend has the chicken tangine - super! For dessert we shared the chocolate ganache cheesecake which I fell in love with. As we were seated our waiter informed us that the manager could take us on a tour when we finished our meal. Oh-boy did I want to check out the rest of the place. The only room of the 24,000 square foot restaurant was the banquet room because there was a party going on. I would have loved to crash that party. On the tour we learned that the owner took 3 years to decorate and remodel the place before he opened. hmmm.....who does that? Anyway I thought it was very cool of the manager to give us a tour. I definitely want to go back for the Flamenco dancing show and the belly dancing show!

    (4)

  • Surreal E.

    Feta was on the menu, but apparently they don't serve it. We wound up getting it anyway--stale or off, just terrible. No labneh on the mezze plate. The tzatziki salad was bad. Felafel was ok, but there are lots of hole in the wall places in Chicago that are far superior. Kibbeh was greasy. Eggplant was good and the Jerusalem Salad was tasteless. Hummus was ok. I would have not written any review had I eaten this in a hole in a wall but considering how much we paid I couldn't help myself. When we said it was disappointing they were kind enough to provide us with three little desserts--which were odd store bought things with no culinary connection to the region. Still they are to be commended for trying. On the other hand, if you are really drunk, then the décor is really fun kitsch.

    (1)

  • Zain K.

    As Matt K pointed out, it all depends on what you're coming here for. We came for dinner and salsa dancing on a Tuesday night, and my 4* rating is effectively an average of the 3* I would give Alhambra as a restaurant and the 5* I'd give it as a dance venue. Dinner: We had the lentil soup, cucumber and tomato salad, lamb tagine, and seafood martini (this was basically a few items of seafood in a martini glass). The soup and salad were simple and good, the tagine was just okay, and the seafood was boring and overpriced at $12. Overall, the meal wasn't bad, but I've had better Moroccan food elsewhere. Also, we ordered glasses of sangria, and they were pretty small and otherwise unimpressive. Dancing: Alhambra is beautiful, and makes for a lovely place to dance. Many people in the know say that Tuesday night here is Chicago's best dance night, and I can see why The floor is excellent and spacious and the music is solid. I didn't find the dancers to be as friendly and open to newcomers as they as in most places, but it could've just been an off night that way.

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    So my friend was having his birthday dinner here and I read some of the reviews before going-and I was seriously worried....but it all ended up being for no reason! I thought Alhambra Palace was a great place to go for a different type of atmosphere than your standard restaurant plus the added bonus of live entertainment! Alhambra is great for big groups (we had about 20 in ours) but they also have quaint tables for 2. They have a pretty big bar that greets you when you first walk in and they do NOT mess around with their wine pours-filled to the top every time, such a nice change from the tiny overpriced glasses I've had other places. The food was also really good-I am by no means a Middle Eastern food expert, but I'm no amateur either and everything we had was very good. Our table got some hummus and falafel as appetizers and my boyfriend and I split the Filet Kabob for dinner. All were very good, no complaints whatsoever. The entertainment was, well, entertaining....a little salsa dancing followed by some belly dancing really made our night here more of an experience than just a meal. If I had guests in from out of town I would definitely consider Alhambra Palace for a little out of the ordinary entertainment.

    (4)

  • Sallie H.

    Great entertainment, that's about it!!! Slow service and room temperature food. We wait probably half an hour for our food expecting it to be HOT and it wasn't. No one ever checked on us either to see how our food was. Don't think I will be back.

    (3)

  • Jade M.

    Alhambra is great for hooka, drinks, lounging, and their shows. However their food sucks, and their service matches it. Very slow, had to keep asking for water refills, and if their staff wasn't so slow we would have ordered triple the amount of drinks. I would come back to watch a show and smoke some hookah. I would advise against this place if you are on a time constraint or are hungry.

    (3)

  • Dr S.

    Best place to hit if you are craving some real Arabic atmosphere and great food! Feels like an Oasis in the middle of Chicago! Loved it!

    (5)

  • Anabella J.

    We had a blast at this place.we made a reservations and were running late like 25 min even called them to let them know and they kept our table for us.gave us the best table in the place,right where action was.we ordered the appetizer plate with different kinds of apt thinking we should start with that.it was very tasty.ended up ordering another one and we were full.ordered a couple of drinks as well.then we read on the menu that on fridays and saturdays the minimum should be $38 per person.they forgot to mention that when i made a reservation.no big deal we were group of 6.but we had a problem ordering more because we were full.we tried our best to order as much as we can to get to our price minimum.for us it was cheap and we couldn't eat more.then we decided to get hookah which was the best so far i have ever tried and i visited Turkey one summer.We didn't even bother asking them about the $38.i am sure they would understand if we didn't make a cut,but we decided to spent more and have fun.we went there at 9 and we ended staying until 2 but only planned to eat watch some show and leave.dancers were crazy good and it was really hard to leave before the end.their culture is amazing in every possible way.the place is like a palace.its big enough for weddings.if you have never been i would recommend trying it.

    (4)

  • Andrew L.

    It was the first NYE with my wife and because it was our first one we thought this place was going to be great since it had live entertainment and salsa dancing. We get there at 830pm and the hostess tells us to go upstairs to the second floor and talk to someone there to find our seats. We get up there and no one is in sight to help us. We had to reach out to the bartender who then talked to a waitress who bitched the whole time and got a table with a decent view. We order and both the appetizers and dinner shows up at the same time. We were fine with this since service was slow and craptacular. So we ate dinner which was good, that's why it gets one star. The entertainment was okay, mostly just the same dancers over and over. The whole time our waitress came to our table she bitched about why no one else was waiting on us and she should have help. 11pm came and we decided to go to the salsa room. I had to show the security guy my ticket on my phone (the stupid hostess took it) and after five min of explaining things he let us in. I attempted to order a drink and the bartender told me I needed a wristband to order. I then talked to the security guard and he had no idea what I was talking about. I went back and just said give me my drink here is the cash. The drink was terrible, the guy was using a cell phone in order to make the drinks. Not a very good bartender. I had to find the manager again to get our champagne since we left our table (which was now occupied) the server forgot about us. 12am came and we drank our champagne, we saw them giving party favors in the other room where we ate dinner. I tried to find the manager again and no luck. After an hour I saw our waitress and told her how we didn't get any. She bitched and never returned. I told another waitress and she gave us some crappy ones. All in all this was the worst NYE ever. We ended up fighting because of this shitty place. Do not go here if you value your relationship with your loved one. Only bring your enemies here. Seriously!

    (1)

  • Samson L.

    This place is off the hook! Great food, good service maybe a little this organized but it's crazy busy so it was ok. Any real bad reviews on the food must be from people not used to eating anything but American food. The dancing and music was awesome! It's like going to a middle eastern club with food. Oh! And the "view" wow beautiful people everywhere and of all colors love it! The only horrible thing about this place is the crazy ass super over priced alcoholic drinks!! Oh my highway robbery! Wtf! It's a good thing their hookah was within a good price and worth the money that things goes and goes and damn nocks your sucks off. Go go go but drink just a little get the hookah and all is good. The day they chill out on their drink prices everybody would give this place 5 stars trust me.

    (4)

  • Rebecca L.

    Appetizers on 11-30-12 Heading to an event later that night and found out food options would be limited, we walked down Randolph and decided to get apps somewhere quick. When we walked in it was pretty dead but it was also 6:30pm so getting quick food seemed entirely possible. We sat at the bar and endured someones first day. She didn't understand why we wanted menus, took way too long to give us glasses of water and did not know how to input orders. We specifically ordered items that did not require cooking or much prep time and we explained we were a little pressed for time so we would appreciate our check with the food. EPIC FAIL. Food took 20+ minutes and did not come with the check. We actually never saw the check because we kept asking for it and not getting it. (Mind you we were at the bar about 5 feet away from the register) We just did some quick math and ended up tipping people we would rather have not tipped because we couldn't wait for change. The food itself was good but given the simplicity of our order and the fact that there were literally 3 employees to every person in the restaurant at the time, its pretty unforgivable. Never again, Alhambra.

    (1)

  • STELLA L.

    So I've been here a good amount of times every time for a birthday , and every time same thing happens the wait staff doesn't really know what's goin on we go to the bar to get our drinks be cause it takes over 10 minutes to get them a cocktail or soda what ever it is ..... When food comes out they come to the table just yelling what they have and if you hear it's yours they give it to you . They need to be more organized in that manner . I love this place and concept be hind it all but the staff needs to be well trained and more aware of their tables they have . They were so bad it's kinda sad the guy we had was all over the place every-time we asked for anything he looked confused . Everything does take a while because they want you to enjoy the show but I gotta say the show itself too is cheesy they have Asian belly dancers and these white grills dancing older women as a matter a fact . They should change it up a little maybe find some people who look more middle eastern like the one girl who goes on for he main show she's great but the others are just ok . And the food is a little too pricey I gotta say .

    (3)

  • Tiffany D.

    A friend and I came here and was SOOO excited to try this place out. The decor was amazing but that is where the compliments stop. The service was TERRIBLE, and the food was even worse. The fish dish that my friend ordered tasted like it was purchased a week prior and hadn't been refrigerated. When she complained, the server took the meal away (that had BARELY been touched) and presented us with the bill. To our astonishment the meal that she didn't eat WAS STILL ON THE BILL. He told us that his manager told him to keep the meal there and that it was the policy of the restaurant. When we asked to speak to the manager, miraculously the meal was removed from our bill without the manager even coming to talk to us. The only thing that I can say that I enjoyed was the Hummus. Unfortunately I wont enjoy it again, because I will never come back.

    (1)

  • Dodge S.

    Note to self: be sure to call ahead of time to confirm reservations, and if you want to see the live music and belly dancers change the time of your reservation so you arrive then they are scheduled to perform. Came here for a birthday dinner and loved it. Took a cab to the restaurant, and as soon as you walked inside, you are overwhelmed with the beauty and ornate detail from the tile work to sculptures and statues, to the priceless rugs hanging on the wall near your table. We tried to get seats for the floor show but because we changed our time the only seats available were on the second level looking down. And that was fine! We had a great time. And so did the two large wedding parties. Later we figured out there was a third wedding party in a private ballroom around the corner on the upper level. All night I was trying to put my finger on what Alhambra reminded me of; then it finally clicked, it really reminded me of Las Vegas. Seriously. It was a professional atmosphere, the wait staff was coordinated with walkie talkies, the bathrooms had an attendant, and the live music was unbelievable, topped only by the strength of the belly dancers. The soothing color scheme, night club lighting effects, and ancient Spanish artifacts all work together to transport you to another time and place for a night you won't forget. For my birthday we ordered grape leaves, the Alhambra salad which was huge, beef kabobs, and I think another item called Dahl. It was great paired with two oversized martini specials, one was called the Grand Luxury Palace but I cannot remember the other one. For dessert we actually passed and asked for the check, but the waitress brought us a sampler of baklavah with a single candle to make a wish. Just perfect.

    (5)

  • Kourtney M.

    Food and a show? This place was definitely a winner when I chose it to take the boyfriend out for his birthday. We had two appetizers that were amazing and the platter (main course) is a must have. Make sure that you make a reservation in advance and tell them where you prefer to sit (main floor with all the action).

    (4)

  • Jane c.

    Dancers were incredible. SUCH A BLAST. musicians were fun too & the venue is a middle-eastern delight. The food was good. not great, good. Kinda stingy with the pita (one little basket with 8 halves for a table of 12)....I am sorry to say the service was abysmal. Our waiter 'Mila' had to be flagged down after 25 minutes to begin our drink order. then only brought 1/2 the table. Flagged down again to complete 1st drink order & had to catch him on the fly to order appetizers. Food came out hot & fresh but plates were NEVER cleared, we were there from 7:45 till 12:00. We had to flag down for 2nd drink order & again to order hookahs. (i dont drink, but my guests would have at least 3 if the server would have bothered to ask.) funny part was when I moved one of the glass hookahs to be closer to my friend. The waiter was visibly annoyed. He rushed over then! I swear he would have smacked me with a ruler if he had one ;-) I'd go back......the entertainment ROCKS and it was a very fun night

    (3)

  • John B.

    This place lost about 800 people's coats on NYE for a party and didn't compensate anyone for it. This aligns pretty well with all of the previous comments about the shady employees and scam tactics.

    (1)

  • Diana O.

    Nice decor, good ambiance and people are upbeat but definitely the WORST service ever. Took ages to get my food, drinks even water!! Food was bland and dry. Definitely not worth the money.

    (1)

  • M G.

    I came here on a friday night for my birthday dinner a few months ago and had a blast with my friends. It was my first time at Alhambra and everyone there was helpful. I liked the food and entertainment a lot. My friends and I even got up to dance on the main floor. We all had a good time and enjoyed the food. The hookah wasnt overly priced either even tho the other dishes were kinda pricey. They also brought out a mini tray with desserts with a candle for my bday. The only reason why im giving it 4 stars is because it was pricey and the outside does not match the inside. Also, they tried charging us almost $10 to enter the club located above the restaurant which had salsa music playing that night. My friends and I were told it was free to enter since we had a receipt to prove we ate at Alhambra but the people at the door denied the offer. There were hardly any people (maybe 15 tops) there dancing so it seems like a joke.

    (4)

  • Katarina X.

    It's a party! Belly Dancers! Fan Dancers! Fire Dancers! Sword Dancers! Salsa Dancers! And I don't have to dance! YES- you read that correctly- I get to sit, stuff my face, enjoy another glass of wine and enjoy the show! Speaking of food- try the Spicy Hummus! Yes, they have spicy food here. Real Spicy. And it isn't that faux "spicy" some places serve- I come from Texas where spicy means habaneros, jalapenos... fire... this Hummus is spicy and good! My Boyfriend is always trying to get me to dance, meanwhile I memorized all the lines to Frank Sinatra's "I Don't Dance" and am greatly amused by any distraction where I don't have to sing all the lines! Leave it to the professionals- I was mesmerized by the dancers- guys, girls- all talented and so much fun to watch! Boyfriend loved the spicy hummus as well and the baba ganoush especially. He forgot to ask me to dance. All in all, awesome. The decor is lavish, over-the-top and makes you feel good to dress up and get out. The staff was attentive, cheerful and not at all invasive- they were even nice when I mispronounced everything (I made the effort!)

    (4)

  • Stef M.

    Went here again to celebrate a special birthday with a group. I got to try more the of menu, everything was awesome, and a big thumbs up to the belly dancing. This made the guest of honor feel very special! Stepping in here is quite the unique experience. And you get free entertainment with dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, so why not?

    (4)

  • Erika G.

    I went here a couple of Thursdays ago after the Najat Aatabou concert at Millennium Park. I'd gotten the hookup via my mad WHPK cred to go to the after party, and see the fabulously talented Najat sing some more! What a powerhouse! Included in the ticket ($60 for everyone else, FREE for me!) was a pretty lavish buffet of middle eastern goodies and salads. If this is representative of their standard fare, I have to say I was impressed - the food was VERY good. The interior . . . yaa laa teeeef! I want to live here. Other reviewers have rightfully noted that this restaurant is named after the fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The style of this gorgeous Moorish palace is pretty well represented - I'd call this an "homage to". The many private rooms, the over the top decor, the lavish balcony lounges. It really made this sassy odalisque want to recline on a couple of poufs, clap for the harem boys to bring tea and a nargila and then summon my Sultan! The decor is pretty beautiful, if a little over the top. It combines Moroccan painted wood ceilings, Syrian style furniture and a few Ayssyrian touches - big stone lions on the stage. This is a great place to see live music, and the dance floor is GIANT. It's pricey, though. See and be seen. Dress up and bring dollars!

    (4)

  • MARIA O.

    Review for Tuesday night Latin dancing: Wow, the moves I have seen on the dance floor here are enviable. F'en B to the girls that shake like that! I have Alhambra written in on my calendar for Latin dancing on Tuesday nights. This is where the best of the best show up to sweat their tails off. It is refreshing to know that there is a culture of Latin dancers out there that simply get together to have fun, dance, mix & mingle and share each others company. No worries about drama like you would have when you go out during the weekend. Everyone is so cool and respectful. No one competes, no one causes problems, so much fun. Not to worry friends, sooner, rather than later, I too will be one of those chicks getting swept across the dance floor. Haha!

    (5)

  • Lyndsay M.

    I visited this restaurant for dinner and Swing Dancing. Interesting deco and dimly lit. Comfortable seating. I could see it's a good atmosphere for a date night. (If you are not in a hurry.) I had the Lobster Tail plate and my friend had the Salmon. Both were pretty good, but not worth the $$$ they priced them as. Plus our waiter was extremely slow for being such a dead Wednesday night. He would leave us to figure out our order or get our drinks, but we wouldn't see him again for about 15-20 minutes each time! We arrived at 7. Our plates finally arrived at about 8:30. As we were not in a hurry, this is the least of my worries tonight. I opened a tab at the back bar. The night progressed and I continued to drink. I don't normally open tabs at bars, so of course I leave before retrieving my card by accident. So naturally I call back the instant I remember. I was greeted by a man with an accent and was reassured they would hold my card until I can make it back to pick it up 2 days later. It was Saturday morning that I realized my card had about 6 fraudulent charges on it. I called the bank and handled it. So either way, I say dishonest employees are running the restaurant. I'll probably be back for swing dancing, but I'll never trust the staff again.

    (2)

  • Michele M.

    I'll be brief because this place doesn't deserve the full use of my brain. I have NEVER personally been discriminated against because I'm black. I guess I should say I HAD NEVER been discriminated against. That all changed at Alhambra. I witnessed black people being turned away and I personally had additional charges hand written on my check...the check that was eventually thrown at me. I will NEVER step foot in this place again. Never. If I'm not good enough to eat somewhere and be treated with respect, then the place is not good enough for my money. Side note. The food wasn't great either.

    (1)

  • Anuj S.

    I've been here a few times and we really enjoy going there. The ambiance is great. Really impressive decor which actually looks like a palace from the inside. It's a lot bigger than you would think. Food-wise, the vegetarian options are decent and affordable. You definitely have to go on a Friday or Saturday night. That's when it's most lively and has some entertainment. Actually, the belly dancers are kind of out of shape. That could be greatly improved. But overall, I just give this place high ratings due to the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Celeste H.

    Oh my lord. Came here with a group. Seated immediately, but drinks were pressured (we were a no-alcohol event, and didn't really appreciate that). Ordering took about 45 minutes, the food was fairly prompt, the waiter messed up our coffee order (three coffees after dinner. they brought two. and then two more. i don't even know.) and took about an hour to bring the check after we asked for it. The food wasn't worth what we paid - flavorless and the meat was tough. the belly dancing was nice, but a bit strange with the spanish folk dancing that was an hour before.

    (1)

  • Eric Q.

    Food is good albeit overpriced, but the show was fantastic. Great atmosphere and entertainment.

    (4)

  • Myrem D.

    Came here as a guest of the city and I wasn't expecting anything big, except that I was really craving middle eastern cuisine. The place is in an industrial area and parking is a bit ways. There's a tent outside covering the entrance, making you feel like your entering some important chancellors house. Its very loud and in your face. The inside was screaming just as much as the outside was. With heavy curtains at every corner, rugs,pillows all playing well into the middle eastern feel. The main dining room is a circle with the stage facing the end of the room. All around the corner is a balcony step up with more private booths. The chairs are NOT comfortable in the least bit. You would think with that many pillows, comfort wouldn't be a question. Oh , was it ever. I was either sinking or slanting in some corners. Finally I just grabbed some pillows from the neighbouring booth and eventually got comfortable. Still, the back is hard and extremely stiff to sit on. Ughh. The service wasn't bad. The drinks came almost right away. The hummus was very delicious but they skimp on the bread. The beef shawarma plate wasn't the best but the presentation was impressive.The portions are large so you will be stuffed. There is a show that is put on most evenings with belly dancers and such. This particular evening there was a band of Spanish singers and dancers. Which was excitingly new for a middle eastern place. Slowly people started to dance in the centre and the belly dancer would do the standard routine of dancing around the venue to get audience participation. wouldn't totally danced with her but she didn't bother coming to me. My breathe probs stank. After than the lights dimmed again and people resumed to socialise and/or enjoy the music in the background. I didn't get to visit to bathrooms and didn't even get a glimpse of the bill. Over all, it's not a bad place to bring out of towners but no sense of hyping this place up. It's really not THAT great unless your just looking to stuff yourself while you watch a show. xoxo M.

    (3)

  • Hina Q.

    First off, HALAL food. Secondly, the atmosphere is amazing and grande. The decorations are very beautifully done. It definitely gives off the Middle-Eastern feel. I didn't get a chance to sit in the balcony each time that I went. The first couple of times, we sat in the higher sitting area next to the wall. The next few times we sat on the floor. There are salsa/mediterranean dance shows happening through out the night. It's very entertaining. One time we did a birthday party there with a group of 10 people and the waitresses along with the manager treated us very well. The live band came up to our table and sang to the birthday person. The live dancers also did the same. The food is not as authentic as Middle-Eastern food but still very tasty. I had the chicken stuffed the first time and it was tasty but a bit dry. The second and third times I had the beef strips and it was good. It didn't seem as cooked thoroughly as it should be but had the taste. The hummus is very good here. The kibbeh were also very tasty. Overall, I had a good experience every time that I visited them. I admit that they are slightly overpriced but when you see the portions of the food, you will understand. Plus, the live band and dancers also make it entertaining.

    (3)

  • Victoria D.

    I had a magnificent time at my cousin's birthday dinner. The band was really good and the dancers definitely had some skill. The appetizers such as the hummus and baba ghanouj were a little pricey for what they were, but my Chilean sea bass was cooked perfectly. I would definitely come back for some more hookah and good times.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    Food-wise this place isn't anything special. We started with the Baba Ghanoush and the Grilled Sea Scallops. I realized that I do not like Baba Ghanoush but glad I tried something new. The Sea Scallops were pretty tasty. For the main course I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass. This meal was the definition of mediocre which was pretty disappointing. All-in-all the food is not worth the high price you'll pay but Alhambra is more about the experience. The show was pretty cool, but something I wouldn't need to experience more than once. If you're interested in the show I would recommend giving this place a try for something different, but if you're looking for a good meal I would recommend you to search elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Janet E.

    So based on the reviews it looks like people really liked this restaurant or really hated it. I didnt really like it, but didnt really hate it either. We had a group of 20 with reservations at 7pm on a Friday night. There are three floors to this restaurant with the main floor being the Alhambra room. The ENTIRE floor in the Alhambra room was empty except for our group. So where do they sit us? In the very corner where you barely see the stage. Minus one star. My BIGGEST complaint was their Restaurant Week Prix Fixe promotion. THEY DO NOT OFFER THE RESTAURANT WEEK MENU IN THE ALHAMBRA ROOM (where the music and entertainment is held). What the ?!?!. WHY NOT?? Instead, they only offer the restaurant week menu in the Babylonian room, where there is no music, no dancing, no life. Minus half star. Now onto the entertainment. The entertainment was supposed to start at 8pm. We chose not do the restaurant week menu so that we could see this "show". 8pm. No show. 8:10pm. No show. 8:20pm No show. 8:35pm, finally some dancing. Nothing too spectacular but it was better than nothing. Of course, I couldnt really see too much being seated in the corner of the restaurant behind the pole which was behind the fake palm tree stump. Minus half star. The food was ok. I ordered the eggplant. It was like eggplant parmigiana with rice. The pita bread was delicious and the olives were good. Everyone around me ordered something different and it all looked delicious. I didnt really hear any complaints so it was probably good. There is limited street parking in the area but the restaurant offers valet service. Overall an ok experience. Be prepared to drop some $$$ because this place is not cheap. Sultan Market is still my favorite.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    Food: Awful and overpriced Service: Awful Atmosphere: Like nothing I have ever seen before. In a good way. It gets two stars for the wow factor inside. Entertainment: Great if you like fat guys belly dancing.

    (2)

  • Peter K.

    I love middle eastern / Mediterranean food! This is one of my favorite spots to go. A little pricey but you are paying for the ambiance and the show. Food is great and it makes for a fun night out with a group of friends

    (5)

  • A M.

    Good food , nice entertainment, and a great atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Dolly K.

    Beautiful place but the food just is not good.

    (2)

  • Neline S.

    I met up with a friend for dinner and when she suggested this place, I was pretty excited about Middle Eastern food. So when we drove up to this opulent, palatial place, I went WHOA. We went inside after a near slip and fall miss in front of the doors and we were seated immediately. I took a sneak peak of the online menu so I had an idea of what I wanted. I usually opt for lamb dishes but this time the Beef Swarma won me over. According to the menu's description, the beef swarma is marinated in the chef's secret recipe served with seasonal vegetables and Alhambra's rice. Based on that, I was salivating since I was expecting a savory, juicy dish with basmati rice. (Never assume). The plate was opulent since the helpings could have been split between two people. However, after the first helping of the Alhambra rice and the beef, I was sorely disappointed on how bland the dish was. The beef was cold and I didn't taste any of the spices usually served with it. Furthermore, I truly, enjoy basmati rice but no seasonings were added as well. The vegetable serving consisted of two measly grilled carrot sticks. (I think this was all I remembered). The wine list was also disappointing since most of them came from California. Nothing wrong with California wines but I prefer a cabernet sauvingon from Italy. They did have a Barolo bottle but my friend wasn't willing to split a $55 bottle. I have to admit though, the drinks and dessert that I ordered made up for the sub par meal. I ordered a Lebanese Blond which consisted of absolut citron vodka, cointreau, sweet and sour, and fresh lemon juice with a sugar rim. It was mixed to perfection and ideally not one liquor overwhelmed the other. I also had a chocolate mouse pyramid served with whip cream and two strawberries on the side. It was a tiny dessert for $8 but the chocolate mousse sweetness was not overwhelming as well. It was great to catch up with an old friend over dinner, drinks and dessert. However, the next visit, I would just recommend drinks and dessert.

    (2)

  • Mary H.

    HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. Not sure if that word was written enough to describe the service and my dissatisfaction with this place. Went here for a late night party and checked our coats. I have never seen worse service. We checked our coats and once we went to get them (30 minutes later), there was a 1 hour wait. After we get to the front, give our tickets, the one completely unable attendant that was there states that our coats are gone. Apart from the coats, the management has no clue about quality customer service. They avoided the insanity of the night and had no apologies for those that were present.

    (1)

  • Sam N.

    CAN U SAY THIS PLACE IS HUGE? The Lamb Kabob is awesome. It looks like a morrocan palace if you would take a trip there... I have found the staff very attentive

    (5)

  • Bobbi K.

    I decided to have my birthday party at Alhambra Palace on a Friday night considering they do a "dinner and a show" package and it seemed to be something different aside from the usual club scene. As soon as I arrived the hostess offered to put my cupcakes in the cooler so the frosting would stay in tact through out the night. I set up in a VIP room (similar to a Sky box) and immediately managers and staff helped moved tables to accommodate the way I wanted the area set up. As each guest arrived, no one could get over how beautiful the venue was. The belly dancers were extremely entertaining and it was something that no one was used to seeing, VERY cool experience. We ordered food and drinks which came quickly. The waiter was helpful in suggesting which drinks would be best. The hummus appetizer is addicting! You've been warned! As a band played we all decided to make our way down the stairs to dance. Although it wasn't music we were used to dancing to, everyone was having a great time and there was an upbeat rhythm so it didn't matter. We smoked strawberry flavored hookah (excellent) and moved to a table on the floor so we could get an even closer look at the belly dancers. The bill was reasonable considering the quality of the food and entertainment value. Everyone told me that they weren't sure what to expect when they got the invite because it was something new, but had a complete BLAST. All in all we ended up staying a total of six hours and had a wonderful time. I would recommend checking this place out, especially if you are considering having a celebration here.

    (5)

  • Padma A.

    My friends wanted to hangout for some hookah and belly dancing and we got a table for 11pm.The singer and drummers were pheneomenal! we were seated close to the stage and i could feel the strong beats, although it was a foriegn language i was in a happy place. our waiter Hez was very sweet, we ordered Salad, falafel, eggplant and Lamb kebab. Our lamb was chewy and we informed our waitress who immediately brought out a complimentary platter of baklava from the chef. My friends and i enjoyed dancing and learnt a few a dance steps. The lead belly dancer was enthralling. I would certainely go back for another fun night.

    (4)

  • Santosh D.

    I took my fiancee here for her birthday on a Tuesday evening and we had a pretty good time overall. She had been once or twice, I had never been before. We had a reservation, and were seated promptly seated. The waitstaff was quite friendly, and the drinks were pricey but good: my fiance got the pomegranate mojito, which she loved, and I got a blueberry margarita, which was pretty good albeit a tad sweet. We thought the hummus appetizer and my fiancee's lamb tangine entree were pretty good. My experience with the paella wasn't necessarily bad, just thought I'd provide some detail. I asked whether it would take a long time, as it tends to slow-cook at other places such as Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and Cafe Iberico (granted, those are tapas places, so they likely have a different approach). He mentioned that no, they just needed some time to cook the seafood but the rice was already cooked. I felt the dish was okay, tasted good overall, but that the rice wasn't as tender as I expected, compared to paella I've had at the aforementioned tapas places. That may not bother some, just thought I'd note it. We did really enjoy the salsa dancing they have on Tuesday nights ($12 cover, or $7 if you RSVP through the site or prove that you ate there that evening), which was the real draw for us this evening. Overall, I'd say it's a decent/good place, maybe more so for an occasional visit than frequent.

    (4)

  • Lisa R.

    Well I've been here a couple of times And first off the palace is beautiful! The food is ok But the service is real bad!! My waitress looked like she wanted to hurt someone, seriously your hired to smile even Thru the busiest times. The servers are stressed over worked And that changed the whole atmosphere The entertainment is a plus! This time we can a party of 10 and spent plenty of money but, this female server just was bothered when we needed Help. I have to say eat something small before you come because dinner took 1 :30 mins to come .. And when the food comes it not hot The only reason I have a 2 stars for entertainment

    (2)

  • Slobodan D.

    So we went there to have some desert and coffe on a quie Sunday afternoon. And the guy named Andrew(i asked for his name) who thinks he is working god knows where refused to serve us for 20 mins.he never actually did.the hostess that works there actually came to serve us.she even asked him to do so and he refused for god knows what reason. And this guy was parading with his sleak gelled hair like he is a master of the place.but yeah.in an empty restaurant to wait for 25 mins for someone to come to you. Also he did not even looked at us.he was avoiing us.for some reason

    (1)

  • Mineral Y.

    5 stars only for the entertainment and the main act belly dancer, Suraiya! Other than that the place overall is extremely overrated and overpriced; 1 star, if even that! I don't mind paying the price for good food and a good hookah. The food is a disgrace to be called Middle Eastern food, it was very bland. The hookah was extremely overpriced and NOT worth it. Don't get it! The service for it is horrible as we shouldn't have to ask for it to be serviced. They don't even give customers tongs! The hoses are so cheap and kept falling out. The charcoal...? No one uses instant anymore because it's disgusting and cheap. This place does. If you know authentic Middle Eastern food and service and a good hookah... This place will not hold up to your expectations! Not worth it at all. Saved this for last: the bathroom literally had backup feces on the ground for hours!

    (1)

  • Lily S.

    I came here with my then-boyfriend on the very first night they opened up, about 7 or 8 years ago. We both looked around in total awe of the vicinity. The decor itself is immaculate - all of which, I have heard, is imported from the Middle East. Since the grand opening, I have visited Alhambra a dozen times... Fridays and Saturdays feature live entertainment, which consists of Arabian singers and belly dancers. There's a cover of, I think, $35 on those nights. They serve food and hooka, both of which are nothing to rave about. I have never really had a bad experience with the service here, which is a positive. Even despite it being crazy busy some nights, servers are good about keeping their calm and serving guests as best as they can. I'm sure it's not fun for them to have to scream over the live music to get people's orders written down. If you have a good group of friends, or a special event, this is a great place to dance the night away.

    (4)

  • Zarnigor N.

    I've been here several time .. I love the live music and beautiful , talented belly dancer Suraya with her students . She's incredible amazing dancer ... Great food , nice music and delicious food .. Nice place to come with friends and groups ..I even bring my 8 years old boy he loved the kufta Kabab and Belly dancing show..

    (5)

  • Shahzad A.

    If you are looking for a one of a kind unique experience this is the place to go! The ambiance is amazing. The art from the the Middle East and Africa is amazing. The food is actually really good as well. Saturday night is the best time to go here when the place is full of people.

    (5)

  • Tavi J.

    I promise my friend I would update my review after our wonderful experience last night. Doing Hookah is one of my bucket list items...lol....so she was adamant about my first time being here and I can see why. Most places for hookah is just a room with couches, some games, and often long waiting times. My experience here was no waiting (even with no reservations) Spectacular belly dancing performances, great drinks, wonderful staff, and friendly patrons. It was awesome! We got there at 9:00pm and left a little after 1:00am. If you dine during the performance times there is a minimum of $38 per person (everything contributes to the $38: food, drink, hookah, etc) It's a very fair price due to the excellent performances and such a comfortable energetic setting. The food to me still leaves much to be desired, but the drinks are excellent. I had a Bellini as well as a Chocolate Martini and both were sweet and flavorful. They have 4 hookah flavors and we went with the apple and the second one we did was mixed fruits. Both were great! The combination of great service, entertainment, and drinks made it a good time!

    (4)

  • Sandra C.

    Owners of the place-PLEASE READ! You are sacrificing your business to have a manager we had to deal with. The short, fat Egyptian one should not be working in any customer related field ever. He was chewing gum in my face while abusing me with his arrogance and rude talk. You can tell his mentality is of a typical Arab-donkey more important than a woman. Just felt absolutely neglected and offended especially when I came to support another country and raise funds for a good cause. Never I would step inside that place again and this is just sad considering I was one of the fist customers since their opening.

    (1)

  • Lulu R.

    Walking in, I felt like I was walking in to a castle. I think that's the feel that they were going for. Now mind you readers, I am reviewing this place in terms of a Saturday night. I am sure during the weekdays its different. A live band is there playing some cultural music, a signer riling up the crowd, a guy with a drum, belly dancers, it was so stimulating! The actual establishment is very large without any shortages on where to sit. They have various flavors oh hookah available if that's your bag, not mine but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. They have a full bar and table service with a full menu of items. The dance floor was packed and I witnessed a dude throwing dollar bills on the floor making it rain, nice! The servers and hosts were very nice and attentive. The food was exceptional and we had a ton of fun watching the show while we ate. I even learned a few moves. This place is very easy to get to and they have parking all along the streets. I hope to find a way to come back with my friends and have another great time!

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    Belly dancing, hookah and wine can all be experienced here! I have a very good friend that loves coming here and we have a chill time each time with our big group. The grape mint hookah was the best as we had 3 for the table. The double apple was ok but quite harsh and strong. I ate before I got there so I was not hungry, but the food looked very good as someone from the table got the lamb and it was huge and smelled delicious. Definitely going back for that. The dance floor stayed packed as awesome middle eastern, belly dancing music played and the very attractive performers danced on stage keeping the crowd in tune. I was surprised that they were ok with taking 9 credit cards from one table and and charging us individually as most places won't do that. Waitress was a real piece of work though as there was a debacle with 2 cards at the table and she could care less about getting it solved. Good atmosphere and great for groups

    (3)

  • Northshore F.

    DONE THIS WITH PLACE. High Hopes - Huge Disappointment (every time). Beautiful unique atmosphere, feels like you are in the middle east. Unfortunately this is the ONLY positive attribute here. The rest is an expensive downhill ride. SERVICE: 5 Stars for having THE WORST service possible. There is no care or service. Had a puss-faced waitress who looked like she hated being there. Been here several times, enough to say this place has very poor management, which is unfortunate for such a beautiful place. FOOD: Expensive Overpriced and Poor Quality. The Tabouli tasted like dry parsley, zero flavor, Baba Ganoush was stringy where I had to cut it with a knife because they apparently didn't mix it well, Hummus tasted like tahini paste, Wrapped Grape Leaves had hard leaves and not edible, Chicken Kebob was dry with burnt edges, also no flavor. They do have consistency though - the food is consistently bad every time we've gone. ENTERTAINMENT: Pretty sad looking women belly dancers, like a joke. Look like the used leftovers in life hard-up for money. Old, not attractive and overweight. One was Asian, the others were American, one had a huge tattoo over her back. Don't understand why they didn't find traditional middle eastern dancers where it would have been more authentic and appealing to watch, versus watching and thinking "ugggh!". Don't be deceived by the atmosphere. This place is absolutely not worth it and is an expensive rip off. You'll be captivated by the atmosphere, which is not enough to offset the horrible everything - service, food, and entertainment. Complaining will get you nowhere, they don't "get it", nor do they care to. This place is unfortunate.

    (1)

  • Amy H.

    I went here because an old co-worker heard about a salsa dance night here. She loves all things Hispanic. I went there to meet up with her and this place is so beautiful. It's big and beautifully decorated. It is just like the name of a restaurant; it was a palace. You felt like you were walking into something majestic. This place holds Salsa night every Tuesday and it's $7 if you RSVP, $12 dollars if you pay at the door. The teacher was fun and it's just a really good chance to interact with new people. Towards the end of the night, you just dance the night away. They do have a menu and their appetizers are cheap ( around $6). Their entrees are about $22 each. Great place, food, and vibe!

    (5)

  • Evelina L.

    This is one of the most culture-less and flavor-less restaurants that I have been to in a very long time. Everything from over-decorating to overly loud hip-hop music to food that isn't sure what region it wants to go to...just a bad and over priced experience. I don't even want to spend a lot of time on the review, just avoid this place until it figures out what it wants to be and hires some belly dancers and servers that know what they are doing.

    (1)

  • Oscar Meerim M.

    I was there with my friend. I was referred to visit there and try their food. Food was very cold and not good at all. Service was terrible. Dancers were not professionals. Music was too loud. We were very frustrated. Finally got bill with overcharge. Server took it back to fix it. Very disappointed!

    (1)

  • Kelly B.

    The entertainment was fun and original. The 8pm belly dancing show lasted for about 2 hours (I think). All the tables on the main floor seemed to be seated at the same time 7:30/8pm, so service was a bit challenged. We had one waitress for our table of 9 people. That made getting the initial drink and app orders very slow. The food was ok. The falafel app was so dry. The shrimp app was tasty but over cooked and appeared to have been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit. I split the chicken shwarma dinner with my friend. It didn't come with yogurt sauce or a pita. That would have really made the dish more complete, but the chicken was tasty. Here's something I have never experienced before. I was finishing my food but was not yet done. I had one more fork full of food left on my plate that I fully intended on eating. I had just taken a bite and my fork was in my hand. The bus boy rushed to our table and literally took the plate out from in front of me! Didn't ask if I was finished and didn't even notice that I was still eating. WTF? Unbelievable. I was pretty shocked. How rude! Now that I've been to Alhambra and have satisfied my curiosity I probably will never go back. If I was giving the food stars I would only give 2. The drinks, however, were good. I had the pomegranate mojito.

    (3)

  • Deena H.

    The decor and architecture are amazing but management here is what kills this place....they lie over the phone. I have called and asked if they serve hookah there Saturday nights and they say no they don't! You call asking for a reservation around noon on Saturday and they tell you only seven pm or eleven pm open and they won't take walk ins when walk ins do actually happen. We do enjoy the live entertainment, dancing and hookah but management is what ruins it. It is sad. But again, I can't deny the amazing entertainment here. We come for it. Soraya is an amazing belly dancer and really keeps the crowd on their feet. I won't say more about the show so you can enjoy it. IT is a good time regardless of management and I think they know that and feel they can be jerks over the phone or to patrons because they know people love this place. I think the decor is what makes this place awesome. It is Arabesque or something. It has Assyrian, Persian, and Moroccan influences. I am sure I am missing some culture in that list so I apologize. The food is average depending on what you order. I think the grape leaves are actually decent as well as the potatoes aioli. The falafel is really good. The drinks are alright. The hookah is good but you will have a massive headache the next day. There are ranges of dress codes here. I have seen people in jeans in a t shirt and then you have some people in tube tops with mid drift showing, etc. You make it what you want. They have seating upstairs, downstairs and on the dance floor. They have hookah only after 1030pm. This place gets loud. Dancing is a lot of fun before 1130p because there is one singer in particular who sings a lot of known upbeat, danceable songs. After Soraya's dance number, there is some dude singing "Oil country" songs and it is boring and not dance-able in my opinion. Overall, I love this place. They should be 5 stars if it wasn't for the people answering the phones and whomever is giving them the OK to lie over the phone.

    (4)

  • Rebecca P.

    We came here as a party of 12 for my friend's birthday. You would think these people have never served a party of more than two before, based on the poor service we received. It took 1.5 hours for our meals to be served. When it was served, it was as cold as it was just pulled out of the fridge. It took 45 minutes for our cocktails to be served as well. The only reason I gave two stars was for the entertainment. The food was nothing exciting, and for them to charge a minimum of $38, I think that is outrageous considering the quality that was presented to us. You're definitely paying for the ambiance and the shows, but the food/alcohol is definitely nothing to be excited about. The poor service really ruined the entire event.

    (2)

  • Jen B.

    Entertainment was spectacular but food and service was beyond bad. We got tickets to a show that were to include a meal but could arrive anytime. We sat down at about 8:30pm and received our main dish at 11:00pm. We had no silverware or plates though so we had to sit for another 15 minutes while the food turned to ice just so we could eat. Kitchen was obviously overwhelmed but it wasn't just them! Our main server came by about every 45 mins-1 hour to check on us and I had to ask for water refills all night long. Got several drinks at the bar myself. They had so many tables crammed on the main level that they only left a 3x6 foot area for dancing and it was so packed all night we wouldn't even risk it. Probably fewer tables would've meant less than a 2 and a half hour wait for food too. As we were leaving, the valet and front door hostess told us they cannot call for cabs and they can only give us the phone number. Wow, the customer service here is absolutely not what I have experienced from the Arabic culture nor other Arabic establishments. Definitely all about the almighty dollar here and not a thing else. The dancers and singers were phenomenal! They sang for hours without a break, so impressive!!!

    (2)

  • Sarah V.

    The food is forgettable, the experience is not. I've been here quite a few times and I can only recommend that you go for the entertainment. If you don't order food they will charge you $35.00 so you are better off ordering something. The boneless chicken breast over rice is good, I mean, it's bland but it's still pretty good. The hummus isn't the best I've had but it's something to munch on. Can we talk about how it legitimately looks like a palace? Every inch of this place is stunning. The stage, bar, walls, everything! Hell even the bathroom is pretty! The service has never been stellar but it's not bad. They definitely have the timing down and you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your meal and the show. This is a perfect special occasion restaurant and the stunning decor will make it a night to remember!

    (4)

  • Mahreen Q.

    This place is so lively! I was here on a Saturday with a few of my girls last night! The entertainment was wonderful, the food was great, they serve hookah after 10pm which is so relaxing while you see a show! It is definitely a place to go with friends and even family for a night to remember! The service of everyone was exceptional! We were placed on the second floor, I asked the hostesses if we can be able to be seated on the main floor, although there were huge parties, they were able to accommodate us to the main floor! Let me tell you, the night was 10 times better! You definitely will have the time of your life!!

    (5)

  • Caitlin B.

    Came here for a friend's birthday, and really enjoyed it! I came here once 6 years ago (shortly after they opened), and had a negative experience, so I was skeptical when she told me where she was having her party. We had a reservation for 15 for 7:30 on a Saturday, and I was the first to arrive. The place was empty that early, and the wouldn't seat me until a couple of others people were there. No problem, I waited near the bar. We were able to order drinks as soon as we were seated, which was really nice. There's a much larger bottle wine list than by the glass, and I got the impression they were used to large groups sharing bottles. It was a bit difficult to get our waiter's attention. (It took half an hour to get the birthday girl a drink!) We all shared two meze platters, which was more than enough for the group of us. We also each ordered entrees. I had the kefta kebab, and I was pleasantly surprised by the food. It was on the pricy side, but the belly dancing is free, everything else is understandably marked up. My food was good- it was a substantial amount, it was the appropriate temperature, and it was good. We also partook of the hookah, but note that you can't smoke until after 10:30. The belly dancing was impressive! There were male and female belly dancers, and their skill level varied, but there was a lot of candelabra balancing, sword balancing, and some other impressive moves. Our group particularly liked the male belly dancer in white, who we dubbed "the sultan". There was about an hour if belly dancing, then an hour of live music, then more belling dancing. The belly dancing seemed to get more intense and awesome the later it got- we left shortly after the brought in two people dressed as a horse as part of a caravan! I would definitely return here with a group, but I'd consider doing dinner elsewhere, and would just do drinks/hookah and stay later. If you're considering bringing a group here, do it!

    (4)

  • Laina V.

    Here's the thing. You're not here for the food and you definitely aren't here for great service. If you want that you can go to one of the many fine dining establishments in the area and go back home after and continue to watch the food network. You are here for the ENTERTAINMENT. The singers, the dancers, the show - it's spectacular. There's always the one guy in a Bill Cosby sweater doing the lightbulb twist dance with wild abandon - you want to find that guy if you're in a dancing mood. There are the circles of women with their shoes and purses in a pile in the center of them having a great night out. People are here to have fun and show off. If you are not into that scene, you can stay home and save your money. Be prepared to drop some major cash here - the drinks average around $12 each and there's a minimum spend per person. Get a couple of overpriced drinks, get a bit of mediocre food, get a hookah, and enjoy the show and the beautiful atmosphere. The guy spent like $3M to furnish the place.

    (4)

  • J E.

    Good atmosphere, music, band, dancers, food, hooka, but the seating is very uncomfortable with the iron handles. Not everyone is one size so most places don't carry chairs with narrow iron bars on the side. I'm not even an exceptionally large guy. Poor choice for whomever purchased the furniture. If I'm going to spend over $100 I better enjoy my seat without iron bars digging into my backside.

    (3)

  • Feriba A.

    Alhambra definitely does feel like a palace. Have been here on number of occasions such as night out with friends, birthday party, concert, and NYE. The reason why this place stands out is due to their exotic entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The food and drinks are okay nothing special. The entertainment is just great especially when you are there with large group of friends. Servers are kind and do their best to attend to everyone and one should understand that they are serving 4 to 5 tables at a time so one should have patience. The hookahs are good depending on the flavor and the tobacco you get. This place has always been fun and I highly recommend stopping by to experience it yourself.

    (5)

  • Theresa S.

    The food was great but the service could be better. It took way too long for our food to come and when it did have of the entrees were cold.

    (4)

  • Ornela Z.

    Met some friends here for a birthday, I loved it. Great show and dancers! I recommend this place for a big party

    (5)

  • Sandy V.

    I came tonight for my friend's birthday dinner. The atmosphere is lively and entertaining. Our waiter was nice and attentive and our appetizers came out fairly quick for it being a busy night. The reason I am giving this place a two star because it is taking quite awhile to receive out entree. I had atleast two drinks slowly sipping while waiting for our entree. To my surprise I cut my tongue while drinking my strawberry margarita on pieces of glass in my margarita!!! I informed the waiter and he got the manager and they apologized and said that it must of came from the ice. It clearly was glass. Then the waiter offered me another drink but I couldn't trust another drink at this point with my cut tongue. This place is definitely a fun spot but the glass in my drink just made my experience less then exciting.

    (2)

  • Novaira P.

    I went here for a musical evening and fundraiser. The musical entertainment and hall were great! The restaurant has wonderful, but rather stereotypical ambience with the typical MidEastern decor. The food was bland and came out cold. The hookah was harsh and very expensive. There are definitely better Middle eastern restaurants in Chicago.

    (2)

  • Yanja B.

    I have been here a number of times and I can say that my experience has declined every time... My lastest/ possibly last experience here was this past Saturday for a friends birthday. The group was at about 40 + guests. The wait staff seemed to be understaffed or maybe just had a poor attitude. They were very rude, I get it there are a lot of people and it might be overwhelming but its your job to get through it with a smile and do your best. Our experience was quite different, every request came with an attitude a comment of" There are so many people in this group ahead of you..." "I am busy right now..." "I cant help you right now I need to help the rest of the group..." Just things you should not be saying to your large paying customers! I only got my water refilled all of twice during my time here, and I was thirsty! The hookah was defected they had too much water and tobacco in it causing it to be impossible to inhale. I asked the waiter she told me "Youre going to have to wait there were people here before you" So we sat there with our hookah broken for 30 minutes. During this time we figured we would ask another waiter to help with the hookah they did not know what to do. Our waitress finally decides to pay attention to us after we reminded her of our broken hookah- she takes a deep inhale and says its fine. Um, No it is not! We smoke hookah regularly and that is not how its supposed to smoke we tell her this after she continues to insist its fine. We finally get her to take the hookah back and fix it. The final hookah was okay- not worth $25. I have had better hookah for $15, but that's fine its part of the experience. At one point we even asked for the manager and she said "Okay" another 30 minutes pass I asked where the manager was she said she needs to go look for him.... WTH?! Very disappointed in the food, service and hookah with my latest visit. Not worth coming here!

    (1)

  • Ameen D.

    Entertainment was good.- BUT had reservations a week in advance with follow up calls to make sure our large party was gonna be set on main floor to watch the"entertainment," in-spite of our planning, we waited almost an HOUR TO BE SEATED IN THE WRONG SECTION! Place is unorganized and understaffed on servers. I wish I stayed home because food was below par as well. Also when I spoke to manager, he talked down to us acted like thing like this happen.... Well it doesn't get your stuff together !!! P.s. Hambra (red in Arabic) doesn't have the letter or sound of "b" in it haha

    (1)

  • Elizabeth S.

    I'm torn on how I feel about this place. Pros: Good vegetarian food (one vegetarian entree) Talented entertainers (we were there on a Saturday night so there were belly dancers) Very unique! Our server was super nice The crowd made a nice atmosphere and most people were dressed up Interesting cocktails Cons: *Really* loud Food was average for the price My boyfriend said the lamb was really bad Busy to the point waiting a long time between food and cocktails Uncomfortable seats Not a fan of secondhand hookah smoke Overall, I'd go back, but on a different night (and without the dinner).

    (3)

  • Richard G.

    I typically only come here for a friends birthday or some type of group get together...however its not my first choice. The place its self is beautiful when you walk in! it has a nice full length bar and nice waiting area if your table isn't ready yet (which 90% of the time isn't ready) The entertainment can be great...some nights they have great singers and others its like its confused...what to play...the dance floor is typically too crowded to even bother trying to dance on.. The belly dancer at night like after 9 or 10 is great shes clearly a professional. A guy who hits on the drum does an awesome job really gets you pumped up! now for the negatives... I waited for about 45 minutes before getting a hookah...and about 25 minutes between each drink. As far as food is concerned FORGET ABOUT IT. The food tastes great if it ever comes...depending on how busy they are its impossible to get what you ordered in reasonable time. The staff is usually unable to here you so at time they seem to look annoyed with you but it came to my understanding they are just stressed out.. also you have to aware of the bill at times it comes just as one big check and you group could be 30 people be sure to check your charges. i dont know how many time i found things that werent ours! Only time i suggest this place is if your going with a great group that enjoys being out cause theyll make up for the parts that this place lacks!

    (3)

  • Veronica M.

    WORST place I have EVER been to. The atmosphere and the dancers where absolutely fantastic but everything else in itself was worth less than one star. Service was mediocre, I paid $13 for a vodka cranberry which they had to remake because the drink was pure cranberry juice. At the end of the night the server accidentally charged $120 to my debit card on the wrong table. I was charged a $30 fee from my bank for going negative into my account due to their mistake on charging me for another tables bill. I talked to the manager about what could be done for THEIR MISTAKE, he said "I do not comp, I'll just adjust, late fee is on you. Just go calm down and sit at your table and calm down." This is the worst service I have ever received. Please, at all costs, do not visit this establishment. The money wasn't even worth the food or drinks. It was a HUGE waste of time and money. Such a disappointment. Save your money and visit someplace else...

    (1)

  • J C.

    Entertainment was great. As expected. Service horrible. Our waiter was nice and all but had waaaay too many tables. Our first appetizer too over one hour until the manager showed up. Then our food show up 15 minutes later at the same time as our second appetizer ordered 45 min before. We got a round of drinks on the house that tasted like crap. Sorry. A real bad experience.

    (1)

  • Hollina U.

    Dinner and a show on Friday and Saturday nights! Came here for my girlfriend's birthday with a group of 15 altogether-- but there were a lot of other big parties, and the waiter obviously couldn't handle it all. Someone mentioned ordering food at the table and drinks at the bar, and the server was like no, no, I'll handle it all. But he obviously couldn't because he forgot to bring my second drink. Whatever. The food was amazing, and so I'll keep this review at 4 stars. I had the Tunisian salmon with couscous, and that was the best couscous I've ever had. Shared appetizers too, which was very good. My guy got the lamb tagine-- very succulent and delish. Tried a bite of the lamb chops and veal too--- but still like the lamb tagine and salmon best! Also, for the show---- loved the Sultan--- he was dancing with a tray of a smoking teapot and cups or something, and did a great job! Also, he did his twirly thing with the cloth and it was so mesmerizing. The show started around 8:30, ended after an hour or more, and started up again closer to 10:30. But I liked the earlier show-- the second show had some singing, and I preferred the dancing over the singing. But yeah, be aware that on a Friday night and with big crowds, service will be slow. Then again, isn't that always the story with big groups on the weekend?

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    Though the show was good, my food and drink were not! Paid $27 for 6 shrimp and basmati rice that was not fully cooked. My martini was easily confused with a vodka shot, & the hookah was the only good outcome. I don't understand the $38 dollar minimum per person because the food and drinks are not that good but whatever. I wouldn't recommend it and won't be returning .

    (2)

  • Sam S.

    this palace is amazing the atmosphere is so nice we had really good time me and my wife .This is my 3ed time there every time i go there i am more impressed

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    Totally forgot to write my review for Alhambra Palace. My friend came here for her birthday, a while back. It was 12 of us. Let me say, right up front, that our bill was a monstrosity! Do NOT...I repeat, do NOT come here with cheap people! You will be throwing out some heavy cash, before the night is over. Overall, this place is worth experiencing...at least once. Unfortunately, I know without a doubt, that I will never go back. I can not, can not, CAN NOT see myself spending so much money on mediocre Mediterranean food and ordinary drinks! There are so many places, in our fabulous city, to find better Mediterranean food. And if you go and don't order food, I believe they charge a fee of $35 (for those not eating)! So you might as well order something. Smh. However the entertainment and decor was AH-MAZING! It's almost worth going to Alhambra Palace for that alone! Belly dancers, acrobatics, fire / pyro-performers and a knife show! They also pull people from the audience, to dance with them. My friend - the birthday girl - is a dancer, so she was keeping up with them. It was awesome! She had a wonderful time and we have awesome pictures. And that's why I'm giving them 3 stars - for the entertainment (and the service - our waiter was nice). However, when it's all said and done, and you're coming here for an expensive birthday "dinner"...I'm expecting my food to taste deliciously on point! And I want my drinks strong! Don't get me wrong...it's not bad...it's okay. But, okay wasn't enough...at least not for me. *shrug* This would make a nice date spot or a cool place to take your parents. No large parties...or leave your frugal friends at home.

    (3)

  • Thu L.

    Over priced for large portioned mediocre food. Thought the lava cake they have is going to be hot melted chocolate oozing out of the cake when cut into, but it wasn't. Majorly disappointed. It was more like a chocolate cake with ice cream.

    (3)

  • Yuki Y.

    On a whim, we decided to stop in for drinks and to check out the entertainment. While we were on our second round of drinks we were told if we didn't order food we would have to leave. It was 9:45 on a Friday evening (8-15-14) and we'd already had dinner. I'm not sure why they wouldn't encourage people to stop in for drinks when that's where the profit is. The place was more than half empty. They bothered us three times about the food, so we left. I will not go back. Why wouldn't you want walk in business?

    (1)

  • Sultan I.

    Service 0 we try to talk manager he even doesn't speak english and told us he gonna fix it and still we have same problem so guys that was my first experience in alhambra

    (1)

  • Jamal A.

    Mr. Alhambra, it has been a while but I have come back. My brother Bassam and I were there back in November of 2014... I know you are confused why it took me this long to write a review, well I went back to Fallujah to help my grandma catch the chickens in her backyard, she is very old. Anyways, from what I remember walking in, I felt like I was in one of Saddam's castles. I like the architecture and textures you were going for, it reminded me of my past ancestors creating them with their bare hands. I also noticed the big wingedbull on your wall, very beautiful to see how much you are like my ancestors and different at the same time. Anyhow, my brother Bassam and I were seated in your private area, instead of the ballroom. I was expecting to see a show while eating but my experience was much better than the show. For the appetizer, we ordered the lentil soup which was delicious. It reminded me of how my mother used to cook it back in Arbil using woodfire and a big pot. She used to cook for everyone in the neighborhood for good cause. Anyway, I don't want to bore you with more information. For our entry, we ordered 1 combination plate which was enough for 4 people which is great because we were very hungry. Once we started eating, Abdel halim hafez started playing and suddenly 4 belly dancers came out dancing in front of us. I was very shocked and surprised but had a very big smile on my face because I felt like I was some kind of Dictator sitting in a palace. Then, I started feeling some type of breeze behind me, so I look and there were two other girls dressed in hijab feathering me. I have never had this type of treatment before, I felt like I was the next president Obama. Well, my brother Bassam and I loved the food. The chicken shawerma was seasoned perfectly and the kefta kabob was so tender that I didn't even have to chew it, it was melting in my mouth. The food was delicious, but the treatment you put together was beyond my expectations. I will definitely come back in the future, I am going to be very busy for the next six months because I have to go back to Fallujah to help my grandma catch the goats this time.

    (5)

  • Saravanan P.

    The service is poor ...wait ..my bad..very very poor.I ask for water and our server is moving around our table but not paying attention. We asked for a soup...and it come halfway through when our entree is done eating with. Verdict : come here if you can withstand bad service in hope for good food. At the end i admit the food was as good as i expected it to be.

    (3)

  • Verushka P.

    This is one of those places that makes you feel like you have visually escaped from the U.S. With its beautiful detailed decor, gorgeous ambience and delicious cuisine, Alhambra is one of those places every person should try! Loved the experience, hence went back several times.

    (4)

  • Asfo Jr S.

    This restaurant was definitely a new experience for me. The onstage performance was outstanding. However, the prices are high, especially considering the quality of food being received. The presentation of the food is excellent however, my kefta. Kabob was over cooked terribly and burnt and rubbery while my potato appetizer was extremely average but hey it looked pretty. All in all, food definitely not worth $40.j

    (3)

  • Jenny H.

    Alhambra was by far, the best choice for our department holiday gathering. I highly recommend getting a reservation on a Saturday night. By 8:30pm, you're marveling over the performers while eating and swaying to the beautiful live arabic music. Now this is where it got sour... really quick: The mainstage floor is all large communal tables- one would expect a place like Alhambra to be able to accommodate large groups. They split our group between two servers. Okay- no big deal. However, it says something if one half of the group's already gone for the evening, and the other half's still gawking at each other about the bill. Shout out to our male server, "who-shall-remain-nameless"-- he hands the long epic receipt and I, as a dutiful organizer of our dinner, I tabulate accordingly based upon everyone's order. I probably saw nameless server "checking in" more times than our actual time at the table. At first he is appreciative that I've taken this duty off his hands, but then upon the second and third time-- the third, he actually leans in close to my ear with an exasperating "Still working??" Yes. As you can see, I'm still working on it. When I finally write everything down, neat and organized between cash and credit card... he comes back after a long time and says that we're still short. We look down at our individual credit card charges and it's all wrong. Keep in mind, we were already sitting around for quite a while. Annoyed, my coworker says just to charge the rest onto his card. Shady, super pricey, and did I fail to mention the mandatory 20% gratuity? At the other table, the fine female server was able to split everyone's order accordingly without this drama. Wham, bam, thank you ma'm. I'm taking my money elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Nina M.

    The place is great. The food is ok. But the workers here are assholes. Straight up assholes. There's one manager who looks like an oompa loompa walking around. Surprisingly being the manager he comes off as an ignorant piece of scum. I asked one of the waitresses (which BTW was a total bitch, excuse my language) if I could speak to a manager because I had a complaint with my food arriving too late. He paid hardly any attention to what I had to say. Bottom line customer service SUCKS. The managers are ignorant and walk around like they have something stuck up their ass and the waitors here don't even know how to treat you well or serve. BTW If u come here prepare to get your food 2 hours later. Their entertainment business isnt all great too. They have a grandma as their main bellydancer and you can def tell she's about to hit the rocking chair soon. These guys need to make some upgrades soon, I def don't see them lasting for long.

    (1)

  • Kevin K.

    Worst service ever. First we called ahead for a friends birthday and told them we were going to have 11-15 people and they told us no problem. When we showed up they put us at a table for 8 people. Then they tried to add a table to the end that stuck out into the walk way and they kept bumping into us. Finally after much complaining they moved us. We ordered food don't get filet mignon because it taste like cooked rubber. They agreed to take the two steaks off the bill. At the end of the night they charged us $50 a person which was never discussed until the bill came. We only spent $370 and they charged us $750!!!! WTH. Don't go there there is better middle eastern food almost anywhere else in the city. Feel free to email me to try to make up for this terrible situation if you care drkev02@aol.com . Doubt they care they are scam artist!!

    (1)

  • Thomas O.

    Went in on a Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. We were a group of five. The palatial place was empty except for two other tables. The main dining room was closed. I waited at the bar for what must have been 15 minutes but even though it is just around the corner from the host stand and the hostess knew I was there no one came in to offer drinks. The mixed appetizers we ordered were fine. They were actually pretty good but definitely overpriced at $30. I ordered a Tagine which was not a tagine. There was absolutely nothing authentic nor Moroccan about the entree. I've been to Morocco and I know what it should taste like. Disappointing. My dining companions were even more disappointed than I. The food is just not good and there is nothing authentic or flavorful or interesting about it. The best thing i had was a Moroccan Martini which was delicious. The atmosphere is amazing and its a beautiful place. The service and the food are very very sub-par. I cannot recommend it.

    (1)

  • Anna S.

    Makes a great first impression. The belly dancers dance worse than I do( and I'm no-pro! ) but the stuff will keep the door open in order to cool them off. To the point that the party next to us put their coats on. While dining. And yes, we requested the door to be closed. Our request was ignored until it came to the patrons dancing.We were hot in literally 2 minutes. Awful. Especially, that the music was good and somewhat unique, very enjoyable. The worst is, how dirty they keep this place. When a table empties, they don't even wipe it out. Ewww. The thrash in the bathrooms is overflowing the bin, while the stuff chit-chats around. They brought me some awful wine. I would have returned it, but the server didn't show up till we were done eating. The food was delivered by the helpers, not by our waitress. Good taste, I have to admit. I will not dare to eat there. Ever. I could come over, smoke a hookah and have some bottled beer. I recommend everyone the same.

    (2)

  • Shushmita M.

    Great place to go after 10:30 for hookah!. It is a very unusual hookah place. Super grand and great place to go with a huge group for late night drinks and hookah. The place is very grand, fancy and huge. It has almost a monumental feel to it, which I suppose they aimed for. It's not a typical small,intimate hookah place. It has grand with concert, belly dancing, music . Very eventful. The first time I went for hookah, we had a great experience. The waiter was good. We ordered appetizers including babaganoush and hummus with pita. Delicious! Hookah was excellent. The second time we wen, the guy at the front who was going to seat us we could order hookah in 15 minutes. When we get seated, our waitress tells us we cannot order hookah until 50 minutes. We were very confused. We did not want to wait for hookah so long as we've already had dinner somewhere else and came primarily for the hookah. So unfortunately we left as the manager didnt let us order hookah. Them seem slightly stuck up, but its definitely a place worth checking out. Moroccan themed decor, grand architecture and interior decor with live, eventful performances that make this place worth the experience. A little bit on the expensive side, but I would definitely go with a large group for hookah.

    (4)

  • Denise P.

    The decor of this place is amazing! We enjoyed the ambiance and the belly dancing show. Food was very good, I had Chilean Sea Bass and it was perfectly cooked. I will definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Laurie S.

    Came here with some friends and loved it! To start with, the decor/atmosphere was really nice. We also really enjoyed the food. We started off with the appetizer sampler which was perfect - especially the hummus and falafel. I had the chicken shawarma for my meal - somehow I missed it was on a bun, which I could have done without, but it was still very good. My friends enjoyed their dishes, including the paella, lamb chops and filet kebob. A few of us had dessert which was also great - lava cake and creme brulee. The part I enjoyed the most because is was a unique experience was the entertainment. It was so much fun to see the dancing - I didn't want it to end!. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Maria P.

    The Palace is the best place to take friends from out of town, the dinner and the show are both enjoyable, for the past 2 years we have become regulars, the vibe of this place is amazing and the belly dancers will take your breath away. Perfect for birthday celebrations and special occasions, the place becomes a night club late at night and you can dance your heart out. Our favorite server is Oana, she is nice, quick, attentive. We will be back maybe even next week.

    (4)

  • Amer A.

    Unfortunately it was one of the most embarrassing dinners I've ever had in Chicago. I had my family and friends, a group of 13 people for the Ramadan open buffet. According to customs for Ramadan, we start eating exactly at sunset time starting with dates. I was expecting to have some dates on the table, as any other respectful place would do. However there was nothing. Even the buffet didn't have dates. We anticipated something like this so we brought our own dates. Afterward, we went to the buffet and I started talking to one of the managers about this. He was so arrogant and didn't want to listen. Another manager approached and was very mad that I was talking to the first manager. I never expected such response from a famous restaurant like this. I'm very disappointed and really embarrassed because I nominated this place to my family. One of the worst dinner experience and the managers never apologized.

    (1)

  • Sandra M.

    Hubby took me here for our date night and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The decor is ahhh--mazing! We went on a Friday night and got to experience the belly dancing show. Samina, the main belly dancer, did a fantastic job of keeping the audience entertained and even inviting people to dance with her. What I really loved is that she wasn't pushy. We had hummus, along with other stuff, as our appetizer. The fact that I can't remember what else we had speaks loudly for the hummus. Our waiter was telling us that it is made in house daily. It definitely puts all other hummus' to shame. For our main course we had lamb, which was cooked perfectly!! The presentation along with the flavors made it devine! Lastly, we did enjoy some hookah with our meal and I was pleasently surprised at how attentive the staff was with changing out the coals. Definitely a place I will be returning to.

    (4)

  • Mina H.

    AMBIANCE The location is decent, parking is tight but we lucked out and did not have to valet. The outside is a little cheesy, looking like a bad attempt at an Aladdin theme park, but the inside never fails to impress. Been here during brunch and it looks just as good in daylight... can't say the same for myself some mornings (but I digress)... nights, the back room is gorgeous and expansive with a water feature that highlghts how large the stage arena and floor is... it really is like a reception hall, but not too many are this decadent. Seating was still hard to get - had to settle for a side mezzanine with limited view. It got a little more open about 11pm but meh... FOOD Went by later (10pm) on a Sat night for dinner, ordered dolma, seafood kebabs for me, and friend got the skirt steak. The pita bread that came with the dolma were SO STALE... just dry and awful. I thought it had to be a fluke... got another basket, and it was just as bad. Dolma was pretty tasteless. I swear you can get better from a local deli... just head up to Lincoln Square or west of Edgewater... The kebabs and steak were decent but I dont think worth the $30-35 price (its been a couple months so I am not exact on the cost). I feel like I have had a lot better food the last couple times I have been there, maybe things are not so fresh late in the night. SERVICE Spotty, had to ask for things several times and the wait was long... at least the floor show of dancers kept it a little entertaining... not sure it was worth the money though.

    (2)

  • Lisa W.

    This was my second visit and a friend's first. We went last Friday night (required $38 minimum per person for food & drink). Entertainment was just okay. There were more skillful dance during my first visit in 2010. Sadly the routines were still the same except for this strange clown-themed routine. The waiters kept coming by every two seconds rushing us to order when we had only been seated five minutes. Thankfully it was only two of us because the table was only big enough for two yet there was four place settings. Apparently, they cram people along the outer perimeter tables. I ordered the Paella. I could've loved it if it didn't have tiny bits of shell pieces that you couldn't see. I spent most of my time trying to dig for them in my plate or finding them when I chewed *ugh* and putting them on my side plate. They have a "picture lady" which is as cheezy as the guy who sells cheap roses at a club. However, she gathered us for a photo and then never came back to show it to us lol. Overall it's over-priced and not a restaurant I recommend visiting more than once. But I will add that it's great for groups that want separate checks!

    (3)

  • Jessie B.

    DO NOT GO HERE!!!!! MANAGER IS AN ASSWIPE. Came down for swing dancing lessons, paid a $10 cover and got exhausted drinking $13 Long Islands. according to the bartender, you're allowed one water per drink. ASSHOLE MANAGEMENT. You know your customers are thirsty and alcohol will only make them thirstier after dancing. I feel bad for the bartender because it seemed to be strictly enforced. He also appears to only hire those who will follow his rules. If you run a restaurant you need to understand your customers don't only come once a month for dancing. You should respect them and not enforce silly policies that will cause them to hate you.

    (1)

  • Elaine D.

    If you're looking for something new, you really should try the Alhambra Palace. The décor is interesting and inviting, and gives a sense that you're doing something special, so I would think this restaurant would be a great place for groups. I was there on a Sunday night when a swing band (Starfall Orchestra) was playing. Not gonna lie, it was noisy. If you want a quiet place for dinner, this isn't it. The atmosphere was fun, festive, and entertaining. The food was delicious, prompt, and attractively presented. Our server was very attentive. At the end of the evening, my dinner (the lamb tagine) got thrown away instead of placed in a take-home container. When I told my waiter, he quickly placed an order for a whole new lamb tajine, had it boxed up for me, and sent us on our way. I didn't have to complain at all, he took care of it after just a quick request. To me, this is awesome service! The valet parking was a little weird. We paid the valet upon arriving at the restaurant and then were asked to pay again when we left. This was a little awkward, but eventually sorted itself out. I will definitely go back to the Alhambra Palace and when I do, I'll be looking forward to a delicious meal and a fun evening. I hear they have belly dancing classes on Wednesdays... One beer + one entrée = $33.50 before tip

    (4)

  • Keith B.

    Great interior design. Horrible management and service. Really - the management is the bad part here - as there were 8 waitstaff scrambling to service circa 150 people. We would have ordered food but we couldn't get a waiter. SO we went to the bar, with a single tender, and stood in line for 28 minutes to find out they were out of basics like Malbec. I would imagine this restaurant will be on the market as they have no idea how to make a profit.

    (1)

  • Ozge S.

    I guess I haven't been in any larger restaurant in Chicago like this place. Belly dancers are way far from the originals but still you watch something different while you're dining. Non stop belly dancing, good food and an interesting place..

    (4)

  • Ebs B.

    The real Alhambra in Spain is a fortress and palace complex, described as "a pearl set in emeralds". Too bad the Alhambra in Chicago is no such thing. The decor is extravagant for sure, but it's no elegant pearl. It's more like something I'd buy at Claire's, not Tiffany's. The food was lackluster. My lamb, which I ordered Medium Rare came out over well done. I hate sending food back, but my friend helped me out and told the waitress. Interestingly she responded that it's hard to get lamb to be less than well-done. Interestingly enough, that's a bunch of crap. The desserts tasted like refrigerator, and weren't made fresh in house (or, at least that's what it seemed like). I say: Skip this place for the food (and eat somewhere before) Skip this place for the drinks (they weren't consistently poured the same) Skip this place if you want to have a nice date night

    (2)

  • Mikey J.

    I was very pleasantly surprised by Alhambra. We had a large group rent the place out for a party and it was awesome. The food, a variety of Mediterranean dishes, was excellent. The decor was interesting and had a large dance floor with plenty of seating in the sides. Finally, the BELLY DANCERS! They will get the dance party started with an entertaining performance after dinner. Some of the belly dancers did have a little too much belly, but most were very easy on the eyes!

    (4)

  • Raj B.

    The restaurant is really beautiful with rich and colorful decor and huge seating both upstairs and downstairs. I stopped in here on a Friday night for drinks and dinner and was impressed by the unique decor. Although the place is huge they had about half of their tables empty at 10pm on a friday night. They had belly dancing, live music and singing and i thought it was quite entertaining. The service was good too, the waiter was kind enough to give us complementary dessert when we had to wait long for our second round drinks. Here comes the bad part.. I'm huge fan of middle eastern food, but the food here is far from my expectations. We ordered falafel, hummus and some kabobs. The fafafel was okay, but the pitas that were given with the hummus looked like the pitas you get at a grocery store. The kabobs were very bland and has no spice or flavor to them. Also, the place turns into a hookah bar late night. The good: Decor, lighting, service, live entertainment. The bad: food, limited drinks menu.

    (3)

  • Irma L.

    Pretty much in agreement with most folks about the food. Nothing to write home about. But our party of 7 must have been lucky because we had a great waiter. Drinks came fast, food was quick too. Would not come back for the food, but will definitely return for the show and their white wine sangria (quite decent!). The ambience and entertainment in this place is something I'll be talking about for some time. :)

    (4)

  • Valina P.

    Great food. Great performances. Great atmosphere. Great server his name is Julian, he made sure my moms birthday dinner was an amazing experience.

    (5)

  • Angela P.

    This was a five-star birthday for me. I found Alhambra via Yelp, and after my visit, the 2 and 3 star reviews are totally unjustified! We made reservations for 8:15 on a Saturday night, since the bellydancing show begins at 8:30. We did the valet parking for $10, and later that evening our wait for the car was very short. We walked in and I was in love with the palace-style decor and lush bar and lounge area. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated, but we did lots of people watching. If you're anything like me, you like to play the "fake or real?" game in your mind when a woman walks by with a Chanel handbag. I got the impression that this was a "rich" place to go, just judging by the women who were dressed to the nines - I got the impression they look like this every day and have the money to support a high fashion habit. As for the dress code, I wore a dress with leggings and a blazer; my husband wore a button-up dress shirt with jeans. So leave the suit and tie at home, boys! We were seated in a balcony area, which at first was alarming because I thought we'd have a crap view of the show. I was totally wrong, and I actually loved the cozy, intimate space we had upstairs. The main floor was buzzing with large groups, and I'm not a fan of shared dining tables. Our waiter was fantastic, and he was apologetic when our drinks took awhile. Speaking of drinks, the red sangria and Morrocan martini were totally worth the $12. Drinks are pricey, but at least it kept me from getting completely wasted. And, at $35/person (the minimum when there is a show), you can easily do this with a drink and appetizers, or an entree and a drink. Don't let the minimum deter you from going. The appetizers were good. The hummus was very good, but the pita bread was stale. This is really my only complaint, because it's a Middle Eastern restaurant yet I felt like I was eating some Sahara pita that I'd forgot in my fridge for a week. The rolled eggplant was my favorite part of the meal, tender eggplant stuffed with goat cheese with a tomato sauce. Yum! The entrees were also very good. I had the seafood kabob with the biggest scallops I've ever seen. And for simple sides like grilled veggies and basmati rice, I really enjoyed both of those. My only complaint? The menu stated that the kabob had a sauce with pistachos and raisins. When I got my meal, there was no sauce. Likewise, my husband's filet was supposed to come with asparagus, but did not. This doesn't change how I felt about the food, it was very good, but I was looking forward to the sauce or I may have ordered the seafood tangine instead! Since it was my birthday, we had a free dessert coupon and had the creme brulee. While it wasn't worth $8, it was very good! There can be a wait for your drinks and food, so your best bet is to be READY! When the waiter comes to your table, order your drinks and appetizers at the same time. When he comes back, be ready with your entree choices. For 4 drinks, 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, our bill was around $140. See how easy that $35 minimum is? I probably wouldn't be thrilled paying $27 for a kabob at any other restaurant, but when you consider that it's a show and dinner, it's a great night out for a birthday, or a bachelorette party for a more sophisticated bride who doesn't want to get wasted or naked. Oh, and the bellydancing? Loved every minute of it.

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    hookah dolla bills and good eats. we will be back!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    This place SUCKS! Absolute worst service, the wait is 2+ hours, and they have a $38 minimum PER PERSON on the weekends. Absurd!

    (1)

  • Kevin S.

    Really cool atmosphere/decor inside, but the food isn't very good. My filet kabob was ordered cooked medium, it came to the table nearly well done and burnt on the outside. The hummus was good though.

    (2)

  • Bryon P.

    Excellent time had!!! Can't wait to go again. Music, service, dancers and food were all top notch. Haven't had this much fun on a night out in some time. Staff was more than courteous. Phenomenal high energy dancing. Understand that the price of the entertainment is in the food and drink costs. They do not charge a cover for the huge production of 9 dancers, 4 musicians and 1 singer. Bryon Pelzek

    (5)

  • Raquel R.

    Came here for a Tango 21 dance production and while the show was wonderfully entertaining, I couldn't help but be distracted by the lack of service provided by this establishment that is reported to be a restaurant. The fact that we bought tickets to this event that was held at this said RESTAURANT at a dinner time hour but then NEVER so much as received a glass or water or even a greeting from a server period is a complete JOKE. Do you really expect to have your "restaurant" in the running with the other area establishments and keep your doors open providing service like this? GOOD LUCK! Our table was NEVER greeted by a server and there were SEVERAL tables with NOTHING on them, not even a menu. AGAIN, you call yourselves a RESTAURANT? How do you figure?? Meanwhile, there was a table right behind us that basically had their own personal server, having been provided rounds of drinks as well as a couple different meal courses, WHO ARE THEY, THE MAYOR? I will NEVER come back here for any reason whatsoever. The person at this establishment who holds the title manager should seriously reconsider their job choice as there doesn't appear to be any level of management going on and if someone sees otherwise, I'm not sure we're on the same page in terms of what service entails. To sit at a table for two hours and to not even see a server and then when someone did finally come to the table she bawked at the fact that my friend advised (that at that point) we really just wanted a round of drinks; the server advised us to go to the bar ourselves. REALLY?!!! Isn't that why you come to work, to provide a service and obtain a tip for just that. I would like to point out that we had every intention of ordering food but when it takes two hours to even have someone come to our table, WHAT'S THE POINT?!

    (1)

  • Nancy D.

    Hookah was ok nothing to brag about. I did like the decor. It looked very middle Eastern. The food was ok. The service was bad, it took forever for my hookah to come out. The coal changing was such a hassle as well.

    (3)

  • Fofo A.

    I had a reservation and once I got here the girl told me there is no reservation under my name!!! I was shocked! Then asked her if there is a table and whether the kitchen still open(was 12.30 p.m) She said No after 12 the kitchen is closed. I went to see the place and was surprised that idk was the manager or not asked me if I wanted to sit? I said I wish but I came to eat, he told me the Kitchen stays open till 3? I told him about what happened with the girl (the cancellation and the lie) but he didn't give any comments he seems busy and didn't even try to listen to what I was complaining about. I don't feel that the place really honor their customers.

    (1)

  • B D.

    This place is horrible, the owner and the staff here are very rudy and the food sucks

    (1)

  • Shinnice G.

    Great service!!! Our waiter Jorge was amazing and made our evening pretty great. Ask for him next time you come, we ordered the Lamb & Salmon, both very good with really great size portions. Drinks were strong for the both of us! I would def come back and would recommend next time to anyone visiting Chicago!

    (5)

  • Alicia M.

    Places like this one embody my love for Chicago! Hubby and I went on Friday...he told me he made a reservation at a "unique" restaurant. I was scared. I was so excited when I realized we were going to dinner whilst enjoying some amazing belly dancing!! I don't run around the city looking for belly dancing shows so I cannot really compare the show to others. Some reviews on here do...where are all these people going!?! However, there was "Gangnam Style" belly dancing. I mean, that alone makes it worth the trip! I enjoyed the mix of traditional and contemporary. My steak was amazing as was the salad. We also enjoyed a delicious shrimp appetizer. Pricey, of course...but it's a SHOW! I'd definitely come back for the food and the dancing :) The staff was very friendly and I also will think of Alhambra Palace when I want to take my parents or in-laws to a fun destination when they visit!

    (5)

  • Seife Z.

    Awesome Middle Eastern experience. Food is good but overpriced. It was Friday night and there was a live band. Excellent singers it was great. It was very entertainng. The server that waited on our table wasnt courteous. She brought us drink we didnt order and she started arguing when we told her we didnt order it. They may need some trainng.

    (4)

  • Susu B.

    Absolutely my favee! The weekends are always juking, music is the best,belly dancers are on point,excellent food, and of course yummy shishaaaa!!!

    (5)

  • Hanaa K.

    Very saddened a party had reservations and was made to wait an hour. Then the hostess called them up and asked them to wait at the front for a moment to check if a smaller table was available. Then the manager yells at the patron for being in the wrong place and physically pushes him to the other side. The patron had every right to ask that the manager keep his hands off. The manager screams at them and then has the bouncer kick them out! Save your money and go elsewhere if this is the kind of business these people are into.

    (1)

  • Kenya H.

    one star for our server Jeorge who were good and attentive, one star for the drinks which were really good (the bar never disappoints) and a star for the entertainment/ambience. if your going to party this is a good place to go. but the food has never been good. over cooked, not seasoned well, it's just such a big let down. I have been 3x and all 3 times the food was... meh...

    (3)

  • Michael J.

    The only reason I came here was to listen to the Starfall Orchestra who were, by the way, excellent. 5 stars for them. Otherwise the experience was laughable. The place is decorated in early Moroccan brothel. The food is bland and overpriced. Our server was MIA. I actually had to ask another server to go look for him. A search party was organized and he was found. But I didn't mind any of that too much because the music was that good. If not for the band I would recommend that you stay away this place. But if you can catch the Starfall Orchestra here I recommend that you do and just have drinks.

    (2)

  • Dandy F.

    Alhambra has majorly stepped up their game. I recently brought a group of my Middle Eastern dance students here to see the shows and have dinner. There were 16 of us, which is always a bit difficult when it comes to dividing up the bill, but it could not have gone better. It is a $35 minimum expenditure per person to sit in the grand ballroom with the entertainment, but that comes easily at Alhambra and you get hours and hours of entertainment along with your food and drink. Most Middle Eastern nightclubs charge you to get in the door and you don't get food or drink for it, just the entertainment. I called in advance because when our numbers went beyond 10, the website said to talk with someone, so I did. We arrived at 7;30 PM and were granted a table with a wonderful view of the entertainment, which gave us time to get seated and start the ordering process before the first show at 8:30 PM. Our server, Kat, was extremely helpful and friendly the whole night through, which was no easy task because we had to split into four tabs. The food was timely and correct. Kat and Julian were always there if we needed anything, and what's really great about Alhambra is that somehow the servers have really good timing and do not interrupt your enjoyment of the show. This is hands down the most beautiful club in Chicago, and possibly the grandest Middle Eastern club in the nation (I have been to several). I have never seen anything like Alhambra Palace anywhere. You have to see it to believe it. Like I said, the entertainment does not stop. The tribal belly dance show lasts an hour, then there is a singer and band, and then the traditional belly dance show starts with Surayah Al-Muddaris and her troupe Firqat Surayah, then there is time for the people to get up and dance while the singer and band play, and then there is another, different late night show. The variety you see here is amazing - fire, swords, finger cymbals, drums. It is really entertaining for anyone to see. In the past, I have had varying experiences at Alhambra, and it looks like the management has really stepped up their game - everything went so smoothly, and with 16 people, that's quite a feat. My students were all thoroughly impressed and want to come back on their own.

    (5)

  • Beth P.

    Went to the CIMA holiday party here and it was a blast! Really awesome ambience. The place is huge and each room was a little different. I'd love to see it looks when there isn't a several hundred person party going on - seems like it would still be very cool.

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    This is a really unique place. It actually looks like a palace inside and out. The food is really good.. not necessarily authentic.. but still really good. Its larger than it looks from the outside and fills up fast on the weekends. Id get there early if you want to see the show. Its a little expensive as well. The show is pretty good.. belly dancers and sword throwers. I dont know what the deal was with the bartender at the main bar, but she was really REALLY REALLY slow. There were 2 other girls at the bar and me and I waited 12 minutes for a glass of wine. It was really annoying. I mean.. it was a saturday.. get another bartender in there. Other than that.. the service, food and atmosphere were great.

    (4)

  • Emmie M.

    A bunch of friends and I went to go see a bellydance performance. The entry fee was 20$, which was an excellent price for the show! So if you want to go to just hang out and watch a show, it's totally worth it. If you plan on eating or drinking, DON'T. The food, while good, was ridiculously overpriced, and arrived horrifically late (an HOUR after we ordered). Our waiter then disappeared for the rest of the evening. I never got a single refill on my water. When it came time to pay the cheque, it took two busboys and 40 minutes for our waiter to reemerge from wherever the hell he'd been hiding. He then had the gall to add 20% tip to our receipt automatically. I always, ALWAYS tip 20%, and this was the only time I've ever planned on tipping below. I payed the 20% tip because I wanted to leave, but seriously people? For that kind of service, I figured 10% was going to be me being a big 'ole softie!! I'd love to say this was isolated to our waiter, but it was visible around the entire establishment as people sat around staring at empty tables waiting for cheques. Overall: good entertainment, exceptionally shitty everything else.

    (2)

  • Rachelle D.

    Food is good, but a bit pricey. Drinks are pricey. Show was awesome! Service was absolutely horrible!!! But why try when you are automatically guaranteed a tip for a party of 4 or more? Summary of our service: - We walked in and hostess asked us to sit down and wait for someone to bring us to our table. They ended up walking two other parties, that arrived after us, to their tables first. - We were seated for 10 minutes before server came - Server never even introduced himself, kinda just looked at us and handed the menus. - I had to be on watch for our server because he wouldn't come to our table to see if we needed anything. I literally had to wave him down whenever he walked by. Good thing we were seated near the kitchen so he walked by often. - Server forgot to put an order in and I had to remind him twice - Server didn't ask us if we wanted dessert After we closed out our bill, we decided to stay for the next show and ordered a few more drinks. The total for the additional drinks was $60. Our waiter said we couldn't pay using a card and that it was cash bar only. What? I never heard of that at a large restaurant that averages $12 for a cocktail and $20 for entrees. If that was the truth, and I truly hope he wasn't trying to pocket the cash then that is a ridiculous rule. If Alhambra had better service, I would definitely give them 3-4 stars.

    (2)

  • Kyle Martin D.

    Looking to dance to the loud, rhythmic musings of a series of talented Arabic singers -- especially one who will serenade the shit out of you with the best "happy birthday song" in the world? "Happy birthday Yaz-meen, Happy birthday Maaah-mood." Then put on your best button-up, shine up your loafers, apply liberal helpings of hair gel and cologne, and hit up Alhambras with your crew for a fun, unique and ostentatiously decadent dance club experience that manages to effortlessly meld a palatial Arabic world with a bit of American tackiness borrowed from Trumps New Jersey Just be warned. This place is busy. I mean 400-to-500 people busy on a Saturday night. Maybe more. The waiters were swamped so the service was "meh." But the manager tried to accompany us the best he could. The hookah was standard fare, and their bar is suitably stacked for a sultan -- or for your standard $70-thousandaire who enjoys posturing and throwing money around every now and then. Worth checking out if you're in the West Loop.

    (3)

  • Dil M.

    Made reservations. Ended up leaving after an hour and a half because we were not being seated. Horrible communication between the employees.

    (1)

  • Hend S.

    The food was good, lamb tagine was delicious Some dishes were average But was overly expensive $$$$ Entertaining and salsa was fun & excited

    (4)

  • Carlos Y.

    Went there for a fund raising Friday , never I ate bad Lebanese or middle Easter food like this !! The mixed grilled plate showed up more Rice and the meat burned. On top of the $125 per Ticket to eat this , we had to pay drinks that we did not order ! Called the manger and was extremely rude and unprofessional , never again I will go there

    (1)

  • Alia B.

    I love this place, no matter how many times I go, I still walk in and admire all the beauty. Great food and drinks along with some nice belly dancing. This is great for a group of people or just for two.

    (5)

  • Zain A.

    Paid over $100 for NYE party, food came in under cooked and cold. When asked for warmer food was given explanation that the kitchen isn't organized. Very unprofessional service for charging $100 without any alcohol. Drinks are an arm and leg. They need to work on their hospitality management for sure. DO NOT ATTEND NYE here ever :( :(

    (1)

  • Ryne D.

    Table of six, about 15 minutes after ordering our food, a couple waiters start putting down an appetizer platter. That none of us ordered. So they took it back. Ten minutes later, a waited walks up and utters the best/worst phrase I've ever heard a waiter say. "Greek salad? I guess?" Yes, kid, that is a Greek salad. One that a member of our group actually did order. Fifteen minutes after that. the rest of our food finally arrives. The food was ok, entertainment was fun. As every other review on Yelp backs up, awful awful service, but it doesn't seem like their management cares anyway. Also the food is pretty darn expensive. A plate of rice and beef shawarma would be pricey at $17. Here, it's $22. The belly dancing and salsa nights are keeping this place afloat. Too bad; this place deserves to sink.

    (2)

  • Shan D.

    Fun for group dinners. The place is def loud so be prepared for that. Had the lobster ravioli which was decent. My friends ordered the typical middle eastern dishes, which I thought were average. The spot obv looks like a palace, and the shows are entertaining. Just realize this place is more about the entertainment than the food

    (3)

  • Anya C.

    I was trying to order some food and asked the writer for few times and waited for one hour still no one took my order..finally I went to the front asking for manager and ordered. the noodle was extreme salty. Only positive is the dancer Cha Yan and her teacher were great.

    (2)

  • Nadia B.

    I have been going to Al Hambra for as long as it's been open, and while I was never happy with the service or the food, I still enjoyed the entertainment. Last night however was different, service was still horrible but the food was great. For the first time, I enjoyed the food there, and I will definitely be going back for more food.

    (5)

  • Vik M.

    Fun place. Great live music. Great Hooka. Look out for the minimum charge of $38 pp. The staff, especially Soundous, will try to pull a fast one and charge you 'extra' before the bill comes. Tell her to bring the bill first then sign the check. If there's a problem, ask for Albert. Have fun!

    (3)

  • Lauren W.

    Loved this place! Will definitely be back! Great date night spot also great for groups! Food was amazing & so was the entertainment!

    (4)

  • Austin F.

    Walked in here at 6 on a saturday and the place was completely dead. Like maybe a total of 50 people and this place is huge. They tell us that we can't sit in the main room where the show is and seat us in a side room where there is literally only 1 other table. Pretty disappointing but we didn't have a reservation, so I get it. Prices for entrees and drinks are a little high but not too bad. They do have a $38 minimum per person but I don't think its really enforced and more so just used in the event that someone orders a beer and takes up an entire table just to watch the show or something. So we finish our meal at around 7:45pm and the show starts at 8. I walk into the main room and there is still almost no one there yet they still refused to seat us in there to watch the show. Ok I guess its possible that 150 people will show up in the next 15 minutes....so we decide to take advantage of their hookah lounge instead, which also has no one in it. Guess what? We can't sit there either. Overall this place was ridiculously unaccommodating (especially to a group which just spent over $250 on dinner), which I could understand if it was a busy hot-spot but it isn't. Take your reservations a little less seriously next time, especially when you have 40+ open tables and no one in sight.

    (2)

  • Yaser A.

    The worst costumer service ever. We made reservations, but when arrived we had to wait for about 15 minutes to be seated.It took more than 10 minutes for a server to talk to us after we were seated. Our food took so long and when arrived the ordered were messed up. Then, our table on the showroom was not ready, even though we were told a table was being prepared for us as soon as our food served to us.

    (1)

  • Mike M.

    Can we get some service around here??? This place is too loud, the food is average at best and if anyone has seen our waiter, please contact local law enforcement so we can let his family know he's ok... Seriously, I read a bunch of the comments here about poor service and unfortunately will have to agree with them all. I have not seen less service and less check ins from any restaurant I have been to in Chicago. Simple requests, like drinks (even water) took forever. Then, the place is so damn loud, you have to repeat your order 3-4 times in order for you and the server to get on the same page. Keep in mind that the food names are Arab, so you will always have a pronunciation issue to which the loud noise doesn't help... The food overall was ok, nothing blew me or the rest of the group away, would have been a solid 3 stars. The noise and service diffidently take it down a notch.

    (2)

  • Jenny B.

    i been here a lot sometimes the food, drinks and customer service is great , sometime is really bad, so i guess it depends on how busy they are and who is your service. the show in here is always great , amazing live music and beautiful belly dancers.

    (3)

  • Iqra B.

    I've been to Alhambra several times on the weekends, and it's a phenomenal experience with the decorations, music, belly dancing, and overall ambiance. However, my last visit was on a weekday and only then did I realize how overpriced the food was. We paid way *too* much for mediocre food and just meh service. We had to chase the waiter down on numerous occasions and there were only a couple of tables occupied at the time.

    (3)

  • A R.

    This certainly was not a typical Chicago dining experience. Very big. Very showy. Very...Vegas. Very...cheesy. The place is amazing, I will say. Huge ceilings, three floors, balconies and every square inch of the place is covered in Moroccan decor. But it was a bizarre experience overall... Our extremely rude host, without even knowing our name, adamantly arguing with us that we did not have a floor reservation when, in fact, we did. A very Vegas like belly dancing show. (big stage, spot lights, props, tons of makeup, etc) It was okay. A woman taking our photo then trying to sell us a print out with "Alhambra Palace" printed on it. Seriously? As for the food, though, it wasn't bad. We got the hummus and pita, Red Snapper (I got a funky bite of it at one point), the Vegetable Tagine (super good sauce) and the Lamb Shank Tagine. The lamb was pretty good. And farm raised from Wisconsin, so that was good. Needless to say, all four of us agreed...never ever again.

    (2)

  • Alejandro T.

    Meh. I've definitely experienced better. LOL My cousin dragged me here when she was visiting just because her friends wanted her to come. Teenagers don't know better. The entrees are just ok. It's way over priced for what you are getting, and their couscous lacks some flavor. The atmosphere is elegant so maybe that's what you are paying for. Service is okay. I've also had better. If you really want to experience Middle Eastern cuisine I would go to Casbah instead. Not coming back for sure.

    (2)

  • Egorovna B.

    We've had the worst treatment from the waiter in our experience so far. 1 star is too generous. When we ordered few appetizers and drinks, he told us that he will be coming back to take an order for our entrees, while we answered that we won't be ordering any and probably will stick with just the appetizers. He then said that we need to be aware that there is a $35 limit per person, and that we were sitting at the owner's table so we need to make him look good. Waiter's name Robert. When we asked for a check, which was about $60, he told us, while you girls are about $90 under the required amount, I will let you SLIDE by if you leave me a generous tip. We left a regular 20% tip. He picked up the check, and CAME BACK with it. He told us, I don't think you understood me, I told you to leave me a good tip, you haven't done that and you are under $35 limit. We said what do you want us to do? We don't want more food nor are we paying you a higher tip. Then he says can you please leave, the owner wants this table. My friend said that's fine, can you please have the owner come up and talk to us? He immediately replied, can I buy you drinks? At that point we got a manager, told him the situation, he was apologetic but didn't do anything to mitigate the situation, he didn't pull us aside to figure out what happened, he just kept saying sorry, basically didn't care. First, nothing was said to us about the $35 limit at the time we sat down, nor when we came in, nor on the menu, nor anywhere else. If they are asking to pay for the dancing performance they should charge a fixed fee at the door, or even charge extra on the check, but not make their customers feel like they are being cheap by not ordering entrees. Second, we were not 90 under, if 35*3=105 - 60 = 45 under. The waiter was a sexist, rude, and a liar, who was trying to make money on us by treating us like idiots. I believe he needs to be fired, and we shoudln't have paid any tip to him.

    (1)

  • Asif F.

    Been a few times over the last 6 months. Like several reviews have already mentioned, you come here for the entertainment and ambiance not for the food of service. Although depending on what you order, the food is ok but nothing to write home about and very expensive considering the quality. Hooka pipes roll out at 10:30pm, so if smoke bothers you...you want to rethink this venue. The 20% mandatory gratuity is ridiculous. If I think your service is worth it, I'll pay it. But that is my decisions not my waiters. When you make your reservations online, specify that you don't want gratuity added to your bill. If they can't comply, find another venue. They will eventually get the message or they will be out of business.

    (3)

  • Dan P.

    Last weekend, we went to the Rip OFF Palace!!! Terrible service & terrible food!!!! Won't go back!!!

    (1)

  • Vanessa C.

    This is my third time to this restaurant/entertainment venue/spectacle/Jerry Kleiner fantasy. I honestly do not know how it stays in business. The interior is beautiful, the entertainment is fun, and the food - while not worth it - is relatively good. The service is...weird. At first, the waiter was all over us - two people, walking in relatively early at 6:30 in a completely empty restaurant. Then after taking our drink order, he disappeared. There were no specials, and no desserts, and generally not much in the way of service. When we were ready for the check, I was not even a third of the way finished with my $27 small chicken kabob (was the hen groomed in Moroccan oil or something?) and planned to take it with me, but the person bussing the table stacked our plates and did not even ask if we wanted our leftovers. Oh well. The mint tea was good.

    (2)

  • Omar S.

    Amazed at the volume of positive reviews. My experience was nothing less than miserable. Let's start with our waiter. Poor guy could not keep track of our table's orders and brought dishes in and out asking if this is what we ordered. 4 attempts and an hour later, finally received my undercooked, dry meal. Let's not get started on beverages or how appetizers came out with our entrees. Definitely overrated and not worth the expense.

    (1)

  • Mariam S.

    One of my favorite places to be at. The staff is nice which I think is very important at a restaurant. It's kills my appetite if the servers don't seem happy to have you. I have been here quite a couple times. The ambience is great as well. They can however work on the food which is not the best middle eastern food. I have had a lot of middle eastern food and many cheaper places have better food.

    (4)

  • Angie W.

    We went here for a friend's birthday party and thought that the food was INCREDIBLE... the ambiance is very unique, and the show was incredible. We were entertained for hours, and the Pomegranate GInger Mojitos were AWESOME. We'll go back for sure!

    (4)

  • Alan R.

    My cousin's pre-nuptial dinner was held here. I was more excited about going here than anyone else during the wedding weekend. I love Mediterranean food and had heard about A.P. Everything was pretty average. I liked the chicken, but the lamb was a bit dried out. The baklava was good but not great. Pita Inn or some of the other cheaper, local places are better. They do have a great bar with an excellent beer collection.

    (3)

  • Jacob J.

    Drinks on a weeknight are spiced up with the choice of Alhambra, that is sitting inside. Having an outside seating area is great when there is some kind of view, which they lack. $9 dollars for a Disaronno cocktail served in a Collins glass is out-fucking-rageous any night. This drink paired with the hummus which I found average, I was not looking forward to dinner so I left. Some reviews point out the over extravagance of the decor as being gaudy, showy or cheesy? The story I was told within; was that a sheik came over to the states with a crap load of moola and ideas to make someplace amazing to a Chicagoan. It's like a Middle eastern Cheesecake factory. As a nightclub I wonder how awesome it could be swaying to melodious Arabian beats, smoking hookah and hooking up with some exotic lovely in one of their decked out private washrooms. Yeah I said it, the washroom, it wasn't as bright as the photo suggests on this weeknight, with the usage of a candle light like bulb, it gave that appearance of any washroom found abroad at a cozy little restaurant. I really dug the decor and hope to be back for a special event so I can see it in a different light.

    (2)

  • iddells E.

    The only time I would dine at a place like this would be if someone took me out to dinner or if I receive a gift certificate because it IS an expensive restaurant. I went here last weekend based on the latter and I thought that it was such a beautiful place. Alhambra Palace is so elaborately decorated and the space is huge! We had reservations on a Saturday night at 7:30 since the plan was to watch the Flamenco dancing at 8. It didn't start until 9 when we were done with our meals, but we stuck around to watch some of it....it was pretty cool. Service was very attentive; the waitress would occasionally stop by at our table or a busboy would be a few feet away. The food was good, not amazing. I ordered the Alhambra Grill, which had beef, chicken, and seafood kabobs on a bed of cous-cous. I liked the selection of meat and seafood; however, it was not too tasty. It was a huge serving, though, and lasted me another 2 days! My fiance's filet mignon was more flavorful. In conclusion, I enjoyed by time here, but I don't think I'll be coming back, unless I get another gift certificate. Also, if you want to impress people, this would be a good place to go.

    (4)

  • Jennifer Q.

    I took my family here for Christmas and everyone was impressed! Beautiful and ornate restaurant with a really unique vibe -you feel like you are in another country! There is a show -half Flamenco (in Spanish) and then Belly Dancing and singing in Arabic. Later, the dance floor opens up and everyone dances! Food was very good. Highly recommend it for a special evening out that you will remember!

    (4)

  • Tracy B.

    I was nervous about this place because of the mixed reviews but really wanted to take my friend for some yummy Middle-Eastern food and belly dancing for his birthday. This place is incredible, decorated with such ornate detail it takes you away to another world upon entering. I had requested a table with a good view of the show and was not disappointed. We were seated along the railing of the second floor balcony and although the place is cavernous our table for two felt intimate and romantic. The show was great and the dancing was highly entertaining but the music was a little too loud which made hearing one another speak very difficult. The food was tasty, and there was so much! My complaint, and it's a big one because they hit one of my biggest pet peeves: they brought all the food at once, appetizer, salad, and entrée. Terrible! I like my special occasion meals (actually most meals) to be leisurely food experiences not a giant buffet of everything at once. It drives me crazy when I am hardly finished with my salad and they bring out the main course, in this case they brought it all out together. If I go back in the future, I will be sure to order each course one at a time. Other than that, I can't complain about the meal itself. We started with hummus and dolmeh, shared a salad and some potato dish with garlic aioli, and then each ordered lamb kabobs. The stand outs were the salad with super-fresh veggies, the garlic aioli potatoes with the... well, garlic aioli, and the lamb. I wouldn't recommend the dolmeh, they were a little mushy. In the end, my lamb kabobs were done as requested and the meat was flavorful and tender - and that's all that really matters to me.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    My friends and I decided to try Alhambra during Restaurant Week. We had a 3-course dinner for $32. I wouldn't necessarily give the food five stars. It wasn't bad, but I did feel that it lacked flavor. I also had a MaiTai from the bar which I thought was very weak. I loved the decor, ambience, and entertainment. We went on Friday night which has Flamenco dancers at 8pm and a belly dancer around 10:30pm. I believe there's also salsa dancing afterwards, but we didn't stay for that. All-in-all I paid approximately $65 for the evening (for my meal, drink, & valet parking) which would have been much more on a normal night. I didn't particularly mind because I felt like I was paying for the entertainment as well. However, I'm not sure that I'm willing to pay much more than that unless the food and drinks improve. I won't necessarily return for the food, but I will for the atmosphere and entertainment.

    (3)

  • Shradha A.

    Went here last spring for the first time with some out-of-town friends (yeah, I just forgot to write my review then). But then went back last summer when my parents were visiting. We're vegetarian so can't speak much for the other dishes, which appears to me less-than-good/clean from all the other Yelpers' reviews, but at least their baba ghanoush, dolmeh, hummus and falafel were fresh (back in 2008 at least) and I went back a second time after the first good experience. The place is HUGE and the decor is lovely, service is a little slow though, but their live music/entertainment was fun!

    (3)

  • MyChau N.

    Went here with a group on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Would not come back...the food was underwhelming and the service sucks. No refills on our drinks and waiter never came back. I guess that what you get when going to a restaurant that seats 1000. However, the atmosphere was nice: great belly dancing show at 8:30pm and it is beautifully decorated on the inside. However, it was so dark that i was afraid to eat my meal since I couldn't see it! Had to use my iPhone as a light for my food. My husband and I had: Beef Shwarma: Dry and salty. Not worth the money. Seafood Tagine: Moist, but skimpy on the seafood and okay tasting. Tasted a friend's fallafel and it was dry and horrible. Tasted a friend's lamb and it was fatty (blech). Overall, great show but you are paying for the "free" show with overpriced, yucky food. Would recommend Andalous in Lakeview area for better Moroccan food!

    (2)

  • Bill C.

    My fiance and I just had our wedding ceremony and reception here last weekend. We knew in advance that this would be a great location to have a ceremony and reception for the many out of town guests we had that were staying downtown, but we even underestimated how perfect it turned out to be. Tyler - the Event Manager - helped us put on a flawless wedding. He was personally invested in all the details, spending time going over everything to make sure it all went well, made good suggestions, staying there during the evening to be sure everything was done well and smoothly. He just showed a lot of professionalism, responsiveness, and experience with putting on events such as this. There were many times he went above and beyond what he needed to do - besides just being a really good guy. We had our ceremony in the small downstairs dining room (about 110 people) that just had this golden glow during the ceremony with all the beautiful decorations already in that room. For the reception, all the food was very good; the staff were great (from the wait staff to the bartenders to the random people who said hello); everything was managed very well - nothing was late and all went according to the timing we asked for. When we did need to make changes, it was done very quickly and smoothly. We knew the Alhambra Palace would be a great place to hold a wedding but after the actual event it was even more obvious - everything is so self-contained in the second floor room where we had the reception - large bar, bathrooms right there, the stage/lighting/sound equipment, furniture layout, kitchen close enough to get the food out quickly, and of course the beautiful artwork, tile mosaics, and light fixtures everywhere you looked.

    (5)

  • Ammy F.

    Great restaurant Turkish. Building outside inside is absolutely hi end . Very very unique place. Hard to describe. Just going to check it out. On the weekend they have a live live dancers. A lot of fun

    (4)

  • Caroline A.

    This is not my scene at all, but I went to a birthday party here with several of my middle eastern friends and we made a fun night out of it. I would not recommend Alhambra Palace for a date or business dinner. It is VERY loud... Most of the patrons on Saturday night are part of the Chicago Middle Eastern community. My friends indicated that the singers were very authentic as well as the food (it was actually really good). The belly dancer was fantastic... gosh, if I could move my hips that like!! The food - we just got a round of appetizers/small plates including hummus, babaganoush, falafel, dolma, grilled shrimp, goat cheese, tabbouleh and a yogurt cheese dip. All of it was VERY good. I really could have just eaten the pita with hummus and yogurt dip all night. The service here was great. I was in a group of 15, and everything was taken care of. The hostess wasn't that bright, which was frustrating, but we ultimately got what we wanted. Don't plan on having any meaningful conversation here. You will be screaming over each other and nodding/smiling as if you knew what your friend was saying. I was here for another girlfriend's birthday, but our server brought me a little cheesecake slice for my own. Very sweet. I don't think I'd come back without the friends I was with. Although I want to try their hookah pipes...

    (3)

  • Khadijah L.

    Tuesday night is Salsa Night! (and Friday nights) By far Tuesday night Salsa at the Alhambra is THE best salsa event of the week. First of all the space is beautiful and huuge. Live bands depending on the season, is also another huge hit with this place. This is the night where the best dancers in Chicago come out to bust a move on the dance floor. Can be intimidating, but wow, fun to watch! There is so much energy in here especially for a Tuesday night, you would not believe it. Tip: parking is scarce between 10.30pm-12am Cover is $10 or $15 for live band night. Get on the guestlist for 1/2 off before 9pm. *** Friday night salsa is upstairs in the other room. It's ok. Still lots of people but I prefer the main room dance floor.

    (5)

  • Geoff P.

    Overall, a loud, raucous dance club with really bad food. The appetizers were generally OK, but under-spiced and uninteresting, overall. I made the mistake of ordering the beef schwarma and it was literally just a pile of hacked up, dried out beef served with a huge pile of rice and five sad looking pieces of overcooked veggies on top. Others in my group had somewhat better luck with their food, but the overall consensus was that the prices were far too high for the quality of the food provided. I might go back to sit in the bar and watch the dancers, but I would not go back for the food.

    (1)

  • Maram K.

    My family took me here for my birthday. It was later in the evening on weekday and more or less empty. It was nice since we had a big group and had a great time with loud conversation. Service was attentive and kind. Waiter had a way of inconspicuously refilling water without us knowing. Food was large in portions and delicious. Their kabobs were delicious, especially the Monte Carlo that included seafood. Their shawerma was incredibly well-seasoned and the falafel was authentic, like it is in the middle east. They lost 1 star from me because I think it is a bit more expensive than necessary. It was a great experience.

    (4)

  • Trudy T.

    Great ambiance hands down!! I love the falafels!

    (4)

  • Dee C.

    The biggest reason I am a fan of this place is SALSA TUESDAYS! I love love love salsa Tuesdays. I have done been there for salsa three times and hoping to go again next month. I just went again for the third time a couple weeks ago and it was great. There are always guys that will come up to you to dance so you don't even have to go with a guy which is the best part. I always go with my girlfriends and have a blast. If you come early they have salsa lessons. Make sure you are on the list so you only pay $5 to get in. I usually stay til 1 am since I have such a long drive, but I would love to stay the entire time. Parking is easy to find since I know the area really well. If you go down a couple blocks, there is lots of free parking around the harpo studio area. Drinks are pretty expensive. Thanks goodness I had You swoop so I paid 25 bucks for 50 dollars worth of drinks. That was great. I still have one more of those left so I definitely will be going back. If you actually go to the restaurant, the food is meh and not worth the high price. I was never a fan of middle eastern food, but this was not all that great to begin with. The decorations are really extravagant and really suits the name of the place. Overall: great salsa on Tuesdays cover is only $5 for a whole night of fun very nice place parking is pretty easy cons: drinks are expensive food is pretty terrible service for drinks is ok (most ppl don't drink here since prices are high)

    (4)

  • Shannon B.

    Service: SLOW, so SLOW! I thought this place would be awesome, I went to see a friend preform here and that was amazing, but the service was not up to par. My friends and waited for our food for over an hour. I really don't blame the servers, I blame the management. I feel bad for the servers, the management yells at them and doesn't seem to help with the problem. I would never go here again. I do have to say this place is beautiful and "should" be a great place to go for a special occasion, but that just will not happen with me. BEWARE! they add on 20% for tip automatically our table was only a table of five. I would have never tip that much for the service we received.

    (1)

  • Karen C.

    Keep in mind this is NOT my kind of food. I went, I tried, I didn't like. The floor show is a riot...at first. However, after a while all the music starts to sound the same and it gets SUPER loud. It also took a good 30 minutes to get our check. FAIL Overall, it was fun for my friends birthday, but I wouldn't so much go back.

    (3)

  • Johnathan H.

    Came here for Salsa dancing on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party. Atmosphere was pretty cool and all the salsa dancers were very friendly. I would definitely come back to dance (or even just people watch). I would probably avoid drinks though as they have some of the worst bartenders (took almost 10 minutes to get 1 drink with very few people at the bar) and worst drinks I've ever had. At $12 a pop, drinks should be well made and delicious. They managed to disappoint on both counts. Stick to beer or a glass of wine and you should be okay.

    (3)

  • Angelo P.

    Without a doubt, this space is hands down the most beautiful, over the top space I've ever been in. I've been here a few times for live performances and saw the first Cuban band in the states in over a decade here. The problem isn't the performances or the beauty or service in the place...it's the food. :/ When I walk into a place like this I expect the food to live up to its surroundings. I've had better middle eastern food at your typical hole in the wall falafel shack. It was interesting to try a Lebanese beer but the dolmas, hummus, and whatever entree I ordered weren't very good. Go upstairs to dance, look at the place, see a good show...but don't expect much from the quality of the food.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner, Late Night
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Very Loud
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Alhambra Palace

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