This place is really really good and reallly cheap. I am in Lousiville for work and staying downtown, I go here multipule times a week. The standards, falafal wrap and hummous are very good. Also I liked the grape leaves. And the guys that run the place are very nice. Their kefta is ok, I wish they had a lamb kefta rather than ground beef, but that might be too exiotic for kentucky.
(4)
Keith H.
Used to go here a couple days a week for the swarma sandwich for lunch. Very good food, nice people. They move you fast even if the line is out the door. I suggest the beef swarma. Their Hummus is good too, homemade, I think.
(4)
Daniel C.
Really great little cafe in downtown Louisville. The food was fantastic and really cheap for what you get.
(4)
J H.
Amazing. Just plain amazing. Best falafel sandwich I've ever had!
(5)
Mary Y.
Simply the best, most delicious and affordable lunch downtown. One of my favorite stops. Friendly staff and excellent variety in the menu. The specials are always yummy too. The garlic sauce is crack. Go here, don't miss it.
(4)
Evelyn R.
Besides the very generous portion of hummus the food was nothing spectacular. A bigger menu selection would nice too.
(3)
Justin Z.
By far one of the best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurants in Louisville. The hummus is out of this world and if you want a taste of many different tastes and flavors, the "mixed grill" is unbeatable for both taste and value. Check this place out for sure!!!
(5)
X X.
had the chicken shawarma . it was okay. i know shawarma- father's side are mizrahi jews and i spent a lot of time in israel. doesnt taste at all like real shawarma, but it was still tasty for what it was. tasted more like a a chicken wrap you would get anywhere. the workers here were pretty nice and this is a nice place to go if you are just looking for something casual and dont want people staring at you if you are alone.
(3)
Anne O.
We got take-out from here when we were visiting Louisville last week. I thought the food was delicious, especially the hummous and the baba ghanoush; the pita bread is thinner and less bready than I'm used to and I loved it. the service was fast and friendly, even though there was only one person cooking. My 13 year old son had his first falafel and gave it a thumbs up. i wish this restaurant was close to my home so i could visit often.
(4)
Shawn D.
I made the mistake of trying 8up at the Hilton Garden Inn. After ditching my uncooked chicken I made my way to Safier. They saved the day! Get the Chicken Shwarma sandwich. It's huge and it's amazing. You won't need anything else I promise. I travel for work and these guys make it the best.
(5)
Lydia W.
I came here for lunch at the suggestion of my grandfather and I'm so happy I did. I only had 30 minutes, so I was intimidated when I saw the line stretching to the door, but it moved deceptively quickly, and I ordered in no time. I got the falafel sandwich (falafel, lettuce, tomato, & yogurt sauce wrapped in pita) and it was excellent. The portion size was generous, the food was delicious, and I was able to go in, sit down, eat, and leave all within my 30 minute span. Next time, I'll stop by when I'm not in a rush!
(5)
Lauren H.
When looking for Mediterranean food in downtown Louisville, Safier is one of your only options. Luckily, Safier serves some of the best Mediterranean food around. Safier serves mostly Persian and Lebanese food, with some Indian specials. The line starts forming early. If you wait until prime lunchtime, the line could be out the door. I've dined in once, but the tables are very limited. I typically pick up Safier to-go. The employees are always very kind and accommodating. The carry-out orders take a bit longer than some of the other downtown lunch places I frequent, but man, the food is worth it. The food is excellent and they serve you enormous portions. Their pita sandwiches are only $5.50 which is a helluva deal. However, I normally stick with a platter which comes with a salad, rice, and pita. Yes, the platters are ~$10, but the platters are EASILY two portions. If you have the smallest amount of self-control (unlike me), you could split with a friend or save half for another meal. One of my favorite dishes is the Athenian Broiled Chicken. Delicious strips of chicken, smothered in an addictive garlic cream sauce, over a bed of basmati. It's amazing. The house salad and pita bread are great complements. I love this dish so much, it's hard to try anything else. But the whole menu sounds so good, I've vowed to venture to new items on my next visit. Safier is a regular on my lunch rotation. Trust me, you must pay them a visit. You'll be glad you did.
(5)
Leslie W.
I was reminded tonight why I've loved Safier Mediterranean Deli for so many years. We stopped by before visiting a string of art openings at the array of boutiques on Fourth St. Walk up to the counter to order from a sizable menu of Mediterranean (Middle Eastern) specialties including sandwiches, salads, and platters. The no-frills ambiance is the only thing keeping Safier from that fifth star. My friend and I decided to share the vegetarian platter for $10. You select four items from a list that includes grape leaves, falafel, hummos, mujadreh (a rice and lentil dish), mutabal/baba ganuje (a smooth & smoky eggplant dip), rice, tabouleh (a Lebanese, parsley salad), or spinach pie. Pita bread, pickles, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and tahini round out the platter. We settled on hummos, baba, and a double order of falafel. With the addition of garlic sauce and extra bread on the tray, we dug into this bevy of fresh and delicious food. The restaurant is somewhat cramped inside when busy, but there are several tables outside that are perfect for weather like this! Soon after we ordered, they brought our food to the streetside table. We enjoyed the weather, great food, and endless variety of people to watch as we ate and chatted. The affordable food is wonderful, the staff is friendly, and I always feel as if I've eaten something good for me. Safier is a terrific spot for lunch or dinner before a show or event on 4th St!
(4)
Rayhanah A.
I've been going to this place for 4 years now and every time I go, the guys behind the counter are always sweet and welcome you with a smile. The food is perfection as well as the tea. You MUST try the chicken shawarma sandwich, it's delicious!
(5)
Emily H.
There's a reason Safier has a line to the door and sometimes even out of it at lunchtime -- it makes the best Mediterranean food in town and is a standout place to get lunch downtown. OK, those are two reasons. And here are several more. Even with a long line, the service is speedy and to the point. You inch your way to the register, state your picks, pay, get a receipt and wait for your number to be called. It's what you'd like to see when you're eager for lunch take-out. And the food is worth the wait. I always get the chicken shawarma plate, which includes a hefty portion of basmati rice, marinated and sliced chicken, salad, garlic sauce and pita -- all for $9.50. The chicken is always meaty, not fatty. I prefer my chicken shawarma to have chicken shaved off a spit. I can't tell if that's how Safier prepares it's chicken, but regardless it's still yummy. The only negative I can think of is the fact that seating can be hard to come by around noontime, and Safier can become tight quarters with people waiting around for their food. But this just goes to show how popular Safier is. And sometimes you can find overflow seating at tables on the sidewalk. Now I'm craving some shawarma ...
(4)
Michael P.
When I worked downtown, I ate here almost everyday. While I wish they did gyros, the shawarma is legit street-style with amazing flavor and, I believe, possesses some healing properties. Be sure the scope the curry specials when they offer 'em, it's always delicious and the portions are ridiculous.
(5)
Yaseen AR K.
Got a beef shawarma and boy oh boy.. It was amazing! Fast service, good food and excellent prices. Can't go wrong!
(5)
Shanoa M.
I love Safier! I only come here occasionally to get lunch during work and I have never gotten anything I do not like. The hummus is my absolute favorite! By far the best hummus I have had either at a restaurant in louisville or from a store. My favorite item on the regular menu is the beef shawarma. It's a simple mix of their house salad, garlic sauce, and beef wrapped in a pita. The chicken shawarma is also very good, I think I prefer the beef because it has a little more fat. The sandwiches are easily enough for two servings and only cost $5.50 each. I often come to Safier for several reasons. The first being how cheap it is. The lunch entrees range from $5-10 dollars and most of the time are large enough for two meals. I also like that they offer a lunch special that general consists of some type of Saag (which if you haven't had is an indian spinach dish). There chicken saag is up to par with what I have had at Shalimar and a lot less expensive. I also have always found their service to be quick especially during lunch hours when the line is out the door and the staff is very friendly.
(5)
Anna A.
this place is amazing! i was here for a few days from out of town staying at a hotel nearby, and stopped by for lunch after reading other yelp reviews, and this place does not disappoint! I ordered a chicken shwarma sandwich, the best one I've had. my experience was so delightful I went a second time, for dinner with my boyfriend only this time to add an order of hummus. we each thoroughly enjoyed this spot and definitely recommend it.
(5)
Mary H.
Everytime I come here there is a huge lunch line, and for good reason. And even though they specialize in medditerainian food I get the daily special which is always something Indian, and always amazing. In particular I've had their Tikka Masala and Saag. Both were well worth having again. All they need now is to have naan with it instead of pita and some raita and I would be in heaven.
(5)
Joe D.
You cannot find a better place to stop for a simple mediterranean meal than Safier. The staff is super friendly and everything from the platters to the wraps are delicious. Don't forget to try the hummus and spinach pies because they are delicacies of mediterranean delight. A go to place for lunch and don't forget the garlic sauce...a requirement at each visit.
(4)
Nick H.
I went here for lunch with some classmates. It is within walking distance from Spalding, which is good since parking can be a pain. The space is not huge, but very cosy and accommodated our group of six people. I got the beer shawarma sandwich and a side of rice. It was very tasty. I'm not a big eater of Mediterranean food, but I may have to make this place a semi-regular stop. My meal plus a drink was less than $10 and honestly was more.than worth the money.
(5)
Cody M.
Awesome. This place is great. The staff was extremely friendly and guided me to what I already knew what I wanted. I first tried chicken shawarma in Iraq. One bite and I was clouded once again by the fog of war. Haha just kidding but seriously this was just as good as it was in Iraq. Do recommend the chicken shawarma!
(5)
Joe B.
NOT AN ARABIC RESTAURANT!!! They do NOT speak Arabic, they do not even have stuffed lamb!!!!! They said they only server lamb in their Indian lamb special on Friday!!!!! NOT ARABIC!!!!!!!!
(1)
Emily M.
The food is delicious and very reasonable. I could easily eat here on a weekly basis! The venue is very basic so getting take-away is nice too.
(5)
Jason H.
The tabouleh was amazing with great flavor. The chicken shawarma perfectly seasoned. They were a great first impression. Great lunch and cannot wait to go back for round two.
(5)
Nikki M.
I love this place. You can eat outside, and the grape leaves and hummus are the bomb. The staff is friendly and we got our food in a timely manner.
(5)
Sarah R.
I really enjoyed the falafel, and the greek salad. The salad was absolutely huge with lots of fresh vegetables including cucumber, tomato, onion, lettuce, and beets (I think they were beets anyway). Their pita bread is unusual because it is very thin and kind of hard but pretty flavorful. The service was very good. There are not a lot of tables inside the restaurant, and it seemed to be more of a place to pick up than to sit and relax for dinner. I think they only thing I would change if I went back would be to keep the dressing on the side. I like my dressing on the lighter side and this was pretty heavy handed. Otherwise, it was a good experience.
(3)
Sandy H.
My husband, 3 yo, and I dined here a couple of weeks ago. I'd never eaten here but was pleasantly surprised. The service was amazing. The people in here make you feel comfortable and "at home." The food I ordered was amazing. I loved every single bite of it. I ordered the chicken schwarma which came with a yummy salad, pita bread, and some kind of sauce. Mmmmm. Delicious. I will definitely be back here in the near future. I'm a picky eater and its hard for me to find great food that I actually like. This place certainly delivered on service and taste. Just thinking about it now I want some more. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Chris P.
Fantastic food served by a friendly staff. I was in Louisville working a rock festival and I was stuck downtown for a couple of hours so I decided to wander around and find some lunch. I stumbled on this place and has the chicken shawarma, which was fantastic. The girl behind the counter was nice and she told me about a few local events that were going on, including an art festival. The prices were reasonable and the food was really good.
(5)
Christine J.
Good food, decent selection, and good portion size for the price (relative to other restaurants in the U.S.). Their tabouleh was tasty and they actually have shawarma which was surprising because most places don't. I absolutely recommend Safier Deli!
(4)
Sofia J.
This is a restaurant our entire family enjoys. My 7 y/o, who usually eschews all vegetarian things, loves the savory falafel. Our 4 y/o can't get enough of the garlicky hummus. My husband and I also love the grape leaves (so tangy and well-seasoned), tabouleh, mutabal (aka, baba ganoush), chicken scwarma, and Athenia chicken. The food is affordable and delish. This is our favorite Middle Eastern in the city,
(5)
Grace H.
Takes a while for them to cook the food, but man is it ever good once it arrives. I had the chicken shawarma and tried a bit of the beef shawarma and Athenian chicken as well (Athenian is AMAZING if you like garlic). Atmosphere a bit lacking and service not very warm, but eh. Their tzatziki and garlic sauce are both delicious.
(4)
Kathy V.
How have I never reviewed Safier? Shame on me... I am partial to any dish they serve with chicken and the garlic sauce/spread thing they have. I do not care that I will be able to repel vampires for weeks after eating the garlic sauce....I would eat it in buckets. I stopped in yesterday and got a chicken shawarma sandwich (which is more like a roll/burrito than a sandwich...) It was delicious. In the past I have quite enjoyed the Shish Tawook and the falafel. Yafa Cafe, across the street, is competition of a similar food style, but I love them both and for different dishes. You don't have to choose between the two...choose them both!
(4)
Sukh B.
Always great food and service. Loved the Chicken Shawarma and always enjoy the special Indian entree they have everyday. Lamb Biryani or Chicken Korma are my favorites. Rehan keep up the good work.
(5)
Charles W.
Food and services is amazing. We will definitely be coming back here when we come visit from Chicago. The beef shawarma is a must try!
(5)
Ian G.
Really dang good. My wife and I hit it at an off time, and even still, the food was delicious, the staff friendly, the only complaint: it took a little while to receive our food. But I blame that on the aforementioned off time! We ordered the beef and chicken shawarma respectively, and split the chicken and lime rice soup. Cheap, but quality!
(5)
Diana S.
Each week I look forward to what is now known in the office as Chicken Saag Thursday! Delicious, affordable, and filling.
(5)
Christopher N.
The food is fresh, healthy, and affordable. It's a walk-up-and-order place with unremarkable decor, but it's a place I love to hit when I'm in Derby City for a quick bite.
(4)
John P.
It is a good restaraunt with great swarma sandwiches. The downside is outside of the sandwiches it is very expensive. If you want a swarma plate with any appetizer you are looking at $15+++++, Yafa is right down the street for 1/2 the price and same quality if not better. (NO, i have no financial gain for saying that). I work down the street from both of them and have eaten at both of them over 50 times each in 2 years. Safier is just way over priced for what you get.(Outside of the Swarma sandwiches.)
(2)
Ashley C.
This place is delicious! Everything on the menu is incredible. The chicken shawarma wrap is my favorite, the garlic sauce used on this is out of this world! Definitely put this on your list of places you must eat, in Louisville.
(5)
Courtney W.
I went here after hearing a coworker talk about the place frequently. I was disappointed in the staff as they did not present as friendly. My friend got a yogurt drink, the staff gave him a drink that was expired. Luckily, we noticed before he opened it and he was able to exchange it. The food was decent but we did not find it to be extraordinary.
(3)
Brittany F.
I stopped in for lunch today and everything was great. I ordered the chicken shawarma pita and baklava. The service was fast and friendly and the food was wonderful. The garlic sauce in particular made the shawarma amazing. I work downtown and it was a nice break from my usual lunch spots. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Chris Z.
It's sad that I have to give them such a poor rating. The food was pretty good. But everything in the place was sticky. My chair, the salt & pepper shakers, and everything else I touched felt like a bad IHOP. It killed the experience. The schwarma was flavorful and the lady delivering food to the tables was cute and nice.
(2)
Leigh W.
This is my favorite mediterranean spot in Louisville. They have the most delicious, perfectly creamy hummus with just the right amount of garlic. You can get it there as an app with pita, as a side with any meal or as a substitute for rice in any of the meals. However you get it, just make sure you get it. I've never had a bad meal there. All of the dishes are well seasoned and very tasty. The beef shwarma main dish (sub rice with hummus) was my #1 choice before I stopped eating meat. I also liked the shish tawook. It is served with an incredible garlic sauce that you can order as a side for any meal. Now, I opt for the falafel sandwich every time. I could eat it every day and never get tired of it. Mmm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If I'm feeling especially hungry, I go for the veggie dish that comes with four veggie options. I go for falafel, hummus and two orders of the tabouleh. Two other special treats to try if you're into sweets are the baklava and the masala tea. I've eaten baklava all around the world and I've never tasted any better than what's served here. When I shared this opinion with the owner, he said, "Have you had baklava from Detroit?" At the time, I hadn't, but I tried it the next time I went there. Detroit baklava has nothing on Safier's. They make it in house and it's oh so good. And the masala tea is sweetened and milky and served scalding hot. Give Safier a try and don't be swayed by its not-so-great atmosphere. Overlook the horse racing wallpaper and prepare for some seriously scrumptious fare.
(5)
Nicole W.
I had a cravin' for some falafel. A baaaad kind of craving and thus the inspiration for a trip to Safier. Inside, Safier isn't really too much to take in. You'll find a smattering of basic formica tables with chairs, a counter to place your order (they bring it out to you), shiny tile floor, a fountain soda machine and a few tables in the shaded area outside. Ambiance is not the most magical at Safier. It's worth noting, however, that the staff I encountered were smiley and helpful as I perused the menu. As for the food, the falafel sandwich was fine. It wasn't spectacular. While the portion of sandwich was generous for an affordable $4.50, the falafel balls were a bit bland (albeit nicely fried) as was the tzatziki and hummus. I, like Sherri S, was also a bit surprised by the pickles in the sandwich, but I didn't mind them as they added some sort of flavor in the wrap. Overall, a fine place to fill a falafel hole in your rumbling belly.
(3)
Jason A.
There's so many good things I could say about Safier. I am too much a fan of brevity for all those words to escape me, however. I will say that this is an ideal lunch spot. If you go on Fridays you can get the fantastic lamb biyrani on special, or get a beef shawarma sandwich any day! Tip: Ask for a ramekin of hummus instead of a side cause its cheaper.
(5)
Reed P.
Solid stuff here. Got the chicken shish kabob. It was good, the basmati rice wS actually my favorite part. Very tasty.
(4)
Patrick K.
Food was pretty good. Some nice dipping sauces and good hummus. Would recommend getting one of the sandwiches over the plated meals.
(3)
Suzan H.
Wasn't expecting too much from a Persian restaurant in "KY"but was very pleasantly wrong! Was greeted right away, wait staff was very accommodating. Ordered kabob kobideh and sultani combo. Cooked perfectly and very tender. Portions were good. If you know what "doogh" is you should order it. Look forward to my next visit when I am in town on business again.
(5)
Matt R.
Safier is for real. Everything is delicious, and priced very fairly. Several of my co-workers are pretty obsessed. One of them told me recently, in a hush-hush voice, "I think I like Al Watan better," referring to a Middle Eastern restaurant in the Buechel area of town. Based on her tone, you might have thought she said "I'm kind of rooting for Vanderbilt" in the middle of Rupp Arena. Or "I'm considering an abortion" in the middle of mass. So stands Safier's reputation. That rep is pretty well deserved. It's not fancy, and it's not serving anything unusual. It's just really good.
(4)
Ka-Lin H.
I've been to Safier's twice. Like the name says, this is a deli so don't expect the decor to be nice or anything. The place is located basically behind the Brown Hotel. Parking is not easy to find. You will have to park on the street. The first time I had the chicken sandwich that was wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, and their house sauce. Second time I had the tilapia sandwich. Hands down the chicken pita tasted so much better. I believe the chicken is marinated in garlic sauce so your breath smells like garlic afterwards, so be prepared.... but it is so worth it. The tilapia had a fishy taste and I had to eat every bite of that sandwich with hot sauce to hide the fishy taste. I think the fish was in the freezer or something for a long time for it to taste that fishy. Not good. I would go back to this place because you get a pretty big pita burrito looking sandwich for 5 bucks. Big bang for you bucks. And I love places that gives me a big bang for my buck.
(3)
Josh C.
I went to Safier with a couple friends for lunch on 2/2/12. I work nearby, and have been meaning to try it for a while. After eating there, I wish I had done so sooner. The food was good all around, but I was especially impressed with the falafel, and the baklava. I haven't tried falafel many places, but the spices Safier uses makes theirs the best of the ones I have tried. Baklava, on the other hand, is one of my favorite desserts, and I've eaten it dozens of diifferent places. Safier's was by far the best I've ever had. This place is great for a casual lunch, and they deliver downtown for lunch, too. The prices are good (except for drinks, which are overpriced, imo), and so is the food. The only concern I will have when going there is the wait - they get pretty busy at lunchtime, and the restaurant is pretty small, so finding a seat and even waiting in line could be a challenge.
(4)
Christy C.
The falafel platter was amazing! My husband got the chicken shawarma in a pita and that was also amazing. We got through the line pretty quickly and were delivered our food not too long after.
(4)
Amy C.
Safier is pretty good. I love their schwarma and their fries. There is ways a line to the door at lunch rush which tells you something.
(3)
Andrew B.
Everything I have had here has been excellent from the gyro to the kebabs. Great service too.
(5)
Elijah W.
This is the best spot for Mediterranean food downtown. The beef shawarma is a personal favorite. It can get pretty crowded for lunch, so plan to come early.
(5)
Carla L.
It is a nice casual place, great prices. I was told that the chef hails from Zahle, Lebanon. To me that is a good thing because I grew up on Lebanese food made by my father whose parents were from, you guessed it, Zahle. I decided to try the Shawarma - the meat Shawarma platter. It was delicious and the flavor really had that home made taste that I was so excited about when I had heard about the Chef. My daughter had the Kibbeh and a Chicken sandwich which was incredibly tasty too. It was a nice lunch and everything definitely hit that spot. Next time I am going to try those Sfihas - I had only noticed them after lunch.
(4)
Janice C.
I was very pleased to find not one, but two Mediterranean options right outside my work doorstep (Yafa Cafe is the other one). When I have a chicken schwarma craving -- trust me, it's a thing -- Safier is where I head. The pita wrap option is wrapped up in really good bread with the most addictive garlicky tahini sauce you'll ever encounter. It's more than enough to make a meal on, but I can never resist adding on the lentil soup -- yellow dal scented with cinnamon and savory spices. A word of advice though, if you're in a hurry, call ahead. The line goes out the door and down the street most lunchtimes, and I find it uncomfortably crowded for in-restaurant dining. If you order carryout, you go straight to the head of the line, and they are super quick and the service is always friendly.
(4)
Sherri K.
pickles in everything beets on my greek salad - different good falafel sandwich - would have been better without the pickles the grape leaves were decent but too greasy fast friendly service inexpensive Overall, now that I know about the pickles...I would go back, but only request that my order has no pickles.
(3)
Jules Wolfers D.
Their dishes, especially with lamb or steak are so delishy- when I could have time to drive down there to grab something for lunch, I did! Although hadn't done that for months, I'll have to go back there soon as possible for their hummus and pitas!
(4)
Greg N.
This restaurant is consistently my favorite Mediterranean place in the city. Every time I eat here, I am always pleased. The portions are ample, the prices are low, and the service is efficient. Today I had the beef shawarma sandwich ($4.77 including tax). The meat is so tender and flavorful that I had to eat all of it, including the parts that spilled out onto my plate. Other favorites include the vegetarian platter (great if you like a bit of everything) and the Athenian Chicken (pack a breath mint, they love garlic on this one), however these items both run about 8 bucks. This place is arguably worth the wait, so if the line is out the door, don't go somewhere else.
(5)
Emily M.
Great place! Very busy at lunch time so be prepared to wait in line or call in your order. Even if the line is out the door, it moves at a decent pace and is worth the wait. Fabulous hummus. Specials and plates are generous sizes and come with rice, salad, and pita. Tuesdays lunch special is chicken tiki masala and is amazing -- wonderfully seasoned and spicy! Thursdays special is chicken saag and is also delicious. Sandwiches are great and also sizable. Chicken shwarma sandwich is my favorite with the perfect amount if garlic sauce and hummus. Be prepared that the garlic will stick around for a few hours, but totally worth it. Sandwiches are around $5 and most entree plates and lunch specials under $10.
(5)
Scott M.
Very Friendly staff! Everything I had was great! Sat outside, really cool little place.
(4)
Samantha R.
One of the best restaurants in Louisville. Great food, Great service, nothing fancy about the place. The shish tawook is to die for. Hummus is also delish.
(5)
Sam J.
the restaurant has the lowest limits of hygiene...
(1)
Laura R.
I wish I lived in Louisville!! I live in the Northern KY/Greater Cincinnati area and we are seriously lacking good ethnic food. I have only eaten at Safier twice, and both times I ordered the Chicken Shawarma sandwich. When I find something I like, I stick with it! It's a huge sandwich filled with tender seasoned chicken and covered in a garlic sauce that really means business. I guarantee you will continue to taste that sauce well into the next day! It all tastes fresh and homemade. If it wasn't an hour and a half away, I would eat here at least once a week!
(5)
Christine D.
Safier Deli is such a treat. Multiple vegetarian options are a big plus and this little Mediterranean deli offers up many. The vegetarian platter lets you choose four items for about $8. Choose from grape leaves, hummus, falafel, mutabal, rice, tabouleh, mujadareh, or spinach pie. Everything is fresh and really tasty. The spinach pie here is not a spanakopita with flaky pastry layers but an actual little triangle pie with thick dough. Not a veg? Try the beef or chicken shawarma. Prices are good. Food is good. There's outdoor seating so you can enjoy some sunshine and fresh air!
(4)
Shyam S.
My family and I stopped in here recently and just grabbed two Indiana masala teas to go. We love the fact there is a Moroccan/Mediterranean/Muslim restaurant in the heart of Louisville that has such a wonderful ambience and apparently great food (we didn't eat that day, but our friends there tell us it is awesome). I loved the humor from the guy at the counter when he said, "I am Moroccan, but selling you Indian tea!"
(4)
Jessica B.
Get the swarma. You won't regret it. Really, you won't regret anything you eat here. I am kind of bias toward this restaurant, though, because the cooks always give me TWO BAKLAVA even when I only order ONE BAKLAVA. How can you not give that 4 stars?
(4)
Greg M.
I have had great middle eastern food other places and was pleasantly surprised to find the caliber of the food at Safier as high as it was. The food is fresh and quick for that lunch break rush. Specials daily put it on my weekly must have list.
(4)
Rodrigo A.
Great food and great value! The beef shawarma is the best!
(5)
Emily R.
This place is no frills and that's ok. The food is pretty good and I'm guessing it's better to order their sandwiches. The plates aren't the best deal, you don't get that much meat and a ton of rice. The hummus was very good and the mujadara. Both what I would expect. The pita was really disappointing. It was thin, cold, and flavorless. The give it to you wrapped up in a little piece of saran. The chicken kabob was good, the meat kabob I thought was bland. I would definitely go back and try a sandwich, but skip the platters.
(3)
Olive F.
In town for a conference and wanted some carryout to take back to the hotel. Happy to find Safier was only a few blocks away. I had the shish tawook and it was really good - almost as good as their hummus. The hummus is seriously delicious! The stuffed grape leaves were good too.
(5)
Erica R.
This place is about the food. If you are looking for atmosphere, perhaps this isn't for you. It is small and kind of lunch-counter-y. If you are there to eat, excellent. I am in love with the Chicken Shwarma Roll and the Fatoush salad. The food is consistent and good which I would say is a huge compliment. Portion sizes are adequate and it is fairly priced. If you are going around lunchtime, it is best to get there early!
(5)
Tess K.
super delicious chicken shawarma and ask for the hot sauce - spicy and good - very nice staff as well
(4)
Nimish P.
Great food and great service! It's my favorite mediterrean spot in louisville!
(5)
Amanda F.
This is one of the best little eateries on Fourth Street. There is always a line out the door at lunch time during the week, but no matter because the cooks are fast and efficient! You will always have more food than you can eat, which to me means you get your money's worth. Give it a try. Need a suggestion? Athenian Broiled Chicken. Yes sir.
(5)
Natalie H.
I love this place! I end up eating here once a week, because the prices are great and the food is REALLY good. I love their hummus, chicken schwarma, and kebabs. It's no wonder they get such a hefty downtown lunch crowd, but they have deliver and carry out if you don't feel like waiting in line between 12-12:30 when it gets crowded. The employees here are really nice and provide great, quick service. I would recommend this place to anyone. I am glad Safier is so close to my work!
(5)
Kristen W.
My husband and I went here for dinner last week. I got the falafel sandwich, which was probably the best I've ever had. The tahini sauce was creamy and delicious and the falafel had amazing flavor. The huz had the beef and chicken kebab combo, which came with a small side of hummus and pita. I tried a little of each and it was really good; he cleaned his plate. The garlic sauce is not messing around - it's really garlicky, but in a good way. My only complaint was that my husband's pita on the side was kind of tough and chewy. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Edward R.
Pretty fast Mediterranean food prepared well. The staff is pleasant and talkative. The unassuming decor is simple and the place is clean. Good hours for lunch or dinner if you're in the downtown area. For sure a better choice than some of the restaurants that are on this same street.
(4)
Jackie S.
We went to this restaurant based on its proximity to the Brown theatre and the Yelp reviews. Unfortunately, I'm developing a conspiracy theory for why other Yelpers were so full of praise. I'm writing this review to temper your expectations. The atmosphere is no better than eating at a Subway and the food is over-priced considering what you get. I'm not saying that the food wasn't delicious, but I got a plate of re-heated rice and lentils and paid about eight dollars. The flat bread that came with the meal was definitely not freshly baked as it came wrapped in plastic and had the texture of a stale potato chip. To continue my babbling, I've made baklava many times myself, so I know exactly how much work goes into it, but $1.50 for a one inch square bite is outrageous. So many other Yelpers said that this was the best Mediterranean restaurant in Louisville that you have to think, maybe you're barking up the wrong tree looking for Middle Eastern food in Middle America.
(3)
Shana K.
I made my first visit to Safier's tonight and was largely impressed. My Athenian Broiled Chicken came with a salad, pita bread, and basami rice. The house dressing on the salad had a perfect acidity. I would buy their dressing by the bottle if I could. The Athenian chicken had an amazingly complex flavor profile. It is the type of dish that you feel compelled to take bite after bite of in order to try to decode the many layers of beautifully woven spices. The chicken was moist and perfectly cooked. The rice felt delicate and held its own complex flavor profile. Even the pita bread, which could easily have been a throw away item, was soft and chewy. However, my order of Balkava was terribly disappointing. When I bit into Safier's baklava all I could taste was sweetened filo. I actually had to peel the filo off in order to find the ground nuts. Perhaps the layer of nuts was just spread too thin when they made this batch. I also couldn't pick up even the slightest undercurrents of cloves or cinnamon. With that said, if they can fix their Baklava I'll surely bump them up to five stars.
(4)
Shal V.
This place is close to my office so I go here at least once a week. We went here for lunch yesterday and enjoyed the dining experience. The hummus and falafel were yummy, the beef shish kebab was divine, the chicken shawarma sandwich was good but not great, the baklava was very good and the service was excellent! They also have some Indian-style dishes which are good. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good Middle Eastern food.
(4)
Jeff B.
I'm spoiled because this place is so close to my house; I seriously eat here at least twice a week. Some have noted that the food here is not the most 'authentic' Arabic food, but that misses the point. The food is Lebanese-influenced, but the owner is Indian (and the lunch specials are often Indian as well). Suffice to say, you will not find a better, quicker, middle-east-style meal in Louisville for the price. The restaurant is always packed at lunch time with a variety of customers, and the price point and friendly service are a big part of it. But the food is still excellent, IMHO.
(5)
Imran Q.
They catered their rockn' biryani for a party of mine. It was the highlight of the party. And so far all their items I've tried (except the lentil soup ... gross) are awesome. The dude behind the counter is super friendly. Its in a nice part of town. It's great to sit out side and eat during a nice sunny afternoon.
(5)
Adrianna S.
Although not many peoples' favorites, I really like Pita Inn in Wheeling (or Niles, whichever one works...) It is a taste I try to repeat everytime I have a craving for falafel, hummus and pita bread, although I have yet to find something that is the same...so, before we even begin, understand that that poor Safier was was fighting a losing battle...once again, traveling, and I really wanted a falafel sanchwich and some hummus...as I walked from the office I was working in for that week, I saw Safier, and saw it had gotten several good reviews, so I went in. I got the falafel sandwich and a side of hummus and pita bread. I took it to go, and walkted back to my hotel. Once I got there, I noticed that they had packaged the hummus in a small styrafome container, and didn't tape it up in any way, so half of it had fallen out, into the plastic bag...ew #1. Also, the pita bread was nothing like I had ever had...it was thin and crispy. I wasn't a big fan of the sauce in the sandwich, either.... Now, maybe it could have been better if I had eaten there, and not 30 minutes later...and maybe it was just that I was expecting something closer to the Pita Inn I know and love. I gave it 3 stars because it may not necessarily be bad, but just too different from my expectation...however, they do need some better take out containers...
(3)
Jan H.
Safier's chicken schwarma is my favorite. Bought four dinners this week for company. So good! So easy! I wish it were closer. I'd go more often. Casual walk up to the counter and order place. Fast and inexpensive.
(5)
Diane K.
I'm lucky enough to work a block away and typically get over there at least once a week. They have the best hummus in town, very creamy. Their vegetable paradise sandwich is incredible, as is nearly everything I've tried on the menu (and I've tried nearly everything on the menu!)
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
dan g.
This place is really really good and reallly cheap. I am in Lousiville for work and staying downtown, I go here multipule times a week. The standards, falafal wrap and hummous are very good. Also I liked the grape leaves. And the guys that run the place are very nice. Their kefta is ok, I wish they had a lamb kefta rather than ground beef, but that might be too exiotic for kentucky.
(4)Keith H.
Used to go here a couple days a week for the swarma sandwich for lunch. Very good food, nice people. They move you fast even if the line is out the door. I suggest the beef swarma. Their Hummus is good too, homemade, I think.
(4)Daniel C.
Really great little cafe in downtown Louisville. The food was fantastic and really cheap for what you get.
(4)J H.
Amazing. Just plain amazing. Best falafel sandwich I've ever had!
(5)Mary Y.
Simply the best, most delicious and affordable lunch downtown. One of my favorite stops. Friendly staff and excellent variety in the menu. The specials are always yummy too. The garlic sauce is crack. Go here, don't miss it.
(4)Evelyn R.
Besides the very generous portion of hummus the food was nothing spectacular. A bigger menu selection would nice too.
(3)Justin Z.
By far one of the best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurants in Louisville. The hummus is out of this world and if you want a taste of many different tastes and flavors, the "mixed grill" is unbeatable for both taste and value. Check this place out for sure!!!
(5)X X.
had the chicken shawarma . it was okay. i know shawarma- father's side are mizrahi jews and i spent a lot of time in israel. doesnt taste at all like real shawarma, but it was still tasty for what it was. tasted more like a a chicken wrap you would get anywhere. the workers here were pretty nice and this is a nice place to go if you are just looking for something casual and dont want people staring at you if you are alone.
(3)Anne O.
We got take-out from here when we were visiting Louisville last week. I thought the food was delicious, especially the hummous and the baba ghanoush; the pita bread is thinner and less bready than I'm used to and I loved it. the service was fast and friendly, even though there was only one person cooking. My 13 year old son had his first falafel and gave it a thumbs up. i wish this restaurant was close to my home so i could visit often.
(4)Shawn D.
I made the mistake of trying 8up at the Hilton Garden Inn. After ditching my uncooked chicken I made my way to Safier. They saved the day! Get the Chicken Shwarma sandwich. It's huge and it's amazing. You won't need anything else I promise. I travel for work and these guys make it the best.
(5)Lydia W.
I came here for lunch at the suggestion of my grandfather and I'm so happy I did. I only had 30 minutes, so I was intimidated when I saw the line stretching to the door, but it moved deceptively quickly, and I ordered in no time. I got the falafel sandwich (falafel, lettuce, tomato, & yogurt sauce wrapped in pita) and it was excellent. The portion size was generous, the food was delicious, and I was able to go in, sit down, eat, and leave all within my 30 minute span. Next time, I'll stop by when I'm not in a rush!
(5)Lauren H.
When looking for Mediterranean food in downtown Louisville, Safier is one of your only options. Luckily, Safier serves some of the best Mediterranean food around. Safier serves mostly Persian and Lebanese food, with some Indian specials. The line starts forming early. If you wait until prime lunchtime, the line could be out the door. I've dined in once, but the tables are very limited. I typically pick up Safier to-go. The employees are always very kind and accommodating. The carry-out orders take a bit longer than some of the other downtown lunch places I frequent, but man, the food is worth it. The food is excellent and they serve you enormous portions. Their pita sandwiches are only $5.50 which is a helluva deal. However, I normally stick with a platter which comes with a salad, rice, and pita. Yes, the platters are ~$10, but the platters are EASILY two portions. If you have the smallest amount of self-control (unlike me), you could split with a friend or save half for another meal. One of my favorite dishes is the Athenian Broiled Chicken. Delicious strips of chicken, smothered in an addictive garlic cream sauce, over a bed of basmati. It's amazing. The house salad and pita bread are great complements. I love this dish so much, it's hard to try anything else. But the whole menu sounds so good, I've vowed to venture to new items on my next visit. Safier is a regular on my lunch rotation. Trust me, you must pay them a visit. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Leslie W.
I was reminded tonight why I've loved Safier Mediterranean Deli for so many years. We stopped by before visiting a string of art openings at the array of boutiques on Fourth St. Walk up to the counter to order from a sizable menu of Mediterranean (Middle Eastern) specialties including sandwiches, salads, and platters. The no-frills ambiance is the only thing keeping Safier from that fifth star. My friend and I decided to share the vegetarian platter for $10. You select four items from a list that includes grape leaves, falafel, hummos, mujadreh (a rice and lentil dish), mutabal/baba ganuje (a smooth & smoky eggplant dip), rice, tabouleh (a Lebanese, parsley salad), or spinach pie. Pita bread, pickles, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and tahini round out the platter. We settled on hummos, baba, and a double order of falafel. With the addition of garlic sauce and extra bread on the tray, we dug into this bevy of fresh and delicious food. The restaurant is somewhat cramped inside when busy, but there are several tables outside that are perfect for weather like this! Soon after we ordered, they brought our food to the streetside table. We enjoyed the weather, great food, and endless variety of people to watch as we ate and chatted. The affordable food is wonderful, the staff is friendly, and I always feel as if I've eaten something good for me. Safier is a terrific spot for lunch or dinner before a show or event on 4th St!
(4)Rayhanah A.
I've been going to this place for 4 years now and every time I go, the guys behind the counter are always sweet and welcome you with a smile. The food is perfection as well as the tea. You MUST try the chicken shawarma sandwich, it's delicious!
(5)Emily H.
There's a reason Safier has a line to the door and sometimes even out of it at lunchtime -- it makes the best Mediterranean food in town and is a standout place to get lunch downtown. OK, those are two reasons. And here are several more. Even with a long line, the service is speedy and to the point. You inch your way to the register, state your picks, pay, get a receipt and wait for your number to be called. It's what you'd like to see when you're eager for lunch take-out. And the food is worth the wait. I always get the chicken shawarma plate, which includes a hefty portion of basmati rice, marinated and sliced chicken, salad, garlic sauce and pita -- all for $9.50. The chicken is always meaty, not fatty. I prefer my chicken shawarma to have chicken shaved off a spit. I can't tell if that's how Safier prepares it's chicken, but regardless it's still yummy. The only negative I can think of is the fact that seating can be hard to come by around noontime, and Safier can become tight quarters with people waiting around for their food. But this just goes to show how popular Safier is. And sometimes you can find overflow seating at tables on the sidewalk. Now I'm craving some shawarma ...
(4)Michael P.
When I worked downtown, I ate here almost everyday. While I wish they did gyros, the shawarma is legit street-style with amazing flavor and, I believe, possesses some healing properties. Be sure the scope the curry specials when they offer 'em, it's always delicious and the portions are ridiculous.
(5)Yaseen AR K.
Got a beef shawarma and boy oh boy.. It was amazing! Fast service, good food and excellent prices. Can't go wrong!
(5)Shanoa M.
I love Safier! I only come here occasionally to get lunch during work and I have never gotten anything I do not like. The hummus is my absolute favorite! By far the best hummus I have had either at a restaurant in louisville or from a store. My favorite item on the regular menu is the beef shawarma. It's a simple mix of their house salad, garlic sauce, and beef wrapped in a pita. The chicken shawarma is also very good, I think I prefer the beef because it has a little more fat. The sandwiches are easily enough for two servings and only cost $5.50 each. I often come to Safier for several reasons. The first being how cheap it is. The lunch entrees range from $5-10 dollars and most of the time are large enough for two meals. I also like that they offer a lunch special that general consists of some type of Saag (which if you haven't had is an indian spinach dish). There chicken saag is up to par with what I have had at Shalimar and a lot less expensive. I also have always found their service to be quick especially during lunch hours when the line is out the door and the staff is very friendly.
(5)Anna A.
this place is amazing! i was here for a few days from out of town staying at a hotel nearby, and stopped by for lunch after reading other yelp reviews, and this place does not disappoint! I ordered a chicken shwarma sandwich, the best one I've had. my experience was so delightful I went a second time, for dinner with my boyfriend only this time to add an order of hummus. we each thoroughly enjoyed this spot and definitely recommend it.
(5)Mary H.
Everytime I come here there is a huge lunch line, and for good reason. And even though they specialize in medditerainian food I get the daily special which is always something Indian, and always amazing. In particular I've had their Tikka Masala and Saag. Both were well worth having again. All they need now is to have naan with it instead of pita and some raita and I would be in heaven.
(5)Joe D.
You cannot find a better place to stop for a simple mediterranean meal than Safier. The staff is super friendly and everything from the platters to the wraps are delicious. Don't forget to try the hummus and spinach pies because they are delicacies of mediterranean delight. A go to place for lunch and don't forget the garlic sauce...a requirement at each visit.
(4)Nick H.
I went here for lunch with some classmates. It is within walking distance from Spalding, which is good since parking can be a pain. The space is not huge, but very cosy and accommodated our group of six people. I got the beer shawarma sandwich and a side of rice. It was very tasty. I'm not a big eater of Mediterranean food, but I may have to make this place a semi-regular stop. My meal plus a drink was less than $10 and honestly was more.than worth the money.
(5)Cody M.
Awesome. This place is great. The staff was extremely friendly and guided me to what I already knew what I wanted. I first tried chicken shawarma in Iraq. One bite and I was clouded once again by the fog of war. Haha just kidding but seriously this was just as good as it was in Iraq. Do recommend the chicken shawarma!
(5)Joe B.
NOT AN ARABIC RESTAURANT!!! They do NOT speak Arabic, they do not even have stuffed lamb!!!!! They said they only server lamb in their Indian lamb special on Friday!!!!! NOT ARABIC!!!!!!!!
(1)Emily M.
The food is delicious and very reasonable. I could easily eat here on a weekly basis! The venue is very basic so getting take-away is nice too.
(5)Jason H.
The tabouleh was amazing with great flavor. The chicken shawarma perfectly seasoned. They were a great first impression. Great lunch and cannot wait to go back for round two.
(5)Nikki M.
I love this place. You can eat outside, and the grape leaves and hummus are the bomb. The staff is friendly and we got our food in a timely manner.
(5)Sarah R.
I really enjoyed the falafel, and the greek salad. The salad was absolutely huge with lots of fresh vegetables including cucumber, tomato, onion, lettuce, and beets (I think they were beets anyway). Their pita bread is unusual because it is very thin and kind of hard but pretty flavorful. The service was very good. There are not a lot of tables inside the restaurant, and it seemed to be more of a place to pick up than to sit and relax for dinner. I think they only thing I would change if I went back would be to keep the dressing on the side. I like my dressing on the lighter side and this was pretty heavy handed. Otherwise, it was a good experience.
(3)Sandy H.
My husband, 3 yo, and I dined here a couple of weeks ago. I'd never eaten here but was pleasantly surprised. The service was amazing. The people in here make you feel comfortable and "at home." The food I ordered was amazing. I loved every single bite of it. I ordered the chicken schwarma which came with a yummy salad, pita bread, and some kind of sauce. Mmmmm. Delicious. I will definitely be back here in the near future. I'm a picky eater and its hard for me to find great food that I actually like. This place certainly delivered on service and taste. Just thinking about it now I want some more. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Chris P.
Fantastic food served by a friendly staff. I was in Louisville working a rock festival and I was stuck downtown for a couple of hours so I decided to wander around and find some lunch. I stumbled on this place and has the chicken shawarma, which was fantastic. The girl behind the counter was nice and she told me about a few local events that were going on, including an art festival. The prices were reasonable and the food was really good.
(5)Christine J.
Good food, decent selection, and good portion size for the price (relative to other restaurants in the U.S.). Their tabouleh was tasty and they actually have shawarma which was surprising because most places don't. I absolutely recommend Safier Deli!
(4)Sofia J.
This is a restaurant our entire family enjoys. My 7 y/o, who usually eschews all vegetarian things, loves the savory falafel. Our 4 y/o can't get enough of the garlicky hummus. My husband and I also love the grape leaves (so tangy and well-seasoned), tabouleh, mutabal (aka, baba ganoush), chicken scwarma, and Athenia chicken. The food is affordable and delish. This is our favorite Middle Eastern in the city,
(5)Grace H.
Takes a while for them to cook the food, but man is it ever good once it arrives. I had the chicken shawarma and tried a bit of the beef shawarma and Athenian chicken as well (Athenian is AMAZING if you like garlic). Atmosphere a bit lacking and service not very warm, but eh. Their tzatziki and garlic sauce are both delicious.
(4)Kathy V.
How have I never reviewed Safier? Shame on me... I am partial to any dish they serve with chicken and the garlic sauce/spread thing they have. I do not care that I will be able to repel vampires for weeks after eating the garlic sauce....I would eat it in buckets. I stopped in yesterday and got a chicken shawarma sandwich (which is more like a roll/burrito than a sandwich...) It was delicious. In the past I have quite enjoyed the Shish Tawook and the falafel. Yafa Cafe, across the street, is competition of a similar food style, but I love them both and for different dishes. You don't have to choose between the two...choose them both!
(4)Sukh B.
Always great food and service. Loved the Chicken Shawarma and always enjoy the special Indian entree they have everyday. Lamb Biryani or Chicken Korma are my favorites. Rehan keep up the good work.
(5)Charles W.
Food and services is amazing. We will definitely be coming back here when we come visit from Chicago. The beef shawarma is a must try!
(5)Ian G.
Really dang good. My wife and I hit it at an off time, and even still, the food was delicious, the staff friendly, the only complaint: it took a little while to receive our food. But I blame that on the aforementioned off time! We ordered the beef and chicken shawarma respectively, and split the chicken and lime rice soup. Cheap, but quality!
(5)Diana S.
Each week I look forward to what is now known in the office as Chicken Saag Thursday! Delicious, affordable, and filling.
(5)Christopher N.
The food is fresh, healthy, and affordable. It's a walk-up-and-order place with unremarkable decor, but it's a place I love to hit when I'm in Derby City for a quick bite.
(4)John P.
It is a good restaraunt with great swarma sandwiches. The downside is outside of the sandwiches it is very expensive. If you want a swarma plate with any appetizer you are looking at $15+++++, Yafa is right down the street for 1/2 the price and same quality if not better. (NO, i have no financial gain for saying that). I work down the street from both of them and have eaten at both of them over 50 times each in 2 years. Safier is just way over priced for what you get.(Outside of the Swarma sandwiches.)
(2)Ashley C.
This place is delicious! Everything on the menu is incredible. The chicken shawarma wrap is my favorite, the garlic sauce used on this is out of this world! Definitely put this on your list of places you must eat, in Louisville.
(5)Courtney W.
I went here after hearing a coworker talk about the place frequently. I was disappointed in the staff as they did not present as friendly. My friend got a yogurt drink, the staff gave him a drink that was expired. Luckily, we noticed before he opened it and he was able to exchange it. The food was decent but we did not find it to be extraordinary.
(3)Brittany F.
I stopped in for lunch today and everything was great. I ordered the chicken shawarma pita and baklava. The service was fast and friendly and the food was wonderful. The garlic sauce in particular made the shawarma amazing. I work downtown and it was a nice break from my usual lunch spots. I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Chris Z.
It's sad that I have to give them such a poor rating. The food was pretty good. But everything in the place was sticky. My chair, the salt & pepper shakers, and everything else I touched felt like a bad IHOP. It killed the experience. The schwarma was flavorful and the lady delivering food to the tables was cute and nice.
(2)Leigh W.
This is my favorite mediterranean spot in Louisville. They have the most delicious, perfectly creamy hummus with just the right amount of garlic. You can get it there as an app with pita, as a side with any meal or as a substitute for rice in any of the meals. However you get it, just make sure you get it. I've never had a bad meal there. All of the dishes are well seasoned and very tasty. The beef shwarma main dish (sub rice with hummus) was my #1 choice before I stopped eating meat. I also liked the shish tawook. It is served with an incredible garlic sauce that you can order as a side for any meal. Now, I opt for the falafel sandwich every time. I could eat it every day and never get tired of it. Mmm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. If I'm feeling especially hungry, I go for the veggie dish that comes with four veggie options. I go for falafel, hummus and two orders of the tabouleh. Two other special treats to try if you're into sweets are the baklava and the masala tea. I've eaten baklava all around the world and I've never tasted any better than what's served here. When I shared this opinion with the owner, he said, "Have you had baklava from Detroit?" At the time, I hadn't, but I tried it the next time I went there. Detroit baklava has nothing on Safier's. They make it in house and it's oh so good. And the masala tea is sweetened and milky and served scalding hot. Give Safier a try and don't be swayed by its not-so-great atmosphere. Overlook the horse racing wallpaper and prepare for some seriously scrumptious fare.
(5)Nicole W.
I had a cravin' for some falafel. A baaaad kind of craving and thus the inspiration for a trip to Safier. Inside, Safier isn't really too much to take in. You'll find a smattering of basic formica tables with chairs, a counter to place your order (they bring it out to you), shiny tile floor, a fountain soda machine and a few tables in the shaded area outside. Ambiance is not the most magical at Safier. It's worth noting, however, that the staff I encountered were smiley and helpful as I perused the menu. As for the food, the falafel sandwich was fine. It wasn't spectacular. While the portion of sandwich was generous for an affordable $4.50, the falafel balls were a bit bland (albeit nicely fried) as was the tzatziki and hummus. I, like Sherri S, was also a bit surprised by the pickles in the sandwich, but I didn't mind them as they added some sort of flavor in the wrap. Overall, a fine place to fill a falafel hole in your rumbling belly.
(3)Jason A.
There's so many good things I could say about Safier. I am too much a fan of brevity for all those words to escape me, however. I will say that this is an ideal lunch spot. If you go on Fridays you can get the fantastic lamb biyrani on special, or get a beef shawarma sandwich any day! Tip: Ask for a ramekin of hummus instead of a side cause its cheaper.
(5)Reed P.
Solid stuff here. Got the chicken shish kabob. It was good, the basmati rice wS actually my favorite part. Very tasty.
(4)Patrick K.
Food was pretty good. Some nice dipping sauces and good hummus. Would recommend getting one of the sandwiches over the plated meals.
(3)Suzan H.
Wasn't expecting too much from a Persian restaurant in "KY"but was very pleasantly wrong! Was greeted right away, wait staff was very accommodating. Ordered kabob kobideh and sultani combo. Cooked perfectly and very tender. Portions were good. If you know what "doogh" is you should order it. Look forward to my next visit when I am in town on business again.
(5)Matt R.
Safier is for real. Everything is delicious, and priced very fairly. Several of my co-workers are pretty obsessed. One of them told me recently, in a hush-hush voice, "I think I like Al Watan better," referring to a Middle Eastern restaurant in the Buechel area of town. Based on her tone, you might have thought she said "I'm kind of rooting for Vanderbilt" in the middle of Rupp Arena. Or "I'm considering an abortion" in the middle of mass. So stands Safier's reputation. That rep is pretty well deserved. It's not fancy, and it's not serving anything unusual. It's just really good.
(4)Ka-Lin H.
I've been to Safier's twice. Like the name says, this is a deli so don't expect the decor to be nice or anything. The place is located basically behind the Brown Hotel. Parking is not easy to find. You will have to park on the street. The first time I had the chicken sandwich that was wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, and their house sauce. Second time I had the tilapia sandwich. Hands down the chicken pita tasted so much better. I believe the chicken is marinated in garlic sauce so your breath smells like garlic afterwards, so be prepared.... but it is so worth it. The tilapia had a fishy taste and I had to eat every bite of that sandwich with hot sauce to hide the fishy taste. I think the fish was in the freezer or something for a long time for it to taste that fishy. Not good. I would go back to this place because you get a pretty big pita burrito looking sandwich for 5 bucks. Big bang for you bucks. And I love places that gives me a big bang for my buck.
(3)Josh C.
I went to Safier with a couple friends for lunch on 2/2/12. I work nearby, and have been meaning to try it for a while. After eating there, I wish I had done so sooner. The food was good all around, but I was especially impressed with the falafel, and the baklava. I haven't tried falafel many places, but the spices Safier uses makes theirs the best of the ones I have tried. Baklava, on the other hand, is one of my favorite desserts, and I've eaten it dozens of diifferent places. Safier's was by far the best I've ever had. This place is great for a casual lunch, and they deliver downtown for lunch, too. The prices are good (except for drinks, which are overpriced, imo), and so is the food. The only concern I will have when going there is the wait - they get pretty busy at lunchtime, and the restaurant is pretty small, so finding a seat and even waiting in line could be a challenge.
(4)Christy C.
The falafel platter was amazing! My husband got the chicken shawarma in a pita and that was also amazing. We got through the line pretty quickly and were delivered our food not too long after.
(4)Amy C.
Safier is pretty good. I love their schwarma and their fries. There is ways a line to the door at lunch rush which tells you something.
(3)Andrew B.
Everything I have had here has been excellent from the gyro to the kebabs. Great service too.
(5)Elijah W.
This is the best spot for Mediterranean food downtown. The beef shawarma is a personal favorite. It can get pretty crowded for lunch, so plan to come early.
(5)Carla L.
It is a nice casual place, great prices. I was told that the chef hails from Zahle, Lebanon. To me that is a good thing because I grew up on Lebanese food made by my father whose parents were from, you guessed it, Zahle. I decided to try the Shawarma - the meat Shawarma platter. It was delicious and the flavor really had that home made taste that I was so excited about when I had heard about the Chef. My daughter had the Kibbeh and a Chicken sandwich which was incredibly tasty too. It was a nice lunch and everything definitely hit that spot. Next time I am going to try those Sfihas - I had only noticed them after lunch.
(4)Janice C.
I was very pleased to find not one, but two Mediterranean options right outside my work doorstep (Yafa Cafe is the other one). When I have a chicken schwarma craving -- trust me, it's a thing -- Safier is where I head. The pita wrap option is wrapped up in really good bread with the most addictive garlicky tahini sauce you'll ever encounter. It's more than enough to make a meal on, but I can never resist adding on the lentil soup -- yellow dal scented with cinnamon and savory spices. A word of advice though, if you're in a hurry, call ahead. The line goes out the door and down the street most lunchtimes, and I find it uncomfortably crowded for in-restaurant dining. If you order carryout, you go straight to the head of the line, and they are super quick and the service is always friendly.
(4)Sherri K.
pickles in everything beets on my greek salad - different good falafel sandwich - would have been better without the pickles the grape leaves were decent but too greasy fast friendly service inexpensive Overall, now that I know about the pickles...I would go back, but only request that my order has no pickles.
(3)Jules Wolfers D.
Their dishes, especially with lamb or steak are so delishy- when I could have time to drive down there to grab something for lunch, I did! Although hadn't done that for months, I'll have to go back there soon as possible for their hummus and pitas!
(4)Greg N.
This restaurant is consistently my favorite Mediterranean place in the city. Every time I eat here, I am always pleased. The portions are ample, the prices are low, and the service is efficient. Today I had the beef shawarma sandwich ($4.77 including tax). The meat is so tender and flavorful that I had to eat all of it, including the parts that spilled out onto my plate. Other favorites include the vegetarian platter (great if you like a bit of everything) and the Athenian Chicken (pack a breath mint, they love garlic on this one), however these items both run about 8 bucks. This place is arguably worth the wait, so if the line is out the door, don't go somewhere else.
(5)Emily M.
Great place! Very busy at lunch time so be prepared to wait in line or call in your order. Even if the line is out the door, it moves at a decent pace and is worth the wait. Fabulous hummus. Specials and plates are generous sizes and come with rice, salad, and pita. Tuesdays lunch special is chicken tiki masala and is amazing -- wonderfully seasoned and spicy! Thursdays special is chicken saag and is also delicious. Sandwiches are great and also sizable. Chicken shwarma sandwich is my favorite with the perfect amount if garlic sauce and hummus. Be prepared that the garlic will stick around for a few hours, but totally worth it. Sandwiches are around $5 and most entree plates and lunch specials under $10.
(5)Scott M.
Very Friendly staff! Everything I had was great! Sat outside, really cool little place.
(4)Samantha R.
One of the best restaurants in Louisville. Great food, Great service, nothing fancy about the place. The shish tawook is to die for. Hummus is also delish.
(5)Sam J.
the restaurant has the lowest limits of hygiene...
(1)Laura R.
I wish I lived in Louisville!! I live in the Northern KY/Greater Cincinnati area and we are seriously lacking good ethnic food. I have only eaten at Safier twice, and both times I ordered the Chicken Shawarma sandwich. When I find something I like, I stick with it! It's a huge sandwich filled with tender seasoned chicken and covered in a garlic sauce that really means business. I guarantee you will continue to taste that sauce well into the next day! It all tastes fresh and homemade. If it wasn't an hour and a half away, I would eat here at least once a week!
(5)Christine D.
Safier Deli is such a treat. Multiple vegetarian options are a big plus and this little Mediterranean deli offers up many. The vegetarian platter lets you choose four items for about $8. Choose from grape leaves, hummus, falafel, mutabal, rice, tabouleh, mujadareh, or spinach pie. Everything is fresh and really tasty. The spinach pie here is not a spanakopita with flaky pastry layers but an actual little triangle pie with thick dough. Not a veg? Try the beef or chicken shawarma. Prices are good. Food is good. There's outdoor seating so you can enjoy some sunshine and fresh air!
(4)Shyam S.
My family and I stopped in here recently and just grabbed two Indiana masala teas to go. We love the fact there is a Moroccan/Mediterranean/Muslim restaurant in the heart of Louisville that has such a wonderful ambience and apparently great food (we didn't eat that day, but our friends there tell us it is awesome). I loved the humor from the guy at the counter when he said, "I am Moroccan, but selling you Indian tea!"
(4)Jessica B.
Get the swarma. You won't regret it. Really, you won't regret anything you eat here. I am kind of bias toward this restaurant, though, because the cooks always give me TWO BAKLAVA even when I only order ONE BAKLAVA. How can you not give that 4 stars?
(4)Greg M.
I have had great middle eastern food other places and was pleasantly surprised to find the caliber of the food at Safier as high as it was. The food is fresh and quick for that lunch break rush. Specials daily put it on my weekly must have list.
(4)Rodrigo A.
Great food and great value! The beef shawarma is the best!
(5)Emily R.
This place is no frills and that's ok. The food is pretty good and I'm guessing it's better to order their sandwiches. The plates aren't the best deal, you don't get that much meat and a ton of rice. The hummus was very good and the mujadara. Both what I would expect. The pita was really disappointing. It was thin, cold, and flavorless. The give it to you wrapped up in a little piece of saran. The chicken kabob was good, the meat kabob I thought was bland. I would definitely go back and try a sandwich, but skip the platters.
(3)Olive F.
In town for a conference and wanted some carryout to take back to the hotel. Happy to find Safier was only a few blocks away. I had the shish tawook and it was really good - almost as good as their hummus. The hummus is seriously delicious! The stuffed grape leaves were good too.
(5)Erica R.
This place is about the food. If you are looking for atmosphere, perhaps this isn't for you. It is small and kind of lunch-counter-y. If you are there to eat, excellent. I am in love with the Chicken Shwarma Roll and the Fatoush salad. The food is consistent and good which I would say is a huge compliment. Portion sizes are adequate and it is fairly priced. If you are going around lunchtime, it is best to get there early!
(5)Tess K.
super delicious chicken shawarma and ask for the hot sauce - spicy and good - very nice staff as well
(4)Nimish P.
Great food and great service! It's my favorite mediterrean spot in louisville!
(5)Amanda F.
This is one of the best little eateries on Fourth Street. There is always a line out the door at lunch time during the week, but no matter because the cooks are fast and efficient! You will always have more food than you can eat, which to me means you get your money's worth. Give it a try. Need a suggestion? Athenian Broiled Chicken. Yes sir.
(5)Natalie H.
I love this place! I end up eating here once a week, because the prices are great and the food is REALLY good. I love their hummus, chicken schwarma, and kebabs. It's no wonder they get such a hefty downtown lunch crowd, but they have deliver and carry out if you don't feel like waiting in line between 12-12:30 when it gets crowded. The employees here are really nice and provide great, quick service. I would recommend this place to anyone. I am glad Safier is so close to my work!
(5)Kristen W.
My husband and I went here for dinner last week. I got the falafel sandwich, which was probably the best I've ever had. The tahini sauce was creamy and delicious and the falafel had amazing flavor. The huz had the beef and chicken kebab combo, which came with a small side of hummus and pita. I tried a little of each and it was really good; he cleaned his plate. The garlic sauce is not messing around - it's really garlicky, but in a good way. My only complaint was that my husband's pita on the side was kind of tough and chewy. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Edward R.
Pretty fast Mediterranean food prepared well. The staff is pleasant and talkative. The unassuming decor is simple and the place is clean. Good hours for lunch or dinner if you're in the downtown area. For sure a better choice than some of the restaurants that are on this same street.
(4)Jackie S.
We went to this restaurant based on its proximity to the Brown theatre and the Yelp reviews. Unfortunately, I'm developing a conspiracy theory for why other Yelpers were so full of praise. I'm writing this review to temper your expectations. The atmosphere is no better than eating at a Subway and the food is over-priced considering what you get. I'm not saying that the food wasn't delicious, but I got a plate of re-heated rice and lentils and paid about eight dollars. The flat bread that came with the meal was definitely not freshly baked as it came wrapped in plastic and had the texture of a stale potato chip. To continue my babbling, I've made baklava many times myself, so I know exactly how much work goes into it, but $1.50 for a one inch square bite is outrageous. So many other Yelpers said that this was the best Mediterranean restaurant in Louisville that you have to think, maybe you're barking up the wrong tree looking for Middle Eastern food in Middle America.
(3)Shana K.
I made my first visit to Safier's tonight and was largely impressed. My Athenian Broiled Chicken came with a salad, pita bread, and basami rice. The house dressing on the salad had a perfect acidity. I would buy their dressing by the bottle if I could. The Athenian chicken had an amazingly complex flavor profile. It is the type of dish that you feel compelled to take bite after bite of in order to try to decode the many layers of beautifully woven spices. The chicken was moist and perfectly cooked. The rice felt delicate and held its own complex flavor profile. Even the pita bread, which could easily have been a throw away item, was soft and chewy. However, my order of Balkava was terribly disappointing. When I bit into Safier's baklava all I could taste was sweetened filo. I actually had to peel the filo off in order to find the ground nuts. Perhaps the layer of nuts was just spread too thin when they made this batch. I also couldn't pick up even the slightest undercurrents of cloves or cinnamon. With that said, if they can fix their Baklava I'll surely bump them up to five stars.
(4)Shal V.
This place is close to my office so I go here at least once a week. We went here for lunch yesterday and enjoyed the dining experience. The hummus and falafel were yummy, the beef shish kebab was divine, the chicken shawarma sandwich was good but not great, the baklava was very good and the service was excellent! They also have some Indian-style dishes which are good. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good Middle Eastern food.
(4)Jeff B.
I'm spoiled because this place is so close to my house; I seriously eat here at least twice a week. Some have noted that the food here is not the most 'authentic' Arabic food, but that misses the point. The food is Lebanese-influenced, but the owner is Indian (and the lunch specials are often Indian as well). Suffice to say, you will not find a better, quicker, middle-east-style meal in Louisville for the price. The restaurant is always packed at lunch time with a variety of customers, and the price point and friendly service are a big part of it. But the food is still excellent, IMHO.
(5)Imran Q.
They catered their rockn' biryani for a party of mine. It was the highlight of the party. And so far all their items I've tried (except the lentil soup ... gross) are awesome. The dude behind the counter is super friendly. Its in a nice part of town. It's great to sit out side and eat during a nice sunny afternoon.
(5)Adrianna S.
Although not many peoples' favorites, I really like Pita Inn in Wheeling (or Niles, whichever one works...) It is a taste I try to repeat everytime I have a craving for falafel, hummus and pita bread, although I have yet to find something that is the same...so, before we even begin, understand that that poor Safier was was fighting a losing battle...once again, traveling, and I really wanted a falafel sanchwich and some hummus...as I walked from the office I was working in for that week, I saw Safier, and saw it had gotten several good reviews, so I went in. I got the falafel sandwich and a side of hummus and pita bread. I took it to go, and walkted back to my hotel. Once I got there, I noticed that they had packaged the hummus in a small styrafome container, and didn't tape it up in any way, so half of it had fallen out, into the plastic bag...ew #1. Also, the pita bread was nothing like I had ever had...it was thin and crispy. I wasn't a big fan of the sauce in the sandwich, either.... Now, maybe it could have been better if I had eaten there, and not 30 minutes later...and maybe it was just that I was expecting something closer to the Pita Inn I know and love. I gave it 3 stars because it may not necessarily be bad, but just too different from my expectation...however, they do need some better take out containers...
(3)Jan H.
Safier's chicken schwarma is my favorite. Bought four dinners this week for company. So good! So easy! I wish it were closer. I'd go more often. Casual walk up to the counter and order place. Fast and inexpensive.
(5)Diane K.
I'm lucky enough to work a block away and typically get over there at least once a week. They have the best hummus in town, very creamy. Their vegetable paradise sandwich is incredible, as is nearly everything I've tried on the menu (and I've tried nearly everything on the menu!)
(5)