Cafe Beirut
654 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
Cafe Beirut Menu
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Address :
654 Centre St
Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130 - Phone (617) 522-7264
- Website https://cafebeirutjp.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- 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 : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Lesley W.
I wish I'd had an opportunity to taste the Lebanese delights at this place. Unfortunately, though, the chef there was handling cooked food with his bare hands. When I mentioned it to him, he said "don't worry, these are sanitized hands". I reminded him that it was the LAW that he wear gloves to handle food. He said "next time you come, remind me and I'll put them in for you".......like there'll be a next time. I cancelled my order and got a refund!
(1)Cassandra B.
I stopped in, expecting just the usual hummus and falafel but was pleasantly surprised with the menu. I had a hard time deciding what to get since the menu looked so incredible but I went with a side of the fried okra (yum) and the pumpkin kibby wrap, which had pumpkin, pickles, tahini, lettuce, spicy sauce, and some other delicious randomness. The sandwich was really great - it came in a pita and I think it was grilled. I also tried my friend's fried cauliflower sandwich, which was VERY good. The only thing I didn't like was the rosewater lemonade, as it was hyper sweet and had an artificial tinge to it.
(4)Espresso T.
The food is sub par and it is pricey considering I paid close to $9 for a plate that had just two falafels, some hummus, two grape leaves, and a small amount of salad (the pita that came with it was nothing special). The box was so light when I walked out with it that I already had bad feelings about it. Te falafels were also way too salty...about 2x the amount of salt you would normally expect. I don't know what difference the "under new mgmt" is making to this place, but I do know that it is not making it a place I want to return to unfortunately.
(2)here t.
I really should have sent the chicken back, as it clearly was sliced off the rotating spit after it had been sitting on it for hours. Dry, no flavor- dead as a doornail. They really should have caught this.. no excuse for that. The lamb was, well, this is a style I have encountered before. It's on the gummy side and has a flavor more like beef or something other than a good gamey lamb taste (that is , in a good way). I believe it may be from too-long a marinade which turns the meat to mush. but I could be wrong there...its just not right in the "mouthfeel" dept as well as flavor The best thing here was the very fresh side dishes and salad ingredients. Nicely prepared and presented....crisp, flavorful etc. Plastic / foam and the like for dinnerware. Oh well. Its probably worth another try/return trip and good to support the local businesses.
(2)Blaise F.
New ownership transformed this place. Really good food, friendly staff. I ordered the beef kebab platter and was pleasantly surprised by the fixings that come with it: grilled tomatoes and onions, multiple pickled vegetables, this cool oniony salad if some kind... really good stuff.
(4)Steph L.
This is my go to place for delivery and takeout. Their food is flavorful and reasonably priced. I usually order the fried okra pita, hummus, and the fattoush salad. They have a lot of vegan options and are always really friendly.
(5)Sabrina G.
So far, this is my favorite restaurant in JP. It's nice to see the friendly "Vegan Options" sticker in the window as you walk in. The decor is no big deal and has the look of your average sub shop. The excitement lies in the food. My usual order is the #41 Veggie Platter. You can choose 3 out of about 10 veggie options. I tend to go for good old Baba Ghanoush, with Pumpkin Kibby & Moujadara. To drink, a lemon-flavored sparkling water from the cooler. Don't forget dessert. Take a couple to go from the glass case at the counter. Delicious. Side note: I'm withholding one star because the owner/guy who is always behind the counter let go of the (heavy) door & let it close on me as I was walking in after looking right at me. Other than that he always seems pretty friendly and, as others have commented, patient. I guess you can't have it all. It's still my favorite place. *Thanks Sami, it's all good, haha!
(4)Brian S.
I used to have to bum a ride to Coolidge Corner to go to Shawarma King II in order to get good shawarma hummus. But thanks to Cafe Beruit, I no longer have to. The food here is really good. Tasty meat, excellent sauces, some-of-the-best hummus ever and really good pita bread. Plus, you can get french fries put in your shawarma roll-up. If only they were open late -- or had a street cart -- for after the bars let out. Perfect drunk after-hours food. The staff is super nice and welcoming. And I swear I recognize one of the guys in the kitchen from Shawarma King. I've eaten here twice now. It was fantastic the first time, and even better the second time. Get your shawarma roll-up spicy with hummus. Oh, and I recommend dipping your fries in the hummus. Better than ketchup. Plus, they deliver. Schwing!
(4)Tori L.
I was really impressed with this place. I had the pumpkin vegan sandwich with added hummus on the owner's recommendation and it was really great. The wrap was perfectly crisped and the spices were well balanced. Listen to the man behind the counter and get your meal prepared as he would have it for himself.
(5)Kyle S.
I've lived in JP for about 4 years now and one day I was walking past Same Old Place (which rarely happens) and I noticed a text crammed, lavender sign that seemed to mention something about Lebanese food. "Is this place even open?" I asked myself, trying to see inside past the thick curtains... maybe I'll check it out sometime. Years later I'm walking by again and WHOA, major remodel! Time to finally see what's going on here. After major disappointment with the change of management at Boston Shawarma (just doesn't taste the same) I hadn't enjoyed a good Lebanese styled meal in much too long. Of course the best way to judge the quality of a place that offers so much variety is to order their most simple item, so I ordered the Beef Shawarma: YES! Jam-packed with well prepared meat, delicious creamy hummus, veggies, spicy mouth-watering sauce, wrapped up in a lightly toasted pita that manages to hold it all in without causing symptoms of TMJ. Washed down with some Vimto- a uniquely flavored soda (bubble gum?). With food that good it doesn't seem to matter, but the guys working there were very friendly and happy to describe any of the lesser known items: LAMB BRAINS! mmmm.
(5)Kirs P.
This is my new favorite place. I've been three times in the last week. Partly because it's right by the pond where I've taken to running several days a week, but mostly because it's freakin' awesome and seriously tasty. First- the gentleman behind the counter is lovely. And patient. Especially when you've never been in there before and are a wee bit overwhelmed by the vast menu choices. He's one chill dude. Second - I've recently started eating more meat (dating a chef for awhile will do that to ya) and it turns out I've a mad love affair with lamb. I get cravings for Beirut's lamb schwarma. Get it with the hot sauce. It's amazing. That perfect level of spice combined with the gamey sweetness of lamb is a tiny bit of heaven. Other menu highlights thus far: fried okra; baba ghanoush; moujadara; and falafel. Okay, that's everything I've tried. Everything is delicious. Finally - LAMB BRAINS. I will eat these. And report back. It will be an adventure.
(5)Had H.
Finally!! I came here a few times when the place was called Samis Wrap and Roll. I was truly disappointed. I can officially rave to others about the delicious food that's coming out of Cafe Beirut. Ever been to Shawirma King? Well the guy cooking up this delicious food is one of the brothers from Shawirma King who came in and partnered up with Sami's son. The menu is completely new and different. The quality is high and fresh. If you care, the meat is all halal, which means nothing comes frozen and everything is fresh. This week I went there 3 times for dinner! I've tried the hummus, kifta wrap and plate, tabbouleh, chicken Shawirma, lamb Shawirma plate, stuffed grape leaves, and some of their daily specials (not within 3 days but over the past 2 weeks!) They have a rotating menu of daily specials and if anything I wish because list their daily specials on their website because I've been waiting for the mlukhiya!! From someone from middle eastern descent.. I know what good middle eastern food is and this is one of them. They serve food that can be eaten at a fine dining restaurant, but with cheaper prices. Try it out and you won't be sorry!
(5)Ali A.
I love this place! The food is awesome and the prices are equally as awesome. I try to eat here as much as possible. I was sad at first to see a new sign replacing Sami's, but happy to learn it was reopened by his son (who is extremely nice) with a bigger focus on authentic lebanese food. I have a bit of an addiction to their falafel sandwich, I love how they slightly grill or toast the pita. It's really perfect. The downside of this addiction is that I keep opting for it over the other things on their menu that sound equally as amazing. I am highly intrigued by the pumpkin kibby, and after reading through these reviews i'll probably order one if I can finally tear myself away from the falafel in the name of trying new things. I highly appreciate the huge vegetarian selection.
(5)Katie H.
I used to frequent the old Sami's for the breakfast mostly, however now entering Cafe Beirut, the interior is roughly the same but everything has changed on the menu. Speaking with Sami, it seems like everything has really kicked up a notch, and to my surprise, the food prices have not changed! They make an effort to make everything homemade, they're 100% halal, and they're sticking to authentic Lebanese food. There is a distinct pride coming from Sami - as he should be, since the food is tastier and there is a great direction to the menu. I really don't think you could order wrong. Sadly I've lost my breakfast spot, but only to gain this wonderful authentic eatery.
(5)Gigi L.
This amazing place is somehow completely disguised, last week after grabbing a few pizza slices in the Same Old Place we saw it for the 1st time, we couldn't believe we had passed about a hundred times in front of this place without even noticing it! So, today my husband and I tried it out, we ordered the chicken kebob, lamb sandwich, tabouleh salad and the baba ganoush. Everything was super fresh and delicious, we still have almost half of it for tomorrow's lunch and we cannot wait to try out other stuff like the lamb brains (we chickened out in the last second), hummus, falafels and the huge selection of veggie sandwiches. Check them out at restaurant.com for an extra discount!
(5)Brian G.
Like most of the restaurants we have tried in Boston so far, this one was chosen semi-randomly. The sign above the door says "Under new management" and so far those new people seem to be doing a good job. I've never eaten Lebanese food before, and the restaurant touts "authentic Lebanese" food. It has a lot of names I recognize (shwarma, baba ganoush, etc) but have never tried. I decided to remedy that. The menu is large and a little overwhelming if you don't know what you want. There are a lot of choices! The first time we went we shared a Lamb Kebab platter with rice pilaf. I've had rice pilaf before, but there's was by far the best. Super moist and delicious. The lamb came in little chunks on the rice (maybe I don't understand what a kebab is?) and was also delicious. It also came with pita bread, pickles, and some cucumber tomato salad thing--a lot of food. The second time we went I ordered my own plate of chicken and beef shwarma. It again came with all the rice and pita, etc. The shwarma wasn't as good as the lamb, a little dry, but it was still pretty good. Especially mixed in with the rice. At the end of the first meal we tried the baklava fingers, and they were awesome. Perfect size to just pick up and eat. The second time we tried just the regular baklava, and it was much harder to eat. I suggest sticking with the fingers. They're cheaper too. The service is always very good and the people are attentive. Unfortunately you only get a tiny glass of water and they never venture out to ask if you want more, you just have to go up to the counter to ask and they'll give you more. But I'm a person who drinks a lot of water with their meal and that kind of irks me. But that's pretty much the biggest downside. I'll totally eat here again, which is good because my girlfriend also loves it and will make me go again whether I like it or not.
(5)Andrew M.
Any place that has fancy fruit-based drinks is well on its way to earning an extra star from me, and I really liked the jallab at Cafe Beirut - the rosewater and almond flavors are almost overwhelming. The pumpkin kibby was delicious, as well; I thought their pita was a little bit dry and bland, though.
(4)Amin S.
My friend had one of their vegan specials and I had the lamb and kafta special. Both of these dishes were by the waiter. If it wasn't for the salt and pepper on the table, our meals would have been completely flavorless. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else. I bet the "under new ownership" banner hanging outside has something to do with the poor quality of food.
(1)N G.
I don't review many places, but Cafe Beirut is an absolute gem that I thought I'd share! We went on Saturday night and had the best Middle Eastern/Lebanese food in Boston - by far! We ordered the shawarma platter and the vegeterian combo platter, along with Baba Ghanoush with lamb as a starter. Everything was cooked to perfection, and tasted even better. It was a lot of food and turned into lunch the next day. The desserts we got (baklavas) were good but not great. For the price, this place is a real keeper and definitely going into our regular rotation.
(5)Jonathan F.
Great Lebanese food. I grew up eating wonderful meals cooked by my Lebanese grandmother and this food is as close to homemade as it gets! Updated menu since they changed names has some real gems. This is THE place to go for Lebanese cuisine.
(5)Julia N.
The first thing that I noticed upon entering Café Beirut (whose outdoor signage blends in with its surroundings a bit too much for attention) is that they have an Arabic menu. It doesn't logically follow that their food is more 'authentic' because of that, but I do like the fact that they don't assume that all their customers will be hipster-English speakers ready-and-willing to try the latest and greatest. Everyone's shared the new owner's name, though I didn't catch it (beyond him handing me my food), but I can say that everyone at the front counter is patient and pleasant. Going to go ahead and toss this out there, but I prefer Lebanese/Egyptian/Moroccan food much more than Indian food. If I can get either of the three, I will opt for that. Curry is okay, but seriously? Not the best flavor in the world. Large portions, cheap price, variability, halal and vegan friendly, baba'g is always the bomb, etc. I'll stop by here more frequently now that I know they exist. Interior space is limited, but they didn't overflow around 1PM, so that's a good sign if you wanted to catch something to eat on Ctr St. Tabouli wrap is amazing! That Lebanese place I had around MIT is about as good as this location (but obviously closer). No need to go to downtown Boston 'cept for school in JP. Meal on the next visit: Fool moudammas (fava beans+chickpeas+mm mm good). Nsha'Allah.
(5)Joe B.
As a long time patron of Shawarama King, I'm really pleased that Cafe Beirut occupies Jamaica Plain. Previously 'Sami's' (which I found a colossal failure), a former Shawarama King chef now anchors the kitchen. I routinely order the Kafta kebab and the chicken kebab (I take them home and put them on top a of a salad). I also enjoy the shawarama sandwich (beef-lamb, not chicken) with extra hot sauce. I LOVE the garlic spread. If you like very intense garlic flavor, you will too. Reasonably priced.
(4)Howe L.
Pretty awesome lebanese food..in a neighborhood I would least expect. Meats, stews, sandwiches...all great stuff.
(4)Liz S.
Chicken schwarma was dry and tasted like industrial lye. Tzatziki sauce was thin and watery. Took more than half an hour to get my food - it was crowded on a Friday night, sure, but half the place was full of people sitting at their tables playing on their phones waiting for food. Two stars because the jerusalem salad was edible, they take Level Up, and the fries would have been okay if they had been hot.
(2)D K.
Delicious middle eastern food. We usually get vegetarian stuff like the plate (often on the specials board) of both okra and eggplant stews, plus an appetizer combo plate. The most amazing thing is the fried cauliflower - it will blow your mind. I gave a three-star review before but that was because yelp had it listed under a misspelled name.
(5)Mon R.
Chicken kebab rollup? Yes please!! This place is more traditional in their offerings, less Americanized than other places. That can be good for a number of reasons. I appreciated the huge chunks of chicken in my rollup, and with a side of fries it was the perfect lunch time meal.
(4)Blakely S.
I was really excited to find this place tonight - there aren't enough vegan options in the Dorchester / JP area (Dot restaurants please take note!). So probably 1/3 of the menu (18 main dishes plus some soups, salads, and sides) is vegan and all vegan items are labelled with a V. The menu contains many of the typical Middle Eastern Restaurant dishes but also includes several items I've never seen before. My boyfriend and I tried the Batata Harra Roll-Up, Cauliflower Roll-up, Fool Moudammas, and Spinach Pie. The Fool was excellent! I could see myself ordering that every time I come here. The Roll-Ups were both very good but the Spinach Pie was just so-so. The Spinach Pie is the only thing I wouldn't order a second time. I can't wait to come back here again sometime soon.
(4)Tom N.
While the food is pretty good here, the portion size will likely leave you rather hungry. I took my son and his girlfriend for some takeout and Cafe Beirut gets $8.00 for a sandwich that you could eat in four bites. My appetite is not what it used to be (part of the aging process!), but I had to get a second dinner for us after we finished eating here. Final verdict (for me): overpriced, small portions, OK food. For what I paid here I could've gotten take out at Food Wall up the street and be eating delicious Chinese food for three days.
(2)Asbel N.
I live about two miles from Cafe Beirut and it has become one of my safe havens when I want a quick meal at a fair price. I usually get the shwarma roll-ups and add feta cheese. The beef and lamb are always tender and tasty. The chicken is just as good. The food is always fresh which is one of the reasons why it has become one of my "go-to" spots. The employees will always tailor your order at request which is always appreciated. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Josh W.
Love this place
(4)Kish K.
The menu is amazing...TONS of vegan stuff (and the dudes know what "vegan" means so that helps) but also tons of wild meat stuff (like lamb brains?). They are really conscientious and know what's in everything. I had the "special" plate when I went for take-out, and even though I'm a giant pig, I could not finish it - such generous portions! The rice and salad were solid (salty, but that's how I like it), and the stews that accompanied that were delicious and rich. Wish I could remember what exactly was in each of those, but I can't...definitely eggplant. Maybe things are a little pricier than I thought they would be, but the deliciousness is worth it. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Husain K.
This is a solid option for Lebanese in boston. The food is consistent and cooked well. I found it to be a little bland for my taste buds as I like a little more flavor or kick. The service is great and friendly. Its nice seeing all the authentic items on the menu. Parking is fairly easy and there is enough seats inside to have a larger group.
(3)J K.
I really enjoy Cafe Beirut. I think that after the Avengers, Chicken Shawarma became wicked popular, so I wouldn't be surprised if suddenly everyone loved Chicken Shawarma. I have to say, though, that I really love their Shawarma and all other things - even the free pita is awesome.
(4)Blake W.
I tried really hard to like this place. We walked in craving some Lebanese food, and we got what tasted like Lebanese food made from canned ingredients. It's unfortunate. To be more specific, I had the chicken shawarma which wasn't bad, it just wasn't delicious like a normal shawarma. My wife had the baked lamb special, which was ok. I would recommend avoiding anything with spinach or grape leaves because these tasted like they were just pulled out of a can and used with filling. The best thing that we tried was the Jallab, which is a delicious drink of dates, pomegranates and rose water. I would definitely recommend checking that out.
(2)Liz C.
I have a thing for pumpkin kibbe, and Cafe Beirut does not disappoint. In fact, the pumpkin kibbe sandwich I had today was some of the best I've ever had -- super moist, pumpkin flavor shining through, with the recognizable crunch of walnuts. Altogether, with liberal amounts of the delicious hot sauce, tahini, pickles, veggies, and beautifully toasted pita, I was in pumpkin kibbe heaven!
(4)alicia c.
Great Mediterranean food! I work in production and have a crew of about 30 people. Each day we're in a different neighborhood shooting our subject, and I try my best to keep everyone's tummies happy. Today everyone was loving it. No one complained and I think everyone went up for seconds. The gentleman who took my order over the phone, worked with me to keep things within my budget of about $13 a person. I'm always worried there's not going to be enough food so when I go somewhere thats so willing to work within a budget and there still be a ton of leftovers, that's a spot I know I'll order from again. Our spread consists of hummus, taboulhi, cucumber and tomato salad, rice pilaf, falafel, chicken shwarma, and beef kebab - every single piece being mouthwatering and delicious. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lunch spot in JP or someone in production looking to feed a hungry crew. Fresh ingredients and a great presentation - you really can't go wrong for any type of event!
(5)Colin O.
This place is great! I stop by whenever I'm nearby, but more frequently than not have it delivered to my home. From shwarma to falafel to jallab, this place has your lebanese cravings on lock. They have daily specials that are always top notch, and the servers are always very helpful with more exotic recommendations. Great place!
(5)Mindy L.
Just came here once after the management changed. The food was distinctively better - fresh and full of flavor. I got the Soujok sandwich - spicy and packed with goodness. Love. My partner got one of the meat platters - gigantic and also yummy, though I liked mine better. The interior looks about the same as before - OK but not super inviting, otherwise I'd give it another star. Maybe I'll upgrade anyway though if they're consistently as good as this when I come back. I also love that they sell guava nectar! Nobody else has that!
(4)Rhea B.
I've had just two dishes here, but both were very good. I want to try more and then perhaps rate it higher. I've been thinking that this place ought to be a sit-down rather than primarily takeout. They should redo the 'dining room' and make it real restaurant. I think it could do well.
(3)Tim F.
I've been to Cafe Beirut twice for lunch in the past few months, since the new ownership has taken over, and it is a favorite. Not an elegant dinner venue, but a local place offering real food made well with pride. The felafels and hummus are terrific, but what really sets this place apart is the baba ganoush! The eggplant is smoked, not just grilled, and the flavor is FANTASTIC! In addition, the little touches are done well and with care, making all the difference. The pita is thin and fresh, the pickled vegetables add great texture and a little " bite" to the salad, and the hot sauce is thick and a little smoky. All in all, a great spot for an authentic, tasty and healthy meal. I'll be back whenever I'm near JP.
(5)Rodney A.
this place is awesome! I used to drive to Falafel King in Brookline to get my treat of tasty Lebanese food but no longer! This place is just as good, if not better and it is right in my hood!
(4)Leslie C.
This place is seriously yummy! I went in for take-out after reading the review on Boston.com and I will be back again - a lot! I ordered the Halloumi Sandwich to eat right away and it was excellent - the pita was appropriately crispy and the ingredients were fresh and tasty. It will be hard not to order this every time. I also got side orders of the pumpkin kibby with hot sauce, the moujadara, the hommous, and the baba ghanoosh to eat later. All were excellent especially the baba ghanoosh which is truly the best I've ever eaten. I'm already planning my next trip!!
(5)Twain S.
I get the beef/lamp shawarma rollup, and the SO gets the Cauliflower rollup. Same thing every time. Just love it. Wish I could eat there every night. One of the chiefs is from Shawarma King, which is why it is so good.
(5)Nicole M.
i think 3.5 stars. it's clean and the quality is good. i really want to like it. food is ok but it's not DETROIT good. i think i am forever spoiled by lebanese food in detroit. anyway, can't put my finger on it - maybe their meats are too lean and the spices are different. i want the garlic to be more assertive and the cumin? tahini? cinnamon? (not sure) to be less upfront. i want more sumac and lemon flavor with the garlic flavor. also, can somebody in boston get the garlic toum sauce right, please? the rice does not seem to be the good oily basmati either. all in all, it's fine, i will be back - i'm just super picky about lebanese. i think al-wadi gets lebanese flavors a little closer to what i prefer but their garlic sauce has turned into mayo recently. le sigh...
(4)Jamil S.
Yes! A delicious and vast menu that makes me want to come back every day to try everything! The food I've had so far has all been top notch (most of the sandwiches, several of the special dinners, several side dishes) and is definitely authentic. Presentation is simple, but elegant. They could certainly serve this same food on fancy china and charge double, but I'm glad they don't. I look forward to coming back again and again.
(5)Cathleen C.
great food, great lemonade, nice owner and nice to be able to get a halal meal in JP!
(5)Jeffrey H.
Unreal. Kafta wrap with hommus, unbelievably fresh, flavorful, and amazing homemade hot sauce. Extremely nice and helpful staff. My new favorite spot in JP.
(5)Kristine A.
I have heard about this place from my veg*n friends but hadn't gone, so finally did. I wasn't impressed by it though. The wait for food was awful & of course when you're hungry that's the worst. I guess too many other people had ordered right before me but it took over 20 minutes for a simple wrap. It was mighty tasty, but it certainly wasn't enough. I feel like it needed to have more stuff in it or getting the plate option would be better.
(3)A W.
Delicious food! Truly incredible quality. Unfortunately, inconsistent portion sizes. I just ordered a meal I've gotten countless times, but the size ranges so drastically. Tonight's was about HALF the size of what it should be.
(4)R M.
Love it! When I lived in JP I would get delivery all the time. PLEASE consider delivering to Roslindale! Its a food delivery desert out here!!
(5)Ayad S.
The worst arabic food i have ever had since my air plane landed in USA, am from Syria and i know how Lebanese and Syrian food taste, that's taste like nothing like food at all, it taste like salt, am sure this guy spend just for salt more than he spend for the actual food, meat is hard and like you eating plastic, food is salted like hell, even the mayo full of salt, never comes here again, highly unrecommended resturant, dunkin donuts egg and cheese will be worth more than this food.
(1)Hannah S.
It was hot and stuffy and a bit crowded, but it was delicious. I ordered my first baba ganoush ever from there and I was definitely not disappointed! My friend got these yummy looking lamb dishes that came with a gazillion things on top, as well as yogurt dip. My other friend got this rose berry tea that was surprisingly refreshing!
(4)Mark S.
The food here is quite delicious if a bit hastily prepared. I think I got chicken shawarma, which I liked. And it's probably pretty hard to find a bad dish. But I give 2 stars because the service is slowwwww. I ordered during JP's Porchfest so the place was packed. I ordered earlier than my friends in a large group and it took about a half an hour; about five people who ordered after me were given priority and got their food first. And my friends who ordered after me had to wait even longer- it must have been at least 45 minutes for them even after the staff were reminded multiple times. Unacceptable for a takeout-style place. But maybe I'll go back if it's 11 AM on a Tuesday and I'm the only customer in the place.
(2)Laura S.
I've ordered from Cafe Beirut 4 times since I moved to JP in October. I absolutely love their food and highly recommend this place to anyone that lives in JP (they also deliver) and needs a good go-to takeout place. All of the food is authentic, fresh and delicious. The owner is often behind the counter and he's very nice. I always like dish-specific recommendations, so here's what I've ordered and LOVED! - The best hot sauce! It is very hot so if you don't want it too spicy ask for it on the side or light on the sandwich/plate. Next time I go I'm just going to buy a container of it. - Lamb kofta kebab roll up with hot sauce (my favorite) - So flavorful and delicious. The sauces mix together in a delicious way without being greasy - Soujok roll up was spiced and tasty - baked stuffed kibby - I liked the nuts in this dish but prefer the kofta - Chicken shawarma platter - garlic spread is amazing and you can combine the meat with the other elements on the plate in different ways - Tabbouleh - fresh and healthy - Beirut salad - refreshing with a great tang I am looking forward to trying their vegetarian options when I get out of this meat eating craze I've been in lately. I'll probably be back this weekend. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the moujadara, but I know it's hard to keep those onions crispy and I had just made Ottolenghi's version, which held the bar high. Overall, this is a great place for a quick bite or takeout any day of the week. They are polite, quick and most importantly, make delicious food. I'm a fan!
(5)RF N.
$15 for a cold drink, and an "eggplant and chickpea stew with tomato sauce" that was mostly rice, chickpeas, tasteless tomato sauce (where were the lovely spices I'm used to in this dish), and a miniscule amount of tiny pieces of eggplant? I've had and loved this dish at many other Lebanese restaurants. Never again!! What a rip-off! What a disappointment!
(1)Erin F.
Overpriced for what you get. They serve the food on styrofoam plates and bowls which I didn't like. Some of the food was good but other dishes were bland. I didn't like the garlic sauce or hummus. Lentil soup and Jallab was good. You order the food at the counter and it's put on a tray and then you clean up your tray at the end, which I don't mind but the prices (and suggested tip) are suggestive of a restaurant experience which is not the case here. I've had far better Lebanese food for much less. Also, the guy behind the counter isn't super friendly or welcoming. It felt like he was doing me a huge favor by taking my order. I wouldn't mind if the food was really good but it wasn't. Overall, just not a very good dining experience.
(3)Matthew A.
What a waste of time this place is. The menu is varied, but the food is mediocre and the service unquestionably lacking. I have been to Cafe Beirut twice, and both times I experienced the same thing: 15 minute wait time for a lukewarm shawarma roll when I was THE ONLY PERSON in line. I've had enough, and I'd suggest you find something else if you're in JP and looking for food.
(2)Jason A.
I love local businesses, and would wholeheartedly support an independent business rather than a big chain corporation. Sadly, the inconsistencies at Cafe Beirut really make it difficult to make it a 5, or even a 4 star restaurant. I purchased a LivingSocial ($10 for $20) for Cafe Beirut. We ended up getting a vegetable combo plate, and a falafel plate for $25-ish. Certainly not a bad value. In terms of food specifically, the majority of the items were appetizing, with the exception of the falafel. WTF? How does this place not know how to make a good falafel? It tasted like someone emptied a whole saltshaker in it. Yuck. So if the restaurant provided reasonable value, and decent food (minus the star player on one of the dishes), then why the 3 star rating? The brutal service. Brutal is the best way to describe it. The girl working behind the till acted like she would rather be getting a root canal from a drunk college frat boy, than to be serving anyone that day. How this happens in a service industry is beyond me, and the reason why I will not be returning to Cafe Beirut. You can get comparable food in Boston with less of a feel like I am imposing on her time.
(3)Katie C.
Judging from the no frills appearance and typical shawarma places, we came in expecting a quick, cheap lunch. Instead, we got really delicious, quality food - but at a higher price tag than anticipated. Maybe if they marketed themselves differently, or just redecorated the interior, I wouldn't have been so surprised, and thus upset, by the price. Because the food is definitely good and you do get what you pay for. My bf's shawarma roll up sandwich was the best I've ever had. It was perfectly crunchy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. My side of hummus came with generous portions of pita and creamy hummus topped with shawarma, nuts and onions. Tasty overall, but I much preferred stealing bites of my bf's sandwich. Our friend ordered one of the plates, which came with chicken and beef-lamb shawarma, some kind of cucumber tomato salad, and a few sauces. While it looked delicious, I don't think I would have shelled out close to $20 for a plate like that. Definitely 5 stars for the food. But -1 star for the unexpected price and the service which I felt could have been friendlier.
(4)Nick P.
My wife and I were living in JP for three years before we tried this place, and our regret is we didn't go in sooner. Best middle eastern food I've had in Boston and the management / owners are incredible people. We always do take out, and I highly recommend the cauliflower wrap, falafel wrap and the baba ganoush. Great price, great service, great food.
(5)Lady D.
I had a plate of shawarma and it was not great. The place is centrally located and so it makes a stop easy if you're in the neighborhood, but I am not a fan.
(3)Meenakshi B.
Absolutely loved Cafe Beirut! Saw it when were passing by on a night run to FoMu for some dessert. Came home and looked up the menu to see their vegetarian and vegan offerings. Also found them on Restaurant.com and got certificates through there to use at the restaurant. They have a TON of vegan options, which was nice to see, including one of the dessert items (YUM!). Service was quick and the staff were friendly. We got a rosewater lemonade, jalaab, spinach pie, zaatar bread, fried eggplant roll-up sandwich and the spicy potato roll-up sandwich. Both beverages - the rosewater lemonade and the jalaab were refreshing. The jalaab was definitely sweeter and had a unique flavor while the rosewater lemonade had a tangy flavor. The spinach pie and zaatar bread were great, with a little sour/tangy twinge I'm guessing because of the Sumac.Loved the outside of the spinach pie. The rolls were delicious. We got them with hot sauce and they were definitely spicy. Both rolls were different and very tasty. Will definitely go back to try their other rolls and some of their platters. They also have a punch card for the roll-up sandwiches where if you buy 10 rolls you get the 11th one free. They let me use my Restaurant.com certificate and get a roll-up card for the rolls I bought. Excellent choice and we will definitely go back! Highly recommend for anyone who is looking for good vegan/vegetarian options beyond the regular falafel, hummus and baba ganoush, where prices are also reasonable.
(5)Gene L.
Got the chicken shawarma wrap, and while it's true that it's the only place nearby, it is not the best one I've ever had nor the most affordable. The place is priced more like a mid range place. Even if the ingredients are fresh, the pickled vegetable flavor overwhelms anything of the chicken in the wrap.
(4)Patrick F.
The food was nothing to write home about, but the wait sure was. The place wasn't full and it took forever as our meal came out one item at a time. Maybe I'm unlucky because one of my best friends is Lebanese but I didn't feel it really hit on authentic at all. We tried the falafel, lamb kabob, and zataar pizza and only the zataar was really great, everything else was just decent enough.
(3)E R.
Really pleasantly surprised by the complexity of flavor and quality of the food. I've been twice before, once in the earlier incarnation and once after the Cafe Beirut transformation, and I think they're hitting their stride! Had a special eggplant and chickpea dish that was delightful. The hummus, grape leaves, rice, falafel, and pita that I tried were also tasty. And friendly counter order taker to boot! Nice job!
(4)Yolanda B.
Great food. Great environment. A interesting and delicious choice! My boyfriend loves the lamb brain sandwich. I love their fries.
(5)Safinah B.
Holy shit I loved this place. My friend and I came today and we haven't been been to Jamaica Plain in so long so we forgot that there were so many good places like Beirut around. We both got the falafel rollup (mine spicy) and we both literally finished in less than 10 minutes. Sooooo good. Their baklava fingers=TO DIE FOR. So worth it. Cashier was great as well. Loved it and will be returning soon.
(5)Alexa R.
I've never tried Lebanese food before, so I can't say how it compares to other places, but I would definitely go here again. Lots of Vegan options and a staff that is usually helpful and friendly. (Actually, it was the multitude of Vegan options that made me want to try the restaurant in the first place. Area restaurants should take note.) The menu is so clearly marked as to what's Vegan and Gluten Free and also provides definitions in case you don't know what Fool Moudammas is. The prices are very reasonable as well. I've been here 3 times; twice with the Boston Metro-South Vegans ( facebook.com/groups/Bost… ) and the staff are always accommodating. Sometimes we've had to move tables and chairs around to get the group to sit together and that's never been an issue with them. Also, they accept LevelUp so sometimes your purchases lead to rewards. Yay!
(4)Vincent G.
I guess if you care about decor, table service and perhaps the speed of the food preparation this place would get a 3 or 4 from me, and I know delivery is expensive; but the food alone needs a 6th star in my opinion. This has become my goto spot in JP. Note: it's particularly good for vegetarians and non-Dairy folks! The food is always so fresh and delicious, and the flavors are extraordinary. I usually get the hummus and often the olives. The lentil soup was unlike any I've had elsewhere but so tasty. The lamb grape leaves are my favorite now... the grilled half chicken platter was my first dish there and I still love it. My gf is a vegetarian and loves all of the eggplant dishes and the pumpkin kibby sandwich. The spinach and meat pies are also excellent. I have not had one thing here that I didn't love though. Pretty much everything (without the yogurt) is dairy-free, except the baklava sadly.
(5)Ivy P.
My husband and I go here about two times a month. Delicious, delicious food. Just delicious. Tasty dishes, tender meats, absolutely amazing wraps- best I have tried in Boston! Ask for the spicy sauce... my mouth is watering. The platters all taste like whole foods. I try to order something different each time and always hit the jackpot. This is why I have concluded that everything they have is just really good. Fries as a side dish is pretty standard but delicious anyway, thick, salty, and always hot. Everything is so satisfying and will never make you feel sick even after stuffing yourself with more food than you should be consuming.
(5)Derek M.
Food's decent but I've been sitting here for 20 minutes waiting for a modest order. Cashier says they're busy, yet half the tables are empty. No one in the restaurant has gotten food in over 15 minutes. They should not prioritize online orders over those of the customers patronizing their establishment.
(3)Jason S.
Cafe Beirut is a great place to grab some lunch. I love the chicken shawarma there. Over the past year since they took over the place, a lot of improvements have been made. The owner and the staff of this store are very cordial. Great place for some great food.
(5)Tina P.
Fantastic falafel sandwich. I especially enjoyed the hot sauce (which I am assuming is house made). I recommend the rose water lemonade.. So sweet and fresh. My partner enjoyed the chicken kabob plate with salad. Overall great experience!!!
(4)Brendan H.
You would expect a place this small with such no-frills decor to be cheap, quick, and not very good. In this case, you'd be wrong on all three counts. The food at Cafe Beirut is delicious--definitely ranks among the top middle eastern places in Greater Boston. And you will wait for it. Just don't go in expecting to walk out with a delicious falafel in two minutes, Falafel King style. You're probably going to wait at least ten minutes. And you're going to pay a lot for it. $7.71 for a falafel sandwich, and 16 bucks for the vegetarian combo plate. (!) (!!) (As a point of comparison, 6 bucks for a falafel, 9 bucks for a veggie combo plate at Falafel King, where they're paying downtown rent) The high price and long wait mean I'm not eating here as much as I'd like to.
(4)Anne N.
This is my first time here. The place is very cute with different artworks. It would be good for a small group. It is self-served mostly. I got the lamb kebib. It was really good. It was crisp & juicy. Recommend to add the hummus.
(5)that dude w.
Sorry, guys, It's not worth it. I've been on the fence about this place for a while. The food is okay. JUST okay. Perhaps there are items on offer which I haven't tried that are stellar. Positive reviews previously posted make me think maybe I'm not as adventurous an eater as I should be, and there are knockout dishes I'm as yet unaware of. However, I'm basing this review solely on delivery experience of a recent meal. Small Beirut Salad with chicken Small Babba Ganoush Something or another wrap with chicken It's the add-ons that stack the price on this stuff. It adds up super fast. Coupled with the "delivery fee" and tip at check out, this meager meal cost $30! Holy moly! A salad, a sandwich, and some ground-up eggplant. $30. Therefore I feel entitled to this little rant: The meat is dry. As in, inedible. What are these guys doing to that poor chicken to make it this way?! Unless it is doused in some liquid, it's IMPOSSIBLE to eat. Skillful price points on the menu make you think that the food is reasonably priced, yet with all (reasonable) add-ons, the cost is through the roof. I'll eagerly pay for good food. I'll sing its praises. But this stuff is mediocre, and I feel cheated, which is why I have no problem writing a neg review. Also, what's with the "delivery fee"? Who does that get paid to? Since the web portal doesn't make it clear, I assume the guy delivering the food Doesn't get that, and, being as I am a friend to the working man, I tip a delivery person a fair amount. Is he raking in extra tips? Are the owners making money for some sort of "convenience" fee. I call Bu11sh1t. Pick up your game, fellas. The wife likes this place, but I'm out.
(2)Gary D.
This is a decent place. I like the lamb kebabs, the humus is okay, the falafel is too salty for my tastes, and I would probably ask them not to press the sandwiches next time, as I would would have preferred a fresh pita rather than a crispy one. It is a decent place to grab some Lebanese food in central JP. One point to mention: the Jallab drink by the register is pretty nice: it is not grape juice as it appears to be but rather some concoction of dates, pomegranates, grape molasses(!), and rose water. Refreshing! I would not come to JP just to eat here but if you are on Centre Street and you think, I wouldn't mind a sandwich or a salad, this is a good place to visit.
(3)Jessica H.
YUM. How have I not been here before? I went here for the first time on Friday night to pickup some food to go to bring back home to my boyfriend so we could have a TV night (we've gotten addicted to Lost).... No surprise since I was in JP, but I ran into 6 friends of mine while ordering food! Apparently this IS the cool place to be. The guy at the counter was friendly and helpful. BIG+++ - extensive menu. It's huge and overwhelming, so many great options - Super vegan and vegetarian friendly. I've never had so many choices! Plus all the vegan things are labeled with the vegan symbol. YES! You don't have to think about anything. - It's good. The food is really good and has some yummy Lebanese gems to it that you can't find anywhere else - Hot sauce - you can make things spicier if you want - Reasonable prices! - Plenty of seating for a to-go / counter order place. The only negative thing I would say (so really this place gets a 4.5 star) is that they are a little slow. I think it took about 25 minutes for my order to be ready. Granted they were busy on a Friday night but for take out and Middle Eastern I was hoping it would be quicker. No big deal since I had LOTS of friends to chat with while waiting, but my boyfriend wasn't impressed it took me so long to get home. He actually started a Lost episode without me as a way to punish me. OHH the horror! I will be back soon to try the other things. Our first order consisted of a falafel roll-up, pumpkin kibby roll-up, a spinach pie, and a pizza like thing. MMM so good! My boyfriend did not like the pizza thing, but I liked it. I saved it and the next day melted daiya cheese on it like a pizza and it was so good (less dry). I hope they start offering vegan desserts. This place would be a great place to serve the vegan soft serve like Cafe Amsterdam does. Like I said I got my food to-go but there was plenty of tables available to sit at. I just wish this place existed when I lived in JP. Open one up in Hyde Park please! They do delivery to JP and the nearby areas but won't go as far as Cleary Sq in Hyde Park. Sad. I guess I'll need to go to JP more often!
(5)Russell W.
Delicious food, quiet inside. Great to sit in or take out. I really love the falafel.
(5)F A.
This is by far my favorite middle eastern food in Boston. The food is absolutely authentic, and representative of my family's home cooked Syrian/Lebanese food and my time abroad. Try the hummus with ground beef, and the spiced potatoes. It's a little bit pricey, but well worth it. The food far outstrips the ambience of the restaurant itself.
(5)May M.
I've eaten at this place twice, and gotten delivery or takeout about a million times. Delivery is always pretty quick. The food is great, and the fatoush is so necessary for those of us who are dying for restaurants to serve Mediterranean salads instead of big plates of dressing-soaked lettuce. By which I guess I mean, those of us who are originally from the Mediterranean and still can't understand the American idea of salad. I've tried all of the vegetarian options and they've all been really good, except possibly the falafel, but I always find falafel dry and boring. Also kid friendly, at least with my kids. They'll eat chicken kebab and fatoush all day. My ONLY complaint is that I wish they would offer the option of brown rice and whole wheat pita. I've mentioned this to employees before, and apparently they've mentioned it to the owner too, but he's adamantly against it. Maybe if enough of us ask, he'll change his mind?
(4)Steven R.
I went here with my girlfriend and had high expectations going in. They have tons I vegetarian options which was our main motivating factor to go here. One of our dishes (the vegetarian combo) really wasn't all that great. It was like I was horrible, but it just didnt have any flavor in it at all. The other dish was the eggplant special and it was AMAZING! It was a really large portion, but was incredibly flavorful. It was definitely 4 star quality, but the other dish was closer to a 2 (which is why we landed on 3 stars). The food was not inexpensive, but not out of a lunch budget either. We got a coupon off of restaurant.com which brought the total for our meal to $11 which isn't bad for two with the special! Has some seating, but I could see this place getting packed during lunch. Plan ahead.
(3)Annie W.
For the gentle price point, a full five stars. I haven't found a place in Cambridge to parallel this one in quality, authenticity, and less than 15 an entree price point (do you know of one? Convo me!)...the place has a no frills ordering counter, no waiter service, and serves on paper plates with plastic utensils. That is not the point. If you love Lebanese food, wow. Everything was quite healthy, flavorful, and fresh. Pumpkin kibbeh was great (subtle savory/sweet execution) with a pomegranate drizzle and fresh salad; the platters were enormous (I am a huge eater) and wholly satisfying. The okra and pumpkin roll ups are amazing. The small baba ganoush, which easily is enough for a table of 4, is amazingly fresh, gently smoked, and served with lots of fresh pita. Their pita is homemade. Their baklava is fabulous -- honestly, the best I've ever had -- visible pistachio bits and a generous bit of rose water syrup to round out the flavor of crispy, honey, nutty perfection. Not vegan, but baklava is its own food group, so the gf relented. Their homemade pickles are also tasty. I'll be back, soon, definitely. Plus, FoMu is down the street. Oh yeah. They also serve lamb brains... Um, which are full of cholesterol, and may not be so healthy on a generous platter. But I am curious. More word to come on their meat dishes as well, another time.... Oh
(5)Kendra M.
The menu here looked pretty decent and I'm a big fan of falafel, so I ordered the falafel roll-up with hot sauce. Should have ordered the hot sauce on the side! It was basically inedible, and I enjoy really spicy food. It was more the flavor of it than the spice level, and how much of it was in there; it was hard to tell what anything else might have tasted like. I might give it another shot sans hot sauce. Also, having a $10 credit/debit minimum is silly when most of the menu items are under $10.
(2)Lynette S.
felafel, baba ganoush, baklava and pistachio desserts were good/great the yogurt sandwiches were mushy, messy and kind of gross (like a sour cream sandwich actually) the rice pudding tasted like soap. I tried emailing them but was not able to. When I called, the staff told me there was no manager there and she was new. That, and this review exhausts my efforts to contact them. Or to eat there. Not ever again. If you decide to try this place, ordering online was easy/convenient.
(2)Kri F.
We have given Cafe Beirut a chance over the past 2 years, but alas its time to say - its really is just not worth it. The good: This is the only falafel/shawarma/middle eastern food place in JP The bad: This is the only falafel/shawarma/middle eastern food place in JP 1. This place is priced like some of the table cloth upper end restaurants around the corer in JP, but then offers "serve your self, on Styrofoam/single use plates and utensils" type of service, topped with a "to make everyone happy - please clear your own tables" kind of thing. 2. The fast food style and actual service of the place is impeded by the fact they hide the drinking regular water behind the counter, so you have to go and ask for it, and yes you got it - plastic single use cups. Want a refill - new cup... Why not have reusable plastic cups, and a self serve water dispenser? And on the same note - why not have a tahini dispenser instead of those tiny take out sauce containers? 3. The fast food atmosphere of the place is further impeded by the fact this place is SLOW. expect to wait 20 minutes for a sandwich, or a plate. You would expect that if you order a shawarma plate or another, all they would do is slice some off the rolling skewer in the kitchen - but - they will actually pull some of the pre cut stuff, which has been hanging around, supposedly to help speed things up, and you will wait while that is heated up. My goodness - how long does it take to put a falafel sandwich together, counting all the time it takes to fry new falafel balls for each sandwich? Today i noticed that the kitchen was churning out several orders after we had placed our sit in order. They were all take out orders. I guess take outs are more important then those sitting customers... Still - you might get lucky, and order a sandwich or plate just as shawarma is being cut, or just as fresh falafels come out of the oil, otherwise - you get what was once fresh but, no more. 4. The door bell - this place has a loud door bell which goes off each and every time the door is opened. I guess that this is useful in those wee hours of JP late nights, when no one is there, but is mighty annoying when you are trying to sit and enjoy a lunch. 5. Lastly - for the prices you pay here - you get "oh well, but not incredible" and most definitely not worth the cost type of food. A while back they had a sign saying "new management", and for a short while, the service was fast, the food was fresh (and tasty), but that did not last long. Today we had salad that was not cut today (perhaps not even yesterday), other microwave-esque dishes So - if you want some falafel, and happen to live in JP - you are pretty much mostly out of luck. Take your 15-20$ a head lunch to, well, anywhere else, and enjoy real plates, real cups, real service and hot food. Sorry cafe beirut - we tried, and tried again, and again, and have given up. With some attention, a real change in general attitude, we would be here for lunch every day.
(2)Lane S.
I'm torn as I write this review... I just finished my take-out food from Cafe Beirut, and I'm feeling both satisfied and disappointed. Pros: Chicken kebab was tasty and well done. I also ordered the vegetarian platter that includes a lot of things, but the star or the show was probably the salad parts. The hummus was tasty as well! Cons: Falafel was somewhat lacking in flavor, and I didn't love the grape leaves. I ordered a side of pita bread as well, but feel like I was stiffed on the amount (only 2 triangles total!). That is definitely not enough. Overall, would consider it again picking a different dish, but a bit pricey for what I got.
(3)Jordan G.
I ordered from this restaurant on foodler, got the Lamb & Beef Shawarma platter to share with my friend. The food was quite tasty, but the order itself was incorrect: instead of the (more expensive) "basmati rice with lamb" side we ordered, we received the (cheaper) rice pilaf, and the side of hummus we paid for was entirely absent. It looked like someone had simply checked the header on the order, made the default dish, and failed to notice the extras. This sort of thing happens with delivery orders, and it doesn't normally bother me. I assumed I could just call the restaurant and either get the correct food sent to us, or a refund for the difference in cost. The person who answered the phone first placed me on hold for a long while, then, when I was finally able to relay my problem to her, seemed *exasperated* at me for asking to receive the food I ordered. Finally she said "I don't know what to do" and offered me the option to either walk to the cafe to get my food, or have it credited to my next order from them. I ordered delivery specifically because I *didn't* have the time to deal with going to get food on foot (the restaurant was a mile away and I had other things to do), and I am rarely in JP (I was visiting a friend) so was unlikely to order again in the near future. As such, neither of these options appealed to me. I insisted that she should instead send her delivery driver out with the correct food when he was next available. She finally agreed and assured me she would check with the driver and call me back. She never called back. The sides I paid for never appeared. I will not be ordering again, and I will be recommending against it to my friends in the area. This is a pity, because the food I *did* receive was quite good.
(1)Jason Y.
These guys make some really tasty, high quality food. Particular favorites are the hummus and falafel sandwich. Really, the hummus is so good that I always order it no matter what else I am getting. I recently had a baked lamb special that was really outstanding--marinated for several days and the cooked and shredded--very juicy and great depth of flavor. The first few times I came I got the shawarma and it was dry. More recently, the shawarma has been better. It's not dirt cheap and there are some prices that are a little inexplicable ($1.50 for a spread of hummus on a sandwich!?), but for the most part I think the prices fairly reflect the good quality of the food.
(4)Allison L.
I went here once when it was Sami's and wasn't too impressed. Now that it's under new management, I've been 3 or 4 times and everything I've had has been friggin delicious. I had the cauliflower rollup for the first time last week and couldn't stop raving about it. Another customer was raving about it too, and the guy at the counter said, "Yeah, I think that's gonna be our next big thing. Bigger than falafel." So if you want to sample the next big thing, come here and get the cauliflower. ;) I love all the vegan choices, they are so flavorful. Oh my gosh, it's 9:30 in the morning and I want to go now!
(5)Rachel R.
I was beyond excited to find a Middle Eastern place with offerings like haloumi, pumpkin kibby, and baklava fingers in JP. However, despite the authentic vibes, nothing really delivered. The service was spotty and weird, but that's half the fun of eating at an ethnic food place, right? I ignored it and dived into a pumpkin kibby roll-up first, which was a weird combination of the usual spices with accoutrements that go on a burger. The kibby was good, but I'd definitely order it in platter form next time. I figured the haloumi wrap up would be better (fried cheese [greater than sign] everything) but was totally disappointed by the spongy texture and blandness. It wasn't even worth finishing. I'm willing to give Cafe Beirut another try, and I'm still impressed with their bombastic selection, but not at all with what I've experienced so far. Note: a few things on the menu are listed as vegan, but definitely aren't. I'm sure most vegans are informed enough not to order the haloumi roll-up, but last I checked, cheese was made out of cheese, which, despite the "vegan" icon on the menu, is almost certainly not vegan.
(2)Rik A.
Disappointed. I used to be a regular at Sami's. They had tons of veggie items and all the vegan options were clearly marked on the menu. Now they serve things like lamb brains :/ And the falafel isn't nearly as good as Sami's was.
(2)Maureen D.
I am a Lebanese Lentil soup connaisseur, and as such, Cafe Beirut didn't stack up very well. I believe this lentil soup should be thick and hearty, with visible spinach. This soup was thin, and had no spinach, but did have nice lemon flavor, as it should. This soup would be fine as a first course, but not as a meal. The most disappointing part, however, was that the food was all served on styrofoam. It is impossible to completely enjoy even the most delicious food out of stryrofoam. This cafe is in the middle of JP, and customers should demand some type of recyclable packaging. It would also be reasonable to have ceramic/reusable dishes and cutlery for dine-in customers.
(3)Jessica S.
The food is pretty good. chicken and beef kabobs, rice, hummus, cucumber tomato salad, bakalva. falafel was just ok, tzatziki was not thick enough. They are much too wasteful with all the styrofoam and plastic plates and utensils. Even if they weren't charging sit down prices, which they do, this is not ok. They could have people just bus their own tables and use real plates and silverware like many places do. Yeah its more work but I'm not sure how long you will last in JP being so blatantly wasteful.
(4)Dan G.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet since the first time I came was probably in early September! Well, I tell you, they have an extensive menu and EVERY thing I have eaten there has been delicious. Instead of getting shawarma wraps all the time, try the soujuk wrap! Spicy and delicious. Their meat stuffed grape leaves are also really good, I love it when a Lebanese place has meat stuffed vines! The baked kibbeh...awesome! The flavors of everything I had were amahzing. Some of the best I have had in a while!
(5)Xiao Z.
I was really excited to try out an authentic Lebanese restaurant so close in my neighborhood; I had to usually endure a 30min traffic-ridden drive or T ride for some really great shawarma in Boston. In terms of authenticity, Cafe Beirut exceed my expectations! I have never tried a lamb-brain pita sandwich, and this was definitely a good place as any to give it a try. However, as crazy as it sounds, Cafe Beirut may have been a little too authentic for my un-cultured taste buds. While this is by no fault of the restaurant, I was just a bit overwhelmed by the overabundance of citrus flavor in almost all of their dishes. My biggest disappointment was the how food was prepared. The schawarma plate (chicken, beef/lamb), while incredibly flavored, was overcooked and the meats were incredibly tough to chew. The bowl of lentil soup was also one of the most savory I've ever had, but it was served cold-luke warm. Finally, as for the lamb-brain sandwich I had so anticipated, I could barely taste the lamb-pate over the sour condiments. At the end of the day, I left the restaurant with an air of disappointment. While I support local restaurants and exotic culinary experiences, I felt this place just did not deliver in quality. Food: 2 stars Decor: 2 stars Staff: 3 stars Props for authenticity: 4 stars
(3)Katy W.
So, I'm all about supporting local eateries in particular, but we were a little disappointed in Cafe Beirut when we stopped by. We really enjoy all varieties of Mediterranean food and we were in the middle of moving into our new apartment so I think we were prepared to enjoy it. We stuck to the basics and both ordered shawarma plates. It looked great, but the meat was pretty dry and also bland, which is a worse offense. I liked the salad quite a bit; it tasted fresh and was flavorful, but the meat was the main feature here. We'll probably come back and try it again. Maybe it's better for veggie dishes? But, overall we were a little let down. Cute place, good location though.
(3)Jason H.
This place serves up delicious Middle Eastern food. Having tasted a lot in my lifetime, I feel the food is authentic enough and very flavorful. Tried the Beef and Lamb platter, Hummus and grape leaves. Prices are a little high compared to other places, but the quality is top notch. Nice to have another delivery option in the JP area, as there aren't many...
(4)L. C.
Yum. Cafe Beirut looks like a diner, but don't let that fool you. Everything I've had -- meat sandwiches, soups, vegetarian platters -- has been excellent, with only a couple of off dishes. Be sure to try the desserts, especially the divine mouhalabieh.
(5)J L.
As someone who is not a fan of middle eastern/mediterranean food, I adore this place. Got their chicken liver sandwich - to die for. Wish it was bigger so I wouldn't inhale it so fast. Their hummus is exceptional, not overly tangy like the store-bought ones; creamy, mild, delicious. Also had the chicken kabab wrap which was amazing and full of bright, robust flavors I didn't expect for grilled chicken - LOVE the thin, vertically sliced pickles - F-ing genius. Babaganoush is top notch as well, could eat this with pita for days. Can't get enough of this place, there are so many options to choose from I've yet to try 'em all!
(5)Brandie S.
My experience at Cafe Beirut was great. The food was delicious (lots of vegan and vegetarian options!) I called a head after making plans to meet a friend, and they told me about their vegan gluten free options. I got a veggie plate, you can choose from about 10 diffrent options. Fried okra, hummus, babagonush, spiced potatoes and tahini. It was delicious! I was a big fan of the fried okra and the tahini sauce was on point. The service was also great, the man behind the counter was patient while I looked at the menu, he was friendly, and cracked a few jokes. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Marvin B.
This was my first time at a Lebanese restaurant. All I had was a falafel roll and it was yummy. There were layers of flavors that made each bite a delicious moment. I wish to come here again and try other dishes that I know will be a delight to have.
(4)anne w.
I love this place! I order (usually!) about once a week ....mostly takeout. Food is consistently superb....especially like the baba ghanoosh and the lamb dinner. Sami (the owner) is a real pro and remembers us, every time we visit!
(5)Sean F.
SOLID 4 stars. Great food, and tons of it for a reasonable price. The rice pilaf is pretty much perfectly cooked. I could eat just a pound of that alone, it has so much subtle flavor. The Shwarma was a teensy bit on the dry side, but still good enough that it doesn't warrant mentioning again, and I'm sure it is usually better, i came in on a slow day near closing time.
(4)Read W.
Really good food, and more interesting choices than at most Middle Eastern places. But often inexcusably slow. And it's slowed a lot since Sami isn't there so much. I've seen the cook standing in front of the stove waiting for the food to cook (not stirring anything, etc.) when there are a bunch of tickets waiting--maybe he's better at remembering how to cook more than one thing at a time when the boss is around.
(3)Brian S.
Like a phoenix from the ashes, Cafe Beirut rises from the legacy of Sami's Falafel. Having been to Sami's more than a few times, I can say this change is a world of difference. Also having lived in Coolidge Corner for years, I can very favorably compare Cafe Beirut to the neighborhood favorite Shawarma King. Which makes sense since Cafe Beirut stole one of their cooks. Unlike most Yelpers, I tend to wait until I've been to a place a few times before making up my mind enough to review. I've been going to Cafe Beirut pretty regularly since they first opened and know it's only a matter of time before they take off. The food is excellent; the falafel is as good as any I've had in the city, as is the shawarma. The variety is excellent; lamb brains, meat pies, delicious makanek and soujok, and plenty of other very unique Lebanese foods I'm delighted to try. The service is excellent; the owner is there 90% of the time and is friendly, helpful and an all around great guy. And the prices are excellent; where else can you get such awesome food for between $3 and $8? Without a doubt, these guys earn one of my rare 5 star ratings.
(5)Vina A.
Authentic and comforting. Cafe Beirut is REALLY GOOD. As someone who's lived in the middle east, I absolutely love their food quality (fresh and not greasy) and offerings beyond the regular falafel/shwarma joint. I respect that they don't come off as trying to Americanize anything but instead are serving dishes that people can come home to, dishes that you imagine would be served to their very own families. The Lamb brain comes as a pate in a toasted sandwich or pita roll and was tasty with the hot sauce and all the veggies inside. It was the first time I tried brains and I am happy to say I am not traumatized but will probably order it again! I also really enjoyed the baked lamb meal. It was a fantastic heap of minced lamb over fragrant basmati rice with pine nuts and almonds, accompanied by a fresh cucumber salad and tomato/cucumber salad. Friends had a good looking shwarma roll and kebab dinner full of big chunks of lamb with ample sides. I was also glad to find they had pies. We also ordered the zaatar pie (oil, thyme and sesame seeds) served as a roll. I hear zaatar. Only thing I would suggest is to have the rolls heated up more since I like thing hot and crispy on the outside, and for the zaatar pie to have some more oil since it turned out a bit dry. I agree that the level of food can be served as fine dining and some of the prices do reflect that, contrary to what other reviewers have written, but it's worth it. i would happily eat here any day. OH and they are on restaurant.com -- go eat now yes
(4)Rayan S.
I invited FIVE of my friends here and we were all more than happy with what we had. Their Kafta looked great, and my friend loved. My brother who is all about the shawarma (Lebanese), loved the lamb shawarma. Their meat was great and cooked just right, I noticed that many places around Boston tend to have dry shawarma. I did prefer the lamb or beef over the chicken, but they were all great. I definitely recommend this place, prices are reasonable but the food is more than worth it! I compare it to Mediterranean food from back home, and it does great in comparison. Not on par with my mom's dishes yet, that is a 6-star feat. :)
(5)Kim H.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Great we came in a group of 20 as a arabic class field trip! the server was really nice and gave us free drinks !! PRICE/QUALITY: For the price it is like a quick lunch/dinner and it is not Americanized like many of the other shops around here in boston! must try you won't regret Dessert: i know i had to give this its own category haha but dessert was amazing! NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE YOGURT MILK :( WOULD COME BACK AGAIN IF IM EVER IN THE AREA!
(4)Jen L.
Went there for lunch. The cashier was nice but the food was too pricey for what you get. The bread and shawarma was dry and didn't taste fresh. I have been to much better places that were cheaper.
(3)Dov S.
Except for the hummus which was fine, everything else, including the service, was a disaster. The chicken had a strange smell, the lamb kebab was heated from frozen. The salads looked old and dull. The majadara rice had a strange flavor and smell. Above all that I paid 70 $ to a 3 entrees and hummus and soup. Far from being cheap and it all comes on cheap plastic and paper tools and plates. Waste of money as we threw the most of it.
(1)Erika S.
Awesome food! My friend and I each got a wrap--lamb and falafel, respectively. Soo good with lots of greenery (lettuce/mint?), 2 kinds of pickles, tomato, and yummy tahini. $8 is a bit high priced for a wrap with no sides (or frills inside the place) but it was fresh and tasty. We also had the rosewater lemonade--amazing tart lemon cut by the sweet flavor of rose. I'd come back just for that! I was tempted by the desserts but I resisted. Next time?
(4)Michelle R.
Pretty good falafel, I'm obsessed with their fries, and they have sf red bull. Which instantly makes them better, bc I'm one of those people who constantly need caffeine to exist. If you ask for hot sauce on the sandwich, it makes things more awesome. This place even has a hot sauce section on their foodler. It takes forever to get to you though; a hipster on a bike delivers it. I don't bike because I don't want to go out like that, so I think bikers are absurd. Obviously. By the time I've had two and a half drinks in my sweatpants, getting falafel, by someone who is relying on drivers to literally not kill them, showing up by the time I've forgotten it got ordered. you can't not be obsessed with delivering from here. Hot sauce, falafel, sf red bull, hipster bike delivery.
(5)Jake H.
This place is fantastic. The guy who runs it is super nice and the food is always delicious. Yes, it takes a little while for the food to come, but that's because it's a small place and they put a lot of effort into each dish. The lamb brains are the best.
(5)Alisa K.
Great shawarmas (roll-ups); way better than at their sister restaurant, Shawarma King, which my husband swears has the best shawarmas in Boston. The chicken is tender and juicy, the hot sauce fiery, the fries a nice addition, and the wrap nicely toasted. Ask for it with fries and hummus and you'll be glad you did. The service is friendly and the food comes out quickly. The plates were only so-so, however. The baked lamb was too salty (says a person who is in a perpetual state of salt thirst) and the chicken in the shawarma plate was dry. In summary, come here for the shawarmas but stay away from the plates! NB: Ask them to bring back the kunafah and actually order it if they do! They took this off the menu because no one ordered it:( It is the yummiest dessert ever: think ooey gooey cheese, honey, delicate semolina. Yum yum yum. Bet I had you at ooey gooey.
(3)Morgan D.
Love the low price point, love the authenticity, love the falafel wrap with hummus, and love the warm and easy going service. Oh, definitely try the lentil soup too. To die for! Maybe the ambience leaves a little something to be desired, but with the right company, you really can't lose here, and I've had warm and intimate conversations each time I've eaten here. The food was most definitely an aid to the deep communion.
(5)Jon S.
If you like lebanese food, you won't be disappointed with Cafe Beirut. I must have dropped $50 on a big meal for my friends and I and we were all pleased with the food - the hummus & arabic bread, perhaps unsurprising was delicious and along w. the sandwiches (which often are stuffed w. french fries) were probably the highlights of the menu
(4)