4. Restaurants

Cafe Munir

2408 NW 80th St, Seattle, WA, 98117
  • (206) 783-4190
  • Store is closed

Cafe Munir Menu

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  • Swe V.

    One of the best Middle Easter restaurants in the Seattle area. Great service and very flavorful food. Unlike some Middle eastern places, the food at Cafe Munir is not greasy. Also, they have really good cocktails. Food is generally in small plates and accompanied by Lebanese bread. We had the Beets and Lebneh which was simple but tasty, Mukhaddara - the highlight of our dinner, Karnabeet Mishwiyeh - very good and Fatayer bi Batinjaan - again very tasty! The low lights for us were Muham'mara and Bassal Munir. Both lacked in flavor and Bassal Munir was pretty soggy and didn't go too well with the Lebanese bread. Our experience was memorable and we definitely plan to go back to Cafe Munir again.

    (5)

  • Richard D.

    Great food, prompt and friendly service. Delicate and well balanced flavors. Can't wait to try out more of the menu.

    (5)

  • Pat D.

    I was very disappointed in the food. Extremely small kale and currant salad served on a six inch plate that was bland at best for five dollars, and chicken skewers except the lemom wedge and sauce was dry and bland as well. All main courses were ala carte and over priced $15 for six ounces of just chicken. The only sides were a bowl of basmati rice or vegetables for dipping for five dollars each. Really. ... fifty cents worth of kale & currants or basmatti rice for five dollars

    (1)

  • Jim L.

    Excellent Lebanese cuisine and an impressive selection of 100+ whiskeys. Pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • A Q.

    Excellent food, nice atmosphere and good service. We really enjoyed all the food but the standouts were babaganoush, a special lamb filed little pastry and the grilled beef skewers. We'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Hassan S.

    I will preface this review by specifying that I was born in Lebanon and grew up on authentic Lebanese food cooked by my mom, and pretty much all my friends wished they were my brothers and sisters after tasting her meals. I've been in Seattle for more than 10 years, and until trying Cafe Munir there simply was NO authentic Lebanese food in Seattle, the closest was Hoda's in Portland, a 3 hours drive. Did I miss a restaurant ? Nope, I was desperately looking for authentic Lebanese cuisine the entire time, simply so I could eat it without having to cook it myself. I learned of Cafe Munir on a Facebook group for Lebanese people in Seattle and comments were positive so I gave it a try. That was a great decision. The place itself is nice and cozy without being luxurious, the food is served as mezze, the middle eastern equivalent of tapas: the dishes are smaller and you order multiple ones, allowing you to try more things. One that first trip I had the hummus, the taboule (bulgur, parsley and tomato salad), the chichtaouk (chicken skewer), the baba ganouh (eggplant spread similar to hummus) and the labne (curd spread, really tasty with good olive oil and lebanese bread). They all lived up to expectations : tasty and authentic ! Even the bread, which most restaurants tend to mess up and put mexican pita instead was real lebanese bread (which they slightly toasted and I am not such a fan of that but well...) Overall it was a great experience, a definite multiple revisits, too bad it's so far out of downtown or I would eat there almost every week.

    (5)

  • Gail F.

    My husband and I went here the other night, and we have mixed reviews. The service was terrible. We had to wait 10 or 15 minutes each time we wanted to get water, or another napkin, then dessert. It was about 8 pm, so maybe they were thinking about closing. When we ordered and did not order alcoholic drinks, the waitress winced. My husband had terrible lower tract troubles all night after having the lamb. I am a vegetarian, and I had the stuffed squash. It was very good, especially with my husband's sauces which I stole. The hummus was BLAND. It had very little flavor. The pita bread was crispy, not soft as I like it. The pistachio tart was to die for. So, we give it mixed reviews. I would return but my husband will not.

    (3)

  • Ethan M.

    You wouldn't notice this place if you drove by. And even inside it's very non descript. But then you taste the food. I don't know much about Lebanon but if the food tastes like this I want to go there!

    (5)

  • David F.

    I was very excited to try this place -- middle eastern food with a great reputation in this neck of the woods? Kinda random in Ballard... There was a 30 minute wait for us on a Friday evening, so I would recommend reservations if possible. The menu is pretty extensive with appetizers, and lots of vegetarian options. The hummus was nothing to write home about (I would say on par with store-bought Sabra). The labna (yogurt) was the same. The Muhammara (roasted red pepper salad) was quite good, as was the pita. Finally we had lamb and eggplant stew, which was good as well. Overally, it was a pleasant experience. The menu was extensive, so it might be worth me coming back and trying some different things. I'd also like to come back and try the Sunday night chef's choice some time.

    (3)

  • angela l.

    I should have made reservations? Oops! It never even crossed my mind that I'd need them. Regardless, the food is pretty good here, and it's within walking distance from ours and many other homes. Hummus is excellent. I'd skip the yogurt and cucumber thing. It needs more lemon and is watery - cucumbers need to be salted and drained plus yogurt needs to go through a cheese cloth. Take out option would be great being that it's located in the middle of hundreds of single family homes and next to a kid's dance studio plus down the street from an elementary school, which means there's lots of kids around and parents like me don't want unpredictable toddlers ruining your dinner.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Had dinner here this last weekend. Their humus is the best I have delicious. Really worth a try. Also had some various lamb kebab which was pretty tasty, as was the spinach cigars (as they call them). For drinks they have a whiskey bar where you can drop some coin. I did, and it was pretty good. Nice for a change. The ambiance is pretty quaint and decidedly Ballard; the demographic is mostly established families doing their think. It isn't the roomiest place on earth, and if it sunny out I would think twice about staying cool. The place is toasty. I still prefer Plaka Estario in Ballard proper to this place though!

    (5)

  • Daria M.

    We went there on a Tues. night and the place was 2/3 empty - and it deserved to be full, because the food was delicious, the parking easy and the service actually pleasant and professional (listen up, fancier Seattle places!!). White table cloths, rich colors, music etc. Nice cocktails, then we had a feast: three small plates: roasted red peppers with walnuts and pomegranate; grilled cauliflower; also a greens dish. All were beyond good! I think the greens and cauliflower dishes could have been considerably bigger and still made the restaurant their profit...but they were so so good. The grilled skewers of ground lamb, herbs, spices and bulgur were also delicious. I thought I'd love the triangles filled with eggplant, almonds, spices with bourbon-pomegranate sauce, but they seemed very bland. Great bread, and an incredible desert. It is a treasure as a neighborhood restaurant for a light appetite ($) or special occasions with drinks ($$)...keep this place busy!

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    Coincidentally I happened to take an Egyptian cooking class on Friday night and then I talked my family into coming to Cafe Munir for Sunday dinner. My mom had the idea to do a family style dinner and asked if I knew of any place in the neighborhood. I immediately thought of Cafe Munir because I figured they'd have plates for sharing and since I had just taken the middle eastern cooking class that weekend, my curiosity was seriously peaked. I wanted to pull my family along for the ride! Luckily we are adventurous eaters--even my grandma! As long as she gets desert, she's fine. What was awesome is that I didn't realize that Sundays are true family style dinner and they do not serve individual plates. Since my family and I didn't really know anything about Lebanese food, this was just right for us. This style of eating is probably more authentic to middle eastern food anyway because its all about family, sharing and eating lots of delicious food. PERFECT! They just bring out plates and plates of food and you eat and eat and enjoy your family's company until the food stops! We liked everything that was brought to us and there were probably about 6 different appetizers. These were all vegetarian and fabulous. I love how much olive oil is used in every dish. And this is good olive oil. I probably couldn't tell you my favorite dish because they were all exceptional, of course, I'm always partial to beets and these seemed to be slightly pickled and sitting in a thick creamy yogurt--with more olive oil! By the time we got to the main course we were almost stuffed, but of course, not stuffed so much that we couldn't enjoy desert! The flan-like desert sitting in a pool of a light orange syrup was beautiful and I think we liked their version of baklava even more than the Greek style. The wait staff was really sweet and I think we got most of the kitchen to come out and check out my 13 month old nephew that is the star of the show. The place is beautifully decorated with tin lanterns and light fixtures and even the bathroom had a great make over. Its like stepping in a little mosque. Sunday dinners at Munir might just become a family tradition!

    (5)

  • Nichole F.

    How often do I leap out of bed at 7:30 on a Saturday morning, and the first thing I think of is "Must. Write. Yelp. Review!" Never. This is a first. I haven't even had coffee yet, that's how serious I am about gettin' this did. So, our serviceman (what's the PC lingo for waiter these days...is it still waiter?) was Thatcher and I thought he was the best serviceperson I have had in a long time. He was funny and nice, but not too nice (you can see from another of my reviews that "too nice" people freak me out a little.) Thatcher was very helpful with the menu and picked the perfect amount of food for our group of four. And he didn't hover. Helicopter waiters also drive me nuts. Anyway, Thatcher rocked it. The food *sigh* the food. Half of our little group should be considered Advanced Level Foodies, because they've unlocked so many accomplishments, including eating at Mario Batali restaurants in NYC and being educated about the personal, business, and sustainable practices of such people like Tom Douglas. They can even cook their OWN foodie food. Well, one of them gave up meat for Lent (Lent Schment I will never ever give up sustenance) but he was happy as a tofu clam at Cafe Munir, eating tons of flavorful veggies and garbonzo bean dishes. His wife and I shared the lamb shank that was perfectly cooked, although lacking any strong flavor. The lack of flavor wasn't a problem though, because the lamb came with some crazy-ass crack sauce that we all ended up practically slurping out of the little tin cup. And then there's the other half of the group: a guy from Montreal and me. I still would eat mac 'n cheese out the box if that tells you anything, but I do know quality food when I eat it. Everything I ate made me happy. And the Montreal guy was extremely pleased with the Lebanese touch at Cafe Munir. He's been having garlic sauce withdrawls ever since he moved here, because of the large Lebanese influence in Montreal. The chicken shish taouk was authentic and delish, just missing pickled turnips. What a pleasant surprise to leave there, stuffed to the gills and a little tipsy for only $100 total, four people. I hope Cafe Munir doesn't raise their prices, because the affordable menu is one reason I gave 5 stars. Update 3/18: Well, it wasn't a fluke. I went back to Cafe Munir last night, and it was just as good the second time.

    (5)

  • Reagan M.

    This place is excellent. The food is always delicious. I'd never had Lebanese food before and I tend to be a picky eater who doesn't like anything "weird" but oh my God was this stuff good. The first time we went we chose several small dishes off the menu more or less at random and they were all excellent. Just went back tonight for their Sunday special which is a three course chef's choice meal. These dishes were also all delightful and things I never would have thought to order. Also the atmosphere is great. The place is cute, the waitstaff are friendly and very helpful if you don't know how to order or the proper way to eat it, and the music is a fantastic mix of traditional, Lebanese-sounding stuff and The Doors or random 80s songs.

    (5)

  • Amy K.

    Cafe Munir is delicious!! My boyfriend and I went last night and split quite a few small plates as well as some entrees and everything we had was amazing. The lemon tahini sauce really sealed the deal too...so phenomenal. As they are so new they were still trying to work out a few kinks but the quality of food and service made up for any confusion and we are definitely going to be coming here a lot! Lots of veg friendly options too!! A fantastic addition to the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    My entire family was really very happy with this restaurant, until the chicken main dish showed up. At that point, my husband and I stopped talking, stopped paying any attention to our child, and blissfully absorbed the chicken and garlic sauce. We promised our daughter desserts, late bed times, and new toys, just so we could quietly enjoy the food. The philo lamb rolls were delicious as well (the kid even wanted to order a second plate of them), and everything else we ordered was great. Go. We're sending a bottle of wine to the people who told us about this place.

    (5)

  • Patrick W.

    I ate her last night and was very pleased. The staff is friendly, professional and our waiter was very informed regarding the food and drink to make very nice recommendations. The restaurant itself was spotless and the open kitchen allowed proof the kitchen too was clean and well stocked with high-end ingredients. No Cash and Carry #10 cans here. If you have never eaten Lebanese before don't fret. The menu is set up in a way that allows patrons to try many small plates. There was a group of 4 that seemed to have this figured out and were able to share a multitude of menu items allowing them to discover the many flavors Lebanese cuisine provides. Overall Café Munir will be in my general rotation.

    (4)

  • Mindy J.

    My husband and I have been to this cafe twice and both times we loved the food both times. We first went on a Sunday when they have the chef's menu. It is well worth the price! We got around 12 appetizers, a main course, a selection of bread, and a variety of desserts. I loved almost everything, even vegetables that I don't normally like very much like beets. Their beets are amazing! Well worth it!

    (5)

  • Tina V.

    Shish Taouk Chicken Skewers: 9.5/10 Perfectly moisty chicken with garlic dipping sauce Kafta Mishwiyeh Ground Lamb: 9.5/10 totes resembles a poop log... but the most delicious poop log ever. Comes with a tomato-y dipping sauce and a cucumber yogurt sauce Baba Ganoush: 8.5/10 smokey! Besara: 9.5/10 Cilantro-y, pureed lentils NOTES: - get extra garlic dipping sauce, Toum

    (5)

  • David M.

    Very nice, cozy little cafe that just opened down the street. Lebanese cuisine, served family style. We had the lamb and beef skewers and the meat was delicious. Very tender, very well seasoned, and it came with a great yogurt sauce. They also have a lot of $5 tapas style plates. Most of the ones we tried were dips that you eat with bread. Baba ganoush was very good. Prices are very reasonable, and they have a nice family atmosphere. Great addition to the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • susanna g.

    Outstanding. Went for Chef's Choice (Sundays), unplanned, and decided to go with it. I loved the small plates, and the entrees were fantastic, and the dessert (milk pudding with pistachio) was amazing. Great place, great service, great value.

    (5)

  • Derek B.

    Nice neighborhood spot, the kind of place that makes you love the Seattle neighborhood feel. A tapas feel, we went at our own pace, ordering three different times, 4 small plates and one large plate. Only 4 beers on the menu, but wine, and of course all the whiskey! We stuck with a Hilliard's and the lebonese beer, the latter which added a nice crisp finish and matched well with the food. Decor appropiate for date night, I went out to to celebrate promotion dinner for GF. Clean and white decor. candle at table, nice egyptian lamps, not super fancy, but makes up for in hominess. Food fresh and healthy, felt satisfied and not bloated after meal. Cooked with care. The hummus with lamb and pine nuts was not overpowering in either its lambness or tahinni-ness. The olive/pickle starter was ample and flavorfull and delightful to pair with hummus and bread. The portion of the cauliflower plate was weak: just three pieces, enough for a small sample between two really. However, the cauliflower sauce was baller and creamy, and a good dip for humms/bread. Eggplant and pepper dish fresh, flavorful, and crisp. Service comfortable, not pushy or forward, and helpful explaining portion sizes (2-3 plates per person or 1 entre and 1/2 plate). Also mentioned several things off menu, like the fall-off-the bone lamp shenk, which I got and enjoyed. Front staff also boxed up our leftovers for us, always nice touch. Hope you enjoy it, support the local shops! Would be great place to stop for a happy hour small plate and drink!

    (4)

  • Jerry N.

    Visited again. and anorther surprise! Stopped in after work for a scotch, pilsner and appatizer. Surprised to find that after a discussion of various Scotch's with the owner on a previous visit there was a bottle of one of my favorities on the shelf. How cool is that! Hands down Cafe Munir beat the new Scotch bar on Ballard Ave. !. There is parking. 2. Full service food menu and it sure is good.3. My favorite Scotch is on the shelve. How can I beat that.

    (5)

  • Helen M.

    I've been here several times with my sister and its one of our favorite restaurants in Seattle! The food is amazing and so is the service. I cant wait to go back next week!

    (5)

  • mandy m.

    We met up with friends here last night. They had wanted to try the place out for a while and we needed a delicious dinner spot. It was great! From the adorable Kirsten Dunst look-alike waitress to the sizzling skewers of meat, we had no complaints. The waitress recommended what seemed like a lot of food for 4 people, but she wasn't wrong. Load up on the mezze dishes. It was a nice way to try out a bunch of different plates without breaking the bank. Our favorites were the Hommus bi Lahm ou Snobar (hummus with lamb and pine nuts) and the Muham'mara (roasted red pepper dip). The fight is still waging for which skewer was better- Shish Taouk (chicken) or Lahem Mishwiy'eh beef). We all had 2 beers each, and left really full for $25 a person. Not too shabby- and we are happy to now have a Lebanese joint to add to our favs list.

    (4)

  • Mary F.

    Loved our dinner here two weeks ago! Tip: Make a reservation. They take them and they are often needed. Pros: Our waiter was helpful, polite and a pleasure. He helped us with our table orders, factoring in some strong, good vegetarian dishes too. Their cocktails were lovely. We all four had something different and shared tastes. The chicken main is to die for and is one of the most succulent preps of it I've had. Their garlic sauce is superb. Love atmosphere. Cons: The roasted cauliflower dish was the one "gotcha, you've been had" dish. There were only 4 or 5 small sprigs and wasn't enough to share at all. The brandy we had at the end, we could have lived without that. Though they had just run out of the one we all were going to order.

    (5)

  • Hanh P.

    Café Munir is small so we had a 10 minute wait on a Tuesday at 7PM but the food here is definitely worth waiting for. However, if you're super starving, you should probably get a snack beforehand as the portion sizes are pretty small. The perk of everything being small is you can try a bunch of different things on the menu...but it won't be cheap. The baba ghanoush was probably the best I've ever had. If you like lamb, Café Munir is the place for you--so, so good! Three of us shared hummos balia, baba ghanoush, muham'mara (roasted red pepper spread), philo cigars w/ lamb, man'ooshe (flat bread topped with zaatar...yum!), and lamb skewers. All were pretty damn amazing. I highly recommend anything lamb on the menu! Service was good--nothing spectacular, but the staff was friendly, professional and attentive. Will be back for sure!

    (4)

  • Stephanie N.

    Went back on a Sunday, and paid the flat fee for a chef's selection dinner. Man, this place just gets better and better. I would highly recommend a first timer going on a Sunday.

    (5)

  • Hannah L.

    Went to Cafe Munir last Sunday with my boyfriend. I was really excited to try this place based on all the great reviews. On Sunday, it's chef choice which sounded interesting. I explained to the hostess that I was vegetarian and my boyfriend eats meat so we wanted a mix of meat and vegetarian items. She indicated it was no problem and they could accommodate all preferences. We assumed that we would get a mix of items vegetarian and meat items. We were wrong!! First, we received the appetizer courses. There were about 5-6 small vegetable type dishes to share. We really liked these dishes which included tons of grilled vegetables. Our favorite was the grilled cauliflower with tahani sauce. All the items were vegetarian, which was great for me, but kind of disappointing for my boyfriend. My complaint about the appetizer course was that there was no hummus or baba ganoush and we didn't get any bread like we saw at other tables. Next, came the entree which included 3 pathetic looking squash filled with rice and were covered in some kind of tomato sauce. I liked the tomato sauce, but the squash and rice was really boring and tasteless. We were totally confused by the entree and thought that my boyfriend's meat entree was going to come soon, but never did. BTW we did finally get bread. I guess it wasn't ready? To sum this place up, I really liked the appetizer course, but the entree course was pathetic. I wouldn't come here again for chef choice, because for $17 per person it's just not worth the money. It worth more like $11 per person. I might try the place again when I can choose what I want to eat.

    (2)

  • Chaouky K.

    I write this review because I believe that Café Munir has a lot of potential. In brief, the food quality is good but some dishes require refinement. The price is excellent (good value), the service is poor and the acoustics of the small space will need to be worked out to reduce the noise level. Five of us visited for the first time on Sunday not knowing that Sunday is Chef Selection night. In other words, you cannot order what you want from the menu, which was slightly disappointing. We were pleasantly surprised at the abundance of the Mezza dishes; everything tasted good except the fava beans (Foul Mudammas). I usually love Foul Mudammas but this dish was like refried beans. The Baba Ghannouj was deliciously smoky and nicely adorned with a few grains of pomegranate, the Hummus was not the puree type that is most commonly available and tasted very good, the sliced zucchini drizzled with yogurt garlic sauce was excellent, the sliced tomatoes smothered with Labne and olive oil were fresh, the Fattoush salad was passable, the thyme/oregano pie (Manqushe bi Zaatar) was good. There was an abundance of Mezza food. The grilled chicken skewer tasted good. The Kafta skewers were dry and over spiced and lacking the traditional parsley and onion taste. The wait staff were nice people but seriously lacked training in customer service. Our waitress was surprised when we asked for clean plates between courses of food. There were no serving spoons for the shared dishes, and our drink order was not taken until after we made an effort to hail the waitress. We were not asked if we would like more drinks and were rushed out at the end with no offer of coffee. Overall, I give it five stars for value, four stars for food quality and two stars each for service and ambiance. The place has a lot of potential. The variety of foods available and the quality of ingredients is great; however, some improvement will need to be made in order to keep customers coming back.

    (3)

  • Jean-Luc B.

    The food was great and the price was right, I will definitely be going back again as it is so close to us, the reason they only get 3 stars is because the restaurant was filled with so much smoke from the cooking that is was making our eyes a bit irritated, it was overwhelming at first, but then we adjusted to the smoke, but still, I think the ventilation needs to be a bit better in there...

    (3)

  • Valerie G.

    The food was excellent quality - very fresh, complex flavors, and nice variety on the menu including many vegetarian options. Get the "cookie plate" for dessert - it's a daily sampling of Lebanese sweets and was amazing - we enjoyed fresh turkish delight, halvah, fig cup, etc. Ambience is nice with cool lamps/lighting - I'd call it upscale casual dining. Service was good too!

    (5)

  • Bharath M.

    Well, it gets a 5 star on food and service. Ambience is where Golden Beetle has this beat. But Cafe Munir comes back with highly competitive prices. What a great addition to the neighborhood. You can throw a dart at the menu and choose. You won't go wrong. Two thumbs, way up!

    (5)

  • Ahmed K.

    So my friend and I drove the other day all the way from Federal Way to have dinner in an authentic Lebanese restaurant to get a taste of the food we've missed and haven't had for so long. The place was smaller than expected and we didn't see any Middle Easterners that I know of, but still thought to go ahead and give it a try. We started with the Hummus and Aarayess, two plates that we shared together. Then we ordered the grilled beef and grilled lamb which came with one flat labanese bread each and some garlic sauce. The food tasted great but wasn't enough for two hungry Egyptians. So, we ordered another plate of the grilled beef and lamb just so we get full. My friend mentioned that we were Egyptian and requested some Arabic music which the owner/chef responded by playing an old Egyptian singer. We both hate that singer but to hear her while eating here in Seattle so far away from home was great and a very nice gesture from the chef indeed. The only downfall in my opinion is that it's too far away to go there regularly and the food is rather on the expensive side versus the portions we got. I shall be going again, maybe when I'm not too hungry, but for Cafe Munir I say Shokran (thank you) for this nice experience!

    (4)

  • Lana B.

    I had a phenomenal meal at Cafe Munir. I am Lebanese and have lived in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, and have yet to find Lebanese food in the United States that rivals my mother's food or aunts' food. The Lebanese food at Cafe Munir is the way Lebanese food should be made. The food is served the traditional way - mezzes (starters) are shared first, then grilled meats or family style dinners are shared, and then desserts. The dishes represent food you would eat in Lebanon (at a high quality restaurant) or in the home of a Lebanese family. While the food is traditional, the chef still manages to make his dishes contemporary and quite honestly more special than those I have experienced in any Lebanese restaurant. Each dish tasted like it was made with the freshest ingredients, everything we ate was flavorful, the garnishes were purposeful and added to the dishes, and none of the dishes were unnecessarily heavy like one finds at many Middle Eastern restaurants. The presentation of each dish was beautiful and in true Lebanese style, we enjoyed our meal leisurely and spent over two hours at the restaurant. We tried many dishes and they were all delicious but for me the standout dishes were the hommus balila, the m'tab'bal (baba ghanoush), the muham'mara (roasted pepper dip), the sambousek (meat pies), and the shish taouk (chicken kebab). The shish taouk was unbelievably juicy, not an easy feat with chicken breast. The garlic sauce that accompanied the chicken was flavorful without being overwhelming. Of course there are many more dishes to try so I'm sure I'll be adding to my list of favorites. To top this meal off, we had muhallabiyeh (milk pudding) and baklava for dessert. Both were excellent. Anyone looking to try quality, delicious, and affordable Lebanese food will not be disappointed with Cafe Munir. I am already dreaming of my next visit there. Update: March 21, 2012 - I've been there four more times and the food has been just as good each time. Just go try everything because it's all delicious.

    (5)

  • Gary M.

    The restaurant is pretty new to the Ballard neighborhood (it apparently opened in 2011) and well worth a visit. It is a pretty small place with basic looking decorations. The lighting is somewhat dim (romantic if you are there with your significant other). The menu is short and printed on plain paper but doing a few things good is better than doing a lot of items poorly. They do it very good. I suspect that they intend to change the menu on a regular basis. For an appetizer the Aarayess (charbroiled Arabic bread with a filling of ground beef or lamb, allspice pine nuts and onions) was very tasty. For the main course we had both the beef kebob and ground lamb kebob. Our two orders came on one plate which encourages sharing. The beef was excellent but I thought that the lamb was just a bit over cooked so it was a bit drier than I prefer. They have a decent selection of micro-brew beer which of course is mandatory in the Northwest. I found the staff friendly and the prices are reasonable. Overall I was delighted with the meal.

    (4)

  • Kesli J.

    Love, love, love this place! What a great addition to the 'hood. The food is amazing and so incredibly fresh. I've been back three times in the last month and each time our server, Justin, could not have been more attentive and gracious. The super yummy,organic wine on the menu was a nice surprise as well. I highly recommend stopping in and picking up a to-go order of their chunky hummus for your next dinner party. Huge hit!!

    (5)

  • Nahla P.

    Seattle has needed an authentic Lebanese restaurant for a long time. It finally has one. The owner brilliantly even lays out the menu like you're in Lebanon: first, you'll start with mezza, small plates meant for sharing. My favorites include the hummous with meat on top and the aarayes (little meat pizzas) and the fatayer spinach (made with a really thin dough that I loved). The tabouli is very authentic: not much bulgur, lots of everything else. Perfect. Then, you'll order the grilled meats and chicken (and yes, there is falafel here for vegetarians!) which are top-notch. Again, family-style, and make sure to eat the pita soaked in the cooked meat. The garlic sauce served with the chicken is perfect. Love that it's on the side. This is the first restaurant I've seen in Seattle that serves arak - two kinds (it's similar to ouzo, the licorish liquor. A must try). The owner said in interviews that he loves whisky, so there's lots of that here, plus the usual drinks you can get everywhere else. The restaurant has just opened, so I am sure that's why the waitress made several errors, which she kept apologizing for. Sweet, just inexperienced. Dress warmly - it was a little chilly in there. Will give this place many more chances just for the food (they are going to start serving traditionally "home cooked" dishes you can't usually get in restaurants, such as meat-stuffed eggplant and others listed on their blog) and the chef/owner seems really nice and is a local whose kids go to school nearby, according to this article, which I think is sweet. And I heard when I was there that he named the place after one of them. seattlemet.com/blogs/nos…

    (4)

  • Kristie K.

    I recently visited Cafe Munir for the first time with a group of friends. We tried just about everything on the menu. Seriously. Everything was absolutely amazing, the service was wonderful, the atmosphere is great (where did you find those wonderful hanging lights?!). I would highly recommend everyone try Cafe Munir!

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    Great new restaurant with nice variety of options for everyone. We've been three times now and have always had plenty of vegetarian options to keep us excited. A combination of shared plates and a rotating list of entree-sized specialties, everything has always been fresh, delicious and unique. There is an obvious love of food a flavor by their owner and chef in each dish.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Really enjoyed my meal here. It's been at least 10 years since I've ordered off of predominantly Lebanese menu, so I had to refresh my memory a bit. I went mid-week when the crowds were a bit lighter. It's in the nice, sleepy residential area of Loyal Heights, and seemed to have a comfortable mix of neighborhood patrons of all ages. Our server greeted us promptly and we sat down with some Lebanese lagers to begin with. Quite good. From there we decided to experiment with some of the hot and cold mezzes and breads. The hummus was of course amazing, but I especially liked the yogurt cheese with zaatar (I'm all about the zaatar these days) and the Aarayess bread with grilled haloumi... awesome. Lot's more to try here, can't wait to come back.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Dinner tonight was great, the Hummus is exceptional, we also had the lamb skewers and several other dishes including the Bakalava. Each dish was well prepared and the service was great ! We will definitely be back

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Really good Mediterranean/middle eastern food. Seems like they use the very freshest ingredients and quality meats for their dishes. It's nice to be able to get this food at nice sit down establishment and get it for the prices they offer it at. Also the Sunday chef's choice lunch is a lot of fun.

    (4)

  • Manka V.

    This is one of the best new hidden gems in Seattle.Fresh, wonderful Lebanese food. Also, has a good selection of whiskeys and had a wonderful summer cocktail. Loved by all

    (5)

  • Lou W.

    The night we were there was hot and their air conditioning was not working, so we sat eating expensive food, and sweating. I the small plates were all good, but small and over priced. The $42 halibut was worth about $14. The wait staff seemed great.

    (3)

  • A. B.

    i'm so excited that we have a place like this in Seattle...usually have to go to New York to get great lebanese food. we really loved the food, highlights were the Muhammara, Aarayess, Kosheri, an eggplant dish with beef, lamb & yoghurt on it & the Kafta Mishwieh. the baklava & milk pudding were great too. can't wait to be back...

    (5)

  • Kyle R.

    A wonderful, quiet, authentic meal good for couples or small groups.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    I need more garlic please!

    (3)

  • Larry Z.

    Went there two nights ago and came away impressed. Obviously, I'm not the only one, because there was a line to get in, which made me glad I'd called for a reservation, not what I usually think to do on a Tuesday night. The food, especially the mezzes, was first-rate. The beets, the baba ghanoush (to die for), the black-eye peas with chicken, and the phyllo cigars with ground lamb pleased everyone, all round. The waitress did mess up an order, because the wait staff don't write things down there, it seems, a risky habit when there are many small plates to order. But she put it right graciously. The upside-down chicken was moist and delicious. But the grills were hit-and-miss, unfortunately. The marinated chicken was excellent and the portion generous--two skewers--but the vegetarian grill was both paltry and expensive for what it was. Despite the waitress's assurance that the single skewer was longer to compensate, it wasn't (an interesting psychological metaphor, if you care to go that way). And when you deduct the two inedible parts, the lemon and the whole jalapeno of plutonium-like power, you're essentially left with two pieces of squash, a bit of onion, a bit of green pepper, and you're minus twelve bucks. Why four stars, then? Because I did get enough to eat, and now you, like me, know better than to order that dish. I'm hoping the restaurant takes note, because otherwise, it's really a fine place.

    (4)

  • Jun L.

    Really enjoyed this place! Loved every dish they brought up. I highly recommended the hummos bi tahineh. The best I ever had. Will definitely go there again.

    (5)

  • Edward I.

    We passed this new restaurant several times, on our way to/from home, before deciding to introduce a son to a cuisine he had yet to savor. To our surprise, this was one of the very best Lebanese restaurants we have enjoyed. And, we wish we had stopped months earlier!. The food and service were fantastic, and we plan to return often!

    (5)

  • Eric M.

    What a hidden gem tucked away in the Loyal Heights neighborhood above Ballard. I really like the feel of the place, you can see the chef at work in his open kitchen as you walk in the door and there are plenty of window tables. The decor is clean and vaguely middle eastern with Moorish lamp shades and some period wall hangings, a good vibe. We went for the Sunday lunch which is "Chef's Choice" of what you will be served. The server knew her stuff and quizzed us on our likes/dislikes. We could see other tables digging into amazing dishes and ours arrived soon enough. We were given a large selection of spreads- Hummus, Babganoush, a pepper & walnut spread, a yogurt and zatar dish and a fava bean dish. They were served with a HUGE plate of never-ending pita that looked home made. Wow, it was all yummy and hard to finish. Next came a chicken and vegetable kabob that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The chicken having been marinated in something good. There was a wonderful white sauce served in a small dish on the side, almost like a yogurt, it was garlic sauce and it tasted great on the food. Finally a dessert of milk pudding with orange water and pistachios on top. All for $15 per person. Such a deal! The service was excellent and I even spoke with the chef about the meal and other middle eastern restaurants in Seattle and we traded some info on a few he liked and I liked. I will be back to try some of the other dishes and I don't think you can go wrong letting the chef choose your courses on a Sunday.

    (5)

  • Rachel G.

    Just got back from dinner at Cafe Munir, Yummy! Our waitperson, Elaina, was very knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive to our needs. The portions are on the smaller side, but that leaves room for exploration. Also, pleasantly surprised by the Lebanese wines we had. Save room for dessert, I had the milk pudding with orange blossom syrup, divine. A return visit from me is a definite in the future.

    (4)

  • Thelonious T.

    Without a doubt the best med/middle eastern restaurant in Seattle. It's located in a hood called Loyal Heights. Don't let that keep you away. It's just a few blocks north of Ballard.

    (4)

  • Katharina R.

    While we can't say much about the food, since we never get any, we can talk about the service. After ordering we waited 40 minutes for the appetizers to arrive. We noticed that none of the other tables seemed to get any food either. We finally managed to grab the waiter (who had not once come by to check on us) and asked when the appetizers would be brought. He went to the kitchen and came back to the table completely frazzled and said:I don't know what happened to your food. Can you tell me what you ordered? apparently no order was ever put in. No apology was offered, nor was there an offer for any food to make up for the mistake. He gruffly demanded to know what we ordered and seemed put out when we asked for menus again. We decided to cut our losses and walked out. We ended up at Ocho where the service was professional and friendly. The food was great and arrived within minutes.

    (1)

  • Helen D.

    I'm writing the rare review to counter all of the 5 star reviews of others on this site. I don't usually write grumpy reviews but my friends and I chose this spot for our monthly lunch based on them. We were very disappointed by the quality of the food. If I'm paying for food I expect it to be better than what I can cook at home. We asked our waitress to help us choose. The food was bland, a bit a dente (not a good quality for rice or lentils) and the tiny salad was greens that must have come from a salad-in-a-bag with some homemade dressing on it. Yes, the service was very friendly and nice. But we couldn't wait to leave and get something decent to eat afterwards. Sorry, guys, but I wonder if you are all friends of the owners? We really wanted to like this place, but fear, based on our experience, that this location will soon again be vacant.

    (1)

  • Anita R.

    Exquisite! My mother's side of the family is Lebanese and Syrian, and my grandmother was a brilliant cook. Cafe Munir serves some of the best Lebanese food I've had, including in Lebanon. It's mostly mezze, which I prefer, because it allows you to try so many different things. My only complaint is that all the mezze portions were quite small. The larger dishes, like the phenomenally tender shish tawouk with garlic sauce, are a good size. Nevertheless, the flavor, freshness, and obvious care put into every dish are worth the price. We raved equally about the kibbie (although I could have eaten 3 times the serving), shish tawouk, tabbouli (could not have been more perfect), smoky baba ganoush, and rikikat. The sambousek seemed a little underdone, but were still delicious. The mamoul were to die for. When we were leaving and saw the chef putting felafel in the fryer, I wished we'd ordered them too. They had the green color of the best felafel (from parsley). But I'm just adding them to my list for next time.

    (5)

  • Larry J.

    Sunday Night Chef's Choice I really wanted to like this place. I love Middle Eastern food, the small neighborhood spot is charming and informal, the waitstaff was friendly and attentive, but my two dinner companions and I came away ambivalent about the food and unlikely to return. For what it's worth, the details: We were looking for a place for dinner on a Sunday night and I remembered Cafe Munir and the chef's choice deal they run on Sunday night, basically a fixed price of $15 for an assortment of Lebanese specialties to share. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to try a new place in our general vicinity. They began the meal by bringing a assortment of mezze, or small plates, and a pile of pita wedges. Among the offerings are a hummus, a soft yogurt cheese (more yogurt than cheese) with tomatoes, and dishes with lentils and poblano chile. I guess the intention is to scoop up these items with pieces of the pita, so that's how we proceeded. Funny thing about all these dishes: though they were colorful and appetizing-looking, save for the lentils, they weren't particularly tasty. Everything seemed to lack a bit of salt at the very least, and I was missing the all-important flavors of garlic, lemon or spice in most everything as well. Just bland. The hummus, which I would describe as a chunky version, as the garbanzo beans were only somewhat mashed, not pureed, was the worst hummus I've ever eaten. I make hummus at home; I love it. But this one, once again, seemed to be lacking salt, garlic and lemon. It was just mashed garbanzos! I've never left a plate of hummus behind before, but this stuff went unfinished, like the rest of the mezze plates. Just three sighs of disappointment... Next up: skewered meats! Now these were much better. A skewer each of lamb, beef and chicken with lemon wedges and several tasty dips were more assertive in flavor, but a total of three skewers for three people? Okay, they sit on a plate sized piece of pita bread; there is a smattering of grilled onions. But definitely a stingy portion for three. In a more generous restaurant, this might be intended for two people or even one. Strangely, though we all thought some rice should be part of the meal, we saw none. Finally dessert: a small plate of baklava portioned into little Lego-sized blocks and a little ramekin with an interesting milk pudding, flavored with orange blossom water. The desserts were good, but once again, very skimpy for three people. The pudding was apparently meant for all of us to dip our spoons into and share. Luckily, none of us had a cold, as this is just not hygienic. You might as well give all your fellow diners a big, wet French kiss at the end of the evening if you're going to share saliva in your dessert. And is a small cup of pudding for each diner going to bust the budget? Another example of cheapness instead of good judgement. Overall, some decent dishes, plenty that let us down. Meager portion sizes even for the price. Apparently some Lebanese people who have reviewed here have given this place a thumbs-up, but despite a Middle Eastern background, I'm not convinced the chef knows this cuisine that well. I'd love for a nice little place like this to thrive, but I'm afraid Cafe Munir didn't impress us enough on our first visit to justify a return.

    (3)

  • Sara S.

    Cafe Munir is my favorite restaurant in Seattle for so many reasons. It's our 'go-to' neighborhood spot as well as our choice for a special occasion. The food is unique, healthy and so full of flavor. The menu is seasonal and diverse, with options for meat lovers and vegans alike, carb lovers and carb haters. Hummus with lamb and lentils are to die for. They have a huge scotch and whiskey menu, great cocktails and interesting wines. The ambiance is perfect--intimate, fresh, and with a great energy coming from the open kitchen and hard working staff who are always on point. The owner is passionate and responsive. He really seems to take pride in being a wonderful host to all of his guests. We hosted our rehearsal dinner at Cafe Munir this month and it was beautiful. Kids, old folks...everyone loved the food and enjoyed the evening. Alaina and Rajah were accommodating and enthusiastic about making the night awesome. We loved every minute. We'll be coming to this place for years to come.

    (5)

  • Terry B.

    We love the food. its amazing ! Its consistently amazing. and everyone knows that. its been written up and gotten great reviews. We went to their opening years ago and have been going ever since but......... Staffing ...... there is a hostess that is extremely rude. consistently rude. like a restaurant in paris rude. We call and ask if we can get reservation... no ....then we show up and we have to wait for an hour.... we go for a walk, we live close by .. we come back and its another 45 min wait... we go home... Then we call again for reservations for 5 people, we are told no reservation for groups under 6........we show up, its a 45 minute wait, what is wrong with reservations ???? We put up with her rudeness.. for awhile But then months later we show up, its mid week when we like to go.. not on the weekends, and . ... with a look that could kill and a snotty remark "you have 5 minutes to order " ........ waits two seconds and walks away.........and the look she gives us is almost mean.(we didn't even think about the time when we left the house to walk over to eat). No " Im so sorry the kitchen is closing" no.. "I could get you some hummus and bread but that's about it"... nothing ...........she says nothing and huffs away. Our bad !....we should have looked at the clock but we don't need snotty remarks from restaurant staff especially if they want us to return...... maybe you are so busy you don't care but I would think that you would like returning neighborhood clients. So ill always give a restaurant the benefit of the doubt with the food but I dont need rude behavior from the staff. I don't expect to be treated like royalty when I walk in a restaurant but I do expect to be treated with a little bit of thanks that we are coming to this place not another one. We want this place to stay in the neighborhood but we will look in the window and see who is working and think twice before we return.

    (3)

  • Chelsea S.

    Was so excited to try this place having been missing my favorite Lebanese cuisine from Michigan for much too long. Was recommended to this restaurant by a friend but was waiting for the continuation of their Chef's Sunday Suppers which finally happened for us this past weekend. We had reservations and I'm sure glad we did because they were busy the entire time we were there in their cute, materialistically decorated restaurant that was bright with sunlight. I actually liked the simple decor with just a candle and flowers on our table. So the $25/pp on Sundays gets you a variety of mezzes (7 for two people), entree, and dessert. They do ask you for allergies or intolerance but other than that it is up to the chefs on what to put on your table. For this visit we received: 1. Chunky hummus with lemon 2. Ratatouille with peppers, chickpeas, and eggplant 3. Sliced beets with olive oil 4. Tomato barley salad 5. Roasted eggplant with cheese 6. Watermelon, fennel, pomegranate and parsley salad 7. Tomato braised pinto beans Everything was really delicious and filling with the obligatory pita bread (thank god it is real pita and not gyro bread...my biggest pet peeve here in Seattle) but I was later a bit envious of other tables getting cauliflower, beets with tahini, green bean salad, fattoush, and sauteed greens. But truly everything was spiced really well and it was fun to try all of the dishes. We then were brought our main course which was so interesting and unique. It was a half baked chicken with onions and herbs inside a pita. The pita, thus, was nicely crispy and crunchy on the top and soaked with the chicken juices on the underside. It was so tasty especially with their top notch garlic sauce to dip in. Finally, for dessert we were brought a shared cup of milk pudding with rose water syrup and crushed pistachios and three pieces of baklava. Both very good but sending us over the edge in fullness. I will definitely be back to try another meal, Sunday night or any night!

    (4)

  • Novaira M.

    Based on the amazing yelp reviewes we decided to try this place for a friends birthday. I really wanted to like this place since the ambience etc reminded me of my favorite lebanese place in Vancouver ( Nuba ), but overall I left feeling unimpressed. 3.5 stars. Lets begin with the food ( since all else is forgiveable if the food is great). The idea here is that you order a bunch of small plates ( mezzes ) - what was missing from the menu was some sort of sampler option where you can order 3-4 different ones together. Anyways - we ordered the muhammara ( which is wayyyy better at Harissa or Cafe Turko ) and were a little disappointed in the taste. The flavors were lacking the punch. We also had the Balila - which was again humus topped with chickpeas - again no traditional flavor of balila. Moving on we had the sambousik bi jibneh - which was quite good. Then came the large plates - we had shish tauk, kafta and the mudardara. The amount of meat on the plate for the price was not too great - but the meat was cooked perfectly. The mudardara was filling but again could use some more tomatoes and spices. We ended with baklava and tea which really was the highlight - best baklava i have eaten in seattle. This will probably be the only reason to return. Now comes the service - which was quite lacking. No suggestions on the menu, confusion and delay when we asked for more bread, and no water refills. If you are looking for good middle eastern food try persipolis, or harissa. Way better food and quantity and flavor. Overall this place is ok - some dishes really stand out while others are just average. Worth trying it out once. Ambience is great and decor is laid back and relaxing.

    (3)

  • Jessalyn C.

    I came here with my bf and we didn't know what exactly Lebanese food was. We decided to give this place a try since it had such a high rating. Today (Sunday) was apparently chef's menu, meaning that the dinner was basically already set with a 3 course meal. I mean for $25 I guess it doesn't sound too bad right? For drinks I got a "homemade" grapefruit soda and my bf got a whiskey sour. The grapefruit soda was actually pretty good :). Next the waitress came by with our mezze dishes, I guess it's like naan bread with a lot of random dishes. I think there were like 7 small dishes but man if we kept eating these we wouldn't finish dinner. After that she came by with a half chicken baked in bread. HOMG. It was delicious. PERFECT balance of herbs and sweetness. I'm not too into herb filled dishes, but man I would love to throw my face into another one of the dish. At the end of all of that, the waitress came by with some rose water pudding and pistachio baklava. I've never tried baklava, but boy was I in for a treat. It was good :) the dripping oil kind of concerned me though haha. Overall the dinner was worth $25. I do however wish I went where I could order their kebabs. :c

    (4)

  • Nakeisha F.

    Some of the worst "Lebanese" food I ever had the hommous was completely bland, things that should've been hot or warm were cold, the servings were incredibly small which took me by surprise because middle eastern food is all about large communal sized food. The wait staff were completely negligent and forgot the sauce for our main dish until the end of the meal and didn't even apologize for it. When we were first seated the hostess was very unwelcoming, and if your not done prepping for the day why open the restaurant?? Either open later or have your staff arrive sooner it's embarrassing. These Seattle neighborhood restaurants and bakeries are overrated and terrible and I definitely avoid this place. Only good thing was the minced lamb cooked in bread.

    (2)

  • Aprameya R.

    Café Munir still remains the best restaurant in Seattle. The "Hummos bi Lahem ou Sno" (Hummus with lamb) is a must have. It is hummus with small pieces of sizzling lamb and is mind blowing. The lamb kebab is amazing as well. It is very excellently spiced. The chicken kebab is better - succulent, juicy and spicy! The Lamb Shank (which was a special) was not all that great. On Sunday nights, they have a special where they bring you lots of appetizers and only appetizers which is a great way to try the different things on the menu. The arak, if you have never had it is like sambooka, very powerful and something that turns milky when you add water to it. The restaurant itself is unassuming, cosy, intimate. It is best for groups upto four. The service is excellent. Unobtrusive, polite, efficient and knowledgeable. Overall, my best restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Angela N.

    Considering price and other options in the neighborhood, Cafe Munir deserves five stars. Since moving to Loyal Heights, it's become our new favorite restaurant. Sometimes it can get very busy, so I recommend making a reservation the day before. We usually order hummus, labneh, beef kebabs, and 1-2 vegetable plates. My husband also likes the Arak. We've been here several times now and it's great for date night, casual dining, and it's even a good place to bring (well behaved) children. My personal favorite detail, it's not too noisy :-)

    (5)

  • Steve J.

    After last night's meal, my wife and I are hooked. The food was delicious. We had beets in tahini, roasted cauliflower, bubbling Hummus (don't miss this gem), roasted figs with cheese, chicken skewers and a lamb dish. All great. The chicken is very tender and you should be shy about garlic as this dish carries a serious hit (or it could be the super power aioli side sauce). We had a group of three and the small plates worked out great as we all had a good portion of each dish. This seems like a nice family run eatery with an eastern mediterranean vibe. Don't expect lightning fast service. Relax and enjoy yourself. If they staffed up I would give 5 stars as the room seemed under filled but the staff was covering as best they could. One more service staff would have made a big difference. Could be someone called in sick. who knows. Go and eat there and make reservations.

    (4)

  • R F.

    This place is simply amazing! If you are looking for a truly authentic Lebanese culinary experience this is the place! We highly recommend the Sunday chefs choice as you are able to try a huge variety of dishes during this 3 course meal! The owner/head chef personally came to our table to see how we enjoyed our meal and answer any questions we had about the amazing flavors we had just experienced. The wait staff was super friendly and went above and beyond to meet our dietary concerns. I have been to 5 star restaurants that were way more expensive and only one tenth of the quality. Can't wait to return!

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    Hands down, best middle eastern food I've ever eaten. Delicious, refined food and sophisticated decor without being the least bit stuffy. Our stand outs were hummus topped with sizzling spiced lamb, poblanos with yogurt, and lentils with fresh tomatoes. What a gem!

    (5)

  • Anthony B.

    Cafe Munir is a great little Lebanese Restaurant in Crown Hill. Lebanese food is some thing new to most people, including myself so be sure not to assume anything about familiar sounding items on the menu. The portions are slightly small for the price, especially considering the location. But the flavor they pack more than make up for their small stature. Try the roasted cauliflower and the "Philo Cigars stuffed with Lamb", the sweet and savory combination of that dish are unbelievable. Stick around for some of their unique baklava as well!

    (4)

  • Travis C.

    The owner contacted me soon after I left the previous review and apologized. He obviously put a lot of thought into it and it seemed to be genuine, so I'm upping my review score. My only suggestion at this point is to explain the reservation process in more detail if a reservation is refused and to be sure that the other individual is ready to end the call before you hang up. I should mention that the food is quite good, and I'll be trying another reservation in the future.

    (4)

  • Rachelle L.

    Tapas-style dinner. Middle eastern food. Delicious hummus! Yummy baklava. Friendly waitstaff. Gets busy really quick, so get there soon after they open.

    (4)

  • Eric H.

    I hate to be the dissenting opinion for Cafe Munir, but we weren't that impressed. To start, although there were plenty of available tables, they seated us next to the window where the sun was shining directly into my face and made it difficult to see my wife. Not a big deal. We just moved to another table. The pictures on their web site make it look like the have white tablecloths on the tables. They do, but they're also covered with butcher paper. Tacky. The wall next to the table had lots of food splatters. Gross. Service was efficient, though not very friendly or helpful. We wanted an order of one lamb and one chicken skewer together, but we were told they wouldn't do that, even though there's a picture posted here showing just that. If you're new to this kind of food, don't expect much help, because none was offered. We ordered some standard fair--hummus, baba ganoush, roasted cauliflower, etc, along with one order of the lamb kofta skewers. I had a soft drink and my wife had a glass of cava. The problem with the food was that it was bland and seemed to be lacking something...spices, perhaps. The pita was thin and not soft, more like stale flour tortillas. We've had some crazy good Middle Eastern food, some actually in the Middle East, and this was disappointing. It wasn't bad, but then, it wasn't great either. My wife's comment was, we need to go somewhere good to satisfy our craving. The finally issue I had with Cafe Munir was the price and value. Our bill came to $51, before tip, and I left still a bit hungry. Just last week, at another local restaurant, I had what ended up being 5 thick lamb rib chops, nearly two-thirds a rack, for just $14. Our order of kofta only had two disappointingly small skewers. They were each about the size of a hot dog, for $16! That was the only meat in the meal. The rest was made from very small portions of vegetables and chickpeas, so how could it cost so much? As much as I really wanted to like this place, I don't think we will be back again.

    (3)

  • Sean C.

    At least a few good things have happened in Seattle since I left the land of interpersonal isolation. Cafe Munir blossoming is one of them. On my first visit back, a friend (international immigrant, of course, since I was dead to the locals after having been gone for a month) excitedly told me I'd have to try Cafe Munir. I was here for the $25/person Sunday night chef's table. It might be an entirely different restaurant and everything is phoned in the other six days of the week. I doubt it but I can't rule it out. On Sunday nights though, they are on point. Variety and quality, even enough to satisfy the vegetarian you couldn't lose before dinnertime! It's hard to pick just one dish as a standout. The flavors worked well together and by the end I was happy and stuffed with bread, vegetables of which I actually wanted more, skewers of seasoned meat and sweets. Finding out about Cafe Munir might be the most problematic thing about this neighborhood restaurant, and at least from their side it might not be such a bad thing since the restaurant isn't that large. It's worth a trip out to residential Ballard from the Puget Sound area. Or, to put it in the terms of a former Capitol Hill resident I once knew, it's worth crossing a bridge (or two!) to enjoy this.

    (4)

  • Elle P.

    I desperately want to love this place. It is literally two blocks from my house. But, my God! How can you possibly serve Mediterranean food and leave someone wishing there was more flavor? Everything we had both times we've gone is bland, bland, bland. This is the most flavorful region of the world! What the heck!?!?

    (2)

  • Tom B.

    Here is one of those just-right places. 85th and 24th is a fairly quiet intersection, even though there are some old businesses on each corner--the buildings have that flat-roof mid-century look with the flimsy-looking tin doorframes; the whole setup has that Eisenhower-era Seattle feel to it. But everything inside everywhere looks much newer to be sure. Munir makes a very small splash outside, with just a bit of gold paint in the window to let you know it's here. It wasn't very packed, so I certainly wouldn't hold it against them if they put up a big bright sign outside to catch people's eye a bit more. Inside, it's very tastefully appointed. There are two long shoebox spaces; one has the host station, one big table, and then the long kitchen. The other side has all the rest of the tables, along with some aboriginal-looking art and artifacts, ostensibly Lebanese in origin. There are also big framed photos of pomegranates and other key ingredients. The tables and chairs all seem to match, and all the tables boast a butcher paper tablecloth with a candle at the side. Feels almost romantic, but you realize pretty quickly how much olive oil you drizzle over the butcher paper, which makes it seem equally as fun (at least) as it is romantic. The music mix walks a similar line between classically tasteful and fun, with plenty of acoustic 50s and 60s jazz, Howlin' Wolf, The Doors, Blondie, some R&B, and other music that all just works together because it's all good, even if it's a stylistic mishmash. The front of the house staff is younger and American, with a mix of caucasian and olive-skinned faces visible in the kitchen. Our server was very helpful, funny, cool, and nice. She explained dishes and helped make sure we got a good variety on the table, and pointed out which stuff was always on the menu and which stuff really was unusual or seasonal. I wish all servers were this good. The menu seems short, printed on construction paper, with a special sheet in the middle. There are about a dozen and a half appetizers ("mezzes"), and half a dozen pastries. You want one or two of these per person at the table. You will put them away, no problem. There are half a dozen more mezzes in the specials, and a couple more pastries. There are half a dozen entrees, and a couple more among the specials. You want to split one of these between two people, after all the small plates. It's all family style. We had golden beets in olive oil, figs with goat cheese, pears in a creamy sauce with nice savory crunch from parsley, almond pastries, finely ground lamb, and lemony kale. We pretty much turned into blabbering idiots oohing and aahing over how good everything was. They bring out lightly warmed, soft pita-type bread to pick up and soak up everything. We had lamb skewers for the entree, which just kinda showed up a few minutes after the pastry, which just kinda showed up a few minutes after the other dishes. It all rolls together, with a very welcoming and informal feel to the rhythm of the meal, playing well with the tastefulness of the surroundings. They have some nice whiskys and after-dinner drinks, along with a very short beer list and a few wines. The Lebanese red wine we had was a very jammy 2010 that settled down after a few minutes and became a nice balanced counterpoint to the meal. We skipped after-dinner drinks, but had delectable milk pudding, pistachio tart, and mango slices with cheese for dessert. What a spectacular meal from start to finish--and, for a bottle of wine and ten servings of food on the table, it was $102. Definitely going to be back here many times.

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    Cafe Munir is a cozy, charming Lebanese restaurant with a Euro bistro feel and great Middle Eastern cuisine. My fiancé and I shared several mezzes and an entree, plus dessert and drinks, and we were stuffed. We shared the hommous bil lahm (hummus with lamb), muhammara (roasted red pepper, walnut, and pomegranate seeds), mudar'dara (lentil rice onion dish), kibbeh (lamb meatballs), and a spicy barley side dish. Everything was delicious. Only complaints are that the hummus was kinda bland (we make better hummus at home) and the onions in the mudar'dara were supposed to be caramelized, but they were fried and crunchy. Still tasty though. And the pistachio tart for dessert was super rich, dense and yummy. I'd come back again.

    (4)

  • Haroun K.

    I wish there were a place like this in Portland. It is the kind of cafe you'd find in so many places along the Mediterranean. The atmosphere is breezy and relaxed, and there's an open kitchen. We ordered an impressive variety of small plates, and all of the food was devoured. You probably can't go wrong. The plates are on the small side (at least for my appetite), but the prices per plate are quite reasonable. Knafeh, though not on the menu, was miraculously procured for our dessert. Watch out for the tea kettles, which all seem to leak when you pour your tea. Service was quite good.

    (5)

  • Carol R.

    I'm gluten free and dairy free and this place rocks! Really fresh delicious veggies and meat. Yum!

    (5)

  • Chelsea J.

    I had one of the best dishes I've had in some time here- the hummus with lamb and pine nuts fried in butter. It's simply divine! The service is great and the restaurant itself is intimate, inviting, and everything one would envision and hope for in a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Their menu changes with the seasons and the weeks so you might not get the same dishes one night as you would another. The menu is broken up into mezzes (small plates), grilled items, main plates, and pastries and desserts. The dishes range from several varieties of hummus to black eyed peas to kale to beets and cardamom cauliflower with the items being creative, tasty, and for the most part, healthful. The baklava is wonderful as is the hibiscus soda. In fact every item I've had here has boasted clean flavors and fresh taste while being absolutely delicious. Much of their menu is vegetarian and vegan so people with dietary restrictions can eat here with peace of mind. The owner's passion for whisky is evident in the whisky offerings. The old fashioned is perfect. I love this restaurant and can't wait to visit again and again! Prices are very affordable, too. On Sundays they offer a $25/person chef's choice where they give you several mezzes and a kebab and dessert. It's a great deal and you get to try a wide variety of dishes!

    (5)

  • Jillian E.

    Highly recommend Sunday dinner. Go hungry. Delicious food and fresh ingredients! Starts with 7 mezzes followed by an entrée and desserts! Served family style. Great Turkish wine as well.

    (5)

  • Arti N.

    Cafe Munir, you are currently my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Hubby and I came here a week ago on a Friday night just after dropping off our daughter for her very first overnight (with my sis). I needed a place to take my mind off my little one being away from me AND hubby for an entire night, hubby just needed to celebrate a night where above said little one wasn't sleeping right smack in between us. The ambiance is hidden chic. Don't expect fancy decor, just simply amazing FOOD glorious FOOD! Delicious, tasty Lebanese food where I can take my vegetarian family and carnivorous friends all at the same time. Go for the Mezzes (appetizers) which I thought were the stars of the night. Expect everything to be served family style... meaning dishes will be placed one at a time on the table all night, which is (IMHO) perfection! ;) We ordered the Baba Ghanoush (smoky perfection), and a selection of savory pastries-- Arayess (spiced lamb stuffed arabic bread grilled over fire), Sambousik bi Jibneh (fried crescents filled with cheese, chili, and mint), and Lamb bi Agine (spiced lamb, peppers, and chili filled turbans). For main, we shared the Shish Taouk (grilled chicken skewers marinated in lemon, with garlic sauce). We took dessert home-- one of the most delicious baklavas I have ever had the pleasure of tasting, and in fact the chef/ owner gave us an extra piece (normally it come with 5 pcs). He heard that we wanted one piece to share and the rest boxed up (we needed to have some but were full to our gills!!!) He heard we were two and insisted that we could not possibly share a piece, but still wrapped up 4 to go. My belly complained, but my heart was warmed by the generosity. Drink-wise, hubby had the best glass of whiskey he's ever had in his entire life :) We also shared a bottle of Lebanese red wine, after all, food that grows together goes together... so even though it wasn't the smoothest I've ever had, the earthy wine was a delicious compliment to the earthy food. I'm already planning my next visit, and I hope no one has plans here on my birthday in 3 months as I plan on renting out the whole place for a P-A-R-T-Y! (If even a possibility...)

    (5)

  • Nicole H.

    What a great meal. The food was creative, delicious and well priced. I tried several mezas including labneh with beets, babaganoush, tabouleh (where bulgar was replaced with couliflower), and the mashed lentils. I wish I hadn't gone alone so I could have tried more dishes! This is definitely a place to go and order many things to be shared. The staff was friendly and helpful. I will definitely be coming back to try more!

    (5)

  • Beudreaux D.

    I pretty much agree with most of the comments here. Good food and many small plates can add up to a hefty tab. But I want to be sure to mention if you like a good whiskey sour, this guy might just make the best one in town. While I do not drink them often, this was the best one I can remember. There are many choices for whiskey, the guy seems an expert on whiskey. So don't miss that whatever you do!

    (4)

  • Neil W.

    This is one of my new favorite places. Well made Lebanese food and 100 different whiskies. Does it get better... no. We started with a couple of "spreads", the walnut, red pepper, and pomegranate and the poblano and pistachio. Both were very good and served with great flat bread that kept coming. We had the roasted asparagus with a fennel cream. My wife could not stop eating this. The cold green beans were crisp and refreshing. We also ordered the lamb ribs braised in a pomegranate sauce. They were tender and flavorful. The weak point was the eggplant with fresh cheese and tomatoes. It was bland and unpleasantly mushy. The service was great and very friendly. I have a feeling this is going to be a very popular place.

    (4)

  • Sonia C.

    I had a really good dinner here with friends. We were served a bunch of spreads to go with the hot pita bread including hummus, baba ganoush, and some pomegranate walnut thing. I enjoyed them all, especially the pomegrate one which had some fresh pomegranate seeds on top. I also really liked the fried cheese dumplings because they were hot and oozy and flaky - just to be clear, I'm very biased towards fried things. The kebabs that we ordered were ok but not great in my opinion because it was too lamb-y for me. I think my friends like it, and the lemon juice helped cut down the lambiness. I'd come here again.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    My wife and I ate at Munir last night after hearing rave reviews from a couple of people. And it's plain to see that a lot of people on Yelp seem to like it too. We're a bit mystified, though. It's a nice space, and the service is great. I don't share the bar's Scotch and whiskey obsession, but I was happy to try a Lebanese Arak (only to recall that anise-flavored liqueurs always make me feel like I'm drinking a box of Good 'n' Plenty), and my wife enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the Bekaa Valley. Then the food arrived. Hummus with sizzling ground lamb sounded promising but was unforgivably bland. And kinda chunky. More like some sort of Tuscan bean dip. Now, it's possible that Lebanese hummus is traditionally prepared this way, but if that's the case I'll stick with the creamier, garlicky, more liberally spiced, and just plain more flavorful varieties I've had in Israel and Jordan, not to mention other Middle Eastern restaurants stateside. The pita served with it was also disappointing: flat and uniform, with none of the charred puffiness one recognizes as the earmark of freshly baked pita. "Store-bought" was my wife's judgment, and I think she's right. We also had a roasted cauliflower dish in a mild yogurt sauce. It was fine. As was a lamb-filled pastry. But it too failed to dance--served plain, without even a small dish of za'atar to enliven it, it was pretty much just meat and bread. Much better were the lemony haricots verts, served with slivered garlic and a little tomato sauce, and a dish of marinated figs with goat cheese, both flecked with parsely and brightened with an olive oil and vinegar dressing. We skipped dessert. It was overall a disappointing experience, mostly because we had bigger expectations. Sure, you could do a lot worse than this place--and I'll admit Munir's prices are very reasonable--but I think I'd rather eat at Mamnoon (and grumble about their high prices) than settle for Munir.

    (2)

  • Deborah J.

    I've had Cafe Munir bookmarked for over a year and after a couple attempts finally made it in on Friday night. I would highly recommend making a reservation at least a week in advance. They allow for walk-ins as they only reserve half of their tables but it's always packed in there. I feel ashamed to say this was my first taste of Lebanese food but most certainly NOT my last. We ordered the following: Hummos Balila--A chunky hummus that was delicious, served with a couple of huge pieces of pita. Karnabeet Mishwiyeh--Grilled Cauliflower--OMG if I knew how to make this I would eat it all day every day. Rikikat bi' Lahem--Savory and a little sweetness to this pastry filled with lamb and spices. Shish Taouk --Grilled chicken skewers were phenomenal--note the previous dishes were small, this one was large, we ended up having to take an entire skewer home and it was just as good the next day. Their homemade Ginger Ale was killer! The service was great and the food came out fast. I seriously can't wait to go back. So glad this little gem is hidden in my neighborhood!

    (5)

  • Maddie C.

    My third visit here tonight and I am completely smitten with Munir. The lamb shank was melting off the bone into the glorious sauce it was bathing in. The chicken was unbelievably moist and perfectly seasoned. All mezzes were spot on and full of fresh and vibrant ingredients. I've tried somewhere around 20 dishes off the menu at this point and there hasn't been a single one I didn't love. So much beautiful, flavorful variety in this cuisine. And wonderful service--the waitress comped us dessert and coffee after accidentally bringing the wrong lamb dish to the table. Only downside is I nearly had to be rolled out of the restaurant. (But it hurts so good.)

    (5)

  • Silvia H.

    I have not been impressed by any restaurant in a while, but last night, the flavors of all the dishes I had blew away everything I'd eaten this year and makes this place the best I've visited all year. We were hungry and warned that plates were small so we assumed we'd end up spending a lot, but our bill was only $35 pre-tip (and had left overs). WTF?! This much goodness for so little. Either that or we have tummies that size of birds, so don't expect to spend the same. The hummus with lamb was a generous portion because I feel I ate close to half a cup, my friend had some, and I still had enough for lunch today. The chicken skewer dish had a garlic spread that didn't seem to have any butter (I was shocked something so good could be made without butter) in it and didn't leave you unkissable for the night. The meat was super moist. Also had the savory pastry with lamb and pine nuts and my hands were trembling from the flaky pastry and powdered sugar being so absurdly good (the trembling may have also had to do with only eating an apple for lunch). Last we had the rice and lentils with the yogurt and a some sort of tomato sauce - this was the least exciting, but it was was topped with onions (maybe) that had been soaked in some delicious goodness. I ended up adding hummus to this for lunch and was stoked nonetheless. We were so happy with our meal we walked away static, told the waitress, the host, and anyone on the way how much we loved the food, and that we'd be back. Two weeks tops because we plan to try everything on the menu.

    (5)

  • Yavnika K.

    If I like a place, I tend to or desire to overstay. Cafe Munir. Cozy and comfy place, not too bold or pretentious, just needs bigger tables to hold all that amazing spread. So, husband and I went to meet a couple of friends on Sunday evening, not knowing they have a chef's choice menu then. We went ahead, and tried it. There were too many things- I do not recall any of the names, except Sheesh Tawook: which was delicately flavoured grilled chicken chunks on skewer. We were welcomed with a platter of mezze mainly made of eggplant, beets, chickpeas, lentils served on bed of tahini or yoghourt and garnished with parsley. I am partial to the spicier ones with chickpeas and/or lentil. I learnt this time, not to fill myself with too much pita and enjoy the myriad flavors. Arak's my drink: potent, punchy and ideal for leisurely meal. The desert platter was quite cute: I liked the fig cookies. Quite an intelligent move to serve 2 milky puddings for a table for 4. It had a slight flavor of tea, I would want Baklava instead! Turkish delight or their tea was not too special. Servers were very attentive and seated us well. I just wish the restaurant can arrange for table cloth rather than paper coverings for their tables, which can be rather clumsy. I liked their idea of serving water in nicely- shaped empty whiskey bottles. Nice effect, I quite approve of this place, I must return to try the lamb as per Mister.

    (4)

  • Sara D.

    Cafe Munir is the best restaurant I've been to in Seattle. Every dish is superbly delicious. The presentation is great. The atmosphere is comfortable, airy, and bright. I love everything about Cafe Munir. I wish we could eat there every day!

    (5)

  • D W.

    Love the set menu on Sundays. Food is excellent. Baklava is awesome. It's a good idea to make reservations.

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    This is my favorite restaurant. A native of the detroit area, I grew up with middle eastern food, and specifically lebanese food. I have always felt a large hole in the Seattle food scene, until cafe munir arrived. The best option here is to order a bunch of small plates, and they are all amazing. My favorite is the hummus with lamb, so buttery and delicious. Other favorites include the garlic with tahini and muhamara. As was mentioned by Haroun K, the knafeh, a hard to find dessert out here, is excellent, but not always on the menu. Last time we were there, we asked and lucked out that they were able to serve us this delicious dessert! I have been here with my son on numerous occasions and it is definitely very good for kids. The atmosphere is casual and it feels very like a local community restaurant. If my husband would let me , I would here every night.

    (5)

  • Carol W.

    Yummy! Every veggie course and baba Ghanoush was excellent. We ordered a variety of those for dinner and did not order a formal meat entree. Reasonable prices and cute decor. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Andrea M.

    My family wanted to go here for dinner one night. I'd never had Lebanese, and after looking at pictures my sister described it as Greek. I wasn't too interested until I saw the pictures myself and could tell it was much tastier [though I do love Greek]. The decor is pretty great--I loved the art and definitely need some of those fantastic lanterns. Our hostess and waitresses were all super pleasant and helpful. We visited on a Sunday, which is Chef's Choice. I was so amazed by all the plates they kept bringing out! Marinated beets, yogurt beets, lentil hummus, chickpea hummus, watermelon with mint and goat? cheese, eggplant, pita, and lots more. I had sooo much to eat and then they cleared our plates and brought out skewered chicken with fantastic garlic paste! The only things I didn't like were the hibiscus[?] soda and that they brought out the chicken after everything else was eaten. BUT I've been raving about Lebanese food since my visit and can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    Cafe Munir is the best restaurant in Loyal Heights! Although I suppose that's not saying much because of the paucity of restaurants in this area... Anyhow, it's fun to come here and order a variety of mezze, savory pastries and couple of skewers. Just share it all and enjoy the unique and delicious flavors! My fiancée and I love their baba ghanoush--we always get this. They offer hommous served in a couple of styles, but the baba has so much more flavor I really recommend getting this instead. (Okay, you really love hommous? Fine. Get the hommous. And the baba. You will thank me later.) Our favorite skewer is the lahm mishwiyeh, which includes one beef and one lamb skewer and two sauces. The sauces are delicious, but the meat is seasoned and cooked so well I enjoy it plain. The owners have a great little cocktail bar and a list of house craft cocktails. The owner clearly knows his whisk(e)y and there are a number of excellent ones to choose from. For dessert the baklava is always excellent, but if you're interested in something a little unusual there is a dish (I can't recall the name) that is made with a soft cow's milk cheese (similar to a mozzarella) and served with honey. It is both sweet and savory and we both really enjoyed it.

    (5)

  • Mack M.

    What, you can't find parking in downtown Ballard? Drive up 24th Ave NW, and come to Café Munir! This is the hole in the wall with the most awesome food that nobody knows about! Some of the most delicious dishes ever - you and your friends can argue over whose dish tastes better - with a lot of locally sourced ingredients and vegetarian and vegan options. The beef skewers were better than you have ever done at home. The drink menu is creative, and if grownup bevies are your taste, you can have some really outstanding infusions, cocktails, and highballs; the home-brewed ginger ale concoction was spectacular, as was the fig-infused whisky. I'm a fan of a LOT of the downtown Ballard places, but if you come all the way up to NW 80th Street, you'll be a fan of Café Munir, too. Did I mention how easy it is to park here?

    (5)

  • Tim C.

    My wife and I come with another couple for dinner on a Saturday night. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait for a table. However, right as I walked in, I got hit with a wall of smoke. Not cigarette smoke, thankfully, but grilled meat smoke. And it was not the subtle, almost-endearing kind you get at home when cooking or at certain more intimate restaurants. It was the I-won't-be-able-to-wash-this-smell-out-of-my-­clothes-and-hair-for-days smoke. Not pleasant for most restaurant goers. To the food: The lamb hummus was awesome. It was my favorite dish of the night, and when it came out, it BUBBLED! And not only was the hummus on-point, the crispy little bits of ground lamb were like Lebanese bacon bits. Delicious. Highly recommended. The rest of the meal was just ok. I ordered the ground lamb skewers, which were so-so. My wife got an eggplant-filled pastry that was also a little disappointing. Both lacked the flavor we were expecting. We tried their baklava, and perhaps this is a Lebanese thing, but in my opinion, it had too many nuts and not enough honey. I was missing the crunch of the filo dough layers, and the sweetness I'm used to in baklava. Our waitress was super nice and helpful, though. It definitely helped to have someone making recommendations for us, since I couldn't pronounce half of the items on the menu. Overall, the meal wasn't bad. I think for me, the overwhelming smoke made for a suboptimal experience. What probably would have been 4 stars easily turned in to 3.

    (3)

  • David C.

    Delicious and authentic Middle Eastern food - I have tried most items on the menu and recommend all but here are a couple of shout outs: squash with pomegranate seeds Lebaneh eggplant baba ganoush beet salad baklava cauliflower I also love the fact that the drink menu is focused on two of my favorite beverages - Arak and whiskey! Great customer servie, our waitress made excellent recommendations and explained the items well. She didn't charge me for Arak because she forgot to bring it and felt I had waited too long. This is a great place to go if you are with vegetarians as there are many tasty options. This is located in a quiet neighborhood so parking is always easy. The prices are very reasonable. Cocktails are just $7 or so. I am always happily surprised when I get the check.

    (5)

  • Shamitha S.

    Bland, not worth a trip from Bellevue We visited Cafe Munir for the first time today. Our server was attentive but every single dish was bland and tasteless. Next time we want Mediterranean; we will go to Mamnoon.

    (2)

  • Chrissy B.

    I'm obsessed with this place and can't wait to go back! I'd never had Lebanese food so had no idea what to expect but was so impressed. They have an amazing ability to make simple ingredients come together in a unique and delicious way. Cute, small but bustling, great service. I definitely recommend checking it out! Don't forget to make a reservation-- it gets busy on weekends!

    (5)

  • Sydney G.

    This place was so good! Reasonably priced wine filled to the brim, amazing cocktails, delicious small plates! The only reason I give 4 stars is because we ordered the last of the breads with lamb and it was just 3 tiny tartlets. What was better was first choice of Lebanese bread filled with lamb (it was about 5 times as much, definitely the better choice!) either way, delicious food, fair prices, and good wine! Would definitely go back :)

    (4)

  • John E.

    The food was pretty good. Lots of small plates and all tasty. The table was round which was perfect for our party of nine. The service sucked. Yes, just that blunt and simple. My wife and I arrived first and sat there for a few minutes. Nearby was a young woman as the host, doing nothing. I caught her eye and inquired if we could order drinks. She said "she'll be with you shortly", meaning a different woman standing behind the bar flirting with the bartender. The hostess made no effort to catch the waitresses eye or to walk over and say something. So, we sat a few more minutes and then I pointedly turned in my chair and stared at the waitress....she got the point and we ordered drinks. Our friends came and we dined with abandon for a while. Our small plates were getting pretty messy so I asked our waitress if we could have clean plates before the next array of small plates arrived. So...she got a stack of clean ones and sat them on the table next to me. I wound up passing them around. A bit later I had finished my glass of wine and it sat there. Then the waitress, finally finding her groove in terms of clearing dirty stuff off the table, took the glass but did not ask if I wanted another. I was pleased with the food so kudos to the kitchen staff who knew their jobs, and the restaurant atmosphere and decor were pleasing, as was the company at our table. If by chance the owner or manager of the place read this you have some serious training deficiencies with the front of the house.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Fantastic service and super delicious food for an amazing deal. This place has a relaxed family friendly environment. However, no changing table in the bathroom. I still give it 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Sharon J.

    This spot is the bees knees!!! EVERYTHING our large party of 8 had was FANTASTIC!! Great drinks too! Can't wait to go back and share the gem with more people I love.

    (5)

  • Rachel H.

    A perfect spot for a family dinner, Cafe Munir boosts really fantastic Lebanese food in a simple, friendly restaurant in Loyal Heights. The giant round table they set up on the left side of the restaurant was like an enormous family dining table, and turned one side of Cafe Munir into a private feeling spot for a comfortable dinner for six. As soon as we sat down, we ordered a whole bunch of recommended mezzas . We appreciated the waitstaffs tips, because we had a combination of adults and kids to feed, and didn't want to order to please small palates, but wanted a few things that kids would try. They nailed the recommendations. (But in hindsight, I realize that is because everything here is good.) Best mezza dishes included the muhammara with red pepper and the hummus with lamb. We had chicken and lamb kabobs, and the sauce for the kabobs really heightened the flavor of the meat, and reminded me of the best saucing of meat experience I've had since our trip a few years back to Buenos Aires. Who knew meat needed sauce? When the sauce tastes like this, you realize that saucing meat can elevate the flavor, not disguise it. You can't miss with dessert at Cafe Muir, especially the generous plate of baklava (no, that is not a single serving you are getting, its huge!) the plate of cookies for $6 that includes homemade turkish delight flavored with rose water and a hot water with mint (skip the black tea with mint and just go for the water steeped with fresh mint for a lighter, almost meditative warm drink. You'll wonder why you don't pour a cup of this herb tea every night before going to sleep.) Just a great find and a good relative value for a family dinner out. That is, for the family that likes to eat well!

    (5)

  • Andrew B.

    Cafe Munir is an utterly unique and unlikely balance of sophisticated, casual and cozy. The food is delicious and unexpected. A few tips: * If you're going for the first time, make sure there are four or more of you so you don't feel guilty ordering a pile of sharing plates. So many amazing small dishes to choose from. * The "garlic sauce" that accompanies the juicy chicken kebabs will change your life but will also seriously change your breath for at least 24 hours, maybe more. * Sunday night is a prix fixe chef's choice. The price is an amazing deal and the chef includes a bunch of crowd favorites along with some nightly twists. With a menu like this where you can't go wrong, it's a great option.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    *Still really incredible flavors, went on a sunday, had the tasting menu, the chicken main entree was off the hook *Service was spotty, slow to start for sure *Packed house, this place is just plain popular

    (5)

  • Chanele B.

    I really love Lebanese food, and I was excited to check this place out. While it was good, I don't know that I am overwhelmed by it. I've had much better food other places, but it's definitely not the worst I've had either. There were some things that were better than others (karnabeet, which was a cauliflower dish, was probably my favorite). The kafta was good, but, again, not the best I've had. The hummus left something to be desired. It was good, but not great. I kept thinking that about all of the dishes we tried. Dessert is worth mentioning. My companions had baklava, which was excellent. I went with what was essentially Lebanese flan covered in orange blossom syrup. It had a unique taste that brought me back to driving through orange groves in the springtime while growing up in Florida. It was nice. However, I am not a flan-person, so I don't really know why I got it anyway. I recommend the baklava over it. We went for dinner on a random Wednesday night, which may explain why I read the other reviews and think "fun atmosphere?" It was just a typical restaurant with some Middle Eastern art on the walls. I assume there is music and activity on the weekend. Never the less, the place was crowded for Wednesday, so I assume reservations are recommended on the weekends? All in all, it was good, but not great. I still would go back, if only because I haven't found a better alternative in Seattle, and Beirut is too long of a plane ride for dinner. Sadly.

    (3)

  • Chris O.

    Went on a Sunday night for their 'chef's choice' dinner where you don't order from a menu...the chef decides what you'll be served. They do ask if there are any food allergies & they try & accomodate for that. The mezze plates were interesting & exciting for the tastebuds...lots of interestingly prepared veggies/bean etc. served with lavosh flatbread. After that came the chicken skewers: very tender & served with their mayonnaise-like GARLIC dip: really good. The desserts were disappointing: aromatic custard and an undercooked baklava. The waitress was just wonderful: friendly, helpful, fun & efficient. Easy neighborhood parking. Restaurant is noisy so we had to struggle to hear our conversation.

    (3)

  • Cassie T.

    This place was a total letdown. Everyone has been telling us for ages that we have to check this place out and it was a disappointment to say he least. It was if nothing was seasoned, we ordered dishes that supposedly had chilies and spices and every dish was bland. The pita like bread they serve was pretty lame as well. We ordered a bunch of starters and I'm glad we waited to order main dishes because we choose not to after our disastrous tasting first round came out of the kitchen. Everything is awkward from the paper on the tables that serve as linen attacking you to the people in the kitchen staring you down as well as the fact the place didn't smell like food, but had a hospital smell?

    (2)

  • Rhea B.

    With the rare exception, Lebanese restaurants in Seattle tend to come in the guise of the falafel joint--quick and cheap rather than elegant and authentic. The cavernous Café Munir aspires to greater things. Chef-owner , Rajah Gargour, has concocted a menu that melds traditional Lebanese and Jordanian flavors, he grew up with. The Chef's mastery of traditional spices and flavors makes each offering an opportunity to experience classics and delicacies in new and exciting ways. Every plate becomes a culinary journey that ignites the senses. Everything at this Lebanese spot is fresh, authentic, and ridiculously delicious. It is one of those simple yet welcoming neighborhood places where you can feel very comfortable and get a great, cheap meal. The first time I happen to eat here was when I was scouring Loyal Heights neighborhood for a new place to eat and stumbled upon this gem. It was an exquisite dining experience. The cuisine, aromas and ambiance comes together to create a new world for your senses, whispering gently in your ear, to explore. I went back on here twice at two separate occasions for dinner with friends and family. Dining at Café Munir is always a pleasant surprise and let me just say this is a great place for group dining. Each big table can seat six (if not more) comfortably. You dine family style and everyone can see and speak to each other. The small plates are sheer delight and attempt to create a culinary journey for the palate and senses. This place also, features Gargour's (100+) seductive whiskey collection, that caters to sophisticated tastes and sensibilities.

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    I love this place, for the food and the service. Not being familiar with Lebanese food, I prefer the pre fixe Sunday dinner menu (or, rather, non-menu). We've been there several times with groups of friends and the pre fixe Sunday dinner really makes it easy for everyone. The special Sunday menu consists of a large assortment of side dishes and one meat/chicken based entree, all served family style. The meals are pretty vegetarian friendly, with lots of non-meat dishes. Service seems to be genuinely friendly and efficient and the room is not too loud for comfortable conversation. Parking is easy in this neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Mary S.

    Love ---- SO much! ---- this place. My old boss/friend and I got together here last year - she thot i'd like it. .... Yes! Everyone I've taken here is amazed at the wonderful way flavors are talking to the tongue. Right - ready to get poetic here. It's just so good - subtle and playful and marvelous. I'm a vegan and they have several things I can eat and are thoughtful in helping me with that - friends who eat more widely are equally satisfied. My sister and I ate until we could hardly move - it just tasted too good to stop eating and trying something else. It is small - so do call for reservations. And it's Seattle - so don't think going early will save you ;-). Yay!

    (5)

  • Tracy F.

    Blink and you'll miss it! We did. Tucked into a tiny strip of shops on 80th at 24th, Cafe Munir officially qualifies as a hidden gem. When our friends suggested a Lebanese whiskey bar, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's a charming little place you'd expect to stumble upon down a narrow stone street in a quaint Mediterranean village. While I enjoy whiskey, I'm hardly an aficionado. The gents tried the whiskey of the week: smooth going in, smokey going down. Not my favorite, but they seemed pleased. The ladies preferred whiskey cocktails. My whiskey sour, tart with fresh lemon and lime juices, was much more my speed for a warm summer evening. A slightly sweeter hibiscus cocktail was a nice pick as well. They also create their own infused liqueurs, which certainly piqued my interest. Alas, I am not a fan of anise, so the current special, a fig arak, was not tried. We shared many small plates, as well as the shish taouk and kafta mishwiyeh. I found the portions very reasonable for the price, and the flavors quite delectable. All plates were cleaned (almost - I think there were a few bites that we just couldn't squeeze in!), but the standouts for me were the muham'mara, bassal munir, and one of the specials, black-eyed peas with tomatoes and spices. Don't be intimidated by the onions! They were cooked to perfection, caramelized on the outside but retaining an internal crispness. Delightful when paired with the slightly tart feta and sweet honey and raisins. I will return just for this...and to try the desserts, for which we prepared poorly and had no room.

    (5)

  • Aaron H.

    Middle Eastern food combines some of my favorite flavors out there. From the spreads, to the kabobs and the slow roasted lamb shank you can't go wrong with any choice here. I would recommend the Lebneh bi zaatar,traditional hummos, and a main dish to split. The portions are large and you get filled up pretty quick with the bread and spreads. It does tend to get a little "cozy" in the place due to the smallish confinements and the service can be spotty at times when they are packed, but it is all well worth it. I guess they take reservations but we have never had an issue for a party of 2 getting in around 630 on a weekend.

    (4)

  • samuel w.

    This is quite a find, a legitimate Middle Eastern restaurant in the middle of Nordic Ballard! The small plates are tasty and varied. The food is fresh and the spicing unusual (rosewater, zatar, etc). We are vegetarians and sometimes the veggie options for the main dish are limited. If that were not the case it would easily be 5 stars. With that said, there's a lot for vegetarians. The Sunday prix fixe is a deal and a great way to get to know this terrific addition to the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Jonathan S.

    A HAIKU REVIEW How do I pronounce this? Umm...Karnabeet Mishwiyeh? Whatev. Delicious.

    (4)

  • Kevin C.

    This place is amazing. Went here on a sunday, which is "chef's" choice. 3+ course meal for $15 is hard to beat! You tell them what dietary restrictions you have and the chef chooses what you eat! Tom Douglas knew what he was talking about when he said this place was great.

    (5)

  • C M.

    It was my birthday and I made no bones about the fact that I wanted to eat at Munir - AGAIN! I'm not waiting another 12 months to go there again and wish that I lived across the street from Munir. I have a passionate appetite for finely prepared middle eastern food, but prefer Munir over all other local options. YUM! Back again and dinner was Better than EVER! What a celebration! The cauliflower with tahini and onions is a must order item. Those melt in your mouth beets are incredible and the green beans could not have been tastier. One could easily make a veggie feast of the Meze's and I hope to do just that some day very soon. We shared perfectly cooked skewers of lamb and beef and topped off the meal with cardamom scented Lebanese coffee and a plate of fresh baked cookies = perfection on a plate. From start to finish every bite was outstanding! There's nothing ordinary about the food at Café Munir and the service is very attentive, friendly, helpful, honest, courteous and respectful (sounds like they belong to the Boy Scouts, huh?). This is my favorite restaurant in town and the best place to forget you are another year older.

    (5)

  • Jenni K.

    Overall good experience. My husband and I came here for our weekly date night. The way it works is to order 1-2 mezzes per person and 1 entree per person. We chose the following: 1. babaganoush: very smoky with lots of olive oil and parsely and pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top. It went well with the bread. 2. Grilled cauliflower: a few larger pieces of cauliflower in a plate of tahini sauce. Great healthier option and had some strings of something very flavorful sprinkled on top 3. Lamb and vegetable pastry: my husband called these bagel bites. They weren't too flavorful, but the combination of meat and pastry was still good. 4. Chicken kebabs: These were super flavorful, lemony and tender. We dipped the chicken in an AMAZING garlic sauce (that seems to stay on your breath till the next morning) 5. Lamb kebab: not as good as the chicken. Still good, but not super flavorful and a bit dry. Overall, I liked the food very much. Their menu has a lot of options and the service attentive. The inside decor isn't much, but its clean.

    (4)

  • Sara F.

    If you are looking for authentic Lebanese food (and by authentic i do not mean the gyro sandwich) you will definitely find it here at Munir. The Place has a Mediterranean vibe to it, with the sound of the oud' in the background you will definitely be taken oversees to Liban... The food is really good, i tried all kinds of dishes, from hummus to labne, to loubieh soaked in olive oil, to mouhammara and chicken touk as main dish; oh and so i do not forget the Kobeh in Laban (yogurt) is sensational. If you really want to indulge in a Lebanese cuisine then you should try this place!! PS: they have Lebanese Wine :) yuppi!

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I don't know much about Lebanese food, but this place is delicious. I've been for dinner twice now, and both times were so good that I am compelled to support them with a review. Both times I've been seated without a wait on Saturday night at peak dinner time, both times luckily getting the last available table. Recommended dishes: Hummus with sizzling lamb (skip the plain hummus), cauliflower with tahini, lamb bread pastry, and the chicken skewer. 2 mezze, 1 pastry, and 1 entree will feed a couple. Any more and you will definitely have leftovers.

    (5)

  • Douglas E.

    The cafe was highly recommended by a friend and frequent diner.and a small group of us had the most wonderful meal here. Every facet was perfection. We walked off the street with no reservation and they seated us on a Friday night in under 10 minutes! The service was awesome. The dishes we ordered just kept coming out better than the one before it! We loved all the fantastic vegetarian options the menu had to explore!! The ambiance was cozy, clean and inviting too. Oh, even the drink selections rocked, especially all the Bourbon ones :-) We will most certainly return many times! HIGHLY recommended!

    (5)

  • Jonathan M.

    This was our best meal in Seattle in years. We enjoyed the cold salads (winter greens and squash purée), the hummus with lamb, the cheese bread, and the beef grill. The value for the quality of food was high and the portion sizes allowed for multiple items to try. The service was professional and courteous, even as it got hectic in the dining room. The only drawback was my cocktail. My old fashioned was mostly ice, not much liquid. It was hard to drink. We'll be going back and next time, we'll try some of the Lebanese wines.

    (4)

  • Terry F.

    I would give it 2.5 if there was such an option. I agree with the reviewer who vastly preferred Mamnoon. My partner-in-crime (yes, dear reader, I married him) is of the same mind. I usually adore cauliflower in restaurants, here not so much. Ditto on figs and cheese. Would have loved to love it, but would rather go to Cocina Esperanza if I'm in the neighborhood.

    (2)

  • Joel R.

    Tom Douglas apparently approves of Cafe Munir, and it's easy to see why. This little establishment features great food and value. I came here with my wife, tried a variety of mezze, and Munir nailed them all. Best of the lot was their karnabeet mishwiyeh, a tasty dish of seared cauliflower in tahini. The grills (skewered kafta) were awesome, too. Decor and service were both spartan (several tables were not bussed when we arrived) but those aspects were easy to overlook once their food was in our bellies. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Matt B.

    Exceptional food. Amazing staff. My wife and I love to come here for occasions. I recommend coming Sundays if you are adventurous, it is chefs choice and they have a set menu, but it is an amazing multi-course meal. Also their regular menu is great. You've probably read multiple reviews about the hummus with lamb and pine nuts, but let me tell you, once you've had it you'll understand the hype. I can't recommend this place enough.

    (5)

  • E. A.

    This place is the bane of my existence at this point. If you're in to Lebanese food, you'll love this place. Just about every minute of every day I'm craving the ridiculously simple but mouth-wateringly delicious garlic dipping sauce given with the meat skewers. So, so, so painfully good. ....also, an unexpected selection of fine whiskies. Who knew?!

    (5)

  • Abby M.

    OMG--can you say mouth orgasm??? Seriously, this cute little place delivered the goods! Here's what I got: 1. Hummus with lamb---wow, is all I can say! Maybe not the healthiest dish on the menu, but so friggin' good! 2. Grilled cauliflower with tahini--yum, yum, but not enough!!! 3. Babaganoush-delicious smokiness to it. 4. Cucumber-yogurt salad--really blended well with most of the above. Service could use a little refining, me thinks, as my water glass stayed empty, and the waiter--dare I say it--was a little on the snarky side? But, still, fabulous in my mouth and belly!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    What a fantastic addition to Ballard and especially to the Loyal Heights neighborhood! They have only been open for a few weeks and it all seems to be working like clockwork. We celebrated a birthday last night and had a great time! Rather than going over the large list of mezze they offer we put ourselves into their hands and said "bring food until we can't eat anymore" and that is exactly what they did! We started with two dips that everyone knows, the Baba Ghanoush and a Hommus Balila. The Hommus was chunky and delicious. The Ghanoush came to the table a bit chilled and was the only disappointment until it warmed and the flavors came through. This was followed up by a Aarayess Caroline which is a pita stuff with a seasoned meat paste then grilled. Next came some Falafel which is served with tomato slices and a garlic sauce. This Falafel was unique in the amount of parsley that was included, giving it a bright note. We aren't done yet! Now a Kosheri Egyptian which is a super light rice and lentil dish served with yogurt and a fantastic tomato chutney. Oh, I can't forget the Rikakat Bi Jibne! Small filo cigars with a mint mixture that was so light and airy that I wonder if I really ate it. More? Yes please!! Sheik Al Mahshi, a stuffed eggplant slice with a lamb mixture so rich I wondered if we could eat it all by this point. Just about that time a platter of Chicken Shish Taouk and Vegetable Kabob show up with a garlic sauce that is so fantastic and hard to explain how it could be made. It looks like whipped lard but is, I'm told, a very garlic aioli. It is just so white and thick and delicious I could eat it with a spoon! Service was well spaced, friendly and attentive. Cost? A bargain! This is a don't miss folks! Go!

    (5)

  • Vi L.

    Called them for take out. Apparently, they don't offer any. Not impressed so far. Went there for dinner and ordered several mezzes. Portion-wise, I felt like it was kind of a robbery. Quality-wise, it was just ok. The olives weren't particularly fresh, the fava beans were fine, the pita bread was tiny. I get the idea of tapas but we should haven't to order 9 of them plus a main dish between 2 people to feel full. Ordered mint tea, one of them came nice and hot, the other was barely lukewarm. Service-wise, they were very polite. They were forgetful at times when we had already ordered drinks, hadn't brought them over yet, but still asked us what we wanted to drink. Decor-wise, it was very clean and homey. A single fresh peony at each table. Oddly, I didn't know why they had both paper AND a white table cloth. Family-friendly it was, they had a high chair ready for us. Nothing particularly memorable to see here folks.

    (3)

  • Todd C.

    This place is amazing. I had the lamb kebabs and they melted in my mouth with all kinds of delicious flavors. The hummas platter was the perfect way to start the meal. Will definitely be back and bringing friends.

    (5)

  • ellen e.

    My new favorite place in Ballard. Seriously. Went to Cafe Munir last night as suggested by a friend who lives just blocks away from this cute, quaint, neighborhood gem. Let's just say my first experience with Lebanese food did not disappoint! They serve a pre-fix menu on Sunday evenings and for me I prefer having someone else decide what I'm going to eat. The entire meal was delicious, starting with the mezzes, which included some wonderful flavors of hummus, a variety of citrus fruits, and beets. The main course was the most amazing and tender chicken kabob I've ever experienced served with a delightful garlic sauce. Dessert was a simple pudding that was just enough to satisfy the palette. The staff is very pleasant and attentive. I can't wait for my next visit to Cafe Munir. So lucky to be surrounded by such fantastic food choices in Ballard. Thank you, Cafe Munir for finding a home here.

    (5)

  • Drew M.

    Absolutely one of the best Middle Eastern / Lebanonese restaurants in Seattle. Definitely a local hot-spot where people come from all over the city to try the restaurant, which means reservations are highly recommended, especially on busier nights. Our group sampled a number of items from the menu... Three different Hommus, each of them with distinct flavors, and it seemed everyone at the table had a different favorite. The table also shared a set of meat skewers from the grill - lamb, chicken and beer with tomato. One knock against the restaurant, we had ordered the Lahem Bi Agine (spicy lamb savory pastry), which the waitress forgot about. Everything came out from the kitchen in random order and very quickly, we didn't notice until the end. We did end up getting the Lahem Bi Agine, which was delicious, but the serving was small and not the best value. Sticking with the small plates, hommus and grill is the way to go! Cafe Munir also boasts a Whiskey Bar as part of the restaurant, which we were hoping to try with a drink before dinner. However, the restaurant doesn't really have a waiting/bar area. We did order a couple cocktails, but were slightly disappointed. Then again, you're coming for the food and not the drinks.

    (5)

  • Debi F.

    This place is a hidden gem, on a rather obscure corner in Loyal Heights. I went with my hungry other half, and another couple for dinner last Friday night. Our server guided us around the menu and what to expect. We started with some hummos balila, the baba ghanoush, and the lebneh bi Zaatar, which is a yogurt cheese with olives and olive oil, all of this served with the thin, Lebanese bread. This course served to whet the appetite. Amazing authentic flavors, with high quality ingredients, whipped in to some pretty amazing dishes. Then we got down to business. We shared the kafta and the beef kebobs, both of which were delicious. At this point, I was rather full, but the group pressed on for dessert. Who am I to say no? We ordered the baklava, which had five pieces, and a cheese that was drizzled with honey. So delicious, so amazing. Do I plan to return? Yes! Will I order some of the same dishes? maybe, but I do love to try new things. Should you go? Yes! Before it gets even more crowded than it already is.

    (5)

  • Erica L. O.

    This is an overdue review....Cafe Munir is fantastic! the food is great, the service is wonderful and the ambiance is perfect for various settings.... I don't eat meat and there are a lot of veggie options...but according to my husband, the lamb is to die for. The poblano pepper appetizer is probably my current favorite food... Oh crap, now i am craving it...guess a trip there is in order! Also, not much of a whiskey drinker, but they have a vast selection of great whiskey's and if even if you aren't a connoisseur, the waitress sure seems to be! oh, one last thing, the rice/lentils with caramelized onions is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue
  • Mon :Closed

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Cafe Munir

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