7 Best Middle Eastern Eats in Philly

Philly has so many great options!  Check these Middle Eastern restaurants out!

• Mama’s Vegetarian
• Sansom Street Kabob
• Dizengoff
• Apricot Stone
• Hamifgash
• Judah Mediterranean Grill
• The Persian Grill

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Photo Credit: Zagat

Chef Mike Solomonov might have modern Israeli on lock down, but Society Hill is only the beginning of exploring Middle Eastern flavors in Philly. From best in the biz falafel in Rittenhouse, to a Persian paradise is Lafayette Hill, this city is full of under-the-radar places where one can explore the flavors of the Fertile Crescent.

Mama’s Vegetarian
Home to the best (and most budget-friendly) falafel in the city (pictured at top), this Rittenhouse lunch spot is cash-only, no nonsense and pretty much always packed. For $4 you can get an overstuffed falafel that comes with hummus, tahini, perfectly diced Israeli salad and some serious slaw. Just make sure to ask for a paper plate to grab a side of pickles (pictured below) from the serve-yourself bar of cumin carrots, multihued hot sauces and Israeli eggplant.

Sansom Street Kabob
Relocating to sunnier South Street digs, dining at this Afghani favorite is now a much more scenic experience. As you might take away from the name, the kebabs are all grilled and seasoned beautifully. But the sleeper hits here the ashak, scallion dumplings in a yogurt and meat sauce with slow cooked pumpkin and Afghan rice.

Dizengoff
Mike Solomonov’s hummus take out hummus spot revolutionized Center City lunching options when it opened back in ’14. Since then the talented kitchen crew has been topping their impossibly light hummus (pictured above) with everything from spiced ground lamb, to crisp chicken skins and fresh garbanzos. Pro tip: Head into Diz on Sunday mornings for their brunch-time special, shakshuka, eggs slow cooked in tomato sauce with fresh pita.

Apricot Stone
This NoLibs Armenian newcomer is putting out the freshest plates of vegetable dips like mahamara (a roasted pepper spread with walnuts), roasted eggplant with onions and tomatoes and minted cucumbers along with meat kebabs and lahmajoun, an Armenian flatbread topped with meat and veggies. Apricot Stone also offers one of the best brunch deals in town with a six course tasting menu for $20.

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