Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant Reviews

Went there last week. The food had a nasty ‘dirty socks’ aftertaste… it turned out the tomatoes were beyond rotten. When we pointed this out to the owner he was rude to us and claimed the food came perfect out of the kitchen.

Had the vegetarian platter for lunch, which is really just 6 vegetarian appetizers and a salad. It was ok. Service was good and it was clean. Food didn't have a lot of flavor, but the dishes were all safe and neutral. I wouldn't come back again only because it wasn't remarkable and there are so many other restaurants in the area.

Our first time here and the food was very good. Large portions and very tasty. Friendly service. Very busy and noisy during lunch crowd.

What a great find! We went here after visiting the depressing Asian Night Market and being unable to eat there due to the crowds. We shared a Gyro salad here, heaped with gyro, which was plenty for two because we also shared a delicious hummus appetizer. It was too late for caffeinated tea or cola, so we ordered water. No problem, extremely friendly service and delicious food. My wife thought the gyro salad we had was the best gyro salad she has ever eaten!

When my friend and I went here my friend has an alergie and they got her order with out any milk. They were so kind, and very friendly! There food is over the top and their seating is amazing!

Came to Aladdin based on reviews. Excellent food and service. In spite of being a busy Saturday PM our order was delivered to the table quickly. We enjoy Mediterranean food several times a week and being on vacation we sought out a good place to fill in our routine. This was no disappointment. Freshly made Pita and fresh hummus were so good we order more to go.

This place is very nice, the arabian decor is really nice to start with, the waiters are very polite and very accomodating, they will be willing to change something on the plate and bring a smile to your face the food was fantastic, I went with my mother we had the vegetarian platter which had grape leaves, falafel, humous, baba ganoush, pickled turnips, fatoush and taboule we also had the cheese pies, very tasty, the food is very fresh we had turkish coffee with pistachio baklava, beyond delicious! the 3rd day we were back I had the same vegetarian platter and my mom had the shrimp kabob platter, their rice is very well cooked their shrimp is grilled beyond perfection . The owner came and said hello in both visits. Very friendly and loved their hospitatlity. Will defenitely come back if I am in town.

We were in San Diego right after Thanksgiving visiting my brother-in-law, and tried this place. It was really, really, good. Absolutely the best hummus and baba ghanoush I've ever had. The bread (pita-esque?) served with the dips was warm, thin, and soft. We also tried the kibbeh and a couple of pizzas, which were excellent. It was so great we ate there again for lunch the day we flew back home. We're going back to SD at the end of January, and I've already requested that this be our first meal. We didn't have a bad meal the whole time we were in San Diego, by the way, and this was our favorite. Try it out!

Service was great and food was exceptional. Wish the restaurant was bigger. If you don't get there at 11:30 or 11:45 on weekdays, there will be a wait for a lunch table.

We were looking for a new place to get a good meal. There are many options in the area but not are all worthy of return trips. We decided to call the order in as one of friends came up sick. The online menu is accurate and even has photos of the dishes to give you a good idea of what your choices are. The meal was ready in 20 minutes. The restaurant was pleasant/appealing, there was a good crowd but not "crowded." The many smells of the food being cooked had me drooling. You can watch them prepare their meals. The staff was friendly and helpful. They even have a store towards the back where you can purchase items. The meals were authentic, delicious, and plentiful. The humus and Tahini are AWESOME. Excellent lamb Shawerma. Many choices...we will be going back!!!!!

I was introduced to this place many years ago and it's been a favorite ever since. The food is authentic, creative and delicious and the servings are very generous (we typically share the chicken salad, for instance - it's huge!!). Service is always excellent and the waitstaff is very gregarious and helpful. One of my favorite "Go To" spots in San Diego!

Middle Eastern food just like "Oriental Food " in Israel. Hummos and Bab Ganouj are first rate as are gyros. Kabobs are pricy. Middle Eastern Pizzas and salads are tgenerous and tasty. for

This was my first time here and I have been wanting Greek food. The menu looked fabulous so I decided to give it a try. I was greeted at the door and have been treated like royalty since I arrived. The Lentil soup and free range chicken shawerma was delicious. Thank you Aladdin Mediterranean restaurant

super cute Mediterranean bistro, great place for lunch or dinner. I visited a friend in San Diego, she raved about this place and it was as amazing as she said it was. We had the Chicken Shwarma dinner and shared hummus and pita chips. It was amazing and the owner was a very nice man, thank you! One place I found with some culture and class.

I went with some colleagues for lunch and the parking was limited, (which is OK) it was lunch time and it was very loud in the resturaunt. We wer seated right away even thought they were really busy. We ordered two chopped salads and a large order of hummus. The salads are huge so you can definitely share. The salad was good but nothing that blew my mind or anything. The hummus was very good. The service was quick and the waitress was very friendly. They even gave us four to go drinks which was really nice. I will definitely come again since everyone at my work likes it.

There aren’t too many Lebanese restaurants in San Diego, so it’s nice to have Aladdin in Hillcrest. This restaurant has been in business since I moved to San Diego 15 years ago. I’ve eaten here a few times throughout the year and they’ve been consistent every time. The service is friendly and wonderful, the food is good, and the little outdoor patio is a nice option for those sunny days. This visit, we ordered Tabouleh, Lamb and Beef Bryani, and a Shish Kebab Mix Entree for two people to share for lunch. This restaurant also has a wine list and they carry two wines from Lebanon, so be sure to check that out. We ordered a bottle of the Altitudes IXSIR Red from Batroun, Lebanon. It was a red blend and went well with the food. One of our entrees came with hummus, which is really good here so make sure to get an order of it if what you order does not come with hummus. The Baba Ghanouj is also really good here, so that is usually on top of my list but we had more than enough food for this lunch, so we didn’t order it this time around. I’m glad Aladdin is still doing good and weathered the pandemic to stay open.

Aladdin Restaurant is so good I could return over and over again. The staff is friendly and nice and the food is fresh, healthy, and so delicious. Portions are generous. The salad that comes with the wraps has a fresh herb dressing that is so light. The garlic sauce is the best anywhere. Love this restaurant and can't wait to return.

We live close to Dearborn, MI, so eat Arabic food frequently. The food was fresh, authentic, and reasonable priced. We got our food in a reasonable amount of time, and the service was wonderful! It is located 2 doors down from a great froyo place called berries and beans.

Came early so we didn’t have to wait. Food was great had meat plate combo. And a Greek salad. Was more than enough to split 3 ways. Portions are huge. We walked away for under 50 bucks. Will be back. Ate so much my stomach hurt. Service was great as well

With friends, with whom we reunited as a group after 13 years, we got a craving for Kababs for lunch after jet skiing. Found the restaurant on Yelp with good ratings. We were lucky we found Aladdin. Unable to decide between iced teal and lemonade on a sunny afternoon, the person attending offered to give us a mix of the two drinks, which tasted great. Between the drink and the meal, we featsed on Hummus and Pita bread and the salad. The Kebobs we ordered were tender and delicious and came with rice, salad and hummus. The great meal ended with a great dessert and Turkish coffee. Would highly reccommend this and would be back when visiting San Diego again.

We had the most pleasant dining experience here. Not to mention all the food we had was amazing, our waiter/server/greeter/ made us feel so welcome! Mike went out of his way to give us a wonderful meal with a personal touch. He sat down with us for brief minutes to talk. We shared trips we'd taken and exchanged travel tips. The food was fresh and in a timely manner. Very busy and yet they were all working to serve everyone with a smile. Will definitely return!! Loved it!

Thought the meat was a little over cooked but generally speaking, it was good. We would return to try out other menu items.

The service is not great but you will have some great food regardless. The chicken shwarma is delicious and I highly recommend the passion fruit shrimp salad. I crave it all the time.

I am middle eastern, I know my food, this place is representing it very well, fresh, well seasoned and tasty! Sumac spice was all over, the secret of all good dishs! Fantastic! Waitress was very professional and fast!

The food was very good, but something seemed to be missing or perhaps a change was made. Past visits to the restaurant was very good, food was delicious. This last visit was not the same.

Great food. The service was great. The wait staff were very attentive. The prices were very reasonable. Wide selection listed on the menu. I had the beef and lamb bryani. Very tasty.

Everything--- the Cheese Borak, the BBQ Pizza (which I had never eaten at a Mediterranean cafe), the chicken shawerma and the shish kabobs, as well as the Kunafa (for dessert) was very tasty! Excellent dinner!

I ordered the #4 chicken tikka kabob plate to go. The chicken was well prepared and flavorful. The humus and rice side dishes are very good. The salad was was very refreshing. Mike, Sarah and the rest of the staff are very friendly and attentive.

Service on the slow side Waiter was friendly but overwoked The appetizer dish was decent but pricy The main course was dried out and felt heated up and rubbery lamb

The best Mediterranean food I had in such a long time. The place is authentic, the food tastes great, and the service is immaculate. The food is always fresh, and the staff will always greet you with a smile. The Moroccan tea is just right!! We love this place, and we will not stop going there. Highly recommended

Could not fault our meals - everything we ordered was delicious - obviously made from fresh ingredients and authentically served. The hummus was fabulous, as was the mixed kebab plate. We already have worked out what we will order next time! Limited beer and wine selection but that did not spoil our overall experience.

This was a return visit for my wife and me. The service was very competent and attentive and the food mainly very good. The entrees include a nice sized, tasty Lebanese salad with a tangy lemon dressing. The entrees were extremely generous. We had chicken kabobs and lamb kabobs, which came with basmati rice, fresh hummus and pita bread. The kabobs were very tasty, but unfortunately, the lamb was a little tough. A restaurant that specializes in this kind of food should know better. The restaurant is nicely appointed, but a little bit noisy. I think if we had been further from the open kitchen it might have been a little quieter.

Every dish I have tried has become an instant favorite. Chicken and lamb are the best in San Diego. My go to for lunch is the Mediterranean salad with grilled chicken. Bread is made fresh and with the hummus, there is no equal.

We visited the restaurant few months back. The food was below average but what we really remember is the lack to adequate hygiene. There were bugs flying. The smell there was weird.

Food it is extremely heavy and difficult to digest- used to like this restaurant in the past but on a recent visit it seems like the menu items have become more and more greasy and detracted from the true meaning of Mediterranean cuisine this is more of Arabic cuisine and it seems like a lot of the meats are cooked in heavy duty animal fat almost takes it two days to digest it and you feel very heavy and uncomfortable after eating it It is also very expensive which wouldn’t matter if the food experience was great which unfortunately it isn’t so I don’t think I will be going back anytime soon

Right across the street from our hotel, decided to give it a try. Was blown away by the decor, service, menu and quality of their offerings. This will now be a regular stop on our San Diego trips, along with Old Town Mexican Cafe and Point Loma Seafood.

Er, or it's just...really, really good. Hummous seems to be a bellweather for Mediterranean restaurants - I got it as an appetizer and it was shining, shimmering, and splendid...I mean it was really tasty. The chicken tika and everything that came with it - rice, garlic sauce, lentil soup - was great. Go - it's a wondrous place for you and me.

I just had dinner with my husband and two couples of friends in Aladdin, and went through a horrible experience. I visited the restaurant many times before, since the food is good. But after what I went through today, I will never return to the place. We ordered a descent amount of food, which was all good. But then the waitress mistakenly brought out two portions of Mawashi, (despite the fact that we ordered only one) and the meat in it was raw. We immediately requested to return the dish, and then a young kid named Ali said the chef checked the Mawashi and the meat is fine. Therefore he'll charge us for one of the portions that we ordered, since we ordered only one portion and not two. We asked to speak with the manager, and Ali said that he already left. When we asked our waitress Sandra to call the manager, she said we just spoke to one... Surprisingly Ali happens to be the owner's son who's apparently ruining his dad's business by providing an awful customer service. If one of your loyal customers requests to return a dish you don't confront him and try to prove him wrong! You should simply apologize and give him a refund. Not one minute passed by and Sandra approached our table again asking if we'd like to order desert and offered boxes to go. We said we're good, but then she said that since this is a dangerous neighborhood the restaurant requests its customers to leave by 9pm, and handed us the bill. We told her we live down the street and we find it offensive that she considers Clairmont as a dangerous neighborhood. She replied "l know, me too". The restaurant was still filled with people. What a rude attempt to kick out your customers. When reviewing the bill we saw that not only they added the raw Mawashi as Ali said he would, but also added 18% gratuity charge to the bill. I happened to eat in many restaurants around the world, and never have I felt so unwanted and disrespected.

We stumbled across Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe in North East San Diego because we were staying across the street in preparation for a dental appointment set for early the next morning. We had driven from Los Angeles and were tired. Nice surprise with the fresh quality of the Mediterranean fair but the big surprise is that Aladdin has GENEROUS portions! We ordered the Gyros dinner for $20 and ended up taking some home after being completely filled! They have Mediterranean style pizzas cooked over a wood fired oven. They have names like Jasmin's Vegetarian, Jafar's lamb filled, Simbad's BBQ chicken, to name just a few. Prices all around $14. They serve beers and wines and specialty Mediterranean drinks. There's a big variety of salads, specialty dishes featuring "home cooking," and the standard Kabab dinners that are way above "standard." Next time we are in the area, we will look for Aladdin's...lots of variety to make any visit a new experience!

The menu is very comprehensive, so chances are great that you'll find something you enjoy. You might also find it challenging to narrow down your selection. The dishes are excellent -- very tasty -- and the portions are large, so considering sharing.

Always get juicy chicken, rice, hummus (a little on the salty side for me), but the other white sauce, (Tahini? I'm not sure), FANTASTIC! but they do not give enough of that! So tasty... Miss you when I'm back in North OC! Bring your awesomeness up here, please!

The food, the service, and the presentation were all excellent. We couldn't have asked for anything else. The portion sizes are reflective of the price, so we didn't mind paying. Although the pizzas did have too many topping on, making it difficult to eat - I wouldn't come here for the pizza, it is not their specialty.

Some friends introduced me to this wonderful and very friendly place a while back and I keep returning. Chicken kabob sandwich with excellent chopped salad are so delicious. I have trouble deciding to order anything else, but I will someday soon. Also great falafel!!!! My friends from NYC say better than any they can find there!

I was bought by a friend for baklava and Turkish coffee so my review is limited, but based on this I'd guess the food will be great.

There is an excellent and wide-ranging menu choice. We had a Greek salad followed by a mezze, couldn't eat it all as there was so much. Fantastic. Very warm welcome received and excellent service from a staff member whose name we didn't get (nephew of the owner). The chef preparing the food was viewable, everything was freshly made and his attention to hygiene in the kitchen area was impressive.

I had a Greek salad yesterday that was delicious. It was large with a reasonable price. Hot pita bread was served on the side. It was busy, and I can see why.

While in town for business a childhood friend who lives in the area suggested we grab dinner at this place. She said it had been a favorite of hers in the area when she worked nearby. The food was good and the staff very pleasant. We sat out on the patio (in front of the restaurant) which made for a lovely evening. I had the Fattoush salad and she had the chicken shawarma. But what I would definitely recommend leaving room for is the pistachio halva ice cream. IT WAS SO GOOD! Of note, apparently this restaurant used to sell alcohol but they no longer do. However, they kept their liquor license so they allow BYOB.

The owner took my order and was super nice and chatted with my while i waited for my to-go order. Loved the food, good portion with enough for a small lunch the next day.

The food was good. I truly enjoyed all of the food our party of six ordered. I don't think there is anything that wasn't amazing. (But the lamb and marinated chicken stand out among all that I sampled.) The thing that made me fall in love with this restaurant was the service. I felt like we were treated like family. The young man that was our server was a delight. He was helpful and had a pleasant disposition. If you go, (which I highly recommend you do), you cannot go wrong with the Lebanese salad, the lamb chops, shish kabobs, the pizza, the shrimp, or the chicken.

My picks: Baba Ganoush, Chicken Kebob Sandwich, Warbat

WOW! Simply AWESOME! After living in Bahrain for two years, it has been VERY difficult to find truly authentic middle easten (Labanese) food in the U.S. Aladdin has the BEST we have found. The hummus is AMAZING! I also had the lamb schwarma which is HIGHLY recommended. Their salad is EXCEPTIONAL as their dressing is NOT heavy but light and delicious. The pita ROCKS! Authentically made on the side of the oven. Just DELICIOUS! Folks, we STRONGLY recommend this for lunch or dinner. Get there right at 11:30 for lunch, and you will have no problem getting a table. This is a MUST DO!

Aladdin is simply surprisingly well executed. Another waiter than before, but equally engaging, helpful and efficient. Invited my Oceanside friends, who claim to be all knowing in everything gastronomic in San Diego.. ..they were equally impressed and assured me that it will on their list of "in" go to spots in the area ..excellent food, good service, reasonable prices...couldn't expect more

I have never left Alladin's feeling anything other than satisfied. The Hummus is probably the best I have ever had. Their Pizza is insanely good made with their soft Pita Bread which is perfect straight out of the wood-fired oven and their Med Chicken salad is almost too good to be true. The lemon dressing has to be one of the best dressings in all of San Diego! Come here hungry and leave here stuffed with nothing but delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Thank you guys!

We've eaten here a couple of times and the food has been a bit of a hit and miss for us. For example: the hummus, Chicken Shawerma, Curly fries, Kebbeh, Chicken Bryani and Kunafa are all very good. But, their Lamb Borak was very sour (too much pomegranate juice), The lamb in the lamb bryani was very dry, and the turnip pickles had no taste. The service was also super slow even though the place was empty when we went. there were just two people at one other table. overall, the dishes that we liked were good enough that we'd go back on occasion.

Not the most atmospheric place, but great food at decent prices. It's difficult to choose, so I often end up with way too much food.

What a place we chose for Mothers day, got 2 thumbs up. I was under immense pressure taking Wife out for Lunch on Mothers day, who is picky and can afford very small room of error. But she was blown away by the food. We ordered, Lamb Biriyani, Pita bread with Garlic sauce, Chicken Tika Kabob and Kanafa. Everything was so perfect along with our Waitress Dana, she was very pleasant. To end, Kanafa stole our hearts. We will go there again, soon.For Garlic Sauce and Kanafa :) Mothers day was successful, mission accomplished. She even forgot that i did not get her flowers ;)

I have never had a bad meal.. I've been coming here for YEARS, been through menu changes and everything. Hummus is always tasty and you can ask for anything customized and they are happy to accommodate. Meat is fresh and full of flavor, salads and even pizzas are tasty. Try everything on the menu, you won't be disappointed.

My friend and I enjoyed a sampler platter that was loads of food and enough to take home. The variety was good and the waitress attentive. It was an enjoyable meal.

waited for 30 minutes for service so we left without even been noticed by the workers really bad serves alchol:(

This place looks like a hole in the wall--but it's far from it. This is one of my all time favorite restaurants in San Diego.

We really liked our meal in Aladdin. Our friend recommended this place to us. The restaurant interior looked exotic and a little shabby. We ordered Aladdin Meza Platter and Mixed Grill. We were able to try everything and everything was so good. It was our best meal in San Diego!

Awful experience, the worst service I have received in years. With so many other much better middle eastern restaurants, you'd better stay away and spend your money elsewhere

First off....BEST hummus I've ever had, and I have had more than my share. Creamy, no bitter aftertaste that you sometimes get. I could have made the entire meal out of that. Our waitress Angie seems like she actually likes her job, which is refreshing. She was attentive and made excellent suggestions on the menu. The food was plentiful and delicious. Plan on sharing an entree and add a small appetizer like baba ghanouj. The restaurant was packed, noisy, and fun. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. They let us linger for 3 hours on a Friday afternoon, which is very unusual in most restaurants. My friend and I found this restaurant via YELP and the reviews did not lead us astray. The only odd thing to me was that the tomatoes were sliced and not grilled. One of my favorite things about Middle Eastern food is breaking the grilled tomato up and mixing it with the rice and sumac and meat. Not here. Not a deal breaker. Also, no Masto-o-Khiar, which while again not a deal breaker, was missed. They did offer this delicious, garlicy mashed something. All garlic? If so it was the most mellow garlic I've had. That went well with the Chicken Tika and was an acceptable substitute for the Mast-o-Khiar. This is now one of my top go-to Middle Eastern restaurants in San Diego. They have a location in hip Hillcrest as well.

They have a wide variety of pizza choices and they're all good! Definitely recommend to anyone! They also have lamb, chicken and other things. The service was great and the place is very nice inside!

Great food, Lots of options. A-level service. Surely a place I will return to when I go back to San Diego.

This place has gone down hill immensely. Some friends were visiting me from the East Coast and wanted to go to a Middle Eastern restaurant. Brought them to Aladdin's because it was close by and, although I hadn't eaten there in several years, I remember it being fairly good. Well, the place is unclean, rude staff and the food was very greasy and oily. My friend found bugs in her salad. I was embarrassed as I had brought them here. Will never ever come here again.

Came here for the first time with a friend. We had not found any good Mediterranean food in san diego & my friend's a harsh critic, she's Egyptian. Tried this place & it was pretty good, excellent chicken & lamb kabobs, pretty good kafta too! Realy chill place, not fancy, could do with more ambience, but it's the food that counts!

We try a new restaurant every time we visit San Diego, about twice a year. This time we were so happy to find Aladdin’s. The food was wonderful and the staff was so friendly and helpful. My husband had chicken shawarma, which was prepared a little differently than he is used to. He said it was tasty, but wished he had ordered the lamb shank our waiter, Mike, was pushing! I tried cheese borek, an appetizer, which was outstanding! My Greek salad was so fresh and delicious. I barely made a dent in it, though. The mango iced tea was good, too. Come hungry, the portions are huge!

Came here with a group of people and found dead fruit flies in the food. When we pointed it out nicely to the owner he yelled at us and told us to “eat his delicious food”. We left and had to get our money back from our credit card company. Owner was rude and scary. Never will come here again

did not eat much. just sampled their falafel and labne., were OK the staff was friendly and it was right across from our awful hotel dkfj djasd

I am a Mediterranean cuisine lover. This joint is a head above the rest. I had lamb chops with basmati rice, served with salad and hummus plus pitta bread. Delicious. The portions are good. My eyes were bigger than my stomach. I will be going back soon. Well done guys. Keep up the good work.

One of the best Mediterranean Restaurants in the Clairemont area. Been coming here for quite awhile. Very popular for those that know this place. They've expanded to accommodate more clients. The food is great, the service is great and they remember every client thats ever stepped inside. They serve a variety of Mediterranean salads, pizzas, besides their assorted chicken, lamb, vegetarian dishes. You won't be disappointed. Besides the usual soft drinks & water they also serve, wine, beer, sparking water. Also on the menu are assorted desserts. You can order via phone for take out or just go in. Handicapped accessible. Parking is limited

I love this place! The salads are delicious and fresh. The hummus qnd baklava are house made. The greek salad with marinated grilled chicken and lamb are favorites.

Well, after a long flight from New York I was in the mood for Middle Eastern food. I walked into Aladdin and it was as though the gates of heaven opened for me. My family and I had a feast, a true feast. The best Middle Eastern food I have had for years. Had mixed salads, Lamb Shank,Kabobs, baklava with Turkish ice cream...The list goes on. The service was wonderful,and the owner charming. What a great afternoon it was! I was happy, and went to bed with a feeling of contentment.

Good place for Mediterranean food. Didn't eat meat as was not 100% sure about being halal. Very nice shrimp biryani and lovely houmous. Service was quick and very helpful staff. Kids lived the food.

My client is from the middle East and he took me there. What a treat. According to him, this is the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. The service was very good and attentive and the food was very good. The entrees were big. We had chicken kabobs and lamb kabobs combination, which came with, fresh hummus and pita bread. The lamb chop was good too. .

Highly recommend!! While talking about travel to the Mediterranean in 2019, we decided as part of our manifestation efforts to make it even more real by visiting this wonderful place on New Year’s Day while out and about! My partner and I started with the Baba Ganoush which was delightful with a slightly smoky flavor served with warm pita bread and salad. We decided to share the Lamb Kabob Platter which came with rice pilaf, salad, hummus and tomatoes. It was delightful and delicious. For desert, we shared the Turkish Ice Cream Baklava! Save room, not to be missed! Service was outstanding. Superb experience! Cheers to manifesting travel to the Mediterranean this year!

Family run, friendly staff, fresh tasty food, reasonably priced, packed with about 1/3 people from the Mediterranean region, 1/3 people from that area of San Diego, and 1/3 (like me) who drive over when I want a "fix" for fresh food and always-polite and very friendly wait staff (most of whom who have been employed there for a long time). It is at the west end of a strip-mall. Parking can be challenging around noontime. I recommend going later in the afternoon and sitting on the patio during nice weather.

This place was wonderful! I went with colleagues for lunch and we all thoroughly enjoyed the food. We shared some hummus to start and then my one colleague and I shared a combo plate which came with a salad, then the meal came with rice and chicken shawerma. It was delicious! The food is definitely a little on the pricey side but totally worth it, and you can split some of the plates as they include a lot of food. The one downside to the restaurant is the parking. If you are going with a group, plan to carpool or you might be forced to park on the street. The parking lot is not very big and there are several other businesses in this strip.

We were delighted with this very inviting comfortable restaurant with the owner's welcoming and generous attention. Hummus was great with fresh warm pita. I had a fresh Greek salad with added gyro, large enough for a take home extra meal and later I made gyro sandwich. She had lentil soup, very good, just the right temperature. And I enjoyed a fresh mint iced tea. Very nice experience and delicious lunch. Highly recommended.

Great food if oyu know what to order. Shawarma is a great choice, the kabobs are awesome, and the Feta-Bathen-Jan is a must for a starter.

I thought the food was so overpriced I couldn’t believe it. Everything was super salty. I will tell everyone I know what to expect when they go. What rip-off.

This is not your typical Mediterranean restaurant that is heavy with Greek influence. The tastes here are more inspired by Lebanese and Persian cuisine, with ingredients like sumac. It's not the cheapest meal, but you know you are eating fresh! Their shawarma sandwiches – chicken and lamb – are tasty. The Lamb Biryani is fabulous. Pizzas are great – with a chewy crust. Salads are generous in size – you can definitely split one. What you will notice the most is that everything is fresh and not complicated. Dressing is simply olive oil and lemon – yum! But the BEST thing to order is their Garlic Sauce (Lebanese Toum) made with fresh garlic, light oil, and a touch of lemon - simple enough, but so addictive, especially with their fresh and warm pita bread. The open view of the kitchen, including the wood fire oven, tells you that your meal is fresh. The service staff is friendly and recognizes the “regulars”. Lunch time is always crowded, but service is fast.

I have been coming here for lunch and dinner on a regular basis for 8+ years. I consider their tabouli salad and hummus to be the best I have ever had! They do not toss the tabouli with the dressing until you order it...so fresh and Yummy! The chicken salad is also a favorite. All the food is prepared fresh and I believe it's one of the healthiest meals you can get in San Diego. I have also used them on many occasions for large catering orders for parties, and my guests always want to know where the food was from. All this coupled with their consistency and the friendly professionals, most of whom have worked there all 8+ years I’ve been a customer, will keep me coming back for years to come :)

We have eaten at this restaurant since 1996 and it is consistently excellent with a varied menu, including the usual Mediterranean appetizers, very good pizzas and salads, and lamb and beef entrees large enough for two or people. It is good for takeout or seated inside. They have a great selection of teas and Baklava for dessert. The prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity.

We've had lunch here several times now, food is consistent and so tasty. Hummus is creamy and light, I enjoy chicken shawarma meat with mine. My hubby has the gyro pita with a greek salad.....delicious and we always get a side of tabouli. The portions are generous so we get to take some home. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Excellent options for Mediterranean food. Great prices and the staff is really friendly. The atmosphere is casual and it is really a place where you can relax and have a good meal. Very flavourful and one of the best mediterranean food I have had in recent past.

I love Mediterranean food. The food at Aladdin Mediterranean Café is way up there as some of the best I've ever eaten, including in several countries around the Mediterranean Sea itself. I highly recommend this restaurant. The portions are generous as well as delicious. My daughter and I ordered the Meza Platter to share, and still took some home! Another time I went in and ordered 2 appetizers to go and, as a small woman, I ended up having 4 dinners out of them! Eat here once, and you'll definitely be eager to go back.

One of our absolute favorite places to eat at while visiting San Diego. Excellent flavors from Lamb shanks to Gyros, shawarma to Home made Baklava! I love the chicken kebob platter, their fresh humus and home baked pita, Yum! Good prices and large servings. Ask for their hot tea w mint. An after dinner must! ❤️

I want to this restaurant and we were amazed about the food they serve us by. it was so delicious it looks like made home, go and try it…

Food is 3.5 and 2 star overall because their prices doesn't match with their online menu.İ still get it but it's would be nice let know by the person took the order especially when you charging 7.50 more for a plate.Food is ok but not great to me,had better ones.

We eat a lot of Mediterranean and they are definitely one of my go to restaurants. Everything is good there, the pizzas. the schwarma sandwiches, the felafel balls, and the chopped salads, great service too.

We ended there while we were looking for another place and it was definitely worth it. The food is delicious - we ordered the bbq chicken pizza and the mixed grill. Everything was very tasty. The service was great as well. We finished our meal with a delicious baklava. They also serve halal meat.

I love this place - I've been coming here since they opened many years ago when the uniforms were Disney-Aladdin-costume themed. I've also had everything on the menu. And now that I'm a vegetarian, I am thrilled to have many options to tempt me back. Best dish: chicken kabob pita sandwich. Sounds boring, right? WRONG. First, this chicken is marinated in some secret mixture of wonderful. Second, it is the moistest piece of chicken you'll ever eat. Third, it's paired with their phenomenal garlic sauce and tomatoes wrapped in freshly baked, flavorful pita. Fourth, it comes with a salad! Best side: the garlic sauce, appetizer size. It's not on the menu, order it anyway. Best feast: the mezza platters. Either the meaty or vegetarian one, you'll get to sample the best of Levantine cuisine. Good for two to four people, depending on how hungry you are. The servers are excellent and it's amazing how quickly they service everyone - with a smile. They go out of their way to anticipate your needs, but sometimes are short-staffed.

I have tried several Mediterranean restaurants here in San Diego. This one is the best by far. All of the food was delicious and I say this without bias because I have experience with Arabic food. The service was extremely fast and the staff was really kind. The falafel was amazing and the bread came out warm. The chicken kebab and kofta were really good. I must also say that my favorite dish was the lamb biryani. It was $15 but a huge portion big enough to share! The rice was amazing with the spices and the lamb was cooked really well. It may be a few bucks more than other Arabic restaurants but well worth it, I would t hesitate to go again!! Also the Turkish coffee and Knafeh is a great way to end the meal :)

I must say that Mediterranean food is not high on my list of must-eats, but this place was great. I was there for a business lunch and we enjoyed our meal at a table outside. I wasn't too adventurous — ordering the Chopped Chicken Salad — but it was outstanding with "difference-makers" like Feta cheese, pistachios and flame-broiled chicken breast, and a yummy Greek dressing. It was a huge portion; one of my colleagues ordered the same thing and we could have easily shared one and been satisfied. The other person in our party did go Mediterranean, and it was no problem at all to make the dish "his own" via substitutions. Even though we were there at high noon and it was very busy, our server was friendly and eager to please. If you are there at a busy time, don't bother looking for a parking place in the lot; there is plenty of street parking that's a better alternative.

Food and service were really good. Our waiter (he said it's pronounced "hi thumb") gave us great suggestions. The salad had a hint of mint and was SO good. We will definitely be back!

My co worker took me here once and I was hooked. I've been 3 times since and last time took 2 new people and they were hooked. Awesome Mediterranean food, huge portions. I had, can't remember the name, but it was Lamb and Pork mixed into a pita with Humus and a salad. Full to the brim. This place has lots of seating, inside and outside, and gets very busy so plan ahead.

My friends eat here often and I do occasionally. I would eat here more often if they served brown rice and whole grain breads. As it is now it is just white rice and white breads. There are dishes for meat lovers and for vegetarians. The place is often crowed for lunch and dinner by locals of varying nationalities. I love their greek salad made with hearts of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, feta cheese, kalamata olives and home-made greek dressing. Their home-made greek dressing is lightly applied to the salad but has so much flavor that you don’t need much of it to make the salad a real delight to enjoy ($10.50 - add chicken $11.75 - April 2013). Be aware that this salad is BIG, so you might want to consider a half salad or split it with someone. They also have pizza if that is what suits your fancy at the time. The restaurant is not too appealing from the outside because it sits on the corner of a little shopping center (as opposed to a stand alone restaurant) and the interior somewhat reflects that but they do try to add some Mediterranean ambiance in their decor so it's not as bad as it might sound. The service is generally good but sometimes they are so busy that it can be a slight problem to get the server’s attention just at the moment you want them. Parking is an issue because the lot is small and there are not enough spaces for everyone’s car but we usually do find a spot after awhile.

We visit Aladdin regularly. The owner makes people feel welcome and ensures that each person has a good experience. They offer the usual variety of Mediterranean foods. All are very tasty and the portions provide enough to bring some home for a future treat.

Our favorite lunch spot !!!!!

I've eaten here in the past and got the Chicken Kabobs on the last visit. They were great. Clean, white meat, great taste, hummos, pita and salad. At first i thought it was a little pricy but you get what you pay for. I went back today and the waiter suggested i try the Halibit. I told him i had the Chicken Kabobs last time but he said the Halibit was "the best". I took his word for it and thankful i did. Ive been trying to eat healthy and so he explained exactly how they prepared and cooked the dish i was interested in. It tasted amazing. Im not a fish guy but that was one of the better, heathier dishes i have had in a while! Thank You!

I've always enjoyed the food in this restaurant. The dishes are extremely tasty, and they have a wide range of Lebanese delicacies. You can order entrees, and any of them would be excellent; however, I would definitely suggest making a meal of the appetizers...The only concern that I have about this place, especially at lunch, is the noise level. To say that it is noisy would be an understatement. Sometimes a restaurant can be a victim of its own excellence. If you don't mind the noise, please go ahead and enjoy yourself. I guarantee that you'll add this restaurant to your "favorites" list immediately. However, please don't come here for a quiet business lunch.

Tucked-in location about 15 minutes (during light traffic) north of downtown San Diego. The food is amazing. I love Mediterranean foods and I look for it when I travel. I believe I am a good judge and I could taste the ingredients in all the menu items. If you like Falafel, then they add all the greens in the mix ingredients, which you don't see in other restaurants. Their shawarma has a long-lasting flavor. The service is top. The atmosphere is really nice and the waiters are really friendly. I always felt I wanted to stay longer.

Aladdin is the best Mediterranean food you can buy in San Diego. From the creamy fresh hummus to the Greek salad to the phenom falafel sandwich you cannot miss. Always busy at lunchtime but they seem to get you served. Exceptional staff

Everything we had here was outstanding. Had borak. They let me mix them & get 2 each of cheese, lamb & veggie. Wasn't that hungry so that served as my meal. Hubby got lamb shawerma. It was to die for!! Menu also had falafel and hummus & many other interesting sounding foods. Plan to return tomorrow night & try something new. Service was also outstanding.

It's all goooood here- Baba, Dolmas, Falafel, Hummus, Kebabs, Lamb, Chicken, Olives, Salads, and mmmm Pickles, thin delicious Pita......all around fabulous Med cuisine. Super fresh, authentic home style, good service and HUGE portions. Location is convenient but tucked in pretty innocuous strip center (they have reclaimed the sidewalk for some outdoor tables too). Some of the best Baba I've had anytime/anywhere. Everything is delicious! I heart Sumac :-) and I'll be back!

Went here for the first time. The shawarma was good and flavorful, shrimp kabob, tabouli , falafel , hummus and babaganoush good, the pita bread tasted like wheat and store bought and dry a bit dissapointed with that. The desert with the ice cream was great. The service was less than mediocre, slow and not attentive at all, had to get up to let another server to let the one taking care of us know we were ready after we were waiting a long time, food came only checked back once, had to get up ask for to go boxes and on top of it all they had the nerve to add a 18% gratuity because we had to kids with us to make it 5 people should be not allowed with sub par service.

Great food, atmosphere, and service. Generous portions. My wife had the chicken shawerma, which was some of the best I've had, and she and I split her leftovers for another meal. I had the mixed grill, which was a LOT of food, and took about half home. The chicken kabob was especially tender and moist. Highly recommended.

The place is furnished with taste and the dishes are well presented and served by kind and smiling waiters. We tried the falafel sandwich and the greek salad with chicken: both delicious. The only criticism I'd like to make is about chicken overcooking since some pieces were partially burned.

This place offers all kind of options: vegan, vegetarian, meat lovers, GF, etc. We were a birthday party of over 30 people. The server was quick, and on target, while keeping his humor! For a Friday evening, the place was packed, which is a testament to the high quality of the place.

We eat at Aladdin 2-3 times a month and it is always a great experience. The food is fresh, authentic and reasonably priced. The staff is friendly and efficient. The salad dressing is my very favorite.....there is a variety of menu items, whether you want a light meal or a hearty lunch. It is quiet and restful...also suitable for groups at the large table in the adjoining room.

Many years ago this was the best Mediterranean food in town. Today it is average at the best. We ordered a combo plate of lamb tika and Shawarma. The waitress acted very put off when I asked for the combo of the two types of lamb that were the same price on the menu. Asking for additional plates was another annoyance. Shawarma was tiny tiny morsels not so good; lamb tika was basic cubes of grilled meat that did not seem marinated tikka, just OK. A large appetizer of baba ghanouj was a little thin and lacked a smoky taste. All the Food was overpriced for what it was. Maybe in the 90s this was incredible but today there are so many other options for Mediterranean food who do a better job.

Friends took us here for the first time. Wow! The hummus was very tasty and the texture was the best I've seen in my 55 years eating hummus. The only word I can think of to describe it is "silky." The Baba Gnoush was was also some of the best I've ever had - very tasty. I also ordered Tabouleh, which I would return for if that was all I intended to order. It was very tasty, although I would use a little more tomato and a little more bulgar. I also ordered a combination plate including lamb chops, beef kufteh, chicken kabobs and lamb kabobs. The lamb chops were amazingly tender and tasty! I wish the entire order consisted of them. The lamb kabobs were dry as were the chicken kabobs. The beef kufteh was very good as well. For dessert I had their baklavah. I would say it was average because unfortunately it was "tough" - a strange word to use in describing it but it may not have been very fresh. Everything was homemade so that is the likely cause. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was Mike and he was very enjoyable and engaging. He was a definite "personality" and added to the enjoyment a lot! I will return whenever I am in San Diego again!

A colleague and I recently ate at Aladdin for lunch. We were in a hurry and the server was very responsive to our time constraint. We shared a combination meal of various kabobs, and the one entree was more than enough for the two of us. Everything tasted great! This was the best of four Mediterranean restaurants they we have visited during recent trips to southern California.

If u love Mediterranean food this is the place to go. Mike who waited on us was great. Very knowledgeable about the food and had suggested the #4 which included 2 scewers of marinated chicken along with rice ,humoos,tomatoes and a small portion of luban. The meal also started out with a wonderful salad with a balsamic dressing. Sooo good! I did mention Mike who also came by the table often to see if we needed anything. Be prepared for taking home a "doggie bag" for certainly 1 meal will feed 2 of u. Will remember that next time. We will definitely go back.

Great food and friendly staff. This place has a good selection of items to please. Fresh flavorful meals in a sitdown dining room. This is not a fancy place but Meat veggis and hummus all are a treat. What to pick is the hard part as all the items look so good . I have been pleased with every selection.