Sahara Grill Reviews

... tho I visit numerous other middle eastern restaurants. It is not fancy and the prices reflect that. What the prices don't reflect is the quality of the food. The chicken swarma is the best I have ever eaten The lamb is flavorful and never overcooked. Gyros, lebanese style, is an interesting twist - think Primanti's sandwiches in Pittsburgh. You can't beat this for lunch and, with it being a few doors east off Broad on Walnut, it's convenient for anyone down for a show at the kimmel or Acadamy.

I went for lunch and ordered Chiken Sheesh Taouk. It was excellent and very filling. Very nicely spiced. And at $6.95, an excellent value.

Stopped in at the Sahara Grill for lunch today, since we were in Center City to see a show. My husband ordered the stuffed grape leaves platter and a mango/yogurt drink; I opted for the hummus and falafel platter with mint tea. Both selections were very good. Our server was very attentive to our needs. These meals were affordably priced and delicious, two big wins for any big city dining establishment. If you enjoy Lebanese cuisine this is a great place to eat!

This is a good place near Philly City Hall. I was in Philly on business and stayed at the Residence Inn near City Hall and this place was a quick walk from the hotel. They offer Lebanese food and is Lebanese owned. We ordered hummus and foul madammas. They came with pita bread. Foul was alright, hummus was fresh. My wife ordered chicken shawarma and I went with Couscous with chicken. The food was delicious - 4/5. I am cutting a half star for the shabby restroom. They need to re-work their restroom. In Summary - Food was great, restoroom was bad

Tasty, oily rice. Mmm...

Restaurant is located in downtown Philadelphia. Food menus has many choices and the waitress recomanded sone. We got the falafel and the eggplant plate it was great, the beans was cold and their prices was reasonable.

This is the best value for Mediterranean / Middle East food in Center City Philly. It's clean, has a good selection of vegan & Halal meat offerings and even has whole wheat pita bread.

We were staying at the Double Tree downtown and we didn’t want to go too far for dinner after a long day. We found this place and decided to give it a try. We enjoyed everything we ordered including the hummus, chicken shawarma, marinated steak , and Greek salad with chicken. The food was tasty and came out fairly quickly, which was appreciated since we had our kids with us. The staff were very friendly and made us feel welcomed. We would definitely go again if we are in the area.

My husband and I were going for a play in Philadelphia last Saturday and thought it would be a good opportunity to try out this restaurant. We got there at around 7pm and told the attendant that we needed to get done with dinner promptly as we were attending a show. We also requested a booth, it just needed to get cleaned up. She however, said that booth was reserved for 'these people' as she gestured to them at the waiting area. We thought she meant to say booths were for more than 2 people. She seated us on a small table for 2 instead. We put in our orders right away. The food came pretty quick, but the rice that came with my entrée was lukewarm and I requested our server to warm it up little more. The lamb dish that my husband ordered was more disappointing as every piece of the meat had too much fat. As we were eating, we noticed that the booth that we had requested for earlier was actually unoccupied, 'those people' were seated elsewhere. Then a couple walked in and got seated in that booth. 2 other booths were also occupied by couples. It looked like, after all, 2 people could also have a booth. Why didn't she let us have the booth in the first place especially when we requested for it? She knew it was our first time dining there, she could have been nicer to new customers.

Nothing fancy, but a nice place for basic Middle Eastern dishes not far from the Academy of Music and other theaters. A BYOB, as is common in Philly. Kebabs and salads and teh lentil soup are good-- also the kibby. Waitress and staff were friendly and helpful. My second time here in 3 months, I'll be back again soon.

The place is small, cozy, and clean. I used to frequent it often when I lived in Philly, but have since moved away, never realizing it would be hard to find its equal. As a Lebanese American and a culinary person, here's what I can tell you: Falafel: among the best anywhere in the US. Light and slightly moist, full of flavor and a beautiful crispy exterior without overcooking or drying out the interior. Not to be missed. Chicken Shish-Ta Ouk (marinated grilled chicken breast chunks): This wrap is the best single lunch item in the city. For $6.95, you get the most beautifully marinated and perfectly flavored chicken, a mix of garlic, lime, seasonings applied balanced perfectly and grilled kebab chicken. Accompanied with a filling of tahini, lettuce, tomato, etc., you can also add their incredible Baba Gannoush or Hummus, and you have the best-tasting, freshest, very filling single lunch item in Philly. Go to Sahara just for this. Vegetarian Plate: Fantastic- Falafel, Tabbouli, Hummus, Baba Gannoush, fresh cucumber/tomato salad, bread. Pure vegetarian heaven on a plate. Baba Gannoush: among the best I've had in the US, light smoky flavor, just right amount of garlic and seasonings, pureed, and amazing full flavor that can't be beat. This from a guy who HATES eggplant prepared just about any other way. Only caveat, sometimes it's pureed a little less and can be a little stringy, so ask to taste it if you're picky like I am about the stringy version. Otherwise, the flavor is always fantastic and authentically Lebanese. Not to be missed. Hummus; Like most mid-eastern places, its good, maybe very good, but hummus is so ubiquitous and everyone has their favorite version, so I'd say its worth eating, but don't miss the other great items on the menu for it. Kibbe: Phenomenal. Never overcooked here, always fresh tasting, lightly but perfectly seasoned, and served with a lemon slice and a dipping sauce perfect as a complement. Not to be missed. Grape Leaf Rolls: This is pretty good, but one small roll is usually enough for anyone, rarely do I see anyone eat more than one or two and they're small. Grilled Meats/ShishKaBob: Very, very good here. The standout is the chicken, same as the one mentioned above- exceptional. The beef kebab meat is also very high quality and typically cooked to a Medium or Medium Rare. (You can ask for your preference). The lamb is also very good. In short the meats are high quality, priced reasonably, and accompanied with an incredible garlic paste. Worth buying to bring home too. There are some ordinary choices on the menu, but I'll finish with this. You won't find a place that has better tasting food, with personal and attentive service, quality ingredients, exceptionally prepared, and for a better value in Philadelphia, or any city in the country. And the best part is that I'm not exaggerating! Don't miss it.

On the way from Washington D.C., we decided to take a break for lunch in Philadelphia. We were 3 adults (me, my fiancé, and my mother-in-law who never had falafel in her life before). We had lunch around 2:30PM on Sunday (right after Thanksgiving). The food was to die for, we loved everything we ordered. I ordered falafel-humus platter, we ordered Sahara platter for appetizers and chicken shawarma and french fries with hot peppers and onions on it. The service was very quick and very friendly and professional. My mother-in-law who is a very skeptical and picky eater, she loved every single dish she tasted. The check was very reasonable and we left the restaurant very happy and satisfied. If you are in Philadelphia, I highly recommend this restaurant. This was my second time and we would definitely go back again.

great food, awesome service..and not expensive at all. fantastic value

Had an early lunch at Sahara Grill, and it turned out to be a good place. I chose several mezze; the food was tasty and the staff were very friendly. A place to visit again!

Everything was delicious: salad, humus, beef shish kebab, Sahara fries, baklava is different but nice has a flavor of roses nice people

good food, quiet atmosphere. Very friendly/family atmosphere, comfortable for a woman traveling alone.

Sahara is on a side street in Center City. The atmosphere is cozy if a bit dated and it is clearly a family-run restaurant. The menu is very Lebanese with all the usual foods - shawarma, hummus, falafel, and so on. We tried a few dishes over several nights and were happy with everything including the baklava. The baba ganouj had the right smoky flavor and the tabbouleh was full of parsley (as it should be). The chicken shish taouk had a nice lemony flavor and was well prepared. We also tried the kibeh and found it quite satisfactory as well. The staff are friendly and service is fast.

This place had the best hummus I've ever tasted! I might have filled up on just that, but there was a lot more food to enjoy. I had the lamb shish-kabob. Yum. The rrestaurant is very convenient to downtown, but we chose it because it is just across the street and a block west of the hotel we stayed at. What a good choice!

I work near this small quaint restaurant. I treat myself to their food on a regular basis. They cook everything from scratch and their platters are almost big enough to share. Your taste buds will enjoy this delightful restaurant. This is privately owned and not a chain.

My friend and I stopped here for dinner on our way back from shopping and was pleasantly surprised by how DELICIOUS our meal was. We ordered a platter, so we got a salad and bread with our meal, and there was enough to share. It was delicious and I can't wait to go back. We ordered the grape leaves, the chicken kabobs with couscous. AMAZING.

I went to the restaurant with family, the waitress “back hair, about 5.6 tall” was very RUDE. I called in around 9pm and was told that the last order is at 9:30PM. We made it at 9:15pm, when the waitress saw us entering, she shouted: “We’re closed !!" I told her that I am the one who called, so she allowed us. I asked her to bring juice to the kids; she ignored me so I went to the refrigerator and brought the juice. She brought our orders with a miserable face!! We never had seen her after she brought the food although we had to request more water. After we finished, I waited for her to bring the check but never did. So I went to the cashier and complained. Then she heard me and said:” what’s your problem” if you don't leave, I would call the police”. EXCUSME US: “Calling the police”!! The good thing a tall man in the kitchen heard us and he knew I was polite to her. This is the first time in my life I heard that a waitress fights with customers. Be aware people, if you go to this place, you may get caught by the police!! The next day, I called the manager and explained to him. He was nice and offered a free lunch, but I refused because I don't want go there no more. He told me also last order is at 10pm, so they gave me wrong information too. Later, a friend told that the same waitress was rude to him as well 2 times. The next day, I called the manager and explained to him. He was nice and offered a free lunch, but I refused because I don't want go there no more. Later, a friend told that the same waitress was rude to him as well 2 times.

The food was fine but not fantastic. I ordered the Middle Eastern Combo (hummus and baba ganoush, marinated mushrooms, carrots, eggplant, feta cheese, olives and tabbouleh). The hummus and baba ganoush were good but not great. Ditto re the vegetables. I'm not a big tabbouleh fan, but this was very good! I was so looking forward to this meal but am in no rush to return.

Found this by chance as we were looking for a Mediteranean type place. All the popular restaurants were booked on a Sat. night. Good prices ($12-18 dinner). Came with salad. Ordered several apps (tabouleh, hummus, baba g , shrimp kebobs, chicken kebobs, meat. They tasted very fresh, along with grilled veggies. The owner came by to say hello and help clear the table. He took the remains of my salad before I had time to tell him that I am still eating it, he gracioulsy made me a new one. The only thing that I didn't care for was the brown rice with the spices in it (we think cardamon). I would highly recommend this cute little place.

I had the hummus and falafel platter and it was quite tasty. Plenty of food for the price so I was happy with that. The only improvement would be the attentiveness of the server. Once I received my meal, she did not acknowledge me again until she was ready to bring my check. The restaurant only had 3 other tables at the time so I was a little irritated that my glass of water was dry. I did see her cleaning so I can attribute it to that. When I return to Philly I will certainly visit Sahara Grill again.

This was an unexpected good surprise. I was looking for a good restaurant around downtown Philadelphia. I found on the internet Sahara restaurant as being highly recommended. I went there, not so many people inside and I was not sure if I have to enter or not. I took the decision to enter and I do not regret it. The food is excellent. The lamb is perfect. My daughter had chicken and was excellent. I never had Guava juice like in that place. They are very nice with the kids. The baklava is great. The atmosphere is relaxing. I will go back there anytime

I ordered one the platters with Hummus, Falafel, Baba, Feta Cheese, Olives and a small salad. It was really fresh and tasted delicious. It was served with warm pita bread and I had a Sahara Iced Tea. It was the perfect meal at the end of a long day. I will definitely be back!

I wanted a fast meal close to the Doubletree by Hilton at a reasonable cost. The lamb was delicious. They were willing to modify for my allergies. Simple luncheonette style decor. Modest.

We were looking for some decent food near the Academy of Music. Based upon other reviews, we went here. Arrived around 2 pm, and were given the lunch menu. Lots of choices. We opted for the hot, mint tea and 2 entrees. My wife got the chicken and couscous. I had the grilled meat platter. We were given a salad with cucumbers, onion, and tomatoes with a balsamic vinegarette to share. Both of our entrees had great seasoning. Both were generous portions, and almost too much for a late lunch. The mint tea was superb. My grilled meat platter was good, but the chicken was slightly over done. The platter had chicken, lamb, and beef along with grilled zucchini, and a spiced rice. Again, the spices were spot on. The interior of the place is rather dark, and somewhat worn. The walls are lined with various paintings and photos. I was looking for a theme, but I felt the place was more of a hodge podge than a thematic design. The place was not crowded, and we were a bit concerned, but the dining experience was really pleasant. The waiter was attentive and friendly. We enjoyed the meal very much. The total cost was $33 before tip. The place has a great location near all the performing arts buildings along Broad Street. We simply walked the few blocks from the Academy of Music to the restaurant. Very easy to find. The men's room was clean, but small. According to my wife, the women's room could have used some TLC. We would definitely go back.

An excellent choice for both vegetarian and those who are not, we found a nice variety of menu choices. We tried the Middle Eastern Combo appetizer, Kibeh, Majaddra, and Mixed Grilled meat entrees. All were delightful, and we can't wait to return for more.

I have never been let down. Affordable and delicious. wonderful bhaklava!

If you are looking for an inexpensive sit-down meal in downtown Philadelphia this is a viable option. That being said, the food was only so-so. We had the hummus with ground lamb as a starter and the lamb was overcooked and dry, and the pita was the thinnest pita I have ever encountered. I ordered the lamb kebab entrée for a main and the meat was okay, the rice had a weird spice on it and the veggies were coated in paprika - not to my liking. I have eaten very good Lebanese food in many restaurants in London and this was not even in the same ballpark. Also, the service was a little strange, my meal came out at least a full five minutes before my son's beef kebab sandwich.

I have a taste for unique cuisine and hence, stopped into the Sahara during a recent business trip to Philly. The server exchanged no pleasantries, brought my drink to me in a can, and was generally apathetic during my entire visit. The food was mediocre (I've had better Shawarmas from food trucks), however the prices were attractive. The "restaurant" was full of teenage children, and dated/dirty decor. Food court fare within the facade of a restaurant setting.

mmmmmm. try the lamb!

I went to this restaurant in August 2014, not expecting too much considering the place and the price list. Though, I was looking forward to have a good couscous and so we went. I had stuffed vineyard leaves and taboule as appetizers and a lamb couscous as entree, finishing this meal with a baklava and a lebanese coffee. The waiter was very friendly to us and this added to this a pleasant dinner. We were able to talk about this kind of cuisine and the differences you can experience, dependig if the cook's tradition is rather from Lebannon or from North Africa. The leaves were tasty and not too muuch dipped in oil. They were heated perfectly so the rice still held some firmness. The taboule was really, really good. As much I can be picky on taboule, this one was great. Vegetables and parsley were very fresh and tasty, and it wasn't too moist, as we often have in fast food style lebanese stands. The couscous portion was appropriate, not bathing with sauce. The vegetables were perfectly cooked and the lamb was tasty, well done but still juicy. Baklava was good and the coffee was typical of lebanese coffee. I asked for orange flower water to perfume my coffee. The lebanese waiter didn't know what I was talking about (which surprised me a lot) but went to ask the cook. He came back with a little cuplet of if, with offered me enough to dose my coffee as I wished. The decor is nothing to brag about and the place could afford some improvements, but when it comes to a restaurant, it all begins with what's in your plate, right? We had a very pleasant dinner at this place and didn't have to ruin us to enjoy it. It's very affordable, so it wouldn't be fair to expect highly distinctive meals. But as simple this place was, it's well worth it's price.

Very casual middle eastern restaurant near Broad and Walnut streets serves very tasty food. Great platters of grilled shrimp and lamb kebab included grilled vegetables, salad, tasty seasoned rice and the best hummus we ever had-- smooth and light. Platters were in the 13-15 dollar range. Do not miss this terrific little place.

Great for lunch.

Every time we come to the city this grill is a must eat at place for us. We always try something new from the menu. We have never been disappointed. A warm friendly atmosphere. They have the freshest vegetables in their dishes and in the salads.

Small middle eastern restaurant. We love the food which is very tasty and carefully presented. We also love the drinks, especially yaran, a yogurt drink, imported. They also have nice selection of juices. Highly recommended for a family or friend outing before or after theatre. The tables are not too big. The staff is very attentive snd courteous.

We enjoyed this fine cafe for lunch. Very convenient to City Hall. Small but attractive. The owner himself greeted us and made recommendations. We had grilled lamb kabob and grilled marinated chicken. Served with rice and grilled vegetables. Wonderful.

This restaurant has a solid, no frills menu of middle eastern fare, and they nail every dish right on the head. I went with my husband and another couple, and everyone agreed that their dishes were delicious and true to the menu descriptions - exactly what we expected. The baba ganoush was particularly good. Only thing missing from the menu (in my opinion) was a side order of feta cheese, although I suppose that's more Greek :) I'll definitely be back!

We went to this restaurant in hope to have a good Mediterranean meal. very disappointing. The dishes were dirty and look greasy. Chairs, tables, and booths were the same. Food was not fresh at all, kabobs looked to be cooked before and warmed up again. quality fo food was terrible, dishes were covered all with spices (to cover the bad smell of food I thought).Food was cheap here but we cannot eat half of it because of the gross quality of meat. I never eat in this place again and do not suggest it to anybody.

We injoy eating Lebanon food ,spically Mix Shawarma( chicken and beef sandwich).ans dont forget to order Houmes.

I don't see many North African Arabic cuisine in town but this one definitely tastes great with moderate pricing. Too bad I'm gravitated to Passage of India near by since I love Indian...

A close walk off Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts and City Hall, excellent food, worth repeat visits. The mixed grills are tasty and so is the moussaka. I just wish the portions were bigger!

. . . I have ever tried. Mixed grill, Chicken, spinach pie--all of it was great. --------------__------------------

Had the opportunity to have dinner as this was grill was close to my son's apartment. The ambiance was quiet with a few tables occupied. The service was fair as the waiter took our orders in a relatively quickly when we finished reading the menu. The food came out as quickly although my wife did not get to order her primary selection, Schwarma because they ran out. Upon observing the plates that we ordered, the serving was meager at best unproportional to the higher price we paid. The rice was somewhat wet and tasted like cardboard. The beef was overshadowed by its somewhat pungent taste from the spices it was cooked in. And the vegetable was soggy and tasted aged instead of being crispy fresh. Despite this grill being 2 blocks from my son's apartment and convenient, we definitely crossed it off our list and I think you should too.

My wife and I shared an appetizer assortment including tabuli, babaganush, humus, and another eggplant dish, all of which were delicious. We both had lamb shish kabobs which were quite good accompanied by brown rice with pine nuts and a very tasty mixed salad. The total came to $45 (before tip) which we felt was a good value.

Nice b/c it is BYO but food is better elsewhere...

Reasonably priced good foof I enjoted the chicken sharma My wife had the mixed grill Salad was good & more than ample accompanied by the pita bread Mint tea complimented the meal

I went to dinner with my wife and I found a dead cockroach in the sauce. It was the most disgusting experience of my life.

Great service Great food. Not much else I can say. Really enjoyed this little find walking around downtown.

The best Lebanese cuisine in town! BYOB.

This small family run grill is absolutely wonderful. The food is great. The service is friendly and the prices are reasonable. My wife had been here before with friends but it was my first time. It will not be my last. Tonight we focused on the appetizers. Next time I plan on getting their special dinner for two.

We went to this place because it was near the Wilma Theater. The prices looked good on TripAdvisor and it did not require reservations. The salad had a tasty dressing, but left a bit to be desired. The entrees were terrific. I had the Chicken Sauted with Mushrooms. The chicken was finely chopped. The sauce and spices made this a pleasure to eat. My wife had a three meat combination. The finely chopped sirloin was very tender. Her rating was good, but not great. Personally, l would eat here again.

Small neighborhood Lebanese restaurant with many of the patrons return customers. The food is fresh and plentiful. the hummus and the fava beans in garlic is just wonderful. We had the grape leaves and the spinach mushroom pie. The mushrooms were fresh not canned, just perfect. Try their tea, it is a combination of several teas and is excellent.

We stopped by Sahara grill one late night and surprisingly the food was fresh, Hummus was good the pita was hot and thin just the way I like it, the only thing is the fatoush salad was not what I expected, it did not look like the real Lebanese fatouch, but still it was good.

This is a small restaurant in an area of restaurants. I should confess that I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern food. The food is very tasty and if you are fan of middle eastern food, definitely worth dropping in. Not too expensive for what you get. Tried the hummus appetizer and a mixed grill plate. Hummus was lovely along with the thin pitas that were served along with it. The salad that was served with the meal was light and tasty. Couldn't get enough of the rice that was included. The meat was all cooked to perfection and wonderfully seasoned. I would recommend this place if you can overlook the duct taped seats which I definitely would suggest. The service is good - kind of a family owned style of restaurant. The wait staff was friendly and inviting. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

I definitely try to eat here at least once when I'm in town. Food is fresh, plentiful, great price, great service.

I wanted middle-eastern cuisine and this place had good ratings and it is not too far from the hotel I am staying at. The place is clean and and there was no wait to be seated on a Sunday evening. After being seated, I had to wait for a long time to be served because there was only one server and she was serving at least 5-6 occupied tables. The serving time was not long thereafter. I ordered the Lentil Soup and Kafte Kabab. The lentil soup was good but rather tasteless. Kafte Kabab were good but nothing better. There were three small kababs which were dry instead of being juicy- and I think they were so becaiuse the kababs were small and therefore overcooked. The meat was accompanied by rice and grilled vegetables which were also good. Would I go back, Not very unlikely.

Haven’t been here in some time but they haven’t missed a beat. Felafel is fresh made, hummus is delicious, swarma is top notch. Only complaint was that the pita was a bit over warmed, it was crisp in spots.

This place makes good middle-eastern food. Try the mix appetizer, you get a bit of everything and it's tasty. The mix grill option is good if you want to try different things, the best thing about the platter is the rice, I have no idea what's in it to give the rice a dark color but it's very good. The thing that kills the dine in experience is the service, we ate in 3 times for lunch on the weekend and all three times we were waited on by a guy who I don't think is a waiter, he doesn't even know how to set the plates on the table properly, he drops them with a slam and once food rolled out of the plate onto the table, he acts like he is giving out food for free. We haven't been here since we found another middle-eastern place in University City, with better food and service.

We are visiting town for a meeting and were looking for a light but tasty meal for dinner. We found the Sahara Grill through Trip Advisor as being near our hotel and it looked like it would fit the bill. We were quite pleased we chose to eat at Sahara. The staff were pleasant and polite with efficient service. The hummus was smooth and not too garlicky. Kebabs were tender and not overcooked. And all were reasonably priced. The Middle Eastern music and atmosphere were reminiscent of past travels to the Middle East.

Decor a little tired and shabby and you have to bring you own wine but really well cooked and reasonably authentic Middle Eastern food - albeit with the main courses plattered in the American style - at an extremely reasonable price. Charming, discreet and non intrusive service.In my view puts the steakhouses to shame.

Middle Eastern restaurant with excellent food and very reasonable prices. Location is another plus -- only half a block from the busiest stretch of the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street). Extensive menu: the Lamb Kebab and Sharwama (Beef, Lamb) are our favorites. Good service and quite nice decor.

Delicious middle eastern food. Not a fancy place but the food is awesome. I go there for lunch each time I visit Philadelphia. The restaurant has been around for many years and is still as good. Highly recommended.

Awesome food for non-veg lovers. The non veg platter and the chicken shawarma sandwich are amazing. Must go place for anyone looking for halal food.

We were in Philly to see the Durand-Ruel exhibit, with just one night, and Kathy said she really wanted to go back to the Sahara Grill. The decor may be faded diner style, but who cares? We bring our own wine and glasses, there's Lebanese music playing, and the cuisine is so far beyond anything of its kind we've found in NYC, Paris or SF! This time they added some grilled cauliflower (usually a bland veggie) that stunned us both. The Baba Ganouj is unparalleled, the houmus excellent, etc., etc. And it's so reasonable, and you can bring your own wine/beer/cider. When we told the friendly waiter we loved the cauliflower he brought us some to take home and wouldn't charge us.

Excellent place to eat mediterranean food! Flavor is authentic and delicious. Portions are generous and the price is right. Don't miss it!

We were at Sahara Grill with friends a few years ago and enjoyed our meal. So wife and I were passing by and dropped in for dinner. The lamb kabobs were good as was the baba and mousaka; the rice was great. No one's going to complain about the food, the prices or the service. But it's time for change! Given the excellent location, a modest investment in redoing the dining room and dressing the staff in black would be welcomed by the regulars, attract those presently passing it by, and reap greater rewards. This could be a great little restraurant.

It was a cozy spot, a small restaurant, with an open kitchen in the back. There were a couple of tables that were empty, which eventually filled up as the time passed. But overall, a clean comfortable casual place. The menu had plenty of options, but we knew what we wanted, the Mixed Grill! When you can't decide between the meats, it's the best way to go. Since it was a cold night, we opted for the spicy lentil soup as starters. Unfortunately, it was not spicy nor good. It was very blan and lacked salt as well. Even after squeezing a lime into it, the taste was just okay. I've had better lentil soup from Middle Eastern restaurants prior to this. Along with the soup, they gave a salad, which was very fresh and crisp, I loved the salad, it had a light dressing of olive oil. Very simple and clean. The entre came out right after we finished our soup, didn't take long at all, and I was glad it didn't because we were HUNGRY. Once we saw the rice portions, we felt it was on the small side, however the rice was tasty. Not your usual white rice or brown rice, and it was not dry. As for the meat portions, it was ample. The meat was grilled, juicy and done just right. The plate consisted of chicken, lamb, and beef, with some side vegetables- which was also nice to have on the plate. The food was clean, fresh, and perfectly done. Once I was done eating, I felt full but not heavy, my hunger was satisfied. Overall, it was an ok place, and I would not mind trying it again, and this time, I would try the hummus.

Sahara Grill has a large menu, but the food is not exceptional. The pita was dry. The salad was simple but fresh. The cous cous and lamb was heavy on the starch and vegetables. The lamb was cooked right but lacked seasoning. The lack of a wine/beer/cocktail menu makes it a low-energy place better-suited for lunch.

The food was OK and the service was just acceptable.... The restaurant is a pretty nondescript establishment, so it is easy to miss. The facility itself appears clean enough, but is almost what you would expect from a fast food place - nothing fancy at all here. The service was barely acceptable...I was disappointed. The server took our order, and brought the beverage and food out to the table when it was ready. Never once did she return to see how we were doing or if we needed anything. She also seemed very, very bored with her job, and definitely wanted to be somewhere else. Can you say "customer service training"? Now the food.... The best part, as far as I can testify to, was the mint ice tea. Superb, refreshing, and tasty. My traveling partner had the mousakka, which was noted to be very good. I tried the beef shish kabob plate. This came with rice and mixed sauteed vegetables. Overall it was just OK. The vegetables and rice were good (how much can you mess them up). The beef, however, had the consistency of an old leather jacket owned by Elvis. Very tough. Mr owner....I would highly suggest getting a better cut of beef for this offering. The prices were very reasonable for this part of the city, and portions were about average. An OK place....and I would probably give them another visit to see if there are any improvements in food and service.

So I happened on this place this morning and decided to give it a shot later today...and did. Words cannot describe how magnificent the food is at this place! Totally unpretentious -- everything about this place focuses on the food and service. Magnificent, magnificent meal. Great portions. Great for vegetarians, too. Fresh and exquisitely flavored food. I just came from spending a year in the Middle East and have eaten some really swell food there and here in the States that was prepared by Lebanese folks (home cooking and restaurant) as well as the preeminent chefs from the Mideast (i.e., the Halabia) and this food gives any other Middle Eastern chow a run for its money! Price can't be beat, either. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot if you haven't been lucky enough to have eaten here already. Friendly hosts. The atmosphere is casual, which I enjoy. Man, I wish I was going to be in Philadelphia for a month so I could try out more of their dishes. Heading back tomorrow, I promise!

Friendly service, generous serves of well spiced, expertly cooked, fresh produce - you can't really ask for more. I cannot express enough how good everything was, from the perfect amount of smokiness in the babaganoush, the thoroughly marinated and perfectly charred shish tawouk, even the salad dressing was a star, rather than a throw away. We've eaten a lot of middle eastern food, all around the world, in restaurants and in neighbours' backyards, and Sahara is truly middle eastern food at its best!

My fiancée had the grilled veggies. She enjoyed it very much. The rice that came with it was flavorful. I had to stop myself from eater by it all. The restaurant itself was a nice quiet restaurant good for a nice conversation.

We enjoyed our meal at the Sahara Grill. Service was nice and efficient. Food was very good. Humus was just perfect. Deserts were very good. Recommended.

Terrific Greek salad with Broiled chicken. Outstanding ! Also enjoyed the cucumber salad and pita bread

The Sahara Grill is located near several other restaurants and bars in the downtown area. Service was great. I got a seat right away and my waitress seemed to really enjoy her job because she was all smiles. The Sahara is small - a narrow restaurant easy to miss. I walked past it twice looking for a place to eat not even knowing it was there. It has subdued lighting and tastefully decorated inside. The table was clean and I liked the Middle Eastern music playing unobtrusively. The food was OK. A bit bland compared to other Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to. Though, to be fair, I'm not an expert on Middle Eastern food, just a casual diner. Drinks were served by the container - no fountain service. And prices were fine - not cheap and not too expensive either. All in all, an OK visit. A good experience.

Place was clean, quiet, and obviously family run (no type of uniform). I did not see any female employees. Booth seats had some wear and could feel the springs. Ordered the combo appetizer which was good, came with a green salad but didn't have the yogurt dressing I expected. The pitas were nothing special. They were out of the scallops so went for the shrimp. Not overdone and came with grilled veges and rice. Companion had the beef kebobs with grill veges and rice also. Have had better. Ok place to go if you can't find a restaurant with an open table in the area. Decent price for the area. Can byob which is a plus.

Sahara Grill doesn't disappoint. It's nothing fancy, but the shawarmas are very good and messy and the Baklava is delicious as well.

Sahara Grill is a Lebanese restaurant serving a wide variety of middle eastern food. Their food is always well prepared and tasty, using high quality ingredients, yet the prices are very reasonable. The lamb skewers, either as lamb shishkabob or couscous with lamb, are particularly good. But, so is everything else on the menu. The baba ganoush is probably the best we have ever had.

A small joint with really authentic tasting food. the price is just right. Loved the rice that accompanied the entrees. will visit again for sure.

Fresh food and delicious! Enjoyed the chicken shwarma platter and hummus. Left the plate empty without a grain of rice. Wish I would have known about this place on my first day of arriving in Philly. Now I know for next time. A must if you love Mediterranean food.

Had the Lamb Kabob, and a side of spinach & mushroom pie. Large salad came with the kabob, so the added side was a bit more than I needed. Food was very good, especially the grilled veggies with the kabob. Service was friendly and attentive. I will go back.

Lovely place. Relaxing atmosphere and the food was out of this world. Server smiled all the time and even giggled when we spoke about certain things. Wine suggestion was really a great compliment with our meal. No rushing here. Server could check on you more throughout meal in case water was needed. Price very reasonable, No complaints. Found this place while walking around and took a chance. Glad we did, You won't be disappointed if you eat here.

Good middle eastern food can be hard enough to find outside of NYC, but this place hits the mark . Reasonably priced authentic shwarma, good lamb dishes and a BYO policy that makes for a friendly unpretentious atmosphere. This was my first night out in Philly and I really felt like i was in a friendly town!

We stumbled upon this restaurant on a recent trip to Phily. We had remembered eating there a few years ago, and remembered the food being excellent. Happy to say, things have not changed. We had 2 different chicken dishes plus a salad and everything was great. Service was friendly, prices were reasonable. Food was markedly better than one of the hip, expensive places we had tried the night before.

The good: the food is delicious, served quickly, even if by staff who are overworked: they need more waiters! Not as good: drab atmosphere, a glorified diner really, with crazy artwork, some of which is not culturally appropriate or consonant; not very clean; rickety old chairs; understaffed; and very small portions of food. Five small cubes of chicken for $16! It should have been at least double that. In all, a decent place, if only for he quality of the food, but not a romantic outing, and with much room for improvement.

While there are quite a few middle-eastern carts around Philly, all with great food, the Shiwarma at Sahara (sandwich/roll - not plate) was excellent. Have been back a few times so that should say a lot.

Casual place. Food is good. A bit heavy on the oil with the falafel. French fries good. Only Greek coffee.

Hi, We live close to Sahara Grill. Did not notice it due to the lack of adequate lighting for the signage off the street, so it was a pleasant discovery after living in the city for the past 6 years! The food is surprisingly delicious and consistent in taste. We usually order their Hummus to take away as a lunch/snack during the week. It is well made unlike the Whole Foods and other store brand packaged hummus which costs more. Try any of their grilled dishes, especially their grilled chicken and lamb. I suggest getting their sandwiches as well, but if you do not see the Shwarma roasting, don't order it. Instead order whatever they can throw on the grill instead. We ordered Shwarma once that we noticed was not roasting on the rotary grill and tasted like a day old, refrigerated meat that was reheated. It was also a little dry and needed some tahini sauce. For dessert try their baklava or kanafeh dessert. The rose pudding is average. Overall it's worth the money for lunch or dinner if you aren't into overpriced, trendy places like K'Far or Suraya. Happy Eating.

I have been visiting this restaurant for 15 years and I've never had a bad experience. Great food an great people. Very authentic Lebanese food. The Lebanese shawarma is my absolute favorite. The hummus with meat is great as well. Everyone I bring here ends up loving it. Great food!

This restaurant was on a list given by our hotel near the convention center and I'm glad we chose it. The grape leaves were delicious and there were enough for another meal. The hummus and pita was wonderful and my friend had a very large Greek salad. which was filled with lots of feta, tomatoes, etc. The prices were very reasonable. I would highly recommend this restaurant and hope to return to try other items on the menu.

Went to this restaurant on walnut with family following a matinee of Spamalot. This included our 10 yr old. We had a lovely meal. Chicken and hummus was especially tasty and worth the money for somewhat small portions. The restaurant decor is fairly basic but comfortable, and service is excellent. We would definitely consider a return visit.

My family really enjoyed Sahara. It was basically exactly what we expected, good food, moderate prices and acceptable decor. Our waiter was very nice, although he seemed a bit uncomfortable in his role. My son and I went for the Lamb Kabob sandwiches, which along with a shared app and shared dessert was enough food for my dinner. The pita wrap used for the sandwich seemed to be house made and was excellent. My daughter had the lentil soup for her dinner and loved it. I shared the hummus with my wife, which was very good. For dessert they gave us a sample of something that just came out of the oven and I think it is called Osmallieh. It was really lovely, a shredded pastery dough is placed on top of a cream filling of some sort that had a nice cirtus flavor and on top of everything were some chopped pistachios. It was so good we ordered a whole piece for the table to share. If your looking for a spot near the Kimmel center that is not too fancy this is a good option.

Great food, elegant setting. Prices are OK.

My husband and I stumbled across this place in 2017 originally. We walked in about 20 minutes before they closed and they welcomed us as if it were the middle of the afternoon. The food was authentic and outstanding. So in visiting Philly again this this year, it was a must to stop in again. This time we took several friends with us, and the restaurant did not disappoint. It’s BYOB, so we ran out for bottles of wine. My husband and I shared the meat hummus (OUTSTANDING) and Tabouleh. Then we shared the mixed grill dinner. We are avid middle eastern cuisine diners, so this was not our first rodeo and found their dishes well flavored and authentic. I highly recommend this place. They are extremely welcoming, warm, and accommodating to their guests. Can’t wait to go back next year when we visit Philly again.

We enjoyed lunch here today. The assorted appetizer plate included creamy hummus, tasty baba ganoush, marinated mushrooms and carrots,a falafel, a warm grape leave and good tabulhli. We shared a koftka pita that was delicious. The service was efficient and pleasant.

This is a good place to begin your adventure in experiencing Middle Eastern cuisine at an affordable price. I had the Spicy Lentil Soup, which was good. For my entree, I had Chicken Shawarma, which I would also recommend. The Sahara Iced tea was essentially Chai Tea, but was good as well. The prices are reasonable, especially considering that it is located in Center City, not too far from the theater district.

Two of us just returned from a delicious dinner at the Grill. I'm amazed with their ability to take simple, inexpensive food and combine it with tasty spices and produce delicious food at very reasonable price. Don't pass up this place if you're on Walnut Stree!

We had a really great meal at Sahara Grill on Saturday night! The restaurant was very cozy and the food was authentic! The menu had a good selection of dishes. Very tasty meal!

We had a train to catch and asked the proprietor if we would be able to be served in time to eat and leave in an hour. That turned out not to be a problem. My husband and I both ordered the couscous with chicken which came with a very fresh salad and pita bread. The vegetables in the main dish were very nicely grilled and delicately spiced. The chicken was quite good as well. The restrooms are accessed through a rather narrow hallway. There are no grip bars on the wall, at least in the women's room. For those reasons I suspect that it would be difficult to use for someone who needs a wheelchair.

Well my advice is don't bother. I'm surprised by some of the other reviews. Looks like a snack bar - fine but not over-reassuring. Weirdest aubergine starter I have ever had, peculiar texture and over- oiled and spiced. In fact everything is over-oiled and spiced - salad, shawarma, rice but tasteless falafel. The spice appears to be a mix of paprika, sumac and cinnamon. Never tasted 'Lebanese' food like this before

This was a first visit with friends.Had seen many positive reviews on line. The food was good, and reasonably priced, but the experience was significantly downgraded after using the restrooms, which were very dirty. There is no excuse for that, especially after now seeing some other reviews (which I had not seen before) which mention the dirty restrooms.

I was with my co-workers and we had a group of seven. We brought our own alcohol. The kebabs were very good. The humus was great. I enjoyed the mixed kebab platter. The only negative about this place was the service was slow. They did not have enough help at dinner time.

My wife and I came here to celebrate my birthday. Very nice restaurant off the beaten path. A great, authentic meal at a reasonable price. Nothing fancy, and excellent service. A BYOB with no corkage fee.

I was craving Greek type food and we decided to give Sahara Grill a try last night. We are certainly thrilled that we did! We enjoyed a great starter with feta, olives, eggplant, taboli and pita triangles. Service was very quick and we enjoyed every bite. Not a plate crumb left.

Not a big restaurant or very glamorous but wow, what great food. I was there with my wife for the Philadelphia Distance Run and my wife wanted to try something different for dinner the evening after the race. I'll be back in Philadelphia for the marathon in November and we will head to the Sahara Grill both Saturday and Sunday night for dinner. It's on Walnut Street near the Holiday Inn Express. Prices are reasonable.

Best lunch I've had in a long time. Ordered the Zucchini and feta platter. Comes with a wonderful mixed salad, humus, and pita. The chef uses a fantastic medley of spices and high quality ingredients.

This is good place to eat in the central part of Philadelphia. Despite the place being almost full, the lone waitress was cheerful and friendly while coping up with orders and service. The food was fresh and tasty. Don't expect a great ambience.

Don't be confused by the name - it's not North African, it's Middle Eastern. I returned there with some women friends on a visit to Philadelphia after a few years' absence. The decor hasn't changed, the food was as good as ever and we received a warm welcome. I ordered scallops from the menu and was disappointed that they had none. However, the shrimp dish was good, and the rice was wonderful. The baklava didn't have chopped nuts between each layer of filo pastry, which would have been amazing, but it was delicately flavored, and not too sweet. It's good value because there is a wide range of choices, from modestly-priced wraps to more expensive platters. I was somewhat put off the meal by the state of the toilets. The women's room was locked, so we all had to use the men's room. It wasn't too pleasant.

Nice restaurant with a reasonable menu selection. The food was hot, delicious and served by professional/ friendly staff. Despite requesting a table for one I was made to feel welcome. I felt I got value for money and I would , without hesitation, go back!!

Found this gem of a Mediterranean restaurant on our first night in Philly. The food was some of the best Mediterranean food I've had since my Greece trip. We had the Middle East Combo for an appetizer and it was delicious. Best Baba Gannouj I've ever had. The stuffed grape leaves were served warm which I've never had before which gave them a different taste...very good just different. I look forward to enjoying another dinner here soon!

A good, simple BYO Lebanese restaurant in the heart of Philadelphia's center city, meters away from the Kimmel concert hall, the Opera House, and the Walnut/Chestnut shopping area. They serve a 25$ sampler including nicely grilled meat, kofta, hummus, fava bean paste, etc. More than enough for a dinner. Quite wide selection of middle eastern dishes. The owner is a little grumpy but he is ok.

This is not a fancy restaurant - almost a luncheonette - but the food is good and very inexpensive for a downtown Philadelphia location. There were many locals and university students dining the night I was there - and it was noisy and friendly. The food is middle eastern and there is a nice variety. Again, we wanted something quick and inexpensive - and not too far from our hotel - and were pleasantly surprised to find something right around the corner from the Academy of Music and the Kimmel Center.

True hidden treasure in Center City. Discrete and difficult to find, but take a chance on this place and you will be sold. Fresh ingredients and the meat is grilled perfectly.

Visited the place for early dinner. The server had helped in ordering the right set of things and provide an understanding of the flavour what is to be expected.

Highly recommended for lunch. It is in a very busy area. Food is great and service is fast and friendly.

we loved it great service with excellent fresh food. i wish the turkish coffee was stronger.

The restaurant's motto is "Casual Middle Eastern dining." True, it was a casual atmosphere, and my husband and I had a very good dinner here. I ordered the "Grape leaves platter" (4 grape leaves, hummus, salad greens), lentil soup, and hot mint tea. The grape leaves were quite good, stuffed with lots of rice, tomatoes and parsley. This made them thick, and I found two of them quite filling. (Husband ate the remaining two.) The hummus was deliciously creamy, great for scooping up in the tasty thin pita. The lentil soup, with a lemon wedge on the side, was delicious. However, the mint tea, while good enough for plain tea, was disappointingly ordinary; I realized that I had been hoping for sweet mint tea such as I have drunk in Moroccan and Lebanese restaurants. The salad had far too much dressing on it, which left my plate awash in liquid; I ended up using part of my generous serving of hummus as a dam to confine it to one side. Next time, I'll ask for my salad dressing to be served separately. My husband ordered the "Falafel hummus platter" (5 large falafel balls, hummus, salad greens) and batata harra (spiced potatoes). The potatoes had a light touch of vinegar, enough to add zing but not so much as to taste pickled. We enjoyed them very much. My husband detected a slight flavor of cinnamon in the falafel balls, which he verified with the waiter. "What an intriguing touch! I like that very much," he said. We enjoyed our meal at this restaurant. It's a fine place to go for a casual Middle Eastern meal.

My family stopped into Sahara Grill for dinner on a visit to Philadelphia. We were all very happy with our food which was perfectly seasoned and very flavorful. Service was prompt and friendly. We will definitely return here the next time we are in the city.

Best hummus and grapeleaves I've had. The food was fresh and delicious. Service was friendly and also quick (which I love when I'm hungry). I will say that it might have been an off peak time- around 2:30 on a weekday. The salad was super tasty with a light yet very flavorful dressing. Everything was fantastic! Very affordable. Music was great too..

Delicious meal at Saraha Grill last evening! The space is small but cozy and inviting. Our food was prepared with traditional flavors and great care. We started with a hummus and meat appetizer which was absolutely delicious! It was one of those dishes that we wished we hadn’t agreed to share! I enjoyed the grape leaves platter and they were some of the best I’ve ever eaten! Served warm, it was a generous portion accompanied with a fresh salad, more hummus (yum!), and a unique thin pita. My husband enjoyed the mixed grill, which was a savory sample of tender meats and vegetables. We ended our meals with perfectly spiced Turkish coffee. The service was extremely friendly and attentive! We had asked to please to be out in time for the show (it’s walking distance from the Academy of Music) and they waited on us as if we were on only table in the restaurant. My husband and I are huge fans of authentic Mediterranean cuisine and absolutely can’t wait to return!

We ate here before attending a show at Academy of Music on a Friday evening. Service was prompt, food delicious and atmosphere casual.

yummy rice! though alex the waiter was not so friendly.

We stopped here for a snack before a dinner party later that night. We ordered sampler platter that had hummus, falafel, baba ganoush, and what else I cannot remember (sorry!). Upon ordering, my husband asked if he could substitute something else for the baba because he did not like it (and also mentioned that he really did not like eggplant). The owner asked if he'd ever eaten HIS baba and hubby admitted he had not. He agreed to substitute the baba for something else, but wanted to put some on the tray for him to try regardless. We got the tray with the baba and a substitution of another eggplant dish! We had to laugh at that trick. Not only did my husband eat most of the baba himself, he also finished the other eggplant dish. The hummus was very flavorful. The falafel was perfectly cooked from the outside to the inside. Need I say more about the eggplant? The owner takes pride in his food and enjoys sharing it just for the sake of it. That is what a great restaurant is all about to me. And anyone who can turn my husband around on eggplant gets a 5 in my book.

Had to give a shout out to this awesome Middle-Eastern restaurant right across from where I work. It's been in business for quite a while and never disappoints. Absolutely superb hummus, baba, grape leaves, falabel, kebabs, etc. Very reasonably priced and very casual. Definitely hit the place for lunch when you are visiting our fair city.

I went there with a friend for dinner on Dec 30. I had the beef Shawrma and he had the chicken; and we had a Falafel side. The Shawrmas were small in portion and not the best taste wise. The Falafel was good. The restaurant itself is a bit old and in need for renovation. We both thought the prices were expensive considering their portions. I only spent a couple of days in Philly so I didn't have time to look for other Middle Eastern restaurants, but I'm sure this isn't the best you can find. I don't think I would go there again.

Unquestionably, the best Mediterranean food we have ever had! The mixed grilled vegetables and rice was perfection. Another family member had a grilled lamb and vegetable dish that disappeared very quickly! Falafel hummus platter suffered the same fate. Here we are, a few days later, still talking about our awesome delicious dinner at Sahara Grill.

We ate dinner here with friends during a tourist visit to Philadelphia. Service was a bit slow (and we were not happy to be pushed out, however politely, shortly after paying our bill, although we understand that it was a small restaurant on a busy night), but the food was well-prepared, well-presented and tasty. A nice variety of Lebanese-style Middle Eastern food, with some slight variations. Our friends had the mixed grill, which they liked very much. My wife had the vegetarian selection -- felafel and hummus -- which was well-prepared but nothing extraordinary. I had the couscous dish, which included grilled meat alongside a good-sized portion of couscous with mixed vegetables, and which I felt was the best selection -- a much better-than-average presentation of that dish. The prices were very reasonable, and overall we were very glad we chose to dine there. A good choice, and definitely go with the couscous (even if that's not a real Lebanese dish.)

Went to the Sahara Grill on a rainy Friday night with some frequent fliers. The wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the food was outstanding. Not being a huge hummus lover, I was skeptical, but last night I could not get enough. Bravo. The only downside was I did not realize it was BYOB, so had to make a quick side trip.

We loved it so much, we went there twice! Just walking around, it took awhile to find a restaurant in Philly with good vegetarian options so we were happy to find this place. The food at Sahara Grill is amazing! Top notch, authentic Middle Eastern food with lots of options. The first time, we were not that hungry, so we ordered 3 sides and shared them -- very lovely, nutritious and filling. The second night, we ordered regular dinner options and the food was just as excellent in every way. The service was great, and the atmosphere was very relaxing.

My wife and I are always up for a taste bud adventure and were eager to try some authentic Lebanese cuisine. We absolutely loved the Middle Eastern Combo appetizer that we got. It was sized well and had several delicious dips (hummus, eggplant, etc) that we ate with warm pita bread. We then shared a kabob sandwich which was good, but not necessarily amazing. The service was very spectacular though. We had the owner as a server and he was a true gentleman and took great pride in his food and service. I highly recommend this restaurant!

We had lunch here. The place cannot be considered very elegant. Anyway, there are some good dishes and the prices are quite cheap.

We were looking for a Mediterranean restaurant not too far from the Kimmel Center for a Sunday matinee, and we were not disappointed. As an appetizer we started with the hummus, served with a warm pita. We moved on to our entrees. I had the Chicken Shish Taouk sandwich (Lebanese style) and it was very good. The pita was grilled and crisply served surrounding fresh ingredients. Very tasty. Warning: if you don't like garlic, you may want to request no garlic or less garlic. My wife had the Kafta Kabob, also Lebanese style. No complaints there, either. My only complaint is that the seat of the seating material in the booth in which we sat was worn out and cracked and in need of replacement. All in all, a very good experience. The food was great, the location for us was perfect, and we will return the next time we're in the Arts section of Philly around mealtime.

We were so pleasantly surprised to find this little Lebanese restaurant so close to the Holiday Inn. No booze but the quality of food and the sheer value was outstandinng. We started with an appetizer of tabula which was as fresh as fresh could be. I enjoyed a mixed grill while my wife enjoyed chicken shawarna. Very nicely flavored but certainly not spicy. My major complaint was the Naan - not warm or fragrant.