Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine Reviews

The foods decent. The service isn’t. Consistently the wait staff is snotty and we feel like we’re an imposition to them instead of a welcomed guest. Yesterday afternoon my mother and I were ignored fir neatly 15 minutes before the waitress came and poured water! And then didn’t even say a word to us. The music that was playing was some alternative rock. It used to be a fun place to go to but I’ll find one of the many other great Lebanese restaurants in Portland for next time. A dining experience us not just the food. It counts how guests are treated.

The food here is quite good. We quit going here because frequently the service was so slow. This is great if you have an hour and a half to eat a meal. If you have kids, or have to punch back in after lunch- forget it! The attached market is quite interesting, if you like to explore cooking there are some good hard to find ingredients.

Ya Hala has become our favorite Lebanese restaurant in town. Their hummus is creamy and the flavor changes slightly each time (which we enjoy). Their entrees are great, but lately we have been ordering mezza for dinner. I love the Fatayer Spinach pies, the grape leaves are tasty, falafel is crispy and moist. It's all good. Sometimes service can be slow but their fresh bread makes the wait more than worth it.

Great brunch came as surprise and was a great mix of middle eastern with a touch of Americana. The Turkish coffee reminded me of my trips to Istanbul.

Visiting Portland and had seen the owner of this restaurant compete previously on "Chopped." Stopped by for take-out and we were delighted by the aromas coming out of the kitchen. Ordered chicken and lamb kebab plates. The chicken was outstanding, but the lamb needed more seasoning. The cabbage salad was out of this world, and the hummus was silky and flavorful. Loved the tabouli and the rice pudding as well. Reasonable prices too. Will return next time we visit Portland.

My husband and I took family from out of town to Ya Hala. Service and food was good. Our out of town guests were happy with our choice. Would recommend to others.

Have gone to Ya Hala on S.E. Stark for many years now. Watched NJ it grow in popularity and size. Dining room was added a few years ago. International store next door is great. Restaurant menu is the same, very healthy Mediterranian, Lebanese. However, when they limited the lunch time menu items recently- it changed the authentic family table sharing atmosphere. I believe they should review this and change it back. For this reason we have not scheduled as many family gatherings there. Our loss and their loss. Also, it is very hard to find close parking in that neighborhood. It is very busy with many places to eat. Be prepared to walk a ways for excellent food and service. Vallie Lenzen-DeBad

I cannot even begin to say enough good about this restaurant. It's a nice cozy local neighborhood restaurant that you can come to and the host and staff make you feel truly at home and not rushed. Five-Star cuisine without having to dress up for it. Prices are very reasonable. For about 6 years, I made it my weekly stop for either lunch or dinner. Then I moved out of the area and every time I find myself going through Portland, I always make the time to stop and enjoy this true "Portland Treasure".

My husband found this place withing several other restaurants and didnt know what to expect....We were shocked at how absolutely amazing the food was. We chose the falafel, tabouli and olives and their pita bread. I wish could have tried everything because it was so good but there would be no way we could eat all that food :) Our waiter, steven, was amazing too and had many great suggestions!!

Ya Hala is in a slightly out of the way location but worth the trip for excellent Lebanese dishes. Flavor, presentation, service were all very good. They have typical Lebanese dishes but also some different, slightly more gourmet items like stuffed mini eggplant. So good!

My family and friends have always been treated to a great dining experience at Ya Hala. Everything on the menu is terrific. The pita bread is hot and fresh. The tabouli, the tahini, the hummus, the entrees, all are tasty and delicious. If you love Middle Eastern food (Lebanese) you will not be disappointed.

Exceptional Arabic food. The bread that comes with the meal taste homemade and is served warm. The food is spiced perfectly and the proportions are generous. The atmosphere is pleasant and very, very clean. As the cliche goes, "You could eat off of the floor"! Allow time to visit the little market next door.

We have dined at Ya Hala for dinner many times over the years, but only recently learned that brunch is served on weekends. We thoroughly enjoyed our recent brunch, and were particularly impressed with the number of Lebanese specialties offered on the menu, which sets Ya Hala well apart from typical brunch fare. We started with the Turkish coffee, enjoyed the sfoof, which is a Lebanese coffee cake, and for our entrees had the traditional Lebanese plate, and the shakshuka, which consists of baked eggs, tomato, and feta. The shakshuka was accompanied with a large piece of grilled pita bread. The server was very pleasant, and offered helpful menu suggestions. We were a bit surprised on this Sunday morning that there were not more diners in the restaurant, given how popular brunch is in Portland. Hopefully the word will get out and more people will discover what they're missing.

I love this restaurant. All of their food is SO GOOD, from the hummus, to the pita bread, to the tabbouli, to the gyros, and more! The restaurant is clean, provides a great atmosphere, and has excellent service.

We enjoyed our lunch at Ya Hala Lebanese restaurant in Portland on Stark Street, SE. They make fresh puffy pita bread continuously, serving a nice piece for every patron while you wait for your food... excellent! There is a bakery and international food mart associated with the restaurant. We just had sandwiches and our party of three ordered a chicken, a lamb and a beef and they were all good. We also ordered a side of tabbouleh and it was some of the best we have had. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was nice- lots of locals having lunch there. Prices aren't super low, but for a very good lunch it was reasonable. We had enough left over that we had the second round for lunch the next day... and it was excellent the second time around.

This is one of our two favorite middle-eastern restaurants in Portland. The Baba Ghanoush and Hummus are absolutely the best I've ever had. There are a large number of vegetarian choices, and specials. We've tried the falafels and Arnabeet for appetizers, and for the main course, we had the Artichoke hearts special and veg stew. Everything was delicious!! We are usually stuffed with dinner, but on two occassions, we've tried their desserts, and they were delicious as well! The only problem we've ever had here on our multiple visits has been that service is a little slow, and the place is always packed, so you can expect a wait or 45mins to an hour sometimes, so plan accordingly. The food is definitely worth the wait.

Delicious food. Good prices. Atmosphere is only okay, though.

great food, big portions, all flavors are strong and tasty and blend great with other dishes.

We were all set to eat at a restaurant across the street and found they closed at 2:00 pm. so we walked across the street and found this little gem. We shared to cold plates and found it plenty for my husband and I. The food was fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to go back and try dinner. Staff was friendly and the placed was packed. It must be a popular place.

Ya Hala has good quality Lebanese food and they have some menu items we had never seen before (and we frequent Lebanese restaurants in the US and Europe). We brought our two-year old along and they are kid-friendly as well.

Enjoyed this uncrowded corner cafe for a late lunch.Service could not have been better.Waiter was professional and attentive. My dining mate and I both ordered Lamb Shawarma items.Mine was in a rice bowl with very fresh ingredients and a substantial portion.I really enjoyed the taste and visual presentation.The other diner's item was a pita sandwich.It appeared very large but had french fries stuffed in the sandwich instead of on the side. The meat for each dish consisted of nicely seasoned lamb chunks(not ground). We needed take home boxes for the large portions. Value was average for a Portland lunch spot.We will definitely return here to experience other dishes from the extensive menu.

We stopped here for our last meal in Portland and is was fantastic. The staff were attentive and informative, advising us on dishes to choose to suit dietary requirements and to compliment each other. We chose 4 dishes, 1 each, and were well provided for with enough food and side provided to enable us to, unfortunately 😊, skip desserts. Along with 4 drinks, this came in at around $15 per person which was an absolute bargain. Great food, great atmosphere and great prices - cannot recommend enough.

Came here for lunch with a few friends...it was very empty (which doesn't really matter). Small lunch menu, but seemed like decent grub. Asked the waitress what she really liked...and she gave me the generic response, "everything". So...ok...not helpful whatsoever. Ended up going with the kabobs. They were a little on the dry side, but still pretty good. My friend had the Schwarma which she said was ok, and my boyfriend had a sandwich which he also said was "ok". I wished we had opted for the food trucks across the street, but we had an ok meal.

I wish I lived next door so I could eat there every day!

Each time we go to Portland, we stop a couple of time in Ya Hala. It's a place to be with family and friends; warm, full of very good food and excellent service. The Menu it's superb with a lot of choices.

We went with friends for lunch and found the food to be delicious. The interior is spacious and the walls attractively decorated. My wife knows more about Middle Eastern food than I do and she really enjoyed it; I can't say if it is "authentic" but is certainly good and the menu offered a nice variety, including some vegetarian, vegan and gluten free selections. Our waitress was prompt but unobtrusive. The prices seemed reasonable and the portions generous; there was definitely enough to take some home for lunch the next day.

Ate here in a party of 7, and did their 'Lebanese Feast' option where the chefs bring you dishes as per their selection for $25 per diner. We sampled everything from the traditional (baba ghanoj, hummous, stuffed grape leaves etc...) to more contemporary dishes (butternut squash hummous, cheese topped with lamb 'bacon' etc...) Every dish served was a winner, and we were all outdone by the volume of dishes. On the downside, they add a mandatory tip for parties over 6 - which is a practice I find most annoying and doesn't work out in favour for the wait staff. Service was attentive and unobtrusive. Overall, if you're hankering for a big Lebanese meal, well-prepared, and with a few more modern treatments of the standard fare, this is definitely a great call!

We found a parking spot on a side street on a Friday night and started with the mezza sampler (falafel, tabouli, homous, baba ghanouj, grape leaves, and arnabeet). I ventured out of my comfort zone and ordered the makloube plate which is a shaped combo of braised lamb shank, eggplant, and rice casserole, with almonds. I was not disappointed but it may have been a touch dry for my taste buds. My dining companions informed me the shawarma was also great. We finished it off with Turkish coffee and baklava! It was a mighty tasty meal!

In Portland, where newly acclaimed chef-owned nouveau bistros seem to sprout as plentifully as the rain-induced greenery, it is something for a venerable standout such as Ya Hala to grow with the times and yet remain loyal to its bedrock past: the best Lebanese food I have ever tasted. A larger dining room now makes the place more accessible and an updated menu includes many savory gluten-free options (without, alas, the home-baksed pita). The veggie mezzo is a delight (and a bargain since one feeds at least two), the brick oven-fired babaganoug unlike any I have tasted anywhere, the lamb, chicken and kafta kabobs tender and tasty (try the sampling plate of one each) and the lamb shank and shawarma superb. I have sent many people to Portland's Montavilla neighborhood to try Ya Hala and received nothing but grateful reports. And do save time to browse through the Middle Eastern grocery next door. But get there early or late Monday through Saturday. Like Melina Mercouri sang, never on Sunday — that's the day Ya Hala's owners cook for themselves!

Read some great reviews and could not wait to eat here. The restaurant was lacking ambiance, service was quick and our waitress was great. The food tasted ok but my wife and I both developed wicked heart burn about 20 minutes after walking out the door. I am one and done; will not be going back anytime soon.

I've been coming here since it was just a little tiny store - no restaurant. The family run business is successful because the food is great, they created such a nice atmosphere, the service is attentive, but food is slow to arrive...oh well, they're always so busy, I think they can't keep up. Love their cauliflower dish, tabouli, mezze platter. Baklava and Turkish coffee seal the deal. Love the way they make it look like you're in an ancient building inside with the faux scenery. Cute seating outside, too.

We really enjoy this place. wonderful, authentic Lebanese food with a very nice atmosphere. Good place for families

Come early. Takes an hour to get a seat, but it's worth it....

The Ya Hala has grown from a veritable "hole in the wall" to a nice restaurant over the past half dozen years (though I left Portland during this time period.) But the consistency in quality food, quantity of food and hospitality has remained quite high. When we are back in town I make a special attempt to eat at the Ya Hala because it is so good. Mirna Attar, the chef and owner, is from a family of renowned cooks and restaurateurs in Portland and maintains that reputation with the food at Ya Hala. The Mezza plates, two options: hot or cold, are more than enough for two people...though we can never resist getting something else too, like the Sambousak (meat pies). But overall the Shawarma options are my favorites (either chicken or lamb.) Now for the not so great: the location is handy to I-205 but just off 82nd Avenue, the setting is increasingly more modern and while I do not look for a "trendy feeling" it too could be nicer. And lastly, while the food is wonderful sometimes the service can be a bit lacking. If John Attar is around, during dinner hours, the whole ambience changes since he is a great host, but at lunch there may be some inattention by the staff. So I give an "excellent" rating with this relatively minor caveat. Oh yes, the next door market, which is also operated by the Attars, has a great selection of Middle East food needs.

This was my first time here, and first impressions are important. There was a needless wait time (abt 20 mins) as there were several different tables available or they were slow to buss and clear for the next party. Once seated, service was adequate. Was pleased once the food was served, as it was delicious. I hope to be able to increase the number of stars after my next visit.

Love this place! The food is excellent - pita bread is delicious and every appetizer I've tried has been superb. Food is reasonably priced as well so you afford to try an imported beer with your fare. The place itself is nicely decorated and feels warm and relaxed. Service was friendly and swift!

This restaurant in northeast Portland serves absolutely delicious food at reasonable prices. We had the mezze plate, lentil soup, lamb shawarma bowl and Turkish coffee. Delish. And the baklavas are wonderful. Highly recommend Ya Hala

We frequently visit Portland and always have at least one meal at Ya Hala. This has been going on for ten years and on each visit, the food is always made on site with fresh ingredients. The menu is extensive and so reasonably priced. Service is generally very good, but be patient if you get there when it's very busy. Ya Hala has become very popular over the years so be prepared for a wait if you get there after 6:00 but the wait is definitely worth it and usually not too long. We try to get there before 5:00 and always have immediate seating.

I was there with my friends for dinner 3 weeks ago. We shared various dishes, they were DELICIOUS! Olive Plate mezza and zaatar Oven have been my favorite. We met the restaurant's owner Mirna, she was really nice. She described every dish, giving some advices about how spicy the were and how to eat them. It was an amazing experience! I'll go back for brunch, can't wait.

Great restaurant, service and food. We visited a friend in Portland and she took us to this place. It is actually the second time we have been here. The food was wonderful. We all had sandwiches and I have the roasted vegetable sandwich. It was so big that I took the rest to go and ate it for dinner.

Ya Hala is four blocks from my house, and the food is always phenomenal. What's not to love? The service. The people are nice, but in no hurry whatsoever, so I usually get take out. I've never been disappointed in their food!

This place had been highly recommended for their lamb & rice so my husband & I decided to give it a try. Started with the Stuffed Grape Leaves which tasted mostly of vinegar. I ordered the Lamb Kabobs while my husband had the Lamb Shanks. The kabobs were overcooked & somewhat dry & the shanks were without much flavor dispite swimming in sauce. The pita bread was good but certainly didn't make up for a very disappointing dinner.

The food was exquisite. Loads of variety and flavors. The salad on the lamb Shama plate was to die for. Everything was good. Also, make sure you get the orange blossom lemonade for an amazing explosion in your mouth.

Great food, great customer services, great experience. looking of something middle eastern, try this.

Our party of four had lunch there after Mr. Tabor Art Walk. Charming spot with middle eastern decor in 1889 building (rest room sign asks patrons to be careful of plumbing because of its age). Good appetizer platter. Server was attentive and efficient, but one person's food did not come until other three were nearly done eating. Couple with us said this had happened to them before, They keep coming back because food is so good. Lots of vegan options. Sausage also quite good.

Had lunch here on a whim and discovered a fantastic eatery. Had the mezza sampler and a gyro. Both were excellent. The environment was clean and bright with a little outside seating.

This little restaurant in an eclectic neighborhood in East Portland is one of our favorites. The Lebanese food is a delight. So comforting! It gets pretty busy on the weekend, so arrive early enough to get a spot or come in late after the rush. Did I say the food was good?!?

Excellent food and price is very reasonable. We had mezza sampler (a favourite), we also had tuna, very nice,- it was all very nice.

When ever I am in Portland I head for this restaurant and have never had a bad experience on the contrary I find it one of the best Lebanese internationally. The set meals for groups are excellent value, but it good value for the quality of food al le acarte. My only balanced criticism is parking can be a challenge. The restaurant does not take reservations and is with reason of its quality Very popular so you may have to wait. However the inconvenience is worth it go!.

I've had Lebanese food in NYC, but this is the best. Everything is so very fresh and flavorful. I love their falafel - better than anywhere -- bright green inside with cilantro and parsley (and garlic). Their veggie kibbeh is something completely original - the menu description doesn't do it justice. I've had non-vegetarian friends try it and they marvel. Today at brunch, I tried the Lebanese picnic basket - a lovely combination of home-canned tuna, potato salad as it was meant to be, delicious pickles, kashkavel cheese, and the thing I couldn't get enough of - the lemony lebneh with amazing sesame bun. Wow. Wait staff has always been great and I like the decor. My favorite Portland restaurant - but then I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern food.

I visited with a friend, and we enjoyed sharing the appetizer sampler and each ordered kebabs. For dessert, we shared a baklava. All of the food was excellent, service was very good, and the wine by the glass offerings were quite good.

Came in last Saturday as a couple at 6pm and were seated in 15 mins. Wouldnt have been so easy as a larger party. Fast service, and nice waitress. Sane people, which can be a real complement, eh? Baba Ghanouj, a bowl of olives, a shared shawarma plate, and two glasses of wine for, get this, $30 before the tip. We were stuffed. We saw people packing massive containers of food out of there (the ones who didn't forget it). A real value, and killer lebanese chow.

My parents were visiting from out of town, and we had planned to go to the Observatory for dinner. Guess I should have known better on a Friday night - they had a wait of over an hour, so we walked down the road looking for another option. I had always been curious about Ya Hala, and they didn't have a wait (although the restaurant was pretty full) so we stopped there. I had the fish kabobs which were simple but very good. I can't remember what the others had... Dad had some chicken in a bowl with israeli cous-cous in another bowl. Mom had a casserole thing with ground beef, potatoes and tomato, and the boyfriend had some meat(?) in a bowl with a bulgar wheat mixture in another bowl. Everything was quite tasty. We ordered a couple of baklava to go. Mmmm, baklava.

A neighborhood restaurant on SE Stark St in Portland. Serves traditional Lebanese food and wines. Very well prepared and tasty. The servers were very knowledgeable and service was fast.

We shared various dishes and all were so delicious. The Turkish coffee was a treat. Good value especially if you have Chinook book discount.

Once again, my nephew exposed me to a unique culinary experience! There was a 30 minute wait( it is burger week), but well worth it. We did the chef’s choice- and for $30 it is the best bargain out there! Multiple dishes, each one better than the last-more food than the three of us needed but we enjoyed every bite! My nephew is a vegetarian and they were very accommodating of his dietary preferences. Located in a very cool area in Portland—check this place out!!!!

Three of the four members of our group had some version of a lamb dish here. All three were amazing! Service was excellent and food was as well. I had a glass of Lebanese red wine which got better as I drank it! We all enjoyed our meals. The prices were reasonable especially considering the amount of food you receive.

We have been here a few times, the food is always amazing! Each item is lovingly prepared, from starters (simply the best hummus ever.), through salads, mains, to the wonderful baklava! If we lived closer, we would visit more often! Give it a try!

This was my first visit to what is, apparently, a restaurant that has served Portland for many years. I loved it. They have an extensive selection of Lebanese wine on the menu, and meals are served family-style, The five of us shared a couple of Meze plates, a couple of seared tuna kebabs, a plate of three cheeses, a portion of meat pies and several other side dishes. Fresh hot pita breads came out first, followed by these various plates and we shared happily. It was good to be there with a group of friends and family, but I would happily go there alone, too. So glad I found it.

I have visited this restaurant many times and this is the first time I have been disappointed. I ordered the lamb Shwarma (sp?). The sandwich was huge, but the lamb was cold and I found the sandwich dry. The dryness could have been resolved by putting the sauces, tomatoes, etc. on top of the meat instead of on the pita bread. As it turned out, each bite was either dry meat or tasty trimmings. Also, I did not like the french fries mixed into the sandwich. I thought it made for as much a potato taste as a lamb taste.

came for brunch with several Portlanders who had experienced restaurant before: recommendation = Lebanese sample platter: yoghurt, bean dish, traditional buns, pita, olives = delightful light lunch!! chicken dishes seem to please; only questionable item: lamb bacon was dry and too chewy!! staff is delightful and friendly...

We eat here as often as any other place and we are always satisfied. The service is excelant even when they are busy and the food is authentic and made fresh. The Vegi Meza for two is my usual order (rare to satisfy me with an all vegetarian dinner) they have a good wine list and lots of options.

A wonderful evening with family and my first visit to Ya Hala. A traditional menu from the Eastern Mediterranean on a damp and misty november evening in Portland is sure to catch your attention. The food was quite tasty and well presented. Our group ordered several mezza to start, including homes, grape leaves, and makably. The baba ganouj is always a dish I migrate to, and this was satisfying, flavorful, and ample for an appetizer. Main courses ranged across lamb makloube and shawarma (chicken), as well as an ahi and lamb skewer, as well as a tabouli salad. All quite tasty and priced very nicely. We complemented the dinner with various beers and wines, and their list is quite respectable. I thought the service was likewise attentive, energetic, and a great help in ordering a couple of dishes. The servers were there when you needed them, but not cloying, and with a real desire to keep your meal paced in a relaxed and enjoyable way. If there is one thing I would change about this restaurant, it would be to put some resources into a reno of the space and attention to generating a more distinctive and intentional ambiance. its a very nice and large space with great traffic flow, but breaking the space up with some alcoves, regional decorative arts, etc., would do wonders for the experience. But I will be back!!

I love this place! Having moved to eastern Oregon, we don't have the diverse choices that Portland has, so it was a treat to be able to go here again on a recent visit to Portland. The food, as always, was amazing. They've expanded the restaurant since I was there last, so it wasn't the horrific wait to get seated that it used to be. Lots of choices for food, but we usually stick to ordering a few small plates so we get a taste of many things.

HuMus was reasonably good> did not like the spinach pies> the spinach was frozen and mushy, fresh would have been a huge improvement>the chicken schwarma was not traditional,>the chicken was cooked on a flat top grill and the pita was stuffed with French fries.. Maybe it was just poor menu choices, however, like the restaurant before many of the menu changes when it was more traditional Lebanese.....

Great place for a meal whether dining alone or with a large group. If dining with a large group (5 or more), there are options to eat family style with generous portions of hummus, tabouli, kabobs, and more. The pita bread tastes homemade and you can get an endless supply. I ordered the veggie Mezza which is a sampler appetizer of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, and falafels. I also ordered the lamb kabob. There was plenty to eat and I have leftovers for a second meal.

This restaurant has delicious food. They have many options to do several small plates and share, or they also offer entrees. There is no children’s menu, which did make it slightly difficult to satisfy my two boys’ needs. The atmosphere is decent, but it was a bit chilly inside.

Pretty good place to eat. Takes a while for them to bring and finalize the check/bill so be sure to stick around for a while after.

Good place and Good food. I was there for lunch, my first time and I liked it. Next time I'm around the area I'll stop by. You have to try the sampler 👍

Ya Hala's is probably my favorite restaurant in Portland, and that's saying a lot. The food is incredible. Lamb schwarma is my favorite so I usually try to get something with that; at lunchtime you can get it in a pita wrap or at dinner it comes on a bed of hummus. Hummus is also a must-have on the table, and I love the labneh and tabouli salad. Mix all that together and through it on a fresh-baked pita, and I'm in Heaven. The hot mezza and cold mezza plates are a great way to sample lots of things and find out what you like. If I have friends visiting Portland, this is definitely a place to take them and we usually split a hot mezza plate with a couple other sides. Expect a wait if you go on Saturday for dinner, and expect it to be noisy inside. The lunch prices are really good, dinner gets a little spendier but totally worth it!

I now live in Portland, and would very much like to give it a great review. It's quite popular, so everyone has their own opinion, it seems. Love their lentil soup ,but other dishes, e.g., hummus, are too oily. They charge extra for pita bread, made with white flour (customary), but it doesn't have any flavor. Although I think it's family owned, I wouldn't describe them as friendly and welcoming. The music is loud, and my dinner companions, when last trying it, opted to go elsewhere because of that. (Waiter said music couldn't be turned down.)

I called in advance to make a reservation for our daughter's 30th birthday. They do not take reservations. My husband & I drove over 350 miles to surprise our daughter and arrived early to be sure we would get a table. We told the manger we were celebrating a special birthday, there would be 6 adults and two little ones for dinner. We pre-ordered the appetizers and champagne before the other guests arrived in order to expedite the time frame and accommodate the little ones. Another large party came in and the same waitress was on her own to handle that table. We waited and waited, finally our appetizers came, she said she would be back to open the champagne, but after a half hour, my husband finally opened and poured that. We waited another 45 minutes without being acknowledged. The waitress finally came over and said, do you want anything else. I was in shock ! I said "yes, we would like to order our dinner. " Poor little ones were getting cranky & tired. Exactly why I had pre-ordered the appetizers, so we could move the time frame along more quickly. In addition, my daughter & her husband had plans for after the meal that they were late for. So disappointing. I will never go back.

When I was a youngster, my dad would take our family to a restaurant on Stark street called "The Kitchen Kettle" which served the best Middle Eastern food I have ever eaten. Torn down so that Mall 205 could be built, it left us without any alternative for Middle Eastern food. 40 years later I stumbled on to this little place, also on Stark street. I took my mom (dad has since passed away) to give it a try. We shared the Mezza which was good. We had the lamb kebobs and they were also good. The best thing at this restaurant is the homemade, fresh baked pita bread. It comes to your table hot, right out of the oven. It is wonderful. Although this place can't compete with my memories of The Kitchen Kettle, it is a worthy replacement.

great food, great place. Gets very busy. The owner is around and he is a great guy.

The food is beyond great, it's other-worldly and terrific value. The only bummer is the no reservations and waiting for tables.

We ordered the mezze platter, sambusak, lamb kebob and lamb shanks. The food was great and authentic and the portions were good sized. The service was quick and friendly. The food was very reasonably priced. This is not a romantic place for special occasions, but an excellent place to take your friend/spouse to.

The food is fresh, home made, tastes completely authentic. The fatoush is divine. We regularly come here for celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. Upscale but not fancy.

Wow, everything our table ordered was excellent - started with the Mezza Sampler - falafel, tabouli, homous, baba ghanouj and grape leaves - everything was excellent - I especially liked the homous - very smooth and flavorful - the pita bread they served with it was really excellent. For dinner I had the Lamb Shawarma which was very good. The only negative was the noise level inside the restaurant - it was packed and a bit noisy

We have been eating at Ya Hala for years. The food and the service cannot be beat. It far surpases the quality and value per dollar of any other mideastern restaurant. Restaurant is attractive and service is excellent, even when crowded. Expect a wait on the week-ends but it is well worth it. The tabouli, aranabeet and hummus cannot be beat...delicious. This is a marvelous stop for vegetarians...but the meat-eaters will be well-served as well.

Ya Hala means welcome and when Chef Mirna is cooking, there is always a warm welcome! Mirna has a beautiful smile and a passion for cooking authentic and fresh Lebanese food. Go before the dinner rush to avoid a long wait. Check and make sure Mirna is there because the service is lackluster when she is gone! Order the Chauteau Ksara "Le Prieure" red, a bowl of lentil soup and steaming hot pita bread and feel the warmth of Lebanese culture!

This restaurant was referred to us my our AirBNB host, so we thought we'd check it out. So glad we did! If you like Lebanese food, you will love Ya Hala. Being Lebanese myself, I'm always sceptical of Lebanese restaurant that make traditional food and Canadianize it. This restaurant is the real deal! Some of the items on the menu I haven't had since I was back in the old country. Food was delicious and the staff were lovely. If you're in the portland area, you gotta eat here!!

Portland has many options when it comes to Lebanese food- not sure why, but maybe it is the Cedars... Been many times and it always delights. Lebanese wines are good. try them. this time we were lazy and ordered the $25 per person chef plate-- waiter gave us an idea of what the chef would give us and there was all that and more. Meat Pies was something new to us and perfect. many plates were brought out in timely manner with pita hot and plentiful. Probably had 10 dishes including dessert. well worth the price. nothing was filler. Parking on street nearby. International grocery store next store has many of the items you can order or ingredients needed to make them at home!

Making a stop in Portland to meet family we were recommended this place for lunch. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better. I could have ate my fill with just fresh peta bread and grape leaves with no regrets but I also had a main dish and eating extra was worth it. The food is also very reasonably priced at around $10 a dish. If you are in Portland and have a taste for middle eastern food make a detour it’s about 15 min from the city center.

Ya Hala has been one of my favorite Restaurants in Portland, Oregon for years. They are always consistent and have the best Hummus , Baba Ganoush, Lamb, Baklava, and various other combination meals and food to enjoy. The staff is helpful and the food , the very best meal ever.. You'll want to return the next day, or at lease every week! What a treat...

the food was delicious & didn't break the bank. The lamb & humus & eggplant were very tasty. A bit noisy to attempt a conversation. Every table full (a good sign). I''d return happily!

Had a great meal at Ya Halla's on SE Stark for Valentine's Day dinner. We went early to avoid the rush as they don't take reservations and were seated immediately. They had a special, but we had decided ahead of time to try their chicken kabob and their lamb kabob. We were delighted with our selections. They were both excellent. My lamb was moist and tender and set on a bed of rice that was also very good. It had a tahini sauce that really complimented the dish. My wife's chicken kabob was as good and the dinners came with a house salad. We both had a beer for drinks as we were going home to top off the evening with a good bottle of wine. The service was excellent and all in all we will be back again.

Normally I enjoy the meals I have at this restaurant, but the one I had last week was really revolting. I ordered a salad, and 2 lamb shish kabobs. I found one hair in the salad, which I decided to ignore. Then I found 2 more hairs in the shish kabobs. I called the waiter, and while he was there I found another hair on the meat. This was really disgusting. They need to train their Cooks better, and supervised more thoroughly in the kitchen.

Can be quite a wait. Yummy food and lots of it.

We live in California but make annual visits to Portland, and have been to Ya Hala three times previously. The last time we were there was a few years ago, we were with a couple friends, and we had the most amazing dining experience ever! It was lunch time, and the lunch menu was SO extensive that we had a hard time deciding. We were seated at a table for 6 and ordered so many dishes it not only filled the table, but we had to combine half-empty plates to make room for more! Suffice it to say we couldn't wait to go back! We arranged a 4-day weekend over Labor Day, and Ya Hala was on our "must do" list. We went there on Monday (Labor Day) for lunch, and they gave us a menu that was a single card about half the size of a sheet of paper! It started with absurd things such as "pickle plate" ($3), "olive plate" ($4), then the usual hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, etc., some sandwiches, bowls, salads, but NOTHING like the old menu. We asked what happened to the menu, and were told the chef changed it to this about 3 months ago. BIG mistake! I'm not sure what possessed them to do this, but we certainly won't be back! We couldn't find anything interesting enough on this new menu to entice us to stay, so we left and went to a different Lebanese restaurant (which I won't name because the owner's of Ya Hala might accuse me of posting a bad review for the competition). We will be returning in March next year, and I intend to check the website and see if the menu is still the same or if they have come to their senses and went back to providing the culinary experience we remembered. If so, we will definitely be back. If it's the same, well, there are many more Lebanese places to choose from!

Had a great meal. We had the veggie mezzo plate for an appetizer- outstanding! Three separate dinners and it was hard to decide which was the best. The lamb was very good. We would definitely go back.

We love this restaurant for its authentic Lebanese cuisine. It never disappoints. We recommend you go with friends so you can share the many choices. On busy days the service can be a bit slow but you won't notice it if you are in good company and you have round after round oi delectable treats.

I am Lebanese American and i love the food i grew up on. This place is the closest i have ever had to the food at home. Bread is wonderful. Zahtah is outstanding. We always get the veggie mesa. Generous servings and tasty tasty.

This place made me realize what all the fuss was over hummus & eggplant & pita. Do food fresh & well - and life is more enjoyable.

Great food, wonderful atmosphere and an excellent staff make eating at Ya Hala a favorite when we are visiting the Rose City. Favorites are the mezza plate, stuffed olive leaves and the deserts are a treat.

Yummy. We had tabouleh salad, hummus, baba ghanoush, a cheese platter, and a falafel sandwich. The bread comes out piping hot and is so good for dipping in the delicious dips that we chose. The sandwich took forever, we were hoping the waitress had forgotten it, because we were already getting full, but she apologized for the long wait and brought it out. The Lebanese red wine, suggested by the server, went perfectly with the cuisine. I have been here many times and will be many more. I highly suggest Ya Hala for vegans and vegetarians, there are so many options for them. Also, the prices are fantastic for the quality and quantity of food. Thanks Ya Hala, we are regulars.

great lebanese, affordable and nice service staff.

I went for lunch with a friend whom I don't see often. Initial table service was prompt and friendly. Our order took a looong time to arrive, and when it did, my friend was served a dish other than what he ordered. We didn't have time to wait for a re-do, since the food took so long in the first place. Food quality was excellent, and portions were generous. I had the mezza plate. My friend had some sort of falafel dish.

Our favorite Middle Easter Restaurant in Portland. I was fortunate to know a Lebanese family well, many years ago. This traditional family prepared some of the best food I'd ever eaten, and I thought it couldn't ever be duplicated. I was wrong, Ya Hala serves traditional family style cooking and some of the best we've ever eaten. We've been coming back regularly since they opened. The restaurant itself is comfortable and casual, but with a little feel of the middle east. Our service has always been excellent, but can be a little slow at peak hours (everything is prepared fresh as needed), but it is well worth the wait. Ya Hala's prices are quite reasonable considering the quality and quantity of their dishes. Some or our favorites include the Lamb Kabob served with Tabouli, Kibbeh, Sambousak and Lentil Soup. I also like their Turkish coffee served with one of their many delicious cookies. Try Ya Hala, you'll love it and keep coming back. If you want family style Lebanese food, there is no other choice. And no they didn't pay me for this review, I just really love this place :-)

We have had problems here in the past but my wife said, “Let’s give ‘em one more try”. Mistake. Our delivery was missing all the lamb featured in the dish. Then I discovered what I previously thought impossible: to make falafel that is utterly without taste. It was dipped in an overly lemon infused baba so that our entire meal was a bust. Overpriced and very mediocre. We have learned our lesson!

Before I became vegan I feasted on their lamb shank. Now my wife and I enjoy the metza plate and split an entree. The prices are reasonable, many in the $8 to $12 range. We recently took friends visiting from Victoria, BC and they thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Portland is a great restaurant town, and this Ya Hala is one of our favorites.

I haven't been to this restaurant in years. I was excited about it, he used to be very good. OH my! i am not going back ever and I wont recommend it to anybody either. Food is over price now, and not even good anymore, the portions are smaller and less of everything. Very very disappointing specially for what you get, I was in shock of that, when this restaurant changed so much for worse? too bad... :(

Located on a funky part of Stark street, this restaurant serves fabulous Lebanese cuisine at very reasonable prices. Start with the veggie Mezze which comes with hummus, baba ganooj, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and pillows of bread. Then have one of the many delicious main courses such as lamb shank or chicken kabob. Service was friendly and efficient. The flavors of the food "pop" and are memorable. I cannot wait to go back.

My partner had a hard time finding something irresistable on the menu, but is more than willing to try again. I, on the other hand, have my usual favorite; the Tuna Skewers. Their generous portion of grilled tuna on wooden skewers with wedges of lemon, paired with their delicious creamy garlic sauce over fluffy delicate and flavorful rice, is a dish I have yet to find as well made (or made at all) anywhere else. They also have a fantastic hummus (although, my favorite hummus is hands-down that of Bonfire). The price is semi-steep if you're used to, well... Portland dining, where the prices of quality food range from super low to stupendously high. I'd describe it as fair, but you'd better know you'll enjoy such a meal if you plan to pay for it. The service is fair (never in-your-face, but not completely aloof either), and the only problem with the atmosphere would likely be the heat in the summertime. There is no Air Conditioning, and yes, it gets mighty hot in there. You will also want to pick your battles on when to come, because they do, indeed, get BUSY! Rightly so.

Our group of 5 received particularly good service and excellent food that we chose to share. We had a chance to try some of the mixed eggplant and lamb baked dishes, and we thoroughly enjoyed the break from the also very good basics - shawarma, kabobs. "Lamb Two-Ways" was especially delicious - not overcooked.

Ya Hala has been a favorite restaurant of mine for several years for two reasons - the food is great and the price is right. My partner and I can share a Mezza for ten dollars. When we're hungry we add a skewer of ahi for a few dollars more. The Baba Ghanouj is the best in town. The eggplant is roasted to perfection. The aranabeet (cauliflower) is fantastic. Also be sure to try the sambousak (meat pies) and the lamb shawarma plate . If you go before 7 PM you should have no problem, but 7:00 seems to be the time it fills up and service slows.

Probably our favourite. We cook arabic food at home but when on vacation its nice to go eat out and have someone else cook for you : ) I definatly enjoyed the vegetarian mezza and loved my djaj with rice. My daughter loved her chicken shawerma and my husband said the lamb shawerma was very good. My picky 5 yr old loved the labneh. Our favourite part was the freshly baked pita pockets. Amazing. Enjoy.

This long-time restaurant, tucked away in the Montavilla neighborhood consistently serves quality Lebanese food. They have recently added numerous gluten-free options (but no GF pita bread, sad to say)

Extensive menu with many choices, some not seen in most Lebanese restaurants, and at low prices - a large bowl of great olives, only $3? Two lamb shanks with a full dinner, only $14.95? Full bar plus a good wine list incl. some great Lebanese, also at very good prices. The secret is out, because when we arrived just before 7PM on a Saturday very few tables were available, and a steady stream of newcomers kept all tables filled while we were there. Highly recommended for the cuisine and the low prices.

This is my top rated Lebanese restaurants! If you can order the full experience from appetizers to dessert DO! Well worth it!

I've been dining at Ya Hala a few times each year for a decade, since the days when the footprint of the dining area was as small as the attached international grocery (La Bouffe) is now. They've thankfully expanded to meet steadily increasing demand; and, now Ya Hala rightfully serves as a destination drawing urbanites, foodies, visitors et al to Montavilla. Their Sunday brunch is icing on the sfoof! Ordering is an exercise in restraint -- there are no bad choices -- so come with family/friends to share liberally. You may have to wait. Alas, Ya Hala's not a secret anymore. Your patience will be rewarded. Mirna's kitchen and Pascal's serving staff will transport your palate to a gustatory glory. Mumtaz! One of the best brunches in/around Portland.

We all want to go to Ya Hala again! My wife and I went there on a lark for one of our son's last evening with us for many months ( :( ). What a surprise--so much to choose from, yet each dish unique. My vegetarian artichokes were like nothing I expected and only wonderful. My wife's kabob went far beyond the call of duty as did my son's steak meal. Even the pita bread was outstanding. C. E., our server was knowledgable, helping us pick and choose. The kitchen made up the food promptly: appetizers came quickly (we were famished) and the main course exactly at the right time thereafter What would I fix? A number of things, that fortunately didn't add up to the threshold of annoying: 1. Lebanese/middle eastern music was at a volume just below annoying. By the end of our 2 hours, I'd had quite enough. Recommendation to the chef: turn it down a bit more. Allow some downtime between tunes. Frankly, I think there is plenty of atmosphere without it. 2. Restaurant had a wonderful tea selection--but very disappointing to be handed a tea bag and a cup of by-now-cooled off water. Do it right like everything else! Tea bag, cup and pot of nearly boiling water. Quite simple, makes a huge difference. Not crazy about the decor but the somewhat garish wall decorations and faux-old-wall painting could be ignored. The door to the outside needs a bit of an atrium; I pitied the poor souls who had tables neaby: as the door opened every few minutes, they had to submit to the Arctic Jetstream treatment. However, all said and done, we'll go back--I hope many times.

Had a great dinner at this nice and very popular place. Superb pita, awesome chicken, humus, etc. Everything first rate. Bit of a crowd but we didn't have to wait too long. Reasonable prices an added bonus.

We frequent for dinner - and it's always excellent. We are usually able to get a table fairly frequently these days. Today we tried brunch for the first time - wow it was fantastic! I did the Lebanese Breakfast and it has a smorgasbord of delicious items. They have a kafta burger I'm excited to try next time! This menu is different from the dinner/lunch menus. It was a wonderful experience and reminded me of when my significant other's Syrian parents stayed with us and laid out a myriad of 'stuff' for breakfast.

This one was a little out of our way but we found it. Be prepared to park several blocks away but the exercise will help prepare you for a delicious meal. We tried the kabobs and my wife had an eggplant dish and none of us were disappointed or hungry when we finished. Their selection of baklavas and desserts was outstanding. The price was $100 for four plus the tip. We asked for mint iced tea and they accommodated us by bringing glasses of ice which we poured the hot tea over. Our waitress was very pleasant and attended to us quite well. I would recommend the food, service, atmosphere and even the location despite the lack of parking. The patrons, however, were very snobbish and acted as though everyone else were interfering with their experiences. I guess that can't be helped in Portland but the management did a great job of making us feel welcomed.

Once YaHala was just a takeout place, now, many years later it is a full fledged restaurant with the possibility is a private party space. All during the transition the food has been consistently delicious. You cannot go wrong for lunch or dinner.

Service was some of the best we've had in recent years. We came on a Friday night at around 7:00 pm, and instantly were seated. It's been a while since we've been here, and they've changed the menu since we were there. It's gone a bit upscale, but the taste has also matured, improved. We ordered off the Mezza menu, and my friend had white wine with the meal. There was plenty of food, and we stayed for a long time, and they didn't rush us. Will be back soon! Best meal I've had since eating at Tusk several months ago. Go!

I have eaten at four or five Portland Lebanese restaurants in the past, and in my mind, Ya Hala is the best. Six of us dined there on a Saturday evening. While the restaurant is both popular and busy, it is quite large, and we were seated without a wait. Our party ordered a variety of appetizers, all of which were tasty, and a combination dish which was listed on the menu for 4-5 people. Those who eat at Lebanese restaurants know that portions are huge and order modestly. Our waiter, Ravi, was very professional and very helpful. The wines were good and the desserts were outstanding. Pricing is modest.

This place was really busy on a weeknight so I had high hopes. Some of the small plates were fine. But my friend had to send her meat pies back to get heated properly. I thought the falafel was dry and rather tasteless. The salads were great. The tuna was overcooked. I might go back but there is a lot of competition in this category in Portland.

The food was absolutely amazing, I'd highly recommend it! We had a large table with two separate groups, total of 12 people. Our side of the table ordered wine, it was brought in a timely manner and set on the table unopened, with no means for us to open it ourselves. We had to ask twice for it to be open. Our hummus and other things for dipping came shortly after but the bread was not delivered. We had to ask 3 times over about 20 mins to get the bread so we could eat what had come out. The waiter just didn't seem to care, and didn't apologize. At the end of the mean we gave him a 15% tip which was more than adequate for his attitude and terrible service. Before the credit card was signed (where some of the tip was placed) he informed me of how short the bill was based on at "suggested" gratuity of 18%. I found this to be very rude, as we had not completed our transactions. After recalculating I approached him to tell him that we had decide to give him 15% tip and the other amount was a suggestion only, he said he was just doing what the computer told him to do. With no question about how anything was or why only a 15% tip. Had we received even adequate service his tip would have been 20% with no problem. But again, the food is so great that I would go back, and just make sure I was not in his sections. The bus boys and other staff were friendly and helpful. It's a lot of food for the money.

While visiting Portland, OR we went to Ya Hala for breakfast. I have never had Lebanese food before and did not know what to expect for breakfast. We were the first patrons and the waiter seated us and explained the menu. The food was delicious and enticed my taste buds. You have to try this for yourself.

Kim and I went to Ya Hala for Mediterranean food. We had 2 Meza (appetizer) dishes and it was more than enough. We had the lamb sausage ($7) and veggie meza sampler ($12) and it was excellent. We looked at the deserts but decided to walk down the street for desert.

I usually avoid Mediterranean restaurants except Marrakesh, but I was invited to a late lunch here last yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised with the fresh, tasty bread and flavorful hummus and tahini that I often found bland elsewhere. I ordered the steelhead in a pomegranate walnut sauce. Outstanding! The others in our group ordered eggplant that was both buttery and chewy in a good way plus dishes I don’t recall the names. Will definitely come back.

If you go here, order the feast for $30/person and you will receive an incredible variety of dishes that you can then take home and make another meal of. These dishes include the typical bread with babaganoush, hummus, yoghurt sauce, spicy meatballs, mint salad, lamb on a skewer, chicken with vegetables, and of course the baklava. This is a real bargain and you will experience the full range of Lebanese delicacies.

We think you might enjoy this warm, spotlessly clean an well run Lebanese joiint. The menu is easy to follow and the very warm and helpful staff is happy to help you make good choicees. Our party of three shared found items and it was a feast.The flavors authentic and reserved... very appetising. We have lunch this time. We'll come back soon for an evening mean!

My husband and I loved this place. We will definately go again. It you plan on going primtime on the weekend you'll be waiting a while. But it's worth it.

I think this is some of the best middle eastern food in the area.

Wonderful restaurant - - we orded one of the "feasts" and the food just kept coming! Even with drinks the bill for four was under thirty bucks and the locals that we dined with even had some leftovers. Like most of Portland the atmosphere and the services was laid back and thoughtful. Great restaurant.

I am gluten and dairy free. I came here and their menu had so many GF DF options! Their lentil soup was great. I found myself full in just 15 minutes!!!

The restaurant is located in a quaint neighborhood in the greater Portland metro area. It is not close to any major highways. The place is very popular and fills quite rapidly. We asked if the took reservations and they replied no, but advised we arrive before six pm as they were usually filled to capacity by that time. We arrived at 50:20 and people were arriving in droves. The place was filled by 6pm. The service was very good, the food was hot and cold. My dish was very good, but others in my party complained the food was bland. Bland lamb shank is not a good thing. The clientel were colorful and the burka clad patrons added to the atmosphere. All in all it was a good experience.

We enjoyed browsing the many menu choices, most of which we'd seldom encountered on a Middle Eastern menu before. All the appetizers on others' plates looked wonderful. Our kibbeh and sambousak hot appetizers were fantastic. The house salad tasted good. We thought the makloube or "upside down" casserole of lamb stew need more flavor--perhaps some herbs introduced into the mix. We didn't try dessert, but they looked yummy.

Good Atmosphere, easy to find, good service, Highly Recommended! We had a mixed appetizer plate which was great, fresh bread, lentil soup was quite good. Salad was a little boring and simple but that was OK, coffee was out of this world.

We were there last Wednesday for lunch. We had first a well serve Veggie Mezza, followed by a Makloube and a Shawarma Plate, both Lamb. All with a bottle of Tillia Malbec/Syrah from Argentina. Great experience, great ambience, great food. Lebanese Cuisine in its best.

Lovely place, great service, great selection of Middle Eastern dishes. Bread was AMAZING! I highly recommend the lamb shawarma and the lentil soup for lunch, the lamb ossobuco for dinner.

I've had dinner here a number of times and am always pleased; they just recently started serving brunch and I have to say I'm not disappointed! In a city full of great brunch spots that you can't get into until lunch time, this is my new go to. There is no wait and they serve an array of authentic Lebanese breakfast dishes. The chocolate halva hand-rolled croissant is a must try, as is the sangria (the best I've had outside of homemade!). The service, as always, is exceptional and the fare is very reasonably priced and delicious. If you're looking for bacon and traditional scrambled eggs or hotcakes, this isn't the place to go, but if you have a palate for unique dishes or ethnic food, you should really give this place a try! let's keep the wait minimal, but keep them serving brunch ;)

My sisters and I went to Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine with my niece and her husband after my niece found it on the Internet. They didn't take reservations so we had to wait for a bit for a table but it was well worth the wait. The starters were so reasonably priced that we ended up nearly making those our main course. The pita bread was hot and fresh from the kitchen -- we were seated near the kitchen and could see all the prep work being done. It was cool! The hummus was delish and the rest of the starters were so tasty. We did order a main course, however. I had the three kabob dinner, while my sisters had the lamb. The presentation of the food was well done and the taste -- wow! I couldn't finish my meal as the kabobs were huge and I had filled up on the starters; much to my husband's delight since he wasn't able to go with us. He loved it and it was a day old by then. The food was reasonably priced and excellent. The beer was tasty, too. We had a great time -- excellent atmosphere, food and service. Definitely a must-return restaurant. Be warned, it is popular and crowded but well work the wait!

We have always wanted to go here and went for our first time on an Entertainment coupon. I am not from the region obviously, but I am in Foodservice and I feel the food was representative of scratch Lebanese cooking. Portions were generous and if we went back again would probably split a meal. Prices were very reasonable most items under $12. Flavors were excellent. We has a sampler appetizer, it was a great way to see some of the different dishes and what they are about. Lebanese foods are very savory and not spicy. My wife had the rose water drink and said "it tastes like rose's smell", I thought....what?.... but that was exactly what it was like when I took a drink- it was very good- highly recommend if you want a no alcohol offering. We will be going back again. Kid friendly if they are experimental- nothing "American" on the menu. Many vegan offerings also. Service was outstanding. Parking is street parking so be warned if you have any kind of handicap you may not be parking close but can be dropped off.

Ordered inside to go. Courteous staff excellent food. Would defininely recommend to friends and family. I wish I had not been so exhausted from my day, would have enjoyed dining in.

The highly limited menu has significantly reduced our former delight with Ya Hala. It is sad to see such a talented owner and chef forced to cut back so much. We sat inside what was fine dining, but now like a good arcade in a shopping center - bus your own table, order at the counter. The room is now bare, loud with music and echos, and simply not conducive to conversation. Very disappointing. We will consider it only for take-out in the future.

Great food, but even better atmosphere. And talk about a great name YA HALA!!!

Homemade every thing, we have been enjoying the wonderful food here for about three years now, every meal has been amazing. Hands down the freshest Lebanese food we know about, even our boat mechanic (who is a meat and potatoes kind of guy) has gotten hooked on the food. Can't wait to go back, need my baklava fix. Cheers