Al Hawr

Al Hawr Lebanese restaurant in Portland offers a compelling taste of the Levant, with its delicious food largely making up for some noticeable shortcomings in service. Our recent visit left us with full and satisfied stomachs, but also a desire for a more attentive and efficient dining experience. The undisputed star of the show at Al Hawr is the food. Each dish we tried was packed with authentic flavor and clearly prepared with care. The Chicken Shawarma was a standout, featuring perfectly seasoned and tender chicken, wrapped in warm pita with fresh vegetables and a delightful garlic sauce. It was a testament to how good classic Lebanese street food can be. Equally impressive was the Grilled Chicken Breast Shish Tawook, with succulent, marinated chicken skewers that were juicy and flavorful, cooked to perfection. The Grilled Lamb Kafta also delivered, offering well-spiced, tender ground lamb that showcased the rich culinary traditions of the region. Portion sizes were generous, and the quality of ingredients was evident across the board. However, while our taste buds were thoroughly pleased, the service unfortunately felt short for us. Throughout our meal, we experienced slow response times, some difficulty in getting the attention of staff. Hopefully that will change next time when we visit again.

Greeted on entry. Beautiful location and space. Seated quickly, provided food and drink menu and given water. Given the right amount of time to discover what we want and ask a few questions. Highly recommend the sampler - wonderful, fresh, with a good variety. Fattoush salad was very tasty, crisp and the mint really popped. Chicken shawarma was a hit. Downsides were that the flat bread was a bit dry and also the beef / lamb shawarma. Service was nearly always on point except for a misdirected dish for which we were made to wait while all others had their mains, an apology was given but on a main more should have been done. Check out was quick.

The service is authentic and excellent, with friendly staff and a fabulous selection of appetizers to choose from, offering a variety of options. I'm impressed with the customer service, the wait staff is friendly and attentive, which sets it apart from other Middle Eastern restaurants in the area where service can be lacking. I definitely will come back for more great service and food.

Lovely spot with a great atmosphere. Menu filled with options. Hummus presentation was beautiful and pita warm and thin. Chicken Shwarma was moist and had a great lemon kick. Flafels were super fun as they looked like little donuts. Seasoned and cooked to perfection. Wines were ok but drinkable.

Good Arabic restaurant. I really like tea with fresh mint. Chicken shavers was too spicy for me, not hot spice, just too much spices. Meditarían Greek salad was tasty and fresh, also liked mixed dough

Very friendly and accommodating staff, without exception. Generous portions of freshly-prepared, authentic food, bursting with flavor. I am no expert of the Lebanese culture, but this restaurant seems very authentic to me. The fresh baked pita was the best I have ever tasted.

While visiting my dad at OHSU, my husband and I rode the tram down the hill and found this wonderful Lebanese reasturant within a 5 minute walk. The flavors were to die for! The service was awesome, the atmosphere great. Definitely coming back.

Al Hawar is hands down one of my favorite places to visit. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warmth and hospitality that makes this place so special. The owner is an incredibly good hearted and genuine person. He goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcome and taken care of. You don’t come across people like him often humble, kind, and truly dedicated to his business and customers. Before, his daughter used to take care of us, and she was also wonderful very respectful and attentive. Now the father has taken over, and it’s clear where she got her hospitality from. It’s a family that truly understands how to treat people with love and respect. You feel like you’re visiting relatives, not just a business. Today’s visit was extra special because the treat came from my brother, and as always, the experience didn’t disappoint. Everything from the service to the environment was perfect. I usually come here, and every time, I leave with a smile and a full heart. It’s not just about the food or service it’s the people behind it that make it unforgettable. I highly recommend Al Hawar to anyone looking for not just great service, but a place where you’ll feel genuinely cared for. It’s rare to find a place like this these days. Thank you to the amazing family behind Al Hawar you’ve got a loyal customer for life!

This is the best Lebanese restaurant in the pacific northwest. Authentic , delicious and full filing portions. Great service!!

I love this restaurant. We live on the same block so we come pretty often. The people who own this place are the nicest people you'll ever meet. The food is unique, gorgeous, and delicious. One of my favorites is the Al-Hawr Salad. It is dressed with pomegranate molasses olive oil and garnished with these crispy comet-shaped croutons. Honestly I'm not sure what they're called but it's like a satchel filled with a bit of sumac onions and fried. The wrapper is shatteringly crisp and we like to dunk all the crispy pieces into hummus. By the way the hummus here is like silk, just so extremely tasty. We get it every single time. Our other family favorite is the filet mignon main dish. They really know their meats here and the steak tastes fantastic with a bit of char from the grill. My go-to cocktail here is the mule. It has vodka, rose water and ginger beer. Simply refreshing. There's assorted beers and wine available too. And a cute bar inside the restaurant. The owner told us tonight he's recently opened the restaurant for lunch. Starting at 11am. There will be lunch sized portions with limited selection of the main menu. Don't sleep on this place, it's a hit every time.

Tried this place on a Friday evening and it wasn't crowded. You could get a reservation pretty easily. Ambiance: The place has a very beautiful ambiance with middle eastern vibe altogether. Service: The only disappointment at this place was their service. It took an hour for them to get our food. If you are really hungry, I wouldn't recommend this place. If you have sometime in hand and want to explore a Mediterranean place, this is good. Food: We ordered some starters and main course. It was very filling because the food was on heavier side. It was dense. So we couldn't get to our main course and just got it to go. We ordered chicken starters, they were served authentically and they were absolutely delicious, but the food was very dense. Not sure why. We ordered al hawr special cocktail and it was pretty good. The price point is a little bit on expensive end. Overall, the service was very slow. Food was good but very dense, so order carefully.

We had an excellent experience at Al-Hawr a week ago. Food was delicious and could try a wonderful array of hot appetisers that normally we don't get to see like sojok, Ras asfoor & Sawda. Lemon pepper wings were delicious as well. Lamb chop meal, shank and mixed grill were good. Rice that came along with it was full of flavour. Service and ambience- excellent Do try this place if want to Lebanese with a difference

Came here for a date night last minute and WOW!!!! What a beautiful spot. My boyfriend and I had dinner here post workout and we were so satified afterwards. The chicken was delicious and moist. The hummus.. I will daydream about until I have it again. Great portions. And also shoutout to the staff- so friendly. 10/10 reccommend! We will be back with our friends :)

We came to Al Hawr with a group of friends on a recommendation, and it did not disappoint! Good flavors, good size portions of food. The ambience was nice, and staff was kind. The pita was also tasty! I was a big fan of the beet salad. We ordered the sampler platter and I also had the Kafta Arayiss. It was almost the equivalent of a Lebanese quesadilla - but better! The one thing I didn't love was the price, it seemed but pricey for what you get. But it also could be a product of the location of the restaurant. The average price for the meals we had was $25. Aside from all that, it was a good experience and a tasty meal!

What a gem of a restaurant in the OHSU South Waterfront area! You might miss it if you don't know about it but this Lebanese family run restaurant got a massive space cozily decorated, making it perfect for a casual meal or a special occasions. I like how well-crafted their menu is. It's not too long or small, you can feel that they put thoughts into what goes on their menu. There are a good mix of familiar items as well as unique ones, especially in the hot appetizer section. We were so enticed by their appetizers that we actually went with the Sampler Platter, Ras Asfoor, and Mixed Dough for our meal. The Sampler Platter seemed expensive at first but it did not disappoint! You get a great amount of Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Beet Salad, Tabouleh, and Dolmas with freshly made Pita Bread on the side. This could be a meal on its own or split between at least four people. Everything in the platter was super fresh. I was particularly a fan of the Beet Salad with lemon peels on top. The Ros Asfar was the most unique dish we had there. It's pieces of filet mignon cooked in a savory sauce with mushroom and pine nuts. Again, their portion was great. The meat wasn't the most tender but the flavors were really good! Lastly, the Mixed Dough was also a platter of fried dough appetizers, great for sampling. All the items were freshly fried. I liked the Cheese Dough and Meat Dough the best out of this order. Service was very friendly. All in all, a very pleasant experience and great bang for your bucks. We'll definitely be back!

Everything here is amazing. We ate family style and we reordered the Lamb Cocktail it was so good. The chicken Schwarma was amazing as was the beef and lamb grilled Kafta. The sampler platter was effectively a meza. The pita kept coming. Such great service!! Narameme was awesome! If you haven't tried the best Lebanese restaurant in the area, get on over there!!

I came here with a group of friends and had the best time. As my friend ordered everything, I'm not 100% of what we got, but I just know that it was all delicious. Service was so friendly, fast, and fun throughout the whole evening. We started off with fresh, warm pita bread and two kinds of hummus that were so flavorful and paired perfectly with the fluffy bread. Then we had two little pots of meat (I believe rad asfour and liver) and the fire underneath kept it warm as you ate them. For entrees, we had a platter of different meats, kibbeh, salad, and more. The portions were generous and everything was family-style. It was so delicious and I'm not sure if I've had better Lebanese food in Portland. Highly recommend.

This was very OK. The food tasted like it came from the salad bar and hot bar at New Seasons or Whole foods. Nothing exciting at all. It was fine. Nothing was wrong, just wasn't nearly as good as similar restaurants in the area. Prices reasonable, service was good.

This restaurant has unique ways of serving quality middle eastern/Lebanese cuisine. I love the fancy salads and dressing, as well as the lamb options. Our waiters have always accommodated and added to the ambiance when they offered us to try after-dinner Lebanese coffee. Cheers to Al Hawr, right by the beautiful south waterfront!

Ordered takeout so I could work at the hotel. The taste was absolutely delicious of each item. The mixed dough appetizer was a great way to try different items. All delivered in taste ! The grape leaves were delicious. Soft leaves with a great lemon and mint flavor! The baklava was excellent. It was delicately sweet. Mixed Dough Deep fried Kibbeh, Samboosik, Spinach, and cheese rolls $14.00 Warak Enab Delicate organic grape leaves filled with rice, fresh parsley, mint, tomato, onion, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil (VG/GF) $12.00 Baklava (2pc) $6.00 Definitely would return !

I had to come and update my review! Al Hawr is about a 5 min walk from home. When friends come over they love going here with us. The food here has continued to be awesome every time we come. Their pita bread is really delicious. Pita bread is simple in of itself but something about theirs makes it unique. The service continues to be impeccable. Refills of bread, water etc. come even when they are busy. Definitely recommend .

Excellent service and so many delicious vegan options. I loved the sampler platter with pita!

Very cozy family owned eatery! Really nice folks and great food. I was specially pleased with the sampler plate (the hummus plate), as the portion was nice and big and it came with plenty of bread! Not to mention everything tasted fresh and delicious. I will definitely be coming back!

Good but not amazing. I ordered the salmon kabobs with an appetizer beet salad. Everything tasted okay, but nothing was what I would characterize as fantastic or amazing. The beat salad was a bit disappointing. I purchase steamed beets all the time from trader Joe's and dice them in a bowl with some olive oil and a tiny touch of rice vinegar. The beat salad was a little less than that. In fact, it tasted like some fresh steamed beets that had been diced up and put in a bowl and that's about it. The salmon kabobs were okay. The salmon tasted good, but it was honestly kind of boring. I kind of expected something a little bit more special. The rice was, well, rice. But the broccoli was actually the highlight of the meal. My Diet Coke was kind of flat. Service was Good, and the restaurant was spotless. Even the bathroom was nice. I guess I just expected a lot more.

Good food, great service. The lamb beef shawarma was a little chewy for my liking. The salmon kebab was amazing! Decorations are interesting, referring to the antler salt and pepper shakers. Overall pretty impressed and would love to try again.

Date night with Wife N, and we're on a quest for Portland's best shawarma. This Friday evening found us at Al Hawr along the waterfront. For starters, we ordered the "Mixed Dough", their fried appetizer sampler platter which had Kibbeh, Samboosik , Spinach rolls and Cheese rolls. They were all great, very fresh and flavorful. We both ordered a shawarma platter, combo of beef and lamb. This meat was very flavorful, seasoned perfectly, though we thought it was a bit overcooked and slightly tough. Still quite enjoyable. In all, a decent little Lebanese place and a good spot to grab a bite.

The most hospitable Lebanese family you'll ever meet. Great atmosphere, incredible appetizers menu and right along the Portland waterfront.

Amazing food and service! I also really like the location here - close to the waterfront and really easy to park nearby. I made a reservation beforehand so that probably contributed to the seamless experience of getting seated right away and overall having a really good experience. For food I definitely recommend the lamb chops! Cooked to the perfect temperature and the flavor is spot on. Didn't get to try too much of the menu but the hummus and chicken breast was also really good. Looking forward our next visit!

The food in this place is very flavorful at that lame is to die for, and I highly recommend ordering the Kafta, I mean all their dishes are delicious, but this was the first time I tried, as this is my first time eating here. They give you a complementary pita bread as usual, in these types of places, but this one was fresh and decent very much so and that yogurt and oil, they gave you is just "chefs kiss." This place also has live music some Mitford I heard too. The service is very accommodating and kind.

The food and drinks are excellent, the service is hit or miss....we tend to enjoy the appetizers more than ordering a meal.

We had such a delightful meal at this restaurant. The service was very courteous, the ambience was very cozy but classy and the food was mind blowing. The mint lemonade was just the way we like it and the ginger beer was great too. The beet hummus was delicious and pita was really soft. Batata harara was oh so good- crunchy from the outside, soft from the inside- my husband even asked them how they cook it so perfectly and the owner (I believe) even explained to us how they cook it! The chicken kebabs dish we ordered was also on point. Chicken was cooked perfectly again and the rice was also very flavorful. My daughter also ordered their molten chocolate cake with ice cream and she said it was the best dessert she ever tasted. Quite clearly, we were beyond stuffed. Highly highly recommend!

Good food and friendly people. I especially like their lamb rack they have. I live close by and I always see people eating in there

Excellent food and service. Do yourself a favor and grab some grub here, you will not be dissapointed.

In one word disappointing! I have been dreading writing this review. I used to tell people that Al Hawr is probably one of the top two or three Arab restaurant in the NW. Not anymore... The food used to amazing, and the prices were ok. Now most of the food is average or worse, and the prices are ridiculous. What, a plate of humus for $12. Really, it's not that complicated, and it's very cheap to make. I can get humus as good as this in almost any Arab restaurant in Portland (except Nichols which is terrible...). Even the desserts that we could count on and look forward to, so not very good. I was so upset; especially, at the outrageous prices that I woke up the next morning thinking of what I am going to write to express my disappointment and anger. The place itself is beautiful, but the service was ok. I think the hardest working person there is the owner's son who was friendly, professional, and accommodating. I think the restaurant now established itself and has a following, that they don't care anymore, and they know they can get away with anything... I am so sad...

Ambiance: This place is quite big. It has plenty of seating a table for big groups and a full bar. It was fun and lively to be inside. Food: Everything we ordered was delicious! The sampler plate had a little bit of everything and it was very good. The hummus was delicious and so was the baba ghannouj. The grape leaves we're not good, tasted like they were from a can. Their special was the lamb shank and it was SO GOOD. The broth was flavorful and the meat was melting off of the bone. Would definitely recommend. Mixed Grill Meat: All of the meat choices were good but not great. The meat was a little dry and tough at times. Service: Our server was attentive and had a great attitude! The owner was also great! Thanks for having us!

Really fun place with fresh, delicious food options. Good for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Will definitely be back soon.

One of the best Portland restaurant experiences I've had in 2022. Generous amounts of olive oil, garlic, lemons. Generous portions of scratch made hummus, and even the fried spinach rolls were to die for. We ordered a ton of vegan-friendly options that were all amazing including the lentil soup and sampler platter. In my opinion, the sampler platter is a must order. They have a great full bar on hand, and full generous cocktails and local beer and big wine menu. Very impressive here. Located in the ever-evolving and modern South Waterfront, the space is fresh and welcoming and open and modern and really comfortable and the staff could not be nicer. I am hoping to go back once a week.

We had a wonderful meal this evening. The team in the restaurant is very attentive, friendly and responsive. The food was fantastic as usual, especially the baklava. We will return.

best food ever! the service was AMAZING!!!!!!!! The ambiance of the restaurant was great. GO HERE WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really tasty Lebanese food! Perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Their hummus with the lamb on top might have been the BEST hummus I've had in my life! So smooth and creamy, full of flavor! The lamb shank was the special and it was also quite delicious. Baba ganoush, can't go wrong. The grilled chicken was a bit dry, but when is it not?! Sounds like it is also a family run business. The waiter was nice and the ambience was also quite nice! A very fancy interior. Would recommend checking this place out!

Never thought I would have authentic Lebanese food as good as my mom's and even better! It is 100% like home and much better! The service is wonderful, the quality is superb, decorations and style made me feel just like home. I came from California to Portland for a visit, and I was recommended by a friend to try out this restaurant, and I can't be more thankful for this recommendation. We didn't try anything that wasn't good or that was just "ok", everything exceeded expectations. Shadi served us coffee and knefe on the house. Thank you so much El Hawr for the wonderful meal, I hope we get back one day.

Beautiful restaurant and the food was amazing. Will come back. Try the cotton candy ice cream and the lamb was divine!

This place is solid. If you're craving this kind of food then you won't be disappointed. I wouldn't say there was anything unique here, but everything is well prepared. I really like the beet hummus and baba ganoush we had as appetizer. The chicken was moist, and the grilled meat (filet minion) was also very good. I think the shawarma was just okay, so I'd go with the chicken or beef when I go there again.

Always have great food and great service. I love coming here for a big dinner! Authentic middle eastern food

This place is legit. Amazing food and service. I had the chicken shawarma and my wife had filet mignon. Both delicious. Definitely give it a try.

This place is amazing. Chadi, his wife, son, daughter and parents have created a piece of heaven. The interior has a lovely feel and decor is beautiful. Great service and awesome food. We had Hummus cocktail and six Provençal jumbo shrimp. Tasted amazing and I am very picky. Dessert of baclava and coffee was a wonderful ending. The homemade pita and tzatziki was great too. I cannot wait to go back to this place!!!!

Wow, so yummy! All the main dishes were so good I forgot to take pictures! I ordered the Chicken, Shawarma, Beef & Lamb shawarma as well as the Ras asfoor. All the food was delicious and the service was amazing! Will definitely be back.

At the end of the Greenway tucked in between the mixed use condominium high rises. Entrancing the restaurant is lavishly decorated with a stimulating middle Eastern vibe. Falafel meal ~ delicious. Anybody who raves about the downtown food carts and their falafel gyros need to try here to taste housemade falafel. The entrees took a little longer than general but it was said the mother cooks it all herself and the fresh flavors was worth the wait. Service was a tad hoity, but with those prices you expect a little toity.

The best baba ganoush! I grew up eating Lebanese food and this was a great experience.

Food is terrible here and very expensive!!!! Really people!!! The portions are tiny and old food was provided. I have never seen such tiny portions when you order for $100 food. The dessert was crumbly and old. DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS RESTAURANT EVER!!!!!!

Excellent food and good value. I think their lamb shank is one of the best I have eaten. It is a large portion that easily could serve two or three which justifies its higher entre price. I ended up taking my extra home for another meal. Their baba ganoush is smokey and flavorful. Even if you don't like beets, the pickled ones here will change your mind.

When we arrived at Al-Hawr at around 4pm, we were the only customers in the entire restaurant, so needless to say, we were seated immediately, and had the full attention of the host, who also doubled as our server. If I had to wager a guess, I would assume he was the owner, judging by his friendly, assured demeanor and generous nature. We were pretty hungry, having skipped lunch, but also tremendously indecisive, so we settled on an array of various appetizers, to give us plenty of variety. Our order included the Fattoush salad, hot hummus cocktail (with filet mignon!), spinach "wontons" (for lack of a better descriptor), and a single falafel (although we ended up with a full order of four!). Hot flatbread with thick, creamy yogurt dip and sesame oil with seeds and za'atar was quick to arrive, "compliments of the house", we were informed. They quickly disappeared from the plate, prompting a refill! The various appetizers-as-entrees arrived shortly thereafter altogether, except the falafels, which appeared a few minutes later. The Fattoush salad was delicious, walking a fine line between savory and vinegary, but also tangy and sweet, due to the presence of pomegranate. Light and refreshing! The hummus cocktail came warm (as advertised) with small pieces of filet mignon and pine nuts, and drizzled with oil and lemon juice, the steak cooked and seasoned perfectly, tasting as if they'd come fresh off the barbecue! A surprisingly favorable pairing with the hummus! The deep fried spinach "wontons" (I hate myself for using that term, but it's reasonably accurate) were not particularly to our taste. They advertise tomato and onion, but it tasted like spinach and spinach, with a side of spinach. A little too much, in our opinion, and would benefit from being softened with some feta (or similar) cheese, and perhaps some additional seasoning of some sort. As is, they were just OK, and improved by a quick dip through the yogurt dip that came with the bread. The falafels were hot and crisp on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, and just about as perfect as can be. A dip in the hummus for an added flavor kick is a must, so grab some on the side, if necessary! Service was impeccable and timely, although expected, being the only patrons at the time. Still, the professionalism, quality and timeliness of our experience leaves no doubt that we would receive similar treatment, even in the midst of the dinner rush. Al Hawr is a quality, fine-dining establishment with a fantastic reputation, professional staff, an incredible wine list (although we abstained this time, due to being mid-day) and a romantic atmosphere. A five-star establishment on all points, and one of the best Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurants in Portland. Look no further.

The food was wonderful and the servings are large. You wont walk away hungry . Downside was no bartender on duty the night we were here so they could make only one of the good cocktails they have on the menu. Definitely worth a return visit. I'll be back.

Disappointed. Service was ok, rice served was cold. Felt that the food quantity was poor. For a $18 halloumi salad, there was minimal greens and not plated well. Entrees were also expensive and poor on quantity. We had a $28 lamb skewer entree which had some not warm rice :( and 2 skewers. Will not be returning. Ambiance was great, looks like newly renovated!

I came here with a friend on a whim and am so glad we did! Definitely a hidden gem, and one of the best Lebanese restaurants I have ever been to. We shared a number of appetizers and split an entrée. The ras asfoor, samboosik, lamb cocktail, and baba ghanouj are all so flavorful and incredibly delicious!!! My favorite was definitely the ras asfoor with the perfectly tender beef and mushrooms cooked in fragrant red wine. The service is also excellent, and the ambiance is very cozy with the dark interior and dim lighting. Can't wait to go back!!

Went there twice and both visits were satisfactory. Food was excellent and service was good eventhough they were busy both Times. Always love the mint lemonade. I like the fact that they open late. Its hard to Find restaurant that open past 10pm in this town

GO HERE NOW! This establishment was SO beautiful and family orientated. We made a reservation through Yelp for a team dinner and to celebrate a birthday. When we walked in we were quickly greeted and the team went all out to support a group where a man was proposing! The staff played beautiful music and the entire restaurant erupted in cheering. The food was delightful and the drinks (not pictured) were delightful. Only captured a few photos of dishes, but the Chicken was delectable and everyone ate every morsel on their plate. We had a vegan in our party who really enjoyed the baba gannaoush and falafel. Our server informed us that it is family owned and there was an adorable old man in a hat behind the bar with a hearty grin the entire time we were there.

Came here for a friends birthday. Most of the food here was great. The chicken shawarma was really good and definitely suggest making it spicy and you'll love it. The other dishes ordered were 1. Grilled Lahmu Filet Mignon - okay tasting. 2. Grilled chicken breast shish Tawook - these looked red but were less flavorful than the chicken shawarma. 3. Falafel - this was average. I've also included the menus. Overall a good place to visit for nice experience.