Ali Baba

Another great find in Hoboken. Stopped in for some dinner while in the area. Was able to walk in without a reservation on a Saturday evening walking in a 6pm and only one other table was filled with lots of tables available. Wasn't sure if I was considered an early bird or not, but it was great to be able to sit down without a wait. While a bit empty, there were a few take out orders which is alwaya a good sign. I walked to the destination on a cold winter evening and while soup usually isn't my first choice, the chicken noodle seemed like a great fit to warm me up a bit. Soup came out and was tasty and hit the spot Ordered from the "THE 40 THIEVES SPECIALTIES" part of the menu and got the Sahara Chicken (Grilled chicken marinated in rich curry, all spice and basil, served with delicious grilled vegetables & rice) I was thoroughly impressed with my pick and it was tasty. There were lots of other great choices, but pretty surell, I made the right choice. After finishing my meal, waited a bit while the server was busy on his phone, hence dropping one star down in service. Granted it was a quiet night, but doesn't make it any better. Definitely would return again.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Alibaba along side my lady, a delightful Mediterranean restaurant in Hoboken, and I can't emphasize enough how extraordinary our experience was. From the moment I walked in, I was enveloped by a soothing ambiance that instantly made me feel at home. The subtle aromas of authentic Mediterranean spices danced through the air, igniting my senses and setting the stage for a culinary adventure. The food? Simply outstanding! Every dish was a masterpiece, thoughtfully crafted with flavors that told a story of tradition and care. Each bite transported me to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, showcasing the richness of the cuisine. It’s clear that the chefs pour their heart and soul into their creations, and it made my meal not just a dining experience, but a genuine celebration of flavors. What truly elevated this experience, however, was the warmth and hospitality of the entire crew. Each member of the staff radiated a sense of genuine care and dedication. But I must give special mention to our server, who was the embodiment of the restaurant's welcoming spirit. Her attentiveness and enthusiasm made us feel not just like patrons, but like cherished guests. She was the face of Alibaba, and every moment spent interacting with her was a testament to the incredible hospitality that defines this gem of a restaurant. Alibaba is not just a place to eat; it is a sanctuary of warmth, flavor, and community. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience filled with heartfelt service, delectable food, and a soothing atmosphere, look no further. I wholeheartedly recommend Alibaba to anyone seeking an exceptional meal that nourishes both the body and soul. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

The food was amazing. The server and chef were very friendly, and the chef even offered to combine tables to accommodate us. The atmosphere was okay.

I finally stopped into Ali Baba in Hoboken after walking past it a bunch of times, and I’m glad I did. The food was fresh, flavorful, and tasted like it was actually cooked with care. Portion sizes were generous without feeling heavy. The place has a cozy, neighborhood feel and the staff was genuinely kind and attentive without hovering. Prices were very reasonable for the quality. I’m already planning my next visit.

Stopped here on a whim to get out of a downpour and could not recommend it enough! Had the beef gyro and it was delicious, the salad was such a pleasure too. I had my 4 yr old in tow and even he ate a little of everything with the beef being his fave. The atmosphere was super welcoming and everyone there was friendly.

Worst order I ever had. This falafel sandwich for $10 is crazy. There is 2 falafels inside . Veggies are so less. Beef gyro sandwich does not worth it for $12.

This is a Mediterranean delight. Went there for a friend’s birthday dinner and so glad to have chosen this place. The staff is extremely accommodating and helpful. They even played the birthday song while we cut the cake (which was really nice). Everything we ordered was so refreshing from the Tabouleh salad to the falafel platter and the Sahara chicken. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area. Super friendly on the pocket. Will definitely be back again.

The best middle eastern/Mediterranean food in Hoboken. Not overly spicy nor tasteless, just perfect. The portions are big, so order accordingly. They have great meat and decent chicken. I'm not a huge fan of gyro in general but their's was very decent. Love the ambiance of the family run business.

Visited Ali baba restaurant recently, Absolutely Amazing, the warm hospitality is like no other. The food is amazing, made to order with the best quality ingredients. Your dish and every dish is prepared with perfection it's like your eating at your Mom's house. If you're looking to eat like home made food then this your place. Highly recommended, definitely will visit again. Thank you Alibaba.

I ordered for a second time, delivery as well. Food and service are excellent. Fast, delicious, high quality and abundant portions. Thank you so much for your service, it's important to have trusted places to eat nowadays. Great business.

How do you begin to start a Review for probably the most delicious Mediterranean food I've had in the tri-state area. I would like to say in New York City, but this restaurant is located in Hoboken. It's walking distance from the pier. If I walking distance you enjoy 20 minute uphill walks and through college campuses (Stevens U). I loved walking to this place because it helped us feel better about the amount of food that we ordered when we arrived. The service was something to rave about. We had a young girl whose name I'm forgetting now but who was really knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations as to what we should order. As our picture show we ordered the 40 thieves grill mix, the fresh squeezed mint lemonade, and the Arab spring. We ended with Turkish coffee which completed the meal in a beautiful way. Every single item that we ordered was so flavorful and so yummy. Would 100% go back to this establishment!

Excellent experience! Came in for a work lunch and we're immediately greeted with so much kindness and hospitality by the owner and staff. Food was super delicious. Started with the mezze platter, which was amazing. Crispiest, most flavorful falafel, great dips. We ordered lamb kebab dishes, and the lamb was perfectly juicy and tender. Lemon mint juice, Arabic coffee and baklava were amazing. 10/10 will come back!

After looking for an acceptable gyro place, my husband and I decided to try this place. We ordered delivery over the phone, but maybe next time would order online as we had to be handed off to another person who could take our order. Food was excellent. We shared the halloumi cheese starter and then enjoyed our beef gyro. Very delicious. Might try dining in next time.

We've been to Ali Baba a few time different times over the years and the food always hits just right! The serving sizes are massive! My husband and I can easily share an appetizer and entree, but an entree each is too much! The staff is so sweet and kind! I prefer sitting outside versus inside. The outdoor area is adorable but the inside is pretty dark and not as appealing. Hoping for more warm weather to sit outside again!

Awesome spot for casual Mediterranean food! Very large portion sizes and great value, all conveniently located in Hoboken We shared the 40 thieves mixed grill which was mort than enough for two people. The meats were perfectly cooked and deliciously flavored! We also had salad, rice and pita with dips which were all great! Service is friendly and quick. Definitely recommend for a casual date night or night out with friends. This spot would also probably be perfect for take out!

I ordered a beef gyro, a lamb curry, an appetizer Baba ganoush and a spinach pie for my table, somehow 19+19+12+5.5 ended up becoming a bill of 69.22 (New Jersey sales tax is 6.625 percent) There was no itemized listing of what was included in the charge. Do you charge 18% gratuity above the menu price automatically? If so, at least give a heads-up? Instead of having a customer pay double amount of normal gratuity? Food and service was good. Not happy with the way of billing. I expect more price transparency.

stopped here with my girlfriend who lives in Hoboken as we love trying new places in Hoboken. the food was terrible and overpriced and the atmosphere even worse.

For the past two years I have been coming here all the time, at least once a week. Here's the full breakdown of my experience: 1. Service The owner will make you feel at home, very jovial and showcasing the classic middle-eastern hospitality I love. And not just with me, I see it ALL the time with everyone who comes in. You have questions about the menu? You have some concerns? Want to talk about the weather? Expect nothing less than a smile and nice conversation. 2. Food I only eat halal so I love coming in here to eat. Not only is the food yummy, but it is also very consistently yummy and you can always count on a satisfying meal. Personally, I'm a sucker for the entrées, which are VERY filling with the rice and salad. I've had just about every one now and always end up with a clean plate. Even the ones I did not have, like some of the lamb, I have had friends try and give great reviews. The sandwiches are also great, especially if you are looking for a smaller meal. I have also ordered some catering for large events, to which Ali Baba went above and beyond in providing every possible thing to make the catering superb. Overall, especially with the lack of Arabic inspired and halal food in Hoboken, Ali Baba has been like a second home to me. I always love speaking with the owner, and when I'm not, I know that he is in the back cooking up great meals. Highly highly highly recommend trying Ali Baba if you are in Hoboken!!!

The meze plates were nice, cool and refreshing. The lamb with thick and juicy. They're open later in the evening which is a plus when you're wandering Hoboken starving and looking for some tasty grub that ISN'T bar food!

Food was good. Quick service . Mint lemonade was amazing. Definitely worth trying once.

Great quality & Authentic! You get great packaging, portions and quality when you order for takeout too.

Just went with a group this weekend - the food was fabulous, the service great and what a wonderful small local ambiance - you know the owner and servers wanted to make your experience great. Highly recommended for eatin or takeout (maybe they deliver?). .

Very friendly atmosphere, great crispy falafel, hummus is very creamy, and tasty. I ordered my favorite dish; the kufta platter, with tabboula instead of rice. The kufta was tender and full of authentic Middle Eastern taste- parsley, mild spices and cooked well done to my liking. I went back last week and ordered the buffalo wings. Yummy. It was great.

Amazing food. Beef Gyros is probably one of their signature dishes. Highly recommend!

Definitely a hidden gem! Beauitful, spacious outdoor seating. Their service was on point. As a vegetarian, I ordered their grand combo and was able to easily substitute certain items from the combo for falafels/ babaganoush. Would highly recommend their freshly baked baklava. Initially ordered one between me and my husband, and ended up ordering two more Will definitely be coming back here!

My BF said this is one of the best lamb gyro's he has ever has in his life! The hummus and grape leaves also delicious. Ibrahim is very friendly and welcoming. Cute, cozy, intimate. Perfect for a date.

What a gem in Hoboken! I'm so happy to have stumbled across this place. The portion sizes are great, price is more than reasonable, and food is absolutely amazing. There's plenty of outdoor seating over a fancy artificial turf with overlying patio lights. The complimentary pita bread was served warm and toasty. We finished the whole basket in minutes. The hummus and baba ganoush were the freshest I've ever eaten. The hummus had a refreshing lemony tang to it which was the perfect appetizer in a breezy summer day. My boyfriend and I got the 40 Thief Grill and was blown away by how delicious every piece of meat and vegetable is. The steak and lamb kabobs were so well seasoned and so juicy! Every bite of the lamb kofta was heavenly with the aroma of a million spices. The roasted tomatoes and onions were also a refreshing, sweet contrast to the grilled meats. Service here is above and beyond. We had a rather large group and the owner immediately brought out another table and chair to accommodate all of us. The server was also friendly and offered great recommendations. My friends absolutely loved their dishes. The owner was also very welcoming and let us try the pistachio baklava, a dessert I most highly recommend by the way. The layer of sweet crunchy pistachio topped with buttery crust is so addicting. I will definitely be back! Can't wait to enjoy great food again in the perfect location.

Great middle eastern place with tasty meats. Have gotten the 40thieves platter a few times and have always been stuffed. The beef gyro is especially my favorite... packed with beef and veggies. The hot sauce is great.

I went to Ali Baba for my first time on Friday. From the moment we walked in to the moment we walked out, it felt like home. The staff was beyond friendly, and I felt like I was having my own middle-eastern Grandmothers cooking while there. The food was absolutely amazing! 10/10. My brother and I split the 40 Thieves Grill Mix and a Fattoush salad and it was the perfect amount of food. I can't wait to return or get takeout. I grew up in an Armenian household with a Mom and Grandma who cook middle eastern food regularly, so I'm spoiled. This felt like my family's cooking.

We went here recently for dinner and the service/food left much to be desired. We ordered the lamb gyro, mixed grill plate and veggie appetizer platter of baba ghanoush, hummus, falafel etc. I asked for spicy pepper sauce. That came as I had maybe 1 or 2 bites left of the food. The lamb was burned and even though I wanted to try the baklava, it never came. I asked for the check no less than 4 times and it never came. Finally we had to go to the counter where the manager (presumably?) was standing to ask can we pay so that I could leave. Ordering was an issue, getting the right ordered items was an issue, and even leaving took over 30 minutes (literally) to pay! We went with excitement over the reviews and sadly won't be returning.

My boyfriend and I came here for a meal and it was fantastic! We had the 40 thieves mixed grill and everything was so delicious. It also comes with rice, hummus and baba ghanoush which were both fantastic! We were also going to get the grape leaves which they forgot but it was all good because we were so excited about the mixed grill and were less full for it! They were super apologetic about forgetting the grape leaves which didn't even end up being an issue for the two of us. Not only was the food delicious but the service was amazing! They were all so genuinely kind we will definitely be back!

Friendly service and good food. The lamb was tasty and tender. Prices are a little all over the place but overall good value.

One of my favorites in Hoboken. Great food, great service, and I love the way they make falafel

I got the Garlic Chicken Entree because it was recommended to me and enjoyed it very much! It came in a huge rectangular platter with rice, grilled onions, and salad. Salad comes with the standard iceberg lettuce (I think?) and purple lettuce, with red onions, olives, tomatoes, with a respectable little block of feta cheese. The chicken was not bad, and it came with some sauces (garlic, takiti -idk if I spelled that correctly- and barbecue sauce). The star of the dish was the rice! So fragrant, delicious, and a bit sweet. But the thing that I absolutely LOVED from this place was the pita bread. We got the Baba Ganush and it came with warm, soft, chewy pita bread. It was so so so good. We tried to get the pita bread we couldn't finish and I accidentally dropped it :( Prices are satisfactory, but I think it's a bit expensive for Middle Eastern/Turkish food. 4/5 delicious food, but a bit pricey.

I'm not really sure how someone could make a kebab both undercooked and dry at the same time but this place managed to do it. Smells great but all of that greatness goes away when I actually start eating it. These aren't even really edible they're so undercooked. Unfortunate.

We had a delicious, filling dinner last night! The two of us shared the 40 Thieves Mixed Grill. Had we know that it came with so much food we would not have ordered the Mediterranean salad. The salad in my opinion was the weakest dish of the evening. No real flavor. The mixed frill was tasty and plentiful. The beef gyro was especially tasty. We also ordered a side of lebneh. Service was friendly. Ask for their special hot sauce and garlic sauce. Soooo delicious!

An amazing spot to grab lunch or dinner! The service was quick and waitresses extremely kind. The food was beyond amazing! I have been a long time lover of mamouns but after coming to Ali Baba I have switched allegiances. You can tell that Ali Baba's food is homemade and made with love by the fact. Their falafel is to die for, definitely the best falafel I've ever had and the best in Hoboken by far! My friend and I came here for a late dinner about an hour before closing and the service was still great! We didn't feel rushed at all and the food tasted fresh. We shared the 40 Thieves Special and got a falafel appetizer. The portions were perfect and simply delicious! If you haven't tried this little gem I'd highly recommend! I cannot stop raving about it to all my friends :)

I ventured out to Hoboken to visit one of my besties and we decided to visit Ali Baba. Neither of us has been there before so we were eager to give it a try. This spot is BYOB too so that definitely didn't hurt. We walked in - no reservation needed - and treated ourselves to the vino we brought (thanks, Mel!). Our waitress brought out complimentary pita and dip. We wanted to try a few things so we settled on sharing the 40 Thieves Mix Grill (grilled chicken, lamb kabob, beef gyro, kufta, rice) which was a very decent amount of food and super flavorful. I am not a big lamb person, but I did like the way it was prepared here so I made the exception. We had a ton of leftovers which I can appreciate, too. I may have seen my friend sneak a little snacky from these later in the night lol The overall ambiance was casual and I could see this being a good take out place. One weird thing that I wasn't expecting - we asked for water and just assumed they'd bring us glasses of it, but we instead were brought Poland Spring bottles which we were obviously charged for later on. If we had known they'd charge us for bottles of water, we would have just brought our own. May be something to keep in mind if you plan on coming here. Bring your own alcoholic beverages, but bring something to hydrate with too.

Amazing food. Free hummus and baba ganoush starters with Pita bread. We got the vegetarian platter and 40 thieves grill and the rice was great, the meat was cooked extremely well and the food actually came very quickly. Also, best falafels I've had. The service was also great. Very friendly waiters.

I. Love. This. Place! This is the best restaurant I've been to in all of Hoboken thus far. My boyfriend said he feels like he's died, gone to heaven and was greeted by 70 virgins at heaven's gates. The 40 thieves grill mix is so delicious and perfect for 2! Great variety of flavorful meats, vegetables, rice and hummus. The tabouleh is so fresh and compliments the spices of the meat so well. I loved the Turkish coffee and harissa honey cake. If you love a robust coffee with a warm and moist cake I highly suggest you try this sinful combination. The service is always quick, the people here are great and the food is consistently killer. I will be an Ali Baba customer till the end of time.

We had heard good things about this place but only for takeout food and I understand why. I really want to like this place but I was very disappointed in the service and the staff, also how they handled Saturday night dinner rush. They only had one server for the entire restaurant, there seem to have been another server but that person was very spotty. I didn't really see them a lot. They forgot to give silverware, the food came out very cold and needed to put a reminders to even provide basic things. The seating was very uncomfortable and the overall experience was just not that good. This place is not worth the hype, unless you're doing takeout and then I guess it is OK.

Great and Authentic food with wonderful service! One of my favorite places to eat in Hoboken!

I've had a hard time finding Mediterranean food in Hoboken, through a little research we found Ali baba! The menu had lots of great options and it is in a great spot on Washington street. When we walked in I was underwhelmed, it felt more like a takeout joint to be honest. But I will say the food was excellent! It is byob and there's a liquor store a block away which is convenient. We shared some platters, and the hummus was amaZing, so was all the meat and the falafel was incredible. I'd say skip the spinach pie, it wasn't traditional in a Greek style which is what I was hoping for. Will def be doing take out and getting it again, but definitively needs some work/renovations on the interior to make it more appealing.

My friend recommended me this spot for some good Mediterranean food last week so I wanted to check it out. Due to COVID-19, we preferred ordering in, so I can't comment on the cleanliness the place is maintaining or the safety measures they're taking, but I can certainly comment on the food. So, here goes. Now, before I start let me mention this - Mediterranean has never been one of my favorite cuisines because I'm mostly left wanting more flavor in my food but this place definitely was an exception! The food is so flavorful, we loved it! We ordered a beef gyro, Arab Spring hicken, moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, and hareesa honey cake for dessert. Out of these dishes, the beef gyro was my favorite. The meat was so tender and juicy and the tahini sauce added the perfect flavor to it. The moussaka was great too - it had layers of potato, beef, and eggplant along with some cheese and bechamel sauce, all of this will certainly create a flavor bomb in your mouth, so do try this dish out! In the Arab Spring Chicken dish, I felt they could add more chicken pieces. Also the flavor was on the milder side, not my preference usually. It was the first time I was trying the hareesa honey cake and I quite liked it. I think it's made from semolina and then dipped in honey and topped with almonds. Since semolina soaks all the liquid you give it, it creates a really gooey-moist cake. So thumbs up for that too! All in all, a very nice place if you're in the mood for some good Mediterranean food!

Decided to check this place out after hearing good things and I was pleasantly impressed. I got the lamb kabob entree for dinner and it was delicious. The meat was seasoned so well and the white sauce that came along with it was a great compliment to the lamb's flavors. Just one downside was that I felt the entree came with too much rice and not enough meat. Overall I'm happy with my experience.

Unbelievably delicious food. Drove from Long Island for a business meeting, had falafel and hummus as well as fried Halloumi - just as good as on the streets of East Jerusalem. Definitely recommend!!!

Amazing falafel sandwich. Awesome people. Great service. Highly recommend It was good to find tasty and clean veneration food in Plainfield area. Keep up the good work

One of us really liked his food. The rest of us were not impressed with the flavor. It was just okay. However we were upset that the 18% gratuity was included on the check. They also charge a 3.25 charge for credit card usage. They gave us no option. They were nice , but I would not recommend.

Ali Baba is a cornerstone of Hoboken, being one of the oldest restaurants in the city! I've been coming here for years and the food is always exceptional. I personally love the gyro and chicken kebab. The hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh are also amazing if you're looking for appetizers to try. Chef/Owner is always courteous and tries to stop by to ask how our meal is. This is one of the few places that doesn't have a commercialized feel to it, you feel like your going to the house of the Middle Eastern uncle you never had. He cooks you up a delicious meal, you exchange a few pleasantries, and you go home to take a nap, because of how much you ate! All in all, if you're looking for authentic Middle Eastern food, check out Ali Baba for a warm ambience, excellent customer service, and delicious food. Highly recommend! Bonus: they were recently voted the Best Middle Eastern/Turkish food in North Jersey by NewJersey.com! Well deserved!

I love Ali Babas!!! I ordered a chicken salad, hummus and a bunch of the white dressing! The hummus was SO GOOD! It came with a spicy chili sauce and I drizzled it all over as well as the white sauce which is AMAZING! This is one of my favorite places in Hoboken! The restaurant is pretty large inside and also has out door dining! Not to mention the owner is so sweet! I love him!

The food is great. The staff is nice. Service is fast. My only complaint - there is no ambiance music. My dining experience was incomplete without it. But if you don't care about the music then it's 5 stars.

REALLY good value for money! Authentic Mediterranean food and good service. Great combos and platters for groups :)

I went for iftar the food was delicious, fresh and the service was spectacular. I got the lamb chops as my main meal and falafel as an appetizer and I have no complaints. I'd recommend.

I would give this place 3.5/5 stars. The staff is very friendly and it seems like a very homely restaurant. We ordered the Sahara Chicken and the Falafel platter. However, the food came out way too fast and after tasting it, I started to doubt how fresh it was. The falafel was very tasty, but the hummus on the platter was very sour and didn't taste right. The salad also was kinda sour, they just put a lot of lemon over it and The pita was also chewy and not fresh. The rice with the Sahara chicken was very fragrant and the chicken was very flavorful. The baklava was amazing! They had an extensive dessert menu and as someone who has grown up in Abu Dhabi, I loved that.

I've been meaning to try Ali Baba for a while now. The first time I tried to go, they were closed due to renovations. Now that they're reopen again, I finally got the chance to come in one Saturday evening. A friend and I went for dinner and we decided to share the 40 Thieves Mix Grill (combination of grilled chicken, lamb kabob, beef gyro & kufta kabob, served with garlic lemon sauce, rice, hummus & baba ganoush). This was a lot of food (on top of the complimentary pita and hummus they serve you once you sit down). The menu said that it was good for two people but we definitely had enough to serve a third person. My favorite was the lamb and the beef, especially with the yogurt sauce (?) they give you. The chicken was okay - it wasn't dry but it was just too charred for my taste. The rice came with almonds (you can opt out of it) which I thought would be weird at first, but it actually ended up adding a nice texture to it. Tip - it's BYOB. I think this means water too because when we asked for a glass of water, they brought out some Poland Spring and then charged us for it. A little sneaky but not enough to keep me from coming back. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal.

The is a rare gem in Hoboken. Did a family lunch and Abraham, the owner, didnt miss a beat a delivered one of the best meals I've had in Hoboken in a while. I respect he riles his sleeves up and respect his passion. You can taste the hard work and it was reinforced with an award for NJ best Mediterranean Restaurant. We danced around the menu, Forty theives was legit and those wings are obsessively memorable! I went in with no expectations and walked out, absolutely blown away.

Ali Baba is always a lovely time. They serve traditional middle eastern fare and is BYO. Without fail, they bring our a little hummus plate to start while guests peruse the menu. Come hungry because the food is delicious and the portions are large! [I'm worried for this gem now that there's a similar restaurant that opened up nearby, but maybe that means Ali Baba will attract the overflow from said other restaurant also.] The only con as other reviewers have stated is they only serve bottled water (as the waitress claimed is the owner's policy). I didn't think bottled water was legal, unless they gave it for free -- while I didn't explicitly see the bottled water charge on the bill, that doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't there. It's old school here, and they still have the hand written bills, not a printed receipt from a POS system.

I've been ordering the well made and delicious fare from here for years. Best hummus, tabouleh, and any other Mediterranean concoction you can imagine! Literally the best hummus in Hoboken. I typically order out, but I recently dined in and was fawned upon. Dishes were served warm and prompt, and the food was even better fresh out of the kitchen. I will say that the meat platters I find a bit dry, though the food seems healthier for it. I would recommend saucing it up if you order out, though you likely won't need to if you dine in (and take advantage of the BYOB!)