Amardeen Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine

I recently dined at this family-owned Lebanese restaurant, and it was a nice experience. The service was prompt and friendly. The salads were freshly prepared and full of flavor. For vegetarians, there is a great selection, including delicious falafel, cheese and spinach samosas, and veggie pizza. Meat lovers will enjoy the BBQ combo, which includes well-seasoned kabobs, tender chicken, and ribs. They offer the famous Lebanese raw ground beef, but you need to request it a couple of days ahead. Also the desserts were authentic and absolutely delightful. This restaurant has been serving the community for 12 years, and with its recent remodel, it offers a refreshed and inviting atmosphere.

Nice and remodelled Lebanese restaurant with an outdoor and indoor seating. A wide variety of options the satisfy vegetarian and meat lovers. They served the food quickly and everything was delicious. If you order Falafel, make sure to get it over cooked a bit to make sure the inside is cooked. If you are craving Kuba Neaa ( the raw meat) you need to order it in advance. They accept walk in and reservations too.

The chicken shawarma was exceptional. The chicken was perfectly cooked, seasoned with all the traditional spices, and not at all dry. The garlic sauce was excellent, and the hot sauce had a delightful kick. I'd rate it 8.9 out of 10. The fries could have been better, but the outstanding customer service more than compensated. The employee who took my order was exceptionally friendly and kind.

Poked my head into a few restaurants in this area and was totally sold because of the menu and decor. While unassuming on the outside, it’s very fresh, modern and Middle Eastern vibes were such a mood! The menu was extensive and since I knew I wanted to try a few things I just got one of their Mezza platters - the perfect thing to order, could easily feed 3-4 adults and you get a taste of everything. Having lived in the Middle East, I have a very high standard for hummus, tahina, falafel etc. this was some of the best I’ve had in the states! Also ordered the baklava - not at all disappointed, actually so good. Service was great, Yulia was excellent! I had multiple drink refills without asking and an offer for one to go. She brought the exact amount of boxes I needed to take everything home… PLENTY of leftovers cause I was a solo diner.

This place is fantastic! My friends and I all agreed that it was the best lunch we've had in a long time. We couldn't stop raving about every single dish; everything was delicious, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is charming, and the service was excellent. Can't wait to be back!

Have had dinner several times with a friend and will order for take out. We always like to try a new appetizer when eating in. They have a quaint small patio to sit outside that is much more delightful than sitting inside. At night, they have small lights all around outside as well which is nice. I love the grilled chicken salad here! It is truly delicious and very refreshing to have. You can order it half or full size. I also enjoy drinking a glass of wine if dining in and their wine options never disappoint. The waiters sometimes may take a bit to come to you but others will also come by to see if anything is needed.

Super friendly people, food was very tasty! Olga, our server was very nice. Thank you. Definitely will be back

One of the best Lebanese food I have had here in USA. Hands down their biryani was out of the park kind of dish. Other dishes ordered by my party were good as well. The service was kind of slow. They have beautifully decorated outdoor seating .

I think I found one of the best Mediterranean/Lebanese spots in San Diego! They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was friendly throughout the meal too. I got the Lamb and Beef Shawarma and chose a side of fries. Firstly, the fries were awesome! The texture on these were absolutely perfect. Crispy outside with a fluffy and pillowy interior. These were addicting. The meat in the shawarma was super flavorful and tender. Inside was also some pickled turnips, onions, tomatoes, parsley and tahini sauce. They all went so well together. Their menu is pretty extensive with so many other things that I'd love to try. Definitely going to come back!

Good traditional Lebanese food. The mezze is wonderful. Service can be slow. They have just remodeled the inside and it is welcoming.

Food was new and different and delicious; delicate balance between the chicken salad and kebab plate. Cheese fries accompanied by fig jelly was a nice aperitif :) We are sure to return yum

Food Only Review - Ordered via DoorDash Date of Visit: 4.21.2025 Cuisine Type: Lebanese and Mediterranean Vibe: N/A Cost: $20 BOGO deal What I Ordered & How It Was: Chicken Kebab Wrap Combo -5/5- ~$20, Two chucks of chicken breast, marinated in a garlic lemon saffron sauce and rolled in pita with garlic spread and tomatoes. Served with choice of side (Soup, Salad, Fries). Most restaurants usually overcook chicken breast, but this tender and moist chicken pleasantly surprised me. It is not a large wrap by any means, but it is delicious. The fat from the garlic sauce, acid from the tomatoes, and filling salty tenderness from the chicken breast all wrapped up with the soft but structurally solid pita bread combines together to create this fine symphony in each bite (ridiculous I know...but it was too good) Lentil Soup (My Side) - 4/5- A filling soup with a porridge like consistency. There is a good comfy flavor from the combination of likely garlic, onions, carrots, some vegetable stock and Mediterranean spices. Service & Atmosphere: Service: N/A...the order from doordash was still warm when i got it Ambiance: Based on pictures, the space feels warm and intimate with a casual and slightly upscale vibe. The designs are likely culturally inspired from the Mediterraneans, Latin America, and Morocco. There seem to be plenty of modular tables, likely good for big family meals. Overall Thoughts: Best thing I ate: That chicken kebab wrap shoot I'm going to eat my 2nd wrap for breakfast tomorrow Something to improve: Wrap - I wish the wrap was bigger and slightly cheaper. Maybe 3 kebabs? If it weren't for the bogo deal the price would be a barrier to trying this wrap Lentil Soup - Maybe a bit of lemon or option to add that or zataar i think the acid will work well there Would I come back? I'll come eat here multiple times. Looking forward to trying their chicken kebab in real time!

What a beautiful restaurant with amazing food. All the food that I tried was delicious, but I enjoyed the lentil soup and cheese fatayer the most. FYI the plates are on the larger side and great for sharing. Our waitress was awesome and provided excellent service. Definitely returning and recommend this restaurant.

This is a great spot for a casual dinner! The renovation was beautiful and prices were very fair. We got the Amardeen platter, which had an awesome assortment of spreads and meats. We also got the lamb and rice rice dish which was the BEST dish of the night - light notes of cinnamon. Parking was a bit difficult, as it is a shopping center with many other dining establishments around around 6:30pm, there were some hidden spots next to the orange theory. Our server was very sweet and attentive. Ended with the "birds nest" dessert was exceptional and the perfect finale to the night.

Always enjoy the pistachio chicken salad here. The chicken used to come in big pieces, but due to Biden-flation, they're now smaller chunks. The eggplant wrap is also delicious. Highly recommend this place.

Amardeen, while very tasty is expensive, especially eating out family style. they have a range of middle eastern eats on offer. located in UTC.

Amardeen is a clean and nicely decorated Lebanese spot where fresh flavors shine. My friend and I started with the shawarma hummus appetizer--creamy, savory, and perfectly spiced with chicken shawarma. The Greek salad was crisp and refreshing, while the chopped chicken salad was hearty and satisfying with a zesty kick. A great place for a casual meal with bold Mediterranean flair.

Absolutely everything here is delicious. Their grape leaves are the best in SD! Good service, nice outdoor patio and interior decor, and consistently excellent food. A go-to!

Your review is detailed and conveys your positive experience well. Here's a slightly refined version for clarity and flow: A fantastic place for Mediterranean food! The food is amazing, the ambiance is nice, and the service is outstanding with very friendly staff. Our server, a wonderful guy from Lebanon, impressed us with his perfect Spanish and English. He smoothly switched to Spanish when he heard us talking, which really delighted us. This time, we ordered the shared Meza platter to try a variety of items. It was so good and offered a huge amount of food! My husband and I ate until we were beyond full and still had leftovers. The only thing I would change about this platter is to swap the baked kibbe for the fried one, as I'm not a big fan of the baked version and was craving the fried one. However, this is obviously a very personal preference. The platter options are absolutely fantastic. I checked in with Yelp and received a free Fatayer Sampler, which included one of each of their three fillings: cheese, beef, and spinach. All three were delicious! I personally felt that the Meza platter, given the huge amount of food, was a really good value, and we were very happy with our bill.

I was a bit nervous when I walked in the door because around 6:15pm the dining room only had 1 large party and two tables seated. But low and behold it was the calm before the storm. I was seated promptly and while I reviewed the menu and took my time to order, the flood gates opened and the dining room was maxed out. I ordered: cauliflower tagline: cauliflower was crispy fried on the florets but stems still had a bit of a crunch. I omitted the tahini and had a small side of garlic sauce - there's is great! 1/2 hummus: creamy and well balanced. Cucumbers instead of pate - cucumbers were Persian variety and extremely fresh. Turnip pickles: this was my favorite of everything I ordered. Super duper vinegar-y... I could eat a bucket of these! Side grilled vegetable skewer... mega for a single skewer/side - packed full of peppers, onions, squash and zucchini. Well flame charred and excellent seasoning. My only compliant is that there was only one baby mushroom. Dining room is basic. There is a large outdoor patio seating area. The staff did a tremendous job handling the rush and worked together to take care of all the tables. Will definitely be back for more!

This's restaurant reminds of Lebanon It's a family owned business Great food Amazing customer service Definitely will be back again Big thanks to the mom for the tasty food Over all everything was great Must try the falafel 10/10

Husband and I were visiting SD but we wanted to stop by La Jolla. Craving a good casual lunch. This spot hits! Food was incredible! Flavors taste authentic, ingredients could tell are great bc we didn't walk out feeling overly gross and stuffed haha. Not too oily at all. Fetayir spinach so delicious with the combo of the spicy green sauce. Kabob was perfect! Not gamey tasted like my mamas kabobs :) pistachio salad was delightful! Not too much dressing but perfect amount and chicken was seasoned perfectly with good about of pieces. Also, baba ghanoush WOW! Homemade deliciousness. Everything about this place was so authentic to Arab/middle eastern flavors and dishes. Ordered the birds nest and rose ice cream so authentic it was nostalgic. With a Lebanese coffee, perfect combination. Highly recommend and would come back every time we are in La Jolla! My parents would love this place! service was also great! Girls were sweet and everything came out perfectly!

This place is a hidden gem near La Jolla. Our friends who live there took us and we will be forever grateful for that. Every dish was flavorful, well cooked and just the right balance of spice. Lots of vegetarian options. Our favorites were the cauliflower starter, spinach spanakopitas and roasted vegetable biryani. Servers were polite and attentive. All in all highly recommend this place! Oh and they recently renovated, not that we had ever been there before renovation but decor sure looks nice.

Yummy yummy authentic Lebanese food NOT to miss! Love going there , everything on the menu is DELICIOUS!

Nice Lebanese restaurant with authentic options and large portions We shared: - Amardeen mesa platter ($47.44) - Cheese knefe ($14.48) - Almaza ($7.44) The platter is a ton of food and plenty for 3 hungry people or 4 not so hungry people. The Almaza beer was average light beer and I wouldn't order it again. The platter was mostly appetizers, but it came with shawarma. The chicken shawarma was better than the beef. The hummus, garlic spread, and tzatziki were fantastic. I loved putting these and the tahini on the shawarma and pita. I wasn't a big fan of the kibbeh. The baba ghanouj, dolma, and tabouleh were just ok. The peppers were too spicy for me, but I liked the olives. The knefe is a Lebanese type of cheesecake. It was not very sweet and the cheese was loose and melty rather than firm and dense. I would order the platter again as it was a great variety and good value

Love this place!! The servers are always very kind, the food is delicious, and the portions are great! The parking lot is tough but if you dont mind parking in the back, and walking a little its fine.

Good food and good for groups. We had our work luncheon here and it was nice to be able to make a reservation for 12 of us. The food overall was good. The baba ghanouj and Labneh was good. I ordered the shrimp biryani (pictured). The shrimp was cooked well; I probably shouldn't have eaten all of it. My coworker got the lamb chop entree and I had one of the chops. It was delicious. The lamb was so tender and there was enough to share with 2 people. Another person said the Moussaka was standard and the lamb kebab was a little tough

Been here twice and loved it both times. The food is amazing and the ambience is nice. The service is outstanding, very friendly staff. We tried the Meza platter, so we could try a bunch of different items. So good and so much food! There were four of us and we all went home with another meal! Everything tastes fresh and is delicious. I checked in with Yelp and got a free offer, which we used as well. A Fatayer Sampler. The was a bit small, but still delicious.

Love this place! My wife and I come here all the time and never been disappointed. Very nice environment and staff.

Very delicious meal tonight for takeout. They let me substitute lentil soup for the side salad with the mujedra. I'm not that into the vinegar-y dressing for the salad and their lentil soup is amazing. And I just love their mujedra. I had gotten it for a while and it is so tasty! That person who helped me with my take-out order was super nice too. I will have this again sooner rather than later!

It was our first time here, so we got the meza platter to try a bit of everything. It was plenty enough for 2 people. The highlights for me were the hummus (BEST hummus i've ever had), chicken shawarma, and the tabouleh. My husband also said the falafels were the best he's ever had (i'm not a big falafel fan in general, so i was indifferent). I wasn't a big fan of the dessert (bird's nest), but overall we still had a very yummy and satisfying meal and will gladly be back to try more of it.

Amardeen is excellent, one of the best restaurants in the area by far. If you are looking for high quality, very flavorful food this is the best choice. A lot of the other food options around this area are very corporate, bland, or overpriced, Amardeen beats everything at the UTC Mall in all these categories. I appreciate how many high quality vegetarian options they have.

Came here for a work arranged gathering, so there was a set menu from appetizers to desserts and I am not sure what all I ate, but it was good. I really enjoyed roasted cauliflower and the cotton candy ice cream. The meats were great too. Service was excellent and ambiance sufficient to enjoy a work dinner.

The ambiance, food presentation, and service was great! Unfortunately the flavors and quality of the food did not match the price point. Salad was too salty and beef shawarma meat was dry, flavorless, and had lots of cartilage and fat.

The food here is great but I find it to be pretty expensive for what you get. I ordered the kafta kebab entree, dolma and baba ghanouj and all were very tasty. The kafta is very good but expensive for only 2 skewers of meat. Overall very good quality but it is super pricey.

The food is not cheap, but the quality and portion size is amazing. It can be a little slow at times, but it is very quaint and clean and the service is super friendly. The flavors of the food are amazing. I've had a number of the plates as well as the salads and I've never been disappointed. I would definitely recommend going here.

Food. DELICIOUS! Service. AMAZING! Ambiance. PERFECT! I can't believe we've been to this center many times and missed eating here. VIEW my photos and TRUST ME when I tell you that EVERYTHING we tried was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! If you want authentic Lebanese & Mediterranean Cuisine, THIS IS THE SPOT!

Great food, great service! Ambiance was ideal for a casual date. Best part, All halal. Highly recommend.

That was a great experience! Nice minimal and cozy restaurant! It's a very high quality and nice services! The food tastes delicious! We ordered Kufta kebab, biryani and also tea with cheese knafe! Everything was amazing with great taste and quality!

Love coming here for lunch and special occasions. The food is always delicious and the portions are pretty generous. I normally get lamb ribs, but I ended up getting the lamb and beef pizza. The pizza was cheesy and delicious I came at lunch time, which is normally a bit easier, and the service was still great. The waitress and host were quick and attentive.

Cozy, family-owned Lebanese restaurant in the Renaissance plaza! Nice outdoor and indoor seating options available. If you're coming in a party of 3+, I HIGHLY recommend the Meza platter: a reasonably priced assortment of many of their classic dishes including the hummus, tabouleh, falafel, chicken and beef shawarma! The platter was more than enough to feed 3 hungry adults + some leftovers too! Wonderful and friendly service and decent-sized parking lot. Don't forget to check in on Yelp for a free small appetizer! My only qualm about this place is why the meat entrees (e.g. shawarmas and kebabs) are so expensive ($27+) since that's what I typically order for myself at a Lebanese restaurant, but I really feel like the family style platters are a great bang for your buck and the way to go!

Delicious and super authentic! Authentic Lebanese restaurant I highly recommend! Plenty of vegetarian options too

The entire menu is great as well as the service. The chicken kabob and falafel are great but unless I am very hungry usually order the sandwich instead of the dinner plate. Highly recommend this restaurant, tucked away in the far corner of the Towne Center mall.

Every single time it's a hit. You can't go wrong with this place. Anything you try will be delicious. They are nice about switching some of the items if needed. Love the patio seating with the umbrellas.

Me and my friends have been going here for everyone's birthdays the past several months and let's just say we loveeee this place so much. It's easy to make a reservation and they're accommodating for large groups. The service here is FANTASTIC regardless of which server that you get. Everyone that works here is super nice and honest when you ask what is good on the menu. The food here is really good, I'm obsessed with the beef/lamb shawarma and would recommend it to anyone. I don't like tahina and they replaced it with toum (garlic sauce) very easily and put a generous amount in my shawarma which was great :') They have a tea here which I forgot the name of but I've had it both iced and hot and it's amazing! It's a nice dark pink/red color. Overall great vibes, food and service!

Crisp and warming breakfast today! I had the Supreme Croissant with cheese and egg, topped with either turkey bacon or "the Real McCoy!"

Convenient, delicious, and reasonable! Came on a Friday evening and it was absolutely packed (inside and out). However, I'm fortunate to have great friends who secured a table and ordered food so I arrived to smiling faces and a table food of scrumptious bites. The platter they ordered was fantastic and featured a variety of dishes including beef, chicken, tabouleh, and hummus. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Truly delicious and enjoyable! Unlimited hot water refills for tea and pita bread were an added bonus. We left feeling satisfied yet not overly full. Recommended!

We had a delicious spread last night. I highly recommend the mezze platter and the mixed kebab plate. That is plenty of food to be shared and also gives the opportunity to try all the delicious offerings. Sorry I forgot to take pictures. The kebabs were perfectly cooked. All the spreads were great. Don't forget to get a bottle of Lebanese red wine. That was good wine as well.

tasty food but service was a series of errors. Wrong appetizers brought out, no silverware or water until way after food was put on the table, and overbilled for items not ordered.

One of the tastiest meals I've had in San Diego! The eggplant fettah was delicious, the kebbeh was perfectly prepared and the mixed grill was tender and yummy! For dessert the cheese knefe was warm and buttery and delectable. As for the service, the entire staff was very pleasant and attentive. Also, the seating was beautiful on the inside and outside. Can't wait to go back!

Great mom and pop shop located conveniently in the Renaissance plaza! It was my first time trying Lebanese food specifically, but I can say everything was unique and delicious. We got the beef fatayer and the mezza platter. The portions are great, and the platter can probably feed 3 people. Our server was nice enough to explain each dish in more detail just because it was our first time trying this place, which we appreciated. The price is a bit on the higher side, but with inflation and being in the UTC area, I think it was fair. We sat indoors this time because there wasn't enough space on their patio with shade, but next time I stop by I would definitely do outdoor seating and try something new!

Cant believe I waited to long to try Amardeen Cafe! I've been going to the dry cleaners in the same shopping mall for the last two years and finally made it to Amardeen cafe for lunch over the weekend. We went at 2pm on a Saturday and there were a few others dining but no wait. The service was very friendly and once we ordered food came out so quickly! We got the chicken shawarma plate, fatayer sampler, and falafel. We loved everything! I'm always weary of ordering falafel because I'm very picky. This falafel might've been the best falafel I've ever had! Definitely the best falafel I've had in San Diego. It was not dry at all! The shawarma plate was huge and very tasty. We split all the items we ordered between two people and could not finish it all. I also tried the fattoush. I had fattoush at a different Lebanese restaurant before, but when the fattoush came out from Amardeen I was amazed at how flavorful it was and how much more I liked it! Can't wait to go again!

Fast service, great parking, and the food is super good.

This place is small and tucked in the corner of this outdoor mall area, but if you miss it you're missing out. Discovered this place because I was craving some Lebanese food and looking for something close to home. I went there with my parents and was blown away! The food is delicious and so authentic! My mom said it "tastes like my grandma used to make." She went so far as to find the owner and compliment the menu. I've been a few times since that first visit snd it never disappoints. Delicious food and a great atmosphere! I will definitely be back for more.

We came in today (Saturday) around 7pm we sat inside and there were a few tables open. The patio was full. We ordered spinach fatayer and French fries as appetizers. Both were fantastic. I got the eggplant wrap and the lentil soup which was good. My wife got a beef and lamb shawarma which she didn't like. The kids got cheese pizza that they also enjoyed. There is a pretty extensive menu with a lot of things to try.

I'm middle eastern and I would confidently say they have the best tabbouleh I have ever tasted. This restaurant feels very homey. Service was kinda average, I think the workers were a bit overworked as some of them didn't have happy faces but everyone was nice still. We ordered ofc the tabbouleh, hummus shawarma and ouzi bryani. I would get the hummus without the shawarma cause the meat hid the taste of the hummus. The Bryani was average, it felt like the rice was kinda old and the meat was kinda tough but still tasted good. I would come back to try other items.

Went here for lunch. Was seated on patio under umbrella. Had a Fattoush Salad with chicken. So tasty. The herbs set it off! Served with a thin flat bread. Also tried a Lebanese coffee. Like an espresso but not bitter. Had a little chocolate with it, nice touch.