Cedars of Lebanon

Open for over 50 years. At the spry age of 75, John still looks like he can hit a home run. And he'd probably let you hear it too. In 2025, Cedars of Lebanon can only be described as a fixture of University District. My first time here, and I've already caught conversations with customers who have been coming by for 3 decades. We ordered falafel wraps, foul mudammas, and greek fries. Real ingredients made with hands wrinkled from a lifetime. Though from his smiles, prayers, and words of love - you'd think John is only getting started. "I wish you two a happy life", he says as we got up. See you next time.

Amazing food! This place is a super cute little hole in the wall with amazing options! I got a gyro plate which came with rice and a salad with a pita pocket to boot. The meal was really good and the service was really nice, clearly a restaurant run with care.

The line moved really slow but I think it’s understandable. ESP when everything was heated and wrapped on the spot. I found the owners to be super friendly and funny. I asked for garlic sauce, not on the menu. And the lady boss gave me a naughty smirk and gave it to me. Then said it was special just for me. I thought that was really cute. Later a guys order was called but the customer didn’t come to get the order promptly. The boss making the orders said “gyro and eggs! Move your legs!” I laughed really hard inside. Finally when I got my order, the male boss handed me the order with a big smile. He seemed really excited about me enjoying the food. I appreciate the enthusiasm and quirkiness a lot. Finally, the kafta is flavorful with a ton of fresh spices mixed it. My only regret is not ordering hummus with it.

The owner is incredibly humorous and friendly! When I asked if they accepted Apple Pay, he joked and said, “Sure, we take Mango Pay 😂.” The food was absolutely delicious, and the prices were very affordable. Highly recommend!

I sitting outside of Cedar right now, having just finished my falafel, and I have to leave a review. It was so good! Amazing flavor! The owner warned me it might be a little spicy, I'm glad he did, because it was just the perfect amount for me. If you're sensitive, maybe ask them to hold back. Absolutely will be back!

The owner is the sweetest! This spot is such a gem — warm, homey, and so welcoming. Every meat dish was juicy and grilled to perfection. Don’t miss this stop while you’re in U Village (and definitely ask for the green hot sauce!)

We were looking for an affordable, good lunch spot in the University District, and this place looked appealing and had a small line. We were so very glad that we found this place, as it was an excellent experience in every way! The food was legit and the owner really made it special. He gave our little family plums that he had picked from his tree that morning, and he was so very kind. He said that he just wants to be happy and make people around him happy. He certainly did that for us!

The food was delicious! This family business is so welcoming and provided a lovely atmosphere for dinner. The food was wonderful, from the falafel plate, hummus, and the baklava. John the owner has so many wonderful stories. Must visit!!

Affordable delicious food. Got the Shish Kebab sandwhich. The lamb was very tender. I love the slight tang from their sauce and slight chew of the bread. There is so much delicious juice and sauce in this sandwich. The man attending to me was so sweet and kind. Appreciate the cover at the to go window to protect yourself from potential rain while waiting.

What a great little restaurant. In business since 1976, the food is bursting with authentic flavors! Service is warm and friendly; you don't feel rushed. Really appreciated that they use real glasses and silverware. Makes all the difference in mouth feel. And don't be put off by the pricing - portions are very generous. Shareable (even though we didn't) so there were plenty of leftovers. The food... falafel were plump and not dry or crumbly, which happens with most falafel. The dolmas were tender, warm, with a lightly spicy twist. Easily the best. The accompanying hummus was creamy and drizzled with Green Mountain olive oil (the BEST and imported from Lebanon - see my review for Salt and Sugar Cafe in Ballard for sourcing!!. The lamb had a great flavor, slightly over cooked that happens so quickly with lamb. The baba ganoush was light, lemony, and there's that olive oil again! The pita also had a great chew. Location is terrific - right across from the light rail. I'll be back.

Came here on Valentine's Day. We were kindly greeted and we sat and were given ice water. Water isn't too bad but I am not picky when it comes to water. We got two lamb gyros and some Greek fries. A sweet older man took our order and right then I knew I was in for it. The food was delicious. I wish I had gotten two myself. There was a deal where you got free baklava with a purchase on Valentine's Day so I got that. Delicious. The inside was quite small but cute. There was a man sleeping near the bathroom but he got up and left but came back. I didn't care, food was yummy. I'll be back again one day.

This was a really really good falafel sandwich. It was also super reasonably priced for a generous portion. I stopped by for a quick take out option before heading to an evening work event and not only did the kind gentleman who owns the place make this for me in less than 5 minutes, he also packaged it really well for travel and eating while walking. He was also very kind and chatted with me as I paid. As a note, no Apple Pay here so make sure you have your card or cash on hand. It was a cute little spot with homey decor, a small patio area, and a little window for take out outside. I would definitely come back because this was the tastiest and freshest falafel sandwich I've had in Seattle for the past 3 years.

(This review is about the service and not the food.) An older man behind the counter was extremely rude to me and shouted at me. And it was aggressively rude for no apparent reason. I greeted the man with a friendly hello. He replied by glancing at me, but not acknowledging me because he was cooking and plating a dish. I figured he'd greet me or acknowledge me eventually, so I patiently waited for him to finish his task. After some time, he kept ignoring me - even after he was done with his task. So I asked him if the restaurant was open, wanting to be polite. That's when he shouted at me "I'm busy!" with a look of contempt directed at me. Mind you, it wasn't that busy; about 2 tables were waiting and it was just before noon on a weekday. He then aggressively asked what I wanted. That's when I told him I changed my mind. Sure, people are rude to other people all the time. And I'm very used to (and tolerate) rude service at small mom & pop businesses. But whenever there's an outsized reaction like this (that is unwarranted), I can't help but feel that this is motivated by hate or bigoted behavior due to me being a woman and/or a person of color. This is too bad. I was looking forward to trying their food. PS A better way for him to handle this would be to say something along the lines of: "I'll be with you in a moment," or even an irritated "hold on" or any acknowledgement of me would have been acceptable. But his response to me was much more aggressive.

A great place to grab a quick, affordable and delicious bite in the u district. Very casual hole in the wall but good service and clean. I love the kafta plate and it was yum yum!

Some of the best Lebanese food I've had. I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for a good middle eastern meal. The people that work there are so friendly, and everything I got was absolutely amazing. I will definitely be returning!!!

First, the food here is very tasty. It is homemade. The service is friendly and fast. I love the ambiance. I would describe it as a very quaint place with seatings for about 16 people. I loved the gyro plate. I will be back to try more of their great food.

The place isn't much to look at but it has some of the best falafel I have ever eaten!!! The chicken plate and the shish kabob were really good, the Turkish coffee was in point, and the server was exceptionally nice and helpful.

I am so sad to post this review. I want to support small businesses, and it's clear the owner/chef works hard. However, the restaurant was filthy, and I worry for people's health eating there. We would have left, but we were only sort of disturbed by the dining room cleanliness. However, walking through the kitchen to the bathroom after we ate, unfortunately, was a game changer. Dishes with old food everywhere were only the beginning. I hope this review is a wake up call so that a good clean up can happen and the restaurant can continue its role in the U-District.

The food is fresh and delicious and the owner is kind and helpful. It is a destination hummus spot for me I love their hummus

We got the falafel plate and the beef kabobs. They were both very fresh and authentic, delicious dishes while still being healthy. The man running the shop was so kind, he was here all alone but gave us prompt service and connected on a personal level to us both. The baklava was literally the best I've ever had in my life, and I am somewhat of a baklava connoisseur. Overall just a very sweet, comforting restaurant with great food.

Really solid take out with friendly customer service. I got take out lunch from here on a weekday afternoon. I called the place my order and the woman was very nice on the phone. When I came to pick up, payment at the window was easy. My lamb shawarma wrap was excellent. I really like the spices/seasoning on the lamb. My partner's gyro place was also very good and a generous portion. I appreciate that the greens/vegetables all tasted fresh and crisp. The baba ghanoush was also very tasty and came with a generous portion of pita/flatbread. My favorite thing was probably their spicy green oil, which was served in a small plastic container. I have no idea what it was called, but it has a fantastic flavor and perfect amount of spice. It really elevated everything else. I'd be happy to order from here again.

AVOID THIS PLACE! I have bought dinner here 4 times and it's gone from great to awful. iI like the family who own and do the cooking.,so I hate to give the a bad review. The wife must be the better cook, because the guy who took my order and cooked the meal turned a terrible mess. The last 2 meals were terrible among the worst meals I have had in memory. The last meal was baba ghanouj and and a Shawarma. I also ordered garlic fries. The garlic fries were almost inedible, and I really didn't taste much garlic. The pita bread sandwich was mostly lettuce and a very unremarkable baba ghanouj. Way too salty dinner for two, cost $45 . my brother and I had indigestion and poor sleep thanks to the trashy meal. we are big tippers.... from now on I willl tip only after I eat the meal. These guys will go out of business eventually.

Literally have had the best falafel in my life here via the to-go in the alleyway. Serviced by a happy man who obviously loves to make people food. Whenever i am in the U District I make time to stop here for falafel!! Tbh I have never eaten inside but personally I love the ambience of sidewalk type vendors and this place has it.

Great lunch spot with charming, quick service. The falafel sandwich was delicious, if you like a little heat ask for spicy sauce. The lemonade is perfectly tart. There is a walk up window and picnic benches so you can eat outside.

Lamb gyros were good; flavorful, meaty, saucy and hot. Greek fries were smothered in garlic and cheese but on the salty side. Service is shoddy. Took over half an hour to get my order. Asked for napkins and the guy threw up his arms and said, "What the heck!?". I was peeved off at his reaction and told him asking for napkins was a normal request from a paying customer. Lines can also be long, so if you're willing to put up with a spicy attitude then you'll be just fine.

Super fun little hole in the wall type place. The homemade lemonade has a very unique flavor and the Greek fries were nice and crispy! Will come back to try the gyros in the future.

Actually 3.5 stars. A pleasant little restaurant with on outdoor window onto a bus / pedestrian walkway, with picnic tables outside. The gyro was pretty standard if unspectacular. The Felafel OK. But waiting more than 10 minutes for the food to come out (at a time when they weren't busy) ... that wasn't so great, though the staff was friendly. And in an area frequented by UW students, medium quality and low price equates to good value -- this wasn't inexpensive enough to be a good value. So they didn't win on quality or value. The best thing about them is the outdoor picnic tables. In other words -- ok, but underwhelming.

Came here for a visit all the way from California! It was amazing. I got the chicken gyros combo and it was SO FLAVORFUL. It met all my expectations. The owner was so friendly and made us feel welcomed! Really nice experience!

Found this place thanks to yelp reviews. The couple was so sweet and helpful. Awesome personality. They recommended the lamb and beef gyro. Great portion sizes. Plenty of sauce and well seasoned. I definitely recommend this place if you are in the university district. Think I want to try the beef kefta or shawarma before I go home.

Tasty food and super friendly owner! Love the thick pita for the gyros. Hummus was so good. Will be back!

The sweetest couple chat you up while they cook your food which makes the dining experience all the more fulfilling. Love the lamb kebab and house salad. Really appreciate the banter and community feel.

I came here with my brother who has celiac, and the only friendly options were the salads. The salad itself was really good, especially the meat, but was almost double the price of the gyros. We requested to get a hamburger without the bread, but were told it wasn't possible and were pressured into getting the pricey salads instead. The service was the only thing I didn't really like - they were pretty pushy and wouldn't accommodate any changes. This place still gets 4 stars just for how delicious the food was! We would definitely come back for a gyro salad.

5 star rating is based off the shish tawouk/ chicken plate and the excellent customer service I received . Lets start with how great the marinated chicken plate was , so savory and juicy chicken bites not dry at all, also had a side of yummy hummus a salad and pita bread. And to top it off I was greated with a smile by both staff member who i think were the owners and I just felt so welcomed and happy , in all I cant wait to come back and try something different from their big menu.

An amazingly friendly place. I've been here many times but I've only ever ordered the combo appetizer plate because it is enormous and has everything you'd want. (I keep swearing that I will eat only half and take the rest home but that never happens.) The service is excellent and friendly--they treat everyone as a long-lost friend. The food is also delicious. A really great local treasure that has been here for decades. I hope the new light-rail station and gentrification don't spell their doom. This place is a jewel.

Delicious hidden gem on the Ave! The food is fresh and delicious -- you can't go wrong with anything on their menu. Even better, the staff are so welcoming and kind! Check this place out if you're on the Ave -- you won't regret it!

If you just can't eat any more Asian food on The Ave, this tiny, very friendly little Lebanese joint just off University Way awaits. Nothing fancy, but the generous portions are tasty and inexpensive, and they've been around for decades.

Pretty solid lunch. Our falafel and lamb pita sandwiches were great and service was warm and friendly. Definitely worth the price!

Very small portions and my $6 box of fries was much less than half full and seasoned by an aggressive shake. I'd suggest any other gyros spot up the ave.

Cheap, fast, good service, nice people running it. This would be 5 stars if they just warmed the pita slightly. The cold pita kind of makes it just a bit short of perfection. But this is definitely the only place I ate in Seattle that's actually cheap. $7 per sandwich.

Let me start off by saying I don't usually care for Mediterranean food, but I LOVE this place. I'm not a huge fan of lamb, so I usually avoid gyros because I know it's usually a beef/lamb mixture. But what I love about cedars is that they offer a beef shawarma plate and it is DELICIOUS! The rice and beef are so flavorful and I like the tzatziki sauce they put on top. The salad it comes with tastes great too. The owners are also really friendly and sweet. I don't come back to the ave often anymore, but I usually stop by cedars every chance I get.

The Lebanese food is outstanding! I am Lebanese and I am always looking for authentic Lebanese fast food made with love and passion. This is the place. I look for it everywhere I go around the US and this place is as good as the best. Add to that the amazing student friendly prices and the wonderful owners and you have a great combo. Try the lemonade and iced tea and chicken or lamb sandwiches. Baba Ghannooj is also outstanding, nice and smoky.

I used to live next door while going to college and would stop by and get take out from the window. They got to know me and even remembered my name, and so when I ordered the hummus sandwich, their first question was, "one, or two?" Yeah, sometimes I'd get two (because they're the best damn hummus sammies you'll ever have). On a few occasions I didn't have enough money and they still fed me knowing I'd always pay them back. This place melts my heart. The food is made with love.

I've been sleeping on this place! Seriously, one of the best beef shawarma I've tasted. Beef slices were grilled to perfection. Tahini sauce was good. Fresh veggies and pita. The fries were also good although, a little heavy on the salt for me (easy fix)! My bf who is from Lebanon speaks wonder of this place, and I can see why! I told him the food tastes pretty homemade/what his mom would make. I will come back to try the chicken rice plate (one of his fav) and try their green chili sauce. Prices were pretty affordable for the quality of food. They now have cute little benches and tables set up on the street.

This place is a gem! The owner was super nice and made all of our food to order-- I watched him shape the falafel and it tasted super delicious. My friend got the marinated chicken and liked it a lot as well. The fries were also a hit!! I would definitely come back here!

We were hoping for a menu that was a little more than the standard Lebanese. This one wasn't. It also seemed a little pricey. Until we realized that the veggie sampler was meant for two. It came with two bowls of lentil soup ( not the typical red either). The hummus and baba ghanouj had appropriate amounts of lemon and garlic. They weren't my favorite in the area, but still good. Falafel was a little lacking (on the dense side), but still fine. The grape leaves however were excellent. Well made and perfectly cooked. Very minty. Great service as well.

Deliciousness! You have a ton of options on the ave, but this has got to be my favorite. It's one of those that not only stands out, but tap dances on your tastebuds. I'm so happy I found this place. It's beautiful and exquisite. There's a lot of options no matter your price range or what you're in the mood for. Their lunch menu is excellent and so are the portion sizes. Perfect for a quick stop by or a take-your-time sit down. The owners are really nice. Loved the food and the photos of Lebanon on the walls. Try the falafel if you don't know what to get. The herbs, spices, and onions were super fresh. Turkish coffee and baklava were a tasty treat afterwards. Check this place out for sure!

Holy smokes!!! This place exceeded our expectations! We walked up to the ordering window and was promptly greeted by a friendly face. He helped me navigate the menu and I never once felt rushed to make a decision. We chose the traditional beef and lamb gyro, a side order of fries and a falafel. Everything tasted super fresh, with tons of flavor!

That this guy hooked us up. We popped in when our job got delayed. He made us early lunch and treated us amazing. The food was great and the service he provided was even better! Give this place your business to find out yourselves

Falafel platter was amazing and the tahini was great! Wouod reccomend ordering a side of rice though. Even though food was great and cheap, I was still hungry afterwards. (My fault for not ordering enough!)

Don't let the faded signage and the rather shabby interior dissuade you from trying this place. The food is absolutely delicious! I had lamb kebabs with artichokes on a bed of seasoned rice that came with a green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, a scoop of hummus, and homemade, YES, homemade, pita bread! Unfortunately I was unable to avail myself of the pita or the rice or the Hummus due to being on a keto diet, but I did eat the green salad with relish, and truly savored the tender, grilled lamb chunks and grilled artichokes. My brother, who had the gyros platter, Enjoyed everything on his plate plus the items on mine that I could not eat Generous portion size and reasonable prices. I highly recommend! Cordial and friendly owners, John and Jeanette (I hope I got that name right) really know how to cook!

Got the lamb gyro, was pretty solid. 8.75 could be a bit lower but it is what it is. A side or drink would've been nicer for 8.75 considering it's just a medium sized gyro but nothing spectacular.

One of the best Gyro restaurants in town! The workers are very sweet and even gave me a hug before I left the restaurant. I ordered a lunch special gyro plate their meat wondering amount of seasonings! I love it so much. Highly recommend to check out this restaurant

A Mediterranean haiku: Falafel, chicken, Shawarma too. The staff here Know how to cook food. This was by far one of the best places we ate at in Seattle. The meat in the shawarma and chicken were incredibly flavorful, and paired so nicely with the sauce and rice. The salad was fresh, and the portion size was absolutely perfect after a few hours of walking. In addition to the wonderful food, the people working there are so kind. They chatted with us for quite a while and ended up giving us free chocolates. My mouth is watering thinking of this place. Don't hesitate!

Cedars has the best gyros and omg the falafel is, I think, one of the best I've ever tasted. That spice, tho! And, John is possibly one of the most joyful people we know! We love biking down to the U district for Cedars' food! Yum, yum, yum!

Last year, I spent tMy birthday at this extraordinary restaurant. What's even more beautiful than their food, which is extraordinarily authentic, is the kindness and generosity of spirit of their staff. This year with Covid, we made the trip up from Olympia to celebrate my birthday for takeout to dine in a park. The beautiful man that helped take the order, upon learning of my birthday celebrations generously offered a free beer, baklava and an extra mango lassi. And wow. I almost cried. I LOVE these people and their food is exceptional. Don't hesitate to visit and enjoy their food and top notch service. Thank you Cedars for making my birthday beautiful, even during a pandemic!

I'm also leaning more towards a 3.5, but I guess I'll go with a 4. This place is small, so I'm glad they have a walk-up window for people who want to order and go. The service was pretty good, but it seemed like the waitress was in the back most of the time. I'm guessing there was something she need to do back there, but it was slightly annoying when I was trying to leave and I had to sit around for a little while before she finally returned to the dining area. I got the gyro plate. It was half salad and half rice with a few meat slabs on top (topped with what I believe was tzatziki and herbs) and some pocket pita on the side. The salad had a nice dressing (olive oil and herbs?) and plenty of tomatoes, but there was (as usual) more lettuce than I could finish. The rice was fine and the gyro was pretty tasty. The pita was a little dry. Cost: After tax the gyro plate was about $9.25. I just drank water so that was free. Overall it seemed a little pricey for what I got (and for the U-District). I'll probably eat there again, but I'm not going to be rushing back.

Best falafel I have ever had. Everything is a bit on the salty side - so take that as a plus or a minus depending on your preference. And the owners are so kind!

Top 3 to order: Gyros, Burger, and Turkish Coffee. Pros: Personal and friendly service provided by a husband and wife. They will teach you about their country. I love supporting small businesses. Their food is always fresh. Gyros is so delicious that have you coming back for more. Cons: Parking is an issue in the area, but there are plenty of meter around. It is never too busy during lunch! Also, their playing skill is a must see for foodies!