Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine

This was the BEST food I've had from a restaurant in Philly. Food was fresh, flavorful and hot. The service was attentive and proactive. Our waiter noticed the amount of food we got and moved us to a larger table without us asking. I have never liked hummus but wanted to try it since I was at a Mediterranean restaurant.... OmG. If that's what hummus is supposed to taste like, I would eat it! It was so creamy and delicious. Served with warm fresh soft bread! If I had to complain about anything, it would be the size of the chops. Shoulder chops instead of lollipop chops would have been ideal... Or more chops per order. We paid for 4 extra chops and though delicious, not worth $7.50ea.

Came in on a packed Sunday after I would assume was an football match as many people had club jerseys on and it was super duper packed. The front of the house staff were lovely when interacted with but that was a few times thru the almost 2 hour experience. The appetizer took close to an hour to come out and even though the falafel were a bit on the smaller side they were delicious and crispy. The pita bread that was paired with them were soft and bouncy and when paired with the that spicy sauce. It was amazing. Went with the chicken kebabs and honestly, it sadly wasn’t worth it at the price point. They were lightly glazed with a nice marinate but a bit too charred. I enjoyed the rice but it tasted a little undercooked but it was flavorful and when paired with the nice white sauce… could eat it all the time. The chips that came with it just felt out place and the salad could have been left out. I’m sure their other dishes and service on the regular are amazing but this visit left some things to be desired.

Such an awesome find! This place serves AMAZING Egyptian cuisine. They are a family business, they have a large menu, and they have specials every Sunday. If you don’t see what you’re looking for on the menu, you can ask them and they’ll either special make it for you or make sure to have it available on Sunday. Everything I’ve tried so far was so good, including the tea! The service is super friendly, attentive and fast and the atmosphere gives authentic Egypt. I will keep coming back for more that’s for sure! 🇪🇬

Everything we ordered from Cilantro was unbelievably delicious. I think it is the best Mediterranean food in all of Philly. The meat was extremely tender and well-seasoned. This is the closest to an Egyptian home cooked meal I've experienced so far. Cannot wait to go back and order more dishes!

After a long day, we decided to find somewhere to eat here in South Philly. Everything was closed, except the Mediterranean restaurant one of the best fines I’ve had in Egyptian food and last 10 years hit every point the service was incredible. The owner served us the ambience the music Was fantastic. It made you feel like getting up the belly dance. If you’re in Philly, I would recommend this place very highly the plates come out like a six course meal plus the hummus plus the bread. The value is well worth it also.im from California.

The experience overall was amazing. The service was great. Our food came in no time and the food was perfect. Cooked well, tasty and cooked with amazing skill. Overall it was one of the best places in Philly.

Second time coming here, the food is incredible and the staff is very attentive. The portions are huge and it is a nice atmosphere. On our second time it was my daughter’s birthday and they made it a really lovely experience. I also love the music!

The food is delicious here! Got the chicken kebab plate, the chicken was spiced extremely well, the white sauce was delicious, along with very fluffy fragrant rice, and more good stuff. My server was Ahmed and he had extremely good hospitality, and very welcoming. Felt like I was eating at someone’s home instead of going out to a restaurant. Highly recommend for anyone coming through Philly to try this place, and thanks again for baklava!

My friend and I came here to eat one night randomly since we were driving around in the area. She got the chicken kabab and I got a falafel wrap. I never can get a falafel wrap with the pickles and all the fixings I'm used to and I was really happy with it. The people who work there were nice and the decorations were cool. We were also given some of the best pistachio baklava I've had in a minute. So moist and will literally melt in your mouth. Looking forward to stopping in to get more already! Worth trying out.

We ordered hummus with pita, a Beef Shawarma Wrap, and a Chicken Shawarma platter. The entrees are on the pricier side but each entree is good for two meals. The two of us couldn't finish our food and each had a box to go with a whole 'nother meal in it. The hummus is fresh and has a slight sweetness to it, which is different from other hummuses I've tried elsewhere. My beef shawarma wrap is good every time. I only ever order that as my entree and it never disappoints. They fill the wrap with a generous amount of beef and it is well seasoned. Love the garlic aioli dip that comes with the fries. The chicken shawarma was also well seasoned. I enjoyed the thin pita chips on the platter.

I've been on the lookout for good shawarma since moving here, and I finally found it at Cilantro! A friend and I split the Cilantro Bowl appetizer sampler as well as the chicken shawarma. It was lots of food and plenty of leftovers for both of us! My favorites of the night were the cheese samosas, baba ganoush, and chicken shawarma! Enchanting decor and atmosphere, not too noisy or overcrowded, and very friendly service. I will definitely be back!

We came here on St. Patrick's Day which was unfortunately not a good night to go out because every restaurant was a full house. We didn't order any drinks, so the waiter asked us if we wanted water to which we said yes as we always do. Instead of glasses of water as we expected, the waiter brought us two bottled waters for which we did not know we would be charged $2 each until the bill came. There are actually water dispensers in the restaurant, one of which had a cucumber and mint water that was sweetened and was very good. Had we known that we would be charged for the waters that the waiter brought us, we would have just taken the free water from the dispensers instead of asking for any water. I was very hungry and if my salad had been served before the entree was, as it usually is at restaurants, I would have at least had something to eat while I waited for my entree. Instead, everything was served together on one plate, so I had to wait for it all and everything was kind of mixed together. As someone else had mentioned, I was certain I saw on the menu that my entree came with fries, so I was expecting fries. When I never got my fries, I mentioned it to the waiter who assured me that the menu doesn't say that my entree comes with fries, so I just took his word for it. The rice was very good though. Now we know better for next time if there is a next time.

My friend and I came here for a late Sunday lunch and had a great meal! We split the Falafel Platter and Fattoush Salad. We were a bit confused because the menu said all entrees came with certain sides (rice, fries, Arabic salad, veggies, cheese bread, white sauce, and hummus) but the falafel platter only came with two kinds of rice, hummus, and salad. Nevertheless, it was delicious! The fattoush was unlike any other I had ever had before as it had eggplant. But it was amazing - the eggplant was so tender and made for a great addition to the raw ingredients. Just a heads up, they don't offer tap water - only bottled. I will definitely be returning and hope to try some of their desserts on my next visit.

Solid middle eastern food spot in old city. I got the falafel platter and my friends got the fat boy which was humongous. Portion size are definitely huge so recommend coming here with a group and sharing family style. Wasn't the best middle eastern food I've had but falafel was top 5 for me My non-veg friends really enjoyed their food though and the sauces were the highlight of the meal for me.

Delicious mixed platters and huge portions. Even the two different rices were full of flavor. The hummus was a great addition to our meals and tasted authentic. The decorations made you feel at home and the ambiance tied it all together

Pookie arranged a wonderful date for us on Sunday evening. After a watching a movie nearby, we indulged in Cilantro on South Street. Pookie made a reservation, and we were seated on the slightly chilly second floor. He ordered the kefta kebab, and I ordered the beef shawarma. Both came out at a reasonable time, and we appreciated how hefty and filling the meal was. The delicious sauces provided paired nicely, and dressed up the dishes. We were served a lot of meat on the platter, and I was able to have leftovers for lunch the next day. The meat wasn't particularly juicy or flavorful, and the fries were clearly of the frozen kind. Service was attentive and nice. Throughout the evening, the restaurant was completely full. I enjoyed our filling, healthy meal with my wonderful date.

After a long day, we decided to find somewhere to eat here in South Philly. Everything was closed, except the Mediterranean restaurant one of the best fines I've had in Egyptian food and last 10 years hit every point the service was incredible. The owner served us the ambience the music Was fantastic. It made you feel like getting up the belly dance. If you're in Philly, I would recommend this place very highly the plates come out like a six course meal plus the hummus plus the bread. The value is well worth it also.

Best chicken shawarma platter in the game! Food is always extremely fresh and flavorful. Definitely a hidden gem tucked away right off of South St.

I highly recommend this restaurant! The food was outstanding. There are so many options to choose from and the portion size was great. I ordered a platter which was enough for two people. The price for the amount of food you get is definitely worth it! The service was phenomenal. The waiter was so friendly and attentive. They even gave us complimentary tea. My only complaint is the music was way too loud. There's a huge speaker that was blasting loud music the entire time. The restaurant isn't a huge space so I would recommend getting there early to get seating.

My husband and I went to Cilantro for the first time. We split the eggplant salad which was delicious. We got the branzino platter and tabouli. Those dishes were excellent. Our server, Muhammad, was attentive and pleasant! We look forward to going again.

The food was excellent, the shawarma is packed with meat and huge. I really like the pickles and I recommend getting it with the side salad instead of the fries because it's quite salty. The falafel platter was also really good, it had two types of rice. The yellow rice was spiced and sweet and the white was a nice neutral palate cleanser. The veggies were fresh and I really liked the pickled veggies! Service was kinda slow and it was cold inside.

A no frills hidden gem tucked away in the ever so busy South St area, this place hits all the right notes when you're looking for a bite. Warm, friendly, and hospitable staff welcome repeat and new patrons alike in their humble Egyptian home. Come hungry as their portions are generous with quality protein options that are tender, juicy, and succulent. Kudos to the chef as it shows proper execution and timing on various different temps for each protein which I can appreciate the small details they pay attention to. Small but adequate menu keeps me from being overwhelmed with options which I prefer and has something for everyone. A good dining experience with a friendly gesture to try their excellent baklava on the house made a lasting impression that I will be sure to return. Pro tip: try their homemade hot sauce it slaps. Stay fat mother suckers

Another great meal at Cilantro last night. Loved their baba ghanoush. Their Moussakah is my all time favorite there. I ordered the whole branzino (grilled). While it was very tasty and cooked perfect, it had a bunch of little bones that was a bit of a challenge to eat. I think I will try their salmon next time. I could have sworn they had grilled chicken kefta in the past but the waiter said they didn't. Regardless, this was one of my fave and it didn't disappoint.

This restaurant deserves a 100/100. An assuming front with some of the best Egyptian food. Supremely authentic and great tasting. The portion size is huge so it is best enjoyed with a plus one or plus 4! We tried a lot and really loved it all. The service is prompt and the ambience has little memorabilia from Egypt. I am still dreaming about this meal! Philly ! Do not miss this hidden gem !

Incredibly GOOD! I came here with my friend, and IT WAS SO GOOD! I hope we do this AGAIN! It was SO GOOD, that you know how something is so good you make noises when you eat, like "Mmmm"! It was like THAT! I remember sitting there with my friend, just STUFFING OUR FACES LIKE PIGS! YES! WERE WERE LIKE PIGGIES! I LOVED IT!

We got chicken shawarma with fries. Very tasty and fresh. The atmosphere is very unique. Very colorful. All Egyptian pictures on walls. Mosaic glass lamps all over the ceiling and are very nice.

food was perfect and the service was amazing. ordered mix grill and lamb shank , food cooked perfectly and authentic taste

Egyptian neighborhood restaurant no frills but gets the job done. I split an order of the Falafel platter which consisted of six falafel balls, ample saffron rice, hummus, and a salad. The Saffron rice was amazing, it came out piping hot and they could not make it any better, truly fantastic. There was just enough hummus for the six falafel balls and it filled my girlfriend and I up. I tried what is described on the internet as a Lebanon Soda, "Laziza", this is a malt hop beverage but does not have any alcohol in it. You can get it with alcohol in it but not at this restaurant. It was decent, I like it better than most flavored sodas and would recommend you try it to branch out if you're getting tired of the usual soda line up in your repertoire. I wouldn't mind stopping back in here to try their Eggplant Moussaka and a few of their other dishes in the future. Beware in some of their menu's and online it says they have a brunch menu Sat-Sun 9am-1pm, they no longer offer brunch. As always people SYOY!!!

Small place but very popular, opens at noon, by 12:30 there are lots of seats taken or people order for takeout. Most of the platters come with rice and pita, and assorted sauce/hummus. They seem to be cook to order, so the charred flavor is nice and fresh. Their meats are well executed, not overcooked and well seasoned. However the falafels are slight bit disappointing, they are on the dry side, not very fluffy or flavorful. Great price for a good quantity of food, especially for take out (they might get busy and a bit slow dining in).

Amazing hummus, wonderful owner, strong Arabic coffee. Cute and cozy. We really enjoyed our meal and the prices were right on.

Delicious Egyptian food. We visited Cilantro New Mediterranean Cuisine on Tuesday night, and it was about half full. This restaurant is filled with fun floor-to-ceiling Middle Eastern decorations. The tables are covered with plastic, and you can either order at the counter or sit down for table service. I tried their moussaka. The moussaka was served piping hot and our food was not brought out all at once, but as soon as the dish was finished cooking. My food was excellent and had a lovely mixture of flavors. Overall, I would recommend Cilantro New Mediterranean Cuisine if you want Egyptian food in a casual setting.

I just found Cilantros about 2 weeks ago and have already been back another three times. They have THE BEST chicken shawarma in the city!!! The pita bread and hummus is also very delicious. The restaurant itself is very chill and the service has always been nothing but great.

Eggplant Mooussakah $14 was a good appetizer to share. Came out very hot Beef Shawarma Bowl $25 was huge. A bit of everything. Great for sharing as well. Or save for another meal or two Took a risk on the Shrimp Alfredo that was written on a post-it note. It was good. Pasta was short. Mix of thin and thick pasta

Food is good, very fresh, good portions and good pricing! I have gone there a few times for take out but say the other day and it was a chill vibe. Made me feel like I wasn't in Philly for a moment.

Great food and tremendously generous helpings served by the nicest and kindest staff. Highly recommended

Cilantro New Mediterranean Cuisine hit the spot! Service was provided with a smile, pushing two tables together to create a 6-top under shimmering lamps and upbeat music. Our table of six shared: - Hummus (served with warm pita bread) - Cilantro Signature Hawawshi (served with fries*) - Mixed Grill (chicken, lamb, beef, and kefta kabab served with rice, fries, Arabic salad, grilled veggies, cheese bread, white sauce**, and hummus) - Chicken Shawarma (served with rice, Arabic salad, pita chips, topped with white sauce)--we thought the pita chips were fried phyllo because they were so thin and crispy! - Lemon Butter Shrimp Portion sizes were solid: we left with a few takeaway containers. The lamb was my favorite protein, the rice was soft and buttery, but truly everything was delicious. Only one real nit: water was bottled (don't love single-use plastic at restaurants). Overall, highly recommend and plan to return! P.S. I was so hungry on this TGIF that I didn't manage to snap any pictures before we'd dug in. *Fries were nicely seasoned and crispy! **White sauce was like a garlicky aioli and delicious, especially on the kofte and mixed with the hummus.

Everything was great about this place including the food. Service was top tier. They made sure your needs were taken care of but not in an overwhelming way. Highly recommend. Also not a bad dish on the menu..

Food here is just amazing. Service wasn't that good but could be because it was super busy. Ambiance is nice, cozy and well decorated. Everything we ordered looked and tasted superb, specially loved Cilantro Bowl and Mango juice. Would highly recommend this place.

The staff are very kind and welcoming. The piano music is calming, and the atmosphere is beautiful. The restaurant is embellished with beautiful Egyptian artwork and ceiling decor. I went in the afternoon, and it wasn't busy but a lot of people came to pick up food. I tried the Kefta Kabob, served with rice, fries, Arabic salad, veggies cheese bread, white sauce and hummus. I waited about 15 minutes for my food. The grilled kabob smelled so good and the beef was delicious. It was great paired with the yellow rice and white sauce, which had a ton of flavor! The salad and cheesy bread was just okay, nothing special but the other items were so filling that I did not mind. The mint tea is also a great addition and will remember to ask for it with my next meal.

I absolutely have to write a review for this incredible Mediterranean restaurant, because this is where I tried the best lamb chops I have ever had in my life! I would be back again again for these, and wish that I lived on the street! Additionally, the service is incredible. The waiter was so kind and made our group smile! There's plenty of seating, and decor is colorful and welcoming.

This, to me, is 100% the best restaurant in Philadelphia, I don't care what anyone else says. The food is absolutely incredible, authentic, and the portions are so generous. The staff are the sweetest and most hospitable I've had the pleasure of meeting! And I honestly think the hummus changed my life a little bit. Upon walking in, the place feels magical, like a little alcove. There are glass lamps and paintings and middle eastern memorabilia that cover the walls, and traditional music blares from a speaker. The service is fast and attentive. I have gotten the Mixed Grill and the Chicken Shawarma, the Hummus, the Babaghanoush, the salad, and the Baklava. Literally every single thing on the menu here is INCREDIBLE. I'm not exaggerating. Each part of every dish is almost flawlessly executed. The pita chips (so thin, so crispy, shatter in your mouth), the sauces (i am partial to the tzaziki), the hummus (expertly flavored, complex, a tinge of sweetness, and the perfect porportion of spices), the meat (always tender and juicy, especially the chicken and lamb chops), the fries (slightly paprika-ed and the perfect amount of crispy), the eggplant (so flavorful and fresh), the salad (crisp, refreshing, and the dressing is incredible) -- I could literally go on forever. And there's so much food! Every time I go home with boxes of leftovers to cover for the next day or two. The dessert here is great too. The hosts are so sweet and gave us extra tea and also a slice of moist cake! Not 100% sure what it was but it tasted like some form of red velvet tres leche and it was incredible. The baklava I previously had was also amazing.

The food is easily a 12 out of 10! It is extremely authentic and delicious! I had the kefta kabob platter, falafel and baklava. Everything was exceptional. Extremely fresh. The staff is extremely pleasant. I will definitely be back.

Yumm absolutely enjoyed our take out meal from here. We saw reviews indicating huge portion size and they were right! We ordered one of the mixed platters and it was enough for two meals for two person. The inside of the restaurant was casual but nicely decorated and felt homey. It looks like they have a lot of pre-cooked items already laid out and they serve it as you order the food. Or maybe we stopped by when they had an event or buffet styled service going on? We would like to come back again and try dining in for the full experience.

Put this bustling Egyptian spot with generous entrees on your list. I loved my kefta kabab that was served with roasted peppers, salad, rice and French fries. Ground grilled lamb and beef seasoned to perfection.. tasty rice, French fries and salad. My friends ordered branzino and chicken entrees. The server forgot our hawawshi but otherwise can't complain. The staff sang happy birthday to a table at one point too -- so sweet. We all left stuffed and happy. Points for being a BYOB too.

As an Arab, I find Philly to be lacking in high-quality/authentic Arab spots. Cilantro's reviews looked promising, but I was still skeptical before my visit. I'm happy to say, my experience exceeded my expectations. The restaurant was pretty quiet when I stopped in on a Friday night. The inside is small and cozy, but there's a smaller extension for customers that come in primarily for hookah. The menu has a good variety of traditional Arab dishes including some uniquely Egyptian entrees. My friend and I were both hungry and indecisive. To maximize both quantity and variety, we ordered the Mixed Grill for Two. Each part of the meal came out shortly after the other. Most Arab dishes consist of simple components, so quality discrepancies are very noticeable. The Arabic Salad and Hummus were both fresh and flavorful. Every part of the main platter was delicious. Each variety of meat was marinated and cooked perfectly. I don't usually like most rice, but this yellow rice was fluffy, flavorful, and rich. Instead of the bare minimum pita bread from a bag, the platter came with grilled pita stuffed with freshly melted cheese. Even the fries were crispy and cooked to perfection. The included garlic sauce was better than most I've had at other Arab spots. Many restaurants skimp on meat to rice ratio to save costs, but Cilantro served generous portions of both. I we received great service throughout the entire visit. The owners were friendly and personable. They consistently checked on us and provided us with complementary baklava at the end of our visit. Overall, this place is a gem. I wish I'd discovered it earlier, but I'll definitely be returning to try more of the menu.

Everything was so good and we had so much food to bring home after ordering the 4 person serving mix grill.The staff were friendly and patient, and had a home feel to it. They also gave us a complimentary side but I wasn't sure what it was but it was really tasty and a little sweet which was a pleasant surprise.

The best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant I've ever tried in Philly, coming from an Egyptian! Food is delicious and entree portions are large. You will have to share or take some home. I ordered the beef shawarma entree and baklava! Service was great and friendly too. The atmosphere is one of the best things. Looks like a middle eastern restaurant inside.

Is the meat zabiha halal? Many restaurants post the sign halal. But is all the meat zabiha ( hand-slaughtered)?

Food was delicious! The beef...WOW!!! Such great flavor. & the lemon & mint juice was sooo refreshing. The meal hit the spot after a long day of traveling. Also, the server was extremely nice and polite. I loved the chill vibe the restaurant provides! Will come back when visiting Philly again!!

The food is delicious with just enough spice and generous portions. Strongly recommend the baba ghanoush for the appetizer and baklava for dessert. The staff were relaxed and always smiling and willing to help. The restaurant had a relaxed Turkish Café vibe. More importantly, lots of Turkish families and locals coming in to support it. Great food. Would come back again in a heartbeat and bring more friends.

We ordered take out. This food was horrible! The chicken shawarma was disgusting. It was like eating bad Mexican chicken nachos. It was orange and cut in tiny pieces with few nacho chips, salad not even Greek , with a bit of Mayo sauce. The chicken should be bigger , over undercooked bland yellow rice, with some. White mayo sauce. Tasted disgusting. Chicken should be marinated in lemon and oregano and grilled. The chicken swarma wrap same disgusting chicken in pita. Lamb chops ok but served with same gross yellow rice and white rice and same garden salad . The hummus tasted horrible and I have never seen thick pita bread. The samosa were greasy and the cheese bread was an 1/8 of a pita bread with melted cheese on it. I have no idea how this could be rated high!! Estaia, apricot stone is Greek food. Waste of a lot of money . We had cereal for dinner

Unbelievable place!! Had so much fun there last night. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Awesome vibe and beautiful ambiance!! Highly recommend to all 10/10 !!

We were in Philly for a cousin's wedding and we wanted to find a restaurant near our hotel. We looked for a restaurant with good reviews and Cilantro didn't disappoint. Food was excellent and service was top notch. We started with a delicious mint tea, we order the eggplant appetizer and eat the whole thing with pita bread. continued with the mix grill for 1 that me and my sister shared. We eat plenty and even had left overs. My sister and I loved it. We will definitely come back next time we are in Philly.

My favourite Middle Eastern food from the North African region! The owner is VERY nice and friendly. Truly makes you feel special. The decor is authentically Egyptian. While the regular Middle Eastern apps and entrees are very good, do not ignore the Egyptian dishes. Get mousakka, grape leaves (A MUST!!!!!) and koushari. The chicken and rice platter is also LOADED with quantity and flavour. If anyone asks me where to get amazing Middle Eastern food, this would be my recommendation without hesitation.

Very tasty and tender lamb chops, great food over all and it showed they made it with love. Recommend it highly.

Branzino Whole Fish was so good and there was plenty to share. It was flavorful and the rice complements the fish so well. The salad was refreshing and delicious. I highly recommend getting the Branzino and sharing with one other person. I will be back!

Atmosphere: 3/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 4/5 I checked this place out after seeing that there were many good reviews. Walking in- it's a small restaurant that is a bit run down. It's dusty, dirty, and not very clean. I was a bit hesitant to stay but decided to give the food a shot as there were so many good reviews. I got the Chicken Kabobs Plate which came with a lot of small bites. Most of it didn't have much flavor and was not that great. The chicken was okay- there wasn't much seasoning and they gave pita with cheese which was good. The rice was extremely flavorless and the fries are pretty standard. My friend got the wrap which was much more flavorful. I probably won't be back here again. I'll stick to the other Mediterranean places I enjoy in Philly.