DarSalam Restaurant & Catering (Alberta)

Step into a vibrant tapestry of flavors! From the moment you're greeted, a warm, inviting atmosphere washes over you, hinting at the culinary delights to come. Each dish is a fragrant masterpiece, bursting with layers of aromatic spices and tender ingredients that transport your senses to another world. The main courses are generously portioned and incredibly satisfying, and every bite feels like a lovingly prepared feast. It’s more than just a meal; it's an authentic, soul-satisfying experience that celebrates hospitality and the incredible depth of a rich culinary tradition. Absolutely delightful!

First time here for a business meeting and wanted to try Halal food. Worth the drive! The staff was very knowledgable and helped with great recomendations. Was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food was. Everything from the flavors to presentation was just phenomenal. Truly glad I visited this place. What I ordered: 1. Chicken with rice plate (it came with chickpea stew and vinegarette salad 2. Hummus (comes with one pita bread) 3. Mint lemonade with rose water mix (delicous!)

My wife and I were pleasantly surprised by the amazing quality of the food here! From the very first bite, we knew we were in for something special. The freshly baked pita was warm and fluffy, perfect for scooping up the hummus — which, honestly, is one of the best we’ve ever had. The lentil soup was velvety, perfectly seasoned, and full of comfort. And the Iraqi beer with rose and cardamom? Absolutely unique and delicious — such a treat to discover flavors like that. We also loved that they welcomed our dog on the terrace, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The service was impeccable — attentive without ever being overbearing — and we never once felt forgotten. The music and ambiance transported us straight to the Middle East. I even tried Shazaming a few songs, but they were so authentic that the app couldn’t recognize them — a sign of how special and carefully chosen the atmosphere really is. This was a wonderful meal from start to finish. We’ll definitely be coming back for more!

Amazing, authentic, delicious food! Great service and cozy indoor/outdoor vibe.

I get surprised every time I go about how much I enjoy it. Love the food, atmosphere, and service. So cute! Decent prices. Almost always have leftovers. I think figuring out how to order is key. I LoVE the lentil soup; my husband loves the falafel; my brother-in-law always orders the lamb; my sister loves the chicken. The hummus is too good! The tabouli and tzatziki are also yummy! The house red is solid. They have gf beer. (They need to get ÑA beer.)

Amazing food! Great vegetarian food and the lentil soup in particular was so creamy and delicious. Staff was nice and attentive, too. We’ll definitely be back.

A visit to this halal restaurant was a celebration of phenomenal flavors. Had the chance to indulge in the mixed kebab platter at this halal restaurant and I was absolutely blown away. The dish was an orchestra of flavors, perfectly grilled and seasoned. Highly recommended!

This might just be our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. The lentil soup is amazing, as is the lamb, and baba ghanoush. They have some things I'd never had before, like stuffed onion, and donut-shaped falafel, which were also super good. The dolma are giant and a whole meal in themselves. The eggplant and chickpea stews are also delicious. Aside from the food, the atmosphere is nice and all the staff are so kind. My wife forgot her purse here once, and Ghaith the owner drove to our house to personally return it to us, even though he had to make two trips since we weren't home the first time he came by. My only complaint is that they don't make the fish dish here in Alberta, so we'll have to try it downtown sometime :)

The ambiance inside Dsr Salam was very well done & comfortable. Pictures all over the wall from the "old country" makes you feel like you're in someone's home. The food was delicious. We shared a message plate which was perfect on a hot day. I'll recommend the Pilsner beer served only at Dar Salam. Fragrant & tasteful. And the lemon, mint, rose water tea perfect on a hot day. Refreshing.

Dar Salam, ugh, soooo delicious. Every single texture is right. Cooked perfectly and consistently, balanced flavors. Smoothest hummus of my life. The restaurant is small and adorable, fills up quickly. Absolutely wonderful food kind staff and vegetarian options.

Very solid spot to enjoy some Mediterranean food. Vibe was great, staff was welcoming, and the food was delicious. Went with the Lamb Shank($36) and I thought that was a bit spendy for entree, but was a hearty portion. The mezza chicken platter is a great way to start the meal. They have some good drink options as well. The iced tea was delicious also. Will definitely be returning. Be prepared to spend $100+ for (2) people if you do a coupe entree's, appetizer, and drinks.

Amazing. Our neighbors suggested we check-out the food and ambiance. Our party began with a lentil soup that amazed us all: creamy/rich flavors. I thought about licking the bowl afterwards! The chicken kebabs were spot on: char grilled and perfectly moist. The hummus (with warm pita) ranked among the best I've ever enjoyed. Tabouli was delicious: fresh/well seasoned. We've been looking for a good Middle Eastern restaurant and thankfully, we found it! The service was attentive without hovering. The interior and the music made me think we had magically transported to a place far away. Treat your taste buds ( and other senses) to this culinary treat ! We'll be back soon.

Came to eat my way through the arts district. DarSalam was on my list of must eat restaurants. Everything was so delicious! Ended up having a couple cocktails, the Chicken Kabob Mezza and kunafah for dessert. What a treat! Plus, our waitress was so personable and gave us some great recommendations for where to buy some really good arak to add to our tea at home. Warm and inviting, i felt like I was walking into my friend's house and their mom just made a big meal for us.

It took me 14 years, but I finally experienced this charming and often recommended spot. Upon entering you're welcomed by an aesthetically pleasing vibe. I appreciate restaurants that attempt to give you feel for the region they represent. There was nothing more perfect for a 90-degree day than their mint lemonade. I'm a huge fan of Persian cuisine so was curious how Iraqi-inspired compares. While I enjoyed the Basmati rice here I give the nod to Persian. The Iraqi Shish Kabob was tender and full of flavor, maybe a touch dry. Love the homemade condiment found on most tables. Pita was average, I definitely prefer flat bread like they serve at Nicholas Restaurant. I usually opt for Baklava so tried something new by ordering the Date Roll: loved it. Service was polite and a bit stoic.

I thought I would drop into the area early before the show I was attending that night. My plan was to get food somewhere close by and be able to park early to be fairly close to the Alberta Rose Theater. I got a parking spot directly across the street from the theater and then saw DarSalam a half a black away, if that. I needed to use the restroom and they have a cute bathroom next to the restaurant which was easy to get in and out of (hay, you'd be surprised - I've been to places that you almost have to pole vault to get into). They do have soda cans but none I was into so I figured I would order an actual drink because their Belle Du Jour sounded delicious. It has prosecco, rose water and pomegranate juice. Amazing, delicious and she left me the rest of the can of Prosecco from Oregon, who knew? Unlike an airline, I got a fun can so I felt fancy! And I definitely tried to suck that whole glorious bubbly can before leaving for my show. The food was incredible, especially after the torturous wait sitting there smelling all of the good things while waiting for my order. I went with the chicken Mezza platter and it did not disappoint. A piece of delicious flatbread, a pile of incredibly moist tender chicken, some of the best tzatziki I have ever had, baba ghanoush and hummus. The very sweet beauty helping me slipped me baklava saying for after my show. And that was some of the most amazing baklava I've ever had. The pistachios in it were larger chunks which seriously was incredible. I will come over to this area just to go to this restaurant as I now want to try a large percentage of their menu.

Phenomenal affair. Quaint storefront, friendly, laid back restaurant. Everything was delicious with great flavors and spices. Love the Iraq Pilsner

Been to both locations a few times now, always good stuff. I've seen the owner at both places he's always very friendly. The beet salad is tasty and refreshing and cool with the yogurt but a bit much for one person.

We enjoyed tonight the Basmati rice, egg plant stew and the lamb shank. Oh my goodness!!! I'm not a lover of egg plant but the way they made the stew was amazing. The depth a flavor was incredible. It had a deep umami taste. The basmati rice was perfectly cook and the lamb Shank was huge. They brought a knife to cut it but I didn't even need it. The lamb was so tender it literally fell off the bone. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. This was an incredible party in your mouth meal. We'll definitely be back. The only negative was the mint rose lemonade. All I could taste was lemonade. The glass had meant leaves sprinkled in but no obvious flavor. Other than that an incredible meal.

So my partner and I were taking one part of my twin 8 year old boys out to see the Monster Truck Jam. We try to split up each twin sometimes so they get quality one on one time with each parental unit. So my kid wants to try something different. Not cheeseburgers, not spaghetti, not pizza. So we suggest Middle Eastern food. So we head here and he's excited. The menu is largely gluten free, which is great for my Celic partner. We order. I get the Iraqi beef kebab, because it is so damn good.... especially with the hot sauce and some slices of grilled onion... My kid gets chicken kebab. He tries it. The spices are unlike anything he's had before, but he wants to be a big boy. So he eats some. He's not a fan of the lentil soup, but he loves the pita bread and the rice. Boy he loves the rice. Long story short (too late), dinner was excellent. My son tried something new and was pleased with himself. My partner and I ate great food that was well done, and i got some extra chicken for lunch later. The waitress was amazing, by the way. Recognized the anime character on my son's shirt and spent a good five minutes talking anime with him. I'm sure he would have loved to have invited her to the Monster Jam as his guest!

Definitely fell for the ratings of this place. Not what I had expected. Came to this restaurant with my boyfriend. We ordered a chicken and rice place along with their famous beet salad. The chicken and rice tasted very dry like it was made the day before. The beet salad came out in such a huge portion. It didn't taste good at all. We then decided maybe it was time for some tea and Turkish coffee since i'm a coffee enthusiast. The tea was good but the coffee came in the smallest cup possible, and tasted like I had dirt jn my mouth. Unless it's supposed to taste that way? IDK. Then a while later a man walked to the restroom and was in there for about half an hour. Very sketchy. I don't plan on coming back here anytime soon. Parking was across the street and the only good thing about this restaurant was that they validated.

My family and I absolutely love this place! the food is delicious and the everyone is so friendly and kind. The eggplant stew and Chicken kabo mezza are so delicious! Even my picky 4 year old ate all his food. We had them catered once for a small event and it was a hit!

Kunafah... AMAZING. Will order every time I return. this is a gift from above that takes the taste buds on a roller coaster of flavors ranging from delicate, to fat to sweet to umami.. Beautiful. Paired with mixed dolmas that were a journey into themselves, I am super eager to return to explore more of the menu. Great location, but the food was the standout performer!

We came in late on Sunday (Father's Day) We had a lot of fun dissecting the food in our dinner conversation Dal soup so creamy that one of us thought there was dairy Lab stew had us split on preference. One of us thought too peppery, one of us ate 2 portions. In general we wished it wasn't so shredded up We aren't familiar w the dish so maybe it's suppose to be so shredded?! We liked the garbanzo bean salad - really good proportion Garbanzo bean stew was good. Fantastic w the accompanying rice The only reason for lowered score was that the bar had closed already so we couldn't have cocktails and settled for wine The decor was abundant to view. Service was attentive

We had gone to Dar Salam many years ago and liked it. But then we totally forgot about it. Recently, we decided to try it again and just loved it again! It was easy to get a reservation on the same day. The place is small but cozy. The lentil soup was one of the best I have ever had- so comforting! The falafel and chicken Tikka plates and drinks were great too! The only thing we didn't like that much was the pickled chickpea mango salad. It was a little too sour for our taste. Looking forward to coming more often now.

The wife and I stopped in for a light bite while walking around the Alberta neighborhood, and really enjoyed our experience here. I'm familiar enough with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, but the Iraqi spin on some of the classics was a welcome surprise. Between us, we split the Falafel sampler plate, which includes its namesake, a piece of flatbread, hummus, baba ghanoush and tahziki, spiced a little differently than you might be familiar with (the baba ghanoush being the most radical of the three), but all three hit that perfect spot of sweet and savory. A side of homemade hot sauce, made from red peppers and balsamic vinegar, tied it all together nicely! The biggest surprise of all was my wife's Beet Margarita, which sounded atrocious to me (I can't stand beets), and even she, a beet fan, was a bit hesitant to try it. Those fears were instantly dispelled, as the anticipated earthiness was almost nowhere to be found: just a hint of rusticity, blended with sour and salty, and surprisingly good! Even I enjoyed the tentative sips I begrudgingly took! Just goes to show, everything is worth a try, at least once! Although I wasn't hungry enough for an entire meal, we both left full and content, happy with our portions, the price, and the fantastic food. Very recommended for any fans of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cuisine!

The food was some of the best middle eastern food I've ever had, and the waiter is incredibly kind yet let our party have the privacy we needed. I loved the table we were sat at, the inside is beautiful. 10/10

Really disappointed that they up the prices again and so much. $17 for a plate of rice and chickpea stew was already steep - $21 is just stealing. There not even and falafel or salad....it's like literally rice chickpeas onions and spices ... the most delicious EVER ...but come on ....that's actually outrageous...

AMAZING FOOD!!!!! We had the chicken kabob, house salad with falafels and the Iraqi draft beer. This was some of the best food my wife and I have had in a long time. I highly recommend this place, the service great and friendly.

The food here is good. It's really solid middle eastern food. I've ordered to go mostly so can't speak too much for the service but my interactions have all be good.

This food takes time, so be prepared to wait. The waiter (owner??) was very nice, he took good care of us. We all enjoyed our food except for the lamb, it was extremely tough, but we have to come back and try other items because we were comfortable, well taken care of and enjoyed the rest of our meal.

They accommodated our large party plus a dog. The food was delicious fresh and fast. The waitstaff was kind and friendly. It's on Alberta on a quieter section. Just a lovely evening.

Amazing food. We are vegan and there was nothing that we didnt like. Hot sauce was amazing and good service 10/10 overall

Amazing food best vegan meal i had in very long time. Will come back again. Great ambiance and helpful staff

The food was ok... as a middle eastern born you can't even compare. Not a place to be back to eat again. The service was very nice but the food took long time to arrive.

I had Highhope's after reading this review but food for actually had no flavor the servers were super cool and nice but the food really was not good sorry but I would not recommend this place at alliance

The staff was amazing, the food was delectable, and the scenery was more than one could hope for. In particular I throughly enjoyed the veggie sticks.

Prior to coming here, I checked google to see if I need a reservation. Google showed me that there were no tables available in my time frame (1-5pm). I called and turns out you don't need to make a reservation at all. I hope this misinformation on google doesn't affect their business. I came here on a Sunday afternoon, there was one other couple in the restaurant. I ordered Iraqi Sheesh Kabob Plate ($21 as of May 2021). It was supposed to come with bread but I didn't realize it till we were almost done with the dish. Overall it was a delicious meal. The decor is fantastic and the service is friendly.

Absolutely amazing food. We had the mixed grill, so tasty. The service was wonderful and the ambiance inside was perfect. Cocktail was lovely.

Did not honor a reservation on open table and did not seat us. We were turned away. Recommend calling them directly to make reservations.

Tried their lamb shank one night with the dolmas and the baked egg plant (no photos attached because I was so hungry) it was super delicious and I decided to visit them again before I leave portland. This place is amazing! Family owned and operated with love! Ghaith and his family are super friendly, loving, and welcoming! The food is super delicious! The lentil soup and baba ganoush are a must try appetizers! The dolmas are full of flavor. The fish is amazing! Reminds me of my mom's home made food so much! The kunfeh is super delicious .. every thing was perfect! Thank you for the great food experience, generous hospitality, kindness, and love that you showed us! Will definitely come back again whenever in Portland .. THANK YOU!

My husband and I ate here tonight and it's the best dining experience we've had in a long time. We have different tastes and aren't familiar with Iraqi food but we both liked everything. The restaurant itself is in an old house. The decor feels like you are sitting in someone's living room. There are family pictures and framed artwork on the wall. Middle Eastern music plays on the speakers. It's a very comforting vibe. The non-alcoholic beverage selection was good and went beyond the standard Coke/Pepsi products. I had the mint lemonade which was a good combination of sweet and tart. My husband had a fancy root beer which looked good. The server was good about refilling our water. For food, I had the lamb kebab with the chickpea stew and jasmine rice. It smelled and tasted great. I was expecting the stew to have whole chickpeas but it actually had a puréed texted. My husband had the tzatziki, chickpea soup and mixed grill. He let me have a bite of each of the things he ordered. The tzatziki was a huge serving that we can probably eat for a few days. It has almost a mousse like texture. The chickpea soup was chickpeas in a broth. The mixed grill was chicken and lamb kebab with peppers and onions. The chicken was tender. Our server was friendly and did a good job. The majority of items here are gluten free -- everything except the sandwiches, salads and baklava. The tables were spaced out, the staff had masks and there was a big bottle of hand sanitizer on our table. I look forward to eating here again.

Halal, authentic middle eastern food They serve full halal menu which they advertise. They have a variety of options. The decor and music is Iraqi and everything including their dishes is very authentic. We ordered many of them: Lentil soup Chicken kabob Lamb kabob Beef (ground) kabob Vegetarian platter: included hummus (the best in Portland) and babaganoush Everything we ordered was delicious and reasonably priced. They also offer a lunch menu with some smaller servings.

I love middle eastern food and this place is one of the best. Perfectly seasoned and cooked kebabs, moist and crunchy falafel, creamy hummus and finally some baba ganoush without too much garlic! House made pita that is what pita should always be. Authentic and welcoming room. Do not miss this little gem!

What can you say about a spot where the staff and owners are so passionate and wonderful! Of course the food is simply great. The falafel were fresh, a little crunchy and soft inside with well balanced flavors and taste. The lentil soup was delicate and garnished with zatar. The eggplant stew was delicious. It had chunks of eggplant, as it should, and nicely spiced. The crown of the lunch was the desert Kunafah. It was a wonderful lunch and the owners are solid genuine folk who care about the guests and their food. Give this spot a shot... you'll like it.

Really very good cuisine.Delicious food.Would love to go back sometime soon I could try their Portland restaurant too.

Wow wow wow! DarSalam did NOT disappoint. Tried for the first time and ordered the falafel rice plate, tabouli, hummus, and baklava. So awesome that so much of the menu is vegan (and gluten-free if that is your thing). The chickpea stew in the rice plate has such warming flavors that really add depth to the tomato base. It's served with perfectly cooked buttery (but without butter, somehow) basmati rice. The hummus is the kind that is silky smooth, garlicky without being overwhelming (maybe it's made with roasted garlic?). The tabouli is soooo herby and citrusy, which is heaven for me. I find that a lot of them are lacking in salt or are too overwhelmed by the millet. The baklava is the best I have EVER had. Not overly sweet at all, buttery toasty notes, perfectly flaky and chewy where it should be. A lot of the menu items aren't unfamiliar to anyone who has been to a restaurant that serves SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African - often referred to as "middle eastern") food, but it's clear to me that everything on the menu has basically been perfected and thoughtfully made. Definitely plan on frequenting! You can trust that all of the great reviews you see are accurate.

Absolutely amazing! Excellent dishes. What a find! We started with some incredible baba ganoush and were not disappointed. I had the dolmas and was blown away by the flavors and textures. Additionally, the hummus and tzatziki (my approximation to the middle eastern yogurt deliciousness) has delicious flavors. Couldn't be happier. The Iraqi Pilsner with a touch of cardamom was refreshing and I recommend it on a warm day! We had a few people plus two 13-month old twins and they accommodated them no problem. We sat outside in the sun and it was delightful. Great waitstaff. Friendly and prompt service. DEFINITELY COMING BACK!

we returned to dar salam for dinner last night with a friend....i had the iraqi beer, and my partner had the mint lemonade.......next, we shared the chickpea stew rice plate, that included a salad too...our friend had a glass of red wine, and had the the mix grill, plus pita bread..two of them shared the baklava and kunafah...........the drinks/food are excellent as always...the staff are quick, funny, and very friendly, she was great......the dinner experience is fun and relaxing, on our stormy autumn evening.....thx so much!

Visit took place on Sunday around lunchtime. The bathroom was exceptionally clean. Good job on this! That is the first place I go to check out. My consisted of the chicken kabob plate, mango/rose juice and a baklava. My chicken was tender on the inside, but dry on the outside. My chicken lacked salt/flavor. The rice was made perfect!! Nice and fluffy. I did not detect rose water in the mango juice nor in the baklava as it describes on the menu containing rose water. The baklava was with pistachio. The baklava had a delicious not too sweet taste, but a bit chewy? Was it past the crispy date? Staff was friendly. Neighborhood looks hip with other places to eat nearby. I would visit again and try a different dish. Hopefully my chicken is Not dry. Street parking readily available. Outside seating available

Ok...I started this review last night after our first try. I gave it 4 stars.... BUT we remembered it SO fondly that we were back again tonight! Wish we could have eaten there... I'm sure the atmosphere adds to the experience -- the paintings outside of the marketplace are FUN and staff is fun, helpful & FRIENDLY! (Both nights!) Food was REALLY good! We had falafel (shaped like doughnuts & taste great), house salad (simple & fresh with good dressing), beet salad (as beautiful as it was delicious!), 2 kinds of dolmas (both were VERY tasty), some of the best hummus we've ever had & the date/walnut dessert (rich & yummy!) 2nd night we got all the same again! Needless to say "we'll be back" because we already have!

We were in town for an event and had an early dinner. Everything was excellent. I need to avoid both gluten and dairy and had absolutely no problem and many options to choose from. We will definitely be back next time we're in the area!

Great food - the eggplant dish was excellent, and Hummus was perfect! The service was top notch, the ambiance was captivating

Small restaurant but full of charm! I loved our genial hostess and servers. Food was delicious and well prepared. Of particular enjoyment was a dessert dish made from vermicelli noodles. Different and delicious! I will absolutely come back!

Terrific! We love this type of food, and this is the best of all. The service was outstanding, the chicken and beef kebabs were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the falafel is the best I've ever had. We've both worked in restaurant kitchens, and Dar Salam has earned our respect for its food and service. Our new favorite place. Logan and Matty

Very authentic middle eastern food. Very similar to what I had in Iraq. The owners are super nice and hospitable. Highly recommend trying this place out.

My wife and I ate our first meal at DarSalam this evening. It won't be our last: The food and the service were excellent. I ordered the curried lentil soup and lamb khema, a slow-cooked chickpea and shredded lamb stew served with basmati rice. They were both absolutely delicious. My wife had the lamb kabob rice plate, which she loved. At the suggestion of our extremely charming server Matt, she ordered their cardomom gimlet specialty cocktail; it was a big hit. Cannot wait to further explore the DarSalam menu. Highly recommended.

A family run business that is out to give you the best middle eastern food! We had the hummus and pita and that was a meal on its own (even though it's termed a starter). Great portions and good service.

Second time trying this restaurant, last time it was very bad but it was late night so I thought I'd give them another chance since the reviews are amazing. So we brought our friends & came ... & this time it was awful... The food was cold, the kefta was super dry & seemed like leftovers, one of the skewers came in pieces as if they had no meat in the kitchen. The price was so expensive, like really way overpriced compared to other restaurants in Portland. I'm a big foodie, so I don't mind paying a lot if money when it comes to good food, but when I pay that much & the food is that bad ( twice), then there is really something wrong with the reviews.