DarSalam Restaurant & Catering (Downtown)

Visited this restaurant recently and was quite impressed by the ambience — cozy lighting, tasteful decor, and a relaxing vibe that makes it a great spot for a casual outing. The service stood out too; staff were polite, attentive, and made us feel welcome throughout. As for the food, it was decent — not bad, but not exceptional either. Some dishes were flavorful, while others felt a bit underwhelming or lacking that wow factor. It’s a good place if you’re looking for a pleasant atmosphere and solid service, but don’t expect a culinary masterpiece. The soup was exceptionally flavorful, with a rich taste that really stood out.

Amazing dining experience! Everything came out steaming hot and fresh with rich bold flavors. We especially liked the vegan sample platter. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful to dine in and the service was so fast and friendly! We will definitely be coming back for more!

Seriously one of the best meals I've had. Stopped here on a whim and was blown away by the beautiful interior decor. The owners are very kind and take a lot of pride in their heritage and their business. Highly recommend!

The food is 4/5. Some items like hummus, tahini, bread, and dolma are really good. Others such as eggplant-based entrees can be improved. Knafeh was NOT good. It had low wuality mozarella as base. Atmosphere 10/5, service 10/5. The vibe of the place in itself makes you feel like eating more.

One hidden gem in plain sight in downtown Portland. You will be greeted and treated like family from the very first moment. And the food is just amazing and authentic. Definitely a unique and delicious experience.

Super wonderful atmosphere. The restaurant has gorgeous decoration indoors and different styles of seating options. We chose the traditional one and loved it. We had dietary restrictions in our party and they were very accommodating with substitutions. The menu also had very clear notes of vegan/gluten free options. Staff was very kind and the food....wow the food was amazing! Portions were very generous and everything was beautifully presented. The taste was astounding. Would definitely recommend you stop by here!

I had a fantastic lunch here over the weekend! I have celiac, and was delighted to learn that everything on the menu except the pita and the baklava was gluten free. We tried the falafel rice platter and the hummus with veggies instead of pita. Both were delicious and so flavorful! The owner was really friendly as well. I look forward to coming back!

We had a wonderful experience at DarSalam! The food was absolutely delicious, so much that some of us ended up ordering more than we originally planned. My family truly enjoyed every bite. The owner was incredibly warm and patient, making us feel right at home. He even stood by the door to shake each of our hands as we left. It’s a beautiful spot for a private celebration, and we’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend.

Amazing, nuanced Middle Eastern food in a gorgeous setting. I went with a group and it was a hit. We shared the adis soup (lentils curry soup), veggie platter and kebob platter with beef kebob. The beef kabob was rich and flavorful, and some of the best I've tried. The grape leaf dolma and onion dolma were both distinctive, and loved how it didn't copy the usual format of stuffed grape leaves. Especially the onion dolma, which I've never had before and had such a rich, tomato-y sauce. The service was super friendly, and ambiance and decor really transports you. Especially with the gorgeous, giant murals. A must-try when in Portland.

I came here as part of the Portland Food Tour and this was my FAVORITE spot. Will forever recommend this for anyone looking for delicious middle eastern cuisine in the heart of Portland. Starting off with the inside: the giant mural spans several walls and is so, so beautiful! I felt like I was transported far from Portland. There were some cozy seating nooks as well. We had a pre-set meal with the eggplant stew and kabob rice plate. The stew was literally a hug in a bowl with a delicious medley of veggies inside. Despite having eaten at other places in the food tour beforehand I ate it all up. The kabobs were really delicious too, well cooked and seasoned We met the owner as well who warmly welcomed us and served us our food. I cant wait to come back to try more!

Short review: If you're thinking about going here, just do it! You won't be disappointed. Longer review: I've had some great Middle Eastern food since I've moved to Portland. However, the dishes and preparation vary between ME regions. I was looking for a place that prepared food in the similar style to my family. That is when I found DarSalam. First off, the place is awesome inside. Beautiful with well placed decorations from Iraq. The seating is comfortable. The music is ambient and not too loud. The people are friendly and (rightfully) proud of their food. They even brought my friend a piece of delicious Baklava with a candle for her birthday. We tried many items on the menu and everything was so delicious. It was prepared in the authentic style of the area. Between us our party had these items: Vegan mezza plate with falafel, Beet salad with yogurt, Khema lamb stew, lamb shank and the mixed grill. It was all so fresh and delicious. The lamb shank was cooked perfectly and was one of the highlights of the meal. They also had one of the most tasteful hot sauces that I've ever had. Even the bread was soft and tasty. We also had the beet margarita and a regional drink called Arak. Arak is unique and if you've never tried it I highly recommend. It is strong though. It is a bit on the higher side price wise but well worth it. 10/10 recommend!

We had the opportunity to eat at Dar Salam and the food was simply delicious! We were greeted by hospitable and friendly service that suggested options for us to try a variety of menu items. Everything was delicious! From the Dolmas, Baba ghanoush, the mezza chicken, lamb and beef kebobs. All was authentic and delightful! A must try for anyone who appreciates middle eastern and Iraqi style food. We will certainly come back in our next trip to Portland.

Excellent customer service! You can tell the staff here is genuinely committed to providing a great experience. They were very welcoming and took the time to explain the menu thoroughly. The restaurant is located downtown, so parking can be a bit tricky, but there's a lot across the street that only cost $4. The food was delicious, with the chicken perfectly cooked. Plus, they offer halal options too! Clean and great relaxing music/ ambiance:)

I was looking for something slightly different and dinner here really hit the spot. Portions were generous. And the staff was very welcoming.

First time trying Iraqi food.it was absolutely delicious we had 2 lamb dishes shanks and shredded with rice. A plate with half hummus half tzatziki with bread.a mango drink.and have to order some pistachio baklava it was so good .the place it's nice inside a lot of decoration.the service was excellent they were attentive and very nice.I'll absolutely come back to this restaurant thank you guys

We really enjoyed our dinner here. Such a beautiful middle Eastern vibe . The food is really delicious and friendly staff. The owner of this restaurant should open one in Los Angeles . We need one in LA

Probably the best Middle Eastern / Iraqi restaurant I've ever been to. Everything we ordered was delicious-- the flavors were bold and rich, the meats were juicy and hearty. The restaurant itself is also spacious, elegant, and beautifully decorated with intricate wall art and a complementing color scheme. The service was warm and friendly, and I felt the prices were very reasonable for the food quality and portions. I tried the following items: - Baba Ganoush: SO delicious, with earthy flavors and textures. The pita was toasty and tasty too. - Iraqi Shish Kabob Plate: The meats were tender and juicy, and the sauces were delicious as well. Highly recommend it! - Shredded Lamb Rice Plate: The rice was delicious and flavorful, and the lamb was hearty and perfectly seasoned. The side chickpea stew might've been my favorite element... it was bursting with flavor. - Kunafah: This dessert was very rich and decadent; simultaneously sweet and savory, cheesy and gooey. I was a big fan. - Date Roll: The kunafeh was a lot better in my opinion, but this was still pretty good-- very dense and sweet, but I probably wouldn't get it again. - Someone also got the Mixed Dolma-- I didn't try it but heard good things. If I'm ever in Portland again, I'll definitely be returning to this spot immediately! -- Price (relative to peers): 4.5/5 Food: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Service: 4.8/5 Overall Value: 4.8/5

What a terrible place. The food was expensive but the chicken and beef shish kebab was all burnt out. They meet was not tender either. You don't expect such low quality when paying that much.

The food was delicious and we ate everything we ordered plus an additional Taboull 2x more for the five of us. The service was impeccable. Attentive, kind, and prompt, Harith and Abdullah (pardon my spelling if it's incorrect) took great care of us. Falafel Mezza Platter Taboull x 3 (!) Iraqi Beef Kabob (Grill) Chicken Kabob Rice Plate Shredded Lamb Rice Plate The Arab Coffee was strong and I loved it. We will definitely come back!

So delicious!! Service and vibes were also great. I ordered the falafel platter with a side dolma. I highly recommend!

The decor is really ornate and pretty. The pompano was crispy, flavorful, and the whole fish presentation was great. The lamb shank was large portion and fall off the bone tender.

The food was so delicious! I ordered the chicken kabob dish which comes with basmati rice, salad and an incredibly delicious chick pea soup. I need the recipe! The decor inside the restaurant is fantastic, so beautiful! The staff were so wonderful, very hospitable! Definitely a must try if you find yourself in downtown Portland.

Good customer service! Very friendly people! The food tastes amazing, and the ambience and atmosphere of the restaurant are very nice and on point. It really makes you feel like you're in a fancy Middle Eastern restaurant! Amazing food and restaurant! Their restrooms are very clean and smell good too!

Went there today for the first time for a lunch with a friend.Ambience was like you are sitting in a high end Dubai restaurant. Received a 5 Star hospitality and truly warm welcome in every-way. Great food and fantastic service. It was like Ritz Carlton of Mediterranean food. Chicken Kabobs were the most delicious and properly cooked. Humus was very tasty and the lentil soup was out of this world.

TL;DR: The food, atmosphere, a service are impeccable and DarSalam will become part of our regular restaurant rotation when visiting Portland. We stumbled across this restaurant on a rainy weekday. Looking for restaurants near the other things we were doing for the day, DarSalam came up with a recent review that raved about the food and atmosphere, so we decided to give it a try. After about three bites of food, we knew this would be a place that we would randomly think about months from now and wish that we could return to in an instant. The atmosphere is vibrant, entertaining, and welcoming without being distracting or forced. The co-owner was working the front of house; she was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obviously genuinely interested in making sure that we had a positive and customized experience at her restaurant. The food was incredible - easily the best humus I have ever had. Everything was seasoned and oiled perfectly, leaving us feeling full but not weighed down after our meal. I would recommend DarSalam to anyone in the area!

This place goes in my list of best Mediterranean restaurants out there. We took both the veg and chicken platters and the food just melted in our mouth. It was just perfect. The ambiance is great. The service is amazing. The only thing I wasn't much inclined towards to are their drinks. They were average. We tried kunafah their dessert for the first time and it was really good. Definitely a must visit if you want to try Mediterranean cuisine.

This was such a lovely, warm spot to stop for lunch. I loved all of the traditional decorations and murals on the wall. It was really cool to see the ancient Babylonian influence on the paintings and all the wonderful art in the restaurant. Our server was very friendly and hospitable, and we felt right at home. The food was absolutely delicious. I especially loved the dolmas plate with the stuffed grape leaves and stuffed onion. The hummus was also super tasty along with the baba ganoush. As an Arab, I appreciated the way that the restaurant staff made the falafel. It was perfectly crispy and had the proper consistency, texture, and flavor. The tabbouleh was also delicious, and I polished my portion off very quickly. My only regret is that I devoured the food before I had the chance to take any pictures!

Wonderful and relatively quick service, fresh ingredients, and colorful decor make this a solid choice should you find yourself in the downtown area.

This is a delightful Iraqi restaurant in the Yamhill District. I had the eggplant stew rice plate and my friend Eric had a beef rice plate. The coffee tasted a little soapy to me, but other than that, everything was great. The staff was welcoming, and I really enjoyed the stew and the baklava.

I really enjoyed this place. Came on a Friday evening and it was basically empty. The decor was so cute and the service was good, not sure if that's normal or just bc the restaurant was empty. I ordered the falafel plate and boy was it yummy. My only comment was the amount of sauce they provided, although they were happy to give me more.

Solid spot with food that I've never really tried before. It was pretty reasonably priced and I went for lunch. I thought that the service was a little slow, but do you understand that there was only one woman working. She was extremely nice and really enjoyed my time there. Would come again in the future when I'm back in the area.

Mouth-watering Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish (Gluten Free), $32.50! This is a must-have item for fish lovers! This is family-owned, and everything makes fresh in-house! Between my two friends and myself, we went back three times within two weeks; that said everything you need to know about the rest of this review. "Zubede is the national dish of Iraq. This is a whole Golden Pompano fish, market fresh, butterflied, and cooked in a salted curry paste." item is only available at the downtown location. This delicious dish is a must-have for all to enjoy at Downtown and Alberta locations! We ordered this dish all three times we were there. The quality and taste were consistently and fabulously flavorful every time: flaky, crispy, well-seasoned, and balanced with all your taste buds. The Chicken Kabob Mezza Platter (Gluten Free) $23: enough to share between the three of us during our first visit. The texture of each item: roasted eggplant ground with tahini, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tahziki was smooth and melted in your mouth. The chicken was in pieces instead of on the stick: tender, moist, and perfectly seasoned. The Adis Soup (Vegan & Gluten Free), $9: hearty slow-cooked red lentils blended with curry and turmeric fits for Oregon's year-round weather. During our second visit, Shaymaa, the attentive and friendly owner, provided two bowls for my friend and me to share. My friend liked the temperature of it. I would have loved it to be hotter; I like my soup steamingly hot. Shaymaa did ask us how we would have liked our soup temperature afterward for future visits. We got baklava and in-house loose leaves of Black Ceylon Tea ($3.75) thrice with a hint of cardamom. This tea is freshly brewed each day. During our third visit, we asked Shaymaa about a dessert that was not on the menu, but we saw a photo of it from a previous Yelper, which looked delectable. Shaymaa was happily customer-made for us, and oh my goodness, it was delightful and yummy. She shared all the ingredients: honey dates, sesame puree, and roasted pistachios served with fresh, thin, and flakey pita. She said this dish is a typical breakfast in her native country. I wish DarSalam had this every day on their menu. The Mint Lemonade-$4.50 with the right amount ratio of lemon, mint, and rose water was so refreshing, light, and had just a hint of sweetness that complimented well with the Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish. DarSalam is absolutely a hidden gem in PDX! I will definitely make it my regular spot to satisfy my fish craving. It will be hard for me to check out their Alberta location since the Golden Pompano "Zubede" Fish is not on the menu. We love how personable Shaymaa, the sister, is and would like to make this a place where we can enjoy deliciously home cook meals and be part of the family where we know each other names. We learned from Shaymaa the Alberta location is their original location started by her brother.

Very friendly staff , they make you feel like you're part of their family, everyone in my group, loved their food. If they could give 10 million stars they would., this is their second location. We will try the first location sometime next year. The decor was fun and inviting, and we really enjoyed being there. The food was top-notch for our first time here we absolutely loved it. I highly recommend you go and try it. We were too full to try the desserts, but definitely will have to try them next time. If you ever in the Portland area, please go to DarSalam they treat you like family.

Food was 10/10. I'm from LA and have been on the search for great Middle Eastern food since I moved to Portland. The food was delicious. The staff was very friendly and the restaurant looks to be run by a family. The interior was also very charming and clean. I will def be a regular here

Visiting Portland from Houston and was looking for an authentic Mediterranean lunch spot to try and came across DarSalam. It was not too far from where we were staying so we decided to try it based off of the reviews, and it did not disappoint. Place was beautifully decorated and had a unique mural painted throughout the restaurant. We tried the hummus, the mixed grill, and the hot tea. Everything was truly delicious and very authentic. The tea was tasty and aromatic, and the staff extremely friendly and hospitable. We look forward to going back before the end of our trip!

we came at 7pm and there were a few other groups that were recently seated before us. the decor is absolutely stunning. the attention to detail is so admirable. there's so much to look at it was such a visually pleasing experience. our waiter was super kind. he recommended the lamb shank and his recommendation did not disappoint. we were thinking of getting 2 meat dishes but decided to get the lamb shank and veggie platter to share instead. this was a good decision because it ended up being enough to fill me up. all the dips were so different from each other yet equally delicious. the lamb was super tender. it slid off the bone so easily. the eggplant stew was very good as well. i've never had anything like it. we also tried the knafeh for dessert. i've never had this before but i really enjoyed it. the contrast between the rose flavor and the cheese was such a great combo. i really enjoyed the texture of this dish as well. we didn't end up using the rose syrup because it was already very sweet. that would be my only critique, but i've also never had knafeh before so i'm not sure if it's supposed to be that sweet. overall, i really enjoyed my experience here. some of the dishes are a bit pricey but it's a pretty big portion of food so i get it.

Falafel platter: One of the best falafel I've had - crispy but tender and moist on the inside. Hummus is spectacular, babaganoush is smoky and flavorful, tsaziki is tangy and fresh, which pairs well with the falafel. Pita comes fresh out of the pan, simple yet delicious with the dips or on its own. Lamb shank: falling off the bone and rich with flavor, this was one of the better lamb shanks I've had. The spices really brought it all together, and the marrow was spectacular. Do not sleep on the side of eggplant stew, which was deep and smoky with lots of tomato. Very welcoming service and ambiance, I'll be back for sure!

Incredible! Had the Falafel Mezza plate and it is the best baba ghanoush I've ever tasted. Falafel was crispy and delicious, tzatziki was garlicky and oh so good. And the hummus!! May not eat anywhere else in Portland. Service was warm.

Excellent and delightful Middle Eastern restaurant. Gorgeous interior. Food is authentically delicious. Really good bread. Yummy and moist deep fried fish. If you have sweettooth be sure to order Knafah with cardamom tea. Service is attentive and non intrusive. Very hospitable. Will come back!

The decor is great and the vibe is friendly. The food was tasty and the staff was totally willing to split up our bill into 9 individual checks. It made our group dinner really relaxing and easy.

Impeccable service, wonderful food. Highly recommend the National dish if you like fish, the best fish dish I ever had. The art is beautiful. I highly recommend coming up here at least once.

Very beautiful decor and a screen that shows different parts of Iraq and it's history. You can tell the owners take pride in where they're from. The food is absolutely AMAZING. Everything was seasoned beautifully and there was not a bad bite. We finished our Portland trip here, and we are so glad we did. Service and food were all fantastic from beginning to end. Felt very welcomed and we wish we could bring this place home to Pittsburgh with us!

Amazing food, the lamb was falling off the bone. The knafeh is also a must have if you ever visit. The service was excellent and they were always smiling. By far my favorite restaurant in Portland, never disappoints.

I have the shredded lamb rise plate with chickpea stew It was excellent, as was the service. I'd definitely come again.

This was my first meal on my trip to Portland and I had the best experience! The food was absolutely delicious and the staff were friendly and attentive. The interior design was beautiful as well as I also enjoyed the window views. Will definitely return next time I'm in the area (:

One of my favorite places, here you will be treated specially as if you came to visit them. I recommend everyone to visit this place, friendly atmosphere, great staff. Excellent presentation of dishes and amazing cleanliness, I will come here again and again

I came here yesterday with my parents, and wow!! It was amazing. We ordered hummus, the lentil soup, the lamb shank, and the mixed grill, and not one thing disappointed. I will be thinking longingly about that chicken kebab probably forever. The decor inside was absolutely beautiful and the staff were so friendly. I absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone who's looking for something different and delicious!!

What I love about Portland is how diverse and how there is something for everyone to try. Have you ever experienced authentic Middle Eastern cuisine? Located in Downtown Portland, OR, there is this authentic middle eastern restaurant called DarSalam and they are known for serving great middle eastern food, specifically from Iraq. I'll be honest, I never had food from Iraq before, so I thought, I might as well give it a try! When you walk into the restaurant, it feels like you are transported to Iraq. The decor and paintings are beautiful and it truly feels like an Iraq restaurant. The food is authentic Middle Eastern food that is made fresh and yummy. I ordered their Baba Ghanoush, Adis Soup, Mixed Dolma, Beet Salad, and Pickled Mango salad. I have to say all of these dishes were so yummy and the flavors are truely what they would use in Iraq. One of my favorite dishes would be the Adis soup. It's basically a lentil soup that is bright and hearty. That's why I love it so much because it has a sweet, nutty, earthy flavor that is to die for and has a great mushy-soft texture as well. The soup was pretty light and had a nice bright note in the soup as well. It has been one of my favorite soups I have tried so far! Highly recommend this soup if you ever want to try! The mixed dolma was another of my favorites too. It's basically stuffed grape leaves and inside it is typically rice and vegetables. I never had it before but the first time I tried it was incredible! Great vegetable dish and I loved all of the traditional flavors and seasonings that went along with it. It tasted like dill and mint which was very bright and the rice was cooked nicely. Even the presentation was a delight to look at because it had a nice variety of colors that were in the dish! I applaud the person who made this dish. DarSalam really wants to tell their story and how they grew up by sharing the love of food from Iraq to Portland. It was a delight to experience and I believe you should go visit this restaurant when you can!

Best wrap I've ever had, great service, amazing atmosphere. Definitely coming back again.

Our sampler mezze platter, lamb shank, and beef kebabs were all good. Not large portions, especially the lamb shank, but we enjoyed it. The server got mixed up on the bill and charged us for another table's bill. I think it got cleared up likely won't go back there.

We love this place! Amazing food and incredible service! Everyone is so friendly and kind. They even catered my son's birthday with short notice and were so wonderful. This place is a treat for sure!

Great food, great service. Ambience was nice and the coffee was strong. No complaints!

Nice choice for halal food downtown but I've had better Mediterranean food. The interior of restaurant is nice and service is great. Food is pricy, the 3 of us had two plates and hummus appetizer and the bill was $80 with tip. Our kabob was a bit over cooked but the kefta was nice. The bread is tasty.

This restaurant was very delicious! The interior design of the restaurant was beautiful, the people working there were so friendly. Definitely will be coming back!

Amazing food and service. I've never had Iraqi food, and I'll definitely come back. I will forever crave their soup! The shredded chicken was so yummy and had so much flavor!

Beautiful restaurant, great staff and fabulous food. I had the lamb shank and mint lemonade. Both were terrific. The rice was seasoned to perfection.

So good! Like, SO good. Got tea & the whole fried fish. The size of it! Was certain I'd be getting a to-go box, but no. I ate past my limit. Then allowed myself to be brought the baklava. Such beautiful food. The decor is super fun to look at, staff was lovely & the location convenient to high end shopping & hotels. There are four other dishes I'll be needing to try (chicken, dolmas, lamb & hummus app platter) so I'll be back.