LEILA

We had a reservation for 9:15 PM and arrived 15 minutes early. We gave our name to the hosts, and they told us to wait by the bar—which was already packed. All seven of us had to stand awkwardly in the way, constantly moving so staff and other customers could get by. By 9:30 PM, we still hadn’t been seated, so we asked the hosts for an update. They said, “Just a few more minutes.” We were finally seated at 10 PM. No apology, no explanation. Honestly, what’s the point of having a reservation? As soon as we sat down, they told us it would be last call soon, so we needed to order quickly. We started with drinks, but they only arrived after the food—and only after we followed up on them. At that point, they were basically pointless. The space is stylish and the open kitchen is a nice touch, but that’s about it. The drinks were okay, the food was overpriced for what it was, though the portion sizes were fairly large. What shocked me most was the complete lack of acknowledgment or apology from the staff for the delay and poor service. This was a really disappointing experience, and I hope the management seriously reconsiders how they operate.

Step inside and you feel like you’ve been transported to a magical place! We popped in and grabbed the only seat at the bar because you need reservations to get a table for dinner. We just couldn’t resist after seeing the inside - we wanted to enjoy the atmosphere. I can’t believe this place is in San Diego! It’s stunning! I gotta say, even the bathroom is beautiful and different. The dessert we had was delicious. We’re excited to go back and have the full experience. Once we do, I’ll update the review with pics of the food!

Wow! This restaurant is a gem. Delicious Persian restaurant in North Park. When you enter, you're in a magical world. Arabian lamps, bridge over a pond, twinkle lights in the night sky of the ceiling. The staff are so friendly and welcoming taking the time to explain all their dishes and recommending items. There were six of us and we all got drinks and they were fantastic. We got the appetizer sampler and the kebobs platter to share. They were both excellent. The complimentary tea was delicious. Great food/drinks, welcoming staff and a magical environment...I highly recommend this restaurant! We will definitely be back.

This restaurant was a memorable and really nice dining experience. It is a Persian/middle eastern with its warm and ambiant Persian decor all around, as well as the Persian cuisine . The beef kabob is highly recommended by many, including myself as it is very tender and tasty. Their service was attentive and the restaurant is also two floors with the continued elegant and sophisticated Persian decor.

First time we came here we couldn’t get a reservation so we waited in line when they opened to get a seat at the bar. The second time we came, we had a reservation and it was a Monday, so there were also a lot of available seats at the bar. Both times the food and service were great! I recommend the muhammara with the fry bread and the green tahini sauce. For protein, the koobideh is my favorite and the joojeh chicken is awesome as well. We got the 2 platters to try everything. It was a lot of food for 2 people but worth it to try most of the menu. On our first visit, we tried the chicken tahchin, and I wasn’t a fan. The rice was so sweet it tasted like there was caramel sauce in it. Saved some room for the knafeh sundae and I’m so glad I did.

This restaurant is amazing! You have to see the interior to appreciate it. Words and photos will not do it justice. The food is great. We chose a family style platter and we all couldn’t stop talking about how good everything was. The service was great too! Be sure to make reservations in advance.

I’m surprised to see low reviews this place is amazing! yes reservations are hard to get but it’s this place is viral and new so it’s to be expected and honestly worth the wait! The service was amazing, very attentive, the man walking around ( not sure if he may be the manager) was very warm, kind and thanked us a few times throughout our visit, felt very special and comfortable! We got there a little earlier than our reservation in the hopes we could be seated early and we did! Our waitress and anyone else who came to our table were great, water was always filled and we never felt like we weren’t checked on. The food was great, we got the platter and it was plenty for two people to share ( would possibly even say 3-4 people could share, we had a ton of leftovers), the drinks where amazing and the atmosphere you really can’t top the whole restaurant is just stunning and beyond beautiful! As san diego locals who have lived here all our lives one of the best experiences and new restaurants we have been to, highly recommend! Don’t let the hard to get reservations intimidate you it’s really not that big of a deal and so worth it, seeing how blown away people where when they walked in ( including us!) was fun to watch!

I know reservations are hard and walk ins are limited but it’s worth it! If people are saying service is slow it’s because they want u to take your time and enjoy your meal! I came for my birthday and everyone walked away stuffed yet satisfied . We tried the drinks and both platters from the apps and main menu. FREAKING HEAVENLY!

I was visiting from out of town and was told to visit Leila ... and wow! what an incredible and memorable experience! Food: 10/10 Per the bartender, ordered falafel, chicken hummus, Steak Kabob, Lamb Shank and Knafe Sundae. Every item came out hot and fresh.... honestly the best middle eastern food I've ever had. Steak was a tender filet with the perfect amount of seasoning and temperature, and lamb dish was a burst of flavors in my mouth. Service 15/10: Ive never felt so at home and welcomed at a bar. Lexie, our bartender, was so warm and inviting upon sitting. A bartender that can be attentive, make incredible cocktails, multi-task a busy bar, and still banter... is what we look for in a dining experience. Go check out the vibes. The bad reviews must be fake or people who know true hospitality!

El servicio no muy bueno tardaron mucho en traer las bebidas el mesero tardaba mucho para poder ordenar la cena aún con reservaciones te hacen esperar quisas vuelva

Absolutely wonderful Words cannot Describe the food, Service and ambiance Definitely a 10 out of 10

Leila is one of those places that you go for the vibes, not for the food. The interior is absolutely beautiful, something out of a dream. Every corner I turned, there was an Instagram influencer making her bestie or boyfriend shoot a video of her walking through the restaurant. The restaurant is reservation-only. However, we were able to walk-in and snag some seats at the bar, which is full service. Service is slower on busy nights -- We found ourselves waiting quite a while to get our entrees and we had to flag down our bartender to finally get our check. The food was pretty disappointing. The naan was hard and the rest of our food (steak kabob and gem lettuce fattoush) was just average in quality. Maybe we just didn't order the best dishes on the menu. I'd definitely be willing to give this place another try. The atmosphere alone is enough to lure me back.

I don't want to write a bad review but I have to be as detailed as possible on my experience because everyone hypes this place up and I want to refer back to this when anyone asks me. For starters: I been wanting to go here since I heard of the soft opening. I love all the other CH and I knew it would be a hit. Plus I'm middle eastern and was so excited to have a new restaurant to go to. After stalking their open table, I finally got a reservation. I took the only one they had on a Sunday at 9pm. We got there early since parking is north park is difficult. We go inside and it's truly beautiful. The pictures and videos on social media did not disappoint but everything else did not meet my expectations. After speaking to the hostess we finally get seated AN HOUR LATER after our reservation! We get seated upstairs and there are plenty of seats but we get seated in the small round table for 2 and the table is wobbly. I asked to get seated elsewhere and and they tell me the tables are for larger parties. It's 10:15 ish now and I believe they said their kitchen closes at 11 so as soon as they take our order wanted our entire order. We ordered maast o mousier $12 - this was not good. And I order this at all middle eastern markets or restaurants but this was the worst I ever had it. This was watered down yogurt, this yogurt dip is always made thick yogurt. They had oil on top which was unnecessary as well as fried onions. I did not taste the shallots or anything. It literally tasted like those 3 ingredients. Came with a side of pita, the bread that was ok. Much better than the yogurt. Beef koobideh $21- let me start with middle eastern food especially Persian food is not cheap. But $21 for 1 skewer of kabob is a rip off, the meat was chewy Seasoning was off. Did not taste like any of the kabobs I had ever had and I would not re-order. Chicken tahchin $22. This was confusing, it tasted like biryani rice and season was off. It was okay for I think a person who likes Indian food. But I would not order again. Overall 1 star only because it's so this restaurant is truly beautiful and a work of art. But food was bad, The only thing I actually liked was the bread that came with the side of yogurt and the kabob. customer service was disappointing. Especially coming from how great their others spots are. I would only take a friend who was visiting from out of town here to the bar area and get food elsewhere. Save your money and go elsewhere.

Make your reservation at least 3 weeks out! I have a friend who tried to come here and she ended up waiting for a seat at the bar all night and never got to eat. There are two lines when they open, one for reservations and one for walk ins and both will be long by the time they open so if you chose to walk in then get there early. Walk ins are not garenteed! I made my reservation a month out! My friends and I were seated right away. The inside is absolutely beautiful and stunning making you truly feel like you are not in America anymore. The music is good and really sets the mood and changes to setting to enhance your experience. The bathrooms also feel out of this world. The architecture is truly eluring to the Persian culture while also being so inviting! We started off with the Tangier Twilight cocktail to share which came in a gorgeous pitcher that the server pours us in small glasses. They were served hot and it was very good. Also swerved with some candy and fruits on a cute little tower try. For an appetizer, we ordered Hummus Bi Tahina, the Green Tahini and the Fire Toasted Cauliflower. The Hummus Bi Tahina and Green Tahini were served with naan and they were both absolutely amazing! The best Hummas I have ever had and I truly couldn't decide which one I liked more! The Fire Roasted Cauliflower was so fresh and flavorful and I really could have eaten it all night! It was delicious and done so well, again.. the best Cauliflower I have ever had.. For dinner, my wife and I shared the Braised and Grilled Lamb Shank and my friends ordered the Steak Kabob Shishlik. The Lamb Shank was served over the most beautiful mountain of saffron rice. I say mountain because it was so much rice! Not complaining though, it was delicious saffron rice with a layer of crispy rice from the bottom of the pan which I genuine enjoyed! The Lamb was so tender with amazing flavors that stayed true to the persian cuisine. The Steak Kabob was such a tender steak well seasoned and melted in your mouth. Overall the food was amazing. Beyond any expectations I had. And I really think this is such an experience and worth the waiter eating here. We paid about $200 for four people and I think the pricing was absolutely fair. AMAZING OVERALL!

I've seen the inside of Leila blasted all over TikTok and knew I needed to go the second I saw the gorgeous illuminated night sky on the ceiling. The restaurant was beautiful with full water displays and colorful decor everywhere. I originally wanted to go just for the aesthetics, but I was so pleasantly surprised that the food exceeded expectations. The Salatim Platter is the best way to get a taster of all of their dips and spreads - my favorites were the Muhammara and Green Tahini. The real star of the show was the Steak Kabob Shishlik. It was a filet cut and melt in your mouth tender. Our server Lillian was so helpful in telling us her favorite dishes and offering a tea service to start. You have to make a reservation months in advance on Open Table, but it's worth the wait.

My friends and I were super excited to try this restaurant out for our Thursday night reservation. My friend made the rezo about a month out, and it was worth the wait! The visuals are really amazing as hyped as it is. The first thing I noticed was how small it is inside! Standing at the hosts desk there is no space to even wait for a table. It's insane to me that they have a bar for people to stand around because the standing area is actually the walk way. & the bridge everyone takes a picture on is the center of the restaurant and walkway from the host desk to the seating area. The server was kind and was able to recommend drinks and describe the food in detail. I thought the food was so good and so filling! I did think the flavors were a little downplayed to appeal to the masses which is typical so can't complain. Overall it was a really great experience!

I am beyond amazed the moment I stepped into this restaurant! You really feel like you're in a different world. It took me a few months to snag a reservation but the wait was worth it. My friend and I ordered the salatim platter which came with 7 different type of dips and 3 types of bread. They were ALL sooooo good and flavorful!!! My friend got the chicken kebab and I got the beef kebab and a side of saffron rice. Both kebabs were delicious! The chicken was amazing and surprisingly not dry! We used some of the dips from the Salatim Platter for our kebabs, it was great! The only downside was we both didn't really enjoy the cocktail we ordered. We got the Azizam and Foozool. Just weren't really a fan of both. But food made up for it! Overall, great place for date night/girls night! Great food, great ambiance and service was great too!!

Literally transported me to a Mediterranean version of Disneylands Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The ambiance is dark and sexy, intimate. Service was quick and the food absolute deliciousness. You have to either make a reservation or get here and wait in line before they open. We got a family of 5 sitting at the bar. Great place for a date night, catch up with your girlfriends, etc. Pretty cool spot.

Finally got to try the infamous Leila! We walked in around 5pm and got seats at the bar. Definitely tight seating for ordering food, but we made it work! The atmosphere is fun and well done. We ordered several things to share: Saltim Platter ($38)- I felt like this was definitely expensive for a selection of dips, but it was beautifully plated and appreciated the selection. Some of the bread was too dry for me though. Salmon Skewer ($26)- this one was realllly fishy tasting for me and not my favorite. Steak Kabob ($26)- This one was the good one! Meat was perfect cooked and tender. Not typically a meat person, but would order this one again! Mocktails- I got the Lassi ($12)- this was a nice sweet drink to complement the savory items, but definitely a lot more ice than drink. My friend got the Tonik ($13), which had a beautiful presentation and was actually pretty good and unique. Overall, service was fine and beautifully plated foods and drinks, but also very expensive for ok food in my opinion.

Leila is CH Projects newest addition to North Park that is a Middle Eastern restaurant that truly transports you as soon as you enter the space. I tried my best to stay from online spoilers about the space, but needless to say, the ambiance and aesthetics of Leila are worth a trip alone. From the starry ceiling, beautiful water features, and tapestry-filled walls, it brings an intimate and cozy feeling immediately. The aesthetics draw you in, but I'm so happy to now know that the food holds it's ground so it's not just a gimmick, but an extremely well-rounded experience. Service was attentive throughout the night and had a very laid-back mood which I appreciated. You have to start with the Salatim Platter! It's a great starter to share with the table as it comes with several different breads and dips. You get a great variety to mix and match and I have to say that there was no miss on this platter. My favorite bread was definitely the Roasted Garlic Khobz. And my favorite sides/dips were the Green Tahini, Maast o Mousir, and the Muhammara. Each had their own unique flavor and it was a fun experience trying them all. We also ordered the Majdouli Cheese which was fine but nothing special. The cheese is almost like string cheese with za'atar sauce on top. We also got the Gem Lettuce which was fantastic. A flavor explosion and the best way I could describe it, is a Middle-Eastern "Caesar Salad". I loved the mint in it and the breadcrumbs added a nice textured crunch. For our mains, we got an assortment of skewers including the Salmon, Steak, Beef, and Vegetable. I really enjoed both the Salmon and the Steak Kabobs. The Salmon was so flakey and perfectly tender. It was cooked perfectly and I loved the flavor overall. The steak was also just as amazing and was a perfectly cooked medium-rare. Not chewy at all and overall delicious. Our vegetarian friend really liked her vegetable skewer as well. We also got the Tah Dig which has crispy saffron rice , vermicelli, and yogurt. I loved the flavor and the crispy bits of the rice. Definitely recommend getting this and sharing with the table. We ended the night with both the Knafeh Sundae and Nan Panjarehi desserts. I particularly enjoyed the sundae. The knafeh texture was fun to eat and the pistachio ice cream was creamy and delicious. Definitely worth a visit for a special night! I really enjoyed Leila and just make sure you get a reservation!

@leilanorthpark has been on the top of my list to check out here in San Diego, and it did not disappoint. The Persian cuisine and cocktails were fantastic and flavorful while being a nice homage to the culture. Rug Dealer + Lassi + Tonik + Majda Salatim Platter Soltani Platter

Leila in North Park is a cute Mediterranean spot with some hits and misses. The inside of the restaurant is beautifully designed, with a great ambiance. Unfortunately, the service and some other small details left a little to be desired. We started with the Salatim Platter, and it was a strong opener. The dips were absolutely delicious and had bold flavors. The only downside was it didn't feel like there was enough bread for the amount of dips you get, especially if you have a group of 4. We also tried the Falafel and the Cauliflower, which were okay. For our main course, we ordered the Soltani Platter, with beef and chicken kabobs. The meats were juicy and well-seasoned, and the platter itself was a generous portion. We were able to use our leftover dips from the Salatim Platter to add to it as well. The ambiance and interior of the restaurant are definitely a highlight--it's a beautiful space with a nice, relaxed vibe that makes it feel special. Unfortunately, the service really brought the experience down. The staff was friendly enough, but we had to consistently ask for basic things, like refills on water or items that had been forgotten. It felt like we were constantly reminding them, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the meal. Leila has potential, but going forward is more of a "drinks and apps" kind of place for me. But for the prices and the experience, the service definitely needs improvement. If you go, I'd recommend the Salatim Platter to start--it's worth it, just make sure to get more bread!

Our group of three decided to test our luck on a bustling Friday night. As expected, getting a table wasn't in the cards, they were fully booked, but bar seating was an option. However, the process of snagging a bar seat was a bit of a game: you line up and wait your turn. Thankfully, the manager of Leila turned what could have been a chaotic experience into a smooth operation. He kept everything organized with ease and made us feel welcome throughout the wait. Pro tip: reservations open at exactly midnight 30 days in advance, so set your alarms! The bartender was absolutely fantastic; attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about both the menu and the drinks. Her recommendations made all the difference and elevated our experience. The lively atmosphere and the service at Leila was hands down the highlight of the night. As for the food, we tried the Naan, Roasted Cauliflower, Chicken Kabob, and Chicken Tanchin. The flavors were solid, though the chicken dishes were slightly overcooked and a bit dry. Still, the overall energy and service made it a fun evening. If you're a small group and don't mind waiting 30-60 minutes for bar seating, Leila is definitely worth checking out, and if you can lock in a reservation, even better!

I've been to Leila twice, and I love it! The first time was with a foodie friend in mid-August when they first opened. The second time was with another friend in late November. Food - amazing! My faves: - Tuna Tabbouleh - tuna, corn, peach amba, black olive, red quinoa - Majdouli Cheese - lebanese braided cheese, za'atar - Hummus Bi Tahina - garlic oil, lemon, cumin, naan - Steak Kabob Shishlik - with onion, sumac, tahini - Salmon Skewer - with lemon, harissa, green onion, shishito, yogurt As for drinks, I like their: - Cali Persian Tea - jasmin, rose, cardamom, citrus - Azizam cocktail - rum, arak, cardamom, banana, coconut, pineapple, lime - Bedouin Brew cocktail - aged rum, pasubio, toasted coconut cream, cardamom, turmeric, orange blossom, espresso "white russian on a magic carpet ride" For desserts, I like their: - Saffron Ice Cream - Knafeh Sundae - shredded filo, sweetened cheese, orange blossom syrup, pistachio Service - servers were friendly both times. Servers are knowledgeable too when I asked questions about dishes and cocktails. Atmosphere - beautiful! I love the feeling / vibe of being under the stars! Tip - Definitely stalk OpenTable. Reservations are a MUST - and are made 30 days in advance. Otherwise, the restaurant only accommodates a few walk-ins but that line is really long. Hard to find parking in that area too. Definitely will be back!! ENJOY!!

Looking for the prettiest restaurant in San Diego?! Look no further than @leilanorthpark! Leila is truly an incredible dining experience from the moment you walk through the doors you feel completely transported to a night on the town in the Middle East from the starry ceiling to the water feature; they did not skimp on any details! Not only was the food some of the best we've tried, but the service was 10/10 from explaining the menu to ensuring our guests allergies were accommodated. Leila is a San Diego MUST TRY restaurant. We will be back to try some more, but you can't go wrong with anything you order! I highly recommend making reservations, but if you do try to walk in, you may get lucky to find a seat at one of the two bars, or it's recommended to come right when they open or later in the evening. What we tried: Drinks - Rug Dealer - Riad - Saz'arak - Azadeh (substituted apple brandy for bourbon) 10/10 - Joon Food - Salatim Platter - sampler of all their dips, some pickled veggies and marinated , with fresh naan, pita, and roasted fry bread -- favorites were the Muhammara (roasted red pepper) dip, the Maast O Mousir (shallot yogurt), marinated , and the roasted fry bread (must get the garlic spread!) - Tuna Tabbouleh 10/10 (the crispy quinoa and super fresh tuna, hit the spot - they have a limited number of these each night since the fresh is locally sourced) - Soltani Platter - sampler of kabobs, grilled veggies and basmati rice. -- we upgraded to add a steak (my favorite) and salmon kabob, and the Tah Dig rice (a must!) - Pistachio ice cream

This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous! The decor is stunning & it's definitely a great place for photos on a night out We ordered the falafel appetizer with garlic spread, beef kabob, & crispy saffron rice. It didn't look like a lot, but we were stuffed between the 3 of us! The crispy rice was so buttery & delicious, I definitely recommend. The beef is also perfectly done! In terms of the drinks, we were very excited to try the fun flavors. They were a bit strong, but very tasty & unique :) Despite how busy they were, service was great!

The much anticipated LEILA did not disappoint! Overall, a fun ambiance with good food and drinks, would recommend ordering a few dishes and sharing family style. Pricey (with drinks) but definitely worth trying, if you can plan ahead and make a reservation and feel like treating yourself with a night out! Some drink and food highlights and lowlights: Cocktails Madja - fresh, minty, highly recommend Caravan 75 - fun presentation, creamy twist on a French 75 Food Tuna tabbouleh - 4/5 not your traditional tabbouleh, more like a crunchy quinoa crudo Shiraz salad - fresh, bright flavors but underwhelming Tah Dig - great crust Soltani platter 5/5 - great to share, feeds 3-4 with other dishes, meat was JUICY Lamb shank - 3/5 - HUGE lamb shank, meat was tender and fell right off the bone, but lacked flavor. Better off getting the side dish of Tah Dig to really experience the crust of the rice Salmon skewer - 3/5, Quality fish, good portion, undercooked, no sear, no Harrissa - grated tomato sauce, under salted Service - 3/5, made a reservation at 7:30 and still waited 20 mins before being seated. Our waitress was nice, but after taking our order, we were barely checked on, and it was hard to find her to even ask for water refills. Decor - I loved the full restaurant immersive experience. CH did a great job creating the ambiance and paying attention to the little details through the restaurant, quite literally from floor to ceiling.

After coming for drinks, we really wanted to try the food. I was lucky enough to snap a reservation for 4 at 5pm on a Wednesday for dinner. We were seated immediately when they opened. Ambiance: The big draw to this place is the ambiance! It is absolutely gorgeous inside with so many intricate details. We were sat upstairs, which I was a bit disappointed with, but we did have our baby with us and it was quieter / more intimate there. It was still beautifully decorated, but we couldn't see the downstairs with the starry ceiling, rivers, lanterns, etc. Note, they do allow children, but they don't have high chairs. I'm not sure if it was just this day or just the upstairs where we were seated, but it was very hot where we were. Service: Our server was fantastic! He explained everything on the menu from cocktails, starters and entrees. Drinks: Cocktails were great! They have three distinct types: refreshing, tropical, and spirit forward. Food: we opted for the regular hummus with naan bread to start. The bread was fluffy, well seasoned, and warm. The hummus was tasty, but there was so much more hummus than we needed for one naan bread, so we had to order a second bread. For our entree, we ordered the platter of kabobs, which was beautifully presented and well cooked. We opted to swap out one beef kabobs for a steak kabob and the basmati rice for the tah dig rice. The steak filets were so tender, and the chicken was well seasoned and moist. I also enjoyed the beef kabobs and the vegetables (roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers). The tag dig rice was crispy and well flavored. The platter comes with three sauces (cucumber yogurt, garlic, and a salsa). We could've used more of the sauces. The kabobs sit on top of a large piece of bread, which we used for more leftover hummus and the sauces. We did not get desert. I didn't see the bill so I'm unsure if we were charged extra for the bread or swapping kabobs and rice (I imagine we were, but can't say for sure). Maybe it is a little on the expensive side, but you pay for the experience.

What a beautiful place. You could tell the owners out some time, money, and thought putting this place together. Interior- 5/5 stars. very aesthetically pleasing. Beautiful dark interior, lots of details and large open kitchen with fire pits. Candles on the tables made for easy reading of the menus and music not too loud. Service-3.5/5 stars. very good service. Waitress knew the menu well and made great recommendations. Food-3.5/5 stars. The bread and dips were great, and lots of options. The chicken and beef kabobs were very tasty and the portions are according to price. Great place to come and enjoy each others company in a very romantic setting. Well done guys.

This place is 10/10! Our server recommended the best items and we enjoyed it all it's absolutely gorgeous place, you must try!

I've been wanting to try Leila but the reservation system was too far in advance for me to commit to, so I ended up checking the online system on the day of to see if anyone had cancelled their reservation. I had no luck for a while but magically a spot opened up for 2 days later so I took the opportunity. Once we arrived, the parking situation was terrible. It was a Friday night so we tried to plan ahead. We were 25 minutes early to account for parking but we didn't expect to need all that time (we did). Our waiter was fantastic and the service was quick. I saw some reviews that said service was slow but we were in and out within an hour. We tried the cheese appetizer, shallot yogurt, steak kabob, chicken kabob and the tah dig. We appreciated every dish but we didn't find anything to be spectacular. The food was cooked very well (steak and chicken were very tender) but the flavors were as expected for the cuisine. If you like this type of food in general, then you will like Leila, but it's not a mind blowing experience.

We dined here on the first and were so impresswd that I stalked open table for a second reservation to take some out of town guests. The restaurant is gorgeous! Words cannot describe how beautiful and immersive it is. Both times we split the soltani platter and the appetizer sampler platter with extra bread. This is plenty of food for 4 people and allows you to try a bit of everything. Our favorites were the fry bread, green tahini and chicken but really everything was great

What an enchanting place! The restaurant is known for its mesmerizing interior that represents something from the Middle East. The exterior/entrance to the restaurant is also capturing. Upon entering, you will immediately notice the ceiling that depicts a starry sky, a bridge, and a water fountain. Pictures do not do any justice. Reservations are recommended. I arrived a little bit before opening time and was seated right away on the second floor. There is a bar on both floors. Tables/seatings are unique in its own way. I felt like I was in Morocco or something. Here is what I ordered: To drink: *Majda..A spritz cocktail drink similar to a mojito with a hint of Moroccan spice. Not as strong in my opinion, but tasty. *Lassi..A nonalcoholic drink that tasted like mango/orange juice, but with a hint of spice. This drink was refreshing. I would definitely order this one again. The spice in both drinks overall added something special to the drinks. Apps: *Tuna Tabbouleh..My favorite dish at the restaurant, and a must order if I ever come back again. There are different textures to this dish and it is rich in acidity. Some parts were salty, but overall delicious! *Manakish Za'atar..A type of flatbread with a bunch of spices/seeds on top that came with a side of yogurt. This one was okay for me. The ingredients on top of the bread was too much and can become overwhelming. Entree: *Soltani Platter..A platter that includes beef, chicken, grilled veggies, three types of dipping all served over a type of bread, accompanied by a side of basmati rice. This platter is definitely shareable. The star of the dish is the meat which was flavorful, tender, and juicy. I could taste the butter in the basmati rice which I enjoyed very much. By the time the platter arrived, I was already somewhat full so I did not get to eat this as much as I wanted to. *Braised and Grilled Lamb Shank..I am including this dish because I did order it, but because I underestimated the size of the Soltani Platter, I ended up canceling the order. The waiter was very accommodating about it. I will probably order this on my next visit. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to this restaurant. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the items on the menu and helped me order. Service was not too slow, but I did come at opening time. I am looking forward to my next visit here.

Leila is such a cool spot. The interior is very "instagrammable" they really committed to the theme. Beautiful is an understatement but it can be overwhelming (in a good way) The food was also pretty good, the dip platter was amazing and the kebabs were good but nothing super special Drinks were creative and really good too. Overall I'd definitely come back!

The food was good. We ordered everything at the same time but our platters were brought separately. The flavor of the food was good overall. The desserts were fire! The service was very slow. The ambiance was soooo pretty! Definitely a place to have a girls night.

I was so excited to come here and try this place due to all the hype and seeing the intriguing pictures. I made sure to make reservations in advance- which at the time they were a month out, so be sure to plan accordingly. Our party of 4 arrived on time at 7:30pm on a Sunday night, however we weren't seated until around 7:45pm. We didn't mind waiting and were pleased with our table as we had a view of the entire restaurant, which is GORGEOUS! The details and thought that went into the ambiance is amazingly unique and impressive. From the water features to the desert sky and bridge, this is a great place to take photos. Our waitress was very nice, friendly, and helpful. She helped point us in the right direction for drinks and food. I ordered the Foozool and my husband got the Arabic Pepsi. My drink was so strong all I tasted was rum, which for many would probably love, however, it was too strong for me. We unfortunately waited over an hour for our food to come out. We had asked about 45 minutes in if we could order some bread because we were so hungry. She said she would try to talk to the manager to treat us to it considering how understaffed and backed up they were in the kitchen. We were pleased that the bread came out prior and they didn't charge us for it. We thought the food was excellent! We ordered the Joo Jeh Chicken Kabob, Chicken Tahchin, and Tah Dig. They also brought out a dessert to celebrate my husband's birthday which was nice. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves, however, it didn't live up to our expectations or for the price.

The ambiance of this place was definitely the showstopper. I noticed so many intricate and meticulous details from the landscaping to the bar seats, the fabric hanging from the ceiling, and even the bathroom design! I had the steak kabob shashlik for my meal accompanied with the Majda drink. My meat was served with a yummy white sauce.. which paired beautifully with the naan bread that my friends ordered for the table, I am giving 5 stars for the ambiance, 3.5 stars for the food because I wish it was served better like accompanied with rice and served with a side salad or something. The service was 50/50.

Summary: 5 stars for ambiance, 3 1/2 stars for food (would have been 4 1/2 if server didn't ruin it), 2 stars for service Was fortunate to secure 5pm reservations on a Wednesday night. There is only street parking so give yourself extra time to find a spot. The exterior is a bit nondescript. However, walking into the restaurant I was immediately transported and in awe. It was hard to take it all in. The interior is STUNNING! It's absolutely gorgeous and depending on where you sit, it has a totally unique vibe. We were lucky to sit near the stream at a cozy booth under an up-lit tree. The table was set up for 3 people but I dont know how 3 people could comfortably eat dinner and fit all the plates on such a small bistro table, we struggled with just the two of us. Our waiter asked if we wanted tea service at the start or end of the meal. We were cold so requested at start. Note: our waiter didn't inform us if this, but they do charge for the tea. We needed a bit of time to review the menu to decide what we wanted. Our waiter was helpful in making suggestions. We each ordered a cocktail and then unfortunately things went downhill. We knew what we wanted for an appetizer, but we weren't sure on our other courses yet. We were also quite hungry as we had both not eaten much in anticipation for our delicious dinner. We were surprised when our waiter wouldn't let us order our food in stages. He insisted we had to order everything upfront so that he could work with the kitchen to perfectly time each course. He wouldn't take our order until we knew everything we wanted. We complied and put in our order for appetizers, salad, main course, and sides. The appetizer platter arrived fast, which we did appreciate. It was a massive tray and took up most of our tiny table. We had been enjoying our appetizer for less than 10 minutes when the salad arrived. There was barely any spot on the table available for the salad and the server had to rearrange things to allow it to fit. We asked the server if he like the salad and he proceeded to tell us that he hasn't tried it because the management doesn't provide them with any food and he's only been able to try "chicken scraps at the end of the day." It was an odd exchange and he was clearly disgruntled. Soon after he left, we were working on our appetizer, hadn't touched the salad yet, when our entrees arrived. We were shocked. This clearly was not "timed" to perfection. The server put the 3 plates down, but they couldn't fit on the table. We took the salad plate, pilled it onto our appetizer plates, to clear it and she proceeded to put the entrees onto the table with half of the plates hanging off the side. We made a comment to her about them coming out fast and we weren't ready for it...and how our waiter said our courses would be spaced out. And she responded curtly that it wasn't her problem and walked off. By the time we started eating our entrees and sides they were cold and it was incredibly disappointing. We had also wanted to order wine with our entrees but our waiter had conveniently been absent for a very long while. So overall the atmosphere is incredible. The food is delicious but would have been better if it wasn't COLD! And the service ruined or experience. Review of the food: Riad (their old fashioned): it was good and I'd order it again. Came with a lot of mint. Majda: very refreshing cocktail. Salatim Platter: loved the different dips and bread assortment. Our favorites were the Shallot yoghurt and the Roasted Red Pepper. This was a generous serving size. Shirazi salad: this was ok, not great. The dressing was good but too much dressing for the minimal amount of greens. Tah Dig: this rice was a standout dish. Would have been even better if it weren't luke warm. Steak Kabab: good, your typical kebab. Waiter raved about this and it didn't meet expectations especially because it was cold by the time we started eating it. Salmon skewer; this was our favorite. It tasted very fresh. Would recommend it. Pistachio ice cream: this was good but we especially loved the cotton candy (candy floss) that topped it. Nan Panjarehi: this lacked flavor and was a disappointing dessert. We barely touched it.

My friend was finally able to secure a reservation, so even though I started a vegan Whole30, I still went! The ambiance is stunning - it's like being transported to a magical fairytale as soon as you step inside. The only things I could really eat were the cauliflower and muhammara (minus the fry bread), but they were totally worth it! They were both SO flavorful, I didn't even feel that jealous of my meat/gluten eating friends. They said the Tuna Tabbouleh was the standout dish and the kabobs were all good and juicy. They also said the desserts were really good. The martini's come with feta filled olives, but if you ask for more, but warned that they do charge for them. Our server was lovely and attentive. Definitely will go back when we can get in again and I can eat all the foods!

Leila: North Park's Magical Moroccan Escape Leila is pure magic. From the intricate decor to the tantalizing aromas, this place transports you to a Moroccan oasis. The food is incredible - don't miss the lamb shank! Service is friendly and the ambiance is perfect for a special occasion or romantic night. Highlights: * Gorgeous decor * Flavorful dishes * Attentive staff

Very impressed! It took a month to get my reservation but worth the wait! The minute you walk in, you are transported to a beautiful world both in ambiance and food! I definitely recommend the lamb! Everything I ordered was so good. I left in a food coma. The cocktails were on point as well! I am so excited to go back again! They do have upstairs but the beauty of the restaurant is the the first floor!

Beautiful and immersive dining experience! I'm really impressed by the interior architectural designs and the starry sky. This is definitely one of the more unique restaurants I have ever been to. The beef kebab is tender and juicy, paired great with the herbal plate sabzi khordan and green tahini & pita. Service is great. I was a little worried at first due to other's reviews on yelp. However, our server is so caring and friendly. She even offers to take photos for me and my boyfriend on her own. I also told her I'm lactose intolerant, and she went to the kitchen to ask the chef and double check which exact dishes are suitable for me. The service honestly added another bonus point besides the beautiful views. Only downside is that it's so difficult to get a reservation(but hey, at least that means it is popular and well-liked). I think it is well worth the effort. Keep trying on open table and there will be cancellations. Highly recommend!

Super cool place. From the minute we arrived you could tell that it is something special. There was a line waiting outside the door waiting for the restaurant to open. The inside is gorgeous! Decor, lighting, music, it was all amazing! We were in a large party and we were accommodated by the hostess to combine groups as we made two separate reservations. Definitely recommend making a reservation to eat here. The drinks and appetizers were great! We got the salatin platter with fresh bread and dips, tuna tabbouli and fattoush. All excellent! Then we ordered the food which took well over 30 mins to arrive. We ordered the whole fish, salmon skewer, chicken tachik and crispy rice. The order came out wrong. The waiter was gracious to acknowledge the error and was transparent that it usually doesn't take that long to get the food when we asked. Cool place to check out for sure. Likely to come back for drinks and appetizers but that's about it.

Let me start with the ambiance! This place is beautiful and the vibe is on point from the decor to the music and lighting it transports you to another world. We were nicely accommodated for our large group by the gracious hostess. The appetizer platter and bread were delicious with fresh bread and a nice variety of dips and pickles. We ordered the fattoush and the tuna tabouli. Both were amazing and outstanding new takes on classic dishes. The drinks were great. We ordered the whole fish, salmon skewers and crispy rice. Then it was radio silence for over a half an hour. We wanted more drinks and had to flag someone down. When our food arrived it was incorrect but our waiter was apologetic both for the delay and the error in the food. He also didn't charge us the gratuity fee for a large group. Our server did his best but there appears to have been an issue with the kitchen. Some of the other servers were quite rude. Overall my take on this place is mixed. I would go back but only for drinks and appetizers I think! But it a must see for the vibe and decor.

Amazing food and ambiance :) One of our friends booked this place in advanced (3 months to be exact) for our New Year's Eve celebration. The ambiance is amazing and the music fits the vibe. I literally thought I'm in the Middle East when we first opened the door. The services is solid and accommodating to say the least :) I ordered their Red Sea Ritual drink... omg that's my damn recommendation. So tasteful that I forget it's an alcoholic drink haha. My friends and girl ordered some sort of a dip platter with garlic breads on the middle of plate. The sauces are the bomb! I really enjoyed the green garlic sauce with a minty flavor. I'm pretty sure the servers know what I'm talking about lol. Overall, definitely a recommendation.. booked in advance.. it's difficult to booked here for what I heard off

We had a reservation on a Friday night. Parking in North Park can be tough but we found some street parking. The decor of the restaurant is incredible and I loved the starry sky that was on the roof. It is one of the prettiest restaurants that I have been to and we were all saying it reminded us of walking through Disneyland. We had a party of six so we ordered the soltani platter and salatim platter to share. We also tried the shirazi salad. I was worried that since the restaurant was so instagram worthy, the food would not be that great. However the food I had definitely impressed me. I also had the foozool cocktail which I found to be a similar to a tiki drink. Definitely enjoyed my experience here!

Had to wake up exactly at midnight a month before the date to book this reservation, but I totally get the hype. The decor in this restaurant is unreal - the minute you step in, you feel like you're transported straight out of San Diego to what feels like a middle eastern royal garden under a starry night. There are bridges, rivers, and trees, as well as an expansive upstairs space. The attention to detail decorating this place is truly remarkable, and it was so immersive that it felt eerie stepping out of the experience onto a regular dark street in North Park at night where we felt like we had been teleported back into reality. I would say the ambiance is absolutely the highlight and draw of this place but the food and service was very good too! My friend and I both ordered the foozool cocktail which is like a pineapple spin off the lassi, and is great if you have a sweet, tart taste in cocktails. We also ordered the beef koobideh, the tah dig and the Shirazi salad! The salad was actually one of my favorites because it is so refreshing. Prices actually felt very reasonable for the ambiance and exceptional service. The toughest parts of this experience were definitely making the reservation to begin with and the parking. Definitely wouldn't hesitate to come back!

Came here last night and absolutely loved the experience! From the moment you walk in you're instantly transported to another time and place with the beautiful Middle Eastern decor, the ceiling full of stars, rock wall, "river" feature with the walkover bridge, and intricate details throughout. It's such a vibe inside! And the music they play is the icing on top...an eclectic playlist of various music from classic Arabic and Persian, to more current hip hop with Middle Eastern elements. The menu is a fusion of Persian, Arabic and other Middle Eastern dishes, but prepared in their own unique way. This is definitely not traditional Persian food, so don't come here expecting your typical kabob or salad shirazi, expect a unique blend of flavors and spices. Ok, so first the cocktails... 1. Laleh: Delicious and refreshing, highly recommend. 2. The Rug Dealer: Loved the flavors, and that they garnished it with nabat (rock candy stick). 3. Joon: Awful! Never in my life have I tried a cocktail that tasted like Indian spices, and never again. Do not recommend. The food: We ordered the sampler platter of dips with 3 types of bread and every single one was delicious. The garlic naan bread was so good. And the barbari bread was so thick and fluffy, it was great. We also ordered a Soltani platter to share. Wow! Both the chicken and koobideh (ground beef) were juicy, flavorful and cooked to perfection. It's served with charred veggies and a couple of small dips, but the best part is that they put a layer of bread beneath it so it soaks up all the juices and you can rip off pieces and enjoy it with your dips, so yummy! The desserts were also really good, but again, not served in the traditional way you'd expect. The faloodeh is served atop a scoop of rose ice cream. The knafeh is soft and gooey and served beneath a big scoop of pistachio ice cream. Overall I really enjoyed everything about this experience and can't wait to go back again.

Leila is a very rare example of an extremely hyped IG aesthetic restaurant that serves delicious food. I must have seen dozens of videos of Leila before I finally booked the trip to SD. The interior is so unique, it's truly a must-try restaurant in California. We had great service and loved the food we tried. The Salatim platter was a good way to sample many dips- my favorite was the shallot yogurt. I would probably just get the shallot yogurt with the za'atar bread next time. The Soltani plate was also good, but the star of the show here was the salmon skewer. I'd get the salmon and beef kabobs again forsure. For dessert, we tried the pistachio ice cream alone, the knafeh sundae with pistachio ice cream, and the knafeh sundae with saffron ice cream. We all voted to recommend the pistachio ice cream with fairy floss...definitely skip the knafeh- it was not my cup of tea. Leila is pricey so expect to splurge on a unique experience!

Wow! What an experience. Good food, good service, spectacular decor/design. If you're reading reviews because you're curious I hope you book a reservation. Okay so let's get into it because we ate a lot (party of 4). - Salatim Platter: it had three breads, five dips, olives, and pickled veggies. The shallot yogurt was a surprise for me, I typically don't like yogurt but this ended up being my favorite. The green tahini was a close second. The garlic fry bread is a bread I now dream about. The pita was so fluffy! Everything was good, we cleaned that platter quickly. - Majdouli Cheese: might've been the least favorite of everyone but it was still good. It's kinda like you pulled apart a string cheese stick and added spices. - Manakish Zaatar: this one was more crisp and the zaatar gave it so much vibrancy. - Gem Lettuce Fattoush: some might read this and think it's just a salad. Incorrect haha it was one of the best dressings I've had. If you like salad and are thinking maybe I should order some greens, do it. It's lovely. - Tah Dig: the crispy bits of this rice was such a highlight of our meal. We all could not have enough. Such a great accompaniment to the kabobs. - Kabobs: |Beef| can't say it was my thing. The beef is more like a meatball and others really liked it, but personally it's not my favorite meat texture. |Vegetables| I loved a good grilled vegetable. The mushrooms are great, the onions are juicy. You can't go wrong. |Steak| my favorite one. I don't eat a lot of steak, but I'd go back for this one. The filets were so soft and juicy, they melted in your mouth. - Knefah Sundae: Wow. Amazing. It's lovely. The shredded filo gives it great texture, the ice cream is so good, - Nan Panjarehi: Wow again. Didn't expect this to be so good. Didn't even know what it was when we ordered it but it's a must share. The crispy wafer is subtly sweet and the compote in the middle has good spice. The whip is so soft it all goes together so nicely. All in all, if you're curious then book the reservation. Definitely worth the popularity it's received.

Leila's aesthetic absolutely lived up to the hype, as soon as you step inside you feel transported out of North Park. The vibe is intimate, cozy, and they spared no budget in going all out of design. Everywhere you look is something new to enjoy. I thought the food was really good and would absolutely come again; my partner said it's some of the better middle eastern food he's had in San Diego and agreed he would come back. We enjoyed everything we tried and the plates were easily shareable. There were four of us and we found 1 salad, 1 bread, 1 rice, 3 kabobs, and 1 dessert was the perfect amount to split. The waiters are also really great about providing guidance on which dishes and how many of each to order if you're unsure. Their whisky and wine lists were extensive and they have lots of unique liquors available. That being said, the non-alcoholic Kolada and Lassi drinks are SO GOOD!!! If you order anything, make sure it's one of these!

This is more 3.5, not 3. A friend of mine did the reservation for our group. I suppose because this is the newest trending spot, this is why it is hard to get reservations, especially if you are a bigger group. An opening for a group of 6 opened up on a Monday night at 945pm. Surprisingly, all of us were down to go and try this place out. Decor - beautiful. They really decorated this place to the nook and cranny. Lots of Persian/Moroccan vibes, even down to the bathroom Service - we had 3 people that came to our table. All of them were very nice and took time to explain the dishes and whatever questions we had Food - salatim platter : 3 kinds of breads with different dipping sauces. Delicious! Soltani platter : beef and chicken on top of bread along with grilled veggies and side of basmati rice. We all loved this dish. Not overly spiced and meat perfectly cooked. Braised and grilled lamb shank: served on top of rice and veggies. I do not eat much lamb but this was very good. The meat was tender and paired well with the veggies that accompanied it. There was a complimentary tea that also served us and the aromatics and taste were very good. Mango lassi was just ok. Way too much ice. Also tried the three ice creams, saffron, pistachio and mango sorbet. The pistachio was the winner. Street parking only for this place, but for a 945pm reservation, had no problems finding a spot in front of Leila. If you bring a cake, there is a cake cutting fee, $7 per person. While the food was good and had no problems, i am unsure if this is a place i would return to on my own. Perhaps in a big group setting but not something i would crave for. Definitely make a reservation if available!

This place is so cool. Unfortunately we weren't able to get reservations here but we awkwardly stood at the bar and were able to order. It was still fun and after I got over the embarrassment of standing very closely with my wife to some bar patrons it became a fun experience. The food was absolutely amazing and the ambience is super fun and immersive.

I had to make reservations for Lelia back at the beginning of October - a very long wait. First impressions - the interior is just gorgeous-truly amazing. The level of detail - it just all comes together. And the food is good - a few things I did not like, and a few things that I really liked. Maybe it was the wait that had my expectations so high, but I thought the food was just 'decent'. It's not going to knock your socks off. We got the lamb which was incredible but the Falafel was - different. But it is funny how many people take pictures of the interior - the attraction of the restaurant is really its interior.

We came back again and brought friends this time! Our group of six enjoyed a large table with booth perfect to have a fun evening and share delicious food. We split the appetizer platter, kebab platter, tag dig, and salad. Everything was just as delicious as last time. We also ordered rounds of drinks - including the rug dealer and white wine. Everything paired perfectly together with the food we ordered. Our server Ian was patient and willing to help us decide on what to order for our group. He also was attentive to make sure we had our food and drinks in a timely manner. Thank you Leila for another wonderful experience!

Leila is beautiful! I was able to get a last minute reservation(probably someone canceled) luckily. You wouldn't be able to tell what it looks like from the outside. I didn't feel like I was in San Diego. Our server Justin was awesome! He was so attentive and did a wonderful job describing everything to us from drinks to appetizers to the main course. All the food was amazing. We had the maast o mousir, shirazi salad, and soltani platter(subbed out basmati for tah dig). Every dish was good. My daughter loved all the food and Justin made her day with a delicious cream puff. I'd definitely come back here to try other dishes. It's perfect for a date night or a fun night out with friends.

Amazing place for a meal with friends! The setup here in stunning. There is a water feature waterfall that flows like a river through the main dining room...there is even a BRIDGE! The place is stunning. It is designed as a setting in Syrian food palace. The decor and ambiance is authentic and beautiful. The main entry is the first floor dining room. There are beautiful 3-4 foot floor lanterns along all of the walkways and seating areas. There ate magical lighted trees that make you feel like you are dining outside while inside. The special effects are genius. The walk up bar makes you simulate an open market place. The gender neutral restrooms include a beautiful mosaic tiled fountain. I love it as a water feature. The first serving of hot tea is complimentary. It is Cardamom and one other flavor, delicious. The Soltani and Salatimi Platters ARE A MUST here. Our party of 4 was definitely full after this feast. The extra 4 kabobs that we ordered ended up being to-go items. The sundae is sharable. It is pistachio ice cream, phyllo dough shreds, and overall yummy times. The server we had was Dakota, absolutely top notch service and hospitality. I explained my allergies to him and he was great about checking in with the chef twice to verify what I could eat and what I should stay away from based on my allergies. All of the food is delicious! You must make a reservation a month in advance and at midnight. Open Table is how we reserved.