Lev Kitchen

My favorite fast-casual restaurant in Ithaca, located in Downtown. They serve middle eastern food, specialized in Malawach (flatbread). I keep coming back for more than 10 times! The food is authentic and the price is decent. Staff here are also very nice. They serve breakfast menu until 11 a.m. and all-day menu.

This place is incredible. I am continuously blown away by the portions, flavors, and variety on the menu. Also, our most recent server Patrick was so friendly and attentive. I’ve gotten multiple malawach wraps for breakfast and dinner and each one has been divine. They do not skimp on portions. Get the zaatar chicken wrap and falafel wrap, and also any of the breakfast wraps. My favorite place in Ithaca

Not the best place to go. They have a good, quite clean restaurant. Tables were a bit messy though. Also it was a bit noisy because the door was opened and we heard all noise from the street. But they also have a outdoor sitting. Wait time was also good. Those are all good things about this place. The cashier was a bit rude. He was buying something for himself when we approached. After our request to order some food he just said "Wait" without even saying "please". So we waited for a few minutes more. And the worst thing was food. First of all, they were out of halloumi cheese, which meant you couldn't order quite a few items from their menu. We ordered two chicken malawach. Both were badly burnt, both chicken and bread. Portions were big though, but we literally couldn't eat them because such a big part of them was burnt. They also don't have free water which is pretty standard thing in restaurants.

Back in Ithaca after being away for a few years, and have found my new favorite eatery on the Commons! Got breakfast here and will probably get it again before I leave! The food is amazing, the serving sizes are plentiful, and the staff is very friendly! Highly recommend getting anything with oyster mushrooms or the bacon. If you are grabbing breakfast, upgrade to the duck or goose eggs they are absolutely worth it! 😍

I had the beet salad with falafels and then asked for spicy peppers on the side, it was delicious!! Falafels were some of the best I've had. While the portion seemed small the salad filled me up. We also had a sandwich which was equally as tasty. Definitely a new place downtown to check out !

Wow. The malawach was so flaky and delightful. It just melts in your mouth. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the eggplant was excellent. Friendly service and great music as well.

I currently live in Florida, when I do travel to New York this place is always a must before I leave. I crave it when I’m gone. Best chicken and rice ever.

My husband and I shared: - Za'atar Chicken Malawach - Haloumi Malawach - Mushroom Schnitzel The Haloumi Malawach was definitely my favorite. The cheese was delicious and paired perfectly with the sweet spread. I wouldn't get the mushrooms again. I love mushrooms but they didn't really have any flavor. There were several other menu items I wanted to try so I'd gladly come back.

If you're driving by or within 50 miles of Ithaca, eat a Malawach wrapped sandwich from Lev. I've never had that before, and can't find any other place that uses the Malawach as a 3/4 wrap, with its pastry puff consistency, filled with aromatic, spiced ingredients. I had the Za'atar chicken, with superb seasoning and sauces - including red and green Schug. Excellent. Maybe in the sharing of food there is peace between cultures, a Jewish customer, a Lebanese restaurant, a Yemen style bread. Plus - Lev is focused on food and food service sustainability and supporting local finger lakes region suppliers. https://www.levkitchen.com/the-mission Eat at Lev.

This review is for catering from Lev Kitchen during Cornell graduation 2024. Since we were in an AirBnb, our family decided on a catered dinner at home as an alternative to the restaurant crowds that very busy weekend. We were really glad we chose to order from Lev Kitchen because they did such an outstanding job! Everything was top-notch, fresh as fresh can be and absolutely delicious! We had the sesame crusted feta, roasted vegetables (beets and fingerling potatoes) and fatoush from the catering menu. We also ordered racks of lamb with garlic and herbs on advance request. Lev Kitchen delivered beautifully. Portions were very generously sized and conveniently packaged in foil pans for reheating in a home kitchen. Garnishes were separately packed so that we could finish the dishes after reheating without wilting the herbs and/or turning the sauces runny. Our guests were totally wowed. We would absolutely recommend Lev Kitchen to anyone considering catering services. 10 out of 10, Yen and Ben!!

Poor customer service. I arrived to pick up an order and there were 2 people behind the register, both of whom seemed to have the goal of avoiding acknowledging me by any means necessary. Once I finally got someone's attention. They asked what I ordered... and /then/ started to make it. Girl, you have the Uber Eats receipt right in front of you! To top it all off, they ended up not even making the correct order. Overall this experience was worth more than the $45 I spent Also, the $9 fries are mid

This is a relatively new spot that opened right at the heart of the Ithaca Commons. The first time I came here I ordered their Halva. It was disappointing but while I was waiting for it I noticed that every sandwich they made was made fresh on the spot. Next time I came I ordered two malawach, the mushroom one and the chicken one. The bread is like a pliable, flaky, deliciously savoury roti. The mushroom one had a truffle flavour. I love mushrooms so I liked it a lot, but when I bit into the chicken one I was seriously blown away. Will return again to try the halloumi one and their apps. While they're a more casual eatery, since they make their food on the spot, expect to wait 20+ minutes for your food.

My husband and I shared: - Za'atar Chicken Malawach - Haloumi Malawach - Mushroom Schnitzel The Haloumi Malawach was definitely my favorite. The cheese was delicious and paired perfectly with the sweet spread. I wouldn't get the mushrooms again. I love mushrooms but they didn't really have any flavor. There were several other menu items I wanted to try so I'd gladly come back.

My favorite restaurant in Ithaca! So yummy! I love the beat salad and the fries are the best!

This was a really good Mediterranean place near Cornell. We all tried the zaatar chicken sandwich. Food took a while to come but that's how I knew it was going to be fresh. The chicken was well seasoned and flavorful. The sandwich was stuffed and was enough for two people with a side salad.

This is a cute, small, and friendly restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating near the hotel I was staying. I tried the Za'atar Chicken Malawach and was blown away by how savory and yummy it tasted. It came out freshly cooked and piping hot. The chicken was super soft and the sauce mixed in with the hummus was a extremely satisfying. The wrap was delicious and had a slight flakiness while being chewy. The wrap was very filling and there was a good balance of protein.

Unreal food, excellent service. They've got Aurora brewery! I will be back here at least once a week. Great to eat in and the wraps are perfect to go. Best I've had in town in a while!

Fantastic food! Fantastic people! The falafel was incredible and the fattoush salad was crazy good! Whenever I'm in the area I will make this a staple!! Such a cute place! I just wish it wasn't 4 1/2 hours from where I live. This is a must try!

So good! The malawach bread is to die for. It's like a mix between puff pastry and chapati or roti. They should literally sell it frozen for baking at home. We started with the fries - an interesting mix of sweet and savory that kept me coming back for more. I got the shakshuka - didn't love the boiled egg personally but it was still very good. My fiancé got the lamb merguez and said it was good but more spicy than he expected. Definitely going to come back here for a delicious affordable meal with good service!

Bring your own fork/knife and water bottle. They need to do something immediately about their cheap/dirty cutlery, which you take from containers (also a gross practice) near the front. The cutlery and some of the metal glasses in which you get tap water from the counter were visibly dirty. How clean, then, could plates, etc. be? I've seen other Yelpers comment on this and I'm surprised that it hasn't been resolved. They should fix this, and when they bring your food just bring a set of, *clean* cutlery wrapped in a napkin. It's so basic. if you go in and care about that, I encourage you to say something. That said.. I believe that the food has improved since I first visited about a year ago. Great vegetarian options, very good flavors and genuine authentic fresh falafel made with fresh chickpeas and not a mix.. recommend trying that! We enjoyed the salad and the fried mushrooms as well. I think they are doing well and trying to bring to Ithaca a locally-sourced innovative & unique take on Middle-eastern food, and succeeding.

I've been to Lev Kitchen twice this semester and had great experiences both times! Food comes out pretty fast and is really unique and flavorful. While I'm not sure I would call these fries the best in Ithaca as the sign outside the restaurant boasts, the combo of toppings is definitely craveable. The fries themselves however are somewhat dry and plain, but were noticeably better (perhaps fresher) the second time I came. I also enjoyed the malawach wraps, which tastes like a savory pancake with truly fresh and local ingredients inside. I think the portions could be a tad bigger for the price but I am definitely willing to pay what it costs now for the local sourcing and delicious flavors. I'm sure more visits will be in my future!

Absolutely fantastic food and delightful service. I got to sample some of the ciders before I chose one. Top notch food and fun, relaxed atmosphere. The falafel is superb.

Delicious and fresh! We got three malwiches. Each one has a distinct flavor but all were so good! We had the truffle mushroom, cheese and chicken. Highly recommend

If you like your food with extra olive oil and charred then this is your place. The wraps had a very unique flavor. I had the duck bacon wrap with asparagus and the wife had sweet and spicy chicken. Wish we ordered the fries. Every table ordered it. Nice ambience and they serve hard ciders and wine. After you can walk the promenade.

Tried this place for the first time with two friends for dinner. The food was delicious- my friend and I had the mamalawach and my other friend had the merguez malawach. The wrap itself was the perfect amount of flaky, crispy, and chewy. It had great flavor, and I liked it more than typical pita bread. The filling in the sandwich was also tasty. My only issue was that the serving size was pretty small. I usually have leftovers when I dine out or at least feel very full after I finish an entree, but I ate this whole sandwich and was still a little hungry. I think this is an ideal spot for lunch, but for dinner I wish the sandwich was served with a side salad or something else. I heard good things about the loaded fries, so I'll have to come back and try those next time. As a side note, the menu is pretty limited and mostly has sandwiches and salads. As someone who looks out for gluten free people(my mom is gluten free), this place would probably not be the best option for people with gluten allergies because the only option would be the salad(and the fries if they are GF, too). It's great to see a reasonably priced restaurant in the Commons that college students can actually afford. Also, there aren't too many Mediterranean places in Ithaca, so this is a nice new addition.

I think this may be the best sandwich I've ever eaten. I got the za'atar malawich chicken and it is delicious. Lots of flavor, very soft bread and plenty of veggies. The cider was honestly lousy.

Such a great little restaurant near Cornell!! We had an excellent lunch here with wine and an amazing dessert! The staff was super friendly and very helpful with suggestions. We enjoyed everything we tried. We had one of the lamb wraps and a vegetarian one, we also had the French fries, and they were all excellent. Definitely a great place to check out if you're in the area!

Tried Lev Kitchen for the first time tonight, and kicking myself for not going sooner! I had the Za'tar Chicken Malawach, and it was seriously delicious. Had just enough heat, tons of flavor, and the chicken was nice and tender. There was plenty of filling, I was completely satisfied when I had finished it but had room to share the fried malawach dessert. That was good, but I expected it to be a little sweeter, more like a fried dough, but the jam and cream on top added plenty of sweetness. My friend and I had planned on splitting the Za'Tar Chicken Malawach and the falafel sandwich, but they were out of the falafel--so we have even more reason to go back! But I would go back anyway, really loved that malawach, still thinking about it. Just a heads-up, it's a very small and simple kind of place, you order and pay at the counter, and someone brings your food to wherever you're sitting. The staff, although busy, were all very pleasant and helpful, and service was quick. Definitely worth a visit.

FRIES FRIES FRIES!!! Best fries I've ever had. No doubt. Staff super sweet. Fast service. Tasty food!

That was fantastic. Decided to try this out for lunch and was not disappointed. The Za'atar Chicken Malawach was delicious and the wrap had a great texture. I also had the fries which were super flavorful but maybe a bit heavy on the sauce. Everything was great but here's what I think could be better: - forks and spoons should face down - less sauce on the fries (could just be my personal preference) - offer knives

It was my first time eating a malawach and I still can't pronounce it but I can confirm that the chicken malawach was really delicious. My only quips are that for $14, the size of the malawachs felt a little small. I also ordered delivery and it took a while for the store to get our order out to the delivery person. Food was great though.

This is an excellent spot right in the commons. Came here on a whim and it is a very small spot and very busy, so you will be waiting a while for your food. We got the beet salad, veggie sandwich and sausage sandwich. While the portions are on the smaller size for the price, I think the food is well-made and tasty. Their bread they use for the sandwiches is definitely something I crave.

I learned Lev stands for levant, the region from where the food recipes and wines they offer are from. The food is amazing, the staff so wonderful. All fresh, great seasoning reflecting the region it represents very well. The bonus is that one of the staff was my son's friend. It was wonderful to see that, and see my son light up happy, when I'm dropping him off at college. What I also found wonderful about Lev kitchen menu, is the peace that we hope one day Israel/Palestine could have, in have a full integration. I was wondering especially happy to see that the menu recognized Palestinian as well as Israeli foods and wines. Great job!!!

Wow, this place has incredibly tasty food! My partner and I visited last night around 10pm: we had wanted to try it for a while, and then last night most other places were closed by that time, so we thought we would give it a try. It was surprisingly busy with undergrads at that hour on a Friday night. Despite the crowd, our food came out at a reasonable time: they estimated 20-25 minutes, but it was out in a little under 20 minutes. We got the Za'atar Chicken Malawach, Haloumi Malawach, and the Kennebec French Fries. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING! The za'atar chicken malawach was juicy and flavorful, nicely spiced, and had a generous helping of chicken. The haloumi malawach was a delicious balance of sweet and savory. Both were served on the most addictive, buttery wrap! The fries were likewise delightful: the urfa aioli sauce was a highlight for both of us, and I loved the pickled Fresno peppers (my partner doesn't like really spicy stuff so I got to eat all of them, yum!). All in all, the food was incredible, the service was excellent, the wait time was very reasonable, and the prices were pretty standard for Ithaca. I can't wait to visit again!

After two years in Ithaca trying burger bar after burger bar it's incredibly refreshing to have something different downtown. The wraps are flaky/buttery perfection and the Falafel was quite possibly the best I've ever had. I'll be back for more!

Having experienced top restaurants in NYC, I tend to be very picky about my food. This is the best casual lunch I had in awhile. One of the very few places up state that I will definitely come back for another bite. Thanks guys!

Amazing food in Ithaca downtown. The malawachs burst with flavor and are a real treat. Right from the first bite of the flaky yet soft bread with some unique tasting filling, it was love with every bite! We got the haloumi and the zatar chicken. Just loved it. I don't think anyone can go wrong with ordering any item on their menu. The staff were friendly, cheerful and it showed in their food too. We did try to get to this place once again during our visit but couldn't. We loved the food so much that this is going to be the only place we will have food from in Ithaca during our future travels.

Very tasty! Nice ambiance. I had not tried this cuisine before and really like it. Will return if possible.

First time having malawach and I like it. I got the Zatar chicken and I think there is some similarity between malawach and gyro, and malawach wrap is like a fried version of pita. The food portion is not big but enough to feed one.

Such a wonderful addition to The Commons, with outdoor seating and a fresh menu unlike any other place in Ithaca! Their Malawach is really the star of the menu- with the bread really impressing me! Flaky and soft, reminding me of a Chinese-style scallion pancake! I'm particularly fond of their Sweet and Spicy Chicken, as well as their Merguez! And actually, despite not liking beets, I'm such a fan of their Roasted Beet Salad! Despite claims of having the best fries in Ithaca, I would skip (though still good). They are not cheap for the portion sizes, but also not out of the norm for the Commons. I'm a return customer already and recommend!

Really interesting takes on dishes. Fresh ingredients make for delicious food. I've never had anything like it

Lev Kitchen is a new gem on the Ithaca Commons! Owners are very friendly and their recommendations are worth listening to! My chicken malawach for lunch was so good that I even brought friends before dinner for a little appetizers (fries) and some happy hour - btw, their drink selection is huge (both alcoholic, featuring local ciders and interesting international wines, and non-alcoholic). Next time I will definitely want to try more of their vegetarian options. Lev should definitely be added to your list for quick to-go eats or a nice sit-down Commons meal.

Had a lovely lunch here with a friend. Shared the fries as an appetizer. They were a nice size and the toppings were tasty. I had the halloumi malawach for my main, which was delicious. The malawach is a flaky pastry that lends itself well to sweet and savory fillings. The halloumi was nicely grilled and paired well with the pistachios, greens, and apple jam (though perhaps a touch too much apple jam for my own taste). My friend had the Zatar chicken and said it was excellent. Staff were friendly and happy to offer suggestions. They also offered to modify things to our taste (though we tried things as is). Ithaca has been in need of a new lunch spot, and this is it!

I feel a little bad writing this review because it wasn't good at all. This place would get 2 stars. And yet I'm giving 4 stars because either they were having a bad day or I was - and I don't want to penalize them. I suggest folks go check them out for themselves. Zatar chicken sandwich - no taste of zatar or much seasoning on the chicken. All I tasted was the sauce. The bread was excellent however - very hot and fresh. Fries - barely warm and again, all I could taste were the sauces. Yes they are good but the fries themselves were lukewarm and not crispy. Service - basically indifferent. You order at a counter and then they bring food out to you. Everyone was on their phones (place wasn't busy) so I am not sure why the fries weren't hot or crispy. Bottom line - I felt like I wasted $14 on a sandwich and $9 on fries. However, all the 5 star reviews suggest otherwise. So, make up your own mind!

Fast casual food. Food was fresh and delicious. Even my picky middle schooler loved it.

Wow this place is incredible, fresh, flavorful, great service. I had never had the particular type of bread they serve and it's flaky and so delicious. Fries also exceptionally flavored and topped Welcome to Ithaca!!

Food was delicious and unique! Service was excellent!! Can't wait to return! Cute restaurant!

I was visiting from New York area and found this restaurant expensive for the food they served me. I was quite disappointed in the much-smaller-than-average sized wrap (or Malawach) for $15 odd in a college town restaurant. I got a Za'atar chicken Malawach and it was quite small and burnt. Sure, it tasted pretty good (ignoring burnt bites) but I was anticipating a lot more after such raving reviews. Maybe it was an off day but from what I experienced I might skip this entirely the next time I visit.

Charged $4 for feta cheese on my wrap. Complete ripoff! The wraps are incredibly small for $14.

Absolutely delicious wraps! And their fries truly deserve the advertisement "Best Fries in Ithaca". Can't wait to go back and try the other stuff on the menu.

Good food. Very unique. The service was fast. Like the concept and the food came looking good

The bread holding the $15 sandwich was charred and mostly burnt, inedible, unhealthy, I only ate the partially burnt chicken pieces in the sandwich. A rip off.

Amazing food! Looking for a spot open on a rainy Labor Day and found this gem. I had the special, Mutabol Malawach with eggplant and roasted tomato, so fresh and tasty, my husband had the wrap with lamb and it too was fabulous. Place was packed with locals which is always a good sign.

Total gem. Food, atmosphere and service was perfect. Most unique food I've ever tasted. We ordered the Mushroom Schnitzel to start and Za'atar Chicken Malawach / Watermelon-Tomato salad special as mains. Everything was fresh and fantastic. I really enjoyed the wrap. I'm from a suburb outside of NYC and have never had anything this delicious. We will be sure to visit again if we're in the area!

Absolutely delicious lunch spot. Easy counter service. Sweet staff. I went back for seconds. Good selection of local cider and beer.

Fresh, super tasty good service. Sat outside on a beautiful day. Enjoyed the blistered peppers and the fries are amazing.

Get the fries!! I know...they have a squabillion calories, but get them! You won't be sorry! And the sandwich with the chicken...forgot what it's called, but it was amazing. You'll gain weight but it's worth it.

Delicious food! I have not stopped thinking about the loaded fries, they are so good! My only complaint is it is a bit pricy.