Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine

We visited this restaurant for the first time last night, around 8:00 PM, right in the heart of King Street, surprisingly, we were the only guests at that time. The menu prices were on the higher side, but I was willing to give it a try, expecting the quality and portions to match. The dish I ordered came with French fries and a few pieces of beef. The meat was cooked well and tasted good, but it was roughly 7 oz alongside fries, and the price was $46. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the food was good, though not exceptional, with portions that felt a bit unbalanced. Overall, considering what was served, the cost felt difficult to justify.

We are from Michigan connecting with our lifelong SC friends and by a quirky happenstance our Lebanese/Italian friend Lenny met Tom a friend and frequent flyer of Leyla’s and friend of the owners Dolly and Joseph. We were exceedingly blessed to eat here and engage in conversation and food with this lovely couple. They are a family business devoted to bringing the exquisite tastes of Lebanon to Charleston. Dolly makes sure to only use the freshest ingredients and spices from Lebanon to replicate dishes from the old country. She makes sure the food is in a farm to table tradition and it is a one of a kind experience not found in Charleston. Being from MI where Mediterranean food is everywhere in Detroit and Dearborn we were blown away by the taste of the offerings. Don’t miss out on this tasty food experience and the welcoming atmosphere of these beautiful people! For desert a must have delight is the Knefe served with pistachio ice cream…a new favorite that will be hard to find anywhere else😍

My wife and I went here for dinner tonight. I am both gluten and dairy intolerant and needed to find a place that I could eat at. When I called they said they could easily meet those requirements with many menu choices. My wife ordered the baba ghanoush with pita bread and a side of vegetables. All those things were excellent. I ordered the lentil soup and the beef Shawarma. The lentil soup was nothing short of amazing. The flavor was just perfect and it was not too salty. It was perhaps some of the best lentil soup I’ve ever had. The beef Shawarma was drizzled with a tahini sauce and served with a side of white rice. This dish was outstanding. I could not get over the flavor as the tahini sauce just made the beef pop in your mouth with taste. The flavoring was perfect. It was not too salty, and it did not leave me with a strong aftertaste. The serving staff was outstanding and they explained many choices very well and offered suggestions for us. My wife had the baklava for dessert and really enjoyed that as well. The next time we come to Charleston, this will be a must see place for us to eat lunch or dinner at. Again, I could not recommend this place any higher than what I’m doing here.

Food was good but kind of pricey. Drinks were tasty but tiny. Service was good. Very friendly hosts. Window seating was a plus but the gnats were not. Overall okay.

Wow!!!! My visit to Leyla's was my first authentic Mediterranean dining experience. Andrew, Gabi, and Mike were so hospitable and helpful during our visit. We were there for a staff dinner, and it was the perfect experience to celebrate our milestone. I will definitely be back the next time I am in Charleston.

What a wonderful meal. The chicken swarma was without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. The owners Dolly and Joseph were an absolute delight. A must add to your Charleston visit.

The staff was very pleasant and loved to joke. One staff member cared enough to make sure to tell us not to give a lamb shank bone to any pets. The Lamb Shank with rice was spectacular. The stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades) & pomegranate with pine nuts hummus were also delicious. The only area that was not great was charging $5 for an 8 oz glass of Coke. Yes, they offer 1 refill, but that is extremely high. I pay on the Florida tourist trap beaches $3.50-4.50 for a 16 oz coke with free refills. When an 8 oz can in a 12 pack of Coke at Target is about .63, then that $5 for 8 oz is the largest markup I have experienced. Overall, it is a great place to eat.

Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian options are clearly marked, making this the perfect spot for everyone in our party. The food was delicious and the atmosphere friendly!

Super friendly and helpful staff and very tasty food. That being said, after charging $36 for chicken shawarma plate (rice only, no salad) you shouldn't have to pay $7 for pita bread.

amazing, authentic family owned business with a delicious menu & beautiful atmosphere. great service as well. highly recommend

Everything from the moment you walk through the door felt like home...with a touch of elegance! I had the lamb skewers and my date had the lamb shank, both were cooked to perfection. The staff was so friendly and offered great recommendations for a dessert I've never seen on a menu anywhere in Charleston. The Osmanlieh with a scoop of pistachio ice cream...was a party for the tastebuds and the best dessert I've had around town. The chef truly put her heart and soul into each dish. Highly recommend this place.

I was dubious because the restaurant was very empty on a Saturday evening but the food was delicious. It definitely had king street pricing because our entree was $50 which was frankly too high for what the food was. It was good, but very few meals are $50+tip good. The servers were very friendly and welcoming.

Great place to celebrate a birthday! The staff were welcoming and accommodating, the drinks and food were phenomenal - OMG, the Seared Salmon was perfection, and the chill vibe was exactly what we were looking for. Yes, will definitely go again!

Charleston is fortunate to have such a world class Lebanese resturaunt. The food is 100% authentic and this resturaunt would succeed in Dearborn, NY, or Beirut. It is run by a wonderful Lebanese family who take pride in putting in the hard work required to deliver food of the highest quality and they believe in treating their guests like family (which is the Lebanese/Syrian way). My family and I come here often when in town, including on Christmas, and we are always impressed. The lamb shank is one of the best I have ever had, but everything is terrific including the serivice and ambiance. They also have a very good drink list including great lebanese wine and arak, couldn't reccomend more 10/10

Fast, polite and friendly service!! The food was good I think the baba ghanoush could've had a little more smoker taste. But over all everything was good.

Leyla is a below average restaurant. The quality of the food is average, the portion size is small, the price is extremely expensive. You will pay $46 for 4 tiny pieces of chicken and half a piece of bread. We ordered 3 entrees. All of the entrees were bland, and the serving size was very small especially for the price. The total came out to over $150 If you pay $150+ food, it should at least be seasoned and be enough to feed one person. Overall, Leyla is overpriced and uninspired. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. There are plenty of good restaurants on King Street.

We were so happy to find some delicious, healthy, Mediterranean Food here in Charleston, SC. The staff at Leyla really made us feel welcome and at home, everyone was super friendly and attentive.

Wow, what an exceptional meal we had at Leyla. Brilliant authentic Lebanese food in a very comfortable fine dining atmosphere. We had the Hummus, Baba Ghannouj, and Fattoosh to start. All were wonderful and authentic. Next we had the Artichoke; wow! If you like artichoke this is one of the best, but if you've never had one then try it here. Really is fun to eat. My wife then had the Lamb Kabob, tender delicious, like my grandmother would make. For dessert we finished with Osmanlieh. Maybe the best dessert we've ever eaten and certainly the best in Charleston. Overall great experience with kind and attentive service. Highly recommended!

Whew, this is a tough review to write. We started with stuffed grape leaves and hummus, I had the beef shawarma, my girlfriend did too, my daughter had the chicken. I wanted to love this place, and honestly it's pretty good food. The service was really weak, they only had two people there and one was the cook, o hope that was a temporary thing so I won't hold it against them. The problem was the prices. There is no way I should walk out of lunch for three at nearly $250. It's just completely unjustified especially for this meal. That's what a meal at Oak Steakhouse would have cost me, and this was not an analogue to Oak (or Hall's, or Burwell's, or any other $250 meal). I was legit appalled at the size of the bill when it arrived. Again, food was good, and if it was priced within reason this would easily be a 5 star experience. But these prices set an expectation that just was not met... common problem in Charleston. J.Ja

Succinctly, the experience was overpriced for what we received. But for a bit more explanation: we were visiting Charleston, a place I once lived, for the holidays and decided to try Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine on our last night there. Many of the food Mediterranean places I liked when I lived there have closed down. But this spot had good reviews so I convinced my family to try it. For clarification, we love Lebanese food - and have had some of the best from DC, NY, and Texas. The food: we ordered the lamb kabob dinner, chicken kabob dinner, and the friend whole fish (bronzini). The cook on the lamb was done well. It was tender enough but it was not very much lamb (six medallions or so). The chicken was chicken. And the whole bronzini was surprisingly executed well. I had never had fried bronzini before so I was a bit surprised by how well they cooked it. The sauce that accompanied it was full of flavors and a touch of heat. A disappointment for watch dish was the rice. The rice wasn't the good basmati I'm accustomed to. It was a long grain but didn't appear to be what I've cooked and experienced elsewhere. They told me it was basmati before ordering. Oh and we ordered hummus. Almost forgot to review it because it was so forgettable. The sad dry cold pita they served with it was so tough and chewy. It was disgusting to be honest. Basically it cost us $190 for what I explained above (20% gratuity included although only three of us ate). I normally don't post low star reviews but I expected more from this place at that price. Larger quantities, better rice, warm pita, and maybe some tabbouleh on the menu would've changed this experience for us. I only saved one picture of the food - the bronzini (again it was pretty good).

One of my favorite places in Charleston! We had the Halloumi cheese for app and then shared the steak and chicken kabobs. Delicious as always! Andrew and Tino along with their family are amazing! Service is always excellent and decor is super cozy. Highly recommend!

Excellent & everything! The taste of Lebanon is located in this restaurant! A must try if you want authenticity! Service & ambiance are excellent!

We had been to a Greek restaurant the night before we came to Layla and we thought the Greek place was ok but every time I have Lebanese food it just reminds me that it's just VASTLY superior to any other "middle eastern" food out there and this place REALLY hammered that home. We walked in, it was later in the evening, but still pretty full. It seemed like all of the tables were just having a great time and from the smell of good things I knew we would too! We started our evening with Raki which is a Lebanese aperitif flavored with fennel, I believe. It's very licoricey if that makes sense? It's a spirit that is clear and colorless in the bottle but turns milky white when added to ice. It is perfection to have with meze, which are all the yummy things usually served at the beginning of a meal, for us meze was our meal. The tabouli was hand chopped parsley with a generous amount of tomatoes, olive oil and lemon. Some places make tabouli with a lot of bulgar wheat, which is fine, but it is a parsley salad, not a wheat salad. You always know that the kitchen is a bit lazy if you go into a Lebanese restaurant and there is way more bulgar in the tabouli than parsley. This one was absolutely excellent and very fresh. I love that they serve romaine leaves on the side so that you can roll it up in them. Baba ganoush is a roasted eggplant dish that is magnificent when made right, smoky and delicate from the roasted eggplant or really boring and bland if the eggplants haven't been cooked properly. This baba was AMAZING and really made all the more interesting with the pomegranate jewels that garnished it. We absolutely loved it! Hummus here was also so delicious and homemade (as it should be everywhere!), garnished with whole chickpeas. Perfect amounts of lemon, garlic and tahini and light as air. We made short work of it! Falafel is something that I will always get at a Lebanese restaurant because I just don't fry food at home. I make a good baked one but it's just not the same. These were delicious, crispy on the outside, perfectly seasoned and drizzled with tahini sauce and served over fresh veggies. Simply delightful. Our last dish was fried kibbeh. Kibbeh is ground meat (usually beef) massaged with spices, herbs and cracked wheat. It can be served raw or fried and this was the fried version. We were told that they can do special orders of the kibbeh niyah (raw kibbeh) if you give them 2 days notice and we will definitely do that the next time even though these were just mouthwatering. The kibbeh were formed individually into this cool traditional shape and fried and were just amazing, especially with that sauce (yogurt and tahini w other yummy stuff, I think). Most folks I know who do them at home don't fry it anymore because no one fries in the house and they usually make them in a pan because it's easier than forming them individually like you see here. When we go back to Charleston we will ABSOLUTELY go back to Layla! I forgot to mention how sweet the people are! We sat at the bar and we're just treated so very well. We loved every minute of our experience here and will be back!

Way overpriced the menu on yelp is outdated. We sat down some small plates was double the price!!

Food was tasteless , smelly meat,serving size was very small, very expensive. Will not come back or recommend to anyone.

I recommend that you make reservations. Else you can expect a small wait. the service is very good. The wife ordered a princess jasmine. (i took a sip and it was great). it you like vodka, a hint of rose and slightly sweet/sour, this is your drink. I had the Byblos Zack... i don't know about you but I will pass on a sour bourbon next time. We then had the Falafel. we loved it 5 years back. they were slightly on the drier side than we remember from last time. The lentil soup was great. We finished it off with one of the two vegetarian entrees- Mujadara. It is extremely flavorful rice and lentils, served with salad. It was outstanding. The Rice Pudding was a great dessert to finish of the evening. it is a pricey restaurant ($$$) and the portions of each dish are good for one and stretch for two. Just an observation not a critique. and finally sorry for the "half plated" photos. remembered to take the snaps after the first bite (or a few) every time

Overall, a good experience. What hurts this place going in, is that shawarma and falafel are essentially cheap street food. There's a handful of places in Charleston that sell this kind of food, but they're all food trucks or fast casual. So if you want this genre of food at a nice sit-down restaurant, you have to justify $32-45 a plate plus the hassle of downtown parking. Pros: service was top notch. We were really treated wonderfully. Shawarma had great flavor. Very well rounded. Leb salad was delish, bright and crunchy. Cons: we got a Mission flour tortilla instead of a homemade pita which is unacceptable at this price point. Falafel was overcooked. Should be pillowy soft, easily cut with the side of a fork, but ours spent 30 seconds too long in the fryer.

Leyla does not disappoint! We had an excellent time here and enjoyed the great food, service and hospitality!! We were delighted with several dishes and would definitely come here again.

Food, service, ambiance were all good. The price is a little high (plus a 11% tax in Charleston and 3% credit card fee). The food was very appetizing to me, so I could not leave before spending too much.

Best Mediterranean food we've had in Charleston area! All foods we ordered were fresh, flavorful and delicious. We started with the spicy hummus, grilled halloumi, artichoke, and stuffed grape leaves to share and had Lentil soup and chicken shawarma as our mains. Thoroughly enjoyed every single item and finished off with the delightful housemade pistachio and vanilla icecream. Staff were attentive, friendly and conscientious of our dietary/allergy restrictions. Ambiance was upscale & relaxed with ambient lighting warming up the space. Already can't wait to come back with friends and family. Thank you Layla's!

Family owned, Lebanese rooted menu restaurant. It is a place where top notch and delicious food meets excellent service. The restaurant is authentic and totally run by a family. The chef personally went out to our table twice to ensure the food was cooked to our liking. A very wonderful woman. Our table ordered multiple plates, and everyone loved what they got. Atmosphere is nice and great for dates, friends, or family. Nestled in a very nice shopping street in Charleston.

i had a fantastic dinner alone here while visiting charleston, and cannot recommend it enough. as a vegan, there were plenty of dishes clearly marked on the menu, and everything i had was amazing and well worth the prices. service was excellent and all staff i spoke to were exceedingly friendly and hospitable. i will definitely be sure to return next time im in town, and will highly recommend leyla to anyone else looking for a 10/10 lebanese meal in charleston, especially if they happen to be vegan/vegetarian.

We loved our dinner at Leylas! The staff is so friendly and helpful, all food is made in house and was delicious. Highly recommend

Food, service, and ambiance all excellent! Especially appreciated server's knowledge of menu and willingness to make recommendations.

Amazing food! Leyla was fantastic to chat with. Try her special dessert it will not disappoint!

Excellent food, with a warm friendly and cozy environment. Attentive servers Well prepared vegetarian dishes that were not just options where the meat was not included or a number of side vegetables.

I came here on a Saturday night and was seated immediately. The owner of the restaurant is so kind and I love how involved she is. We had ordered the Lebanese salad, hummus, and chicken lula. Hummus is tasty and creamy - I loved the pita! Chicken lula was delicious and came with a side of what I was told garlic butter. That garlic butter rocked! Lebanese salad was a nice refresher after the chicken lula.

It's been months since I've been in Charleston but Leyla was my first dinner in town. The service was prompt and attentive and the food was outstanding as usual. We had the Chicken Shawarma and Eggplant Moussaka, and both were deliciously seasoned with sizeable portions. We ate early, which was nice since the restaurant was packed by the time we finished our baklava.

My wife and I decided on trying Leyla Fine Lebanese just after arriving in Charleston. I had the Shish Tawook (chicken kabob) and she had the Lebanese salad, we shared both. From the very first bite of chicken, I knew we had made a good choice. To say it was delicious would be an understatement. I couldn't help but say mmmm with every bite I took. It literally was some of the best chicken I've ever eaten. They offer, in my opinion, one of the healthier dining options in Charleston. Everything was top quality and fresh. It's family owned and the chef was our waiters mom, we met her and she's a gem. I would definitely come back to try more dishes

The most overpriced overrated dining experience we have ever had in Charleston. We have dined in the less to the most elegant Lebanese establishments from Atlanta to DC to Paris - rest assured the price comparison to quality of food found at this restaurant is overpriced and underwhelming. Food: The lamb although cooked perfectly was six small cubes for $44- with white rice NOT basmati as we were told. The table over from us sent their lamb back three times and finally either they got it right or the customer gave up... whichever the case horrible. The fish was bland but sauce was spiced- supposedly to favor the fish just a little. The chicken was mediocre with the same white rice. The hummus was nice texture BUT served with cold pita. The customer service was disjointed from the kitchen had to ask for things several times. Understandingly, it is NYE but the restaurant was not busy when we walked in and we were seated immediately with no reservations. Lastly we were not only charged a random credit charge but a mandatory 20% gratuity. Charleston deserves a better version of this tasty cuisine because Leyla Lebanese Cuisine located at 298 King Street most definitely is not it.

Made reservation for six people at this restaurant on King Street. Service was acceptable. Very disappointed in the food and prices. The pita was paper thin and more resembled a tortilla ($6). The beef shawarma tasted mostly of lime juice. We could not see that it had been sliced from a pit. Served on a thin piece of bread that disintegrated when picked up ($36). The shrimp kebab tasted heavily of garlic and was undercooked. It consisted of 5 shrimp and a huge serving of frozen, battered french fries ($38). The rice was tasteless, dry, and stuck together in a lump. The only menu item that hinted of Middle Eastern flavor was the lentil soup. Best advice, drive to North Charleston and try Istanbul Shish Kabob Restaurant. It is half the price and double the flavor! Homemade pita fresh from the oven is a meal in itself.

It's been a while since I have been here and it's still as great as it ever was. The menu is significantly smaller than what it used to be. Which is absolutely fine. The classics are still on the menu. Leyla herself is doing all the cooking, and she personally comes out to greet everyone and ask how the meal is. I took my friend who had never been here before and she was absolutely blown away. We had the kibbeh and chefs hummus for appetizers. I had the shish taouk and she had the Lebanese moussaka. Everything was just perfect. This is such a gem in the middle of busy King Street. It's definitely a must go to!

I'm always looking for Lebanese food because I love it. Leylas takes the crown for its careful preparation, beautiful presentation and authentic flavors.

We loved eating here the last time we were in Charleston a couple of years ago (pre-covid). So we made sure to visit again while we were on a quick two-day trip, but unfortunately, the food wasn't the same. The falafel was pretty hard, the soup was ok, and the Mujadara rice we had was ok. I did love the cocktail, though! Overall just ok food. Why Leyla why? We spoke highly about you all these years to everyone we know, and we are so disappointed in the quality, flavor, and the quality plus ridiculous price increase.

I'm leaving three stars just be polite but my fish was slightly undercooked and was a special costing more than $10 than the listed entrées Also, be careful!!! they tried to charge us for a glass of wine that we did not drink when we brought it to their attention they took it off our bill

Highly recommended for Vegetarians. Great service, fabulous food. Perfect for both large groups or for a quiet conversation with another . App : - Falafel : Great texture, hot and fresh. Hummus was great. - Hummus Harra : Lovely flavor. Pita bread could've been hot, soft and more fresh. Felt a little old. Hummus Harra surely had a desirable tinge of spice that's perfect for those who like it. Pine nuts in the hummus was beautiful! Salads : - Lebanese Salad : Incredible variety in ingredients, and hence the flavor. Loved the touch of shoot vegetables. - Tabooleh : If you love olive oil and Vinegar, this is your salad ! Entrée : Both Vegetarian Entrées are great. Please ask for a little more rice for sharing portions. - Eggplant is so well cooked and with a mild curry. - Lentils are wonderfully well blended with the rice with pretty salad portions at the four corners of the square plate which are perfect for sharing. The restaurant has a fabulous ambience, with some of the most lovely looking light fittings, tapestries on the walls. Lighting, albeit pretty, are a little dim. Lights could be a tad brighter. Very comfortable chairs and sturdy tables. Overall, 5.0/5.0 - Service and Ambience 4.5/5.0 - Food Ms. Dolly is a fabulous host and has one of the most incredible teams. Don't miss meeting the vivacious gentleman at the bar with the eye patch!!

We waited far too long for our food, the food was average at best (beef Swarma overcooked, falafel dry), far too overpriced for nothing special and the ratings previously are far too high. The bathrooms are undesirable and the place shabby. Would not recommend.

Absolutely amazing! Leyla is the Chef / owner and takes the time to stop by your table, welcome you and learn about you before she goes back to the kitchen to cook the most amazing Lebanese food from 100% fresh ingredients. Save room for dessert the Osmalieh is to die for! We sat at a cozy window table. An absolutely must visit in Charleston!

A terrible experience for the price paid. No one in our group liked the food. The ambience is more like McDonald's or any other take out restaurant that you can think of. Was greeted at the door by a grumpy old man who hardly smiled.

The food at this establishment was so utterly unbelievable. I cannot think of a time I've eaten more perfectly prepared Lebanese food, and I am Lebanese. Sweet and peaceful interior.

What a delicious meal! My husband and I came here and enjoyed every single thing we ordered. We made reservations, although during the week there were plenty of times available. The server was courteous and I told him we would order some appetizers and split an entree. Food came out promptly and was absolutely incredible. Most memorable was the vegetarian mujadara, which was packed with flavor and something I have tried to recreate since coming home. The ambiance was charming and although there was a lot of seating, it still had a more personal touch. I think the owner or chef perhaps made a point to say thank you and goodbye to us as we left. This was a delightful experience and Leyla will be top of my list of restaurants to go to next time I visit Charleston.

In our several days in Charleston, we've had some great meals. Our meal at Leyla was not great. It was fine, but also the most expensive. We got the fried kibbeh, hummus, fattoush salad, grape leaves, lamb kebab, and rice pudding. All the food was fine, though it had flaws. The hummus was good, but somewhat underseasoned and too cold with the pita clearly was brought in. The lamb kebab was tender, but was much rarer than requested and was served over a sad undressed salad and a soggy tortilla (Why a tortilla? I do not know). The fattoush was fresh and dressed nicely, but was missing the bread/pita, which is kinda the point of a fattoush salad. None of these things ruined the meal, but they're unacceptable for a meal that cost over $175 including tip without any drinks. The service was also perplexing I have a dairy allergy and the server generally seemed attentive. I appreciated it when he suggested the yogurt sauce on the side of the kibbeh. Then it turned out that the yogurt sauce was an extra $3! He wasn't nicely offering it on the side -- he was upselling us!

Made a reservation weeks in advance. Confirmed it the day before. Received an email from the restaurant 30 minutes before our reservation that it had been cancelled and they were charging a $50 cancellation fee. Restaurant has not responded to multiple calls or emails.

We went to a play in Charleston and afterwards we stopped at this restaurant and did we score a winner for restaurant, The food was over the top, we order the Chef's Hummus and it was one of the best we have ever tried, it turns out they make it here daily so its always fresh. The Beef Kebab was very good one of the best, the meat was cooked to perfection and the vegetables were awesome. If you go there you won't be disappointed.

Food was pretty good but the service was slow, the staff had some attitude, and it is overpriced for what you get.

Best Lebanese ever!! I love the service and the staff makes you feel like you are part of the family! The whole menu is truly delicious but the tabouleh, hummus and hummus hara, beef or chicken shwarma, and lamb shank are our personal favorites!! They can also accommodate large parties without any issue (with advanced notice, of course!) This restaurant has everything a restaurant should have: great service, staff, food, ambiance, location, and drinks!!

It is hard to find Lebanese food that is not well prepared and tasty; however, Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine manages to do both. The food was drenched in olive oil and positively not edible. What a disappointment. It is surprising that this eatery stays in business.