Malooga

Easy to find paid street parking. We were introduced to this restaurant by a social media video of a couple eating in a traditional setting by eating on the floor/pillow area. Glad we didn’t do this bc there wasn’t a small table provided, so you either eat while you’re seated, hunched over your plate that is on floor level or you are holding your plate the entire time while eating. Did not look comfy at all. We ordered hummus shawarma, sambosa, chicken kabsah , lamb fahsah, and Yemeni latte. Hummus and sambosas were so yummy, pita was fresh and warm. Chicken kabsah (rice and roasted chicken) was good. Our waiter recommended for us to get the spaghetti noodles on the side and we were glad we did. Lamb fahsah (pieces of lamb, potatoes, and okra in a sizzling pot) was an interesting choice. A yummy, salty dish. Texture was a bit tricky bc of the okra but enjoyable while it was still hot. Good with the pita. Coffee was good! Customer service was good!

I went to this restaurant today for my birthday with my friends and we had different orders. I ordered the Kebab sandwich, and it was really, really good! The beef mixed with lamb portion was perfect – really delicious, yummy, and juicy. The fries were great as well. I also ordered chai tea, and it was amazing! I loved it so, so much. The service was great, and my friends ordered different dishes like Kabsa and Mandi. We also got dessert, and everything was perfect!! By the end, the owner of the place was checking on everyone, making sure everyone was happy and satisfied with their dishes. As a person from the Middle East, I can tell you this is a very, very good restaurant and one of the best spots in Philly. I recommend everyone to go there. Nice staff, nice food, clean – everything is perfect! Thank you :)

Everything we tasted was wonderfully unique and flavorful. The Yemeni egg and cheese was our favorite dish of the night. The rice pudding was pistachio forward and thick, a good style that is unlike some other rice puddings. We were the last table seated for the evening, so a number of items were unavailable - usually a positive sign to the restaurant's freshness of food. Prices were fair, just under $100 after tip for a dinner for two that consisted of an appetizer, a taste of Yemen, a shared large entree, two desserts, and two drinks.

Lots of vegetarian options and exposed me to many unique Yemeni dishes. I ordered the falafel hummus and the fool and was satisfied—both came with warm bread which was quite nice. The chai tasted very authentic and was sweet which is how I like it. The service was really great, our server was patient and gave us suggestions. The restaurant is cozy and while we sat at a table, I thought the floor seating was a great concept.

This review is two fold! I have been here previously and had dinner! I was with a group and the food was delicious and service was wonderful! I had an idea to cater lunch for our team and wanted a diverse menu and I remembered what a great experience I had at Malooga, so I called to work on items that I felt would be tasty and yet affordable for a group of 15-20 people! Let me tell you…I had grape leaves (slight tanginess that was lovely), two platters of Hummus (Some of the best I’ve had in a long time) and Pita Bread, Shawarma Wrap, Falafel Wrap and kebab Wrap! The wraps were a big hit and super yummy! Coordinating this event was done in a helpful and efficient manner! The customer service was great from beginning to the delivery and I followed up afterwards to offer my enthusiastic feedback! I am eager for them to open in the Narberth area! Check out Malooga …it is a must try!

My now-girlfriend and I were looking for a new spot to dine in the city, and this place exceeded our expectations. From the moment I made the reservation—with a custom note asking for help in making the night special—the staff went above and beyond. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, the service was warm, and the food was absolutely delicious and satisfying. Thank you to the amazing team for helping make such a memorable night possible. We’ll definitely be back!

The food is very, very good. Very Tasty. The meat Is always very tender. I’ve ordered from here twice now and it’s been excellent in flavor however do not order the chicken Shawarma for delivery because the portion sizes are disrespectful. It was small last time but the most recent order it was literally like one singular scoop of chicken and hummus. Yes it tasted great but for the price you would think that I would at least get a little bit more.😭😭 in the photos, all I did was shift the bowl and the hummus slid. I also scooped one edge because I thought it was gonna be deeper..

This was such a good experience. Everything we ate was delicious! Seemed so fresh and was super scrumptious. Service was fantastic. This is a small restaurant with a lot of character, that’s adding to its authenticity and style.

Love this place! It's got authentic Halal food and a cozy feel. The Saudi Kabsah got me trying me trying so hard to make it at home. The staff is great. I've also tried their catering items at an event and they are very good too!

This review is two fold! I have been here previously and had dinner! I was with a group and the food was delicious and service was wonderful! I had an idea to cater lunch for our team and wanted a diverse menu and I remembered what a great experience I had at Malooga, so I called to work on items that I felt would be tasty and yet affordable for a group of 15-20 people! Let me tell you...I had grape leaves (slight tanginess that was lovely), two platters of Hummus (Some of the best I've had in a long time) and Pita Bread, Shawarma Wrap, Falafel Wrap and kebab Wrap! The wraps were a big hit and super yummy! Coordinating this event was done in a helpful and efficient manner! The customer service was great from beginning to the delivery and I followed up afterwards to offer my enthusiastic feedback! I am eager for them to open in the Narberth area! Check out Malooga ...it is a must try! The reason that it is 4-Star vs. 5-Stars is the costs of delivery fees ($30) and tip..taxes was over $60! This appears to be built into the way the system is set-up, but it becomes costly after you select your choices.

We came back to Malooga for dinner after trying the restaurant for the first time last month. After trying and loving the chicken Mandi and lamb haneeth in our previous visit, we decided to try their kebab platter and the shrimp fahsah. Our main dishes were served with freshly made bread which was perfectly paired with the shrimp fahsah sauce. The staff are very polite and friendly and the chef goes around checking in on the guests table by table. I love the ambiance, the service, and the food. Everything is amazing and I'm so glad I found Malooga!

Walked in during dinner rush on a weekend and luckily was able to be seated right away. They have lots of veggie options and some of the most creamiest, flavorful hummus. The service was quick and attentive. The restaurant itself was a bit hot inside but what's not during summertime in Philly lol

We went here on 25 December 2024 after the premiere of a Complete Unknown at the old city move theatre. It was the only place that we were able to get a seat quickly without a reservation. The meal was delicious! We have dined there many times since that wonderful meal, even if it means walking in the freezing cold. The restaurant only has a few tables so be prepared to wait. The service was welcoming. Our waiter was patient explaining the ingredients in the few dishes that we were interested in. 5 kebabs!

One of my friends shared this spot to me as she highly recommended it. I finally was able to go and I was pleasantly surprised. I went on a Sunday and was packed, the people working there were trying to make sure everyone had/was happy with everything. I truly appreciated trying their best as it seemed they were understaffed. However, the food was out of this world! This was my first time having Yemenis food and it was delicious! I've been craving this dish and hoping to go back soon!

Really solid Middle East option Loved the hummus and meat will be back, since I'm low carb, they were also nice enough to slice some cukes to dip instead of bread. Great service

I got together with my friends (8 of us in total). It is a quaint space, and they had 2 sets of long tables for reservations, couple of single tables, and a floor seating up in the front of few people. With the 2 long tables the place was really tight. The servers had a difficult time passing through. I don't know if it was extra busy time, but I had to ask several time to get extra spoons and other things because they didn't give enough for our size. The service itself was really good; the owner/chef came out few times and talked with us. Very friendly and open person. We ordered the wild feast platter, few extra salads, baklava, and kanafe. Everything was very delicious! Baklava was a bit too sweet, but loved the kanafe! I think Malooga is a good place for few people to go, a group was a bit tight, and a bit disorganized... I still recommend the place because of friendly service and good food.

We checked out Malooga as small group (4 people) and decided to basically family style everything. We got their Adventure Platter to start (which happened to come easily divisible by 4). Love the grape leaves. Loved the hummus. The falafel was also quite tasty. So, clearly I recommend it. From there, we split the Haneeth & Mandi Duo, which resulted in plenty of leftovers even after we all had our fill. The lamb was a clear winner, although the chicken was surprisingly full of flavor as well. Sorry, we didn't save room for dessert this trip, however, we did enjoy some chai if you are considering a hot drink. Enjoy!

What a find on a cold evening. Everything was delightful and I cannot wait to come back, while I wrap up the Philly chapter for now. Adani tea - perfect thing to warm you up. Lamb haneeth - had to get it after the table next to us recommended it. Two of us devoured this in minutes. Umm Ali - it's cheesy and probably not my thing. All the other dishes nearby smelled and looked amazing, probably going to come back very soon.

Food: The kebab meat was well seasoned and tender. Everything on the platter complemented each other to create the perfect bite. Would definitely recommend the platters, they're good value! Ambiance: Restaurant is on the smaller side. They have an area with seating on the floor which sounds like a great experience. Service: No complaints; friendly & quick.

Malooga serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine in a cozy restaurant near the water. -- Highlights: Malooga has a small cushioned area which is fairly unique in its allowing you to sit without shoes on the floor to enjoy your meal. -- Malooga is a VERY popular spot near the water which serves Mediterranean food. I would highly recommend making a reservation for whatever time/day you want to dine during/on. As a small group of 2, we did a walk-in on a Saturday. Although they currently didn't have any open tables, the hostess took initiative and started calling some folks with reservations to see if they were running late/ planned on canceling. We were lucky since a group did cancel! Or else, the earliest time we could be seated was 2 hours later! We appreciated the initiative of the hostess. Malooga is a small, cozy restaurant so it makes sense why their dining times are so limited. We ordered a hummus falafel as an appetizer, and honestly at the end of our meal we regretted it since the main course was more than enough food. We walked out with two large boxes of leftovers! I found the Saltah to be a really delicious stew, although the pictures don't do it justice. I loved the okra and found there to be a good amount of vegetables inside for a one-person portion. We also enjoyed the lamb haneeth, which came out on a massive platter. I normally don't enjoy lamb, but this lamb was not too gamey and the rice was well-seasoned. Although neither were the best food I've ever eaten of its type, they were still very tasty and of generous portions. Also of note is how vegetarian-friendly the food options were! The service was very fast considering the whole restaurant was packed/every seat filled. We were given in-depth explanations and recommendations about the food. At a certain point, the chef also came out to thank a table who "sent compliments to the chef," which I felt truly showed how much they care about customer feedback. We really enjoyed our service- from them working to provide us with a timely seating as walk-ins to the attentive servers- and it truly made the experience for us. Overall, I'd highly recommend making a reservation at Malooga to see for yourself what the hype is about!

Food was great, but I was surprised to discover that you need to bring your own glasses for BYOB. No mention of this was made when I checked the BYOB policy by phone. We were offered paper coffee cups, which is totally unacceptable for a $150 dollar meal. For $8 at the thrift store, they could pick up a few beer glasses. Strange. I've never seen that before. Fix this, and I'd come back.

I'm unsure if the friendliness of our greeting upon entering or the smell of the food was a better first impression, but this quaint little spot packs the most pleasant punch from your first step. The. Chai. Was. Incredible. I'm currently on the west coast wondering if flying back across the country for chai is unreasonable? The staff was great, the menu had so many good options we had a hard time choosing but went with their special lamb dish and it was THE RIGHT CALL. It's been a while since I had lamb done so right. It melted off the bone and even the fats melted in your mouth. Exquisitely cooked. 12/10 no notes. The rice was delightful, dessert (mom's special) was obviously someone's most precious comfort food. We loved every bite of everything.

Malooga is a restaurant in Philly, near Elfeth Alley, known for its Middle Eastern food. They have a unique floor seating concept you must reserve in advance. It's a good experience for those interested in elevated traditional dining. The restaurant itself is BYOB and a little small, so I wouldn't recommend coming here in a group bigger than 4. We went on Mother's Day so the service was really slow - we checked in on our drinks a few times and they never came so we ended up cancelling them. The owner gave us each free baklava as a nice gesture, which was sweet! The food itself was okay and expensive, but the portion sizes were huge. The adventure platter is good for sharing, but nothing on the plate tasted spectacular. The fool was unique - it came out bubbling and tasted like daal. It needed a side of rice or something but I'd rate it a 6/10. The lamb haneeth was good - some of the meat was overcooked but the pieces that were cooked properly had a melt in your mouth texture. I wish it was seasoned a little more, but I'd rate it a 6/10 as well.

We came here for late lunch and ordered malooga salad and babaganush for appetizers and chicken shawarma and lamb haneeth. All were fresh and tasty. Our server name is Liam and he was attentive and nice explaining the dishes. Restaurant was not busy at 3 pm.ish. Ambiance is nice and colorful.

This place is a must-visit for anyone and everyone especially if you are a philly resident! the atmosphere is cozy, inviting, and homey, which is perfect for a casual catch-up with old friends or meeting with new ones. The cuisine is authentic with many traditional dishes on the menu. We got the Chicken Kansah, Chicken Mandi, Chicken Kebab, and the Salta; would highly recommend all. Also, the portions are huge, so it is great for sharing! Lastly, the servers are dedicated to quick and attentive service. I was very impressed!

I visited this place several months ago and am just now getting around to writing a review. I tried the House Salad and Chicken Mandi. The chicken, while visually appealing, lacked the flavor I expected, making it rather unmemorable. As a previous reviewer mentioned, it tasted similar to supermarket chicken, and I agree. The rice, on the other hand, was the highlight of the dish, with a delightful mix of herbs, raisins, and nuts. The portion size for the chicken meal was extremely generous, allowing me to take half of it home for the next day. I added some much-needed seasoning to the chicken at home. The House Salad was nothing special but was necessary to have some vegetables with my main meal.

Awesome food and chai! The service was also really good. Such a cute hidden gem! I end up drinking two cups of the Adani chai, it was that good! Very tender meat too! Loveed it!

Really delicious and authentic food! The service was perfection, as the waitress was really attentive and kind. We ordered Stuffed Grape Leaves, Baba Ghanouj, Mixed Grill Platter (2 lamb kebab skewers, 2 chicken kebab skewers, and beef cubes, with warm pita bread and fries- $49.99; a good deal), Umm Ali (bread pudding type dessert), and Adani chai. This was enough food for 3 people. Everything was very flavorful and the chai was perfect to warm us up from the cold weather. There is an elevated seating area with cushions in the front where you can remove shoes, sit, and have a meal or drink (less formal). Though we sat at a table, I'd be curious to sit up there next time!

All the reviews are right, you NEED to visit Malooga. Better yet, see if you can reserve the elevated carpet seating area. The stews, tea, salads, appetizers truly everything my party of 5 ordered was absolutely delicious!

Small place, but great selections of Yemeni food and drinks. Gotta try their stew pot- the meat was tender and flavorful, paired perfectly with flatbread (on the thin/crispy side). We got the mixed grill to try more things, the shish was great - juicy and flavorful, unfortunately the chicken and lamb cubes were a bit dry, and lacks a bit flavor just on it's own, but paired with the garlic sauce still tasted good. They have table option or sit on the floor/mat (for a full experience ;)

The food was so delicious. The prices were affordable too. Staff was very friendly and courteous

We arrived without a reservation but they had time to & space to sit us before a reservation. We ordered the adventure appetizer platter which had the best babaganush I've eaten in ages. Hummus & falafel were great. None of us love cold stuffed grape leaves but these were not too tangy & with some hummus on it they were delicious. For main course, 3 of us shared the chicken & lamb platter which was excellent. Lamb needed a touch of salt but when eaten with the homemade hot sauce and cold yogurt & cucumbers it was supple, soft and delicious. All in all, we would definitely go back!! Oh- you also have to try their latte. Best I've had outside an Italian cafe.

Malooga is a casual dining establishment with a warm atmosphere. Service: The service here was excellent! From when I walked in early with my family to our time seated while putting in orders, the hosts/servers were gracious and helpful. Ambiance: I loved the wall paintings of cultural settings, as well as a traditional seating area at the window. We were a large group so we couldn't take advantage of that, this time. The traditional seating area is probably for about 4-5 people. Food: Generous portions and well-seasoned food. The food also came out hot and quickly after putting in orders. I shared the chicken Mandi with my mom. It included large pieces of succulent chicken and a beautiful aromatic rice with nuts and raisins. The restaurant does a great job by including toum (garlic sauce) and hot sauce on the side. For a casual dine-in meal, I would definitely return. The surrounding area is also great for walking around, after a hearty meal at Malooga.

Favorite new ( to me) BYOB in old city. It was by chance that I happened about it, and thank god for that. A little background- I was born and brought up in the Middle East so I can truly appreciate authentic Mediterranean food. We chose to sit down at the floor seating and started off with the hummus topped with falafel which was amazing, but my favorite was the chicken Mandi and Sana chicken sizzler. Both were simple superb ! Service was top notch and I love the little details on the window sill. Get ready to be transported to the Middle East at this amazing restaurant.

Get a reservation!!! We tried to walk in and get a table and ended up waiting over an hour (very annoying but what can you do). Once inside, the staff was super nice and even gave us a dessert on the house because they had quoted a 20 minute wait initially. The level of service was great -- our server was very courteous and on top of everything. The space inside is a little small given the demand, but enough room for fairly large groups if planned in advance. Baba Ghanouj - This was awesome -- very creamy with the occasional eggplant slice. Highly recommend. Could eat this all day. The accompanying flatbread was thin and somewhat crisp which held its form when picking up the dip. Hummus Shwarma - I didn't think this was going to be a dip (as shwarma is usually in a wrap), but I was delightfully surprised that this was shwarma meat atop hummus, making it perfect for dipping and sharing on the table. Highly recommend. Of the two dips we got, this one was a big deal for us (baba ghanouj good in its own right). The chicken was perfectly tender and the seasoning overall was great and plentiful. Lamb Fahsah - This was a lamb stew with potatoes and okra. This was great as well. The lamb was perfectly tender and flavorful. The potatoes were cooked well, but not to the point that they just fall apart on your fork -- expertly done. This dish was great, but I have one improvement: it's served with the same flatbread as the dip, which is firm and crisp, which doesn't make it easy to soak up the stew. In fact, when picking up things with the flatbread, the sauce drips out. You really want fluffy flatbread here. Still, tasty dish. Umm Ali - Had to try this -- it's essentially a coconut bread pudding, though the consistency is a little thinner (somewhere between traditional bread pudding and oatmeal). The lightly sweetened dish made for a perfect finish to the meal. The top was crisp with little pieces of crunchy coconut. Value: 5/5 Quality: 5/5 Quantity: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5

Just came in to grab a dubai chocolate. It was pretty good, though I wish they served it in dark chocolate. The place was POPPIN with customers! Smelled delicious and lots of happy faces. I will definitely be trying out their dinner options soon!

I really enjoyed my Shish Taouk Platter (Chicken Kebab). The chicken was tender with the perfect char/grilled flavors. The garlic flavored yogurt sauce paired well with this dish. The rice was the perfect texture. Loved the hummus. Tasted freshly made and was very smooth. We did not like the Baba Ghanouj. I think the eggplant was overly smoked that this whole dish just tasted burnt. Their naan was on the dryer side. Our waitress was super friendly! She gave us complimentary baklava because we were celebrating a birthday.

This is an intimate spot, and based off of our experience a popular date spot! You can either reserve a table or the seated floor option. We opted for the table reservation. Service was friendly and prompt upon entering. We ordered the iced chai (very creamy & cardamom flavored), and dove into our appetizer. The Hummus Shawarma had incredibly juicy chicken with creamy hummus and accompanied by flatbread. The favorite of the night was the Chicken Kabsah. It was delicious. Well seasoned chicken, in a great savory sauce. I ordered the Lamb Haneeth, the meat was fall off the bone tender, however, I would not order it again as I found it under seasoned. I wish there was a sauce, or more salt? It fell a bit flat. Would return, but not sure if it makes my regular rotation of middle eastern food.

It's very homey! The atmosphere encourages conversation. The food was delicious, especially the Hummus Shawarma, and a great introduction to Middle Eastern cuisine. I found some of it a bit dry, but perhaps it just doesn't suit my palate. Our server was very sweet and accommodating.

We stopped by for our second visit during Ramadan and it was such a pleasant experience from start to finish. Our server, Liam, is such a hospitable & hard working individual. Food was A+ from the Mixed Grill to the Hummus Shawarma. Will def. be back!

Sunday of a holiday weekend, walked into this lively cozy bistro in Old City. Got seated instantly without a reservation at 1230-- the place soon filled up with families and friends. One awesome server handled the room including takeaway pickups. Lovely fool (stewpot) with warm yummy bread as well as chicken shish platter, which server upsold adding hummus. Sat at a Western table and would like to try the 'magic carpet' experience in the window plus Adani tea next time.

Came back to celebrate my bday and the service was still great but the size or quality of food has slightly diminished. I was disappointed with the pita. When i was here last year, the pita was soft and chewy. This time around, it was flat and bleh. Tried their stuffed grape leaves and it was cold and hard, basically not as fresh as i would like. And a couple of things we wanted were not available.

Flavorful rice, jasmine I think, with meat- spare ribs I think. As it was TooGoodToGo, I think this meat portion had some pieces lacking quality and some parts were fine. More fat and bone but sufficient meat especially for the price. Some juicy tasty meat, and the sauce and/or spices they flavor the rice with seems to be uniquely Middle Eastern and delicious. The inside decor is warm like you want to stay there and the prices certainly reflect a combination of the food quality and ambiance. it is nice to see such variety for Philly and TooGoodToGo. The entree was enough to make me consider visiting there as a normal customer. Staff is friendly and service was efficient.

It is so wonderful to see this restaurant gain traction among locals and foodies alike. The portions are wonderful, the meat dishes succulent (lamb could use a tad more salt/spices), and the fish is absolutely a must get! We arrived for dinner at 5pm and some of the items have already been sold out (I'm looking at you, lamb-soup). Grab a friend, skip breakfast, and enjoy a terrific meal here at Malooga. Must get: liver, fish, lentil soup Meh: lamb Missed out: dessert

Wowza! If there was a guide on "how to run a restaurant 101", Malooga would've written it. The food is well-seasoned, vibrantly colored, and generally evenly-balanced. They also have a lot of veg-friendly options. Aside from the food, the service was great; our server was attentive and welcoming. The ambiance is a good blend of casual and energetic: they play lively music that fits in perfectly with the vibes of the neighborhood. Their menus boast eye-catching pictures while maintaining functionality with simple, easy-to-read design. They also offer incentives for yelp and google reviews. Chicken Mandi: 7/10 Chicken is tender, juicy, and falls right off the bone. Skin on the outside is seasoned with just enough salt, but could use a little more acid. The white meat on the inside is moist. The rice is brightly colored with greens, oranges, and yellows. There is a ton of it though; I think it could be a smaller portion and that would be fine. Fool: 6/10 Interesting veggie dish reminiscent of a naan and curry or chips and bean dip combo. The fava beans come in piping hot in their stone bowl and stays hot throughout. While this wasn't anything crazy or out of the ordinary, it was still an enjoyable addition to our meal. === GRADE: B+ === Overall a great find to stop by if you're visiting the area. I would love to come back and try some of their other specialty dishes!

This place is a gem...and also pretty popular so better off with a reservation even on a week night! The food is delicious! Our lamb was cooked perfectly and everything we tried was delicious! It's an intimate set up and service was great! I liked this spot so much that I just bought a gift certificate for my friend for his birthday . It's also a byo, so don't forget your bottle!

Malooga has been on my list to try for sometime now and I am so glad I tried it. It is very clean inside and the staff is attentive. The portions are huge, one entrée can easily be shared between 2-3 people but serves great as leftovers. The chicken mandi comes with basically half a chicken - wing, drumstick, breast and thigh. The rice has raisins and slivered almonds which is such a wonderful pairing. The complimentary zhug eleveated the dish, I used an ample amount. The lamb haneeth also comes with a lot of meat. It is perfectly cooked with the meat falling off the bones. We also tried masoob for dessert. It is essentially mashed bananas, mashed flatbread, cream and honey. It is definitely shareable. The dessert is comforting and tastes like a banana foster. Malooga definitely offers more items on their menu compared to some other Yemeni restaurants in the area. I'd definitely come again, especially with people visiting town.

This was a great Yelp find. We had heard a lot about Malooga from our friends and finally had the opportunity to try it. This is a small family-owned and run restaurant. The ambience is very casual. We were greeted politely and were seated immediately. We tried their appetizer platter that had hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, and grape leaves. Everything tasted very well. For entree, we ordered Chicken Mandi that came on a huge plate. The chicken was moist and well cooked, absolutely melting in the mouth. The saffron rice had generous portions of nuts and raisins, very delicious and perfectly cooked. I think this is one of the best chickens I ate in a very long time. The pot of Adani Chai was an absolute best finisher. Loved It! I was impressed by the quality and presentation of the food. What was most interesting was that the chef came out to greet the customers. He went table by table talking to patrons and collecting feedback. This was a very nice personal touch. We like talking to chefs and understanding their cooking philosophy. The chef was very polite and an approachable person. I highly recommend Malooga. Our experience in terms of food, both quality and presentation, and staff personnel was exceptional.

We came here for dinner after a night out and this was absolutely the perfect place for that. We both got sizzling items (my fiance got the lamb dish and I got the chicken sizzling dish) and when paired with the tzaziki appetizer, it as exactly what we needed. The servers were very friendly and the food came out surprisingly quickly for how home-cooked it tasted. We were excited for the Egyptian dessert but it would take 40 minutes so we opted for the baklava instead which was also delicious. The restaurant was cute but definitely busy, but for a good reason. We will absolutely be coming back here next time we come to Philly.

Fresh ingredients and deliciously prepared dishes at Malooga! A friend chose it when five of us needed to eat before a show a couple of weeks ago. We happened to be back last night and chose to go right back to Malooga. I had the lentil soup and stuffed grape leaves the first time, and the Vegan Bowl last night. Friends chose a variety of entrees - everyone enjoyed them. Don't overlook the Fassolia (Taste of Yemen). It could be a meal or share it as an appetizer. Truly delicious. We will be back - would like to try their desserts. (I also loved the Adani Chai tea.) Good service as well!

Got a reservation for the floor seating (according to the waitress, in Yemen, meals are typically consumed while sitting on the floor or ground. This is an easier way to gather and eat with a big group as well). At first it's a little bit uncomfortable but once you get used to it it's actually a very fun experience. Note: don't wear a dress/skirt if you're opting for the floor seating! We got: 1. Shish Taouk platter (chicken) 2. Hummus shawarmas 3. chicken mandi 4. Foul 5. Lamb Fahsah 6. Kunafa for desserts 7. Adani chai (Yemeni chai) The food was good! The portions for the platters are HUGE, especially for the chicken mandi. I wasn't sure why they decided to use a XXL plate - the rice to chicken ratio was 7:3. It also didn't come with any vegetable. It was too much food for anyone. The chicken was nicely seasoned, juicy and tasty. The shish taouk platter was better in that it came with vegetable and hummus. The protein was cooked really deliciously as well. I was excited to try the Foul and Lamb Fahsah since those were traditional Yemeni dishes. Both were very homey dishes without much flavor. It was one of those dishes like chicken noodle soup that you would crave in certain occasions but wouldn't eat all the time. The chef came out and talked to us at the end. His passion made me give this place a five star rather than four star. He said he's not a trained chef but his passion was cooking so he gave up another career to pursuit a career in the food industry. The way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his food made this place more special! He even offered a complimentary Kunafa for us to try after he learned it was our first time at the restaurant. It tasted similar to the Turkish Kunefe but it's a little different, and texture was a bit softer and less sweet. Overall had such a fun experience eating here! Would highly recommend anyone to try Yemeni cuisine and support this place if you haven't. The Adani chai is yummy :)

Great food and a quick walk from my hotel. Nice atmosphere inside and very busy, so plan ahead! I had shawarma hummus, sambosas, and kebab side.

Finally tried their Chicken Mandi and it was just delicious - the rice is flavored with cardamom and saffron and the chicken is melt-in-your-mouth good. We also got the Hummus shawarma which was really tasty as well! I think between two people, 1 appetizer and 1 main course is more than enough. Pretty much everyone took leftovers home. I didn't really like the Adani chai as it was thinner in consistency than Indian chai so personally I would skip it next time.

Update: 26 SEP Today had rice pudding, lentil soup, kebabs. Rice pudding and lentil soup were impeccable! Kebabs tasted like they were boiled to speed up cooking. Had I asked to have them put back on grill I am sure they would have been better, but I was too hungry;) Ambience, clean and welcoming. Staff friendly and attentive.

Been on the list for a while, happy to finally check it out! Very small seating space. Helpful staff. Broth was light, wouldn't get again. Chicken dish was massive and incredible. The rice with nuts is flavorful and the chicken was absurdly tender and pleasant to eat. Next time I'd definitely get it again except there's plenty of other items on the menu I'll need to try before revisiting

Besides the standard Southwest Asian food like falafal and hummus, this charming spot really does offer Yemeni dishes listed under "A Taste of Yemen" on the menu. Who knew we needed Yemeni food until Malooga cooked for us! Malooga should offer a master class on blending spices, both subtle and assertive, without overpowering a dish's main ingredients. Recommendations include saltah, fahsah, and Sana'a fajitas. The fool surprised me the most. Malooga elevated the Levantine "poor man's breakfast" to an impressive level that would make a poor man weep with joy. I may never be happy again with my own foul madamas. We might have saved the Yemeni latte and Adani chai, richly spiced and delicious, for after our meal. They competed with the spices in our food. Do get the pots; you will want more than one cup. Have the falafel, if you must, but you would be missing out on a unique cuisine offering North Africa, the Levant and the Arabian peninsula to you all on one plate.

This Yemeni restaurant is small with 30 seats but it has very ornate dining section by the window at a pedestal where you eat by sitting on the floor for about 4 adults. You can read the menu on the window, which is helpful for me to place my orders to go. Upon entering I was greeted by a friendly gentleman, whose name I found out later is Omar. The lady who took my order was friendly too. As I was waiting for my coo I observed how the staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and pointed out to the customers the popular food. I got hummus with chicken schwarma that came with 2 pita bread. Creamy hummus and tasty chicken. Highly recommended. Omar recommended the lamb dish. I will definitely come back to try different dish. Weekend is busy so he recommended reservations through the website.