Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill

"The baklava and buttery pistachio maamoul at this Lebanese daytime spot make us produce noises no one should hear. (A hybrid of "yoooooooo" and a cat purr.) The West Philly cafe is just as much a lunch destination as it is a bakery, so you can hang out with a friend or your laptop, drink coffee, and eat lahm bajeen with spicy lamb. Just prepare to leave with bags of baked goods: scanning the cases always results in syrupy knafeh and some coconut cake." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"Manakeesh is part-Lebanese lunch spot, part bakery, and a quick and easy option whether you want to get some work done over baklava or catch up with a friend. The flatbreads are perfect for sharing and are topped with everything from labneh and za’atar to lamb lahm bajeen. No matter what you do, don’t leave without checking out the baked goods. You can pretend the big box you leave with is to share with your coworkers, even though there’s a 0% chance that actually happens." - candis mclean

"Manakeesh is part-Lebanese lunch spot, part bakery, and a quick and easy option whether you want to get some work done over baklava or catch up with a friend. The flatbreads are perfect for sharing and are topped with everything from labneh and za’atar to lamb lahm bajeen. No matter what you do, don’t leave without checking out the baked goods. You can pretend the big box you leave with is to share with your coworkers, even though there’s a 0% chance that actually happens." - Candis R. McLean

"The sizable menu at this famed cafe and bakery features more than just Middle Eastern classics like hummus, baba ganoush, and flatbreads. Its “Create Your Mashawi Platter” comes with multiple options for beef, lamb, and chicken skewers, and can be served atop a side of rice, batatas, or tabbouleh (just to name a few)." - George Banks-Weston

"This University City gem is known for their Lebanese wood charcoal grill that serves a dynamic cheesesteak manakeesh and shawarma platter. Vegans will find delight in their fresh hummus and creamy baba ghannouj." - Ernest Owens