Safier Mediterranean Deli

On the Grid : Safier Mediterranean Deli

"Downtown Louisville’s ambassador to a friendly and delicious Mid-Eastern food experience, Safier offers a variety of Persian and Lebanese dishes that are perfect for a healthy, tasty lunch. With daily lunch specials, take out and catering, Safier offers a taste of the Mediterranean 7 days a week." - Fieldtrip

The 26 Essential Louisville Restaurants

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"Safier is well known amongst the downtown weekday lunch crowd, but the casual, walk-in Mediterranean eatery is open weekends too. Owner and head chef Youness El Mesyah serves scratch-made Lebanese dishes and daily Indian specials, including a plethora of vegetable-based options and halal selections. Go for the popular vegetarian platter, which comes with four choices of grape leaves, hummus, falafel, mutabbal, rice, tabbouleh, mujadara, or spinach pie." - Lennie Omalza

"Safier Mediterranean Deli, Downtown. Downtown Louisville’s ambassador to a friendly and delicious Mid-Eastern food experience, Safier offers a variety of Persian and Lebanese dishes that are perfect for a healthy, tasty lunch. With daily lunch specials, take out and catering, Safier offers a taste of the Mediterranean 7 days a week."

Tanya` Brown

Google

Absolutely loved the Chicken Shawarma plate. It was an exceptional serving for the cost. This portion provided myself with two very delicious meals. I also purchased the hummus and pita. The hummus was insanely good. The young lady working the register was very friendly, my husband and myself enjoyed chatting with her.

Lauren Tucker

Google

Despite high praise in reviews, the chicken was dry and only moderately flavorful. It also didn’t seem fresh, nor did the stiff pita bread. However, the garlic sauce was wonderfully fluffy and rich. I did appreciate the option to order a side of meat. Service was quick, with indoor seating available, and paid on-street parking nearby. Reasonable prices.

Leslie Monhollen

Google

Got lunch here on a whim and WOW! Amazing flavors and huge portions. The hummus and falafels were fantastic and the salad was tasty. Kept me full all day.

Priyanka Bengaluru

Google

Chicken options are only two Shish tawook and chicken shawarma in plate. Shish Tawook was good, service was pretty quick. Loved their location. There is more scope for improvements especially in items- looking forward for chicken Shish ( grounded). Falafel is also great.

Kay Que

Google

We stopped by Safier Mediterranean Deli during our visit to Louisville and were truly impressed! We tried the chicken shawarma plate with rice and hummus, and a chicken shawarma wrap with fries—both were packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, the hummus was smooth and creamy, and the portions were generous. This place is a hidden gem if you're looking for authentic Mediterranean food in downtown Louisville. Fast service and great value—highly recommended!

Elvis Dizdar

Google

For a fresh taste of Mediterranean food do not hesitate to come to Safier Mediterranean Deli. The food here is so full of flavor and the service is top notch. Youness EL and his team will definitely take great care of you. If you are from Louisville or surrounding area, or if you are just passing through I would definitely recommend you stop by and taste what they have to offer. You will not regret it! Still years later one of the best Mediterranean restaurants around.

Mamta Nachnani

Google

Their Mediterranean cuisine is simply divine. The fries are finger-licking good. They are crispy, golden, and addictive, surpassing any burger joint. And the rice? A perfect 10/10!

Sai Komma

Google

I recently dined at Safier Mediterranean Deli, and my experience was a bit of a mixed bag. Let me break it down: The Good: Flavorful Food: The dishes were flavorful, and I appreciated the variety of options, including both vegetarian and meat-based choices. Friendly Service: The staff was friendly and attentive, making the dining experience pleasant. The Not-So-Good: Ambiance: The restaurant’s ambiance could use some improvement. It felt a bit cramped, and the lighting was too bright for my liking. Portion Sizes: While the portions were generous, some dishes seemed a bit overwhelming. Finding a balance would be ideal. Timing: The wait time for our food was longer than expected. If you’re in a hurry, this might not be the best choice. Overall Impression: Safier Mediterranean Deli has its merits, especially if you’re craving Mediterranean flavors. However, there are areas for improvement. I’d recommend it for a quick lunch or casual dinner, but manage your expectations.

Claudia E.

Yelp

This place is forever where I will be going prior to any concert at the Mercury Ballroom or the Brown Theater. We had a great experience here. We ordered all sorts of food because we wanted to bring some back to our husbands who didn't come with us. Everything we tried was delicious, and the portions were generous where they more than held us over the whole evening. The atmosphere is pretty basic, but in the best way. This place doesn't pretend to be more than it is: it is simply perfect. The staff is super friendly and helpful. And the location could not be more convenient! Just a few steps away from some awesome concert venues. Can't wait to be back!

David C.

Yelp

MAY2024 2.5 I'd say for what I had. We had gotten food to go since it's easy to hold and travel with. Service was helpful with any questions. I had gotten the falafel wrap. While it was light pricing, the wrap itself left a lot to be desired. Falafel was decent, easy to bite through but not crispy at all. Aside from the falafel there wasn't really anything else in it vegetable wise leaving a lot to be desired in this case.

Jennifer K.

Yelp

Ok good. I tried this place because of the reviews but i was unimpressed. The service was AWFUL. Chicken shawarma plate was dry and mostly rice. I'm not sure what went wrong on the day I visited but it was NOT worth more than a 2 star

Lauren H.

Yelp

I just really love the great taste and even better price of this spot. If I lived closer to downtown I would be a frequent flier. Where else can you go and get a delicious meal that will stuff you to the brim for under $10?!

Tony T.

Yelp

This is a place where you order at the counter and sit if you'd like or take it to go. I ordered the Beef Shawarma sandwich to go and also a piece of baklava. The service was polite and they were very efficient, I only waited I think two or three minutes for my sandwich. The sandwich is big as you can see, and it was pretty heavy, there's a good amount of meat in it. The sandwich was very tasty, and very enjoyable. It was very filling also, I could not eat it all. The baklava was delicious, I'm glad I ordered it. The phyllo dough was very crispy, and the dessert had just the right amount of sweetness.

Lydia C.

Yelp

Very cute space in downtown Louisville. Not a big space (very standard deli size), but there is seating in the back. Service was super nice, and the food came out fast. I got the falafel platter and it was delicious. Huge fan of their pickles! Their toum and hummus is definitely worth getting more pita for. Also, the baklava is so good, I ate it all before I could stop myself. Standard disclaimer about the downtown parking situation being crowded!

Emily H.

Yelp

Safier -- it's a downtown mainstay and should not be taken for granted. I found myself on S. Fourth Street at lunch time recently, and a smile spread across my face when I realized Safier was nearby. Just like old times, you wait in a line leading to the counter to order. And if you're lucky you can snag a table indoors or out on the sidewalk. I got my favorite, the chicken shawarma plate. Their chicken shawarma is the best shawarma I've found in Louisville. It's perfectly seasoned and tender. This also came with tzatziki sauce, salad and pita bread. I opted for a mango lassi too. My lunch was fast and delicious -- can't ask for more.

Ata A.

Yelp

The mujadara I had was dry, lacked flavor, and was honestly probably the worst mujadara I've had in my life. The baba ghanouj was delicious, smoky, and made just right. The hummus was okay. The bread was dry and coarse. The spinach pie lacked flavor and spices. I was honestly disappointed with my meal. My partner had a Greek salad and she loved it.

Shirlyn S.

Yelp

Hole in the wall type of place, you order at the counter and collect it after it's done. Food arrived really fast despite having a lot of online orders. I got the chicken shawarma sandwich and my partner got the beef shawarma entree. The rice from the rice plate smelled really fragrant but there was so much of everything it was a little overwhelming. The chicken sandwich was a wrap and was pretty delicious, except the chicken was a little dry. But for the price you're paying, the portions are really good. The real star of the show was the unassuming baklava. Filo pastry was crispy and the honey flavor complemented the nut filling really well. It was absolutely delicious and I was really contemplating getting another. Definitely get the baklava if you're visiting!

Jeff H.

Yelp

I stopped in here for lunch on a business trip and was pleasantly surprised and impressed! Great family run business, excellent service and huge plates of delicious homemade food. They've got Mediterranean, Turkish, and Greek dishes that are straight bellybustin' deliciousness!

Norm C.

Yelp

Are you kidding me. This little spot is amazing. I got lucky and grabbed a bite at 1130 before the line started. I had the chicken shwarma sandwich and fries. Yeah that was way too much. I ate a couple of fries but way more than I needed. Staff was really efficient. Not a lot of seats but take out is so worth it. Find this place for some awesome food. Oh they had baklava and it was amazing. Sugar coma but seriously it was so tasty. Careful now.

Jennifer F.

Yelp

I can't say enough about this place, the food is amazing and the quantity is too. It's not very expensive and the service is excellent, they definitely know what they're doing. You can go there for lunch and have your food in no time and one shawarma is enough to feed a grown man. They've got it going on that's for sure. It's one of my favorite places to eat lunch. A lot of food, fast and inexpensive. You can eat inside or outside and that makes for a nice lunch or even dinner date. Where it's located makes for a great place to eat and enjoy downtown Louisville. Love Safier's

Yvette C.

Yelp

Safier's food is amazing! The Chicken Swarma dinner, Chicken Swarma sandwich and Hummus are the best. I have tried other Mediterranean restaurants and the others don't compare. Safier's has the best Hummus I've ever had. The portions are great, the prices are good for the quality of food you get. The atmosphere is good, they get so busy at lunchtime you usually have to stand in line to get in. I usually get mine to go. The people who work there are always nice & helpful! This is 1 of my favorite restaurants in Louisville.

Ryan Z.

Yelp

Good food, quick service, excellent value! The chicken shawarma was large and tasty. I've also tried the chicken shawarma plate, which was good, but not worth the extra price in my opinion. Their Greek salad was full of flavor. Def worth a shot, especially to-go orders

John-Mark H.

Yelp

I'm a repeat customer at this highly reliable eatery. It's a great value and has some of the best hummus anywhere. Staff is always friendly, and service is always prompt.

Denise L.

Yelp

This came recommended by the hotel I was staying at, so placed an order by phone. She said the beef shwarma was good, so I ordered that plate and a side of baba ganoush, both with no pickles. I went to pick it up and it was ready by the time I got there. Lots of food for the price, and there was unfortunately pickles in my baba ganoush but it was such a large portion that I was able to eat around it. The pita is the thinnest I've ever had, paper thin, but felt less guilty eating it up. The rice was delicious, but much of the beef was dry, very overcooked.

Aaron C.

Yelp

These guys catered a wedding for my family and everything was great. We had a mix of chicken biryani, lamb hummus , and other Mediterranean foods. The lamb was cooked perfectly, and I went back for seconds. Several people commented how good the food was at the wedding unprompted. I would not change a thing. I wish I took pictures so you could see the bounty, but please believe this was not your typical wedding food of amount of mashed potatoes and dry chicken breast with a lemon wedge. You will be happy. Also, which made it great. The caterers were so happy to be there for a wedding and had just a fun personality which makes you like everything. These guys are doing it right.

Matt W.

Yelp

Ordered the chicken shawarma plate, liked that the chicken was separate from the rest so it didn't get soggy if you were carry out. Chicken had tons of flavor and was very tender. Service was very efficient, order at the counter and food was ready just as I got settled at a table. Not a lot of seating, but mostly to go while I was in for lunch

Ulyana K.

Yelp

The food here is really good, and the employee serving us was also awesome and really easy to talk to! It's a little shop that doesn't serve anything extravagant, but what they do make they make well. I tried chicken shawarma plate (with vegetables and rice), beef shawarma, pita, and baklava. The chicken shawarma was quite good. I thought they gave you an adequate amount of chicken, which was nicely spiced and had a pretty good texture. They give you a ton of rice with your main meal, and it's pretty tasty rice as well. Nice little salad there too, which was refreshing. I really loved the sauce that came with the chicken shawarma. Garlicky, a little bit creamy, and just overall delicious. I even used the sauce for the rice! The beef shawarma came with a tahini-based sauce, which was a bit more acidic, but I still loved it. The beef was more tough than the chicken, though. They gave me a complimentary pita with my order, which was really nice. It was a pretty average pita, but can't complain since it's free I was really looking to try their namura, but unfortunately they had sold out of it before I got there. So I had the baklava instead. It was okay, but not syrupy or sweet enough for my taste. Good amount of walnuts though. All in all, this is a great Mediterranean spot near the downtown Louisville Embassy Suites (walking distance). The meat is great, and so are the sides. The people are kind and the food is made quickly.

Queen J.

Yelp

So sad to see the decline in quality. I recently stopped ordering as much because of the decline in the quality of food. I ordered again HOPING they have found their way again,......but was still VERY disappointed. Ordered the chicken shawarma plate. The chicken was dry and under seasoned. My salad was definitely leftovers and barely any dressing. Probably my last order.

Sheila B.

Yelp

This food was phenomenal - it has been on my list to try in Louisville's for a while and finally stopped in. Their hours are a bit odd, but for a local restaurant I can't complain a bit! The shawarma sandwiches are genuinely bigger than my head and the pickles on it are crazyyyy good. Super quick and patient customer service! I highly recommend in Louisville next time you are in town.

Stephanie H.

Yelp

Chicken shawarma, Greek salad, hummus and toum (garlic sauce) are my favs. Small place ,quick service. Favorite Mediterranean place locally.

Marc T.

Yelp

Staying close by for work. Read a few recommendations and decided to try it out. Definitely locally owned and operated. Inside is nothing fancy, but food is very good. Ordered chicken shawarma with hummus instead of salad. Chicken was very fresh and perfectly seasoned. Hummus was some of the best I have had in a while. Only thing disappointing was the pita was average. Would recommend if looking for good Mediterranean in town.

Steven G.

Yelp

After all the hype, the food was average. The chicken shwarma was a bit dry and sides were nothing to write home about. Maybe it's a better lunch spot than dinner, but I left underwhelmed.

Jennifer M.

Yelp

This is my go-to lunch spot when visiting Louisville for work. Thankfully it's conveniently located right across the street from my office but I'd go out of my way to try it. My favorites are the Greek salad and the chicken shawarma. The falafel is amazing too! I always look forward to lunches in Louisville thanks to Safier!

Kathy L.

Yelp

Stop here with my dad on our back for a late lunch. We ordered the falafel sandwich combo & my dad got the beef shawarma sandwich combo but asked for it to be spicer. The staff was nice and got right on making our order. We dined in since we got fries & drinks and had some time to eat. Our food came out together in a tray, the fries were delicious & crispy. The sandwiches were long and good. The falafel wasn't dry and the pita wrap delicious. We enjoyed our quite dining and left full & satisfied from our meals.

Tyler R.

Yelp

If I'm getting Mediterranean food downtown, it's going to be Safier every time. The quality is always there and it's easy to cater for large events.

Karina M.

Yelp

Little Mom&Pop Great reviews and delighted to find in walking distance of my hotel. Even the doorman knew about this place and recommended it. Walked over to pick up dinner. Ordered at the counter and came out about 5 minutes later. You can watch them prepare while you wait. I ordered the veggie plate. Tabouli. Hummus. Falafel. Naan. And I added fries. Portions enough for two. But of course I ate it alllll by myself. The Naan order was on the small side. One order equals 2 little triangle pieces. Not whole serving. Pretty cheap. AND Delicious! Try it! Enjoy!

Lauri B.

Yelp

Needed a quick, filling, healthy-ish lunch between meetings at the Brown; found this restaurant on Yelp. Based in others' recs, I chose the Chicken Shwarama plate. And I may not know how to spell "shwarama" correctly, but the folks at Safier surely know how to make it! What a warm, beautiful, tasty plate it was! And, we'll-priced, and definitely, healthy-ish as well; I wish had another order in front of me now. (Plus, good news for road warriors: they included a fork and napkin in the bag without my even asking for them.)

L S.

Yelp

Huge to go business. the employees are friendly and made amazing recommendations for us.Grape leaves are seasoned properly and came in an order of five, we fought over the lone grape leaf. The hummus is creamy and delicious, the eggplant hummus was equally good. Today's special was a lamb shank. Some seating outside on 4th Street and several indoor tables. Good eats in Louisville.

Bethaney C.

Yelp

My favorite restaurant in all of Louisville! Worth the drive downtown for their daily specials, chicken, lime and rice soup and mango lassi.

Binio L.

Yelp

Loved it! Placed is located downtown, so convenient for many. Ambiance is Mediterranean as it is the full menu as you can see in photos. Service is quick, professional and friendly. If anything unknown or unclear, just ask. For example you can request spicy sauce or replace part of your platter. Street parking or parking lot, but on Sunday plenty parking available so it was a breeze. You can sit inside or outside. The place is clean and inviting. Extensive menu with all the great things you can expect in Mediterranean cuisine. From vegetarian plates to beef and chicken kabobs. Overall I was thrilled with my experience and will be here often. Really good value, hummus is one of the best and creamier I've ever had.

Zack C.

Yelp

If you live and Louisville and haven't been here, you are confused. If the choice is ever between anywhere else and Safier, Safier always wins. Quick service, delicious and simple Mediterranean menu with truly absurd bang for your buck. Vibe is always good.

C V.

Yelp

I don't often come to Louisville but when I do, Safier Mediterranean Deli is my "must have" place. If you come during lunch hours, you'll need some coordination of time because seats are limited and usually down town office staff will be occupying those. Don't let that deter you - they also do take out so you can enjoy the food at the nearby park across the road to your left, or back in your hotel room. Overall: Good food, good portions for the price, and great customer service from all that work behind the counter. Whether you're passing through or staying in Louisville for a while, do yourself a favour and try at least once - you will not be disappointed.

Raven S.

Yelp

Absolutely the best Mediterranean eatery in town. My absolute favorite. Their hummus is sooooooo good. The creamiest you've ever had.

Minelie A.

Yelp

The place was super dirty! But the food was super delicious! We enjoyed every bite of it but flies were everywhere and the table was beyond sticky!

Julia G.

Yelp

Zack is the best. I really believe if I didn't have safier my world would implode. Very very thankful to have them so close to work and a staple in Louisville.

Horton L.

Yelp

WOW WOW WOW!!! This place is super tasty! I am not sure about authenticity since I have never been to the middle east so I can't speak to their authenticity but their food is delicious and their price is reasonable considering that their shop is downtown! Now don't be coming here expecting wine and dine because this place is NOT fancy at all. However, I did enjoy coming here during the warmer days and sitting outside by their tables on the side of the road people watch while knowing that I was being COVID safe. Their combo with lamb was out of this world. Lentil soup was on point. Everything was so delicious and fresh I am still thinking about it to this day. Don't hesitate to eat here if you ever find yourself wandering around downtown L-ville.

Bernadette A.

Yelp

Tried this place again after a few years. Was disappointed by the wrap, I remember it had an amazing pickle and was looking forward to it. low and behold I had a tiny piece of pickle way at the bottom, not the juicy slice it used to have. Serving size has gone down as well.

Kimberly M.

Yelp

Their hummus was absolutely amazing. My friend and I were obsessed with it. My chicken shawarma was good, but the chicken was a little dry, that's why I am giving it 4 stars and not 5. But, I put some of the hummus on there and it helped. Definitely a great spot and I'll be back.

Ryan M.

Yelp

Really good food but cannot get orders accurate. Out of my last 7 orders, 3 have been missing something. This last time wasn't a big deal, but if I pay for an additional falafel in my falafel plate, it'd be nice to receive it.

April M.

Yelp

Deli/service counter style ordering with plenty of small tables for seating. My husband got a Chicken Shawarma, both of our kids got the Tikka Masala special, and I got the Beef Shawarma. This place was busy and does a ton of take out orders but we were able to place our order right away (no line) and they delivered it to our table within 5 minutes. Everyone loved what they got! There was so much food we took a Tikka Masala and fries home.

Marilyn S.

Yelp

The two young men who work there - Mohammad and Edris - were hard-working and very helpful. We ordered vegetarian platter - with hummus, grape leaves, falafel and Greek salad - and fried tilapia with hummus and salad. Lots of delicious food - leftovers for lunch tomorrow. For dessert we had

Trisha C.

Yelp

Safir Mediterranean deli is one of our favorites in the Louisville area. We visit every time that we are here. This is a family owned deli with phenomenal falafel sandwiches and fries.

Kim C.

Yelp

Best Hummus in town. My favorite middle eastern restaurant. Everything is good. I would recommend it to anyone

Zain K.

Yelp

I've likely mentioned this on a few occasions in other reviews, but a chicken shwarma sandwich paired with lentil soup is quite likely my all-time favorite food combination. I say this to set context - my standards are high when it comes to reviewing this fare. I'd had particuarly high expectations for Safier, since it had been recommended by many, but on this day my experience fell short. The pita was somewhat stale and dry, the chicken was a little overcooked, and my request to hold the garlic sauce was [acknowledged and then] ignored. (My friend had the hummus, which was quite good.) I may have caught them on an off day. I give them another try when I'm back in the area...

Phuong N.

Yelp

It's been 3 years since my review of this place and since I got it yesterday, I felt the need to update it. Safier has withstood the test of time. Their food is still as delicious as the first day I came here. That garlic paste is amazing but what really brings me back time and again is the hummus. I've had time to try a lot of hummus in Louisville and still nothing comes close to theirs. It's so creamy with just the right blend of spices and acidity though I will say the pita is dry and can be improved. We recently had Safier for lunch at work but I couldn't have any there since I was so busy so I was super excited to bring the hummus home. However, I tripped on the way out and spilled it all over the ground. This happened last week and I'm still sad about it so that should tell you something. Enjoy!

Hart P.

Yelp

Excellent food. Quick service. clearly a local favorite because the people working recognized and greeted many of the customers who came in. I went wiht the special as it was my first time and I had never tried saag before. Flavorful and filling, the stew has a silky feel to it. Their pita bread is very good and the style is flatter than what you may be used to.

Chaney R.

Yelp

Greek Salad Salad was a great portion. Fresh ingredients and quick service. Salad looked and tasted good, wasn't old. Very flavorful.

On the Grid : Safier Mediterranean Deli

The 26 Essential Louisville Restaurants

@eater