Sahara Grill

This my my favorite restaurant in Philly after doing PhD here for five years. Every year I come back and this is No. 1 on my list. Yesterday we went there again, it’s a family owned restaurant and the owner is really attentive and kind. Couldn’t recommend more! The grilled meat and vegetables are so perfect and tasty! My favorite dessert is Lebanese night. I’ve never been to the Middle East before, but now I wanna go all because if this restaurant 💗

Amazing food! Got a plate of delicious cooked chicken for like $18 and it came with salad, rice, pita. The labneh dip was also fire, an amazing distinct tang, and it paired so well with fragrant rice. We ordered the mint tea for $2.50 and it came with unlimited refills! The server there was very smiley and happy. There were a ton of open seats in the restaurants and the booths are so nice. But they would benefit from warm lighting.

I wanted to share some feedback about my order from yesterday. My husband and I called ahead and specifically asked if the baklava was made with pistachios, because we did not want walnut. The gentleman on the phone confirmed that it was pistachio, so we placed the order and picked it up. However, when I opened it at home, it was the opposite of what we were told. The inside was completely walnut, with just a small sprinkle of pistachios on top. Pistachio baklava should be filled with pistachios inside, not just decorated on the surface, so this was very misleading. In addition, the baklava was extremely heavy and soaked in honey syrup, which overpowered everything. It didn’t taste like traditional baklava at all, and I wasn’t able to eat it. We only came for the baklava, so this was very disappointing. After this experience, I’m honestly not comfortable trying the food again unless the quality improves. I’m sharing this so the issue can be addressed and other customers don’t have the same experience.

Sahara Grill really hit the spot. Prices are super reasonable, the place feels cozy, and everyone working there was so friendly. Food came out fast and everything was tasty. Honestly, no complaints—just a really solid meal.

If you’re going here I recommended getting the Tayouk Chicken as it’s that great traditional Lebanese crispy on the outside and tender & juicy on the inside! However, make sure to review the bill at the end carefully because the tip may be included.

Lovely meal and friendly service. I got the Couscous with Chicken and Hummus and Baba Ganoush. Everything was healthy and delicious. Highly recommend.

Staff was very friendly and patient. Food portion size was great! Good was delicious as well.

The restaurant was really welcoming, we felt like at home. The food was great, comforting food, amazing seasonings, and good portion. The server was so nice, and welcoming! I recommend 100%.

Went on a last minute dinner with a friend and I did not expect to be this impressed. The chicken shisk taouk? tender, juicy and delicious! The side grilled veggies were also sooo good! The portions are also generous considering the price which is always a win for me. The restaurant is pretty spacious and I'm shocked that it wasn't packed because it really should be. Also a huge shoutout to our server who was also very welcoming!

Great atmosphere, wonderful service (despite being super busy) and everything that I tried was good, and most of it was absolutely delicious! Well, you may ask, what more could I want? TWO things would make this really good restaurant GREAT and would have earned five stars: 1.) Fresh-baked pita, lavash, or any style flat bread. Fresh baked makes all the difference. I know this place probably doesn't have room for a woodfired oven or taboon, but there is plenty of room for an electric pizza oven. or make griddle bread like saj and 2.) more spicy on the fried kibby. The kibby was perfectly textured, crisp on the outside and not too dry inside. I could taste all of the basic ingredients, most especially the ground meat, pine nuts, and bulgur wheat. However, the kamouneh/hashweh was lacking some kick. I did not detect any cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, rose, or spicy pepper. I look forward to returning and trying different menu items. I really want to give this place five stars.

I came with another person right after opening on a weekday when it was empty, but by the time we left around noon several other groups had arrived which I was happy to see. The restaurant is cozy but not tight with some diner-style booths, fitting decor and music, and a family-owned vibe with the staff (and a cute kid) warmly mingling. The service wasn't doting but very friendly, which is just how I like it. The two of us ordered a mixed grill platter, fried cauliflower, and fries to share. They came with a complimentary salad and pita basket which I didn't expect, so it ended up being a very generous amount of food! The mixed grill platter came with three pieces each of lamb and chicken breast plus a deliciously spiced and moist ground meat kebab. The lamb was cooked a bit unevenly with one piece being perfectly tender and the others being tougher, but it had almost no gamey flavor which my lamb-ambivalent partner appreciated. The grilled vegetables, seasoned rice, and garlic sauce that came with the platter were all great! The server overheard me complimenting the garlic sauce and stopped to tell me how it was made which was sweet. The two sides were done really well - the fries were super crispy and fresh, topped with fried onions and chili peppers packed with flavor. The fried cauliflower were bursts of flavor and crisp and paired great with the pita; they were maybe my favorite part of the meal. For the amount of food we got, prices were very reasonable. I had always gone to West Philly for good homey Middle Eastern food without all the bells and whistles of the more famous places, but very happy that there is a similar spot in Center City and would definitely continue to support it!

Tasty and authentic dishes served here. Nice and welcoming as soon you enter, with tables and booths to choose from. Menu features a variety of classic small plates and entrees to choose from. The lamb was grilled tenderly with a good spice mix. Veggies on skewers were cut okay, but tomato still had stem so had to be careful. Pita served with the salad was a bit dull, would have been better if warmed up. To end the meal, the Lebanese nights dessert was very delicious, I do recommend that. Overall pretty good, thanks.

First time dining here while visiting a friend in the area. The place is cozy and the gentleman who waited on us was exceptionally kind and efficient. I got the falafel & hummus platter and the falafels were indeed the star of the show. My friend got the eggplant platter and she also enjoyed it.

I was headed to the Academy of Music for a 7:30 PM show, and this was a convenient choice that was right around the corner. Luckily, it was the middle of the week, so it was easy to just pop in. This is a pretty basic place, no fancy bells and whistles, with one guy pretty much handling all the front of house duties. He was fast, congenial and answered questions. Since I wasn't starving, I opted for a simple beef schwarma wrap. It hit the spot. Next time if I'm hungrier, I'll get some other appetizers.

The food is excellent and the service is outstanding. The gentleman who helped me was very kind and hospitable. A MUST try if you are looking for Lebanese food. The music and atmosphere were relaxing and not loud. Just the right balance.

Very delicious food! No wait time today for a table of 6, the service was quick and the waiter was very nice. The pickles were pretty salty. The chicken schwarma was delightful too!

excellent food excellent service reasonably priced We went before Orchestra and we were able to eat there quickly and efficiently and get to the theater on time The people that work there are amazing

Amazing food, amazing service! Sahara Grill is a great place if you're hungry and seeking delicious and perfectly cooked Lebanese food. Portions are healthy! The mixed grill plate had chicken, lamb and beef alongside veggies and rice. The falafel was moist and crispy. Grape leaves were so good! I'm so glad we found this place-we've driven by countless times. We plan on being regulars here, because everything we tried was perfect. Definitely stop by and give them a try!

Successfully influenced by Tik Tok to check this place out with some friends. It's smaller and cozy but didn't seem crowded. It does appear that TikTok folx either had access to an expanded menu, or Sahara Grill was prepared for their visit, as the dishes seemed to be changed in significant ways. We ordered Turkish Coffer and basically received a sample and were told the rest would be coming out and it never did. However, my friends both ordered kabob dishes that they enjoyed, and I had the chicken and mushroom dish which was also pretty tasty. Definitely going back to try some of the sandwiches and wraps!

We went for a late lunch and shared an array of vegetarian dishes that were all delicious: hummus, baba ghanouj, sautéed eggplant, falafel, fried cauliflower florets, tabouleh, fried spicy potatoes (batata harra), with assorted veggies like marinated mushrooms and olives. Service was very welcoming and attentive. Lebanese instrumental music played softly in the background. Prices were very reasonable and the experience was altogether pleasant. We would definitely return and recommend.

We had the following it was all delicious. Bring cash or pay 4% fee for card just an FYI Falafel hummus and feta cheese Chicken Shish Taouk char-broiled chicken breast with lemon, garlic, olive oil and sahara spices Beef Shish Kabob char-broiled marinated cubes of sirloin with onions, tomatoes and peppers

Good food. We ordered carry-out because we thought the place would be packed (because of the holiday); it turned out it wasn't. Shame, because the place looked cozy. I ordered the platter with hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and salad. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Next time I'm in Philadelphia I might stop back in to try a meat dish or two.

I couldn't recommend this place enough! From the food to the service, everything was fantastic! My 2 friends and I dined here on a Saturday in September around 6:30 PM. There were only about 2 other tables at all times. For appetizers we ordered a hummus platter and falafel. For dinner my friends and i got the chicken shawarma, lamb platter, the combo platter, and baklava to end the meal. Everything tasted so fresh and clean. It was the type of meal that leaves you filled but not bloated after. Our server gave us fresh naan/pita bread every 15 minutes it felt like and was great about refilling our water. This place is perfect if you're looking for authentic middle eastern cuisine, great service, and a neat ambiance! Dishes were fairly priced and you get a lot of food! Definitely check this place out. I would take this over Cava or other Mediterranean chain places anyday!

Great food with huge portions for a good price! I came here for lunch and got the falafel baba wrap. It was 11.50 and bigger than my head, so now I also have dinner. We also got the hummus appetizer, and it had a smokey flavor that was addicting and much better than grocery store hummus. I would come back!

Why is this place so highly rated on Yelp? I ordered hummus with pita and a side of falafel. The pita was so stale that I could barely tear pieces off with my teeth. The hummus was pretty bland, and I've had better from the grocery store. The falafel was fresh and hot, however, which is why I gave this place 2 stars. Also the service was very quick and friendly. Be advised that this business prefers cash and will charge a fee for using a credit card!

Visited this restaurant for lunch while on a day trip to Philadelphia. Great Middle Eastern cuisine food with good vegetarian options. Tried their Stuffed grape leaves,Falafel hummus platter and Lamb kabob.Food tasted great ,it was fresh and served warm. Very friendly service and the Decor inside is traditional and unique. Definitely worth a visit when in that area.

Absolutely a cannot beat spot!!! Makes me feel right at home. The workers are kind and create a cozy ambiance. And the food is DELISH!!!!! The iced tea is a hit with a lovely hint of mint. Then the Middle Eastern platter is a way to taste all the appetizers while still having space for your entree. The chicken shish kabob was perfectly seasoned and easily melted in your mouth. The side of rice was buttery gold. Everything was an A+++++++++. Will be back ASAP and telling all my friends!!

Absolutely delicious and great value for your money! I ordered the beef kofta kebab, which came with a generous portion of perfectly spiced rice and a side salad with super tasty dressing. Will definitely be adding this to my go-to restaurant rotation!

Food was amazing. I have not had many of these items since I left the Middle East 15 years ago, so needless to say I was a very happy eater. We got the hummus with meat and pine nuts, lamb kabobs and pickled veggies. All amazingly delicious. Service was exceptional as well. Hint for out of towners like us, they do not serve alcohol and you have to bring your own. This must be a Philly thing as quit a few places were the same way

Looked forward to returning to this classic hole in the wall and the classic falafel ($11) did not disappoint The pita is made on the premises, so flavorful, no resemblance to the packaged type. Falafel is crunchy and wholesome, and I ordered a dollop of baba to make it special. Plan to return again and again.....

Such wonderful food, warm service, and a nice atmosphere. The hummus is excellent. The meats are grilled and spiced perfectly. Highly recommend this place.

This is based on two take-out dishes only, but we see no reason to return. Hummus with meat - $11.50 for a 1 cup container of average hummus and oily minced lamb. The menu says it is topped with pine nuts but came with sliced almonds. I watched the 2 store-bought pitas (I couldn't read the brand, but I could pick it out of a line up) be put directly into the takeout bag, cold. Mixed pickles -- A cup container with 2 kalamata olives, banana pepper rings, inedibly salty pickled beets or cabbage (we couldn't tell for sure), persian-style pickled cucumbers and some overly soft pickled carrots that tasted very heavy on the oregano. The staff was kind and our order came up quickly. The absence of tipping expectation for take-out was a welcome bonus. The joint was jumping, so maybe we're missing something, but unfortunately we make better food for cheaper. If we want to pay $11.50 for a cup of hummus with lamb, we'll go to Zahav.

The food is only ok. A fattoush salad, for example, should have a lot more going on than the container of lettuce with a few halfhearted bad-quality tomatoes and a sprinkle of pita chips that I received. Felafel sandwich was pretty dry and loaded with iceberg lettuce instead of higher-quality ingredients. For the price, I would not go back.

Wow, the food was generous and tasty. The meat tender. The vegetables delicious. Everything prepared perfectly. AND to top it off the baklava was perfect. Can't wait to return. Great hours, open every day.

Enjoyable meal. Hummus, salad, Moussaka, and Baklava with mint tea. Middle Eastern music is background, attentive service, ND the honey used on baklava was excellent. I look forward to returning.

We showed up on a whim and were greeted by the very kind owner, who waited on our table himself. The food was fantastic as was the service.

My family and I went there while we were visiting Philadelphia. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. The one thing that really stood out to us was the service. Ali who served us but also was doing the role of a restaurant manager went above and beyond for everyone dining there. He greeted everyone at the door, made sure they have everything they need and made the experience so much better by being both professional and kind.

SLAAAAPS! Everything was so fresh and tasty. The server was warm and attentive. I walked right in and he told me to sit any where I wish. The chicken "dish" was a special request. I just wanted a chicken kabob and cauliflower and he agreed to make it an entree. Unrelated but the chef brought my main dish out and he was super buff lol he had the Midas touch in these dishes though!

Fantastic, delicious, comforting Lebanese Food... the owner is supper friendly, with extraordinary memory. The last time I dinned here was 2018 and he remembered me.... of course I was a regular customer here. The point is that he will make you feel very welcome!... Excellent service, excellent location, food taste is authentic and delicious!... love it... yummy!

The Lebanese style kafta is very tasty, reasonably priced and fills me up with perfectly charcoaled and seasoned kafta skewers, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, tahini sauce and fries. It's one of my favorite items and I pair it up with hummus with olive oil and fresh pita bread.

The food was good! We had spinach and mushroom pie, Chicken Shawarma and Chicken Shish Taouk with mint tea. The place looks authentic, but probably needs some deep cleaning. The flowers on the table were dead and dried for a long time. Could be the affect of the pandemic, the place looked short staffed. Once everything goes back to normal, I think a cleaner look would do great for this restaurant and food already is pretty decent.

Ok, so you need to run, not walk, to this place. We had so much food and Every. Single. Dish. Was INCREDIBLE. The Middle Eastern Combo was perfect. The hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh were just so delicious. We split three meals: the Shawarma lamb/beef platter, the Moussaka, and the Mixed Grill. OMG!!!! We could NOT stop eating. Everything was prepared to perfection-temp, seasoning, just delicious. If I lived here, I would visit weekly. And what a treat to find this place on a business trip when you often have to suffer through rubber chicken lunches and sad breakfasts during your conference. Love this place and the guy that has owned it for 20+ years so much!

We called in to place an order for a pickup. The ordering process was pretty seamless and the food was ready by the time we arrived. We ordered a Falafel Hummus Pita Sandwich and a Lamb Shawarma Sandwich Lebanese style. The falafel was fresh, the lamb was flavorful and tender and the hummus was on point! But sadly, we weren't too impressed with the pita. The pita wasn't fresh and did not taste like it was baked at the restaurant.  But overall, we enjoyed our sandwiches and would recommend you get your sandwiches Lebanese style as well (it results in a grilled sandwich that is stuffed with fries and pickles).

I almost didn't go in when I saw how quiet the restaurant was, but thankfully Yelp reviews convinced me to take a chance. Food was all very good (I had a lamb kebab) generous portions, and inventive seasoning. Dish came with a green salad and large pieces of grilled vegetables, perfectly cooked. Staff was friendly and attentive, without being invasive. Ambiance has room for improvement.

Delicious food. We Loved the tabouleh. The hummus was so good as well. We had the lamb shawarma.

Good first trip to Sahara Grill. Arrived around 7pm on a Friday night before a show at Walnut Street Theatre. The restaurant seats a good amount of people, and it wasn't too crowded when we got there, but it definitely filled up closer to 7:45-8pm. The appetizer we tried were the stuffed grape leaves (~$6), and I wasn't as big a fan as my wife was. Decent portion, comes with four, but I doubt I would order them again because they lacked flavor. For entrees, we tried the lamb and shrimp kabobs (~$15/each), and these were much better. They don't skimp on the portion size and let you choose to sub out the rice for a few other side options (hummus, extra salad, fries, etc.). They provided a few slices of pita with the salad, and there was enough food for a small takeout box. I'll likely order one of these again and try something new on my next visit! Very kind staff, and we were in/out in less than 45 minutes.

Very authentic decor with a wooden lattice ceiling. Nice environment and the server and service is as good as it gets. We were a party of seven, without reservations, and the accommodated us very quickly by putting enough tables together to fit all of us comfortably! For the appetizers I highly recommend the mixed plate, as you grasp the flavor of most of the appetizers on the menu. I would also recommend ordering the Kebbah, as it was perfectly cooked with a thin crust that was well baked and an excellent meat mixture on the inside. I would also order the Battata Hara, cubes fried patois with an excellent oil based sauce with a little kick, but just right! This is a side dish, but you can also weder as an appetizer. If ordering a sandwich, get it Lebanese style! As for the dessert you must try the Kenaffa, baked perfectly.

Had dinner with my friend here for the first time. Got the chicken shish taouk Lebanese style and it was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. The chicken was perfectly cooked, and the wrap with hot sauce was just perfect. The service was great as well. Very accommodating and nice. Highly recommend checking out this place!

The food is outstanding! Omg the hummus and baba is delicious you actually taste the flavors Masallah I'm so thankful me and my wife check this place out ! The chicken takook was delicious with the garlic sauce! The Lebanese Tea was perfect to end my final last bite of this tasty treat! With some classic Arabic music playing softly in the background. Mmmmm I hope everyone checks this place out ! The service was like I was visiting my uncle in his small town is Syria is

Hi cool I'm Lebanese fire it is very good I love that stuff I like it it cool it is very middle eastern and people should visit it for middle eastern food

Great service and very kind staff! The food was excellent and the workers are so attentive. Would def come again!

This beautifully decorated authentic Middle Eastern restaurant is conveniently located on Walnut Street in center city. The staff was very informative regarding the menu and made sure to address any dietary restrictions (gf). In addition the staff provided extremely interesting information regarding the recipes. Our meals were served in a very timely manner. Overall this was a fantastic dining experience and I couldn't recommend enough! the food was delicious !

This is a great find. The food is very real, fresh and delicious. It's Lebanese "Home cooked" style in the best way. Started with the lentil soup which was more a broth than thick with lentils which I was very happy about. Adding some fresh lemon took it over the top Had the Middle Eastern combo as my main meal. The humus and Baba Ganouj was some of the best I've had (and I have tasted many). Even the carrots were great. It was very filling. Sue had the lamb kebab and that was also delicious with the lamb cooked perfectly so it practically melted in your mouth. The salad and other accompaniments were all equally fresh and tasty. All so need to call out the Mango Yogurt drink which was velvety and not cloyingly sweet but delicious Wish we can find a Lebanese place this good back home

It's alright, but pretty heavy on the nutmeg. Worth a try but not Yiro Yiro for me. The rice was good, the sauce in the beef schwarma was good, but the nutmeg was really distracting.

Delicious Mediterranean food! We were a table of 6 and were seated quickly. I ordered a lamb shawarma platter and it was very good. Everything was seasoned well and the owner waited our table. It was busy so service was a little slow, but the cooks were working hard and you can see the kitchen from the dining area. Highly recommend.

Sahara Grill is a middle eastern restaurant that is a informal, less pricey restaurant. I came on a Thursday night around 8pm. The ambiance is not upscale but quite regular and plain - almost too much so. It was half full when we arrived with 2 people in our party. We ordered the Tabbouleh ($6) as an appetizer and I got the Chicken Shish Taouk ($15). Water came in small plastic clear cups. The tabbouleh was decent. It came with pita bread and a small salad. Honestly the salad wasn't great and was just very plain. I seemed to be complimentary, which might be why it was so plain. The pita bread was a little cold and not soft when it came out. I did like the tabbouleh but perhaps they could have added other flavors too? Maybe I don't like this dish itself, but perhaps there could be more tomato and other ingredients in the ratio between veggies and parsley. The main course had some parts I liked and some that I didn't. I did enjoy the roasted parts of the dish - the zucchini and the chicken had great flavoring and were smoky and spicy. They were really both grilled the right amount just to be crispy but not burnt. The chicken came back pretty tender and had a nice orange-ish color too. This dish also came with rice. I wish the rice were a little hotter and less mushy. The tomato that came on the place was also huge and could have been cut to a smaller size. Overall I think this place is decent but I will probably not come back as I want to try other restaurants and I think greek places like Kanella Grill though a different cuisine, serve sort of similar food done better. Finally, the service. The waiters were friendly but we didn't ever get water poured until I asked, so my cup was empty at a point. They were nice though.

Delicious Schwarma service with grilled veggies and rice and garlic sauce. Staff was friendly too.