YAFO Kitchen

The schnitzel breading was a bit odd and too firmly attached to the meat. It was cooked well though. The purple cabbage was wonderfully spiced. The steak kebab tender and the corn was delicious.

The food is really good. I love the chicken pita tacos but they are just so wet. They just fall apart immediately. I feel like straining the chicken would really help here because it’s so stressful eating this every time … it’s just a disaster. The bowls are great but they start adding up with everything really fast and you can end up spending $20+ without even knowing. The free sauces at the register are a nice touch , the toum is the best. $4 for a 2oz cup of whipped feta is not it. You just really have to pay attention and order smartly to keep it affordable.

This was my first visit to YAFO. The place was clean and the employees were very pleasant and helpful. I was offered samples which was great because two of the items I was thinking of purchasing were too salty for me. The temperature of the food and the food was good. My only thought was that the music was too loud. I brought a friend with me and it was a lil challenging to hear one another. Other than that, it was a good experience.

This place has 3 locations in Charlotte, NC. I drove by here and just decided to stop in. Since I am new to the area. I love Mediterranean food. The rotisserie chicken and the Greek yogurt Mac and cheese was excellent nicely seasoned. I definitely recommend this place.

Highly recommend the Chicken tacos. Come into this spot with an open mind and to new flavors. Compared to other Mediterranean spots YAFO is a unique experience. The potatoes were so crisp.

I was craving for Mediterranean cuisine and ordered from Yafo. Rotisserie chicken was juicy and perfectly cooked. Cumin jasmine rice was too salty and oily. Garlic oregano potatoes were perfectly roasted and flavorful. Cauliflower with tahini sauce was good.I really enjoyed the warm and fresh pita bread.

Explained it was my first time and staff wasn’t very helpful with selection or helping with how the process works. Missed a lot of items they offered simply because it wasn’t in sight or ready. Food was good, atmosphere/decor is presentable.

The food is amazing, the staff was polite and I didn't feel rushed. (Then again I t wasn't super busy either) I got a side of pita bread and hummus and the watermelon drink... so good!!! My kids enjoyed as well. I've had a few other items in the past and always good, fresh and tasty. YAFO you've ruined grocery store hummus for me...It's just not the same. (Thank you)

I have been loving YAFO for years. It's where I go to get a balanced meal on the go. I have been doing to go orders and they are surprisingly fast at preparing them. I have been ordering the salad bowl and it's been so delicious. I ordered the falafel for the first time and it was so good. It's not easy to find good falafel. It's always clean when I visit and the staff are friendly. Great restaurant with many great options.

So yummy!! We got the hummus bowl with falafel. Hummus is creamy and delicious. The greens are bright and fresh. The topping choices are very filling, plentiful, and delicious. They have wonderful, tasty drinks beyond soda. We can't wait to go back. The only criticism I have is the falafel was cooked too long.

Fresh, Fast, and Full of Flavor! Connor, the GM, took incredible care of us--making sure we could try whatever we wanted. The food? Absolutely amazing. Super fresh, packed with flavor, and made to perfection. Their watermelon and strawberry drinks (made in-house!) are a must-try--truly gems. The line was quick and smooth, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was simply lovely. YaFo is must try--can't wait to come back!

Yafo is one our go to weeknight dinner places. We love that it has the perfect balance of being healthy and delicious but also fast and affordable. The service is always friendly and they love accommodating our 4-year-old daughter. She is the one who is most often requesting that we come here for an easy week night dinner and since it is so affordable and healthy, we are happy to accommodate.

I have always loved Yafo but now their new burgers have taken it to a whole new level. Holy cow they're good. Please please roll them out to all locations.

Notes: fresh and outstanding! Seems like everyone but Anchorage now has these fresh/fast Mediterranean Chipotle-style concept eateries now, and I'm here for it. Many of the places I travel to have MULTIPLE. The food here was fresh, varied, flavorful, and relatively healthy. What more could you want? Oh, it's also in a pretty walkable part of town!

So quick and convenient, so many options, so friendly/accommodating and most important, SO delicious! With just one visit, I'm already a huge fan of YAFO and plotting my return. I love a good build-your-own bowl, who doesn't, and the choices may seem overwhelming at first, but the patient staff has got you! And if you don't want to even think about it, there's a bunch of other decided-for-you options as well. I ordered a romaine base with two kinds of hummus (loved the Tunisian), olives, hot peppers, falafel (four giant falafel!), hot sauce and tahini. I'm kind of drooling over the memory, if you must know. I tried my friend's roasted cauliflower which I stupidly forgot to add on and regrets, I have a few. Even the pita is nice and pillowy, when normally you'd expect that flat, flavorless stuff that I normally leave off the order. You do all of this at a counter but mid-way through lunch, another employee came by to make sure we didn't need anything, which I thought was such a nice bit of unexpected customer service. Prices are excellent, also unexpected in these days of small plates for thirty dollars a piece. If I had gotten a rice base, this would have been two or three meals in one. As it was, I couldn't finish the falafel.

If I lived in Charlotte, I think I would eat here everyday. I was visiting the city for a work trip and my colleague and I grabbed a late lunch here on a Tuesday. The concept is similar to Chipotle and CAVA, but I liked the options a bit more. I built my own bowl, and went with the shawarma chicken as my meat, which was tender and juicy. All of the veggies were fresh, and the sauces are fun and flavorful (especially the Green Schug). The service was fast and friendly, and while we were some of the only ones eating in, they were consistently cranking out online takeaway orders. I couldn't finish my bowl in one sitting, but this made excellent leftovers later on that evening. The team even gave me some extra sauce to-go. I would love for YAFO to expand to the Nashville area, pretty please!!

SO GOOD!! The bowls are amazing and so are the sauces to top. It's a little pricey but it's high quality food and they give you so much so it's worth the price. Will be a regular spot for me for sure.

Over the years Yafo has become one of our staples in the neighborhood and it's always good food. You can get a dinner for under $20 and honestly I always have left overs so it's even more affordable. The food tastes fresh and the customer service has been great. I always went with the stuffed avocado bowl but yesterday I put together my own bowl and added fresh falafel! Omg it was soo good. We mix it up between take out and sit down! In the cold winter months we like to get cozy at home with our food but on a nice day, getting a bowl at the location in plaza and then go local shopping around the neighborhood is also fun! If you haven't tried it, this is your sign! Oh by the way their signature bowls start at $11! Such a good deal!

Signs describe the surrounding neighborhood as "historic", which in this case means that it is rather difficult to drive or park in due to the small roads. I found some space a block behind the restaurant. The entrance was a bit confusing, but once I figured out that I needed to bear left to find the beginning of the line, I was treated to a quick fast casual build a bowl experience with great options. Greens as well as grains were available to start, and their kale with colorful shredded vegetables mixed in was a worthy choice. There were plenty of vegetable toppings, including even grape leaves, and I was treated to a colorful arrangement. Their falafel was tasty and dusted with extra salt, but still not overwhelmingly salty. The hot sauce and bread that came on the side were excellent enhancements to the flavor of what was already a pretty dynamic bowl. They had a lot of fountain drinks and I might have gotten some if I hadn't overloaded with other beverages. It's not a cheap bowl, but the quality is there and until I actually try such a cafe in Israel, I can only hope this is the sort of food I'd find there.

Yafo never lets me down. The food is always delicious and fresh. This was my first time trying the Kibbeh Pita Tacos and it will not be my last. They were sooo good! The portion size filled me up before even touching my side of hummus. Also, be sure to have your hummus dressed up and garnished. You'll thank me later! The tacos will take a bit longer to prepare than the food that's already prepared. They are so good and worth the wait. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. If you have any questions or need suggestions, they're your go-to. Parking can be a bit tight but you also can park at the apartment complex next door inside and in their garage in designated retail parking spots. Also, the music inside can be a bit loud so just be prepared for that ahead of time.

I love Yafo. I'm here weekly getting the Greek yogurt mac and cheese or falafel and granch. The fresh pita, the bowls, the sauces, everything is delicious and no seed oils is a bonus!

Parking? Horribly limited and very tight spaces. Customer service? Great! They're very friendly. Food? Delicious. Give them a try. It's best to place an order and pick up in the 15 min parking spaces because otherwise there is shared street parking between several other restaurants.

hey. so yafo kinda has a cult following and lets be honest, I think im the newest member. This place slaps. I got a bowl, quinoa, and essentially every topping. I had a side of the mac and cheese. Heres the thing, the food was DECADENT. Lucious, beautiful, smokey, powerful, rich, tangy. what a BOWL. It was insane. So so so good. My one small qualm: the bowl is so shallow. Dont get me wrong its a lot of food but I felt like I ate the toppings and had only quinoa leftover. There was no room to mix. My tactic for next time is to dump it into a bigger bowl to mix and get the ratios better. And the mac and cheese deserves a shout out of its own. So creamy and luxurious. Truly might be one of the best mac and cheese ive ever had. The breadcrumbs toasted on top added nice texture. the choice of the big shells allowed for the perfect pockets of cheese and flavor to be encapsulated in each bite. She is kinda expensive tho... so its kinda a treat. Will 100% be coming back.

Stop what you're doing and go here for food !!! The food tasted so fresh and was a decent portion for what you are paying. The ambiance was clean and the staff was super friendly. I got the rotisserie chicken with garlic potatoes and mac and cheese. GET IT. My husband got a build your own bowl (not pictured)- we loved it so much we went the next day and got some more items on the menu. SO GOOD

YAFO is still one of my favorite places to eat in Charlotte. Now that they've expanded locations, it's even easier to get the Yafo I love without trekking to South. The ambiance is rustic and casual, with indoor and outdoor seating options. The service is always prompt, keeping the line from being too long, even during peak times. Their food is incredibly fresh. Their scratch kitchen commitment is evident in every bite. I love their lamb and falafel and get it in their bowl as it allows me to enjoy all the layers of flavor the best. I get a side with half brussels sprouts and half mac and cheese or half mac and cheese and half potato wedges. All three sides are delicious, but the mac and cheese is the show-stopper for me. The Greek yogurt is the perfect complement to the creamy cheese sauce. Yafo is one of the most consistently perfect, fast casual dining experiences in Charlotte and beats out chain options like Cava every time.

Love the salmon bowl. I always get the yogurt Mac n cheese as well. Customer service is great as well.

Hey I was looking to speak to someone higher up in your company for a complaint I had about a manager at your plaza midwood location. Today I came in with my child and coworkers and my service dog. We ordered a bunch of food and sat down and halfway through our meal we were approached by a manager asking us how are food was to then demanding me to leave bcuz I had my service dog in the dining area to eat. Stating my dog jumped at him and barked when he was never supposed to approach my dog in the first place. Demanded to see a card to verify my dog is a service dog and even after telling him we heard him and were packing up to leave he kept talking mess to us about my dog and us being there. Embarrassed me and my coworkers and children in front of multiple guests and I had truly the worst experience I ever had today at that location. The manager came over condescending smiling while being rude thinking that was a proper way to get us to respond, then stares at us while we packed our food up to eat outside continuously harassing us and then making smart remarks before we left to eat outside. Once again the most unprofessional interaction and I need this to be rectified asap please and thank you! Update* then upon your response you lie and say that my dog was being disruptive when he wasn't bothering nobody and was quiet and you guys didn't even know my dog was there til he approached us and we never asked him to come over there. Also you could've seen we were already halfway through our meal... So of course I would be upset, I already told you he came over with a condescending attitude when he could've simply talked to me regular. After me telling him to calm down and talking to us more nice he continued and that's when my dog got up. Please I really don't want to have to deal with you guys and a suit for defamation and discrimination.

Yafo has become one of my favorite lunch spots. They offer a variety of vegetables, cold & warm. They gave a delicious macaroni and cheese dish. The staff were very friendly and welcoming upon entry. You have the option to make a rice bowl or pita. They give a lot of food for a great price. Parking can be a struggle because of the area but it's worth it. I left feeling full and healthy.

I forgot how good YAFO is. I have had the chicken pita tacos twice in two weeks. The quality and value is appropriate and appreciated. I have ordered online each time with timeliness of order readiness and accuracy. The staff is also attentive and kind when picking up the order. The restaurant space is clean and open without harsh lighting.

Love, love, love me some YAFO!!! I remember a time where the South Park location was as good as it got. But with the addition of the Plaza Midwood location, YAFO is a little bit closer for me to enjoy. Despite my best efforts (ok maybe I don't actually try that hard), I can't seem to stray from my go-to order of potato wedges, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower. I wish there was an option to order a sides combo instead of just ordering them all a la carte, which gets a bit pricey. I did manage to deviate slightly from my usual order and try one of the canned ciders that was available. I dined in on a Monday evening with a couple of friends. The restaurant was pretty busy. All of the staff worked hard to attend to the needs of all the guests and get orders out quickly. My food was good as usual. I enjoyed the cider as well. Maybe I'll try something different next time....or maybe not! Pro-tip: Be sure to sign up for their rewards program that will track your points across all locations.

Dear Yafo, I love you. Your Greek yogurt mac n cheese is TO DIE FOR. The unlimited toppings on your SUCCULENT bowl - absolutely amazing. Your staff is so amazingly chill- always going to extra step to make sure I'm comfortable and prepared. Your ambiance is similar to viva chicken, not my first choice but the outside seating is very pleasant. GO TO YAFO - GET THE GREEK YOGURT MAC N CHEESE AND A CHICKEN SHAWARMA BOWL, NOW!

Good is really good. People are friendly but do not take criticism well. They need to work on being more green and not waste so much plastic. Don't put a lid on orders that aren't Togo and don't use plastic bags for non Togo orders

Yafo is one of my favorite fast casual places. I love the ability to try different types of bowls that are of Mediterranean flavors. I tend to go with half grain half greens with a scoop of hummus. The service was great the last couple times that I've been here. The only frustration that I have about this location is the parking.

Came across this gem on Door Dash, and decided to dine in once we picked up the food. First of all, I loved the decor even before I walked in. There's an awesome mural on the outside of the building, and it is just as colorful inside. When I opened my grain bowl, my eyes almost popped out of my head. So. Much. Food!! That first bite was glorious with Greek lemon chicken, seasoned beets, feta cheese, onions, quinoa, and more I can't even remember! Absolutely amazing!! I also got a great review on the Chicken SpanikoPita. The side of hummus that came with that was quite sizable. Needless to say my bowl was a 2 for 1 deal, cuz I definitely had leftovers. Happy to say I found another fave in Charlotte! YAFO is alright with me! And be sure to check in and get your free homemade juice. I highly recommend the watermelon mint limeade or the cucumber mint limeade!

A tasty & fresh lunch option. Plenty of seating both in and outdoor. Similar to CAVA. Fast casual Mediterranean food.

I have loved Yafo since it first opened in Charlotte, but it continues to get better over time. It started out as just the BYO bowl concept, but Shai has really expanded the menu recently and I love it. This location tends to be where they experiment with new things first. His most recent addition is weekend brunch. We got to try it at an Unpretentious Palate even yesterday and we loved it. It's weekends from 11-1 for the next 4 weeks only at this location. They may do it again in May at East Blvd. For brunch you get 8 mezze, yogurt, and bread to share between two people. Then you pick an entree to share. It's $40 for two people and we were full after. You can also add on mimosas for $10. The mezze were my favorite part. I loved the variety and uniqueness of them. We went with the Shakshuka which was delicious. As for more bread if you run out. My husband is dying to try the french toast casserole, so I'm guessing we'll be back.

I absolutely love Yafo! I come here about once a week or so, whenever I want a quick and healthy-ish meal. It's very much a "Mediterranean chipotle" where you can build your own bowl with plenty of veggies/salads and hummus. There are hot sides you can add as well for an additional charge as well as a bunch of meat options you can add. I love the cauliflower, Mac and cheese and crispy eggplant to top my bowls. The service is always quick and attentive, and they have online ordering in case you don't want to order in-store. There is plenty of seating inside as well as a small outdoor patio as well. The only downside to this location is the parking is a pain, but that's just everywhere in plaza midwood.

Had a hankering for Mediterranean but didn't feel like driving, so I had Yafo delivered hoping it would satisfy since I hadn't eaten there before, and I was truly craving falafel. Had fingers and toes crossed, and OMG...delicious! The falafel was perfectly crispy on the outside and SO flavorful with a little kick of spice! Yum yum yum! 6 come in an order and I smashed them all. Lol. I decided I needed a vegetable, so I went for the Brussels sprouts + dates, and I'm so glad I did! The southern girl in me gave them a grind of sea salt, but other than that, they were among the best I've had. The dates gave them a certain sweetness that apparently I've been missing all my life. They were neither over-sauced nor mushy. In fact, I ate nearly all of them before getting to the chicken. And oh that chicken! I opted for the 1/2 rotisserie, all white meat. Juicy, expertly seasoned--I don't know how they make it, but I want the magic potion. The spices worked so well and permeated beyond the skin into the meat. Sosucculent! Y'all! I can't explain how pleasantly surprised I was by this food, especially with it being a delivery order. They have a fan in me! Excuse the foil and takeout containers in my pics.

Close to work this location was perfect for a quick lunch option. The parking is kinda tight and I mean tight. The spaces even seem small. I got my normal order half salad half grain bowl. This time I got the chicken on the side. I feel like I was able to reheat the chicken up later since it wasn't mixed in with all the toppings. Plus I can never finish one of these bowls in a setting so it was nice to have that reheat option for the protein. Everything was fresh and tasted like it normally does from the other times I've got it from other locations. I was in and out. The staff was helpful and very quick. Yafo is another great option for fast casual Mediterranean style food. Yafo Kitchen 1331 Central Ave Ste 101 Charlotte, NC 28205 (Review 519 overall, 63 in 2021)

Out of all the YAFO locations, this one seems to be the most inconsistent. Sometimes I go and have a great meal, other times I go, and what's available for the BYO bowl isn't worth the price. Unfortunately, my past two visits, it's been the later. I understand they have changed some items (I miss the beets and the naan over the new bread), but they didn't have the beetroot/carrot slaw this time, nor did they have babaganoush (sp?), and a few other items. The shawarma chicken that was on my bowl was mostly the gristly/fatty end pieces, which was also disappointing. They also only had one lettuce choice, instead of the usual three. So I paid the usual price for 3 average toppings due to the lack of variety (slaw, cucumbers and olives). They also only had one of their custom drinks available, when they usually have an array of great, non-soda options. I completely understand all the supply chain/cost issues, etc. that are plaguing restaurants, but the inconsistency of this location compared to the others just saddens me, as it's close to my work, and I love YAFO for lunch. 3 stars because the staff is awesome, and the place is clean, but the food at this location has just been lackluster.

A wonderful option if craving a healthier meal. Yafo is very much like Cava. A customized salad or grain bowl is yours depending on your imagination. I am docking one star here because there are simply too many up charges. I drew the line at the extra charge for cauliflower rice. It makes the whole ordering process too complicated and at the end of the day you could be walking away with an $18 bowl!! Anyways, ordering was easy. You start with the grain and then you pick your dressings. I chose to have half salad and half cauliflower with baba ghanoush. For veggies I chose cucumber, onions, and cabbage. I chose the shawarma chicken which was one of the few options without an extra charge. All in all my bowl with one fountain drink came out to $13. The meal itself was very good! The flavors were excellent and the portion size was actually pretty big. I enjoyed eating outdoors. There is on site parking making it easy to get to. Staff was friendly as well.

Food was soooooo good!! Definitely recommend. The staff is soo friendly. We had ate outside and a homeless guy took my food, so we went inside and told the manager and he let me re-do my bowl for free. This place is great place is clean as well !

Okay so if you're lucky enough to score a parking spot you're winning. Parking can be really tight so beware if you have a big car. BUT the food is DELICIOUS! So fresh, flavorful and enough that part of my lunch became dinner. Unfortunately my friend had her toddler with her but she was unable to let her use the restroom because it was so dirty. 4 stars for that reason.

I love YAFO Kitchen! I often order delivery from here and I'm never disappointed. They always fill my bowl up to the brim, give me plenty of sauces, and package everything neatly for my delivery driver to pick up. I also like that they ask if you need utensils instead of assuming that you do/don't. Lastly, I love the variety of options they offer for all kinds of diets and palates. Not to mention the food is always extremely fresh. If you've never been, it's similar to Cava. If you've never been to Cava, it's like a fresher, Mediterranean version of Chipotle :)

Really good service and quality food. They even have a good soup for the winter time.

Delicious and filling. You order the same way you would at chipotle, different stations through a "buffet". Their baba ganoush is excellent, they have a good variety of sauces, harrisa is delightful, and overall you feel good after eating there. Service is polite and quick, there's plenty of seating (booths and tables) and it's very casual and clean. They are right next to snooze and there's a considerable amount of parking around the building but like anything in this area, plan accordingly if going at peek hours.

There is a large variety of very tasty food here The service here is excellent and very clean I loveee the schnitzel

Yafo is so solid and reliable and delicious which I have had a hard time finding the last few years. Quality, organic, stuff is made here and the variety is great too. Want a build your own bowl? Done. Chicken salad stuffed avocado halves? You got it. Matzo ball soup? They have that too. The homemade sauces are a great variety and the garlic toum is great with a falafel. I like to order to go on a busy work day. They have a great rewards program too and I recently redeemed 15.00 they sent me for my birthday. So glad they are in Plaza Midwood.

This is a very nice place for lunch or informal dinner. The food is great definitely worth to visit. The falafel is really good and the shawarma was delicious. Nice atmosphere and the staff was friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend you try this place.

Yafo has consistently provided me with delicious, healthy, and filling meals. I've had MANY a bowl here and they've always delicious. Fresh ingredients make a difference, y'all! The bowls are HUGE - they provide more than one serving and I'm always thankful for my next day leftovers. The shwarma chicken is my absolute favorite and they happen to serve the best hummus. Also? their pitas are fluffy and pillowy and I could easily house a stack of them. Yes, their parking lot is a tricky beast because the spots are close and the lot is tight due to it being shared with Snooze and Pilot Brewing. For the love of all that is holy, DO NOT PARK across the street. I implore that you try one of their signature beverages. My personal favorite is the Cucumber lime mint but they have others and rotate based on the season. Be sure to give them all a try!

This place is definitely one of my favorite places to go to for a quick lunch. I always build my own bowl! It's fun, healthy, and easy. Load up all the toppings you like. The Mac & cheese is surprisingly good! i would recommend it on the side. Protein costs extra but the chicken is worth it! Their spreads/sauces are great. The concept is like chipotle but you have so many more options here. The service is fast and the place is relaxing. You must try!

The build your own bowl with cauliflower rice is so good! And the pita bread is amazing !

One of my favorite restaurants in Plaza Midwood. Online ordering is done quickly and you receive a text when it's ready to be picked up. Would recommend to anyone looking for Mediterranean street food in the city.

I love coming here for the build your own hummus bowls and build your own salads. Be sure to get the cauliflower with tahini. The rotisserie chicken and lamb are delicious too. Nice staff. Fresh ingredients and huge portions. I always have to get a to go box. The hummus is the best. Chef Shai is from Israel and he trained the staff at all the Yafo locations to guarantee you get the same quality every time. If you get it to go, it is a very generous portion, pita bread included.

Love my half greens half grain falafel bowl! Incredible flavors! Awesome drink options with cider, wine, beer, juice. Interior is modern and clean and nice casual dining feel. Great location near uptown but don't park across the street or you'll get booted. I had 2 meals from this so ask for a to go bowl. I ordered a little of everything available to add on and it was perfect. Beets, cabbage, babaganoush was amazing, give me all the veggies! The garlic aioli drizzle is delicious too. Love that we also got a huge pita bread. If you like Mediterranean don't miss this cool concept of built your own bowl!

Finally tried YAFO Kitchen after hearing great things about this place. I really enjoyed it! Lots of options and everything was super fresh. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl and added extra toppings. I wish they gave a bigger scoop of the chicken. Next time I will ask for the tzatziki on the side, less rice in the bowl, and add more of the fresh toppings (cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.) Parking is limited. Don't park across the street in the grocery store parking lot or you might get towed.

I have fallen in love with Yafo! I was down in Charlotte this weekend and my friend decided to take me to one of her favorite spots. The set up reminds me a lot of chipotle, but make it mediterranean! And believe me when I say it was so good. I got a rice and spinach bowl topped with falafel. This was some of the best falafel I have ever had! I also got tzatiki sauce and hummus on it. I got cucumber salad, chickpea salad, seasoned beets, and feta cheese as my toppings. Everything was seasoned to perfection and complimented each other so well. To drink, they had this amazing peach mango HARD kombucha. Yes, you read that right, hard kombucha. I absolutely LOVE kombucha so I had to try it. It was so good and it went down like water. I definitely can't recommend this place enough! If you are in the Charlotte area....you must try Yafo's. You will not regret it.