Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill

I wish I had the forethought to take a photo but it smelled so good I just had to dig in immediately! I got the lamb shank at the recommendation of the gentleman who took our order and my husband got the mixed kabobs. I love Mediterranean food and have been to many Mediterranean restaurants but this is definitely the #1 for me. The lamb shank was so tender it just fell off the bone and everything is made fresh and you can taste it. Everything we ate was high quality and the customer service was great too. Highly highly recommend- we will be back for sure 😁

Craving for a Mediterranean food? Head this way. Al-Reef is arguably one of the best Mediterranean Food spot in the Temecula - Murrieta Area. The Lamb Shank is amazing. Go try it now.

This is simply the best authentic Mediterranean restaurants in the valley. The owner is the chef and from Lebanon and brings his culinary skills to the valley at very attractive prices. The restaurant is not fancy but the food is amazing. Our favorite restaurant of this type is in Orange county Panini Cafe. Al-Reef doesn't have the Ambiance of Panini Cafe but they certainly have the same quality food at better prices. We have been there 3 times now since discovering this wonderful restaurant and it has been perfect each time. The owner loves to share his skills and to share stories of his years in the business. The food is always fresh and made to order.

I never usually leave reviews, but I know they do help & I often base my choices off of them, so after eating here I knew I'd definitely leave a POSITIVE review! I made a phone order, the gentleman was pleasant, said 15 minutes; I got there in 10 & my food was waiting for me, I ordered a few extras and Baklava. I got the chicken my husband got the beef. Both were extremely delicious, good portions (for me I ate dinner and lunch the next day. For hubby it was one meal) and I'll also mention while I was only inside a minute, the owner inside and a patron inside were both friendly and welcoming. The prices are definitely better than when compared to fast food. I'll be back for sure 😃 ETA: The Arab style rice and whatever type of salad they serve is chefs kiss-I could definitely make a quick meal of just that

This place is amazing, Chicken and Beef Kabobs were cooked in my opinion perfect along with the rice , humus and Salad. Will definitely come back and recommend it to anyone who loves Mediterranean Cuisine!

The food was really good, I had the chicken kabob and beef kabob, both really good !would definitely come back!

My wife and I had a craving for Mediterranean food late on a Sunday morning and did a quick local search and discovered that there was a highly rated restaurant right around the corner. We ordered two schwarma wraps and a gyro salad and they were absolutely delicious. The atmosphere isn't the greatest and we were a little leery but trusted the reviews and were glad we did. Definitely going to be our go to for Mediterranean take out now.

Food is great. Found this place recently and I keep coming back. Definitely would recommend if you’re looking for tasty Mediterranean food. My favorite is the chicken shawarma, garlic sauce, hummus and both kinds of their pita bread.

Definitely a yum spot to stop in. I was able to sit inside and enjoy myself. Tasty food. Hummus was good also. First time having it. I had the lamb kabob.

I had the Beef Shawarma with the grape leaves appetizer. It was Delicious! Customer Service was on point. Very friendly establishment and clean.

Although the atmosphere and service are languid, the food and value speak for themselves. The appearance of the restaurant feels undeniably old, but on the other hand, so do the prices (: I had the gyro plate with a piece of pistachio baklava for dessert--both were delicious. The baklava is a must, I will definitely be returning to try different fillings.

Absolutely delicious Mediterranean food. We hand the Lamb shank and chicken shawarma, which were very, very good. Highly recommended if you’re after some Mediterranean food. The staff were also very gracious and polite. Overall, great experience. Thanks Al-Reef!

The staff was super friendly and personable. I highly recommend trying the baklava it was so sweet and was the perfect way to end the lunch. Parking was easy to find which is an additional plus. If you have the time to wait for a freshly cooked meal, Al-Reef is the place to go!!

It’s really hard to find a great quality meal for less than $10. The garlic paste is to die for. Everything is fresh and delicious

One of the best mediterranean food places around! My husband is Persian so we are very picky. This place keeps us coming back. Small but amazing! And the owner is incredibly nice!

Lam Shang is Excellent 👌 Hummus home made as well 👌

I got the gyro plate and it was absolutely filling and delicious. You definitely get the bang for your buck here as the prices are so incredibly reasonable. I believe the plate was $11.98 plus tax. Which is such a great price for how much food you get. Especially if you compare it to Luna Grill (see attached picture). You can tell how homemade the food is and I love the type of rice they serve. Definitely recommend ordering here and supporting this small family business. I’ll be back! My only recommendation I have is to maybe play some music in the store to make it feel more inviting. But, overall great food!

The owner recommended me the lamb kabob plate. Told me I "would love it". I tried it out and it is amazing. Very good food. Highly recommend!

Had a taste of their food at work at a small catered event so I had to check them out when i was craving for chicken kabob. Owner was at the counter and was very nice and funny. Chit chatted with us as the place was empty. He said he's there everyday to make sure everything tastes as he wants them and quality stays consistent. Great food! Definitely recommend. Gave us complimentary most delicious baklava too!

A kinda hidden gem! I've tried their chicken kabob, gyro, and lamb shanks. All very good and very reasonably priced (even low considering even McDonalds meals are like $15 these days)! Had a chance to talk to owner. He's very friendly (once you get past his initial exterior). He's been a chef and in food biz for quite some time and knows what he's doing!

Highly recommend... food was excellent... we had 4 different things, liked them all! Be patient, the wait is worth it. Chicken shwarma, gyro platter, Greek salad, grape leaves

Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill is a hidden gem! The food is incredibly flavorful, with perfectly seasoned dishes that showcase authentic Mediterranean tastes. The kebab was tender and juicy, the rice perfectly cooked, and the falafel a fantastic vegetarian option. Highly recommended for a delightful dining experience!

Got the steak kabob plate and it was delicious. Spicy, but not overly. It's a small place, but I got my food to go, there is seating indoors if you'd like to eat there. The owner is friendly. They have different baklava to choose from in the restaraunt too, so yummy!

Great tasting authentic Middle Eastern food. Large variety of menu items, including vegetarian dishes. Everything was delicious!! The owner was genuinely friendly and he was not wrong when he said I’d really enjoy the food. He has gained a new customer! I will be back sooner rather than later. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone. (The pictures below are all flavorful vegetarian plates. Yum!)

It was our first time here. The customer service was good. Nice mom & pop restaurant. My kids loved their Kafta (ground beef skewer) and the chicken kabob (shish tawook) with the garlic dip. For me, it was more on the tangy side. Their baklava was good too. They actually have a wider selection of food compared to the other Lebanese restaurant I've been to.

L

I got the gyro plate and it was absolutely filling and delicious. You definitely get the bang for your buck here as the prices are so incredibly reasonable. I believe the plate was $11.98 plus tax. Which is such a great price for how much food you get. Especially if you compare it to Luna Grill (see attached picture). You can tell how homemade the food is and I love the type of rice they serve. Definitely recommend ordering here and supporting this small family business. I’ll be back! My only recommendation I have is to maybe play some music in the store to make it feel more inviting. But, overall great food!

User

The owner recommended me the lamb kabob plate. Told me I "would love it". I tried it out and it is amazing. Very good food. Highly recommend!

Tab H

A kinda hidden gem! I've tried their chicken kabob, gyro, and lamb shanks. All very good and very reasonably priced (even low considering even McDonalds meals are like $15 these days)! Had a chance to talk to owner. He's very friendly (once you get past his initial exterior). He's been a chef and in food biz for quite some time and knows what he's doing!

Jonah Cheung

Had a taste of their food at work at a small catered event so I had to check them out when i was craving for chicken kabob. Owner was at the counter and was very nice and funny. Chit chatted with us as the place was empty. He said he's there everyday to make sure everything tastes as he wants them and quality stays consistent. Great food! Definitely recommend. Gave us complimentary most delicious baklava too!

A DiGregory

Highly recommend... food was excellent... we had 4 different things, liked them all! Be patient, the wait is worth it. Chicken shwarma, gyro platter, Greek salad, grape leaves

Martin Ghattas

Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill is a hidden gem! The food is incredibly flavorful, with perfectly seasoned dishes that showcase authentic Mediterranean tastes. The kebab was tender and juicy, the rice perfectly cooked, and the falafel a fantastic vegetarian option. Highly recommended for a delightful dining experience!

Sarah Louise

Got the steak kabob plate and it was delicious. Spicy, but not overly. It's a small place, but I got my food to go, there is seating indoors if you'd like to eat there. The owner is friendly. They have different baklava to choose from in the restaraunt too, so yummy!

M. T.

Great tasting authentic Middle Eastern food. Large variety of menu items, including vegetarian dishes. Everything was delicious!! The owner was genuinely friendly and he was not wrong when he said I’d really enjoy the food. He has gained a new customer! I will be back sooner rather than later. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone. (The pictures below are all flavorful vegetarian plates. Yum!)

Jane Doe

It was our first time here. The customer service was good. Nice mom & pop restaurant. My kids loved their Kafta (ground beef skewer) and the chicken kabob (shish tawook) with the garlic dip. For me, it was more on the tangy side. Their baklava was good too. They actually have a wider selection of food compared to the other Lebanese restaurant I've been to.

Delicious and authentic! The shawarma and gryo were both fantastic. We also got some appetizers, which were all great. The baklava was very sweet, oozing honey and the philo dough was crunchy. The owner is a really nice gentleman who talked to us for a few minutes. Very affordable too. With two meal plates, 3 appetizers and desserts it was less than $40. It's definitely one of our new favorite spots, far better than chain Mediterranean restaurants like Luna Grill.

Our meal was delicious, especially the lamb shank and falafel. My plate was large enough for lunch leftovers.

I love this restaurant so much!! I literally eat there at least once a week. The owner is such an amazing individual, great convo, great atmosphere, great food. I love those small places that really feel like a home cooked meal. I enjoy every time I go and have my entire office hooked on the yummy food. You have to get the chicken Diane with extra garlic paste. FIREEEE🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😁 Thanks so much for all you do for the community. We love you!!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill, and I can confidently say it was one of the best experiences I've had! I decided to try the chicken kabobs, falafel, and soup, and it was evident that everything was prepared from scratch using high-quality ingredients. The flavors were authentic and vibrant, with each bite bursting with freshness. The owner himself is the chef, and it was clear that he crafts each dish with care. What truly impressed me was the fantastic value for such delicious, authentic food. I left with a full belly and a happy heart. If you’re looking for a great meal that delivers on flavor and value, I highly recommend Al-Reef—it's a gem in the heart of Murrieta!

I walked into this restaurant for the first time and I was quite hungry. BEST DECISION IVE MADE IN A LONG TIME. I met the owner, Selah. I wasn't sure what I wanted but I love Mediterranean food. I decided on the Lamb Shank plate with bulgar tabbouleh. The owner was such a genuinely nice person. He welcomed me to his establishment and was very patient while I finally figured out what I wanted to order. He didn't bite his tongue when he said his food was excellent. I got home and I am writing this review as I am partaking of his delicious food. The lamb is so tender it literally fell off of the bone. 🍖 The rice is so flavorful and fluffy and the Tabbouleh is fantastic. The hummus is so good. I started to order two orders of tabbouleh and I should have. Its so refreshing and I just want more. I will return soon to tell Selah how much I enjoyed my order. He was right. His food is excellent! I am grateful for his kindness. He has a new satisfied customer.

Carolina Rosa

So happy we stopped by to try the food. Everything we ordered was delicious and there are a lot of options. We will definitely come back.

Sonya Waggoner

I walked into this restaurant for the first time and I was quite hungry. BEST DECISION IVE MADE IN A LONG TIME. I met the owner, Selah. I wasn't sure what I wanted but I love Mediterranean food. I decided on the Lamb Shank plate with bulgar tabbouleh. The owner was such a genuinely nice person. He welcomed me to his establishment and was very patient while I finally figured out what I wanted to order. He didn't bite his tongue when he said his food was excellent. I got home and I am writing this review as I am partaking of his delicious food. The lamb is so tender it literally fell off of the bone. 🍖 The rice is so flavorful and fluffy and the Tabbouleh is fantastic. The hummus is so good. I started to order two orders of tabbouleh and I should have. Its so refreshing and I just want more. I will return soon to tell Selah how much I enjoyed my order. He was right. His food is excellent! I am grateful for his kindness. He has a new satisfied customer.

Karen Stephens

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Al-Reef Mediterranean Grill, and I can confidently say it was one of the best experiences I've had! I decided to try the chicken kabobs, falafel, and soup, and it was evident that everything was prepared from scratch using high-quality ingredients. The flavors were authentic and vibrant, with each bite bursting with freshness. The owner himself is the chef, and it was clear that he crafts each dish with care. What truly impressed me was the fantastic value for such delicious, authentic food. I left with a full belly and a happy heart. If you’re looking for a great meal that delivers on flavor and value, I highly recommend Al-Reef—it's a gem in the heart of Murrieta!

David S

Delicious and authentic! The shawarma and gryo were both fantastic. We also got some appetizers, which were all great. The baklava was very sweet, oozing honey and the philo dough was crunchy. The owner is a really nice gentleman who talked to us for a few minutes. Very affordable too. With two meal plates, 3 appetizers and desserts it was less than $40. It's definitely one of our new favorite spots, far better than chain Mediterranean restaurants like Luna Grill.

Kayan D.

I wish I had the forethought to take a photo but it smelled so good I just had to dig in immediately! I got the lamb shank at the recommendation of the gentleman who took our order and my husband got the mixed kabobs. I love Mediterranean food and have been to many Mediterranean restaurants but this is definitely the #1 for me. The lamb shank was so tender it just fell off the bone and everything is made fresh and you can taste it. Everything we ate was high quality and the customer service was great too. Highly highly recommend- we will be back for sure 😁

A typical walk-in place where you order at the counter and seat yourself. The food was seasoned and defiently good for Californian standards, but as someone who lives in an Arab area, it would not be considered authentic for a place out there. If you know no better, then this place is great.

Our first visit we each ordered the chicken kebob plate and a side of tabbouleh. The rice was light and fluffy, the chicken was marinated and tasty, and the hummus was super creamy. The dish was served with a grilled half jalapeno, half tomato, and side salad. Casual dining for sure, better to take home and enjoy while watching your favorite movie.

myodn

A typical walk-in place where you order at the counter and seat yourself. The food was seasoned and defiently good for Californian standards, but as someone who lives in an Arab area, it would not be considered authentic for a place out there. If you know no better, then this place is great.

Food is pretty tasty but a little salty

So we were just here to order food. There was no one in the shop. So we had ordered a mixed combo plate and the young girl at the register informed me it was a lot of food and enough for two people. We decided to also order a Gyro plate. Mind you none of these combos come with a drink. So my husband had asked her if we can get a drink and she was snappy and said none of the combos came with a Drink. Our bill was $45. He said that he knew that but he would like a drink and then she repeated herself and said that it didn't come with he had his card out to show her that he was going to pay for it. The fountain machine was very flat! No ice came out at the dispenser. We had first tried the Coke and it was horrible so we had dumped it out and tried the Fanta orange soda and that was all We got home and saw the food and thought ok the food looks good. The portions are really big. But the food is definitely just mediocre. The meats were all dry. The hummus had a very bad after taste to it. The rice had no flavors. The pita bread was hard. I was really disappointed in this place cause I was really hoping to find a good Mediterranean place to my house.

Hong Torrez

So we were just here to order food. There was no one in the shop. So we had ordered a mixed combo plate and the young girl at the register informed me it was a lot of food and enough for two people. We decided to also order a Gyro plate. Mind you none of these combos come with a drink. So my husband had asked her if we can get a drink and she was snappy and said none of the combos came with a Drink. Our bill was $45. He said that he knew that but he would like a drink and then she repeated herself and said that it didn't come with he had his card out to show her that he was going to pay for it. The fountain machine was very flat! No ice came out at the dispenser. We had first tried the Coke and it was horrible so we had dumped it out and tried the Fanta orange soda and that was all We got home and saw the food and thought ok the food looks good. The portions are really big. But the food is definitely just mediocre. The meats were all dry. The hummus had a very bad after taste to it. The rice had no flavors. The pita bread was hard. I was really disappointed in this place cause I was really hoping to find a good Mediterranean place to my house.

Yen B

Food is pretty tasty but a little salty

I can't say I will be back. Gyros were not very good. They had very little meat in them, and we're stuffed with salad basically. Lots of lettuce and tomato cubes. The chicken was as thin as turkey bacon, and there were only 4 slices. It was a ripoff imo. If I'd wanted salad I would have ordered one. And the tziki sauce was not very good either. Worst I've ever had. Save your money, or order something else.

Bad. Really. Bad. Tried this spot after seeing positive reviews. Was sorely disappointed. Dirty restaurant, dirty tables, tough/dry lamb kebab, served on thin Styrofoam clamshell container with cheap plastic utensils. The meat was so tough, it was nearly impossible to cut. Even the bread tasted bad! (Yeah, that came as a real surprise.) The only OK spots: hummus, rice. Definitely won't return. So many better choices in the area.

I was hungry for some baklava and thought i could stop by real quick to get some with my friend. I waited over 15 minutes after paying for the baklava which only had to be boxed. Another couple came in and received their baklava as soon as they ordered, which was also about 16 pieces when I ordered 2. I asked to get my baklava right after they left and waited an additional 5 minute for them to box mine. This is unacceptable and i will not be returning.

The food looked good at first , I ate the veggies kabobs first and started on the falafel and salad and I noticed a nice long hair and bug crawling through the lettuce . I immediately came back to the restaurant and the owner had a shitty attitude and tried giving me half of my money back and then proceeded to call me crazy and didn't even apologize . This place is a joke and the management is very unprofessional . Don't come to this place unless you want hair and bugs in your food !!!

2nd time here. 1st time was a year ago and the food was ok. Went again on 5/28/21.Poor service, 1hr wait for the food, my empanada was frozen inside 🥶, and meat portions was small. After waiting 30 minutes, I was told they were out of Chicken Sharma. When I eating the empanadas, it tasted like they used old oil to fry it. No apology for the wait or frozen meat. Food taste was mediocre. Will not come back.

alex schafler

The food looked good at first , I ate the veggies kabobs first and started on the falafel and salad and I noticed a nice long hair and bug crawling through the lettuce . I immediately came back to the restaurant and the owner had a shitty attitude and tried giving me half of my money back and then proceeded to call me crazy and didn't even apologize . This place is a joke and the management is very unprofessional . Don't come to this place unless you want hair and bugs in your food !!!

Jenny “Jen Jen” Jovero

2nd time here. 1st time was a year ago and the food was ok. Went again on 5/28/21.Poor service, 1hr wait for the food, my empanada was frozen inside 🥶, and meat portions was small. After waiting 30 minutes, I was told they were out of Chicken Sharma. When I eating the empanadas, it tasted like they used old oil to fry it. No apology for the wait or frozen meat. Food taste was mediocre. Will not come back.

I didn’t even need to get food to give this place a 1 star review, If I could leave negative stars I would. The owner of the restaurant thinks he owns the parking spots in the parking lot. He tried to make my grandma leave from the spot she was already parked at and started honking at her, even though she was there first and is disabled. Horrible ownership and reputation. I will never support this business! You will never be as good as destination smokehouse

Jared Gonzalez

I didn’t even need to get food to give this place a 1 star review, If I could leave negative stars I would. The owner of the restaurant thinks he owns the parking spots in the parking lot. He tried to make my grandma leave from the spot she was already parked at and started honking at her, even though she was there first and is disabled. Horrible ownership and reputation. I will never support this business! You will never be as good as destination smokehouse