Zahav

This place doesn't need one more 5 star Google review, but I wanted to tell anyone who, like me, maybe tends to be skeptical and contrarian about hyped places that this place lives up to it. Meticulously paced but not rushed, exquisite and refined but chill, well run but welcoming. Brooke was the best and took amazing care of us at the bar. Go here.

Excellent food and service. It exceeded our expectations. At the last minute, I had to call to add a child to the reservation. The restaurant was fully booked, but they made an exception and prepared food off the menu so the child could eat. The food rivaled, and even surpassed, some Michelin restaurants.

Pleasant experience. Food was amazing. Graham took a good care of us. Staffs were all attentive and friendly. A must go if you are visiting Philly.

My wife and I visited Zahav for the first time for our anniversary. We were stuck in traffic and unfortunately were almost 25 minutes late. However we were seated and met with smiles and good nature. The general manager came over and helped us with our parking app, which is for the record parking was very Easy to walk from about a two minute walk our server was most kind. She made our special event, even that much more special. Every server that we had explained what we were getting and was very courteous and very happy. Now the best part… The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was made perfectly. The flavor is indescribable because of how complex it is made the ideas of these sauces and Ingredients and fresh vegetables just simply amazing. We had the lamb shoulder, which is a 72 hour process to prepare. I was most impressed. I highly recommend Zahav. I look forward to the next time I will visit. Thank you. Jim K

What sets Zahav apart from other restaurants similar to it is the service and atmosphere, very comfortable and what you expect from a dinner date experience! The pita and hummus were amazing, we had enough food from the tasting menu to take him. I would definitely come back anytime I am celebrating or wanting a more special dinner experience.

Back in 2008 I could walk in any night and get a table. Mike himself was in the kitchen and every bow and then he’d come out and let us try a new something he was working on. In 2012 it got harder to get in the door but I managed to bring my husband there and he loved it as much as I did. We moved away since back then and came back with my only goal of being to come back to Zahav. Flavors that don’t exist elsewhere, memories we hold dear. & this time we brought our daughter. For a 9yo she ate everything they offered. I’ve never seen her come alive like she did tonight. She was genuinely excited to scoop up the salads, the rice, the lamb, and more. Our waiter and the staff exemplifies what is so special about this place. It’s like coming home to the best family home cooked meal you’ve missed while you’ve been away. Mikes dishes haven’t changed much since back in 08 and there’s an amazing comfort in that. Meanwhile those dishes have somehow evolved and grown up with him. The familiarity and the nuances of what was new or tweaked since last time as you’re sitting in what brings you to a table in a small town in Israel can’t be replicated. Tonight was so special. James brought though and experience we will never forget. The food opened up my child’s world & getting to see her so inspired by everyone there nay have created a future chef. How many places can you say brought you such joy? Thank you James & everyone at Zahav. Sincerely from our family.

Wonderful meal from start to finish. Service was exceptional and wine recommendations were spot on. They hit you with the mezze and some of the best hummus and laffa you'll ever have. It was our first time, so as many have recommended, the lamb shoulder is the right move. We did halumi and smoked sable as mezze add-ons and all the dessert options. Awesome meal that lived up to the name.

Amazing experience with unique flavors I would skip the wine pairing at $45 per person and just by a good bottle of wine as the wine was not well rated and not on their wine menu. It was one wine per course and there was no way that one wine would pair with 4 different dishes that were a range of different types of food.

Terrific meal, first visit during a weekend in Philadelphia. Everything was delicious and well prepared, authentic flavors. We went with the whole fried red snapper which was not my favorite but pretty good. The place is very popular and very busy so make sure to have reservations in advance. Friendly and great service, nice room.

Absolutely the best restaurant in Philly and probably in America. Zahav is more than just stellar food, drinks, hospitality- it’s about the experience- the feeling of being home, fed until your belly is full, cheeks hurting from smiling and laughing, heart happy from the delightful service by each and every member of the Zahav team. Love love love and excited to go back again and again and again

The food is great and the atmosphere is nice. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time, you can show up early to see if you can get a spot at the bar.

A very refreshing, vibrant menus choice of either Al Ha’esh (flame cooking) or Mesibah cooking style menus, dry-aged duck, (limited availability) or Pomagrante Lamb Shoulder, both stand out with winners, excellent service! A must try, walk-ins at the bar

My partner and I had a perfect date/anniversary night. From the warm welcoming with a sparkling, to the end with a beautiful presentation of fantastic desserts! We enjoyed the ambiance, the service, and of course the impecable food! It's a shame we are not locals otherwise we would become regulars.

Initial plate was great for opening up your appetite — highly rec the eggplant and the beet tahini sides there. For the mezze dishes we took fried cauliflower and the tomato dish, which was the star of the night with its cantaloupe sauce. We also got the crudo and leek dish, which were tasty as well. For the main we took the black bass w/lentils. I normally don’t like lentils but they made it sooo good, I think it was mixed with black beans? For dessert we took some sort of knafe/chocolate cake dish + the malabi and I’d really recommend you to take it too Our server went above and beyond with helping us make sure we ordered dishes that my fiancee wasn’t allergic to.

Celebrating my birthday here, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Zahav. For $85 per person, we got plenty of food, and everything from the appetizers to dessert was delicious. The service was excellent, and our server was friendly and helpful. It’s definitely worth trying, even though it’s hard to get a reservation

Tough to get a table but really glad we made it. Service was warm and the food was full of flavor. A lovely dinner spot that’s definitely worth checking out.

We had a private room with a great cellar-like vibe, it was cozy and unique. Left feeling full and satisfied! The highlight for me was the hummus, it was so delicious and memorable.

Absolutely impressed by the service, food, and the whole atmosphere! We went to celebrate husband’s birthday with a 10 year old child. Even though they do not have kids menu, they were able to accommodate my daughter with a special dish they made just for her. She was probably the only child in the whole restaurant at the time and they went above and beyond with their service! Food was delicious! Desserts were amazing as well. Would definitely highly recommend! Everyone was super nice! Everyone was very attentive! Thank you for such a perfect evening!

Undefeated food and service, if Philly has a starting five for restaurants, Zahav is in the lineup. Cant wait to go back👍🏻🍴

Very good food! The beef tartare and mushrooms blew me away. The hummus is out of this world. The tasting menu costs $85 per person. However, t’s just too much food! We were so full after the appetizers, took main course home. Good quality food should not put you in food coma, but leave you only satisfied. If you want to book a table, tour have to do it waaayyy in advance for the weekend and on Sundays they are closed. However, if you come early, you can put your name on bar waiting list. A trick to get in without making reservations weeks in advance.. the service and ambience are superb.

Is Zahav worth the hype, after all? ABSOLUTELY YES. First, here is the ultimate tip: if you are unable to get a reservation, sign up for notifications/waitlist for all the days you are able to go. The chances of you getting a notification that a table is available are very high. In fact, this is what happened to me. Now let's talk about the food. The $85 tasting menu is extremely worth it. There is a lot of food, but you are always welcome to take it home with you. Everything was sincerely delicious and extremely fresh. My favorite dish was definitely the lamb. If it is your first time going to the restaurant, you cannot miss it. Let's talk about service now; everyone is there to make sure you are having an amazing time! Lovely people. Finally, if you can, during this warmer weather, I highly recommend seating in the outside patio. It is more intimate and so relaxing. Overall, I had an unforgettable experience.

An incredible food experience. The tasting menu is where it’s at. Great ambiance!

I made a reservation to take my girlfriend here for her birthday; and man, was it the right call. The food experience was magnificent, as expected. Each dish was imaginative and executed beautifully. What really stood out about Zahav was the service. I worked in the food industry for a long time and I’ve never quite experienced service like this before. From the second we walked in, to the second we left we were treated so kindly and attentively. I’m really blown away. Again, the best service I’ve ever experienced in my life. A beautiful place with a wonderful soul. I’d recommend Zahav to anyone that will listen and am so grateful for the staff for making my girlfriend’s birthday a special one. Get the Turkish Coffee martini as well, 10/10. Go eat here.

Two weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday at Zahav. Two weeks later, I’m still thinking about it. I’m just here to say thank you. As a picky eater, I was a bit nervous about trying something new.. I was blown away by how incredible each and every dish was. I still cannot believe it. Thank you for the delicious meal, the phenomenal staff and the overall experience. The only way to describe it is Zahav truly embodies the “restaurant experience” so many other establishments try to create. Thank you for making my birthday truly unforgettable. I am forever grateful.

This was the best restaurant ever! We went for my birthday with 4 adults, 2 kids, 1 baby. Theybwere beyond accommodating. The food was world class, but the service was beyond. Shayma was so wonderful as was the whole staff. It truly felt like the most magical shabbat dinner. Thank you Zahav!

I recently went to Zahav to celebrate my best friends birthday. We both have never been & were so excited based on everything we’ve heard. The entire experience exceeded our very high expectations! Graham, our server, was so welcoming, friendly, & knowledgeable. We had tons of questions & he made great recommendations for each course. We also did the wine pairing & Graham gave us great insight about why each wine was selected for our courses. It was a great meal & a memorable celebration!

Came here to celebrate an anniversary and the food and experience were so good! The tasting course menu is generously portioned and everything tastes so good. In addition, you get a great variety of different flavors. We had the pomegranate lamb for our main course. The staff were also really attentive and helped elevate our experience eating here. Highly recommend!

This was my first time at Zahav, but definitely not the last. The food, service and entire ambiance was amazing. The food was flavorful and fresh. Our server, Graham, was Phenomenal. He was so nice, extremely knowledgeable of the menu, and you could tell he really enjoys his job. Wonderful experience!

Zahav is one of those dining experiences that stays with you long after the meal is over. The moment you walk in, you get the feeling this is more than just dinner — it’s a journey through meticulously crafted Israeli cuisine with a Philly twist. The standout dishes, like the pomegranate lamb shoulder with chickpeas and perfectly roasted vegetables, are deeply flavorful, balanced, and beautifully plated. What truly sets Zahav apart is the harmony between food quality and service. The staff is attentive without being overbearing, happy to explain dishes and offer wine pairings. Portions are generous, and every bite feels intentional. If you want a restaurant where flavors, creativity, and hospitality meet consistently, this is one of the best in Philadelphia. Would highly recommend for special occasions or a memorable night out.

I could not have had a better dining experience anywhere else! The food was incredible, the drinks were amazing, and the service was nothing less than stellar! Some highlights of the night were the phyllo-wrapped halloumi, all of the amazing desserts, and our wonderful waitress Dimitria. She was personable, attentive, and always knew what we needed. There was also an incredible selection of vegetarian options and they were very accommodating for allergies. Truly the best dining experience I could have imagined.

We have been lucky enough to dine at Zahav three times, and each time has been an amazing experience. The restaurant is beautiful, the food is consistently delicious, and the service is outstanding. Most recently, we booked a private room for our rehearsal dinner, and everything was perfect. The planning process was smooth and transparent, and on the day of the event, the staff was incredibly attentive to our needs. As expected, the food was exceptional. Even our picky out-of-town guests were impressed! We absolutely love Zahav and couldn’t recommend it more highly!

Omg…where do I even begin? So, the atmosphere is lively and fun, the staff, including Noah, Dan (😉) and Jose were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, the Jezreel Israeli wine we had was sooo good (who knew🤷‍♀️) and getting to meet the wonderful owner Mike was a true treat. BUT if you take all of that away the experience blew me away by how AMAZINGLY good the food was. Every bite of every dish exploded with unique flavor. I had been to this restaurant once 7 years ago and I remembered it being quite good. But what has transpired since was beyond anything I expected. The sea bass was delicate and delicious, the finishing dessert orange blossom custard was simply sublime, the starting mezze including the special bread was like tapas on steroids and the crudo appetizer with crunchy lentils was so unexpected my mouth didn’t know what to do with it! This place should really get a Michelin star. ⭐️ At least in my book it does. And I will be bringing my family with me next time for a true celebration. 🥳

Phenomenal flavors executed and served to the highest standards! I took my mother out for dinner tonight and the staff truly made our evening special. I had a concussion last Friday and, when I asked to be seated in quieter seat, the lovely house staff (a pretty cropped-haired lady with great jewelry, I wish I could remember her name) made sure I was seated far from the noise of the rest of the patrons. Our waiter Tod and the sommelier James were both fantastic, spending a great deal of time ensuring we were well taken care of, discussing the food and its history at length! The wonderful conversation was well worth our time all on its own. The food was truly on another level. Every single flavor and pairing was perfection. Truly the perfect dining experience. I'm excited to return as soon as we can!

Good: The service is amazing, waiters are warm and friendly and attend well to your needs. The food was good, we like the first course of hummus and pita with a variety of side dishes. The appetizers were also good, except for the cabbage and peanuts, it was okayish. Main course we tried swordfish , lamb and chicken and I will say chicken was the best. In desserts we tried all 3 options and liked the sorbet and chocolate cake in that order the most. Finally the ambience was good too for a fine dine. Bad: Not easy to find a parking spot, will have to drive around a bit to find a good spot. The prices are also on the higher side with a 20% tip pre-included in the bill. For a reference a dinner for 4 with 4 non alcoholic beverages costed us 480 dollars. Suggestion for a better experience: try to book a table for early evenings like 6pm, and take your time to relax and eat. Also don't fill yourself up in the first course , ask for a box, pack the extra and move to the second course. Else you will be full by the time you come to main course.

3.5/5 Overall. Did not live up to the hype. I have his cook book and was expecting more of a unique culinary experience centered around middle east/Isreal culture. This was average middle Eastern food and a below average ambiance. Food presentation were top tier. And the service was exceptional - offering recommendations and good conversation. At this price point, clearing and cleaning the table after every course occured, but is expected. Went on a Wednesday evening at 7p, clientele is business people leaving and transitioning to typical patrons. Music is a mix of electronic old and new, sometimes distracting. While the decor has a middle Eastern desert finish, i would expect the music to reflect the ambiance. Overall it was great to check off the Philly resturant list, but I have other recommendations for anyone looking for middle Eastern food with similar or better ambiance in Philly.

I recently tried this restaurant and thought it was an overall mid experience. The setting was comfortable enough, but it didn’t have anything that made it feel special. The food was average, with a mix of decent flavors and some dishes that felt a bit plain. The menu offered a fair range of choices, though nothing stood out as memorable. The service was acceptable — friendly but somewhat slow during my visit. Prices were reasonable for what was served. Overall, it’s an okay place for a casual meal, but it’s not somewhere I’d go out of my way to visit again.

Went to dinner last night. This was my second time dining at Zahav. The first course in the beginning was really good it was the highlight of the meal. The mezze were okay. We ordered the Cobia Crudo and the phyllo wrapped haloumi . The crudo was not balanced and did not have the flavors as described. The haloumi was good but tasted like a dessert and was heavy. Also for the main course we tried the lamb shoulder and chicken shishlik. I thought flavor wise the chicken shishlik was better. The pomegranate lamb shoulder was a little bit of a let down. It wasn’t that flavorful just smokey. I didn’t taste pomegranate at all. The chicken shishlik was good but had a savory umami flavor. For dessert we had Pecan Konafe and Pear Cardamom Sorbet. The pecan konafe was very good it nice ending to the meal. The sorbet was not my favorite. All and all it was a good meal but the flavors were underwhelming it didn’t hit like it should have. I don’t think it’s worth over $100 a person.

I have heard of this place for a while and didn't have the chance to go until now. I heard food is really good and great service and all, but I was kinda disappointed. It's a little hard to get reservation, so the moment it opened, I was on the website to reserve but all tables were gone. So I emailed them and they were able to help me reserve. The first course of the laffa bread and different 'dips' is fine. I like the hummus, pumpkin, eggplant, and cauliflower. For the appetizer, we like the halloumi cheese with a really delicious sauce and hazelnuts. The brussel sprout is a bit too salty, and the potato one is normal. I'm not a fan of dates so the next dish is meh. For the entree, we can either choose one skewer each, or a dish for the whole table, and we decide to go with the later option and choose their well-known lamb dish. Portion is huge, and meat is super tender, but I don't really like the seasoning. It is too salty for me, and I don't really taste any pomegranate. The rice is good tho with a crispy layer outside with pistachio and raisin. I don't really like the veggie that comes with it. For dessert, they give us the wrong one and so we get to try all 3 options. For the carrot bassboss, I don't like the cake on its own, but the ice cream is pretty good and def makes the cake better. The apple sorbet was meh, nothing outstanding. And for the last one, I'm not a fan of passion fruit so I don't really like it. Food comes out pretty slow. I asked for the entree to go, and they put the lamb and sauce with the crispy rice. I don't like that at all because that would take away the crispiness of the rice and make it soggy. Idk, for a restaurant like this I'd expect them to know better.

We were very excited to dine at Zahav and had been anticipating the experience for several months, but unfortunately it did not live up to our expectations. The one positive experience was the attentive and professional staff. The food, however, was hit or miss. The opening courses — hummus, beets, fennel, and similar items — were enjoyable. In the meze section, the halloumi and fried squash were good, but the mushrooms and cured egg had a very odd flavor. The mushrooms were cold and tasted stale. While the server kindly offered an alternative, we chose not to replace the dish. For the entrées (Mesibah), the chicken was delicious. The eggplant was a major disappointment, as it seemed undercooked, and the fish was fine but unremarkable. Overall, the flavors did not feel particularly elevated, and the portion sizes did not justify the pricing.

We visited for our anniversary last night and were very disappointed. Zahav may suffer from its reputation as one of the best places to eat in the city - expectations were high. Even accounting for the high expectations, we both felt it was a lackluster experience. The service was incredibly slow, it took us nearly 2.5 hours to eat the 4 courses of the tasting menu. The food was extremely hit or miss. We both felt we’ve had much better *Assorted Mediterranean Dip TM* platters in West Philly (shout out Manakeesh) for a fraction of the price. The house specialty lamb shoulder, advertised as pomegranate flavored, tasted like a poorly seasoned smoked pork butt your uncle prepared for an Eagles game. The apps and desert were pretty solid. The wine served with almost every course was pretty solid for $45 a piece but neither of us had a sip that was particularly exciting. Point being, for two people at $290 plus tip (I tipped 15% due to slow service that rarely checked in) this meal was a major disappointment. You are better off visiting Lark or Almyra for the price here.