Best hummus and best falafel I have ever had. Best hummus EVER. Come eat here, it's seriously delicious.

Delicious! Best falafel and hummus in nyc!

Without a doubt the best falafel I've had in NYC...such warm energy and kindness from the owner and staff. This is clearly a beloved neighborhood spot, and even though it was my first time here I could feel how community-oriented this spot is. You must drop by!

Just fire!!!!!! I hope you grow and I hope you are able to keep it OG all the time. God bless

Devastatingly delicious felafel and babaganuj(sp.) We enjoyed supporting this Palestinian Bakery and Restaurant.

Best shawarma I’ve had in NY, hummus is also excellent. Highly recommended, great place.

extremely authentic, great service

The best foul and falafel and hummus I ever tested in the US for real

The best food in town! If you don't eat here you're missing out!

WOW… it was so delicious. I’m so glad I found this gem. Thank you!

It’s a cozy hole in the wall place with some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had! The staff was very welcoming and was so hospitable and generous. They made us Oklahomans feel right at home!

Update: I ordered 2 more servings, got a baba which was super refreshing, Shepard salad amazing value. Just great. The hummus is unreal. I ordered almost 5 lbs to my apt with pita. I’ve dreamed of this, so creamy and fluffy and smooth. I’m not sharing with my boyfriend or anyone.

The best hummus and falafel I’ve had in the city! Also shared a lamb sandwich and fries with my boyfriend and it was the delicious. Seating was very limited but the family who was there was kind enough to let us squeeze in next to them. Compared to other Palestinian restaurants I’ve been to (like Ayat) it’s definitely more of a fast food vibe, so yes it was oily, but so so flavorful to balance it out. Would highly recommend trying it! :)

They have the smoothest butteriest hummus in America! excellent service-they are so kind and even gave us samples of falafel. The restaurant itself is very small-take out or order delivery and ascend to heaven with all the flavors.

phenomenal food, most authentic palestinian food i’ve eaten in the US. Quick service, seasoned to perfection and large portions. also the baked bread and kaak is amazing! 10/10 recommend

Stopped in for the first time yesterday. Wonderful place with great food and the owner Qasim is very welcoming and friendly. I'm Jewish and had absolutely no problems, don't listen to the negative reviews by people who are clearly biased.

Truly, this was like the best experience in Brooklyn I have ever had and the food was absolutely outstanding. I would recommend getting the Coke because it’s very unique and the portions are huge so come with a belly that needs filling.!!

Best kibbeh on this side of the Mississippi. If you don't agree I give your money back. Seriously, it's mind blowing good. My favorite is to ask for the platter which makes a more balanced meal with fresh veggies, hummus and yummy pickles (I specially love the Palestinian crushed olives). The falafel is really tender and so is the chicken shawarma (I have yet to try the lamb). The fresh breads are so good too. Best of it: it's the service. Seriously you are always treaded the best, no matter who you are. I was short on cash a couple of times and they always told not to worry and pay next time, they even made sure I wasn't holding back on getting a dessert because the money. I always came back and and up my patronage. I love this place and I bet you will too!

Very small place, yet the flavor is very big. You can have the best hummus and falafel in Brooklyn. The home made bread baked daily on site makes the flavor even more intense.

The best shawarma spot I’ve tried so far in New York City

The food is fantastic, fresh, flavorful and so so delicious! Some of the best Palestinian food I’ve had. The people/staff were so sweet and kind. Highly recommend!

WOW 100% authentic Palestinian food that’s just like back home! So so good. The staff is super friendly and they work fast! The shawarma is always a good choice for lunch. You can also get breakfast anytime of the day. The falafel, hummus, and pita is always fresh. Definitely check them out, you won’t be disappointed! All this for 16$.

The most authentic & delicious 😋 Middle Eastern food in Brooklyn. These guys are cool as well 😎

I want to start by expressing my appreciation for their service! While I was waiting for my food, Mahood gave me a falafel because he had multiple orders and was managing everything by himself with one helper. He works well under pressure and is great at multitasking. I noticed that he was taking calls, preparing dine-in orders and take out and also ensuring that the dine-in customers were satisfied! The food was mouthwatering and absolutely delicious! I had the mixed shawarma, and they definitely do not skimp on quality. The pita bread was large, and the portion of meat was generous as well. I will definitely be coming back from Queens, Inshallah!

I lived in Beirut for many years and ate this kind of food all the time, I can say without a doubt that the food at Al Aqsa is the best Levantine food in all of NYC and better than most in the Middle East. Absolutely must try the man2ousheh, falafel, foul w hummus, and shawerma - the quality of all these is truly incredible. Shukran jazeelan al aqsa!

I’m so happy with my food. Very traditional and delicious. So accurate to the food back in Palestine. Love it! Very nice staff and fast food.

Food was great! The workers are very hospitable and welcoming :)

Best falafel in NYC. Best hummus in NYC! Affordable, generous portions.

very good clean food, highly recommend the Shawarma owners were extremely nice

A place worth the commute, a place worth waiting for the R train for!! (Long distance from queens).

Someone told me this place had the best hummus they had ever had so I had to give it a try. Spoiler alert: they were right, the hummus is amazing. I also love the falafel and the chicken kebabs, and the people who work here are very kind and helpful. A perfect neighborhood spot :)

One of the best shawarma spots I’ve had in NYC! The seasoning is on point, and the fries are a must. Waited about 15 minutes, but they gave us a free, fresh falafel—super nice touch. Tips: Limited seating, so it’s mostly takeout. Call ahead to save time, and parking is tough. If you want custom toppings, let them know upfront when you place your order.

Delicious Falafel sandwich and hummus 🤍 Friendly and nice staff

Everyone with a good heart and conscious is welcome here. Al Aqsa is well-deservedly famous for their shawarma. It's crispy, salty, and filling. Of equal stature is their falafel. Not to mention, they offer freshly baked Palestinian bread loaves and ka'ak for people looking to bring fresh Palestinian baked goods home. Ambience is inspiring as it speaks for social justice in Palestine. Service is beautiful; it's a treat to have the owner around as he takes good care of customers. Please come check out Al Aqsa when you're in Brooklyn

Al-Aqsa is the absolute best. For food and vibes! My favorite neighborhood spot.

Most delicious food! And great customer service. Mashallah

Best mussahbaha I’ve ever had

Best place for meats in Bay Ridge

My go to spot when in the mood for some shawarma. Service is also great and prices are reasonable.

You can literally taste the love in this food. Definitely recommend oh my God I can’t stop thinking about that fresh falafel the brother let me taste for free. Such a kind gesture. Amazing shawarma too, God bless brother

Best food you’ll ever eat! Everyone who works here is so kind, you will surely be taken care of and feel right at home. This is my favorite restaurant in all of NYC. I take the train over an hour for this food!

This is the place to get handmade delicious bread baked fresh every day & Mediterranean food and feel like you've been warmly invited in for a meal together. Try everything it's all delicious...shawarma, falafal, hummus drizzled with olive oil pressed by their family.

+2

Randomly found this place through a google search (probably like what you’re doing right now) and absolutely loved it. It’s a small mom/pop shop with three small tables in the corner of the store. The food is very authentic! We had the chicken and beef shawarma which was phenomenal. Very juicy and big portions. My kids had Zaatar and spinach pie and rated it a 10/10. Great customer service and hospitality as well! The gentleman insisted we try the falafel and shwarma meats before we ordered. We even took some Jerusalem bread to go with us!

Found this out from Rob on Instagram. Was greeted by Mahmoud and he was exactly as hospitable and warm. Staff was so pleasant and sweet. Food was phenomenal!!!! Wow!

The kitchen here has figured out food secrets others haven't. They don't hold back on portions and everything was good. The staff showed exceptional service abilities. The food was dependably good, to clarify. This place will earn your praise.

Incredible food! The Gaza platter is amazing, extremely flavorful and comes with a lot of food. The cooks are also very friendly and welcoming :)

Great welcoming atmosphere! Food was outstanding and you could tell the ingredients were all high quality.

Wonderful meal! We got a heaping, delicious portion of lamb shawarma that came with all different types of little sides (pickles, etc) and delicious rice (I’ve never had rice spiced this way before), along with a beautiful hummus topped with a generous portion of olive oil. We also loved the various types of delicious sodas (cotton candy and malted caramel both stood out). Fantastic portions and quality for the price. The service was lovely, and we can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely amazing food.. and amazing experience.. felt right at home, came with a friend from a European background.. who absolutely loved the vibe and the food as well.. this restaurant is authentic, simple, and has generous hospitality. Will be back!

Just stopped by and ordered two pies one cheese and one zatar, plus hummus. Amazing food and amazing service. Very kind people as well, Ayat is the best! Always so nice and smiling

Very authentic and delicious food!!! I had lamb shish and my husband got shawerma, he said it was the best shawerma! I tried their hummus, so far is my favorite from all that I've tried before. The guys are very nice and friendly, give us some falafel samples which were delicious!!! All I am saying is ,if you are in the are definitely give it a try!👍👍👍they also bake all the bread and pitas there fresh daily

PALESTINE 🇵🇸 Eat the World NYC review: If you come in seeking only takeout orders, as many do, please do not miss the opportunity to walk towards the back and check out the baking go on. Baskets full of different types of breads, pre-packaged containers of cookies, and all kinds of pastries sold by weight are all made here by the skilled bakers, as are stacks of breads available for purchase. A gigantic oven sits at the back, and if you are too shy to peek around the corner just ask to use the restroom and you will have to walk by. The oven fills the restaurant with intense heat, and the man rolling and tossing dough for flatbread sheets called laffa (or taboon) looks just like a pizzaiolo. "This bread is straight from Jerusalem!" was stated at least five times about the delicious ka'ak during our stay and it could be felt how significant this was to him. Even in Palestine the bread is unique to the city, travelers from other parts buy many loaves to bring as gifts to their friends and family. The crust is soft and covered in sesame seeds, the bread inside even softer and so light. Despite being almost a meter long before cutting, it is not heavy and feels like it might float away.

+5

I went here based off a recommendation that I saw on tiktok. I was absolutely blown away. This is as authentic as authentic can get in food and in people. The owner (i believe) was super friendly and had no problem handling my milk allergy. I felt very welcomed and surrounded by wonderful Palestinian tradition in the heart of Brooklyn. I had a few people join me at my table to chat which was very nice. The lamb was juicy, the veggies were amazing, and the fries were crisp. I will be coming back soon. Ramadan Mubarak

Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish!!! 10 out of 10! Ayat is so kind and attentive and the food is mouth watering. My wife and I got the lamb platter and the lamb just melted in our mouth. The chef brought out complimentary falafel and hummus - no joke, it’s probably the best falafel I’ve ever had in my life ❤️ Allah bless this establishment and the people who run it and work there. Ameen ❤️

Without a doubt, one of the best Chicken Shawarmas, Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Falafel, and Chicken Kebab in Brooklyn. Everything was fresh with plentiful flavor. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Palestinian cuisine. Last but not least, I want to extend my gratitude to the owner and their servers. They were all friendly and attentive. I will be back.

Al Aqsa Restaurant is hands down one of the best places to get authentic shawerma. What I love most is that their shawerma sandwiches are traditional not modernized or overcomplicated like a lot of other restaurants try to do. They keep it classic, and it tastes exactly how it’s supposed to: perfectly seasoned, juicy, and absolutely impeccable. The service is just as impeccable as the food. The staff is welcoming, respectful, and always make you feel comfortable. The atmosphere truly makes you feel like you’re back home. It’s warm, simple, and authentic nothing fancy, just real food and real hospitality. Their pitta bread is amazing soft, fresh, and perfect for dipping into their incredibly creamy, smooth hummus. The hummus is rich, flavorful, and made just right. You also have to try their falafel. It’s perfect crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor. The falafel sandwich is definitely a must try. On top of everything, their prices are very affordable compared to other restaurants, especially for the quality and portion sizes you get. If you want real, traditional food that tastes like home, Al Aqsa is the place to go. I HIGHLY recommend it, I drove from Yonkers and it was worth every single minute.

Great food, great hospitality! Some of the best falafel and hummus I've had in my life. I didn't get a picture of our table set because it was too beautiful to waste time with photos.

In NYC it is really hard to crown the best hummus and baba ghanoush, because this city is absolutely full of amazing Levantine and Palestinian food. I had thought that I had already found the best. Nope. Now Al Aqsa is the best! I did here what I do often at a place new to me: I order a very basic thing and see how they do with something very fundamental. I ordered chicken shish kabob sandwich, my boyfriend a chicken shawarma sandwich. And then to share, hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel. Everything was just perfect. Both sandwiches juicy (but not too greasy, which can happen at other places sometimes), with glorious thick garlic sauce. We came from an hour away and I think we'll be doing it again. FYI it's a little hole in the wall kind of place, it has some tables if you want to eat there but it doesn't really have dine-in ambience. More suitable for take out-it's all about the food here, not about vibes. Staff are warm and welcoming. Made us laugh. I have a high bar already for Palestinian food and...they raised it even higher

Had an incredible experience here for iftar dinner. Food was absolutely delicious. Loved by us all. Can’t wait to come back!!

Can't be in Bayridge and not stop by for a "snack"!!! This is definitely my go to spot for shawerma (chicken, lamb or mixed - all delicious!!) and falafel Authentically Palestinian. Be ready to over-eat with pleasure. Everything is made fresh there, bread, hummus, pickled veggies. Love the food and the service. We usually take away because it's a bit small to sit in but either way love Al-Aqsa! (And oops every time forget to take a picture because start eating too fast!)

Fanila Mukhtar

Fast casual but sooo good. The chicken shawarma is amazing and the service is great!!. Ayat makes the experience even better, she’s so warm and welcoming. I love coming here with my besties

jaquelyn kinner

The best falafel and hummus I’ve had! The food was delicious and the owner was so kind! I’ll definitely be coming be coming back and will be bringing my friends. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing your delicious food!

Zilla Khan-Sookoo

Food was A-Class, Fresh and full of flavour. The quantity was phenomenal because I got dinner of of it. The service provided by Ayat was excellent! She made sure we were well taken care of and on top of that she was soooo friendly. Such lovely eyes. I tried a pomegranate soda called Laziza and that blew my taste buds away, it was so delicious.

lina hmidan

Al-Aqsa is hands down the best Palestinian spot in bayridge. You can’t beat the smell of their fresh bread being baked right when you walk in. Best bread, best falafel, and even better people. Their food is consistently fresh and authentic, and the service is always top- notch. Huge congratulations to the team on their 9-year anniversary! It’s no surprise they’ve been a Bay Ridge staple for nearly a decade.. the quality is just unbeatable.

Khoi Vu

Peering into Al-Aqsa bakery from the cold and wind-battered streets, we glimpsed an outwardly-sterile corridor; nonetheless my housemate and I recognized the warmth beneath the fluorescent lighting. We made our way in, quickly awashed by the amiable team. Really I came in just looking to get a dip and dip; a hummus perhaps, some pita to accompany. The wafting smells, however, proved irrestible. The clash of metal to grill, seared flesh and juices sizzling, my tepid hunger grew more and more ravenous. I opted for the kofte platter, and was recommended to do halfa-kofte half-chicken skewer. My housemate went for the shawarma platter. Additionally, I picked up a plate of six falafel, some kibbeh, and laban to boot; all with a plate of pita on the side. It was on the pricier side, but I think the subsequent experience and free-flowing generosity made it a well-worth visit. And the food was delicious. The falafel, which we were offered some as we made our order, resembled soft pillows encased by a perfectly crisp shell. He brought out a plate of manakish, za'atar and cheese, which was a pleasant and authentic surprise. The people behind the counter were alive and vivacious, from the chef who ran back and forth to feed us wholly, to the woman and her demure smile that took delight in our delight, providing excellent care and attention to our dining. Food continued to spill out, a cornucopia of Levantine fare. The (chicken?) shawarma was adequate, solid in taste and bursting with juices. The grilled chicken I found more compelling with its alluring char and succulence. The kofte was perhaps my favorite though. In tandem with the fluffy toum, it was heaven in each bite. When I find myself in Bay Ridge again, surely, I will return.

Shruthi Sivakumar

The best shawarma and hummus I’ve had in NYC, hands down. Hummus is actually insane. Everything is Palestinian and extremely delicious. Tasty sodas also available. Owner is one of the most warm and kind people I have ever met. Small seating area. Doesn’t matter where I am, I will return to Al-Aqsa!

Suzanne Kanj

Hands down the best shawerma in Bay Ridge. I don’t care what anyone else says, but when I’m craving shawerma, I want to enjoy the flavor and to actually feel full. So many places make their sandwiches tiny, almost like sushi rolls, but I love that Al-Aqsa stays authentic with big, flavorful portions. I always order the mixed shawerma with fries (for $15) and it never disappoints. Plus, they’ve added more seating and now offer more payment options, including Apple Pay, which is super convenient.

zoe ojeda

bless the owner and everyone who comes here and works here this place is filled with love and you can taste it in the food 🤲🏼🇵🇸

Fa

Excellent halal restaurant! The food was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Great service and clean atmosphere — highly recommend!

Meher Esha

I found my one more favorite shawarma spot in new york. Really, very good food. Not a big restaurant but thier food quantity, quality, and presentation are worth of 5stars or above.

Enas Abouras

The food was absolutely delicious. On top of the amazing food, the hospitality made the experience even more memorable. The staff were so warm and welcoming, treating us like family from the moment we walked in. It’s rare to find a place where you feel both completely satisfied with the meal and genuinely cared for as a guest. If you’re in New York and want authentic Middle Eastern food served with heart, I can’t recommend this place enough.

Bella Iacono

Absolute BEST hummus in bay ridge, actually blows my mind everytime. Fresh falafel perfectly salted and moist, incredible. Amazing service, everyone here is great!!!

Asια

shawarma was lowkey lacking flavor but it was extremely good regardless and I devoured everything, the falafel is also incredibly good 🖤

SZM

I was visiting my in-laws in Brooklyn and searched for the best hummus in Bay Ridge. No surprise Al Aqsa Bakery popped up. With a name like that, I had a good feeling, so I headed over. And wow it lived up to the hype. The hummus was incredibly creamy and authentic, and the pita? Soft, warm, and perfect. I also tried their mixed shawarma, which was solid. There’s a small seating area—nothing fancy but honestly, those are usually the best kinds of spots.

Andrew Rush

So far this is hands down the best shawarma in the city. Very authentic and delicious. Portions are generous and prices are worth it. The owner is very generous and gave each of us (4 people) free falafel and dessert snacks. If you want authentic middle eastern shawarma then you gotta come here. Soon they will offer different charcoal grilled meats. Can’t wait

AFC

Delicious Palestinian food with unique imported sodas all served up in generous portions by a nice staff. Very impressed with the chicken shawarma

Natalia Jarzynska

Authentic, consistent, fast paced and delicious. Not to mention the attentive and friendly service. If you’re looking for a great shawarma or kebab or falafel you’re in the right place. Not to mention the fresh toppings and appetizers. Unfortunately they were out of all the pies, zaatar and cheese and spinach and all the rest but I’m definitely returning and hoping to give them a try. This is a hidden gem of a place and the employees are absolute legends. First time customer here but will definitely return. Thank you guys. Keep doing your thing. Returned today and my experience was just as great as the last time. Featuring the chicken shawarma wrap on house made bread. You can also choose your toppings. As many as you’d like and very fresh and like everything else here homemade daily. Got to try a pie as well. The olive and cheese, super tasty.

Gabriel Zimbler

Let me just say, this place has the BEST pita (Taboon) I’ve ever had in my life - honestly, it might be one of the best breads in all of New York. I challenge anyone to find better hummus in the US than what they’ve got here. Between the fresh pita, creamy hummus, and crispy falafel, it’s one of those meals that makes you stop and think, “Does it get better than this?” Dine in, soak up the culture, it’s a major vibe

Anouar Bouyoucef

This shawerma spot here unbelievable. It's so delicious. I recommend everybody to come try their shawerma my god. You have to come try this shawerma over here is completely.different. It's so amazing, super delicious, especially the owner kasem he is such a sweetest person ever Highly recommended and all the staff here is very kind with everybody 😊

+2

I absolutely love this place. It seems pretty authentic. I absolutely love the hummus, bread, falafel, kofta & chicken. I have such a hard time deciding which to select each time I go. The portions are huge & I always have leftovers! You should absolutely try this place!

Some might be hesitant to enter a place with decor reflecting the current war. Personally for me, it makes it more culturally significant and interesting. Now throw away the politics: it’s some of the best falafel in NYC, and for me at least, falafel is a serious food item to be discussed and debated. The shawarma and hummus is also totally legit. They go out of their way to make you feel welcome which is great. For folks from places where this fare is less available, I think it’s a worthy inclusion in any Bay Ridge food tour.

Great shawarma, really good flafel and definitely awesome customer service. *Only issue: they only take cash. There's an ATM at the restaurant, and a bank right around the corner.

+2

The service is little slow but great food and quantity. The lamb kebab and zaatar bread was delicious.

Good hummus. Alright pita and falafel. Worth trying if you are in the neighborhood.

An incredible lunch at an affordable price. We got the mixed lamb and chicken shawarma platter and while it runs pricier than a sandwich (around $24) it came piled high with lamb and chicken easily worth the price, and more than enough for both of us for a quick lunch. The chicken was the star—moist and well-seasoned, rich and fatty without feeling heavy or greasy. The lamb, while also good, was near the end of the spit and as a result came out a little dry and not nearly as rich. The shatta (hot sauce), toum (garlic sauce), and tahina all tasted homemade and more than compensated. The cucumber and tomato salad was light and simply seasoned, which perfectly complemented the rich meats and sauces. The pickled cucumbers and turnip had deep tang and traditionally fermented flavors that really rounded out the plate. Service was attentive and friendly, even offering a piece of bread free with our platter when we realized we were low on cash and were unaware bread was extra! The friendly man behind the counter even gave us a few rose candies on our way out! All in all, a delicious and authentic Palestinian meal from a business that deserves so much love.

Perfect lunch for shawarma and fries were deliciously crispy. Pickled were crunchy and there's onions in the shawarma.

Gregor J. Rothfuss

They didn't have the Jerusalem bread which was the reason for my visit. The vegetarian platter was good.

I personally didn't like the shawarma. The chicken wasn't well done- which may other people like, but not me. Not enough pickles and sauces either. Also, they told me the sandwich is $9.79 without explaining the tax addition!!!!

The falafel was really tasty, delicious. Really excellent. The small kofta was ok but they list it at the counter at 13.99 and falafel balls for 2.99, somehow that turns into $23 after tax... Go figure. And the kofta was 1 small kofta with some rice and salad. Pricy for a casual takeout.

Check your order before you leave. half of a big order is completely wrong . You ask for lamb you get chicken. You ask for pita you get wrap. Terrible experience.

I was really looking forward to trying the shawarma from Al Aqsa, but unfortunately, it was a big disappointment. The meat was dry and lacked flavor, and the overall taste just didn’t meet expectations. It didn’t feel fresh, and the texture wasn’t right either. I rarely leave negative reviews, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend the shawarma here. Hoping they improve the quality.