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Zahav Philadelphia Reviews
Best food I've ever had! The wine was delicious as well!
Best food I've ever had! The wine was delicious as well! Highly recommend! I also now make the hummus from there!
food tasted terrible, like the ingredients weren't fresh.
When I brought it up to the employee they insisted everything was fresh but how would a waiter know? Felt queasy for the rest of the day. The seats were uncomfortable and in such close proximity to other customers we might as well have been together. I don't recommend this place, there's a lot of good food in Philly, and cheaper at that.
We got there well before opening to grab the bar seating .
Such a vibrant atmosphere , with most tables occupied at opening and rest slowly filling up in the next hour . It was a bustling evening . Bar seating was perfect , bright and inviting with a large windows overlooont that little lawn and beautiful greenery . Started off with Saffron limeade , a mock tail that was tart , sweet & refreshing . We selected the Tasting menu licked off with the bread and dips . Laffah bread with tahina and various side salads made for grand opening of our meal We picked 2 appetizers Crispy Haloumi cheese which was a burst of flavors , warm , chewy, sweet and creamy Coal roasted raddish with Baba Ghanoush and pistachio vinaigrette For entrees it was Sea bass - grilled to perfection was our preferred entree Grouper kebab had a bit of uncooked edge but dipping it in the tahina offsets the crude taste Desert trio was simply mind blowing Fennel sorbet topped the three followed by the Malabi custard , dark chocolate shell with passion fruit, carrot cake brown butter semifreddo Their hospitality and service is to commendable and has to be appreciated. Daniel & Tory were attending to us and Moe the bartender gave us good company while making drinks and engaging in a great conversation. Tim the General Manager came up to us and checked in on our experience . What they offered as a gesture is a reflection of how their owner & Executive chef and the team handles customers . It touched our heart . I am waiting to make the next trip to Zahav to revisit our entire experience.
One of the best dining experiences Philadelphia has to
One of the best dining experiences Philadelphia has to offer, from top to bottom. The serving staff is always top notch, they are always happy to go through the menu with you or offer helpful suggestions on how to get the most out of your experience. The restaurant itself is also gorgeous inside, if you live in Philly and have not gone here yet you are truly missing out.
Went to zahav for a birthday dinner! We really enjoyed
Went to zahav for a birthday dinner! We really enjoyed everything. As vegetarians, it's usually hard to get a lot of food on prix fare menus or these fancier restaurants- we had plenty of options here! All the Salatim were sooo good especially the famous hummus and the beets were my other favorite. We enjoyed all the starters, the eggplant and mushroom. The server was kind, excellent and helped explain everything very well!
I had high expectations going into Zahav and they were
I had high expectations going into Zahav and they were exceeded! I recently went here for a weekend dinner with six friends and amazingly we were able to get a reservation. We received outstanding service from the time we arrived until we left. Zahav served the dishes appropriately spaced, explained every course, answered questions, took the time to go over wines with one of our group, and even gave us complimentary bites throughout the meal. Zahav's ambiance is also nice, with low lighting, nice tablecloths, and an intimate setting. We were able to try virtually everything on Zahav's seasonal menu (shown below) thanks to our large group. While almost everything we had was very good to incredible, there were a few dishes that stood out. For the "In the Beginning" (appetizer) course, the twice-baked eggplant, the cauliflower, hummus/tehina, and the laffa were outstanding. Zahav is also the first fancy restaurant I've been to that's made a top-notch hummus. In the mezze course, the halloumi was rich, creamy, melty, and flavorful. For the main dishes, we got the chicken, oyster mushroom, and swordfish skewers, and the pomegranate lamb shoulder. The lamb lived up to the high expectations; however, the chicken skewer was somehow even better. I got the peanut baklava ice cream for dessert, which was rich and delicious. I highly recommend Zahav for your next special occasion!
Probably the best tasting menu I've experienced recently.
The portions are generous, and there is a plethora of vegetarian options. My favorite items were the halloumi, the oyster mushroom shishlik, and the peach sorbet. The service was top notch as well. I'm pregnant, but my husband really enjoyed the wine pairing. I will be coming back once I can drink again. Amazing experience all around.
This might be my favorite meal ever.
Not just because the food was spectacular but the service was unmatched. We sat at the bar and were so well taken care of. We got an extra app and a dessert from the staff since it was our first time and they could tell we were having fun. I would go back here in a heart beat!
I've been trying to dine at Zahav for about a decade, but
I've been trying to dine at Zahav for about a decade, but every time I find myself in Philly, I've been too late to snag a reservation. When my friend got a notification for a 915pm slot on the Saturday evening I planned to visit, she didn't even wait for my affirmative response before snagging it. We both had some trepidation about such a late meal, because geriatric millennialism. However, we're both Northwestern engineering grads, so we considered our constraints and set about coming up with a design-driven solution. As it turns out, a lengthy nature walk around the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge followed by a substantial afternoon power nap can, in fact, set you up for success for a late night (by our standards) repast that results in nearly closing down the restaurant. So was all the effort worth it? You betcha. Despite my fears of Zahav's hype, all of my expectations were exceeded. First, the space is lovely. Whatever updates and renovations they've undertaken over the years, they've curated an ambiance that's timeless and suitable for everything from a business dinner to a special date night and everything in between. It's upscale without being stuffy, and hat tip to the folks in charge of the music selection--we were bopping in our seats all evening. As others have noted, service is superb. Our server, Nicole (according to the receipt), was attentive, friendly, conversational, and helpful with navigating the menu offerings. Every single person we interacted with, including the fellow who delivered our salatim and walked us through its varicolored dishes, was polite and knowledgeable. Speaking of the staff, we had a completely unexpected visit by Chef Solomonov, himself. The last time I fangirled this hard was probably meeting Julie Reiner. My friend was so starstruck that she momentarily forgot where she lived. For being a world-renowned chef, Solomonov came across shockingly approachable, friendly, and down-to-earth. He even seemed genuinely grateful for our patronage. I felt like -I- was the lucky one to finally have an opportunity to experience his exceptional cuisine! It seems his personal style has shaped the way his team shows up for customers in the best of ways. And, finally, the food. tl;dr: everything was delightful. We'd just dined at Laser Wolf the preceding evening (yeah, yeah, I know it's a excessive, but I didn't think we were going to get into Zahav, so I'd booked us for the next best thing as a backup). Although both meals began with salatim, I was pleasantly surprised that the renditions between the two restaurants were wholly different. Gratefully, both came with their exceptional hummus. Even the breads were different, with a hearty pita being served at Laser Wolf, vs. a thinner lavash at Zahav, which I preferred. Among the mezze, it was actually the generously gifted halloumi that wowed me, and we shared the pomegranate lamb shoulder as a main. Akin to our experience at Laser Wolf, portions were enormous, and we barely had room to sample the decadent, fall-off-the-bone meat before resorting to packing the lion's share up as leftovers. Good thing we did, because both of the desserts we sampled, the malabi custard and the pineapple sorbet, were both excellent and wouldn't have traveled. A dinner at Zahav doesn't come cheap, but I felt that our experience was worth every penny. I'd handily put it in my top three dining destinations for Philadelphia, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a spot to celebrate a special occasion.
My husband and I came up from DC to meet friends at Zahav,
My husband and I came up from DC to meet friends at Zahav, and wow--it was totally worth the trip. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! The vibe is warm and welcoming, and Chef Solomonov is just the best--kind, generous, and seriously talented. The food is unreal. The salatim and hummus are hands-down the best I've ever had--so creamy and full of flavor. Every dish that came out felt special, and you can tell how much care goes into every detail. What makes Zahav stand out is the whole experience. The pacing of the meal, the wine pairings, the service--it all comes together perfectly. This isn't just dinner, it's a night you'll remember. If you're in Philly, don't miss Zahav. It definitely lived up to its hype!
Perfection.
We have traveled a great deal, including in the Middle East, and we eat well and often. Nonetheless, we count this as one of the top five meals of our lifetime. Everything was outstanding: beautiful, delicious, colorful, expertly prepared. Very well trained waiting staff that were efficient, polite, but not at all snooty. Nothing was hurried but everything was perfectly timed. Portions were generous (as were dishes we did not order or pay for but the waiter thought we'd like). The only con: we ate too much. We would have kept eating but our belts wouldn't let us. Zahav is worth a 2.5 hour drive from NY. It's just so good.
Incredible experience
What an incredible experience! There were flavors I'd never tasted before and everything they brought to us was delicious. Go hungry, because they bring an extraordinary amount of food. Our server was well-informed and prompt, and the service was very good. The braised lamb shoulder is their signature dish and should not be missed. I'd rank this among the top five meals I've had in my life.
From Unforgettable to Just Fine—A Bittersweet Return to Zahav
Our second visit to Zahav was highly anticipated, as our first experience two years ago was nothing short of extraordinary. Two years ago, we were blown away--not just by the incredible food but also by the warmth of the experience, with Executive Sous Chef at that time, Joe Howard, personally bringing out a few dishes he was working on. The sheer amount of food, the flavors, and the hospitality made it one of the most memorable dining experiences of our lives. Naturally, we knew it would be hard to recreate that magic, but we were eager to try. Securing a reservation is no easy feat, but we managed, and while the experience wasn't bad by any means, a few things dampened the excitement. The biggest disappointment was our seating. Instead of being in the vibrant main dining room--where you can see the kitchen in action, the bar buzzing, and the laffa bread being made--we were placed in a separate room on the outskirts. Unfortunately, this space lacked the energy and charm that makes Zahav so special; it felt more like a standard cafeteria, stripping away a big part of what makes the restaurant's atmosphere so unique. The menu had also changed, and we opted for the Tayim menu. While everything was good, it lacked the "wow" factor we had experienced before. In some cases, the descriptions of the dishes were more impressive than the actual flavors. Additionally, while our first visit left us completely full, this time, the meal felt smaller. To be clear, the service was great--attentive, professional, and even including an extra salmon tartar and lovely extra dessert for our birthday. There was no particular fault in any one aspect, but together, the little things added up, making this visit fall short of our high expectations. That said, we're still giving five stars, with the hope that Zahav will return to the unforgettable experience it once was.
Amazing
Amazing dinner. Definitely need reservations. Need to start early to get them as well. It is a set menu that will be $90. Very inventive with interesting combinations of flavors. Hummus was some of the best ever! Dessert really blew our socks off with the fennel sorbet and the carrot cake. Wow. Just wow. Takes about 2-3 hours to dine.
A Fabulous Reunion of Old Friends
What a fabulous restaurant! Our group of college friends had dinner with a wonderful waiter named Matt. And we had two people with food allergies and he managed the MANY dishes perfectly for everyone.
Do yourself a FLAVOR!
Holy Cow! This was the most unique and delicious restaurant. First of all, we had a private room for 14 of us and the best waiter ever! Ryan was just perfect, serving the MANY dishes with flare. Two of us had unusual allergies- GF and then the allergy to food coloring. The chef made us alternate offerings and kept us safe. Ten stars would be more accurate as a rating!
Great food, turtle service
Private party, 15 people, food was delicious. Service the slowest I have ever experienced. 45 minutes fur a drink finally 31/2 hours later still waiting for dessert. Water makes 20 trips for one course cleared the dishes from main course at 9:25 it is 9:56 still waiting for dessert.
Overpriced for Portions
Food is definitely tasty (very unique flavors and authentic Israeli/middle eastern), but it is wildly overpriced for what you get ($85 per person). More importantly, the portions are extremely disproportionate. For the first two "courses," they were bringing us out (a party of SIX) the same tiny portions that they were for the table of two next to us. The waitress seemed slightly annoyed and put out by us that we asked for more bread and more hummus. For the price you are paying, the servings should be plentiful. The lamb was overly huge, so they have not quite figured out the portion sizing. Drinks were nothing to write home about. We sat outside, which was a little bit of a bland atmosphere but it is nice how it is covered with string lights.
This place was amazing! I'll start with the service -
This place was amazing! I'll start with the service - impeccable! I came here for a friends birthday and the minute we walked in we were greeted with smiling faces! We were sat very quickly and immediately our server came over and walked us through how everything worked. After we placed our order it was time to eat quickly after - please come hungry. Every bite was delicious. The only thing we didn't like was the desert however, this may have just been our taste buds not enjoying the poppy seeds! Must go to - there's definitely a reason it's so hard to get a resy!
The atmosphere killed the food
I was on-line reading restaurant reviews and saw that Zahav opens the reservations 8 weeks in advance of a specific day at @ 11:00. It was 11:30, so I logged in and got a reservation for 4 on a Wednesday evening 8 weeks away -- not bad! The date was halfway between my husbands and son's birthday, so we had an excuse for the splurge, given the great things we've heard. Zahav's food is a wonderful expression of a specific cuisine. The Israeli/middle eastern spices and dishes are wonderfully unique to the American diner. (one of our parties was not fond of the food, but that was his preferences and not the food's problem). The servers tied to be attentive, but the environment missed the mark for us all around. The room was loud to the point of not being able to hear the server or others at our table. There were very young children making loud children's noises that might have been cute at McDonalds, but not here. They seem to have mixed a few small parties in a room with a lot of large noisy parties, and while they might work for the restaurant to maximize seating, it was totally wrong for us (and the couple across from us trying to be romantic -- this was sad). I checked out another ding room before leaving and the noise levels seemed to be just as high As a local who loves good food, Zahav was on my list, but for me it's a one and done.
Lovely experience at Zahav.
Come hungry as there's a lot of food (arguably too much)! We went with the pomegranate lamb for our main, which was the highlight of the meal. Though everything was good, nothing truly stood out especially as we got increasingly full. Everyone who works there is super friendly. Though reservations go fast, had no trouble getting one through Resy Notify.
Letdown.
All disappointment from meet and greet, to service to blent and mediocre food. I can say that the humus was really good and the busboy did an excellent job but we felt unwelcomed by the wait staff, unimpressed with food presentation and choice, felt that the place wasn't very clean and was very noisy. Main signature dish - Pomegranate Lamb was ok but nothing notable and definitely not worth the money. It's a given that our expectations were high with all the buzz going about the place and customers flocking in, but sadly, we didn't find anything remarkable and left feeling quite disappointed.
Best Israeli restaurant! Amazing small plates and lamb,
Best Israeli restaurant! Amazing small plates and lamb, must try if you can get in! The lamb is to die for.
Insanely overpriced for mediocre food/experience.
Overall very overrated. Also felt a little sick after. Skip it, and try Malooga instead--better quality at reasonable prices and better atmosphere.
Absolutely a MUST in Phila if you are able to nab a
Absolutely a MUST in Phila if you are able to nab a reservation OR just wait for a bar seat right when they open at 5. It was my first time here in a decade and the food is just as good as ever with exceptional service. Our server, Anthony, went well above and beyond to make sure that we had a great experience end-to-end. I would highly recommend the lamb shoulder or the duck - you can add an entree for $55 as well. Both were excellent and the duck is in limited quantity so be sure to grab an earlier seating if you are able to as they tend to run out by the second round of the evening. It's worth the wait on either Resy or for a bar seat.
Really good customer service, but is the food worth the hype?
I have heard all of the gype circulating zahav so I had to go try it for myself. Getting a reservation is an actual nightmare so we showed up right when it opened to get a seat at the bar. We got their prix fixe menu so it's pick and choose of what's supposed to be their best. We chose all vegetarians dishes so I will caveat that I don't know how they cook their meat. I appreciated that they even gave us an alternative dish to make up for not having enough options on their menu. Their dishes were all good. I think maybe 2 were outstanding and were dishes I still think about. The rest, however, were simply good or fair. I don't think I was blown away by any particular bite. The bread was burnt which made it bitter. We got a lot of food and I'm happy I went. But was this my best bite in Philly? No.
Had the incredible opportunity to experience Zahav as part
Had the incredible opportunity to experience Zahav as part of a wedding rehearsal dinner recently. We were brought into a special event room in the back with 2 long tables. The staff was exceptional in taking care of us all night; they explained each course, refilled drinks quickly. The whole experience was remarkable. The absolute standouts for me were the dip with the beets (the purple one, it's hard to miss!) and the pork shoulder. Being that we were such a large group, we had massive portions of everything...the pork was INSANE to look at. The meat fell off without a fight and it was ridiculously delicious. All of the dips were great, the veggie sides, the chicken... I mean there wasn't ONE bad bite. Now the dessert deserves its own shine. We had this chocolate ganache coconut pie thing... I don't really know how else to describe it. Looking at it you wouldn't expect the middle would be warm and chocolately but it sure was. It was super coconutty too, but not in an overpowering way. It's very clear why Zahav has the notoriety it does. Big fan!!
Absolutely incredible meal.
By far the best hummus I've ever had in my life. All the opening dishes in the tasting menu were incredible. The chicken kebab was good, brisket was eh. Halloumi and labneh both insanely good. Love this place.
Living off its former glory
Four of us went here late on a busy Thursday night. Ordering is limited to two basic options, we opted for the main course consisting of three smaller items (as opposed to one larger main option). A lot of different and highly varied items with interesting names and ingredients are provided (too many to list here), but they all had one thing in common: mediocrity. Every dish was rather uninteresting, overly salted, and/or seemed like it was sitting around for many hours since being created (our reservation was 8:30pm). As to the service, we waited for 30 minutes AFTER finishing the appetizer round with no server coming to the table. After alerting a very polite server to our situation, a manager came to our table, apologized, and comped our drinks, for which I give them credit. However, the entire experience fell well short of what was expected from such a vaunted establishment. Plus, it was so noisy in the patio area, we could barely maintain a conversation. A bad night perhaps, but there are too many better, quieter, and less expensive places in Philly for me to go back.
Satisfy every wish you have ever had for a great restaurant
The dinner we had at Zahav on June 1st, 2024 was far and away the best meal of my life, and I am not exaggerating. The food is marvelous and every morsel is presented magnificently with an explanation of what it is. The wait staff is beyond compare and we appreciated how hard they worked. Any request was fulfilled quickly and no question went unanswered. Plan eight weeks ahead to get a reservation, and you will never regret it. I am sure that every diner that night would agree with this review. Ellen T. , visiting Zahav for the first time.
The shoulder lamb was incredible! Highly recommend! The
The shoulder lamb was incredible! Highly recommend! The flavor and quality was amazing. It's so tender and melts in your mouth. The tasting is $85 per person and an automatic 20% gratuity is included, so expect to pay over $100 per person. For me personally I think it is a bit overpriced, however a unique one time experience that you should try at least once.
Had a wonderful dining experience at Zahav! Menu featured a
Had a wonderful dining experience at Zahav! Menu featured a lot of items I wouldn't normally eat or order, but everything was absolutely delicious and glad I tried it all! Since it was our first time, we tried the pomegranate lamb and it did not disappoint. Pulled right off the bone and combined well with the stew and pickled veggies. If I had to find any complaints, it'd be minor at wishing the rice had a little salt sprinkled on top, but the Persian rice was still crispy and paired well when you built a full bite with lamb and sauce. Our waitress was wonderful and our meal never felt rushed, with our water glasses never empty and food coming out well timed. Thank you for a great evening! Hope to be back soon!
Yes good food but not as good as expected and insanely expensive
Note I left the exact same review on YELP. Had wanted to try this place for several years and glad I did, but would probably not go back. Insanely expensive evening, over $330/per couple after the $85 per person price fixe, a few overpriced and relatively small pour wines by the glass ($20 for what seemed like maybe 4-5 oz), coffee with dessert, tax and 20% service charge included. Plus we gave the waitress, who was very nice, an extra $20 cash and paid $30+ for parking as well. So all together, really $380 per couple Very good food of course, and yes a lot of it, in fact probably too much, by the time we got finished with the numerous mezze/appetizers we were too full for the main course. The legendary lamb shank in my opinion was good but nothing special (tasted exactly like every other lamb shank I have ever had and was very salty). I did have leftovers for dinner the next night which was good. The hummus and many of the mezze/appetizers were great. The wine and beer list including Israeli offerings a little different. Didn't try any cocktails. So hard to get a reservation, how are there so many rich people willing to pay these prices? Also a lot of traffic getting into the city from the suburbs and not that easy to park, but that's not the restaurants fault, but by the time I got there I was a little stressed out and tired. If you walk there or take a cab/uber from in the city it would be a more pleasant experience I suppose, but still super expensive and food again good but not quite as heavenly as I expected. My biggest complaint otherwise is the limited and strict price fixe menu. No a la cart items available at all. And for the famous lamb shank, THE ENTIRE TABLE HAD TO GET IT which is ridiculous. I hadn't been there before and really wanted to try it, so I had to force everyone else in our party to get it too, even though some of them had been there before and wanted to try something else. But there is no other option or flexibility, other than the entire table could get one item, or the other 3 item price fixe combination. Yes it's a big portion of lamb, but really, why can't each person or each couple get the entrees they want? Give a smaller portion of lamb and let someone else have fish. Again, ridiculous, but they have consistent crowds so I guess it's just me. Glad I tried it, but unlikely to go back again.
Downright disrespectful service at Zahav!
My family and I, in town for the Penn Relays, could not wait to try Zahav-a restaurant we’d seen on favorite shows about amazing food and a place that we had to reserve months in advance due to the popularity. I was stunned by the extremely poor service that then lept into downright disrespectful. Our server-named Chris R.- paid absolutely no attention to us. After coming by, introducing himself, talking a bit about the menu, and taking our drink orders…we-almost-never saw him again! We watched him walk by us multiple times to bee line to another table and literally chat them up for 10’s of minutes. We eventually began giving our additional drink orders to the fine folks that were busing the tables because Chris R. could not bother to stop and ask us how we were doing. Final straw was that Chris R. did not put our main course order in…tried to blame it on the “slowness in the kitchen”, and brought us a plate of free food while we had to wait yet more time: keep in mind our reservation was at 8:15pm and due to his lack of care and follow through, our main dish came out at a little after 10:00pm. As a family, we walked away underwhelmed, feeling marginalized as we watched Chris R. pay such good attention to many other diners except us, and now are unwilling to recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to be treated in a civilized manner.
Outstanding
Zahav is understandably one of the hardest reservations to get in Philadelphia, I was fortunate to be able to pop in and sit at the bar as the restaurant opened during a recent business trip to the area. I opted for the tasting menu, which is very fairly priced at $85 considering both the quality and quantity. As I’ve had the tasting menu before I knew to pace myself - the salatim showcase the ability to make vegetables shine; the broccolini, spicy fennel, and Napa cabbage stood out for me. The hummus and Laffa, as usual, were out of this world. Additionally, the fluke crudo, Phyllo encrusted halloumi, and hen of the woods mushrooms were amazing. The skewers were a notch below, with the ribeye being the best of the 3 (mushrooms and tuna the others). The leftovers I had were amazing later in the night and the next day. Highly recommend if you can get in!
Over-rated.
James Beard got it wrong with this one. uninspired, unoriginal, unremarkable, colonialist garbage.
Everyone seemed to love this place but me.
I had very high expectations from this place due to all the hype people were telling me. It was such a disappointment!! The service was less than many other high end restaurants that I have been to. Maybe it was an off night for the staff. They didn't change our plates after eating the first course so that the first and second course I had to mix the flavors!! The restaurant was a bit too dark to be able to see well also. I understand about ambience but it was a bit too dark for that so I worry about the cleanliness!! As for the food, definitely not worth the calories consumed!! Their famous hummus was very salty!! I always believed that good food does not have to be salty. I get it that people drink wine or cocktails need the salt to taste the food!! As for their fried cauliflower, I was so excited to try but it tasted burnt and a mouthful of oil came out as I chew it. Not the greatest experience!! I have had deep fried cauliflower or broccoli before at other restaurant, let me assure you there is a way to keep it not that oily!! Holy cow!! The other dishes were ok nothing to write home about for sure. As for the meats - the lamb was a bit too gamey for me. The short ribs was definitely the worst I have ever eaten. It was all fat!! I actually had only a couple of bites and left the rest there!! Usually I do expect it to be fatty but one can also find some meat but what we got was mostly fat and thin strips of meat!! The steak with mushrooms were cooked very rare!! The mushroom were quite tasty but again it came out not hot and I am not the type to eat bloody pieces of meat!! So I only ate the mushroom and they were delicious!! I really don't know how this place can be the best to eat at. Honestly I left the place hungry and had to go to Positano which is nearby to grab some food! What a disappointment!! I am going to assume it was an off night for them!! But at these prices there should be no off night. Being a foodie I expect at high end restaurants to serve food that is not too salty and to ask how do we want our steak to be cooked.. etc... I apologize for giving such a bad review but I really didn't like it. I have been to Tel Aviv many times for my business travels and let me tell you the restaurants there are incredible!! This is terrible compared to those places!! I remembered not ever having a bad meal there from the bread to the hummus to the grilled fishes. So fresh!! Another thing I can't imagine is people have to wait two months to get a reservation for two. Save your time and go elsewhere. All hyped!! Hope the owners do some reflection because I do want them to do well!! If you like their food - good for you but for me, I will not come back anytime soon!! Save your calories for other places with great food, great service and a place that makes the food taste homemade and not over salt it so you have to keep drinking liquor to overcome the saltiness!! Remember as you get older you only have so much appetite, eat something worth the calories that you can consume! At least I didn't get sick eating at Zahav!! I guess that is one good thing I can say and the mushrooms were very good that came with the steak!!
Amazing! I have never had a bad meal at Zahav (the inside
Amazing! I have never had a bad meal at Zahav (the inside not the patio seating). The meal was 85 dollars per person but included small dipping portions with fresh pita, mezze, and one mesibah with an ending of dessert. The meal alone was so much we ended up with a ton of leftovers. I started the meal with a cocktail. It was the open sesame and it was very delicious. The drink had scotch, sesame, and bitters. Fresh pita was brought out with a ton of small dipping plates surrounding the hummus. The pita was ok but the hummus was the best I have ever had. The dipping portions were equally amazing. Broccolini with Caramelized Onions and Pickled Napa Cabbage were so amazing. We had so much left over, the staff graciously gave us more pita. The bartender at the bar (which we were seated at) was very helpful and friendly to chat with. The mezze came up next. Of note was the Roasted Broccoli. I loved how the broccoli was marinated in lemon and how the dipping sauce was tehina. The Phyllo-wrapped Haloumi was delicious. The cheese melted in my mouth. The entree was split between 2 people. We split the Pomegranate Lamb Shoulder. I think this is the only dish we regretted. The bartender said it was the most popular entree but it was a bit too sticky and the lamb taste was too pronounced for my liking. I also didn't taste any pomegranate. I think next time I go I want to try out the other side of the menu. The dessert that came was so so good. The Malabi Custard was a delicious custard that had candied walnuts.
Always a fabulous meal.
Just wish it was easier to get a table and enjoy more often! That lamb ... it haunts my dreams. :sigh:
Reserved a spot for two at the bar.
I prefer it since it's more intimate than shouting across the table. The bartender explained the menu to us and another couple. He would provide us silverware, drinks, and that our orders. The first two portions are automatically ordered with every item ordered and delivered. The first portion included 5 items that were all fantastic, with the Beets with tahini and twice cooked egg plant shining out the most. Ordered another Laffa bread since the first was insufficient. Next, the various Mezze plates were served. They were simple but delicious. After that, we chose the pomegranate lamb shoulder. Neither of us like most lamb but it was zahav signature dish so we went for it. It wasn't great. We'll choose the Al' Hahesh dishes next time. The Malabi Custard was excellent. The custard mixed well with the candied walnut. We were also given a date who's seed was replaced with almonds. Soo good. Out of all fine dining Israeli restaurants I've been to, Zahav is the only restaurant worth it's $$$.
I have eaten in so many high end restaurants, but this one
I have eaten in so many high end restaurants, but this one is special. It. Was. Everything. The entrance. The warm greeting. The perfect round table for 5 where we could all talk easily to one another throughout the meal, the decor, the lighting, the amazing food, and Sydney! Sydney is one of the all time great wait staff people. She gracefully handled 4-6 tables of 5 and 7. She was the exact right amount of present, attentive, delightful, professional, and kind. Yes, our wait staff person was kind! This is a special TREAT restaurant. The food on the tasting menu was abundant, flavorful, creative and delicious. I am a weirdly picky pescatarian who doesn't eat spicy food or beets. Skipping those two dishes, I enjoyed so many unusually deliciously prepared "salatim"salads; the most amazing dorrade fish wrapped in grape leaves and chocolate kanafe. I didn't like the drink I ordered. Sydney noticed this and promptly insisted that I get a drink I liked better, and did not charge me for the one I ordered originally. This entire meal experience was unforgettable and I feel grateful I had the chance to dine here. You should, too.
Dined here last night and every aspect of the night blew me
Dined here last night and every aspect of the night blew me away. Our reservation was at 7 and we were seated immediately. Graham was our server/bartender and he was absolutely incredible. His knowledge of the menu was truly impressive and his drink recommendations were second to none. Another standout was Anthony who was super attentive and personable and did a great job of making us feel right at home. The sheer volume of food is overwhelming and the entire experience is MORE than worth the money. Not only is the quantity of food large, but the execution of every dish is spot on. This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in Philly and a must try for any foodie in the area!
The most amazing restaurant in Philadelphia! The waitress
The most amazing restaurant in Philadelphia! The waitress we had was so nice and welcoming as well as extremely knowledgeable able the dishes, ingredients, wine origins and was so excited to share this eating experience with us. The Salatim were amazing, our personal favorites being the fennel and cabbage. The hummus and laffa were great and had amazing zaatar seasoning. Appetizers were also very good, our favorite being the carrots and the crispy potatoes. At this point we were so full! We recommend the Al haesh to be able to try several different skewers which were served with cabbage and baharat rice. Lastly the malabi dessert with calamansi was amazingly refreshing and fruity! I recommend the wine pairing as well. Cozy feel in the restaurant and friendly atmosphere was a plus.
Hard pass.
It's difficult to think of a place I would like to eat at less than this one.
I love Zahav! I wish it wasn't so hard to get a reservation
I love Zahav! I wish it wasn't so hard to get a reservation otherwise I'd be here at least once a month. When you come you have 2 menu options and each comes with several courses. The first time I came I got the one with Persian rice and it was good but the second time I came I tried the other one (pictures below) and it was much much better!! Parking is easy to find right outside and the service is phenomenal. Would def recommend
Go!
Literally waited years to come here and it was well worth the wait! For as nuanced and fine a dining experience, the vibe is very casual and welcoming. Put your food selection in the hands of the very knowledgeable staff, and enjoy!
Zahav
An amazing experience, we received service above and beyond any expectations. The food was wonderful and delicious. The presentation and portions were family style. Our waitress was knowledgeable and accommodating. Will definitely come back for more great experiences. Thanks Zahav
Awesome food. Great staff. Fun vibe.
This was an awesome experience! First, you must make reservations early. They open reservations eight weeks in advance and they fill quickly. They fill quickly because it is worth it! The atmosphere was comfortable-lighting, seating, upbeat modern club-style music. Staff were so friendly and professional. The food is fantastic! There are two menus to choose from, each having 4 courses. Each course has many dishes. It’s essentially a tasting menu, with so much that you’ll be full halfway through. We chose the Tayim. It started with humus, laffa bread, and 6 different bowls of spreads or salads that you could eat with the bread. The second course included multiple small plates of different things. My favorite of these was the pastry wrapped haloumi cheese. It was so good. Everything was. The third course was salad, rice, tahini and kabobs- for these you choose 3 out of six options. We did chicken, lamb, and eggplant. Dessert was an amazing pistachio cake and poached quince and pear. We also had Turkish coffee to round it out. There wasn’t a single thing we didn’t love. The vibe of the place was great. When there was a slight lull between courses, they even brought us mint lemonade mocktails to make up for the wait, which was a really nice touch. I won’t hesitate to go back every time I’m in Philadelphia, and plan to take friends and family there too.
Disappointed
Soooo disappointed— especially after waiting some time for a reservation. Maybe we had an “off night” but the dishes were not good. We had the Tayim Tasting Menu. New Orleans’ SHAYA remains my favorite Israeli restaurant. Everything there is delicious, every time.
A must!
First and foremost, the food was delectable. I am a vegetarian and there were so many great choices. I can’t wait to go back again. We also had drinks that were yummy too! I’ll add, if there’s foods you think you don’t like…. Still try them here! I typically don’t like beets and the beets made here was one of my favs. Some people were dressed up, some were casually dressed. The restaurant was clean. Our server Graham provided attentive, knowledgable service. Tim the manager was helpful in getting us a reservation. We sat at the chefs counter and it was the best seat in the place in my opinion. Can’t wait to go back!
Connect with users posting reservations for Zahav Philadelphia
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Zahav Philadelphia at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Zahav Philadelphia page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $5.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $5.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* BraveCloth47, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* BraveCloth47 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to BraveCloth47 for any questions Peter may have as BraveCloth47 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* BraveCloth47 now uses their connections at Zahav Philadelphia to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If BraveCloth47 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, BraveCloth47 receives the $5 reward which is credited to BraveCloth47's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Zahav Philadelphia!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
