Zahav
Israeli Restaurant$$$$
Center City East, Philadelphia
The hummus at Zahav is a can't miss
"The hummus, haloumi, and Salatim are perfect."(8 Tips)
"The Turkish hummus and fresh bread is to die for."(8 Tips)
"Whole Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Pomegranate and Chickpeas."(15 Tips)
"Tasting menu is amazing but make sure you're hungry when you come."(22 Tips)
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226 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- good for dates
- tasting menu
- salatim
- trendy
- mezzes
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William ShriverJune 18, 2017Truly amazing Israeli food. The Tayim tasting menu is a great value, and a great way to try a bunch of different foods on the menu. The Turkish hummus and Brisket Kofte were both out of this world.Upvote10Downvote
Chase GraySeptember 29, 2017Everything is delicious here. Fully deserved reputation as one of the best restaurants in Philly. Worth the (2-3 month) wait for a reservation.Upvote10Downvote
Vivek BhagwatAugust 3, 2018The Tayim is a good deal for the amount of food! Get all the mezzes if you're down to eat some duck heartUpvote3Downvote
Jessica RolandApril 4, 2019Most popular place in Philly, for a reason! Food is amazing but it's very hard to get a reservation. If you go early, you can often get a seat at the bar. Also it is surprisingly cheap!Upvote1Downvote
KateApril 5, 2023Excellent menu - fixed price and offerings, but the menu has a wide variety of food and is more than enough. Most people walk out with takeout containers!
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AmateurConciergeNovember 12, 2019Quite good but not sure it’s fully worth the hype. The taste of Zahav is a great deal. The custard for sure. Girl next to me gasm’d from the fried cheese. Cauli was good but not unreal
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Johnnie SkywalkingJuly 30, 2017Every experience here is amazing. Food, wine, service and even price. They even offer some complimentary dishes. I got lamb tartar and that was so great addition to all the ordered dishes.
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Molly SteinAugust 15, 2013Start with the fava bean hummus for a different and amazing flavor. Mezze Indulgence: the crispy haloumi. Vegetarians MUST order the smoked eggplant and lentils. Beverage of choice: the sig lemonadaUpvote7Downvote
Marcia DunsmoreApril 12, 2022Probably the best restaurant on the east coast. Unique in its vegetable offerings, and the lamb shoulder is the stuff of dreams. Great to visit with a group.Upvote1Downvote
Emily WilsonFebruary 27, 2017Splurge on the tasting menu, it's worth it (and as far as tasting menus go, not too pricey). Eat slowly and save room as you go. The service is exceptional, on par with the best. 10/10.UpvoteDownvote
GrantBwpgMay 23, 2014The Tayim tasting menu was a great deal and provided for a ton of food! Turkish hummous was soooo tasty. Everything was great - you cannot go wrong. Wait staff are very attentive and knowledgeable.
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Jake SmithOctober 19, 2018Just do the Chef’s Tasting Menu (you have to ask for it). Let them make all the choices for you; sit back and enjoy.
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Marie La RueNovember 24, 2018Exceptional dining experience. The hummus and the 6 appetizer-sized salads are a must. Favorite dished were the raw tuna and cauliflower. Friendly, unpretentious service.
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Andrew CJanuary 28, 2019ABSOLUTELY AMAZING... legit every dish was mouthwatering and amazing, but small (we wanted more lol)!!!! If you don't have reservations, show up at 430p and sit at the bar - you get the full menu!!!UpvoteDownvote
Inna GFebruary 29, 2024Attended a Turkish event. Tasting/wine pairing. mezze was delish especially the warm hummus and cabbage. The apps crudo, carrot were a bit bland. lamb shank beef pistachio good. Baklava was bland.Upvote2Downvote
Colin LeeMay 30, 2016You can share the tasting menu at the bar ($45 for a lot of food!). Its great value way to try out most of the menu. Carrots and beets are my favorite small plates of salatimUpvoteDownvote
Lauren MacMarch 8, 2017Grab happy hour at the bar & hope that Gabriel will be there to take care of you for cocktails (Z&T!) & recs. Don't miss the Branzino or fried cauliflower, but honestly, the fresh pita is the best!UpvoteDownvote
Rachel LJuly 22, 2017Some of the creamiest hummus I've ever had. Don't sleep on the Crudo or lamb kibbe. And the Israeli salad martini was great too.
UpvoteDownvote- CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014You can't go wrong with anything on Chef/Owner Solomonov's menu, but don't miss the Whole Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Pomegranate and Chickpeas. And the Sweetbreads changed our lives.UpvoteDownvote
Michael KauffmanSeptember 23, 2016Salatim (salad/tapas assortment) with hummus and fresh-baked pita. Perfection. World-class.
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Shrikant JoshiAugust 17, 2018Haloumi cheese is delicious. The tasting menu is amazing - although it is definitely on expensive side - I felt it was worth it. I think the quantity of food was more than enough.UpvoteDownvote
Alex HennesseyJuly 7, 2015Best restaurant in Philly. Probably the best meal of the year for me. Lemonana. Must try haloumi and cauliflower. Any of the al'haesh options. Worth staying for dessert too!UpvoteDownvote
Deniz SDecember 17, 2016Not exaggerating so far one of the best lamb I ever had (manager told us that its been cooked for 2 days) which explains why its soo soft!! Get it: roasted lamb shoulder with pomegranate & chickpeasUpvote1Downvote
Michael CarrabineMarch 16, 2016The Marbled Rye cocktail is very boozy. Try the Lemonnana for a lighter cocktail that still has Jim Beam in it.
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Nohra MuradAugust 15, 2018The greatest meal of my life (and I grew up eating hummus and lamb shoulder). Peter, our server, is the best!Upvote1Downvote
Can KurtulAugust 11, 2014Try $42.00 menu. You will get totally 16 courses and everything was really perfect taste. Waiters know how to serve and have knowledge about foods. One of the best restaurant in Philadelphia.UpvoteDownvote
Angela FemaleDecember 17, 2013By far, the best food I've had in such a long time. I'm a picky eater, and I ate EVERYTHING they put in front of me. Simply delicious. And you get so much food! Highly recommend!!Upvote1Downvote
Megan FilippApril 20, 2014Incredible. I recommend the salatim, cauliflower, kofte, and chicken. Amazing meal and incredible service. They even brought us complimentary champagne since we were celebrating our anniversary.Upvote1Downvote
Brendan RastetterAugust 10, 2014It's all about the hummus. My personal favorite is the tehina. Then have fun with the small plates. The fried cauliflower, crispy Haloumi and grilled duck hearts are particularly good.UpvoteDownvote
Try the Turkish hummus, smoked sable, fried cauliflower, haloumi, lamb tongue, kibbe naya ... or literally anything on the menu. Every item I've tried here (~10 visits) has been fantastic.Upvote1Downvote
Sarah P.November 24, 2016Tehina hummus with daily topping was great; branzino and chick were good grilled options. Favorite mezze was sweet potatoes!
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Sandra RubinchikAugust 31, 2021Didn’t get a reservation? Sign up for Resy notifications, put on your lucky underwear, and pray. The lamb is worth it.
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David RosenbloomNovember 24, 2014Maybe the best restaurant in the city. The hummus, the laffa bread, the mezza, the lamb shoulder! Skip trying to get a reso and just get on the list for a bar seat.Upvote1Downvote
Aviv GadotSeptember 4, 2016Without a doubt, the best Israeli restaurant I've been to, in the US. Maybe even better than the ones in Israel.
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Matthew SpectorNovember 17, 2013Best food in Philadelphia, hands down. Do the hummus & salads sampler to start, and follow with the crisp-fried cauliflower and the branzino. Do *not* miss the haloumi.UpvoteDownvote
Steve DouilletteMay 15, 2019UNBELIEVABLE food! If you’re super hungry, get the tasting menu
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Gregory WangSeptember 3, 2014Zahav is Israeli cuisine at its finest. Go with a group to sample more dishes. It is difficult to go wrong with anything here. I always try to stop by when visiting Philadelphia.UpvoteDownvote
Dave EisenbergSeptember 14, 2013Astoundingly good. Go for the tasting menu and don't look back. Moroccan chicken and chicken liver mousse are standouts, as is the limonanna cocktail. Made me long for IsraelUpvote1Downvote
Rachel ShifmanApril 25, 2016The garlic butter hummus is the best I've tasted in America, and the service is excellent. Only shame is that it's not kosher, just Israeli style cooking.UpvoteDownvote
Farah VisslailliJanuary 20, 2016Easily one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Go for the "Tayim" - you'll be incredibly full (like, for a few days), but not disappointed.UpvoteDownvote
Omer ZachJanuary 19, 2016Everything was truly phenomenal except the lamb shoulder—I'd stick with the mezze and skewers.Upvote1Downvote
Grace LeeOctober 8, 2016Haven't tried the famous lamb shoulder, but everything is delicious here, so get the Tayim or Mesibah so you can sample as much as possible!UpvoteDownvote
Travel + LeisureNovember 2, 2012At this citadel of worn wood and limestone in Society Hill, Michael Solomonov’s Middle Eastern combinations include mellow, musky, eggplant salad served next to nutty hummus with blistered flatbread.
Upvote4Downvote- Paul SanwaldFebruary 6, 2016Come hungry and get the tasting menu. Standouts for me were fried cauliflower, roasted lamb, hummus and laffa bread, and smoked sableUpvoteDownvote
HomeSpeakeasyFebruary 3, 2012You always hear how great Zahav's food is, but what you might not hear is that the drinks are right up there with the hummus. Unexpected spices and flavors make for unique and delicious cocktails!Upvote2Downvote
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Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu, Sun
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
(215) 625-8800
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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