Zahav in Philadelphia - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

The food was flawless. Our server spoiled what was an otherwise positive experience when explaining “the service charge is not a tip” and essentially pressuring my party to leave more than the 20% charge. We left feeling very uncomfortable. Shame!

AMAZING!! Loved everything about this experience. My husband and I did a walk-in with the intention of sitting at the bar for the four course dinner. The wait was a little over an hour and we were actually sat at the chef’s window counter due to a last minute cancellation. The food was exquisite. The four course tasting menu included so many different foods, with some extras given to us complimentary. I did the wine pairing and was able to change it up based on my preference. I loved that they had quite a few Israeli wines. The service was top notch and the ambiance was perfect. They cared a lot about food restrictions and were happy to accommodate me. Lots of veggie and pescatarian options. I would come here over and over again!!

Amazing and pretty affordable for a tasting menu.

Outstanding food. The portion sizes are truly enormous, specifically for the one person tasting menu. I came as a solo diner and left with two separate containers of food — be forewarned. The choices are all amazing but the branzino, chicken shishlik, and Turkish kefta were very very good, as was the cheesecake. All the other “set” parts of the tasting menu were great. Mezze was particularly good for its diversity of flavors. Very well paired items and the combinations were excellent, if not a bit too filling to really enjoy each dish for what it was. But— overeating was probably more of a “me” problem!

This is probably one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food was incredible and Chris was a phenomenal server who took great care of us and made our birthday dinner extra special. Chef Colin came out to discuss our entrees, which was greatly appreciated. We were planning to switch to wine, but the cocktails were so good, we never got the chance. Overall, an unforgettable evening.

Great food and service, one of the top restaurants in Philadelphia

This place is about 4.6-4.7. The salads are fresh and flavorful. The portions are generous. Service is prompt and attentive. We tried the lamb, which everyone liked, but it wasn’t my thing. Maybe a little overcooked? My drink wasn’t tasty. The food is overpriced and automatic 20% gratuity is in bad taste. I looked through some of the negative reviews and sadly 20% of them are pure anti-semitism. In my view, this place is excellent, but overpriced and overhyped.

Worth every penny!!! the food is amazing, the portions are very good. the service could be a little faster but they are very kind, they are very attentive to what you need and they explain everything very well! Honestly eating here is a must. Getting a reservation is very difficult, but I recommend keeping an eye on the website to reserve the dates you want!

It certainly checked all the boxes for us. I went with great expectations and walked away extremely impressed. We were seated at the Chef’s Table, it was like a magic carpet ride of the Middle East. Staff execution was spot on and attention to detail did not go unnoticed.

We went on Saturday, July 27th with a 5:15 reservation. We were seated quickly and quickly began digging in on the courses. All of the "in the beginning courses" were delicious. Some of the best hummus I've ever had. The mezze was also delicious with the grilled peppers dish with blueberries and corn being another highlight. The lamb was also good, although I'd love to have gotten more of that pomegranate flavor. Unfortunately the service was a bit of a miss. I understand that you have to keep the table moving but at the "in the beginning course" they attempted to take away several things we were still eating. Happened again with the mezze and I was unable to even stop the waitress. Also had a drink taken away that was still being worked on (and that happened before the main had even come out). We were only there for a little over an hour, which is such a short time for a 4 course meal. Definitely a restaurant worth experiencing but likely wouldn't come back due to poor/extremely rushed service.

Underwhelming. The food is mediocre at best, the interior feels cheap, and the service is like a fast food joint. When they cleaned the table next to us, the cleanser sprayed on us. We tried to get a reservation because of the hype, but we were totally disappointed.

I finally got a reservation at Zahav, and am excited to share some photos from the night. We did the tasting menu with the pomegranate lamb shoulder, and had a wonderful time. Everything was, at the very least, good, and some of the more creative dishes were unlike anything I'd had before. The atmosphere is beautiful, and the service is wonderful. I found myself enjoying every aspect of the night. Despite that, I felt a little let down. I perhaps had hyped Zahav up too much in my head, no doubt partly due to the difficulties in getting a reservation here. I was hoping for an unmatched experience, but felt that was not the case. Instead, I gained a newfound appreciation for Suraya due to availability and excellent quality of food. I appreciate the opportunity to eat here, and will remember it, but am unlikely to come back. My rating is reflected upon the value of Zahav. It is definitely a five star restaurant in a vacuum, but I don't think the hype was worth it.

This was my second time here and both times I've had to admit to myself that it's really rather fine. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. Is it amazing? Not sure I would go that far. But when the hype is so strong and the reservations so spare, it ultimately just doesn't reach the level I want it to. Having loved Dizengoff for so long (even before their fancy new renovation) and wanting to stop by Goldie every time I frequent Whole Foods, I leave semi wishing I had just gone to Laser Wolf instead, which I believe to be superior. That being said, the food is good. You start with their salatim and their delicious laffa bread. This is specifically where I prefer Laser Wolf, as there are more options there and I think I prefer the pita over the laffa. The mezze here was fine, I expected a skosh more from the phyllo-wrapped Haloumi and I'm not really even sure what to make of the dehydrated watermelon. Next, you can either choose 3 kebabs or one main and both times we did what everyone does and chose the pomegranate lamb shoulder. This is unparalleled. It's such a nice portion of tender and delicious meat paired with an amazing crispy Persian rice and a Turkish tomato/bean stew (the latter of which was one of my favorite parts). The meal ends with their cheesecake, which this time we felt was a bit tart but at this point you're so full it never really matters. The drink options are fairly reasonably priced. The service is impeccable and attentive, with multiple wait staff checking in on you throughout the meal. I don't totally understand the music, as it was a mix of random current pop and house and maybe a bit too loud. The views are great from the restaurant itself. They now advertise that there is parking available for guests specifically for the restaurant, which is true. However, for a standard length of a meal, it would cost you ~$30.... opt for the plentiful street parking in the area. In the end, it's certainly worth trying at least once when you live in Philadelphia. The pricepoint for the tasting menu really isn't too bad in comparison to other options. But whether it's worth doing a second+ time I haven't decided.

The hummus and laffa bread were spectacular. I loved all the vegetable side dishes as well. The beets were my personal favorite. The texture was very satisfying and all the flavors worked in harmony. The mezze dishes were tasty. The grilled peppers were elevated from the sprinkled cheese on top. I really enjoyed these appetizer dishes. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the pomegranate lamb. The sauce was lacking. It really didn't have any taste, while the meatiness of the lamb overpowered. The meat was cooked well as the meat itself was tender. Not a great look for the appetizers to completely outshine the entree. The rice that came with the lamb was a bit too crunchy for my liking. Some of the crunchy bits hurt my molars . The green beans were fire though, I loved them. I would recommend not getting the pomegranate lamb if you can get a reservation at this place. The cheesecake was alright, and I liked the berries sauce. Atmosphere was cool with a high ceiling and plenty of natural light. Service from waitresses and waiters were fine except the hostess was kind of rude. She said "I can take the next guests," to which I said "Oh I think that's us!" She proceeded to look me in the face, say "wait a minute," then completely disregard me and yell out again "I can take the next guests!" Aight then

My husband and I recently dined at Zahav to celebrate our 10-year dating anniversary. We had been here back in the 2015/2016 era and had a great experience, which we were eager to recapture. Sadly, this recent visit did not live up to our expectations. In terms of the food, the salatim was the absolute highlight of the meal. Every component was fresh and tasty. From there, it sort of went downhill. Most notably, the flagship lamb shoulder dish was under-seasoned and the crusty Persian rice side was completely inedible from being TOO hard/crispy. You know when rice gets super hard when it sticks to the bottom of a rice cooker? It was like that, but throughout the entire portion. The side of bean stew was also underwhelming and almost tasted like it came out of a can. In terms of the service, we felt that the table runners were very attentive and helpful, but we barely saw or interacted with our server from start to finish. It took forever to get our drink orders and her demeanor seemed a bit “off”. Given that they knew it was our anniversary (as evidenced by them acknowledging it when we walked in), we were expecting a small gesture of some kind to celebrate the occasion. The meal came and went, but nothing turned up. When we celebrated our anniversary at Talula’s Garden, for instance, we were treated to complimentary champagne and dessert. I don’t consider myself to be entitled to these type of things, but I did expect a little something given Zahav’s reputation. Alas, that was not the case. Overall, I’d give the experience a 2.5/3 out of 5. There are so many amazing restaurants in Philly… don’t get stuck on the hype and end up disappointed here.

My visit to Zahav was nothing short of a disaster. The undercooked, poorly salted dishes were a major disappointment, and the service was outrageously rude. The uncleanliness of both the table and the bathrooms was utterly off-putting. One star is a generous rating for such an unfortunate experience. You can get real Lebanese food near by that tastes much. Or better yet, Palestinian food..

I was excited about Zahav after reading so many great reviews, but my experience was incredibly disappointing. Service was a bit awkward but fine for the most part. The bread and beets were the two standout dishes for me, but everything else was either mediocre or unenjoyable. It's a shame that the pomegranate lamb shoulder had no seasoning nor pomegranate flavor, and was served with a sauce that was burnt and also lacked seasoning.

You just don’t get these flavors in this format anywhere else. The joy of Zahav and Michael’s brilliance is not in the individual dish but the myriad combinations available. Tear off a piece of Laffah, put a dab of the sweet puréed beets and a couple pickled items and run it through that hummus that amazing life changing hummus. Next bite might start with the concentrated flavor of eggplant. Then the wonderful mezze. Only nitpicking suggestion would be to ramp up the super tender lamb with a bit more sweet bark. I was expecting a little more of a meat candy vibe. Service was impeccable, vibe was chill. Cross it off my culinary bucket list!!!

I used to love this place and then I realized it's all appropriated food from the Middle East. No such thing as "Israeli" food, you don’t invent a cuisine in 70 years, it’s literally food from Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, etc. Offensive.

I love Israeli food, and my boyfriend took me here for my birthday. The lamb was so perfectly tender and juicy. The best hummus, and all the sides were amazing. The staff was very attentive too. The experience is definitely worth it. 🥰🥰🥰

My friend and I came here on a Thursday night for dinner. We had a reservation and were seated very quickly. The configuration of the space is a huge dining room with a bar on the side and very nicely decorated. We opted for the Tayim tasting menu. We ordered the Salatim, Turkish hummus, Fried Cauliflower, Haloumi in Brik, Carrot Schnitzel as small plates. For the Al Ha'esh we went with the Chicken, Moroccan eggplant and Mushroom grilled dish. For the dessert, we got the Malabi Custard with blood orange, Chocolate Konafi with Mint Ice Cream and the Passover sponge cake. The salatim is a selection of 6 veggie salad. The pickled beets and twice cooked eggplant were flavourful and delicious. The rest of the veggies were great. The Turkish hummus is extraordinarily impressive, hands down the best hummus I have ever had. The hummus is accompanied by a gigantic laffa, which is delicious on its own. Small Plate: Haloumi in brik was so delicious. It’s an interesting combination of fruit and strong cheese and reminiscent of fried paneer. The fried cauliflower and carrot schnitzel were good as well. For our main course, we decided to go with the Moroccan eggplant and the chicken. Our waitress brought out mushroom on the house because we had a hard time choosing between the eggplant and the fried mushrooms. The eggplant came with some diced vegetables and the flavour was perfect. The mushroom came with a delicious orange sauce which was so yum. My friend preferred the mushroom over the eggplant. Finally the dessert! My friend asked for a birthday special desert since it was my birthday. The waitress brought out a Passover sponge cake on the house and wished me a happy birthday! I was very impressed. The Malabi Custard with blood orange is what won me over. It is incredibly delicious and to die for. The most delectable dessert in town. The konafi topped with mint ice cream was very light and refreshing. Very attentive service from a friendly and knowledgeable staff. It wasn't just the food, it was the ambience, the warmth of the space that contributed to the overall experience. We were gushing about how good every dish tastes. We left feeling stuffed. Overall, Zahav has won me over. I cannot wait to go back.

I don’t know what Israel is but the food here looks a lot like food my ancestors made before they were kicked out of Palestine.

My favorite restaurant. I've been going for special occasions at least once a year for the last decade, excepting March 2020-2021. The worst you will ever get at Zahav is still very good. The best is practically an out of body experience that makes you question everything else you've ever eaten. Only complaint is occassionally the cocktails are a little lacking (don't shake a classic martini or add too much vermouth, you're consummate professionals, you know better) and please bring back the Israeli salad martini and put the Turkish hummus back on the dinner menu, preferably with the crispy chicken hearts topping! ❤ I never knew I liked or could even stomach chicken hearts until Zahav opened my eyes. It sounded awful but I would try a tire if Zahav prepared it, and just wow, mind blown.

Loved everything about this restaurant. Had the chefs menu - a 4 course meal & love EVERYTHING about it.

The portions are very generous and very creative. To be honest, it's not very delicious. As for the main dish, suraya feels even better. Even more so for side dishes

Great experience! Delicious food, excellent service, nice ambiance!

Excellent food and service, beautiful covered outdoor patio, fun and unique drinks, and special detail to dietary needs and allergies. I'm vegan and went with 3 omnis. I didn't miss out on anything!

Not what is used to be , food wasn’t good actually got me sick , we used to come here a lot we took a brake, someone got us a gift card so we came back after 4 years , price went up , 20% tip was add very overpriced, you can’t really pick what you get anymore . Overall not worth the price anymore , food wasn’t good , definitely not coming back .

Perfection in every respect - flavors, service, ambiance and even the quantity of food, which was surprising given how fancy the restaurant is. The only downside is the price, but it was worth it.

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.

Great night catching up with cousins at a fantastic restaurant. Zahav was as expected. Well worth the extreme hype and awards. Come to NYC,please! Glad we have Laser Wolf in Brooklyn.. Wishing this restaurant and its team all the success and best in the future. Truly great.

One of the worst restaurants in Philadelphia. Overpriced and miserable environment. If only the food was good but it actually made me and my friend sick. Do NOT go to Zahav

I've been here a few times over the last several years and it is always a treat. The food is very good. The cocktails are also quite good. And the service is generally quite good too. What I have observed over those periodic visits though, is some corners being cut. The service generally used to be better. It used to be phenomenal really, but now it's more so good for Philly but just okay for a restaurant at this price point. I suppose it could've been the particular wait staff I've had the last couple times. The same level of care wasn't quite there and it could be difficult to flag them down to get something. However the fellow who was cleaning up the table between courses, setting the silverware, and topping off water was phenomenal. Very on point. In the past I've been blown away by just about every dish they give you, now it's more so being blown away by a few and the rest are quite good. I can also tell they give you less hummus than they used to, however you can always request more. I can tell they overall give you a little less food than they used to, which I'm sure many won't mind because it's still plenty of food. But I used to have plenty of food to take home for leftovers which was one of the nice things about coming here, now not so much. What is really obvious that has changed though, is you need to put your food in to-go containers yourself now. They used to take all your plates and do it for you and put it in a nice bag ready to go. Instead now I was left scraping the plates myself, and I didn't even get a bag, which was odd. Oh and the mandatory 20% fee is definitely something to be aware of. I personally don't agree with that practice, just raise your actual prices instead of a surprise fee at the end. It's like pulling a Ticketmaster. But they have always had that fee when I've been here, so it's not something new. At least they make it very clear on the bill. Sure all these points probably sound a little nitpicky, but when you're paying what you're paying here, and there are observable differences from your visits over the years, it's worth noting. In general Zahav is very good, but it's not quite the same level of experience it used to be, which is too bad. They may be getting a little complacent. I think it's absolutely still worth the experience, especially for a first timer, but subsequent visits don't hold the same value they used to. Lucky for those of us living in the Philly area, there are plenty of excellent Israeli options.

Absolutely Excellent. We enjoyed it.

We came as a large group for dinner. The service was great. We had multiple servers attending to us at any time. The food was also really good - most of which I’ve never tried before. If given the opportunity I would absolutely return.

Felt rushed by the hostess and staff. Also the quality and taste didn’t meet expectations

some of the salatim were disappointing. The famous lamb shoulder because in addition to the many ways to prepare it is smoked - it completely loses the taste of lamb.Desserts were boring.

Good food. We were excited about our experience, however, the kind of spread of food being served required space - our table was very small and our food came out quickly, hence, we couldn't set aside unfinished food as there wasn't enough space on our table. Also my husband and I had to share the main course dish - we had to share one piece of fish, rather than given our own, same with lamb (we were paying for two people), whilst the one person next to us was getting the same amount of food as us. We didn't grasp that concept. We do want to return again, but will speak up next time.

I don’t love that everyone in your party needs to agree on what dishes to get for the tasting menu. I think everyone should be able to pick their own.

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.

Our waitstaff were attentive; kind and knowledgeable! Worth every penny.

This was a great dining experience!. We were visiting Philly and I did not know about the restaurant so there were no pre-conceived ideas about the food. It was all great. Easily the best hummus I have ever tasted. Also the best Pita (it is called something different and the name escapes me). The appetizers were terrific. The spices on the dishes were unbelievable. I literally hate beets and this is the only time that I found beets to be palatable. (Easy to avoid this dip if you feel the same). Double roasted eggplant was so tasty. Our server was Sydney. She was an excellent host- very attentive friendly, and knowledgeable. All of the house staff were very friendly and helpful. Great time!

Zahav had a lot of hype to live up to! First off, the service was excellence. Secondly, the lamb, hummus and the cocktails were all incredible. The small plates were fine but I don’t think anything came close to the previously mentioned items. Definitely worth checking them out if you’re interested in a unique tasting menu.

The food was good, and the experience was unforgettable, and I would try again.

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.

Zahav in Philly is definitely a must-visit for food enthusiasts! Securing a reservation there can feel like winning the lottery, but the effort is absolutely worth it. The dining experience is truly exceptional, offering a culinary journey through the flavors of Israel that's both unforgettable and surprisingly affordable given the quality and quantity of food you receive. And the generous portions mean you'll likely be enjoying those delicious leftovers for days to come. It's no wonder Zahav has become such a beloved gem in the Philadelphia dining scene!

I had high expectations for Zahav, especially for their famous lamb shoulder, but it was disappointingly over-seasoned and didn't meet our tastes. I also wish there were options for different main dishes, as not everyone enjoys the same flavors. It's worth a visit for the experience, but perhaps just once.

I was excited to try this place because it's been a Philly staple for decades. However, overall, I was disappointed because the food although not bad, was definitely not at the standards I expected. For example, the famous Persian wedding rice that comes with the lamb shoulder lacked seasoning, the tuna tartar that's made with beets only tasted of beets,etc. The hummus and bread were the highlight which for having spent over a $100 per person, was not what I was hoping for.

I've been to Zahav twice and both times it was outstanding. Definitely worth the trip from out of town to have dinner. The food and the service are both excellent--definitely worth the hype and definitely worth going!

Good atmosphere and great service. Food is okay, had high expectation. More of hype and overpriced. Felt like Indian food and spices. The signature lamb dish was also okay. I would prefer going to other new places that are more reasonably priced. Not visiting again.

If you are ever in Philly scout out a hard sought reservation at Zahav 8 weeks prior to dining before noon. This is actually a great bargain and lots of diners including us packed leftovers. The to go bag is huge and so is the to go box! Seriously, they could easily charge an extra $20-$40 for the per diner fee for the amount of food and level of service. Or even increase the staff 's included livable wage tip of 20% to 25%-30%. This is an Israeli restaurant. May Menu 2024 IN THE BEGINNING Hummus-Tehina Laffa Bread with Za'atar Salatim (Israeli version.of Korean Ban Chan) Beets with Tehina Twice-cooked Eggplant Broccolini with Caramelized Onions Pickled Napa Cabage (not Kim Chi with red pepper but like Summer Kim Chi) Moroccan Carrots Spicy Fennel We loved the Beets! The Broccolini was cooked like Collards. Excellent dish and unexpected! Spicy Fennel is not that spicy. MEZZE Fluke Crudo - Schug, Radish, Preserved Lemon Hen in the Woods Mushrooms - Green Garlic Tehina, Radish, Fresh Za'atar Seared Haloumi - Apricot Jam, Olives, Cilantro Grilled Asparagus - Hard Boiled Eggs, Anchovy, Gribenes Courtesy of the Chef was Marcona Almond Stuffed Medjool Dates In this group of dishes the Grilled Asparagus and Courtesy Marcona Almond Stuffed Medjool Dates were top winners but everything all night long was delightfully. Then you have the BIG DECISION!! Which way to go for main dinner! Our choice: Dry-Aged Duck Au Jus Duck Pilaf Turnip, Carrot, and Tumeric Pickles Tahini We were so full at this point that we ate 3 slices of Duck and my friend took it home. We swapped the dessert and opted to finish with a chilled bowl of Malabi Custard - Rose, Cherry, Rhubarb, and White Chocolate! Generous serving and great use of actual Rhubarb. This restaurant is up front about adding a 20% gratuity so their staff can have a livable wage. Again Honestly, this amount should be higher. We both left extra tips. The staff just flows at this restaurant. There is a back entrance if you have mobility issues and cannot enter via the stairs. It's a wooden gate and there is a bell ringer for assistance. It's well marked. But if you have mobility issuesand and can't do the front stairs it is a great option to have. Cocktails were Open Sesame- Scotch, Calvados, Sesame, Cardamom, Bitters and Turkish Coffee Martini but she switched the Vodka for Rye, Amato, Cardamom, Arak. I had a Salap Shirley Temple

Zahav is worth the hype, the wait, and the late night reservation! I loved everything about our experience, especially the special birthday additions. My favorite items that I can’t stop thinking about: 1. East to West 2. Z & T sour (my husband’s drink) 3. Hummus 4. Dips - especially the twice-cooked eggplant and broccolini with caramelized onions 5. Mezze - Seared Haloumi 6. Al Hae’sh side - the chicken and branzino 7. Dessert - Malabi custard Will be coming back, but just for special occasions. Definitely pricey! Also don’t overfill in the beginning dips - ask for what you don’t eat to go.

First off, the food at Zahav is very worth all the hype. Everything was fresh and creative with complex and outstanding flavor. Service was extremely attentive and friendly. We were visiting Philadelphia from the west coast and stalked Resy for a reservation, very glad we were able to secure a spot! My only disappointment was the speed of the coursing. They were bringing the mezze out when we had barely started on the salatim. They were trying to clear the mezze and bring out the main course before we had finished, and only 45 minutes into our reservation. It's a lot of food and it was so rushed that when the main course came I could only eat a couple of bites, which was really disappointing because I had been looking forward to that pomegranate molasses lamb shoulder for months. I've been to many high end restaurants around the world, including Osteria Francescana, and have never felt so rushed through a tasting menu. It felt like they were more interested in turning the table than in allowing the diner to fully appreciate the experience and the artistry of the food. Our service was complete within 75 minutes, a very short amount of time considering the high price tag and the volume of food and drink. So while the food was amazing, I can't give it more than 4 stars for this reason. I expected better.

I have to say that Henry Planet is a child chef prodigy. He has cooked the best rice that has ever touched my palate. If anything I would say he has 3 Michelin star cooking quality. The restaurant has not been the same since he left. This is a cry to being back the old Zahav with star chef Henry Planet.

Over hype and under deliver, it is subject to personal preference.

Polina From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. The journey was absolutely worth it, even if only experienced the best hummus I've had in the USA. The ambiance buzzed with an atmosphere of energy and excitement, palpable from every corner of the room. The servers moved with a vibrant pep in their step, each one contributing to the lively spirit that filled the space. The dining experience was a delightful adventure, starting with a variety of small salatim of pickled veggies, beets, broccolini, eggplant,spicy fennel and humus that teased the palate with an array of flavors and textures. As the meal progressed, the mezzes offered a deeper dive into the culinary delights, showcasing the chef's prowess in blending traditional tastes with modern twists. They included Fluke crudo (ceviche), grilled asparagus (another unforgettable dish), artichoke, haloumi, staffed dates. For the main course we chose mesiba 'the Party', where the flavors of lamb shoulder, crispy wedding rice, and green beans with pickled pepers crescendoed into a symphony of exquisite tastes. It's a surprise that this gem hasn't been adorned with a Michelin star yet, but perhaps that's what adds to its charm. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking a vibrant dining experience that's as unforgettable as it is delicious.

Zahav is hands down my favorite restaurant in the city. Last night they really impressed me - I commented on something and they took note of my review and made it right - their customer service almost matches the food - which is spectacular! Michael Solomonov truly outdoes himself with coaxing flavor and bringing complexity to the average vegetables. His flavors are unmatched in the city of Philadelphia and I will always come back and hunt down reservations! Thank you for providing exceptional quality in your food and your customer service!

Had an issue with an order sent to us as a gift. One bag leaked sauce all over other contents. Also, the booklet on how to prepare was not included. Wrote to Zahav and was brushed off with essentially "Sorry about the mess and the book often gets left out. Thank you." Not even an offer to send me a PDF of the suggestions. Lame. Food was good, but nothing special and naturally their customer service needs some help.

It is rare that I leave a restaurant in pain because I could not stop eating, even after I was too full, because the food was so good. But that was Zahav. I can only say amazing. Thank you.

The best restaurant I have ever been to and I’ve been there a bunnnnch of times.

I had a gnarly pistachio drink that tasted amazing.

One of the best meals I've had in my life.

Obviously this place is well known and very popular, but I will still pleasantly surprised. Food was absolutely top notch, the service was impeccable, and frankly, while not an inexpensive meal, well worth the money.

The outdoor patio was a beautiful setting for dinner. All the food was as amazing as we expected,

The lamb shoulder is so wonderful and tender and just the right amount of juicy-ness. The bean (soup?) dish reminded me of mom's amazing bean stew, which was just awesome. The bread, hummus and mezze were out of this world; I haven't tasted hummus that good - ever. And I was so impressed to see Chef Solomonov making my bread and standing in front of the oven just doing someone's job who had to take a break. And he owns a bunch of other restaurants! Keep it up, Chef. Okay, so I would have given 5 stars for service as the host stand did great, adjusting to my change in number of diners on the reservation and for putting me at the chef's counter, and for the server doing great, but I sat without water or anything else to drink for about 15 minutes. Not horrible, but I thought I'd mention it. I only gave 4 stars for the atmosphere because I'm not a big fan of the interior design. Please don't take this as a gripe, just a comment from a guy who does renovations and wasn't blown away. You need to go to this restaurant now! Have the drink pairing, too. The red and white were perfect with the food and the "sherry" from Australia was so good I'm looking for it now so I can take a case home.

Zahav in Philadelphia is a culinary haven. The Kataifi Wrapped Prawns are a revelation, with their exquisite blend of textures and flavors. This dish, along with Zahav's inviting ambiance and attentive service, makes dining here an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended...

Nothing to rave about. The food is decent, but considering the price, the wait to get a reservation and the hype, I anticipated a bit more of a "wow" factor.

As avid fans of Mediterranean cuisine, we were impressed! The tasting menu, while extensive, still provided some optionality, allowing us to sample a diverse array of dishes. I'd say we were definitely captivated by the thoughtful interpretations of traditional Israeli / South Mediterranean fare including the classic ingredients you would expect (filo pastry, halloumi, hummus, lamb etc). The sheer amount of food presented was impressive too, leaving us both thoroughly satisfied by the end of the meal. The waiting staff were incredibly considerate and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. The wine pairing, while on the pricier side at $45 for three pours, was well-curated and complemented the flavors of the dishes beautifully. However, the one minor criticism we have is the non-optional 20% gratuity, which felt unnecessary and very awkward, especially when the server encouraged additional tips. Given the difficulty of booking a table I believe that Zahav could simply increase their menu prices to account for fair compensation for their staff... Overall, our dining experience at Zahav was delightful and we would recommend it.

ZAHAV was an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was outstanding all around and the service was on point. We had been trying to get a reservation for 2 years to get in and finally were able to. The ambience and location is also great as well! The highlight of our night aside from the entire experience was meeting Michael Solomonov and being able to just have a conversation for 10 minutes. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone and plan to return again in the future. We chose the lamb shoulder and it was great.

From making the reservation to enjoying the tasting menu, I cannot speak highly enough about Zahav. It came up on a search of must-go places in Philly and it did not dissapoint. You can tell that managment takes great pride in service, supporting their staff, guest experience, atmosphere and the amazing, highly detailed, and delicious menu. I would 100% go again when I'm back in Philly and will recommend it to others!

Place was just SICK!!!! Not a bad second in there. Every nibble, every sip, every encounter with ANY of the staff & every breath was just intoxicating with absolute amazement & yummiement!!!!!! Can't go wrong for any occasion!!!

Amazing food, service and atmosphere - really lives up to the hype!

Went for my girlfriends birthday. Everything was simply amazing. Great food, drinks, and decor. Has a warm and upscale vibe. Will attend again.

Great restaurant from the food to the service. Loved all 6 dips, hummus, and bread in the first course. The crispy potatoes with whipped feta, stuffed dates, and phyllo wrapped haloumi were delicious. The lamb shoulder, crispy persian rice, and black eyed pea stew were also great, but needed a bit of salt across the board. The chocolate konafi dessert was impressive and not too chocolatey. The service was phenomenal and made the experience memorable.

Top notch food and service. Tried almost everything served, excellent taste and quality through every dish. If you haven't tried, do yourself a favor and go.

Words don't describe how delicious and interesting this food was. Great service, too..

The food tastes good but not exceptional, not worth the extravagant hype, the crazy three month reservation frenzy for a slot there and the $100+ per person expense. Appetizers are all vegetarian items. We were feeling unusually bloated after the dinner there, not sure about others.

Fantastic food, even better service + experience

Somehow exceeded the hype and expectations. If you're reading all these reviews and trying to decide if it's worth the effort and cost... Yes. Yes it is.

Easily one of the best middle-eastern cuisine restaurant we've been to in the East Coast. We sat at the bar. Service was a bit cold, but efficient. Music a little bit loud considering we were expecting a top class dinner. But the food... OMG. Everything super tasty, warm and delicious. The quantity is way too much though. We've witnessed probably halt the customers going out with a doggy bag. And... a bit pricey. Worth going once for the experience!

Very nice experience! Staff was excellent and food was amazing.

I had a wonderful time dining here. We managed to secure a reservation for an early dinner and were seated immediately upon arrival. The waitress impressed us with her extensive knowledge of the menu and courses, and her drink recommendations were spot on. The ambiance of the restaurant was delightful, enhanced by enjoyable music and a staff that was both attentive and efficient. Each dish we tried was delectable, and I am eager to return to explore more options from their menu. Instead of the typical espresso martini, they offered Turkish coffee, which was equally delightful.

Food is incredibly good! Prices are high but worth it for a special occasion. Music is too loud.

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!

We waited a mighty long time to enter the gates of The Zahav and it was surely worth the wait ❤️. The food was tasty and the portions were perfect enough to leave me satisfied with leftovers. The hummus is the best v in the city..a must try! Our server was definitely on point, very attentive. The only downside in my opinion was that I felt a little rushed to leave since I know there were other parties after us. They staff was very polite however. I would surely return!

The food was amazing, not a single item didn't taste fantastic. Our server was knowledgeable about all of the items and even took care of the one person with Celiac to ensure that they had a wonderful experience as well.

Ate their 12/21/23 at 8:30PM. You will wait sometimes months to get a reservation. You will automatically be charged a gratuity on your check. You will not be guaranteed a wait person that treats you in a welcoming manner. You will have amazing food.

One of the very few places left in Philadelphia for Israeli food. Reasonable prices. Good atmosphere. Diverse menu of Israel, North African, and Mediterranean style dishes.

Awesome! Prix fixe Israeli menu ($75 pp - $85 with lamb option). Come hungry!! You get a total of 15-25 dishes with refills allowed for most. The food is cooked to perfection and is served fresh and promptly. You are treated like royalty by the courteous staff. The atmosphere is casual but noisy (hence 4 stars…) amazing liquor and wine bar (priced separately and reasonably.) could not get a reservation while visiting Philadelphia but Resy (the booking app kept sending me updates of cancellations. In a 3 day visit we were able to book a cancellation in the middle of the week at around 6 pm. Would go back in a pinch!

The fact that you have to book the time two months in advance doesn't play in favor of this restaurant, creating overheated expectations. The food was mostly good, but everything wasn't quite right. Several dishes were too salty. If you know something about vines, choose yourself and don't take vine pairings. The service was good.

A sublime dining experience taking you to another world! Always delicious and never disappoints.

Iconic Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia. Incredible food and service in a beautiful setting. Able to accommodate any food needs or allergies.

Well deserved reputation for all parameters. Friendly staff and service. It was a 60th and team went out of the way to make it special.

Lovely tasting menu! Everything was delicious.

Best food ever. Authentic. Kind staff and owners!! I love when owners and chefs are there during dining hours and you get to meet the people behind it all. They run the best fine dining restaurant I can say in probably all of Philly and believe me I’ve been to almost every one living here my entire life. Keep up the good work as always.

A Special Evening at Zehav Restaurant Extraordinary experience my friends and I had at your restaurant last night with a group of ten at the Patio. However, what truly elevated the night was the exceptional service of all the team in Zahav and the personal attention we received from Michael at Zehav. His kindness, simplicity, and genuine warmth made a lasting impression on all of us, and on me, in particular.

Great experience! Unique recipes and great selection of wines. Really appreciate everyone who made our special anniversary dinner special!!! It took us a while to get a reservation, but it was worth it!!! Thanks again!

My first time at Zahav and my experience was phenomenal. From the fresh appetizers through the second and third courses, each meal was wonderfully presented and absolutely delicious. It's difficult to get a reservation, but when you can, it's worth the wait! Tony M.

This place never disappoints! Everything is seasoned perfectly and the service is outstanding. Tried the Tayim menu last night and the mushrooms and tuna were incredible. Our server Bradley was also fantastic. True Israeli food done perfectly!

Always excellent and Vegan friendly. Great service.