Zahav

“Zahav — A World-Class Experience in Old City I can honestly say that Zahav is one of the best restaurants I have ever experienced—not just in Philadelphia, but likely in the entire country. It is absolutely worth every bit of the hype. The Food & "Taste of Zahav" Menu When you dine here, you don't just order a single dish; you experience a multi-course "chef’s menu" that takes you through an incredible range of flavors. • The Hummus: It is legendary for a reason. It tastes so fresh, it’s as if they prepared it just moments before it hit the table. • The Experience: Every course, from the variety of small plates to the main dishes, is high-quality and packed with flavor. The drinks were also excellent and well-crafted. Service & Atmosphere The atmosphere is lively and sophisticated. Regarding the service, the staff is very attentive and professional, ensuring everything runs smoothly. While the service was efficient, it felt a bit formal and lacked a personal or warm touch. It wasn't rude by any means, just very "by the book," which is good to know if you're expecting a more conversational experience. Reservations & Tips This is one of the hardest tables to get in the city, so plan ahead—reservations often book out a month or more in advance. • Pro-Tip: If you can’t snag a reservation, try walking in right when they open to see if you can grab a seat at the bar or catch a last-minute cancellation. Final Verdict: It is pricey, but for a meal that many consider to be among the best in the world, it is well worth the investment. I would go back in a heartbeat!”

“Zahav is not just a meal — it’s an experience that earns every accolade it has received. From the moment you walk through the door, the atmosphere strikes a rare balance: warm and intimate without sacrificing sophistication. The space hums with energy, yet somehow still feels like a place where you can linger and truly be present. The tasting menu is the only way to go, and it unfolds beautifully from start to finish. It opens with an assortment of salatim — vibrant small salads and spreads that arrive bright, fresh, and layered with flavor — paired with pillowy laffa flatbread straight from the wood-burning oven. The hummus alone is worth the reservation: impossibly smooth, rich, and nothing like what you’ve had before. The service is warm, precise, and unobtrusive! They also waited for us as we were late because of traffic! Kudos to their team work! Thank you for an excellent service! Check $270 we added some drinks!”

“Overall, this place is a smash. The Salatim was outstanding. Bright, fresh, and packed with flavor across the board. Standouts were the cabbage, pumpkin, cauliflower, and beets, though honestly I could order just this and be happy. They handled gluten free thoughtfully and even brought sliced radish and cucumbers with sumac for the hummus. For mezze, the halloumi was rich and sweet, but the crudo stole the show. Bright, punchy, and beautifully balanced with blood orange, harissa, and crispy red lentils. Easily my favorite dish. The lamb Mesibah was good paired with the vegetable stew, though I wished the lamb was a bit fattier. Pickled elements were excellent. Desserts were solid but not the main draw. The chocolate pudding was bitter and tart with cherry jam and mint, and the pecan-style dessert leaned more salted caramel than expected, though the honey ice cream was nice. I would absolutely come back, order à la carte, and get the crudo and Salatim again without hesitation.”

“We had the tasting menu at Zahav and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The hummus was super fresh and easily one of the best I’ve ever had. The beet salad was incredible—bright, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. For the main course, the lamb shoulder was perfectly tender and rich, and we also received a complementary fluke dish that was a fantastic surprise. Dessert was a silky chocolate pudding that ended the meal on a perfect note. We sat at the bar and had a great experience—the bartender was engaging, knowledgeable, and really added to the evening. Overall, everything about the meal and service was top-notch. We’ll definitely be back!”

“service and atmosphere were really great. the bread and hummus et al were a great start and probably the highlight of the meal. the smoked lamb and pomegranate wasn’t for me. the smoke overpowered the other flavors and i couldn’t taste much else than that. the crispy rice was interesting since it had so many crispy bits but i find these tend to get stuck on my teeth. it’s an interesting way to increase the crispiness though maybe there’s a better way. service was great and the atmosphere was laid back. the only negative against the space was the playlist. it sounded like 5 to 8 people with dramatically different tastes in music went around in a circle picking one song at a time. beastie boys, 60s rock, dancehall, 2000s r&b. it was a little distracting”