Zahav was absolutely incredible, full stop. I believe our server was named May and she was truly a delight. We went for our anniversary and were blown out of the water by all the measures they took to ensure our dinner went above and beyond the average experience. The food was incredibly delicious and flavorful, as we anticipated, but it was beyond what we could have dreamed! The kebabs melted in our mouths, the hummus was the silkiest and most decadent starter. In addition to their menu being beyond stellar, the attention to detail and the special additions we were gifted for our anniversary made a 5-star experience go off the charts. May knew the menu like the back of her hand, and offered incredible conversation (it’s like she’s paid to do this 😉) Her menu knowledge and suggestions made our night all the more enjoyable. In addition to an incredible menu, the back servers were also a delight. Extremely professional and ensured there was never a crumb on the table, a glass left “unwatered,” no silverware missing…. This place is top notch. Thank you, May, and thank you Zahav for making our special night even more incredible than we could have fathomed. We cannot wait to dine at Zahav again!
If you're looking for one of the best dining experiences of your life, Zahav is the place to be! Unbelievably unique, creative, and high-quality Israeli/Middle Eastern dishes with dazzling attention to detail and service (especially from Chef Daniel who was so kind and welcoming!).
Some of our favorite dishes included the pomegranate lamb shoulder, roasted figs, piping hot fresh laffa bread with multiple delicious dips, and the fried cauliflower with herbed labneh. The signature cocktails were delightful and complemented each course perfectly. For dessert, the chocolate malabi and pear cardamom sorbet were a refreshingly sweet ending to a phenomenal meal. Overall, can't recommend this restaurant highly enough and I still think about this dining experience all the time.
Be sure to make reservations far in advance to guarantee yourself a table. I will be visiting every time I visit Philadelphia, as this was a truly a special restaurant! Shout out again to Chef Daniel who made every moment of this meal special for me and my friend.
4
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
5
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!
5
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!
