by Skylar L.

I went here last night for the first time. With money getting tight (damn you Portland job market), I was on the lookout for value. You can't beat this place. Save for the weird Bride of Frankenstein vases still on the table a week after Halloween is over, the place is nicely decorated. For the unbelievable prices I was expecting a shabby little hole in the wall. This place is not that. It's almost date worthy (maybe midweek, been dating for a while date). The food ranged from OK to delicious. I wasn't impressed be the grape leaves. They were dry and not very flavorful. The pita, hummus, baba ganoush were definitely return worthy. My favorite dish was the artichoke heart casserole. I don't know how it's a casserole, I would define it more as a stew, but regardless the hearts were tender and the tomato sauce was tart and complex. The end of the meal brought Turkish coffee and rice pudding. The quantities of both were huge. The coffee was served in a ornate percolator looking thing and had four cups of coffee for the coffee drinking unk and I to enjoy. The rice pudding was served in an oversized margarita glass. It was too much for the three of us to finish, however hard we tried. The rice pudding had a strong flavor of pistachios instead of cinnamon. I liked it, but I do love me cinnamon rice pudding. Extra points for all the vegan and vegetarian options.

by sasha s.

Maybe it was an off night for our hosts at Habibi, a Lebanese restaurant I had heard good reviews of and have wanted to try for a long time now.  The pita was hard and inflexible, the hummus rather bland, the lamb stringy with tendon....However, the baba ganouj was probably the best I've had in a while, and the tabouleh fresh and delightful.  I also had the Strawberry Yogurt drink with rosewater and homemade yogurt, and found it refreshing and dee-licious.  All in all, the staff was super friendly, the prices very reasonable, but the food was just ok.

by Gregory L.

The place: I didn't dine in, but from the few minutes I spent picking up my food, the place had a little charm to it.  I believe there are tables downstairs, and a small dining area upstairs.The food: I ordered the Vegetarian Mezza platter to-go.  The dish comes with hummus, baba ganouj, one grape leaf, one falafel, a spinach pie, something they called zattar pizza, tabouli, a yogurt/creamy dipping sauce, and a HUGE pita.  Admittedly the falafel was cold by the time I got back to the hotel, but it had good spices so that's a plus.  The rest of the food is what it should be, super fresh, well spiced, perfect textures.  All in all delicious.  An absolute TON of food and very filling, great value for your money.The bottom line: If I'm back in Portland looking for a good Mediterranean fix, Habibi is at the top of my list.

by wayne s.

My first venture into lebanese cuisine, and it was a good one!This bustling lunch downtown spot was a very comfortable place to lunch in, they have interesting centerpieces on the tables: a goddess figure with her eyes popping out! (don't know if it was an empty flower vase or what, but maybe ushered good spices into the food???)I had the fatayr(sp?) a beef dish on crispy bread, very good, but had to eat somewhat fast or it gets soggy. My friend had the hummus sandwich which she reported as very good, and lastly my friend really enjoyed his turkish coffee.

by Kim Y.

2.5 stars.after a few hours of exploring pearl district, we got huuuuungry. i had nothing planned for lunch so where did i look? on my trusty blackberry to look up yelp suggestions, which lead us here.i was surprised at how many Lebanese places there were around downtown Portland. this seemed to be the go to place.the mixed plate (chicken shawarma, grape leaves, hummus, babaganoush, falafel and lamb kabobs) and spinach pie caught our eyes and tummies. we were gonna order more but the owner/manager told us that was more than enough for the two of us. that's twice!!! a waiter telling us to stop ordering...twilight zone. we also had Lebanese wine that was superb. it was fruity and smooth. when the food came out, the spinach pie looked like a 3-point star calzone. the dough was soft and the spinach filling inside was super sour. it did say it had lemon in it but i had no idea it was gonna be that sour. it tasted better when i dipped it into the hummus. our mixed plate wasn't that big at all. the meat looked dinky on the large gold gilded leaf plate. then there were two dollops of hummus and babaganoush next to a small pile of tabbouleh salad. the salad was really good but i wanted more of it on the plate.i docked some stars cuz they forgot to give us grape leaves. i had to go in and ask for it. then they came out w/ just one. i had to share that w/ my friend. i've had better.and i thought it was rude when they came out w/ the bill when we didn't even ask for it. it's a pet peeve of mine when restaurants do that.

by Zachary Sam Z.

A dilemma: My SO and I are both starving, the sushi places I was craving are all 1 hr + wait and don't take reservations for two, and we're getting crabbier by the minute. We need food and we need it soon. PS, it better be delicious and reasonably priced.Habibi delivered on all fronts. After a quick 10 minute wait, we were seated in the upper area. I ended up getting the Chicken Schwarma plate, and E got the Vegetarian Mezza.At first, we were a bit disheartened: Given our ravenous hunger, it didn't look like all that much food. But appearances were deceiving, because after we had finished, we were full and satisfied. The food was all around delicious.A relaxed place with a great environment and very courteous wait staff. Love it.

by John M.

What a find! We were down for the weekend and my wife overheard some folks talking about this great Lebanese restaurant, so we decided to try it out. We have a favorite in Bellevue, WA and now we have one in Portland too. I had the Lentil soup and the Chicken Shawarma.Good Good. And for you vegies out there, they have lots of vegetarian dishes too. I know we will be back.

by John S.

Very good! Similar to what my grandma would cook, but not quite as good. Lol. They had plenty of favorites and a few new ones to me. I asked about why there was no Kibah on the menu and he said, "We only have the vegetarian version right now. The meat will be coming soon."  Once they add this family favorite of mine I will re-review for the last star. Great Iced Tea.... comes with fresh mint. Yum!

by Shirley C.

I love this place! I have been coming to Habibi since they opened up because the food is wonderful and the owner is so friendly. My friends and I decided to go there this week.We were able to get a table outside so we could enjoy the beautiful weather. Since I have been so many times before, I ordered for all of us. We had the meat mezza, chicken shawarma and fried eggplant. I am not a fan of the grape leaves on the mezza so I always have them changed to either a spinach pie or a zatar.  Mazan (the owner) is always willing to accommodate. The Mediterranean flavors are fresh and exciting and the pita is always fresh and warm straight from the oven.If you love Nicholas' on Grand Ave, you will love Habibi, the family is related and many of the recipes are the same. The nice thing about Habibi is that they accept credit cards and they have a full bar, Nicholas' does not..

by Lisa D.

So many restaurants have disappointed me recently. Many with their crappy service, their stink eye, their over- usage of MSG and their overpriced sub- par food that smacks of Sysco food service products.Habibi has sent the new benchmark for me in service, food and ambiance. This is what all of the other restaurants in town should measure themselves to as an all around great restaurant. Seriously. We were seated promptly during the busy lunch hour and perfectly attended to. Not neglected and not pressured into ordering. We were given enough time to look at the menu before our very friendly waiter came and took our order and then... BOOM!!! Our order came out 2 minutes later. Not only was our food ready so quickly, it was delicious. I had the hummus sandwich and the habibi lemonade. Mmm... minty.  My husband had some perfectly sweetened Turkish coffee that I had to sneak a few sips of and my buddy had some sort of meat pizza that came with a side order of hummus and bread. From the time we walked in to the time we paid our bill (40 minutes) we had a perfectly pleasant dining experience. Go there and experience what a truly good restaurant should be. I COMMAND YOU TO DO SO!!!

by Todd E.

Habibi is hands down awesome. I had never been when my contractor gave a $50 gift certificate to this place, and he didn't even know I was vegan. There is at least 15 vegan items on the menu. Since I haven't even bothered to try Nicholas' on grand because this place is so good. They have Lebanese dishes I never knew existed, way beyond falafel and tabbouleh. Vegan Lebanese pizza? yup! The the prices are totally reasonable, with mains from $4.50 to to $12. When I'm by myself I just get a falafel to go for $5. I try to support this place over the carts because I would be so sad to see them go. The owners are totally cool and super nice, they will make you smile.

by Chrissy S.

There are certain restaurants that talk a big game.  You know the ones. Every Yelper has been Yelpin in their damn pants about these spots. And it's hard to live up to that kinda hype. My problem with Habibi has always been one simple thing. Whenever I want to go, they are CLOSED. Not their fault. It's mine. It's like when you consistently crave a food only on Sunday's and that happens to be the only day you cannot get said food. Horribleness. Just plain bad timing.Imagine my surprise and exuberant delight to find all the lights glowing on those pretty kitchy chandeliers, and an open sign smiling back at me. HUZZAH! great success.So this restaurant is my Chuck E. Cheese. It is absolutely so happy and clean and cool. Bottles upon bottles of Hot Lips sodas line the walls of shelves. Wine bottles too. Filling the shelves instead of books. Over the loud speakers pumps out the new Britney Spears album, which would normally annoy but in this setting it almost seems joyful, dorky and perfect. I bop my head along and I wait for my Lamb Schwarma sandwich with patience. When it arrives via the super nice and constantly smiling dude, it looks amazing. I almost need a minute to appreciate just HOW good it looks before I can bite it. And I do.  And they flavors hit me. Hard. This amazing and beautiful combination of spicy juicy pipping hot lamb meat, drenched in THE BEST Tzatziki sauce that you are gonna find, and fresh tomatoes and lettuce wrapped in warm garlicy pita. Oh my GOD. Is this love? YES. Yes it is.And it came with a really yummy salad of mixed greens and amazingly awesome killer hummus. AMAZING. We got an extra plate of Tzatziki and pita. I couldn't decide which was better; The Hummus or The Tzatziki. Seriously it's a toss up, because they are both SO DAMN GOOD.So in the end. I love this place. I love almost everything about it. The only thing I don't love about this place, is that I'm not there more often. I've died and gone to food heaven. And I will be back. Especially for my birthday. Though, it's not quite as good as a creepy singing dancing mouse from Chuck E Cheese....but it's damn close.

by Gabe C.

OHHHHHHH!......Okay...now I get it!  Don't ask me what the hell happened the last time I came here but it must not have been so tragic that I wouldn't return.  Strangely, despite my lackluster first experience, I've been wanting to try Habibi out again because I just felt like I didn't get a typical experience...like it was an exception to the rule that my food was just so-so last time.......so glad I came back.  As far as Lebanese goes...this is my favorite in Portland so far.  The falafel was perfect, the hummus...awesome...the lamb I tasted was radically better than the first time.  So I can't help but think that this is what most people experience most of the time at Habibi.  I'm craving this place...like constantly...like it won't stop kinda constant....arrgggh...I'm through. I'm kinda torn on what to think of Habibi.  For every part of my experience that wowed me, there was…

by Joshua C.

In an effort to make my reviews more accessible I've decided to translate this one into a variety of Yelpiverse styles. So here for your tasting pleasure is Habibi Ten Ways. Yelp Speak: NOM NOM NOM Chicken Shawarma! NOM NOM NOM Beef Shawarma! NOM NOM NOM Falafel! Oh Habibi forgive me for not writing earlier. All these times I've visited to lick clean your delicious dishes and enjoy your friendly service and in return what? No review? Whether you're an elite yeep or nOOb this is teh awesome Lebanese cuisine [read: bastion of hummus and hot pita goodness ] *Sigh* Oh and when you're here, they really do treat you like family. Rock on Habibi! Rock on! Screen Writer: "What are we doing tonight Brain?" "The same thing we do every night Pinky." "Oooh, we're going to run around with pink tights on our head performing the African Anteater Mating Ritual?" "NO, we're going to Habibi for some Chicken Shawarma with Hummus!!!" Exaggerated Tourist (if you think they're bad here, read Honolulu Yelp): I wish we had one of these where I'm from. Even though I've never had Lebanese food before I'm quite certain that this Chicken Shawarma is the BEST EVER!!! Probably even better than in Beirut. Ironic Hipster: Sorry, I don't think I even know what that is. Can't we all just get along. Eat some Shawarma and move on. Foreign Language: Habibi ga daisuki desu yo! Tori Shawaruma wa tottemo oishii desu ne! Mindless Unhelpful Five Star One Line SPAM: This place is really great. Great food, great service. I can't wait to return. Ascii Arteest:      me                   chicken shawarma      __    /    o \   |       (   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o   o    \___/ Wannabee Run-On-Sentence Over Adjectived Foodie: Tender chicken (or beef) pieces flavor stacked with onions and Middle Eastern seasonings, combined beautifully with silky smooth hummus and freshly made pitas. Hints of cinnamon, cardamon, and nutmeg dance happily across the palate as textural joy and wonderful warmth bring about sublime sensory overload. Poet: But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Chicken Shawarma is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou, her maid, art far tastier than she. Myself: Take all of the above, mix them in unequal schizophrenic portions, pour into a review, set the oven for forty minutes, but take it out after twenty.

by kristin e.

Good falafel sandwich, though the falafel was crumbling into pieces as soon as I bit into it, still one of the yummier falafel I've had in Portland. Their peach juice was a little too chunky...it was yummy, just not silky smooth...probably their blender's fault (totally not a Vitamix) but all in all, it was a good lunch.

by Aleksandra K.

Several friends and I celebrated a birthday here, and it was an excellent experience. We sat at the table upstairs that overlooks the restaurant, which is a great seating arrangement for larger parties. The service was superb and fast. Very friendly, family-owned and authentic. The dolma were soft; the hummus perfectly creamy, the pita bread fresh and warm, falafel crispy and yummy... Everything was good!   Great, downtown location, amazing food, noteworthy service-- I must return.

by Olivia T.

Just because I got a big hug from the manager of this place, I had to write an update review. They have the "People love us on Yelp" sticker on their door now, but it doesn't change anything.Five stars quality of food....yup!Five stars service....yup!Five stars lamb and eggplant casserole that I truly love...yup yup!Five stars place...yuuuuuuuuuuuuup! I love Lebanese food. No, let me rephrase that, I LOVEEEEEE Lebanese food. I've been craving for…

by Idris I.

So good.  I can find no fault with the food here.  Fresh pitas, generous portions, good drink selection (tamarind juice /w free refills!), excellent service, great location, immense menu, etc. etc.I could go on much longer about how awesome this place is, but doing so would just make me upset that I don't live in portland.

by elaine l.

Habibi haiku:warm and friendly stafffalafels, yummy hummusa delightful find

by Kody L.

After having dinner here again, I have to update this to five stars.  My dinner was so amazingly good I can't stand it!Meat Mezza platter:  What cracked-out spice is on that chicken?  I can't get enough! Yummy hummus, beef kebob, and dolma among other tasty samples.Lamb and Egglplant Casserole:  So good!  Of course, you have to like eggplant, which fortunately I do!  I want more...Rice Pudding:  I didn't want to try it, but my friend insisted and I'm glad he did!Lebanese wine:  very dry (not a bad thing, just an FYI)Service:  Amazing and friendly.  I like him a lot, very funny.I think this might be the best Lebanese in town.  I'm a fan! I got in for lunch at 11:45 am, but the place started filling up pretty quickly by 12:15 pm.  Do…

by Dave L.

While nothing in Portland has ever fully satisfied my craving for a hot, salty doner kebab, overflowing with fries and served with a giant, icy Coke, Habibi's lamb shawarma has come pretty damned close. The mezza platters are great, but somehow leave me feeling like I've grazed a cocktail party rather than had a full meal. Splitting a pair of sandwich combos with a friend (lamb shawarma and lebney for maximum utility) pretty much always hits the spot. Great prices, clean restaurant, super friendly staff.

by Eric B.

I had visited this place for a take-out chicken shawarma, and it was well seasoned, tasty meal. This, I surmised, would portend an even better dining experience. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Many reviewers here have mentioned the friendly people - with the exception of one particular server, who pretty much threw my meat combo plate at me - it is true. On to the food: The aformentioned meat combo was fine: chicken was moist, rice was tasty, the ground meat kebab, however was dry, and the hummus had no yogurt tang to speak of and a bit too lemony.My friend had the eggplant dish, and it was tasty. The Zattar was dry and lifeless, and was not finished. Liked our server( she was the nice one), attentive and pleasant -goes a long way toward our dining experience.Also liked the touch of cucumber in our water. Overall, just not up to snuff.

by Ken N.

Great lebensse food! Awesome service! When I go to Habibi I feel like I'm going into the home of a super hospitable family. I almost forget i'm in a restaurant. This is a good thing. I recommend the falafel!

by Jenny C.

MEMORANDUMTO: pdx downtown 8-5ersFROM: your stomach DATE: any Monday - Friday, excluding holidays and paid time offRE: Lunch. Remember that thing? It has come to my attention that there has been an increasing neglect in your acknowledgment of the lunch hour, herein known as the most sacred 60 moments of the work day.  Traditionally, this time period is noted as the break in which to stop answering calls and emails to get in a few rounds of guiltless Free Cell before bracing yourself for an afternoon of the same protocol. However, this ideal break has become a periodic occurrence.  It is my belief that as the inbox continues to fill up and papers get strewn everywhere, you forgetting that one of the 3-squares of the day is supposed to take precedence is not without cause.  Our cohort Heart has also noted this issue,  typically raising your blood pressure as a means of concern.  Brain has also taken the liberty of intervening, suggesting: "Oh God, you've got to get out of here..."Yet these actions have gone unnoticed.  Your continual drive to "stay on top of things" coupled with your concern that you'll "never make it back to the office in time" have long prohibited your ability to take a proper meal break. This unhealthy habit must be rectified, and thus, we must formally suggest that you consider grabbing a few workmates and heading to Habibi as soon as possible.  Located on the Max line, a half of a block away from the 10th and Morrison / Galleria stop, Habibi Lebanese Cuisine offers a huge menu of traditional dishes ideal for lunch, but also wonderful for dinner time in Downtown Portland.  For first time visitors, one can't go wrong with the Veggie Mezza Platter, presented beautifully on a gilded leaf plate and including the following:           - Falafel           - Humus           - Tabouli           - Spinach pie           - Zattar pizza           - Baba ganouj           - Veggie grape leavesAside from taste satisfaction, the rest of your sensory system will be delighted to interact with a brightly day-lit restaurant, tidy and smelling of wonderful spices that hit you the moment you walk in the door. Hearing the pleasant chatter of fellow professionals is a reminder that you are not alone in your professional struggle to survive.  The friendly staff will quickly take your order and return with your dishes, honestly within a matter of minutes.    If you want to be in and out within a half hour, plan on arriving between 11.45 - 12.00.  You'll be well on your way, I'll be full, and your wallet will be less than $10.00 lighter.   While I and your fellow organs recognize that we collectively have more faults than a map of California earthquake zones, this is an opportunity to right one of the bad habits currently in place within your typical work week.  We look forward to your timely consideration of this gastrointestinal matter.  Very Truly Yours,StomachCC: File - Brain Heart

by Elizabeth K.

Loved it!!Went with friends to try something new and the waiterstaff immediately joked with us and made us feel at home. The lebanese wine that they recommended was great, and since we didn't know what to order, they made recommendations for us which turned out to be Fantastic!!!The topping on it all was that after a long, delicious meal, we were about to leave and when the waiter/manager/owner (not sure what he was) found out this was our first taste of Lebanese food, he gave us a couple desserts to all share for free.  That was just the topping on the cake for me. What a kick-ass spot.

by Krys G.

Eating at this place is the pinnacle, the essence, the epitome of everything you love about Mediterranean or Persian food. It's a super friendly, a little overly touchy feely guy who welcomes you (you quickly get over it since he's charming and warm in that suave bola kind of way) and then you sit down to fabulous food and consistently attentive service.You're sucked in by the atmosphere and the feeling that you're a regular (even if it's your first time to Portland, as it was ours) and that they're sincerely happy to have you and appreciate your business. It's sad that that's such a rarity these days.We went for lunch early, and the place filled pretty quickly while we were there. Would definitely recommend it or seek it out again next time we make the trip up.

by Jen S.

ordered the meat mezza to go the other night and went to pick it up and realized that i had forgotten my wallet!! i told him (maybe the owner?) embarrassingly that i would be right back with my wallet, and he offered to let me take the food because he "trusts me" - what a sweet guy!! i declined, luckily my hotel was closeby and returned with my money in hand. thus as you can tell the staff is friendly and nice!as for the food, i never had a meat mezza before but it was delicious!!! even though i ordered it to go, it was still warm when i got it and all the items were placed in a fashion that the sauces wouldn't run into each other and the different types of meat was great!

by Irene C.

My first taste of Lebanese cuisine, and I'm glad I had it here. i had grown largely wary of Middle Eastern cuisine from a past food poisoning incident, but Habibi has changed it all.  Seriously, prior to this point, I had refused any sort of Middle Eastern food for about five years. We started off with the baba ganouj, which was good but the pita bread was better. Light and fluffy, just like pita bread should be. I had the chicken shawarma plate with rice. The chicken was as chicken goes. Nothing too special about it. The garlic sauce was a little bitter for me. The rice, however. . .wow. Buttery goodness galore. It was so good that I was trying to eat the chicken first to get it out of the way and save all the rice as my special reward. Yes, this dish reverted me to my childhood ways.Service was friendly and efficient. There was one awkward point where one server brought our dishes and a minute into eating, another server came by and asked if she could take our plates. After about a minute of confusion, she says she's just kidding. . . and it was kinda awkward. Yup. Awkward to read too, wasn't it? Exactly.

by Aaron M.

Service: Treat you like family every time. Like goldFood: Always the highest quality. Value is unheard of here. Unquestionably one of the best places to eat in Portland

by Snow M.

Time for another Beth and me review or as we like to call ourselves: Two Fat Chicks, Food Critics. We had walked to Dimitri's down on 17th and Burnside only to find out they were closed for the afternoon. Lucky for us, the chef was hanging around off to the side having a smoke. After striking up a conversation with him, Chef I-Can't-Remember-His-Name suggested Habibi's and you know if a working Chef suggests a place, it can't be all bad. We packed up our trusty mules and hoofed it there.  It was middle of the afternoon when we went in, catching just the tail end of the lunch rush. We settled in for a wait, more then happy to watch the lovely people of Portland. People watching should be an Olympic sport. Anyway, we did not have to wait long at all. Beth ordered her falafel and I ordered the meat mezza. Someone should have told me there was more then enough on the plate to share. Beth nibbled on some of her sandwich and some of the mezza plate. Seriously, it was all so good. We also shared the dessert of almond milk pudding (it has a different name but I can't recall it). The waitstaff was friendly but didn't seem to speak a lot of English but that didn't take away from our experience. The pita was always warm and there seemed to be an endless supply of it. We have been back several times and will probably go back again!

by Mick S.

I was jonesing for some good Lebanese food after my trip to Beirut, and was glad I found this place. Great prices and cool staff in a laid back location. I had the meat mezza platter - a great value at around $10 to go with the good selection of beers they have. Definitely will go here again next time I'm in Portland and need a simple and delicious meal.

by Senthil R.

Habibi is my favorite place for dinner while I worked in Portland downtown for about 18 months. The owner is very friendly and the food is very good.My favorite dishes are the Meat Mezza, Meat Combo and the Chicken Kabob. I should add that the rice served with the kabobs is fantastic. And did I say the prices are very very reasonable. Most dishes are less than $10. Can't beat that.

by Jim T.

Love this place.  Very laid back and friendly people.The lamb Shank is excellent.  Perfectly seasoned and cooked.

by Rob W.

The food: Pretty damn good. I ordered the beef shwarma plate on hummus, and the meat was cooked and seasoned to perfection.  The Pita bread seemed very fresh, and the hummus was fantastic.  My baklava, however, was a little on the dry side.I was surprised to find a rather healthy beer selection, from which I ordered the Hair Of The Dog IPA.I found the portion to be smaller than average for the $8.50 price, however.  I found myself ordering a side of rice ($2.50) to get the portion to where it needed to be.Beyond that, the menu is fairly exhaustive.  Every section is broken down into Vegetarian, Vegan, and Meat.  Everything sans the beef in my meal was in fact vegan, which leads me to infer that the meatless options on the menu are terrific.  I'm sure my lady friend would approve.  The atmosphere is typical of Lebanese restaurants, though there's a lot more Persian techno.  The service is on point.  Food times were good, though the restaurant wasn't especially busy.And a quick side note - To my server:  I appreciate your enthusiasm and your attitude, really.  But I'm not your "buddy" or your "pal", you do *not* have license to invade my personal space and/or engage in bodily contact with me. (repeat patting on the back).  You may think that it is endearing, and many of your patrons may tolerate it, but it's just not that cool to me.

by Sasha S.

Just a quick little update- I talked to Habibi, the owner, recently. He said despite the rise in groceries he's opted to keep prices low because of the economic crisis.. so people can still enjoy food even if their pockets are smaller.Thought I should mention. I love Habibi, I was there when they first opened their doors, and I am still there whenever I need…

by Venerable V.

I actually used to work here years ago when it was Long Island Cafe and managed that restaurant for just over two years so I've got an interesting perspective on this place.First, the noticeable differences - they've done an amazing job turning the inside of that place into a good looking, small restaurant.  It used to have this immensely huge NYC skyline (complete with twin towers) and a HUGE American flag.  The previous owner was proud to be an American citizen.As I used to work there, the new owner warmed to me and has always remembered me when I would come back.  He's always nice and upbeat which makes me feel good.Service is so-so.  Aside from the owner who knows me, the staff is really only bringing your stuff to your table - I wouldn't say there's really any 'service' going on here.Ok, so here's my gripe - I usually get the mezza here and have to admit that the portions are paltry at best.  Granted, when I worked here, I would eat all the food I wanted but didn't take that into consideration when I pay nearly $10 for a mezza (which I usually split with a friend) and we have to fight for the hummus.  I mean, that stuff is so inexpensive and easy to make.  Pile it on!  Everything looks like it's portioned with an ice cream scoop.  Barely any tabouleh...The food tastes great and all is well, they've just gotta give me more bang for the buck.

by Jayne R.

Craving Lebanese food I remembered this recommendation from my friend, and chose to meet a guy here for our first date.  It was the perfect atmosphere for this!  Small but roomy with high ceilings, quaint but not quiet, and plenty of other people in the restaurant (but we were seated right away).   It has two floors of standard table/chair seating, and can accommodate small or large groups (I saw plenty of both sizes on a Friday night).  Service was great, very attentive and friendly.  It felt like you were in someone's home, with a total family vibe.  The menu is completely authentic and is not lacking any dishes you would expect, and the place smells amazing.  I was on a mission for lamb, so I chose the lamb schwarma plate, and my date chose the lamb shank.  Both were hot, fresh and flavorful.  We split the feta/pita appetizer, which paired perfectly with the Lebanese red wine we were working on.  Overall this is a great neighborhood spot for delicious, authentic Lebanese food any day of the week.

by Theresa H.

I have been going to Habibi regularly for 4 years now and I still love it. Everyone who works there is friendly and genuinely interested in chatting and making sure you are happy with your food. The restaurant is pretty small, but there is rarely a long wait. Even when I've eaten here with large groups, they have accommodated us by moving tables together or sitting us upstairs. I could keep going on about the service here, but more important is the food! Every meal starts out with a huge piece of warm, homemade pita bread and typically hummus for dipping, but you can order tatziki or baba ganouj as well. I have tried a lot of different dishes at Habibi, but my favorite are the mezza platters. There are various platters, but the vegetarian one comes with falafel, mini pizzas, tabouli, spinach pie, vege grape leaves, and dipping sauces. It's probably enough to split with someone else if you eat enough pita bread in the beginning. Also delicious are the kabobs served on a bed of rice with a side salad. And if you are trying to really save money, the chicken gyros are less than $6 and they are both filling and tasty. This place is a must-go, you won't be disappointed with anything you order. The service is great, food comes out fast (and pita fills you up in the meantime) and the variety of dishes is endless.

by Theresa H.Jayne R.Venerable V.

I have been going to Habibi regularly for 4 years now and I still love it. Everyone who works there is friendly and genuinely interested in chatting and making sure you are happy with your food. The restaurant is pretty small, but there is rarely a long wait. Even when I've eaten here with large groups, they have accommodated us by moving tables together or sitting us upstairs. I could keep going on about the service here, but more important is the food! Every meal starts out with a huge piece of warm, homemade pita bread and typically hummus for dipping, but you can order tatziki or baba ganouj as well. I have tried a lot of different dishes at Habibi, but my favorite are the mezza platters. There are various platters, but the vegetarian one comes with falafel, mini pizzas, tabouli, spinach pie, vege grape leaves, and dipping sauces. It's probably enough to split with someone else if you eat enough pita bread in the beginning. Also delicious are the kabobs served on a bed of rice with a side salad. And if you are trying to really save money, the chicken gyros are less than $6 and they are both filling and tasty. This place is a must-go, you won't be disappointed with anything you order. The service is great, food comes out fast (and pita fills you up in the meantime) and the variety of dishes is endless.Craving Lebanese food I remembered this recommendation from my friend, and chose to meet a guy here for our first date.  It was the perfect atmosphere for this!  Small but roomy with high ceilings, quaint but not quiet, and plenty of other people in the restaurant (but we were seated right away).   It has two floors of standard table/chair seating, and can accommodate small or large groups (I saw plenty of both sizes on a Friday night).  Service was great, very attentive and friendly.  It felt like you were in someone's home, with a total family vibe.  The menu is completely authentic and is not lacking any dishes you would expect, and the place smells amazing.  I was on a mission for lamb, so I chose the lamb schwarma plate, and my date chose the lamb shank.  Both were hot, fresh and flavorful.  We split the feta/pita appetizer, which paired perfectly with the Lebanese red wine we were working on.  Overall this is a great neighborhood spot for delicious, authentic Lebanese food any day of the week.I actually used to work here years ago when it was Long Island Cafe and managed that restaurant for just over two years so I've got an interesting perspective on this place.First, the noticeable differences - they've done an amazing job turning the inside of that place into a good looking, small restaurant.  It used to have this immensely huge NYC skyline (complete with twin towers) and a HUGE American flag.  The previous owner was proud to be an American citizen.As I used to work there, the new owner warmed to me and has always remembered me when I would come back.  He's always nice and upbeat which makes me feel good.Service is so-so.  Aside from the owner who knows me, the staff is really only bringing your stuff to your table - I wouldn't say there's really any 'service' going on here.Ok, so here's my gripe - I usually get the mezza here and have to admit that the portions are paltry at best.  Granted, when I worked here, I would eat all the food I wanted but didn't take that into consideration when I pay nearly $10 for a mezza (which I usually split with a friend) and we have to fight for the hummus.  I mean, that stuff is so inexpensive and easy to make.  Pile it on!  Everything looks like it's portioned with an ice cream scoop.  Barely any tabouleh...The food tastes great and all is well, they've just gotta give me more bang for the buck.

by Theresa H.Jayne R.Venerable V.Sasha S.

I have been going to Habibi regularly for 4 years now and I still love it. Everyone who works there is friendly and genuinely interested in chatting and making sure you are happy with your food. The restaurant is pretty small, but there is rarely a long wait. Even when I've eaten here with large groups, they have accommodated us by moving tables together or sitting us upstairs. I could keep going on about the service here, but more important is the food! Every meal starts out with a huge piece of warm, homemade pita bread and typically hummus for dipping, but you can order tatziki or baba ganouj as well. I have tried a lot of different dishes at Habibi, but my favorite are the mezza platters. There are various platters, but the vegetarian one comes with falafel, mini pizzas, tabouli, spinach pie, vege grape leaves, and dipping sauces. It's probably enough to split with someone else if you eat enough pita bread in the beginning. Also delicious are the kabobs served on a bed of rice with a side salad. And if you are trying to really save money, the chicken gyros are less than $6 and they are both filling and tasty. This place is a must-go, you won't be disappointed with anything you order. The service is great, food comes out fast (and pita fills you up in the meantime) and the variety of dishes is endless.Craving Lebanese food I remembered this recommendation from my friend, and chose to meet a guy here for our first date.  It was the perfect atmosphere for this!  Small but roomy with high ceilings, quaint but not quiet, and plenty of other people in the restaurant (but we were seated right away).   It has two floors of standard table/chair seating, and can accommodate small or large groups (I saw plenty of both sizes on a Friday night).  Service was great, very attentive and friendly.  It felt like you were in someone's home, with a total family vibe.  The menu is completely authentic and is not lacking any dishes you would expect, and the place smells amazing.  I was on a mission for lamb, so I chose the lamb schwarma plate, and my date chose the lamb shank.  Both were hot, fresh and flavorful.  We split the feta/pita appetizer, which paired perfectly with the Lebanese red wine we were working on.  Overall this is a great neighborhood spot for delicious, authentic Lebanese food any day of the week.I actually used to work here years ago when it was Long Island Cafe and managed that restaurant for just over two years so I've got an interesting perspective on this place.First, the noticeable differences - they've done an amazing job turning the inside of that place into a good looking, small restaurant.  It used to have this immensely huge NYC skyline (complete with twin towers) and a HUGE American flag.  The previous owner was proud to be an American citizen.As I used to work there, the new owner warmed to me and has always remembered me when I would come back.  He's always nice and upbeat which makes me feel good.Service is so-so.  Aside from the owner who knows me, the staff is really only bringing your stuff to your table - I wouldn't say there's really any 'service' going on here.Ok, so here's my gripe - I usually get the mezza here and have to admit that the portions are paltry at best.  Granted, when I worked here, I would eat all the food I wanted but didn't take that into consideration when I pay nearly $10 for a mezza (which I usually split with a friend) and we have to fight for the hummus.  I mean, that stuff is so inexpensive and easy to make.  Pile it on!  Everything looks like it's portioned with an ice cream scoop.  Barely any tabouleh...The food tastes great and all is well, they've just gotta give me more bang for the buck.Just a quick little update- I talked to Habibi, the owner, recently. He said despite the rise in groceries he's opted to keep prices low because of the economic crisis.. so people can still enjoy food even if their pockets are smaller.Thought I should mention. I love Habibi, I was there when they first opened their doors, and I am still there whenever I need…