Ali Baba Middle Eastern Cuisine

by Momo J.

Just the hummus and fatoush salad are worth coming here for!  As soon as you're seated you start to forget that you're even in Delaware.  The colors, motifs, and seating is nicely done giving a warm, casual, exotic feeling. This is a great place to bring a date, come with friends, or just to have a satisfying meal. Start off with a couple of appetizers (did I mention the hummus and fatoush!). You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. A very welcomed destination away from the ordinary!

by Samantha Q.

The best Middle Eastern food I've ever had in my entire life. I used to go here when I went to boarding school, and I've since been going to college in NYC and I can tell you that there is not Middle Eastern restaurant in NYC (and there are a lot) that is better than Ali Baba's. Even with all of the good food here, I constantly find myself saying, "God, I wish Ali Baba's was right here in NYC!" Everything I've had here has been awesome. Here are my favorites though. Baba Ghanoush/ Baba GhanujLamb KebabChicken Kebab Moroccan ChickenSamosa FingersThey also have absolutely amazing falafel, and baklava. The salads are good too. Everything is good. The portions are very generous.

by kara p.

awesome decor. i love sitting on the couches, not so much the stools though haha. i always feel so sleepy and relaxed with all the red and orange colors and low lightening. the food is super good, super fresh, and as far as this lil all american white girl knows... super authentic. they have great veggie platters. their pita and different hummus combos are great, the pita is always perfectly soft. i really like getting their take out too, they give good size portions.

by Lauren S.

Good choices:1) Bastilla - Chicken, dough, nuts, cinnamon baked between layers of dough2) Mint Tea - with honey3) Tzatziki - Cucumber yogurt , garlic and crushed mint served with warm pitaThere is also a very hot server that talks like Borat - "This suit is black............................................. .............NOT!"

by Eugene H.

The staff here are very friendly and helpful. I came here with my co-workers and everything we got was delicious. I got the baked chicken and the meat was very tender and fell right off the bone. It comes with tasty rice and makes for a nice dinner. One of my co-workers got Baba Ghanoush since it reminded him of Seinfeld, and it wasn't what we expected, but still worth a try. The atmosphere and seating arrangement is so unique from any other restaurant in the area. That, plus the extensive menu choices makes this place worth a try.

by Musin Y.

The lamb wraps are delicious with a cool tahini sauce.  I've also tried the chicken pastry dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar and it basically tastes just as weird as it sounds.

by Ramsey H.

You will be hard pressed to find better Middle Eastern food without traveling to Philadelphia.  I've gone here with friends, dates, and by myself, and have always been very happy afterwards.I'm half Arab and grew up with most of the food they serve.  I've tried hummus from just about every place in Newark (Iron Hill, Homegrown, Pita Pit, UD) and they're all junk compared to Ali Baba.  I can honestly say that the only hummus I've had that I thought was better was my mothers.  As far as the kebab, chicken, and falafel go, I haven't had anything like Ali Baba since I was last in Amman, Jordan.I've tried most of the stuff on their menu and it's all delicious.  I'm a big fan of lebne (thick yogurt) and if I was going to recommend something that people haven't tried before that would be it.I believe the owners are Lebanese, and I think almost all of the staff is also.  As a result they know Arabic food.  They are very friendly and take service very seriously.They also serve hookah (nargila) on the front patio.  This is very popular amongst college students.  While I generally skip the hookah, since I have my own, I've always been happy with the quality of their hookahs and shisha.  Besides they're the only place in Newark with hookah.I only have one complaint about Ali Baba.  The decor.  It has the spirit of a Middle Eastern restaurant, and I'm sure most people find it really fun and different.  But if you're used to seeing authentic Middle Eastern decor and construction, you might find it a bit tacky.  This is pretentious nit-picking on my part.Funnily enough when a friend of mine was visiting from Palestine he went to Ali Baba, and told me that he was surprised how good the food was.  That being said, he had no desire to go back there, since he wanted to eat American food (Burgers and Hot Dogs).

by Sara O.

Hubba yumma, just go! 1. They finally got a booze license. 2. Takeout is quick and reliable. 3. They are nice to kiddos. BUT. A bit noisy on weekend nights. 4. Bastilla. 5. Moroccan roast chicken (spicy or lemon). 6. Any appetizer. BUT do not get a house cocktail--they have some crazy, undelicious ones that might ruin your buzz.

by Natalie M.

I really can't say enough good things about Ali Baba's...  I never really realized just how often I came there when I was in college at UD (1998-2002).  It must have been a lot more frequently than I remember, because even though I only make the trip to Newark about once or twice a year now, they STILL remember me and treat me like a VIP.  Not only do you get 5 star service, but the food and the ambiance is amazing.  I was always a fan of Casablanca (their sister restaurant in DE) before Ali Baba's opened, and I certainly didn't think anything could improve on their 7 course meal.  Much to my surprise, this restaurant definitely did!  Being able to order all of my favorites from Casablanca ala carte AND choose from a ton more dishes really did the trick!  Now when I go, I tend to order a bunch of the salads and appetizers and just make a meal of them, but you definitely won't go wrong ordering entrees.  It's a great place for a group dinner as well; they are great about taking reservations and the benches and low tables in the back make for a great group setting, plus they don't rush you.  They also now have a liquor license, which is pretty awesome.  All in all, I have only glowing compliments to give!  Ali Baba is one of the few reasons I wish I still lived in Newark...

by Yasmeen F.

We've been going to this establishment for a few years now, a quaint, but beautiful restaurant on the main street of the university. Everytime I seem to go, alot has been upgraded to tailor to the needs of their guests which is ever increasing since they first opened.The food, by no means, has not yet been commercialized... or... dare I say, Americanized by the national standard. They serve the right amount for a decent price, and service is very polite and generous. There has never been a time when I felt rushed by our server, as it is mostly understood that this place, among the cushion-clustered seating arrangement and lively middle eastern music with occasional bellydancing, that they'd prefer you to take your time the moment you settle in.The chef is no slouch either. Plate presentation is authentic, and it reminds you to eat with your eyes first but just a few bites of your meal and shared portions from that of your companions is really a treat. The food, by popular vote, is extremely good and has not lost it's cultural presence that is also expressed so creatively in the tapestry, dining furniture and music. When you enter this restaurant, you automatically "feel" like you're embraced in the warm welcome of middle eastern hospitality.So next time, take your date, a few friends or your family and try something new. It'll be worth it.