by Greg H.

We hit Babouche for the second time last night and it enthralled yet again. Food is amazing, atmosphere is relaxing, and it's BYOB: for what more can you ask? I agree with other yelpers -- the service is a bit on the slow side, but never rude and always sincere. It certainly fits the decor and vibe of the joint. It's a place to go for a delicious long-term eating experience. The grilled calamari is divine. The lamb balls are succulent. The couscous is to die for (and who would ever think couscous is to die for). The dessert of Chocolate Souffle was just right in portion and sweetness. One of my eating companions thought his lamb dish was a bit underwhelming in its portion of meat -- I just slipped him one of my deliciously moist and meaty balls, so filling and plentiful was my own order, and he was silent with pleasure. Hit Sip or Red, White, Bubbly on your way and make it a night out... haaaay!

by Tyler P.

I love this place- I live right down the street and it is definitely one of our go tos. I was hooked even before they got their liquor license! The coucous moroccaine is delish and addictive- I lived in Morocco during college and it totally harkens me back.

by dante a.

First off I'd like to start by saying that this restaurant is capable of 4 stars maybe 5.....also that this review is based on one experience and the previous reviews do a pretty solid job in covering all the points...For the most part this place is great....food is above average, decor is beautiful and comforting, the candor and accessibility they bring to their theme they accomplish in fine fashion. I could continue to tell about how my partner and I had an appealing bottle of barolo ...followed with the pretty tasty tomate montrachet, excellet duck confit and tuna tartare.....and since it was steak night, t-bone with mushroom sauce , and sirloin w peppercorn...both really nice...but really right now the only thing either one of us can recall is purely negative( let me mention here we were celebrating our 1 yr anniversary....and both work in the restaurant  industry, hence possess an above average amount of patience w poor service) .I'll spare you the many weak service details because based on almost all the other reviews the service is obviously a problem here...aloof, slow, unproffesional, and absent ( I actually heard "I can be your hero" by enrique inglesias 3 times during dinner)...but the gem of the night was when we asked the "already been rude all nite tryin to get you out of here" waiter if there wasanything for dessert, his reply was..."like what?" .....seriously??!!!!!.we were stunned and yet entertained by the ignorant audacity from him..we just looked at eachother and asked for the check which he had already printed up and ready, the fastest thing he did all night.( in case youre wondering it was 10:45 at this point and when I had called earlier I was told they would be serving til 12:00 so I dont believe we were holding them up)......they say great food can overcome poor service and it probably can....it will be a while before we go back but based on the food and how gorgeous the space is  i think its worth another go round w a different server.  I feel better now...I just needed a little venting about that server...man that guy was awful!!

by Kim M.

The space and service are excellent.  I love how airy and open it feels even when you are facing 5th avenue.  The food was very good, the lentil salad was AWESOME!  But I don't know if it's just me, but I hate when garlic in a dish hasn't been sauteed well enough and it's just a bunch of hard bits, that's how it was in the broth for my mussels.  That's the only reason I wasn't 100% sold.  But I love BYOB and I'll definitely try this place again.The space and service are excellent.  I love how airy and open it feels even when you are facing 5th avenue.  The food was very good, the lentil salad was AWESOME!  But I don't know if it's just me, but I hate when garlic in a dish hasn't been sauteed well enough and it's just a bunch of hard bits, that's how it was in the broth for my mussels.  That's the only reason I wasn't 100% sold.  But I love BYOB and I'll definitely try this place again.

by Marcie A.

The restaurant is OPEN not closed, I just ate there last night. After walking around looking for a good and decent priced V-Day meal, my boyfriend suggested Babouche. The food was delicious, plentiful and definitely made us happy, but the service was S--L--O--W. They should have been a little bit more prepared for the crowd they received. It was PACKED and service was a nightmare but they did make up for it with free drinks and the host apologized more than once. Whatever you do...do not sit in the back area, it is hot, and its like the forgotten land back there. They will forget about you. Table next to us waited so long for everything, and got their food at various times. Our menu included one app; entree; dessert; champagne; coffee or tea, which for $40 was a great deal. I had a delicious and juicy filet mignon with truffles, my boyfriend had the Tangine, and no complaints here, we devoured it. I would give them another try just not on such a busy night. The portions are big, especially anything you order with couscous.

by eliza b.

why didn't dinner here cost more? the place is gorgeous and very nicely decorated, the service was great, and the food is yummy. there was live music too, and although it was a little too loud, it was a nice touch. the prices are seriously reasonable, and add in the BYOB factor which will save you even more!i wish the menu was a bit bigger and included specials. they're still new, so i bet that's coming soon.we were witnesses to a great scene - this middle-aged guy who was SERIOUSLY into the music brought his own percussion shaker and piccolo to rock out with the band. he had a really legitimate mustache and was smiling like a maniac and maintaining complete eye contact with the band members as he scooted closer and closer to them. they were cool with it, and the guy was pretty great on the piccolo. i respected him.

by cass g.

Some friends wanted to go to a hookah bar on a Saturday night, but it being 12:30am, we didn't feel like trekking into manhattan (we're a lazy bunch).  We headed to Babouche instead, where there were just a sprinkling of people.  After some miscommunication, we ended up smoking hookah upstairs, in the restaurant, which is beautifully decorated with lanterns, white linens, and private dinner tables.  Our waitress was very attentive and nice, and when we asked for appetizers after the kitchen had closed at 1:20 (yeah, ha) they served up some hummus and warm pita bread.  The hookah lasted forever, it was $20 but literally lasted for-ev-erI'll go back, for sure.  Maybe actually make it into the hookah bar this time, or eat dinner. This place is a potential 5-star -  however, I feel that i can't give it out because of the circumstaces (i.e. until i eat dinner or go at a normal hour)

by alli k.

After walking by Babouche a gazillion times, I finally ate there on the occasion of my roommate's birthday with a fairly large group. This Moroccan spot stands out because of it's sprawling size and elaborate decor. This space used to be a fairly large gourmet market and the proprietors of Babouche have done an impressive job transforming and filling the space with lovely lamps and the like, carving it up to create intimacy and semi-private nooks and crannies. there's also a lounge downstairs that you'd never know about from the outside. the only issue i had with their decor-ambition is that the semi-private room that our party was seated at was not really well-suited to eating a full dinner--the seats were simply too low slung and the table too far away (not to mention too upholstered!)--it's no fun to eat roasted duck breast in cherry sauce with your knees in your chest! That said, the food was pretty tasty if not a little on the pricey side. i ordered the duck b/c it's not something i ever cook myself, but i do admit i had a fare amount of order envy when i spied the couscous tangines and pepper-sauce smothered steaks of my fellow diners. and while our waiter was uh, a little out of it, i attribute that at least partially to our awkward set-up. the host (possibly an owner) was extremely friendly (almost too friendly! he was kinda touchy-feely) and i'm going to try not to hold the less-than-ideal-for-a-big-group factor against Babouche, at least so that I can go back and try a tangine. mmmm.

by Melissa D.

This is one of my favorites in Brooklyn. You can always get a table. The decor is cozy. The manager and the waitstaff are attentive and always seem grateful to have your business. And the briouats are out of this world. I also enjoy the tagine de poulet. Definitely a place to check out if you like Moroccan food.This is one of my favorites in Brooklyn. You can always get a table. The decor is cozy. The manager and the waitstaff are attentive and always seem grateful to have your business. And the briouats are out of this world. I also enjoy the tagine de poulet. Definitely a place to check out if you like Moroccan food.

by Paul J.

nice moroccan food, nice decor, great service, nice lounge style seating bellow, belly dancers entertain at peak times, u really feel like you are somewhere in the middle east, on a breezy summer night with windows open u go back in time.

by Elizabeth K.

I've been to Babouche several times. The food is really tasty - I crave the Briouats and vegetable couscous on a regular basis. The Moroccan tea is delicious too. The staff is friendly but I'm giving 4 stars because the service is slow. Also, the last time I went there the belly dancing music was overpoweringly loud - people around us seemed to be enjoying it, but I was hoping for the quieter more relaxing experience I'd grown accustomed to there. Other times I've gone, even with belly dancing, and it's been more subdued though.

by Rich H.

I second everything Brigitte T says about Babouche.  Friendly staff, most are French-speaking, great food.  I have enjoyed the coucous traditionel, the magret de canard, and the tagine d'agneau.  Mais Oui!  May We?The espresso is great; the dessert was great.Love the interior.  I think they will have a DJ sometime in the future when they are feeling more settled.You can still get a table in this great restaurant without a wait, but I know that will change when people discover it and when the warm weather arrives and the front glass doors are wide open for everyone to see this inviting space.

by andrea c.

Love this place. One of the prettiest restaurants in Park Slope. But I am not one to be seduced by linens and paint. The food was very good. My friend had the tangine and licked the bottom clean. I (needing red meat) ordered the steak. One of the better steaks (outside of a steakhouse) I have had. Wash it all down with mint tea- fantastic.

by Cathy G.

Not that I've been to Morocco (Epcot count?) or eaten much Moroccan food, but the food here was great and the atmosphere different than anything else in the Slope. We started with the lentil salad and birouets which were both excellent. My husband got the lamb tangine with a side of couscous and I got the pastilla. The tangine was tasty and the serving size was large- we could have easily shared that. The pastilla was like a large birouet- while it tasted good I was sort of meat doughnutted out. The wine list was large and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back.Not that I've been to Morocco (Epcot count?) or eaten much Moroccan food, but the food here was great and the atmosphere different than anything else in the Slope. We started with the lentil salad and birouets which were both excellent. My husband got the lamb tangine with a side of couscous and I got the pastilla. The tangine was tasty and the serving size was large- we could have easily shared that. The pastilla was like a large birouet- while it tasted good I was sort of meat doughnutted out. The wine list was large and reasonably priced. We'll definitely be back.

by Trevaughn w.

Had dinner at this place, pretty reasonable prices but no food on my plate. Prob not a good place to eat if u looking to get full....lol mabe for weight watchers!!!

by Brigitte T.

Babouche replaces the short lived "Fresh Fields" market on 5th avenue, and has done a remarkable job of transforming the massive space into a gorgeous, fresh and cozy Moroccan themed dining room.I was impressed with the decor;  the creamy white walls, tables with white tablecloths and white chairs, accented with dark wood and brick walls, are stunning.  In the front, the dark wooden throne like hancrafted chairs and checkered tables add a nice constrast.  And the pendant moroccan chandeliers add warmth and softness.I was equally impressed with the flawless service, from the Maitre D' opening the door for us and genuinely thanking us for our visit, to the waitress who promptly corked our wine(they don't have their liquor license yet), to the impeccable timing of the experience from start to finish.The menu is a combination of French and Morrocan.  It features fairly standard items like Lentil Salad with Avocado and Red Onion - which I had, and enjoyed, but the lentils were undercooked and the salad itself rather unoriginal.  My husband had the Tomato Montrachet, a warm tomato tower stacked with goat cheese and basil, in a tomato coulis.  It was good, but it will be better this summer when tomatoes are at their peak.  Hummos, Grilled Calamari Salad with Moroccan spices, Lamb Skewers, and a Mixed Green Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette are also featured in the appetizer menu.For entrees, I had a dish I have been dreaming of for years - Chicken Pastilla:  minced chicken with chopped almonds, seasoned and wrapped inside a filo pastry dough, and dusted with a thick coating of cinnamon and icing sugar.  It was not the best I've had(the large chunks of almonds were a bit much), but certainly a respectable rendition.My better half had the Couscous Royale:  A large bowl of couscous with carrots, zucchini, braised lamb and chicken, merguez, with a steaming bowl of broth that is laddled into the final dish.  He loved it.The rest of the menu was somewhat baffling.  Cobb salad as an entree in a Moroccan French restaurant?  The desserts were uninspired French standards - Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, Tarte Tatin.  But, Babouche is still the only place where one can get a tagine in Park Slope.  So while it might not be the most authentic, it definitely fills a niche.  I get the feeling that the owners are trying to play it 'safe' and offer standard items in an appealing atmosphere.  It's working;  the place is already bustling.  Also, the owners already own two other restaurants in Manhattan, which probably explains the flawless interior and impeccable service.I'll be back another time to try some of the dishes I missed, like the Kefta Lamb Tagine.  And I'll be curious to hear what other people think of this place.

by Brion D.

This place is fantastic for atmosphere!  It's like being in an upscale Casablanca.  The entree and main dining area is all white and very nicely decorated.  The back is even more special - think a fancy Turkish bath look with low lighting and low chairs.  The service here has always been top notch.  They make sure you are being served well.  They also have live entertainment on certain nights which is always interesting and good.  The food is delicious - think fresh fish and grilled food with interesting and different tasting sauces.  The drawback is that the portions are not very big so you are forced to order more on the menu and hence it's already expensive - it's hard for two people not to leave without having spent over two hundred dollars.  Still - if you have a special someone you want to impress - and keep in mind the diversity here - this is really one of the best spots in Park Slope.

by Tu D.

The food is delicious!  The prices are great!We ordered the 2 mussel appetizers and they came out with a huge pot full of mussels for only $7.50!!!!  Well worth the price.  We also had the mediterranean salad (yummy) and that pretty much filled us up.But we stil had our main meals to eat!  Of the six of us, 2 of us had the smoked salmon eggs benedict, 2 of us had the chicken skewers, and 2 of us had the tri-tip.  None of us had any complaints.  Delicious!And the mint iced tea!  To Die For!  And they were kind enough to share the recipe with us...The only thing lacking....poor service.  We had a hard time getting their attention multiple times. And I had to ask 3 times for the check.But, overall, a great place to be.

by Justin G.

Here's what's perfect about Babbouche: the space, the French Moroccan theme (a lot, but not too much), live music (a pair of classical guitars and a guy with percussion toys), the mint julep iced tea, the Niciouse salad (and the Cobb looked good from afar).Here's what's pretty good about Babouche: the burger, the hip hangout it could (and very well may) be at night on 5th Avenue, the location (around the corner-ish from me).And here's, as HR likes to say, an area of opportunity: service.  Seating, ordering, the order itself, tone of voice, and overall attention were all lacking... and it seemed somehow symptomatic not of a newly opened restaurant but of a staff that wasn't really interested in the customer experience.  The place has more promise than a West Wing reunion starring George C. Scott, though not quite as much as the upcoming Simpsons Movie.(Update: The Simpsons Movie blew.)Here's what's perfect about Babbouche: the space, the French Moroccan theme (a lot, but not too much), live music (a pair of classical guitars and a guy with percussion toys), the mint julep iced tea, the Niciouse salad (and the Cobb looked good from afar).Here's what's pretty good about Babouche: the burger, the hip hangout it could (and very well may) be at night on 5th Avenue, the location (around the corner-ish from me).And here's, as HR likes to say, an area of opportunity: service.  Seating, ordering, the order itself, tone of voice, and overall attention were all lacking... and it seemed somehow symptomatic not of a newly opened restaurant but of a staff that wasn't really interested in the customer experience.  The place has more promise than a West Wing reunion starring George C. Scott, though not quite as much as the upcoming Simpsons Movie.(Update: The Simpsons Movie blew.)

by Preeti B.

I agree with the other posts, the service is the biggest area for improvement at Babouche.  When I visited Babouche this past January, the service was just a little slow... but nobody was rude or ill-toned.  At that time, the restaurant was BYOB which was fun.  I believe they now serve so you can't walk in with your own beverages anymore.  The decor and food speak more loudly than any service issues for me.   When I visited, a girl had about 10 people for a birthday party.  They turned up a happy birthday song and brought a cake out with sparkling candles!  The birthday girl looked like she was having a blast and then a belly dancer came out and that livened the party even more.  My recommendations to try are the warm lentil salad and the chicken kabobs!   One interesting thing I felt that this was a good place to take older visitors or even an introduction of parents.  Random I know... but it just seemed to draw that crowd and loosen people up!

by Janine F.

Great vibe, great decor, really great food!   Stooped in for a late lunch/brunch/early dinner today.  The lentil salad was divine and the chicken skewers lovely.  My girlfriend had the skirt steak salad which was also quite good.  Both entrees were served with an awesome side salad and yummy roasted potatoes.

by Mark T.

Nice Moroccan arches giving to the design, and fat meats on the menu, belly dancer was there at some point, not a fan of someone running around the tables clapping her figures together on metals.

by adam y.

First of all, this place has some pretty awesome decor. From the gigantic hanging lamps, to the white decor, to the back room with private curtained booths....downstairs, which appears to be a hookah cavern. The place looks amazing.So that got me in the door.Tall Dark haired waitresses....ok I'll sit down.Food was actually really good, the moules were especially tasty.As was the wine, and they have Kronenberg, which despite being a French beer is utterly delicious. There were several large groups in there and it seems like a great place to entertain.I've been twice, and would love to go back with a large group, on the downside, hookahs are not always available, and the bar is currently only set up to serve beer and wine.

by Maria T.

I know Moroccan food.  I also know the difference between good and bad Moroccan food and let me tell you, this is the best Moroccan restaurant I have eaten at in NY. There are no quality moroccan places to eat in Manhattan (I've been to 3 or 4 of them) and the authentic atmosphere (moroccan style living rooms) adds to the really good moroccan food. I came here with a group and got the opportunity to try a lot of the foods,  I had braiwats (very good), lamb skewers (very good), duck confit (very good), mussels moroccaine (very good), zaluk (tasty), calamari salad (well liked, but not for me), bastilla (mmmm, very tasty and very filling), chicken tagine (highly recommended for the picky eater, great flavor), royal couscous (the only dish i would not order again, my 7 veg is better), lamb tagine (amazingly tender lamb). As for service - we were a group, the birthday girl was moroccan - we got preferrential treatment, but it looks like the waiters are responsive to everyone.I know Moroccan food.  I also know the difference between good and bad Moroccan food and let me tell you, this is the best Moroccan restaurant I have eaten at in NY. There are no quality moroccan places to eat in Manhattan (I've been to 3 or 4 of them) and the authentic atmosphere (moroccan style living rooms) adds to the really good moroccan food. I came here with a group and got the opportunity to try a lot of the foods,  I had braiwats (very good), lamb skewers (very good), duck confit (very good), mussels moroccaine (very good), zaluk (tasty), calamari salad (well liked, but not for me), bastilla (mmmm, very tasty and very filling), chicken tagine (highly recommended for the picky eater, great flavor), royal couscous (the only dish i would not order again, my 7 veg is better), lamb tagine (amazingly tender lamb). As for service - we were a group, the birthday girl was moroccan - we got preferrential treatment, but it looks like the waiters are responsive to everyone.

by Sharon D.

First a confession:  While I am the last person to judge a restaurant by its decor, I fell for this place before I ever ate inside of it.   It's absolutely beautiful - done in shades of dark wood and white, with large, ornate tin light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, and mosaic mirrors on the walls.  There was a large table surrounded by couches next to a fireplace, scattered tables and chairs, either in neat white leather or exotic Moroccan wood.  I could only hope that the food would be as satisfying as the restaurant was to look at.   Happily, it was.We were greeted warmly and seated promptly.  I'm not sure if this place is family run, but I was definitely charmed by how much pride they took in their restaurant.  They were happy to tell me all about the decor (all from Morocco) and the lounge downstairs (which I didn't get a chance to look at), and anything else we had questions about.  They filled our water glasses, and made sure that we were happy with anything we ordered - from the appetizer kebabs to the incredible lamb tagine I had for an entree.  (They didn't mention ordering an extra side of cous cous until after the entree arrived at the table.  Had I known, I would have opted for that instead of a glass of wine, but oh well.   The bread they bring to the table was perfect for sopping off the fragrant sauce).  It's a beautiful spot for a date, and I noticed both a large family and a large gathering of friends gathered on the couches of their large table area.   It seemed like a great way to get together with a big group of friends.  The food is definitely worth it, too.

by Gretchen W.

Babouche is a lovely restaurant.  They really take you to a faraway land, with (I assume authentic) Moroccan light fixtures, mosaics, mirrors, and wall hangings.  There is even belly dancing on Saturday nights and the option of a hookah, for the outdoor seated customers .The menu gives many options, with dishes that can be shared with your table and those that would be for an individual.  Our table decided to share, so we could try as many yummy foods as possible.  The tagines and couscous plates are on the larger side, so we decided that three appetizers and three entree size portions would be plenty for a group of five.The Briouats had been recommended to us and were delicious!  A combination of sweet and savory, these are small puff pastry triangles, stuffed with a ground up mixture of chicken and almond topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.  You could almost eat them as dessert, but they sure made a great start to our meal.As starters, we also had the Lentil Salad and Hummus. Both were flavorful and perfectly made. The Lentil Salad was served with avocado, tomato, and onion slices, which really added a flavorful and fresh taste.For entrees, we ordered two tagines and a couscous dish.  The Tagine with Lamb Balls in a Tomato Sauce was really yummy and unique.  I was worried that the dish would be too much like meatballs with marinara sauce, but it was not at all. The tomato sauce was light and flavorful, but distinctly Moroccan and not Italian.  The Tagine with Lamb and Prunes was really yummy, with large hunks of lamb that were tender enough to cut with your fork.  Lastly, we had the Couscous Royal, which was a combination of lamb, chicken, and lamb sausage over couscous with vegetables such as carrot, turnip, zucchini, and cabbage.  Really yummy.We left feeling happy and satiated.  I don't think that I had ever had specifically Moroccan food before.  Some dishes, like hummus, I was very familiar with, but really enjoyed trying some of the Moroccan flare, like the prune served with lamb.  This restaurant really is a winner with beautiful decor and food that is fresh, well prepared, and very tasty!!  I would love to come again and would highly recommend for a great dinner or a special occasion.

by Mary M.

I am confused about t the reviews of the bad service-shocked really. My partner and I had a fantastic evening on Saturday night! First, the service was extremely pleasant, knowledgable, and prompt. Not being entirely fluent in Moroccan food, we had many questions and all were answered easily. For starters, we ordered the lentil salad which was incredible! Also, the hummus platter and chicken skewer (only 1 skewer but matched with a yummy side salad). For our main course we ordered the chicken with cous cous-can't remember the name but it had raisins in it. Amazing! The decor is stunning in this restaurant! I would love to own a house and have their interior designer go to town. Everything is welcoming and comfortable. Oh, I almost forgot to mention one of the coolest part of the evening-the bellydancing! How cool was that?! She really livened the place up and had the whole room engaged. Really great touch.We will definitely be back. Definitely check this place out.

by Joann W.

My sister visited me in Park Slope for the first time, and I had to show her that living in Brooklyn doesn't mean living A) in the ghetto, or B) with a bunch of italian mobsters.I guess I could have taken her to a ton of different places to prove this, but Babouche certainly did the trick! We went early on a Saturday evening, so we had the place to ourselves. The service was great, the staff was so friendly and helpful with all of our questions about the menu. Our food was DELICIOUS. We both had cous-cous. Both meals were great sized portions and so yummy!They didn't have a dessert menu (which was kind of annoying) but the waitress described the 4 or 5 desserts they have. We went with some phyllo dough and strawberry situation which was superb. I'm not sure what it was, but it was amazing.2 dinners, 2 drinks (not alcoholic), and a dessert for $50. Not so bad!

by Katie Z.

I recently instituted a Brooklyn Dinner Night with my friends which occurs roughly monthly and is designed to introduce folks  - some from the BK, some from Manhattan, and some from Westchester - to all the yumminess that Brooklyn has to offer.Babouche was the second destination of the series, and everyone was very happy with it.  And I, as the organizer, can't speak highly enough about the management who accommodated my ever-changing reservation.  Thumbs up, Babouche!The restaurant is beautiful.  It has large Moroccan light fixtures, is decorated in white and dark wood and in pleasant weather the front is entirely open. The outdoor seating, available on two sides, also offers the option of hookahs to interested patrons.At the recommendation of former Yelpers, we ordered the Briouats which I pronounced to be "meat dessert".  They were delicious - hot sweet pastry, almost like a doughnut, stuffed with chicken and almond.  They're wonderful.  We also started with the hummus and the lentil salad --- both which were great.Our party of five also shared 3 entrees:  the lamb balls (basically meat balls in a tomato and pea sauce), the lamb and prune tagine, and the Couscous Royale (with lamb, chicken, and merguez sausage and veggies).  All were delicious and, as is typical with tagines, presented in beautiful lidded dishes.The bar offers a big wine list and a number of wines available by the glass, as well as red and white sangria.  They'll also let you taste the wines by the glass before you order them, which I always appreciate.  I was curious to taste the wines from the region that we were eating, but truthfully have to admit that there's a reason you haven't heard much about Moroccan or Algerian wine:  the Moroccan one tasted like a sweet, syrupy port and the Algerian one was sort of vinegary and sour.  I ended up going with a pinot noir instead.On Saturdays at 9pm the place has a belly dancer, which makes it a beautiful place, with great food and entertainment!I recently instituted a Brooklyn Dinner Night with my friends which occurs roughly monthly and is designed to introduce folks  - some from the BK, some from Manhattan, and some from Westchester - to all the yumminess that Brooklyn has to offer.Babouche was the second destination of the series, and everyone was very happy with it.  And I, as the organizer, can't speak highly enough about the management who accommodated my ever-changing reservation.  Thumbs up, Babouche!The restaurant is beautiful.  It has large Moroccan light fixtures, is decorated in white and dark wood and in pleasant weather the front is entirely open. The outdoor seating, available on two sides, also offers the option of hookahs to interested patrons.At the recommendation of former Yelpers, we ordered the Briouats which I pronounced to be "meat dessert".  They were delicious - hot sweet pastry, almost like a doughnut, stuffed with chicken and almond.  They're wonderful.  We also started with the hummus and the lentil salad --- both which were great.Our party of five also shared 3 entrees:  the lamb balls (basically meat balls in a tomato and pea sauce), the lamb and prune tagine, and the Couscous Royale (with lamb, chicken, and merguez sausage and veggies).  All were delicious and, as is typical with tagines, presented in beautiful lidded dishes.The bar offers a big wine list and a number of wines available by the glass, as well as red and white sangria.  They'll also let you taste the wines by the glass before you order them, which I always appreciate.  I was curious to taste the wines from the region that we were eating, but truthfully have to admit that there's a reason you haven't heard much about Moroccan or Algerian wine:  the Moroccan one tasted like a sweet, syrupy port and the Algerian one was sort of vinegary and sour.  I ended up going with a pinot noir instead.On Saturdays at 9pm the place has a belly dancer, which makes it a beautiful place, with great food and entertainment!

by Jasmine F.

$12 for filet mignon?!?!??!!? OK, admittedly, I went in on their special steak night, but damn, Babouche knows how to give a good deal! Plus, the steak was amazingly tender and seasoned perfectly (though I would have liked a bit more of the reduction on it...soooooooo good). We also got the hummus, which was solid, but not the best I've ever had, and several of the sides: mashed potatoes (mmm...creamy and garlicy), carrots (herby and delicious), and broccoli rabe (cooked to perfection, and that's not easy!). Add to that a super cute atmosphere, friendly service, and the option for hookahs after dinner and you'd definitely have me as a repeat customer...if I didn't live 2900 miles away, that is.

by Hatshepsut P.

I went to hear the Moroccan group play, and didn't expect anything much from the restaurant, since I usually go to Tagines and find it to be just so-so with variying degrees of rudeness among the waitresses there.  Babouhe is the opposite of that place!  i love love love IT!  the music was great, the food was excellent, the tea fantastic and the atomsphere was transformative, and JUST what i needed on a friday afternoon after a hard week's work!  OH!  I am also going to end up taking Rabab  fiddle lessons from Rachid, the musician who played that night!Oh, one thing though, there is NOT a full bar so Yelp should edit that.  only beer and wine.

by Olga T.

Food was delicious. Private space down stairs is cozy, but it was extremely hot and stuffy, the stairs are very steep. Overall we had a good time, but I think that waiters can be a little better informed about specials and drinks...all questions I asked were responded to with a "let me check"...since we were a large group, they gave us photocopies of the menu (tacky?) and it was too dark to see anything. I would come back for dinner!

by Justin P.

Pretty good couscous, delicious tuna and steak. A little pricey but not too bad.

by Asprey J.

I don't know why there are so many bad comments about the service at this place. From the moment we walked in, ("we" being my beautiful girlfriend and my dashing self) we were treated to primo hospitality. Right off the bat we requested a nice cozy setup by the large windows up front because somebody on here said to never sit in the back or else risk being ignored all night. So that was a score. The invigorating breeze from Brooklyn's crisp, clean night air was definitely a welcoming treat. Ok...I'm stretching with that one but it was still very nice.Our server, Kristina or Kristian or something like that, had a wonderful accent and an even sweeter disposition. She was patient and helpful and from what I noticed from scant interactions with the other servers, her coworkers were just as happy to have us there. Honestly, I have no idea why the service gets such a bad rap. Could be one or more of 3 reasons:1) We were lucky.2) The people who badmouthed the service were cranky or writing about the wrong place (like Alchemy for instance.)3) We were smart enough to sit up front.Either way, great service.The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. Whoever designed the place really has a good eye for authentic Moroccan decor. I know this from that time when I was in Morocco. The tables were small but these guys are smart enough to add a little extender-type seat/table thing to put extra items on when things get cluttered. Well-managed place.The mussels were so soft and flavorful. Try those. Seriously. And make sure you have enough bread to sop the leftover sauce.We also liked the lentil salad. Can't say I understand all this talk about the briouts(sic?) because I found them to be so-so.My entree was the fish tagine and it was very very good. Again...keep some of that bread handy.Great, great place. It's sexy, the music was at a good level and was also very sexy. However, when the bellydancer showed up, they cranked the music super high. Look out for that. Maybe make sure not to sit next to the speakers? I don't know - you're on your own with that one. Oh, and the belly dancer was really nice and in great shape. Not in love with the dessert we had. It was like giant corn flakes in a creamy sauce. We went to the Chocolate Room afterward. Not the one of 5th, the good one over on court street. I have a car, you see.Okay bye.I don't know why there are so many bad comments about the service at this place. From the moment we walked in, ("we" being my beautiful girlfriend and my dashing self) we were treated to primo hospitality. Right off the bat we requested a nice cozy setup by the large windows up front because somebody on here said to never sit in the back or else risk being ignored all night. So that was a score. The invigorating breeze from Brooklyn's crisp, clean night air was definitely a welcoming treat. Ok...I'm stretching with that one but it was still very nice.Our server, Kristina or Kristian or something like that, had a wonderful accent and an even sweeter disposition. She was patient and helpful and from what I noticed from scant interactions with the other servers, her coworkers were just as happy to have us there. Honestly, I have no idea why the service gets such a bad rap. Could be one or more of 3 reasons:1) We were lucky.2) The people who badmouthed the service were cranky or writing about the wrong place (like Alchemy for instance.)3) We were smart enough to sit up front.Either way, great service.The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. Whoever designed the place really has a good eye for authentic Moroccan decor. I know this from that time when I was in Morocco. The tables were small but these guys are smart enough to add a little extender-type seat/table thing to put extra items on when things get cluttered. Well-managed place.The mussels were so soft and flavorful. Try those. Seriously. And make sure you have enough bread to sop the leftover sauce.We also liked the lentil salad. Can't say I understand all this talk about the briouts(sic?) because I found them to be so-so.My entree was the fish tagine and it was very very good. Again...keep some of that bread handy.Great, great place. It's sexy, the music was at a good level and was also very sexy. However, when the bellydancer showed up, they cranked the music super high. Look out for that. Maybe make sure not to sit next to the speakers? I don't know - you're on your own with that one. Oh, and the belly dancer was really nice and in great shape. Not in love with the dessert we had. It was like giant corn flakes in a creamy sauce. We went to the Chocolate Room afterward. Not the one of 5th, the good one over on court street. I have a car, you see.Okay bye.

by Rebecca L.

Big 'ol MEH.Was waiting for a while to use a http://restaurant.com gift certificate for here, based on the mostly positive reviews on yelp.But my dinner here was less than memorable.The bread they served was totally stale.  The waitress was a bit condescending and a little too heavy on the suggesting we switch-to-other-dishes-than-the-ones-we-chose... The food itself was o.k., huge portions but that didn't make up for the quality.  The waitress also kept pushing dessert on us after we had kindly refused (we couldn't even finish our dinner portions).Won't return.Sad that my experience wasn't as good as others.

by James C.

I will give the Food 4 stars...   the rest of the experience pretty much a 2.  Service was probably a 1, actually.  Went with friends who wanted to try a lot of things, and I have to say that the food really rated.  We started with Lentil Salad, which is awesome... also the zaalouk (an eggplant dish) was good and the recommended grilled calamari salad, which was excellent.For dinner I had the Lamb Tagine and tried a chicken tagine.  The lamb was amazing!The food, however, just didn't make up for the poor and sloppy service...  I had to interrupt the bartender from texting to get a glass of wine...AND  despite what the reviews say.  It's wine only.  Not a full bar.  Don't make an online reservation, that doesn't work.  Fortunately the place wasn't busy at allTry it out if you're willing to deal with the service...

by helen k.

I loved this place.  I can't wait to go back.  The place looks a little dreary but I guess that's the whole vibe.  Low seatings, very dim light (one candle at each table), worn out tables and chairs.  The waitress was super nice and gave good suggestions on what to order.  Very attentive throughout the whole night. The chicken was cooked to perfection.  very moist and tender.  i couldn't get enough of the couscous. hummus and eggplant salad were delish!  i haven't had any that were seasoned so perfectly. I wanted to lick it off the plate.  I've tried other morrocan mint tea but theirs was far the best I had.  I need to find out where they get it next time i go.  I think this place would be a great for a party for a larger group. belly dancer came and did a performance. whatever the case, give this place a shot. it's def worth the time and money.

by helen k.James C.Rebecca L.

I loved this place.  I can't wait to go back.  The place looks a little dreary but I guess that's the whole vibe.  Low seatings, very dim light (one candle at each table), worn out tables and chairs.  The waitress was super nice and gave good suggestions on what to order.  Very attentive throughout the whole night. The chicken was cooked to perfection.  very moist and tender.  i couldn't get enough of the couscous. hummus and eggplant salad were delish!  i haven't had any that were seasoned so perfectly. I wanted to lick it off the plate.  I've tried other morrocan mint tea but theirs was far the best I had.  I need to find out where they get it next time i go.  I think this place would be a great for a party for a larger group. belly dancer came and did a performance. whatever the case, give this place a shot. it's def worth the time and money.I will give the Food 4 stars...   the rest of the experience pretty much a 2.  Service was probably a 1, actually.  Went with friends who wanted to try a lot of things, and I have to say that the food really rated.  We started with Lentil Salad, which is awesome... also the zaalouk (an eggplant dish) was good and the recommended grilled calamari salad, which was excellent.For dinner I had the Lamb Tagine and tried a chicken tagine.  The lamb was amazing!The food, however, just didn't make up for the poor and sloppy service...  I had to interrupt the bartender from texting to get a glass of wine...AND  despite what the reviews say.  It's wine only.  Not a full bar.  Don't make an online reservation, that doesn't work.  Fortunately the place wasn't busy at allTry it out if you're willing to deal with the service...Big 'ol MEH.Was waiting for a while to use a http://restaurant.com gift certificate for here, based on the mostly positive reviews on yelp.But my dinner here was less than memorable.The bread they served was totally stale.  The waitress was a bit condescending and a little too heavy on the suggesting we switch-to-other-dishes-than-the-ones-we-chose... The food itself was o.k., huge portions but that didn't make up for the quality.  The waitress also kept pushing dessert on us after we had kindly refused (we couldn't even finish our dinner portions).Won't return.Sad that my experience wasn't as good as others.

by helen k.James C.Rebecca L.Asprey J.Justin P.

I loved this place.  I can't wait to go back.  The place looks a little dreary but I guess that's the whole vibe.  Low seatings, very dim light (one candle at each table), worn out tables and chairs.  The waitress was super nice and gave good suggestions on what to order.  Very attentive throughout the whole night. The chicken was cooked to perfection.  very moist and tender.  i couldn't get enough of the couscous. hummus and eggplant salad were delish!  i haven't had any that were seasoned so perfectly. I wanted to lick it off the plate.  I've tried other morrocan mint tea but theirs was far the best I had.  I need to find out where they get it next time i go.  I think this place would be a great for a party for a larger group. belly dancer came and did a performance. whatever the case, give this place a shot. it's def worth the time and money.I will give the Food 4 stars...   the rest of the experience pretty much a 2.  Service was probably a 1, actually.  Went with friends who wanted to try a lot of things, and I have to say that the food really rated.  We started with Lentil Salad, which is awesome... also the zaalouk (an eggplant dish) was good and the recommended grilled calamari salad, which was excellent.For dinner I had the Lamb Tagine and tried a chicken tagine.  The lamb was amazing!The food, however, just didn't make up for the poor and sloppy service...  I had to interrupt the bartender from texting to get a glass of wine...AND  despite what the reviews say.  It's wine only.  Not a full bar.  Don't make an online reservation, that doesn't work.  Fortunately the place wasn't busy at allTry it out if you're willing to deal with the service...Big 'ol MEH.Was waiting for a while to use a http://restaurant.com gift certificate for here, based on the mostly positive reviews on yelp.But my dinner here was less than memorable.The bread they served was totally stale.  The waitress was a bit condescending and a little too heavy on the suggesting we switch-to-other-dishes-than-the-ones-we-chose... The food itself was o.k., huge portions but that didn't make up for the quality.  The waitress also kept pushing dessert on us after we had kindly refused (we couldn't even finish our dinner portions).Won't return.Sad that my experience wasn't as good as others.I don't know why there are so many bad comments about the service at this place. From the moment we walked in, ("we" being my beautiful girlfriend and my dashing self) we were treated to primo hospitality. Right off the bat we requested a nice cozy setup by the large windows up front because somebody on here said to never sit in the back or else risk being ignored all night. So that was a score. The invigorating breeze from Brooklyn's crisp, clean night air was definitely a welcoming treat. Ok...I'm stretching with that one but it was still very nice.Our server, Kristina or Kristian or something like that, had a wonderful accent and an even sweeter disposition. She was patient and helpful and from what I noticed from scant interactions with the other servers, her coworkers were just as happy to have us there. Honestly, I have no idea why the service gets such a bad rap. Could be one or more of 3 reasons:1) We were lucky.2) The people who badmouthed the service were cranky or writing about the wrong place (like Alchemy for instance.)3) We were smart enough to sit up front.Either way, great service.The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. Whoever designed the place really has a good eye for authentic Moroccan decor. I know this from that time when I was in Morocco. The tables were small but these guys are smart enough to add a little extender-type seat/table thing to put extra items on when things get cluttered. Well-managed place.The mussels were so soft and flavorful. Try those. Seriously. And make sure you have enough bread to sop the leftover sauce.We also liked the lentil salad. Can't say I understand all this talk about the briouts(sic?) because I found them to be so-so.My entree was the fish tagine and it was very very good. Again...keep some of that bread handy.Great, great place. It's sexy, the music was at a good level and was also very sexy. However, when the bellydancer showed up, they cranked the music super high. Look out for that. Maybe make sure not to sit next to the speakers? I don't know - you're on your own with that one. Oh, and the belly dancer was really nice and in great shape. Not in love with the dessert we had. It was like giant corn flakes in a creamy sauce. We went to the Chocolate Room afterward. Not the one of 5th, the good one over on court street. I have a car, you see.Okay bye.Pretty good couscous, delicious tuna and steak. A little pricey but not too bad.