Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in University City

Not the most extensive menu, but more than enough choices. The chicken skewer was excellent.

We had a wonderful dinner at Emmett. The vibe is effortlessly cool, the staff was fantastic, and nearly every dish felt thoughtful without trying too hard. The rye tartlet was an immediate favorite: Wagyu, horseradish, and smoked mustard packed into what is essentially the perfect steak tartare bite. The sesame madeleines were equally memorable, pillowy and soft inside with perfectly crisp edges. The smoked amberjack struck a beautiful balance between sour, salty, and fresh, with thin slices of cucumber cutting through the sharper notes and giving it a clean finish. The butternut agnolotti was beautifully cooked, with perfectly al dente pasta. It leaned slightly salty for me, but was still very good. For our main, we had the hanger shish with matzo battered onion rings and farmhouse feta. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the pickled onions were exactly what the dish needed to offset all that richness. Dessert was the date cake with mastic ice cream: sweet and indulgent without becoming cloying, thanks to the slightly unusual, refreshing quality of the mastic. And don't sleep on the cocktails. The Division Bell, their tequila-based take on a spicy margarita, was a standout and absolutely did not disappoint. Emmett is definitely on the pricier side, but it feels worthy of a special occasion. That said, you could just as happily pop in for a cocktail, an appetizer, and an entrée without committing to the full tasting-menu experience. Highly recommend.

This was our second time at Casablanca and it did not disappoint!! The food is delicious, portions are substantial, and everyone who works there is so nice. We were celebrating an anniversary and they made the night extra special! Highly recommend.

Renata Cafe is a great addition to the University City dining scene. The food is quite good, and the service always comes with a smile. We love dining at this neighborhood gem.