Reviews of Jerusalem Garden Café. (Restaurant) in Asheville (North Carolina).

Jerusalem Garden Café

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379 Comments

Restaurant

Mediterranean restaurant

78 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

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Information of Jerusalem Garden Café, Restaurant in Asheville (North Carolina)

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Reviews of Jerusalem Garden Café

•sarah•

The atmosphere in here is incredible!!! I was trying to find a place to eat in asheville and I saw this on the street and decided to try it out. And it did not disappoint the chicken gyro, cheese plate, and the desert (the waitress recommended i don’t recall the name) was all really good. And the space is beautiful with perfect dim lighting. The prices were also pretty affordable ($11 for a pretty filling gyro. Our waitress was also very nice and helpful. Definitely recommend if you are in the area!!!

A Nystedt

Fun and cultural atmosphere. Good food and likable, friendly staff. Overall, good value for the price. We did not have reservations for a party of 4 and were welcomed and seated promptly.

Angela Martin

Incredible food- so glad we happened to find this place for brunch. I really can’t say enough about how AMAZING the food was. Everything was remarkably fresh and well seasoned. The flavors were incredibly well balanced across the plate, allowing for fresh ingredients to shine and authentic spices to accentuate. There was no wait, quick and delightfully friendly service and very reasonably priced. More than happy to leave a 25% tip (by choice, not required by the establishment or anything). Absolutely would go back!

bob pin (bob)

We dines there during weekend afternoon. Our waiter was very friendly, liked the decor, gyro and falafels. Shakshuka was different though not as I had before. Also if you are going there make sure to double check with your waiter because the menu is bit confusing like it says vegan for dishes with egg. She clarified later that it has vegan options available as well. We also ordered turkish tea it came with a small cute refill serving kettle but no fancy cup though 😅No parking around. Luckily we got a spot nearby. The only con I found was the mandatory 18% service tax if you are a group of 5 and more.

Andrea Hunt

Went for brunch as a party of 6, they accommodated us for seating without a wait during peak hours. Great interactive staff and AMAZING food!! It will forever haunt my dreams. I suggest getting all the tapas, some pomegranate mimosas, and finish with Turkish coffee with a side of baklava.

Steve Witek

My wife and I stopped in here on a whim one Fri late afternoon. Asheville was very busy this day, but we were able to get a table right away. Service took a bit, but they were working hard. Didn't get ice in water. We ordered the 3 skewers special to share. It took a little time to get to us, but is was very good. Ribeye was very tender and all the salads were very fresh and tasty. Overall, a great place to eat downtown. The belly dancer was a great addition to the ambiance and made the time waiting on meal more enjoyable.

Hsuan Chen

We were here for some snacks. The cauliflower was absolutely amazing. Best cauliflower I have ever had. So flavourful yet simple. It's so good I wish I knew how to make it. Highly recommend this dish. Other than that we got some babaganoush and hummus. Both delicious as well.

Jane C (Page and Spoon)

This place has become an Asheville mainstay for us. Whenever we assemble our eating itinerary for this city, we don't even discuss it. "Of course, we'll start out with some falafels at Jerusalem," James will say. Either that, or one of us will ask, "When will we go to Jerusalem?" as if it were some holy pilgrimage. Actually, given that we only come to Asheville every now and then, this falafel house really has become like a mecca of Mediterranean eats for us. Practically everything here is made in-house, and I keep calling it a falafel house because they are a thing of beauty here. Verdantly bright scoops of chickpea mixture are hot and freshly fried so that you have to gasp and mouth-breathe while you're chewing through the first few bites, but it's so worth the pain. We sprung for the vegetarian platter this time, which came with a disappointing number of those exquisite falafels, but we were rewarded instead with a plentiful plate of accoutrements - smooth hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and warmed pita. I love that James didn't blink an eye when I ordered another side of falafels and baba ghanoush to go. Nor did he seem all that surprised that very little of it survived the five-minute walk back to our hotel. We were a little less than enthralled with our experimental order of a salmon wrap, which was far less protein than greens. But I'm totally a spud gal, and I had great fun dragging these fried potatoes through the leftover dips on our platter.

Open Truth Ministry

Upon entry you're greeted with friendly characters who have knowledge in everything they serve. For that they will get two stars. We ordered Jordianian Chicken with Hummus and Lamp Chops. Both were really good, and the hummus was incredible.

Linnie McClellan

Absolutely delicious, properly presented, fresh and authentic. Be sure and get reservations as it is a local favorite as well. Belly dancing was professional and she was engaging and looked like she loved her craft. Busy place. The food was absolutely authentic and delicious to the taste. I had the shawarma and my husband had lamb chops. I am a huge fan of Baba Ganouche and this was premium quality cuisine.

Benjamin Morris

Location was right downtown Asheville, near Pritchard park with lots of food options nearby, a few parking options nearby either parking on the street with meters or paid parking lots. Great aesthetic with Mediterranean/Middle Eastern wall designs towards the back of the restaurant. That area seems more set for private type events, but you can walk by in using the restrooms. Chandeliers and incorporates pillow for onto the chairs. They had a few tables set up outside. The restaurant was clean as well. Google indicate “$$,” which I thought was accurate. Most of the entrées were high teens to 20’s I believe. The Gyros were 11-13, which we ended up getting. We got the Kafka (which I never had before, which was mixture of meats in meatball form and Lamb GYRO. Both were excellent, full of flavor, filling, and a good portion. The potato harrat were great, not sure if there was a mustard base, but the waiter said there was garlic and dill in there as well. The Baklava was a nice, simple desert as well, The staff was great, attentive, took time to explain a menu item. I would definitely recommend heading to this place.

Daniel Mullaney

One of the best meals we enjoyed in Asheville. Came here on Sunday for brunch and we were rewarded with half price Mimosas and delicious food. We shared the amazing Fatayer, Vegetarian Platter and a piece of baklava. The flavors were fresh and amazing. Service was outstanding.

Steven C.

Best food I've had visiting here so far. The lamb is awesome. I don't normally care for lamb. Beautiful atmosphere and food.

Fat Man Reviews

Food Fun Adventure Weekend also had Fat Man Reviews visiting Jerusalem Garden Café in Asheville, NC. Jerusalem is a family owned and operated restaurant serving authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. We started with bacon wrapped dates. They were served with bacon, halloumi cheese stuffed in the dates and a pomegranate molasses drizzle. This was an amazing dish. The bacon was crispy and the dates were slightly sweet this combined with the salty cheese and sweet drizzle made for a delicious bite. We split the special of the day, a 24-hour slow roasted lamb shanks entrée. The lamb shanks were served with basmati saffron rice, roasted cauliflower and pita bread. They lamb was fork tender and falling off the bone. It was spiced and seasoned perfectly with a slight toasted cumin heat that just lingered on the back of your tongue. The rice was fluffy and cooked perfectly with a slightly sweet floral flavor. The pita was fresh, and the cauliflower was charred and tasty. When mixing everything together and eating it on the pita it made for near heavenly bite. If you go to this restaurant, I highly recommend that you order the specials or just let the chef pick. Jerusalem Garden Café serves several tapas, sandwiches, salads and entrées. They also offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The servers are super nice, and they are very knowledgeable of the menu. They have several beers and wines for the Middle East as well. Jerusalem Garden Café is Fat Man Approved and highly recommended.

Kelly Halford

Delicious authentic Mediterranean brunch with excellent service particularly from the host, Matthew, and the owner, Frank. Frank genuinely cared about our satisfaction with the food and dining experience as well as provided complimentary dessert! We will definitely be coming back to Jerusalem Garden for dinner during our next trip to Asheville and would recommend others to dine with them as well!!

Ben

One of the best brunch places in Asheville. The lamb and egg breakfast is amazing. Also try their unique Turkish coffee. If you like Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, you will love this place.

Derek Lahti

Lunch with 4 people. Service was good, the food was amazing! Everything we had on the table had so much flavor. Highly recommend!

Malaika Shroff

Tooooooo yummy. Had the shak shuka and got my mind blown!! The textures of the foods were perfect. So yummy. Good even with a swollen tight hurting throat.

Bhuvana Bhadragiri

Nice outdoor views but Has a very limited menu compared to other Mediterranean places. Baklava and khunafa are decent.

Christine Larrazabal

5/6/2020 Food was okay. It was a little overpriced for me. Was sad that they didn't have the belly dancers when we came to eat..

Salvage Paradise

Strong 4. Very well made food, the lamb was perfect, and cauliflower was amazing! Not 5 because my tastebuds wanted some kind of sauce.. we got $55 bill before tips and taxes, but we got off the menu special dish. Definitely coming back and bringing my friends.

Kira Houston

Jerusalem Cafe is a great date-night spot. We split the bacon-wrapped dates, falafel, kafta bowl, and baklava. The dates and falafel were some of the best we've ever had - we totally recommend them. The Moroccan tea was also a highlight. We also really enjoyed the service and atmosphere. Our waitress made sure to ask which items we wanted as appetizers or entrees, and was very kind and friendly. We will be returning for our next night out soon!

Joey Rains

We came for breakfast and split baklava and a chicken biscuit platter with lamb gravy. The baklava was very good, served warm in a way that melts in your mouth almost. The chicken biscuit was phenomenal, the lamb gravy being the star of it. It was quiet and quaint inside but the staff was attentive and friendly. A good stop for breakfast in downtown Asheville as they seem to avoid the heavier crowd traffic the other places succumb to.

Michael Mills

Fantastic. Friendly staff. Quick service. Amazing food. Will come back!

Joanna Sass

Ordered falafel wrap, lamb shawarma, and kenafa. Came out quick and so good!!! Waiters were so nice and great vibes inside the restaurant. Definitely coming back soon!!

-exa_volt -

I haven't been in a really long time, but I suggested Jerusalem Garden for our graduation dinner trip to Asheville because I adore the place. A friend that went on the trip is vegan and I knew this place would satisfy their needs and go above and beyond. It was absolutely amazing! I ordered the Jordanian chicken and everyone else got the lamb gyros and moujaddara. I convinced another friend to try the stuffed grape leaves and they were gone in an instant. I do think we startled our waitress a bit with our check splitting because she got the orders mixed up on the checks, but that's not her fault. She did awesome and the food was amazing. Keep up the great work and I hope to be back soon! 🖤

Mary Caudill

Cauliflower and potatoes were delish!! The sauce they drizzle on top is on point!!! Sooo good!!! Service was ok, not great. Loved atmosphere and location

Alexis Langston

Reallllyy yummy! Quick food delivery to table. Fairly simple menu. I learn the simplicity means fresh. Ordered a lamb kafta skewer and Greek salad. And baba ganouj, which was pretty delicious. Photo included is a vegetarian platter. Only down side was the hummus. Just missed some flavor, very basic. I’d still go back!

James Gemperline

Wonderfully friendly and helpful staff, and our brunch was delicious, the French toast and Salmon Eggs Benedict were excellent.

Amanda Sharrai

Great atmosphere - music, belly dancer and the food was good too. The gluten free pita was to die for!

D Woolridge

I was in town for this weekend 2/26 for my birthday, my room at the hotel wasn’t ready, so I was looked for a place to eat. I was looking for a light meal after my 3 hr drive from Atlanta. The hostess was welcoming, but after I was seated things turned. It took forever to even get a menu…it was not busy. Once my waitress did show up she was talking in whisper and staring at me, like I had two heads. She seem scared of me. She took my order and never came back to the table. A guy from the kitchen bought my food out. I asked for more tea twice and never received it. It was a very weird and uncomfortable situation. The food was amazing. I had the vegetarian platter-Hummus, baba ganoush, pita, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, olives, tahini salad, tabbouleh I wanted to go back before I left Asheville, but I didn’t. I don’t like being in uncomfortable situations.

Desiree Utterback

Andrea took very good care of us. Delicious food, great atmosphere.

Joe Minnich

The food was amazing to start. We had falafel, grape leaves, a vegetarian platter, and a kebab sampler. Everything was cooked to perfection including a perfect medium rare on the kebab. The hummus and salads were full of fresh flavors. The kafta was seasoned well and delicious. The service was bright and friendly. On top of that, they had a belly dancer for entertainment tonight who my 4-year-old was smitten with. He and my 11-year-old danced around the table while she was dancing and it was delightful. It was a truly happy, fun, and friendly atmosphere. Very, very happy!

La'Porscha Smith

The food was great and a nice atmosphere. I ordered hummus and taboulleh and my fiancee got a lamb gyro.

Steve Hanner

Great food and service! This place is an Asheville treasure. One of the original great places to eat in town. Recently we had a party of 10 seated in the semi-private room. We ate and drank for 2-3 hours and everything was fantastic. Highly recommended!

Erin Jacoby

Excellent Middle Eastern food! Creamiest hummus I’ve ever had! The bacon wrapped dates are heaven on earth! The staff was friendly and helpful and overall, a wonderful treat! I’ll definitely be a repeat customer!

Tom Koenig

I think our server was Matthew. He was very friendly, nice, and helpful. The food was very tasty and delivered to our table rather quickly after only about a ten minute wait. I lightened these two dinner pictures a bit, since they have a darkened, romantic atmosphere. It was great place for a relaxing dinner.

Siddarth Raja

Amazing experience. We were past lunchtime, they gave us warm welcome and made our tummy full 😄. Cauliflower appetizer and pita breads with hummus were too good. Falafel was extremely good. Vegetarian platter was ultimate!

Natalie Keaton

An Asheville classic! This place has been around forever, and the food proves why. Had the scrumptious Jordanian chicken plate and a perfectly flaky baklava for dessert. The traditional atmosphere, hard working staff and one-of-a-kind, stand-up owner makes this place a pleasure to visit!

Rami S

Nice cozy place with super friendly staff. The atmosphere was great as we were greeted and seated with a smile. It is also spacious as there a tables and floor seating at the back. The food was really good with an exception which was the dessert dish (kenafa) as it wasn't authentic at all, as it wasn't make out of pure goat cheese and it was microwave heated which is a big No No in my opinion. I would definitely recommend this place to others. As usual, parking might be a nightmare.

Amy Smith

Great place! The food is great and the atmosphere is colorful and comfortable. The dolamdas (stuffed grape leaves) were the best I have ever had! Everything was great. I can't wait to go back and try the Turkish coffee.

Travis Adenau

Had a wonderful vegetarian lunch at this little cafe. The service was incredibly friendly and we got a number of dishes to share. The highlight for me was the platter with smoky baba ganoush, fresh tabbouleh, and some delicious crispy falafel. Nice outdoor seating area with a fun view of downtown Asheville, great for some midday people watching.

Meredith Poole

The food was amazing! They have halloumi cheese with the brunch specials, which I haven't seen in a restaurant since I was in England. Would go back just for that, but everything was delicious

Nathan Iglesias

No matter what, order any lamb dish. The waitress emphatically redirected my order when I almost ordered a chicken dish, and I couldn't be more grateful! The space is fun and the food will keep you coming back.

Zulema Seguel

Absolutely incredible food!! The best grape leaves I've ever had, decadent hummus and the loviest, subtly spiced falafel. In a town that has so many fabulous restaurants, I have been going back to JGC over and over. A must try!! 😍😋

David Cambron

The entrees we got were fairly good, but we felt like they weren’t good enough to justify the ~$22 per dish. The prices listed on Yelp listed dinner entrees for around $17 per dish, and Google says $19. The Kanafa is $8/slice for quite a small piece with hardy any pistachios on top, it’s not the most authentic, but it’s tasty.

Jackson Bostian

Fantastic service. Fantastic food. This is one of those places with no condiments on the table, and with good reason. It's all seasoned and cooked perfectly.

Angela Benomran

We had a great eating experience. I ordered the vegetarian plate with baba ghanoush, hummus, tahini salad and pita bread. It was a large portion and very filling. I will definitely go again.

Kennedy Park

This is quite literally one of my favorite restaurants I have ever been to. The food is unparalleled, and I will dream of it until I can come back. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Stefan Glazer

We've stopped here for lunch a few times in our travels. And they never disappoint. A lot of great options and plenty of vegan options as well. Their cocktails are pretty delicious too. Will always stop in for a late lunch here when we are in town.

Laura Harding

My wife and I stopped here for lunch and it was amazing! It was a Saturday at lunchtime so they had their Brunch menu. I ended up ordering the Garden Omelet which came with a biscuit and Potatoes Harra. The omelet was the fluffiest I've ever eaten - ever! And the potatoes were seasoned and cooked to perfection. I only wish I lived next door to them so I could eat there every day! I realize that dish is something you may not think of ordering in a restaurant like that but don't miss out. My wife had the Lamb Shank Bowl. The lamb shank was marinated and cooked perfectly. The rice was delicious along with the veggies and the toasted was incredible. She ordered a side of hummus which was definetly homemade and paired like you would expect with the pita. This should be your go-to place in Asheville if it isn't already! Service was friendly and superior!

Brad Still

Awesome food we did appetizers but great staff and they even had a music and a belly dancer you should certainly get here

Mark McDonald

Awesome food! The lamb shawarma and eggs were excellent and the pistachio baklava was outstanding! Can't recommend this restaurant highly enough!

Summer Robinson

Possibly the best food I’ve ever had in my life! So amazing, incredible flavor. Highly recommend the chicken couscous plate and the hummus. Waiter was very attentive and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. We came for lunch on Sunday, so it wasn’t too busy. A gem of a restaurant! Absolutely go here if you get the chance.

Gaurav Sharma

One of the best meals I had in Asheville. Samuel our server was great, the lamb was insane. Definitely coming back!

Marlen Steward

Amazing food! Best Mediterranean food I’ve in years! Thank for being so kind to our Service Animal Golden Retriever! Awesome service, heavenly food!

B Diditagain

If you're in the downtown Asheville area and have even a slight craving for Mediterranean fare please proceed directly to Jerusalem Garden Cafe. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. The unique decor is pleasing. Service is friendly and prompt. Delicious is the word that will come to mind when you recieve your order. The lamb is amazing and properly cooked... not overcooked like many places. My entire order was wonderful, but the stuffed grape leaves and the lamb were my favorite. I will definitely visit again when in Asheville.

Alexander Fox

Visited this place about 20 years ago, and made a point to come back on a trip to Asheville. Great food at reasonable prices. Two suggestions: Get a booth, not a table, as the seats are more comfortable. Also, ask for some honey to go with the mint tea to really get the full experience!

Ben O'Connor

Best eastern-Mediterranean in town! Falafel is great, chicken and lamb are great. Even have Gluten Free pitas!

EZ Dreamer

I loved my to go lunch of small greek salad and side of falafel. Everything was so fresh. Staff was nice and used caution in serving. Sorry I started eating and forgot to take pic before I started. Soon as I stop typing this I will tear the rest of this up. Um um um!

Ward Sigmac

My wife and I can do Asheville and wanted to find a restaurant with Damascus flat bread. Unfortuately we didn't find it but this spot has excellent humus, lamb, and other items. We also tried the Potatoes Harras which was fantastic. They are fried home fries with a cilantro dressing that gives them a fresh flavor. The lamb gyro was awesome and fresh as well. Hummus was fantastic. Too bad there was no Damascus bread.

Attilio Lospinoso

This place was excellent! I had pita and hummus, eggplant mussaka, and I tried a slow cooked lamb chop. It was all amazing. The atmosphere was very relaxed, some table sitting and some cushions on the floor. I sat on the floor, and it was worth it. The service was adequate as well.

mol pbr

Great good and fast service. The falafel was perfectly crispy outside and soft inside. 👌 We had the vegetarian platter and chicken gyro and it was delicious 😋

Maxwell Hoch

Three words; bacon 🥓 wrapped dates ! The shwarma is great too! Cafe has a beautiful ambiance that really evokes the Middle east. Service was informed and fast. Cannot go wrong here if u like Mediterranean food. …

P William

Mike was an excellent server and his skills as a server went above and beyond out of a typical server. The food was an excellent price for the quality of the food. They had a great selection of beers and wine. The menu item at threw me for a shock was the pancake of the day, so expect the food to be a little bit different but also some normal American food in there. They took care of my food allergy professionally and or a quality restaurant.

Elizabeth Hebenstreit

Didn't have belly dancers despite it being a Saturday night. The food was good but the waiter was ok.

Marie Lang

Excellent food just as good as Israel in the Middle East. Also, very friendly atmosphere. I haven’t had food this good since I was in Israel.

Jaimie Rey

Had the pleasure of eating here for the first time recently! Super divine small spot for good affordable eats. Minimal outdoor seating but lucked out when I came by in the afternoon. Was in a hurry to meet a friend but the waitress was super understandable; food came out quick and was incredible!

Josh Pagano

Life-changing. This is what they mean when they say food nurtures you. You will leave energized and vibrant. No sluggish feeling like typical Western restaurants. You need to experience the third way :)

Claire Lucas

This place is incredible! Great food with plenty of veggie/vegan options. Service, price, wait time, all great. Definitely recommend!!

Steve Eddins

Went in for brunch with my family, everywhere else was slam packed for a Sunday morning (two hour wait for breakfast?... Right). The wait staff were great and got us in right away with multiple seating options even though it was busy. We decided to sit at the bar. Had some delicious mimosas with elderflower syrup and juices tea, and coffee. They were great. I ordered a farouk's feast, steak medium rare, and got a standard breakfast. Which is ok because it was delicious and I was starving. No harm no foul. Food was cooked well and seasoned great, and the lamb was amazing. Great place to go eat and drink. Literally cannot lose any which way.

Melissa A

Lovely meal. Enjoyed a mid afternoon meal when many restaurants have mediocre service. Not this one. Food was freshly prepared and scrumptious. Staff was friendly and attentive. Love this restaurant. We’ll be back!

Mishal Greenwood

Great service and delicious Mediterranean food! I had the shakshuka and my husband had haloumi, mujadara, and spanakopita. desserts went perfectly with the mint tea. We got the knafah and the coconut namura.

Jenny Hong

Had the vegetarian plate and everything tasted DELIGHTFUL. I would definitely come here again and wish I was more hungry so I could order more!

Honoreé Brewton

My boyfriend and I visited this nice little place. It was cool because, in the back, you could be seated at a lower table with cushions on the floor. It felt more authentic. I had the lamb shawarma gyro with fried potatoes on the side. It was delicious! I highly recommend this place.

Tara Davis

This restaurant does look somewhat weird and service can be a little slow, but the food makes up for it 100%. I personally would pass on the tahini salad but my partner loved it. I'd like to see the tables properly leveled (the table next to mine was trying to level their table with a folded napkin), and better service at the beginning of the visit (asking what drinks to bring rather than assuming water).

Rhonda B

Ate here while visiting from out of town and the bacon wrapped dates left me thinking about them for 7 months until I finally made a version at home! Great service, friendly staff and really neat interior.

Rodney Johnson

We enjoyed dinner here 8/15/2020. The food was delicious and everyone was taking proper Covid precations. Highly Recommend!

Michelle He

Really fun vibe! Food was really good. Got the vegetarian platter - everything was fantastic, especially the baba ganoush

Emily Centeno

A fun and unique place to have delicious Mediterranean food. They have a good selection of wines, amazing hummus, and mouth-watering kenafa. If I could, I would move to AVL just for this.

Anonymous Legion (ManInTheMirror)

I loved how quick the food was, and the Turkish coffee is something unique. From my expertise here it was the best time ever

Cicily A. Gray

Over priced Greek salad that was missing ingredients. Great ambiance and live music though. Service could have been better.

Cade Anderson

A cozy atmosphere with friendly service. Lunch is very reasonably priced and the portions are large. I got the veggie platter; I haven’t had better Mediterranean food at any other restaurant.

Montasser Selim

Authentic Mediterranean food. With many choices of vegetarian plates as well as lamb, beef or chicken. They usually have a daily specials like a lamb shank. We tried the vegetarian sampler and the kabob plates.

Jonathan T

I’ve been to Israel, and the food here is spot on! I’d suggest the Vegetarian Platter, as it gives a nice sampler of many items on the menu. Don’t let the looks of the place steer you away.

mario andres

Beautiful restaurant right in the heart of downtown Asheville, the decorations and environment take you all the way to Israel. The food was delicious and this place seems to be very busy during the weekends. The restaurant might be a little understaffed, my waiter had to take care of too many people at the same time, some on the back side of the restaurant, and the busgirl took orders and did many other things at the same time. Despite that I loved the hummus and pita appetizer, delicious and well decorated.

Jennifer

Decided to check this out last weekend when we were in Asheville because it had good reviews. We were not disappointed! The food was delicious. The hummus especially was out of this world. The service was great as well and our server was very knowledgeable. Too late I saw that floor dining was an option so next time we are going to try that out. We'll be back soon!

Stephanie Grandstaff

Great food, atmosphere, and staff. We got falafel, salmon, and chicken, all deliciously seasoned and cooked to perfection. I loved the decor- it took us out of Asheville into another place!

bhavna chaudhary

I was traveling form India for the first time and my friend who lived in Charlotte had great reviews for this place. And believe me, she was so right! We loved every bit of it.. the food, ambience and our server( a beautiful and cheery girl)

Becca Harris

Really good falafel wrap and salmon wraps. As a local, I eat here pretty regularly. Order the potatoes as your side. It costs more but they’re so good. It’s a cool vibe inside. Honest staff will tell you when the salmon is fresh and I appreciate that.

COTE Official

The food was excellent and authentic amd Vegan friendly. The Baklavas are to die for. Highly recommend.

Abigial Gregory

3 words...BACON. WRAPPED. DATES. Additionally, I LOVE the music selection, and the decor. the Lamb gyro is on point. The sweet tea is just right. Overall, great service and great food.

Diane Minish

I really enjoyed my food, Had a wonderful vegetarian platter. Only I didn’t receive my eggplant dip or my stuffed grape leaves. Was very disappointed not getting everything I paid for ☹️

Chris Groff

Excellent food and atmosphere. The ambiance makes you feel relaxed and content. I could just sit here and eat Tappas/drink beer for hours.

Phillip Rosmarin

A "hole in the wall" restaurant, not much ambiance, but the food was delicious, the service great, and reasonably priced. Great Middle Eastern food, would definitely eat there again.

Trina Honer

Very cool experience! Belly dancing and good food!

Keb Co

Fantastic. I had the lamb shank which fell off the bone, and was tender as butter. My wife had chicken kabobs which were very tasty. Sides were delicious. The cauliflower was a hit. Highly recommend

Jared Medford

Service and the environment was great. The vegetarian entree was delicious although the olives still had the pits in them, so be careful before you take a bite. The Almaza beer was a great choice and served cold with glass. Enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

Victor Gurel

Service was great. Didn’t take long to get our food. Had a cool little bench seat where we could sit close. The food. OMG the food is great. The Baba Ganoush is amazing. I had the vegetarian plate and my wife had the kabob trio (lamb sausage, prime rib and chicken). The kabobs were so good I order a second entree. Highly recommended. Try the Lebanese wine!

Nebula Lungren

Incredible! I've been here 10+ times now (for both lunch and dinner) and I just cant seem to get enough of the their amazing food. Each option, even if you think you've had it before, has a unique element or attribute to it that just makes it so much better. They say everything they serve is made in-house and boy, it sure does taste, look, and feel like it. Their braised lamb shank (see picture) is by far my favorite, and is done in a clay oven for 24 hours or so. It's fall off the bone good, not as fatty as you'd expect, and just full of meat. The cauliflower is out of this world and the hummus not only looks great, but tastes great on that warm pita. Don't forget to try their fried potatoes (+crunchy bits) covered in that one of a kind green sauce. They have vegan/vegetarian options that make self proclaimed carnivores such as myself reconsider my decisions. I'll admit the food by itself was enough to bring me back multiple times, considering my first trip (a year+ ago) entailed service that lacked attentiveness, but they've definitely figured it out now - The service staff are all just so on top of things (don't forget to ask about the specials) and they fly around that place in total entertaining control of it all. PS: They have belly dancers on the weekends? What a place! I will continue to return to "ensure my first few experiences were not flukes" AKA: indulge to my heart's desire!

Hasnat Tahir

The food was amazing. All of us loved whatever we ordered. The staff were friendly too.

17 Taco

Good food, fun vibe. Service was ok. Would definitely come back.

K F

Jordanian chicken with rice and their hummus appetizer. The rice and pita were both incredibly soft. Their hummus was very smooth and flavorful as well. As someone from Memphis, TN, then having some Blues Music on the stereo was a nice touch as well

Partha Sarathy

The food is ok. I have had better desert from a boxed retail shop. The wine is overrated. Service felt a bit curt.

Dianne Aguilar

Casual dining. Very attentive staff. I had the chicken skewers, which were fantastic. What brought our attention to the restaurant was an advertised belly dance show. The show was ok, but nothing spectacular.

Bijou Vivian

Highly recommended, the manager came out to talk to us and told us about what was being served & the food was outstanding! I will go back every time I get an opportunity! They have a beautiful room where you can sit Indian style (regular seating too), it’s on a pretty busy street across from a park so there is lots to look at if you sit in the front of the cafe. They serve brunch on Sunday (& I believe Saturday too) and the menu is perfect, plenty of options but not so many that you get lost. Can’t wait to go back.

Rodney Wallin (EverGreene)

Didn't know what to expect exactly other than it is one of my daughters favorite places. I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone enjoyed it very much. [edit] I forgot to mention how cool the vibe is. :)

LA Martin

Had an incredible brunch here while in town for Christmas Jam. The service, ambiance, and food were top notch!

Phil Foo

The lamb chops are incredible. Highly recommend. The misses and I happened to go on a Saturday (when the belly dancer was performing). She put on a brilliant show! Very entertaining to watch her dance with the sword while live music was playing to match the scenery.

Krysti Lynn

The food is all im gonna think abt til I can come back--it's that good. I'm glad I don't live closer or my wallet would be hurting for sure

Michelle Anderson

Hummus and potatoes were good. However the waitress was running all over the place and I am not sure why. With the reviews as high as they are I guess I expected way more.

annnmarie braccia

We stopped for some appetizers and they were great! The stuffed grape leaves were one of the best we have tasted. They were light, flavorful and warm. The olive and pickle platter comes with a generous size to share.

Emily Miller

Amazing food and fast service!

Barb Fredrickson

Food was fantastic and good size portions. Loved the decor and atmosphere and enjoyed the music and dancer

Josh F

What a strange experience! We live in the area and have been several times, but never gotten takeout before. The food was delicious as usual, but the portions have been severely reduced, coupled with a price increase. Ensuring you’re serving a full meal is important, the mujadara is a small portion of rice and lentils. For $10. Spend the 20c and double that up. A similar issue was encountered with the hummus, which oddly had a falafel stuck in the middle! We got a large, again $10, and smaller than the smallest size of roots hummus taking the displacement of the falafel into account. We want to support you, but actions like these are exceedingly short sighted, saving maybe a dollar on the bottom line to lose a repeat customer. Sadly this is common among tourist restaurants in the area, and perhaps you don’t expect return visits.

Derek E

Loved the atmosphere and the food , had the Kafta , Kibbeh , hummus and falafel . They were all pretty good, the Hummus was creamy and light , the falafel was crunchy and green from the inside from the parsley but it was surprisingly good , the Kibbeh was perfect , loved that they had good turnip pickles and delicious sides with each dish , also having the 961 lebanese pale ale was a pleasant surprise, will definitely revisit this place if I'm in asheville again.

Mickey A.

The Jerusalem Garden Café is amazing! The food was very good, the potatoes harra was perfect! Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable about their vegan options! Would HIGHLY recommend this place!!!

Rodriquez Antonio

1st time here. Was just passing through from Tennessee, heading back to the Carolinas. Very spacious and courteous staff, no waiting. My lamb gyro and harra potatoes were amazing!

Noah Smith

Really cool people and great food. Loved the hummus and pita. Baklava was amazing

Patricia Schaffner

Visiting from pittsburgh, pa - stopped in for middle eastern dinner. Not only was the food excellent, entertainment was as well. Had lebanese dancer! Most authentic lebanese food i’ve had out in a very long time. Highly recommend.

Olivia Chen

The Greek salad was amazing and the chefs, waitstaff, and host were so warm and welcoming. My only gripe is with the belly dancer. It is a white lady trying to emulate Middle Eastern culture but it comes off as a little bit racist, especially when she began to ululate 🤦🏻‍♀️. Not sure how culturally-accurate her costume was either (at some point she was swinging what looked like a plastic prop sword from a pirate costume above her head.) Then again, if the Middle Eastern people who work/eat here have no problem with this, then who am I to complain.

Joel Collishaw

Lamb shank was amazing! I’m a big eater and was impressed at the amount that came with it. Fell right off the bone.

Stephanie Hudson

Came here for lunch and it was delicious! Couldn't have asked for a better meal and service.

Shakespeare

A rainy busy day in Downtown Asheville And the wait at Jerusalem was reasonable Had the Kibbeh (awesome crusty outer and soft goey middle) and the Kenafa (awesome dessert) Service was excellent Time well spent at Jerusalem

John Jaber

Best food Iv'e had in a while. I ordered the lamb bowl, and it did not disappoint. Tender lamb, flavor-filled cauliflower, rice, pita, and hummus. Very attentive waiter with good service. Will definitely come back, and would recommend to everyone.

Ben Hsiang

Delicious lunch. I ordered the Kafta Meshwi Kabob (lamb) lunch with the Moroccan Mint Tea. Great lunch and friendly staff. Definitely try the weekend brunch and see if you can sit in the back room where the walls are decorated with tapestry.

JT Brood

Beautiful setting to enjoy some amazing middle eastern food. The Halloumi (fried cheese) is amazing and is a must try. The Falafel we ordered was perfectly crispy on the outside and warm and tasty on the inside. The Kibbeh was delicious as well, however was surprisingly spicy. Overall I would recommend giving this place a try and getting a bunch of small plates to get the best range of flavors.

david shepherd

Good flavors. Vegetarian options. When they write or tell you it's spicy, you should believe them.

MiaYvana Renguul-Morie

The service was on point! Very attentive to the customers needs. Food was delicious and the performance was amazing!

Jeannine Clemens

Food was excellent. Music by Dr Peter Kfoury and Brandy was awesome. Belly dancer outstanding. A great experience. Even strangers were friendly.

Stephanie Heuerman

It was ok. Was a little disappointed, expected a bit more authenticity and deeper flavor profile in the food. The pita was more fluffy than I prefer (seems like an American’s interpretation of what a pita should be) and thankfully I didn’t chomp down on the kalamatas because they weren’t pitted. The tahini salad was my favorite item on my vegetarian platter. Did appreciate the live music.

Eliza Alden

Having lived in Jordan, I'm extremely picky about Middle Eastern food. I don't mean to be, it's just one of those things that happens! Jerusalem Garden is the first and only place I've found in Asheville that not only met but surpassed my expectations. The food is incredible, particularly the hummus. Finding legitimate, authentic hummus in America is nearly impossible, and theirs is amazing. I could have happily eaten just that for lunch. But I'm glad I didn't, because the baba ghanoush and shawarma were also fantastic. The knafeh (pictured) was an absolute delight, particularly because it's so hard to find here and places that do offer it often modify it to make it seem less odd to Americans. But this was completely authentic knafeh, which our server told us only the owner's wife is allowed to make. Our server was very friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxed but nice. My vegetarian friend had no problem finding many things on the menu to choose from, and everyone enjoyed their meals very much. Highly recommended, particularly for people craving authentic Middle Eastern food!

Chuck C.

Had the lamb "lollypops" - just great! Jerusalem Garden does not disappoint....

Kasey Di Sessa

Everything was absolutely delicious. My mom said it was the best falafel she ever had! There was live music and a belly dancer the night we were there. The atmosphere was great and the service was excellent & friendly.

Shahed Uddin

Tried the lamb shwarma and kefta kebob, loved both of the items!

Arminta Stacy

Some of the best food in Asheville with a great atmosphere. I come here almost every time I'm in town.

vandini modi

We had vegetarian platter(small) and greek salad(small). It was literally too delicious.

Don Davis

What a wonderful dining experience we had! Superb food, served by one of the best waiters possible, in a space of another continent. We will return often, no matter the 80 mile round trip. Kudos to Frank, the owner and his staff….,

Joseph “Joseph” Howard

Very fresh vegetarian plate! And the traditional ground seating was SUPER COOL!!! Wish I had heard the live music Friday night but arrived too late. Came back the next day for lunch since the food was that good.

Gregory Ladewski

I had two appetizers, falafel and baba ganoush. Both were great.

Vic Retana (Spartan)

If you are looking for a different expirience and great food..this is the place!! I definitely recommend the lamb burger with the salad!!

Coleman Hamrick

Great experience. Really good food and the belly dancing was fun. Victor was a fantastic waiter and let me taste some wine after dinner. Will be back!

David Danner

Great lamb & chicken dishes. If you call ahead 24 hours you can make reservations. Front room has tables for 2-4 people & bar for 8-9. Back room has cushion & you may sit on them at traditional low tables. Friday & Saturday night live music & belly dancer. Oh the food was delicious - lamb gyros, with harissa; leg of lamb cooked to order, great salads, appetizers & dessert.

Eran Aaron Kubitsky

Amazing Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Asheville! It was so good that I came back the following day. Great Chicken Gyro, Hummus, Turkish Coffee, and desserts. I happened to meet Frank (Farouk), the owner, such a great individual!

Jonathan Puglia

Terrific food: some of the best I've had. Great atmosphere, and the wait staff was on point, helpful, and attentive.

Ruth Freeman

We didn't have a reservation, but we got seated (3). Food was very tasty!

Nick Belletti

To start with all the food we had was really good. Not super expensive but really fresh, good seasonings, and everything came out hot. The atmosphere and service is kind of weird, expect no one to greet you or seat you for around five minutes and after you're sitting just barely pay attention. Just weird really, maybe better as a takeout spot because the food is delicious.

Carla Lewis

Wonderful Tahini salad. Jordanian Chicken was so tasty as well as the lamb. 😋😋😋 …

Cheryl L. Conner

Memorable flavors. Incredible cauliflower appetizer and the fig bacon appetizer was out of this world.

Jonathan Yang

Great restaurant with knowledgeable and helpful staff. Got constant attention waiter, very comfortable and traditional seating as well as tasty and authentic food.

Matthew Dougherty

My wife and I came to Asheville for our anniversary. We walked around for a while and spotted the Jerusalem Garden Cafe. We decided to go for dinner. We shared the cheese plate and the three kebab dinner. All three kabobs were very good but the steak was out of this world. The balsamic vinegar on the cheese plate was the best I have tasted.

Sriram Natarajan

Underrated gem of Ashville. My family of four went to Chai Pani but had no tables. Hence we walked around the corner to this quaint little Cafe with great vegetarian options. The Mediterranean salad was just right. The veggie platter with Baba gonoush, falafel and hummus were superb. The service was attentive abd the waiters very friendly. Highly recommended for healthy simple food.

Noa Guttman

Very nice authentic food with a gourmet spin to it. Was delicious, especially the Knafe dessert! That is something you most try...

T.M. L.

One of the best Mediterranean restaurants I’ve ever been to so far. Customer service was on point and The Lamb Shawarma was very tasteful! I also love how it’s in the mix of the downtown area, will definitely be back.

Rachel T

The best meal we had in asheville this weekend! I had the vegetarian platter--delicious hummus, fab baba ganoush, and lovely grape leaf. Friendly service as well with pleasant outdoor seating. Best baklava we've had in NC. Hope to go back soon!

Andrew Becker

Had breakfast here last weekend. Incredible service. Cheese plate was delicious and their take on shakshuka blew me away! I’ve typically had as a soup type dish, this was a perfect twist using potatoes and more of a sauce vs soup. 5 out 5

louay hanna

i have been coming to this restaurant for at least 4 years, i am originally from the holy land, the food is absolutely delicious, freshly made, and for me it's worth every moment. I wait to get superior food quality, the hummus is one of the best and I highly recommend you try it. Typically I don't write a review online, but the experience I had today at this restaurant made me write this review. My daughter was eating her food, she dropped the plate, the plate had maybe a couple of bites left, when the waitress saw that, she came and said don't worry about it. She came back and brought my daughter another plate, and guess what?? The extra meal my daughter had was free of charge. I wish there are more than 5 stars to give... for the service, plus 10 stars for the waitress, and another 10 stars to the chef. I think this kind of restaurant elevate the dining level in Asheville, I feel this restaurant will help local businesses who are trying to survive, bring more people to the area, and encourage tourists to feel more comfortable trying the local food.

Samir Braich

Great Middle Eastern restaurant in downtown Asheville, the food was hot with great presentation, I had the Jordanian chicken, the chicken shawarma was great as well.

Jim Kolea

The food here at the Jerusalem grill was exactly what I was looking for. It's not that often that you get to take in different ethnic foods but this Mediterranean hotspot it was just what I was hoping for. The hummus is homemade and probably in the top 10 that I've ever had homemade. The service was good. The ambience could have been a little bit better with some authentic music and possibly some better lighting but overall I still give this five stars for the good food.

Sean

Their lamb/kofta kebabs are great, One of the few "authentic" Mediterranean spots in with excellent customer service and unique ambiance. Perfect for lunch/dinner dates and celebrations with their dedicated space for large groups.

Rhona Reagen

Top notch Mediterranean Food! Beautiful atmosphere, outdoor seating, and very accommodating staff. Everything we sampled was delicious and beautifully plated. Food delivery was extremely fast. Will definitely return!

Michael Hartman

I know Israeli and Middle Eastern food,very well ! Living in NYC 20 Years ! Jerusalem Garden, is up there with the best, I have had ! The food and cost, are perfect ! The atmosphere is cozy, and welcoming! The place is spotlessly clean ! The staff friendly ! Been here, 6 or 7 times ! A must stop , while in Asheville!

Ilan Jci

The food is okay, so as the service. I ordered one item from the menu and got something similar but five times more expensive. End up paying $32. FYI flat bread is not pita.

Amanda Simpson

Food and service was very good. Had the chicken the waiter recommended. Nice atmosphere.

Joshua Groesz

Extremely under appreciated restaurant here in Asheville. The food was delicious and very authentic. The service was personalized and top notch. Definitely the best authentic Greek food in Asheville.

Leah Acree

The food had great flavor and there was live entertainment. If you like lamb a great place to check out!

Eliana Richards

Excellent, authentic Mediterranean food. Amazing hummus, delicious pita and falafel. The kanafa is to die for, especially hot, fresh out of the oven <3 I highly recommend it!

Mike Stephenson

Best atmosphere, service and food we had during our stay in Asheville!

Nintron

Absolutely delicious food! Got the salmon wrap and it hit the spot just right. If I was to nitpick the wrap was a tad hard to handle but just a nitpick. For dessert I tried the baklava and it’s exactly what you’d want! The filo was light and crispy on top with just the right amount of honey. Even was slightly warm which added a bit more to the “experience”. Overall recommend the food and the environment!

Dr MiKi Kitchen

Was okay. The belly dancer was great, but the food took forever.

Leary Davis

When we are in Asheville we always try to go to the Jerusalem Cafe. Food is always good and a friendly staff.

Jim M

Wow! Wow! The food was great! The staff was very knowledgeable as I'm not on Mediterranean food. Have a look at the menu of the items we ordered; presentation was spectacular. Turkish coffee was spot-on as well.

Trisha Burke

They had THE BEST gluten-free pitas ever!

Thomas Noyes

Wow. The food in this place is just amazing. I would take a picture but is already gone. We had the braised lamb shank (fall off the bone amazing) Kafka a wonderful play with everything prepared to perfection and the sheep cheese plate. I’m a picky customer. This place hit it out of the park.

Michelle Berrisford

Great food and awesome vibe. Servers are welcoming and atmosphere is very friendly.

Ally Steffen Wilson

Fun date night spot! There was belly dancing the night we were there which was so cool! The food was delicious and there plenty of vegetarian things to try.

jwkite

Jerusalem Garden has been quietly serving amazing food for a long, long time. It doesn't make the list of tourist places in Asheville, and that's a real shame. If you're not familiar with real Mediterranean food, it's a good introduction. And if you are, then you know why it's with visiting.

Hannah McGrath

Delicious food at very fair prices. Attentive, knowledgeable service. Would definitely go back if I lived in the area!

Judi

In town for a brief stay and decided to dine here. WOW!! While we read positive reviews AND our waiter hyped the place while taking us through the menu specials, EVERYTHING about the food and service exceeded our expectations! Matthew, our server, was a highly engaging, animated server who was very knowledgeable about the menu items. We ordered from the day's specials but identified plenty on the regular menu that we would have been satisfied with. We did order the cauliflower bites and I am going to do my best to replicate them at home. A truly amazing experience!

Ernesto Guzman

Great food and service. The bacon wrapped dates was one of the best appetizers. Make sure to ask for the hot sauces with the hummus.

Zebulon Fry

Amazing atmosphere and delicious food! Server was slammed and still came through like a champion! I'll definitely be back and recommend to anyone who wants some fantastic Mediterranean cuisine!

Glenn Rutledge

Love this place. Best brunch in Asheville. Fresh, fast, and affordable.

Upahvan Rai

Exactly what you hope for when looking for an authentic hole in the wall experience. The music created a warm and classy aesthetic. The food was absolutely unbelievable. Ask for the owners homemade gluten free pita! Almost better than the regular one! Finally our server Danielle went above and beyond. Check this place out

S T P Pearson

I ate here while visiting Asheville about a week ago. We initially went to eat breakfast at Tupelo Honey down the street, but there was a long wait, so we decided to look for another place to eat. After walking down the street, we found this place. After quickly read that it received great reviews on Google, we decided to give it a try as there was no wait to be seated and we are fans of good Middle Eastern food. The food was very good and a unique mix of Southern and Middle Eastern standards. As was typical with my visit to North Carolina, the service was excellent. It was clean with nice decorum.

Betsy Alanis

The food is so good, we did not experienced very good service because of lack of personnel

Krypton

COMFORT FOOD. That's all I have to say. This place serves food that just comforts & takes care of me on good days or bad days. If you have to wait, that's ok, totally worth it.

Beth Kemp

For a meal I never had, this place is hands down amazing. My daughter and I were looking for someplace to get a drink of water, so we thought we'd pop in for a meal - but the host kindly brought us 2 to-go cups of water and asked if he could help with anything else. Beyond kind in today's world - so I'll share the love with a kind review!

Erin Cahill

So delicious. I can’t get enough of the potatoes!!!! Highly recommend as your side. We had the gyro & falafel and were very satisfied. Matthew was our server and he was fantastic. We would come back just for his service alone. So friendly and inviting. Funny too! We’ll be back.

Joe Style

The food was so good. Am definitely going back. I had the lamb bowl. Very tasty!!!

Jessica M

Can't recommend this cafe enough! Warm, cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and the most flavorful food that you can tell was prepared with love! Even if you've never tried this kind of food before there is something for everyone.

Jacqui Sullivan

Really great food and the service was great!

Dave Tinker

I had been wanting to try this place for quite some time and man did they deliver! The food was incredible and the atmosphere was really nice. The service was very prompt and friendly as well. They allowed us to sample a wine before we purchased it. While Asheville has many great options when it comes to dining, if you love great Mediterranean food, you must add Jerusalem Garden Cafe to your list. You'll be glad you did.

Julie Bridges

Grreat food they were really busy and service was just ok.

Piotr

Great tasty food. Huge portions. Great staff

Angela Daughtry

Delicious food and wonderful atmosphere! The staff were amazing, I felt like family right when I walked through the door. The decor was very unique, which I loved. And the food was perfectly delicious. My husband and I shared an app and a platter, i was just the right amount of food for us! Highly recommend!

Praveen `K

Best Mideastern food I had in a while. Found this place by chance, food was delicious.

Emily Gettys

We come here every time we go to Asheville. Probably the best hummus I have ever had! Not a lot of outdoor seating, but worth a visit. I also recommend the grape leaves.

Joey Jilk

I lived in the Middle East for three years and this was on par with the best food there. I had the baba ganoush and lamb gyro- fantastic and clearly fresh and from scratch. Also they have great brunch specials with some southern-middle eastern fusion dishes. Finally, I had the baklava which was made by the owner’s wife and was top tier. Our server Matthew was fantastic. This was a hidden gem and I’d definitely come again.

Gary Clark

Fantastic service. The food was unique and very tasty.

Amanda Reyes Biedron

I definitely recommend this place! They have delicious food, great service and a nice atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate including the bacon wrapped dates, grape leaves and the lamb shawarma.

Aimee Kuelling

Decided to stop in after our first choice had a wait. Fun, little surprise. Delicious authentic food, good atmosphere. No ice, do they served bottled water and canned soda. Loved the spinach pie, hummus was yummy, lamb gyro yummy, Jordanian chicken was incredible. They were unexpectedly busy so service was slow, bit they kept apologizing, but we made the best of it chatting. Great food will be back for sure.

Zaarin1

We eat here every time we're in the Ashville area as many times as we can reasonably fit into our visit. We love Middle Eastern food of all kinds, and you couldn't ask for better food than you'll get here. The shakshuka and the kibbeh are the best I've had anywhere, and I've never been disappointed with anything I've ordered here. The vegetable platter is also a great deal for mezzes, and it's available gluten free and/or vegan if you have a special diet or allergy needs. They also make an excellent Turkish coffee. The owner's wife bakes the best kunefe and baklava, and my gluten-free mother says their gluten-free pita is the best. I can't recommend Jerusalem highly enough.

Sheryl Seaman

Food is excellent. We were seated immediately. I had the veggie plate and my husband the gyro. The falafel was very crunchy on the outside and moist, as it should be, on the inside. The salad and tabouleh were fresh, bright and crunchy.The hummus and baba ganoush had just the right level of spices and herbs.Just great food. Looking forward to returning very soon.

Dana Calleiro

Let me just say…oh my gosh!!!! Amazing, that’s all you need to know. Very hesitant about coming here at first but so glad I did! I will definitely be eating here EVERY SINGLE time I’m in Asheville! The food was as fresh as it gets, flavor was out of this world, and service was on point! Impeccable!!!

Stephen Woodward

Food was okay and staff were friendly. Maybe we caught them on an off night but food wasn't stellar like I remember it in the past. Rice was good but lamb wasn’t, unfortunately.

Asheville Bruce Hensley

This is my favorite restaurant downtown the employees are so awesome we love the belly dancing and the live music outdoor seating indoor seating pillow seating it is all great you must call and get a reservation this place stays packed on Friday and Saturday nights I've heard that branch is good too we have a moving company and we try to go as often as possible and take the crew and invite tons of customers

Euphrosyne Silbernagel

Always great service and food

Adriana

We stumbled across this gem of a place and we were so happy that we did. Everything was wonderful from the welcoming hello of the hostess that greeted us with a very warm smile, to the amazing food. We loved the cauliflower appetizer and the lamb shawarma as an entree. The lamb was pure perfection !

Philipp Novikov

We did enjoy eating our dinner there. Food tastes authentic to the Middle East area, well cooked and leaves no heartburn (a touchstone of food quality for my pretty sensitive stomach). Moroccan mint tea was probably from tea bags, the ones you can buy in Trader Joe’s. I’m not going to blame Jerusalem Cafe for that. It’s easier to find Bigfoot in the Appalachian Mountains than a cup of tea brewed the right way in the US restaurant.

Kelly Wang

This place was AMAZING. We came after a hike and it definitely hit the spot! Got the falafel and lamb wraps and both were so flavorful and fresh. Make sure to add potatoes on the side and the chili hot sauce! Our waiter, Matthew, was so friendly and funny—he made the experience so enjoyable!

John Ryan Leonard

This place hit the spot! Came from out of town and had dinner. We cleaned our plate in seconds. Had the kabab trio plate, chicken, beef (okay), and kafta and the most delicious baklava I’ve ever had. I’m a tough one to please and this was excellent!

Khali Myles-Jones

Hands down the best Mediterranean food I've ever had in my life. I ordered the lamb shanks and hummus and everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I was absolutely blown away and the service was spectacular despite being so busy. I will return every time I visit the city.

John Pickens

We had a wonderful dinner tonight - every dish ( appertizer, salad, and entre) was delicious - good and friendly service - we will dine here again - highly recommend this restaurant

badger7

Excellent place!! Never had middle eastern food before. But I finished my entire plate!!

Kyle Rehman

i went here a few days ago for my birthday, and i must say, it was a great experience! the food was great, the atmosphere felt nice. however, the reason i am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the service was a bit slow. btw, if you come and eat here, i would for sure recommend the jordanian chicken!

S Renzi

First time. Very good atmosphere and a very friendly waitress. The food to say the least was Awesome. Still craving the food next day. Would highly recommend. Have eaten a lot of baklava. But non quite like this one Very Very good 👍.

Joshua Easterling

Everything I have tried here has been delicious! The Jordanian chicken is cooked to perfection.

Chasadi Mackey

Oh my word....Hummus is awesome. Friendly & knowledgeable staff gave great recommendations of food to try. Cool atmosphere & decorating.

ARUN NOEL VICTOR

Fantastic food and good vibes. The waiter explaining the menu items was in itself an enjoyable performance. The food presentation was very artistic. Everything was very tasty. We ended up eating more than we planned for. They have nice floor seating inside, on comfy cushions. Value for money.

Kyle Kosmider

Mouth-watering food and service by Samuel ! Thank you.

MaryAnn Peterson

Wonderful lunch...vegetarian platter was excellent...baklava and coffee too!

Musa Ghanayem

Absolutely loved it. I'm Middle Eastern and eat this food all the time. So I was less than enthused to find out I would be Arabic food. I was wrong, this place was terrific. I don't normally like falafel, but theirs was amazing. The lamb shawarma was great, authentic, delicious 🤤. I would recommend this place to anyone.

CCV NC

Overly relaxed atmosphere and not so comfortable seating. The food was good and the service was friendly too. The portions were great and our server was attentive but didn’t always get the orders right. The lamb gyro was tender; the cauliflower appetizer and stuffed grape leaves were yummy.

Austin Hemmings

Great service and wonderful food! Awesome atmosphere as well! Definitely will be coming back!

Johnny Walker

Service is excellent and exceeded all my expectations. The food was superb definitely a place I'll come back to.

Rebecca F

Excellent food. We ordered 6 appetizers to share "tapas-style". Also, get the hemp beer. I was blown away. Much to our surprise we had a front row seat to live music and skilled belly dancer. I only wish I had traveled with more cash to show my appreciation for the live performers.

Katie Masood

Visited for dinner in a Thursday evening. The two specials of the night -- a mixed kabob platter and 24 hour roasted lamb -- couldn't be resisted. The freshness and flavors were out if this world. And the hummus! So fluffy. This is a must visit in any Asheville trip.

Adrienne Bucklin

Honestly one of the best meals I have ever had. I had their kabob special. The meat was tender, portion huge, hummus smooth and rich and the flavors out of this world. Great service, music and belly dancer made it worth 6 stars!

Taylor Kunselman

This place is a gem in the heart of Asheville. My boyfriend and I are new to the area and tried this spot out for the first time. There was a belly dancer and beautiful authentic music being played while people dined. The highlight was our server Victor who was so accommodating, chatty and attentive. He’s a real asset to your team! Thank you for a great meal and wine.

Tony Topoleski

A small Asheville restaurant that is not the easiest to find. We'll worth the effort. One of our best meals while in Asheville. Friendly and informative staff. Give it a try!

Mike Sayre

I enjoy eating Mediterranean foods, it’s sometimes hard to find really good Mediterranean. Jerusalem Garden Cafe was simply outstanding. The special today were kabobs. The. kabobs were perfect, the hummus and tabbouleh salad were amazing. The portion size was perfect as well. My son had lamb shawarma, same result, food was great. As my son and I were eating we noticed folks across the street going into a chain restaurant. Why? If your visiting Asheville for the adventure, be adventurous!!! You have to try this restaurant.

Kayla

The food was good and so was the service. This is a place where you may want to order a few dishes if you are really hungry. Beware though, that check may be steep if you are doing so. The food feels authentic as much as an Americans taste buds would expect. The meat is VERY flavourful. The atmosphere feels authentic to the point of transporting you to another place. Nice place to hold you over if peckish!

David Owen

The food was very good, the service was friendly, and the belly dancer was entertaining. It all played part of a great night. The host seemed overwhelmed and was quoting tables an hour wait or more when several tables sat empty for quite a time. I was also told on the phone it would probably be an hour wait or longer, but when I arrived, we were sat immediately. Our sever forgot our appetizer, but she was very kind and honest, and our entrees arrived much quicker than I expected. I had the Chicken and Couscous plate, my wife the Salmon & Couscous, they were both amazing.

DB

Amazing food and service!! My wife & I were extremely happy to have found this place, whilst walking through downtown. If you love authentic Mediterranean, and you’re in Asheville, look no further!

Alix Daly

Easily the most decadent brunch I've ever had - and listen, I eat a lot of brunch. I came in Sunday a couple weeks back and my boyfriend and I each picked their specials - salmon benedict for me, their twist on chicken and waffles for him. Y'all. They absolutely nailed every component of each dish. The hollandaise was the richest, creamiest I've ever had (and listen, I eat a lot of brunch). The portion sizes were massive and I still almost left a clean plate because it was just too dang good. The pricing and portioning is way more generous than most places in this tourist town. I'm definitely coming back!

Darryl Daniel

The open face chicken biscuit was delicious. Chicken breast was fried nicely. Potatoes were great. I didn't much care for the lamb gravy.

Not Dr Strange

Friendly wait staff. Fast service, good food and I'm not really into this type of cuisine. Even I thought it was great.

Danielle A

One of my favorites. The food is always fresh and delicious. The service is always great. I always leave feeling nourished and satisfied about spending my money here.

Tatum Monroe

This restaurant is such a fun and unique dining experience. I loved the interior where you have the option to eat sitting down. Most importantly though, our breakfast was delicious! I was excited to try the "Baklava French Toast", and my husband ordered the "Egg Gyro". Between the food, coffee, and cozy interior, I really fell in love with the place.

Linda Hoffmann

This restaurant is another of Asheville's dining gems. Our table decided to graze in order to taste as many offerings as possible. We shared a plate with 3 different kabobs, 2 salads and hummus, but we also added a tapas sized fried cheese plate and couscous dish. Offerings were fresh and yummy. Service was good. Worth returning soon.

Sadat Roach

Good food good atmosphere definitely a place to visit when in Asheville

Keven Burdorf

Great food. The flavors were easily tasted, not over powering. Turkish coffee was a hit! The vegetarians in our group were more then satisfied. The biscuits and gravy was a TON if food for only $8, great value. The place was busy, so it took a few minutes for or server to get to us but the wait was adequate.

Jim L

The food is wonderful... had the Baba Ganoush which was smoky, smooth and delicious. The Eggs Benedict with salmon special was very good, except the eggs were overcooked. Our waiter was friendly and sevice was good. The ambience and decor is underwhelming but overall a nice little spot for lunch.

Jamie Harrington

Fantastic Mediterranean food, lovely atmosphere.

Mia P.S.

3 stars for food quality, and the nice past experience with service. The food is wonderful here, service quality varies. It does not matter if you have been "open for 30 years", that's not the response you give a customer when they raise a concern.Your staff should be on the same page. I shouldn't have to call 3 times in one day trying to place an order because no one seems to really know the real time of evening opening. Not to mention I actually waited to give you my business when I could have gone elsewhere. Customers will raise concerns time to time, and answering with "well there's a reason we've been here for 30 years", ....yes there is because of the food. Not because you come back with snobby responses like that. Eating elsewhere tonight .

Mechelle Wyatt Hacker

Awesome Fresh Food! The best I've had in quite some time so I ordered a bunch of stuff to go 😆 Service was also very fast. The only thing I didn't like was that when the door would open you would get a shot of cold air that rushed by you & we weren't near the door, but it warmed back up quickly which really helped. I highly recommend going here. I'll be back as well will my 8 year old niece who woofed down her Falafel Wrap & my 69 year old mother. They both also loved the food!

The HEARING GUY Asheville

It's one of favorites in Asheville that doesn't get the recognition it deserves!!

River Echeverria

Wow, that was one of the best meals I’ve had in Asheville. If their server tells you they have fried chicken special available, order it. Their babaganouge is so delicious. Excellent salad. Super well priced. Awesome ambience and decor. A bazillion times better than Gypsy Queen. I regret waiting 3 years into living in Asheville to try it 🎊

Briana Autran

Just stopped in for lunch and had a great experience. Lots of veg items on the menu. I had the falafel wrap and it was amazing. The service was quick and friendly. We also noticed tables, credit card books, pens, etc being cleaned in between each guest.

Crescencio Zul

Just left here. I never leave reviews but the service provided here alone warrants 5 stars. We were greeted as soon as we stepped in. A change of pace from various restaurants who ignored our presence. We were seated and presented with our waiter Patrick. Patrick was a cool guy who was descriptive of the menu/ specials and attentive to us the time we were there. A waitress(didn't get her name) there also continuously refilled our drinks of water with warm hospitality. Food was affordable and great. Service was supreme! 3/5/19

Sara Gilbert-Kay

My husband and I visited Jerusalem Cafe over Labor Day weekend, the food and service were incredible. Even though they were extremely busy our server was on top of it the entire time. I ordered the Falafel Wrap and Greek Salad both were just delicious. It was a spur of the moment decision and we could not have been happier.

Marco Monge

This place was excellent and they had a belly dancer performing with live music on a Friday night. It was super cozy, sat at a couch side by side with the person I was with which is pretty cool. The food was so good. Had the falafel platter and some apps. The Dubai cocktail is excellent. Great place great atmosphere, very pleasant staff. Kudos

Eric Lucey

We got our order to go because it was crowded inside and the tables outside were way closer than 6 feet. The food itself was very good. Tasty gyro with vegetables and well-seasoned potatoes. My wife had a side salad instead of the potatoes, problem was they didn't include utensils or napkins. How do you eat a salad without a fork? Why aren't napkins included if it's a to-go order? The food is 5 stars but the missing items dropped the ranking.

Logan Novgrod

Where else can you go in Asheville for live music, belly dance, and delicious Mediterranean food any Friday or Saturday evening of the year? Only this place for the past 20+ years! Love the food and service here. I always feel like family when I dine here. Wonderful ambiance. Update: As of June 18, 2022, live music and Belly Dance ARE BACK at the restaurant on Saturday nights 6pm-8pm after a year long hiatus due to the pandemic.

Monty

This was my first visit since Covid-19. I didn't know how much I missed their Falafel...delicious. We had tapas of Falafel and Kafta Meshwi and the entrée Lamb Shawarma. It was perfectly prepared and presented. The waiter was attentive and charming. The atmosphere is very much like visiting a café in Jerusalem and the fare is as authentic as you will find anywhere. You can't make reservations, but we had no wait at 5:30 pm and it had not filled up by 6:30 on this Tuesday which is a shame because this establishment is a real gem...one of my favorite restaurants in Asheville.

Mike

Service was okay. Food was disappointing over all. Appetizers and Greek salad were great, but main entrees not so much. Kebab was very salty, shawarma seemed dry, and other two dishes were just okay but nothing to write home about. Have been here before and food seemed better. Not sure what happened.

Margaret Reyes Dempsey

My husband and I had dinner at Jerusalem Garden Cafe after reading the online reviews. When we arrived, the music and belly dancing were already in progress. Our server, Matthew, was an absolute gem, providing an overview of the restaurant and their dishes. We shared baba ganoush, grape leaves, and the cauliflower. I love cauliflower but this cauliflower was eyes-rolled-back-in-the-head delicious. We then shared the kabob mixed grill—3 kebabs, one each of chicken, steak, and a lamb/beef mixture with hummus and tabbouleh salad. Just wonderful. I had the Kavaklidere Cankaya white wine from Turkey, which was perfect with all the flavorful foods. My hubby tried the 961 Lebanese Pale Ale, which had flavors of sumac, anise, and mint. Really interesting and I’m not a beer drinker. I mentioned the good news of my psychological thriller MIND GAMES making the Amazon Top 100 list in the UK for Conspiracy Thrillers that afternoon and Matthew brought us some baklava to celebrate. I’ve tried baklava many times in the past and it is always too syrupy sweet and mushy, but this baklava was the stuff of dreams. So many nuts and just the right amount of sweetness. I believe Matthew said the owner’s wife makes it. I noticed that Matthew was very conscientious about asking whether or not we had food allergies. We don’t, but for people who need to worry about such things when eating out, it was very reassuring. Finally, the music was really good and the young woman who was dancing was an absolute joy. She stopped to chat in between dancing and told us she’ll be dancing again Friday night. We will definitely return for another amazing meal and entertainment. A definite five stars for this restaurant and my highest compliment when I say you feel as if you are being welcomed into someone’s home for dinner.

شفيق احمد

Wonderful shop. And excellent treatment and reasonable prices.

Paisley and Cole

Our waiter was very polite and done a wonderful job♡ Our food was excellent, definitely beat my expectations. Would definitely come back! I have the shrimp and cheesecake for dessert. Noticed that there is not any salt and pepper shakers on the table but believe me, you will not need it because its seasoned perfect♡

Laura Cunningham

The service was friendly and accommodated separate checks for our large group. The decor is lovely-especially the back room. The cuisine was authentic and delicious. If you like lamb, try the moussaka. My husband had the Jordanian chicken and really liked it.

Chandni Saxena

Had our lunch today and everything was excellent!! Food, service, price, and quantity. So delicious!!! Great Vegan options. Decor was beautiful too. Staff was friendly and kind. We would come back and recommend!!

Kelly Flaherty

Absolutely the best Mediterranean food we have ever had!! Fantastic staff!! Highly recommend!!!

Thomas Kolb

Ate here for the first time tonight. Our waiter Matthew was full of information and enthusiasm! We had the vegetarian and kebab platter, cauliflower, katayer. Everything was delicious and the meat was cooked to perfection. Ended the meal with the baklava and kenafa. What a great meal!! Thanks to Matthew for the exceptional service!

Basim

Amazing food as always. Great lamb shoulder special that'll knock your socks off. And of course the service is super friendly, helpful and fast. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Shanell Shields

First time visit. The staff was wonderful and the food was amazing. Had the stuffed grape leaves, lamb shanks with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The kids had a pita pizza, which they loved. The atmosphere was welcoming and warm. Love the decor. Would definitely return.

Keith Dug

Best Mediterranean food I’ve eaten anywhere

Farhan Warsi

We were visiting for a 2 night stay for a graduation celebration and ordered from here 3 times! The food is delicious, the chicken, lamb shawarma and the shank were all cooked and seasoned perfectly. I will definitely be back if I'm in Ashville again and highly recommend this place to others. They were very helpful on the phone to confirm they serve halal meat, and also I had no issues ordering online for curbside pickup. My only feedback to the owners is to include rice in their menu as a side option and garlic sauce.

Erika Larson

What's not to like about Jerusalem Garden? About the only thing that could be improved is the seating which can be limited at peak hours. The menu is extensive including the selection of Lebanese beers and wines available for sampling. I went there with a part of six and everything we ordered was wonderful. The lamb shanks were delicious, the shish kabobs were awesome, the hummus and pitas were great and the gyros were tasty. Our server was well versed with the menu and was able to make great recommendations. Depending on the hour, the wait may be a little long so ordering appetizers would be helpful. Otherwise, the meals are generous and well worth taking home for later consumption.

Erin Moran

The food was amazing! Every bite was delicious! The humus and lamb were some of the best I've ever had. My mom and I had a wonderful time. The staff were so friendly, the atmosphere was great and the live music was great!

Scott Dickinson

Wanted to try someplace different and so glad I did. The food was fantastic and was homemade. The lamb gyro was so good. Highly recommended.

Warren McDaniels

The food was incredible!!!!! The lamb shank was worth the 4 hour drive. Our server victor was awesome and made great recommendations. This restaurant is a must go when in Asheville.

Sofija Dedivanovic

Vegetarian platter pricey and doesn’t come with a lot of food for $18. Falafel Gyros are good! Chicken gyro was amazing. Wait is long but they are understaffed so it’s understandable

Ella Giuliani

The staff are so nice and the teenage boy helping out is so cute

Nat S

Went late on a Thursday with my mum who has never tried Mediterranean food. She got the chicken gyro and I had the salmon. Whatever the sauce on the fish was, 💯. I even asked for different sauces for my mum just so she could try it all out and Clare happily obliged. Clare she was awesome and very patient. I was hoping for a bit more over the top atmosphere based on the pics but the real icing on the cake was dessert! It was a coconut, creamy dessert that apparently the owner's wife had just made. My mom was so into it even though it wasn't chocolate (her all time favorite). The bill was reasonable considering past places I've visited in a similar category. It was so awesome to be able to treat my mum to something different and give her an out of the ordinary experience!

Ella Kokinda

Excellent food and fair prices especially for lunch. Portions were great, and service was attentive and promt. This was our first time there and our waiter took excellent care of us and helped pick out men items since we were torn between so many. The food was out of this world, spiced well and flavourful, best hummus I have ever had as well.

Harry Davis

Incredible food! Knowledgeable and friendly staff ( Matt). Great prices! Very happy customer! Highly recommend if you want to be happy with your dinner experience definitely go there. And the belly dancing was very entertaining.

Preeti Waas

The service was friendly and fast, and the food was on point! Nothing on the menu was fancy, but every dish was presented beautifully, the portions were large, and the taste of everything left us very, very satisfied. Will definitely be back next time we are in Asheville!

a shew

Shared the mixed kabobs with a friend tonight. Fantastic! Definitely get the potatoes with whatever you order. (We got a side as recommended by another patron.) Mediterranean beers are offered as well as some local brews and wine. Justin was an awesome server. Despite being low on staff, the food was great and service was prompt, polite, and pleasant.

Amy Belote

For the freshest, best tasting Mediterranean food I've ever had. The first time it was shockingly good and the second time it was just as good as we remembered! Lovely decor, friendly service, and the best food I have eaten!

Michael Queen

This was a treat! Really enjoy eating at this particular restaurant. Love Middle Eastern food and the Jerusalem Garden Cafe is an excellent choice! I had the Jordanian Chicken with potatoes and salad while my Wife had the Chicken Shawarma, we had a nice big plate of hummus and pitta bread. Prices are very reasonable for the food you are about to enjoy. That have a nice selection of coffees and teas Enjoy

Cash DeWitt

This place is amazing. Great environment and good service, but the food is incredible. I'm eating here everytime I go to Asheville going forward.

Ted Anderson

Our local friend recommended this as one of his favorites, and it didn't disappoint. The whole vibe of the place is friendly and relaxed, more like you're eating at a friend's house than a restaurant. We started with the fatayer, and it was delicious. The special was a mixed kabob platter of beef, kafta, and chicken with tabbouleh, tahini salad, hummus and pita. The kabobs were all delicious. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I chose kafta and my wife picked the beef. The hummus reminded me of the hummus platter served on flights out of Dubai. They were out of most of the Lebanese beer, but the 961 Pale Ale was exactly as the server described: more of an amber than a Western, hoppy brew. It was exactly what I was looking for. We didn't stay for dessert, but the gentlemen next to us (whom we happened to have met earlier that day on a balloon ride) had it and said it was great. I can see why this is one of my friend's go-to places, and we'd definitely visit again when in the area.

Jim Harle

We had a cozy table right at the window. The food was outstanding. My wife is iffy about Mediterranean food, but loved the 4 small plates we shared. The baklava was lighter and larger than any I've ever had. Her lemon cake was very airy and yummy. The unusual décor was fun. Service was superb.

John Theiss

Good food, big servings, slow but fun staff. Very nice neighborhood kind of place. U go to eat well. My sense is they specialize in lamb dishes, but several very good vegetarian options. We'll be back.

Chrystal Lee

Excellent environment. One meal off the menu is definitely enough for 3 people. They have the absolute best hummus that I have ever tasted!! Bigg Shugg and Angel are spreading the word about this awesome place to dine. U are treated as royalty.

kayleigh sedlack

Love the atmosphere, the staff and the food. Would highly recommend to anyone that hasn’t dined here before. I could order one of everything on the menu! Food was appropriately priced and delicious! Will definitely return 😊 …

Digital Manasse

Turkish coffee is the thing that dose the thing

Stephen Deese

Unique environment. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful as this was the first time trying this kind of cuisine. The lamb shawarma was excellent and makes me want to try more of their menu. Humus was great and the price is very easy on the wallet.

Mel

Dude! What a Cool spot . Staff AWESOME! Just one small thing, if you're over 5'5" don't sit on the wall, opt for a chair. Love the food truly authentic.

Vince DeVito

Delicious experience of fresh authentic flavors. 👍👌 …

Bridget Howle

I never leave google reviews, but this place was so excellent that I have to! My friend and I stopped here for brunch when there were hour waits everywhere else around, and I’m so glad we did. This might be the best food I’ve ever had in Asheville. It will be my new go-to food spot!

Suzanna “Sue B” Balcom

Beautiful, intimate environment. Delicious, authentic food.Staff truly committed to attentive service.

Erik Benson

I had dinner here with my girlfriend yesterday evening. The food was exceptional, but it was truly second-rate compared to the attention and service we received from Elizabeth. Neither have I seen someone move around a dining room so expertly, nor someone smile so much while doing her work. Have you ever had such alarmingly good service at a restaurant that it dominates your conversation during a meal? I hadn't until last night, but I have now.

Shahid Khan

This was my second time coming here. I really enjoyed the environment especially the sitting. Since it is located in downtown Asheville, I would recommend to park your vehicle in a parking garage (plenty of them). We got seated right away. The restaurant was decently crowded and the prices of the food also falls into the same category.The decoration is very culturally influenced and exquisite. I think it is a place for families, and is very comfortable. Food is very delicious. I recommend this restaurant for at least one visit.

ava Levoyer

best greek salad you will have in your life!! and the hummus is amazing. the staff is so so sweet- this is an all around amazing business

Mrs. Christy Kent

We wanted to try something different and this fit the bill for us. Experience was great, service was excellent, food was yummy. We were quite pleased to have visited.

Sheryl Eder

Best Medittaranean food I have ever had. Matthew, our server was awesome!

Naeim Torkian

They closed 8.40 earlier than what they said on the website. We asked for something they brought something else. Food quality was not perfect but ok.

Elizabeth Noonan-Thacker

Went for lunch here with my husband, first time in Asheville and thought it looked nice! Inside, it was magical!! Beautiful food, lovely staff. We had an amazing waitress who was just wonderful. The gyros are AMAZING and please, try the fried potatoes!!!! We loved it and can't wait to come back. Seriously, check this place out!

Jane Doe

More than dining, Jerusalem Garden Café is an experience. Professional belly dancing, live music, and knowledgeable staff. Matthew not only had extensive knowledge of the menu and the inner workings of how each item was made - in drool-worthy detail - but no detail was overlooked in our dining experience! We had a beautiful evening with impeccable service, delightful cuisine, and mesmerizing entertainment. The Vegetarian Platter is a great snapshot of the incredible skill and attention given to each menu item, breathing innovation and originality into each dish. Well done!

Max Jay Weston

Awesome dining experience; though they were busy, food and beverages were both very good and timely; highly recommend.

Hiral patel

I was visiting Asheville and ended up going here for late lunch. The food was excellent. Every thing was fresh and delicious. I am very hard to please when it comes to food but I was really satisfied all the food that my boyfriend and I ordered. Service was great too. Very friendly staff. The ambiance of the restaurant was very romantic. Best table is the table by the main door. cozy and romantic! You can't go wrong with restaurant no matter what you order but make sure to get the lentil carrots soups when they have it. It is to die for!

Alex McCarty

The food was awesome!! We came to Asheville to visit family and they took us there. Service was great and truthfully I would drive back a hundred miles just to eat there again!

Abbas Virji

Outstanding food (meats & flavor). Amazing potato cilantro side.. the only issue we had was the service although understandable - they had ONLY 2 servers while the restaurant was full. The result was little cold food.. otherwise killer flavor/food

Laurie R

Awesome food and friendly service! It was very crowded when we were there and the wait for our food was a bit longer than I prefer but definitely worth the wait! I had a beef Kafka and hubby had lamb gyro. Both were wonderful. The house potatoes are to die for good too!! We found that overall the food in Asheville was over priced and under flavored but this was such a delightful change from that. Very yummy and authentic!

Keshia Sequoyah

Honestly one of my favorite places to eat in Asheville, and somehow I feel like it's often overlooked! I've never had a bad meal here. Ever. They give you huge portions and you never leave feeling hungry. Me and my boyfriend got a chicken shawarma wrap, and veggie platter and split them both. Food came out quick and fresh. It was the perfect Saturday brunch meal. It's a cozy spot with a unique dining option offered in the back. Love the atmosphere.

Kurt Gordon

The pita was a bit too salty for my taste, but everything else we had was great. It was a bit disorienting in the back room with the boldly colored patterns enveloping you. Good wine selection and out server was very friendly and knowledgeable about both the wine and food options.

Michelle Tellier

This was my first visit to the Jerusalem Garden, and certainly not my last! Last night my friends and I sat in the back room. Outstanding ambiance, music and dancing. Our server was very personable and knowledgeable. The food was beyond anything I have eaten in a very long time. Every bite was a party in my mouth. The seasoning was all spot on. I grew up in a Lebanese family in Detroit. This food was better than anything my 1st generation family ever created. If I had a week left to live, I'd be eating here!

Ric Rini

My wife and I love Mediterranean style food and this cafe was right up that genre style. The interior is a very nice space without that crowded feel and ample seating. I ordered the lamb shawarma. It was served with a vegetable medley and rice. The rice was coked perfectly and the lamb meat was seasoned well and the meat was tender and juicy. A very enjoyable meal. My wife ordered the veggie platter. Unfortunately, I do not recall all the sides but I can tell you my recollection of sampling all of them was that it was delicious. The service was very friendly attentive and courteous. All the portions were ample size and not over-loaded.

London Prescott-Collier

Absolutely amazing tasting and high quality food. The service is great and everyone is very helpful and kind and genuinely want you to have a good experience. One of my absolute favorites, for the past three years I've gone here on my birthday ( it's about two hours away and it's always worth it!)

Dr. Bunty Desor, Th.D.

Our have to eat place in Ashevile. If you love Medittereran you will love love love this place. 5 stars all day.

Bruce Rogoff

Samuel hustles like crazy! Excellent food in the heart of downtown.

Alexandria Campbell

One of my most favorite restaurants in town. Great food and a fun atmosphere. Belly dancing nights are fun an always have a great band playing. You can't go wrong with the kabob trio, and the fresh mozzarella appetizer is a favorite of ours. They have great specials as well. If you like Middel Estern food you'll love this place.

Sid

Delicious food and the vibes. Had to wait pretty long before someone take our order but enjoyed the crowd... Will go again next time we are in Asheville.

Lewis Terry

The food and service were good. My wife had the vegetarian platter, which she liked. My son and I had the lamb gyros, which were tasty

Ryan McCoy

Sat on the patio on a Saturday and had a great time. Food was great and there was a belly dancer that provided entertainment. Great place to people watch. They were out of some of the middle eastern beer that would have been good to try. But all in all it was a great experience.

Jeff Hook

My job frequently keeps me on the road, allowing me the luxury of experiencing restaurants all over the South East. This restaurant is truly amazing, and just as important the service is always impeccable. Special commendation goes to Yesme (spelling is probably wrong,) a waitress I often have. I sincerely hope the owner/manager recognizes her talent. She's always spot on with her knowledge of the menu, recommendations for entres and appetizers, rounding out the dining experience to perfection!

Daniela Glueck

Every time I am in Asheville I come here it has never failed. Anything you order of the menu will blow your mind. I just always forget to order an extra Baklava but that’s on me. I got told last time that the wife of the owner makes them. I love this place

Peggy Mekki

Loved the atmosphere. The food was great. I got chicken couscous & husband got the kifta mashwe kabob? Spelling? Plus houlemi cheese appetizer & mint tea. If ever back in the area, would go there again. Waitress was very friendly and efficient.

George Street

Outstanding!! The food was fantastic along with the service. Highly recommend. Stumbled upon it while walking around. So glad we did! Grape Leaves, Hummus, Gyro all great!

Sahar A. Malik

Nice and very hospitable owner. Glad to meet him and had a wonderful conversation.

Virginie M

Absolutely delicious food! Walking around Asheville I was getting disappointed at the menus I was seeing - I was expecting to find something out of the ordinary, sightly elaborated, tasty - and this one little restaurant absolutely surpassed my expectations. The food was delicious, the menu filled with good options including tapas to share, the service very friendly & fast. During this COVID situation I'm glad they're still in business and they have a few tables to sit outside. I highly recommend the stop.

Cheryl Velasquez

I was able to order dinner at this wonderful restaurant my last day in Asheville and can not say enough about how great the food taste and how nice the staff is. The falafel is amazing, the best I've ever had and the baba ganosh is out of this world, because it actually taste amazing compared to other versions at different restaurants. I will definitely eat here again when I am in the area again and would say to anyone to go. My daughter actually wanted to go back and get hummus to take home.

Jeff Koombs

Great environment, food is fresh and good. I had the kabobs with grilled chicken, grass fed sirloin and Grilled lamb. The fresh in house Peta bread is the BEST! Lunch prices are the best! Dinner is a bit pricey. HIGHLY Recommend!

Michael Ulmer

Our family loved this place! Received some great (colorful) recommendations from our server, and the food was very good. Highly recommend a visit to this great restaurant if you are in the area. Loved the "fusion" of middle eastern and local cuisine.

Sara Smith

We each had lamb gyro and shared an order of stuffed grape leaves. The gyros were wonderful, w fresh greens and savory with tender lamb. The stuffed grape leaves were wonderful. The rice was, again, a savory treat, and the leaves were tender. Great service, too. We will be back!

Debra Demske

Awesome food, spinach pie, hummus, couscous were excellent. The entertainment is great, too!

Kaylee Murray

Never had anything here that wasn't absolutely delicious, fresh, and totally craveable. The hummus will change your life.

Marc Czarnecki

Gyro wrap and Greek salad was awesome

Karen Shepherd

Just love this place ! Been comming for years ...always come back! Only place I know to come see belly dancing!

Jill Siefert

Food was amazing. Service is amazing. Staff was amazing. We had the veggie platter, and a meat platter, coffee and desert. The food tasted just as good as it was when I was in Jordan. Very authentic middle eastern food

dipika

I'm writing this review from a table in Jerusalem Garden Café because it was too, too good not to rave about immediately. Like all good Mediterranean places the food is extremely vegetarian friendly and the decor is beautiful! I highly recommend the haloumi because whatever sauce it's in (tamarind, maybe?) is the most unique sauce I've ever had. They also have a full wine list which would make it a nice date night. 💯 for experience, 💯 for food

Wael Al-Rihawi

If you are looking for athletic Arabic food, don't bother because it isn't the real thing. Leaving that aside, the food was ok. If you are willing to spend around $50/person for a dinner, try it out.

Elias Erdmann

I can honestly say Jerusalem Garden has the best hummus I’ve had to date. The food is fresh and exceedingly delicious. I have ordered the salmon wrap, falafel burger, and vegetarian platter, all of which were flavorful and quite good. Smiling staff and nice atmosphere.

Paul Dutcher

Have wanted to eat here for awhile,today we got our chance. We had Brunch I had the Chicken biscuit with Lamb and Beef gravy , AMAZING! Will definitely be going back! Great staff very reasonably priced!

William Nelli

Even in Asheville winters, the staff are friendly and helpful. The date and goat cheese appetizer special was phenomenal, just as promised. We love the humans and pita chips, simple as they look!

Michale Osbahr

I went with a small group of girls for lunch on our bachelorette party weekend, and our server was absolutely wonderful and entertaining. The food was delicious too! Definitely want to go again next time I'm in town!

Nova Simmons

Absolutely beautiful cafe! Food and service is amazing! Make sure you go in when Yesmine is working. She was our waitress and was an absolute doll who made sure we were happy! I'm from Central Coast California and I was and am so impressed with the atmosphere and quality of the food. Don't pass up the Mango Mimosas! Fantastic!!

Barbara Tomson

OMG! The food was amazing! My daughter & I came for dinner on a Monday evening. She had already been here before but I had never been. Our server was patient & very helpful. Service was quick. Ok, so I really don't eat meat but do eat fish. The salmon was fabulous! The vegetables & rice were perfect! Our appetitizers: stuffed grape leaves & the hummus were a meal by themselves. The greeter told us the hummus was made by the owners wife plus the the dessert. I want to take this lady home with me! I wound up taking half of it home because I was so full. Plus ....a little Turkish coffee to boot! Definitely, will be back!

Anne Persons

You ever had something taste so good and so reminiscent of family you straight up cried? That’s me. Crying over this lamb gyro. Thank you for the reminder of someone I loved dearly and the excellent food. Y’all are wonderful humans.

Christine Mayman

Great food, chill atmosphere. Not our first choice (first choice had 2 hr wait) but glad we ate here. Would come again for sure. Excellent shawarma and falafel!

Bennett A. Meares

I have to say, I was skeptical at first. I never eat hummus, but the hummus and pita dishes are delicious. I ordered a beef kabob, which was less meat than I expected but included plenty of hummus. We came around 1 PM on a Sunday, which is from I can tell the least busy time to visit. Highly recommended for a lunch venue.

Sarolta Fazio

The food is amazing every time. The balance between spices and the freshness of the food items blows my mind away every time

Buddy Wofford

We highly recommend Jerusalem Garden Café. We spent Valentines weekend in Ashville and our first night we were looking for a restaurant near our hotel. When I called Mathew was eager to let us know how awesome Jerusalem Garden Café was and he was right! Great food and awesome service!

Isai Gonzalez

Loved it all the food was amazing!

Ricky S

My family and I randomly picked this place as we visited Asheville. We were definitely not disappointed. The food was very fresh and tasty. We also opted for the optional traditional seating in the rear of the restaurant where you are able to sit at a low-lying table with floor cushions for a little more immersive feel. We would definitely come back to this place. Great experience.

chelsea veselovsky

It was our first time visiting Asheville and we were looking for some Brunch in the downtown area. We saw a few restaurants packed with people with lines out the door so we knew the wait time would be forever so we looked across the street and noticed people sitting by the windows at this little cafe so we walked in and the first thing we noticed was the ambiance. It was so neat, we said we had to check it out! There was no wait time either! We sat at these cute little tables with cushions as chairs, and there were curtains along the walls and on the ceilings really giving the place a Mediterranean feel. It was honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. Highly recommend!

Kali Worth

We loved our food at Jerusalem Garden Cafe today. It was super flavorful and delicious. We sampled a few dishes and all were amazing. Their "house" hot mint tea was the perfect drink to warm up on one of the first crisp days of autumn. I will say, It did take some time for us to get our food, but good food is worth the wait, in my opinion. We also adored the authentic feel and decor. The wait staff was attentive and engaging. We will definitely be back on our next trip to the Asheville area.

Linda Clark

Fabulous experience here! Everything we ate was superb and very authentic. The reclining cushions were a novel experience - good atmosphere and great service. I can't recommend highly enough. Our party had 7 year olds up through 70 year olds and our whole family loved it!

Jason Myers

This place is fantastic! The atmosphere is relaxing, clean, and unique, the food, well, I'll rave about the food in a minute, the waitress was friendly and polite, and the location is perfect. Located amidst a lot of other cafes and food choices, this restaurant is an amazing place to experience some authentic middle eastern cuisine. Priced well, the food is as authentic as I have eaten since returning from Israel nearly 10 years ago. Hummus just isn't the same in the States (and neither are the olives, for that matter), but this cafe NAILED IT! I had the Shawarma and my wife had the vegetable plate that included the falafel. She is a falafel fan and said that she has never had better. The shawarma was delicious. The plates were beautifully presented with all the food looking colorful, flavorful, and clean. There wasn't a speck of misguided food or dirt anywhere in the place. The waitress even knelt down at our table to make eye contact with us every time she checked on us. I really appreciate the personable staff. The food was so good, we ordered more hummus to go. This is our new favorite place in Asheville! We will be back every time we are in town.

Charles Huntoon

Fantastic hidden gem; multiple different seating styles, to include floor seating. Fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff, excellent food. I personally went with two others, and we each ordered something completely different and shared and there wasn't a single thing that we didn't all like that we tried. I will be coming by here again 💯.

Sam Losew

The best Mediterranean food my wife and I have had in a long time. Service was excellent, and the food was amazing. The waiter brought us a special chili sauce after inquiring whether we like hot peppers. Delicious baklava and falafel was perfectly seasoned without being oily. The hummus was probably the best! The stuffed grape leaves and kalamata olives were amazing as well. We will definitely be coming back there again!

Christopher Dickson

Always great Mediterranean food. Not too tourist-y, so it's usually easy to get a table. Like AVL 20 years ago. Great service and value.

Alex Jacqueline

I cannot wait to go back to Jerusalem Garden Café! The interior of the building is incredibly beautiful. My party of four was seated in the back where they have a lovely patterned fabric throughout. The light fixtures in the back are beautiful and they have two big windows (in front/back) so there's a ton of natural lighting. They made a decently sized venue feel very intimate. The acoustics are well designed, we were fairly close to our neighbors, but I couldn't hear their conversation, and it was a family with multiple children! The environment is friendly for families, and they serve healthy food, so really it's a win for everyone. To top it off, their prices are incredibly fair. I believe our waitress' name was Adani (apologies if I spelled it wrong) and her service was excellent! She was busy with multiple tables, but we never felt neglected. In fact, everyone there was HUSTLIN'! We started off with the Baba ghanoush as an appetizer. It was definitely lick-the-plate good. My Ma got a huge Greek salad to share, too. The salad was fresh, and there was the perfect amount of dressing on it. I ordered the Lamb Gyro, with a side Greek salad. Everything tasted fresh, and you could tell they put a lot of heart and soul into their cooking. If you're in the Asheville area, Jerusalem Garden Café is a MUST EAT, and if you're not, I suggest you plan a trip ASAP Thanks for the wonderful service <3

a B

Amazing food! Incredible value. The humus is the best I've ever had.

Alex V

All of the appetizers and entrees were good and possibly top notch but a continous lack of attentive service caused the meals to be consumed at room temperature despite several requests for utensils. Staff congenial and warm but not up to par with the good food.

James Gander

Food is so good. Only thing keeping from a 5 star is that they seem a little understaffed. It took us about 20 minutes after we were seated to place our order. Then we had to stop a waitress and ask if we could order. Once we got the food though it was worth the wait.

Russell Morey

Great food and great experience! Everything the table got was delicious. Especially liked the stuffed grape leaves, baba ghanoush, and chicken. Highly recommend!

Johnathan Proctor

Excellent service & food! Our server was considerate & made sure our toddler's meal came out first (to avoid any meltdowns) & I was able to then eat a hot meal! The restaurant has a wonderful relaxing environment that provided a needed break during our trip.

John Wood

A+!!!! Serivce was kind and friendly. My wife and I love Mediterranean food and this did not disappoint us. We were visiting from out of town and will highly recommend to any friends of ours or readers of this rating to dive in and explore the menu.

Christina T

The food was quite good. I would not say top 5 Mediterranean places I have been to, but it is good for the area. The décor of the restaurant is nice and the people are friendly. The service was a little slow when I was in there. But, it seemed like they were understaffed.

Michelle Ross

Our brunch was so delicious. We really enjoyed our meal on the front patio. Great service! Delicious, authentic food!

Ryan Clark

Great Sunday brunch after a long day of day drinking the day before. You're made welcome the moment you walk in the door, the food is amazing, and the prices are right. Skip the long line at Tupelo and go here instead.

Amanda Spencer

What a magical place! The traditional room in the back transports you to another world. The food was AMAZING and the belly dancing was great. We loved everything, especially the hummus, grape leaves, and bastilla. We already can't wait to go back!

Nic Nowlan

Sooooo good. Parking is issue, but if you can't find street parking there is a large garage at the public library up the road a block or two. We had a sampling or several vegetarian dishes. All were excellent. If you lucky they will have the Turkish lentil soup available.

Elizabeth Hunter

Everything we ordered was excellent! Jordanian Chicken plate, Cauliflower, Falafel, Hummus, and a Greek salad. Service was excellent, very attentive without annoying us.

Rebeca Nicoleta Cuciuc

Way beyond our expectations. Most delicious food in town! Recommend the lamb chops with pistachio crust and the mix meats platter.

Stephen Malek

Got the vegetarian platter with a side of chicken. It was amazing.

Kim Snyder

Oh my gosh! What a surprise! Great food! And apparently they have belly dancers on the weekend? That's what our waitress said. We aren't locals, but we will definitely come back to this place when we visit Asheville.

becky shutrump

I have always had a terrific meal here. Highly Recommend

Matt Wittal

Excellent food! This is a very clean, charitable establishment that offers unique food and drink. Prompt and attentive service. I'll be sure to return.

Retta Jason

There are no words to describe just how wonderful the food is in this little restaurant! Everything is very fresh, high quality and homemade. I have never been a hummus fan until I ate here. Now I wouldn't miss it. The salads are the freshest anywhere and dressed with the highest quality olive oil. The lamb chops with pistachios are a spiritual experience in themselves. If you visit Asheville without dining here it will be your loss.

Ex Properties

Our second time eating there, and we enjoyed the hummus with pita, the triple kabob special, and lamb schwarma. All delicious. Had some baklava for dessert, and it was as good as some we had in Greece.

Bigelow Family

The food is the best we've had anywhere and our kids love it, too! We come here from over an hour away for most of our birthday outings. :) Don't ever miss the baklava!!

Karen Harris

My first meal here was about 10 years ago, so I was really excited this restaurant was still up and running! It was a great meal then, even better with the grandkids last weekend! Lamb chops, falafel, stuffed dates, hummus were particular favorites, but I can't even think of a word good enough to describe the baklava!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!

James Oates

Place was great for brunch. Not terribly expensive. Big portions and good service.

Thomas Wilson

My group of four found this an excellent choice for lunch. We each had different dishes, and all choices were excellent. We took desserts home to try in the evening, and they were great also. The service was great too.

Robyn O'Neal

Very lovely place to grab a bite. The food was amazing with really original flavors and recipes, and the atmosphere was great. Slow service, but it was a weekend. Either way, very good.

Clete Flanagan (WNCMOVERS)

The food, the service and the Belly Dancing (Fri & Sat) is always amazing!

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