Sanabel Middle East Bakery — Restaurant in Akron

Norma is the Lebanese mother you wish you had. Everything she makes is cooked and seasoned with love. If you don't eat meat, try her grape leaves, falafel, zataar, and/or spinach pies. The chicken and rice comes with a freshly made cucumber yogurt that really elevates the dish. But you need to try her shawarma! I've had quite a few in Akron; her's is not the cheapest or the biggest that i've had, but it is certainly the best. Wash it down with a mango juice and finish with her rice pudding for dessert.

UPDATE 4-22-2023 Norma is still my “other mother” 😊

It’s neat to share a meal there with my wife and kids and for them to comment on how soft the pita is or how the hummus is the best they’ve had!

I stumbled upon this place when I moved to Akron in 2010 … single. Now...

This is largely a takeaway restaurant, although there are a handful of tables if you want to eat in. I can’t rate service or atmosphere because I only do take out. That said, it’s very difficult to get Mediterranean food this good anywhere at all. We’ve eaten a lot of Mediterranean in many cities, and Sanabel’s is among the very best. Her tabbouli is perfect- wonderfully fresh, and she often sells out of it… so calling ahead to save some is a VERY good idea. Her pita bread is homemade, fresh, and delicious. Everything at Sanabel is great, but do NOT fail to get her yellow lentil soup and also the Baba Ganouj. The flavors are absolutely amazing! Forget that Mediterranean chain in the area. Get Sanabel’s food, take it home, and eat...

My coworkers and I ordered lunch here for the first time and we all loved it! One said her baklava was so good she wanted to cry! Another loved her shawarma. The spinach pies were the best I have ever had. The pitas were fresh and amazing. We are adding this to our regular places to order again!

It is easy to get to this place and free parking is available on the street in front. In addition to the fresh food, there is a cooler for things like labneh, cheese, etc. They also have a shelf for middle-east dried goods that aren't really available anywhere else.

This feels like a real 'mom and pop' bakery and the food is like the best home cooking...