Yasmeen Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in Clifton

I came across Yasmeen through a social media post and was immediately drawn in by the stunning ambiance showcased in photos. I typically dine in Paterson but decided to venture out and give this Clifton location a try. I genuinely wanted to love it—but unfortunately, the experience went from bad to worse.

To start on a positive note: walking into Yasmeen is a visual treat. The decor is beautiful, and the music adds a lovely touch. I had made a reservation for the outdoor patio and was excited to enjoy a peaceful evening by the water. However, upon arrival, we were sat at a tiny two-top pressed against a plastic covering, right by the parking lot. It felt cramped and uncomfortable.

I politely asked to be moved to one of the many open waterfront tables, but was told they were reserved for parties of six or more—despite the fact that they remained empty throughout our visit. With no other option, we decided to move inside, which, again, was beautifully decorated.

Unfortunately, the service took a turn for the worse. Our server was unwelcoming and dry. As someone who has worked in the industry, I understand the demands of the job and gave her the benefit of the doubt, thinking perhaps she was having a rough shift. Still, there was no improvement as the evening went on.

Our pita bread arrived cold, which was disappointing. Thankfully, the appetizers were delicious and gave us some hope. But then came another issue: Filet Mignon Shish Kebab entrée arrived 15 minutes before my husband’s chicken shish. No apologies, just a silent drop-off by another staff member. Our server never checked in to see how our meals were or if we needed anything.

At the end of the meal, it was a busgirl—who was the most pleasant staff member we encountered—who offered to pack our food. We waited for our server to return and ask about the check, but instead, she came over, handed my husband an iPad to pay, and stood there waiting for him to tip—without a word of thanks. No “thank you for coming,” no acknowledgment at all. We left feeling stunned and unwelcome.

Shockingly, the next day we received a no-show fee notification from Yasmeen, despite the fact that we had dined there the night before. My husband went in the next morning, and fortunately, a kind staff member at the front desk took care of the charge without issue.

Overall, Yasmeen is a visually stunning restaurant with a lot of potential. It’s clear that the owner has put pride and care into the space. But great food and ambiance can't make up for poor service. Sadly, we won't be returning—and I hope this review serves as constructive feedback for the staff. The experience could have been truly special with just a bit more care and...

I've been recommended Yasmeen to try by a couple people and the review score on Google seemed great so I was excited to try it out.

It all started on a bad note. They have super slippery pavement leading to their front entrance if you park in the back. It was raining the day we decided to go andon my way jogging to their front door my shoes slipped excessively on their pavement and I went flying with my feet up in the air. Landed pretty hard on my back and elbow, but thankfully I held my head up so that didn't crack open like an egg.

After my GF made sure I was ok, we walked in she proceeded to laugh at how I fell and how irreparably soaked I was. I made a beeline to the bathroom and tried to soak up as much water as I could from my clothes. The waiter did give me extra tablecloths that I draped on the chair and back so I didn't make a mess.

Here's where we start reviewing the food. We started with the Classic Lemonade with mint leaves crushed in and Turkish coffee for myself. Coffee was fine but I've had better in the area. Lemonade was absolutely delicious but was a little too sweet. For appetizers we got the Fried Calamari and Arayes with Meat. Calamari was little too salty, good mouth feel but was a classic victim of doing too much when it came to seasoning. There was so many different contrasting flavors that it was just lost in its own seasoning. The Arayes with meat was good, very thin Arabian quesadillas is what I would call it. I'd get it again.

For entrees I got the Kufta kebab platter and GF got the lamb chops. The kebab was drowned in butter, the immediate first taste I got when I and my GF took a bite was butter. It was ok, I wouldn't get it again, they made it too buttery. The lamb chops my GF wasn't a fan of, minimal seasoning which is fine if the lamb chops were fresh or had a taste to it but it didn't. Really bland meat and she was let down by it.

We also had hookah while eating. Got the Love 66 premium with ice in the bowl for cooler smoke. It was a good experience, haven't had hookah in a few years so it was a good experience trying it out again.

For dessert we got the Osmalia. I don't know what to say about it but it was pretty bad. We didn't finish it. I would not recommend anyone get that dish unless they are severely diabetic. That was the whole experience at Yasmeen. GF is an easy grader and it's rare for her to give a spot less than 4 but she gave this place a 3 so I feel the same as her this time around.

I don't know if I'd come back, maybe just for the hookah. There are other spots around the area that I will look towards trying next time I'm in the mood for Mediterranean...

I wish I knew this was a glorified hookah lounge before going. I was hoping for a decent sit down but it was way too casual. Sure the decor on the inside is nice and outside they have that waterfall wall... but the seating outside were just a bunch of plastic foldable chairs and plastic tables under a tent. I think there is a lot of confusion because most of the customers were dressed super casual - jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, even sweatpants while a handful of guests showed up super dressed up... just to sit in plastic chairs. Instagram makes the place look super aesthetically pleasing, which would make one assume that its not just some super casual place. So don't show up super dressed up or for a nice occasion - you'll stick out like a sore thumb. To add with how casual it is - if you ask for water, they give you a bottle of Poland Spring. I really think this place is just meant for people that want to smoke shisha.

The food was meh. Nothing special. They're stingy with the apps - especially the dips. Muhammara was no good and just tasted like red pepper paste - probably because walnuts are expensive. The arayes was a joke... very little stuffing on poor quality pita bread. Kibbeh niyyeh was still chunky... its supposed to be smooth like a paste, and the onions they gave us with it were browning which made me concerned for the freshness of the ingredients they use in their food. Yasmine fries were good - it was literally batata harra seasoning on fries which I won't complain about. Fattoush had no sumac... what kind of fattoush doesn't have sumac? Don't get me started about the bread - they don't make it in house which isn't a big deal, but atleast take it out of the plastic packing and warm it up and make sure its at least fresh and not stale... Their meats were juicy, I'll give them that.

The service is awful. You have to flag someone down to get attention if they are busy. I don't think we had one waiter/waitress. It's just a bunch of confused workers frantically running around and not getting anything done and other workers just staring down at their ipads. We ran out of bread to eat our food with. We asked two separate waiters if we could have more bread - both mumbled yes but we never got more bread. Oh and my husband's cutlery was dirty - so we had to ask for new cutlery.

I wouldn't...