Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Delray Beach

I wanted to take my folks out for a nice evening before I was heading out on Sunday – so I set up a couple of special things to experience together! We headed for an early dinner at Amar Mediterranean Bistro in Delray Beach. If you’re not familiar with Delray Beach – it is an extremely foodie filled area with a plethora of cool and colorful places to ‘wine and dine’ to your heart’s content. Now with all the choices, I’m grateful to have found Amar Bistro – high quality, freshly prepared Lebanese cuisine right smack in the middle of East Atlantic Avenue! Just a little note: I want to make sure that you all know… if heading into this area, make sure to account for extra-time to compensate for the time it’ll take for parking. Don’t let it frustrate you – just plan for it! At Amar, we were greeted at the door by a smiling owner, Nicholas Kurban who personally escorted us into the restaurant and to our table. At first glance, the ambiance it quaint and very pleasant – welcoming, yet dimmed and (could be) vastly romantic! Perfect for date night; or to impress a potential client – the location itself is just warm and inviting. Keep in mind, it is a smaller location reminiscent of New York City – so be sure to either get there early; or make advanced reservations… you will NOT be disappointed. I immediately asked Nick to give me some background on the restaurant and the why behind it – he’d literally seen a need to fill a niche and went for it. I was also thrilled to hear that he’d designed the entire menu, which is not only an expansive schooling in exquisite and authentic Mediterranean dishes; but the recipes are all directly from his father’s personal cook book! I love things like this… when the story is just as delicious as the food itself. Our waitress Allison was incredibly helpful and as sweet as Baklava! She was essential in navigating the menu as it was my folks first time having this type of food. We started with some Labneh – a thick scrumptious yogurt, strained fresh daily with hints of mint; paired with homemade pita chips that were crispy and YUM! We had the Hummus which was extremely flavorful and could quite possibly be the best I’ve ever encountered. Fresh and visually stimulating when placed the table, and complimented by the homemade pita bread (Baked fresh daily at their other location, Amar Bakery & Market in Boynton Beach – and brought over each morning). HUGE WIN is the Arnabeet Mekle which is a dish consisting of fried cauliflower with almonds and raisins that is SO good and SO creamy that it melts in your mouth – the flavor behavior is exquisite. I had to try the Batata Harra – spicy, crispy potato chunks that offered tasty explosions of garlic in every single munch… the garlic literally slaps every taste bud on the way in. WINNING. Another choice from the Hot Mezze section was the Sambousek – it’s like the Mediterranean version of an empanada… small; but well stuffed meat pastries that have different levels to their flavor profile. Paired with their version of Tzatziki sauce (which is BOSS), it will please your soul. Main courses were superb. My folks were already stuffed (amateurs), so they shared the Lamb Chops – delectable, braised lamb chop lollipops paired with a tasty mint cilantro pesto (I enjoyed the pesto; but it is very strong), gently placed over a healthy serving of couscous. The presentation was gorgeous and the aroma was intense… well done. My total WIN was my Steak Kabob – big charred chunks of marinated meat served sans skewer (no sword fighting here), accompanied by grilled tomato (YUM), onions and a buttery flavored rice that I enjoyed tremendously. What made this even better was the garlic and oil, blended into a creamy side sauce that literally accentuated the flavor of the steak – whoever developed that sauce needs a medal of honor. Seriously. Overall an extremely pleasant experience and I would...

This was my first time in their new location. Being now stranger to mediterranean food and someone who makes it, I was a bit disappointed. The hummus was good and creamy although too much Tahini for my taste. Portion size was huge - but they only give you 2 pita breads - which isn't enough, but when asked for me they were most accommodating. Lamb chops requested medium - came well done, small and not meaty - When I informed the waitress that I was allergic to rice she said no problem and can switch it for french fries - no mention that it would be an up charge which we only found out when we got the bill. Be careful if you order a martini - as that is an up charge as well - base cost of a vodka - and if want a Martini - you will find $5 additional on the check. Ordered desert which after one bite was horrible - something that was supposed to be ice cream - but missed the mark there - when we told the waitress how horrible it was - as we did not eat it - it still showed up on our bill. Once we addressed these issues with the Manager - he was most accommodating and removed the desert and the extra charge for swapping out rice - its things like this in a quality restaurant that you shouldn't have to deal with. I have gone to Dvash in Boca - and they are spot on - maybe some modifications to bring the restaurant up to a bit more quality and...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar, and I must say, it was a truly delightful experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with such warmth, especially by Ariana, whose welcoming and positive demeanor immediately set a fantastic tone for the evening. The food was, without a doubt, a highlight. Amar specializes in Lebanese cuisine, and you can taste the authenticity and freshness in every dish. I particularly enjoyed their creamy hummus and smoky baba ghanouj – they were absolutely perfect. The mixed grill I tried was also cooked to perfection, showcasing the quality of their ingredients and the skill in the kitchen. Beyond the delicious food, what really stood out was the superior service. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and you could tell they genuinely cared about ensuring a great dining experience. It's rare to find a place that excels in both cuisine and service to this extent. Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar truly feels like a neighborhood gem. The atmosphere is vibrant, and it's clear they've cultivated a wonderful dining environment. If you're looking for an authentic and delicious Lebanese meal paired with outstanding service, I highly recommend paying them a visit. You won't be...