Yahya's Mediterranean Grill & Pastries — Restaurant in Denver

I have dined at Yahya’s multiple times over the years, throughout COVID and following. Of the various offerings on Colfax for Mediterranean fare, this restaurant shines above, and I have happily always been impressed and left satisfied. Yahya and his food are exemplars of high-quality eats on Colfax Avenue, and is, in my opinion, a Denver staple.

Though boasting a relatively unassuming exterior, patrons are greeted to a bright, intimate dining area and the constant, delectable aroma of gyro and kafta. Beautiful art adorns the walls, which, combined with the varied tunes quietly being played, feel to transport you straight to Turkey. I feel as if, when I enter Yahya’s, the hustle and bustle of Colfax just melt away.

There’s something at Yahya’s for everyone, yet the menu is perfectly simple without being too cluttered. I firmly believe Yahya’s has the best falafel in town, and I encourage anyone to try it. I start off my meals at Yahya’s with the hummus. Having had hummus elsewhere, I was blown away by the texture and taste of the hummus, and I can’t get it anywhere else (you can get it to go)! Those who aren’t fans of the chickpea would be better off with the Labneh, a savory yogurt served with flatbread. The authentically shish-roasted chicken shawarma is without compare, with citrusy notes perfectly complimented by a savory marinade. The gyro meat is juicy and bursting with umami, and strongly reminds me of my time spent in Istanbul. If you’re looking for something a little less common, I highly suggest the lamb kabsa: a shank of lamb served with stew, cooked to perfection; the meat falls right off the bone. My personal true indulgence is the “cheese rolls,” delicious sigara borek; flaky phyllo stuffed with melted cheese.

If you have the fortune to meet the owner himself, his passion for food and flair is palpable. Often, he’ll emerge from the kitchen to greet his customers himself and ensure everything’s made to perfection (spoiler alert: it always has been). From my understanding, he personally toils in the kitchen with his chefs every single day to ensure things come out exactly how he wants them to. Yahya’s various travels, from his birthplace in Turkey and throughout Syria and Iraq, are represented perfectly in his varied presentation and product. If you ask him about his history or food, he’ll proudly tell you anything you want to know with a cheerful smile.

I’ve eaten at Yahya’s time and time again, and I’m happy to say it’s found a permanent place in my personal list of must-have’s in Denver, and I strongly encourage everyone to have a literal taste of this hidden...

Upon entering Yahyas, we discovered that the seating was limited. However, luck was on our side as the restaurant wasn't buzzing with activity then, allowing us to snag a spot without any trouble. Sometimes, it's all about perfect timing.

Now, let's give a round of applause to the waitresses who were the show's stars. These helpful souls were attentive and swift in tending to our needs. They made us feel right at home, answering our questions and ensuring our dining experience was pleasant. Their warmth and assistance added a touch of Mediterranean hospitality to the atmosphere.

When it came to the food, Yahyas didn't mess around. The dishes arrived at our table with impressive speed, leaving us wondering if they had some culinary wizards hidden away in the kitchen or if it was simply due to the calmness of the moment. Regardless, we were thrilled with the promptness of their service. We ordered the Lebanese meat combo for two. Picture a platter filled with grilled meats, just waiting to tantalize your taste buds. The chicken, while okay, didn't quite steal the spotlight. However, the lamb, oh my lamb! It was a succulent masterpiece, tender and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a savory journey through the hills of Lebanon. And I usually am not a big lamb fella. But hold on, we can't forget about the hummus. It deserves its own moment in the spotlight. Creamy, velvety, and oh-so-smooth, this hummus was a true star. With every dip of pita bread, we couldn't help but be captivated by its unique flavors. It's safe to say that Yahyas knows how to whip up a mean hummus worthy of praise.

Yahyas Mediterranean Grill and Pastries offer a delightful escape to the flavors of the Mediterranean. So, gather your appetite, bring your taste buds along, and prepare for a dining experience that will transport you to the...

UPDATE Replying to the owner who kindly answered to me ASAP (I wish your employees works that fast) I have ordered many times from here and is always the same issue. Are you blaming the drivers for something that is is your fault as a business and your employees care more about the dine in area vs the online orders? I thought you will be accountable for this because this has happened many times not only ONCE!! I have talked to the drivers personally and most of them have said your employees ignore them when asking for how long will it take, just to give us an update as customers. For that reason, They always had to leave and cancel the order because no one cares about them. Then, the drivers are waiting over there while all the orders for the Dine In are ready but bunch of tickets are still on line holding on your window? Do you think you take 20 minutes for an order online? With 6 tickets on queue that will be one hour and a half.. so no need to blame drivers, much better look at things you need to improve. **

NOT ORDER ONLINE FROM HERE AGAIN. I had three drivers going to this place and none of them were able to PICK UP the food because it was not ready. They are always behind the time. You never said to the drivers a time so they don’t know and we don’t know as customers if it will take longer or what.. my food finally arrived and it was super cold and saggy!! $90 dollars wasted for nothing. All drivers never stayed because they took so long and then the only driver who got it, brought it and he was even late too. If you give more important to the dine in area I would suggest not offering Online order if you won’t be able to handle your volume. Not ordering...