Thyme Machine - NJ — Restaurant in New Brunswick

You know, sometimes you walk into a restaurant with no expectations, just a little hunger in your belly, and you come out feeling like you've just had dinner in someone’s very warm and very skilled kitchen. Thyme Machine, in New Brunswick, New Jersey—it is just that kind of place. Casual, welcoming, and full of soul.

The chef? Ahhh, magnifique. So personable. He comes out to chat, proud of his food, but not in a showy way. It reminds me of the kitchens I knew growing up—places where food was made with love and pride, and every dish had a story behind it.

We started with the tabouleh, and let me tell you, this was not the tired, pre-made salad you find at so many places. No. This was alive—so fresh, I swear the parsley had just come in from the garden. The lemon was bright, the mint was balanced, and the whole thing had that clean, herbaceous lift that makes you sit up a little straighter. I took one bite and smiled. Sometimes, simplicity is the most difficult thing to do well. And they nailed it.

Then we had the hummus. Oh, the hummus! Creamy like a good potato purée—smooth, rich, with just enough garlic and lemon to keep it from being too polite. There’s depth there, a little tahini bitterness playing against the mellow chickpeas. It's the kind of hummus that makes you reach for the pita before you’ve even finished chewing. And then do it again.

Now, let’s talk about the chicken taouk. This was a standout. Perfectly grilled, perfectly seasoned—this chicken was juicy, tender, with just a kiss of smokiness. Wrapped in a pita with a beautiful char on it—crisp where it should be, soft where it matters. The vegetables inside? Fresh, crunchy, with a bit of tang. The whole thing worked together like a good stew or a fine sauce—everything in harmony. You take a bite, and you immediately think, yes, this is how it’s supposed to be.

And then… ohhh, the shawarma. My friends. The shawarma was exceptional. The meat was deeply seasoned—layers of spice that unfold slowly: cumin, coriander, a bit of clove, maybe a touch of allspice. It was tender, yes, but also had those little crispy edges from the grill that give you just the right texture. You know that feeling when the meat has soaked up every ounce of marinade and then still offers something extra from the fire? That’s what we had here. A rich, savory, smoky flavor that lingers on the tongue, like the last note of a good jazz song. You finish a bite, and immediately want another. And then another. And then you look at your plate and say, merde, it’s gone.

The whole experience at Thyme Machine feels like a gift. There’s heart in the food, confidence in the kitchen, and a chef who clearly cooks because he loves it. And I love that.

If you’re in New Brunswick—heck, even if you’re an hour away—go. Sit down. Eat. Say bonjour to the chef. And enjoy a meal made by someone who understands what it means to feed people well.

Et voilà! A beautiful,...

**been here about 10x now, even though we don’t even live nearby, and I have to say this is the best chicken taouk kebab wrap I’ve ever had in my life. My job has me travel all over North America & Europe and Lebanese/Turkish/etc is my go-to when I travel so I’ve tried 100s, and this is easily #1! You HAVE to give it a try. Everything about it is perfect from the Saj bread to the chicken and the simple mix of fresh ingredients. I always stop off in New Brunswick for this and the kishik Manoushe which is one of my wife’s favorite foods she always has me get extras so we can share them with others or have them later in the week. Hope this place stays around for a long time. *went a second time, food even better than the first, this will be our new go-to spot in the area. Owner is a super nice guy, too. We were passing through New Brunswick and I saw this new option figured I’d give it a try. It 100% deserves the 5 star average, and I think the manoushe were amongst the best I’ve ever had. These guys know how to make bread. So often, the manoushe and wrap bread are thick, chewy, and doughy - and it kind of messes up the whole meal no matter how good everything else is. This bread on the other hand was so thin, crisp around the edges, but somehow not dry at all. The kishik & cheese/zaatar are especially good. I think the baklava is amongst the best I’ve had too, on par with a Lebanese bakery I used to live near that was well known just for their baklava. Everything else we had was great too, and super nice guys behind the counter....

Don’t let the size of this Lebanese restaurant fool you. This place serves some of the best Mediterranean food we’ve had in a long time! Owned by the incredibly warm and welcoming Abdul and George, the entire experience here felt more like being hosted by friends than dining out.

We tried a couple of wraps, one with a sesame paste and yogurt base, and hummus dip & pita bread and Ayran drink , food was absolutely delicious, made fresh from scratch with high quality ingredients. You can truly taste the care and authenticity in every bite.

The hospitality is what really makes this place unique . Abdul personally helped us choose vegetarian options and George took the time to chat about Lebanon, sharing stories and encouraging us to visit. After our meal, Abdul topped off our hummus cup and handed us an extra pita bread to take home small gestures that left a big impression.

Though the establishment is small, they’ve thoughtfully arranged a cozy seating area just next to the restaurant that covered. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy your meal.

If you’re looking for authentic, flavorful Mediterranean food at affordable prices, served with a side of genuine hospitality, Thyme Machine is a must visit. Highly...