Al-Basha Restaurant Dine-In Only — Restaurant in Paterson

I decided to start my month firmly at the top of the food chain. Al-Basha is about a 12-minute drive from my HQ, so I decided to give it a shot for a solo lunch adventure yesterday. Aside from a literal burning car by the Boston Market on 46, it was an uneventful journey, a few blocks off the highway and easy to locate in a really interesting foodie neighborhood.

The parking situation is pretty atrocious. You're relying on street parking in a very busy area and the only nearby business parking is for an extremely popular Turkish bakery around the corner that's unlikely to have any open spots. I ended up having to park on the block behind Al-Basha on Knickerbocker Ave, so just be aware this may take a few minutes.

To their credit, Al-Basha was legitimately hopping when I strolled in around 1:20pm. I took a gamble and didn't make a reservation, which easily could have been an issue here but thankfully they were able to get me in after a five-minute wait. You could also tell throughout the meal that they were well staffed and prepared for the lunch rush; there were servers and other staff constantly shuttling about with food and cleaning supplies. Impressive operation.

I'd studied the menu beforehand and decided to go with the cheese borak app and the mix mashawi entree, along with a mint lemonade. I can see why so many other customers had the lemonade; I was a LITTLE apprehensive of a green drink that leaves residue on a glass (I always assume it's going to taste like kale or something) but this was really refreshing with just the right amount of tart and sweetness.

It's pretty unusual for me to get Middle Eastern food so I tried to play it safe but also get items that seemed pretty popular. The cheese borak, based on taste and texture, was essentially the love child of a mozzarella stick and a taquito, with the cheese-like interior gooier than I would have assumed, with some seasoning. Really delicious and would get that again.

The mix mashawi was really interesting and overall something I liked. It's four different types of meat presented in kabob style on a plate, more or less, with a side of rice. The lamb to me was the star - very tender and flavorful, and was the only meat I actually finished in the restaurant. The filet mignon was just okay for me, a little too tough, but the chicken helped cancel that one out. A touch dry but had unique seasoning on it. I've had shawarma before and it's just something I'm lukewarm on; I'm not a huge Mediterranean fan and it always gives off gyro vibes to me. But everything was well cooked and presented, and the serving size is huge. I got the option for one person but coupled with the app ended up still needing to bring about a quarter of the food home, which is sufficient for another meal. I was stuffed for the rest of the day.

The service was really good in the sense that I had multiple people stop by my table regularly, and I never felt like an outsider at a place where I could easily stick out like a sore thumb (to be fair, there were a few other dining parties that were clearly not of Middle Eastern descent either). Everyone was very welcoming and accommodating. I'm not sure if it's because of the way it's prepared, but it took a solid half hour for the mix mashawi to show up, which is a bit long in my view especially for lunch but there may not be a choice in that regard.

I'd definitely come back but given the price point? I think this is a better option for dinner, and I'd bring at least one other person if I were getting the mix mashawi again - even with the high quality food and service, it's tough to justify (with tip)...

Al-Basha Restaurant – A Gem in Paterson, NJ

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Paterson, NJ, look no further than Al-Basha. I first visited this restaurant for my birthday in September after seeing a TikTok about it, and I’ve been hooked ever since. This time around, my mom specifically requested that we go back—and when I tell you this place is a hidden gem, I almost don’t want to share it. But it’s too good not to!

Location & Parking

Al-Basha is located in the heart of Paterson on a busy street lined with Mediterranean restaurants and shops, with a mosque nearby. Parking can be tricky, but they offer valet parking for just $5—though spots are limited. If the valet has a spot, great; otherwise, you may need to find street parking.

Wait Time & Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended. We didn’t make one this time and ended up waiting almost an hour. But trust me, the wait is 100% worth it. While waiting, we explored nearby stores, including a Turkish bakery next door—highly recommend picking up a few treats! The restaurant takes your phone number and sends a text when your table is ready, which is convenient.

Food & Drinks

From the moment you sit down, you’re greeted with warm, freshly made pita bread—so soft and delicious you could eat it by itself. And the best part? They keep it coming!

Appetizers & Sides

We always order a vegetarian appetizer platter because everything is incredible and only $7 per dish. Our must-haves:

Hummus (made fresh daily)

Baba ghanoush

Falafel

Tabbouleh

Yogurt-based spreads

The portions are generous, and we love making little sandwiches with the pita bread—it’s an experience in itself!

Entrees

We always go for the Mixed Mashawi Platter for Two ($42)—a massive serving of lamb, beef, and chicken, cooked to perfection. The quality and flavor of the meat are unreal—tender, juicy, and seasoned beautifully. It’s more than enough to share.

Drinks

Al-Basha has some of the best drinks ever:

Mint Lemonade – Refreshing, slightly tangy, and so good.

Mango Sparkling Drink – Sweet, fizzy, and delicious.

Their own brand of Coca-Cola – Tastes different (and better) than regular Coke!

Dessert & Birthday Experience

We mentioned it was my mom’s birthday, and they brought out a complimentary dessert with a sparkler—such a fun touch! The dessert was a pistachio-based treat, a bit on the sweet side for me, but still good.

Service & Atmosphere

The customer service is phenomenal. The waiters are attentive, quick, and professional. Even if a server isn’t assigned to your table, they’ll help you if you make eye contact or raise a hand. The restaurant is lively and aesthetically beautiful, with greenery and even a tree in the middle of the restaurant.

Final Thoughts

Every time I visit Al-Basha, it’s a 10/10 experience. The food, service, and ambiance are all top-tier, making it my go-to spot for special occasions. I’m already planning to come back for my next birthday. If you’re in Paterson, you need to...

First and foremost, I want to thank Al-Basha for accommodating my food allergy. The ingredient to which I am highly allergic is a very common ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking and I would have been happy for them to simply point out which items I should avoid. Instead, they eliminated the ingredient altogether wherever they could without sacrificing the taste. Much appreciated 🙏🏾

Upon being seated, pita bread is brought to the table hot and fresh. The pita is incredibly fluffy and is made in house. We ordered the mixed mashawi and mazzah. The mazzah is a combination of spreads (dips) and 2 fried kebbah. Mixed mashawi is essentially a combination of grilled meats served with rice & a cucumber and tomato salad. I've never had kebbah before, but now I know what has been missing in my life. I really can't explain the texture of the dough, it's grainy and fluffy but crispy at the same time, and the filling is savory. It's seasoned well, and none of the ingredients stood out over the others. It was a perfect harmony. When I think of Middle Eastern spreads, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh immediately come into mind, so color me surprised when mhamarah showed up to the party. It was definitely interesting in a good way, tomatoey, sweet, and citrusy. Think tomato paste with a tiara. The mixed meat dish was what we expected. Nothing was overcooked. The shawarma was cut in tiny strips, and not like the dry paper thin sheets of meat product you get from the silver carts in the city. The chicken breast was a bit dry for me (isn't it always??), but as it was one of several meats it didn't stop the show. Oh, and definitely order the mint lemonade. Thank me later. The portions are large, and you will have leftovers for certain.

Where there could be improvement is the customer service. Don't get me wrong, the waitstaff is polite; however, they are so efficient and the kitchen is so streamlined that you feel rushed, but nobody is actually rushing you. Your order is taken on a wrist-worn tablet, and in a few minutes your order comes out. Then the waitstaff stands lined up on the wall, waiting for a dining party to leave, and then they will swoop down and clear the table. You don't have an assigned staff member per se. They work in a team attending to all the tables to keep everything moving quickly. Because the restaurant is so elegant looking, you want to linger, but it feels like you should rush through your food so as not to slow down the process. Having said that, it would not deter us from returning. We are already planning to bring visiting family members....