EFES Mediterranean Grill Princeton — Restaurant in Princeton

I have been coming to Efes in Princeton for the last 15 years, and I even worked at the restaurant when it first opened while I was in high school. Over the years, I've introduced countless family members and friends to this restaurant, especially since it was one of the first Halal establishments in the area that served such high-quality food. My family has been residents of the area for a long time, and we’ve always helped to spread the word about Efes to our Muslim community.

I recently returned from the West Coast after graduating law school, and Efes was one of the first places I wanted to visit. In fact, I’ve been here three times in the last two weeks because I missed the food so much. However, during my last visit, I had a very disappointing experience.

I came in today by myself, asked for one lentil soup to eat at the table, and requested my combination platter to be packed to-go, but mentioned I’d eat half of it there. I understand that the waiters’ English isn’t perfect, and there may have been some miscommunication, as when the food arrived, the entire platter was packed up. I decided to eat it directly from the to-go box since it wasn’t a big deal to me.

While I was in the middle of my meal, a waiter who had served me during my previous visits interrupted me. There was no one else in the restaurant at the time. He told me that while it was okay this time, I wouldn’t be allowed to eat from a to-go box in the future and that I should ask for a plate. I was confused, so I explained the situation to him, but he insisted that the other waiter said something different. I told him that if there’s a policy like this, it should be communicated to the staff, not to the customers.

I felt extremely patronized and uncomfortable by the way he handled the situation. His tone was condescending, and it completely ruined the dining experience for me. I ended up asking for the check and left, feeling disrespected.

Shortly after I left, a family friend who had only learned about Efes through us came in to grab a to-go order, and I was even more disappointed knowing that we had helped bring them more business. After leaving, I called another Efes location, and the manager there was incredibly kind and reassuring. He promised to handle the situation and make sure it wouldn’t happen again, which was appreciated.

However, I felt it was important to leave this review to make others aware of the lack of hospitality I experienced. The waiter in question (I didn’t catch his name, but he had a tattoo on his right arm) was unnecessarily aggressive and could have waited until after my meal to explain the policy—if it even needed to be addressed at all. As a Muslim person visiting a Halal restaurant, I felt that the experience was completely against the Islamic principles of hospitality and care.

I’ve always loved Efes, but this experience has made me seriously reconsider coming back, and I’ve already informed my family and friends about the situation. I truly hope that this feedback is taken seriously and that future customers won’t experience the...

The food at Efe’s is absolutely phenomenal — easily a 10/10 if you’re someone who prioritizes taste above all else. We’ve been loyal customers of Efe’s at various locations for over 10 years. It holds a special place in our hearts, and the New Brunswick location especially has always been outstanding, with warm service and beautiful decor. That said, our experience at the Princeton location has been consistently disappointing. We've visited a few times, hoping things might improve, but unfortunately, the staff has repeatedly come across as cold or outright rude. We understand they may be overwhelmed with DoorDash orders or high traffic, so we try to be considerate — ordering everything at once and minimizing interaction to avoid adding stress. However, during our most recent visit, the service crossed a line. The server actively avoided our table, turned his back mid-order, and made the experience unnecessarily uncomfortable. We waited until the end of the meal to ask politely if we had done something to offend him, just to avoid any negative reaction during service. Things escalated when we were about to leave a cash tip (which we always do), and the server approached us to say that "tip is not included" — despite us being prepared to tip generously. When I tried to address the situation, he acted as if he couldn’t hear me, and I admittedly raised my voice out of frustration. It was disheartening to feel we were being treated differently than other guests. I even considered that perhaps my outfit — a summer top that may have been seen as revealing — could have unintentionally offended someone if they hold more conservative values. I’m not sure what the issue was, but it’s clear we’re not welcome at this location. Bottom line: Go to the New Brunswick Efe’s if you want the full experience — amazing food, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Sadly, the Princeton location does not reflect the same standard. When you go out to eat with your family, you really don’t want to see them getting mistreated in such an obvious manner. In my opinion, even if you don’t like the customers, you should try not to show it when they’re very obviously passive people. Also, for full disclosure, I ended up not tipping the cash after all of the nonsense but in hindsight, I really should have just to not stoop to their level but I was really upset. My hopes are for the truth to be shared in the owner’s reply with what the real issue with our table was since we love the...

I don't even know where to begin with this place!! The service and experience made my Sunday evening unforgettable! Everything was impeccable and amazing, with our waiter Youna welcoming us with open arms. He made sure we were comfortable, and my mom even spoke with him in Turkish (and some German, too!)! He treated us like we were family or friends meeting together for the first time in years, really highlighting the beautiful culture of the Mediterranean people. He also made sure to check up on us, but not being too overbearing either. He gave us our space, and talking to him was always a treat! The other waiters and waitresses were kind as well, with one offering and taking a picture of my family and I at the restaurant for us! When we were leaving, Youna also gave us some baklava to take with us, on the house, just an all around joyous experience for everyone! 😀 The food is to die for! My mom and I ordered the lamb kebabs and my dad and brother got gyro doners. You can tell the food was prepared with care, and was seasoned to perfection. My lamb kebabs were practically melting into my mouth with flavor upon first bite! The restaurant itself is very clean and put together, too. At the end, they also bring out some traditional tea (on the house) which I thought was awesome, and it tasted good, too! In general, I love this place, and will make sure to stop by for a nice cup of Turkish tea and maybe some kebabs! If you are ever in the area, be sure to stop by for some food, you won't regret it and will be treated like apart of the family! If any staff reads this, thank you again for the delicious food and service, and for making our last night in town a one to remember! Çok teşekkür...