Cafe Suliman — Restaurant in Seattle

Natalie knows how to make a cup of Arabic coffee. Dare I say the best of everyone at Cafe Suliman? Yes, I dare. I dare!

I saw a TikTok about Cafe Suliman, and as I am easily influenced by what I see in social media, we made a pilgrimage to Melrose Market on a Saturday afternoon. It also happened to be my birthday, and it’s none of your business that I am turning 35. Again.

The iced mint tea is currently not on their online menu, so I can only assume it’s a seasonal beverage. I highly recommend it just the same. My husband ordered Muz sweet vermouth which Natalie paired with an olive and pickled pepper (excellent choice). Muz is very difficult to come across in Seattle, so if nothing else, you want to dine here for the vermouth alone.

…Which is what a complete nabob would say had they not ordered the Labneh, Carrot dip, and Halloumi to share. You will be encouraged to share the plates, and you must accept this proposition if you wish to have a wonderful repast. You will also learn a little something about yourself – and your dining guest(s) – as you witness one another take turns with the labneh on your still-hot flatbread.

The desserts are a must. The olive oil cake is perfectly tender, and the dates. Those dates. Inshallah. If you’re clever, you will scoop the tiniest amount of whipped cream on your fork before you slice off a chunk of the olive oil cake to sop up the bergamot oil left behind after you finish the last date because it’s your birthday.

So many transplants come to Seattle and bemoan “the lack of culture.” “There’s no culture here,” they’ll opine, as they leave a Shake Shack in their Lululemon. Don’t listen to them. Do not be swayed by these fools. Culture is alive and well, if only you are brave, if you only you are willing, to push beyond what is readily accessible and try something new that you will love...

I didn't expect this restaurant to be as small at it what - but it really surprised me with its atmosphere. There were only 2-3 people working the place on a Saturday night, but it didn't feel rushed - everything was under control, the cooking was happening right in front of you, and sitting at the bar, it was a very cool experience

We ordered a ton of different things here, and shared it amongst us The olives were the first starter, and i thought they were solid enough. Next, we had the labneh, which is a kind of Greek yogurt, but this one also had chili oil. It also came with a flatbread. I definitely liked this, as the flatbread was warm and soft, and it soaked up the cool, relaxing flavor of the labneh

After this, we shared the sourdough toast, which came with asparagus and ricotta. I liked this a bit less, as the outside of the toast was very chewy and I didn't get a lot of flavor from the ricotta.

Probably my favorite dish was what we had next - which was the halloumi-based dish. this halloumi was amazing - the char on the outside was incredible, it was snappy, warm, and delicious. I also loved the vinegar-based sauce that the cheese came in; it was the perfect amount of sour, and balanced by the sweetness of the date syrup.

Lastly, the cauliflower dish was good, but not my favorite. It was a little on the harder side - I wish the cauliflower had been a little bit softer

Price-wise, despite everything we got, and a drink, it came out to a total of around $35/person, which isn't too bad, given the amount of different Arabic foods we got to try

Overall, I think this is a delightful spot. While I wasn't super into every dish, I can taste the level of quality in everything, and the environment is also...

Charm? Check! Good food? Check! Friendly and welcoming Server and Chef? Check! Actually worth spending money on when the world feels like it’s crumbling around you and going out to eat feels indecorous? Check!!! If you’ve ever been to Shaya in New Orleans where executive chef Fariz Choumali and the owner Alon Shaya have created heaven on earth amid their bowls of hummus and Zaatar then this is the place for you here in the city of Seattle. The warmth of the food and the people creating it is downright enchanting. The smell of the toasted sourdough bread & honey drizzled cheese brings you a comfort you can only remember finding in the arms of grandma at 8 years old. The labneh & Zaartar app is so creamy and so perfectly tart it feels like laying your body down on clean cool sheets after a languorous day in the sun. This place deserves all the recognition and all the praise. I cannot wait to go back and explore every menu option (which I hear changes frequently). Also side note on the wine selection, the server paired our food choices so well with each glass that I delighted to discover some new wineries and new flavors. Cafe Suliman is a treat for the senses and for those of us with a weary heart in need of gladness.

Now please open a...