Hakuna Matata — Restaurant in Worth Township

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5 stars

We had the pleasure of dining at Hakuna Matata recently, and I can’t say enough about how much we loved the entire experience. This place is such a gem! From the name alone, you already get a sense that it’s going to be a laid-back, feel-good spot—and it completely lives up to that and more.

First, the atmosphere: it’s colorful, vibrant, and full of life without being overwhelming. The decor is fun, inspired, and gives off this relaxed, welcoming vibe the second you walk in. There’s music playing softly in the background that perfectly matches the energy of the space. Whether you’re going in for a casual meal with friends, a date night, or even a family dinner, it just works. It felt like an escape from the usual busy rhythm of the day, and honestly, that alone was worth it.

The staff was amazing—super friendly, attentive without hovering, and you can tell they enjoy being there. Everyone we interacted with was polite, smiling, and genuinely helpful. They took time to explain a few dishes we weren’t familiar with and even offered recommendations that turned out to be spot-on. There’s something special about a place where the people working there actually seem happy—it really adds to the experience.

Now to the food, which was the real star. Everything we ordered was absolutely packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. We started with a few appetizers to share—each one came out fresh and beautifully presented. Our main dishes were vibrant, well-portioned, and full of ingredients that tasted fresh and thoughtfully paired. Every bite felt like it had been made with care. There’s a unique mix of comfort food and creative flavor here that’s hard to find. You can tell a lot of love went into the menu.

Also, bonus points for how kid-friendly the place is! We had a little one with us, and not only were they super accommodating, but the staff actually engaged with her and made her feel like part of the experience. That really meant a lot to us.

We didn’t plan to stay long, but we ended up lingering after our meal, sipping on drinks and just enjoying the atmosphere. It felt like one of those rare places that welcomes you to relax and take your time instead of rushing you out the door. Even when the place started to fill up, we never felt pushed or ignored.

All in all, Hakuna Matata is one of those places you find yourself thinking about the next day—and already planning when you’ll come back. It’s not just the food, or the decor, or even the service—it’s the way it all comes together to create an experience that feels both joyful and comforting. If you haven’t been yet, go. And if you have? I’m sure you’re already planning your next visit too.

Highly,...

Ok, so this one is long overdue and very well deserved. I moved into the neighborhood recently and there aren’t many late night places open. When I discovered this place, it quickly shot up to my preferred option! The food has always been extremely tasty and it’s topped with the most most watering sauce!! I did have one negative experience on a bad day when I hadn’t eaten yet with a brand new employee who wasn’t completely trained yet. I typically call in and place an order ahead of time and the new person didn’t know that was a thing I guess or could’ve honestly just been a simple misunderstanding, but the management and entire crew of this place when ABOVE AND BEYOND to make sure I was satisfied on my next visit. I never asked for this, nor was it really necessary but they ALL volunteered to do this and they all BOUGHT in. I’ve never experienced service like I have the last few visits and it definitely says a lot about the character of everyone here. They really care about their customers and they REALLY do make sure that you enjoy your visit as much as possible every single time. This place deserves for you to try it at least once, but you’ll be...

First time visiting, everything was great. I got the steak shawarma wrap with fries and garlic sauce on the side. They cut the wrap into smaller pieces, making it much easier to dip. I was worried they might fall apart easily, but they're well-rolled very tightly and hold together.

The fries are especially good, obviously made fresh from potatoes in-house. Nicely crispy, a little sweet, some of the best I've had.

I was looking at the menu on their website last night, and the website could use some work. When selecting toppings/fillings, additions or subtractions are limited to one each, which seems like an oversight for the subtractions. "Plain" is one of the options, but if it comes with 6 things by default and you don't want 2 of them, you can't select that. You can do No Tomatoes or No Pickles, for instance, but not both. For that, I guess you'd have to write it up in the Special Instructions section.

Place was clean, staff was very friendly, the janky website and the lack of parking are all I can hold against it. Would...