Al Badawi Brooklyn: Is this Authentic Palestinian Food Worth Trying?

Quick Summary

If you've never tried Palestinian food before, Al Badawi is a great place to start. This popular restaurant in Brooklyn serves traditional Palestinian and Arabic dishes in a beautiful setting inspired by Palestinian culture. I came here for dinner and tried their famous Maqlouba, homemade Malfouf, fresh Palestinian salad, and complimentary za'atar with olives and warm pita bread. The food was delicious, the portions were huge, and the service was excellent. Here's what my experience was like.

Jump to:

• Quick Summary
• Watch My Experience
• Why I Decided to Try Al Badawi
• A Restaurant That Celebrates Palestinian Culture
• Friendly Service From Start to Finish
• How to Get There
• A Warm Welcome Before the Meal
• Our Full Dinner Breakdown
• Is It Worth the Price?
• Would I Come Back?
• Final Verdict
• Restaurant Information

Watch My Experience

Check out my quick video breakdown featuring a close-up look at these iconic Palestinian dishes, capturing the presentation of the meal and the comforting textures:

Why I Decided to Try Al Badawi

Whenever people think about Middle Eastern food, they usually think about shawarma, kebabs, or falafel. But Middle Eastern cuisine is much bigger than that. Every country has its own traditional dishes, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy trying restaurants from different cultures.

Since I'm half Arab, this type of food reminds me of home. I was especially excited because I wanted to try more traditional Palestinian dishes that you don't normally see at most Middle Eastern restaurants. That's what brought me to Al Badawi in Brooklyn. From the moment I looked at the menu, I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary dinner.

A Restaurant That Celebrates Palestinian Culture

Before the food arrived, I spent a few minutes looking around the restaurant. The inside is beautiful. The walls are decorated with Palestinian artwork, and I noticed several pictures of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the most important landmarks in Jerusalem. Those small details made the restaurant feel more personal instead of looking like a typical Middle Eastern restaurant.

The dining room is modern, clean, and welcoming. It feels like the kind of place where you can enjoy a quiet dinner, celebrate a birthday, or simply spend time with family and friends. One thing I noticed is that this restaurant gets very busy. If you're planning to visit, especially for dinner or on the weekend, I strongly recommend making a reservation. I honestly don't think it's the type of place where you can just walk in and expect to get a table right away.

Friendly Service From Start to Finish

The service was excellent, and the staff were incredibly nice, friendly, and approachable from the moment we walked in. As soon as we arrived, they welcomed us warmly and showed us to our table. Throughout the meal, they kept checking in on us, genuinely asking how the food was and making sure we had everything we needed without ever making us feel rushed. Even though the restaurant was completely full, the staff stayed fast, organized, and attentive. That welcoming attitude made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

How to Get There

Al Badawi is located at: 151 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

The easiest way to get here is by subway. You can take the R train to Court Street Station, then walk about 10 minutes. Another option is taking the F train to Jay Street–MetroTech, which is about a 15-minute walk away.

I don't recommend driving because parking around this part of Brooklyn can be difficult. Taking the subway or Uber is a much easier choice. If Brooklyn is too far for you, don't worry. They also have another location on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.

A Warm Welcome Before the Meal

Before our food arrived, the staff brought out complimentary za'atar, olives, and warm khubz, which is the Arabic word for pita bread. This is something I always enjoy whenever I eat at a Middle Eastern restaurant. The bread came out warm, making it perfect for dipping into the za'atar and enjoying with the olives. It may seem like a simple starter, but it immediately gave the meal a traditional feel. Sometimes it's the little things that make a restaurant stand out.

Our Full Dinner Breakdown

1. Palestinian Salad

We ordered the Palestinian Salad. This salad is made with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, and a light dressing. There aren't a lot of ingredients, but that's what I like about it. Everything tasted fresh, and it helped balance the heavier dishes that came later. After eating bread and meat, it was nice to have something light and refreshing in between. Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones you enjoy the most.

2. Malfouf

The first main dish we tried was the Malfouf. If you've never had it before, Malfouf is made by wrapping cabbage leaves around seasoned rice and ground meat before slowly cooking everything together. It might look simple, but don't let that fool you. The cabbage was soft, the filling was well seasoned, and every bite tasted like homemade comfort food. This quickly became one of my favorite dishes of the night. I can honestly see myself ordering this again on my next visit.

3. The Maqlouba (The Star of the Meal)

The dish I was most excited to try was the Maqlouba. Honestly, this was one of the best dishes I've ever had. If you've never heard of Maqlouba before, it's one of the most famous Palestinian dishes. The name means "upside down" because the rice is cooked in a pot with chicken and vegetables, then flipped over onto a large serving plate before it comes out to the dining room.

When it arrived at our table, the rice was perfectly shaped, with toasted nuts scattered on top that made the presentation beautiful. The portion was huge—I honestly think one order is easily enough for two people. The chicken was tender, the rice was full of flavor, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. Every single bite tasted comforting. If I ever come back to Al Badawi, this is the first dish I'll order again.

One Small Thing I Personally Missed: I really loved the Maqlouba, but there was one small thing I personally missed. As someone who's half Arab, I'm used to eating Maqlouba with a side of yogurt. For me, yogurt makes the dish even better because it adds a cool and creamy flavor that goes really well with the warm rice. Al Badawi doesn't serve it that way, and that's completely their choice. The Maqlouba was still excellent. I just think a small bowl of yogurt would have made my favorite dish even better. That's simply my personal preference.

Is It Worth the Price?

Al Badawi isn't a cheap restaurant. The prices are definitely higher than many Middle Eastern restaurants around New York City. However, after eating here, I understand why. The portions are generous, the ingredients taste fresh, the restaurant is beautiful, and the service was excellent from beginning to end. For me, the Maqlouba alone was worth ordering because one plate can easily feed two people. If you're looking for a quick and inexpensive meal, this probably isn't the place. But if you want to experience traditional Palestinian food in a nice restaurant, I think the price is fair.

Would I Come Back?

Yes. Without a doubt. There are still many Palestinian dishes that I'd like to try. Next time, I might visit their Upper East Side location since it's a little closer for me. But no matter which location I visit, I'm definitely ordering the Maqlouba again.

Final Verdict

I really enjoyed my dinner at Al Badawi. The restaurant does a great job of introducing people to traditional Palestinian food in a welcoming and beautiful setting. The complimentary za'atar, olives, and warm bread were a nice way to start the meal. The Malfouf tasted like homemade comfort food, and the Maqlouba easily became one of my favorite rice dishes in New York City. Just remember to make a reservation before you go because this restaurant gets busy, especially during dinner.

If you enjoyed reading about the Maqlouba and want to see how other cultures make their own version of a rice and meat dish, you should also check out my review of Marakand in Rego Park to read about their Uzbek Plov, or my review of Shanai Restaurant & Party Hall where I ordered a delicious Goat Biryani! Each dish comes from a different culture, but they all show how simple ingredients like rice and meat can become something really special.

---

Restaurant Information

• Name: Al Badawi
• Address: 151 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Second Location: Upper East Side, Manhattan
• Phone: (718) 576-3815
• Cuisine: Palestinian & Arabic
• Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights / Cobble Hill
• Nearest Subway:
  • R Train – Court Street (about a 10-minute walk)
  • F Train – Jay Street–MetroTech (about a 15-minute walk)
• Reservations: Highly recommended, especially for dinner and weekends.
• Parking: Limited. Taking the subway or Uber is much easier.
• Best For: Date nights, family dinners, special occasions, and anyone wanting to try authentic Palestinian cuisine.