Reviews - Semsem

Very good food, generous portions, a little pricey but good value. Good selection good of food and drinks. A little slow service but very nice read more Very good food, generous portions, a little pricey but good value. Good selection good of food and drinks. A little slow service but very nice

We've ordered from Semsem several times, but we found the food to be disappointing. The fatteh was just okay, and the overpriced hummus was only mediocre. The o... read more We've ordered from Semsem several times, but we found the food to be disappointing. The fatteh was just okay, and the overpriced hummus was only mediocre. The only dish we really enjoyed was the majdoul; everything else did not meet our expectations.

Excellent service. Fantastic food. Recommended if you want to experience Palestinian food. read more Excellent service. Fantastic food. Recommended if you want to experience Palestinian food.

I tried the Fatteh Makdous, the four cheese loaf, and the za'atar deluxe crust. The food was delicious, and the service was great. Everything tasted fresh, and... read more I tried the Fatteh Makdous, the four cheese loaf, and the za'atar deluxe crust. The food was delicious, and the service was great. Everything tasted fresh, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. I will definitely be back to sample more dishes!

The restaurant offers some delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and the service is generally quite good. However, it tends to get very crowded on the weekends, so y... read more The restaurant offers some delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and the service is generally quite good. However, it tends to get very crowded on the weekends, so you might have to wait a little while to get seated. While it’s not the ideal spot for a full meal, it’s perfect for a light breakfast or snacks, as they have excellent appetizers. Overall, I had a great experience!

This is a fantastic little restaurant serving delicious traditional dishes. The meat pie and falafel here are undoubtedly the best in Ottawa. The service during... read more This is a fantastic little restaurant serving delicious traditional dishes. The meat pie and falafel here are undoubtedly the best in Ottawa. The service during our visit was excellent; we didn’t have to wait long for our food. And you absolutely have to try the cheese-stuffed bread—it's a must!

Last week, two of us visited this lively restaurant for the first time after reading a detailed review in the Ottawa Citizen. The menu is extensive and can be a... read more Last week, two of us visited this lively restaurant for the first time after reading a detailed review in the Ottawa Citizen. The menu is extensive and can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers to this type of cuisine. We ended up ordering more food than we needed, and while everything was delicious, a few dishes were quite heavy. Next time, we plan to take our time and choose a better balance of flavors. The standout was definitely the homemade pita. Although the service was somewhat inconsistent, the owners were friendly and welcoming. We also appreciated how quickly and thoroughly the tables were cleared and cleaned. We will definitely return.

AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE! Semsem has significantly improved its service since opening. They should think about expanding, as the wait times can be quite long. O... read more AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE! Semsem has significantly improved its service since opening. They should think about expanding, as the wait times can be quite long. Overall, the food is made fresh to order and presented beautifully. They use high-quality ingredients in everything, including the mint leaves in our tea!

I had Grandma's breakfast along with a traditional beans dish and shakshouka eggs, and everything was delicious! read more I had Grandma's breakfast along with a traditional beans dish and shakshouka eggs, and everything was delicious!

I had the best Lebanese/Palestinian breakfast I've had in a long time! Everything was fresh, authentic, and delicious. The owner personally serves you, which ad... read more I had the best Lebanese/Palestinian breakfast I've had in a long time! Everything was fresh, authentic, and delicious. The owner personally serves you, which adds to the charm of this family-run business. That might be why it's so fantastic! I highly recommend it.

Genuine flavors. Fantastic bread and Middle Eastern ka’ak (similar to a bagel). read more Genuine flavors. Fantastic bread and Middle Eastern ka’ak (similar to a bagel).