Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Aladdin – San Diego
Aladdin - San Diego
Photo from Aladdin
Aladdin at a glance
San Diego Hillcrest
- 🫒 Mediterranean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 50 of the guests
#428 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#14 Mediterranean Restaurant out of 17 in San Diego
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
368
Reviews
68.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Charming ambiance
- Kind staff
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Cleanliness concerns
- Limited parking
The restaurant, a delightful Mediterranean eatery in San Diego’s vibrant Hillcrest neighborhood, invites you to experience a culinary journey. At Aladdin Hillcrest, you’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
You can enjoy a fantastic selection of teas, complementing a menu rich with healthy and vegan options. Whether you’re dining in or opting for outdoor seating, you’ll find a welcoming spot.
Overview: Introducting Aladdin
Aladdin offers a delightful dining experience, often praised for its charming cafe ambiance and the truly authentic hummus. Guests frequently highlight the friendly service from the attentive staff, making for a pleasant visit.
The culinary offerings, particularly the Mediterranean dishes, often receive high marks for their flavor and generous portions. However, some diners have noted concerns regarding the prices, finding them a bit steep for certain items.
There have also been occasional remarks about waiting time for service and, in some instances, issues with restaurant cleanliness, which could detract from the overall experience.
Good
7.1
out of 10
368
Reviews
68.8%
Satisfaction
100
negative
15
neutral
253
positive
Aladdin generally earns a solid 7.1 overall, with Customer Satisfaction at 68.8%, indicating a largely positive but somewhat mixed reception. This assessment comes from a substantial 368 customer opinions, with 253 positive remarks outweighing 100 negative ones.
The culinary experience stands out, with Food scoring well (7.6), often described as flavorful and authentic. The Service (6.2) is generally seen as attentive, though some experiences suggest room for improvement in consistency.
The Ambience (7.2) also contributes positively, offering a pleasant setting. However, Value (4.7) appears to be a point of contention for some, with a notable number of guests feeling that certain items are overpriced, impacting their overall perception.
What people like
- Flavorful Mediterranean food
- Pleasant cafe ambiance
- Attentive, kind staff
What people don't like
- Perceived high prices
- Occasional cleanliness issues
- Parking challenges
Aladdin presents a generally positive dining option, reflected in its 7.2 recommendation score. If you prioritize authentic, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine and a pleasant setting, it’s certainly worth considering.
The generous portions and friendly staff often leave a good impression on guests. However, be mindful of the pricing, as some find it a bit steep, and prepare for potential parking difficulties.
While the food is a strong draw, those sensitive to value or seeking flawless consistency in every aspect might want to manage their expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Aladdin
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
It seems the food here is quite a hit with many diners! With a 7.6 score and 76.3% customer satisfaction, it's clear that most find the culinary experience to be good. Out of 215 comments, a whopping 164 rave about the delicious, authentic flavors, especially praising the hummus, shawarma, chicken kabob wrap, and generous portions that truly deliver a divine, homemade meal experience.
However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied, with 43 comments pointing to some areas for improvement. Some diners noted inconsistent chefs and food quality issues, with complaints about dishes being not fresh, soggy fries, or even old rice. It seems that while the highs are high, there can be some unexpected lows.
Food
215
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
43
negative
8
neutral
164
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, delicious flavors
- Generous portions
- Best hummus/shawarma
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Not always fresh
- Soggy, cold dishes
Often praised
- foodThe staff was very nice, and the seating was comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food, especially the Grilled Chicken salad, which was awesome. The servings are quite generous; I ordered a half portion of the Grilled Chicken salad and still had enough to take home.
- Mediterranean foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the amazing Mediterranean food and the always friendly service. It's definitely one of my favorite local spots in San Diego.
- hummusMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the hummus. I've only had equally good hummus in the Middle East, and this truly tastes like home! The food was rated a perfect 5, and the service and atmosphere also received top marks of 5.
- saladIt is a little pricey, but I certainly enjoy the authentic flavors! My go-to entrees are the Chicken Kebab Wrap with a salad; the salad it comes with is great! You can get fries too, they are a good option if you want to be more full.
- FoodFood:5
- chickenI enjoyed the falafel wrap, which did not disappoint. My friend had the chicken and took home more than half due to the generous portion.
- chicken Shawarma wrapThe chicken Shawarma wrap is insanely good!
- falafelBest falafel I've had
- garlic saucethe labneh, garlic sauce, hummus with chicken shawarma, and mixed pickles is how we hit it today
- good foodMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good food and the friendly service. I particularly liked the Greek salad with chicken and the kabobs.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was pretty salty and mediocre in taste.
- riceThe rice is old and it has only been heated.
- food qualitythe food quality was not what we expected
- kunafahanded me the cold kunafa
- pitaOur server, a young lady, was very nice. However, upon getting home, I noticed we were charged for 2 portions of pita. Additionally, I was charged the full $5 for a half order of pickled turnips.
- French friestake French fries out of a customer's plate
- ShawarmaI was honestly disappointed with the food during my visit to this location. The Shawarma wasn’t good at all. The only dishes I’d recommend trying are the fried chicken and the chicken biryani.
- basicsalad was so basic nothing special or spectacular
- biryaniI know what a biryani is that's why
- chefsthe chefs are a little inconsistent.
If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean flavors and ample servings, this place is often a fantastic choice. Just be mindful that some experiences suggest a bit of inconsistency in freshness and quality, so you might want to stick to their highly praised specialties for the best experience.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 6.2 and customer satisfaction sitting at a somewhat mixed 57.8%. Based on 90 total opinions, many customers praise the friendly and helpful staff, highlighting their hospitality and attentiveness. Terms like staff, Friendly, hospitality, and server frequently appear in positive feedback, indicating a generally pleasant interaction for many.
However, a significant number of experiences point to areas needing improvement, with 35 negative opinions. Common complaints revolve around waiting time, issues with customer service, and slow service. There are also concerning mentions of hygiene concerns and a lack of sense of urgency, suggesting inconsistency in service delivery and attention to detail.
Service
90
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
35
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Great hospitality
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Poor customer service
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- serviceThe entire menu is spectacular, but the labneh, garlic sauce, and hummus with chicken shawarma, along with the mixed pickles, were highlights of our meal today. The staff is kind and attentive, and the combination of superior service and phenomenal foods brings us back every time we are in San Diego.
- staffThe entire menu is spectacular, but the labneh, garlic sauce, and hummus with chicken shawarma, along with the mixed pickles, were highlights of our meal today. The staff is kind and attentive, and the combination of superior service and phenomenal foods brings us back every time we are in San Diego.
- ServiceAbraham for always taking care of us
- customer servicehappy with the customer service
- friendly serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the amazing Mediterranean food and the always friendly service. It's definitely one of my favorite local spots in San Diego.
- serverOur server was very attentive and professional
- DaniellaDaniella is always super pleasant & welcoming.
- FriendlyFriendly
- accommodate everythingThey accommodate everything you might need!
- beveragesThey kept our beverages filled
Frequently criticized
- serviceimmediately were given service and served before even making it to our table
- waiting timeyou stay more than 10 min to find someone to help you !!
- serverthe server didn’t check on us and then when we asked for our bill took another 10 minutes. When I told him our experience he was snotty about it.
- bad practiceshate that they had such bad practices
- bare handsMy experience was deeply unsettling due to severe hygiene concerns. I witnessed a waitress use her bare hands to take French fries from another customer's plate and then take them to the back. Shockingly, she then proceeded to take French fries from my own plate with her bare hands, believing I hadn't seen her.
- chefhe then followed her where she took the last order
- confrontationworth the confrontation in which they seem to give off
- customer careThey don’t care about the customer
- customer servicethe customer service or the sense of urgency are lacking
- dropped the ballThey dropped the ball
If youre looking for a place with potentially friendly staff and good hospitality, you might find it here. However, be prepared for possible long waits or inconsistent service, as customer satisfaction is quite mixed. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, scoring a good 7.2 and earning a solid 74.4% customer satisfaction. With 32 positive remarks out of 43 total, guests frequently praise the overall atmosphere, the great location, and the availability of indoor and outdoor seating, especially the lovely patio options. Many find it a delightful and pleasant spot for dining.
However, it's not without its quirks, with 9 negative observations. Some comments point to a shabby appearance or concerns about restaurant cleanliness. Parking can be a challenge due to the busy area, and a few guests noted the lack of AC, making the atmosphere uncomfortable on warmer days.
Ambience
43
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great outdoor space
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Good location
What people don't like
- Limited parking
- No AC
- Shabby appearance
Often praised
- atmosphereThe baba ganoush was smoky and delicious. The service was great, and the atmosphere was also top-notch. Overall, a DELICIOUS experience!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiancenice ambiance excellent food
- Middle Eastern atmospherein a Middle Eastern atmosphere
- cafe ambianceMy experience at this cute Lebanese restaurant was delightful. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, surrounded by beautiful palm trees, creating a lovely cafe ambiance. The indoor decor is friendly and somewhat quaint.
- cleanlinessit's always very pleasant clean happy stuff!
- covered patioNice covered patio
- dine in experienceTerrific dine in experience
- dining experienceConsistently great dining experience
- family owned and operatedMy experience at this family owned and operated Lebanese restaurant was wonderful. The food is consistently flavorful and delicious tasting.
Frequently criticized
- ACthey don't have AC and we were all hot.
- COVIDThey covered the last order with a tray and attempted to serve it to me again. I am disgusted by these practices, especially during COVID. I used to enjoy the food here, but this experience is unforgettable.
- Parking is limitedMy experience at this restaurant was marked by good food, but it was situated in a busy area. Parking is limited due to the high number of people drawn by surrounding businesses. Additionally, the prices are double what the earlier menu showed, possibly a consequence of the lease during Covid-19.
- atmosphereNot the welcoming atmosphere anymore
- furnituretheir furniture back please
- parkingParking can be challenging
- placeplace itself was not good looking
- restaurant cleanlinessRestaurant is very dirty
- shabby appearancethe shabby appearance made it feel just okay
If you're looking for a place with a generally pleasant vibe, especially if you can snag an outdoor spot, this restaurant is worth a visit. Just be prepared for potential parking woes and maybe avoid it on a scorching hot day.
Value (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners really appreciate the offerings here, especially the lunch special which many found to be a great price. Out of 20 total opinions, 5 highlighted the good value and reasonable price, often noting generous portions that felt like a homemade meal. It seems there are definite bright spots for those looking for a deal.
However, the overall value experience averages out with a score of 4.7, and customer satisfaction is a rather poor 25%. Many of the 13 negative opinions frequently mentioned things felt pricey or too expensive. Issues like unexpected pita charges and even a compulsory tip also left a sour taste, suggesting many found the prices a bit high.
Value
20
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lunch special value
- Reasonable prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Overall too expensive
- Unexpected pita charges
- Compulsory tip added
Often praised
- lunch specialI highly recommend you try the lunch special, which is only $12.
- great pricethe lunch special is a great price
- priceI found it to be one of the best Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants in the Hillcrest Neighborhood. The portion of the food was really good, and the price is very reasonable. The food itself was incredibly delicious and truly felt like a homemade meal.
- valueGreat value
Frequently criticized
- pricesprices were too expensive
- priceThis was an over priced experienced for the quality of service you receive
- priceyI love this place! It is a little pricey, but I certainly enjoy the authentic flavors! My go-to entrees are the Chicken Kebab Wrap with a salad; the salad it comes with is great!
- Prices are doublePrices are double what the earlier menu shows
- compulsory tipspent $300 with the compulsory 20% tip
- pickled turnipsI was charged the full five bucks for a half order of pickled turnips
- pita chargesWhat REALLY gets me about the pita charges is that we ordered the large hummus platter
- portionsdespite the portions each being only $1.25 this is leaving a bad taste in my mouth
- too expensivesoup to be too expensive
If youre specifically seeking a good deal, especially at lunchtime, you might find some value here. However, be prepared that many others found the overall experience to be pricey, with unexpected charges adding up. Its a mixed bag, so consider your budget carefully before you go.
How are the prices at Aladdin?
On average, you’ll spend around 29 per person – based on 50 guests. That places this Mediterranean spot in the $21–$30 category. For a Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego, thats comfortably mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Interestingly, while the average is 29, many diners actually spend a bit less, with a good number of prices falling in the $11–$20 range. Youll also find a scattering of higher-end experiences, showing a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 50 reviews.
How this Mediterranean restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mediterranean restaurant in San Diego. It offers a good range, so you can likely find something that fits your budget while still enjoying a quality meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Aladdin
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Lebanese Food & Excellent Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be one of the best Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants in the Hillcrest Neighborhood. The portion of the food was really good, and the price is very reasonable.
The food itself was incredibly delicious and truly felt like a homemade meal. We particularly enjoyed the mint tea. Our server was exceptionally attentive and professional, contributing to a 10/10 customer service experience.
I highly recommend this restaurant and hope to be back someday soon.
- portion of the food9
- price9
- food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Absolutely Love Aladdin!
My experience at Aladdin was absolutely wonderful! We started with the lentil soup, which was phenomenal. The dolmas were hands-down the best I've ever had.
The fatoush salad is a personal favorite, and we also loved the chicken platter. Everything tasted so fresh and authentic. Don't skip out on the baklava, which is out of this world!
- lentil soup9
- dolmas10
- fatoush salad8
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Consistently Great Dining Experience!
My experience at this restaurant has been divine. Every time I dine at either of their San Diego locations, it's a consistently great dining experience. The food is exceptional, and the overall experience is always top-notch.
- food10
- dining experience10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Best Middle Eastern Food in San Diego!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely love the food, considering it the best middle eastern food in San Diego. The staff is very helpful, and they truly accommodate everything you might need.
We eat here all the time and also get take out food for meetings, events and conferences.
- food10
- middle eastern food10
- staff10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Amazing Food and Service!
I can't say enough about this place. The atmosphere was wonderful and the food was amazing. The service was good too.
It was the best falafel I've had. My wife and I can't wait to go back.
- atmosphere10
- food10
- service8
What Aladdin offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dietary options and offerings can you expect at Aladdin Hillcrest?
At Aladdin Hillcrest, you’ll find a diverse menu catering to various preferences. You can enjoy healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone. They also offer quick bites, small plates, and halal food, alongside a selection of wine, coffee, and beer for your enjoyment.
What service options and amenities does Aladdin Hillcrest provide?
Aladdin Hillcrest offers convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, outdoor seating, and dine-in. The atmosphere is cozy, casual, and quiet, perfect for a relaxed visit. You’ll also find excellent accessibility with wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms, plus free Wi-Fi and gender-neutral restrooms.
How does Aladdin generally rate with customers?
Aladdin holds an overall score of 7.1, with Customer Satisfaction at 68.8%. Its Food (7.6) is highly regarded, followed by Ambience (7.2) and Service (6.2), though Value (4.7) is a weaker point.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Aladdin's food?
Many customers praise the flavorful Mediterranean dishes, highlighting items like the authentic hummus and delicious falafel. The generous portions are also frequently appreciated.
Are there any common concerns customers have about Aladdin?
Some customers express concerns about the prices, finding certain items pricey. There are also occasional mentions of waiting time for service and issues with restaurant cleanliness.