Zahav

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
$$$ Israeli restaurant
(2828 Reviews)
Price Range $100+

Welcome to Zahav, a remarkable Israeli restaurant nestled in the heart of Philadelphia at 237 St James Pl. This culinary gem invites you to embark on a vibrant gastronomic journey that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Israeli cuisine. With a carefully curated menu that showcases the finest ingredients, Zahav has earned its place as a culinary destination not only for locals but also for travelers seeking an authentic dining experience.

Step inside Zahav and be enveloped by an atmosphere that resonates with warmth and sophistication. The inviting decor creates the perfect backdrop for intimate dinners, celebratory meals, or an unforgettable night out with friends. The attentive and insightful staff enhances the experience, guiding guests through each course and ensuring every need is met with a smile.

The menu offers an exquisite variety of dishes, with standout options that will tantalize your taste buds. Begin your meal with their celebrated mezze, which features a selection of the best hummus accompanied by freshly baked laffa, setting the tone for a memorable dining experience. For the main course, treat yourself to the Pomegranate Lamb Shoulder, a sumptuous dish boasting tender chickpeas and fresh mint, or indulge in the Cauliflower Chraime, a North African-inspired tomato and pepper stew that bursts with flavor. Each entrée is a testament to the incredible depth and authenticity that defines Zahav’s culinary philosophy.

As you savor these delightful dishes, don't miss the chance to explore their impressive dessert wine selection, featuring exquisite choices like the Late Harvest Furmint from Hungary and the Malvasía from the Canary Islands – perfect pairings to elevate your meal.

But what truly sets Zahav apart is the outstanding service that leaves a lasting impression. As noted by patrons like AC Slater and James, the staff genuinely cares about creating a special atmosphere for every diner. Whether it's helping you navigate the parking situation or making thoughtful wine recommendations, the team's commitment to excellence shines through. Each review highlights the consistent high standards of hospitality and a true passion for delivering a top-notch dining experience.

In summary, Zahav is not just a place to eat; it’s a culinary adventure that captures the essence of Israel through its bold flavors and inviting ambience. Book your reservation today, and prepare to be enchanted by every bite!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Serves dine-in
No delivery
No takeaway
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

2828 Reviews
AC Slater

18 Sep 2025

Wonderful meal from start to finish. Service was exceptional and wine recommendations were spot on. They hit you with the mezze and some of the best hummus and laffa you'll ever have. It was our first time, so as many have recommended, the lamb shoulder is the right move. We did halumi and smoked sable as mezze add-ons and all the dessert options. Awesome meal that lived up to the name.

James

01 Sep 2025

My wife and I visited Zahav for the first time for our anniversary. We were stuck in traffic and unfortunately were almost 25 minutes late. However we were seated and met with smiles and good nature. The general manager came over and helped us with our parking app, which is for the record parking was very Easy to walk from about a two minute walk our server was most kind. She made our special event, even that much more special. Every server that we had explained what we were getting and was very courteous and very happy. Now the best part… The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was made perfectly. The flavor is indescribable because of how complex it is made the ideas of these sauces and Ingredients and fresh vegetables just simply amazing. We had the lamb shoulder, which is a 72 hour process to prepare. I was most impressed. I highly recommend Zahav. I look forward to the next time I will visit. Thank you. Jim K

Shawn Rashid

12 Aug 2025

What sets Zahav apart from other restaurants similar to it is the service and atmosphere, very comfortable and what you expect from a dinner date experience! The pita and hummus were amazing, we had enough food from the tasting menu to take him. I would definitely come back anytime I am celebrating or wanting a more special dinner experience.

Philly2 anywhere

08 Aug 2025

Had a reservation for 530, and we were sat immediately. Waitress was very friendly, explained the menu and specials. All the hummus dips were spectacular and the highlight of the meals. Appetizers were unique and flavorful. Entrees had great spices and seasoning, but we felt the quality of the meats should be have been a notch higher. Desserts were good but unremarkable. We got the wine pairing option and one of our group is a sommelier, she was very pleased with the selections.

ESB NYC

06 Aug 2025

Terrific meal, first visit during a weekend in Philadelphia. Everything was delicious and well prepared, authentic flavors. We went with the whole fried red snapper which was not my favorite but pretty good. The place is very popular and very busy so make sure to have reservations in advance. Friendly and great service, nice room.

Lisa Tsai

01 Aug 2025

Amazing food, not possible at all to leave with any bit of space in your stomach. We did tasting, the spread with everything is so delicious. I loved the eggplant which was phenomenal as well as the roasted carrots. I loved the lamb shoulder, which was very soft. I see the bbq style with collard greens that they were going for. The dessert is phenomenal. The chef sent over fried cauliflower which was so delicious and the desserts were all very special in their own ways, from refreshing sorbet to creamy soft yogurt to the denser home made ice cream. Great experience and rivals suraya (which I also loved immensely). Very worth the reservation! Just set alarms or walk in.

Greg Heller-LaBelle

21 Jun 2025

This place doesn't need one more 5 star Google review, but I wanted to tell anyone who, like me, maybe tends to be skeptical and contrarian about hyped places that this place lives up to it. Meticulously paced but not rushed, exquisite and refined but chill, well run but welcoming. Brooke was the best and took amazing care of us at the bar. Go here.

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