Cafe Alula - Brooklyn

The vegan options here are fantastic! I tried one of the salads for lunch one day, and the cauliflower shawarma with rose lemonade the next. The salad was tasty but quite light. The cauliflower shawarma was absolutely amazing! Next time, I think I’ll ask for extra pickled onions. The rose lemonade wasn’t as sweet as typical lemonade; it reminded me more of unsweetened tea, but it was still delicious!

This restaurant offers the best baba ganoush we've discovered in New York, and their pita bread is always fresh and incredibly fluffy. You can also purchase their dips to go, and if you buy two containers, they throw in a complimentary bag of pita bread.

One of the best sandwiches I’ve had in ages!! The avocado, labneh, za’atar (add an egg) is the perfect combination of creamy richness and tangy sumptuousness, with a kiss of herbs and packaged between the crispy chewy perfection of their homemade Lebanese bread (think focaccia with a crispy airy lightness). The slightest glisten of top notch olive oil completes this heavenly sandwich experience. I was distraught when I couldn’t get Salty’s sandwiches anymore (they closed), but I must say this sandwich has the same level of complex flavors and textures... so deeply satisfying. And the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, a nice place to linger. Very sweet, charming staff (and great music choices)! They also make all their own pastries and the coffee is excellent! So, there are many excuses to come back

Recommend the curry bowl, orange blossom chai and the rose matcha. All were terrific. This is a great little place to eat a good meal and just chill/admire the decor.

The sandwiches here are incredible! The vegetarian "shawarma" sandwiches are delicious and packed with flavor, but my personal favorite is the eggplant breakfast—it's the closest I've come to a sabich sandwich since my last visit to Tel Aviv! The menu also offers plenty of vegan options. The café itself is a great spot to relax, featuring outdoor seating both at the front and in the backyard. I’m excited to try the salads and bowls next!