Al Tannour

Being a Middle Eastern/​Mediterranean food enthusiast, I was excited to have dinner with Marc H. and Sam M. at Al Tannour. If I had not heard from Marc about this place, most likely I would have not known about it for another few years since its location is not very visible from the main road. It’s located in Boca Raton near Federal Highway.
The seating inside is nothing fancy and a bit dim and I would recommend sitting outside even if you do not like to sit outside. They have a covered tent like sitting outside with string lights around and fans going so you can bear the FL heat while dining here.
The food was pretty good here. I ordered chicken shawarma platter which came with a enormous salad and a healthy serving of rice. Although my chicken was a bit overcooked it tasted really good and the rice/​salad were very favorable. I tried Sam M’s entrée of kabobs and rice and they tasted great. I have a feeling next time I will order that.
I liked the service and the chilled out atmosphere. They are open until late so it’s a good place to grab a bite even at 11 at night. I have already recommended this place to a few friends and my sister and personally plan on coming back here to eat.~

Wow, perfect middle eastern vibes. Owner is excellent and understands hospitality.

While I write a lot of reviews, sometimes it takes me a while to actually write some of them. I keep my notes in a spiral notebook (old school) and when I am ready to write, I simply pull out my notes so I can remember all the details. I had such a delicious dinner last night I wanted to write about it right away because if I didn’t my OCD will drive me nuts, and we wouldn’t want that.
First things first, our beautiful server, Reina, worked yesterday and it was her 21^st Birthday. She was beyond adorable and we had excellent service. Happy Birthday Reina and I hope you are enjoying your day off!
Yes, this is a Hookah bar BUT it serves absolutely delicious Mediterranean food. I don’t know much about the Hookahs, but they were definitely being used and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves out on the patio. One group of people were playing cards and others were casually hanging out on the couches, some eating, some smoking, but everyone looked relaxed and happy.
Casual and unpretentious are words that come to mind when trying to explain the atmosphere. Don’t come here expecting fine dining, and the typical Boca Schmoca crowd, for that matter, don’t even expect cloth napkins. Really, if that’s what you need, go somewhere else because you won’t be happy here.
Come here to relax, eat good food, do the Hookah thing, play cards or grab a drink and relax on one of the outside couches. If you walk by and immediately think it looks «sketchy», trust me, it is not. And this is coming from someone who is afraid of her own shadow. Chill out, open your mind and walk in and grab a seat. Most importantly, be ready for some really good food.
For our appetizer, we shared the Hummus. I love hummus, but this was so yummy, I caught myself eating it by itself when I ran out of my pita bread. OMG, the bread. it was piping hot… and fluffy… and insanely delicious. There was plenty of it too. When I said that I ran out of pita it was because I limited myself to just one piece. They were very big pieces too, not just little triangles that you get at other restaurants. This bread was so delicious you could put anything on it and be thrilled. Maybe some butter or cream cheese, or nothing at all, it’s very very good pita.
I ordered the Chicken Shawarma Platter and it was a huge portion. The chicken was served with salad and rice. I doubled up on the salad and skipped the rice without any hassle. The chicken was incredible and the salad was fresh and was lightly dressed with maybe oil and lemon juice? I have no idea, but it had a deep cranberry colored spice sprinkled on top. Reina told me the spice is called Sumac. I Google everything so when I got home, I Googled Sumac. I learned this spice is made out of red berries, dried and ground into a coarse powder. I loved the tangy flavor, and it had a slight lemon taste to it that really gave incredible flavor to my salad. I tasted the Falafel and next time I am ordering it for myself. I have only had Falafel a few times but this is by far the best I have ever tasted.
The prices were low, like I previously mentioned, this is not your typical Boca restaurant. No attitudes, no Boca Babes and no high prices.
Great dining experience and I highly recommend this restaurant. It’s super casual so wear something comfy and enjoy yourself.

Been here for lunch over 20 times in the last few months and have never ever had a bad meal or experience. Great food and great service!
It is a little quiet and a little hidden as well, but give it a try and I promise you will like it. I think I have eaten ever dish on the menu and still can’t decide on my favorite

This is by far the best mediterranean restaurant in all of Boca Raton. The food is amazing and reasonably priced. The service is one of a kind and overall the environment is great. Initially i was hesitant to go to Al Tannour because it also serves as a hookah lounge but i was not bothered by the hookah and at times forgot it was even a hookah bar! Those looking for a great bite to eat or those looking for a nice hookah lounge, this is your place to go. Its a wonderful restaurant and I will definitely go again.

Awesome middle eastern food. Great service, atmosphere and prices. A great find in east boca.

My husband and I had a late quick mid week dinner there last night and I can’t wait to go back. The babaganoush was creamy and flavorful. I couldn’t help but overindulge. During the week we both like to try to eat healthy and you can easily find a light and satisfying meal without any residual regret. However, the biggest highlight was the customer service. My husband accidentally left his wallet on the table and the restaurant went above and beyond to make sure we got it back. I will definitely be back for multiple reasons. The hookah smelled great too but the food and restaurant could stand alone with success.

Phenomenal food,.possibly the very best baba ganooj I have ever had and amazing hummus. We all enjoyed the falafel and my meat eating friends loved their shawarma, one being a top chef from the Hamptons. It’s actually a hookah bar with indoor/​outdoor areas and super casual. Perfect easy early dinner for us

I don’t often have the opportunity to review a business on Unilocal that which I believe deserves more recognition then they are receiving. In this little area of Boca Raton, I believe there are two of them.
This business is a the at the top of the list when it comes to what they say they are.
Hookah is something that generally costs about the same price everywhere you go. Often times hookah bars will differentiate themselves from competition by adding fruit heads or ice hoses and gimmicky named shisha blends.
This business does not need to to that. Their Superb staff (Manager is «Jason») imports the FINEST quality brand hookahs, and top of the product line series. They use much better coals, the square coals, which last 3 – 4 times the length of the disk coals. They circulate the room occasionally, always bringing new coals and inquiring with the guests. They also use a vaccum to refresh the shisha inside of the bowl, blowing out all of the ash to eliminate any harsh flavors or smoke. They also color coordinate the hookahs and hoses to insure only specific flavors go in each one, preserving the integrity of the flavor when the customer smokes by not crossing flavors in the same hookah.
Lastly, The FOOD is also OUTSTANDING! I Have been around many restaurants and kitchens for all of my life. I went to school and studied food and constantly seek authentic preparations. This is a prime example of a authentic/​well executed menu. The salad is acidic, with cucumber onion tomato and sumac (you’ll have 100 of these salads anywhere you go selling middle eastern fare but rarely are they well seasoned and dressed)
The shawarma is excellent, all of the proteins are prepared well and I have never not enjoyed the product. The hummus is legit, and for French fry lovers. They buy an exceptionally delicious brand of French fries and every time I order them they are the same delicious, über crispy French fry.
Check it out. They are awesome. I recommend the top tier shisha, star buzz. It has all been delicious except for the blackberry (’twas lame)

Authentic Israeli cuisine prepared to perfection! First time here and we loved it. It’s a great choice for lunch or dinner. You won’t be disappointed.
Coming back again to enjoy the outdoor bar.

Service is great here! Awesome group of people! Food by the way is savorful! A true umami place! Lol. I ordered the Jerusalem mix, it a mix between chicken and lamb completely seasoned will and tasty! Great. It has a wonderful marry combination of lime and curry. It’s not SICU which I love. It def was s great stop after the movies !!

It’s hard finding a good hookah place that doesn’t have that feel of being too close to people or the surrounding noise being too loud. This place is set up nicely, not loud, no cover, and spaced comfortably. Service there was nice, and they chance the coal every so often using the better quality coal.
I never tried their food just because every time I’ve gone there, it doesn’t make me feel like it’s a restaurant but more of a lounge.
Notice– If you like the ice hoses, they don’t have them. I know this sounds silly but I can make someone choose between this place and somewhere else.

The chicken, hummus, and pita are all great!

I’ve been negligent posting a review, after coming here for several years, although I am always posting pics of their food and beers.
WHAT IT IS/​WHO THEY ARE: It’s a hookah lounge which serves beer and home-​made Middle-​Eastern food. When it first opened in 2012, there were multiple owners from several different Middle-​Eastern countries, and no alcohol was served. This has since changed, and the owner, Rimon, is from Israel, speaks English, Arabic, Hebrew, and perhaps Farsi. He is a large guy, with a ready smile, who can often be seen in the afternoons on the patio smoking his hookah, drinking Turkish coffee or tea, and socializing with his friends and of course, patrons like me who are not shy to engage him in convo.
WHAT YOU CAN EAT/​DRINK: Grape leaves, home-​made hummus, falafel, chicken or lamb schwarma, falafel pitas, incredibly tasty rice, tasty green salads, mixed grill platters. 5 different beers on tap, traditional cold drinks, and drinks from Middle East, Turkish coffee and teas.
WHAT YOU CAN SMOKE: Hookah, all flavors. I’m not a tobacco smoker, so I’m not into hookah, but must admit that when I recently shared a pie with my partner and a friend, we enjoyed the special (secret!) mix that Jason made for us.
SERVICE: Jason is the main full-​time server, hookah creator guy, really nice, and always attentive. Always there at night till closing. Reina is a college aged waitress, and a bit shy, but equally as attentive.
ATMOSPHERE: That’s a critical factor in what we find appealing here, after the well prepared, fresh, tasty food, and real cold Draft Beers at $ 4 each (beer specials on the weekend are offered, and not always posted, ask about them, all the regulars know) and it’s the regular patrons who we have observed here over time which make this place worth going to, for us, and hopefully, for you.
There are basically three groups of people who frequent Al Tannour: 1) the Middle Eastern college age students from FAU or Lynn U; 2) Middle aged Middle Eastern men who come to socialize, smoke hookah, drink tea or coffee, play cards, and 3) everyone else, mainly locals like us who appreciate their simple, well prepared food, a nice cold beer, and enjoy observing the interactions between the various groups of patrons.
THIS IS NOT A BOCA PLACE. DON“T COME HERE IF YOU NEED FANCY ANYTHING. DON’T COME HERE IF YOU DISLIKE STREAMING EDM. DON’T COME HERE IF YOU DISLIKE MIDDLE-​EASTERN PEOPLE or DON’T LIKE HEARING LOTS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES (although everyone speaks English, as well!)
It’s clear to anyone who comes here often, and who is observant, that there are regulars who greet each other with bro-​like hand-​shakes, or kisses on the face (3, not 2 or 4) and use their large shaded patio as a place to SOCIALIZE, HANG OUT, TALK SPORTS, PLAY BACKGAMMON OR CARDS, DO THEIR HOMEWORK, PRACTICE ENGLISH, and yes, smoke hookah, and JUST CHILL. We have learned the names of some of the regulars, and we all greet each other warmly upon our arrival. Everyone is laid back.
Almost every patron is on their smart phone, tablet, or laptop, some are using all three, or multiple smart-​phones. Free robust wifi is provided, and cords to charge batteries.
IT LOOKS LIKE A DIVE WHEN YOU WALKED BY? This place is safe, clean, the food is real fresh, and everyone is friendly. The multi-​gender bathroom is spotless. I’ve suggested to some friends that they check it out, and they say it doesn’t look «nice». And I conclude that this isn’t for them, and that is just fine, I don’t want them there! It reminds me of restaurants I’ve seen in Egypt or Israel or Puerto Rico in small towns, where the food is always fresh and good, the beer cold, and the patrons culturally diverse.
There’s a decent sized parking lot with entry on Federal Highway, and lots of parking on 1^st Avenue, which is the road running parellel to Federal, one block east.
If you are into anything I’ve explained above, drop by and check them out, I think you’ll be pleased. Oh, there is indoor seating with air-​conditioning, but I have never seen anyone sit at those tables. The vibe and action is ON THE PATIO.

Decided to end the night at the hookah bar. I’ve never been here before love the outdoor seating and how casual it is. we ordered the strawberry hookah add a couple of stellas. The place was jammed we were lucky to get a nice table for two and partied along with all the other St Pattys people. We ordered the veggie plate which had 3 grape leaves, 6 fried kibbe balls and hummus spread with warm pita bread. Delish for sure and it was so big we took some home. I will return. It was a cool spot for sure.

The food here is incredible. All perfectly cooked, seasoned, and presented. The hummus is homemade, not from a package and it’s obvious.
The tea, and Turkish coffee are a treat. Even the shisha is spot on.
The service is always quick and attentive. A sure staple for locals.

Enjoyed great kebab (chicken and beef), salad, hummus and beer. Loved the rice! It was the perfect food and evening.
My only criticism is their choice to put horrible fluorescent or LED lights inside and on their back patio. How can anyone relax and enjoy themselves in light that is best suited for a janitor’s closet? Please change interior and exterior lighting to a dimmed incandescent (like a comfortable restaurant) and I’m sure sales will go up.

Great food, i was very impressed w/​taste and freshness, esp family kabob platter and hummus. Ambiance is very casual, laid back environment and service great and hookah was well made. Will definitely return again.

Al Tannour… great prices… good hookah selection… food…beer…it’s the perfect place in Downtown Boca.

I should have known because the place that proceeded Al Tanoon was El Bayu and that was El Crappo. This place is pretty huge inside and out, yet only 10% of it seems occupied. When we first walked in there at 12 we were literally the only customers. That alone scares me because I wonder how fresh the food is if the production rate is down.
I’m all for trying new things and figured since this place recently opened I’d give a shot. My friend and I ordered the shawarma off their 8×10 menus that contained all of 4 options and had sandwich spelled sandWitch. I couldn’t even make that up if I wanted to. The chicken shwarma was practically inedible. Small, dark, chopped up pieces of low grade chicken at best. All the hummas and baba ghanoush couldn’t save the dish. The meals are served on plastic plates. The menus look like they were done in a rush with no proof-​reading at Kinkos and their overall restaurant appearance couldn’t be saved by Steve Irvine jacked up on more roids.
It was just a complete mess from the moment we arrived. It seems like such a big place and a few people thought to invest since it’s been sitting vacant for years, but its one big complete and utter failure. There is potential because with the right ideas and money they could make it into a nice indoor/​outdoor lounge but there is only so many hookah places one needs on Federal highway and the shwarma is better just down the road at Sultan Express. Spending $ 14 on a hot plastic plate for low grade chicken isn’t something I’m cool with. Its these kind of places that make me appreciate restaurant like Taverna Kyma. I hate to bash this restaurant because I’m sure they’re still figuring it out, but if they don’t have much time. East Boca doesn’t have patience for mediocrity.