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Welcome to Malooga

Malooga is a vibrant Arabic-Middle Eastern restaurant in Philadelphia, offering a unique blend of flavors and a warm, casual atmosphere. With a menu filled with well-seasoned dishes and plenty of veg-friendly options, it caters to a diverse range of tastes. The Chicken Mandi is a standout, featuring tender, juicy chicken and brightly colored rice. The House Salad and Shish Taouk Platter also impress with their delicious flavors. The service is attentive, adding to the overall enjoyable dining experience. Whether you're a meat lover or vegetarian, Malooga is a must-visit for anyone looking to savor authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Malooga: Reviews & Ratings

Allison T.
Allison T.

Wowza! If there was a guide on "how to run a restaurant 101", Malooga would've written it. The food is well-seasoned, vibrantly colored, and generally evenly-balanced. They also have a lot of veg-friendly options. Aside from the food, the service was great; our server was attentive and welcoming. The ambiance is a good blend of casual and energetic: they play lively music that fits in perfectly with the vibes of the neighborhood. Their menus boast eye-catching pictures while maintaining functionality with simple, easy-to-read design. They also offer incentives for yelp and google reviews. Chicken Mandi: 7/10 Chicken is tender, juicy, and falls right off the bone. Skin on the outside is seasoned with just enough salt, but could use a little more acid. The white meat on the inside is moist. The rice is brightly colored with greens, oranges, and yellows. There is a ton of it though; I think it could be a smaller portion and that would be fine. Fool: 6/10 Interesting veggie dish reminiscent of a naan and curry or chips and bean dip combo. The fava beans come in piping hot in their stone bowl and stays hot throughout. While this wasn't anything crazy or out of the ordinary, it was still an enjoyable addition to our meal. === GRADE: B+ === Overall a great find to stop by if you're visiting the area. I would love to come back and try some of their other specialty dishes!

Katia V.
Katia V.

Beautiful and best restaurant I've been to in Old City! We got two platters and chai teas, and both were delicious and reasonably priced. The service was friendly and efficient, would come back again!

Samira A.
Samira A.

I visited this place several months ago and am just now getting around to writing a review. I tried the House Salad and Chicken Mandi. The chicken, while visually appealing, lacked the flavor I expected, making it rather unmemorable. As a previous reviewer mentioned, it tasted similar to supermarket chicken, and I agree. The rice, on the other hand, was the highlight of the dish, with a delightful mix of herbs, raisins, and nuts. The portion size for the chicken meal was extremely generous, allowing me to take half of it home for the next day. I added some much-needed seasoning to the chicken at home. The House Salad was nothing special but was necessary to have some vegetables with my main meal.

Angie B.
Angie B.

This place is a gem...and also pretty popular so better off with a reservation even on a week night! The food is delicious! Our lamb was cooked perfectly and everything we tried was delicious! It's an intimate set up and service was great! I liked this spot so much that I just bought a gift certificate for my friend for his birthday . It's also a byo, so don't forget your bottle!

Dina A.
Dina A.

Malooga is a casual dining establishment with a warm atmosphere. Service: The service here was excellent! From when I walked in early with my family to our time seated while putting in orders, the hosts/servers were gracious and helpful. Ambiance: I loved the wall paintings of cultural settings, as well as a traditional seating area at the window. We were a large group so we couldn't take advantage of that, this time. The traditional seating area is probably for about 4-5 people. Food: Generous portions and well-seasoned food. The food also came out hot and quickly after putting in orders. I shared the chicken Mandi with my mom. It included large pieces of succulent chicken and a beautiful aromatic rice with nuts and raisins. The restaurant does a great job by including toum (garlic sauce) and hot sauce on the side. For a casual dine-in meal, I would definitely return. The surrounding area is also great for walking around, after a hearty meal at Malooga.

Shifa A.
Shifa A.

Favorite new ( to me) BYOB in old city. It was by chance that I happened about it, and thank god for that. A little background- I was born and brought up in the Middle East so I can truly appreciate authentic Mediterranean food. We chose to sit down at the floor seating and started off with the hummus topped with falafel which was amazing, but my favorite was the chicken Mandi and Sana chicken sizzler. Both were simple superb ! Service was top notch and I love the little details on the window sill. Get ready to be transported to the Middle East at this amazing restaurant.

Amelia C.
Amelia C.

I really enjoyed my Shish Taouk Platter (Chicken Kebab). The chicken was tender with the perfect char/grilled flavors. The garlic flavored yogurt sauce paired well with this dish. The rice was the perfect texture. Loved the hummus. Tasted freshly made and was very smooth. We did not like the Baba Ghanouj. I think the eggplant was overly smoked that this whole dish just tasted burnt. Their naan was on the dryer side. Our waitress was super friendly! She gave us complimentary baklava because we were celebrating a birthday.

Xiao Z.
Xiao Z.

It is so wonderful to see this restaurant gain traction among locals and foodies alike. The portions are wonderful, the meat dishes succulent (lamb could use a tad more salt/spices), and the fish is absolutely a must get! We arrived for dinner at 5pm and some of the items have already been sold out (I'm looking at you, lamb-soup). Grab a friend, skip breakfast, and enjoy a terrific meal here at Malooga. Must get: liver, fish, lentil soup Meh: lamb Missed out: dessert

Stan H.
Stan H.

Flavorful rice, jasmine I think, with meat- spare ribs I think. As it was TooGoodToGo, I think this meat portion had some pieces lacking quality and some parts were fine. More fat and bone but sufficient meat especially for the price. Some juicy tasty meat, and the sauce and/or spices they flavor the rice with seems to be uniquely Middle Eastern and delicious. The inside decor is warm like you want to stay there and the prices certainly reflect a combination of the food quality and ambiance. it is nice to see such variety for Philly and TooGoodToGo. The entree was enough to make me consider visiting there as a normal customer. Staff is friendly and service was efficient.

Location

  • Malooga
    134 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19106 Hotline: (267) 822-2327

Welcome to Malooga, a charming Arabic-Middle Eastern restaurant located at 134 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, PA. This trendy yet casual spot offers a variety of delectable dishes that are sure to satisfy your cravings.

One standout feature of Malooga is their extensive menu which includes vegan options, limited vegetarian choices, and a range of halal dishes. The restaurant takes pride in its commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, offering gender-neutral restrooms, reusable tableware, and compostable containers.

Customer reviews rave about the well-seasoned and vibrantly colored food at Malooga. The Chicken Mandi, a popular choice, is described as tender and juicy, with a flavorful rice accompaniment. The Fool, a veggie dish, offers a unique blend of flavors that is both comforting and satisfying.

In addition to the delicious food, the service at Malooga is top-notch. Guests appreciate the attentive and welcoming servers, as well as the lively ambiance that adds to the overall dining experience.

Whether you're looking for a casual meal with friends or a special night out, Malooga is a fantastic choice. With options for dining in, taking out, or delivery, this restaurant caters to a variety of preferences. So why not stop by Malooga and indulge in their mouthwatering dishes today?