Zahav

Nestled in Historic Old City Philadelphia, Zahav stands as a world-renowned pioneer of modern Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. Spearheaded by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steven Cook, the restaurant delivers an unforgettable culinary journey rooted in Levant culinary traditions, coal-fired cooking, and elevated hospitality. The warm, inviting dining space features exposed brickwork, rustic wood accents, and an expansive open kitchen where guests can witness flatbreads baked to order over live fire.

The Iconic Multi-Course Culinary Experience

Dining at Zahav centers around a celebrated multi-course tasting menu that thoughtfully guides guests through distinct regional flavor profiles and time-honored cooking techniques:

• Hummus-Tehina & Wood-Fired Laffa: Ultra-creamy chickpea hummus finished with rich green tehina, served alongside steaming, pillowy laffa flatbread brushed with za'atar and olive oil.
• Pomegranate Lamb Shoulder: Zahav's legendary centerpiece—braised for dozens of hours until meltingly tender, coated in a sweet-tart pomegranate glaze, and served with chickpeas and fresh mint.
• Charcoal-Grilled Branzino: Mediterranean sea bass seared over coals, accompanied by melon tzatziki, pickled watermelon rind, and crunchy Palestinian dukkah.
• Cauliflower Chraime: Tender roasted whole cauliflower florets bathed in a fragrant, gently spiced North African tomato and pepper stew.

Inspired Libations & Eastern Mediterranean Wines

Zahav's beverage selection is crafted to complement bold herbs, garlic, sumac, and warm spices. Guests can start their meal with signature cocktails like the classic Lemonnana (bourbon, muddled mint, lemon, and verbena) or za'atar-infused gin creations. The world-class wine menu prominently highlights rare varietals and small-producer labels from historic winemaking regions across Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, and Sicily.

Reservation Strategy & Practical Guidance

Due to national acclaim and limited seating, securing a reservation at Zahav requires advance planning, as bookings sell out seconds after release one month prior. The fixed tasting menu structure offers remarkable dining value given the generosity and high skill of every dish. The kitchen is exceptionally accommodating toward dietary preferences, offering rich vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations across every single phase of the feast.