The word is out on Tabulé.  The popular middle-eastern restaurant is rapidly growing, much like the neighborhoods they find themselves in.  Their Riverside offering is a vibrant space with many of the menu items that made their uptown flagship so popular.  It checks all the boxes for those seeking a quiet lunch or a lively dinner with cocktails.  Sit in the happening dining room or hide away on their intimate back patio.  The food is great, and it’s BYOB on Mondays & Tuesdays to boot.

There are many appetizers/mezzas, both hot and cold, to get things off on the right foot.  Warak Enab are grape leaves stuffed with spiced rice, tomatoes, garlic and lemon.  They also make a fantastic Fattüsh Salad that is full of tomatoes, cucumber, mint, onions, parsley and toasted whole wheat pita croutons, all of which is dressed with lemon/garlic/ sumac/olive oil.  My personal favourite is the Arnabeet: roasted cauliflower, drizzled with tahini.  So good!  I could do an entire meal of just appies… so if you can’t decide, you can always opt for the sampler platter of various dips, pickles and fresh laffa.

In terms of mains, I’ll cut to the chase and say the Kefta Banadura is their show-stopper.  Pictured above, here we have two skewers of mixed ground lamb and beef, simmered in a tomato and garlic stew, served in personal-sized tureen alongside Saffron Rice and Grilled Veggies.

If you’re feeling something a little lighter, chicken and lamb kebabs get grilled to perfection and are also accompanied by grilled veggies and rice.  If it’s Friday, there are a number of seafood options to choose from…  and they do an outstanding falafel if you’re avoiding meat altogether.  You really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, and it’s all great for sharing.

Be sure to come with an empty stomach and some time on your hands.  Tabulé Riverside excels at delivering a flavorful, leisurely meal, all in a happening and bustling environment.  They encourage large groups…  and with so many items on the starter, main and cocktail menus, no one will leave disappointed.