What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Indian, Healthy, Middle Eastern
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Delivery, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Waterfront, Playgrounds, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants
Details
About
We are located at the corner of Jeffries St and Maverick St near Logan International Airport. If you are coming from the airport terminals, you can take any shuttle buses that are heading to the car rentals and just walk a block to come to the restaurant
CUISINES
Indian, Healthy, Middle Eastern
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Delivery, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Waterfront, Playgrounds, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants
Contribute
4.5
13 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
tanners47
595 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
I went with my 39 year old son on Sunday for lunch at this small restaurant in East Boston about 1:30 so we avoided the crowds we had heard about. There were two tables for four and about four tables for two. We had heard the food was wonderful and it was!!!
He had the ginger coffee with milk and I had the very aromatic tea with spices without milk—just what I needed on a cold windy day. We began with the vegetarian Sambusa appetizer, two large pieces stuffed with potatoes and spinach. Tho they were deep fried, they were not at all greasy and were delicious. It came with two sauces on the side, one home made and HOT and can be bought by the bottle, and the other a coconut mango chutney which was delicious. I usually cannot handle anything hot- spicy but this was an exception. It was full of taste and not very spicy.
We then ordered the Fish ‘Malay’ Biriyani and the Tawakal platter, chapati strips cooked in a fragrant (not spicy) tomato sauce with chick peas and lots of spinach. They were both superb. It was good to have both dishes so we had a variety. Both portions were huge and just $12 each. We both were hungry but took home enough left overs for another meal because of the generous helpings.
The place was staffed by a cashier-waitress and a cook when we were there. We also met the owner, a Somali American who had gone to the East Boston high school years ago. We found out that Somali food was influenced by the Italian occupation as well as trade with India and other countries nearby, but the Somalis have made their own twist to dishes.
You can see from the menu that there are good vegetarian options
This restaurant was listed in the food magazine Bon Apetit’s top new restaurant in 2019 with good reason.
My son looks forward to bringing his wife and sons back here soon.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caffe_espresso
2946 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Went for lunch and had a really good meal. I had the vegetable platter and husband had fish. We also purchased a bottle of their hot sauce. No eat in dining but they have a small, covered area with tables and chairs.
The owners gave us some chai tea while we were waiting for our food. Generous portions and can't wait to try some of their other dishes.
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLOTheBookGirl
Arlington92 contributions
Sep 2020 • solo
Excellent take out meal. I haven't had good chapati in a long time. My new obsession is the bur. Yum. Just the right amount of sweetness. Just the right amount of spice. I could nibble on a piece all day. On my list to try again. There is an outdoor seating area set up in the parking lane. Hoping to get over again before the weather gets too cold to take advantage of it.
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaDawna_12
Cayo59 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
Stopped in here on a recent brief visit to Boston. The food was excellent. Had the vegetarian platter and falafel biryani. Both were wonderful - spicy but not too spicy. It’s a small place but there is outdoor seating and the service was exceptional. Highly recommend.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucia207
23 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
This is a bare-bones restaurant. No warm greeting, no table service like water or bringing food to you – actually, the tables are for one person, no menu available, no rest room, no advice on where to find a rest room, no “thanks-for-coming” goodbyes. Was the food worth it? NO. The steak and chicken cubes in two of our biryani plates were dry and overcooked, the two teaspoons of condiments that accompanied it was too little, as was the minuscule salad, making the price was too steep for what you got. On the good side, the lamb shank biryani was quite tender and delicious – which it should be for $25, and they really know how to make hummus – silky and delicious, although the portion was very minuscule, maybe 1/3 cup, and the accompanying limp chapati chips were unappetizing.
While we were there a fire alarm battery was dying, giving off a shrill tweets, which seemed not to bother them – nor did my request to take care of the noise concern them. Awful noise. Why didn’t we leave? Our party of three was meeting from diverse places, none within an hour of the restaurant, which was recommended by another friend – let’s now say “ex-friend.” We had a short window of time to visit and the neighborhood isn’t conducive, especially in 40 degree weather, to picnics.
What do you want when you go into a restaurant? A nice atmosphere (nope), a feeling that you are welcome (nope – and we were the only customers in the place for the whole time), good food (eh), good value (nope), and a feeling that the drive there and the experience was worth it. Failing grade for this place.
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlWatt
West Tisbury43 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
We ordered a hummus, vegetarian plate, falafel and seasoned fries. While we were waiting they made us a cup of house blend hot tea. While we waited for our takeout order we spoke with the owner and he was super sweet and had a lot of pride in the food. Everything was fantastic. Do it. PS. Buy the hot sauce
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarAway03839275241
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
This is the best restaurant in the area. Hands down the most gracious hospitality. And the food . . . Oh just beyond amazing! We are regulars here and will keep coming back!
Written May 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Husein M
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Very nice place for family
Awesome food.
They have variety of delicious food
I’m referring them to my close friends
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andy9240
Boston35 contributions
Oct 2019 • none
The owner of this restaurant along with his family members who run the place with him are amazing...but the food. The food is beyond good. Somali cuisine...what is it? I wasn't sure either. I recognized some of the items as they seemed to be similar to other cuisines such as Middle Eastern or Indian...but they're 100% their own. Their wrap sandwiches are amazing for a grab and go. Don't forget the Mango Hot Sauce that they make themselves!!! It's very hot so if you're sensitive to that...becareful...but worth the taste! I've never had anything like it. I highly recommend this place!!!
Written October 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ssheffler
Arlington6 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Food and service top notch at this small family restaurant. Made from scratch, very healthy omnivore and veg options, new things to try, samples offered...
Written August 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J A
Newton8 contributions
Nov 2018 • friends
This could become our neighborhood restaurant. It's that kind of place--families with kids, couples, young, old, the kind of place where everyone knows your name. Or at least your favorite dish. The owner/chef (whose name I forget!) is warm and passionate about food and hospitality. He prepares meals right there, along with his mother and other family members. Each dish is made with love and care and prepared on the spot. This is a small place, but the food is exotic and delicious. Great addition to East Boston.
Written November 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
burplehippo
Newton10 contributions
Nov 2018 • friends
I've been waiting for this restaurant to open! Cozy little spot in a little red building in East Boston on Maverick street. Very welcoming one-room restaurant with a chalkboard wall and warm saffron colored walls. The nicest chef and staff ever. Went there last night with a friend and got the most amazing Somali dish- Chickpea and Spinach Tawakal plate ,which had Chapati strips cooked in it. Yum! My friend got the hummus and falafel plate with a fresh green salad. Dishes are made from scratch every day and portions were generous. Will be back often!
Written November 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-12 of 12
Related Stories
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing