Yemeni Restaurant offers Middle Eastern comfort food
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Hummus topped with lamb was a standout in an excellent meal at Yemeni Restaurant. Photos: Andrew King/Axios
In the depths of winter, a hearty bit of West Asian cuisine makes for some warm comfort food.
Dining the news: I popped into the quiet, cozy dining room of Yemeni Restaurant in Northland, heading a little southwest on the globe after an introduction to Pakistani food.
The vibe: I'm a novice to Yemeni food, but a curious and open eater. The staff made me feel very welcome, suggesting a good mix of authentic, but accessible flavors before bringing me a complimentary starter soup.
- New food can sometimes feel intimidating — don't worry about that here.
The menu: It would take a dozen visits to get truly familiar with this menu. It features a variety of lamb and chicken dishes along with appetizers, sides, breakfasts, desserts and kids meals.
- Signature mains generally involve a rice or potato base with slow-cooked and stewed meats — a middle ground between Indian and Mediterranean fitting of Yemen's geography.
What I ate: After warming up with the lamb soup (free when dining in), I started with hummus topped with lamb ($14) and worked my way to an enormous plate of chicken biryani ($15).
- I barely made a dent in the biryani — an excellent next-day lunch.
- As I left, a free Yemeni hot tea helped me brace for the cold.
Best bite: I enjoyed everything, but absolutely devoured the hummus with lamb — easily among the best hummus I've had.
The bottom line: If you're a veteran of Indian and Mediterranean food (Columbus has no shortage of either), you'll know some of these flavors, but Yemeni Restaurant is its own delicious mix.
- I'll be back, no question.
📍 Stop by: 11am-10pm daily. 5426 Cleveland Ave. Menu.
🌎 Worthy of your time: This trip was part of our Eating Around the World series. Check out the other international foods we've mapped so far.
Our thanks: Shoutout to readers Adam N. and Elizabeth W. for the recommendation!