Zahra Restaurant
Zahra Restaurant, located at 4830 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA, offers a captivating dining experience that blends authentic flavors with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Known for its diverse menu and top-tier service, it has earned its reputation as a go-to spot for anyone looking to indulge in delicious, rich, and aromatic dishes. Whether you're craving something from their special BBQ section, a comforting chicken specialty, or a vegetarian delight, Zahra Restaurant delivers it all with unmatched quality.
Diverse and Flavorful Menu Highlights
Zahra Restaurant’s menu is a celebration of bold and rich flavors, particularly drawing inspiration from South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The appetizers alone are a testament to the restaurant's commitment to authenticity. Their Chicken Samosas and Vegetable Samosas provide a perfect start to the meal, with crispy, golden-brown exteriors and flavorful fillings. For something different, Samosa Chaat and Papri Chaat bring a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
If you're a fan of grilled meats, Zahra’s Special BBQ items should not be missed. The Chicken Tikka and Tandoori Chicken are wonderfully smoky, cooked to perfection with spices that will leave you craving more. For something a little more adventurous, try the Chapli Kabab or the Chicken Seekh Kabab — both of which are packed with flavor and cooked to a satisfying tenderness. The Lamb Qorma and Karahi Gosht are excellent choices for meat lovers looking to dive into hearty, flavorful curries. Zahra’s Seafood Specialties, such as the Lahori Tawa Fish and Shrimp Karahi, offer something fresh and savory for seafood enthusiasts.
Vegetarian options are plentiful as well, with dishes like Palak Paneer and Mix Vegetables catering to all tastes. The restaurant’s Navratan Korma is a standout, rich and creamy with a mix of vibrant vegetables that balance the spices wonderfully.
The restaurant’s rice specialties, including the Chicken Biryani and Lamb Biryani, are packed with aromatic flavors and perfectly cooked rice that serves as a great complement to any dish. And for those who love their carbs, Zahra offers a selection of Tandoori Breads like Garlic Naan and Keema Naan.
Exceptional Dining Services
Zahra Restaurant takes its service to the next level, offering a wide range of amenities designed to cater to all types of diners. It’s the ideal spot for groups, with an extensive menu that encourages sharing, and the family-friendly atmosphere makes it perfect for kids and adults alike. Guests can also enjoy outdoor seating when the weather permits, adding a pleasant touch to their dining experience.
Accessibility is a key consideration here; the restaurant is wheelchair accessible and offers bike parking for those who prefer cycling. For those on the go, Zahra also offers takeout services, so you can enjoy their signature dishes from the comfort of your home. Reservations are available, ensuring that your dining experience is as smooth as possible, especially during peak hours.
In addition to its extensive menu, Zahra provides a catering service, making it a fantastic option for parties and events. Whether it’s a small gathering or a larger celebration, Zahra can provide an unforgettable dining experience with its rich array of flavorful dishes.
Reviews
I've been coming here for years and I'd really love to give 4.5, not a whole 5. The lack of atmosphere in the restaurant is the main reason it deserves a less than perfect rating. Also, not a fan of the self-serve soda situation. I tend to be generous in my ratings, so 5 it is.... In addition to eating at the buffet a while back, I've sampled or ordered all of the appetizers, nearly all of the chicken dishes, chicken/falafel sandwich, and another dish the not on the menu. One time I came in, the owner suggested I try this creation of spicy beef in a rich, thick, dark sauce. I wish I remember the name of that...anyway, it was AWESOME! Every time I've been in since then, it was so busy, there was no time to chat and get the info, let alone order it. Speaking of busy: this place gets very busy at times and service can be excruciatingly slow. It's unfortunate, but that's the result of high demand for a high quality product. The food really is great, and you might wait for it whether eating-in or taking out. My last visit I received the wrong dish and didn't really even realize until I took a bite. My correct order came out only a few minutes later and they packed the other dish for me to-go FOR FREE. I insisted on paying half-price since it was kinda my fault I tried it and I was taking the whole thing home, so we settled on that. 2 meals for the price of 1 1/2 and both were excellent. It was nice to have my lunch ready the next day, too!
Come in a group and order different things then share amongst each other. Or just do the buffet. The food here is really good and you get plenty. If you have a taste for spice, they have that too. And what would middle eastern food be without naan break? Gotta love it.
Went here with a friend on a Friday night, around 7:15. We were the only ones there, so it was kind of nice to have the place to ourselves. During our visit, I did notice a lot of people coming in for take-out. We started off with the hummus and pita, and a mango lassi since I had heard about how good it was! The hummus was, to my standards, better tasting than any other hummus in this area. The two layer hummus had a nice topping of fava bean hummus which more than complimented the typical chickpea base layer. A great combination of nutty olive oil with a perfected consistency of hummus. The pita had some nice char marks, puffy and tearable for scooping intentions. My friend ordered the lamb tandoori, which was then notified that the restaurant only had half an order's worth of the lamb, but offered to also bring out the lamb curry dish. Yay...we got to try two lamb dishes! His was quite plentiful, nice chunks of lamb (not too chewy) with lots of green peppers and onions in a creamy spicy sauce over rice. There was a vampirish heap of garlic sauce on the side which was delicious for dipping. The lamb tandoori...was DELICIOUS. Chargrilled with a crust of spices and seasoning which melted in your mouth. I wasn't not expecting the explosion of flavor by the look, but was completely taken by surprised at the taste! I had ordered the chicken seekh kabab, which was not the platter, so it was only the chicken kababs and yogurt sauce. For $4.99, it was a perfect smaller meal since I was already mostly full from the hummus. The kababs were excellent, full of flavor and spice, with a little kick. I like spicy foods, so I appreciated the slight heat to these kababs with the coolness of the yogurt sauce. The mango lassi was delicious too...perfect for toning done any of the spicy food. Service was excellent, the young girl frequented our table and answered all of our questions. I left feeling so full...I had a nice Pakistani food baby...groan. I'm so happy to have finally tried this place...and it's oh so conveniently located next to my gym. Guess I'll be bringing hummus home more often!! Go try this place, support the local business owners!!!
Been here a few times to try some different dishes .. people give the guy a chance! Small family restaurants like this are incredibly difficult to manage and grow, most are out of business in a year or two and I for one would like to see this one make it. I personally really enjoy the curry dishes here, and the biryani is also good as well. One really nice thing about this place is that they don't nickel and dime you, when ordering naan prepare to receive an avalanche of bread! All homemade of course. Check out their buffet Fri and Sat afternoons too!
Favorite restaurant on the west shore. My husband and I had our reception dinner here. Staff it friendly and the owner is a delight. Food takes a little longer than most but it's 100% worth the wait. Try the goat curry if your feeling adventurous, it's amazing. The standard currys and kormas are on point and you'll want an extra order of naan.