Old City Cafe & Grill Menu – Cranford, NJ

Type : Lebanese restaurant

Location : Cranford, NJ

Middle Eastern sandwiches & entrees served in comfortable, compact quarters with sidewalk seating. Based on 468 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.6 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery

Old City Cafe & Grill 07016

Address:
20 N Union Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016

Phone: (908) 276-2701

Website:

Social Profile:

Hours

Tuesday 12–8:30 PM
Wednesday 12–8:30 PM
Thursday 12–8:30 PM
Friday 12–9:30 PM
Saturday 12–9:30 PM
Sunday 12–8:30 PM
Monday Closed

Menu

Cold Mazza
Spicy Hummus Dip $9.00
Mousakaa
A cool, thick dip consisting of grilled eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil blended together.
$12.00
Mouhammara Dip
A sweet and savory combination of flavors, made from red peppers, pomegranate syrup, topped with crumbled walnuts.
$8.00
Labne Dip
Thick, traditional, Lebanese strained yogurt, topped with mint, and olive oil.
$9.00
Kibbeh Nayeh
Raw ground beef, extra-fine cracked bulgur, and spices. Served with white onion and our special garlic sauce.
$20.00
Hummus Dip
A consistent puree of chickpeas, tahini, and garlic, cascaded with olive oil.
$8.00
Dip Sampler $12.00
Baba Ghanouj Dip
Roasted eggplant and tahini puree, with a hint of garlic, topped with olive oil.
$8.00
Hot Mazza
Warak Areesh
Pickled grape leaves, filled with a combination of rice, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil.
$11.00
Spinach Pies
Triangle-shaped baked dough shells filled with a perfect mixture of spinach and onions.
$12.00
Old City Arrayes
Crunchy, toasted pita bread held together by melted mozzarella, and ground beef, mixed with onion, parsley, and Lebanese spices.
$11.00
Meat Arrayes
Crunchy, toasted pita bread filled with ground beef and Lebanese spices.
$9.00
Makanek
Juicy, Lebanese beef sausage links.
$14.00
Kibbeh Balls
Fried, spiced dumplings, bulgur, and pine nuts filled with ground beef, and Lebanese spices.
$12.00
Foul
A thick hot-dip, a combination of fava beans, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
$12.00
Fatte
A savory mixture of chickpeas, yogurt, pine nuts, lemon juice, and olive oil spooned on top of a bed of pita chips.
$15.00
Falafel
This classic dish is fried to a crisp explosion of flavors, five chickpea dumplings accompanied by our tahini dressing.
$8.00
Cheese Arrayes
Crunchy, toasted pita bread held together with melted, gooey, and savory mozzarella cheese.
$8.00
Burak (Cheese Rolls)
Cheese rolls. Flash-fried, flaky rolls filled with feta cheese and Lebanese spices.
$10.00
Balila
A traditional Lebanese dish, a combination of chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
$8.00
Soups
Lentil Soup $5.00
Salads
Tabbouleh Salad
A freshly tossed, crunchy parsley salad, mixed with diced tomatoes, onions, bulgur, lemon juice, and olive oil.
$12.00
Old City Salad
A grilled eggplant-based salad, “soft and smoky” in texture, completed with diced tomatoes and onions with lemon and olive oil.
$12.00
Greek Salad
A fresh romaine lettuce salad, combined with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, topped with Kalamata olives and feta cheese, infused with spices, lemon and olive oil.
$12.00
Fattoush Salad
A romaine heart-based salad, infused with a tangy Lebanese sumac lemon vinaigrette and spices, including cucumbers and tomatoes, topped with crisp pita chips.
$12.00
Armenian Salad
A concoction of diced vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumber, and onions, topped with the flavors of mint, lemon, and olive oil.
$12.00
Side Orders
Tahini Sauce $0.50
Grilled Vegetables $7.00
Cucumbers $2.00
Falafel $5.00
French Fries $5.00
Full Pack Pita $4.00
Garden Salad $7.00
Garlic Sauce $0.50
Half Pack Pita $2.00
Shawarma $10.00
Hot Sauce $1.25
Jar Of Hot Sauce $9.00
Pita Chips $2.00
Rice $5.00
Shish Kebab $12.00
Shrimp $10.00
Chicken $8.00
Sandwiches
Spicy Shish Tawook Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$11.00
Shish Tawook Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$10.00
Shish Kebab Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$14.00
Shawarma Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$11.00
Kafta Kebab Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$11.00
Falafel Sandwich
Sandwich wrapped in fresh pita bread.
$9.00
Our Specialties
Shawarma Platter
An old city original: thinly sliced top sirloin marinated with our blend of spices, slow roasted for 24 hours on our vertical rotisserie, served with onions and tahini dressing.
$22.00
Kafta Kebab Platter
Skewers of fresh ground lamb and beef, grilled over strong flames, served with onions and tahini dressing, topped with parsley.
$22.00
Shish Kebab Platter
Tender Filet Mignon medallions, skewered and grilled to order, served with tahini dressing.
$26.00
Old City Platter
Our 3 most popular kebabs on one platter: are Kafta, Shish Tawook, and Shish Kebab. Served with both tahini and garlic sauces.
$29.00
Grilled Lamb Chops
Six fresh dry-rubbed lamb chops, grilled to order, served with tahini dressing.
$38.00
Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken) Platter
Marinated and grilled white chicken medallions, served with our special garlic sauce for added flavor.
$20.00
Spicy Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken) Platter
White chicken medallions marinated with our homemade hot sauce served with our special garlic sauce.
$21.00
Falafel Platter
Six crispy chickpea dumplings, paired with lettuce, tomato, and pickle garnish, served with tahini dressing.
$18.00
Old City Mix
Dinner for 2 served with garden salad and rice – the holy grail of all platters, this sampler contains the following kebabs: kafta, shish tawook, shish kebab, lamb chops, falafel, and shawarma. Accompanied by both rice and salad, tahini and garlic sauces.
$58.00
Seafood
Grilled Shrimp
Six jumbo shrimp, spiced and marinated in our house blended sauce, served with our special garlic sauce for added flavor.
$27.00
Salmon
Roasted salmon served with tahini, almond, parsley, and onion mix.
$28.00
Red Snapper
Roasted red snapper served with tahini, almond, parsley, and onion mix.
$38.00
Branzino
Roasted red snapper served with tahini, almond, parsley, and onion mix.
$35.00
Old City Seafood For Two
Enjoy your favorite seafood dishes with this meal for two. Includes two pieces of salmon, six shrimp and two crabcakes. Choose between red snapper or bronzini. Accompanied by both rice and salad.
$78.00
Kids Menu
Kid’s Mozzarella Sticks $8.00
Kid’s French Fries $4.50
Kid’s Chicken Tenders $12.00
Desserts
Baklawa
Ground walnuts rolled in flaky filo dough, drizzled with simple syrup, and sprinkled with ground pistachio.
$7.00
Pistachio Chocolate Gelato Cup
Custard gelato swirled together with chocolate and pistachio gelato, topped with praline pistachios.
$8.00
Chef’s Special
Lebanese flan, an egg custard in a dark, caramelized syrup.
$6.00
Riz Bi Haleb (Rice Pudding)
Rice pudding. Lebanese rice pudding, drizzled with simple syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon.
$6.00
Ricotta Pistachio Cake
Pistachio and ricotta creams are separated by sponge cake, decorated with pistachio pieces, and dusted with powdered sugar.
$8.00
Essmalieh
Shredded filo dough with homemade cream filling, drizzled with simple syrup, and sprinkled with pistachios.
$8.00
Pistachio Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake filling baked in a pistachio crust, topped with pistachio pieces.
$7.00
Chef’s Special Chocolate Mousse
Topped with almonds, this creamy chocolate mousse is light and airy and is served with a side of biscuits.
$6.00
Beverages
Lebanese Coffee $3.00
Americano Coffee $3.00
Espresso $3.00
Double Espresso $4.00
Latte $4.00
Cappuccino $5.00
Maccachino $4.00
Decaf Coffee $4.00
Hot Chocolate $5.00
Latte Macchiato $5.00
Hot Mint Tea $3.00
Tea $3.00
Lunch Specials
Spicy Shish Tawook Lunch Special
Served over rice and include a side of hummus and Armenian salad. No substitutions, please.
$16.00
Shish Tawook Lunch Special
Served over rice and include a side of hummus and Armenian salad. No substitutions, please.
$15.00
Shish Kebab Lunch Special
Served over rice and include a side of hummus and Armenian salad. No substitutions, please.
$18.00
Lebanese Style Lamb Burger Lunch Special
Served with french fries.
$15.00
Kafta Kebab Lunch Special
Served over rice and include a side of hummus and Armenian salad. No substitutions, please.
$15.00
Falafel Lunch Special
Served over rice and include a side of hummus and Armenian salad. No substitutions, please.
$14.00

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Photo Gallery

Reviews

Stephanie Tejeda
My husband and I came to this restaurant years ago when we were just dating. We decided to go back as a family now with our 9 month old for an early dinner. When we walked in we were seated right away. My husband and I started to settle all of the babies stuff in place so that we could eat comfortably. I notice that the owner (I’m assuming) was telling the staff consistently why they had sat a “party of 2” in a table that could’ve seated 4. Eventually as I suspected after we had almost finished arranging our things the owner walks over. She asked me “if it was only a party of 2” in which I replied “yes”. She then proceeded to tell me since I have a stroller I needed to move to a table for two (the smallest tables) in which I responded “ we would not be moving as the highchair for my son clips onto the table and we would not have any room for our plates and my son would grab anything within reach”. She then said “oh okay it’s a party of 2 1/2”. She realized that I would not be easily moved and said “ I needed to move my stroller” in which I replied “I would be doing so in just a few seconds” luckily I have a travel stroller which folds nicely and placed it on a chair. As a mother who wanted to have a quiet dinner with her family I sincerely don’t understand why I was made to feel like a bother with my son as the restaurant wasn’t even full and various tables were available and soon to be available as well. The service was mediocre and the lamb and chicken platters were dry and flavorless. Each plate was around $22-25 plus the hummus appetizer we ordered. I will end this review with the following since I’ve read other reviews and clearly it’s a “vibe” here. If you happen to be someone of color or Hispanic you will not be receiving “best service” at this establishment. To each their own but there are way better restaurants in Cranford to spend your money at.

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Val Chavez
All was good until we felt a bit rushed to pay the bill. It wasn’t busy. Then when we paid , we were told there’s a 4% surcharge if paid by card. And no surcharge for cash. This is to offset their operating expense. Let me say, this is tacky. If you have issues operating then increase prices as necessary. The surcharge bandwagon is infuriating and makes your business look tacky. I won’t frequent this business in the future. Food was good. But I just don’t think this is the way to treat your customers. Please …. Get off the surcharge bandwagon.

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George Koubbe
Old City Cafe and Grill in Cranford is a super cozy Mediterranean spot where you can kick back, enjoy amazing food, and get some top-notch service. As soon as you step inside, you’ll feel right at home. Their menu is packed with tasty treats, like their famous hummus and mouthwatering shawarma platter. The staff is friendly and knows their stuff, and the vibe is chill and inviting. Whether you’re hanging out with friends or having a romantic date night, Old City Cafe and Grill is the place to be in Cranford.

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sharon lordello
this place is absolutely amazing, this is my second time coming here and I haven’t been let down at all. unfortunately, I was too focused on eating and only got a picture of the appetizers. it was so delicious, from the appetizers, to the platters, to the iced mint tea, to the chocolate mousse and labanese coffee. 10/10

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Cia GEO
We visited this place couple times. I always ordered sandwiches which is very good and my husband had kabab dish. I think their sauce is really good. One time, I ordered coffee and their cup is very cute and unique. The coffee is not my type but my husband liked it.

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Nick K
We ordered the old city mix (combo grill for two). Lamb chops and chicken were pretty good. Attentive service.

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Jose Giraldo
This my friends is one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in the area!. We started off with spinach pies, baba ghanouj, and yogurt dip which were all fantastic. For the entrees we had the kafta kebab platter and the lamb chop platter. Both platters were delicious and the meats were cooked to perfection, I’m very picky with where I order lamb because not a lot of places know how to make it but this place surely does. The lamb was rich and succulent and packed with flavor and goes perfect with their side of garlic sauce / tahini and hot sauce. The staff is extremely nice and the owner Rafi is a great guy, very friendly atmosphere overall. Please stop by and check them out when you get the chance, 5 stars.

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Alfredo Fuccilli
I’ll say that if you are going for the falafel, you won’t be disappointed. I got the falafel lunch special and they were definitely the highlight. Fried just right and flavorful, not dry at all. However, the rest of the food was bland and just didn’t taste like much. Would love to go back to try again.

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Jasmine Landicho
Ordered both the Swish Tawook & Spicy Swish Tawook Platter (marinated chicken medallions with the best garlic sauce on the side). BYOB so we were able to enjoy with a nice bottle of white wine. Service was great, got personal tips from the chef himself. Wish I had room for dessert. Not my first or last time at this lovely restaurant.

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Ariel Coreth
Needed a quick and healthy lunch before headed back home and we are so lucky we picked Old City Cafe & Grill. The owner paid attention to our food restrictions and was able to answer our questions on serving size and provide us recommendations when we couldn’t decide something.

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