Worst dining experience in a very long time.I am not sure where these 4.6 ratings came from but it couldn't have been at the same place the four of us ate at last night (April 13, 2024). It started out with my rickety seat that made me feel like the chair would have collapsed at any moment. The tables were so close together that my chair, and me, were constantly run into by the wait staff at least a dozen or more times, not once met with any "excuse me" or apology.The hummus had the consistency of a wet slurry and had way too much garlic in it to have any other taste come through.Entrees arrived about 40 minutes after the hummus and pita was served. The couple next to us came in 15 minutes after us and was served their food 10 minutes before us. We should have left then.My friends had the Branzino and a Chicken dish for their main course. Both were so bad that they ate about half of it. My friend's wife described the Branzino sauce as "some kind of flavor that she could not identify but was not good."My wife had two appetizers for dinner. The first was rice balls in a sauce that I tried and can only describe as "Cambels Tomato Soup" flavored. That was followed by a shrimp and artichoke dish that had the smallest and poorest tasting shrimp she had ever had.My dish was supposed to be Cioppino. The "risotto", if I can call it that, had no texture of any risotto I have ever tasted. It was swimming in some kind of butter mixture and rice and not creamy at all. Not sure if it was even the correct rice. On top of that were two overcooked shrimp, 5 clam shells of which two had no clams in them (the missing clams were not anywhere to be seen), 6 muscles, three very small and narrow crab legs (They were okay but certainly not the "King Crab Legs" described on the Specials menu, and two pieces of cod that were so small that I almost forgot they were in their when it arrived.All of this for $50 per person without any alcohol.I really can't understand how anyone can go there. I know we will never do so again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Sandra Yang
Had a great evening at this lovely restaurant. Dinner was delicious and so tasty. Service was superb and atmosphere so relax.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sicilian Rice Balls, Baklava, Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Torte, New Zealand Rack of Lamb
Gladys P.
Love Lemon, the food is delicious, the service is great and the staff is super friendly! Can't wait to go back.
V
This is a hidden gem. One of the best restaurants in NJ. Every dish I’ve had is absolutely delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The pappardelle with braised lamb is to die for. I’d have it as my last meal.Chef Ash is sweet as pie and when you come in you’re family. He is attentive and kind and you can tell he pays attention to detail. If you happen to be there on a day he has made his famous rice pudding you’re in for a treat! My goodness! I’m getting hungry just thinking about all the wonderful things on the menu! The octopus appetizer is another mouth watering dish!I think I’ll go book a table! ?
Chef Ash and staff were excellent. Our waiter Steve was the best. You have to try their octopus… so tender and juicy. So good! Every dish was wonderfulDietary restrictions: Gluten free accommodation!
I don’t know what your feelings are about lamb tagine but it’s rare to find this dish prepared as well as it is at this restaurant. Service was impeccable. Great atmosphere. Outstanding food. If you eat vegetarian, you’d also be very well catered for here. Great place. I plan to return just for the lamb tagine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alison B.
Amazing food and service. The owner came to our table to welcome us. Every dish was so tasty and fresh. Can't to go back and try other dishes.
Grace Perez
It was my first time here and I ordered the Lamb ( love lamb lol ) and had tiramisu. We also had some appetizers which were very good too. The service was great and food too. Also recommend to get there early to find parking .
I will start off by saying, I normally do not leave reviews but this restaurant has left us speechless. My husband and I decided last minute that we needed a date night and a friend of ours had mentioned Lemon last week. We didn't have reservations and arrived a little before 8. The young man at the entrance seated us kindly and shortly after brought us homemade hummus and warm pita. The hummus was fresh, delicious and a delightful start to the dinner ahead. We started with the octopus as an appetizer and split the romaine salad, both were amazing. My husband ordered the rack of lamb and I went with the cioppino which were probably hands down the tastiest meals we've had all year (and we eat out a lot). Finally for desert we had the bananas foster and started chatting with Chef and owner of Lemon, Ash. The desert quite literally took our breath away. The waiter then brought out homemade whipped cream with fresh strawberries and it was at this moment where we realized we felt as if we weren't in New Jersey anymore. This entire meal and experience from start to finish took us away and made us feel that we were away on a vacation somewhere exotic. Who would've thought that visiting a restaurant that has been here for 14 years for the first time tonight could do that for us. Lemon is truly a hidden gem and anyone that eats here is lucky to experience it. We will most definitely be back, I cannot speak high enough about it. Thank you Ash and your team you are brilliant!
This was our first visit to Lemon. Our experience was fantastic from the food to the wait staff and beyond. We enjoyed the escargot as well as the mussels for appetizers. Our entrees, the branzino special and the shrimp with clams did not disappoint. We are already thinking about returning to enjoy lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino
Eric Amaral
Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant offers a delicious and authentic journey through the flavors of the Mediterranean. From savory appetizers to flavorful entrees, their menu boasts fresh, high-quality ingredients that tantalize the taste buds.Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, Lemon Mediterranean is definitely worth a try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
LambertC
Always a wonderful meal at Lemon. Food and service is amazing! Ash and his staff make you feel so special. They truly care about their customers. It's our neighborhood gem! Lucky to have this so close to us!
anthony pomponio
Decent for the price. Sauces and dips were good. Duck had a lot of bones and Lamb and Chicken Kafta seemed boiled and mushy meatball-like rounds rather than grilled and served on a skewer. A bit disappointing. Not to mention booking on Open Table where they had numerous times open....but when we got there had to wait 45 minutes for our 7pm table without even an apology. Be wary of reserving, they are not accurate with availability.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Falafel
Dawn Lilenfeld-Saada
It was sooo good! Everything was great, and not your regular ole dishes that you can get anywhere. Very authentic dishes!Kid-friendliness: Not a kid-friendly place. Very adult type atmosphere.
Worst dining experience in a very long time.I am not sure where these 4.6 ratings came from but it couldn't have been at the same place the four of us ate at last night (April 13, 2024). It started out with my rickety seat that made me feel like the chair would have collapsed at any moment. The tables were so close together that my chair, and me, were constantly run into by the wait staff at least a dozen or more times, not once met with any "excuse me" or apology.The hummus had the consistency of a wet slurry and had way too much garlic in it to have any other taste come through.Entrees arrived about 40 minutes after the hummus and pita was served. The couple next to us came in 15 minutes after us and was served their food 10 minutes before us. We should have left then.My friends had the Branzino and a Chicken dish for their main course. Both were so bad that they ate about half of it. My friend's wife described the Branzino sauce as "some kind of flavor that she could not identify but was not good."My wife had two appetizers for dinner. The first was rice balls in a sauce that I tried and can only describe as "Cambels Tomato Soup" flavored. That was followed by a shrimp and artichoke dish that had the smallest and poorest tasting shrimp she had ever had.My dish was supposed to be Cioppino. The "risotto", if I can call it that, had no texture of any risotto I have ever tasted. It was swimming in some kind of butter mixture and rice and not creamy at all. Not sure if it was even the correct rice. On top of that were two overcooked shrimp, 5 clam shells of which two had no clams in them (the missing clams were not anywhere to be seen), 6 muscles, three very small and narrow crab legs (They were okay but certainly not the "King Crab Legs" described on the Specials menu, and two pieces of cod that were so small that I almost forgot they were in their when it arrived.All of this for $50 per person without any alcohol.I really can't understand how anyone can go there. I know we will never do so again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Had a great evening at this lovely restaurant. Dinner was delicious and so tasty. Service was superb and atmosphere so relax.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sicilian Rice Balls, Baklava, Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Torte, New Zealand Rack of Lamb
Love Lemon, the food is delicious, the service is great and the staff is super friendly! Can't wait to go back.
This is a hidden gem. One of the best restaurants in NJ. Every dish I’ve had is absolutely delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The pappardelle with braised lamb is to die for. I’d have it as my last meal.Chef Ash is sweet as pie and when you come in you’re family. He is attentive and kind and you can tell he pays attention to detail. If you happen to be there on a day he has made his famous rice pudding you’re in for a treat! My goodness! I’m getting hungry just thinking about all the wonderful things on the menu! The octopus appetizer is another mouth watering dish!I think I’ll go book a table! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus, Crème Brulee, Homemade Pappardelle, Lemon Platter, Branzino
French Almond Cake!!! Fresh whipped cream!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chef Ash and staff were excellent. Our waiter Steve was the best. You have to try their octopus… so tender and juicy. So good! Every dish was wonderfulDietary restrictions: Gluten free accommodation!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Greek Salad, Mango Panna Cotta, Octopus, Hanger Steak, Sicilian Rice Balls, Homemade Pappardelle, Lemon Platter, Branzino
I don’t know what your feelings are about lamb tagine but it’s rare to find this dish prepared as well as it is at this restaurant. Service was impeccable. Great atmosphere. Outstanding food. If you eat vegetarian, you’d also be very well catered for here. Great place. I plan to return just for the lamb tagine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and service. The owner came to our table to welcome us. Every dish was so tasty and fresh. Can't to go back and try other dishes.
It was my first time here and I ordered the Lamb ( love lamb lol ) and had tiramisu. We also had some appetizers which were very good too. The service was great and food too. Also recommend to get there early to find parking .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Octopus, Sicilian Rice Balls, Lamb Tagine
I will start off by saying, I normally do not leave reviews but this restaurant has left us speechless. My husband and I decided last minute that we needed a date night and a friend of ours had mentioned Lemon last week. We didn't have reservations and arrived a little before 8. The young man at the entrance seated us kindly and shortly after brought us homemade hummus and warm pita. The hummus was fresh, delicious and a delightful start to the dinner ahead. We started with the octopus as an appetizer and split the romaine salad, both were amazing. My husband ordered the rack of lamb and I went with the cioppino which were probably hands down the tastiest meals we've had all year (and we eat out a lot). Finally for desert we had the bananas foster and started chatting with Chef and owner of Lemon, Ash. The desert quite literally took our breath away. The waiter then brought out homemade whipped cream with fresh strawberries and it was at this moment where we realized we felt as if we weren't in New Jersey anymore. This entire meal and experience from start to finish took us away and made us feel that we were away on a vacation somewhere exotic. Who would've thought that visiting a restaurant that has been here for 14 years for the first time tonight could do that for us. Lemon is truly a hidden gem and anyone that eats here is lucky to experience it. We will most definitely be back, I cannot speak high enough about it. Thank you Ash and your team you are brilliant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This was our first visit to Lemon. Our experience was fantastic from the food to the wait staff and beyond. We enjoyed the escargot as well as the mussels for appetizers. Our entrees, the branzino special and the shrimp with clams did not disappoint. We are already thinking about returning to enjoy lunch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino
Lemon Mediterranean Restaurant offers a delicious and authentic journey through the flavors of the Mediterranean. From savory appetizers to flavorful entrees, their menu boasts fresh, high-quality ingredients that tantalize the taste buds.Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, Lemon Mediterranean is definitely worth a try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Always a wonderful meal at Lemon. Food and service is amazing! Ash and his staff make you feel so special. They truly care about their customers. It's our neighborhood gem! Lucky to have this so close to us!
Decent for the price. Sauces and dips were good. Duck had a lot of bones and Lamb and Chicken Kafta seemed boiled and mushy meatball-like rounds rather than grilled and served on a skewer. A bit disappointing. Not to mention booking on Open Table where they had numerous times open....but when we got there had to wait 45 minutes for our 7pm table without even an apology. Be wary of reserving, they are not accurate with availability.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Falafel
It was sooo good! Everything was great, and not your regular ole dishes that you can get anywhere. Very authentic dishes!Kid-friendliness: Not a kid-friendly place. Very adult type atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot