Tripoli

My husband and I have been going to Tripoli for years now, and have generally enjoyed the experience. Last night we went for the first time since it moved into the basement of its building.
The food hadnt changed much, which isnt a bad thing. Service took longer than I remember. Although it is quite a different ambiance, I didnt mind it too much.
What happened at the end of my dinner, however, really soured my otherwise long-​standing affection for the restaurant. My husband and I had recieved a gift certificate from Tripoli about a year ago from a family member in the amount of $ 100. When our relative bought this, they paid the restaurant up front (obviously), so the restaurant pocketed $ 100. We tried to use it lastnight at the end of our meal, and aparently there was small text at the bottom that said it expired 12 months from being issued, and it was issued 13 months ago. Althought the restaurant is under the same ownership, and despite their being closed, and then relocated so that you really couldnt even tell they were an operating restaurant in the basement of their old building, for half a year, they refused to honor it. I get that it was on the gift certificate, and I dont blame the nice man working at the front who was clearly humilitated to have to act so cheap and classless. It was just so chintzy and tacky that it left a horrible taste in my mouth. To me this says a lot about the owners of the restaurant. Also, I am pretty sure this is illegal– but I am supposed to be working now, so more on that later.
Would rather go to Sultan’s down the street: the food is amazing, and when I forgot my wallet on one occasion, the owners LITERALLY said no worries, you can pay for your bill sometime in the future (we went back 20 minutes later btw).
** EDIT**
Also just want to point out, despite what the owner of the restaurant is suggesting below, this gift certificate came straight from the restaurant. My sister-​in-​law confirmed. She called the restaurant and paid for it directly– said they were very friendly. Certainly Tripoli would have recognized its own gift certificate when I tried to use it last night.

Quite the disappointment. Ordered dinner from this restaurant over the weekend and picked up the food in person. The pita came in the plastic bag that it’s sold in the super market in. No pretense about making it there I guess. The chicken was chewy and rubbery. The salads were mostly lettuce with a few slices of tomatoes thrown in here and there. The combination platter of appetizers had a total of 2 falafel balls (which were not very good anyway). The okra cooked in tomato sauce was mostly sauce and mostly flavorless. Overall, all six of us sharing the meal agreed that it was no good and it is highly unlikely I will be ordering from Tripoli again.

Such a spacious place with authentic Lebanese goodness. The chicken was exactly what I wanted and very quick service.

Yuck. A generally disappointing experience in a dingy basement setting. The meza platter was lacking in flavor and freshness: falafel that disintegrated into crumbs when touched, flat hummus and baba ghanoush, a fluorescent pink radish bleeding dye onto the plate and unimpressive baby olives. The Yachneh B’leban was practically inedible with three lonely morsels of lamb floating uncomfortably in a broken watery yogurt sauce. To top it all off, the store-​bought pitas were disappointing.

Sadly, this old favorite has changed. The patriarch perhaps died or retired? He used to regale us with stories when we brought out-​of-​town guests and we would leave with bars of olive oil soap. They have sold or rented the street-​floor space to Swallow, a yuppie coffee shop chain and Tripoli is downstairs only.
We were there from 7:30 — 9:30 on a Saturday night and not another soul appeared. The kitchen area is separated by a makeshift curtain. Used to be such a wonderful environment. The menu is reduced. Some old favorites just aren’t there. The grilled chicken is still good, but and the lamb in yogurt sauce was a step away from inedible. I thought long and hard before reviewing because I am attached to them, but they need to be aware that they need to change if they wish to stay around. Maybe they don’t care.

We went on a Wednesday and found the place completely empty. We ordered the hummus (serviceable but coupled with dry pita), the spinach pie (supposedly fresh but dry and unappetizing), the cous cous (dry and unpleasant), and the shish kebab (which was good, but sadly overshadowed by everything else).
The service was polite and friendly, but the food was a disappointment. We were hoping for better.

Ordered takeout using the Eat24 app. Wish more restaurants would participate in the program as it makes ordering very easy once establishing an account. Anyway, on to the review.
This was my first time ordering from Tripoli. Food arrived hot at my door in under 30 minutes which was great. Had the meza plate and grilled chicken plate. Both were very good and it was enough for two of us to share. Also had leftovers for lunch the next day so that makes it kind of a bargain to me.
Chicken was tender and rice was so good. Had tons of flavor. Enjoyed the hummus and babaganoush. Falafel were really good and nutty with sesame.
Will definitely order takeout again or visit in person.

I really enjoyed it, food was good, light, and i didn’t feel sick when i left. I am always happy with middle eastern food and this place hit the spot.

Best lebanese food in the area!
The fatoush salad is my favorite! The grilled chicken is perfect.
I have been coming here for years with family. Would love to go back again!

The food was delicious. We started off with some of the best hummus I’ve ever tasted, and I had the Mixed Grill for dinner. The service was a bit slow considering we were one of the only parties in the restaurant on a Sunday night. Overall, good food and good ambiance outweighed average service.

This is my second time at Tripoli and I’m very pleased. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is excellent. The staff are friendly and very polite. I will definitely come back.

Good food. Ordered chicken kebab which was well marinated and had a smokey bbq finish, rice, and salad with a balsamic vinaigrette. The order came with included with picked radish, olives, and pita. Their lebaneese coffee was rich and reminded me of a cross between turkish coffee and italian espresso. Friendly and attentive waitstaff who made sure we had a pleasant meal and didn’t make us feel rushed to leave. The resturant is in the lower level it was dim, cool, and had a Middle Eastern ambience. I loved the lantern ceiling fixtures.

I am always a fan for Mediterranean cuisine. Large portion of veggie and little bit of meat on the side.
I think the ideal way to order here is getting that veggie platter and just 1 entrée for 2 people. The appetizer comes pretty quick therefore the veggie platter will keep you filled and happy. It’s a large platter and plenty of food.
This place is in the basement and after reading other reviews, They ARE BYOB?
Price wise is around $ 10 to $ 15 a plate. A bit pricey but hey, you should think about those wrong decision you made paying for that $ 15 martini or overpriced bar drink.
At least you get a healthy dinner.

We got delivery. The pita came in the bag from the store. Like, the «homemade pitas» came in a bag that was directly store-​bought. The food was OK. I ordered a pelligrino (I think it was six bucks) which did not come with the meal and when I called to request my beverage the delivery guy came back with what was no-​doubt a pelligrino from the store, warm as toast. Made a man want to go back to drinking. But then, after a minute of quiet reflection, I realized the next AA meeting would be terribly weird if I tried to blame a delivery meal for my back to boozing ways.
Again the place looks awesome on a corner of Atlantic, but the delivery was below «meh», BEH.

I would definitely come back to this restaurant because of the amazing delicious food!!!

really great cuisine hidden off atlantic ave in brooklyn! décor was very classic, old murals on the walls and definitely old-​world feel. Flavors and prices are on point, they have variety of authentic middle eastern fare including mixed grill, kabobs, stews, braised dishes, as well as delicious seafood. Try the mint tea and baklava for dessert! inviting space from outside but when you enter a large refrigerator type counter doesn’t seem to fit their otherwise eloquent décor. currently serving as their main desk, perhaps they are in transition. staff was very friendly and attentive. Could also be a great romantic spot if coming closer to the evening. overall a great neighborhood spot to try!

I have lived here for many years, and only in the last few years have I come to truly appreciate Tripoli. We have a lot of good restaurants here on Atlantic Avenue now, but, apart from the wonderful food, Tripoli offers something that is becoming more and more rare — a welcoming environment where you can actually hear each other talk! This is now my go-​to place when friends from out of town come to visit.
Speaking of the food … if you’re a vegetarian, there are some terrific choices. As someone who does eat meat and really enjoys their lamb kibbee, I was surprised how much I loved the meatless kibbee b’ziat made with potatoes, cracked wheat, onions, walnuts and raisins. I recommend that and their deliciously smoky babaganouj. And back to dishes for meat fans, their coussa b’leban (squash stuffed with ground lamb, rice and pine nuts in a yogurt sauce w/​mint) is also yummy.

I feel ashamed that I have lived in the neighborhood for a year and only tried Tripoli last night. It’s refreshing to go to a family owned restaurant that’s been in the neighborhood for 40+ years, and if you look carefully the restaurant is shaped like a ship, which is pretty cool. The food was awesome. I am sure all the lamb dishes are fantastic. We got the Kifta Mishwiye which is a lamb kabob and the Sbanegh which is ground lamb and spinach served with yogurt which was really flavorful and different from anything I’ve ordered from a middle eastern restaurant. Big portions, plenty of food.
Don’t worry if it’s not to crowded. It only means you’ll get better service and the food will be great. It’s really easy to get caught up in trendy brooklyn restaurants, but this place is a gem. They absolutely deserve your business.
Oh, and it’s byo wine and beer (minimal corkage fee)

This is my 4 time in 2 months going to tripoli, it is not so fancy inside but the food is great, the service is nice. Try the chicken with rice plate, with hummus, and tabouli. At the end don’t forget to try the home made crunches pastries. I recommend this place

The food here was delicious. The atmosphere was wonderful. The service was good.
I ordered the Malfouf (cabbage stuffed with lamb) and it was so tasty. My friend had the Shish Kabob & Kofta Mishwiye Combination — the kofta was even better than my dish! My friend grew up eating middle eastern food and she said the kofta was probably one of the best she’s ever had, and definitely the best she’s had in NYC.
I’ve been walking by this restaurant for years and have always wanted to try it. Glad to say that the inside is as well decorated as it looks from the outside. It can be intimate atmosphere and it can be great for family and friends. We came on a Friday night and it wasn’t too busy. I’ve walked by here on a weekend night though and it was packed. It’s hard to say when is a good time, but I highly recommend it!