Would recommend the shakshouka, this was a belly warmer on a chilly day. Service was friendly and atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
Love Ima, relaxed environment great home style food.
On a cool winter's day nothing better than a hearty Shakshuka here for breakfast, watching the local office crowd arrive for work. Nice recent refurbishment too. Deducted 1 star for the coffee (Long Black), somehow just doesn't quite match the quality of the rest of this fine establishment.
Came here early in the morning and got the malawach which was nice and buttery and full of flavour. The cabinet food looks amazing, the various croissants are $7.50 but they’re huge so I guess that’s why. The scones also looked good. Next time I’ll come just for those 😊
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Had dinner with friends here the other night after hearing so many good things. It is mostly a sharing concept so its handy to be know ahead for dinner as you will all likely share. this is well explained and informed by the staff who will tell you all this info . We all really liked the food it was all very well laid out and easy to share as the mains all come with three good sharing side options for all . then you can select a main , two of us got the skewers that were lovely , they recommend two per person but i would easily have eaten three but they are cooked fresh and great. Two of us had the lamb which was nice but i thought cooled down way too quickly for me . The stand out was the chicken which is just super juicy and tasty and a must IMO . The salads accompanying these are lovely rice, a cold but well flavored tomato and cucumber dish which is light and lovely then the carrots which were my least fav as they were a little warm but cool down very quick. We did also have some falafel that were nice but a little over crisp for me and delicious pita with hummus .Lovely drink options and for me plenty of non alcoholic options and some tea after was great as it can be chilly in there as we were by the door. the only other thing that struck us was the odd table we had for six with randomly assorted chairs and fold out ends for the six of us, added to the night for us but was odd . overall a good meal and handy for a group of us
We are back to level 1 and with that comes a whole plethora of lunch options. Thought I'd give the ol faithful a welcome back visit and boy oh boy Ima, you make the transition back into level 1 that much more enjoyable.
The chicken schnitzel was crisp and golden and the side salad slapped the right amount of acid and salt to the mix. Have yet to have a bad meal here.
Delicious food, beautifully served. Will bring friends here !!
Everything’s so delicious. We had the lamb shoulder and goat suniya, both turned out to be super tasty. The lamb shoulder was well cooked which was very tender. And the goat suniya was insanely good, especially the perfect combination of tomatoes and pine nuts. The salad that came with the dishes was scrumptious, especially the carrots. Ima is now my go-to place to have healthy and delicious Mediterranean food.
I love coming to Ima for a wholesome and filling meal. I’ve come here a few times now and every time has been a pleasure. Pictured is sides for 3 people + goat suniya + quarter chicken. Every time I order the goat - it is so divine and you must try it if you come to Ima. It’s very well cooked, doesn’t taste gamey and the tomatoes and pine nuts are the cherry on top. The chicken was just alright, not awful but not amazing. From the sides, the carrots were so good, I had to stop myself from eating all of them. The service here is always really great. The waitresses are super friendly and explain the concept well to anyone that hasn’t visited before. Usually they recommend one main per person but I personally feel it’s a little too much for my appetite. We usually get 2 mains for 3 people and that’s a really good amount. Also I love that they have sparkling water (but you can choose still if you want).
Had dinner here last night. Staff are friendly. Excellent service. The food was delicious. We had the lamb shoulder, goat Suniya and the chicken. Loved every bit of it. The variety of salads available was really nice. For dessert we had the middle eastern platter, maahmoul, mint tea and the Arab coffee. We loved all of it except the custard that was part of the platter ( was not to our taste) .
Will definitely be back yo try their other dishes and will be recommending to other as well
Hummus 🍽
Just great tasting fresh food. Just good freaking food. But abit harsh on the wallet. But its worth my money! 🤭
Staff were all friendly and the place had super cute decor. I wanted avocado on sourdough but they’d run out of avocado so I settled for the pancakes. They took quite a while to come out seeing as they weren’t too busy but they were delicious! The presentation wasn’t great but they were extremely filling and very yummy. My sister got a flat white which she said was amazing. Quite reasonable pricing for breakfast!
I’ve come here many times for breakfast and lunch. The platters are the best, there is so much food you could share these between three people. Also like the salmon bagel from their cabinet.
Ima tell you my favourite things about this place! Firstly, it’s the kind of eatery that you return to time and time again, with either friends or family or a date, because it just screams, ‘Ima solid bet’. Really like how they do the variety of salads for a fixed price, it’s very appealing to have the mix of different types to put in the middle of the table and share. That’s not something for example that Ima have the time to prepare at home. And yet even though it’s a unique restaurant experience, the food still tastes homely, the love really does come through in the food. The one point Ima make is that the proteins are quite expensive for the portion size, which means the total bill can add up quite quickly. Nonetheless, definitely worth it for most punters I’d ima-gine. Big kudos to the wait staff also for explaining the menu to any new diners and taking care of the dining room, you guys are lovely. Ima leave it at that!
Palestinian and Jewish cuisine is one of those cuisines I don’t really try a lot, not that I don’t like it but it’s quite rare to find restaurants that offer this fare. Luckily Auckland, this little big city has options for it and one of them is Ima Cuisine. Located downtown in Fort St, this is very accessible even to tourists, a place where the food served are influenced from Palestinian and Jewish restaurants, they serve quintessential Mediterranean diet; which is plant-based in proportion to meat with generous use of herbs, nuts, legumes, raw oil and spices.
Amazing place to share food, really delicious. Especially recommended is the lamb and the hummus. Service was slightly off, waitress kept on for getting things (drinks, one of the dishes). Over the food was great and the atmosphere. Love the retro, mismatched plates.
What a lovely place! Homey setup, welcoming staff, and yummy food. I don’t know how they do it, the food here doesn’t have strong flavours but you just know it’s cooked with love and care. Super tender lamb shoulder, Smokey chicken and refreshing Veges as sides to share. The mezze was interesting as well. I do wish the dishes have more flavour though to be honest, but will definitely go back to try more things on the menu and their pastries.
Food 7/10 Service 9/10 Ambience 8/10
Went on a Friday evening, around 6pm. Me and my 4 years old daughter were very warmly welcomed and she also got some toys to play. It made her very happy. I know this type of cuisine very well. The plates are a clear reinterpretation of what I am used to, but they have a history of their own (see Yael’s cook book). The meals were unique and fantastic. Very colourful, fresh... and oh the spices! Not he kind that makes the food spicy, but the kid that adds lots of flavor. A class of its own. Very interesting options and taste. I liked some of the meals (such as the rice and mezze salatim) much more then I enjoyed it in Tel Aviv.
Loved the cinnamon and walnut loaf! It’s got a lot of layers and also a lot of fillings, quite big as well. Though, the crust is abit too sweet for me but I would still give a rating of 9.9/10. Cause it was quite big to finish it in one go, so was left on the bench for a couple of days and surprisingly it tasted still very fresh! Damn good!
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Thoroughly enjoyed my first time at Ima Cuisine last Saturday night. All 6 of us left this family dinner feeling full and happy without overeating, and the service was exceptional.
I would highly recommend getting the 'salads for the table’ option, where you get a huge range of veges for $13 per person. This means you only have to worry about which meat mains you want.
Everything is designed for sharing, so on top of the salads we ordered 4 meat dishes + haloumi + 1 dessert to share. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have gone for the haloumi (which was slightly disappointing as it didn’t come out as golden and fried as I expected) but everything else was great. All the dishes were flavourful without being overdone, and the salads help you feel full, healthy, and not bloated.
The angus scotch steak was slightly charred and smoky – and ended up being my favourite dish. The half chicken was sort of like a tagine but the meat was also deliciously smoky while retaining its moisture. The lamb was very soft, and their market fish was a whole snapper that was a bit forgettable but a solid dish nonetheless.
For dessert, we opted for the sorbet and ice cream platter (4 scoops to share among 6 people). The flavours we had that night were chocolate and peanut butter ice cream and apricot and berry sorbet.
All in all, an excellent place for group dinners. Next time, I’d like to try their platters and dips.
I've only tried their cabinet food before work and every piece is well made and delicious. I enjoy their sone and croissants, and am always looking forward to their hot cross bun, enjoy it warm with butter. My new favourite is now their walnut cinnamon loaf which is massive (almost two servings). It is sweet and dense and full of flavour and goes well with a strong coffee.
Service is always friendly and prompt.
Omg the hummus in this place is just heaven!! Their lamb is also delicious and tender. Also their coffee is amazing as well. Definitely recommend
Went to Ima to try their weekend brunch menu and we were not disappointed.
Food 🥐 : We were spoilt with the choice the menu presented us with. After much deliberation, we went ahead to order the Malawach and the Ima's grill. The Malawach was flavorful, to say the least. However, the grill left a lot to be desired, given its price. Regardless, both meals were probably the most fortifying breakfasts we've had in a looong time and REALLY filling. We weren't even ready for dinner later that day.
Service 💁🏻♂️ : Low on staff, but our server was really nice. Nothing bad to say there!
💵 : Expensive but I also barely ate anything else after that meal.
I'm not much of an ambience person. I suppose it was simple, nothing much to talk about. However, they have a lot of dining space.
Although I wouldn't call it a must-go, Ima is definitely unique in the Auckland food scene so I would recommend trying it out at least once (or twice, if your wallet allows it!)
Was here to celebrate a friend’s birthday! The restaurant had a nice and relaxing vibe, great for an end of the day wind down!
The staff were friendly and enthusiastic. We were attended to promptly when needed and the food came shortly after we ordered.
The food tasted amazing! We ordered the free range chicken, lamb shoulder, salad and sabich to share - would highly recommend the sabich! The flavouring of the dishes were pretty unique, in a good way! The serving size was a bit underwhelming but your tastebuds are sure in for a great experience!
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Service: 8/10
Food: 8/10
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We booked in for a nice saturday dinner. Right off the bat, we were welcomed by the friendly staff. The overall service are nice, the servicer are patient and took their tine to explain the menu to us first time customer.
We ordered the mezze platter foe entree and prime rib eye for main. The mezze platter has a nice presentation, but we found the dippings to be a little underwhelming for our taste, and a bit on the pricy side($25 for small), the bread however are wonderful. The rib eye were decently sized and cooked in between medium and medium well, the outside tasted a bit charred but that might be from the grill. The salad were amazing, fresh and seasoned well. The arab coffee were also a nice addition, sweet and aromatic, just wish there could be more(two shots for $4), but that might just be me being greedy.
The major let down however, was the desert. We ordered the middle eastern platter, for $18, we expected a real platter, but what came out were just merely two filo roll, two little cake and one custard. Regardless, despite the rathering disappointing portion size, the flavor were good, just not enough to justify the price tho, in my opinion.
Overall, i'd the dining experience is good, i'd suggest newcomers to stick to the mains. They are safe and has great values. As for the entrees and deserts, i personally think its slightly overpriced.
Dora The Food Explorer
+5
wow. I love this place. Everything from the decor to the friendly staff and the food. we were seated promptly even without a booking on a Friday night. We were offered complimentarry sparkling water which was a nice touch. Really well looked after by staff who checked on us twice during the evening. Food came out quickly,presentation was great, and food tastes clean, fresh and full of flavour.
We orderes the Mezze platter to start, braised lamb shoulder for the main and a vareity of sides.
Used Zomato Gold 2+2 drinks here. Was advised the kitchen was closed but was still able to order drinks. Service was 10/10, will definitely be back soon.
Excellent ambience, feeling home
The food was great especially the Sabich sandwich it was great
I wish they sell Falafel ( as a takeaway) cheaper, not sure why the Falafel is expensive! But still, they deserve 5 stars for the food :)
Amazing food done by amazing people. Atmosphere was homey and warm. Food is high quality and beautifully done. We also booked in some Hot Cross Buns and they were a dense beautiful bun. Will definitely be back to try more of their menu
Came here as a group of four and ordered two of the shared platters. Generous portion size and delicious flavours! Meat cooked beautifully and lots of different flavour combinations to enjoy. Will definitely be back!
I came here for their famous Hot Cross Buns, and wasn't disappointed!, I did have to come very early to get them and they were a tad pricey ($5.50) however this just shows how popular they are!
Middle eastern cuisine. Ima also serves fresh pastries daily. Restaurant was buzzing at lunch time. We ordered the lunch meat platter to share, and two sandwiches (meat and vegetarian). The food is delicious - found the platters could easily feed 3 people. Previously we visited at night for desserts and drinks, the restaurant was also very busy! Best to make reservations. Friendly and fast service. Would come again to try other dishes.
Absolutely amazing!! The place reminds you of a cozy family style restaurant where the food is the star. The food was simple and delicious. We ordered a selection of sides and breads and two mains - great for 2 people. The staff were possibly the warmest and knew their stuff. All in all a great experience - I'm definitely going back there again! :)
The best hummus I have ever eaten, boy oh boy is it delightful! Will have to take my uncle here some time. My uncle is the reason I love hummus since I ended up eating it every night for a month when I lived with him. I think he would appreciate me returning the favour with a trip to Ima.
Thank you Ima you make my heart sing.
Dinner was delightful at Ima. The service was friendly and helpful in explaining their dining style. I liked the family style sharing. The entrees were a bit tiny for my liking but still liked them flavour wise. The mains portions turned out perfect for our group. For our proteins we got the chicken, lamb shoulder and sabich. I think the chicken definitely won that round. I enjoyed getting to try different sides with the meal. Not the cheapest dinner but definitely good.
A very warm and friendly place. The food was very delicious especially the lamb. Would highly recommend to friends and visit again. The Arabic coffee is a must try.
AMAZING FOOD! Quirky decor and friendly staff. Ima Pinot noir delicious! Although was busy, we weren’t waiting for food. Healthy light and satisfying. Will def return
Went for breakfast with my two daughters. Great to have something a bit different. I had the Shakshuka - delicious and filling. Recommend it. Nice to have real green tea for two of us served in a lovely teapot. I don’t know why other restaurants resort to teabags when you can just add something special when you do it properly.
We had a company dinner at Ima today. The food was outstanding right from the platters to the lamb, fish, salads and desserts. The staff was friendly and efficient. Definitely a place to go to especially if you are celebrating an occasion. Highly recommended.
I love this place
Israeli
Has a loyal following
The food is terrific without exception
Great coffee
Staff seem to love working here
Makes you feel part of something grand
We loved the 4 salads for $13 per person that we ordered with the roast chicken. Everything was super tasty. The staff were friendly and we felt well fed.
Great service great food.
First time eating Israel food.
One of the lady taught me how to eat this and it was delicious. Would definitely go there again.
Impeccable service and stunning home-styled Mediterranean food.
I have not tried Ima Cuisine before, but year after year, reviews of their restaurant keeps getting stronger. I trust the power of Word of Mouth and have put my confidence in foodies who have 'confessed' their love for Ima.
Thus, I have recently organised a function here with our group of 60 on a Saturday. I have left all food planning to the team at Ima. They've not only surprised us with their mouthwatering dishes, but the whole team had been truly amazing from the moment I've contacted them to the last drink they've served.
Can't thank them enough as everyone enjoyed their evening at Ima, and thought that the food was well balanced and delicious. Highlight was the intimate, humble and homey vibe.
I would highly recommend Ima to lovers of good Mediterranean food.
***Good Company, Good Food, Good Vibe***
I liked it from the minute I walked in. Albeit I had already checked out the menu so was in the right mood already. Short black was well made, not bitter. Love the decor and seating/plates. It’s quirky without trying too hard. Got the breakfast grill, as you can see amazing!
Felt like a very nice Israeli woman adopted me as her son and fed me dinner.
Whole snapper looked like it actually wanted to be eaten. Side salads were very salad-like. Warm pita bread is the type of carb you worry about later. Grandma's lavender-scented bathroom in the back is a solid 7/10 would definitely wash my hands there again
I love everything about Ima! The food is amazing, the decor is homely and welcoming and the staff friendly and down to earth. This was my third visit and I’ll definitely keep coming back. The Ima Pinot Noir is a must try.
This is a quirky place and the first thing you'll notice is the chairs - I'll say no more. The food was top notch and the Korean waitress was absolutely lovely - take her advice on the menu. Their simple menu was also a delight. I also observed how nice they were to children in the place - overall this felt more like visiting home than it did a restaurant.
One thing - I don't think this is really a Mediterranean place, inspired yes, authentic no, but that small point does not detract from it's greatness.
Lovely food, we were sharing a big meal between 18 people, could have had more food to share if you look at the price, friendly staff, nice wine, and in a very good spot on the city.
Eaten here many times, very fresh mediterranean tapas like fare - nice dips and bread platters, friendly staff. Had one bad experience on the weekend [where I think it was a new chef and weekend staff], but generally consistently good during the week.
One of the best place to go if you are in city or around fort street , we ordered couple of platters and they were outstanding. Someone with a Mediterranean food taste should definitely go here and enjoy the food
Lovely food with decent quantity. Attentive staff and only took a star off as it can get expensive when you add couple of sides. I ordered Sabich with some salad. Adds variety and flavour to Central Auckland.
Love this place. Coffee is really good. Interesting place. Will be definitely coming back. Love the option of breakfast here. Simple toasts to whatever you like. This place is definitely recommended
Best Falafels. Fantastic crunch and a tasteful texture, the best Falafels I’ve had anywhere in Auckland.
Absolutely bustling on a Wednesday night, my friends and I were after something a little different to our usual dinner catch ups. Ima had been a restaurant that was on our lists and with one of our group members being Jewish, we thought it would be a great opportunity to dine at one of Auckland’s premier Middle Eastern establishments.
Our food didn’t really take too long to come out, we ordered the Angus Pure Scotch, Mezze Platter, and Sabich. The Scotch had fantastic texture and flavor, the platter provided a range of different tastes and the Sabich was an interesting concoction which had a surprisingly fiery kick. I really enjoyed my experience here and would highly recommend this restaurant to all diners.
Showstopper: Falafels. The vibrant atmosphere that makes for a fun-filled evening.
Overall Grade: A-
Coffee was outstanding. Service was impressive - we had a super friendly and helpful waitress who helped us with our orders by recommending which meals to go for. We finally settled for Latkes and Malawach - which were surprisingly creative and tasty. It's really improved our perception of Mediterranean cuisine doubling up as a palatable, not too heavy brunch options.
I love western food and heard a lot about Ima Cuisine.
The falafel and the hummus were great, but regarding the rest of the meal nothing that really stood out. The lamb and chicken were well get grilled but I think it was lacking the beautiful aromas and flavours I've tried before.
Ima also have a welcoming relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel in one of those big family's weekend reunions.
Great choice in that area in the weekends as nothing is opened. Very spacious and good service. Food was good but not spectacular. No parking around.
Absolutely delicious. Great lunch spot, beautiful restaurant with great service. Great offerings had their goulash a few days ago it was yum. Baguette could do with a bit of treatment it was slightly soggy sitting on the side.
I heard so much about this place before I went, and although the food isn't bad or anything, I didn't think there was anything special about it that made me want to go back again. Beautiful interior though.
Great food! Tapas style food, great for larger groups. I went for a work do, and I was stuffed after all the food finished coming out! Highly recommend!
Nice selection of wine too!
We were lucky enough to dine here in a group so we could share and try lots of dishes. We got salads for the table, chicken, fish, lamb and sabich.
Everything was delicious but the portions are a little off. The lamb shoulder is a small portion and $65 seems like a lot of pay for a whole chicken. The market fish we got was a whole fish so it was much larger than a portion for two.
We finished with a pre-ordered cake which was made by the restaurant as you cannot bring cakes in. The person who ordered and paid for the cake was very disappointed by the dark chocolate cake we got, as the restaurant said they make excellent cakes.
The cake saga did not spoil my experience of the restaurant but they should set the cake expectations a bit lower.
Came here with a few friends om the first day of winter for a nice little catch up. It was storming but our hearts were warmed by the comfort food here.
Loved the sides and I'm so happy that they just do it family style, charging a per person cost. I did wonder if it was refillable at no cost, but we ended up not needing it.
The steak was good and cooked well, but everything else was amazing, and I can't call a favourite... Dessert however ,we weren't quite used to the flavours so didn't enjoy them as much as others would've however we could smell this amazing chocolate smell wafting out of the kitchen. We thought it was the brownies on the menu but we were wrong! We weren't able to order it as it was I think a special order for the next day. That smell though! I can still smell it now in my mind haha
Ima is FABULOUS. Fresh, varied salads, accompanied by delicious meats. Then arab coffee and turkish delight (the ultimate pairing, try this immediately if you have not already done so) for dessert. A bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it. Also, the atmosphere is chic - love it, and the wait staff are always friendly and informative.
Went in today for a birthday breakfast-- the incredible server was so attentive and the food, as always (in the last 10 years I've been coming here) is superb (please never take the blintzes off the menu!). My partner told the server it was my birthday and she delighted us with a surprise chocolate cake. Just an incredible culinary and service experience. After all these years Ima's is still doing it right, just like mom does ;)
The staff were great very friendly and knowledgeable about everything the were serving. We had the mezze for an entree between the 4 of us which was great. For the mains we got the chicken and lamb shoulder and they were definite winners, the chicken had great flavours. The only let down was dessert which felt was over priced for what you got, the Malabi tasted nothing like what it should have tasted, could taste so much vanilla essence and no rose water syrup. The knafeh wasn't great either.
We had an Israeli with us and she was really impressed with all the food apart from the desserts. So if recommend getting an extra protein with the mains over getting a dessert.
Great space, Great for large parties without feeling too crowded. The style is sharing plates and they had good options to help larger crowds order food.
We had a sharing plate of bread, dip and olives... Yum! Then had 5 sides and the chicken, lamb and roast beef as the mains. The chicken and beef (carved in front of us) was delicious! Flavours from the chicken, amazing! We also got haloumi but thought it was slightly too salty! But ask for some honey to balance it out. In total it was $34 per person. Not too bad for what we had?
Really wanted to try the red wine from
Israel but they ran out! So had a different one instead recommended by staff. Still good!
Decor was super cool with amazing lights all around :)
First time trying Middle eastern dish! Amazing! Something different and definitely as a foodie, hahaha I will eat anything that's nice .
Location is nice , slightly outside central but more to the slightly higher end area. You have the train station just round the corner , desserts and etc. staffs were really nice and attentive. 👍🏻
Food : entree was amazing. You wouldn't expect what they will serve you. However , heard that the chicken and the fish is one of the best dishes but it was sold out once we got there. Tried their beef and lamb. Would say 7/10! Delicious
Recommend you guys to come and try! 😁
I've always had fond memories of ima before it moved into its newer location (which is by the way much bigger and not cramped, although it does take away from the atmosphere a little).
Ima's food is delicious and is what I would call "comfort food" that I could eat everyday. The menu is simple - with only 6 choices for the mains (fish, chicken, lamb, beef ribs, scotch fillet or vegetarian). You also have the option of adding in sides (you either order the sides as a table or none at all). As far as middle eastern food goes, the flavours are well balanced (not overpowering). The cook on the meats are perfect.
My all time fav for mains is the Angus scotch fillet, and their chicken. As for the sides, there's just something about the rice that I absolutely love.
First time to Ima and as we went early there wasn't many people. Staff was friendly and very detailed when explaining how the dining process goes.
The focus on sharing food is great here so we were recommended to order a main protein with the salad for two people. The chicken and beef was cooked amazingly tender with lovely flavours.
However the only downside is despite ordering what seemed to be quite a lot it wasn't as filling. My friend and I ended up getting dessert to fill us up later. Also the pricing is a bit high but the flavours and quality of the food is good. If you're tight in cash wouldn't recommend it as the portion may seem small compared to what you expect.
SO IMPRESSED! I have had this bookmarked for ages and I was so pleased with the place, it's been added to my all-time favourites. The concept of the shared food on the table is really a great idea.
The staff and service was of the highest standard and were very attentive and took the time to answer our questions. Between 7 people, we ordered 2 of the mezze platter and the dips that came with it were very seasoned well and fresh. For our mains we had the whole chicken which was succulent and moist, bursting with flavour and spice. The lamb shoulder was melting soft and well seasoned. The sides were the perfect compliment to all the protein and was a fresh hit to cut through all the meat. I will be returning more and more to this wonderful place.
The food here was tasty (the lamb, fish and sides), but we definitely don't feel that their sides are worth the price, especially for three people. We were told that the fish was deboned, however there were still traces of small bones throughout, and scales. Overall wasn't too impressed with the value. Ambience and service were good.
Went here on a Saturday night. Left them an email for reservation, they got back to me right away and were able to reserve us a table on the same day. It was busy but the service was great. Food was amazing. Just wish the Middle Eastern platter was bigger!!
Fantastic beef rib. I tried the lamb and fish and their brunches before they were great as well esp. the fish. However，the beef rib is my favourite. Everytime I went to ima for dinner was for their sides. love the sides amazing. But tonight they dont have many customers，only two tables besides us，they gave us the smallest table that not even enough to put two dishes but they said that was the only table available. I thought maybe there are some people have bookings. but no one walked in even after we finished.
I enjoyed everything about Ima. Tasty food - chicken meschan and lamb shoulder with combination of sides. The meat was so tender and the rice was delicious. The ambiance was nice. The restaurant was quite busy but it was easy to talk and the voices from adjacent tables made the place feel lively. The service was very good and the food came out quite promptly.
Dined here a few months ago on a cold winters Sunday for lunch.
We came just as lunch was starting to be served. There are some interesting menu items which we want to try next time.
We were very hungry so we decided on the platter for 2 which contains grilled chicken, lamb, falafel, lamb kibbeh, hummus, salad, pickles, olives, labne & pita. At $47 wefelt it was good quality and probably could have fed 3 people. I love this type of food. So fresh and I love the variety of dips. Very good. Service was ok, we were promptly seated but then forgotten about so had to grab the attention of the waitstaff to order, for water and cutlery 5min after our platter was placed on our table.
They may have had an off day service wise but we will know what to expect next time and hope for an improvement.
Simple food kind of feels like home cooked food. Good concept but didn't wow me. Flavours I'm not sure if totally authentic but good try and nice ambience.
We tried out Ima since friends recommended it hard out, so we give it a try. The food was yummy but a bit let down by service. After entree we wait nearly an hour for our main, the table next to us came dine in only half and hour and they get the main same time as us... We understand it's Saturday and busy night but they should experience in these kind of situations. Overall excellent food but service a bit let down.
Came here for a friend's birthday dinner. We got the side dishes and also tried the lamb and chicken which were both balahdy good. Beautiful smoky flavours in the chicken and the lamb was succulent and juicy. Also, their chocolate cake is not much to look at but they sure know how to nail down the basics. Delicious rich chocolate icing balanced perfectly by the light fresh cream accompanying it.
Note: get here before 7 if you want to have a nice quiet dinner where you can have a normal 'indoors voice' convo cos it gets packed and loud af after around 8. Just goes to show how popular this place is for group dinners.
Hadn't been for a few years so was pleased to return for a colleague's leaving lunch. I ordered from the a la carte menu, although my colleague ordered the plate of mixed salads which was generous and looked very tasty. I had the falafel - they were excellent - best I've had in a long time. Very generous portions for reasonable prices, enough to take some home in a doggy bag. Very casual service, but kinda fits the vibe of the place. Will be back for lunch again soon!
Went here for dinner and it was delicious! Between two of us we ordered the mains Free Range chicken, Angus Beef and sides (plate of salads which was so tasty) & dessert platter which was plenty Great if you're like me and like to share and have bit of everything - all the Mediterranean flavours were tasty, would highly recommend checking it out for yourself.
Had the shakshuka and was amazing, my friends didn't enjoy the platter serving size but I was happy and would recommend it for sure. Decor is nice and makes for a great business lunch.
Ima has moved since the photo above, but its quality and popularity is the same as ever. Ima used to be on my list for ages before I could finally go, and I really enjoyed the evening here. It's all about sharing at Ima - sharing and talking nonstop. Ima features in the Metro Top 50 list year after year, and I have recommended it both to friends and family in the past - book in advance!
This is not a cafe, but an experience. As I walked into this fine establishment, I was taken back to the days when I was a young boy in the synagogue. The lighting, decorations and art contributed to the warm ambiance of the dining space. It was like bubbe's house, and the food matched. We started with a coffee and hot chocolate - perhaps the most delicious hot chocolate I've ever tasted! The coffee, though an arabic roast, was still kosher. Being long time New Yorkers, we just HAD to try out their salmon bagel. Oh my, was it kosher, I felt like I was on the streets of Manhattan, walking towards the Goldman Sachs building on my daily commute. As for the service, we were treated well by the wait staff, everyone seemed like they were good goys.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Ima, although the shekels did take a hit - oy vey!
We came here for dinner after reading the review in the NZ Herald because we're interested in middle eastern food of the Levant. Nice seating at the back on a rainy day (seating area was divided in half by some kind of a curtain). We had the shared starters for 2 to share between the three of us (generous portion but would be nice to include fresh green leaves or taboula). Both the steak and chicken we ordered for the main were very tasty (one came with a mix of sautéed vegetables and rice and other we fries). Too full for desert so should come again to taste the kenafeh.
WowWow and Wow...beautiful food...fantastic flavours...awesum service....enjoyed every bit of our evening @Ima.......,.......... 👌👌👌👌👌
After a long time I had some middle eastern style food. The braised lamb was tender and great taste. I like the wine selection .
Ended up with really yummy dessert platter in which I loved the Turkish delight the most !!!
Will surely go back
Didn't even know this place existed in the city! Food was delicious and surprisingly filling (and healthy). Friendly staff and a really nice atmosphere. The Arabic coffee was a great way to end the meal.
Really tasty! I would often walk past Ima and thought it looked intriguing, and smelled great! I held a dinner for a group of 7, and Ima is great for groups! The staff are attentive and informative, they told us all about how the sharing menu works, and were very accommodating toward my nut allergy. A fair bit of their food has nuts, but they were able to work around it, and it turned out really well!! The food itself is fantastic, and it's quite a unique experience. I'll definitely be going back!
Food was really delicious and the restaurant was beautiful, really ambient - however there were a couple of issues that if addressed would've made our visit more pleasant. We were very confused by the sides (whether they had to be ordered with mains, what portions would be served as they were shared platters, etc) and it wasn't very well explained to us. The wait was also very long considering that the restaurant was reasonably busy at most, and we had three or four different waiters take our orders for entree, main and dessert which we think added to everyone's confusion - we would've preferred it if we had one dedicated waiter for the whole night, as there were a few mixups with the orders. On the whole my experience at Ima was average but I would like to give it another go based on the food.
We ordered the usual side which is $13 per person plus the Brick, fish of the day (snapper), rib steak and chicken. We were told that food can be shared but was a bit disappointed with the quantity. The fish that we ordered can be eaten by one person:) The rib was cooked perfectly but it was so bland. I think the chicken was my favourite but it was not too special. I gave this restaurant 3.5 for the experience, ambience and freshness of food but might not come back here again.
The food here was spectacular. We had some meals to share. Started with appetisers of bread and dip with vegetables, which was very necessary, because the wait time between the appetisers and the main was about an hour! But, we were a large group then again. The mains were fantastic! Special mentions to the seasoned rice and the really tender lamb :)
Always wanted to try IMA but got put off by their "sharing plates" as I never had enough friends to go with :'( luckily, I managed to try this cool eatery at a friend's birthday the other day and man, they really know how to put up an amazing banquet! They have a menu but for large groups, it seemed like they only do set menues. For $30 each, we had a feast consisting of 3 types of meat-chicken, lamb and fish, accompanied by a number of well-presented and tasty vegetable dishes. My favourite has to be the chickpeas-so damn delicious!
Went out for lunch with workmates, and had a great time. Food was lovely and fresh, and the service was really friendly. The place was packed with people gabbing takeaway salads - I'll have to come back and try them sometime.
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This weekend I finally got to eat at Ima! After months of randomly walking by but not getting a seat because they were always booked out.. We finally made a reservation for Saturday night, and it didn't disappoint!
Located on Fort St, the restaurant is not much to look at from the outside, and the inside is modestly decorated with a low roof and sort of modern/homely feel. The wait staff are just incredible!! They are so hospitable and friendly, and know the menu like the back of their hand- recommending dishes that they enjoy, or teaching us some of their cultural food traditions.
This is an Israeli/Mediterranean restaurant so all the food is made to share, with a self proclaimed "homely theme" - so like sitting at home, sharing a meal with your family. All mains come with a platter of raw salads for the table (rice, cabbage, Beetroot etc) at $13 pp. Then you order your proteins to go with it. We enjoyed the prawns as an entree, the half chicken, lamb ribs and sabich as a main, with chips as a side. For dessert we had the hazelnut truffle, the Middle Eastern platter and the knafeh . I recommend trying the sabich - a unique chickpea dish, with potatoes and hummus, just delicious! And for dessert definitely the Middle Eastern platter with the warm milk custard!
Overall, a great little restaurant for a yummy, shared, home-style Middle Eastern meal.
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First time I had set foot in this restaurant. I had come to meet one of my good friends here and hadn't seen her for a while. She had told me that Ima was a great Mediterranean cuisine, so was looking forward to the experience.
My first impressions of the place were that it had great atmosphere and ambience. The place was dimly lit creating a warm and inviting mood. The staff were really lovely and made sure we were okay. Our waiter, who looked after us for the evening, was very attentive and knew exactly what he was talking about. Any question we had he was able to answer. This was good as we didn't really know how some of the meals came!
My friend and I ordered the mezze platter for a starter and the sabich (an aubergine dish) and sides for our main. It was the perfect amount of food for the both of us as we were pretty full after our mezze platter - the platter is quite filling with the pita bread. If you do order the mezze platter then I suggest you order 1 main and sides rather than more as you can get quite full.
The mezze platter was so good! So many different spreads/dips to try and it came with home made pita bread, which was also very divine! My favourite was the kumara dip and the roasted cauliflower! The roasted cauliflower was roasted in such amazing herbs and spices - it was literally to die for.
If you're looking for a good Mediterranean meal then Ima is the place to go - great place, great food.
Lovely meal here good service and atmosphere. Definitely worth a try. Lamb, chicken and salad all yummy the Turkish delight was divine. Washed down with bottle of Pinot noir. Wonderful
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Been here on Wednesday night and it was pretty busy which was a good sign. We had large mezze and fried herby prawns for entree. The mezze was really nice with many selections of vegetarian dipping/spread served with bread. Prawn dish was alright. We couldn't really taste anything but oily and salty and the price is too expensive for this dish.
Main dishes were selected by the lady which I think is the owner. We got lamb, chicken, fish, sabich, fried haloumi and all side dishes. We had pretty much almost all mains in the menu. It was good portion for sharing and we really enjoy the food.
My favorites are fish and chicken. The fish was tender and tasty. Chicken was also tender with this yummy tangy taste. Favorite side dish for me is rice with all these nuts that added texture to rice. Seasonal veg we got was spinach, I'm not sure how they cooked it but it was way too salty.
Service was really good and friendly. However the gap between entree and main was too long. And it's little bit pricey for the quantity of food you got.
Really enjoy the deli and the choice of freshly baked treats early morning. The brioche is just so rich. Also very strong coffee. Service good with knowledgeable staff.
I haven't been in Ima ( the restaurant ) but I have been in Ima Deli 5 times al least. I go there because they have roast chicken 1/4 or 1/2) that you can order with a Salad. My mom insisted me to come here as she saw a good selection of cakes and pastries quite similar to the traditional Mexican. So we went and tried some with a nice coffee and we really liked. The place is bigger than the Ima Restaurant so is good space ...a little dark for my taste and the only thing I noticed is that the service is not the warmest. In some occasions we race hands to be notice... today I brought a friend and she was pregnant and we want some water .. no one was around or coming to our table to ask us if everything was ok.. so they charge you at the cashier deliver the food and bye! The rest ok: Food, coffees and dessert.
Sarah Marie Reynolds
+3.5
The first time I had Ima Deli I ordered the Chicken Noodle Soup - it was massive and comes with great bread. I followed up my meal with a feijoa & apple donut. So tasty! 4/5
The second time I went I ordered the baked eggs - unfortunately they were burnt to the bottom of the skillet and the bread was quite hard. And they didn't have the feijoa & apple donuts :( So that time was 3/5
Really nice atmosphere, had the salted Carmel donut and a flat white, both were lovely. The service is wonderful and is what really makes it stand out.
I went here between meetings the other day and it was lovely. I had a great hot coffee and an amazing cake. The staff were really friendly. Will definitely be back for more sweet treats.
One of the many exciting new eateries along the recently cobbled Fort St. Very inviting with its soothing dark interior and spacious layout. Friendly staff, enticing food selection, plenty of choice for something sweet. We sat and had the pulled pork sandwich. Definitely had potential, but wasn't able to taste the mentioned BBQ sauce? Portion size was generous and the complimentary sparkling water was appreciated. Next time will try the bread and butter pudding...
Metro put this little cafe on their list for a reason. That's the good flavour. Shakeshuka is impressively delicious. I'd love to try every egg breakfasts on their menu because I know they won't disappoint me.
I had an absolutely lovely experience at Ima Cuisine, surpassing all my expectations. The restaurant’s ambiance perfectly complements the incredible food they serve.
With a delightful mix of cabinet food and an extensive dine-in menu featuring TONS of options for all food preferences, there's something for everyone. We ordered the Middle Eastern platter for two, which could easily serve three people, and we had plenty of leftovers. The food was fresh, delicious, and their hummus was hands down the best I've ever had here in Auckland. Additionally, their menu offers a wide range of beverages, from Arabic coffee to cocktails, both of which were extremely delicious.
Despite the restaurant filling up quickly as we visited close to lunchtime, the service was still remarkably swift. I am already looking forward to returning.
Came in for lunch during work after walking past many times before. The restuarant has a nice ambience, and the staff were able to accommodate 9 of us at short notice (although it can get busy, so might pay to book for large groups). The food came out exactly as described on the menu, but the portions were bigger than expected. A great place to stop by for lunch.
ridiculously good lebanese; family-run but neighborhood restaurant in the heart of the cbd… they had no business being so welcoming to us. side note: ‘mezze for two’ is a LOT of food.
Had the mezze platter along with most of my table, we were brought endless plates of absolutely delicious pickles, breads, falafel, olives, dips, and salads. The vegan kofte was awesome as well. Polished off with a yemenite tea, halva and Turkish delight, all sublime. Yes it's a little more expensive than other places around but for the quality, flavour and freshness is worth every penny
OMG what a hidden gem in the Auckland dining experience.. Food is par excellence.. Host was courteous and helpful and interiors has been designed to give you a real middle Easters experience.. kebabs on skewers were a must try and kunafa was so yummy.. If I could I would repeat it 100 times.. must go.. highly recommended.. owner sells a cook book with their generational recipes.. it's a real foodies book..
This place is fantastic !! Some of the best food we have found in this great city. Fresh produce cooked with imagination and love. The hardest decision will be choosing from their inspired menu, you will wish you could try a bit of everything as it is all delicious and a real feast. Definitely go here for breakfast and then go back for lunch you will not be disappointed at all.
Some of the best authentic Middle Eastern food you'll find this part of the world. The owner is an absolutely charming lady too. Well worth multiple visits. Don't miss out on the mesachen!
We visited this place for lunch with work mates.
The ambience is nice and cosy.
The food options are nice, but only a few for vegetarians.
The salads are nice and well prepared.
I ordered a salad and didn't realise that it would be served cold, which made it a bit unappetising.
The staff are nice and helpful.
The location is easily accessible by walking and is quite popular in the lunch time on weekdays.
Prior bookings are recommended.
Had the most beautiful meal here with parents and grandparents. Comfy seating, lovely and friendly space, attentive staff, and the food was incredible! It felt very homely and welcoming to be there. Definitely recommend for groups. Convenient for a meal before a show, as we just wandered down to Spark for a 7.30 kick off.
Food was sensational! Was our first time here and we went with no expectation to be left blown away by the food, how quick the food came out, the house made sodas and the absolutely lovely/helpful/friendly service we had from our main waiter and a few others also. We’ll be back for sure! Great for vegan too.
Really healthy delicious food with thoroughly enjoy the chicken and all the sides that came with it the Atmos were fantastic and excellent service
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