Laser Wolf is one of the best Middle Eastern meals in all of Pennsylvania, and the three-course prix-fixe menu is a must-try (prices start at $37). Also created by chef Michael Solomonov, Laser Wolf's best dishes are its traditional ones, like savory kebabs, whole branzino on the grill, and braised short ribs. "This is how people in Israel actually eat," Andrew Henshaw, the executive chef of Laser Wolf, previously told T+L, "It's like the pub in England or the diner in America." They are known for their excellent cocktail pairings, too.

Kensington’s Laser Wolf isn’t just one of our favorites for a Mediterranean feast—it’s one of the top restaurants in the neighborhood, period. The laidback Israeli grill is great for groups, date night, or eating by yourself at the bar, thanks to the all-you-can-eat salatim, and other shareables, like chicken skewers and juicy tuna covered in a green chili sauce. Bottom line—everything they put to the flame here is exceptional.

We may be slightly stretching the definition of steakhouse here, but the dry-aged ribeye for two at this Israeli grill house from James Beard Award winners Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook will leave you with no care for such trifling questions. That’s hardly the only option for meat lovers at this Kensington corner hotspot. The hangar steak alone is worth the short ride from Center City.

Most of the modern Israeli restaurants owned by CookNSolo offer versatile menus for gluten-free eating, with strong practices to avoid cross contamination, although extra-sensitive people should know that pita baking is often done on-site. The entire menus at both Laser Wolf and Goldie are gluten-free with the exception of the pitas, which are usually replaced with cucumbers for dipping into that silky hummus. (The store-bought version of the hummus is also gluten-free.) Two of the three rice platters at the recently reinvented Dizengoff are gluten-free (including sabich, whose eggplant is the first ingredient in the fryer each morning).

The answer is often Laser Wolf, a high-energy Kensington Israeli restaurant where everyone wants to go anyway, and where the platters of salatim, hummus and pita are bottomless and totally vegan. After your first course hits the table, guests can choose their own adventure with an entree, but you’ll find that everyone will be happy to eat a creamy whole eggplant or the crispy, shawarma-spiced cauliflower. Heads up: when you look at the menu and briefly panic about an eggplant costing $37, know that these prices include your first course as well as soft serve for dessert.

A seat at Zahav has been one of Philadelphia’s top reservations for fifteen years, but if you can’t snag a table or are looking to save a little, Laser Wolf is there for you (albeit with reservations that book up quickly as well). Known in Hebrew as a “shipudiya”, this Fishtown skewer house relies on the high heat of a charcoal grill to prepare its entrees, resulting in intense, hearty flavors. There are mercifully few decisions to be made while ordering – pick your entree from the list of meat, fish, and veggie dishes, and then settle in for a delicious meal.

If you're thinking about your birthday a month in advance, there's a good chance you can book a Laser Wolf reservation without issue. And that would be a very good dining decision, since the Israeli shipudiya always feels like a party: Upbeat pop pumps through the dining room, platters of salatim are refilled as much as you want, and every meal ends with ice cream. This is also a great spot if you've got dietary restrictions in the mix — the seasonal rotation of cold vegetables and dips are almost all vegan.

Laser Wolf — named after Lazar Wolf, the butcher from the popular musical Fiddler On The Roof — is like the little sister to Zahav (see below). Similarly from Michael Solomonov and co-owner Steve Cook, this skewer house in Philadelphia’s Kensington area has been recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. That’s thanks to delicacies such as the chicken shishlik and spicy lamb kofte, cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection on the charcoal grill for more intense flavor.

Another hit from the team behind Zahav, Laser Wolf is a lively and energetic Israeli grill house, or "shipudiya," with a prime location in Kensington. The concept is fun and communal: you choose your main course from a selection of skewers (from steak and chicken to cauliflower and tuna), which are cooked over a charcoal grill. Your meal comes with the "bottomless" salatim—a stunning array of over ten different small vegetable salads and dips—along with their famous hummus and fresh pita.

While Zahav serves up a more polished experience, Laser Wolf brings a fun, grill-centric vibe that feels refreshing. Located in Kensington, this Israeli skewer house specializes in perfectly grilled meats, such as lamb kebabs and whole fish, cooked over an open flame. Each meal has an impressive spread of fresh salads and warm, pillowy pita, so there’s always something to grab while you wait for the main event.

Theater aficionados will recognize the name Laser Wolf, named for the butcher in the Jewish musical Fiddler on the Roof, Lazar Wolf. This incredible Israeli grill uses a charcoal grill and old-school cooking style common in Hebrew “shipudiyas” or skewer houses. Everything on this menu is carefully crafted by Executive Chef Andrew Henshaw, who has worked to master Israeli cooking techniques for many years.

Laser Wolf is one of the most delicious Middle Eastern meals in all of Pennsylvania and the $39 for a three-course prix fixed menu is something you must try. Laser Wolf’s top menus are the traditional dishes, such as delicious kebabs with a savory flavor, whole branzino cooked on the grill, along with braised short ribs. They are renowned for their superb cocktail pairings.

An upscale take on a typical Israeli hummus and skewers restaurant. You'll share a huge number of veggie apps for the table, with as many refills as you want, and then everyone orders a main dish (which you can also share). We were blown away by the fish, but underwhelmed but the cauliflower.

Laser Wolf is another Israeli restaurant owned by the group that owns Zahav. You can think of Laser Wolf as Zahav’s younger, trendier cousin. While Laser Wolf also offers delicious Israeli food and an excellent ambiance, the decor is more modern and trendy than the timeless decor at Zahav.

The Atmosphere: A colorful interior with unique wall murals and a grand bar area. It’s a cool vibe with the large windows, exposed brickwork, and neon sign. Why You Need To Dine Here: Flavorful, fresh Israeli meat, fish and veggie kabobs, cooked over charcoal.

What makes it special: So this restaurant isn’t as new as the others, but it’s a must try. It opened in February 2020 and has already been named one of the best restaurants in the world. This Israeli shipudiya, or grill house, is famous for their Salatim.

From the Chef de Cuisine at Zahav, Andrew Henshaw brings Laser Wolf which focuses on the Israeli grill. The interior is spunky with vibrant colors and retro details. I admire the pursuit of simplicity in order to truly unveil the Israeli flavors.

Condé Nast Traveler has included Laser Wolf — an Israeli grill from the team behind the acclaimed Zahav — on their 2021 Hot List, naming the Fishtown eatery as one of the best new restaurants in the world.

A second location of the popular Brooklyn eatery, this Israeli-inspired Philadelphia restaurant is known for its charcoal grilled meats as a prime local example of a "shipudiya" or "skewer house.

- Rating: 4.5/5 (466 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 1301 North Howard St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Categories: Middle Eastern- Read more on Yelp