- Attraction: Manouche & Co Mediterranean & Lebanese Restaurant
- Location: 176 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
- Industry: Lebanese Restaurant
- Website: https://www.manouchenj.com/
Since opening in 2021, Manouche & Co has transformed a simple Bloomfield storefront into something far more meaningful.
Owner Eli Chalet, a Lebanese native, brought recipes and techniques from his homeland to create dishes that trigger nostalgia for those who grew up eating this cuisine and introduce newcomers to flavors they’ll quickly crave.
The restaurant’s chrome-and-glass exterior gives way to an airy interior with clean wood tables and thoughtful paneling, creating a space that balances modern aesthetics with warm Mediterranean hospitality.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick takeout order or settling in at one of their tables, you’re about to experience Lebanese cooking executed with genuine care and traditional methods.
Signature Menu Items Worth Ordering
The Ouche Dipper: This sampler platter lets you choose three spreads from hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, or zesty feta, all served with baked za’atar-seasoned pita chips.
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Keep Exploring →The creamy hummus provides a mild, nutty foundation, while the baba ghanoush brings smoky depth from roasted eggplant. But it’s the zesty feta that often steals the show with its spicy kick, perfectly balanced by the cool, tangy labneh when things get too hot.
Chicken Shawarma: Diners consistently highlight this dish as a standout. Roasted strips of marinated chicken arrive wrapped in soft, dense pita bread along with French fries, pickles, and generous amounts of toum (garlic paste).
The combination creates layers of texture and flavor in every bite. Many find the shawarma platter especially satisfying since it comes with two sides and enough food to easily share between two people.
Falafel Excellence: These fried chickpea croquettes achieve that perfect textural contrast where the exterior shatters into crispness while the inside remains fluffy and tender. Seasoned with traditional herbs and spices, they’re served with tahini sauce that adds a creamy, nutty element.
You can order them as appetizers or tucked into pita with turnip pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini for a complete sandwich.
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Discover MoreKabob Selection: The kafta kabob features ground beef mixed with onions and herbs, while the shish tawook offers grilled marinated chicken that stays incredibly juicy.
For maximum variety, opt for the combination platter with three skewers each of chicken shish, kafta, and beef shish alongside two sides and pita bread.
Each protein is grilled to order with seasonings that enhance rather than overpower the meat’s natural flavors.
Manakish Flatbreads: These Lebanese pies showcase the restaurant’s baking skills. The zaatar version features za’atar spice blend (thyme, sumac, sesame seeds) mixed with olive oil and spread across freshly baked dough.
The flatbread comes out of the oven with crispy edges and a chewy center, making it ideal for breakfast or as an appetizer to share.
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Keep Exploring →Gyro Options: Whether you choose lamb or chicken, the gyro sandwiches deliver tender, spit-cooked meat layered into pita with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and homemade tzatziki sauce. The lamb provides rich, savory depth, while the chicken offers a lighter alternative that still packs plenty of flavor.
Fresh Sides & Salads
Tabbouleh Salad: Many consider this the best tabbouleh in the Bloomfield area. The parsley-forward salad includes bulgur wheat, tomatoes, and a bright lemon dressing that refreshes your palate between bites of richer dishes.
Fattoush: This salad combines romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers topped with baked pita chips and dressed in a pomegranate citrus vinaigrette. The chips add satisfying crunch while the tangy dressing ties everything together.
Shmandar: Pickled beets and red cabbage offer a sharp, acidic counterpoint to heavier entrees. The vibrant colors make it as visually appealing as it is tasty.
Side Dishes: Choose from yellow rice, pilaf rice, or roasted potatoes to accompany your main course. The roasted potatoes develop crispy exteriors while staying fluffy inside.
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Discover MoreMust-Try Appetizers
Grape Leaves: Stuffed with rice, peppers, onions, tomato, and lemon juice, these offer bright Mediterranean flavors in neat little packages.
Boorak: Phyllo dough wrapped around feta and mozzarella cheese creates flaky, golden pastries with gooey, melted centers.
Kibbeh: This mixture of lean beef with cracked bulgur forms a shell around ground beef and onions filling. The two-texture experience makes these five pieces disappear quickly.
Arnabeet bi Tarator: Baked cauliflower gets dressed with tahini sauce and toasted pine nuts for a vegetarian option that’s anything but boring.
Sweet Endings
Heaven Cake: Flaky phyllo pastry gets stuffed with ground pistachios and layered with housemade whipped cream. After dusting with more pistachios and drizzling with syrup and rose water, this dessert delivers delicate sweetness with nutty undertones.
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Keep Exploring →Kenefah w/Ka’ak: Sweet cheese pastry meets Lebanese sesame bread in this unique combination. The sweet syrup drizzled over warm cheese creates an indulgent finish to your meal that’s unlike anything you’ll find at typical American restaurants.
Baklava: This classic features buttery phyllo pastry stuffed with ground walnuts and soaked in sweet syrup. Each piece provides layers of flaky crunch followed by the rich taste of nuts and honey-like sweetness.
Atmosphere & Setting
Interior Design: The dining room maintains a simple, modern aesthetic with clean lines and minimal fuss. Wood tables and paneling add warmth without cluttering the space. The chrome-and-glass storefront lets natural light flood in during daytime hours.
Spotless Conditions: You’ll notice immediately how well-maintained everything is. Tables get cleaned quickly even during busy periods, and the overall tidiness reflects the kitchen’s attention to detail.
Size & Seating: The interior is compact but comfortable, with enough tables to accommodate families and small groups. During peak hours, the space can fill up quickly, but turnover tends to be reasonable.
Outdoor Option: Patio seating extends your dining options when weather permits, offering a pleasant al fresco experience on Broad Street.
Visual Appeal: Dishes arrive with thoughtful presentation. The colorful salads, golden-brown kabobs, and vibrant dips create Instagram-worthy plates that taste even better than they look.
Practical Considerations
Pricing & Value: Expect to spend $10-20 per person for a satisfying meal. The portions are notably generous, with many platters easily feeding two people who don’t have enormous appetites.
Given the quality of ingredients, authentic preparation methods, and substantial portions, the pricing sits squarely in the affordable-to-moderate range. You’re getting excellent value compared to what similar Lebanese restaurants charge in nearby towns.
Vegetarian Abundance: The menu offers extensive vegetarian options beyond basic salads. Falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, manakish, boorak, and various salads give plant-based eaters plenty of delicious choices.
Parking Logistics: Street parking along Broad Street provides your best bet. Availability varies depending on time of day, but you can typically find a spot within a block or two. Weekend mornings tend to be easier than weekday lunch rushes.
Family Friendliness: The peaceful, casual atmosphere works well for families with children. The menu includes enough familiar items (like chicken and rice) alongside more adventurous options to please different palates and ages.
Ordering Options: Dine in, takeout, and delivery through major platforms (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) give you flexibility. The food travels well for takeout, maintaining its quality during short drives home. Note that credit card orders may include a small processing fee.
Breakfast Service: Weekend breakfast runs from 8am until noon, while weekday breakfast service ends at 11am. The breakfast menu features traditional Lebanese morning items including manakish flatbreads and various egg preparations.
Private Events: The restaurant offers catering services for parties and special events, handling everything from appetizers through desserts with options that span Lebanese, Italian, and Portuguese BBQ styles.
Best Visit Times: Weekday afternoons between lunch and dinner rushes offer the quietest experience. Weekend mornings during breakfast service can get busy but move efficiently. Dinner service sees steady traffic, especially Friday and Saturday evenings.
Manouche & Co
📍 176 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
