The Desert Inn: A Taste of American-Middle Eastern Fusion in Canton, OH

Friday night they bring out the belly dancers, food staff and overall experience is 10/10 superb restaurant. I’ve come here for years and will continue too!

This place has been on my bucket list for awhile and it did not disappoint. The food was phenomenal, the staff was excellent, and the atmosphere is delightful. If you love Mediterranean food as much as I do, this will be your new favorite. I cannot wait to return.

Fantastic first visit! My husband and I, along with my dad and his wife, visited for the first time. We didn't have a reservation (went at 530 on a Saturday) so were told the wait would be around an hour. We were leaving when a man ( the owner?) came after us and said he had a table for us! Sat us right away. The dining room is well lit and tastefully decorated. Our server Joe was patient with explaining the family style concept as we were first timers and was attentive during the entire service. For the starter, we ordered a platter of hummus, grape leaves and falafel. The falafel was the most moist version I've ever had..so delish! The grape leaves weren't bitter at all, And the hummus was tasty. We ordered lamb shank, prime rib, and chicken, steak and shrimp kebobs. All were delicious and cooked to perfection .The family style platter of bread, salad, rice and potatoes was good. Fantastic dinner out and can appreciate why this place has been in business so long!

it was my first time ! The Chuck was delicious the drinks were too strong for are taste ! The rice pudding it was a no go for me . It was replace with a good blakava . The prime rib was ok . The tabouli was very good , the dolmas too.

We’ve been coming here for years and are always so happy with our experience. Service is always good, the current owner and his dad (previous owner) often come to the table during your visit to make sure everything is up to your expectations. I think this adds a nice personal touch to the service. The food is fantastic, seasoned to absolute perfection. We recommend getting the ‘family style’ dinner which comes with the meat of your choice, Lebanese rice, breasted potatoes, salad, and garlic bread. I highly recommend getting the walnut delight dessert!

The lamb shank is unbelievable. The entire dinner was really good. The exception is the appetizer. The baba, hummus, and tabouli were very bland. The falafel is amazing.

This restaurant is a true gem, and our experience is always excellent after years of visits. The food is simply fantastic, consistently seasoned to absolute perfection. For great value and a taste of everything, we highly recommend the ‘family style’ dinner, complete with your choice of meat, Lebanese rice, breasted potatoes, salad, and garlic bread. The owners, both the current and previous generation, provide great, personal service by checking in with guests. Be sure to cap off your meal with the truly superb walnut delight dessert!

The Desert Inn in Canton is one of those places that makes you wonder why you ever bother eating anywhere else. It’s easily one of the finest Mediterranean restaurants around—and honestly, at this point, I treat it like a second home with better lighting and much better rice. The food is phenomenal across the board: kabobs that are so tender they basically fall apart out of respect, rice and potatoes that redefine “comfort food,” and salads that are fresh, bright, and loaded with flavor (so you can pretend you’re being responsible while demolishing half the amazing bread on the platter). But I have to give a very special shoutout to their raw kibbeh, available Thursday through Saturday. It is absolutely outstanding—silky, beautifully seasoned, and clearly made with real care. It’s one of those dishes that makes the whole table go quiet for a second because everyone’s having a tiny spiritual experience. What truly sets The Desert Inn apart for me, though, is not just the food—it’s the heart. I’ve brought families and clients here after funerals, when people are coming together to share in fellowship and to celebrate a loved one’s life. Those are tender, emotional gatherings, and the staff has handled them with so much grace, warmth, and sensitivity. They’ve given us comfortable, quieter spaces; moved at a gentle pace; and created an atmosphere where people can laugh, cry, remember, and just be together over a really good meal. That combination—exceptional Mediterranean food and genuinely caring, gracious service—is rare. The Desert Inn isn’t just a great restaurant; it’s a place I trust with important moments. Go for the kabobs, the potatoes, and definitely that raw kibbeh—but know that you’re also stepping into a place run by people with truly generous hearts.