Aladdin Restaurant

Aladdin Restaurant is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant located at 401 Penn Ave in West Reading, Pennsylvania. It occupies a corner spot on the Penn Avenue commercial strip, the main shopping and dining street that runs through the borough and connects it to the Penn Street Bridge and downtown Reading. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, handles takeout and delivery, and takes catering orders for events held elsewhere. The phone number is +1 610-685-6677.

The menu centers on the cooking of the Levant: grilled meats, mezze (small plates meant for sharing), fresh chopped salads, dips, savory pastries and house-made desserts. Dishes are prepared with halal meat. Vegetarian and vegan diners have a substantial range of options to work with, since a large portion of the mezze selection is plant based by tradition rather than by substitution.

The Food

Mezze form the backbone of the menu and are typically ordered in groups so the table can sample several at once. Expect the standards of the region prepared from scratch: chickpea and tahini dips, smoky eggplant preparations, stuffed grape leaves, labneh, falafel, and baked or fried pastries filled with spinach or seasoned meat. Salads are built around fresh herbs and vegetables, with the two Levantine classics, tabbouleh and fattoush, appearing in their traditional forms.

The grill section covers skewered and marinated meats, including chicken and beef kabobs, lamb, kafta and shawarma carved from the vertical spit. Mixed grill platters are designed for sharing and arrive in courses, which makes them a practical choice for a group that wants to try a range of items in one sitting. Portions across the menu run generous, and taking food home is common.

Desserts are made in house and draw on the Lebanese and Syrian pastry tradition rather than the usual restaurant dessert list. Items such as aish al saraya, a bread pudding layered with cream and syrup, and ice cream served with ghazel banat (spun sugar often described in English as Middle Eastern cotton candy) appear alongside more familiar pastries. Coffee and tea receive real attention here, with Arabic style coffee and a broad tea selection that suits lingering after a meal.

Atmosphere and Entertainment

The dining room was redesigned in 2024 and reads as casual but polished, with two fireplaces, soft lighting and Middle Eastern music playing at a level that still allows conversation. The room is generally quiet enough for solo diners and small groups, and the restaurant is a frequent choice for weekday lunch as well as unhurried weekend dinners. A private dining room is available for parties and gatherings that need separation from the main floor.

On selected weekends the restaurant hosts live performances, including musicians and belly dancing, which turns the dining room into something closer to a cultural evening than a standard meal out. Because scheduling varies, calling ahead is the simplest way to confirm what is planned for a given night.

Aladdin is BYOB. Guests who want wine or beer with dinner are welcome to bring their own, which keeps the cost of a full evening down and gives diners control over pairings with the spiced and grilled dishes on the menu.

Seating and Service Options

The restaurant provides full table service with seating indoors and an outdoor seating area for warmer months. Reservations are accepted and are worth making for larger parties, weekend evenings and nights with live entertainment. For those eating elsewhere, the kitchen handles takeout and delivery, including no-contact delivery.

• Dine-in with table service
• Takeout
• Delivery, including no-contact delivery
• Outdoor seating
• Catering for events and gatherings
• Private dining room for groups

Families and Accessibility

Aladdin accommodates families with a kids' menu and high chairs, and the shareable format of the mezze menu tends to work well for children who want to try small amounts of several things. The restaurant is described by guests as good for kids and suitable for groups, tourists passing through the Reading area, and solo diners.

The building is wheelchair accessible throughout the parts of the visit that matter most: the entrance, the seating area, the restroom and the parking lot are all accessible. Restrooms are on site.

The restaurant identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space.

Parking and Getting There

Parking in West Reading can be competitive on busy evenings, but Aladdin has a free parking lot and free street parking is available along the surrounding blocks. The Penn Avenue location puts the restaurant within walking distance of the borough's other shops, bakeries and small businesses, so it fits easily into an afternoon or evening spent in the district. Reading, Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, Shillington and the rest of central Berks County are all a short drive away.

Payment

The restaurant accepts credit cards, debit cards and NFC mobile payments such as contactless phone and watch payments.

Practical Notes for First-Time Visitors

• Order mezze for the table first. The small plates are meant to be shared and give a better sense of the kitchen's range than a single entree.
• Bring your own wine or beer if you want a drink with dinner, since the restaurant is BYOB.
• Ask the staff about dishes you do not recognize. Servers are accustomed to explaining regional preparations and the differences between similar items.
• Plan for leftovers. Portions, particularly on the grill platters, are sized with sharing in mind.
• Call ahead about weekend entertainment and to reserve a table if you are coming with a group.
• Save room for dessert, which is made in house and includes items not commonly found elsewhere in Berks County.

Summary

Aladdin Restaurant gives West Reading a full-service Middle Eastern kitchen with halal meats, a deep mezze list, scratch-made desserts and a serious coffee and tea program, set in a remodeled dining room with fireplaces and occasional live cultural performances. Between the BYOB policy, free parking, accessible facilities, kid-friendly service and options for vegetarians and vegans, it accommodates a wide range of visits, from a quick weekday lunch to a long weekend dinner with a group. The restaurant is at 401 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611, and can be reached at +1 610-685-6677.