Cedar Restaurant in Derry

Food very bland . . Waiter was a character

Delicious food, great service, and wonderful vegetarian options!

We dined with friends in September 2024. We were attracted by the Lebanese food as my friend and I travelled a lot for our profession in the Middle East. We were somewhat surprised that the bookings can only be made for an early evening and nothing after 7pm. The lady kindly told us that there is no alcohol served but we are free to bring ours. The choice of food is fine although not very broad. The service is excellent and rather fast. However we expected more quality food from our experiences. The food served in the restaurant does not reach the typical, accurate and expected quality level one can be spoiled of in a good Lebanese restaurant anywhere in the Middle East. We therefore were somewhat deceived. Lastly, prices are rather on the high side. Would the quality have been higher I would have been glad to pay the amount due. For 4 persons we payed £160.- excluding any alcoholic drink.

A libanese restaurant in Derry/Londonderry. Very small place. Few tables. It is better to reserve a table in advance. Nice staff. Food was not special. I had the aubergine plate as main course, but no flavour. They don't serve any alcohol (no wine, no beer) Quite expensive.

Delicious food, friendly and efficient service, with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere ❤️

We visited Fri 13th Sept. We'd been meaning to try here for so long but never got around to it. Booked via WhatsApp which was very handy and responses prompt. Upon entry we were greeted with a very warm welcome from the Hostess. The setting/decor is lovely. The music was fitting. We felt they have achieved the goal of transporting you to another country with the overall vibe. The Share starters were very tasty and a great way to try a variety of options rather than committing to one dish. We also enjoyed our Mains. Tasty, new flavours and worth noting everything felt light and healthy, with the absence of rich sauces etc, which was refreshing for us as part of a new dining experience. They dont serve alcohol but you can bring your own with a very reasonable corkage fee and your drinks are conveniently placed by your table in an ice bucket to open at your leisure. We would definitely recommend Ceder if you fancy something new and are willing to break your comfort zone from the usual local style of Bistro food. The service was absolutely fantastic and the owners interacting briefly with the customers is a lovely touch, although not intrusive at all.

Friendly staff, cozy atmosphere and most of all absolutely beautiful food ❤️

I'm Italian and often find myself in Londonderry for work. At Cedar, I can enjoy the Mediterranean flavors that make me feel at home. The best restaurant in all of Derry, every time I’m in town, a stop here is a must.

Really tasty food and excellent service.

Very authentic Lebanese restaurant. With a manageable number of tables, so we were lucky to get a seat without a reservation on a Thursday evening in August. The service is extremely friendly and courteous. The typical Lebanese dishes (meza) were all very tasty and flavoured with a special blend of spices. For a corkage fee, you can bring your own wine if you wish. Topped off with a delicious dessert (a baklava selection), this restaurant is an absolute treat for dinner in Derry. Thank you:)

Lovely experience, food delicious, great atmosphere and service. Thank you, will return.

Everything was excellent. We were lucky as we happened on Cedar on our way home. It was so good we duplicated our order to take home for the rest of our family to enjoy- they were staying in with the young ones for the evening. We were visiting for a week.

A brilliant night, amazing food. This is a hidden gem and don't know how I never knew about it, cannot wait to go back. The best meal I have had in a long time

Starter mezze were paltry and totally overpriced. Tabouleh hardly had any bulgar. Vine leaves were dried up lumps. Mains were tasteless and unexciting. No fresh herbs. All dried. Very odd garnishes on the dishes. Total disappointment. Sorry to say but a very big let down at the end of a really lovely couple of days in Derry.

Everything is great! Authentic and well-made food, flavors that transport you directly to Lebanon. Good ingredients and ideal presentation. Music also helps by creating a perfect atmosphere.

A special celebration with the family - loved the tasting menu- food was delicious and staff were very attentive.

Excellent food. Really authentic.

Gorgeous food and wonderful service. Would highly recommend!

Great food, great vibes Good veggie options available

very gourmet and tasty authentic lebanese food. Just like in Lebanon, which is very hard to find on this island!

A maze inggggggg. Service is fab. Best food in Derry.

Thanks to the staff for recommending meals. This was my first time eating Lebanese food and I loved it.

An absolute gem of a restaurant. We are only visiting briefly and had to change dinner plans last minute. We had this restaurant recommended to us, so we chanced going despite not having a booking. The head of house was very kind and gave us a table. We had a main each and split a meza table special to start. All of the food was beautifully cooked, fragrant, all the veg was so fresh and the variety of options was excellent (we all tried a different meat option each and they were all equally delicious!). We also had the lemonade and the jallab, which went so well with the food! The staff were all very friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was great. We would have loved to stay to try the dessert and coffee, will hopefully be back again next time we visit the city! Thanks so much for a lovely time 🩷

Very lovely, authentic food and very good service

Great little restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. A gem in the old city.

The service and vegan options were outstanding. There was attention given in serving every item hot and beautifully plated. The ambiance was perfect for a wonderful meal. We were traveling through Derry and we were treated like honored guests. I will definitely look for other Lebanese restaurants on our travels.

Food was super tasty. Staff are reali friendly and the place itself is cosy and nice to eat in. Will definitely be back.

Delicious fresh Food in a pleasant atmosphere

Had a lovely meal here tonight. Great food service and atmosphere. Highly recommend this for something different.

Many good vegan options, including sharing meze platter and great service:)

Lovely, warm, intimate atmosphere and lovely service. Amazing vegetarian food options and amazing food in general. Love visiting here, never leave disappointed. 10/10 would recommend.

Outstanding dining experience. Lovely warm cosy atmosphere, excellent friendly service, delicious food. Would 100% recommend, looking forward to my next visit already.

It was a really weird experience only feeling full about five hours after eating, the food was amazing, we will be returning

The online menu, which I had perused prior to my arrival, could only be described as underwhelming, with options so limited they seemed more akin to a snack menu than a proper dining experience. The starters, in particular, were daylight robbery. Not only were they lacking in flavor, but their presentation was equally uninspiring. Take, for instance, the Taboula, which, according to tradition, should have featured finely chopped parsley. Instead, what I received could be best described as a handful of parsley "clips" thrown haphazardly into a miniature bowl, for the princely sum of £5.99. The spinach fatayer, a mere pair for £6.99, was equally disappointing in taste and filling. As for the main courses, they veered toward the side of overpricing, though the taste did manage to salvage some degree of satisfaction. Authentic Lebanese cuisine, however, is a label that Ceder should steer clear of. It appears they may be attempting to cater to local palates, but authenticity is a distant memory here. The restaurant's atmosphere didn't do much to improve matters, as the closely packed tables left diners with just enough space to squeeze between them, leaving no room for privacy. A rather claustrophobic experience, to say the least. In sum, my time at Ceder felt like a brazen daylight heist, and I would be hard-pressed to recommend it to anyone seeking an "authentic" Lebanese culinary adventure. Authenticity, it seems, has gone on an extended vacation elsewhere.

I recently dined at Cedar Lebanese Restaurant in Derry, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. The chef deserves high praise for creating dishes that were not only delicious but also made with incredibly fresh ingredients. Every bite was bursting with authentic Lebanese flavors that left a lasting impression. Additionally, our waiter went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. They were attentive to our every need, and their politeness and professionalism were truly commendable. Their recommendations from the menu were spot-on, enhancing our overall enjoyment of the meal. Cedar Lebanese Restaurant is undoubtedly a gem in Derry, thanks to its outstanding chef and attentive staff. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience filled with flavorful Lebanese cuisine and impeccable service.

Cozy place, delicious food and very friendly owners. I would definitely recommend it over any other place in the area.

lovely atmosphere, attentive service but food was so disappointing, particularly the main course grill dishes. chicken was hard and wooden skewer showed no evidence of grill! rice was rubbery from microwave. maybe vegan would have been wiser here.

Is this restaurant in Derry??? Is there a service in Arabic???

The restaurant is very welcoming and the falafels were particularly good.

Nice restaurant with very kind owners! Food was excellent and delicious! You can bring your own alcoholic drinks since they don’t offer them themselves.

Delicious food with impeccable service. A lovely ambience. Would highly recommend

Up from Dublin last week and was recommended the Cedar Restaurant for dinner. OMG ...the best food we have had in a very long time. Bernadette and Simon made us feel so welcome. Bernadette gave us great advice on what to eat. I am new to being vegan and there was such a great selection on the menu. Simon makes everything from scratch and everything we ate was delicious. If you are looking for a warm welcome, intimate setting and excellent food we can highly recommend Cedar. 12/10😉

Hidden gem. Absolutely delicious Lebanese food. We enjoyed a selection of freshly made starters, mains, cheeses and desserts. We will most certainly return next time we’re in town. The chef and waitress were incredibly welcoming and friendly.

Great atmosphere albeit a little bit tight on space

Really enjoyed our meal at Cedar. The food was great and very friendly staff! We will definitely be back!

Absolutely beautiful food and brilliant service. Definitely be back never felt as welcome in a place as I did here. Excellent

Absolutely beautiful 🫶 Recommend 100%

Honestly, the best Lebanese food I’ve ever had - which is shocking since it’s a restaurant in tiny Irish city! I had lots of vegan dishes and each of them was delicious. The menu has so many brilliant options to choose from and the ambiance is incredible. If I’m ever back in Derry, I’ll only eat here!

Great little restaurant. Make sure u book as they're usually quite busy. Service and hospitality is second to none.

Food was fresh and tasty. The service was amazing and I love the atmosphere.

Isn’t enough superlatives to shower this restaurant with. The food is superb and service excellent. (All from one girl I might add). For me it’s the nicest in town

Absolutely gorgeous meal. The place is small, so you need reservations but what a fabulous dinner. You don’t get this flavor in Irish restaurants (which I love too) but it was so nice to have something so different. Can’t recommend enough! Staff were lovely, only one waitress but she did a phenomenal job keeping the tables going. BYOB

Thank you for the amazing food. Thank you that you find a table for us

Gorgeous food with plenty of vegetarian options and super friendly hosts. Highly recommend!

Wonderful food, excellent choice and an absolute must for vegetarians (and to be honest non vegetarians) BYOB

Once again excellent...cheers..just a pity we don't live closer..

The best Falafel ever, the grilled portions were very little, but the taste was good. Visit again for sure!

Very disappointing experience. Overpriced also.

Such a lovely meal, the best we’ve had in the whole north coast. Makes such a welcome change from more traditional food. Host was great - son came home to take care of front of house as it was his mum’s birthday (parents own/run the place) If we come back to Derry we’ll be back for the baba ganoush

Very nice place with great Lebanese food and great service.

Amazing food and service. Will definitely return.

Food delicious. Great for gluten free but no dessert available.

I brought my Partner here last night for her Birthday. Really exceptional food and dining experience. I sent a quick txt when booking my table to say that it was my girlfriend’s birthday and they surprised her with a little cake and candle and a card! Couldn’t recommend it more. The food really is that good too!

Had a fantastic NYE dinner here. The food was absolutely delicious. The owners are so lovely and welcoming! Cannot wait for another night in Cedar. 10/10

Friendly atmosphere, lovely food.

Beautiful food and will definitely be back.

Lovely restaurant, offering most near taste of Lebanese food. Good amount of food on the plate, and even we got desserts as a gift (baklava) for our kids. Calm ambient, definitely we will be back.

Five stars for the service. One star for the food. Unfortunately the food was really poor, very bland actually. I've cooked Lebanese cuisine many times at home and it is usually punchy and very tasty. The mezze platter - (vegetarian ones) for main which I had was shockingly overpriced for the five tiny portions which would have all fit on a side plate I left not feeling like I had dinner and ate again later. The food was not up to standard for those prices. I didn't say anything as this was the second time eating here, last time it was not great for me but OK for my partner and thought we'd give it a second chance. Have to say I won't be back. Some serious thinking about the quality/cooking of the food and the prices needed in my opinion.

Amazing food my taste buds were singing. There staff were so helpful and very knowledgeable about the food. Would highly recommend this gem of a restaurant

Delicious food. Lovely restaurant. Perfect for vegetarians.

We had the most fabulous meal in Cedar last night. It was the first time either of us had eaten Lebanese food and it was absolutely beautiful. The restaurant itself is truly beautiful with an intimate atmosphere, Berna and Simon are friendly welcoming hosts and all of this led to a truly memorable dining experience. We really loved the Babaganoush and Fattoush for starters and the Chicken Shwarma and mixed grill mains . Berna also gave me a yogurt and garlic dip which was fabulous!!My byob Tesco red was decanted into a beautiful carafe and my daughter loved the homemade lemonade. The baklava dessert , coffee and tea finished up the meal so nicely as they were served on quirky tableware . We had a lovely evening and can’t wait to return to this wonderful place.

Great spot. Lovely food and great host.

Fantastic little restaurant serving Lebanese food. Great service and welcome from the staff. Very reasonable prices with a good range of food. Not licensed and bring your own, making it very affordable.

Food was absolutely delicious and service was great! Fragrant, authentic and the best baklava i've ever eaten. Will definitely be back the next time we are in Derry.

I was blown away by the quality of the food here, we tried several of the small and main dishes and everything was just soo fresh, fragrant and authentic. The food is just soo delicious and the staff were lovely. Highly recommend!

Marvelous Lebanese food. Lovely baclava and lovely ambience

Very tasty food and good service from friendly staff 😀

Beautiful food and lovely staff. Would recommend

Food was excellent walked out full but not stuffed cant wait to get back staff very friendly was like sitting with friends very comfortable wld recommend a visit hopefully when this flu all over ??

Love this place. Amazing food and great staff. Highly recommended.

Once again excellent food & hospitality...many thanks

Amazing restaurant. The food and service are outstanding, every time. Healthy amazing food.

Good food, great ambiance and very friendly staff.

Food was dreamy!Really enjoyed our night there.Lovely atmosphere.Such a different experience every bite was delicious.Highly recommend here if visiting or just want a memorable bite out.Great!

Warm, family friendly service. Incredible authentic food!

Excellent food highly recommend

Great atmosphere, lovely food, friendly staff and not rushed. Well done Cedar.

Wonderful food, great service and very warm friendly family.

My husband and I dined here last night and what a wonderful experience it was. Claudia and her mum were the greatest hosts ever and the food was simply amazing. We can't wait to go back and bring our girls to experience this wonderful resturant. 😁

Beautiful food and great staff. Just love this place ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

Booked well in advance and was not disappointed. Excellent from start to finish, we were treated with terrific service from our host including a well informed tour of the menu complete with delicious recommendations for every course. Brilliant and vibrant menu for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike, this is Lebanese cuisine at its finest. We traveled from Belfast to indulge and will certainly return. BYO.

Nice ambiance and tasty food. Portion sizes small.

Lebanese is my favourite cuisine and I've eaten in many Lebanese restaurants in the UK (including all over London) & Ireland. I'd say Cedar in Derry probably has the nicest Lebanese food of all the places I've eaten in. The atmosphere is very welcoming. The lady who served us (Bernadette?) was so friendly. Other restaurants could really learn a thing or two from this place. Looking forward to my next visit.

Would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant, as the food is great and the staff are very welcoming and friendly.

My wife and i went for the four course tasting menu which we found very satisfying indeed. It was our first vist and helped show off the wide scope of the menu! The choice and flavours from the Mezzas were very unique compared to the traditional local eateries. The Hara Sauce was my personal favourite. We shall return!

Amazing food, wonderful service and such a lovely quaint place.

I was really surprised by Cedar Restaurant. It's small but this adds to the experience. We got a sample selection menu of starters, mains and desserts. It's amazing to taste fresh new flavours. Everything we ate was great. Highly recommend a visit.

Very good food and friendly/helpful staff. Very expensive though and only just for the very occasional special treat.

One real Lebanese restaurant. Be sure to take the 'combi' of starters: 3 cold + 2 hot starters. The house drink is also very tasty. They do not serve alcoholic drinks, but you can bring your own bottle (of wine) and pay a stopover fee.

Lovely and cosy place, lovely staff and amazing food. They don't sell alcoholic drinks but you can bring your bottle of wine.