Yemeni Palace Restaurant
10704 97th Street NW
825-480-2699

Nestled in the heart of Edmonton’s diverse culinary landscape, just off the bustling corridor of 97th Street, lies Yemeni Palace Restaurant, an authentic journey into the rich flavours of the Southern Arabian Peninsula.

Opening at the beginning of December, Yemeni Palace has established itself where Lee Palace used to be, just across from Lucky Supermarket (known to many as Lucky 97). It’s quickly becoming a go-to destination for the Middle Eastern community and for food explorers seeking culinary adventures. As you step inside, an aromatic symphony of cardamom, cloves, and slow-cooked lamb envelops you, immediately signalling the beginning of a truly traditional feast.

Our party of five was warmly welcomed and shown to a table amid wall banners displaying Yemeni culture and important landmarks. There were plenty of other diners, mostly enjoying their cultural heritage in an inviting, communal atmosphere. The menu is a vibrant roadmap of Yemeni cuisine, highlighting ancient recipes that celebrate slow-cooking techniques and hand-blended spices.

To start our journey, we began with the Lentil Soup. Earthy and perfectly seasoned, it providing a comforting start that awakened our palates. For the next course, the Fattoush Salad brought the classic trio of cucumber, tomato and lettuce, enlivened by the crunchy textures of toasted Yemeni flatbread and crisp radishes. A mild, sweet vinaigrette has hints of  pomegranate molasses.

For the main course, we made the easy choice of the Family Offer 2: a huge platter-sized bed of fragrant seasoned Basmati long-grain rice, topped with chicken and lamb, accompanied by sahawiq - spicy tomato and green chili chutneys that provide a zesty kick cutting through the richness of the meats perfectly. Each of the sauces are stirred in to satisfy each individual’s taste. The red sauce is like a fine salsa, while the white sauce is yoghurt based, like a tzatziki but with more green spiciness.

I couldn’t resist the Lamb Mandi - the restaurant’s crowning jewel. The meat was incredibly tender, literally falling off the bone at the slightest touch of a fork. The whole Chicken Mandi was massive and moist, and that was joined by Haneeth Lamb and Saltah, the traditional bubbling root vegetable stew with fenugreek. Every dish was not only pleasing to the eye but also a celebration of taste.

As a dessert, we ordered cups of Adeni Milk Tea. Infused with evaporated milk, cardamom, and cloves, it arrived steaming and fragrant. The creamy, spiced warmth of the tea was a delightful finish that tied the entire meal together.

When it comes to value, Yemeni Palace impresses: our extensive spread, complete with soup, salad and tea, averaged around $30 per person - a steal for such quantity and authenticity. We had about twice as much food as we could possibly eat, so were grateful at lunch the next day too!

Yemeni Palace is a testament to the continued evolution of food culture in our community, seamlessly blending ancient flavours with charming hospitality. Whether you’re exploring with friends or enjoying a relaxing family meal, this gem is definitely worth a visit.

Alan Schietzsch lives in McCauley and is a member of the paper’s Board of Directors.