Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine, near the Ohio River in New Albany, has proven a testament to family passion and culinary excellence. This eclectic and satisfying restaurant has been a beloved dining destination since its founding in 2013.

What started as a small Mediterranean coffee shop quickly transformed into a full-service restaurant, driven by the community’s appetite for authentic Middle Eastern flavors.

Aladdin’s — led by owner Majid (Mike) Sajaja and supported by his wife, Zein, daughters Ala and Nancy, and professionally trained chef son Mohammad — has perfected a dining experience that celebrates a rich culinary heritage. 

“We started in 2013 as a small Mediterranean coffee shop,” Mike explained, “but soon after, when we saw the demand for our food had grown by a hundredfold, we changed our business model to full-service catering and restaurant, and it’s been going really well ever since.”

Aladdin’s menu balances traditional Mediterranean recipes with evolving customer tastes, featuring a curated selection of dishes perfected over the restaurant’s decade-long journey. 

Their most noteworthy offerings — juicy chicken kabobs, tender lamb chops, and the wildly popular chicken and steak curry bowls — showcase the Sajaja family’s commitment to flavor. 

The restaurant also offers favorites like pita bread, falafel, gyros, tzatziki, and imported pickles and olives.

The Sajaja’s take pride in their beautiful homemade desserts, which Ala crafts in-house. Her baklava and baklava cheesecake have become restaurant staples and best sellers. Traditional sides like hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh — with recipes perfected by Zein and Nancy — complement the main courses.

While Aladdin’s provides a welcoming dine-in atmosphere, the restaurant has found significant success in takeout and delivery, with 40% of revenue coming from customers enjoying meals at home. This restaurant’s substantial takeout business speaks to the family’s adaptability and commitment to serving their community.

As a Jordanian family-owned business, Aladdin’s does more than serve food — it shares a time-honored story, bringing the warmth and flavors of the Mediterranean basin to New Albany. Each dish represents a blend of tradition and genuine passion for sharing memorable flavors.

Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine

37 Bank Street | New Albany, IN 47150

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Stephanie Bernaba is a freelancer with national reach who thrives on topics like food and entertainment.