50 Best Mediterranean Restaurants near Albany

“This establishment, while offering a full menu, identifies itself as a wine bar. This was made clear to our party as we were deciding what to order. It's best to consider this location as a wine bar that also serves shareable, tapas-style food.

Our group of four sampled the following:

Meaza Platter: A good starter. Due to an eggplant allergy, we requested the baba ghanoush be served separately. This request prompted another reminder that the focus is on wine, not food. While they wouldn't serve the baba ghanoush on a separate plate, they offered to substitute it with more of another item, like hummus.
Chicken Shawarma: This was the most popular dish among our group. The chicken was flavorful, and the portion size was generous, suitable for one person or for sharing.
Beef and Lamb Shawarma: A decent dish, but not as well-received as the chicken shawarma. The portion size was comparable to the chicken shawarma.
Cucumber Salad: A refreshing addition to the meats and rice.
Basmati Rice: Both shawarma plates included rice, but we ordered an extra portion.
Pita Bread: We were told the pita bread was homemade and fresh. However, the bowl contained a mix of textures: half resembled Stacy's pita chips, while the other half was soft wheat pita. The combination wasn't ideal, particularly as the soft pita warmed the crispy pieces.
Other Details:

Restrooms are located in the back, past the hostess stand and near the kitchen.
Street parking is available.“

“Un rendez-vous avec la bonne gastronomie le service rapide et l’endroit agréable merci 🙏“

“A very nice place! Good food and some interesting wine choices, to boot. Good value as well. Friendly, professional service. Volume level can be on the "vibrant" side, so that's something to keep in mind, but we highly recommend! Look forward to returning.“

“We were looking for something unique and in a neighborhood we don't spend a lot of time in, and were so happy to stumble across Taksim.

As soon as we walked in, the smells of deliciousness hit our noses. The staff were very welcoming and also brought over a carrot/ginger soup shot as a little welcome item which was a very nice touch. Throughout the meal the service was stellar.

The food itself was also very good. The flower bread is super soft, airy and the sumac butter just takes it to a whole new level. The dip trio was also a very good idea. You've had these dips before I'm sure, but Taksim's are even better.

The cocktails and wine list are also impressive with some winners along the way. The Black Salt Blaze and the Peachy Bazaar were both very good!

Can't wait tot go back!!“

“I love the taste of the food. Organic beef kebab rice bowl was die for it! Must try“

“What an amazing place. True quality, hospitality, and just an amazing taste.

Went to explore, 1000% Will be going back next week for another lunch.

Thank you guys at Ararat for a fantastic meal and a great half hour I spent there.“

“Server was having a rough day and kept messing up the same order. Mistakes happen, but when it was not corrected and instead repeated 3x then it becomes a problem. She was just having a bad day. Food was good, manager pro-actively followed up. We'll be back.“

“I had lunch here on a Sunday, shortly after they opened up. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I had hummus and chicken kabobs. The tabouleh was very good with lavash. The hummus was creamy and thick. The kabobs were tender, and served with delicious vegetables and rice. The hot sauce added a nice tang without too much heat. The interior is charming and has a sense of bright, dreamy relaxation. I’ll definitely be back.“

“Hidden gem for new parents. This place is awesome for lunch. They have a few dishes eat day and they change it up frequently. I’ve never gone and not wanted what I’ve seen - and I’m picky.

Great place to meet up on maternity leave.“

“I give this place the top spot as the best 💎in San Francisco for delicious food, drinks, friendly and sociable staff, great atmosphere, and music. There's a wide selection of dishes! The lentil soup is a bit spicy for my taste, so keep that in mind if you're ordering for kids!☝️“

“I ordered the Salmon plater it was fresh, the rice was so good and instead of hummus I ordered salad which was also great, and the thin bread omg it was amazing everything was delicious. The price it's right loved it!! I just started working around the area so I had a great experience it clean and smelled clean.“

“Wonderful experience! The owner talked with me about the menu, suggested dishes, and checked in during each course. Most importantly, this might be the best tasting food I’ve ever had. Honestly just perfect. Friendly atmosphere in the restaurant as well.“

“great food! period. love it“

“Great organic and delicious wraps burritos and plates thank you 😊“

“Delicious kabab plates with a lovely showcase of desserts. The food is fresh, reasonably priced, and their lamb is well worth it.

They don't have much seating space (2 2-person tables) and a restroom that's well-maintained.

All the meals are served in to go containers with fast preparation!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Lokanta, and I must say, it was an incredible experience! The food was absolutely delicious – every dish was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and attentive, ensuring we felt welcome and well taken care of. The ambiance was cozy yet elegant, making it a perfect spot for a memorable meal.

If you’re looking for amazing food and excellent service, I highly recommend Lokanta. I can’t wait to come back and try more from their menu!“

“Best and most authentic Syrian food available in Northern California. Great for catering as well!

Vegetarian options: Various vegetarian options including the hummus, muttabal, labneh, falafel and grape vine leaves. All very delicious“

“Lovely atmosphere and service from the hostess to our servers. Menu is unique yet simple. Great for vegetarians looking for finer menu. Every bite was flavorful and delicious!“

“Everything looks just amazing. Truly Mediterranean came highly recommended!“

“Great food and service. Nice decor“

“Great food, service & outdoor seating!“

“This review is just for the Sichuan Hot Chicken which I've eaten twice. Overall it's pretty good, but it's not great, and I really want it to be great. In concept this is a really thoughtful and well-executed sandwich. It has great veggies and really crisp, juicy chicken. It reminds me of what I had in the night markets in Taiwan. The breading is good too, although I feel it could be a bit thicker.

Where it falls short for me is in flavor. The Sichuan spices are there, but they are overpowered by the sheer amount of chili powder and salt that the chicken is breaded in. I was looking for more in the sauce as well - honestly maybe just adding more sauce would accomplish that. If I could get more of that peppercorn flavor, less salt, and more sauce, I think it'd be a 10/10.“

“Absolutely love Oren’s Hummus! The food is always fresh, flavorful, and authentic. Their hummus is some of the best I’ve had super creamy and perfectly seasoned. The pita is warm and fluffy, and the chicken shawarma is packed with flavor. Staff is friendly and service is quick, even when it’s busy. Great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Highly recommend!“

“Heathly food. The Shawarma wrap it's my favorite. I love it!!!“

“Quick and friendly service. There are clearly marked vegetarian items as well as options to be made vegan. The food is high quality and the falafel is so delicious. The portions are also on the larger end. Thank you for a nourishing and satisfying meal.“

“Exceptional flavors and ingredient combinations. Beautiful atmosphere, great staff, and excellent prices. I am only in San Francisco for 4 days and I might come back a second time because the food was so great. Well worth the visit!!!!!“

“What a hidden gem! I stopped by this little strip mall spot in Pinole not expecting much—and ended up having one of the best falafel and chicken plates I’ve had in a while.

The falafel? Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and clearly just made. None of that dry hockey puck nonsense. And the chicken was juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection—not the sad, dry chunks you sometimes get at these places.

Portion size was just right—enough to fill me up without needing a nap afterward. And the price? Let’s just say my wallet didn’t cry.

The staff was super friendly, too. You can tell they care about the food they’re putting out. If you’re in the area and craving something fresh, hearty, and delicious, don’t sleep on this spot. Strip mall or not, this place delivers.“

“Delicious. Prices for the amount of food served were incredible. They have virtually no dessert. Not a place to satisfy a sweet tooth. I was more than I. Pressed with our main server in every way. Every other interaction with staff was delightful. I tipped 30%.“

“Super yummy hummus plates, falafel, kebabs and salads. Found this gem while on a walk in China town. Not easy to find, but once you know where to find it you will come back again and again. Sooooo good.“

“This is possibly the best hookah bar I’ve been looking for since my trip to Dubai, the closest to the vibe and atmosphere. Amazing service, hookah, and food. Friendly staff and recommend anyone looking for an authentic and fun hookah lounge that transports you to the Emirates. Definitely coming back often.“

“This restaurant was an absolute find. Conveniently located next to the Hyatt hotel and the Ferry building, it’s a great stop for a delightful dinner. The menu has some delicious finds and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. This is a very romantic place for date night or a nice place to have dinner with some friends“

“I cannot say enough great things about Café Mystique. The food is top quality, and the service is exemplary. Sam, Narmela, Azat, and all of the staff consistently go above and beyond to ensure that customers have a fabulous experience! I have tried almost every item on the menu, and I have no negative comments about any item! Visit the restaurant; will not be sorry!“

“The shawarma was pretty good, but one thing I hated was the spice. I asked for mild but it was incredibly hot, i had to drink a sip of my drink with every bite because of how hot it was. Besides that it was nice. A little pricey but definitely a good spot to go to.“

“Drove up from San Jose to meet with out of state family and this was recommended. Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic service, and decent pricing. Many great, delicious choices and all with good size portions.
You can eat outdoors or inside comfortably.
Other restaurant owners should send a couple of spies over to observe and understand why a great and friendly restaurant such as Zut! Is always busy with happy customers.
Parking can be an issue on weekends due to that Berkeley area being so popular, but
go for it.“

“I’d been trying to find a place that sold Dubai chocolate bars in San Francisco and finally found it at Cafe Elena! Their Dubai chocolate bar is awesome! Dark chocolate, pistachio filling, not too sweet. Family-owned business, wife makes the chocolate bars, super friendly owner.“

“I recently visited Mesopotamia Kitchen and absolutely loved it! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Highly recommend this place to anyone who loves delicious and authentic dishes!“

“Great food and service! Special atmosphere“

“Octopus was very very delicious“

“I lived in the Middle East and what Mezze and Mooore offers is of the same high standard as the best restaurants in Beirut.“

“Love this new waterfront dining option close to the Ferry Bldg. Will definitely come back. We had: Dips with flatbread, saganaki (unique spin), rice, fish, veggies, cheesecake (excellent). We liked every dish. Restaurant was quiet (Monday evening). Dining on back patio had a pretty bay view.“

“We both had lambs ( the Mrs had the kebab with salad and soup and I had the lamb & beef platter). My plate was made special by the dressing , but my wife’s was the better deal as the smokey flavored meat was out of the ballpark sarap!“

“Great food lovely location“

“Perfect place for a date night. It is usually packed but we love sitting at the bar. The food is delicious. We usually get the mezze platter and octopus. We’ve also tried the kunefe (small but really yummy). We love the atmosphere here as the bartender and waiters are super nice and they generally leave us to ourselves (a refreshing change from most American places where you get interrupted quite a lot). The decoration is beautiful too. All in all: I definitely recommend Dunya.“

“We ordered the house combo and it was very tasty. It came with 4 meats(chicken,beef,gyro ,koftedes). All of the meat was juicy,tender and well seasoned. The rice. was fluffy ans delicious. The mixed green salad had tomatoes amd cucumber and was topped with a pickled cabbage and dressed to perfection. I only had a small bite of the pita because rhe meal was so filling. I can't wait to try the baklava we ordered. What a great find. I will definitely be going back to this restaurant.“

“Great food lovely location“

“Amazing food. Fresh, flavorful and healthy. Ordered for the first time this evening g but it won’t be my last!“

“My wife and I came out from the Concord area to beat the inland heat and spend the day in Berkeley. We got hungry and decided to stop in here for lunch. The food was delicious!! I’m sad the fact the only picture I took I shared to my Instagram stories and don’t have a picture of my plate. But I had the beef kabob plate with, rice, salad, naan, and hummus. The beef was very tasty and tender. The rice was perfectly cooked and salad was fresh and crispy. My wife had the chicken kabob plate, which came with rice, salad, naan, hummus. The food portions were great and the price is amazing, and the staff is really friendly and welcoming. Great atmosphere to enjoy lunch. I’ll definitely be taking the drive from Concord again here in the near future. As this place is a winner every time.“

“I really only came out here for the world famous "Mitchell Ice cream" that was for 18 a pop. Great place with nothing but kind people that is always awalys so helpfull. I can't speak on anything else that they serve at this location, but if you're looking for the best ice cream, this is one of the spots.“

“Loved the decor and the vibe，great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!“

“My wife, son and myself went to dinner tonight and food was absolutely amazing. Staff were polite and friendly and full of enthusiasm about the food. The braised lamb shank melted in your mouth and the greek salad was so refreshing and the tomatoes were so fresh that I felt I was in a garden picking them myself. The green hummus was full of fresh herbs and I didn't know what to expect but luckily the owner brought a complimentary plate out because I was so full from all the food we got that I felt guilty for not being able to finish it.“