Middle Eastern Restaurants near Albany, CA

“Was really sad to see my favorite unique + quality brunch spot in the bay change format to being fast casual. It was such an easy brunch pick to take out of towners or friends to.

Now instead, they've become easily one of the best fast-casual food in the bay. So I really can't complain. I guess their format changed worked because I've eaten here more often than when they were full service. The value for the money you get here is pretty nuts. Still just as good ingredients & just as good preparation, all at a more approachable price point & form factor. What really gets me is I'm truly getting restaurant quality cooking for a unique cuisine I don't see very often, just a version that works better to-go. When you compare to some of the other casual lunch/dinner places in the area that have a similar format, it's really no competition. You'd be hard pressed to find a better way to spend $20-30/pp. I also love that they kept some of my favorite guilty pleasures from when they were a full service restaurant, like the knafe pancake.

Their in-house online ordering system is pretty slick and a good deal too. Works just as well as doordash without any of the bloated prices. Wouldn't mind seeing this spread around to more restaurants.“

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

“Upbeat generous dude with tasty wholesome food.“

“Old Jerusalem is one of my favorite restaurants for Middle Eastern food on San Francisco’s Mission St. I ordered the Mansaf last time and it was amazing, so I had to come back and order the Mousakhan this time. Dunya was amazing host again and very knowledgeable of the menu and dishes. The complimentary beets and olives were a nice little appetizer while the food gets prepared. The pita with the side sauces were also a great refresher. I ordered the coffee this time and it was a unique flavor that I enjoyed. The Mousakhan dish was a feast! Easily sharable but I devoured it. The chicken was well seasoned and tender. I liked how it was served over a pita bread which soaked in the flavor. Eating with hands is the best for this meal and the whole experience was exceptional. I was too full for dessert but I will be back for the kunafa!“

“We tried Lamb Shawarma plate and the Chicken Shawarma plate, and they were both delicious! The vibes were great, and we learned some interesting facts about Eritrean history/culture. We also had a really tasty balaclava. There’s plenty of Middle Eastern menu items, and it sounds like more traditional Eritrean foods will be added soon. We’re looking forward to coming back :)“

“Absolutely delicious!“

“What a fantastic find! I had the Kibbi Platter with a side of the homemade falafel, and everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were authentic, fresh, and clearly made with care. The warm, homemade pita bread that accompanied the meal was some of the best I’ve had.

For dessert, don’t skip the homemade almond cake—it was outstanding. Pair it with a traditional Turkish coffee (or regular coffee if you prefer) for the perfect finish to a wonderful meal.

The service was just as impressive as the food. Antonio was welcoming, friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel at home. It’s the kind of hospitality that keeps you coming back.

If you’re looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine in San Francisco, Palmyra is a must-visit. Exceptional food, wonderful service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Highly recommended—I can’t wait to return!“

“The food was perfection the best Middle Eastern food in all of Oakland Ca“

“Bistro 4293 is truly something special. The food is absolutely incredible, with every dish prepared with exceptional care, flavor, and attention to detail. You can tell there is real passion behind everything that comes out of the kitchen.

What makes this restaurant even more memorable is the owner, Anar. He is one of the kindest and most genuine people you could ever meet, and his warmth and hospitality make you feel completely welcome from the moment you arrive. It is rare to find a restaurant where both the food and the people leave such a lasting impression.

Bistro 4293 deserves every bit of praise it receives. Outstanding food, wonderful service, and an owner who truly cares about his guests. I cannot recommend Anar and this restaurant highly enough. An absolute gem!“

“I've seen this place hyped up on social media as one of the best chicken sandwiches out there and had to give it a try.

Got the szechuan chicken sando, the turkey salami and the sesame chocolate chip cookie. Does it live up to the hype?

The short answer is not really, at least in the chicken sando arena. It's a good chicken sando, it could absolutely do with some more pickled flavor, it's a little one note, I'd love the slaw to be pickled to break up the flavor. The bun is excellent, but the sandwich should be $5-6 cheaper, it's almost $20 and for what it is, while good, is simply not worth it when you can get extremely good chicken sandos all over oakland for much cheaper. Again, it's tasty, probably a one and done for me.

The turkey salami was kind of the star. Great bread, big sando (has to be for almost $20), you can tell it's a quality sando. Would I make a habit of getting sandwiches this expensive? Absolutely not. But it's worth trying and is very good.

The cookie was pretty good, room temp but managed to still have gooey chocolate. $7 is a lot for a cookie but it was tasty and not gonna gripe. Seems like a standard choc chip cookie tho, didn't really get a sesame flavor or see any sesames.

The staff were hustling and this place was doing a lot of business so clearly everything is going right. It's a take out only spot and they have a line so be prepared for that.

TLDR- Is it good? Yes. Is it a must try? No. Is it worth trying? Absolutely. Does $50 for 2 sandos and a cookie in oakland feel like highway robbery? A little bit.“

“5 stars. Amazing food from the lentil soup to dessert. Highly recommend.“

“I stopped in to get help with directions, which required internet access to get and use the app. Sara was extraordinarily helpful. While waiting, the food being prepared smelled so good that I was sorry I had just eaten breakfast 2 hours earlier.
I was returning a rental car two days later and walked in for lunch. I had a Chicken Shawarma. It was even better than it smelled. I have eaten over 100 shawarmas in SF, and this was the best I ever had.“

“they have nice Hookah last long, nice service, and they service nice tea 🍵 also, but the decorations is not so good“

“What a hidden gem in Oakland! If you're looking for authentic halal smash burgers, delicious wings, and comfort food made with passion, this is the place to be. Every bite tasted fresh and was clearly prepared with pride and attention to detail.
What made the experience even more special was meeting the owner in person. You can instantly tell he's pouring his heart and soul into this business, and his love for cooking and serving customers shines through in everything they do.
The restaurant is spacious, perfect for families and large groups, and they even have a pool table where you can relax, have fun, and unwind while waiting for your food or hanging out after your meal. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and very family friendly.“

“Vegan review!

I had just a wonderful experience here! The ambiance in the restaurant is beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised by the vegan options. It’s rare to find a place with great vegan and halal food. You can tell the vegan options are not just an afterthought.

Note: online, their menu does not have the impossible kufta but it’s written on their menu in the restaurant!

We got the:

- Sampler platter: this was incredible! I’m usually not one to be wowed by falafel, but this was delicious! The hummus was smooth (not grainy) and the babaghanous is smoky and fresh.

- Impossible kufta: this was delicious! It also comes with a vegan yogurt sauce.

- Veggie musakhan: I was wowed by the flavor in these! I expected bland veggies but this truly blew me away. It also comes with a vegan tzatziki

Everything was delicious! Bummed I missed out on the vegan dessert but will have to come back!“

“Really great spot for some Egyptian food. The restaurant is tiny and has an authentic feel to it but is fine for take way for very small group dining. We tried the shawarma and it was amazing. One of the best shawarma I've ever had. Very unique. The sauces and the veggies really make it but the chicken itself is very tasty too.“

“Heck yes it’s good! I’ve had this from time to time at middle eastern restaurants and never knew what it was called. Got my a few days ago and it’s amazing. Definitely check it out.“

“Amazing Palestinian food! 🇵🇸 Everything was fresh, flavorful, and tasted so authentic. You can really tell the food is made with care, and the service was just as wonderful. Such a warm, welcoming atmosphere too. Definitely one of those places I’ll keep coming back to. Highly recommend!“

“We never come to The City without a trip to Aicha. Wonderful little spot with fabulous service & delicious food. Highly recommend.“

“I had the chicken Shawarma and let me tell you – it was Absolutely delicious. Packed with chicken, hummus and veggies. Throw a little hot sauce on and you just took it to 11.

Also ordered fries and they came out hot crispy and delicious. 10 out of 10 will be returning. I’m stuffed.“

“Marhabah Cafe brings a wonderfully warm and authentic taste of Yemeni coffee culture straight to Oakland. The cozy, inviting atmosphere is the perfect spot to unwind or catch up with friends. From their richly spiced traditional Qishr to exceptional pastries, every item is crafted with incredible care. I will absolutely be stopping by again soon.“

“האוכל הזכיר אוכל של בית. מה שחסר לנו פה בארה״ב מוסיקה ישראלית משובחת וחומוס טעים. הרגשה של ישראל באמריקה👏👏👏“

“Put it in two words. Dam good. Had a lot other Ethiopian food, but this one tops them all in Bay Area. Plus the prize is much understandable.“

“Great food, service & outdoor seating!“

“Definitely San Francisco Bay areas. Best burgers, amazing fish and chips very favorable, savory kebabs and great tasting Gyros.“

“The best food ever! i promise get the beef shawarma it was the best ive ever tasted in my life, same as chicken shawarma, and the kabsa. The workers were so nice and always smiled, and it is such a well decorated restaraunt! i love the old mediterranean vibe. delish!“

“We live in this neighborhood and if you know the North Shattuck and Northbrae Neighborhoods, there is no shortage of walkable dining. We just love Jerusalem Organic Kitchen for a consistently well prepared meal, friendly staff, and really good ingredients! They serve a quick, casual, healthy, and absolutely delicious meal. Everything we have tried is great with balanced seasonings. My personal favorite is the Shawarma Platter. Don't miss the perfectly prepared salmon platter with a generous serving of salmon that won't set you back an arm and a leg. The salad with chicken shawarma on top is great too. And they, of course, prepare a great middle eastern platter and falafel platter. And if all you want is a sandwich or burger - you won't be disappointed. Get the idea? We like their food and for good reason - they don't try to be all things to all people - they do middle eastern cuisine and do it really well. Try it - you'll like it!“

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

“Great food lovely location“

“I have eaten here every day for the last 5 days, twice today - something I have never done anywhere else in my life, and I'm almost 73. The food is delicious and nourishing, and the owner and the people who work here are warm and delightful.“

“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.“

“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!“

“The food is amazing you should try their flafle. It’s amazing and staff super nice fellas“

“Consistently delicious for decades“

“Authentic Afghan cuisine. Try their chapli kabobs. Perfect blend of spices, beef and texture. One of the best I have tasted in the US. Comes with a generous portion of rice, bread and side salad. Also give their Bolani a try. Excellent quailty. Owner is very gentleman.“

“I give the highest caterer recommendation to Ikaros To Go (catering by the team that ran Ikaros restaurant). They planned and managed a very delicious memorial dinner for us for approximately 75 guests. The customer service and food were excellent - our menu included roasted salmon, vegetarian mousaka, rice, Greek salad and garlic bread, plus dessert of Baklava and sugar cookies which everyone also loved. They also handled dinnerware, water, lots of set up and clean up, soft drinks and pretty bottled Greek waters for the tables. They were extremely considerate, thoughtful, flexible, organized and reliable. Ikaros to Go went above and beyond and made our event very special. We are very grateful - Thank you Ikaros to Go!“

“I love it because it's more then just grocery & grill. I consider it to be or it should be called "Multi convenience." Or maybe even "Some of this & Some of that!" would also be a good name. It's a small store, but most of the time they still have just what you need. The owner is cool too. He gives great customer service as well. Try this store or“

“Not open for the past couple weekends and weeks in between - everyone that populates 11th street miss our guy so much!! He is a pillar of stability that supports the action taking place on the “Club Corridor”.We’re all hoping he returns soon and in good health.Joe is a treasure on 11th. Every day I look to see if he’s opened back up - it’s been a rare day to see this place not taking business. Truly, you never know watcha got til it’s gone ?We all hope to see you soon, and are sending the best wishes and loves and positive vibes. ??“

“The pomegranate chicken… I’m sure on this earth there must be better chicken but I haven’t found it yet. Every childhood event, you’d open the tray and there would be the pomegranate chicken and the yellow rice. Nothing better. I was lucky then, and I’m luckier now that La Med is still here and is still so good! Tastes the same: perfect“

“The chicken halal plate from this place is Beyond DELICIOUS! If you like halal food, you won’t be disappointed eating here. It’s pretty good. The block it’s in can be sketchy at times, so practice caution when parking, stay alert and quick purchasing. They also have really good herbs, seasonings and products to purchase.“

“The best Persian cuisine in SFBA. Authentic cuisine, ambience, decor, and, best of all their Chicken Joojeh Bone In, Barg, Beef and Lamb Koobideh, Chicken Koobideh which are their trademark dishes. Chicken Joojeh Bone In and Chicken Koobideh cannot be found at other Persian restaurants. These are Alborz special dishes. Excellent, fresh, Halal.“

“Ahh SAJJ... Excellent food, fresh ingredients, endless combinations of ingredients. Good size portions, and fast, chipotle-style preparation. One of the best, and tastiest lunch options around!“

“Ahh SAJJ... Excellent food, fresh ingredients, endless combinations of ingredients. Good size portions, and fast, chipotle-style preparation. One of the best, and tastiest lunch options around!“

“I love this place and go at least once or twice a month..My wife loves the chicken shawarma either the plate or the wrap..I love the falafel, and the lamb shawarma..This time I hooked up with a dear friend, she and I ordered the lamb shanks..the serving is huge!! Wonderful rice, and a separate plate with yogurt , cucumber sald and a cabbage salad..tremendouws value, but to much meat for me..So I am sticking with my go to items mentioned above...We had the Kanefa(?) it was not the best i have had..that was in Dearborn, but my friend di not care for it, so the baker gave her two more different dessert servings..so typical of the genorisity of this place. I grew in this neighborhood and must say or Muslim neighbors eatery is a welcome addition!!“

“I don't remember how many times i've been here lol. Whenever I was too lazy to prepare lunch for myself, I usually bought gyro in this place and then went back to my lab/class. The price is affordable for Berkeley Standard (i remember it was around 12 usd before tax).

This place was also in UC berkeley north gate before, so it was close to my building. Then the one in north gate was closed. However I didn't mind to go back and forth from my lab to this place in southgate, my lazy ass didn't mind to go downhill then uphill lol.
And yeah, this place also offers halal food, so that's a plus“

“I smelled it before I got there no always looking for “the right food cooked by the right people!” I had a bowl with chicken which I could cut with a the plastic spoon 😍 with rice and lentils very flavorful too with the Israel salad all that flavor in one bowl was the best by far! My friend who’s vegan was very satisfied had a falafel bowl which she started eating as we walked down the street! She had smashed it by the time we made to the tables at Union Square. The food delicious the portions huge and the price right! On another note when we arrived they were out of rice and of course they made me some fresh very much appreciated ❤️“

“Buena experiencia, es un lugar sencillo, su comida y servicio son buenos. Me comí un Lentil Soup con un pita bread, satisfecho y como dice el boricua “ jarro como lechón”�������������“

“Good size portions of good food at a good price. Great location too. They will see me again many times. Limited menu, but that’s not a bad thing. Perfect before or after a show or event. Plus they are open late.“

“LOVE the COMBO Platters with the FRIES and the FALAFELS 😋😋😋“