“This is the best hummus I've had on this side of the ocean. Not only was the hummus delicious, but all the trimmings as well: pita, pickles, fries, mint tea, and more. The physical restaurant is also a lovely and welcoming space. Should be 5 stars, except for serving meat.“
“Swung by on my way home to grab something for lunch. I got one of the best falafel sandwiches I've ever had. Delicious, nice and sour, yet a good savoury flavour, I would happily get this again. They appear to be doing a lot of delivery/take out business so service is going to be dependent on that, but it wasn't unreasonable. My only small complaint is the size of the serving wasn't what I was expecting. It was delicious but could have been a tad bigger to carry over as a full lunch.“
“I got the chicken stew to go. Chicken meat was falling off the bones. He called it a soup. There were lots of veggies, two pieces of chicken, one was a whole thigh. It was really good. Not too salty. They gave me two hugh pita bread. Veggies were zuchini and potatoes. $17. Sketchy neighborhood. I would go only day time. Yes, it is near police station but police are inside, not outside.“
“I have been coming to chef elmy for 5 years. It is a very special experience and may favorite place to eat out in the east bay. If you are in a hurry come early or late… sometimes he gets very busy and there can be a long wait, but it is improving since he hired a “
“Everything was well worth its price! Every plate had an exceptionally generous serving of meat, and everything was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The hummus and olive oil were excellent, pitas were nicely firm, and falafel had a crunchy outside. I wish there were more vegetables to balance out the meat and grains, but otherwise everything was perfect!Vegetarian options: This restaurant's specialties are meat, but there are multiple vegetarian options and I bet they all taste great.Wheelchair accessibility: Nicely spaced tables that waiters can move as you need, and no ramps or stairs. Door is not powered.“
“GREAT FLAVOR, GREAT FOOD, GREAT PRICES.Been hunting around the East Bay for a couple of weeks now looking for that good Kefta And Doner experience, and I was really disappointed with a couple of the restaurants because their meat just didn't have any flavor. Really bland.Not here! Ordered the Kofte kebab plate, and it was absolutely delicious. Tender perfectly seasoned on fresh pita bread, a scoop of rice, both yogurt and hot sauce, and a dollop of Baba Ganoush.This is one of the best combination Middle Eastern plates I've had in the East bay, ever. I highly recommend this place. Clean interior, friendly staff, clean bathroom, and it easy to find location.“
“I don't know why it took us so long to get dinner here but I'm glad we finally did. The food was delicious and service was warm. Ala Med is a Turkish restaurant but given the broader mediterranean influence, I think people will find a lot of familiar items here.Our table ordered various items:Istanbul trio: Both hummus and haydari were good but I loved the muhammara - this version gave equal importance to both the walnuts and the red peppers and was well balanced with a slight kick from some chili. Eggplant salad: so good, well seasoned, and refreshingManti: meat dumpling with yogurt and tomato sauce- everyone loved itImam fainted: vegetarian eggplant dish - flavorful, easy to eatButcher Kofte: I really liked the seasoning of the meat but didn't love the texture as the meat seemed to be really finely ground but that is a personal preference. I did enjoy the rice and chickpea salad it came with.For dessert there was rice pudding(good) and baklava(average). I liked that everyone got a small cup of tea to finish off the meal.“
“We were a group of 10+, and that was our bad. The lanes between tables are narrow and not suited for a rowdy crowd meeting for a global reunion.Parking is nuts. But this is the mission. And the signage is subtle so you may miss it.They have decent cocktails and cocktails, with flavors from the Levant, with cardamom and other warming spices. Unique in some ways, familiar in others.We ordered half the menu, from the veggie mezze platter to ful, chicken skewers to shrimp skewers.While most of the group enjoyed the food, the experience is on the understated side. The service was polite, but be prepared to ask for pita repeatedly. Don’t expect attention to detail where someone will fill your cup without asking or even ensure everyone has silverware. To be fair, they aren’t geared for large groups. We should’ve done our research. It’s a decent place for date night or a small intimate gathering of up to 4.I am torn about the food. If I didn’t have a comparison with the excellent almost-Michelin star Beit Rima, I would’ve thought this was excellent. However portions are on the smaller side and the flavor is on the milder/blander side. It’s that one thing that needs to be amped up. Some lemon on the shrimp skewer, some spice on the chicken, the labneh was a little too sour. We enjoyed the muhamara, and the falafel wasn’t too shabby. The fattoush salad was fresh but lacked oomph. We had heard good things about the two Palestinian cheese, however be warned they can be very salty, yet somehow delicious. Some folks liked the veggie musakhan, a wrap that’s stuffed with cooked mushrooms, and others enjoyed their freekeh and red lentil soups.While the desserts were average, kannafeh and qatayef, the standout was halwa with ice cream.Overall this was a mixed experience. Mostly our fault for having a large group that overwhelmed the kitchen and staff, but most of the blame goes to Beit Rima for giving us high expectations from our middle eastern food.“
“What a vibe. This classic spot has been here since the 70s serving up top notch Mediterranean food with a focus on Armenian.The food is fresh, exciting, local and flavorful.Have classic Mediterranean food or try some less popular, under the radar Mediterranean dishes.Definitely worth giving it a try.The salmon kebab is SO GOOD.“
“If I were local, I'd eat here every night!We were the first to walk in on a Friday night and I was worried maybe the reviews were hype... Then the food arrived.Wow!I can't recommend this place highly enough.And if you've never eaten lamb, this is the place to have that be and incredible experience. ???✅️“
“This place is awesome and hidden away! We never noticed it. I almost don't want to say too much about it because then it'll get full of people and we won't be able to get a table! The server was super nice, the coffee was great. the food was spectacular and free baklava came with our bill! Really best Levabese food I've had in a while. yum.“
“We ate here for dinner and the food was very good. The restaurant is small and cozy, and the seating was comfortable. We had the falafel plate and the Alexander's favorite house special. Both plates were filling and we left happy. They have complementary tea and water.“
“After all the holiday food we needed something lighter, and this hit the spot! Way more than the office lunch space it looks like.We got the vegetarian combo plate and were blown away by the amazing dips and tabbouleh. Sometimes tabbouleh can feel flat (and too full of parsley), but this one felt fresh and well balanced. The bread was soft and delicious.Wish we got a photo, the presentation was pretty too.“
“Best Persian food in the East Bay. I have tried all of them. Fresh, delicious and made to order. Nice people and wonderful flavors. I had the falafel and salmon wraps and they were amazing. The salmon was marinated in advance of grilling and therefore had its own distinct flavor. The falafel balls were very tasty and the wrap bread used for both was original middle eastern bread. I've also had the meat plates and rice. The meat was tender and flavorful and grilled to order. The bolani was amazing, freshly made, and packed items ready to take home are also authentic and delicious. They have vegetarian & vegan options in addition to meat.“
“Amazing food at a reasonable price with generous portions.The interior has an industrial aesthetic, but it's comfortable and the staff are very friendly here.They have a great selection of Gluten Free options and they have the best shawarma fries in the area!Dietary restrictions: Plenty of Gluten-Free options here!“
“Filling, and yummy, late night Middle Eastern option in Oakland.Falafel, a slightly fluffy blend of legume, herbed and deep fried.An Egyptian treat, Koshiary is a comfort food bomb — macaroni pasta in tomato lentil sauce made deeply flavorful from fried onions.“
“Falafel and shawarma shop located in the heart of the Mission. Although seating is limited, we've always seemed to luck out on a seat. They offer free falafel as you order, which is kind of them. My go-to order is the kefta plate. The beef is super tender and their hummus is SO good“
“This place is hands down the best Middle Eastern food I’ve had in the Bay Area. It tastes just like the food I’ve had travelling the Middle East. Fluffy pitas, moist falafel, a fun, social atmosphere, quick service, and very reasonably priced. 10/10“
“Absolutely love the food here. Ingredients are fresh and the dishes are authentic. The only issues is the recent price increases are significant. Service is well meaning but can be inattentive, especially when dining in the patio. Overall recommend!“
“I am an ESOL teacher of Yemani students. I was excited to try Yemani food for the first time! It was an overall great experience. Go with at least 4 people to share many dishes. There is a button on the wall to call your server if needed. Very cool idea! I also love their juice and smoothie menu. All fresh with a hit of Yemani culture mixed into each drink. Try the sweet black tea too.Kind service and very tasty food.“
“Absolutely delicious food, fast and friendly service, and a nice covered outdoor area in the back to dine in!The staff and owner Khaled are lovely and it's always a pleasure to interact with them. You'll always feel welcome visiting and satisfied leaving!“
“These guys are awesome. When we called to let them know there was a mistake on our order, they walked a new order to our apartment even tho we weren’t originally a delivery order. They care a lot about their customers and the food is solid, reasonable, and healthy. I’ll be back in large part bc of their awesome attitudes.“
Mediterranean • $
“1st time. Not familiar with this cuisine but it was so good. Had the beef plate with humus, salad, a bread, and rice. Everything fresh and well seasoned. Ate the humus with the bread and this humus was so good compared to store brought. Going back “
“First time there, and the guy at the register was polite and helpful, and gave me a bottle of water without charging me. The food, two burgers and two fries, took about 15 minutes, and they added lettuce to my burger when I requested none, and the patty itself, wasn't anything special, looked about a 5 ounce patty, with the bun being too large for the patty. The fries, they were lightly salted, and had been frozen, which is normal for most places. The lobby area had a couple of tables and stools, definitely had the Cafe feel to it, but it also felt a little dirty.All in all, for the price, not worth it, would return if in the area, and the prices were a little lower. I may recommend. 7.5/10.“
“If you are looking for proper food, falafel, shawarma, decent tzatziki and whatever else, this is a great place to check out.Two doner vertical spots and a decent lamb beef combo from them.Recommended. I visited twice just to be sure.Update: 04/04/24Well, I keep giving them a chance to prove me wrong. But so far it that hasn't happened. Excellent food, friendly staff, And it doesn't matter if I'm in a bad mood, or already feeling good, I always walk out of there in a better mood than when I walked in. Thank you my friends. Keep up the excellent work.Teşekkürler Arkadaşlar“
“La Mediterranee in San Francisco is a true taste of the Mediterranean. From the cozy atmosphere to the delicious dishes, it's a spot I can't wait to return to. Make sure to try their Mediterranean breakfast—it's a delightful way to start your day. Highly recommended for anyone seeking Mediterranean foods in the city.“
“Very cute place on the corner. We had the lamb and chicken platter combo and the salmon platter as well as the falafel wrap. All super good. Very glad we stopped here. Satisfied with this meal! Great service and the food is fresh and delicious with big portions.“
“Had a late lunch here before a visit to SF Moma. The small restaurant was buzzing but we managed to find a table by the window. The Palestinian food served here is very fresh, creative and healthy. We got flatbread with various toppings (sort of like a pandini), a falafel salad, meze platter (labneh was outstanding), and knafeh (a cheese pastry) for dessert along with mint tea. Epic meal!“
“This is a fairly unique restaurant: behind the Chinatown gate, you climb up a steep staircase, and emerge into a tiny and narrow restaurant that feels like it used to be an apartment. The prices are fairly high and the portion sizes are so-so (give us more bread, rice, and fries at least!) but it’s a great comfort to find a friendly, homey space in the city, and that’s certified kosher. I generally order appetizers to save some money: you can do well with the hummus and falafel and skip the more expensive meat dishes. Do not expect to feel stuffed afterward but to feel reasonably satisfied.“
“I drop in to Marhabah Cafe whenever I'm in downtown Oakland. The food here tastes great. I've tried a few of their sandwiches and one of their plates and have been pretty happy with everything. Their falafel and hummus are top notch, and the staff are all friendly. Pictured is the chicken pesto panini because it's the only thing ai remembered to take a photo of.Otherwise, make sure you try their Arabic / Turkish coffee. I crave that pretty consistently and this is one of the few places who make it well.“
“Gosh, I absolutely LOVE Sajj. It is so quick, perfect when you're in a rush, but still want something yummy and healthy. Think mediterranean-style Chipotle. I love the chicken shawafel or pomegranate chicken bowl. Every single topping on there is a perfect fit. I usually get all the spreads and can't choose a favorite. You can't go wrong with the toppings, but I usually add the sumac cauliflower, onions, cucumbers, cherry peppers, arugula, and mint leaves, finished off with either the spicy tahini or cilantro mint chutney. I know some people love the lentil soup. The baklava is so flaky and nutty. Most of the locations I've been to are clean and nicely decorated. The staff is helpful and pack on the toppings on your bowl. I absolutely LOVE Sajj, I even have a loyalty/newsletter (which I almost never do). Definitely recommend.“
“Chicken, hummus, rice & cucumber tomato salad. Food flavorful. Rice like and fluffy, not overcooked. Chicken delish, but I took off star because I wasn't a fan of the hummus. Btw 1 piece of chicken is missing, my son took it. Note: Make sure you get the green sauce, and that the chicken hasn't been sitting too long.“
“Sababa at SOMA near Yank Sing and Salesforce Tower is a lunch oasis in downtown SF. Their food is always fresh and delicious with fast service. Lovely, modern, and peaceful ambiance too. They are mainly open for lunch. I love their Falafel, quinoa, and hummus dish.“
“We love middle Eastern food. Zaytoon has the best variety and taste. I was treat for Iftar. Thank you so much.Vegetarian options: Hummus, tabola, musaka, felafel, soup.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes it's easy to get around the restaurant.“