Middle Eastern Restaurants near Emeryville, CA

“So glad I came here. Plenty of parking at Safeway. Walked directly across the street into the alley to find this hole in the wall gem. Was immediately given a lentil soup and water as soon as I sat down. Ordered a steak burrito which was massive. All delicious food. Low key vibes. Not busy at all. Cash only. ATM available in the restaurant. Nice people working there.Parking: Park at Safeway and walk across the street.“

“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.“

“My quest for good falafels in the Bay area finally comes to and end. The crunch, the spices, the bread - perfect.Potatoes and eggs needed some salt - they were okayish, the Hummus, pita and falafels (even the stuffed ones) were awesome.Background: partly grew up in the Mediterranean. So I think I know good what good falafels should crunch and taste like.“

“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 “

“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.“

“The food here is outstanding. I have had the lamb kebab (not lamb chops kebab) with rice and salad for years. The consistency and quality stays the same, the price has stayed the same or almost the same as well. And the work crew has been the same for years.“

“I’ve been going to their other location for years now and absolutely love this place. It’s bigger, has more seating, and the quality is the same. I hope they end up branching out all over the Bay Area. Hands down the best shawarma in the Bay!“

“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!“

“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“

“We love the food here and come almost every week. Everything is cooked so well, we often get the lamb shank or zereshk polo and the meat just falls apart from the bone. The warm bread is delicious and goes well with all dishes. The lemonades are super unique and delicious, I really like the pistachio one!Picture is zereshk polo with yogurt and eggplant appetizers :)“

“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.“

“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.“

“Baby it's good! Fast good no frills grub. Right off the 280 freeway on the east side of potrero Hill. This place is a Potrero Hill institution. for my buck the best fish and chips bargain in town. They also have burgers and falafels and other stuff! if you're feeling hungry and in a hurry this is your place to go.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“The halloumi salad was wonderful. The spanakopita was unusual and delicious, even without the usual feta cheese. My partner's lamb dish was delicious. The chicken in phyllo was unusual, but too much for one person. The wine was very good. The service was very slow, but it was busy.“

“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 “

“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“

“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!“

“Honestly 10/10 for everything! The food is amazing, my go to is the lamb haneeth or chicken mendi. The service is very nice, the waiter always greets you with a smile and is extremely kind. The atmosphere is one of my favorite parts. Each table has its own booth with a tent like cloth for privacy. Its a great place for family and friend gatherings. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Finally got around to trying this place for lunch, and kicking myself for not coming sooner. I got the chicken shawarma plate, and it was so good. The chicken was really delicious, the rice was seasoned very well, the hummus was great, and even the little salad had a super tasty dressing. The service was super quick and friendly. I got my food to-go, but they had some comfy looking chairs if you wanted to eat there. Definitely coming back here. Totally reasonable prices and a good amount of food that's going to keep me full probably the rest of the day.“

“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.“

“A thank you shout out to Oasis Grill on Drumm Street. They catered our event which was held on Treasure Island a few days. I requested catered Veggie Mezza platter, Salmon platter and Chicken Shawarma (in quantity). The food was ready for pick up at the time specified and the lovely lady behind the counter helped me bring all of my goodies to my car. EVERYEONE loved the food. I would say the one thing I should have order more: Falafels. I did not get one, but next time! We catered for at least 30 people and we still had leftovers. Thank you Oasis Grill. We love the food and now we love the catering you provided for us!“

“WOWW..... omgggg !!! This is seriously the BEST GREEK FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD beats nick the Greek by far. I accidentally stumbled upon this place nestled in San Francisco and I'm so happy I stopped here. I'm really extremely picky anyone that knows me and have severe food allergies so a lot of times food is so disappointing to me but ... YOU HAVE TO COME HERE! You will not be disappointed“

“Chicken kabob - excellentThat lil green chutney on the side - heavenSalad - better than lettuceThe service was a little slow but they were incredibly friendly and gave us a dessert on the house for the wait which was really nice. Will definitely be back“

“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.“

“Amazing service!! Aidan was so kind and helpful and was very attentive. The appetizers were great. The Kash badenjan and tahdig were my favorite. The koobideh and the chicken were quite juicy. The views are nice inside too of Van Ness. Thank you Aidan again“

“DO NOT SLEEP on this halal market and deli in West Oakland. It has the rating it has for a reason! Also, it's super close to the West Oakland BART station if you ever need to be there. I was actually stopping by to stop by a Goth market event at a local brewery (to review shortly)... The market has all of the things you would expect. Nothing off there. The real (!!!) kicker is the counter-serve deli they have. The food is quite frankly some of the best Middle Eastern food I have EVER had - and at an extremely affordable price. You order at the counter and it takes a bit because they are actually making your dish fresh! I ordered two dishes. First, I had to order the lamb platter - the store is Yemeni and lamb mandi is unique Yemeni specialty. It's basically lamb, rice, spices, veggies, yogurt and all the other stuff you'd expect. The meal was absolutely delicious and massive. There were two giant pieces of lamb - that basically slid right off the bone. An absolutely amazing dish. I also come from a very lamb-meat-centric culture and I was absolutely shocked at how soft this lamb was - I've actually never experienced anything like it!!! Second, I ordered the veggie platter because it was cheap and wanted to take something home. It was pretty good - hummus, baba ghanouj, pita, falafel, rice - also all the things you would expect. Also a great, solid meal. They also give out complimentary Yemeni tea. I think it's sugared up green tea. A bit too sweet for me, but a nice touch if you're into that. There's a few places outside to sit. Though it was actually raining the day I went, so I had to eat in my car. So I guess the enjoyableness of your dining experience is a bit dependent on weather. Anyways, the food is cheap, generally very good, and the lamb mandi plate is absolutely one of the best things I have ever eaten in that part of the Bay. Highly recommended if you want a tasty, cheap, filling meal (especially if you need to fill lots of people) - to show up and grab a plate!“