Middle Eastern Restaurants in Oakland, CA

“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 :)“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“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!!“

“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.“