Middle Eastern Restaurants in San Francisco, CA

“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!“

“Stumbled on this spot and was seriously impressed. The Arabic food was incredible. It was rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. What really stood out was the California twist. Fresh ingredients, creative touches, and nothing felt heavy or overdone.

Every dish had its own personality, and everything I tried was just so good. You can tell they really know what they’re doing in the kitchen!“

“one night in this area of SF and sought this spot out. dining experience was really not great but when the food finally arrived it was so incredible the prior experience melted away and we were engulfed in depths of flavor and unctuousness. worth it for the food!“

“I went to biet rima for lunch.

Pros
Tasty food
Casual atmosphere
Friendly service

Cons
Long lines to order and ordering required at the counter

Food:
The halloumi was a little salty for me
Ful was tasty and a departure from frequented hummus and baba ganoush
Musakhan was nice
The chicken seekh tawook plate was ok
Nice hummus
I loved the figs and cheese desert“

“Great food lovely location“

“Our party of four came on a Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. Neighborhood parking is a bit challenging due to the popularity of the area with all the businesses there, but we found a 2 hr. spot (enforced until 9pm) after a couple loops. We ordered the house sampler plate, shish kabob, beet salad, the zahara bil tahini (cauliflower), halloumi, chicken shawarma, and for dessert, we had kanafeh, qatayef, halawa o buza. Everything, including the complimentary Palestinian dips with pita chips, was absolutely delicious- fresh and beautifully presented. It was hard to pick a favorite but I really liked the cauliflower! Two members of my party ordered a mocktail called Cinderella, and they were raving about it. The food was so good that we forgot to take pictures; we were too excited. I did remember while we were waiting for dessert, so there is one dessert picture in this review.

Our server, Lina, was attentive and very kind, and the other servers and staff were also very nice, professional, and polite. It was obvious that the staff wanted us to have a wonderful evening and we truly did. It is a very welcoming restaurant with lovely decor, excellent food and nice people. We can’t wait to come back and try more items!“

“I just had an amazing meal at this Afghan restaurant in San Francisco! I’ve tried a bunch of Afghan spots around the city, and this one totally stole the show. The Tekka and chicken kebob were juicy and packed with flavor—honestly, I couldn’t stop raving about them at the table. Vegetable dish (Palag) was just as tasty as I had back home. I am a bit too picky on baklava but theirs was the best I’ve ever had in the US! So fresh, moist, and not too too sweet. I’m still dreaming about it. The vibe was cozy, and Jayhoon Jan made us feel right at home. If you’re craving Afghan food that’ll blow your mind, you’ve gotta check this place out!“

“It’s a great chef and delicious food“

“We have always been big fans of filling bowls and clean ingredients. We were huge chipotle and cava fan, but haven’t really been going lately. Sajj was so refreshing! The falafels were tasty and really well made. Really crispy on the outside, soft and well cooked on the inside. The toppings were all fresh and well portioned. The best part was the sauces. All flavorful, clean and optional. The lentil soup was also tasty and refreshing. Highly highly recommend!“

“The food and service were really good. They served a bug portion of pita bread with the yummiest tahini dip and a tomato dip along with brined olives and picked radish. We then ordered the chicken shawarma plate and fetta with meat. Both of them were very flavourful and tasty. Serving size was pretty big. They also had a great pistachio kunafa brownie!“

“They are friendly and have delicious food.“

“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”�������������“

“Great food, service & outdoor seating!“

“Palmyra is a Syrian culinary treasure, serving exceptional kibbeh, a vibrant mezze plate, and an exquisite kunafa dessert. The kibbeh, Syria’s national dish, is a masterpiece—perfectly spiced lamb and bulgur balls, fried to a golden crisp with a tender, flavorful core that bursts with aromatic depth. Palmyra’s commitment to authenticity shines through in every bite, making it unforgettable. The mezze plate is a delightful medley, featuring creamy hummus, zesty fattoush, and smoky baba ghanoush, all paired with warm, freshly baked pita. The interplay of textures and tangy seasonings creates a true Levantine feast. The star, however, is the kunafa—a heavenly dessert of shredded phyllo layered with gooey cheese, soaked in rosewater-infused syrup, and sprinkled with pistachios. Its perfect balance of sweetness and texture is pure bliss. Palmyra’s warm, Syrian-inspired ambiance enhances the experience, making every visit feel like a cultural embrace. For anyone seeking authentic Syrian cuisine, Palmyra’s kibbeh, mezze plate, and kunafa are must-tries that deliver joy and flavor in every mouthful. This is a destination that celebrates Syria’s rich culinary heritage with passion and precision.“

“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.“

“Really fantastic hidden gem on Polk St, featuring various Afghani, Iranian, and Mediterranean dishes.

The prices are definitly below SF averages, and the servers are very attentive. This is my favorite late-night spot to eat after getting drinks with friends.“

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

“Loved it so much and loved it so much and loved it over and over“

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

“Everything was deliciously good!“

“This place is so under-rated!
staff were great
food was delicious
highly suggest “tah dig with gheyme” also “koobideh”
i also tried “koo koo sabzi” and “ghormeh” and “joojeh kabab” but they could be better“

“Happy to be staying around the corner from this gem during my trip to SF! I ordered a chicken shawarma plate to share with my partner and took a large hummus to go so we can enjoy it all week. Excellent food, staff are kind and space is laid back but nice for a quick bite. Highly recommend :)“

“We had a great schnitzel plate with a malt star beer. Portions were huge and very tasty.“

“I had their lamb roganjosh, aloo Gobi, and chicken chettinand. People might say Pakwan is the place to go for good Indian food in the city, but I was thoroughly impressed with what I ate at Keeva. This is not watered down gringofied Indian food. Absolutely loved the lamb roganjosh, the cauliflower and potatoes were very well spiced, and while I personally didn't like the chettinand, I understand the flavor profile and what that dish is. You're missing out on really delicious Indian food if you're not eating here.“

“The best Falafel in the Bay area! I like the traditional falafel. You can't go wrong!“

“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.“

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

“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, fresh food, lovely folks working hard and a cute garden seating area!
The cook whipped up our order in a flash- she was done by the time we had finished paying at the counter!
The ingredients were fresh and portion sizes absolutely perfect.
The person behind the counter was very nice, welcoming and professional.
The garden seating area is cute, with ample chairs and tables, little plants that someone takes great care of and wind chimes in the garden next door. Everything is clean and tidy.
We really liked it!“

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

“Consistently delicious for decades“

“Perfect spot for a quick lunch. I first tried the food from Sajj in San Mateo. It was a "regular" lunch place for many at my office. Now that I occasionally work in SF, I was please to find a Sajj just a block away. Love that the food is fresh and bonus that it is full of flavor. I take advantage of ordering ahead and picking up on my schedule.“

“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.“

“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. ??“

“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 ❤️“

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