Wally's Cafe

Wally's always hits. This Wally's location is super small compared to the roseville location, with only the counter/bar having 12 seats and 2-3 tables outside. Super obscure spot, connected to a bar.We ordered on a kiosk, and the food started coming out quickly. They let us turn on the lamp outside to stay warm as well which was very nice.I got the combo plate with beef shawarma and the pomegranate chicken for $22. It comes with lentil soup and baklava. Plate was great, the rice seemed a little greasier at this location. The chicken was super good, I usually prefer beef over chicken but this chicken was amazing. Beef shawarma was really good as well.

LOVE Wally's! Feels like a mom and pop shop with huge portions and affordable prices. There is limited seating at this location so would recommend takeout here. My friend and I shared a chicken shawarma plate and some babaganoush and could not finish! Everything was so flavorful and delicious. They even gave us some lentil soup and baklava on the house!

Came here with a group after a long hike at Tilden! It was perrrrrfectly rejuvenating, especially starting with the lentil soup which might have been my favorite part of the whole meal.I got the falafel plate with rice instead of salad which was super yummy! Rice was fluffy and flavorful and I enjoyed the hummus and tahini that it came with. The falafels were certainly noteworthy as they were some of the lightest and crispiest falafels I've ever had! I was slightly left wanting more after the pita as it fell a bit flat on flavor and freshness, and I also felt as though the baklava tasted almost oily? (But it was so great that you get baklava at the end of your meal as well)! Overall, this was a lovely experience. You get seated at the bar and the vibe was extremely cozy and comfortable. The service was fast and they were very accommodating. I felt great being inside this restaurant and the courses including the lentil soup and baklava at the end is a very sweet and cozy touch. I would certainly come back here for a heartwarming and filling meal!

Wally's Cafe is a true hidden gem in Emeryville that every foodie needs to discover! The moment you walk in, you're greeted with warm hospitality and the enticing aroma of fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Their homemade baklava is an absolute standout--layers of flaky perfection with a nutty, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. It's easily the best I've had in the Bay Area. The Mediterranean rice is another must-try, packed with zest and a medley of spices that elevate every bite. Don't miss the grilled chicken shawarma--it's tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. Pair it with their lentil soup, which is hearty, comforting, and rich in flavor. Together, they make for a meal that is both satisfying and unforgettable. Wally's Cafe combines authentic flavors with exceptional service, making it a dining experience I'll keep coming back for. Highly recommend!

In my search for the best value/taste for Mediterranean food this place might take it! I order 2 plates and got 4 meals out of it. Ordered in door dash. Very good serving of rice. They also give you a baklava desert I can't eat though because I'm allergic. But the very large portions and taste was good! I got the chicken and lamb kebab plates and they were hella good! Also got a small side of soup which was good

Small restaurant with a mom and pop vibe. Only 2 tables outside for seating, and inside is one singular bar-type table in a U-shape. Not busy on a Saturday afternoon. Looked like most people who were dropping by were picking up online orders.My friend and I shared the chicken pomegranate plate. It came with lentil soup which was alright but it was free so can't complain! The plate came with rice, salad, tzatziki sauce, garlic sauce, and pita. The chicken was delicious. It was juicy, tender, and went so well with the flavorful rice. I loved the garlic sauce too!! The pita was a bit too dry/tough for my liking so I preferred the plate without it. At the end, the server (owner?) brought us 2 pieces of baklava. It was so flaky and delicious. Baklava is one of my favorite desserts so this was a very pleasant ending to the meal. Service was 100/10, the server was so kind and welcoming. All the employees here were so generous and friendly.

Great service - ?owner always so friendly even when it's so incredibly busy. They now take credit card (woot) but that also means they're busier so be patient and wait!We got complementary lentil soup and baklava and they really just round out the meal. A year since my last review and we still loved everything about this place!

Typically I'm a bit slow to review, but I had to make an exception here. I recently went to Wally's Cafe with some friends for lunch, and we were very impressed. I ordered the chicken pomegranate plate, which was recommended by fellow reviewers, and I'm glad I followed suit. The chicken was tangy and flavorful, complemented by the pilaf and rice. My friends like the beef and lamb gyro, too. The portions were reasonable for the price.As good as the food was, the service was even better. The staff is extremely friendly and generous, providing complimentary lentil soup while we were ordering the entrees and some lovely pieces of baklava (also free) once we were ready to pay. They kindly answered our questions and made requested adjustments.When walking in, I noticed the "3-time Yelp Top 100" proclamation, but I still wanted to be fair in my judgment. But now I can see how they earned it.

Wow I'm shocked and amazed, although I shouldn't be given the Yelp review that drew me to this place. The food was amazing and the service was fantastic. The restaurant doesn't have a lot of curb appeal, and I accessed the seating area by way of a bar. But what a surprise. Initially I was a bit shocked by the price. But that was my own fault. Everything came with sides that I ordered duplicates of. The lentil soup is worthy of an entire meal. It is the best lentil soup I've ever had. The Greek salad was average but quite tasty. And the chicken shawarma dinner and my friend's chicken shawarma wrap were enormous and couldn't have tasted better. My dinner came with a large side salad and a small bowl of soup. And to top it off, we got a couple of baklavas on the house. The restaurant is rather small. If you dine indoors, you'll be sitting around a horseshoe shaped counter. If you dine on the patio, you'll sit at a normal table. Either way you'll hear the music from the bar. I found convenient curbside parking right outside, but do not leave anything visible in your car or your windows will be smashed in. This restaurant was a surprise find on short notice. I've lived in the area for decades, and I never knew it was here. But I'll be back for sure. And according to the chef, the owner is opening another location in Rockland and the 3rd in Orange county. As for Wally's name, I'm not sure, But there are pictures of number 5 from the movie Wall-E all over the place. I love it.

Definitely some of the best mediterranean food I've had in the Bay area. The food is so fresh and everything is seasoned perfectly. It was also my first time have lentil soup and it made me like lentils (i'm usually not a fan). Tried quite a few items from their menu but what stood out to me was the beef and lamb gyro wrap! The gyro was so flavorful and the wrap was balanced in each bite. The garlic sauce that came with the combo plate was also soo delicious! I would recommend getting that in the side with whatever you order. The falafel was crispy and piping hot and perfectly seasoned too. And definitely best baklava I've had! This is THE definition of a hole-in-the-wall. So easy to miss! It seems to be connected to a bank of some sort. There is very minimal seating inside and outside but I hear this spot is popular for takeout. The lady who took our order was really nice. Overall really delicious spot!