The Yummiest Mediterranean in San Francisco

Lokma

★★★★★ 4.6 (922) • $$

"The restaurant is not too small or very big, so making a reservation online can help. The food was a bit pricey but delicious:- Bal & Kaymak (honey, clotted cream, and pita, $8)- Turlu & Cous Cous (Turkish ratatouille, pearl couscous, $23)- Karniyarik (eggplant and saffron rice, $25)- Branzino (fish, $35)The ones I enjoyed the most were the branzino and pita bread. The branzino was cooked really well, soft and flaky. The pita paired well with the clotted cream and honey, creamy and sweet."

Beit Rima

★★★★★ 4.5 (885) • $$

"Stopped by for dinner around 9 PM on a Friday. We were searching for a new dinner spot to try and was recommended Beit Rima by a few friends. The restaurant may be easy to miss if you aren't intentionally looking for it.We ordered the chicken plate, shakshuka and an extra pita. You order and pay at the front counter after being seated first; you're given a number and the server brings the food to you. The food came out about 10 minutes after ordering, which wasn't bad considering the place was fully packed. In addition to the items we ordered, they gave us a plate of the handpulled bread on the house. Overall had an amazing experience here, food was great, vibes were immaculate and staff were incredibly friendly. I would 100% come here again and will definitely be recommending this spot to friends!"

Helmand Palace

★★★★☆ 4.3 (931) • $$

"An extra star for quality food a a real value. and a true family run restaurant (husband and wife and their 3 kids walking through the dining room on occasion)We shared the nan (not like indian nan, more like a less buttery, and flatter focaccia -- but served with 3 dipping sauces. And an order of somosas (more like a Persian wonton, than an Indian samosa). Quite good!For my main, I ordered the Theeka Kabob - which is prime rib served with rice and lentils (enough for 2 meals really) I was a bit skeptical that it would be good quality meat - but it sure was!It was a Monday night and we were one of 3 tables occupied, I know this is a bit of a SF institution, so hoping it is more packed on other nights."

Cobani Gyro & Kebab

★★★★☆ 4.2 (880) • $$

"I tried the lamb plate and it was incredible! Highly recommend--best Mediterranean food I've had!"

Meso Modern Mediterranean

★★★★☆ 3.9 (963) • $$$

"The dishes here are fresh and change based on seasonal vegetables, which I really appreciate. I love that they use what's in season--it adds to the quality and flavor.The presentation is absolutely gorgeous, and the pricing reflects that level of detail. The restaurant can get pretty packed since it's located at the end of Santana Row, but you can always make a reservation to secure a spot. The interior is just as stunning as the food, creating a beautiful dining atmosphere.Overall, it's a fantastic spot for a gathering if you enjoy high-end Mediterranean cuisine!"

North Beach Gyros

★★★★☆ 4.4 (687) • $$

"Great place and location. After strolling through downtown SF just stepped in and was pleasantly surprised. Great food and service. In my opinion the lentil soup is a must very flavorful and filling. Also the babaganoush is one the best interpretations of the dish I believe they roast the eggplant prior that makes all that excellent flavor in the dish. Reasonable priced and worth a second visit"

opa cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (614) • $$

"I come here often since it's convenient and affordable. They have a huge selection including breakfast sandwiches, burgers and kebab plates. My go to:- hummus bowl with lamb shawarma(a bit greasy) - chicken shawarma plate- extra meat ($4-6)"

LaLe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (697) • $$

"10am Saturday. Determined to see Flower Piano in Golden Gate Park, I skipped breakfast in order to find a parking space near the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Taking a day off from my perfect Avocado Toast quest I found LaLe, an easy walk. .Nice! They have a parklet, should it ever get warm enough. Inside, comforting dim lights, warm wood arched plank ceiling, like 1/2 a fancy giant wine barrel. Clever solution for a too high ceiling I'm guessing. Definitely a classy casual vibe, country-ish rock music, you can still have conversation. This is no laptop village, people are talking to each other! Wallpaper is enlarged French newspapers with giant tulips incorporated.Ordered a la carte 2 fried eggs, 4 strips bacon, muffin. Bummer the eggs not medium well as ordered, rather runny, more than made up for it with the homemade jam & muffin.By 10:30 folks were streaming in. MUNI N Judah on the corner.Destination worthy.Support Local!"

Sultana Mediterranean

★★★★☆ 4.1 (701) • $$

"Genuine and really good. A must go. Went there with a customer. Ordered the appetizer plate. Every one of the items was excellent. The chicken kabobs were awesome. Try it"

Dunya Bistro

★★★★☆ 4 (729) • $$

"The appetizer sample dish was great, the octopus was my favorite.The place offer big verity of wine.Very good experience!"

Kitchen Istanbul

★★★★☆ 4.4 (569) • $$$

"Go for the whole unique dining experience -- first- class wines, superb Turkish /Mediterranean cuisine, great ambiance. Everything we ate was well-prepared and delicious-- the potato croquettes, olives. Satsuka eggplant dish, roasted branzino, short ribs in chimichurri- wow. The wine list is very impressive and eclectic."

Pearl

★★★★☆ 4.4 (546) • $$$

"We were on our way for sushi then the delicious aromas wafting from this busy corner restaurant drew us in. They kindly accommodated us; we were seated immediately. The service at Pearl is excellent, extraordinarily focused on timing and friendly and knowledgeable repartee. They perfectly timed our courses and brought a glass of Barbera seconds before my bavette steak arrived.The mains were the star of the show (and the dessert!) but the appetizers need work: The roast cauliflower on black tahini hummus with green chermoula ($16) lacked a tempting presentation and became worse when I portioned to our plates in a confused, sticky mess. Black hummus doesn't work as an attractive base and throwing a giant handful of blanched almonds on top seemed a desperate move by the kitchen. The tuna tataki was delicious with an interplay of sweet and spicy: Bits of persimmon and fine slices of Serrano peppers played off each other with the fine lemony note of cilantro but a bit dear at $18 for (6) very thin slices of crudo.The Hankerchief white bolognese had a wonderful flavor. I think I sounded so certain about ordering they didn't describe what ground meat was in the pasta. It had to be chicken- and the dish had panache ($26).Even better was the perfectly executed Bavette of steak in thick, rare slices with a spicy, flavorful green harissa sauce reminiscent of zhoug, an Arabic sauce made from cilantro, jalapeño and cumin. The plate was perfectly balanced by tahini and tender small potatoes with pickled onion and fresh dill ($32). I wished for another slice of steak mostly because it was so delicious.Our server recommended the Meyer lemon pudding cake over the cardamom semifreddo (both $13). Dressed with huckleberry sauce, whipped cream and candied ginger, the cake was delicious, loved the uniqueness of the huckleberries. The menu is small and creative. I would return to try new, seasonal plates. Service is any restaurateur's dream team!"

La Mediterranee

★★★★☆ 3.9 (690) • $$

"I've been a fan of La Med since the 90's when a coworker introduced me to La Méditerranée on Fillmore street, which was opened in 1979. We would order the Middle Eastern plate and I would switch up the items, as everything I have tried was delicious. It came with soup, salads and your choice of three items. So fast forward to this past year, we went on a boat tour for work of the Bay and they had it catered by La Med. I was so delighted to be able to have this food and rave about this place again. Since then, we have had the catering a few times as it make for great snacking plates. We had a work happy hour and ordered through Doordash to be delivered to the bar. Worked out amazingly and we had the Fruit and Sweet Treats tray (small), Dips and Pita Bread Tray (small) and the Combination Tray (small) to feed a group of about 10 for appetizers. The food is still so good, the service is friendly and prompt. Always a great choice for something a little healthier and delicious."

MAZRA

★★★★★ 4.5 (507) • $$

"We were so lucky to have a party of 11, come on a Sunday evening ,and get seated right away. The host and staff were very accommodating of our small children and quick to help us. The food was easy to order through our phone and surprisingly affordable for being in downtown Redwood City! I love the self serve hot tea station. It smelled of cinnamon. The heaters and lights outside made for an enjoyable atmosphere. The interior transport you to a nice Mediterranean diner. The food was just as delightful and fresh. I love the baba ganoush, the tabouli salad, fluffy pita bread, and chopped chicken skewer plate with rice. The garlic sauce was so perfect. A surprising favorite was their giant charred cauliflower, seasoned and cooked perfectly. This was a sure highlight of our trip!"

NOVY Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (610) • $$

"Tasty, authentic food. Had the brussel sprouts that were so full of flavor, spanakopita was flaky crispy with creamy filling and sliced lamb gyro. Wine options are okay. Will def be back and will wear warmer clothing. The place was so drafty--we had to move tables and saw 2 different parties just get up and depart as it was way too cold inside."

Cafe Mystique

★★★★☆ 3.7 (737) • $$

"From start to finish everything went great. Sat outside in the parklet (with heat lamp) as requested in the reservation and watched the passersby which is quite spectacular given the neighborhood. The food was excellent including the stews (beef & lamb) and the ribeye, and the service too - very friendly and didn't rush us out. Will be back for sure."

Ayola - New Montgomery

★★★★☆ 3.8 (697) • $$

"Great and very convenient lunch spot! I'm a fan of Greek food so I thought why not check them out. Friendly cashier and a clear, big menu up above. Pretty inexpensive and a short wait. It's a very small shop so try to get there just before the lunch rush or prepare to get up close and personal with other hungry customers. I got the falafel sandwich and a side of fries. Good portion size, enough for leftovers. Not bad! They have some type of sauce on the counter for you to take. I recommend grabbing some because my stuff wasn't that flavorful. I'd go back and maybe try the gyros, (singular, pronounced YEE-ros, and yes they have a button at the counter to educate you)."

Park Gyros

★★★★☆ 3.7 (685) • $$

"Had the Lamb Beef Gyro to go. The gyro had many slices of meat but was dry and tasteless. Expensive for what you get and the only plus is the location near GGP.Workers are not the friendliest and I wouldn't go back for the food or service."

Sunrise Deli

★★★★☆ 3.8 (640) • $$

"This location has been around for a while now since 1984.The first time I ever ate a falafel it came from here , leave it to Unc to show us the way. This is the flag ship store, It's definitely seen better days. Although the parking maybe difficult I come here for a consistent falafel. A dozen for $10 or $6 for half a dozen. It's definitely not as Prestige as it once size and taste but there's a reason why they been here the longest"

Millbrae Kebabs And Gyros

★★★★☆ 4.2 (492) • $$

"Had a sudden craving for yummy Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food after a hike on a chilly day, so I looked up to see what was in the area on Yelp and found Millbrae Kebabs And GyrosThe chicken gyro definitely hit the spot. The baklava for a sweet treat was definitely much-needed and satiated my sweet tooth. Great spot!"

Presidio Kebab

★★★★★ 4.7 (365) • $$

"I was lured into Presidio Kebab by the high Yelp rating. Most of the time, classic dishes hit waaayyyy better than viral and/or aesthetically pleasing ones. Our phones eat first, but they aren't the ones tasting it or paying for it!Never heard about Presidio Kebab before but it looks like they opened right before the pandemic hit. I had a nearby appointment so decided to give them a try. Indoor dining, takeout, and delivery available. They no longer have outdoor seating.M E N UTurkish and Mediterranean Cuisine: Starters, soups, salads, wraps, entrees, and desserts. Same all day menu. Beer and wine available.F O O D* İskender Kebab: Lamb & Beef Gyro w/ butter toasted pita, homemade marinara sauce, Greek yogurt ($23.95): https://tinyurl.com/4fe28w73My go-to Turkish dish, this rendition was my least fav one I've tried. IMO, what makes İskender kebab so good is the rich combo of flavors and contrasting textures. It seems they forgot to toast the pita because it was unappetizingly wet and mushy. Topped with chunky marinara sauce, gamey lamb & beef döner/gyro, and pale french fries. I think the accompanying tomato and green pepper were supposed to be grilled (?) but were still raw. Served with a side of cooling tangy yogurt. Not my jam - I picked at the döner/gyro, packed the rest to go, and tried to salvage it in the air-fryer. S E R V I C ECordial and prompt but no check-ins. I was the only diner at lunch and received my order in less than 10 minutes.A M B I A N C EUpscale cozy vibes with 12 tables, ideal for date night.P A R K I N GChallenging street parking at peak hours. Overall, wish I loved Presidio Kebab as much as others. Looks like several others had the same issues with the İskender Kebab so guess I choose the wrong dish. 2.5 stars rounded up for a small local business."

Lotus Falafel and Shawerma-San Bruno

★★★★★ 4.6 (378) • $$

"Stumbled on this place because Mazra was closed and what a pleasant surprise! The food is one of the best Mediterranean places in the bay.You order at the counter and there are lots of tables but know that it is a very casual establishment and nothing fancy. The food service is fast and the prices are very reasonable."

Sababa

★★★★☆ 4.3 (431) • $$

"I love the build your own plates here. They are great and the side salads are fresh and tasty. I particularly think the beet salad is great--big beet chunks but nice and creamy with the sauce, so well done. Cauliflower is also really good. Of the proteins, the falafel and the kofta are both really good. Not to knock the chicken, but boy the kofta is delicious. I love having an excuse to grab lunch at Sababa."

Meyhouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 (418) • $$

"Absolutely spot on! I chose Meyhouse for a team holiday lunch on a recommendation from another co-worker. What an exceptional experience. I truly mean EXCEPTIONAL! So good I fact that I didn't take any food pics because I was to busy devouring all the food! Loved the decor and the open concept. Huge bar that runs the length of the restaurant and I noticed a cute dining area upstairs in a loft like setting. My only issue was the beautiful high ceilings caused the noise level to be pretty high so if you visit in hopes of a quiet romantic setting, this probably isn't it. Service was flawless! I felt like we had 2 if not 3 weight staff taken care of us at all times. One of our guests got up to use the restroom and placed his napkin on the table. The server came right over, folded his napkin and placed it neatly on the back of his chair. That's great service. As for the food ... outstanding! Absolutely everything was not only tasty but presented beautifully. We ordered 4 different appetizers and each one was mouthwatering. Since I didn't order, I'm not sure what each dish I was called. My favorite though was a yogurt topped with eggplant and tomatoes served with this AMAZING bread. I could literally eat that and be happy. We all had different main dishes and desserts and every single one of us walked away saying how excellent everything was. Will I be back? Ten thousand percent!! 10 out of 10 for me!!"

SF Wraps

★★★★☆ 4 (480) • $$

"You know, even though I was never a regular here, and that my last visit came long before COVID ever became a thing, I was actually pretty happy to see SF Wraps still alive and kicking. Not only that, though, but that they still maintain their late night hours as well. Because, if I'm being honest, most of the times I came here were driven more by the time of night than for the food itself. Not to say that the food here was bad, though there does seem to be a correlation between level of sobriety and how good food tastes...In the years since my first time trying SF Wraps, not much seems to have changed, for better worse. There are still a handful of tables, the decor is about the same, and the menu looks all too familiar. While their range of offerings isn't super wide (wraps, plates, bowls, soups, salads, and sides, along with some cookies and baklava), it covers all of the bases. What's more, what they do have still sounds pretty enticing and they have a decent variety of vegan options, if that's what you're looking for. Unfortunately, though, the food doesn't seem to have changed much either.-- GYRO WRAP - Beef & Lamb Gyro Meat, Cucumber, Tomato, Spring Mix, Red Onion, and Tzatziki...$14.75(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sf-wraps-san-francisco?select=FrlM1C4xZViMG7grcnECJg)In terms of taste, this wasn't bad. The gyro was fairly juicy and the veggies were all very fresh. The lavash, however, is not good. I don't know if it's the wrap itself or how they toast it, but it's so dry and brittle that it completely fell apart after just two bites (not to mention the need to sip my water often).-- SHAWARMA WRAP - Beef & Lamb Gyro Meat, Cucumber, Tomato, Spring Mix, Onion and Hummus...$14.75(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sf-wraps-san-francisco?select=QgXCYzBS3NO0R3rVBKxL6w)It's essentially identical to the Gyro Wrap, but with hummus instead of tzatziki. The taste is comparable to each other as well, but this one feels a little heavier thanks to the hummus. Plus points for it also helping to offset the lavash's dryness, though it's still brittle and falls apart.Beyond the food, the one thing that I really like about SF Wraps is how utterly convenient they are. On top of how late they stay open, parking is both easy and plentiful (at night), their handful of tables are almost never taken, and the food comes out fairly quick. It's just a shame that they're not nearly as cheap as they used to be (the wraps used to be $9-$10). Otherwise, if I worked in the area or was looking for a late night bite after hitting the bars nearby, SF Wraps isn't a bad option to have around. If/when I do return, though, I'll probably go with one of their plates or bowls instead, so as not to bother with their lavash again."

Yemen Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (333) • $$

"The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but the delicious whif of smoke draws you right in. This little shop offers a delightful escape into the comforting flavors of Yemen. The start dish here caught my eye, and I knew I had to get that lamb kabsah to satisfy my inner cravings.The pieces of lamb tasted tender and soft. Fresh off from the oven, it's infused with aromatic spices. The best part is all that is served alongside basmati rice and just a touch of saffron. The place screams busy take-out orders from locals and friends, and that means you're going to be in for a treat! Just take a look at the kitchen, and you can see your dish all prepared and cooked right from the grill for you."

Gyro Xpress

★★★★☆ 3.6 (551) • $$

"I needed something quick and fast for I had an event to go to on Van Ness Ave. I have seen this Gryo Xpress in Castro for a long time, but never ate in here. Order is on the kiosk. I at night it was a quiet evening. I sat by the counter over looking the street below people watching. The food came in good time and the server brought my food to me. There were a few diners inside. I enjoyed my beef and lamb gryo."

Rojbas Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (307) • $$

"We unexpectedly based our plans to be in Berkeley for most of the afternoon/evening. We wanted some good Mediterranean food and Berkeley is one of the best cities to eat Mediterranean food. Therefore, we came across Rojbas Grill. I am genuinely so happy we did! I would go back for sure. *Overview: Food: 8/10 ratingService: 10/10 rating Ambiance: 7/10 rating*What we ordered: Dolma (4pcs)Chicken Gyro Plate Adana Kebab Plate FOOD: 8/10 ratingThe food was so flavorful. The proteins were juicy, seasoned well, and tender. I love how they served a platter of piping hot soft pita bread. It paired so well with our food. I was shocked by the complimentary hot tea served post-meal. It was not an average brewed Lipton tea. The tea was a yummy subtle herbal tea and perfect for digestion since we were so full. SERVICE: 10/10 rating The waiter was SO attentive. He was not overdoing it as well. He was very chill, kind, and attentive without us asking. He refilled our napkins and water without us asking. It bothers me when people say "It's their job and also they're just being nice for more tips". But, you can always tell when it's genuine!Ambiance: 7/10 ratingI love how "homey" the ambiance is. Rojbas Grill has a lot of intricate details on their curtains, artifacts, etc. My favorite pieces were the Mandala art hung up on the walls. Parking can be decent. There is a lot of meter-based parking. However, on a busy weekend, it can be hard to find parking."

Lark

★★★★☆ 4.1 (357) • $$

"Lark had been on my list for quite a while and finally got to try it. It is a small place and located in Mission close to Valencia street , so this area has lots of interesting places to eat. Really nice decor and ambience and so this would be a nice date night place.We tried the vegetarian appetizer sampler 'Pikilia' which was a great way to try all the appetizers and every tasted nice. We then go the 'Rodakino Rocca' without the prosciutto . It was nice but wish the ratio of arugula to other ingredients was more balanced. I also go the 'Wa Penduka' drink which was nice as well"

RocknWraps & Kabobs

★★★★☆ 4.1 (342) • $

"This is one of the cool hookah parts that you can hang out have some good food. Nice drinks on the weekend too. Usually, Redwood City and the surrounding city gets overcrowded during the weekends. You won't have time to wait in the lines. Find a good spot to sit down, but this place is in the middle of the city heart of the Redwood cities downtown and this is an Amazing Pl., Ali who is the owner of this place is a very generous and a nice man who takes care of the customers a lot and suggest hook us and good flavors and there he has a good way of greeting people too. I love their food and service and I've been visiting this place from continuous to weekends and I wish to go again and again thank you."

Savor

★★★★★ 4.7 (257) • $$

"I'm not vegan or vegetarian but I'd convert if I ate food from here everyday. On a whim my friend and I decided to catch-up and try something healthy, we found savor and it looked amazing. Parking in the area can be a bit difficult but it wasn't too bad. We got seated right away and the guy helping us gave us great recs we had 3 things that we shared and it was enough for us. We had the hot and cold asparagus which was amazing! I love asparagus and it wasn't overcooked , it was still crisp and it had a great sauce that went with it. We also had this dish with tofu and caramleized onions and some greens on the bottom. It was super flavorful and tasty, we devoured this so fast. The mushroom knaffe was so crispy with a bunch of savory mushrooms inside. We loved this as well. We ended dinner with their bread pudding and it was also super soft and not too sweet. Could taste some jam on top and cinnamon, was the perfect way to end the meal.Will definitely be coming back when i stop by in the area. Love this place and can't get enough of it! Total for 2 w/ tax & tip: $70"

Stem Kitchen & Garden

★★★★☆ 3.7 (413) • $$

"Beautiful restaurant conveniently located near UCSF. The back patio was a great place to enjoy lunch and a view. The menu is on the small side but what they did have on it all looked good. Everyone enjoyed their food, so big plus for that. While the staff was friendly, not the most attentive. We stood up at the front register for several minutes waiting for someone to come take the order. They also charge for drink refills..... which is a choice for this type of establishment."

Mezze and Mooore

★★★★★ 4.7 (251) • $$

"Mezze and Mooore is a hidden gem for Mediterranean food in San Francisco. Would highly, highly recommend you come check this out. If I could give 6 stars I would. :)FOOD [5/5]=========+ Lamb Kebab Plate [4.5/5]The plate itself comes with the most delicious pita, hummus, rice, and salad. Oh my gosh I cannot emphasize how well made their food is. The lamb kebab was a little tough on the day I ordered it and I have not ordered it again since.+ Beef Kofte Plate [6/5] - WOULD RECOMMENDAMAZING. I will order this every time! The beef koftes (best way of describing it would be large, flat meatballs) were so delicious, so good, so juicy. SERVICE [5/5]=========Super friendly workers! Always greeted very enthusiastically with a smile. :)"

Taboun

★★★★☆ 4 (341) • $$

"Lovely service from the staff and a local business that has been going on for almost 50 years! The falafels were so tasty and the portions were large, definitely recommend stopping by and supporting the business!!!"

West Park Farm and Sea

★★★★☆ 4.3 (290) • $$

"Really good!! Always looking for a healthy lunch option, will be returning. They share a location with 'hella Mediterranean' so you can order off either menu."