The Most Flavorful Middle Eastern in San Jose

Falafelle

★★★★★ 4.7 (910) • $$

"I've tried Falafelle multiple times and usually go during weekday lunch time. STARS (stand out qualities)-Tasty and fresh in ingredients -Falafel is one of the better ones I've had on the peninsula -Pita bread is above average and fluffy and fresh!-Decent portions especially the falafel containerSTAIRS (areas for growth) -I had trouble hearing the names called out for the food. I recommend staff vocalize the name of person loudly or broadcast it in a screen (visuals are great) TIPS-container seems to have more food than wrap (I ate it all but was really full! I probably could have saved half portion for another meal!)-order BEFORE pickup. It took about 15-20 minutes from the time of order -order and pick up BEFORE peak time (possibly around 11:45-1pm) as there is a bit of a wait during 12-1pm -keep boxes up right - sauces leak -You can eat at nearby Twin Pines park which has some picnic tables, benches, grass or stage/stair area (no seating at restaurant)"

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!"

Fremont Afghan Kabob

★★★★☆ 4 (882) • $$

"Short Story: This place can rival de Afghanan! Long Story: I've been coming here for a few years now and this place is always great! I've had almost all of their menu items such as lamb, chicken, chapli, and beef kabobs. I've also had all types of their bolani and it's been fantastic! The prices are a bit cheaper than de Afghanan and the service is friendly. The food does take a good amount of time to come out so be sure to plan accordingly!Verdict: I'm coming back!"

Falafel Fremont

★★★★☆ 3.9 (635) • $$

"Another update as it's been a couple years since. Falafel Corner has changed its name to Falafel Fremont. Same people, same place just different name. No more check in for a free baklava but that's ok, it was just a nice little perk.The parking here is always hit or miss as depending on the peak eating times can be challenging with Kakuna Sushi nearby and now Dope Pho. Recently we actually had to park in the middle section instead of right in front, but that's okay. There are still spaces. They can get a bit busy at which times, they may not even pick up the phone which can be frustrating. We did come after not being able to reach them over the phone and saw that there were large groups waiting for their food and so we ended up going somewhere else.Inside is pretty spacious with tables.We have yet to try their pizzas and we've been meaning to. Their gyro meat is just too salty and oily for me for some reason so I avoid it as well as falafels. What we do come here for is the burgers. It's always a place we come back for the burgers. The fries can be hit or miss, sometimes we switch it up for the curly ones.Just drop by, try them out and perhaps I'll eventually try their pizzas."

Holyland Restaurant & Catering

★★★★☆ 4.4 (495) • $$

"The Mansaf and the Mandi are harder to find dishes in the bay area even for middle eastern restaurants. They have all the kebabs n stuff as well, but I recommend checking out the other dishes first since you can get kebabs/wraps anywhere.Overall, generally enjoyed my food and will probably try some of their other items next time"

Urfa Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.4 (492) • $$

"Had a great time here for my friend's birthday dinner! Food was phenomenal. Highly recommend the chicken marsala-- filling but not too heavy! Ambience was great, not too loud inside and they gave us a free appetizer and dessert (yummy baklava). Friendly service. Would definitely come here again!"

Negeen Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (689) • $$

"Hands down one of the best Persian restaurants ever!! I thought I didn't like kebabs anymore, but it turns out I just did not have any good ones for a long time until coming to Negeen! We tried the lamb, chicken, and beef kebabs, and they were incredible. The chicken is so flavorful, and the beef is so tender. I also really like the saffron rice with cranberry and other toppings. I was lucky to come with my Persian neighbor, so she knew exactly what to order. Negeen also has a nice tea service."

Falafel Tazah

★★★★☆ 4.4 (445) • $$

"Food: as a first timer, wasn't sure what to expect. I bought the big plate with chicken shwarma, rice, salad and bread & hummus, lots of food & each bite was delicious. Service: Quick and friendly Ambiance: small place with some side bar type seating. Nice & chill environment"

Ziba Persian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (556) • $$

"I've been in the area for awhile and sadly haven't tried this place until most recently. It was recommended to me from someone who has been going there for some time. We decided to place a pickup order through Door dash but the option wasn't available so we called it in. They're down the street from me so it was an easy pickup order. What we ordered:Khoresh Bademjan (Baby Eggplant Stew)-Baby eggplant stew. Sautéed baby eggplant, beef, homemade tomato sauce and special seasonings. Served with basmati rice.Persian Chicken Burrito-Skewer of marinated chicken wrapped in lavash bread with basmati rice, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes and special house hot sauce.Veggie Kabob- Zucchini, onion, eggplant and bell peppers lightly seasoned with a BBQ Tomato.Everything was delicious and it was my first time trying Khoresh Bademjan, it was really good! I also really enjoyed their hummus and the Persian Chicken burrito was a very generous portion. I recommend their business!"

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!!"

Shawarmaji

★★★★☆ 4.4 (300) • $$

"If you're looking for a shawarma wrap that's bigger than your face, then you have to check out Shawarmaji! Starting out in Oakland, Shawarmaji is a small, family-owned, Jordanian restaurant that recently expanded to Santa Clara and focuses on offering authentic Jordan-style shawarma in the Bay Area. They're most known for their 12 inch chicken wrap that includes thinly-sliced chicken, which is initially cooked on a revolving spit, their housemade toum sauce (aka Lebanese garlic sauce), and cucumber pickles in a thin arabic wrap. The menu at Shawarmaji is relatively simple and offers chicken or lamb/beef served in a wrap or pita form, fries, and a few additional small sides. This is a great place to visit if you're looking to try authentic Jordanian shawarma!ORDER: Chicken Wrap ($14) - Chicken was really tender and I loved the garlic sauce that it came with. Although I do wish there were more vegetables included in the wrap, it was overall really good."

Falafel Tazah

★★★★☆ 4.2 (248) • $$

"Absolute masterpiece restaurant with the friendliest people. The mixed grill has all of the most incredible flavors. The lamb, beef; and chicken are each so special. The rice, hummus, and side cucumber salad are extremely complimentary and flavorful. If you love a lot of flavors, order the mixed grill and prepare to be blown away. Oh, and here's another zinger. Get yourself some baklava. Mildly sweet, buttery, flaky, wowowow."

Oren’s Hummus

★★★★☆ 4 (221) • $$

"Service was amazing. Dante was super sweet.We asked to sit on the patio, the sun was shining so it felt amazingFood is fresh and quick.Got the pita falafel w hot mint tea had fresh tea leaves.SO SO GOOD!Also was offered complimentary dessertLoved everything, will be recommending and bringing friends and family to try as well. 10/10"

Falafel Tazah San Carlos

★★★★☆ 4.4 (153)

"I stopped by Falafel Tazah after shopping at TJMaxx and I was so impressed! I cannot eat gluten or dairy, and when I ordered, I was going to order the Chicken Shawarma rice plate without yogurt sauce, and right after I asked for no sauce, the cashier (I think his name is Mohammed based on the name on my receipt) asked if I am allergic to dairy. He let me know that the marinade for the shawarma is yogurt, but that I could order kebab instead (the kebabs aren't marinaded in yogurt)! He also let me know that they have a tahini sauce and a hot sauce if I'd like to add those to my meal instead. I'm so glad he caught that and thought to ask! I also ordered a side of fries, and when I paid he let me know how long the wait would be. Both people I saw working were super friendly and welcoming. As he handed me my bag, he reiterated "all of the sauces I put in the bag are dairy free". There is plenty of parking since they share a parking lot with TJMaxx, Starbucks, Best Buy, Chipotle, Jamba Juice, etc. The inside of the restaurant is very clean with just a few small tables, so I'd recommend taking your food to go. You can see them make the food right in front of you as well, which I always like!The food was very delicious and fresh! Although I usually prefer thinner fries, they were well seasoned and very flavorful. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor, and went so well with the rice, cucumber salad, and hummus. They also give you pickles and onions, which really added to the dish.Overall, I had a great experience here and will definitely be back!"

Maiwand Village

★★★★☆ 3.8 (188) • $$

"Local Fremont Afghan restaurant. Love taking advantage of living in "Little Kabul" and having so many Afghan markets and restaurants to try.Interior is shiny gold, burl wood, and red upholstery, I can see fancy family gatherings and events happening here. It's totally unassuming from the outside next to a Taco Bell and check-cashing place that used to be a fast food restaurant.Chicken and Shami Kabob: Like other Afghan restaurants they cook to order and it'll take 40 minutes but it is so worth the wait, the meat is always tender and delicious. It comes with a sour side salad with chickpeas and afghan bread which is good for wrapping meat in or dipping in the yogurt or chutney sauce Potato Bolani: So good, love it dipped or plain, you get a ton of it in your order almost guaranteeing leftovers."

The Halal Guys

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (212) • $$

"I ordered a gyro. Filling is plentiful. Chicken wasn't dry like the other chain. I asked for the dressing on the side so I can put the amount I want. Their fries are good. Nice and crispy. Restaurant is clean. Food came out fast"

Fremont Kabob Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (108)

"Nice to see an authentic and casual Afghan joint in the Fremont area! It was a quiet Tuesday night but this place was quite packed. Nice cozy aesthetics on the inside with traditional furniture. Service was good and they were able to provide items that weren't explicitly on the menu as well.The meats were cooked very nicely, and their rice also tasted like a lot of care was put into cooking it. I think the highlight is definitely all of their desserts though! Especially the Sheer Chai (Afghan milk tea) - I would've drank 10 if I had the stomach space!"

The Halal Guys

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (123)

"No complaints here. Unlike some of the other reviews stated, my portion size was just fine. I was in and out within 5 minutes. Cashier was super chill."

Manakish Oven & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (67)

"ahhh...social media finds...Most of the time Social Media is not the best thing, but sometimes it can reveal some hidden gems. I caught a clip on IG of a local Palestinian spot in SJ...at least that's what the short vid claimed. I was intrigued...I'm not familiar with Palestinian food. I had to give it a try. Apparently this is their second location, there is another is in Walnut Creek. I'm familiar with the location of this venue. Former home to Sultan Bakery, which I did not find impressive...regardless of the high ratings. Parking is challenging in that area, luckily I snagged a spot on the street in front of the restaurant. There is a decent amount of seating inside and an outdoor seating area as well. Bright, Clean and inviting, they definitely redid the interior. #MediterraneanEats:~ MANAKISH FLATBREADS: - Lahn-bajin - 4/5I wasn't so sure what was classified as a Flatbread, looks like a pizza to me. But you'll understand when you bite into it. It's different, almost like a think crust NY pizza. A good amount of beef in it, heartier and heavier that it looks. ~ FATTEH BOWLS: - Chicken Shwarma (w/ Half and Half) - 4/5A good size bowl. We opted for the Half and Half option...best of both worlds; Salad & Rice. Generous portions! The Bowl had a good amount of food, Juicy flavorful Chicken with Creamy Humus...delish! ~ DESSERT: - Cheese Kanafeh - 4/5I was a bit bummed out they didn't have Ice Cream. This would have been amazing with some Ice Cream...not that it wasn't already brilliant! It would transcend to the next level. I originally wanted a Falafel bowl, but they were out of Falafels. Oh well, next time! Very satisfied with the food we ordered, now I'll just need to come back and try the rest of menu."

Gulzaar Halal Restaurant & Catering

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"A true gem -- amazing flavors, good hospitality/service, and great prices. We got the aloo gobi, fried eggplant, chapli kebab, and chicken samosa. Aloo gobi: 8.5/10 delicious, flavorful, loved the chunks of cauliflower. Fried Eggplant: 10/10 super "meaty", unique, easily my new favorite dish. Chapli kebab: 8.25/10 I don't usually like meat dishes but this one tasted great. Would get again. Chicken samosa: 9/10 different from the samosas that I'm used to, but in a good way. Filled with super crumbly, flavorful chicken. Accompanied by a sweet, tart sauce.The staff was also super friendly, made us feel very welcome and checked in regularly to see how we were enjoying the food. Would 1000% come back to try the other dishes."

Oren's Hummus

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I was searching food a good dinner spot and so happy that I found this place!The restaurant is spacious with indoor and outdoor tables. The service was so friendly! The waiter helped me with some recommendation. The hummus, the chicken, the pita bread were all so good!They use high quality ingredients as well. Even though I finished everything, I felt really good and satisfied and not bloated."

Chelokababi Persian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Such a lovely experience. Upon walking in, the decor was very Persian and I liked the dark lighting. Felt very family friendly and there was only a 20 minute wait for two on a Sunday night. For appetizer we ordered the kashko bademjan. This was my first time having this and I love eggplant so this was perfect. For mains we ordered tahdig, fesenjun and kabob koobideh. The kabob portion is big enough for two and we boxed up half of it to go! Super juicy. The tahdig was super crunchy and I enjoyed it extra with sumac. The fesenjun felt very heartwarming and nostalgic somehow. The persian tea is also delicious here. For dessert we had makhloot which was a combination of bastani and faloodeh. So refreshing, not too sweet, and delicious. Our server was very attentive and helpful as well. Excited to come back and try more!"

Falafel's Drive-In

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"California has so many of these drive up food stand establishments in many cases they are a slam dunk. Falafel's was exceptional and far exceeded my expectations. This was another Diners Drive Inns and Dives find for me. I always go where Guy goes. The building is as old can be and the seating area is fun but low school. Be prepared to battle some pigeons while eating.The staff are efficient and since it's a walk up window you don't get much personal interaction. The guy who helped me was nice, helpful, and happy, that's a plus. My falafel was remarkable!!! Did I say remarkable? I certainly did!!! Dude! It was over stuffed with crispy green fluff. So tasty I wish I could eat this all the time. Probably the best I've ever had. And it was stuffed and topped with great toppings and the hot sauce was killer. There's a learning curve to getting it right. Hero it wrapped to eat it so it doesn't fall apart or get a fork before you sit down and don't forget extra napkins. YUM!!!I only had an appetite for one item but there's many choices so get to this five and dig in!!!"

Dish N Dash - Fremont

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"A great place in a great area. Came here after a hike and I'm so glad my friend recommended this place. I got the falafel grill which came with rice and salsa. For my sides I got veggies and garlic dip. For my drink I got the Lemon+Cucumber+Mint juice. Everything tasted so fresh and so good. This will definitely be one of my go to's when I'm in the area. Service is pretty straight forward. Order at the counter, get a buzzer, and pick up at the counter. Good amount of indoor seating and some outdoor seating with heaters!"

Mediterranean Wraps

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"I have eaten at so many Mediterranean restaurants. When I'm sick of tacos, pizza, and burgers it's my go to for a healthier lunch option.Mediterranean Weaps is my favorite among the dozens of middle eastern restaurants I have eaten at. The falafel is perfect - crispy on the outside, nicely cooked on the inside and just the right spice.The chicken schwarma is always cooked deliciously. The sandwiches wrapped in a tortilla like flatbread that is grilled with a tiny hint of burn that gives the sandwich an additional flavor that is completely welcome.For two bucks more add potato and eggplant.The service is quick and efficient. Sometimes they will give you a little something extra - a falafel ball or small cup of sweet tea.The restaurant is clean and nice enough for a place that was probably opened a couple of decades ago.If you're anywhere near Palo Also, check out this place!"

Oren's Hummus

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"We had takeout from Oren's for a recent meeting, and wow--everything was delicious. The portions? Huge. Like, "this could feed a small village" huge.I tried the hummus with Moroccan beef, and it was insanely flavorful. Every bite was perfection. I probably ate way more than I should have, but honestly, how do you not when it's that good? Walking away wasn't an option. I was wishing I'd ordered extra pita, but simultaneously glad I didn't... because then I never would have stopped!If you love hummus, this place is a must. Just be prepared to accidentally eat an entire meal's worth before you even realize what's happening."

Falafel, Etc

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Even as a local, I honestly had no idea that this place even existed. It's tucked away in the back of a mostly abandoned strip mall. You can tell that this place has been around for a while, and there's something charming about that hole-in-the-wall homestyle feel (and even smell lol). The food was fresh, well cooked, and good quality! I enjoyed it. However, it was a bit bland and just, flavor-wise, missed the wow factor needed to take it from "not bad" to "really good".I wasn't impressed enough for this to become one of my go-to's, but either way I certainly appreciate that the food is fresh and solid! Recommend a try."

Caspian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"10/2/2024Caspian Restaurant1910 W El Camino RealMountain View, CA 94040Went here as a single for a mid-afternoon meal on a Wed. It's in a dying plaza with lots of parking. The interior is a contemporary table and chair setup and clean. I was the only one there at 3 PM.I ordered the beef koobideh, which also had a nice pita, hummus and tzatziki board accompaniment. The kabob was medium well, juicy and spiced to perfection. The rice, tomatoes, salad and pickles were a good match. The quantity was generous and I took about half home for another meal. Great value and flavor, maybe order medium rare next time. Definite repeat."

Falafel Stop

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Spent Inauguration Day supporting immigrant- owned small local businesses and the real American Dream (the chance to work hard and contribute your talents to your new home to make a better life for yourself). Generously filled with fresh, quality ingredients, these platesof deliciousness will have me coming back soon. An absolute winner!"