Cancel

Open app

Search

Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill

4.5 (559 reviews)
ModerateHalal, Falafel, Arabic
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill Takeout or Delivery

Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill Photos

Business Info

ABU SALIM MIDDLE EASTERN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill

Recommended Reviews - Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Menu
Hansel F.

Abu Salim is a great spot for Middle Eastern food in San Francisco. Their menu is immense with so many dishes to choose from. The ambiance is very family friendly and welcoming. I found a seat easily even though it was busy. I ordered the Kabob Combo Plate and extra pita on the side. They served complimentary olives to snack on while I waited. The plate was super vibrant and smelled wonderful. The extra pita is definitely worth it. The food was nicely seasoned with so much flavor. The chicken was nice and tender. The whole dish was well put together. I really enjoyed the hot sauce the most. This is a great place to visit with friends and order multiple dishes. I would love to try more dishes next time.

That's Knafeh!
Jimmy C.

Oh the glory of Abu Salim in Haight Ashbury! Allow me to get this off my chest first if I remember correctly. ;⁠-⁠) One piece of dolma, two dollops of baba gannoush, Arabic diced veggies, eggplant, cauliflower, and a pair of wiener-like falafels; all drenched in virgin olive oil and paprika to awesomeness! Added a drizzle of lemon juice from the wedge to make my whole veggie platter incredibly scrumptious! Pickled olives and dried red beets, spicy salsa, and hummus dip, complete with oven roasted pita bread. I chose the bottled salty yogurt drink, but switched to a bottled non-alcoholic fruity spritzer instead. Roasted cauliflower; so fluffy. Eggplant chunks; nice and chewy outer layer. Platter's overall; oh so filling. Barely have knafeh room for dessert that's truly pistachio. Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill had a very colorful yet same spacey joint that Burger Urge left behind. Service with an added touch of Arab hospitality came out brilliant. Be back to savor any dessert for takeout the next time I swing by. Oh, and forgive me for erasing all my previous photos; they would've been helpful.

Chicken Kabob Plate
Michael S.

A nice break from all the pastries and pizza we've been eating! Service was very friendly and attentive. All the food was excellent -- even the tomato/onion dip and garlic tahini dip. I real liked my chicken shawarma pita wrap. My kids had the chicken kabob and chicken shawarma platters, respectively. I love the hummus, but the salad was a little bland. A little pricey, but SF is expensive overall, so I'll let others chime in on the overall value.

Chicken shawarma roll
Sho R.

I stopped by on a Saturday noon for lunch. The place was not full. I got a seat right away. Baklava shake was my favorite item. Addition of baklava and pistachio to milkshave gave it a nice crunchy taste. Stuffed falafels were excellent as well. I went for 1 pine nut and 1 mozzarella. Pine nut one was my favorite. It was very flavorful. Mozerella one had a lot of cheese stuffed in it. Beef lamb shawarma plate and Chicken shawarma roll were both flavorful entrees. I also had a Mint tea. That was a light flavorful tea. Complimentary olives and radish was a nice touch.

chew
Helena L.

tldr serving up large portion freshly made mediterranean dishes with lots of spices but could use more sauce with ample seating in the popular haight ashbury neighborhood ordered the fava bean app (fuul), chicken kebab plate, cheesy falafel. all came out piping hot! 4/5 fava bean dip came with a side of tomato (salsa) + garlic aioli which was super flavorful with the warm pita (very big dip portion!) did wish that the garlic aioli was already mixed into the fava bean dip 3.75/5 chicken kebab plate was super fresh! chicken had a strong turmeric spiced flavor and definitely huge portions! i just wished there was a sauce or humuus since the dish felt a bit dry and a bit bland without a sauce. side of rice and side salad was just fine, nothing to write home about. 5/5 cheesy falafel is super cheesy and cute in the shape of a heart. it had all the classic falafel flavors and i am a sucker for cheesy food. it was piping hot once again so watch ur tongue service was great and fast! water was refilled frequently and staff was friendly :) overall i would be back! it's a great spot to grab some tasty food before thrifting or walking around GGP

Becky V.

Great food. Large menu with variety. Can get vegetarian platter too The shwarma salad was soo much meat on top of a little bit of salad. HEART SHAPED Cheese stuffed falafel and STAR/FLOWER SHAPED onion stuffed falafel were good and big pieces! The shaped, so adorable! Cut up and share. I didn't taste much cheese. Many tables, spacious It's on the pricier side for Mediterranean food. average $30 per person for one entree and falafel. Presentation and food is good!

Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Caitlyn M.

Great casual middle eastern spot with big portions! The chicken shawarma was solid and very filling. I also enjoyed the baba ghanoush and hummus. The plates looked really good! I will have to come back and try next time.

Tatiana A.

Came here after a long day of walking around SF. The people working there were so nice, welcoming and very attentive. The restaurant has such a cozy vibe too I loved it. The food was amazing, flavorful and was the hearty meal I needed after a long day but it also didn't feel heavy. I felt good after eating it. I also ordered the black/mint tea and omggg it was the cherry on top especially because the weather was started to get a little chillier too, it was perfect. I would definitely come back here and try more, their menu was full of yummy looking dishes!

Babaganoush (right), à la carte to the beef kabob plate
Jennifer O.

My son's dined in at a birthday party and we did takeaway from this colorful restaurant that's been a staple of the Haight Street dining scene for as long as I can remember. I ordered the Beef Kefta Kebab plate ($24.99) and it was large enough to split into two meals with delicious Arabic salad, saffron rice and hummus. I thought the flavors were complex but the Kefta tasted tough and slightly mealy. Stacking my fork with hummus moistened the beef's texture and made it a more perfect bite. My son had the lamb kabob plate and said it was great - and he appreciates good food. He and I both enjoyed the babaganoush though I was surprised that less than a pint was $14.99. We ordered it but I grumped to myself "why so pricy?" (Note: Looking online at other Middle Eastern restaurants' menus, they're all charging nearly the same amount for this dish so perhaps tahini has skyrocketed in price, I don't know.) Service was polite though I'm sure they're warmer and more effusive if you dine in. I've always felt a joyful, welcoming hospitality dining at Middle Eastern restaurants and this time, we were at Abu Salim strictly for takeout. I would return for a true experience dining in to see if they can match other of my favorite Middle Eastern spots.

Three different kabob-s
Ray L.

My son and I worked up quite an appetite thrift shopping the other day. My son follows a gluten free diet so our choices are always limited. Walking past Abu Salim , we reviewed their menu and decided to give this place a shot. We are so glad we did because we had a fantastic experience. For lunch, my son orders the kabob plate combo that came with a chicken, lamb , and beef kabob. This plate was enough for two people ,and included rice and a salad (cucumber and tomato). The chicken kabob was my favorite of the three as it was juicy and so tender. The lamb had a nice char to it but was a little tougher to eat. At a price point of around 30.00 , I feel like this combo plate was a good value for the money. As for myself, I ordered the beef kafta wrap with humus and tahini sauce on the side- instead of in the wrap. While good, it didn't compare to my son's dish. This restaurant is firmly on my radar the next time I am doing some vintage /thrift shopping. The staff were nice, the food was delicious, and the price point was fair. Great job Abu Salim- we will be back!

Falafel Wrap
Sara B.

Beautiful restaurant, loved the seating and open area. However, the food is so bland. The falafel wrap was very dry, and lacked flavor. Felt like I was eating nothing, to be frank. Dolmas were also bland unfortunately. The mint tea didn't taste house made, tasted like brisk poured into a cup. I really wanted to like this place as it was our first time, shame the food was so disappointing.

Falafel salad
Pauline B.

Delicious food (including gluten free falafels) and amazing customer service. I love this place!

Kunafa
Tanya D.

I'm always trying to find delicious middle eastern food in SF and this place has now easily become one of my favorites. When you walk in it has a really good vibe. The man behind the counter told us to seat ourselves and he would come with menus shortly. We ordered the veggie combo plater and the chicken kabob plate. And the kunafa for dessert. Everything was so delicious and service was great. A big plus was the Arabic music they were playing. 5 STARS!!! I will definitely be back soon :)

Shoutout to the amazing staff here! They were so patient and understanding with our group of 8 kids!

See all

Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful Middle Eastern food, friendly and attentive service, vibrant and inviting atmosphere, and generous portions.

Read the full review summary in the app

3 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 6
Love this 8
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 2
Love this 4
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jaz M.
119
490
1323

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Annie B.
63
165
40

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Cindy C.
40
33
35

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 months ago

ABU-solutely amazing service and delicious food. Kinda of pricey with a little wait but it is WELL worth it!!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of El B.
255
674
811

10 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 4
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 14

Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill

Are the lambs you have grass fed?

Excited to hear that Old Jerusalem is being reincarnated. Are any items gluten free? Obviously not bread/wraps, but what about rice plates etc?

Yes I believe so. Their hummus, babaganouj, many of their kebabs seemed gluten free. But this is not explicit in the menu. All they mention is that all their meal is halal. Barring pita, fattoush, desserts, you may be able to substitute with their… 

View All 5 Questions

You might also consider

Beit Rima - Chicken Shish Tawook Plate

Beit Rima

4.5(1.1k reviews)
1.0 mi•Duboce Triangle
•$$

I have been eating at Beit Rima since they first opened, and they remain one of my absolute…read morefavorite spots in the Bay Area. Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food is a staple for me, and the depth of flavor here is unmatched--owner Samir's family recipes, especially for the dips, truly stand out from anywhere else. Because most of my family is vegetarian, we have tried virtually everything on the menu over the years, and you honestly cannot go wrong with a single item. Beit Rima has also been my go-to for catering across every kind of occasion--from my kids' birthday parties and relaxed family gatherings to a formal leadership dinner I hosted recently. I have served their food to guests from all different backgrounds, and it is a massive hit every single time. Whether you are dropping in for a casual meal or catering a special event, the consistency, quality, and warmth of the food never disappoints.

We came on a Saturday around 6pm. We came just in time as the line behind us started forming…read morequickly around this time. You have to go inside to check in through the Yelp waitlist. The spacing is small but cute. Once they seat you, you have to go up to the register to place your order. The service was alright, they were busy so took a while before someone could take my order in the front. Now onto the food here is my ranking for each: Fried halloumi 5/5: probably my favorite dish of the whole meal! It was warm and crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. There was a slight sweetness to it that I enjoyed with the saltiness of the cheese. Hangar steak 4/5: my second favorite dish, it was cooked well and the sauce helped with adding a good amount of flavor. I was not a fan of the grain that it came along with and I wish the steak was seasoned itself a little more. You definitely need the green sauce to help with that. Lamb shank 3.5/5: the first few bites were good! The lamb itself was cooked perfectly that it fell off the bone. The sauce was also very flavorful but after a while you just taste the acidity with not much else to balance it. I started getting tired of the flavor the cooler it got. It was good but I definitely had better lamb shank dishes than this at other restaurants. Hand kneaded bread 2/5: the bread itself was good - soft and chewy however the seasoning was just a bit heavy handed. I ended up scraping some of it off so I don't get overwhelmed by the za'atar Lemonade 2/5: your basic lemonade, nothing special. I think I would come back and try more of their side dishes as that was what I saw other people order and enjoy more of. The main dishes were good but not amazing. I've definitely had better at other places. Overall it was a nice vibe.

Photos
Beit Rima - Dining area

Dining area

Beit Rima - Chicken Shish Tawook Plate

Chicken Shish Tawook Plate

Beit Rima - Inside

See all

Inside

Truly Mediterranean - Falafel

Truly Mediterranean

4.1(1.5k reviews)
1.5 mi•Mission
•$$

This small, unassuming little restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District came up when I…read moresearched for falafel in response to a craving. There is some space inside the restaurant but the little gaggle of tables just outside allowed for eating, reading, writing, and people watching. After studying the menu, I chose a chicken shawarma wrap and a ginger beer. I also asked for a couple of falafel with a dollop of hummus but, for some reason, they did not have any falafel. So I settled for the shawarma wrap and then settled into a seat at one of the outdoor tables, ate, reading, watched the passers by, etc. I had a fine leisurely time. Just as I was getting up, a kind young woman came out as I was gathering my things. She handed me one of those little things upon which baklava is served. In this little piece of paper was a dollop of creamy delicious hummus and a freshly cooked piece of falafel. It was truly a San Francisco moment and a reflection of the lovely customer service that pervades this modest little restaurant. I went back there several times during my few days in SF. My heartfelt thanks to Truly Mediterranean for some great food and welcoming kindness.

I've been here twice now to pick up to-go orders. This place is so good. I've picked up the…read morefalafel, hummus, baklava, tabbouleh, pita and falafel wrap. The falafel has a crispy outside with a wonderful inside. The hummus tastes fresh and the baklava is a sweet treat! Each order a falafel comes with tahini and harissa. What I like seeing in there is the all spices they have shown near the kitchen. I like it! It just inspires me to be a better cook. I look forward to being back there later in 2026.

Photos
Truly Mediterranean
Truly Mediterranean - Falafel. Crispy on the outside. Great texture on the inside

Falafel. Crispy on the outside. Great texture on the inside

Truly Mediterranean - DELUXE LAMB SHAWARMA WRAP

See all

DELUXE LAMB SHAWARMA WRAP

Beit Rima - Musakhan ($20)

Beit Rima

4.3(523 reviews)
0.3 mi•Cole Valley
•$$

Stopped by for lunch with friends after our Double Black run. Really enjoyed our meal here…read more Everything we ordered was delicious and full of flavor, and you can tell there is a lot of care that goes into the food. We tried a few different dishes and enjoyed everything we ordered. The flavors were well balanced and the portions were generous enough to share, which made it easy to try a little bit of everything. The service was also warm and attentive, and the overall atmosphere felt welcoming and relaxed. It's the kind of place that feels casual enough for a quick meal but still special enough to sit down and really enjoy dinner. They have a lot of outdoor seating as well (with heat lamps for the colder SF nights). Parking in the area can be challenging, would suggest to come for lunch instead of dinner.

The food is great. We always go for the mezza sampler, steak plate, and chicken kebab plate with a…read moreside of raw veggies (for dipping in the mezze). They have a menu behind the counter that lists out all of the GF modifications (which is so helpful) just ask for it. You can also join the waitlist on yelp, which is a big time saver and so convenient. Why 3 stars then? I feel like they have become a victim of their own success. This place is tiny and it is PACKED. We were quoted a 70 minute wait time on a Sunday night. When our name finally came up we were offered a tiny table inside (outside table sidewalks are where you want to be, more room, good people watching) that could have fit two fine but was going to be a squeeze for 3 adults. We opted to wait for a bigger table/outside spot. Once you get a table then you have to go inside and wait in line to order. The space is small so expect to get bumped from every direction. The person behind the register was obviously stressed out and could not have been less friendly or less helpful. I asked for a glass of cabernet and she just said, we don't have it and stared at me. I asked if she could suggest another option and she did but it was a struggle. All of the workers seemed miserable. No one smiled, everyone seemed overworked and it was so hard to flag someone down if say your steak came out entirely raw, which mine did. It seems like the workers are either not getting the training or the support that they need to allow the overall experience to be good as the food.

Photos
Beit Rima - Outside sitting

Outside sitting

Beit Rima - Musakhan ($20)

Musakhan ($20)

Beit Rima - Complimentary TEPID Water ($0)

See all

Complimentary TEPID Water ($0)

Old Jerusalem Restaurant

Old Jerusalem Restaurant

4.2(1.4k reviews)
2.1 mi•Mission
•$$
Family-owned & operated
Outdoor seating

Amazing food, cute and casual ambiance, and amazing service!…read more We had the Arabic coffee, a mixed kabab platter, and the half & half (half hummus, half rice). The chicken kabob was so tender and flavorful -- definitely my favorite! If you're someone who doesn't have a high tolerance for spice, this place is perfect because the flavors are delicious without being overwhelmingly spicy. And personally, the Arabic coffee was the highlight for me! It's honestly one of the best coffees I've had so far. Loved everything about this experience and would definitely come back!

We came here for lunch last Saturday. Place is very cute inside. Love the decor…read more We were seated at the window right away and the server brought us water, olives and pickled radish. Then took our order. Afterwards, brought us pita bread with tomato sauce with chunks of onion and tzatziki sauce. Pita was warm and the sauces were outstanding. We ordered Chicken Shawarma plate with half rice and hummus and Lamb shish kebab sandwich. The shawarma was delicious! First time I saw it in yellow color. Maybe the turmeric. Chicken was moist and tender, lots of different spices. Rice was cooked perfectly and the hummus was hearty and savory. Really amazing hummus, probably the best I ever had. My hubby had the lamb sandwich and really enjoyed it. Only issue is that, the fried eggplant was missing. Instead, it was bell pepper. He was excited to have the eggplant but did not work out. He said that it needed a little more spices in the lamb. It was missing a punch there somewhere, lol. Overall we enjoyed the food. Everyone was very nice and attentive. Would like to try their other dishes in the future.

Photos
Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mansaf

Mansaf

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Lamb Chops

Lamb Chops

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Shish Taouk Plate

See all

Shish Taouk Plate

Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill - halal - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...