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    Ayola

    4.0 (313 reviews)
    InexpensiveGreek, Mediterranean, Salad
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Ayola Takeout or Delivery

    Ayola Photos

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    AYOLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Ayola

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gyro
    Nicola B.

    The perfect gyro! I've eaten here a few times now and it's quickly become a go-to when I'm in town. It's (relatively) cheap and (extremely) cheerful, just a great lunch. I prefer the chicken gyro, 7" will do you, it's tender and delicious and the salad toppings are really fresh. I love how they prepare the pita too, it's the perfect thickness and nicely grilled. This most recent visit, they didn't have chicken which was a shame, but the lamb and beef gyro is great too. Sometimes I find red meat too heavy but it wasn't greasy and it was just as well seasoned as the chicken. Their sign about having the best fries in town was what got me in the door, out of sheer curiosity. Well, I'm here to tell you that I haven't tried many fries in town but I've tried MANY fries in the world, and theirs are fantastic. Lightly seasoned, fresh and crispy, and fluffy in the middle. They know what they're doing here and it's consistent.

    Great food! Chicken shawarma
    Michael Angelo R.

    I love the chicken shawarma bowl. The service was quick. People are friendly. The food tastes fresh. Perfect for lunch!

    Falafel with a side of crispy, salted fries. Those are half of the fries, delicious!
    B K.

    I was craving a falafel, so of course as I'm on Kearny St. there's a popular falafel place next to Ayola. I passed it up for Ayola because you can get the best French fries here w your falafel. I got mine crispy & salted, DELICIOUS! Sababa doesn't have fries, and is expensive. Just look at the small falafel and half my fries. So good! Can't wait to go back.

    Menu - As of 1/19/2022
    Shannon P.

    Looking for a healthier lunch option? Ayola is a solid spot in FiDi. Quick service. Simple menu. Also most items come with complimentary pita bread

    Baklava
    Amy L.

    I did not like my chicken gyro at all.. maybe it's the fact that I don't know what authentic chicken gyro should taste but I didn't like that my chicken tasted rubbery and it didn't taste like real chicken. It tasted like it was made of soy chicken but it definitely didn't have the consistency of real chicken that I would expect to taste. The gyro also felt like it wasn't saucy enough nor did it have any type of unique taste or kick to it even though I did lather hot sauce on it. I'm used to the gyro being warm (or at least the meat being warm) but this gyro was completely cold and just didn't fulfill my expectations. My friend got fries wirh his order of gyro and I thought the fries were delicious and well seasoned so that was one plus. There is a free baklava if you check in! I don't think I will be coming back again but if I do, I would want to try their falafel!

    Gyros Pita Sandwich
    Alexandra D.

    This place always hit the spot! The fries are amazing so so crispy on the outside and delicious. I always get the gyro as the meat is juicy and flavorful and the pita pillowy soft. I placed a large order for the office and they labeled and packaged everything very well. I was extremely satisfied. I also got to speak with the owner as I claimed my free baklava from Yelp checkin and he was very sweet and helpful. Definitely recommend this place.

    Montage #1 of images from Ayola on Kearny Street
    Ed U.

    I'd make a terrible Greek. I can't dance, even if Anthony Quinn was holding onto my shoulder as he kicked up his heels on a beach in Crete. My everyday plates are Corelle, so they bounce when you try to smash them. Nope, I'd make a lousy Greek, which may mean you have to take my review of Ayola with a grain of salt or maybe a grain of orzo. But hey, I'm a big fan of the one on New Montgomery where they do something nearly magical with their fries, so I'm not sure why this one doesn't make me want to go "Ooom-pah!" Part of it, I have to admit, is location, as this Ayola stands in the shadow of Baladie on the same block where their gyros wraps are outstanding as you gaze at the mural of Petra. Here you just gaze at the condiment stand. On my first visit, I went for what I knew best, the $7.95 Lamb & Beef Gyros, the nine-incher as we say in the trade (..I have no idea what trade I'm taking about) with a splooge of tzatziki sauce (photo: http://bit.ly/1COyXgo). It was certainly big enough with a decent amount of meat shaved from the spit (presumably), but the pita wrap was crusty to the point of jaw-tiring. What's more, the fries were dry like Sahara-dry (photo: http://bit.ly/1CcfJMh). Needless to say, I was not all that motivated to come back until recently when I had a hankering for some Greek eats for lunch but wanted to be a bit more mindful of the calorie count. This time I ordered the $8.75 Neptune Salad described as a "Greek salad with tuna". Well, not quite but it was still pretty good. It was actually a pile of chopped Romaine with a few tomato wedges and even fewer Kalamata olives thrown in. On top was this mass of tuna that looked like it came from a can. Not that I'm complaining as I eat canned tuna voluntarily, but I had no idea Charlie the Tuna even knew the God of the Seas. Anyway, their special house dressing was on the side as were a couple of grilled pita wedges (photo: http://bit.ly/16Nld7Q). And halelujah, the fries were almost back to their magical form - hot, lightly crisped and oh-so plentiful (photo: http://bit.ly/16Nll7a). It was enough for me to reconsider the gyros at some point when I can afford the carbs. In the meantime, I sat up in the balcony where they set up a counter for diners to have a panoramic view of the first floor. It's the nearest I'm getting to a vacation for the next couple of months. FOOD - 3 stars...kinda hit-and-miss with their gyros and fries but the salad is pretty decent AMBIANCE - 3 stars...small space, not that comfortable but the view from the balcony is just...oh who am I kidding? SERVICE - 3 stars...order and pick up, no big whoop TOTAL - 3 stars...will Anthony Quinn ask me to dance?

    Lamb and beef meat in a gyros!
    Tiffany D.

    Lamb and beef meat all in one gyros was so yummy! It's my first time that I have a mix of lamb and beef meat mixed together and in a gyros! That yogurt in the gyros was at a good, tasty amount and add that hot sauce they provide on the side, then the combination is perfection! I literally devoured the gyros in 10 minutes. The cashier thought that I was rushing and told me to take my time, but I was eating it voraciously not only because it was way past my lunch hour, (it was 3:30 for my lunch break) it was also too delicious to put the gyros down, but in my mouth! Their meat had flavor and it wasn't dry. Of course, the hot sauce and yogurt sauce helped superbly! The pita bread was toasted to a warm crisp! Adequate seating with a mini, upstair seating area! Pondering on what to get for lunch? Their gyros is better than your average sandwich shop!

    9 inches
    Sandy B.

    Staff was super nice and friendly. Food came super fast after I ordered. Ordered 2 9" inches for 3 people to share. $8 dollars for the 9" and 7 for the 7" with fries and drink is additional $3 dollars. The fries are a must get, super yummy! Also I love their hot sauce. I can dip that in anything. I really like the **Gyros Pita. It's made with Lamb and beef with tzatziki sauce. And comes with With lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions. Very tasty. **Chicken Gyros Pita Sandwich with herbs and tzatziki sauce. I didn't think it was as flavorful. I think it was lacking Tzatziki Sauce in the chicken.

    Gyro Pita
    Adam B.

    A satisfying gyro option in the FiDi. The gyro meat and tzatziki are quite rich compared to the omnipresent cold cut sandwiches nearby. Gyro Pita: The pita tastes very fresh; it is thin and chewy. Much better than those puffy pitas from the grocery store. The gyro meat was thinly shaved, though not particular crispy. I imagine they have such high turnover that it doesn't get much of a chance to sear on the spit. Still quite tasty though. The tzatziki was creamy and delicious. A bit too much romaine lettuce; I had to sweep half of it off. Falafel: Perfectly crispy on the outside then firm and grainy on the inside. It was a tad dryer than I like, but still enjoyable. Fries: Medium thickness. Not a limp fry in the batch. What really made these was dipping them in the smoky hot sauce instead of regular ketchup.

    Sparta salad (greek salad with chicken) and fresh pita! It was very hot when i got it!
    Sky S.

    I don't know why I've never tried this Greek restaurant before. But I tried it twice this past week. I tried the gyros platter salad and the falafel. The portions are quite generous. The gyros meat is tasty and the salad tasted great. I couldn't finish, had to save the falafel for snacking on later! :) My second visit, I had the sparta salad--the chicken was just ok, the spices on it were great but it was a bit dry. I would stick with the gyros meats/dishes if I go again. I would recommend and I think the prices are fair for the amount of food (and the area).

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    6 months ago

    I've been going to both locations for years. Friendly service, great food. Possibly the best French fries in SF

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    3 years ago

    The food was amazing and the staff were very polite. Definitely recommend. Nice inside also.

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    Beit Rima

    Beit Rima

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Overall really good Mediterranean food - I came to try Beit Rima after hearing great reviews from…read morefriends and loved how flavorful and generous the portions are. My friend and I got the fattoush salad to share along with the Chicken Shish Tawook plate and Musakhan for entrees. The salad was a nice fresh start and the charred dates added a nice sweetness. Loved the juicy chicken kebobs with a side of their delicious hummus. The musakhan had to be my favorite bite though, the chicken is so tender and flavorful and goes really well with the toasted pita. I would come back just for this dish alone! It's a counter-order restaurant which i didn't expect but it makes it a super quick sit-down restaurant to stop at and I loved sitting on their outdoor patio considering it was a nice sunny SF Sunday!

    I'd give this place about 3.5 stars. The food was good, but…read moreI've definitely had better elsewhere. I ordered the chicken and beef kabob plate, and while the meat was flavorful, I wish they included more hummus. At around $25- $30 per plate, I expected a more generous portion. I ordered takeout and arrived about an hour later because the app never updated to show my order was ready. Surprisingly, the restaurant wasn't very busy, and they didn't start preparing my food until I got there. I mentioned that I had placed the order an hour earlier and expected it to be ready, but the server seemed to brush off my concern, which was disappointing. One highlight was the hot sauce. I'm not sure if it's house-made or not, but it's so good. The pita, however, was a letdown. I prefer my pita soft, fluffy, and warm, but this one was hard and grainy. Overall, it's a cute restaurant with decent food, but it isn't my top choice.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Chicken Shish Tawook Plate
    Chicken Shish Tawook Plate
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    Inside
    Old Jerusalem Restaurant

    Old Jerusalem Restaurant

    4.2
    (1.3k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Old Jerusalem is so yummy! Our eyes were differently bigger than our stomachs. We ordered the…read moreStuffed Falafel, Mosabaha, Meat Combo, Mousakhan, and Kunafa. There was complimentary bread which was insanely good and fluffy and warm plus tahini and an onion tomato sauce I think along with radishes and olives. We are not olive ppl sadly but I tried one and it was pretty okay. The service was great and all the servers were super attentive and accommodating. The Stuffed falafel was so good and huge 1 is enough for 2 people. The mosabaha was very refreshing and so good. The meat combo was good overall and everything was very herbally spiced, I wasn't impressed by the lamb tho but the kebab, hummus, and chicken were great! I haven't had Mousakhan before so not sure how it should taste but to me it was sweet and savory with really well cooked chicken. I honestly felt pretty healthy overall cause I was eating hella veggies and everything tasted so fresh. The kunafa was good we got it crispy and was yummy imo but was a lil oily (I think this is normal tho). Arab food isn't really spicy but it is spiced and very herbal which I felt in the food here, I appreciate that chili sauce is provided for the spice lovers. Overall, would highly recommend. It was about $100ish for everything and they recently increased their prices but tbh the portion sizes are huge and I feel like it is so worth it we had hella leftovers. If we had 4 ppl instead of 2 it would've been perfect portions for everyone.

    I was recommended this place by a family member. But it was not what I expected. I would not drive…read moreinto SF specifically for this restaurant but I don't know...maybe it was an off day for me ... can't say I will never come back... Nothing else for me to say about this place. Hopefully one day I will come back.

    Photos
    Mansaf
    Mansaf
    Lamb Chops
    Lamb Chops
    Shish Taouk Plate

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    Shish Taouk Plate
    Truly Mediterranean

    Truly Mediterranean

    4.1
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Set your expectations right and this place is close to perfect: it's a small counter spot near 16th…read moreSt BART, mostly takeout, a few stools inside and a couple of tables out front. It is not a sit-down restaurant and doesn't pretend to be. What it is, is consistently excellent food at prices that still make sense in a city where that's getting rare. We're regulars, and we usually go on Sunday evenings after my girlfriend gets off work. Falafel wrap and chicken shawarma are our usual order -- the falafel has that crisp-shell, tender-middle thing going, and the wraps are generously built. We've branched out plenty and everything we've tried has been good. The other reason we keep showing up is the people. Turna usually takes our order, and she is genuinely lovely -- friendly in a way that isn't a customer-service script. My girlfriend and I always walk out in a better mood than we walked in with, which is worth a lot. Practical notes: halal, lots of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, open until midnight Fri/Sat, and they cater. Grab some napkins if you're eating the wrap on the move -- it's a big one, and that's a compliment.

    Solid Mediterranean spot. The meat tastes fresh, and you can actually see it being prepped when you…read moreorder, which is always a good sign. I'm a big fan of the chicken shawarma--it's really flavorful and hits the spot when it's done right. That said, on a couple of my previous orders the meat was a bit on the dry side, but I still find myself coming back because when it's on point, it's really good. Staff is friendly, and most of the time you can stand on their ledges to eat or sit outside. There were 2 small tables that seat 2-3 per table. Pro tip: ask for the tahini and hot sauce on the side and load it into your wrap--it takes it up a notch.

    Photos
    Truly Mediterranean
    Falafel
    Falafel
    DELUXE LAMB SHAWARMA WRAP

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    DELUXE LAMB SHAWARMA WRAP
    Kokkari Estiatorio

    Kokkari Estiatorio

    4.4
    (5.6k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$$

    Visiting Kokkari Estiatorio had been on my restaurant bucket list for years, and when it was my…read moreturn to choose a spot for our celebratory team lunch, no one was opposed to dining at Kokkari Estiatorio. I booked our table about a month in advance, which turned out to be the right move because the restaurant was bustling during the lunch hour. To start, we ordered four small plates to share among our party of four: meatballs, saganaki, spanakotiropita, and a pair of dips (melitzanosolata and favasalata) with pita. Everything was excellent, and our spread was inclusive of a wide variety of flavors and textures: salty, creamy, acidic, sweet, crunchy. The meatballs and the dips are definitely a must-order and are ideal for sharing. The spanakotiropita were larger and more filling than expected, so if I were to order those again, I'd dial it back and stick with small plates rather than a full-sized entree. The saganaki was a showstopper; it is served sizzling and crackling on a cast iron dish and had a nice salty flavor that allowed the cheese to be served on its own. For my main dish, I ordered the braised goat - which is not something I'd typically order because goat meat is usually tough - but I was intrigued how it was prepared as a stew. The dish almost reminded me of a Moroccan tagine - the goat was braised to peak tenderness and bathed in a slightly fruity and well-spiced sauce; dotted with pieces of melted feta; and served on top of a bed of baked orzo, which was served fresh-from-the oven in a mini cast iron dish. I was so full after our meal that I had to walk it off for a few blocks, but I cannot wait for our next special occasion so we can come back and celebrate with another feast at Kokkari Estiatorio.

    I was so happy to return here after like 12 years! I love their lamb chops, salads, desserts and…read moreappetizers. Yes, it's a somewhat expensive dining experience but you are paying for top notch service and great quality food. I am not talking about these cheap midnight specials in Las Vegas. This is type of food where you take your time eating to savor your food to taste the silky texture of the meat or let the sauce soak into the octopus appetizer to soften it and tastes good. I would have ordered a salad but with the health scare of salads recall made me hesitant to order any, although the specials sounded great! You can still cannot go wrong as every dish was great experience and great execution. Love the melted cheeses in appetizer and custard in dessert with pistachio ice cream! The meats really shined as we asked for medium rare and both steak and lamb chops cooked perfectly. Would I go back? , oh yeah and splurge on this place for sure. It just felt special to me. That flourless cake by kitchen I was debating should I take the whole thing and run? lol Restroom is a maze I do must say as you take an elevator one level down.

    Photos
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Grilled sea bass, deboned with head and tail removed
    Grilled sea bass, deboned with head and tail removed
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    Kotopoulo Souvlaki/Chicken Souvlaki
    Souvla

    Souvla

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    This place is so reliable. Good service up front. You can order and eat inside or in their cute…read morebackyard. They keep the options limited but you can mix and match your style. It's a pick your protein and pick your style. I usually get the chicken wrap. But occasionally get the salad with chicken. Their hot sauce is delicious too! We often grab it to go and eat it up the hill in Alamo Square for a lunch with a great view on a nice day. Souvla offers very tasty food with good ingredients prepared faithfully time after time. It's an easy go-to choice for me and my wife on a sunny weekend day.

    We seem to venture out beyond our neighborhood yet with so many great dining spots it was time to…read morestay in our nabe and try Souvla. I have mixed feelings about Souvla, like maybe I ordered the wrong thing? I had the chicken sandwich: It lacked flavor, puzzling since it has bold flavors of fennel, pickled onions and orange. The chicken was finely shredded and plentiful, it just had no taste and it was dry. My son loved his lamb gyro which disappeared in an instant (his big eyes signaled he wanted my sandwich too- I handed it over.) The fries with Greek cheese were great and still hot when we arrived home. The frozen yogurt with olive oil and salt was pucker-your-mouth delicious. Next time we'll dine al fresco and kick back and people watch - and I'll pick something new off the menu. Service could not have been friendlier and food prep, fast! And PS the takeout boxes are really pretty.

    Photos
    The inside of the restaurant.
    The inside of the restaurant.
    Plain Frozen Greek Yogurt
    Plain Frozen Greek Yogurt
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    Greek beer
    Mezze and Mooore

    Mezze and Mooore

    4.7
    (313 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    I'm generally pretty indifferent about mediterranean food, but this place really impressed me!…read more Every dish I tried had amazing flavors, and everything was prepared perfectly. We started off with the hummus and the moussaka (eggplant and tomato sauce). The hummus was pretty standard, but still great, and the moussaka was SO delicious. This was definitely the standout dish to me, and I'd hiiiighly recommend it. For mains, I was doing Meatless Monday, so I got the super falafel wrap. This wrap was also sooo delicious and massive! The falafel was really flavorful, and all the toppings and tahini sauce were just perfect additions. The restaurant itself is really pleasant and bright, great for pretty much any occasion. Service was also good (you order via QR code, but they bring the food out to you) and prices are reasonable given the quality and portion size. Definitely a new fav spot in SF!

    After reading all the glowing Yelp reviews, I walked into Mezze & Mooore on a Monday night…read moreexpecting a five-star experience. The food was delivered. The service apparently called out sick. Let's start with the good news: the food was genuinely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The mint lemonade was bright and refreshing. The chicken skewers were flavorful and perfectly cooked (though surprisingly small). The halumi salad with eggplant was a generous portion. Now for the "Mooore" part. I was hoping the restaurant's name was also a mission statement. However, we could have used more attentive service. More follow-through. More toilet paper... Unfortunately, once we were seated, we were essentially released into the wild. Ordering is done by scanning a QR code, which is perfectly fine in theory. In practice, it felt like sending requests into the void. A drink I ordered never appeared. Nobody checked on the table, so I had to get up and walk to the counter to ask about it. Later, I had to make another trip to remind them we had ordered dessert. Then another trip when we wanted a to-go box. Apparently, the evening's theme was "interactive dining," where the guests perform most of the customer service duties themselves. Tips are forced when you first order online - no refunds on that. The bathroom offered its own adventure. The trash bin was overflowing with dirty paper towels, and there was little to no toilet paper available. As the daughter of a health inspector, knowing that staff use the same facility, I would have given this a poor hygiene grade. What made the experience frustrating was that the food was good enough to make you want to come back. But when your guests spend half the meal looking for someone to help them, it takes away from what could have been a 'more' pleasant evening.

    Photos
    Interior looking at counter
    Interior looking at counter
    Bread @colorful.eats
    Bread @colorful.eats
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    Chicken Shawarma @colorful.eats
    Bursa

    Bursa

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    Oh my god what a taste ! Now I know that Bursa is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in San…read moreFrancisco! The food is absolutely amazing--every dish is fresh, flavorful, and prepared with great attention to detail. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. The staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making the entire dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. The restaurant is also spotless, with a clean, comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to come back again. If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine, outstanding service, and a warm, inviting environment, Bursa is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

    We decided to have a birthday dinner here at 7 pm on a weekday evening for 6, due to everyone's…read moreschedules. Bursa's dining area was comfortable with bright lighting and dark blue walls. The service was friendly and welcoming even when our party came at different times. The restaurant wasn't busy given it was a Monday evening, so you would think it would go smoothly. *** OUR PICKS *** COMBO APPETIZER PLATTER ~ hummus, baba ghanouj, haydari, ezme, dolmas, merimek, falafel ~ parts of the platter were cold while the falafel was warm, but they topped it off with a sauce that didn't keep the falafel crispy, instead it softened it. I think the sauce should have been on the side. The rest of the dish was good. 4/5 LAMB KEBAB PLATE ~ this was my dish. I touched my skewers thinking they were going to be hot, but it was surprisingly cold. I'm not sure why skewers would be cold when the food should be hot right off the grill. The lamb was cooked medium rare as I requested, though there was little to no seasoning. So it was kind of gamey and tasteless 3/5 RACK OF LAMB PLATE ~ my partner chose this dish. The lamb was also very light in seasoning. The pistachio rice was interesting and nutty. Asparagus was good. 3.5/5 MIXED GRILL PLATE ~ our friend enjoyed this dish. Maybe a mixed grill is the way to go and some meats cooked and seasoned better than others. 4/5 BEEF KEBAB PLATE ~ the beef was also room temperature and lightly seasoned. 3.5/5 SALMON ~ I tried some of this and it was decent. 4/5 BAKLAVA & CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE ~ Nice birthday surprise and a sweet way to end the meal. Baklava wasn't as crispy or flaky as some I've had, but the honey-pistachio nuts were good. Chocolate mousse cake was decadent and moist. 4/5 Beautiful presentation on the plating of our food, though the timing for the food wasn't quite right as a few plates were served room temperature and not hot. However, the surprise desserts were a nice touch in helping us celebrate a birthday!

    Photos
    Inside - Valentine's Day decorations
    Inside - Valentine's Day decorations
    Falafel Salad
    Falafel Salad
    View of Interior of the restaurant

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    View of Interior of the restaurant

    Ayola - greek - Updated August 2026

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