Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Desilicious

    4.6 (77 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order Desilicious Takeout or Delivery

    Desilicious Photos

    Business Info

    DESILICIOUS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like Desilicious

    Recommended Reviews - Desilicious

    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

    Naan
    Nadia I.

    I really want to love this place but it could use some improvements. It is a new small business so I trust that they are adjusting and finding their way. Parking was normal street parking in the area. On a Sunday the meters were free so that was helpful. We found a spot right up front. I was there for brunch - we showed up at 11am which is posted as opening time but there was no staff there until about 11:15. They were really kind and welcoming when they arrived and let us know that we would order at the counter and then seat ourselves upstairs. Note that they do not have high chairs or boosters so with small children, the seating is a little challenging. The service, while nice, was slow and a bit disorganized. We were on a schedule and had hoped to leave the restaurant by 1230 or so, unfortunately at 1215 we still were waiting for our food. Ultimately we packaged our food to go and rushed out close to 1pm. The regular naan seemed prepackaged and not cooked in tandoor. The khameeri naan was great (it is a sourdough/fermented dough). My nephew ordered tandoori chicken and he was surprised that it did not have the traditional appearance - he said it tasted ok. The halwa puri was good but oddly the plate came out (I photographed it) and the halwa came a bit later ... The Nihari was ok, it was missing limes and something else that I can't put my finger on. I likely would skip the Nihari if I came back. Other folks at my table had biriyani, lamb Karahi and mango lassis which they seemed to enjoy. Overall, I would come back to try this place a second time after they've been around a little bit longer. There is a lot of potential.

    Great naan bread
    Phil Z.

    Stayed at the AC Hotel across the street last so decided to stop in at night for dinner. Food was excellent and service was great. I'd definitely be back next time I'm in Oakland.

    Upstairs seating
    Victor G.

    DesiLicious opened where Delegates closed during the pandemic. Seating familiar. 2 tables downstairs. 5ish tables upstairs. Minimal decor. Only a floral mural downstairs. Street parking only. Difficult on weekdays. Weekends easier. City parking lots: $6/hour. Order at counter. Pay. Food/drink brought to table 20ish minutes later. Cooked to order. Open kitchen. Offerings (Pakistani): burgers, vegetarian, brunch, chatkharey (sweet & savory snacks), biryani, BBQ specials, breads, mains, Karachi's.. Sips: chai(4) -boiled to order, milk ish top, bold black tea taste thruout. Bites: lamb Karahi (18) doesn't come with naan. -best eaten with naan or other breads. Passed on added cost. Not a bread eater. (Carbs) -Food slow cooked in wok in tomato sauce, special herbs & spices. Served in same. -semi tender lamb pieces, bone attached. With savory tomato sauce resembling curry, ginger shreds & oiliness also present. Yummy! 4.5 stars semi worthy: pricey. Quality: very good. Quantity: ok *menu at counter is a new version. **owner's comments about healthy ingredients from local farms so cool! Should highlight this on website and literature inside eatery...

    Rogash naan
    Yen D.

    Pani puri was missing chutney but had the potato mixture and the tamarind dipping sauce. Chicken tikka masala was good. Garlic naan was standard and good. Rogash naan tasted like a butter naan with sesame seeds. Service was good. It was my friend's birthday and no birthday freebie was given. Restaurant was cozy with a few tables upstairs.

    Crispy Pan Fried Fish

    Great food! Amazing service. Was surprisingly fast too! Had the fish and lamb balti.

    Day 1: Chiken Tikka Massala, Chiken Tandoori, Basmati rice, Garlic Nun, House salad.
    Kaz Y.

    A true hidden gem; a culinary experience tucked away in a little hole-in-the-wall, literally! Whatever you order, expect to wait about 15-20 minutes, and it's absolutely worth it. Everything is cooked fresh to order with a wonderful blend of herbs and spices that make each dish shine. The flavors are incredible, and the hospitality is even better. It feels like grandma's or mom's home cooking, prepared right there and then by the family themselves. I stumbled upon Desilicious, a Pakistani restaurant across from the Federal Building in Downtown Oakland, while searching for Indian food around 2 PM (most places I knew were closed). I ordered my favorite "Indian" dish, and it was so delicious that I went back the very next day to try some of their Pakistani specialties. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I discovered this place!

    Lamb Karahi, 80% bones
    Neelab S.

    When I entered here, I was so impressed and happy to see a female ran business. We placed our food order. Seems they are fairly new and the register was confused about the menu. I got my appetizer fairly quick, however, we waited 45 minutes for our main course. We literally had to go and ask them where our food was! Kitchen was too loud and noisy! Seems their house is adjacent to the business! Little kids were running in and out of the dinning area. After 45 minutes, when our food was served, there was barely any meat in lamb Karahi! The dum biryani was anything but dum biryani barely any chicken. Some dude came and shut the door to the house hallway apologizing about kids! I have never written this long of a review but was really disappointed. We came here because of all the good reviews. They need to be more professional, work on their customer service and serve faster or else they will lose business! I don't think I will ever come here again!

    Carlie C.

    Was very excited to stumble across this place in downtown! It is a family owned restaurant and the family was very kind and welcoming. There's minimal seating downstairs but they have a cute lil area upstairs with seating. I've never eaten at a Pakistani restaurant so they answered all my questions and explained the differences in dishes. I ordered a salad, the chicken karahi, roghni naan, and a mango lassi. I like my food spicy so they also brought me a lil side of peppers and onions. Everything tasted really fresh and flavorful, the chicken was succulent, the naan was warm and crispy and I really liked the sesame seeds. The mango lassi was light and delicious. Will definitely be back next time I'm in the area!

    Lisa W.

    I ordered a rice and lentils for just $5.50 a week or two ago through the "Too Good To Go" app, which is a tool to try to help combat food waste and introduce people to new businesses. They had the food ready to go (no pun intended) when I arrived within the 4-9pm pickup window. I probably wouldnt have ventured that way anytime soon without the app. It looked warm and inviting inside but I did not stay or try anything else yet. I am a big fan of Middle Eastern food though and am glad this place exists - authentic Pakistani food. Some of the drinks (non-alcoholic of course) on the menu looked really good. Would go back to try some, like the mint/lemonade.

    chana masala and rice

    This was a place with some fantastic food and service. I especially recommend the chana masala and chicken tikka masala!

    Biryani. Chicken really moist. Everything was really moist.

    See all

    Photo of Jay T.
    1
    33
    8

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    The goat was the GOAT. I didn't know what panipuri was or how to eat it--now I do. I am grateful.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Great service, kind and accommodating host, and delicious food! Thanks Saad, you are the best! Portions are generous as well

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    This place has excellent Pakistani dishes; the meats and naan are superb. Highly recommended.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Great food! The tikka masala and kahari were really good. Also the server is really kind and attentive. 10/10

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Food was amazing and authentic, fantastic service. Highly recommend and will be back again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Pam E.
    0
    11
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of W K.
    0
    10
    0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz L.
    227
    4
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Kat F.
    0
    11
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Very tasty and reasonably priced. The Karachi chicken and roghani naan are amazing. Would definitely order again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Really good food and the staff was super sweet. The vibe was really chill and calm, and I am obsessed with their naan

    Business owner information

    Photo of Uzma L.

    Uzma L.

    Thank you!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Desilicious Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Desilicious

    My friend prefers no spice, can this be accommodated?

    Yes we can totally skip all additional spices in many dishes however our meat is seasoned very mildly with salt and little pepper could be black pepper or crushed red pepper .… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    4.4(171 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    The chicken and rice are awesome. Chicken was juicy and so flavorful…read more Yogurt and chive appetizer was great. The waitress recommended it and it was way better than I was anticipating. Tachin was something completely different. So many different flavors and textures. Great change up. Wouldn't be my go to. But once in a while I could enjoy it.

    We walked in and tried to get a table for 2. And the owner asked us if we had reservations. But…read morethere was plenty of seating inside and outside. Funny part is, no one walked in after us. We were then seated, the first girl asked if we wanted anything to drink which we did but we never got our drinks til another waitress came and asked us 20mins later. We told her we were ready to order and we had to wait another 10mins for another waiter to order. We got the chive/shallot yogurt, lollipop lamb chops, Koobideh and Joojeh Kabob. The kabeb dishes came with grilled tomato, grilled pepper, rice with tadig on top. They also make this pink butter to put on the rice. Food is good and everything was seasoned well and not over cooked. I want to give this place a try again but they need to work on their customer service. They catered more to other tables and we didn't even get offered the dessert menu like the other tables around us. Also, we had to ask for the check and no one even came to check if we were ready to pay we had to go up there.

    Photos
    Persian Nights Restaurant - Outdoor seating

    Outdoor seating

    Persian Nights Restaurant - Dessert saffron rice pudding & rosewater

    Dessert saffron rice pudding & rosewater

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    See all

    Maya Halal Taqueria - Super Fish Taco

    Maya Halal Taqueria

    4.3(633 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I have finally satisfied my craving! Grew up eating Mexican food and have been craving enchiladas!…read moreMost places don't do the trick but Maya Halal has it down!! The store front seems like it's closed but it's not. There is just not inside dining. You order at the window and get your food on the other side. Good customer service and they're bilingual! Came by and got some enchiladas. I'm accustomed to eating red enchiladas but their chicken enchiladas are served with green sauce. Do they test the same as what I grew up eating... no. They have their own flavor. However! It's so good! It's the closest I've gotten to authentic and I will 100% be back. I was so satisfied after the first bite. Cleaned the whole plate!

    I don't even know where to start to be honest. I'm not sure what was nastier , the actual food or…read morethe attitude of the girl behind the counter. I purchased nachos and to my surprise the nachos had NO CHEESE. I was then told that I ordered the wrong nachos ........ in what world does nachos have no cheese? The quite literal definition of nachos are chips with melted cheese !!!! I asked for my food to be properly remade and she told me she RUDELY told me all she could do was pour cheese on top . Any authentic Mexican food spot would never put hot cheese on top of cold toppings. I continued to ask questions trying to make sense of their ridiculous policy and she not only gave no clear answers she was RUDE & disrespectful, almost even confrontational. I explained to her that not only were my nachos cheese less but the chips and meat I was served were TERRIBLE . The chips were stale , and the meat lacked flavor (ground beef) . BEWARE OF THIS PLACE. If you don't like your overpriced food or even if it's made improperly, you are stuck with it. They used to have much better integrity. However, at this rate I can see them going downhill FAST. I posted about my experience on social media and the amount of responses I received with similar experiences were massive ! DONT GO HERE ! There are much better Mexican restaurants /trucks all around the city of Oakland . Save your Mexican food cravings for them !

    Photos
    Maya Halal Taqueria
    Maya Halal Taqueria
    Maya Halal Taqueria - Golden hour super burrito

    See all

    Golden hour super burrito

    Shawarmaji

    Shawarmaji

    4.2(730 reviews)
    0.5 miUptown
    $$
    Halal
    Vegan friendly

    Decided to come here one day after my dentist appointment. I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap for…read morepick up. It's a good size for the price, the chicken is very tasty and I really liked the garlicky sauce thing that came with it. Would definitely come back here the next time I'm craving another shawarma. Service was friendly too!

    With my Chicago bestie Sarj in town, we were on the hunt for *standout eats* only during his visit…read more Heard many good things about this spot, for which he received two separate recommendations from locals (and I had coincidentally bookmarked to try my location in Santa Clara). We ordered a mini lamb wrap, mini chicken wrap, rose tamarind drink and mint lemonade. The lamb was gristly and dry, so I preferred the chicken wrap, but was disappointed to find that it featured only chicken (well-seasoned and juicy) and did not have any tomatoes, cucumbers, or other vegetables like the lamb wrap did. The chicken wrap was only chicken and lavash. Perhaps it was an oversight on the staff's part, even though the restaurant was not busy during a Friday lunch. And it also still took some time to get our orders out even though we were the only ones in line and there were only two other parties eating there. Maybe there were tons of to-go orders they had to fulfill? I'll be sure to check out the Santa Clara location as well in the future, but for this luncheon, we had to temper our disappointment by going around the corner to get some Gregory's.

    Photos
    Shawarmaji - Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Shawarmaji - A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

    A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

    Shawarmaji - Classic chicken shawarma wrap with a scoop of our signature Toum

    See all

    Classic chicken shawarma wrap with a scoop of our signature Toum

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and Veggie Sampler for Four

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I had dinner with my best friend tonight on May 15, 2026. We were seated promptly and offered water…read moreright away. I ordered the veggie sampler, featuring spiced lentils, yellow split peas, kale greens with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, all paired with a basket of tangy injera bread. The injera was fluffy with a pancake-like texture, perfect for scooping. The service was attentive and kind with our waitstaff continuously refilling our glasses of water without us even having to ask. The atmosphere was relaxed, making it easy to linger and chat. Overall, a positive experience with flavorful dishes, great bread, and prompt service. A lovely spot for a satisfying Ethiopian meal with a friend.

    My fav Ethiopian dish?…read more Doro Wat (bone-in). With a side of Kitfo and Misir Wot. Cuz, I can't just choose one dish. I love Ethiopian food - the bold, rich spices AND the heat gets me feeling all types of way....including heartburn. The East Bay is known for their top-tier Ethiopian and Eritrean food so I'm slowly starting to explore the options here. Plan A: Café Colucci's patio was closed. We headed straight to Enssaro where we were warmly welcomed by the family behind the place, including Coco enjoying her golden years on the couch. F O O D - Requested spicy for all dishes * Kifto: Ethiopian Tartare ($24) IMO Ethiopian tartare over French tartare all day, every day! The finely minced raw beef is mixed with clarified butter and spices, creating a rich, savory flavor that's balanced by the sour tang of injera cutting through the meatiness. Served with ayib (crumbly, mild cheese) and gomen (earthy sautéed greens). Despite not being spicy, it was bomb. * Meat Platter for One ($20) - Doro Wot: Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew - Mildly spiced, just wish the drumstick was more tender. - Beg Wot: Lamb Stew - Mild earthy flavor, good for those who are sensitive to spice. - Bere Beef Wot: Spicy Minced Beef Stew - Most flavorful of the three meats, savory with a mild heat. Think Ethiopian bolognese. * Misir Wot: Red lentils cooked slowly w/ Ethiopian spices ($20) Deeply savory with a warm, earthy spice (not spicy). The lentils are nicely broken down to a thick, creamy texture with a bite. Seemed kinda pricey for the portion tho. Platters are served with lightly dressed garden salad and a basket of spongey, tangy injera. S E R V I C E Welcoming, gracious, and attentive. Staff kept our water glasses filled and kindly packed our leftovers. A M B I A N C E Casual, low-key. It was a rare 85 degrees in April day so the covered front patio offered welcome relief. Overall, I wished the food had been more boldly spiced and brought more heat, nonetheless, we still enjoyed the meal, especially the kitfo...GET IT!

    Photos
    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Menu

    Menu

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - DORO WOT ( chicken stew ), BEEF Tibs, LAMB Tibs

    DORO WOT ( chicken stew ), BEEF Tibs, LAMB Tibs

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Amazing Cocktails: Espresso Martini, Honey Wine Pineapple Cider, Honey wine, Campari

    See all

    Amazing Cocktails: Espresso Martini, Honey Wine Pineapple Cider, Honey wine, Campari

    Xingones Cantina

    Xingones Cantina

    4.3(365 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Minority-owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    This is an order before you sit down kinda place…read more I ordered the Xingones Nachos with ground beef and it was fresh and delicious. The chips were fried fresh, and the ground beef was quality. I was hesitant to order ground beef nachos but it was great tasting & well made. I got full but couldn't stop eating them. I ordered a drink and nachos. The drink came out promptly and was simple but well constructed. Service was good and with care. It's mostly high top seating with seating at the bar as well, & maybe 1-2 half circles with comfy pillows. Parking is tough, plan to either circle or park a few blocks away. And remember is this bip city so I recommend Ubering.

    I was visiting the area to spend time with family and didn't know many spots, but I'm really glad I…read morecame across Xingones Cantina. The vibe is great, and the food definitely delivers on flavor. We tried quite a bit--the first Friday taco, chicken sandwiches, Mexican hot dog, and asada tacos--and everything was honestly amazing. It was so good that we came back the next day before leaving town just to have it again. Service was about an 8/10. The only reason I didn't rate it higher was due to one moment that didn't sit right with me. I watched a waitress bring out fries to a guest, the guest started eating them, and then she came back to say it was a mistake and took them away after he was already halfway through. That just didn't feel very service-oriented. In a situation like that, it would have been better to acknowledge the mistake and let the guest keep the fries on the house. Taking back half-eaten food felt like poor judgment. That said, the overall experience was still very positive. Great atmosphere, great flavors, and definitely a spot I'd recommend checking out if you're in the area.

    Photos
    Xingones Cantina
    Xingones Cantina
    Xingones Cantina

    See all

    Biryani Tika Kabab

    Biryani Tika Kabab

    4.5(435 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$
    Halal
    Healthy dining

    I ordered the " OKRA CHICKEN & WHEAT ROTI BREAD " for Dinner Last nite via Doordash.com …read more... Chicken Breast Meat was TENDER , FRESH & JUICY , The OKRA was also done ' Just Right ' being packed with " Oomph " !!!!!! Love the Melee of Curry Spice and the ' Downhome Aromas ' emanating from their "" GOURMET PAKISTANI HALAL KITCHEN "" in Downtown Oakland !!! Miraculously never had any PARKONG ISSUES around here always finding a spot , if not ' Bang in Front ' then on Adjoining Webster St. !!!! Lovely Ultra Clean AMBIANCE w/ Clean Customer Washroom & Sparkling GRANITE TOP tables. Establishment Very Appropriate For Families !!!!!!

    Overall, would not recommend this place. I encountered very racist and bigoted treatment here…read more I placed an online order last night and went by for the pick up. When I approached the front counter, the lady present was very standoffish with me. I informed her of why I was there and she asked my name for the order. Upon giving her my name she then glared at me and literally asked me to recite my entire order lol! I showed her my online receipt in which she then insisted I still tell her my order. She brushed away my receipt and let another customer cut in front of me. Interestingly, the customer told her his name and she retrieved his order with no issue and was very friendly with him. To note, I was the only Black person present at that time. When I inquired as to why that customer wasn't asked to recite his entire order, she grinned and said that he's a "regular" and that I was "new." She went on to let a few other customers cut in front of me. I then asked for my money back in which she refused to return. Even when I asked for the manager, she said he was very busy. I made several requests for this resulting in her saying no and refusing to return my money. I then noted to her I'm calling the authorities in which I did. Furthermore, while servicing some of the other patrons, she would speak in another language with them while they looked at me and start laughing and staring me down. Eventually, the manager came out. He presented himself professionally and upon explaining what occurred he apologized and said it was unacceptable. He even offered me a drink with my meal and asked that I please accept the order instead and wanted to make things right. I took him at face value and said fine. While the situation was remedied, I definitely will not be returning to this restaurant. I researched some of the other reviews and came across several where other Black patrons have had similar racially motivated experiences here. That tells me there's a common practice of racism here. I refuse to support a business where this kind of behavior is tolerated. I have zero tolerance for bigots of any kind. Overall, the experience was a waste of my time and very dehumanizing. To hate someone you don't even know simply because of their skin pigmentation and ethnicity is irrational at best and bad for business especially in a place like Oakland where it's multicultural. My advice would be to not support this establishment. I especially advise any Black patrons not to come here as they clearly have issue with anyone who is simply Black, despite not knowing them as a person. Don't give your money, nor your valuable time, to hateful individuals who dehumanize others. All in all, this place gets a thumbs down.

    Photos
    Biryani Tika Kabab
    Biryani Tika Kabab
    Biryani Tika Kabab

    See all

    Jaji - Chicken skewers

    Jaji

    4.4(134 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We had an exceptional experience dining here tonight! The only draw back was the valet parking not…read morebeing able from the hotel! Food was well prepared and service was attentive. We will be back soon.

    Heading out for a date night, we landed at Jaji ~ what an absolutely beautiful restaurant. Wow!…read moreI've walked and driven by this restaurant for some time, and we finally had the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a meal + drinks here. We made a reservations ahead of time and were seated for dinner. We ordered the Bolani Triangles and Shola-Qorooti Croquettes to star and cocktails. For our main, we went with the Yogurt Chicken Kabobs and a side of Narenj Pallow (saffron rice). Cocktail-wise we tried the Red Henna, Black Ink and the Pashtunwali #1. For the second course we ordered the Estrella Galicia Lagers. There's also a happy hour drink and bar bites menu in the bar & lounge area. Looks like those hours are geared towards 5-6:30p. Jaji shares 'they are a modern progressive take on Afghan cuisine and a modern love letter to Afghanistan.' The same owners have a sister restaurant also in Oakland called Parche off Broadway which serves contemporary Colombian cuisine. All in all, our meal was delicious and esthetically pretty. So many layers to our meal and deep flavors and a thoughtful approach. We were headed to a show or we would have probably ordered more. Def looking forward to exploring more from the menu like the picture worthy Osso Buco and dessert :) The cocktail menu is worthy of a trip in itself, and event space is equally as gorgeous. What a win for downtown Oakland! We took a ride-share as parking seems to be a bit tricky, although there are metered lots nearby.

    Photos
    Jaji - Interior

    Interior

    Jaji - Trout (@_emwong_ on IG)

    Trout (@_emwong_ on IG)

    Jaji - Dark chocolate cake

    See all

    Dark chocolate cake

    Desilicious - halal - Updated May 2026

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