We decided to celebrate a birthday here, since the birthday girl lives only a few blocks away. It was a quick decision, so we didn't know what to expect. But walking in to this restaurant, the 4 of us were pleasantly surprised! Luxurious, chic interiors and dim ambient lighting makes this a definite romantic date spot! Great place to unwind after work too! Service was friendly and warm, yet very professional. *** O U R P I C K S *** SABAH EL WARD MOCKTAIL ~ "fragrant rose water and zero proof gin mingle with lemon and pomegranate molasses -- a delicate floral balance." ** the four of us didn't feel like drinking tonight and the description of this mocktail was something we all wanted to try. Lightly sweetened with a bit of tanginess from the fruit. It was refreshing and beautiful! Such a lovely drink even without alcohol! 5/5 MEZZE SAMPLER ~ "Sampling of our hummus, mutabal, muhammara, lebneh and falafels. Served with fresh pita and crudités." ** We enjoyed this sampler! The mutabal had a great smokiness from the eggplant, the muhammara had an unexpected spiciness, while the lebneh and hummus were creamy and thick. Everything was flavorful and yummy! And it was nice to get some extra vegetables on the side for dipping in addition to the pita bread. 5/5 LAMB CHOPS ~ "Succulent lamb chops seasoned to perfection, with cilantro chili sauce." ** This came to us hot off the grill! Yes, perfectly seasoned as the description stated, and so tasty and juicy! Cooked to medium-rare perfection as well. A wonderful standout dish that made our mouths water! Hats off to the chef!! 5/5 KOFTE KEBABS ~ "Spiced minced beef, with parsley onion, served with tomato sauce." ** The kebabs were seasoned well with aromatic spices! Another scrumptious dish! 5/5 CHICKEN KEBABS ~ "Tender cubes of grilled chicken breast, served with garlic dipping sauce." ** Surprisingly juicy chicken, even though it was breast meat. I prefer chicken thigh meat, but this was pretty good for white meat. The garlic sauce helped liven up the chicken. 4/5 Each entrée had a generous amount of fluffy basmati rice and grilled vegetables! Plentiful portions to share among the 4 of us. RICE PUDDING ~ "Nostalgic orange blossom rice pudding with pistachios and rose petals." ** We ordered 2 puddings for the table. Our server placed a candle on a complimentary rice pudding for the birthday girl! Such a nice surprise! This was such a beautiful way to end our meal. The flavor of the orange blossom really shined! It was lightly sweetened and so delicious that I was tempted to get another one for home. It was THAT good!! It was an amazing celebratory feast! I'd come back in a heartbeat to relive the experience all over again. The service, food, and ambiance were all excellent! And of course, being in good company as well made for an exceptional evening! read more

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Falasteen in Noe Valley absolutely delivered! We had the chicken kebab with rice and grilled vegetables, with saffron and spices bringing everything together beautifully. The rice deserves a special mention: cooked to just the right firmness, like perfectly al dente pasta. Not something I usually single out in a review, but this rice earned it. The mezze platter was off the hook, and the cheese sambousek was fantastic. We paired everything with mint tea and a Ramallah Highball cocktail. We finished with baklava and the lazy cake, and that lazy cake was heaven on earth. Whatever you order, save room for dessert. Ordering two desserts is not indecision, it is good planning! read more

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Lamb chops are incredibly tasty. Don't miss out. The mezze platter with bread is a filling appetizer. Would definitely get the mushroom musakhan and salad again. Beautiful space and wonderful service and patrons, would recommend for friends and date night! read more

Literally the best place E V E R. My one complaint is that they were out of kofta, which I was really looking forward to. But honestly, every single bite that entered my mouth was DELICIOUS. The staff was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the food was just amazing. Even the plating was beautiful. With that being said, the authenticity of the place makes it even better. Everything down to the cola is Palestinian. I was actually hesitant to come here because I was debating between a few other places, but I'm SO glad I chose this one. Easily one of the highlights of my San Francisco visit. I would absolutely come back. read more

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Falasteen is located in a stunningly beautiful restaurant that's thoughtfully designed with nods to Palestinian heritage throughout it. The food was a perfect 10/10 all throughout the night. We got a pretty hefty appetizer selection: the cheese sambousek was doughy and lightly crispy, the mushroom mousakan was an explosion of flavor, the fatayar was baked to perfection and the kibbeh was a perfect croquette. The chicken and lamb were charred amazingly and came with herbacious rice and delicious veggies. The service was so thoughtful and helpful! They helped with our dietary restrictions, gave great suggestions and made sure we didn't over order. read more

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I really, really wanted to love this restaurant and apparently other people do but sadly it just didn't do it for me I admit it is a pet peeve of mine when a restaurant is super noisy and you have to scream. If you don't mind, then it might not bother you. I had expected to love the food but that wasn't the case. The minced beef kabobs were awful.... dried out and I couldn't taste any seasoning. Really disappointing. The eggplant dish we got had a sour/vinegary taste I didn't enjoy . On the plus side, the restaurant is very attractive and stylish and all the staff we encountered were welcoming. It was very busy on Saturday night. We may give it one more try -- sit at the counter and try some other dishes. I'd really like to see it succeed since it is a unique place in the neighborhood. read more

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I wasn't able to take any pictures, but I still wanted to share my experience. This is such a great spot for a girls' night, date night, or even just a nice dinner out. The atmosphere is beautiful with cozy low lighting, everything is halal, and the service was wonderful. One thing to keep in mind is that the entrées we ordered all came with rice, and the portions were generous enough to share. We tried several different items from the menu, and every dish was just as good as the first. Definitely recommend this place, and we will absolutely be back. On a side note- the lamb-chops were cooked perfectly. Thank you so much for taking care of us last night. read more

Falasteen - Lamb chops - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

I finally made it to Falasteen! The space is beautifully adorned and intimately lit. The staff are attentive and friendly. We ordered Muhammara, kibbeh, the cauliflower dish, and kefte kabobs. The dishes were flavorful, beautifully garnished, and authentically Palestinian. read more

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This restaurant is a must try if you love middle eastern cuisine! It a small restaurant with a casual intimate setting. I went on a Saturday at 8pm and all the tables we're occupied. Here's what I ordered to share for a party of 3: -Mezze sampler (10/10 can't ever go wrong with a mezze platter) - chicken musakhan (8/10) - arugala and haloumi salad (9/10, recommend trying if you never had grilled cheese before!) - kefta kabobs (8/10) - lamb chops (11/10, this was my favorite! Right amount of seasoning and sooooo TENDER) It didn't seem like we ordered enough food but it was more than enough. I also really appreciate how the Menu is very reasonable being that it's so expensive to eat out now. We also ordered a few glasses of wine and the bill was only $150! I'll def will be back :) read more

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Went for a celebratory dinner and had a lovely time! We made a reservation online and were seated by the window. It was super busy on a Thursday night! The space is great, I love the way it has been decorated and designed. The staff were friendly and helped with recommending some menu items. I had a rose lemonade to drink, which was presented beautifully in the glass and had a light, refreshing taste. We ordered the mezze sampler to start, the hummus and muhammara were very nice, and I loved the accompanying pickles. Then, we shared the chicken musakhan and the cauliflower fatteh. The cauliflower fatteh was the stand out dish so far. I am still thinking about it. I loved the tanginess of the yogurt with the roasted cauliflower and the crunch of the toasted pita chips. It was a perfect combination of flavors, and the one dish I would recommend everyone try from here! For dessert, we had the kanafeh, which was the perfect ending to the meal. It wasn't too syrupy sweet, it had a delicate balance of flavors with the cheese and phyllo, which we both enjoyed. read more

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I went to Falasteen last night and it was amazing! We started with the incredibly delicious mezze sampler, which had four different types of visually appealing pita dips and beautiful olive oil. I specifically liked the Mutabal and the Muhammara. The amazing crispy ground beef kibbeh croquettes were also to die for. For the main course, the chicken kebab was grilled perfectly on the outside and so tender on the inside, served with delicious spiced rice and a nice yogurt sauce. The ambiance was so nice and cozy, with dim lighting, comfy couches, and a really beautiful mural of Banksy's 'Flower Thrower'. Highly recommend! Thank you Argentina, your service was wonderful! You should get a raise :) read more

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Mezze Sampler, Sambousek, chicken ( juicy and tender) kabobs, yummy basmati rice...all so delicious. And I really liked the vibe and Banksy art on the wall with the bouquet of flowers in the sconce. Friendly host and wait staff too. I have been a small business owner in Noe Valley for over 18 years ( neighborhood Hawaiian lei maker at Mabuhay ) I have seen many new restaurants in the neighborhood come and go. I hope my Palestinian neighbors are here to stay . read more

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Another neighborhood gem & This one's a keeper From the mezze to the perfectly cooked meat cuts, every dish was packed with vibrant, fresh flavors. The ingredients really shine, with bold flavors that never feel overdone. The space is just as memorable! elegant, warm, and thoughtfully designed. You can feel the passion and vision behind the restaurant in both the food and the atmosphere. We'll definitely be back read more

What a breath of fresh air--and delicious food--Falasteen has been to the San Francisco food scene. I want to start by saying that I've been to the restaurant several times since it opened, and every time I walk in, I notice a new detail in the decor. It feels modern, but approachable. Warm and familial, and deeply cultural. I've eaten nearly everything on the menu, but Falasteen has the best lamb chops I have ever had in a restaurant--and I've eaten lamb chops on 3 continents. The Kibbeh, Batata Hara, and Kefta Skewers are standouts. But the must-order/must-eat item is the Muhammara. I want ten. I want it poured over my body when I die. Transcendent and complex. Another delightful bright spot is the crafted cocktails and mocktails from master alchemist Johnny. (I usually sit at the bar.) The rosewater lemonade is so refreshing, I also want to drown my delighted palette in it. Table service when they first opened may have felt inconsistent, but that's true with any truly new restaurant. But in the ~10+ meals I've eaten there, I've experienced better and better service. Great owner. Great staff. Amazing food. Again, it feels silly two write this in such hyperbolic language, but that's the thing. It isn't hyperbole. Falasteen transports you to a place of love and food that does not exist anywhere else in this city. Go. Go now. Order everything. You won't be disappointed. read more

Fantastic new restaurant. Atmosphere and service was top notch, knowledgeable staff and expert bartenders making amazing cocktails. But what really stood out was the food! The mezze sampler was excellent with the fire roasted pepper/walnut/pom molasses and fire roasted eggplant/garlic/tahini being standouts. Flavor and texture were familiar yet elevated and just tastier than what I've had elsewhere. Falafel a was great, bread was hot, etc. But let's get to the absolute highlight, the fire grilled lamb chops blew my mind. Rich, meaty, tender, crisp fat, well seasoned, and perfectly grilled over flame to get that smokiness and char. That level of control to get tender chops and still get that amazing char is phenomenal. I hate to say "the best" because I've had amazing lamb chops but this may actually be the best. read more

Falasteen - Mezze Sampler - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Highly recommend this new restaurant...great decor (Banksy mural ), delicious food and friendly service in a great neighborhood. read more

Falasteen - Menu - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Don't burn food and make a much better fatush humus tasty but missing all the additional ingredients read more

Falasteen just opened and it's already the best thing to happen to 24th St. The space easily has the most beautiful aesthetic of any restaurant in the neighborhood, yet is intimate and stunning. We watched person after person do a double take walking by. Inside, it felt like a special occasion even on a regular night. The food was genuinely on another level. We started with the cheese sambousek, which was perfectly crispy and rich, and the cauliflower fetteh, which I'm still thinking about. The batata harra and lamb entree had incredible depth of flavor. And we finished with qatayef for dessert, which was the perfect ending. We also ordered a couple bottles of Dabouki wine and got a lovely history lesson along with it. The staff here have built something really special. Go now before everyone finds out! read more

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Maybe we caught Falasteen on a bad night, but this was really disappointing. The space and concept are great, and I wanted to like it, but the experience did not match the hype or the prices. Service felt disorganized, pacing was off, and it took too long for the food to come out. The dishes we tried were fine in parts, but nothing felt worth what they were charging $$$. At this price point, I expect a much tighter experience: better timing, more attentive service, and food that feels memorable. I'm glad a Palestinian restaurant is getting attention in SF, but based on our visit, I would not rush back. read more

Just finished eating dinner here and felt compelled to write this review. What an amazing meal! Food, ambiance, vibe and service were all perfect. Favorite food items: - Lamb chops - Kunafeh - Kibbe - Muhamara Everything else was delicious as well. However, these four dishes stood out. Will be back soon. read more

Astonishingly delicious. The mezze plates, the eggplant, the wines by the glass--this is a destination restaurant and I'm going to take all my friends there. What a gift to SF. read more

Delicious food, nice ambiance. I really enjoyed the dips and lamb. The wine was ok. Overall a great addition to Noe Valley!

Fantastic restaurant. Excellent service with a really great vibe. We walked in late on a Saturday night and they happily found us seating. Ordered the mezze sampler, potatoes, eggplant fatteh, and knafeh for dessert. The eggplant fatteh was incredible: rich, fresh, tart, wonderful textural play. The knafeh was balanced, cheesy, high quality. Incredible dish. Got to try some Palestinian wine and beer as well. Highly recommend! read more

Falasteen - Mezze sampler with fresh pita - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

From the warm, inviting ambiance to every beautifully crafted dish, it's more than a meal, it's a full cultural experience. And trust me... get the lamb shanks. The flavors, the speciality Palestinian inspired drinks, the vibe and everything just hits. Will be back! read more

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Went here with a few girlfriends on a Thursday around 5:30. We didn't have a reservation, yet they still sat us right away and were so welcoming and kind. Loved the decor and vibe of the place! The service was great and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the cauliflower and kobbeh. Can't wait to go back! read more

Falasteen - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Only been open for 4 months. Had a delightful Palestinian dinner tonight. We has the mezze sampler, kibbeh, spinach fatayor and kunefe. The decor is stylish and cozy read more

Falasteen - Mezze sampler, kibbeh, spinach fatayor - Middle Eastern Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I attended the soft launch of Falasteen this weekend. An absolutely beautiful restaurant with delicious food! I especially loved the falafel dish and fresh pita bread. I also had the vegan eggplant dish (made with vegan yogurt) which was savory. I appreciated the homage this restaurant paid to Palestine with their Ghassan Kanafi book on the shelf, wooden engraved decoration, framed tatreez, Kefiya on every chair. They also had wine that is made in Palestine. 10/10 experience! read more

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What a wonderful experience at Falasteen! Upon entering, the restaurant was packed and elegant. We had a few platters to share, including the mezze sampler which I'd say is a must. I became addicted to the muhammara, I must say! We ordered a few small plates, like the arugula and haloumi and lamb chops, which were absolutely delectable. I think I had the best falafel of my life there! I can't wait to go back! Amazing food! read more

Incredible food. Everything we had was fantastic and its all in a cool space on 24th. Great addition to Noe!

I've been here 4 times since it opened, and have taken my in laws, work friends and even my little kids. Food is consistently delicious and staff very friendly. read more

Food: really mediocre fatoush salad. Meat dish - beef kefi's was charred as several pitas that came with hummus. Service was decent but slow. Ambiance was intolerably noisy at tightly jammed in tables. I won't go back. read more

Unbelievably delicious food and impeccable service Beautiful decor. The cauliflower dish was the best thing I've ever tasted. I want to go back just for that. 10/10. We will be back read more

What a lovely spot! It was their soft opening and we had the lamb cutlets, the chicken kabobs and the fattoush salad. Everything was so delicious and the meat was very flavorful. Even the rice tasted so good! The staff was super friendly. Excited to come back here again! read more

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Samir Salameh has created magic at Falasteen. As other reviews have noted, the food is excellent, even by the high standards of San Francisco's food culture. What sets Falasteen apart is how approachable Samir and his team are. You're getting more than a meal here, because if you want to know how the food reflects the rich heritage of Palestinian culture, he and his team will be more than happy to tell you! Falasteen is a treat for your mind as well as your taste buds. Palestinian meals, like many Mediterranean cuisines, begin with mezze (appetizers) before the main course. Pace yourself at Falasteen - the mezze are so good that you could make a meal of them, but then you'd miss out on the delicious main courses! Everything was delicious, so I will single out the muhammara (a red pepper, walnut, and pomegranate dip). It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before, with a perfect balance of tangy peppers, a smooth nutty flavor, and just enough of a spice kick to make me want to eat the whole plate! If you can't wait and have a private party you need catering for, go to the web site and drop Samir an email - he responds quickly, and you will not be disappointed. read more

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The food was below average - stale flavorless pita, and watery spreads (babaganoush and labne).

This was an incredible place with impeccable atmosphere, great food, and even better service! Would 100% go again for all of the reasons above! read more

This place is terrible. We had a cockroach in our dish. Server was very rude to us. Do not come here. Ever.

i had dinner with two friends during falasteen's soft opening after much anticipation. the space itself is so so gorgeous. there are vibrant odes to the rich palestinian culture everywhere you look. the food was delicious and flavorful and we were satisfied with splitting a few small plates and one entree between the three of us. get the lamb! so juicy and tasty. i'd say the only things that were less than stellar had to do with operations, which i'm more than willing to overlook during a soft opening. the seating process felt a bit clumsy that night but hopefully the logistics for that have been sorted. we were also missing one page of the drink menu so missed the opportunity to try some special drinks. that just means we have to come back ;) now that some time has passed, i have no doubt that operations have smoothed out to add to the rest of the wonderful experience offered here. i can't wait for my next visit to falasteen! read more

Falasteen on 24th Street is quickly becoming a Noe Valley staple for us. Great food, great vibe, and really good value. Best way to do it is come with friends and order a bunch of dishes for the table. The falafel salad, mezza plate, chicken kebab, and kufta kebab have all been standouts, and the rice pudding is a perfect way to finish the meal. The space has a modern feel with great music -- a nice mix of lounge energy and relaxed dinner spot. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming too. I've been back a few times already, and friends I've brought have since returned with their own groups -- always the sign of a great neighborhood restaurant. read more

Excellent friendly atmosphere with unique delicious fresh dishes. Additionally, exceptional service. Highly recommend.