This is the joint you eat at while you're waiting on your computer to be fixed at the apple store. 1. They decided that instead of making hot sauce, they'd buy a large Valentina bottle & strip the label off, so that a) people don't know what kind of hot sauce it is, and b) only one person at a time can use it. Worse is that they put that same sauce in the falafel sandwich (clearly the hallmark of mediterreanean food). 2. Water cups are tiny and water isn't cold. 3. Falafel sandwich was more than $15 dollars. Berkeley Magic! 4. They have this whole fresh ingredient ethos happening, but unfortunately it highlights their inability to cook mediterranean food. The herbs weren't cut up for that "fresh from the garden" feel. 5. Ridiculous hippie fluff everywhere, written in cutesy lettering. I mean; if you're going to make me feel like I'm in PDX, go ahead and make the food bang so that I can forget about appropriated yoga for a minute. 6. The falafel was flavorless. The only thing they got right was the green color, and the texture was mushy. 7. There were only two falafel (I'm not even full for $15 dollars) The cabbage was basic and not actually fermented. Quickle vinegar solution... Really? 8. You cannot eat the sandwich because it is literally impossible (the "wrap" is not in foil, nor is it even wrapped; it's a piece of flavorless flat bread that barely covers the ingredients that they put into this thing). Good luck eating it without utensils and napkins, and guess what? That's not environmentally friendly. 9. They serve recyclable cups and yet they only have a compost bin 10. I've seen pictures of other fava-lafels past and it seems like they used to use foil, but now have decided to "upgrade" to these enormous biodegradable containers. Just a thought: the size of the container might be at odds w/ the carbon footprint required to break it down. Namaste, dear readers. read more

I appreciate the vision and vibe. Being the kinda frugal opinionated home cook I am I had minor issues with the food. 1. the lamb wrap...the ample lamb and the bread were great!....trying to pick it up though! no way! it dripped copious amounts of red cabbage juice and started to quickly fall apart leaving Gio & me to use forks... not ideal... forking it, you don't get the mix of flavor & texture that make a wrap or sandwich or burrito more than the sum of its parts...(maybe shred the overly abundant cabbage finer & salt it a bit & drain the excess juice? maybe some green onion to give it a pop?) it just didn't quite come together? 2. The lentil salad needed more spicing for me too...a bit of cumin etc. Loved the eggs and beets and cukes! I really appreciate the fresh chiles I was offered when I went for the Valentina hot sauce I would suggest making an in house kick ass condiment or 2..... a cilantro/mint based green chili type? and a more perhaps a harissa type?. My final long winded quibble is it's too pricey for me to make it a go to lunch option The mid east direction brings to mind Mamouns falafel & shawarma in Manhattan which I'm sure doesn't source as carefully but really delivers delicious food for about 1/2 the price. I'm really hoping this place makes it & hope my critique is constructive great mango Lassi!! thanks read more

Fava Restaurant - condiment sugestions - Salad Near Me - Berkeley, California

This cute little spot went in where The Juice Collective used to be in the Gourmet Ghetto. I went today for the first time to try it, and was lucky enough to get one of their lamb wraps. I am in the middle of eating it and had to stop to write this review because it is SO good. There's so many flavors and textures packed into the perfect sized wrap. I'm typically not even a huge fan of lamb but it sounded good enough to try and I am so glad that I did! Yes, the spot is small, and no, it is not cheap. But it is so worth the extra cost for quality, delicious, unique ingredients. I can't wait to go back! read more

Fava Restaurant - Lamb wrap - Salad Near Me - Berkeley, California

I absolutely love love this place. We come here with my daughter for a little special date every Wednesday and get a treat here. Soup, cookies, wraps. The food is scrumptious but what we love the most is how friendly everyone is to us. The atmosphere is lovely and we just have the best time here. My daughter asks for going there every week ( they always give her a little taste of the mango lassi or the tea or a little taste of something). What a gem of a place. We love coming here and I always secretly fantasize what it would be like to be part of this team what it would be like to work there. Thank you Fava! read more

High quality and fresh food to go. The portions are generous and they are fast and efficient. The menu is limited but they have drinks and desserts and of course their food is all homemade, even the bread. It's great option to pickup and walk to the park down the street to have a picnic. read more

Two words: LAMB WRAP Being Middle Eastern and growing up on lamb, I'm super picky when it comes to the young sheep/mutton. Fava makes one of the most delicious, savory, hearty and fresh lamb wraps I've had to date. It's served on a flat bread with red cabbage, braised lamb, yogurt sauce and fresh herbs. The lamb is not even the slightest bit gamey. It's tender, it melts in your mouth and it's an explosion of flavor. My only gripe is that it does not travel well. Eat it right away to experience its greatness otherwise, it'll end up soggy. Also, the folks that run the establishment were super friendly. What's better than great food and awesome people? read more

The best falafel in the bay, excellent texture and flavor, and hummus is superb! I love the pile of fresh herbs on top too. All the sides are excellent. Everything is so fresh you can taste the care put into everything and that nothing is artificial so it's super healthy too. Love this place and can't recommend it enough. read more

Great chicken sandwich and soups!! My go to spot to have a great food in Berkeley when I'm in the neighborhood. A+++

I'm so excited about this place. The menu looks beautiful, although today I only had a sesame cookie and a green juice (cucumber, lime, greens) but they were great. I will be back very soon and wish this business well read more

Tastes extremely fresh! I love the herbs!

Absolutely the best hummus in the land and I know hummus! You can't go wrong leaving your neighborhood to drive over and pick some up. Generous, friendly staff. Treat yourself! read more

Herbs for days. Bomb Dot Com falaf. Hummus 100. Repeat customer, never disappointed. Fava can you hear me?!

Amazing! How do even you make lentils taste like that?! This place is super cute! You can see the whole kitchen and how tidy and clean everything is. Just being in there makes you feel healthier. But really the main star is the food. Fresh juices and delicious salads and flatbreads. I live in Oakland but this is my new lunch spot. It's definitely worth the drive. read more

Fava Restaurant - Lentil salad and lamb flatbread. - Salad Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love this place. The food is really delicious. And if you're like me and you want something healthy -- come here. The ingredients are organic and the food is fresh and simply yummy. I come almost every day. I love the lentil salad best. I also often order the lamb wrap or the lentil soup. Everyone here is so nice and kind to me. They make it a point to address you by your name which means a lot to me. I'll keep supporting this business for as long as they are here. read more

Ugh yes. Yet another example of why Berkeley is the food mecca of the US. Chez Panisse alumnae opened up a tiny little space with outdoor seating, and it's delightful. Get there early to get a lamb wrap. Absolutely incredible. read more

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Excellent falafel bowl. Fast and friendly service. Easy online ordering process with suggested modification options - greatly appreciated!

Wow! I had the falafel flatbread sandwich. First rate. Middle Eastern food with California/Ottolenghi flair. Fresh ingredients, lots of wonderful fresh herbs piled on top--dill, parsley, and mint--(instead of the usual overly dressing-drenched coleslaw), lovely pickled cabbage, but not too much, and wonderfully tasting crunchy and "meaty" falafel that was neither oily nor leaden. My recommendation is to order the sandwich as they make it and see if you like it. If you want to tweak it you can (the online ordering menu allows you to do that after you make your selection). When you go back a second time you can decide how you want to make it to suit your specifications (e.g., add hummus, subtract harissa, etc. for example). read more

Prices are astronomic. Food sparse. They use layers of throw-away paper that goes right into the garbage. Can they use fewer layers of paper plates, containers, bags? read more

This is a terrific lunch spot, you should definitely give it a try! Very tasty, virtuous, and a charming location. Easy to put in an order, it's ready rather quickly. My wife wishes they would bring back the lentil salad but I'm OK without it. I've had a lot of the sandwiches and salads and desserts: everything is good, you can't go wrong. read more

The little huddle of cheerful patrons on the sidewalk outside says it all - take out lunch of salmon and squash tabboulleh was fresh and satisfying. The staff are remarkably efficient - despite the line the turnaround between ordering and ready for pickup was only a handful of minutes. I think I'm a new regular. read more

Soooo good. We have loved everything we've gotten here! Only wish they are open for longer hours, but just learned today that they added Tuesday hours - yay! read more

Fava Restaurant - Left: Tabbouleh and beet plate Right: Spicy chicken sandwich - Salad Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great food, friendly staff. Good prices. Encourage you to try! The creator ls are off shoots of chez panisse!

I eat here often and it is always great! This is my go-to spot if I'm having a rough day or I have visiting friends/family in town or if I feel like treating myself just because I want to eat something really good. I often pre-order for pickup but when ordering at the window I never have to wait longer than 10 minutes for my order to be ready. I've ordered many different things and the food is always fresh, perfectly prepared, and tastes fantastic. They offer many options and adjustments for dietary needs. And the staff is always warm and friendly. read more

Fava is the best lunch spot in Berkeley. I've eaten through the entire structure of their menu- soups, salads, wraps, the drinks and cookie- but I'd never tire of it because the actual dish changes with the seasons. They use the freshest and best ingredients at the peak of their flavour, from local farms, perfectly dovetailing into the Alice Waters school of thought. Sylvia & Jeremy also happen to be the nicest people and that comes across in their food. This is what nutritious and healthy food should be. Trust me in this, your body and heart will thank you. read more

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The most beautiful, nourishing, and delicious lunch you'll ever have. Everything is beyond fresh and tasty. All items are bursting with herbs and love. I love eating here! read more

I love Fava. Wish they would consider an outpost in Oakland! I love the small menu, the vibrant, fresh quality of the offerings, and the friendly vibe. My particular favorites include the falafel - as a side or in the wrap, the red lentil soup, the green juice, and the tahini chocolate chip cookies. I found the hummus a bit flat/underseasoned and yet I had no problem demolishing the large portion you get as a side. As an overall note, I love the emphasis they place on quality ingredients and lots of herbs. read more

The juice was great, the salad was very bland and very dry. The dressing was extremely bitter with nothing to really cut it. Melon was like the kind you get at a diner, lettuce has reddish brown at the edges like when it gets old and was precut. I don't eat meat, but to me if you can't do vegetables well (it's easy, they taste good on their own if they're fresh), it's a no go. Lovely location though, and very quick service. Wishing for better vegetarian options. read more

Awesome falafel, too. And wicked good cookies! Get 'em!

We just moved to Berkeley and happened to stumble upon this place. Very clean, friendly and positive vibes which we loved. We ordered the falafel & yogurt flat bread & loved it. Very healthy and tasty. We will def be back. read more

This is more like 3.5 stars. Great service. Fresh ingredients. Limited space. Falafel and lamb bowl and sandwiches were ok nothing special but I will come back for the lamb lentil soup and the delicious tahini chocolate chip cookie. Otherwise, the price is a bit expensive for the value. Especially for street food like falafel. read more

So, so good. Everything here is consistently fresh and full of flavor. My go-to is the falafel flatbread (add hummus, because yum). The mango lassi is delicious, and can we talk about the green juice? I'm not usually a green juice person. But this thing is SO crisp and refreshing. I can feel it curing ailments I didn't know I had as I drink it. (Also, it goes really well with a warm and herby flatbread.) The main problem is that they're not open every day of the week. read more

This new lunch spot outfitted with a stainless steel kitchen and a cornucopia of pan-Mediterranean fare really hits the spot! Anchored in the Chez Panisse tradition with a decidedly rustic approach, this 300 sqft. galley kitchen churns out lip-smacking to-die-for lamb wraps. It's obvious that the worker-owners take pride in their craft. And I really love that they don't plaster the walls and menus with the usual buzz words: sustainable, organic, grass-fed, farm egg that result in a buzz kill. Those things are part and parcel of the menu, but I appreciate the subtlety. If you have Gourmand Syndrome this is where you come for a treatment! read more

Everything that we ordered from Fava today was delicious, well-prepared and packed with quality, healthful ingredients. Service was prompt, although waiting for the food in the cramped space was a bit awkward. (Customers just entering often asked those of us waiting if we'd already ordered.) Here's what we had: Greens and lemon "drank": Incredibly refreshing. Not sweet, but somehow the mix of ingredients cut the sharp greens taste that often overwhelms such beverages. Only quibble is that I wish the portion size were larger. This really hit the spot on a hot Saturday. Lamb wrap: It came wrapped in a homemade flatbread with cabbage, herbs and a savory yogurt sauce. A star of the menu! A sign said that they only serve 50 of these a day, so worth arriving early for. I wish that the kitchen staff would not wrap it in foil (aluminum can leach into food) and would wrap it more securely. The paper bag containing the foil-covered wrap--sliced in half--broke due to the sauce, with some winding up on my car seat that now looks to have a permanent stain. Oh, well. At least it's a good memory of eating this tasty wrap! Sweet potatoes: A generous portion with a delectable char, giving these a smoky, naturally sweet flavor that the hint of spice seasoning enhanced. We'll definitely be ordering these again. Salad: Very hearty and a meal unto itself. Grains, nuts and melon slices were in mine, along with greens and feta. Tomato soup with chickpeas: The box of perfect, dry farm Early Girl tomatoes at the front of the restaurant hinted at what was to come, and we weren't disappointed. Rich tomato flavor with the added nutrition boost and creaminess of whole chickpeas. Sesame chocolate chip cookie: Moist and chewy, this was a clever combo. We look forward to returning and trying other juice drinks, the vegetarian version of the wrap and more. I'm glad that talented, passionate chefs and their hardworking team have given new life to this historic Berkeley spot. A great new addition to the Gourmet Ghetto. read more

Berkeley's very own! This spot is firepack. Do yourself a favor and get the Spicy Chicken Flatbread Sandwich add hummus. You're welcome.

SUPERB! I was intrigued by an article in berkeleyside.com regarding the world-class backgrounds of the partners, including time spent at Chez Panisse, and had to stop by and experience their offerings. The lamb wrapped in homemade flatbread is sublime. Rich in flavor and texture, the perfectly prepared lamb is complemented by the other organic, fresh ingredients which produce a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. I'm a happy client for life! Though I'm partial to lamb, especially the mild and tender lamb used by the folks at FAVA, they have an array of dishes to please fans of vegetable dishes as well. Their beet-lentil salad is a beautifully imaginative dish. It's grand to see people providing food of excellence in a location that has been a Berkeley landmark for years. Hats off to the folks that made this happen! read more

Today we had their coconut/sweetpotatoe soup with garbanzo beans. It was the BEST soup we've had in ages. The chicken sandwich with harissa was fabulous, and they offered us ginger tea while we had very short wait. Let's keep them in business! read more

Everything i had here was delicious! Green juice not too sweet and very refreshing. Melon salad was tasty, light but satisfying! Cookie was made with dark chocolate which I loved. I was too late for the lamb sandwiches which sell out often by 12:30 so must come back and try! read more

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Fava is a delight. The way they combine flavors, textures is really impressive and the ingredients are fresh and high quality. The beet salad is out of this world and the sesame chocolate chip cookie, oh boy, I should've ordered two! Total for both was $17. Unfortunately I can't afford to spend that daily for lunch. If I could I would be here everyday. read more

They should warn people about this place. It's highly addictive. I was tricked into trying their beet and lentil salad once and now I can't get enough. read more

A new favorite! It is in the old juice bar space. There is only outdoor seating. I've tried their hummus salad, lentil lamb soup, the orange salad and the ginger tea. Everything was amazingly fresh, tasty and healthy. The salad leaves and squash in the hummus salad are especially delicious. All of their staff are super kind and helpful. I ordered and sat outside on a beautiful day and it was lovely. While sitting outside I heard people at tables around me saying great things about lentil salad and the carrot juice - I have to try next time! I also ordered a meal to go and ate it several hours later and it was great. Five out of five stars! read more