Very good Mediterranean food with lots of options for proteins and sides. Much of the menu is…read moregluten-free and labeled as such. We really enjoyed the beef and lamb kebabs, salmon kebabs, and fatoush salad. The fries, eggplant dip, and chickpea salad were also standouts.

food always consistently fresh wraps made to order…read more quick service friendly staff outdoor shared seating

First time dining in at Ala on a date night. We waited a couple minutes while they cleared out some…read moretables. Then we proceeded to place our order. Ala combo - ***** w/chicken, kofte, and since they were out of lamb we opted for beef / kulbasti. Of the 3 meats, the kulbasti was my fave. The combo is shareable for 2 since it comes with pita, rice, salad, and some grilled onions and bell peppers used for plating. Baklava w/pistachios ***** divine and not too sweet or wet. We had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Dare I say, it's almost as good as Michael Mina's Orla (Las Vegas, NV). Of course it's not as fancy / pricey, but the food was delicious and the hospitality was warm and inviting. We will be back for more...do yourself a favor and try out Ala if you haven't already.

The Friday that I visited this restaurant, there was a marketplace being held on the sidewalk. I'm…read morenot sure if this made parking more of a challenge than usual. After waiting until 5pm. I was able to order the Muhammara dip, falafel, halloumi and pistachio baklava (they do offer walnut). My favorites were the muhammara, which was the richest version of this dip that I've ever had and the baklava. Regarding the dip, I wonder if they char the bell peppers to the extreme. Yum! The baklava was perfection even though they were only bite sized morsels. I definitely could do without either of the other dishes. Falafels had an off taste and the halloumi didn't have the crisp exterior I enjoy. Was the baklava overpriced ($7)? I'll let you be the judge. It was tasty. Here's What I Think...if you're in the neighborhood and want a quick bite, grab some baklava and muhammara.

We came in from watching an Instagram Review... what a delightful experience !…read more Met the owner Mustafa who is so kind and welcoming. We ate outside with the evening falling on their lovely patio. We started off with starters of charred brussel sprouts with sides of blue cheese and Parmesan. The stuffed mushroom caps were paired with a decadently yummy sauce with a nice red spicy sauce . Just enough flavor but not too hot to hurt your mouth! Petrale sole fish cooked in panko and Parmesan . Delicate and super flavorful! The rib eye was, 5 day aged, cooked to medium rare glossed with demiglace. Lightly aged, very beefy flavor with no funk and nicely tender. We were recommended brushetta for our next visit ;-) We were offered to an amazing dark chocolate bread pudding. Light and fluffy cleansing the palette with rich and delicious chocolate custard . OMGosh delicious!!! Then Mustafa gifted us with crème brûlée as I'm a connoisseur . Delicious and light with a rich delivery on flavor. The overall meal topped by these desserts put us in heaven!

Went to Asena to celebrate my sister's bday. We had a large group (9 people) and they set us up in…read morea great spot in the back. This place definitely is popular and got crowded even though it was a Thursday evening. Our waiter and all the staff were very attentive. I ordered the paella and, boy, was it delicious! Lots of mussels, chicken, sausage and shrimp and the rice was so flavorful. My family also enjoyed their dishes. For dessert, I ordered the panna cotta with caramel. It was sweet and the texture was very creamy. They brought out a slice of tiramisu on the house for my sis' bday. We all tried some and it was definitely one of my faves. I would definitely go again.

Ordered a large to-go order via their website for pick-up in store for a girls night dinner…read more There's a parking lot just to the left of the restaurant that usually has a few spots open. The staff were super friendly and even though they had just ran out of the dessert I ordered online, they happily replaced it with any other dessert of my choice. We were so happy with all of the food!! We tried the chicken kebab platter, gyro plate, falafel bowl, Greek salad, smash burger, hummus with pita, and samosas. And don't forget to try the garlic fries!!! My car smelled of garlic for the rest of the week but it was so worth it. Highly recommend ordering directly from their website!

Was at Qs halal after a long time…read more Used to go here for the wings but unfortunately they don't have wings anymore. The place got a little refresh now. I ordered the smash burger, the burger itself was a little dry , maybe I'll ask for more sauce next time but the bun should be toasted cause it was cold. Also added an order of fries and drink. They have waffle fries which is diff and cool. The place is always clean, and the food came out quick too

I was so bummed to find out my favorite fast casual spot in downtown Alameda has closed its doors…read morefor good! I was in the area looking to grab a bite before heading to Southie to catch the Hawks manhandle the Niners. As usual, the restaurant that I always look to forward to visiting is Hummus Republic. Once I found some parking around the corner, I was happily skipping down the block towards the entrance, until... The place was dark, and no one was inside. I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't one of the scheduled closed days. Sure enough, it was not. There was also no signage on the window or any mention of a vacation or emergency. It was just... closed. As I looked inside, I noticed some furniture and decor had already been removed, so I knew it was beyond the point of no return. In any event, it is indeed a dark time for me, as I frequented Hummus Republic quite often. Yes, I know it is a chain, but the nearest one that I know of now is all the way in Livermore near the outlets. Honestly, it's not completely a shock though, as this particular location was often empty, and I also heard that rent is quite high. There are also alternative Mediterranean shops in the vicinity, such as Tahina and Q's, but none of them combine the level of freshness, convenience and overall value as Hummus Republic. Although it's a lazy comparison used a zillion times before, just think of Hummus Republic as the Chipotle of Mediterranean fare. Depending on who you get serving you, portions can range from large to absolutely gargantuan. It's no exaggeration when I say that a single bowl serving is pretty much enough for both lunch and dinner. Coming from a pig like yours truly, that is saying a lot! Sadly, this exact address also seems to have a high turnover rate, as I have seen a myriad of various businesses sprout up there in recent years. Hopefully the next tenant will provide something to fill the inevitable void. RIP Hummus Republic! You will be sorely missed! The only thing that improved my mood after witnessing this sad news was watching the Hawks absolutely mollywhop the Niners. :‑D

This is my favorite hummus republic spot! They have a craft soda machine too (but the diet cola has…read morebeen out of service for a while ) The staff here are very friendly and make sure that you get the value for your money with their serving sizes. I love this location and restaurant because I know I will always be taken care of. The chicken is always well prepared, tender, and juicy. The hummus options are delicious. The street mix is a must. And don't be afraid to get some of grandma's hot sauce The spot is good for people that like to select the things that go into their salads and pitas. Tons of options and combinations of flavors. I would recommend the spot for somebody looking to fill up on a meal to those that are looking for healthier alternatives. If you're in downtown Alameda, definitely give this a shot. Check their hours and days of the week they are open - I've defiantly show up to a closed spot and had to come back the next day!

Used to go to the Troy in Berkeley, but this one is closer to bowling, food is out fast, and the…read morestaff is super nice! My go-tos are either the gyro wrap or Impossible wrap with Greek fries, all slathered in their green hot sauce. Just roll up with a dump truck and pour the green sauce in my mouth, it's that good.

This place is decent. The falafels / falefel wraps / plates are or can be made vegan. The food is…read moreok, personal opinion it's on the blander side, but it's fine. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the place seems adequate. It looks clean and it does it's job. This place isn't spectacular in my opinion and it's still a nice place to go to from time to time.

This is a hidden gem we found! It's located in a business building with a great view of the water…read more Order at the counter first and pick a table to sit indoor or outdoor. I ordered the rice plate with chicken and eggplant which I appreciate that I have the option to choose both. The grilled chicken and eggplant had tasty charred flavor which paired so well with the rice and the salad. It's definitely a great go to place I want to come back again and again!

Nice location and ambience. Friendly staff…read more Decent prices. Overall a good experience.

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!

Cute ambiance, cozy atmosphere, and delicious food. It has a homey feel to it and they serve…read moreauthentic Jordanian style food. I opted for the chicken pita and it was delectable. Usually, I don't like pickles but this was an exception. They paired perfectly with the marinated chicken, sauce, and the bread was grilled to perfection. I had the Rose Tamarind drink and it was an experience 10/10 recommend if you're in the area looking for a lunch option. Support small businesses in Oakland! They have takeout and dine-in options with spots to sit indoor or outdoors.

Sat at the bar, great bartenders, good vibe, amazing food! I just can't stay away! I get the filet…read moreevery time!

Came for restaurant week to try some new dishes! Started with the Cesar salad which was ample…read more Complimentary bread was sourdough and baked perfectly with a crispy exterior. Shrimp scampi campellini was full of butter wine sauce perfect for dipping the bread! Chicken scallopini with brown butter rigatoni and spinach was tasty, the chicken was so moist and tender. Also got the loukaniki ( sausage and pita with tzatziki) was superb. Flavorful sausage without being too greasy and the arugula adds some freshness. Favorite is the chocolate temptation cake only available during restaurant week. Pistachio ricotta cake was light and perfect end to the meal. Excellent service and impeccable meal from start to finish. Corner booth felt cozy and well lit. The owner Christos gave me his business card a few years ago and I'm so glad I came to try. Clearly one of my favorites and the top restaurant on the island by far! Always worth coming for a great experience!

I've been there twice and the food and service are consistently good. At dinner service there is…read moreon average during the weekend about a 20-30 min wait. During the week for lunch service I was able to walk in and be seated. We had the Tepsi Kufta, Falafel, and a Kofta kebab wrap. The falafel are a must. They were do fresh, piping hot, a soft in the middle. The Tepsi dishes come with a lot of eggplant sauce that is so tasty and filling, a mound of rice in the middle and 3 pieces of Kofta meat. The presentation is on point, the food is fresh and made to order (not microwaved) and the flavor mix harmoniously. My bf tried the wrap and thought it was excellent. The fries are well seasoned and crispy. Can't wait to go back!!

Very good Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East eats. Serious care and effort happens here, not just…read moreworkers whipping out afterthought products just to get through a day. To that I simply have to give my respects and give them a shout out. Very calm and relaxing space. Many regulars walking in picking up take-out food. There's a very kind and soft paced table service here that just reminds me of cute and quaint bistros/cafes from the days gone by. Actual dialogue between servers and patrons, questions answered, smiles passed along. A huge gap from QR code ordering and avoidance of interaction that is trying to be normalized from here on out. We ordered a couple of bottled beers, nothing craft brewed-like, just ordinary Euro/Mexican selections. I'm not as rigid as I once was, so just a good clean lager with a meal and some water is very welcoming to me. They brought nice beer glassware and asked if we wanted it poured into a glass. Sure ain't gonna turn that down, especially since it was already there. It did fit with the nice silverware, cloth napkin and candlelit table. Yet nothing was stuffy and formal, just casual locals out for a good time. Kofta Wrap ($19/4*) This wasn't mine but I did taste a piece of the kofta kebab. Theirs is a beef/lamb mix and is well mixed, almost like a firm meatloaf texture, versus a grilled burger texture. It was a good basic kofta, spiced moderately so not strong but also not bland. The inside also has a lot of lettuce, onions and cucs with a tangy yogurt sauce. I did taste a big hint of mint in my bite which I'm assuming are big hits of herbs with the salad and not the kofta itself. And it was wrapped nice and tight with even distribution so every bite got every element. I look for that in every wrap whether a burrito, med wrap and even stuffed pitas. Beef Shawarma Plate ($20/4.5*) Pretty heavily spiced, where you can feel the texture of the warming spice paste in each bite. A little strong but at least it gave you ride to another culture. Properly shaved pieces where the meat texture was still there and nothing like processed gyro meat. Served with yellow rice and an awesome salad with a tangy dressing. I especially loved the tangy green chutney that was so vibrantly herbaceous, a mint and cilantro punch that brightened the spice ladened shawarma. And I also loved the grilled tomatoes and onion garnish on top of the shawarma, just gave it a nice chef's touch. Mansaf ($25/5*) I have never tried this but as soon as I saw it, I had to try it. I was told it was probably Jordan's most famous dish. Super tender cubes of lamb, with a touch of fat on some pieces which I love. Totally swimming in this glorious creamy sauce made of dried yogurt and tumeric. The sauce was mild (spice wise), quite tangy with a noticeable milky flavor. Served again with rice but this time topped with toasted almond slivers, which added a nice texural contrast. I was also told that this was usually made with bone-in lamb, but think they did it this way to make it more restaurant friendly, maybe even American friendly. But I was just imagining if this would have been a bone-in lamb shank, I would have loved it even more. Great dish! Still have to try their extensive kabob offerings and an assortment of their mezzes whether falafels, hummus and other dips. Lots of work yet still ahead of me, but I just know that this is gonna be a smooth and fun ride. Bet.