Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Karam

    4.7 (85 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Karam Takeout or Delivery

    Karam Photos

    KARAM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Karam

    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

    Dining area
    Aishwarya I.

    Relatively new to Polk st, Karam is a fine addition serving traditional Mediterranean fare. It has plentiful vegetarian options. You'll find the classics here like falafels and mezzes, but they also serve curries. Okra curry - 4.5/5 Delicious curry, served with rice and pita bread and dips. The portion is extremely generous, can easily be shared by 2 people. The pita was warm and soft, but the dips. Oh the dips. Absolutely incredible and unique. There was a spicy one and salty yogurt based dip. Both were delicious to the extreme. Rice was served with chopped almonds on top which added a really nice bite to the dish. The curry was flavorful and hearty. The ambience was welcoming, very family restaurant vibes. Service was excellent. Go here for a casual and delicious meal

    combo kebab and lamb rack
    Amy L.

    Discovered this hidden gem on Polk street as it was one of the few places with availability on a busy Saturday night. The inside is very cozy and unassuming. Food was amazing. The Reyash lamb rack was grilled perfectly, slightly charred on the outside but very smoky and tender. Also got the combo kebabs which included the beef, chicken, and lamb. They both came with a side of fresh herbs and veggies. Hummus and pita are also provided. Sizable portions and great service. Definitely check out this spot for some incredible Mediterranean food. Some of the best I've had in the city!

    Pamela L.

    Food is from Syria - something that was different for me. Food was fantastic! It is very flavorful and had a lot of good spices. The homemade pita and baba ghanouj is a must try - smooth and well mixed. Meats were tender and cooked with distinctive flavors. Service was good and efficient.

    Combo shawarma plate. Freakin' delicious.
    Matt H.

    Current reviews are right again. This place is LEGIT. I had: Fatoush (salad) - Very good. Dressing is a little heavy (pomegranate dressing) but everything is fresh and seasoned well. Fries - Perfect. Like McDonalds but better. Salted perfectly. Combo shawarma plate with chicken, lamb/beef and lamb. Absolutely delish. Even the rice was flavored impeccably. I polished off some of the wife's uneaten falafel and it was also spot on. It's hard to put a finger on exactly why the food is so good but obviously everything is totally fresh and seasoned perfectly. Any fan of Mediterranean food will be happy here. Looking forward to my next visit.

    Bumsu P.

    I almost hesitant to put in a review because this is my favorite spot in the city, and I don't want all the crazy food influencers discovering the spot. That said, I would be doing this place an injustice if I did not place in a review because it is THAT good. I come here for any kind of occasion, for any mood or feeling I am up to. The food is delectable, versatile, healthy, and the staff lady is always very kind. Heavy emphasis on the amazing food. I have tried most of the menu at this point. With the exception of the kebab that I found to be slightly dry, when I say every other dish, and I mean every other dish, is phenomenal, I mean it. Try the chicken cubes. Try the baba ghanouj or hummus (I probably butchered that spelling). The warm pita bread with garlic and spicy sauce. The generous portion sizes. I love this spot with all my heart, and it is my place of retreat

    Chicken Shawarma Plate
    Alyson S.

    I am so happy I discovered this a hidden gem on Polk street. Karam offers one of the most delicious Mediterranean food at affordable prices here in the city. My only wish is that there is more staff. There was only one woman greeting and seating customers, bussing tables, taking orders, and checking out. We could tell she was doing her best to manage the load, but she was pulled in so many directions that we had to wait long to order and get water. Other than the lack of service, the food itself was delicious. Large portions, flavorful and not too salty or oily. I had the chicken shawarma entree which came with loads of marinated chicken and a generous serving of rice. The house made pita with garlic sauce and chili sauce was addicting. The baklava was also one of the best tasting ones I've had. It was the perfect amount of sweetness, flakiness, and had no overpowering rose water taste - just how I like it. On that night for dinner I went in with no expectations and left a happy and full customer. I can't wait to return, as I've been eyeing their Arabic style dishes.

    Falafel Plate, Veggie Okra
    Dipali S.

    This was a surprisingly YUMMY hole in the wall Arabic restaurant we stumbled upon before heading to a bar across the street. The restaurant has a casual and laid back atmosphere with economical pricing as well as very friendly servers. Everything from the hummus and baba ghanoush to the okra veggie dish was so so so flavorful! And to top it off, we got baklava after our meal which hit to sweet spot. I'll definitely be back soon!

    Hummus Shawarma Chicken
    Rebecca C.

    I got two apps and was wowed in particular by the Hummus Shawarma Chicken. First dip in and I thought it was DELICIOUS. I also got the baba ghanouj. They gave a ton of fluffy pita, toum, and a spicy sauce to go with it. And they also threw in a baklava for me. I appreciated the hospitality. I would definitely order from here again!

    Baba Ghanouj
    Shivangi K.

    Relatively new spot on Polk St! They have some seating inside -- good for casual meals. However, service was slow and it took a while for our food to come out (~25mins). I'd recommend either ordering take out or don't come too hungry. Food seemed hot & fresh tho! Food is yummy! I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap and it came with fries drizzled w pomegranate molasses (this combo was DELISH). The baklava at the end of our meal was truly icing on top. Overall, solid place to grab food!

    Baklava
    Anchal A.

    Newer to polk but amazing!! I got the shish tawouk plate and it was so yummy and filling. Rice was seasoned, chicken tender and juicy and the salad was + hummus was delicious! My friends arabic style chicken shawarma plate was also delicious. We got complimentary pita and hot sauce/garlic sauce (toum) which was SO yum. They had a deal going which got us free baklava, def the best part. It was flaky, sweet and I'd go back just for this. Service was sweet and friendly! Exciting to have a new mediterranean place on polk street!!

    Okra Lamb Shank
    Jinha K.

    So glad I found this hidden gem on Polk St. I walked past by this restaurant a few times before and I finally got to try their food, and it did not disappoint. The okra lamb shank was perfectly cooked and very tender and soft. I never had this dish before but it was something that I would go back to this place for. The halloumi cheese was delicious as well, and harmonized amazingly with the fresh vegetables and the sauces that came with it. The waitress here carried such a kind and bright energy, it added to the great dining experience.

    Donna J.

    A solidly priced and decently tastey Turkish restaurant in the Nob Hill area. The service is terrific (helpful, friendly) and the food was better than average, especially for the price point. The hummus was ok as was the bread, but nothing to run too. If I had to give it a grade, I would give it a B minus. The shish tawook (cubed chicken breast on skewers) had a good flavor and was juicy. I opted to substitute salad for the usual rice. This is a super casual spot with very little noise dampening but it was immaculately clean.

    These dishes were so tasty.  Babaghanouj, sweet bell dip and hummus were all incredibly good.
    Theresa R.

    Really hungry for some good hummus and babaghanouj, we were searching for good Mediterranean in Polk Gulch. This place had only been open for a month, but we decided to give it a try. We had a very sweet waitress who was very helpful. We were hoping for a combo platter of all the favs to dip warm pita in, but they were only listed separately by appetizer. They just published their menu, so we will look for a combo platter in their future, but today ordered three separate dishes of hummus, baba, and muhamara- the sweet red pepper dish. We also added a wing plate which came with seasoned and fried wings with garlic fries on top, a really yummy salad and more hummus. Of course, a basket of pita was an essential, to dig in to all these dips. We were delighted at the amazing flavors and depth of each. The hummus was creamy and fruity with good olive oil, the baba smoky with eggplant and tahini and the muhamara sweet with a little kick. It was hard to stop eating, quite frankly, but stop we did and packed the leftovers to take home and enjoy another day. The wings were crunchy and the salad was colorful and fresh, providing a nice contrast to the wings and fries. We even had a bite of their baklava, which was a promotion for coming in to eat. Well worth the trip and we'll be back.

    Halloumi cheese

    See all

    1 day ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex S.
    63
    45
    21

    5 days ago

    So freaking good. Excellent salad dressing, I love how they add herbs and flavor into the hummus, and the kafta kebab is tender and juicy.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lynn F.
    40
    44
    23

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brennan S.
    39
    61
    108

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 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
    Photo of Rie K.
    619
    32
    38

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jo S.
    0
    15
    1

    1 month ago

    Delicious Mediterranean food, clean environment and the kindest staff ‼. I like their falafel dishes, condiments and fattoush salad

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Izzie W.
    96
    208
    7

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of N A.
    50
    384
    2610

    11 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    AMAZING! Food was fantastic. Hummus was amazing as well as the Kebab plates. Would definitely come again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Karam Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Karam

    You might also consider

    La Mediterranee

    La Mediterranee

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    La Méditerranée is a true gem in San Francisco. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a…read morewarm, welcoming, family-style atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. Service attentive and friendly, adding to the overall experience. The food is excellent, with rich, authentic Armenian and Mediterranean flavors. A standout is the Armenian coffee--strong, rich, aromatic, and perfectly prepared with mini bakhlava. It's the perfect way to end a meal. A place of both comfort and quality.

    This place is fantastic! It's cozy (but not loud or cramped) and the food is varied and delicious…read more My recent trip included a sampling plate of all 4 fillo offerings (the cheese karni and the Levantine meat tart were the best), Armenian potato salad, lemon chicken rice soup, and the saffron chicken kebab over rice pilaf (dinner special of the night). The kebabs were made with chicken breast, but very tender and moist, and the side of hummus was fresh, creamy and delicious. We also tried the sangria which was great- not too sweet and decently strong (not watered down bad wine). For dessert, the lemon cake was tasty but odd that dried cranberries were sprinkled into the whipped cream. I appreciated the variety offered on the menu- not just typical Greek food you find everywhere else that touts "Mediterranean food". The service was super nice and efficient, and I like that it has been family owned and run (sadly an increasingly rare San Francisco characteristic these days)- you can tell the difference in the quality and thought put into the experience.

    Photos
    La Mediterranee
    Falafel Plate
    Falafel Plate
    Armenian coffee and Mini Baklava Bites (2 Piece)

    See all

    Armenian coffee and Mini Baklava Bites (2 Piece)
    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.

    We've come across and heard about Old Jerusalem before and felt like having middle eastern food…read moretonight, so we took a chance and tried them out. When we arrived at around 7:30 pm, there were tables available. It's a comfortable cafe-like restaurant with mural paintings on the wall. Service was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, the food wasn't as good as the ambiance and waitstaff. ***OUR PICKS*** BEEF SHAWERMA ENTREE ~ the beef was overly salted, saffron rice was ok, hummus was really thick, like peanut butter. My guy ordered this and thought it was average. 3/5 LAMB SHISH KEBAB WRAP ~ this was my dish. I ate one half of the wrap and it only held two cubes of lamb meat. The lettuce and tomatoes made the wrap bland. The meat was seasoned, but everything was plain, so it needed more seasoning. Honestly, this was missing flavor! I'll have to add something to it when I eat the rest of this wrap at home. 2.5/5 HALF ROASTED CHICKEN AND RICE ~ Our friend ordered this dish. It needed more sumac. This tasted like plain roasted chicken. Maybe it needs more seasoning while marinating. It wasn't dry, so that's a relief. Rice was ok and it wasn't dry or soggy. 3.5 We've been spoiled and have had better food in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Nothing stood out for any of us. Prices are a bit high for what you get. Sadly, probably won't be back.

    Photos
    Mansaf
    Mansaf
    Lamb Chops
    Lamb Chops
    Shish Taouk Plate

    See all

    Shish Taouk Plate
    Lavash

    Lavash

    4.2
    (1.8k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$

    Everything we ordered was delicious. Especially loved the…read morekoobideh and Kashk-e Bademjan. I would go here again in a heart beat. The lamb tongue was ok too chewy not worth for the price. Ambiance is cute, we got seated in less than 10 min when we came around 7PM on a Friday.

    Lavash (good food) was what lead me to be in a mood. Great way to support local communities…read morethrough their unique culinary creations, especially during women's history month. I'm sure there are other Persian cafés and restaurants as good as Lavash. I hardly stop to think about what made Lavash interesting. The floral aroma throughout the entire atmosphere, the gentleness of the waiters and hostesses who're well focused on serving others, and their signature paper thin Lavash bread. A clear teapot filled with saffron tea with rock candy on a stick; seen how they dip it in after pouring the tea. Interesting orange color indeed! A plate of zucchini, grape tomatoes, Moroccan mint leaves, and a pair of Bulgarian cheese; complimentary for my first visit here. Persian noodle soup, filled with beans, chickpeas, and lentils; loved the floral notes in every spoonful. Main course, veggie kabob on a bed of basmati rice drenched in saffron and spices, along with some onions and mushrooms, and of course, a large Lavash bread at the bottom to fill the whole plate. The best part is to completely sandwich wrap after I marginalized the contents on the plate. Ahhh! Satisfying to the last bite of herbs and spices. Not filling though, but I had no need for any dessert. Another highly recommended place to eat for locals and tourists alike. I let some of my friends know how much they'll love the best Persian dishes locals raved about. Thumbs up for the people of Lavash!

    Photos
    Lavash
    Lavash Special: Shashlik (two lamb chops), Joojeh (one chicken kebab), Koobideh (one lamb+beef kebab), veggies, rice | $54
    Lavash Special: Shashlik (two lamb chops), Joojeh (one chicken kebab), Koobideh (one lamb+beef kebab), veggies, rice | $54
    Dessert menu: rose water noodle with ice cream

    See all

    Dessert menu: rose water noodle with ice cream
    Kokkari Estiatorio

    Kokkari Estiatorio

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

    Dinner at Kokkari last night and it reminded me again why open fire cooking is undefeated. Had the…read morebranzino, fried smelt, and the mesquite roasted pork chop special. There's just something primal and perfect about smoke hitting a juicy piece of pork... honestly any meat... or even fish like the branzino. The flavor gets deeper, richer, more alive. You can taste the fire in the best way possible. The pork chop was the standout for me -- smoky outside, incredibly juicy inside. The branzino was clean and delicate but still carried that subtle char from the grill. Even the fried smelt disappeared fast. Kokkari just understands how to cook over fire without overcomplicating things. Simple, rustic, confident food.

    Super clean flavors, quality ingredients, and a menu that feels elevated without trying too hard…read more It has that classic San Francisco charm while still feeling a little bougie. The area itself can be a bit off putting with the number of unhoused individuals nearby, but once you're inside it's a completely different experience. Stephanie was our waitress and she was absolutely amazing. So warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Her service alone is one of the reasons we continue coming back. Being married into a family that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, I admit I'm a bit biased. The flavors here lean more Greek inspired, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I found them to be a little too subtle for my personal taste. I tend to gravitate toward bolder Mediterranean flavors, so I wasn't extremely impressed by the food itself. That being said, I can absolutely understand why this restaurant is so popular. The dishes are approachable, balanced, and refined in a way that I think appeals to the American palate. The food is consistently good every visit. My favorite dish is the octopus, and I also love the biscuit platter from their selection of sweets. Everything tastes fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The restaurant itself is beautiful, although the seating near the entrance can feel a little cramped when it's busy. The vibe is formal casual, if that makes sense. Maybe don't show up in training clothes like I did once, but even then they were nothing but kind and welcoming. Super cute spot and definitely the type of place where the men with trust funds who are somehow 6'5" seem to gather for lunch and after work drinks. Calling ahead for reservations is your best bet.

    Photos
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Kotopoulo Souvlaki/Chicken Souvlaki
    Kotopoulo Souvlaki/Chicken Souvlaki
    Sardines

    See all

    Sardines
    Bursa

    Bursa

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Lovely spot to have dinner in West Portal. Cozy spot,…read moreupscale casual dining. Great wine menu - I am picky with my red wines these days and enjoyed my $11 glass of old vine Zinfandel. We loved the Combo appetizer plate which came with generous portions of 9 different items. I loved everything ! I'm an eggplant lover and two of the dips were eggplant based . My new favorite dip is the Mercimek Kofte which is a red lentil based chunky dip ; I would've guessed garbanzo bean based dip. The Haydari dip was also super addictive, a thick creamy dip made of kefir cheese and Greek yogurt. So many delicious but gut healthy items of the combo plate; which comes with thin lavash bread. Also loved the red lentil soup, which was warming on a rainy day. I thought it was flavorful without being overly spiced or too thick. My husband enjoyed the lamb kebabs. Tender juicy cuts of lamb that were well seasoned , comes on a bed of salad and rice. We also liked the charred red peppers and onions on the kebab . Service was sufficient Overall great little find for dinner !

    New favorite Mediterranean place!…read more This is about a 15 min walk from where I live so I'll be coming here more often. Big fan of the portions at this restaurant. We ordered the combo plate which came with a lot of Pita bread, definitely enough to share among 4 people. Dishes came with a big helping of hummus too. I personally got the Kofte Kebab which filled me up. I had enough to bring home for lunch the next day. Getting a frozen yogurt at Easy Breezy is a must afterwards!!

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

    See all

    View of Interior of the restaurant

    Karam - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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