My friend and I tried Lulu's for dinner yesterday evening, and it was an excellent choice. He had the lamb dish, and I had the fried chicken; both were generous, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The lamb featured warm spices, turmeric rice, and roasted tomatoes, while the fried chicken was perfectly crispy outside and juicy inside. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared, earning the food a solid 5/5. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lulu's has a warm, welcoming, and casual atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Guests order at the counter, then choose a table in the adjacent dining room, where water, napkins, and utensils are self-serve. Our food arrived within minutes, and the woman who took our order was positive, welcoming, and helpful. We arrived about an hour before closing and still had plenty of time to order and enjoy our meal. Overall, Lulu's delivered a warm, memorable 5-star dining experience, and I would gladly return. Thank you, Chef & Staff for creating this welcoming venue for east bay diners. read more

I'm disappointed I didn't make it before they changed the format and the menu. My friends were raving about the place now it is just ok. Tried a few things. I hope the business survives, I guess it was hurting so they had to downsize. The fried chicken is done well, moist juicy crunchy - unfortunately they only use white meat - but it's pretty good. The fries, not fresh. I hate old soggy dry fries. The falafel bowl is decent, mostly fresh ingredients (but the rice was not fresh, was old rice). Needs more sauce. Nice that the falafels crispy but not too greasy. read more

4 stars $19.84 Fennel Scented Falafel Bowl was: delicious and vegan. Best falafel balls I've had though I can say if that's high praise. Still, very good and worth eating again. Vegan. $ was OK too. read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Falafel Fennel Scented Bowl - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

Kitchen Little Formerly "Lulu on Solano," they temporarily closed in late January of this year to revamp from a full-service Palestinian-meets-Cali brunch and dinner joint into a more fast-casual** café that serves unique coffee creations, as well as a full menu of Palestinian-inspired wraps, bowls, and salads. The Good: * Friendly service at the counter and at the table, but there were some issues (see below). * Halal (حلال) *Veg-head friendly and gluten-free options are available * Their toum (garlic sauce) will surely keep the vampires at bay. * My Lamb Bowl was delicious and all the veggies tasted super fresh. *We came here to try their viral Knafeh Pancake and it did not disappoint. We were a little hesitant at the $20 price tag, but it was 100% worth it. Subtly sweet with rose water syrup and crunchy from the ghee toasted kataifi combined with the cheese and pancake bottom made this an irresistible treat. The Meh: * [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a busy place, and the interior only holds maybe twenty people at a time, so be prepared to wait to dine in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] * Carissa felt like her chicken could've been on the grill for maybe an extra minute or so--not that it was undercooked, but it just needed a touch more texture. * Free street parking only, which can be difficult, but not impossible to find during busier days/times. The Ugly: * I realize they just reopened and might still be working out the kinks, but the staff bringing out the food seemed confused about which orders went where, despite a huge table number we were assigned, and my bowl was brought out a good ten minutes before Carissa's was--and that includes a snafu where they tried to bring out the same bowl (mine) twice! Conclusion: Overall, it was a tasty bite and well worth the schlep up from the South Bay to Albany. We're definitely bringing my sister the next time she visits. **Order at the counter, and food is brought out to your table. read more

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Lulu is one of my absolute favorite brunch spots!!! I came here for my birthday last year and fell in love with their shukaquiles and other beautifully presented dishes! Gorgeous, fresh, and delicious! Everything I've tried on the menu is so good! I've tried their baklava french toast, turkish eggs, shukaquiles, loaded toum fries with braised lamb, habi-bimbap bowl, rose brûlée cappuccino, and baklava brûlée cappuccino. We tried the loaded toum fries recently and the lamb was so tender; all the ingredients worked so well together!!! It was also our first time having the habi-bimbap bowl and I love all the fresh and vibrant ingredients that were being incorporated with the perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken thighs! They are currently closed until Valentine's Day to rebrand and make adjustments and transition to "Lulu's Little Kitchen". Hoping some of these items will stay on the menu, but can't wait to see what amazing dishes Chef Mona Leena has in store! read more

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#28 of 2026 My cousin really wanted to come back here on a Monday (MLK weekend) but they were closed. She rarely asks to revisit a place but this is one of the exceptions. During our first visit, we spoke to the proprietor who named the restaurant after her childhood nickname meaning Pearl. Such an endearing story. We were impressed with the service which was quick but maybe because we were there right when they opened. What we got: - shukaquilles (THE BEST THING I ATE) - knafeh pancakes (SECOND BEST THING I ATE) - I honestly don't remember what it was called but it was pretty sweet and rich, not a huge fan, but I'm glad we tried it. So yummyyyyyyyyy. I def wanna go back for brunch. My friend and I tried the dinner which was also delicious but I think the brunch takes the cake (or the knafeh?) read more

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Delightful spot in Albany that just reopened a month ago. Walk up to the counter and order your food and grab a spot in the dining area. No formal wait staff, just hosts at the counter and bringing out your entrees. Surprisingly wonderful, hearty and healthy cuisine perfect for sharing (brunch). Don't let the greens alone fool you - packed with layers of flavors and appetizing with each bite! read more

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Summary: A disappointing fall from grace Details: Given all the other positive reviews, MAYBE I went on an off day, where everything just combined for a really disappointing experience, but y'all can check the deets and decide for yourselves. For context, I was a huge fan of Lulu when I first went years ago to their previous location: in fact, it was the first time I learned about, and fell in love with, knaffeh, and I've always wanted to go back for it. Cue the move, and it being our birthdays, so we decided to head over the bridge for a birthday brunch to celebrate. And, well, the dishes were forgettable and lacking in flavor relative to before (which is saying something, given that we eat lighter), the service was pretty non-existent, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the place was unbearably LOUD[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]: the first two of which, admittedly, could be one-offs. It wasn't clear to me if they were just short-staffed that day, between the combination of what seemed like a larger birthday group and only having one (?) waitress, or if it was the larger industry problem if it being hard to find service staff these days. However, the volume issue is a deeper problem: [[HIGHLIGHT]]the restaurant itself is split into three partitioned rooms with high vaulted ceilings and zero sound deadening, so even without people talking too loudly, the sound just carries and echoes on and on[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], causing people to talk louder, ad infinitum. So... you know, for a day of celebration, it was just a bad combination of things to happen all at once. Heck, even the knaffeh wasn't as amazing as I remember, though still the highlight of the meal. I can't really see myself coming back though, if not just because of the design issue. Accessibility: Some of these rooms are a little on the more narrow side, but for the most part, seating and movement should be fairly wheelchair friendly. read more

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4.8/5: Baklava french toast $21: Outstanding. They use specially made baklava that works great. You don't need maple syrup. 4.5/5: The Knafeh pancake $21 is good, but a little too mushy/soaked inside. I think maybe the traditional knafeh might be better. 2.0/5: The cardamom valrhona mocha is not strong enough. read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Knafeh pancake $21 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

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Food was okay. We ordered the Shakquiles which had a gentle crunch but very earthy flavors that didn't seem well balanced. The cardamom latte was delicious. The knafeh pancake was too sweet and thick, we could barely eat 1/4 each before we gave up. Everything was presented beautifully but a few dollars more than I'd expect. The place was busy for a Sunday morning and our server politely asked us to leave to turn the table over. On the way out, we noticed at least 3 other 2-person tables that were empty... so I'm not sure what the logic was for asking us to leave while we were trying to finish up a conversation and digest in a leisurely manner. Although the experience itself was fine, being asked to leave a few minutes after paying so they could turn over a table leaves a bad taste. I miss the days when customers weren't rushed out to make more money. read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Knafeh Pancake - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

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Parking near by on all streets has a 90 minute time limit, except for on Sundays and holidays. Located directly across the street from the Albany cinema, Sakana & Yasai sushi, and Max's liquor store. Tried the lamb carnitas hummus and one of their salads, with chicken, crispy protected, mandarin oranges and just everything yummy. The hibiscus Palmer Fri k was refreshing. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They are revamping their space and menu so soon it'll only be salads, and rice bowls.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But I would return in a heartbeat for one of their salads! read more

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Lulu is a beautiful light filled restaurant with pastel tasteful interior fixtures while highlighting Palestinian cuisine. We started with a cup of spiced dated latte and a cup of rose brûlée cappuccino. Both delightful though I think I favor the former since it was less sweet than the cappuccino. Between the four of us: - fried rockfish and fries - "bibimbap" style bowl with saffron rice, meatballs, spice blend with roasted crunchy sesame and crudités - fattoush salad with a side of halloumi (highly recommend this) - knafeh pancake with orange blossom(?) syrup - soooo good Everything we've gotten is fresh, colorful and equally spiced/flavorful. Variety of texture is also thoughtfully assembled for every plate. Our stunning server cannot be even more attentive and exceptional. With a watchful eye she attended to our every need gracefully and with a friendly smile. Parking was a bit challenging to find for my group although we were lucky to snatch a street parking a block away. Highly recommend. I do agree with other Yelpers - it can get quite loud inside since they don't have any sound dampening material on the wall. Perhaps some hung tapestry should do. read more

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Lulu is such a fantastic spot for Turkish breakfast. There may be a bit of a wait on weekends, but the staff are so kind, and it's absolutely worth it. The lamb carnitas hummus was hands down our favorite -- the lamb was incredibly crispy and flavorful, and paired perfectly with the creamy hummus. We also tried the Turkish eggs and Baba's Breakfast. The Turkish eggs were rich and comforting with a great chili oil and labneh, and Baba's Breakfast was a generous, satisfying plate with delicious scrambled eggs and refreshing pickled veggies. Everything came with plenty of warm pita and was so filling that we couldn't even make it to dessert -- but we'll definitely be back soon to fix that. read more

The only word that constantly kept coming out of my mouth during the meal was "wow." I've been to so many Middle Eastern restaurants and very few have made the impact that this restaurant did. This was my first time at this place and I had no idea how amazing the food would be. The flavors felt authentic and were absolutely spectacular. We ordered the Habibimbap, the Turkish Eggs, Mansaf Roti roll and the Knafeh pancake. The Habibimbap and the Knafeh pancake were my favorite and absolutely to die for! When we left the restaurant, we were already planning what we would order the next time we visit! My mom and I, plus a few of our friends, just walked in and they were only able to seat us for 45 minutes, which was fine! So nice for them to even accommodate us because the restaurant was PACKEDx We ordered the moment we sat down and our food came so fast! We know now to make a reservation for next time! 10/10 experience read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Bimbap bowl, Turkish Eggs, Mansaf Roti Roll, Knafeh pancake - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

The best meal I've had in years. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A peaceful and relaxed atmosphere with gorgeous interior and very kind and attentive staff.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Adding to my Bay Area favorites list (which only has a few spots). The food. The food. The food. I ate until I couldn't stomach another bite, and I regret nothing. We had two small plates, an entree and dessert among 2 and were shamelessly scraping the plates clean. I'd order anything on the menu moving forward because the food was so spot on. No skips, no passes. Every little detail - pickled veggies, micro green garnishes, olive oil drizzles - all spot on! Fresh, flavorful and balanced. Everything on the plate ended up in my mouth. I was so contented with every bite. Love. It sounds like some changes are coming for this spot. I'm glad to have experienced the current concept and will return to support their future endeavors. Reservations seem helpful and worth the wait if not. See you there, darlings! read more

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Wow, LuLu's is just a mouthful of flavor with each bite! With colorful interiors and a friendly staff, my first visit at LuLu's went beyond my expectations. The food looked and tasted delicious. For dinner we got: * Japanese fried sweet potato (10/10, I am still thinking about this dish) * Fried rock fish (crispy skin and so tender, all without the oiliness from the fry) * Habibimbap (delicious & flavorful ingredients that all complimented each other) * Traditional knafeh (I'm lactose intolerant but I will get this every time, hands down so delicious!) We left very full and happy. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Food was delicious. Loved their hummus and unique pita. Service was just so-so. It's order at the counter but service was unfriendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very cute place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Came with some friends for brunch and WOW! It doesn't look like much from the outside and the inside is very simple but the food is fantastic as well as the service. We got a bunch of dishes to share, everything is shareable as the portions are big! We got the mezze sampler, Turkish eggs, Arabi tostada, shukaquiles and the baklava French toast. Everything was incredibly flavorful and we left no crumbs. I had the rose brûlée latte and ended getting a second one because it was just that delicious! They have a different menu for dinner so I will 100% be back to try that! read more

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A very delicious and unique experience that was a pleasant break from the same ole classic american brunch. All the food was well spiced with good portions. Standouts were the Shakuquillies and Kefta, coffees were very good as well. Staff were nice and attentive and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the restaurant is very cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ill definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]It is a lovely atmosphere with amazing customer service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went without a reservation. So definitely keep that in mind that it could be fully booked if you don't. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We lucked out and got a cute table at the entrance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We got two appetizer plates and lattes for breakfast. It was definitely a new experience of having mediterranean food. I recommend asking a lot of questions before you order something. Since it's not your traditional brunch spot. read more

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Was ably to get walk-in table for two for Sunday lunch. The mezze appetizer and Baba Breakfast were easily enough for two. Portions are plentiful and quality is excellent. The cardamom mocha is a must! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Super chill and light filled ambiance makes this place very comfortable and welcoming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] . read more

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Definitely a hidden gem in the Northwest Berkeley/Albany area. Really great cozy decor and excellent food. The service was attentive but certainly not overbearing. Went for brunch on a Saturday and we were not disappointed. read more

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Lulu opened where La Crema was, repurposing the 2 1/2 vacated rooms with more seating & new decor. Soft music in background. Offerings (Palestinian): quick snacks, salads, small plates, large plates, beverages.. Small groups of people waiting to be seated when I arrived. Waited a few minutes, seated, ordered shortly. Food came 10-15 minutes after. Made to order. Sips: crème brûlée cappuccino (7) -thin layer of carmelized brûlée flame created sweet & deliz, Cappuccino also sweetened. Bites: lamb kefta meatballs(16) -4 melt in mouth lamb meatballs curated with herbs & spices served on a plastic "toothpick" with an olive & pomegrante glaze. Herbal Lemon yogurt dip on bottom. Yum it was. Mezze sampler (28) -had hummus, mini falafels, Muhammara, labneh as small bites, dips. -large freshly fried pita chips as the dippers with crudite French style raw vegetables (baby carrots, small beets, green beans, cauliflower) as a side. *lahneh is housemade dip made of Greek yogurt & salt. *Muhammara is a Syrian red pepper dip with multiple nuanced notes. **meant for sharing. Had leftovers. Could have ate it all. Best to save some for later. Wonderful eats. read more

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First time here, delicious food. Everything is so fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented. I had a labneh bowl and the Urfa chili crisp made it heavenly. My friend had a fried chicken (GF) roti wrap with a slaw, so flavorful. The lemonades were unique and delicious (orange blossom and blue pea flower). I topped it off with perhaps the best mocha I've ever had, a Valrhona Cardamom mocha. Pure heaven! Will have to come back to try more of the menu. A meal here is worth it! read more

This restaurant had been on my list for a while and it was well worth the wait oh my gosh! This place is amazing! The aesthetic is beautiful, they have a lot of space so the tables are nicely spaced and not noisy even when crowded. Staff were friendly, professional, and attentive. And the food... amazing! The chili was a new menu item and I really hope they keep it because it was my favorite dish. Not spicy, but had spices, lots of spices, so complex and delicious! The shukaquiles was a great fusion dish. But honestly everything we had I would get again. I look forward to going back to try new things. read more

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Service: A+ [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance: A+[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food: A+ Lulu is amazing. The staff was extremely attentive and Chef Mona spent time with her guests explaining her wonderful menu. A thoroughly enjoyable experience. My daughter and I can't wait to go again soon. read more

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Ohkay Miss. Lulu. After drooling over the photos on yelp. Wanted to go and sit in to eat, but, not surprised, hard to get a reservation when I wanted to go, which was when they opened at 11 I made it over there about 2 PM, they were lively and busy, staff was aware, present, and on top of everything. I ordered to go the Mezze plate. Check out the photos, so pretty and enticing, and I love having all these varieties and amazing flavors and textures in a meal or snack. It was exactly what I was craving. The vegetables were lightly pickled. There were four different dips that paired wonderfully with everything offered, including the pita bread and pita chips. Everything tasted different from each other, which is an explosion of joy. Definitely looking forward to bringing a friend next time and eating something off of their main selections. read more

Fantastic spot for brunch. They've upgraded with a larger spot on Solano. Great spot for a date with the cute interior and delicious food. Reservations recommended, but we were able to walk in early Sunday morning for 2. Service is friendly. Baba's breakfast - spin off of an American breakfast plate. Comes with eggs, tots, lamb sausage (can be subbed for falafel), pita, lentils, yogurt sauce and fresh pickled veggies. Shulaquiles - blend of chilaquiles and shashuka. Flavorful with plenty of spices without being too heavy. Knabeh pancake - definitely recommended to share! Texture is more similar to a cake than pancake. Love the orange blossom syrup and pistachios combo! read more

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Loved everything about Lulus. The food was spectacular, the loaded too fries were so yummy, the drinks were made with love, and the sweets were just the perfect amount of sweetness. I tried the baklava French toast and it was perfectly balanced. Staff was super friendly and helpful, and the ambiance is very cute, there was lots of seating! read more

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We have had Lulu's bookmarked for quite some time now and it definitely did not disappoint! The restaurant is modern, bright & beautifully decorated, with accents of maroon and pastel green. Our server was very friendly, helpful and attentive throughout our meal. The Rose Brule Latte we started out with was delicious & unique! You can definitely taste the rose flavoring and the caramelized topping was a great touch! The Date Spice Latte was also very good, but the flavors were a little more subtle than the Rose Latte. The Mezze Sampler Plate is a feast for the eyes! Beautifully presented with three signature Middle Eastern dips (Labne, Hummus, Muhammara), crispy falafel & lots of colorful, fresh vegetables to bring the plate together. To complement the Mezze Sampler, we also ordered the Fresh Khubs (Fresh Bread) which was true to its name - a delicious, fresh Middle Eastern bread plate. We especially enjoyed the Simsim bread and Mana'eesh bread. The Mansaf Roti Roll was also a real winner! The lamb shoulder was so succulent & the richness of the meat and roti was perfectly balanced by the cucumber and pickled onion. We only took a few bites of the Shuka-quilles because we ordered too much food & we realized that reheating the dish at home was not the same as eating it freshly prepared due to the pita chip base! The Baklava French Toast was a great way to end off our meal. To me it is more of a sliced Phyllo Roll than French toast, but it was delicious all the same! It was the perfect pairing of nuts and warm spices, with just the right amount of sweetness! We would definitely come back to try many more of the other delicious items we saw on the menu! read more

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I love this place! Their falafel is one of the best I have ever had, and their flavors are so unique. If I could recommend anything, the baklava French toast on the weekends is incredible, the fennel salad is amazing, the orange blossom sumac drinks are to die for. I love lulus kitchen! read more

Sometimes I'm in the mood for brunch with a little more oomph than just omelettes and bacon: Lulu definitely delivers on that. Aside from the absolute feast in terms of presentation, you'll also get your fill of spices and flavor with their Palestinian cuisine. From a sweet knafeh pancake to savory breakfast sampler plates with a little of everything, there's something for everyone to try. Walk-ins can be a little tricky so definitely recommend a reservation in advance. The atmosphere is both bright, classy, and homey making you feel like the whole experience is treat to yourself. read more

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Beautiful location, halal (confirmed with staff), and really tasty food. The mezze platter has to be ordered by everyone at the table, so it does end up being quite an expensive meal. That being said everything else is reasonably priced or the food and the location. You get quite a lot of food on the mezze platter from dips, breads, and fruit with enough mint to make a chutney. read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Mezze platter rose chai - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

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Great food, great service, great decor. We got there early and the ambiance was quiet (it was getting busy and louder by the time we left). I'd go back for the Japanese sweet potato with crème fraiche (or try to duplicate it at home) and the lamb roti mansaf roll. We also both had a cardamom mocha (mine was decaf). Would go back for that, too. The riff on bibimbap was not really like a bibimbap except in the sense that it was a kind of rice bowl with some veggies and a couple of very tasty meatballs. So it was good, but I think it might be better to shred the veggies? read more

The food was absolutely amazing , I came here for a family dinner and we got a number of plates to share some that are not pictured such as the stew and sweet potato . Omg everything was soooooooo good. Each thing made with quality flavors and ingredients. The only thing I didn't love as much as the empanada , I had the vegetarian one . The service was amazing they were very attentive and kind . It was such a cute atmosphere as well, with lots of gold , pinks and greens! Perfect for a family outing, date or solo dining. The only thing is that I think it's by reservation only so be sure to check ahead of time if there's availability! I can't wait to go back read more

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Lulu Berkeley is my favorite food place in Berkeley. It's located on the foodie's heaven Solano Ave. The food at Lulu's is so delicious and healthy too! The pastel colored walls add to the cozy atmosphere and the service is quick and efficient. I have been there twice already in one month and resolve to go there again and again! read more

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I came here and parking was OK as you know the area on Solano is kind of hard to find parking so someone got pretty lucky here. The food comes out very beautifully played in, especially the meso plate which has kind of a little bit of everything prices are OK and portions are fine. I don't think the service or ambience was anything over the top overall it was a good experience. I enjoyed it here. We seated in a weird place that we faced outside so we didn't have a table between a party of three that was a little bit more intimate it felt more like bar seating. Overall decent place. read more

The place has really vibrant decor, well presented and tasty food with good fast service. The only thing that they need to do is WORK on the sound proofing. The place is loud! It is actually uncomfortable to sit there because the noise from all of the dinners conversations is unsettling to my ears. Hopefully management will make sound deadening a priority otherwise this place would get five stars. read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Shukahquilles - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

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Just had a chance to try this awesome, cute restaurant today for brunch and wow. Everything was amazing, from our incredibly kind waitress to the food. I ordered the Turkish eggs and the eggs and hummus with lamb, and both were outstanding. The food was perfectly seasoned, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. You can really tell a lot of care goes into every dish. The owner and chef is a wonderful woman, which honestly made the experience even better. It felt great supporting a local, women owned business. Prices were also very reasonable for the quality and portion size. My only regret is that I was so hungry and the food was so good that I forgot to take photos. Next time for sure. We will definitely be back. read more

We've been meaning to come to Lulu for brunch but we never planned early enough to make a reservation. With the new Solano location, the space is large, spacious, light and airy - and we were able to get a 9:30am reservation the morning of!! We were the first ones there when they opened and with a baby in a stroller, that helped so we can be at a table with space for her too. We ordered a latte and a rose burlee cappuccino for our drinks. The cappuccino was so unique! A little sweeter than what we usually go for but definitely worth a try. Then we shared the baba's breakfast and the baklava French toast. We loved everything we ate! The breakfast has a sampling of yummies and the French toast was just so good! We were so happy with our brunch that we can't wait to come back and try other things (deviled eggs, mezze sampler etc)! read more

Lulu’s Little Kitchen - Inside the Solano location - Middle Eastern Near Me - Albany, California

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