Been wanting to visit this place for some time now. The food is absolutely amazing, fresh, juicy kabobs, and so much more!! Had the pleasure of meeting the owner (Amir) who was so welcoming and helpful. The menu is simple and to the point. Classic Iranian cuisine with no fuss! If you need middle eastern groceries, they have a market next door. They carry a few different Palestinian products which I was quick to buy. Purchased the Al-Ard extra virgin olive oil. This place is a gem and will be my go to place for Persian food whenever I'm in the area. read more

I was in Berkeley and craved Mediterranean, I was not disappointed by this lovely gem of a restaurant and market! It's been in business 54 years. Generations have shopped and eaten the wonderful food here. I ordered the Baarg and it came quickly- cooked to order. Amir has owned it the part 11 years, and his father before him. The Shiraz salad was the best I've ever had. Rice was perfection. The Baarg was so tender and delicious.. Amir made sure everything was perfect. This place is great for families and very reasonably priced for the high quality of food. The place is charming with a terrace out back and the World Cup game in tonight. They have live music Friday nights and a host of other events all month. Check the calendar in the hall by the patio. I highly recommend! read more

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I stepped in to grab food before realizing there was a separate cafe next door. Decided to come back after dinner next door to pick up some dessert and I'm so glad I did! I got an assortment of Turkish delight and some pistachio baklava ($2.99). The Turkish delight is sold by weight across all the varieties and goes for $16.99/lb. The guy behind the counter was super friendly and offered us a sample of one of the flavors to try which I thought was a nice gesture. Everything looked so good, so we picked a couple different pieces of Turkish delight to try. To my surprise, my favorite ended up being the saffron, though rose petal with pomegranate and sour cherry with pastachio were close seconds. I didn't like the coconut or the chocolate one that much, so reminder to myself to skip those next time. After picking up the dessert, I did a quick circle around the store to see what they had. It's not a big store but they manage to cram a lot of stuff into the limited space! read more

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Solid Persian food, friendly owners/staff, the market has great offerings, even if almost nothing has a price tag. I shop there often for my Persian staples and order food when too lazy to cook :) read more

Stumbled across this place while walking around. They have a formal restaurant and a grocery/dessert next door. The grocery store was small but was packed with various treats and snacks. They had a whole selection of homemade desserts on display. I was a bit overwhelmed and didn't know what to get and the guy behind the counter suggested the rose dessert. I also got a baklava and pistachio halva. The rose dessert was a bit too sweet for my liking but I liked the "rose" flavor. The baklava was my favorite. It was crunchy, sweet but not overbearingly sweet, and enough pistachio to balance it out. The pistachio halva was something I haven't tried before. When I first saw it, I thought the texture would be a creamy dessert but the actual texture was more claylike. It was good but due to the claylike texture, it did dry my mouth while eating it. Overall, a wonderful place to try various desserts that are bite sized. I want to call out that the guy behind the counter was really sweet and kept track of the order of people in line. I was second in line but was waiting by the dessert display area instead of the cash register. A couple cut me without knowing and placed their items on the cash register and expected him to ring them up. He stopped, apologized, and let the them know that I was second in line and he'll ring them up after he takes my order. I'm glad that he did that. If not, I would have been annoyed and left. So big thanks for being so professional! read more

Middle East Market - Dessert - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

Well stocked market with unique products you won't find in local Safeway. Browsing the store is a great experience on its own. We picked up a few desserts and a couple of salads. Everything was super fresh and yummy. There is a cafe next door where we ordered kebabs to go. Beautifully cooked. Staff is very friendly. A young gentleman at the counter offered us tea and a coloring page for my daughter while we were waiting for our to go order. Very nice touch! We will be back! read more

Middle East Market - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I usually stop by either the Middle East Market or its sister spot, the Middle East Café, during my weekly laundromat run down the block. The café bartenders are always kind -- once they even let me use the bathroom before I realized the laundromat had one. I've ordered a beer while waiting for my clothes to dry and was welcomed to sit with my dog on the back patio. The atmosphere is warm and accommodating. The market itself is a treasure trove: shelves filled with Middle Eastern dry goods, nuts, dried fruits, spices, blends, and condiments you can't find anywhere else. Kofta, shish kebab, falafel, sumac, garam masala -- it's all here. They also carry pita, lavash, labna, and other breads and yogurts that make cooking from scratch feel like heaven. Bonus points for the large assortments of delicious house made baklavas! Even without a full kitchen, the prepared foods are excellent. I ordered falafel, eggplant dip, hummus, and cucumber salad from the to‑go counter -- a mini feast for $26 that didn't disappoint. **Verdict:** Courteous service, respectful staff, and a fantastic selection. Whether you're cooking at home or grabbing a bite, this place is a gem. Highly recommended. read more

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Such a gem of a spot! Absolutely incredible and delicious foods. We usually order to go but this time we dined in and the outside seating is so cute and clean! The staff is kind and welcoming. They make you feel like family, very friendly and attentive. The koobideh wrap is my family's personal fave but I also love the soltani plate. Def go support, you won't regret it! The bakery is good and delicious too (love the tea!!) , their products feel like I'm going back to Iran for a moment, super nostalgic ‌‌. The meat is halal so that's a plus for those who follow. :) read more

Middle East Market - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is a vibe. The energy is vibrating of openness and positivity. I ordered the chicken wrap. They offered tea while I waited. I bought some Turkish delights which were beautiful and delicious. Got home and made fresh hummus to have along with the wrap. My partner and I were pleasantly surprised as this was the first time....but wow, sooo good. I have seen this market for years and - better late than never.... Fresh, quality ingredients. The wrap was friken amazing. I can't wait to come back to try more of the menu. The owner and staff were so welcoming. 10 stars for real read more

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I have been here twice. The first visit was with my friend for her birthday. She loves Middle Eastern food just as much as I do and really wanted to stop by here. I ordered the chicken thigh skewers and koobideh plate. It came with basmati rice. The chicken had a weird almost sour taste... Maybe it was the seasoning used... The koobideh wasn't bad. I really enjoyed the rice. My friend had the same thing and also added the ghormeh sabzi. She really enjoyed the food here. The second visit was by myself because I was craving baklava. Their baklava is one the BEST I have ever tried. It was so delicious and hard to resist. I shared it with another friend and she really enjoyed it as well. She asked to come back here for more. The 4 stars is mainly for the baklava. read more

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DELICIOUS food and very kind staff 5* This place is an absolute MUST VISIT if you like flavourful and memorable food. The quality of the food is beyond amazing and the staff is very friendly and kind always! At this point I get food from here way too often and it's always awesome! I have tried the Chicken thigh kebabs 15/10 ( yes that good!) which are delicious every time, perfectly seasoned and always make you think 'when can I get this again?' I also get the Koobideh 12/10 which are fantastic, well cooked and has great flavour. You will eat extra trust me! The side of saffron rice 10/10 and the Mast Masoor yogurt sauce 10/10 completes the perfect meal. The great part is that every time you get it the quality, flavour and cook is consistent which is very rare. It is also very good value for money and you can order either individual dishes like kebab skewers or get the combo plates that come with rice. Another important part of the experience is the interaction with the staff and it is a joy to meet everyone here, specially Mustafa. Everyone working here is so kind, friendly and really make you feel welcome and happy to eat there. They have dine-in and to go options, a small grocery store where you can buy a few things and a sweets counter serving fresh traditional desserts like baklava. Note : Their double pistachio baklava is unbelievable! Hence, if you are in the area please visit this restaurant. They have a parking spot for shoppers in the back ( behind the next door laundromat) As I write this review I am thinking of my next order! Please try it!! read more

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I have loved this market for years and am excited that they have a cafe! The Turkish Delight selection is actually quite delightful! And I love the tea they serve when you buy from their deli. Everything is delicious. read more

I was pleasantly greeted when I walked in to the store. I did not go in with any intention of purchasing anything, but after I saw their amazing selection of different baklava's and Turkish delights, I couldn't resist. In addition, they had some vegetarian Middle Eastern options. While I was looking around at their different goodies, I was offered some Persian tea. These people were very pleasant. I will definitely come back again. read more

This is a fabulous local market with the best dolma, Turkish delight, baklava and so much more. I go here all the time. It's excellent!!

I had the best Koobideh Wrap I ever had from Middle East Market's cafe section. This market has many Persian grocery + pantry items as well as a side cafe with meals, drinks, and desserts. All of our groups' wraps were made fresh to order, and the koobideh in mine was so juicy and flavorful when it came out. The vegetables were all so good too and in the correct ratios with everything else in the wrap. Plus, the wraps here are very big, and are a great bang for your buck. There are a number of small tables/chairs near the entrance of the market where you can eat or sip your tea. Street parking is ample and very doable. Last but not least, the staff here were also very kind and helped make this such a great meal all-around. Definitely check out Middle East Market if you are around! read more

Middle East Market - Koobideh Wrap, huge! - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great products to find authentic middle eastern food. They also have a bakery and sweets are delicious. Staff is kind and friendly.

I was at a party some years ago and a British friend brought a box of these. Having grown up reading about them in a children's book, I was intrigued. They didn't disappoint. So the hubs and I made a trek down here. It's a nice looking store with lots of middle eastern goods. And we got a huge box and ate them over the next week or so. I brought some to a family Xmas party and my sister who thought they were a mistake couldn't stay away from them. They were that good. They have other food stuffs but they didn't look so appealing to me, so I haven't eaten their hot food. This is our go59 spot for an ingredient we use for some recipes, un named because we don't want the competition. And the people who work there are very, very nice. And the service is good. So when at La Marcha next door or sometimes - just because, we stop by for some delectable treats. read more

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Found this place via Yelp because I was drawn fk the fact that besides food, they're also a market that sells Turkish delights and baklava among their other groceries. 1st of all, their service was excellent. The young gentleman who helped us explained the food, offered us some hot tea and dates, and said that we could sample any of their stews and dips before buying. We had the Koobideh plate and Delmas. We also bought some Turkish delights (I totally forgot to get some baklava so that'll be a next trip). The koobideh came with packs of seasoning powder, which I can't remember the name, to help enhance the flavor. I kind of wish the plate had some veggies on it. I also got a small container of their eggplant dip and hummus; the hummus was excellent and I found that thr eggplant dip was best tasted when warmed, but that's maybe just my preference. read more

Middle East Market - 2 dolmas with rose falooda drink the bottle - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This store has expanded into a collection of everything tasty and healthy about Mediterranean food. They recently expanded and opened up their restaurant next door where you can now get a sit for their amazingly tasty food. Check it out. Highly recommended. read more

Went to the restaurant after shopping at their supermarket next door! Expected real Persian food but rice was cold! Shirazi salad was not Shirazi salad at all! Tomato grill was also cold. 3 of us got same food with cold rice! I wish the owner takes care of the kitchen better because it was not nice presentation! Like the owner, very good guy! read more

Updated Review: The first time I came here, I only ordered an assortment of baklavas to-go and unfortunately only liked one of the baklava I tried. I am so glad I came back to try their restaurant food, it completely changed my view of the place. Per their owner Amir's recommendation, I also tried 2 more styles of baklavas and loved them both this time! I was just bad at picking them last time and the other variety didn't fit my baklava preference. Turns out I like the Persian baklava and the Syrian baklava the most, they are more dry and have the perfect amount of honey for my taste. I like that there are so many food options on the menu. My husband and I ordered the koobideh plate which came with rice, and a lamb shank. The koobideh is super tender. Lamb shank was falling off the bone and good flavor. Amir recommended some sides for us. I really liked the eggplant dish, I will need to learn what it is called. My husband loved the fresh yogurt. They serve complimentary tea at the restaurant, and today it was rose cardamom flavor, super fragrant and refreshing. I like that the tea is freshly brewed, it feels so comforting and welcoming, like I am visiting at a friend's house. We really enjoyed everything and cannot wait to bring our kids here next time and try more dishes! Original Review: This review is solely on their baklavas. I came here for dessert and so cannot rate anything else they offer. The place is very clean and welcoming. The selection of baklavah really is massive. As a huge fan of baklavah, my family bought a selection of them to try. Each family member picked out their own. The baklavah here is over-soaked full of honey and super sticky in texture. The one we liked the most was the one they called Syrian style, it's the puffy triangle one that looks like pistachio is over-stuffed. The reason we liked the Syrian style the best was that it was the most crunchy and flakey since it had the least amount of honey. This might just be personal preference but I am not a fan of the baklavah texture here because they are too sweet and too soggy for me. I do see other people's reviews on their food and market, I will have to try other items next time. read more

Middle East Market - Baklavas - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came here for lunch and it was wonderful! Service was friendly and quick. The owner (I think) was super helpful. It's a cute market with a restaurant counter. My mom and I shared the koobideh and chicken breast kebab plates as well as a bowl of the aush. The dogh was a refreshing accompaniment. Everything was delicious and prices were very fair. There was a wide variety of groceries and goods available as well. If I were local, I would definitely come here regularly to shop or grab a meal. We ended up with some of the Turkish delights and tea--so delicious! read more

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Nice Persian deli and grocery in Berkeley! They give tea if you dine in. And many goodies never seen before. read more

Middle East Market - Free tea - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am Iranian and I must say this place is awesome. They have a lot of fresh pastry! That, and groceries, especially the milk drinks. I definitely recommend this place! read more

Middle East Market - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

I love this market! The people there were warm and welcoming. It can sometimes feel intimidating to go to a store with foods and ingredients that you're not very familiar with but the people working were so kind and offered to help find anything I was looking for. The gentleman helped me pick between two halva brands since it's my first time trying it. He also offered me complimentary tea which was sweet. They have Iranian and Persian foods next door that you could order which I didn't get to try this time but it smells delicious. I definitely would come back again and recommend to others! read more

Very authentic Turkish baklava. I've lived in LA for the last few years and struggled to find any place that makes them authentic, they always taste off. Moved here recently and this place makes them perfect. They also sell Russian snacks like oreshki which I was excited to see. read more

This is our go-to in East Bay! The wraps are enough for two meals. The gheymey stew was super flavorful, too. And we always try a new dessert. Staff are always so friendly and answered our many questions about the menu. One of our favorite spots. read more

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The food was flavorful!! Omg the service outstanding. They've just opened the cafe next door with a beautiful rose garden in the back. I encourage you to go and have a flavorful meal. Thank me later. read more

I was curious to try and ordered a few items for delivery - chicken skewer, koobideh skewer, the lamb shank, the eggplant and tomato stew, and the ghormeh sabzi stew. The stews were packed to prevent spilling and the portions were all a good size. Everything tasted amazing and were cooked just right. The stews were warming and full of balanced spices. I like that the acidity of the tomato balanced the meatiness of eggplant. The meats were all juicy and yummy, and the lamb fell off of the bone. I'd totally order from here again or visit in person to try more items. read more

Middle East Market - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

Everything I ordered here, from the savory to the sweet, was bursting with flavor, and what really stood out to me was the quality of their cooking (and, in the case of the sweets, their baking!). Each dish was homemade and fresh. I tried a variety of their signature dishes: Ghormeh Sabzi (herb stew with beef), Chicken Thigh & Koobideh kabobs, Turkish delights, and Halva. It all popped, but the standouts were the Ghormeh Sabzi, Koobideh kabob, and Halva. The Sabzi reminded me of a traditional Indian saag, but more fragrant and a tad more bitter (from the dried limes). For such a simple dish, the execution is where they shine, and there is so much nuance to the flavor in every bite. Also not too heavy! Next, the Koobideh kabob was seasoned perfectly, again completely packed with flavor and still juicy from the grill. The pistachio Halva may have been my favorite dish of all, as a dessert, but also it packs just the right amount of sweetness with the decadence of fudge, yet still somehow light and airy. I would return for the Halva alone! I felt that everything was reasonably priced and well-portioned. The kabobs, served with a heaping portion of basmati rice and grilled veggies, were a steal at $24. The Sabzi (à la carte) was $13, and a great add-on (you can also get it with rice as a full meal). The Turkish delights are sold by the pound ($16/lb). I tried an assortment of these (they have an incredible variety!), and each one was once again packed with flavor, not too sweet, the perfect companion to an afternoon coffee or tea. They were extremely fresh and clearly homemade. I did have a few nits: the chicken kabobs were a bit under-seasoned, despite being perfectly juicy and succulent (they have really dialed in their grill process), and the beef in the Sabzi was a tad dry. But both of these issues are in the noise, with what otherwise a delicious dining experience. The team here takes great pride in their food, and it shows in the end result. Don't sleep on this neighborhood gem! read more

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Excellent Persian food and service. Very friendly staff. Casual vibe. Very nice outside patio/ garden.

I specifically came for the in-house made halva for a recipe, but there's so much more this place has to offer. The front third of the store seemed like a local hang out place - a group of men standing and talking right by the door (they barely moved the 10-15 min I was there) and confectionery case, then a few tables where people were eating lunch. I made my way to the grocery section and there were so many things for your middle eastern cooking - spices, seeds, grains, tahini, pomegranate and sage molasses, breads, crackers, and so much more. There's also a cold case for yogurts and other things. As for the halva and baklava I did get, I don't have much experience tasting halva to really compare but these were on the flaky side, but could break into large chunks. There weren't as many pistachios in the pistachio halva as I wanted but it did taste different than the vanilla one. The baklava triangle was pistachio and maybe just wasn't my preferred style but was ok texture wise. Looking at the hot food they sell, I'd like to go back. PS finding parking wasn't great on a Saturday. All the spots were taken on and immediately off San Pablo. I was fortunate to find a spot one streets off San Pablo and a block down after a few times driving around the block. read more

Middle East Market - Vanilla Halva ($7.99/lb), Pistachio Halva ($8.99/lb), Triangle Baklava ($4) - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

For many years I have driven by this place, I have even worked nearby. I wanted something different and within walking distance. So I found this via my fellow yelpers. Their menu is extensive and have some dishes I haven't seen since living in LA. Amongst those are ghormeh sabzi, koobideh. I decided to order a few items for later as well. lunch consisted of a chicken kabab wrap, which lasted for two three meals. For later I order the tahig, which came with a side of ghormeh sabzi. I was disappointed with the tahig as it was too oily and that defeated the dish. It is supposed to be crispy. The ghorbeh sabzi was not the best I've had, but came close, and at least I know where to come to get some. The staff is super helpful and patient. When I walked in I saw the array of deserts. I'm not a big fan of the Middle Eastern, and Indian deserts, but I do love some of sweets that are soaked in rose water and turkish delights. I decided to try a couple of what's called in hindi jalebi and some other small size bites of fried dough. I also ventured out of my basic turkish delights and got an array of different kinds. I was disappointed with the jalebi and other fried dough, but my turkish delight was great. I will be back for that. I also notice on their website they have Sangak. Now I'm not a bread person, but that I could eat all day! I will be back to try other items on the menu and peruse their grocery section. read more

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Wow! They opened a new restaurant next door and it is fantastic! Same amazing food (even better) plus a full bar with cocktails! We shared everything a la carte: lamb shank, rice with dill, saffron and fava, cucumber mint salad, dolmas. All super. Plus great beer. I will be bringing everyone here! read more

Middle East Market - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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A few coworkers had recommended this place so I stopped in for lunch the other day. Sooooo good. Like, so good. I ordered the chicken wrap with hot sauce. Let me tell you, the hot sauce is hot. And pairs beautifully with the pickles and yogurt sauce in the wrap. The wrap is huge, enough for two decent sized meals or one ridiculously large lunch that causes you to unbutton your pants and lay on the floor of your office. And the desserts here... absolutely beautiful. I ordered a pound to try a bunch of different things and they were all delicious. The guy working behind the counter was super friendly and helpful, and recommended a few things to try. So glad this gem was recommended to me, I'll be back for lunch and excited to try other things on the menu. read more

Sketchy place with multiple confusing menus on delivery apps. Can't recommend the food, service or ambiance. read more

I have been searching for Turkish delights and finally found one. Got several flavors, the orange pistachio that is chewy and orange citrus flavor, rose petal with pistachios, milk pistachio , sesame, cinnamon, honey pistachio, and the assorted baklavas are all delicious with a nice crisp flakes . A great place for Turkish delight desserts, not to sweet, chewy, nutty flavor and Filled with pistachios. Will be coming here regularly that's for sure. read more

Middle East Market - Assorted Turkish Delights - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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* updated review * Last review, I bagged on the prepared foods. Not that I ate any, I didn't like the presentation. Amir invite me in so that I can try the food. While I still don't like the presentation (on a little older cart), it's mainly the stews there. Of course, after awhile, it doesn't look very good as the stews dry around the inside of each container. But the rice and meats are made in the kitchen to order, and it really was quite good. They have 2 cases of desserts and another cold case with feta, salads, and what not --- and actually they looked lovely and fresh. It has a very small fresh produce section and packaged breads -- no fresh meat counter. It's a clean store with moderate prices and decent selection. Amir, thank you for your hospitality, and inviting me back to try the hot foods. read more

Middle East Market - Delish takeout! - Grocery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Best Iranian market in the Bay Area! They offer delicious meals you can buy fresh along with a range of Persian groceries. You must stop at the Middle East Market to get your groceries, snacks, desserts, and kabob! read more

I am blown away by how delicious this food was. You can tell it was made with love. I am new to the area and there are a lot of options, but this did not disappoint. I knew I had to leave a review as soon as I got a few bites in. I ordered the koobideh kabob 10/10, hummus 10/10, and the shirazi salad 10/10. The service was quick and the ambiance was welcoming. The people who work there are lovely as well. read more