Amazing food, cute and casual ambiance, and amazing service! We had the Arabic coffee, a mixed kabab platter, and the half & half (half hummus, half rice). The chicken kabob was so tender and flavorful -- definitely my favorite! If you're someone who doesn't have a high tolerance for spice, this place is perfect because the flavors are delicious without being overwhelmingly spicy. And personally, the Arabic coffee was the highlight for me! It's honestly one of the best coffees I've had so far. Loved everything about this experience and would definitely come back! read more

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Got the mousakhan and pistachio kunafa brownie! Chicken was tender and flavorful. Loved the sweet onions too! We enjoyed the pita bread, side sauces, and sides of olives and turnips. Everything was finished. The brownie was good but too sweet to our liking. Will definitely try original kunafe next time! Service was kind and attentive. Place is small but can sit plenty. Wish more people would check this place out! Definitely authentic and freshly prepared. read more

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Old Jerusalem is so yummy! Our eyes were differently bigger than our stomachs. We ordered the Stuffed 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. read more

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Old Jerusalem is one of my favorite restaurants for Middle Eastern food on San Francisco's Mission St. I ordered the Mansaf last time and it was amazing, so I had to come back and order the Mousakhan this time. Dunya was amazing host again and very knowledgeable of the menu and dishes. The complimentary beets and olives were a nice little appetizer while the food gets prepared. The pita with the side sauces were also a great refresher. I ordered the coffee this time and it was a unique flavor that I enjoyed. The Mousakhan dish was a feast! Easily sharable but I devoured it. The chicken was well seasoned and tender. I liked how it was served over a pita bread which soaked in the flavor. Eating with hands is the best for this meal and the whole experience was exceptional. I was too full for dessert but I will be back for the kunafa! read more

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I stopped by on a weekday evening. I got a seat right away. There was complimentary olives and beetroot which was nice. Complimentary pita was nice as well. Mansaf was my favorite item here. It was mild, but flavorful. Lamb was tender. Stuffed falafal was excellent . Chicken Shawarma roll was nice as well. I also had a tea. It had strong mint flavor. That was refreshing. read more

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We've come across and heard about Old Jerusalem before and felt like having middle eastern food tonight, 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. read more

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Was looking for Mediterranean food in SF and found this place on Mission with promising reviews. Cozy restaurant with a beautiful interior. Friendly staff got us seated right away. Complimentary olives and radishes to start. We got the baba ghannoush with pita and it had a wonderful egg plant flavor but would prefer it to have a more roasted taste to it. The olive oil was tasty and the table has a bottle for you to add more. The loaded falafel was massive and delicious. Strong spices inside. The meat combination plate was huge. Comes with shish kebab, kifta kebab, and shish taoik. All the meats were flavorful. The lamb was my favorite being juicy and tender. Chicken was not dry. The beef was on the harder side but still good with the hummus and grilled onion. Finished with a baklava. Crispy and wasn't too sweet. This place satisfied my Mediterranean craving. Street parking here. Good amount of seatings. read more

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Wow there's a back patio, which I didn't expect. Great vibe with nice lights and plants back there. Food is beautifully presented, the colors, the smells, good stuff! Food- Lamb chops was So good! Wondeful flavoring of seasoning, it was the best meat of the night. Combo plate with 3 meats was a nice variety too: lamb, chicken, beef kebab with rice and hummus. If you don't want rice you can have all hummus as the side read more

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The service was quick and attentive. Everyone was very friendly. The ambiance was nice and relaxing. The food was overall delicious and flavorful. The lentil soup was super good. read more

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Biiiig portions. Delicious food. One plate + a soup was more than enough for two. Unfortunately in our combo meat plate some of the meats were quite dry, hence the one star deduction. Service was fast and servers friendly. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was craving knafeh, so we decided to make the drive to San Francisco and visit Old Jerusalem, which has what is probably one of the best knafehs in Northern California. We ordered the knafeh along with fresh mint tea, and it did not disappoint. The knafeh was perfectly sweet, warm, and cheesy exactly how I like it. The mint tea was fresh, and absolutely delicious. The ambiance was inviting, with beautiful Palestinian décor that added to the experience, and the staff was friendly and accommodating. If you're a knafeh lover, I definitely recommend giving this place a try! read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Knafeh - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Delicious food and kind staff. We tried: Meat combo 4/5 - beef, chicken and lamb (good in that order). The beef was so tender and good Stuffed falafels 5/5 - flavorful with pine nuts etc Jerusalem salad 4/5 - a yogurt salad and nice palate cleanser Pita 3.5/5 - good when heated but it does get hard when left out too long Food was plenty to share and we were stuffed. We sat in the enclosed patio area. Note food is served on dinnerware but our plates were paper. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Meat combo, stuffed falafels, Jerusalem salad - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Was waited on by the nicest gentleman ever. You get 2 small free appetizers (pickled veggies and pita bread with dips) with your meal, both delicious and was halfway full before our meal arrived. The vegetable platter was full of several items to try, very fresh hummus and baba ganoush and some of the best falafel ever. My kids struggled eating the lamb, on the chewy side. read more

This was another outstanding Middle Eastern dining experience. We shared the meat combination plate, which included a Shish Kebab, Kofta Kebab, and Shish Taouk. Since we started with the hummus topped with seasoned lamb (which was excellent), the restaurant kindly substituted the hummus that normally comes with the entrée for an extra serving of rice. A thoughtful touch that was much appreciated. Every skewer was grilled to perfection. The chicken was incredibly juicy, the beef and lamb were tender, and everything was perfectly seasoned. What really stood out to me was that the food arrived piping hot--a detail that's often overlooked but makes all the difference. There was no wait, and while the restaurant is an older, long-established spot in an unassuming neighborhood, it was clean, comfortable, and had a welcoming atmosphere. We also had the opportunity to meet the owner, Abu Salim, who was warm, gracious, and clearly takes pride in his restaurant and his guests. A special shout-out to our servers, Lukas and Brandon. They were friendly, engaging, attentive, and added to an already enjoyable evening with their great personalities and excellent service. To finish, we ordered the homemade Kunafa, and it was absolutely phenomenal--crispy, creamy, perfectly sweet, and the ideal ending to a fantastic meal. Not "Fine Dining" per se just great food, generous hospitality, and excellent service. This is the kind of family-owned restaurant that deserves to be supported. I will definitely be back and highly recommend giving it a try. read more

My college friends and I came to the city for a dinner on a Thursday night and chose to try this place! There was a little bit of a wait but after 30 mins we were seated. It was busy inside and had a nice comfortable family vibe. The service was fast and efficient and the food came out quick! I ordered the chicken skewers and rice which were both so good. The chicken was perfectly cooked and it was a decent portion size that I ended up taking half home. I loved the grilled veggies w the dish as well. My friends all enjoyed their meals and we will definitely be back. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Lamb Chops - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

In the hip and grungy Mission, lays a hidden middle eastern gem. You walk into a homie and cleanly decorated restaurant. No crazy lines and food comes out fast. The lamb meat in the Mansaf was fall of the bone and the rice that came with it was so light but packed with flavor. On the side came with some goat cheese based sauce that you could pour over that exponentially enhanced the flavors of the dish. This is a must get if you stop by here! The Mousakhan was equally as good. The chicken was very tender and the bread on the bottom soaked up all the flavors of the toppings and meat well. It was savory but has a nice refreshing zest. Lastly we got a cheesy dessert but you can get a soft or crispy option. We were told the soft was more authentic but our server said the crispy was her favorite. It was an excellent recommendation and really satiated our sweet tooth. All in all we had left overs for two of us but I think this could've been a perfect meal for 3 people. This is my new favorite mediterranean restaurant in SF and I am looking forward to coming back. read more

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This may be my new favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Really good portions here. The meat combination plate was enough for two people. And they have the moistest falafels in the city. Didn't care for the stuffed falafel though as we couldn't taste the stuffing. It just tasted like their regular falafels, but with tahini sauce on the side. Recommend trying the Kalaya as you don't see it at most Mediterranean restaurants. It's super flavorful and has a ton of lamb. Good service all around. Heard they have a nice outdoor seating area too. Will definitely be coming back here. read more

I found Old Jerusalem on TikTok, and I'll admit I'm usually skeptical of TikTok restaurant recommendations. They tend to rave about places that end up being just okay, but this one completely surprised me in the best way. I went on a Thursday evening with two friends, excited to see what the hype was about. It's a Palestinian restaurant, and from the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed. A smiling server greeted us right away, and within moments we had water and friendly hellos from nearly everyone working there. The hospitality alone made such a good impression. We ordered the Mousakhan and the beef shawarma with half hummus and half rice. Both dishes were delicious with fresh herbs, quality olive oil, and a bright touch of lemon brought everything together. The Mousakhan, though, was easily the standout. It's a half chicken served over tender, flavorful bread with onions and aromatic spices that fill the air as soon as it hits the table. We were genuinely astounded. The portions were generous, easily enough for the three of us to share with leftovers to take home. And considering the quality and quantity, it's incredibly affordable. We each paid around $20 after tip, which is rare for San Francisco. If you're looking for a meal that's both comforting and memorable, Old Jerusalem is absolutely worth a visit. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Beef Shawarma and Mousakhan - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

10/10 meal and service. The chicken Mousakhan was delicious and juicy over top fried bread and sautéed onions. The wrap was one of the best I've had in SF. Well seasoned beef and plenty of it. Filled with a delicious sauce and fresh veggies! The employees are also so kind! Need to come back and try their other items read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Shawarma Sandwich Mousakhan - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Service was fast, friendly and smooth. The falafel wrap was quite filling and very tasty. The Kunafa was delicious! We tried the crunchy and soft one. I liked both. The brownie kunafa was rich and each bite was silky goodness!! It was pretty busy inside and they took our party of 10 to the upper part and it was much quieter. read more

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Party of 6 came for early dinner on a Sunday with no wait. We ordered lamb sandwich, lamp plate, shawarma sandwich, shawarma plate, Jerusalem salad, and falafel to share. The lamb in both the sandwich and plate were very chewy and hard to eat. The falafel was almost rock hard. The hummus was just alright. The only thing we all agreed tasted good was the pita bread. Restaurant was clean. Service was kind of slow for an empty place. We were actually charged an extra plate and when we asked for it to be removed, it became an argument. Double check your receipts here! read more

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Had a middle eastern food craving so thought I'd check this place out. I ordered the shawarma plate with half hummus and half rice. Meat was tasty and tender. Hummus was nice and creamy. The rice was sort of hard. I'd say it was decent overall - nothing extraordinary. Note: this particular order was made on uber eats and I feel the portions are much smaller this route. food also tastes better when served hot read more

Came here with a friend! He got the kebab and I got the mansaf and it did not disappoint! The food was great! We got hummus and falafel as well and those hit the spot too! The seating and vibes were on point! I will definitely be coming back! read more

I didn't quite like the flavor profile of the chicken, but maybe that's personal preference. The bread underneath was really soft and yummy in the sauce. I felt like the flavor profile was just a bit too flat and boring despite seeming to have a ton of spices on it. The complementary pita was fresh and tasty! read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

A gem. Genuine Mediterranean. Everything is fresh and clean, from the food to the bathrooms! Nice service. Casual. Relaxing. Must try!!! read more

I will give it a 4.5 stars! The hummus with meal was a let down while mansaf was absolutely scrumptious! Had I not ordered hummus I would have rated this place a 5. I also ordered lemon juice and it was amazing! Soft knufa is great for desert. Service is excellent, we came at the time the restaurant wasn't that filled and the server took our order and served us well! Ambiance is excellent in outdoor patio! Definitely good to sit there imo. Overall a must visit and definitely going back. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mansaf - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I really liked their falafels, they are shaped differently. They are long like thumbs crispy outside and tender juicy inside, also came with house sauce and pickled radish/beats. Free pita bread. I got a combination plate, their lamb cubes were not impressive but not bad either read more

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It was an amazing experience. We were greeted by a lady wearing authentic Palestinian outfit. The way she treated us made us feel she's the owner, but she was a loyal worker at the restaurant. We ordered Musabha, baba ghanooj, arabian salad, falafel, Mansaf, Chicken Shish Tawook, and grilled beef kabob. They all tasted great. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Recommended! read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mansaf - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great service! I thought the food was super flavorful and had really yummy falafels. They gave a good large portion so I felt it was worth the price. Got to try knafeh for the first time legitimately and it was really tasty and sweet. I get a food coma thinking of it again. Chicken was also good (not pictured) but it had a more turmeric lemony flavor if you like that more. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Kunafa - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Oh my goodness the food was delicious!!!! We ordered too much and ate too fast but lucky for us we could bring a lot home as well. My favorite dish was the Mansaf which was a lamb shank over rice and flatbread. So tasty. You can also spoon over a scrumptious fermented yogurt sauce to make it even more flavorful. We also had a couple of hummus dishes that were yummy. We sat on the back enclosed patio for a more cozy vibe. They had heat lamps that made it warm. Staff was super attentive and friendly. Would definitely go back! read more

Food was pretty good! We enjoyed the meal items in a fun order: lentil soup, stuffed falafel, babaganoush with pita & the sauces made the shared meat combo dish more interesting with the spice & cooling tzatziki type sauce, then we enjoyed the Dubai chocolates with mint tea! I would say everything was flavorful & seasoned well- out of the meat combo I enjoyed the chicken bc it was the most flavorful & juicy. The beef was okay, although I preferred the lamb over the beef. It's all preference. Service was friendly and attentive. Ambiance is cute mom & pop/family style. A cute place to go on a Sunday luncheon with friends. read more

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I loved their mousakhan ($22.99), which is oven roasted chicken with rice, sweet onions, roasted sumac, and pine nuts over flatbread. The sweet onions were delicious!! Each bite had so much flavor. The chicken was really tender. We also tried their stuffed falafels. They told us the price was for 2, but the ended up only giving us 1. Inside, it was stuffed with onions and pine nuts! Super unique and delicious! Also tried their mint tea which was a nice touch. The service was fast and friendly, but I can see how there could be some miscommunication through English in terms of food/ordering/prices. read more

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This place serves up delicious and very generous portions of middle eastern cuisine. Two adults and two small children can get away with just two entree orders. Service is fast and friendly. The mint tea was refreshing and aromatic. Parking is hit and miss but better than other areas on the mission. And that viral Dubai chocolate, they have a brownie version here. Absolutely delicious. Skip the lamb, the beef and chicken kebabs are solid. The pita was warm and soft, and FREE. read more

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Was meeting a friend and it was my first time eating here. I was quickly greeted and seated. I ordered a tea that was served with fresh mint which was really yummy. They brought olives to the table to snack on which I thought was a nice touch. I then had the chicken shawarma wrap which was kind of disappointing. I didn't like that it was served in a normal tortilla and the chicken was lacking flavor. My friend ordered the baba ghanoush which was served with a side of pita along with a large falafel. My friend seemed to enjoy his meal. I'd probably skip the shawarma and try something different next time. The restaurant was busy and well staffed. Seemed like they had lots of regulars who like to eat there. read more

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My friends and I came on a Monday night around 7pm and there were plenty of available tables, which was great for us as they do not take reservations unless there's a party of 5 or more. The prices here are amazing for SF standards!! I got a chicken shawarma plate for about $23 but the portion was enough to feed me for two full meals. Everything tasted great - especially the hummus. The staff were also very nice and always came by our party to check up on us. The only thing I didn't prefer about this restaurant is its location - it's on an incredibly dark street! Walking here from the bus stop was a little scary :( read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Chicken Shawerma - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Finally was able to get into Old Jerusalem on a random Wednesday night. Food 9/10 - I ordered the lamb skewer plate with half rice and half hummus. I took off a point because the lamb was a bit dry. It came with roasted onion and bell peppers and pita bread. The pita bread was hot, fresh, and airy. So good! Service 10/10 - they serve complimentary green olives, radishes, and banadurah harrah. The staff made sure our water glasses were never empty! Ambiance 9/10 - it has a quaint little interior with 10 or so tables, murals and artwork on the wall. One thing I would change or recommend is dimming the lights for dinner, because I'm just not a fan of overhead lighting. Overall I really liked this place and would come again! read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

The service here was fast, and the servers were so nice. It felt family-owned, and I appreciated the home-y feel. I ordered the chicken shawarma, and it came out piping hot in the best way possible. The portions were huge, and the chicken was flavorful and soft. The olive oil on the hummus also stole the show due to its deep rich flavor. I also ordered the Turkish coffee but personally didn't love how it tasted more herbal than like coffee. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Chicken Shawerma - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Insane food, massive portions. The mansaf was delicious with the yogurt sauce. Qudsia was very fragrant and super good with the pitas. Service is warm and welcoming and plenty of seating. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

I ordered some type of hummus , side of rice, french fries and pita bread. I ordered it through DoorDash and I had some special important instructions for the food maker so I called the restaurant and they made that what I asked getting done. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

The food was so flavorful! Went with a group of 8 people. It was authentic and the service was incredible. Good for large group dinners and no wait. Make sure to sit at the heated back patio for a cozy experience. read more

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