Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Shawarmaji

    4.2 (730 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Shawarmaji Takeout or Delivery

    Shawarmaji Photos

    Business Info

    SHAWARMAJI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Shawarmaji

    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

    Alejandra C.

    You want actually GOOD food, for a very good price and to feel extremely satisfied and happy with what you ate? THIS IS THE PLACE!!! I can't believe i've lived here for a year and barely tried this place out. Our neighbor recommended it to us and boyyyy were they on the spot. Literally everything in the menu was great! We had: -Chicken Wrap (5/5) + Hot sauce, onion, tomato (Free of charge) -Lamb/Beef Shawarma fries-mini (5/5) I've never had an issue (if you want to call it that) with not enough fries lol this was staaacked with meat! SOOO good! It was the perfect size for me -Assorted Pickles (5/5) Perfect addition to everything! -Chipotle Toum, Shatta (Hot sauce), Garlic sauce (5/5) Looove me some sauces and loved the variety and flavors of all of them. They sell them all in glass jars and also their seasonings which I will for sure be getting next time. I ordered through their website (Highly recommend instead of doordash- Avoid extra fees!) Service was fast and my order was ready on time. Plenty of seating inside and outside in their patio as well.

    chicken shawarma
    Josh A.

    My 2nd time at Shawarmaji & I think the food is pretty good. Enjoyed the chicken shawarma and fries, and got a side of chipotle toum which is delicious. You can also buy their dips and sauces by the jar in store. I will definitely be getting a jar of toum at my next visit!

    Dianna H.

    Been meaning to check out Shawarmaji for ages and finally got the chance to do so recently. My advice is to get their addicting toum sauce with everything! My friend and I stopped by for a casual dinner Friday night around 6 pm and it wasn't too crowded. The menu is pretty straightforward with just one page, which made it easier to decide what we wanted. I asked what the difference is between a pita and the arabi plate, was told that the pita is smaller and doesn't come with any sides, whereas the arabi plate is a much bigger wrap and served with a side of your choice. I got a beef lamb pita ($10) with toum substituted in for tahini sauce and shared some of the chicken arabi plate + seasoned fries ($20.50) with my friend. To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the pita... the beef and lamb were kinda bland and honestly tasted a little dry. Maybe I came on an off day, but I was disappointed by the beef and lamb. However, the chicken more than made up for it. Plus I was obsessed with their seasoned fries. Also make sure you get extra toum sauce because you'll want to dip everything in it!

    Lamb/beef Shawarma Wrap. $10 for the "mini." Meat was dry. Needed sauces (tahini, toom, etc) to make it palatable.
    John N.

    I wanted to like this place, and I even gave it separate two chances before writing this review. Alas, it wasn't meant to be... I tried two of their supposed signature dishes--shawarma fries (chicken) and lamb/beef wrap. The good? Portions were decent and right at the cusp of what I'd expect to pay ($17.50 and $18, respectively). Now for the not so good. On my last go-around, the fries (and various accoutrements) were served to me ice cold. Like they had been sitting out for what seemed like no less than 30-45 minutes. This was a to-go order, so I suspect they simply had these plates ready to go ahead of busy night on DoorDash. I confirmed my suspicions because the box literally had a sticker reading "chicken" which meant they were grabbing these on the fly, not made fresh to order. I get that you have to do some prep ahead on busy nights (which mine was actually not), but where is the quality control? Compounding the issue, the entire dish was extremely salty. The meat itself was fine, but the combination of the pickled veg and overly-seasoned fries literally felt like I was eating a tablespoon of salt. Not well balanced. Poorly executed. Like they had just chucked a bunch of ingredients together without thinking how they would mesh. The lamb wrap was another let-down; the meat was dry, and honestly needed to slather on a combination of toom, tahini, and their house-made hot sauce (which was great!) in order to make it palatable. It also wasn't hot, not ice cold like the fries, but it tasted like the meat had been sitting. I also gave their falafel a try, and these were fine, nothing extraordinary. $0.50 ea seems cheap, until you realize they are quite literally the size of a quarter. Maybe this place was once great and their QC has slipped. Maybe we are simply lacking other high-quality Middle Eastern food in the area to compare. Maybe I came on two off nights. In any case, I won't be running back, and I don't suggest you do, either.

    Natasha S.

    We have been going to Shawarmaji since they opened their first restaurant during Covid and then moved a few years later to their now location. It's located in downtown Oakland so street parking is limited, especially during the weekday. The restaurant itself is large and an open space with lots of indoor seating. The menu is limited but lots of good options! I ended up going with the chicken shawarma on fries and it was delicious! Lots of chicken and toppings and the garlic and hot sauces were the perfect add on. I do wish they had plates (ex. shawarma with rice, etc) for those who aren't in the mood for salads or wraps. Will definitely be back!

    Abida H.

    Delicious! The chicken shawarma wrap hit the spot. It came with a side of garlic toum, olive toum, and a red sauce. Both toum were so good with this! Not pictured but also got a few falafel on the side and they were fantastic, perfectly crispy outside and soft inside Vibes were Arabic music playing, menus in both English & Arabic, lots of pictures depicting Jordanian culture. Loved Bummer they don't have one in SF because it would definitely be part of my rotation for casual eats

    Arabi plate (lamb). Comes with side and pickles.
    Denzel T.

    Shawaramji is just one of those spots that hits super well when you're in the mood for it. This spot serves a twist on Levant-style street food with a few different options to satisfy your shawarma cravings. I recently took some friends here and decided to go with the Lamb arabi plate which comes with a lamb/beef roll cut into multiple pieces. The plate also comes with some tasty pickles and a side of your choice. I ended being healthy and going with the side salad which also comes with a decent dose of pickles on it. The meat was tender and flavorful and paired well with Shawarmaji's excellent toum (garlic spread). I could probably go on a whole side rant about how good the toum is here... Needless to say maybe consider grabbing a jar of the stuff if you ever visit! It's seriously addictive. Shawarmaji's vibe is a casual eatery where you can enjoy a wrap or salad with some friends or just take your order to go if you'd like. They have a patio with seating outside as well if that's your preference. For real Oakland foodies, they are located in the old Umami Burger location off of Broadway. If you're in the mood for some Mediterranean food, you should definitely check them out!

    Wall with pictures
    madeeha k.

    My favorite place to get an authentic shawarma! I also absolutely love the chicken shawarma fries, great portion, great flavors, and just great food! Staff is also very kind and helpful, they're always attentive and friendly. Lots of indoor seating as well so you never have to worry about finding a spot :))

    Front
    Marcos S.

    Good shawarma wrap but honestly it's kind of a small portion for $16. I mean I understand inflation but it's basically chicken, pickles, bread and a little garlic sauce. It's worth $12 at most. I mean a twelve dollar burrito is probably twice as much food. Three people three sandwiches and a drink plus tip (15% which should have been 10) was $63!! Just not sure it's worth it.

    Viki N.

    Can't say I've noticed too many shawarma places in the area, and this was actually the first one I've had since moving to California. This spot has a clean and modern looking interior, and a small grab and go section for their own spices and spreads, including toum. I love how the wraps are long and thin, making it easier to eat without smearing sauce all over my face! For girls who wear lipstick, this is just what you need. Every bite was wonderfully flavored and packed with meat. However, $15.50 for a wrap is a lot crazier than what I'm used to for a fast food meal. I could see myself coming a lot more frequently for a quick lunch if it weren't for the prices. Maybe I'll grab a jar of toum next time for some DIY fun instead!

    Menu, Chicken Pita and Rose Tamarind Drink

    Chicken Pita was perfectly seasoned and chicken was super juicy and tender. The Rose Tamarind Drink is the perfect option to ease the spicy ness of the chili sauce. 10/10.

    Chicken Shawarma Fries

    See all

    4 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

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JASMIN M.
    3
    143
    234

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Alan R.
    267
    83
    130

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sal Z.
    0
    44
    15

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    the toum (garlic sauce) is so good. the chicken schwarma is flavorful and big enough for leftovers. glad this place exists.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leme K.
    119
    610
    1642

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mohammad A.

    Mohammad A.

    We're glad you enjoyed the food. Can't wait to serve you again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of David M.
    23
    89
    42

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D.wight L.
    663
    1771
    6459

    2 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 5
    Love this 9
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lala N.
    0
    55
    11

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Jordanian family-owned and family-run restaurant! Amazing and authentic flavors. Options for plant-based/vegan folks.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 19

    Shawarmaji Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Shawarmaji

    How big or long is the Mini chicken wrap? Is it enough food for one adult woman?

    Yes! Very delicious too :)

    The chicken shawarma wrap is gone from caviar/DoorDash again. When that happens, does that mean you ran out for the day? Or is it an app glitch? Thanks!

    Typically means we are out of chicken, I would always check our site, which you have an option for delivery also.

    Is chicken shawarma dairy free? Thank you!

    sorry, our chicken is actually marinated in plain yogurt to keep the chicken moist.

    Do you have outdoor seating with heaters (in winter)?

    Hi Saud, Yes, we have outdoor seating but no, we do not have outdoor heaters.

    Do they have halal options?

    from what I understand, and the owner can correct me, all their meat options are halal

    Do they still make chicken shawarma? I noticed all the chicken options are gone from Caviar...hoping it's a mistake but it's been like that for weeks!

    Gluten free options?

    You can get our meat by it self with sauce and pickles, or our shawarma fries

    Any plans for vegan shawarma? (Pretty please with date sugar on top)

    Yes we want to make a vegan shawarma special, but most likely not til 2022, we are working on a bunch of specials and collabs for the rest of this year, but we will definitely do a vegan shawarma special next year

    Are your falafels fried or baked?

    Fried! :)

    Do they have salad?

    They just have a tahini salad - tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley in tahini sauce

    Is the falafel gluten free?

    Yes it is! :)

    Is the meat hand slaughtered(zabiha)? I had called to ask and was told no.

    Our chicken is halal machine slaughtered Our lamb is halal hand slaughtered

    Do they serve Halal meat?

    Yes we do!

    Do you offer any gluten-free options?

    You can get the shawarma fries( our slow roasted meats on fries, topped with sauce and pickles) Or you can just get the meat by it self :)

    Can you get the fries or the sandwich plate in chicken instead of lamb?

    We offer both lamb and chicken :) you can pick whatever meat you like

    Do any of your meals contain peanuts?

    No peanuts in any of our dishes! :)

    I heard you closed! Are you opening your own location? PLEASE!

    Hey there! yes, we are! our new location on Franklin Street will be open at the end of October/November. you can help us fundraise and get cool Shawarmaji merch by supporting… Read more

    Who is your meat supplier for chicken and lamb? Thank you!

    We get our chicken from Wayne farms The lamb is from an Australian company I'm not sure what it's called but its Halal

    Do you use tortilla bread or Arabic bread?

    Tortilla

    Is your meat halal?

    Yes it is!

    View All 21 Questions

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    4.4(171 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    The chicken and rice are awesome. Chicken was juicy and so flavorful…read more Yogurt and chive appetizer was great. The waitress recommended it and it was way better than I was anticipating. Tachin was something completely different. So many different flavors and textures. Great change up. Wouldn't be my go to. But once in a while I could enjoy it.

    We walked in and tried to get a table for 2. And the owner asked us if we had reservations. But…read morethere was plenty of seating inside and outside. Funny part is, no one walked in after us. We were then seated, the first girl asked if we wanted anything to drink which we did but we never got our drinks til another waitress came and asked us 20mins later. We told her we were ready to order and we had to wait another 10mins for another waiter to order. We got the chive/shallot yogurt, lollipop lamb chops, Koobideh and Joojeh Kabob. The kabeb dishes came with grilled tomato, grilled pepper, rice with tadig on top. They also make this pink butter to put on the rice. Food is good and everything was seasoned well and not over cooked. I want to give this place a try again but they need to work on their customer service. They catered more to other tables and we didn't even get offered the dessert menu like the other tables around us. Also, we had to ask for the check and no one even came to check if we were ready to pay we had to go up there.

    Photos
    Persian Nights Restaurant - Outdoor seating

    Outdoor seating

    Persian Nights Restaurant - Dessert saffron rice pudding & rosewater

    Dessert saffron rice pudding & rosewater

    Persian Nights Restaurant

    See all

    Maya Halal Taqueria - Super Fish Taco

    Maya Halal Taqueria

    4.3(632 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I have finally satisfied my craving! Grew up eating Mexican food and have been craving enchiladas!…read moreMost places don't do the trick but Maya Halal has it down!! The store front seems like it's closed but it's not. There is just not inside dining. You order at the window and get your food on the other side. Good customer service and they're bilingual! Came by and got some enchiladas. I'm accustomed to eating red enchiladas but their chicken enchiladas are served with green sauce. Do they test the same as what I grew up eating... no. They have their own flavor. However! It's so good! It's the closest I've gotten to authentic and I will 100% be back. I was so satisfied after the first bite. Cleaned the whole plate!

    I don't even know where to start to be honest. I'm not sure what was nastier , the actual food or…read morethe attitude of the girl behind the counter. I purchased nachos and to my surprise the nachos had NO CHEESE. I was then told that I ordered the wrong nachos ........ in what world does nachos have no cheese? The quite literal definition of nachos are chips with melted cheese !!!! I asked for my food to be properly remade and she told me she RUDELY told me all she could do was pour cheese on top . Any authentic Mexican food spot would never put hot cheese on top of cold toppings. I continued to ask questions trying to make sense of their ridiculous policy and she not only gave no clear answers she was RUDE & disrespectful, almost even confrontational. I explained to her that not only were my nachos cheese less but the chips and meat I was served were TERRIBLE . The chips were stale , and the meat lacked flavor (ground beef) . BEWARE OF THIS PLACE. If you don't like your overpriced food or even if it's made improperly, you are stuck with it. They used to have much better integrity. However, at this rate I can see them going downhill FAST. I posted about my experience on social media and the amount of responses I received with similar experiences were massive ! DONT GO HERE ! There are much better Mexican restaurants /trucks all around the city of Oakland . Save your Mexican food cravings for them !

    Photos
    Maya Halal Taqueria
    Maya Halal Taqueria
    Maya Halal Taqueria - Golden hour super burrito

    See all

    Golden hour super burrito

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Meat and Veggie Sampler for Four

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I had dinner with my best friend tonight on May 15, 2026. We were seated promptly and offered water…read moreright away. I ordered the veggie sampler, featuring spiced lentils, yellow split peas, kale greens with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, all paired with a basket of tangy injera bread. The injera was fluffy with a pancake-like texture, perfect for scooping. The service was attentive and kind with our waitstaff continuously refilling our glasses of water without us even having to ask. The atmosphere was relaxed, making it easy to linger and chat. Overall, a positive experience with flavorful dishes, great bread, and prompt service. A lovely spot for a satisfying Ethiopian meal with a friend.

    My fav Ethiopian dish?…read more Doro Wat (bone-in). With a side of Kitfo and Misir Wot. Cuz, I can't just choose one dish. I love Ethiopian food - the bold, rich spices AND the heat gets me feeling all types of way....including heartburn. The East Bay is known for their top-tier Ethiopian and Eritrean food so I'm slowly starting to explore the options here. Plan A: Café Colucci's patio was closed. We headed straight to Enssaro where we were warmly welcomed by the family behind the place, including Coco enjoying her golden years on the couch. F O O D - Requested spicy for all dishes * Kifto: Ethiopian Tartare ($24) IMO Ethiopian tartare over French tartare all day, every day! The finely minced raw beef is mixed with clarified butter and spices, creating a rich, savory flavor that's balanced by the sour tang of injera cutting through the meatiness. Served with ayib (crumbly, mild cheese) and gomen (earthy sautéed greens). Despite not being spicy, it was bomb. * Meat Platter for One ($20) - Doro Wot: Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew - Mildly spiced, just wish the drumstick was more tender. - Beg Wot: Lamb Stew - Mild earthy flavor, good for those who are sensitive to spice. - Bere Beef Wot: Spicy Minced Beef Stew - Most flavorful of the three meats, savory with a mild heat. Think Ethiopian bolognese. * Misir Wot: Red lentils cooked slowly w/ Ethiopian spices ($20) Deeply savory with a warm, earthy spice (not spicy). The lentils are nicely broken down to a thick, creamy texture with a bite. Seemed kinda pricey for the portion tho. Platters are served with lightly dressed garden salad and a basket of spongey, tangy injera. S E R V I C E Welcoming, gracious, and attentive. Staff kept our water glasses filled and kindly packed our leftovers. A M B I A N C E Casual, low-key. It was a rare 85 degrees in April day so the covered front patio offered welcome relief. Overall, I wished the food had been more boldly spiced and brought more heat, nonetheless, we still enjoyed the meal, especially the kitfo...GET IT!

    Photos
    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Menu

    Menu

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - DORO WOT ( chicken stew ), BEEF Tibs, LAMB Tibs

    DORO WOT ( chicken stew ), BEEF Tibs, LAMB Tibs

    Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant - Amazing Cocktails: Espresso Martini, Honey Wine Pineapple Cider, Honey wine, Campari

    See all

    Amazing Cocktails: Espresso Martini, Honey Wine Pineapple Cider, Honey wine, Campari

    Xingones Cantina

    Xingones Cantina

    4.3(365 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$
    Minority-owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    This is an order before you sit down kinda place…read more I ordered the Xingones Nachos with ground beef and it was fresh and delicious. The chips were fried fresh, and the ground beef was quality. I was hesitant to order ground beef nachos but it was great tasting & well made. I got full but couldn't stop eating them. I ordered a drink and nachos. The drink came out promptly and was simple but well constructed. Service was good and with care. It's mostly high top seating with seating at the bar as well, & maybe 1-2 half circles with comfy pillows. Parking is tough, plan to either circle or park a few blocks away. And remember is this bip city so I recommend Ubering.

    I was visiting the area to spend time with family and didn't know many spots, but I'm really glad I…read morecame across Xingones Cantina. The vibe is great, and the food definitely delivers on flavor. We tried quite a bit--the first Friday taco, chicken sandwiches, Mexican hot dog, and asada tacos--and everything was honestly amazing. It was so good that we came back the next day before leaving town just to have it again. Service was about an 8/10. The only reason I didn't rate it higher was due to one moment that didn't sit right with me. I watched a waitress bring out fries to a guest, the guest started eating them, and then she came back to say it was a mistake and took them away after he was already halfway through. That just didn't feel very service-oriented. In a situation like that, it would have been better to acknowledge the mistake and let the guest keep the fries on the house. Taking back half-eaten food felt like poor judgment. That said, the overall experience was still very positive. Great atmosphere, great flavors, and definitely a spot I'd recommend checking out if you're in the area.

    Photos
    Xingones Cantina
    Xingones Cantina
    Xingones Cantina

    See all

    Biryani Tika Kabab

    Biryani Tika Kabab

    4.5(435 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Halal
    Healthy dining

    I ordered the " OKRA CHICKEN & WHEAT ROTI BREAD " for Dinner Last nite via Doordash.com …read more... Chicken Breast Meat was TENDER , FRESH & JUICY , The OKRA was also done ' Just Right ' being packed with " Oomph " !!!!!! Love the Melee of Curry Spice and the ' Downhome Aromas ' emanating from their "" GOURMET PAKISTANI HALAL KITCHEN "" in Downtown Oakland !!! Miraculously never had any PARKONG ISSUES around here always finding a spot , if not ' Bang in Front ' then on Adjoining Webster St. !!!! Lovely Ultra Clean AMBIANCE w/ Clean Customer Washroom & Sparkling GRANITE TOP tables. Establishment Very Appropriate For Families !!!!!!

    Overall, would not recommend this place. I encountered very racist and bigoted treatment here…read more I placed an online order last night and went by for the pick up. When I approached the front counter, the lady present was very standoffish with me. I informed her of why I was there and she asked my name for the order. Upon giving her my name she then glared at me and literally asked me to recite my entire order lol! I showed her my online receipt in which she then insisted I still tell her my order. She brushed away my receipt and let another customer cut in front of me. Interestingly, the customer told her his name and she retrieved his order with no issue and was very friendly with him. To note, I was the only Black person present at that time. When I inquired as to why that customer wasn't asked to recite his entire order, she grinned and said that he's a "regular" and that I was "new." She went on to let a few other customers cut in front of me. I then asked for my money back in which she refused to return. Even when I asked for the manager, she said he was very busy. I made several requests for this resulting in her saying no and refusing to return my money. I then noted to her I'm calling the authorities in which I did. Furthermore, while servicing some of the other patrons, she would speak in another language with them while they looked at me and start laughing and staring me down. Eventually, the manager came out. He presented himself professionally and upon explaining what occurred he apologized and said it was unacceptable. He even offered me a drink with my meal and asked that I please accept the order instead and wanted to make things right. I took him at face value and said fine. While the situation was remedied, I definitely will not be returning to this restaurant. I researched some of the other reviews and came across several where other Black patrons have had similar racially motivated experiences here. That tells me there's a common practice of racism here. I refuse to support a business where this kind of behavior is tolerated. I have zero tolerance for bigots of any kind. Overall, the experience was a waste of my time and very dehumanizing. To hate someone you don't even know simply because of their skin pigmentation and ethnicity is irrational at best and bad for business especially in a place like Oakland where it's multicultural. My advice would be to not support this establishment. I especially advise any Black patrons not to come here as they clearly have issue with anyone who is simply Black, despite not knowing them as a person. Don't give your money, nor your valuable time, to hateful individuals who dehumanize others. All in all, this place gets a thumbs down.

    Photos
    Biryani Tika Kabab
    Biryani Tika Kabab
    Biryani Tika Kabab

    See all

    Jaji - Chicken skewers

    Jaji

    4.4(135 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    We had an exceptional experience dining here tonight! The only draw back was the valet parking not…read morebeing able from the hotel! Food was well prepared and service was attentive. We will be back soon.

    Heading out for a date night, we landed at Jaji ~ what an absolutely beautiful restaurant. Wow!…read moreI've walked and driven by this restaurant for some time, and we finally had the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a meal + drinks here. We made a reservations ahead of time and were seated for dinner. We ordered the Bolani Triangles and Shola-Qorooti Croquettes to star and cocktails. For our main, we went with the Yogurt Chicken Kabobs and a side of Narenj Pallow (saffron rice). Cocktail-wise we tried the Red Henna, Black Ink and the Pashtunwali #1. For the second course we ordered the Estrella Galicia Lagers. There's also a happy hour drink and bar bites menu in the bar & lounge area. Looks like those hours are geared towards 5-6:30p. Jaji shares 'they are a modern progressive take on Afghan cuisine and a modern love letter to Afghanistan.' The same owners have a sister restaurant also in Oakland called Parche off Broadway which serves contemporary Colombian cuisine. All in all, our meal was delicious and esthetically pretty. So many layers to our meal and deep flavors and a thoughtful approach. We were headed to a show or we would have probably ordered more. Def looking forward to exploring more from the menu like the picture worthy Osso Buco and dessert :) The cocktail menu is worthy of a trip in itself, and event space is equally as gorgeous. What a win for downtown Oakland! We took a ride-share as parking seems to be a bit tricky, although there are metered lots nearby.

    Photos
    Jaji - Interior

    Interior

    Jaji - Trout (@_emwong_ on IG)

    Trout (@_emwong_ on IG)

    Jaji - Dark chocolate cake

    See all

    Dark chocolate cake

    Shawarmaji - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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