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

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

Old Jerusalem is so yummy! Our eyes were differently bigger than our stomachs. We ordered the…read moreStuffed Falafel, Mosabaha, Meat Combo, Mousakhan, and Kunafa. There was complimentary bread which was insanely good and fluffy and warm plus tahini and an onion tomato sauce I think along with radishes and olives. We are not olive ppl sadly but I tried one and it was pretty okay. The service was great and all the servers were super attentive and accommodating. The Stuffed falafel was so good and huge 1 is enough for 2 people. The mosabaha was very refreshing and so good. The meat combo was good overall and everything was very herbally spiced, I wasn't impressed by the lamb tho but the kebab, hummus, and chicken were great! I haven't had Mousakhan before so not sure how it should taste but to me it was sweet and savory with really well cooked chicken. I honestly felt pretty healthy overall cause I was eating hella veggies and everything tasted so fresh. The kunafa was good we got it crispy and was yummy imo but was a lil oily (I think this is normal tho). Arab food isn't really spicy but it is spiced and very herbal which I felt in the food here, I appreciate that chili sauce is provided for the spice lovers. Overall, would highly recommend. It was about $100ish for everything and they recently increased their prices but tbh the portion sizes are huge and I feel like it is so worth it we had hella leftovers. If we had 4 ppl instead of 2 it would've been perfect portions for everyone.

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

EAT HERE. NOW!!…read more pros: -kotlet and lavash special = SO GOOD -cutest restaurant inside and out -fast service cons: -none

After hearing about Lavash for years, I was excited to finally try it. Unfortunately, it was a…read moreletdown. The two stars are mainly for the ambiance. The restaurant has a warm, authentic Persian feel that I genuinely appreciated. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. The kebabs were surprisingly bland and lacked the depth of flavor I'd expect from Persian cuisine. The quality of the meat was average at best, and nothing on the plate really stood out. Service was also mediocre. It wasn't unfriendly, just indifferent and forgettable. If you're completely new to Persian food and happen to be in the neighborhood, Lavash is a convenient introduction. But if you've experienced Persian restaurants across California, this is unlikely to impress. I've eaten at more than 35 Persian restaurants throughout the state, and based on that experience, Lavash falls well below average. I really wanted to like it after hearing so much about it over the years, but I left disappointed. Two stars is the most I can honestly give.

Set your expectations right and this place is close to perfect: it's a small counter spot near 16th…read moreSt BART, mostly takeout, a few stools inside and a couple of tables out front. It is not a sit-down restaurant and doesn't pretend to be. What it is, is consistently excellent food at prices that still make sense in a city where that's getting rare. We're regulars, and we usually go on Sunday evenings after my girlfriend gets off work. Falafel wrap and chicken shawarma are our usual order -- the falafel has that crisp-shell, tender-middle thing going, and the wraps are generously built. We've branched out plenty and everything we've tried has been good. The other reason we keep showing up is the people. Turna usually takes our order, and she is genuinely lovely -- friendly in a way that isn't a customer-service script. My girlfriend and I always walk out in a better mood than we walked in with, which is worth a lot. Practical notes: halal, lots of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, open until midnight Fri/Sat, and they cater. Grab some napkins if you're eating the wrap on the move -- it's a big one, and that's a compliment.

Solid Mediterranean spot. The meat tastes fresh, and you can actually see it being prepped when you…read moreorder, which is always a good sign. I'm a big fan of the chicken shawarma--it's really flavorful and hits the spot when it's done right. That said, on a couple of my previous orders the meat was a bit on the dry side, but I still find myself coming back because when it's on point, it's really good. Staff is friendly, and most of the time you can stand on their ledges to eat or sit outside. There were 2 small tables that seat 2-3 per table. Pro tip: ask for the tahini and hot sauce on the side and load it into your wrap--it takes it up a notch.

Visiting Kokkari Estiatorio had been on my restaurant bucket list for years, and when it was my…read moreturn to choose a spot for our celebratory team lunch, no one was opposed to dining at Kokkari Estiatorio. I booked our table about a month in advance, which turned out to be the right move because the restaurant was bustling during the lunch hour. To start, we ordered four small plates to share among our party of four: meatballs, saganaki, spanakotiropita, and a pair of dips (melitzanosolata and favasalata) with pita. Everything was excellent, and our spread was inclusive of a wide variety of flavors and textures: salty, creamy, acidic, sweet, crunchy. The meatballs and the dips are definitely a must-order and are ideal for sharing. The spanakotiropita were larger and more filling than expected, so if I were to order those again, I'd dial it back and stick with small plates rather than a full-sized entree. The saganaki was a showstopper; it is served sizzling and crackling on a cast iron dish and had a nice salty flavor that allowed the cheese to be served on its own. For my main dish, I ordered the braised goat - which is not something I'd typically order because goat meat is usually tough - but I was intrigued how it was prepared as a stew. The dish almost reminded me of a Moroccan tagine - the goat was braised to peak tenderness and bathed in a slightly fruity and well-spiced sauce; dotted with pieces of melted feta; and served on top of a bed of baked orzo, which was served fresh-from-the oven in a mini cast iron dish. I was so full after our meal that I had to walk it off for a few blocks, but I cannot wait for our next special occasion so we can come back and celebrate with another feast at Kokkari Estiatorio.

I was so happy to return here after like 12 years! I love their lamb chops, salads, desserts and…read moreappetizers. Yes, it's a somewhat expensive dining experience but you are paying for top notch service and great quality food. I am not talking about these cheap midnight specials in Las Vegas. This is type of food where you take your time eating to savor your food to taste the silky texture of the meat or let the sauce soak into the octopus appetizer to soften it and tastes good. I would have ordered a salad but with the health scare of salads recall made me hesitant to order any, although the specials sounded great! You can still cannot go wrong as every dish was great experience and great execution. Love the melted cheeses in appetizer and custard in dessert with pistachio ice cream! The meats really shined as we asked for medium rare and both steak and lamb chops cooked perfectly. Would I go back? , oh yeah and splurge on this place for sure. It just felt special to me. That flourless cake by kitchen I was debating should I take the whole thing and run? lol Restroom is a maze I do must say as you take an elevator one level down.

This place is so reliable. Good service up front. You can order and eat inside or in their cute…read morebackyard. They keep the options limited but you can mix and match your style. It's a pick your protein and pick your style. I usually get the chicken wrap. But occasionally get the salad with chicken. Their hot sauce is delicious too! We often grab it to go and eat it up the hill in Alamo Square for a lunch with a great view on a nice day. Souvla offers very tasty food with good ingredients prepared faithfully time after time. It's an easy go-to choice for me and my wife on a sunny weekend day.

We seem to venture out beyond our neighborhood yet with so many great dining spots it was time to…read morestay in our nabe and try Souvla. I have mixed feelings about Souvla, like maybe I ordered the wrong thing? I had the chicken sandwich: It lacked flavor, puzzling since it has bold flavors of fennel, pickled onions and orange. The chicken was finely shredded and plentiful, it just had no taste and it was dry. My son loved his lamb gyro which disappeared in an instant (his big eyes signaled he wanted my sandwich too- I handed it over.) The fries with Greek cheese were great and still hot when we arrived home. The frozen yogurt with olive oil and salt was pucker-your-mouth delicious. Next time we'll dine al fresco and kick back and people watch - and I'll pick something new off the menu. Service could not have been friendlier and food prep, fast! And PS the takeout boxes are really pretty.

I'm generally pretty indifferent about mediterranean food, but this place really impressed me!…read more Every dish I tried had amazing flavors, and everything was prepared perfectly. We started off with the hummus and the moussaka (eggplant and tomato sauce). The hummus was pretty standard, but still great, and the moussaka was SO delicious. This was definitely the standout dish to me, and I'd hiiiighly recommend it. For mains, I was doing Meatless Monday, so I got the super falafel wrap. This wrap was also sooo delicious and massive! The falafel was really flavorful, and all the toppings and tahini sauce were just perfect additions. The restaurant itself is really pleasant and bright, great for pretty much any occasion. Service was also good (you order via QR code, but they bring the food out to you) and prices are reasonable given the quality and portion size. Definitely a new fav spot in SF!

After reading all the glowing Yelp reviews, I walked into Mezze & Mooore on a Monday night…read moreexpecting a five-star experience. The food was delivered. The service apparently called out sick. Let's start with the good news: the food was genuinely delicious. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The mint lemonade was bright and refreshing. The chicken skewers were flavorful and perfectly cooked (though surprisingly small). The halumi salad with eggplant was a generous portion. Now for the "Mooore" part. I was hoping the restaurant's name was also a mission statement. However, we could have used more attentive service. More follow-through. More toilet paper... Unfortunately, once we were seated, we were essentially released into the wild. Ordering is done by scanning a QR code, which is perfectly fine in theory. In practice, it felt like sending requests into the void. A drink I ordered never appeared. Nobody checked on the table, so I had to get up and walk to the counter to ask about it. Later, I had to make another trip to remind them we had ordered dessert. Then another trip when we wanted a to-go box. Apparently, the evening's theme was "interactive dining," where the guests perform most of the customer service duties themselves. Tips are forced when you first order online - no refunds on that. The bathroom offered its own adventure. The trash bin was overflowing with dirty paper towels, and there was little to no toilet paper available. As the daughter of a health inspector, knowing that staff use the same facility, I would have given this a poor hygiene grade. What made the experience frustrating was that the food was good enough to make you want to come back. But when your guests spend half the meal looking for someone to help them, it takes away from what could have been a 'more' pleasant evening.

Oh my god what a taste ! Now I know that Bursa is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in San…read moreFrancisco! The food is absolutely amazing--every dish is fresh, flavorful, and prepared with great attention to detail. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. The staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making the entire dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. The restaurant is also spotless, with a clean, comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to come back again. If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean cuisine, outstanding service, and a warm, inviting environment, Bursa is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

Does a 40min wait justify the top tier food of Bursa? Yes, so make sure to bring a ton of…read moreconversational topics to talk about or you'll be sitting on your hands for a hot minute. I arrived around 5:45PM and they had a few spots open. They have a good amount of tables, and the interior decor makes the entire spot feel elevated. I placed my order around 6PM and received my food around 6:40PM. I ordered a falafel appetizer and paired it with a Mixed Grill Kebab and a Beyti. The falafel was really crunchy and flavorful, and overall tasted freshly made. The Beyti was a more riskier dish we ordered, as we aren't as familiar with Mediterranean cuisine. It's basically the meat from the Kofte Kebab wrapped in a bread, with seasoned yogurt as dipping sauce. Since we were familiar with the Kofte taste, this dish was a good twist on the flavor and I would definitely recommend it, especially as a shareable plate! The Mixed Grill Kebeb took the show, because how can a chicken breast be so juicy? We ordered this one to taste all this establishment had to offer, and the chicken was arguably better than the lamb. The chicken breast was super juicy and flavorful, but the lamb felt a little under-seasoned and could've used a little bit more salt. Not a big fan of the gamey taste of lamb, but the lamb chop here had very little - to a point where it tasted GOOD. The seasoning they use is magical, and the hints of cumin mask the taste exceptionally well. Did I mention big portions and good service? I love how this place diverges from the small SF portions and gives you a fulfilling meal with leftovers if needed. We are so accustomed to not taking home leftovers when I remember getting leftovers everytime pre covid! Bursa is an amazing place to take the parents, the inlaws, or even visiting friends to experience one of the many pockets of SF's vibrant districts while getting yummy food without paying tech bro prices. I look forward to coming back, but wish I didn't exhaust all my conversation topics before finishing my meal.