I had Moroccan dinner at Abigail last Sat night--food was FABULOUS!!!! The owner (Jonathan) and his wife (Fatima) prepared lamb shank that was out of this world!!! Literally falling off the bone. The meat was sooooo tender it practically melted in my mouth. There was also a chicken dish that was cooked with cumin and some other great spices--YUM!!!! Jonathan's an old friend of mine--but that doesn't mean the food was any less wonderful...Also, 4 different salads (eggplant, roasted pepers) and of course: Cous Cous. They usually have a belly dancer (she didn't show, sadly) so there's plenty to watch. A great environment for children, too--as Jonathan and Fatima have 2 young wonderful girls...GO GO GO--you won't be sorry!!! read more

I'm glad I finally made it to Abigail's. I am Moroccan and that usually leaves a lot of "Moroccan Cafes" out of my go to places. I'm happy to report that Abigail's didn't disappoint. In fact, their Moroccan spicy tuna sandwich was delicious and fresh. I am a coffee snob and the Moroccan coffee was outstanding. I will definitely be coming back to explore the rest of the menu. read more

Abigail's Moroccan Cuisine - Moroccan Near Me - Alameda, California

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walked in and the service was awesome. super sweet and helpful on making selections since this was my first visit. ending up getting the chicken and rice plate, hummus and pita & lemonade with mint. so delicious. walked out full and had a smile on my face. highly recommend them. not only is the food great but also the service. read more

We drove from Oakland to eat here for the first time and arrived at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night - the posted closing time on Saturday night is 10 p.m. The host eventually approached us and said, "We're finished now, closed." There were a number of customers in the restaurant. I mentioned the posted hours, and he answered, "Yes, but we were busy and we are done now." We were pretty stunned. I'm not usually sensitive about these things, but I can't help feeling being an interracial party had something to do with it, unless it was just plain rudeness. read more

Ever time I wanna feel at home I go to this amazing place. Her sandwiches are amazing and the service is really great. Nice family owned restaurant. I definitely recommend!! read more

My first time ever coming to Abigail's - I was very excited to try something new...especially on the island. My party of 5 showed up today around noon for my birthday lunch. We were told by the owner that she was not taking anymore customers because her husband did not show up and she was the only one there. So 1 star for them cause I did not even get to try it. Total bummer - - - - read more

Give this one a miss. We made reservations, had two more than originally planned, but the restaurant was not full. Number one - service was ATROCIOUS. We waited an hour for the salad. We arrived at 7pm and our main dish was not served until 9:30 pm and it was lukewarm. Food was average. The waitress seemed like she was purposely avoiding us and kept skipping our table. Number two: Food was very very average. Number three: belly dancing was average, and from where we were (under the speakers) we couldn't really see much, it is not set up well. We would not recommend Abigail's to anyone. In response to the note from Jonathan - we actually were on time, our reservations were for 7pm and we did show up with 12, rather than 10. The fact that a service provider would criticize a customer speaks volumes. read more

1 star for really bad service. The waitstaff seemed overwhelmed and confused most of the night. There were 7 of us at my table. 6 entrees were served and we had to wait about 15 minutes for the 7th. I'm still waiting for the coffee that I ordered and never got. Bellydancing was average and the music was blaring loud. One of the waitstaffers was wearing a baseball cap the entire time... someone needs to tell this guy that it's rude to wear a hat in a setting like this. Amateur hour here... won't be back. read more

I thought the family running the restaurant were very nice. The belly dancer was an excellent dancer. Though I didn't care to join the dance. I wish that was an option to decline but no you had to dance with her. I loved the tea. But the food was just okay. I couldn't finish my meal. I didn't care for the spices they used. I feel bad saying that since the family was so nice. And I had reservations!! I ordered the chicken dish. I have no clue who you mistake me for but I never special order anything. My friends ordered the lamb and chicken dishes. I'm just being honest with MY opinion. read more

My very first visit was New Years eve and we had such a blast! The family greeted us like we'd been coming for years. The food was amazing. We were really enjoying ourselves and then the belly dancer started! We all danced with her and made friends with everyone else in the restaurant. It was such a great night I can't wait to go back! read more

Pretty good portions.. very family oriented. must come back for saturday dinner nights

Enjoy a calm and welcoming restaurant with excellent food. Moroccan Salad w/ chicken + Hummus + Moroccan Mint Tea. Delicious. Less than 15$ per person. read more

I grab lunch from here at least once a week it seems like. The owners, husband and wife, are super nice esp the wife. And their two girls are so sweet too. But more importantly is that the sandwiches here are delicious! Esp the spicy tuna (which I always always get) and the isabella sandwich. The chicken parm is also yummie. We have not tried their fixed menu dinner yet but planning to soon since they have a belly dancer present every weekend dinner =) On warm days you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful view of the SF bay/bridge. read more

Brought my sister and niece here during their visit from London, and Abigail's did not disappoint. Part of the reason why they loved it so much is because of the really attentive service; Jonathan and Fatima are such stars and always willing to please. A different belly dancer this time, but one who was just as great. And of course...the food. Just thinking about the lamb shank now is making me hungry! In short, Abigail's is a local diamond. I'd recommend you go there if you haven't already been. If you have, you don't need me to tell you to go again - you know you want to! read more

This is one of my places to go for comfort food-- the food is deliciously flavored and fresh- what they say about the lamb is true! The ambience is welcoming,and the service is great!!! I And yes- you can book the entire place for a private party!!! Thank you Abigail's! read more

So twice now I've driven to this place when they are supposed to be open and they were closed. Don't post your hours online saying you're always open when you're not. Even the hours posted on the building said they were supposed to be open. Shame on me for not calling but if they can't even get it together enough to have a truthful schedule then I'm done. Sorry but you won't get my business. read more

So I went here for the first time yesterday and it's a cute little place. The food is so yummy and I love it. I had the Moroccan mint lemonade and these cookies that were so yummy! I will have to go back and try more food later on. The family who runs this restaurant is very friendly and nice. The daughters are especially cute and so friendly. I was told on Saturday evenings they have belly dancing and live music with a feast and that is something I'll need to come back and check out! Next door is a great little spa called Wax by Courtney Guadamuz that gives the best facials and body waxing treatments. She's very professional and will make you feel very comfortable through your service. Go check her out if you are in the neighborhood! I would highly recommend both these businesses and will be going back to Courtney for all my skincare needs and then stopping in to have some yummy Moroccan food when I'm done. Help support local businesses and go check these places out! You will be very satisfied if you do! read more

Wonderful food thoughtfully prepared. Will definitely return again for lunch when I am on the Island. Have recommended to my clients

What an amazing surprise. We had the Marinara sandwiches (we had the chicken and the meatballs version) and they were out of this world. I wish we could go back for their weekend feasts... read more

I recently booked two special events at Abigail's, because I was so impressed with their lunch fare. One event was a Moroccan dinner for 60 guests. . .a fundraiser for our Alameda non-profit dance group. Owners Jonathan and Fatima couldn't have been more gracious hosts. The food was absolutely delicious. I understand it was basically the same menu they service for their Saturday Night dinners. . . chicken tajine with preserved lemon, lamb shanks where the meat just melts off the bone, along with various Moroccan salads. Thanks to their flexibility and generosity, Dance10 was able to stage entertainment, sell wine (with a special license), set up a silent auction and make enough profit to pay for costumes for our performances in Europe during the 2012 Summer Olympics. The second event was a retirement dinner I organized for 30 people. This was a sit-down, Italian dinner where guests had the choice of eggplant or chicken parmigiana or lasagna. I have to say, Fatima whipped up the best lasagna I have ever eaten. The flavor , the spices of the meat were unusal and so fresh. . . not covered up with a sweet tomato sauce as I've experienced in the past. Do yourself a favor and head to Ballena Bay for a taste of Abigail's. The view of our grand City across the Bay might lure you out there, but you'll be back for the delicioius food and the warm hospitality of the owners Jonathan and Fatima. read more

Wow received a message from the owner. No apology. Alleges that he told us that they were expecting a private party (which he didn't, just said they were closed, no explanation). And goes on to say they serve first come first serve. So by his business model, we should've been served first since they were waiting on a party. Oh and the family that came in was his brother and beautiful Brazilian wife and child. Or course you don't turn away family and the beautiful Brazilian! But paying customers, you can always turn those away. Again, awful business practices there. read more

I decided to check this place out to have 'out of town guests/wedding party/family' dinner. Right away, i found out this Alameda waterfront restaurant, would be available for just us on a Friday night (wow-thanks!). We had about 44 people and every person was super impressed with the food (thank you!). It tasted SO delicious and homemade!! We brought our own wine (no corkage fee). Free belly dancing entertainment (another wow!) And for me, the best part, was dealing with the owners Johnathan, Fatima and their kids. They were so easy going in a 'homestyle family way' that made us feel welcomed and relaxed about the evening. Communicating with Johnathan was easy and he was always flexible with my requests. Thank you for making our event a memorable one. I will recommend this place to my friends for sure. read more

I returned to Alameda after 9 months on the East coast. It was so nice to go back to Abigail's for the chef's Thursday lunch special. This time it was braised lamb shanks with Moroccan rice. Everything was juicy and seasoned with her special spices. The lamb was delectably fork tender, my husband loved it. The owners warmly welcomed me back, Abigail's cafe makes it nice to be home again. read more

Very very good. Quietly authentic Moroccan dishes that also bring a flavor of the NYC deli to the party. The bread is AWESOME, I suggest also ordering Mint tea. (It is sweet and hot) read more

We came here for dinner with a group of 4. The food was perfect; quintessentially Morrocan (lamb / chicken, couscous, vegetables, bread, dessert). The vegetables were super tasty, fresh, and nicely cooked. And the belly dancing was amazing. The service was warm and friendly (family run), and the place is right on the water with great views. **It's BYOB** so bring your own drink. read more

The owner and her wonderful kids made us feel completely at home and greeted us with warmth and care-best Moroccan coffee I've ever had, incredible chicken tagine cooked so perfectly the bone just falls off and the kefta was unbelievably juicy and flavorful. Even the rice and hummus at this place is something to write home about. 5 stars ain't good enough! read more

In town from Cincinnati... and happened to stop by this amazing little gem. The meal I had was probably the best meal I've ever had in my life... and I have traveled around the world. Don't look for a menu because they typically have lamb or chicken....It will melt in your mouth... And if you stop by Saturday night they will have some live bellydancing entertainment. The owner is the most humble server you'll ever meet... and his wife is a magician in the kitchen. If you are in Alameda and don't go here for dinner or lunch.... you have missed something special! read more

My new favorite deli to take friends and family to. A little off the beaten path but well worth the extra effort. The caramelized onions, which are on several of the sandwiches, are to die for. The bread is perfectly crusty. Yummy little sides of potato salad to go with your huge sandwich make the perfect lunch. read more

Very nice little place. We went there for a middle of the afternoon late lunch, and are on the patio. Beautiful view, tasty Moroccan food and very nice service. Wished they served wine - a crisp Sauvignon blanc would have been just the thing. Great value too. read more

Just opened on April 20, my wife and I tried them today for the first time. I had the parmigiana meatball sandwich, she had the moroccan eggplant sandwich. Mine came with fruit, hers with moroccan anti-pasti on the side. We shared a bowl of the moroccan soup (lentils, chickpeas, spices, broth, thickened with flour). Everything was excellent. The sandwich bread was a little too crusty for me (biting the sandwich goobers the filling out the back side...), but great bread nonetheless. We met the owners and the cook, and they really made us feel welcome and are very sincere and enthusiastic about what they do. Which is make and serve really, really good food for a reasonable price. We used to eat at the Good'n'Plenty Deli, later morphed into the Ballena Bay Cafe, and miss having a place to eat a casual lunch out there. We're looking forward to going back and trying many of their other dishes. The view of the bay and SF is stunning. Give it a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed in any way. The owners told us they'd be serving beer and wine soon, and as things get rolling, expanding into dinner hours. Can't wait for that! They will cater, or at least make take-out for large groups, too. read more

This review is about the Saturday Night Dinner special. I have not been here for lunch, which I understand may be a more positive experience. There was almost no redeeming part of our experience. I'm giving it 2 stars because at least the dining room was clean and the people were polite. When we walked in, there were perhaps 10 people there for a place that could seat over 50. Maybe it was just a slow night. When you sit down, you are served a vegetable plate which tasted like it came from a can. Afterwards, we were asked if we wanted the lamb or the chicken. We had one of each. Both dishes tasted like they were made in a crock pot. The meat was meh (we didn't finish either). The vegetables and couscous were soggy. The olives and dates for garnish were from a can. The dessert was a cookie that was similar to cardboard (probably because it came from a box). They served mint tea, which you will like, but only because it is sugar water. One small detail is that the server (I think he was the owner) was wearing a random baseball cap, which maybe works for his lunch crowd, but hardly speaks to the dinner experience that you might be hoping for. Once the belly dancer got the music fixed, she did her best to stir up the crowd, which was tough given how few people there were. Performance shows benefit from the energy of an audience, and I guess belly dancing is no different. It may very well be that the lunch experience at this restaurant is extraordinary. But if you are thinking of going there for the Saturday Night Dinner, it would be a good idea to reconsider. read more

A real hidden gem. Feels like home. We stumbled on this place for lunch because of the stellar yelp reviews and we weren't disappointed. The food was fresh and authentic. Very kid friendly too with an amazing view. read more

Love this place. We have a sailing school and charter company next door and everyone at our Club also loves this place. Should have 10 stars. read more

This place is a little gem. The chicken sandwich was well seasoned with perfectly grilled onions, roasted tomatoes, and bread that soaked up all those yummy flavors but remained crunchy! The mint lemonade was so refreshing and you can't really beat the view of the water. I'm definitely coming back for their Saturday dinner with bellydance and chicken tajine. read more

This place is awesome!!! Got turkey sandwich which was the best I've ever eat. Morocco tea is also was really tasty. Prices are chip

Delicious food, reasonably priced, spectacular view. Family run. This place has almost everything going for it. Too bad they kept the TV on, making us listen to basketball all through the meal. read more

I like Abigails Moroccan Cuisine. Why? Is it the food? Yes, of course I like the food, but if it was just the food I would have given this restaurant 3 stars. Service is good and friendly. Their mint tea is wonderful. But what I love about this place is their location, where you can look over the beautiful bay and feel the bay breeze come in. It's also a dog friendly restaurant where you can hang outside and enjoy your food with your pooch! read more

Came after a run and the Greek salad with Kofta and Chicken were the perfect reward. Kofta had great seasoning and the dressing made the salad. Chicken was good, but will definitely have the Kofta the next time we're here. We were lucky we came on a sunny day and were able to sit outside and enjoy the view with the great food. read more

Yum, well worth the driving from San Leandro to have a bite to eat here. The Godfather and friendly staff make it so!

Just had a fantastic meatball sandwich, mint tea and view of the bay.