Completely different Yemeni food experience: - lamb haneeth comes wrapped in parchment and foil - piping hot even after the delivery! Bones were tender enough to chew easily and excellent flavors from spices - bread was a nice consistency and still warm - salad was seasoned and lightly oiled - so fresh and crisp - the lamb broth, depth of flavor from spices and veggies, great slightly thick mouth feel - rice could use some tinkering - not too much flavor Satisfying meal and price point is fraction of their competitors in the area $40 via DD with their current $5 off $30+ order. Go with Bab Al-Yemen, it's the better choice IMHO. read more

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Honest review ! NOt a negative but constructive review. We walked in and were surprised to see the place has changed after the last visit long time ago. Not even close to any of the photos shown here on Yelp and I decided not to add the current ambiance during lunch coz maybe better during dinner service . The Glass case was empty and this is not a negative review but we have to be honest and share our experience. We will still visit again because the food is on point and fresh and delicious. You just need to clean the area and especially the restrooms. . Here is our story. Walked in for lunch and hesitated as it was shockingly not the same and is like walking in to another time zone in a bad way ! We were asked to order at the counter after sitting for more than 10 minutes and they said to order from a minimal selection and we did and got 2 beef shawarma's. The food looked good and the guys that helped us was very nice and we were glad we stayed but the ambiance like third world and is nowhere what we remembered and what the photos is showing on Yelp. Maybe because We went in for lunch ? Is why the place was outdated. Is it different at dinner time ? There were plastic table covers that were slipping on all the tables and the guy was mopping the floor with a cup of concentrated chemical that hurts your nose and what smells like fabuloso cleaning solution as it was blue and he was pouring this all over the floor while stepping on a rag smearing it and then yes ! He proceeded to Spraying the windows etc. and all this with us and another couple waiting for our lunch orders just past 12 noon. We nearly walked out there but we know the food is delicious so we hunkered down waited. While waiting we washed our hands and surprisingly The bathroom is in need if attention with water leaking and the smell of the urinal is unbearable. The flooring will make you go back to your vehicle. LOL. Overall we liked the food but please clean the place before you open and visit the restrooms to see what needs attention. Food is on point that day but have to give 2 stars for now due to place needs work and restrooms are terrible and wonder what the kitchen looks like but will edit the review on the next visit if we drop by again. read more

Bab Al-Yemen - Beef Shawarma freshly made and crispy wrap and the fries were done properly ! Onion / Garlic heaven with crunchy veggies inside - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

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Was in there for a quick sandwich, ordered a beef shawarma wrap. It took them a while to prepare one shawarma even though I was the only customer. The shawarma was average when compared with other places for that price I'm sure the other items there are good. Will give it a try next time. read more

Bab Al-Yemen - Beef shawarma - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

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We went their with our friends unexpectedly. We had no high hopes with the food honestly. But they literally blew us up with their amazing flavors. We tried their grill chicken, lamb haneith and fahsa. And all three dishes were amazing. They also offer complimentary black tea (qehwa) if you ask for it. They had a really nice family seating on floor ( a separate room kind of space dedicated with privacy) and they also have tables. Ambiance of the family seating is very nice. Would definitely recommend it to others. read more

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Ok the food is yummy but the portion is very small. I went here after seeing them on TikTok! Did not meet the expectation. Very dead and depressing. Took a long time to serve the food. No water was brought when asked for we were served very warm water. The two star is mainly due to the slow and sad customer service. They need to make their portion bigger and Service better. Welcome the customer, answer questions with a smile on maybe read more

Bab Al-Yemen - Looks much bigger than what the real serving is! More bone than meat. - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

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I have lived in the middle east for many years, and I must say this awesome restaurant brought back so many of the good memories, the hospitality is top notch, and the food was so good I ordered a second meal to take with me for lunch. I working in Concorddo it's a bit of a drive for me during the week, but I will be a regular on Saturday. I had the best lamb I have ever eaten in my life, I would order it again when I go back but they such a variety of dishes and I want to try everything. read more

Bab Al-Yemen - This is only half the menu. - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

Place is really good!! The lamb muffa is my favorite, that's probably my go to everytime! Great customer service every item, and the vibe inside is great if you'd like to eat with a group of people, or even alone. read more

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First time time trying this place Suleymani tea was excellent Ful served in hot stone bowl, stayed hot for a long time Served with bread that felt light but I was full The portion is easily shareable by two people especially given the size of the bread I had this at 10 am and I was not hungry even beyond 4 pm Ful is not a dish you can get to go You have to sit here and savor although traditionally it might be a quick breakfast meal. Perfect for the chill of Oakland mornings Restaurant was empty in the morning but I can imagine the ambience would be pretty good if you come later on the day and with a group of people. There are larger enclosed private rooms with floor cushion seating I would visit again and try other dishes for sure read more

Bab Al-Yemen - Ful Mudammas - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

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Visited Bab Al-Yemen twice. First time was a decent visit and I'll go over everything. Food -- solid 4/5, serving size was 5/5 (my half plate was enough for 2 hungry eats.) The Aldeni tea while smoking hookah hits different. It was my first time trying both! For the hookah, I got the lemon mint gummy bear flavor. There's a parking lot which is definitely a plus considering the location of the restaurant. Service -- 3/5. Restaurant seems to be ran by a very small crew, meaning 1 or 2 employees.. the guy who helped was nice but seemed overwhelmed. I stopped by at about 10:30pm on a Saturday night for my second visit and they were closing up. Yelp shows that they close at 2:00 so that threw me off. I would come again, but I'd recommend to call the restaurant to make sure they're open before wasting gas and driving directly there. read more

Bab Al-Yemen - Mendi Chicken, Mendi Lamb, Hummus - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

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Tried Bab Al Yemen recently -- had the foul, chicken kebsa, and lamb haneeth. The foul was creamy and delicious, paired perfectly with their flaky bread. The chicken kebsa was flavorful, both rice and meat cooked well. The lamb haneeth had tender meat, though the rice was a bit bland. Ended the meal with a nice cup of red tea. Service was courteous, and food came out after about 15-20 minutes. Overall, a good experience! read more

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This place is a sleeper... no one expects much out of it but man is their food delicious... some of the dishes is a bit more pricey than others but they all taste really good! Don't sleep on this place! Give them a try! read more

I love the food and dining is perfect for Arabs. The service is great! The privacy is so good. You should try the shakshuka.

We stopped off at Bab Al-Yemen for an early dinner before catching an ice skating show at Oakland Arena. The area is a bit sketch in broad daylight, but the restaurant has a private lot with some surveillance cameras. Once I walked into the restaurant, I felt like I was teleported to a different city - a mixture of an island restaurant with matching decor + palm trees and the magical city of Agrabah. That's right, before this restaurant, the closest thing I have had to a Yemeni experience was kicking it at home with Aladdin and Jasmine. My family of four was seated in a private booth which was probably big enough to sit six comfortably. It was a small wooden structure draped with a red, yellow, and black striped fabric. Inside was a hanging lamp that looked like frozen fractals all around. The food was simple but very good. Main dishes were served on huge metal plates and it was a blast to eat. We didn't know what we were doing, but we did the full combo of throwing rice and meat into some flatbread and topping it off with some sauce. I'm slapping my wrist for you because I don't remember exactly what we ordered. I believe we got the Mendi Chicken (oven baked half chicken) and the Meat Mufaa (stewed lamb). Both were good, but I'd recommend the chicken prep over the lamb because of the flavor and some more varied textures with some crispy skin. Other things that we ordered were a Bab Al-Yemen Bread (flatbread), a Bab Al-Yemen Salad, and a Red Tea (a tasty sweetened spiced tea). Staff was very friendly and super helpful for advice on ordering. If you're stressed, it's this restaurant I suggest. Highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking to be teleported to a whole new world! read more

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Amazing staff, this is the best place for your pre flight shawarma. Would give 6 starts if given the option

Visited Bab Al Yemen in Oakland and had a great experience. We ordered the Chicken Mendi, which was tender and flavorful. The staff was friendly throughout, and the owner was incredibly hospitable -- he surprised us with delicious pistachio cake and tea at the end, which was such a thoughtful touch. read more

I'm sad they are no longer on international that place was really nice. The new spot is beautiful but I enjoyed the outdoor seating at the old place. The food is really good but what I highly recommend is the Adeni tea. Not all tea is the same and this place does it right (at least to my liking lol) read more

Bab Al-Yemen opens in Dogtown Sausage's vacated space. infrastructure is basically the same. indoor dining and take out available. big patio space in the rear. speciality is Yemen food. (Yemen is next to Saudi Arabia). offerings: hot appetizers, chicken, lamb, seafood, breakfast, cold appetizers, salads, sides, bread, dessert, sandwich, kebabs, hot drinks, beverages... eats: mendi (chicken) 1/2:16.99 total. no tax charged -"chicken cooked with pressure in a foot hole underground". -this is what i ordered. not sure what i got. it was an 1/2 chicken that tasted dried, had a lot of flavor. got 1/2 pan of basmatic rice flavored with yemen spices, topped with tomato, onions, parsley. tasty but slightly salty. *kebabs not available today. very friendly, helpful service. -4.5 stars chicken may have cooked for awhile... takeouts: -haven't ate Yemen food for 7 years, last in S.F. on Jones St. prefer kebabs. most of the menu is new to me. -not much parking in this underdevelped part of Oaktown. -some of the entrees are meant for sharing...... read more

This place is incredible. We tried the lamb and chicken. They give you plentiful food and it's all so flavorful! The chicken mendi and lamb fahsa were both incredible. The chicken mendi comes with rice that is so fluffy. The chicken is moist and super delicious. I loved the lamb fahsa. They didn't have tuna so we opted for this instead. It was incredibly tender and we paired it with bread. You have to get the tea! I love that they have space outside to eat in personal pods. There is a TV inside each unit. You can also do hookah if you prefer. The parking lot is very helpful as well. I was completely satisfied with the whole meal. Service was great! read more

Where do I start! If you want authentic Yemeni food definitely come here because it is absolutely delicious. The food is so flavorful and the meat is so tender and juicy, it is absolutely AMAZING. The restaurant is in a pretty sketchy area in East Oakland so definitely be careful lol, but don't let that stop you from coming! I went with a couple of friends to break our fast in Ramadan and we arrived at around 7pm. We were seated pretty quickly and got to sit in little booths that had doors which you can close so it was a really nice private dining experience. The service was okay and a little slow, even thought the restaurant was pretty empty. The staff were nice thought and accommodating. Overall, it is a great place for you to try some flavorful Yemeni food!! read more

The food tastes great and good and the restaurant decorations are beautiful. I only have a very important note, please pay attention to it. The sink and bathroom smell bad and the sink is not clean. The water tap in the sink has dirt on its sides that has not been cleaned for months. read more

We had lunch at Bab Al Yemen, and everything was fantastic. They served generous portions, showing their great hospitality. The broth was a nice touch. We tried the Lamb Kabsa and Lamb Haneeth, both full of distinct spices that showed the care and time they put into each dish. The Haneeth was my favorite--tender and packed with flavor. The Adeni Chai was one of the best I've had, the perfect end to the meal. Highly recommend and will definitely return! read more

Great food and service. Would highly recommend. Only downside is the area it's in. Unbelievable.

The booths were SICK, I greatly enjoyed its privacy. I got some rice dish with lamb. The lamb was extremely juicy and flavorful. The server at the counter was kind and even gave me a free sweet! read more

Bab Al-Yemen - (bad) photo of the booth - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

Great spot, I dug the private rooms although I was eating by myself. I had Lamb and some tea. The portions were big and the flavorful. The outside... it's a little dodgy, I definitely waited in the restaurant until my uber arrived. read more

I'm vegetarian, so there are not too many dishes here that I can eat. But OH MY! i cannot describe the joy I experienced eating MUSHAKAL (VEGETABLES COOKED WITH TOMATO SAUCE & SEASONED JUST RIGHT). It was an amazing experience I will not forget. It's so effing delicious! read more

Great ambiance: once inside you feel transported into a whole another world! Getting there and location is not that great. They do have limited parking onsite as well. Food to try: Mandi- lamb and chicken were both excellent! Lamb may be fatty and gamey for some, but we enjoyed it! The grill was not on the day we went so didn't get to try Kababs. Service: A bit slow but courteous none the less. Will surely go back! read more

Bab Al-Yemen - @Mendi lamb - Halal Near Me - Oakland, California

Food was amazing. Flavor, great ambiance and juicy meats. Ordered chicken Kabsa, Gyro wrap, their famous Yemeni bread and hummus. All wraps come with fries which is a plus! The customer service was excellent and very hospitable, they even gave us complimentary adeni chai which was delicious! The best one yet! A must try for authentic Yemeni flavors and atmosphere! read more

Easts - Goat mandi, Chicken Mandi. Half a portion gets you a lot of food. Like others said it sits in a rough neighborhood and I almost missed this place a couple of times and had to drive around. The food was okay and for me, its a bit little bland and I needed to spice it up, perhaps that how authentic yamenese food tastes like. read more

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Delicious food, great service, and cozy atmosphere. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. Definitely coming back!

This Yemeni Restaurant is located at the edge of Oakland. The neighborhood doesn't look like much truthfully, so I wouldn't be surprised if people just pass up on this place. It's located at what used to be a business called Dog Patch. My husband and I tried a few appetizers and their red tea. My husband loves tea and is very critical about it. The fact that he expressed interest in another cup says a lot! Their tea is infused with what smells like cardamon and jasmine; boy do you take in the aroma with every sip. I wish I could remember the names of the appetizers we got. Unfortunately, I didn't take note of them. One was a chicken dish, one was a vegetable stew and the third was a lamb dish. Upon leaving, we engaged a bit with another server by the entrance. I noticed some wafer cookies and started reading the packaging. The server was so sweet, he insisted I try it on the house. I grabbed one and he handed me a handful! It was super sweet and actually quite funny with how insistent he was that I get more. Hands down the people here are super sweet! Come support them and their new business. read more

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There for lunch. Expensive, nearly $25/plate. No veges. Minimal sauces. Burned and/or tasteless lamb (3 dishes among us). Terrible service. Tacky, plastic utensils, no tap water available, very slow, noisy (they couldn't even bother to oil the screeching gate that went in and out of to serve), crummy fixtures and other noise although there was next to no one else there, none when we arrived. The decor is a mix of whimsical, Yemeni and ugly w/lots of black paint. The outdoor areas are thrashed. I really have almost next to nothing good to say about this place. read more

Worst service by far. I had to yell and ask for basic amenities. The ambiance is okay despite being violated by a man who walked in on me in the bathroom because the lock is broken. The lamb is somewhat tender but given the wait time we waited per meal at that point I had already lost my appetite. I would never come here again even if you paid me. read more

Bab Al-Yemen is in fact the Bomb Al-Yemen. As a true fan of Yemini mandi, I'm hard-pressed to find anything in San Francisco. But when I'm in Oakland, and especially before an event at the Oakland arena, this is a perfect place to stop. They have these great, outdoor, family booths, with heat. The dishes are massive, even the half-order fish mandi was nice. The service is sweet and the entire vibe brings me back to the Middle East. Disclaimer: I've never actually been to Yemen (who has really been able to go for the last 20 years) but until peace prevails there (whenever the Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict ceases) then at least we have places like Bab Al-Yemen. Inshallah. read more

Best Yemeni food in the Bay Area. And excellent service. You won't regret ordering the foole mudamas read more

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NEW ADDRESS: 10 Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA, 94621 GREAT FOOD AMAZING SERVICE! This place is one of the best I have been to in the area, always feels like home always delicious. read more

This is a hidden gem! They have these outdoor rooms that I've never seen anywhere ese and it comfortable sits 6 adults. Sliding doors to keep it warm inside or you can slide them open for some more air. We had already rated a large meal that day so we just went for the tea (which was really delicious) and I got a salad that thankfully I didn't have to share. It had the perfect blend of ingredients to give it its own flavor and the dressing was a simple lemon and olive oil to compliment the already flavorful salad. The service was really friendly, warm, and welcoming. I would definitely recommend and go again! read more

Never tried yemen food and it was delicious! Recommend the lamb and the aldeni tea. Also exceptional service, the staff went above and beyond in helping us celebrate a bday dinner! read more

Authentic and delicious Yemeni food. Traditional floor seating available. Gracious host.

We went for dinner on Sunday. It was closing time, but the staff allowed us to order food. The lamb fahsah was recommended and it was just mouth watering! They have closed booth inside and outside patio. Great place, will visit again! read more

Customer service is terrible. The guy at the reception who also claims is the owner is a very rude person. Food is stale and meat smells very old. Won't visit again! read more