Me and my partner wanted to try a different cuisine so we decided to try this restaurant since we've never had Somalian food before. We weren't sure of what to get as we have had African food before but were unfamiliar with most of the dish names. The person working there was super friendly and helpful in helping us figure out what to try. In the end we decided to just go with the "platter for two people" as it comes with two proteins combined (for us we went with the goat mandi and chicken suqaar but you are free to change the proteins). Let me tell you that the "platter for two people" must be for two extremely hungry people because the platter is ginormous. To be honest it could even probably feed four to five people with small appetites. Taste wise the food is delicious, as both the goat and chicken were not dry, and seasoned well with spices/salt. You can also choose between having half rice/pasta or full rice/full pasta but we ended up getting half and half. The rice is not plain either as you can tell that it is cooked with several spices and is also cooked alongside the meat. As for the pasta it's about what you'd expect; we just got it because we usually don't see pasta served at other African places we've been to. Between the two of us we barely ended up making a dent in the food and we took home two leftover boxes worth of food. I will state that the platter is mostly carbs (rice and pasta) but there's still a decent amount of protein and considering how much food you get for the price (around $42 dollars) I'm not complaining. In terms of value to price you can come to this restaurant and you won't complain about portion sizes at all. It also helps that the food is also very tasty and that the service was helpful. I'm glad this was my first experience with Somalian food and I'd definitely return if I'm in the mood for it again! read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Platter for 2 People - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

First time trying Somali food and I loved it!! I didn't know what to order and told them to surprise me! When they came up to my table with this tray, I was so shocked, it is absolutely GORGEOUS. And for such a great price, I took my leftovers home, and this meal lasted me for days, every day I looked forward to finishing my leftovers, which is so funny haha. I got half pasta and half rice, the staff was so sweet, they told me about the traditions of the food and where it originates from. I came alone to eat, and they made me feel super welcomed. Would 100% come again. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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Well I am super skeptical of any place that has all five stars but this place earned my respect and my five stars. ambiance is meh, it's clean, and has a few tables outside with more inside. Service is friendly and helpful. What makes this place special is the amount and quality of the food for the price! This is one of San Diego's must try cheap eats places. We ordered the sambusas , chicken salad, and the lamb shank! The sambusas were so yummy, Well priced and not at all oily! The chicken salad had a crazy amount of chicken and came with a yummy hot sauce. The lamb was plenty for two. The rice that came with it was outstanding! We will definitely be adding this place to our lunch rotation!! read more

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Somali food is delicious! The fragrant rice is easily the most tasty rice I've ever had. We all got the 2 person platter with Goat Mandi, spiced Chicken rice and veggies. This is a good choice to get so you can taste both meats. We also got the Whole Fried Tilapia which was moist and crispy, and the Sambusa appetizer. Don't forget to get the milk tea! It comes with a beautiful tea set, and it is a great way to finish to a wonderful meal. read more

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Bisbas Somali Restaurant is incredibly fresh, flavorful, and satisfying, and the hospitality made the experience even better. I started with the fresh salad, which featured cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes, and a bright house-made pomegranate and lemon dressing that was light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. The sambusas were perfectly crispy and golden, with a deliciously seasoned meat filling. For the main course, I ordered the platter for two with the Goat Haneeth and Half Chicken. The goat was exceptionally tender and infused with a rich blend of Somali spices, while the chicken was juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Both were served over fragrant rice that complemented the proteins beautifully. The portions were generous, the service was warm and welcoming, the interior was stylish and tidy, and every dish tasted thoughtfully prepared. If you're looking to explore authentic Somali cuisine in San Diego, Bisbas is absolutely worth a visit. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Great experience. I've been here before and tried their Sambusas (love it so much). I came back to have a full experience and I was amazed by the flavors in the Chicken Suqaar and Loaded Bisteeki Fries. The meat in the loaded fries is different. It's like their version of carne Asada fries but better. The staff is great and kind. They have large portions. I couldn't finish one entree alone! Glad I came to try Somali food at Bisbas. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Loaded Bisteeki Fries and Sambusa (2) - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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Bisbas is a hidden gem in San Diego! Known for their authentic Somali food, we had a chance to enjoy several of their dishes. From their lamb to their rice and their Sambusa to their wings, every bite we took was savory and memorable. My personal favorite was their platter for 2 dish, specifically their lamb, peppers and rice. The lamb melted right off and the rice was delicious! I recommend anyone in SD who's looking to try something new to check out Bisbas. Will not be disappointed! read more

First time trying Somali food and it was delectable! AMAZING flavors and HUGE portions. We got the platter for two and it gave us a taste of everything. I loved the chicken with the rice. The goat was tender and not gamey at all. Sambusas were also my favorite. You can never go wrong with a crispy, crunchy appetizer. The herbs inside gave it that fresh taste. They also have a more American fusion side of their menu with buffalo fries, burgers, etc. For drinks, definitely try their mango drink. It's super refreshing and tastes like you're eating a fresh mango. My boyfriend was a fan of their tea which reminded me of a milky chai. I LOVE the way they designed their restaurant -- the color scheme, logo, everything. It's very open, light, and welcoming. Everyone there is super kind and helpful. The helped is choose what to get since it was our first time. Highly recommend! read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Platter for 2 People Sambusa (2) - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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I ordered Bisbas for delivery when family came into town and it was such a great option. The Somali platters were huge for the price and made feeding a group really easy. Everything arrived well packaged and still fresh, which I appreciated when hosting. The food was rich, flavorful, and comforting. The meats were tender and well seasoned, and the rice and sides paired beautifully together. You can really taste the care and tradition in the cooking. Portions were generous enough that everyone was able to try a little bit of everything without feeling rushed or limited. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Platter for 6 People - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

local hole-in-the-wall somali hotspot worth trying with MASSIVE portions! got the goat haleem with pasta (tomato sauce), and the goat was soo tender it fell off the bone. pasta is okay, i'd recommend rice instead. chicken suquaar and basmati rice was extremely fragrant, well-spiced, and is a great choice if you're unfamiliar with somali flavors. similar to biryani! sambusas were my favorite- immediate spice kick upon biting, and pair so well with the white and green sauces. staff is so helpful and informative with explaining and choosing dishes (: read more

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We had come here years ago when it was a different restaurant, and we were pleased to see how bright and open they've made it with the remodel. Bisbas serves up a mix of traditional and modern Halal Somali cuisine, and the portions are perfect for sharing. Our server made some suggestions and served our food fresh and promptly. We tried: Platter for 2 - goat mandi, fragrant rice, half chicken, pasta Halal Chicken Tenders w/ fries Bisteki Fries Chapati KK Hubby has declared the goat mandi the best goat dish he's ever tried. It's so tender and spiced just right. The chicken was incredible too - really so juicy. The Chapati KK was so unique- chopped up chapati in a chicken stew that's so flavorful and aromatic. The Bisteki Fries were loaded up with steak and perfectly sauced. Kiddo wasted no time devouring his tenders too. We all left satisfied, with leftovers too read more

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Everything was bomb! Im so upset. I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED MY LONG, THOROUGH REVIEW!! But everything is so flavorful. They dont skimp on portions. So sad their desserts were cleared out so fast. The service was great. The only thing they could possibly work on is a way to incorporate more spice. I love spicy food, and always look for that kick. Its had the bold flavors but not the burning peppers I crave. They do have some hot sauce, but to me it wasn't as spicy enough. &also wasn't too fond of the BBQ chicken. It was a more generic bottled super sweet taste to it.. but everything else was on par& had PLENTY of left overs. read more

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We love going to bisbas! We are from Minneapolis which has a vibrant Somali community so we love getting a taste of home. Their chicken and beef suqars are tender and flavorful, their sambusas are crispy and packed with well-balanced spices and their Somali tea always warms the soul. Good prices as well! Their entrees are huge! read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Goat soup, sambusas - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

First time trying Somali food, and it did not disappoint! We ordered the platter for two, but it was easily enough for 4+ people. The goat and chicken were both juicy and tender, and I loved the traditional pairing of banana with the rice. The sambusas are a must-order! read more

Located in the Rolando Plaza, Bisbas is a new restaurant featuring Somalian cuisine. I visited during a wet evening so the number of dine-in customers was limited. The inside was bright and well-kept with seating for around 40 people. You order at the service counter and then take a number to a table. The two page menu wasn't extensive, however it featured eight ethnic main dishes that could be upsized to platters for larger parties. A halal burger, chicken sandwich, tenders, and fries were available for those who adhered to such a dietary practice. Sides, desserts, and drinks were listed on the back page. Goat, chicken, beef, and fish were the proteins you could choose for the main dishes. As much as goat sounded tempting, I was conservative and selected the Half Chicken after consulting with the cashier. A bone-in half chicken was marinated with a blend of Somali spices that had minimal heat. It was served with a choice of fragrant rice or flavorful pasta (my pick) and a side salad. I also ordered a Mango drink for liquid refreshment. When my plate was brought out, I noticed that the kitchen made the chicken with rice. It wasn't a big deal as the portion size was significant for the price. The rice was well seasoned, and the chicken was roasted. I was worried the meat would be dry, but that wasn't the case. Bottles of hot sauce and ranch dressing were provided. About halfway through eating, the cashier came to my table and apologized for the chef's mistake. He offered to remake the dish with noodles as a takeout item. I was given a refill of the drink and a complimentary tiramisu dessert. It was a gesture way beyond what I had expected. Both the drink and the dessert were nice palate cleansers from the savory goodness. All of the main dishes were priced at $20 or less which was a terrific deal for the amount of food. The value and the extraordinary service were the reasons why my dining experience at Bisbas Restaurant reached a five star rating. read more

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After shopping I told my wife I'm already hungry and find somewhere to eat that is different from our regular Gaslamp routine. Wifey found this " BISBAS ", it's a Somali restaurant. Both of us were very excited to try this BISBAS SOMALI restaurant, it's our first time trying Somali food. I ordered the GOAT MANDI with SPAGHETTI. My wife ordered GOAT BIRYANI. She added SAMBUSA and SOMALI TEA. Food came in large portions, and both of our goat meals were very tasty. SAMBUSA came in 2 pieces , for me it has a little kick of spice but it was very filling Sambusas and good, my wife said that for her it was not spicy. Their SOMALI Tea was good , tasted like Chai Tea. We also saw that at every table they included 2 bananas on customers' tables, im not sure if that is included in the meal or how it is in their restaurant, but we are thankful for it. All the Staff there are nice. Our server Mohammed was awesome, delivered everything to our table perfectly. Plenty of tables indoors and outdoors and plenty of Parking space. read more

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Bisbas is amazing! First, parking will never be an issue because the parking lot is HUGE and has plenty of spots. The decor is also very beautiful with the mini chandeliers and its very bright inside and the tile is just very appealing loool. Ordering was quick and easy, you order at the counter and take a seat at whatever table you want and they bring the food to you. Their service is excellent, everyone that works here is very friendly and quick. As for the food, omg, it is amazing! I usually despise eating chicken outside because it always has a weird after taste if its not cleaned well, but their chicken doesn't have that aftertaste and its seasoned veryyyy well and is so crispy! The goat is also seasoned very well. The fried fish is nice and crispy, make sure to ask for lime/lemon to squeeze on it. The sambusa was to DIE for, they are large in size and have potatoes, shredded carrots, and ground beef and lots of spices. The food here is very affordable, the restaurant is clean, and great service. Def will be back to eat here again. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Fried tilapia plate - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is a casual dining establishment which looks to be family owned. The portions are huge and filling. The standout for me was the shaah pot (Somali tea) which is like a spiced milk tea in this beautiful teapot. I could drink that all day. We had the goat Mandi and the chicken suqaar, both were very tasty. My only thing was that the ratio of rice/pasta to the main was disproportionate - it's like 3 huge scoops to 1 thing of meat. Next time I'd probably just order one dish and a side of meat to share because we ended up with so much rice & pasta leftover. We didn't have room for the dessert but they looked delicious too. I've never had Somali food before so this was a culinary treat read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Goat Mandi, Shaah (Somali Tea) Pot, Chicken Suqaar - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

Tried Bisbas Somali Restaurant and really enjoyed it. The chicken and beef suqaar over their flavorful rice and pasta were the highlights...everything was well-seasoned and comforting. We also had the buffalo fries and sambusas, which were flavorful and tasty. Great portions, warm hospitality/excellent service, and definitely a spot worth coming back to (especially to try their goat dishes next time!). Overall, loved the homely ambiance.Plan your next lunch/dinner outing at Bisbas. read more

Man ! First time having Somalian food and it was amazing ! I came here with my buddy and we started off with mango drinks and Sambusa ! Super good both a must try. We got the platter for two and the portion was huge ! We got half rice and half pasta for our base, with a half chicken and goat mendi as our proteins. Then I got the beef suqaar plate and that meat was so flavorful. My buddy got the beef bisteeki fries( similar to carne asada fries ) which he loved ! We both finished off with Dubai chocolate! Definitely coming to this spot to try some items ! Restaurant was clean! Service was great ! read more

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The service was the nicest and the food was absolutely delicious. I did take out so I didn't catch on to the ambience maybe next time i'll come eat in. But super recommend, it is very tasty food, thank you for the nice experience! read more

Great food, great people! Newly remodeled and a ton of food option. I recommend the Halal bisteki fries. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Halal Bisteeki Fries, Chicken Suqaar, Salmon - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

1 plate is almost can feed 3 people. Amazing friendly staff. Great food for reals! I had Goat Mandi; amazing. read more

We decided to dine in at "BISBAS RESTAURANT" its a SOMALI restaurant , this was our first time to try their food and I'm glad we did 'coz they were delicious. Upon entering we were greeted by 3 young men who accommodated us right away. The menu has a good listing, mostly I see that their food is either Meat with Rice or Meat with Pasta. So here is what I ordered for me and my husband: * GOAT MANDI - I chose it with PASTA * GOAT BIRYANI   *  SHAAH POT (Somali Tea) * SAMBUSA   The 2 Piece SAMBUSA came first. The sambusas were filled with spiced meat & veggies, and they were good. It also came with the Green Sauce which might be Spicy for others, but for me, the Spice was just right. Next time I come here I will Order 4 of their Sambusas 'coz they were delicious. Then our Main dish came, the GOAT MANDI with PASTA and GOAT BIRYANI. I first smelled the meats before taking a bite, and thank goodness it smelled nice and not like some other places where the goat has an icky smell, here the goat smells good. The GOAT MANDI with Pasta was a delicious combo, it came with Salad too. The Goat was very Tender and well seasoned, it's just that the PASTA on it NEEDS more SAUCE PLEASE, but it's still delicious. OMG! The GOAT with BIRYANI was so TASTY, the meats were very tender and very well seasoned. Same thing with the rice, it's very well seasoned, I like this dish. Then they served me my TEA in a beautiful tea set, I even asked if I could buy the Tea set, but our server said that it's not for sale ;). Their milk tea was really good. Also, our meal came with a Banana, I looked around and everyone had 2 bananas on each table with diners, I'm not sure if it is a part of every meal or not, but that is nice of them to give every table a Banana. Their food was good, and our server Mohammed made sure that we enjoyed our stay by frequently checking on us on what else we might need.  Also, Junior who was at the cashier area was also a cool one. We will be back again to this place so our Son can try their good food here too. This restaurant is in a small plaza with other stores around too, but there's still plenty of parking around UPDATE : Came back with my Son so he can try Somali food too. We ordered: *PLATTER for 4 PEOPLE Omg I was surprised when this Platter came out, it's beautiful and big. We chose Half Rice & Half Pasta. For our meat, we ordered the Half Chicken, Chicken suqarr, Goat mandi, Bisteeki. The rice was still the same, it was as good as the last time we came, and the Pasta was great, it has more sauce now. The goat mandi was tender and good, the Bisteeki was well seasoned and tender, and the Chicken suqarr has bell peppers and was also well marinated. And their half Chicken, oh my goodness, it was tender and very well seasoned. I like their half chicken, it was simple but very delicious! It's just the 3 of us, my husband, my son and me but we ordered the Platter for 4 people, this platter is worth it. read more

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A must visit restaurant in San Diego. Delicious and authentic Somali food, but honestly even if you don't know anything about Somali food it's still 100% worth a try...you won't be disappointed. Customer Service is top notch, food quality/freshness always shows. Family-owned, warm and welcoming to all guests. We come here with our entire family and always enjoy the food and atmosphere. When you are there, it feels feel like home, 10 Stars read more

Food was phenomenal. This was my first time having Halal/Somali cuisine and I will definitely be keeping Halal food and Somali cuisine to the standard. Everything was so fresh and aromatic. The place was super clean and tidy and Abdul, Mohammed, Adam and the other Mohammed made me feel at home 10 out of 10. I definitely recommend and will be back. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

Soild food good service, was a little cold but left satisfied. Overall feels like a nice home cooked meal.

Tried it for the first time for lunch--also first time having Somali food. The staff was warm and welcoming, and they were great about offering recommendations. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. We ordered the whole fish and the chicken suqaar, both with rice and a great hot sauce on the side. We couldn't help eyeing the big platters at nearby tables, and the staff let us know we can order our favorite dishes as a platter next time. We definitely will! For dessert, we had the tiramisu (really good!) and a milky, spicy tea. The ambience is clean, simple, and friendly--not fancy, but very comfortable. Overall, great value and a really lovely experience. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Whole fish with rice, and chicken with rice. Meal comes with a banana :-) - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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I'm still sitting in the restaurant and had to write this review -- it's that good. The food is absolutely amazing: fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I ordered the lamb and rice combo, and the lamb was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection. Service was quick and friendly, and the prices are unbelievable for the portion sizes. One plate could easily feed two people -- serious value for your money. Highly recommend, and I'll definitely be back! read more

Food was decent every time. Service was always friendly. The place is nice too. They have Somali food and also American stuff. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

The food has been great and they said they are halal and in the process of earning Zabiha certification. I've gotten the Buffalo Fries, pasta with meat, desserts, and drinks so far and it has been amazing each time. The service is also great, very quick, polite, and kind always. The restaurant's decor is also great with beautiful seating, lots of space, and a very relaxing vibe. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Beef Suqaar - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best Somali Food I've had in California hands down! Flavor, Spice, Freshness, can't beat it! Must try if you're in the SD Area read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was amazing! So much for such a good price. The service was super quick and everyone was super kind. Food was so yummy will definitely be coming back. read more

We started with an order of sambusas they were hearty and filling like the best fried food you're gonna have all week. Paired with a squeeze of lemon it was so fresh. We didn't get a picture because we devoured them so fast. The Chapati KK Chicken was absolutely delicious. Rich and vibrant tomato sauce with cooked onions and seared chicken. We couldn't ask for anything better. If you have an aversion to spice I suggest this meal for you as it is mild. The sauce they gave was very flavorful but spicy and the mango drink was made from fresh mangoes and so delicious. Overall I recommend it's a 5/5 with a beautiful atmosphere and friendly service. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Chapati KK Chicken - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

I ordered my favorite the goat dish as well as the half chicken. They load you up on the carbs. I wish there was more meat but I'm a big time meat eater. The service was prompt and food was done right on time. The food was delicious and will definitely go here again. They definitely upgraded from the old place as it's more welcoming and overall a nice experience. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Half chicken with rice and goat meat plate - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

Bisbas is a gem. The food is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care, and the portions are generous. Service was friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere felt relaxed but polished. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. read more

Amazing customer service and the food was spectacular! 10/10 highly recommend. Worth your money and time. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - 2 Platter for 2 People - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

So delicious! The staff were very kind, and upfront with telling us If anything was out prior to ordering. I definitely want to come back another time to try out the other items on the menu. read more

Bisbas Restaurant - Thin-sliced Beef Steak (Bisteeki) - Somali Near Me - San Diego, California

Our group had a great dinner here on Tuesday night. The staff was warm and friendly. We all shared the big platter of spaghetti, rice, chicken prepared different ways, and everything was flavorful, fresh and good. We ended with a warm, spiced milk tea served in a beautifully ornate tea set, which was a perfect finish. A really nice cross-cultural experience! read more

Ever had Somali food Best place to go for Somali food in San Diego is Bisbas I'm there once a week 5 stars read more