Absolutely delicious! Ordered well and had two heavenly dinners! Wonderful!!! I wish they were in my neighborhood! read more

This was my second time at Lotus Falafel & Shawarma, and somehow it was even better than the first. My first visit, I had the chicken shawarma pita (which was amazing), and this time I went with the lamb shank plate while my mom got the chicken shawarma pita. The lamb shank was an absolute dream. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender, and full of flavor. The rice was incredibly flavorful on its own, and the hummus was some of the best I've had. Every bite was delicious, and the portion size was generous too. I already can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. Highly recommend! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Lamb shank plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

When I was walking around the neighborhood looking for a place to eat at, I saw this spot advertise chicken and rice for $10. I thought it was too good to be true so I went inside and inquired about it. The staff told me it was true, so I ordered it. When I took a bite out of the chicken, it was so juicy, moist, and tender. The rice was so good, I could eat it by itself. This is one of the best deals I've encountered in recent memory! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken and rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Underrated place in burlingame downtown. Fast casual restaurant with top quality food with good portion size for the price. Best medditerrean food i have had in the bay area. The owners are from Palestine !!. Pros: Everything is really tasty from the meat to the rice to the sides and pickles. Very fast service. Everything tastes fresh !! Cons: Nothing much. read more

Stumbled into this spot purely by accident after my Caltrain broke down at the Burlingame station making for a surprisingly good delay. Stopped in for lunch and it quite busy, but the service was quick. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is immaculate, with plenty of seating and an open kitchen setup where you can watch the chefs cook through the glass.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I grabbed the falafel deluxe pita to go, and easily one of the best falafel wraps I've had. The falafel, eggplant, and cauliflower are all fried, yet the wrap somehow still tasted incredibly fresh. Portions were generous and very satisfying, and in my opinion, totally worth the price. I'd absolutely go out of my way to come back. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Falafel Deluxe Sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Tasty food at good prices for the location. However, the staff is far from friendly and I have never felt welcomed. Great for a quick bite but don't expect to walk away with "warm and fuzzies". read more

I don't say this lightly--but this is now my second favorite shawarma spot, and I've tried a LOT of them. We stumbled upon Lotus Falafel & Shawarma while looking for something affordable but still high quality, and wow... this place completely delivered. I ordered the beef and lamb shawarma plate, and everything about it was on point. The portion size alone stood out--super generous and truly satisfying. You can tell they don't cut corners here. The hummus was rich, smooth, and elevated with just the right seasoning and fresh greens--it honestly tasted better than most places I've been to. The pita bread was warm and fresh, which makes a huge difference. And the basmati rice? Perfectly seasoned and flavorful--not bland like you sometimes get elsewhere. The meat itself tasted like it was fresh off the grill--tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Even the presentation was impressive--you can tell they take pride in what they serve. Only downside? It's a bit far from me... otherwise I'd be here all the time. If you're anywhere near Burlingame, this place is a must-try. Definitely a hidden gem! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Front of store. - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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I was craving some mediterranean food after I got my haircut next-door. I was pretty impressed with how flavorful it was. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is some seating inside this restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They had variety of items on the menu for all your craving needs. Customer service:4/5 Food: 4.5/5 read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken Kabob Skewer (HL) - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Love the food. The service was challenged at busy times. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is great but the parking is challenging.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is limited but everything on it is deeply delicious. read more

My friend and I were on a business trip and was looking for some good spots for Arabic food! We found two spots and decided to walk around and see which one we got to and we were so happy it was this spot. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Entering the place, it was not crowded for a Friday night but there were orders coming through and walk ins.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was clean and the food smelled amazing![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I could have gotten everything in that menu. The service was prompt and they were nice enough to explain the menu as there's a sliced pita which was more expensive and one that was just like a sandwich which was about $4 dollars less I believed. Either way, the food was delicious and really did remind me of eating Arabic food when I was in Dubai! A must try spot for sure! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Excellent Mediterranean cuisine, especially the Chicken Shawerma plates & Shawerma over Rice entrees. Generous Portions!! Friendly courteous service. Here you'll find a big menu full of the usual Mediterranean lunch & dinner staples where the centerpiece is their flame cooked lamb, beef and chicken with salads, rice plates and burgers and fries too. Oh and falafels too! Everything is cooked to order, so you place your order at the counter, get handed a number to place on your table and wait a few minutes for your order to arrive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Casual deli/lunch vibe, plenty of tables inside and out on the sidewalk to enjoy your meal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] FAQ: Q: What's the diff between the Shawerma Plates vs the "Shawerma over Rice" entrees? A: The plates come with huge serving of the meat of your choice with a house salad, one whole tender Pita sliced in half, a good sized helping of hummus, a small side of Saffron rice and a tiny garnish of pickles. Rice plates get the same huge amount of meat of your choice on top of a LOT of saffron rice presented on an equally large plate. Yummy too! PRO TIP: Trust me, big appetites will be satisfied and moderate appetites will have food to reheat for lunch for days with anything here larger than a falafel ball. Convenient self serve take out containers are at the ready for you by the far wall by the window on your way out. Getting Here: Mildly challenging street parking as this is located on the main drag here in B'game. parking out in front or on side streets with smallish public metered parking lots. By transit, take the Caltrain to the Burlingame Caltrain station and walk right across the street. Ezpz! read more

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Truly exceptionally fresh Middle Eastern food. I LOVED their vine leaves, falafel and hummus. I was not disappointed with their vegetarian plate. [[HIGHLIGHT]]My only gripe was that inside seating is very cold in winter.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would recommend ordering to go. read more

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As a pardon that comes from a Native Shawarma country. This place is one of the best in the Bay Area read more

Overall! Amazing, great customer service and delicious food I would come back and eat here again My husband and I enjoyed it so much read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken kabab Chicken kabob plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

I love fries and I LOVE their shawarma fries. The beef and lamb are seasoned and cooked to perfection. I don't have a high spice tolerance, and their chili sauce is the perfect amount of spice with some acidity. I also love the other items on their menu, and some I've tried at their San Bruno location. Love Lotus! 10/10 would recommend! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Shawerma Over Fries (half beef, half chicken) - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

My friend suggested we check out Lotus because she saw a picture of the chicken kebab and was intrigued. This restaurant really did not disappoint! The chicken was tender and well-seasoned and also the amount of food they gave for the price was impressive considering how expensive chicken kebabs usually are these days. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We decided on outdoor dining so if you are looking for a good meal with outdoor dining I would recommend this spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The only thing I wish they could change is their hot sauce! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken Kabob Skewer (HL) - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute new addition to Burlingame Ave! Casual spot - order at the counter, they'll prepare your food fresh, and you find a table with your number.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our shawerma plate came out quickly, and they brought a hot sauce as well. The fries were hot and delicious, definitely fresh-fried. It was the tiniest bit on the salty side for us, but very flavorful and a good-sized plate for sharing (great price too!). [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are also a few outside tables for seating, so you can enjoy the sun and people-watch[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Menu 8/10/2025 - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Been here a few times and the food is always incredible. I do feel like the prices are a little steep, but I also know that nowadays that is inevitable. At least I don't feel cheated by the amount of food I get. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken Shawerma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Best Chicken ! We were walking around Burlingame Ave , seen the new restaurant, so we tried the chicken Togo , when we tried it , we were shocked how good it was , better than Limon chicken next door ! I don't know what they did, but that's the best chicken in the whole peninsula! 5 stars ! read more

Stopped in with my wife for a quick lunch on a weekday afternoon. No trouble finding parking on the street or in one of the nearby public parking lots. Lotus is in the downtown area surrounded by lots of other restaurants and shops. The menu is simple with chicken, beef/lamb shawarma and falafel offered in a bunch of different combinations. We opted for the beef/lamb pita and a house salad. The salad was simple with shredded lettuce, cucumber, and tomato and came with a house made dressing. It was very good. Everything was fresh, crisp and had just the right amount of dressing so it was flavorful but not soupy. The sandwich was the standout star. This is clearly homemade pita bread and the filling was fresh off the spit. It was real lamb and beef stacked, not that weird combination stuff you find in other shops. It came with pickles and white sauce on it. Absolutely fantastic. It probably would have been too much for one person, but it was perfect shared. Definitely check this place out! We will be back to try more of the menu. The platters looked amazing! read more

I came here with my friends for a quick casual lunch, and it was lovely! The servers were so kind and helpful in helping us choose our meals, and the food came out hot and fast. Everything was very flavorful and fresh, and I could not get enough of the hummus!! I would go back just to buy a whole bowl. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outdoor ambiance was bright and lively, and the seating (both indoor and outdoor) was very convenient.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would definitely recommend! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken Shawerma plate Lamb and Beef Shawerma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Between the 2 downtowns in Burlingame there are tons of choices when it comes to Mediterranean food. Having tried all of them, I think Lotus has been my favorite. I had the "back home style" chicken shawarma with French fries. It was a chicken wrap cut into bite-sized pieces. The fries were seasoned with what tasted like Old Bay. It came with a garlic dip. Everything was warm and delicious. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - back home style Chicken Shawerma with French Fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Maybe it was a mistake to come right before closure. Hours old shawerma is gross, this was one of the worse shawerma I had in the bay. I am not a big fan of the thick cut fries so that did not help. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Back home style - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Summary: Affordable, tasty Med eats Details: Having dropped by Backhaus and realizing they didn't have much in the way of real, substantial food, my friend and I swung by Lotus after grabbing a couple quick bites there, opting for a shawarma plate to share here. For the pricing (even with the added 3% fee for using a credit card), you get a pretty generous portion of food, with a single plate being enough for two to share, though, admittedly, we had eaten a bit already. Affordability and value aside, the food itself was no slouch: seemingly on the healthy side, with good variety, and packing good flavor, though I did find it a bit on the salty side. All in all, a welcome addition to the strip! Accessibility: Spacious spot with plenty of accessible seating options. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is a fast and casual Mediterranean place with two spit roasts.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Stumbled upon this place while looking for something fast casual and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was. Large portion sizes and quality ingredients. Reminds me of all the shawarma that I had traveling through Europe. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

They catered for 20 people and my guests were impressed with the following : Chicken shawarma Beef/lamb shawarma Yogurt with dill/cucumber salad House salad Rice pilaf Pita bread Perfectly seasoned and delivered with a smile ! Working with Sally to place my order was a breeze! read more

Stumbled upon this no frills Mediterranean spot and it was some of the best Mediterranean food I've had in the Bay Area! You order at the counter and they bring your food to you so it's very casual. I got the beef and lamb plate and my boyfriend got the chicken plate. The meat is flavored so well and not dry at all! It also comes with a bowl of rice and pita so you get a lot of food for what you pay for. I ended up having leftovers which tastes great reheated too. Overall a great casual lunch spot and I'd definitely come back. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken Shawerma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Loved everything we tried here. The shawarma was flavorful and well-seasoned, the burger was juicy and satisfying, and the falafel was crisp and fresh. Great portion sizes, fast service, and quality food. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. read more

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We went here with some friends and I was impressed by the food here. We've had a ton of this type of cuisine around the Bay Area and I feel like this is one of the better ones in my opinion. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting is pretty casual with minimal decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You just go up to the counter and order and they will bring the food out to you. They do have free water on the side which is nice since I drink a lot of water when I eat. I ordered the lamb and beef shawerma plate and was really happy with the meat. The flavors were really tasty and there was a nice char to the meat. The hummus was good too and had a nice layer of oil. This is my go-to dish when I go to these types of places and this is one of my favorite plates I've had in the Bay Area. My husband got the lamb shank and it was super big and also really tasty. read more

Got the food delivered so cannot talk about their ambience. I got a falafel deluxe vegetarian and it was soooo delicious with fried eggplant and cauliflower instead of the usual falafel which is usually an option for vegetarians. The flavor and freshness were really good. I also got Aish elsraya and it was my first time having it. It was delicious pistachios filled dessert. Loved it. Would love to go and eat in the restaurant sometime read more

Best shawarma and plate. My wife and I went here after my ucsf Appointment. It was hella good and fresh food. I grew up in Burlingame good to see Lotus on the Avenue, live in Sacramento now but will always stop in when in town ! Cool and friendly owners too. It was 2nd time having lotus last time was in mills hosp and got it DoorDashed. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Tried Lotus today upon recommendation of a coworker. Enjoyed our first visit. Counter service, with food delivers to your table. Flavorful shawarma and rice. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Music was loud so I'd order to-go next time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Lamb and Beef Shawerma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

Today for my husband's birthday we came again bc the other location was closed and YAY it's actually a legit 4 today!! Food was better than we both remembered (ordered the same as last time) and I think it's because both our meats were "juicier" today. Great meal all around and super kind service. Cute outdoor seating for catching up with friends or date. read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Chicken shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Ordered chicken shawarma, mine was very spicy, but my husband was okay! my kids got grilled burgers and yesss both were spicy too, for kids!!! Very dry!!! Had shatta on the bread read more

The only place I get Halal burger from in the Peninsula. No frills, nice portioned, simple burger with seasoned fries (with no extra charge). [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is cozy and clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff are efficient and friendly. Other family members have ordered other items from the menu, and they loved them. Definitely worth trying! read more

First time here. Food was amazing and fresh! The workers were friendly and the service was great! I had the beef and lamb shawerma plate which was priced at $20. The presentation was solid as you can see in the photos. Everything was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this place! read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Beef and lamb shawerma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

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Went during their grand opening weekend. I found their menus confusing (what're the options of build your own?) and the worker admitted they need to simplify. Also wish they had some print out menus or QR codes to view while in line if your view is blocked. We tried two salads (chicken and lamb/beef). Overall it was decent sized portions and flavor on the meats. The lamb was on the greasier side. I'd give them another try in the future read more

Lotus Falafel and Shawarma - Shawerma Over Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Burlingame, California

This is Lotus Falafel and Shawarma's fourth Bay Area location opening (the other locations being in Oakland and San Bruno, with a branch in Millbrae that closed). I had higher expectations coming to this new location of Lotus Falafel and Shawarma, having enjoyed their food at San Bruno, which also has a much more extensive menu. Currently, this Burlingame location only serves shawarma dishes, which seems to be a huge missed opportunity considering they have a couple of other nearby Mediterranean competitors, and also a diverse and hungry local crowd. They're currently doing a grand opening promotion for 40% off Nov 30 - Dec 3 if you mention it when you order. - Chicken Shawerma (Back Home Style) I was intrigued by the unique presentation - beyti kebab-style where they make the wrap and cut it into bite-sized pieces for you. Unlike the beyti, there's no surrounding sauce, and I found that the wrap didn't provide enough moisture itself. The accompanying toum (garlic paste) wasn't quite enough to make up for this, though the flavor of the chicken itself was okay. The fries were also flat and limp - they needed more seasoning and time in the fryer. The pickles were crisp and vinegary. - Falafel Veggie Plate Hummus was okay with subtle flavoring - could use more seasoning, or more lemon. I liked the grape leaves which were still warm from being freshly made, and I also really liked the tabouleh, which was my favorite thing out of everything we ate here. The tabouleh was very fresh, had my favorite ratio of parsley to bulgur wheat sprinkled with minced garlic, tomatoes, and onions, all married together with a generous fresh lemon squeeze. The mutabbal (baba ghanouj), on the other hand, tasted a bit too pungent, and the house salad was quite bland with what tasted like very watery chopped iceberg lettuce. The pita bread was thick and okay, and the falafels were slightly crispy but bland, and came with an even more bland tahini sauce (it honestly tasted like nothing). - Shawerma Over Rice (Lamb & Beef) The rice was moist and flavorful, and the lamb & beef shawerma was plentiful with some crispy parts. Overall, this was okay for a simple meat and rice meal. - Baklava The choices of baklava flavor were pistachio or pistachio and cream, and I chose the one with cream because I had never seen that before. I couldn't really tell if there was indeed cream in the baklava given to me, but its pastry layers were all glued together from the syrup so it tasted more stale than crispy. - Knafeh I've never had this before, and this was my second favorite thing that I ate from here. It's basically a patty of melted mild cheese surrounded by crispy pieces of thin noodles, all coated in a sweet syrup. It's very interesting for sure, and also took over ten minutes to cook. I consider this a dessert that needs to be shared due to all the calories from the cheese and sugar. My experience was littered with issues and inconsistencies, so I hope this location improves upon these. When we asked for water to drink, they said they didn't have that and directed us to their beverage fridge. Thankfully, we received our beverages for free from there; however, our compensated drinks could have also been because they kept forgetting to give us the dishes we ordered. We had to keep going back to ask where our falafel veggie plate was and the knafeh, which kept getting forgotten and extended our lunch time by a lot. I wanted to like this location, but unfortunately I wasn't happy with both the food and service. While they were busy at first, there was a temporary lull in customers but they still were inattentive. By the way, it was my first time trying the Vimto soda which really just tastes like black cherry soda. read more

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Lotus Falafel in Burlingame has become one of my absolute favorite spots. I go often with my family and we've also ordered takeout and delivery many times. The food is consistently delicious every single time. I have travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey, and the food at Lotus is honestly on par with what I've had in those destinations. It is definitely above many other Mediterranean restaurants I've tried in the Bay Area and even in New York City, where I used to live. Recently, I placed a large order for a home lunch party, and the customer service was exceptional. The person who took my call was friendly, patient, and genuinely helpful with suggestions. Because I had an early start time for my event, he even offered to come in a bit earlier so I could pick up the food in time before my guests arrived. I really appreciated this, especially since I did not even ask for it because I did not want to rush the staff. Great food, warm service, and people who really care about their customers. Highly recommend Lotus Falafel. read more

I will die a sad boy if I never get to taste that seasoned rice again. It was the highlight of our visit. Back home plate: like a wrap cut up for you and toasted. Tabbouleh a second place for taste. Fresh, clean, flavorful. All the staff friendly happy helpful. Sat by the window and made sure everyone walking by knew that I was having the time of my life read more