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    Old Jerusalem Restaurant

    4.2 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    OLD JERUSALEM RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Old Jerusalem Restaurant

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    Tea
    Sho R.

    I stopped by on a weekday evening. I got a seat right away. There was complimentary olives and beetroot which was nice. Complimentary pita was nice as well. Mansaf was my favorite item here. It was mild, but flavorful. Lamb was tender. Stuffed falafal was excellent . Chicken Shawarma roll was nice as well. I also had a tea. It had strong mint flavor. That was refreshing.

    Chicken Shawarma Sandwich
    Naraly G.

    The service was quick and attentive. Everyone was very friendly. The ambiance was nice and relaxing. The food was overall delicious and flavorful. The lentil soup was super good.

    Knafeh

    I was craving knafeh, so we decided to make the drive to San Francisco and visit Old Jerusalem, which has what is probably one of the best knafehs in Northern California. We ordered the knafeh along with fresh mint tea, and it did not disappoint. The knafeh was perfectly sweet, warm, and cheesy exactly how I like it. The mint tea was fresh, and absolutely delicious. The ambiance was inviting, with beautiful Palestinian décor that added to the experience, and the staff was friendly and accommodating. If you're a knafeh lover, I definitely recommend giving this place a try!

    Becky V.

    Wow there's a back patio, which I didn't expect. Great vibe with nice lights and plants back there. Food is beautifully presented, the colors, the smells, good stuff! Food- Lamb chops was So good! Wondeful flavoring of seasoning, it was the best meat of the night. Combo plate with 3 meats was a nice variety too: lamb, chicken, beef kebab with rice and hummus. If you don't want rice you can have all hummus as the side

    Deanna S.

    Biiiig portions. Delicious food. One plate + a soup was more than enough for two. Unfortunately in our combo meat plate some of the meats were quite dry, hence the one star deduction. Service was fast and servers friendly.

    Meat combo, stuffed falafels, Jerusalem salad
    Steph C.

    Delicious food and kind staff. We tried: Meat combo 4/5 - beef, chicken and lamb (good in that order). The beef was so tender and good Stuffed falafels 5/5 - flavorful with pine nuts etc Jerusalem salad 4/5 - a yogurt salad and nice palate cleanser Pita 3.5/5 - good when heated but it does get hard when left out too long Food was plenty to share and we were stuffed. We sat in the enclosed patio area. Note food is served on dinnerware but our plates were paper.

    Lamb Chops
    Madeleine Y.

    My college friends and I came to the city for a dinner on a Thursday night and chose to try this place! There was a little bit of a wait but after 30 mins we were seated. It was busy inside and had a nice comfortable family vibe. The service was fast and efficient and the food came out quick! I ordered the chicken skewers and rice which were both so good. The chicken was perfectly cooked and it was a decent portion size that I ended up taking half home. I loved the grilled veggies w the dish as well. My friends all enjoyed their meals and we will definitely be back.

    On the house starters
    Sang Yoon K.

    In the hip and grungy Mission, lays a hidden middle eastern gem. You walk into a homie and cleanly decorated restaurant. No crazy lines and food comes out fast. The lamb meat in the Mansaf was fall of the bone and the rice that came with it was so light but packed with flavor. On the side came with some goat cheese based sauce that you could pour over that exponentially enhanced the flavors of the dish. This is a must get if you stop by here! The Mousakhan was equally as good. The chicken was very tender and the bread on the bottom soaked up all the flavors of the toppings and meat well. It was savory but has a nice refreshing zest. Lastly we got a cheesy dessert but you can get a soft or crispy option. We were told the soft was more authentic but our server said the crispy was her favorite. It was an excellent recommendation and really satiated our sweet tooth. All in all we had left overs for two of us but I think this could've been a perfect meal for 3 people. This is my new favorite mediterranean restaurant in SF and I am looking forward to coming back.

    Beef Shawarma and Mousakhan
    Paola S.

    I found Old Jerusalem on TikTok, and I'll admit I'm usually skeptical of TikTok restaurant recommendations. They tend to rave about places that end up being just okay, but this one completely surprised me in the best way. I went on a Thursday evening with two friends, excited to see what the hype was about. It's a Palestinian restaurant, and from the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed. A smiling server greeted us right away, and within moments we had water and friendly hellos from nearly everyone working there. The hospitality alone made such a good impression. We ordered the Mousakhan and the beef shawarma with half hummus and half rice. Both dishes were delicious with fresh herbs, quality olive oil, and a bright touch of lemon brought everything together. The Mousakhan, though, was easily the standout. It's a half chicken served over tender, flavorful bread with onions and aromatic spices that fill the air as soon as it hits the table. We were genuinely astounded. The portions were generous, easily enough for the three of us to share with leftovers to take home. And considering the quality and quantity, it's incredibly affordable. We each paid around $20 after tip, which is rare for San Francisco. If you're looking for a meal that's both comforting and memorable, Old Jerusalem is absolutely worth a visit.

    Shawarma Sandwich Mousakhan
    Sydney G.

    10/10 meal and service. The chicken Mousakhan was delicious and juicy over top fried bread and sautéed onions. The wrap was one of the best I've had in SF. Well seasoned beef and plenty of it. Filled with a delicious sauce and fresh veggies! The employees are also so kind! Need to come back and try their other items

    Ss S.

    Service was fast, friendly and smooth. The falafel wrap was quite filling and very tasty. The Kunafa was delicious! We tried the crunchy and soft one. I liked both. The brownie kunafa was rich and each bite was silky goodness!! It was pretty busy inside and they took our party of 10 to the upper part and it was much quieter.

    Falafel
    Anny L.

    Party of 6 came for early dinner on a Sunday with no wait. We ordered lamb sandwich, lamp plate, shawarma sandwich, shawarma plate, Jerusalem salad, and falafel to share. The lamb in both the sandwich and plate were very chewy and hard to eat. The falafel was almost rock hard. The hummus was just alright. The only thing we all agreed tasted good was the pita bread. Restaurant was clean. Service was kind of slow for an empty place. We were actually charged an extra plate and when we asked for it to be removed, it became an argument. Double check your receipts here!

    James B.

    I didn't quite like the flavor profile of the chicken, but maybe that's personal preference. The bread underneath was really soft and yummy in the sauce. I felt like the flavor profile was just a bit too flat and boring despite seeming to have a ton of spices on it. The complementary pita was fresh and tasty!

    Mansaf

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

    The food is absolutely delicious, good service and the mansaf is incredibly tasty. Thanks

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    Old Jerusalem Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Old Jerusalem Restaurant

    Is this restaurant Kosher?

    Are they halal/have halal certification?

    Yes. 100% Halal

    Anyone have a photo of the catering menu?

    Hi See our catering menu on EZ cater or call the restaurant 415 642 5958 to send you a copy. Thanks

    Is Old Jerusalem still open? We've tried to order several times to no avail 😕

    Yes they are!

    Is the rice that comes with combo plates vegetarian?

    Yes

    Do they serve amba?

    I have never seen it on their menu

    Can we bring wine/beer?

    No since the restaurant is Considered halal, alcohol is prohibited on premises

    View All 12 Questions

    La Mediterranee

    La Mediterranee

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    La Mediterranee
    Falafel Plate
    Falafel Plate
    Armenian coffee and Mini Baklava Bites (2 Piece)

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    Armenian coffee and Mini Baklava Bites (2 Piece)
    Lavash

    Lavash

    4.2
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$

    Everything we ordered was delicious. Especially loved the…read morekoobideh and Kashk-e Bademjan. I would go here again in a heart beat. The lamb tongue was ok too chewy not worth for the price. Ambiance is cute, we got seated in less than 10 min when we came around 7PM on a Friday.

    Lavash (good food) was what lead me to be in a mood. Great way to support local communities…read morethrough their unique culinary creations, especially during women's history month. I'm sure there are other Persian cafés and restaurants as good as Lavash. I hardly stop to think about what made Lavash interesting. The floral aroma throughout the entire atmosphere, the gentleness of the waiters and hostesses who're well focused on serving others, and their signature paper thin Lavash bread. A clear teapot filled with saffron tea with rock candy on a stick; seen how they dip it in after pouring the tea. Interesting orange color indeed! A plate of zucchini, grape tomatoes, Moroccan mint leaves, and a pair of Bulgarian cheese; complimentary for my first visit here. Persian noodle soup, filled with beans, chickpeas, and lentils; loved the floral notes in every spoonful. Main course, veggie kabob on a bed of basmati rice drenched in saffron and spices, along with some onions and mushrooms, and of course, a large Lavash bread at the bottom to fill the whole plate. The best part is to completely sandwich wrap after I marginalized the contents on the plate. Ahhh! Satisfying to the last bite of herbs and spices. Not filling though, but I had no need for any dessert. Another highly recommended place to eat for locals and tourists alike. I let some of my friends know how much they'll love the best Persian dishes locals raved about. Thumbs up for the people of Lavash!

    Photos
    Lavash
    Lavash Special: Shashlik (two lamb chops), Joojeh (one chicken kebab), Koobideh (one lamb+beef kebab), veggies, rice | $54
    Lavash Special: Shashlik (two lamb chops), Joojeh (one chicken kebab), Koobideh (one lamb+beef kebab), veggies, rice | $54
    Dessert menu: rose water noodle with ice cream

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    Dessert menu: rose water noodle with ice cream
    Kokkari Estiatorio

    Kokkari Estiatorio

    4.4
    (5.6k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$$$

    Kokkari Estiatorio was an amazing first experience with Mediterranean cuisine! From the moment we…read morewalked in, we were impressed by the beautiful, upscale atmosphere. The restaurant was spotless, welcoming, and perfect for a special night out. Our waitress, Wisdome, was outstanding. She was incredibly kind, attentive, and gave us excellent recommendations that made our meal even better. We started with the zucchini cakes, and they were hands down the best I've ever had--crispy on the outside, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. We also ordered the saganaki, a baked cheese dish with peppers, and it was absolutely delicious. Every bite was packed with flavor. For our entrée, we had the lamb chops, and they were some of the best I've ever eaten. They were perfectly cooked, tender, and full of incredible flavor. To finish the meal, we shared the gluten-free chocolate cake, and it was amazing. Rich, decadent, and the perfect ending to an unforgettable dinner. If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean food in San Francisco with exceptional service and an elegant atmosphere, Kokkari is absolutely worth a visit. We can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

    Super clean flavors, quality ingredients, and a menu that feels elevated without trying too hard…read more It has that classic San Francisco charm while still feeling a little bougie. The area itself can be a bit off putting with the number of unhoused individuals nearby, but once you're inside it's a completely different experience. Stephanie was our waitress and she was absolutely amazing. So warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Her service alone is one of the reasons we continue coming back. Being married into a family that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, I admit I'm a bit biased. The flavors here lean more Greek inspired, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I found them to be a little too subtle for my personal taste. I tend to gravitate toward bolder Mediterranean flavors, so I wasn't extremely impressed by the food itself. That being said, I can absolutely understand why this restaurant is so popular. The dishes are approachable, balanced, and refined in a way that I think appeals to the American palate. The food is consistently good every visit. My favorite dish is the octopus, and I also love the biscuit platter from their selection of sweets. Everything tastes fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The restaurant itself is beautiful, although the seating near the entrance can feel a little cramped when it's busy. The vibe is formal casual, if that makes sense. Maybe don't show up in training clothes like I did once, but even then they were nothing but kind and welcoming. Super cute spot and definitely the type of place where the men with trust funds who are somehow 6'5" seem to gather for lunch and after work drinks. Calling ahead for reservations is your best bet.

    Photos
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Inside with roasting lamb in the back
    Kotopoulo Souvlaki/Chicken Souvlaki
    Kotopoulo Souvlaki/Chicken Souvlaki
    Sardines

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    Sardines
    Souvla

    Souvla

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    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.

    This place you can eat here or order to-go and pick up at their pickup window. The only saving…read moregrace of this place is the food comes fast. We ordered the Chicken Sandwich, Lamb Sandwich, Greek Fries, Juicy Potatoes, and Baklava Crumbles & Syrup. The Chicken Sandwich was very mediocre since it was pretty much just Shredded Chicken with Veggies and the Pita Bread, which also was a weird texture and meh in flavor. The Lamb Sandwich was was also very meh. The Lamb itself was on the tough side of life and this didn't really have any flavor to it besides the taste of Feta Cheese. The Greek Fries were the best thing and those were also pretty okay. They were nice and crispy but that was all. The Juicy Potatoes were indeed juicy, but that was really it. The problem was that they didn't have any flavor. The Baklava Crumbles and Syrup was okay. The Frozen Yogurt was okay and the Baklava that went with it was very meh in terms of taste and texture. This was definitely the worst Baklava tasting thing that I have tasted before and wish that there was the Pilo Dough to give it some texture instead of being mushy. Overall, very mediocre in taste and overpriced in terms of taste.

    Photos
    The inside of the restaurant.
    The inside of the restaurant.
    Plain Frozen Greek Yogurt
    Plain Frozen Greek Yogurt
    Greek beer

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    Greek beer
    Bursa

    Bursa

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Lovely spot to have dinner in West Portal. Cozy spot,…read moreupscale casual dining. Great wine menu - I am picky with my red wines these days and enjoyed my $11 glass of old vine Zinfandel. We loved the Combo appetizer plate which came with generous portions of 9 different items. I loved everything ! I'm an eggplant lover and two of the dips were eggplant based . My new favorite dip is the Mercimek Kofte which is a red lentil based chunky dip ; I would've guessed garbanzo bean based dip. The Haydari dip was also super addictive, a thick creamy dip made of kefir cheese and Greek yogurt. So many delicious but gut healthy items of the combo plate; which comes with thin lavash bread. Also loved the red lentil soup, which was warming on a rainy day. I thought it was flavorful without being overly spiced or too thick. My husband enjoyed the lamb kebabs. Tender juicy cuts of lamb that were well seasoned , comes on a bed of salad and rice. We also liked the charred red peppers and onions on the kebab . Service was sufficient Overall great little find for dinner !

    New favorite Mediterranean place!…read more This is about a 15 min walk from where I live so I'll be coming here more often. Big fan of the portions at this restaurant. We ordered the combo plate which came with a lot of Pita bread, definitely enough to share among 4 people. Dishes came with a big helping of hummus too. I personally got the Kofte Kebab which filled me up. I had enough to bring home for lunch the next day. Getting a frozen yogurt at Easy Breezy is a must afterwards!!

    Photos
    Inside - Valentine's Day decorations
    Inside - Valentine's Day decorations
    Falafel Salad
    Falafel Salad
    View of Interior of the restaurant

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    View of Interior of the restaurant
    Kitchen Istanbul

    Kitchen Istanbul

    4.4
    (597 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$$

    Monday nights during pandemic times brought (according to the SF Chronicle) hospitality workers to…read moreKitchen Istanbul en masse. It wasn't just the food they say, but the remarkable wine list, which turned the place into a see-and-be-seen spot akin to NYC's Elaine's (RIP). If this isn't quite how you imagine anyplace along SF's Clement Street, think again. Years later it's still packed (on a Friday night) and loud. Service was the sole miscue on my visit with 3 others. We were given menus and water but ignored after that, to a point where we reached out to get some wine and attention. As you can see from the 5-star assessment, no harm-no foul; once wine and food flowed all was forgiven. The menu required some explanation. It's not broken down in any discernible way, requiring the server to explain that all dishes ae meant to be shared and that the first several dishes are dips, then small plates, then larger. In truth, all seemed like small plates to me (or small servings) but if your wallet permits, you'll not be disappointed. There wasn't one thing we shared that we didn't 100% consume nor anything I'd not recommend. Since we sampled almost the entire menu I feel comfortable saying that everything is delicious and attractively presented. We left the alcohol order to the one at our table who'd chosen Kitchen Istanbul and she summoned the sommelier and gave him free reign. He asked what we like (hearty reds) and what we wished to spend (about $75/bottle) and we enjoyed 2 completely unique offerings that we'd not have known to choose for ourselves. He was also tasked with pairing two of the dessert wines with two of the chosen desserts and they were as enjoyable as the wines served with dinner. It's fair to say that the sommelier had fun with our table, stopping by before we left to say how much he'd appreciated the opportunity to choose for us and for us placing our trust in him. Like the rest of the City I was following Sam Smith's food journey during his time here. He never made it to Kitchen Istanbul but if he had, I think he'd have nodded in agreement with the 5-star rating.

    Very disappointing experience overall. To start, our table still wasn't ready even 15 minutes after…read moreour reservation time. I understand restaurants can get busy, and being out of a few menu items happens, but the way things were handled was frustrating. We ordered our food, received appetizers, and then nearly 20 minutes later our server casually came over to tell us they were out of the chicken entrée we had ordered. There was no apology, no empathy, and honestly no sense that she understood how inconvenient that was. By that point it was already late, and at almost 10 PM in San Francisco there weren't many other dining options open nearby, which completely ruined our night. What made it worse was that we were still charged despite the poor experience and lack of proper service recovery. I ended up not tipping because the service felt disorganized and lacking basic professionalism and empathy. To be fair, the owner did come out afterward to apologize while I was waiting for my Uber, and I appreciated that gesture. But overall, this was a terrible experience that could have been handled much better operationally and from a customer service standpoint.

    Photos
    Kitchen Istanbul
    Kitchen Istanbul
    Kitchen Istanbul

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    Old Jerusalem Restaurant - mediterranean - Updated July 2026

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