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    Updated over 3 months ago

    Services - Pomella

    Catering services

    On-site management services

    Pomella Photos

    POMELLA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Pomella

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hummus Plate with chicken, Fried Brussels with Pixie Mandarin, Falafel, Majadra Plate with eggplant, lemon saffron shrimp
    Krupa T.

    The food is amazing!! I'm so sad this place is closing. The hummus was so creamy, the Brussel sprouts were delicious, the pita was soft... I could go on and on. I will be going back as many times as I can before the close. The outdoor seating was fabulous on a nice day and the staff was so kind. A definite neighborhood gem

    Hummus Plate
    Chad M.

    Probably a 2.5 Chicken didn't have much flavor, some rubbery pieces in there. Pita was not soft and fluffy but crunchy and dense. Hummus had almost no flavor. Employees were pleasant. I just couldn't find much to like about the food. Nice outdoor seating area, still enjoyable on a hot day.

    Hummus with falafel
    Alex M.

    I visited Pomella with some friends when we were hanging out in the Piedmont area. Everything on the menu looked delicious, and I went back and forth on whether to order the tagine or a combination of mezze items. I opted for the veggie tagine and a side of hummus + falafel to share with my friends. We grabbed a seat outdoors while we waited for our food - there was plenty of seating indoors and outdoors, and the outdoor seating is secluded from the parking lot by lush greenery. The food was brought out quickly, and we were surprised by the generous portion sizes. In fact, my tagine was able to stretch for two and a half meals! We should have definitely ordered family-style and tried more of the mezze plates; however, we were all very satisfied with what we ordered. The tagine was well-spiced, the falafel wasn't dry (which tends to be its downfall at other restaurants), and the hummus was smooth and creamy. I imagine I'll be back soon because I'm still dreaming about the hummus and falafel.

    April 2024 menu (1/2)
    Dianna H.

    A tasty spot for Mediterranean food on Piedmont. My friends and I came for an early dinner Monday evening at 5 and we were one of the few parties there. The restaurant shares the same building as dona, and we were a bit confused where Pomella was until we walked through the parking lot to the side of the building and saw the Pomella sign. There's a small parking lot next to the restaurant, but we didn't realize this and got a metered spot on the same block. Pomella has both indoor and outdoor seating. It was a nice day out, so we decided to sit outdoors. There are heaters available for outdoor seating. The way ordering works here is you order inside and grab your food when the buzzer goes off. In fact, everything is self service here, including getting water and putting the dirty dishes and cups back after you're done eating. If I had known that, I would've given a little bit less tip when ordering. I asked the cashier about their most popular dishes, and she said for the rice plates the chicken and the lamb sirloin were the most popular meats, so I opted for a rice plate with the lamb sirloin and saffron rice ($17.50). I also got the almond paste baklava ($7.50 for 4 pieces) to share. My lamb sirloin rice plate was super tasty. It came loaded with a good amount of rice, vegetables, and the yogurt tahini sauce. I really liked the lamb, which was very flavorful, but I wish there was more of it. When I still had 1/3 of my rice left, I was already out of lamb. I ended up taking my rice home and eating it with some leftover meat I had in the fridge. My friend got the chicken rice plate with lentils, and he really enjoyed that. I took a bite and thought his dish tasted better than mine, since they load it with a ton of fried onions. We were very disappointed by the baklava. It was overly sweet even for baklava, and we really had to struggle to finish it. I'd love to come back and try another one of their rice plates next time, maybe with the lentils!

    Shawarma spiced lamb sirloin with Saffron Rice
    Jeanne L.

    This review is only for the shwarma spice lamb sirloin saffron rice plate I just inhaled. My friends and all ordered the same dish and loved it! The portions are generous. It was delicious, flavorful, the lamb was tender and it was loaded with veggies for extra texture. All the ingredients were perfectly married together and the hot sauce on the side made it even better! We sat in the outdoor patio area on a warm day and it was quite busy on a Monday for lunch. The staff was nice and helpful and the restroom upstairs was clean. There is paid metered parking at the parking lot in front and more metered parking and free parking on the street. I saw the meter maid making her rounds so make sure you feed your meter! We also ordered the lemonade and it was delicious. The perfect balance or sweet and sour. Just the way I like it. I'll definitely be back to try other items.

    Lamb Kefta Rice Plate with Saffron Rice, Grilled Vegetables, and Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
    Mike L.

    Whelp. Now that I've scrolled through some of these reviews, don't I feel a little sheepish writing this? Between all of the photos and the positive reviews, it seems I may have done a horrible job with ordering... When my friends and I decided to stop into Pomella for dinner, I had no idea what kind of food they even served, let alone just how popular and beloved they seem to be. Personally, I just thought the look of the place was pretty cute and that their outdoor seating was perfect for such a warm night! As I skimmed through the menu, I was pleasantly surprised by how many things caught my eye. The menu initially didn't seem super extensive, but there's actually a ton of options to choose from amongst their varieties of cold mezzes, hot mezzes, salads, wraps, rice plates, hummus plates, and tagines/stews. Which, in turn, is the reason why I wonder if I just chose poorly - with so many tasty looking dishes, surely I didn't get their best, right? -- FALAFEL (6pcs) with Tahini Sauce...$6 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pomella-oakland?select=0zohdZMh_TKsJ_Zx1z3_GA) Honestly, these were such a bummer. The taste of them didn't seem bad, but it was hard to say for sure given how overcooked they were. Every piece was far more crunchy than crispy and super dry (the tahini helped, but it could only do so much). -- LAMB KEFTA RICE PLATE with Saffron Rice, Grilled Vegetables, and Yogurt-Tahini Sauce...$18.50 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pomella-oakland?select=xjUTMTtyU8x4DUKoTfVJVA) Perhaps my hopes were too high? While the kefta itself was okay, the rest of the plate didn't do it for me. The rice (which there was a ton of) was both hard and bland and the veggies had a strong, herbaceous flavor that I found a bit overwhelming. Truly, it kind of kills me that I didn't have the same sort of experience with Pomella that so many others have had. However, while nothing about my meal was awful, it was undeniably underwhelming. Based on the bite of my friend's chicken tagine that I tried, I might have had better luck with that or one of the wraps and salads that the folks at our neighboring tables seemed to be enjoying. In the end, I wouldn't make it a point to come back and find out, but in the event we're in the area and I do, it's definitely something I'll keep in mind!

    Menu - Side 1
    Katrina F.

    This was a beautiful spot to check out on the border of Berkeley and Oakland. The decor is indoor outdoor appropriate. We sat ourselves outside after ordering. The service wasn't so great minus the one star in my review. No one ever checked on us if we needed water or how our food was. We saw waiters running around, however, I think the restaurant was moreso self-service other than the food being brought to us. The ambiance was gorgeous aesthetic. The food choices were had were Mediterranean inspired fusion with Mexican. I had a great time catching up with girlfriends here. The menu is more earthy and clean eating for my taste just a heads up!

    Fabulous place for a meal
    Inverleith F.

    I have been so intrigued by this place after seeing the owner featured often in Mornings on 2 and via Instagram. Could not be more excited to have been treated here to lunch with the kids for the first time. It's a very nice outdoor space as well as indoor space that is bright and colorful. We ordered the saffron roasted Cauliflower salad, falafel wrap, coucus with lamb and beet salad. The food is so very colorful and delicious! The flavors are "exotic" in that the combinations are quite new to me. My cauliflower salad cam with a side of sauce, maybe dressing that was delicate with a hint of curry and a slight tanginess. I added some lamb that was also flavorful and tender. Yummy! My one not is that the cauliflower could have been roasted more. The kids enjoyed all of their meals with the portions being so nice that we all had leftovers. I also had the hibiscus tea which was unsweetened. No problem because the flavor of the hibiscus really came through. There was a nice variety of items to go such as desserts, hummus, pickled veggies, etc I can't wait to come back!! Support this amazing local business! Parking is tough so best to park on Howe Street and walk over. You can also park at the Kaiser garage in Howe. It might be free on the weekends.

    eggplant with pomegranate needs more pomegranate but was still good.
    Sarah T.

    Great spot. Hummus: nice and smooth. Hummos aficionados will still argue about it, but his is a great version of hummos, and for those of you who have only had storebought, you should try this. Pita: was nice and fluffy and served warm. Eggplant with pomegranate and a side of saffron rice : tasty, however it needed more pomegranate. I didn't see any seeds or any pomegranate molasses and it would have benefited from both. The saffron rice is served with veggies, which this time included red and white onion, green pepper, and zucchini. These are not my favorite veg, but I felt healthy. Next time I will order the shawarma lamb mujidara rice. Shawarma lamb sirloin with side of mujidara rice: this was yummy, yummy, yummy. The rice has a nice cinnamon flavor. The lamb is not fatty and tastes good. Sauce and lentils and rice help stretch the modest amount of meat such that the dish will fill you up. In the past we have ordered other things, like chicken shawarma and fried cauliflower appetizer and neither blew us away, so I think when one reads other reviews and sees some raves and some meh, it is about what was ordered. I will for sure be back for the lamb shawerma rice, the hummos, and some rotating side dishes. Seating indoors and out. Outside had heaters overhead. Next to Dona, so if you want Mediterranean and your friend wants Mexican, everyone is happy. Parking can be tricky but you will find something soon enough.

    Chicken wrap. Really not the best picture but WOW was this a surprise.
    Rosie W.

    Rarely do I find myself surprised by how good food tastes. It happens, but it's rare. Their chicken wrap was really something, or maybe I had low expectations. Whatever it was, it was freakn amazing. The best part about the wrap was that it was filled with healthy ingredients like cucumber, lettuce tomatoes, and chicken. The wrap itself wasn't like a burrito, but more of a thin naan. It tasted fresh and it felt good going down into my tummy :)

    Cheese-Stuffed Falafel a d a piece of Pita
    Rachel G.

    I have been to Pomella a few times now and have always enjoyed my meal! The service is always fab! They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Their outdoor seating is my favorite place to sit- it is mostly under a covered patio, and has heaters! I went this past Sunday with a group of friends and enjoyed everything I had which included: 2 orders of cheese stuffed falafel (pictured)- my fave! Hummus and pita - yum as always Side of chicken shishlik - first time trying, great flavor Chocolate cheese cake with torched meringue - this isn't always on the menu, it was a special. I took this home and ate over a couple of days. So good! If you love or want to try Israeli style food with a California flare- check out Pomella!

    Lamb Wrap

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    This was my first time there. Nice area but the food was bland. Not sure I would return.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - Pomella

    Are dogs allowed in your outdoor seating area?

    Yes!

    Is the falafel gluten free?

    Yes!!

    Is there parking available on weekdays?

    Hello, the entrance to pomella is through a parking lot. There's about 20 spots. It's a paid lot. There's also metered street parking

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I walked past Wrap N Roll several times on Telegraph before I finally decided it was a good time to…read moretry it out. I ordered in person and it took less than 5 minutes for the food to be prepared. I got the paneer tikka masala wrap and asked for it to be made mild since I can't handle spicy unfortunately. The tamarind chutney that came with it is nice if you prefer a sweeter flavor. I thought it was a pretty good wrap, savory, and it was mild like I'd asked for. I look forward to trying their food another time and possibly the lassi as well.

    I came in here blind because the idea of Pakistani food sounded great while passing by their window…read moreand I was not let down! They have great food and for a very reasonable price which I really appreciate. I ordered a CHICKEN MALAI PLATTER with medium spice, highly recommend. They have great quality chicken that is cooked soft, their rice is the perfect texture, their salad was fresh, and their spices are a perfect blend. I also highly recommend their CHICKEN PARATHA WRAP! The sauces on this were SOOOO GOOD! Plus, the sauces they have on the side: tamarind sauce, mint sauce, and spicy ketchup are all good. I drowned my chicken platter in a mix of tamarind and mint. Also highly recommend their French fries that are tossed in some spices. Their MANGO LASSI and CHAI are also perfect. That's how you can tell this family knows what they are doing. I would go out of my way to come back here if I had to. I look forward to trying their other chicken platters, paneer dishes, and their curry French fries. This is a great small business with caring business owners. Thank you for having such a lovely business near the UC Berkeley campus. It's perfect for us students and I'm so glad I found them!

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    The latte is so good, they are having good customer service. The ambiance is so neutral, and clean…read more I'd recommend this place to everyone.

    I came to Black Diamond Cafe around 10 a.m. hoping to enjoy a coffee and get some work done. I've…read morebeen here for about an hour, and unfortunately the experience has been surprisingly frustrating because of something that seems completely avoidable. Every time someone enters **or leaves**, the door chime sounds **twice**. With a constant flow of customers, that means the chime is going off over and over again throughout the entire time you're sitting here. It's loud and extremely distracting if you're trying to work, read, study, or even just enjoy your coffee. I politely asked one of the employees if the chime could be disabled. He explained that they need it so they know when customers enter. I could understand that in a large store where employees might be working out of sight, but this is a relatively small café. There were two employees working up front, with the counter roughly 12 feet from the entrance, and a steady stream of customers coming through. The café itself has a nice atmosphere and could be a great place to sit and work, which is why this is particularly frustrating. A motion indicator, quieter single chime, or some other less intrusive system would accomplish the same purpose without subjecting customers to a double chime every few minutes. It's a small operational issue, but after sitting here for an hour, it has had a disproportionately large effect on the experience. I hope management considers changing it.

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    Black Diamond Cafe - Counter area with bar at the far end

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    Shawarmaji

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    4.2(745 reviews)
    1.1 miUptown
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    Halal
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    Decided to come here one day after my dentist appointment. I ordered the chicken shawarma wrap for…read morepick up. It's a good size for the price, the chicken is very tasty and I really liked the garlicky sauce thing that came with it. Would definitely come back here the next time I'm craving another shawarma. Service was friendly too!

    I've been disappointed both times I've eaten here--not necessarily because the food is bad, but…read morebecause the overall experience hasn't felt worth the price. My first visit was in person. I tried the mini chicken shawarma and liked it enough that, since I was still hungry, I ordered the lamb as well with pickles and toum. Unfortunately, the pickles and toum were left off, which I didn't realize until I got home. The falafel were also surprisingly tiny. Yes, they're only 65 cents each, but a good falafel should still have that contrast between a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior. These were mostly crust, with very little soft center. I also didn't feel particularly welcomed. I mentioned that it was my first time there, and there wasn't much warmth or effort to make the experience feel inviting. Today I ordered through DoorDash using a credit. I paid for two additional sides of toum, and the fries were also described as coming with toum. The extra sides I paid for arrived, but the toum that was supposed to come with the fries did not. Is it a small thing? Sure. But when restaurant prices are already high--and delivery adds an additional markup--I expect to receive everything that is included in the order. I also found the chicken pita quite small for the price. I understand the chef has an excellent reputation, and I'm not questioning anyone's talent. But both experiences have left me feeling shortchanged. It's the accumulation of things: small portions, missing items, and customer service that didn't feel particularly welcoming. At this point, I'd rather make my own falafel and shawarma at home. I genuinely enjoy cooking, and lately I've found that restaurant prices keep climbing while portion size, attention to detail, and service don't always rise with them.

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    Shawarmaji - Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Chef Mohammad "The Shawarmaji" Abutaha

    Shawarmaji - A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

    A 6oz jar of our signature Toum

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    King of Kabab - Red velvet w/ pistachio + lemon + orange  treat

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    4.6(369 reviews)
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    Got an urge for hummus while in Berkeley and got on maps. Found this place and got lucky with…read moreparking in front given it's on San Pablo. Their menu seemed reasonably priced for these days. I ordered the Chicken Shish Kebab plate and it was a lot of food. Came with two skewers, rice, hummus and salad. It was tasty and fresh. Customer service was attentive and good. They had some tables to dine in but I chose to go. I didn't get a dessert but I enjoyed looking at all the different kinds.

    My husband came here today to pick up a meal. It's our first time trying this restaurant. They…read moreopened 10 minutes late for lunch. We tried their stuff falafel plate that comes with rice, hummus, salad and one pita. We never had a stuffed falafel before so this was pretty good. Lots of flavor from the onions inside and super crunchy. Reminded me of fried chicken. The rice was very fluffy but a little bland. The hummus was good and not too salty. What I like about this place is that none of the food is too salty which tends to be the case in a lot of places with Mediterranean food like Troy and Zaytoon where I frequent. It is very unusual that the food is low sodium. The salad was the worst part because it was limp and tasted cheap. I really enjoyed their pita here because it was chewy and crunchy at the same time. Maybe the pita was whole wheat because it was darker than most. We did toast it before we ate it. You can add a dollar and get extra rice or hummus and we added both extra rice and hummus. The portion size is relatively generous although you only get three falafels. I added some olives to make the rice less bland. That's the nice thing about taking food home to eat because you can doctor it. Overall, we enjoyed the food. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back but will definitely visit when in the area. This is a busy area and can be difficult to find parking.

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    Neat and tightly packed chicken shawarma!

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    Pomella - mideastern - Updated September 2026

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