Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Ma'lawah Bar

    4.6 (94 reviews)

    Order The Ma'lawah Bar Takeout or Delivery

    The Ma'lawah Bar Photos

    Business Info

    THE MA'LAWAH BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Ma'lawah Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jachnun
    Yarn Y.

    We came in on a Sunday afternoon . They have a very creative and interesting menu full of Yemeni kitchen options We got the full size jachnun meal which comes in with 2 large jachnun, tomato sauce , schug and eggs- they were excellent . You can feel the homemade flavour and everything blending together well We also got a jachnun filled with zaatar roasted eggplant and cheese , which comes toasted that was super yummy with everything in. If you like Yemeni and Israeli food this is definitely a place to try! We will come back for sure

    Yemen/ Israeli
    Tawny V.

    Found this spot on a whim because we were staying at Zen hotel nearby (check out my review) It seemed to be the only spot that wasn't closed for a few hours between lunch and dinner and it was walking distance. The restaurant is said to be Israeli but its more middle eastern and get this they are vegan - I wasn't sure at first, we arrived past 2ish and no one was around but the server that was on lunch was so kind to help us out and answer all our questions. We got - The Sharma and Falafel hummus plate. My goodness I was in love, everything was absolutely delicious. I wish they were closer to home because this would be my weekly spot to visit!! Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious! Ambiance nice - feels comfortable but reminded me of subway. LOL

    Seating area
    Jad A.

    I had high hopes after reading all the reviews to be honest. The $25 beyond chicken wrap is large but overpriced in my opinion. Look they have some good flavors mixed in their wraps but nothing out of this world. The place is nit very welcoming decor wise or people wise. For the set up they have I wouldn't anticipate their pricing. Feels like it could me pick up and fast(ish) food vibe but not with the prices. Might be PA pricing but not worth the drive or the raving, at least on what I saw and tried.

    Ajay K.

    Having never seen Yemeni cuisine before, I thought this was a really interesting addition to the Palo Alto area. Usually these types of rare cuisines are a one-and-done type of experience that you try once out of curiosity. However I can see folks becoming regulars at Ma'lawah given the tasty food, generous portion sizes, and friendly staff. We got the sabich to try and it took us a while to finish- there were a lot of ingredients in the wrap that meshed well together. I could eat the bread alone as a snack - it was delightfully flaky and was reminiscent of an Indian style bread. The owner offered us some free tahini soft serve to try which was delicious- we'll definitely be getting this next time. If you're a fan of peanut butter or sesame flavors, you'll definitely like this!

    Jessica N.

    The perfect 5 star rating got me. It isn't obvious that this place is entirely vegetarian. I think they need to make this more clear. I ordered the sabiche wrap which I thought was very tasty and a hefty size - I had some leftover. I really liked the paratha. The eggplant and hard boiled egg went well together surprisingly. However for $20 and being all vegetarian I think this is a tad overpriced. No customization and no sauce bar or condiments. On top of which the vibe eating here is terrible. It feels like you're eating in a gas station. It's quiet with no music playing. The tables are empty and yet are not cleaned. It's just sad and drab inside. There's a small parking lot in front. It was good to try once but I can't say it would be worth it to come back.

    Sabich with Tahini Date Shake
    Monica S.

    This place is special and worth a trip! I saw this new Yemeni-Israeli spot blowing up on Yelp so I had to drop in to give it a try. Ordered the Sabich and a tahini date smoothie. This ended up being two of the best things I've eaten this month. The Sabich is on a house-made flakey flatbread, similar to an Indian paratha. The Sabich is full of flavor - as someone with a high heat tolerance, this didn't strike me as spicy, but there were dense layers of flavor from all the ingredients which worked wonderfully together and were super satisfying. I enjoyed the tahini date shake, which was pleasantly nutty and creamy and just sweet enough. There's also wifi here, so it seems like a pleasant spot to work from - which is good, because the portions are huge and you might want to sit around awhile to savor it all. This spot is doing something unique and delicious - I will definitely be back to try more of the items on their menu.

    Ben F.

    What an amazing little spot with the most friendly and kind staff! I would eat here everyday if I lived in the Bay still. I grew up reluctantly munching Subway sandwiches at this location for probably 2 decades and I'm glad to see it has changed to something delicious and healthy. So many more things I'd love to try. Will be back next time I'm around!

    Ma'lawah Sabich w/ sliced hard boiled egg, roasted eggplant, hummus, cabbage, schug, tahini, amba sauce | $20 (vegetarian)
    Cherylynn N.

    4.5 STARS $20 for a veggie wrap? That PA cost of living tho! While perusing The Ma'lawah Bar's menu, I thought $20 for a veggie wrap was kinda wild. BUT, this isn't your ordinary veggie wrap... I was handed this girthy baby PACKED with ingredients. I had to nearly unhinge my jaw like a snake to bite into this bad boy. The wrap was enough for two of us to share for a small meal so don't let the $20 price tag deter you. It's totally worth it! Opening in the former Jimmy's Café/Subway is The Ma'lawah Bar, a Yemenite-Israeli café. They're open for takeout, delivery, and indoor dining. No outdoor seating but there's benches outside where we ate. M E N U Yemenite-Israeli Specialties: Jachnun (sweet bread), malawach (flaky flatbread), and lachuch (spongey flatbread). Available as savory or sweet wraps. Vegetarian, dairy-free, kosher, and vegan friendly. For drinks, there's tahini date shake and bottled drinks. Self-serve water available. F O O D * Ma'lawah Sabich w/ sliced hardboiled egg, roasted eggplant, hummus, cabbage, schug, tahini, and amba sauce ($20) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/e54f3ema --Includes choice of two sides: chopped salad, beet salad, pickles, red cabbage, hummus, babaganough, tahini, etc. Like Indian paratha or Chinese scallion pancake (w/o the scallions), the malawach is hot, golden, and flaky. A bit greasy but I don't mind. It's jam packed with soft eggplant, creamy hummus, slices of hardboiled egg, shredded cabbage, and sauces. Savory, hearty, and satisfying but IMO, missing something in the flavor department. The amba (Israeli pickled mango sauce) and schug (Yemeni hot sauce) seemed toned down from other versions I've had. With more acid and heat, I think it would have created a more harmonious, well-balanced veggie wrap. For our sides, we choose the babaganoush (creamy and smoky) and red cabbage (crisp). In hindsight, I regret not choosing the pickles as one of the sides for a fresh, acidic counterpart. S E R V I C E Humble, super friendly owner. Fast food service - the owner assembles your wrap on the line (like Subway) so you can get in/out and on with your day. A M B I A N C E Lowkey café with a handful of indoor tables. P A R K I N G Limited parking spaces in the lot shared with TeAmo. Overall, Ma'lawah Bar is a great addition to PA. While there's Oren's Hummus for Israeli eats, I believe this is the first Yemeni eatery in the area (otherwise, you have to venture to SF and Oakland). If they can make a second schug for legit spicy food lovers, it would be 5 stars perfect!

    Kelly K.

    Tried the Sabich. Pricey at over 20 dollars. Enough for two people though. I had it cut in half and do not recommend this as small pieces of the foil wrap get in the food. The sandwich was very tasty. The eggplant was really good. Service was great. I wish I could get half the sandwich though and not have to spend so much for lunch.

    Menu
    Lara W.

    The newest, best kept secret in Palo Alto! You should be happy you're on Yelp so that you're able to know about it or you might otherwise drive right past this place, tucked into a very small retail complex on El Camino and El Camino Way. Near Goodwill. Yemenite food! Have you tried it? Well this, my dear Bay Arean, is your lucky day. The world has come to you in the form of densely delicious carbohydrates and I hope you are ready for the bike ride you'll want to take after this authentic, filling meal. The Ma'lawah bar offers two main "tracks" for your culinary experience: either go with a wrap made with Ma'lawah - a greasy flat bread that is somewhat like an Indian paratha but made out of a flakier dough OR get the jachnun. Everything comes with two side salads. I tried the beets (yum) and the hummus (more lemony than I like, but that's just a regional preference). The wraps are filled with 4 different savory options with also a dessert menu with fillings like chocolate (it starts to take on a crepe vibe at that point). They are: -sabich -shakshuka - classic (boiled egg, tomato, spicy zhug) - pizza with vegan cheese Did I mention that the whole place is vegan? Every meal is expensive but it is made from scratch by the owner, Doreet, a dynamic and warm hostess. Seating is indoor only and decor is very minimal: the food is the main attraction of the place. I will be so happy for you once you try it. Jachnun, which I didn't bother describing because you just have to taste it yourself, is often eaten on the Sabbath (Saturday) after cooking all night. It is paradoxically a slow-food and probably has no nutritional value. But it's really good and will keep you full for a while.

    Sishi L.

    Very clean and organized. Friendly staff. The ma lawah portion is huge!! And so good.

    Sabich wrap
    David P.

    I had been so looking forward to making it here for the longest time. I always ended up most wanting to go right during the sabbath. I finally made it there before closing on a Friday at 1:30 pm. I pride myself on eating normal sized, not American sized portions, but I didn't find the sabich to be especially huge and therefore for one, overpriced. I enjoyed the flavors but it did not stand out as anything distinctive or special. This coming from someone who is not familiar with Yemeni food specifically, but who eats Lebanese and Palestinian food on a regular basis.

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tawny V.
    2181
    1343
    12061

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Doreet J.

    Doreet J.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 4

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Great flavorful, filling and healthy food! And the owner is always so nice and welcoming

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 56
    Thanks 21
    Love this 51
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Kelly K.
    306
    2377
    1893

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J P.
    0
    87
    0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew S.
    0
    432
    545

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Akiko I.
    8
    819
    2409

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brynda P.
    72
    152
    10

    1 year ago

    Food was vegan and delicious. The staff was super friendly. Loved every single bite!!! Don't miss this gem.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Doreet J.

    Doreet J.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aaron S.
    57
    18
    39

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Doreet J.

    Doreet J.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Erich D.
    130
    54
    4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara R.
    11
    298
    26

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alana T.
    21
    126
    14

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Gal O.
    654
    13
    8

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Doreet J.

    Doreet J.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Roxana D.
    10
    131
    20

    1 year ago

    The service is always awesome here. The coffee flavored shake was amazing!!! Not too sweet and just the right flavors.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    One of my favorite spots, the tastiest food and friendly staff . Ask for the hot sauce!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Ma'lawah Bar

    You might also consider

    Fambrini's Cafe - Monte Cristo Sandwich

    Fambrini's Cafe

    4.4(1.6k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$$

    Loved the Atmosphere, the food we got was delicious and fulling!! The service was great they got us…read morein before they closed which we appreciated.

    Stopped by Fabbrini's Breakfast on a Monday around 11 AM and had a great experience! We had no…read moretrouble finding a spot, and there was plenty of seating available both indoors and outdoors. We decided to sit outside since the weather was beautiful. I also really liked all the plants and decorations around the outdoor seating area--it made for a really nice atmosphere. I ordered the Fabbrini's Breakfast Plate, which came with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, and avocado toast. Everything was delicious! The bacon was definitely a favorite, and the potatoes were especially flavorful with the perfect amount of spice. We also tried the surf and turf sandwich, which was delicious and came with a tomato soup that was just as flavorful. Both portions were perfect and filling without being too much. The highlight for me, though, was the freshly squeezed orange juice. So good! Fresh, refreshing, and easily one of my favorite parts of the meal. The staff were pleasant and the setup is pretty casual. You order at the counter, take a number, find a seat, and they bring your food out to you. Water, utensils, and condiments are self-serve. Overall, really enjoyed our visit. Great food, relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of outdoor seating. I would definitely come back--especially for that fresh orange juice!

    Photos
    Fambrini's Cafe - Inside

    Inside

    Fambrini's Cafe - Lotus Biscoff Pancakes/STACK OF 2

    Lotus Biscoff Pancakes/STACK OF 2

    Fambrini's Cafe - Matcha Latte

    See all

    Matcha Latte

    Zareen's

    Zareen's

    4.4(3k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    •$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    Came to Zareen's through word of mouth from a friend and had a really good experience! I don't eat…read moreIndian food that often, but everything was delicious and super flavorful. Funny enough, all 7 of us ordered the tikka masala My wife and I shared one with garlic naan and we were both completely full. It was also my first time trying mango lassi. My wife ordered one, I asked for a sip, and it was so smooth and good that I basically stole hers and she had to order another one lol. We were having dinner together after our friend's funeral and brought a photo of him with us. Our server was incredibly kind and even brought us ice cream on the house to share, which was such a thoughtful gesture. Great food, great service, and I'd definitely come back. Thank you for taking care of us!

    My first meal in the Bay Area and this was delicious! Chicken was tender and tasted like it was…read moregrill and has so much flavor. We got the chicken tikka masala w/ garlic naan and sheermal. The chicken samosas are a Michelin guide but it didn't strike out to me. Zareens is one of my staple spots and it's good comfort food or if you want to have a nice night evening with friends, can go both ways! Service is good and they checked up on us regularly. Parking available on the street or nearby lots

    Photos
    Zareen's - Chicken tikka masala meals with full garlic naan

    Chicken tikka masala meals with full garlic naan

    Zareen's - 10/25/2022 Beef Chapli Kabab Sizzler

    10/25/2022 Beef Chapli Kabab Sizzler

    Zareen's - Desi Paleo Salad (Photo: Nom Nom Paleo, Michelle Tam)

    See all

    Desi Paleo Salad (Photo: Nom Nom Paleo, Michelle Tam)

    Mendocino Farms

    Mendocino Farms

    4.2(440 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    •$$

    This is a review for a delivery order, but I'm sure their in-store experience is as great as all…read moretheir other locations I've been to. We placed a group order, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I ordered the avocado & quinoa superfood ensalada, and it was great. It looked exactly like the picture in the menu. The balance of all the ingredients was perfect as well. I loved the crunch of the quinoa in the salad. I appreciate they served the dressing on the side so that I could put the exact amount I wanted to the salad. I love that the salad dressing had a bit of a tang to it, and it complimented the rest of the salad perfectly. I look forward to trying all the other items on their menu.

    Had a great experience dining here - the food was fresh, tasty, and super easy to just order at the…read moreregister at walk-in. The portion I would say is in the smaller side, for the sandwich. I think the salad is just right. This was my first time dining in, and I really enjoyed it! I think the bowls are very pretty and raises the elegance of dining for sure. We ordered the Peruvian steak sandwich and the Seasonal GOAT with Sweet Citrus - the taste was lovely and well-balanced with some spicy taste. The goat cheese was light and airy, so definitely doable even if you're not a huge fan of goat cheese. The inside space was super spacious, and you can choose to sit both inside or out. We sat inside, and I was glad due to the hot hot weather, the AC inside was great. The lady at the register was also super nice, and gave my toddler a set of crayons and paper to draw on! I will be coming back again soon!

    Photos
    Mendocino Farms
    Mendocino Farms
    Mendocino Farms

    See all

    Wildseed - BANANA FRITTERS

    Wildseed

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    •$$

    Had a reservation for 6pm and was seated right away after arrival…read more It was our first time at Wildseed and we were impressed. My friend and I shared the mushroom bao, rigatoni pomodoro and corn pizza. Our favorites were the mushroom bao and corn pizza. I really love the use of coconut milk in the mozzarella. We also opted for the peach galette at the end. The peaches were pretty tart but the ice cream complimented it well. Only con we had that night was the AC was blasting and it got pretty chilly towards the end of our meal.

    I came to this restaurant two days in a row because I really enjoyed my first experience…read more Unfortunately, my second visit was noticeably different, and it really highlighted one of the biggest challenges for any restaurant: consistency. First Visit - Nearly 5 Stars On my first visit, I ordered: * Beet Poke * Mushroom Bao * Kale Caesar Salad with Falafel The beet poke was fantastic. It was fresh, light, and packed with seaweed, with a delicious dressing that brought everything together. There were great textures and flavors, and I would have happily ordered it again. The mushroom bao was another standout. The mushroom was perfectly fried, tucked inside a soft, fluffy bao, and topped with a tangy slaw. Great combination of crispy, soft, savory, and acidic. The kale Caesar salad was also delicious. Fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. At this point, I was thinking 5 stars and was excited enough to come back the very next day. Second Visit - A Different Experience I ordered: * Beet Poke * Mushroom Bao * Kale Caesar Salad * Potato Pizza Unfortunately, things were much more inconsistent. The beet poke was probably the biggest disappointment. There was barely any seaweed, very little textural contrast, and the dressing tasted completely different from the day before. It was also barely dressed. If this had been my first experience with the dish, I honestly would not have ordered it again. The mushroom bao was still good, but it didn't taste the same as the previous day. The slaw was noticeably spicy this time, whereas it hadn't been spicy at all on my first visit. It made me wonder if there were different chefs or if the recipes/preparations simply weren't being followed consistently. The kale Caesar was the one dish that remained consistent, still delicious on day two. The potato pizza was underwhelming and definitely something I wouldn't order again. The flavor combo wasn't working with me. We also got the gluten free crust which was not great. Almost more of a cracker than a pizza crust. The Verdict: If I were reviewing this restaurant based only on my first visit, I would have given it 5 stars. The food was fresh, creative, flavorful, and genuinely memorable. But after coming back the very next day and having several dishes taste noticeably different, I had to take a few stars away. I'm not sure if there were different chefs, different prep, or something else going on behind the scenes, but consistency is such a key part of a great restaurant experience, especially when you're paying restaurant prices. When a dish is fantastic one day and just okay the next, it's hard to know what experience you're actually going to get. The ambience is great, and while the service was friendly, it was also a bit slow. Overall, I still see the potential here, and my first visit was genuinely excellent. I just wish the second visit had lived up to it.

    Photos
    Wildseed - Interior during a midday lull

    Interior during a midday lull

    Wildseed - BEET TOSTADAS

    BEET TOSTADAS

    Wildseed - Probiotic bowl with neat balls

    See all

    Probiotic bowl with neat balls

    Gott's Roadside - Kimchi Burger w/ Garlic Fries ($16/burger) + $5/fries

    Gott's Roadside

    3.1(1.2k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    •$$

    Gott's in Palo Alto is a great place to get lunch or dinner after shopping in Stanford Shopping…read morecenter. You are going to have to wait in line to get your food, but it's well worth it. They have local beers on tap and plenty of outside seating to enjoy the perfect Palo Alto summer weather. Highly recommend the California burger!

    We were walking by Gott's and enticed by the delicious burger aroma. We quickly checked Yelp…read morereviews and saw it was not highly rated. We thought maybe ALL the reviews were wrong, or maybe they were based on service or something. How could a burger that smelled so good not be completely delicious? Readers, it was SHOCKINGLY bad. The cheeseburger was unpalatably dry. They say they cook the burgers medium, but this was beyond well done. It also took more than 30 minutes for this simple order (a single cheeseburger) to come out. It was kind of busy at 6 p.m., but not "30 minutes for a fast food burger" busy. We could have forgiven it if the burger were good, but it was terrible. My boyfriend and I were going to share, but I didn't want more than one bite. He angrily choked down the rest. You'd be better off at Habit, or Five Guys, or In N Out, or maybe even a Jack in the Box. Two stars instead of one because everyone working there was really nice, and the soft serve was genuinely great. I would definitely come back for soft serve. And they also have a different line for soft serve, with an efficient system were you get a voucher and can pick it up whenever you're ready. This is really nice if you want to get your ice cream after your meal but don't want to get in the long line to order again.

    Photos
    Gott's Roadside - Inside

    Inside

    Gott's Roadside - Vietnamese Chicken Salad ($15)

    Vietnamese Chicken Salad ($15)

    Gott's Roadside - Diet Coke®($3)

    See all

    Diet Coke®($3)

    The Ma'lawah Bar - wraps - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...