Cancel

Open app

Search

The Ma'lawah Bar

4.6 (94 reviews)
Updated 2 months ago

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!

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.

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!

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

See all

3 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

8 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.
2178
1308
11692

11 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Doreet J.

Doreet J.

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 4

3 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

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

1 year ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kelly K.
306
2352
1887

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 56
Thanks 21
Love this 51
Oh no 3

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of J P.
0
84
0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 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 Andrew S.
0
428
541

9 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
815
2379

1 year ago

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

10 months 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
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 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Erich D.
130
55
4

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

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

2 years 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

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Alana T.
21
123
12

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 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
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

6 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
Photo of AL H.
3
108
31

10 months ago

Mediterranean vegetarian, mostly salads, wraps and salads. I found it to be too pricey for what it is.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - The Ma'lawah Bar

MAZRA

MAZRA

4.5
(1.2k reviews)
7.5 mi
$$
Family-owned & operated
Outdoor seating

My wife and I have been loyal Mazra patrons since their original location in San Bruno. To say my…read morewife was elated tp see them open up in Redwood City close to her workplace, is an understatement. She has since brought numerous people tp this location. I also love coming here everytime I'm in town and need to finally revisit the original location since their renovation. On our most current visit, everything wasn't flawless like it usually is, but let me tell you why it didn't hinder our night, nor our reason to constantly come back. As creatures of habit, we humans tend to stick to what we know. I know especially at my age, I know what I want, and don't you dare make me change my order, dang nabbit. So, one of our go to dishes everytime we visit, is their roast chicken. This particular night, they didn't have any available, I believe the rotisserie was being serviced. Though we were a bit disappointed, our server Ben, made everything better. He took care of us, not only in conversation, but with a suggestion of trying the cauliflower. Cauliflower instead of chicken, how does that work? Well for us, it did. Never thought I'd sub cauliflower for chicken, but it was more than satisfying. Though we will always get the chicken, we more than likely will have to add the cauliflower along with it. We also ordered the Arugula Fennel Salad, which was light, and the crisp of the apples gives it a nice crunch. A side of chicken kabob to go with the salad. Fried cheese, it was good, especially drizzling the honey on it. Double kebab plate of chicken and filet mignon. Which I devoured. A refreshing raspberry lemonade. Just tart and sweet enough. If you're lucky to get Ben as your server, you won't regret it and if the server suggests a dish, give it a try, it make change things up for the better.

My friend really wanted to bring us here and I'm glad he did! The first attempt, the line was super…read morelong so we bailed. The second time, it was much better. You can't make reservations in the evening, but we were able to get a seat after waiting for 20 or so minutes on a Friday evening. We had a dog with us, and they were able to find us a table in the patio out back. They have patio seating in the front, seating in the restaurant proper, and then more seating in the back patio. The ambiance inside looked really nice, but they didn't want our dog (we don't claim ESA) in the main restaurant. The patio out back was also nice, with a water fountain. Our dog was able to sit under the table and take a nap. The restaurant is BUSY, so the crowd volume was loud, but we could still have a conversation. Behind me was another table and I could hear pretty much their whole conversation. The food was all very good. We did family-style, where we shared all the dishes amongst us. I think the roast chicken might be harder to share, because you have to carve it.

Photos
Famous Whole Cauliflower
Famous Whole Cauliflower
Front Patio/Entrance
Front Patio/Entrance
Rotisserie Chicken Plate

See all

Rotisserie Chicken Plate
Arya Steakhouse

Arya Steakhouse

4.4
(1.8k reviews)
3.0 mi
$$
Romantic vibe
Fine dining

Service/Food: Everyone specially Avi our host was seriously exceptional! From the start, he treated…read moreis us specially well. When we ordered 2 cowboy rib eye, 1 NY steak, 1 porterhouse- he asked us if we were sharing and of course we were - he offered to bring it in on a big tray which was excellent! The steaks were perfectly done! The sides were had cesar salad, the twice baked baked potato, the mixed vegetables were all excellent! The appetizers- bread basket, mushrooms and octopus were also 10/10.. Our dessert-the Pistachio Cheesecake is the best! We are so happy to be at this place! Everyone was checking on us, making sure our drinks were poured, that we were okay and if we needed anything else! Better than the highly rated steak houses..This will always be our go to Steak house on our special family occasions.. By the way our drinks were also the best! The cucumber spritzer, the watermelon, the soju and the mixed Crown Royal with Canadian whiskey.. Thank you for taking care of us so well..

Food in this place is delicious. We ordered lots of things and it was all tasty. Unfortunately our…read more90 minutes drive was for the tomahawk, even though they have tomahawk but they can't cook it as a whole, they can cook it cut in pieces. I understand people may be ok with that, but not for me. They said they can cook it but will be 35 to 40 minutes and we said that is perfectly fine and understood. But 20 minutes in, the Chef came in gracefully to share that he can't cook it, and he will bring it now, and if we slice it and don't like it, he can then cook the slices. Me and my son thought that we should be able to eat it, even if it was a bit on the rare side, and we did. It wasn't the perfect situation for us, which is the 3 stars, but it wasn't bad. Moral of the story, if you like your tomahawk cooked in one piece, this is not the place for you. For me if it is slices, then it is no longer tomahawk but rather sliced steaks and that's not why I am here. Will we go there again? Most probably, but 100% not for tomahawk.

Photos
Arya Steakhouse
Arya Steakhouse
Arya Steakhouse

See all

Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen

Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen

4.6
(572 reviews)
3.3 mi
$$

My friends and I absolutely love this Turkish restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center! We find…read moreourselves coming back almost every other week because it never disappoints. Every dish is fresh, healthy, authentic, and packed with incredible flavor--you can truly taste the quality and care that goes into the food. The service is just as exceptional as the cuisine. Tonight we were lucky to be served by one of our favorites, Bert, who always greets us with a warm smile, remembers us, and never fails to say, "Welcome back!" It's those thoughtful touches that make every visit feel so special. The ambiance is the perfect finishing touch. From the traditional Turkish music to the warm, inviting décor and the comforting cup of Turkish tea at the end of the meal, it genuinely feels like you've been transported to Turkey. This has become one of our favorite places, and we can't recommend it enough!

I've had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant multiple times over the last few months, and I…read morecan honestly say it is one of my tavorites. The food is consistently good, and the ambiance is always amazing. BUT what really puts this place over the top is the service. Every time I come in the staff is friendly and personable. Good food is easy to find. Great service is a little harder. It is a great place to bring friends, coworkers, and family. Hummus definitely sits at the top of my recommendation list for people looking for a nice meal. Shout out to Bertan

Photos
Interior
Interior
Chipotle Hummus
Chipotle Hummus
Lamb & Beef Gyro Tacos

See all

Lamb & Beef Gyro Tacos
Evvia Estiatorio

Evvia Estiatorio

4.3
(3.2k reviews)
3.1 mi
$$$

I love this place. I would frequent it in the early aughts when I worked in Palo Alto, but these…read moredays, I live in Alameda so I get down to the South Bay much less frequently. A friend wanted to treat me to birthday dinner here, so who was I to argue? Our starters, gigantes--I don't even like beans--and could not stop eating these-- and tender, succulent grilled octopus were perfect. We both had fish--hers a whole, steamed branzino and mine a roasted salmon--both very good. I regret not having photographed the dessert, a luscious light meringue with fresh berries. Don't pass that one up!

Service was five stars: I believe our waiter was David, and we were a table of six plus a toddler…read morecelebrating a birthday. He was patient with us snd attentive. We brought a cake and champagne and nothing seemed to bother him. Overall, I found the small plates to be excellent. I've been here before and I have ordered just small plates. This time we went with some entrees, and none of us were thrilled. We were asked how we'd like the lamb prepared - we said medium. All the lamb chops came out well done and dry. The flavors were good, but we were particularly disappointed with the lamb slouvaki, which was extremely dry and overcooked. We did order the riblets from the small plates and those were excellent. I do recommend this place, but stick with the small plates.

Photos
Inside area
Inside area
Galatoboureko - half order shown
Galatoboureko - half order shown
Lamb Chops

See all

Lamb Chops

The Ma'lawah Bar - wraps - Updated July 2026

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