Middle East Café

Excellent middle eastern kabobs, plates and stews. Creative drinks, good beer selection and the best service . I wish I had room for dessert.

Isra Wazna

The perfect spot for Persian food in the Easy Bay: excellent authentic dishes, friendly family business, and pristine amenities!

Milad Javaherian

Cozy, flavorful, and full of heart We stumbled upon this cozy Iranian restaurant in Berkeley and were instantly charmed. The atmosphere is intimate but lively — soft lighting, warm décor, and that unmistakable aroma of grilled kebabs drifting from the kitchen. The food was outstanding. The kebabs were incredibly juicy — perfectly seasoned, tender, and full of flavor. The saffron rice was fluffy and fragrant, and even the side salads and dips were fresh and beautifully balanced. Surprisingly, their cocktail menu was just as impressive. The drinks had a Persian twist — refreshing, creative, and well-made, not overly sweet. The service was friendly and unpretentious, making the whole evening feel personal and relaxed. Whether you’re craving authentic Iranian comfort food or just looking for a warm spot to unwind with friends over a good drink, this place is a gem.

Ra Sh

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I celebrated my birthday at Middle East Cafe, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful experience. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and cared for. The food was incredible, full of flavor and warmth, but what truly made the night unforgettable was the service. One of the servers went above and beyond in a way I’ll never forget. Their kindness, their attention, and the way they made sure every moment felt special truly touched my heart. It wasn’t just good service—it felt genuine, thoughtful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you, Middle East Cafe, for turning my birthday into a memory I’ll cherish for a long time. I left with a full stomach and an even fuller heart. ❤️🎉

Addie

I really enjoyed my time at Middle East Cafe. I was greeted by the friendly staff and ordered then sat in the back patio. I loved the outdoor area it was so nice. The food was excellent. I ordered the Koobideh, Lavash Bread, and the Hummus. Everything was great. I’m a bit of a hummus snob and wasn’t disappointed. Highly recommend this place!!

nikolett x

Honestly, one of the best meals I have ever had. Me and my wife went there for lunch and even tho the place was busy, service was exceptional. We had the veggie plate and the meat kebab wrap. Portions are big, ingredients are fresh, seasoning is right on point. We will be back!

Jesse Nichols

Everything was packed with flavor and totally delicious. Best dolmas I've ever had. Chicken and Koobideh were excellent. Best middle eastern (Persian) food I've tried in the east bay, for sure!

Deepak G

Amazing food with large portions. The place is really small but nice with lots of food options. Service is also great.

Zahra Salamat

Delicious Persian food, excellent service, and beautiful ambience! The waiters even brought a birthday cake on the house. Highly recommend this place!

Eric Vacca

Excellent middle eastern kabobs, plates and stews. Creative drinks, good beer selection and the best service . I wish I had room for dessert.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Middle East Cafe is a stellar spot for Persian food and truly a rare find. It’s not often that you come across a restaurant that combines exceptional food, genuinely warm and friendly staff, and very reasonable prices—but this place delivers on all three. The food is absolutely delicious, full of authentic flavors, and served in impressively generous portions. The owner and staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome, creating a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that makes the experience even better. You leave not only satisfied and full, but also impressed by the value and hospitality. Middle East Cafe is one of those special places you’re excited to recommend to others and can’t wait to return to.

Middle East Cafe has one of the best koobibeh in the East Bay! It’s a very casual, cozy vibe with a patio in the back. We started with the Kashk eh badenjan and bread. Then we had the koobideh, with rice, tahdig, and masst moosir. And finished with the baklava and chai. Everyone was so friendly and hospitality! Definitely coming back!

A warm, inviting Persian place that’s so delicious even the uncles are speechless after the first bite. I called in a catering order and Amir manager/president of catering/all-around great human helped me build the order for our Yalda party. His kindness and thoughtfulness made all the difference, especially when I came to pick up the order. I felt welcomed and part of the family the moment I walked into the restaurant, which means a lot to an halfzi like me! The staff were so wonderful (thanks for checking the tahdig Aiden!) Everything was packaged up expertly so nothing spilled after an 30 minute drive. And the food? An absolute revelation. Here are some highlights: Fesenjan was INSANELY delicious, perfectly balanced so even my picky fesenjahn-hating uncle went back for seconds. Kubideh was well seasoned, juicy, and frankly addictive. To quote my cousin, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it’s better than Rose Market.” (Persian grocery store/kebab Mecca in San Jose). The chicken thigh kebab was also a hit. Ghormeh sabzi was wonderful, the meat was tender and the stew itself absolutely delectable with its greenery and seasoning. My dad tried to take the mahst-ah-moosir home with him without telling anyone and that guy is a veritable connoisseur. (I have also had the pleasure of getting gheymeh here as a takeout order and it was so good I ate the whole thing standing up in my kitchen with a bottle of fizzy mint doogh) By the end of the night there was almost no morsel left and my entire family made us promise we would take them to the restaurant when they were back in town. Truly the night was a mad success thanks to the food. I am so glad Berkeley and the Iranian community now have a new place to call home in Middle East Cafe. I can’t wait to go back!

Wonderful family-owned restaurant serving what has to be the best Persian food in the Bay Area. The kebabs were incredibly juicy and flavorful, and we had the best lunch experience sitting at the bar. Will definitely be back many more times!!

Very fresh and flavorful food, with large portions and a nice outdoor patio. The chicken wrap and other options feel healthy while still being delicious and you feel good after. It is dog friendly with welcoming staff- would highly recommend !

The food at the restaurant is absolutely delicious. The service is fantastic and the ambiance is great as well. I truly enjoy coming here with my cousin for dinner.

Thanks for bringing the Middle East market's amazing food and friendly staff to your new café next door. I loved the homey vibe. Berkeley is much better with you!

Katie Ghorban

Middle East Cafe has one of the best koobibeh in the East Bay! It’s a very casual, cozy vibe with a patio in the back. We started with the Kashk eh badenjan and bread. Then we had the koobideh, with rice, tahdig, and masst moosir. And finished with the baklava and chai. Everyone was so friendly and hospitality! Definitely coming back!

Maria Hurwitz

Very fresh and flavorful food, with large portions and a nice outdoor patio. The chicken wrap and other options feel healthy while still being delicious and you feel good after. It is dog friendly with welcoming staff- would highly recommend !

Alexandra Sharabianlou

A warm, inviting Persian place that’s so delicious even the uncles are speechless after the first bite. I called in a catering order and Amir manager/president of catering/all-around great human helped me build the order for our Yalda party. His kindness and thoughtfulness made all the difference, especially when I came to pick up the order. I felt welcomed and part of the family the moment I walked into the restaurant, which means a lot to an halfzi like me! The staff were so wonderful (thanks for checking the tahdig Aiden!) Everything was packaged up expertly so nothing spilled after an 30 minute drive. And the food? An absolute revelation. Here are some highlights: Fesenjan was INSANELY delicious, perfectly balanced so even my picky fesenjahn-hating uncle went back for seconds. Kubideh was well seasoned, juicy, and frankly addictive. To quote my cousin, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it’s better than Rose Market.” (Persian grocery store/kebab Mecca in San Jose). The chicken thigh kebab was also a hit. Ghormeh sabzi was wonderful, the meat was tender and the stew itself absolutely delectable with its greenery and seasoning. My dad tried to take the mahst-ah-moosir home with him without telling anyone and that guy is a veritable connoisseur. (I have also had the pleasure of getting gheymeh here as a takeout order and it was so good I ate the whole thing standing up in my kitchen with a bottle of fizzy mint doogh) By the end of the night there was almost no morsel left and my entire family made us promise we would take them to the restaurant when they were back in town. Truly the night was a mad success thanks to the food. I am so glad Berkeley and the Iranian community now have a new place to call home in Middle East Cafe. I can’t wait to go back!

Yee Cheung

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Middle East Cafe is a stellar spot for Persian food and truly a rare find. It’s not often that you come across a restaurant that combines exceptional food, genuinely warm and friendly staff, and very reasonable prices—but this place delivers on all three. The food is absolutely delicious, full of authentic flavors, and served in impressively generous portions. The owner and staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome, creating a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that makes the experience even better. You leave not only satisfied and full, but also impressed by the value and hospitality. Middle East Cafe is one of those special places you’re excited to recommend to others and can’t wait to return to.

Keshav Saharia

Wonderful family-owned restaurant serving what has to be the best Persian food in the Bay Area. The kebabs were incredibly juicy and flavorful, and we had the best lunch experience sitting at the bar. Will definitely be back many more times!!

Zara Wahlstrom Mann

The food here is phenomenal, and the service is excellent. The secret outdoor seating in the back is my favorite! Im vegetarian and they always have ample options for my diet. I love the complimentary tea I get with the Turkish delight 🥹

Josh Grossman

As a long time enjoyer of the food at Middle East Market, the new space was such a lovely surprise. Back patio is fantastic. Food is as good as ever. Chicken thigh with Shirazi salad is my new go to. It's going to be impossible to get a table here soon.

Joanie

Went here for the first time even though I always drive by their market. Now they have a whole stand alone cafe. I ordered the chicken thigh plate and it was juicy, flavorful, and just really fresh. Service was attentive and friendly even though I just got take out. You feel so welcomed here. Definitely coming back to try the other items. Great spot. Their patio is so freaking cute and breezy, awesome date spot for sure.

Savvy Issha

Greetings to a great staffing who provides excellent services.The best Falafel I've ever had. It's addicting.flawlessly prepared an tasteful. It hit the spot.It felt like I tasted a piece of heaven. Great friendly people.We felt welcomed.They are generous with care providing the best customer service. Exceeded my expectations. Thank you so much! 😊 Will see you soon!

Ramin Ghanadan

I had an amazing experience at this new Persian restaurant in Berkeley, opened by my friend Amir. The place has a great atmosphere modern, cozy, and full of good energy. They even have a full bar with a Persian twist, and their Persian martini is a must try, super unique and flavorful. I ordered the barg kabob and it was excellent. The meat was tender, perfectly seasoned, and grilled just right. You can really taste the authenticity and care in the food.

I have order takeout twice from this new cafe and have eaten in the Market nextdoor. The person good is good and definitely fulfills my cravings for koobideh. While waiting for my order they have me some Persian tea, which tastes like Earl Grey. They have indoor seating and a covered patio seating in the back. Great service and I will definitely be coming back! Pro tip: Call in your order

Sam

I have order takeout twice from this new cafe and have eaten in the Market nextdoor. The person good is good and definitely fulfills my cravings for koobideh. While waiting for my order they have me some Persian tea, which tastes like Earl Grey. They have indoor seating and a covered patio seating in the back. Great service and I will definitely be coming back! Pro tip: Call in your order

Got our order wrong and missed a plate that they charged for. The fesenjoon was way too sweet, basically like a dessert, the zereshk polo barberries overwhelmed the rice and was all you could taste, and the koobideh was barely broiled... wasn't even grilled! What the heck kind of authentic food is this? Worst Persian food I've had by a light-year. My wife is the Persian food snob (and had to spell all the dishes for me) and was also highly disappointed. Sure we ate it, but this was like cafeteria grade food in quality and to top it off, extra charge for nothing. Not going back to try again. Can still taste the barberries all over my tongue, not a pleasant after taste.