San Francisco is blessed to have people from around the globe move to the hip, open-minded community, and for this reason, there are fantastic restaurants featuring all variety of cuisines. While many cities are lucky to have a handful of Middle Eastern restaurants, San Francisco has restaurants specializing in Iranian, Persian, Moroccan and more. There is always certain to be a San Francisco Middle Eastern restaurant sure to please everyone in your party.
Saha
Saha is a culinary experience unlike any other, as Chef Mohamed Aboghanem has managed to seamlessly blend Yemenese cuisine with French and California culinary influences to create an entirely new form of Middle Eastern fusion food. As is common in California fusion restaurants, the majority of ingredients used on the menu are fresh, local grown and organic.
While there are some traditional Middle Eastern dishes, like the $25 African couscous with lamb, the house specialties are more innovative and surprising. Vegetarians love the $17 maklouba, a layered casserole with rice, pine nuts, eggplant, tofu, onions, spices, yogurt and harissa. Meat lovers who visit the restaurant often rave about the $22 sage duck served with roasted pears and mashed sweet potatoes.
Saha
1075 Sutter St.
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 345-9547
sahasf.com
El Mansour
The beautiful décor of this traditional Moroccan restaurant is so authentic that even the flowing fabrics that adorn the walls and ceilings have been imported directly from Morocco. Belly dancers entertain the crowd on weekend nights, while patrons enjoy the classic dishes prepared by Chef Abu-Home.
All dinners cost around $30 and are accompanied by couscous, vegetables, lentil bean soup, tomato and eggplant salad, a chicken and almond pastry, a banana fritter, mint tea, and a sweet bastela with cream and almonds. Try the chicken with honey and prunes for a delightfully sweet and savory treat. Or indulge in the rich lamb with eggplant.
El Mansour
3119 Clement St.
San Francisco, California 94121
(415) 751-2312
elmansour.com
Fattoush
The beautiful outdoor patio at Fattoush is both contemporary and comfortable, reminiscent of enjoying diner on a friend's back porch. The restaurant blends together a number of Middle Eastern cuisines, including Morroco, Persia and Greece. The chefs blend together sweet and savory flavors with a variety of meats and vegetables to create memorable Middle Eastern dishes.
Try the Dajaj Sambusak, a filo pastry filled with chicken, mushrooms and almonds topped with a rich spinach sauce. Or consider the Bamieh, a lamb shank with okra and a thick garlicky-tomato sauce.
Fattoush
1361 Church St.
San Francisco, California 94114-3924
(415) 641-0678
fattoush.com
About The Author
Jill Harness has written on a variety of subjects for more than 10 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "San Diego City Beat," "Mental Floss," Rue The Day! and Neatorama. Harness has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Francisco State University.
