a good sandwich - the falafel wrap at middle east cafe
open since last july, welcoming middle east cafe restaurant and bar (inside the updated former el patio space) is a breath of fresh air along san pablo avenue in berkeley – and that's even before stepping out back onto the restaurant's pretty covered patio.
bright, clean, airy, good for groups, families with children, solo diners, friends, dates, you name it, the venue includes an attractive bar and roomy dining room with lots of light, comfortable patio, and flavorful, persian-inflected drinks and cuisine (rose espresso martinis; lamb chop kabobs). worth special mention is the counter service, which is both notably kind and unobtrusive.
berkeley's middle east cafe, opened in july 2025, is a welcoming spot for lunch, dinner or happy hour. photo credit berkeley eats.
our fresh falafel wrap for an early lunch was big enough for two – three, even – featuring a large swath of thin lavash wrapped around garlicky falafel, crisp greens, pickles, tomatoes and labneh. each bite was punched up with herbs, including a nice hit of cilantro. hot sauce comes on the side; shakers of sumac top each table.
a nourishing wrap large enough for two people (or two meals), a selection of dessert bites, and signage at berkeley's middle east cafe. photo credit berkeley eats.
after dining, fans can also tack on a shopping visit to the next door middle east market, the beloved berkeley classic for produce, pantry goods and imports since 1974, from the same family of owners.
middle east cafe is at 2056 san pablo avenue in berkeley. note: there is a parking lot – the entrance is on tenth street near university avenue. happy hour is from 3-6pm nightly.
march 12, 2026 (tips welcome; more happy hours; another beloved berkeley classic)
updated.