La Mediterranee Reviews

Called in to this restaurant while on an evening stroll and glad I did. It isn’t the biggest place but it had a small room to the front a narrow main restaurant and also street dining. A litre carafe of wine was good value at 32 dollars. They cater for gluten free diet and I had chicken kebabs which was plenty with side salad rice and breads. Good vale and well worth a visit.

Okay so being from the Mediterranean we went to this place curious but with some expectations! We had the 10 dish degustation and part from the humus which was amazing btw, everything was soggy, boring or just not good. Disappointing !!

"Holicool" may've hit a bad time...? I'm no stranger to Europe, with family there, or to lousy state-side Mediterranean restaurants, where food is often soggy and oily...or to wretched European restaurants, either. We were pleased with this place when we needed a hurried meal at 4 p.m. Food was fresh, savory and appealing; yogurt/cucumber dip appetizer was lovely; price was good and server was on top of things. Plan to return before our visit ends. Give it a go.

I ate here the first week it opened and have been coming back ever since. During my years of difficult exile from San Francisco nothing says "you're back home" more than a dinner at La Mediterranee. Vegetarians have a plethora of delicious choices. The food is always fresh and tasty. The lemon chicken soup, although obviously not vegetarian is so great I can't resist. The atmosphere is lovely and the service is great. Traditional hip San Francisco at its best! Families with children will be fine here as long as they aren't prudes who expect all the surrounding diners to censor their conversations. (Have a San Francisco attitude about free speech, not a suburban one.)

Three of us went here and enjoyed a large appetizer sampler, 3 entrees ,bottle of wine and dessert, and with the tip all of it came under $100. The atmosphere is cozy and the neighborhood is wonderfully San Francisco

We visit La Mediterranee a couple times a year on our annual trips to SF and it is top-notch in food, service, and the mint tea is a mini soothing vacation! All of their dishes are flavorful and creatively presented, and a superb value, too. Love to people watch at a quaint table out front and take my time (o:

This is just a quintessential SF restaurant. Great Mediterranean food, small place so you can go alone and feed comfortable or have a party! The food is consistently wonderful with large portions. Get the Mezze for two a glass of wine and sit back and enjoy. Casual, inexpensive, good atmosphere..... It has been my go to place for 30 years.

Went to this restaurant for lunch with a friend who knew about it. The exterior is very underwhelming especially if you compare it with some outlets on the same road. But as soon as you enter you know you have come to the right place. The ambience is relaxed and welcoming. Our server was very friendly and helpful. Ordered the mixed mezze platter - a nust try ! Along with it we also got a plate of dolme and lamb kebbeh. Every dish was spectacular especially the hummus, dolme and the baba ghanoush. The food was fresh and extrenely authentic. Would love to visit it again someday

We stopped working in to La Mediterranee for lunch. My wife got a salad, I got a lentil soup (lemony!) and a falafel sandwich (large and spicy). Service was great, and the decor made for interesting scrutiny.

We ordered the appetizer special - dates stuffed with goat cheese and toasted walnuts. They were served warm and tasted good, but it escapes me where the goat cheese was - could not taste or see it. We also ordered the phyllo specials - there are 4 and one can order any combination of the four. We ordered two of the spinach with feta and two of the chicken with cinnamon and cumin . It took a bit of time to get them, but they were served warm. The spinach and feta were dry, but tasted okay. With the chicken, we could not find the chicken or taste the cinnamon. No one ever came back to see how we were doing. When we got the check, we asked about the chicken. Another woman came over and we described what we received. A pastry with a substance in it, sort of the consistency of hummus. She asked if they were triangular (yes) and we learned we were served the phyllo pastries with the cheese filling. We were served by the same young woman who took the order and should know what it is that she is serving. The salad was a mixed green salad with that red salad dressing bottle French dressing. We were disappointed in the food. Without our asking, however, the restaurant adjusted off the entree completely.

This Pacific Heights restaurant was a wonderful surprise. We took a chance on it based on info we found on their website. The fact that they had a gluten-free menu was a bonus since I have an allergy to gluten. From the moment we walked in, we were happy. The ambiance is warm and eclectic. The service was exceptional. It seemed that everyone (2-3 servers plus the owner) took care of all the tables so there was practically no waiting time for anything. At the same time, no one hovered. It was the right balance. The chatter of the full restaurant was pleasing and it appeared that there were several regulars. There's great variety on the menu for carnivores and vegetarians and the portion sizes are elegantly sufficient. I had the lentil salad which had just the right amount of zest to it and was surprisingly filling. My husband had lemon chicken kebabs and was quite happy. We shared the falafel appetizer and commented how moist the falfels were, something that we feel is becoming rare. This is a great spot for a relaxing, affordable, delicious and nutritious meal.

Meeting some friends who live in SF for dinner and they recommended this as their favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Place is not big and packed on a Tuesday evening. Luckily we got a table after only 15 minutes wait. There was some outdoor seating but it was too chilly in mid July. Dining room is long and narrow, busily decorated with traditional themed fabric hangings, paintings and an assortment of artifacts. Tables line both sides of the wall and are tightly packed with a narrow walkway in the middle. Very good salads, kabobs and some vegetarian dishes, as well as desserts, everything was delicious, good portions and the price very reasonable. Obviously the Mediterranean place to go in Pacific Heights as our friends ran into a bunch of people they knew while we where there.

My daughter and I went to a street fair on Filmore and popped in here for lunch. It is quaint with tiles on some of the tables. We both selected dishes that gave us a trio of goodies. I will definitely come back here for lunch, brunch or dinner.

La Mediterranee is a cozy lunch or dinner spot in the Castro that offers a wide selection of Middle Eastern foods. It has been around for some 30 years, and with good reason. Their food is delicious and their humus is the best I've ever had. They have lots of great phylo dough based dishes, including several vegetarian options. They always have at least two wonderful soups available, and at least one is vegetarian. I like to bring out of towners to this restaurant because the servers are friendly, the food consistently very good, the prices are reasonable, and the menu is varied enough to satisfy everyone. Even my pure meat and potatoes/American food brother had to admit that the food at La Mediterranee was delicious. They do not take reservations unless you are a large party, so sometimes there is a wait.

After reading so many good reviews about this place and having a sneak peek on their menu we were really looking forward to dine there. Although they offer a good variety of different mediterranean dishes, everything we tried was underwhelming. Their food was kind of bland and many dishes deviated a lot from the authentic recipes. Being from the mediterranean part of Europe definitely makes me more picky, and I expect at least something that reminds me a bit the dishes I've used to. Unfortunately, this place failed to deliver that. On the plus side, the atmosphere is really nice.

We came upon La Mediterranee while strolling down Fillmore. This place is wonderful. My husband and I ordered the lunch special. I had the spinach and feta tart, the chicken pomegranate and the chicken Cilicia( lunch has small portions of these)this also came with soup, I choose the vegan lentil. We had some incredible hot mint tea with our lunch as well. We will return...maybe today?

Good Mediterranean Platter. You'll be stuffed!

The food and location of the resteurant itself is great but inside is small and cramped. My advise is to order to go if possible.

Great food, often crowded after 6:30pm or so, 1st-class Middle Eastern food - great service too. Great place to slow down, have a glass of wine and some hummus, then enjoy a slow meal. Good chocolate cake too...

We started with an appetizer of spicy hummus and tzatziki sauce, served with fresh pita and cut up veggies. For the main course, the meat-eaters in our group enjoyed chicken and beef, while the non meat-eaters enjoyed a vegetarian middle eastern plate. We ended the meal with baked plum cake (OMG!) and homemade, scrumptious, to-die-for baklava. We talked about this dinner the rest of the four days we were in SF - it was that flavorful, fresh and satisfying!!!

This tiny restaurant has been here for at least 30 years and continues to provide tasty, reliable food for locals and visitors alike.

I was looking for a nice place for dinner to go with my wife and daughter, nothing too fancy but also not McD's - this totally fit the bill. To further help us was the fact that it was Valentines Day and we were very happy that they didn't have a fixed menu. The 3 of us are vegetarians and found some very good options for us. I had the felafel, my daughter ended up having a hummus appetizer and I don't recall what my wife had. but the portions were very generous and the good was very tasty. Even though the places was packed I thought the food came out in a timely manner and the servers were attentive.

The staff have a friendly greeting you when you arrive. When you are seated they bring you a small dish of warm chick peas with a delightful blend of spices. The food is delicious and authentic. the portions are great to share if you are not real hungry. Or get two items and share them. If you have to wait for a table, it is worth the wait.

It has been 39 years since we last ate here and the food/menu had not changed much but was still delicious. The service was very good and we were served very fast.

Outdoor heaters kept us warm as we sat outdoors on a chilly night, enjoying a light Middle Eastern dinner of lentil soup & salads. The hummous with one of the salads was pleasantly spiced; the soup was warm & tomato-ey with whole lentils. Service was friendly, and the street traffic was quiet (much quieter than the indoor seating, which kept up a low din). Diners next to us were apparently regulars who've been coming for nearly 20 years. Not sure this would be a destination unless we'd been in the neighborhood, but while we were here, it hit the spot.

This was my first time eating at a "Mediterranean" restaurant. It was wonderful! The food was wonderful and the prices were very reasonable. We had the Harisa & Djajiki appetizer, which was sooooo good. All three of us loved it. I had the Fillo lunch platter, and all three were excellent. My sister wasn't a fan of the Avgolemono soup. She said it tasted like boiled chicken. I will definitely go back and recommend this restaurant. The lunch bill for three, with drinks, meals, and appetizers was $42. Very cheap.

We had a lovely lunch yesterday. We choose the Mediterranean Lunch Platter ($8.95) Which gives you many choices. Everything was delicious and filling. The waitresses were very nice and accommodating. We will definitely return the next time we're in the City.

Whenever someone asks me what is my favorite place to eat at in San Francisco, my answer is always the same - it is at La Med. That`s how I call this cute Middle Eastern restaurant on the corner of Fillmore and Sacramento streets. I had tried many things from their menu, and my favorites are: - yogurt cucumber soup. - salad La Mediterranee. - chicken pomegranate. When there, I love being served by Arthur. He is an Armenian. He also happens to be an ordained deacon at the local Orthodox church, runs a soup kitchen for the poor and sells t-shirts online.

This restaurant was recommended by Fodor travel guide and they were right! We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Just be sure to eat at the location on Filmore St, as their other location doesn't have the interesting decor or vibe. Be sure to try the Mediterranean Meza - it's a large assortment of 10 dishes including including Lamb Lule, Chicken Pomegranate, Spinach & Chicken Fillos.

pomegranate chicken if you're really hungry

Love this place if you can fit in the small space. Menu does not change much.

This place is fine if you've never had Mediterranean food outside of the US. Sorry, call me picky but the Greek lemon chicken soup was not very good as it didn't have any rice in it. It's not the way I remember having at in Greece or Greek restaurants in the US. I would not call it a destination restaurant.

Bleary-eyed from hours spent worrying in the nearby ICU, I wandered down the hill into the welcoming arms of La Mediterranee. Parking it under their bistro awning with my little pooch, I proceeded to order a pomegranate kir and combo platter, plus a little cup of lentil soup. The pom kir refreshed, the savory lentil soup satisfied, and the exotic combo platter offered a delectable yet balanced dance through the Mediterranean. As a fragrant fillip, a lovely Turkish coffee served up with tiny rose-water infused pistachio bite proved the perfect grace note to this little bit of bliss. Heavenly!

We dined outdoors on a nice evening. They have space heaters for chilly nights. I guess a year of cooking at home has really honed my culinary skills because my lamb meatballs, pita bread and Greek salad are really much better than what we had here. The salad didn’t have enough dressing (and a few wilted pieces if I’m being honest) and while our server was friendly enough, his presence was sparse. The dinner came with the Avgolemano soup, and it was just plain weird and looked like a thin oatmeal. My bottom line on restaurants is “would I come here again.” There’s not enough going on here to bring me back.

Very nice casual restaurant. We were not very hungry so we shared the Mezze that were delicious. I would recommend it as a very comfortable place.

Cozy, great service, great food and affordable. I recommend the salmon kabobs and saffron chicken. If the have the stuffed dates also order those. The potato salad is awesome ( not mayo, just potatoes, lemon & herbs)

My husband and I ordered the Mediterranean Meza, which was $16.95 per person. Not bad considering how much food you get to try. It included hummus, baba ganoush, tabuleh, Armenian potato salad, dolma grape leaves, levant sandwiches, lamb lule, chicken cilicia fillo, spinach & feta fillo, chicken pomegranate, and rice pilaf. The food was pretty good. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant, we ate at a cute little spot right inside the front door, but tucked off to the side, so that it didn't really feel like "right inside the door."

While small, there is a constant flow of neighbors coming through this restaurant, picking up dinner take-out. Also a great dine-in option: terrific kebabs, soup, hummus!

Everything was fresh and well-prepared. Prices very reasonable.

Had the Moussaka! and a spicy soup - both superb and interesting. The atmosphere is wonderful, bright, interesting. I love this place & would eat here again in a heartbeat - hope to come back someday.

I love the atmosphere in this small place - very cool mosaic tables, neat artwork and laid out in a warm and comfortable style. The service was fast and friendly. The food was just right - very fresh with great flavors. The dolmas and hummus are among the best I've eaten. All around, a great dinner!

Neighborhood favorite Eclectic ambience with cute little folkloric dolls hanging on the walls Armenian, Greek, Middle Eastern cuisine Good luncheon specials; loved the Lebanese lamb kibbeh & chicken shawerma Also, have combination plates w/several veggie options Yummy muhalabiye pudding Okay food service Outdoor seating

Stumbled across this wee gem and took a punt! Paid dividends 10 fold!! Didn't really know what to expect until I decided to Tripadvisor the place when we were seated!! And looky looky I found a goody! It's a very quaint dinning room, quite intimate yet casual and fun. We ordered the House Tasting platter? Can't remember exact name but its a sampler of all the most famous dishes of the restaurant. FANTASTIC CHOICE FOR TWO. If I had my time over; I wouldn't of been so polite and licked the plates between rounds.. Highlight - Creme Brûlée. Host recommended it and I'm not really a cold desert person but it was magic! Next time I'm in San Fran, to coin a phrase; I'll be back!

I am not from around the Mediterranean by ethnicity and I'm therefore not reviewing this restaurant from a "native" point of view. I was introduced to it by Turkish, Lebanese and Greek friends. It is their favorite hang-out because of the neighborhood feel and of course the food. They do the ordering when I am with them and I have yet to taste a dish that I didn't like. I also bring foreign guests from Australia and U.K. and they all love it. Some of my local friends also join me for lunches. Platters are an easy choice. Food is authentic and inexpensive by San Francisco standards. If you want a taste of the Mediterranean in our city by the bay, go to La Mediterranee on Fillmore in Pacific Heights.

We ate at La Mediterranee for the first time in many years and it was wonderful. The service was outstanding. The food was wonderful and well priced.

This has become the place for our annual get-together with SF friends when we visit over the holidays, because it's close to where we stay, and it's their favorite SF restaurant of all. I can always find something to eat that works for me: this time it was the chicken drumsticks with pomegranate sauce and a lentil soup to start. Great light lunch!

Was in SF on vacation, and found this restaurant through TA. Very good food, friendly service and all at reasonable prices

I was staying in a hotel that did not have food. I went to Fillmore Street to look for food. Most of the restaurants were pizza. I finally found La Medeteranee. The food was great and the owner really went out of the way to take care of me including giving me actual silverware to take back to the hotel. In addition to my high level of satisfaction, everyone in the restaurant looked extremely happy. Great place !

Ate out with 3 friends, service was good, casual dining with hearty-sized portions and very reasonable rates. We had a young child with us and the waiting staff could not do more to make him comfortable.

I love this place! The food is amazingly delicious and the lunchtime Mediterranean platter gives you plenty of food and choices! The pomegranate chicken is a must try!

...in the sense that it's just about okay and in the sense that it's worth passing on by. The hot mezes were lukewarm and the speed with which they arrived suggested that they were sat on a hotplate somewhere. The cold ones were reasonable enough although the houmous was very smooth and very thin, almost sauce-like in consistency, and was served with cold pitta. Overall not great, but not terrible either.

I like and have eaten middle eastern/ Mediterranean food for 4 decades. The positives here are a warm and welcome decor, neighborhood feel and friendly waitresses. I had the falafel lunch. The falafel was very dry and Ive had better tasting falafel a out of a box, the hummus was pretty tasteless and the chicken, lemon and rice soup wasn't much better. Overall not much flavor in anything I had except the Tempranillo. I'm from out of town but I hope there is better than this.

Hello there, I am an European tourist who goes to San Francisco once per year for business. A friend of mine and myself were looking for some decent place serving mediterranean food and the great reviews of "La Mediterranee" given on this website convinced us to give it a try. Honestly speaking? The food quality - especially considering the high average score given by other tripadvisor users - was a bloody joke. Any libanese or greek restaurant in Europe would deserve 3 Michelin stars then! Falafels ? Super dry and with a weird taste. Organic tomato soup? Well, it might be healthy, but they just forgot to add some taste... Wine leaves... with... er... cinnamon inside, is that for real?! Only hummus was not too bad, or shall I rather say it was the "less worst" of all served items. My apologies for the ironic-sounding comments, but I really got shocked with the food quality compared to the reviews written here; and I felt the necessity to warn people who do like good lebanese/greek (mediterranean) food to be careful with that one. Really disappointing experience I have to say :(

We stopped here for a late lunch/early dinner--there are not that many Mediterranean places in San Francisco, so this was a serendipitous find. And it did not disappoint! We ordered the Middle Eastern Meze, a sampling of many dishes, including hummus, tabouli, and babaganoush with pita, dolmas, lamb meatballs, pomegranate chicken, and a couple thing I did not recognize. More than enough for 2 people; I took home leftovers. enough for two more meals! Exquisite!

Highly recommend the Vegetarian Eastern Plate [...] The hummus is incredible! Really tasty and smoothie. A must try of San Francisco

If you are a local, you probably already love La Mediterranee. If you are visiting SF and looking for a delicious lunch or dinner at an affordable price, this is it! If it sounds good to you, it will be. The Fillmore district is a good shopping and eating corridor, real SF. If you are catering an event, consider having La Mediterranee. Everyone raves about the food, arrives on time, affordable, and something for every diet. The food is meant to be eaten at room temperature, so no chafing dishes and hassle. Really a fine option.

Simple, comfy and TASTEFUL!!

We really enjoyed this restaurant. Food was excellent- tried the middle eastern plate and the fillo combo, and everything was delicious. Good service and cozy atmosphere. Sangria was great. There is a small bar in the back, and when the weather is good, outdoor seating is available.

I liked the cozy eclectic Middle Easter decor, the cozy atmosphere (especially in the alcove), the pleasant and quick service, and the delicious food. Not fancy but great for the price.

My husband and I have found Mediterranean food to be the ultimate comfort food-- and this beautiful, quaint and warm restaurant did not disappoint in any way. The atmosphere was inviting and the waiters that helped us navigate the menu, were patient and very kind. We chose the 'Mediterranean Meza' so we could try as many dishes as possible, but I am a vegetarian and my husband is not. They were kind enough to separate the meat and vegetarian options. And let me just say, it was more food than we could have ever hoped for! The bread kept coming and our waiters were attentive- our glasses was never empty. The variety in flavors and dishes was incredible and we loved every one. A truly wonderful experience! We will definitely be coming back!

It's a tiny place with good vibes and tasty food. Location is good at Fillmore Street where you find nice boutiques and a great selection of small restaurants and bars. Service was accommodating, friendly and fast. Food was prepared of prime and fresh ingrediences. Portions were large and following authentic design. Wine list was good as expected in California. Selection of beer was complemented by some exotic but tasty choises from Armenia. Warmly recommended!

A friend suggested that we lunch here. It was a good thing that we were both very hungry. We started with an Appetizer, the Combination -- Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and Tabuleh. All were delicious. My friend then had the Avgolemono -- Greek Lemon Soup, which she said was wonderful. We both had the Chicken Pomegranat -- drumsticks marinated in a very tasty Pomegranate Sauce and baked with Wild Herbs. Also included was Rice Pilaf, more Tabuleh and a small green salad. More than enough to satisfy one's appetite. All of the dishes were authentic, perfectly prepared and enjoyable. There was no room for dessert. There is a small, but adequate wine list. The service was attentive, low key and professional. The restaurant was full, but we didn't feel rushed. We lunched during the week, but since the restaurant is small, it would probably be a good idea to make reservations on the weekend. Note that the biggest drawback to dining here is parking, so one would need to plan timely ahead. I highly recommend this restaurant for excellent home cooked Mediterranean food.

Every time went there, it was a pleasant experience. Full of exquisite flavors, always the same quality. Nice service and good prices.

We enjoyed a delicious meal at their Fillmore Street location. Very energetic and good food. Highly recommend the pomegranate chicken.

My wife is the mediterain food freak. I not so much, except for this funky little place on Filmore. Every day lunch specials till 5 pm for $8.99 are not to be missed. Pick 3 choices from 9 offered plus soup, salad or a potato salad and pita bread. Lots of wonderful flavors. Can't find better for the bucks. Thanks once again to Trip Advisor for the recomendation. Ate here once before about 6-7 years t ago when they were rated best new restaurant in SF. Great then too.

Excellent lunch!! We found this restaurant while walking from the Painted Ladies to the Mrs Doubtfire house. We choose to walk up Filmore St. Our lunch included Chicken Salad, Lentil Salad, and Chicken Kabob. Wow!! Everything was fabulous!! (Including the hummus and pita).

Recently ate at La Mediterranee while staying in San Francisco. ONCE we found parking we joined our family for dinner. This restaurant is very small and crowded. The service was very fast and polite. After looking over the menu, I ordered the Saffron Chicken. Upon receiving my dish, even though the helping was more than generous, I personally did not feel the food had much flavor. In the end, my wife agreed that her dish was just so so..... So, with all this being said, would I recommend this restaurant, I would say yes, ONLY if you have a reservation, can find parking, fit into a small area, and don't mind so so food.

We were 4 adults and 2 children. We ordered two meze (sampler) plates and a lot of other food. The group consensus was that some of the items were the best they ever tasted (e.g., the hummus), whereas others were not very good. The restaurant is cramped. If you know which items on the menu you like and which you don't like, you will have an excellent meal very time you go there.

reliable food.

La Mediterranee is a little joint on Filmore street. Went for dinner on Friday night and was immediately seated. Service is very relaxed and courteous. Started with the Armenian salad which was rather bland as we could not figure out what the tasteless pink dressing was. The hummous was creamy and delicious with strong hints of cumin. Pita bread warm and good. The fillo rolls that we sampled were ok but not great: spinach, cheese, chicken and ground beef , the latter drenched in tomato sauce. The best one was the chicken which had cinnamon and currents, and was sprinkled with powdered sugar, actually a quite interesting combination of flavours. The mint tea was already sweetened. All in all a pleasant experience if you are not familiar with real Armenian cuisine.

The chicken phyllo is amazing...and also love the Moroccan mint tea!

The hummus is the best in the city and I love the meza and combo platters. This is the place I return to again and again and always use for catering a party. Good food, good prices and good service. What's not to like?

I normally don't like food from this region, but I do like what they serve here. I suggest getting the combo plate so that you can try different things on the menu. The corn/rice soup is really lemony and horrible, in my opinion, but I would recommend the pomegranate chicken and the Moroccan mint tea. The dessert isn't that great, so it's a good thing the entree fills you up pretty well.

Food and service were great. We had a limited time and the staff made it happen. Seats, tables and whole place are small -- so except to be close to others. No line when we arrived at 6 but there was a line out the door when we left.

My husband and I enjoyed a fantastic meal on May 30. We ordered the Mediterranean Meza for two: it is $16.95 per person and offers 10 different items on the platters. The food was delicious with prompt, friendly service. That evening they also offered $10 off select bottles of wine which was an added bonus. The restaurant was busy, but there were plenty of staff to keep everything flowing smoothly. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

Whenever we visit our friend in San Francisco, we find ourselves traipsing down the hill to this delightful Middle Eastern nook for a light lunch. My Avgolomeno soup and salad were tasty and tart. My wife's Kibbe platter was varied and welcoming enough to overcome her virus and bring a little with energy to her afternoon. The service is attentive. The dining space is tiny and filled with attractive things.

It was a lovely Saturday evening in the Fillmore so we sat outside. Highly recommend the falafel sandwich! My daughter had the chicken shawarma sandwich which is also very good. Both entrees came with a cup of soup. The waitress was very helpful with recommendations. Great people watching too!

We both ordered the mixed plate. Really very tasty and a nice balance. Especially enjoyed the pomegranate chicken and the chicken Cilicia. Did not care for the Armenian potato salad, but the lentil soup was excellent.

My husband and I stopped here for lunch while walking around on Fillmore Street. A cute, casual atmosphere and a decent menu--I really enjoyed my falafel salad; the dressing they used was especially good. We got there just after they'd opened, but it filled up fast. Clearly, a popular spot. Friendly service, if a bit distracted. Would definitely eat there again.

A wonderful atmosphere, pleasant staff and middle eastern cuisine that is excellent. We stop in whenever we are in the City by the Bay.

Stopping here for lunch while in San Fran on business has become a regular thing. They have a delicious lunch sampler plate and you get to try three choices (try the pomegranate chicken. It also comes with hummus and a side salad. I usually get this and a glass of mint tea for under 15 including tip. It always seems friendly and inviting, especially on a blustery San Fran day.

This is one of several restaurants on Fillmore south of the Pacific Heights. My wife had a Falafel Salad; I had the Chicken Kabab. Both were excellent and reasonably priced. My wife enjoyed he House Chardonnay, but I thought that the House Cabernet Sauvignon basically tasted like grape juice.

Waiter was helpful with explaining dishes and we finally decided on the Mediterranean meza, a sampler of various foods. Many of them when quite delicious, especially the baba ganoush, tabbouleh, filo items, grape leaves. The wine we had went well with the food. Service was attentive, but not rushed. Wish we lived closer to this place!

We loved the vegetarian sampler and veggie mousaka. They also had a fun apetiser with spiced chickpeas. The service was friendly and fast. Not expensive. Authentic and well made Mediterranian and middle eastern cuisine. Was not busy as long as you arrive early for dinner (before 7pm). Close to all the activities on Fillmore street and Japantown.

Hadn't read any reviews of this place but it was getting late and we were tired have't seen another restaurant that appealed we entered this place. Oh serendipidy what a fantastic restaurant. The staff were excellent and the night manager was a credit. He recommendedthe mezze for two which was delicious. Wine was on special at $10 off per bottle. Highly recommend this restaurant, even got a sample pudding because we couldn't manage a full serving.

My wife and I checked out La Mediterranee on a Saturday evening for dinner. We ordered drinks at the bar while we waited for a table to come free, which only took a few minutes. It's cozy place without feeling claustrophobic. The decor matches the Middle Eastern cuisine. We ordered the Meza which is basically several different small dishes. This was a delight that kept our taste buds guessing which included hummus, Armenian potato salad, chicken legs simmered with pomegranate, dolmades, and more. The portions were excellent and the $20/person for the Meza was more than fair. The staff was friendly and timed the delivery of each subsequent dish well. We came here on a recommendation and can now recommend it as well!

The costumer service, the food was very nice and tasty

We visit at least once per trip to San Fran. We stay at the nearby Jackson Court and walk to LeMed. Eat in or take out, we always get the Med Plate. An assortment of 4 items but you can request the things you like. Chicken Pomegranate is not to be missed. Try their potato salad as well. We have been trying to years to duplicate it at home.

I love to go to La Med (as we call it). My daughter lived on California street, not too far for this location, and we also visited the one in Berkeley while she went to school there. I love the food, which is fresh and delicious. Locations are both kind of small, so a little challenging with a large group. Reasonable prices.

This food was delicious, including the appetizers. We all had different things and everyone was very happy. We suggest the fillo dough speciality with different fillings in each one!

One of my wife Cathy's favorite. Not mine till this trip. Second while prices soar in the City, this place still has it's customers wallet in mind. Had the special plate $9.95 Three samplings, choose right, Chicken just plain GOOD! Middle eastern beer great. Listen to daCoach try this place, Good Food, Great service

This is a go to place for me! I love the pomegranate chicken and most dishes on the menu! The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. It's a must visit place for me!

Food was alright.. a bit acidic for my tastes but some people will enjoy that. Whilst the waitresses smiled and were friendly we have never felt so rushed during a meal. One member of our party still had his knife and fork in his hand and the waitress took his plate from him. She kept saying it was so the main courses wouldn't get cold but in my mind the main courses should not have been cooked if we were still eating!! If your in a rush this place is ok but if you want an actual meal that lasts longer than half an hour I recommend going somewhere else. Lastly the toilet is in the kitchen .., something I just can't get my head around.

Lovely hummus and taboulley, fresh hot pita bread. We didn't try any meat dishes but I'm sure they were good too. They served hot cider which was perfect for a cool blustery day!

Little restaurant with great service and amazing food. Try the chicken pomegranate and let me know if I'm lying. Or if you're a vegetarian, try the Mediterranean salad. You can't go wrong. Ah! And the Moroccan mint tea is delicious!

Delicious taste, home made style food and a really nice relaxed and chill environment. Small place cosy with supper friendly staff.

Go before 7:00pm and you might not have to wait but the wait would be worth it! Kinda of a funky place with great food and wine. Not too expensive.

Saw the great reviews, checked out this place and the food was a real disappointment! I had the pomegranate chicken. The chicken was SO dry I felt like I was eating hair! The flavor wasn't that appealing either. The only reason why I gave it even a star is because the rice and hummus was pretty good.

Great delivery/take-out

I went into this restaurant about 930 pm for take out and ordered falafel to go which came with salad. geez when i walked 10 blocks home i realized the tiny container of sauce wasn't even half full and no salad dressing. it took a couple glasses of water to wash it down without sauce. when i called the restaurant they told me to come back for more sauce at 10pm its way too late for that. don't skimp on sauce ,doesn't cost that much and is definitely needed. disappointing

I went there during the last week of December, during the lunch hour. Wandering around the Fillmore, I saw a French-looking restaurant called La Mediterranee, so I went in. It specialized in Middle Eastern foods, but it also offered quite a choice of desserts. I ordered Chicken Shwarma, spiced grilled chicked served on lavash bread, a cup of cucumber & yogurt soup and their spiked hot cider. All of it was delicious. Afterwards, I asked to see the dessert menu. The waitress told me that all of it was good, because all was handmade. I ordered the chocolate cake layered with raspberries. It was a flourless chocolate cake that was out-of-this world delicious, served with creme fraiche. I washed it down with Moroccan mint tea. Wonderful! I’m coming back.

Wonderful Armenian and Mediterranean food in vibrant SF area. We sampled hummous, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, chicken cilicia in filo, lamb meatballs, stuffed medjool dates, and baklava. Everything was flavorful and well cooked. The chicken cilicia is a must order; tonight's was the best ever with crispy filo, slightly sweet, cinnamon chicken. The baklava was served as a round with strawberries on the side, which did not take away from the crisp filo pastry. We arrived at 7:30 pm on a week night, and the restaurant began to fill up to capacity. There was outdoor seating with heaters, but we elected to sit inside with the eclectic interior of art, maps, and rug remnants. We were pleased that the wait staff was easily able to look up ingredients for each dish due to a food sensitivity. Lots of options for vegans! Parking is only on the street, but after 6, one can park in yellow zones

Despite the many dining options in San Francisco, I keep going back to this spot for unsurpassed flavor. I must have eaten there at least 20 times by now. Healthy, flavorful Mediterranean food with an Armenian twist that beats any fine dinging in town in my eyes.

Great ambiance!

Every time we eat here they win me over a little more! Get the Middle Eastern Sampler plate, easy way to fall in love with this place, service fast and friendly!! Good Beer list

Every time I've made a trip to SF in the past 6 years, I make a point to eat here. It's a small, casual yet cozy atmosphere with amazing food and reasonable prices. I have brought someone new every time and always get thanked for introducing them to this. There's a little outdoor seating with heat lamps overhead, and the inside fits a surprising number of people for its small size. SF has some fantastic food, but this is by far my favorite... the drinks are so-so, but I haven't ever gone wrong on the food.

The Med is just good. I go at least once a month. The food is consistent and well priced. The owners focus on keeping the casual atmosphere pleasant and hire a very likeable team. A great place tonhave a glass wine, some dolma, a kebab... and just relax.

We love,love,love this small family restaurant!! Lebanese/ Middle Eastern food, ALL fresh, delicious, and served with love. We eat here at least 5 times.... every time we visit San Fran. We were dining one evening, when a sad, homeless man wandered in not wearing a shirt, but a hospital wristband. The owners respectfully, and quite KINDLY, explained that he could not stay, as they were "full", (very true) and ??? Quickly boxed up a large, hot meal for him...to go.... allowing him to leave with nourishment, and his dignity intact. I like to spend my $$ in a place that treats everyone with the famed Arab hospitality and respect. Even the non customers. PLUS THE FOOD JUST ROCKS!!! Which is why we keep going back!!

A friend took me here, and I immediately fell in love. The menu, the atmosphere, it was like being transported to Nice. Great food, lots to sample, go with friends so you don't miss a bite!

We recently visited la Mediterranee restaurant for lunch on Fillmore Street and had a wonderful food experience! Here you will find some of the freshest and delicious traditional Mediterranean food in all of San Francisco. We enjoyed the the baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, dolmas and hummus to start our meal. Then I decided on the Cold Cucumber & Yogurt Soup and my husband really enjoyed avgolemoni (chicken lemon rice) soup. Both soups were absolutely fabulous. We enjoyed the Morrocan mint tea with our meal. You won't be disappointed with this restaurant. It is one of the BEST!

The 4 of us had been to La Mediterranee 5 years ago. Our memories were worth going back to this restaurant. We took the trolley to the Castro area. The inside of the restauant looked exactly as we had remembered. But, the quality and the selections were not what the 4 of us remembered. We ordered the "large combination" (hummos, bab ghanoush, dolma, feta and olives) for $9.95 These were all average. We ordered the specials of the day, and since I wasn't feeling well, the Avgolmono Soup. I had a Greek roommate years ago who use to make us Avgolmono Soup and I had expected this one to be as good, if not better, than hers. BUT--it was lacking the lemon flavor and was very "shy" of chicken pieces. We don't think we will go back on our next trip to San Francisco.

For years, anytime we visited the Bay Area we’d meet good friends for lunch at La Mediterranne. It’s the perfect Middle Eastern/Mediterranean bistro, and we’ve really missed it (along with our friends) due to Covid, so it was wonderful to find that, if anything, the place has upped its game: the food was even tastier than ever. I especially loved my broiled chicken.

This was my wife's favorite restaurant when we lived in San Francisco 15 years ago. After a great return visit, happy to report it still is! It's eclectic and quirky but the food and service are hard to beat for the price. And even the kids who are very finicky eaters, are eager to keep this place on our list for our next trip to SF. If you're a fan of middle eastern food (or even if you're not), this place is worth a visit.

Our visit to La Mediterranee was pure serendipity. We were walking around Pacific Heights on a recent visit and saw a few tables in front of a tiny space on Fillmore. We went in and had lunch and it was wonderful. Very nice and welcoming waitresses and an extensive Greek menu at a reasonable price, something that's hard to find in San Francisco these days. The restaurant is small but charming and there's a pleasant bustle that gives the room a vibrant atmosphere. We'll certainly be back. Highly recommended.

Every year we get together with friends at this tiny Middle Eastern restaurant over the holidays. I ordered the Pomegranate Chicken and had a GREAT lunch, with enough leftovers for at least another meal. Service is fine, and the menu has something for just about every taste. Above all else, This place is quiet, so conversation is effortless. A tradition for the ages.

We finally found this little gem and so happy we did - very casual, very easy-going and always welcomed whatever time it is and how busy they are. No reservations are taken but its well worth the wait if you have to wait. Great food, easy atmosphere with no attitude - its not fine-dining but its what we like before a movie or evening of drinks. Great homemade middle eastern meals available at any time of day.

Had a delicious lunch outside. The food was terrific, and inexpensive. Only issue...service was either a cheery friendly blond, or a moody scowling brunette. Thankfully, most of our interactions were with the former. Bathroom thru the kitchen lets you see where food is prepared.

But beware: there is another place on Fillmore 4 blocks away with a very similar name. I am talking about the place on Fillmore @ Sacramento (not Sutter). 6 of us ate at the café, it’s a rather small place, the door is easy to miss, every inch of the space inside is utilized, rag dolls and other things on the walls to look at when your eyes wander away from the table mosaic. It is a casual place, but there is a bar, and a small side room – maybe for a larger group then ours? And the noise level is very low – we did hear some music. The food is heavenly, the service is very friendly without being annoying. We ordered “Mediterranean Meza” for 6 to try as many dishes as possible. No disappointment! I don’t really like chicken, but prepared with pomegranate it was different from what I’ve tasted before. Everything fresh, tasty, and the only regret is that our stomachs are not expandable. Pistachio nests for desserts – nobody needed an invitation! We will definitely return!!

Very eclectic looking place. Small, but near full upon arrival at 6:15 and crammed with waiting when we finished. Very much a very casual cafe. We had a good meal. The special was a vegetarian Moussaka so I took that and my wife a mediterranean salad with lots to sample. Moussaka was tasty, but different than meat based ones in Greece. Salad was fine with OK hummus. Soup was a pureed chicken rice with a fairly strong lemon flavor, which was very good. Bacalava was different but tasty. It was difficult not to compare the food with a Syrian restaurant at home which is fabulous (Cafe Raka Hendersonville, TN) We had a nice evening and a decent meal. However, we rode two cable cars and walked 30-40 min each way. Would not do it again.

Great selection, great service, great food, great prices, friendly staff, fun neighborhood. What more can you want ... fast service? They do that too! Been going for decades, consistently wonderful, fresh and homemade. Get something to take home ... travels well. Their catering services are stellar. Get in there.

Nice small restaurant with a variety of Mediterranean dishes. I have spotted a few Armenian, Lebanese and Greek dishes on the menu. The service was good and the food amazing. The portions are middle size, so a salad and a main course is enough for a couple for dinner. Definitely there are more dishes to try, so I would visit it again, for lunch or dinner.

cozy tasty place for felafel

For three years running, we've come to La Mediterranee for lunch while staying with a friend who lives nearby. But this year, our friend was sick, so we did a takeout dinner, and the food was even more delicious than we remembered. We're especially fond of the chicken with pomegranate sauce, the falafel and the lentil soup. We had a tiny hitch with a missing entree from our order, but they made it good when we called without any problem. Love this place, and the tradition will continue.

There were so many things we wanted to try on this menu, so we had the handy meze plates and it was no trouble at all when we deviated from the menu. Cosy surroundings. Very friendly staff. Devine chocolate mousse.

Terrific middle eastern food. Very reasonable prices. Very accommodating staff. Arrived with 8 people (including 3 children) and they seated us within 10 minutes. Food arrived quickly and was very fresh. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. A place not to be missed in SF.

The fillo dough specialties keep me coming back for more. Everything is fresh and unique (even for San Francisco).

The waiter we had was very nice and polite. The food was tasty. We took a meal for 2 or more. We got two pieces of everything to taste: there was rolls with chicken in cinnamon and some Lebanese meal. The atmosphere like in a small Italian family bar. Recommend to everyone!

We have been to this restaurant on at least three occasions when visiting San Francisco. This latest visit to it for lunch was as good as usual. There is so much to choose from it's difficult to decide what to have. The locality is good - not in the middle of the tourist areas. The staff are efficient and helpful and the food is wonderful. We wish we lived closer as we would eat here regularly.

We got here at 6pm on a weekday; it wasn't a long wait, but our food was warm so we had to ask the server to reheat the lamb dish.

We went with a big group of people and they were very accommodating to our group. If you have never tried retsina before, it is definitely a must-try. The food was outstanding and presented very well. Our server was one of the best server's I have had in California, and he was the husband of the manager and not even typically a server! Overall great experience.

A smallish looking restaurant on the main drag on Fillmore St in the Pacific Heights neighborhood opens up to a Mediterranean oasis. The decor is reminiscent of other Greek restaurants we have been to. Very attractive with interesting items on the walls. We were seated promptly. The waiter was very accommodating in making various suggestions - especially pointing out that all bottles of wine were $10 off. We had appetizers of falafel, hummus and baba ghanouj. Entrees were lamb, chicken skewers over salad. Prices very reasonable. There are also weekday specials. Definitely a place to return to.

Incredible middle Eastern Mediterranean. .loves........for ever. Had them cater company Christmas Party in 2000 absolutely incredible.

Visiting from Connecticut, my friend from San Francisco recommended this place. Food, wine and atmosphere were delightful and Arthur made sure the evening was memorable. Next time we are back in SFO, we'll revisit for sure!

On a recent trip to SF we stumbled across this hole in the wall. It was an excellent surprise! Great food and service!

Good food with great location. Nice staff! Very cute, small restaurant. We got a free dessert because of birthday. The pita and hummus was great.

Enjoyed the chicken kebab with rice and potato salad. Really good food. Good service. Nice ambiance. Reasonably priced. Would definitely return.

Great service, fun decor, inexpensive but all homemade. Try Chicken Celicia, fresh baklava. Parking on Fillmore's difficult. This place is worth it!

I can not emphasize what a great find this place is especially if you are a foodie! It is a hole in the wall on the busy Fillmore Street. The food was so delicious. We went there for lunch and they have a special where you can try three definite foods on one plate. I chose the pomegranate chicken, the beef fillo, and the spinach and feta fillo. It comes with rice pilaf, hummus and salad for $9.45. I wish I could eat there everyday - truly it was so delicious. The atmosphere is charming and the service is great.

As always, when passing thru SF; I go out of my way to have a meal at La Mediterranée - this time at both Fillmore St. and College Ave. locations. Great ratio of quality to price.

Warm and welcoming, good food, happy hour menu and drinks M-F with friendly, professional staff. Fillmore street can be tricky to eat but this nice little restaurant always comforts us.

I love the food here. The fillo wrapped chicken with cinnamon and raisins is a personal favorite. The prices are extremely reasonable, the portions are generous, and every time I go here, I have a great experience. I am not crazy about the wine choices, but I mostly go for the food and casual atmosphere.