Living in the Bay Area certainly has its perks, including year-round sunshine, awe-inspiring redwood forests, and a booming tech industry. One of the best parts of living in Northern California is access to a variety of world cultures, thanks to the diversity of the region. While many people associate California with sushi, Mexican, and organic cuisine, the San Jose area is actually home to an impressive array of Middle Eastern restaurants. With plenty of options to choose from, it’s helpful to know what locals believe to be the top Middle Eastern food spots in the area.
Our dedicated team members here at Lexus of Stevens Creek have put together this list of four of the top Middle Eastern food spots in the San Jose area. With this guide, you can feel confident when choosing the perfect place next time a pita or falafel craving hits.
1. Gulzaar Halaal
The first Middle Eastern restaurant on our list is Gulzaar Halaal, located right here in San Jose, California. If you’re looking for a place that has an extensive menu with vegetarian accommodations, this might be the perfect spot for you. Their menu dedicates an entire section to “veggie specialties” with dishes including fried eggplant, a spiced cauliflower and potato meal called aloo gobi masala, vegetable samosas, and a sandwich made with fresh avocado, tomato, cucumber, olives, and a tangy dressing.
This family-owned restaurant also has plenty of meat specialties on the menu. Some of their most popular dishes include beef kabob with biryani rice, chicken tikka masala, and wraps made with beef and chicken kabob. If you’re interested in trying a regional beverage, consider ordering their mango lassi, which is a rich blend of mangoes, yogurt, and cardamom. Classic Middle Eastern desserts like rice pudding and flaky baklava are also available to round out your meal on a sweet note.
Location: 1880 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA
Image by wuestenigel licensed under CC BY 2.0
2. Stone Stew Restaurant
The next spot on our list of the top Middle Eastern restaurants in the San Jose area is Stone Stew Restaurant. They specialize in Persian cuisine, with the restaurant’s namesake attributed to the dizi, or stone crocks, where they serve many of their trademark stews. Stone Stew has an unassuming location, as it’s connected to a Middle Eastern market that you pass through on your way to the restaurant. Authentic cultural decor lines every inch of the location’s walls, truly immersing you in your Persian dining experience.
Before indulging in your main course, consider sampling some of the restaurant’s appetizers, like their homemade hummus or a fresh house salad. Some popular menu items at Stone Stew Restaurant include salmon fish kabobs, a stone stew made with beef shank and garbanzo beans, and an assortment of other Persian stews made with ingredients such as mushrooms, eggplant, and yellow peas. They offer a variety of rice dishes you can pair with chicken, lamb chops, beef kabobs, or filets. No Persian meal is complete without a delicious cup of tea, which you can order in a pot that serves two.
Location: 4233 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA
3. Falafel’s Drive-In
You can’t talk about Middle Eastern cuisine in San Jose without mentioning Falafel’s Drive-In. This charming drive-in restaurant opened in 1966 when its owners immigrated to San Jose and wanted to create a spot that offered healthy and delicious Middle Eastern cuisine to the community, along with American classics like hamburgers, hot dogs, and onion rings. Falafel’s Drive-In is a great spot for those searching for hearty vegetarian options, with a variety of falafel dishes. Consider trying other Middle Eastern cuisine classics like hummus, tabbouleh salad, or warm pita bread to accompany your meal.
Along with their extensive savory menu, Falafel’s has its own assortment of sweet treats to cap off your delicious meal. You can try one of their iconic shakes made from non-fat milk and low-fat ice cream with flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, pineapple, or their most famous fresh banana shake. To transport your taste buds back to the 1960s, consider trying one of the malted shakes made from the same flavors. If you’re looking for a more authentic dessert, try one of their refreshing yogurt drinks made with fresh fruit, yogurt, and mint.
Location: 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA
4. Sajj Mediterranean
The final spot on our list of the top Middle Eastern cuisine in San Jose is Sajj Mediterranean, a farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in easy-to-eat wraps and bowls full of Middle Eastern flavors. Your culinary experience at Sajj begins when you choose your protein from a selection featuring falafel, chicken shawarma, steak shawarma, chicken kabob, or pomegranate chicken. Next, you’ll pick either a pita bread, wrap, salad bowl, couscous bowl, or rice bowl to enjoy with your main protein.
After choosing your protein and base, you’ll pick a luscious spread to drizzle over your bowl, choosing either hummus, garlic sauce, or tzatziki. Finally, you can select from a long list of toppings to add extra flavor to your meal, including garbanzo beans, sumac-seasoned cauliflower, arugula, tomato-cucumber salad, feta cheese, and tahini sauce, among others. Take your meal to the next level with one of their side dishes, such as french fries, pita bread, lentil soup, or falafel. If you have a sweet tooth, you definitely want to try their chocolate hummus with cinnamon chips.
Location: 4140 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA
So, there you have it. That’s our list of the top four Middle Eastern food spots you can find right here in San Jose, California. We hope this article comes in handy the next time you’re craving a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal. Have questions about other restaurants in the Oakland area? Interested in buying a new or used Lexus or learning about your financing and leasing options? Whatever your inquiry, feel free to contact us today at Lexus of Stevens Creek, and a member of our staff would be more than happy to assist you.
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