Cairo Station Café

We went on First Friday, August 1 2025 and this place was hopping at 2am. I can recommended the chicken shawarma. I want to try their desserts, which by the time my group of intrepid Oaklanders made it there was sold out. If you are inebriated or high. This us the place to get some bomb dot com Egyptian style middle eastern food. The ambiance is cool too. Highly recommend, and we will be back.

Honestly the chicken shawarma was aight. I would say that the sauce was way too much and I felt unhealthy eating here. The overall sentiment is cool to support a local, but I wish it was better food and environment.

The best Egyptian food you’ll have in the bay area. The customer service is amazing, Elsayed will make sure you have a good experience. I had the koshary and its very authentic. Definitely will be coming back.

Chicken rice plate was plentiful and delicious. Great spot right across from the Fox Theater if you're looking for a bite to eat before a show. Limited seating inside and out (weather permitting).

Chicken gyro was delicious and loaded with yummy chicken and veggies, white sauce and hot sauce were on point. Chips were also crispy. Service was quick and easy, very kind people. $14 exactly for the gyro ONLY. Looks small but it’s actually a good portion. Definitely will be back here to try other dishes.

Amazing place for a gyro! Hands down, my new favorite go to. Yes, better than halal guys. This place cooks with LOVE. Coming from a small restaurant owner myself, I could tell the difference between quality food such as this place and The Halal Guys Also, try their baklava. It is a wonderful sweet/pastrie truly out f this world. Had that and the mango drink, I was full. And satisfied.

I should've taken photos before I started eating but the food is excellent and the staff are so friendly! I ordered a shrimp rice plate (pictured here) and a veggie combo. They both come with chips, I recommend you ask for them on the side so they stay crispy if you order takeout. I paid with my phone and there wasn't an option to tip the staff so be sure to bring cash! They stay open late so you can come get great food after a night out at the bars or event venues in the area. I've been a few times now and the service is always on point!

Delicious and fresh food. I have never eaten anything like it before, such as shawarma chicken. The next day I tried kofta, and it was very delicious. In addition to the good treatment of all the workers, it was a wonderful experience.

Omg so, I was super hungry and wanted Tacos but as I walked down telegraph after leaving a bar I spotted this swanky dine in/ to go spot. I spotted a picture of what looked like a taco but to my suprise is was a shwarma wrap. It looked super yummy so I took a chance and I'm glad I did! The chicken shwarma was superrr tasty and hot. It came with tortilla chips too! I'd never eaten Egyptian food before but now I'm locked in. I took my food to go because I was so ready to be at home in my bed but next time I'm going to dine in. The place had a really warm and cozy ambiance with Egyptian hieroglyphics written all over- So eye catching! Oh, and not to mention the super sweet gentleman sitting outside greeting me as I walked in. I definitely recommend this restaurant

Tried this on a Thursday night, early before the late night crowds arrived. Staff was attentive and got our orders right. This is a store front that is in open said so not recommended to sit "inside" unless you're dressed for it. The food service took about 20 minutes to prepare, 5 orders total. We tried the falafel, chicken, beef, and gyro option. Hands down the favorite was the beef option, this had the most flavor. The other options are hard to tell apart because of the amount of sauce and dressing placed on the sandwiches. There is maybe 1-2 ounces of protein on each of these sandwiches, hardly justifies the price. Personally everything was underwhelming in terms of flavor and quality. Sandwiches are very messy with the amount of sauce placed on them so I recommend letting them know light sauce prior to ordering. I'll be in the hunt for better food options in this area of Oakland. The biggest perk here is the convenience of being open amongst the bar scene of telegraph.

It was a late night on a Sunday and this is one of the few places that was open! It's a bit a hole in the wall for sure. I rlly like the sauce with the chicken but the chicken by itself lacked a bit of flavor. Pros: open late, great portion sizes, good secret sauce, salad dressing was good too Cons: chicken by was itself was lacking spices Value: 4/5 Ambiance: 2/5 Taste: 3/5 Service:4/5

What a perfect spot to get food here last night after the show at the Fox Theater. I had ordered the Falafel wrap, and it was good. The only criticism I have is that the wrap and tortilla chips aren't a good combo. Maybe for texture, but that's about it. Other than that, service was good though. The workers were friendly. Loved the Ambiance!! It reminded me of my recent trip to Egypt.

It was easy to grab dinner at this cozy Egyptian eatery before attending a show at the Fox Theatre this past Thursday. Lovely themed decor and an appealing interior setup. A few indoor and outdoor seating options (second level seating not available/ blocked off). I didn't get the most inviting vibe inside the restaurant, but the staff was friendly and provided standard service. There were no other guests while I was there, so barely a wait for my food either. Got the beef rice plate, requested the tzatziki sauce on the side, flavor of the gyro meat was good, a nice spice, but cut very thin so it was hard to really savor this dish. Stingy with the portion of rice too, but at least you can't overeat when they don't give you much. They were out of kofta around dinner time on a weekday, they also didn't have any diet beverages available, and bottled water was served lukewarm. Also, no paper products in the restroom (zero toilet paper and paper towels). I ate outside, cuz I didn't want my clothes to smell like whatever food they were cooking inside (the scent was strong). But then got pestered by a homeless person walking by while I was enjoying my meal. Metered street parking was free after 6pm on 17th Street. 3 stars for my overall experience.

Sad. Pretty much nothing Egyptian on the menu. And mostly very conventional "Middle Eastern" dishes They should change their name.

This small restaurant one block from the Fox theater really delivers in terms of super tasty food post concert. The beef shawarma was super moist and tender. My vegetarian friend had falafel and loved it. The staff were very friendly. It reminds me of the small hole in the wall gems of restaurants in NYC. We will be back!

This place was not too full, but the staff was pretty awesome. The beef shawarma is wonderful, the hummus is creamy and smooth. The prices are great! Their menu has a good amount of other things other shawarma spots don't have, but then again this is the only Egyptian place I've visited. Worth while , I would recommend

The food here is so delicious. You won't regret going! I also really like that they close late.

Came here after a show at the Fox Theater (which is only a few steps down). SO FRIKIN GOOD!!! Service was friendly and welcoming. I love their casual, laid back, quick stop vibe. Both their gyros and shawarmas were sooooo good!!!! A must try!

I sadly have no pictures from this restaurant, but I went twice while in Oakland. This place is a hidden gem and local favorite. The chicken shawarma was delicious. Hot, fresh and melts in your mouth. Great for a late night snack or any occasion. The prices are reasonable. There is seating inside with upstairs seating, but parking close to the restaurant is limited. Service was relatively quick and food was always really good. Highly recommend this place if you're in the area.

Stopped in here to grab a bite after seeing friend for a couple drinks and Night Heron. I ordered the gyro sandwich and it came with some pita chips and a tahini mango salsa to dip. I stayed to eat it there and the vibe was super friendly and food delicious

this spot is open late which is a huge plus. The interior is cozy and there's veg options. I highly recommend their falafel plate, it's a huge delicious portion for a reasonable price

Food was Meh. They were out of some items we wanted to order. Pita bread was stale, they didn't add as much meat as I was hoping. Had some meat, but not a substantial amount. It came with the Costco brand tortilla chips, also stale. And overall very pricey for the quality! Sorry guys, this one's not a recommendation from me.

You know this place if you have watched a show at Fox Theater. It's super close by, usually no line/no wait, and service is fast. The dining area is a little cramped, so don't come here with a big group but it's comfortable if you dine by yourself, order takeout or come with 1-2 friends. I got out of a concert late in the evening and was feeling ravenous. I got the chicken gyro which came in a huge portion (I had plenty leftover for lunch the next day). Note to self: not the best choice if you don't want to feel bloated or stuffed before you go to bed but it definitely hit the spot if you want something fulfilling and fast.

Cairo Station has a breath taking ambience. This is authentic North African, Egyptian cuisine and not a hipster or over-priced anglo-American take on Egyptian food. As I was walking on Telegraph Ave, I was so moved by this restaurant. So much so, that I purchased a meal while having already previously ate and not being hungry. I was so ecstatic to support! The men who work there are very kind. Very inviting and open. The doors fully open and you can view the street so it is not claustrophobic or a tight space. The art on the wall is eclectic and captures the soul of this cafe. Will be returning every time I'm in Oakland.

My favorite late night Gyro spot. They are always open late, very friendly service, and the food taste fresh and delicious. I feel the portions are relatively large. This is a laid back quick walk-in spot. If there isn't seating when you first walk in or outside, go up the stairs on the left side of the restaurant.

Friendly staff, amazing Gyro, skip the street hot dogs and stop by after the bar or a concert!

The little Egyptian gem just a block away from the Fox theater is my fave place to go to on a late night with friends. Most places in the area close by 9pm, so this spot is a lifesaver. Service is nice! I typically have hella questions about the food and they are very patient with me. My go-to is the chicken shawarma and baklava... DELICIOUS! Love the decor. You go in and are immediately taken to Egypt hehe. One thing I'm not a big fan of is folks smoking cigarettes right outside the restaurant. It can be a deterrent.

This place is amazing! Fantastic service and delicious food. Probably the best chicken shawarma sandwich I've ever had. The pita is toasted to perfection, and nice and soft in the middle. The mango juice was out of stock, so the owner kindly made it fresh for me. So creamy and delicious. I can't go back to store bought mango juice after this. Pure perfection.

This place is a few steps away from the Fox Theatre. Solid spot to hit up after a concert or event. They have indoor and outdoor and seating with an upstairs. Food was pretty quick considering the amount of people in the restaurant. There were a couple of pick up orders. Parking wise would be difficult given its location but it's near the Bart station ! Food is pretty solid, given I came around 11:30 pm after dancing.

Nothing fancy, but exactly what I was looking for. Cheap, fast, good, and open late. Needed food after an A's game that wasn't pizza or fast food -- knocked it out of the park.

We waited for them to open and it was so worth it! Loved chilling outdoors before a show at Fox theater. Thank you for the delicious shrimp and chicken wraps :-)

The atmosphere is dope. Picture this: Egyptian music, Egyptian decoration, and two really nice dudes running the whole thing. Overall, a great late night spot. Perfect for after a concert at The Fox Theatre. Also -- they really give you a LOT of sauce. like, a lot of sauce. Which I think no one doesn't love.

I tried the shrimp falafel for the first time right after I had my first child. My husband had gotten takeout and I immediately jumped in the car to get another. It was that good. Love this place.

I stopped by here on my way back from San Francisco because it was one of the places that was open fairly late and the reviews were very good. I must say, the food was delicious. However, across the street was a nightclub with a bunch of people getting out of control. I felt uncomfortable eating my food as I sat and watched an argument break out, and one of the people keep putting their hand on a chest pouch, which I assume contained a firearm, or at least they were trying to make it seem so. A bunch of drunken idiots, so I couldn't really enjoy my food. any night that club is open Oakland PD should just keep a patrol car in front.

A complete scam. Misleading pictures and videos displayed of beautiful fire spit roasts and then they warm up low quality deli slices on an electric hot plate and call it shawarma. As a middle eastern person, I am embarrassed by this place.

bruh, fireeeeeeee! hella good! get the lamb gyro with no lettuce, i swear by it...brought me baaaaaack!

This is a great late-night spot! Delish shawarma and gyro. Intimate, chic, yet laid back Middle Eastern cafe-style place. Indoor & outdoor tables.

Conveniently open late at night, but the food is mediocre at best and not worth the price whatsoever. The piled us high on lots of tortilla chips, but was very stingy when it came to the real food. There is no side salad, and they drench everything in an unnecessary amount of sauce. I personally will never be back and would never recommend it to anyone.

Such a delicious treat! I got the gyro and my boyfriend got the chicken shawarma. You can just say it's hard not to grab a second one later to eat at home. You can grab a drink and come get a great sandwich.

Their food is amazing and the people are very nice as well ! I just wish they had their information up to date because I went a few times and found to be closed!

Food is incredible. Good prices and great vibes as well. The shrimp falafel was the best but would also highly recommend the chicken rice. The people are very friendly and invested in our experience.

After a long concert on a Thursday night and few drinks I found this spot was open later than anything around. I ordered the chicken over rice and asked them to add beef, the gentleman said no problem. They were out of hummus when I got there, so he gave me extra Tzatziki sauce with peta bread. Very friendly guy behind the counter. Food was delicious and very comfortable couches to sit. Food came out amazing, way better than I could have expected from a random google search. I highly recommend to everyone, not too expensive around $30 for everything (including a Coke).

Delicious! Love this spot! Wish it was open for lunch time!! Wink wink! I get the chicken shawarma every time but should probably try something new one of these days.

First time having food from here and it was amazing. The rice was perfectly cooked and not greasy at all. The kebab was very flavorful and the chicken had a nice kick to it with the spice. Hummus was amazing on top of the pita bread. Would highly recommend this spot.

Had the worst Gyro I have ever had. They were open while doing renovations which should have been a warning. Gyro had only meat lettuce and way too much sauce. It also came with tortia chips, disappointing Gyro and experience.

My friends and I love this place ! It's soo cute with Great food. The customer service is superb! I highly recommend the chicken shawarma. You will not go wrong by ordering this .

AMAZING atmosphere, very laid back, generous people, hospitable and welcoming! AUTHENTIC Egyptian food and dessert-- I haven't had falafel like this since my time in Egypt. SO worth the visit. Belhana Weshifa!

The food is delicious! We stumbled in after a show at the fox theater and got the chicken shawarma. It was so good. We will be back if we are ever in the area again!

Great food, good service. I got the falafel plate. It was delicious. It's right in the club scene too, so you can grab some drinks after

So happy this place opened up!! I work nearby and they really transformed this space. These guys are great! If you are looking for a delicious gyro, this is the place to be! The restaurant is decked out with a cool Egyptian theme. The staff is really nice and super helpful. Definitely try it out, you won't be disappointed!

Ignore the 4 star reviews and think 2 and your expectations will be more inline for the eating experience here. Avoid the bathrooms and wait and use the ones at the Fox!

Great food! The chicken shawarma was excellent, just the right amount of spicy, and the white sauce on top was tasty.

This place just opened in downtown Oakland, and I already love this place! I got the Gyro. 10 out of 10 it was so good juicy and tasty! It came with a side of yummy hummus and chips. The owner is so nice! Nice people and great food ill be back for sure!

Smelled great. But they were out of rice for the rice plates. Seems odd they wouldn't time out the rice so they had more when they ran out. Said it'd be 30 minutes for rice. Had a show to go to across the st.

The food was delicious, and the service was friendly and fast. We had the chicken & rice plate, the beef & rice plate, and a falafel sandwich. The chicken was tender, the yellow rice was tasty, fresh, and beautiful. I couldn't get enough of the tzatziki sauce--it was rich, smooth, and yummy. The portions were generous, so that we took home some of each dish. Friends had desserts, and thought that they were really good and carefully prepared. This place is really a hidden gem!

The yugort like sauce they put on top goes great with the meat and rice. Definitely worth a try. I've been going here at the very least once a week. And they are open late so

Tasted good. But the gyro tasted and looked exactly like the trade joes gyro slices and pita bread. Not worth $13 but it's Oakland at 12am so what do you expect? Can't really complain. Skip unless drunk (which I was)