Lulu
Middle Eastern restaurant · Albany ·
Middle Eastern specialties, brunch dishes, mezze platters, and brunch boards
Middle Eastern specialties, brunch dishes, mezze platters, and brunch boards
"Chef Mona Leena Michael puts the spotlight on Palestinian food at Lulu, pairing fresh vegetables and herbs with punchy flavors, and after opening in a quiet corner of Berkeley in 2021 she moved operations to a larger space on Solano Avenue in Albany in 2024. The meze platter is the best shortcut to sampling multiple items — three dips (labneh, hummus, muhammara) plus pita chips, fresh vegetables, and some falafel — and it arrives as a stunning presentation that feels light and fresh. Turkish eggs come sunny-side-up over tart labneh, herbs, and chile crisp; you can spoon the loaded eggs and labneh onto fresh, pillowy pita or swipe it across the plate — either way is acceptable (and delicious). The habi-bimbap bowl is a complete meal in one (with a clever name!), pairing kefta meatballs with basmati rice and vegetables including cucumber, pickles, tomato, and more. For dessert, the knafeh pancake is crisp and sweet, with crunchy bits soaked in syrup; it’s hefty, but if there are at least two of you at the table, it’s a beautiful meal-ender if you still have space. Parents will like this place, as Michael has added kid-friendly touches since becoming a mom, including a couple of lower-priced food options for kids and a changing table in the bathroom." - Dianne de Guzman
"This excellent Palestinian brunch and lunch spot just moved to a bigger, brighter space in Albany—and at the festival, you can swing by for loaded toum garlic fries and falafel rice bowls. They're also serving chicken kebabs, which are a great handheld snack as you speed walk to your next set." - julia chen 1
"Chef Mona Leena moved her crowd-favorite daytime restaurant to a bigger Albany space over a year ago, she instantly created a beautiful neighborhood classic. The new Lulu is bright and colorful with floral wallpaper, fig murals, and a very photogenic lounge area where hungry guests wait for their table to open up. The menu is invigorating and full of joy, Leena’s famous mezze sampler, salads, and heartier mains all starring. Since relocating, the restaurant is also open for dinner." - Flora Tsapovsky
"Lulu has found a new, bigger home on Albany’s Solano Avenue in a space that looks like a cute tea lounge with poppy and fig wallpapers and calming green tones. The Cal-Palestinian brunch spot’s signature feast ($35 per person) is a cure-all for morning meal decision fatigue: an assortment of hummus, muhammara, and labneh are piled next to roasted halloumi and crudité on a small turntable. The dish is so good, and a step above your standard eggs benedict and avocado toast brunch. Adding to this no-brainer meal are impressive, sweet-centric coffee drinks made with things like pistachio cold foam, and colorful plates like the rich knafeh pancake and baklava french toast topped with honey and cream. They’re all conversation starters, and why we’re excited to return for dinner. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"Since Lulu's move to a new Albany location, I've been impressed by chef Mona Leena Michael's knafeh pancake, a rediscovered favorite I was influenced into ordering via a recent bachelor's button piece by writer Flora Tsapovsky. The orange blossom syrup is sweet without being cloying, shredded filo provides the perfect crunch while the cheese inside mellows and pulls the ingredients together, and it's offset by creamy pistachios and vibrant purple flowers on top—it's both a sight to behold and a delight to eat. I couldn't finish it at the restaurant, so I took the rest home and happily carved wedges throughout the day, and even as the filo softened the pancake remained enjoyable." - Dianne de Guzman