Middle East Market

Supermarket · West Berkeley

Middle East Market

Supermarket · West Berkeley

2

2054 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

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Middle East Market by Dianne de Guzman
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Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
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Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
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Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null
Middle East Market by null

Highlights

Middle Eastern groceries, deli for kabobs, hummus & Persian sweets  

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2054 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702 Get directions

middleeastmarket.com
@memberkeley

$$ · Menu

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2054 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702 Get directions

+1 510 704 8800
middleeastmarket.com
@memberkeley

$$ · Menu

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Aug 14, 2025

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@eater

Best Restaurants in Berkeley | Eater SF

"Tucked in the back of this well-stocked Middle Eastern grocery store is one of Berkeley’s best-kept secrets: a kitchen that turns out perhaps the most delicious Persian food in the East Bay. The menu includes juicy, well-blackened koobideh, or kebabs; tender lamb shanks; and homey stews like the classic, green herb-packed ghormeh sabzi. Regulars know to snag a bag of Persian flatbread before they leave." - Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-berkeley
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Best Dishes Eater SF Editors Ate This Week - Eater SF

"Middle East Market is known for its groceries, sweets, and hot food. The koobideh, a popular dish combining lamb and beef, is highly praised. The store also offers a variety of sweets including Persian baklava, kataifi, and rose petal pomegranate Turkish delight." - Eater Staff

https://sf.eater.com/2024/1/5/24025684/best-dishes-eat-drink-san-francisco-eater
View Postcard for Middle East Market

Lili

Google
Amazing Catering & Hospitality! We recently had Middle East Market cater a birthday party, and the food was absolutely delicious—fresh, flavorful, and so tasty! The owner was there personally, engaging with guests and making sure everyone was happy and well-fed. His hospitality and attention to detail really stood out. I highly recommend their catering service—great food, excellent service, and a warm, welcoming experience. Will definitely order from them again!

Barry Hashimoto

Google
Excellent selection of Arabian and Turkish foods, desserts and spices. One of the few places where good carbonated ayran can be bought. Casual and clean cafe next door with basic dishes well-prepared.

Vikram S

Google
Service was incredible. This place is my favorite in Berkeley right now. The food is incredible. Pomegranate stew with the crispy rice was fantastic. Koobideh dish with the tomato, vegetable. The yogurt + shallot side elevated both dishes. We appreciated the spicy sauce for those of us who can take the heat. For dessert, Saffron Sandwich and Saffron + Pistachio with Rice Noodles came prepackaged from the grocery store with an extra touch of rose syrup. Delicious.

David Arrants

Google
The best wraps, salads and fresh food. All types for everyone from vegetarian to meat lovers. Worth checking out. It will become your favorite market and restaurant like it is for me. Love love their food, and their vibe. Really a fun place to visit and enjoy. Ask questions and be pleasantly surprised by their presence and enthusiasm for their foods. They recently opened a restaurant next door and it’s worth visiting.

T T

Google
I came to get some food for dinner and it was good! The kebobs were tasty and my favorite!

Sunaina

Google
Hidden gem! We loved the baklava here. Saw jalebi in the display & the food looked incredible. We will be back

Marius Millar

Google
I adore this place. They have such interesting selection of snacks and foods, as well as hard to find ingredients, it’s always fun to look around. They are also very nice and offer excellent service with a smile.

Maya Krupa

Google
What a hidden gem! Was craving delicious Persian cuisine and this place did not disappoint. Juicy meat, simple well cooked saffron rice, and so many amazing sweets at the sweets bar. Sour cherry pistachio and rose ones were our favorites! Not to mention the SUPER kind staff and amazing Iranian grocery selection. Highly recommend!

J R.

Yelp
I love this place for the excellent food and the great staff. I recently hosted an event for almost 200 people. Amir helped me every step of the way in deciding what we would have and how much of it. I trusted his expertise and the result was exactly what I had hoped for. There was enough food for everyone to have seconds and what little was left Amir and his staff helped me pack up in to-go containers. My guests commented on how nice the servers were and how delicious the food was. I recommend this place for a quick lunch for 2 or an event for 200.
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Marcy S.

Yelp
This place is a vibe. The energy is vibrating of openness and positivity. I ordered the chicken wrap. They offered tea while I waited. I bought some Turkish delights which were beautiful and delicious. Got home and made fresh hummus to have along with the wrap. My partner and I were pleasantly surprised as this was the first time....but wow, sooo good. I have seen this market for years and - better late than never.... Fresh, quality ingredients. The wrap was friken amazing. I can't wait to come back to try more of the menu. The owner and staff were so welcoming. 10 stars for real
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Holly H.

Yelp
Friendly and welcoming staff! Clean/organized store, with seating area as they have warm food to dine-in or take out. Parking in the back (shared with the Laundry Room next door).
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Obrapro O.

Yelp
Sketchy place with multiple confusing menus on delivery apps. Can't recommend the food, service or ambiance.
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Shivani B.

Yelp
DELICIOUS food and very kind staff 5* This place is an absolute MUST VISIT if you like flavourful and memorable food. The quality of the food is beyond amazing and the staff is very friendly and kind always! At this point I get food from here way too often and it's always awesome! I have tried the Chicken thigh kebabs 15/10 ( yes that good!) which are delicious every time, perfectly seasoned and always make you think 'when can I get this again?' I also get the Koobideh 12/10 which are fantastic, well cooked and has great flavour. You will eat extra trust me! The side of saffron rice 10/10 and the Mast Masoor yogurt sauce 10/10 completes the perfect meal. The great part is that every time you get it the quality, flavour and cook is consistent which is very rare. It is also very good value for money and you can order either individual dishes like kebab skewers or get the combo plates that come with rice. Another important part of the experience is the interaction with the staff and it is a joy to meet everyone here, specially Mustafa. Everyone working here is so kind, friendly and really make you feel welcome and happy to eat there. They have dine-in and to go options, a small grocery store where you can buy a few things and a sweets counter serving fresh traditional desserts like baklava. Note : Their double pistachio baklava is unbelievable! Hence, if you are in the area please visit this restaurant. They have a parking spot for shoppers in the back ( behind the next door laundromat) As I write this review I am thinking of my next order! Please try it!!
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Sanilie F.

Yelp
I have been here twice. The first visit was with my friend for her birthday. She loves Middle Eastern food just as much as I do and really wanted to stop by here. I ordered the chicken thigh skewers and koobideh plate. It came with basmati rice. The chicken had a weird almost sour taste... Maybe it was the seasoning used... The koobideh wasn't bad. I really enjoyed the rice. My friend had the same thing and also added the ghormeh sabzi. She really enjoyed the food here. The second visit was by myself because I was craving baklava. Their baklava is one the BEST I have ever tried. It was so delicious and hard to resist. I shared it with another friend and she really enjoyed it as well. She asked to come back here for more. The 4 stars is mainly for the baklava.
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Nick C.

Yelp
I had the best Koobideh Wrap I ever had from Middle East Market's cafe section. This market has many Persian grocery + pantry items as well as a side cafe with meals, drinks, and desserts. All of our groups' wraps were made fresh to order, and the koobideh in mine was so juicy and flavorful when it came out. The vegetables were all so good too and in the correct ratios with everything else in the wrap. Plus, the wraps here are very big, and are a great bang for your buck. There are a number of small tables/chairs near the entrance of the market where you can eat or sip your tea. Street parking is ample and very doable. Last but not least, the staff here were also very kind and helped make this such a great meal all-around. Definitely check out Middle East Market if you are around!

Sam N.

Yelp
Excellent foods and ambiance! Service was great as expected from the review. Can buy more items there too.
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Jennifer U.

Yelp
Found this place via Yelp because I was drawn fk the fact that besides food, they're also a market that sells Turkish delights and baklava among their other groceries. 1st of all, their service was excellent. The young gentleman who helped us explained the food, offered us some hot tea and dates, and said that we could sample any of their stews and dips before buying. We had the Koobideh plate and Delmas. We also bought some Turkish delights (I totally forgot to get some baklava so that'll be a next trip). The koobideh came with packs of seasoning powder, which I can't remember the name, to help enhance the flavor. I kind of wish the plate had some veggies on it. I also got a small container of their eggplant dip and hummus; the hummus was excellent and I found that thr eggplant dip was best tasted when warmed, but that's maybe just my preference.
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Jacqueline F.

Yelp
I was at a party some years ago and a British friend brought a box of these. Having grown up reading about them in a children's book, I was intrigued. They didn't disappoint. So the hubs and I made a trek down here. It's a nice looking store with lots of middle eastern goods. And we got a huge box and ate them over the next week or so. I brought some to a family Xmas party and my sister who thought they were a mistake couldn't stay away from them. They were that good. They have other food stuffs but they didn't look so appealing to me, so I haven't eaten their hot food. This is our go59 spot for an ingredient we use for some recipes, un named because we don't want the competition. And the people who work there are very, very nice. And the service is good. So when at La Marcha next door or sometimes - just because, we stop by for some delectable treats.
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Selina L.

Yelp
Updated Review: The first time I came here, I only ordered an assortment of baklavas to-go and unfortunately only liked one of the baklava I tried. I am so glad I came back to try their restaurant food, it completely changed my view of the place. Per their owner Amir's recommendation, I also tried 2 more styles of baklavas and loved them both this time! I was just bad at picking them last time and the other variety didn't fit my baklava preference. Turns out I like the Persian baklava and the Syrian baklava the most, they are more dry and have the perfect amount of honey for my taste. I like that there are so many food options on the menu. My husband and I ordered the koobideh plate which came with rice, and a lamb shank. The koobideh is super tender. Lamb shank was falling off the bone and good flavor. Amir recommended some sides for us. I really liked the eggplant dish, I will need to learn what it is called. My husband loved the fresh yogurt. They serve complimentary tea at the restaurant, and today it was rose cardamom flavor, super fragrant and refreshing. I like that the tea is freshly brewed, it feels so comforting and welcoming, like I am visiting at a friend's house. We really enjoyed everything and cannot wait to bring our kids here next time and try more dishes! Original Review: This review is solely on their baklavas. I came here for dessert and so cannot rate anything else they offer. The place is very clean and welcoming. The selection of baklavah really is massive. As a huge fan of baklavah, my family bought a selection of them to try. Each family member picked out their own. The baklavah here is over-soaked full of honey and super sticky in texture. The one we liked the most was the one they called Syrian style, it's the puffy triangle one that looks like pistachio is over-stuffed. The reason we liked the Syrian style the best was that it was the most crunchy and flakey since it had the least amount of honey. This might just be personal preference but I am not a fan of the baklavah texture here because they are too sweet and too soggy for me. I do see other people's reviews on their food and market, I will have to try other items next time.

Kim M.

Yelp
Wonderful food, ingredients and staff! I bought hummus, stuffed olive leaves, breads, and delicious dates.
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Nazhat S.

Yelp
Came here for lunch and it was wonderful! Service was friendly and quick. The owner (I think) was super helpful. It's a cute market with a restaurant counter. My mom and I shared the koobideh and chicken breast kebab plates as well as a bowl of the aush. The dogh was a refreshing accompaniment. Everything was delicious and prices were very fair. There was a wide variety of groceries and goods available as well. If I were local, I would definitely come here regularly to shop or grab a meal. We ended up with some of the Turkish delights and tea--so delicious!
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Astro K.

Yelp
I wanted to like this place. The people were nice and they had a nice selection. Terrible Persian food. I'd like to amend my review. Apparently the tahdig I know and love is not what they serve here. It was more of a bread. I appreciate the owner for clarifying.
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James K.

Yelp
I was curious to try and ordered a few items for delivery - chicken skewer, koobideh skewer, the lamb shank, the eggplant and tomato stew, and the ghormeh sabzi stew. The stews were packed to prevent spilling and the portions were all a good size. Everything tasted amazing and were cooked just right. The stews were warming and full of balanced spices. I like that the acidity of the tomato balanced the meatiness of eggplant. The meats were all juicy and yummy, and the lamb fell off of the bone. I'd totally order from here again or visit in person to try more items.
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John N.

Yelp
Everything I ordered here, from the savory to the sweet, was bursting with flavor, and what really stood out to me was the quality of their cooking (and, in the case of the sweets, their baking!). Each dish was homemade and fresh. I tried a variety of their signature dishes: Ghormeh Sabzi (herb stew with beef), Chicken Thigh & Koobideh kabobs, Turkish delights, and Halva. It all popped, but the standouts were the Ghormeh Sabzi, Koobideh kabob, and Halva. The Sabzi reminded me of a traditional Indian saag, but more fragrant and a tad more bitter (from the dried limes). For such a simple dish, the execution is where they shine, and there is so much nuance to the flavor in every bite. Also not too heavy! Next, the Koobideh kabob was seasoned perfectly, again completely packed with flavor and still juicy from the grill. The pistachio Halva may have been my favorite dish of all, as a dessert, but also it packs just the right amount of sweetness with the decadence of fudge, yet still somehow light and airy. I would return for the Halva alone! I felt that everything was reasonably priced and well-portioned. The kabobs, served with a heaping portion of basmati rice and grilled veggies, were a steal at $24. The Sabzi (à la carte) was $13, and a great add-on (you can also get it with rice as a full meal). The Turkish delights are sold by the pound ($16/lb). I tried an assortment of these (they have an incredible variety!), and each one was once again packed with flavor, not too sweet, the perfect companion to an afternoon coffee or tea. They were extremely fresh and clearly homemade. I did have a few nits: the chicken kabobs were a bit under-seasoned, despite being perfectly juicy and succulent (they have really dialed in their grill process), and the beef in the Sabzi was a tad dry. But both of these issues are in the noise, with what otherwise a delicious dining experience. The team here takes great pride in their food, and it shows in the end result. Don't sleep on this neighborhood gem!
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Joseph E.

Yelp
I've been coming to this spot since they opened for about nine years. Amir and Hossein (owners) do an incredible job of creating a warm atmosphere. I was unfamiliar with this cuisine/culture prior to visiting, however, the service provided was not only genuine/informative, but showed me new favorite foods. I enjoy taking friends to the Middle East Market for these reasons. When you go, make sure to try the koobideh!!! and don't forget some unique pastries from the market area.
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Sammi L.

Yelp
This is our go-to in East Bay! The wraps are enough for two meals. The gheymey stew was super flavorful, too. And we always try a new dessert. Staff are always so friendly and answered our many questions about the menu. One of our favorite spots.
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Liz P.

Yelp
A few coworkers had recommended this place so I stopped in for lunch the other day. Sooooo good. Like, so good. I ordered the chicken wrap with hot sauce. Let me tell you, the hot sauce is hot. And pairs beautifully with the pickles and yogurt sauce in the wrap. The wrap is huge, enough for two decent sized meals or one ridiculously large lunch that causes you to unbutton your pants and lay on the floor of your office. And the desserts here... absolutely beautiful. I ordered a pound to try a bunch of different things and they were all delicious. The guy working behind the counter was super friendly and helpful, and recommended a few things to try. So glad this gem was recommended to me, I'll be back for lunch and excited to try other things on the menu.
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Stephanie F.

Yelp
Ordered a chicken thigh plate, I'm very disappointed with. They give me a 5 pieces of chicken with a lemon when I ordered an entire plate including sauces and veggies and the lavash side was only 10 thinnest pieces I've ever seen. I don't know if I can go back. The chicken is awesome but the amount is awful
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Julie H.

Yelp
I've always liked coming here. Sadly, I recently learned that the main brand they offer for spices, rice, and other foods (Sadaf) procures and sells products that have been sourced from occupied and stolen lands. When I support businesses, I like to ensure my money isn't also supporting problematic countries, companies, or policies. UPDATE: I had a really good and productive conversation with one of the owners. While I think it's every conscientious person's responsibility to refuse to do business with governments and companies that engage in crimes against humanity, I believe him when he says they are actively looking for alternatives for these products - and have already replaced some. Apparently, it's not only consumers who have a hard time finding unproblematic goods. It's also worth noting that I have never had anything less than a warm and welcoming experience in the store itself from all staff I've interacted with - from years back and through the long conversation I just had with Amir.
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Norma L.

Yelp
For many years I have driven by this place, I have even worked nearby. I wanted something different and within walking distance. So I found this via my fellow yelpers. Their menu is extensive and have some dishes I haven't seen since living in LA. Amongst those are ghormeh sabzi, koobideh. I decided to order a few items for later as well. lunch consisted of a chicken kabab wrap, which lasted for two three meals. For later I order the tahig, which came with a side of ghormeh sabzi. I was disappointed with the tahig as it was too oily and that defeated the dish. It is supposed to be crispy. The ghorbeh sabzi was not the best I've had, but came close, and at least I know where to come to get some. The staff is super helpful and patient. When I walked in I saw the array of deserts. I'm not a big fan of the Middle Eastern, and Indian deserts, but I do love some of sweets that are soaked in rose water and turkish delights. I decided to try a couple of what's called in hindi jalebi and some other small size bites of fried dough. I also ventured out of my basic turkish delights and got an array of different kinds. I was disappointed with the jalebi and other fried dough, but my turkish delight was great. I will be back for that. I also notice on their website they have Sangak. Now I'm not a bread person, but that I could eat all day! I will be back to try other items on the menu and peruse their grocery section.
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Peter T.

Yelp
Food was good. Wish they had sauce to dib their chicken or lamb in. They have tons of options for Turkish delight and baklava.

Farhad M.

Yelp
Be careful what you order. The portion seem to have gotten smaller and the prices have gotten higher.. the fesenjoon had 4 cubes of chicken between two orders . For $21 each , I would never order again . I actually felt ripped off . Have ordered from this place for years . There should be a better description warning of the smaller sizes at the 25% more
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Asiyeh Z.

Yelp
Best Persian take out. We got the koobideh and ghorme sabzi. Always fresh and full of flavor. Also the pricing is pretty reasonable.

Natalie C.

Yelp
Middle East Market catered my wedding and I just have to say what an incredible job they did! Amir was so wonderful to work with, from the beginning of the planning process all the way through the event itself. I knew the food would be delicious, but countless guests went on and on about amazing the food was. They absolutely knocked it out of the park! Amir went to great care to accommodate guests' dietary restrictions, and provided thoughtful little touches such as Persian tablecloths and dessert trays. No other caterer would have given us the same attention and kindness. Everyone on his staff were kind and professional, and I absolutely give them the highest recommendation to cater any party, big or small.
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Lindsey C.

Yelp
I specifically came for the in-house made halva for a recipe, but there's so much more this place has to offer. The front third of the store seemed like a local hang out place - a group of men standing and talking right by the door (they barely moved the 10-15 min I was there) and confectionery case, then a few tables where people were eating lunch. I made my way to the grocery section and there were so many things for your middle eastern cooking - spices, seeds, grains, tahini, pomegranate and sage molasses, breads, crackers, and so much more. There's also a cold case for yogurts and other things. As for the halva and baklava I did get, I don't have much experience tasting halva to really compare but these were on the flaky side, but could break into large chunks. There weren't as many pistachios in the pistachio halva as I wanted but it did taste different than the vanilla one. The baklava triangle was pistachio and maybe just wasn't my preferred style but was ok texture wise. Looking at the hot food they sell, I'd like to go back. PS finding parking wasn't great on a Saturday. All the spots were taken on and immediately off San Pablo. I was fortunate to find a spot one streets off San Pablo and a block down after a few times driving around the block.
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Lauren L.

Yelp
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!! After reading & hearing about this place we knew we had to check it out. Had the pleasure of talking to Amir (the owner) about the history of this place and everything this place has to offer. He gave us the full experience and a little taster of everything popular. Everything had so much flavor, was juicy, and was fully loaded. Prices are also very reasonable for the quality and quantity you get. I liked how they had tables on the inside. There's also an option to quickly take out. It's also part market where people were buying groceries and flatbreads. The whole place and bathrooms were very clean. What stood out was the hospitality and the dedication this family business has. You can just tell how much passion and hard work goes into this place to make it what it is. A lot of locals coming in as well. If you're looking for the best Persian food in the Bay Area come here and you won't be disappointed.
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Sergio M.

Yelp
Love their food! Amazing Persian food. The lamb koobideh is my favorite and the staff is super friendly too. And can't go wrong with their massive selection baklava. Highly recommend

Arden S.

Yelp
I occasionally buy groceries here (Armenian cracker bread, canned dolmas, frozen lahmajoun, etc.), but I'd never had a meal from their deli. Today I got gheymeh (beef and split pea stew), rice, house salad, and a Coke, plus a complimentary cup of hot tea. Everything was very good. The total including tax came to about $30, which seemed a bit pricey -- until I saw how much food there was. There was enough for THREE very substantial meals! I mean, I can eat quite a lot at one sitting, but even if I were really hungry, I still would have had plenty of leftovers. What a deal!
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Charlie A.

Yelp
This place has hands down the best Mediterranean desserts one can ever wish for! Every time I'm in the area, I have to spot in get my 2 of everything of my favorite treats. Chocolate, rose petals and pistachio heaven! A ton of selection to choose from. If you haven't tried them, you gotta go and try them all, it will change your life!
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Elena D.

Yelp
I have been searching for Turkish delights and finally found one. Got several flavors, the orange pistachio that is chewy and orange citrus flavor, rose petal with pistachios, milk pistachio , sesame, cinnamon, honey pistachio, and the assorted baklavas are all delicious with a nice crisp flakes . A great place for Turkish delight desserts, not to sweet, chewy, nutty flavor and Filled with pistachios. Will be coming here regularly that's for sure.
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Courtney A.

Yelp
I love this place. They have a delicious Deli, paper packaging on request. They have amazing varieties of Turkish delights and very patient waitstaff for indecisive customers. It's very hard to choose flavors when they all look great. The salad olivieh is my favorite and the fresh halva is delicious. Always enjoying stopping in here.
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Anthony N.

Yelp
Premier mid east food in the east bay. Perfect for quick kubideh, chicken beef lamb wraps. Even better for catering for small or large lunches for a work party etc. been here many times and never disappointed. Call in advance. Kind friendly service. Lucky to have this spot in Berkeley
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Randy B.

Yelp
* updated review * Last review, I bagged on the prepared foods. Not that I ate any, I didn't like the presentation. Amir invite me in so that I can try the food. While I still don't like the presentation (on a little older cart), it's mainly the stews there. Of course, after awhile, it doesn't look very good as the stews dry around the inside of each container. But the rice and meats are made in the kitchen to order, and it really was quite good. They have 2 cases of desserts and another cold case with feta, salads, and what not --- and actually they looked lovely and fresh. It has a very small fresh produce section and packaged breads -- no fresh meat counter. It's a clean store with moderate prices and decent selection. Amir, thank you for your hospitality, and inviting me back to try the hot foods.

Mahvash A.

Yelp
Great catering service! We used Middle East market for our party (around 100 guests). They provided the dinner, appetizers, desert + professional staff for serving food and drinks. The best catering service I had ever had / with attention to details. I highly recommend them and will use them again. Guests kept giving me compliments regarding the food and professional staff. This place is a gem! Thank you Amir for all your hard work.
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Harith H.

Yelp
Amazing Iranian food and service, the shop has everything you need also to cook great meals from the Middle East

Urtatim A.

Yelp
I enjoy the food here. It's not the highest gourmet quality, but it's still tasty and it's as good as a fancier nearby Persian restaurant. And the atmosphere is friendlier. I confess I've never had the kebabs. And their fesenjan is too sweet for me. But i keep coming back for the Ghormeh Sabzi and the Gheymeh Bademjan (with eggplant). And they have a nice selection of polos (that's pilaf to Americans) such as Baghali Polo (fava beans and dill), Zereshk Polo (barberries and saffron), and "plain" basmati rice with a generous amount of saffron, and they use real saffron. And i love saffron. Just a note: Hummus is not Persian. Falafel is not Persian. Persian places serve these because Americans keep asking for them. Order the Persian food, folks. In fact, i'm going to head over there this afternoon.

Far S.

Yelp
the food is average Persian cuisine, not the finest, the better meal is the lamb and bath Ali polo. Not good kebabs. the sweets ( Napoleoni and roulette are basically very rich creamy frost. zoolbia is average) and the tea are not to die for. the staff are very kind and helpful. the atmosphere is not really joyful but the place is clean. a good place to do grocery without produce.

A A.

Yelp
I have been going for years, often every 3-6 months. I had loved the folks who had been working there and thought the food was authentic and closest I could find to the armenian and persian food I grew up with. I had seen maybe a year ago that it felt like it changed ownership. Unfamiliar faces behind the counter, though still very warm. I was hesitant to believe that things would remain the same. Its nature that everyone may have a different approach. ...now, a year later - I have gone there probably 4-5 times. Each time the food has retained the qualities as before.... the unfamiliar faces are now becoming familiar and there is a wide selection of all of the same groceries. Job well done if this was a business tranfer. Thank you middle east market!
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Emily A.

Yelp
Just visited for the first time and WOW this will be a must-stop every time I'm in the neighborhood. Today I took my dog to the vet around the corner for 4 hours and I was starving when I got out. I went here and ordered a chicken wrap and a baklava, and then shopped while I waited. They have a great selection of middle eastern grocery staples and I got loose leaf tea, pitas, and spices. When I was done shopping they were still making the wrap and the very kind guy at the counter (maybe the owner?) offered me a hot cup of tea while I waited. It was incredible with the baklava and such a nice treat after a long day. To top it all off, the chicken wrap was amazing AND a fantastic value- for $13, it would easily feed two people for lunch. So excited to have my leftovers tomorrow.

Kian L.

Yelp
If you are looking to walk in a place and feel positive energy, a homey environment, surrounded by amazing, kind staff, with AMAZING AUTHENTIC Persian food then Middle East market is the place for you. As somebody who has been going there since a child and now an adult, I'm so proud of this place and how they have maintained excellence and impeccable service. This place is owned by a father and son who are some of the kindest hard working people you would ever meet. Wide variety of food, deserts, and an amazing market section make this place an absolute gem in Berkeley. If you haven't stopped by Middle East market yet, make sure to mark this down and you will be asking yourself why you haven't been there sooner!
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Jennifer O.

Yelp
Best Turkish Delights I've ever had!!! Such a variety and exceptional quality. Do yourself a favor and buy one of each.

Lisa V.

Yelp
Delicious food & great service! We've enjoyed their wonderful meals several times and the quality is fantastic. Ash reshteh soup, kabobs (koobideh, chicken), fesenjan, and gormeh zabzi were delicious. We haven't had to wait too long when we've eaten at the market or ordered takeout. We need to go again soon!

Sarah J.

Yelp
Amazing food! Great customer service, really excellent! I have been going here for months and they make wonderful Iranian and middle eastern food!
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tom f.

Yelp
Kheli Khub! Very Good! That's one of the few words that I still remember when I studied Persian years go. It was my fascination with the impressively old Persian history and the origins of Zoroastrianism that led to my interest initially. So the Persian phrase being very close to the English "Very Good" helps me remember it, in order to use it for Middle East Market. Caveat: I have not actually tried that many Persian places as you think I have, so please take my opinions with a micro-grain of saffron. And also for Persian food, I generally do not go for the more general "Mediterranean" Items like wraps or kabobs, as I prefer "Khoresht"s (stews). ( Koresht-ha Plural form ok? =) ) And just to say, I have been to this place sparsely throughout the years so this is not my first time. Fesenjan (Fesenjoon) With Chicken - 3 stars. Sweet and Tangy-Sour pomegranate dish cooked with ground walnuts, pomegranate syrup and/or juice. Too bad something was lacking, maybe it was a little on the sweet side, or not enough tang, and probably could use more walnut taste - comparing to some restaurants. But also, the white chicken meat was not cooked with the sauce, it seemed to be cooked separately in other broth, and then included into the plate, resulting in the taste not going all the way in. So if I had ordered this with meatballs that can absorb it more instead, Ill give it a little higher, but the base sauce still isn't as good as many other places. Plus I always prefer dark chicken meat and with bones. Ghormeh Sabzi (Qormeh Sabzi) - 5 Stars. I love the earthly herbs in this dish, had this without meat. Whole dried limes as well as other spices are part of this dish, but this time I was surprised with the inclusion of the dried lime, which I had never been lucky to get at anywhere. I ate the whole lime, not knowing if its usually eaten traditionally. This dish might be too herbally for many people. If i had to describe the taste, imagine grinding up Dolmeh to start as a base, and also instead of regular vegetables, only use herbs! Also by the way, it translates to "Braised Herbs", true to the dish. (I somehow cant help but think the English word Gourmet, which came from French, originally goes back to Ancient Persian, Ghormeh, as many English or Romance language words do.) Gheymeh Stew (Qeimeh)- 4 Stars. Tumeric, tomato, peas. Flavorful and good. As it is premade, I have set expectations for that too, as I had better in sit down restaurants as well. But this seems like it tastes like good home cooking, not too flavorful like a sit down restaurant, and not bland - is what I mean. My wife says it reminds her of a popular Japanese (imported from abroad however) Rice dish. I can see some people might mistake this appearance for Indian curry though.

David D.

Yelp
Great hummus & friendly staff. Good selection of fresh & packaged foods. Definitely recommend checking it out.
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Ngoc My H.

Yelp
What a lovely little market! This place is a great one stop shop for all things middle eastern! It is a blend of a middle eastern bakery and a small supermarket. I was here specifically to get some baklava and Turkish delights! What I enjoyed: -Pistachio Baklava: Deliciously warm, sweet, and flaky! It's sweet enough to eat alone but is better with warm tea. -Orange Turkish Delight: Love this one because it was fruity but not tart. -Rosewater & Chocolate Turkish Delight: This one was just ok, a little sweet and a little chewy. -Pistachio and Fig Turkish Delight: my least favorite one. I usually enjoy figs but I don't enjoy it I'm a dessert. Workers here are super nice and friendly, I love the service! Parking is tough because it is mostly only street parking.
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Regine H.

Yelp
The food here is so good and the people here are so sweet! I need to come here more often and support this place more. The koobideh is my favorite - it's so flavorful. I had it in a rice plate and in a wrap. The wrap also comes with yogurt sauce in the middle and it goes so well with the meat. Next time I might ask them to add yogurt sauce to the rice plate as well. We also ordered the ashe reshteh soup a couple times and it's always good - a little on the saltier side, but delicious. We usually order to-go but today decided to eat there as we saw a couple of tables just feasting away. The woman behind the counter was so warm and offered us tea as she saw us sitting down and asked if we'd like it sweetened or unsweetened. The tea was light, slightly sweet, and refreshing. Such a nice offer. The man behind the counter was also so warm and so nice. He was so happy to explain dishes to us and offered us condiments and suggested we browser the store as we wait with a huge smile on his face. I'm not sure if they are the owners, but it made me feel so good supporting such nice people. I also feel so good eating the food here knowing that they put a lot of care into it cooked on site. The store itself is also fun to browse around in while you're waiting for your food. I love looking in the ice cream section and seeing all the flavors offered. They offer a different assortment of cheeses, cooking condiments, biscuits, teas, candies, and breads. They also have a little fresh produce fridge in the front with items like fresh almonds - it was my first time seeing what fresh almonds looked like. The last time I went I saw other fresh produce items that I was intrigued with as well. It was really neat to browse around in. The place is also so clean. You can tell they put a lot of care into their market. I didn't know before, but they have a little parking area in the back of the store! Very helpful on a weekday when the parking meters are on. It makes me feel so good supporting this neighborhood family grocer. I hope you read this review and consider giving them a visit soon!