Bab Al-Yemen: Experience Authentic Middle Eastern Flavors in Oakland

I haven’t tasted such amazing Yemeni food like this ever! With all honesty this has ranked in my top 10 good Arabic food restaurants. A gem encircled by closed businesses on Hegenburger Rd. Don’t let the area scare you away; it’s definitely worth it just lock your doors. The food was so flavorful that even my Ozempic couldn’t hold me back. The is about a 20-30 minute wait but good food takes time and you won’t be disappointed, at least I wasn’t. Since it was my first time there I let the server recommend the few dishes I ordered and unfortunately I didn’t ask for the names of these dishes to share them here but it was a lamb shank with rice and I also order the meat in a saucy bowl. Eat with the bread as your spoon and you’ll find yourself walking out full, satisfied, and possibly dressed in traditional Yemeni clothing (including the knife and belt) spitting Gat (chewing leaf) … ok maybe I’m over exaggerating the dress but in other words…. I’ll be back for sure! I’m definitely going to consider order catering from them for my next family dinner event. The only thing I would suggest to the restaurant is that they tidy up the place a little more. Small things like the bathroom toilet stall door has a broken lock in the men’s bathroom which resulting in a patron to lock the bathroom door while he handled his business leaving me stranded to wait for him to finish to wash off my sauce drenched fingers.

I recently visited Bab Al-Yemen to enjoy some Yemeni cuisine, but unfortunately, my experience was tainted by an unpleasant incident. The food was actually quite good, especially the rice and grilled chicken, which were well-prepared and flavorful. The ambiance of the restaurant was also nice, although it could be improved in certain areas. However, I encountered an issue that made the overall experience uncomfortable. There was a large SUV parked in the handicap parking spot outside the restaurant, but it wasn’t displaying the required disabled placard. I pointed this out to a woman who seemed to be involved with the restaurant, and instead of addressing the issue, she began harassing me. Despite leaving the restaurant, she continued her aggressive behavior, which left me feeling upset. It’s unfortunate that what could have been a pleasant dining experience was overshadowed by this incident. I hope the management takes this feedback seriously and addresses the situation, as I believe customers should feel safe and respected when they visit.

1/2/2025 - They have private rooms with floor seating (with cushions). The table sheet is plastic. The service is slow but with a smile. The food comes in piping hot and is delicious. What an experience!

The best most authentic yemeni food I have tried in America. I order the lamb fahsa and haneeth lamb and they were to die for. Also the Adani tea is amazing with their massoub. Staff and service was amazing and we were able to get one of the closed rooms with Arabic style seating. Highly highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try authentic yemeni food Prices were a bit on the high side so expect to pay ~$20-$30 depending on what you order

The food is pretty great and the service is friendly. I stopped in with a friend for lunch on our way to Oakland Airport. I had the chicken mendi, it did not disappoint! Flavorful, tender, a bit spicy. Served with a heap of equally delicious rice. My friend said her lamb mendi was equally delicious.

Nice place food was very good. Prices were fare. Places to pray. Thanks

A truly authentic, old country Yemen dining experience, complete with private dining cabins and couch-on-floor seating meant to encourage communal eating and lounging. Kabsah (spicy roast chicken) and Lamb Mendi (roast lamb) served over perfectly cooked rice and accompanied by house-baked flatbread — pure comfort best enjoyed with family or a group of close friends. Within the Top Ten of unique Bay Area dining experiences!

Tried Bab Al Yemen recently — had the foul, chicken kebsa, and lamb haneeth. The foul was creamy and delicious, paired perfectly with their flaky bread. The chicken kebsa was flavorful, both rice and meat cooked well. The lamb haneeth had tender meat, though the rice was a bit bland. Ended the meal with a nice cup of red tea. Service was courteous, and food came out after about 15–20 minutes. Overall, a good experience!