0 Followers
Sababa
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Sababa
8.3
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Israeli street-food pita bar known for falafel, shawarma, and sabich, with small sidewalk seating along Kearny. Crisp fries, tangy pickles, and build-your-own sauces keep the line moving and the flavors bright.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Pita, Chicken Shawarma Pita, Sabich (Eggplant & Egg)
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Israeli pita classics with punchy sauces and fast assembly.
Who should go: Falafel and shawarma lovers
When to visit: Peak lunch rush for freshest turnovers
What to order: Falafel pita, chicken shawarma, sabich with amba
Insider tip: Grab extra amba and zhug; they elevate every bite.
Sababa
8.0
Israeli street-food counter known for crisp falafel, juicy shawarma, and fresh salads wrapped or bowled to order. Weekday hours and fast lines make it a downtown go-to for quality, customizable Mediterranean lunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita with amba & pickles, Chicken shawarma bowl, Sabich (eggplant, egg, tahini)
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Israeli street-food classics assembled fast with bright, bold flavors.
Who should go: Office crowds craving fresh, customizable bowls and pitas
When to visit: Weekday lunch before peak noon rush
What to order: Falafel pita; chicken shawarma bowl; sabich
Insider tip: Ask for extra amba and zhug for balanced heat and tang.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking nearby; best to use the Sutter-Stockton Garage two blocks away.
Dress code: Casual—office wear and street clothes both fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush, quiet otherwise—easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Closed weekends—weekday lunch only.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak noon rush; minimal wait before 11:45am or after 1:15pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel, sabich, and salad bowls are standout vegetarian options.
Vegan options: Yes—multiple options like falafel and hummus bowls with vegan sauces available.
Gluten-free options: Yes—bowls are naturally gluten-free; pita contains gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s a fast-casual lunch counter meant for quick meals, not lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-in only, with counter seating and a few small tables; turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy Mediterranean flavors, but limited seating and no high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Freshness and flavor—Sababa’s salads and sauces are brighter and more balanced than nearby falafel spots.
Skip if: You want a full-service dining experience or plan to linger; this is a quick, efficient lunch stop.
Sababa
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter-service Israeli/Greek-leaning pita bar known for crisp falafel, house-made salads, and build-your-own bowls. Since 2016, it’s been a downtown lunchtime fixture for quick, flavorful Mediterranean plates with consistent execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita with tahini & cabbage, Chicken shawarma bowl with salads, Sabich (eggplant, egg, amba)
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Fast, customizable pitas and bowls with bright, fresh toppings.
Who should go: Downtown workers craving quick Mediterranean
When to visit: Weekdays 11:30am–1pm before peak rush
What to order: Falafel pita; chicken shawarma bowl; sabich
Insider tip: Ask for extra amba and zhug for heat and tang.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking in the Financial District; garage options available within a 2–3 block walk.
Dress code: Casual—office attire or streetwear is typical for downtown lunch crowds.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch rush; easy to hold conversation outside of 12–1pm.
Weekend wait: Closed weekends, so no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minute line at peak times, otherwise minimal wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple options including falafel, sabich, and build-your-own salads.
Vegan options: Yes—falafel and sabich can be made fully vegan with plant-based toppings.
Gluten-free options: Yes—bowls without pita are gluten-free, though no dedicated prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s counter-service with a quick in-and-out vibe better suited for casual meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations are taken; seating is first-come, first-served with fast turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy Mediterranean flavors, but space is tight and high chairs aren’t provided.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable Mediterranean bowls and pitas with customizable toppings and consistent quality.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, quiet ambiance, or a lingering sit-down dinner.
Sababa
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter-service Israeli spot known for crisp falafel, warm pita, and build-your-own bowls and pitas. It’s a FiDi lunch fixture with fast lines and bright, consistent flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita, Chicken shawarma bowl, Sabich (eggplant & egg)
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Fresh-fried falafel and fluffy pita with speedy, customizable builds.
Who should go: Downtown workers craving fast Israeli flavors
When to visit: Weekdays before noon to skip peak lunch line
What to order: Falafel pita, chicken shawarma bowl, sabich add-ons
Insider tip: Ask for extra amba and zhug for tang and heat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in FiDi is scarce during weekdays; best bet is nearby paid garages along Kearny or Pine.
Dress code: Casual; office attire or jeans both common since most diners are downtown workers.
Noise level: Moderate at peak lunch rush with lively counter chatter; manageable otherwise.
Weekend wait: Closed weekends; not a dinner spot.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes in line between 12–1pm; outside of peak, almost no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – falafel, sabich, and multiple veggie salads make it very vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Yes – falafel pita and bowls with hummus, tahini, and salads are vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Yes – bowls can be made gluten-free by skipping pita; cross-contact possible but limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—it’s a casual counter-service lunch spot better suited for quick bites than long sit-down meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations are taken; it’s first-come, first-served counter service with communal tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—kids who enjoy falafel and pita will be fine, but the space is tight and geared toward fast downtown lunches, not family outings.
Best For
Better for: Better for quick, affordable, and consistently fresh falafel/pita builds than nearby Mediterranean chains.
Skip if: Skip if you’re seeking a sit-down dinner, weekend dining, or a quieter environment.