Falasteen, a Palestinian Kitchen + Bar in Noe Valley, has quietly turned into the neighborhood’s latest dinner destination. Owner Samir Salameh and chef Lamees Dahbour have built a menu of shared mezze, grilled mains and a curated wine list that is meant to keep the focus firmly on Palestinian flavors and family recipes rather than politics.
On a warm spring night, the dining room hums and keffiyehs draped over chairbacks leave no doubt about the restaurant’s identity, but staff say they would rather guests talk about food and culture. As reviewed by The San Francisco Standard, general manager Greekor Nemet told the paper, "The point is not to talk about Palestinian food as a war-torn cuisine." The same piece notes that Falasteen opened about two months ago, has extended its dinner hours, and is planning to add brunch down the line.
Menu and wine
Falasteen’s dinner menu leans on mezze, including hummus, mutabal, muhammara and a mezze sampler, plus warm bites like spinach fatayer and kibbeh, along with mains such as kefta kabobs and chicken musakhan. The restaurant’s online menu lists Palestinian bottlings alongside California selections, including bottles from Cremisan Cellars and a Terah rosé from Terah Wine Co.. Cremisan’s own history traces winemaking at the Cremisan monastery back to the 1880s, while Terah Wine Co. is a Bay Area, woman-led operation with ties to Arab American heritage; see Falasteen for prices and selections.
Neighborhood roots
The project grew out of long neighborhood ties: Salameh’s family owns the 24th Street space that once housed La PanotiQ, and Dahbour brings years of catering and La Cocina incubator experience to the kitchen. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on those earlier plans and the pair’s long timeline, noting construction delays and a test service before the full opening.
Practical info
Falasteen posts its hours, dinner menu and a reservation link on its website and currently lists dinner service and a contact phone number for bookings. The online menu shows beer and wine prices and the option to reserve via the restaurant’s booking partner. For the latest hours and to book a table, see Falasteen.
