Holy Land Restaurant, Berkeley

Holy Land is heavenly indeed. The owners, Niso and Hay Mizrachi, cook terrific Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. Everything is fresh, tasty and made quickly. This small, casual space has only 10 tables that fill up quickly at lunch and dinner times. Photographs of Israel and the Middle East hang on the walls beneath overgrown ivy plants. The delicious pitas can be filled with lamb or chicken kebab, shawerma, falafel or a combination of hummus or tabbouleh. The lunch platters include salad and side dishes. Dinner platters are served with a thick hummus dipping sauce and pita bread. They also have a selection of very difficult to find Israeli and kosher beers. On Fridays the restaurant opens at 11a and closes at sunset. This location is not under rabbinical supervision.