Lulu

Mona Leena Michael opened The Mana’eesh Lady pop-up in 2020, which served fantastic flatbreads, dips, and desserts. So we were excited when her first restaurant, Lulu, opened in West Berkeley in August 2021—and this casual Palestinian spot does not disappoint. Every dish shines with fresh ingredients and well-balanced flavors, like the halloumi sandwich with seasonal preserves (it might be the best thing you eat all week), or the huge weekend-only brunch mezze board loaded with things like brown butter house labneh, deviled eggs with za’atar, black garlic hummus, and more. Make sure one of the excellent coffee drinks is on the table, too.