Asena Restaurant
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Asena Restaurant
Continued thanks to our dear customers and friends! We are open from 5-8 Monday through Thursday and 5-9 Friday and Saturday for take out and delivery, as well as patio and limited indoor dining. Please see our website for this season's delicious menu, and be assured that we are taking every possible precaution to make your experience 100% safe as well as 100% delicious.

We continue to offer free delivery in Alameda with a $50 minimum, by our own employees. To reserve a table or to order please call (510) 521-4100, you can also leave a message and we will call you back. Thank you! We encourage reservation for our very limited seating. Thank you again to everyone who is supporting us and other small businesses like ours - we are truly grateful for you!
Services
Asena Restaurant is owned and operated daily by Mustafa Yildirim and Muhittin Arpaci, who both hail from Turkey, a country known for both its generous hospitality and exceptional cuisine. Combined, we have over 60 years experience in the San Francisco Bay Area restaurant industry. We are proud to be one of the few Zagat rated restaurants in Alameda.
When planning your event we know that you are looking for something unique, for food that will both delight and satisfy your guests, and leave them with the memory of a time that was truly special. From weddings to corporate events, we have been catering gatherings all over the Bay Area for almost 20 years.
Reviews (29)
Bear Basford
Bear Basford
Jan 18, 2022
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Awesome service. Really great food. Our birthday party of 7 was great. There wasn't a bad dish in the group. And I will repeat, service was exceptional. If you want to take a party out on the town, this is the place to go.
Shannon H.
Shannon H.
Jan 16, 2022
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Took my mom and aunt here for their 70 and 75th birthday. The good was terrific. The selection of cocktails and beer was superb and the special pilot noise was fantastic. Service was attentive. Will definitely be returning
Dick Berman
Dick Berman
Jan 11, 2022
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Great spot for innovative cuisine. Wonderfully attentive waitstaff. Outdoor dining area is a gem. Thanks Mustafa for a terrific evening!!
Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan
Dec 30, 2021
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The food and service here are always well above par. Good ingredients, well prepared and cordially severed. Very consistent. $18 corkage per 750ml.
Mrs. D.
Mrs. D.
Dec 22, 2021
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The service is always great. The owner is professional but very warm and friendly. The food wasn't as great as we remembered pre-pandemic, but still good. We like to come here for special occasions.
Lisa B.
Lisa B.
Dec 17, 2021
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So I've been to Asena a couple times before delighted with the food until last night unfortunately...We ordered the special which was the Ribeye with veggies and potatoes...it came out with only half of a red potato. The taste of the steak was just ok, it had a peppercorn sauce 5/10. Then we had the Tagliatelle pasta with Porcini mushrooms and kobocha in a white sauce...what came out was fettuccini with basic mushrooms not Porcini and three tid bit pieces of kobocha... this dish was not what was listed on the menu 0/10. It looked like they ran out of food last night or something ‍but
Chris Clark
Chris Clark
Nov 16, 2021
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Amazing food. Mustafa and his staff are extremely attentive. An Alameda gem!
Linda S.
Linda S.
Nov 15, 2021
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My spouse and mother in law have been talking about Asena for years.
i finally was able to experience dinner here this wkend.
i was not disappointed in any manner, other than why i was not here sooner.
we had ordered a variety of dishes and did all courses including cocktails and desserts.
please leave room for dessert, you will regret not trying them.
i was supposed to go to Hells Kitchen in Tahoe but i have asked to return here instead.
Thank you for a wonderful evening and dining experience.
Bob M.
Bob M.
Oct 03, 2021
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Curious menu offerings, promising appearance, & cute outdoor alleyway dining ambience. Downhill from there. One of my worst dining experiences in Alameda. Disheveled staff, lukewarm & unappetizing food more akin to cafeteria cuisine. Particularly unappealing dishes: the paella (more like biryani-ella) was closer to a liquid-y mishmash of mush, & the gnocchi was gargantuan in size and dense. They found a way to even make a house salad undesirable. Steer clear of here.
Sarah G.
Sarah G.
Sep 18, 2021
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Delicious and great for vegetarians and meat eaters alike! Food and restaurant experience was so much fun, coming back.
J.-Force Yizzle
J.-Force Yizzle
Aug 17, 2021
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We went here for a light dinner-snack. Bacon wrapped dates... Words cannot describe the magic, just wish there were more!... Filo chicken bake was delicious too with the currants and tumeric sauce. Cozy outdoor seating and friendly attentive service.
Marlene Dines
Marlene Dines
Aug 16, 2021
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Still my favorite restaurant in Alameda. I've loved the outdoor dining areas ever since it opened. Service was a little slow due, I suppose, to the challenges of the times. We brought first-time guests with us and they were blown away!
Barry Wolfe
Barry Wolfe
Jul 23, 2021
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Wonderful, super popular Mediterranean fine dining. They're always so gracious to guests entering. You feel like an old, valued customer. The food is seasonal and delicious. Wife enjoyed her gnocchi with gorganzola sauce and I adored my phyllo pastry stuffed with chicken, apples and currants, with a turmeric sauce. Wonderful! Great, huge, house salad and potato leek soup, as well. Call for reservation!
Devon Murdock
Devon Murdock
Jul 13, 2021
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Tried a little of everything on the menu for a 4 course meal and to introduce my hubby to different types of food. Loved the salmon and sauce, & hubby had the ribeye. The staff was friendly and attentive especially since my spouse is new to Mediterranean food. It’s cozy and reminds me of the dinners in Italy with amazing outdoor seating area.
Alameda G.
Alameda G.
Jul 03, 2021
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Had an amazing dinner last night. Ordered the paella and salmon special. Both dishes were memorable and on point with presentation. The salmon was so delicious, they should have it on their menu all the time. It would be a star. The paella was superb and I hope they keep that on their menu as well. Also ordered the spanakopita as an appetizer and it was perfect for a light bite. Even the free bread they give you is delicious. Will be back soon. Thank you Asena staff for a great dinner. Service was very friendly and efficient. Also yelp hours are currently messed up for this restaurant. Said they
Robert M.
Robert M.
Jul 03, 2021
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Killer and amazing fresh pasta.
Great deserts.best food in Alameda
I live in Concord area and have no problem driving to this place.
Doctor G.
Doctor G.
Jun 17, 2021
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COVID 19 REVIEW

Asena has a very nice narrow side yard that has a lot of plants and a large tent in the back to provide shade and wind protection. Getting a lot of use these days.

Food and service is always good. Had a caesar salad, rib eye steak and blood orange cheesecake instead of the usual paella. Yum.
Carl S.
Carl S.
Jun 12, 2021
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Today,june 11,Asena happened to me, through me and for me.The combination
of richness-texture-and distinction of flavor
astounded my culinary recall. Bacon wrapped dates that "took control"of the
early moments. Hummus, whose smoothness and flavor density languished
on the roasted bread triangles and a tender quintet of jumbo shrimp perched atop an exotic pasta interlaced with red cabbage saute. The tasting our group engaged in was equally delightful and almost left us giggling in delicious surprise.
The staff and head chef were available and
personable. Nearby customers appeared
to be
Liz Litchfield
Liz Litchfield
May 12, 2021
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The staff were incredible and the food was absolutely delicious. The hummus was the best I have ever tasted. An absolute must have if you are in the area!
Drishya C.
Drishya C.
May 09, 2021
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I just want to thank Mustafa for being so accommodating to my requests. I'm trying to be more plant based and he was more than happy to make a dish that was not even on the menu. And it was delicious. My friend got the chicken Petaluma dish and he really liked it too. I would recommend the Rose martini here which was really unique and delicious as well. I would definitely be returning here.
Lauren P.
Lauren P.
Apr 01, 2021
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This little family owned spot was so wonderful. Great service with friendly, knowledgeable people, good covid safety, delicious food, and great prices. Honestly this place is a hidden gem!
Irene X.
Irene X.
Mar 22, 2021
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The best outdoor seating in Alameda! Very cute and romantic setting. It has the outdoor patio heater that'll keep you warm.
Great presentation of the food and they were delicious!
We ordered 'Red & Yellow Beet Carpaccio Feta', very fresh and the balsamic drizzle sauce was citrusy and super tasty. The 'Fresh arugula salad' was enough to share for 2 people, and it taste great.
The 'Gulf Prawns over house-made scallion fettucine' was very delicious, one of the best pasta I've ever had.
Highly recommended especially if you want to impress your date!
Tameka F.
Tameka F.
Mar 02, 2021
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Last night, 03/01/2021, I made 6:30 dinner reservations for Asena, as we were celebrating a birthday. We made it to the restaurant at 6:25 and made the staff aware that we had reservations. Another couple, who were caucasian, came behind us and said that they had 6:45 reservations. After standing outside waiting to be seated for about fifteen minutes, one of the waiters came out and asked us if we had reservations. Again, we told him that we had 6:30 reservations for two. He then asked the caucasian couple, and they told him that they had 6:45 reservations for four people. He blatantly escorted
Andrea M.
Andrea M.
Feb 07, 2021
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Asena has become one of our favorite restaurants. My partner suggested an impromptu date night at Asena the other night, and I happily took him up on it. We had yet another great experience. This time RB ordered the stuffed chicken and I ordered the gnocchi. Everything was good, but I particularly loved the chicken as it came in a delicious red pepper sauce. Yum. Be sure to ask for the full wine list (separate from the daily menu), as they have some gems in the back, and the owner does a great job at making recommendations. The owner/head chef is extremely passionate about what he does, and it
Laurie A.
Laurie A.
Dec 20, 2020
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Excellent meal as always. Cream of broccoli soup and salmon special. Love this restaurant! Been a customer for 24 years. Supporting through the pandemic and can't wait until we can eat inside again!
Margaret F.
Margaret F.
Oct 11, 2020
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Heard about this little gem on the island, knew I had to give it a try. The owner is so nice!! The food was sooooo good. Loved their homemade hummus, and how it's presented with sausage. Wow!! What a combo, never had it that way now I can't not have it that way - it was that good! Not a fan of eggplant but the stuffed eggplant with lamb came highly recommended, tried it loved it need it again. The housemade tiramisu was just heavenly. What a hidden gem so glad it came on my radar, definite repeat and I highly recommend this spot!!
Richard B.
Richard B.
Jul 16, 2020
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Alameda just opened up, again, to outside dining so we started looking for a place. I found this place after making sure they got the memo about being open. We decided to go. My partner say she has mentioned this place to me in the past, but I don't recall. I think she was holding out on me.
Any who.
This place is nice. They have a great brick patio area  with trees and vines.  There is only outside seating because of the virus silliness. When they do have indoor seating it looks like a romantic spot.  Date night!!! They call the menu Mediterranean with a Cali twist. I see it.
They have
Cheryl M.
Cheryl M.
Jan 25, 2020
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** Review for Alameda Restaurant Week's Dinner Menu **

Asena delivers again! Seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean influences that's light, flavorful with friendly and welcoming hospitality.

S T A R T E R (choice of soup or salad)
* Arugula, citrus, sliced beets, feta, pickled onions tossed with balsamic - nicely balanced salad as arugula can be peppery and bitter...dressing was lightly sweet, feta giving that salt and citrus giving a little tang...(4/5)

* Beef Barley Soup with applewood smoked bacon - sampled my friends soup and it was rich in flavor with a hint of smokiness. Owner
Tom B.
Tom B.
Oct 21, 2019
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This was definitely a 4.5 star dining experience. It was such an enjoyable relaxed atmosphere, although the staff works very hard and diligently. They were very professional and completely pleasant throughout the meal.

We started with salads and I had the mixed greens that came with nuts, sliced pear and a block of grilled cheese. It was dressed just perfectly and quite satisfying. Everything was fresh and rightly proportioned. My dining companion had a house salad that looked equally good and he commented perfectly dressed too.

I tried the eggplant entree and YUM it was delicious. Layered