Café Rumi — Restaurant in Castro Valley

I came here for dinner with my girl to try something different that we don't normally do. This place is small but feels very alive and full of soul. Their menu is not huge but what I did see on it sounded great. The two ladies working behind the counter were very sweet. My girl ordered a chicken Kabob Sandwich and I ordered the gyros platter and an iced coffee. It didn't take long for our food to be ready. When I took first glance at my platter I thought, damn this looks delicious. Well, I was right. The lamb/beef was tender and juicy. The rice was tender and plentiful. And the tzatziki was smooth, cool and just phenomenal. Finally, there was cut up vegetables seasoned to perfection that when I mixed everything together there was so much flavor fighting for my attention I didn't know what to do. So, I ate everything. Even the bread that came with my meal was soft and brought the meal together like a traditional gyros. My girls chicken Kabob burger was scrumptious too. A soft bun smothered in that delicious tzatziki sauce with onions, tomatoes and chunks of tender chicken. Everything was delicious, including my iced coffee. It's a little pricey but no joke I feel that it...

Cafes are cafes, right? Not the case with Cafe Rumi!

This cafe offers all the staple cafe food and drinks but with a decidedly Mediterranean twist. They have an egg, sausage and cheese breakfast sandwich on an English muffin but it comes with this green sauce on the side (no idea what it is!) that makes it a completely different and delicious twist to your standard egg, sausage and cheese sandwich. I added grilled onions to it for $0.25 more and I left satisfied and with my mouth watering for more!

Their Belgian waffle is a standard Belgian waffle with whipped butter and powdered sugar that I then decided to make decadent with the addition nutella for $0.50 more. The resulting ooey, gooey, chocolatey concoction had me on a sugar rush the rest of the day. Lattes are delicious and, although not artfully made with espresso art, still packs a punch in both taste and caffeine.

I've gotta come back for more of their offerings: kabobs, doogh (yogurt/mint drink...ooohh!!), Turkish coffee, nutella hot chocolate (my friend said it tasted like a light chocolate mocha... :: drools ::), and real fruit smoothies. Can't...

Order cold or hot Green or Regular Chai for any first timer.

Get it "dirty" if you need a wake up call.

During the Holiday season order Eggnog Chai.

The Rooibos Chai with a hint of vanilla is superb.

On a non chai day order White Mocha Latte with a hint of Raspberry.

Alternative milk suggestions: Almond Milk and Breve.

The Wildberry Smoothie is the best counter from caffeinated drinks.

Peta Bread with humus is a wonderful. Save those dollar bills to get more bread from the leftover humus.

A main dish to select would be the Mediterranean Sandwich --- very much the veggie version of a sloppy joe --- it gets everywhere, in a good way.

Don't forget your Cafe Rumi Card.

Gets a little hectic during after school hours. Just lots of kids and traffic. Not their fault.

Keep in mind that this a coffee shop and not a restaurant. Be a fellow and leave plates above the trash dispensers...