Amazing restaurant! The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was clean, welcoming, and comfortable. Everything was fresh and well prepared. I truly enjoyed my experience and would definitely come back again! read more

We went for lunch had beef shawerma wrap & chichen shawarma. Strawberry lamonade . We also tried the appetizer, baba ghanouge, & olives-medley ,hummus,The food was delicious and well prepared. The service was excellent . The restaurant is beautiful, modern , comfortable & spacious , Very clean . I would most definitely recommend to my family & friends . read more

Such a magical experience at Reef! The ambiance and decor were elegant, whimsical, and beautiful, making it the perfect spot for a lovely lunch date. The food was easily a 10/10, but the shrimp was the true standout--the best shrimp I've ever had in my life! It was so flavorful and perfectly cooked, almost magical. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were Such a magical experience at Reef! The ambiance and decor were elegant, whimsical, and beautiful, making it the perfect spot for a lovely lunch date. The food was easily a 10/10, but the shrimp was the true standout--the best shrimp I've ever had in my life! It was so flavorful and perfectly cooked, almost magical. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of. Beautiful atmosphere, incredible food, and wonderful service--definitely a place I'd love to return to! well taken care of. Beautiful atmosphere, incredible food, and wonderful service--definitely a place I'd love to return to! read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

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Had a great family gathering at Reef Zaman! The atmosphere was really nice, the food delicious, and entry service was excellent too! Will definitely be back! read more

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Excellent food, excellent service, and very reasonable prices! Everyone at Reef Zaman is friendly and welcoming, and the management makes sure customers are happy. The food is always delicious and full of flavor. I truly enjoy coming here and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves great Arabic and Mediterranean food. You will not be disappointed! Another visit Sep 1 2026 Ordered the half chicken for $22, here is my opinion, still giving 5 stars A few days ago, the manager recommended the rotisserie chicken, so I returned today specifically to try it. I could not believe they served it this way. The chicken was burned, dry, very small, and tasted worse than the rotisserie chicken from Costco. The menu describes it as "tender and juicy," but what I received was the complete opposite. Costco sells a whole chicken nearly twice this size for only $4.99. Here, I paid $22, plus tax and tip. To be fair, my complaint is not about the management or the servers. In my opinion, the problem was with the cooking and the kitchen's quality control. A chicken in this condition should have been thrown away, not served to a customer. No restaurant should risk losing a customer over a dish that should never have left the kitchen. Very disappointing and definitely not worth the price. read more

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This is worth the hype! I've been seeing so many posts recently and questioned whether the food was worth it or the beautiful ambiance was a trap. But, NO! This was amazing! Such solid food. My lamb chops were so perfectly cooked with a nice little char. The kebabs were a hit in my family as well as the variations of lemonade. Such a great addition to Redwood City! They have ample seating and can be great for big groups. read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

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The experience here was just 'okay.' The chicken shawarma wrap was good, but could have used at least a few more slices of chicken. I've definitely had similar wraps in the Bay Area that were a lot more generous with their meat portion. Also, it would have been nice to have been offered some hot sauce on the side to spruce up the flavor. read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

Tried this new place for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. We didn't have a reservation but were able to be seated right away. The place is pretty big and I like what they did with the interior. We sat in a booth and ordered some drinks while studying the menu. We ordered the veggie falafel platter, a chicken kabob and the chicken shawarma plate. The veggie platter came with baba ganoush, humus, tzatziki , different salads and some bread. I really liked the flavors of all of items. The chicken kebab was also perfectly grilled and really tender. The falafels were crispy and made some great bites with the tzatziki. The chicken shawarma plate was also great and I really liked the rice. The staff were really friendly and attentive. They made sure we had everything we needed. Overall great flavors and we'll be back for sure. I read some of the other reviews here and saw the complaints that they offer the same menu as Mazra which I think is unfair. I would argue most middle eastern restaurants offer similar dishes. (See pasha, Zadna Grill or RocknKabobs. read more

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When we arrived and saw so many people, we figured it was a good sign. It was easy to get seated as a party of two, but if you're coming with a larger group, I'd recommend making a reservation. The restaurant has a modern, clean ambiance, and our order was taken promptly. The sides were served right away, which we appreciated since our entrées took a little over 30 minutes to arrive. Baba Ganoush is smoky, hummus is creamy. We ordered the Signature Lamb Chops Plate and the Double Kebab Plate (Kofta and Lamb). The kebabs were a bit dry and definitely needs the yogurt sauce. The lamb chops, however is perfectly seasoned, tender, and full of flavor. I highly recommend ordering them, although they are on the pricier side, however serving is huge read more

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Phenomenal vibrant oasis brings me back to a coastal town on the Mediterranean Wow. Such a new standout Diamond in the city of Redwood. The salmon was rich in taste, moist and with beautiful texture - so so so good. It's marinated overnight for 12 hours. The chicken Shawarma wrap was to die for. The service from Gazelle's presentation of the fine menu to Bakir the manager coming to check on us and the busboys was outstanding This entire experience sizzled to fantastic heights. We will be back. read more

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4 stars for the friendly and attentive service 3 stars for the food The chicken shawarma plate was pretty good, but sparse on meat. The chicken and lamb kebab plate was ok. They offer a decent selection of sides. We had hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, yogurt which were all ok. Entrees come with rice or freekeh grains, but no freekeh was available which is surprising for a fairly new restaurant. The pita does not feel and taste fresh. It was hard to cut. read more

For the first time in years, I can truly say I had a real 5-star dining experience. Reef Zaman is absolutely exceptional. Everything tasted incredibly fresh -- the whole grilled sea bass was amazing, the bread was fresh, the hummus was fresh, and you could genuinely taste that everything had been prepared with care that same day. The restaurant itself is breathtaking. The décor is authentic and beyond gorgeous, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you've traveled straight to the Mediterranean and Middle East without ever leaving Redwood City. What made the experience even better was the staff. Everyone was incredibly kind, warm, attentive, and efficient, always with a smile. If you have high standards when it comes to food, freshness, hospitality, and the overall dining experience, I highly recommend Reef Zaman. This is not just a place to have dinner -- it's an experience. I will absolutely be coming back! read more

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Came here for a quick lunch. New spot in town was impressed by the inside decor. Very instagramable I ordered the mint lemonade, beef wrap and side of babaganoush. Everything was tasty! The lemonade was a bit sweet for my taste buds but I drank it. The beef actually was mainly beef and nothing else. Very good ratio vs. fillers. The babaganoush was very good too. I'd go back to try dinner options. read more

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My family and I had a great experience here! We were able to get seated right away without a waitlist or having to wait for a table. Our food also came out relatively quickly. The portions are huge and very filling, so you definitely get a good amount of food for your money. We ordered the lamb chops, shawarma bites, and double kebab plate, and everything was really enjoyable. The lamb chops were especially good, and the shawarma bites were delicious with a generous portion. My husband usually isn't a big fan of eating Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food when we go out since we have it at home all the time, but he actually really enjoyed his shawarma. He even said he would come back and eat here again, which says a lot! Overall, great portions, quick service, and delicious food. We'd definitely come back! read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

My family and I were really impressed with this restaurant. It's clean, the service is outstanding, and the decor is a modern version of Tata's living room. The food was outstanding. It was fresh and authentic. We got the shawarma bites with chicken and beef and they were equally as delicious. The watermelon mint lemonade was really fresh and clearly house made. I highly recommend and will visit again. read more

Absolutely delicious! A wonderful dining experience! The food was absolutely delicious and served hot and fresh! The olive salad was fantastic, and the shawarma with garlic spread was my favorite -- so flavorful and delicious! The decor was beautiful and created such a lovely atmosphere. Everything from the food to the presentation and the ambiance was amazing. The service was wonderful, and you can really tell that they care about the quality of their food and making their guests happy. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for delicious food, beautiful decor, and a great dining experience. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes! read more

After enjoying the last Redwood City concert, we stopped by for some Mediterranean food. Our Eats Included: Lamb chops (5/5) Branzino plate (5/5) Chicken shawarma wrap (4/5) Whole Cauliflower (5/5) All the protein among these dishes were very juicy and delicious. The toum was a perfect pairing for the lamb chops and sea bass, while the cauliflower was the perfect starter. We enjoyed all of the side dishes, especially the babaganoush and highly recommend. read more

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Great ambiance, friendly staff, and great food. We ordered the family deluxe kebab pack. The portion size was perfect for our family of 4. The kebabs were juicy and delicious! Definitely will be back read more

Reef Zaman - deluxe bbq kebab pack - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

We went to Reef Zaman today to celebrate a coworker's birthday, and we had such a wonderful time! The hospitality was excellent, and the food was delicious. I especially loved the watermelon lemonade--it was so refreshing! The manager, Baker, was very warm and welcoming. He even treated us to complimentary drinks and dessert for the birthday celebration, which was such a thoughtful touch. We had a great experience and will definitely be coming back. I'll be telling my friends about this wonderful place! read more

Reef Zaman - The deluxe BBQ plate. - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

Amazing food. The customer service is great. And the chicken kabab was phenomenal. Mint lemonade is also great. Also the ambiance was out of this world. read more

First time at The place. Food was amazing and delicious. Had the chance to meet the chef owner and he made sure the meal was prepared to perfection. Everything was great, starting with Falafel and Hummus, salads. It reminded me of my mother's cooking. The lamb chops and kabobs were outstanding cooked to perfection. We were treated to the chef's special dessert... Warbat. Service was excellent. We will be back for more soon. read more

Reef Zaman is hands down one of the best dining experiences around. The atmosphere is absolutely stunning, with beautiful greenery and a vibrant, coastal-oasis vibe that sets the perfect mood the moment you walk in.The service is exceptional the staff and managers are incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuinely care about your experience. read more

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Reef Zaman is one of the most delicious and authentic restaurants in California. The falafel was absolutely delicious, and the lamb chops were incredibly flavorful. The seasoning was perfectly balanced, and the grilled chicken was also outstanding. The atmosphere is beautiful, peaceful, and transports you to another place. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for authentic traditional food and a wonderful dining experience read more

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So much food we ordered two meals for lunch for 3 people and had left overs for each of us to take home. Loved the prime rib kabob. Took 1 pc home & made a half sandwich. Want to try shrimp kabob next. Lamb shank was delicious. They did a great job decorating the place. It was very comfortable. read more

One of the Best Restaurants I've Ever Tried! Reef Zaman is truly one of the best restaurants I've had the pleasure of trying. From the moment you walk in, you can tell that they care about the quality of their food and the experience they provide. The food was absolutely delicious--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Every dish we tried had amazing taste, and the quality was outstanding. You can really tell that they use fresh ingredients and put a lot of care into their cooking. The flavors were incredible, the portions were satisfying, and everything we ordered exceeded my expectations. It's not often that I leave a restaurant thinking, "I have to come back again," but Reef Zaman definitely gave me that feeling. If you're looking for a restaurant with great food, excellent quality, and amazing flavors, I highly recommend giving Reef Zaman a try. I'm already looking forward to going back and trying more of their dishes! Definitely a 5-star experience! read more

Delicious, flavorful, tender and all halal meats. Well-prepared, fresh side dishes. Nice, clean restaurant with reasonable prices. Will definitely come back. read more

We just had an amazing meal! Great flavors and excellent service. The portions were very generous and I'm super excited to have leftovers for at least a day or two. The price was great too! read more

Reef Zaman - Tzatziki, hummus, and olive salad. - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

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Excellent food, atmosphere and service! We've been to Mazra around the corner a few times as a default option but never felt the food was from "back home". Reef Zaman's food quality and authenticity is exceptional and we loved it, we have been here 2 times in the last week and we'll be coming here again, this is our new mediterranean favorite! read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

We had such an amazing experience at Reef Zaman from beginning to end! We went to celebrate my sister's birthday, and everything was wonderful. The atmosphere, the cleanliness, the staff, the management, and of course, the food! Everything was absolutely delicious. What really made the evening special was how they went above and beyond to celebrate my sister. They sang Happy Birthday to her and made her feel so special. You could truly feel the care and attention they put into making our experience memorable. Reef Zaman is definitely a place I would recommend! It's conveniently located on Veterans Boulevard in Redwood City, with convenient free parking. It's a beautiful spot for a special celebration or just a great meal. Thank you, Reef Zaman, for such a wonderful experience! We will definitely be coming back! read more

I really wanted to like this place, especially as a Palestinian and a Bay Area native, but unfortunately it was a disappointing experience from start to finish. My family and I arrived on a Saturday evening, fully expecting it to be busy. We knew there would likely be a wait, which was completely understandable. One thing that stood out right away was that we had to provide an email address just to join the waitlist. That's not something I've experienced at other restaurants. It wasn't a major issue, but it did feel unnecessary and made me wonder if it was simply for future marketing emails. After waiting about 50 minutes, our party of five was finally seated. Surprisingly, our table hadn't even been set--we were simply handed menus. We then waited another 15 minutes before anyone brought us utensils and room-temperature water served in plastic cups. I found it odd that a sit-down restaurant uses plastic cups while providing unusually heavy, high-quality utensils. The contrast was strange. As for the food, we ordered the Deluxe BBQ Kebab Pack for around $130 because we were told it would feed six people. In reality, it would comfortably feed only two or three. The portions were extremely small for the price. We also ordered falafel and a salad on the side, and neither tasted authentic. The rice was very bland. The one positive was that the meat tasted fresh, was well-seasoned, and had good flavor. The service was by far the biggest disappointment. Throughout our meal, no one checked on our table to ask if we needed anything or how the food was. Whenever we needed assistance, we had to raise our hands and try to get someone's attention. There were plenty of employees on the floor, but many seemed more focused on talking with each other than attending to guests. It made the service feel inattentive and disorganized. Communication was also somewhat difficult at times, as some staff members appeared to struggle with understanding our orders, which led to confusion. The restaurant itself has a very open layout. While some people may enjoy that atmosphere, I personally found it lacked privacy, as it felt like everyone was constantly visible to one another. Overall, I think this restaurant has a lot of room for improvement. I truly wanted to enjoy it, but between the service, portion sizes, and overall dining experience, it fell well below my expectations. I'll be sticking with some of my longtime Bay Area favorites instead, including Old Jerusalem in San Francisco, Lotus in San Bruno and Burlingame, as well as Beit Rima and Mazra, all of which have consistently delivered excellent food and service. read more

This evening I finally had the opportunity to visit Reef Zaman in Redwood City, formerly the Sizzler location. Let me start by saying they're only in their second week and are still in a soft opening, so I view this first visit more as an opportunity to highlight both the wins and the areas that can be refined. First, the remodel was done with great taste. The restaurant feels spacious, modern, and very inviting. It will be interesting to see how the acoustics hold up once the dining room is full, but my first impression was very positive. The staff was also attentive, friendly, and eager to make sure we had a good experience. Now, on to the food. The standouts for me were the falafel, hummus, chicken kabab, and beef kabab. Each was flavorful, well-prepared, and definitely worth ordering again. The only dish that missed the mark was the lamb kabab. The texture was a bit powdery and dry, which usually suggests it was simply overcooked. Unfortunately, it lacked the rich flavor I was expecting. Another opportunity is the water service. The water had a noticeable plastic taste, which makes sense since each table had a new plastic carafe that appeared to have been filled in advance. Hopefully, after the carafes have been used and washed a few more times, that taste will disappear. The last observation has to do with the utensils. They certainly look elegant, and I appreciate the modern aesthetic the owners were going for. However, the fork and knife have thick, round cylindrical handles and feel unusually top-heavy. I found myself having to grip them more tightly to keep them from rotating in my hand, making them a little awkward to use. Overall, we genuinely enjoyed our evening and are excited to have Reef Zaman join Redwood City's dining scene. Opening a new restaurant is no small feat, and every new establishment goes through a learning curve. Based on what we experienced tonight, I have every confidence that once they work through these early growing pains, Reef Zaman has all the ingredients to become one of Redwood City's go-to restaurants. Congratulations to the owners and staff, and I look forward to returning in the near future. read more

Soft opening over the weekend. Jordanian middle eastern cuisine. Typical kabobs ,hummus baba ganoosh dishes with saffron rice. Nice remodel from the Sizzler. They comped me for showing up yesterday as they told me Sat that they would be open Sun. Easy parking and spacious setting Haven't seen the full menu yet ,so will review later on after they get things together. read more

Amazing experience! The food was absolutely delicious, some of the best Jordanian food I've had. The service was friendly and attentive, and everything was very clean, even the restroom. You can tell they really care about their customers and the quality of the restaurant. Highly recommend! read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

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I was very impressed with my first visit to Reef Zaman! I ordered the Double Kabob Plate with lamb and chicken, and it was absolute perfection. The meat was incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. I chose the tabbouleh salad and garlic potatoes as my sides, and both were fresh, delicious, and paired perfectly with the meal. To drink, I had the strawberry lemonade, which was refreshing and the perfect complement to everything. The interior ambiance is classy, elegant, and relaxing, making it a wonderful place to enjoy a meal. The service was outstanding as well. My waitress, Noor, made me feel genuinely welcomed from the moment I arrived and checked on me often to make sure everything was perfect. If you're looking for fresh, authentic, and delicious Mediterranean food in a beautiful setting with exceptional service, I highly recommend Reef Zaman in Redwood City! I can't wait to come back! read more

Reef Zaman - Outside - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

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Fire! Absolute bomb. No. Other. Word. What a gem, welcome addition to R.C. and a helluva competition to the other place that begins with "M" and ends with "A" :-) Pristine cooking, meats and fish char-grilled with smoky crispy exterior and melt in your mouth tender flesh. Yum. We got a mix of stuff: rotisserie chicken, salmon plate, lamb kebab with basmati rice and pita. Our sides were hummus, baba ghanoush, olive salad and cucumber yogurt, all with pickles and garlic toum plus chili on the side. I especially loved the salmon with the skin crackling, shatters with crunch and begs to be bitten into. I especially loved the salmon, a skin crackling and shatters begs to be bitten into. The menu is varied and has everything from shawarmas to plates and Ala carte. An especially nice touch is they have a complementary tea dispenser, which you can help yourself to after of before the meal. I did whoa--the spices a beautiful blend of cardamom, cinnamon and clove, to which an added sugar and it was heaven in a glass! They also have an entire cauliflower for appetizer to be shared, which though we didn't get, looked sumptuous. The inside is festive and greenery filled with little lights, I can imagine in the evening with the lights down, how romantic it would be. It can be everything from a family place, because we saw parents with their kids to couples holding hands. The prices are way reasonable, especially for the generous portions. The customer service we got from everything from the hostess to our server to the busboys ... warm and friendly, super attentive. As we were leaving, the owner or manager asked how we liked everything, and as we describing our experience, he detailed how all the spices are flown in from Jordan and marinated overnight for 24 hours. Ummm, no kidding. We literally tasted the depth of the flavoring in everything we ate. Homerun. Opening this is a ballsy move, especially because there's another Arabic restaurant in the city with a renowned reputation. Zaman is in a strip mall with plenty of easy free parking, open all day, another selling point. Love love, can't wait to go back and try other stuff on the menu! read more

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Delicious food. Great atmosphere. Service was great. We went during their soft lunch. I got a hummus and a gyro bowl. And it was outstanding. read more

Honestly overrated service was good, Place looks neat and clean The food is oaky at best. Order the 4 kinds of meat since it's first time to have a better idea for the future The chicken and Kufta were very good. Lamb and filet Mignon came cold to the table even though we didn't wait more than 20 minutes for the food. When I told the server about it, he said thank you for letting us know, I will inform the staff and Will make sure it doesn't happen again. ?!?!?! Also the house salad was not fresh for sure the onions smells very strong in it and the cucumbers is mushy and slimy in away. read more

Reef Zaman - Arabic Near Me - Redwood City, California

I got the chicken and shrimp kebab combo - shrimp, chicken, and rice were excellent. Hummus was very good. Arabi salad was just ok (needs more salt and lemon in my opinion). Also, bread is good but would be better if it came out warm. Service was friendly. Place is very nice inside and feels welcoming - the greenery and seating are cozy. I love the Arabic music playing quietly in the background. I will definitely be back to try other dishes. Wishing them the best of luck. read more

Absolutely loved the food. Everything tasted fresh and delicious . Highly recommend :)

i saw this place getting promoted online and i was looking over the menu and it seemed like a copy cat version of a restaurant around the corner Mazra so i assumed it must have been a chain of the family, come to find out it's not!!! too similar to Mazra and im a very big fan of that place and nobody can beat the quality they have. anyways i found that out after the fact i went to try the place today. i ordered whole cauliflower which was sold out(1pm), ordered the branzino plate & guess what? sold out as well. my wife ordered the wings and chicken kabob and i chose to do the double kebab plate(lamb & filet mignon) i gotta say I'm usually not picky but the lamb was not good at all. tasted like tenderizer and had a mushy taste which i didn't like. the strawberry lemonade was not properly mixed so the drink was really warm towards the top but cold on the bottom where ice was. the chicken wings were okay. all in all i don't think i'd ever return especially that they stole another persons concepts and idea but the food doesn't compare AT ALL. The lemonades are FIREEEEE AT MAZRA read more