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Redwood City has become something of a hub for Mediterranean cuisine – and its newest restaurant opening is helping to solidify that reputation.
Mediterranean restaurant Reef Zaman soft opened on June 29 in the former Sizzler space, serving classic flame-grilled dishes, such as branzino, kebabs, lamb chops and more. The new restaurant comes from restaurateur Faris Alqabass, who is behind Yemeni Restaurant in New York City and Mandi House, which has locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Leading Reef Zaman’s culinary team is Chef Mohammed Al-Omari, who previously worked at nearby Mazra.
Alqabass, who’s based in Los Angeles, grew up in Yemen and came to the U.S. at 15. He started his career making sandwiches at a New York City deli before opening Yemeni Restaurant in 2019 and Mandi House in 2024. He had planned to open his new concept, Reef Zaman, in New York City, but pivoted after finding his ideal restaurant space in Redwood City.
A couple of months after taking the location, he connected with Al-Omari, impressed by the chef’s enthusiasm to take on a challenge. Alqabass said that as soon as he tried Al-Omari’s food, he knew he would be the best chef for the job.
“I’ve eaten in so many places, and I never tasted a lamb chop the same that he makes,” Alqabass said. “Then the salmon, he makes it with his own sauce. Wow. I cannot even describe it.”
The menu features a variety of appetizers, including a falafel veggie platter with hummus, baba ghanoush, Arabic salad, tabbouleh, cucumber yogurt and golden falafel ($24); wraps stuffed with fillings such as chicken or beef shawarma, falafel or kofta kebab ($13-$15); plates piled with shawarma or lamb shank ($22-$32); and desserts including baklava and warbat ($5-$9). Reef Zaman offers only nonalcoholic beverage options, including mint lemonade and raspberry lemonade ($6).
The restaurant is large, with high ceilings and seating for about 280 people inside. Plans for a 2,000-square-foot patio space will add 300 seats, which Alqabass estimates should be open in about three months. The restaurant is decorated with greenery and dark-washed wooden tabletops, design choices that pay homage to the restaurant’s name, which translates to “countryside of the past.”
This is just the beginning for Alqabass, who plans to expand Mandi House to Sacramento and Reef Zaman to Walnut Creek.
Reef Zaman joins other Mediterranean restaurants in Redwood City, including Nomadic Kitchen, Pasha, Zadna Grill, Falafel Tezah, Hella Mediterranean, RocknWraps & Kabobs, Nick the Greek and Mazra, whose chefs Jordan and Saif Makableh were 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists.
Reef Zaman is hosting its grand opening Sunday, July 19, at 5 p.m., with an open buffet, a Jordanian dance performance and a DJ.
Reef Zaman Mediterranean Grill, 1011 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City; 650-399-9993, Instagram: @thereefzaman. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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