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    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Amara Photos

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    AMARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    Portfolio From The Business

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    Recommended Reviews - Amara

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    We couldn't have celebrated friendship day at a better location than Amara in Belmont. From their beautiful garden setting to carefully curated menu to the delicious sangria and summery cocktails everything was just on point. And the feather on the hat was a personal visit to our table from the owner himself who regaled us with interesting tid bits and stories from a restauranteer's life! :) A 12 out of 10 experience

    Lamb neck
    Neeta M.

    The drinks at this place and service is a 5/5!! The ambiance is very sleek - even though it's in a strip mall. Can't wait to try out the outdoor spot during summer - very chilled out vibes. We were celebrating 3 birthdays and they gave us a small gelato to everyone one - I thought that was very sweet. They gave us a choice of the abundance package - fixed prices for a lot of food - but my friends wanted to eat lighter and try more cocktails. Good decision :) Loved the veggie and non veg dishes. The meats were very tender and tasty. The quality of the food was phenomenal! The only minus for me was the price to value ratio - but since we celebrated 3 birthdays, so we splurged:) the dishes are smaller for the price. The cocktails are so unique and well balanced - that they were worth the price. The dessert pairing was also incredible. They are the same owners as Rasa and Saffron - they have opened this one for 1.5 years now.

    Dessert.
    Karne N.

    Came here for the first time recently with a group of 8. The restaurant itself is very attractive so an A for that. The food was extremely flavorful and enjoyable. My hesitation is that the service was beyond slow, the prices high, and the portions fairly small. About the food. The meats were excellent - wonderfully flavored chicken, tender steak, interesting lamb and good kofte. The hummus and various yogurt sauces were all tasty. The charcuterie was quite small given the price and pretty average in taste. Desserts were good. It's lovely to have time to sit and relax but families are hungry and taking almost an hour to get the first food and drink is ridiculous. Our server was attentive when he appeared - and the restaurant was not crowded.

    Davide M.

    Me and some friends been trying to do a monthly dinner at a place that is new for everyone or most the group. This months we decided to try Amara after seeing a Instagram reel about it. We have been at this location in the past for Water Dog Tavern and Hola's, so we were all curious what they did with this large nice space. Customer Service was great. We were promptly greeted, a good introduction by the sommelier, and our waiter was a friendly face and super helpful guiding us through the menu making sure we made great decisions. We also met the general manager? Or maybe the owner? He was friendly, but I feel like him not introducing himself was a bit of a blunder. He was a well dressed man that I saw making his way around the restaurant a few times, so I could only assume that was his role. Drinks - This was a hit and miss. I really liked the Moroccan breeze and one other drink a friend had, the the old fashion and another It tried kind of missed the mark. They were easily forgetful and they were kind of drank as not to waste them. Food - Each item we had I would get again. The stand outs are the green hummus, oyster mushrooms, the hot sauce went well with the mushrooms, and hanger steak. We all really enjoyed each thing other than the portion of the ravioli. Yes the Ravioli tasted great, but the item was listed as a large portion to share as a entree. There was only 5 ravioli which I wouldn't consider a sharable entree, more like a portion for one entree. I could probably just have easily finished the hanger steak myself, but at least that seemed more appropriate of a sharable. We all enjoyed the experience overall and will be coming back, hopefully with a larger group so we can try the table of abundance.

    Caviar
    Elena D.

    Good atmosphere. I came here before. This place was a cute brewery. I like the atmosphere and the food selection is interesting though I am not sure what kind of cuisine this is. TBH.

    Side of rice
    Nancy C.

    Amazing food and service! We were a party of six celebrating three birthdays. The wait staff was so attentive and made sure we were well taken care of. They even brought over three separate ice cream desserts with a lit candle and sang happy birthday! Really liked green hummus and Muhammara. Lots of flavor for a dip! And the freshly baked pita was so soft that it paired nicely with the two dips that we used it to scrape the bowl clean! Lol! The chicken was very tender and juicy with a crispy skin. So flavorful with the spicy aioli and mashed potatoes. The rice was good too because of the melted butter and spices. Oh and the grilled broccoli was cooked perfectly and tasted great with the sauce! I'm definitely coming back to try other dishes!

    Oysters and the dips and pita
    Joshua N.

    Amara is one of those places where every part of the experience just clicks. I went for the tasting menu and it was outstanding from start to finish. The meal began with warm, pillowy pita and an assortment of spreads that were packed with flavor -- the pistachio-topped green dip and the smoky red pepper spread were especially addictive. Simple, vibrant, and the perfect start. The seafood courses were incredible. The grilled branzino was beautifully cooked with citrus, herbs, and just the right amount of char, served alongside fragrant rice with peas that balanced the dish perfectly. The shrimp were sweet, tender, and layered with bright flavors. But the dish I'm still thinking about? The mushrooms. Honestly... stupid good. Deeply savory, perfectly cooked, topped with pine nuts and sitting on a vibrant green puree that tied everything together. I could easily have ordered another plate. We also started with fresh oysters, and the cocktails were spectacular -- balanced, creative, and clearly crafted with care. The vibe of the restaurant is just as good as the food. While we dined, DJ Fantom Cat was spinning smooth chill beats that created such a relaxed, stylish energy in the room. It made the whole evening feel special without feeling pretentious. Beautiful space, excellent service, thoughtful food, and a menu that makes you want to come back and try everything. Amara absolutely deserves the buzz.

    Table seating near fireplace
    Ed D.

    Came here for dinner with my coworkers. Very nice ambiance with a lot of natural lighting. We were seated in a big booth right next to the fireplace. The bathrooms were large and well decorated and i normally don't comment on the bathroom but this was a nice clean well appointed bathroom. They tried to force a meals of abundance preset menu but we just asked for the regular menu. It was good for them because we ordered a lot more and racked up a $1700 bill for 8 people. We actually met the owner Ajay. He was super nice and explained the essence of his menu and dishes. Everything is fresh with locally sourced food and made from scratch. We ordered a lot of cocktails and appetizers, ravioli, oysters, oyster mushrooms, eggplant, pita with baba ganush, caviar toast. I ordered the branzino fish which was delicious. The fish was light and juicy and had a slight oily taste. We also tried a bunch of the desserts of which the pistachio amargo was my favorite.

    Mirza Ghasemi
    Edward W.

    Beautiful place with amazing warm vibes. Definitely on the pricey side and portions are smaller but the quality was excellent. Would come here just to enjoy the vibes and get a drink. Braised octopus - tender, juicy, good flavor. Mirza Ghasemi (eggplant tomato dip) - a huge hit with the group, definitely would order again. Saffron Marinated roast half chicken - whole piece of chicken was juicy and tasty. branzino - crispy skin with juicy flesh Baba ghanoush and pita - solid option Rabbit tajine - rabbit tasted a bit dry, this was the dish that stood out the least.

    Mixed hummus
    Danica V.

    Great place with nice ambiance. Serves a little upscale Mediterranean food. Wide array of choices, good for sharing . I enjoyed their hummus selection , octopus and they have a good serving of the tomahawk which we got two for our party of 6 which was more than plenty. On the pricey end but good for celebrations

    Love my shashuka
    Haiyang H.

    Came in with a friend. Oh wow! What a surprise! Food was absolutely amazing, decoration was top notch. Service was fabulous! We would definitely come back for more! Would love to try their happy hour next time! I ordered shakshuka. Plate was beautiful and flavor was on point. Great find!

    Mezze Platter
    Matty C.

    Amara is a Belmont gem! Parking: Easy and free in a shopping center Seating: Beautiful both indoors and outside, umbrellas outside and it's by a beautiful pond and garden! Inside is gorgeous modern and marble decor Service: Friendly and personable. You can tell they really care. The owners even came by to greet us Food: Delicious, fresh and healthy. Brunch plates are meant to share. Highly recommend the Ciblir, Shakshuka, and Mezze Platter Overall had a great experience here and I'm excited to come back!

    Kim W.

    I cannot say enough about Amara! From the minute, you walk in the door, the light and bright airy atmosphere is so inviting... The decor is absolutely stunning... It's just such a relaxing and welcoming place to eat. We've done here twice with large parties over the past month because it is so good. We just went right back. Both were business meals and the service was impeccable. The food is very diverse and family style... The caviar was amazing. They make everything in the house, including the bread... The flavor profiles are incredible... The owners own a few restaurants that are all really highly rated on Yelp and I could not say enough positives about the entire experience everything was incredible from start to finish. We're going to try saffron which is a sister restaurant next week!!! can't wait!!!

    Roasted Cauliflower

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    Service. Given it three attempts. Treated disrespectfully this last time in particular.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Amara Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Amara

    Can you explain what meats are halal?

    All meats we serve are halal except hangar steak on the menu. Hope this helps.

    Do they serve Halal food?

    Yes, most of our meats are Halal.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    MAZRA - Mesquite Grilled Lamb Chops

    MAZRA

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Mazra is one of our favorite Middle Eastern, Mediterranean restaurants! We first discovered their…read moreSan Bruno location and have been loving it ever since. Their garlic rotisserie chicken and steak shawarma are definitely some of our favorites! If you're around San Bruno or Redwood City, don't skip this spot. Highly recommended!

    Hm. I'm honestly shell-shocked about my experience at Mazra compared with my expectations based on…read moreall of its known popularity. Many have even deemed it to be "the bay area's best Mediterranean food" which, to me, is definitely a reach. To start off, I'd absolutely recommend to dine inside as opposed to their outside patio for two reasons: not Mazra's fault per se, but there was such a foul stench of urine that permeated the entire atmosphere.. Secondly, the server basically never checks up on you at all. This leads me to the next point; in retrospect, I should have read the other reviews more closely, but paying and tipping are done right at the beginning. I definitely would have opted to tip less had I known there would be a lack of service that followed. For food, my husband and I ordered the famous whole cauliflower and 2 double kebab plates. The cauliflower was overbearingly heavy and creamy, yet simultaneously lacked salt. We only had a few bites of this and didn't even want to take it home. To be frank, I expected all of the dishes to wow me or at the very least, not be bland. The best sides were the tzatziki and garlic potatoes; everything else was simply lackluster. Additionally, the menu literally states that "all plates include garlic toum/hot sauce" yet ours didn't come with any. My husband literally had to get up and ask the hostess twice for these. Both of these sauces were honestly mandatory; they amped up the flavors better than any of the side sauces (hummus, baba ghanoush) that we ordered did.

    Photos
    MAZRA - Famous Whole Cauliflower

    Famous Whole Cauliflower

    MAZRA - Front Patio/Entrance

    Front Patio/Entrance

    MAZRA - Rotisserie Chicken Plate

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    Rotisserie Chicken Plate

    Kabul Afghan Cuisine - Lamb skewer entree

    Kabul Afghan Cuisine

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Sarah our server was so kind. She checked on us multiple times throughout the evening. It was…read morepretty busy on a Friday night. Shared the beef kebab entree with the pumpkin, yogurt and meat sauce dish and a side of spinach. I like how the restaurant is tucked in the corner of a strip mall and non descript from the outside. On the inside it's bustling and usually a small wait (cuz people love it here)

    We've been coming to Kabul Afghan Cuisine for over 12 years and my dad has been coming for more…read morethan 30. This place is part of our family history. I came in this past Saturday (in the rain and recovering from surgery) because I just needed to be at my favorite restaurant. The moment we walked in, they greeted us warmly and still remembered us, even though we hadn't been in for about three years. That kind of care means everything. The food is unmatched. The lamb is incredible. The potato appetizer with the meat sauce is our all-time favorite. The shrimp on the combination skewers are huge and full of flavor. The warm bread and perfectly cooked rice make every meal feel comforting and special. The service is amazing, the family who owns it is so kind, and the whole place has a welcoming, homey vibe. There is no Afghan food around here that compares. This will always be our favorite spot for special occasions. If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out.

    Photos
    Kabul Afghan Cuisine - View from our table.

    View from our table.

    Kabul Afghan Cuisine
    Kabul Afghan Cuisine - Rose lassi

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    Rose lassi

    Elia - Crispy Olives Appetizer

    Elia

    4.2(155 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    Amazing Mediterranean restaurant. Best Greek/Mediterranean food I have had outside of Greece. Went…read morefor their Happy Hour to try the cuisine at Elia. Food is authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Fresh ingredients - I have been searching for good Dolmades. Authentic Dolmades use currants and pine nuts, which is hard to find - these are delicious, and made fresh daily. Also had the spanakotiropita and chicken slider - all seasoned with mediterranean spices and delicious. Nice touches for the decor, ambiance is that of a Greek Island. For outside seating, blankets are provided for cool evenings, and there is a heat lamp over every table outside. Highly recommend.

    I'm writing this review to express my gratitude to the owners & operators of Elia in San Carlos,…read moreCa. My wife and I celebrated our anniversary there Saturday evening. The modern touch on Greek food was phenomenal as well as the hospitality! The Pikilia, Moussaka & Whole Fish were tasteful and plentiful. Best of all, the Greek Yogurt Cheesecake was extraordinary! Being greeted by one of the owners, Burhan was a delight. He had such a warm smile that added the extra touches to thoughtfulness & care of the dining experience. I extend my thanks to him & the attentive staff that made the evening feel truly special. It is easy to see how much love and hard work you & the owners pour into the restaurant. - Just beautiful & colorful! We're already looking forward to our next visit.

    Photos
    Elia - One of their many indoor dining rooms

    One of their many indoor dining rooms

    Elia - Zucchini Cakes Appetizer

    Zucchini Cakes Appetizer

    Elia - Patio seating

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    Patio seating

    Nick The Greek - mediterranean bowl with chicken

    Nick The Greek

    4.1(338 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Nick the Greek is one of those places we order from at least once a week, usually from either the…read moreFoster City or San Carlos location. We genuinely cannot pick a favorite because both are consistently excellent. Our regular order is the chicken gyro salad, loaded with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions, hummus, tzatziki, and a generous portion of chicken gyro meat. Everything tastes fresh, the meat is flavorful with those delicious crispy edges, and the spicy sauce adds exactly the right kick. It is filling without feeling heavy and somehow always hits the spot. Both locations have been remarkably consistent with quality, portions, and flavor. When you find a meal this reliable and satisfying, it naturally becomes part of the weekly rotation.

    This location in San Carlos was one of my regular stops when I lived in the Bay Area, and it…read morequickly became part of my routine. There's something about being able to grab a fresh meal, sit outside alfresco, and just enjoy the California weather that makes everything taste a little better. Nick the Greek always delivered exactly what I needed--quick service, fresh ingredients, and food that felt satisfying without weighing me down. That consistency is what kept me coming back again and again. My go-to order was the gyro salad with pork belly, and to this day I still think about it. It was light but filling, bright and balanced, and never heavy. Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta, tzatziki, rice for substance, and warm pita on the side. I would always swap the red wine vinaigrette for the lemon herb dressing, which tied everything together perfectly. It was, quite simply, the perfect salad. Every time I ordered it, I told myself, "You really should learn how to make this at home." And every time, I didn't--because it was just easier to let Nick the Greek do it for me. What I appreciated most about this location was the reliability. You could walk in hungry, get your food quickly, and know it would taste the same as the last time--fresh, clean flavors, generous portions, and no fuss. That's harder to find than people realize. I moved away in 2023, and now that salad lives in my memory as one of those simple pleasures that made everyday life a little better. If you're in San Carlos and looking for something fresh, fast, and consistently good, this place is a solid choice. And if you find yourself sitting outside on a sunny day with a bowl and a piece of warm pita, take a moment to appreciate it--because someday you might move away and miss it more than you expect.

    Photos
    Nick The Greek - Cool pottery

    Cool pottery

    Nick The Greek - Hummus and pita

    Hummus and pita

    Nick The Greek - Frozen yogurt with baklava

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    Frozen yogurt with baklava

    Amara - venues - Updated August 2026

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