Mazra

Mazra means "farm" in Arabic, which tells you exactly where brothers Jordan and Saif Makableh have their heads at. The Jordanian-American brothers opened Mazra in 2021 with a clear vision: authentic Levantine wood-fire cooking, sourced with care, served halal, in a modern room that honors the tradition. San Bruno locals knew them first — the original location at 504 San Bruno Avenue West built a devoted following. Then they opened Redwood City at 2021 Broadway, and that's where a lot of Bay Area Muslim families have been making the drive.

Here's what makes Mazra special. All of their meat is 100% halal — zabiha, prayed over before slaughter, sourced through channels Jordan and Saif have personally vetted. And the cooking method is wood-fire grilling, which is one of the oldest techniques in Mediterranean cooking and still the most forgiving of good ingredients. Marinated lamb kofta hits the grill. Chicken thighs hit the grill. Beef kofta hits the grill. And then — this is what pulled me in when I first read about them — octopus hits the grill. An all-halal, Muslim-owned Bay Area restaurant grilling octopus. That's the Levantine tradition executed properly; octopus is a classic of the region and not something you often see on halal menus in America.

The menu structure is what you'd hope for. Mezze to start — hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammara, tabbouleh, fattoush — all the foundational spreads and salads done the right way. Grilled kebabs as the main attraction. A smart vegan-and-vegetarian section (the wild oyster mushroom cooked over the same fire is a favorite) for mixed groups. Fresh pita out of the oven, olive oil on the tables, and Jordanian sweets to finish.

Reviews are consistent: the flavors are bright, the grilling is precise (not overcooked, not undercooked — the hallmark of a real grill cook), and the hospitality has that family-restaurant warmth even as the dining room gets nicer. The Redwood City space is modern and comfortable, the kind of room where you can take a date, take your parents, or take a group of eight after a soccer game. Pricing is mid-range Bay Area: expect $18–$30 per person depending on how generously you order the kebab plates.

What I love about Mazra is the intentionality. Halal is not a footnote here — it's part of the foundation the brothers built the restaurant on. When you eat here, you're eating at a Muslim-owned Bay Area fine-casual restaurant that is simultaneously a destination for non-Muslim diners who just want excellent Mediterranean food. That dual audience is the sweet spot every halal-first restaurant should aim for, and Mazra pulls it off.

A few practical notes. Reservations for groups larger than four are smart. The mezze spread feeds the table nicely, so don't over-order kebabs until you see the portions. Parking on Broadway is typically fine. And if you've never had grilled octopus, Mazra is the place to try it.

The Amara take: Two Jordanian brothers, wood-fire grilling, halal top to bottom, in a beautiful Redwood City dining room. The Peninsula's best Levantine kitchen, full stop.