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Arts & Entertainment

This buzzy Mediterranean restaurant is expanding on the Peninsula

Mazra, a Mediterranean eatery that specializes in falafel and shawarma, comes to Redwood City in May. | Courtesy Mazra

Mazra, a casual Mediterranean restaurant with a breezy catchphrase—“Take it easy, Habibi” —is poised to open a second location in Redwood City this May. 

Owner Saif Makableh told The Standard that his Redwood City outpost will largely resemble Mazra’s San Bruno “fast fine casual” flagship—an order-at-the-counter restaurant with ample seating for big parties. 

So what will be different at Mazra Redwood City? Makableh said he plans to install a wood-fired oven so his team can prepare sizzling rotisserie chicken. Apart from that, the new location will offer Mazra’s classic falafel, kebab and shawarma wraps.

Makableh said he was particularly motivated to put down roots in Downtown Redwood City for the same reason that the Chronicle has called it “one of the Bay Area’s most underrated food cities.” The downtown area has transformed into a bustling commercial corridor over the past few years with help from high-profile chains like Marufuku Ramen and independent spots like Vesta pizzeria.

“The downtown area has become a foodie destination,” he said. “We’re trying to open before the summer and utilize that beautiful weather that Redwood City is known for.” 

Mazra