I went to Zareen’s with my family after so many people told us we had to try it, and honestly, it was worth it. We ordered saag paneer, daal, a bunch of different naans, rice you know, the usual spread when you want to try everything at once. Each dish had its own unique flavor. It kind of reminded me of home cooking, but not exactly “homey” more like someone in the kitchen is really putting love and effort into what they’re making. It’s a self-service place and it is busy. Like, no matter when you go, it feels like the whole world is eating there. We finished the meal with paan and some chai, which was such a nice touch. The only heads up: it’s definitely loud and there’s a lot happening around you, so the sensory experience is pretty intense. But overall, we had a great time, and I’m already planning to go back to try more dishes.
Overview
If you’ve ever driven down Broadway in Redwood City and caught the aroma of slow-simmered spices drifting through the air, chances are you were close to Zareen's Restaurant & Catering at 2039 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States. I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, and every visit feels like stepping into a space where comfort food meets serious culinary craft.
The first thing that stands out is the energy. It’s casual, lively, and welcoming. Families share platters at long tables, tech workers pop in for a quick lunch, and regulars chat with the staff as if they’ve known them for years. That sense of community isn’t accidental. The team runs a tight ship, and from what I’ve observed, the service process is efficient without feeling rushed. Orders are placed at the counter, and dishes arrive quickly, often within minutes, which makes it ideal for both weekday lunches and relaxed weekend dinners.
Now, let’s talk about the menu. Zareen’s specializes in Pakistani and North Indian cuisine, and the flavors are bold, layered, and authentic. The chicken tikka masala is rich and creamy, but not overly heavy. The biryani, fragrant with basmati rice and whole spices, arrives steaming hot and generously portioned. On one visit, I brought a friend who had never tried Pakistani food before. She ordered the seekh kebab plate, and halfway through she paused and said, this tastes like something you’d travel for. That reaction isn’t uncommon.
From a culinary perspective, the use of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala reflects traditional South Asian cooking techniques. According to the Culinary Institute of America, layering spices at different stages of cooking enhances both aroma and depth of flavor. You can taste that method here. The curries aren’t one-note; they evolve with every bite. The naan is baked until slightly charred and blistered, perfect for scooping up lentil daal or saag paneer.
Beyond taste, there’s real substance. Lentil-based dishes like daal provide plant-based protein and fiber, which the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights as beneficial for heart health. While no restaurant meal is a substitute for medical advice, it’s reassuring to know that many of the menu options balance indulgence with nutrition. Zareen’s also offers halal meats, which broadens its appeal and reflects thoughtful sourcing.
Catering is another strong point. I once attended a corporate event where Zareen’s handled the entire spread. The setup was seamless: labeled trays, vegetarian and gluten-free options clearly marked, and consistent quality across large batches. Managing flavor consistency at scale is no easy task, yet the kebabs were just as juicy and the curries just as vibrant as in the restaurant. That speaks to operational expertise and standardized preparation methods behind the scenes.
Online reviews frequently mention generous portions and fair pricing, especially considering the Bay Area dining scene. In a region where restaurant costs can climb quickly, Zareen’s strikes a balance between affordability and quality. While peak hours can mean a short wait for seating, the turnover is steady, and the staff keeps things moving efficiently. Transparency in pricing and clearly displayed menu boards add to the overall sense of trust.
Location-wise, being on Broadway makes it easily accessible, whether you’re local to Redwood City or coming from nearby Palo Alto or San Carlos. Parking can sometimes require a bit of patience, especially during busy dinner hours, but that’s more a reflection of the area’s popularity than the restaurant itself.
There’s something satisfying about a place that knows exactly what it is. Zareen’s doesn’t try to be overly trendy or fusion-focused. Instead, it leans confidently into traditional recipes, reliable service, and a warm atmosphere. Every time I visit, I leave full, already thinking about which dish I’ll order next time.
Good to know
From the business
âś“ Identifies as women-ownedService options
âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ No-contact delivery âś“ Delivery âś“ On-site services âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-inHighlights
âś“ Fast service âś“ Serves local specialtyPopular for
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo diningAccessibility
âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Comfort food âś“ Halal food âś“ Healthy options âś“ Quick bite âś“ Small plates âś“ Vegan options âś“ Vegetarian optionsDining options
âś“ Breakfast âś“ Brunch âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Catering âś“ Dessert âś“ SeatingAmenities
âś“ ToiletAtmosphere
âś“ Casual âś“ TrendyCrowd
âś“ Family friendly âś“ Groups âś“ LGBTQ+ friendly âś“ Tourists âś“ Transgender safe spacePlanning
âś“ Accepts reservations âś“ Usually a waitPayments
âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cardsChildren
âś“ Good for kids âś“ High chairsParking
âś“ Free parking lot âś“ Paid parking lot âś“ Paid street parkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
I stopped by Zareen’s on Christmas night, and I was honestly surprised by how lively it was. The restaurant was open late and absolutely packed with people, which created a really high-energy atmosphere. However, the ordering process was a bit frustrating at first; I stood at the counter for about 5 or 6 minutes while four or five different staff members walked past me before someone finally took my order. Once the order was in, though, things picked up fast. Surprisingly, the food arrived even quicker than it took to order, and everything was served steaming hot and fresh. This was my first time ever trying Chicken Tikka Masala, and I really liked it—the flavors were great. The naan was also amazing, and the mango lassi was easily the best one I’ve ever had. Despite the initial wait at the counter, the quality of the meal made up for it. Everything was so delicious that I genuinely can’t wait to go back!
We have been to Zareens a few times. Today was the best ever. The outstanding item was the tandoori roasted chicken. It was so crispy and tasty it seemed fried. Really awesome! We had the chicken again couple days later. The nice cashier remembered us.
Love their food. Our favorite is coming for brunch on weekends for their halwa puri thali’s. Also enjoy the chapli kebabs, Nihari, chicken sizzler and chicken charga.
A great place to go for dinner for the family. Order what you like at the register and then wait for your order at a table inside or outside. i ate inside with my spouse and two sprouts. if u like spice and cheese i highly suggest ordering the jalapeno cheese naan. Here’s my order: -chicken tikka masala thali with rice -lamb gosht thali with naan and another order of jalapeno cheese naan -kids cheese naan -halal kids chicken nuggets and fries -1 mango lassi order came in less than 15 mins and the food was well seasoned and well portioned. the kids loved the kids cheese naan(this one isnt the jalapeno spicy one) and it was good with the chicken tikka masala sauce. for some kids it might have some spice to it so make sure u have some of their awesome mango lassi to cool it down or their filtered water. i poured the green sauce on every bite and loved their lamb gosht with their jalapeno cheese naan. my wife said it had a nice bounce to it.
Absolutely delicious food, my photo is of the tikka masala platter and can’t believe you get 2 salads, lentils, and rice for $16! Went with folks who got the beef chapli and chicken boti plates and those were amazing too. They do get super busy during the dinner rush, our lassi was forgotten and we were unsubtly gestured to leave a few minutes after finishing our meals to make room for other customers. Otherwise - great food and ambiance, would come again
So so delicious!!! I was exploring Redwood City with my wife. We decided to have lunch in the neighbourhood! After google best restaurants we found Zareen’s Redwood City location. We ordered yummy Rotisserie chicken, mouth watering Beef Chapli Kabab and sesame nan. It absolutely yummy. At the end Mongo lassi was great sweet drink. The service was prompt and servers attentive. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable. Thank you for great hospitality and management.
I recently visited Zareen’s Restaurant and Catering and had an incredible experience. I ordered the chicken sizzler, and it was hands down the best I’ve ever had — full of flavor, tender, and sizzling hot, just the way it should be. We also tried several other dishes, and every single one was delicious and fresh. The customer service was exceptional — friendly staff who made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. One thing to note: we ordered chicken samosas, but they weren’t traditional samosas. They looked and tasted different — more like stuffed pastries — but still really good. Definitely worth trying. I’d highly recommend Zareen’s for anyone craving bold, well-prepared desi flavors with excellent service.