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Sinbad Mediterranean Cuisine - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
150 E 4th AveSan Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 347-6060
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
110 reviews for Sinbad Mediterranean Cuisine
Review Highlights
"Then, the live music and belly dancer started."
(in 17 reviews)
"The hummus was great, smooth and creamy."
(in 42 reviews)
"Seriously some great Middle Eastern Food."
(in 5 reviews)
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110 reviews in English
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Review from Bethany M.
San Francisco, CA
12/9/2009
I went here for a private event. The family had rented out the whole restaurant for the evening. So perhaps this is why we were treated like royalty. I don't know. But, highly recommended for an event and why not give it a try on your own too.
Family style mezze platters... pita, veggies, all the spreads you'd expect (the hummus, in particular, was really fresh and tasty), falafel, dolma, etc. Then two whole roasted lambs carved right in front of us. Yum. Though I wouldn't say it was exceptional as far as eastern Mediterranean food goes, nothing I tried disappointed.
The wine flowed like... well, wine. Apparently, I was at the lush table. Or is it because I was there? Hmm... In any case, the servers replaced our bottles as soon as we finished them. And when they ran out of new bottles, they ganked the half-drank ones from other tables for us. That's what I call service.
Cocktail dresses and suits and it felt perfectly comfortable that way, though I'm sure it's casual any other time and comfortable that way too. Nice mood lighting. Live traditional music while we ate. And the belly dancer. Daaaamn. If I can find her card, I'll review her too. 6 stars. Can I do that? -
Review from Ananda C.
San Francisco, CA
4/9/2010
Wow, that was the worst Mediterranean food I've ever had. In fact, some of the worst FOOD I've ever had. The cutlery and plates didn't seem particularly clean. Our falafels were crispy and hard like overdone cookies, which split apart into crumbly quarters when cut. The waitress was not bothered by this when we mentioned it to her, but brought us another one in the same sorry state and said something about them being left out after being cooked.
The $14 veggie kabob plate consisted of 3 kabobs, hummus, about a spoonful of rice, and tabouli that looked like it was made yesterday. Seriously, $14?!
Save yourself a bad experience and skip this place. Ick. -
Review from Lisa L.
Oakland, CA
7/30/2007
You know how sometimes you'll see someone who makes you reconsider your sexual orientation? No, not in the bad way, like Brandon Davis (http://dlisted.com/nod...), but in the good way, like "WOW, that guy/girl (depending on your sex) is really, really attractive, I might just have to bend the rules...this time..."
While some people go through this on the daily (like Chewie, Ed. M., etc.), they are actually in DENIAL. I'm not talking about that, but rather about that rare person who is just so strikingly attractive that they could, well, turn you gay. (NOTE: this comment only refers to people who were already not gay. If you are gay, then reverse it - someone of the opposite sex who could turn you straight. Yes, I know...suspend your disbelief.)
Anyway, the belly dancer here was that hot. Sure, she was kind of skinny, but she just had the right mix of humor, beauty and amazing dance moves.
The food was pretty great too - huge, huge "appetizer" spread - by itself was more than enough. I guess in retrospect this place could be pretty cheesy, but they managed to pull it off without any of that. The waitress was great and very friendly, and the live music (sans bellydancer for most of the time) was also amazing.
Also, you know how guys in strip clubs always think the stripper is looking at them? Like "Hey, bro, she was looking right at ME!!" - well, that's how I felt. Then I realized I was just as much of a loser as those guys... -
Review from Jennifer L.
Belmont, CA
Updated - 9/17/2008
I tried it again for the first time in a while. The hummus was great, smooth and creamy. The pita was the ordinary store kind, neither fluffy nor special. The kebabs were pretty good, but the falafel balls (we had some sort of platter) didn't do it for me (I only took one bite, and didn't want another). The kebabs now don't seem to be the best I've had, but they're fine.
The rice was good, side salad tasty, the babaghanouj smelled so smoky that I didn't taste it (I'm not a fan of intensely smoky food).
On the bright side, the tabouli was better than I remembered. The parsley was very fresh, flavors bright.Listed in: Middle Eastern Faves
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/26/2006
Some of the best chicken kebabs I've had - very tender and juicy, not dry, not salty.
I think I… Read more »
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Review from omar b.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2007 5 photos
I came out to meet some family that wanted to take me out to a spot they regular and according to our friend (from the middle east) that introduced this place-- it is one of the top Lebanese joints in the bay.
As I stepped into Sinbad's I immediately knew this was going to be a hit from the large & festive dining area, overwhelmingly happy-friendly-attentive staff (family owned), immaculate open kitchen and beautifully rhythmic music performed live by an acoustic/percussion duo (i believe only on Fri and Sat).
A realdoll aficionado http://www.yelp.com/us... joined me to meet my already liquored-up fam and we began ripping into the tabouleh, dolmas, labneh, hummus, baba ghanoush and assortment of other mezze (starters) to pair with the pita bread. The sheer amount of plates in front of us rivals top Korean spots (see han il kwan) that serve up banchan proper.
All the flavors were so fresh, zesty, not at all spicy and felt like a tour of all the seasons of Mediterranean fare. My dinner companion pointed out how the food would be perfect for a vegetarian too, which i agreed with until i experienced the skewer we were served later...
Before getting into dialogue of mouth-watering meat lets talk about the belly dancing. Enter Marcella.
http://www.yelp.com/us...
Let's just say that I HAD to stay seated while watching practically my whole table alternate working their mojo with her tantalizing display of translating the arabic lyrics and beats through dance. I was hypnotized. Saad continually informed me that women of his region enjoy it more when men do not pay so much attention to them...but i just couldn't resist.
You have to see this girl rock her sh*t...Marcella is not only stunning, but also a total ham and commands laughter from the audience.
Okay back to the lamb, chicken and beef...DROOL!!!! Start with the chicken...then lamb..and lastly the beef. What the eff!!! So unbelievably juicy, tender and just perfectly flavored.
I will definitely return here again for any future big gathering-type dining events. What a memorable Arabian night =)Listed in: Choice Grinds
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Review from Steve L.
5/19/2008
Took the day off from work, and came here for lunch on a Friday. This place was full, but was able to find a seat. With the hot weather, I was in a mood for something more vegetarian. I ordered a falafel plate from their menu. This plate consists of 3 falafel, hummus, babaganouj, tabouli, pickles, and pita. Tahini sauce and hot sauce are served as condiments. The falafel were made to order. They had that slight crispness on the outside, moist (not mushy) on the inside. The hummus and babaganouj were tasty, and the tabouli and pickles were refreshing. I only wish they served more pita bread to scoop up the hummus and babaganouj.
Last time I came here, it was 5 years ago when it was a deli. Glad they made it a restaurant instead. The adana kabob was tasty then. I'll need to make another visit and order up some meat entrees. -
Review from cara l.
Burlingame, CA
2/20/2010
Went there last Friday night with the family, and they did not have a single thing we ordered from the menu. No kibbee, no cheese balls, no mjadra, no chicken or lamb shwarma!!!! but they offered my husband the to go lamb shwarma if the customer did not pick it up!!!! YIKES!!!! One of the bathroom was locked and no one seem to have the key to get in it. Had to wait to go to the other bathroom, that was filthy!!! Yikety yikes!!!!
Make long story short...we took off the other way.....We often came here for lunch last summer, but it seems like it's going downhill from there. The chef/owner seem to not care that we walked out!! triple Yikes!!!..... -
Review from Shanna K.
11/5/2007
Color me impressed! Really great food here, with some unique Lebanese items that other restaurants simply do not have. Let the owner or servers know and they'll help you pick and choose. Not everything is listed on the menu.
We ordered several mezza and couldn't even make it to any entrees, so I'll have to go back to try them. It was a ton of food. Standouts for me, and I have eaten more than my share of MidEast grub, were the baba ganouj, the kibbeh, the rice and lentil salad (especialy when eaten with the tabbouleh which was mostly parsley), the spicy walnut dip (I forget the name) and the spicy bulghur salad (also forgot the name). Everything was so delicious, I could not stop eating. I was stuffed!
We also tried a roasted eggplant appetizer with whole cloves of roast garlic...which my dining companions raved about but I kind of wanted more flavor from it... the falafel (which were too dense for me.. I like them lighter and crispier)... the hummos (creamy, good, well balanced) and the dolma.. also good.
The restaurant itself is lovely inside. Airy, elegantly decorated and large... with a big tile floor for the musicans and dancer... but the fact that it's kind of.. half restaurant/half deli is a bit odd to me. I would like it if it was all restaurant. From what I was told they are going to remodel though, so perhaps they will do away with the deli type counters. I think it would take things up a level. Service can be a little slow.... prices are VERY reasonable. Suprisingly inexpensive, in fact.
I'm dying to go back and try the entrees plus the housemade cheese rolled in zatar looked fantastic.
They also have one of the best (And cutest! Hee hee! Hi Loay!) drummers in the area playing here Friday and Saturday night... along with a talented oudist (Nazir Latouf) who has been playing in the community for years and years... as well as other excellent musicians (occasionally Mary Ellen Donald and/or a female singer). Various dancers rotate... including Marcella, Setareh.. and possibly yours truly. ;)
Highly recommend paying them a visit. -
Review from Boiled H.
San Mateo, CA
7/19/2009
Chicken Shawarma? Gross.
I spit out more than I swallowed. I felt like the creepy guy (played by Angelo Badalamenti) who spits the espresso into the napkin.
The chicken tasted like nothing and the wrap seemed to consist mostly of chicken fat and gristle with maybe a little "chef sauce" tossed in for extra soggy and drippiness.
Did I say it was gross? My mistake, it was inedible. -
Review from Brando Calrissian ..
Sunnyvale, CA
2/11/2007
The difference between eating here at lunch and dinner can drastically change your idea of this place. I have no interest to eat here during lunch anymore. However for dinner this place can be 5 stars! The biggest reason I didn't give a 5 was that last time I ate here they ran out of lamb. How can a middle eastern place run out of lamb?!
Expect to spend between 8-13$ per person. I suggest mint tea or specialty beer with your meal.
The staff is very friendly and will often have a genuine smile towards their customers. The atmosphere is good with just the right amount of decoration and lighting that is neither too bright or dark.
I really enjoy the live music. One man plays the "Oud" and sings while the second plays percussion, sometimes a third man will join to play the tambourine.
If you like belly dancing this is your place. The last few times I've been here the girl was simply mesmerizing. Great outfit, good muscle tone and very friendly to the guests. Even the old women love to watch. Once the dancer starts to visit the audience is when the fun really starts. I loved seeing the old men try to put money in her belt and she dances away to tease them. Everyone was clapping and laughing. You really have to be careful not to let your food get cold!
Hummus and tabouli aren't usually my favorite dishes. I don't know how its supposed to taste but if I had to guess then Sinbad does it right. Can you believe I finished every last drop? At SInbad these have the best flavor I have had in the bay area.
My favorite entree here is the adana kebob. Its a spicy mix of lamb and beef that is grilled. Yum
Try Sinbad next friday, I'm sure you will like it. -
Review from Brian N.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2008
I went here on a fri with coworkers and even though we got there around 7 pm (prime eating time), there were plenty of seats available, which I found to be very surprising. Try doing this anywhere else w/o reservations. Perhaps everyone else was waiting for the bellydancer, which starts at 8 pm.
I ended up ordering the Adana Kebob plate, which was a huge plate and delicious. I also tried their Lebanese beer, which tasted like a Heineken. Overall, service was good with the staff constantly checking in.
Next time, I think I'll come back and check the bellydancing out, which I hear is supposed to be quite good. -
Review from kim n.
9/29/2007
I'd previously hit up Alhana and Aladin before this place and in comparison space wise, this has to be the nicest of the three. The dining room is large and they're not overrun with groceries like the other two (which can be a plus or minus depending on what you're looking for). However as a pure eating establishment it's got very beautiful artwork/layout and I can see that they offer evening entertainment, which the space is suited for.
Got the adana kabob platter while the co-worker went for the combo chicken/lamb one. Each of the plates also comes with humus, pita, and tabouli.Kabobs were all very tasty. The humus was a tad too lemony and the tabouli lacked the bulgar wheat, but they were still good. I also added a kibbeh for safe measure and I'd have to say that was one of the best ones I've had.
The clientele seemed to be older and mostly Middle Eastern which was a great sign. I like the tables by the large picture windows and the ones outside since it was a nice day. I guess I'm destined to return at night and see what kind of transformation this place takes. -
Review from Pamela S.
Fullerton, CA
10/21/2009
So if you can make it through the cloud of perfume and smoke outside the door then you have gotten far. This place was the biggest disappointment yet. I was craving Mediterranean food because I had not had it since my return to the states.
This was clearly not the place to satisfy that craving. The food smelled vaguely of urine and the service was less than attentive. I had to practically beg for a water refill and there food was old and over seasoned.
The ladies smoking outside must have been related to the owner as they seemed to come and go freely from behind the counter. It was disturbing to us because they would not wash their hands before touching any of the food even though they has just come from smoking outside and their hands could not have been clean.
The final straw for me was when our so called "waitress" was trying to refill my water one of the smokers for outside called her away and told her we could wait. At that point I was so livid that I called what I had assumed to be the manager over and asked him for the bill. He seemed very annoyed and asked why I didn't ask our server for it. I told him what had happened he seemed very unapologetic and threw our bill on the table I looked it over and noticed they had attached a gratuity to it I told him I would never tip for service and food so bad paid for our meal and left.
As we were leaving he mumbled something to one of the ladies in a another language and she laughed and said some people are just cheap. Having already been beyond livid I turned around and told her I had the money to tip but they did not deserve it. I walked out making sure the door rattled shut behind me never to return again. -
Review from Kim W.
11/12/2009
Food - 4 Stars
Dog Friendly - 4 Stars
We wandered past Sinbads on a sunny afternoon. With our poodle, Josie, we were in search of some good eats in downtown San Mateo and looking for a shady place with tables outside.
Sinbads is kinda a fast food type deal but with restaurant quality food. You walk up to the counter and place your order. They were more than happy to deliver our food to us outside where we sat with the dog. If they would have offered Josie some water, they would have gotten an extra star on being pet friendly.
I had the enormous Sinbad Grilled Chicken Salad. It was more than enough for 2 people and at $8.95 made it a good deal. I could have taken a bath in that yummy salad dressing. Hubby had the Lebanese Vegetarian Platter. Also huge and filling.
Check it out next time you're in this area with your dog.Listed in: Dog Friendly Bay Area
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Review from Alanna R.
San Mateo, CA
10/13/2009
Of all places, I've had the best shawarmas in New Hampshire and in Monteal. Absolutely not in San Mateo. I agree with an earlier post that the chicken shawarma is undoubtedly the item to avoid on the menu, which is weird because you would think that's a pretty big staple for a "Mediterranean" restaurant.
Since I work two blocks away I ordered the chicken shawarma for take out one afternoon. It's over $7 and doesn't come with any sides (fries are extra). Maybe it had to do with being take out--probably not-- but when I got my food back to the office, the pita was already soggy, the lettuce was saggy (I'm sorry, lettuce in a shawarma!?), and it was overall pretty sad. In fact, months later when I think back to that meal, I get that slightly ill feeling where I know I could never eat that item from this place again.
While this place has a lot of potential it seems like they have poor execution. I've walked by (better than eating in) and seen it inexplicably closed and for a while there was a "for hire" sign for a new cook on the window for a while which lead me to wonder if they were going to be permanently closing their doors.
I don't recommend Sinbad for food, maybe they have a great atmosphere? -
Review from Alyson C.
San Francisco, CA
10/1/2007
Wow. What a fun place! I think I may have my birthday there!
I love falafels in all its fried garbanzo bean goodness. Let me tell ya.. this is a good falafel. Unfortunately I had to dock half a star for it coming out kinda cold... But still! Six large falafels in their appetizer plate made it work...
Hummus. WOW! This is goooood hummus!!!! I really enjoyed it with the endless pita bread they served.
Another half star dock was because their Shwarma selection was out by the time 8:30 rolled around. We were stuck with the kabob that our waiter told us was actually better. My 3 other gal cousins and I got Chicken Kebab and my male cousin opted for lamb.
I really wish I got the LAMB! Wow that baby tasted like a medium rare steak. And I get weirded out eating lamb... but I know now to get their Lamb. It was juicy and delicious. Not to knock on my chicken though. That was nice and tender. Lots of flavor and herbs...
My favorite part was the Rice! Wow. buttery with every bite.. kinda... just kinda reminds me a bit of rice a roni.. but top notch.
The salad was a nice dressing too. It was sweet and vinegary and really nice.
My sister had their iced tea and found it very refreshing.. she mentioned it was different compared to others.. so I think I'll give it a try during my next visit which will be soon..
The ambiance: Beautiful! It's nice and dim.. the middle is for the Belly Dancer (fridays and saturdays) who is gorgeous and fun. There was a small party of 10 there and the celebrant was gettin down with the belly dancer...
I really liked it and can't wait to go back. Prices are reasonable especially since you get 2 kebabs and lots of rice and salad along with it...Listed in: Stomping Grounds
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Review from Pete D.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2009
I have been going here since before the remodel when it was more of a deli. This place is excellent Great kebabs, tasty hummus, and excellent service.
I don't get down to San Mateo nearly enough, but I try to eat at Sinbad when I get the chance. -
Review from Edina R.
Castro Valley, CA
8/15/2008
2.5 stars
I'm not exactly sure why people have such a hard-on for this place. The food here isn't absolutely terrible nor is it the greatest - I would say, mediocre at best. I liked the rice, hummus & pita bread but that's about it. Mind you, these are the items that come on the side of the main entrée! The chicken kebabs I had were dry (except for one small piece) and I tasted more of the grill remnants than the flavors used on the chicken.
Their salads do look pretty yummy, though. Since I've been on a chicken caesar salad kick, maybe I'll try Sinbad's next time....
I gave this place the extra half-star because the service was friendly, and the place was clean. -
Review from Kevin D.
San Francisco, CA
3/12/2009
Three stars, which reflects the work of the waiter and waitress and the bellydancer. I wish it could be more, but despite the very hard work of only two of their (I think) seven visible employees, a recent trip there with a group was less than impressive despite THREE warnings (over 5 weeks) we'd be coming. I'm pretty easy to please and after considering this carefully, believe other diners outside the group I brought experienced some of the same issues _on top_ of being impacted by the staff's disorganization during my group's visit. I believe if you're in a group of four or six things might go okay, but since I gave them SO much notice I expected things to go smoothly.
Leading off with the bad stuff to the good stuff, with #1 affecting all diners:
First, at 7pm on a Friday night, with only two other tables in use, they were out of at least two things on the entree menu, even before waiting on my group!!! No matter how busy lunch was, that tells me they just don't order properly to handle even a regular crowd.
Second, they had at least seven people working, yet it seemed only our waiter Carlos and the waitress working most of the rest of the house could move more than glacially. When you can see the *entire* kitchen area and nobody's got any "flow" as a team and is standing around, then you'll know why it took an hour for even the simplest, mass-replicated (but good) food to be served.
Third, with a reservation for 25 people and plenty of warning, you'd think Carlos would have been given a hand totaling the checks!! The owner at least could have been doing this while the waiter and waitress worked the house. It took 20 minutes to get the checks to us since he had to wait on other tables while adding our checks together.
So whether they normally have seven people working on Friday or actually added a body or two in response to my bringing 25 people, they clearly don't know how the house should flow to make it all work.
Now to the fun stuff! The bellydancer is both charming and graceful, plus gets the crowd into it a few at a time. She makes sure that the gentle teasing is g-rated and won't embarrass anyone beyond the most mild blush, men and women alike. It's cool that they may actually get you up from your table for a song and show you the basics of a traditional dance.
Food is good, but not (in my opinion) worth the relatively steep price. I consider $15 for an 8" kebab, rice, hummus and tabbouleh to be steep, but you may differ. They have less-expensive things on the menu also and you should know this is not a place with reasonable portions, not a pig-out opportunity.
I'd visit again, but not soon to let them learn their new layout better and won't bring a group again even then. -
Review from Amy L.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2007
I think Sinbad is pretty decent Mediterranean. You walk into the place and if you can get a table--do so. Ordering is at the counter and they have the usual Mediterranean fare. The wraps are served in little foil burrito rolls, but that makes them pretty portable if you plan to carry them back to the office. The other plates are decent size, not too salty, sometimes on the dry side, but they do come with side salads. It's a good idea to call ahead and place your order before going over!
Times visited: 5+ -
Review from Taissia B.
Atherton, CA
5/30/2007
I have worked in the downtown San Mateo for over a year but have only recently visited Sinbad's for the first time. Actually, my first attempt was on a Monday, the day the restaurant is closed! So I tried again on a Tuesday. My usual order there is a Hummus Sandwich with Lavash bread. It is delicious, good size (maybe even too big for lil' me), filling and healthy! Their Sindbad salad with chicken is amazing as well.
I know that many people tend to stay away from Mediterranean food (I have no clue why...), but this place is definitely worth trying, you may even start eating Mediterranean on regular basis! -
Review from Janty S.
11/23/2006
BABY COMFORT LEVEL - There was another couple with a newborn sitting right next to us. Ha! There is certainly a lot of room here and you can easily pick up and leave since you pre-pay for items at the counter before sitting down. A nice veiw onto 4th street adds to the comfort and airiness. The Small Fry was happily amused.
FOOD - OK. I've had better falafels. I would come here again, but try a different lunch special. -
Review from Christine T.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2007
Went with some friends for a Friday dinner and were entertained by live music and two belly dancers (in succession.) We weren't expecting the dancing, so conversation stalled momentarily as the guys grinned at each other. :P
Everybody else ordered the hummus and tabouli to go with our kabobs, but I ordered the rice and salad. Unless you're dying for some rice like I was, I'd probably go for the h & t. The rice was half flavorful, half not, and there was nothing special about the salad. But the hummus and tabouli was devoured by the others... If I were to go back, I'd also order the ground beef/lamb kabobs over the whole beef/chicken. Just more flavor and more tender. (Of course...it's already broken-down for you.)
And we finished off with some good baklava -- your choice of pistachio, walnut, or cashews. -
Review from Billy Q.
San Jose, CA
8/24/2007
The food is pretty good. I think it's Lebanese. Inexpensive for a sit-down place. Casual, open setting. If I lived near here, I would probably come often.
The service is mediocre. They bring you the food but don't check back on you.
The belly dancer was pretty hot. I think an older gentleman at another table was ready to slip a $20 in her g-string (or is it belly-string?) -
Review from jen a.
San Mateo, CA
12/11/2007
I don't know why it took me a year and a half to finally try this place. oh wait, yes, i do.
We went on a weeknight, relatively early, although it was getting dark already. say 5ish. what surprised me when coming in was seeing a deli counter- i thought it was just a sit-down restaurant, from the looks of things from the sidewalk on those busy nights when i saw bellydancers weaving through the tables. so when i saw those awful fluorescent lights, i was disappointed. the counter felt so out of place. it would be a nicer looking restau if it were just that- a restau. thing is, it seems like most of the people coming in weren't actually sitting down- they were taking out. so next time, in case my taste buds don't really want pancho villa, but a falafel, then this is where i'll go. -
Review from Lisa M.
9/5/2007
Best tahini sauce I have ever had..and they have belly dancing too!!!
YUMMY! -
Review from Christina P.
San Diego, CA
6/25/2008
Seriously some great Middle Eastern Food.
The owners are Lebanese (which share a lot of food preferences with Syrian food) -- and their food is deeeeeeelish!
Babaganoush, kibbeh, dolmas, hummus, eggplant dishes = mmmmm
Service is nice and friendly, location is clean and easy to get to, and best of all... the food is authentic and appeals to all kinds of palates!
I will say... their tabouleh is a little rough cut for my preference (like not finely cut up enough), but the flavoring is still pretty good! -
Review from buttercup r.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/29/2007
We got the chicken kabob sandwich and combo kabob platter. A piece of the lamb was gristly, but my friend thought the rice was especially flavorful. The kabob sandwiches are like giant burritos, but instead of a tortilla it's your choice of lavash or pita bread. Chicken was tender with no weird pieces. Included vegetables and tahini sauce.
Reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere. Only problem was the service - we had to flag someone down to take our order after 20 minutes of sitting, and we hadn't even gotten water yet. Also slow service throughout the meal. Somehow people who came after us were being served first. The waiter was apologetic, but still, minus one star for that. It's a pretty hopping place, with people coming in even after regular dinner time. -
Review from Jayne H.
Foster City, CA
12/1/2010
They are not Gone! They have moved to operations to 1234 South El Camino Real. It is has less selection, but you can order food for catering or their meals and other goodies at the San Mateo Farmer's market at City College of San Mateo on Saturday mornings.
I love their food. Every Saturday, we get a few meals for the week . Love the Jalapeno Hummus. Love all of the meals. -
Review from Louise G.
San Diego, CA
12/4/2006 1 photo
Okay for the price point.
Good serving amount. -
Review from Gerald C.
Burlingame, CA
12/30/2006
I happened to park by Pancho Villa's down the street, but then remembered about Sinbad's nearby, so I walked the couple blocks to it. Mmmm... love the chicken shawerma sandwich. Though I had a long wait, it just made me want to chow it down faster. And the garlic in the sauce - boy was it powerful! I could still taste it the morning after. Vampires beware.
This place also frequently has live music and belly dancing on nights, which can be a lot of fun. -
Review from Allison D.
Mountain View, CA
8/27/2008
I came here for lunch the other day with some coworkers. It was a last minute pick so I couldn't go on Yelp to check it out.
You order at the counter and take a number to your table. The menu is varied and seemed pretty typical for meditteranean restaurant. I ordered the falafel platter...the pickled turnips intrigued me. They were ok. I enjoyed the tabouli, I think it was better with the falafel than alone. The hummus was delicious. Now I tried to branch out with the baba ganoush. About the only thing I like about eggplant is their color, but I was hopeful that I might like it in another form. No such luck. But other than that, the platter was delicous. I'd like to return to try some of their meat dishes. -
Review from Rachel L.
San Mateo, CA
3/25/2007
I've been coming here for lunch for years, and I generally get either a lamb schawarma wrap or a lamb platter. Mmmmmm. Yummy tasty lamb. The hummus is also very good.
I am not an expert on Middle Eastern cuisine, but I've eaten my share of schawarma over the years, and I know what I like. Sinbad's isn't the absolute best I've ever had (Sunrise Deli up in SF 4tw!), but it's definitely high up on the list. -
Review from brook l.
Pacifica, CA
8/21/2007
Sinbad's grown up a lot in last couple of years. If you remember it way back when it had grocery store shelves against the wall with dusty jars on them - say no more! They've refurbished and repainted, so that now it looks like a mom-and-pop restaurant and not a drive through deli.
I complain but I shouldn't. It's great food. I always always get the lamb shwarma plate. My only peeve is that sometimes it's a little dry, but then who wants slices of fat in today's day and age? well.... i do ))))) if it's dry, make sure to ask for sauces - you get two: white and red, one cool, one hot, so if you missing flavor, it will help. and, yes, sometimes they do run out of lamb, I guess that means other people (besides me????) must like it )))
sometimes i wish it were a smaller place again. i think the decor is a little confused between middle eastern and greek. I do enjoy the food, but a belly dancer right against my face makes me nervous that my husband doesn't know the Heimlich maneuver ))) Still, both the dancer and the musicians are very good, it's just my own pet peeve.
I don't see a big difference about going there for lunch or dinner. I always get the same thing anyway. I wish the good looking cook would come back though))))))))))))))) and - oh! - for coffee lovers out there - make sure to ask for TURKISH COFFEE AFTER YOUR MEAL
Enjoy!
PS I think they may be closed Sundays. Pity. -
Review from Durif M.
Foster City, CA
9/12/2008
Great location, good service, ok food.
There's nothing wrong with this place, except that I'm a huge fan of Alhana foods, and I don't find anything here that beats them. -
Review from Ingrid P.
Redwood City, CA
11/4/2006
Amazing Lebanese/Mediterranean food. I have eaten here several times and the food never let's me down. I have yet to eat dinner here, but it recently converted its market area into a larger part of the restaurant to really present itself as a place for dinner. So one day I will have to come back for dinner. They even have entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. As for my lunch experiences - amazing!
The lamb shawerma, tabbouleh, baba ganoush, hummus and pistachio baklava are all main staples for me. All yummy and down right traditional. -
Review from Linda Y.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2007
I've eaten here several times but only feel compelled to comment based on tonight's experience. The food was pretty good tonight but it's typically a hit or miss. Don't be surprised if you're served brown wilted lettuce, served the wrong entree/drink, charged for items that you ordered but were inadvertently not served, or not getting water refills because the servers are focusing on the belly dancing. The restaurant is also cold, so make sure you dress warmly to go there.
While the belly dancing and live band music create a nice atmosphere, I (or the 14 other people in my party) will not be returning here on the basis of their lack of professionalism. One of the waiters came up behind my friend tonight to serve wine while she was bent over. Incidentally she straightened her back and red and white wine spilled all over her custom-tailored wool coat. None of the staff approached her to even apologize. Subsequently, I pointed out to a waiter that the spill had soiled my friend's coat and suggested that the wait staff warn customers when they're standing behind them to serve food/beverages (a common restaurant practice).
After I approached the waiter twice about dry cleaning reimbursement, I was directed to speak to the owner, who did not give me a chance to talk and vehemently denied fault. He kept talking over me, resorting to tossing out a slew of excuses, and instead placed blame on my friend for backing into the waiter. On principle, this is not how you treat customers, especially when you're in the wrong!
Now I understand why the restaurant is usually less than half full even on Friday nights. -
Review from Do K.
Sherman Oaks, CA
8/26/2008
Sinbad's for lunch.
For my first visit I had the Sinbad Grilled Chicken Salad. The menu was easy and simple. The service was quick and food was delivered in a reasonable time for lunch time.
The restaurant decor goes for an authentic mediterranean experience but outside a couple throw pillows it felt very american.
The food was excellent. My salad had very very fresh vegetables and the tomatoes couldn't have been any redder. it was great. The meat was tender and really was soaked in great seasoning. The salad was a bit over drenched with dressing but it's fine. The food was so good nothing was left at the end of it. The only odd thing was it came with a solid DINNER ROLL. I was a bit thrown. Even daphne's gives you the pita. oh well. the dinner roll was perfect cause it was jsut about the amount of carbs i wanted to finish the meal with. awesome. -
Review from Nishant J.
San Jose, CA
4/3/2007
I love the color on their walls, it's a shimmering Gold with infused Purple highlights...kinda funky when everything else in the neighborhood is a "bland" pink or red! ;)
The food is actually pretty good, and the lady who serves the meals is really cheerful and will give you free samples of dishes that look a little risque to try. I usually get the wraps, and you can't go wrong with any, but the lunch plates are the highlights. Get the Adana Kabab or the Lamb/Beef Kabab Skewer and the side of Hummus and Parsley and warm Pita bread hits the spot each time. The Parsley is unbelieveably fresh at this place (from any other Med place that I've tried in the Bay Area!).
Oh, and one more thing...make sure your parking meter is well fed, I've paid the City of San Mateo more than my fair share of parking dues! :S -
Review from Kristina R.
Burlingame, CA
5/8/2008
This is the best Mediterranean food I have ever had!!!!!!!
Every time I have went to Sinbad's the food is fresh ,exquisitely seasoned, and well portioned. I have also ordered family style with a group of people every time I have gone. I really love the chicken and lamb kabobs - they are the best. The spicy hummus is to die for, and you cannot leave without trying the kafta or babaganoosh. I highly recommend ordering family style because you get to try a little of everything. The service has been very good everytime as well. The owner usually comes over and talks to us because our work group almost always spends around $200. The owners are Lebanese if you are curious about the particular slant of the restaurant. This is the BEST place in the Bay Area for Mediterranean Cuisine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
