Bay Area Indian Food | A Cozy Little 🇮🇳 Eatery

I’ve walked past Zareen’s countless times, always tempted by its big, cheerful sign and bright, open dining space. Today, with an afternoon movie planned nearby, I finally got to try it! 🎬✨ Coincidentally, it was Eid Day—a major Muslim holiday—so the place was packed with diners dressed in beautiful traditional attire. As the only East Asian face in the crowd, I definitely stood out… so much that the owner(?) came over to check on our meal! 😅 The Food Breakdown 🍛🔥 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Garlic Naan Bread ($4.04) The highly recommended naan did not disappoint! Fresh out of the oven, it was glossy, fluffy, and piping hot. As it cooled slightly, the edges crisped up beautifully. The garlic flavor was subtle (almost indistinguishable from plain naan), but the dough itself was so good, it didn’t even need dip! Sorry, Costco naan—you’ve been dethroned. 👑 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Chicken Tikka Masala ($15.99) This destroyed Costco’s mango coconut curry chicken! 🥘 The sauce was rich, creamy, and slightly smoky, with tender, juicy boneless chicken pieces that soaked up all the flavors. I almost licked the plate clean with my naan. Almost. 🌟🌟🌟 Beef Haleem ($17.99 – Eid Special) A slow-cooked beef stew shredded into a thick, porridge-like consistency. The texture was unique—soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth—with strands of ginger and onion adding a nice bite. Hearty, but very dense. 🌟🌟 Kebab Fry ($15.99 – Hidden Menu Item!) The owner hyped this up as an "off-menu secret," but… biggest letdown of the day. 🚨 It was basically butter-fried ground beef—so greasy that pools of butter spilled onto the table. The meat flavor was drowned out, and by the end, it just tasted like… salt and oil. 😬 🌟🌟🌟 Chai ($1 – To-Go Masala Chai) Almost forgot their $1 chai! Lightly spiced and mildly sweet—not the strongest, but for the price? Can’t complain. ☕ Vibes & Tips 🌿 Order at the counter, grab a number, and find a seat (indoor/outdoor). The space is airy and lively—perfect for people-watching on a weekend! Portion Warning: We ordered 3 plates + 1.5 naan and were stuffed. For two people, 2 plates + 2 naan (+ maybe a salad to balance the richness) is ideal. Location: Right in downtown Redwood City—great for a post-meal stroll! #BayAreaEats #IndianFood #WeekendBrunch #FoodieFinds #CurryLover #BayAreaWeekend 🍛✨