Amara

Came here for dinner with our newlywed friends a few weeks ago. Definitely one of the best meals I have had on the peninsula. Everything we ate was fantastic from the different spreads, octopus, Branzino (perfectly cooked) rack of lamb and the citrus solstice dessert. The staff was very attentive but not overbearing. The vibe was pleasant and the decor is absolutely stunning inside. Their beautiful patio garden is a plus on a warm evening. Give this place a go, you won’t be disappointed!

I just had the most amazing meal at Amara in the Carlmont Shopping Center and I can’t stop thinking about it. Reena and Ajay have created something really special in Belmont. From the moment you walk in, the warm, relaxing vibe pulls you in and if you sit on the garden patio, you’ll feel like you’re on a little getaway. We kicked things off with the mezze plate, and let me tell you, the freshly made pita was so pillowy and soft. It came with creamy hummus, silky baba ganoush, and tangy pickles that hit all the right notes. Then we dove into tender lamb kabobs, sweet corn ricotta gozleme that tasted like a cozy hug, perfectly sautéed okra, and roasted sweet corn. We wrapped things up with a cool cucumber panna cotta that was the perfect finish. And don’t even get me started on the cocktails. They’re creative, unique, and absolutely delicious. Every sip felt like a little adventure. If you’re looking for a place to escape and enjoy an incredible meal, Amara is your ticket to a breezy Mediterranean evening without ever leaving Belmont. Go check it out and get ready to fall in love

Update: we went to try their new summer menu. Again they knocked it out of the park with really deep flavors. The charred eggplant was smoky and meaty. The beef kofta was well seasoned. The vegetable tagine was nicely spiced and lots of great textures. The gulf shrimp was perfectly cooked. The BBQ lamb ribs was tender and fell cleanly off the bone. Previous review: Wow. A fresh new set of flavors on the Peninsula! Seriously an amazing evening of mood in a beautiful setting. We had the pickles (a tad sweet but very crunchy), babaganoush (decadently creamy), octopus (perfect char, very supple texture, delicious meatiness), branzino (excellent butteriness, rich skin, crunchy capers), and top sirloin (correct medium rare warmth, spot-on seasoning, easy yield with knife and fork, tangy tapenade). We paired this with cocktails, wine, and a furmint digestif (honey-apricot).

I'm aware Amara is still in der soft opening phase, but we wanted to check it out. They really transformed this place, ambiente and atmosphere are great. Service was outstanding, very attentive and well trained.The food menu is interesting, with lots of small and somewhat bigger plates meant to share we were told by our server Nick. That's great, we love it. We had the black hummus with smelts ( outstanding, the smelt were a little stale ), the quail ( great ) and the octopus ( perfect an byd tender ) with beans a little too al dente for my taste ( flavorwise really good, though ). Dessert was the filo tart, with was very good as well, great textures. 2 Cocktail, 3 appetizer size plates, and a 125 Dollar bill. Some people might say, they didn't have enough food and are still hungry, we were happy.Will definitely be back !

I had the pleasure of being part of the soft opening for Amara! I can happily say that Amara hits all the marks for being a high-end, fun, and comfortable restaurant. The waitstaff were extremely friendly and were constantly checking up on us. The decor and vibes of the restaurant is like no other. The food and drinks were the highlight of our experience. It was hands down some of the best cocktails and dishes we had in a long time. Each order was bursting with unique flavor. My mouth is watering just by thinking of what we ordered. We will definitely be going back and trying out the other dishes!

Good food, good ambience, great location. I kept meaning to go to Amara as soon as I heard about its opening especially since I knew that it’s by the group that runs Rasa (Burlingame). The cuisine is Mediterranean and has some niceties. Their pita is different from the rest, very soft and fluffy. We ordered Warm Olives and White Hummus for appetizers. The white hummus came with the soft pita and could do with some added flavor. We also ordered the BBQ Lamb and the Mushroom Kebeh from the list of small plates. Both were delicious and heart warming. Lastly we ordered the Saffron Marinated Roasted Half Chicken. It was juicy, supple and tasty. Overall the food is great but just a tad less than top notch. The staff are certainly polite and warm but the service was slow. So there is some room for improvement. The restaurant is decorated wonderfully and the clear glass windows show a very nice view of the neighboring areas in Carlmont Village.

Reena and Ajay have truly outdone themselves with their new Mediterranean restaurant, Amara, in Belmont, California. The love and attention they’ve poured into the décor and menu are evident in every detail. From the moment you walk in, the restaurant’s stunning ambiance captures your attention. A beautiful bar commands the center of the space, surrounded by well-placed tables. A cozy lounge area by the fireplace offers the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail while waiting for your table. Speaking of cocktails, their elevated cocktail menu is a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors, showcasing creativity and balance. The dining area is just as impressive, with classic, elevated décor featuring a harmonious blend of greens, reds, and blues, accented by elegant gold tones. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and warmth. The food is simply extraordinary. Each dish bursts with bold, vibrant flavors. The spreads, paired with freshly baked pita bread, are an absolute standout—light, fluffy, and irresistibly good. The chicory salad is crisp and refreshing, offering a perfect mix of textures. The lamb is a must-try: moist, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. My personal favorite is the branzino, perfectly seasoned and by far the best I’ve ever had. This restaurant is ideal for a romantic date night, a special occasion, or simply indulging in elevated fine dining on the weekend. Reena and Ajay have created a dining experience that’s truly unforgettable—I cannot recommend it enough!

We enjoyed our dinner at Amara ! We were a group of 7, including 2 children (4 and 9). The food was very delicious, and the service was attentive. Since we were a large group, we tried many dishes on the menu, and enjoyed all of it. The menu was on the expensive side, so this is more of a "special occasion" restaurant, and we would definitely come back here again! Our kids also enjoyed the food from the adult menu (there was no kids menu). Update: June 2025 Went to Amara for brunch, and was very happy! Everything we ordered was delicious, and different from other typical brunch places. Highly recommend checking this out, if you want to experience something new for brunch!