Dar Restaurant and Bar

Had a mixed experience at this restaurant. On the plus side, the decor and atmosphere here is very warm, inviting, and elegant. The front desk staff is top notch and very welcoming. The cocktail I had was well made. However the food left us underwhelmed. We ordered the trio of dips, garden pastilla, and saffron risotto. The dips were lacking punchy seasoning, but were not bad. However the waitress asked if we want more pita bread, and then charged us $5 for the pita. When she asked, I told her to give us just a half portion thinking it was complimentary, but she didn’t mention we would be paying and charged for the full portion anyway. The pastilla was well made, but the portion was small and it was not a composed plate. A little side salad or something to provide a bit of freshness would have been great. The risotto was the biggest disappointment, it was thick and clumpy, and under seasoned with nothing to break up the monotony. The waitress never brought us the hot sauce or harissa we asked for either. And then to top it off there was a 4% cost of living charge in the bill. It makes me sad to write this critical review since I think the South Bay needs more high quality eating spots. Dar has a lot of potential, and I wish they would make some much needed changes to their food and service.

I have read reviews about this new restaurant in Los Gatos, which is amazing Bay Area city I frequently visit. It made it to my Sunday Funday list. I got to tell you, this place is so slept on. I couldn't decide where to sit because the vibe was just right everywhere. My espresso martini was made with fresh espresso from an amazing Italian manufactured machine at their full bar. The bartender also agreed with me that Baileys makes an espresso martini taste better. I did not have any food but did have a second cocktail which was an espresso Old Fashioned, to continue enjoying my afternoon. I will be back and thank you to the bartender for the excellent Sunday afternoon buzz.

Came here for a mid-week lunch and was surprised to see it so empty. We were greeted kindly and were given the option for indoor or outdoor seating. The weather was favorable so we opted for outdoor in the semi-covered patio. Things we liked about the food & drink: lovely amuse-bouche lentil soup, varied wine list and choices by the glass, moist-cooked grilled meats, lovely sauces and dips. The one improvement would be for the dessert. (Lots of honey but not a strong pistachio flavor) Service was truly acting as host of a home, educating us on the owners, their intention and vibe. I can just picture this being a great dinner hangout. I would like to return for dinner.

Saturday evening nightcap with my 4 legged companion in downtown Los Gatos. We sat outside in their heated patio and enjoyed the evening with complimentary wifi. Thank You for wifi password Dar Restaurant and Thank YOU! to their bartender that night for the perfect espresso martini. We started with lamb riblets and finished with chocolate mousse. Restaurant was quit busy when we arrived and continued to stay busy as we left.

Dining at Dar Mediterranean is an exceptional experience! The food here is phenomenal, bursting with flavors in every bite. Their trio dip, butternut squash, and lentil soups are perfect starters, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. For the main course, the dry-aged steak and chicken are top choices. The steak, ordered rare to enhance the dry-aged qualities, is exquisite, while the chicken is perfectly prepared and delicious. The service at Dar is outstanding. The staff is welcoming and attentive, they have the perfect balance between being helpful and giving diners space, making the experience feel genuinely personable. In the summer, dining on their patio is a must. With shaded areas and heaters for cooler times, it provides a comfortable and uncrowded outdoor setting. The interior is cozy and intimate, adding to the charm of the restaurant. I will definitely be returning to Dar and highly recommend it to friends and family. This place is a gem!

This place deserves more than 5 Stars! All around amazing place - food, service and atmosphere, so incredibly warm and welcoming. We were there for our annual end of year get together of close friends. There were six of us and all our food and drinks were absolutely amazing, the staff so helpful and friendly and they didn’t rush us at all when we continued to sit, chat and laugh long after our meal was done. Thank you everyone at Dar for being so welcoming and helping us make this a special and memorable evening. We will be back ☺️ Not to forget - excellent vegan and vegetarian options!

This was my first time in Los Gatos, and this restaurant perfectly matched the town’s atmosphere. It has an elegant yet comfortable vibe, and the staff was incredibly friendly and engaging. Even though I only sat at the bar and shared some appetizers, I felt like I could stay for hours with friends. I’ll definitely be coming back to try the full menu. This is my new go-to spot when I need to escape the city, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, and unwind with great food, drinks, and service. If any place deserves a five-star review, this is it!

My family had a fantastic experience here for dinner. The food was flavorful and beautifully presented. We loved the dip trio, duck confit & branzino. The owner is super friendly and hospitable. Our sever Shadi created several custom cocktails that were delicious! We will definitely return soon for another meal and some drinks.

Came here for happy hour and enjoyed the good food and friendly service. We sat outside and had a heater to keep us warm. The drinks were good, the small bites tasty (well seasoned and reasonable portions) and nice variety. We'd recommend this place and will come back again.

I visited Dar Restaurant and Bar on a Thursday evening with a friend, and while we had made a reservation, the place wasn't very packed. The service was fine--nothing remarkable, but polite and efficient. One thing that stood out was the decor, which was really well done, creating a nice atmosphere for the evening. Unfortunately, the food was a letdown. I ordered the lamb, which turned out to be incredibly chewy and dry. It was disappointing enough that I mentioned it to the waitress, who allowed me to switch it out for something else, but even then, the experience didn't improve much. My friend was equally unimpressed with his dish, and we both left dissatisfied. Overall, while the decor sets a nice scene, I can't recommend Dar based on the food quality. Hopefully, they can improve this aspect because the potential is there, but right now, it doesn't live up to expectations.

I'm late to the game...this place is awesome! The old Nicks next door has become a Mediterranean gem. Isam and crew know hospitality and how to make you feel special. I placed a to-go order and was greeted at the door by name, sat down at the bar, and enjoyed a wonderful soup while I waited. I ordered a little bit of everything so I'll report back later.

I adored this spot- the lamb was unforgettable! I highly recommend this place! It was delicious!

We came here for valentine day. We went to Saratoga branch few months back. We love Palestine's foods. It's unique and hard to find cozy and romantic restaurants that deliver comfort foods. Both locations give me the ambience that I love. Recommend Lamb Leg with Pomegranate Sauce. Sea-beam fish with Moroccan Chermola reduction over fish and splash of olives and tomatoes sauce is divine. But I didn't like the fish. Servers at both locations are very attentive and friendly. Definitely recommend for special occasions dinners. Price is on a higher range. But it's worth it.

The drinks were great. Every bite we had was fabulous. The sauces and seasonings were mouthwatering good! We will be back to try more of this menu.

Absolutely delicious food and very friendly staff. Our server, Erin, made my birthday dinner really special. I especially enjoyed the beet and arugula salad and pistachio tagliatelle and the fresh-out-of-oven pita bread was to die for. The key lime pie had great acidity and the chocolate mousse was decadent and delicious without being too sweet. We will be back!

I really wanted to like Dar. It's close to our house. We have had great meals at the other places that were there. Unfortunately it was not for us. Again individual tastes affect experience. I like my food with flavors that are distinct and big. The items we had here were good but not that distinctive. First the standout winner is the beet salad. It meet our criteria and was super. The mussels were in a flat tomato sauce. Very fresh mussels for sure. The sauce was thick and had little charisma to it ie uniqueness. Then ended with the cauliflower which again had so much potential but came back with a a very flat taste. If you are into more muted or subtle tastes then this is a winner. For us we like more expressive food, thus place missed the mark. It's close by so maybe we will try again after a few months.

I wanted to be the first to review Dar and someone beat me by 2 hours! This location used to be Nick's Next Door which was a local favorite for the longest time and 13 College which was good. Dar has been there for 3 weeks and I wish them the very best. Our experience was good and we will come back for sure. The start was slightly off. We were "greeted" by a glum older gentlemen who did not seem too happy to see us. Our waitress however was the opposite and very effervescent. The food was above average. The trio starter was great. My salad which came with fried goat cheese was good. The chicken pita was ok, a little on the dry side. My favorite part was the great middle eastern music they were playing. I was shazaming all of them. Overall, a welcome addition to the area and I wish them much success.

Great place! Got there early before my reservation had great conversation with the bartender and others there. The food was very delicious and the kitchen send us a complimentary dish. Great all around would come back.

We just had a delicious meal at Dar Restaurant. The food was scrumptious, the ambience was excellent, and the service was friendly and highly attentive. We are definitely coming back!

Took out a client for a wonderful lunch at Dar restaurant in Los Gatos. Fresh ingredients were apparent in all the dishes that we tried. Fresh pasta, housemade desserts, and love was on the menu. Thank you for making us look good Dar team. See you next time.

We heard about this place from friends That just opened in Los Gatos downtown We went there to try it Food was amazing full of flavors and spices Restaurant is clean and service was 5 stars Definitely will go back and try more dishes Soon Highly recommend

First off, this review is for the food only; not the service. My server, Gabriella, was an absolute delight and was very friendly and attentive. If not for her stellar service, the rating would be lower. I ordered the duck pastilla and the beet salad. The beet salad with goat cheese was very good; not overdressed and very tasty. The duck pastilla came to the table looking very appetizing, but once I cut into it, the phyllo on the inside was completely raw. My waitress apologized profusely, as well as someone who I think may have been the manager, and they said they would remake the dish. Phyllo requires adequate time to bake so that it is crispy. It has to be layered with butter and baked for a sufficient amount of time so that the layers of phyllo cook and crisp up. So when the replacement entree arrived just 5 minutes later, it could not have possibly been cooked, and sure enough, raw phyllo again. At that point, I gave up and ordered another entree, this time falafel, and again, crispy on the outside, but raw inside. The same with the baklava dessert; crisp outer layer and inner layer of phyllo was undercooked. After having to send my entree back twice, I didn't have the heart to ask my waitress to send yet another meal back to the kitchen, because I know she felt really bad about it. I will add that they allowed me to order from the dinner menu despite the fact that they were still offering the lunch menu. They simply may not have been prepared to serve a dinner entree, and had they communicated that to me, I would have happily ordered from the lunch menu. Since I was dining quite early, the restaurant was nearly empty, so I'm assuming that there should have been plenty of time to prepare a properly-cooked meal. I don't know how a Mediterranean restaurant could not know how to cook phyllo, falafel, and baklava, but it was an extremely disappointing experience. Maybe I came on an off night, but based on this visit, I can't recommend this restaurant at this time.

We absolutely loved Dar. Great vibe, amazing service and incredible food. The menu had a wide variety to fit all dietary preferences and everything was so good. The Mediterranean trio to start is a must. The fluffiest and freshest pita bread to taste all the amazing dips. Even the babaganoush hater of our group loved the one here! And the main entrees were stellar. Our table ordered a variety from ribeye steak to lamb shank to duck confit pastilla and pastas. Everything was delicious. Dar makes you feel like part of the family and we cannot wait to come back!

Service by Juan (I believe) was excellent. The restaurant was pretty quiet for Friday at lunchtime, but I expect he would be as attentive to providing good service for every customer. I enjoyed the shredded lamb pita with fries and the price was reasonable, particularly for Los Gatos. I look forward to eating here in the future.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Dar for both lunch and dinner. The staff is warm and genuine and the restaurant is clean and welcoming. The patio is the perfect to spot catch up with friends while enjoying the buzz of the city around you - or, post up at the bar and watch the activity in the open kitchen (also a favorite spot of mine). Wherever you sit, you can't go wrong. The food, in short, is phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh, the portions just right, and you can feel the love and thoughtfulness of the menu in each bite (and sip). The prawns in arak (and a glass of wine) are my favorite way to start a meal at Dar. The richness of the arak sauce and the bite of the prawns is something I've found myself daydreaming about, days after my visit. The confit duck pastilla was perfectly baked and the duck was well balanced with the crunch of the dough and roasted almonds. I'm a big eater and the portion left be feeling full (but not too full). The (made from scratch) chocolate mousse and a cappuccino are my favorite way to end a meal at Dar. Though, in truth, I'm always a bit sad when the meal is over and it's time to go home.

The lamb pita was SO delicious! The Mojito was fresh and refreshing! They even comped us a little bowl of a nice lentil soup. Juan, our server was great.

We had an exceptional experience at Dar. Since it was a lovely night, we asked to be seated outside and was immediately shown to a table on the patio. The services was prompt and attentive, we never had to ask for our server. She recommended a couple items off the menu, but as these did not strike our fancy we ordered some other items. We started with a couple of cocktails, the house aged old fashion and Chopin martini. For apps we had the Mediterranean trio and the cauliflower, both amazing and the Za'tar fries, just a little under cooked for my taste. For the mains, we had the braised lamb shank and mushroom soup, again both amazing. With the lamb, we had a glass of their Pinot, while the most expensive glass of red on the menu, well worth it. As this was a Mediterranean restaurant, had to finish with Baklava, also amazing. Overall great experience and would definitely go back for seconds, thirds, etc.

Flavors were amazing! So exotic and delicious. Service was friendly and ambiance was great.

From the cocktails to the food-- everything was phenomenal! Come out to the best Mediterranean restaurant in town and see Esam, Kim, Katrina, Juan and the whole staff! Awesome place, awesome vibes.

I ordered short rib with harissa finger link potatoes and my husband ordered lamb with butternut squash couscous. Both were HUGE portions of tender fall off the bone meat. Along with a tangy beet salad to start and baklava for dessert. Amazing service and delicious food at the new @darlosgatos in downtown Los Gatos. The chef even came to our table! We will definitely come back to this restaurant. Next time, we will share one meat dish since they are huge and share one vegetarian dish, which all sounded amazing. Skip the cote du Rhône wine. The cab was good. The baklava was good but not mind blowing. Also, French press coffee and espresso were very good. Highly recommend! Beautiful restaurant. Exemplary service. Our waiter was very experienced. Interested in going here for lunch too

Had dinner at Dar for my mother in laws birthday. Food was very flavorful and service was excellent. The owner Essam was very friendly and checked on us multiple times during dinner. Happy to see such a wonderful unique middle eastern place to have dinner and lunch in Los Gatos.

Went there for happy hour and it was great!! Super friendly service and the food was delicious. We sat outside in the patio. All of the plants and trees surrounding us were nice.

Thought the food was decent, but service was absolutely awful. Took clients here thinking it was a nice place. Had reservations for a large party and yet still watched them drag tables all around trying to shove us in a corner and hastily throw down table settings. Watched the waitress spend 10 minutes straight talking with another table before finally coming over to greet us. Later she served us mussels and said, while putting the plate down, that they "smelled like they'd been dragged through a field in Gilroy." They did indeed smell like manure, so we sent them back. She came back to tell us that the smell was toasted oregano and that there was nothing wrong with them. Just totally unprofessional. I thought I was taking my clients out to an elegant and beautiful dinner. It wound up being an absolutely embarrassing experience.

Excellent food and great outdoor dining area. Everything was very flavorful and well presented. A great new addition to the LG dining scene.

This place is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Los Gatos. The food is amazing, and the atmosphere is great and the service is excellent.

I love Tamra in Saratoga so was excited to try their newest place and I'm so glad I did. The food is fabulous. My favorite is the Date Chermoula Kufta with its amazing, nuanced flavors. The couscous and butternut squash from the Chicken Tawook would make a great vegetarian option. The space is fresh and beautiful, while allowing the warm memories of Nick's to come through. Such a great experience. Can't wait to go back and explore more of the menu. Thank you, Dar!

Congratulations, Esam and Milad. What an amazing addition to our town. We will be back soon to order the other half of your menu!!! We ordered the Mediterranean trio of amazing dips, Kufta,butternut squash soup, the tarragon, lamb pita, and the shish tawook pita. Thank you for the homemade chocolate mousse!

I ordered the lamb shank and it was amazing. The meat was soft and tender, it was very flavorful, and the couscous on the side gave it a nice kick. We started off with beet salad and eggplant salad and they were both good. The staff were friendly and the service was great. Definitely will come back. The ambiance was so nice. Great for families or for ladies night out.

Family owned authentic Mediterranean cuisine. A great experience every time and go regularly. Appetizers and cocktails are memorable. Shrimp cooked perfectly and terrific beef kufta, wonderful flavor and side enhancements. This plus any of their sides and roasted vegetables make a perfect meal. Love the garden martini and patio music. Servers are very personable and owner chef is usually on hand to make sure it's a great experience every time

Overall, fairly disappointing. We went for dinner last week, and it was more than half empty. On paper, the food sounds spectacular. However, the reality is the food is incredibly bland (as multiple others have already commented in their reviews). So many potentially vibrant flavors, yet they managed to find a way for nothing to taste like much of anything. The lamb tartar was a scary gray color, suggesting that the meat had sat out exposed to the air for a long time. The fact that it escaped the kitchen says the the chef either doesn't care, or isn't paying attention. The date kufta was extremely dry, small and tasted like dirt. The lambshank should have been full of flavor, yet was dry, and almost tasteless. The duck pastilla was kinda ok, compared to everything else, but not great by any means. Overall, extremely boring, forgettable food. Its a shame.

This is a hidden gem of Los Gatos. Amazing food, wonderful service and employees. Very authentic Mediterranean experience and ambience. We had Mediterranean trio for appetizer, branzino and pomegranate braised lamb shank for main entrées. Everything was super flavorful and great presentation. Love this place.

So happy to see an amazing restaurant fill this spot. The ambiance with the Mediterranean and Moroccan touches was very welcoming and warm. Service from the staff and being personally greeted by the owner was on point. Most importantly, the food was lovely. Instead of entrees, we decided to order several appetizers and sides to really get an idea of what their food was like and every one was very tasty and creative! My personal favorite was the Arak shrimp.

I grew up around big Greek and Lebanese communities and I've eaten everything from Moroccan to Turkish for years and years This food was mostly bland (hummus, baba, harissa) and had little flavor except for my husband's steak which was so salty he couldn't eat it. My friend's salad came without dressing. My lamb tartar I was hoping would be close to kibbeh nayeh, but it was not firm and I couldn't taste any allspice , etc - I was disappointed and ate two bites. I hope it improves

Beautiful new restaurant with great food! Highly recommend. Perfect for date night and lunch as well.

The environment is really spacious, I ate Carpaccio salmon and Dinners salmon as appetizers, the taste was very good, the cooking was really good. You should definitely try it.

The food was amazing! Service, top tier, and the wonderful authentic atmosphere. The wine which is my favorite part is so nice!

Unlike Alona G. In an above review, I have actually eaten at this restaurant. I very much enjoyed the lamb and fries. I have known the chef for years, he never lets me down. Ambiance is delightful, truly fits in with Los Gatos. The one star review posted earlier by Alona G. seems to be based more on racism towards Palestinians than the actual food.

This spot truly stands out! With impeccable service, delicious food and drinks, a welcoming vibe, and an overall fantastic environment, it's easily one of the best in town. Can't wait to return!

Finally I've found a place in Los Gatos where I feel comfortable and cozy. We came there with children and they enjoyed the food as we did. There is no kids menu in the restaurant, but my 12 y.o. daughter ordered a steak, ate the whole piece and said it was the juiciest steak ever in her life :) My lamb was served in tajine pot and was very soft. Absolutely amazing! Cocktails (Margarita and dirty martini) were beyond all praise. Fast service, polite staff. Love this place! Definitely will visit again.

Nice ambient. Authentic Greek/Egyptian/Moroccan vibe Mediterranean food. Love their Mocktail. Good for small group gatherings/couple/special events. Highly recommended.

I love this place. Different style menu. Middle eastern and specialty dishes Recommend it. Been here four times already.

The location is great but the food is just not as authentic as one would expect, the price is... like nearby Lexington or Parkside but not the same quality. The service was just ok. Will pass.

I am a big fan of Mediterranean food and there are many restaurants I've tried in the past. I can definitely say Dar Restaurant & Bar is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I've been to. The food is very tasty and the menu is diverse offering a lot of traditional dishes. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the pleasant mellow music in the background. The servers were very nice and polite welcoming everyone. Whether you are planning to celebrate something or simply have a good time with your friends or family, Dar Restaurant & Bar is definitely a place to go!

I came downtown Los Gatos for a birthday drink at the cocktail lounge next-door, but ended up at the bar at Dar and had a better time. Staff was super friendly and the bartender was awesome, I ordered the "Jaffa orange sunset" and my husband ordered the "Levantine margarita" and they were both refreshing and tasty! Will be back soon

Dar is of mouth-watering slice of heaven in the most gorgeous setting. Be sure to order the revolving trio of dips, they are sumptuous. The whole fish is tremendous. Then take my word on the salmon carpaccio, it is hands-down one of the best dishes I have ever tasted in my life. The patio sits underneath an ancient, old-growth forest Redwood that is a true California treasure. The restaurant is beautiful, inside and out. It is in Los Gatos Soda Works Plaza boutique center that was the historic setting of the Los Gatos Soda Works Company. That ancient, grand Redwood tree appropriately hovers over another (newly arrived) California treasure - Dar Restaurant. Thank you Dar!

Fantastic restaurant! Sat at the bar. Was greeted admittedly. Staff was very friendly and informative. Amazingly lamb hummus. Very flavorful. Happy hour slider with fires is almost a meal in itself. Fish sticks were really good. All the food tasted fresh. Bar tender made great drinks. We will go back. Very much recommended. Great happy hour selection.

If you are going to get excited about a middle eastern restaurant opening in los Gatos, please don't be! The ambience is nice and people who are familiar with previous restaurant called Nicks know what I am talking about. The food was pretty disappointing then to top it off they even charged for pita bread. Unfortunately my last time here.