Nahrain Bakery & Restaurant

Nahrain has been my first and only exposure to Iraqi-​style Mediterranean food, and it has been quite the learning experience. On my first visit here I discovered I didn’t have to settle for the usual lavash bread for my wrap. For an extra 75 cents I could get tanoor bread instead (sort of a middle eastern version of naan). It was worth every penny. Also, instead of the usual tahini sauce drizzled inside, I had the option of getting amba sauce (pickled mango with fenugreek relish). Sold!
So food-​wise, very interesting stuff. The owner (a burly man who could probably kill me with his little finger) was super friendly and quite proud of his food. He was willing to talk about his techniques, the meat he used, and his bakery in back (which cranks out tanoor bread for markets all over the bay area).
Setting-​wise, Nahrain is a bit of a downer. Situated in an industrial area, it’s a bit hard to find at first. The exterior is bland and the dining room looks almost like an afterthought. I found the benches and tables to be extremely uncomfortable. (It is configured for their nighttime hookah bar). Crowds are non-​existent; I was the only patron on both my visits.
Food:
– Falafel wrap: Four made-​to-​order falafel balls plus salad. As mentioned above, I had mine wrapped in tanoor bread with amba sauce. Delicious and unique. 4 stars easy.
– Kabob wrap: Kabob was a beef/​lamb mix similar to Kufta Kabob. Again I opted for tanoor brad and amba sauce. Wrap was good, but didn’t have nearly enough meat for me. Probably not a re-​order. 3 stars.
I tried to visit Nahrain one more time for a late lunch (1:15 pm) but found it to be closed. It was well within their posted hours (m-​f, 11am –3pm). Incredibly annoying, especially since there are few other restaurants around for backup. If there is a next time, I guess I will have to call first. I can’t give it more than 3 stars as a result.

While it gets high marks for quirkiness as an out of the way hole-​in-​the-​wall Middle Eastern joint, the food itself is just okay. The falafel is wrapped in super fresh lavash but its filled with lots of shredded lettuce with a few bits of tomato and little else. The only hot sauce they have is Tabasco-​type bottles on the table. Baba ganoush was good but not especially memorable. Pita was very thin and dry — especially surprising considering they call themselves a bakery.
Chicken and beef kabobs looked good and almost worth a return visit. When I asked to try the chicken, they said they had already sold out.

One of the weirdest places to have a hookah place. Industrial dreggs of Santa Clara in an idustrial warehouse? Anyways, I wasn’t there for that but for the food. The space is clearly set up for people to lounge about so the low chairs and tables are weird to eat on. The kefta style kabob place with baba ganoush, rice and small salad hit this spot for under $ 9. The staff are pretty friendly and asked us how we were doing a few times. Good thing they’re friendly cause you dont want to mess with the dude at the counter. He’s definitely got the weightlifter thing going on and could probably squash you like a grape.

Went here for Lunch. The food was excellent. I tried the chicken kabob dish, my memory beats me now. Although the service was slow, cause its a small scale restaurant, and they seem to cook the chicken fresh for you. The ambiance is all right, nothing fancy. I would rather call them ahead of time next time, and pick the food up to take back home… They also cater.

I liked this place but didn’t think it was as stellar as others have.
The location is out of the way, tucked in the back of an industrial complex. Once there, you see a small place with a counter and low tables and cushioned benches rather than chairs. It’s a little odd, by US standards. Not uncomfortable, just different. I would call it cozy. It feels proprietor-​run, which it is. The fellow who took our order cooked the food. He could not have been nicer.
The food was good. We had a falafel and a wrap with skewered ground meat, plus an order of garlicky baba ganoush. Portions were plentiful and price was very reasonable. The items were not as flavorful as the better ones I have had. The Falafel Drive-​In, for instance, has crispier and more flavorful falafels (but no ambience) and the Kebab place in Sunnyvale does better skewers.
But really, there was nothing here to dislike.

THE BEST FALAFEL EVER, and it was not messy!!! At some other places the falafel normally falls to pieces after the second bite well not at Nahrain’s. Marcos gave us a sample of his yummy fresh made bread. Delicious!
If you are serious foodie check this place out! They place is in a out of the ordinary location… but the food makes it all worth wild! I have been dreaming of going back.

Marco puts his heart & soul into the food and his restaurant. Next time you are there, ask him about the mesquite process or the hand made falafel. Small businesses like this are rare because this quality is not scalable. Once he grows he’ll need to be more industrial. You should try him now while he is at this special phase.
VEGETARIAN — YES !!! His falafel never touches any meat and is handmade. If you’re used to frozen junky falafel you wont like this. But if you like authentic, fresh falafel, this is your place.

The food is really good. Meat are tender and juice, salad pretty tasty.
The only thing is it is so slow. Maybe I came in a bad day. Will have to go back and try again.

The people here are really nice, but the falafel I had here was bad. The falafel balls were dry, the bread was dry, and the tahini sauce was watered down and bland. (How does one even go about making bland tahini sauce?!) On a positive note, the restaurant was clean and relaxed, the people working there were very nice (though forgetful), and their baklava is delicious. My friends liked their chicken dishes, too. Not a fun place for a vegetarian unless you’re only in the mood for baklava.

So i got lost trying to get to clients office… and I stumbled upon nahrain restaurant… what a hidden gem. the atmospher is casual, inviting and low key.
the bread is amazing, its hot, fresh, and I haven’t been to a restaurant that makes this bread. it was soo good I ordered a dozen pieces to go.
i ordered a skwere of chickn and one skewer of ground beef/​lamb kabob over rice with a side of baba ganoush. the meat is fresh and marinated to perfection. its grilled to order on MESQUITE!!! yes i said Mesquite… the flavor is unbeatable.
the baba ganoush is the best I have ever tried. it has a taste like no other. rice was also pretty good. i will definatly come back here with friends and to pick up some more of that bread. its like naan bread but way better. and you can freeze it, re-​heat, and it still taste great. truly as good as it gets with mediteranean/​middle eastern cuisine. if your in the neighborhood try it for lunch.

I’ve been looking for a good lunch spot near my work and I’ve finally found it. Nahrain offers a variety of middle eastern dishes, and the food is well prepared and healthy (like home cooked food). I’ve had enough of the unhealthy and boring chain food offerings in this area. I’ll definitely be back.
I ordered a kebab wrap and got a chicken wrap for my dad. I liked mine, though my dad thought his was a bit on the dry side.