Hatam Restaurant & Deli

One of the few places I can get almond noghl, rosewater, halva, and amazing tea all in one place. The fact I can get Persian films from there too goes above and beyond my expectations…

yes, on the koobideh!

I came here with my heart set on the kabob koobideh, but unluckily for me they had completely sold out due to a large catering order they had just filled that day.
When we were seated they brought us a large basket full of flat-​bread and a plate of feta cheese, mint and some other greens to nibble on.
Our waiter informed us there was a bit of a delay due to the large order, so he brought out some complimentary soups. It was a soup with some greens in it, a variety of beans, and it was absolutely fabulous. I don’t know what it was called, but I hope to have it next time I go back. And on a side note, I feel it’s a very classy move for a restaurant to offer this due to the long wait for food.
I had the Lamb kabob, which came with rice, a grilled tomato and grilled onions. I liked the lamb very much, the seasoning was great, and tasty. The tomato and onion were grilled to perfection, and the rice was fluffy and light without being too salty or oily. I would love to go back.

This place was recently bought out and the new owner has made drastic improvements in the food and the market! The kabob koobideh was delicious! The food comes out of the kitchen great every time. I am impressed by the friendliness of the wait staff. The owner is always more than happy to help his customers find the right item on the menu or in the store. Thanks for a great dining experience!!!

When I want a good koobideh kebab I hit up Hatam, joojeh, too.
Actually, when I was about 11 my dad opened up a Persian restaurant called Shiraz in San Rafael. He said to himself «What the hell, I’ve done a lot, why not a restaurant?»
It was great; for about a year and a half we had the place and my dad would bring kebab home for us, late night. According to my older brother, I ate all the profits.
Anyway, the chef was this dude named Homey and he was a really nice guy. Business was hit and miss and my dad was kinda over it. One night he asked Homey if he wanted to own a restaurant. Homey said yes, and my dad gave him the keys and left forever.
Homey changed the name to Hatam, and moved to a better location a few years later.
He’s still going strong and the food is still some of the best Persian in Marin.

Great little Persian place in downtown San Rafael. While I go there solely for groceries (it’s hard to find fard in Northern California!), they have a couple tables tucked away at the rear of the shop if you’ve got a craving for kebab and gormeh zabzi.
They also have fresh desserts in the market portion, so stock up on amazing baklavah, zoolbia, and halvah.

What a delightful place. Simple and the in the back of the grocery store, it sometimes does not have all the menu items. Putting this aside (which is why I could only give it 3 stars), what they do make is always very well-​made and a real pleasure to eat. Their kabobs are out of this world, and the seasoning is very authentic (so says a Persian food expert friend of mine). The proprietor also has a very generous and friendly old-​world manner which takes you out of the modern world when you engage him in conversation or he turns his attention to your table. He has to watch both the grocery store in front, as well as attend to the restaurant in the back, so it varies with your timing how attentive he can be. It’s a nice relaxed hideaway in the middle of San Rafael.