Zareen’s, the Peninsula-born Pakistani-Indian restaurant led by chef Zareen Khan, has officially landed in downtown Sunnyvale, opening its fourth Bay Area location on Murphy Avenue. The new spot brings the chain’s signature samosas, kebabs and biryanis a bit farther down the Peninsula, giving Sunnyvale diners a taste of what regulars elsewhere already line up for.
According to the East Bay Times, the Sunnyvale restaurant sits at 135 S. Murphy Ave. and is currently operating daily from 5 to 9 PM. The outlet notes that it is Zareen’s fourth Bay Area location and its southernmost outpost on the Peninsula.
Chef’s rising profile
Zareen Khan was named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: California, a nod that has boosted attention for her small-plates, comfort-food style, according to the James Beard Foundation. Khan and her husband, Umair, also have a cookbook out in the world: "Zareen’s Pakistani Kitchen," published in March 2025, per Penguin Random House.
Menu and recognition
Regulars and critics alike often single out the Memoni chicken samosas and shami kebabs as must-order dishes, selections that Michelin inspectors have previously highlighted in their coverage. Zareen’s features that recognition on its site, and regional critics have repeatedly praised the group’s bold yet accessible cooking in local roundups from outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle.
Why Sunnyvale
The Murphy Avenue move surfaced early in local previews as part of Sunnyvale’s downtown dining comeback, with Khan saying she was drawn to the street’s "old downtown" character. The Almanac reported plans for roughly 38 seats and a small parklet, while City of Sunnyvale records show tenant and exterior alteration filings for 135 S. Murphy Ave. to prepare the space for restaurant use.
The Sunnyvale outpost is expected to mirror the menu and ordering options familiar from the other Peninsula locations, including dine-in service, takeout and catering. Local previews and the restaurant’s website outline further details on hours and offerings for the new location.
With Khan’s James Beard semifinalist nod and a cookbook already on shelves, Zareen’s Sunnyvale looks positioned to become a busy new anchor on Murphy Avenue as summer arrives and the James Beard winners are finalized. For more on the semifinalists and upcoming award dates, see the James Beard Foundation.
