Fresno’s downtown dining hub, The Galleria, has gained a new family-owned lunch spot that brings a twist to Mediterranean cuisine.

It’s a second location of Zaatar Bistro, founded by three brothers who grew up in Lebanon — Badih “Buddy,” Roy and Rabih “Robby” Nassar. Their new restaurant located at the Civic Center Square on Capitol Street is called Zaatar Downtown.

The menu is a blend of authentic Lebanese, Mediterranean, European and American food, inspired by their grandmothers’ recipes.

“At Zaatar, our mission has always been to share the flavors and hospitality of mediterian cuisine while creating a place where everyone is welcome,” Buddy said. “A place where cultures meet at the table.”

The bistro’s first location is at Shepherd Avenue and Champlain Drive in the Via Montana shopping center. It was voted the best new local restaurant of 2024 by Fresno Bee readers, winning by a landslide with 47% of the vote.

Brothers Roy Nassar, left, Rabih “Robby” Nassar in center, and Badih Nassar, right, have opened Zaatar Bistro in north Fresno’s Via Montana Shopping Center at Shepherd Avenue and Champlain Drive. Brothers Roy Nassar, left, Rabih “Robby” Nassar in center, and Badih Nassar, right, have opened Zaatar Bistro in north Fresno’s Via Montana Shopping Center at Shepherd Avenue and Champlain Drive. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com

Tuesday’s grand opening of Zaatar Downtown included a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Jerry Dyer.

“It’s exciting whenever we open up a business any part of Fresno,” Dyer said. “I love it when people invest in our downtown area, because we know it comes with some risk.”

Buddy said that opening the new location was not only a milestone for his families business, but also their way of contributing to downtown Fresno.

Zaatar Downtown opened in the former home of George’s Shish Kebab inside The Galleria, which had been in downtown since the 1980s. It closed last year.

“Fresno is a remarkable city because of its diversity,” Buddy said. “People from all over the world have grown their cultures, traditions and stories here. One of the most beautiful ways those cultures connect is through food.”

The Chef’s Favas dish at Zaatar Bistro in Fresno. The Chef’s Favas dish at Zaatar Bistro in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Chef’s Favas, a mixture of black fava beans and chickpeas in lemon olive oil sauce is seen to the left and pita bread to the right, one of many offerings at Zaatar Bistro, photographed Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Fresno. Chef’s Favas, a mixture of black fava beans and chickpeas in lemon olive oil sauce is seen to the left and pita bread to the right, one of many offerings at Zaatar Bistro, photographed Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Zaatar Bistro’s Lebanese Spirit is topped with the spice blend za’atar, arugula and fresh vegetables. Zaatar Bistro’s Lebanese Spirit is topped with the spice blend za’atar, arugula and fresh vegetables. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Hummus with diced steak and almonds from Zaatar Bistro. Hummus with diced steak and almonds from Zaatar Bistro. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Roy Nassar chats to customers on their first visit to Zaatar Bistro, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Fresno. Roy Nassar chats to customers on their first visit to Zaatar Bistro, Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com

This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 4:05 PM.

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