When Al Hamra opened in Redondo Beach in 2006, it was a leap of faith. Founder Naseem Siddiqui transformed a former coffee shop on Artesia Blvd. into Al Hamra, serving family recipes and pouring his love into every dish. At first, business was slow. “I had passion for the food, but I didn't have any experience,” said Naseem. With perseverance and community support, Al Hamra became a South Bay staple. Naseem’s magnetic personality helped too.
Naseem’s son, Fahad, joined the family business in 2013 after working as an accountant with Marriott. “All the credit goes to my father, who believed in me and trusted me. He’s the one who gave me all these opportunities to bring in different ideas.”
The restaurant’s name, Al Hamra, refers to the historic Lebanese city known as the “red one.” Today, it has become synonymous in the South Bay with hearty kebabs, healthy ingredients, and community warmth. The menu features core proteins—chicken, beef, fish, and lamb—served as plates, wraps, or bowls, along with specialty dishes such as masalas. For larger gatherings, Al Hamra offers catering platters.
Fahad credits the restaurant’s popularity to his father’s approach: “Everything we serve is the same as we cook at home. It’s always fresh, and the service we learned from my father, who taught us to treat customers well.”
Beyond the food, Al Hamra is woven into the neighborhood. “He always supported the community, and in return, they’ve supported us,” Fahad said about his dad’s love for Redondo Beach. During the pandemic, customers left heartfelt notes with their online orders: “We love you guys. We are here to support you. Don’t close!” That loyalty carried the restaurant through difficult times.
Al Hamra continues to give back, donating to local firefighters, supporting children’s hospitals, and participating in the Blue Zones Project, which promotes healthy dining. In recognition of these efforts, the North Redondo Beach Business Association named Al Hamra “Restaurant of the Year.”
Now with three locations—Redondo Beach, Lomita, and Inglewood—Fahad is focused on growth while preserving the soul of the original. “We’re like a family here,” he said, noting that many employees have been with them for over a decade. “I even see the third generation of customers from the same families, telling us about my father: ‘I used to come the day your father opened.’” Through its food, service, and community, Al Hamra remains a place where everyone can enjoy the taste of home.
“Everything we serve is the same as we cook at home. It’s always fresh."