Olives & Agave Opens in Montgomery Village

The new Santa Rosa restaurant features traditional cuisine from the Mediterranean and Levant regions.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a copper pan, scattered spices, and olive branches, representing authentic Mediterranean cuisine. — Olives & Agave officially opened in Santa Rosa's Montgomery Village, bringing authentic Mediterranean and Levantine culinary traditions to Sonoma County. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Olives & Agave officially opened its doors in early October 2026 within the Montgomery Village shopping center in Santa Rosa. Owner Maher Fakhouri launched the establishment to share the authentic food traditions of his childhood with the community.

Why it matters

The restaurant brings a focus on family-inspired Mediterranean and Levantine recipes to the Sonoma County area. By emphasizing house-prepared ingredients, the kitchen aims to preserve culinary techniques that reflect the owner's personal heritage.

The menu features items including a $12 falafel appetizer, a $19 chicken shawarma wrap, and a $38 mansaf entree. These selections reflect a diverse price point ranging from $16 for musakhan rolls to $36 for a zarzuela dish.

The players

Maher Fakhouri

He is the owner of Olives & Agave who has also operated various crepes businesses for 35 years.

Amal Dahdal

She serves as the kitchen manager responsible for traditional cooking techniques at the restaurant.

Mond Noor

He acts as the general manager overseeing daily operations at the new Santa Rosa location.

The details

The restaurant occupies the space previously held by Cascabel and features a menu where spices are roasted and ground in-house. Kitchen manager Amal Dahdal oversees preparation methods, such as the manual rotation of kinafeh pans over gas burners.

Olives & Agave opened in early October 2026.

Market Landscape

The opening of Olives & Agave contributes to the ongoing diversification of the Montgomery Village dining corridor. This move positions the independent eatery against established local options by offering specialized Levantine cuisine in a high-traffic retail environment.

Local diners can now visit the Montgomery Village location to experience Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared with traditional, labor-intensive techniques. The menu offers a range of pricing, allowing customers to choose between smaller appetizers or full-priced signature entrees.

The takeaway

The restaurant distinguishes itself by preparing traditional spices and complex dishes like shawarma entirely in-house. Residents looking for authentic Levantine flavors can find the establishment serving lunch and dinner daily in the central plaza.