Food - Suprisingly good for the zoo. Everything was flavorful. Caprese salad very good. Double chicken sandwich was huge. Pro Senior tip for light meal, order from the kids menu, $3 unchanged = $17. Perfect light meal, I had braised Chicken (delicious) with braised broccoli and carrots. Perfect amount of food. Price, not crazy expensive but it is the zoo. Ambiance - Air Conditioning or patio with fans. Waterfall outside. Service was top-notch. Best option in the zoo. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Outside seating with fans and 25 foot waterfall keeps it cool. - American Near Me - San Diego, California

This restaurant is located inside the San Diego Zoo. The service was just OK. I ordered a Coke Zero which I drank right away because I was so thirsty from walking outside in the heat and humidity. And then I was sitting there with an empty glass for the longest time. Finally, the waitress came by and I asked "Do you refill sodas?", and she says yes, so I got some more to drink. I shouldn't have to chase the refill. This is one of the loudest noisiest restaurants I've ever been in. It was like everybody was shouting. I have no idea why . If there was any music playing, I couldn't tell you what it was. The bill came to $84. Is it read more

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I first heard about Albert's Restaurant while doing the tram tour around the San Diego Zoo. Once I found out it was the only full-service restaurant inside the zoo, I knew I had to give it a try. I pulled up OpenTable and managed to snag one of the few reservations left for the day. Definitely make a reservation if you're interested because this place fills up fast. The setting is easily one of the highlights. The restaurant is surrounded by greenery, and there are beautiful waterfalls outside that you can watch while enjoying your meal. It's a really nice break from walking around the zoo all day. Service was also great. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and kept checking in without being overbearing. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite match the atmosphere or the price point for me. I ordered the "Sun Bear-Y Mocktail", which was refreshing but a little too sour for my taste. For my meal, I had the Double Stacked Chicken Sandwich with truffle fries. The portion was HUGE. I could only finish about half, but the breading on the chicken was a little too crunchy for me. The truffle fries were decent, but overall the meal was more "okay" than memorable. Albert's is definitely a beautiful place to sit down and relax inside the zoo, and the service was excellent. While the food didn't wow me this time around, the atmosphere and hospitality were good enough that I'd come back and try something different on the menu. read more

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Probably the only actual sit-down restaurant you can find in the SD Zoo. We had a reservation, and I'm not sure if they allow walk-ins since reservations filled up pretty quickly on OpenTable. This is kind of a secret restaurant hidden after the long bridge at the Zoo. You have to go down a floor, and it's not too easy to spot. As for the restaurant itself, it's beautiful and connected to a nice waterfall outside where you can grab some pictures. The waiters were friendly and quickly took our order and refilled our waters. For the food, we got these: Chicken Picatta - Tons of people were ordering this, and it was a unique pasta dish. To be honest, I'm not sure if it was just ours, but it was quite sour, to the point where it was a bit unpleasant. I know it has lemon in it, so it should be a little sour, but the mixture just tasted weird and off. The dish looked good, though. (2.5/5) Steak Frites - Alright, this one was a winner. Got it medium rare, and it was perfect. Flavorful and an excellent choice. The portion isn't super huge, though, so you might still be hungry. (4.5/5) Overall, a unique spot at the Zoo at a premium price. You're going to be paying amusement park pricing, so expect that upon arrival. Probably the best spot to eat at the Zoo, though, if you're looking for quality sit-down food. Note: They don't allow strollers inside the restaurant, so you'll need to park it outside. read more

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I have a recently got the zoo pass and wanted to try out Albert's. It's the only sit down restaurant at the SD Zoo. I was so in love with the new restaurant at the safari park, that I had high hopes for Albert's. However, I was actually disappointed. We came a little later in the evening, but they ran out of the chicken wings that I wanted to try. Everything else in the menu didn't look as appetizing. So my party and I just got drinks. (Which were able to take in to go cups.). I know the restaurant is named after the first gorilla at the zoo, there's definitely a vibe, and the staff is welcoming. However, food wise and ambiance is just not in compare to the new sister restaurant at the other park. I think it might need a new menu, because I just kept thinking the other food around the park had better choices. read more

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Google review states it 4stars so we gave it a try, and it was 5star for us! The price is not that pricey, considers it's in a Zoo and the interior is quite safari cool! We came to the Zoo to celebrate my kid birthday and the food is fresh and it's actually good! The cauliflower fried rice is 5star, portion is big and the topping is generous, it tasted so good, and we are so satisfied with it. The kids menu, Mac and Cheese is not salty and the creamy texture is right! It came with their good fries! The chicken tender is crunchy and the breading has seasoning in it! So it's not just a bland one! Overall it was all good, and the kids got a cute stickers from the staffs that made their day! read more

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This is supposed to be the best food in the zoo and it was quite the overpriced disappointment. The servers were pushy on us getting drinks and ordering more despite us saying no. We ended up getting the Seasonal Salmon and the Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp. THEY CHARGED $12 FOR 5 PIECES OF SHRIMP!! Absolutely absurd! The salmon was bland and there were almost no potatoes or anything else to come with it. It was a pretty sad looking plate. The rice was an okay portion size and had more flavor than the salmon, but it wasn't anything special or memorable. I still cannot believe the audacity they have to charge that much for shrimp. Next time, I would rather leave the park to eat than get ripped off. read more

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Was in the zoo at dinner time, decided to stop in at Albert's. Staff is always friendly and attentive. Ordered the Salmon entree$35 with tax and tip and discount from zoo membership. Salmon was good but just a little over cooked this visit. Prices are reasonable especially for a sit down restaurant at a tourist attraction. Recommend when you want to get inside and rest a little. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Salmon - American Near Me - San Diego, California

We were at the San Diego Zoo walking around for hours of fun and we were on starvation mode! We wanted a nice meal, but wanted to stay at the zoo. We found Albert's Restaurant on the zoo map! The website states that reservations were encouraged. The hostess will ask if you have one. We were able to get the outdoor dining area without a reservation. As you enter, there's a nice bar area and indoor dining. The outdoor dining is where the waterfall feature is. It's a nice serene feeling out there. We enjoyed our meal and conversation. The Cheesy Garlic Bread was delicious!! Who does enjoy cheesy garlic bread!!! The salmon dish and steak frites were delicious as well. Overall, we had a very enjoyable meal. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. read more

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Was looking for something to eat while at the zoo and found Albert's. We came right when they opened so we were seated almost immediately. Service was pretty quick and servers were nice and accommodating. They gave us the option to sit indoor or outdoor and we decided outdoor since it was a nice day. The patio had a little waterfall which was quite nice to enjoy while eating our lunch. We ordered the steak frites and shrimp piccata. Both had great flavor and although we got well done for the steak because we shared with our toddler, it was surprisingly still juicy and flavorful. Loved the sautéed mushrooms, I didn't even need the steak sauce they provided. The shrimp piccata was nice and creamy. Shrimps were big and the pasta was cooked perfectly, didn't really need the artichokes as they were a bit hard. Came in with low expectations as the ratings weren't that great but to our surprise the food was great. Would definitely come back and try their other options. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Steak Frites - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I made a reservation about a month in advance for Albert's to dine by the waterfall. We were seated promptly despite it being a very popular spot near the pandas. The ambiance was perfect for a midday lunch while in active-zoo-exploration mode. We had some tasty cocktails. Our meals were just okay - I had the tuna melt and he had the birria. Of them, the tuna was preferred. Service was friendly. Prices weren't cheap but we weren't exactly expecting cheap, either. read more

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Came to celebrate Valentine's Day at the zoo! Parking was so hard ended up being an hour late my reservation but they still honored us and we got seated very fast! Staff was all so friendly The inside was very nice and safari themed! We got the lovey dovey drink tbh wasn't my favorite The food was really good I loved the ratio of salsa and chips The risotto was flavored with curry which was a nice touch Steak with the sauce was chefs kiss It was a romantic way to start the zoo date! Highly recommend! read more

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Waited for 45 minutes to get a table. Then waited another 15 mins to place order! Just to be told they were missing primary meal items for a very limited meal selection of the most random foods. Don't waste your time and get something easy from other vendors/shops! read more

Came to Albert's while it was very busy but the hostess suggested we check the bar to see if there were empty seats so we didn't have to wait for an open table. We ended up sitting at the bar and the bartender, Monet, was great. Even though she was very busy she took great care of us and the drinks were made quickly and were delicious. Food was brought out quickly and tasted great. Definitely recommend the truffle fries as they were absolutely delicious! It was a little loud because it was so busy but the volume wasn't loud enough that bothered us too much. This is definitely a great restaurant to visit if you need a break and a meal while visiting the zoo! read more

Albert's Restaurant - Cheesy garlic bread & Double stacked chicken sandwich with truffle fries - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Albert's is located inside the Zoo, and it is a sit down restaurant. My favorite time to come is during weekend brunch but it is only served on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm. I have tried most entrees on their menu and I can definitely say that their food here always hits the spot. Some of my favorites include: -Steak Frites: the garlic truffle wedge potatoes with the dipping sauce are so good! -Chicken Piccata: the creamy pasta with the veggies are amazing I love how they give you the option to dine inside or outside in their patio area, which also has a waterfall as well. This is a great spot to get food when you need a break from a long zoo day. Or if you're looking for a sit down bar! read more

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What a lovely lunch we had! After seeing the pandas we walked over to Albert's and had lunch at the bar. Very comfortable and the bartender Madison was fantastic! I had the salmon salad which I loved! Would order it again. Hubby had the caprese salad with added shrimp. He said it was really good. Mom got the tuna poke with light dressing and the butternut squash soup. Note it had cream in it and it was very thick. Tasty though. We enjoyed ourselves here read more

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They have best sourdough garlic bread I've ever had in my life and the ambience is amazing. We sat outside and there was a waterfall. And our server Luke was friendly and quick, making us feel rushed the presentation of the food is good too read more

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Came here for lunch without a reservation and got seated immediately! The restaurant was a bit hard to find but I followed the signs and had to take the elevator or stairs. I ordered the tuna poke starter as a meal since I wasn't super hungry and my brother ordered the chicken burger which was absolutely humongous and also $27. It was pretty expensive but it is inside a zoo so no surprise. The food came fast and was delicious! Not like other zoo foods you expect. I also liked that it was sit down service and air conditioned which was a nice break from walking in the sun all day. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken burger - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We waited 45 minutes and when we Checked they lost our reservation and said it would be another 45 minutes. The girls running as hostess changed shift and all were worthless. We left very unhappy read more

We had a wonderful experience at Albert's today. We were seated before our reservation time, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the food is simple and high quality. The drinks selection is amazing and so fun. My husband called the style of the restaurant "Tommy Zoohama." Nailed it. We talked about our next trip back while we ate lunch, like, "We can't wait to come back!" It really boosted the whole experience of going to the zoo on a super hot day and having such a lovely, breezy cool break in the middle of the day. We wanted to give a shout out to our waiter Zach, who was so charming and made us feel so well taken care of. It seemed like he was maybe a new hire, and he was awesome. Great hire!!! We really can't wait to come back. Thank you for being the cherry on top of a wonderful family day trip. read more

Came here for lunch while visiting the zoo. This place is a hidden gem. If you're looking for a more sit down lunch spot or event early dinner this is the place. They have inside and outdoor seating. I saw a couple seats at the bar as well if you just want to grab a drink and enjoy the view We were seated right away, very nice spot inside looking at the waterfall. Our waitress was very friendly and had great knowledge on the menu. I ordered an expresso martini and my husband got a beer. The drink was well balanced with expresso and the right amount of sweetness. For food I got the steak frits and my husband got the double chicken sandwich. They both were so delicious. The flavors on the steak were great. Fries was good tastes like it has a bit of truffle oil on there. Would recommend coming here. Plus if you have a zoo pass you get a discount. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Steak frits - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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The zoo has taken it to the next level with this resturant. The absolute best and most delicious food. It was better than a lot of places I tried and the scenery was beautiful we sat by the waterfall. Def recommend reservations and not walk in. read more

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This was my family's first time visiting Albert's and we were not disappointed. It was definitely nice to be able to sit inside and enjoy your meal with the AC running on a hot day. I ordered the birria tacos, and my daughter got a quesadilla kids meal. The portion was perfect and I was very impressed by how the veggies were cooked for my daughter's kids meals. I mean the veggies were super tasty and sautéed and seasoned perfectly. If you're visiting the zoo and want a sit down experience be sure to visit Albert's. Reservations are suggested. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Birria tacos - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We decided to eat here to sit down and relax instead of dealing with the seating at the quick service restaurants. I made a reservation a few days in advance for the outdoor patio, which is the main draw of the restaurant for me. The patio has a nice, relaxing vibe, like you're tucked away in a jungle. The waterfall is pretty and adds to the atmosphere. Our server was kind and offered to bring us cups of ice for the sodas we brought in, which we appreciated but declined. We weren't super hungry so we just shared two appetizers: the brussel sprouts and the cheesy garlic bread. The brussel sprouts were fine, nothing standout but decent. The cheesy garlic bread was the good. The garlic chips on top added a strong punch of flavor and the sun dried tomato sauce on the side complimented it really well. Overall, a good option if you're looking for something more relaxed while spending the day at the San Diego Zoo. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Brussel Sprouts, Cheesy Garlic Bread - American Near Me - San Diego, California

Great food and got a cool spot outside by the waterfall. The waiters were nice and quick to serve us. There was a bit of a wait because we went on a Saturday but that is to be expected for walk-ups. Make sure to make a reservation if you think it's going to be busy. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Caesar Salad + salmon - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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On a partly sunny Friday afternoon, this treetop restaurant in the Zoo was the perfect destination for lunch! I had brought my colleagues here for their first time. We were seated (no reservation necessary) within 10 minutes of checking in. I ordered the chicken piccata pasta, and I would 10000% order it again. The dish was not too lemony nor was it suffocated by the capers. The creamy sauce paired well with the al dente pasta and chicken. I still dream of it. I'd also like to mention that we were seated right next to the window with a view of a waterfall feature. So much to love! read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken piccata I love you a lotta - American Near Me - San Diego, California

We took our little nephews for a day at the San Diego Zoo. For lunch, we made reservations at Albert's which is centrally located in the Zoo. The walk up to the restaurant is not bad and there are plenty of volunteers and zoo staff to guide you along the way. The food at the restaurant was great. Our server was super nice and pretty efficient. Monet brought the drinks and appetizers out quickly. We ordered Cheesy Garlic Bread and Crispy Brussel Sprouts. Both apps were delicious. The mains that were selected for the table were Glazed Salmon, Chicken Piccata with linguini, and Fried Chicken Burger with Sweet Potato fries. All the entrées were delicious and were gone in no time. The boys had quesadillas with black truffle fries. For dessert we opted to share the Flour-less Chocolate Torte. It came with a hefty side of mixed berries and a big dollop of whipped cream. The staff were very attentive and the service was impeccable. The prices are reasonable, and there's a small discount for members as well. The outside seating is great. There's a waterfall feature in the background which is nice and adds to the ambiance. It's a nice sit down, full service option while at the zoo. read more

Fine dining at the zoo. Who knew? The barkeep was amazing. Get a reservation or sit at the bar. The food is quality and pricy. You can sit inside where it's nice or sit on a balcony in the middle of the zoo. A surprising find in a zoo. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Cocktail. - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Decided to do a sit-down meal here instead of standing in line and having to hunt for a seat after. It wasn't super crowded but we were given the option to sit at the bar or wait about 10 minutes. We chose the bar! That turned out to be pretty fun, as the bartender was a blast - friendly, informative & fast at his job! The restaurant had a "tropical" feel to it, and quite spacious. The staff here were also friendly overall. The menu isn't super large, but sufficiently varied. Looks like they also had weekend brunch that sounded delicious, but alas, it was a weekday when I was there. I ended up choosing the Cauliflower rice and added grilled chicken, and my husband ordered the Quesa Birria Tacos. Everything tasted quite good surprisingly, though maybe a tad salty for the cauliflower rice...I think they should lessen the sauce they used on it....it was maybe a bit too "wet". I say surprisingly, because I generally don't like food at parks, often not tasty and expensive. Now, the prices aren't great, but again, you are in the zoo, not a local restaurant in the neighborhood. To be able to sit down for a full-service meal, in a nicely airconditioned place on a hot day, with friendly staff & interesting menu items, the price isn't extreme, especially compared to some place like Disneyland! Plus revenue from the restaurant supports the zoo and their conservation efforts, so I didn't mind the extra cost. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Queso birria tacos - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Excellent place to eat and rest while at the zoo. This place is awesome! The 4 of us had lunch here and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Appetizer's we had chicken wings and Brussel sprouts. Both were super delicious! My daughter had the salmon entree and loved the fresh salmon and the mixed vegetables that accompanied it. Very tasty! My son had the Birria Tacos and just loved them. Juicy tasty tender beef inside of a corn tortilla were perfectly done. My wife had the tuna sandwich and thoroughly enjoyed it! Lots of tasty goodies inside of the tuna made it even tastier! I had the double stack fried chicken sandwich. This was SUPER DELICIOUS!! Crispy chicken breasts covered in a crunchy breaded mixture with a wonderful slaw on top. Yummy!! The service was spot on! Never an empty water glass and very attentive! The ambiance is very comfortable to stay there for longer than you should. I can see resting there all day on, but there are animals to see! Great place to go!! read more

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They're open on Thanksgiving! (2025) Great experience as always. Friendly service and good eats. I love that the kids meal has the option for delicious veggies. The adults were envious. Great patio area with a waterfall. read more

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The food here was amazing! I would definitely go here again if I went to the San Diego zoo again which I probably will someday. The garlic cheesy bread is to die for and so is the fish that I had and my friends pasta. The steak that the guy had next to me looked awesome amazing! They were so nice. They let us sit at the bar and order drinks until we had a table since the wait was about 20 minutes. It actually wasn't that long though. We got a table, our waitress is great, just like our bartender! I would definitely come here again! read more

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Last time we went to Albert's, we shared the tuna melt, brussel sprouts and salmon. When I went the time before, my SIL loved the tuna melt...She doesn't share. So I was excited to try it. Too smoky for me. Some of the best brussel sprouts I've ever had (and I've tried a lot)...But, the salmon...OH, MY...The Salmon!!! The greens, seeds and dressing over it!!! So, today I just serendipitously decided to have lunch after celebrating Indah's 40th birthday. Got the best seat on the patio by the waterfall and ordered the salmon. Oh, the salmon!!! The server was fantastic and the lunch was perfection!!! read more

The food here was good, the ahi poke was a lot smaller than we thought but still very good! The chicken piccata was definitely delicious. The environment was nice was also really busy since it's located in the san Deigo zoo, service was friendly but also very fast read more

Albert's Restaurant - Chicken piccata - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I took a group of seven into Albert's restaurant at the San Diego zoo today. Last year, they had at least two menu items that were clearly labeled vegan. But apparently they've changed chefs, and now there is nothing. Another words, instead of actively supporting sustainable eating, they have regressed back to carnivore mentality. Everything on the menu has animal products of one sort of another. Luckily, our waitress was on the ball and she was able to suggest some modifications to one of the entrées to make an acceptable plant based dish. But it's very annoying that I have to arm wrestle with the menu to get a decent meal. It makes me feel like a second class citizen. And in this time of accelerating climate change, it's horrible to find restaurants that are actively making things worse. I can no longer recommend Albert's restaurant. read more

Make a reservation if at all possible so you don't have to wait. We were so tired that we were happy to sit for 20-25 minutes waiting for a table. Savannah was our server and she was very good. We ordered queso birria tacos and tuna melt plus butternut squash soup. All of it was very good. Service was decent. read more

Albert's Restaurant - Tuna melt - American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Take a break from all the walking and sightseeing and check out Albert's Restaurant, the only full-service restaurant and bar in the San Diego Zoo. It's been years since my last visit to the zoo, so I had to try this place out. I highly recommend making reservations early, especially during busy seasons. We made reservations for lunch the day we visited with ease. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with a waterfall just outside the patio area. The dining area is inviting and fits the zoo's theme and decor. We ordered various items from the menu, and everything was delicious. I ordered the House Smoked Albacore Tuna Melt, which was flavorful and filling. The Seasonal Salmon entrée and Cheesy Garlic Bread were also hits. The Double Stacked Chicken Sandwich was hefty; I don't think my family finished that one, but they enjoyed it. Overall, it was a pleasant and tasty experience. Our server, Madison S., was friendly and attentive, and our food came out promptly. For parties of seven or more, an 18% gratuity is added. The prices for being in a theme park weren't surprising, but I would dine here again. read more

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It hit on all 3 cylinders! Everything was amazing!! Check-in host and wait person were impeccable!! The food was unbelievably beyond delicious. The chef is better here than some 5-star restaurants. Worth every penny and adds to a delightful day at the zoo. read more

This is the only sit down table service restaurant in the Zoo. It has a small outside seating area that is covered and tropical with the nearby foliage along with indoor dining too. I would recommend making a reservation like I did to be safe about getting a table when you want it. The menu is limited with beer, wines and cocktails offered along with entrees and starters and a brunch in the weekends. I ordered the House Smoked Albacore Tuna Melt sandwich with fries for $25 and it arrived about 10 minutes later. The house made albacore spread was on 2 toasted multi grain bread slices cut in half with mayo, chipotle, cilantro and celery added. The meal also came with French fries. I must say it was a very good tasting sandwich. Yes I could taste a slight hint of smoke in the tuna mix and it was very satisfying to eat. Also the fries were hot and flavorful too. Table service was also good and this meal was easily a 4 score. So why do I give a 3? With an iced tea, tax and tip it was a $40 lunch of a sandwich, fries and tea. Yes a very good tasting meal but $40? If you come to eat here just remember that you are going to pay about a 50% food premium than the other counter service eateries around the Zoo and then have to add a tip for the table service. read more

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The atmosphere is amazing! Sit on the patio by the waterfall if you can. The meal was delicious and the servers are very friendly. We will always dine here when we visit the zoo! read more