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    Lemon Zest Cafe

    4.3 (899 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Lemon Zest Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Lemon Zest Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    LEMON ZEST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lemon Zest Cafe

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    Combo 3 (Chicken & Steak Kebab)
    Misa O.

    Very cute lemon aesthetic and semi-secluded seating. I got the chicken and steak combo and similar to many mediterranean spots around the area, the chicken was tender and juicy but the steak was a bit dry. Solid spot if you're around the area!

    VEGAN BEEF LULE KABOB
    J L.

    Wow this vegan kabob plate was so good and the portion is large. The protein is beyond meat and the way it's flavored (tastes different than the usual beyond) fits well with the dish. I will definitely come back for it.

    Disgusting
    Nanar A.

    Sure you can afford cleaner trash cans in the center of your cafe. I couldn't eat food after seeing this. Also your girl working here has an attitude and loud music she didn't care it's her own club not a cafe I had to ask her to lower the music so we can hear each other. Seriously you are closing your quality.

    Rodrigo C.

    Oh my, this was amazing! I hadn't been at Lemon Zest Cafe in about 7 years! Since my last review, I must say that the flavor, the service and quality of food preparation is phenomenal! They truly remain a treasured place of Mediterranean Food along the outskirts of Glendale. AreMen, who is the owner and manager has also opened 4 other locations which are spread around the LA County. (Northridge, Sherman Oaks, Azusa, Glendale and Sierra Madre). Ambiances here in GDL is chill and is a relatively small location, but they have a larger location in Azusa with a full bar and live music every Friday from 7 to 10 pm.

    Truffle fries

    The service was good. The food was delicious and generous. The place is also really cute.

    Salmon wrap
    Priscilla W.

    If you drive too fast,you will miss one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Glendale. This restaurant has a really fresh take on good traditional food. I came in and ordered the chicken Chipotle wrap. My order was cooked as I requested.all of the toppings that you could ever want were at your quest. I was even given a bottle of their pomegranate hot sauce, which was pretty sweet but spicy. My order came with fries, but I could have ordered a salad. My sister ordered the salmon salad, which was well appointed. The proportions for the food are incredible.we were able to take the food on the plane. For drinks,they had many different flavored waters as well as traditional drinks. I definitely would be back and found that this understated restaurant had great service.

    Literally disgusting. What did I just experience?! I spent $80 and they couldn't even give me a proper lemon. The shrimp was so fishy I had to spit it out.. No way I'm getting food poisoning this week. They're clearly not using fresh ingredients. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere else. The meat was ridiculously chewy. The only thing that was somewhat decent was the rice.. Never going back.

    Andre S.

    Had an incredible gyro and Greek salad at this cozy Mediterranean spot. The flavors were spot-on, with tender, juicy meat and a fresh, tangy salad. Pure bliss in every bite!

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    2 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    Armen M.

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    6 months ago

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    Armen M.

    Thank you Kayla

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    1 year ago

    Fast, easy, healthy meal on the go. Love that this option exists. The meals are flavorful and the service is pleasant.

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Always delicious, always fresh and great portions for the price. It's been my go to for all my gatherings since they first opened!

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    1 year ago

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    Page 1 of 23

    Lemon Zest Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

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    Seasoning Alley

    Seasoning Alley

    4.3(925 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    Wow. That's all. This place is legit. The filet shish kabob…read morewas so tender and perfectly spiced. I could have eaten that all day. The chicken was juicy and mouthwatering deliciousness. The lamb was gamey, packed with flavor. We enjoyed every bite and can't wait to try this place out again. We ordered takeout, food was ready on time, service was great. Parking is a bit challenging since it's only street parking, but that's Montrose :P

    The Seasoning Alley Mediterranean restaurant in Montrose…read more showed promise but landed somewhere in the middle. Here are some impressions from our visit earlier today. The restaurant is a casual, clean spot and has a welcoming environment. Service was attentive and friendly. Our salad was fresh and delicious and the meal portions were large and plentiful. Good hearty sized plates but low on taste and quality. Unfortunately, the pita was one of many low points. The pita arrived cold and slightly stiff, not warm and soft as we'd hoped. It lacked the toasty, chewy texture that makes pita so comforting and effective for scooping up dips and bites. Another low point was that our rice was barely warm, almost cold. Not good. The worst part of our meal had to be the hummus. It was almost frozen and tasted as if it was just scooped out of the freezer. Terribly disappointing. Our Chicken Kabob had a tender interior with a nicely charred exterior. The spices and marinade showed potential, but the overall flavor profile didn't quite soar beyond the ordinary. Wouldn't call it standout, yet it wasn't bad. It was just barely okay. The falafel tasted fresh, but the exterior could have used a bit more crispness. Interior was moist enough, with chickpea flavor present, though it didn't leave a lasting impression. Our overall impressions were that our meals were just barely okay for a casual dinner, but it didn't move into the "great" category. We were disappointed. We expected better quality. For improvement, heating the pita and rice to perfection and dialing in the falafel crust would elevate the overall experience. A touch more depth in the chicken kabob seasoning or a signature sauce could help distinguish the dishes. If you're in the mood for a low-key Mediterranean option with reliable service, this spot is worth a try. It's a safe bet for an okay meal, with good service and good size portions for a casual night out with friends or family. Considering their prices, for repeat visits, I'd hope to see more consistency across staples like the rice, pita and falafel, and a bolder finish on the kebabs to push the overall rating from "good but not great" to "really good." Pita and rice arrived cold. The Falafel could have been crisper. Chicken kabob flavor could be more distinct. The Hummus was horrible. Next time, I'll pass on this place. Cheers!

    Photos
    Seasoning Alley - Inside

    Inside

    Seasoning Alley - 29. Tahini Chicken Salad

    29. Tahini Chicken Salad

    Seasoning Alley

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    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani

    Raffi's Place

    4.4(7.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I've been coming here for years and the device is always 5-star. Food is sooooo good!read more

    The Bottom Line 5 stars: No matter whether you eat in or take out (this time we took out), , the…read moreBEST Persian food in LA, bar none. Location 4 stars: In busy downtown Glendale, California. Valet parking is a safe bet and so are the many parking structures nearby. Street parking is mostly metered and hard to come by. If you tell the Valet you are picking up, they let you temporarily park in the front, without charge. Venue 4 stars: Covered Outdoor and Indoor tables. Nothing fancy but comfy and homey. Be prepared to wait quite as bit during busy hours. You can try the Yelp Waitlist to cut down on wait time, BUT when they get really busy they shut down the wait list. Service 5 stars: Usually good. We took out this time and the front desk people were wonderful and extremely friendly and helpful. Drinks 5 stars: Full bar: A few specialty cocktails, premium spirits, beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Food 5 stars: Persian food is the main theme with some additions. Large menu of soups, appetizers, salads, specialty rice, stews and beef/lamb/chicken/fish kabobs to choose from. We usually get the the Baba Ghanoush, the Hummus, the Shirazi Salad, the Beef Barg (Filet Mignon) Kabob, the Beef Kabob Koobideh (Luleh Kabob; seasoned ground beef), the marinated chicken Kabob (with or without bone) and the Chicken Kabob Koobideh (Chicken Luleh Kabob; seasoned ground chicken). You cannot have bad food at Raffi's. Every dish rocks!

    Photos
    Raffi's Place - Hommus, Beef Soltani Kabob, Chicken Soltani Kabob, White Fish Kabob, Plain Yogurt

    Hommus, Beef Soltani Kabob, Chicken Soltani Kabob, White Fish Kabob, Plain Yogurt

    Raffi's Place - Hummus and Pita Bread

    Hummus and Pita Bread

    Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani Kabob

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    Chicken Soltani Kabob

    Cardamom Indian Cuisine - Fish Tandori

    Cardamom Indian Cuisine

    4.6(1.6k reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Halal

    From the moment we walked into this restaurant, we were welcomed with such a warm, friendly…read moreatmosphere that immediately made us feel comfortable and appreciated. The restaurant itself was extremely clean, beautifully maintained, and had an inviting environment that made the entire dining experience even more enjoyable. Our server, Zubi, provided absolutely spectacular service from beginning to end. Zubi was attentive, professional, patient, and incredibly helpful while explaining the menu and offering recommendations. Everyone on the staff was polite, welcoming, and genuinely cared about making sure we had an amazing experience. The food was truly outstanding and some of the most authentic Indian cuisine we have ever tasted. Every dish was made fresh to order, served hot, and packed with incredible flavor. You could immediately taste the quality, freshness, and authenticity in every bite. The spices were perfectly balanced, the food was extraordinarily delicious, and every dish was prepared with obvious care and attention to detail. Not only was the food exceptional, but it also came out very quickly without sacrificing quality. Everything we ordered exceeded our expectations. The flavors were rich, comforting, and unforgettable. This was easily a five-star dining experience in every way possible -- excellent service, authentic and flavorful food, a warm environment, and outstanding hospitality. We will absolutely be coming back again and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for truly amazing Indian cuisine.

    Delicious food and wonderful staff, but the prices are a bit steep without much quantity. Like, I…read morewould have expected bigger portions for the price we paid. They had parking in the back which is a plus in contrast to the paid parking available in the street. The inside is long and narrow, with spacious booth seating. I ordered the lunch chicken tikka. It was buttery and creamy. The chicken was tender. The dish was served with rice and naan. The naan was outstanding with a toasty, crispy exterior and pillowy soft interior. The rice was fried with other ingredients. The dish also came with a salad that was less than appetizing, I didn't eat much of it. Overall, I'd probably come back. But only for lunch.

    Photos
    Cardamom Indian Cuisine - Dum Birany ( lamb)

    Dum Birany ( lamb)

    Cardamom Indian Cuisine
    Cardamom Indian Cuisine - Muragh ( chicken) tikka

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    Muragh ( chicken) tikka

    Kabob Village

    Kabob Village

    4.4(50 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Excellent Food tasty ,clean, delicious…read more This restaurant is a really good one, with excellent food quality, very clean, and a place where you can get dishes that would cost a lot more elsewhere, at the same quality, but for a more reasonable price. The staff are very kind, the ambience is absolutely great, and honestly, it's a place I'd say you must try. From the stews, especially if you love chicken stew, to the chicken kebabs, which are amazing, you will really enjoy it. I hope they keep doing more and more of this, and we can all enjoy more of it!

    Located inside the Glendale Crossing Plaza, at the V split of Verdugo and Glendale Blvds…read more We wanted to try a bit of everything so we were guided to the Duke's platter that has 4 skewers, rice, salad and a side order. We did that with the yougurt dip. The bread and dip were tasty. The skewers we selected were the Chicken Shish kabob, the Chicken Koobedeh, and two beef koobedeh (as they were out of Beef Shish Kabob). We also opted to upgrade to the cherry rice. That was a good choice as the rice was delicious but the cherry added another dimension to the flavor. As to the kabab, I enjoyed the Chicken Shish the most. I also added a touch of lemon juice and green pepper (served alongside). The chicken breast was moist and flavorful. The beef koobedeh was also very good. It was tender and spiced really well. The salad was good, but the lettuce was a bit drowned in the dressing, making it a little limp. The staff were helpful and guided us well in our selections. All in all, I really enjoyed this meal. I have definitely makes it in my favorite list.

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    Kabob Village
    Kabob Village
    Kabob Village

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    Charcoal Kitchen - Thinly sliced, marinated meat is slow-cooked and wrapped in warm, fluffy pita bread, topped with fresh veggies and our special tahini sauce

    Charcoal Kitchen

    4.5(116 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    SO YUMMY! Best hummus I have ever tried. The family is so sweet and ready to help with any…read morequestions. Me and my husband absolutely loved the food. Small cozy restaurant with fresh home cooked food. You can taste the love in the flavors. The rice was fresh, the chicken flavorful and hot off the grill. The side of grilled seasoned veggies was amazing. Great portion sizes. The hummus and pita came with the meal. We are obsessed. A must try. Plenty of street parking.

    Ho-ly, I haven't been here since sometime in 2025, but things have gotten bizarro dire…read more I don't know if they had to cut costs or lost their head chef or what, but every component from the hummus to veggies to protein to the sauces are all visually similar, but incredibly inferior versions of themselves. Tonight I got the beef shwarma plate and suddenly the shwarma is flavorless and bone dry, the hummus has the texture of an old bowl of oatmeal and or like a bad tuna salad, the "cucumber salad" seemed to be missing both citrus *and* oil, and worst of all? The sauces! What happened?! They used to have a dilly yogurt and like a meatloaf-style spicy ketchup. Now? It's like a wet marinara and a lumpy, gray-white thousand-island. This place went from hidden gem to extremely disappointing. Do not go here, it's a ghost of its former self. Something has gone horribly awry. They don't even have their refrigerator of quality sides any longer--my wife is gonna miss their borscht most of all.

    Photos
    Charcoal Kitchen
    Charcoal Kitchen - Marinated to perfection and cooked over open flames, our barbeque dishes are a treat for the senses.

    Marinated to perfection and cooked over open flames, our barbeque dishes are a treat for the senses.

    Charcoal Kitchen - New in Charcoal Kitchen Lule Kebab with cheese

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    New in Charcoal Kitchen Lule Kebab with cheese

    Lemon Zest Cafe - mediterranean - Updated June 2026

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