Wanted to try this place out and still undecided if I thought it was worth it or not... love the ambiance and the cool seating. Even the music playing was relaxing. Staff was super friendly and pleasant when I had questions. If you are coming for lunch definitely order ahead of time online cause the students come in like a stampede and lines get long lol I found the food a bit disappointing. I paid $17 the blue crab cake burger and homemade house chips. The burger had more bun than crab cake ratio and needed a lot more sauce. It was quite dry. Luckily they were nice and gave me more remoulade sauce when I requested it. The homemade chips tasted like they were fried in very old oil. It was quite off putting. I kept burping it all day and felt nauseous. I don't think I'd come back. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Cool seating and ambiance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

pretty yummy, cool ambiance. Had the tuna melt and chips , can't complain it was delicious

Located at the loft, this cafe is hidden out of view at UCSD's Price center, and is definitely a pleasant surprise to walk into. The furniture and artwork are modern and sleek, and has a very welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the Zanzibar combo, and this came with half a cold sandwich, a soup, and a small side. I was thrilled to choose this option, giving me a greater variety of foods. However, quantity is not an adequate substitute for quality. The bread in the Banh mi was very dry, and overpowered the taste of the sandwich. The tofu and the inside of the sandwich was a little under-seasoned. The elote was the best part of this combo, put was also quite plain. It lacked any kind of diverse flavor- and seemed like simply a mixture of corn and mayonnaise. Adding some tajin, lemon, and some hot sauce would have completed this dish, and their absence was very apparent. The tomato basil soup was lukewarm and lackluster, I wouldn't have been able to tell if this was freshly made or out of a can. The vegan burger was also quite a disappointment. The buns were dry, and the Beyond burger severely lacked seasoning and failed to bring out an iota of flavor. Further, the traditional components that are widely expected in a burger were shockingly missing. The only remainder being arugula and a splash of "special Zanzibar sauce" that went unnoticed. The saving grace of this dish was the side of fries, which seemed to be fresh and crispy. The iced mocha seemed to have a bit extra milk, and was nothing spectacular. On a diverse campus that's expanding each year, students may find themselves more satisfied with some of UCSD's other dining options. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Zanzibar combo: 1/2 Vegan Banh Mi, Elote, Tomato Basil soup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

the staff here are really nice. it's also a good study/work space. vegan burger didn't come with all of the listed toppings, so we asked and got them. the decaf coffee tasted really weird, wouldn't recommend read more

Zanzibar Cafe - vegan burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

My friend told about about this place because they have $1 orzo pasta and they give a hefty amount for that price. We each got an orzo pasta. I also got the lobster roll for only $9. They gave a lot of lobster for that price and it tasted really good. The orzo pasta and the chips were alright to me but it's greatfor the price. You order up front and then they give you a number to take to your seat. They bring the food out to you when it's ready. They also serve alc and coffee. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Lobster roll - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Pretty good quality food! A bit pricey at a total of $15, but not bad. Both the turkey and bacon panini and the macaroni and cheese (which isn't cheap, American cheese ones) were very tasty and had good quality. Nice to have nice food on UCSD campus like this. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Macaroni and Cheese - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Ordered the vegan burger and none of the toppings it's supposed to come with were on it. It was flavorless and incredibly disappointing, especially for $10. I couldn't even force myself to finish it. read more

I got the chicken pesto hot sandwich as a panini with mixed greens (comes with balsamic vinegarette on the side). It was $10, and definitely not worth it as the sandwich was mediocre at best. It was a little small, the bread was way too hard, and the chicken was really dry. The workers were really friendly and the place itself was clean, but overall, I would say choose a different place to eat if you're in PC. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Chicken pesto sandwich as a panini with mixed greens on the side-$10 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Zanzibar Café is probably the best place to eat on the UCSD campus. That being said, my 4 stars is relative to other places on campus, and would probably be a little harsher otherwise. Although the menu is small, there is a great variety of order options. I got the blackened fish sandwich with a side of fries. To be honest, I would not order it again. The fish came out cold, making it clear that it came frozen. Taste wise, it was fine. The fries on the other hand, I would definitely order again! We also got an order of the potato chips for the table. They are handmade and came out super hot and fresh. I would order these again. They have great happy hour deals, so I would come again for the sides at a good price! read more

See all

A laid-back campus spot featuring a diverse and inventive menu, amiable staff, discounts on afternoon bar bites, and a thoughtfully curated selection of craft beer taps. The ambiance is complemented by a chill soundtrack playing through the PA system. read more

-Update- So I've noticed an unfortunate recurring trend with their sandwiches. This time I ordered their blackened fish sandwich again with large chips, and the price was again $10 flat. This sandwich was overall better than the pork belly banh mi in terms of being more moist and flavorful, but it was about the diameter of a dollar menu burger from McDonalds... I haven't tried their happy hour, so I can't attest to how good it is, but for lunch given the price and the quantity, I'd recommend elsewhere in PC. Still a cool hangout spot though, and I'm still gonna come back for chips! read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Blackened fish sandwich--tasty, but pretty small for the price. :| - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

This has been my favorite spot on campus for the past four years now, and probably will continue to be. It's also referred to as The Loft and can be found on the second floor of Price Center. The location itself is great, and it's a nice moderate-volume establishment with decent views and cozy decor. The staff is super chill and helpful, and they're very efficient given how few of them there are. The prices are pretty fair, and their menu's got great variety food and drink-wise. I usually grab an iced chai latte from here, and it's a pretty solid mix. As for food, my staple used to be the lamb burger, and I wholeheartedly recommend it! The patty is cooked perfectly, paired with a nice brioche bun and the yogurt sauce, pickled cucumbers and onions? Super solid. Since switching to my pescatarian lifestyle, I've been ordering the fish tacos, which are a great serving size and pretty solid in terms of taste. The shrimp tacos are also pretty good, but there's something about the chipotle cream in the former that's got me hooked. Their carnitas taco is also good, but I'd recommend the seafood ones over it. Nonetheless, they do do taco Tuesdays and happy hour deals for the tacos! The side of fries is also a must for me, and I actually find them to be really good (I'm a fan of thinner cut fries, and I'll usually ask for them to be cooked well). The lobster roll is also another recommended pick, especially since it's so affordable for a lobster roll and it's packed with lots of meat without any overwhelming flavor. I'm just such a fan of the vibe and atmosphere of this place, and they're always playing really solid music. It's a nice place to be for solid food and background noise while you do work in a lively setting. read more

Zanzibar was my go-to when Croutons wasn't available on campus. It's probably one of the best eateries on campus, as in...not the cheapest, but at least it's appetizing and not just "edible" in some form. Came to visit some friends that are still here (woot! alumni status!) and chilled at Zanzibar for an early dinner. Ordered the chicken and brie panini which also comes with shoestring fries. The fries had a hint of ginger on them, not sure if that was on purpose, but it was different....I would've liked an option to put parmesan on them though. The sandwich was good too. Several of my friends opted for different versions of the flatbread. I remembered it was pretty good, but I didn't get to validate it this time. It's delivered on a wooden pizza paddle though, it's a nice little fancy touch. read more

I didn't even know Zanzibar Cafe had already opened on campus. Did I miss the memo of its grand opening or something? If my friend hadn't suggested this place for lunch one day, I would probably still be obliviously eating at TapEx. Zanzibar Cafe is a cute place to hang out and grab a bite. The chic and modern decor (high tables, comfy couches, art on the wall) makes the atmosphere very comfortable and relaxing. Food here is pretty good, but a bit pricey. I've had the chicken pesto sandwich with the colesaw. I thought the sandwich tasted really tasty. It was so good that I almost tumbled off my chair; I was sitting on a high stool too, so I'm sure it would've made for great entertainment if I actually did fall. I also enjoyed the coleslaw, which is rare because I'm not a big coleslaw person. There is a bar here as well, but I've never tried anything from there yet. Maybe I will swing by next time after I get ass-raped by a test to drown my sorrows. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Chicken pesto sandwich with coleslaw - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

My new favorite place to eat at on campus from 4-6pm! Why? Because they have something called their Social Hour which is like a twist on happy hour. I normally don't come here because everything is a bit pricier than Croutons but since Croutons was closed I decided to come here. I am so glad I did! I ordered the Chicken Pesto Flatbread for only $6.50, no tax! It came out in this huge platter nice and warm and the mozzarella was still oozing from every slice that was picked up. I'm craving this just thinking about it. I'll have to write an update on this when I come back and remember their other items on their Social Hour menu. Anyway, if you decide to come here before 4pm, I highly recommend their Turkey + bacon melt, which is a panini on sourdough. Comes with a side of chips that are oh so tasty! So why the 3 stars? Everything on their menu is a bit pricey for what you order. Also, I have yet to experience good service. I came in with less than 40 minutes to order and eat before my next class. I waited for a good 10 minutes at the register before someone came over to take my order! I saw at least two guys just talking in the kitchen several yards away from me and there was only one waiter serving food and cleaning tables, who later ended up taking my order. He didn't look too thrilled working there. The food is too good to keep me away for too long though. read more

This is one of my top to-go eateries on the UCSD campus, especially during a lunch break from work with my co-workers. Everyone who works here is hip, cool, and friendly, and they are good at recognizing regulars. I always ask them for menu suggestions, and I am never disappointed with their recommendations. They are very quick and experienced, and their service is one of the things I enjoy the most when I go to Zanzibar. As for the food, everything is so flavorful and filling. These are my top choices: * Vegetarian Chili - Light & simple, has tons of vegetables (they don't cheap-out) and melted cheese on top. YUM! * Mango Chicken Salad - TIP: Get it in a to-go box and shake up the salad! The combination of flavors is delicious. The jicama and goat cheese perfectly compliment the mangoes and chicken. * Zbar Mac & Cheese - Would recommend splitting this and another dish with someone because it's a LOT... unless you like mac & cheese that much. * Omelette - Any of them are SO FREAKING GOOD, but try to get an order with a side of their potatoes. Best way to start any day! And of course, their happy hour and beer selection are always things to look forward to. Lastly, I love the fact that it is combined with The Loft (performance space) and it's conveniently located on campus. UCSD students may complain about the price, but you really do get what you pay for. read more

HIPSTER HANGOUT on the UCSD campus. A little pricey, but great for catching up with friends during their happy hour (4-6pm) . The Salmon and Turkey Slider Combo was on the small side for $6.50 but was very flavorful and fresh! Good selection of draft beers for $4.50 too. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - turkey and salmon slider combo, $6.50 during happy hour - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

Came here to have lunch and study at the same time because PC was way too crowded downstairs. Got the Chicken Mango Salad! Forgot that I don't like goat cheese. Otherwise, the combination of chicken, mango, raisins, and salad was good. It was definitely overpriced though. A big plate was about $11. Not for college student budget. Nice place to hangout and grab a beer with friends on campus. For food...I think I'll settle for Santorini Salad next time. read more

I've been here twice and I love the Social Hour (their version of HH) food here (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qnH_8XayoYj-1okCCwyK3g?select=GIp5nF3w8dI4_mgVkLJulw#6sR66BcVUTLfY-L6HU56rw). The wines, however, are a little expensive for what you get. The first time my friend and I came here, we were on a time crunch to order specifically takeout because The Loft was having some David Choi & Clara C concert thing going on soon and Zanzibar had to kick everyone out by 6PM. The second time we came here for Social Hour, we actually got to sit down on the nice couches and settle in to the nice atmosphere inside Zanzibar. However, there was a little problem with the service. First, they served my friend Veggie flatbread instead of the Chicken Pesto flatbread that she had ordered. Second, they served me the Spicy Seasoning fries instead of the Truffle and Parmesan fries that I'd ordered. Thankfully, they were very nice and quick to replace me the correct fries (my friend had decided to forego the hassle of having to wait for another flatbread). Riesling wine (~$6) - The bartender was nice enough to let me sample this (without checking my ID card. Oops on his part!) before deciding. It was pretty sweet and good. However, he only poured the glass around 1/5 full! What!? It was shocking and disappointing how small the glass was. Chicken Pesto Flatbread (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qnH_8XayoYj-1okCCwyK3g?select=GIp5nF3w8dI4_mgVkLJulw#T08FltfO72DAq-VTTF4hag) - Yummy yummy! For $6.50 you get five decent-sized slabs of flatbread! I loved the pesto flavor and they were generous with the toppings. Definitely worth my money. Parmesan and Truffle Fries ($4.50) - Of all the fries I've tried from here, this is definitely the best! You may be thinking, I don't want to pay $4.50 for just fries! However, for $4.50 gives you a LOT of fries. It's a whole shoe-box size worth of fries! The truffle flavor is to die for and the Parmesan makes it finger-lickin' good! Beware that this item runs out close to the end of Social Hour. Cheese Fries ($4.50) (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/qnH_8XayoYj-1okCCwyK3g?select=GIp5nF3w8dI4_mgVkLJulw#GIp5nF3w8dI4_mgVkLJulw) - Who doesn't love cheese? Again, the portions make this worth your money. However, some fries don't get their portion of the cheese and taste like normal fries. Spicy Seasoning Fries - Nomnom. This would probably be my second choice for fries. The seasoning is very appetizing and reminiscent of a classier cousin of cajun fries. TL;DR: Come here for Social Hour. They have yummy flatbreads and fries (Parmesan & Truffle, please!). However, their wines a little expensive. read more

See all

I love Zanzibar! I especially loved it last year when i was an RA and could spend my tritoncash. Nonetheless, its still a great place. So convenient having a classy place to eat at with friends without ever having to leave campus. The beer and wine samplers are fairly priced and the staff is great about helping you pick out what you want to try. They have a great happy hour (or social hour, as they call it) with drink and food specials at all different prices. The teriyaki edamame is TO DIE FOR. I get it every time I go there, no matter what else I'm ordering (breakfast being the only exception). I love the sandwiches and the chips on the side are delish as well. For breakfast I love the omelettes and the french toast. Its really quiet there in the mornings, so I've gone with friends to get brunch and study. I recently heard good things about the chili and cornbread combo... Can't wait to give that a try some time this winter! read more

Zanzibar Cafe - artichoke/pesto/feta flatbread pizza, seared edamame, Mediterranean plate, and a wine sampler. ($20 during happy hour) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

This is a cool place. They have modern decor and the vibe is relaxed and laid back. They serve beer and wine. I got an anthem cider that was light and delicious. I came here for an a Capella show and it was really cool. I recommend checking out this place for a live show. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - A Capella show tonight - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

They have bomb chips and salsa & porkbelly tacos for such a great price during happy hour (3-5PM)! The chips and salsa are only $4 during HH and come with three dips: guac, pico de gallo, and their mango salsa. Pork belly tacos can be made on corn or flour tortillas. $6 during HH and you get three huge tacos that are very filling. The only downside is that your food will take awhile to come out. I usually have to wait approx 30 mins for my food to arrive. read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Porkbelly tacos ($6 during HH) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

I ordered the mac and cheese for $7. For starters, the portion size was ridiculously small for the price. The mac and cheese itself was mushy and seemed to have been heated in a microwave. Furthermore, the "panko crust" advertised on the menu was barely noticeable and didn't contribute to the dish at all. The waiting time for such a mediocre meal was also too long as I was waiting for over 15 minutes. Definitely won't be eating here again. read more

A really nice addition to the UCSD campus- I wish it had come earlier. Being a fan of Zanzibar Cafe in PB, I knew I would like the UCSD location and it's nice how it has a totally different ambiance then PB and for that fact from the rest of UCSD. Definitely felt like I had left campus when I was there. Love their brownies and mochas and hot chocolate and I believe their food is pretty good from what I tasted at the launch party awhile back. The only downside is occasional run ins with professors haha. read more

Taste: 4 Value: 3 Service: 4 Came here on opening day when they had free food, but it was pretty disappointing since the lines were really long, and their attempt to keep it organized was absolutely awful. The other two times I came here were better. Both times were for lunch, and I got the oven-roasted turkey sandwich. The sandwich was pretty good, and their butternut squash soup is pretty good as well. Portions a bit on the small side given the price. read more

When I eat at UCSD, I tend to stick to the bottom floor foot court food and I never even realized that there was a cafe at the loft, but I really glad that I did. The decor is modern/trendy-like and I really liked the setup, with high tables, low tables, and even a bar eating area. It's also really nice to see a place other than porter's pub that serves beer (and wine!) on campus. The prices are a little bit more expensive than I'd like to spend, but eh, it was my first time, so I was willing to take a chance. I ordered the zbar macaroni and cheese (which comes with a mixed green salad), and my date, the smoked chicken and black bean quesadilla. Though my date thought the mac and cheese was simple, I thought it had a kick to it. It was a little spicy on my pallet, but it tasted great. The cheese sauce was the perfect consistency and it came together very well. My date especially loved the mac and cheese. I also was able to try the quesadilla, which was REALLY good. It was mostly chicken and black beans, with a small amount of cheese (goat? but I couldn't really tell), but it was very healthy tasting and delicious. Our meals were 7 dollars each, which was actually decent considering how great our meals tasted. I probably wouldn't be a regular here just because it would break my wallet, but I loved their food and the atmosphere and it's definitely a great place to eat, especially if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the downstairs food court. read more

Honestly, this is a great place to eat on campus. There are a ton of delicious sounding items on their menu at a decent price. If you like those cafes with lots of sandwiches, soups, and salads, this is a place like that. I do, so I feel like I've found a good place :) I had: Mango Chicken Salad: This was grilled chicken breast, sliced mango, cucumber, jicama, goat cheese, roasted almonds & sun-dried cherries, served on a bed of mixed greens with a side of sun-dried cherry vinaigrette. Very tasty. The chicken breast was not dry, neither was it too moist. It was pretty good and very tender. Not much fat in it either, which really lets you enjoy that genuine white chicken meat. The sliced mango and cucumber just made for a super refreshing pair to go with the greens. The almonds gave a nice crisp. The goat cheese just made the salad very creamy, which was perfect, especially with the chicken. Definitely recommend, although this is one of the pricier items on the menu. Tomato Soup: This tastes pretty much like an ordinary tomato bisque, but it was really good as well. Not too thick, not too thin. It was enough to dip the bread I got with my salad into, and almost tasted like a breadstick, dipped in marinara, but not too saucy. Yum! Thai Salmon Cake Sandwich: So this one? Um, pretty much to die for. This is locally caught salmon with thai herbs, lemon aioli, tomato, red onion and seasonal greens on a toasted brioche bun. It's like a salmon cake (think crab cake, but made with salmon) in a sandwich. That itself is already amazing. But wait. DAT AIOLI DOE. Oh my god, so perfect. That delicious, tender-on-the-inside but crispy-on-the-outside salmon cake with the aioli, super good. The tomato, red onion, and greens just go perfectly in this too. And the toasted brioche bun is just great. It tastes like those sweet Hawaiian buns, but as the buns for the sandwich. AMAZING. And the chips that come with it are pretty good too, nice and crispy and very potato-like, making it seem like it's been freshly made. I will DEFINITELY be coming here more often. Absolutely great! read more

When my taste buds can't stand eating dining hall food anymore, this is my main go-to spot on campus for some fresh sandwiches and scrumptious soups! I usually always order the combo special, which gives you half a cold-sandwich and then a cup of their soup of the day. Today I got half a turkey sandwich and garbanzo bean soup. 'TWAS DELICIOUS!! Seriously, all the ingredients they use to make their food are superrrrr fresh! I can just imagine them having a mini farmer's market in their kitchen, where they pick fresh vegetables and such for every single order! Hehe. I wish I were 21 though, because I heard their beer on tap is also amazing....Rawr... read more

See all

First of all: Management for Zanzibar!!! CAN YOU PLEASE HIRE EXTRA PEOPLE ON FRIDAY NIGHTS?! I went here and it was packed, with only three people taking orders/making food/serving the alch. The wait was looooong, but your wine made up for it :] Weekdays. 430 - 7 (?) Happy hour. Go. Now. I went here last Friday to check out their wine/beer selection and I must say that I was very impressed. $6 for beer sample ( 3 cups of beer from tap) $7 for three cups of wine from their selection. ( I wish they gave this in wine glasses, they put the wine in the same cup they put the beer!?) $7 really? for a nice chill buzz on UCSD?I I am so glad they opened this place up! really liked their Pinot Noir! Yum yum yumyum. All of their red wine was basically good from what I remember. Happy hour I will take so much advantage of you. ;) read more

My girls and I have our weekly lunches between classes on campus and we often choose Zanzibar Cafe because of the ambiance, capabilities of accommodating a semi-large group, and the quality, variety, and affordability of food! Since my first review, I've had the Turkey Bacon Melt, the Blackened Fish Sandwich, and the Turkey Burger. -Turkey Bacon Melt: was really good! I love their paninis because they're perfectly grilled to a crisp. This panini and the salad from the previous review are probably my favorites so far. -Blackened Fish Sandwich ($8.95): sounds really good but was actually not all that great. The fish itself was more seasoned in some areas than others. Although the seasoning was good, the fish was very gamey. I couldn't get over it! I kept taking another bite thinking that taste would go away but it didn't. I probably won't order this one again. -Turkey Burger ($8.95): was a definite no. Maybe I'm just not a fan of turkey burgers in general. I love red onions but the red onion flavor was too strong, the tomato was sliced too thick, it kept falling out and the turkey patty had a lot of flavor but not a flavor I enjoyed. -I always order Zanzibar's chips because they're so fresh and crunchy! They lightly sprinkle their chips with sea salt and I always end up eating every last chip. However, during my last visit, my fatass was finishing my friend's chips and they were way too oily. It was drenched in oil and every bite felt like I was squeezing the oil out of the chip and ingesting it separately. Hahah, a bit overly dramatic..but it was that gross. My chips were fine, though!! So I guess it's hit or miss. I still love the atmosphere here..the sun doesn't directly shine in on the place but we still get our good share of sunlight. The employees are very nice and polite, always smiling when you make eye contact with them. Looking forward to next week's lunch already!! read more

Zanzibar Cafe - Chicken Pesto ($7.50) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

Zanzibar is pretty much the best option for food on campus these days. It is definitely not on the cheap side like most places in PC, but I do feel you're getting quality for the price here. Their paninis are tasty for lunch, though there have been occasions when my three cheese was not melted all the way through. Their homemade chips are deeeeelicious. They come out warm and lightly salted. They are open during shows as well, during which I like to share a cheese plate (the California includes Humbold Fog omggg!) and wine. Or one of the great local beers on tap, depending on the show. Atmosphere is quite nice, as it is situated in the Loft. It's very bright and airy inside during the day. Always great art on the walls, and they've usually got an interesting playlist on the speakers. The guys and gals who work here are friendly for the most part, though speediness of service can vary. Overall, I'm really glad Zanzibar decided to become a part of the Loft! read more

When I first came to Zanzibar, my friends and I wanted to try somewhere new on campus to drink other than Round Table. At Zanzibar they have a wide variety of beer and wine as well as sake. We have fun at Round Table but Zanzibar was a fresh breath of air. Today I went there to try their food for lunch and I was blown away. I shared the Zanzibar house salad and turkey bacon melt panini with my friend and both were so delicious. The house salad has feta cheese, spring mixes, avocado, and balsamic vinaigrette- all my fave! The turkey bacon melt panini was also near perfect. Next time I will try it with their coleslaw, I heard they make it themselves and that it's really good. My friend got the iced chai and because they use powder and not syrup, it was probably the best iced chai that I've ever had so far. Zanzibar is easily the most delicious place to eat on campus. The interior is very calming with its natural colors and it's a good place to cool down between classes. I will be coming here for lunch a lot more often! read more

I've been here once or twice and the food isn't bad for the price but, I've stopped coming for the sole reason that the employees that I've interacted with are about as intelligent as a handful of pebbles and talking to them will annoy you on the sole basis that you have to repeat yourself at a third grade level to fully get your questions answered. For example: me: Hi, I'm here to pay off an invoice for a student org that I manage. waitress: ummm yeah...only our boss can do that and he's like not here today. me: Oh ok, do you know when he will be here? Cause this event is on Monday. waitress: umm...He's not here today.. me: Yes...I heard you but, do you know when he'll be available? waitress: umm... and I promise you this conversation went on for another 5 minutes before I realized that she doesn't know much of anything in this world. I almost wanted to ask if she was ok because her slightly naggy voice made her sound wasted. But, no...not wasted, sadly. I told my co-workers and apparently, they've all had similiar experiences with this one particular waitress as well. You can't miss her, she's blond, tall, acts like she's drunk and doesn't know much. If you're fine with mediocre service though, I would get their mac and cheese or chicken pesto sandwich :) read more

If you are a UCSD student trying to show a new student or friend around, chances are they haven't been to Zanzibar at the Loft. I've posted and snapchatted quite a few pictures of the food here and I've gotten so many replies and questions on where I am eating. It's a surprise to all that UCSD is lucky to have a place like this! (second floor of PC, above D'lush) Zanzibar is a chain cafe in San Diego, with locations downtown and in PB. They offer quite the selection of wine, beer, and they also serve mimosas :))))!! My review is for the happy hour menu. Happy is hour is 4-6pm! I basically come here for an early dinner for less than or around $10. You can get a huge plate of fries (2-4 people can share) for about $4-5. Their sweet potato fries are delicious. If you want regular potato fries, ask for the truffle parmesan fries. ALSO ASK FOR TRUFFLE AIOLI AND SRIRACHA AIOLI. For $5 you can get a gourmet flatbread: rustic, margherita, pesto veggie, or spicy pepperoni. They used to be long flatbreads and thin crusted, but now they are circular and not as thin... kinda like a pizza. I liked the older version and hope it changes back to that again! But the rustic one is my favorite. Fig jam and bacon make a great pairing, although I don't know how that is considered "rustic." The sliders are pretty creative, not just burger sliders. Ive seen fish, turkey, and lamb sliders, all paired with different ingredients and a side of chips. The alcohol menu for happy hour is 4.50 drafts, 5.50 wines and 3.5 mimosas. Not too bad and one mimosa will definitely get you to feel a little buzz! The sandwhich combos aren't anything I would go for. $10 for a sandwich and mixed greens is a little too expensive, I would go to croutons if I wanted sandwich and salad. Happy hour is what gets me coming back! read more

Zanzibar Cafe - This is how much you get for $5 HH fries! The flatbreads now look like pizzas. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - La Jolla, California

See all

This is clearly a restaurant that opened up intending to offer higher quality food than is easily available in the center of campus. Of course this isn't such a lofty aspiration as most all of the food available at ucsd comes from garbage fast food chains or places that aren't even good enough to franchise. Despite the truly modest task of beating out burger king for "best price center lunch," this place doesn't make it. "Zanzibar at the loft" has failed to impress me a couple of times, but my most recent trip was such an offensive disappointment that I just can't go back there to give them any more money. Allow me to share the story: I ordered a pastrami reuben panini. It came with only a couple shreds of "sauerkraut", just a tiny swipe of thousand island dressing and a pitiful amount of meat on the sandwich. If you want to call something a reuben then you have to have more than just a few slices of pastrami on there. When I went up to ask for extra sauerkraut and dressing it took them literally ten minutes to give it to me. While I was waiting at least three other customers received their food. The explanation that the girl working the counter gave me was that it was taking so long because they make the sauerkraut to order. . . . . . YOU CAN'T MAKE SAUERKRAUT TO ORDER YOU IDIOTS! SAUERKRAUT IS FERMENTED CABBAGE AND IT TAKES WEEKS TO MAKE IT! The "sauerkraut" that they gave me was just chopped up raw cabbage with a little bit of vinegar on it or something. Of course they can serve whatever sandwiches they want there, but as a customer its annoying and offensive that they are dishonest about what it is they are serving. If its not dishonesty then its just idiocy. Either way id rather give my money to burger king. Also, no rye bread. A reuben on sourdough?!? When I asked for rye I was told that "there's rye in the sauerkraut." I don't know what the hell that is even supposed to mean. Also, counter staff is extremely slow. Slow to take your order, slow to understand your requests. I wanted to hold up a mirror to her face to make sure she was still breathing. read more

I used to eat at Zanzibar every single day when I was a student here. Now that I'm in the real world, I still come by often, usually with friends. However, after today's experience, I will hesitate before giving them business. I ordered some food and a beer sampler during their Happy Hour today. The waitress gave me a bit of attitude, but I ignored that since I figured everyone has their bad days. However, what I couldn't ignore was what a terrible job she did pouring beer. She left so much foam in our sampler that two of the cups were half-full. After I saw her properly pour a foam-less glass of beer for another customer, I decided to ask her to fill up our cups. Sure, maybe I'm cheap, but if I'm going to ask for a beer sampler after a long day at work, I'd like to receive 3 full glasses, not two half-glasses! AND to make it worse, the waitress had the nerve to tell me "Just to let you know, it's customary to tip when you order alcohol at the bar." I was so shocked that I had her repeat it to just to make sure I heard her correctly. Really? Since when was it customary to tell customers when to tip you?! I may be mistaken, but I thought it was CUSTOMARY for you to grin and bear it and do your job. -_- I will definitely let Zanzibar's management know how greatly disappointed and upset I am about today's service. They may have lost a regular. read more

Gourmet panera. Free water. Oven roasted turkey panini with cabbage salad. Located in the loft. read more

I got the Turkey Jerk Burger for lunch and I was delightfully surprised. The buns were a sweet Hawaiian bread type of bun and was warm and soft. I expected the turkey to be one slab of turkey, but it was a thick ground patty. When they said TURKEY burger, they really meant it because I don't remember anything else being in there except for the melted slice of cheesy goodness in there. Warning though, the burger got exponentially untastier as it began to cool down, so scarf that burger before time runs out. The food for me was definitely a 5, especially relative to the rest of the PC food selection, but the fact that all their dishware/silverware was plastic and disposable was a big no-no. Also, lack of waiter service was pretty sucky, but still best place to have a nice lunch in PC. read more

THIS is literally the best place to go on campus! It is like discovering the holy grail of UCSD campus dining selections. Maybe the fact that it is an actual restaurant chain that has sister restaurants of the same name downtown and in PB gives it that extra encouragement to go above and beyond the usual tastes of campus. I suppose it has a reputation to keep up. I love the mac'n'cheese if you are not preparing for cabo spring break 2010 then get the mac'n'cheese because it is absolutely scrumptious! Also, their salads are made up of a delightful assortment of ingredients that make eating healthy greens easy! I have not eaten their sandwiches but I have lurked on a guy eating one next to me and it looked like he was having a good time so I imagine it was also delicious. just remember mac'n'cheese! p.s. they also serve alcohol... just sayin' read more

Zanzibar is where most of the UCSD population go if they want to stray away from their usual $5 Subway/ Burger King/ Tapex crap and eat legit food. I only came here once and had the Turkey Bacon Panini with a side of potato chips. The panini was fresh and crispy and the potato chips were crispy. The portion size is decent enough for me to take some of the chips and half of the panini to go. (They have to go boxes on the counter which I thought was considerate). The one weird thing about Zanzibar is that not many students tend to eat here. I went during lunch time and it was mostly the "older" crowd that works at the Student Services Center and around. However, don't let them rain on your parade! Also, depending on how many people are there, services might be a bit slow... read more