First time here and had an amazing experience. Kendall was our server/bartender and he exceeded our expectations. Prompt, professional, cordial. He is THE reason I will come back and recommend Zaya to others. Thank you Kendall for an amazing evening! read more

I wanted to take a moment to recognize Memphis and Marquis for the exceptional service they provided during our reservation yesterday. We required ADA accommodations, and both of them were incredibly kind, professional, and attentive throughout the process. They went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met and made us feel welcomed and comfortable from start to finish. Their patience, compassion, and commitment to excellent customer service did not go unnoticed. read more

first time visiting and Brandi was vibing tonight. We didn't want the music to end! Definitely a must on Thursday nights!

Me and my partner went on a Thursday night on 06/18/2026. Our reservation was at 6:45 and we were sat immediately with lower level seating. Online it stated that live music started at 7 PM on a Thursday however, live music did not start until 845PM. Despite that the playlist that they had playing was actually perfect. We found the playlist selection to really do well with my partner, and I, and it was loud enough that you could still have a conversation with the person you're with. When the live music did start, we noticed it was a lot louder, which made it difficult to have conversation. However, the live band was actually very good. So it depends on what you're looking for. The food was amazing. We tried the artichoke dip, shrimp appetizer and steak bistro linguini. Shrimp appetizer and steak linguine were 10/10 fire. Artichoke dip 8/10. The drinks were good. Overall, great date night. I love good music and live music. Definitely competition for Delphi UCA rooftop live music. The food alone kills Delphi UCA. read more

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I'll love you forever. Death is not the end -- Zaya, Gods of Egypt I'm not sure I will say I will love DTLA forever but it does have a certain place in my heart, growing up in S Cal and watching California based movies since I was a child. DTLA is trying to revive itself with more residential units, cleaning up the homeless, more police but it's clearly still struggling. SF has bounced back from the pandemic much quicker. But if DTLA does make it all the way back, it will be because of places like Zaya. Places with solid food combined with tight blues & jazz bands will help get the city core get back in business as new residents move in. We enjoyed the lamb, pasta and pizza plus our starter mixed drinks. Service is hit and miss but I can imagine the staff is mostly new, and certainly young. Corkage fee was reasonable for an LA restaurant. Recommended read more

Zaya - The tight band who played this night - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My recent visit to Zaya DTLA was a mixed experience. While there were several highlights regarding the quality of the evening, the management of our seating situation left much to be desired. **The Highlights:** The food was undeniably delicious and served quickly, and we were thoroughly impressed by our server, who was both lovely and very attentive throughout our meal. The ambiance of the restaurant is also quite nice, making it an appealing spot for a night out. **The Experience:** The issue arose when we tried to coordinate seating with friends. We had a reservation for three, and our friends had a separate reservation for two. Upon our early arrival, we asked the hostess if the two parties could be seated together. We were informed that to do so, we would be required to pay a $150 deposit--a policy that felt unnecessary given that we were already physically present at the restaurant. After declining the deposit, we requested to be seated at least near one another. The hostess denied this request, stating that they "randomly sit guests." This explanation felt illogical, particularly because upon our friends' arrival, there were clearly two empty tables for two available near us. Instead of accommodating our simple request, the staff walked our friends to the complete opposite side of the restaurant. It was disappointing to see such a lack of flexibility when the space was clearly available to provide a better guest experience. read more

Zaya - Catfish, gouda grits and cornbread - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Zaya has been a place that has been raved about for so long, and after a few attempts at going, I finally decided on Father's Day as I felt like it would be a great time to go. Parking was a bit annoying, but it is DTLA, so that's to be expected lol. But the hostess was so sweet and made us feel right at home as I waited for the rest of the party to park and arrive. Immediately as we stepped into the place, I loved everything about the restaurant, from the decoration, to the upstairs downstairs flow, the DJ addition, and the overall set up the had to offer. The menu had a decent amount of options, and after talking with our waiter, who was decent, we chose the side of fried lobster, chicken and waffles, vegan zaya platter, and catfish platter. The standout was definitely the fried lobster, which we all said we would come back for just that again. Everything else was cool, but for the price, it seemed overpriced, especially seeing the small portions served. Although it felt like we came a little early to fully enjoy the entertainment to the fullest, we still had a wonderful time during our visit. The music, the host, and all the fun activities they had all made it what it was. My dad also won a free car wash for his Soul Train dance, but he has not yet been reached out to about that, so hopefully he'll receive that! read more

Zaya - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Such a vibe...live band was amazing I haven't been able to find dinner and jazz anywhere! Food is good, our pizzas were surprisingly good the dough was crispy yet a little chewy which is what i like. Service is great too, everyone seems like they're having fun which always helps. Can't wait to be back! read more

Zaya - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I don't know why this place is not talked about more, it has such a cool vibe to it! The interior is so cool and they have a fully stocked bar plus they have live music over the weekends! Their speakeasy shrimp is so good and garlic, it was one of my favorite bites of the evening. I also really liked their vodka rigatoni, it's cooked perfectly al dente and has spice to it. Some other things we tried was the truffle pizza, which was also really good the Cobb salad which was bright. My favorite dessert was the sticky toffee pudding. It was perfectly sweetened and sat in a pool of salted caramel. We also tried their cinnamon roll, which is on the specials menu currently, it was also really good but the sticky toffee pudding was definitely the winner here. Service is great, they are extremely attentive! Everyone that works there is super friendly, and food comes out pretty quick. There is plenty of street parking, I went on a Saturday night and had no issues finding a spot. read more

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It's bringing tears to my eyes. My beautiful fiancé Ashley aka Carmel kisses! She surprised me 7 months ago to a listen to live music because she knows how much I enjoyed live music. It truly touched my heart because she wanted to surprise her hazel love lol. Our bartender and waiter Eric. Kendal were super nice and great. It was packed and they seated us upstairs so we couldn't watch the live music but we did hear it. And they also took forever on our food. I wouldn't mention it but my lady taught me to stand up and speak up. She would not take anything she did not order. Haha. Which I thought it was picky but she taught me it called paying for a service. Which now shaped the way I think By the way my fiancée is the baddest and with a great soul. Tomorrow is not guaranteed so appreciate the love ones before it's gone and you loose them. I love her for her soul and the way she believe in god and shows it. She's the light in my life that I would never want to leave because I would be in the dark and she's brings out the best in me. I appreciate all she does and the moments we created for 7 1/2 years it's the light_skin_dragon blasting of on cloud nine after this night and btw the food was great but she was my dessert and she tasted so much better and I'm talking about her lovey soul read more

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Fell into the Sunday's Encore Brunch situation and we had an amazing time! When you see #EatDrinkLove on the marque you know it's going to be a good time, and it was!!!!!! The Best afternoon in DTLA! Before you ask... PLENTY OF STREET PARKING! First let's start off with the live band and the speakeasy feel! Super amazing music to set the perfect mood! Beautiful atmosphere and it smells like home cooking! Our server Jasmine was the best, had so many good suggestions, we have to come back to try more. Now let's talk about the food! Chef Nae is amazing, her hands are blessed! Just when you thought you knew how to make these dishes, you discover a twist. read more

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First time on Friday for dinner and the food did not disappoint at all, everything we ordered was delicious and fairly priced. We got the Caesar salad 10/10 Bolognese pasta 7/10 Vodka rigatoni 8/10 only because it was overly spicy but sooo good Signature meatballs 10/10 Staff was very attentive and friendly Love that they had live music playing but for dinner i feel like it was way to loud We couldn't hear our conversation and basically had to yell over each other read more

Lydell was wonderful! Great service, yummy food, we had the shrimp & garlic bread & the Lemon Love was perfection read more

Zaya - Came in for the Lemon Love & was recommended Reposado by Lydell. - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came here for brunch while visiting LA. I arrived about 15 minutes after they opened, but it seems like they were still setting up. I did not have a pleasant experience and probably won't be back. Once I was seated it took me about 7 minutes to be acknowledged and get a water. This was after I stopped someone passing by. I then had to have someone flag my server down again when I was ready to order. I was never asked if I'd been there before, never offered any information or recommendations on the menu. I never got my server's name when she came over, and she may have checked on me once while I was there. Each time I needed something, I had to flag someone else down to assist. Overall, there were about 3 different people that had to help me due to the lack of attentiveness from my server. I think the level of service was poor, especially considering I was 1 of 2 occupied tables in the space. The Caesar salad was mid at best and the crab cakes were good but nothing special. It is a cute spot and they did have live music starting at 1pm I believe, but the service is definitely lacking. For the bill I had at the end compared to the service I probably will not be back. read more

Zaya - Caesar Salad - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I redownloaded yelp just so I can leave this review. I went yesterday for my birthday in a party of 10, this place has such a beautiful ambiance. Other restaurants had canceled our reservations/couldn't accommodate such large party and Zaya was able to take us in within hours of making a reservation online. The live band was amazing, the food was AMAZING. I honestly wasn't expecting the food to be that delicious just because sometimes it seems like you either have to pick between a good vibe or good food, this place is amazing for both. The waitress did such a wonderful job making me feel so special on my birthday and she was so sweet. I can't wait to come back, we all had such a wonderful experience here and everything about this place was amazing. Thank you! read more

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Zaya was the perfect option for my husband and I for a date night while in Los Angeles. Our waiter Lydell was fantastic! The drinks he recommended us were 10/10, he was so sweet and making sure we were doing good & was well informed on the menu items. The food was fantastic, well made and fabulous plating. 10/10 recommend for an intimate date night read more

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What beautiful and lively venue to have a late night dinner and listen to some live music! Zaya saved our late night outing on a rainy Saturday night! Thank you! We came from a spot around the corner (a live show) and had not eaten dinner earlier. I found Zaya on Yelp and saw that they served up dishes late night. I didn't know it would be so damn good!!! The dishes are mainly pasta/pizza (that sort of thing) it was perfect! Well plated, portioned and perfectly tasting. I'd write about the drinks but we had already had our drinks at the other spot. Anyhow...I did see some cocktails on the menu that will require my attention on a future visit! In short...if you're in the DTLA area and need a late night feast and drink...you must try Zaya! You may become a regular? read more

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I have so much to say about Zaya! I went for dinner on a Wednesday night, and let's start with the food--it was amazing. We began with the speakeasy shrimp appetizer, and it was to die for. Absolutely loved it, and it's definitely a shareable portion. For drinks, we both ordered the Lemon Love. Not only were they the cutest drinks, but they also came with a delicious candied lemon garnish. For dinner, I ordered the Lamb N' Love, and my bestie chose the crab-stuffed salmon filet. Hands down, this was the best meal I've had in a long time. The service was great. Even though the house was full, everyone was attended to in a timely manner. The entertainment and atmosphere were incredible--the band had the place rocking like it was a concert. Overall, it was a beautiful experience, and I've already made my next reservation. read more

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After looking up different places for live music in the LA area I stumbled across this gem. Babe and I needed a date night so I took him here. This place is a complete vibe. I love the interior. Low lights, warm colors very cozy. They have different performers each night. There are two levels, the live band is located downstairs on the first floor. We were seated upstairs, which wasn't preferred, but now I know when to come to reserve seating close to the band. Despite being up top, it was still a great experience, still hearing the music and enjoying the ambiance. I cant leave out that the food here is absolutely delicious! It's was a busy night and the only negative thing I would say is that our food took an exceptionally long time coming out, it seemed like they might have been short staffed. However our waiter was very polite and apologetic regarding the long wait. I'm looking forward to going back and taking in the vibes soon! read more

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Why am I just now trying Zaya???? What I can't believe I'm late on one of the best brunch experiences I've been to. First let me start off with the bomb food the Chef creates!!! OMG !! Just so delicious and flavorful!! Taste just like my mom and grandmothers cooking skills!! Since it was my first time here, my party decided to try a few items off the menu. The Caesar salad which was bomb!!! Like the best ceasar!! The dressing and egg was just wonderful!! Next, the lobster Mac & cheese was so worth it!! It was very creamy with the lobster tail on top!! Very 5 stars. Also, the cobbler like French toast was so fire!!! I don't even eat French toast and it was soo good!!! The catfish nuggets were good too!! The portions were good and not overwhelming!! Reasonable prices as well. Also, the drinks were outstanding just like the food!! For my drink I tried the Rhythm and brunch and the passion fruit lemon drop with reposado. Let me tell you 10/10 for me!! Made just right!! Just enough sweet and good amount of alcohol!! The service was was decent as well, though it was during brunch time it was very crowded and a lot of parties going on, but they made it possible to get our order correct and to help us out. Everyone there is really nice and they make sure people are satisfied with their meal and if they are having a good time! The ambiance is the place to go if you want to have a very good time with good R&B music and if you wanna dance. I love how they have live music and they have singers come up and actually sing some good R&B songs. The band they had was terrific!! I never seen like a hype man at a brunch who literally interact with all the guest and make sure everyone is having a good time, and making sure the energy is up. This is definitely my top three brunch spots in La and I will be back. Also, they have session Tuesday and all day happy hour!! I will come back to not only try brunch again but to try the other great chef options!! I was not disappointed!! It's hard to find a good brunch with food and good entertainment the entire time!! They have cute signs to celebrate. Cute decor inside as well. Nice bar area where you can sit and order food as well. I also love that they do not Rush you!! If you want to Celebrate a birthday or any milestone etc. I recommend Zaya!! It's so much fun!!! I really enjoyed myself!! The parking is of course terrible, I mean it is DTLA! lol, but I suggest you park in a structure or do valet on olive close to Zaya! -Marshay D. read more

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The last time I was here, we had a great time one night for a fun celebration! We had fantastic conversations while Love Island played and shortly after, we were able to just lounge while listening to jazz music. I enjoyed listening to the musicians and all they had to offer while seeing how respectful everyone was. I really liked the Mango Milk Punch, which consisted of Cognac, lemon, mango, and coconut milk wash. This was a delicious cocktail and a nice mix. I would certainly order it again! We started it off with some tasty Garlic Bread and even ordered the Short Rib Pasta, which was a hearty choice and had braised short rib, shallot, fennel, chard lemon, and fine herbs salad. We also got the That's Amore pizza, which had pepperoni, grated parmesan, and spicy tomato sauce. This was a good amount for several people, so it was definitely worth it. It was a night to remember and I am glad that we started here at this lovely place! read more

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I went to Zaya's for a birthday dinner and had a great experience. Food, drinks, vibe and music was great. Approximately 30 people were in my party and not one complaint and everyone enjoyed the ambiance. The only constructive criticism would be the restrooms to be checked frequently for toilet tissue, etc. Would recommend and return in the future. read more

A group of four of us visited on a Friday night, having made our reservations about a month in advance (which I'd definitely recommend doing). We arrived at 8pm and were greeted with a choice of seating upstairs or downstairs. We opted for upstairs, and it was the perfect call! The space was dimly lit, cozy, and had a wonderfully intimate atmosphere. Our server was attentive and polite, taking our drink orders shortly after we were seated. They offer a curated drink menu alongside a full bar, so there's something for everyone. My friends went for the Cadillac Margarita from the menu, while I ordered a Lychee Martini which was off menu both were delicious. For appetizers, we shared the Caesar Salad and the meatballs. Highly recommend both, don't skip them! For our mains, we went family style with the Bolognese, the Spicy Vodka pasta, and a side of garlic bread. Fair warning: the Spicy Vodka lives up to its name, you may want to reconsider if you are sensitive to heat ! By a split decision half of us loved the Spicy Vodka, while the other 2 loved the Bolognese. To top it all off, the live band was absolutely fantastic. Great food, great drinks, great music this place truly delivers on all fronts. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Food is delicious, but you for sure will need to stop and get some food on the way home. Very very small portions especially for the price. I ate and had to hit Tams after. Outside of the extremely small portions the venue is beautiful. Just be aware, you will leave hungry. So my rating is based on overall value. 4 wings and a waffle should never cost 30 bucks. read more

I stopped by Zaya Restaurant for Sunday brunch and ordered the Zaya platter. Unfortunately, I wasn't very impressed with the food. The pancakes had an odd aftertaste, the country potatoes lacked seasoning, the scrambled eggs tasted like they may have been made from powdered eggs, and the bacon was overly crispy. The drinks, including a strawberry cream alcoholic beverage and even a simple orange juice mimosa, seemed watered down, which added to the disappointment. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Truffle Mac & Cheese. It was rich, creamy, flavorful, and easily the best thing we ordered. If you're a mac & cheese fan, it's worth trying. Our waitress was very friendly, polite, and attentive throughout the meal, which made for a pleasant dining experience. The restaurant also had a great Sunday brunch atmosphere and good downtown vibes. Overall, while the ambiance and service were enjoyable, I felt the food didn't quite live up to the hype. I'm not sure if I'll be back for brunch, but I would definitely return for the Truffle Mac & Cheese read more

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The lounge provided an enjoyable experience, characterized by attentive staff and a welcoming atmosphere. The manager, Marquis, played a key role in ensuring that all guests felt satisfied and well-cared for during their visit. read more

Cajun Speak Easy Shrimp Ambiance Service excellent!!! My husband & I spent his birthday at Zaya and we had a wonderful grown and sexy time. Live music, good food and drinks... who could ask for more. I'll b back read more

Zaya - The bar area - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went on a Sunday and the vibe was everything! Great music and food. The staff were very welcoming and accommodating. We went to celebrate a birthday. There was a DJ and later live music. Highly recommend for a Sunday brunch. read more

Zaya - Chicken and waffles - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Historic building transformed inside to a fabulous kitchen, bar, lounge and dining area. Try to find where to park before you get there. I ended up paying $30 (would have been $50 without validation) at the Whole Foods parking garage. Walked in at 7:30 PM to the band King's Ether playing smooth jazz and jazzy R&B. They sounded really good! Gabby was our server for our birthday group of nine. She did an excellent job as well as the employees that delivered the food and drinks. I enjoyed the Cinnamon Skin cocktail made with tequila. It was strong and tasted like fall. (Don't let the fire-lit cinnamon stay inside your drink or it will taste like someone put their cigarette out in your drink!). Another friend enjoyed the Strawberries & Cream. It was sweet and light, but to me it wasn't a good pair with our dinner choices. We shared appetizers and tasted quite a few of the entrees. The food tasted fresh and pasta was light and authentic Italian. I particularly enjoyed Nonna's Meatballs (and the bread that came with it), Cajun Garlic Shrimp and the Wild Mushroom Ravioli. Still not sure how I felt about the truffle honey on the pizza. I didn't taste the short ribs but I was told it was a tad salty. I will definitely visit again. read more

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All I can say is Kendall was everything our server, our bartender, and checked in on us constantly very attentive. I would give him a 10 out of 10 for all his services and his drinks were amazing. Definitely would come back just for him to take care of us because he did an awesome job. read more

Zaya - Lounge area upstair - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Zaya was an experience. A new friend invited a group of ladies to this fabulous restaurant. I never knew it existed. It's located in the heart of downtown LA. It's definitely a hidden gem. The food was surprisingly amazing. The drinks were tasty as well. The vibes were top tier. If you need a place to visit with friends, family or just you, Zaya would be a great place to visit. The service was good. The ladies at the front hostess booth were very helpful with finding a space for our group of 5. We didn't reserve on the website or over the phone because neither were working. We had 2 servers. One was very helpful and attentive but one was very passive aggressive. Maybe it was due to it being busy but that's definitely not an excuse. They have a DJ, Hypeman (lol) and performances. The music is loud so you may be yelling to talk to the person next to you. I wish the music was a little lower. You will need to find street parking or use the parking garages nearby. Also, be sure to know that they do add a 20% service charge to the checks. Overall, great place to go with friends or family. read more

Zaya - Vegan brunch plate with vegan sausage, collard greens, breakfast potatoes and sourdough toast. - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Vibes, vibes, and more vibes for a Sunday brunch! Loved the Encore brunch. Service was good, food was delightful, loved the entertaining staff and great ambiance. Live music is always our jam and the saxophonist playing all the R&B jams was my fav! DJ and host on the mic did not disappoint they brought all the energy and Chef Ty did her thang! Will definitely refer a friend and be back!! read more

Zaya - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Chef Ty and team were amazing. Really great vibes, great drinks, good vibes. The live music is gravy on the top read more

Zaya - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The food, drinks, music, and good vibes are great! The DJ was very engaging, the vibe was great, nice decor, the food was great! read more

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Excellent and very Nice.. ambience Great..Lovely place to be, friendly crowd, service was excellent.. read more

Zaya - Zaya very Nice on a Tuesday .. - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here on Tuesday for a pregame before heading to the Lakers game. Oscar, bartender, tended to us. He was of really great service. He took my criticism of the cocktail well as it was too sweet and I wanted the flavors of the cocktail but more on the tarty side and he did just that. He was also good with conversation and explaining dishes. As for the food, delicious. I have no complaints. I am definitely coming back for the wings and cocktail. I do wish the fries were string fries tho but again no complaints. Things to note: Happy Hour all day Tuesday + live music. Closed around 11pm. Ambiance is nice. Great use of a historical building (keep in mind there are 3 businesses at this location). read more

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THE FOOD DELICIOUS INSIDE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND THE WAITRESS TREAT YOU LIKE A KING. I recommend this place for a romantic time or a special dinner with someone you love with someone you wanna be with make it happen get it done. read more

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My family and I recently visited Zaya's Restaurant to celebrate my cousin's birthday, and unfortunately, the experience was extremely disappointing. When we first arrived, we were excited. The ambiance was beautiful, the vibe was great, and we were especially excited to support a Black-owned business. We had reservations for 7:45 PM, and all nine members of our party were seated by 8:00 PM. Unfortunately, that's where things began to go downhill. We ordered drinks around 8:20 PM, but they did not arrive until approximately 9:20-9:30 PM. At that point, we still had not been able to place our food order due to the lack of service. Once we finally ordered, we waited another hour for our meals. Our food did not arrive until around 10:30 PM--over two and a half hours after we were seated. What made the situation even more frustrating was that a table seated next to us arrived nearly an hour after our party. They had the same server, received their drinks promptly, were served their meals, and had finished eating before our food even reached the table. When we attempted to address our concerns with the server, she became overwhelmed and responded by saying, "I'm getting my manager. I'm not dealing with this with all of y'all," before walking away. While I understand that restaurants can become busy and stressful, this response was unprofessional and only added to the frustration. The manager eventually came over, apologized, and attempted to make things right by offering complimentary lobster tails and crab cakes. While the gesture was appreciated, it would have been more helpful to communicate with our table first. Several members of our family do not eat shellfish or seafood, so the complimentary items were not something everyone could enjoy. After waiting so long, we were exhausted and ready to leave. Two members of our party requested their meals be boxed to go, but somehow the staff proceeded to package everyone's food. By that point, the entire evening had been ruined. Instead of enjoying a birthday dinner together, we ended up sending all of the food back and going to In-N-Out afterward. This was supposed to be a special celebration for my cousin, but it turned into a frustrating and disappointing experience. It's unfortunate because we genuinely loved the atmosphere and wanted to support the business. However, based on the service we received, we will not be returning. read more

Great ambiance and music! This place is a great spot if you're looking for good jazz and good food. Absolutely loved the music and a musician even gave my friend celebrating her birthday a free drink token. The food was delicious and well priced! The margarita and Gangnam style pizzas were DELICIOUS! The meatballs tasted handmade and were also delicious! Service here was friendly and great, will definitely be returning read more

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I attended Encore Brunch at Zaya for two consecutive friends birthday celebrations. We tried a variety of items from the breakfast platter which thankfully had turkey sausage along with lobster tails. Encore provides great entertainment and the Zaya staff were very attentive, especially for my second friend's birthday, our group was 15+ and we were always asked if we needed anything additional. read more

Zaya - Holiday party - Lounges Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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