Zaytinya

4.3 (412 reviews)

Turkish, Greek, Lebanese

Closed • 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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Zaytinya - SESAME SALMON - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zaytinya - inside bar near entrance... - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zaytinya - Sujuk Pide: Spicy sujuk sausage, kasar cheese, 65° egg ($16) + Zaytinya Fries w/ house mushroom salt, roasted garlic yogurt ($9) - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Zaytinya - OCTOPUS SANTORINI - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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ZAYTINYA ATMOSPHERE

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Classy

Upscale

Dogs allowed

Outdoor seating

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Sharon H.

Located in the Stanford mall, in the corner with Blue bottle coffee. I loved the menu and the welcoming modern decor . Always enjoy the ambience of a spot with indoor olive trees and the laterns hanging from the ceiling were so pretty. My main gripe would be that I wish they offered a sampler plate with multiple dips, because it's always hard for us to choose amongst them. We ended up getting the eggplant dip and the labne which were both really good. Comes with the pita that is baked into a huge puff, and is nice and thin for dipping. You can add on vegetables to dip with which is a nice option - but it's hard to dip with the leaves that make up the majority of the bowl! The carrots, bell peppers and cucumbers were nice to dip with though The crispy Brussels sprouts are a must. I usually find the brussels sprouts at restaurants to be too greasy, but these were well crisped without feeling oily in the mouth. I was intrigued by the Spanish crudo on the menu. It comes with on top of a potato purée and a sprinkled with some chips, most of my family thought the dish was a little weird, but I was into it ! The octopus was also beautifully pleaded, and also came on top of a puree, it comes as a chopped up arm, but you can see all the tentacles as well, which we prefer. We also enjoyed the cheese pide that came with halloumi cheese. Overall excellent food, beautiful decor, sufficient service We'll be back !

Samantha S.

Came to zaytinya on a Sunday night in a group of 4. Inside the restaurant is very modern and clean. Lots of natural light, love the ambiance. Service was good. Food was amazing!! We shared a bunch of dishes. Our favorites were the seared halloumi, hummus and kofte kebab. The Turkish coffee chocolate cake was soooo good too. They have pitas for the table, ask for as many as you want ;) Would definitely come back

Brandon L.

Came here with coworkers so we ordered a lot. Good excuse to try almost everything. All the spreads were solid, we got the baba ganoush, labneh, hummus, etc. The pides were good too, can't go wrong there. The octopus was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Table favorite for a lot of us. But the real star was the lamb shoulder. Perfect amount of woodiness, seasoned perfectly, came with a bunch of sauces and paired with the bread they give you it was such a simple but great combination. Tender but still meaty, which is exactly how I like lamb. I don't like when it just falls apart. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium for the group. The whole fish was moist and cooked well, though a little bland on its own. Paired with the other sides on the table it worked really well though. The cocktails were also really good. The 3PM in Istanbul was a group favorite. Not too sweet and the flavors kind of evolved as you drank it. They also have a lot of solid vegetarian options which is always nice to see. The ambiance inside is sooo nice and the decor is really well done. This would make a fantastic date spot. Service was extremely friendly. Wish I had caught our waiter's name because they were amazing. I'll be back!

Tina K.

First off, the decor and details inside this place are beautiful. It's a large spacious restaurant with lots of seating. One thing to note, it is a noisy dining experience (maybe because our booth was right by the bar area). Our server was great and all the staff we interacted with were very nice. We opted to order everything family style so we could try as many dishes as possible. The portions are pretty small, but the flavors were great. The dishes that stood out: * cauliflower was perfectly cooked * smoked beet salad was incredible and truly had a smoky flavor * the chicken blew us away, the perfectly crispy skin was 10/10 * kebab platter was a good assortment of different types of meats for all of us to try. Everything was well seasoned. The dips and bread were really great too, but nothing extraordinary especially based on the price. Overall, a great elevated dining experience. I look forward to coming back.

Tiffany H.

Had high expectations for this place since it's one of Jose Andres restaurants. Loved the decor and the service was first class. People came around to check on us frequently and to refill our water. For the price, however, I was expecting more. Tried the smoked beet salad and hummus to start. The portion for the salad was quite small and was like a side salad but I enjoyed the flavors and it was delicious! The pita bread was a nice fluffy puff and served hot. The hummus had a good blend and flavor as well. We split the kebab platter which had 4 different kebabs, onions and tomatoes. It was enough for two mildly hungry people to split but was also a fairly small portion for $70. It had good flavors and we liked the meats and sides which we put in our pitas. We overall enjoyed the meal and service.

Ivan B.

What an amazing experience in a Mediterranean restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center! Really excited to come here with my mom and her friends. I'd like to thank them for inviting us here! Place looks really nice inside and I like how staff takes care of the tables while we're still dining here. Just imagine living here. I mean it's nicely decorated with good materials to build this place. About the menu, not really much options when scrolling through everything since obviously there were a few pages, but definitely know that they will serve good food. Food is really tasty and authentic here. Not really big portions though the quality of the food is very peak. Also, the bread tastes good. Highly recommend wrapping around meats and other sauces with the bread. My favorite dishes are the ones that come with three meats and ones that look like cheese pizza. If you're planning to come here, it can get crowded especially on the weekends. Just be sure to plan ahead since it can get packed during that time.

Hutch C.

We did the tasting menu which my boys loved! Plenty of food even though I skipped a few things (oysters and shrimp). Waitress was awesome and she offered to sub things for these courses, but boys were happy to eat the extra. Also did the wine tasting which was fine and reasonably priced. The kebabs were the star of the show. Lively atmosphere, good drinks, a nice addition to Stanford Mall (actually coming back with a friend 2 nights later!)

Lin C.

We went for the Mother's Day menu and it was a disappointing experience. Seems like there might have been a mix up with items coming out of order- we waited almost 50 min for our 2nd course to come out, and instead they brought out our 3rd course. We then had to let them know that we never got the 2nd course and so they brought it out after. We did not get any refills of pita breads after the first basket and no one really checked on us to see if we had questions or concerns. We absolutely love the Zaytinya in DC so we were really excited for the Palo Alto location. Unfortunately it did not live up to our expectations.

Karla M.

One year to celebrate my best friend and I's birthday. We made reservation reservations for the evening and we were sat down within 10 to 15 minutes. Firstly, the ambience is pretty loud for dinner time. Felt like I had to definitely yell a little bit to have a conversation. The restaurant inside, however it was really chic and classy. The order of brussels sprouts and a salad for starters and for our main dish we got the platter. The bread that was served is also very delicious. I definitely see their brussels sprouts are a must-- you can never go wrong with that and I really loved the taste of the salad. I felt like I never got tired of it. The platter was also very interesting because they allow you to try different meats I did think that I had liked the chicken a bit more and there was also some lamb but it's still a good experience to try.

Luc Y.

Great food but expensive. Very nice ambiance with high ceilings and spacious dining room. Located inside Palo Alto Shopping Mall. They have a lot of smaller mezee appetizers if you want to mix and match items. About $25 apiece for those. They also offer larger shared plates under the family platter section. Kebab is very good and comes with 4 types of meat skewers. Very flavorful, you can taste the spices blend and it comes with tahini, garlic, and red dipping sauce. Rice platter is flavorful but portion is not big enough for more than 2 people to share. Coffee cake was fine and fairly priced at $13. As a side note, this is one of the few restaurants supporting Bilt mobile checkout so Bilt cardholders can get $25 off their meal with CC redemption. Overall conseus, an authentic Mediterranean / Middle Eastern restaurant with upscale vibe and pricing.

Let me say something good first and that was about the service, which was absolutely fantastic. Also, the dessert was all right. The Turkish yogurt mixed which was more like Panna cotta was absolutely perfect. The problem really was with my main course as a pescatarian, which turned out to be a combination of the shrimp and a scallop appetizers. These were both undercooked and lacked flavor and were overpriced three little scallops, which were still pink in the inside without flavor at $21 was ridiculous. I asked our waitress to get my scallops well cooked and return them to me and she had the whole dish redone. Even after that, the result was still not much better. My family enjoyed the kebab combination, but for the price it was too little. My overall take for this place is that the ambience and the service is great but the prices do not meet the quality.

Phong T.

Zaytinya is a restaurant nestled at the Stanford Shopping Center by renowned Spanish-American chef José Andrés. They opened in December 2025 so my friend and I were excited to try as this is my first experience at one of his restaurants. We walked in on a Sunday afternoon around 1PM for lunch. Since it was sunny and warm, I asked for an outdoor seat when checking in with the host, but the wait was up to 45 minutes. Fortunately, there was a table inside right by the opening to the outdoor seating near the bar, so we were able to catch partial sun rays. SERVICE Based on previous reviews, there was a lot of feedback about the customer service. Like any restaurant, there is a period when improvements are made. I can assure anyone reading my review that the service was excellent. From the host to our server, Gil, great personalities and good vibes all around. FOOD We ordered a few apps & mezze to share. - Complimentary Bread with Oil & Vinegar - HOMMUS purée of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, harissa chili crisp - FALAFEL traditional crispy chickpea fritters, tumeric pickles, cherry tomato, tahini - ZAYTINYA FRIES crispy potatoes, house mushroom salt, roasted garlic yogurt - OCTOPUS SANTORINI grilled mediterranean octopus, marinated onions, capers, yellow split pea puree - SHISH TAOUK grilled chicken skewer, sumac onions, garlic toum, grilled tomato Everything was fresh and tasty. Highlights we really enjoyed were the hommus (so smooth and fresh!) and falafel. My only main feedback was that the octopus was overcooked and dry. The pea puree was flavorful but quite thick and slightly gritty. We thoroughly enjoyed our server and the delicious food. I will definitely return to try more menu items and explore the dinner offerings. The interior decor is immaculate, truly transporting you to a Mediterranean destination.

Tina A.

Sitting at Zaytinya, you'll be transported to the stunning Mediterranean. This beautifully decorated space, with its whitewashed walls, terracotta pots with olive trees, and soothing hues of blue, will make you feel you are sitting at an elegant seaside taverna. Throughout our meal, service was exceptional - friendly, efficient and attentive. We started with the Hommus dip, which was as creamy and flavorful as it should be! The green chickpea garnish added a great finishing touch to the dish! The warm, puffy pita bread with olive oil swirled with pomegranate molasses was so one of the highlights of our meal and our server was kind enough to keep replenishing the warm bread. The Garithes Me Anitho (Shrimp with dill, shallots, lemon and mustard) was excellent. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and we couldn't resist dipping our bread into the zesty lemony sauce. The Fatoush Salad, while refreshing, surprised us with its absence of the traditional lettuce component. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts Afelia was one of our favorite dishes & the fried Brussel sprouts contrasted nicely with the barberries & garlic yogurt sauce. It was also one of the more generous portions of the dishes we ordered. The Octopus Santorini was tender and succulent & it was complemented by the creamy yellow split pea puree. However, we couldn't help but be taken aback by the small portion size of the Kofta Kebab, priced at a hefty $19. This was a recurring theme throughout our meal - the dishes were incredibly tasty and beautifully presented, yet the portion sizes were shockingly small for the prices. We understand the high rents in the Stanford Mall, but customers also deserve value for their money. The Chicken Muhammara was the only dish that was a decent portion size. I guess that is considered a "main dish" but that too came with a hefty price tag of $45. So our final thoughts are that Zaytinya is an excellent choice for those seeking upscale Mediterranean cuisine. However, be prepared for small portion sizes and higher prices.

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Irene J.

17 days ago

There were many things to love about our experience, along with a few areas that could be improved. Overall, I'm thrilled that Z has opened here and remain hopeful that our next visit will be a better one. However, I give a Rating 2 due to the service and the NUT Allergy precautions to be aware about here. To begin, we did find the service somewhat slow, as it took nearly 15 minutes before our waitress came for our order. However, the restaurant was clearly very busy, and our waitress apologized, so we assumed it was simply an especially popular evening. My daughter was excited to order the salmon entrée for dinner. Unfortunately, our waitress appeared to misunderstand and brought the salmon crudo appetizer instead. She apologized, removed the crudo, and placed an order for the salmon entrée, which was later served. At check-in, we informed the hostess that someone at our table had a peanut/tree nut allergy, and we reiterated this information to our waitress. We were therefore surprised to find obvious pine nuts scattered throughout the vegetables accompanying the salmon (see photo). Upon reviewing the menu afterward, pine nuts did not appear to be listed among the ingredients. The menu reads "Sesame Salmon: caramelized onions, greens, golden ladolemono, oyster mushrooms, green chickpeas." As a result, my daughter (who has the peanut/tree nut allergy) was unable to eat the dish she had been looking forward to and was understandably extremely disappointed. We let one of the OTHER waiters know, as our waitress was not checking in on us... We didn't want to wait for yet another dish for her, so we let it go and she ate the other dishes that were ordered (albeit skeptical that there were unspoken nuts in those too). The other dishes were delicious, by the way. However, to add to the frustration, the salmon crudo (the earlier appetizer that we didn't order and returned to the kitchen) remained on our bill despite being left untouched. The charge was removed after we brought it to the staff's attention, but by that point the experience had already dampened the evening. We did pay for the salmon entree. We appreciate the restaurant's efforts and are excited to have Z in the neighborhood. With greater attention to food allergies and billing accuracy, we believe the dining experience could be significantly improved. read more

Zaytinya - Sesame Salmon Entree - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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J. A. G. Marketing

Irene, we sincerely apologize for the service issues. This is…

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Zeeshan D.

1 month ago

The food was great -- we had the adana kebab, scallops, and labneh. On top of that, Adriana was an amazing hostess! We'd highly recommend checking this place out! read more

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Alyssa C.

Zeeshan, we're thrilled you loved the adana kebab, scallops, and…

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Dimitris S.

1 month ago

Food was incredibly tasty! Great flavors, not too strong. Great wine selection. And our server Sydney was very thorough and helpful, she Really elevated the experience. read more

Zaytinya - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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J. A. G. Marketing

Dimitris, we're thrilled you enjoyed the flavors and our wine…

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Jennifer P.

22 days ago

Had a great time at Zaytinya!! Food was amazing and everybody was super friendly. Sydney noticed that it was my daughter graduation lunch and got us some surprise desserts! read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Jennifer, we're so happy you celebrated your daughter's graduation…

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Lisa M.

1 month ago

I celebrated my birthday at Zaytinya! The food was amazingly delicious - Baba Ghannouge, Smoked Beet Salata, Crispy Brussels Afelia, Bantijian Bil Laban, Kofte Kebab, and Shish Taouk. The pita bread was endless! JAKE ( our server) made the experience even better, as he was very attentive and generous! read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Lisa, what a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! We're so glad…

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Ann D.

9 days ago

I just gave Zaytinya a second chance, because I really wanted to like it (owner, location, general affection for the cuisine). On the plus side, their distinctive oblong pita comes out warm, light, crispy and yummy and the dips, spreads and cheeses you can pick from to accompany it were fine. But the general atmosphere is too chaotic and noisy, and every entree underwhelmed. The tahdig was chewy rather than crispy, the scallops were fishy and the kabobs were quite petite for the price. There are other, much better options for Mediterranean in the area. read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Ann, thank you for giving us another chance and for the feedback…

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Nina V.

1 month ago

ambience is lovely, too many staff. Food is not so great but not bad as well. The prices are reasonable but i think it seems like a good menu for large groups of people. I think the staff seemed to rush us out in terms of taking our plates off as soon as we were done and trying to get us leave soon, maybe micro aggressions and subconscious bias. Definitely not going back and not recommending this place to anyone personal or at work. read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Nina, thank you for your feedback. We're sorry you felt rushed during…

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Gina F.

1 month ago

First visit and can't wait to return. Beautiful atmosphere with super flavorful food, wonderful service -- our waiter separated out our multiple shared dishes into courses that made perfect sense, but that we would not have thought of. Prices are reasonable for the area, too. (We are attending a book signing with José Andres this evening where we can hopefully share our fabulous experience with him.) read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Gina, we're thrilled you had such a wonderful first visit! Your…

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neil v.

1 month ago

I love the Brussels' sprouts, pita bread, beef kebabs, shrimps, the olive oil cake and the server is very nice and good looking! Imlove the ambience too read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Neil, we're so happy you enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, kebabs,…

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Shilpa Y.

Elite 26

478

4 months ago

After eating at the DC location and having a most memorable meal, I was thrilled to see a location pop up in PA. I waited patiently almost a year for them to open! I finally made it in for lunch and was sorely disappointed. The lunch menu is extremely limited and didn't have any of the delicious vegetable mezzes that I saw on the menu in DC. There were NO vegetarian mains which is unusual and unwise for a restaurant in California. I enjoyed the Halloumi Pide and Pita, but the Fatoush salad was lackluster. The Greek yogurt and pear dessert was phenomenal. Finally, they had a weird payment system that requires you to scan a QR code but as frequent Palo Alto goers know, cell service is terrible and they did not offer WiFi to be able to pay the bill. Overall I do not consider this location to be on par with the DC location. read more

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Adah L.

24 days ago

Mahir was our server for the evening, he was attentive, charming and generous with his hospitality. We felt so at home in this charming new restaurant.. It was our first experience at Zaytinya, ambience was lovely and food was delicious. we will recommend this new restaurant at Stanford shopping center. A birthday celebration to remember. Thank you for adding to our evening! read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Adah, we're thrilled Mahir made your birthday celebration so special!…

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Terry H.

24 days ago

The interior is beautifully done. It's huge with cozy booths and tables. The bar is gorgeous with light wood furnishings and an amazing blue disc design that covers the entire back wall. It is extraordinarily loud inside the restaurant. You cannot hear yourself think for the roar of conversations happening all around you. The food and drinks are a solid "good", not exemplary (which is what I could normally have expected from a Jose Andreas establishment.) We had six of the mezze plates-- shrimp in dill lemon sauce; brussels sprouts with garluc yogurt sauce; eggplant cakes in yogurt mint sauce; hummus with pita bread; tomato mozzarella flatbread; and lamb skewers with tomato and onion. The coffee we had at the end of our meal was lukewarm at best--really? The dishes were nicely presented. In general, the taste did not deliver in a way that I had anticipated from a Jose Andreas restaurant. Everything was more of a bland "meh" than a tasty "wow." Unusual and unfortunate. The prices are quite high. Considering the quality of the food and the distractingly loud enviromment -- paying so handsomely is a bit galling. The service was decent. We showed up 10 minutes early for our reservation, and we were instructed to wait in the bar even though there seemed to be plenty of empty tables both inside and outside. Either their timing is so precise that a guest arriving 10 minutes too soon puts them off kilter, or they are just a little "too cool for school." The bartenders were fun. The food wait staff seem to have strict job descriptions that prevent the one who delivers your food from taking a drink order. A bit odd for a high end establishment. I love Jose and all his good works. What first drew me to his restaurants was the consistently superior quality of his food. Sadly this one falls well short of the mark and you pay dearly for the privelage of dining here. It is highly unlikely that I will return to Zatinya in Palo Alto. read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Terry, thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback…

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Sofia B.

8 days ago

Isabel was absolutely amazing! She was so kind, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect throughout the dinner.Her friendly attitude and great service made the celebration even more special. I also have to mention the celebration rice, it was incredibly delicious and definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Thank you, Isabel, for making it such a wonderful experience. read more

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Quynh-Le N.

732

2 months ago

Amazing food, really fresh and savory! Lovely atmosphere :) and Andres, our server, was so great! Super nice staff all around. Would def come back read more

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Alyssa C.

Quynh-Le, we're thrilled you enjoyed the fresh flavors and welcoming…

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Karen Z.

1 month ago

Food was delicious! Jake was attentive and we so enjoyed our time here together. We'll be back!

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Alyssa C.

Karen, we're thrilled you enjoyed the food and that Jake took such…

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Dana P.

279

2 months ago

Andres is the best! Great food and service. I've celebrated both my engagement and finding a wedding dress here. Both wonderful experiences.

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Alyssa C.

Dana, we're so thrilled Andres helped make your engagement…

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Gilbert P.

2 months ago

Phenomenal food. I love their Branzino. They have excellent service with friendly and professional vibes. It's a different side of Chef Jose Andres. read more

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Alyssa C.

Gilbert, It means so much to us that you felt the care Chef José…

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Christie R.

2 months ago

The server, Adrianna, was fantastic! She was attentive and made excellent recommendations. The hummus, olive oil mix, and bread were so delicious! I'd like to try the lamb pita next time, so I'll be back! read more

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Alyssa C.

Christie, we're so happy to hear Adrianna took such great care of…

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Sinosh N.

13 days ago

Food, service , ambience all great . Our server Jess was the best ! The complimentary starters were great as well

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J. A. G. Marketing

Sinosh, we're thrilled you loved everything from the food to the…

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Brandon C.

6 days ago

Jess is phenomenal. He really exemplifies great service and makes you feel very welcome. If you're set up with him, you're in GREAT hands!! Just because of Jess, we will be back. Thank you! read more

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Nuti D.

1 month ago

The experience was amazing. The food was fresh, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. Our server Ivan was very friendly and attentive. Overall, a lively spot with excellent food and solid service. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Nuti, we're thrilled you had such a great time with us! Ivan will be…

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Simone F.

Elite 10

225

133

1527

4 months ago

Made a reso for a Thurs night at 8:45pm (wide opened availability) for a party of 3. We arrived at 8:30 and more than half of the restaurant was empty. The hostess said your table will be ready at the time of your reservation. Fine, we will get a drink at the bar. Bartender was friendly and attentive. Cocktails were decent - 2 out of 3 were good. Half of the restaurant was still empty while sitting at the bar at 8:46pm. Hostess was just standing at her stand, no indication of her coming our way to seat us so I walked up to her saying I thought we were going to be seated at the time of the reservation but it's already passed the time, with still a lot of empty tables. She said most definitely it is ready now with a big fake smile. While I walked back to the bar to get my friends, she was trying to figure out which table to seat us and sent a different girl to seat us. She stood closed to us holding the menus without saying a word but just stared at us w/no smile. I guess she was waiting for us to get off the chair. I started walking towards her and she turned around speed-walking into the dining room w/o checking to see if all parties were ready; while my friends were trying to gather their stuff and cocktails. So I stopped to wait for my friends, she continued speed-walking to the table. Dropped the menus without saying a word and walked away. Super unprofessional and unpleasant. I'm in hospitality industry and that wouldn't be ok for me if my staff have such an attitude towards guests. It's the worst when the hostess was your first experience with a new restaurant and they set the tone of an unpleasant experience! Poor attitude!! Waited for at least 10 minutes w/o any service. I waved at the bus boy for some water. Then we finally had our server came to our table. By now, 3/4 of the restaurant was empty... server wasn't familiar with the menu and preparation of some of the dishes. We ordered a bottle of wine and our food came before even the wine glasses arrived. Food runners dropped off the food. Server wasn't present. I guess his shift ended before the end of our meal but he never came to inform us that he's passing the service to another staff. Food was not even closed to mediocre, it was horrible!! The best dish was the grilled whole fish. Fattoush's dressing did not have pomegranate flavor, need s&p. Cauliflower Tiganites were way overcooked mush. Seared halloumi was BARELY seared... Octopus was over-charred. The $38 Celebration Rice was beyond pathetic - it wasn't what a tahdig presentation as I thought it'd have been. It looked like they scooped and scraped ther rice with some barely crispy rice bits with overcooked, triple-killed, dried, flavorless chicken pieces mixed in it and threw into the serving dish. What happened to the "braised chicken"?! It was beyond sloppy, lazy, no f' given, w/o any presentation thoughts in it. For $38, I expected a beautifully presented plate w/moist & flavorful braised chicken maybe at the bottom of the dish, then an individually cooked inverted tahdig on top and garnished w/fresh herbs or maybe the other accoutrements on top. Then that would justify the charge. I know things are expensive these days but I also expect you to give 2 sh!7s about what you do and how you do it to justify your price point, hear behind the restaurant and service. At the end of the day, chicken and rice are not that expensive, not sure what kinda chicken you use but for $38, please give a f' about a chicken and rice dish! Your techniques should show the justification of this dish. The place is beautiful but unfortunately, the food, the presentation and the service are nowhere closed to what this place could've been. I hope you will do a lot better very soon. This was such an unpleasant, overpriced ($600+ for 3 people) and underwhelming experience. To be honest, Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen in the shopping center is way better than Zaytinya for the taste of food, service and price point. As the matter of facts, for this price point, flavors and service, Evvia would be a waaaaaay better choice!! A new trendy beautiful restaurant w/the name of José Andrés doesn't mean it's good and worthy. We have been to many of his restaurants and this was by far the worst of his and one of the worst dining experiences in general. Very disappointed!! If this restaurant cares about it, the dinner we had was on 2/12, you can go back and reference to which hostesses were working that night. I hadn't written reviews in forever bc I didn't think it's cool to bash a restaurant given being in the hospitality industry but this really made me pretty mad, even after I slept on it. I wished I could have the $$$ that was spent on the food (no the drinks) here back! Oh! And the wasted calorie space!! (Note: I didn't take photos/post photos of all of the dishes/beverages we had.) read more

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Benjamin C.

423

2 months ago

From top to bottom it was a horrible experience. There was not one redeeming aspect of the meal. When you spend $250 for a meal you expect certain things and they failed at every single level. It took 20 minutes to even get a Diet Coke. They brought a little 8 ounce bottle which was finished quickly and no refill was ever offered. I went 30 minutes until I flagged someone down to get a refill. This was the simplest example of about 15 different ways they failed. Another example- when you bring hummus - you should at least bring something to eat it with. All they brought was a spoon. No vegetables, no bread, no pita -- nothing. I've never eaten hummus with a spoon. So it sat there uneaten. Epic failure. I could go on and on. Truthfully I might make one review of anything every 7-8 years but I was upset that I wasted a dinner on my short vacation to Palo Alto on this place. Very bad experience. The food was not even good either. It was sub-par at best. read more

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Alyssa C.

Benjamin, we're truly sorry to hear about your experience this falls…

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Bryan R.

27 days ago

Brikston is an amazing bartender. I don't come here very often but when I go he always goes above and beyond on services. He's always really attentive and knows what he's doing. The ambiance of the bar area is so nice and I'm always comfortable here. I will recommend 100% this place. read more

Zaytinya - Bar area - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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J. A. G. Marketing

Bryan, we're so glad Brikston made your visits special! His attention…

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Adrian S.

2 months ago

We ate at the bar and it was an amazing experience. The food is really great especially the beef kabobs and the Halumi Pita was exceptional. While the food is amazing the bar service was extraordinary. Gil and Chris were so accommodating, they made awesome unique drinks that I have not had anywhere else. Try "The last word" cocktail by Chris, he put a special spin on it that was outstanding. read more

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Alyssa C.

Adrian, we're thrilled you had such a great time at the bar! Gil and…

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Aman L.

2 months ago

Adriana was awesome. She helped with the menu and recommended some great plates. The food was delicious. Great customer service read more

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Alyssa C.

Aman, we're so glad Adriana took such great care of you! It sounds…

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El Ceg G.

4 months ago

Really enjoyed our waiter Brikston. He was very helpful in guiding us through the Menu as it was our first time here. We had the babaganoush, fries, haloumi, kebab platter. Our drinks was the Pomona and the 3PM Istanbul and finished off w/Mediterranean Milk Punch. It was delish. read more

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Pragati S.

2 months ago

The food was amazing and our server Andreas made it super special by making the celebrations better with his impeccable service. We will surely be back and hope to be served by Andreas again. read more

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Alyssa C.

Pragati, we're so happy you had such a wonderful celebration with us!…

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Bella C.

28 days ago

Burcu was awesome as our server tonight. The food was also amazing. We will definitely come back!

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J. A. G. Marketing

Bella, we're thrilled Burcu took such great care of you! So glad you…

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Danielle L.

28 days ago

What a fabulous meal and Jass recognized us from our last visit. Excellent service. Clean. Well priced. Come have a meal here!

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J. A. G. Marketing

Danielle, we're so happy Jass made your visit memorable again! It…

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Niki K.

1 month ago

Great food! Loved the pide, kebab and fattoush salad! Jess was an amazing server!! He was so lovely and made the experience. Will be back

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Alyssa C.

Niki, we're thrilled you enjoyed the pide, kebab, and fattoush salad!…

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Joel M.

29 days ago

Jess was our server and he was fantastic! This is our third Zaytina and so far the best!

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J. A. G. Marketing

Joel, we're thrilled Jess took such great care of you! It means so…

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Donnen P.

1 month ago

Excellent service. Food is amazing!!!! Our server Burcu or we called her B is very nice and friendly. Our first time in Palo Alto and she made us feel welcomed. read more

Zaytinya - Our desert and their Turkish coffee is delicious! - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Alyssa C.

Donnen, we're so glad B made your first visit to Palo Alto special!…

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Karen R.

4 months ago

Overall a fairly positive experience. Beautiful location, a little loud but that is to be expected in a large open space. Cocktails were perfect ( as they should be for $20 a pop) The fresh pita bread was amazing. Enjoyed the hummus, baba ghannouge, cucumber and tomato salad, crispy brussels and falafel. The puzzler was to be told they were out of the Zaytinya fries 30 minutes after we ordered. Out of potatoes????? I don't get it. We ordered the citrus olive oil cake and Turkish coffee for dessert. Cake - delicious, coffee - rather have an espresso. I'm glad we tried this location but probably wouldn't go again. read more

Zaytinya - Falafel - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zaytinya - Citrus olive oil cake with Turkish coffees - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zaytinya - Crispy brussels - Turkish Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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Clarence H.

5 months ago

Crispy Brussels Afelia: 5/5. Smoked Beet Salata: 5/5. Dolmades: 3/5. Lamb Chops: 3/5. Service: 5/5. read more

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Chitra J.

132

4 months ago

Come on now, a dollop of Labneh spread in 1/8" thickness in a bowl with a 1/8th teaspoon of olive oil added for flavor for 12$??? Same for the Baba ghanoush!!!??? If it didn't have the saintly José André's name added on to this restaurant, I'd deem it a rip off!!! No way I'm going back for a large salmon roll/sandwich with spread of labneh (or some such) with some chopped iceberg lettuce spread thin..... this place needs to justify those prices on their menu. Service was excellent (we are not needy), ambiance nothing extra ordinary, food meh read more

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Madeline M.

1 month ago

Beautiful dinner - we enjoyed some awesome hummus with crudite and bread, wonderful cauliflower and delicious cocktails. The olive oil cake is a must! Adam was lovely we felt very taken care of! I feel like I have lots of great options as a vegetarian! Can't wait to try more dishes next time. read more

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J. A. G. Marketing

Madeline, we're thrilled you loved the hummus, cauliflower, and olive…

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Ritu C.

13 days ago

Absolutely delicious meal made even better by our wonderful server, Christian! Couldn't think of a better setting to celebrate!

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J. A. G. Marketing

Ritu, we're thrilled you had such a wonderful celebration with us!…

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Shivani N.

14 days ago

I went to Zaytinya on 6/13/26 to celebrate my husband's birthday. It was jut two of us. First they gave us a corner table the one nearer to kitchen and nothing special about birthday just a plaque saying welcome to Zaytinya we are thrilled u are celebrating with us. Then they give us a server who was dumb and rude and had no idea or clue for anything. We decided to go for chef's menu and wine pairing the worst idea ever. The food was bad. No idea why the chef even cooked and they served all bad wines with food. Felt cheap for the price we paid. Oh and we paid for two people and the food we were served ended up for one person. All the while the server didn't even bother to make it special or explain to us what we were eating or even check on us. Oh in end when we got our desert he mumbled what is being served and just ran away as if we will bite him. Never going here just one hyped and over priced place. read more

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gina r.

5 months ago

What a disappointment. Nothing I mean nothing like the DC location. We had 645 seating and did not receive our dinner until 830.... Our waitress never apologized, never checked in with us. When food finally arrived the order was missing an entire entree instead of apologizing the waitress proceeded to argue with us showing us what she wrote down claiming we didn't order 5 entrees. Why would a party of 5 order4 entrees?? The menu is only a partial menu compared to other locations. So even with not having the full menu it took so much longer to get served. I had such high hopes as the DC location is an absolute must visit but will never return to this location again. read more

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Page 4 of 11

180 El Camino Real
Ste EE1400
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Directions
(650) 203-2000
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.zaytinya.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Zaytinya open?

Zaytinya opens at 4:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.Zaytinya opens at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Zaytinya close?

Zaytinya closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Zaytinya closes at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.Zaytinya closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue 4:00 PM - 9:00 PMWed-Thu, Sun 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Zaytinya take Bitcoin?

No, Zaytinya does not take Bitcoin.

Does Zaytinya take credit cards?

Yes, Zaytinya takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Zaytinya have catering options?

No, Zaytinya does not have catering options.

Does Zaytinya have a drive thru?

No, Zaytinya does not have a drive thru.

Does Zaytinya have a happy hour?

No, Zaytinya does not have a happy hour.

Does Zaytinya serve alcohol?

Yes, Zaytinya serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Zaytinya allow dogs?

Yes, Zaytinya allows dogs.

Does Zaytinya have TVs?

No, Zaytinya does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Zaytinya have bike parking?

Yes, Zaytinya has bike parking.

Does Zaytinya have outdoor seating?

Yes, Zaytinya has outdoor seating options.

Does Zaytinya have parking?

Yes, Zaytinya has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Zaytinya wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Zaytinya is wheelchair accessible.

Does Zaytinya have free WiFi?

Yes, Zaytinya has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Under the direction of celebrated Chef José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on José's deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Palo Alto.

Zaytinya Reviews in Other Languages

Turkish
1 Review

Ask the Community - Zaytinya

Are there quiet tables?

Not really but you could pick a corner and hope it'll be quiet.

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Can I bring my own bottles of wine? Is there a corkage fee?

Hello Curtis, Our corkage fee is $30 per 750ml bottle with a maximum of 2 bottles per reservation.

View question details

Is this restaurant child/baby friendly?

Yes, plenty of space indoors and outdoors other patio--it's upscale casual :-) When we went, we saw toddlers!

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Do you have outside seating available?

Yes. Patio seating is available.

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By any chance, is the meat halal?

Everything except the steak.

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Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Beit Rima

We arrived around 5pm and many tables outside weren't cleared but there were many seats available…read more We were told to wait outside when we're supposed to order at the cashier first, so I was confused. The ladies took awhile to get us seated outside, only to then tell me to order inside. The super efficient guy with the red shoes was quick to take our order of chicken shish tawook and Mezze sampler. Portions are large and food was great! We love people watching as the N Judahs goes by. It's Arab comfort food in a cozy indoor/outdoor setting.Sooo good!

The food was great. I'm someone who is vegetarian (no eggs)…read more We got the Falafel Platter and it was good. It was very similar to other falafel dishes I have tried in other restaurants. I got Baba Ganoush was good and liked it a lot My friend (who s vegetarian but eats eggs) got the Ful with egg and she loved it a lot. (Must try acc to her) The service was good. The ambiance was very snug and cozy (we sat inside, outside it is freezing) , but it does get very loud in there

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Dining area

Chicken Shish Tawook Plate

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Inside

Iraklis

Social media strikes again…read more.. I came across a reel on IG featuring Iraklis. The food looked intriguing and scrumptious...in other words FIRE! I would not have known about this place if it wasn't for the reel. I'm also not familiar with Syrian and Lebanese cuisine. Thought I'd give it a shot. Not the biggest of venues, it a bit small on the inside, they have few benches and tables outside. Parking wasn't an issue, plenty of spaces in the parking lot. The staff was very helpful and informative. This is a fast casual spot with table service. They do bring the food to you, but you can help yourself to everything else afterwards, is: water, sauces, napkins etc. #SyrianEats: WRAP: ~ SHAWARMA: Damascus style CHICKEN - 5/5 Absolutely DELISH!! Love the garlic spread that came on the side. The wrap was already tasty enough, but somehow it was even tastier with the Garlic spread. Even the fries that came with it were spectacular! That drizzle pomegranate molasses... just DELISH!! This was one of the best wraps I had Stateside. Actually the best! PLATE: ~ MANSAF - 5/5 The Lamb shank was excellent as well! Tender fall of the bone with flavor galore, and the butter sauce was amazing as well...delish! The rice that came with the Lamb shank was OK. It was probably good, but the flavor profile didn't stand up to the rest of the food. I thought it could use more flavor, but that just me nitpicking... 4.5 ***** rounded up to 5***** for me This food here is amazing. I'll be back...

Four and half stars. I really love Middle Eastern food and all the shawarma videos I've seen on…read moreYoutube and how. Alot of people have said that the Syrian version is the best I know I needed to try it. Behold Iraklis ended up being only five minutes from my house. I remember that this place used to be so many other restaurants,and now has been replaced by this great place. You know the food is going to be good when the owner or manager comes out to ask you how the food is to each costumer. I felt that warmth for sure. As for the food it was very delicious the stand out was of course was rmthe shawarma I got chicken which came with the pomegranate molasses, which was good, but maybe next time I can ask for a little less because I do want to also try the chicken flavor itself, which is why I also for the chicken kakbab on the side to which was very well seasoned and delicious. The pickles and hummus on the side for both plates are a very nice touch they help cut some of the richness down. The fries are the underrated gem also. The way they are fried and cooked here, I think they do fresh batches every time, that is the vibe I get with this place. The hibiscus juice was also really refreshing to drink. It's a small place but most of the tables were all seated by people, and people were coming in and ordering to go, so you know it's good! Definitely give this place a try!

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Menu (Apr. 2026)

Mango Lassi ($3)

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Chicken Shawarma Taco

Tannourine

Had dinner here with my girlfriends and had a very pleasant experience! We came on a weekday around…read more6pm and the restaurant was completely empty. There wasn't even any music or anyone inside to greet us so it felt a little awkward. Luckily, a nice hostess came out shortly and gave us a nice seat by the window. We ordered the cheese boruk as an appetizer and the chicken and garlic as my entree. The cheese boruk was fresh and crispy on the outside. The chicken and garlic was also very good! The chicken was nicely cooked and I liked the garlic sauce (definitely on the stronger side!) and potato wedges. I wish the chicken was a little more grilled for some extra char, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Overall, good food and pleasant dining experience! Hope this restaurant gets more attention!

The appetizer is pita bread with yogurt, olive oil, herbs and sesame seed. Had to take out what was…read moreleft cause there was a lot of food. We ordered chicken caesar salad, it was fresh with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and other greens. The lamb shank was cooked so tender and fall off the bone perfection. The spice is just enough so you won't taste the gaminess of the meat. I would recommend to those who wanna try and appreciate meditterran food to check it out. When we went there, there were about three tables occupied, the service was just right on time and ambiance is good for medium size family gathering or party. The place cam accomodate maybe 40-50 people.

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Lamb couscos

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Veggie Couscos

Zadna Grill

Not exaggerating when I say this is probably the best shawarma I've had since being in Jordan. It…read moreactually tastes authentic, and everything was super fresh. The place has such a cozy, homey vibe, and the owners are genuinely so sweet. Honestly, I have no idea why this place isn't packed all the time because the food is that good. It feels like one of those hidden gems that people somehow haven't discovered yet. If you're looking for really good shawarma and just a place to have good authentic middle eastern food this spot is 100% worth checking out.

3.5 stars overall…read more Tried the spot again for to go and similarly their chicken kebab plate is good and so was their hummus, their chicken this time around was much better and seasoned well, I am not keen on their salad dressing. Overall a decent spot for a quick Mediterranean bite

Photos

Chicken Shawarma Arabic Style

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Private party rental available

Mezze and Mooore

This place is sooo underrated! I live in Mission for a couple yrs & so mad I'm just now trying it!…read more I'm a big fan of Mediterranean, so high expectations. Bomb: - chicken Shawarma (super moist and flavorful chicken & comes with pita at no extra cost!) - beef Shawarma plate - hummus was incredible - literally the best baklava I've ever had Highly recommend!

Solid food and warm atmosphere. We ordered the Kafta, Shawarma Combo Plate, and finished with a…read moretasty dessert Knafeh. Once you sit, you can take photo of the QR code to order. Nice and efficient. The shawarma combo plate was my favorite and the vibes of the restaurant was very welcoming.

Photos

Interior looking at counter

Bread @colorful.eats

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Chicken Shawarma @colorful.eats

Me'Mo's Middle Eastern Cuisine

Holy heck; was not expecting the amazing meze and fantastic chicken shawarma…read more Service was on point, we came with a group of eight, were able to pull tables together. Small shop, big hearts. If you are a fan of Middle Eastern - keep these guys on speed dial! Will be back-

Love it great food and wonderful assistance,good portaging and I will recommend it to everybodyread more

Photos

Fun Falafel Plate (6 Pc)

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Spread Kitchen

Excellent food, all of it, and there's a great variety; incredible value for money, and most of all…read morewonderful people and a friendly, comfortable place to eat, inside or on the patio.

Such a gem in Sonoma. They might seem small when you walk in, but the move is to sit in the…read morebackyard. Dip plate is fun to start with, it's not mindblowing but it's good. The turmeric chicken though was the real highlight. Every bite was juicy, and you can't go wrong with grain bowl or wrap. The za'atar fries were great too.

Photos

Inside dining room

Whipped Feta and Beet and falafel

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Summer salad with beef/lamb. Added feta

Mozaic

We were quite impressed with all the 8 diff dishes we ordered. Every single one stood out. The…read morelamb shank, octopus, salad, the appetizer plate, and the rest were all deliciously enjoyed! The service was great, & the atmosphere was lively! We're happy we picked this place during our Santa Cruz visit. Highly recommend!!

Visited again and was really hoping to update my rating bc I want to support Arab owned businesses…read more Rating was still around a 3.5. This time we ordered the kefta dinner and another dinner that was one kefta and one chicken skewer. Definitely better than the wrap I had last time. And the chicken and rice were particularly good. Still disappointed they don't have tahini sauce for these items. Both served with tzatziki, which doesn't fit. We paid around $80 for this with one nonalcoholic drink. Unfortunately, as before, the service was still not great despite the restaurant being empty. The woman (same one as last time) was nice but just not that attentive. My drink came well after my meal. The bread service came when we were almost done. I did notice a guy going around to other tables. Maybe he was the owner and he was a lot more attentive to other tables. Still love the Arabic music. However, With the mediocre service and food lacking real Arabic accoutrements, I cannot recommend but also can't say don't go.

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Falafel Wrap Sandwich

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Baklava @ Mosaic

Beit Rima

From the River to the Sea…read more This is the second location for this local, family-owned Palestinian restaurant that opened in 2019 and is operated by Samir Mogannam, the son of the former owner of the Burgermeister that formerly occupied this space, as well as the original Church St. location. Mogannam did a complete rebrand from an American burger restaurant to a fast-casual "Arabic comfort food" establishment that's named in honor of his mother and features her scratch-made recipes. To say it's a success is an understatement, as they've been named one of the best restaurants in SF not just by the Chronicle, but even made the NY Times' "The 25 Best Restaurants in San Francisco Right Now." After one visit, it's clear to see why. The Good: * Yelp Waitlist available * Bus stop right outside the door * Outdoor dog-friendly seating * Fast-casual order at the counter, and they bring the food out to you. * Service was friendly and efficient. * Palestinian and Jordanian beers in bottles! I didn't even know that was a thing. * Falafel were about 98.753% like my mom's. In a word: delicious. * Musakhan was phenomenal. The chicken was cooked perfectly with crispy skin and the sumac-onion "relish" was spot on. Get this. * Handmade pita bread was delicious. * Carissa enjoyed her Shish Tawook plate, as they were smart again and used chicken thighs which kept the well-seasoned meat nice and juicy. The concomitant hummus was fantastic, and the "Mom's Rice" was fuhgeddaboudit good. She did think the chicken could've used an extra thirty seconds on the grill to firm up the meat just a touch, but otherwise it was perfect. The Meh: * The Fattoush salad was just OK. It was overdressed and needed more dates that were cut into smaller pieces so that you get more of it in each bite to help offset the vinegar. The Ugly: * Parking here is a real hassle, as it's street parking only and it's all neighborhoods. So, be prepared to drive around endlessly looking for an opening. Conclusion: Best Palestinian food outside of me mum's kitchen. 'Nuff said. **https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2024/best-san-francisco-restaurants/ ***https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-san-francisco-restaurants.html

I loved this spot! The first thing you notice is how cozy and welcoming it is with the staff being…read moreso warm and willing to help for anything. It's a small spot but their waitlist system works great if you join ahead of time. And a bonus is that the N line on the muni drops you off directly in front of it! As for the food, it's safe to say that every dish I had was delicious. The mezze platter is a sample that I would highly recommend you get. The lamb shank was perfectly falling off the bone and the fried branzino was my favorite! It was cooked to perfection with the lemon and herbs on it and the crispy skin. I had their white wine and I loved that on the menu it tells you which wine would pair best with what you order. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and would definitely come back!

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Outside sitting

Musakhan ($20)

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Complimentary TEPID Water ($0)

Paprika Cafe

What a cute place! The falafel wrap was one of the BEST I ever had! So fresh and made with love…read more The SPICY LEMONADE was outstanding, we never had anything like it. A wonderful surprise and a joy for our tastebuds! Small and comfy area to sit. Very casual and awesome! One man show and made with love. THANK YOU!

What an amazing little hidden gem. This place is the real deal. Very authentic, and very…read morethoughtfully cooked. The man who made our food was making it to Order and he had been running this business for over 40 years! The service was excellent and it felt very personal. The food was absolutely delicious! Everyone in our party completely agree agreed that they loved everything they ate. There were two omnivores, one vegan, and one vegetarian. And the vegan baklava! What an incredibly unique and special treat to find baklava vegan! Absolutely delicious! I'm a huge fan of spanakopita, but I haven't been able to eat it for a long time because I'm the vegan in the group and when I said something about that out loud, he said he would make me a special vegan spanakopita! Right there! Made To Order! This man is amazing. Seating is very limited, so several of the people we saw that came behind us got their food to go. I think most people there need to expect there would be a little bit of a weight and that seating is very limited and it's outdoors. Although the outdoor seating does have covering. All the people in line, waiting for food seem to have no problem waiting for it because they knew it would be worth it. And honestly... Considering the line of people we saw behind us (10-11?) and the fact that there were three ahead of us... no one really had to wait very long at all! It was really impressive how much he could get done by himself. The next time you're in Monterey, California, you definitely need to check out Paprika. I only managed to get one photo of my plate of food because I was too distracted by deliciousness to remember to take photos of anyone else's food. And obviously, by the time I remembered to photograph the baklava.... Several pieces seem to be missing.

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Outdoor seating

Insanely delicious vegan baklava

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Outside of Paprika cafe

Macarena

This is the first Spanish restaurant I have tried in the bay that checked all the boxes for me. I…read morecame here with my family in a party of four to celebrate a birthday. The service was spectacular -- Our server made honest recommendations when helping us select tapas to order, the food came out promptly after ordering (not all at once which we appreciated), they were very attentive and checked on us frequently even though we had outdoor patio seating. These are the dishes we ordered: Appetizers - Jamon iberico: 9/10 can never go wrong with freshly cut cured meat, however today's slices were a bit on the chewier side - Pan con tomate: 6.5/10 good pairing with the jamon, deliciously toasted crunchy bread, but the tomato was underwhelming -- not enough tomato and acidity and soaked too much of the top making it soggy - Cornetos with tuna tartare: 8/10 perfect little bites of tuna and loved the sweetness and citrus flavor from the orange - Grilled calamari: 8.5/10 The squid was cooked perfectly -- smoky and had a nice bite to it but still tender, and the salsa and aromatic oil paired deliciously with it Mains - Pulpo: 9.5/10 Absolutely delicious, one of our favorite dishes of the evening. The potato purée was a bit too thick, but the flavors were very balanced and well seasoned with the garlic paprika oil. The octopus was a generous portion compared to other Spanish restaurants we've tried and it was grilled perfectly. - Paella negra con vieiras: 10/10 The star of the show. The rice was cooked perfectly -- there was a crispy layer at the bottom and the top was not overcooked. The seafood flavor was very complex and we enjoyed the calamari mixed into the rice in addition to the perfectly cooked scallop, shrimp, and swordfish on top. Best paella we've had in the bay. Dessert - Tiramisu: 7.5/10 It was tasty and not overly sweet, but the mascarpone was a bit too thick for my liking - Cheesecake: 7/10 The textures/flavors were good but nothing special.

Our group of 3 picked Macarena for Friday dinner. And yes, we were definitely influenced by the…read morefact that Bad Bunny ate here lol. My bestie made a reservation and thank goodness she did because the restaurant was packed. The interior is beautiful with a classy, upscale vibe and warm dim lighting. My favorite area was definitely the bar, it looked gorgeous and now I have an excuse to come back for cocktails. Our table was in a quieter section, which was perfect for catching up and gossiping. Service was amazing from start to finish. Everyone was welcoming, and our server gave us great food and drink recommendations. We went through two rounds of drinks: Espresso Martini, Piña Blanca, and Margarita. I originally came for the frozen espresso martini but they had just changed the cocktail menu the week before... so sad lol. The regular one was still really good though. For food, we shared the Churros Bravos, Abuelita's Meatballs, Oxtail Canelones, Wagyu Carrillera, the Rib Eye Paella special, and finished with the Saquets de Crema. (big feast, i know lol) The Wagyu Carrillera completely stole the show for me. It was so tender that I ended up ordering another one to-go. The Oxtail Canelones was probably my least favorite since they put too much sauce I hardly can taste the oxtail. The dessert - Saquets de Crema, on the other hand, was amazing. Our server told us to eat it in one bite, and wow... he knew exactly what he was talking about. It was crispy on the outside, rich and creamy vanilla cream inside, dipping with soft warm chocolate sauce, killer combo and explosion of taste bud. Overall, such a great dinner. Beautiful atmosphere, great service, delicious food, and definitely a place I'd recommend Macarena for a fancy date night or upscale business meeting because the vibes they giving is high-end from start to finish.

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Interior Bar

Oxtail Canelones: Mini Canelones w/ slow-braised oxtail, béchamel, veal reduction ($16)

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Churros Bravos: Potato Churros w/ brava sauce (5 pc- $12) - GET THIS!

Evvia Estiatorio

Amazing food and service, Really like the whole fish!…read moreWe will be there again and again Highly recommend

I love this place. I would frequent it in the early aughts when I worked in Palo Alto, but these…read moredays, I live in Alameda so I get down to the South Bay much less frequently. A friend wanted to treat me to birthday dinner here, so who was I to argue? Our starters, gigantes--I don't even like beans--and could not stop eating these-- and tender, succulent grilled octopus were perfect. We both had fish--hers a whole, steamed branzino and mine a roasted salmon--both very good. I regret not having photographed the dessert, a luscious light meringue with fresh berries. Don't pass that one up!

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Inside area

Galatoboureko - half order shown

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Lamb Chops

Ramen Nagi

My family and I have been going to Ramen Nagi for years -- it's our favorite because we can…read morecustomize each of our bowls to our own likings. And the gyoza is amazing! We also recently met Michael, the GM. He's the best and remembered us from the first time we met him! He and the rest of his staff are super efficient, personable, and well-organized, helping to move the line as quickly as possible. Big kudos to Michael for making us feel so welcome!

Fantastic ramen, full of rich flavor. Everything here is custom ordered - the type of noodle, how…read morewell cooked, garlic levels, spice levels, everything! The black pepper bean sprouts side dish are a great touch. The chicken karage was crispy and delicious. Be prepared for a long line, but it moves fast. Service is busy but efficient.

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Fambrini's Cafe

This place is awesome! There was quite a line when we arrived around 10:30am on Saturday, but it…read moremoved decently fast (~15-20 mins) and then the food arrived pretty quickly after we sat down at a table as well. There's a beautiful outdoor area in the back with tons of tables. Even though it was super busy, we still had our choice of a few tables, and the foliage/patio umbrellas make it nice and shady. Our food was also delicious! We got: Prosciutto and egg sandwich - eggs were super light and fluffy, and the sandwich was well balanced and cheesy too! Fat and fluffy French toast - such a generous portion and the berries and whipped cream were so yummy! The toast itself had crispy edges and was super fluffy! They have such a large menu too and I'll definitely be back to try more!

We had the most AMAZING breakfast here at Fambrini's. We were in town after staying in town for a…read moreconcert and stopped in for breakfast before hitting the road back home. Mid week brunch meant a quieter atmosphere and open seating. After perusing the menu we ordered at the counter before sitting at a table after picking up utensils and water. We ordered Fambrini's Breakfast, Brie & Mushroom Omelette, Crab Omelette, and shares the Lotus Biscoff Pancakes. Everyone loved their egg platters. The eggs were perfectly light and fluffy. I generally avoid omelettes getting scrambles instead because restaurants tend to overcook the eggs. Our dishes were prepared with quality and flavor in mind. I personally had the crab omelette and left no crumbs behind. The potatoes were well seasoned and wish I had enough room in my tummy to finish them off! The drip coffee was bold and delicious not watered down at all! Finally, we shared the 2 stack biscoff pancakes for a sweet finish. The pancakes were bouncy with biscoff sauce and a mound of whipped cream. This was mouth wateringly delicious. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but this was so yummy. This isn't a traditional sit down service but counter staff were friendly and efficient. There is a small parking lot off to the side and there is indoor and patio seating. Come by for a meal and you won't be disappointed! I wish I lived closer so I could taste the rest of their meal. Kudos and thanks for an awesome meal!

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Inside

Lotus Biscoff Pancakes/STACK OF 2

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Matcha Latte

True Food Kitchen

Second time at this location. I brought two friends that have serious allergies and they were…read morereally happy with the options that our server Sergio gave us. Food was excellent and our drinks (we got a kale aid and a hangover rx) were fresh and delicious. Definitely coming back!

Had a great experience at True Food Kitchen! Staff were very attentive and even came over to check…read moreon us when our food was taking a little longer than expected, which we really appreciated. Our server Leonardo was amazing and had great attention to our table the entire time. Food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent!

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Chopped Salad

Spicy Panang Curry Bowl

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Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl

Oklava Cafe

The food, drinks, and service were great. They also let us us our laptops despite their no laptops…read morepolicy which was much appreciated.

It's great that they are open later in the evening. The baklava is a step up in quality:…read more5/5: pistachio roll. Great flavor. Not too sweet. 5/5: square walnut baklava. Not too sweet. 4/5: spongy soaked Kataifi; great texture, but generic sweet flavor.

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Display of baklava & Turkish delights

Ulker Chocolate w Pistachio Turkish Coffee Muska Shape with Pistachio HalepBurma With Pistachio

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Turkish coffee

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147 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Zoya N.

6 months ago

Heading: Feedback on Allergy Safety and Guest Experience I don't normally write reviews and I had not planned to share publicly, but I felt it was important to share this experience because of allergy safety concerns and after speaking with the general manager, we felt it was important to document the experience. The music and ambience were enjoyable, and the hostesses were the best part of our visit--welcoming, attentive, and professional. My husband also enjoyed his meal and had a good experience overall. However, we noticed that manager check-ins were not consistent across all tables, which made some interactions feel uneven. I ordered jasmine tea but was instead served chamomile tea, which I am allergic to. I informed the server twice and asked for it to be taken back. She then brought green tea, which she had made herself, after becoming upset with the kitchen. Even though I did not drink it, I accepted it politely. By that point, I no longer felt safe consuming drinks or food, as allergy-related orders require strict accuracy. Even a sip of the chamomile tea caused my skin to start itching, which reinforced how serious allergy mistakes can be. The server did check on us afterward to make sure nothing else containing allergens was being served by asking me directly, which we appreciated. Before leaving, we spoke with the manager privately, away from other guests--even if it meant waiting outside in the cold. We told him we had a good experience and that my husband enjoyed the food. When he asked why we were in the cold, I explained we wanted to share our feedback privately. He thanked us for approaching him this way and gave us his card, encouraging us to call before dining in the future. The manager initially said he did not remember ordering chamomile tea. He only went back to check the tea after my husband insisted that it was chamomile, since he drinks it regularly. After confirming, the manager explained it was an herbal tea with chamomile listed as the last ingredient. While he was trying to understand the situation, he did not realize that even a tiny amount of an allergen can cause major issues. I shared this so he could make sure it does not happen again. Overall, it was a warm and cordial interaction with both the manager and the server, which we appreciated. The manager expressed that he hopes we will go back again. I'm sharing this feedback not to criticize, but to encourage better allergy awareness and consistent guest care. Attention to these details would help all diners feel safe, welcome, and well-cared-for. read more

B M.

7 months ago

Zaytinya is a truly beautiful restaurant with a refined, elegant design, and the service is excellent. The staff is warm, attentive, and very professional, which makes the experience pleasant from the moment you arrive. The overall ambiance is lovely and you can see that a lot of thought went into creating a comfortable and stylish dining environment. When it comes to flavor, however, the food was just okay. Nothing was necessarily bad, but the dishes didn't quite deliver the deep, memorable, and authentic Mediterranean taste I was hoping for. Everything looked great, but the flavors felt mild and didn't leave that lasting impression you expect from this type of cuisine. For guests seeking truly authentic, rich, and unforgettable Mediterranean and Aegean flavors, I highly recommend exploring two nearby restaurants: * Esnaf in San Carlos -this place offers genuinely traditional dishes with remarkable depth of flavor. The authenticity really stands out, and many of the dishes leave a lasting impression. If you want real, bold, memorable taste, Esnaf is an excellent choice. * Meyhouse in Palo Alto -the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the food carries a beautifully balanced, truly authentic Aegean touch. Their dishes feel very carefully prepared, and you can taste the freshness and craftsmanship. It's a wonderful spot for anyone who appreciates honest, well-executed Mediterranean flavors. Both restaurants provide a level of authenticity and culinary quality that at least in my experience stands out more clearly. Overall, Zaytinya is a wonderful space with impressive service, but if you're looking for deeper, more authentic Mediterranean flavors, Esnaf in San Carlos and Meyhouse in Palo Alto are exceptional alternatives worth trying. read more

Madeline C.

7 months ago

I had high expectations for Zaytinya, but the overall experience was unfortunately underwhelming. For a restaurant that presents itself as a thoughtful homage to Mediterranean cuisine, the food lacked both depth and authenticity. Many of the dishes were dominated by what tasted like garlic powder rather than fresh garlic, giving everything the same harsh, artificial note. The hummus, in particular, was disappointing--it tasted indistinguishable from a Costco version. The pide was another miss: extremely airy and hollow, lacking substance or texture. We requested a second bread basket, which took about 15 minutes to arrive. The server then took it to the back to box it up, but it never made it back to our table. Ironically, the fries were the most enjoyable item, which raises questions for a restaurant that markets itself around Mediterranean cuisine. The space itself is beautiful, but even that came with drawbacks. There is a sharp contrast in seating comfort throughout the dining room--some tables are assigned hard, uncomfortable chairs while others sit in plush booths. Several tables (including ours) requested to be moved to more comfortable seating. Overall, the experience felt more driven by hype and branding than by consistent execution. Given the price point and reputation, I expected far more. Unfortunately, this is not a restaurant I would return to. read more

José G.

28 days ago

Our experience at Zaytinya was absolutely wonderful. What started as dinner turned into a full experience that we genuinely enjoyed from beginning to end. I love the tapas style concept because it allows you to slow down, try different dishes, and really enjoy the meal. Everything was delicious, from the cocktails to the complimentary bread and every dish that followed. The ingredients tasted incredibly fresh and thoughtfully selected, and each plate felt like it was prepared with great care. Our server Burcu made the evening even more special! She was so warm, personable, and genuinely kind. She took the time to explain every dish in detail and was incredibly knowledgeable about the entire menu. You could tell she truly enjoys what she does, and her enthusiasm made us even more excited to try everything. We learned so much about the dishes and appreciated all of her recommendations. One thing that really stood out was that we never felt rushed. She timed everything perfectly and allowed us to enjoy each course before bringing out the next one. It made the entire meal feel relaxed and intentional. Great food is always memorable, but great service is what turns a meal into an experience. Thank you for making our evening so enjoyable. We cannot wait to come back. read more

Madison W.

1 month ago

5 stars isn't enough for this place. As someone who lives in the Bay Area and eats out a lot, this was one of the most elevated, vibey, and genuinely memorable Mediterranean dinners I've had in a long time. From the second we sat down, our server Adrian was absolutely impeccable warm, knowledgeable, attentive without hovering, and honestly the kind of service that makes you want to come back before you've even finished dinner. He walked us through the entire menu, gave amazing pairing recommendations, and made the whole experience feel super polished but still relaxed and welcoming. The entire restaurant nails that upscale Mediterranean energy without feeling pretentious. Beautiful ambiance, amazing cocktails, incredible Greek wines, flawless pacing, and genuinely impeccable service from start to finish. This is absolutely one of those spots you take out of town friends to if you want to impress them, but it's also the kind of place you'll crave on a random Wednesday night. read more

sara g.

5 months ago

The restaurant is beautifully designed with a pleasant ambiance. Unfortunately, the front desk experience did not match the setting. The staff was not professional or welcoming, and additional customer service training would be greatly beneficial. The cuisine is Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern influence. The appetizers were very flavorful, especially the tabbouleh, grape leaves, and baba ghanoush. However, the portions are extremely small for the price. At nearly $16 per appetizer, the value does not align with the serving size. The baba ghanoush, in particular, was served in a bowl with only about two spoonfuls of eggplant spread, which was quite disappointing. The restaurant has a bar that may interest you! The lunch menu is available until 3:00 pm and includes sandwich options, which is a nice touch for midday dining. read more

Natasha L.

1 month ago

Absolutely loved this place. The food was fresh, flavorful, and honestly one of the best meals I've had in a while. Every dish came out perfectly and the atmosphere made the whole experience even better. The beef kabab and fattoush salad paired so well together, and their pita bread is absolutely to die for. Whatever olive oil blend they use with the balsamic vinegar should honestly be bottled and sold, it was THAT good. Citrusy, slightly sweet, and ridiculously addictive. Huge shoutout to Jess for the amazing service!! He was attentive, friendly, and genuinely made us feel welcomed the entire time. You can tell he really cares about making sure guests have a great experience. Definitely coming back and highly recommend asking for Jess if you visit! 10/10! Ps. Loved the dessert, the one with yogurt was my fave. read more

Shabana A.

1 month ago

Visited Zaytinya recently and had such a great experience. The restaurant interior is absolutely gorgeous, beautifully designed with a really cool bar area that gives the whole place a stylish, lively atmosphere. The food was excellent across the board, and everything we tried was flavorful and well executed. Our favorites were definitely the lamb kebab and the chicken kebab -- both were cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. A special shoutout to our waitress, Sydney, who was incredibly sweet and attentive throughout the meal. She gave us great recommendations and really helped us figure out what to order, which made the experience even better. Definitely a spot I'd come back to again, especially with a group, since there are so many other dishes on the menu I'd love to try. read more

Neelam S.

6 months ago

We celebrated our daughter's birthday at Zaytinya, and it was a truly special experience! Our server, Ana Maria, provided exemplary service; she was incredibly attentive and took extra time to explain each dish, making our night so memorable. The food was packed with flavor--the Lamb Bharat was perfectly spiced and tender, and the Octopus Santorini was grilled to perfection. We also loved the smoky baba ghannoge paired with hommus and endless puffy pita. The drinks were equally impressive and innovative; the margarita was smooth and tasty, featuring a unique salty foam instead of a traditional salted rim. To finish, the Greek yogurt and pears dessert is a must! The decor is stunning with great attention to detail. While the music was a bit loud, the overall ambiance was amazing. read more

Jackie S.

1 month ago

Had an amazing experience at Zaytinya while hosting family visiting from out of state. The Moral pide was exceptionally delicious -- a must-try if you love mushrooms! The meatball dish was also incredibly flavorful and perfectly prepared. And my new favorite drink is officially the "3PM in Istanbul" cocktail -- absolutely delicious and the perfect complement to the meal. What really made the evening special was the outstanding service from Sydney. She was professional, friendly, attentive, and paid attention to every detail throughout our meal. The combination of amazing food, warm hospitality, and a lively atmosphere made for such a memorable dining experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

Maliha B.

21 days ago

I had a wonderful experience at Zaytinya in Stanford Shopping Center! The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and full of amazing Mediterranean flavors. The service was exceptional, and the staff made my visit feel extra special. I was celebrating my birthday, and the team surprised me with a complimentary dessert and a non-alcoholic drink, which was such a thoughtful gesture. Their kindness and attention to detail made the celebration even more memorable. The atmosphere was beautiful and welcoming, and every dish we ordered was outstanding. Thank you to the entire Zaytinya team for making my birthday so special. I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning soon! read more

Tanya L.

15 days ago

We had a wonderful experience at Zaytinya celebrating my husband's birthday. We chose the tasting menu, and everything was absolutely delicious from start to finish. Each dish was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and made the evening feel special. The service was just as impressive as the food. Our waiters, Chris and Ivan, were attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the night. They helped make the birthday celebration feel warm and memorable. Overall, Zaytinya was the perfect place for a special occasion. Great food, excellent service, and a lovely atmosphere. We look forward to coming back! read more

Rahsaan C.

28 days ago

We had an excellent experience thanks to Gill. The service was outstanding from beginning to end--friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Gill made us feel taken care of the entire time and had a great sense of timing, always checking in when needed and making sure everything was perfect. It's not often you come across service that feels both professional and personal, but Gill absolutely nailed it. The positive energy, attention to detail, and overall care really stood out and made our visit even more enjoyable. We truly appreciated it and will definitely be back. Five stars for Gill--highly recommend! read more

Sylvia L.

1 month ago

We had such an amazing experience thanks to our server, Elmas! It was my sister's birthday, and from the moment we arrived, Elmas made her feel incredibly welcomed and celebrated. The service was truly top-notch -- always attentive without ever being intrusive. The food was absolutely excellent, and every recommendation was spot on. Elmas checked in at all the right moments, kept everything running smoothly, and genuinely made the night feel special. You can tell they really care about creating a great experience for guests. Thank you for making my sister's birthday dinner so memorable. We'll definitely be back! read more

Izzy Y.

2 months ago

I want to recognize Jess for providing truly outstanding service. He was attentive, polite, respectful, and incredibly professional from beginning to end. His level of care and awareness stood out immediately -- he anticipated our needs without being intrusive and made the entire experience feel welcoming and effortless. I have rarely met someone in service with this level of warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality. Jess is the kind of person who elevates the entire dining experience and makes guests want to come back. He deserves real recognition for the exceptional way he represents the restaurant. read more

Donna M.

Elite 18

210

113

2 months ago

We came for the food and stayed for the excellent service by Andres--hospitality you often don't see anymore. The moment we sat down our experience was warm, friendly and his knowledgeable of the menu on various dishes was enthusiastically shared. We enjoyed the kale salads, Brussels sprouts, falafel, humus , and the chicken we almost didn't have-- but he highly recommended it so we also indulged. Our meal was topped off with a tasty and airy apricot yogurt and a glass of champagne. Come here to celebrate life with old friends and make new memories. We will be back! Donna and Alice. read more

Jennifer M.

5 months ago

The beautiful setting reminds me of the Greek isles. Gorgeous. Service and food were impeccable. Andrew at the bar is a good time for sure. The vibes And attitude of the staff should be copied by all the neighboring places at the Stanford Shopping Center. Great addition that you all need to try. Walk -ins are welcome in the lounge area if you can't make a reservation. Also after reading some reviews...we all would so well to remember it is a subjective question when we ask if our order is enough..or too spicy. We can't blame the staff for guessing for us read more

Joseph K.

4 months ago

Mediocre at best. Hummus - 0.5 cm thin on the plate Fattoush - cucumber and tomatoes (no taste)... that's not how fattoush is done Halloumi ... 2 pieces tossed in a random combo of fruits Beef Kebab ... a mix of soujouk and ground beef, that's not steak Chicken Kebab ... dark meat not chicken breast. Chef needs to go to the Middle East for a quick internship and learn how to make proper Mediterranean food. Overall great atmosphere and amazing interior design. Architect should be proud. I would just go there for drinks for the atmosphere. read more

Emily S.

6 months ago

Had the most amazing time at Zaytinya tonight! Obviously the food is INCREDIBLE!! Duh, Jose Andres. BUT the service is even better! We had an amazing time with MJ as our waiter. Not only was she a joy to be around she suggested a perfect meal for us. Absolutely come here! The best thing on the menu was definitely the baba ganoush but all the dips were fantastic. We also loved the celebration rice! MJ let us know that you can order it with lamb and that is definitely the right way to go! read more

Roro K.

1 month ago

Just tried Zaytinya, and we will definitely visit it routinely. Fabulous dishes, great service and beautiful ambiance. Our waiter Jess was super attentive and ensured the dishes I chose were cooked to accommodate my allergies. We had: Halloumi with lychee, pistachio, cherries. 8/10 Bread 8/10 Scallops 8/10 Chicken kabob 8/10 Baba gannouj 8/10 Tawook sandwich 8/10 Apricot yogurt dessert 8/10 Jess was 10/10 in service. Ambiance was 9/10 read more

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147 Zaytinya reviews that are not currently recommended

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147 reviews that are not currently recommended

Zaytinya - turkish - Updated June 2026

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