Zaytinya - Palo Alto (CA)

5 /5 Hedieh YS: We walked in not knowing what to expect. The new restaurant and space is lovely and airy. Wasnt crowded at all, which was perfect for us. We were on a time crunch and the host and servers were very accommodating. We tried the hummus, Brussel sprouts, falafel sandwich and kefteh mezze. Everything was so full of flavor.. Brussel sprouts were by far my favorite, along with the fresh made bread. The olive oil (for dipping) was soooo good, with a touch of pomegranate molasses ♥️ We didnt have the main courses, and they seemed a bit too pricey, but if theyre anything like the rest of the menu, you will not be disappointed.

3 /5 Priscilla Tang: We were really excited to try Zaytinya in Palo Alto, and while the food itself was genuinely delicious, the overall experience was disappointing because of the service and timing issues. This is a Sunday service at 4:30pm From the start, things felt a bit disorganized. Our kid’s pizza came out before our pita and spreads, which was confusing. Even more frustrating, our server told us three separate times that she’d be right back with the pita — stopping by each time to say it was coming — but never actually brought it until much later. On top of that, our main courses arrived before our appetizers, which really threw off the flow of the meal. For the price point, the portions were also surprising. The kebab platter was $70 but only came with about four skewers’ worth of food, which felt hard to justify. And then there was the biggest letdown: by 4:30 pm, they had already run out of their most popular dish — the lamb chop. That’s a prime dinner item, and it was hard to understand how it could be unavailable so early in the evening. Overall, it feels like the restaurant is still working through some growing pains. The concept and food are strong, but the kitchen and service staff clearly need more training and better coordination before this becomes a place we’d be excited to return to. Right now, it just doesn’t quite live up to the expectations that come with the name and the prices. (Attached photos only part of what we ordered.)

4 /5 Serge C: We decided to visit the newly opened Zaytinya at Stanford Shopping Center this weekend. I went with my aunts and uncles, all of whom are Mediterranean and Lebanese, so I was especially curious to get their honest take on food that’s very close to home for them. Zaytinya describes its cuisine as a mix of Mediterranean, Greek, and Arabic influences. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated and clearly designed to accommodate large groups — our party of nine was seated comfortably in the middle of the restaurant with plenty of space. We were served by a very friendly Turkish server who was helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. She recommended ordering mezze-style (or family-style, as my fellow Mediterraneans would call it), which ended up being the right approach. We started with drinks, and the cocktail menu is quite unique, incorporating herbs and flavors commonly used in Mediterranean and Arabic cooking, like za’atar and olives. Before we even ordered any mezze, we were brought large, warm, freshly baked, air-filled pita bread served with olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar — a great start. For starters, we ordered a variety of mezze including the hummus (which tasted very genuine, even according to my aunts and uncles), baba ghanoush, tzatziki, and a couple of salads — the beet salad and fattoush. The fattoush was a bit underwhelming, but the roasted beet salad was different and very tasty. We also ordered grilled halloumi, which was excellent, along with some other vegetable dishes. We added French fries as well, but they were fairly boring and not something I’d recommend. Overall, we were very happy with the mezze and decided to order the kebab platter to share as our main. Unfortunately, the mains didn’t live up to the starters. The presentation was very basic — simple white plates with not much garnish — and the flavors were underwhelming. They were served with three dips, but the only standout was the garlic sauce. We ended the night with Turkish coffee, which was hot and satisfying, along with a couple of desserts. The olive oil cake wasn’t memorable, but the chocolate cake was quite good, though the portion was on the smaller side. In the end, both my aunts and uncles and I were happy with the overall experience. That said, we all agreed we could have skipped the mains and simply ordered more mezze to share. Expect to spend around $60–$100 per person depending on alcohol. Parking is plentiful and easy at the shopping center. One small note — we visited on 12/21/25 and were a bit surprised not to see any holiday decorations, as we expected the space to feel a bit more festive.

5 /5 Hannah Chase: I had such a great experience at Zaytinya in the Stanford Shopping Center. I went to catch up with an old friend and it was honestly the perfect setting for a long, relaxed dinner. The restaurant is absolutely stunning. The space feels elevated and thoughtfully designed but still warm and inviting, which immediately sets the tone for a really enjoyable night. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by incredibly kind and attentive hosts. Our server was equally wonderful quick, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful when walking us through both the food and cocktail menu. Everything felt seamless without being rushed. The food was excellent. One of my favorite dishes we tried was the lamb kebab it was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. They also have an impressive selection of hummus and mezze, which made sharing everything at the table really fun and social. I also ordered their take on a dirty martini and it was so refreshing and unique. I believe it had an olive oil infusion, which added a subtle richness and made it stand out in the best way. Overall, it was such a memorable experience from start to finish. Between the atmosphere, the service, and the food, Zaytinya is definitely a place I’ll be returning to. It’s an ideal spot for catching up with friends, sharing plates, and enjoying a really beautiful night out.

5 /5 Nancylee Spitzer: Of course I expected a tasty lunch, from one of the worlds most notable chefs, but the taste elevation from such simple ingredients was really a treat. The front of the house (host, waiter, bus), was friendly but each seemed a bit confused, for some reason (perhaps a shift change?). I apologize for photos, we were hungry! Definately recommend.