Yummy brunch! Food service was fast and the food was flavorful. The portions were small for the price but that could just be their brunch items. Complimentary pita and oil to start was a nice treat. Massive interior with extensive seating options - indoor/outdoor/bar/table. Staff were all friendly and helpful. read more

Zaytinya - Menemen - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

I'm a big fan of José Andrés and his restaurants. I went to the original Zaytinya in D.C. years ago and was wowed by the quality and variety of the food and vibe of the place. Too bad that didn't translate to Culver City. It pains me to write this review. I like the meze concept in general, but when they say small plates here, they mean small. They bring you these wonderful dirigibles of pita bread that are truly wonderful and encourage you to order a couple of "spreads" for them. We tried the baba ganoush, which was fairly bland and had a sprinkling of pomegranates. The one at Trader Joe's is just as good for a third of the price, and we ended up leaving half of it untouched. And I never do that. The spanakopita sounded good, but when it came we burst out laughing. There was only one, the size of a large frankfurter encircled with crumbled feta and completely unmemorable. When the Octopus Santorini arrived, we didn't know what to think. First, we had to find the six small chunks of octopus buried under a mess of greens. My partner thought that the yellow split pea purée tasted like baby food. The bite-sized chunks worked out to $4 apiece (the dish is $24 and not worth it). The $20 martinis were served in the smallest glasses imaginable. What a joke. Two good things: the service was excellent and the french fries were delicious and plentiful. But you can get great fries in lots of places. It's not worth coming here for them. read more

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Zaytinya stands in the place that etta once occupied Cute lil space in the Shay that was actually pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon My friend and I came here following a tour at the eco star station because it was close and they offered a dine LA menu for a decent price We ordered the hummus, babbaganoush, Brussels, beet salad, salmon, falafel, and they only had the olive oil cake as the apricot and yogurt dessert was sold out Everything was delicious. They brought out warm pita, olive oil, and pom molasses to dip the pita in The babaganoush was super flavorful and garlicky The hummus was a nice flavor Brussels were flavored well The beet citrus salad was also a nice mix of flavors and had a little of beet pieces I didnt have the falafels but the salmon was delectable and crisp to perfection - a bit smaller than most place portions even during dine la The olive oil cake was also moist and the perfect end to the meal A pretty solid meal but not sure id be back read more

Zaytinya - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

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Such a great experience at Jose Andres new spot! It was hard to see etta leave but so glad a wonderful new place has taken this prime spot in the Shay Hotel. I was seated right away for my 5:30pm reservation and the staff were quite helpful and friendly. Such warm and welcoming modern and Mediterranean vibes when you walk into the space. The format of the menu is tapas and mains and they generally recommend 3-4 per person but depending on what you order you can probably order less. You get bottomless pillowy fresh pita bread which goes great with any dip you order. We got the baba ganoush and it was amazing! Also order the beet salad and Brussels (yum!), the octopus, cod and the kibbeh. Really liked the seafood dishes, the kibbeh was good but really rich, I'd aim for lighter options next time. Drinks are also fabulous! The magic carpet was so great to go with the meal! read more

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Had the best dinner at Zaytinya in Culver City this past weekend celebrating my mom's birthday with her and my girlfriend. Our server Nick was great, so funny and welcoming, and he made my mom's birthday truly special. He recommended his favorite dishes, the whole fish and the octopus, and we followed his lead. Everything was incredible. Ambiance is also amazing. We were even surprised with a chocolate dessert cake for my mom's birthday. Highly recommend Zaytinya, great for special occasions. read more

As a regular of Zaytinya DC, I don't think they should even call this place Zaytinya because it's a huge disservice to the original location. The flavors were BAD and fail capture the essence of Greek, Turkish, and Mediterranean cooking. Service was slow and chaotic despite the large waitstaff. To start we ordered: - HOMMUS MA LAHM: I'm not exaggerating, the ground lamb in this tasted EXACTLY like Taco Bell meat. - BABA GHANNOUGE: good if you like very smoky - TZATZIKI: extremely watery! - ZA'ATAR PIDE: our favorite of all the starters Mezzes: - FATTOUSH: really plain, could not taste the pomegranate dressing, pita chips were too hard and inedible - CAULIFLOWER TIGANITES: standard roasted cauliflower with yogurt dip, nothing to write home about - BANTIJIAN BIL LABAN: crispy eggplant was the favorite out of this set Protein: - BLACK COD: tasted fishy and I had major doubts this was actually black cod given the texture (overcooked) and leanness - KEBAB PLATTER: we liked the chicken and adana kebabs with the accompanying sides I'm a fan of Jose Andres and have dined in nearly all of his restaurants. Zaytinya LA has been the biggest disappointment. I'm not convinced he's actually tried the food here. read more

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Came here for dinner with a family of 3. We ordered the baba ghanoush (ghannouge) $13, four lollipop lamp chops $65, huge sea bass or branzino with three accompaniments $110 and Brussels sprouts $16. Pita bread was light and the olive oil and balsamic vinegar provided a nice dip. My brother said when he first had the Brussels sprouts at Zaytinya in Washington DC, it was the best Brussels sprouts he ever had bc the outer leaves were crispy. When he went back a second time years later, they were no longer crispy. He was disappointed. We decided to try the Brussels sprouts at Zaytinya in Culver City. Again, they were not crispy. Due to the lighting in the room, they looked like black blobs in white yogurt. We were not impressed with the dish. It wasn't until I took a pic with a flash could I see this dish properly. There were a lot of tiny bones in the Branzino (sea bass). Big fish though. Baba ghanoush was ok. Lamb chops were tasty. Impeccable service - we were constantly asked if we wanted more pita bread - rare in restaurants nowadays, constant refill of water, and attentive server. Nice ambience, but better lighting was needed to see the food. The music was a little too loud for me, but not for my brother. While I admire Jose Andres' work around the world, his cuisine in Culver City and DTLA, from my experience, has a tendency to be overpriced for what you get which has been a disappointment, and this restaurant was no exception. We had a better experience with Butterfly DineLA lunch upstairs. read more

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A good spot in the long line of restaurant concepts by Jose Andres. It's in a newer location, beautiful spot, with great drinks. Service was good. Some items were better than others, with various degrees of excellence. Great ambiance, adjoined to a hotel with nice decor. Would have rated it higher if not for one of their main courses coming out significantly overcooked. Ironically, one of the kebabs came out a bit cold. We went at a time that was not too busy. All in all, would give it another try but maybe lean into the drinks and bites instead of going for the mains. read more

I came here excited to recommend this place to friends after having a great experience at the DC location, but this visit was a huge disappointment. The restaurant was half empty, yet service was terrible. We could barely get any attention from our server and were repeatedly pushed to just order drinks instead of being properly helped. The server recommended the $80 chef's menu, which turned out to be the worst part of the experience. We ordered two, and instead of receiving separate portions, everything was combined onto one plate. The portions were shockingly small--micro-sized dishes. One piece of falafel, one lamb chop, and a bite-sized scoop of hummus. It was nowhere near enough food, and we had to order additional dishes afterward just to feel satisfied. Even the server agreed that the portions were extremely small. The food itself was average at best--nothing memorable or worth the price. Overall, this was a horrible experience, and I won't be returning. I also don't see this place lasting very long if things don't change. Lastly, the wine selection was very poor. There were no Pinots or red wines available, and no recommendations were offered. If you do come, make sure to read up beforehand and ask for tastings, since they do offer that. read more

A refreshing meal realized with inspiration from your World Market vision board. Went for dine LA lunch on a double date, which was the perfect move to have 4 people try every option for each course. My favs pictured include: * the roasted al dente beet salad with tangy mandarins and sodium laded feta for the perfect bite * brussel sprouts with yogurt is a game changer * double one hitters for dessert tho I have a penchant for the orange cake * not pictured but also boom boom were the standard dips (labneh, baba ganoush, and hummus). the pita bread served here is almost like a deep fried lavash texture unlike the fluffy pillows you might be used to from the levain bonus points for having both delicious cocktails and NA options (the cucumber spritz was divine) read more

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I have gone to zaytinya in dc and had high hopes when I heard it was opening in Culver City. I made 4 visits here (3 sit down and 1 takeout) since I really wanted to give this place a try and I have to say it's alright. In December on the second week of opening, service was immaculate and food was just what I expected: the hummus, tzatziki, scallops, octopus, branzini sea bass, and lamb shoulder. It was so good I came back taking my parents here and noticed a slight degrade in the quality of the food but still carry the luster of enjoyment. Dinela came about and we went and had the following based on the photos attached and that's where I noticed some quality loss in the scallops, the BEEF SOUTZOUKAKIA, and SEARED HALLOUMI. Meatball was a mush and the halloumi was overpowering that anything along with it was not possible to coat the taste. I did ask the waiter about this dish and he mentioned that it was an acquired dish which I didn't seem convincing. Now the takeout is what I find disappointing when I ordered the lamb shoulder , I was expecting a large portion when it was served a month ago and noticed the price did go up from 85$ to 105$ so I expected more decadent taste, but instead I get a small cardboard box of a diced sliver of lamb shoulder with the sauce dripping out of the container when I got home. Honestly not great and disappointed I called to order which they don't accept and have to order there at the bar since I knew the dish takes awhile to make. Parking can be done at the metro station but I did manage to find free parking at defunct coop market Just say I am a believer of the Jose Andre's restaurants, but when things get shortcut and price adjustment were made not even a month in service, it's a bit disappointing and hard to share that this is zaytinya that I rave how great in DC. Decor is clean and has the open Mediterranean vibe of the well lit bar and cozy seats. Though I do see the crowd is starting get less and less as the menu changes. PLEASE zaytinya Culver City don't become the next ETTA. read more

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The dinela lunch offering is SO worth it. You get so much food. Must orders with DineLA: Salmon - perfectly tender Smoked beet salad (this surprised us) Brussel sprouts (super crispy) Baba ghanouge Skip the Mediterranean milk punch. It came in a glass with a huge cube of ice and was only filled halfway. Our server Jesse was very attentive and amazing. Our pita bread and waters were refilled regularly without us having to ask. This was a big improvement from our previous visits. read more

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What a great new gem to Culver City...Zaytinya is awesome! The third incarnation of the downstairs restaurant of the Shay Hotel. Jose Andres Mediterranean restaurant is such a fresh new take on this space with brand new decor which is so light and airy. We came by to try Zaytinya for the first time during DineLA which was such a generous menu with several choices and big portions. We were a party of 8 and had the chance to try pretty much everything on the DineLa menu Standouts were the babaganoush dip, lamb meatballs, grilled salmon, sausage pide and beet salad. The cocktails were delish too and all have a Greek fusion to them. The complimentary pita bread was also a nice touch and the olive oil and pomegranate dip that comes with it is addictive. Looking forward to going back to try more items off the regular menu. read more

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Went there for dinner and to our surprise, it was DineLa!! A solid 4/5 overall for me. Here's what we got: - Brussels sprout 5/5 - Sausage 5/5 - Hummus 5/5 - Pita bread 5/5 free/unlimited - Octopus 4/5 didn't like the fava beans puree - Seared halloumi 3/5 loved the toppings but not the halloumi itself, too hard and dense - Scallops 2/5 didn't find this one particularly outstanding - Greek yogurt 5/5 - Galetopita 10/5 sooo delicious!!! Service was 5/5, and great ambiance for a date or catching up with friends if you're feeling something slightly upscale and not casual. read more

I loved the DC location so I was so excited to see that the same restaurant had opened up down the street. We came in a Friday evening at got a reservation for 5pm. Walking in, we were immediately greeted and sat at our table. The service is impeccable. The staff made sure our waters were filled all the time and constantly checked in. The decor is the same as the old establishment (etta), which is chic, hip and modern. There's a bar, indoor and patio seating area. The food was amazing. They started off with their signature fluffy and airy pita bread, dipped in a wonderful olive oil. We also got the baba ganoush, as well as a regular hummus. We shared the beet salad which was very light and fresh, and the Brussels as well. Finally, we had a lamb shoulder amongst the four of us, and had plenty left over. The meat was tender, juicy and full of flavor! I tried their 3pm cocktail which was sweet and juicy. Overall, will come back! The food is high quality, service is excellent. Fyi: parking is valet only ($18) or in the structure which is like $6/ hour or something like that. (We got lucky and found street parking on Venice!) read more

Zaytinya - Lamb shoulder - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

We were so excited to check out Zaytinya on their second day of service. We've been huge fans of Jose Andres for years now, and this new restaurant did not disappoint. It is huge, and they have an enormous army of servers waiting to help you. Both the indoor and outdoor spaces are large and beautiful - would be a great venue for a large party. The star of the show, though, is the food. It's different than any Middle Eastern food I've had before. Our server recommended ordering 3-5 dishes (meant for sharing) per person. We ended up taking home a lot of leftovers but we're not complaining. Here's what we had: - Lemonatha: a spin on lemonade - Mediterranean milk punch: very unique and a little floral - Hommus: delicious - Taramosalata: also delicious with a bit of a smoky flavor - Egg and pastirma pide: this may have been my favorite dish of the night - Za'atar pide: another must get - Crispy Brussels afelia: all the servers recommended this; great flavor - Bantijian bil laban: loved the flavor and texture - Black cod: fish flaked perfectly; loved the combo of flavors and the generous serving of greens - Shish taouk: my least favorite dish of the night, chosen by my husband. The chicken was grilled to perfection, but I'm not a fan of either onions or tomatoes, so.... - Turkish coffee chocolate cake: a spin on lava cake. Can't go wrong with this one. The servers were constantly replenishing our supply of pita bread, which came out warm and poufy. I've been off carbs for a while, but this was worth it. Can't wait to come back and try more things! read more

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This is a solid restaurant for a group so you can share and try more dishes. While they suggest you get 3-4 plates per person we went with 2 plates and had more then enough food for a group of 4. The service was on point and our waiter was extremely helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. We started with the HOMMUS MA LAHM (ground lamb hummus $13), TZATZIKI ($12), and FATTOUSH ($12). All were solid. The pickled vegetables and lamb really added depth to the already creamy hummus and the tzatziki was bright and the cucumber added texture and contrast to the hummus. The fattoush was also nice and if you like red onions this is a dish for you. You also get all the yummy light fresh pita bread you want - dangerous. From there we moved on to the SPANAKOPITA ($16) and FALAFEL ($14) the latter being a suggestion of our waiter. Not being the biggest falafel fan I found these to be decent. Good flavor, not too dry, the pickles and tahini helped with dryness. The spanakopita was a little tough to share since it comes out 1 long piece but the house made phyllo was a nice touch. Finally we had the SEA SCALLOPS ($21) BONE MARROW KIBBEH ($13), SHISH TAOUK (chicken skewer $16). The sea scallops (you get 3) were fine, familiar flavors, well cooked, while the bone marrow/bulgur wheat fritters were really interesting. There was a light sweetness to them that kind of confused me but the pine nuts were nice touch. The chicken skewer was great. Really well cooked, strong flavors, and well balanced I also tried the Ancient Olive Martini ($21), yum! They give you a side of juiced olives which you pour into the glass of gin/vodka which already has castelvetranos oil in it. Super smooth and light! Located in near the heart of downtown culver city, parking can be tricky. You can park/valet at The Shay hotel but it can get pricey. The Platform near by may have street parking or less expensive garage parking. The best way to go is if you can take the metro and the Culver City stop drops you right by the restaurant. All in all I will probably be back to try more dishes read more

Zaytinya - Ancient Olive Martini -$21 - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

Very underwhelming experience here last night. Food was not prepared well, portions were incredibly small for how pricey they were. I get that they do small shareable plates but when 1 small skewer comes in an order it's kind of insulting. I expect more from Jose Andres. 2 stars for nice ambiance but not much else. There is much better Mediterranean fare for a fraction of the price in West LA. read more

The restaurant was totally dead and now I understand why. We had a 5:45 PM dinner and we're there until 8:30 at night. The service was so bad and so slow. It was very disappointing. We also ordered way too much food based on the recommendation of the server. If you do the tasting menu, it is A LOT of food and you do not need anything else. I'm not going back here until they clean up their act, which is a bummer because their food is actually very good (except for the desserts - not good. Skip those) read more

My friends and I came here for Christmas Eve dinner. Ambiance: The restaurant is located inside The Shay hotel, with a cozy atmosphere and Mediterranean-inspired interior design. Drinks: We each ordered a cocktail, and I quite enjoyed mine. The prices were comparable to other restaurants in the area. Food: The complimentary pita bread was a highlight--absolutely delicious and a great pairing with all the dishes we ordered. Unfortunately, despite our 7:30 reservation, the lamb shoulder was already sold out, which felt like poor planning for a holiday evening. Between the five of us, we shared around eight dishes, including the eggplant, cauliflower, octopus, scallops, bone marrow, two pides, and the kebab platter. My favorite was the cauliflower, which was perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Service: The service was chaotic. Dishes arrived out of order, and multiple servers came by to check if we had already received items they were carrying. At one point, a server accidentally bumped my friend's head with a tray, which was surprising and left us a bit unsettled. Overall, while the meal was enjoyable and the pita bread was fantastic, I'm not sure the experience was memorable enough to bring me back for a second visit anytime soon. read more

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This is hands down the best restaurant in LA and I don't say that lightly. From lamb hummus to falafel to octopus to kabab platter to eternal bliss. Every single dish came out better than the next. Prior to tonight I thought Penguin fish and chips was my number 1 place, but this is by far the best food anywhere in LA. I'm elite in this app and you better believe it when I try to convey how good this food. Words don't even do it. Thanks Chef Andres! read more

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The food was really impressive. Get the Halloumi, the Hummus, Fattoush, Shish Taouk, and Mujadara. Service was excellent, endless bread (which is really good). Good space and chill vibes. read more

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A star is born in Culver City. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes (RIP ETTA!) Zaytina recently opened here in Los Angeles and it's Mediterranean food is a welcome addition to the scene, and in a great location right next to Ivy Station and attached to the Shay. I'll start with the only negative - even during the holiday season, with this being brand new this is PACKED. So expect a bit of a wait being sat down as well as spotty service as the staff run around the very large location and are still getting used to the menu (a few issues with answering questions and the wine menu but all were solved!) The space is beautiful and retains overall the same layout as Etta and the very short lived Prima Donna. Now on to the food - here are the highlights of our meal: CAULIFLOWER TIGANITES - The Tahini on this dish with the crisp cauliflower is amazing flavor. OCTOPUS SANTORINI - I love Octopus but this was an entirely new way of seeing it served - sliced and with amazing flavors, even the kids loved these! GRILLED LAMB Chops - Just do it. ADANA KEBAB - Amazing with the chiles For Dessert - the Olive Oil cake was amazing but the real star was the home made sorbets. This is a rotation but we had both honeycrisp apple and pear olive oil and we could not decide which was better - it's a cant miss scenario. Pair this with a Turkish Coffee for a great end to your meal. The cocktails were just OK to me, but thats not why you come here. Specifically I found the Za'atar Margarita underwhelming and the Ankara Rye Club to be WAY too bitter. Next time I will try the more themed cocktails with things like Ouzo. However on a non-alcoholic shout out - the Cucumber-Mint Cooler was fantastic and refreshing. read more

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We were excited to try zaytinya. Our service was not bad, can clearly tell the restaurant is new and still ironing out the kinks. The food was very flavorful! The Brussel sprouts were recommended as a popular dish but did not hit for me, I felt the yogurt sauce/base was incredible but the Brussel sprouts weren't cooked well and lacked flavor themselves. The remaining dishes were excellent. The baba ghanoush was one of the best I've ever had. Their cocktails were also phenomenal. Highly recommend their sour cocktail, the Istanbul at 3pm, and the margarita! I will definitely be back to try the other items on the menu read more

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I couldn't contain my excitement when I found out Zaytinya opened on the West Coast! As a longtime fan of José Andrés from my time living in DC, this visit was a nostalgic treat. Zaytinya was one of my go-to spots there, and I'm happy to say this location at Culver City did not disappoint. The food was phenomenal--every dish a burst of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavors. The mezze plates are perfect for sharing, and everything I tried was fresh, vibrant, and perfectly seasoned. From the creamy, dreamy hummus to the tender lamb, every bite was comfort food elevated. The service was equally impressive--friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. Our server ensured we had a seamless dining experience. The ambience is just as I remembered: modern yet inviting, with a lively, warm atmosphere. It's the perfect spot for catching up with friends, family, or even a casual date night. The server recommended we try 6 plates between the 2 of us and we did just that: We started with drinks- Sidecar to tangier: yum. Fresh flavors. Za'atar margarita: a fresh take on a classic margarita. The za'atar air (read foam) was delish. Food: Warm pita with an olive oil and molasses dip is great! They refresh the pita bread so you're never eating cold bread.. it's the little things! 1. Hommus: creamy, delish, yum. 2. Smoked beet salata: tangy, fresh and wholesome salad. A must try. 3. Crispy Brussels Afelia: crispy Brussels sprouts were elevated with the garlic dip. I couldn't stop eating it! 4. Mujadara: rice and lentil pilaf. Honestly this was the definition of comfort food. A simple dish, I enjoyed it. 5. Adana Kebab: juicy lamb kebabs with sumac onions make for a melt in your mouth combo. The best part? It tastes exactly the same (read delicious) since first having it over a decade ago! 6. Shish Taouk: grilled chicken with a garlic dip and sumac onions. Really really good! Zaytinya has truly brought a little piece of my "happy place" to the West Coast, and I'll definitely be back for more. Highly recommend to anyone craving a stellar dining experience! read more

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First off, the food was just okay. Small portions. Workers don't know what they are talking about. I called earlier asking about parking and asked if they give validation. They said yes and to park at Ivy station. We tried to validated our ticket and front desk said "we don't validate". HAHA, nice! $18 for parking sweet. Great way to spend an evening. read more

Parking- they have valet it was 18$ for 3 hours Otherwise hard to find unless you park at the metro parking. Can't guarantee you won't get towed though! Incredible food and ambiance. The dark blue furniture immediately makes you reminisce about the Mediterranean sea whether it's the archipelago of Greece or the beautiful sea view of Beirut. The setting is warm modern and inviting. The smells of great food are wafting all over the place and you're excited to order by the time you sit down! The service was quite attentive and reviewed the menu thoroughly. We were so ecstatic to try our food we forgot to take pics of our main entrees! We had the following items Complimentary pita with Greek olive oil and pomegranate molasses 1. Fattoush salad - fresh and so good; pita is typically fried but this pita seemed baked still great 2. Soujok pide- great appetizer if you've ever had a Georgian cheese boat it was very similar 3. Brussel sprouts- Didn't try this one but company for the evening reported it was quite good! 4. Lamb baharat- great flavors however fairly small portion 5. Chicken youvetsi- pretty authentic flavors and taste! Pleasantly surprised considering most Greek food in LA misses the mark! Do note though that this is also a small personal portion 5. Turkish chocolate cake- essentially a lava chocolate cake pretty standard BUT with a Greek twist you've got the incredible mastic ice cream which I've NEVER seen on the west coast so this is most likely imported or made in house with a delectable Greek coffee syrup with pistachios the flavor profiles were incredibly complimentary so much so it makes you think why you never thought of it before! Overall rating 10/10 For all these dishes we paid 106$ without tip. Great quality and a MUST try read more

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Inside the Shay hotel, Zaytinya is a modern and vibey spot ideal for a night out with friends or date. The ENTIRE meal was phenomenal. We got the lamb hummus, za'atar pide, seared halloumi, and crispy eggplant. EVERY item was a hit, the halloumi was packed with flavor and various textures. We also had the Za'atar margarita- SO unique and refreshing, and mastiha coconut cocktails. I love how they incorporated regional ingredients and flavors. Ended the meal with Turkish coffee cake. Our server was very attentive and gave great recommendations. I'd love to come back and try their brunch! read more

Food was good overall, but the service was pretty slow even though the restaurant wasn't busy. We waited a long time to order and even to get water. I also wish they would've mentioned that one of the recommendations was an off-menu item because it ended up being more expensive than I expected. Overall, the food was good, but the service and communication could definitely be better read more

After going here in DC years ago, I was overjoyed when it opened in Culver City! I went during restaurant week which is such a great way to try a variety of options. My favorites were the dips, especially the hummus and labneh, and the crispy Brussels sprouts. The salmon and falafel were solid mains, but the kale salad was oddly wilted and skippable. A solid new Mediterranean spot (with a beautiful vibe!) read more

Zaytinya - salmon - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

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Stopped by for date night, per my partner's recommendation (she frequented the DC location when she was a local) and I must say I was BEYOND pleased with everything. Ambiance, service, food, drinks; You name it! Had the "Dine LA" 5 course meal and everything was exceptional, particularly the Smokey baba ghannouge and the super tasty falafel! On the drinks side of things, look no further than the "Ancient Olive Martini." That pressed olive juice was a revelation! One of the better martinis I've had in a while! So good! All in all, you owe to yourself to give this place a shot, if you're in the area. You will not regret it! read more

Zaytinya - Ancient Olive Martini - Greek Near Me - Culver City, California

Service started off great...and then as it got busier, service dipped and we hardly saw our server. Cocktail/drink refreshes came sparingly or just not at all. But the strangest thing was that they expect the Chef's tasting menu which is comprised of 12 dishes and 2 desserts to be consumed in 90 minutes...because that's how it's done in DC. The dishes came faster and more furious than a Vin Diesel movie, and they seemed to not realize there was only a finite amount of space on the table. We even asked twice for them to slow the pace. Food itself was okay. The dishes didn't wow me, and living in Tehrangeles, we have some stellar Mediterranean places here. There was some good, most just serviceable, the bad was the uncontrolled pacing. Even a few days later, I remember liking the yogurt dessert and the scallops...with everything else being meh. We had a group of 6 and wanted to enjoy a leisurely dinner. They didn't slow it until dessert and coffee arrived after dessert was over. I will say cocktail game here is on point. I only got to try 2 and I loved them. We'd have stayed, but there was no room...and I understand why. I'd hang out at the bar here, too. I'd come back for the cocktails and maybe some snacks, but I'm in no hurry to return for dinner. read more

Went to Zaytinya in Culver City recently and had a really nice time. The space is lovely, good for date night! food was tasty - those scallops and shrimp were cooked just right, and the Chicken Youvetski and Kofte were full of flavor. The people working there were friendly and took good care of us. It was a good meal in a nice spot with excellent service. I'd definitely go back. read more

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I went to Zaytinya with my girlfriends Sunday night, and we had a fun catch-up dinner for under $50 a head. Granted, our crew is currently awash in pregnancies and drinking more water than wine, but not bad for a satisfying meal at an upscale new restaurant. I actually had lunch at the original Zaytinya in 2011--another girls' outing, during a visit to DC. I was happy to hear about this new Culver City location, in the old Etta space in the Shay Hotel. One of my friends made the reservation, but I don't think it was difficult. The restaurant is quite large, and it seems like a good, hassle-free go-to for a group dinner. Parking is expensive, something like $18 through the hotel, but you can park cheaply at the Co-op across the street--free, in fact, on Sundays. We all went with this option before gathering in what I think was the hotel lobby. Once we were all there, we got seated at a comfortable table in the giant dining room. The space was attractively decorated with a pleasant, easy atmosphere. Service was a little inattentive but perfectly friendly. I got the sense that our waiter was covering a lot of tables. We went pretty long stretches without anyone checking on us (we sat for a while with a lot of half-eaten spreads and no pita) and realized after we left that we never got the falafel we ordered and paid for. On the other hand, our waiter took ample care helping us navigate a Mediterranean menu with a deathly pine nut allergy in our party. I was the only one boozing at this dinner, and I kept it light and classy with a single Za'atar Margarita, a lovely drink made with Milagro blanco tequila, lime, orange liqueur, and a fragrant foam of "za'atar air." I also liked my pregnant friend's Mediterranean Milk Punch, a clarified mocktail of fenugreek, cardamom, Greek yogurt, and fresh citrus. The food was great. We went heavy on the spreads, which all went beautifully with the airy puffed house pita. The hommus was classic and tasty, a purée of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and harissa chili crisp. The labneh was a thick dip of Lebanese strained yogurt with za'atar, the baba ghannouge an earthy mix of fire-roasted eggplant with tahini, lemon, and garlic. My favorite of the spreads was probably the h'tipiti, made with marinated roasted red peppers, feta, and thyme. I also loved the fattoush, a fresh, vibrant salad of tomato, cucumber, red onion, green pepper, radish, and pita chips with a pomegranate vinegar dressing. The Zaytinya fries were good, too, crispy potato fries with house mushroom salt and roasted garlic yogurt. The octopus Santorini was solid, if not a standout. Grilled Mediterranean octopus with marinated onions, capers, and yellow split pea purée. We shared the kebab platter to round out our dinner, and this was delicious. It came with lamb, kofte, chicken, and adana kebabs, enough for the five of us to get about one bite of each. They were all excellent, though I especially liked the kofte. They came on one big plate with a bunch of condiments, tomato and onion, pickled peppers and parsley salad. There was also a side bowl of garlic toum, white and rich with fat and garlic. I really enjoyed Zaytinya and would be happy to go back. I'll keep it in mind whenever I need a nice place to eat in Culver City. read more

We recently dined at Zaytinya in Culver City, and unfortunately the experience fell short of expectations. I rarely ever write poor reviews on Yelp, which makes this experience especially disappointing. We were seated quickly upon arrival, which was appreciated, particularly since the restaurant was not very busy. However, once seated, the experience began to decline. Our server spent a significant amount of time highlighting his favorite menu items, with a strong emphasis on the most expensive dishes and alcoholic beverages. Our party does not drink, and several of the items mentioned were not compatible with dietary restrictions. When it came time to order, we clearly communicated our selections. Despite declining multiple times, alcoholic beverages continued to be pushed. The server's demeanor became noticeably passive, and after taking our order, he told us that we "didn't order enough food." While suggestions can sometimes be helpful, the delivery felt condescending and inappropriate. When the food arrived, the portion sizes were extremely small for the prices being charged. Our entrées felt closer to appetizer or tapas-sized portions. We ordered several signature dishes, including the meatballs, which consisted of only four very small meatballs total. The salmon, priced at $24, was an extremely small piece (roughly two inches) and did not include any side dishes. Overall, the portion sizes were not commensurate with the cost. While the food itself was acceptable, it was not memorable or worth the premium pricing. Combined with the service issues, the overall experience left us disappointed. read more

Wow - this place surpassed our expectations! The warm pita they bring out at the start never stops coming. We started with the lamb hummus and eggplant - both delicious. The kebabs and fish were also so good. read more

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We recently dined at Zaytinya and had such a wonderful experience thanks to the manager there, Muzin. He was so kind and welcoming, and made us feel right at home. We're very much looking forward to coming back and dining again.. every single bite was so delicious and it was such a nice warm atmosphere.. Our Server Melis was also great! She was so sweet and attentive and made our dinner very special. Can't wait to be back soon! read more

We came to Zaytinya for the first time after hearing about it from our friend in DC forever. We had a reservation for five people, but ended up being a party of eight, and the managers were extremely accommodating. I just want to congratulate whoever is running this place for having such an amazing staff and great managers present at all times. The young lady who also served us (sorry, I forgot her name) was absolutely amazing. The patio is so nice for a summer night, and the food was absolutely amazing. One of our friend has some allergy restrictions, and everything was brought out with the most care possible. All of my guests visiting from overseas absolutely loved the place and the food. I have to say, this is among the best food you can find in Los Angeles, especially given the fact that it's also Halal. Thank you, Zaytinya, for an experience we will probably never forget read more

Great food is to be had in Culver City. They have other locations, see their website, but I have not been to them yet. I like this one. The place is just ever so pretty with comfortable tables and the nicest service. The servers are great at their job and know the menu well. They will take good care of you. Their Greek food is authentic and super. Now, the prices are a tad high, but it is quite worth it. We love all their food, but their chicken dishes are our favorite. We love their CHICKEN YOUVETSI which is chicken braised with tomato and cinnamon, kefalograviera cheese, and yummy kritharaki pasta. Their CHICKEN SOUP AVGOLEMONO with a Greek egg and lemon soup, served with served with shredded roasted chicken, carrot, onion, celery, greens, and that yummy kritharaki pasta is a must. There is not one thing that you will not love there. read more

We visited Zaytinya for a Friday date night and enjoyed the variety of dishes and ambiance! The food was mostly derived from Greece and Turkey. We loved that the menu used many of the original Greek or Turkish names for the dishes. We started with the Minoan sour and rye Ankara; the Minoan sour was a stand out in presentation and taste. We tasted the babaghanoush and a couple vegetable dishes; cauliflower and brussel sprouts. While the babaghanoush was tasty, we like a fluffier pita compared to Zaytinya's pita, so we'd likely explore other options next time. On the other hand, the two veggies were my favorite dishes! Both had great flavors, weren't overly salty, and were served with creamy sauces. Next, we tried the octopus, beef (kofte) kabob and celebration rice with mushrooms. The kabob was my husband's favorite-very tender and tasty! We also ordered the zaatar pide; it reminded us of Greek cheese pies (tiropita) in taste. We ended with the honeycrisp apple sorbet; it was fantastic! Next time, we want to leave more room for dessert :) We're excited to return; we'll definitely order the cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and kabob again! We'd also like to try the lamb chops, which looked really tasty coming out of the kitchen. ! read more

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