Hands down one of the best burgers in the Opelika-Auburn area. We had an amazing dinner at Zazu, and everything--from the food to the atmosphere--was spot on. I ordered their Gambler Burger, smash patties, piled with onions, mustard, pickled green tomatoes, bacon jam, and jalapeño aioli. It was juicy, flavorful, and honestly one of the best burgers I've had anywhere. Service was super friendly and welcoming, the kind of hospitality that keeps you wanting to come back. And huge bonus--they take reservations, which makes planning a night out so much easier in this area. Zazu is a true local gem. Amazing burgers, great drinks, and even better people. Highly recommend! read more

Stopped by on our way through town for dinner. The food here was absolutely amazing. Great price for excellent quality. The bartender and our server Cameron was knowledgeable, friendly, and had a really great vibe. read more

Zazu - Blackened catch and pan roasted duck breast - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

Zazu in Opelika has a lot of potential and offers a solid dining experience overall, but a few things missed the mark for me. Service was very good and attentive. We tried a variety of dishes, and while some stood out, others left us a bit puzzled--especially the poutine. It came out cold and the flavor just wasn't there. We weren't really sure what direction they were going with it. On a more positive note, the shrimp and grits were pretty good. I just wish there had been a few more shrimp to round out the dish. The mahi was probably my favorite--it was cooked well, had a nice kick of spice, and was full of flavor. As a mushroom lover, I was excited to try the portobello mushroom appetizer. It was decent, but the sauce and overall flavor could've used a little more finesse. I did enjoy trying the beers on tap--especially the IPAs. Great variety and a fun touch for a casual dinner. read more

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Beautiful restaurant, beautiful food, beautiful vibes! The multi-levels of the dining area allowed for a private evening, perfect for date night. The food was delicious and so were the drinks. read more

Zazu - Pork spring rolls and peach mezcal - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

Very fun atmosphere. It was crowded, but we were able to get 2 seats at bar. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. The drinks were tasty and the spring rolls were delicious as was the pork chop entree. Can't wait to visit again. read more

What a find! Wandering around Auburn, it was recommended that we explore the next neighborhood over - Opelika. Very charming place, but Zazu was a find. It is billed as a gastronomic, pub, and it wasn't an overstatement! We walked in and we were greeted by Sipsey, who was also our server. We were made to feel right at home! She explained the menu and recommended several wonderful things that we ordered. She made the visit special. The fire roasted oysters were absolutely to die for! I could've licked the shells. My husband had the Cuban sandwich with the duck fat fries, which he said was out of this world. I chose the falafel and side salad. Absolutely perfect! I paired it with a glass of Pinot Grigio and I couldn't have been happier. This place is not only beautiful and charming, but the service and food are out of this world! Would seek this place out when back in the area. read more

Zazu - Falafel and Pinot! - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

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We were seated immediately and the service and food were outstanding. It is always a pleasant experience.

The worst filet steak ever. Grissel everywhere. I ordered medium and it was raw. Stick to the apps.

First time trying this place after a friend recommended and reading reviews. The restaurant has a very cool vibe. There are several floors and two bars. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. I will say the menu is small and not a whole lot of options in my opinion. We started with the poutine. It was really good. The fries really make this dish. For main dish I got the cheeseburger with more fries lol and wife got the hush puppies and Irish stew. The burger was ok but again the fries were great. Wife said hush puppies were good and Irish stew was really good. All in all restaurant is really cool and service is great. Food ranges from alright to pretty good. read more

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We were in town for the Brewzle bourbon festival. We liked this place so much. We went back for lunch after having dinner there. This is definitely upscale food in a very casual venue. Would highly recommend. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Zazu! We drove there from visiting the University of Auburn on a Yelp recommendation. It was great! Great service, food was delicious, and the interior is co cool. read more

Well, I have heard good things about this restaurant. I have to say it was really hard to hear the person sitting across the table for me. The acoustics was pretty bad and it wasn't even full I don't suggest getting served by the bartender After we got our first quarter and an appetizer it seems like it took another 30 to 45 minutes to get another drink 2 drinks, and entree for each of us Issues aren't really with the food with the service I think the bartender should have handed us off to somebody else to take her order and even our second drink for another 10 or 15 minutes after she took that request I don't recommend here if you're going to be served by the bartender there would be plenty of people been taking our order I'm sure this is a crown of Opelika But I've dined all over the world and it feels like a cubic zirconia I had some pretty high hopes, but you have to back up your menu with the good service did not have that Wednesday, February 26, 2025 read more

Would highly recommend this restaurant. Had excellent service and the food was wonderful. We sat and ate at the bar and the bartender was great! We'll be back for a repeat next time we drive through Opelika, Alabama read more

Food and Service was good. Depending on the day you may need a reservation. We were able to sit outside and ordered drinks, apps, meals, and dessert. I got the pimento cheese burger and it was phenomenal. read more

Zazu - Two appetizers (mushroom on right) - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

Food was excellent! Chicken sandwich and French Dip sandwich were great. Nice beer selection. Server was fast and polite. Will definitely be back. read more

I was excited to see duck back on the permanent menu. It was very good, although the center pieces were very raw. It is supposed to be rare of course, but the two center cut pieces were too raw for me. Service was excellent. read more

The wait, the food, the service were all excellent! Love the atmosphere! We went for Sunday brunch and everyone loved their meal! Everyone with the pimento cheese burger raved over the burger itself and the pimento cheese. Do not miss the potatoes for a side! They are fabulous!! read more

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Great night out. Really enjoyed the vibe. Received excellent service. Food was outstanding. They made a fantastic martini, which seems to be a difficult thing to do for many bars. read more

My husband & I just moved to the area and found Zazu when his grandmother came to visit this week. The patio was exquisite and our server John was amazing! He offered great wine suggestions, and I'm picky. Only wish the patio lanterns were lit. We'll be back and request the same table and server! Regards, Jaqueline read more

Been awhile since coming this town, got the Ruben and wife got the Cuban both was great. Got the hush puppies again. Went for a Saturday lunch and with appetizer, two sandwiches both with side up grades , one salad one duck fries, and water it came to about $43 inside is always cool lookin to me and staff was nice. Cuban read more

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Incredible atmosphere, food is perfection, & I could bathe in their butter pecan espresso martini. Highly recommend!!

We had an excellent dinner at Zazu. We highly recommend the Blackened Mahi and Shrimp and Grits (pictured). You must have a reservation to be seated timely, we were seated immediately for our reservation and the dining areas are well spaced out and quiet enough you can hear your dinner conversation. Definitely looking forward to returning! read more

Zazu - Shrimp and Grits - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

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The pork spring rolls, Tomahawk pork chop, wagyu tallow fries, and bread pudding w caramel sauce were great and only outshone by the warm, wonderful, and welcoming service provided by Campbell. She was attentive but not intrusive, preternaturally intuitive, and unflappable, she'll be a star at whatever she pursues. See if you can get sat in her section, like the food, there will be no regrets! read more

Great spot in downtown Opelika. Saw the reviews and went there for lunch with a work friend and sat at the bar. The woman working the bar was great, bubbly and very attentive. Food is good, above the bar food bar, as it's tasty and fresh. They have a full bar and a great bourbon selection as well. Funny, that we had dinner plans in Opelika that evening and following dinner a group of us went back to Zazu for cocktails. Great spot! read more

Dinner here is fabulous. Lunch is well-priced and good too. Bread on the french dip was ok--wish it was a little bit more toasted/flavorful. Just wasn't giving what I wanted it to give. read more

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Great to be back on the road In a town next to Auburn u! Opelika! Stoooed by a brewery and asked for a recommendation. Sent me to Zazu! Great call Real cool atmosphere, great crowd and food was awesome Being from bee England I'm a clam cake guy so I tried southern version hush puppies . More dense but flavorful. Had a pork belly with a "Bama" sauce. Great flavor home made pickles were to die for read more

Zazu - Hush puppies with jalapeño relish - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

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The food was absolutely amazing. The hush puppies were delicious. I also had the Mahi dish... what a delight. The ambience was nice and the staff/waitress customer service was top tier!! read more

My first time here. Hamburgers were excellent, brioche buns,double real beef patties and real grilled onions. We were seated promptly, John our server was very attentive. The spirits and wine selection was good. Antique building was interesting. read more

Beer was good but that was about it. Ate here last week. I had the Spinach salad with added salmon. The salmon was extremely small and over cooked. Barely edible. My husband had the Ribeye,which he ordered medium rare. Once again was barely edible. Half the steak was well done and half rare. And it was very tough. Sat at the bar it appeared that the hush puppy app was a big seller so you might want to stick with that. read more

Great food and service We love it and go regularly Sunday brunch is especially good; charming atmosphere and delicious food!!! read more

Zazu's was able to accommodate our party of 19. When we arrived, our initial waitress was extremely rude and outwardly annoyed with our group size. It really set a bad tone for our dinner and I was fully expecting a bad experience. A new waiter took our table and he was so great that it turned my opinion around. I wish I remembered his name. He was very organized and friendly. For a party of our size, our service was still quick and our drinks were always full. If you like key lime pie, you have to try the key lime martini! Of course we had to try the espresso martinis as well and they were great. I had the salmon and couscous with asparagus. I really enjoyed my meal. read more

Zazu - Salmon with couscous and asparagus - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

We loved our visit to Zazu. The food was fantastic and the ambiance of the building was really cool. I'd love to learn more about the history of the building. read more

The beer selection was good! Highly recommend Sweet Baby Jesus by DuClaw! The food, in my opinion needed a major improvement! I ordered Jambalaya and it was served cold! It's not appetizing in anyway when it's cold. The rice was undercooked and reminded me of a box of Spanish rice with some shrimp, andouille sausage and chicken thrown on top. It was almost like it had not all cooked together! Our waitress was great! She was busy but came back at times to check on us. She didn't ask if we wanted dessert so we had to ask her! The bread pudding was delicious! While I am not ready to go back and spend $30 for cold Jambalaya, I would go back for the beer and the bread pudding ‼ read more

The food just is not what it use to be. If you like burnt food this is your place. The staff acts as if they are doing you a favor.

We came to this restaurant with a group of about 17 work colleagues. The server handled our group like a professional! He read half the specials and explained everything well. He took group photos and was very accommodating. We ordered so many appetizers, I'm not sure how anyone had finished their dinner. Some in our group had the mahi fish special and others had the steak. I had the steak and it was delicious! Everything came out hot and fresh. This is a popular restaurant with some of my local colleagues and I can see why! No pictures, since I didn't want to be the touristy New Yorker taking pictures of all my food! read more

I can't speak to either the food or the ambience, because when I went in alone well outside of rush hour, they refused to seat me at a table. They offered a seat at the bar, but I'm sober, and sitting at a bar is uncomfortable for me. I left. read more

FOOD: Got the Caesar salad with salmon and it was delicious. I love when salads come with the dressing mixed in and a good ratio of dressing:salad. The salmon on top was excellent and cooked perfectly, although I prefer a little more seasoning and spice. The hushpuppy appetizer was great too and everyone else at my table enjoyed their meal. To note, the spinach pecan salad didn't come with many pecans or onions and had the dressing on the side. Didn't look as good as my Caesar. WINE: I appreciate that they had a good selection within different types of wine. I got a Pinot and really liked it. Wasn't too sweet or dry - just right! AMBIENCE: I personally really like restaurants with dim lighting. My grandparents unfortunately had to use their phone flashlight to see the menus but I enjoyed the dim ambience. I also really like the decor and vibe of this place - very rustic and elegant. I'd highly recommend for a date night. SERVICE: Wow, we were absolutely blown away by our waitress Kaitlyn. She made our night that much better. Very friendly and went above and beyond for what we expected of service. The front desk staff and everyone else was also very nice. read more

Zazu - Menu - Gastropubs Near Me - Opelika, Alabama

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First I'll start with the positives...our server was very friendly. The atmosphere was great. You can't beat the historic feel of this restaurant., makes it very romantic yet comfortable. My scallops were cooked perfectly and served hot. Now the not-so-positives...our server, while friendly wasn't very attentive. We noticed other servers explaining the menu, refilling water glasses and connecting with the guests. She came and asked if we wanted dessert before we were finished with dinner. She didn't offer what the desserts were--we may have ordered had we been sold on their offerings. My husband ordered the duck. It wasn't hot and it was tough. He had to ask for a sharper knife in order to cut it. The taste was good, just not the temp. As a final disappointment--it was our anniversary. We noted that when asked on the reservation page. But no one mentioned a word of it when we arrived. If you're not going to do anything special, then don't ask. It was nice to see a restaurant busy at least. read more

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Came here for lunch and as a vegan, that was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. I got the Falafel Gyro and substituted the dill sauce for a creamy paprika vegan sauce. The sauce was incredible and was half the reason I loved it so much. The dark cozy aesthetic was so lovely. This is definitely one of my new favorite places to go. Will be coming back so my husband can try read more

You'll never find a better BLT better than Zazu's! The apps are fantastic, and though dinner can be pricey, it's always worth the cost! The ambiance is perfect for all occasions, and its upscale decor only adds to the wonderful mood in the restaurant. I've never had a negative experience with any of the servers, cooks, bartenders or managers. Everyone is always friendly and accommodating! Definitely don't sleep on Zazu! The new opelika location really takes Zazu to the next level of excellence. Treat yourself with a trip to Zazu asap! read more