Stopped into Zola's Bar in Covington and honestly the garlic hot wings alone are worth the trip. Perfectly crispy outside, juicy inside, and the sauce actually sticks instead of sliding off. Big roasted-garlic flavor without being greasy or overwhelming, and while they're labeled "hot," they're not blow-your-head-off spice, just a really nice medium heat that lets you keep eating without regret. I've had a lot of wings at bars and sports spots and these are easily near the top of the list. Simple bar atmosphere, cold drinks, and wings they clearly care about making right. If you go, order the garlic hot. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Garlic, hot wings - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

Looks a little sketch on the surface but it was the best onion rings and burger I've had in a long time. Also Frank is awesome and the whole vibe was friendly with him and even with other customers. read more

Hanging out in Covington, Kentucky, supporting small businesses all afternoon. Delicious burger lunch at Zola . read more

Zola Pub and Grill - BURGER + French Fries - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

The Black & Blue Burger, with Saratoga Chips, was perfectly cooked and awesome. Enjoyed my first time there!

BEST BURGERS IN TOWN!!! Of course, I am going to recommend you have a burger at this joint, as I love burgers, and these are my favorite. However, there is also a cajun chicken sandwich that makes This world a better place. This review wouldn't be complete if I didn't compliment the owner and all the staff. Everyone here is incredibly kind, they take care when taking your order, the food has never been incorrect, and I have nothing but love for this place as a patron for over a decade and a half. read more

Our waitress was super nice. This is a very small bar but it has seating for eating in at restaurant. It has huge stairs not sure where it goes to. We got drinks and onion rings. The onion rings was so good! Very crunchy and yummy! I have to recommend them! Prices for food was really reasonable. Prices for beer was $3.50 each. Still a great place to visit! read more

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I was visiting my son and we walked to downtown from my Air B&B. He took me to Zola's for dinner. They had a great selection of craft beers and really good food. I very good local vibe to it. read more

Enjoyed a random lunch here a couple months ago. Lunchtime was pretty quiet, I think there was only one other patron at the bar. Service was friendly and took good care of our party. If you're really looking for something other than typical bar food, this is probably not the stop for you. However, the food here is pretty tasty. Everyone seems to suggest the burgers, but even outside of those, I didn't have anything that was bad. I would definitely go again if I were in the area and in need of a drink and/or a quick bite. read more

Nice quaint little bar. Our bartender was friendly and made me a great drink. My patty melt was really good, and my husband liked his mushroom burger. read more

The grouper salad is my favorite. Quesadilla is another go to. You won't go wrong with a burger or wings though.

We were strolling the streets of mainstrasse when we stumbled into this fun little place. We wanted a pre-dinner snack and a cold drink. It was super hot outside and they had the air blasting inside and it felt great. We grabbed a couple appetizers and drinks and kept things light. The chicken tenders were out of this world. I'm a texture eater and the batter of this fried chicken was perfection. It had the best crunch and was soft and I loved every bite. We're ranch fans over here and always try it when we can and their ranch was a slam dunk! It was delicious and tasted like it was made in house. We also got the mozzarella sticks because if you've read my reviews before, I'm a mozzy guru! They were delicious! Cheesy, ooey and piping hot. The Marina sauce was good but a bit too peppery for me, but I still dipped dipped and ate it all. I'd love to come back and try some dinner items and have another cold one sometime! read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Chicken tenders - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

Maybe 3 stars... It wasn't a terrible burger and it wasn't terribly great service. So despite all the reccomendations I am less than excited about sending you their way. It was cooked to medium temp and still juicy but not really flavorful. Minimal bacon and pineapple and more bun than burger. I asked if they could put seasoning on the fries and that was absolutely not going to happen. Idk. Subpar for me. Hope you have better luck. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Signage - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

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once again... zolas did not disappoint!! fish is spectacular! never tried it before... amazing

Zola's burgers have a reputation around these parts of town. If you're wanting a thick hearty burger, look no further! I ordered the "Spicy Jack" which had blackened seasoning and was topped with bacon, banana peppers, and pepper jack cheese. The banana peppers overpowered most of the other flavors, but overall the burger was still great. The french fries were a little lackluster. They're the kind of fries that are very potato-y and you pretty much have to eat them with ketchup. The prices are great and it wouldn't be a bad spot at all to come have a cold beer and a great burger. There are also a couple tables out front, in case you want to people-watch in Mainstrasse on a nice day. Next time I'll definitely be trying the crab cakes (they make them in-house). read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

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Daddy Frank is amazing! Will keep coming to see him. Please add to the menu a half order of rings read more

Zola has been on my radar for a while now. I've heard that they have one of the best burgers in Greater Cincinnati..and I'd have to agree that these claims are warranted overall. I ate here on a weekday afternoon. I was a little surprised by how busy it was on a random weekday. It wasn't like crazy busy but there were a lot more people than I had expected to see. A lot of day drinking going on at this bar. Most of the people there seemed to be regulars..everyone was friendly and having a good time. The atmosphere here is pretty cool. Inside it's a nice cozy pub..they also have seating out front and a patio on the side. Good chill options for good weather. They do allow smoking inside, and I know this will turn a lot of people off..but it didn't bother me much at all. It kinda reminded me of the early 2000's when I first started going to bars and smoking was allowed everywhere pretty much. It was a nice cool nostalgic atmosphere for me..ha. After scanning their burger menu I decided to go with the Blackened Bleu Burger..their version of a bleu cheese burger..and a side of fries. Now I'm going to admit right off the bat that that choice was a mistake. I always tell myself to always go with a basic burger or cheeseburger or even bacon cheeseburger when I first try a new place's burger..but then I always go against my rule when they offer a bleu cheese burger..I'm just so drawn to them..a well made one is just so delicious. Anywho..the burger came out fast. Apparently they make their bleu cheese sauce for the burger in house..which is cool and admirable..my only issues were that: 1. it didn't really taste like bleu cheese..didn't have that distinct sharpness to it and 2. they put way too much on the burger. It was oozing out the sides and I ended up left with a bun full of bleu cheese as my last couple of bites..and that was kind of gross. Here's the thing tho..I could totally recognize that the burger itself was delicious, and the bun was perfect..basically I could recognize that the burger itself was good despite the bleu cheese. And again, I chalk that up to my mistake..I should've gotten a basic burger..I would've enjoyed it a lot more I'm sure. The fries were delicious and perfect. They were the steak fry variety, which are my favorite style, and they were cooked to be crisp and crunchy. Some of the better fries I've had in a while. Service was really good as well. The bartender that handled my order was super friendly and the food came out super quick. Also, it was quite a bargain for the burger and fries..it came out to less than $9 for everything. So yeah, overall, the food was good, the atmosphere was cool, the service was great, and the value was awesome. I can see why people rank this burger so high on their list of the best. I look forward to trying it again maybe with just cheese and bacon. They have a "burger mania" night on Wednesdays where any burger and a side is $6..might have to check that out one of these days. read more

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We were told Zola's had the best burger in the area and I believe it. My husband and I are not frequent beef eaters, so when we do indulge we want a GREAT burger and this didn't disappoint. The burgers were delicious and the service was great. We enjoyed the outside seating, the people watching, and all the friendly dogs. The downside area is wonderful, eclectic, and friendly. read more

Zola continues to be a 5 star bar with awesomely delicious food and unbeatable prices. It's like a dive bar and pub rolled into one. We'd enjoy it just for drinks or for a meal. The perfect french fry will be found here, along with really good chili, mildly spiced NOT cinnamony, and you get a big bowl for only $3.50. It is 50 cents extra each if you want to do the chopped onion and shredded cheese thing, but those portions are quite generous. Filled my husband up. I had the turkey ciabatta sandwich which was filled perfectly with a variety of delectable components that melded with the turkey to create a phenomenal taste sensation. Ooh, and authentic fresh soft and chewy ciabatta, yum! I had my eye on the gyro plate, too, being devoured nearby. Will probably try that next time. Our server was great. She handled the full bar (10 spots) plus about five tables without missing a beat, and was most pleasant and helpful! Wish I had asked her name. She was on at 3:00 Saturday afternoon. Get yer Christian Moerlien on tap here, mixed drinks only $3.50 at regular price, ok? And served in a nice tall thin glass, which I love. Gotta get back here for happy hour! read more

Food is ok, service was horrible not a friendly place.manager was rude a real tool 9 out of 10 do not recommend

Quaint old pub with beautiful, ornate woodwork around the bar area. Food was great, great pricing too. Service was excellent! Server was very attentive. read more

I've been coming for years and now I live a couple blocks away so frequent it even more. Always good burgers and the chicken Cajun sandwich is the best! Try the slaw too! Good prices and good food! read more

Food was amazing and the drinks even more. Our waitress did EVERYTHING and was so quick and efficient. Cute neighborhood pub and restaurant. The had both inside and outside seating. We will definitely be back next time we're in town! read more

Way better food than expected. Quality of meat and fish were surprisingly great. Ambiance was a bit underwhelming when I walked in but the bartender and the cook were very friendly and pleasant to talk to. Neighborhood feel, glad they're in Covington. read more

Usually have a burger here as they are the best in my opinion. Went with the Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad, and wasn't disappointed. Great flavor, with the chicken and the bleu cheese crumbles. Have a new alternative if I get tired if burgers. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad. - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

We came here for the $6 burger deal on Wednesdays. It is a great value, but otherwise the experience was average straight down the board. They do seem to have nice drink deals going on through out the week, so I would consider coming back. Both the fries and the homemade chips were good and would make excellent beer snacks. However, I would probably get my meal from some place else. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Cheap late night deals on Wednesday coincide with the $6 burgers - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

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We are from florid and had to blow some time in the area. Randomly walked in to this place and the food was awesome. well done

Zola is Covington comfort food wrapped in a divey bar setting with wonderful staff and the most amazing burgers and fries. Not sure why, after all of these years, I have never written a review. My go-to us usually the Zola Burger, and here one can't go wrong. While I don't get to Covington as much as I'd like, Zola is always on my MUST DO list, especially when the weather permits sitting on the sidewalk with a cold beer. I am indeed a fan!! read more

This is one of my favorite places in Mainstrasse. They're known for their burgers, but I'm not real big into meat, so I usually opt for their grilled cheese. They have a pretty good variety on their menu- something for everyone. Everyone that works there is incredibly friendly and and attentive. They can get crazy busy (especially on Wednesday's & Sunday's) but it's really not a big deal because staff is ON IT. Wednesday nights are Burger Mania night. They have live music some evenings, and every musician I've seen there has blown me away and I've been here a lot, guys. Just check it out. You won't be disappointed. And GET THE FRIES. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - The best grilled cheese, fries, and pickles around! - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

Even though I have lived in Mainstrasse for many years, this is my first time visiting Zola. Since they have reopened from Covid closure they are now smoke free and I am thrilled about this!! I don't want to put too much emphasis on how they handled reopening but the tables are well spaced, they gave out paper menus and disposable utensils, and all staff members were wearing masks. The food is what I really care about and it was delicious! Both my boyfriend and I ordered our burgers medium and they were completely cooked through with no pink. Next time I'll probably order medium rare to get a bit of pink. I ordered the Caribbean it was deliciously seasoned with Caribbean jerk spices and topped with a pineapple slice and swiss cheese. The barbeque sauce on the Mo Town burger is what made it so tasty! We also ordered some mozzarella sticks- they were classic and what you would expect, but they really hit the spot. I'm excited to return for more outdoor dining! read more

Love, love, loved the Soul Burger. The Caribbean jerk seasoning perfectly accentuated the flavors of the beef and I will definitely come back to order this one next time I get a craving for red meat. And they offered all day Happy Hour on Sundays! read more

My burger was yummy! I ordered the Zola Burger and had a couple of Warsteiners (draft) to boot. It was Saturday midday with not much a crowd at the bar. The place did not have many people because it was pretty early. I ordered my beer and sandwich (with a side of their asian slaw) as advised by many of the yelpers. The burger was cooked perfectly and had great flavor. The slaw was really good. I enjoyed everything about the meal. Please note that this bar is still smoking inside - so if you have issues with cigarrette smoke - this bar may not be for you. Service - Quick and friendly Food - Very good - everything was advertised. My sandwich, slaw and two beers was around $15 Atmoshphere - it was nice - they were playing the UC game. The ding was the cigarrette smoke. Please note - I can see if this place is packed that it would take a long time to get your food. I beleive everything is made fresh and could see the kitchen backing up. Since there was no crowd - My food was really good. Enjoy. read more

Zola Pub and Grill - Zola Burger and asian slaw with a Warsteiner beer off camera - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

Surprisingly good food for a bar. I was impressed! Minus one star for slow service and another for super smoky environment We settled on Zola after wandering up and down Main St looking for somewhere to eat a late dinner. Zola is a great middle ground between fast food and too-fancy. They did warn us that the kitchen was backed up, so we anticipated a food wait. It was worth it though, as all 4 of us enjoyed what we got. The salads were even a hit. However, as time went on and we just wanted our check, our table was ignored and it became impossible to even make eye contact with a server. Meanwhile, we were in a direct line of fire... er, smoke. I know that's more of a Kentucky gripe vs this specific bar, but still. I did enjoy myself and thought the place had good character. May have to make a Wednesday night visit for the burger special - $6 for unlimited toppings and a side. read more

Zola's is pretty much everything you need in a Bar/Grill type situation. Located in Covington's Main Strasse Village, Zola is a cozy establishment with limited outdoor seating as well as a lounge upstairs. The food at Zola is about what you would expect; burgers, fries, chicken fingers, wraps. That being said it is all extremely tasty. During their happy hour all their appetizers are half priced as well. Though, even at regular price everything is very affordable. I have found the service can leave something to be desired at times. It's neither speedy nor particularly friendly. I work in customer service so I hate to get on anyone for the quality of their service, but this has happened nearly every time I've been to Zola's so I feel it deserves to be said. Zola's does offer some good drink deals as well as a fairly well stocked bar. They typically have some type of live music in the evenings. I know The Turkey's play here fairly often. It definitely adds to the experience. So if you find yourself in Main Strasse and are either looking for an affordable meal, or tasty beverage Zola is a good choice (just don't go if you're on a schedule because you will more than likely be late to whatever you have next on your agenda). read more

Dez is outstanding! She deserves a raise for the job that she does, she is very polite and handles the pressure of her job very well! Don't get me wrong, the rest of the staff is also excellent but Dez is so refreshing! Without a doubt the reason why we come here! The fried chicken salad with honey mustard dressing- cannot be beat! Grab any burger on the menu and you will be a happy camper! read more

This has been one of my favorite places for over 10 years. I love the people that work there, the food and of course the drinks. They have a burger special on Wednesday with $6 any burger and a side - they have late night Wednesday happy hour too- starts at 9 or 10? It's a great bar to sit at a table on the sidewalk, have some cheap drinks, great food and people watch. It's the place i suggest most often for dinners and meet ups. read more

First of all their food is always amazing. Friendly stuff, especially the gentleman with glasses. Great deal on Wednesday: burgers are only 6 dollars. Personal recommendation is Cobb salad. read more

My girlfriend and I came across Zola by complete accident about a year ago. We were looking for food, everything was packed or didn't sound good. We ended up just wanting a beer and chill for a bit and figure out dinner. Well... we didn't realize the little bar we came across was also a Grill and THE BEST GRILL IN AREA. Hands down. Their burgers are just perfect, every time, and the fries are fresh and thick. They use all fresh, local grown veggies from what I understand and you can taste the difference. My girl always gets the cobb salad and just can't get enough. I want to mention that Zola is also priced quite low for the insanely delicious and large portions you are served. A huge burger is about $6 and I can usually only eat half and have to take the other half with me. The staff is also friendly and pleasant to be around. They usually have a couple bartenders working and they take turns with waiting on the tables that would like food. They are great. If you haven't popped into Zola Bar & Grill yet, do yourself a favor. Have a drink, listen to the jukebox, and eat the best pub food known to man!!!! read more

Zola Pub and Grill - My Mo Town burger and fries from last night. MMMM. - Burgers Near Me - Covington, Kentucky

I was traveling for work and this was one of the few bars and restaurants on a cool strip of Main Street serving food after 10 PM on a weeknight. The bartender was very welcoming, they had great beers on draft and the Zola Burger I had was incredible. Great place! FYI: this is a bar you can smoke in; I was surprised they still exist. read more

Old school place. Great burgers, love the Asian slaw and seasonal pasta salad is always delicious. Grouper salad is tasty and huge.prices are right and they are now No Smoking, so it is easy to enjoy a meal inside, read more

Upon first look this place looks like your typical dive bar, but it is so much more. It has quickly become our go-to when we crave a great burger and reasonably priced drinks. Zola's hands down has the best burgers in the area - my particular favorite is the black and blue burger. The kitchen is open late and staff is always quick and very friendly. I highly recommend! read more