Cafe Zola

Cafe Zola reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. S

   Steve

   Detroit2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 16, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   Very disappointing experience . My wife ordered the Arugula salad for dinner...In the past she had ordered this and it was much bigger (enough for a dinner). Last night, the salad covered about 1/3 of the plate. Our friends also ordered the same salad (as just part of their dinner), and their plate was definitely a significantly larger portion. We didn't say anything but our friends commented about it haha. Our friends ordered the Adan Lamb Kafte....they had questions about it and the server explained the components, including the tomato eggplant sauce/conserve. When the server brought the dish (after a very long wait), he said sorry there was no more tomato eggplant sauce and placed the dish down and then stated but we shouldn't worry about it because the flavor comes from the kafte. Nice....we declined the dish. (why wouldn't we be told this after ordering rather than when we were served??) Finally, I had the salmon burger....not bad, but honestly the toasted bun was so dry that it kept crumbling and it was very hard/messy to eat this without it all falling apart. I cannot remember the last time felt compelled to complain but all of this together was pretty disappointing, especially given the above average prices. I did try to contact the restaurant management before posting this, but the website has been down for 4 days at least and they didn't reply to my instagram message. I did run across some very disturbing information about the ownership of this restaurant online from many people, and I'll leave it to you to look this up.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. A

   A2diner VIP

   Detroit139 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a great experience at Cafe Zola. The waitstaff were wonderful, margarita outstanding (not too sweet, enough tequila). Pleasant decor and excellent food. Pasta dish, calamari, arugula salad were wonderful. Caprese salad one of the best we’ve had with buffalo mozzarella and succulent heirloom tomatos. The only iffy dish was the special halibut. Overcooked and a touch fishy. We will be back.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. K

   Ken

   Detroit1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I can not recommend this cafe enough! Great service and fantastic food! The dining experience was much better than the date I brought! Cafe Zola.. will you marry me? lol
   

   • 

   Is this helpful?

4. C

   Carol

   Toledo / Northwest Ohio3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The Alaskan Halibut with asparagus in a carrot purée was delicious. This was one of the chef’s specials. We ordered a Caesar salad to share and the server placed it on separate plates. There was Plenty for each of us. Asked for fresh bread when we arrived, but was told it wouldn’t be ready till 5:00. So we agreed to wait for it, but unfortunately it never came. Hubby ordered the crab cakes which he really enjoyed. A bit spicy though, could have been the dip. Great selection of wine and cocktails. Everything is a la carte. Will definitely go back!
   

   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

5. E

   Eve

   Detroit9 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was excellent as always. We love the hustle bustle of the restaurant, and our server Coco (sp?) was nice, genuine, and gracious.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. A

   Angela

   Detroit1 review

   2.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   There were three staff at the host station when we walked in and we stood there for well over five minutes before anyone even acknowledged us. We were seated on time, but didn’t see a server for almost a half hour. I had to go back up to the host station and remind them we were there and it was still a few minutes before anyone showed up. Noise level was VERY high and hard to have a conversation. Would give one star overall but food was good. I get that this is a busy holiday and wouldn’t have minded the wait if anyone had even acknowledged us.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. M

   Matt

   Columbus6 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 11, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Food was simply subpar all around. And not a lot of personally from host.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. H

   Howard VIP

   Detroit127 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on May 9, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Our dinners of penne chianti and the halibut were superb, though a heartier diner probably would have liked a bigger halibut filet. Cocktails such as manhattan which I had served at Cafe Zola are diluted like so may other places, but at least they retain enough flavor to be inviting, so I had two with no ill effects. Our server, Daryl, was very good. Most diners were out on the sidewalk so we had a very quiet dinner inside.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. S

   Sophie

   Chicago / Illinois1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Cafe Zola was the most perfect post graduation ceremony brunch! Food was implacable - had something for everyone. And service was amazing - all the staff are so kind and helpful. Thank you cafe Zola for letting us celebrate with you!
   

   Is this helpful?

10. T

    Terese

    Dallas - Fort Worth8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    I had two consecutive business meetings. Wait staff was very attentive. Coffee was great. Will be back.
    

    Is this helpful?