Zayna Mediterranean Restaurant

Oh. My. God. How am I just now stumbling into Zayna Mediterranean like it hasn’t been a whole neighborhood secret this entire time? I swear, the locals really gatekept this one — and honestly, I get it. This cozy, tucked-away gem was absolutely buzzing when I walked in, and now I know why. The falafel? Crispy perfection. The hummus? Silky, bright, and wildly addicting. Their lentil soup was this comforting, aromatic bowl of “where-have-you-been-all-my-life.” And the fact that they not only have a large vegetarian lineup but can easily make dishes vegan? Bless them. Oh — and VEGAN BAKLAVA . A rarity, but they pulled it off beautifully. I’m officially obsessed. Consider me converted… and mildly annoyed no one told me sooner.

We had a lovely meal here. We enjoyed a bottle of Lebanese wine, something we had never tried before. The fattoush was delicious and everyone enjoyed the shared babaganouj. Three people had the chicken shawarma plate and loved it. I tried the shish tawook wrap with zayna fries and absolutely loved it. The wrap was great and the potatoes are fantastic. Loved whatever spice mix they put on them. Also don't forget the hot sauce, it is great! Our server was super friendly and attentive. We came around 6:15 on a Saturday evening and waited about 15min.

This is an informal restaurant serving great food at low prices. The table service was on-point.

the side salad was not great, I didn't like how the veggies were cut and the dressing wasn't yummy. the gyro sandwich was delicious, but a little small. the yogurt was pretty good but could have had more flavor

Walked in with a large party during busy dinner service. Manager/owner? went out of his way to accommodate us in as little as possible time as possible. Well worth the wait. Food was excellent, as was the service. Legit Arabian coffee, amazing hummus, and meats cooked to perfection. Must try the cauliflower app.

Zayna Mediterranean Restaurant is a serious win for anyone who loves fresh, flavorful food. The moment the plates hit the table, you can smell the spices, the herbs, and the care that goes into everything they make. The food tastes bright and clean, not heavy or drowned out. The hummus is silky and full of flavor, the meats are cooked perfectly, and the sides are fresh instead of filler. It feels like real Mediterranean home cooking, the kind you want to linger over because every bite keeps your attention. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere had that calm, comfortable feel that makes it easy to relax. Nothing rushed, nothing loud, just good food and good people in a setting that feels right. If you’re craving Mediterranean food that tastes authentic and made with love, Zayna is absolutely worth the stop. Grateful Traveler’s Note 🌿

A little off the beaten path, but a great find. The staff was very friendly and attentive, checking on us several times, but also knowing when to stay back when we were done eating and just chatting. Had the lamb and beef grill. Chicken was a little dry, but everything else was great. The hummus, on point! Warrants a return visit the next time I'm in town.

This place is absolutely incredible! The dishes are authentic, perfectly spiced, and there’s an impressive variety of vegetarian and vegan options. The atmosphere is clean, relaxed, and welcoming, with the beautiful touch of traditional Arabic music playing in the background. The service was outstanding—warm, friendly, and attentive. Highly recommend!

Oh. My. God. How am I just now stumbling into Zayna Mediterranean like it hasn't been a whole neighborhood secret this entire time? I swear, the locals really gatekept this one -- and honestly, I get it. This cozy, tucked-away gem was absolutely buzzing when I walked in, and now I know why. The falafel? Crispy perfection. The hummus? Silky, bright, and wildly addicting. Their lentil soup was this comforting, aromatic bowl of "where-have-you-been-all-my-life." And the fact that they not only have a large vegetarian lineup but can easily make dishes vegan? Bless them. Oh -- and VEGAN BAKLAVA . A rarity, but they pulled it off beautifully. I'm officially obsessed. Consider me converted... and mildly annoyed no one told me sooner.

Limited menu (basically a food truck menu), however, the food tastes good. This is a long standing Tucson restaurant and I have visited this for several years now (almost over a decade, when they were in the old location). I tried the Arabic coffee for this first time though. It was very well prepared and served. This place is spacious and has ample parking too. Casual place, good with kids, is a good lunch option. Also, they have polite servers.

We love eating here! The atmosphere is lovely and you can't help but to feel at home. Their dishes are consistent and staff is always friendly, knowledgeable & accommodating! We have not found a Mediterranean restaurant in Tucson or the Phoenix area that compares! They have a vegetarian section on their menu and we always leave happy and full!

Had dinner on a Wednesday night. We were seated right away. Service was a little slow but friendly. I ordered the gyro sandwich with fries. It was delicious. It was hot and had plenty of grilled meat, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and garlic yogurt sauce. The fries were good, crispy and hot. We were seated in the room by the entrance. Not much atmosphere, just some tables and a big window covered in vines to block the traffic.

Solid food, I had the beef combo plate, my husband had the lamb. Nice way to sample the hummus and grape leaves as well. Zayna fries were different and tasty- more like thick cut potato chips. The best thing was their orange cake dessert! I'd get that every time! Limited wine menu but the red Greek and Lebanese wines were lovely. Good service , friendly staff.

Great lunch specials! Includes a sandwich, side and drink! The gyro is my favorite! Friendly staff and delicious food! Will be back! *closed mondays Was super packed at lunch and parking is hard is my only complaint :)

Ok, it's been a hot minute since I've been here, I can't even remember the last time. To be honest I forget about it because it's not on my regular route of life. A friend told me that their falafel was really good it reminded me to go back. It is really good!!! There are only a couple of places I've found for good falafel and this is one. The place is dark and moody but not in a bad way, it's big so the parking lot can be deceiving, it looked packed but it was easy to get seated. Now I'm going to be coming back soon!!!

After searching around midtown for a mediterranean food place my boyfriend and I settled on Zayna. Neither of us has been here before but the reviews looked promising. And they were definitely not wrong. The outside looks smaller than the inside. Inside there's a ton of seating room in different parts of the restaurant. The atmosphere is definitely laid back, and they have traditional music playing in the background. The service is prompt and very friendly and they constantly come by to check on you. We shared a plate of Zayna Fries, and I got the gyro platter and my boyfriend got the chicken schwarma. We both loved our food. The portions are large so I ended up taking about half home with me for a second meal. If we're ever in the mood for Greek food again we will be back!

Always great food and service. I wish they could update their interiors since my mother in law notice that is very outdated and too dark in there. But she loved the food!

Hands down one of the best Mediterranean meals I've ever had. I ordered the chicken shawarma gyro with a side of potatoes and small salad. To begin, the potatoes are so flavorful and perfectly cooked. They're zest and topped with deep seasonings. The gyro was served hot and the chicken was well seasoned and moist. Tons of flavor all pulled together for a simple lunch meal. I will definitely be back here and recommend others check it out!

Super fast service for our party of five. We ordered LOTS from the menu and it all came out quickly. There's a couple of beers to choose from on the menu. My first choice wasn't available so I went with the Fix instead. Grape leaves were outstanding. Not overpowering, seasoned just right. I had the grill sampler plate: excellent across the board and enough to bring home for lunch the next day. The beef and chicken were both cooked to perfection without being overdone, and seasoned nicely. The side salad was your standard fair, with all the vegetables quite fresh. The ambiance is quiet and slightly dated enough to be kitschy. It was better than I thought it would be and I look forward to another visit.

I'm visiting from Las Vegas, and wow--Zayna is seriously amazing. The fries were next-level good, probably the best I've ever had. I got the chicken shawarma sandwich, and the chicken was seasoned perfectly. I was surprised how much I loved the pickles on it--they were so good! Renaye was my server, and she was fantastic--super friendly, helpful, and gave great recommendations. You can tell this is a family-owned place that really cares. It was a little chilly inside, but it's been rainy and cooler than usual, so no big deal. The vibes are great, the prices are fair, and everything tasted better than most places back home in Vegas. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Tucson!

Busy Friday night..way understaffed for the crowd. Food was excellent always. We all tried different things and all very tasty.

The food was very tasty and served at just the right temperature. There was a salad served with the meal it was so good it was gone before the camera came out. The service was quick and timely with check ins and bill. The restaurant is decorated well and comfortable for an intimate setting. Although voices carry well in the place so conversations are not private by any means. We ate early dinner 3:30 ish and by the time we left at 4:30 there was a crowd. Definitely worth the visit.

I've had dinner at Zayna twice now and both times have been excellent! We got the baba ganoush appetizer and I got the lamb sandwich with salad instead of fries. It's a good portion and is very fresh and tasty! They have a large selection of vegetarian dishes too. Our server was great; she refilled our waters immediately. The archways and decor really add to the Mediterranean ambiance.

Since my last review I have been back to Zayna a few more times. Every time my brother is in town he always wants to go to come here. He recently said it is his favorite restaurant in Tucson! He always gets the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich and I get the the Chicken Shawarma Plate. The Plate comes in a large portion and I typically get two meals out of it, which is great because the leftovers always get me excited. My brother also loves the potatoes that come with the sandwich. They are seasoned perfectly, making no need for ketchup. The service is always friendly, and we typically do not have a problem getting seated. The restaurant is a place where you could get dressed up or not be and you will fit in just fine. I always love the mix of Arizona and Mediterranean decor. Overall, Zayna has become a staple Tucson restaurant for me and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a good meal!

Once again ... delicious hot lunch specials ordered up, delivered to our table and eaten with joy! Thank you! Love falafel gyro, beef gyro, both with Zayna's fries and mint teas! Great service despite this place being busy every time we are there! Great food and service.... No wonder we keep returning!

The service is very friendly and quick here. I can't really pin the vibe honestly but that's not a bad thing. I got the hummus to start with followed by the chicken pilaf and ended with the pistachio baklava. The food came out quickly and was good. I feel like it could have been better which is the only reason I have 4 stars instead of 5.

This place has delicious food. Plenty of vegetarian options, cauliflower sandwich is delicious. Always have to get extra Zayna fries with a side of garlic sauce. Plenty of space in the restaurant and they do a lot of to go food as well. Our server was very friendly but obviously had too many tables so we did have to wait for drink refills etc. Couldn't blame her she was running all over the place and it was busier than I had ever seen. Been here plenty of times and will definitely return. Food is five stars!

SOOOOO good! Food is delicious and portions are generous. Fast, friendly service. We went during lunch time and were a little worried that it would be busy but we were seated quickly. Healthy options and good for vegetarians as well.

Amazing food and service every time! Great ambiance, nice to relax and eat a healthy meal.

Dined here last night. The food we ordered was really satisfying in all ways. We were only semi-hungry so my *woman and I (*I normally call her my, "wife", but I'm trying to get 'street cred" here)...anyways, so because we were not super-hungry we decided to split a Gyro plate--and also had a side of Tabbouleh. The shared dish was more than enough for the both of us. The gyro meat was so good! I know it's kinda pedestrian to order gyro meet when one dines Mediterranean...and perhaps we should have been more adventurous, but wouldn't that be like visiting Disneyland and not going to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride? If you love something why mess around? Anyways, the gyro meats are succulent and always "hits it out of the park" for my taste buds! I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the side dish of tabbouleh. It was really refreshing, it had a slightly citrusy zing, and was quite quite flavorful. It's acidity pares nicely with the savory meats of the Mediterranean diet (I've had tabbouleh before, but only as a mini-side accompaniment.) When my wife suggested we get an order of it, the thought of chowing down on a whole salad made of parsley seemed like a bit much, but, as I already stated, it was actually more than good. Additionally, my wife pointed out that parsley is supposed to be good for one's digestion--so the dish has that got that going for it too. My son, who dines here with his wife and their 30-something friends fairly often (maybe 8 times a year), ordered his "go to" dish--which is the cauliflower sandwich. I forgot to ask him for a nibble of it this time, but I have sampled it before and it was really good--it is likely to still be quite tasty. He knew what he wanted before he even was handed a menu--so that is more evidence that it's a good choice. Our server was efficient and had a caring/friendly-but-not-overly-friendly energy. The decor is simple and acoustics of the rooms allow for conversations to take place without having to raise one's voice and look over at other tables with a, "Hey! You are not the only people in here...and by the way, we are not in a football stadium!" look on my face. Actually, I don't actually look over at tables of folks who are talking too loudly with a, "look of disapproval" on my face (that seems kinda rude and confrontational). I am more likely to just grin and bear the affront to our dining experience and wait until when the loud folks shovel some food into their mouths (or take a swig of their swill) before trying to converse with my fellow diners. Although the location is only a stone's throw from busy Speedway blvd., Zayna Mediterranean feels like it is off the beaten path. I always get the vibe that I have discovered a hidden gem-- that only the "hippest of locals" know about when I go there. I'm not the boss of you, but you are likely to really enjoy your visit here... so... (get ready for a Mediterranean-themed dad joke)... so, get yourself a 'Plato' of some yummy chow from the lands of extreme exotic beauty, amazing cultures, storied histories, and some of the best foods that humans can enjoy! Bonus! If you do go, and the conversation hits a lull, here's a joke that you can share: So, I heard that a guy got killed in this restaurant a few weeks ago... police are calling it a, 'hummus-side'. Be forwarded that if you tell that joke, it is likely to work as an anti-aphrodisiac with your date. Ha!

Continues to be one of my favorite Middle Eastern restaurants in Tucson! Our go-to entrees (see pics) remain their falafel sandwich and their various kabobs (the lamb plate is my favorite) due to consistently good meats, vegetables, and rice. Parking is easy in their private lot. Table/chairs and decor are nothing fancy but appropriately themed. Staff is attentive and pleasant.

Delicious food, excellent service. They could stand to have a face lift for the ambiance, but that's a minor issue when compared to the quality of the food (and generous portions!) and the service. If you want some authentic mediterranean food, go to Zayna!!

My review is on Brenna, our server. Last week was the first time my husband & I have been at your restaurant. The food was very delicious & Brenna was a wonderful & friendly server. KUDOS to her & her EXCELLENT customer service. She truly cares about the people she is serving. Very rare to find nowadays. :( She was GREAT!!! She's a keep for sure. :)Please let her know about this review because I really appreciated her. Have a great day. Thank you.

A friend recommended this place and the Mediterranean food did not disappoint. Went for dinner and we were able to get seated right away. They seem to have several different rooms with tables. Service was quick and friendly. Tried an array of menu items including the lamb kifta, falafel, hummus, grape leaves, and pita which were all pretty good. The baba ghannuj was slightly disappointing here, so I would not recommend that. However, the fattoosh salad and garlic yogurt were both excellent! There was plenty of parking in the attached lot although it is important to note it does flood when it rains during monsoon season, and you might have to take the small walking bridge across from the parking lot to the restaurant. The restaurant also closes fairly early with the last seating at 8:30 p.m.

I would eat their babaganoush for my last meal. Their food is excellent as take-out but the restaurant itself is beautiful. All of our servers were very friendly and ready to help.

Once again we enjoyed the best food in Tucson when it comes to Mediterranean cuisine. The chicken shawarma plate and the grape leaves served as an excellent dinner. Folks there are so professional and the food is so good.

Always the best falafel in town and my favorite place to take friends. I love everything about my experiences here - the staff, the great menu, affordable prices, and the fact that I know the food will always be consistently amazing. Can't wait to go back.

This is my first time trying this place. I have family member they comes here often. I ended up getting the grilled lamb sampler platter. Which allows you can choose between a variety of different meat option.

We noticed the safety bars around the building. And we kinda question, the location of this restaurant. Is it safe here during the night? Inside is better, although they can still make some improvements to make the place more welcoming. Food is good, we like the grape leaves and the garlic yogurt . And they give you a lot. Too bad they don't offer the beef shish kebab, which is my favorite. They have Beef Kifta which is commonly known as beef luleh in some places. It is really good, served with rice, salad, green beans. So good, this place is a must for people who love Mediterranean food.

We were a little unsure about eating here because of the appearance of the building, not very welcoming, but looks are deceiving. The food and service were excellent. Our food was fresh and perfectly seasoned some of the best Mediterranean food I've had and we eat a lot of this type because we are vegetarians, we appreciated all the options for us on the menu, really wonderful!

Delicious Sandwiches!! Their food is reasonably priced. Quick service! Highly Recommend

Took us right back to Athens, Greece! Great food and service. Plenty of parking and seating.

Great food, nice proprietor. Cozy little place. Falafel was wonderful! Easy to find and I would go back again next time I'm in Tucson.

Stopped in here for lunch with a friend and while it was pretty busy, we were seated right away and promptly greeted by our server. We both opted for lunch specials ($13 for a pita sandwich, fries or a salad and a drink,)) but I was a little disappointed to hear that they were out of gyro meat 30 minutes after opening. I switched to the chicken shawarma pita, which was delicious, and the house dressing that came with my side salad was full of flavor. The potions were nicely sized and the price point was great. I'll definitely be back-- I still want to try out their gyro!

The food was great, we shared a grilled sampler and it was enough for 2. The service was great and the ambiance is nice as well. We will be back again.

This is my local Mediterranean restaurant. It is spacious and everybody is super sweet. That works there. The food is fantastic. The prices are fair. The service is very good. Tons of parking. If you haven't tried Zayna's Mediterranean, be sure to put it on your list.

Zayna has been a long time favorite, but I must admit that I hadn't been to their new location since they moved until December. The spacious layout with various rooms adds a delightful atmosphere. And it lends itself to dine in with your little ones. The service was not only friendly but also super attentive. Managers, Heather and Elaine( hope I got it right!) are super sweet and run a nice team at the front of the house. The hummus, zayna fries, mujadara(lentils), beef kifta, and tabouleh salad were all exceptional, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to delicious and authentic Mediterranean cuisine! The food is flavorful, fresh and healthy overall. Love zayna for dine in or take out.

Staple Tucson Mediterranean spot! Always great service and lots of seating. The meat is well seasoned and flavorful and the garlic sauce is not overpowering unlike most other similar places. Sometimes the pita used in wraps can be quite heavy and filling but this was perfect thickness. The new "fries" were disappointing, preferred the well seasoned wedge style that they had a few years ago, though the squeeze of fresh lemon on the fries was a pleasant touch. Definitely worth checking out!

Love me a good Mediterranean place! Lots of options from salads, to falafel, to meat skewers. Loved the falafel and the hummus. All very fresh. The lamb skewers was alright, not a lot of flavor and was a bit dry. The fries had a nice spice flavor to them, not entirely crunchy the whole bite which isn't my favorite kind of fry but enjoyed trying a different flavored fry. Service was efficient but seemed a bit disappointed we didn't all order drinks, appetizers, and desserts. overall enjoyed my meal!

Some of the best Mediterranean food in Tuscon. The lunch specials are a great value. They have excellent falafel and great babaganoush. Great selection of food for vegetarians and meat eaters.

Delicious, healthy and satisfying! We had Zatar pita, hummus, fatoush salad with shawarma chicken. And then Turkish coffee & baklava! Friendly service and appealing huge interior.

Always love coming here. Hands down top 5 restaurants in Tucson for me. Just wanted to say I noticed the salads have had more wilted/discolored leafs the last couple times I have dined here. Like the salad greens weren't as fresh. Just something to consider for you guys like I said I love coming here and I just thought I would share.

Well, this was my first time trying Mediterranean food, and it was quite good! I had the cauliflower sandwich. It was great! We also had the hummus appetizer. That came with pita bread, which was perfect. There were several vegan options, and for that, I was very grateful. The service was on point. The prices were fair. The atmosphere was quiet and casual. I can definitely see myself going here again.

Zayna is such a hidden gem right off of Speedway. They have the best Chicken Schwarma plate I've had in town. I love that it comes with incredibly tasty green beans and delicious hummus. I can't recommend their Zayna Fries enough, they're light and crispy with the perfect seasoning blend. Their team is always so kind and quick taking orders and bringing food out. Great place to sit down for lunch or dinner.

The best shawarma in town, but everything on the menu is incredible. I love sitting in any of the many cute rooms at their restaurant but they're great for takeout too. I've always had the best service here, too. Definitely order a baklava once you've finished your meal!

Some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. The falafel was out of this world. I ordered a vegetarian platter to go, which includes two falafel, two grape leaves, hummus, baba ghanoush, pita, zaatar pita and salad. And everything was amazing. The grape leaves are perfectly tart, the falafel is super crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the hummus and baba ghanoush are super delicious, the salad dressing was super lemony...everything was so good! The only negative I experienced, was waiting for my food (it took about 30 minutes rather than the 15 minutes that I was told.)

I ate lunch here with a friend two days ago. I had a $12 lunch special: shish tawook sandwich with fries and iced mint tea; my friend had a falafel plate ($14) and iced tea ($3). I enjoyed everything; the spiced fries were especially good. The atmosphere is nice; it was not crowded or noisy. Service was fine.