Zakia Deli

Family run business, small deli with a whole bunch of Lebanese dishes to pick from. You have the entrees section and the sides section, and there are a TON of sides to choose from. My friend I was eating with said they're all good. Went with two friends and they were packed out on a weekday lunch. The interior is kind of small and tight and nothing spectacular, they do what they can with a small space. It was almost elbow to elbow with neighboring tables. The cabbage rolls and rice + noodles were delicious, very flavorful, and the quinoa salad fresh.

This is easily one of my favorite Middle Eastern restaurants. The food is always delicious and fresh high quality. I love what they offer so many different choices of sides. The red pepper hummus and the tabouli are definitely the stars of the show. We have literally tried almost everything on this menu there. Honestly you can't go wrong definitely stop in.

Great selection of food at decent prices. I went with the beef and lamb gyro plate and it tasted wonderful. Family-run business that cares deeply about Lebanese food. I'm leaving one star off as the baklava was dreadful and not worth purchasing, but everything else tasted amazing.

This Lebanese deli has a delicious selection of foods at great prices. The gyros plate and falafel plate came with two generous sides from their deli counter. The falafel were huge and lightly textured. One person added hummus and tabouli while the other chose Lebanese salad and mjadra. I picked the sampler platter and enjoyed cabbage roll, stuffed grape leaves, roasted red pepper hummus, mini meat pie, and feta pasta salad. To top it off, we shared baklava and a shabiet which was a heavenly pastry of phyllo dough filled with ashta cream.

Every time I come here the food is very good. The pita tastes fresh. I've had numerous entrées and sides and they've all been good. It's worth the trip, wherever you might be. The service is fine too. I would certainly consider using them to feed a party too.

Great small business. I absolutely love their beef lamb gyro with cucumber saucwand their shabiet! The people who work there are warm, welcoming, and helpful. Next time we go, I'll have to branch out and try the chicken tawook sandwich, chatted with another patron who was ordering 3 today and had bought some either last week, so it's gotta be good!

GO for the FOOD, the ATMOSPHERE and the lovely, absolutely BEST service I've ever had at a restaurant 🥰1st of all-This is the best food I have tasted in YEARS! everything is so fresh, the flavors, the variety. 2nd- lets get into the customer SERVICE! The owner saw that I was having bike troubles and came out to fix my bike so i could get home🥹 He is literally the sweetest person, and its a family business so his family is right beside him. He even has pics of his whole family in the display case from when he was a boy. Its so adorable

We ordered a number of sampler plates to share. They offer a lot of variety. We enjoyed everything! I should also say that the staff made us feel very welcome and appreciated.

I used to work across the road from this business, didn't ever eat there until my coworkers shamed me For bringing lunch from home. I have since moved to other work location, but whenever I can squeeze a stop at Zakia either to or from the Airport or if other excuses to stop by, I always get the gyro, stuffed grape leaves, and occasionally the falafel. I ask for extra tahini sauce too. The vegetables are always fresh and the food is lights out amazing. I wish there was phenomenal food like Zakia up in Coon Rapids, we still have a food desert compared to other places. But nothing can hold a candle to Zakia, David is a great guy, stop by and share some love with my Fave food stop! P.S. Don't worry if there is a line, you will not be disappointed and they move through pretty efficiently.

There is actually a lot of seating in a relatively small space, and when it's nice out, there are also abundant outdoor options. The parking lot is right in front, so parking is easy. I had a greek salad with lamb, and it was really well priced (about $9). There is usually a line around lunch time, but don't be discouraged, it moves quickly. There is a line because it's always such a popular lunch spot! Value and deliciousness! The rotating hot offerings are always tempting, and I love their cold salads. The Eggplant and the Zakia salad in particular.

Nice to discover more good Lebanese food in NE Minneapolis. Zakia Deli passes the "aromas like in my Auntie Rose's (Armenian) kitchen" test. Service is cafeteria style but with attention to presentation as you can see on my gorgeous falafel plate. There are small tables and high table seating inside and some outside, Prices are very reasonable , especially for the good sized portions. The falafel are bigger and less peppery than some others I've had, relying on more subtle flavors.

Huge fan of Zakia deli! Just wish they were open a little later so I could more regularly go for dinner. Zakia deli is an awesome Lebanese restaurant serving a wide variety of Mediterranean and American fare. The workers in this place are great and their platters are a crazy good deal. I got the Beef-Lamb Gyro Special plate and as my two sides, the guys let me get falafel and Beef Grape leaves. It all cost me under $15 and every last bite was delicious. This place is a nice family style shop that I could easily see myself coming to weekly. All of the food here looks absolutely delicious and is incredibly affordable, I need to come back already!

It's hard for me to review this cuisine because I'm so unfamiliar. Overall, I enjoyed the adventure but I didn't taste anything that I'd love to repeatedly come back for. I ordered everything per their recommendation, but it felt all I was given was tons of appetizer like things. It didn't feel like a meal. It also was difficult to order because mix and matching things proved difficult when the cuisine wasn't familiar.

Wow this was delicious and for a great value! Was able to order upon entering and decided on each of the Wednesday specials. The workers were friendly and helpful in taking my order and recommending sides. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside. The lamb shank was fall/off-the-bone tender, and the sauce with rice was a great combo! The chicken was also delicious -- the acidity provided both flavor and tenderness that the meat could be cut with a (plastic) fork! Tried 2 sides on each plate -- potato wedges, falafel, meat pie, and stuffed grape leaf (with meat). Loved. Them. All!! Definitely will be back for more!

BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD! I was lucky enough to have tried Zakia and Asad's cooking when they were at a previous location. I'm so happy that their family has carried on their legendary cooking. It tastes just how I remember it! My favorites are the cabbage rolls and stuffed grape leaves! Anytime I'm in state I'll be sure to visit again. Much love and wishing you all the best -little Gabi

A small, quaint restaurant in north Minneapolis, this place is absolutely worth the drive. I got the beef/lamb gyro with cucumber sauce (which was to die for), my friend got a falafel sandwich with tajin sauce, an eggplant salad and rice. *chef's kiss We sat outside on a picnic table to eat under a "grass roof" umbrella and just had a fantastic lunch. I will absolutely come back! It superseded my expectations.

Stopped by here for lunch. Been on my list for a while. Quaint little place. Has a parking lot. Was busy even though they had just opened and while I was there, there was a constant stream of people coming in to get lunch or order takeout. They were helpful and friendly at the counter and happy to oblige to requests. I ordered the lamb shank (which was their special for the day) with a meat pie and grape leaves stuffed with meat an rice. The quantity was good. The meat pie was a little dry. They warmed up the meat pie and the grape leaves. The warm grape leaves rolls was new for me. I have always had them cold. The lamb was tender. I did find the food to be a little on the bland side. Good value for money and a good clean lunch spot. I would give it another try and try some of their other dishes. But for now, Emily's is still my go to for lebanese food and Caspian Bistro has the best Mediterranean style lamb shank in my opinion.

My friend and I were looking for a place to eat, different then anywhere we have been before. We went on google and found this place. Which is LEGIT, authentic and fresh. Behind the counter was two guys, one bald one younger one with longer hair, thick beautiful accent. Serious faced waiting for us to order. As soon as we approached the counter they filled us in on the menu, the special and how the meal could be put together. I had the lemon chicken with rice and tabouli, my friend had the coconut curry, both of the dishes were their suggestions. AMAZING. The green sauce on the side, AMAZING. There were many salads to choose from and authentic deserts and cake were on the counter. We caught the owner having lunch and my friend walked over to thank him! He genuinely thanked us and wished us a happy day! Definitely will be a place I visit continuously!

Delicious! We ordered for take-out and it was tasty. I ordered the lamb Wednesday special which was so delicious. My partner got the chicken plate and loved it. Lots of good food for a good price.

I haven't been here for a number of years but made it today. I had the daily special of Dawood Basha (loose meat, not the traditional meatballs) with rice, Fasoolya and Hummus. It was very good, and the pita was soft and flavorful. The coffee was good too. The staff was busy but very helpful and friendly. Being winter time, the only thing missing was a fireplace. I gotta say though, I thought the radio station they had on sucked. Not overly loud but boring, obnoxious top 40 type pop-rock. I wouldn't mind going back tomorrow for the cabbage roll special, but I've got food here to cook. Strongly recommended. It would be nice if they had china plates and proper silverware for dining in. I don't like using take-out gear. I'd like to come back with some friends and get a large platter of assorted sides and pita. It all looks so good. صغير ومريح، طعام رائع.

I called the restaurant to see what worked with my allergies, I was told there would be food I could have. When I arrived, I was told that nothing fit my dietary restrictions without eliminating most of the meal.

This family ran business delivers some tasty and fresh food. I really enjoyed the lemon-garlic chicken. I like how the whole family worked together to make it work.

Strange experience. Gyros were ok, fairly small, cakes are stale. No fries on the menu u but someone was making fries for a staff person. Hoping it was just an off day. I wanted to love this place. I'll try again though!

All I've ever known about Zakia Deli is that my roommate of several years gets takeout from them at least once a week-- so when I tried them for the first time yesterday it was long overdue. I can see why she hypes it up so much! I got the Kafta Kabob, and since I've never met a meal with lamb that I didn't like, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll definitely be returning! Prices are reasonable for good food.

Yummy food and so many options for sides. Smells amazing inside and I was overwhelmed because everything looked so good. Really nice lunch option!

Fresh, authentic and such variety. Great specials and service. Came here after the farmers market on a gorgeous day with a friend and sat outside. So happy. We shared each of our meals to taste EVERYTHING together

This place is great for a quick lunch! They have daily specials and their regular menu with LOTS of different sides available. Lots of seating outdoors and a few tables inside! The Yelp check-in deal did not work when I tried it on 10/7/2021 I decided to try their Thursday special - cabbage rolls with two sides and a slice of pita. I chose potato salad and their tabouli salad as my two sides. The cabbage rolls (2) consisted of ground beef and rice stuffed into a cabbage leaf sauced with a tomato/tangy sauce. This was quite tasty, but I didn't expect there to be so much rice in the filling versus the beef. I really enjoyed their potato salad, it had a lot texture and fixings mixed into their salad and wasn't just potato. Their tabouli salad was very fragrant and a bit too overwhelming in flavor for me, but it was good in small bites! I would definitely come back for other dishes and to try their endless options of sides!

I recently ordered from Zakia for the first time and immediately after that ordered it again for dinner less than a week later. It's that good! I absolutely love the chicken platter. Their baba ghanoush is delicious as well, with a Smokey flavor profile that I loved (tip: buy extra pita). Highly, highly recommend.

Excellent Mediterranean fare at reasonable prices. I wish they were open on Sunday!

I liked their food, spiced chicken with rice, and mini meat pie. They are a bit on the pricey side though ($14 for a modest plate). They are located next to Honour, and they share a parking lot.

The gyro meat was a little dry, but very delicious, the staff is super nice and a little funny. The space a great! The outdoor seating is lovely. They didn't haggle about the quantity of tzatziki sauce I wanted. The honey cake was yum as well. Over all it's the best deli counter Mediterranean food I've had.

Zakia is a Lebanese cafe with a nice patio. It also advertises "many vegan options" (which is true), though the options are hard to figure out due to inconsistencies between the website and their actual store menu and labeling. I got a falafel sandwich ($8.33), which is vegan by default. I didn't love it, but didn't hate it. It features a thin, shreddy pita and under-seasoned falafel pieces. The mjadra sandwich ($8.33) is vegan by default and made with a lentil-rice mixture and vegetables. This tasted fine but the lightly-seasoned lentils got boring after five or six bites. Lastly, Zakia offers labeled vegan desserts, which is a rarity for Middle Eastern restaurants (they had turmeric cake and molasses cake when I went, which is more interesting than the usual baklava). If you want better falafel, check out Foxy Falafel or Shish Cafe in St. Paul or Wally's in Minneapolis. Loon Deli in Minneapolis is also solid (but a total dive).

Everything we have tried was delicious!!! Best Falafel's in town!!! Have been eating their food since they were inside of Joe's market over 30 years ago. It's nice they have their own place now. I miss seeing the parents cooking in the back. Go outside your comfort zone and try some of the delicious dips and sauces and salads in the deli case you won't be disappointed. Wife and I really like their majadra sandwich too and always bring home some extra food for later to stock the fridge. Yummm!!!

The deli selection at Zakia is fabulous. I was only in Mpls. for a week but I kept coming back to Zakia to eat. Obviously there were thousands of others choices but when you find great quality Lebanese food, why go anywhere else? I especially liked their Eggplant Salad, be sure to try it! Often I was served by the older woman who is part of the family that owns the deli. Always friendly and eager to tell me about the various food in the cases when asked. Clean interior, plenty of places to sit and lots of parking outside.

This place seems to be making fresh and authentic Mediterranean food. I ordered the gyro and the lebanese dessert the name of which I don't remember. The pita was fresh, soft, and chewy. The condiments were fresh. The gyro meat was crumbly and savory, though I felt it was slightly too salty. The dessert was very tasty, though I found the texture of the dough to be slightly too chalky/gritty for my palate. I understand this is the traditional execution though and it was done well. The sweet cheese filling was firm yet still succulent.

I've driven past this place a few times on other excursions and never realized how close it was to my work! I ordered takeout through one of the popular food delivery services and I was notified my order was done an hour early. I went to pick it up anyway, but when I arrived it wasn't actually ready. They just had a takeout box waiting to be filled for the time I originally requested. Despite the confusion, everything was already pre-made behind the counter so it took seconds for the box to be filled. The spread behind the deli case was quite a sight! Bins overflowing with all kinds of colorful and delicious dishes! There were even packaged desserts set all around the counter, and a spool of meat being shaved in the back! I ordered their daily Thursday special (Bazella & Rice) which included two sides (Falafels, and the Zakia Salad). The main course was tasty, warm, and balanced. The cinnamon was not at all overpowering the savory dish. Their signature salad was bright and yummy with mint and citrus. The falafels were hearty and thick, a little dry, but they do pour a sauce on top of them. Overall, this meal had everything I crave and want in terms of acid, spices, and general heartiness! So good, will become an addiction. Plenty of parking in their lot.

Best falafel I've ever had; best baba ganoush. Friendly, efficient, clean. Winning enterprise!

Pretty bad online customer service. I ordered exactly three times from this place and each time there is an issue with my order not being available or just SOMETHING. I tried to give this small business the benefit of the doubt, but never ordering from them again.

Amazing food. Just freaking good. Best tabouli around. Grape leaves are great. Friendly staff. Just go. Seriously. Get up right now and go!!!!

I grew up as an Italian in an Italian neighborhood. Yet some of my fondest memories of eating ethnic food were at my Lebanese friend's house. This meal brought me back to dinners around their family table. The chicken and rice is a simple dish but done right, has great flavor. This version was so good and full of juicy pieces of chicken. And the kibbe, wow - it was layered with spices and pine nuts and tasted just like Mama Zacca's! I don't get to Minneapolis much but when I'm there, Zakia is definitely in the rotation for lunch and dinner.

Solid gyro. Good service, felt authentic. Tabouli salad was good also. I would've liked more meat on the gyro vs bread.

I have not tried the whole menu but I have tried several things including breakfast. They make just a wonderful and healthy gyro omlet with fresh vegetables. Just delicious and you get some of their homemade pita. Their gyro is very good. And just the friendliest and generous people working there. I was there for breakfast today and I'll be back for lunch.

Just got done eating at this Lebanese restaurant. Everything is good with the tabouli is the best I've ever had and I'm a Lebanese. The owner was very friendly.

Solid Mediterranean food at a very reasonable price. Nice cozy spot to grab a quick plate. Zakia had a wide selections of foods in their deli case, both hot and cold. You can either buy a large selection of them, or get their daily special along with a couple choices. Very nice that you can basically pick what you want. Portions were a nice size, especially for the price, and this sort of food reheats very well to make a second meal or something to pick up on the go.

I recently placed a catering order for the Mediterranean Special for 20 people and was very pleased. The food was ready on time and packed up conveniently for our pickup. The salads were crisp, cold and fresh and the meats were tender, delicious and piping hot. Everyone at the event was raving about the food. Would definitely use again.

always great philly sandwich my favorite deli salads incredible daily lunch specials :) chickens good

I stumbled across this place yesterday. Was in a hurry, so just grabbed whatever was ready and ate it in my car before my next appointment. It was some sort of chicken with a couple sides. FABULOUS!!! A real diamond in the rough! A little more pricey than a basic deli, but less $$ than a full on restaurant. The acid test was the next day - my car smelled so wonderful. Can't wait to go back! Highly recommended.

I love this place! Had an amazing (as always) falafel gyro and brought home a beef/lamb for my spouse. Neither of us could finish these large portions- cleverly wrapped in two thin pita layers such that the transport well and can Almost be eaten napkin-free. Picked up some deli items and dinner is covered too. Wish I would have snagged some of those falling - off the bone lamb shanks. Can't wait for warmer weather to sit outside- but bar stools by the window are fine for now. Fast, friendly, and a good value.

After a long morning packing up my college apartment, my mother and I wanted a quick bite to eat on our way to target for last minute cleaning supplies. However, we couldn't stomach another fast food meal. I've always driven past Zamia and recommended it to my mother, but I had no idea what to expect. Not only was service prompt and friendly, the food was amazing! My mother and I gasped when they pulled the lamb shank out of the warming container due to the size! There were so many options for sides and meals to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. I'm now devastated that I'm moving away after now discovering this dining gem.

Delicious foods and friendly customer service. I really enjoyed their lemon garlic chicken entree. The chicken was well seasoned and moist, not dry. The baklava was flakey and baked to perfection.

Five stars because Zakia Deli hits all five marks: 1) great (Lebanese) grub 2) convenient location 3) amazing value 4) friendly staff and 5) discounts through Yelp! Let me elaborate... Zakia Deli is conveniently off of Stinson and has a sizable parking lot. I love to check out their daily specials: they are under $10, large portions, and you have a lot of options to pair as your 2 side dishes even including items in the cold case. They have fresh items like falafel, mjada, stuffed grape leaves, chickpea salads, pasta salads, hummus, baked goods, kibbi, gyros, kafta, and much more! I haven't tried anything I didn't like. But onto the **current** Yelp deals... 1) you can purchase a Yelp Deal = pay $7 get $10. 2) They have a check in offer of 15% off your order. 3) They let me use both discounts at once! Lastly, thanks to Zakia, my new favorite snack is their zataar pita chips + lubnay (kinda like cream cheese) + marinated green olives.

I will definitely be back again! I got the baked lemon chicken platter with eggplant salad and this yogurt cucumber side and everything was so good including the green sauce they gave with the chicken. The workers were all really nice and I'm kinda sad I didn't try any of the many desserts they had.

Zakia is a great addition to the Lebanese cuisine scene in the Twin Cities. The place was understandably jammed for lunch; the staff hustles yet remains calm and friendly as they substitute sides, make exceptions and otherwise take care of their customers. The menu is expansive and includes several items that I've not found in other Lebanese or Middle Eastern restaurants. We enjoyed the chicken, stuffed cabbage roll, gyros, tabouli, baba ganouj, loubieh and various sides. We couldn't resist a sweet. Expect a line to order, but it's well worth it!

I got the sampler platter. It was amazing. Also had the baklava. One of the better ones I've had.

Delicious food at this family operation. We stopped here for meatloaf, burguhl, baba ganoush. All very excellent!

Simply the food didnt meet expectations, and didn't live up to the quality of the Lenanese cuisine . The stews were good. Ordered kafta , tasted more like a meat loaf . When you get a Lebanese food staple such a as kafta and lemon chicken wrong , you have a lot to improve on. I wouldn't call this place authentic Lebanese but rather an interpretation/modification of Lebanese food. While the stews was fresh the rest of the food in the deli wasn't . This place has potential , but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there . Based on previous review I excepted more .

Came here for lunch and it was tasty and got a lot of food for the price! Convenient location for students at UMN looking to go a little bit out of typical campus locations or for those visiting the Quarry for errands. With construction, it does make it a little tougher to get to the lot but that should be resolved soon. The parking lot also makes it convenient to stop by. It's a very close space inside which I think adds to the home/comfort vibe that the Deli has. Not a ton of spaces to sit, but enough to eat quick if it isn't too busy. Staff was very friendly in making recommendations, they did not rush us at all and greeted all guests as they came in. They explained certain dishes I was not familiar with since I do not eat Mediterranean food frequently. I had a chicken gyro and the person I went to lunch with got the sampler. In hindsight, the sampler is a great deal getting 5 items for just under $11 so I would try that next time. They let you sample anything which is also a HUGE bonus and a reason I'd return. I love that you can try before you buy, because you might not like something or try it if you have to pay.