Zayna Mediterranean Restaurant

One of the best ever Mediterranean restaurants we've tried. It's authentic and the service is top notch. We're from Phoenix, in Tucson for an event. I did a Google search for Mediterranean restaurants and got LUCKY in choosing Zayna! (You can't see them from the road, they're kind of tucked behind a few buildings off the main drag.) We arrived weekday for a late lunch, around 2pm. I was surprised to see a lot of cars in the parking lot, but the restaurant has plenty of room. We were seated immediately. Definitely order the cauliflower appetizer. Large, fresh florets seasoned with straight cumin and flash fried. No breading. Not greasy at all. Just tasty bites of tender cauliflower with a crunchy snap. Lentil soup taste and texture were outstanding. I loved their falafel with the garlic yogurt and tzaziki. Pita was a little dry. Chicken schawarma was tender and really delicious, but wasn't very saucy. Seasoned rice and homemade hummus were very tasty! The tender green beans had such a nice flavor and were cooked just right! The Greek Chardonnay was so good I ordered a 2nd glass! Overall... Fresh ingredients. Authentic dishes. Elevated spice. Impressive variety of vegetarian and vegan options. The building is like a house, broken up into several different large rooms. Kind of funky layout but it totally works with the beautiful touch of traditional Arabic music in the background. Right from the welcome to the check, our service was warm and friendly. Our server helped us learn about new dishes. Attentive staff refilled drinks and checked on us just the right amount. (It was so good, we took a friend back for lunch there the next day! He's Vegan so he loved the Vegetarian Plate minus the dairy) Highly recommend! Insider Tip! Ask for the hot chile sauce (in a red squeezy bottle). It's a Greek hot sauce that adds a nice heat to the delicious garlic yogurt sauce. I put that sh*t on everything!

I have been a customer of Zayna's since their original location,and I have never had a disappointment ever. This is honestly my favorite spot for Greek/Mediterranean food. There is not a single item here I have ever been disappointed with. From their hummus and baba ghanoush dips and pita bread, to my favorites their falafel and grape leaves. Great texture and mixture of warm and soft on the outside to their crunchy outside. I like to dip mine in their lemon and olive oil dressing or hummus. Now they offer a variety of meals in both a platter or sandwich style. Im a fan of either because no matter what you will get great food and service. My son enjoys their chicken shawarma sandwich because he loves their pita bread. I'm partial to the lamb shown here or the beef kiftka. I do enjoy their salads again with the lemon and olive oil dressing but I'm an even bigger fan of their fries which have a kick of their own, but can't go wrong with a dip of your choice. My son also favors their rice which is another good side option. And to wash it all down you can't go wrong with a cold mint tea. Drink it as is or add your favorite sweetener for something refreshing and diabetic friendly. As I have told others, you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu. Great for a carry out option but if you can, stop in and enjoy your meal in a very nice, relaxing atmosphere. The staff is always nice, the restaurant is always clean, it's a great experience.

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!

If your vegan or vegetarian, this place is perfect for you. They have a lot of homemade food and choices for anybody whether it be a regular meal grape leaves or vegan or vegetarian options they have green mint and black tea as well for those iced tea drinkers who search near and wide for their favorite cup of iced tea. Highly recommend for takeout as well. We went ahead and dined in. They do have lunch specials offered, and I would highly suggest the cauliflower sandwich while it doesn’t sound appeasing. It is very flavorful and love the spices.

Absolutely delicious. The cauliflower platter made me jealous when my partner got it and we were supposed to share but I wanted it all. Sorry no pics of the food but trust me it’s delicious. I got a Turkish beer to remind me of the time we spent there.

Pretty good Mediterranean dishes. We ordered the beef sampler and lamb sampler. Both were good. I was surprised seeing green beans and the type of rice that were with the dishes but everything was pretty good. There is a lot of places to sit and plenty of places to park. I recommend trying it out.

Excellent food..superb service...as I was on the closing time side of things no real atmosphere left For this second review I have added one star for atmosphere as it was dinner time and full house...lovely to see the same waitress still serving us... As I always leave honest reviews I will do so now as well....I drove 5hr round trip for the food and it was abundant tasty warm and all there,but still...it is missing the Real Arabic spicy touch...I know all good in USA get dumbed down and it works, but I would just like that truly spicy and over exaggerated seasoning which make the food stand out so much....

Food was exceptionally good. I wanted to try literally everything on the menu. Super cute restaurant, and even though they were busy the food came out so fast, and service was amazing! 100/10 will be coming back! I want to try the deserts but literally ate way too much. Portions are huge. And very healthy. Also how cute is the coffee cup! The Arabic coffee is small but mighty. P.S I’m very cautious when I eat at new places because my stomach is very sensitive and I tried new food at a new place and I feel amazing. My stomach doesn’t hurt and I don’t feel inflamed at all. Which is a huge plus for me!

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 :)

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!

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.

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Great, large place- they accommodated my large party of 12 on a Saturday at noon. The food is excellent and includes vegan options. The service is pleasant and plenty of parking in the huge lot.

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.

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

Got take out from them and both beef kifta and falafel sandwiches were good. We had salads as our sides and the ingredients were fresh. The restaurant was busy on a Sunday evening but service was fast and friendly. They asked if I wanted cutlery instead of automatically putting a bunch of plastic I don't need. I like the paper take out boxes too.

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.

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.

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.

Food is always consistent. Always get the chicken Shawarma salad and it's always good. I love a restaurant where you can depend on the basics. Always get you the result of a great meal. Hope that makes sense.

My husband is from Syria and he really enjoyed the food. Service was great and the restaurant is a good size and very clean. This is first middle eastern restaurant my husband enjoyed. We tried many around town but Zayna takes the cake. Highly recommend

Was looking for somewhere to eat, luckily this place was around the corner. Good food, good portions. Nice service, awesome job at replenishing the pita. Good vibes and ambience. Chill dining.

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.

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.

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 was told it's all about the Zayna fries, and they are delightful if you love a potato! The falafel is also just so good! It's moist and flavorful. I tried the vegetarian plate and replaced the pita with the zayna fries to make the meal gluten free. I love that Zayna has notes about diet restriction options on their menu!

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!

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.

Best Mediterranean food I've ever had! Every flavor was expertly balances and layered beautifully. Even the side salad is elevated with a bright citrusy dressing that lets the produce shine while taking it to a new level. Lamb Kifta grill sampler 10/10 falafel 10/10 grape leaves 10/10 fried cauliflower 10 all the sauces and dips, everything was the best and Mediterranean food is one of (if not my favorite) cuisine. We showed up to an early dinner as a party of 8, and were promptly seated, only to receive some of the best service a family could ask for. The waitress has perfect timing, she's knowledgeable and explained everything very well. The price is great, the atmosphere is lovely, the staff are solid and the CHEF IS A MAVEN! Although we live in California, I cannot wait to return

This place is a little hidden, but worth the visit! Their food is fresh and the service is so quick. I recommend ordering the Zayna Fries and splitting with your group. I feel like you also get a lot for the price which means we'll be going to back to try many more things!

Came in and was seated immediately. Great service and nice ambience. Food was amazing and well portioned! Sampler plate was great! Definitely will be returning

Really great tasting and fresh ingredients. Called in order to go for falafel lunch special. Great value.

One of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in town. And, that's saying a lot because there are some really good Mediterranean restaurants in town. The cauliflower appetizer is amazing.

Great food and wonderful staff. Have been going here for years and would recommend the garlic sauce for everything.

We had a party of 2 for dinner at 6:30 on Sunday, 12/18/22. We were seated right away. It's a no-frills type of restaurant. You can wear anything. Good for groups and for eating solo. Wasn't the best Mediterranean we've had, but we were hungry and it was satisfying. Brenna was our waitress and she was wonderful! We split 2 entrees, with both came with salad and pita. The salad is small, but decent. The pita was hard on one side, which made it difficult to chew. Maybe we got a bad batch. The pita would really be my only complaint. Here's what we got: - Chicken Shawarma ($16): The chicken was good and I really liked the green beans! The hummus was average. - Combination Plate with Beef ($17): The combination plate included grape leaves, falafel, hummus, and 2 kabobs of beef. The grape leaves and falafel were tasty! The beef tasted like hamburger meat, which we didn't mind. - Pistachio Baklava ($3): Super good! It was a small slice that we split, and it was the perfect size - a sweet bite to end the meal. Solid option for food with fair portions at a great price!