Zula

Zula has a lovely and warm atmosphere nestled into the bustling 23rd St. of NW Portland. It’s cozy and intimate with fun lighting and great use of natural materials. Food overall from our visit was decent but not something I would be rushing to come back to. The hummus was tasty but didn’t need the hard boiled egg (personal preference). Cauliflower was probably my favorite dish of the night and the flank steak was rather chewy and lacked some of the flavor I was hoping for. Drinks too were fine but nothing that blew me away. Overall nice place for dinner or drinks but I would lean towards a few other Mediterranean options in the area.

Spent here Friday afternoon, loved the interior design and the cleanliness. Very attentive and generous service. We enjoyed a lot a sharing plates concept. The hummus is really good, exactly how it supposed to taste. Everything is fresh and seasoned perfectly. The mint lemonade worked great with the hot weather. We definitely go back for another plate of hummus!

Fantastic brunch - creamy hummus, pillowy pita, juicy chicken skewers, and a very cool middle eastern twist on shrimp and grits. Delicious food and cocktails, exceptionally friendly service. Definitely recommend!

We ordered the hummus with pita to start, and the hummus texture and flavor was the perfect combo! Pita bread was served warm and freshly homemade. We also loved the confit chicken, with its crispier texture on the outside while juicy on the inside. And the salmon skewers on tomato curry was a perfect blend. Definitely coming back here! Service was great as well 👏🏼

Great, non-pretentious eating establishment. Went there several times and tried their Hummus, Fire Roasted Eggplant, Radicchio Salad, Pickle Plate, Moroccan Salmon Skewer, Chicken Skewers á la carte, or and Limonana, a delicious homemade mint lemonade. The pita bread was homemade and simply delicious. The service was excellent and the ambiance was relaxing.

Service & food were exceptional. Friendly & smiling staff. Each & every dish we ordered was incredible. So were the cocktails & the two desserts. By far the best meal we’ve had in Portland the entire week of our visit. My wife even said the warm hummus plate was better than my mother’s, and my mother is an exceptional cook, and my wife has said she married me for my mom’s cooking. This is a DO NOT MISS restaurant when in Portland. There’s a reason why it’s mentioned in EATER PDX. What a great discovery.

I loved this place so much! I went for Sunday lunch, and the food was absolutely incredible! It's so good that I only managed to take one picture. Really creative and flavorful menu where I didn't dislike a single element. I had a delicious cocktail that was fresh and had the perfect balance of tang and sweetness. The service was impeccable, and so was the vibe and design. Also, the acoustics were great. Large space, but it was not noisy or chaotic. (Anyone with misophonia will totally understand that.) Highly recommend, and if I lived in Portland, it would be a regular spot for me.

Food is delicious. The place is so clean and organized. Staff is phenomenal and kind. The owner Tal is such a breath of fresh air to work for. The management is spectacular. Coworkers are helpful and enjoyable to work with. It's really such a wonderful place to work in. The open space is beautiful. They have seating outside as well. During dinner there is normally a wait and you can get a drink during that time. They change the specials every week or so. They don't take reservations since its first come first serve. It's mostly counter service with an outlook on genuine customer service. Drinks are exceptional. Definitely recommend it. 10 out of 10 The dishes in pictures are the Chicken Skewer, Mixed Mushroom Skewer & and Hummus with Pita. Drink with the lime is the Montefiore. Drink with the lemon is the Limonana.

We were originally trying to go to Grandma's Secret for a little fun drinks and food moment before a concert, but it was closed, so we went here instead! Very cute restaurant, and we were lucky to get there at the time we did because it got busy quick! The service was great! Everyone was very friendly, and they gave great recommendations. For foods, we got the Mezze of 3 Spreads and the Chicken Thigh Skewer. The Mezze of 3 Spreads was SO yummy!!! The pita bread was so soft and warm, and the 3 spreads were delicious. If I had to rank them, my favorite spread would be the labneh then the hummus then the muhammara. The Chicken Thigh Skewer was okay; I felt like it wasn't as flavorful as the Mezze of 3 Spreads. For drinks, we got the Little Bit and the Colossus. The Little Bit was probably the best cocktail I've had, and everyone else at the table was raving about my drink. It was like a blunt kind of spicy, but after the spice subsided, the drink had a very nice ending and tasted sweet. It was honestly an experience in itself. The Colossus is a good mocktail that tastes a bit like a tamarind soda!

I was truly impressed by this restaurant. The ambiance made it a cute dinner spot. Updated, good food, and lively. We had some must try's: The cauliflower was charred, came with a delicious and creamy sauce. The pita was incredible!! Fluffy, doughy, and a perfect wrap for the rich hummus. Skips: I'd skip the salmon skewer and halloumi (it was 7/10). The lamb skewer was good but nothing to rave about. Loved the service which was attentive and unpretentious.

I celebrated my birthday here (came with a group of five), and we had a blast! We opted for the family-style (recommended by our waitress), and it was a great decision. Our top picks included the hummus and pita (loved the egg it came with), the seared halloumi, and the super yummy hanger steak large plate. We tried a bunch of different cocktails - they were all good! They also surprised me with a free slice of almond orange cake for dessert, which was unexpected but an incredible addition! The inside is so cute and cozy and the bar section is beautifully decorated. I'll definitely be back, and I'd recommend this spot to anyone, whether you're looking for dinner for two or with a group.

Recently went there for an early dinner on a Friday night with a couple friends and was so disappointed by the overall service and food prices. The server took at least 15 minutes to put in just our drink order. The bartender was incredibly slow as well. 20 minutes to pour a glass of wine and beer? One server on a Friday night seems outlandish. Once we were finally able to order and get our food, we were so disappointed by the portion sizes. $14 for the smallest chicken skewer ever is the biggest rip off id ever seen. Used to love Zula, but unfortunately will not be back.

This was such a fun spot. we walked around NW 23 and stumbled upon this gem. It was a sunny day so we sat outside. We ordered a beer and the afternoon delight cocktail. The cocktail wasn't my favorite but there are lots of drinks on the menu. The food was great and tasted so fresh. The star was the pita and hummus. The pita was warm and homemade and the hummus had the perfect texture and flavors. We also ordered the chicken skewers and it was also good. The food portions are pretty small and can get expensive so do not come too hungry. The service was also great. Everyone was so attentive and got our food out fast. Next time I'll be back to get some appetizers and drinks!

Had a reservation for Saturday at 5:30pm and the place was not very busy. A few more tables got sat while we were eating so I'm guessing it gets busier around 7. We had a reservation but it looked like there were a few walks in no issue. For two people, we ordered Beef/lamb skewer, chicken skewer, piri piri sauce, potato wedges, beet salad, basmati rice, hummus with two pita. Everything was seasoned to perfection. Every bite was so flavorful and we absolutely loved everything! Can't wait to come back.

My friend took me to Zula for a birthday dinner. I had no clue what to expect, but boy was I surprised. Zula is a Mediterranean bistro in the Nob Hill neighborhood. The restaurant is cute and quaint with a great atmosphere for conversation. We were starving, so we ordered a handful of items to share. The hummus with stewed chickpeas, a soft boiled egg, and za'tar. Lamb skewers, pita bread, Persian, cucumbers, market salad and muhammara which contains red pepper, walnuts, Aleppo spices, and pomegranate molasses. The drink menu is extensive with cocktails, beer, and wine. As well as an option of mocktails. I chose the ginless Aegean T. It went perfect with my meal. Everything was delicious and service was spot on. I cannot wait to return when I visit Portland again.

Really disappointing. Food came very slowly. We were there at 6pm and they were already out of one of only four mains, the steak. So they cancelled one person order. Each person ordered a skewer and they all came on one plate with only one tiny portion of pickled vegetables and sauce. So I guess we were supposed to all split one sliver of pickled onion? Also, I tiny amount of meat on a skewer for $15. The only saving grace was the dip and pita and two other vegetable appetizers that we split and they had good flavor. But I would skip all the mains and the skewers. This seems more like a place you go to before you go to another restaurant to actually have a meal.

I was so excited to try Zula so I made it a point to have lunch here. I walked in and was greeted with a smile and hello. I was given a menu and that was the extent of my customer service. I expected more from the servers but was never asked how my food was or if I needed a refill on my drink. I got up to get a Togo box and server was on his cell phone and everyone was just chatting away but ignored the customers. As for the food it was excellent. Everything I ordered was flavorful and delicious. Would I return? Maybe not to dine in but grab my food to go. Let me know what you think Yelpers. Note. I knocked off a star due to the lack was service. Definitely needs to improve. So let it be written... So let there be SERVICE.

Aesthetically pleasing restaurant featuring mid-century modern decorations. Service is different from a typical sit-down restaurant, you have to walk to the back of the restaurant to put down your name and place your order before being seated. We came to Portland for a small vacation, a little caught off guard by the amount of positive feedback from others. The fried cauliflower and filo & feta dishes were by far the most memorable. The skewers and pita were on the drier side. Not too much to elaborate on the flavours.

The 3 stars is low, but a 4 would be too generous. The ambience, decor and location were great. Ambience and decor - lots of seating, I believe a couple of outdoor seating. It's white walls, clean floors, spacious floor plan, decorated fresh, and the staff was pleasant and helpful. Food - the food was meh. We didn't care for the eggplant. The hummus was just ok. We had a skewer plate of lamb and, we paid for extra, chicken with a side of bright salad and picked squash and onion. And filo + feta was nice though. We had a couple of Zula Spritz, which were nice sippers. This would not be an addition to our restaurant rotation, but would be a nice little spot to meet up with friends for a drink and some apps. It just didn't hit the spot for us.

The ambience and decor of this place is so cute, and in a neighborhood that I frequent often. This could easily have been a favorite spot if the food and service was much better. Food was ok-good. I spat out a piece of lamb bc it was chewy but not chewable. The lamb comes with an olive oil sauce that is good. They don't have rice of any sort. The cheesecake was ok. I don't think they have an in house pastry chef. But they do customize the cheesecake with a tahini sauce. If you've been to Blutos, this is a very similar set up and same price point and portions. You walk up to the counter to order and pay. The guy at the counter is super nice and real sweet heart. I ordered to go and tipped because of him. The set tip options are 18%, 20% and 22%. It's kind of like a self serve place where utensils are set at the table for you to grab. The kitchen staff seems happy. The bartender said something that was unprofessional. She was chewing gum with her mouth really wide open like she was smacking gum. And she kept touching her face (nose & mouth area) and would make drinks in between. The place is well staffed. I believe at least one of the owners was on site and she was attentive and polite. Food never looks as good in to-go containers. Not dog friendly. There are outdoor seatings but it was cold.

Such good Mediterranean food and cocktails! My boyfriend and I loved everything we tried here: the Muhammara, fire-roasted eggplant, salmon and lamb skewers were all so flavorful and fresh. We sat at the bar and received really wonderfully attentive service from the bartender, and throughly enjoyed the Afternoon Delight and Aegean Tea cocktails -- so refreshing and unique! The vibes and decor are also impeccable. Loved our experience at Zula and can't wait to come back for happy hour sometime soon.

I've only had the lamb skewer, hummus, and pita. It was all fantastic. Best pita and hummus I've had. Hope to be back soon to try more the grilled cabbage (and will try resist declaring "my cabbages!").

Zula is amazing! We weren't sure what to get, and Emily gave some perfect recommendations. We grabbed a bunch of small plates and devoured them. You HAVE to try the pickle plate if you love pickled things. It made our night!

Zula gets everything right - the food is TO DIE FOR, the ambience is pleasant, and the service is quick and friendly. Everything was yummy. The waiter recommended the fried cauliflower but I thought it was 'meh.' LOVED the spiced fried potatoes. You'll never eat another cardboard supermarket pita after you taste the pitas at Zulas.

So excited to have this new addition to the options in NW Portland. The food is based on that from Tel Aviv. Love the atmosphere, cozy but clean. For lunch you order at the counter and self seat. The man who helped us at the counter was friendly and very helpful with our selections and and answering questions. We ordered the Skewer plate with the chicken skewer, the hummus, the filó/feta, the roasted cauliflower and the mint lemonade. It was really good. Stand outs included the filó/feta (the honey and sesame over the top, the crispy filó and soft tangy feta were spectacular, especially when paired with the roasted cauliflower), the roasted cauliflower and the mint lemonade. I definitely Olán to come again. Parking can be a pain on 23rd but it was worth the effort!

Zula's is a trendy spot for NW 23rd! The pita bread is amazing and they have good service. I recommend trying any of the meat skewers! Agent T is my favorite cocktail there! Although the food is good, it is rather pricey and I find it hard to crave going regularly.

A newer spot in NW 23rd area. The interior is nice and open with lots of natural light. You order from the counter and wait for them to bring it your food. It did take a while for our food to come out, maybe it was what we ordered. We ordered a skewer plate with lamb and chicken, and the fire roasted eggplant. The eggplant was the standout dish as it was well prepared.

I've been to Zula's a few times in the past couple of months, including twice in one weekend--this place is a treasure! The food is an absolute delight--every dish bursts with fresh, vibrant flavors, and is presented with care that never fails to impress. The staff? They're not just friendly; they make you feel at home and are genuinely interested in ensuring you and your company have an unforgettable experience. I recommend this gem to everyone, locals and out-of-towners alike. The cocktails are great too, each one perfectly balanced and creatively crafted. Even the mocktails are a treat. The chef knows Mediterranean cuisine, and the passion shines through in every bite. The space is bright and inviting, with an ambiance that's lively yet never overwhelmingly loud or unpleasant. If I could, I would dine here every week! Dessert is often overlooked at restaurants, I would recommend saving room to try something off the menu. You won't be disappointed.

Really good food, if very similar to other local restaurants. Am I at Zula, or Blutos, or a Shalom/Sesame Collective restaurant? Hard to tell. Is this too much of a good thing? Maybe. Zula seemed to have a slightly more diverse menu than Blutos, but is also more expensive. Though I will say that they do include the pita with their hummus, which Blutos does not, and that drives me bonkers. Many similarities between all these restaurants. But the food is good, and the atmosphere is nice, service was friendly and I would go back. Did anything distinguish itself and make me want to go here instead of somewhere else for the same type of food? Not really. We spent way too much money and tried half a dozen things, and they were all good but not super memorable. Very pretty food, good ingredients and nicely prepared. We just have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to upscale Middle Eastern food in Portland.

We noticed that there's a new restaurant on the block and so we decided to try it! Not so sure if we would come back though because the food was just ok. I give it 4 stars because service was great, food and drinks were served quickly! I also really love the decor inside and love the patio seating outside. In terms of the food, I don't think theres anything special to it. I'd give the food a rating of 3 stars. The only thing that my boyfriend and I enjoyed was their special which was Atherina (greek style fried smelt with piri piri sauce) and their pickled vegetables. The rest of the food were kind of ok. The eggplant was too salty for my liking and the hummus was ok. I've had better hummus in Portland. The skewers were also meh. It seemed like it lacked seasoning. I'd go back for the vibes and drinks. If they have the Atherina again, I'd definitely order that with a few drinks.

I feel like I just went back to Greece! The Filo and Feta was delicious and we also had the hummus (with an extra pita because they gave us SO MUCH hummus). We finished with their tahini ice cream with candied pecans (drool). I really want to try the skewers next time because those also looked delish. Drinks wise: we got the Zula spritz (think mango aperol spritz) and the Florentin (their spin on a gin and tonic). It was purple, pretty and honestly so good. They have a very balanced cocktail list with the signature refreshing spritz, a gin cocktail, a tequila pomegranate cocktail (which I NEED to get next time). They have a rum forward drink and also a date infused pistachio whiskey cocktail (we had it and it was amazing) We chose to sit at the bar because we're bar-top people, we love to see the drinks being made and chat a little with the staff. They were so nice and we caught them on day 5 of being open. You'd never know it though, as it seemed like a well oiled machine. 12/10 will be back

I dined there last night with 3 friends and we had an amazing meal. We tried a number of different dishes and cocktails, all of which were delicious. The service was excellent, extremely friendly staff. Will be returning and telling friends about this wonderful find.

What a wonderful dining experience! The food was excellent with pleasant surprises in each dish. The service was outstanding, friendly, and attentive to detail. All of which added to a welcoming and satisfying experience. On top of it all, I know no West Coast restaurant that provides a great meal at such a reasonable price.

we celebrated a friend's birthday at Zula on Saturday evening. What a wonderful experience! The food and cocktails were delicious- such creative and interesting flavors! All the people who served us went out of their way to be informative , pleasant and efficient. we couldn't stop talking about coming back! Zula is a winner! it seems like the word has gotten around because as we left every table was filled. Make a reservation.

One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in PDX. A great date night spot with affordable good eats, casual, simple food that will blow you away. The service is fast with the wait staff being very attentive.

Very impressed by Zula! Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS, can't wait to go back and try more things on the menu! A cute space in a great location. We had excellent service and the staff was very friendly and welcoming. Will be going back for more!

I wish I could give them 4.5 stars. Service was 5 stars, and so were some of the dishes. Some need a little improvement. Everything is made fresh, which is a big plus but also challenging. 5 stars: fresh made pita bread, beet salad, labaneh, muchamara, cauliflower, chicken kabob. Needs some improvement to improve to perfect: add some onions or tomatoes to the beef kabob mix to add some moist; add some panko and sesame seeds to the schnitzel crust Will come back on my next visit to Portland.

I think the main issue i see with Portland hype is the foodie instagrammers. I've never once seen a bad review aka no honest review. Which is really upsetting when you kind of rely on them to keep you informed on what's new. This place is aesthetically cute. Great for pictures and I love the colors. The food itself is such a disappointment. And expensive for the quality and flavor. The lamb was just ground lamb around a skewer with no flavor. The hummus could have been just a store bought, nothing special. MEC is just 15 mins away. Same price range but better food. I'll give it another shot in a few month to see if it improves since it's still so new.

Great atmosphere chill vibe. Nice staff counter service. The food was great, it's a small plates shareable situation and lots of amazing dips to pair with SUCH good pita! Also don't sleep on the cheesecake.

First time there. Interesting and excellent choices. The salmon was perfectly prepared. We got too much food but I am glad as we tasted about 5 things! The cauliflower with surprise sauce on the bottom. yummy. and good drinks to boot. (loved the Zula Spritz) I didn't understand the smoky kale but I couldn't stop eating it. and the hummus with toasty chick peas in the center! delicious. creamy yogurt on the side. maybe the pita was a little thick for my preference but tasty tasty tasty. Great spices on EVERY dish! unique. The restaurant was clean and spacious. The staff were helpful and friendly. comfortable though the small tables inspire ordering less but we defied the geometry and fit it all on the table! I just read some other reviews. please all chefs and servers wash your hands after using the toilet . humbly appreciated.....

Discovered this little gem while driving by and so glad we were able to snag a table. Friendly staff & delicious appetizers, main dishes, desserts... all around a wonderful experience. Absolutely recommend!

absolutely incredible. food is always ridiculously good and restaurant itself is beautiful. an excellent addition to portland's food scene

After reading poor reviews, my husband and I weren't sure about trying this place, but we love Israeli food, so we gave it a go. We loved everything about it! I don't know what the people are talking about with negative reviews. Staff was kind and the ambiance was beautiful. I had the limonana (mint lemonade) and it was incredibly delicious! I've been to Israel several times and this is a favorite, and their version surpassed my expectations! We also ate the hummus, fried cauliflower, lamb skewer plate, and chicken skewer. Everything was tasty and we left pleasantly full. Can't wait to go back!

From the moment my husband and I walked into Zula we knew we would like it. The space is bright and airy with an upbeat vibe. At Zula you order at the front as you walk in, the person taking orders was very helpful and guided us through the menu. You are seated when your is order close to ready. In the 10 minutes or so that we waited for our food/table, we had a few sips of our drinks and had a comfortable place to sit. We ordered the cauliflower, salmon skewer plate, smelt, and the charred kale--all were outstanding! The portions are very generous and reasonably priced. The food came out quickly and the staff was attentive and personable. Dining at Zula was a delightful experience from start to finish. JackieG

Great food, good prices and casual atmosphere order at the counter and then food brought to you

Very healthy and good! We liked the radicchio salad, the eggplant, chicken skewers and cauliflower. It was pretty easy to eat GF and they offered crudités to replace the pita, which were good. I would give 5-stars but the price point was high for food that wasn't excellent. Portland has really high food standards so if you offer hummus and eggplant for $12 each, it better be stellar. I would go back and eat here but will also be prepared to spend $120 for two people.

Bright casual spacious restaurant in trendy area. Spotted this place for late weekend lunch while walking about after another place I meant to go was closed. It was an unexpected treat! Food and service is amazing and well priced for portions. Roasted eggplant, feta and tahini will blow you away -- scoop it up with the warm buttery pita and your surly teen who hates eggplant will be won over, so you'll get bonus points for that at least! :-) All the skewers were delicious, but the amazing lamb kofta was the best. Be sure to end your meal with the tahini ice cream with honey/pistachio brittle and you will know you made the right decision in coming here!

We stopped here on a whim and we couldn't believe the good and casual ambiance. The food was wonderful and the service from Cole was just right!!

I had a really hard time getting this food down because of how bad it tasted. Either zero flavor or so much flavor that it was choking you. Opt for a food cart if you want authentic mediterranean food!

We loved the atmosphere and some of the food was wonderful though overall it seemed under seasoned. Cauliflower and eggplant were delicious as was the thin pita that we at with everything. The hummus and our skewers lacked flavor with both the lamb and chicken quite dry. We will definitely try them again as I am sure they are still figuring things out. Love having a Mediterranean small plate restaurant around and some of the dishes were worth having again

Great food, outstanding cocktails, super unique. I really loved the vibes and will be back with friends for a night out!

So glad I bumped into this new place, I was just walking on 23rd in the Alphabet District which is a super fun location, I love Mediterranean Cuisine and Zula was wonderful. The atmosphere is very welcoming and although the menu is simplistic the spice profiles are complex and delicious. I had the ground Lamb Skewer with the salad and pita and a Levontin special cocktail, wow really fresh and bright full of new flavors. My new favorite Mediterranean place in NW!

Loved our dining experience! The salmon skewers with tomato chutney and labneh are a must-get item. I really enjoyed the two new weekend specials Zula just rolled out with a crispy, flavorful fried smelt dish with a tangy dipping sauce as well as a smoky, savory eggplant dish served in a skillet (I recommend adding a pita order on the side!) It's a cozy, chic space with attentive service on top. Will definitely be back!

Incredible food, felt like I was back in Tel Aviv. Visiting from out of town, I'd come back to PDX just to eat here again

Already the best Mediterranean place in Portland. Great healthy food! You should try the Hummus as starter and then the skewer plate with Lamb... so delicious!!

Warm smooth hummus, tangy chermoula, soft but crispy pita, arugula salad with big chunks of radish and cucumber.... And the chicken was delicious. I've been waiting for this place to show up in my neighborhood

From the colorful decor to the energy to the friendly staff to the tasty food this was a positive experience. This restaurant is a happy addition to the lively 23rd Avenue neighborhood. The generous radicchio salad was fresh, crisp, with an excellent light dressing, and the eggplant (similar to baba ganoush) was amazing. The salmon skewer, served with warm pita and labneh (or was it sour cream?--whichever, it was a good side dish) balanced out a delicious dinner. An informal, reasonable, fresh, pleasant evening out.