Zait & Zaatar (Aliso Viejo)
$ • Lebanese, Mediterranean, Pet FriendlyAbout Zait & Zaatar (Aliso Viejo)
Customers' Favorites
Chicken and Beef Shawarma Plate
Kafta Arayes
Zait & Zaatar (Aliso Viejo) Reviews
104 ratings
Share your opinion about Zait & Zaatar (Aliso Viejo)
Great food! Everything was hot and fresh. Authentic food. Absolutely delicious. We got the falafel wrap and it was filled generously with falafel. The beef shawarma is also yummy. The distribution of beef and veggies was nicely wrapped. Of course, their namesake zait and Zatar was super tasty. Staff was kind and service was quick. Patio is spacious, clean and well lit. We will definitely be back.
The best Lebanese restaurant I have seen in Orange County.
Delicious Shawarmas with very cheap prices. Exceptional value for your money.
Hours
| Monday | 10AM - 9PM |
| Tuesday | 10AM - 9PM |
| Wednesday | 10AM - 9PM |
| Thursday | 10AM - 9PM |
| Friday | 10AM - 9PM |
| Saturday | 9AM - 9PM |
| Sunday | 9AM - 9PM |
Zait & Zaatar in Aliso Viejo offers an authentic taste of Middle Eastern cuisine, focusing on traditional flavors and recipes. The food is generally praised for its genuine, unadulterated taste, with the spices, sauces, and overall flavor profiles feeling true to the culture.
However, the dining experience has been somewhat uneven. The price point is surprisingly high for the casual setting and portion sizes, making the value proposition questionable compared to other Mediterranean restaurants in the area. The indoor seating arrangement also feels cramped and awkward, detracting from the relaxed meal experience.
Service has been a point of contention, with some customers finding the staff to be dismissive and not particularly friendly, contrary to the warm hospitality expected at a family-style Middle Eastern establishment. The noise level inside the restaurant can also be problematic, with loud music and staff conversations creating a loud environment that makes conversation difficult.
While most dishes are flavorful, there have been some execution issues, such as the chicken shawarma being drier than expected. Overall, Zait & Zaatar offers authentic Middle Eastern flavors, but the dining experience could benefit from improvements in pricing, seating, service, and consistency of dish quality to provide a more well-rounded experience for customers.