I thought I would try your restaurant because I love Mediterranean food. I went to the counter to order, and the waitress recommended the chicken platter. It came in a round plastic container with the see-through lid. The chicken was cut in tiny pieces, very dry and overcooked, and it had no flavor. Along with that came a tablespoon of hummus, a tablespoon of mushy carrot mixture, some rice and Brussel sprouts. The brussels sprouts were very good. But everything else was not very good. The waitress came over to ask me how I like the food And I told her the chicken was very dry and overdone. She said sorry about that and walked away. The lunch was 20 bucks. I will never go back.
ttripping
The food is Devine! I had the veggie wellington again. It is full of yummy vegetables wrap in a large pastry puff served with sides of yellow rice and scrumptious Roasted Brussel sprouts. That's not all, there is also a white bean and carrot salad, OMG it's good. Good prices, large portions and an outstanding staff. The best meal I've had in Lakeland!
JD A
Today was my first time here; staff was friendly and helpful as soon as I walked in. Thank you for being kind and explaining things to me. I ordered a Vanilla Lavender Cold Brew and a Milky Hazelnut Pastry. Both amazing!!!!!! I will definitely be back to order some food after looking at their food options.
sailsup3
What a disappointment, So looked forward to this “restaurant” after reading such glowing reviews. The actual restaurant is closed, they moved dining services into the mini market. But failed to post a sigh on the door informing their customers. Ordered at the service counter, the server leaves the market crossing over to the kitchen (located in the restaurant) returning with an incomplete order. I ordered an ice tea, (she told me it came from Publix). about 5 oz. In a glass full of ice. I ordered a refill and was told there would be a charge, asked for some dressing for my salad, you guessed it, told there would be a charge. After lunch I asked about the missing item from my lunch. Low and behold, we’ve left the restaurant and she chased me down to present the missing food.
Ronald Byers
Great Turkish food, very fresh, prepared well. It isn't a place where you eat cheap gg fast food, but you get the impression that they prepare it with love. Try the carrot salad.
Vaul Polkman
This is your sign to stop and get some coffee
MeAndThee1
Restaurant has changed to a cafeteria style with HIGH prices. Food is great, small portions, but the high price doesnt match a cafeteria dining experience. I used to go here when it was a restaurant with table service and loved it. Since they expanded it is a cold empty atmosphere. Food is good but small portions for high price, served in styrofoam, to go, containers.
Felix Y
The place looked ok and I'm sure the food is good as well. My wife and I went there and we had a difficult time finding the door. Once we did we went in and there was no customers inside. We asked the woman that was there if they were serving dinner and she said yes just go by the counter get menu and sit at a table. To me it looked more like a market. I don't like being the only customer at a restaurant so my wife and I just left. The way they're running it this place will be history soon.
Fearless52012835637
Before Covid it was a sit down restaurant with unbelievably good food. I had the family meet me there in 2023. It basically was a deli and store. The food was served in throwaway containers and just ok not like before Covid. So disappointing.
Let me start with saying that, growing up in a middle eastern home, and visiting various middle eastern restaurants around the country, I'm quite familiar with the style of food. I am also accustomed to paying what it takes to get a good meal. That said, being in Lakeland, I wasn't expecting it to be top-of-the-line, but at its pricepoint, I did expect more. I was really looking for lamb, but at $25 for a lunch portion and more for dinner, I opted for the chicken instead. The chicken kebob, while well-cooked and tasty, was primarily seasoned with cumin. The Brussels sprouts were, well, roasted Brussels sprouts and nothing particularly notable, as was the rice (though middle eastern rice is usually quite delicious). That carrot salad - I would be happy to never see that again. I couldn't quite tell about the hummus, though, because it was in with the carrot salad and not at all tasty to me, and the pita was rather gummy and not what one typically finds at similar restaurants. From what I saw online, the prices suggested a lovely sit-down restaurant, so I was a little taken aback to find it is actually a fast-casual market that serves entrees in to-go containers. The food was good but didn't satisfy my middle eastern craving and left a bigger dent in my wallet than the location would suggest.
Victoria B
The best place for dessert and coffee. Miss the vegan chocolate cake! Staff is always super kind and accomodating! Calm, quiet, clean atmosphere.
937beverlyr
I brought my niece here for lunch as she was in for a brief visit from St. Pete Beach. We both like Mediterranean food so thought this would be a good fit for us both. First we had a hard time finding the door! Parked by the big sign but found that door locked. Saw another door a few steps to the left so headed there only to find a hand lettered sign directing us to go the "The Market". Went to that door but a woman coming out of it told us the door was yet another trek to the left of that! Finally got inside and a woman told us to "grab a menu, find a table then go to the counter to order". Okay fine, so we sat down and decided on our food choices. The least expensive lunch item is the gyro sandwich which was fine with me as that was my choice anyway. My niece chose the feta roll which I told her had gotten a good review. She went up to the counter and ordered our food and drinks. Soon a woman wandered over with our drinks then a few minutes later another woman came by and dropped our tableware Dinner items can run to $38 and I presume they also are served in takeout boxes. Just amazing. Bottom line: the gyro sandwich was very good, the potato salad was mediocre. I had a small bite of my niece's feta roll and it was very good. Sorry but I cannot recommend this restaurant as I don't feel the value is there.
46carrieh
Went to have dinner and we’re told that we could only get a to go order despite being there at 6:45 and the restaurant closes at 8:00. Not great business. So disappointed. If you plan to have dinner don’t go after 6:30.
Raegan Linster
If you didn’t know you needed a wonderfully exquisite Mediterranean market/ cafe in your life, here’s your sign! You will find exactly this at the Cafe Zuppina in Lakeland.It’s all in the same little area but two distinct parts- the actual restaurant, “Cafe Zuppina”, is located to the right when you are facing the buildings. Then, the “Market at Cafe Zuppina” is the longer building to the left (its 2 rooms).The Market is just a charmer. There is an actual market section, where you can find fun foreign candies, jams, dips, drinks, and even some pre made take home for later Mediterranean food. Then walk into the interconnected next room, and you will find another world of more goodies.Gelato, coffee, pastries and baklava galore! There are many fun things to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the chocolate baklava. They should call it choclava instead, I think. Also, most every season they create some sort of special short-term flavored cold brew coffee. During the most recent holidays they had an eggnog cream cold brew, and it was one of the best cold brews I’ve had to date. I was totally taken aback by how good it was, especially since I didn’t really expect it. So what I’m saying is, keep an eye on their cold brew specials and definitely give those a try!The market is awesome for a quick stop or a nice place to hang out- in their adorable leather chairs or out in the middle courtyard!
You should post that you are not open today
I thought I would try your restaurant because I love Mediterranean food. I went to the counter to order, and the waitress recommended the chicken platter. It came in a round plastic container with the see-through lid. The chicken was cut in tiny pieces, very dry and overcooked, and it had no flavor. Along with that came a tablespoon of hummus, a tablespoon of mushy carrot mixture, some rice and Brussel sprouts. The brussels sprouts were very good. But everything else was not very good. The waitress came over to ask me how I like the food And I told her the chicken was very dry and overdone. She said sorry about that and walked away. The lunch was 20 bucks. I will never go back.
The food is Devine! I had the veggie wellington again. It is full of yummy vegetables wrap in a large pastry puff served with sides of yellow rice and scrumptious Roasted Brussel sprouts. That's not all, there is also a white bean and carrot salad, OMG it's good. Good prices, large portions and an outstanding staff. The best meal I've had in Lakeland!
Today was my first time here; staff was friendly and helpful as soon as I walked in. Thank you for being kind and explaining things to me. I ordered a Vanilla Lavender Cold Brew and a Milky Hazelnut Pastry. Both amazing!!!!!! I will definitely be back to order some food after looking at their food options.
What a disappointment, So looked forward to this “restaurant” after reading such glowing reviews. The actual restaurant is closed, they moved dining services into the mini market. But failed to post a sigh on the door informing their customers. Ordered at the service counter, the server leaves the market crossing over to the kitchen (located in the restaurant) returning with an incomplete order. I ordered an ice tea, (she told me it came from Publix). about 5 oz. In a glass full of ice. I ordered a refill and was told there would be a charge, asked for some dressing for my salad, you guessed it, told there would be a charge. After lunch I asked about the missing item from my lunch. Low and behold, we’ve left the restaurant and she chased me down to present the missing food.
Great Turkish food, very fresh, prepared well. It isn't a place where you eat cheap gg fast food, but you get the impression that they prepare it with love. Try the carrot salad.
This is your sign to stop and get some coffee
Restaurant has changed to a cafeteria style with HIGH prices. Food is great, small portions, but the high price doesnt match a cafeteria dining experience. I used to go here when it was a restaurant with table service and loved it. Since they expanded it is a cold empty atmosphere. Food is good but small portions for high price, served in styrofoam, to go, containers.
The place looked ok and I'm sure the food is good as well. My wife and I went there and we had a difficult time finding the door. Once we did we went in and there was no customers inside. We asked the woman that was there if they were serving dinner and she said yes just go by the counter get menu and sit at a table. To me it looked more like a market. I don't like being the only customer at a restaurant so my wife and I just left. The way they're running it this place will be history soon.
Before Covid it was a sit down restaurant with unbelievably good food. I had the family meet me there in 2023. It basically was a deli and store. The food was served in throwaway containers and just ok not like before Covid. So disappointing.
Restaurantji Recommends
Let me start with saying that, growing up in a middle eastern home, and visiting various middle eastern restaurants around the country, I'm quite familiar with the style of food. I am also accustomed to paying what it takes to get a good meal. That said, being in Lakeland, I wasn't expecting it to be top-of-the-line, but at its pricepoint, I did expect more. I was really looking for lamb, but at $25 for a lunch portion and more for dinner, I opted for the chicken instead. The chicken kebob, while well-cooked and tasty, was primarily seasoned with cumin. The Brussels sprouts were, well, roasted Brussels sprouts and nothing particularly notable, as was the rice (though middle eastern rice is usually quite delicious). That carrot salad - I would be happy to never see that again. I couldn't quite tell about the hummus, though, because it was in with the carrot salad and not at all tasty to me, and the pita was rather gummy and not what one typically finds at similar restaurants. From what I saw online, the prices suggested a lovely sit-down restaurant, so I was a little taken aback to find it is actually a fast-casual market that serves entrees in to-go containers. The food was good but didn't satisfy my middle eastern craving and left a bigger dent in my wallet than the location would suggest.
The best place for dessert and coffee. Miss the vegan chocolate cake! Staff is always super kind and accomodating! Calm, quiet, clean atmosphere.
I brought my niece here for lunch as she was in for a brief visit from St. Pete Beach. We both like Mediterranean food so thought this would be a good fit for us both. First we had a hard time finding the door! Parked by the big sign but found that door locked. Saw another door a few steps to the left so headed there only to find a hand lettered sign directing us to go the "The Market". Went to that door but a woman coming out of it told us the door was yet another trek to the left of that! Finally got inside and a woman told us to "grab a menu, find a table then go to the counter to order". Okay fine, so we sat down and decided on our food choices. The least expensive lunch item is the gyro sandwich which was fine with me as that was my choice anyway. My niece chose the feta roll which I told her had gotten a good review. She went up to the counter and ordered our food and drinks. Soon a woman wandered over with our drinks then a few minutes later another woman came by and dropped our tableware Dinner items can run to $38 and I presume they also are served in takeout boxes. Just amazing. Bottom line: the gyro sandwich was very good, the potato salad was mediocre. I had a small bite of my niece's feta roll and it was very good. Sorry but I cannot recommend this restaurant as I don't feel the value is there.
Went to have dinner and we’re told that we could only get a to go order despite being there at 6:45 and the restaurant closes at 8:00. Not great business. So disappointed. If you plan to have dinner don’t go after 6:30.
If you didn’t know you needed a wonderfully exquisite Mediterranean market/ cafe in your life, here’s your sign! You will find exactly this at the Cafe Zuppina in Lakeland.It’s all in the same little area but two distinct parts- the actual restaurant, “Cafe Zuppina”, is located to the right when you are facing the buildings. Then, the “Market at Cafe Zuppina” is the longer building to the left (its 2 rooms).The Market is just a charmer. There is an actual market section, where you can find fun foreign candies, jams, dips, drinks, and even some pre made take home for later Mediterranean food. Then walk into the interconnected next room, and you will find another world of more goodies.Gelato, coffee, pastries and baklava galore! There are many fun things to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the chocolate baklava. They should call it choclava instead, I think. Also, most every season they create some sort of special short-term flavored cold brew coffee. During the most recent holidays they had an eggnog cream cold brew, and it was one of the best cold brews I’ve had to date. I was totally taken aback by how good it was, especially since I didn’t really expect it. So what I’m saying is, keep an eye on their cold brew specials and definitely give those a try!The market is awesome for a quick stop or a nice place to hang out- in their adorable leather chairs or out in the middle courtyard!