ZAZA Espresso Bar and Gelato

best spot to get some coffee in Barrie.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

Table was dirty, they sat us in what seemed like a bug infested area. Blonde waitress in her 50s - 60s was extremely rude and managed to mess up 3 out of 4 of our orders that were placed. The only one that was right, she actually forgot to bring out to us and it came cold.

For the 3 orders that were wrong, the waitress tried to convince us that this is what we ordered.. and then proceeded to storm off rolling her eyes and talking poorly about us to the other staff. After voicing our concerns politely to our waitress, she kept cutting us off and started to actually yell at us. We ended up asking for another server, and that request was ignored. Her service and attitude was disgusting…never have experienced anything like it. The supervisor actually had to come to our table and explain to her that she was wrong.

After visiting this restaurant, it’s clear why this was the only empty place on the entire Friday Harbour strip, and why this restaurant has horrible reviews online. I highly recommend avoiding this business.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Awful service food tastes horrible

I don’t normally leave reviews, but my experience at Zaza’s was so uncomfortable I felt like I had to warn others. From the second we walked in, our waitress – an older blonde woman with glasses, probably in her 50s or 60s – made my entire family feel like we were being watched like criminals. She hovered next to our table the entire time, glaring at us and making us feel completely unwelcome.

Half our group was dining in and the other half taking out, and still, not a single one of us was offered water. We sat there with two empty cups and a couple pieces of cutlery. That was it. She kept forgetting parts of our order, and it seemed like her and the other staff were more focused on staring at us than doing their jobs.

The food? Disgusting. It tasted like it had been sitting out in the middle of the Sahara desert for days – dry, bland, and borderline inedible. I’ve had better meals out of a vending machine. To top it off, when it came time to pay, this waitress literally stood over us while we used the card machine, watching us, like that was going to pressure us into tipping her. Newsflash: we tipped her absolutely nothing, and she earned that.

She even laughed at us as we were leaving, like the whole thing was a joke. I’ve never felt so disrespected at a restaurant before. Zaza’s seriously needs to retrain their staff or rethink who they’re hiring, because this was unacceptable on every level.

Update: my sandwhich is freezing cold and the bread is crumbling apart. Mc Donald’s would serve a better Italian sandwhich than this.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Brutal service, clueless, inattentive, dismissive staff. Honestly terrible

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I really enjoyed my time here, the food and gelato were great. The staff and manager Mohammed were very attentive, polite and offered great service. I can’t wait to go back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was a few weeks ago, as it was my first time at Friday Harbour. I had seen Zaza and thought it would be a great place to go with some friends. Upon arriving the servers approached us with a positive attitude despite appearing to be burnt out they were clearly doing their best and serving customers with a positive attitude. Despite this the manager Moe had pulled my server aside and then began belittling her in front of multiple tables speaking to her in such a disrespectful way. I can’t imagine how embarrassed she felt! It was clear that they were far into their shift and doing everything in their power to give the customers a great experience. Until the management is changed I cannot see this place having success.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 5

I don’t usually leave reviews, but I feel this needs to be shared. I visited this restaurant recently and unfortunately had a disappointing experience—not because of the servers, but because of how they were treated by management.

While dining, I witnessed the manager approach a young server and speak to her in a harsh, disrespectful manner in front of guests. I later asked her how long she had been working, and she told me she’d been on her feet for over 10 hours with no break. She looked visibly exhausted. No employee should ever be treated that way or expected to work such long hours without proper rest.

To make matters worse, the chicken sandwich I ordered was dry and lacked flavor, which only added to the underwhelming experience.

The staff here are clearly trying their best under difficult conditions. If anything, they are the backbone of this place—and they deserve better. I truly hope management reflects on how vital their team is and starts treating them with the respect and care they’ve earned. Until then, I cannot recommend this restaurant.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I visited Zaza at Friday Harbour not too long ago, and the location and setting had promise but what I witnessed behind the scenes was truly disheartening. The manager (if you want to call him a manager), Mo, was loudly yelling at staff in front of customers, creating a hostile and uncomfortable environment. It was a painful experience to watch.

The staff were doing their absolute best staying professional, composed, and trying to keep the service running smoothly despite the pressure they were under. You could tell they cared about their work and the guests, but no one deserves to be treated the way I saw them being treated.

Note to the team: you deserve so much better. I truly hope each of you finds a workplace that values your effort, respects your dignity, and supports your growth. You’re the backbone of that restaurant, and it’s clear you’re working hard despite being in an unfair situation.

Until there’s a serious change in management, I can’t in good conscience recommend Zaza. No meal is worth contributing to a place that doesn’t respect its own people.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 5

Five star!!
Great coffee and cozy atmosphere! The manager and the rest of the staff were super friendly and welcoming. It really makes a difference when the people working there are so kind and warm. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I visited this restaurant on Canada Day, and despite how busy it was, the staff handled everything with impressive professionalism and friendliness.
I tried the pizza and the chicken sandwich with their special sauce — both were absolutely delicious! The crust on the pizza was perfectly crispy, and the sandwich was juicy and packed with flavor.
What stood out most was the great attitude of the staff. Even with long lines, they were smiling, organized, and made sure everyone was taken care of.
Highly recommend this place if you're looking for quality food and exceptional service, even during the busiest days.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I recently visited this café, and I can’t say enough good things about the experience. The coffee was absolutely top-notch—rich, smooth, and expertly brewed. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or a serious espresso fan, you’ll be impressed.

I also tried their croissant, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had: buttery, flaky, and perfectly baked with just the right amount of crisp on the outside and softness inside. Pairing it with the coffee was heaven!

And then there’s the gelato—wow. Creamy, flavorful, and clearly made with quality ingredients. You can taste the difference. I tried the pistachio and the dark chocolate, and both were incredible.

What really stood out, though, was the management. The team running the place clearly cares about quality and customer service. They were friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which made the whole experience even better.

If you're looking for a cozy spot with great food, drinks, and service, this place is a gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

, The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with friendly staff who made us feel right at home. Their hospitality was top-notch — attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely kind.

Now, let’s talk about the pizza — absolutely incredible! Perfectly crisp crust, rich tomato sauce, and a beautiful balance of fresh, high-quality toppings. Whether you're a fan of classic Margherita or something more adventurous, their menu has something for everyone. Each bite was full of flavor and clearly made with care.
.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be treated like family while enjoying it. I’ll definitely be coming back soon

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely awful experience at this so-called “restaurant.” I went on a busy Saturday and ordered a steak sandwich and a chicken dish. The chicken portion was laughable — barely the size of a fist, and somehow $20? Complete rip-off.

To make things worse, my server completely disappeared after the manager, Moe, came out and berated her in front of customers. He was aggressive and condescending — it was uncomfortable and unprofessional. Multiple people on the patio witnessed it. Apparently, this is a regular thing with him. No manager should treat their staff like that. It ruined the entire atmosphere. I won’t be coming back.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 5

I complained about finding a hair in my food and requested to speak with the Zaza manager. Unfortunately, the manager, Moe, did not offer a sincere apology, any form of compensation, or even make an effort to resolve the issue. I was shocked by his attitude. Additionally, I have observed Moe speaking to his staff in front of customers in such a disrespectful and demeaning manner, which I have witnessed personally twice. God bless the staff. This manager clearly demonstrates a significant lack of management knowledge. Beware! Elena B.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1